an enemy's ship of war
destroyed, or deserted, in fight. It was formerly assumed to be about
L1000 per gun.

GUNBOAT. A light-draught boat fitted to carry one or more cannon in the
bow, so as to cannonade an enemy while she is end-on. They are
principally useful in fine weather, to cover the landing of troops, or
such other occasions. They were formerly impelled by sails and sweeps
but now by steam-power, which has generally increased their size, and
much developed their importance. According to Froissart, cannon were
fired from boats in the fourteenth century.

GUN-CHAMBERS. In early artillery, a movable chamber with a handle, like
a paterero, used in loading at the breech. In more recent times the name
has been used for the small portable mortars for firing salutes in the
parks.

GUN-COTTON. An explosive compound, having some advantages over
gunpowder, but so irregular hitherto in its action that it is at present
used only for mining purposes. It consists of ordinary cotton treated
with nitric and sulphuric acid and water, and has been named by chemists
"pyroxylin," "nitro-cellulose," &c.

GUN-DECK. _See_ DECKS.

GUN-FIRE. The morning or evening guns, familiarly termed "the admiral
falling down the hatchway."

GUN-GEAR. Everything pertaining to its handling.

GUN-HARPOON. _See_ HARPOON.

GUN-LADLE. _See_ LADLE.

GUN-LOD. A vessel filled with combustibles, but rather for explosion
than as a fire-ship.

GUN-METAL. The alloy from which brass guns are cast consists of 100
parts of copper to 10 of tin, retaining much of the tenacity of the
former, and much harder than either of the components; but the late
improved working of wrought-iron and steel has nearly superseded its
application to guns.

GUNNADE. A short 32-pounder gun of 6 feet, introduced in 1814;
afterwards termed the shell-gun.

GUNNEL. _See_ GUNWALE.

GUNNELL. A spotted ribbon-bodied fish, living under stones and among
rocks.

GUNNER, OF A SHIP OF WAR. A warrant-officer appointed to take charge of
the ammunition and artillery on board; to keep the latter properly fitted,
and to instruct the sailors in the exercise of the cannon. The warrant of
chief-gunner is now given to first-class gunners.--_Quarter-gunners._
Men formerly placed under the direction of the gunner, one quarter-gunner
being allowed to every four guns. In the army, gunner is the proper title
of a private soldier of the Royal Artillery, with the exception of those
styled dr