Cincinnati daily press. [volume] (Cincinnati [Ohio]) 1860-1862, 1861-10-07


United States are Du Points, in Delaware
Hazards, at Enfield, Conn; Lain, Smith
4 Boies, at Saugerties the Oriental Guu
powder Company, of Boston; and the
Schaghiicoke Gunpowder Company, at
SchaQhticoke. Previous to the secession of
South Carolina there were but two mills in
all the the SOuthren States; since that time
two more have been erected, one in Georgia,
the other in Arkansas.
The materials and proportions of which
gunpowder is composed, are seventy-fye
parts Of saltpeter to twelve and one half
parts of sulphur aud twelve and one half
parts Of charcoal. These proportions vary
slightly in different varieties of powder; and
the standard proportions of different Gov
ernments vary also, but the proportions gen.
orally deemed best or standard are as we
have given them. Saltpeter is almost en-
tirely imported from India, where it is found
in large quantities, and transported thence
to various parts of the world. Its price in
the New York market varies from FIVE to
fifteen cents per pound its average price is
perhaps nine cents. But of course, our
Southern friends get none from the New
York market, or any other market while
the blockade is effectual and they are de-
pendent upon the supply which they can
gather from their own soil. The Hazard
Company informs us that when the salt
peter is received by them, it contains from
six to eight per cent. of foreign substances,
but after passing through their cleansing
process it does not contain one three hun
dred tbousandth per cent. of impurities as
tested by chemical analysis. 1t is this
nicely of preparation that constitutes much
of the difference in qualities of powder.
Sulphur is also almost entirely imported,
and mostly from the Island of Sicily, where
it is found on the central part of the southern
coast. 1t is found in the craters OF volcanoes,
and the rebels may succeed in getting some
from Mexico; they may also gather it in
small quantities in the neighborhood of
mineral springs from which sulphureted
hydrogen is evolved. The other ingredient,
charcoal, is more readily obtained, but great
care is requisite in selecting the wood, and
in chsrring it after selection. In England,
black dogwood is used for making sporting
powder, but willow and alder is generally
used by our Government. These woods,
however, are as unfit as the hardest char
coal, if they are charred az too high tenn
perature. They should b. charred at tenn
perature Of about 5000, and when charred at
this temperature, the coal Will readily enter
into condensation when heated to 6800 if
however, it is charred at higher temperature,
it requires still greater heat to ignite it and
when charred to a degree required TO melt
platinum, it will enter into combustation
but slowly at 290o.
The salUpeter and sulphur having been
refined, and the charcoal made from the right
wood and properly charred, they are mixed
together in the proportions already stated.
The mixture is then placed on an iron bed,
and sprinkled with water to prevent an ex-
plosion, and subjected to the pressure of
| large wheels weighing seven or eight tuns
each, by means of which it is soldiied into a
| hard, brittle cake. 1t is then passed through
a mill which reduces it to any size required
that now used in firing cannon is very coarse,
some Of the pieces being nearly as large as
doves eggs. 1t is then taken to the dry
| house, and dried by the heat of steam OF
I fire. AfteTward il is bolted to free it from
| dust glazed by means of friction, aud packed
in various quantities, from half pound can.
listers to kegs of one hundred pounds each
| Gunpowder seldom explodes after having
been packed The danger lies in the pro-
cess of manufacture; aud even here the
danger is in the liability of the workmen
from familiarity with the process, to become
negligent of duty. The old screw press was
abolished and the hydraulic press su bstituted
In its place, because the friction Of the scre "
generated heat which at any time was
liable to explode the mill. Iron nails in the
| shoes of the employees are carefully avoided
nor are they used in confining the heads OF
| kegs in which the powder is packed-wooden
| ones being used in their place. Although
danger necessarily and always accompanies
the manufacture of powder, the employees re-
ceive no higher compensation for their labor
on this account, and workmen are readily
found at a dollar day. Notwithstanding
the amount required for the present war, the
manufacturers assure US that the business is
now dull, less being used by the army than
| is ordinarily employed for sporting pur-
poses and in the arts of peace. Our mills
produce annually a surplus for export,
amounting in some years to two or three
millions of pounds. Their ordinary pro-
| duction is more than the Government can
possibly require, and the supply now or
hand would suffice to send bullet to the
heart of every traitor in our land.