IN Ships that carry Guns, the most experienced Gunners take this Rule; look how many Foot your Piece is in length, four times so much is the length of your Tackle, and your Britchings twice the length ; and if the Ropes are suspected of strength, then you may nail down Quoins to the four Trucks of heavy Guns, that they may have no play ; and if Breechings and Tackles should give way in foul Weather, it is best immediately to dismount your Gun ; that is the surest way.

FOR the biggest sort of Pieces, as Cannon, take for Proof 4/5 of the weight of the Iron-shot, or for service ½ the weight, for the Culvering almost the weight of the Shot for Proof and for Action ; for the Saker and Falcon, take for Proof the weight of the Shot, and for Action 4/5, and for lesser Pieces the whole Weight of the Shot for service ; and for Proof give them one, and ¼ of the Weight of the Ball in Powder.