r of men to form crews of guns mounted on carriages of
special character, is to be regulated as may be found most
advantageous by the Commanding Officer.

79. In designating the Petty Officers and others for particular
stations, it is assumed that the intelligence, skill, and force of the
men have been equally divided between the two watches, and that the
men in the starboard watch have all odd numbers, as 1, 3, 5, and those
of the port watch even numbers, as 2, 4, 6.

To preserve this equality, and to secure the ability of those who may
be upon deck to prepare the ship for action at night, whilst the watch
below are bringing up and stowing the hammocks, all the odd-numbered
guns will be entirely manned by men belonging to the starboard watch,
and all the even-numbered guns by those belonging to the port watch,
as far as practicable. The crews of pivot-guns to be taken half from
each watch.

80. Where ports on opposite sides of the same deck are numbered the
same, and are both provided with a gun, guns' crews are only to be
furnished for the guns on one side. Pivot and shifting guns are each
to have full guns' crews.

81. When the complements allowed to vessels of the Navy will permit,
it is recommended as a general arrangement that the guns' crews be
formed of about one-third Petty Officers and Seamen, one-third
Ordinary Seamen, and one-third Landsmen and Boys, and that this system
be observed as nearly as practicable.

82. At least one Quarter Gunner should be stationed at each division
of guns; and a Gunner's Mate or Quarter Gunner in the smaller
magazine, and in each shell-room.

If there be more shell-rooms than there are disposable Quarter Gunners
to attend them, other careful and suitable persons are to be selected
to supply the deficiency.

83. Before permanently assigning the individuals which form a gun's
crew, to the performance of particular duties connected with its
service in action, it is important to ascertain their respective
qualifications, as far as may be practicable, by questioning them or
by exercising them at the guns.

84. The Captains, especially, should be selected from those in whose
skill, coolness, and judgment the greatest reliance can be placed,
without regard to their ratings, though at the same time care should
be taken to avoid stationing men of a higher rating than the Captains
of the guns, to perform subordinate duties at the same guns. They
should be examined by the Surgeo