PYROTECHNV. 



I'yrotech- Other compositions arc added, containing camphor 

 "> and many useless or absurd substances, which we 

 """ Y "~"""' omit. These are specimens of the ancient superfluous 

 and unmeaning mixtures. No. 2. is the best for a 

 quick fire; but the rosin, turpentine, and pitch, may 

 nil be replaced by pitch alone. No. 1. burns badly 

 for want of nitre, but will answer in large masses with 

 a free ventilation. It may be extinguished, however, 

 which with regard to No. 2. is not easy. Nos. 3. and 

 4. are extremely silly contrivances. But our old 

 books are, like their modern ones, full of the same 

 absurd contrivances. Let it always be remembered, 

 that simplicity and cheapness are essential points in 

 all these compositions, and that nothing can well be 

 trusted for burning effectually which does not contain 

 nitre. 



Light Balk. For discovering the Enemy's works. 



The nitre and sulphur are to be finely powdered 

 and melted to^i-tln-r, with the other ingredients, in 

 oil bath, to prevent any hazard of combustion. It u 

 poured into the carcases while warm. 



Rosin 

 Pitch 

 Wax 



Tallow 



91b. 

 6 

 6 

 1 



This is a bad composition, and will neither burn 

 well nor give light. In a case, it cannot burn at all, 

 for want of air. 



Do. A French Light Ball. 



Rosin 



Sulphur ... 



Alum 



Starch 



Nitre 



Powder ... 



Linseed oil - 



Oil of spike 



5 Ib. 8 oz. 

 3 



8 



8 



6 







This is an extremely absurd composition. The 

 alum and starch are noxious, and the oil of spike is 

 a superfluous expence. Cleared from these, it is not a 

 very bad composition, but is far too violent for a light 

 ball. 



Another Light Ball. 



Nitre 

 Sulphur 

 Antimony 

 Pitch 



40 Ib. 

 15 



3 



3 



Large Carcase Composition. 

 Nitre .... 



Sulphur 

 Kosin 



Antimony ... 



Tallow 

 Turpentine 



6 Ib. 4 oz. 

 2 8 

 1 14 

 10 

 JO 

 10 



Carcase Competition. (French.) 



Sulphur 



Niire 



Mealed powder 



Corned powder 



Antimony 



Oil of turpentine 



10 Ib. Ooz. 





 

 

 



It 



Nitre 



Mealed powder 



Borax 



Camphor 



Sulphur 



Another Composition. 



4 Ib. oz. 



2 



1 O 



2 

 1 



This is a very good composition ; but zinc filings, in 

 the same proportion as the antimony, produce a far 

 brighter light. This will burn in paper shells, and is 

 conveniently used from an eight inch mortar. It 

 should have three holes of an inch and half diameter, 

 and be made strong enough to bear the explosion. 

 It must also be carefully primed. 



Suffocating Pots; commonly called Stink Pots. 

 Sulphur . . 6 Ib. 



Nitre - 5 



This is the most effectual and annoying of all these 

 contrivances. It is rammed into large wooden cases, 

 well primed and thrown by hand. It is used to throw 

 into the port-holes, on boarding, where it effectually 

 clears the decks. 



These are bad compositions. In the last the cam- 

 phor is expensive, and the borax useless. 



Valenciennes Composition, for Shell Carcatet t u$ed at the 

 Siege. 



Nitre . 50 Ib. oz. 



Sulphur 28 



Antimony - - 18 O 



Rosin or pitch - - 60 



This composition is melted into cylinders, equal in 

 diameter to the holes of the shell, and introduced into 

 it with the bursting charge of powder. It is very te- 

 nacious, and is therefore scattered about among the 

 works when the shell bursts. 



Cotton Slorv-Malch for Fir e< Conductors. 



The same cotton that is used for candles is dipped ColUm 

 into a weak solution of pure nitre and dried. If the Slow " 

 coal falls off on burning, so that the match goes out, ^'^on'- ' 

 there is too much nitre. It may be brushed out of the ductor. 

 cotton by the hand in this case ; or else the strength of 

 the solution must be reduced. 



This match is used when it is required to gain time 

 in setting fire to an ornamental firework. It is indis- 

 pensible in the Chinese drum ; the action of which 

 depends entirely upon it. It requires to be timed, by 

 trial, before using ; that it may be known how long a 

 given length will burn. It is only in this way that 

 accuracy in the succession, or simultaneous burning 

 of the parts of a complicated piece of firework can be 

 insured. 



Cotton Quick' Match for Fire- Conductors. 



The same cotton is used for this purpose. The com- Cotton 

 position is only gunpowder, which is commonly tern- quick- 

 pered into a paste with spirit of wine or vinegar, to match for 

 prevent the separation of the nitre by crystallization on tirf - eon - 

 drying. This paste is well worked in among the cot. ductor *- 

 ton, which should be thus rendered quite stiff. Care 

 must be taken to keep it from breaking when dry, as 

 the composition falls off and the burning is retarded. It 

 is essential that it should communicate instantaneous- 

 ly, as well for military priming as for ornamental fire- 

 works. In these, it is the only conductor used for 

 pieces that are to fire in succession ; and it is then in- 

 closed in sufficient tubes of strong cartridge paper. 

 These, like the fireworks themselves, must be painted 

 whenever they are to be used in the open air, to pre- 

 vent all risk of moisture, which would impede their 

 regular action. 



