The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1899-07-27
A NEW EXPLOSIVE.
karstair's Invention Said TO BE More
Destructive Than DYNAMITE

Destructive Than Dynamite.
Experiments have been made recently
az the Sandy Hook proving grounds with
a now explosive which, &c is asserted
Will mark another era in this line OF dis
cOvery. despite the wonderful progress
during the last few years
Tnis new explosive. pronounced more
destructive than dynamite and al the
same time less dangerous to handle than
any of the high explosives now in use.
was discovered by John Karstalrs. an
English scientist and chemical expert
He asserts that IL has properties of great
value both for war and commerce. 10 -
described as absolutely smokeless. con-
tanning neither nitro-giyccrine nor nitro
celuIose. and. as far as is known. pos
scssng properties entirely different from
any other explosive yet discovered.
ar. karstairs who conducted several
tests Of the new explosive az Sandy Hook
returned 20 England I'm May. and news
OF his Invention was carefully guarded
until yesterday as patent papers were
pending. These have now been issued
and Charles J Naysmith. who is assoc
ciated with Mr. Karstairs In controlling
the new explosive iu the United states
gave me many details about the dIscov-
cry yesterday.
Mr.. Naysmith said that although Mr.
karstairs made his discovery only about
a year ago. IL already had been adopted
by tho Russian and German govern
ments for their armies and naves. while
England. France and Austria are expert
monting with Il with n view 10 substitut-
ing Il for explosives now In use
Mr.. Karstalrs. he said had returned %
England 10 meet representatives OF the
French government. who had been com
m'ssloned TO test the explosive. and also
20 conduct tests for the Austrian govern
ment. Mr.. Nasmyth has Just received a
letter from M. Karstairs IN which tho
inventor. after telling OF the experiments
conducted IN Austria. quotes an Ofic!a!
Of the Imperial Ordnance Board as ex-
claiming upon the conclusion OF the tests.
This sort OF thing VIII turn war into
simple massacre
This explosive" M Nasmyth said. ''by
slight Modification OF ingredients and
manufacture. can be used as propelllng
force FOR heavy guns or rifles. FOR filing
shells. as q high explosive for military
engineering submarine. mining and
torpedo purposes. while q has great com
mercal value FOR quarrying or mining
Under ordinary circumstances the
material is absolutely safe being diricult
70 ignite. and when igni,ed burning in the
open air without exploding. No ordi-
nary degree OF friction percussion Or con-
cussion Will explode Il.
This compound can be heated %
temperature u 10 degrees Fahrenheit for
any length % time without giving of
vapo-, and can be subjected % intense
cold without change either chemically
or structuraliy A. 10 degrees Fahrenheit
energies can be obtained from guns more
than 20 per cent higher than with cordite
al tho same working pressure. The tenn
peraturs OF explosion is about one half
that OF c0rdite hence erosion OF gun-bar-
rels is practically eliminated. The more
powerful type OF this explosive when ex-
pioded I'm an enclosed space gives a force
considerably greater than gun cotton and
almost equal 20 nitro giycerine."
Mr.. Karstalrs has obtained patents on
his invention not only In the United
states but I'm an OF the principal foreign
countries. Mr. Naysmith said several of
the European powers have paid sums ag-
gregatlng millions OF dollars for the right
10 manufacture the explosive in their
own countries for government use.
Mr. Karstars Will return 10 this coun-
try in September when further expert
ments are expected % be made on behalf
or the United States government-New
York Herald.