Advance-guard Equipage

—The trains of this equipage are composed of 4 ponton divisions, each of which consists of 8 ponton-, 2 che -, and 2 trestle-wagons. The load of the ponton-wagon consists of 7 balks, 16 che , 2 side frames, 1 cable, 1 anchor, and a ponton-chest containing 1 ponton cover, 14 transoms, 5 paddles, 2 scoops, 2 mallets, 20 lashings, 2 boat-hooks, 1 scoop-shovel, and 8 rack-sticks. The che -wagon contains 50 che and 2 spare ponton covers. The trestle-wagon carries 14 balks, 1 trestle complete, 1 abutment sill, and 1 coil of 3-inch rope and 1 of 1-inch rope. The forge is forge A of the ordnance department. When nece ary, this load may be reduced by transferring a part of the tools and coal to a forage-wagon. The ponton-wagon carries all the material nece ary for constructing a complete bay. The division may, therefore, be increased or diminished by one or more ponton-wagons without disorganizing it. When a forced march is to be made, and it is desirable to lighten the loads, the che may be removed from the ponton-wagons, the rope from the trestle-wagons, and the load of the che -wagons may be reduced to 40 che . The number of the latter wagons in this case must be increased to five. The tool-wagon is loaded with the nece ary tools, materials, etc., suitable to the advance-guard equipage. There are four methods of constructing a ponton-bridge: by succe ive pontons; by parts; by rafts; and by conversion.