Improvements in Rockets for signal
Year: 1888

page_text: I, FREDERICK HARGRAVE of 377 Strand, London W.C. in the County of Middlesex,
Gentleman, do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in manner the
same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by
the following statement:-
By this Invention for Improvements in Rockets for signalling at Sea and for
other purposes elsewhere
I take and employ a Rocket or shell consisting of a metal case having a separate
metal case, as forming part of the same, at its end or base, but of slightly larger
diameter, in which a charge of Gun-powder or other suitable explosive matter or
material is placed, likewise a fuse and detonating cap for firing the rocket. The inner
case forming the body of the rocket is filled with stars of varied or agreed colors
which are ignited by means of a fuse connection-the head or cap of the body of the
rocket is fitted or recessed into the said body and may contain a small charge of Gun
powder, or other explosive so that when the rocket or shell is discharged and reaches
to about the height or altitude intended the fusee connected to the same which is or
may be ignited in the first instance from the discharge at the base and so timed as to
be blown out from the body of the rocket or shell, leaving or causing the ignited fuse
connection to ignite, or fire stars which may be arranged in such manner as to cause
them to give off or explode alternately or otherwise.
I likewise provide within the actual body of the Rocket case and at the base of the
same a "Maroon" or "Maroons" which may be confined therein, and enclosed in a
metal or other case and ignited when required by means of a fuse or otherwise and
capable of giving a loud report or reports which may be arranged to suitably take
place either before or after the stars are given off.
The method adopted for discharging Rockets of the kind or description referred to
is by means of an arrangement of breech loading apparatus or gun on the central
fire principle and inserting the pointed end or part of the rocket in at the breech
portion of the barrel and a part of the breech end of the barrel is slightly enlarged
to that of the bore, which is intended to receive the increased end or part of the

page_text: rocket which contains the firing charge, having a cap or detonator at its base or ond
which is struck by the needle of the apparatus when locked and the said needle is
connected to a rod which works through the handle, having a projection at its end
which is struck and so forces the needle inwards or by means of a lanyard may be
drawn outwards and a spring interposed being compressed causes the needle to strike
and ignite the detonator.
In the accompanying drawing Fig. 1 and 3 are elevations of the form of Rocket,
herein referred to, and Figure 2, is a sectional view of same. Figure 4, being a plan,
or end view of the rocket in which A is the outer case at the and or baso intended to
contain a charge of Gun powder or other suitable explosive. 13 is the detonating
cap for firing the same. is the inner case forming the body of the rocket having
an agreed or convenient number of stars-D). D. D. which are so composed as to give
off varied brilliant colors as may be arranged. E is the head or cap of the body of
the rocket fitted and recessed into that portion of the case C. forming the body of the
rocket. The said head or cap may contain a small charge of Gun-powder or other
explosive so that upon the lower explosive charge being ignited by means of the
detonating cap when struck by the needle, so that the inner case ( is discharged or
blown out from the lower portion of the outer case A. F. is a Maroon which may
bo confined within and at the base of the case (A tube or partition is formed or
passed through the centre of the case C. and the Maroon F and stars D. D. D through
which a regulated slow or timed fuse protrudes into the powder or explosive chamber
nt A and is ignited with the explosion at the same time as when the body of the
rocket is discharge, which upon reaching the height or altitude intended the powder
or explosive is ignited within the head or cap E and it is blown outwards and tho
connecting fuse around the stars D. D. D. being ignited communicates and fires alter-
nately the stars D. D). 1), and finally the Maroon F. with which it is led into or
connected and a loud report given after the stars are given off or discharged, or may
in some cases be so arranged as to take place beforehand.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said invon-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what I
claim is
The particular form of rocket for signalling purposes-with an inner and outer
case fitted with a head or cup recessed into the upper portion of the inner case or
body of the rocket which contains a certain number of stars so made as to give
varied colors, and (with a Maroon to give a loud report,) ignited alternately and
discharged in manner substantially as described.
D
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