The Art of shooting in great ordnance. Containing very necessary matters for all sorts of servitors either by Sea or by Land. Written by William Bourne. CANTABO JEHOVAE QVIA BENEFECIT MIHI. Imprinted at London for Thomas Woodcock. 1587. ❧ TO THE RIGHT honourable Lord, Ambrose Dudley, Earl of Warwick, Baron of Lisle, of the most noble order of the Garter Knight, General of the Queen's Majesties ordnance within her highness Realm and Dominions, and one of her majesties most Honourable privy Counsel, William Bourne wisheth long life, increase of Honour, with all happy success. RIght worthy and Noble Earl, whereas I before this time have written sundry simple Treatises, whereof two of them are extant in print, th'one called the Regiment of the Sea, and the other the Treasure for travelers, and now also this barbarous and rude thing, called the Art of shooting in great ordnance, and as it is most commonly seen, that every person doth most commonly commend that thing wherein he is most expert, and therefore some there are that do most extol Divinity, and great reason it is that it should be so, for that it teacheth us both to know God and to instruct others: also othersome do most prefer Philosophy: othersome the Law, with such like as they are most delighted in. Also other there are, that do not only extol them, but will make arguments, and dispute whether of them are most commendable and most worthy to be preferred above the other. There are also, that after long disputation, do not only assign every Science his several laud and praise, but also discourse whether of them are most necessary for a common wealth. And I am of that opinion, and that no man can deny, but that the Art of shooting in great ordnance is necessary to be advanced for the defence and mainteynance of a Kingdom, and country, and the common wealth thereof. Wherefore (Right honourable) being as one extraordinarily bold, I present the same unto you, for that I know your Lordship can truly discern and judge in these causes, as one whose wisdom is not unknown, hoping that your Honour will take this simple work, as my good will, rather than the valour of the thing, or the fineness of the penning of the matter. And thus I cease to trouble your Honourable Lordship any longer at this time, desiring you to accept this simple Book at the hands of a poor Gunner, as a true token of my good will towards your Honour: desiring God to prosper your Honour in all your doings in perfect health. By your Honours humbly at commandment William Bourne. The Preface to the Reader. GEntle Reader, it is possible that you would marvel that I should write this book called the Art of shooting in great Ordnance for two great causes: the one is this, first for that I have not seen (to most people's judgement,) so great experience in these affairs, whereby you may think that I have not knowledge sufficient to be a teacher in these matters. And the second cause is this: for that my order of teaching is contrary unto all that have taken upon them to be teachers, or instructors in these matters or affairs before time. Therefore for to show unto you the cause that hath moved me to write this rude volume, is this, for that we English men have not been counted but of late days to become good Gunners, and the principal point that hath caused English men to be counted good Gunners, hath been, for that they are hardy or without fear about their ordnance: but for the knowledge in it, other nations and countries have tasted better thereof, as the Italians, French and Spaniards, for that English men have had but little instructions but that they have learned of the Doutchmen or Flemings in the time of King Henry the eight. And the chiefest cause that English men are thought to be good Gunners, is this: for that they are handsome about their Ordnance in ships, on the Sea, etc. And furthermore, I do think it good to show unto you three great causes besides divers other small causes, that the thing that hath letted or hindered English men to become cunning in the shooting of great Ordinance, although divers proves have been made at sundry times, and Ordnance hath been had into the field, both in master Bromefields time when that he was Lieutenant of the Ordnance, & at divers times since, and yet those proves that have been made then were no proofs, but to cause those Gunners that did see the experience of those profess, to commit a further error as touching the shooting in great Ordnance, and the reason thereof is this: the first & principal cause is, that they did make their proof with a Quadrant, and so it ought to be, that is to say, the fourth part of a Circle divided into 90. equal parts, which some simple Gunners will call a Triangle, but there is no instrument so called, but only a Quadrant: and the original of the making thereof is the fourth part of a Circle divided into 90. equal parts, what form so ever that it hath. And now the principal use of the quadrant, is to know what any piece will cast at the mount of every Degree, and so from degree unto degree, unto the best of the Rander. And the cause that hath made the Gunners to commit error by the mounting of the pieces by the degree of the Quadrant, hath been this, although that it be true that such a piece will cast the shot so many scores at the mount of so many degrees, and yet when that they have made proof thereof, they have found it mere false, & yet the thing most true, although sometime the shot hath flien a great deal further, and sometime much shorter, which causes were no other thing but the highness or the lownes of the ground, for that there is seldom any ground that you shall find level, but it will be higher or lower than the ground that the piece standeth upon, as I do more at large declare in the thirteenth chapter of the book, and yet in the time of service there is no using of the Quadrant but in some cases, and then take a great large one, for in a small you may soon commit error. And furthermore I do know divers that will have instruments, and yet be utterly void of the uses of them, for it is the reason of the person in the doing of any thing, and not the instruments, for in the doing of any thing, if the person doth not consider of all things with him and against him, he or they be apt to commit error, etc. The second great cause is this, in the using to give level with a rule set out in inch parts: but unto this they cannot order it, nor give it no Method to know what any piece will do at any number of inches advantage, for the pieces do differ in casting, according unto their lengths, as I do further show in the book. Wherefore the use of the inch rule according as they do use it, is to no other purpose, but only to seek out what numbers of inches will reach the mark, and that being known, then to keep the length of the mark with that piece. And the necessariest thing that this kind of giving of level in the time of service (as being in a Castle, Forte, or Town, or such like, the Gunner having charge of any piece,) is to beat all those marks that be apt to do any service at, and to know how many inches will reach any mark, etc. but to become a cunning Gunner, he shall never be, although he should shoot 100 shots every day through a year, for that he never doth know by that means the distance of any mark, but in every piece he must make a new proof, if that the piece be removed or changed from that place. Wherefore I have made a table, showing how many inches, and what part of an inch will make a degree, and so unto ten degrees whereby you may make a Method to hit the length of the mark in any piece at the first shot, as it doth appear in the eight chapter of the book, if so be that there were a true and exact table of proportion, of the casting of the piece at the mount of every degree, but I have not had so great proof but that I may be deceived, for I have no other proof but at my own charges, and my ability is able to do nothing to make any proof in those causes. The third great cause is this, I do know few Gunners, yea none at all in respect, that hath any capacity, to know the distance unto any mark assigned if that the mark be such that they can not come unto it directly by land, and yet there be very true and exact ways to know the distance unto any mark assigned, howsoever the thing is, if that it may be seen by Geometry perspective: and the lack thereof amongst Gunners is the principallest point that doth deceive them, so that these three things do utterly deceive most men: the first is this, the height or lownes of the ground: the second the length of the piece: and the third not knowing the distance unto the mark: for their reason in these causes that they do suppose, can do nothing, that is to say, to find the distance unto any mark assigned, by looking upon the ground, and that never can show unto them the distance unto the mark but yet must be known either by the Scale or cross staff, or else it must be known by the lines of Position, which is showed in a book of mine that is extant in Print, called the Treasure for travelers, and also in a book set forth by master Thomas Digges called Pantometria, where in those two books you shall find means and ways both how to find the true distance unto the mark, and also how much that the mark is higher ground or lower ground, than the place that you are upon, and also the length of the line hypotenusal, whether it be up the hill or down the hill, which is very necessary and profitable for all them that will use to shoot in great Ordnance, for to know, as all Gunners, Captains, and Leaders of men, etc. And now friendly Reader, it is possible that some people will dislike of me, for that I have written this book: some of them for that they do think that they have better knowledge in those matters than I, and other some perhaps may be offended, for that they would not have the thing known but amongst themselves, and othersome possible will be offended with me that are Gunners, that are altogether without any knowledge in those causes, that would not have their ignorance known. So by these means I am assured that I shall purchase a great number of enemies, as I do know that I have already caused sundry people to envy me, as some Sea men do mislike of me for writing of my book called the Regiment for the Sea, and othersome of late are offended with me for the writing and setting forth of my book called the Treasure for travelers, but notwithstanding, I do see that it is needful to be known unto a number of them that be Gunners, weighing and considering with myself what a number there be, that will take upon them to be Gunners, yea and that master Gunners, that are not sufficient nor capable in those causes, but are in respect altogether ignorant, standing upon no other thing but their antiquity, that they have served as Gunners so long time. Wherefore I do think it very necessary for them to have some good instructions: but as far as I can see, every man maketh courtesy to do the common wealth of our Realm of England any good therein, and as far as I can perceive that no people may better pleasure the common wealth in the time of service, either by Sea or Land, then may good Gunners against the face of our enemies: for the Realm of England hath a great number of enemies: for as we have seen by daily experience, that the Queen's progenitors aforetime were never long without wars, yet we have a most gracious and loving Prince reigning over us, which doth alw eyes study for peace and tranquillity: God grant of his mercy that she may live long and reign over us. Amen. Yet notwithstanding, it is good for us to study in the time of peace, how to defend ourselves in the time of wars & troubles, as generally we provide in harvest for to live in the winter. And for that cause have I written this little treatise, not to the intent to teach them that be cunning, but to give instructions unto them that be of the simplest sort, etc. Wherefore (Gentle Reader) bear with my rudeness, for that I am so bold to be the first English man that put forth any book as touching these causes, and it is possible that there be a number would look that I should have given them place, for that they are more worthy and skilfuller in these causes, thinking that I am to simple, for they do not consider how that God doth give his gifts, as we see daily he giveth unto one man riches, and another man poverty, and one man to be a ruler, and an other to be inferior, one man wise & prudent, and an other ignorant, one man beautiful, and an other deformed, one man of a tall stature, & an other of a low stature, one man strong and lusty, and an other weak & lame: although that they be of one consanguinity, linitie or kindred, such is the marvelous works of God. Wherefore men are not to be measured by else, but by virtue, for God is not partial in his gifts, for he hath shed his most precious blood for the redemption of all mankind, so that afore him all are one, for we are all his creatures and the sheep of his pasture, and the works of his hands, so he is our God, and we are his people, so that we keep his holy will and commandments, but flesh and blood is so frail, that we can do no good of ourselves, for God worketh the will and deed in all his creatures, for by his holy spirit he doth give sundry gifts & all for the profit both of our souls & bodies, as Saint Paul saith to the Corinthians, to one is given through the spirit the utterance of wisdom, to an other the utterance of knowledge, by that same spirit to an other faith, by that same spirit to another the gift of healing, by that same spirit to another professing, to an other judgement to discern spirits, to another divers tongues, to an other the interpretations of tongues, and all those doth the spirit of God work and distribute unto every man according unto his most holy will and pleasure. Then what a vain generation of people be we to strive against the will & pleasure of God, as who should say that God is bound to be ruled by the will and pleasure of man. But what special gift soever God doth give unto man, let them give him thanks therefore, and look that they do not abuse the same gift, for if that they do, it will be a snare to take them in, and so be an example unto the whole world. For as soon as our heart is lifted up with vanities, then entereth the Devil, & he causeth a man to fall and decline from God, thinking with ourselves, that the gift that God hath given unto us cometh of ourselves. For as some do think that have riches, that they have it by their own industry, and some doing divers other things, think that it cometh of themselves, with divers other special gifts that god giveth unto man, therefore whensoever God doth give any special gift to any person, then let him give him thanks therefore, using it to the lawd, praise, glory, and honour of God, & to the profit of his neighbour, and the common wealth of his Native country, for great is the wickedness of the people upon the face of the earth, as considering this in these our days, that the Bishop of Rome with all his adherents, doth daily practise how and by what means to bring this our noble realm of England to utter confusion, therefore it is very meet and necessary for us to devise how to prevent them, and then there is no doubt if that we do our good will and endeavour, but the living God will deliver us from the hands and snares of such wicked Antichristes, that do seek the blood of the Christian servants of God. Wherefore it is very meet for us that be faithful Christians and true subjects to our prince and Country, to arm ourselves first with faith, secondly with manly courage, and thirdly with armour for our back, for let us be assured without God's mighty providence unto the contrary, that as soon as they have us at any advantage, that then let us look for no other matter, but that they will give the attempt, for such is the wickedness of the malicious Papists, yea even some of them are those that should or ought to be good subjects unto their Prince and native country. Wherefore I beseech the living God to confounded such wicked Imps that should seek the destruction of their Prince, and especially a virtuous, merciful, and a godly Prince, and secondly the destruction of their native Realm and country, yea even the nurse to them and their forefathers that hath yielded unto them all kind of food and necessaries. What greater wickedness can there be in men? and they themselves are bound by the laws of God and also by the laws of nature, to defend their Prince and Country: for we nor they have no just quarrel to fight by the laws of God, but only to defend our Prince and country and the liberties thereof. Therefore it is meet for us to call unto God for mercy and grace, and then there is no doubt but that he will deliver us, & turn all their wicked devices unto their own destruction, even as then that make a pit for other and fall into it themselves. Wherefore it is meet for all them that are Noble men and Magistrates, & such as are in authority, to cherish and maintain all those that are good and virtuous subjects and good members in the common wealth, and contrariwise, it is very necessary and convenient to punish all wicked doers, and such as do annoy and hurt the common wealth, having no regard, neither for love nor favour, nor hatred or malice, neither for bribes nor friends, but to reward every man according unto their deserts: for as it is sin to suffer vice unpunished, so in like manner it is as evil to see Virtue not rewarded, cherished nor maintained. ¶ Considerations to be had in shooting of Ordinance. Ten principal things are to be considered in the shooting of Ordnance, to keep the length of the mark, or to make a perfect shot at any mark assigned, according unto the distance of the mark, and knowing what such a piece will do at such an advantage in mounting. 1. The goodness or badness of the powder. THe good powder driveth the shot further than the mark, the bad powder shooteth short of the mark: therefore you must use discretion in lading of the piece, according unto the powder. 2. The lading of the piece. IF you do give the piece more than her duty, you do overshoot the mark: if you do give her less than her duty, you shoot short of the mark: you must therefore give the piece her duty and no more. 3. The wind, and especially to be mounted at much advantage. THe wind with you, causeth you to overshoot the mark, according unto the hardness. The wind against you, maketh you shoot short of the mark according unto the hardness. The wind one the side, the piece casteth beside the mark: therefore you must weather the mark, according unto the hardness of the wind, and the distance unto the mark. 4. Of the shot. THe shot too big or too high, it putteth the piece in danger: for you must drive the wood and shoot home unto the powder in the pecce, for if the shot do rest any thing short, it will break the piece (or else it is a chance) in the vacant place between the powder and the shot. The shot too low or small, it will be too short of the mark, & also it will not do his execution according unto the piece and the powder, and it may chance to serve in the deliverance out of piece, the therefore the shot must be fit for the piece 5. Of the wad or the powder rammed in too hard or too lose. THe powder rammed in too hard, and the wad also, and especially the powder being bad, or else not dry, it will be long before the piece go off, and also half the force of the powder will be decayed, before the shot be delivered, for that it bloweth out of the touch-hole, and also the piece will tremble before she go off, & that may cause the shot to flee awry from the mark, for that the piece is removed from her level: and also it will heat the piece, and make the piece dangerous to shoot in presently afterwards. The powder too lose, and not well put up with the rammer head, and also the wad too slack in like manner, will make the shot to come short of the mark by the means of the looseness: you must therefore put up the powder with the rammer head somewhat close, and the wad to go close in, and drive it home unto the powder, but beat it not in too hard. 6. Of the standing of the piece. THe piece standing so that it may or doth recoil unto the lower ground, that is to say, that the ground be lower at the tail of the piece, than it is where the wheels stand, it overshooteth the mark, for that in the deliverance of the shot, the breech goeth downwards, and the mouth upwards, and the piece is apt to recoil down the hill: and if that the ground be higher behind the piece than it is before the piece, than it may happen to shoot short: but that is but a chance, for that is not so apt to recoil against a hill, as it will do down the hill. And if it doth happen so, that the one wheel doth recoil faster than the other wheel, than the piece will shoot awry from the mark, or if any thing do let or stay the wheel, it may shoot awry, for the deliverance of the shot causeth the recoil of the piece, which is nothing else, but the sudden thrusting or the putting out of the air which is in the mouth of the piece. 7. Of shooting towards a hill or valley with a Quadrant. IF you shoot towards a hill, you shoot short in the giving level with a Quadrant. If you shoot towards a valley, you do overshoot the mark, as in the thirteenth Chapter you shall see the reason thereof. If upon a level ground, you shall keep the length of the mark by the degrees of the quadrant, otherwise not. 8. If you give level with an inch rule, you shall shoot at no certainty, but in such a piece as you do know well, for that it doth vary according unto the length of the piece: as for example this, if you have three culverins, the one is the ordinary length, that is, twelve foot long: the other is more than the ordinary length by two foot, that is, fourteen foot long: and the third is shorter than the ordinary length by two foot, that is, but ten foot long: now if you do shoot at any mark, and do know the distance unto the mark, and also do know, that a culvering mounted at so many inches vantage, will reach the mark, and admit that it will reach the mark at twelve inches vantage, now in the shorter piece, it overshooteth the mark, and in the longer piece it shooteth short of the mark, and in that piece that hath the ordinary length, you shall keep the length of the mark: and the cause thereof is this: In the piece that is but ten foot long, the twelve inches vantage cometh near unto six degrees with the Quadrante in the mounting: and in the piece of twelve foot long, the twelve inches cometh not to five degrees in the mounting with the Quadrant, and in the piece of fourteen foot long, it cometh but unto four degrees in the mounting with the Quadrant, as in the eight Chapter you may plainly see. 9 It is to be considered what dispart your pecce must have, if you do give level with an inch rule at any advantage, and also, if you do shoot at any mark within the right line or point plank, as in the fourth Chapter it is showed. 10. You must consider whether the piece be truly bored, as it is declared how you shall know it in the second Chapter: and how to shoot with a piece that is not truly bored, you shall see by the eleventh Chapter. ¶ The Art of shooting in great Ordinance. CHAPTER. I How to know the goodness or badness of Powder. FIrst concerning Powder, for that it is the chiefest matter as touching the shooting in Ordinance. According to some Authors, the first device of the making thereof began in Germany, by a Monk named Bertholdus Schwartus, near about the year of our Lord. 1380. and since that time it hath been put in practice from time to time, and from age to age, both by the learned Mathematicians, and also by the best Machanisianes, besides a number of other common people, as well by them that have been seruetours, in martial affairs, as all other, so that of the making of the peter, and also of the powder, hath been made great proof unto the uttermost, as touching the force of powder, so that it is not unknown now in these days, what quantity of every several sorts of receipts doth make the strongest sorts of powder, besides the perfit-refining of the salt peter, & also the through working of the receipts in the making of the powder, so that it is now come to pass in these days, that the making of the powder, and also the making of the saltpetre, is become (in respect) a common thing amongst a number of people, as it is made commonly in many parts in Germany by the Bowers or husbandmen, and also by the women: wherefore it were but superfluous to say any thing therein, considering how well the making thereof is known unto a number of people, and therefore the principallest thing in the shooting of Ordinance, is to know the goodness or the badness of the powder, and that is known after the common order, that is, by three kind of means, first by the tasting of the tongue, knowing by the sharpness thereof, whether that there be sufficient of the master or peter or not: and secondly it is known by the colour, for the good powder hath somewhat a bluish colour, and if it be Sarpentine powder, than the powder will be as fine as sand, and as soft as flower, and that signifieth, that it is well wrought, and otherwise it will be harsh in your hand, and clammish, and look with a darkish black colour, and that signifieth that it is well wrought, and the master not refined: and the third & principal is known by the burning, for if it be very good powder, then in the burning, the fire will be gone in the twinkling of an eye at a very sudden, & will give a snap or sudden puff, & nothing remaining afterwards, but a white smoke on that place whereas it was burned: but bad powder in the burning fireth not so quickly, but fireth as doth a fire work, very slowly, making some hissing, and after the burning, there will remain certain burreles or knots that will consume unto moisture, and be darkish, and that signifieth that the peter or master was not well refined, neither the powder well wrought: And after the burning of some kind of powder, there will remain certain white burrles, or knots (as before is rehearsed) that will remain hard, and not consume after the burning, and that signifieth, that the powder doth lack of the master or peter. And also here is one principal thing to be noted, that when powder is dry, than the force of it in respect, is as it were double, or a quarter stronger, than when it is moist and darkish, whether the powder be good or bad. And also that powder that is very good and well made, yet may happen to become moist, as many times by carriage too and fro in rainy weather, and also by laying it in some moist places, the cask being not very close and tight, that the powder may grow dankish. And also those kind of powders that the peter or master is not well refined, but left full of salt, although that the powder be never so dry when it is laid up, yet it will give again in rainy & heather, and become moist, how dry soever the place be that it is laid up in. Wherefore there are a number of things to be considered in powder, as touching the shooting in great Ordinance, in a number of causes: for men of reason may know by the burning, colour, tasting, and the handling of powder, which is good, & which is bad: but to say justly how much the one sort of powder is stronger or weaker than another sort of powder is, that is hard to know, although he be the maker of the powder, and hath weighed out particularly the receipts of the powder: and the means thereof cometh to pass, as this, by the working thereof, and by the means of the drying thereof, and by the moisting or giving of it again, and especially if the powder have been long made: so that it is a hard matter if a man have of sundry sorts of powder, to say justly that thus much in weight of this sort of powder, will do as much, that is to say, to be equal in force, as so much in weight of that sort of powder, until that it be put in proof in the shooting it in Ordinance. And thus I do cease to write any more at this time of Powder. CHAPTER. II. To know whether any piece of Ordinance be truly bored, by the help of certain instruments. TO know whether that any piece of Ordinance be truly bored, there be divers ways Geometrically for it to be done, but some of them be too tedious, therefore for an easy way, they must make this kind of instrument of two pieces of small timber, or two right staves, that must be as long as the hollow or concavity of the piece, which must be made in this form, & the 〈◊〉 must be made so fast at the one end, that it be not wider asunder at the one end, than it is at the other end, & so made fast, that they serve not either wider or narrower: and then putting one of the ●●aues into the mouth of the piece, and so measuring or trying the piece round about with the staff that is without the piece, with an inch rule, you shall know whether that the core or hollowness of the piece do 〈◊〉 right in the middle of the mettle, and if it do not, you shall see how much the metal is thicker on the one side, than it is on the other. And also it is very good for you when you do mean to try the piece, to prepare rammer head that is made fit for the piece, and to put it upon the staff that you do put into the piece, and to be made fast unto the side of the staff, and side of the rammer head, in such sort, that it may keep the staff close unto the side of the piece, which it will do the better, if the rammer head be to low, and then to have a piece of a sheeps skin made fast, or nailed unto the contrary side of the rammer head, and so it will keep the long staff close unto the side of the piece, as by these two figures following you may perceive. And furthermore, they may make this kind of instrument following, of iron, or any other stuff meet for the purpose, for to gripe the piece in every place at your pleasure. This instrument must be double the length of the hollow or concavity of the piece, and then you must put one of the right ones into the mouth of the piece, and then gripping the instrument together, than that part that is without the piece, and that shall show you how many inches and parts of an inch the metal is of thickness, without any fail: and then trying the piece round about in every place, the truth of the thickness of the metal shall appear. CHAPTER. III. How much Powder will serve any piece of ordnance, by the weight of the piece, and weight of the shot: and at the end of this Chapter, there is a Table that doth declare the weight of Iron shot. TO know how much powder will serve any piece of ordnance, there be two special points to be observed, that is to say, the weight of the shot of iron, and the weight of the metal of the piece: and this is a general rule, the piece having a reasonable length, that is to say, that according unto the accustomable manner, according unto the names of the piece or pieces, all those pieces that have two hundred weight of metal, or upwards unto one pound weight of shot, must have as much Sarpentine powder as the shot weigheth. And all those pieces that have three hundred weight in metal, unto one pound weight of shot, do require as much Sarpentine powder as the shot weigheth, and one ninth part more. And all those pieces the have under two hundred weight of metal, and more than one hundred and a half, may have as much Sarpentine powder as the shot weieth, lacking one ninth part. And all those pieces that have one hundred & a half of metal or there about, unto one pound weight of the shot, must lack 2/9 parts of powder that the shot weigheth. And all those pieces that have but little more than one hundred, & under one hundred & a half, must lack 3/9 parts of the weight of the powder that the shot weigheth, that is but ⅔ parts. Therefore for the making of Ladels for any piece or pieces of ordnance, this thing must be noted. First, take the compass of the shot for the piece that you do make the Ladel for, and then divide, or put the compass of the shot into. 5. equal parts, and then cut the plate of the Ladel in breadth of three of those five parts, and put the other ⅖ parts away, and then bend the plate for the breadth of the Ladle, according unto the compass of the shot, so that it may go easily into the mouth of the piece: for ⅗ parts is for to hold the powder, to the intent to put it into the piece, and the ⅖ parts be put away, to be open to turn the powder into the piece. And now furthermore, for the length of the plate of the ladle, here is one thing to be noted, that every nine balls or shot being laid close together, and the plate being bend, and cut off that breeadth before rehearsed, and the plate in length to be cut off, that number of inches that the nine shots doth reach, and that plate being equally filled with Sarpentine powder, will hold the just weight in powder that the shot weigheth. Therefore for the length of the plate of the Ladle, thus you must use it as followeth. For to make a Ladle for a double Canon, and the piece weighing generally more or less. 7000. or. 8000. and the shot weighing within little more or less. 64. pound, that is, but little more than one hundred of metal, unto one pound weight of the shot, therefore this piece may lack ⅓ part of the weight in powder that the shot weigheth: therefore they must cut the plate of the Ladle but. 3. times the length of the shot, in inches and parts of inches, and this Ladel twice equally filled, shall be the duty of the piece. Then for to make a Ladel for a Demy Canon, as the piece in metal weigheth generally more or less. 5000 or. 5700. and the shot weigheth more or less. 34. pound, which is about an hundred and a half of metal, unto one pound weight of the shot, therefore you must cut the plate of the Ladle three shots or balls and a half high, or. 4. shots or balls high. In inches and parts of inches, according unto the fortifying of the piece with the metal, and the Ladle twice equally filled, to be the duty of the piece. And for to make a ladle for a double culvering, those pieces being double fortified with metal, and the piece weighing generally more or less four thousand, or four thousand eight hundred, and the shot weighing more or less 17. pounds, that is, about three hundred weight of metal, unto one pound weight of shot. Therefore you must cut the plate of the ladle in length about the height of five shot or balls, in inches and parts: this ladle being twice equally filled, shall be the duty of the piece. And in like manner the demi culvering, and Falcons, and Falckonets, be double fortified with metal: therefore you must make their ladle in length five shots or balls, in inches or parts, and that ladle twice equally filled, shall be the duty of the piece. And furthermore, some Sakers and Minions have but two hundred weigth of metal unto one pound weight of the shot: therefore you must cut the plate of the ladle in length but of four shots or balls & a half high: and that ladle twice equally filled, shall be the duty of the piece. And furthermore, now of late years, they have devised a more stronger sort of powder, and not without good cause why, for the base powder is not so good, if that it should come unto service, as corn powder, or any other powder is, that hath receipt enough, and well wrought: for the base powder doth heat and strain the piece more than the good powder doth: for if it be rammed in hard, them because it is not so quick in the firing, it lieth and bloweth in the breech of the piece, before it can take fire, so by that means it heateth and straingeth the piece, and half of the force of the powder is gone, before the shot be delivered: and then they must use batement for to save the piece. Now whereas they shoot good powder, or cornepouder, they take much less powder, and it sendeth the shot quicker away, and it doth not heat the piece so fast: for this we do see by common experience, that a little heat by long continuance, doth heat more than a great heat by little continuance. And furthermore, in the shooting of good powder, they shall not show themselves so often unto their enemies. And especially, the powder would be put in cartredges, for in mine opinion, it is a great deal better, for to charge a peace in time of service with a Cartredge, than with a Ladle, for divers considerations, as I do more at large declarein the sixth Chapter. And furthermore, for to charge a piece with cornepouder, or any other good powder, for the most part, thereof two pound will go as far as three pound of Serpentine powder. As for example: that double culvering that requireth eighteen pound of Serpentine powder, twelve pound of reasonable corn powder will serve, according to the goodness of the making of the powder. And furthermore, upon good considerations, for divers causes, and especially for the Queen's Navy, they have devised to make their ordnance shorter than the accustomed manner, and so by that means they are lighter than the pieces before time made, and yet as serviceable as the longer in some points, shooting that weight in powder, and the shot that the heavier doth, in all points as the other: for that metal that is taken from the length of the piece, hurteth not the fortifying of the piece. And as for the making of the Cartredges for any piece, it is easy enough to be done: for the compass of the shot, and the length of the Ladel, shall ●ule that matter well enough. Now shall follow a rule to know the weight of the iron shot, by the height of the shot. A Table to know the weight of iron shot. A Shot of 2. inches high, doth weigh. 1. lb. 1. ounce. ¾. A shot of. 2. inches ¼ high, doth weigh. 1. lb. 9 ounces. ⅓. A shot of. 2. inches d. high, doth weigh. 2. lb. 2. ounces. A shot. 2. inches. 3. quar. high, doth weigh. 2. lb. 14. ounces. A shot. 3. inches high, doth weigh. 3. lb. 12. ounces. A shot. 3. inches a quar. high, doth weigh. 4. lb. 12. ounces. A shot. 3. inches d. high, doth weigh. 6. lb. lack. 1. ounce. A shot. 3. inches. 3. quar. high, doth weigh. 7. lb. 5. ounces. A shot. 4. inches high, doth weigh. 8. lb. 15. ounces. A shot. 4. inches a qua high, doth weigh. 10. lb. 10. ounces. A shot. 4. inches d. high, doth weigh. 12. lb. 10. ounces. A shot. 4. inches. 3. qua▪ high, doth weigh. 14. lb. 14. ounces. A shot. 5. inches high, doth weigh. 17. lb. 5. ounces. A shot. 5. inches a quar. high, doth weigh. 20 lb. 1. ounce, A shot. 5. inches d. high, doth weigh. 23. lb. 2. ounces. A shot. 5. inches. 3. quar. high, doth weigh. 26. lb. 6. ounces. A shot. 6. inches high, doth weigh. 30. pound. A shot. 6. inches a quarter high, doth weigh. 34. pound. A shot. 6. inches d high, doth weigh. 38. pound. A shot. 6. inches three quar. high, doth weigh. 42. pound. A shot. 7. inches high, doth weigh. 48. pound. A shot. 7. inches a quarter high, doth weigh. 53. pound. A shot. 7. inches d. high, doth weigh. 58. pound. A shot. 7. inches three quarters high, doth weigh. 64. lb. A shot. 8. inches high, doth weigh. 71. pound. A shot. 8. inches a quarter high, doth weigh. 78. pound. A shot. 9 inches high, doth weigh. 101. pound. A shot. 10. inches high, doth weigh 138. pound. A shot. 11. inches high, doth weigh. 184. pound. A shot. 12 inches high, doth weigh. 240. pound. A shot. 13. inches high, doth weigh. 305. pound. A shot. 14. inches high, doth weigh. 380. pound. CHAPTER. FOUR To dispart any piece of ordnance truly. OF all things belonging unto a Gunner, the chiefest is, to bring the metal of his piece even, for else he shall never shoot just to his mark, which Gunners call disparting of their pieces: and there be many ways to do it. Now to disparte your piece, do this, take a string, such a one as will not stretch, then gird your piece about her tail or great end, in the very biggest place of the piece, then measure the line justly how many inches the piece was in the compass, and then look how many. 22. inches there be in the compass, take so many. 7. inches for the diameter, height, or thickness of the circle, for in all circles being perfect round, as timber, stone, or any other metal, look how many. 22. inches there be in the circumference or compass, so many times. 7. there is in the diameter or height, than the height or thickness of the breech of the piece being known, look how many inches and parts of an inch it cometh unto, then lay that unto the mouth of the piece, and look how much of that doth remain over, then take half of that for your dispart. But some do use to gird them (as afore is said) and do put that into three equal parts, but that is not the exact way, although it doth go somewhat near the matter. Some also will take a priming iron, and put it into the touch-hole, and then lay it unto the mouth of the piece, and look what it cometh unto more than the measure, they will take that for their dispart: but that may deceive them, as it is generally false. Wherefore this is a very good way, to take your rule of two foot long, and then lay that cross the tail of the piece then take a plummet of lead upon a line or a string. First hold the plumb line on the one side close to the piece, that the line touch the piece without any bending, then on the other side, as circumspectly as you can, that the plummet line touch the side of the piece, without any bending, and then lay that measure to the mouth of the piece, and look what the overmeasure cometh unto, take half of that for your true dispart. Now for your better instructions by this figure. Now, as concerning chambered pieces, for the disparting of them, there can be no perfect writing, for it must be considered and handled, according unto the form of the Chamber, and fashion of the hall of the piece, whether it be Sling, Foller, Portepeece, or Baces: but any reasonable man, (when he doth see the piece and the Chamber) may easily know what he must do, as touching those matters. CHAPTER. 5. How to give level with any piece of ordnance, to make a shot, as the most sorts of Gunners use to do, although there be no Art in it FOr the making of a shot, that is to say, to give level unto any mark assigned, with a piece of ordnance, without the right line, according unto the accustomable manner that Gunners use, for that they do not know the distance unto the mark, and therefore do but give a guess what advantage will reach the mark, and if that it be with an inch rule, than thus they do. First by their judgements they do give that so many inches advantage as they suppose will reach the mark, and then by the first lighting or falling of the shot, he doth see whether it be short or gone over the mark, and if it be short, then at the next shooting he will give the piece more advantage by the inch rule: and if it be over, than he will give the piece less advantage with the inch rule: and so by divers times shooting off the piece at a mark, they will find how many inches and parts will keep the length of the mark. And if they do not shoot with an inch rule, than they will give the piece the advantage by some assigned place beyond the mark that they do shoot at: and if the shot do light shorter, than they will give the piece more advantage at the next shot: and if the shot be farther than the mark, than they will give the piece less advantage at the next shot. And so by often shooting at the mark, they will hit the length of the same, and then knowing at what mark the piece must be mounted unto right over the mark, than they always mount the piece unto that advantage, and they shall always keep the length of the mark, with that piece at that mark, the piece to be laden always equally with Powder. But by this order of shooting, he shall never become cunning, although he shoot a thousand shoots, for that there is no method or order in the doing thereof, but only with that piece at the mark: for if you do shoot with another piece at that mark, although the piece doth shoot that shot, and that weight in Powder, the piece may shoot under or over by the means of the length of the same, or the bigness or smallness of the breech, and the mouth of the piece in metal. And to bring that piece unto any other place, they must do as at the first, to prove what will reach the mark: and therefore this kind of shooting is to no purpose, but only in a Town or Castle, in the time of service, for him that hath the charge of ordnance, to prove what the piece will do at every mark, as touching the keeping of the length of the mark, whereby they may the better shoot at their enemies when they do serve, otherwise it will be to no great purpose: for as often as you do alter or change your piece, or take that piece away to serve in an other place, so oft you are to seek, and to prove the thing new again, whether you do use to shoot with the inch rule, or by the degrees in the Quadrant: for if you do shoot with the inch rule, than the length of the piece will alter it as is showed in the 8. chapter following. And if you shoot by the degrees in the Quadrant, than the highness or lowness of the ground shall cause them to err, as I do show in the thirteenth Chapter. Wherefore, if I were worthy to give counsel, I could show them how to use the matter, that they might attain to know the length of the mark at the first shot, but I never saw it so handled, whereby they should attain it: for all the proofs that have been made as yet by Englishmen, are no proof, but altogether to cause them that did see the proof, to commit further error, as touching the distance unto the mark, or hitting the length of the mark. CHAPTER. 6. What a degree is etc. FUrthermore, whereas this book is nam● The Art of shooting in great ordnance, so in like manner I think it convenient, to show you what the word Art meaneth or signifieth, which is, the describing of a way or method, how to attain to the certainty of any matter. Which as hitherunto I have not seen any such book, although it hath been very near two hundred years since the first invention of ordnance: and except there be any better book in some men's hands, such as I have not seen, as it is like enough that there may be, there is no Art in any of them: yet I have seen a number of books that have been written concerning Ordnance, but surely they that wrote them, were not seen in any part of the Mathematical science, neither good Machanisians, but (in respect) utterly void of any science: (in comparison) no good order described in the shooting of ordnance, to know what distance, the shot is delivered from the piece: neither have they known what instruments have meaned. And although they have named degrees in their books, yet it appeareth unto me that they have not knowledge what a degree signifieth, for that they have named a Quadrant, a Triangle and other food and foolish by names. Wherefore they that have written those books that the Gunners have amongst them, were utterly unlearned in any manner of science, which were in the beginning, in the time of King Henry the eight, made by Flemmings: for in the wars in those days the King sent over into Flaunders, and those parts thereabout, to have Gunners to serve him in the wars, & the Gunners have no other books, but such as were written by them: wherefore I do think it good to show unto you what a degree is. A degree is a part or division of a whole circle into 360. equal parts, as the the ancient fathers aforetime have taught, and especially in Astronomy. And it is very profitable for Gunners to know the use of them. The Quadrant that they do occupy, is the fourth part of a circle, divided into 90. equal parts, according unto the fourth part of the Heavens, for the zeneth or prick in the Heavens (over the Crown of your head, down to the Horizon) is divided into 90. equal parts, according unto the Quadrant. As for example: If there were a perpendicular line let down out of the Heavens unto the earth, then should the earth be a right line, and make a square angle unto the furthest part of the Horizon that you can see, and so pass unto the Heavens, as doth the Quadrant: and then the best of the Rander is 45. of these divisions, called degrees (as some men's opinion hath been) and that is half 90. and the said. 45. degrees be the best of the Rander in some cases, and that is with the wind, but otherwise, it is not, as it is further declared in the 5. Chapter. And for better example, I have placed this figure. CHAPTER. 7. How to make a shot upon the right line, and also to know how much ground any piece of ordnance doth drive or convey the shot at the mount of every degree of the Rander. FUrthermore, any piece of ordnance being truly disparted, as is declared in the fourth Chapter, they may know at all times how for to shoot just unto the mark, especially within point blank, & point blank, is the direct fleeing of the shot, without any descending from the mouth of the piece unto the mark, the mouth of the piece to stand directly with the Horizon, so that it be upon a plain and level ground, as far as the piece may cast, hitting any thing that standeth directly as high as the mouth of the piece, laying the hollow or concavity of the piece against the thing that you do shoot at etc. And to shoot at any mark upon the right line, you shall do it by this means: your piece being truly disparted, and the dispart set upon the mouth of the piece, bring the middle of the tail of the piece to the top of your disparte upon the mouth of the piece, and the mark that you do shoot at, all three upon one right line, by the sight of one of your eyes, and then foreseeing that the piece standeth upon a level ground, and the one wheel to be as nimble as the other, this done, there is no doubt but you may shoot as near the mark with a Cannon as with a Hargabus, or Caliver. This is most certain. Therefore it is very necessary to know how far any piece will convey the shot upon the right line, & that is somewhat hard to do, for there is seldom any ground, but is higher in one place than in another, and then if the piece should be laid close unto the ground, it would graze before that it were at the end of the right line, and then if the piece be in her carriage, the shot will not graze before that it were descended, as much as the height of the carriage. And for to set up any thing certain at the end of the right line, it were too tedious, therefore in my opinion, this is one of the best ways, in the finding what distance any piece conveyeth or driveth the shot upon the right line or any degree of the Rander, as thus: Repair unto a very level ground, as a plain marish, that is just water level, and then to find the right line or point blank, raise a butt or bank in that plain ground, and then set up a mark the just height of the piece that lieth in the carriage, and take a quadrant, with a rule fast thereunto, and put the rule into the mouth of the piece, and coin the breech of the piece up and down, until the plummet hang at the corner of the Quadrant, and then shall the concavity of the piece, lie right with the Horizon, neither higher nor lower: then shoot off the piece against the butt: if the shot be under the mark, it is more than the right line, than you must bring the piece nearer unto the butt, bank or mark: but if it be the just height of the mark, then remove the piece farther off from the mark, and so removing the piece for wards and backwards, you shall find the true right line of the piece. By this order, you may try the true right line of all manner of pieces of ordnance. And whereas the opinion of divers Gunners is, the one contrary unto the other, some holding an opinion, that the longer piece doth overshoot the shorter, and some that the short doth overshoot the longer: the troth is, that the longer piece doth shoot further than the shorter, although that in the mounting of a long piece and a short with an inch rule, the short piece doth overshoot the longer, although both shoot one shot, and one sort and weight of powder, as you may perceive in the next Chapter following, and also in the beginning of the Book in the eight consideration. etc. Furthermore, to know what any piece of ordnance will do at the mount of every degree, and what distance of ground the shot doth fly, do this, the ground being plain and level (as before is rehearsed) place the piece in this manner: you must make a hole in the ground, to the intent to make a platteforme, to set the piece upon, in such order, that the tronchions of the piece being in her carriage, be just in height level with the ground, neither higher nor lower: then take your Quadrant, and the rule fastened thereto, and put the rule into the mouth of the piece, and so mount the piece unto one degree, shooting off the same, and seeing the first graze, measure the distance of ground, and note or mark that: then in like manner mount the piece unto two degrees, and so unto three degrees, and so forth from degree to degree, until the piece be mounted unto the best compass of the Rander. Thus shall you know what any piece will do at the mount of every degree. etc. But if you should make your proof upon such ground as is not level, than your proof should be erroneous, for that the Quadrant showeth by the degree, how much it is higher than the Horizon, for if the shot do not find ground in his descending, equal with the height of the piece, the shot fleeth further than it should do. And also if the ground be higher than the place that the piece doth stand upon, than the shot will be stayed the sooner, by the means of the height of the ground, as I do more at large declare in the. 13. Chapter following. And for your better instruction of the mounting of the piece, I have made this figure following. first take the Quadrant, and put the rule of the quadrant E into the mouth of the piece C, and then putting up or down the tail of the piece A, till the plummet G fall upon the corner of the Quadrant at D, then look whatsoever you see right with the upper side of the quadrant H, shall be level with the mouth of the piece, and that is called the point blank, for that upon a level ground without any hills, as upon the sea, that all things standeth so level, shall be right with the Horizon, that is to say, at the parting of the earth and the Sky, by the sight of your eye: and then putting down the tail of the piece A, the plummet line G will hang at what degree you please towards the middle line of the Quadrant E, then the mouth of the piece B and C will go upwards. etc. Now shall follow (according unto the proof that I have made, but yet not to my contentation, neither in respect to no purpose) the argument of the proportion of the mounting of every degree unto the best of the Randare, according unto the proof that I have made. Look how much ground the piece conveyeth the shot from the right line, unto the mounting of five degrees, that is as much ground as the right line, and two ninth parts more, and from the mounting of five degrees unto ten degrees the shot is conveyed as much ground as the right line, and 1/9 part more, and from the mounting of ten degrees unto fifteen degrees, the shot is conveyed as much ground as the right line just. And from the mounting of fifteen degrees unto the mounting of twenty degrees, the shot is conveyed half as much ground as the right line just: and from the mounting of any piece from twenty degrees unto the best of the Randare, the shot is conveyed in all about ⅔ parts of the right line, and that is in a fair calm day, and then two and forty degrees is the best of the Randare, and with the wind five and forty is the best of the Randare, and against the wind, as the wind is in bigness, that is, one and forty, or forty, or nine and thirty, or eight and thirty, or seven and thirty, or six and thirty degrees, the wind being altogether the ruler thereof. Therefore it is but a folly to make account thereof, neither is there any service above the mounting of any piece of ordnance, above. 20. degrees, except it be a mortar piece, and the shot is conveyed off ground from the mouth of the piece unto the lighting or falling of the shot, to the best compass of the Rander, about five times and a half as much ground as the right line, being (as before is declared) within a little under or over, according as the wind bloweth more or less, against the wind, or with the wind, and so forth. But here is one principal thing to be considered, and that is this, that you do always charge the piece with just one weight, and one sort and kind of powder, for otherways, in the doing thereof, you may commit error, as before is declared in the first Chapter. As touching the knowing the goodness of Powder, for that it chanceth many times that they have not always one sort of Powder, neither always of one man's making but of sundry men's making, and so by that means, some Powder is better than some is: therefore it is a hard matter for to know certainly, that thus much in weight of this powder, is equal unto the force of so much in weight of that sort of Powder: wherefore in mine opinion, that engine or little box that is devised to prove the force of the Powder is very necessary to be used, for by it you may justly know which sort of Powder is stronger or weaker in force than the other, by weighing alike some small quantity of each sort, and so putting the powder into the engine or box, and burning it, first the one sort, and then the other sort, and look which sort of Powder doth blow, or lift the lid of the box highest, that is the stronger sort of powder, and you shall know by how much, by the teeth or notches that do stay the lid of the engine or box, and so by that engine or box, you may fit the force of the powder, that is to say, if that you do occupy so much powder with any piece of ordnance. And for that you would keep that length of the mark at such an advantage in mounting, if you have no more of that sort of powder, but that the powder that you have is either stronger or weaker, then do thus: weigh out some small quantity, as the weight of a groat or sixpences, more or less at your discretion, as the engine or box is, and first burn that sort of powder in the box that you do know the force of it already, and then look unto what teeth or notch that the lid of the engine or box is lifted up unto, and then weigh out of the other sort of powder the like weight, and so burn that in the box or engine, and if it doth blow or lift the lid higher than it was before, than it is a stronger fort of powder, if not so high, than it is a weaker sort of powder: and by the number of notches, you shall know how much. Therefore, if it be a starger sort of Powder than that you have occupied already, then weigh out a lesser weight of the same, and burn that in the box or engine, and so doing, both by the weighing and burning of it in the engine or box, until that it lift or blow the lid of the engine, unto the just height that it was with the first sort of Powder: but if the first sort of Powder did blow or lift the lid higher than the other, then weigh out more in weight than the first, and so by the weighing and burning of it in the engine, until the lid be lifted unto the just height that it was before, so by that means you shall know justly how much weight of one sort of Powder shall be equal with the force of that sort of Powder, and so by this means, although you change the sorts of your Powder never so often, yet you may so fit the piece by the weight of your Powder, that the piece of ordnance shall keep one length at the mark. Having this consideration, both in the lading and the wadding, to be in such order, that is to say, to keep a method in the doing thereof, neither to put in the powder too hard, neither too lose, neither the wad to go in too lose, neither to be too much too hard, but reasonable. And as touching the fashion and the making of the engine or box, I do omit that in this book, for that I do show it in my Book, called The Inventions or devices, in the. 54. Device. CHAPTER. 8. How for to mount any piece of ordnance by the degree with an Inch rule, with a Table, showing what part of an inch rule will make one degree, and so unto ten degrees. FOr the making of a perfit shot at any degree of the Randare, & to have a good length at that mark, the distance of ground being known, first it behoveth him for to know the force of his Powder, which is showed in the Chapter going before, and to have his Powder put in Cartredges, either of Paper or Canvas, and the Powder weighed, that the one Cartredge be not heavier than the other, according unto the piece, and the goodness of the Powder: for there can be no certainty when that the piece is laden or charged, sometime with more Powder, & sometime with less: and especially in the time of service, I do see, that there is no worse lading or charging of ordnance, than with a Ladle, whether that it be by Sea or by land, for by the lading with a Ladle, it must be twice filled, and then at every time that the Powder is put into the piece, it must be put up with the Rammer head, so that they must either turn the other end of the Ladle, or else if that the Rammer head be upon the spondge staff, than he must change the staves, which is a great cumber to do in a narrow room. And also in the charging of a piece with a Ladle, he cannot fill it so equally, but that the Ladle shall have sometime more Powder, and sometime less Powder, by a good quantity, and especially if that he doth it hastily as in the time of service it always requireth haste, and that may cause him that giveth level, to shoot under or over the mark, or too short, or too far, although that he hath found what advantage will reach the mark. And also it is unprofitable and dangerous to lad or charge a piece with a Ladle, for that the Powder is apt to be shed or spilled being hastily done, and then it is apt to be fired, considering what a dangerous point it is for the burning and spoiling of men. Wherefore if your Powder be in Cartredges, and also weighed, the piece is more sooner and easilier laden or charged, and he shall keep the length of the mark the better, and also you may keep the Powder the closer and better, and not so apt to be shed or pqylled, for when that the Cartredges be filled, than they may be set upright in some Tub or Barrel, and then they may take out one by one as need shall require, and so cover the Barrel close again, that it may be without danger. And now for the giving of level with any piece of ordnance, and the mark more than the piece can reach upon the right line, and the distance known unto the mark, and also you knowing what ground the piece will convey the shot upon the right line, then by the order in the Chapter going before, you may know how many degrees will reach the mark. And for that it is somewhat tedious & difficult to mount any piece of ordnance with a quadrant, except it be upon a plain and level ground, that the piece standeth no more, but the just height, or the lowness of the mark, which happeneth very seldom. Therefore I do think it very good to show you how to mount any piece of ordnance by the degree, with an inch rule, according to the length of the piece, and to know how many inches, and parts of an inch will make or give one degree unto ten degrees. Hereafter is a Table, the length of the piece standeth in the margente towards the left hand, & the square right against, that is the mount of one degree, and the uppermost number in every square, is the inches, & the undermost numbers is the odd parts of an inch, and the Table beginneth at the length of the piece five foot and a half, and so increaseth by the half foot, till the piece be full fifteen foot long. ¶ This Table doth show what part of an inch rule will make one degree, and so unto ten degrees. Degrees. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Foot 5. ½ long. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 9 10 11 Inches. 3/22 3/11 9/22 6/11 15/22 9/11 21/22 1/11 5/22 4/11 Parts. Foot. 6. long. 1 2 3 5 6 7 8 10 11 12 Inches. ¼ ½ ¾ ¼ ½ ¾ ¼ ½ Parts. Foot. 6. ½ long. 1 2 4 5 6 8 9 10 12 13 Inches. 4/11 8/11 ●/11 5/11 9/11 2/11 6/11 10/11 3/11 7/11 Parts. Foot. 7. long. 1 2 4 5 7 8 10 11 13 14 Inches. 5/11 10/11 4/11 9/11 3/11 8/11 2/11 7/11 1/11 6/11 Parts. Foot. 7. ½ long. 1 3 4 6 7 9 10 12 13 15 Inches. 6/11 1/11 7/11 2/11 8/11 3/11 9/11 4/11 10/11 5/11 Parts. Foot. 8. long. 1 3 5 6 8 10 11 13 15 16 Inches. 15/22 4/11 1/22 8/11 9/22 1/11 17/22 5/11 3/22 9/11 Parts. Foot. 8. ½ long. 1 3 5 7 8 10 12 14 15 17 Inches. 17/22 6/11 7/22 1/11 19/22 7/11 9/22 2/11 21/22 8/11 Parts. Foot. 9 long. 1 3 5 7 9 11 13 15 17 19 Inches. 10/11 9/11 8/11 7/11 6/11 5/11 4/11 3/11 2/11 1/11 Parts. Foot. 9 ½ long. 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20 Inches. Foot 10. long. 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20 Inches. 1/11 2/11 2/11 4/11 5/11 6/11 7/11 8/11 9/11 10/11 Parts. Foot. 10. ½ long. 2 4 6 8 10 13 15 17 19 21 Inches. 2/11 4/11 6/11 8/11 10/11 1/11 2/11 5/11 7/11 9/11 Parts. Foot. 11. long. 2 4 6 9 11 13 15 18 20 22 Inches. 3/11 6/11 9/11 1/11 4/11 7/11 10/11 2/11 5/11 8/11 Parts. Foot. 11. ½ long. 2 4 7 9 12 14 16 19 21 24 Inches. 9/22 9/11 5/22 7/11 1/22 5/11 19/22 3/11 15/22 1/11 Parts. 12. 2 5 7 10 12 15 17 20 22 25 Inches. ½ ½ ½ ½ ½ Parts. Foot. 12. ½ long. 2 5 7 10 13 15 18 21 23 26 Inches. 7/11 3/11 10/11 6/11 2/11 9/11 5/11 ●/11 8/11 4/11 Parts. Foot. 13. long. 2 5 8 10 13 16 19 21 24 27 Inches. 8/11 5/11 2/11 10/11 7/11 4/11 1/11 9/11 6/11 3/11 Parts. Foot. 13. ½ long. 2 5 8 11 14 16 19 22 25 28 Inches. 9/11 7/11 5/11 3/11 1/11 10/11 8/11 6/11 4/11 2/11 Parts. Foot. 14. long. 2 5 8 11 14 17 20 23 26 29 Inches. 10/11 9/11 8/11 7/11 6/11 5/11 4/11 3/11 2/11 1/11 Parts. Foot. 14. ½ long. 3 6 9 12 15 18 21 24 27 30 Inches. 1/30 1/15 1/10 2/15 ⅙ ⅕ 2/30 4/15 9/30 ⅓ Parts. Foot. 15. long. 3 6 9 12 15 18 21 25 28 31 Inches. 3/22 2/11 9/22 6/11 15/23 9/11 21/22 1/11 5/22 ●/11 Parts. Then first repair unto the order of the Chapter that goeth before, and consider by the distance that the piece conveyeth the shot upon the right line, and look how much the shot may be conveyed at the mount of one degree, and so from degree to degree, till you have the length in degrees, that the shot may reach the mark, and then repair unto the piece, and measure how many foot long the piece is, then according to the length of the piece, there is a Table in this Chapter going before, in the Margin of the which, towards the left hand, that number is the length of the piece, then right against that number in the first square, it doth show how many ynces, and parts of an inch will make one degree: and the next square will show you how many inches, and parts of an inch will make two degrees, and so forth unto the number of ten degrees, and no more: and the cause is this, for that there is commonly no service to be done, above the mounting of any piece of ordnance, more than ten degrees, neither the inch rule will serve any further, for that the degrees be taken out of the circumference of a circle, and not out of a right line. And now to use the matter in the handling of the rule, to make a perfit shot do this: prepare your rule, and let it be well divided into inches, half inches, and quarters of inches, and half quarters of inches, and then let there be a slit in the middle of the rule, and in the slit, let there be made in brass or latin a sight, that it may be moved up and down at your pleasure, and then the rule is finished. Now when you would make a shot at any mark, let the piece be truly disparted, and the disparte set upon the mouth of the piece, or else, if the disparte be not set upon the mouth of the piece, yet you must know perfectly the Disparte of the piece, and to make account what number of inches it is, and to reckon that as part of the mounting of the piece by the degrees. Now the distance of ground being known unto the mark, and also to know how many inches, and parts of an inch will make the number of degrees, the account of the dispart being made, or else the dispart being set upon the mouth of the piece, than set the rule upon the breech of the same perfectly upright, in such order, as the top of the rule be not nearer unto the mouth, than that place of the breech of the piece that the rule doth stand upon, whether the piece have much advantage, or little, so that the top of the rule must not hang backwards or forwards, but always at on proportion from the mouth of the piece: that being done, turn the piece right unto the mark, and then koyne the breech of the piece up and down, until the middle of the mouth of the piece, or else the top of the disparte, and the mark be seen through the sight, in the slit of the rule, just at the number of inches, and parts of an inch, that will answer unto so many degrees, as the Table in this Chapter going before doth show. This being done, the shot shall have a good length at the mark. As for example, suppose that I do shoot in a Saker that conveyeth or driveth the shot upon the right line or point blank. 26. score, and the mark that I do shoot at is 40. score from the piece, than I have either made proof by the order prescribed in the. 7. Chapter that goeth, before, or else I have the Tables of some other men, as Tartalia the Italian hath made Tables thereof And so I do find, that. 2. degrees will reach the mark, than I do repair unto the piece and measure it, how many foot long the piece is, and I do find that the same is. 9 foot and a half in length from the mouth to the breech, than I repair to the Table in this Chapter before, where I find that. 2. inches doth make a degree just, and now the piece must be mounted unto. 2. degrees just, and then twice. 2. inches, maketh. 4. inches: then I do dispart the metal of the piece, as I do show you in the. 4. Chapter, and so I do find that the metal of the breach of the piece is an inch and a half thicker at the breach, than it is at the mouth of the piece, and then I do set up a rush or a straw on the mouth of the piece, and so making it fast with a little wax just one inch and a half above the metal of the mouth of the piece, than I do take the inch rule, and so I do remove the sight in the slit of the rule unto just. 4. inches, and I do set the rule perfitly upright upon the middle of the breech of the piece, and so remove the piece too and fro, and koyne the tail of the piece up and down, till such time as I may see the mark through the sight in the slit, and the top of the dispart, all three upon one right line, by the sight of my eye, and the sight in the slit, to stand at just. 4. inches, then shooting off the piece, you shall make a perfit shot. And furthermore, if the disparte be not set upon the mouth of the piece, than you must make account thereof, for that the piece doth mount himself one inch and a half, therefore you must give the piece but. 2. inches & a half advantage, to reach the mark. And furthermore, I will give you a second example in the same piece at a greater distance, at. 80. score from the piece, and that is almost a mile, and then doing (as before is said) to seek how many degrees will reach the mark, and I find that piece that driveth or convaieth the shot. 26. score upon the right line, that at. 9 degrees it will convey or drive the shot. 80. score, and (as before is showed) that in that piece that is. 9 foot and a half long. 2. inches maketh just one degree, and then the piece must be mounted unto just. 9 degrees, which is. 18. inches, if the dispart be set upon the mouth of the piece, but if the disparte be not set upon the mouth, than you must rebate so much of the advantage in the mounting, as the disparte cometh unto, and that is one inch and a half. Therefore, you must set the sight in the slit, but upon sixteen inches and a half, and so doing (as before is said) the shot shall have a good length at the mark. And furthermore, I had thought to have placed a Table of proportion of the casting of the piece at the mount of every degree, accordingly as the piece doth convey or drive the shot upon the right line, but that I have not made any such exact proof, neither am I of that ability, neither as far as I can judge, there is no man will be at any such charge. But the exactest matter that I have heard that Tartalia the Italian hath made perfect proof thereof before divers of the nobility of Italy, whereupon, he hath made Tables (by report) very exact, yet I could never come by the sight of them, neither are they in his Book that he hath made for these causes. CHAPTER. 9 What manner of course the shot flieth in the air. AS I suppose, it is very necessary to know what manner of course or proportion the shot flieth in the air in his compass, that is to say, at any degree mounted that the piece is shot at the Randare. All those pieces that be shot at the mounting of any degree above point blank, and under the best of of the Randare, hath. 4. manner of courses in his driving or flying, by the violence of the blast of the powder, before the shot come to the ground, so that the piece be shot against a leveled ground. The first course is by a right line, and so long as the shot goeth violently. And the second course doth begin for to compass, and yet flieth some what upwards into the air, that is to say, further above the earth circularly. The third course is for a certain space or quantity at the highest distance from the earth. And the fourth course is, it cometh downwards circularly towards the earth, and so stooping more and more, till it cometh down to the ground: as for example this: If any piece that is shot at the best of the Randar, that is to say, at 45. degrees, and also at the mounting of thirty degrees, and also at the mounting of fifteen degrees, and A signifieth the right line, and B the second course in flying of the shot circularly upwards, and C showeth the uppermost course for flying at the farthest distance from the earth, and D showeth the circular falling or coming downwards, or the stoupiuꝭ or falling more circularly, than any of the other courses or falling of the shot, and the more nearer unto the ground, the more circularly the compass is made, as this figure doth show. Now furthermore, if any piece be shot in the mounting of any degree, above. 45. degrees, than the shot shall have a perpendicular line or fall, before that the shot shall come to the ground. Therefore I do say, that the more that any piece is mounted above five and forty degrees, by the means of the perpendicular or falling, that the shot falleth shorter and shorter at the mounting of every degree: therefore they do never mount any manner of piece above the compass of. 45. degrees, except it be a Mortar piece, and those be mounted always above. 45. degrees, for that the more the perpendicular line is, the more violently the shot cometh down, and the more the piece is mounted, the higher into the air the shot flieth, and then the more is the perpendicular line, and the nearer unto the piece the shot falleth. Therefore that mortar piece that is shot above. 45. degrees, the shot hath. 5. manner of courses, that is to say: first his right line up into the air: secondly, his cicular fleeing up into the air: thirdly, his furthest distance from the earth: four, his circular coming downwards: and fifthly, his direct fall or perpendicular line down to the earth, as this figure may represent, the one line to be the best of the Randare, the other line to be the mounting of. 15. degrees more than the best of the Randar: and the third, the mounting of. 30. degrees above the best of the Randar. And the cause that the shot hath his direct fall unto the earth, is his natural course, for first it is driven violently by the blast of the Powder up into the air by a right line, and then secondly, as the violent drift doth decay, so it flieth circularly, and thirdly, the force of the drift being all decayed, it must needs have his natural course, and all things that be of earthly substance, must needs return to the earth again. CHAPTER. 10. How to mount a Mortar piece for to lay the shot at any distance appointed. FOr the shooting of Mortar pieces, it is to be considered, that those pieces must be mounted above the compass of five and forty degrees, for that these pieces are used at the siege of Towns, for the annoyance of their enemies, that is to say, to the intent to beat down their lodgings or houses, with diveres other purposes more. And to have the shot to fall at any distance appointed, they must do this: For every degree that those pieces be mounted, the shot falleth shorter, as in the Chapter before is declared, & till that the mouth of the piece doth stand directly on your perpendicular line or Zeneth or prick, with the crown of your head, and then the shot shall fall directly into the mouth of the piece again, except that the accedence of the wind doth put it beside the mouth of the piece, as this: first shoot this piece at the mount of five and forty degrees, that is the best of the Randar, then measure the ground from the mouth of the piece unto the first falling of the shot, and the measure being known, divide that into five and forty equal parts, and every one of these parts of measure, shall be the falling shorter of the shot, at the mounting of one degree. As for example, a Mortar piece, that shooteth a. 180. paces at the best of the Randare, shall shoot at the mounting of every degree four pace shorter: and so from degree unto degree, till that the mouth of the piece standeth directly upright with your Zeneth. Now for to shoot with your Mortar piece, do this: first lay the rule E cross the mouth of the piece B, then take your quadrant and set your square place G upon the rule E, then put down the tail of the piece A, till that the plummet line F fall at the corner of the Quadrant C, then shooting off your Mortar piece that is the best of the Randare, and putting down the tail of the piece A, till that the plummet line fall at ten degrees towards the middle line of the Quadrant D than that Mortar piece that shooteth a hundredth and eighty paces at the best of the Randare, the shot shall fall forty pace shorter, that is, at a hundred and forty pace from the piece, then at the mount of twenty degrees, the shot shall fall 80. paces shorter, that is to say, at a hundred pace from the piece, then at thirty degrees the shot shall fall a hundred and twenty pace shorter, that is to say, threescore pace from the piece, then at the mounting of forty degrees, the shot falleth at a hundred and threescore pace shorter, that is, at twenty pace from the piece. And thus it may be seen, that from the mounting of every degree the shalt falleth shorter four pace, and thus, by dividing the best of the Randare into five and forty equal parts, you shall know the mount of every degree, at what distance the shot shall fall from the piece, as by these figures following it doth appear. CHAPTER. 11. How far above the mark the shot flieth over the mark by the length of the piece, and distance unto the mark, FUrthermore, here is one especial point to be noted, for a number of Sea Gunners do not use for to diparte their piece: and I do think that a great number of them can not do it very well, for that cause they will say, that they need not disparte their ordnance. But if they do not disparte their great ordnance, and especially those new pieces that be now adays made for the Ships, they shall do but simple service, besides the great charge in waist that they shall put them to that bear the charge thereof: for one shatte of the great ordnance, is twenty times the charge of the small pieces: and many of the small pieces in a manner needeth no disparte, but the great pieces: for the metal of the tail of the piece is a great deal bigger than the mouth of the piece. And this is general for ever, look how much that the metal is thicker upon the one side at the tail of the piece than it is at the mouth of the piece, then look how many times that the length of the piece is unto the mark, so many times the thickness of the metal is thicker at the breech of the piece, than it is at the mouth, so many times the quantity shall the shot fly over the mark, if so be that the piece be shot without disparting, and the mark within point blank, or the right line of the piece: as for example thus, by a piece of ordnance, that the metal of the breech of the piece is thicker by three inches on the one side, than it is at the mouth of the piece, and the piece is just ten foot long, and the mark is just twenty score from the piece. Now the piece being ten foot long, there is just six times the whole length of the piece in every score, for that a score is sixty foot, and six times ten is sixty foot, than the metal of the breech of the piece, being three ynches thicker than it is at the mouth of the piece, the piece shall cast over the mark at the end of every score fifteen inches, for that the piece shooteth three inches over the mark at every time the length of the piece, and then two times three inches, maketh eighteen inches: so than it must needs be said, that at the end of twenty score, the piece must needs cast twenty times fifteen inches over the mark, and twenty times fifteen inches, maketh three hundred and sixty inches, and that containeth thirty foot, so that I do conclude, that the piece which is but ten foot long, and the metal three inches thicker on the one side at the breech of the piece than it is at the mouth, and the mark twenty score from the piece, this piece being short without any disparting, being shot against an upright wall, then bringing the middle of the mouth of the piece, and the middle of the tail of the piece, and the mark, all three upon one right line, and then the shot shall hit the wall just thirty foot right over the mark, and this shall be true without any fail. Then this being true, what mad men be those Gunners that will be of such an opinion, that they need not to dispart their ordnance. CHAPTER. 12. How to make a perfit shot with a piece that is not truly bored, that is to say, that the core or hollowness goeth not right in the middle of the metal. AS it chanceth many times through the negligence or default of Founders, that some pieces be not truly bored, that is to say, that the core or hollowness of the piece runneth not right in the middle of the metal, but the core or concavity declineth or leaneth more unto the one side, than it doth on the other, for although at the mouth of the piece the metal be round about of one like thickness, yet at the breech of the piece the metal may be thicker on the one side, than it is on the other, and then that piece will never shoot right upon the mark: and also, this piece is very dangerous to shoot in for fear of breaking. And this is generally for ever. Look at that side that the metal is most thickest at the breech, from that sidewardes the piece doth cast, and then right against the thickest part of the piece, there is the thinnest side of the metal, so that the metal be perfect round on the outside of the piece, and also the hollow & concavity within the piece, and towards the thickest side of the metal of the piece, towards that side the piece casteth. And for to know how much, you may easily perceive: look how much the thickest side of the metal is thicker than the th'inner side, look how many times the hollow of the piece is unto the mark, so many times half the thickness that the metal is thicker on the one side, than it is on the other, so many times that proportion shall the shot fly wide of the mark, towards that side that the metal of the piece is most thickest. As for example this, there is a piece, that the metal is thicker on the one side, than it is on the other side by two inches, and the core or hollowness from the touch-hole, unto the mouth of the piece, is. 10. foot long, and the mark that the piece is shot at, is 20. score from the piece: now there is. 6. times the length of the hollowness of the piece in every score, and the piece casteth one inch awry at every time the length of the hollow of the piece, for that the metal is thicker on the one side, than it is on the other by. 2. inches, then take from the thicker side one inch, and add unto the other side that one inch, than it will set the hollowness of the piece right in the middle of the metal, as it is. 5. inches thick on the thicker side, and but. 3. inches thick on the thinner side, then take from. 5. inches one inch, and there doth remain but. 4. inches, & then add unto. 3. inches one inch, and then it maketh. 4. inches, & then both the sides be of one like thickness: then (as before is said) there is. 6. times the length of the hollowness of the piece in every score, so that the piece casteth awry in every score. 6. inches. Then it must needs be said, that at the end of. 20. score, the piece casteth beside the mark. 20. times, 6. inches, and it maketh. 120. inches, and that is. 10. foot just. And furthermore, for to make a perfect shot with this kind of piece, it is a strange matter unto Gunners, and they had need to be very circumspect for fear of overcharging, for you must not give this kind of piece powder according unto the weight of the metal, for that she hath too much metal on the other side, where it doth no good. And now for to make a shot with this kind of piece, do this: first search the piece with those kind of instruments that I have spoken of in the. 2. Chapter, then if the thickest part of the metal be upon the upper side of the piece, that is to say, at the touch-hole, the piece being as before is declared. 2. inches thicker of metal there, than it is on the lower side, when that you have disparted your piece truly, as though the hollowness of the piece ran right in the middle of the metal, set up your dispart upon the mouth of the piece one inch the more, for that the metal is thickest upon the upper side thereof by. 2. inches, and half. 2. inches is on inch: then bringing the middle of the tail of the piece, and the top of your dispart, and them mark, all three upon one right line, by the sight of your eye, the piece being shot off you shall make a perfect shot upon the right line. Then if the thickest part of the metal by. 2. inches be under the piece, that is to say, that at the touch-hole, the metal is at the thinnest, when you do set up your true disparte upon the mouth of the piece, rebate one inch of the length of the disparte, or else the piece will cast the shot under the mark, for that the thickest side of the metal is downwards. And furthermore, if that the thickest part of the metal chanceth in any other place, howsoever that it chanceth, then at the thickest side of the piece make a little mark, as you may do it with a little wax as big as a pings head upon the very breech of the piece: then when you have disparted this piece truly, as though the hollowness of the piece did run right in the middle of the metal, set up your disparte upon the side of the mouth of the piece, as right as you can make it, with a line against the little wax that is on the thickest side on the breech of the piece, and then make the dispart one inch the more, for that it is the thicker side with metal by two inches, and then bringing the top of the dispart and the little wax and the mark, all three upon one right line, you shall make a perfit shot. And furthermore, if that it chance so, that the thicker side doth lie somewhat underneath the piece, then set up your dispart upon the thinner side of the piece, and also the little wax upon the breech of the piece, and then you must rebate one inch from your true disparte, and this by consideration, there can be no piece, but that you may make a perfit shot, for he that can by Art lay the hollow or concavity of the piece against the mark, must needs hit the mark, so that the mark be not farther off than the piece can reach upon the right line: and this is true without any fail. CHAPTER. 13. How to give level at a mark upon a hill or valley, with the Quadrant. FOr the shooting at a hill or valley to give level with the Quadrant, there is two principal things to be considered, and especially, if that the mark be further than the piece will reach upon the right line. First, when they do know the distance unto the mark, and the mark more than that the piece will reach upon the right line, then mount the piece so many degrees, till that the piece be able to reach the mark, then take your Quadrant, and look through the two sight of the Quadrant, the plummet hanging at liberty, till you may see the mark justly upon the hill, winking with one of your eyes, then look upon what degree and place the plummet line doth hang upon, than mount the piece so many degrees more as that doth come unto, for the height of the hill, then that being done you shall make a perfect shot: as for example this: by a mark that stood upon the side of an hill, and by Geometry perspective, the distance is found to be sixty score from the piece, and now the piece is a culverin, such a one as shooteth thirty score upon the right line or point blank. Now the mark is thirty score more than the piece can reach upon the right line, therefore you must mount the piece, till it be able to reach the mark, and that is, at the mount of four degrees, as it doth appear by the examining of the seventh Chapter, and there you shall find it to appear to be at the mount of four degrees: now that being known, take your Quadrant, and take the number of degrees that the hill is in height, higher than the ground that you stand upon, and that is done (as before is declared) and then you find that the mark is five degrees higher than the ground that your piece lieth upon, then add that number unto the other, and that maketh in all nine degrees just, for that the piece is mounted four degrees for to reach the mark, and five degrees for the height of the mark, which is higher ground than that the piece doth lie upon, then laying the piece right upon the mark, there is no doubt but that you must needs make a perfit shot, and to lay the piece right upon the mark, the piece being mowted (as before is said) then take a plummet of lead upon a small line or string, and let that be holden up at the breech, at the very end of the piece, even at the very middle of the tail of the piece, then stand directly behind the piece, and wind the piece, till you do see the middle of the mouth of the piece, and the mark, all three upon one right line, by the sight of your eye, winking with one of your eyes, and there is no doubt, but your piece doth lie right upon your mark, and so forth. And now in like manner, if you do make a shot towards a valley, and the mark more than the piece will reach upon the right line, then knowing the distance unto the mark mount the piece, till it be able to reach the mark, then turn your Quadrant, that the sight go downwards, the plummet hanging at liberty, than you may see how many degrees the ground is lower, than the ground that the piece doth lie upon, and rebate so many degrees as that number cometh unto, and laying the piece right upon the mark, there is no doubt but you shall make a perfit shot, as by an example with that piece and at that distance before rehearsed, to a mark in a valley, the ground being lower at the mark you shoot at by three degrees, than that ground that the piece doth lie upon: now you must mount the piece four degrees to reach the mark, and then you must rebate three of those degrees for the lowness of the mark, and then you may conclude, that the piece being mounted but one degree, it doth shoot that distance that it did at nine degrees. And the reason thereof is most manifest, for that the one is up the hill, and the other down the hill. And furthermore, with that piece, and at that distance before spoken of, and also at that number of degrees down the hill that the other was up the hill, that was at five degrees, & now four degrees will reach the mark upon a plain level ground, but for that it is down the hill, you must rebate five degrees. Wherefore you may conclude, that the piece must be leveled with the Quadrant, one degree under the point blaucke, that is to say, lower than the Horizon by one degree, for that the deepness of the valley is the cause thereof. Wherefore in mine opinion, it is better for Gunners to use to give level with an inch rule, as I do afore declare in the eight Chapter, for I do know, that this is the cause that hath deceived a great number that are meanly seen in those matters, and for lack of considering of those causes that may happen or chance, hath discouraged many that would have been well seen in those matters. CHAPTER. 14. How to make a perfit shot upon the land, at the broad side of a Ship that is under sail, and going. FUrthermore, for the making of a perfit shot upon the land, at a ship that is under sail in a River, the chiefest matter is, to have good Powder, that the piece may go off so soon as she hath fire given unto her: and to shoot at her broad side, do this: First before she cometh to you, view at what proportion she cometh, that is to say, whether that she cometh in the middle, or unto any of the sides, or unto any other proportion, than your pieces being truly disparted, lay your piece against some mark upon the further side of the River, that being done, then koyne up the tail of the piece, till the top of the dispart standeth with that proportion which the ship cometh upon: that being done, than it is good for you to have another imagined mark, somewhat nearer the Ship, besides that mark which the piece lieth upon, like a twenty foot, according unto the way of the Ship, for if that the Ship have fresh way, then give fire unto the piece or peers, twenty or thirty foot, before that the Ship cometh unto your thwart mark that the piece lieth right against, and this being discreetly done, there is no doubt but you shall make a perfect shot. And furthermore, if it be upon the Sea coast, where there is no land seen upon the further side, then take a thwart mark by some Cloud that is allow near the Horizon. And furthermore, if that any ship do go directly from you wards, or else come directly to youwards, than it is a small matter to make a perfect shatte, that is to say, if that her head or stern be towards your ordnance. etc. CHAPTER. 15. How to make a shot out of one Ship unto another, that although the Sea be wrought, or out of a Galley to a Ship. AS for Gunners that do serve by the Sea, must observe this order following. First that they do foresee that all their great ordnance be fast breeched, and foresee that all there gear be handsome and in a readiness. And furthermore that they be very circumspect about their Powder in the time of service, and especially beware of their limstockes & candles for fear of their Powder, & their fireworks, & their Ourum, which is very dangerous, and much to be feared. Then furthermore, that you do keep your pieces as near as you can, dry within, and also, that you keep their tutchholes clean, without any kind of dross falling into them. And furthermore, it is good for the Gunners to view their pieces, and for to know their perfect dispart, and mark it upon the piece, or else in some Book or Table, and name every piece what it is, and where she doth lie in the ship, and name how many inches, and half inches and quarters of inches the dispart cometh unto, and then in time of service, although that you have no time to set up your disparte you may consider of it, and do it well enough. And furthermore, if that you were driven to make a shot upon a sudden, and know not what disparte would serve the piece, yet this you may do, and speed well enough: first look all alongst by the side of the piece as near as you may at the middle of the breech of the piece, unto the middle of the mouth of the piece, and so by the sight of your eye, lay it right against the mark, and then koyne up the tail of your piece fast, for that giveth the piece the true height of the mark: then take the next sight aloft upon the piece, from the breech of the piece, unto the mouth, and so lay the piece right upon the mark. But you would judge by the sight of your eye, that the piece lie a great deal, under the mark: for that the metal of the piece is a great deal thicker than the metal of the mouth of the piece, and therefore the sight of the side of the piece, giveth her the true height of the mark, and then laying the piece right with the Ship that you do mean to shoot at, looking well to your Steerage. Now furthermore, if the Sea be wrought or grown, & the Ships do both heave and set, then if you would make a perfect shot, do this: First choose your piece between the Lauflau, and the main Mast, upon the lower Orloppe, if the Ship may keep the port open, and for this cause you shall do it, for that the ship doth least labour there: for any Ship that doth heave, and set never so sore, doth hang as though she were upon an Ariltree, there labouring least, except she doth seel or roll. But if any Ship hang any thing by the wind, it will not lightly seel or roll. Then if you do make a shot at another Ship, you must be sure to have a good helme-man, that can stir steady, taking some mark of a Cloud that is above by the Horizon or by the shadow of the Sun, or by your standing still, take some mark of the other ship through some hole, or any such other like. Then he that giveth level, must observe this: first consider what disparte his piece must have, than lay the piece directly with that part of the Ship that he doth mean to shoot at: then if the Ship be under the lee side of your Ship, shoot your piece in the coming down of the Jail, and the beginning of the other Ship to rise upon the Sea, as near as you can, for this cause, for when the other ship is aloft upon the Sea, and she under your Lee, the Jail maketh her for to head, and then it is likest to do much good. Now furthermore, if that the Ship you do shoot at have the weather gage of you, than your piece that you do shoot at her, must needs be on the weather side of the Ship: then give fire unto the piece in the righting of both the Ships. When that the Jail is over, you must await when the other Ship doth begin for to arise upon the Sea, and especially that part of the Ship that you do mean for to shoot at, for this cause, for when that the Jail is over, than both the Ships do right, for if that you should shoot in the holding of your Ship, than you should shoot over the other Ship. And furthermore, if you shoot when the other Ship is aloft on the top of the Sea, you have a bigger mark than when she is in the trough of the Sea. Therefore there is no better time for to give fire, then when she is beginning to rise upon the Sea, that is, when you see her in the trough of the Sea: and you must use that according unto the distance between two Ships, for you must consider, that the shot must have a time for to come to the ship, for no man can describe the thing so well, as he that doth see the thing apparent before his eyes, for his reason in those causes must help him, and the principallest thing is that, that he that is at the Helm must be sure to stir steady, and be ruled by him that giveth the level, and he that giveth fire, must be nimble, and ready at a sudden. And also he that is at the Helm, must be nimble and steady, that is, to put roomer, when that the other Ship doth put room, and for to loof, when that the other Ship doth ply his loof. And it is good for the Gunner to koyne the mouth of his piece, somewhat with the lowest, rather than any thing with the highest, for if that the shot flieth over the Ship, than it doth no good, but if that it cometh short of the Shipoe, it will graze in the water and rise again, and speed well enough, so that it be not too much too short of the Ship, for too much too short doth kill the shot in the Sea and especially if that the distance be any thing far off. And furthermore, for the Sea fight, if the one do mean to lay the other aboard, than they do call up their company, either for to enter or to defend: and first, if that they do mean for to enter (as you may know) that he will press to lay you aboard, then mark where that you do see any Scottles for to come up at, as they will stand near there abouts, to the intent for to be ready, for to come up under the Scottles: there give level with your Fowlers, or slings, or Bases, for there you shall be sure to do most good, then furthermore, if you do mean for to enter him, then give level with your Fowlers and Portpeeces, where you do see his chiefest fight of his ship is, and especially be sure to have them charged, and to shoot, them off at the first boarding of the Ships, for than you shall be sure to speed. And furthermore, mark where his men have most recourse, there discharge your Fowlers and Bases. And furthermore, for the annoyance of your enemy, if that at the boarding that the Sips lie, therefore you may take away their steerage with one of your great pieces that is to shoot at his Rother, and furthermore at his main mast, and so forth. Thus much have I said as touching Sea Gunners, for that I do know they do meddle with no other fights, and therefore it is meet for him to seek as much as in him lieth, for to annoy the enemy with fireworks and ordnance etc. And furthermore, if the Ship doth seell or roll, than the best place of the ship for to make a shot, is out of the head or stern. And furthermore, for to make a shot out of a Galley, and especially the Cannon that lieth in the Case, or Prow, he that giveth fire, must be ruled by him that is at the helm, because he can neither koyne her up nor down, for that she lieth in the case, for he that stirreth, must give level. And furthermore, the Cannon that lieth in the case, can not lightly shoot a ship under water, neither between the wind and the water, where that it is not on the Sea, and especially if the Ship be at hand, for that she lieth level, for look how high, that the piece is above the Sea, so high shall the shot hit any thing above the water, as far as the piece can cast upon the right line. And for to make a shot out of a Galley unto a Ship, for to strike him under the water, or between the wind and the water. First weight the Sip lying in the trough of the Sea, when she doth begin to rise upon the Sea, and then in like manner, when you do see that the Galleys head doth begin to descend, then give fire unto the piece, and you shall make a perfit shot. Furthermore, if the Galley be in fight with another Ship in a calm, than the Ship will scant wave or stir, and then the Galley may play off and on at her pleasure: and then to make a shot at hand, is some matter, for in a calm, the ships do neither rise nor fall, but a little, in comparison of any thing to the purpose: neither doth the Galleys head either heave nor set to any purpose, if the Ship be at hand, to the intent or purpose to shoot a Ship under the water. Therefore when you mean to strike a Ship under the water with a Galley, and dare not lay them aboard, then koyle your cables forwards, with the trimming forward of your weighty gear into the Galleys head, so low, till it shall serve your turn, by bringing also your men forwards: then by the Steerage with your Oars, or with your Helm, you may shoot against what part of the Ship you will, and so shoot her under water at your pleasure. CHAPTER. 16. In what order to place ordnance in Ships. ANd furthermore, I do think it convenient to show you how to fit or place ordnance in any Ship: & this is to be considered, first that the cariag be made in such shot, that the piece may lie right in the middle of the port, & that the trockes or wheels be not too high, for if the treckes be too high, than it will keep the carriage that it will not go close unto the Ships side, and by that means the piece will not scant go out of the port, except that the piece be of some reasonable length: and also, if that the Ship do hold that way, the Trockes will always run close to the ships side, so that if you have any occasion to make a shot, you shall not bring the Trockes off from the ships side, but that it will run too again. And the wheel or Trocke being very high, it is not a small thing under a Trocke will stay it but that it may run over it, etc. And also, if that the Trocke be high, it will cause the piece to have the greater reverse or recoil, therefore, the lower that the wheels or Trockes be, it is the better and so forth. Always provided, that the piece be placed in the very middle of the port, that is to say, that the piece lying level at point blank, and the Ship, to be upright, without any holding, that it be as many inches from the lower side of the port beneath, as it is unto the upper part above justly. And the deeper or higher that the ports be up and down, it is the better to make a shot, for the hilding of the Ship, whether that it be the lec side, or the weather side of the Ship, for if you have any occasion to shoot either for wards or backwards, the steerage of the Ship will serve the turn, but if that the Ship doth hold much, then if that the piece be let by the lower part of the port, than you must needs shoot over the mark, and if it be let by the upper side of the port, than you shall shoot short of the mark. etc. Wherefore, when that the Carpenters doth cut out any ports in a Ship, then let them cut them out deep enough up and down. etc. And also, it is very evil, for to have the Orloppe or Deck too low under the port, for then the carriage must be made very high, and that is very evil in divers respects, for then in the shooting off the piece, it is apt to overthrow, and also by the labouring and the ceiling of the Ship, and so forth. And furthermore, you must have a consideration for the fytting of your ordnance in the Ships, as this, the shorter ordnance is best to be placed out at the Ships side, for two or three causes, as this. first, for the ease of the Ship, for their shortness they are the lighter: and also, if that the ships should hold with the bearing of a Sail, that you must shut the ports, especially if that the ordnance be upon the lower Orloppe, and then the shorter piece is the easier to be taken in, both for the shortness and the weight also. In like manner, the shorter that the piece lieth out of the ships side, the less it shall annoy them in the tackling of the ships Sails, for if that the piece do lie very far out of the ships side, than the Sheets and Tacks, or the Bolynes will always be foul of the ordnance, whereby it may much annoy them in foul weather, and so forth. And it is very good for you to have long ordnance to be placed right out of the Stern of the Ship for two causes: the one is this. The piece must lie very far out of the port, or else in the shooting, it may blow up the Counter of the ships stern. And also, the piece had need be very large, for else it will not go very far out, for the work of a ships stern hangeth very far outwards from the deck or Orloppe up to the port, so that the carriage may be close below, but not aloft, etc. And also if you have any chasing pieces to shoot right forwards, than they must be long Oronaunce in like manner, so that you must fit your ordnance, according unto the place that it must lie in, and also (as is before rehearsed) that it is not good for to have the mountance or carriage to high. Therefore, if that the Orloppe or deck be too low under the port, than it is good for you to make a platform under the port, that the trockes of the carriage may stand upon. And also, when you do take the measure of the port, from the deck or Orloppe, to the end to fit the mountance or carriage in height, that the piece may lie right in the middle of the port, than you viewing the deck or Orlop, and considering what height you will have the wheel or Trocke, and also mark whether or how that the Ships side doth hang inwards, or outwards, and also the Cambring of the deck or Orloppe, and then you perceiving where the foremost trockes doth or must stand, when that the carriage doth go close to the port. Then where as the very middle of the foremost trockes doth stand, there take the true measure in height from the Deck or Orloppe, upwards, and so shall you know justly how many inches will lay the piece right in the very middle of the port: for if you do take the measure of the height of the port from the port down unto the Deck or Orloppe, then by the means of the Cambering, the Deck or Orloppe, and also the wheels or Trockes doth not come to stand right under the port, so by that means the Deck or Orlop is higher inwards, and that shall cause you to make the mountance or carriage too high, for that the wheels or Trockes that the carriage lieth upon, shall be a foot more or less into the Shipwards, and then look into the Cambering of the Deck or Orloppe, that it riseth inwards more, than it is right under the port, you shall take the measure so much too high for the piece to lay her right in the middle of the port &c. CHAPTER. 17. How to shoot at a movable mark upon the land, and also what kind of shot is the best to be used, according unto the cause etc. ANd furthermore, to shoot at any movable mark upon the land, either at Horsemen, or at footmen, when you do see then coming, then place your Ordnance upon some mark in their way, as right upon some bush, or any other mark that is in the high way, that they must come by, or most specially at some place where there is a turning, for in a turning, there they do tarry longest before they be altered from the mark, and then it is best shooting off your ordnance to do any spoil: and also upon the land, you may try what any piece will do at any mark, as touching the keeping of the length of the mark, etc. And furthermore, as touching this, to know what kind of shot is most meetest to be used to do service in a field, or otherwise, with their great ordnance, as Cannons, or culverins, at a great distance, to shoot the whole iron shot as you do at battery, & as they do approach near, then to shoot Falcon shot, and as they do come nearer, Faconershotte, or small base shot, and at hand all manner of spoiling shot, as chain shot, or clive shot, and discshot, and such other like. etc. CHAPTER. 18. How you shall know if any piece of ordnance be sufficiently mettalled, and also the cause that the Cannons do not occupy the weight in Powder that the shot weieth. FOr to know whether that any piece of ordnance be sufficiently metalled to bear her charge with Powder, than this is general, that in the chamber before the touch-hole, so far as the Powder doth reach to the mouthwards, that the metal be in thickness as high as the shot round about the sides of the piece, and somewhat thicker, and if that the metal be not in thickness as much as the height of the shot, than she is too slenderly mettalled, etc. And furthermore, the cause why the Cannons and other great ordnance doth not shoot so much Powder in weight as the shot weieth, although that the rule and order of the founders of ordnance, is to cast the thickness of the metal as much as the shot is in height of all sorts of pieces, as well in Cannons, as in all other sorts of pieces, and yet the Cannon may not have the weight in Powder that the shot weigheth, as all small ordnance hath. And furthermore, the cause thereof groweth by this means, for in the doubling the thickness of the metal of the piece, it doth but increase as a platform, or superficial, that is, for double measure, to be four times the quantity. And as for the shot in the doubling of the measure, it is eight times the quantity, and so it is in all bodies as Cubes, or Globes, and such other like, as I do more at large declare in the third part of my book, called A treasure for travelers. And yet you shall have this example here by a shot of three inches high, and that shot weigheth three pound three quarters, the piece being a Minion, and the metal is three inches thick. And now I have another piece that the shot is double the height, that is, six inches high, and the shot will weigh thirty pound, and now the metal being double, is but six inches thick, and the bigger shot is eight times the bigness of the lesser, and the measure but double, yet notwithstanding, the diversity is not so much as it seemeth: for if that both the pieces were cast of one length, and double in measure, in compass in all places, than the bigger piece should weigh four times the weight of the lesser. And this is the cause, that the Cannons must not have the weight in powder that the shot weigheth, for the weight of the piece, and the weight of the shot, must rule the matter, as I do plainly she we in the third Chapter of this book going before. CHAPTER. 19 In what order you shall give level with your ordnance at a battery, to beat down the walls of any place, and also what to observe, in the giving fire unto them. AS I do think, it is not unmeet to show by what order you shall give your level, and shoot off your ordnance at a Battery, that is to say, to beat down, or shake down the walls of any Town or fortress: & for the beating them down in the giving of your level, and shooting them off, do this: after that you have planted your ordnance, either in two places or in three places, as the place doth require, but in my opinion, two places is sufficient unto one place, to beat it down, to the intent to make a breach, and if it be unto a Collion point, than it is best to place your battrey but into two parts, and otherwise as the place doth require, & then in giving of level, do this. First, whereas you do mean to begin to make the breach, and being but at one place of your ordnance, give level with one piece below, at the bottom of the wall, and with the next piece a foot higher right over that, and with the third, right a foot over that, and so forth unto every piece at that part of the battery, saving you need not give the level unto no piece, more than three quarters the height of the wall, and then in like manner, give your level with your pieces at the other part of your battery, unto that place that the other part was laid right against, within a fathom or more, at your discretion, as the place requireth, so that the one place may flank or beat against the other, crossing in the middle of the wall, and when you do mean to shoot them off, then give fire unto them all at once at both the places, that they may all beat and shake the wall at one time together, and then it will beat it down or shake it down the faster, and the bottom being beaten away, the top will fall away of itself, and so when that you have broken the wall, and still do make it wider, then give level at your discretion upon the wall, observing the order before rehearsed, both in the leveling, and of the giving of fire unto the pieces, etc. CHAPTER. 20 The weight of all manner of cast pieces of ordnance, from the Cannon, unto the Fauconte, and also the weight of the shot, and the weight of the Powder that they do occupy, with the height of the shot, and length of the piece and all such other like causes, according unto the names of the pieces, etc. ANd furthermore, I do think it conventient, to show unto thee the weight of the shot, and the weight of the Powder that they do weigh, and the length and breadth of the Ladle, and the weight and length of the pieces, according unto their names. And first, for the Camnons', & there be of sundry sorts. The eldest & biggest sort of the double Cannons, the mouth of them is in height. 8. inches and a quarter. The shot is in height 8. inches, and weigheth about 70. pound of iron, and the weight of the piece is about 8000. & in length, about 12. foot more or less, and comporteth in Powder. 46. pound Serpentine. The length of the Ladel is 24. inches, the breadth of the Ladle is. 15. inches ½ etc. The ordinary double Cannons, the piece is. 8. inches high in the mouth, the shot is in height. 7. inches three quarters, it weigheth of iron about. 64. pound, and the weight of the piece is about. 7500. and in length near about eleven or twelve foot long, and occupieth in Powder. 42. pound Serpentine, the length of the Ladle is 23. inches a quarter, the breadth thereof fifteen inches ¼ and the compass of the shot is four and twenty inches. The French double Canons, the piece is in the mouth seven inches three quarters, in height the shot seven inches ½ high, and weigheth being of iron about. 58. pound, and the piece weigheth about seven thousand, and is in length as the other before rehearsed, comporteth in Powder near forty pound Serpentine: the length of their Ladels is but fifteen inches, for that they do lad their pieces with three Ladelfulles, and we here in England but with two, and the breadth of the plate of their Ladle is fifteen inches, etc. Demy Cannons. ANd first the Demy Cannons of the eldest sort, the piece is six inches three quarters in height, in the mouth, the shot six inches and a half in height: the shot of iron weigheth eight and thirty pound, and the weight of the piece is near six thousand, and in length eleven or twelve foot long, and occupieth in Powder six and twenty pound Serpentine, the length of the Ladle three and twenty inches, the breadth of the plate of the Ladle twelve inches ⅕ parts, and the compass of the shot is twenty inches 3/7 parts. The ordinary Demy Cannon, the height of the mouth is six inches and a half, the height of the shot six inches a quarter, the weight of the shot in iron thirty three pound, and the weight of the piece is about 5500. and the piece is in length ten or eleven foot, and her charge in Powder is four and twenty pound Serpentine, the length of the Ladle is two and twenty inches, and the breadth of the plate of the Ladle is twelve inches. Some sorts of Demy Cannons, the height of the mouth of the piece but six inches, a quarter, the height of the shot six inches, the weight of the shot of iron thirty pound, and the weight of the piece five thousand, or. 5400. the length as afore, her charge in Powder four and twenty pound Sarpentine, the length of the Ladle three and twenty inches, the breadth eleven inches and a half. The French Demy Cannon, and of some other foreign Nations, the height of the mouth of the piece but 6. inches, the height of the shot five inches three quarters, the weight of the iron shot six and twenty pound d. and the weight of the pieces five thousand more or less, their lengths of the ordinary sort, and shooteth in Powder two and twenty, or three & twenty pound Sarpentine, the length of the Ladle sixteen inches, and three Ladle fulls to charge the piece: the breadth of the Ladle eleven inches. culverins. THe elder sort of whole culverins, called of some Norborow culverins, the height of the mouth of the piece five inches and a half, the height of the shot. 5. inches a quarter. The weight of the shot in iron 20. pound. The weight of the piece. 4800. more or less, their lengths divided, as. 12. or. 13. foot long, and shooteth in Powder. 20. pound Serpentine, the length of the Ladle. 23. inches, the breadth of the Ladle near ten inches. etc. The ordinary whole culvering, the height of the mouth of the piece. 5. inches a quarter, the height of the shot, 5. inches. The weight of the shot of iron. 17. pound. The weight of the piece about. 4500. more or less, the length of the piece. 12. foot, and comporteth in Powder. 18. pound Serpentine, the length of the Ladle 25. inches, the breadth. 9 inches. d. etc. culverins, not so high as ordinary, the height of the mouth of the piece. 5. inches, the height of the shot four inches three quarters, the weight of the shot. 15. pound, the weight of the piece more or less. 4300. the length of the pieces divers, some the ordinary length, some otherwise, and occupieth in Powder. 16. pound, or thereabouts Serpentine, the length of the Ladel. 24. inches, the breadth 9 inches. Demy culverins. THe elder sort of Demy culverins, the height of the mouth of the piece. 4. inches three quarters, the height of the shot. 4. inches ½, the weight of the shot. 12. lb. d. of iron, the weight of the piece. 3200. the length of the piece. 12. foot more or less, and their charge in Powder 12. pound Serpentine, the length of the Ladle, 22. inches, their breadth. 8. inches. d. etc. The ordinary Demy culverin, the height of the mouth of the piece. 4. inches d. the height of the shot 4. inches a quarter, the weight of iron shot. 10. pound, three quarters, the weight of the piece. 27. hundred or thereabouts, the length of the piece. 10. foot more or less, and will comport in Powder. 11. or. 12. pound Serpentine, the length of the Ladle. 21. inches a quarter, the breadth. 8. inches. Demy culverins lower than ordinary, the height of the mouth of the piece. 4. inches a quarter, the height of the shot. 4. inches, the weight of the shot being of iron is near. 9 pound, the weight of the pieces. 22. hundredth more or less, the length of the piece. 9 or. 10. foot more or less, and their charge in Powder. 10. pound or. 10. pound d. Serpentine, the length of the Ladle. 20. inches, the breadth. 7. inches, three quarters. etc. Sakers. SAkers of the oldest sort, the height of the mouth of the piece. 4. inches, the height of the shot. 3. inches three quarters, the weight of the iron shot. 7. pound a quarter, the weight of the piece. 1800. the length of some of those pieces. 10. foot, and comporteth in Powder. 7. pound a quarter Serpentine, the length of the Ladle. 17. inches, the breadth. 7. inches a quarter. Sakers ordinary, the height of the mouth. 3. inches three quarters, the height of the shot. 3. inches a half, the weight of the shot of iron is near. 6. pound, the weight of the piece. 1500. the length of the piece. 8. foot or. 9 foot, and her charge in Powder is. 6. pound, or thereabout of Serpentine Powder, the length of the Ladel is. 15 inches three quarters, the breadth. 6. inches. 3. quarters. etc. Sakers lower than ordinary, the height of the mouth of the piece. 3. inches a half, the height of the shot 3. inches a quarter, the weight of the shot of iron. 4. pound three quarters, or near. 5. pound, the weight of the piece. 1300-or. 1400. the length of the piece, 8, foot, or there abouts, and comporteth in Powder. 5. pound, or 5. pounded. Serpentine, the length of the Ladle is fifteen inches, the breadth six inches and a half. minions. THe Minion is. 3. inches and a quarter high, in the mouth, the shot is three inches high, the weight thereof of iron, is three pound three quarters, the weight of the piece, near about. 1000 The length of the piece eight foot or thereabouts, and shooteth in Powder three pound three quarters, or near four pound Serpentine, the length of the Ladle thirteen inches d. the breadth 5. inches and a half, some foreign pieces lower. The ordinary Minion, the mouth three inches high, the shot but two inches three quarters, and weigheth of iron near three pound, the weight of the piece about nine hundred, the length of the ordinary Minion, & shooteth in Powder three pound or thereabout, the length of the Ladle. 13. inches, the breadth. 5. inches. etc. Falcons. THe Falcon, the height of the mouth of the piece. 2. inches three quarters, the height of the shot. 2. and a half, the weight of the iron shot. 2. and half a quarter of a pound, the weight of the piece seven hundred, or seven hundred and fifty pound, the length of the piece seven foot more or less, and occupieth in Powder two pound and a half, and the length of the Ladle is twelve inches and a half, the breadth of the plate of the Ladle is. 4. inches and a quarter. etc. Some foreign Ordnaunces not so high as the Falcon, and the mouth of the piece. 2. inches and a half high, the shot. 2. inches and a quarter high, and weigheth near one pound three quarters, and the weight of those pieces six hundred, or six hundred and fifty pound, the length is as the Falcon, and the charge is in Powder near two pound, the Ladle is eleven inches and a quarter, the breadth four inches. A Fauconet, the piece is. 2. inches and a quarter high, in the mouth, the shot two inches high, and the iron shot weigheth one pound, and near half a quarter of a pound, and the weight of the piece is about. 360. or. 400 and the length five or six foot, and the charge is of Serpentine Powder, one pound and a quarter, the Ladel is ten inches long, and the breadth of the plate of the Ladle. 3. inches three quarters. And thus much I have said as touching all manner of pieces that shoot iron shot, thinking this sufficient for instructions. etc. CHAPTER. 21. How many shots of Powder there is in a last of Powder, from the cannon, unto the Fauconet: and also, if that you are at any battery, or in any Town, castle, or Ship, how to know how much Powder will shoot all your Ordnannce, etc. ANd also, I do think it necessary for all sorts of Gunners, to know how many shots of powder they may have either in a last of Powder, as also in a hundred pound, of Powder according unto the pieces, whereby they may readily know, if that they have any charge of ordnance in any Town, castle, Forte, or Ships, that they may know whether that they have Powder to lad all their ordnance throughout, & also how oftentimes about that they may shoot all their ordnance with so much Powder. And all so it is very necessary, if that there be any ordnance placed against any town or fort, & if that they have anynumber of great ordnance, as Cannons such a number, and Demy Cannons such a number, to the intent to batter down the walls thereof: and then it is very necessary to know how much Powder will shoot all those ordnance off at one time, and so forth, if that they would continue the battery, to shoot. 40. or 50. times over all their ordnance in one day, and so to know how many last of Powder that the battery will require to continue such a number of days: wherefore I do think it convenient to show unto you what a last of Powder is, and that is this. A last of Powder is 24 hundred weight, cask and all, and every hundred weight to contain. 112. pound, so that you may make your account, that you have 24. hundred pound of Powder in every last, and so is allowed 12 pound in every 100 weight, for the cask, which is in all allowed for the cask of a last of Powder, 288. pound. etc. And first this: the biggest sorts of double Cannons do occupy at one shot. 46. pound of Sarpentine Powder, and you have. 2. charges in. 100 of powder, and eight pound remaineth over, so that you have 52. shots of Powder, in a last of powder, and 8. pound remaineth over. And if that it be such a double Cannon, as doth occupy but 40. pound of Serpentine Powder, than you have 2 shots and a half of Powder in every. 100 weight of Powder, that is just. 60. shots in a last of Powder. etc. And also, those Demy Cannons that do shoot. 24. pound of Serpentine Powder at one shot, they shall have four shots in a hundred weight of Powder, and four pound remaineth over, and that is a hundred shots, in a last of powder just etc. And also those culverins that do shoot eyghtteene pound of Sarpentine Powder at one shot, then there is five shoots in a hundred weight of Powder, and then there remaineth over ten pound, so that there is a hundred thirty three shots in a Last of Powder, & six pound remaineth over. And furthermore, those Demy Culuring that do shoot eleven pound of Serpintine Powder at one shot, then there is nine shots in a hundred weight of Powder, and one pound remaineth over, so that there is two hundred and eighteen shots in a last of Powder. etc. And also for those Sakers that do shoot six pound and a half of Serpentine Powder at a shot, then there is fifteen shots in a hundred weight, & two or three pound remaineth, so that there is. 369 shots in a last of powder. And furthermore, for Minions that shoot four pound of Powder at one shot, then there is. 25. shots in a hundred weight, so that there is six hundred shots in a last of Powder. And also those Falcons that do shoot two pound and a half of Powder at a shot, then there is forty shots in a hundred weight, so that there is, 960. shots in a Last of Powder. And in like manner those Fauconets that do shoot one pound and a quarter of Powder at a shot, then there is. 80. shots in a hundred weight, so that there is. 192. shots in a last of Powder. And thus much I have said, as touching how many shots of Powder, according unto the pieces, that there either is in a hundred weight of Powder, or in a whole last of Powder. And furthermore, if you desire to know how much Powder would shoot off all the ordnance, either in a Town, Forte, or Ship, then look how many pieces there is of every sort, and so until that you do know how many pieces there is of every several sorts through a whole Town, or Castle, or Ship, and then look how many pieces there is of one sort, multiply the number of those pieces by the weight of the Powder, that one of those pieces doth shoot at one shot, and that will show unto you how many pound of Powder will serve all one sort of pieces, and by this order multiply every several sorts of pieces by themselves, & then add all your numbers together. & that shall show unto you how much Powder will shoot all your ordnance off at one time. As for example this. There is a town, that hath 3. double Canons &. 6. Demy Canons, and. 14. double culverins, &. 10. Demy culverins, &. 30. Sakers, and. 25. Minions, &. 28. Falcons, &. 12. Fauconets, and. 36. fowlers, & my desire is to know how much Powder will serve all these pieces: therefore first, the. 3. double Canons, & they do shoot 40. lb. of Powder, and. 3. times. 40. is. 102. & then the Demy Canons do shoot. 24. lb. of Powder, &. 6. times. 24. maketh. 144. lb. of Powder, and then the. 14. double culverins & they do shoot. 18. lb. of Powder, and. 14. times 18. maketh. 252. & then the. 10. Demy culverins & they shoot. 11. lb. of Powder, and. 20. times. 11. maketh. 220. & now the. 30. Sakers and they do shoot. 6. lb. and a half of Powder, and. 30. times. 6½ is. 195. and then the 25. Minions, & they do shoot. 4. lb. of Powder. and 25. times. 4. maketh. 100 and then the. 28. Falcons, and they do shoot 2. lb. and a half of Powder, and. 28. times. 2½ doth make 70. and then the. 12. Fauconets & they do shoot. 1. lb. and a quarter, and. 12. times. 1. ¼ doth make. 15. and now the 36. fowlers & they do shoot. 2. lb. ½ of Powder, and. 36. times. 2. ½ maketh. 90. & now this being done, then add all your numbers together, as this. Names of pieces. Pieces number. Powder in pounds. Cannons. 3 120. pound. Demy Cannons. 6 144. pound. culverins. 14 252. pound. Demy Culuer. 25 220. pound. Sakers. 30 195. pound. Minions. 20 100 pound. Faucous. 28 70. pound. Fauconets. 12 15. pound. fowlers. 36 90. pound. sum total. 174 1206. pound. And now by this you may conclude, that all this ordnance doth shoot at one time, to shoot them off round once over doth require. 1206. lb. of powder, & by this order you may know at all times, whether you are in any town, fort, Castle, or Ship, how much powder will serve all the ordnance at your pleasure. And furthermore, if so be you have such a quantity of Powder, and if you would know how oftentimes it would shoot all your ordnance, round abouts, than you knowing how much powder will shoot all your ordnance once, and as by the order before is repeated, then divide your whole sum of Powder by that number of the weight of the powder that all your ordnance requireth, & that sum that standeth in the quantity line, shall show you how oftentimes it will shoot all your ordnance off: As for example, by the ordnance in a town (as before is rehearsed) and suppose you have. 20. Last of Powder, and now to know how oftentimes it will shoot all your ordnance off round about through the whole Town, as you did see that all the ordnance did require 1206. lb. of Powder, & one Last of Powder is 2400. lb. them 20. Last maketh. 48000. lb. wherefore divide. 48000. by 1206. and then there will stand in the quantity line. 39 and. 966. lb. will remain over, so you may conclude, that twenty Last of Powder will shoot all the ordnance before rehearsed. 39 times over, and three quarters of them more, that is to say, that it will shoot all the ordnance off forty times, lacking almost a quarter of them. etc. And also, if there were any battery laid against a Town, and then if that you do know how many Cannons or other pieces of ordnance there is in the battery, than you may know (as before is rehearsed) how much Powder that they will occupy at once shooting them off, and also if that you will shoot them off round forty or fifty times in one day, than you may know how much Powder they will spend in one day: as this first (as before is rehearsed.) Multiply all the ordnance of one sort together, by the weight of the shot of Powder, and so the other sorts of ordnance, and add them together (as afore is said) and that being known, then multiply that by the number of times that you have shot them off, and that shall show unto you the number of pounds that the ordnance hath occupied in that day: as for example this: Suppose that there is in a battery against a Town. 24 double Cannons, and they do shoot. 40. pound of Powder a piece, therefore multiply. 24. times 40. and of that multiplication, there cometh 960. and then there is eightteene Demy Cannons, and they do shoot. 24. pound of Powder a piece, and therefore multiply fifteen times. 24. and that maketh. 432. pound, and then add both the numbers together, that is to say. 960. and. 432. & they will make 1392. so that you may see, that the whole battery doth spend 1392. of Powder at once shooting thereof against the wall of the Town: and then suppose, that in a day the ordnance hath been shot off six andfortie times, then how much Powder shall be spent that day, then multiplying 1392. by six and forty, and that will make 64032. so that you may conclude that the whole battery hath spent in one day, 64032 pound of Powder, and that will be six and twenty last and a half, and 432. pound of Powder, and then if that the battery should continue seven days in that order, the whole sum in Powder that should be spent, amounteth unto 448224. pound, and that maketh 186. Lasts, three quarters, and 24. pound: therefore by this order you may know from time to time, how much Powder is spent at your pleasure, whether that it be in a battery or in a Town, & also how much Powder will shoot such a number of ordnance so many times off at your pleasure. And thus much I have thought good to write unto you for instructions. etc. CHAPTER. 22 How to know how many shot doth weigh a Tun. ANd now in so much as I have showed in the Chapter going before, to know how much Powder is occupied in Ordnance: so in like manner, I do think it convenient to show unto you how many shots of every several sorts will weigh a Tun weight, which is very necessary to be known, as well for them that have occasion to transport them either by Sea or by land. And first this, a Tun weight is 20. hundred, and every hundred for to contain an hundred and twelve pound, so that a Tun is 2240. pound in weight: and first, the double Cannon's shot, and those that do weigh 64. pound, and then 35. shots doth weigh a Tun: and then the Demy Cannon's shots, and those that do weigh 34. pound a piece, and then 62. or 63. of those shots do weigh a Tun: and the culverin shot of seaventene pound a piece, and then 131. or 132. will weigh a Tun: & also the Demy culverins, and those shots that do weigh ten pound a piece, and then there is 224. in a Tun. And furthermore, those Sakers, that the shot doth weigh six pound, and there doth go. 373. or 374. unto a Tun: and in like manner the Minions, and commonly their shots do weigh three pound three quarters, and 597. or 598. shots will weigh a Tun. The Falcon's shots doth weigh two pound & half a quarter, and 1054. or 1055. doth weigh a Tun: & the Fauconet shot weigheth one pound, and near half a quarter of a pound, and. 1991. or 1992. doth weigh a Tun, And thus much I have said, as concerning how many shots of every several sorts doth weigh a Tun weight, but if that you have a great number of shots of several sorts, and you do desire for to know how many Tons there is in all of them, multiply every several sort by themselves, according unto the weight, and so adding all the numbers together, and then divide that number by 2240. and it will show unto you how many Tons there is in the whole sum. As for example this, there is such a number of shots to be transported, either by Sea, or by land, and you would know how many that there is of them, as first, that there is a thousand Cannon shots, and a thousand two hundred Demy Cannon shot, and two thousand culverin shot, and three thousand Demy culvering shot, and three thousand five hundred Saker shot, and four thousand Minion shot, and five thousand Falcon shot, and six thousand Fauconet shot, and now for to know their weight, and first for the Cannon shot, and those that be seven inches three quarters high, and those doth weigh 64. pound a piece, and then being a thousand shot, then therefore multiply a thousand times 64. and that maketh 64000. and then there being 1200. Demy Cannons shot, that are six inches a quarter high, and those do weigh four and thirty pound a piece, and therefore multiply 1200. times 34. and that maketh 40800. and then there is 2000 culverins shot, of five inches almost in height, and they do weigh 17. pound a piece, and then multiply two thousand times seventeen, and that maketh 34000. and then there is three thousand Demy culvering shot, of near four inches and a quarter in height, and they do weigh ten pound a piece, therefore multiply three thousand times ten, and that maketh 30000. and then there is 3500. Saker shot, that is three inches and a half high, and that weigheth, 6. lb. and therefore multiply. 3500. times 6. & of that there cometh 21000. & then there is. 4000 Minion shot, of just 3. inches high, and they do weigh 3. lb. 3. quarters a piece, and therefore multiply. 4000 by 3¾ & that will make 15000. & then there is. 5000. Falcon shot, and they be 2. inches and a half high, and doth weigh. 2. lb. and half a quarter: therefore multiply 5000 by 2⅛ and that will be 10625. & then there is 6000. Fauconet shot, of 2. inches high, and they do weigh one pound, and half a quarter, & that cometh in weight 6750. and now add all your numbers together, as by this example following. Names of pieces Number of shots. Weight in pounds. Tons, Cannons. 1000 64000 28 4/7 Demy Cannons: 1200 40800 18 3/14 culverins. 2000 34000 15 5/28 Demy culverins. 3000 30000 13 1●/28 Sakers. 3500 21000 9 21/56 Minions. 4000 15000 6 39/56 Faucons. 5000 10625 4 ●33/448 Faconet. 6000 6750 3 1/224 Sum total. 25700 222175 99 83/448 And now, all those numbers being added together, doth make 222175. pound in weight. And now to know how many Tons there is in all them, divide the 222175. by 2240. and that being done, then there will stand in the quantity line. 99 and 415. will remain over, so that you may conclude, that of all the shot there is 99 Tons, and 415. lb. that is near ⅕ part of a Tun more, so that there lacketh little more than three quarters of a Tun of 100 Tons, and by this order or means, you may know how many Tons of shot there is in any number of shots. etc. CHAPTER. 23. How and by what order the shot doth graze or glance upon the land, or water. FOr to know by what order that the shot doth graze or trondle either upon the land, or the water, it is to be noted, that it doth graze or trondle farthest, when that the piece is laid point blank, if that you do shoot the piece towards the water, or aplaine or level ground, and then the shot shall run or graze near three quarters of the best compass of the Randare, so that the shot be not let by any chance by the way: and there is on great diversity in distance of the grazing or running of the shot, between the land and the water, so that the ground be a plain and level ground, and the water or Sea to be smooth. And here is one thing to be noted, as touching the grazing of the shot, whether it be upon the water or the land, look by what proportion the shot doth strike or hit the ground or water, by that proportion the shot shall rise again, although that it flieth not so far in that proportion, as long as the shot hath force or drift in his flying, that is to say, if the shot do strike or hit any thing glancingly that than it shall glance in that proportion from youwardes, and if do strike or hit any thing directly, than it shall be driven directly back again, if it do not enter or stick fast in the thing that it hitteth, even like the shadow of the Sun, or any other thing in the water or glass, or such other like. As for example this. If you shoot any piece of ordnance towards the water, and lay the piece at the point blank, and the piece be but little higher than the water, then shall the shot run grazing in this form, to rise again by that proportion that it doth hit the water, and so to run, till that the great force be decayed, as this example doth show. And furthermore, if you do mount the piece at much advantage, than it will not graze at all, if it do graze, than it will be made in this manner. And furthermore, if you do shoot at any Ship upon the water, and you do shoot in that piece that do lie very high, and the ship or mark near hand, so that you must give your level downwards, then if you do give your level short of the ship, the shot will fly over the Ship, by the means of the direct hitting of the water, for that the shot doth glance from the water, by that proportion that it doth hit the water, as by this example. So that you may judge by this example, by what proportion the shot doth graze, either upon the water or the land: but the water is the more certainer and truer if it be smooth and calm, for that the water is not harder in one place, than it is in another, as the ground is or may be, and the director that it hitteth, either the ground or the water, the more it doth kill the force of the shot, and by this means it will fly the lesser way: and the more glancingly that it doth hit either the ground or the water, the oftener it it doth glance or graze, and the further it flieth. etc. CHAPTER. 24. How to batter the walls of any Town as well by night as by day ALthough it hath not been commonly used, yet notwithstanding it may be easily done, for to plant their Ordnance so, that they may batter or beat down the walls of a Town as well by night as by day, although the night be never so dark. And also there shall no light appear unto the enemy, as thus. First after that your ordnance is placed for your battery, and you have begun to batter, & then the pieces being made ready for to shoot at the wall or place that you do mean to shoot at, and that you would continue for to shoot at the place all the night, then take a plummet of lead upon a line or string, the piece being right upon the mark that you do mean to shoot at, then with a plommet and the line, first plum the middle of the mouth of the piece down to the ground, and look where the lead falleth to the ground, there make a mark upon the ground, and then in like manner plome the very middle of the tail of the breech of the piece unto the ground, and there make a mark also upon the ground, and then draw a right line from the one place unto the other, as long as you list, & then that right line will lie right upon the mark, them take a large great Quadrant, set out with degrees, & parts of degrees, & the Quadrant, for to have a rule fastened unto it, and then the piece being laid ready for to shoot at the mark, having the true height of the mark, that is to say, that the hollow or concavity of the piece do lie right upon the mark, neither higher nor lower: then put the rule into the mouth of the piece, and look at what degree or place that the plummet line doth hang upon, then note that in some Book or paper, and then when that the night is come, and that you do mean to shoot as well by night as by day, than first with your plummet of lead upon a line, then plome the mouth of the piece right upon the line that is under the piece, and that will lay the piece right upon the mark, and then in like manner take the quadrant, and put the rule into the mouth of the piece, and then koyne the piece up and down till that the plummet line doth fall upon that degree and place that it did before, and then that in like manner will give the piece the true height of the mark without any fail. And for the see whether that the plommette line doth hang upon the degree or place that it did before, and also to know by the line and the plommette with the line upon the ground under the piece, for to lay the piece right upon the mark, there must be prepared a close Box like a Lan-Lanterne, made with boards, with a door or a lid for to open and shut, to the intent to see how the plummet doth hang, and so forth, as for example, supposing that at the siege of a Town, the ordnance being placed, and had battered all the day, & to continued that they should not make up their breach in the night, and furthermore, that the breach should be made wider in the morning, than they went unto the middle battery called the persers, and there took a plummet of lead and a line, the pieces being all charged and leveled unto the breach and marks appointed, and first, the plummet at the middle of the mouth of the piece, and then right under the plummet, they do drive in an iron pin, and then in like manner at the tail of the piece, they plum the piece, and right under the plummet they drive another pin into the ground, and for that they could not draw a perfit line, they made a line or string fast, longer than the length of the distance of the two pings by two yards, and the line or thread did come right over the head of those two pings, and so passed a yard further at both the ends, than the two pings: & thus they did lay every piece at that plate, and then the pieces lying still, ready to have fire given unto them, than they take their Quadrant, being very large, of two foot in the semi diameter, that is to say, from the Senter of the circle, end every degree was set out in four parts, and put the rule into the mouth of the piece, and the plummet line did hang at one degree and a quarter just, and that they did note in a book for remembrance, and this being done, they shot off their pieces. And now when that the night was come, and the same very dark, and the morning very foggy, or that they could not see the walls of the Town, yet they battered the walls of the Town as perfitly all the night, and as well as though it had been by day, for every time that they had charged all their pieces, they did this, first, they did plome the mouth of the piece, and likewise at the tail of the piece, right upon the line that was under the piece, right upon the mark, and then they took their Quadrant, and put their rule into the mouth of the piece, them koined the tail of the piece up and down, till that the plummet line did fall upon that degree and place that it did before the night, and that was at one degree and a quarter just: and thus when they had laid all their pieces, than they shot them off, and charged them again, and so contiuned all the night long. And so in this manner, they may in like case handle the two side batteries, but and if that it chance that the battering pieces do lie upon higher ground than the place that is battered, then the rule that is fastened, must be unto that place whereas the plummet is made fast unto, for that the degrees goeth downwards towards the lower ground as you may see by these two figures. CHAPTER. 25. How to plant ordnance by night, to batter the walls of any Town, or displace any ordnance in any Bulwarks, or any such other like, as well by night as by day. YEt furthermore, there may be means found, that if there be any ordnance placed that doth damage or hurt you, and that you may not come at it by no means in the day for to displace their ordnance, but unto your great hurt and loss, both of men and ordnance, yet you may displace them by night near as well as by day, both for to place your ordnance in the night, and also for to shoot perfectly unto the place in the night, although the night be never so dark: and then if that you do see cause, when that you have beaten or displaced their ordnance, you may carry away your ordnance before it is day, as thus. First prepare an Astrolabe, the larger the better, and then two stakes or pings of iron like to a foot long, or there abouts, according unto your discretion, and also a sledge or beetle, to drive those stakes or pings into the ground, and then viewing the ground meet for the purpose a reasonable distance from the place that you do mean to beat in the night, go into that place in the day time, and first where you do mean for to lay your ordnance, there drive in one of your stakes, and then in like manner go backawardes about twenty foot, and stand so, that you may see the mark that you do mean to shoot at over the top of the stick that you have driven, and then there in that very place drive your other stake, and then go a little backwards more, and view whether that the two stakes stand as one right line unto the mark, and if that they do not, you may amend them, and set them right, then take your Astrolabe, and hold that upon your thumb by the ring, and then turn your Athilleyday or Rule with the two sights that is on the back side of the Astrolabe up and down, till that you may see that place that you do mean to shoot at, through the two sights of the Athilleyday holding that up before your eyes, winking with one of your eyes, standing at that place where you do mean for to place your ordnance that is between the two stakes, then look upon the Athilleyday or Rule with the two sights, at what degree and place that the end doth point unto, then rememmber to write that degree, and place it in some Book or Table, for that it is finished: then in the night you may bring your ordnance unto that place between the two stakes, and then place one of your pieces right between the two stakes, and then take a thread or line, and make that fast unto the two stakes, and that shall lay the piece right upon the mark. And then for to place the rest, they must do this. First on the one side measure out just how many foot you do mean to lay your pieces in distance asunder, then from the line of the stake, measure it truly, and there make a mark, or drive a stake: and then at the other end, at that certain distance, there in like manner drive another stake: then between those two stakes place another piece, and then make a line fast unto those two stakes, and that in like manner shall lay the piece right upon the mark, and then you may place another piece upon the other side of the piece, and so forth. And then when your ordnance is all charged, then plome the middle of the mouth of the piece right upon the line, underneath the piece, and then in like manner, the middle of the tail of the piece to be plum, that it stand right over the line, underneath the piece, and then take your Quadrant with the rule fastened unto it, and put the rule into the mouth of the piece, and then koyne the piece up and down, till the plummet line do fall upon that degree and place that the Athilley day did point unto upon, the Astrolabe, and that shall give the piece the true height of the mark. As for example, suppose this after the breach in the wall of the Town was made saultable, there the flanks lay so, that they could not come near unto the breach, neither could they plant their ordnance for to displace those flanks, but that they should be beaten from their ordnance to their great loss and hindrance, therefore first they prepared an Astrolabe of the largest sort, & two pings of iron made sharp at the ends, to go into the ground, and then they caused an assault to be given unto the contrary side of the town, and whilst they held them play there, then two or three chose out thyr ground meet for their purpose, and there drove one pin, and then they went back twenty foot, and right against that pin they drove another pin so even, that the two pings, and the place of the bulwark where the flankers lay, were all there upon one right line: and then one of them took the Astrolabe, hanging it perpendicularly upright, than they turned the Athilley day up and down, till he might see through both the sights, the very place that the flankers lay, and then they departed, and went their way, and looked upon what degree the point of the Athilley day stood upon, and found it to be upon just two degrees and a half, and that they wrote in a book for remembrance, and then after a night or two, when they saw their time, the night being very dark, than they carried three pieces of artillery, and placed the chiefest between the two pings, and unto those two pings they made a line fast unto them both close unto the ground, and then they placed upon the one side, one of the pieces, and the other piece upon the other side, as this. First they measured out ten foot from the foremost pin just upon the one side, making a perfect square angle, and then in like manner they measured out. 10. foot more at the hindermost pin, so that those two pings stood just. 20. foot asunder, & so placed the piece between those two pings: & now for that they must shoot all three pieces unto one place where the flankers lay, & for that the pieces did lie. 10, foot asunder, therefore they removed the hindermost pings of both the sides. 4. inches, so that there was. 10. foot distance, & 4. inches, & the cause was this, for that the mark was. 10. score off from the place where the pieces lay, and the pieces lay just from the middle, unto the middle, ten foot asunder, and the line underneath the piece, was just twenty foot long, and there is thirty times the length of the line underneath the piece unto the mark, and thirty inches maketh two foot and a half, and four times two foot and a half, maketh ten foot, so that the hindermost pin being removed four inches further off, must needs lay that line just upon the mark that the middlemost lieth upon, without any fail, and in this order the one piece was placed on the one side, and the other piece on the other side: and now those pieces being charged, first they plum the mouth of the pieces right upon the line, and then in like manner the breech or tail right upon the line, and then they took their quadrant, and put the rule into the mouth of the piece, and koyned the breech of the piece, till the plummet line fell at two degrees and a half just, for that the Athiley day did show unto them on the Astrolabe: and they shooting off those pieces, they made a perfit shot at the place appointed, and thus they charged and shot all the night, and then before day, when they had served their turn, they conveyed their ordnance from that place, for fear of being beaten away from them when it was day light. And furthermore, by that means in like manner, they may place their ordnance in the night out of a Town, to annoy their enemies, as they may or can by no device or practice, but by industry or policy they may be prevented by practice, and especially if that he do know what the enemy doth mean for to do, for this we do see many times in wars, that policy doth prevail as oftentimes as great and huge armies of men of great strength, having all kind of engines for that purpose, for even as it pleaseth God, so goeth the victory, although it cometh by a natural cause, and that natural cause that I speak of, is knowledge and industry in those affairs! CHAPTER. 26. How to keep a Haven or River on the Sea coast for to sink a Ship as well by night as by day in all points. NOw for the keeping of a Haven or river, there may be such means or ways used by industry, that you may keep a Haven or River in this sort, so that there may no Ship pass neither by night nor by day, but that he shall be sunk, or else he escapeth very hardly, although the night be never so dark, so that the night be not Foggy or Misty, so that the Haven or River be not above a mile broad or over, as this. First, if the entrance of the River be therefore, to have a watch there, then as soon as the watch doth perceive them and their number, than they must have a watchtoken, and that must be a light or lights unto the Castle or Bulwarks, and then the watchtokens being so agreed upon that the Castles or Bulwarks may know the number of the Ships by the form of the lights of the Castles or Bulwarks, if that they be on the one side, & the other on the other sid, than at certain known places appointed for that purpose, and at a certain distance from the Castles or Bulwarks towards the Sea wards, each of them for to carry a light thither, & to place the lights as near the water as may be, and if that it chanceth so, that there is but one Castle or bulwark, and none upon the other side, than they having a boat or skiff, or any other craft, they may row over the water, and place their Lights in that known place appointed, and then afore night, that place being always known unto them, they may place their ordnance right upon that mark upon the farther side of the water, the Light standing always to the seawards of the mark that the ordnance is placed right against, like. 20. or. 30. foot, & then the night being never so dark, the light is the better seen: then must the Ships needs in their coming between the light and you, take away the sights of your lights, and then immediately, as soon as you do see that the light is shadowed, then give fire unto those pieces that be placed against your imagined mark appointed, & then there is no doubt but you shall make a perfect shot at that Ship, being sure that the mouth of the piece be koyned low enough, lest they should shoot over the Ship, & especially if it be in a place where it doth ebb and flow: for at the full Sea, they must koyne the pieces at one proportion, and at a low water, at another proportion: and this being handled discreetly, they shall not fail the hitting of the Ship. And furthermore, as it is declared in the, 2. Chapter going before, they may have a line drawn underneath the piece upon the ground for to lay their pieces right upon their appointed mark at all times after that they have shot off their pieces in the night, then in the night they may place them again, etc. As for example, Hear with us at graves end, as there is. 2. Bulwarks the one right against the other, the river of Thames running between them, and now they would keep the river so, that there should no Ship pass, neither by night nor by day, but that they should be sunk: then they must keep a watch at the Nasse or point below, at the entrance of the Tilberrie hope, and that is a mile and a half from the Bulwark, and there always they must needs see them, and their number of Ships, and specially by the help of a light upon the further side of the water, and then they being known unto the whatche, the watch must make unto them a token by a light or lights that they have agreed upon before, and then through the watch token, the Bulwark knoweth that their cometh such a number of Ships, or but one or two as it chanceth, and then each of the Bulwarks hath an imagined mark, twenty score towards the Nasse or Seawards, that they do always plant their ordnance right against it, both by day, and by night, and then as soon as they do see their watchtoken then both the Bulwarks do place their lights hard unto the water, like twenty foot to the Seawards of their imagined mark: then the pieces being planted and koyned, so that the dispart standeth underneath the point blank at the full sea one degree, and at the low water three degrees, then giving fire unto the piece or pieces, as soon as the Ship taketh away or shadoweth the light, then theris no doubt but they do strike the Ship very near the water without any fail. And for that the light standeth to the Seawards of the mark appointed, the shot must have a time to come unto the Ship, and the Ship goeth away in the mean time. And furthermore, when that the pieces be charged again, than the line that is underneath the piece, by plomming of her at the mouth, and at the tail of the piece, is laid right upon the mark again: and then furthermore, if the Ship chance to pass further, scaping both the Bulwarks, than they may have more imagined marks, and also lights placed there, and in like manner, lines underneath the pieces right upon those marks. etc. And furthermore, you may know by the lights, which side of the water the Ship cometh two ways, and one way is this, the land being higher than the water, and the lights being placed hard unto the water, if that the ship cometh hard upon the further side of the water next unto the light, than the hold of the ship will shadow the light, and if that she cometh on your side, than the sails will shadow the lights. And furthermore if the Ship cometh right in the middle of the water or River, then both the Bulwarks shall have the lights shadowed at one time, and if the Ship come on the further side of the water from you, than your lights will be first shadowed, and if on the side you be on, than your light will be last shadowed: and then furthermore for the making of a perfit shot, if that the other Bulwark shoot before you, then koyne the mouth of the piece one degree lower, for that the Ship cometh upon your side of the water, and then for the nearness of her coming, you must needs koyne the piece so much the lower. etc. FINIS. Some deserve ere they desire, And yet shall lack when they require, Some desire and never deserve, And gets the gain the other shall starve. ¶ The Table of the contents of this Book, called The Art of shooting in great ordnance. FIrst, ten principal things to be considered in the shooting of ordnance. 1. Powder the goodness or badness 2. The lading of the piece. 3. The wind. 4. The shot. 5. The wad or powder too hard or lose 6. The standing of the piece. 7. Of shooting up the hill or down the hill. 8. Of the length of the piece. 9 Of the disparting of the piece. 10. Whether the piece be truly bored. Now beginneth the first Chapter of the Book, called The Art of shooting in great ordnance, & first, as concerning powder The 2. Chapter showeth, how to know whether any piece of ordnance be truly bored, by the help of certain instruments. The 3. Chapter showeth, how much powder will serve any piece of ordnance by the weight of the piece, and weight of the shot, and at the end of this Chapter there is a Table that doth declare the weight of iron shot. The 4. Chap. showeth how to dispart any piece of Ordnance truly. The 5. Chapter showeth how to give level with any piece of ordnance to make a shot, according as the most sorts of Gunners do use to do, although that there is no art in it. The 6. Chapter showeth what a degree is. The 7. Chapter showeth how to make a shot upon the right line, and so how to know how much ground that any piece of ordnance doth drive or convey a shot at the mount of every degree of the Randare. The 8. Chapter showeth, how to mount any piece of ordnance by the degree with an inch rule with a table, showing what part of an inch rule will make one degree, and so unto ten degrees. The 9 Chapter showeth, what manner of course the shot flieth in the air. The 10. Chapter showeth, how to mount a Mortar piece, for to lay the shot at any distance appointed. The 11. Chapter is how far above the mark the shot flieth over the mark by the length of the piece, and distance unto the mark. The 12. Chapter is, how to make a perfect shot with a piece that is not truly bored, that is to say, that the core or hollowness goeth not right in the middle of the metal. The 13. Chapter is how to give level at a mark upon a hill or valley with the Quadrant. The 14. Chap. is how to make a perfect shot upon the land, at the broad side of a ship that is under sail, and going. The 15. Chap. is, how to make a shot out of one ship into another, although the sea be wrought, or out of a Galley into a ship. The 16. Chapter showeth unto you in what order you should place ordnance in Ships The 17. Chapter showeth unto you how for to shoot at a movable mark upon the land, and also what kind of shot is the best to be used according unto the cause. The 18. Chapter showeth, how you shall know if any piece of ordnance be sufficiently mettalled, and also the cause that the Camnons' do not occupy the weight in powder that the shot weigheth. The 19 Chapter showeth in what order you shall give level with your ordnance at a battery, to beat down the walls of any place, and also, what to observe in the giving fire unto them. The 20. Chapter, showeth the weight of all manner of cast pieces of ordnance, from the Cannon, unto the Faulconnet, and also the weight of the shot & the weight of the powder that they do occupy with the height of the shot, and length of the piece, and all such other like causes, according unto the names of the pieces The 21. Chapter showeth, how many shots of powder there is in a last of powder, from the Cannon, unto the Fauconet, and also, if you be at any battery or in any town castle or ship, how to know how much powder will shoot all your ordnance off. The 22 Chapter showeth, how to know how many shot doth weigh a Tun. The 23. Chapter showeth how and by what order the shoot doth graze or glance upon the land or water. The 24. Chapter is, how for to batter the walls of any Town, as well by night as by day. The 25 Chapter doth declare how to plant ordnance by night, to batter the walls of any Town, or displace any ordnance in any Bulwarks, or any such other like, as well by night as by day. The 26. Chapter doth declare how for to keep a Haven or River on the Sea coast for to sink a ship, as well by night as by day in all points. FINIS. AT LONDON, Imprinted by Thomas Dawson for Thomas woodcock. An. Dom. 1587.