WeRead Powered by ReaderPub
The Details of the Rocket System cover

The Details of the Rocket System

Chapter 4: CONSTITUTION AND STRENGTH OF A TROOP OF ROCKET HORSE ARTILLERY.
By Sir William Congreve
Open in WeRead

Explore more books like this:

Engineering & TechnologyHistory - BritishHistory - Warfare

About This Book

A practical military manual detailing the organization, equipment, and employment of rocket weapons for land and naval service. It describes troop formation, carriage and firing apparatus, variations of rocket ammunition, and procedures for deploying rockets in field battles, sieges, bombardments, ambuscades, and shipboard operations. Plates illustrate gear, exercises, and tactical dispositions, while step-by-step instructions emphasize rapid, concentrated volleys, portability, and methods for concealing or preparing embrasures. The conclusion presents calculations comparing costs and logistical advantages, and general principles for integrating rockets with infantry, cavalry, and naval forces to maximize rate of fire and operational economy.

CONSTITUTION AND STRENGTH OF A TROOP OF ROCKET HORSE ARTILLERY.

A Troop is proposed to consist of three divisions.

Each division to be divided into two sub-divisions.

Each sub-division to consist of five sections of three men each, and two drivers leading four ammunition horses, each mounted man carrying into action four rounds of 12-pounder Rocket ammunition, and each ammunition horse eighteen rounds; thus:

Each section carries 12 rounds of ammunition into action, and one bouche a feù, and, consequently, each sub-division will have five bouches a feù, and 140 rounds of ammunition: so that the whole troop, consisting of six of those sub-divisions, will amount to 102 mounted men, and 24 ammunition horses, and will take into action, without any wheel carriage, 30 bouches a feù, and 840 rounds of ammunition.

It is, however, further proposed to attach to each division two Rocket cars, one heavy and one light, the first carrying four men with 40 rounds of 24-pounder Rockets, armed with cohorn shells, the latter carrying two men, and 60 rounds of 12-pounder ammunition. Each of these cars is capable of discharging two Rockets in a volley.

It is proposed, also, to attach to each sub-division a curricle ammunition cart, or tumbril, for two horses, to carry, in line of march, three rounds out of four of each mounted man’s Rockets, to ease the horse: and, in action, when every man carries his full complement of ammunition on horseback, these cars may contain a reserve of 60 rounds more for each sub-division, making the whole amount of ammunition, for each sub-division, 200 rounds. With this addition, therefore, the whole strength of the Rocket troop will stand thus:

Officers 5
Non-commissioned Officers 15
Troopers 90
Drivers 60
Artificers 8
Cars, heavy 3
Cars, light 3
Curricle ammunition carts, or tumbrils 6
Bouches a feù 42
Ammunition, heavy shell 260
Ammunition, light shell, or case shot 1200
Making a total of
Ammunition of all sorts 1460 rounds.
Battery of 42 bouches a feù.
Cars, tumbrils, and forge cart 13
Officers, staff artificers, troopers, and drivers 172
Troop, ammunition, and draft horses 164

The number of sections in a sub-division may vary according to the actual effective strength of the troop at any time; so that the distribution may be accommodated to the numbers, without departing from this principle of constitution. The number of men and horses above stated is precisely the same as that of a troop of horse artillery.

The reserve of ammunition is supposed to proceed with the park.