The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1894-12-24
NEW HIGH EXPLOSIVE SHELL
Probable Solution of Vexed Ques-
ton in Cannonading.

new vista OF explosive warfare Will open,
so our military experts have said for quarter
of a century, whenever Their shall De invented
safe and practical means of firing from big
guns shells containing the higher explosives.
Within the last few days Commodore Sampson,
chief OF the bureau of ordnance of the Navy
Department, has had under cOuside ration a
proposition 10 fulfill these conditions In new
shell, carrying new explosive that Is per
cent higher than No l dynamite or any explO-
siYe heretofore known, and which The firing
force OF the most powerful guns Is not TO pre-
maturely explode.
Workmen under the direction of Captain
Jewell at The big gunsnOpS OF the maynard
have begun the construction OF several of these
shells. and when completed they are 10 be
tested by the gunnerS AT the Indian Head naval
proving grounds.
The new explosive is the product of the lab
oratoTy of Professor Munroe Dean OF the Cor
coran Scientific school Of the Columbian Uni
yersity. This powerful substance is composed
OF dark liquid nd white powder and while
the two are kent separate, the liquid Is as
harmless as water and the solid as harmless as
SO much sand. And even alter being mixed the
composition cannot be exploded by any Ord-
nary physical blow or impact but yields up It's
hidden energy only TO illuminate Of mercury
percussion cap.
for an instant Withstand the explosion of an
ordinary shell-lold of this new compound.
Hence the naval authorities would have no use
Tor II In ordnance work were IL not accom-
panied by new shell vlsed to successfully
carry IL out of the gun making thu discharge,
and subsequently 10 explode the subs lance
either 10 mldar or on striking target.
This Is what is expected OF the lnew shell
soon TO be tested. the mechanism of which was
recently patented as the invention OF G.. NJ.
Hathaway. an inventor of considerable noe.
A metal tub, having on It's diverse sides
sliding doors that open aud shut by a mechan-
ism al the end, IL filled with the liquid part OF
the explosive ana plugged tight, with the slid
ing doors closed. This is inserted into an
ordinary shell. being small enough to leave a
vacant space between the tubes outer surface
and the inner surface OF the shell. Into this
vacant space the dry white powder, or solid
part OF ths explosive is packed. The breech-
cap Is then screwed on, in its center having an
ingenious connection, which, when struck by
the force OF the guns powder explosion, enters
the hole OF The inner ube and thus opens the
little sliding doors, allowing he liquid to mix
with the solid as the shell whlrls through the
air.
So far as safety is concerned, there are two
things that seem TO insure it. One is that even
II the guns terrible force should cause the
mixing Of he substances instan aneously, the
mixture would not be exploded by the physical
impact. The other is that IN the fftieth part
of second which it takes for one of the big
cannon charges 10 pass the muZZe the mixing
process would not have time to begin.
The explosion, when it does take place. is the
result of timed fuses passing from the point OF
the shell to the rear OF the shell, rrar-end ex.
plOsion OF a shell being something now IN
known. but much desired 10 military ordnance
Washington Posi-.