EXPLOSI VENESS OF NITRE. 



two hundred pounds of nitre, intensely heated in a crucible, were suddenly 

 sprinkled with water, an explosion ensued.* 



This statement of Hayes caused me to recollect, that upon one occasion a mis- 

 chievous explosion had occurred in my laboratory, when a fissure taking place in 



* The subjoined quotation from tlie Boston Daily Advertiser, will serve to show the point to which 

 Mr. Hayes had attained, in elucidating the mysterious explosions produced by incandescent nitre, when 

 my efforts to afford a further elucidation commenced. It seems, from the language of the editor, quoted 

 below, that the cause of the explosion, in the store of Messrs. Crocker and Warren, had been previously 

 a subject of discussion in his newspaper, the conflagration having occurred a short time previously. 



"EXPLOSI VENESS OF SALTPETRE. 



" The following correspondence contains the information in reference to this subject, to which we 

 alluded in our paper on Saturday. The statement of Mr. Hayes, we conceive, can leave no doubt that 

 the saltpetre in the store of Messrs. Crocker and Warren, at New York, surrounded as it was with com- 

 bustible materials, and exposed to the water thrown from the engines, was the cause of the explosion 

 which has been the subject of so much discussion, and that it is quite unnecessary to suppose that there 

 was any gunpowder in the store." ***** 



The following particulars are stated by Captain Cotting, of the ship Virginia, of the burning of that 

 ship on the fifth of May last. This ship contained a cargo of linseed and saltpetre. In his letter, pub- 

 lished in the Newburyport Herald, he says . 



" In about ten minutes from the time the fire was first discovered, the after hatch blew off, and at the 

 same time the fire forced its way through the ship's side, on the starboard quarter, a short distance from 

 the water-line. In about ten minutes from this time, the boats having been got out, the crew, feeling the 

 deck rising, jumped into the sea, and succeeded in getting into the boats, cut the painters, and shoved off 

 Almost at the same time an awful e.vplosion took place, the fire rising to the height of 200 feet from the 

 main and after hatches, and a few seconds afterwards from the fore hatch. At the same time the main 

 and mizen masts went by the board. Five minutes from this time, the ship disappeared with all her car- 

 go. In twenty-five to thirty minutes from the time the fire was first discovered, no trace of the ship was 

 visible. All that was saved was two boats, chronometer, sextant, and one compass." 



B0.STON, 2oth July, 1845. 

 A. A. Hayes, Esq.: 



Dear Sir, — Our mutual friend, Mr. Ralph Smith, informs me that you have made 

 some experiments with a view of ascertaining whether, and under what circumstances, saltpetre, when 

 ignited, will produce explosions. 



Much curiosity exists at this time in the community upon this subject, and divers opinions have their 

 advocates. To me it seems strange that among our numerous scientific men and professed chemists, no 

 one has stood forth, sustained by nice experiments, with a view of settling this much-vexed question. 



Perhaps you have already satisfied yourself in the matter. If you have, you will greatly oblige me, 

 and the public, by furnishing for publication the results of your investigations. If you have not sufiS- 

 ciently investigated already, I beg of you the favor of instituting such a course of experiments as will 

 throw the much needed light upon the subject. 



I am, respectfully. 



Your obedient servant, 



Heney Williams. 



RoxBOEY Laboratory, 2Sth Julij, 1845. 

 Henry Williams, Esq. : 



Dear Sir, — Your note of yesterday, in relation to the explosive actioa of salt- 

 petre, has this moment come to hand. I most cheerfully comply with your request in placing 



