FUZE, SAFETY 529 



side to the inside over the said cane ring next to the funnel hereinbefore mentioned, 

 and from thence the said threads are again led down by the side of the funnel to and 

 through the holes in the upper and under sides of the aforesaid collar, which threads 

 will then converge towards the lower point of the inner cone or collar, and there hang 

 parallel and near to each other, and from thence they are to be led together to the 

 pulley. Thence passing under the said pulley at a right angle they go to the monkey 

 on the stage, or shelf, or bench, and are there made fast to the crook. The winding 

 roller being now put in motion, communicates that motion to the monkey, which 

 travels on the stage, or shelf, or bench, and at the same time by the pinion working 

 on the line-rack ; the cog-wheels before mentioned work the second pinion, and turning 

 thereby the crook, completely twist the twelve threads (Fig. 1011) so made fast to- 

 gether, and continue that very twist up to the very point of the cone projecting down- 

 wards from under the funnel; at the very same time of putting the monkey in 

 motion the funnel is charged with the gunpowder or other combustible matter for 

 making the fuze, and then it is important to carefully watch the progress of the 

 threads, and prevent or rectify any entanglement thereof ; and also regulate the exit 

 of the powder and prevent the dispersion of any surplus that falls to waste through 

 the point of the cone or collar under the funnel during the operation of twisting. In 

 this operation of twisting the powder passing the funnel lodges in the centre of the 

 twelve threads, and is simultaneously embraced by all the threads, and the twisted 

 part thus containing the powder is by the monkey drawn down and passes under the 

 pulley, and continues its course with the monkey twisting the fuze along the stage, 

 or shelf, or bench, to the end of the room. Here the monkey stops, and this part of 

 the fuze so charged and twisted is then cut off, over a box placed on the said 

 stage, or shelf, or bench, to receive any gunpowder or other combustible matter used 

 therein that may fall from the ends when so cut asunder, the two ends thus separated 

 are secured by a knot or tie made on each ; the part so twisted and separated is put 

 aside for the subsequent operation of "countering." By the monkey just described only 

 one fuze could be spun at the same time, whereas it is desirable that several fuzes 

 should be spun at once. 



' Our second improvement in manufacturing fuzes relates to the mode of introducing 

 the gunpowder. According to the method described in the said specification the 

 gunpowder is not supplied from the funnel with the rapidity, regularity, and certainty 

 which may be attained by our improvement. We introduce into the centre of the fuze 

 a small strong thread or yarn, smaller and less fibroiis than the yarns employed for 

 the fuze. The thread or yarn which we employ is that known as No. 135 white- 

 brown thread. This we supply from a reel or other source conveniently placed above 

 the funnel containing the gunpowder. This thread or yarn is passed down through 

 the gunpowder, and spun into the centre of the fuze by being attached to the monkey 

 and drawn on with it as the fuze is spun. By means of this thread, so drawn on as 

 the fuze is spun, the gunpowder in the lower part of the funnel is constantly kept 

 in motion, and travels on with the threads so as to flow regularly down into the 

 fuze. By this means the continuity and regularity of the cylinder of gunpowder is 

 ensured. 



' Our third improvement relates to the coating or varnishing applied to those fuzes 

 which are to be used for blasting in dry ground, and in close or confined situations, or 

 which are subject to considerable variation in temperature. The coating or varnishing 

 heretofore applied, consisting of tar or resin, burns with a great deal of smoke and 

 heat, and is affected by changes of temperature. Instead of a coating or varnish of 

 either of those materials, we take 4 Ibs. of best glue, and 2 Ibs. of yellow soap, and 

 having dissolved them in 12 gallons of water by a gentle heat, we add 56 Ibs. of 

 whiting, to give it a body. The varnish so made is applied to the fuzes by-any 

 suitable arrangement. The new varnish not being waterproof must not be employed 

 for fuzes which are to be immersed in water ; but, being less affected by temperature 

 than the old varnish, and being non-inflammable, or burning with little smoke, is much 

 preferable for general purposes. After the fuze has been coated or varnished with 

 tar or resin varnish, and before the coating is hard or quite set, the fuze is fastened to 

 crooks and made to revolve as if for countering, and a strip of brown paper is wound 

 around the fuze in a spiral form, so as to completely envelope and cover the whole 

 surface of the fuze. A thread is then wound round over the paper, which fixes the 

 paper and prevents it shifting ; another coat of tar or resin varnish is then applied to 

 the paper, and by this means the fuze may be completely waterproofed, and protected 

 against the action of the water.' 



The following are the principal varieties of the safety fuzes in general use for 

 special purposes : 



Common Safety Fuse, This is the smallest kind of fuze which is made, and is only 

 adapted for iminecliatQ use in dry ground, where the utmost care is taken in it^ 



VOL. II, M M 



