It might be worth pointing out that a gun crew was responsible for two guns, that is to say a gun one side of the ship and its opposite number on the other side.
The number of men allotted to a lower deck 32 pounder for instance on one side of the ship was 7, a 24 pounder 6 and so on, the number decreasing, as you would expect, with the decrease in the size of gun. Since it was very unusual, although of course it sometimes happened, for a ship to be engaged on both sides at once there was thus a 'doubling-up' of the number of men that could be used on the one gun. Thus one 32 pounder, for instance, could theoretically call on 14 men and of course, again theoretically, there would be 'spares' to cover losses.
All the gun crew had a number, the even numbers being stationed on the starboard, (right) side of the gun, the odd numbers on the larboard (left). The more important members had the highest, thus No. 1 would be the gun captain, stationed on the larboard side at the rear of the gun and who was responsible for priming, aiming and firing; No. 2 was the first loader, whose duties were sponging out, ramming home the shot, running out the gun and so on. The higher numbers hauled on the side tackles to run out the gun and they often leant a hand to the crew of the gun next to them in hauling if required. No. 12 by the way was the powder monkey, who had his own tasks!
Regarding the securing of guns and because they were lethal if they managed to break loose, crews did as much as they could to keep them under control at all times, especially in heavy weather. When a gun was not in use, even if it the weather were moderate, the quoin - the large wooden wedge which elevated the barrel - was withdrawn and the elevated barrel was then lashed against the ship's side using two ringbolts situated just above its gunport. The side tackles and breech rope were also lashed tight, so that the gun would have as little movement as possible. Even so, as has been commented upon, guns often broke loose especially in heavy weather and did on occasion break through the bulwarks. In such cases of course the gun was very dangerous and it often took some time to subdue it. (I believe there is a passage in one of the Hornblower books, illustrating such an episode).
Kester
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