The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1876-04-29 00:00:00

EXPERIMENTS WITH DYNAMITE.

A series of experiments with dynamite, intended to
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railway and shipping interests. Mr. Macßoberts, the
resident manager of the Biitish Dynamite Company,
conducted the company through the works and ex-
plained the nature of the various processes of manu-
facture. As an introduction to the experiments to
follow, Mr. Macßoberts cut a dynamite cartridge in
two, and, in order to show that it wort not explode
without being in contact with the detonator, be applied
a light to one half of it, which burned slowly away.
To the other half he attached a fuse and percussion
cap, when an explosion of considerable force occurred.
A tin case containing fully a pound of gunpowder was
next placed on the top of a 51b. case of cartridges, and a
fuse applied to it This was followed by a slight puff,
the only other effect being the charring of the water-
proof covering. Not satisfied even with this result, it
was suggested that some gunpowder should be placed
among the cartridges in the inside of the case, and,
this being done and the gunpowder fired, it only com-
municated the fire to the dynamite, wbich burnt
slowly away without any explosion. Tnis was regarded
as affording conclusive proof of the safety with which
dynamite may be carried over sea and land. Another
Experiment was the breaking of a charcoal wire ropeof one inch in diameter. This rope was suspended in
the air with fully half a pound of the explosive attached
to it. When an explosion occurred the rope was found
to be neatly and closely cut, a closer examination
showing that the strands had been subjected to a pro-
cess. of straining before the final separation occurred,
As illustrating the useful adaptations of dynamite at
sea, several experiments were made to show its efficacy
as a fog signal. It was further stated that the action
of dynamite is extremely local, in proof of which Mr.
• Macßoberts caused two rafts to be moored 151 t. apart
inasmall pond. On one of these he placed a box con-
taining 10ila. of dynamite, which, on explosion, co n-
pletely smashed the raft, while the other remained un-
touched. The final experiment exhibited was intended
to show the force of the explosion and the damage
which may be caused by a small quantity of dynamite.
A solid block of metal-measuring 9i by 121 inches and
10 inches deep was set on a piece of wood, and above
it was placed a canister into which 15 pounds of dyna-
mite had been packed. After the explosion the block
was found to have been forced about twoefeet into the
sand. On being got oat and examined it was seen that
the surface on which the canister was placed had
suffered an indentation of one inch, and that the blo.dc
was cracked in all directions, while a measurement dis-
closed the fact that it was now 10 by 12i, and 91
inches deep, thus proving that the greatest force had
been exerted on the upper surface of the block. This
concluded the experiments, which were considered
most satisfactory.