Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1846-11-26
Gun Cotton.

Gnn Cotton.
new and remarkable discovery has been brought Ia
light in Germany recently, relation 1t has
been found TO possess after submission certain process
greater decorating power than gun powder II the in
venton proves equal lis representation Il will supersede
the use of gun powder altogether The method Of prepa
ration for time kept scerr but professor Otto oil
Brunswick, Germany has published the annexed letter in
which he explains the mode uf preparation -
Statement Of Dr.. Otto.- Entirely independent
Of Schonbein and mtger, but relying ON an obser.
vaon Of Peouze, contained in the 10th page OF
the first volume o! my Manual of Ciymistry |
have succeeded in producing an exploding cotton,
which, after series Of experiments, seems quite
suited to supply the place Of gunpowder. In order
to bring the results of important discoveries as
speedily possible TO the highest state of perec.
ton, it seems TO me necessary to lay them immedi-
aely before the public in order that many persons
may turn their attention to the subject | scorn
therefore, to sell or take out patent for my very
interesting discovery, the consequences Of which
are not easily 10 be foreseen aud now publish it
for the general good of the public. In the prepa-
ration Of the exploding cotton, common, well
ceansed cotton is dipped for about half minute in
highly concentrated nitric acid 1.-THE acid which
use being made by the distlation of ten parts Of
dried satpetre and six Of oil of vitrol) and then
instantly placed in water. which must be often re-
newed in order TO free the cotton from the acid
with which ii is impregnated Care must then be
taken that all the knotty PARTICLES OF the cotton are
properly disentanged, and that it is thoroughly
dried After this the explosive preparation is ready
for use its effects create establishment in all who
witness them, and the smallest portion explodes
when struck on an anvil with hammer, like ful.
minatng powder when knded with a glowing
body it takes fire just like gunpowder, aud when
used in gun its operation, though in far greater
proportion 10 its weight, is precisely the same as
that of gunpowder. This gun cotton is employed
exactly the same way as gun powder piece Of it
is rammed down the barrel, then bit of wadding,
and after that ball. copper cap ignites and ex-
plodes the cotton. Without a single exception all
who have witnessed my experiments have been most
completely satisfied, but no one has mentioned the
matter. The testimonial signed below by distin-
guished men who are thoroughly acquainted with
the use Of firearms, will support my announcement.
The testimonial is TO the following effect -
Yesterday the 4th of October, we the under
signed assisted at the first experiment of the explo.
ding cotton in the Laboratory in this city, and to.
day we have convinced ourselves of its complete
satisfactory results when used in firearms loaded
with ball. DR.. HARTIG,
Counsellor of Woods aud Forests
A. Won SCHWARIZKOPPEN,
Brunswick, Oct. 5. Chief Ranger
Experiments have been made in England with gun cot
ton, which proved highly satisfactory Its efficacy
ted in the presence of Prince Albert and number of Off
Of the Royal Navy. Trials made with morars, guns,
rifles and psols,show that the power Of xposon least
double, when compared by weight, with gunpowder. A
granite rock of 40 cubic feet blown up with only
Of the cotton.
The following letter from Washington correspondent of
the Journal of Commerce gives the result of experiments
made in this county,
The trial of the gun cotton attracts much atten-
ton here. The experiments made yesterday in the
presence of General Scott, the President, and 9th.
ers, were with the 60 or 20 grains of the article
sent to the President by Professor Schonbien.-
The results were surprising. but not entirely salts
factory. Mr.. Robertson, Consul at Bremen, who
is well acquainted with the subject has prepared
quantity of the cotton in better manner than the
sample tried yesterday and will test its strength
with the aid of the machinery which the Govern
ment has at the Arsenal for proving gunpowder.
Mr.. Robertson states that the powder mills in
Great Britain have purchased the right of using
the process, for fifty thousand pounds. This would
seem to be an adequate evidence Of its value
Large establishments have also been formed in Ger.
many under the Government direction for its man.
ufacture. 1t will be much cheaper than common
gun powder, and possesses the advantage of bear
ing any exposure to wet without injury. 1t will
explode after being immersed in the water for
60 days.
Should the article be adopted substitute for
the ordinary gunpowder, it will greatly increase the
market for our staple.