26 REPORT—1863. 
moisture, after thirty-three days of exposure contained 8 per cent. moisture, 
whilst under the same circumstances gunpowder was saturated with 79-9 per 
cent. of water ; some weeks afterwards the whole saltpetre of the gunpowder 
was converted into a concentrated solution of saltpetre, whilst gun-cotton 
took no more than 8 per cent. of water as a maximum saturation. 
9. Which admits of most rapid firing ?—The gun being heated considerably 
less by using cotton-cartridges, the absence of a noteworthy residuum and 
smoke admits of a more easy manipulation and sighting of the gun, and 
thereby secures a more continuous and rapid fire. 
It may be stated that 100 rounds with gun-cotton were fired in thirty- 
four minutes, and the barrel was heated to fifty degrees Cent.; whilst 100 
rounds with gunpowder-cartridge in 100 minutes heated the gun so much 
that water dropped on the barrel immediately evaporated with noise, though 
three times as much time was required with the powder charges. The 
Commissioners continued the trials with gun-cotton up to 180 rounds without 
any danger from heating being apprehended, whilst the Commissioners 
thought it advisable, for the sake of safety, not to continue firing with 
powder charges under the above circumstances. 
10. What effect has gun-cotton on the coolness and cleanness of the gun?— 
It has been already mentioned that, with the use of gun-cotton, fire-arms 
remain considerably cooler than with gunpowder; and the slight residuum 
has no influence upon the effect of the gun. 
11. How far is it adapted for breech-loading.—There being no fouling of 
the gun, it follows that with the use of breech-loaders the construction of the 
breech may be kept quite tight. 
12. How is it for precision of aim ?—Under all circumstances the aim is 
not disturbed or interrupted, there being no smoke attending the discharge 
of the gun. 
13. Has it any special advantages in forts, ships, and casemates ?—From 
many experiments, but especially from the official trials made in the case- 
mates of the fortress of Comorn in the year 1853, it results that under 
circumstances which would render the firing with powder difficult or even 
impossible, there was no trouble or molestation in any way to those serving 
the guns with the use of gun-cotton cartridges. 
The trials in the fortress of Comorn were made in casemates, ventilation 
being intentionally obviated. After fifteen rounds with powder cartridges, 
further sighting of the gun was impossible; after forty-six rounds, one of 
the men serving the gun fell into convulsions of suffocation ; a second man 
being ordered in the place of the first disabled man, got immediately sick on 
entering the casemate; the rest of the men were more or less stupefied ; 
it was necessary to stop firing after fifty rounds given in eighty minutes. By 
using gun-cotton cartridges, on the contrary, after fifty rounds the men 
serving the gun felt not the least molestation, and the aim was always 
clearly visible. 
14. How is it adapted for mining?—The more accelerated effect of gun- 
cotton, and the possibility of enclosing in the same space more than double the 
quantity of gases, especially direct us to employ gun-cotton where it is desired 
to attain an energetic effect for mining-purposes, for example, to secure 
harbours by means of sea-mines. 
15. What ts the relative danger of manufacture?—In the manufacture of 
gun-cotton every manipulation, up to its final accomplishment, is without any 
danger whatever, whilst with the manufacture of gunpowder danger of ex- 
plosion exists from the beginning of the operation. 
