cording to the nature of the gun; and,
when practicable, at targets at known distances and with the
appropriate service charges. (_See_ TABLES OF RANGES, Appendix.)

5. He will immediately endeavor to discover whether defects or
deficiencies in the armament or equipment exist, and, if any be found,
will remedy them as far as in his power consistently with
instructions, representing them to the Commandant of the yard of
outfit, if near it; and, if important, to the Chief of the Bureau of
Ordnance.

6. On the representation of the Gunner that the Ordnance Stores are
injured or liable to injury, he will order the survey called for by
Article 49.

7. He will, in each quarter of the first year of the cruise, expend in
target-practice six rounds, and in each succeeding quarter-year six
broadsides, making the report required by Art. 14.

He will not, however, either for this purpose or for saluting, reduce
his supply of ammunition below 100 broadsides.

8. In order to accustom the men to the use of loaded shells, they are
frequently to be used in preference to shot. For this purpose,
however, empty shells, or those that are "bouched" only, will be
carefully fitted, filled, and fused on board, in season, according to
the directions (Chap. I. Part III.), and first expended.

They should be fitted only as required to replace those expended; a
principal object in supplying a certain number of shells to be fitted
on board ships, is to disseminate information on this subject.

9. The relative proportions of "distant," "ordinary," and
"near-firing" charges are to be preserved (_See_ TABLE OF CHARGES,
Part III.) as nearly as practicable, and after action or exercise,
deficiencies caused by the expenditure of any particular kind of
charge will be made up, without unnecessary delay, from the others on
hand.

10. The allowances for target-practice are not to be expended in one
or two exercises, but are to be divided in such proportions as to
allow target-practice once a fortnight, or at least once a month, when
practicable; and at least three-fourths of the charges allowed shall
be expended in practice at sea, when it can be conveniently done,
opportunities being chosen for that purpose under all the
circumstances of wind and weather in which vessels of war are liable
to engage in battle.

11. When in port, and circumstances will admit, such places are to be
selected for practice as are favorable for the recovery of the
proj