OF THE ARRANGEMENT OF FIRE-WORKS FOR EXHIBITION.
Jones (_Fire-works_, 8vo. 1776) observes, among other remarks, that
nothing adds more to the appearance of fire-works, than placing
them properly; though the management of them chiefly depends on the
judgment of the maker. When water-works are to be exhibited, divide
them into several sets, and fire one set after every fifth or sixth
change of land and air works. Observe this rule in firing a double
set of works; always to begin with sky-rockets; then two moveable
pieces; then two fixed pieces, and so on; ending with a large flight
of rockets, or a marron battery. If a single collection, fire a fixed
piece after every wheel or two, and occasionally some air and water
works.
The rules, adopted in the arrangement of fire-works for exhibition,
are the following: If they are a double set, place one wheel of a
sort on each side of the building; and, next to each of them, towards
the centre, place a fixed piece; then wheels and so on, leaving a
sufficient distance between them, for the fire to play from one,
without burning the other. Having fixed some of the works in front,
place the rest behind them, in the centre of the intervals. The
largest piece, which is generally a regulated or transparent piece,
must be placed in the centre of the building; and behind it a sun,
which must always stand above all the other works. A little before
the building, or stands, place the large gerbes; and, at the back of
the works, fix your marron batteries, pots des aigrettes, pots des
bins, pots des saucissons, air balloons, and flights of rockets. The
rocket-stands may be fixed behind, or any where else, so as not to be
in the way of the works.
Single collections are fired on stands, which stands are made in the
same manner as theodolite stands; only the top part must be long
or short, according to circumstances. These stands may be fixed up
without much trouble. The following is the order of firing works,
_viz_:
1. Two signal }
2. Sky }
3. Two honorary } Rockets.
4. Four caduceus }
5. } { Vertical }
6. } Two { Spiral } Wheels, illuminated.
7. } { Transparent stars.
8. A line of rockets of five changes.
9. Four tourbillons.
10. } { Horizontal wheels.
11. } { Air-balloons, illuminated.
12. } Two { Chinese fountains.
13. } { Regulating pieces, of four mutations each.
14. } { Pots des aigrettes.
15. Three large gerbes.
16. A flight of rockets.
17. } { Balloon wheels.
18. } Two { Cascades of brilliant fire.
19. Twelve sky-rockets.
20. } { Illuminated yew trees.
21. } Two { Air balloons of serpents, and two compound.
22. Four tourbillons.
23. } { Fruiloni wheels.
24. } Two { Illuminated globes with horizontal wheels.
25. One pot des saucissons.
26. Two plural wheels.
27. Marron battery.
28. Two chandeliers, illuminated.
29. Range of Pots des brins.
30. Twelve sky-rockets.
31. Two yew-trees of fire.
32. Nests of serpents.
33. Two double cones, illuminated.
34. Regulating piece of seven mutations, viz.
1. Vertical wheel, illuminated.
2. Golden glory.
3. Octagon vertical wheel.
4. Porcupine's quills.
5. Cross fires.
6. Star piece with brilliant rays.
7. Six vertical wheels.
35. Brilliant sun.
36. Large flight of rockets.
According to the arrangement, and execution of fire-works for
exhibition, as given by Morel (_Traité Practique des Feux
d'Artifice_, p. 131,) the following order is observed:
1. A salvo of artillery.
2. Six dozen rockets of honour, discharged two at a time
from each side of the decoration.
3. Twelve Bengal lights, distributed in such a manner, as
to light all parts of the decoration.
4. Two batteries of ordnance, (fire-pots.)
5. Four regulated cases, each consisting of two dozen rockets
of an inch caliber, forming the _mosaique_ at the elevation
of five hundred feet.
6. Eight turning suns, with the caliber of five-sixths of an
inch.
7. Four caprices (detonating.)
8. Two balloons of golden rain, and two in stars.
9. The pyric piece, complete.
10. Twelve tourbillons, or table rockets.
11. Four girandoles; two mosaic, and two of Roman candles.
12. A large sphere.
13. Six balloons; three in golden rain, and three in stars.
14. Twenty-four honorary rockets, fired four at a time.
15. A large illuminating cut-work, with a device, accompanied
with two Chinese parasols, and two wheels of coloured
fire.
16. Four falling caprices.
17. Twelve balloons of stars, preceded by six dozen honorary
rockets, fired twelve at a time.
18. The undulating fire, accompanied with eight _wings_,
four on each side.
19. A battery of two hundred mosaics, and as many Roman
candles, with marrons and fire-pots.
20. Illumination of the decoration, with four mosaic tourbillons,
followed by two cases, containing two hundred
rockets each; and a salvo of artillery, which announces
the departure of the _girande_, composed of a thousand
rockets, in golden rain.
PART IV.
MILITARY PYROTECHNY.
CHAPTER I.
OBSERVATIONS IN GENERAL.
Laboratory-works comprehend all the operations of the _workshop_,
connected with this branch of pyrotechny. The tools and instruments
required for the laboratory, as well as the substances employed in
the different preparations, we have already described.
Having noticed the origin of gunpowder, in the first part of our
work, the following remarks in relation to that subject, namely, the
history, of cannon, may be interesting.
For some time after the invention of artillery, gunpowder was of a
weaker composition than that at present used, or than that described
by Marcus Græcus. The first pieces of artillery were rough and very
inconvenient, being usually framed of several pieces of iron bars,
fitted together lengthwise, and hooped with rings. These guns were
first employed in throwing stone shot of a prodigious weight, in
imitation of the ancient machines, to which they succeeded, and were
of an enormous bore. When Constantinople was besieged by Mahomet II.
in the year 1453, the walls were battered with stone bullets, and
some of the pieces were of 1200 lbs. caliber; but they could not be
fired more than four times in twenty-four hours, and sometimes were
burst by the first charge.
As mathematical knowledge increased in Europe, that of mechanics
gradually advanced, and enabled artists, by making brass cannon of
a much smaller bore for iron bullets, and capable of bearing a much
greater charge of strong powder in proportion to their calibers, to
produce a very material and important change in the construction
and fabric of those original pieces. Guicciardin (_History_, &c.
_1st book_) informs us, that, about 114 years after the first use
made of those unwieldy pieces by the Venetians, in their war
against the Genoese in 1380, the French were able to procure, for
the invasion of Italy, a great number of brass cannon, mounted on
carriages, drawn by horses. He then enumerates the advantages which
these pieces possessed, and particularly that they could be pointed
with incredible quickness and expedition, in comparison with those
formerly made use of in Italy. But, as our limits will not permit
us to notice all the circumstances in connection with these pieces,
it is sufficient to remark, that this change in the formation of
artillery has as yet undergone no material alteration; if we except
the introduction of carronades, first suggested by general Melville,
and of Columbiads, by the late Mr. Barlow.
Glenie (_History of Gunnery_, 1776) appears to have been the first,
who gave the theory of projectiles in vacuo by plain geometry,
or by means of the square and rhombus, with a method of reducing
projections on inclined planes, whether elevated or depressed below
the horizontal plane, to those which are made on the horizon. The
experiments, and observations, of Mr. Robins, on the subject of
gunpowder, &c. may be seen in the article on gunpowder.
Besides the formation of cannon, by uniting iron bars together,
and strengthening them by hoops, (one or two of which were made in
Philadelphia in 1776, by a Mr. Wheeler, of a superior kind,) others
were made of thin sheets of iron, rolled up together and hooped; and
on emergencies, they were made of leather, with plates of iron or
copper. Stone balls were used, and a small quantity of powder. In the
13th century, cannon were used in a sea fight, between the king of
Tunis and the Moorish king of Seville. The Venetians used cannon at
the siege of Claudia Jessa, now called Chioggia, in 1366, which were
brought thither by two Germans, with some powder and leaden balls;
as likewise in their wars with the Genoese in 1379. At the battle
of Cressy, in 1346, Edward III made use of cannon. They were also
employed in the seige of Calais, in 1347. Pieces of ordnance were
made use of by the Turks, at the siege of Constantinople, then in
possession of the Christians, in 1394, or in that of 1452, that threw
a weight of 1006 lbs. Louis XII had one cast at Tours, of the same
size. One of those cannon was taken at the seige of Dieu, in 1546, by
Don John de Castra, and is in the castle of St. Juliao de Barra, 10
miles from Lisbon. Its length is 20 feet 7 inches, diameter at the
centre, 6 feet 3 inches, and it discharges a ball of 1000 lbs. It has
neither dolphins, rings, nor buttons, is of a curious kind of metal,
and has a large Indostan inscription upon it, by which it appears it
was cast in 1400. The mortars at the Dardanelles are represented to
throw shells, or ball of an immense size and weight.
Some do not consider cannon an European invention; because it is
asserted, that authentic documents exist of their use in China, many
centuries before they were thought of in Europe. If they say, the
testimony of the Chinese themselves is not sufficient on this point,
the fact of their great wall being furnished with embrasures, fitted
in such a manner for cannon, leaves no doubt of their having been in
use at the time of its erection. To this, an additional argument may
be added, from their very ancient game of chess, in which pieces have
been used from remote antiquity, designating engines of war, whose
power was derived from gunpowder. Mr. Irvin, (_Trans. Royal Irish
Academy_,) in his paper on the Chinese Game of Chess, proves, that
gunpowder was in common use in China, 371 years after Confucius, or
161 years before Christ; and Du Halde has long since given documents
to show, that the Chinese wall was in existence 200 years before the
commencement of the Christian era; and consequently, for the reason
before stated, the use of cannon must have been of at least equal
antiquity. The Asiatic Researches contain some remarks to the same
point. There is a strong probability then, that the invention of
guns was of a much more remote date. It is not impossible, however,
that the same thing may have been invented by different persons, in
various parts of the world.
We mentioned, that it is much more probable, that the use of
gunpowder in war was derived ultimately from the Chinese,
notwithstanding the generally received opinion, that the Greek fire
was the progenitor of its discovery; or that Bacon, or Schwartz, an
obscure monk, has claims to the invention. The mode in which the
use of gunpowder in war might have passed from China to Europe, is
the most probable and simple imaginable. Zingis Khan is known to
have conquered the five northern provinces of China, about the year
1234. He must have known the common use of gunpowder at that period,
as it had been known in China 1400 years before. In the _Chinese
annals_ of the Moguls, by Yuen, as translated by Pére Gaubil, it is
particularly stated, that the use of cannon and mortars was familiar
in the wars and sieges of Zingis against the Chinese, both by them
and him, in attack and defence. It is most probable, that he used
gunpowder in his wars against Mahomet, Sultan of Carisme, whose
dominions extended from the Persian Gulf, to the borders of India and
of Turkistan. It is known, that he had a body of Chinese engineers in
his army, who, of course, must have been acquainted with the use of
gunpowder.
The conquests of Zingis would thus have spread the knowledge of
gunpowder, &c. over the western part of Asia; and the Europeans,
in their crusades, may have had frequent opportunities of becoming
acquainted with it. It was just after this time, that it became
known, and was used in the European wars.
Sir Francis Bacon (_Moral and Political Essays_,) observes, that
"ordnance was known in the city of Oxydraces, in India, and was that
which the Macedonians called 'thunder, lightning, and magic;' and
it is well known, that the use of ordnance had been common in China
above two thousand years."
Beckman, (_History of Inventions_, iii, p. 434,) in his essay on the
origin of guns and gun-locks, has given, at some length, the history
of guns. All we can add here, is, that the first portable fire-arms
were discharged by means of a match, which, in the course of time,
was fastened to a cock, and afterwards a fire stone and steel plate
were used. This fire stone was not a flint, but a compact pyrites, or
marcasite, (sulphuret of iron), which was distinguished by that name.
On each new improvement, the piece received a new name; as, _büchse_,
_haken büchse_, _arquebuse_, &c. After explaining the origin of these
names, he adds, that the large pieces were conveyed on carriages,
called _karrenbüchse_, but soon after also _canna_, cannon. Pistols
are mentioned by Beilay, in 1544, in the time of Francis I; and
under Henry II, the German horsemen were called _pistoliers_. The
name is derived from Pistoia, in Tuscany; because they were there
first made. Muskets received their name from the Latin _muschetus_,
which signifies a male sparrow-hawk. They were first used at the
seige of Rhege, in the year 1521. They were known in France in the
time of Francis I. Brantome, however, asserts, that they were first
introduced by the Duke of Alva, in 1567, and used in the Netherlands.
He also says, that they were made general in France by M. de Strozzi,
under Charles XI. The lock was invented in Germany, in the city of
Nuremberg, in 1517; it is uncertain whether it is the present lock.
In the arsenal at Hanover, there are many ancient pieces. The oldest
had on the barrel, the figure of a hen with a musket in its mouth;
because it is said they were made at Henneberg.
There are three species of cannon, the _gun_, the _howitzer_, and the
_mortar_. The gun is the longest piece of artillery, employed at the
present day: the _culverins_, _dragons_, &c. as they were formerly
called, had calibers twice, and even three times as long as those now
used. Guns were originally called _bombards_, and were eight calibers
in length. The term _pieriers_, from _pierre_, a stone, were given
to some guns, because they were employed in throwing rough stones.
The carronades, derived from the river Carron, in Scotland, where
they were originally made, is a short gun, with a bore about eight
diameters of the shot in length. The howitzer is a species of mortar,
but longer, and used to throw a hollow projectile, called a howitz,
which acts at first as a _ricochet_ ball. The mortar is the shortest
species of cannon, and is used to throw bombs or shells. A stone
mortar is used in sieges, to throw stones upon an enemy. Besides
these descriptions of guns, there is another division, to which
General Lallemand (_Treatise on Artillery_, vol. 1, p. 20,) has given
the name of _demi-guns_, under which he ranks the _harquebus_ on a
swivel, the _rampart gun_, and the _repeating gun_, or _musket_, of
the Americans.
He observes, that the harquebus nearly resembles the _amusette_
of Marshal Saxe, has a barrel like that of a musket, and carries
a ball weighing half a pound or more; that the rampart gun, or
wall piece, is a large musket, that was anciently much used in the
defence of fortresses, having a barrel of 5-1/2 or 6 feet long, and
a ball from 10 to 14 to the pound; and that the repeating musket is
a gun, consisting of 7 barrels, all of which discharges 32 rounds
in succession, making 224 in all. With respect to this gun, the
effect of which we have witnessed, not only in the discharge of
thirty-two rounds from a single gun, but the combined effect of
seven or more barrels, the General observes, that the diameter of
the bore is three-fourths of an inch, and the weight seventy pounds.
It is placed, like the rampart guns, upon a wooden frame, and has a
handle at the breech to point by. As to its use, he adds:--it may be
advantageously employed in the defence of places at the moment of
assault; it may be useful in the field, to defend parts of a line of
battle, or entrenchments, with few troops, and yet astonish the enemy
by a warm fire, when he ventures to approach. Its discharge does not
last a minute. It may be of great service in the tops of ships of
war.
The inventor is a Mr. Chambers, of Pennsylvania. We witnessed its
effect, when the President of the United States visited the navy yard
in Philadelphia, where the inventor manufactured them; and also at
Bush-hill, in the neighbourhood of that city. Having examined their
construction, and also the shot it may be sufficient to remark, that
the lead is cylindrical, one end being flat, and the other conical,
and of such a size as to fit the caliber of the musket; that these
rounds are pierced with a hole in the centre, which is charged
with fuse composition; and, after a charge of powder, one of these
cylinders is put in; then a charge, then a cylinder, &c. up to 32.
The lock is placed opposite the last charge, so that when the first
load is discharged, the fire communicates successively _through the
cylinders_.
A repeating gun has been invented by a gentleman of New York. I have
seen no description of it. The Marquis of Worcester, in his Century
of Inventions, in the 58th to the 64th invention, hints at a similar
contrivance; as for instance, (Inven. 58th,) "How to make a pistol
to discharge a dozen times with one loading, and without so much as
one new priming requisite, or to change it out of one hand into the
other, or stop one's horse."
We may add, that, in 1764, M. Bouillet and Sons presented, to the
Academy of Sciences, at Paris, a musket of their invention, which
was lighter than the common kind, and had the property of firing
twenty-four times in succession, charging and priming itself by a
single circular movement of the musket upon an axis, fixed for that
purpose. In the file of the _French Gazette_, for 1786, article
Linberg, there is an account of an invention of the baron De
Walskohl. It is the same, it would appear from the description, as
the repeating musket. Being once charged, it will fire thirty-six
times in succession. The experiments made with it were satisfactory.
Many patents have been secured in this country, and in England and
France, for improvements on the musket and rifle; but, in order to
accommodate short-sighted persons, M. Regnier's invention appears to
be the first which consists in an _optic_ glass fixed in the butt,
enabling persons of that description to shoot with accuracy. This
invention is given in the _Journal de la Blancherie_ for 1779, p. 194.
In 1771, Moret, an armourer, announced a new constructed pistol,
which would charge itself, &c. and in 1793, M. Gass presented to
the military committee of France, a pistol of a new construction,
calculated to fire several _ball_ in succession. The _Journal des
Inventions et Découv._ i, p. 121, speaking of this invention, adds,
that the means employed depended entirely on the construction of the
ball, which, instead of round, was a cylinder, pierced in its length.
This small canal is filled with meal-powder, and serves as the match
of communication to the charges. This contrivance is much the same as
the one we have described.[29]
Mr. Misson (_Travels through Germany and Italy_,) says, that in the
arsenal at Venice, there is an engine which will light five hundred
matches at once, and some very curious arms of ancient make, among
which is a small trunk, with six little guns, which Carrara, the last
lord of Padua, who was famous for his inhumanity, sent as a present
to a lady; and was so contrived, that, upon opening of the trunk, the
guns all fired at once, and killed her!
With respect to the invention of the various incendiary machines,
we may observe generally, (as we purpose to notice them in their
respective places), that Greek fire was employed in different ways,
and was considered a destructive composition; that rain-fire, bombs,
lances, matches, fire-balls and carcasses, torches, powder sacks,
petards, &c. were all employed in more modern times for the same
purpose; and, lastly, that the _fougette_ of the Asiatics, called
Indian rockets, the Congreve rocket, the incendiary bomb of the
French, and the floating rocket carcass, are embraced under the same
head, and are all used for similar purposes in war. These, and other
subjects, belonging to military fire-works, we purpose to mention in
this, and the following chapters.
_Sec. I. Of Cartridges._
Cartridges are cases of paper, parchment, or flannel, fitted to the
caliber of the piece, and holding exactly its proper charge. Strong
paper is always used for musket and pistol cartridges, and the French
musket-ball-cartridges are capped with flannel or coarse cotton. For
heavy guns, they are made of thick, and as the English call it, of
_cured_ paper, with flannel bottoms. Those for field ordnance are all
made of flannel, and their size suited to the bore, or chamber of
pieces, for which they are intended. The ball cartridges, for wall
pieces, muskets, carbines, and pistols, are made of whitish-brown
paper, on formers of wood. A sheet of paper will make six for wall
pieces, twelve for muskets, sixteen for carbines, and twenty-four for
pistols. The quantity of powder they contain respectively is, for
wall pieces ten drachms, musket six, carbine four, and pistol three
drachms.
Blank cartridges, for pistols, carbines, and muskets, are made of
blue paper, to preserve a distinction between ball and blank, and to
prevent the possibility of accidents, from the ball cartridges being
mixed with the blank.
The charge for muskets is commonly half the weight of the ball.
The balls for musketry are eighteen to the pound; and one pound of
powder is sufficient for thirty-six cartridges.[30] Forty cartridges
may be used to the pound, but forty-five would be too weak. The
paper, necessary to form cartridges, should be well sized and not too
thick. It is made for the purpose, under the name of cartridge paper,
and should be of such a size as to cut to advantage. It is usually
fourteen inches in length, and sixteen in breadth. A sheet will form
twelve cartridges, but on account of wastage, it makes only ten.
Half a sheet is employed as a wrapper for every ten cartridges, and
one and a half sheets are used for ten and their wrapper. Six quires
will make 1000 cartridges, and 31 reams, 100,000. Five ounces of
packthread are necessary for binding 1000 cartridges, and 31 lbs. for
100,000.
Musket cartridges are made in the following manner. Long tables are
provided, and, at certain distances, excavations, or holes are made,
larger than the diameter of the ball, and one-third of its diameter
in depth. These holes are designed for rounding the folds upon the
ball. It is necessary first to be provided with formers to roll the
cartridges upon, and measures to fill them with. These formers are
made of hard and dry wood, seven inches, or seven and a half inches
in length, and six-tenths of an inch in diameter, one-twelfth of an
inch less than the diameter of the caliber. One end is rounded so
as not to hurt the hand; the other is hollow, to receive one-third
of the ball. The measures are in the form of the frustrum of a
cone, open above. They are made of sheet-tin, and should contain
one-fortieth part of a pound of powder, (one-forty-ninth according to
the Strasburgh directions), or, when heaped, one thirty-sixth part
of a pound. The height of these measures is one inch and a quarter;
their diameter at the large end one inch and one-twelfth, and at the
smaller end, three-quarters of an inch. In every squad of ten men,
six are employed to roll the cartridges, two to fill them, and two to
pack them. Each squad may make 10,000, but commonly 8,000, in a day.
To cut the paper for musket cartridges, we begin by folding the
sheet in three parts widthwise; then each third part into two, again
into three, and again into two, by a diagonal line which takes from
2.2 inches of a superior angle on the left, to 2.2 of the opposite
inferior angle at the right; so that every sheet of paper will cut,
without loss, into twelve parts, and every part will be 5.68 inches
in height, 4.53 in width at one end, and 2.2 at the other end.
According to Bigot, however, each trapezoid thus formed is 5-1/3
inches in length, 4-1/4 in width at one end, and 2-1/4 at the other
end. The paper is cut by a person detailed for the purpose.
The person who rolls the cartridges, having spread the cut paper upon
a table, takes the form with one hand, and the ball in the other,
which he puts into the hollow of the form; after which, he rolls the
paper round the ball and the form, so that there remains sufficient
beyond the ball, to fold over in small folds; then he rolls the
form surrounded with the paper, and having rounded the folds upon
the ball, in a small hole made for that purpose in the table, he
withdraws the form, and passes the cartridge to the man who is to
fill it. He puts in the charge with a small tin measure, folds the
paper over upon the powder as close as possible, and passes it on to
him who is to make the packages. The packer takes ten in his hand,
and arranges them on a sheet of paper folded in two, the balls half
on one side and half on the other; and having wrapped them in the
paper, he folds over the two ends, and ties the packets crosswise
over the middle, and lengthwise.
Musket cartridges cannot be too tightly rolled upon the form; and
to ascertain their accuracy, they must be calibered before they are
loaded; that is, they must be put into the end of a musket. He who
fills them, should make a charge complete in every cartridge, and not
load one more than another, but always pour a full measure into every
one. The packer should tie the cartridges, and round them as much as
possible, without tearing the paper. He should take care that all the
packets are of the same length; so that they may be placed in the
partitions of the ammunition chest, which are all of one determined
length, and will not therefore contain them, if made too long.
Cannon cartouches should be well arranged in the ammunition chests,
and well stowed with tow, that they may be carried without danger of
injury from the road. The tow is pressed down in small quantities, by
a little wooden spatula, and cannot be pressed too hard; for the more
the chests are stuffed with tow, the better the ammunition will be
preserved.
Musket cartridges are placed in the ammunition chests in different
arrangements, the height of which is proportioned to that of the
cartridge. There are three stories in height in each chest, for
musket cartridges; and between each a small separation, to prevent
them from injuring each other. The number of cartridges contained
in an ammunition wagon is proportioned to the kind of wagon in
use, and to the quantity necessary for the service. The common
load of ammunition wagons does not exceed thirteen hundred weight,
if it is meant to take the benefit of forced marches. In every
ammunition wagon for cannon cartouches, there are cartouches with
ball, grape-shot, quick-match, and port-fires, staffs for port-fires,
priming wires and match-rope--so that every wagon contains all kinds
of ammunition relative to its caliber. In an ammunition wagon filled
with musket cartridges, a certain number of flints are contained, to
be distributed to the troops from the same chest whence they receive
their ammunition.
We might here speak of the load of every ammunition wagon; but this
subject more particularly belongs to artillery and its suite, than to
fire-works.
Cartridges, used in sieges, &c. are made of paper bags, of the
calibers of the different pieces, and of a sufficient length to
contain the requisite quantity of powder. The paper should be large
and strong.
The handle of each of the formers should have such a length and size,
as to render them convenient to hold in the hand. Care must be taken
to pierce a small hole in the middle, through the whole length of the
form, by which the air might enter to the cartouches, and cause the
form to be more easily drawn out, after the cartridge is made.
Pasted cartridges are formed in the usual manner upon a former; and
when five-sixths of the paper are rolled, the remaining portion is
pasted with a paste made of flour and glue, mixed together. The
bottom is pasted over in the same manner. When the cartridge is drawn
off the former, it is placed to dry in the sun, or near a stove.
With regard to the cost of cartridges in France, it appears, that
a pound of packthread costs twelve sous, and workmen receive from
fifteen to twenty sous per thousand for their labour. The whole
expense of 100,000 would be, for paper, 105 livres; for packthread,
18 livres, 15 sous; for making 100 livres; total 223 livres, 15 sous.
Bigot has furnished us with the following estimate:
For 31 reams of paper, at 4 fr. 50 c. the ream, is 140 fr. 60 c.
For 31¼ lbs. of packthread at 80 centimes, 24
Labour, 1 fr. per thousand, 100
Five days work, for the cutter, 5
-------------
Total. 269 fr. 60 c.
One hundred thousand cartridges, for which the above is a
calculation, require also
Bullets of lead, 5556 lbs.
Powder, 2500 lbs.
_Sec. II. Of Cannon Cartridges._
The _gargousse_ of the French, in artillery, is a sack or bag of
paper, or parchment, destined to enclose the load of a cannon. When
it is made of serge, it is then called a pouch, (_sachet_); and, when
united with the ball, it receives the name of ball-cartridge.
Bigot remarks, that these cartridges have been substituted for the
dangerous and unsafe use of the spoon, or ladle, (_lanternes_,
Fr.[31]), by means of which the load was carried to the bottom of
the piece. They are paper bags or sacks, of the caliber of the gun.
The loading is much more expeditious, and less danger is to be
apprehended. It requires only, that the piece should be well sponged,
and the priming to communicate with the load.
For the construction of these cases, coarse gray paper, and
sufficiently strong, is used; and they should be well pasted.
The paper, which is used with advantage, and commonly employed,
is 23 inches in length, and 28 inches in breadth. It serves for
all calibers, and even proof charges, which are stronger than the
ordinary loads. The paper is cut of such a size as to leave from
1-1/4 inches, to 1-1/2 inches, on the roller, and a sufficiency to
cover the lower extremity. One of the sides, as well as the side
which is cut, is pasted. The paper is rolled upon the former, or
roller, and is straightened, so that the hand may be passed over the
pasted part, and the paper tightened. The bottom of the bag is placed
upon the roller, and, in folding it, the bag is tied above that part
of the paper, which is pasted. The bag is then dried, by placing it
on one end upon a table, and exposing it to the air.
The rollers should be bored in their axis, so that, in drawing them
out, they may come out easy, and without injuring the bag. This hole
admits the external air, and prevents the formation of a vacuum
in a degree, when the roller is suddenly withdrawn. The bottoms
(_culots_,) are cut of the same diameter as the roller. The paste is
made of flour and glue.
The table given by Bigot, p. 28, relative to the dimensions of sacks
or cartridges, for cannon, embraces the following particulars: The
diameter of the former, or roller for a 24 pr. is 5-1/6 inches: for
a 16, 4-1/2; for a 12, 4; for an 8, 3-1/2; for a 6, 3-1/6; and for a
four pounder 2-3/4 of an inch: the circumference of the cartridge for
a 24 pr. is 17-2/3 inches; for a 16, 15-3/12ths; for a 12, 13-1/3;
for an 8, 12-11/12; for a 6, 6-1/2; for a 4, 9-2/3ds inches. The
height of the roller for a 24 pr. is 18 inches; for a 16, 15; for a
12, 14; for an 8, 13; for a 6, 12-1/2, and for a 4, 12. The height
of the paper, including the circumference, for a 24 pr. is 17-2/3
inches; for a 16, 14; for a 12, 14; for an 8, 11; for a 6, 10-1/2;
for a 4, 10. The height, which covers the cartridge, is for a 24 pr.
1-5/10 inches; for a 16, 1-3/12; for a 12, 1-1/12; for an 8, 11/12;
for a 6, 10/12; and for a 4, 9/12. The bottom (_culot_,) for a 24 pr.
is 1-2/12th inches; for a 16, 1; for a 12, 10/12; for an 8, 2/3ds;
for a 6, 7/12; and for a 4, 1/2 inch. The height of the charge for a
24 pr. is 11-1/6 for a 16, 8-1/2; for a 12, 8-1/6; for an 8, 7-1/3;
for a 6, 6-9/11; and for a 4, 6-2/12ths inches. The height of the
paper, for the charges of exercise, is for a 24 pr. 10 inches; for
a 16, 9; for a 12, 8; for an 8, 7; for a 6, 6-1/2; and for a 4, 6
inches.
In the table of the proportions of the charge, for different
calibers, given by Ruggieri, (_Pyrotechnie Militaire_, p. 197,)
besides the weight of the ball, and the height of the sack, the
weight of the charge is given in pounds, and ounces, which is thus
stated by him: for a 4 pr. 1 lb. 8 oz; an 8 pr. 2 lbs. 8 oz; a 12 pr.
4 lbs. 8 oz; a 16 pr. 5 lbs; and a 24 pr. 8 lbs.
_Cannon Cartouches_ are composed of a bag of serge, and a shoe or
base, in which the ball was fixed by means of a tin cross, nailed to
the shoe or base. The bag should be as large as the shoe, and long
enough to contain the requisite quantity of powder. The shoe is a
little less in diameter than the ball, so that the tin and the bag
put upon it, do not increase its size beyond that of the ball. The
shoe is flat on one side, and hollow on the other. The hollow part
should be a spherical concavity, about one-third of the diameter of
the ball. At a small distance from the bottom of the shoe, a groove
is made sufficiently deep to contain the packthread, with which it is
fastened to the bag.
In the construction of cannon cartouches, the ball must first be
fixed to the base by means of two tin bands in the form of a cross,
and nailed with two small nails at the bottom and sides of the base.
These bands for sixteen and twelve pounders, are at least .44 decimal
parts of an inch in width, and 15 inches long. Those for eight and
four pounders, are .355 decimal parts of an inch in width, and 11.72
inches in length.
The ball being fixed on this base, it is put into a bag filled with
powder, and the bag tied above to the base. Then a bit of parchment
soaked in water, of from two to four inches in width, and of
sufficient length to go round the cartouch, is placed round the bag,
half on the shoe and half on the powder. Then tie it with a string
passing in the groove, at about .27 parts of an inch below the base;
so that the cartouch is tied in three different places--the two
first above in the groove of the shoe, serves to hold the bag and it
strongly together; the third below, is to prevent the powder from
rising and slipping between the bag and the shoe. The band is placed
on the part where the greatest friction is, to preserve the bag from
being torn.
The cartouch thus made, is to be calibered by trying it with the
piece for which it is intended, into which it must enter with ease.
This cannot be too strongly recommended. It is of all things the
most essential, and the only way of ascertaining the goodness of
ammunition.
A workshop of twelve workmen is divided into four classes. The first
class consists of two men who put the ball into the shoe; the second
of two others who fill the bag with powder; the third, two others who
press the powder into the bag; and the remaining six are employed in
tying the bags to the shoes, two to each.
These twelve workmen can, in one day of twelve hours, make two
hundred and forty cartouches, of sixteen or twelve pounders, or 320
of eight or four pounders.
_Table relative to the Cartouch, or Pouch._
------------------+---------+---------+---------+---------+------------
For | 12 | 8 | 6 | 4 |Light Troops
------------------+---------+---------+---------+---------+------------
Height, without | Inches. | Inches. | Inches. | Inches. | Inches.
the folds. | 11 | 10 | 9½ | 9 | 6
Circumference, | | | | |
without the folds.| 12-7/12 | 10-9/12 | 9¾ | 8½ | 5-3/12
Diameter of | | | | |
the base, without | | | | |
the folds. | 4 | 3-5/12 | 3-1/12 | 2-9/12 | 1-8/12
------------------+---------+---------+---------+---------+------------
To make _grape shot_, we must have a bag of ticking, in which the
small balls are arranged; also a shoe, to which not only the bag
which contains the ball is attached, but also the serge filled with
powder.
The shoe is made of the same wood with the ball cartridges, and of
the following dimensions, viz. The sixteen pounder should have 4.97
inches diameter; the twelve pounders, 4.35; the eight pounders, 3.82;
and the four pounders, 3.1 inches diameter. Those of the caliber of
sixteen and twelve, should be 1.6 inches in thickness, with a groove
in the middle of .44 parts of an inch in depth, and the same in
width; the eight and four pounders have but 1.07 inch in thickness,
with a groove in the middle of .36 parts of an inch in depth and
width. Every shoe or base, has a pin in its centre, the size of
which is in proportion to the vacancy left by the small balls of
iron arranged about it. The height is in proportion to the different
layers of ball.--In general thirty-six balls are put into one grape
shot, of whatever caliber it be; that is to say, six heights of six
each. The balls should be proportioned to the caliber, so that the
six balls on the base should exactly fill the circumference of it.
The pin in the middle of the base is exactly the size of the ball and
seven times its diameter in height. At the top of the pin a groove
is made to tie the threads, the width of which is one-third, and the
depth, one-fourth of its diameter.
The bag in which the small balls are arranged, layer upon layer,
should be of good strong ticking closely woven. It is of the size
of the shot, and 2.13 inches in length above the top of the pin. It
is strongly fastened at the bottom in the groove of the base with
strong pack-thread. There must be 3-1/2 fathom of strong pack-thread
trebled, to tie the grape of the caliber of sixteen and twelve
pounders, and three fathom only for one of eight and four.
Grape shot may be corded in the same manner as the carcase is corded;
with this difference, instead of eight turns, taking only six. The
best and strongest method of tying the thread in grape-shot, is in
the net-work form--one person holding, and another tying it.
In a work-shop where ten men are employed, eight are employed to wind
the thread round, and two to attach the bag to the base or shoe,
or to arrange the small balls on the shoe, round the pin. Such a
work-shop, in a day of ten hours, can complete 120 grape-shot of the
largest caliber, and as many as 140 of eight or four pounders might
be made.
The grape shot composed of 36 iron balls, weigh, without their charge
of powder, as follows:
lb. oz.
For a caliber of 16 21 10
For do. of 12 16 3⅕
For do. of 8 10 12⅘
For do. of 4 6 3⅓
The diameters of the small balls for grape shot, of which six exactly
fill the circumference, are as follows:
For 16 pounders, 1.66 inch. For 8 pounders, 1.31 inch.
For 12 do. 1.5 do. For 4 do. 0.16 do.
_M. Bigot has given the following Table relative to Cartouches, and
their Balls._
------------------+---------+---------+---------+---------+------------
Calibers. | 12 | 8 | 6 | 4 |Light Troops
------------------+---------+---------+---------+---------+------------
| lbs. oz.| lbs. oz.| lbs. oz.| lbs. oz.| lbs. oz.
Charge of powder.| 4 0 | 2 ½ | 2 0 | 1 ½ | 0 17
Weight of the | | | | |
cartouch and ball.| 16 11 | 11 2 | 8 ½ | 5 12 | 2 1
Height of the | Inches. | Inches. | Inches. | Inches. | Inches.
charge of powder. | 8-3/12 | 6-9/12 | 6-3/12 | 6-1/12 | 5-1/12
Total height | | | | |
of the cartouch. | 13½ | 11½ | 10-8/12 | 9-11/12 | 7-8/12
------------------+---------+---------+---------+---------+------------
CHAPTER II.
OF MATCHES.
Matches, in artillery, are a kind of rope made of flax, hemp, or
cotton slightly twisted, and prepared to retain fire for the use
of artillery, mines, fire-works, &c. Bigot, (_Traité d'Artifice de
Guerre_, p. 64,) has considered this subject under three heads;
namely, of match-rope, priming fuses or tubes, and quick-match. We
purpose, therefore, in the following sections, to treat the subject
in this order.
_Sec. I. Of Slow Match._
Slow-match may be prepared by different processes. When hemp or tow
is spun on the wheel like cord, but very slack, and made into three
twists and then covered with tow, so that the twists do not appear,
and then boiled in the lees of old wine, a slow-match will be formed
which burns very gradually; but slow-match is commonly made after
the following method: The rope for this match is made of flax, or of
soft well-beaten hemp, thoroughly cleansed from the harder fibres,
and the strands are loosely spun. Three strands are sufficient, which
should not, when formed into rope, exceed one inch and two-thirds
in thickness. It should not be shortened in twisting more than
one-fifth, or one-fourth at most, in order to be firm without being
hard.
The ley or lixivium in which the rope is soaked, is composed of wood
ashes and quick lime; and every hundred pounds of match require fifty
pounds of the former, and twenty-five pounds of the latter. They are
boiled for fifteen hours and are taken out of the tub, piled in heaps
and covered with tow, in which situation they are left to ferment.
Some recommend, in order to improve them, immersing them two or three
times in a nitrous solution, composed of four pounds of saltpetre in
a sufficient quantity of water, to every one hundred pounds of match.
The match is afterwards polished by rubbing it along a hair rope,
which removes all extraneous fibres that would spread fire too
rapidly. Twisting the rope strongly before it is polished, is said to
be a good plan.
Matches are finally dried in the sun, and rolled into pieces of
twenty yards each, (weighing about two and a half pounds); then made
up into barrels or boxes, each of which contains about twenty of
these pieces. Match of a good quality burns uniformly at the rate of
five inches per hour, and its coal terminates in a point that resists
pressure. Match rope may be formed by boiling the rope in water,
containing three pounds of wood ashes, one pound of quicklime, two
pounds of the liquor of horse-dung, and one pound of saltpetre.
In the small work, called _The Bombardier and Pocket Gunner_, there
are three formulæ given for slow-match: The first consists in soaking
light twisted rope in strong ley for three days. It burns three feet
in six hours. The second or No. 2, as made at Gibraltar, by immersing
blue paper in a solution of eight ounces of nitre in a gallon of
water. The No. 3, by soaking rope in a solution of three-fourths of
an ounce of sugar of lead in a pint of rain-water, using a larger
quantity in the same proportion, according to the rope.
The use of the acetate or sugar of lead for the formation of
match-rope, was recommended by a French officer in 1782; and since
that time has been used in France both with and without saltpetre.
The tinder-wood, if soaked alternately in solutions of saltpetre and
sugar of lead, will form a very good match.
M. Rothelet (_Archives des Découvertes_, v, p. 239) has given some
new observations on the use of acetate of lead for the preparation
of combustible match-rope. He mentions the use of liquid acetate
of lead, which may either be a solution of the oxide of lead in
distilled vinegar, or a solution of sugar of lead in water. Rope,
he adds, may be made very inflammable, by soaking it well in the
liquid acetate, and drying it thoroughly. See also the _Bulletin de
Pharmacie_, September, 1812.
Matches may be made very expeditiously by employing sugar of lead
in the following manner: Put a quantity of rain or river water in
a kettle over the fire, and when it boils, throw in sugar of lead
in the proportion of three-fourths of an ounce to a pound of water.
Remove the kettle when the sugar of lead is all dissolved, and
immerse the cord or rope in the solution for ten minutes, and then
take it out and dry it in the air. If cold water is used, the rope
must remain longer in the solution. Rope of every description, old
or new, or that made of the linden bark, and damaged match, may be
submitted to the same process, previously boiling them in common
water to remove their old coating. One pound of solution is required
for each pound of cord.[32]
Ruggeri (_Pyrotechnie Militaire_, p. 185,) has a similar process. The
_salt of saturn_ there recommended, is the same as sugar of lead.
When matches have been made by contract, we may determine their
quality by examining their interior, to see if they are not
mixed with old matches, or pieces of dirty hemp. They should be
sufficiently closed without being either too hard or too loose. The
lixivium should penetrate to their centre; the difference of colour
will indicate the contrary. They should be well dried and partake
neither of mould nor rottenness, which are easily ascertained by the
colour and smell. To be good, the match when lighted should preserve
the fire, and burn uniformly without interruption in moist weather,
so that a piece of five inches in length shall last at least one hour.
In 1808, there appeared in our papers an article on the subject of
_artillery rods_, of which the following is a copy. We re-published
it in the Aurora, of Philadelphia, in the same year, with comments.
Instead of the acetate, nitrate of lead is used.
M. Cadet, of Paris, has invented artillery rods to supersede the
matches in common use. They may be made of birch, elm, poplar, or of
the linden tree. They are saturated with nitrate of lead and undergo
two ebullitions in spirit of turpentine. They then burn very well and
are not extinguished by the air. A _metre_ of each will last an hour
and a half, while the common matches burn only seven minutes. General
Gassendi has made a calculation, which proves, that matches, which
now cost the French government twenty-thousand livres, will not cost
more than fifteen hundred, if made on M. C's new principle.
One pound of rope-match, such as is used in the military academy of
Segovia, lasts nearly thirty-five hours, and rather more provided it
be damp. In that state it is generally surcharged with from six to
seven per cent. of moisture. In short it would be better to dry the
rods in an oven, before they are saturated with the nitrate as well
as afterwards. The following table shows the difference of duration
between the matches made of rope and the new invented rods; and the
quantity of nitrate, each wood absorbs per quintal, is specified in
the last column.
_Woods._ _Durat. per 25 lbs._ _lbs. French_
Cord-match 850 4
Linden, 2400 10
Pine, 2400 42
Cedar, 2400 42
Elm, 2430 19
Oak, 2200 18
Green oak, 1400 18
Walnut, 1400 7
Poplar, 1400 37
Willow, 2400 30
Hence we find that the poplar, pine, cedar and willow, exclude
themselves when compared with the linden tree; since they absorb
three or four times more nitrate than the latter, without burning
longer.
The linden unites the advantages of economy and duration, since it
absorbs only a tenth of its weight. The common oak, elm, walnut
and green oak, occupy but the second rank. We may remark also,
that the hardest woods are not of the greatest duration; for a
rod made of green oak, which is much harder than the common oak,
supports combustion only eight hours, while the latter will burn for
twelve hours. Half a _kilogramme_ of nitrate of lead will saturate
forty-five _metres_ of elm, seventeen of birch; twenty-one of poplar,
and twelve of the linden tree. The woods were cut in parallelepipeds
and boiled in a fish-pan.
MM. Carnot, Guyton Morveau, and Deyeux, were appointed to examine
this invention, who reported favorably. An extract of their report
may be seen in the _Archives des Découvertes_, v, p. 240.
Born also recommends for the same purpose, nitrate of lead, and used
in the same manner. Proust, it appears, repeated the experiments of
Born, and came to the same conclusion;--that it was an expeditious,
and, on a large scale, an economical process for making matches.
Proust, however, used hazle wood. He observes that the solution must
be strong; that when cold it requires three days immersion in the
fluid, and when boiling, only one and a half hours. He also found
that nitrate of copper may be substituted for either the acetate or
nitrate of lead.
_Sec. II. Of Priming Tubes._
Priming tubes, (_fusées d'amorce_) serve to communicate fire to
the powder in a cannon. They were formerly made of tin, but in
consequence of the inconvenience of rusting they were laid aside.
James (_Military Dictionary_, p. 416) remarks, that, owing to this
defect in the tin, a colonel Harding had invented a pewter tube in
lieu of tin tubes. Tubes are used in quick firing. When made of tin
their diameter is two-tenths of an inch, being just sufficient to
enter into the vent of the piece. They are about six inches long.
Through this tube is drawn a quick-match, the cap being primed with
meal powder moistened with spirits of wine. To prevent the mealed
powder from falling out by carriage, a cap of paper or flannel,
steeped in spirits of wine, is tied over it.
They are composed of two distinct parts, the _cravat_ which contains
the priming, and the tube that enters into the touch hole. Small
pieces of well dried reeds or of quills, a little less than the size
of the vent of the piece, are preferred. They are made thus. The
reeds are cut into pieces three inches in length, square at one end
and diagonally at the other, and are passed through a caliber two
and one-third lines in diameter, (the diameter of the vent being two
and one-fourth lines;) they are then rubbed clean in the inside by
passing a small file several times through them, that removes the
inner skin. Having prepared the reeds, they are filled, and also
quills, or other cases, with the composition hereafter mentioned,
made sufficiently thin to enter them. This may be done with the most
facility by placing the cases side by side, with the square end up,
in a tin or wooden box five inches deep; the composition is put into
this, and made to descend into the cases, by knocking the box on
the table. When they are full, they are taken out of the box, wiped
clean, and laid to dry in the sun or in a warm room; before the
composition is entirely dry, a knitting needle is passed from one end
to the other, in order that the fire may reach the bore of the piece
more rapidly. The match of communication (_etoupille_) is then fixed.
This is done by cutting a notch on each side of the reed, near the
end that is cut square, to which two strands of a match, two and a
half inches long, are tied with a fibre of hemp.
The tubes are tied up in packets of ten each, to facilitate their
distribution in service.
The reeds, or other cases, may also be filled in the following way,
_viz_: Take twine made of the strands of cotton thread, and cut into
pieces ten inches long; fold each of these into two lengths, and pass
them through the reed from one end to the other by means of a loop
of very fine thread. The two inches are covered with some of the
composition made thick.
_Composition of Priming Tubes._
_Parts of_, _Meal-powder_, _Saltpetre_, _Sulphur_, _Charcoal_.
Usual composition, 12 8 2 3
Very quick, 4 1 0 0
Particular } 0 13 3½ 4½
composition, } 0 4 ½ ½
The composition is to be moistened with a solution of camphor, &c. in
brandy. To every pint add one ounce of gum arabic, and half an ounce
of camphor. Gum water retards the combustion of the match.
Fifteen pounds of this composition will make ten thousand tubes.
M. Cadet, (_Archives des Découvertes_, i, p. 412) has connected with
the match a preparation of chlorate of potassa, which is inflamed by
sulphuric acid.
We have already spoken of the use of chlorate, formerly called
hyper-oxymuriate, of potassa, in this way. See _chlorate of potassa_.
M. Cadet's invention is as follows: In a glass tube or tube of elder,
is enclosed a match covered with a mixture of chlorate of potassa and
sulphur; above which is fixed a small glass bulb containing sulphuric
acid. This bulb has a small stem of glass similar to that of the
candle cracker, to stick it by into the composition. This match is
placed above the vent or touch hole, and retained there by a socket
of lead. A spring, to which a small hammer is attached, is fixed
to the gun, and is extended and kept in that position by a hook or
bolt. When this is pushed, the spring is unhooked, and by recovering
itself gives a blow with the hammer which breaks the glass ball, and
the acid falls directly on the composition. This is then inflamed
and the fire is communicated to the match, and from the match to the
gunpowder.
A small portion of sugar mixed with the chlorate of potassa and
sulphur, will ensure the composition to inflame with more certainty;
although M. Cadet mentions only the hyper-oxymuriate and sulphur. If
some of this composition, after the priming fuse is charged, be put
in the cup of the fuse, a drop of sulphuric acid will inflame the
fuse.
_Sec. III. Of Quick Matches._
The _etoupille_ of the French is the same as quick match, which is
used to communicate fire in particular in military works, to priming
tubes and other fuses. We have noticed in a former article the
preparation of the matches of communication used in Fire-works, and
the mode of forming leaders for the purpose of conveying fire to the
different parts of a fixed or moveable piece. It will be sufficient,
therefore, to notice the preparation of what is usually called quick
match. These matches are made, according to Bigot, of five strands of
fine cotton thread, soaked twenty-four hours in strong vinegar, and
sometimes in brandy. They are then put, for twelve hours at least,
in a liquid paste, made of meal gunpowder, and spirits, in which
gum arabic and camphor are dissolved, in proportions to be given
hereafter. To make them imbibe this completely, they are pressed with
a pallet knife. They are then taken out and drawn gently between the
fingers to discharge the excess, spread upon a table, and when half
dry, dusted with meal-powder. The match is rolled by hand to make it
round, hung upon a frame, furnished with pins, to dry, and afterwards
cut into lengths of two and a half feet and tied up in bundles.
_Materials necessary to make ten thousand Priming Tubes._
Cotton thread, 5 lbs.
Meal-powder, 3 --
Vinegar, 5 quarts.
Brandy, or other spirits, 3 ----
Gum arabic, 3 ounces.
Camphor, 1½ ----
When matches are required to communicate fire slowly, sulphur and
beeswax, or rosin are added to meal-powder, in proportion to the
degree of slowness required. The cotton, in this case, must have been
soaked in water instead of spirits.
Cotton, 1 lb. 12 ounces.
Saltpetre, 1 -- 8 ----
Spirits of wine, 2 quarts.
Water, 2 ----
Isinglass, 3 gills.
Meal-powder, 10 lbs.
The cotton is then taken out and laid in a trough, where some
meal-powder, moistened with alcohol, is thoroughly wrought into it.
This done, the cotton, being in strands, is taken out separately, and
drawn through meal-powder and hung upon a line to dry.
If worsted in the place of cotton is employed, the proportions then
are,
Worsted, 10 ounces.
Meal-powder, 10 pounds.
Alcohol, (spirits of wine,) 3 pints.
Vinegar, (white wine,) 3 ----
In the preparation of quick match, the following method is sometimes
pursued; _viz._ soak the cotton well in a hot solution of saltpetre;
then remove it and lay it in a trough with some mealed powder,
moistened with spirits of wine, which is to be worked in by the hand.
It is afterwards drawn through meal-powder, and dried upon a line or
reel.
CHAPTER III.
OF PORT FIRES.
Port fires (_lances à feu_) are a species of fuse of a slow
composition, designed for different purposes, and particularly for
guns, when they are to fire rapidly. The paper, is first rolled in
cases. The rod or mandril should be of hard wood, 16 or 18 inches
long, and 5-1/2 lines in diameter. Two brass rods to load them, one
of 17 inches in length, the other of only 8, are required. A wooden
rammer, with a heavy head, may be used. A small funnel with a spout
5-1/2 lines in diameter, and a ladle to lift the composition, are
also required. The instructions of M. Bigot for the formation of
_Port-fire_ are that the paper must be cut in bands, 3-1/2 to four
inches wide, and 15 inches long, and six strips of this paper are
to be arranged on a level table, one above the other in such a way,
that each strip extends about half an inch beyond the next below it,
and pasting the projecting parts of it; that the wooden rod is then
placed upon the upper strip, near the side, and the paper is rolled
several times round it; pressing it at the same time, and shutting
the case, thus formed, at one end, by bending the paper up 3 or 4
lines on the rod, and striking it on the table to flatten it; that
the rod is then removed, and the case is dried, which is afterwards
filled by introducing the composition through the funnel, and ramming
it as fast as it falls down; which is done by alternately raising
and lowering the copper rod, without drawing it entirely out; that
in charging, care must be taken to beat it uniformly, with such a
force, that the paper may not be torn, and the composition equally
solid throughout; that when the composition is within an inch of the
end of the paper case, a tow match is put over it, of 1-1/2 inches in
circumference, the two ends of which project from the paper case, and
are covered with priming paste; and finally, that the port-fire is
finished, by pasting upon its end a small bit of paper, which is torn
off, when the match is to be used.
Port-fires are tied up in a sheet of paper, in parcels of ten.
_Composition of Port-fires._
---------------------------+--------+--------+--------+---------+------
| Meal | Salt- | | |
KINDS OF PORT-FIRE. | powder.| petre.|Sulphur.|Charcoal.|Rosin.
---------------------------+--------+--------+--------+---------+------
To last 12 min. moistened }| 10 | 12 | 6 | |
with linseed oil. }| | | | |
---- 10 do--do | | 19½ | 7¼ | ½ |
---- 7 do--commonly used. | | 19½ | 8 | ½ | ½
---------------------------+--------+--------+--------+---------+------
The articles are pulverized, and mixed by passing them through
fine sieves at least twice. After the addition of linseed oil, the
composition is again mixed with the hand. If too much oil be added,
the port-fire will not keep. Fourteen pounds of composition, and
2-1/2 reams of paper, are required for 100 port-fires.
Port-fires are usually 16-1/2 inches, and seldom more than 21 inches
in length. The paper cases must be rolled, wet with paste. The
distinction, made between what is called the wet, and dry port-fire,
is, that, in the former, linseed oil is used, and, in the latter, the
composition is mixed dry. Dry port-fire, according to the British
formula, is composed of saltpetre 4 parts, sulphur 1, meal-powder 2,
and antimony 1.
The following formulæ for port fire are given in the Pyrotechny of
the Encyclopedia Britannica.
1. Saltpetre 12 oz.
Sulphur 4 --
Meal-powder 2 --
2. Saltpetre 8 oz.
Sulphur 4 --
Meal-powder 2 --
3. Saltpetre 1 lb. 2 oz.
Meal-powder 1½ lbs.
Sulphur 10 oz.
4. Meal-powder 6 oz.
Saltpetre 2 lbs. 2 --
Sulphur 10 --
5. Saltpetre 1 lb. 4 oz.
Meal-powder 4 --
Sulphur 5 --
Sawdust 8 --
6. Saltpetre 8 oz.
Sulphur 2 --
Meal-powder 2 --
_Illuminating port-fires_, used in fire-works for exhibition, &c.
have been noticed heretofore.
The composition of the charge for fire-lances (port-fire,) is thus
given by Ruggeri;
_Substances._ _Proportions._
Saltpetre 16 parts.
Sulphur 8 ----
Powdered antimony or powdered pitcoal 4 ----
Mixed, and passed three times through a sieve.
CHAPTER IV.
OF FUSES FOR SHELLS, HOWITZES, AND GRENADES.
The fusée of the French, is applied to various purposes, and is
differently made by different artificers. Fuses are intended to
communicate fire to the powder with which shells, &c. are filled, so
as to make them burst in the places to which they are thrown. They
are composed, according to some, of one pound of gunpowder, and two
or three ounces of charcoal, well mixed together; or of four pounds
of gunpowder, two of saltpetre, and one of sulphur. It is to be
remarked that the time a bomb, or grenade, will take to burn, after
it has been thrown out of the mortar, or a howitz out of a howitzer,
depends entirely upon the length and quality of the fuse. Fuses are
made of wood turned in the form of a truncated cone, in order to
enter fairly into the _eye_ of the shell. They are perforated through
the middle, in the direction of the axis, so as to receive the
composition. This channel is called the _light_ of the fuse. The wood
that is employed, should be strong, dry, sound, and without knots.
The best kinds are the oak, the elm, and the linden. They are filled
with a slow combustible composition. The materials are increased or
diminished according to the nature of their application. Fuses are
sometimes made of copper.
The fuses for 10 and 12 inch shells are 8-1/2 inches long; for 8 inch
shells, 7-1/2, for howitzes, 5-1/2; and for hand grenades, 2-1/2.
The diameter of the light, in the first is 5 lines, in the second
and third, 4 lines, and 2 lines for grenades. At the larger end of
the fuse for shells, and howitzes, a cup is made from 10 to 14 lines
in diameter, and 3 deep. In turning them, a solid bit, 2-1/2 inches
thick, is left at the small end, to prevent them from splitting,
when the composition is pressed into the canal. When the fuse is to
be driven into the eye of the projectile, this piece is sawn off,
cutting the fuse diagonally. The turner marks its termination by a
circle upon the fuse. Fuses decrease nearly one inch in length, and
two lines in diameter, according to the caliber of the bomb. The
diameter of the lights, or apertures, only diminish half a line.
In what is called the Shrapnel shell, invented by colonel Shrapnel,
the seasonable use of the fuse constitutes one of its principal
advantages. With regard to the American elongated shell, invented
by a gentleman in the Ordnance, we have heard nothing. See _Shrapnel
shell_, &c.
_Sec. I. Of the Method of Charging the Fuses of Bombs or Shells._
Two rammers of copper are required for each of the several calibers
of 12, 10, and 8 inches; the first an inch longer than the fuse, the
second half as long. These rammers are of the same size with the
lights of their respective fuses, and have a head to receive the
blows of a mallet. Only one rod is wanted for the fuses of smaller
calibers.
The first operation is to examine the fuses, to see that they
have no knots or flaws, and are not wormeaten. The artificers
place themselves astride, and facing each other, upon benches of
strong plank, having, between them, a small vessel filled with the
composition, and each one, a small measure. Each artificer takes a
fuse, inserts the small end into a hole, made in the bench, for the
purpose of maintaining it erect, and preventing it from splitting
in the act of charging. He then passes a measure of the composition
into the light, and introduces the first rod, on which he strikes
15 strokes, of equal force, with the mallet. Between every three
strokes, he raises the rod, to make the composition fall. The
ramming of this measure is therefore executed in 5 _vollies_ or
blows. He then withdraws the rod, and introduces a new charge of the
composition, which he beats as before, and so on until the fuse is
half full; after which he makes use of the second rod, and goes on
loading, until the charge reaches within three lines of the cup. He
then takes two strands of quick match, which (after placing them in
the form of a cross, on the top of the fuse) he presses with his rod,
pours some of the composition upon them, and, beating it carefully so
as not to cut the match, he fills the fuse to the top of the cup.
The fuses of howitzes and grenades are charged in the same way; but
the blows are not so heavy as in larger ones, for fear of splitting
the wood.
The fuses being thus charged, the quick match is folded into the cup,
and the opening closed with a bit of cloth or parchment, or very
strong paper, which is tied an inch below the top. This operation is
called _capping_ the fuse. All the fuses for bombs or grenades are
at present furnished with matches. Care must be taken, therefore, to
leave a vacancy of about .27 parts of an inch, in order to fix in
the match. Fuses of grenades are charged with the same precision as
those for bombs, only the blows, as we remarked, should be weaker for
fear of splitting the fuse. Before the little end is driven into the
bomb or shell, care is to be taken to have the end cut slopingly,
without which the communication of the fire with the powder would be
uncertain.
When fuses have been well loaded, and the materials previously well
mixed, they will naturally burn with an equal steady fire, preserving
in general an even length of flame, without splitting, or irregularly
shaking. They may be proved by throwing them into water, tied to
a stone, or by driving them with heavy blows into the earth. They
should not go out in either of these cases. Fuses made with the
composition we shall describe, and for 10 and 12 inch shells, last
seventy seconds. According to the Strasbourg directions, it appears,
that fuses for shells of 12.78 inches should last until you can count
80 or 85, or 70 seconds. Those for bombs 8.52 inches, 65 counts, or
60 seconds, and those for grenades 25 or 30 counts.
Before the fuse is driven into the bomb, the thin or small end must
be cut off, in order that the fire may be easily communicated to the
mass of gunpowder, which is lodged in the bomb. To fire bombs at a
small distance, the fuse must be cut on a longer slant, so that the
bomb may take effect sooner, and may not remain a long time in the
place where it falls, without bursting.
The fuse must be of such a length, as to continue burning all the
time the shell is in its range, and to set fire to the powder as soon
as it touches the ground, which occasions the shell instantly to
burst into many pieces. When the distance from the object is known,
the time of the shell's flight may be computed to a second or two;
which being ascertained, the fuse may be cut accordingly. By burning
two or three, and making use of a watch, or of a string, by way of a
pendulum, to vibrate seconds, we may determine the length of time a
fuse, or any length of a fuse, will take to burn.
In order to preserve fuses for a length of time, and protect them
from moisture, the cap is coated with a composition, or cement, made
of 16 parts of bees' wax, and 4 of mutton tallow; melting the wax
first, and then adding the suet. Some make use of two-thirds wax, and
one-third rosin. The cap of the fuse is dipped in, when the mixture
is half cold, and immediately withdrawn.
-----------------------------------+---------------------------------
| PARTS OF
Composition for the Fuses of +--------+--------+--------+------
Shells, Howitzes and Grenades. | Meal | | Salt- | Char-
| powder.|Sulphur.| petre.| coal.
-----------------------------------+--------+--------+--------+-------
Composition usually employed, | 5 | 3 | 2 |
Quicker composition, | 7 | 4 | 2 |
Another (from Ruggeri) | 14 | 6 | 8 |
Do. Do. | 16 | 7 | 10 |
Do. (English) | 7 | 3 | 4 |
Do. (Strasbourg) for 8.52 bombs, | 4 | 2 | 3 |
Do. (from the Pocket Gunner) lbs.| 2¾ | 1 | 3¼ |
Do. particular (from Bigot) } | | 2⅝ | 6¾ | ⅝
} | | 3⅞ | 9¼ | ⅞
-----------------------------------+--------+--------+--------+-------
The following is the quantity of composition required for fuses, viz:
1000 fuses, for 10 and 12 inch shells, 92 lbs.
Do. do. for 8 inch shells, 53 --
Do. do. for 6 inch howitzes, 33½ --
Do. do. for hand grenades 16 --
_Sec. II. Of Loading Shells, Howitzes and Grenades._
The shells, before they are loaded, are cleansed from any foreign
substances that may be in them; and those which are split, or have
flaws in the eye are rejected; so are also those that are not
well bored, or are eccentric. They are then charged with powder,
introduced into them by means of a funnel. Five or six pounds of
gunpowder are usually put into twelve-inch shells; from three to
five, in ten-inch shells; from one to one and a quarter, into
eight-inch shells; from three-quarters to one pound, into howitzes;
and grenades of all sorts are half filled. The charge of shells is
increased, when they are to burst into a great number of pieces; for
instance, when they are to fall among troops. Incendiary fire-works
are added, when buildings are to be set on fire. Among these are
fire-stone, and incendiary matches.
The charge having been put into these hollow projectiles, a fuse is
introduced into the eye, after it has been cut diagonally at the
smaller end, and the smaller part taken off. It is forced in by
repeated blows of a mallet on the fuse driver, which is laid upon
the cap of the fuse. It ought not to project more than eight or ten
lines in shells, and six or seven in howitzes.
The fuses of loaded shells, howitzes, and grenades are preserved
from wet and fire in the field, by dipping that part of the fuse,
which projects from the surface of the sphere, for the same purpose
as before mentioned, into the following composition. The immersion
must be made, when the composition, after being melted, is half cold.
Either this, or the formula before given, may be used.
_Composition._
Pitch, 31 parts.
Turpentine, 16 ----
Mutton tallow, 1 ----
Linseed oil, 6 ----
Agreeably to the Strasbourg Memoir on Military Fire-works, it
appears, that, fuses being driven into the shell, four threads of
match must be neatly arranged in the cap. Then cap the fuse with
a piece of parchment dipped in brandy; after which, apply round
the fuse, at the eye of the shell, some capping wax when lukewarm.
Then dip all the extreme part of the fuse, down to the shell, in
melted pitch, which you will leave to cool in the shade, in such a
manner, that the shell may neither be exposed to moisture, nor to the
accident of fire.
_Composition of the Pitch._
Black pitch, 4 lbs.
Rosin, 4 --
This pitch serves not only to pitch the fuses of bombs and grenades,
but also to cover the outside of fire-balls and other fire-works,
intended to be preserved.
_Another Composition of pitch for the same Purposes._
Black pitch, 6 lbs.
Linseed oil, 12 oz.
See the preceding section.
_Sec. III. Of Fuses with Dead Light._
The _feu mort_, or dead fire fuse, is a peculiar species of fuse. The
difference, between these fuses and the ordinary kind, consists in
this, that the eye, instead of being pierced and hollow, is full, and
of a hemispherical shape. In both cases, however, the composition is
introduced through the small end.
_Composition for dead light._
Meal-gunpowder, 16 parts.
Ashes of wood, 9½ ----
The ashes must be dried, and run through a sieve. Potters' earth, or
clay, will produce the same effect as the ashes.
In proceeding to charge a bomb-fuse that is made of ordinary wood,
the eye, or aperture, is first closed with pipe clay, which is well
beaten and pressed against the fuse in a small platter; the thin
end of the fuse being held upwards. Three lines (3/12ths of an
inch) of this earth will be sufficient to stop the communication
of any fire. A tube, or trundle, filled with meal-powder, for the
purpose of setting fire to the composition called _feu mort_, is
thrust into the fuse, by which it is finally charged. If this
charge of meal-gunpowder were to be omitted, the fuse might not be
susceptible of ignition; but the quantity never ought to exceed three
lines, as the fuse would split by the explosion. When the grains of
gunpowder have been well pounded, a trundle or tube, filled with the
aforementioned composition, must be applied, and it is finally loaded
like the rest.
It must be recollected, that two inches of this composition will
last as long as one of the quality, with which common fuses are
charged. Before the fuse is driven into the bomb, it must be pierced
through with a gimblet of one line in diameter; taking care, that
the hole is made precisely through the charge of meal-powder. One
end of a priming match must be forced in, and three others be tied
to it, which three are to fall upon the bomb, when it lies in the
mortar. The particular object to be obtained by this kind of fuse,
is to prevent the least trace of fire or light being visible in its
projection; so that the enemy may remain ignorant of the range, or
direction of the bomb, and not be able, of course, to get out of the
way when it falls, or to avoid the effects of its explosion.
These fuses were made use of at the siege of Ham in 1761. The
experiments, which were made, in 1792, with this composition, by an
artificer belonging to the ordnance board, at Douay, have proved,
that it answers every purpose, for which it was invented.
The author of the _Manuel de l'Artilleur_ observes, however, that
the advantages to be derived from this invention, are not so great
as they first appear. He remarks, that, with respect to the real
utility of the fuse _à feu mort_, if it be considered as tending
materially to the defence of any beseiged place, the argument cannot
be very forcible, when we reflect, that to gain time constitutes one
of the principal means of defence, and that the only way to obtain
it, is by retarding the beseigers' operations. These ends are gained
by various expedients. Among others, the common lighted fuse conduces
not a little: since, during the whole direction of the bomb against
the works of the assailants, the attention of the workmen is diverted
from their immediate labour; and as long as it continues in its
range, much uneasiness is created, because its ultimate explosion and
concomitant destruction are unknown. Add to this, that, independent
of the confusion that is occasioned among the assailants by repeated
projectiles, the bombardier, by means of lighted fuses, is enabled to
correct his aim during the darkest night. This kind of fuse has been
known for many years, and, it is presumed from these objections to
its use, the common fuse has been hitherto adopted.
_Sec. IV. Of the Dimensions of Fuses, and the Dimensions and Charge
of Bombs, Howitzes and Grenades._
Shells, in gunnery, are hollow iron balls, to be thrown out of
mortars or howitzers, with a fuse hole of about an inch in diameter,
to load them with powder, and to receive the fuse. The bottom, or
part opposite the fuse, is made heavier than the rest, that the fuse
may fall uppermost. In small elevations, this is not always the case,
nor is it necessary.
Shells are called hollow projectiles, and, besides powder, various
incendiary matters are introduced; but in addition to shells,
properly so called, hollow projectiles comprehend howitzes and
grenades. As a principle, it is observed, that their sides ought to
be proportionably thick to the shock they receive in the piece, and
to the quantity of powder introduced for bursting them; and their
weight, according to the objects they are to destroy. We remarked,
that a shell should be thicker opposite the fuse. This thickness is
called by the French a _culot_, or reinforcement of metal; the object
of which is to prevent the breaking of the shell on rocks or stone,
as well as to prevent its falling on the fuse. Four times as much
powder may be put in the cavity as is sufficient to burst them. This
admits the introduction of incendiary matter. Howitzes are hollow
balls with a _culot_, or reinforcement of metal, upon the inside,
opposite the eye, and are calculated for ricochet, that is, for
passing, bounding, over the ground, and, by striking and penetrating
solid objects, and finally bursting, produce considerable havoc and
devastation. For ricochet, the howitz, in fact, should be of the same
thickness throughout.
Grenades are also a hollow ball, and are of two kinds; namely, the
rampart or ditch grenades, of the caliber of 36, 24, 18, and 12
pounders, designed for rolling along a trough from the top of the
rampart, and falling into the ditch, to annoy an enemy, in attempting
to cross it; and the hand-grenade, that are thrown by hand into
the interior of works, that are attacked, into covered ways and
trenches, &c. They are of six and three pounder calibers, and their
splinters will fly 35 yards. Grenades were invented about the time
that shells were, and first used in 1594. Grenades have sunk into
disuse; but they may be advantageously employed. During the seige
of Cassel, under the count de la Lippe, in the campaign of 1762, a
young engineer undertook to carry one of the outworks, with a small
detachment of men by using grenades, and in consequence succeeded.
Message shells are nothing more than howitzer shells, and are so
called, because they are used to carry letters or papers. During the
bombardment of Flushing, and while the communication with Cadsand
was cut off, means were found to convey a letter from the garrison
into the latter place. It was inclosed in a shell without inflammable
matter, and discharged from a mortar, planted on one of the sea
batteries.
Shrapnel shells were invented by colonel Shrapnel of the British
service. They were used, we are told, with peculiar effect against
the French, in 1808, and at the battle of Waterloo in 1815. The fuses
for these shells, after being turned so as to fit the fuse-holes,
are bored, and a deep thread grooved inside, to hold the composition
firm; and, instead of being turned with cups, they are hollowed
conical, and roughed with a tool that cuts under, the better to
receive the priming. After they are driven, with fuse composition,
one and a half inches, they are sawed across the top about one-fifth
of an inch down, so as not to touch the composition, and divided into
five equal parts, of two-tenths of an inch each; after which, a bit
of quickmatch is placed across, and drawn tight in the same grooves.
They are then primed with meal-powder and spirits of wine, capped,
and packed for service.
We here insert three tables, which we have extracted from the work of
M. Bigot.
The first table is relative to the dimensions of fuses for shells,
howitzes, and grenades; the second, respecting the dimensions of
bombs, howitzes, and grenades; and the third, of the charge of bombs
and howitzes.
These tables, taken together, will exhibit all the particulars on
this subject; and as this kind of data is necessary, in the practical
operations of the laboratory, their introduction in this place, we
consider important.
_Table relative to the Dimensions of Fuses for Shells, Howitzes, and
Grenades._
-----------------------------+-------+-------+---------+--------------
| | | | Grenades.
CALIBERS. |12 and |8-inch.|howitzes,+--------+-----
|10-inch| | 6-inch. |Rampart.|Hand.
-----------------------------+-------+-------+---------+--------+-----
| inch. | inch. | inch. | inch. | inch.
Length, | 9 | 8 | 5½ | 4 | 2½
Diameter. | | | | |
At the large end, | 1⅔ | 1⅓ | 1¼ | 11/12 | ⅔
At 3 inches from the large | 1⅓ | 1 | 11/12 | 0 | 0
end, | | | | |
At the small end, | 1⅙ | 11/12 | 10/12 | ¾ | ½
Of the light, | 5/12 | ⅓ | ⅓ | ¼ | ⅙
Of the interior of the cup,| 1⅙ | 11/12 | ⅚ | 7/12 | 5/12
Depth of the cup, | 3/12 | 3/12 | 3/12 | 3/12 | 3/12
Height of the massive, | 5/12 | 5/12 | ¼ | ¼ | 0
-----------------------------+-------+-------+---------+--------+-----
_Table of Dimensions of Bombs, Howitzes, and Grenades._
----------------------------+--------+--------+--------+--------+--------
| | | 8-inch,| |
CALIBER. |12-inch.|10-inch.|& howitz|howitzes| Hand
| | | 8-inch.| 6-inch.|grenades
----------------------------+--------+--------+--------+--------+--------
|inch. |inch. |inch. |inch. |inch.
| lines.| lines.| lines.| lines.| lines.
| pts.| pts.| pts.| pts.| pts.
Diam.{of bombs, | 11 10 6| 10 0 0| 8 1 6 | 6 0 0 | 3 6 0
{of the light{exterior,| 1 4 0| 1 4 0| 1 0 0 | 0 11 0 | 0 8 6
{interior,| 1 3 0| 1 3 0| 0 11 0 | 0 10 9 | 0 8 0
Thickness {of the sides, | 1 6 0| 1 6 0| 0 11 0 | 0 11 0 | 0 4 0
{of the culot, | 2 2 0| 1 4 0| 1 3 0 | 0 0 0 | 0 5 0
| Pounds.| Pounds.| Pounds.| Pounds.| Pounds.
Weight of the bombs, { | 145 to | 97 to | 43 to | 20 to | 3¼
{ | 150 | 100 | 45 | 25 | 0
----------------------------+--------+--------+--------+--------+--------
The rampart grenades are variable in their dimensions, and weigh from
eight to twelve pounds.
_Table of the Charge of Bombs and Howitzes._
-----------------+-------------------------------+-----------------------
| Bombs of | Howitzes.
+---------+---------+-----------+-----------+-----------
|12-inches|10-inches| 8-inches. | 8-inches. | 6-inches.
-----------------+---------+---------+-----------+-----------+-----------
Charge | | | | |
of full bombs, | 17 lbs. | 10 lbs. |4 lb. 1 oz.|4 lb. 1 oz.|1 lb. 6 oz.
sufficient to }| | | | |
burst them. }| 5 | 3 |1 |1 |0 12
-----------------+---------+---------+-----------+-----------+-----------
CHAPTER V.
OF INCENDIARY FIRE-WORKS.
Under this head are included all artificial preparations, designed,
as the name expresses, to communicate fire to buildings, shipping,
&c. and for other purposes, connected with the operations of war.
At different periods, even from the remotest antiquity, incendiary
works have been used. Of these preparations, we may enumerate the
following: shells, howitzes, and grenades; fire-stone to put into
shells and howitzes, intended to produce conflagration; incendiary
matches, used in the same manner; carcasses and fire balls, to be
thrown from a mortar, designed to light up the works in front of a
besieged fortress, and to burn buildings; incendiary, or fire-balls,
to be thrown from cannon or by hand, used in besieged fortresses
to light up the enemy's works; pitched tourteaux and fascines, to
illuminate the passage of rivers and defiles; powder bags, to throw
upon troops mounting to the assault; powder barrels, to roll from
the top of a breach, or from the head of a sap from the glacis;
thundering barrel, employed for the same purpose; burning or
illuminating barrel; petard, to break down the gates and barriers
of small towns, and even thin walls; torches or flambeaux, to give
light during night marches, and other purposes; rockets, fougettes,
and murdering and the Congreve war rocket, for various uses;
rocket carcass of Congreve, as an incendiary; rocket light ball,
to illuminate the horizon near the enemy; murdering marrons; Roman
incendiary candles, and incendiary stars; tarred and pitched ropes;
fire rain; marine fuses, &c. to which we may add the ancient Greek
fire, and red-hot balls.
In this chapter, under the different heads, we purpose to describe
these, and other fire-works, used in war. We may remark, also,
that animals are sometimes used as incendiary agents. _Rats_,
for instance, have been employed in certain enterprizes, as for
the purpose of setting fire to magazines of gunpowder. On these
occasions, a lighted match is tied to the tail of the animal. The
_courier pigeon_ of the French, or carrier pigeon, is not used in
this way; but only as a carrier of letters, to which it is trained
and used in Persia and Turkey.
_Sec. I. Of Fire Stone._
The fire stone (_Roche à feu_) is a compact, or solid composition. It
is calculated to burn slowly, and when put into shells and howitzes,
and thrown into cities, produces conflagration.
This stone is composed of sulphur, saltpetre, meal-powder, and
sometimes grain-powder, &c. The sulphur is melted in a kettle, or
glazed earthen vessel, over a clean charcoal fire; the saltpetre
being pulverized, is then thrown into it, and the spirits of
turpentine, if any is used. These articles are stirred with a
spatula, and the fire must be so regulated, as to prevent the
composition from boiling over, or taking fire. When these are well
melted and mixed, they are taken off the fire, and permitted to cool
a little; the gunpowder is then thrown in, and the composition poured
upon a cold surface, where it consolidates. It is then broken into
small lumps, to be made use of when required.
We may here remark, that, as the goodness of this composition depends
upon the accuracy with which the mixture is made, too much care
cannot be paid to this circumstance.
For the purpose of rendering this incendiary more inflammable, it is
recommended to roll the pieces in meal-powder, before they become
fully hard. If the same composition be mixed with suet and spirits
of turpentine, it is used for the same purpose, but not in the same
manner.
The invention of the fire stone is said to have originated from
the fire-rain of Casimir Siemienowicz, an ingenious Polander, and
Chevalier of Lithuania, &c.; and in fact, according to Ruggieri, the
composition was taken from his treatise.
Incendiaries to be put into bombs or shells, are sometimes in rolls
in the form of a _sausage_, which continue to burn after the shell
has burst. They infallibly set fire to whatever combustible substance
they touch. When thus made they are from .88 parts of an inch, to an
inch in diameter, and from 3 to 4 inches long. Carcass composition is
generally used. It is run into cylinders, which are pierced in the
middle, and the hole is filled with the composition of bomb fuse.
They are also furnished with cotton matches.
_Composition of Fire Stone._
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
| PARTS OF
+----------------------------------------
|Sulphur.|Salt- | Meal |Powder |Char-
| | petre. |Powder.| in | coal.
| | | |grain. |
------------------------------+--------+--------+-------+-------+------
Composition frequently made } | 16 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 0
use of, } | | | | |
Do do do | 28 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 0
Do for particular purposes, | 9¼ | 16⅞ | 0 | 0 | ⅞
Do do do | 11 | 29 | 0 | 0 | 1
Do do (spirits of } | | | | |
turpentine, 12 oz.) and } | 6 | 1 | 4 | |
------------------------------+--------+--------+-------+-------+------
Fire stone may be considered the _wild-fire_; but this term is
applicable to any composition, as the Greek fire, which, when
inflamed, burns with rapidity, and communicates its fire to
surrounding objects with quickness. In such cases, the combustion
is so rapid, that buildings, &c. are immediately wrapt in flames,
which seem almost to defy all human power to extinguish. Such was the
nature of the Greek fire, of which we shall speak hereafter.
_Sec. II. Of Incendiary Matches._
These are better for the purpose of putting into shells and howitzes,
than fire-stone alone, which does not burn as well. Their preparation
consists in boiling common slow match in a solution of 20 parts of
saltpetre, in six parts of water; then drying and cutting it into
pieces of two or three inches long, and immersing it into fire-stone,
in a state of fusion. Before the match has become solid, let it be
rolled in meal-powder, or in grain powder. Fifty pounds of fire-stone
will be sufficient for 1500 matches.
_Sec. III. Of Carcasses and Fire-Balls._
Carcasses and fire-balls are made of a composition of combustible
substances, and are used to produce light, as well as to fire
buildings. The difference between them is, that the carcass has bands
or hoops of iron, that form its shell. These hoops are made at right
angles with each other, in an oval form, and fastened together with
a base of iron. The fire-ball is made of a sack of strong tow cloth,
or of a bag of basket work, in an oval form, and covered with strong
cord, to give it a body. Both, however, are well wrapped with cord,
to make them more solid.
The Rev. J. P. Coste, in 1794, invented a carcass composition, which
he submitted to the French national convention. It appears that its
fire was very violent, which nothing could extinguish, and could be
thrown 800 paces from a caliber of 24 in. and to a greater distance,
if required. An account of this carcass is given in the _Moniteur_,
No. 342.
Oblong carcasses were formerly in use. The round carcass is more
applicable for mortars and howitzers. The 13-inch round carcass
weighs about 212 lbs., 10-inch 96 lbs., 8-inch 48 lbs., and
5-1/2-inch 16 lbs. Carcasses are seldom or ever fired from guns or
carronades, in the land or sea service. In bomb vessels, they are
only fired from mortars. After the first invention of bombs, that of
carcasses and grenades naturally followed. They are said to have been
first used in 1594, and afterwards by the bishop of Munster, at the
siege of Groll, in 1672, where the Duke of Luxemburg commanded.
The carcass for 12 and 10-inch mortars has six bands of iron; that
for an 8-inch mortar, no more than four. These bands are of an
oval shape, and fixed with nails, either clenched or rivetted to a
bottom, of the shape of a segment of a sphere; then to a hoop, placed
horizontally at one-third of their height; and at top, to another
that closes the opening.
The sacks, that contain carcasses and fire-balls, are of a
cylindrical form, and their diameter and height are equal, being the
same as that of the carcass at one-third its height. They are sewed
upon a circular bottom, like the woollen bags of gun-cartridges. When
the ball is wound with thread, the folds will disappear. The sacks of
fire balls are an inch less than the caliber of the mortar, and those
of carcasses four inches more.
_Table relative to the Dimensions of Carcasses, to fire from the
Mortar._
------------------------------------------+---------+---------+--------
CALIBERS OF | 12-inch.| 10-inch.| 8-inch.
------------------------------------------+---------+---------+--------
The spherical segment. | Inch. | Inch. | Inch.
{ radius, | 5-5/12 | 4⅔ | 1
{ height, | 2 | 1⅔ | 1
| | |
Diam. of the circle, { at ⅓ of the height | 10 | 8½ | 7
{ at the opening | 6 | 5 | 4⅙
| | |
{ Of the iron mounting | 12 | 10 | 8
{ Of the charged carcass, the } | 16 | 14 | 12
Height { ear not included } | | |
{ Of the enveloping sacks | 16 | 14 | 12
| | |
The weight of the iron, for the mounting }| Pounds. | Pounds. | Pounds.
of the carcass, about }| 20 | 18 | 7
------------------------------------------+---------+---------+--------
_Composition of Carcasses and Light Balls._
----------------------+--------------------------------------------
|Pitch.
| |White Pitch. (Turpentine.)
| | |Mutton Tallow.
| | | |Rosin.
| | | | |Sulphur.
| | | | | |Saltpetre.
| | | | | | |Grain-powder.
| | | | | | | |Meal-powder.
| | | | | | | | |Camphor.
| | | | | | | | | |Charcoal.
| | | | | | | | | | |Carabé.
----------------------+--+----+--+--+----+----+--+--+--+---+-------
Moist composition. |24| 12 | 4| 0| 0 | 0 |36| 0| ½| 0 |0
Idem. |18| 0 | 1| 0| 0 | 0 |30| 0| 0| 0 |0
Dry composition. | 0| 0 | 0|12| 1 | 2 | 0| 2| 0| 0 |0
Idem. | 0| 0 | 0|12| 2½| 11 | 0| 0| 0| 1½|0
| | | | | | | | | | |
Another. |12| 6 | 2| 0| 0 | 0 |30| 0| ½| 0 |0
Ditto. | 0| 0 | 1|12| 0 | 2 |20| 0| 2| 0 |1
Ditto. |12| 0 | 3| 0| 0 | 6 |30| 0| 0| 0 |0
Ditto. |15| 0 | 3| 0| 0 | 6 |30| 0| 0| 0 |0
Ditto. | 0| 2½| 0| 1| 1 | 1½| 0| 2| 0| 0 |0
Ditto, particular, } | | | | | | | | | | |
for setting fire } | 0| 0 | 0| 1| 4 | 2 | 0|10| 0| 0 |0
to magazines, } | | | | | | | | | | |
buildings, &c. } | | | | | | | | | | |
Ditto, same purpose. | 0| 0 | 0| 4| 16 | 32 | 0|48| 0| 1 |0*
Ditto. do. | 7| 0 | 1| 6| 6 | 0 | 0| 8| 0| 0 |0
| | | | | | | | | | |Antim.
Ditto. do. | 5| 0 | 0| 8| 25 | 50 | 0| 0| 0| 0 |5
----------------------+--+----+--+--+----+----+--+--+--+---+-------
* Also, iron or steel filings, 2; and fir-tree sawdust boiled
in a solution of saltpetre, 2.
We may remark, that the four first formulæ are given by Bigot, and
are used in the French service. Therefore, although the others have
been employed, we may consider the proportions in these, as best
adopted for the carcass and light-ball composition. About 49 lbs. of
composition and two lbs. of fine tow, are required for a carcass of
12 inches.
Luminous or light balls are sometimes made of the following
compositions.
_Composition for Luminous Balls._
1. Sulphur 6 oz.
Antimony 2 --
Saltpetre 4 --
Rosin 4 --
Charcoal 4 --
2. Saltpetre 2 oz.
Rosin 2 --
Charcoal 2 --
Antimony 1 --
Sulphur 1 --
Pitch 1 --
In the formation of luminous, or light balls, whatever may be the
composition, we may remark, that the only ingredients which appear
to be essentially necessary are nitrate of potassa and inflammable
substances. In some preparations, antimony is used, for the same
reason as in the Bengal lights. Rosin, pitch, and charcoal are all
inflammable; and sulphur, although it takes fire more instantaneously
than these, enters into the composition of such fires more on account
of its flame than any other.
As a general rule for the preparation of carcass composition, the
following particulars must be attended to. After melting the pitch,
turpentine, rosin, and sulphur, add the tallow and camphor, and then
the nitre and charcoal, in powder. They are then to be stirred,
and mixed intimately. Care must be taken to regulate the fire, and
prevent the composition taking fire. After the kettle is withdrawn
from the fire, the gunpowder is then gently added, and stirred with
a stick or spatula. The kettle is then again put over the fire, and
afterwards withdrawn. Tow is now added in small quantities at a time,
stirring the mixture well that it may be thoroughly incorporated.
The preparation of the carcass, or fire-ball, is as follows;
observing, that, if it is a carcass, the iron-frame must be first
placed in the sack. Four cords are taken, each four lines in
diameter, four feet long for the calibers of 10 and 12 inches, but
only 3 feet for the calibers of 8 inches.
The middle of these four cords are laid one upon the other in the
form of an eight-pointed star. Each end of the ropes is then fixed
to a nail, and a bottom is formed, similar to basket-work, by
interlacing a cord, two lines in diameter, three or four times round
the central point. The small cord is then tied with a knot, and
the bottom of the basket completed, by tying the four large cords
together with four half knots. The bottom of the sack, containing
the iron carcass, or of an empty sack, if a fire-ball is to be made,
is placed upon the middle of this, and the filling performed in the
following manner, namely: A sufficient quantity of the composition
is taken from the kettle to fill the empty carcass, or sack, three
or four inches high; a few loaded grenades, with the fuse down, or
a howitz placed in the same way, are laid upon this first layer.
The filling is continued to the top, putting the composition and
grenades, in alternate layers. When it is done, the sack is tied with
twine. In order to tie up the fire-ball in its cord net, the cords
are raised from their nails, over the sack, and tied in such a way as
to suspend it about the height of a man's head, and to permit it to
be easily turned round. An artificer fixes the end of a small cord
to one of the larger ones, at the distance of 1-1/2 inches from the
bottom; he makes a half knot upon this, and carries the small cord
round to the others, to which he ties it in the same way, forming a
spiral round the ball. The large cords are kept regularly stretched
in such a way, that each turn of the spiral may be 1-1/2 inches from
that beneath it. When the spiral has reached the top of the ball, he
unites the small cord, called the traverse, with the ends of the four
others, called uprights. He divides the latter into two parcels, and
forms a loop of them, through which a lever may be passed for the
convenience of carrying it. At two or three inches from the upper
end, and upon two sides, diametrically opposite to each other, two
pins of hard dry wood, well greased, are driven in. These pins are 6
inches in length, one in diameter at the head, and half an inch at
the point. They must be inclined in such a way, as to meet in the
axis of the fire ball, at about half its height.
The carcass or fire-ball, when finished, is dipped into the following
composition:
_Composition of Pitch for Fire-Balls._
Pitch, 32 parts.
Turpentine, 16 ----
Rosin, 8 ----
Linseed oil, 6 ----
Mutton Tallow, 1 ----
Grenades answer the purpose of dispersing the fire of the carcass
in different places; and the shell will not burst, till the carcass
has burnt for a sufficient length of time. Sometimes the ends of gun
barrels, or pistols, loaded with ball, are put in.
Carcasses and fire-balls are primed before they are used, by drawing
out the pins, and filling the holes with the composition for the
fuses of shells; taking care to use for ramming, only wooden or
copper rammers. Four cotton matches are placed in each hole, 6.4
inches long, in order to convey the fire.
Carcasses and fire-balls are discharged from mortars, in the same
manner as a bomb. When the carcass is intended to give light to
discover the enemy's works, then the small charges are to be put
into the chamber of the mortar, and but little elevation given, for
fear it should bury itself in the ground. If, on the contrary, the
intention is to set fire to houses or magazines, a greater elevation
is given to the mortars, in order that it may reach and destroy the
buildings, upon which it is intended to fall.
The composition used by the Austrians at the siege of Valenciennes,
which is called after it, has the same effect as carcass. It is
composed of saltpetre 50 parts, sulphur 28, antimony 18, and rosin 6.
An English writer observes, that the best way of making light balls,
is to take thick brown paper, and make a shell the size of the
mortar, and fill it with a composition of equal parts of sulphur,
pitch, rosin and meal-powder.
Before closing this article, we may add, that carcasses are sometimes
made to weigh two hundred and thirty pounds, and those for the naval
service differ from a shell only in the composition, and in the four
holes, from which it burns when fired.
_Sec. IV. Of Incendiary Balls, or Fire Balls, to be thrown from
Cannon or by Hand._
Balls of this kind are employed chiefly in beseiged fortresses to
light up the enemy's works. In order to burn ships, hollow balls
filled with incendiary matter and red-hot shot are preferable.
_Composition of Incendiary Balls._
-------------------------------+----------------------------------------
|_Meal-powder._
| |_Saltpetre._
| | |_Sulphur._
| | | |_Rosin._
| | | | |_Tallow._
| | | | | |_Alum._
| | | | | | |_Antimony._
| | | | | | | |_Charcoal._
-------------------------------+---+---+-----+---+---+---+---+----------
Ordinary composition, moistened| | | | | | | |
with spirits and linseed | | | | | | | |
oil, meal, | 4 | 4 | 3½ | ¾ | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0
Another, | 8 | 8 | 24 | 0 | 4 | 2 | 1 | 0
Do. | 0 | 7 | 4 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ½
-------------------------------+---+---+-----+---+---+---+---+----------
The first composition is reduced to a paste with good brandy or other
spirits, in which gum arabic and camphor have been dissolved; and
after leaving it a few hours to dry, moisten it with linseed oil, and
make it into balls a little less than the calibers of the guns, from
which they are to be fired or weighing about four pounds, if they
are to be thrown by hand. They are tied up in a cloth and steeped
in a bath of pitch in the same way as carcasses. They are usually
covered a second time with cloth and dipped in the same way. If they
are to be fired from guns, they are enveloped in a netting of wire,
to prevent them from being broke by the action of the charge. These
balls when fired are put down over a small charge without ramming.
Two holes are made in them in the same way as in carcasses and fire
balls and they are primed in the same manner.
In employing the second and other compositions, the materials must
first be melted, such as rosin, tallow, and sulphur, and the powder,
alum, and antimony, added; when the melted matter is removed from
the fire. After they are all mixed, the mixture is then poured into
wooden moulds of two pieces, that are greased on the inside; the ball
is taken from the mould when cool, and wrapped up in cloth or in tow.
It is dipped in melted pitch. When it is to be used, holes are made
in it with a gimblet, and it is primed like the others.
We may remark here, that the Congreve incendiary rocket is armed with
carcass composition, which produces all the effects of the usual
carcass. The rocket carcass will be considered under the head of
war-rocket.
_Sec. V. Of Smoke Balls._
Smoke balls are composed of the same substances as carcasses and
light balls, with this difference, that they contain five to one of
pitch, rosin, and sawdust. This composition is put into shells made
for the purpose, having four holes to let out the smoke. Smoke balls
are thrown out of mortars, and continue to smoke from twenty-five to
thirty minutes.
_Sec. VI. Of Stink Balls._
Stink Balls are prepared with a composition of mealed powder, rosin,
saltpetre, pitch, sulphur, rasped horses' and asses' hoofs, burnt in
the hoof, assafœtida, seraphim-gum, stinking herbs, &c. made up into
balls in the same manner as light-balls, according to the size of the
mortar, out of which they are to be thrown.
_Sec. VII. Of Poisoned Balls._
With respect to poisoned balls, we are informed, that, although they
have not been used by European nations, the Africans and the Indians
have always been very ingenious at poisoning several kinds of fire
compositions. At the commencement of the French revolution, poisoned
balls were exhibited to the people, pretended to have been fired by
the Austrians, particularly at the seige of Lisle. They contained
glass, small pieces of iron, &c. and were said to be mixed with a
greasy composition, which was impregnated with poisonous matter. In
1792, they were deposited in the archives of Paris.
Poisoned balls, according to authors, are composed of meal powder
four parts, pitch six, rosin three, sulphur five, assafœtida eight,
extract of toads' poison twelve, other poisonous substances twelve,
made into balls in the manner we have mentioned. See _Poisoned Arrow_.
_Sec. VIII. Of Red-hot Balls._
It will be sufficient to observe, that red-hot shot, as an
incendiary, are considered fully adequate to perform the effect which
they are designed to produce. The balls are ignited in a coal fire on
an iron grate, in a furnace constructed for the purpose; and, when
thus heated, are thrown from guns, the space between the powder and
ball being filled up with a piece of wood of the exact diameter of
the gun, or with wet hay or grass, to prevent the ball from setting
fire to the powder.
With respect to chain balls, composed of two balls linked together
by a chain from twelve inches to four feet in length, and designed
to destroy palisadoes, wooden bridges, and chevaux-de-frize of a
fortification; stang-balls, or bar-shot, called by some, balls of
two heads, made by uniting, by means of a bar, half shot; and anchor
balls, filled with the same composition as light-balls, with some
trifling variation in the ball itself, &c.--they are all used as
destructive weapons, which belong more particularly to the service of
artillery.
_Sec. IX. Of Pitched Tourteaux and Fascines._
Tourteaux are employed to illuminate the passages of rivers and
defiles. They are placed in portable _lanterns_ or in fire-grates.
They are used chiefly to light up the works of the beseiger, when
he approaches the covert way, and to burn the gabions and fascines,
with which he constructs his passage to the ditch. Tarred links are
nothing more than old junk or matches, dipped into a composition of
pitch, suet, linseed oil and turpentine; the junk being cut into
lengths of about five feet, which is called a link. The _Tourteaux
goudronnés_ of the French are the same, and formed of old rope, which
is untwisted, immersed in pitch or tar, and afterwards left to dry.
The French make the _Tourteaux goudronnés_ in the following manner:
Take twelve pounds of tar or pitch, six pounds of tallow, and three
pints of linseed oil; melt them together and dip twisted pieces of
rope of any length into the boiling mixture. If they are required
to burn slow, six pounds of rosin and two pounds of turpentine are
added. Sometimes to the composition of pitch, tallow, and linseed
oil, are added two parts of saltpetre, one part of sulphur, and
half a part of antimony. Tourteaux, according to Bigot, are made
in the following manner: Old cords or pieces of match are beaten
with mallets to take out the dirt, and prepare them to receive the
composition. They are untwisted a little for the same purpose.
They are then cut into pieces about five feet in length, and each
is intertwined to form a circle of five or six inches of external
diameter, making a hole at the same time in the middle for the
passage of the point of the lantern.
The rope, being thus prepared, is next boiled in the composition
given below, for the space of ten or fifteen minutes, and then laid
upon a wet plank. They are a second time dipped into the composition,
and thrown into cold water, to give them again, by hand, the circular
figure they may have lost. Flower of sulphur is now put over them,
and they are dried in the shade.
_Composition for Tourteaux._
Pitch, 24 parts.
Turpentine, 12 ----
Rosin, 6 ----
Mutton tallow, 4 ----
Linseed oil, 1 ----
Venice turpentine, 1 ----
_Another, for Tarred Links and Fascines, according to the Strasbourg
formula._
Pitch, 18 parts.
Turpentine, 9 ----
Suet, or tallow, 4 ----
Linseed oil, 1 ----
Spirits of turpentine, 1 ----
When a great quantity of links are to be made, either for
illumination or for lighting a city, the oil may be omitted. The
links will cost less, and they will answer the purpose equally well.
Fascines are made of strips of wood, or dry twigs, or wine shoots,
which are the best, of the length of fourteen or sixteen inches. They
are tied in bundles of four or five inches in diameter, with a cord
or iron wire, and then boiled in the composition for tourteaux, and
thrown into water to cool. They are principally used to give light to
the works of an enemy, and to set fire to the passage of the ditch.
Fascines are of different kinds. In fortification, they are a kind of
fagot, made of small branches of trees or brush wood, tied in three,
four, five, or six places, and are of various dimensions, according
to the purposes intended. Those that are to be pitched over for
burning lodgements, galleries, or any other work of the enemy, should
be one and a half or two feet long.
_Sec. X. Of Torches or Flambeaux._
We have already spoken of torches, but in connection with military
pyrotechny, we may add, that they are used to give light during
night marches, and for other purposes. They are made in the following
manner.
Boil, in a mixture of equal parts of water and saltpetre, old cords
or old match, well cleaned and untwisted. Take them out and dry them;
then cut them in pieces of four and a half feet in length, and tie
four of these pieces with twine to a cylindrical piece of wood, of
the same length, and an inch in diameter; so that the whole together
may be from two to two and a half inches thick. Dip this torch into
a liquid made of equal parts of meal-powder and sulphur, mixed
together with brandy, in which some gum has been dissolved. Fill the
intervals of the pieces of cordage, with a paste, composed of three
parts of sulphur, and one of quicklime. Dry the torch, and when dry,
turn it gently round, and finish it by pouring on it the following
composition.
_Composition for Flambeaux._
Turpentine, 32 parts.
Venice turpentine, 4 ----
Beeswax, 32 ----
Sulphur, 12 ----
Camphor, 6 ----
_Another._
Pitch, 6 parts.
Turpentine, 6 ----
Venice turpentine, 1 ----
Torches or flambeaux may also be made without the central piece of
wood.
Torches ought to have the quality of burning, let the weather be what
it may. The following method of making them is also recommended.
Take four large cotton matches, three or four feet long, boil them
in saltpetre, and arrange them round a pine stick; after which cover
them with priming powder and sulphur, made into a thin paste with
brandy. When dry, cover the matches with the following composition;
viz. 2 lbs. of yellow wax, as much white pitch, 12 oz. sulphur, 6 oz.
camphor, and 4 oz. of turpentine: melt the whole together.
_Sec. XI. Of Powder Bags._
Powder bags are little sacks, that contain four pounds of powder.
They are of great use in besieged places. They are cast by the hand,
set fire wherever they fall, and very much intimidate troops making
an assault. They are made with good coarse cloth. Their width and
size are not determined. It is sufficient that they can be easily
thrown. The sides only are sewed up. In charging them, we begin by
tying one end with strong packthread. Then turn it inside out, so
that the ligature may be within, and fill it with powder, ramming
it down with a cartridge form, proportioned to the bag, until it is
full. Then put in the fuse, the large end inwards, and tie the bag
tight. Afterwards the outside is covered with tar, or pitch.
_Sec. XII. Of the Powder Barrel._
A powder barrel is a common barrel, filled with powder, to roll from
the top of a breach, or upon the head of a sap from the glacis. The
barrel contains from 100 to 200 pounds of powder, and is covered with
a cloth. A hole is made at each end, in which a fuse may be fixed, of
such a size, that the fire may be communicated to the powder, at the
moment when the barrel, rolled from the top of the breach, is met by
the troops mounting to the assault.
English writers state the diameter of powder barrels at 16 inches,
and 30 or 32 inches in length, and capable of holding 100 pounds
of powder. The quantity of powder put into them is 90 lbs; into
a half-barrel, 45 lbs; and into a quarter-barrel, used for rifle
powder, only 22-1/2 lbs. This proportion leaves a space for the
powder to separate when rolled, or otherwise it would always be in
lumps, and liable thereby to damage.
_Sec. XIII. Of the Burning or Illuminating Barrel._
This barrel differs from the thundering barrel, which we shall
describe in the following section, only in having no grenades; and
when it is placed upon a glacis, it lights up or discovers the works
of the besieger. It has a fuse in only one of its ends.
When shavings are boiled in the composition for links and fascines,
or of tourteaux, and arranged layer by layer, scattering, over each
stratum, some priming-powder, the combustion must be rapid, when the
barrel is set on fire.
Fire barrels, we may observe, are of different kinds. Some are
mounted on wheels, filled with composition, and intermixed with
loaded grenades, and their outsides full of sharp spikes. Some are
placed under ground, and have the effect of small mines; and others,
as the kind we have mentioned, are used to roll down a breach to
prevent the entrance of the enemy. The following composition has been
used for the same purpose.
_Composition for Fire-Barrels._
Grained powder, 30 lbs.
Pitch, 12 ----
Saltpetre, 6 ----
Tallow, 3 ----
_Sec. XIV. Of the Thundering Barrel._
This is employed for the same purpose as the preceding, or to light
up the works of the besieger at the foot of the glacis. It has the
same dimensions with the other, but has no cover. It is filled
with chips, (dipped into the composition of the tourteaux), which
are arranged in layers, putting, between each layer, meal-powder,
and grenades, furnished with their fuses, or with pieces of musket
barrels. The first and last layers are made with tow, boiled in the
carcass composition. The barrel being filled, it is then closed and
primed in the same way as the powder barrel, with a bomb fuse at
each end. Holes are made along the barrel to assist the combustion.
Grenades are employed in particular to prevent the approach of
persons to extinguish the flame.
The invention of bombs is said to be owing to Scotland, and to the
siege of St. Andrews. In the _Art of War_ (says the _Anthologia
Hibernica_, vol. iii, p. 174) printed at Venice, we are shown the
representation of a hogshead, coated with conical headed nails, in
which there is enclosed a barrel of gunpowder, suspended in the
centre by an iron tube, which communicates at both ends with the open
air. This engine, we are told by the author, killed 558 persons by
its explosion in the fosse.
_Sec. XV. Of the Petard._
The petard is used to break down the gates and barriers of small
towns, and even their walls, by hanging it against them, and setting
fire to the fuse. Its invention is ascribed to the French Huguenots
in 1579, who, by means of petards, took Cahors, in the same year. It
was invented, as others inform us, by the celebrated Coehorn.
The petard is a hollow piece of iron, either cast or wrought, of the
figure of a truncated cone, and usually eight inches high, and nine
and a half inches diameter at the base, the metal being five-sixths
of an inch thick at top, and half an inch at bottom. It is open at
the large end; and the small end, which is rounded, is pierced with
a hole, in which is placed a brass fuse, filled with composition, in
lieu of which, however, an ordinary bomb-fuse, or a quick-match may
be used. It is furnished with four trunnions, (one and a half inches
by one), to receive the iron staples, that are attached to an oaken
plank, eighteen inches square, and two and a half inches thick, and
reinforced below by two iron bands, in the form of a cross, nailed
and dove-tailed in. It has two iron handles to carry it by, and to
hook it to a screw, fixed in the gate intended to be broken. It is
filled with gunpowder.
When the petard is to be loaded, it is filled with powder to within
three inches of the bottom. Some folds of cartridge paper are then
put in, and a bed of tow well rammed. It is finished with a hot
cement made of one part of rosin, and two parts of ground brick,
or Spanish brown. A plate of iron four or five lines thick is set
into this, that fits the inside of the petard at that part. It is
furnished with three iron points, to be driven into the plank. A
petard, ready for use, weighs eighty-five pounds, and contains nine
pounds of powder.
_Dimensions of the Petard._
_Inches._
Exterior diameter of the opening. 9½
Exterior height. 8
{ At the height, ⅚
Thickness of the metal, { In the middle, ¾
{ At the bottom, ½
Trunnions, { Length, 1½
{ Height, 1
Fuses, { Length, 4-5/12
{ Diam. under the screw, 11/12
{ Diam. of the screw, 1⅓
Plank, { Length and width, 18
{ Thickness, 2½
According to Ruggeri, a petard is filled, after warming it, with
three fingers of powder, which is moistened with brandy, and then
compressed without crushing it. On this powder, a quick match is
placed, which is also compressed; after which, it is filled with
composition previously melted. The composition is as follows:
_Composition for Petards._
Pitch 4 parts.
Sulphur, 3 ----
Saltpetre, 1 ----
Antimony, 1 ----
After introducing one-half of this mixture, when melted, we put in
the iron plate, which rests on the composition, and then add the rest
of it, which finishes the operation.
_Sec. XVI. Of the Stink-Fire Lance._
This lance (_Lance à feu puant_ of the French) is prepared in the
same manner as stink-pots, and is principally used by miners. When a
miner or sapper has so far penetrated towards the enemy, as to hear
the voices of persons in any place contiguous to his own excavation,
he first of all bores a hole with his _probe_, then fires off several
pistols through the aperture, and lastly forces in a _lance à feu
puant_. He takes care to close up the hole on his side, to prevent
the smoke from returning towards himself. The explosion and fetid gas
and vapour, which issue from the lance, and remain on the side of the
enemy, infect the air so much, that it is impossible to approach the
quarter for three or four days. Sometimes, indeed, they have had such
instantaneous effect, that, in order to save their lives, miners,
who would persevere, have been dragged out in an apparent state of
suffocation.
The composition of ordinary fire-lance has been given. They are
sometimes used to set fire to fuses.
The fire-pot is a vessel made of clay, with two handles, in which
a grenade with powder is confined, and which is thrown against an
enemy, after the match has been lighted; but a stink-pot is a vessel,
filled with combustible and other matter, used in boarding ships, &c.
The suffocating pot is another contrivance, as its name expresses, to
produce suffocation; and, as the materials consist only of sulphur
and nitre, the gas which principally produces this effect is the
sulphurous acid.
_Composition for Suffocating Pots._
Sulphur, 6 parts.
Nitre, 5 ----
Connected with this subject, we may mention another composition, to
produce _smoke_, which is used either in pots, or balls. Hence, the
_smoke-pot_, and _smoke-balls_. The following is the composition.
_Composition for Smoke-Balls._
Grained-powder, 10 lbs.
Nitre, 2 --
Pitch, 4 --
Sea-coal, 3 --
Tallow, 1 --
The coal and pitch produce the smoke, and the gunpowder and nitre
promote the combustion, and, with the tallow render the product of
combustion more offensive.
_Sec. XVII. Of the Combustible Substances used in, and the Manner of
preparing, a Fire-Ship._
A fire-ship is a vessel, filled with combustible substances, and
fitted with grappling irons, to hook, and set fire to the enemy's
ships in battle, &c.
With respect to the preparation required, some knowledge may be had
by considering the following particulars. From the bulk-head at the
fore-castle, to a bulk-head to be raised behind the main chains, on
each side, and across the ship at the bulk-heads, is fixed, close to
the ship's sides, a double row of troughs, two feet distance from
each other, with cross troughs quite round, at about two and a half
feet distance, which are mortised into the others. The cross troughs
lead to the sides of the ship, to the barrels, and to the port-holes,
to give fire both to the barrels and to the chambers, to blow open
the ports; and the side troughs serve to communicate the fire all
along the ship, and the cross troughs.