Part 454

Dimensions of shells for guns and carronades made with an equal thickness of metal.

+--------------------------+-------+-------+-------+-------+-------+ | Kind. | 42 Pr.| 32 | 24 | 18 | 12 | +--------------------------+-------+-------+-------+-------+-------+ | |Inches.|Inches.|Inches.|Inches.|Inches.| | {Diameter of{Exterior| 6·684 | 6·105 | 5·547 | 5·04 | 4·4 | | {the shell {Interior| 4·404 | 4·005 | 3·767 | 3·4 | 2·8 | | {Thickness of | | | | | | |Guns.{metal | 1·14 | 1·05 | 0·89 | 0·82 | 0·8 | | {Diameter of{Exterior| 0·892 | 0·894 | 0·894 | 0·832 | 0·832 | | {fuze hole {Interior| 0·826 | 0·826 | 0·826 | ·769 | ·769 | | {Powder for | | | | | | | {bursting oz.| 14 | 11 | 12 | 9 | 5¹⁄₂ | | +-------+-------+-------+-------+-------+ | {Diameter of{Exterior| 6·64 | 6·05 | 5·48 | 4·935 | 4·295 | | {shell {Interior| 4·36 | 3·95 | 3·48 | 3·235 | 2·695 | |Car- {Thickness of | | | | | | |ron- {metal | 1·14 | 1·05 | 1· | ·85 | 0·8 | |ades.{Shell’s weight lbs.| | 22 | | 12 | | | {Contains powder oz.| | 12¹⁄₂ | | 9 | | | {Powder for | | | | | | | {bursting oz.| | 10 | | 7 | | +--------------------------+-------+-------+-------+-------+-------+

Shells are likewise sometimes quilted into grape. See the word SHOT.

For the method of proving shells, see PROOF.

The Germans do not name their shells from the diameter of the bore which receives them, but from the weight of a stone ball that fits the same bore as the shell. Thus, a 7lb. howitzer admits a stone ball of that weight; the shell for this weighs 15 lb. and answers to the English 5¹⁄₂ inch. The 30 lb. howitzer shell weighs 60 lb. and is rather more than 8 inches in diameter.

Shells were, till lately, made thicker at the bottom than at the fuze hole; but are now cast of the same thickness throughout, and are found to burst into a greater number of pieces in consequence.

Message-SHELLS, are nothing more than howitz shells, in the inside of which a letter, or other papers, are put; the fuze hole is stopt up with wood or cork, and the shells are fired out of a royal or howitz, either into a garrison or camp. It is supposed that the person to whom the letter is sent, knows the time, and accordingly appoints a guard to look out for its arrival.

SHELL. A particular part of a sword, which serves as a shield to the hand when it grasps the hilt. The British regulation sword, which is directed to be worn in a cross belt, has its shell so constructed that one side can fall down, by which means the hilt hangs more conveniently.

SHELL. A short jacket without arms, which was worn by light dragoons, and in some instances by the infantry, before the new regulations took place, respecting the clothing of the British army. At the commencement of the present war, some militia colonels derived no inconsiderable emolument from this mode of dress.

SHERISCHER-war, Ind. A word which corresponds with Saturday.

SHERISTA, Ind. An office; a registry; serishtadar, a linguist or secretary.

To SHIFT. In a military sense, to change place or station. Hence, to shift quarters. In the exercise, &c. of a battalion, officers commanding divisions are, upon particular occasions, such as marching past, &c. to shift from the right to the left, to conduct the heads of files, or the pivot flanks, in column or echellon. Whenever officers shift, they must pass briskly by the rear, and never along the front of the division. The covering serjeants always move with them.

The SHILLINGS. A phrase in familiar use among British army brokers, to express a certain profit or per centage which they gain in the sale, purchase, and exchange of commissions. The regulated price of a company in any regiment of foot being 1500l. only, that sum can be lodged at an agent’s, or a banker’s; but if the company be what is called in the market, the broker who transacts the business, receives one shilling in the pound, and in order to produce this premium, the purchaser gives 1500 guineas, out of which the shillings amounting to 75l. are paid to the broker, leaving the nett regulation untouched.

Head-quarter SHIP. The ship on which the commander in chief of an expedition is embarked, and from which signals are made for the commanding officers, adjutants, &c. of corps, to attend.

Hospital SHIP. The ship in which the sick and wounded soldiers, &c. are taken care of on expeditions, and during sea voyages.

Prison SHIP. A ship appropriated for the reception of prisoners of war, &c.

SHOCCA, Ind. Any letter written by the king.

SNOOKREWAR, Ind. A word which corresponds with Friday.

SHOOTING. See GUNNERY and PROJECTILE.

SHORTEN your bridle. A word of command used in cavalry, viz.

1st. Seize the upper end of the reins of the bridle, which is to lie on the right side of the horse, with the right hand.

2d. Bring it up as high as your chin, keeping your right elbow on a level with the shoulder.

3d. Slip your left hand along the reins of the bridle, and take hold of the loop or button, which is near the upper end of the reins.

4th. Slip the loop down with the left hand as low as the pommel of the saddle.

5th. Bring the right hand down with life on the right holster-cap, quitting the reins of the bridle with both hands.

SHORT-roll. See SIGNALS.

SHOT. A denomination given to all kinds of balls used for artillery and fire-arms; those for cannon being of iron, and those for guns and pistols, &c. of lead.

Grape Chain Case SHOT. See LABORATORY.