IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF SHELLS, AND THE EXPLOSIVE POWDER AND FUSE TO BE USED THEREWITH AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
Year: 1865

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by John Berkeley Cotter at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 16th January
1865.
I, JOHN BERKELEY COTTER, of Wilton Lodge, North Gate, Regent's Park,
in the County of Middlesex, do hereby declare the nature of the said Inven-
tion for "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF SHELLS, AND THE EXPLOSIVE
POWDER AND FUSE TO BE USED THEREWITH AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES," to be as
follows:-
This Invention relates to certain improvements in the construction of
shells, and in the explosive powder for charging the same, such powder being
applicable generally as a substitute for gunpowder for mining and blasting,
or for the discharge of projectiles from ordnance and small arms.
I I propose to form the shell of a sphero-conoidal shape, having the pointed
end or head made solid to form a shot sufficiently heavy for penetrating ships
or batteries; at the rear of the head is formed a hollow chamber for the
reception of the bursting charge, the rear end of the shell is of a rounded or
spherical form; and between this and the bursting charge is a division in which
a plug is inserted for holding the fuse so as to prevent it from being driven
into the charge by the explosion. By this form of shot the weight of the head
ensures perfect accuracy in the flight of the projectile, besides affording a
certainty of penetration through armour plate, the walls of the hollow chamber
being only of such thickness as to offer strength to the whole, and yet permit
of their destruction by the explosion of the bursting charge. It forms a
combined shot and shell, and may be made of any size to be used with ordnance

page_text: of rifled or smooth bores. If the projectile is required to set ships or buildings
on fire the fuse must be used in large quantities; if for firing at artillery,
cavalry, or infantry, or into forts, then the proper length of fuse must be
provided according to distance. This projectile is intended to be fired with the
fuse inwards in the gun, by which method no windage will take place of any
consequence, and the shell will travel with great precision. The wad is composed
of wood shod with iron, and it fits the rounded form of the projectile, there is
a small hole bored through the centre of the wad, for the purpose of allowing
the flash of the explosion to reach the fuse and ignite it; another wad of a
similar character, but without the central perforation, is placed at the conical
head of the projectile, and fits the same, so that the shot is driven out of the
gun without twisting, thus aiding the precision of its flight. The explosive
powder is composed of chlorate of potash and realgar, about equal parts, will form
a powder of a very great strength, and a much less quantity will be required
than of ordinary gunpowder. This new powder is to be used for charging the
shell, whereby a bursting charge will be afforded capable of effecting a greater
amount of destruction than has hitherto been accomplished. The powder may
also be used for discharging projectiles of every kind from ordnance and fire-arms;
and it may also be applied to mining and blasting purposes as a substitute for
gunpowder. This powder is not injured by damp, and change of climate will
not alter its qualities, and the ingredients when separate are not explosive.
The fuse is composed of nitre 6 lbs., sublimed sulphur 2 lbs., orpiment 1 lb.,
shellac 1 lb., filings of steel or iron lb., spirits of wine half a gallon, in or
about these proportions. When these ingredients are mixed together they
form a paste which dries very quickly and is capable of ready ignition and
throws out a strong stream of liquid fire. The fuse also fills the space between
the division in the shell and the rounded end, if necessary.