Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1846-11-06
Observation-Disclosures,
Sc Santemher IN 1915

FRANKFoRT-oN -THE- MAINE,
''September 80, 1886
" DEAR SIR One of the most wonderful
scientific discoveries of modern times has been
exploited here and at Basic, in Switzerland,
within the last few weeks Professors Bait
ger of the former place, and Schonbein, of the
latter, simultaneously, by similar course of
experimenting, have invented method of pre-
pairing raW cotton which will undoubtedly e.
ventuate in the discontinuance of the use of gun
powder! The article which they prepare has
been submitted to many severe ordeals, and its
vast superiority for all explosive purposes, O.
yer gunpowder, is acknowledged by the first
chemists and military officers in Germany |
can scarcely believe my own senses when |
witness an exhibition of its extraordinary pro-
perties.
"Upon my arrival in this city was invi-
ted by a friend, distinguished member of the
German Diet, to dine with him, and not decli-
ming his hospitality, met with and was pre-
scented to Professor Baltger, who it is but prop
er to remark is distinguished for his attain
ments, and who has charge of the public labo-
ratory as chemical lecturer. Before the sep
araton Of the party, Professor B. took from
each of his waistcoat pockets a paper con-
tanning some raw cotton; a small portion Of
that which was in one he placed upon shee
of white paper, and near it some gunpowdel
upon another sheet He touched them at the
same moment with the burning end of cigar
and with the quickness OF the lghtning's blast
the cotton was consumed without smoke OF
odOr, or ashes, or even the slightest stain up
on the snow white sheet of foolscap while the
ignition Of the gunpowder seemed to be slow
although of the best quality, by which the pa
per was burnt and colored, and the room filled
with smoke. He then took small quantity
OF gunpowder and placing it upon paper, en-.
| tirel y covered it with prepared cotton from
the other paper. Touching the cotton with
the blaze of match, it exploded without burn.
ing the gunpowder! Subsequently, at my a.
partments, he exploded cotton upon the palm
of my hand, without my feeling the sensation
| of heat, such was the remarkable rapidity oil
its igniting.
81 short time, it is stated by the inventors
| is onl y required for the preparation of the ar.
tlcle, and the process is SO exceedingly simple
that it can be manufactured by common labor
ers, and without any danger whatever of com
| bustlon. 1t can be tit for use in a few hours
alter the cotton is taken from the bale, anC
without the aid of machinery; and it may b.
thoroughly saturated with water without affec
ting Its properties injuriously. AS soon as re
dried, it is again fit for use. There is nothing
to apprehend to it from its spontaneous com
bustion, nor will it ignite by friction in it
transportation, or in the loading of firearms
or become lnfiamed under temperature O
200 deg Clesius. 1t will catch fire, either from
a blaze or spark.
The TACT has been ascertained from repea
ted experiments, that the forty-eighth part O
an ounce of the prepared cotton. will nrone
a bullet from an American rife as far and a
fast as the trelfth part of an ounce of gun
powder. The sixteenth part of an ounce vii
drive three-quarter ounce ball distance O
sixteen hundred PAGES. Moreover, the barre
never requires cleaning. Forty shots withou
intermission have been made, and without an
percephble accumulation OF filth, while tn
gun was throughout entirely free from hoat
In firing -3-pounder, the result was the sam
as in this respect The experiments in bias
ting rocks with prepared cotton have also bee
eminently successful. At Basic large bloc
OF granite, measuring 24O cubic feet, was blow
up by four ounces, which could not have bee
effected with less than two pounds of superic
gunpowder. -..
Last week the power of the article wa
tested at meeting of the British Scientif
Association an association composed of tn
most profoundly learned individuals of Europ
and they were amazed with what was az
complshed. Sir J. Herschei took occasion I
remark, Professor Schonbein being presen
that the discovery in the next generatio
might arm mankind with the widest power
The inventor was Titan who could tear u
| the rocks, and almost call down the ligh
: nings'