The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-01-12
GRAYDoN,s TERRIBLE BULLETS.
An indianapolis Man Solves the Problem of
Controlling Dynamite in Shells.


Controlling Dynamite in Shells.
San Francisco Alta.
An Alta reporter yesterday had most inter
esting interview with Lieut. James w. Graydon,
late of the United States navy. The first sub
Ject preached was that of his new dynamite pro-
jectile, discovery which promises to revolu-
tonize even modern warfare. and render even
the most destructive weapons of this advanced
age insignificant by comparison His discovery
is nothing more nor less than the manufacture
OF missiles charged with dynamite, which can be
fired from gun. and depended upon not to ex-
plode until contact with the target is attained.
The proiectiles are simply shells. charged with
dynamite instead of the variety of common DOW
der that can be used to charge shells with. and
depended upon not to explode with the concus-
sion of the discharge of the gun. When the ter
rl5le execution of the present style OF she'll is
taken into consideration and the statement is
made that dynamite has fourteen times the ex-
plosive force of the best modern gunpowder the
frightful capacity for destruction of such pro-
Jectlle is beyond the power of imagination.
so you want to my destroyer do your
laughingly asked the Lieutenant, as the reporter
made known his Grand well, sir, am hard
~ prepared to go into details as yet, as several
countries remain to be covered by patents but |
will explain as far as | can
AS he spoke, the inventor of bottled deStruc-
tioh opened small box containing two or three
score of what appeared 10 be ordinary rifle cart
ridges, with the exception that each conical bull
lot was Jlppeu Win a little DrdSS cap MS
said the Lieutenant lis the idea applied to
small arms. The she'll is charged with ordinary
gunpowder. and the cartridge can be fired from
any weapon that it will fit The ball is followed
out sufficiently to admit of the storage of the de-
sired quantity of dynamite, which is kept in
place by this tightly fitting decorating cap
pointing to the little brass tip). This cap, as
you observe, projects slightly beyond the edge OF
the lead aud its contact with the target fires the
dynamite My invention consists In preserving
the explosion of the contents of the proectile un-
til 1T encounters its mark. 1t is accomplished
by overcoming tho initial concussion how Of
course, is my secret for the present"
The reporter shivered as he noted his hosts
careless handling of the internal machine. and
was only partially treasured by Lieut.. Graydons
disclaimer of the presence Of danger.
What is the result of a loaded ball Of this
character coming in contact with mans bodyF'
he finally asked, after long inspection Of the
cartridge.
well, his family would be saved funeral ex-
penoes. and there would be no danger of his lin
gering in a hospital or needing the attendance
of surgeons"
Have you tried it?"
'Not on human being; but there are few
acres of rocks IN the neighborhood of the Boca
Tigres forts that are well fortified by goats
flesh. My first shot, after I had satisfied my
self of the total absence of danger, was
at a flock of villa goats feeding on tho heights
above the fort The distance thousand
yards, as near as l could estimate it, but
there was a considerable flock, closely punched,
and it did not require extraordinary marksman-
ship to hit one. Three were killed by the ex-
plosiou of the bullet, which forty four
calibre or. at least, we found horns enough for
three goats One. the direct recipient of the
compliment. was scattered around in pieces an
inch or so in size. lie was 8 total wreck. Sew
eral similar experiments have been made with
similar results, aud the power of explosion is
something beyond comprehension. have used
large guns-up to the size of four inch rifle
and don't know what can resist large projectile
of this character. Certainly no man. of war. nc
matter how heavy its armor. can Withstand the
shock Of two or three of them, and my expert
ments have gone so far that every one who has
seen demonstration of the projectile's work is
perfectly satisfied that any shell now in use can
be loaded with dynamite instead of powder.
Gun cotton and gelatine can also be used as the
explosive, and have tried both"