SHORT NOTES ON PROFESSIONAL SUBJECTS. 
87 
27. Rocket detachments, north coast of Spain, for mountain 
service, 1836-40.* 
Two natures only were employed, 6 and 8-prs., the first were chiefly, and the 
second wholly, shell rockets. 
The 6-pr. subdivisions consisted of,— 
2 n.c. officers .Carrying 2 rocket tubes of 6 feet, made to screw 
14 gunners.. ! together when necessary, and form a tube 12 ft. 
2 Spanish muleteers t long; and 140 rockets. The subdivision was 
8 mules . ) capable of acting when needful in two sections. 
5 mules carried each 28 rockets 1 1 , A . , 
3 mules . . .70 sticks j WO rockets. 
8 th mule earned the tents, 
provisions, and forage. 
The loads were,—* 
lbs. 
lbs. 
Of Nos. 1 and 5 mules ( 
called the < 
“ Front Mules.” ( 
'The rocket tube. 19") 
18 shell and 10 shot rockets 149 > 
The magazines . 30 ) 
Of Nos. 6 and 7 mules j 
• o .* - 
' 7 0 rocket sticks. 
^ A pair of stick buckets 
. 159 5 
. 14 j 
• 173 J 
The loads of Nos. 2, 3, and 4 mules were less by 19 lbs. (weight of rocket tube) 
than those of 1 and 5, but they were each fitted to carry it. 
Nos. 3 of each section of the detachment carried a linstock and portfire, and Nos. 
1, 2, and 4 leaders of quickmatch for ground volleys, in cavalry cartouch boxes. 
On preparing for action the four last Nos. of each section took out and carried 
amongst them, 12-rocket sticks, and also gave 2 to No. 4 who fixed them to rockets 
and carried them ready, one in each hand :—one mule only, thus needed to be brought 
under fire at a time. 
The 3-pr; subdivisions consisted df,*— 
2 n.c. officers .. "\ 
6 gunners .. (Carrying 2 hand rocket guns, and 224 rockets, 
1 Spanish muleteer v capable of acting in 2 sections. 
5 mules ... ) 
Four mules earned each 56 rockets and sticks, making 224 rockets. 
The 5th mule Carried a tent, provisions, and forage. 
Nos. 1 and 3 mules carried each a hand rocket gun; and the saddles of 2 and 4 
were also fitted to carry them, when required to relieve 1 and 3. 
* The information here given is from Memoranda by the late Colonel Colquhoun, R.As 
f 43 lbs., the weight of the pack saddle, must be added to these weights.—Ed; 
5 
