IMPROVEMENTS IN SHELLS AND ROCKETS, MAINLY APPLICABLE FOR SIGNALLING PURPOSES
Year: 1878

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Camille Alphonse Faure and George Trench, both of
Faversham, in the County of Kent, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN
SHELLS AND ROCKETS, MAINLY APPLICABLE FOR SIGNALLING PURPOSES."
501 NL
1070
671 T
TORO
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Camille Alphouse Faure and
George Trench at the Office of the Cominissioners of Patents on the 25th
June 1878.
CAMILLE ALPHONSE FAURE and GEORGE TRENCH, both of Faversham, in the.
County of Kent. "IMPROVEMENTS IN SHELLS AND ROCKETS, MAINLY APPLICABLE
FOR SIGNALLING PURPOSES."
This Invention relates to contrivances for signalling to be used at sea or on land
as distress signals, and also on festive displays, whereby a loud report is obtained
simply or in combination with a display of stars or other luminous arrangement.
For these purposes we form in the following manner a shell to be fired upwards
from a small mortar. The shell consists of,-
First. A cylindrical envelope of tin, brass, cardboard, or such like substance.
Second. A bottom plug fitting tightly to the cylindrical envelope, and which
bottom plug is perforated with a hole into which is rammed some fuze powder, and
thus constitutes a "time fuze."
Third. The exploding charge, which consists generally in a cylinder of such
powders that require a detonator to be properly exploded, viz., gun cotton, cotton
powder, or lithofracteur, and such like substances. The detonator may be fixed into
the exploding charge by the makers during the manufacture of the shots, or may
be introduced by the consumer at any time before using such shots.
When it is desired to display aluminous artifice, this artifice must necessarily be
blown or shot out of the shell before the explosion of the exploding charge. This
is done by separating the exploding charge which lies near the time fuze at the
bottom of the shell from the group of stars or other artifice by a disc obtained by
Price G71

page_text: the compression of ordinary grained gunpowder; this gunpowder disc catches fire
from the time fuze through a central hole reserved in the middle of the exploding
charge, the effect being that the stars or luminous artifice is blown off through the
top orifice of the envelope or shell, which for that purpose is fitted with a cover
much looser than the bottom plug.
The mode of firing the shot thus made from the mortar may be according to well-
known means, viz., by pouring the charge of ordinary gunpowder inside the mortar
and firing from the touch-hole with a port fire or with a friction tube, but we prefer
to attach the propelling charge of gunpowder to the bottom plug of the shot itself.
This charge of gunpowder is enclosed in a thin waterproof bag, and may be pricked
through the touch-hole.
For signals intended to be used at sea we dispense with the touch-hole in the
mortar as being liable from non-usage to get corroded or painted up, and unavailable
in an emergency; the shot itself carries the touch-hole, that is, a firing tube, into
which the friction tube can be lodged, is laid through the length and centre of the
shot; it reaches into the propelling powder in the bag at bottom and through
the top plug or cover, and as the shot is about of same length as the bore of the
mortar the top of the firing tube is accessible when the shot is in its place inside
the mortar.
Signal rockets which will display a luminous arrangement, such as stars or such
like, and give a sound signal by the use of a gun cotton or detonating charge may
also be formed in a similar manner by replacing the propelling charge in the signals
described above by an ordinary rocket. The rocket and signal can evidently be
built together in one envelope.
The detonator to be used in conjunction with such exploding charges that are
propelled by means of gunpowder we form of a tube of copper filled half way up
with the usual detonating composition, and the other half of the tube we fill
with fuze powder, so as to make the detonator itself a temporary "time fuze." This
is intended to give great security to the person who fires the shot from the mortar,
as in case the bottom plug should be defective the fire from the propelling charge
might then reach immediately inside the shell or shot, and would thus, in the
absence of the fuzing powder in the detonator, cause the mortar to be blown to
pieces.
!. The signal shells and rockets may be arranged to give two or more reports by the
employment. of two. or more detonating charges, each fitted with their detonators
and time fuze, and so separated by means of discs of gunpowder that they are
scattered like ordinary stars, and thus explode distinctly at regulated intervals of
time.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Camille Alphonse Faure and George Trench in the Great Seal Patent.
Office on the 24th December 1878.
CAMILLE ALPHONSE FAURE and GEORGE TRENCH, both of Faversham, in the
County of Kent. "IMPROVEMENTS IN SHELLS AND ROCKETS, MAINLY APPLICABLE
FOR SIGNALLING PURPOSES."
This Invention relates to contrivances for signalling to be used at sea or on land
as distress signals, and also on festive displays, and whereby a loud report is obtained
simply or in combination with a display of stars or other luminous arrangement.
For these purposes we form in the following manner a shell to be fired upwards
from a small mortar or socket. The shell consists of,—
First. cylindrical envelope of tin, brass, cardboard, or such like substance.
Second. A bottoin plug fitting tightly to the cylindrical envelope, and which
bottom plug is perforated with a hole into which is rammed some fuze powder, and
thus constitutes a "time fuze."
Third. The exploding charge, which consists generally in a cylinder of powders
that require a detonator to properly explode them, viz., gun cotton, cotton powder,
or lithofracteur, and such like substances. The detonator may be fixed into the
exploding charge by the makers during the manufacture of the shots, or may be
introduced by the consumer at any time before using such shots.
When it is desired to display a luminous artifice this artifice must necessarily be
blown or shot out of the shell before the explosion of the sounding charge. This
can be done by separating the exploding charge which lies near the time fuze at
the bottom of the shell from the group of stars or other artifice by a disc obtained
by the compression of ordinary grained gunpowder. This gunpowder disc catches
fire from the time fuze through a central hole reserved in the middle of the
exploding charge, the effect being that the stars or luminous artifice is blown off*
through the top orifice of the envelope or shell, which for that purpose is fitted with
a cover much looser than the bottom plug.
The mode of firing the shot thus made from the socket may be according to well-
known means, viz., by pouring the charge of ordinary gunpowder inside the socket
and firing from the touch-hole with a Bickford fuze or with a friction tube; but we
prefer to attach the propelling charge of gunpowder to the bottom plug of the shot
itself. This charge of gunpowder is enclosed in a thin waterproof bag, and may be
pricked through the touch-hole.
For signals intended to be used at sea we sometimes dispense with the touch-
hole in the socket as being liable from non-usage to get corroded or painted up, and
unavailable in an emergency; the shot itself carries the touch-hole, that is, a firing
tube (into which the friction tube can be lodged), is laid through the length and
centre of the shot; it reaches into the propelling powder in the bag or bottom, and
through the top plug or cover, and as the shot is about. of same length as the
bore of the socket the top of the firing tube is accessible when the shot is in its
place inside the socket.
.
Signal rockets which will display a luminous arrangement, such as stars or such
like, and give a sound signal by the use of a gun cotton or detonating charge, may
also be formed in a similar manner by replacing the propelling charge in the signals
described above by an ordinary rocket. The rocket and signal can evidently be
built together in one envelope.
The detonator to be used in conjunction with such exploding or sounding charges
that are propelled by means of gunpowder we form of a tube of copper filled half
way up with the usual detonating composition, and the other half of the tube we fill
with fuze powder, so as to make the detonator itself a "time fuze." This is
intended to give great,security to the person who fires the shots from the socket, as
in case the bottom plug should be defective the fire from the propelling charge
night then reach immediately the inside of the shell or shot, and would.thus, in:

page_text: the absence of the fuzing powder in the detonator, cause the mortar to be blown to
pieces.
The signal shells and rockets may be arranged to give two or more reports by the
employment of two or more detonating charges, each fitted with their detonators
and time fuze, and so separated by means of discs of gunpowder that they are
scattered like ordinary stars, and thus explode distinctly at regulated intervals of
time.
In order that our Invention may be most fully understood and readily carried
into effect, we will proceed to describe the Drawings hereunto annexed.
Figure 1 shows a shell for producing sound; it is formed of the tin case A; into
this is driven tight a wood or metallic plug B perforated with a central hole C into
which is rammed some fuze powder. D is the sounding charge, and E the detonator
for exploding the same; F is the wooden cap; and G is a small charge of common
gunpowder enclosed in a waterproof bag secured to the shell by pasting or otherwise.
This shell so completed is to be placed in a metallic socket, as shown in Figures 6
and 7; it is fired by a friction tube or fuze inserted through the touch-hole. It ascends
in the air by the effect of the bottom charge of gunpowder, which also ignites the
time fuze in the plug, and this in turn ignites the detonator and fires the charge.
Figure 2 shows the detonator; it is made of a copper shell filled about half way
with a composition of fulminate of mercury m, and completed by a charge of meal
powder n.
Figure 3 shows a signal or shell for producing sound and light. A is the tin shell;
B is a metallic plug or bottom securely fixed in the tin shell by soldering or other-
wise; C is a copper time fuze soldered into the plug B; D is the sounding charge
formed of a cartridge of cotton powder or such like explosive; E is the detonator
as above described; F is the top cap, so fastened as to be blown out by the pressure
from within; G is the propelling 'charge as above described; it is enclosed in a
waterproof bag securely fixed into the main body of the sholl; H is a group of
stars or light-producing materials; and I is a central tube soldered to the bottom
plug, and through which the bottom gunpowder charge is ignited. The firing is
produced by a friction tube, or by a Bickford fuzo, passed into the central tube.
This shell is fired from the socket as before said, and shown in Figures 6 and 7 ; but
in this case no touch-hole is required. The time fuze C catches fire by the effect of
the explosion of the gunpowder charge, and at the proper altitude communicates
fire to the group of stars; the top plug gets blown out by the pressure from within
and the stars fall out; the detonator has also caught fire, and after the stars have
been expelled, the fire reaching the fulminating composition of the detonator, the
sounding charge is exploded. It will be noticed that the sounding charge is
moulded with a central hole for the passage of the central tube, and for the com-
munication of the fire from the bottom time fuze to the group of stars or lighting
material.
Figure 4 is a shell similar to the above, and is to produce sound and light like-
wise; but in this the central tube is dispensed with, and the initial firing is produced
through the touch-hole in the socket.
Figure 5 shows a shell for producing two distinct explosions or sounds; it is
similar to the above, the group of stars being replaced by a second sounding charge
supplied likewise with a detonator. The two charges are separated by a disc of
gunpowder which pushes the top sounding charge or cartridge out of the shell, and
as the two detonators are differently "timed" two distinct explosions are produced.
A disc of gunpowder is also placed between the top cartridge and the top plug
to facilitate the ignition of the detonator in this top cartridge. This top gunpowder
disc may be replaced by a group of stars or other light producing material if
required.

page_text: Figure 6 shows a socket for firing these shells; it is intended to be fixed into the
rail of a ship, as shown.
Figure 7 shows a socket intended to be fixed on to the deck of a ship or upon a
picce of timber ashore.
Instead of firing these shells from their sockets we sometimes use ordinary rockets
as the means of propulsion. In this case the gunpowder propelling charge at the
bottom of the shell is replaced by the body of the rockets.
We claim,―
First. The making of compound shells as described.
Second. The making of the detonator as described.
Third. The combination of a cartridge of cotton powder or such like material
with the detonator as described.
In witness whereof, we, the said C. A. Faure and George Trench, have here-
unto set our hands and seals, this Twenty-third day of December, in the
year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy-eight.