BOARD _of Ordnance_. See _Ordnance_. BOARD, also implies an office under the government, where the affairs of some departments are transacted; of which there are several sorts in England. BOAT. See _Advice-Boat_, _Pontoon-Boat_, &c. BODY, in the art of war, is a number of forces, horse or foot, united and marching under one commander. _Main_ BODY _of an army_, sometimes means the troops encamped in the center between the two wings, and generally consists of infantry. The main body on a march, signifies the whole of the army, exclusive of the van and rear-guard. BODY _of a Reserve_. See _Reserve_. BODY _of a place_, is, generally speaking, the buildings in a fortified town; yet the inclosure round them is generally understood by it. BOIS _de remontage_, _Fr._ every species of timber which is used to new mount cannon, or refit ammunition waggons, &c. BOIS _de chauffage_, _Fr._ the fuel which is distributed among French troops. BOLT, an iron pin used for strengthening a piece of timber, or for fastening two or more articles together. Bolts in gunnery, being of several sorts, admit of various denominations, which arise from the specific application of them, as 1. _Eye_ } 2. _Joint_ } 3. _Transom_ } 4. _Bed_ } 5. _Breeching_}BOLTS. 6. _Bracket_ } 7. _Stool-bed_} 8. _Garnish_ } 9. _Axle-tree_} 10. _Bolster_ } {See SHELL. BOMB{_Chest._ See CAISSON. {_Vessels_,} (_Ketches_,} small vessels, made very strong with large beams, particularly calculated for throwing shells into a town, castle, or fortification, from 13 and 10-inch mortars; two of which are placed on board of each ship. They are said to have been invented by M. Reyneau, a Frenchman, and to have been first put in action at the bombardment of Algiers in 1681: till then it had been judged impracticable to bombard a place from the sea. BOMB _Ketch_. The old bomb-ketches carried one 13-inch and 1 10-inch mortar, with 8 six-pounders, besides swivels, for their own immediate defence. The modern bomb-vessels carry 2 10-inch mortars 4 68-pounders, and 6 18-pounders carronades; and the mortars may be fired at as low an angle as 20 degrees; though these mortars are not intended to be used at sea but on very particular occasions; their principal intention, at these low angles, being to cover the landing of troops, and protect coasts and harbours. A bomb-ketch is generally from 60 to 70 feet long from stem to stern, and draws 8 or 9 feet water. The tender is generally a brig, on board of which the party or artillery remain, till their services are required on board the bomb-vessel. _Instructions for their Management and Security in Action._ 1. A Dutch pump, filled with water, must be placed in each round-top, one upon the forecastle, one on the main-deck, and one on the quarter-deck; and furnished with leather buckets, for a fresh supply of water.