Part 3

Plate 7, Fig. 1, is a perspective view of a Battery, erected expressly for throwing Rockets in bombardment, where the interior slope has the angle of projection required, and is equal to the length of the Rocket and stick.

The great advantage of this system is, that, as it dispenses with apparatus: where there is time for forming a work of this sort, of considerable length, the quantity of fire, that may be thrown in a given time, is limited only by the length of the work: thus, as the Rockets may be laid in embrasures cut in the bank, at every two feet, a battery of this description, 200 feet in length, will fire 100 Rockets in a volley, and so on; or an incessant and heavy fire may, by such a battery, be kept up from one flank to the other, by replacing the Rockets as fast as they are fired in succession.

The rule for forming this battery is as follows.

“The length of the interior slope of this work is half formed by the excavation, and half by the earth thrown out; for the base therefore of the interior slope of the part to be raised, at an angle of 55°, set off two thirds of the intended perpendicular height--cut down the slope to a perpendicular depth equal to the above mentioned height--then setting off, for the breadth of the interior excavation, one third more than the intended thickness of the work, carry down a regular ramp from the back part of this excavation to the foot of the slope, and the excavation will supply the quantity of earth necessary to give the exterior face a slope of 45°.”

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of a common epaulement converted into a Rocket battery. In this case, as the epaulement is not of sufficient length to support the Rocket and stick, holes must be bored in the ground, with a miner’s borer, of a sufficient depth to receive the sticks, and at such distances, and such an angle, as it is intended to place the Rockets for firing. The inside of the epaulement must be pared away to correspond with this angle, say 55°. The Rockets are then to be laid in embrasures, formed in the bank, as in the last case. Where the ground is such as to admit of using the borer, this latter system, of course, is the easiest operation; and for such ground as would be likely to crumble into the holes, slight tubes are provided, about two feet long, to preserve the opening; in fact, these tubes will be found advantageous in all ground.

Fig. 2 also shews a powerful mode of defending a field work by means of Rockets, in addition to the defences of the present system; merely by cutting embrasures in the glacis, for horizontal firing.

A ROCKET AMBUSCADE.

Plate 8, Fig. 1, represents one of the most important uses that can be made of Rockets for field service; it is that of the Rocket Ambuscade for the defence of a pass, or for covering the retreat of an army, by placing any number, hundreds or thousands, of 32 or 24-pounder shell Rockets, or of 32-pounder Rockets, armed with 18-pounder shot, limited as to quantity only by the importance of the object, which is to be obtained; as by this means, the most extensive destruction, even amounting to annihilation, may be carried amongst the ranks of an advancing enemy, and that with the exposure of scarcely an individual.

The Rockets are laid in rows or batteries of 100 or 500 in a row, according to the extent of ground to be protected. They are to be concealed either in high grass, or masked in any other convenient way; and the ambuscade may be formed of any required number of these batteries, one behind the other, each battery being prepared to be discharged in a volley, by leaders of quick match: so that one man is, in fact, alone sufficient to fire the whole in succession, beginning with that nearest to the enemy, as soon as he shall have perceived them near enough to warrant his firing. Where the batteries are very extensive, each battery may be sub-divided into smaller parts, with separate trains to each, so that the whole, or any particular division of each battery, may be fired, according to the number and position of the enemy advancing. Trains, or leaders, are provided for this service, of a particular construction, being a sort of flannel saucissons, with two or three threads of slow match, which will strike laterally at all points, and are therefore very easy of application; requiring only to be passed from Rocket to Rocket, crossing the vents, by which arrangement the fire running along, from vent to vent, is sure to strike every Rocket in quick succession, without their disturbing each others’ direction in going off, which they might otherwise do, being placed within 18 inches apart, if all were positively fired at the same instant.

Fig. 2 is a somewhat similar application, but not so much in the nature of an ambuscade as of an open defence. Here a very low work is thrown up, for the defence of a post, or of a chain of posts, consisting merely of as much earth and turf as is sufficient to form the sides of shallow embrasures for the large Rockets, placed from two to three feet apart, or nearer; from which the Rockets are supposed to be discharged independently, by a certain number of artillery-men, employed to keep up the fire, according to the necessity of the case.

It is evident, that by this mode, an incessant and tremendous fire may be maintained, which it would be next to impossible for an advancing enemy to pass through, not only from its quantity and the weight and destructive nature of the ammunition, but from the closeness of its lines and its contiguity to the ground; leaving, in fact, no space in front which must not be passed over and ploughed up after very few rounds.

As both these operations are supposed to be employed in defensive warfare, and therefore in fixed stations, there is no difficulty involved in the establishment of a sufficient depôt of ammunition for carrying them on upon the most extensive scale; though it is obviously impossible to accomplish any thing approaching this system of defence, by the ordinary means of artillery.

THE USE OF ROCKETS IN THE ATTACK AND DEFENCE OF FORTIFIED PLACES.

Plate 9, Fig. 1, represents the advanced batteries and approaches in the attack of some fortress, where an imperfect breach being supposed to have been made in the salient angle of any bastion, large Rockets, weighing each from two to three hundred weight or more, and being each loaded with not less than a barrel of powder, are fired into the ruins after the revetment is broken, in order, by continual explosions, to render the breach practicable in the most expeditious way. To insure every Rocket that is fired having the desired effect, they are so heavily laden, as not to rise off the ground when fired along it; and under these circumstances are placed in a small shallow trench, run along to the foot of the glacis, from the nearest point of the third parallel, and in a direct line for the breach: by this means, the Rockets being laid in this trench will invariably pursue exactly the same course, and every one of them will be infallibly lodged in the breach. It is evident, that the whole of this is intended as a night operation, and a few hours would suffice, not only for running forward the trench, which need not be more than 18 inches deep, and about nine inches wide, undiscovered, but also for firing a sufficient number of Rockets to make a most complete breach before the enemy could take means to prevent the combinations of the operation.

From the experiments I have lately made, I have reason to believe, that Rockets much larger than those above mentioned may be formed for this description of service--Rockets from half a ton to a ton weight; which being driven in very strong and massive cast iron cases, may possess such strength and force, that, being fired by a process similar to that above described, even against the revetment of any fortress, unimpaired by a cannonade, it shall, by its mass and form, pierce the same; and having pierced it, shall, with one explosion of several barrels of powder, blow such portion of the masonry into the ditch, as shall, with very few rounds, complete a practicable breach.

It is evident, from this view of the weapon, that the Rocket System is not only capable of a degree of portability, and facility for light movements, which no weapon possesses, but that its ponderous parts, or the individual masses of its ammunition, also greatly exceed those of ordinary artillery. And yet, although this last description of Rocket ammunition appears of an enormous mass, as ammunition, still if it be found capable of the powers here supposed, of which _I_ have little doubt, the whole weight to be brought in this way against any town, for the accomplishment of a breach, will bear _no comparison_ whatever to the weight of ammunition now required for the same service, independent of the saving of time and expense, and the great comparative simplicity of the approaches and works required for a siege carried on upon this system. This class of Rockets I propose to denominate the _Belier a feù_.

Fig. 2 represents the converse of this system, or the use of these larger Rockets for the defence of a fortress by the demolition of the batteries erected against it. In this case, the Rockets are fired from embrasures, in the crest of the glacis, along trenches cut a part of the way in the direction of the works to be demolished.

OF THE USE OF ROCKETS BY INFANTRY AGAINST CAVALRY, AND IN COVERING THE STORMING OF A FORTRESS.

Plate 10, Fig. 1, represents an attack of cavalry against infantry, repulsed by the use of Rockets. These Rockets are supposed to be of the lightest nature, 12 or 9-pounders, carried on bat horses or in small tumbrils, or with 6-pounder shell Rockets, of which one man is capable of carrying six in a bundle, for any peculiar service; or so arranged, that the flank companies of every regiment may be armed, each man, with such a Rocket, in addition to his carbine or rifle, the Rocket being contained in a small leather case, attached to his cartouch, slinging the carbine or rifle, and carrying the stick on his shoulder, serving him either as a spear, by being made to receive the bayonet, or as a rest for his piece.

By this means every battalion would possess a powerful battery of this ammunition, _in addition_ to all its ordinary means of attack and defence, and with scarcely any additional burthen to the flank companies, the whole weight of the Rocket and stick not exceeding six pounds, and the difference between the weight of a rifle and that of a musket being about equivalent. As to the mode of using them in action, for firing at long ranges, as these Rockets are capable of a range of 2,000 yards, a few portable frames might be carried by each regiment, without any incumbrance, the frames for this description of Rocket not being heavier than a musket; but as the true intention of the arm, in this distribution of it, is principally for close quarters, either in case of a charge of cavalry, or even of infantry, it is generally supposed to be fired in vollies, merely laid on the ground, as in the Plate here described. And, as it is well known, how successfully charges of cavalry are frequently sustained by infantry, even by the fire of the musket alone, it is not presuming too much to infer, that the repulse of cavalry would be _absolutely certain_, by masses of infantry, possessing the additional aid of powerful vollies of these shell Rockets. So also in charges of infantry, whether the battalion so armed be about to charge, or to receive a charge, a well-timed volley of one or two hundred such Rockets, judiciously thrown in by the flank companies, must produce the most decisive effects. Neither can it be doubted, that in advancing to an attack, the flank companies might make the most formidable use of this arm, mixed with the fire of their rifles or carbines, in all light infantry or tiraillieur manœuvres. In like manner, in the passage of rivers, to protect the advanced party, or for the establishment of a _tete-du-pont_, and generally on all such occasions, Rockets will be found capable of the greatest service, as shewn the other day in passing the Adour. In short, I must here remark that the use of the Rocket, in these branches of it, is no more limited than the use of gunpowder itself.

Fig. 2 represents the covering of the storm of a fortified place by means of Rockets. These are supposed to be of the heavy natures, both carcass and shell Rockets; the former fired in great quantities from the trenches at high angles; the latter in ground ranges in front of the third parallel. It cannot be doubted that the confusion created in any place, by a fire of some thousand Rockets thus thrown at two or three vollies quickly repeated, must be most favourable, either to the storming of a particular breach, or to a general escalade.

I must here observe, that although, in all cases, I lay the greatest stress upon the use of this arm _in great quantities_, it is not therefore to be presumed, that the effect of an individual Rocket carcass, the smallest of which contains as much combustible matter as the 10-inch spherical carcass, is not at least equal to that of the 10-inch spherical carcass: or that the explosion of a shell thrown by a Rocket, is not in its effects equal to the explosion of that same shell thrown by any other means: but that, as the power of _instantaneously_ throwing the _most unlimited_ quantities of carcasses or shells is the _exclusive property_ of this weapon, and as there can be no question that an infinitely greater effect, both physical[A] as well as moral, is produced by the instantaneous application of any quantity of ammunition, with innumerable other advantages, than by a fire in slow succession of that same quantity: so it would be an absolute absurdity, and a downright waste of power, not to make this exclusive property the general basis of every application of the weapon, limited only by a due proportion between the expenditure and the value of the object to be attained--a limit which I should always conceive it more advisable to exceed than to fall short of.

[A] For a hundred fires breaking out at once, must necessarily produce more destruction than when they happen in succession, and may therefore be extinguished as fast as they occur.

There is another most important use in this weapon, in the storming of fortified places, which should here be mentioned, viz. that as it is the only description of artillery ammunition that can ever be carried into a place by a storming party, and as, in fact, the heaviest Rockets may accompany an escalade, so the value of it in these operations is infinite, and no escalade should ever be attempted without. It would enable the attackers, the moment they have got into the place, not only to scour the parapet most effectually, and to enfilade any street or passage where they may be opposed, and which they may wish to force; but even if thrown at random into the town, must distract the garrison, while it serves as a certain index to the different storming parties as to the situation and progress of each party.

THE USE OF ROCKETS FROM BOATS.

Plate 11 represents two men of war’s launches throwing Rockets. The frame is the same as that used for bombardment on shore, divested of the legs or prypoles, on which it is supported in land service; for which, afloat, the foremast of the boat is substituted. To render, therefore, the application of the common bombarding frame universal, each of them is constructed with a loop or traveller, to connect it with the mast, and guide it in lowering and raising, which is done by the haulyards.

The leading boat in the plate represents the act of firing; where the frame being elevated to any desired angle, the crew have retired into the stern sheets, and a marine artillery-man is discharging a Rocket by a trigger-line, leading aft. In the second boat, these artillery-men are in the act of loading; for which purpose, the frame is lowered to a convenient height; the mainmast is also standing, and the mainsail set, but partly brailed up. This sail being kept wet, most effectually prevents, without the least danger to the sail, any inconvenience to the men from the smoke or small sparks of the Rocket when going off; it should, therefore, be used where no objection exists on account of wind. It is not, however, by any means indispensable, as I have myself discharged some hundred Rockets from these boats, nay, even from a six-oared cutter, without it. From this application of the sail, it is evident, that Rockets may be thrown from these boats under sail, as well as at anchor, or in rowing. In the launch, the ammunition may be very securely stowed in the stern sheets, covered with tarpaulins, or tanned hides. In the six-oared cutter, there is not room for this, and an attending boat is therefore necessary: on which account, as well as from its greater steadiness, the launch is preferable, where there is no obstacle as to currents or shoal water.

Here it may be observed, with reference to its application in the marine, that as the power of discharging this ammunition without the burthen of ordnance, gives it _exclusive_ facilities for land service, so also, its property of being projected without reaction upon the point of discharge, gives it _exclusive_ facilities for sea service: insomuch, that Rockets conveying the same quantity of combustible matter, as by the ordinary system would be thrown from the largest mortars, and from ships of very heavy tonnage, may be used out of the smallest boats of the navy; and the 12-pounder and 18-pounder have been frequently fired even from four-oared gigs.

It should here also be remarked, that the 12 and 18-pounder shell Rockets recochét in the water remarkably well at low angles. There is another use for Rockets in boat service also, which ought not to be passed over--namely, their application in facilitating the capture of a ship by boarding.

In this service 32-pounder shell Rockets are prepared with a short stick, having a leader and short fuze fixed to the stick for firing the Rocket. Thus prepared, every boat intended to board is provided with 10 or 12 of these Rockets; the moment of coming alongside, the fuzes are lighted, and the whole number of Rockets immediately launched by hand through the ports into the ship; where, being left to their own impulse, they will scour round and round the deck until they explode, so as very shortly to clear the way for the boarders, both by actual destruction, and by the equally powerful operation of terror amongst the crew; the boat lying quietly alongside for a few seconds, until, by the explosion of the Rockets, the boarders know that the desired effect has been produced, and that no mischief can happen to themselves when they enter the vessel.

THE USE OF ROCKETS IN FIRE SHIPS, AND THE MODE OF FITTING ANY OTHER SHIP FOR THE DISCHARGE OF ROCKETS.

Plate 12, Fig. 1, represents the application of Rockets in fire-ships; by which, a great power of _distant_ conflagration is given to these ships, in addition to the limited powers they now possess, as depending entirely on _contact_ with the vessels they may be intended to destroy.

The application is made as follows:--Frames or racks are to be provided in the tops of all fire-ships, to contain as many hundred carcass and shell Rockets, as can be stowed in them, tier above tier, and nearly close together. These racks may also be applied in the topmast and top-gallant shrouds, to increase the number: and when the time arrives for sending her against the enemy, the Rockets are placed in these racks, at different angles, and in all directions, having the vents uncovered, but requiring no leaders, or any nicety of operation, which can be frustrated either by wind or rain; as the Rockets are discharged merely by the progress of the flame ascending the rigging, at a considerable lapse of time after the ship is set on fire, and abandoned.

It is evident, therefore, in the first place that no injury can happen to the persons charged with carrying in the vessel, as they will have returned into safety before any discharge takes place. It is evident, also, that the most extensive destruction to the enemy may be calculated on, as the discharge will commence about the time that the fire-ship has drifted in amongst the enemies’ ships: when issuing in the most tremendous vollies, the smallest ship being supposed not to have less than 1,000 Rockets, distributed in different directions, it is impossible but that every ship of the enemy must, with fire-ships enough, and no stint of Rockets, be covered sooner or later with clouds of this destructive fire; whereas, without this _distant power of destruction_, it is ten to one if every fire-ship does not pass harmlessly through the fleet, by the exertions of the enemies’ boats in towing them clear--_exertions_, it must be remarked, _entirely precluded_ in this system of fire-ships, as it is impossible that any boat could venture to approach a vessel so equipped, and pouring forth shell and carcass Rockets, in all directions, and at all angles. I had an opportunity of trying this experiment in the attack of the French Fleet in Basque Roads, and though on a very small scale indeed, it was ascertained, that the greatest confusion and terror was created by it in the enemy.

Figs. 2, 3, and 4, represent the mode of fitting any ship to fire Rockets, from scuttles in her broadside; giving, thereby, to every vessel having a between-deck, a Rocket battery, in addition to the gun batteries on her spar deck, without the one interfering in the smallest degree with the other, or without the least risk to the ship; the sparks of the Rocket in going off being completely excluded, either by iron shutters closing the scuttle from within, as practised in the Galgo defence ship, fitted with 21 Rocket scuttles in her broadside, as shewn in Fig. 3; or by a particular construction of scuttle and frame which I have since devised, and applied to the Erebus sloop of war: so that the whole of the scuttle is completely filled, in all positions of traverse, and at all angles, by the frame; and thereby any possibility of the entrance of fire completely prevented. In both these ships, the Rockets may be either discharged at the highest angles, for bombardment, or used at low angles, as an additional means of offence or defence against other shipping in action; as the Rockets, thus used, are capable of projecting 18-pounder shot, or 4½-inch shells, or even 24-pounder solid shot. This arrangement literally gives the description of small vessels here mentioned, a second and most powerful deck, for general service as well as for bombardment.

Smaller vessels, such as gun brigs, schooners, and cutters, may be fitted to fire Rockets by frames, similar to the boat frames, described in Plate 11, from their spar deck, and either over the broadside or the stern; their frames being arranged to travel up and down, on a small upright spar or boat’s mast, fixed perpendicularly to the outside of the bulwark of the vessel. As a temporary expedient, or in small vessels, this mode answers very well; but it has the objection of not carrying the sparks so far from the rigging, as when fired from below: it interferes also with the fighting the guns at the same time, and can therefore only be applied exclusively in the case of bombardment. All the gun brigs, however, on the Boulogne station, during Commodore OWEN’s command there, were fitted in this manner, some with two and some with three frames on a broadside.

ROCKET AMMUNITION.