CHAPTER IV.

OF FUSES FOR SHELLS, HOWITZES, AND GRENADES.

The fusée of the French, is applied to various purposes, and is differently made by different artificers. Fuses are intended to communicate fire to the powder with which shells, &c. are filled, so as to make them burst in the places to which they are thrown. They are composed, according to some, of one pound of gunpowder, and two or three ounces of charcoal, well mixed together; or of four pounds of gunpowder, two of saltpetre, and one of sulphur. It is to be remarked that the time a bomb, or grenade, will take to burn, after it has been thrown out of the mortar, or a howitz out of a howitzer, depends entirely upon the length and quality of the fuse. Fuses are made of wood turned in the form of a truncated cone, in order to enter fairly into the _eye_ of the shell. They are perforated through the middle, in the direction of the axis, so as to receive the composition. This channel is called the _light_ of the fuse. The wood that is employed, should be strong, dry, sound, and without knots. The best kinds are the oak, the elm, and the linden. They are filled with a slow combustible composition. The materials are increased or diminished according to the nature of their application. Fuses are sometimes made of copper.

The fuses for 10 and 12 inch shells are 8-1/2 inches long; for 8 inch shells, 7-1/2, for howitzes, 5-1/2; and for hand grenades, 2-1/2. The diameter of the light, in the first is 5 lines, in the second and third, 4 lines, and 2 lines for grenades. At the larger end of the fuse for shells, and howitzes, a cup is made from 10 to 14 lines in diameter, and 3 deep. In turning them, a solid bit, 2-1/2 inches thick, is left at the small end, to prevent them from splitting, when the composition is pressed into the canal. When the fuse is to be driven into the eye of the projectile, this piece is sawn off, cutting the fuse diagonally. The turner marks its termination by a circle upon the fuse. Fuses decrease nearly one inch in length, and two lines in diameter, according to the caliber of the bomb. The diameter of the lights, or apertures, only diminish half a line.

In what is called the Shrapnel shell, invented by colonel Shrapnel, the seasonable use of the fuse constitutes one of its principal advantages. With regard to the American elongated shell, invented by a gentleman in the Ordnance, we have heard nothing. See _Shrapnel shell_, &c.

_Sec. I. Of the Method of Charging the Fuses of Bombs or Shells._

Two rammers of copper are required for each of the several calibers of 12, 10, and 8 inches; the first an inch longer than the fuse, the second half as long. These rammers are of the same size with the lights of their respective fuses, and have a head to receive the blows of a mallet. Only one rod is wanted for the fuses of smaller calibers.

The first operation is to examine the fuses, to see that they have no knots or flaws, and are not wormeaten. The artificers place themselves astride, and facing each other, upon benches of strong plank, having, between them, a small vessel filled with the composition, and each one, a small measure. Each artificer takes a fuse, inserts the small end into a hole, made in the bench, for the purpose of maintaining it erect, and preventing it from splitting in the act of charging. He then passes a measure of the composition into the light, and introduces the first rod, on which he strikes 15 strokes, of equal force, with the mallet. Between every three strokes, he raises the rod, to make the composition fall. The ramming of this measure is therefore executed in 5 _vollies_ or blows. He then withdraws the rod, and introduces a new charge of the composition, which he beats as before, and so on until the fuse is half full; after which he makes use of the second rod, and goes on loading, until the charge reaches within three lines of the cup. He then takes two strands of quick match, which (after placing them in the form of a cross, on the top of the fuse) he presses with his rod, pours some of the composition upon them, and, beating it carefully so as not to cut the match, he fills the fuse to the top of the cup.

The fuses of howitzes and grenades are charged in the same way; but the blows are not so heavy as in larger ones, for fear of splitting the wood.

The fuses being thus charged, the quick match is folded into the cup, and the opening closed with a bit of cloth or parchment, or very strong paper, which is tied an inch below the top. This operation is called _capping_ the fuse. All the fuses for bombs or grenades are at present furnished with matches. Care must be taken, therefore, to leave a vacancy of about .27 parts of an inch, in order to fix in the match. Fuses of grenades are charged with the same precision as those for bombs, only the blows, as we remarked, should be weaker for fear of splitting the fuse. Before the little end is driven into the bomb or shell, care is to be taken to have the end cut slopingly, without which the communication of the fire with the powder would be uncertain.

When fuses have been well loaded, and the materials previously well mixed, they will naturally burn with an equal steady fire, preserving in general an even length of flame, without splitting, or irregularly shaking. They may be proved by throwing them into water, tied to a stone, or by driving them with heavy blows into the earth. They should not go out in either of these cases. Fuses made with the composition we shall describe, and for 10 and 12 inch shells, last seventy seconds. According to the Strasbourg directions, it appears, that fuses for shells of 12.78 inches should last until you can count 80 or 85, or 70 seconds. Those for bombs 8.52 inches, 65 counts, or 60 seconds, and those for grenades 25 or 30 counts.

Before the fuse is driven into the bomb, the thin or small end must be cut off, in order that the fire may be easily communicated to the mass of gunpowder, which is lodged in the bomb. To fire bombs at a small distance, the fuse must be cut on a longer slant, so that the bomb may take effect sooner, and may not remain a long time in the place where it falls, without bursting.

The fuse must be of such a length, as to continue burning all the time the shell is in its range, and to set fire to the powder as soon as it touches the ground, which occasions the shell instantly to burst into many pieces. When the distance from the object is known, the time of the shell's flight may be computed to a second or two; which being ascertained, the fuse may be cut accordingly. By burning two or three, and making use of a watch, or of a string, by way of a pendulum, to vibrate seconds, we may determine the length of time a fuse, or any length of a fuse, will take to burn.

In order to preserve fuses for a length of time, and protect them from moisture, the cap is coated with a composition, or cement, made of 16 parts of bees' wax, and 4 of mutton tallow; melting the wax first, and then adding the suet. Some make use of two-thirds wax, and one-third rosin. The cap of the fuse is dipped in, when the mixture is half cold, and immediately withdrawn.

-----------------------------------+--------------------------------- | PARTS OF Composition for the Fuses of +--------+--------+--------+------ Shells, Howitzes and Grenades. | Meal | | Salt- | Char- | powder.|Sulphur.| petre.| coal. -----------------------------------+--------+--------+--------+------- Composition usually employed, | 5 | 3 | 2 | Quicker composition, | 7 | 4 | 2 | Another (from Ruggeri) | 14 | 6 | 8 | Do. Do. | 16 | 7 | 10 | Do. (English) | 7 | 3 | 4 | Do. (Strasbourg) for 8.52 bombs, | 4 | 2 | 3 | Do. (from the Pocket Gunner) lbs.| 2¾ | 1 | 3¼ | Do. particular (from Bigot) } | | 2⅝ | 6¾ | ⅝ } | | 3⅞ | 9¼ | ⅞ -----------------------------------+--------+--------+--------+-------

The following is the quantity of composition required for fuses, viz:

1000 fuses, for 10 and 12 inch shells, 92 lbs. Do. do. for 8 inch shells, 53 -- Do. do. for 6 inch howitzes, 33½ -- Do. do. for hand grenades 16 --

_Sec. II. Of Loading Shells, Howitzes and Grenades._

The shells, before they are loaded, are cleansed from any foreign substances that may be in them; and those which are split, or have flaws in the eye are rejected; so are also those that are not well bored, or are eccentric. They are then charged with powder, introduced into them by means of a funnel. Five or six pounds of gunpowder are usually put into twelve-inch shells; from three to five, in ten-inch shells; from one to one and a quarter, into eight-inch shells; from three-quarters to one pound, into howitzes; and grenades of all sorts are half filled. The charge of shells is increased, when they are to burst into a great number of pieces; for instance, when they are to fall among troops. Incendiary fire-works are added, when buildings are to be set on fire. Among these are fire-stone, and incendiary matches.

The charge having been put into these hollow projectiles, a fuse is introduced into the eye, after it has been cut diagonally at the smaller end, and the smaller part taken off. It is forced in by repeated blows of a mallet on the fuse driver, which is laid upon the cap of the fuse. It ought not to project more than eight or ten lines in shells, and six or seven in howitzes.

The fuses of loaded shells, howitzes, and grenades are preserved from wet and fire in the field, by dipping that part of the fuse, which projects from the surface of the sphere, for the same purpose as before mentioned, into the following composition. The immersion must be made, when the composition, after being melted, is half cold. Either this, or the formula before given, may be used.

_Composition._

Pitch, 31 parts. Turpentine, 16 ---- Mutton tallow, 1 ---- Linseed oil, 6 ----

Agreeably to the Strasbourg Memoir on Military Fire-works, it appears, that, fuses being driven into the shell, four threads of match must be neatly arranged in the cap. Then cap the fuse with a piece of parchment dipped in brandy; after which, apply round the fuse, at the eye of the shell, some capping wax when lukewarm. Then dip all the extreme part of the fuse, down to the shell, in melted pitch, which you will leave to cool in the shade, in such a manner, that the shell may neither be exposed to moisture, nor to the accident of fire.

_Composition of the Pitch._

Black pitch, 4 lbs. Rosin, 4 --

This pitch serves not only to pitch the fuses of bombs and grenades, but also to cover the outside of fire-balls and other fire-works, intended to be preserved.

_Another Composition of pitch for the same Purposes._

Black pitch, 6 lbs. Linseed oil, 12 oz.

See the preceding section.

_Sec. III. Of Fuses with Dead Light._

The _feu mort_, or dead fire fuse, is a peculiar species of fuse. The difference, between these fuses and the ordinary kind, consists in this, that the eye, instead of being pierced and hollow, is full, and of a hemispherical shape. In both cases, however, the composition is introduced through the small end.

_Composition for dead light._

Meal-gunpowder, 16 parts. Ashes of wood, 9½ ----

The ashes must be dried, and run through a sieve. Potters' earth, or clay, will produce the same effect as the ashes.

In proceeding to charge a bomb-fuse that is made of ordinary wood, the eye, or aperture, is first closed with pipe clay, which is well beaten and pressed against the fuse in a small platter; the thin end of the fuse being held upwards. Three lines (3/12ths of an inch) of this earth will be sufficient to stop the communication of any fire. A tube, or trundle, filled with meal-powder, for the purpose of setting fire to the composition called _feu mort_, is thrust into the fuse, by which it is finally charged. If this charge of meal-gunpowder were to be omitted, the fuse might not be susceptible of ignition; but the quantity never ought to exceed three lines, as the fuse would split by the explosion. When the grains of gunpowder have been well pounded, a trundle or tube, filled with the aforementioned composition, must be applied, and it is finally loaded like the rest.

It must be recollected, that two inches of this composition will last as long as one of the quality, with which common fuses are charged. Before the fuse is driven into the bomb, it must be pierced through with a gimblet of one line in diameter; taking care, that the hole is made precisely through the charge of meal-powder. One end of a priming match must be forced in, and three others be tied to it, which three are to fall upon the bomb, when it lies in the mortar. The particular object to be obtained by this kind of fuse, is to prevent the least trace of fire or light being visible in its projection; so that the enemy may remain ignorant of the range, or direction of the bomb, and not be able, of course, to get out of the way when it falls, or to avoid the effects of its explosion.

These fuses were made use of at the siege of Ham in 1761. The experiments, which were made, in 1792, with this composition, by an artificer belonging to the ordnance board, at Douay, have proved, that it answers every purpose, for which it was invented.

The author of the _Manuel de l'Artilleur_ observes, however, that the advantages to be derived from this invention, are not so great as they first appear. He remarks, that, with respect to the real utility of the fuse _à feu mort_, if it be considered as tending materially to the defence of any beseiged place, the argument cannot be very forcible, when we reflect, that to gain time constitutes one of the principal means of defence, and that the only way to obtain it, is by retarding the beseigers' operations. These ends are gained by various expedients. Among others, the common lighted fuse conduces not a little: since, during the whole direction of the bomb against the works of the assailants, the attention of the workmen is diverted from their immediate labour; and as long as it continues in its range, much uneasiness is created, because its ultimate explosion and concomitant destruction are unknown. Add to this, that, independent of the confusion that is occasioned among the assailants by repeated projectiles, the bombardier, by means of lighted fuses, is enabled to correct his aim during the darkest night. This kind of fuse has been known for many years, and, it is presumed from these objections to its use, the common fuse has been hitherto adopted.

_Sec. IV. Of the Dimensions of Fuses, and the Dimensions and Charge of Bombs, Howitzes and Grenades._

Shells, in gunnery, are hollow iron balls, to be thrown out of mortars or howitzers, with a fuse hole of about an inch in diameter, to load them with powder, and to receive the fuse. The bottom, or part opposite the fuse, is made heavier than the rest, that the fuse may fall uppermost. In small elevations, this is not always the case, nor is it necessary.

Shells are called hollow projectiles, and, besides powder, various incendiary matters are introduced; but in addition to shells, properly so called, hollow projectiles comprehend howitzes and grenades. As a principle, it is observed, that their sides ought to be proportionably thick to the shock they receive in the piece, and to the quantity of powder introduced for bursting them; and their weight, according to the objects they are to destroy. We remarked, that a shell should be thicker opposite the fuse. This thickness is called by the French a _culot_, or reinforcement of metal; the object of which is to prevent the breaking of the shell on rocks or stone, as well as to prevent its falling on the fuse. Four times as much powder may be put in the cavity as is sufficient to burst them. This admits the introduction of incendiary matter. Howitzes are hollow balls with a _culot_, or reinforcement of metal, upon the inside, opposite the eye, and are calculated for ricochet, that is, for passing, bounding, over the ground, and, by striking and penetrating solid objects, and finally bursting, produce considerable havoc and devastation. For ricochet, the howitz, in fact, should be of the same thickness throughout.

Grenades are also a hollow ball, and are of two kinds; namely, the rampart or ditch grenades, of the caliber of 36, 24, 18, and 12 pounders, designed for rolling along a trough from the top of the rampart, and falling into the ditch, to annoy an enemy, in attempting to cross it; and the hand-grenade, that are thrown by hand into the interior of works, that are attacked, into covered ways and trenches, &c. They are of six and three pounder calibers, and their splinters will fly 35 yards. Grenades were invented about the time that shells were, and first used in 1594. Grenades have sunk into disuse; but they may be advantageously employed. During the seige of Cassel, under the count de la Lippe, in the campaign of 1762, a young engineer undertook to carry one of the outworks, with a small detachment of men by using grenades, and in consequence succeeded.

Message shells are nothing more than howitzer shells, and are so called, because they are used to carry letters or papers. During the bombardment of Flushing, and while the communication with Cadsand was cut off, means were found to convey a letter from the garrison into the latter place. It was inclosed in a shell without inflammable matter, and discharged from a mortar, planted on one of the sea batteries.

Shrapnel shells were invented by colonel Shrapnel of the British service. They were used, we are told, with peculiar effect against the French, in 1808, and at the battle of Waterloo in 1815. The fuses for these shells, after being turned so as to fit the fuse-holes, are bored, and a deep thread grooved inside, to hold the composition firm; and, instead of being turned with cups, they are hollowed conical, and roughed with a tool that cuts under, the better to receive the priming. After they are driven, with fuse composition, one and a half inches, they are sawed across the top about one-fifth of an inch down, so as not to touch the composition, and divided into five equal parts, of two-tenths of an inch each; after which, a bit of quickmatch is placed across, and drawn tight in the same grooves. They are then primed with meal-powder and spirits of wine, capped, and packed for service.

We here insert three tables, which we have extracted from the work of M. Bigot.

The first table is relative to the dimensions of fuses for shells, howitzes, and grenades; the second, respecting the dimensions of bombs, howitzes, and grenades; and the third, of the charge of bombs and howitzes.

These tables, taken together, will exhibit all the particulars on this subject; and as this kind of data is necessary, in the practical operations of the laboratory, their introduction in this place, we consider important.

_Table relative to the Dimensions of Fuses for Shells, Howitzes, and Grenades._

-----------------------------+-------+-------+---------+-------------- | | | | Grenades. CALIBERS. |12 and |8-inch.|howitzes,+--------+----- |10-inch| | 6-inch. |Rampart.|Hand. -----------------------------+-------+-------+---------+--------+----- | inch. | inch. | inch. | inch. | inch. Length, | 9 | 8 | 5½ | 4 | 2½ Diameter. | | | | | At the large end, | 1⅔ | 1⅓ | 1¼ | 11/12 | ⅔ At 3 inches from the large | 1⅓ | 1 | 11/12 | 0 | 0 end, | | | | | At the small end, | 1⅙ | 11/12 | 10/12 | ¾ | ½ Of the light, | 5/12 | ⅓ | ⅓ | ¼ | ⅙ Of the interior of the cup,| 1⅙ | 11/12 | ⅚ | 7/12 | 5/12 Depth of the cup, | 3/12 | 3/12 | 3/12 | 3/12 | 3/12 Height of the massive, | 5/12 | 5/12 | ¼ | ¼ | 0 -----------------------------+-------+-------+---------+--------+-----

_Table of Dimensions of Bombs, Howitzes, and Grenades._

----------------------------+--------+--------+--------+--------+-------- | | | 8-inch,| | CALIBER. |12-inch.|10-inch.|& howitz|howitzes| Hand | | | 8-inch.| 6-inch.|grenades ----------------------------+--------+--------+--------+--------+-------- |inch. |inch. |inch. |inch. |inch. | lines.| lines.| lines.| lines.| lines. | pts.| pts.| pts.| pts.| pts. Diam.{of bombs, | 11 10 6| 10 0 0| 8 1 6 | 6 0 0 | 3 6 0 {of the light{exterior,| 1 4 0| 1 4 0| 1 0 0 | 0 11 0 | 0 8 6 {interior,| 1 3 0| 1 3 0| 0 11 0 | 0 10 9 | 0 8 0 Thickness {of the sides, | 1 6 0| 1 6 0| 0 11 0 | 0 11 0 | 0 4 0 {of the culot, | 2 2 0| 1 4 0| 1 3 0 | 0 0 0 | 0 5 0 | Pounds.| Pounds.| Pounds.| Pounds.| Pounds. Weight of the bombs, { | 145 to | 97 to | 43 to | 20 to | 3¼ { | 150 | 100 | 45 | 25 | 0 ----------------------------+--------+--------+--------+--------+--------

The rampart grenades are variable in their dimensions, and weigh from eight to twelve pounds.

_Table of the Charge of Bombs and Howitzes._

-----------------+-------------------------------+----------------------- | Bombs of | Howitzes. +---------+---------+-----------+-----------+----------- |12-inches|10-inches| 8-inches. | 8-inches. | 6-inches. -----------------+---------+---------+-----------+-----------+----------- Charge | | | | | of full bombs, | 17 lbs. | 10 lbs. |4 lb. 1 oz.|4 lb. 1 oz.|1 lb. 6 oz. sufficient to }| | | | | burst them. }| 5 | 3 |1 |1 |0 12 -----------------+---------+---------+-----------+-----------+-----------