, two boring-bits, two priming-wires, a shackle-punch and
pins and some old rags, to be slung round the neck of the Quarter
Gunner of each division of guns; rammers and sponges placed, and the
latter uncapped; one worm in place, on each side of the deck, for each
division, and a ladle at hand for each calibre on board; pistols, in
frogs furnished with cartridges and caps, and cutlasses and
battle-axes, belted round the respective persons designated to wear
them; marines accoutred and under arms, and distributed as the Captain
may direct; tourniquets to be distributed as may be judged necessary.
(_See_ Articles 139 and 151.)

PREPARATIONS FOR EXERCISE AT GENERAL QUARTERS,
WITH POWDER, AS THOUGH ENGAGED IN BATTLE.

168. Crew cast loose the guns; shell-rooms and magazine are opened;
powder and shells passed up, and every thing ready for firing, the
order for which is awaited. If the beat is followed by orders from the
quarter-deck to fire, then this is performed as soon as each gun is
ready. In this case, besides what has just been prescribed for a
General Exercise without powder, the following further preparations
will be made: Put out galley fire and all unauthorized lights; light
match and place it in manger; open magazines and powder-tanks, and
also shell-rooms, when ordered; close and secure air-ports; fill
division and fire tubs with fresh water; place cans of fresh water and
wet swabs in magazines and shell-rooms; light up the cockpit, or other
place, for the wounded; place mattresses, and if there be room, sling
spare cots; get ready the amputating-table, instruments, bandages,
lint, medicines; have a plentiful supply of fresh water and swabs, and
sprinkle the decks. Make a particular examination of all the
arrangements for extinguishing fire; see that force-pumps and hose are
in good order, and the men stationed at them in their places.

Speed being one of the principal elements of military force, steamers
will, on going into action, have all the furnaces clean, and the fires
in condition to make steam rapidly.

The beat to quarters for action is therefore a signal to start fires
in any furnaces not in use.

PROVIDING BROADSIDE-GUNS.

169. When the exercise of broadside-guns is to be confined to one side
only, each gun's crew is to provide its own gun, on the side at which
it is ordered to assemble, as follows: but when the guns on both sides
are to be exercised at once, each part of a gun's c