Improvements in and relating to Explosive and other Projectiles or Shells.
Year: 1888

page_text: Date of Application, 7th Dec., 1888
Complete Specification Lett, 22nd May, 1889-Accepted, 29th June, 1889
Improvements in and relating to Explosive and other Projectiles
or Shells.
I. FREDERICK HALL SNYDER, of Jersey City, New Jersey, United States of
America, Attorney at Law do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:-
My invention relates to explosives and other projectiles and is designed to improve
the construction of the same.
According to one part of my said invention I provide a projectile or shell intended
for submarine explosion.
In carrying this part of my said invention into practice I provide a projectile or
shell having a stopper or plug inserted in a suitable opening. In the interior of the
said shell is placed an electric battery of any well known construction and a primer
or electric exploder. The electric exploder is connected by suitable wires with the
above mentioned plug and with one of the poles of the battery.
The said stopper or plug is arranged in the opening so as to be water tight and
forms an ordinary pressure plug adapted to be acted upon and driven in towards the
interior of the shell by the pressure of the water after the shell is submerged, and
coming in contact with the pole of the battery complete the circuit. The stopper or plug
may be held in position by means of packing by a spiral spring, or any suitable device
which will cause it to remain stationary until sufficient pressure of water is brought
to bear upon it to move the plug toward the inner part of the shell.
Instead of the above mentioned plug or stopper I sometimes employ a diaphragm
of India-rubber or other flexible material having a metallic lining upon the inside or
upon that portion intended to form contact with the pole of the battery and complete
the circuit.
It will be seen that when a sufficient pressure of water is brought to bear upon the
plug or stopper, or upon the diaphragm by reason of the degree of submersion, the
said plug or stopper or diaphragmn will be forced inward and coming in contact with
the pole of the battery complete the circuit and cause the exploder to fire, and
ignite the charge of powder, dynamite or other explosive with which the shell is
charged.
It is often desirable to explode a shell or projectile at different depths below the
surface; this object can readily be attained by my invention, as the pressure plug or
diaphragm may be adjusted to move according to the pressure of the water at any
predetermined depth.
In a modification of my invention I provide a suitable electric battery for firing the
exploder, having wires one of which runs to the battery and is suitably connected with
the same, and the other wire running past the battery and connected to a cork, piece
of rubber or any other non-conducting material intended to keep the two wires from
coming in contact. In the apex of the shell I provide a plug or stopper composed of
any suitable substance which becomes soluble in water.
In using my invention it will readily be seen that after the shell has been submerged
in the water and the soluble plug has dissolved sufficiently to let the water in at the
opening of the shell, it will form an electric circuit, and explode the primer or
exploder which will cause the contents of the shell to explode.
In a further modification the battery is placed in full connection with the exploder,
and I employ a dry battery or one that is passive or inactive until supplied with a
liquid which may be salt or fresh water or any liquid that will moisten the said battery.
When the soluble plug is dissolved after the shell has been submerged in the water
the water acts direct upon the battery and causes the same to generate ar electric
current which passes to the exploder and fires:the same.

page_text: Explosive projectiles or shells constructed as hereinbefore described are designed
mainly for the destruction of what is commonly known as torpedoes or submarine
mines placed beneath the water for the destruction of enemies vessels. The concussion
caused by the explosion of projectiles or shells as hereinbefore described filled with
dynamite or similar explosive materials, will cause the explosion of all the said
torpedoes or mines that may be situated within a space large enough to allow the
passage of a vessel through a channel or harbour where they had been placed. The
said explosive projectiles or shells may be used however for other purposes, such as
for instance removing sunken wrecks from channels, or the like, or clearing any
obstructions such as sand bars that may prevent the free passage of vessels.
According to another part of my said invention I provide suitable means for
cushioning explosive projectiles or shells, and more especially explosive projectiles or
shells filled with high explosives so that the explosion of the propelling or projecting
charge of gun powder, or other explosive material may not cause the force of the gases
engendered thereby to act too abruptly upon the said explosive projectile or shell, and
by the suddeness of the impact of the initial shock or blow of the said propelling force
against the projectile or shell in its endeavour to overcome the inertia of the latter, and
project or expel it from the gun, cause its premature explosion by the concussion in
the barrel of the said gun, and destroy the latter. By my invention I provide a
suitable buffer or cushion which admits of a certain amount of give or clasticity in
the rearmost portion of the projectile or shell, which takes up the initial blow or shock
produced by the explosion of the propelling or projecting charge and transmits its force
gradually to the said projectile or shell thereby providing for overcoming the inertia of
the said projectile or shell, by as it were a shoving motion, and thus obviating or
reducing to a minimum the risk of its premature explosion occasioned in the barrel of
the gun by the concussion caused by the suddeness of the shock or blow engendered
by the explosion of the propelling or projecting charge. My said invention moreover
reduces the wear and tear of the grooves or rifling of the gun, and permits of more
accurate shooting.
In carrying this part of my said invention into practice I provide a projectile or
shell having a reduced part or portion, formed upon its rear extremity. This reduced
part or portion is adapted to fit into a suitable casing or tube formed of the same
outside diameter as the front part of the said projectile or shell.
In this casing or
tube I place a cylindrical piece of India rubber or other suitable material having holes
or spaces, formed preferably, nearly but not quite through the same, the periphery of
the said cylindrical piece moreover is corrugated or fluted the said corrugations
extending for the same distance, or for approximately the same distance upon the
periphery of the cylindrical piece as the hereinbefore mentioned holes or spaces in the
latter.
These holes or spaces form suitable air spaces or chambers. The said cylindrical piece
is inserted in the casing with the open ends of the said holes or spaces towards the bottom
or closed end of the casing or tube, and the reduced part or portion of the projectile
is inserted into the remaining portion of the said casing or tube so as to bear against
the solid part of the said cylindrical piece. It will be seen that the air enclosed in the
holes or spaces and in the corrugations of the said cylindrical piece will form an
elastic cushion or buffer adapted to take up the initial blow or shock produced by the
explosion of the propelling or projecting charge, when compressed by the herein before
mentioned casing or tube sliding or telescoping upon the reduced part or portion of
the projectile or shell. By these means the violent percussive effect of the explosion
of the propelling or projecting charge is avoided, and the force transmitted gradually
to the projectile or shell.
Moreover the telescoping of the above described casing or tube upon the reduced
part or portion of the projectile or shell, and the compression of the cylindrical piece
or disc contained in the said casing or tube causes the latter to swell or expand, and
take into the grooves or rifling of the gun thus forming an efficient gas check, and
obviating the necessity for the employment of a sabot or similar device. Furthermore
the said projectile or shell upon issuing from the barrel of the gun has no ragged

page_text: edges such as are usually presented by a sabot or the like contrivance, when forced
into the said grooves or rifling of the gun and does not therefore offer any projecting
portions to cause undue friction whilst passing through the air, and interfere with the
accuracy of the flight of the said projectile or shell.
In order to prevent the possibility of the premature explosion of the said explosive
projectiles or shells by reason of the heat engendered by their rapid flight through
the air, I sometimes provide the said projectiles or shells with a lining of plastic
material such as India-rubber, asphalte, or any suitable material forming a good
non-conductor of heat.
Although I have hereinbefore described my improved cushion or buffer more
particularly as applied to an explosive projectile or shell, it is evident, that it is also
advantageously applicable to a solid projectile or shot.
Moreover, although I have hereinbefore described convenient and advantageous
methods of carrying my said invention into practice it is obvious that I can somewhat
further modify the construction of any improved projectiles or shells without however
in any way departing from the nature of my said invention. For instance I sometimes
form the hereinbefore described buffer casing or tube with a suitable socket at its rear
extremity in which is adapted to fit the front part or portion of any suitable description
of metallic cartridge case, containing the propelling or projecting charge of gunpowder
or other suitable explosive material.
Dated this 7th day of December 1888
FREDERICK HALL SNYDER.
Haseltine, Lake & Co.,
45, Southampton Buildings, London, Agents for the Applicant.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
.
Improvements in and relating to Explosive and other Projectiles
or Shells.
1, FREDERICK HALL SNYDER of 12 Magnolia Avenue, Jersey City, County of
Hudson, New Jersey, United States of America, Attorney at law, do hereby declare
the nature of this invention and in what manner the same is to be performed to be
particularly described and ascertained in and by the following statement :-
My invention relates to explosive and other projectiles and comprises various
improvements hereinafter described.
One object of my said invention is to provide for increased safety in the handling
and storage of projectiles or shells designed to be exploded beneath the surface of
water.
Explosive projectiles or shells have for this purpose been provided with an interior
electric battery arranged in combination with a fuse, detonator or exploder. In such
projectiles or shells, as heretofore constructed, the battery is at all times connected in
circuit with the fuse or exploder, but is intended to be kept passive or inactive until
the shell is immersed in water, that is to say, the battery has one or more dry cells
which will become active when, but not until they are moistened with water or other
liquid. These projectiles or shells are objectionable for the reason that the battery is
liable to be rendered prematurely active by the humidity of the atmosphere or by
moisture contained in the nitro-gelatine or other explosive material constituting the
bursting-charge, and there is consequently considerable risk of accidental explosion of
the shell. Moreover should such a shell be accidentally immersed in water, its
explosion will immediately ensue.
Now according to one part of my present invention I provide a projectile or shell
which has an interior battery with an exploder and circuit appliances for igniting the
same and thereby exploding the charge, so constructed that it will be free from the
aforesaid defects and can be safely handled and stored, as the electric circuit cannot be
completed until the shell is submerged a predetermined depth below the surface of the
water. I accomplish the desired object by the use of a plug, diaphragm or other
-

page_text: suitable device which, when subjected to the external pressure of the liquid at a
predetermined or calculated depth, will be forced inward and caused to make the
Decessary metallic connections for completing the electric circuit, or to admit liquid
to the interior of the shell so that the circuit will be completed through the said
liquid.
This part of my invention affords the further advantage that the pressure-plug
or diaphragm can be adjusted so that it will yield to any predetermined pressure,
the depth at which the shell will explode can thus be regulated as required.
I sometimes provide the explosive projectile or shell with a soluble plug, which,
when the shell is immersed in water, will be dissolved, thus admitting water
which makes or forins the necessary connection to complete the electric circuit as
herein described.
According to another part of my said invention, I provide an improved cushion or
buffer for diminishing the shock or concussion imparted to the projectile or shell by
the explosion of the propelling or projecting charge in the gun, so that premature
explosion of the shell may not be caused by such shock or concussion. This buffer is
made of India-rubber or other suitable elastic material and pierced or formed with
holes or cavities and with longitudinal grooves in the circumference as, and for the
purpose hereinafter specified.
I combine with the said buffer or cushion a tube or casing which encloses or
surrounds the same, thus preventing contact of the said buffer or cushion with the
bore of the gun, and the consequent excessive friction. When the buffer and the air
in its chambers are compressed by the concussion, the surrounding metal casing is
caused to expand, and acts as a gas-check and takes the rifling of the gun so
that no other provision is necessary for ensuring the rotation of the projectile in its
flight.
My said invention, moreover, comprises the provision in the shell or projectile of
internal projections or ribs formed on a lining of plastic and elastic material which
is a bad conductor of heat. These projections prevent friction which might be caused
by the rotation of the shell relatively to the charge, whilst the elastic material tends
to prevent explosion of the shell by the firing of the propelling charge, the heat of
the gun or the heat due to the rapid flight of the projectile through the air, or by
impact of the said shell against the surface of the water.
In the accompanying drawings I have shewn how my said invention may be conve-
niently and advantageously carried into practice.
Figure 1 is a vertical longitudinal central section shewing a projectile or shell made
according to my present invention.
Figure 2 is a vertical longitudinal central section shewing a modified arrangement of
the said projectile or shell.
Figure 3 is a vertical longitudinal central section, illustrating another modification
of my invention.
Figure 4 is a vertical longitudinal central section of a cartridge in which my
improved buffer or cushion is arranged between the powder-charge and the projectile
or shell.
Figure 5 is a transverse section on the line x, x, Figure 4.
Figure 6 is a transverse section of a shell provided with my improved lining.
Figure 7 is a longitudinal central section, and
Figure 8 a transverse section on the line y, y Figure 7, shewing another form or
modification of my lining.
Figure 9 is a vertical longitudinal central section shewing a portion of a buffer-
casing hereinafter described.
Like letters indicate corresponding parts throughout the drawings.
The projectile or shell A shewn in Figure 1 is formed with a hole A¹ in which is
inserted a stopper or plug B of metal, or the said plug may be made of other suitable
material and provided at its inner end with a metal plate or contact-piece. This
plug is surrounded by suitable packing as at B₁ to form a water-tight joint, and is
fitted more or less tightly in the said packing according to the depth to which it is

page_text: desired the shell shall descend in water before being exploded. For varying the
tightness of fit, I sometimes employ a stuffing-box with packing and an adjustablo
gland.
In the interior of the shell A is arranged an electric battery C of any well known
or suitable construction (say for instance a Leclanché battery) and a primer or electric
exploder D. The said electric exploder is connected by means of a wire E with the
plug B if the latter is metallic, or otherwise with the metallic contact-piece attached
to the said plug, and by means of a wire E' with one of the poles or binding posts C¹
of the battery C.
The stopper or plug B is so arranged that when the shell is submerged or sinks to any
predetermined depth in water, the said stopper or plug will be driven inward by the
pressure of the water, and will thus be brought into contact with the pole or
terminal (of the battery C, thereby making the necessary connection for completing
the electric circuit.
•
The stopper or plug B may be held in position by means of the packing B' as
shewn or by stuffing-box packing; a helical spring or other suitable device is,
however, by preference combined with. the said stopper or plug for the purpose of
keeping it inoperative until acted upon by the calculated or predetermined pressure of
the water as above described. The said pressure plug is preferably secured in the
position shewn, by means of a pin or other suitable retaining device so as to prevent
accidental forcing inward of the said plug. The said pin or other device is to be
removed before the shell is inserted in a gun.
Instead of the plug B, I sometimes employ a diaphragm of India-rubber or other
suitable flexible material having a metal lining or contact-piece to form the connection
between the wire E and the pole (2 of the battery and thus completo the circuit when
the said diaphragm is subjected to the desired pressure of the water. Or I can
substitute for the said plug or diaphragm, a valve held to its seat by a spring in the
projectile or by other suitable means so that the valve will be displaced by the fluid
pressure at the desired depth of submergence.
When by the submersion of the shell the said plug, diaphragm or valve is forced
inward and comes in contact with the pole C², the exploder D will ignito the charge of
powder, nitro-glycerine, dynamite or other explosive material in the said shell and
thus cause the bursting of the latter.
My improved shells constructed as above described may be arranged to explode at
different depths below the surface of the water, by varying the resistance to the
driving or forcing inward of the pressure plug, diaphragm or valve.
Figure 2 illustrates a modified arrangement of my improved explosive projectile or
shell wherein the exploder D is connected by the wire E with one pole or binding
post of the electric battery C, the other pole or binding post (being connected
by a wire E with a contact-piece E attached to a piece E³ of cork, India-rubber or
other suitable insulating material. The exploder D is moreover connected by the
wire E with a contact-piece E also attached to the piece E³ of insulating material,
the said contact-pieces being kept apart by the said piece E³. In the apex of the
shell or projectile A is formed a hole A¹ in which is inserted a plug or stopper. B
composed of any suitable substance which is soluble in water. I have found it
advantageous to inake the soluble plug of loaf sugar or of rock candy sugar.
When the said shell or projectile is submerged and the soluble plug dissolves
sufficiently to admit water through the opening A', the water will itself form the
necessary connection between the contact-pieces E', E³, the electric circuit will
thus be completed and the battery will actuate the primer or exploder D thereby
causing the bursting of the shell. The said soluble plug is sometimes so made that
the time required for its solution is previously determined by trial.
It is obvious that I can, if desired, employ my pressure-plug in combination
with a battery which will be passive or inactive until the said plug is forced
inward by the pressure of the water, when the water thus admitted to the shell
will moisten the said battery. To produce this action quickly I may provide a
small passage K, Figure 3, for admitting water when the plug is forced in a short

page_text: distance. The same means may also be employed for letting in the water to complete
the circuit of an active battery.
It is moreover obvious that my pressure-plug, stopper or diaphragm can be arranged
at any convenient part of the shell or projectile.
Explosive projectiles or shells constructed as hereinbefore described are chiefly
designed to destroy what are commonly known as submarine mines or torpedoes, that
is to say, mines or torpedoes which are placed beneath the water by an enemy for the
destruction of ships or vessels. The shock or concussion produced by the explosion
of my projectile or shell beneath the water will cause the explosion of any mine or
torpedo that may be situated within a space around it large enough to allow the
passage of a vessel through a channel or harbour. My explosive projectiles or shells
may, however, be used for other purposes such for instance as the removal of sunken
wrecks from channels or, the clearing of sand-bars and other obstructions to the
free passage of vessels.
In the cartridge shown in Figures 4 and 5, the projectile or shell A is reduced in
diameter at A2 and has fitted to slide upon it a metal casing or tube F, the external
diameter of which is about equal to that of the larger part of the said projectile or shell,
and which is closed at its rear end. In this casing or tube F is placed a buffer or
cushion which is situated between the projectile or shell and the explosive charge for
propelling the same. This buffer or cushion consists of a piece G of India-rubber or
other suitable material, the general form of which is cylindrical and which has recesses
or cavities G¹ formed in its rear. These cavities preferably extend nearly but
not quite through the buffer G, in order that the solid front end may form an air-tight
joint. The periphery of the said buffer G is moreover corrugated or fluted as shown
more clearly in Figure 5, the corrugations extending from one end of the said buffer
approximately as far as the closed ends of the said holes or cavities G¹. These cavities
and the spaces between the casing or tube F and the corrugated or fluted. periphery,
of the buffer constitute suitable air-spaces or chambers in which the air will be com-
pressed. The air thus enclosed or imprisoned will, together with the India-rubber or
other elastic material of the buffer act very efficiently to diminish the shock or
concussion imparted to the shell when the propelling charge is exploded. The
buffer G is inserted into the casing F with the open ends of the holes or cavities G'
towards the rear or closed end of the said casing or tube, and the reduced part A³ of
the projectile or shell is inserted into the forward end of the said casing or tube F so
that it bears against the solid end of the buffer G. By the employment of the large
air-spaces formed in and around the India-rubber block or buffer G, I obtain a
maximum of elasticity with minimum weight and expense of material; the India-
rubber moreover makes the chambers air tight, and the air spaces formed on the
periphery of the buffer G materially reduce the friction between the said buffer and
the interior of the buffer-casing F.
•
The buffer-casing or tube F is provided at its rear end with a suitable projecting
portion or socket F1, in which is fitted the forward end of the metallic cartridge-case H
containing the propelling or projecting charge of gun-powder or other suitable
explosive material.
When the cartridge is fired the casing or tube F will slide or telescope upon the
reduced part A2 of the projectile or shell A, and the buffer G and the air contained
therein will be compressed until sufficient force is exerted upon the projectile or shell
to overcome its inertia. The expansion or reaction of the buffer and of the compressed
air will then assist in the propulsion of the projectile along the barrel of the gun.
By these means the violent concussive effect of the explosion of the propelling or
projecting charge upon the shell is avoided and the force gradually transmitted to the
said shell.
Moreover the compression of the buffer and of the air contained in the casing or
tube F causes the latter to swell or expand and engage with the grooves or rifling of
the gun, thus forming an eficient gas-check, and obviating the necessity for the
employment of a sabot or similar device.
A further advantage afforded by my improvements is that the projectile or shell

page_text: upon issuing from the barrel of the gun, has no ragged edge such as that usually
presented by a sabot or like contrivance when forced into the grooves or rifling of the
gun, and which offers undue resistance to, and interferes with the accuracy of the
flight of the shell through the air.
I prefer that the bursting-charge of the shell should consist of a single block or
piece of explosive material.
I (Figure 6, 7 and 8) is a lining or cushion of plastic and elastic material in the
interior of the shell A. In order to ensure rotation of the bursting-charge with the
lining I and with a body of the projectile to which the lining is cemented, I provide
the said lining with internal ribs or projections I, and I make the block or piece of
explosive material of such form in transverse section that it will engage with the said
ribs or projections; rotation of the said block or piece with the shell and lining is thus
ensured.
The said lining is made of India-rubber or asphalte either of them alone or mixed
with paper-pulp, saw-dust ground cork, lamp-black, or other suitable nonconductor
or bad conductor of heat, or it is made of shellac, gutta-percha or other suitable
material or combination of materials which is or can be made sufficiently plastic to
permit its application to the interior of the shell and which will firmly adhere to the
shell and can be conveniently moulded. The said lining being a bad conductor of
heat will obviate any liability to premature explosion of the projectile or shell by the
heat caused by the explosion or by the heated gun or engendered by the rapid flight
of the projectile through the air, and the said lining should for some purposes be
sufficiently elastic to obviate any liability to explosion of the shell by impact, such as
against the surface of water.
Figure 9 shows the rear portion of a buffer-casing or tube F adapted for use with a
separate propelling charge of explosive material. The projecting portion F1 at the
rear end of the said casing or tube is made shorter and thicker than that shown in
Figure 4, and is bevelled or inclined internally as shown. The forward end of the
separate powder-charge enters within this projecting portion or socket F which when
the cartridge is fired will expand and engage with the grooves of the rifling and
thus serve as a gas-check.
Although I have herein before described my improved combined cushion or buffer
more particularly as applied to an explosive projectile or shell it is evident that it is
also advantageously applicable to a solid projectile for the purpose above specified.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed I wish it understood
that I do not claim generally or irrespectively of my improvements herein described
a projectile or shell provided with an electric battery which will be set in action when
the shell is immersed in water; nor do I claim generally the use, in a shell, of a
soluble plug which when the shell is immersed in water will be dissolved so as to
admit water for the purpose of making a dry battery active. Nor do I claim generally
the use of a buffer or cushion between the body of a projectile and a magazine or
shell containing a bursting-charge; but I claim :-
First: An explosive projectile so constructed that its explosion is consequent upon
and the result of a calculated or predetermined depth of submergence.
Second-An explosive projectile or shell provided with a plug, diaphragm or
similar device so arranged in combination with an electric battery and circuit and
exploder that when, but not until the projectile is submerged a predetermined depth,
the said plug or its equivalent will be forced in by the fluid-pressure to complete the
circuit or make the battery active, substantially as hereinbefore described.
Third: An explosive projectile or shell provided with an electric battery and with
means whereby, by the submergence of the shell, water will be admitted to the same
and will connect two contact-pieces and thus complete the electric circuit, substantially
as hereinbefore described.
Fourth
A buffer or cushion composed of India-rubber or other elastic material

page_text: and having holes or cavities extending wholly or partially through the same and
forming air-chambers, substantially as, and for the purpose, above specified.
:
Fifth A buffer or cushion as fourthly claimed, further provided with external
grooves forming air-spaces, substantially as, and for the purpose, set forth.
Sixth-The combination, with a projectile and a buffer or cushion in rear of the
same, of a metal casing or tube enclosing the said buffer or cushion, capable of
sliding on the projectile and adapted to enter the rifle-grooves of the gun, substantially
as, and for the purposes, set forth.
Seventh-The employment, in an explosive projectile or shell, of internal projections
or ribs formed on a lining of plastic and elastic material, substantially as, and for the
purposes, set forth.
Eighth The cartridge provided with the improved buffer or cushion and with the
casing or tube, 'substantially as described with reference to Figures 4 and 5 of the
accompanying drawings and for the purposes specified.
Daci
1000
FREDERICK HALL SNYDER.
Haseltine, Lake & Co.,
45, Southampton Buildings, London, Agents for the Applicant.