The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1846-12-04
Weight OF ball, 24t lbs,
Windage, 0.Isj inches.

inserted IN the bottom OF the bore Immediately AFTER
the second discharge, indicated an increase Of tenn
perature of not more than one degree. To those
near the gun the report seemed TO be sharp and
loud; but persons at distance Of 200 or 800 yards
represented the sound being very slight, far lesJ
than that made by the charge Of lbs Of gunpow-
even less than that Of 6-pounder gun IN salute.
None ofthe cotton was seen TO be expelled from
| the gun unbunt.
Ia comparing the effects Of the above charges
with those of gunpovder, find that the mean We.
locity of the ball in % rounds, from different sam
Piles OF good cannon powder, which have proved
| this year, Is, with lbs Of powder, l,427 feet,
being almost exactly the same that q ,422 feet)
given by the charge Of lbs. Of gun-cotton. have
| no direct experiments with gun-powder show
ing so low velocity as 1857 feet, which is given by
10. ofgun-cOtton; the smallest charge which have
used being 3 lbs, which gives mean velocity Of
about $50 feet but, by analogy, it is known that
| charge Of y lbs. Of the same gunpowder would
give a velocity of 1857 feet. IL appears, therefore,
that the projecdle effect Of h. OF gun-cottOn in
cannon Is equal TO that OFF, lbs. Of cannon powder,
ard the effect Of lbs Of the former, equal TO that
Of lbs. of the latter, being nearly the same pro.
portion az in the musket.
4. From comparing the reco Of the gun pendu-
lum with the vibration Of the balistlc pendulum,
conJectursd that the explosive burning effect Of
the gun-eotton Is much greater in proportion 10 Its
proPelling force, than that OF gunpowder. Not
having sufficient quantity ofthe cotton TO test this
opinion by trial with cannon, made some exper-
lmsnts to-day with musket barrels, in order to de-
Iermne the important point, whether gun-eotton
| can be safely used when exposed To the ordinary
accidents Of service in the hands Of troops.
For this purpose made use Of three Harpers
Ferry muskeI barrels, Of the same kind the one
employed in proving the gun-eotton with the mus
ket pendulum, which appears to be still uninjured.
Having determined, by my experiments, that Gu
grains would be the proper charge OF gun-cotton to
A he akef hall 4 maj
| the following trials:
LIST. A barrel was loaded with 100 grains of gun
cotton, occupying space Of inches in length and
with ball and wad-it burst at the breech.
I'd. Another barrel was loaded with two charges
Of 60 gains, 3 ball and wad, one on top Of the
other us If a soldier had, las frequently happens
loaded twice before firing; the charge occupied al
together height Of a. inches in the barrel. The
barrel burst, losing large piece, extending to the
place OF the second bal--the upper charge of cot
ton, or great part Of it, blown out at the side,
unburnt.
Sd. third barrel was loaded with 60 grains OF
cotton, two balls and two wads, occupying height
of three inches At the first discharge, the barrel
appeared TO be very little sveed at the seat of
charge; 1t was again loaded in like manner, when it
burst
These barrels had all borne the regular proc e
charge at the armory they have some slight defects
but they are Of recent make, and it is believed quite
equal to the greater part of those in the hands Of the
troops.
When it is recollected that the proof charges Of
gunpowdor are:
LIST. 800 grains powder, l BALI of IS to sae pound,
and wads.
ID 3ls grains powder, ball of Is to the pound,
and wads.
And that a musket barrel will bear without
injury the explosion off, ,, or even cartridges, at
time; further comment with regard to the relative
explosive force of gunpowder and gun-cotton, APP
pears to be unnecessary Without modification of
this agent, or a great change in firearms, the
use of gun-cotton for military purposes is not TO be
recommended.
S. A 32-pounder shell, having brass fuzs, was
loaded with two ounces of gun-cotton, and fred it
burst into many fragments
6. To try the effect Of COMPRISING the cotton in
small space, stuffed about fifteen grains of it
into I2 FOUNDER fuse, 1.-THE canal of which is GAS
inch diameter, and inches long,) pressing il in
merely with the handle Of steel pen; burnt for
about seconds, with bright flame, which was ex-
tnguished, however, before the cotton was quite
consumed, the remainder burning like slow match.
fuse Of the same length filed with meaIed pow
der burns seconds.
7. have placed some of the cotton in a damp
vault, to try the effect Of exposure to moisture on
its strength; the result of this trial will be duly re-
ported.
All of which is respectfully submitted by your
obedient servant, A. MORDECAI,
Captain Ordnance.
To Lieut.. Col. GEO. TALcorr.
Ordnance Departmen
We seize this opportunity also of publishing the
following communication, which we have received
from South Carolina upon the came subject:
TO THE EDITOR OF THE UNION
May ask insertion, in your paper, of the
accompanying letter from the Charleston Courier of
November 25thi 1t refers subject of absorbing
and universal interest. Prof EIet has lately made |
a number of interesting exhibitions--at some of |
which have been present-hefore the legislature, |
the agricultural society, the college trustees and
many others He has established by satisfactory
evidence, the fact that he prepared the gun-cotton
Immediately on the announcement that such prep
ara,ion had been made On the l4h October, he |
exhibited the article, prepared by the of strong
nitric acid. This was done weeks before the arrival
Of Ouos process in this country. Finding the method
unsatisfactory in consequence of its expense, he
substituted mixture of nitric and suphurlc acids,
which affords better article at cheaper rate This
improved process being still too costly for practical
use, the professor was happy enough 10 discover
new method, so simple cheap, and erpeditious to
insure, beyond the possibility of doubt, its mmedi
ate and general adoption. With characteristic lib
eray, he has chosen To reveal his process to the
world and has communicated it the legislature Of
the State, whose interests will be much advanced
by this discovery. The process being now in the
hands OF joint committee OF both houses; and be-
ing freely spoken OF here longer be regarded
as a secret ard trust that no injustice can be done
10 ts uiStlngulSHeu inventor ny giving u puoicity
through your columns Professor Ellets process,
as am informed by gentleman who has practiscd
il with entire success, is az follows: Saltpere is
to be dissolved in two and half times its weight of
oil Of vrio The mixture is placed in a shdtioiD
vessel, and much cotton crowded in rs can be
thoroughly wet by it. At tho expiration Of from
three quarters OF hour to two hours, according to
the strength of the oil of vtrio and the temperature
the mass is to be submitted to pressure, by which
portion of the acid mixture is saved for new ope-
ration. The cotton is then to be thoroughly washed
with water, and dried.
In this process, nitrate of soda can be convenient
ly and economically substituted for the satpetre.
For the purpose Of still greater economy, the acid
ulated water may be neutraized with any form Of
carbonate Of lime, when a saline mixture is pro-
duced consisting Of uphate Of potash, supha,e of
lime, nitrate Of liae and small quantity of phos-
phate of lime, derived from the cotton,) which pos
sesses value as a manure, equal, perhaps, to that
of guano. Leaving out ofvew the value of this in
cidenal product Professor Eet estimates the cost of
~ - liz. a.