Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1846-11-12
EXPLOSIVE COTTON.

Among the wonderful discoveries OF this lnven-
tive age, there is one that surpasses IN character
that which has been lately made Of the combust
bility of prepared cotton. A correspondent OF the
Washington Union writing from Frankfort-on-the-
Maine, gives detailed account of the invention,
from which we extract the following items
The discovery that cotton could be prepared to
act substitute for gunpowder was simuane-
ollsly made BY two German chemists, Pro-. Baltger
of Frankfort, and Prof. Sceonbein Of Basic. At
dinner party at Frankfort, Prof. B. says the
pendent of the Union,
"Took from each Of his waistcoat pockets pa
per containing some raw cotton; small portion of
that which in he placed upon sheet Of white
paper, and near 1t some gunpowder upon another
sheet. He touched them at the same moment with
the burning end of a cigar, and with tile quickness
Of the lightning's blast the cotton was consumed
without smoke, odor, or ashes or the slight
est stain upon the white sheet of foolscap ;
while the ignition of the guApowdcr seemed to be
SLOW, although of the best quality, by which the
paper was burnt and colored, and the room filled
smoke He then took small quantity of gun
powder and placing it upon paper, entirely covered
it with prepared cotton from the other paper
Touching the cotton with the blaze of match, it
exploded without burning the gunpowder Subse-
queny at my apartments, he exploded cotton up
on the palm of my hand, without my feeling the
sensation of heat such was the remarkable rapid
ty of its igniting.
some OF Inc qualities OF COtlO0 prepared In This
manner, which is superior as detonant to gunpow-
DER are that it requires but short time for its prep
aration; it can be manufactured by common labor
ers, and without any danger Of combustion. 1t can
be fitted for in few hours after the cotton is
taken from the bae and without the aid of machine
ry and 1t may be thoroughly saturated with water
without affecting lis properties permanently, as
when dried it becomes as explosive ever No
danger is to be apprehended from its spontaneous
combustion, nor will it become ignited by friction
In the process of transportation, or otherwise. 1t
will catch fire from either blaze or a spark.
In strength it is far superior to the best gunpow-
der, as the experiment above related sufficiently
proves 1t has, however, been also ascertained, by
actual experiment, that "the foriyeighh part of
ounce of the prepared cotton will propel bullet
! from an American rifle as far and fast the
tloeifh part of an ounce of gunpowder. The sir
ieenM part of an ounce wilr drive a three-quarter
ounce ball II distance Of sixteen hundred PAGES"
In blasting rocks the experiments have been EN-.
inently successful. A large block of granite at
Base, measuring 240 cubic feet was blown up by
four ounces of cotton, process which could not
have been effected by less than two pounds Of the
best gun powder.
Another advantage possessed by the cotton, is
that fire arms in which it is used, never require
cleaning. Forty shots have been made without
ntermission, without any accumulation of filth moi
is it liable to the objection which exists against
gun powder that repeated explosions heat the bar
rel of the gun, so TO require a suspension of fir
ing, the barrel remaining, after the forty explosions
entirely free from heat.
1t is also much cheaper than gun powder, nearly
one third less 1t is said that l25 lbs cotton wher
prepared, will weigh l65 lbs. which, according to
the opinion of Mr.. Grove, an able chemist of Eng
land, will be equivalent to $50 lbs. OF superior gun
powder
At a meeting of the British Association in Sep
II ar,hnr hos ,ha al tba 4
rection of Professor Schonten, Sir John Hersche
remarked, that the discovery, in the next genera
ton, might arm mankind with the widest powers
The inventor Titan who could tear up rocks
and almost call down ghtnngs."
What the materials are, with which the cotton il
prepared, are of course unknown 10 any but the in
ventors, who are about to patents among the
various nations of Europe. The first step has al
ready been taken to obtain patent right in the u
nlted States. One has been taken out for Grea
Britain and the States of the Germanc Confeder
alton have consented to give 100000 horins, mere
y for the right Of preparing it for the army provid
ed commission that has been appointed 10 test il
qualities, shall make a favorable report.