The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1886-02-04
TERRIBLE BULLETS.
An American Naval Officers Wonderful,
Discovery.

An Alta reporter the other day had a
most interesting interview with Lieut..
James w. Graydon, late of the United
States Navy. The first subject broached
was that of his new dynamite projectile,
a discovery which promises TO revolu-
tioniZe even modern warfare, and rem
der 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 explode until contact with
the target is attained. The projectiles
are simply shells. charged with dyna-
mite instead of the variety of common
powder that can be used to charge shells
with, and depended upon not to explode
with the conclusion of the discharge of
the gun. When the terrible execution
of the present style of shell is taken into
consideration and the statement is made
that dynamite has fourteen times the
explosive force of the best modern gun
powder the frightful capacity for de-
struction of such projectile is beyond
the power of imagination.
80 you want to see my DESTROYER, do
you?" laughingly asked the lieutenant,
as the reporter made known his errand
''Well, sir, l am hardly prepared to go
into details as yet, as several coun-
tries remain to be covered by patents,
but will explains as far as | can"
As he spoke the inventor of bottled
destruction opened small box contain
ing two or three score of what appeared
to be ordinary rifle cartridges, with the
exception that each conical bullet was
tipped with a little brass cap. This, :"
said the lieutenant, picking up one of the
cartridges, lis the idea applied to small
arms. The shell is charged with ordi-
nary 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 desired
quantity of dynamite, which is kept in
place by this tightly-ftting detonating
cap (pointing to the little brass tip).
This cap, as you observe, projects
slightly beyond the edge of the lead, and
its contact with the target fires the dyna-
mite. My invention consists in preserv-
ing the explosion of the contents of the
projectile until it encounters its mark.
1t is accomplished by overcoming the
initial conclusions; how, of course, is
my secret for the present.
"What is the result of loaded bali of
this character coming in contact with a
mans body?" he finally asked, after a
long inspection of the cartridge.
"Well, his family would be saved fun
eral expenses and there would be no
danger of his lingering in hospital or
needing the attendance of surgeons"
''Have you tried itp"
"Not on human being, but there
are few acres of rocks in the neigh
borhood of the Boca Tigres forts that
are well fertilized with goat flesh. My
first shot after / had satisfied myself of
the total absence of danger was at a
flock of wild goats feeding on the nights
above the fort. The distance was 1000
yards, as near as could estimate it, but
there was considerable flock, closely
punched, and it did not require extraor-
dinary Workmanship to hit one Three
were killed by the explosion of the bull
let, which was 44-calibre, or at least
we found horns enough for three goats,
One, the direct recipient of the compll-
ment, was scattered around in pieces an
inch or so in size. He was a total
wreck. Several similar experiments
have been made with similar results.
and the power of explosion is something
beyond comprehension. l have used
large guns-up to the size of four
inch rihe-and | don't know what can
resist large projectile of this character.
Certainly no man-of-war, no matter
how heavy its armor, can withstand the
shock of two or three of them, and my
experiments have gone so far that every
one who has seen demonstration of
the projectile's work is perfectly salts
fled 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. San Fra1lciScO Alta.