Daily inter mountain., 1899-08-08
KARSTAIR'S NEW EXPLOSIVE.

The discoveries of new explosives fol-
low fast on each others heels, and the
number of them in the world markets is
already we'll nigh boundless. One of the
best known and the one adopted by the
British government IS cordite. In most Of
the high explosives tro-glycerine enters
largely into the composition, which rem
ders them dangerous to handle. This is
also true Of the composition of cordite.
but IN this explosive the danger is minim-
lied by 10 per cent admiXture of vase
line. This explosive has probably proved
as effective as any, but it's enormous ex-
pense is a serious drawback. The actual
cost of the explosive proper is the least
part of the expense, which is principally
from the wear and tear of the guns from
the erosion attendant upon the use of this
and other high explosives. This enormous
wear and tear from erosion, and conse-
quert great expense, first led John kar-
stairs, an English scientist, to attempt
the discovery of new agent wherein
this erosion was eliminated, but without
diminishing the force and power of the
explosive. Mr.. Karstairs thinks he has
succeeded in his quest and on May % last
he took out patents in this country to
protect his discovery. Similar patents
! have already been taken out in Russia,
Germany and England.
Experiments have been made at the
Sandy Hook proving grounds, and It is
said they have been successful. Mr. har-
stairs is at present in Europe, and Chas.
Il. Nasmyth has charge Of the explosive
in this country during his absence. Mr..
Nasmyth, in speaking of 1t yesterday,
sad:
1.-The explosive has no particular name,
being simply known at present as 'Kar-
stairs explosive, and it is beyond all
doubt the most wonderful yet discovered.
1t has a greater velocity and carrying
, force than any known explosive, and con-
sequently it's use would increase the range
of ordinary rifles. 1t calls for no partic-
ular style of gun, and can be used IN any
weapon now known. 1t can, in fact, be
used for any purpose which any other
explosive is used, save only the mining OF
coal. 1t is not subjected to chemical
changes from heat or cold, as is dynamite,
i and under ordinary circumstances 1t is
| absolutely safe to handle. In filling a
! shell has to be rammed full of the explo-
sve used, and this is dangerous with
! many of them, but not in the least sc
with "Karstairs' explosive The saving
in expense it will effect will be enormous
After 60 shots with the modern smokeless
/ powder an ordinary gun no longer fires
true, and after 120 shots it becomes use
less This is due to erosion. The con-
! structors require some 20 shots In proving
! the gun, so that this number must be de-
! Quoted from its actual use in warfare
! Mr.. Karstairs discovery will largely dc
away with the erosion, and greatly add
| to the life of the gun. 1t also has no wave
of detonation. l do not know exactly how
to describe this: it lis peculiar vibration
of the air caused By an explosion. which
is likely to set off other explosives, even
! though they are at a distance. This Is
| true of all explosives, l think, but ours
has the additional value of being a per-
| fectly smokeless powder.
Among it's principal characteristics
are these: 1t turns in the open air with
out explosion, and no ordinary degree OF
+, friction or conclusion will explode 1t. Ii
can be detonated only by powerful de-
tonator in an enclosed place, its temper
at,,re of explosion is a bout one-half thai
of cordite, and hence erosion in gun bar
! rels is practically eliminated by its use
Millions of dollars have already been spent
on it on the other side. In letter just
received from Mr. Karsta.rs he speaks OF
some experiments he has been carrying
on for the Austrian government as 1o!-
| lows:
"I remained on an island in the Adri'
attic more than six weeks. The trials con-
sisted in firing shells filled with my ex-
| n1osiyes against steel embrasures, ana lr
dropping 500 weights at time from a
! captive balloon. The results were sucI
| that even with all my past experience
was myself astonished. One hlgh o1nc-a
made the remark, This sort OF thlng VIII
turn war into simple massacre.