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diff --git a/.gitattributes b/.gitattributes new file mode 100644 index 0000000..d7b82bc --- /dev/null +++ b/.gitattributes @@ -0,0 +1,4 @@ +*.txt text eol=lf +*.htm text eol=lf +*.html text eol=lf +*.md text eol=lf diff --git a/LICENSE.txt b/LICENSE.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6312041 --- /dev/null +++ b/LICENSE.txt @@ -0,0 +1,11 @@ +This eBook, including all associated images, markup, improvements, +metadata, and any other content or labor, has been confirmed to be +in the PUBLIC DOMAIN IN THE UNITED STATES. + +Procedures for determining public domain status are described in +the "Copyright How-To" at https://www.gutenberg.org. + +No investigation has been made concerning possible copyrights in +jurisdictions other than the United States. Anyone seeking to utilize +this eBook outside of the United States should confirm copyright +status under the laws that apply to them. diff --git a/README.md b/README.md new file mode 100644 index 0000000..025a053 --- /dev/null +++ b/README.md @@ -0,0 +1,2 @@ +Project Gutenberg (https://www.gutenberg.org) public repository for +eBook #65791 (https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/65791) diff --git a/old/65791-0.txt b/old/65791-0.txt deleted file mode 100644 index 5af9b12..0000000 --- a/old/65791-0.txt +++ /dev/null @@ -1,4574 +0,0 @@ -The Project Gutenberg eBook of Tri-nitro-glycerine as applied in the Hoosac -Tunnel Submarine Blasting, by George M. Mowbray - -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and -most other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no restrictions -whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms -of the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at -www.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the United States, you -will have to check the laws of the country where you are located before -using this eBook. - -Title: Tri-nitro-glycerine as applied in the Hoosac Tunnel Submarine - Blasting - -Author: George M. Mowbray - -Release Date: July 7, 2021 [eBook #65791] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: UTF-8 - -Produced by: Bryan Ness and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at - https://www.pgdp.net (This file was produced from images - generously made available by The Internet Archive/American - Libraries.) - -*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK TRI-NITRO-GLYCERINE AS APPLIED IN -THE HOOSAC TUNNEL SUBMARINE BLASTING *** - - - - -Transcriber’s Notes: - - Underscores “_” before and after a word or phrase indicate _italics_ - in the original text. - Small capitals have been converted to SOLID capitals. - Illustrations have been moved so they do not break up paragraphs. - Typographical and punctuation errors have been silently corrected. - -[Illustration] - -[Illustration] - - - - - TRI-NITRO-GLYCERIN, - AS APPLIED IN THE - _Hoosac Tunnel, Submarine Blasting,_ - ETC., ETC., ETC. - - - BY - GEO. M. MOWBRAY, - - NORTH ADAMS, MASS. - - 1872. - - NORTH ADAMS: - JAMES T. ROBINSON & SON, PRINTERS AND BINDERS, - - TRANSCRIPT OFFICE, - Transcript Building, Bank Street. - 1872. - - Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1872, - by GEORGE M. MOWBRAY, - - In the Clerk’s Office of the District Court of the - District of Massachusetts. - - - - -DEDICATION. - - -TO WALTER SHANLY, M. P. - -Indebted to you for the resources which have enabled me to investigate -the properties of Nitro-Glycerin, and render its manufacture a -commercial success, permit me to dedicate the following pages in token -of my appreciation of the indomitable energy, admirable organization, -integrity of purpose, and engineering talent which have rescued the -Hoosac Tunnel from the mire of politics and rendered it an engineering -success; notwithstanding extraordinary impediments of flood, water -fissures, strikes, jealousy and indifference on the part of those -chiefly interested, that must have been most disheartening to your -mind, and challenged a resolution and resources seldom combined with -the abilities you have shewn in this work. Our relations during the -past three years having been without a ripple, render this, my simple -duty, an agreeable task. - - GEO. M. MOWBRAY. - - - - -PREFACE. - - -A paper read by request at the Albany Institute, was the germ of the -following pages; its publication in this form, I considered would -furnish engineers, contractors and railroad directors, who occasionally -apply to me for particulars as to the use of Nitro-Glycerin in the -Hoosac Tunnel, with detailed information impossible to condense in -a business letter. Hurriedly composed during the spare hours of a -manufacture involving grave responsibility, the writer weighted with -the additional task of defeating an attempt to monopolize the use (not -the manufacture) of Nitro-Glycerin throughout the United States, whilst -the subject itself, “Explosives, and firing mines by Electricity,” -constantly demanded experimental research, this work has not the -arrangement nor the completeness I could desire; but the author hopes -it will create a more favorable regard in the public mind, towards the -most powerful blasting agent known, by correcting errors in respect -to its properties, and the casualties attending its use; and assist -miners and contractors to a more intelligent acquaintance with some of -the materials the present advanced state of engineering progress has -brought into practical use. - - GEO. M. MOWBRAY. - North Adams, Mass., June 1st, 1872. - - - - -CONTENTS. - - - CHAPTER I. - Nitro-Glycerin—Introduction of the explosive in New - York, San Francisco, Lake Superior, and the Hoosac - Tunnel, Massachusetts; Accidents; Reports of - Engineers Thos. A. Doane, W. P. Granger and B. D. - Frost, of the Manufacturer; Miners’ statement. - - CHAPTER II. - Submarine Blasting—Erie Harbor—Dimon’s Reef, New - York—Coenties Reef, N. Y.—Oil Wells, Penn. - - CHAPTER III. - Nitro-Glycerin considered in its chemical details. - - CHAPTER IV. - Electricity in blasting operations. - - CHAPTER V. - The Tri-Nitro-Glycerin manufactured at the Hoosac - Tunnel—How Tri-Nitro-Glycerin is made—How - stored—How Gutta-Percha is purified—How the - Exploders are manufactured. - - CHAPTER VI. - Explosive mixtures. - - CHAPTER VII. - Nitro-Glycerin patents and litigation. - - - CHAPTER VIII. - Hoosac Tunnel—Drilling by machine—Blasting with - Powder—Nitro-Glycerin. - - DIRECTIONS FOR HANDLING AND USING TRI-NITRO-GLYCERIN. - - APPENDIX. - A. Memoranda for Contractors. - B. Over-sensitive Exploders. - C. Professor Abel on effects of initial explosion on explosives. - D. Car freighted with 4,800 lbs. Nitro-Glycerin off the track. - E. Accidents at the Hoosac Tunnel. - - - - -ILLUSTRATIONS. - - - PAGE. - I. Vignette. - II. Drilling machine at heading, a photograph taken in Tunnel - by Magnesium light, 7,760 feet from West Portal. - III. Stereoscopic view. Twelve cans after an explosion, 18 - IV. “ “ West End, Hoosac Tunnel, 28 - V. “ “ East End, Hoosac Tunnel, 39 - VI. “ “ Nitro-Glycerin factory, 43 - VII. “ “ “ “ interior of - converting room, 46 - VIII. “ “ Central shaft, Hoosac Tunnel, 50 - IX. Miners ascending “ “ “ “ 58 - X. Bursting of can, whilst conveying Nitro-Glycerin, - Hoosac Tunnel, 66 - XI. Sinking Central Shaft, Hoosac Tunnel, 74 - XII. Profile of the Hoosac Mountain, shewing progress - January 1, 1872, 80 - XIII. "Stopeing out" enlargement, East End, 85 - XIV. Driving bench work and dumping from heading, West End, 90 - - (Photographs taken by L. Daft, operating for - Messrs. Thompson & Co., of Albany, the drawings - by Assistant Engineers C. O. Wederkinch and - G. Lunt, the wood-cuts by Andrew & Son, Boston.) - - - - -CHAPTER I. - - - Nitro-Glycerin—Introduction of the explosive in New - York, San Francisco, Lake Superior, and the Hoosac - Tunnel, Massachusetts. Accidents, Reports of - Engineers Thos. A. Doane, W. P. Granger and B. D. - Frost, of the Manufacturer, Miners’ statement. - -The city of New York was startled one fine Sunday morning (1865) by an -explosion in Greenwich Street, opposite the Wyoming Hotel, the windows -of every house within one hundred yards of the entrance to the Wyoming -Hotel were shattered, pedestrians were thrown down, and the pavement -broken up. A few minutes previous to the explosion, one of the guests -in the hotel had been engaged polishing his boots; for this purpose he -had drawn from under the counter of the hotel office a small box, on -which he had rested his foot; noticing a reddish vapor emanating from -there, he drew the attention of the hotel clerk to it, who taking the -box in his hands made his way to the front door and threw it into the -gutter, whereupon explosion instantly followed. - -An investigation of the circumstances connected with the storage -of this box, developed the following facts: Some time previously a -passenger from Germany who had occupied a room at the hotel, being -unsuccessful in obtaining employment had left it as security for his -board, stating that it was Glonoin Oil, a new material that had been -used in Germany for blasting purposes with great success, that he, the -passenger, had been entrusted with an agency for introducing the same -to miners and others, but had failed to get it introduced into use; -undoubtedly the box contained Nitro-Glycerin, manufactured by the Nobel -Brothers, who had a manufactory where this explosive was compounded, at -Hamburgh. - -In the early part of the year 1866 this substance was again a prominent -subject of discussion, owing to an explosion which was attended with -the burning and ultimate destruction of the steamer “European,” one of -the West India mail packets, while she was lying at the railway wharf -of Colon or Aspinwall, on the Atlantic side of the isthmus of Panama. -Knowing that Nitro-Glycerin was on board under the name of “glonvene” -or “glonoin oil,” on its way to the gold mining districts of the North -American Pacific States, as an explosive or blasting agent, it was -concluded that the explosion was due to this substance. Unfortunately, -forty-seven persons were either killed at the time of the explosion or -died shortly afterward from the injuries they sustained. Immediately -succeeding this accident another explosion occurred in the office of -Wells, Fargo & Co., in San Francisco, by which eight persons lost -their lives. The damages by the explosion on board the “European” were -estimated at one million dollars, for the vessel, built of iron and of -unusual strength, was destroyed, and the pier with an upper railroad -track for unloading cargo, and warehouses for storing freight, were -completely wrecked. The San Francisco explosion involved a further loss -of a quarter million dollars. - -In all the above cases the Nitro-Glycerin manufactured at Hamburgh -reached New York safely; in the Wyoming Hotel explosion it had been -lying in the hotel several weeks, in the Aspinwall catastrophe it -had been transported over the Isthmus and reshipped by steamer as -express freight by Wells, Fargo & Co., to San Francisco, and carted -to their office in Montgomery Street before the explosion occurred. -It subsequently transpired that the immediate cause of the explosion -at Aspinwall was a case slipping from the slings whilst being hoisted -out of the hold of the vessel; in San Francisco, the circumstances as -detailed to the writer, were as follows: a man passing by Wells, Fargo -& Co.’s office heard one of the employee’s address a gentleman riding -past on horseback, saying, “Doctor, we have got a case of glonoin -oil and it seems to be smoking, I wish you would step in and advise -us what had better be done with it;” the doctor (Hill) dismounted, -requesting a passer-by to take charge of his horse and walk it up and -down the block, the animal being too high spirited to stand without -an attendant; scarcely had the person in charge gone a block from the -office when the explosion occurred. It can only be inferred that in -breaking open the case to discover the cause of leakage of red fumes, -the Nitro-Glycerin was exploded. I have since ascertained from the -New York consignee of this parcel of Nitro-Glycerin, (Messrs. Nobel’s -agent) that after the shipment to Panama, which was only a part of -the consignment from Hamburgh, the agent leaving another portion in -warehouse in Tenth Street, New York, proceeded to Lake Superior in the -winter season with a part of the same shipment, where, on arrival and -opening the cases, he found it had been packed in bottles surrounded -with sawdust, and in congealing had burst the bottles, a portion -of the Nitro-Glycerin being found solid in the neck of the bottle. -This therefore, if correctly reported, would go to prove the Nobel -Nitro-Glycerin expands during congelation.[1] What had been bottles -containing Nitro-Glycerin were now fragments of broken glass, whilst -the Nitro-Glycerin itself, owing to the extremely cold temperature of -a Lake Superior winter, was found in solid mass of the exact mould of -the bottle that had contained it. Upon discovering this condition of -the cases and their contents the consignee at Lake Superior telegraphed -to his correspondent in New York: “Direct Messrs. Bandmann to throw -the cases of Nitro-Glycerin, shipped to them, overboard on arrival.” -Probably in the belief that the temperature of the upper lakes was the -cause of the broken bottles and that the warmer temperature of the -tropics and San Francisco did not apply, this advice was neglected. - -[1] This property distinguishes it from the Mowbray Tri-Nitro-Glycerin, -the latter contracting about one-twelfth of its bulk in congealing; -further, the Nobel patents claim a preparation which congeals at 55°F, -whereas the Mowbray Tri-Nitro-Glycerin congeals at 45°F. No further -evidence is necessary to prove that a real difference of component -parts exists between the two preparations. - -Reflecting as a chemist upon these explosions, that here was a compound -made at Hamburgh, carted to the wharf, loaded on board steamer by -the stevedores, voyaging to London, reshipped to Panama, the express -portion of it forwarded across the Isthmus by railway, thence -lightered to and loaded upon the steamer, bearing twelve days’ voyage -to San Francisco, where on arrival it is taken to the express office, -previous to being forwarded to the mines; now how did it happen, since -there is no effect without a cause, after all this handling that an -explosion took place? Determined to solve this problem, I undertook the -preparation and qualitative examination of Nitro-Glycerin. Residing -at that time at Titusville in the oil region of Pennsylvania, where -the disastrous results of speculations in oil territory during the -previous year, compelled most of us to “masterly inactivity,” I had the -leisure, whilst my curiosity was piqued to discover, the apparently -anomalous properties which this explosive seemed to present, and in -1866, after maturing the process patented April 7, 1868, I inserted a -brief advertisement in the Scientific American, offering to manufacture -Nitro-Glycerin on a large scale for miners and others. In 1866, I -received a communication from Thomas A. Doane, Esq., chief engineer -of the Hoosac Tunnel, who was keenly alive to the necessity of more -efficient means for driving that work. I extract from his annual report -to the Commissioners of the Troy and Greenfield Railroad and Hoosac -Tunnel, James M. Shute, Alvah Crocker and Charles Hudson, dated Dec. -19, 1866, and having reference to the work of the current year, as -follows: - -“Page 21. It has been my continual desire since entering upon this work -to learn how to fire several charges at the same time. This I hoped -to do of Colonel Tal P. Shaffner, but his coming upon our work was so -long delayed, it being something more than a year after his first brief -visit here, that it began to seem hopeless. Last spring, in making a -visit to the Bessemer steel works in Troy, partly in way of business, -but more out of curiosity to see and learn something concerning -this process of making steel, it was my good fortune to obtain an -introduction through Mr. Holley of the steel works, to J. J. Revey of -London. Mr. Revey is connected with the gun-cotton works of London, -and was acquainted with the most approved methods of simultaneous -firing. He very kindly and fully explained to me the process and -gave me a description of the electrical machine and fuses necessary, -and also afterwards made a visit to our Tunnel. The Commissioners -ordered for me two electric machines, four thousand fuses, and several -miles of conducting and connecting wire. These were several months -in transit and before their arrival Colonel Shaffner came with his -material. His machine for exploding was Wheatstone’s magneto-electric -exploder, and by it and his system of connecting wires it was found -impossible to fire more than about five charges at once, and these -not simultaneously. This of course was far from satisfactory. Shortly -after, the ebonite (or Austrian pattern) machines with the Abel fuses -ordered for me, arrived, and we very soon learned how to use them both, -and have been able to fire at once as many as thirty-one charges. - -“While it is important to save the time which can be saved by this -process in firing, and to reduce the risk of accident, and to avoid the -smoke made by the burning of the common fuse, it is much more important -to the progress that simultaneity of firing be secured. If charges in -adjoining holes can be fired as though but one charge, then they help -each other and much more rock will be torn away. The whole top may be -thrown down or the bottom brought up by proper arrangement of holes, -and by means of a ring of converging holes the center may be dragged -out. The passage of the electric spark through one system of wires -occupies practically no appreciable time, while through several systems -it may. If the charges in adjoining holes are fired with the interval -of an instant, it may just as well be a week so far as the tearing of -the rock is concerned. - -“The number of fuses obtained was so small that their influence upon -progress is hardly appreciable, except possibly at the Central Shaft. - -“Under the direction of Colonel Shaffner, experiments have been tried -at the West Shaft with Nitro-Glycerin. The article used was imported -from Europe, and much time was consumed in ordering, shipping, and -passing it through the custom house. In these experiments Colonel -Shaffner has been eminently successful. No accident has resulted, and -indeed there seems to be comparatively little risk if the article is -good and ordinary care is taken in its use. - -“The Glycerin will occasion to some persons, if they are exposed to -it in a particular manner, a headache[2] for an hour or two, while -others are not thus affected. Our men have made very little complaint -in this respect, and indeed there has been no difficulty experienced in -introducing this new and powerful explosive among men who never before -have used anything but powder. - -[2] This effect has never been produced by the Tri-Nitro-Glycerin -(“Mowbray’s”) and is another and very emphatic proof of the difference -between the two preparations. - -“It was some time ago demonstrated by experiment, that double progress -could be made with Glycerin over that made with powder at less cost. -This is a wonderful achievement and its effect upon the prospect -of this work, in regard to its early completion at reasonable cost -cannot but be good. It is true that the experiment was limited to a -shorter time by reason of the small supply of electrical fuses and -Nitro-Glycerin than could have been wished, and that my views may -upon further experience be modified or changed even, but with what -information I now have there is no room to doubt its fitness for our -purpose. It is the testimony of all who have seen our work, including -Mr. Revey, George Berkeley of London, C. E., Dr. Erhardt of London, -Colonel Shaffner, and others familiar with tunnelling, that while our -rock is not in general harder to drill than many others, it is most -persistently tough. That is, the number of charges we fire, if they -could be in granite or lime or in any brittle stone, would bring out -two or three times more of debris than now. It is therefore necessary -that we should have the quickest explosive to get the best result. As -preparations of mercury are not to be thought of on account of their -danger, we take Nitro-Glycerin as being next in power, while it is -comparatively safe. Whenever its extensive use shall be concluded upon -it will be necessary to secure the services of some scientific person -expert in handling it, that some antidote against headache may be -discovered, and that the risk may be reduced to the lowest possible -point. Bulk for bulk, which is the only useful comparison to be made -here, Nitro-Glycerin is eight times more powerful than common powder.” - -In same report, page 64, the consulting engineer, Benj. H. Latrobe, -states: “In the east heading of the West Shaft experiments with -Nitro-Glycerin as an explosive were made with highly favorable results, -as reported by the chief engineer who states, the forward progress -in the heading proper (six by fifteen in section) as doubled, and in -the heading enlargement (to ten and a half and fifteen) as trebled by -this new agent when compared with gunpowder. He also reports $10.20 -per cubic yard saved in the heading, and $3.64 in the enlargement, -on a similar comparison with gunpowder, results certainly of the most -encouraging character, and inviting to farther and persevering effort -for the safe and successful use of the new explosive.” - -The Commissioners themselves report—page 6: “The value and economy of -Nitro-Glycerin as an explosive seems to have been fully demonstrated -and the method of using it with safety to the employees appears to be -the only question now undetermined. Its early introduction is very -desirable and preparations are making to bring this about whenever it -shall appear prudent to do so, since it is believed, on the strength of -numerous experiments made in the tunnel at the West End, that by the -use of this agent alone, as compared with gunpowder, the time required -for completing the work may be greatly reduced.” - -Between the issuing of the above report and that of 1867, circumstances -led to the withdrawal of Mr. Doane from the Tunnel, and Commissioner -Hon. Alvah Crocker personally undertook the superintendence of the -work. In his report dated January, 1868, the following remarks occur: - -“Nitro-Glycerin—experiments as made in the West Shaft as given by Mr. -Doane and referred to by Hon. Tappan Wentworth, chairman of the Tunnel -Committee of that year, induced early action by the Commission. As long -ago as February last I visited New York, and spent several days in -endeavoring to ascertain if the article had been made there, or in the -vicinity, but to no purpose. Finding subsequently that the railroads -refused absolutely to transport it, the matter rested until the first -of July, when I addressed George M. Mowbray, Esq., of Titusville, -operative chemist, and with the permission of the Commission he -was called to North Adams and a contract concluded with him highly -advantageous to the Commonwealth. As will appear in the appendix, the -public will be gratified to learn that we are on the eve of giving it a -fair trial.” - -On the 29th of October, 1867, the writer arrived in North Adams and I -subjoin my report to the superintending commissioner, dated January 11, -1868, and addressed to Hon. Alvah Crocker, Superintendent of Hoosac -Tunnel: - - “Sir: I avail myself of permission to report progress of - the arrangement to introduce Nitro-Glycerin for the purpose - of blasting in the Hoosac Tunnel, subject to the conditions - imposed by you at an interview held in the engineer’s - office, during the latter part of October, 1867. These - conditions were— - - “First. To conduct the operations with a strict regard - to the safety of the miners, and to avoid all risks that - might endanger the property of the State, connected with the - Tunnel. - - “Second. The outlay of capital for the necessary works to - be defrayed at my own cost and expense. - - “Third. That the Nitro-Glycerin should be supplied - at current market rates, freight added; the State of - Massachusetts furnishing a convenient site for the - buildings, compressed air, and a supply of water, free - of cost, and to give the subscriber a preference in - consideration of his erecting the works adjacent to the - Tunnel. - - “The reasons that led to this arrangement were, that as - the rock found in excavating the Tunnel was exceedingly - tough, any increased progress or lineal advance per - month without any increased expenditure; in other words, - diminished cost per lineal foot and quickened advance, - seemed possible only by the use of a more effective - explosive agent than gunpowder; that in Nitro-Glycerin this - greater power existed, and therefore its use was desirable; - the problem being convenience of supply, guarding against - the possibility of accident, by planning carefully every - detail in its use, rigidly enforcing every precaution, a - failure in any of these points involving pecuniary loss in - outlay for the works by the party undertaking its supply and - superintending its use in the Tunnel. - - “Agreeing with you in the propriety of these views, I - commenced operations on the 30th of October. During the past - two months a convenient two-story factory has been erected, - and the necessary apparatus set up therein, about 1000 feet - south of the west shaft; within twenty feet of this factory, - a small dwelling for myself and an experienced assistant, - and about 500 feet further south on the extreme line of land - owned by the State, a magazine for storing Nitro-Glycerin - has been constructed. Inclement weather somewhat retarded - these operations, nevertheless, the crude articles used in - the manufacture and every appliance to render the labor of - making a “chemically pure” Nitro-Glycerin, without danger to - those engaged in its manufacture, were completed and in good - working order on the 31st of December, 1867. - - “The assistance rendered me by the gentlemen - superintending the various departments of the tunnel work, - materially contributed to this result, and I gratefully - acknowledge their uniform courtesy and promptitude in - forwarding my undertaking. Your own constant attendance at - the engineer’s office permitted me almost daily to submit - my plans, which therefore met no delay in being subjected - to the scrutiny of the engineer in charge, who as promptly - reported on them. - - “On the 2d of January, 1868, I moved up to the works and - on the following day tested the apparatus by manufacturing, - and although somewhat delayed by the necessity of drying the - plastering in the magazine, and introducing suitable heating - apparatus to maintain a moderate temperature during this - inclement season, (a neglect of which precaution remotely - led to the Bergen accident) yet to-day we have a supply of - Nitro-Glycerin, properly and safely stored, ready for use. - Samples of this have been duly tested for its explosive - force by the engineer in charge and his assistant, giving - satisfaction as to its tremendous power, and facility of - explosion, with a peculiar fuse and exploder. You may - therefore rely on a regular supply as needed, and I submit - that a month’s consumption be kept on hand, in order that - it may free itself from adherent water, which, except other - means be used to free it, does not separate for about ten - days. Freed from this obstinately adhering moisture, it is - safer and more effective for blasting purposes. - - “As respects its application to blasting, during the - ensuing week the conducting wires will be laid to the - east heading (west shaft) and in order to maintain the - electrical machine in working order, I have arranged that - the act necessary to firing a blast shall be performed in - the time-keeper’s office, where the air is dry and therefore - favorable to exciting the charge of electricity, but the - control and the means to signal for a discharge, will be - in the Tunnel at a safe distance from the heading. By this - arrangement, although requiring more conducting wire, the - incessant repairs to a costly and delicate instrument and - disappointment and delay attending miss-fires will be - avoided, and the drillers will be detained from their labor - at each discharge for a less period of time. - - “The order of charging and firing is as follows: When - the drill holes have been completed, (say every four - hours) signal is made, for the cartridges which are - only then taken into the Tunnel, (the Nitro-Glycerin in - its containing cartridge in one vessel, the exploders, - with priming and connecting wires attached, in another - separate vessel.) On arrival at the heading, the miners - are dismissed to a safe distance, the drill holes - are then gauged, to be assured they will receive the - cartridges; now, and for the first time the exploders - are attached to the Nitro-Glycerin cartridges, and - immediately passed into the drill holes, these latter - are plugged with a bung, perforated to allow the - delicate connecting wires to pass, (thus avoiding - cutting the insulation against the rock, and confining - the flame;) connection is made beginning with the - return wire to the cartridges consecutively, and on to - the conducting wire. The operator now retires from the - heading some 300 feet towards the shaft where a simple - but important apparatus, or break is arranged; he then - and there connects his return wire and his conducting - wire to two similar wires that lead to the electrical - discharge, which duty is performed in the dry, warm - room before referred to, and the explosions take place - instantaneously. - - The above modification is a necessity to avoid the - damaging influence of the moisture in the Tunnel, so - disturbing in its effect on the machine. I have only - to add, that we have under-way apparatus for coating - and re-covering damaged insulated wires, an improvement - to insure perfect explosion of the Nitro-Glycerin; the - manufacture of Abel’s priming for fuse, the formula - having been published by the inventor; matters of - comparatively minor importance, but where so many - blasts are daily occurring, involving considerable - saving in cost and express charges, and securing a - better article when made by the individual for his own - actual use, than when made simply for sale, all tending - to greater safety and certainty in firing the blasts, - ameliorations that have already been submitted to and - approved by your engineer in charge, who will doubtless - speedily report the actual results of blasting - operations. - Respectfully, - GEO. M. MOWBRAY, Operative Chemist. - -The following letter from the Engineer in charge to the Commissioners, -is interesting, as showing that the Nitro-Glycerin we had made, was -superior, and possessed far more valuable properties, than that which -had been imported from Hamburg: - - NORTH ADAMS, FEB. 18, 1868. - To the Commissioners of the Troy and Greenfield - Railroad and Hoosac Tunnel - - GENTLEMEN:—I have to report that - yesterday 4 P. M., we exploded eleven cartridges of - Nitro-Glycerin in charges of 1-2 lb. each, in open - holes without tamping, with entire success. This - experiment was made in the East heading of West Shaft. - On approaching the heading, the absence of foul gases - and smoke was remarkable, the mass of broken rock lay - close to the heading, and there was no appearance of - any rock thrown to any distance from the heading. - Inquiring of the miners if they experienced any - headache, elicited the remark they noticed a pleasant - smell, but nothing further. This settles the question - of its applicability in a close tunnel. I attribute - this freedom from the foul gases which we noticed in - our experiments a year since, to the evident purity - of this Nitro-Glycerin; it differs greatly from - all descriptions of the article, and in appearance - from that we imported, being a liquid colorless as - water, and free from smell or bubbles. That which we - imported was a thick, yellow liquid, quite different - in appearance from this. I have requested Mr. Mowbray, - who manufactures the Nitro-Glycerin, to take charge of - the blasting, and informed him that the Commissioners - wish him to assume the responsibility of using the - Nitro-Glycerin until further orders, or at least until - the system of firing is thoroughly organized among the - employees. - - I enclose his reply, and approve his suggestions, - subject to your instructions. - - I am very truly yours, - W. P. GRANGER, Engineer in charge. - -The Commissioners for the year 1868, report as follows: - -During the Summer, Glycerin of a very good quality has been -manufactured at this point, under the direction of Mr. Mowbray, and has -been used for several months in blasting in the tunnel east of the West -Shaft. No accident has attended its use. And while its effect in the -heading did not meet the expectations of the Commissioners, the result -of its operation in the bench below the heading, justifies the belief -that with due provision for its economic use, and essential care and -attention paid upon its management, it will prove an effective agent in -the prosecution of this enterprise. - -The Superintending Engineer, Benj. D. Frost, Esq., reports as follows: -“The following is a statement of monthly progress. - - - Length Total distance - driven. from W. Shaft. - - In November, 1867, 33 feet, 1272 feet. - December, 1867, 22 feet, 1294 feet. - January, 1868, 33 feet, 1327 feet. - February, 1868, 35 feet, 1362 feet. - March, 1868, 34 feet, 1396 feet. - April, 1868, 24 feet, 1420 feet. - May, 1868, 26 feet, 1446 feet. - June, 1868, [3] 21 feet, 1467 feet. - July, 1868, (Nitro-Glycerin used) 47 feet, 1514 feet. - August, 1868, “ 44 feet, 1558 feet. - September, 1868, “ [4] 51 feet, 1609 feet. - - -[3] Preparing for machine drilling. - -[4] September 1, to 24, 5-6 month. Rate 61 feet per month. - -“But for the improved methods of working introduced, the advance would -have been much less satisfactory than that we are enabled to exhibit -above. - -“Concerning the employment of Nitro-Glycerin and machine drilling at -West Shaft, it is hardly necessary to remark that many difficulties -are to be encountered in the training of men to a new service and in -successfully employing a new description of fuse and explosive. Some -remarks upon our experience in blasting with this compound, will be -found in a subsequent portion of this report. Continuous use of machine -drills was commenced at the West Shaft in the latter part of June, and -of Nitro-Glycerin as an explosive in the month of August. Some delays -were necessarily experienced at first, but greatly improved progress -was shortly attained. Some previous trials of machine drilling had been -made earlier in the present year, but without continuous progress, -upon which satisfactory estimates of success might be based. The last -workings made, including the month of September, up to the time of -suspension, about five-sixths of a working month, attained a linear -progress of 51 feet, with six drills only. The machinery provided at -West Shaft is only sufficient to supply the pneumatic power for the -ordinary working of the above number, to which accordingly we have been -necessarily confined. - -The two drill carriages employed are larger than those at East End, and -are intended to carry five drills each—in all, ten drills working at -the breast of the heading. Assuming, as we may safely, that the rate of -progress is proportional to the number of drills employed, ten drills -would advance 100 feet per month; and with full power provided and -further experience to be acquired by the workmen, this and even greater -average rates of monthly progress can be made and maintained. - -These headings are run at top, i.e., above the excavations hereafter to -be made, and of such height, and top outline as to correspond with the -roof of the completed tunnel. - -Amounts of progress upon this section of the work during present and -preceding year are exhibited in the following comparative table:— - - ========================================================== - West Shaft | Heading and Adit. | Enlargement. - Section. +----------+--------+----------+------- - | Linear | Cubic | Linear | Cubic - | Feet. | Yards. | Feet. | Yards. - -------------------+----------+--------+----------+------- - YEAR ENDING | | | | - November 1, 1867 | 543 | 2349 | 161 | 2100 - November 1, 1868 | 1280 | 4696 | 82 | 488 - ========================================================== - -The limited employment of Nitro-Glycerin made previous to August 1st, -had been directed to excavations of enlargement, which very nearly -resemble open cut work. The experience of the two months, August and -September, is all we have that throws direct light upon its value in -mining operations, using this phrase in its more limited sense, as -applied to advance of heading only. The varying hardness and tenacity -of rock and other attendant conditions, make material variations in the -progress of separate days or weeks, even in the same drift and with the -same means and appliances of working. - -For the reasons thus stated, actual records of advance without full -knowledge and discussion of all attendant circumstances, and more -especially when confined to short periods, must not be held conclusive -in regard to the measure of advantage to be derived from its use. We -cannot claim that in this short time, full knowledge as to its best -possible application has been obtained. Its superiority over the powder -ordinarily used in blasting, as demonstrated by our experience may be -briefly expressed in the following items: - - “1. Less number of holes drilled in proportion to area of - face carried forward. Estimated saving 33 per cent. - “2. Greater depth of holes permissable. Average depth of - Nitro-Glycerin, 42 inches; for blasting powder, 30 - inches. - “3. More complete avail of the full depth of hole drilled. - The greatly superior explosive power of the - Nitro-Glycerin rarely fails to take out the rock to - the full depth of the hole. Powder often comes short - of this, and by reason of this loss of useful effect, - a large percentage of additional drilling becomes - necessary. - -“In all the foregoing comparison, I assume it to be understood -that simultaneous blasting by electric battery is employed. The -great economy of force secured thereby, whenever hard rock may be -encountered, is admitted by all conversant with the matter, and since -the early part of the Summer, I have continuously employed it in both -the headings advancing into the mountain. - -“It is hoped and expected that further experience will demonstrate -an increase in each of the several items of advantage resulting from -Glycerin blasting; and it is only claimed that the best use was made -of the short term of experiment afforded, and the most faithful and -diligent effort was put forth to attain the best results and greatest -benefit therefrom to the Commonwealth. - -“It was a source of great disappointment that Professor Mowbray -should have been unable sooner to provide a continuous supply of -the explosive, and in view of the fact that a small quantity was -furnished earlier in the year, it is appropriate to make mention -of the obstacles which for a time delayed its further manufacture. -The first lot produced was made with imported acids, reaching -the actual standard of purity represented. In providing for more -extended operations, acids were ordered of American works of the same -expressed standard, but these when received, were found so far below -requirement, that a separate process of purification became necessary. -For this process, retorts of a special pattern not to be procured in -market, had to be manufactured, and separate works erected, and in -the processes, necessity for which was not foreseen, much delay was -unavoidably encountered. I have been fully satisfied throughout of -Professor Mowbray’s earnest desire fully to meet the expectations of -the Commissioners and of the public, and deem it proper to make this -general statement of the more important circumstances, unanticipated, -and therefore beyond his control, which disappointed his purpose.” - -I have been thus explicit in narrating the various details connected -with the introduction of Nitro-Glycerin at the Hoosac Tunnel, in order -that full justice might be done to the gentlemen whose enterprise and -authority were necessary to bear up against the prejudices which the -three explosions hereinbefore referred to had caused on the public -mind. It is now five years since I commenced, and have with slight -intermission, continued, to manufacture this explosive, and during this -whole period but two accidents have occurred at my works. The first -occurred on the 23rd of December, 1870, to my foreman, who I surmised, -in the absence of proof, in removing the clinkers from the heater, may -have thrown a red hot coal on to the inflammable floor boards of the -magazine, moistened with Nitro-Glycerin spilt during three years use, -whilst adding fuel to the parlor stove which warmed it. It is a poor -consolation that Mr. Velsor, the foreman, who had been engaged with -me during the greater part of the past ten years, had finished his -day’s work and was using the magazine for a bath house, probably on -account of its seclusion. Universally respected, thoroughly acquainted -with the properties of Nitro-Glycerin, careful and untiring, cool, -courageous, and without bravado, his superintendence of the factory -where thousands of pounds of this explosive were being handled, and in -the course of distribution to different points of the United States, -was steadily and quietly overcoming the dread of this powerful blasting -agent; accompanying me and aiding in the most difficult operations of -submarine blasting, in every case without a shadow of accident, lead -to one conclusion, that some slip of the hand, failure of a muscle, -started a flame, which in a magazine crowded with receptacles for -Nitro-Glycerin no human power could arrest, but which I am satisfied, -his courageous sense of duty led him to attempt, and thereby sacrificed -his valuable life. - -The new magazine had hardly been completed, and stored with -Nitro-Glycerin, when on Sunday morning, 6:30 o’clock, March 12, ’71, -the neighborhood was startled by another explosion of sixteen hundred -pounds of Nitro-Glycerin. The cause of this last explosion, was -continuous overheating of the magazine. Work at the factory had been -suspended for a week, the heating arrangement was now effected by -steam, in order to avoid a possibility of actual fire, the weather for -several days had been close and muggy,—some parties who had visited -the magazine remarked to me afterwards, they had noticed a hot, close -air, similar to that experienced on entering the drying room of a print -factory, whilst the watchman confessed he had neglected to examine the -thermometer, made up his fire under the boiler, and gone to bed. I -had been summoned during the previous week to Washington, taken down -with sickness and unable to return home,—the new foreman having been -closely at work without any Christmas vacation, owing to the previous -accident, availed himself with my permission, (during the suspension -of work at the factory) to visit New York. Fortunately this accident -involved no damage to life or limb, whilst a very instructive lesson -was taught in the following circumstance: within twelve feet of the -magazine was a shed, 16×8 containing twelve 50 lb. cans of congealed -Nitro-Glycerin ready for shipment. This shed was utterly destroyed, the -floor blasted to splinters, the joists rent to fragments, the cans of -congealed Nitro-Glycerin driven into the ground, the tin of which they -were composed perforated, contorted, battered, and portions of tin and -Nitro-Glycerin sliced off but not exploded. Now, this fact proves one -of two things, either that the Tri-Nitro-Glycerin made by the Mowbray -process, differs from the German Nitro-Glycerin in its properties, or -the statements printed in the foreign journals as quoted again and -again that Nitro-Glycerin when congealed is more dangerous than when in -a fluid state, are erroneous. - -[Illustration] - -The following incident is, to say the least, instructive: during the -severe winter of 1867 and 1868, the Deerfield dam became obstructed -with ice, and it was important that it should be cleared out without -delay; W. P. Granger, Esq., engineer in charge, determined to attempt -its removal by a blast of Nitro-Glycerin. In order to appreciate -the following details, it must be borne in mind that the current -literature of this explosive distinctly asserted that when congealed, -the slightest touch or jar was sufficient to explode Nitro-Glycerin. -Mr. Granger desired me to prepare for him, ten cartridges, and as -he had to carry them in his sleigh from the West end of the Tunnel -to the East end or Deerfield dam, a distance of nine miles over the -mountain, he requested them to be packed in such a way that they would -not be affected by the inclement weather. I therefore caused the -Nitro-Glycerin to be warmed up to 90°, warmed the cartridges, and after -charging them, packed them in a box with sawdust that had been heated -to the same temperature; the box was tied to the back of the sleigh, -with a buffalo robe thrown over it; in floundering across the divide -where banks, road, hedge and water courses were indistinguishable -beneath the drifted snow; horse, sleigh and driver were upset, the box -of cartridges got loose, and were spread indiscriminately over the -snow; after rectifying this mishap, picking up the various contents of -sleigh, and getting ready to start again, it occurred to Mr. Granger to -examine his cartridges; his feelings may be imagined when he discovered -the Nitro-Glycerin frozen solid; to have left them behind and proceeded -to the dam where miners, engineers and laborers were waiting to use -this then much dreaded explosive, would never do, so accepting the -situation he replaced them in the case, and laying it between his feet -proceeded on his way, thinking a heap but saying nothing; arrived, -he forthwith attached fuse, exploder, powder and some gun cotton, -and inserted the cartridge in the ice; lighting the fuse he retired -to a proper distance to watch the explosion; presently a sharp crack -indicated that the fuse had done its work, and on proceeding to the -hole drilled in the ice, it was found that fragments of the copper -cap were imbedded in the solid cylinder of congealed Nitro-Glycerin, -which was driven through and out of the tin cartridge into the anchor -ice beneath, but not exploded. A second attempt was attended with like -results. Foiled in attempting to explode the frozen Nitro-Glycerin, Mr. -Granger thawed the contents of another cartridge, attached the fuse and -exploder as before; this time the explosion was entirely successful. -From that day I have never transported Nitro-Glycerin except in a -frozen condition, and to that lesson are we indebted for the safe -transmission of more than one hundred and fifty thousand pounds of -this explosive, over the roughest roads of New Hampshire, Vermont, -Massachusetts, New York, and the coal and oil regions of Pennsylvania, -in spring wagons with our own teams. - - - - -CHAPTER II. - - - Submarine Blasting,—Erie Harbor,—Dimon’s Reef, N. Y., - —Coenties Reef, N. Y.,—Oil Wells, Penn. - -In the winter 1869, 1870, I received a communication from the engineer -in charge, Major G. Clinton Gardiner, formerly of the United States -Boundary Line Survey, concerning the harbor improvements in Erie, -Penn., under W. A. Baldwin, General Superintendent of the Philadelphia -and Erie Railroad, with a view to blasting in the harbor of Erie, so as -to furnish from 15 to 17 feet of water for vessels laying alongside of -their wharves, instead of carrying them (the wharves) into deep water; -these operations were entirely successful, and I subjoin the report of -Major Gardiner to General Parke, U. S. Engineer Corps, written previous -to dredging. The certificates of Mr. Baldwin, Superintendent; F. J. -Wilson, Ass’t Engineer; Chas. F. Dunbar, contractor for the dredging, -follow Major Gardiner’s report. These certificates it will be observed, -were given after a considerable portion of the rock had been removed by -the dredging machine. - - -LETTER FROM MAJOR G. CLINTON GARDINER TO GENERAL JOHN G. PARKE, Corps -of Engineers, Washington City, D. C. - - OFFICE OF PHILADELPHIA & ERIE RAILROAD. - Erie Harbor—August 2nd, 1869. - - To GENERAL JOHN G. PARKE, Corps of Engineers, U. S. A. - - My dear General: Some days ago I received a letter from - Mr. Geo. M. Mowbray, who is the patentee of a most valuable - improvement in the manufacture of Nitro-Glycerin. He being - interested in having his material used in the improvements - at Hell Gate, requested me to report upon the experiment in - blasting at this place. Being unknown to General Newton, and - having no time for a report, I take the liberty of writing - to you on the subject. - - Since leaving the United States Boundary Survey, I have - been employed on the Philadelphia and Erie Railroad, under - the direction of the Ass’t Gen. Superintendent, Mr. W. A. - Baldwin, in the improvement of their dock at this terminus - of the road. The water at the end of the main pier and for - a short distance inshore, on either side of the pier, is - over 14 feet deep, shoaling back to about 6 feet, which - we had to deepen to 14 feet. The bottom is a smooth hard - surface of shale rock, a portion of which when exposed to - the air disintegrates, while other parts are sufficiently - hard, and are used for, building purposes. It lies in strata - of about eight inches to twelve inches thickness, which - we drilled through and blasted during the winter, and are - now dredging the rock. The process of drilling was in the - primitive style, with hand drills, mostly done through the - ice, and the blasting, with powder in cartridges with small - tubes reaching to the surface of the water, through which - the match was conducted to the powder. Firing however, was - afterwards done by dropping a red hot nail down the tube, - which was quite an improvement on the match, and gave us - almost simultaneous explosions. The holes drilled were 5 - feet apart, in rows of 5 feet from each other, and the - largest charge of powder used was a canister 2 inches in - diameter and 40 inches long. This process having been used - to some extent the season before, it was commenced again - this last winter, but the work being extended, we thought it - advisable to make some improvements in the modus operandi. - After a correspondence with different manufacturers of - machine drills, we found no one of them ready for - business at once, and before we were able to make terms, - our primitive style of drilling advanced almost to - completion. We sent to Mr. Mowbray who was then in - Titusville, Pennsylvania, to try his Nitro-Glycerin, and - made an experiment in a square of a little over ten yards, - where the rock to be removed was over seven feet deep. The - holes were drilled a greater distance apart, but to the - same depth as used for powder (15 feet from surface of - water). In this square we blasted about 230 square yards - of rock, using 50 pounds of Nitro-Glycerin in cartridges - fired in rows by electricity, but without a face of rock - to work from, such as we had with the powder blast. This - would have taken 125 lbs. powder. Upon reaching the place - with the dredge, we found the rock completely crumbled, - RENDERING DREDGING AS EASY AS THAT OF GRAVEL, - and to the depth of seventeen feet, while with the powder - blasting we have had trouble, and in two cases had to blast - again to obtain fourteen feet of water, and even then - have to lift rock measuring ten and twelve cubic feet. - Nitro-Glycerin is certainly far superior in its effect, and - would have been much cheaper to use in this case. Gunpowder - does not blast to the depth of the holes drilled, whilst - Nitro-Glycerin tears the rock from the bottom, and here - seems to have penetrated three feet beyond. The reason it - was not used before, was the difficulty in procuring it. - The nearest factory was that of Mr. Mowbray at Titusville, - and the local as well as state laws were such that it could - not be transported, except by private conveyance, which - added to its cost. That used was carried to Corry in Mr. - Mowbray’s carriage, over a very rough road, and thence by - special train to this place. If pure, the danger in the use - of Nitro-Glycerin is no greater than that of powder, and - the premature explosions that have proved so fatal in many - instances, have without doubt been caused by decomposition, - which was the result of imperfect manufacture. If regularly - manufactured, accidents will be the result only of - inexperience or the neglect of instructions from those - having experience. In the manufacture, the nitrous vapours - that are disengaged at the time of mixing, if not entirely - expelled, will make it liable to explosion from any - concussion, and from Mr. Mowbray’s experience in a number of - instances with that manufactured by himself, I should judge - his Nitro-Glycerin to be as safe as powder in the hands of - experienced persons. It is of a light yellowish color, - with pungent aromatic taste, rather sweet than otherwise, - and is so poisonous, that in handling, should one allow - it to remain on his hands, it would produce intense head - ache. It does not explode from the application of flame to - its surface, yet will burn, but explodes only from severe - concussion, as by the explosion of detonating mixtures and - fulminates. - - I write to you hoping you will communicate any information - my letter may contain to General Newton, as it may serve - Mr. Mowbray, who I think has made a great improvement in - the manufacture of Nitro-Glycerin, and as he gives it his - personal attention, I have no doubt it is superior to any - now used. - - I was much pleased to receive the report of the blasting - in California, and should interesting professional papers be - published by the Bureau, let me beg you will remember - - Your sincere friend, - G. CLINTON GARDINER. - -The experiments above narrated and conducted under the supervision -of Major Gardiner, were continued, (on the removal of the Major to -the Pennsylvania Central’s works at Altoona,) by F. J. Wilson, under -General Superintendent Wm. A. Baldwin, and the results expected were -entirely fulfilled, as will be seen by the subjoined communications: - - -SUBMARINE BLASTING WITH NITRO-GLYCERIN; RESULTS AS COMPARED WITH -BLASTING POWDER, IN ERIE HARBOR, MAY, 1870. - - Philadelphia and Erie R. R.; Pennsylvania R. R. Co., Lessee. - - Office of the General Superintendent, - ERIE, PENN., May 19th, ’70. - - To GEO. M. MOWBRAY, - North Adams, Mass., - - Dear Sir: The comparative values of the two materials, - Gun-Powder and Nitro-Glycerin, as to results and actual cost - for blasting in the harbor at Erie, cannot be positively - obtained until the dredging is finished; when this year’s - operations with Nitro-Glycerin, can be compared with that of - last year done with powder. The prospects thus far are so - favorable, however, I regret that the use of Nitro-Glycerin - was not adopted last year. - - On the completion of the work I shall be pleased to - furnish you with statements of comparative results, feeling - confident they will prove a more full satisfactory and - valuable endorsement of your Nitro-Glycerin for submarine - use, than any theoretically based opinion can be. - - I enclose you copy of reports of Mr. F. J. Wilson, - Engineer in charge of Erie Harbor Works, and of Mr. Dunbar, - contractor for dredging, which will give you an idea of the - economical results to us from the use of your Nitro-Glycerin. - - Yours truly, - WM. A. BALDWIN, Gen’l. Supt. - - * * * * * - - ERIE, Penn., May 16th, 1870. - WM. A. BALDWIN, Esq., - Gen’l. Supt. P. and E. Railroad. - - Dear Sir: Below please find a statement of - comparative cost of drilling and blasting where - Nitro-Glycerin is used. The 1240 lbs. of Nitro-Glycerin - were used over an area of 26,700 sq. feet, with an - average depth of rock of about seven and seven-tenths - feet, making 11,500 cub. yards of rock measured in the - bed. - - Cost of drilling and blasting (using Nitro-Glycerin), $5,119 67. - Cost of drilling and blasting (using Powder), 7,475 73. - Difference of cost in favor of Nitro-Glycerin, 2,356 06. - - The difference in favor of Nitro-Glycerin in dredging - and in time saved is not taken into consideration in - the above (see Capt. Dunbar’s letter). - - Very respectfully, - F. J. WILSON, Ass’t Engineer. - - * * * * * - - ERIE, May 18th, 1870. - - To W. A. BALDWIN, Esq., - Gen’l. Supt. P. and E. Railroad, - - Dear Sir: In reply to your inquiry as to the relative - difference in dredging rock blasted by Nitro-Glycerin and - that blasted by Powder, I have no hesitation in saying that - I am certain we can dredge twice the number of cubic yards - where it is blasted with the Nitro-Glycerin. I think I could - speak safely and say three yards to one where the rock is - hard. In fact, there are places where we could do nothing - with the Powder blasting, when we have no trouble with the - Nitro-Glycerin. - - Truly yours, - CHAS. F. DUNBAR, - Firm of Lee & Dunbar. - -RESULT.—Submarine drilling and blasting with Nitro-Glycerin costs -44½ cents per cubic yard. Gunpowder costs 66¾ cents per cubic yard. -Nitro-Glycerin used, one ounce and six-tenths of an ounce per cubic -yard of rock removed. - - -DIMON’S REEF, NEW YORK HARBOR. - -General Newton, U. S. Corps of Engineers, who has been entrusted with -the expenditure of the annual appropriation for the improvements in -New York harbor, having constructed a floating drilling apparatus, -with steam power to capstans, four steam derricks, and direct engines -to lift the drop-drills, applied to me (1870) first, to enter upon a -competitive test, with Nitro-Glycerin as compared with Dualin, and with -blasting powder, into which a reel of lightning fuse was inserted, to -ensure more perfect and rapid combustion of the powder. These tests -were conducted at Hell Gate, under the supervision of Mr. Reitheimer; -Mr. H. H. Pratt, with Nitro-Glycerin, on my behalf; Mr. Dittmar with -Dualin, and Mr. Gomez, for the powder and lightning fuse blasts, who -respectively directed the holes to be drilled, charged them, and fired -the several charges. The results were decisive of the superiority -of Nitro-Glycerin, over both Dualin, and Blasting Powder, even when -assisted by a coil of lightning or fulminating fuse, inserted in the -powder. Two points were elicited, as reported by my operator; first -the Nitro-Glycerin tore out more work, invariably reaching to the -bottom, and sometimes beyond the bottom of the drill hole, whilst its -explosion was so instantaneous it did not cause leakage in the roof, -as with Dualin. Thereupon I was invited by General Newton, to arrange -operations for blasting at Dimon’s Reef, between the Staten Island -Ferry and Governor’s Island. Eight holes had been drilled in a circle -of twenty feet diameter, with a ninth or central hole, thus leaving an -average of eight feet of rock between each drill hole. Finding that the -drilled holes were shaped like an inverted cone, owing to the omission -of the reamer; that is, whilst the drill, jars, sinker bar, cable -and cable clutch of the Pennsylvania oil wells, had been used, the -provision for remedying the effect of the worn edges of the drill, had -been overlooked, and thus a very disadvantageous form of hole, viz.: -funnel shaped, was the result, necessitating the use of a cartridge, -whose diameter must not exceed that of the smallest, which in this case -was the lowest part of the drilled hole. The irregularity, and jagged -edge of these unreamed holes, had also to be guarded against, lest the -friction of any Nitro-Glycerin moistening the outside of the cartridge, -might cause a casualty. I therefore determined, until better drilling -could be secured, to use 2¼ inch two-ply rubber hose for cartridges, a -material by no means desirable, because it afforded a cushion between -the rock and the blast, but it became a necessity from the funnel -shaped drill holes, when providing against the risk of premature -explosion. The holes being 4½ inches in diameter at the upper part, -and barely 3 inches at the bottom; the cartridge made of rubber hose, -being uniform throughout, containing a column of liquid Nitro-Glycerin, -2¼ inches in diameter only, and 6 feet long; at the upper part of the -holes there was an intervening cushion of water and hose, over 1 inch -thick; and at the lower part, a cushion of ⅜ inch of hose. This should -have been avoided, and I have mentioned these details as a caution to -future operators, who desire the full explosive force of Nitro-Glycerin. - -The depth of water at or during high-tide, is about twenty-two feet, -and at low tide, fourteen to fifteen feet, the tide running four -miles an hour with an amount of silty matter, drainage of N. Y. City -sewerage, rendering it impossible for a diver to distinguish objects -one foot from his helmet. Under these circumstances plugs have to be -inserted in the several holes, each plug attached to the other by a -rope, so as to enable the diver to guide himself from one hole to -the other. Owing to various interfering circumstances the holes were -only ready for blasting on the 16th of December, 1870; and the second -day after arrival in New York, accompanied with three assistants, -I proceeded to the work; there was a stiff wind blowing from the -northwest, which, meeting the tide, caused a chopping sea; the weather -was cold as shown by the crust of ice attached to the scow. The frozen -Nitro-Glycerin was thawed out by hot water obtained from the steam -boiler on board the scow. - -These cartridges were lowered to the diver with the connecting wire, -fuse, and exploder attached, one after the other, occupying twenty -minutes; two of the holes being too small to allow the cartridge to -be fully inserted, these projected, one about eighteen inches, the -other one foot above the surface of the holes; the diver, moreover, -became entangled in the wires and in order to extricate him, it was -necessary twice to haul him to the surface, after which considerable -time was occupied in moving the scow from over the site of the -intended explosion, before the order could be given to fire. The -amount of Nitro-Glycerin used to fill the nine cartridges, was one -hundred and thirty-four pounds. On the order being given, the charge -was successfully fired. Similar charges of nine cartridges, with more -perfect holes and a heavier charge were fired three weeks afterwards. - -NITRO-GLYCERIN TORPEDOES IN OIL WELLS.—The Legislature of Massachusetts -having resolved to place the further construction of the Hoosac Tunnel -under contract, pending the transfer from October, 1868, to April, -1869, from State management to the present contractors, Messrs. F. -Shanly & Co. I proceeded to the Oil Region, and there verified the fact -that Nitro-Glycerin, properly exploded, i. e., the charge completely -exploded, was more efficient in causing an increased yield of oil when -applied to wells ceasing or diminishing their yield, than any other -material. Erhardt’s powder, Oriental powder, and ordinary blasting -powder, had been used very generally, and Nitro-Glycerin had been -alleged to have been used, but the results were unsatisfactory; as soon -however, as we started a Nitro-Glycerin factory at Titusville, and -inserted charges varying from six pounds to fifty pounds, the results -were so advantageous to the well owners, that none others would be -used, while Nitro-Glycerin could be obtained. The first explosion was -in D. Crossley’s well on the Weed farm, a charge of six pounds having -been inserted, and fired. The well whose previous best yield had only -amounted to six barrels per day, increased forthwith to one hundred and -twenty barrels of petroleum per day, and settled down to forty barrels -per day, which were obtained daily for nearly a year. On the road to -Enterprise at the McKinney & Prior well, the explosion of six pounds -of Nitro-Glycerin invariably started the well to flow at the rate of -about one hundred barrels in twenty-four hours. At the Crocker wells on -the Weed farm, the increase after an explosion of Nitro-Glycerin was -usually from ten barrels to one hundred and twenty. After a charge of -Nitro-Glycerin in an oil well, the yield generally rises to the highest -point it has ever attained, and thence gradually diminishes therefrom, -apparently owing to an accumulation of paraffine deposited in the -interstices of the walls of the well. This has led to the pouring down -the well, benzine, and pumping same out with the oil, and is another -form of recuperating the yield of oil. As the process of increasing -the production of Petroleum in oil wells, by means of the explosion -of gunpowder or its equivalent, substantially as described in the -specification of E. O. L. Roberts, ante-dated May 20, 1866, was claimed -by the patentee to cover the use of Nitro-Glycerin and every known or -hereafter to be invented method of effecting an explosion in an oil -well, and as the case has hereto been presented in the courts, this -claim has been sustained. - -When, therefore, the contractors commenced operations on their work -at the Tunnel, I resumed my manufacture of Nitro-Glycerin for that -work, leaving the oil region, where the oil operators and producers -have since been incessantly litigating the validity of the Roberts -patents above referred to, with, however, up to the present date, -indifferent success. The average of greatly increased production in -exhausted wells, so far as my experience extended, during four months -at one hundred wells, was that 80 per cent. were benefited, and in -about 20 per cent. no marked results were obtained. When the question -as to whether this form of blasting, viz.: in oil wells, is patentable -has been decided, it will be time to renew the careful application of -Nitro-Glycerin in oil wells, but at present, the careless handling, -the pursuit of wealth regardless of the lives of the employed, and the -unscrupulous assertion prevalent among those interested in the patent -referred to, is depriving the oil producers of a valuable agent. Since, -however, the present yield of oil is ample for the consumption, this, -so far as the public is concerned, is of less moment than it is to the -producers, who, by the time economical and useful blasting in oil wells -is needed to bring up the yield to the ever increasing demand, will -have finally disposed of this patent litigation. - -[Illustration] - - - - -CHAPTER III. - -Nitro-Glycerin Considered in its Chemical Details. - - -Glycerin, the base of Nitro-Glycerin, is produced from most of the -fixed oils and solid fats by the process of saponification, that is, by -treating these fatty bodies with an alkali, or other metallic oxide, in -presence of water, or with water itself at a high temperature. For many -years the Glycerin of commerce was produced from olive oil, by boiling, -in the presence of water, litharge, which yielded the well known lead -plaster or diachylon, and a sweetish liquid, which by evaporation of -the water, was found to be Glycerin; thus procured, however, it was -apt to be contaminated with lead, and therefore very objectionable -for medical purposes. The sources whence it is now procured, are, the -alkaline mother liquor of the soap works, when the soap is separated by -common salt: also the residue of the manufacture of stearic acid for -candles, by heating neutral fats with water or with steam, (Tilghmann’s -process): and the action of muriatic acid on castor oil. It is apt -to be contaminated with sulphuric acid, oxalic acid, lead, and more -generally with uncrystallizable sugars. The demand has vastly increased -of late years for medical purposes, elastic sponge, and retaining -moisture in tobacco, print works, as a preserving agent, and for -floating compasses, etc., etc. - -The following are the synonyms of Nitro-Glycerin; Nitrate of Oxide of -Lipyl, (BERZELIUS); Glonoin, Mono-Nitro-Glycerin, Di-Nitro-Glycerin, -Tri-Nitro-Glycerin, (LIECKE)—Symbol, (C₆H₅,) O³, 3NO⁵; (Hydrogen = 1, -Oxygen = 8,) the equivalent or atomic weight is 147. - -Pure Nitro-Glycerin is nearly colorless; usually, however, owing to -coloring matter contained in the Glycerin used in its manufacture, it -is of a light yellow-tinted color, oily, without odor, but having an -aromatic taste, Sp. Gr. 1.6 at 60°F, very insoluble in water; mixes -with alcohol (one part to four parts) and ether; it separates from -the alcoholic solution by the addition of water. A vinous taste is -perceptible to the tongue, the maxillary glands are stimulated, and -in a few minutes the individual who has tasted it from a pin’s point -for the first time, is conscious of a persistent, throbbing headache. -Slightly touching, it with the hands produces a like effect; after -a few days of frequent handling, however, the system becomes less -susceptible to these effects, and workmen constantly employed in its -manufacture are not affected by it. It is poisonous, a small quantity -being sufficient to kill a dog, (SOBRERO). It decomposes at 320°F, -giving out red vapors, and explodes at a higher temperature, or by -concussion or percussion, crashing the containing vessel; it ignites by -flame, and burns without explosion, yielding a light ethereal flame of -considerable volume. - -Pure Nitro-Glycerin may be kept for a year unchanged, (De Vrij). The -writer has exposed it to frost, sun and rain, for three years, and -found it unchanged. Unless perfectly pure, however, it rapidly changes, -becoming of an orange yellow color, evolving fumes, and seems to become -a wholly differing compound, being difficult, when thus changed, to -congeal, except at a much lower temperature than 45°F, and is more -readily exploded. - -It very easily decomposes by drying in a warm room with rarefied air, -(WILLIAMSON). - -It is instantly decomposed when dissolved in alcohol, by adding an -alcoholic solution of caustic potash, the reaction being so violent as -to eject the mixture from the test tube. - -Nitro-Glycerin in contact with the following salts: nitrates of lime, -cobalt, soda, barytes and potash; chlorides of calcium, of barium; -perchloride of iron, carbonate of lime, sulphates of potash, lime and -soda, was found unchanged after a year’s exposure. - -INCOMPATIBLES: nitrate of silver precipitates black oxide of silver; -nitrate of copper gives a precipitate of peroxide of copper, the -Nitro-Glycerin remaining, however, bright and apparently unchanged. In -a solution of nitrate of mercury, there appears a white film, a bubble -of protoxide of azote, apparently adherent to the Nitro-Glycerin. -Muriate of ammonia seems to divide the Nitro-Glycerin into two -liquids, a light film supernatant, and the heavier liquid subjacent. -The action of chloride of mercury (calomel) is but very slight. -Protochloride of tin forms a precipitate of peroxide of tin, the -residuary Nitro-Glycerin reflecting light powerfully, and as brightly -as a diamond. Bichromate of potash is partly reduced to chromate. -Sulphate of copper forms a very slight precipitate of oxide of copper, -with apparently no change in the residuary Nitro-Glycerin. Sulphate of -iron decomposes it, giving a voluminous precipitate, with evolution of -nitrous fumes. Sulphuret of ammonia decomposes it, with precipitation -of sulphur. Acetate of lead, chlorine water, ferridcyanide of -potassium, cyanide of potassium, sulphocyanide of potassium, and of -mercury, nitroprusside of sodium decompose it, also the sulphurets of -iron, and potassium. - -The action of tin, iron, and lead, slowly decomposing the -Nitro-Glycerin, especially in the presence of an acid, indicates that -metals having an affinity for oxygen, are the most active in promoting -decomposition, evolving at the same time nitrous fumes, or protoxide -of nitrogen, whilst the residuary Nitro-Glycerin does not seem to be -affected; with sulphuretted hydrogen, as with sulphuret of sodium, -potassium and ammonium, the action is prompt, and if these reagents be -added in sufficient quantity, the Nitro-Glycerin is wholly decomposed, -sulphur being precipitated. - -Ascagne Sobrero, the discoverer of Nitro-Glycerin, says: it may be -prepared by slowly introducing syrupy Glycerin into a mixture of two -volumes concentrated sulphuric acid to one volume of nitric acid, Sp. -Gr. 1.4, dropping it in and rapidly cooling. It seems to dissolve in -this mixture without any noticeable reaction, and by pouring it into -water, the so formed Nitro-Glycerin separates from it. It is then -washed several times in water, is next dissolved in ether, and after -evaporation (dangerous work this) is finally purified over sulphuric -acid. - -De Vrij recommends dissolving 100 grammes of Glycerin Sp. Gr. 1.262 in -200 c. c. of hydrated nitric acid cooled to 14°F, taking care that the -mixture never exceeds in temperature 32°F. When a homogeneous mixture -has been obtained, 200 c. c. of strong sulphuric acid are added very -gradually, taking especial care that the temperature of this mixture -never rises above 32°F. The oily Nitro-Glycerin which floats on the -surface is separated by a tap-funnel from the acid liquid (which -yields more Nitro-Glycerin on being diluted with water) and is now -dissolved in the smallest possible quantity of ether; this solution -is shaken with water, until the water no longer reddens litmus; the -ether evaporated (here take care!) and the remaining Nitro-Glycerin -heated over the water-bath till its weight remains constant. Merck, -of Darmstadt, the eminent operative chemist, found in following De -Vrij’s method, whilst evaporating the ethereal solution, and before -the temperature had reached 212°F, it was accompanied by a terrible -explosion. An accident from the same cause occurred in the laboratory -of Dr. E. Von Gorup-Besanez, and we find in “Comptes Rendus” an account -of the effects of the explosion of only 10 drops of Nitro-Glycerin, -which, by one of the pupils of that chemist, in his laboratory, were -put into a small cast-iron saucepan, and heated with a Bunsen gas -flame. The effect of the explosion was that the forty-six panes of -glass of the windows of the laboratory were smashed to atoms, the -saucepan was hurled through a brick wall, the stout iron stand on which -the vessel had been placed was partly split, partly spirally twisted, -and the tube of the Bunsen burner was split and flattened outwards. -Fortunately, none of the three persons present in the laboratory at the -time were hurt. When Nitro-Glycerin is caused to fall drop by drop on a -thoroughly red hot iron plate, it burns off as gunpowder would do under -the same conditions; but if the iron is not red hot, but yet hot enough -to cause the Nitro-Glycerin to boil suddenly, an explosion takes place. - -Nitro-Glycerin is decomposed by evaporation, even in vacuo, over -sulphuric acid at ordinary temperatures (RAILTON), and when left to -itself, frequently undergoes spontaneous decomposition; but when well -purified, it may be kept for a long time without alteration (H. WATTS); -exhibits different properties, according to the manner in which it is -prepared (GLADSTONE). - -Liecke in Dingler’s Polytechnical Journal, prescribes the following -formulæ for manufacturing the three several preparations, -Mono-Nitro-Glycerin, Di-Nitro-Glycerin and Tri-Nitro-Glycerin. - - Mono-Nitro-Glycerin: - Glycerin 100 grammes. - Nitric acid, Sp. Gr. 1.3, 200 grammes. - - Dissolve the Glycerin in the nitric acid, and then add - sulphuric acid 200 cubic centimeters. - - The product should be C³H⁵O²H} - }O⁴ - NO⁴H} - - Di-Nitro-Glycerin: - Sulphuric acid containing 1 eq. water, two volumes, - nitric acid, Sp. Gr. 1.4, one volume; mix the above, - lower the temperature to 32°F, or below, and drop into it - Glycerin, pure, one volume. - - Prod. C³H⁵O²H} - }O⁴ - 2NO⁴} - - Tri-nitro-glycerin: - Sulphuric Acid, 3.5 parts. - Nitrate of Potash, 1 part. - cooled to 0°F, produces KO + 4SO³ + 6HO, from this the - concentrated fuming Nitric acid is separated by decantation, - and being maintained at 0°F, - Glycerin 0.8 parts is very gradually added, - producing C³H⁵O²NO⁴} - }O⁴ - 2NO⁴} - -From the above extracts of several of the most eminent chemists of -the present day, the reader will glean, that in order to prepare this -explosive, of uniform quality, invariable in composition, free from -water, or any other impurity, it is not merely necessary to buy the -best materials, but to have at command the means of verifying their -purity before attempting its manufacture. - -These points secured, viz: purity and strength of materials, i. -e., glycerin free from sugar, fatty acid, saline impurities, and a -mixture of Sulphuric Acid with Nitric Acid in due proportion, of due -percentage of the respective acids, and not more water therein, nor in -the glycerin, at one time of making, than another; the next point to -command will be, that in combining the glycerin with the acids, when -considerable heat is evolved, the heat thus evolved shall be absorbed -rapidly, so as never under any circumstances whatever, to exceed a -certain temperature. Sobrero names 32°F; otherwise, according to my -experience, very differing nitro-glycerin will result from variation of -temperature whilst mixing. Such products may be fatal to the miner, -although only affecting the manufacturer in a pecuniary sense. I am -led to emphasize these remarks from the fact that prospectuses have -been issued to tempt contractors to buy apparatus in the one case, -and offering to manufacture on the side of a railroad cutting, if -required, in another case, by parties who have no experience in the -manufacture, and who start in their new avocation, by deriding the -care, outlay and precautions that their competitors have deemed it -necessary to make, in order to secure a uniform, certain, and, for -mining purposes, perfectly safe explosive; for as the product is to be -handed over to the uneducated miner, who cannot estimate the risk he -is subjected to even if such a course occurred to him, it does seem -to me just and proper, that the controlling engineer, the intelligent -contractor, and especially the operating miner who is to handle this -explosive, should be advised, that under the term Nitro-Glycerin, very -different substances, both as regards explosive force, and liability to -spontaneous explosion, do result, unless extraordinary precautions are -adopted in the selection of the crude materials, as well as securing -uniformly low temperature throughout the process of making. Unless this -be done, decomposition sets in and is indicated by the emanation of -fumes, by the deepening of the light lemon tint to an orange yellow, -and at this point, the miner should decline using it, and require the -manufacturer to take his place, and the risks contingent on using it. - -Since many of the accidents that have occurred with Nitro-Glycerin, -have been traced to leakage from the containing vessel, notably the -San Francisco accident, probably the Panama explosion, and undoubtedly -the Titusville or Enterprise explosion, besides other cases where -it leaked through the bottom of wagon and thence on to the springs, -whose hammering caused an explosion, the discovery by Granger, page -19, confirmed by the magazine explosion, page 18, teach the importance -of transporting this explosive in a solid state, that is, congealed; -there is however another reason; decomposing Nitro-Glycerin will not -solidify at 45°F, and the consumer has a ready and convenient test -for the purity of this article, by seeing to it that he invariably -purchases the explosive deliverable in a solid form. Another test is, -when exploded, in a close tunnel, the fumes or decomposed gases should -not inconvenience the miner.—Failing in either of these tests, it -may fairly be rejected as an inferior article, or should be used up -as speedily as possible, preferably by the manufacturer or his more -experienced employees, rather than by a miner who may not be fully -aware of the unnecessary risk to which he is exposed in handling impure -Nitro-Glycerin. - - -METHOD OF ANALYSIS. - -Walter Crum[5] describes a method of analysing bodies containing nitric -acid, applicable to the nitro-compounds; when nitrate of potash is -used, it is previously purified by crystallization, and fused at little -more than its melting heat. Nitro-Glycerin, gun-cotton, etc., must be -deprived of moisture. - -[5] Pharmaceutical Transactions, vol. 7, 1848, p. 27, et seq. - -A glass jar eight inches long and an inch and a quarter in diameter, -is filled with and inverted over mercury; a single lump of time fused -nitrate, weighing about six grains, is let up through the mercury into -the inverted jar, and afterwards fifty grains of water. As soon as the -nitrate is dissolved, 125 grains of sulphuric acid, ascertained to be -free from nitric acid, are added. By the action of the mercury upon the -liberated nitric acid, deutoxide of nitrogen soon begins to be evolved, -and, usually in about two hours, without the application of heat, -the whole of the nitric acid is converted into that gas. Sometimes -agitation is necessary, and it is easily performed by giving a jerking -horizontal motion to the upper part of the jar. The surface of the -sulphuric acid is then marked, and three-fourths of an inch of solution -of sulphate of iron recently boiled, let up into the jar. The gas is -rapidly absorbed, except a small portion at last, which must be left -several hours to the action of the solution, or be well agitated in a -smaller tube with a fresh portion of it. No correction of the nitric -oxide has to be made for moisture, for the mixture of acid and water -employed has no perceptible vapor tension. - - In one experiment, 5.40 grains of nitrate of potash - yielded 4.975 cubic inches of gas, at 60°F, and - barometer 30 inches. - - The residue not absorbed by the sulphate of iron, was - 0.015 cubic inch, leaving - - 4.96 cubic inches of nitric oxide = 1.594 grains NO², - and which correspond to 2.869 grains nitric acid, or - 53.13 of the nitrate of potash. - - Four consecutive experiments yielded - 53.13 - 53.14 - 53.73 - 53.29 - ——— - Mean 53.32 or leaving out the third experiment. - Mean 53.19 - -The calculated percentage of nitric acid in nitrate of potash, the acid -being represented by 6.75, and the potash by 5.8992, is 53.36. THOMSON -gives for percentage of nitric acid in nitrate of potash 52.94, and -BERZELIUS 53.44. - -Salts in powder, which are difficult to pass through mercury without -loss, may be enclosed in small glass cylinders. Nitro-Glycerin may -be made into pellets with powdered glass, and congealed at 45°F, or -simply congealed by taking great care it is not partially thawed during -manipulation. - -Mr. Theron Skeel, of Albany, has furnished me with the following -extract from the Engineering Journal of the 17th Nov., 1871, being an -explanation of M. L. Hote’s method of analysing the gases produced -by the explosion of Nitro-Glycerin. He uses Ure’s graduated electric -eudiometer, made out of a green glass organic analysis tube. Introduce -into the apparatus ten centimeters of the gases evolved from water -by voltaic electricity, then introduce small globules of thin glass, -containing from five to six milligrammes of the explosive; an electric -spark being passed through the mixed gases by means of the platina -points melted in the upper part of the eudiometer, explodes the gases, -breaks the small glass globules and explodes the Nitro-Glycerin. The -gases evolved are colorless, and contain a proportion of binoxide of -nitrogen. Submitted to the proper absorbents, for moisture, binoxide of -nitrogen and carbonic acid, there remains nitrogen. Thus: - - 1 gramme Nitro-Glycerin gave at temp. 0 Cent. - 29.7 barom. press., - of these gases 284 c.c. - One hundred parts by volume contained - Carbonic acid, 45.72 - Binoxide of Nitrogen, 20.36 - Nitrogen, 33.92 - ——— - 100.00 - -MARTIN[6] has devised a method of ascertaining the percentage of -nitric acid, by its conversion into ammonia. Nitric acid when mixed -with sulphuric or muriatic acids, in the presence of metallic zinc, -is converted into ammonia (Gmelin I, 828). By placing some zinc in a -mixture of the two acids, there is no disengagement of gas, whilst the -nitric acid is converted into ammonia. Hydrogen in its nascent state -combines with the oxygen of the nitrogen compound, produced by the -nitric acid alone. - -Metallic zinc, with dilute nitric acid, gives protoxide of nitrogen; -and by taking one equivalent of this gas and four equivalents of -hydrogen, water and ammonia may be formed. - -NO + 4H = NH³ + HO. - -The nitric acid, acting gradually and slowly on the zinc, is -transformed into ammonia, equivalent for equivalent. When this reaction -has ceased, then follows a disengagement of hydrogen gas from the zinc, -which is permitted for a few seconds. It now remains to ascertain -the percentage of ammonia. The ammonia may be distilled off and then -absorbed by a normal or previously ascertained quantitative solution of -oxalic acid, and afterwards to ascertain the quantity of oxalic acid -not taken up; deduct this from the original quantity contained in the -absorbing solution, and the result gives the percentage of oxalic acid -neutralized by the absorption of the ammonia; from this the ammonia -is calculated. Mohr’s apparatus for the disengagement of ammonia may -be used with advantage in this operation. See Mohr’s Traite d’analyse -chimique, supplement, p. 402, Paris, 1857. - -Tilberg[7] analysed the Stockholm Nitro-Glycerin with the following -results: C³H⁵(NO²)O³ (the Carbon atoms being estimated as 12, Hydrogen -1, Oxygen 16,) and regarded it as Mono-Nitro-Glycerin. - -[6] Comptes rendus, V. xxxvii, p. 947. - -[7] Chemical News, March 1869, p. 151. - -In proof of the fact of Nitro-Glycerin being explosive by concussion -effected at a distance, if proof were needed, I instance a small can -containing about 4 lbs. of Nitro-Glycerin left by the blaster about 350 -feet from the heading, and partially protected by the rail which was -curved upwards to prevent the cars running over the dump, was exploded, -when a full charge of 16 holes was fired in the heading at the West -End of the Hoosac Tunnel. It will be noted that there could be no -heat developed 350 feet from the primary explosion, and being enclosed -in an ordinary kerosene can, it appears a striking instance of the -possibility of explosion from induced concussion. - -Again, in April, 1872, a cartridge of Nitro-Glycerin was left in the -cartridge chest, containing about 2 lbs. Nitro-Glycerin, whilst 20 -charges of blasting powder were fired in the heading, 200 feet distant; -the explosion of the powder was unusually heavy, and the Nitro-Glycerin -exploded, tearing the chest to pieces, fracturing the air main and -disrupting the track. This indubitably proves the explosion of -Nitro-Glycerin by concussion, and should warn every operator to be -careful to place any surplus explosive away from exploders, and as -far distant as possible from where an explosion is intended, and -particularly in such position that if it should explode, a contingency -possible, there may be no one near the vessel containing such surplus. - -[8]The experiments of February 17, 1870, described by Professors Barker -and S. W. Johnson, where water and glass intervened to receive the heat -and concussion, confirm the fact of Nitro-Glycerin being explosive -by concussion, without heat or pressure; in these instances neither -heat nor pressure were admitted, yet the explosion blew the tub into -fragments, cutting off the staves level with the hoops, smashing and -fracturing the bottom of the tub on the rock serving as a pedestal, and -sending the water up so that it descended in a shower seventy feet from -the point of explosion. - -[8] See abstract of Prof. Barker’s affidavit, towards the close of this -pamphlet. - -It is proper I should here announce that, after a series of -experiments, during my leisure hours, extending over several years, -with nitro-mannite, nitro-sugar, nitro-dextrin, nitro-starch, and -nitro-naphthalin, with a view to obtain a homogeneous compound -convertible wholly into gaseous matter, and miscible with liquid -Nitro-Glycerin, which would not explode under ordinary conditions, I -have succeeded in obtaining such a mixture, viz.: - - Nitro-Glycerin, thirty parts. - Nitro-Toluol, ten parts. - -Mixed, this will not explode when struck on an anvil, burns when thrown -on to the fire, and can only be exploded with very heavily charged -exploders, containing, say, fifteen grains of fulminate, better and -more surely, however, with twenty grains. To this I know but one -drawback: it does not solidify at a moderate (45°F) temperature, and, -if the containing vessel should leak, a too frequent source of accident -with inferior Nitro-Glycerin that cannot be congealed, the nitro-toluol -is liable to evaporate, and the Nitro-Glycerin is then left with its -usually dangerous properties unimpaired. - -This was patented by C. Volney, who formerly blasted for me, and for -the Lake Shore N. G. Co., and assigned to me for a consideration. - -[Illustration] - - - - -CHAPTER IV. - -Electricity for Blasting Operations. - - -Although half a century has passed since blasting by electricity was -effected by Col. Pasley, in his submarine explosions for removing the -wreck of the Royal George, at Spithead, the apparatus for exciting -the electricity necessary to explode many charges simultaneously, is -still (May, 1872), very unsatisfactory. Mr. H. Julius Smith, of Boston, -taking the Austrian friction battery, recommended by Baron Abner, in -his report at Vienna, for his basis, has ameliorated the arrangements -by enclosing the working parts in a better vulcanite casing, and -securing the discharge by reversing the motion of the handle, but the -objections remain that an ebonite plate is scratched by the rubbers, -that specks of the sulphuret of tin, used as an amalgam, cause a -partial discharge all over the surface of the plate, rendering it a -short-lived machine whose power is limited, unless the priming of the -exploders is made very sensitive, and liable to explode by atmospheric -electricity. Several fatal accidents have occurred to miners, from -premature explosions of the charge whilst loading the holes, and these -fatalities having been traced to the “over-sensitive priming” used, it -behooves the mining engineer to look well to the exploders offered him, -and in every case he will find where cotton immersed in a varnish is -sufficient insulation to protect the wire from losing its electricity, -the priming used for charging such exploders is too dangerous for -miners’ use, and involves a grave responsibility. - -Mr. Abel’s Electro-magnetic Exploder limits the discharge to a series -of five mines, or blasts in each series, being the Verdu or Savare -system, and involves several leading wires for numerous explosions, and -although yielding electricity in quantity it lacks intensity. - -The Holtz machine is altogether too vicarious in its operation for -blasting purposes. A machine or apparatus that will discharge 100 -blasts, if needed, durable, and not liable to derangement or wear, is -a necessity, and it should evolve enough electricity and of sufficient -tension to jump between the wires 1-20th of an inch apart, necessary -to fire priming, so as to secure simultaneous firing. The heated wire, -or a quantity of electricity heating wire by the resistance a small -wire offers to the current, since it occupies time, brief though it -be, involves, as I think, the objection that the discharges cannot be -simultaneous in, say twenty blasts. Of this class are the machines -now in course of construction by Mr. Moses Farmer, of Boston, where -the exciting power is manual labor, being a dynamo-electric machine. -Breguet’s electro-magnetic exploder, giving a spark by breaking -contact, is altogether too weak, at least for the American contractor. - -The ordinary Ruhmkorff coil is accompanied with the objection, that in -a numerous series of blasts, the spark, when it has passed some five or -six holes, seems to vanish in a glow, and to lose the heat necessary to -effect decomposition of the priming, besides the incumbrance of acids -and battery; in brief, it is not sufficiently portable for the use of -contractors. - -During the past four years I have given this subject much attention, -and, having experimented pretty extensively, I have secured the first -point, viz.: a safe priming which is not affected by the induced -electricity caused by machinery running, friction of handling, or -atmospheric electricity. My present aim—the evolution of electricity -of sufficient intensity to leap fifty to one hundred solutions of -continuity, i. e., effect fifty blasts simultaneously, I hope I have -secured, but this subtile force, electricity, is so readily affected by -so many interfering elements in blasting operations, that it would be -premature in this patent-demanding age, to communicate the progress I -have obtained, until the several apparatus I am now constructing (three -forms of machine), are complete, and have been subjected to actual work -in severely critical hands. An inventor is no judge of the success of -his own bantlings. - -Aware of the short life of the frictional electric machine, as at -present constructed; knowing how the ordinary induction coil diminishes -its intensity of spark, in proportion to the number of blasts to be -fired; seeing that the Electro-magnetic machine is limited to a series -of five blasts, which can only be exploded consecutively; that the -Electro-dynamic machines are open to this last objection, besides -destruction of their conducting parts by overheating, whilst in the -matter of adopting “over-sensitive priming” to compensate for the -deficiency of electricity or cheap conducting wire, there looms up the -danger to the miner of handling exploders, which “go off by looking -at” them, it seemed that, unless some amelioration was effected in -these details, the great economy of simultaneous blasting by means -of electricity would have to be abandoned. Add to these difficulties -the fact that any casualty occurring from any of the above causes -would reach the public as caused by Nitro-Glycerin, and my reader will -comprehend the interest I have felt, during the past four years, in -solving the following problem: - -To construct an apparatus that will, under every condition of -atmosphere, whether damp, dense or rarefied, evolve, at the will of -the operator, abundance of electricity; such electricity to possess -the property of developing intense heat, so as not to need a very -sensitive priming, and to possess sufficient tension to overleap -numerous solutions of continuity, say fifty, at a flash. Next, to -discover a priming composition, to insert between the solutions of -continuity, that would not be affected by moisture, that would bear -handling without danger of exploding, be unchangeable for years, -unaffected by the induced electricity of the atmosphere, whether caused -by thunder storms, lightning on the rail, machinery belting in motion, -or steam blowing off from a safety valve, ozone, etc., and yet not too -exhaustive of the electric force of the spark required to fire it. - -The above seemed to me the conditions necessary for the apparatus and -the exploder in firing with electricity. - -In addition to these, for conducting such electricity to the points -required, the best conductor, and the best insulation attainable. - -Further, that as Nitro-Glycerin was an expensive explosive to waste, to -supplement the above details with some material that would absolutely -develope its extreme force instantaneously, and not as is easily the -case, burn a part, explode a part, and throw the remainder into the -atmosphere, to poison the miners, or by missing fire, endanger life, -and waste time. How these objects, so desirable, have been obtained, I -now proceed to relate. - -By modifying the ordinary induction coil, so as to make it yield a -highly heating spark, and remedying its property of losing tension -rapidly after leaping four or five solutions of continuity, the Messrs. -Ritchie & Sons, of Boston, have constructed for me a coil that fires -18 intervals when charged with rifle powder simply; and they are now -constructing another coil capable of firing fifty mines, when charged -with priming that is perfectly safe to handle, and fulfilling the -conditions enumerated above. One spark alone is required to effect -these results, which may be summed up as “eliminating the heating -properties of induced electricity.” - -I have previously referred to the necessity of using a heavy charge -of fulminate of mercury, in order to secure perfect and instantaneous -explosion of a charge of Nitro-Glycerin, without confining the latter; -the manipulating this explosive salt (fulminate of mercury) without -hazard to the operators (generally girls), was accomplished by -precipitating gum mastich from its alcoholic solution, by the addition -of water, and mixing in the moist fulminate, and then filling the pasty -compound into a stout copper capsule, which is subsequently enclosed in -a wooden case, saturated with paraffine. The resistance of the stout -copper capsule, immensely adds to the effective force of the exploder, -and ensures the most effective explosion of the Nitro-Glycerin, which -cannot be obtained by a wooden capsule alone. These details as to -the requirements for effectively exploding the nitro-compounds, have -been very fully examined and proved, by Abel, Article, Pyroxylin, -Watts’ Chem. Dictionary, Vol. 4, p. 776, et seq., and daily use -confirms them. My observation of the fatalities that have occurred -with over-sensitive priming composition, introduced with a view to -compensate for deficient electric force, and thus to permit the use of -a weak battery and cheap cotton covered wire varnished over (instead -of gutta-percha insulation), in order to substitute a weak current -that would be sufficient to fire these over-sensitive exploders for -the stronger current required to fire a safe priming, satisfy me that -electric blasting had better be discontinued, and tape fuse resumed, -unless the work will bear the expense of absolutely safe materials. -Better to face the difficulty, construct efficient electric apparatus, -convey the electricity along wires of perfect insulation to a safe -priming, and by complete and violent explosion of the Nitro-Glycerin, -or powder, make such effective blasting as not to throw away the labor -of drilling, candles, power, and blasting materials. I believe this the -true economy. These details may seem wearisome, but the casualties of -blasting can best be diminished by avoiding missed holes, a result only -attainable by using materials absolutely reliable; and the reader, if -he has ever attempted to harness up as a team those subtile, evasive, -terrific forces—electricity and explosives, for the service of his -fellowman, will excuse the writer’s earnestness and agree with him that -in such a task the rule should be “Aut nunquam tenta aut perfice.” - -[Illustration] - - - - -CHAPTER V. - - - The Tri-Nitro-Glycerin Manufactured at the Hoosac - Tunnel—How Tri-Nitro-Glycerin is Made—How - Stored—How Gutta-Percha is Purified—How the - Conducting Wires are Insulated—How the Exploders - are Manufactured. - -There are probably few of my readers who have ventured to trust -themselves within a Nitro-Glycerin manufactory; the very name is -sufficient to make the passer-by quicken his step, till he is a safe -distance beyond the dreaded precinct. Some account of such a factory -will, accordingly, be interesting to many who are familiar with the -article, perhaps have used it, but whose curiosity has not been of such -a nature as to induce them to pay a visit to the works, where the least -negligence involves a death penalty. - -About 100 yards beyond the West shaft of the Hoosac Tunnel, is to be -seen a board fence surrounding about ten acres of ground, with the -announcement, “NITRO-GLYCERIN WORKS;—DANGEROUS;—NO VISITORS ADMITTED.” - -A drive leading between two rows of buildings brings the “visitor” to -the acid house, a well-ventilated building, 150 feet long. Here are -11 stills, each seven feet long and two feet in diameter. Under these -a light, slow fire burns, which is carefully attended to, for the -temperature must be kept moderate. In each of these stills is placed -300 lbs. of nitrate of soda and 375 lbs. of sulphuric acid. A stoneware -pipe conducts the gases, at a temperature of about 180°F, from each -still into a stone receiver or condenser, or rather a series of four -condensers connected by stoneware pipes, ranged on a platform three -feet above the ground. Into the first of these 150 lbs. of sulphuric -acid is poured, into the second 150 lbs., into the third 100 lbs., and -the fourth is empty. The nitrous vapor passes from the still to the -first condenser, where a portion of it, forming as it condenses nitric -acid, is taken up by the sulphuric acid; the remainder passes on to -the second, third and fourth condensers, though a very small portion -is left to pass into the last, which only requires to be emptied once -a month. It takes about twenty-four hours for the still to complete -the conversion of its contents into nitric acid, at the end of which -time the resultant mixture of acids, about 600 lbs., is run off into -carboys, twelve of these being filled from three stills. About 100 -carboys are generally kept in stock, as the acid does not spoil when -kept closed. These carboys are then emptied into a soapstone tank -having a capacity of 18 carboys, and an iron pipe, connected with the -main leading from two blowers in the engine house, is inserted into -the acid, causing a current of air to agitate it so as to remove the -nitrous fumes, mix it thoroughly and bring it all to uniform strength. -Formerly, this was effected by removing the acid into a glass vessel -containing about forty gallons, and it required boiling for hours; -the mode now practised occupies only five minutes and the risk of -fracture of a glass vessel in a sand bath is avoided. The acid is then -carried into the converting room, about one hundred feet long and well -lighted, where it is weighed, seventeen pounds being poured into each -of one hundred and sixteen stone pitchers which are arranged in nine -wooden troughs placed in the centre and at the end of the room, and -these troughs are now filled with ice-cold water, or ice and salt, so -as to rise within four inches of the top of the jar. On shelves above -the troughs, are arranged glass jars, one to each stone pitcher. Into -each of these glass jars, two pounds, by weight, of pure Glycerin is -poured, and this, by means of a siphon, with a rubber tube attached, -about two feet long, falls drop by drop into the corresponding pitcher -of mixed sulphuric and nitric acids. Immediately below the shelf, in -which the Glycerin jar stands, is a 2¼ inch iron pipe, which brings a -current of cold air from the receivers connected with the two blowers -before-mentioned. This current of air is distributed to each jar, -while the acid and glycerin are mixing, by a rubber pipe, to which is -attached a glass tube 16 inches long, and with a ¼ inch bore. During -the hour and a half to two hours that the glycerin takes to run off -into the pitchers, the greatest care, and the closest attention is -requisite. The three men whose duty it is to attend to the mixing -process, have each a row of pitchers to watch, walking the whole -time up and down, beside them, with thermometer in hand, and as the -nitrous fumes rise from the forming Nitro-Glycerin, they stir the -mixture, with the glass tube before-mentioned, in any pitcher that -may be giving out too violent fumes. Sometimes this is caused by the -glycerin running a little freely, which fires the mixture, wastes the -glycerin, forming oxalic acid, and developes unpleasant vapors. In -such a case, by pushing back a little wooden peg in the glass jar, the -flow of glycerin is lessened, and by stirring with the glass tube the -nitrous vapors dispelled. Should the engine also stop working by any -unforseen circumstance, the current of air will of course be stopped, -when the mixture will take fire. In this case, it is necessary to -stir the mixture, and at once stop the flow of glycerin. When the -glycerin and acid is all mixed, and the nitrous fumes cease to appear, -the Nitro-Glycerin from each pitcher is dumped into a large tank of -water, at a temperature of 70°, about 450 lbs. of Nitro-Glycerin being -the amount of each batch manufactured. The Nitro-Glycerin sinks -to the bottom and is covered by about six feet of water. Here it -remains for fifteen minutes to be subsequently washed free from any -impurities. This tank goes through the floor into a basement chamber, -its bottom being on a slight incline, so that the Nitro-Glycerin may -run out easily. The water is first drawn off from the top of the -Nitro-Glycerin, and then the latter is run into a wooden swinging tub, -in shape somewhat like an old-fashioned butter churn, but a good deal -larger in diameter. In this it is washed five times, three times with -plain water, and twice with soda, a current of air working through it -at the same time. The water from this tub is run off into a wooden -trough, which conveys it to a barrel buried in the earth, in the side -of which a hole carries it to another barrel a little lower down the -hill, and this again to another barrel, whence it finds its way to the -dump of rocks being removed from the tunnel, any Nitro-Glycerin that -may have escaped in the washing process being collected and retained in -one or other of these barrels. - -The Nitro-Glycerin is by this time thoroughly washed and ready to -store in the magazine, 300 feet distant, to which it is carried in a -couple of copper pails at a time, by a man with a yoke, similar to -what milkmen use for carrying their pails. Curious thought, that a -man carrying a couple of harmless looking pails with only a little -colorless fluid in them, should have enough explosive matter about him -to annihilate a regiment. - -In the magazine the Nitro-Glycerin is poured into “crocks,” as they are -called, earthenware jars holding 60 lbs. These crocks are then placed -in a wooden tank 2½ feet deep, which holds 20 of them, and immersed -to within six inches from the top of the jars in water warmed by a -small pipe from the boiler, to raise the temperature to 70°, at which -temperature it is kept all the time, as nearly as possible. They remain -in this water for about 72 hours, during which time any impurities -still remaining rise to the surface as scum, and are skimmed off with -a spoon. The Nitro-Glycerin is then chemically pure, transparent as -water, refracts light powerfully, and is ready for packing. The tin -cans, lined with paraffine and containing 56 lbs. each, are placed -in a shallow wooden trough, and the Nitro-Glycerin being poured from -the crocks into copper cans, is again poured into the tins through a -gutta-percha funnel, the bottom of the trough being covered with a -thick layer of plaster of paris, which absorbs and renders harmless any -drops of Nitro-Glycerin that may be spilt. The tins when filled are -then placed in a wooden trough containing iced water, or ice and salt, -where the Nitro-Glycerin is slowly crystallized or congealed; in this -condition, it is stored away in small magazines 300 feet distant, in -amounts of 30 to 40 cans each, until required for use. - -[Illustration] - -When the Nitro-Glycerin is to be conveyed over the mountains, the tins -are packed in open wooden boxes, with two inches of sponge at the -bottom, and four rubber tubes underneath; these are long enough to -allow the ends to come one inch over the top of the tin on opposite -sides, thus interposing two elastic tubes between the outside of the -tin and the inside of the wooden box, rendering it perfectly safe to -carry. Each tin is cellular, i. e., from the top of each tin to the -bottom a tube passes, about ten inches deep and 1½ inch in diameter, -for the purpose of thawing the congealed Nitro-Glycerin when the -blaster is ready to use it, liquefaction being effected with water -of 70° to 90°. The tins being closed with a cork wrapped in bladder, -are put into a sleigh or wagon, covered in summer with a layer of ice -and blankets, and may thus be carried any distance in this purified -crystalline state, as safely as so many tubs of butter. - -The reflecting reader will note the care taken to purify the -Nitro-Glycerin; it occupies 1½ hours to make it, about 72 hours to -purify, and about 48 hours to congeal or crystallize it. And yet there -are parties who attempt to make and vend Nitro-Glycerin, and induce -miners and contractors to use it, taken direct from the precipitating -tank, with all its impurities tending to decomposition, and requiring -only time and moderate temperature for spontaneous explosion; hence, I -believe many accidents. - -Proceeding back to the factory, two ice-houses will be noticed, -capable of containing 400 tons of ice, required for crystallizing -Nitro-Glycerin in summer. There is a small engine-house with a boiler -of fifteen horse power, and engine of about ten horse power; this -latter, to pump water into the washing tank, run the two “blowers,” and -give power in the gutta-percha factory. The air is not pumped directly -into the pipe which distributes it to the pitchers, as the pressure -would not be always uniform; but into two receivers under the floor of -the factory, whence it is evenly distributed, and deprived of watery -vapor, which if blown into the pitchers would raise the temperature and -vitiate the product. - -Attached to the factory is a building about 90 feet long, for covering -the copper wire (used in exploding) with gutta-percha, so as to render -the insulation perfect. The first process is to purify the crude -gutta-percha which is imported in blocks about a foot long. This is -placed against a rasping machine with toothed knives about four inches -apart, which crush and tear the gutta-percha to pieces, delivering it -into a trough of water. The impurities sink, while the gutta-percha -floats. It is then warmed in a steam jacketed kettle, and when still -plastic is put into another tearing or rasping machine with another -series of knives set closer together, from this it drops into a trough -of clean water, more dirt separating. This is repeated two or three -times, as it is most important that no extraneous matter should be -retained in the gutta-percha, because it would interfere with perfect -insulation, and so place in jeopardy the lives of several men. It is -again steamed and put into a “masticator” consisting of a fluted roller -working in a steam jacket; here it is “chawed up” for about six hours, -until it arrives at a proper consistence; it is then passed between -two smooth cylinders heated by steam, and transferred thence into a -cylinder, where it is pressed through gauze wire, under a pressure of -four tons to the inch. Being thoroughly cleansed, it is then steamed, -masticated and pressed between the cylinders, and is ready to cover -the copper wire. Five wires at a time, horizontally parallel to one -another, are passed through a gun metal mould with a disc at the -further end perforated with five holes but little larger than the wires -themselves, placed at the base of an upright cylinder. The gutta-percha -is inserted in the top of this cylinder, and a pressure of 95 tons is -put upon it by means of a screw, when it is pressed into slots in the -mould surrounding the wires, which are then drawn from the holes in -the disc, through a trough of water 80 feet long, and back again: it -is then wound on drums ready for use. The “leading” wire receives two -coatings, separate discs having larger bores being attached to the -brass cylinder. - -A house is attached to the factory, for the foreman and his family. - -Perfect system pervades this factory, and is absolutely necessary in -the manufacture of Nitro-Glycerin, to ensure safety. The steadiest men -possible are selected for the work, and the foreman of the gutta-percha -department, Mr. Robert Wallace, who has charge of the machinery, is a -skilful machinist and a thoroughly trustworthy Scotchman. He has four -sons employed, of whom one takes charge of the works at Maysville, -Kentucky, another, is foreman of the Nitro-Glycerin factory. - -Three men are employed in the acid house, working in three shifts -of eight hours each, but they do not actually work more than seven -hours; every movement is like clock work, every man has his place and -special duty, which he is expected to perform at the proper time. In -the morning, at 7 or 7½ A. M., two men dump the carboys of acid into -the soapstone tank and mix them, while a third is filling the glass -jars with glycerin. This operation takes about an hour. One draws the -acid, another weighs it, and a third carries it to the troughs. After -an interval during which the acids cool, three men attend closely to -the converting of glycerin into Tri-Nitro-Glycerin, knowing that their -safety, and the safety of every man on the works, depends on themselves -alone, during this process. After the Nitro-Glycerin is dumped into -the water tank, two men are employed in washing it, down stairs, while -two wash the stone pitchers with water; more water, temperature about -60°, is swilled on the floors so as to keep them scrupulously clean and -perfectly free from atoms of Nitro-Glycerin, which, stepped upon while -the men are at work, might send them to eternity, and the building to -smithereens. The room is then prepared for next day’s operations, and -by about one or two o’clock, after six, or at most seven hours’ work, -the day’s task is done. Mr. Wilson, in charge of the purifying process, -canning, and preparing for shipment, has now been over four years at -this work. - -Making exploders is a distinct operation, requiring great precision. -The materials of which the priming for fuses is composed, are prepared -in my private laboratory, and consist of sulphide and phosphide of -copper with chlorate of potash. Considerable nicety of manipulation -is required to prepare the former of these compounds so as to obtain -homogeneous, uniform sulphides and phosphides, and, from the failure of -several chemists—and some of our best have attempted the manufacture—to -prepare them, I attach great importance to this work, invariably -making them myself. For, if prepared with the above ingredients, no -accident can occur from atmospheric electricity, friction etc., a -contingency which all other primings now in use are liable to. The -priming is then taken to the warehouse where from three to four hands -are employed in making it up into exploders. Two insulated wires from -4 to 12 feet long, are inserted in the smallest end of a wooden tube, -previously dipped in boiled paraffine, ¾ inch long and ⅛ inch diameter -at one end, and 3/16 at the other, to which they are fastened by a -shoulder of gutta-percha. Immediately before the priming is inserted, -an electric spark is passed through and between the wires where the -priming is put so as to ascertain that the insulation is perfect, and -to guard against the possibility of a miss-fire. This being proved, -the priming is put in at the other end of the tube, and a small paper -plug boiled in paraffine inserted; then a copper cap, ¾ inch long and -⅜ inch diameter, receives 20 grains of fulminate of mercury, on the -top of which a varnish is poured which prevents any of the fulminate -from being shaken out by accident, or affected by vibration. This -copper cap is then placed in a larger wooden cap 1½ inch long, the fuse -inserted about ¼ inch, when it fits tight, the wooden part painted with -asphaltum varnish around the joints, and the exploder is complete and -ready for service. Three hands employed ought to make 1,000 a day of -these exploders. - -Having thus given a full account of the manufacture of Nitro-Glycerin -and its appurtenances, I will conclude with the remark that there is -no danger in the manufacture when due precaution is used; but, to -paraphrase the language of Professor Tyndall, in his preface to “Hours -of Exercise in the Alps”: “For rashness, ignorance, or carelessness, -Nitro-Glycerin leaves no margin; and to rashness, ignorance, or -carelessness, three-fourths of the catastrophes which shock us are to -be traced.” - -[Illustration] - - - - -CHAPTER VI. - -Explosive Mixtures. - - -The laws of nature are immutable. To-day, to-morrow, forever—unchanged, -unchangeable, as the great Creator himself, who established them, and -it is only from scientific research, starting with the conviction -that these laws are God’s laws, and therefore immutable, that results -of general utility can be obtained. Believing that everything which, -in common parlance, is termed “an accident,” is simply a violation -of these laws through carelessness or ignorance, it is the duty of -the scientific chemist to investigate the causes and effects of the -adherence to or violation of these laws in regard to the science of -which he is a student. As a chemist I have accordingly applied myself -to a close examination of the phenomena attending the preparation and -use of Nitro-Glycerin, and consequently to the investigation of the -mixtures purporting to be substitutes for Nitro-Glycerin and gunpowder, -of which Nitro-Glycerin is the active base. - -And this brings before me, in all their glaring defects, the anomalies -of the patent system of our country, especially in regard to chemical -compounds. For the past hundred years, the greatest chemists the -world has ever known, have given the results of their researches -free, and untrammelled by any patents, though they might, indeed, -have justly taken toll of the world at large for their discoveries. -I need only instance Berzelius, who threw open to the world the -numerous discoveries of his long and valuable life, and Pelouze, the -celebrated French chemist, who devoted fifteen years of his life to -the investigation of the constituents of fatty matters and their -decomposition into stearic, margaric, oleic acids and glycerin. Let -the reader picture to himself, for a moment, what would have been the -state of affairs in the manufacturing world, had all the chemists of -the last fifty years patented every discovery they made, every mode of -preparation they suggested; how dark, gloomy and uncertain would the -path of our manufactures have been; they must almost have stood still -until these patents, and perhaps their renewals also, had expired. -By such a course, the bleaching and printing of cottons, and all the -numerous processes dependent on applied chemistry, would have been -deferred half a century; for it is only by the quick, free application -of the discoveries of the unselfish chemist, that the progress that has -been made was possible. What a contrast to the self-aggrandizement of -the present race of patent-seeking chemists! An individual, with the -labors of the grand army of scientific chemists for the past hundred -years before him, selects one, two or three chemical compounds, mixes -them, modifies to a certain extent some property of either of them, -applies for, and obtains, a patent. Then for seventeen years this -“ghoul” sits over his mixture, and, with the assistance of a lawyer, -proceeds to black-mail any one, who, in attaining certain results, -is led by the properties of the several compounds to avail himself -of a similar mixture. The discovery of a Sobrero is attempted to be -appropriated by a Nobel and his assignees, and, with the confidence -inspired by the weakness of a patent examiner, who chuckles at the -delusion of the patentee, they absolutely infer that, because they -have a patent, they can appropriate the result of the chemist’s -labors obtained 20 years before. The patent office secures $35.00, -the examiner his salary, and the ceilings of the noble building at -Washington are ultra-marined, until the visitor’s eyes are dazzled -with the brilliant color. Finally comes a suit in chancery, in which -thousands of dollars are expended, and in which these stealers of other -mens’ brains, count less on their claim than on the hope that they -may so interfere with their opponent’s occupation, and so deplete his -pocket with law-costs, that he will submit to accept a free license, at -least, and thus enable them to terrify others into payment. - -The above remarks are somewhat of a digression from the subject of -this chapter, but, I think most of my readers will admit that they -are by no means uncalled for. I have been told, and the newspapers -teem with assertions, that these patented explosive compounds, with -high sounding names, will bear “tamping” as hard as gunpowder, are -safer, more powerful and cheaper than Nitro-Glycerin. We are a people, -Barnum says, who like to be humbugged; I am afraid we are not the -only people who like to be humbugged—it is a weakness of humanity—but -this I do believe; the man who is addicted to humbug, had better give -Nitro-Glycerin a wide berth, that is, if he hopes to end his days on a -feather bed. - -Let us briefly examine these patents—the Lord deliver us from all -such—for explosive mixtures, and see the amount of invention required. - -For a mixture of Nitro-Glycerin with rotten-stone, a patent was -granted, and (the name being the only real invention) it was called -“dynamite.”[9] - -Make a mixture of Nitro-Glycerin and sponge, and patent it, and -forthwith “Porifera nitroleum” is presented to an admiring public.[10] - -Add plaster of Paris to Nitro-Glycerin, patent it, and you have in all -its explosive power, “Selenitic Powder.”[11] - -Try red lead and Nitro-Glycerin together, and when patented, “Metalline -Nitroleum” is the last new sensation to astonish the weak nerves of -contractors.[12] - -[9] “Dynamite”—Patent No. 78,317, dated May 26, 1868, granted to -Alfred Nobel, of Hamburg, Germany, assignor to Julius Bandmann, of San -Francisco, California. The following is the substance of the claim: “My -invention consists in combining with Nitro-Glycerin a substance which -possesses a very great absorbent capacity, and which at the same time, -is free from any quality which will decompose, destroy, or injure the -Nitro-Glycerin, or its explosiveness. The substance which most fully -meets the requirements above mentioned, so far as I know, is a certain -kind of silicious earth, known under the various names of silicious -marl, tripoli, rotten-stone, etc.” - -[10] “Porifera Nitroleum”—Patent No. 93,753, dated Aug. 17, 1869, -granted to Taliaferro P. Shaffner, of Louisville, Kentucky. The -claim is as follows: “I claim a compound composed of a mixture of -Nitro-Glycerin with sponge or other vegetable fibre.” - -[11] “Selenitic Powder”—Patent No. 93,752, dated Aug. 17, 1869, granted -to Taliaferro P. Shaffner, of Louisville, Kentucky. The claim is as -follows: “I claim the combining of nitroleum or Nitro-Glycerin with -plaster of Paris, or equivalent substances, in such manner as will make -an explosive compound.” - -[12] “Metalline Nitroleum”—Patent No. 93,754, dated Aug. 17, 1869, -granted to Taliaferro P. Shaffner, of Louisville, Kentucky. Claim as -follows: “I claim a compound composed of a mixture of Nitro-Glycerin -with metallic powder or atoms, however formed or produced.” - -Take some gunpowder in a fine state of division, and moisten it with -Nitro-Glycerin until it becomes “the color of mud and about the -consistency of putty”; assure the editor of the Barnumtown Inquirer, -that it has five times the explosive power of Nitro-Glycerin, and -forthwith a flaming article appears, upon the new explosive agent, -“Lithofracteur.”[13] - -Make a compound of sawdust and Nitro-Glycerin, and let your patent -prove that you are unacquainted with the commonest properties of -sulphuric acid and charcoal, that, on the face of it, your preparation -cannot possibly be made as you describe (that is not the business of -the examiner, or if it be, he is so bothered by Prussian officers -that these facts escape his notice), on payment of $35.00, a patent -will issue, give it a name, say, “Dualin”, boldly assert that its -properties are unequalled; let a governor of a state, whose experience -is confined to fire-crackers, witness an explosion (it is not material -what substance you explode before him), hire a steamer, give a splendid -collation, invite all the reporters within reach, make any statements -you please to them (they will be swallowed along with the collation, -especially if washed down with plenty of Heidsick), and there is no -telling where this halo of a patent may not carry the unscrupulous -patentee.[14] - -[13] “Lithofracteur”—For a wonder this has not been patented. - -[14] “Dualin”—Patent No. 98,854, dated January 18, 1870, granted to -Carl Dittmar, of Charlottenberg, Prussia. Claim as follows: “I claim -a compound consisting of cellulose, nitro-cellulose, nitro-starch, -nitro-mannite and Nitro-Glycerin, mixed in different combinations, -depending on the degree of strength which it is desired the powder -should possess in adapting its use to various purposes.” - -But these assertions involve loss of life, as, for instance, when -Joseph Butloe was killed at the Hoosac Tunnel. He was attempting to -introduce a dualin cartridge into a drill hole, and as it did not -reach the bottom of the hole he endeavored to push it in further with -a “tamping stick,” a method which the inventor of dualin advocated, -and regarded as perfectly safe. Unfortunately, however, in the present -case it was not so, the explosion following the first “tamp” instantly -killing the operator, and exploding the mis-statements of the patentee. - -Truly, these gentlemen are wonderful mathematicians; they have -discovered that a part is greater than the whole, that various mixtures -of inert matter with Nitro-Glycerin, have greater explosive power than -Nitro-Glycerin per se. - -As Dualin is the only one of these compounds that has been attempted -to be brought in any way into competition with Nitro-Glycerin, in the -Eastern States, a synopsis of the results may possess interest. Some -six different parcels of dualin in all, have been experimented with -at the Hoosac Tunnel, and of these the first shipment, being useless -at the West End, was forwarded to the Central Shaft, and there again -tried, but the effects, as compared with the Nitro-Glycerin supplied by -the writer, were not such as to justify the contractors in continuing -its use, consequently it was thrown out. Another parcel, intended to be -stronger, shipped in the hot summer of 1870, exploded in the cars in -transit at Worcester, proving, what had been suspected from a perusal -of the dualin patents, that the inventor was really ignorant of the -properties of the materials of which his combination was composed. -From evidence adduced at Worcester, given by the compounder of dualin, -and also by a manufacturer of exploders, some of whose wares were in -the same car, it appeared that the Nitro-Glycerin exuding from the -mixture of sawdust (40 per cent.) and Nitro-Glycerin (60 per cent.) -of which the dualin, made at that time by Mr. Dittmar, was composed, -flowed in a pool on the floor of the car, and, when the cars were set -in motion, a series of sharp detonations ensued, probably from this -pool of Nitro-Glycerin running on to the wheels and being compressed or -hammered during the revolution of the car wheels on the rails, firing -the pool, which in turn fired the whole shipment of dualin, together -with the exploders. - -After some months further shipments were made, and in all cases the -trials made with these were superintended by the introducer of dualin, -and, in every case but one, were reported failures, and rejected. -In the case in which a success was reported, a small parcel only -was brought along, and exploded side by side with Nitro-Glycerin; -that is, four holes were charged with dualin, and four other holes -nearly parallel with them were charged with Nitro-Glycerin. The -enlargement was brought down, but whether the work was principally -done with Nitro-Glycerin, and only partially by the dualin, was -left to conjecture. The foreman of the drillers asserted that the -side charged with dualin was seamy, whilst the side containing the -Nitro-Glycerin was solid, and without any seam. However, it was claimed -by the inventor that dualin was now a success, and a further trial, -viz.: the sixth, was undertaken, and 1,500 lbs. of dualin brought on -the ground, about the 26th of November, 1870. On Tuesday, the 28th, -the experiments under the supervision of Mr. Dittmar commenced, and -were continued on the 29th and 30th, but they demonstrated beyond -cavil, there being no Nitro-Glycerin fired at the same time to assist -them, that dualin was of “no account,” not one single hole having been -“bottomed,” and, again, the dualin left over from this experiment, -1,300 lbs., was thrown out, as utterly unable to effect the blasting -results obtained by the Nitro-Glycerin it was brought to supersede. -Four hundred pounds of this was ordered to the Central shaft, but -the results at the East End being so conclusive, it was consigned, -like all the previous shipments, to the tomb of the Capulets, and was -subsequently used up for trimming, in lieu of powder. - -In a previous chapter, I gave a full account of the experiments made -at Hallett’s Point, New York. On that occasion, General Newton, of -the United States Engineers, reported to me that he considered that -Nitro-Glycerin, in point of economy and power, had the advantage over -both dualin and powder even when supplemented by fulminating fuse. -The advantages claimed (only by the inventor) for dualin, are, that -it is cheaper, safer, and more powerful than Nitro-Glycerin, and some -experiments made in Prussia, are adduced in proof. I have to observe, -on this point, that the Nitro-Glycerin made by the Nobel process, -probably used in Prussia, is very inferior to the Tri-Nitro-Glycerin -made by my process, both in stability and in explosive force, and it -is much more readily exploded, fifteen grains of fulminate of mercury -being necessary to ensure explosion of this latter, without chance of -failure. Nobel’s Nitro-Glycerin is said to expand when solid, in which -state the slightest friction is said to explode it, while Mowbray’s -Tri-Nitro-Glycerin actually contracts about one-tenth in bulk when -solidifying, and cannot be exploded when in the solid state, except -by a heavy charge of fluid Nitro-Glycerin fired with it. Nobel’s -preparation is yellow, and gives off nitrous fumes, and is claimed by -the patentee to solidify at 50°F, while Mowbray’s is colorless as water -and solidifies at 45°F. - -It may be possible, but not probable, therefore, that Nobel’s -Nitro-Glycerin is inferior to Dittmar’s dualin, as used in Prussia; -the latter then said to have been a preparation of nitrate of ammonia, -sawdust immersed in sulpho-nitric acid and Nitro-Glycerin: but that -40 per cent. of washed sawdust (not treated with sulpho-nitric acid), -moistened with 60 per cent. of a dark colored and evidently impure -Nitro-Glycerin, and such was Dittmar’s dualin analysed by me, should -surpass, in blasting, a chemically pure Nitro-Glycerin, is to expect 60 -cents of currency to have more value than 100 cents of gold, or that a -part is greater than the whole. - -As I have above referred to my analysis of Mr. Dittmar’s dualin, I will -give in full the process and result of the same, for the benefit of the -reader. - -Twenty (20) grammes of dualin were allowed to digest in a glass tube -for several days, covered with washed sulphuric ether. The ether was -then drawn off, and the residue in the glass tube washed with ether -until the cessation of the peculiar persistent taste of Nitro-Glycerin, -causing the “Glycerin headache,” proved the Nitro-Glycerin was -exhausted. The residual woody fibre was now dried thoroughly, and -weighed eight grammes. A portion of it thrown on a red hot plate did -not deflagrate; this indicated it had not been treated with nitric -acid, and had not been converted into nitro-cellulose. Washed in -distilled water, and the washings evaporated, no saline or crystalline -salt was obtained. The residue, dried and thrown on a red hot plate, -charred and burnt like any other sawdust. Now, I assert positively, the -dualin I analysed, furnished by Mr. Dittmar himself for blasting in -the Tunnel, was simply a compound of washed sawdust and Nitro-Glycerin -(actually yellow fuming Nitro-Glycerin.) - -I have deemed it due to myself to extend these observations further -than I intended, but, in the interest of truth, I could not permit the -friendly notices of the press, which have been industriously secured, -nor the biased views, of men employed in exploding, (to whom payment of -ten dollars was promised, for every case of dualin used, to exaggerate -results), to mislead mining contractors, and I stand prepared to prove -that 100 parts dualin are only equal to 50 parts pure Nitro-Glycerin, -for practical blasting purposes. Dualin is a mixture varying according -to the humor of the compounder, but never exceeding one-half the -strength of Tri-Nitro-Glycerin; it has all the danger of the Nobel -Nitro-Glycerin, with the additional tendency to decomposition, sworn -to by Mr. Dittmar himself at the Worcester investigation, owing to -its being an admixture of organic matter with Nitro-Glycerin, and -its inventor, (as evidenced by his patent, where he proposes to -concentrate sulphuric acid, and free it from nitrogen, by boiling it -with charcoal!), does not understand the properties of the commonest -commercial compounds he undertakes to handle. These facts determine, I -submit, the superior advantage of a uniform chemical product produced -under invariable conditions, especially since it is more difficult to -explode it, and it is proportionately safer, and, above all, has double -the effective force. - -Mr. Dittmar’s promises have failed, and his representations have been -disproved by the results at the Hoosac Tunnel. Up to October, 1870, he -had six trials, of which he only claims one as a success, though he -did succeed in inducing the employees to misrepresent the facts to the -contractors, and thereby obtained a testimonial; but over two thousand -pounds of his dualin was buried in the Berkshire mountains—a stern -pecuniary lesson, verifying the truth of the old Roman apothegm, so -much neglected in modern times—“Magna est veritas et prevalebit.” - - - - -CHAPTER VII. - -Nitro-Glycerin Patents and Litigation. - - -It is seldom that any valuable invention has been brought into -public use without costly litigation being entailed on the inventor; -and especially is this the case in chemical discoveries, either by -pretenders who would interfere with the inventor who has turned his -discovery to practical account, on the plea of having previously -conceived the same idea, or by unscrupulous individuals who would -appropriate to their own use, without payment, the fruits of the labors -of other men’s brains; hence the writer did not altogether escape, as -will be seen by the following remarks on the subject. - -[Illustration: Miners ascending Central Shaft.] - -I will commence by stating briefly that a patent was granted and four -re-issues of the same made to Alfred Nobel and his assignees, for the -use of Nitro-Glycerin for blasting purposes, when “confined,“ and -for a process of manufacturing the same, by running the glycerin and -mixed acids together rapidly, in suitable proportions, into a tank of -water. Now, it has never been denied that Sobrero was the discoverer of -Nitro-Glycerin, and that it was competent for any one to manufacture -that article. The only point, therefore, on which a patent could be -obtained was for some improved method of making it. Accordingly, in the -course of experiments, I discovered that by passing a current of cold, -compressed air through the mixing glycerin and acids, a very valuable -improvement was effected, economizing time and material, and rendering -the process of manufacturing safer; and for this I obtained a patent on -April 7, 1868. - -That my readers may see how far I was correct in my estimate of the -patentable value of my invention, I give below the opinion of eminent -counsel: - - NEW YORK, July 10, 1869. - GEO. M. MOWBRAY, ESQ.: - - Dear Sir:—Pursuant to your request, I have examined your - Letters Patent of the United States for inventions in the - manufacture of Nitro-Glycerin, dated the 7th April, 1868. - I recollect of aiding you in preparing the application for - that patent, and of examining it immediately after it was - issued. I believed then that that patent was good and valid, - and nothing since has occurred that has changed my opinion - or shaken my confidence concerning its validity. - - I have recently examined copies of the five re-issued - patents to assignees of Alfred Nobel, and I find nothing in - them, or any of them, which impairs the validity of your - patent. - - I further say, that it is my opinion, and clearly so, that - the manufacture and sale of Nitro-Glycerin made according to - the process described in your patent, does not infringe upon - any of the five re-issued patents granted to the assignees - of Nobel; and that so far as any of those re-issued patents - are concerned, or anything else that I know of, you have a - clear right to manufacture and sell Nitro-Glycerin according - to your patent. - - Very respectfully, - GEO. GIFFORD, Counsellor at Law. - -This discovery was not allowed to pass unchallenged, for Mr. Tal. P. -Shaffner, having learnt that I had obtained a patent, came forward with -a claim that he had conceived the idea (!) in 1865; and in January, -1869, nearly a year after the application for the patent which was -granted to me, he applied for a patent for the same thing. This -brought our respective rights before the Patent Office in a matter of -interference. However, the following remarks by Mr. John W. Thacher, -Examiner of Interferences, in giving his decision on the case, will -show pretty clearly to whom the right to a patent justly belongs. He -says: - - “The principle is well established that he who first - reduces an invention to practical form is entitled to a - patent therefor. Applying this test in this case, the right - to a patent seems to rest entirely in Mowbray, and the - invention is accordingly awarded to the patentee.” - -And again Mr. Samuel S. Fisher, the Commissioner of Patents, in giving -his decision, remarks: - - “The story of Shaffner is not that of a man who had - invented anything. He had a theory, talked about it, doubted - its value; did not experiment to satisfy himself; until - Mowbray was manufacturing on a large scale; and evidently - did not intend to apply for a patent at all. I can find - none of the ear-marks of a perfected invention, carried - beyond the region of experiment; still less of any trace of - diligence. Priority is awarded to Mowbray.” - -As previously noted, the Nobel patent with its re-issues, in four -divisions, and twenty-four columns of specifications, containing eight -claims drawn up expressly to intercept infringers, specifically, -emphatically, and unmistakably insisted: - -1st. That Nobel discovered it was necessary to confine Nitro-Glycerin -in order to explode it, and that it was practically impossible to -explode it unconfined. - -2d. That heat and pressure were the agents necessary for a successful -explosion of Nitro-Glycerin. - -The writer, however, discovered that the heat, pressure and -confinement, claimed by the Nobel patent and re-issues, were -unnecessary, by charging an open glass tube with Nitro-Glycerin, the -glass tube being immersed in water, and the Nitro-Glycerin exploded -by the concussion of a cap containing fulminate of mercury, and so -succeeded in extricating himself from the domain of the Nobel patents -and their particular claims. - -But he could not extricate himself from litigation; the insolvent -assignee, the United States Blasting Oil Company, clearly perceiving -that the monopoly, as they had termed it, was gone, now resorted to the -“pis aller” of litigation, misrepresentation, and threatening every -one who used Mowbray’s Nitro-Glycerin, with the trouble of making -affidavits, engaging counsel, and collecting evidence, a by no means -to be despised aggressive warfare to contractors, who need all their -time, all their capital, and all their ingenuity, to carry out their -contracts to a profitable result. Guaranteeing the payment of enforced -damages, I met this flank movement by engaging the best counsel, and -resolutely set about terminating the pretensions of these patents. - - A Suit in Equity was commenced in the Circuit Court - of the United States, Western District of - Pennsylvania, during the May Term, 1870, by the - - UNITED STATES BLASTING OIL COMPANY OF NEW YORK, - BY ITS PRESIDENT, TAL. P. SHAFFNER, - _vs._ - GEO. M. MOWBRAY, J. H. KING, CHAS. LOBB, W. L. HOLBROOK, - JAMES DICKEY AND A. D. HATFIELD. - -As the sworn affidavits in the above case, now pending, are of great -importance in substantiating, both practically and legally, the claims -urged in previous observations, on behalf of the “Mowbray system” of -manufacturing and using Nitro-Glycerin, I give below the substance of -the testimony. - - -Evidence of George F. Barker, Professor of Physiological Chemistry and -Toxicology in the Medical Department of Yale College. - -“I have carefully examined the several re-issued patents, Nos. -3,377, 3,378, 3,379, 3,380, 3,381 and 3,382, the four former being -divisions A, B, C and D, of the re-issued patent, granted upon the -surrender of the original patent No. 50,617, dated October 24th, -1865, and the two latter divisions 1 and 2 of the original patent, -also granted to the assignees of Alfred Nobel, on surrender of the -original patent No. 57,175, dated August 14th, 1866, granted to said -Alfred Nobel. I would further state that in the specifications of the -before-mentioned re-issues it is asserted that Sobrero discovered -that Glycerin was capable of giving, when, mixed with sulphuric and -nitric acids, a substance analogous to gun cotton, which is true; -and that the specifications of the said patents further state that -“Sobrero abandoned further research with the declared opinion that its -combustion or explosion could not be managed”; which statement, having -read all which Sobrero is believed to have published upon the subject, -viz.: his papers published in the Comptes Rendus de L’Academie des -Sciences, Volume XXIV., page 247, printed in Paris A. D. 1847, and in -the Repertoire de Chimie Applique, Volume II., page 400, printed in -Paris in 1860, I have entirely failed to find recorded by him as his -opinion.” - -J. E. de Vrij also, in a communication to the British Association, -which was read in July, 1851, and is published in the report of the -association for the year 1851, page 52 (Notices and Abstracts), states -in regard to Nitro-Glycerin, that it “explodes at a moderate heat, as -was shown by experiment, detonating when the drops of Nitro-Glycerin on -paper were struck a smart blow with a hammer.” - -The before-mentioned re-issued patents further assert that “in -order to explode the whole, or even a large proportion of the mass -of Nitro-Glycerin, it is necessary to subject it to confinement or -restraint”; which assertion is untrue, for Nitro-Glycerin, when freely -exposed to the air in an open vessel or plate, may be and is capable of -being readily exploded, without confinement, restraint, or pressure, -as I have proved by experiment made at North Adams, on the 17th day of -May, 1870, in exploding upon two occasions a quantity of Nitro-Glycerin -in an open saucer with great violence, on which occasion the -Nitro-Glycerin was exploded by simple concussion in open vessels, the -fulminate cap used as the exploder being suspended above the surface of -the Nitro-Glycerin in the saucer, and distant nearly two inches from -it; so that the application of heat and pressure, or of either of these -agencies, is unnecessary. - -The said re-issued patents further assert, that “the degree of -confinement must be sufficient to allow a pressure upon the -Nitro-Glycerin to an extent that 360°F will be realized, so that -decomposition will take place before the liquid can escape the force -or heat of the evolved gases of a percussion cap, etc.”; whereas I -found on the above occasion that when water was interposed between the -Nitro-Glycerin and the percussion cap, so that no measurable increase -of temperature (much less 360°F) could possibly occur in the former, -the Nitro-Glycerin could be exploded. - -In the first experiment three tubes, closed at bottom and containing -half an ounce of Nitro-Glycerin each, were placed in water in a -tumbler, being supported an inch from the bottom. Into the water in -the tumblers, and outside of the tubes, distant from them nearly an -inch, the fulminate cap was put. This was then fired, and caused the -explosion of the Nitro-Glycerin through the intervening water. In -the second experiment, using a tub of water in which eleven tubes -containing Nitro-Glycerin were placed, the explosion of six fulminate -caps failed to fire the Nitro-Glycerin, the distance from the tubes at -which they were placed, nearly or quite ten inches, being too great. In -the third experiment five such tubes of Nitro-Glycerin were suspended -in a tub of water distant four or five inches from each other; the -fulminate cap being inserted in the middle tube. On firing this cap -the Nitro-Glycerin in all the tubes was exploded, as judged from the -violent effects produced. - -The said re-issued patents further assert that “Gun-cotton will explode -in proportion to the degree of confinement, igniting at 266°F.” The -celebrated chemist of the English War Department, F. A. Abel, who has -made the most extended researches upon gun cotton on record, asserts -in his paper published in the Philosophical transactions for 1869 -(an abstract of which appears in the Journal of the Chemical Society -of London for 1869, Volume XXIII., page 11,) “that rows of detached -masses of gun cotton, placed on the ground, and extended 4 or 5 feet, -have been exploded with most destructive results by firing a small -detonating tube in contact with the piece of compressed gun cotton -which formed one extremity of the row or train, the explosion of the -entire quantity being apparently instantaneous and equally violent -throughout.” And further that these and similar experiments “appear to -indicate decisively that such explosion is not a result of the heat -developed by the explosion of the detonating materials.” - -I have witnessed the manufacture of Nitro-Glycerin as practised by the -defendant Mowbray, at his works situated near the West Shaft of the -Hoosac Tunnel, in Massachusetts, and after a full examination of the -mode said to have been the invention of Alfred Nobel, and described -in the before-mentioned re-issued patents, find that the process -actually in daily use, at said Mowbray’s works, is that described in -said Mowbray’s patent No. 76,499, dated April 7th, 1868, which process -is substantially different from that described in the complainant’s -re-issues hereinbefore set forth. According to said re-issues, Nobel’s -process consists in running two separate streams, the one of Glycerin, -the other of mixed nitric and sulphuric acids simultaneously into -a conical vessel which is perforated at the lower portion thereof, -through which perforations the mixture of acids and Glycerin passes -into a vessel placed beneath, containing water. In the Mowbray process, -a single fine stream of Glycerin is allowed to run into a previously -cooled mixture of sulphuric and nitric acids, through and into which -cooled mixture of acids is continuously forced, while the Glycerin -is entering, a current of atmospheric air, previously artificially -dried, compressed and cooled. The action of this current of air is an -essentially important and useful one, both upon the process itself -and upon the resulting product. First, as to mechanical effects: it -thoroughly incorporates the ingredients; it removes in part the nitrous -fumes which would otherwise be retained by and contaminate the product, -and it cools the mixture by absorbing the heat produced by the chemical -reaction of the ingredients. Second, as to the chemical effects: by the -action of the oxygen which this air contains it oxidizes the nitrous -acid, which may be present in the acids or may be produced in the -reaction, to nitric acid, and thus economizes the materials, increases -the quantity of the product, and produces a chemically pure article, as -is shown by the fact that the Nitro-Glycerin thus produced is perfectly -colorless, congeals uniformly at the same degree of temperature and -produces, when exploded, no offensive vapors deleterious to the health -of the miners using it. Moreover, as, in my opinion, these nitrous -fumes tend to induce decomposition in the Nitro-Glycerin and thus to -render it unstable, dangerous, and liable to spontaneous explosion, as -is demonstrated to be the case in the analogous substance gun cotton, -the introduction, in the method of Mowbray, of cold, dry, compressed -air into the mixture, in order to get rid of these nitrous fumes, must -be regarded as a substantially new invention. - -In my opinion, the character of the Nitro-Glycerin is determined by -the strength of the acids used in its preparation; the stronger the -acids, the purer the product and the more efficient. I verily believe -this: first, because it is true of the precisely analogous compound -gun cotton, which is prepared in the same way; Hadow having proved, as -stated in his paper published in the Quarterly Journal of the Chemical -Society of London in 1854, Volume VII., page 201, that at least three -products are obtained by acting upon cotton by a mixture of sulphuric -and nitric acids, the most explosive being always produced by the -strongest acids; and 2nd, because of similar differences observed -in Nitro-Glycerin made by different experimenters, and believed by -them to be due to like differences in composition; Railton obtained -by analysis, as stated in his paper in the Quarterly Journal of the -Chemical Society of London for 1854, Volume VII., page 222, the -composition now universally adopted as that of Tri-Nitro-Glycerin. De -Vrij believes the product he obtained, Journal de Pharmacie, series -III., Volume XXVIII., page 38, 1855, to be Tri-Nitro-Glycerin, and -Liecke in Dingler’s Polytechnisches Journal, Volume CLXXIX., page 157, -1866, gives methods by which Mono-Nitro-Glycerin, Di-Nitro-Glycerin and -Tri-Nitro-Glycerin may be produced, the essential difference in these -methods being only the strength of the acids employed. Gladstone’s -Report of the British Association for 1856, page 52 (Notices and -Abstracts), has shown that different samples of Nitro-Glycerin -differed in properties according to the amount of water contained in -the Glycerin; this water, by diluting the acids, making them weaker. -Moreover the physiological properties of Nitro-Glycerin have been found -by different experiments to differ widely. Sobrero, its discoverer, -says a very small quantity taken upon the tongue produces a severe -headache for several hours, whence he concludes that it is poisonous. -De Vrij in 1851, says that it is not poisonous, and in 1855 that it -produces headache, though ten drops caused no symptoms of poisoning -in a rabbit. Dr. Herring, in 1849, reported in the American Journal -of Science and Arts, series II., Volume VIII., page 257, observed -the violent headache produced by 1/250 of a grain of Nitro-Glycerin -or Glonoin, as he proposed to call it, and killed a cat with three -drops. Field, in 1858, Pharmaceutical Journal, Volume XVII., page -544, confirmed these results; but Harley and Fuller, reported in -the same place, were unable to obtain them by using other specimens -of Nitro-Glycerin, though they largely increased the dose. Field -consequently says, place given, page 627, “I am daily more convinced -of two important facts connected with it, viz.: the great variation in -the strength of different specimens, and the very marked difference -in the susceptibility to its influence.” In further support of the -opinion that several allied but distinct Nitro-Glycerins have been -made, the wide difference in density and in congealing point may also -be mentioned. - -In my opinion the best effect cannot be obtained with commercial -acids, owing to their insufficient strength. I have witnessed at the -defendant Mowbray’s works, at the West shaft of the Hoosac Tunnel, the -preparation of the acids used for making the Nitro-Glycerin, commercial -acids being found deficient in strength, and in my opinion it is to -the use of these stronger acids, combined with the method described in -defendant’s patent, as above mentioned, that the stability, efficiency, -and, above all, the freedom from noxious gases and vapors of the -products of combustion of defendant’s Nitro-Glycerin is due, when -contrasted with that made by complainant, which I have been informed -and verily believe is made with acids of commercial strength, and -produces, when exploded in a mine, gases and vapors highly deleterious -to health. - -I have further examined the patent No. 93,113, dated July 27th, 1869, -granted to Mowbray, for exploding Nitro-Glycerin, and have experimented -with the same, the explosions hereinbefore enumerated having been -effected by the method therein described. And this deponent finds that -by said Mowbray’s process of exploding Nitro-Glycerin, as claimed in -his patent, confinement, restraint, or pressure is wholly unnecessary. - -In my opinion the same is true in exploding Nitro-Glycerin on a large -scale, as I have been informed, and verily believe that upwards of one -thousand explosions of Nitro-Glycerin are made weekly in the Hoosac -Tunnel by the mode so described in said patent. - -[Illustration] - -I believe, moreover, that the method claimed by Mowbray, in said -patent, differs materially from any of the various modes of exploding -Nitro-Glycerin described in the before-mentioned re-issues granted to -the assignees of A. Nobel, since these various methods specifically -require the Nitro-Glycerin to be under confinement, or subjected to -heat or pressure when confined, in order to explode it; while Mowbray -claims exposing the Nitro-Glycerin to the concussion, agitation, or -percussion of a heavy charge, not less than ten or twelve grains of -pure fulminate of mercury, which fulminate is fired by passing the -electric spark through a priming composition.” - - June 8, 1870. GEORGE F. BARKER. - -Evidence of S. W. Johnson, Professor of Analytical and Agricultural -Chemistry in Yale College. - - “I have read the foregoing affidavit of Professor Geo. F. - Barker; I witnessed the experiments therein described, and - concur in the statement contained in said affidavit.” - - June 8, 1870. SAMUEL W. JOHNSON. - - -Evidence of George M. Mowbray, Operative Chemist. - -“About October, 1867, I concluded an agreement with the Commonwealth of -Massachusetts, to erect Nitro-Glycerin works near the West Shaft of the -Hoosac Tunnel; these erected, I commenced manufacturing Nitro-Glycerin -about the 26th day of December, 1867, and with but few intermissions -have continued to manufacture it for blasting purposes for the tunnel -work ever since. About June 13, 1868, I had a long interview with Mr. -Taliaferro P. Shaffner, the complainant in this suit, when the said -Shaffner proposed to me a consolidation of interests, and told me, if -I would influence J. H. King and Henry Hinckley to advance the sum of -seventy-five thousand dollars, that Robert Rennie of the Lodi Chemical -Works, of Lodi, New Jersey, would credit him with acids to manufacture -Nitro-Glycerin, to the amount of eighty-five thousand dollars, and he -would then purchase land about twenty miles up the Hudson river, and -manufacture Nitro-Glycerin. The proposal I forwarded to J. H. King -and Henry Hinckley, who deemed the same too chimerical to enter upon, -more especially since said Shaffner informed me that one-fifth of -the consolidated association would have to be paid to one Frederick -Smith, one-fifth to said Robert Rennie, and one-fifth to said Shaffner, -on behalf of said U. S. Blasting Oil Company’s engagements, said -Company being deeply indebted to the Lodi Chemical Works, according -to the assertion of Joseph Butterworth, the superintendent at Lodi. -Mr. Shaffner further informed me that the United States Blasting Oil -Company had transferred and assigned all the patent rights conferred -by the Nobel patents to him, and he intended to obtain a re-issue of -the said patents, and with the individual patents obtained by him, and -the patent that had been granted to me in April, 1868, a Company could -be formed that would control the supply of Nitro-Glycerin throughout -the United States. I soon after consulted with J. H. King and Henry -Hinckley, both capitalists, with means, as to the proposals of Tal. P. -Shaffner, and the conclusion that we arrived at, was, that, as all the -cash capital, and the only practicable method of manufacturing a safe, -stable and pure Nitro-Glycerin, was already secured by patent to me, -to place seventy-five thousand dollars at the disposal of the parties -named by Mr. Shaffner would not be a sensible or prudent course, in -view of the condition to which the management of the said Shaffner had -reduced the United States Blasting Oil Company’s affairs financially, -and the failure to supply the demand for Nitro-Glycerin, although the -United States Blasting Oil Company had no competitor in New York; -so I informed said Shaffner that said Hinckley and King would not -advance the money, to wit: seventy-five thousand dollars, under such -arrangements, and the proposition fell through. And I would further -state, that at each of the various interviews—one of them prolonged -for four hours without interruption—the said Tal. P. Shaffner fully -admitted to me that any one could or might make Nitro-Glycerin, either -by the method described by Sobrero, the inventor, in 1846, or by my -patent, granted in 1868, April 7th, without in any way infringing on -the patents issued to A. Nobel, and assigned to said Shaffner, as -President of the United States Blasting Oil Company. And further, on -the 8th December, 1869, I was at Oil City, at the request of the Lake -Shore Nitro-Glycerin Works, and assisted in the explosion of one blast -in three drill holes of Nitro-Glycerin, using a frictional electric -machine, insulated wires, the priming fuse and fulminating charge, -as described in Letters Patent, granted to me, July 27th, 1869, -and being No. 93,113, and entitled “An Improved Method of Exploding -Nitro-Glycerin.” I am well informed of the four re-issued patents, -Nos. 3,377, 3,378, 3,379 and 3,380, and the methods therein described -differ very materially from the method that was practised on the 8th -December, 1869, at the Oil City Tunnel, by me, and particularly in -this very material respect; whereas, by the method practised at the -Tunnel, an operator can blast simultaneously at will one hundred drill -holes; by the methods described in the re-issues above mentioned, it -is absolutely impossible to explode two drill holes simultaneously. -And this difference between the simultaneous blasting of a number of -holes and firing the same number of holes one after the other has been -found in actual results to effect an economy of thirty per cent. in the -cost of blasting out rock in the Hoosac Tunnel. In a book (Exhibit B), -entitled “Liebig and Kopp’s annual report of Chemistry for 1847 and -1848”, pages 376 and 377, volume 2, published in London in 1850, there -is a notice of the comparative power of nitro-cotton and gunpowder, -and reference is there made to the nitro-compounds, made from dextrin, -glycerin and sugar, as being “similarly explosive preparations,” to -gun-cotton and nitro-mannite, which latter is described as a cheap -substitute for fulminating mercury in the manufacture of percussion -caps, and certain comparative experiments with the former (gun-cotton), -as to the relative value of the same, compared with gunpowder, are -mentioned as having been made by the celebrated powder manufacturers, -“Messrs. Hall & Son, of Dartford, in the county of Kent, England.” -After such publication, the claim made by the said Nobel, or his -assignees, in the re-issues before-mentioned, that Nobel discovered -that Nitro-Glycerin could be exploded under confinement is invalid, -for the fact that Nitro-Glycerin had been described as a similarly -explosive preparation to nitro-mannite and nitro-cotton, or gun-cotton, -by its discoverer, Sobrero, necessarily involved, and indeed published -the circumstance of its only being necessary to subject it to the like -conditions of other explosives to effect its explosion. I further state -that in four affidavits filed in this Court, on the 25th of February, -by Taliaferro P. Shaffner, and T. P. Shaffner and E. A. L. Roberts, -jointly, and E. A. L. Roberts singly, and W. M. Shaffner, these -parties have sworn that the mode of exploding at the Oil City Tunnel, -December 8th, 1869, was identical and precisely similar to the mode -described in a patent granted to said T. P. Shaffner, December 18th, -1868, and re-issued April 13th, 1869, No. 3,375, whilst the very same -parties describing the same blasting at said Oil City Tunnel, at the -same time, in the same words, and almost word for word throughout, as -positively have sworn that it was identical, precisely similar to the -mode of blasting described in the re-issues Nos. 3,377, 3,378, 3,379 -and 3,380. Neither of these parties were at any time on the ground -during the operations therein and thereat (to wit, Oil City Tunnel) -performed, except W. M. Shaffner, who was at no time within twenty feet -of the parties operating, and who has erroneously stated that water was -poured on to the Nitro-Glycerin at the bottom of the hole, which to my -certain knowledge was not done. And I ask the attention of this Court, -to the affidavits filed in this cause for the plaintiff, and also in -a cause of Taliaferro P. Shaffner against the same defendants, filed -February 25th, 1870, as completely disproving each other. - - February 26, 1870. GEO. M. MOWBRAY. - - -Evidence of Phillip Mackey and Timothy Lynch, foremen of miners at the -Hoosac Tunnel. - -“We were employed during the month of September, 1868, at the West -Shaft of the Hoosac Tunnel, at the time when Colonel Shaffner, the -complainant, was making experiments with Nitro-Glycerin in the said -tunnel, and assisted him by drilling holes in the rock to receive the -cartridges containing Nitro-Glycerin, and tamping said holes. After -the explosion of the said Nitro-Glycerin, we witnessed its effects on -the miners. These effects were usually to produce a dryness about the -throat, and feeling of thirst, which led the miners to take a drink of -water; immediately thereafter the miners would vomit, and such vomiting -would be followed by severe headache, rendering it necessary for the -miner so affected to be removed to the air, and out of the tunnel, and -the effects of such headache would last for from twelve to eighteen -hours; in fact, the vapors caused by the Nitro-Glycerin exploded by -said Shaffner were of such a noxious character as to disable the miners -generally from continuing their work. - -“During the past three years we have often examined the Nitro-Glycerin -manufactured by G. M. Mowbray, and been regularly employed as foremen -of the miners who drilled the holes for receiving the cartridges of -Nitro-Glycerin exploded by said Mowbray and by his assistants, and we -declare that Mowbray’s Nitro-Glycerin differs greatly in appearance -from that used by said Shaffner; that Mowbray’s Nitro-Glycerin is -colorless almost as water, whereas Shaffner’s was orange-colored; -that the explosive effects of said Mowbray’s Nitro-Glycerin were much -greater, so far as we could observe, and that particularly we have -noticed the miners do not suffer from any noxious vapors after the -firing of blasts of said Mowbray’s Nitro-Glycerin, and that during -the three years the Nitro-Glycerin made by Mowbray has been used -in said Tunnel, there has not been a single case where a miner has -been compelled to leave his work by reason of the gases given off by -the explosion of Mowbray’s Nitro-Glycerin. And we consider that the -Nitro-Glycerin made by said Mowbray, and used in the Tunnel; very much -safer to handle, and does not give off noxious gases as compared with -the Nitro-Glycerin made by the United States Blasting Oil Company of -New York, and used by said Shaffner in the Hoosac Tunnel. And we verily -believe that if said Nitro-Glycerin were attempted to be used in the -Tunnel, now that so general a use is made of Nitro-Glycerin, it would -compel the miners to leave their work and seriously retard the progress -of the work by reason thereof, for those who could endure it for a time -would have to carry out those who are unable to move after inhaling the -gases of the Shaffner Nitro-Glycerin, and thus lose time which would -otherwise be employed in doing work. - -“We consider it utterly useless to confine the Nitro-Glycerin when -fired by Mowbray’s system.” - - PHILIP MACKEY, - Feb. 16, 1870. TIMOTHY LYNCH. - - -Evidence of John Van Velsor, Superintendent of Mowbray’s Nitro-Glycerin -works at the Hoosac Tunnel: - -“In October, 1868, I was employed to fit up a Nitro-Glycerin factory at -Fairport, Ohio, and instruct the hands in the process of manufacturing -under Mowbray’s patent of April 7th, 1868. I endorse the evidence of -Messrs. Mackey and Lynch, as to the difference in appearance and smell -between Mowbray’s Nitro-Glycerin and that manufactured under Nobel’s -patent by the United States Nitro-Glycerin Company. - -“I have made under Mowbray’s patent upwards of twenty thousand pounds -of Nitro-Glycerin, a great portion of which has been exploded in -the Hoosac Tunnel, by a method patented by Mr. Mowbray, dated July -27th, 1869, No. 93,113. I have exploded on numerous occasions the -Nitro-Glycerin made at said Mowbray’s factory, without subjecting the -same to confinement, by firing a charge of fulminating mercury, say ten -or twelve grains, contained in a wooden or copper cap, by means of the -electric spark. I have witnessed the use of Nitro-Glycerin at the West -Shaft of the Hoosac Tunnel, both in the bench work and in the heading, -where the blasters left the Nitro-Glycerin in the drill holes entirely -unconfined, such being the general practice at the Hoosac Tunnel, so -that in case of the wires not conducting the electricity, or in case of -the priming being defective and not firing the fulminating charge, the -exploder might be removed from the Nitro-Glycerin without danger to the -operator. During the eighteen months I have been in the employ of Mr. -Mowbray, manufacturing Nitro-Glycerin, he has only made Nitro-Glycerin -by his patented method, and by none other. - - February 18, 1870. JOHN VAN VELSOR. - - -Evidence of A. D. Hatfield. - -“I have been employed in blasting in the railroad tunnel at Oil City, -using Nitro-Glycerin furnished by the Lake Shore Nitro-Glycerin -Company, manufactured under Mowbray’s patent. In firing and exploding -the Nitro-Glycerin I have acted under a license from George M. Mowbray, -said Nitro-Glycerin having been exploded without being confined.” - - February 19, 1870. A. D. HATFIELD. - - -Evidence of Charles Lobb, Railroad Contractor. - -“I have been engaged in tunnelling through the hill at Oil City, -Pa., for the Jamestown and Franklin Railroad, and have used for that -purpose Nitro-Glycerin manufactured by the Lake Shore Nitro-Glycerin -Company, under Mowbray’s patent of April 7, 1868. I have tried to -purchase Nitro-Glycerin from Tal. P. Shaffner, President of the United -States Blasting Oil Company, and have been unable to procure the same. -Said Shaffner referred me to E. A. L. Roberts for the purchase of -Nitro-Glycerin, and on application to said Roberts was unable to obtain -any. - - February 19, 1870. CHARLES LOBB. - - -Evidence of David Crossley. - -“I have been engaged in operating oil wells in Pennsylvania, for ten -years. On December 6, 1869, I obtained a torpedo containing six pounds -of Nitro-Glycerin from the agent of Robert’s Torpedo Company, which he -said was from New York, and of the best quality. I had it put into an -oil well where it was exploded by said agent. - -“The explosion of said torpedo, in said well, had the effect of -reducing the production of oil in said well from two barrels of oil to -one and a half barrels of oil in a day of twenty-four hours. - -“On the sixteenth day of December, 1869, I put in another torpedo -in the same well, which I obtained from the same agent of the same -company. It contained the same quantity of Nitro-Glycerin, which was -represented to me to be the same as before-mentioned. This torpedo was -exploded by the agent in said well on the day last mentioned. Before -the explosion of the torpedo in said well, it produced one and a half -barrels of oil in a day of twenty-four hours, and the explosion of said -torpedo caused no difference in the production of oil from the same -well. About the first day of October, 1868, I employed G. M. Mowbray to -explode a Nitro-Glycerin torpedo in another well of mine. He exploded -said torpedo in said well in my presence. He used in the torpedo six -and a quarter pounds of Nitro-Glycerin. The effect of the explosion -was to increase the production of said well from five barrels to one -hundred barrels in a day of twenty-four hours. After this, Mr. Mowbray -put in and exploded other Nitro-Glycerin torpedoes in wells for me, and -always with the effect of increasing their production. - -“Judging from my knowledge as an expert in operating oil wells and the -explosion of torpedoes of all the various kinds therein, I consider that -G. M. Mowbray’s Nitro-Glycerin is far more effective than that of any -other party, or that his method of exploding is more effective.” - - February 19, 1870. DAVID CROSSLEY. - - -Evidence of Jesse Smith, Oil Well Operator. - -“In November 1869, I had a torpedo from the Roberts Torpedo Company -exploded in my well in Crawford Co., Pa., by their agent. The explosion -was an utter failure, one-half the contents of the torpedo still -remaining in it; this the agent said was Nitro-Glycerin.” - - February 19, 1870. JESSE SMITH. - - -Evidence of George West. - -“I am employed in exploding the Nitro-Glycerin in the holes drilled -by the miners in the Oil Creek Tunnel, Pa. I used Nitro-Glycerin from -the Lake Shore Nitro-Glycerin Works, which is very different to that -of the United States Blasting Oil Company, of New York, and requires a -different mode of explosion. I do not use any of the methods described -in Nobel’s patent of October 24, and re-issued April 13, 1869, for -exploding, for the methods therein described would only explode it, if -at all, which I doubt, by hazard, and not with certainty, owing to the -peculiar properties of the Lake Shore Nitro-Glycerin as compared with -what I have seen and used as the Shaffner, or Nobel’s Nitro-Glycerin. -I endorse all the previous evidence as to the difference between the -Nobel or Shaffner Nitro-Glycerin, and that made under Mowbray’s patent. -The method I have used to explode this Nitro-Glycerin, at the Oil -City Tunnel, consists in what is known as the Austrian battery and -electric fuse and fulminating shell; that is, an electric machine, -whose exciting plate is made of ebonite or hard rubber, with insulated -and conducting wire terminals, which are from ¹/₁₆ to ¹/₃₂ of an inch -apart, and between those terminal points a priming composition is -inserted, through which the electric spark being passed, such priming -ignites, giving a flame (insufficient to explode the Nitro-Glycerin, -but) sufficient to inflame a fulminating compound, of which there is -a heavy charge, and this fulminating compound being exploded by the -priming composition, explodes the Nitro-Glycerin. I have never used -the method of exploding with gunpowder as described in the Nobel -patent, No. 50,617, in the tunnel aforesaid, nor elsewhere, but I have -witnessed attempts to explode the Nitro-Glycerin used under Mowbray’s -Patent by means of fuse and gunpowder, as described by Nobel, where -that method failed.” - - February 19, 1870. GEORGE WEST. - -[Illustration: Sinking the Central Shaft.] - - -Evidence of H. Julius Smith. - -“I am engaged in the business of manufacturing electric fuses and -introducing explosive compounds to contractors, miners and torpedo men. -I have carefully examined the patents in question re-issued to Tal. P. -Shaffner, and, I find, by the modes therein described, it is impossible -to fire with certainty, and simultaneously, more than two mines charged -with Nitro-Glycerin by any of the methods described in said four -re-issued patents; and to effect any explosion of Nitro-Glycerin by any -of the methods therein described, and materials delivered to the public -by the assignees of the inventor Nobel, it is absolutely essential that -the Nitro-Glycerin should be confined as described in the re-issues in -question. I have also carefully examined the patent issued to George -M. Mowbray, dated July 27th, 1869, and find that the process therein -described of exploding Nitro-Glycerin, does away with the necessity for -confining Nitro-Glycerin in order to explode it. I endorse previous -evidence from my own experience in regard to exploding Nitro-Glycerin -when unconfined under Mowbray’s system. I have also manufactured and -delivered upward of twenty thousand fuses to the contractors of the -Hoosac Tunnel, capable of exploding Nitro-Glycerin when unconfined, at -said Hoosac Tunnel. I have been present when the modes described in -the re-issues of the Nobel patent have been carefully practised, and -entirely failed to fire Nitro-Glycerin, and in one instance immediately -after the failure of the Nobel system, I inserted a fuse of the exact -description, and with the electric appliances as described in Geo. M. -Mowbray’s patent, No. 93,113, dated July 27th, 1869, and the result was -a successful explosion. The modes described in the Nobel re-issues, -Nos. 3,377, 3,378, 3,379 and 3,380, have been abandoned by all -parties with whom I am acquainted, who have important works to carry -through, requiring Nitro-Glycerin to be exploded, and particularly by -the said Tal. P. Shaffner himself, as I have manufactured, sold and -delivered to said Shaffner and others, the apparatus and the exploding -electrical fuses for firing Nitro-Glycerin made by said Shaffner, -and Nitro-Glycerin made by the Lake Shore Nitro-Glycerin Company, -which said fuses or electrical exploders, involve a principle of -firing Nitro-Glycerin of great practical importance and very recent -development, viz., the principle of concussion, so as to effect the -explosion of the entire mass of Nitro-Glycerin instantaneously, -without requiring the explosion to be transmitted from particle to -particle, in this respect differing very materially from the methods -described in the Nobel re-issues above referred to, which require, -first, confinement, and then heat and pressure, to be developed in the -presence of the Nitro-Glycerin.” - - February 24, 1870. H. JULIUS SMITH. - - -Evidence of James H. King. - -“I am one of the proprietors of the Lake Shore Nitro-Glycerin Works, -situated near Painesville, Ohio. I am personally acquainted with -Taliaferro P. Shaffner, and endorse all the evidence of G. M. Mowbray -as to Shaffner’s proposal to consolidate the Nobel and Mowbray patents, -and his admission that the parties he represented did not claim the -exclusive right to manufacture Nitro-Glycerin. I would state that -one W. B. Roberts, of the firm of Roberts & Co., of Titusville, -Pennsylvania, informed me that he is one of the Trustees of the United -States Blasting Oil Company, and that since the commencement of this -suit I have delivered to Roberts & Co., at request of W. B. Roberts, -twelve hundred pounds, or thereabouts, of Nitro-Glycerin manufactured -by the company of which I am a member. - -“I manufacture (as a party interested in the Lake Shore Nitro-Glycerin -Works of Painesville) under a license from George M. Mowbray, under a -patent to said Mowbray, bearing date April 7th, 1868.” - - February 25, 1870. J. H. KING. - - -Evidence of James Dickey. - -“I am acquainted with Nobel’s system of blasting. I assisted in making -ten explosions in Oil City Tunnel, for Charles Lobb, the contractor. -We did not use any of the methods of exploding specified in Nobel’s -or Shaffner’s patents. We used the improved electrical machine of H. -Julius Smith, patented August 10, 1869, and used the method of firing -and fuse described in G. M. Mowbray’s patent of July 27, 1869, and -which several methods are entirely different from those mentioned in -the several patents claimed by complainant in this case. I used in the -blasts made by me, the Nitro-Glycerin manufactured by the Lake Shore -Nitro-Glycerin Company, under Geo. M. Mowbray’s patent, No. 76,499, -dated April 7, 1868. I endorse the statements of the miners Mackey -and Lynch as to the noxious effects and danger arising from the use -of Shaffner’s Nitro-Glycerin, and the freedom from the same in that -manufactured by Mowbray’s system.” - - February 25, 1870. JAMES DICKEY. - - -Evidence of W. S. Holbrook. - -“I was engaged along with James Dickey to perform some blasting in Oil -Creek Tunnel. I endorse his statement as to the kind of Nitro-Glycerin -and the method of exploding used in said tunnel, and further state that -we never used any other process or material.” - - February 25, 1870. W. S. HOLBROOK. - - -Evidence of Henry H. Pratt. - -“I was foreman at the West Shaft at the Hoosac Tunnel, up to October -15, 1869. In December, 1869, I went to Oil City, Pa., to show Charles -Lobb, the contractor for the Jamestown and Franklin Railroad, how to -use Nitro-Glycerin for blasting rock. The weather being very cold, -warm water was first poured into the holes to prevent the frozen -sides of the drilled hole chilling the Nitro-Glycerin. A charge of -Nitro-Glycerin was then poured through the water, and a small cartridge -of tin being introduced, the charge was fired by means of a frictional -electric machine, connected with a priming fuse and a charge of -fulminating mercury, being the mode set forth and shewn in the Letters -Patent, granted to George M. Mowbray, No. 93,113, and dated July 27th, -1869. I am familiar with the re-issued patents in question, and the -mode by which I exploded said Nitro-Glycerin in said tunnel, as above -described, is very different from the mode described in the patents -re-issued to said U. S. Blasting Oil Company; it would have been -utterly impossible to have fired the said three holes in said tunnel -by the mode stated in the above referred to re-issues at one and the -same moment, as was done by me. I find on examination, that in all -the patents granted to Taliaferro P. Shaffner, Nos. 51,671, 51,674, -dated December 19th, 1865, the mode of firing a consecutive series -of fuses is condemned by said Shaffner, and in patent No. 51,674, -that the specification accompanying said Letters Patent contains the -following words: “Figures 6 and 7 represent the heretofore known mode -of exploding two or more charges by the same electric current, and the -former is shewn as applied to a consecutive series of blasts in line, -and the latter to the heading of a tunnel,” such mode being identically -and exactly what I practised at the Oil City tunnel, and none other. I -confirm all the previous evidence as to the feasibility of exploding -pure Nitro-Glycerin when unconfined, and also as to the good qualities -of the Mowbray Nitro-Glycerin when compared with that made under the -Nobel re-issues.” - - February 26, 1870. H. H PRATT. - - -Evidence of Otto Burstenbinder, of New York. - -“I have been familiar with the use of Nitro-Glycerin since May, 1865, -and introduced that article from Hamburgh, Germany, in July, 1865. -I witnessed the application of Nitro-Glycerin to blasting purposes -about 20 miles from Hamburgh, when many distinguished citizens were -present, a full account of the results effected being published -afterwards in the principal German newspapers. The mode used to explode -Nitro-Glycerin on that occasion was by fuse and cap, the Nitro-Glycerin -being confined, in one experiment, in a gas-pipe, plugged at each end, -and the fuse led through the plug, and at the end of the fuse there -was a percussion cap attached; in another experiment a wooden plug was -hollowed out conically inside and the cone was filled with gunpowder; -to this plug a fuse was attached and lighted in the usual manner. I -myself fired Nitro-Glycerin in the City of New York, on or about the -fifteenth day of July, A. D. 1865; this was the first time I used -Nitro-Glycerin in the United States, for blasting purposes; the mode of -operation was to pour the Nitro-Glycerin into the naked drill hole, and -lower a wooden plug charged with gunpowder, on to the Nitro-Glycerin, -poured some dry sand on to the plug, and fire a fuse which was situated -on the plug in the usual way. - -“I am quite familiar with the Nitro-Glycerin manufactured by the -United States Blasting Oil Company, under Nobel’s patent, and that -manufactured by G. M. Mowbray under his own, and confirm all the -previous evidence as to the superiority of Mowbray’s Nitro-Glycerin, -in explosive power, in absence of color, absence of smell, absence of -nitrous gases, in greater safety through the greater difficulty of -exploding it, and in purity. As an expert of considerable experience -in the use of Nitro-Glycerin, I assert that it is entirely unnecessary -to confine Nitro-Glycerin in order to explode the same, the explosion -being as thorough, and its effects nearly as powerful for blasting -purposes, owing to the extreme instantaneous conversion into gas when -unconfined, provided a proper charge of fulminate be used. - -“I have made the explosion of Nitro-Glycerin, and its application to -blasting purposes, my occupation since 1865, and am thoroughly familiar -with its properties, use, and the literature referring to it, and I -have never heard or read that the Nitro-Glycerin made by Sobrero was -incapable of being crystallized, but I verily believe, and have always -found, that Nitro-Glycerin congeals when exposed to a moderately low -temperature.” - - June 7, 1870. OTTO BURSTENBINDER. - - -Parties using Nitro-Glycerin are requested to note, that on the 19th -of March, 1872, the insolvent U. S. Blasting Oil Company (by the -aid of funds drawn, under litigation also, from the Oil producers -of Pennsylvania, by the notorious torpedo patents), finding their -twenty-four columns of specification and eight claims wholly -inapplicable to the mode of using Nitro-Glycerin as now practised, -surrendered their re-issues, and, as I am of opinion, by the -injudicious oversight of the Examiner, an intimate friend of Mr. -Shaffner, obtained four more re-issues, containing twenty columns of -specification and seventeen claims, thereby, as eminent counsel advise -me, practically abandoning their case up to March 19, 1872. - -Counsel further advise me, after full consideration of these last -re-issues, that the litigation has entered upon a new phase, and that -the original patent, the first re-issues, and the second re-issues, -contain in themselves the proof of their utter worthlessness, needing -no other evidence to render them void. But a graver and more serious -charge rests upon the means by which these anomalies have been put on -record in the Patent Office, which will be reviewed by experienced -counsel, before a competent tribunal. - -For myself, with resources which I hope and intend to keep unimpaired, -to conduct this business to its final issue, with a pecuniary interest -I am bound to take care of, besides a further amused interest, aroused -during the past four years, by the shifts and pretences of this -impecunious company to avoid trial of a suit instituted by itself, -there will be a courteous desire to accommodate my opponents with the -earliest possible verdict, counsel, judges and jury can arrive at, -consistent with a complete, full and fair investigation of plaintiff’s -pretences and patents. - - - - -CHAPTER VIII. - - Hoosac Tunnel—Drilling by Machine—Blasting with - Powder—Nitro-Glycerin. - - -The Hoosac Mountain, whose summit is 2,700 feet above the sea level, -is composed, according to the geologist, of mica slate, so compressed -that near the West End the stratification is contorted, upheaved, and -intermingled with quartz and pyrites; consequently the classification -of the rock as “mica slate” conveys a very imperfect idea of its hard -impracticable nature to the miner. To any one who will be at the pains -of examining the masses lying near the powder magazine, built of -massive stone, at the West Shaft, the hardness of this rock is at once -apparent. Parts of this mountain have been found so hard and tough, -and so difficult to drill, that thirty-four drills have been worn in -drilling a blast hole thirty-six inches deep. This was an exceptional -case, but similar hard layers are met from time to time. Had it not -been for the Burleigh drill and Nitro-Glycerin, the sturdy indomitable -perseverance of Massachusetts would have been severely strained, if not -exhausted, in running this Tunnel. - -The following extract from the Adams Transcript, for April 11, 1872, -gives a summary of the progress made during the month of March, and the -lengths remaining to be opened to complete the work: - -[Illustration: Profile of the Hoosac Mountain, and Advance of Tunnel, -January 1, 1872.] - - -HOOSAC TUNNEL PROGRESS FOR MARCH, 1872. - -“East End, 120 feet; Central Shaft, eastward, 100 feet; West End, 140 -feet, total, 360 feet. Total lengths opened to April 1, 1862: East End, -10,166 feet; Central Shaft, east, 617 feet, west, 325 feet, total, 942 -feet; West End, 7,494 feet. Lengths remaining to be opened: between -East End and Central Shaft, 2,054 feet—586 feet less than half a mile. -Between West End and Central Shaft, 4,375 feet—855 feet more than -two-thirds of a mile.” - -A reference to the wood cut opposite page 80, shows the profile of the -mountain and progress of the Tunnel to January 1, 1872. - -The distance made during the month of March, in the East heading, was -120 feet of heading, 24 feet wide and 9 feet in height, exclusive of -first enlargement or roof, and second enlargement of roof to full -size or stopeing, which is usually carried on simultaneously to about -250 feet per month. This heading is being attacked by twelve of the -Burleigh drilling machines, mounted on two carriages manned by eight -miners and a foreman, who work for eight hours, with brief intermission -whilst the charges are being fired. The drills are impelled by -compressed air, making 300 strokes per minute, and calculated to strike -with a force of 200 lbs. at each blow, perforating from one inch to -five inches per minute, of a hole two inches in diameter when powder -is used, and 1½ inch diameter for Nitro-Glycerin blasting. At the East -heading, partly owing to the rock being softer than either at the West -End or in the Central Shaft, partly to the miners being accustomed to -powder, partly to the heavy battery of drills enabling twelve drilling -machines to work at once, and thus make progress satisfactory to the -contractors, who, wisely, let well enough alone, the holes when drilled -to a depth of from two feet six inches to three feet, are each charged -with from one to two and one-half pounds of blasting powder, then -tamped; the carriages are drawn back, and the sixteen to twenty-six -holes are fired simultaneously by means of a frictional electric -machine. This takes place every four hours, exploding from 100 to 150 -cartridges every twenty-four hours. The reader must not infer from -this that every blast makes from two feet six inches to three feet -of advance; because, first, the holes are never drilled for powder -in a horizontal plane, but at an angle, sometimes upwards, sometimes -downwards, to the right or left, the aim being, that a straight line -drawn from the bottom of the hole to the face of the rock shall be -shorter than the extreme length of the drilled hole, so that the charge -or blast which exerts its force in the line of least resistance, may -displace the rock between the bottom of the hole and the surface of -the rock, and not collar the hole, that is, merely remove the rock -surrounding the outlet of the drilled hole. It is usually found -also, that the power exerted by powder is not sufficient, in working -a heading, to blast out the rock from the bottom of the hole, but, -most frequently, from the point where the cartridge begins, and the -tamping terminates. Thus, if a hole be drilled at an acute angle from -the face to a depth of thirty inches, with a line of least resistance -of twenty-four inches from the bottom of the hole, and a fifteen inch -cartridge of blasting powder be inserted, and tamping to the extent -of fifteen inches be rammed in above the cartridge, the rock removed, -will, under ordinary circumstances, be removed from about where the -cartridge commences, that is about 12 inches, or it may be 14 inches, -in a direct line from the face. And herein lies the very important -distinction between powder and Nitro-Glycerin; the latter, bottoms, i. -e., removes the rock from the bottom of (in roofing and quarry work -beyond) the hole; with powder this is rarely the case. Moreover, as -the depth of the holes is increased, so must the diameter be increased -in proportion to the depth when powder is the blasting agent, but when -the drilled hole is to be blasted out with Nitro-Glycerin, a diameter -of 1¾ inches is sufficient for a hole having a depth of ten feet, and -a line of least resistance of eight feet, a depth wholly inadmissible -for powder, because the rock at that depth would act like the breech -of a cannon, and the explosion would issue direct from the hole, only -fracturing the edge, i. e., collaring the hole. With Nitro-Glycerin -the holes need not be drilled at so acute an angle to the face of the -rock, and need no tamping, that is, the drilled hole is left entirely -open, and no time is occupied therefore in ramming materials over the -explosive, and no risk is incurred in cutting the fuse or electric -wire, as with powder, dualin or dynamite, all of which must be tamped. -The explosion of Nitro-Glycerin differs from that of every other -explosive in this, that the explosion is instantaneous, consequently -the rock yields before any flash can reach the mouth of the drilled -hole, and the work is done before the gases can travel six feet. Hence -the necessity of deep holes; to charge holes only 30 inches deep -(except they are from ⅝ to ⅞ inch diameter) is a waste of the material. -The same charge will clear the rock to the bottom, with a hole drilled -six feet deep, and in fact bottom the six foot hole, whilst a similar -charge inserted in a 30 inch hole may leave three or six inches of the -hole visible with its surrounding rock, after the blast. And here I -cannot refrain from narrating what a narrow escape Nitro-Glycerin had -at one time from being rejected at the Tunnel. In the dark days of this -enterprise, when every cent expended was narrowly watched, and when -it was favor enough for a miner to condescend to allow Nitro-Glycerin -to be used in his shift, requests and entreaties for deep holes, and -remonstrances that the holes were not drilled deep enough to give -this explosive a fair chance, were found fruitless; until, finally, a -consultation was held in the time-keeper’s office at the West End, the -purport of which was, to notify the writer that no more Nitro-Glycerin -was needed, as it did not answer expectations. The superintendent, at -the West Shaft, was asked what reason I gave that greater progress -was not made with the new explosive. His reply was: “Mowbray says the -holes are not drilled deep enough, and, I think (he added) it is but -fair his demand for deep holes should be complied with, before you -throw up the use of Nitro-Glycerin. He has outlaid some $5,000 for the -experiment, and you ought at least to see the effect of deep holes, -before you decide.” Agreed; the superintendent then went to the foreman -of the shift, and requested deeper holes, ordering six feet holes. -“It’s no use,” was the reply; “it’s all nonsense; why, I tell ye, it -won’t bottom a hole 30 inches deep; then how is it going to fare with -a six foot hole; besides, we can’t drill six feet holes by hand in -one shift.” “Then take two shifts to do it, and take three if it is -necessary; this Nitro-Glycerin man says he must have deep holes, and he -shall for this once, if I drill them myself, and it takes a week to do -it.” - -The deep (only six feet) holes were drilled, and charged; cartridges of -same size as those inserted in 30 inch holes, were used, and fired, -every hole bottomed, every miner was astonished, and from that day -the use of Nitro-Glycerin was a necessity for the heading in the West -End. But it was a narrow escape from what would have been deemed a -failure. On another occasion, during a drought, the supply of water -at the West End, where the Nitro-Glycerin was manufactured, gave out, -and, being a necessity in the manufacture, we had to haul it by team. -This was troublesome work, and cost money. There had been a change -of engineers, and the gentleman now in charge, on the difficulty -reaching him, determined first to ascertain whether Nitro-Glycerin -was a necessity, before complying with the contract the Commissioners -had made, and which involved a supply of compressed air and water, if -they used Nitro-Glycerin. And to make no mistake, the holes of what -is termed the “cut” in the heading, that is, two series of four holes -each, in a parallel line from the roof, about nine feet high, were -drilled about five feet apart at the face of the heading, and six feet -deep, tending towards each other so that at the bottom of the holes -they terminated about three feet apart. After charging and firing, the -above gentleman and his assistant inspected the result. A mass of rock -eight feet in height, five feet wide in front, and about five feet -deep, with the rear end three feet wide, had been blown from its seat, -some ten feet from the heading, and there stood, a monument (until -block-holed) of the use of Nitro-Glycerin, when properly applied. “You -shall have all the water you want, sir, if I bring it myself in pails,” -was the energetic assurance of this gentleman, who felt satisfied that -Nitro-Glycerin was a necessity for the Hoosac Tunnel. - -[Illustration: “Stopeing out” Roof Enlargement (East End.)] - -In drilling holes for blasting with Nitro-Glycerin, a depth of not less -than five feet should be reached; six feet are better, but ten and -twelve feet are the right depth for a heading, whilst fifteen feet for -bench work, and eight feet apart, or, for quarry work ten feet apart, -and ten feet from the face, provided the rock is hard enough (in clay, -owing to the sudden shock Nitro-Glycerin is ineffective); exploded -in holes of such a depth it will throw out everything before it—and -make progress. How difficult to get miners to drill such holes, how -many frivolous objections, how the wires and their connections will be -tampered with to interfere with the intended blast, and how criminal, -contrary, and pig-headed, they deem the contractor and Nitro-Glycerin -man who insists on such depth of holes, I have often experienced, and -it needs the firmness and vim of desperation to enter a quarry, descend -a shaft, or go into a rock cutting, and oppose the life-long habits of -men who believe honestly they know everything that concerns mining, -and what they do not know is not worth knowing. But if once a blast is -shewn, and they have to hoist out the rock, their obstinacy succumbs, -and in three months, men, who knew it was poison, and so dangerous it -was wicked to ask them to drill holes to receive it, have positively -refused to descend a shaft if powder was attempted to be used merely -in a comparative experiment, alleging, that the powder was unhealthy -and not fit to be used at the bottom of a shaft, where the air was -confined. And here let me truly add, I have never sent Nitro-Glycerin -to be experimented with in any rock work, rock cutting, or rock tunnel, -that was not followed by a large order, repeated until the end of the -work, during my past experience of four years’ manufacture. Indeed, -there have been only two cases where it was found inapplicable, -and these were in hard clay, where it seems actually to mould for -itself a chamber, compressing the walls of the drill hole, as if an -enormous hydraulic ram had been inserted; but the tenacious mass is -not displaced, it only suffers compression. When, therefore, holes can -be made with a crow-bar, and not drilled, do not use Nitro-Glycerin, -but if you have rock, be it as hard as emery, or as the magnetic iron -ore of the Lake Superior or Ottawa Iron mines, the harder the better -for the economy of drilling, which is very great, so few holes being -required, the introduction of Nitro-Glycerin, with a good steam or -air drill, causes the progress of the work to advance to that degree -that it is only limited by the ability to remove the debris of blasted -material. To return from this digression to my subject. - -To effect this progress of 120 feet, probably about 3,000 holes have -been drilled in an area not exceeding 24 feet by ten feet, requiring -twelve drilling machines, and 60 horse steam power to compress the air -requisite to drive the drills; add to this the powder, over a ton and a -half, the electric exploders, the candles and oil for miners, and the -fact that a mass of rock 120 feet long, ten feet high and twenty-four -feet wide, has to be carried out and dumped two miles from where it was -excavated, and some slight idea of the labor at this one point may be -formed. Now take double this length of rock, viz.: 250 feet, increase -its height to 15 feet, keeping its breadth of 24 feet—I say, take this -mass which is torn from the roof, whilst the heading is being pushed, -and bring it and dump it 1¾ miles from where it lay solid, and you have -again another point on which you can begin to estimate the East End -work. About 350 men, a locomotive, forty cars, 200 horse water power, -machinists, blacksmiths a legion, for sharpening drills is hand work, -so is picking up rock, loading cars, making track, and all this is done -in the smoky, wet, grimy, confined tunnel, or round about its entrance, -and you have a mixed, confused suspicion that this tunnel driving is a -work needing high powers of organization; and, with the license of the -miner, his pay day, his weddings and his wakes and funerals, which are -all powerful reasons for quitting work, you have a still clearer idea -of the anxiety such work involves. - - -CENTRAL SHAFT. - -The Plate, opposite page 74, conveys an idea of the sinking of the -Central Shaft at 891 feet depth; at the time of writing, May, 1872, -however, this shaft had not only reached grade, but to a sump beneath -grade at a depth of 1,040 feet; headings and enlargements have been -also driven at grade, east and west, to meet the works from the East -End, and from the Western Shaft. Owing to the stratification of the -rock, which dips towards the west, great progress was anticipated in -this direction; but man proposes and God disposes; on reaching about -300 feet westward, seams of water were struck, of so threatening a -nature that a powerful Cornish pump was erected, at a cost reaching, in -all its details, $80,000, and now, May, after enlarging the diameter of -the former plunger pump, prudence suggests the temporary delay of any -further disturbance of this water inlet (immediately under the divide -of the mountain), until the present pumping force has sufficiently -drained the sources of water supply to permit a further advance of -this (the western) heading of the Central Shaft to be driven without -involving a flooding out of the men working at the eastern heading. -Meanwhile, from the sump, the excavations are enlarged to full tunnel -size, the capacity of the Cornish and plunger pumps are being tested, -and all energy summoned to meet any difficulties to be overcome when -this western heading of the Central Shaft shall resume work. All the -rock here has to be moved from the heading by hand power, and lifted -(by steam power) 1,000 feet to the surface, yet, notwithstanding -these adverse circumstances, during March, 100 feet was driven to the -eastward alone. I append a memorandum furnished by Mr. E. A. Bond, of -actual drilling and blasting, taken at this point during the dates -given, being about the average performance. - -On August 19th, 1871, on the north side of the east heading, machine -No. 1, starting at 10 A. M., had at 2.08 P. M. drilled three holes, -averaging about five feet four inches; the time actually occupied -in drilling being 74 minutes, or an average of about 25 minutes to -each hole. The remaining 2 hours and 54 minutes are accounted for by -changes of drills, breaking of carriage, and an interval of 40 minutes -for dinner. On the south side, machine No. 2, starting at 9.35 A. M., -had at 2.09 P. M. drilled three holes, averaging about six feet four -inches; the time actually occupied in drilling being 81 minutes, or -an average of 27 minutes to each hole. The remaining 3 hours and 13 -minutes are accounted for in a similar manner to the time of machine -No. 1, except that there was no accident to the carriage. The average -time of the two machines was about 26 minutes for the average depth -of about five feet ten inches, being two inches and seven-tenths -per minute. It will be seen by these facts that the actual drilling -is but a comparatively small part of the work; bringing forward the -machines, connecting to the air main, inserting the drills into the -jaws of the machine piston, changing these drills as they wear down, -oiling, releasing drill when stuck, removing back the machine carriage -out of reach of the blasted rock, waiting for blaster to charge the -holes, connect his wires, and apply the electric current to fire the -exploders, removing the debris to clear the track for the approach of -the drills—all these operations, so varied and yet so necessary, each -consume a considerable quota of the eight hours allotted to each shift. - -On August 30, 1871, a blast was made in the east heading at 5.30 P. -M., as follows: fourteen 7 foot holes were fired with 25 lbs. of -Nitro-Glycerin, throwing out about 30 tons of loose rock; and one -solid rock, diameter 9 × 4½ × 4 feet, and weighing about 24,000 lbs., -a distance of 30 feet, a weighty testimonial to the explosive power of -Nitro-Glycerin. - -The expense incurred and difficulties met with, in working at the -Central Shaft, will serve as a hint to contractors to make all due -allowance in their estimates for striking a seam of water; work may go -on smoothly for a long time; the general geological formation of hill -or mountain may be well understood, and yet the contractor cannot tell -but that he may strike a vein of quartz that may throw him back days -and weeks in his drilling calculations, or a seam of water which will -cost him thousands of dollars in machinery and labor to keep it under. - -On December 7, 1870, the hoisting machinery broke at the Central Shaft, -and then the following measurements of water were made. On December -3, the depth was 3 feet; December 13, 7 feet; December 15, 8½ feet; -December 20, 21 1/6 feet; and December 24, 48½ feet. At midnight they -commenced bailing with two buckets, one having a capacity of 341 -gallons or 54.65 cubic feet, and the other 189½ gallons or 31.36 cubic -feet. The large bucket was hoisted 1,075 times, bailing 58,745.3 cubic -feet of water, and the small bucket 966 times, with 29,327.8 cubic -feet of water, the whole amount being 549,179.0 gallons in 27 days, or -21,080.0 gallons per day. - -The following anecdote is worth relating, as showing the wonderful -escapes men sometimes have, when the chances are one hundred thousand -to one against their lives: - -In February, 1872, Thomas Hawkins felt tired and sleepy, and concluded -to lie down in the east heading of the Central Shaft, about 30 feet -distant from where the blaster was charging sixteen holes with -Nitro-Glycerin, intending to retire when the holes were charged. But -he failed, as we many of us do, to carry out his intention. When the -blaster had charged his holes, he left the heading, connected his -wires, and having halloed the usual warning “Fire,” and every thing -being quiet, discharged his blast. Thomas Hawkins was awakened by the -report of the blast, scattering 30 or 40 tons of rock, and annoyed to -find his foot bruised, he limped out to meet the miners returning to -their work, who now, when a blast is about to take place, unceasingly -ask him where he proposes to take up his position, that they may choose -an equally safe place. - -An escape, as wonderful, at the West Shaft, is worthy of being -recorded. On August 3, 1868, as Richard Dunn was advancing to the -heading, with a can about a quarter filled with Nitro-Glycerin, his -foot slipped, and, in trying to avoid falling, he swung the can over -his head, striking the drilling machine frame, and fell prostrate, -still holding the can; a rush of air was heard, and the can was found -as shown in the photograph, page 66, the Nitro-Glycerin not having -exploded. The man got up a great deal more unconcerned than those at -work near him, and quietly went forward and filled his cartridges -as if nothing had happened. As I told him afterwards, he will never -be so near eternity again without actually reaching it. The can had -been filled at a temperature of 45°F, and the temperature of the room -where it had been stored for 36 hours, was about 65°, thus causing an -expansion both of the Nitro-Glycerin and the air contained in the can. - -The West End of the Tunnel comprises the brick arch and portal, -well No. 4, the supplementary shaft, and what is known as the West -Shaft. The brick arch has been driven through what is aptly termed, -“demoralized rock,” for immediately after the spring thaw it becomes a -quicksand, and spews into the tunnel from every direction. By driving -small adits on each side, and a central adit some distance ahead of the -main tunnel, Mr. B. H. Farren overcame this dangerous and difficult -work, which at one time threatened his contract, and thus enabled -the arch work to be carried on. Subsequently, the central adit was -carried through to the West Shaft, and thus the costly and difficult -task of lifting 420 gallons of water per minute, to a height of 320 -feet, was avoided, and it now escapes by natural flow through the west -portal. Drilling is practised here as described for the East End and -Central Shaft; in the East End the heading is driven on grade, and the -overhanging enlargement is “stoped” out by hand drilling worked from an -arched stage, (see plate opposite page 85) thus avoiding the necessity -of handling twice; mules draw the laden trucks, from the heading -and beyond where this stopeing out of the roof is going on, to the -locomotive, which hauls a train of cars laden with stone to the dump. - -At the West End, however, the roof of the heading is driven in line -with the roof of the tunnel, which is hereby left complete as the -heading progresses; this involves trucking by hand, and dumping the -rock from the heading over the bench to the lower level, see plate -opposite page 90, and is not found so economical as the East End -method. These differing methods of working, however, were not started -simply as experiments, but for good engineering reasons; at the East -End, the dump was ample below the grade of the outlet, whereas, at the -West End there was no opportunity to get out at the portal, on the line -of the intended railroad; all the rock here had to be lifted (until the -portal and arched work were completed) up and out of the West Shaft, -and dumped on to the mountain side, and, to avoid being impeded by -water, the heading was driven on a level higher than the grade of the -Tunnel, thus ensuring good drainage for the most important part of the -work, as it was then deemed, viz.: monthly linear advance. For the -Commissioners were servants of the public, and the advance, rather than -the enlargement of the Tunnel, was the measure of their success so far -as public opinion was concerned. - -Only by a personal visit to this enormous work can a correct idea -be obtained of the expense, ingenuity, engineering skill, and -indomitable energy of the several foremen and superintendents at the -four divisions, viz.: East End, under Mr. Blue; at the Central Shaft, -under Mr. Roskrow; at the West Shaft, Mr. Williams, with underground -superintendent, Mr. White; and at the West Portal or arch work, the -sub-contractors, Messrs. Hocking and Holbrook; all of whom are daily -devising more expeditious methods of detail, in compassing the great -end sought by each brigade, the completion of the Hoosac Tunnel -contract at the time specified. - -And whilst this energy, this organization, and all this development -of the highest grade of modern engineering, are being devoted to -carrying out the expressed wish of the majority of the people of -Massachusetts, the malcontent minority is sleepless in offering every -possible obstruction to the work; in Governor’s council, in consulting -engineering supervision, in committee of assembly, in the newspaper -press, covert expression of the opposition has found vent, and been -doubtless useful in its way. But is it not time this opposition should -cease? Must our citizens be for ever confined to one route from their -Capitol to the West? Surely there will be traffic enough and ample, to -remunerate both lines, when the Hoosac Tunnel route is open. If so, the -time is approaching for a generous welcome from the opponents of the -Hoosac Tunnel, and the conditions “at owner’s risk and at corporation’s -convenience” may cease to appear on our freight notes. - -[Illustration: Driving Bench Work and Dumping from Heading (West -End.)] - - - - -Instructions for Handling and Using _MOWBRAY’S_ TRI-NITRO-GLYCERIN. - - 1. Handle carefully, avoiding a sudden jar or concussion, - and be very careful, if any is spilt outside the can, to - avoid striking it against any hard substance. - - 2. When solid, thaw out by placing the cans in a tub - of warm water, not hotter than the wrist can bear, first - pouring warm water into the can, and always remove the can - before adding more hot water to the tub. - - 3. To fill Cartridges, &c.—Hold the Cartridges to be - filled over a tray, say 2 feet by 3 feet, the bottom of - which should be covered with Plaster of Paris (which will - not readily explode when saturated with Nitro-Glycerin.) The - soiled Plaster of Paris should be frequently renewed. - - 4. If the Nitro-Glycerin in a liquid state is kept in - store or magazine for some time, the cork should be loosely - inserted, and a pint of cold water poured in each can, to be - frequently poured off and replaced with fresh cold water in - warm weather, taking care to retain the bladder under the - cork. It is preferable, when ice can be procured, to congeal - the Nitro-Glycerin. - - 5. Use Funnels (gutta-percha if they can be had) for - filling water holes. Under no circumstances whatever attempt - to tamp the drill holes; it is unnecessary, and may kill the - man who attempts it. - - 6. Hot irons to warm the water, or soldering the cans, - will be sure to cause explosions. - - 7. Never sledge or attempt drilling in a hole or seam - where Nitro-Glycerin has been spilled; fire an exploder, - which will effectually clear it up. - - 8. Never pour Nitro-Glycerin into a hole unless perfectly - sure that it is a sound hole, or will hold water; if seamy - always use cartridges. - - 9. To obtain the best results with Nitro-Glycerin, drill - deep holes, 6 feet or more. Use powerful exploders and well - insulated wires. It is cheaper to fire by electric battery - with simultaneous explosion, than to fire several holes with - tape fuse. - - 10. Look out after a blast for any unexploded cartridges - lying around. - - 11. Never allow any but the most careful persons to handle - or have charge of the Nitro-Glycerin, and insist upon the - use of every precaution to prevent an accident or explosion. - - 12. Never allow empty Glycerin cans to be used for any - other purpose, but destroy them by a fuse and exploder, or - building a fire under them, first, however, removing them to - a safe distance. - - 13. Examine your cans from time to time, and notice if, at - the level of the Nitro-Glycerin, any pin-holes have eaten - through; in such case procure a new can, or stone jar, and - empty the contents out, not trusting your hold to the upper - part of the can, lest it may give way. - - 14. When solid, or congealed, it is absolutely safe; if - possible, therefore, any surplus should be stored surrounded - with ice, since no explosion can take place when it is solid. - - GEORGE M. MOWBRAY. - North Adams, Mass., June, 1872. - - - - -APPENDIX. - - -A. - -MEMORANDA FOR CONTRACTORS. - -1. There are very different qualities of Nitro-Glycerin, varying from -50 per cent. in blasting force, and the same manufacturer, unless -able to control absolutely every detail of his work, cannot insure a -precisely similar product, even from similar ingredients. - -2. The best Nitro-Glycerin may be simply fired, or only exploded, or -its full blasting effects achieved, precisely according to the initial -velocity or force used to start the explosion; two cents in an exploder -therefore may save ten dollars in a blast. - -3. Ten per cent. of water diffused through Nitro-Glycerin, giving it a -milky appearance (Nitro-Glycerin emulsion), will diminish its effective -blasting results 30 per cent. - -4. Thirty per cent. more blasting power is evolved, when the -Nitro-Glycerin reaches the bare rock of the drill hole, than when, by -insertion in cartridge, the metal of the cartridge and a layer of air -or water are interposed between the blasting gases and the rock. - -5. Pure Nitro-Glycerin may be safely stored, and does not readily -change; impure Nitro-Glycerin needs only time and temperature to -explode spontaneously. - -6. In hard pan, or indurated clay, Nitro-Glycerin is not so economical -as powder; in granite, gneiss, hornblende, quartz and other hard -rocks, the harder the better, especially in large erratic boulders, -the larger the better, Nitro-Glycerin will enable the tunneling, cut -or block-holing, to be performed at half the cost as compared with -gunpowder. - - -B. - -“OVER-SENSITIVE” EXPLODERS. - -The term, “over-sensitive,” has been used in the foregoing pages, and -applied to exploders. Mr. Joseph Dowse, of Lockport, Illinois, applied -“fulminate of copper” (a discovery of Dr. John Davy) as a priming -for exploders, and patented the application, observing in his patent -that parties unaccustomed to the preparation of fulminates had better -leave this preparation alone. The sequel shows Mr. Dowse’s caution -was not superfluous. Two manufacturers, provoked by the commercial -inconvenience of the constant return of exploders owing to their -inefficiency, have resorted to this “over-sensitive” priming, and -received the following warnings: - -In 1869, Mr. Stowell was standing in the office, on Sudbury street, -Boston, whilst Mr. H. Julius Smith was packing 200 exploders in a -rubber bag, in which an ebonite electric machine had been placed. Mr. -Stowell remarked, “Is it safe to crowd them into a bag like that?” “Oh -yes, perfectly safe,” was the reply, when instantly 170 out of the 200 -exploded, severely burning and injuring both Smith and Stowell, the -latter being confined to his bed for five weeks in consequence. - -A similar explosion occurred to Mr. Smith on another occasion, the -copper caps penetrating the fleshy part of the thigh, in almost the -same parts as Mr. Stowell had been wounded, and burning the eyelashes, -eyebrows and face severely; by this accident Mr. Smith was confined to -his room for a considerable time. - -Mr. Smith’s partner, in touching some of this priming, whilst moist, -in a wooden bowl, was also severely burnt by its detonation, the face, -eyebrows and eyelashes being injured, and himself confined to his room -for four days. - -On Thanksgiving day, 1869, Charles A. Brown was handling some of this -priming, incautiously touching it on a piece of glass with a steel -knife; it exploded, and the consequence has been deprivation of sight. - -One Hogan, in the Fall of 1871, working in Charles A. Brown’s exploder -factory, lost the sight of one eye, the other being severely injured, -by imprudently omitting his helmet (usually worn whilst handling this -material), and proceeding to move some of the primers whilst drying the -same. - -The superintendent, foreman of machine shop, foreman carpenter and -blaster, engaged in connecting the wires, at the enlargement of the -East End, were killed April 21, 1871, by a premature explosion, -caused by the lightning striking the iron rails, whence the induced -and ambient electricity, radiating to the leading wire, fired the -over-sensitive exploders which were inserted in the charges of -Nitro-Glycerin. - -At the Burleigh Mine, Georgetown, two men were killed from similar -causes producing similar effects. - -An exploder, from one of the above manufacturers, placed in a cartridge -that was being lowered with forty pounds of Nitro-Glycerin from the -Government scow, at Dimon’s reef, to the diver below, exploded by -reason of the friction of the insulating wire as it passed through -the hands of Superintendent Pierce; now, as there were 300 pounds of -Nitro-Glycerin on the scow, had it exploded, it must have destroyed the -scow and every soul (about 40) on board. Fortunately, the fulminating -charge was as imperfect as the priming was over-sensitive, confirming -remarks on page 42. - -These casualties, the comments of the press, together with the constant -explosions in the factories of those who prepare “over-sensitive” -exploders, are beginning to influence both principals and employees, -and it is hoped exploder makers will eventually succeed in either -resorting to the Abel priming, or discover, in the records of the -Patent office, some formula that they can imitate, not so sensitive as -that of Mr. Jacob Dowse, and whose proprietor is equally indifferent, -or not “over-sensitive” to infringement. It is too much to expect they -will surprise their friends, as Sheridan is reported to have astonished -his, when, after repeated failures to guess how he became possessed of -a new pair of boots, he coolly announced, “he had actually bought and -paid for them.” - -Meanwhile, the manufacturer of Nitro-Glycerin, if he would avoid the -additional risk of exploder accidents, which are invariably laid to -Nitro-Glycerin, must make his own exploders, and try to construct the -necessary electric apparatus to fire them, until further developments -have stimulated those who have entered into these trades to perfect -their wares. - - -C. - -PROFESSOR ABEL ON EFFECTS OF INITIAL EXPLOSION ON EXPLOSIVES. - -Mr. Abel, of the Woolwich Arsenal, Great Britain, in an abstract of the -Proc. Royal Society xvi. 395, observes: - -The degree of rapidity with which an explosive substance undergoes -metamorphosis, as also the nature and results of such change, are in -the greater number of instances susceptible of several modifications, -by variation of the circumstances under which the conditions essential -to chemical change are fulfilled. Excellent illustrations of the modes -by which such modifications may be brought about are furnished by -gun-cotton, which may be made to burn very slowly and almost without -flame, to inflame with great rapidity, but without development of -great explosive force, or to exercise a violent destructive action; -according as the mode of applying heat, the circumstances attending -its application, and the mechanical conditions of the explosive agent -are modified. Nitro-Glycerin or Glonoin, which bears some resemblance -to chloride of nitrogen in the suddenness of its explosion, requires -the fulfillment of special conditions for the full development of its -explosive force. Its explosion by the simple action of heat can be -accomplished only when the source of heat is applied for a considerable -time in such a way that chemical decomposition is established in some -portion of the mass, and is favored by the continued application of -heat to that part; under these circumstances the chemical change -proceeds with very rapidly accelerating violence, and eventually brings -about a sudden transformation of the heated portion into gaseous -products, which transformation is instantly communicated throughout -the mass of Nitro-Glycerin, so that confinement of the substance is -not necessary to develop its full explosive force. This result can be -obtained more expeditiously, and with greater certainty, by exposing -the substance to the concussive action of a detonation produced by the -ignition of a small quantity of fulminating powder placed in contact -with or near to the Nitro-Glycerin. - -The development of the violent explosive action of Nitro-Glycerin, -freely exposed to air, through the agency of a detonation, was -regarded until recently as a peculiarity of that substance; but Abel’s -experiments have shown that gun-cotton and other explosive compounds -and mixtures do not necessarily require confinement for the full -development of their explosive force; this result being obtained (and -very readily in some instances, especially in that of gun-cotton) by -means similar to those applied in the case of Nitro-Glycerin, viz.: by -the percussive action of a detonation. - -The action of a detonation in determining the violent explosion of -gun-cotton, Nitro-Glycerin, etc., cannot be ascribed to the direct -operation of the heat developed by the chemical changes of the charge -of detonating compound used as the exploding agent. An experimental -comparison of the mechanical force exerted by different explosive -compounds, and by the same compound employed in different ways, has -shown that the remarkable power exhibited by the explosion of small -quantities of certain bodies (the mercuric and argentic fulminates) -to accomplish the detonation of gun-cotton, while comparatively large -quantities of other highly explosive agents are incapable of producing -this result, is generally accounted for in a satisfactory manner by -the difference in the amount of force suddenly brought to bear in the -different instances upon some portion of the mass operated upon. Most -generally, therefore, the degree of facility with which the detonation -of a substance will develop similar changes in a neighboring explosive -substance may be regarded as proportionate to the amount of force -developed within the shortest space of time by that detonation, the -latter being, in fact, analogous in its operation to that of a blow -from a hammer, or of the impact of a projectile. Several remarkable -results of an exceptional character have, however, been obtained, -which indicate that the development of explosive force under the -circumstances referred to, is not always simply ascribable to the -sudden operation of mechanical force. Thus silver fulminate, which -explodes much more suddenly, and with much more powerful local force -than mercuric fulminate, nevertheless, when applied under the same -conditions, does not induce the explosion of gun-cotton so readily -as mercuric fulminate. Five grains of mercuric fulminate enclosed -in a case of stout sheet metal, and exploded in close contact with -compressed gun-cotton, caused the detonation of the latter, but five -grains of silver fulminate enclosed in tin-foil, though it appeared -to produce quite as sharp a detonation as the same quantity of -the mercury salt enclosed in the stout case, did not explode the -gun-cotton with which it was surrounded, but merely scattered the mass; -when enclosed in the stout sheet metal case, however, the five grains -of silver fulminate accomplished the detonation of the gun-cotton. -Iodide and chloride of nitrogen are much more susceptible of sudden -explosion even than silver fulminate; nevertheless, the iodide does not -appear to be capable of causing the explosion of compressed gun-cotton; -and the chloride of nitrogen shows but little capability of producing -the same effect, fifty grains being the smallest quantity that will -answer the purpose. - -Lastly, it is found that Nitro-Glycerin when exploded by a charge of -mercuric fulminate, will not bring about the explosion of compressed -gun-cotton placed in contact with it, though under precisely similar -circumstances the explosion of gun-cotton or of Nitro-Glycerin will -induce the explosion of a larger mass of its own kind. - -These results point to the conclusion, that the effect of the -detonation of one substance in causing the explosion of another depends -not only on the force, but also on the nature of the vibrations -developed in the former; the most probable explanation of the observed -results being that the vibrations attendant upon a particular -explosion, if synchronous with those which would result from the -explosion of a neighbouring substance in a state of high chemical -tension, will, by their tendency to develop those vibrations, either -determine the explosion, or, at least, greatly aid the disturbing -effect of mechanical force suddenly applied, while, in the instance of -another explosion, which develops vibratory impulses of a different -character, the mechanical force applied through its agency, has to -operate with little or no aid, so that greater force or a more powerful -detonation is required in the latter case to accomplish the same result. - - -D. - -NITRO-GLYCERIN CAR OFF THE TRACK. - -The perfect safety with which Nitro-Glycerin can be transported, -when congealed, is demonstrated in the following fact, which should -effectually banish from the minds of freight agents and express -companies the objections which they have heretofore successfully urged -against carrying Nitro-Glycerin by rail; so far, at least, as concerns -that manufactured by the writer. - -On May 3, 1872, a special car loaded with seventy-nine cans containing -4,800 pounds of congealed Nitro-Glycerin, was being transported over -the Chesapeake and Ohio Railroad, from Huntington to Charlestown; C. -J. Cheshire, Assisting-Superintendent at the Maysville, Ky., Works, -was on the car running at the rate of 18 miles an hour; suddenly the -car jumped the track, and was dragged over the ties, some of which -were two feet ten inches measured distance apart (the new roadway not -then ballasted), for a distance of 684 feet, before the train could -be brought to a stand still, to the no small consternation of Mr. -Cheshire, the engine-driver and stoker. The rough jolting had no effect -whatever on the Nitro-Glycerin, except tumbling some of the cans off -the car, and in a few hours, the car being replaced, transportation -was resumed, and one more experience of the properties of our -Nitro-Glycerin added to the list. - - -E. - -ACCIDENTS AT THE HOOSAC TUNNEL. - -Until within the last two years there has been no complete record kept -in the State Engineer’s office of the casualties among the miners -at work on this great undertaking; but a careful examination of the -existing records, and of the superintendents at different portions -of the work, has enabled us to present the following analysis of the -accidents, causing death or injuries to miners, which have occurred -within the past three years, and to this we append the accidents by -gun-cotton, Erhardt’s powder and fire, which, although of an earlier -date, from their peculiar nature have had special memoranda made in -regard to them. - - ANALYSIS. - - Killed. Injured. - Killed and injured by falling rocks, tumbling - down Shaft, and the usual casualties of miners - other than those mentioned below, 14 12 - Fire—Burning Central Shaft, 13 - Over-sensitive Exploders, 7 a number. - Dualin (about 600 lbs. actually used), 1 3 - Erhardt’s Powder (less than 500 lbs. used), 3 10 - Gun-Cotton (about 250 lbs. used), 1 4 - Nitro-Glycerin (about 150,000 lbs. used), 5 5 - Gun-Powder (most of the accidents from powder, - occurred at an earlier date than our record, - which in this respect is necessarily incomplete), 2 3 - ——— ——— - 46 37 - 8 - ——— - 45 - -This analysis shows 46 killed, and 45 (allowing 8 as the “number” -vaguely mentioned in the records) injured by the various sources of -accidents referred to, and as the relation of Nitro-Glycerin to other -explosives is what especially interests our readers, the following -comparative analysis of the deaths in proportion to the number of -pounds of each explosive used at the Hoosac Tunnel, will enable them to -form some idea as to the comparative safety of those mentioned. - - - ANALYSIS. - - Killed. Amount used. Proportion - lbs. of deaths - per 100 lbs. - Erhardt’s Powder, 3 500 .6 - Gun-Cotton, 1 250 .4 - Dualin, 1 600 .16 - Nitro-Glycerin, 5 150,000 .0003 - - -As Nitro-Glycerin has 13 times the explosive power of gunpowder, our -readers, who are accustomed to use the latter for blasting, can easily -ascertain the percentage of accidents in proportion to the amount used, -and so judge for themselves as to the comparative safety of these -explosives. - -Really, whilst using, only two lives have been lost; one man rashly -advancing to the charge, although advised to desist, whilst his fuse -was burning; the other, on change of shift, after a blast, a cartridge -having failed to explode, and the blaster neglecting to examine whether -his cartridge had exploded, allowed the new shift to proceed drilling -in the same rock, and within one inch of the same spot previously -drilled, and where a charged cartridge was contained, when after -a few inches of drilling progress, they came on to the concealed -cartridge—explosion followed. In the magazine where three were killed, -in order to hurry up, after a previous night’s spree, it had become -the practice, notwithstanding peremptory warnings, to remove the cover -of the stove, and expose the naked can of Nitro-Glycerin to the naked -fire, of course, explosion must, as it did, follow this reprehensible -folly, and disobedience to orders, resulting in killing three men. - - I have established Tri-Nitro-Glycerin Factories - - At North Adams, Massachusetts, - ALFRED WALLACE, Foreman; - - At Maysville, Kentucky, - JOHN WALLACE, Superintendent; - - At Kingston, Province Ontario, Upper Canada, - H. H. PRATT, Superintendent; - - In order to facilitate supply, and make deliveries at least - possible cost for freight. - - GEO. M. MOWBRAY, - NORTH ADAMS, MASS. - - Where orders for Exploders, both electric and tape fuse, - gutta-percha insulated leading and connecting wire, of quality - very superior to any hitherto made in the United States, should - be addressed. - - Agent in New York City: - W. B. TOWNSEND, - No. 40 Broadway (Room 39.) - -*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK TRI-NITRO-GLYCERINE AS APPLIED IN -THE HOOSAC TUNNEL SUBMARINE BLASTING *** - -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions will -be renamed. - -Creating the works from print editions not protected by U.S. copyright -law means that no one owns a United States copyright in these works, -so the Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the -United States without permission and without paying copyright -royalties. 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Mowbray</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and -most other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no restrictions -whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms -of the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online -at <a href="https://www.gutenberg.org">www.gutenberg.org</a>. If you -are not located in the United States, you will have to check the laws of the -country where you are located before using this eBook. -</div> - -<p style='display:block; margin-top:1em; margin-bottom:1em; margin-left:2em; text-indent:-2em'>Title: Tri-nitro-glycerine as applied in the Hoosac Tunnel Submarine Blasting</p> - -<div style='display:block; margin-top:1em; margin-bottom:1em; margin-left:2em; text-indent:-2em'>Author: George M. Mowbray</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'>Release Date: July 7, 2021 [eBook #65791]</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'>Language: English</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'>Character set encoding: UTF-8</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin-left:2em; text-indent:-2em'>Produced by: Bryan Ness and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net (This file was produced from images generously made available by The Internet Archive/American Libraries.)</div> - -<div style='margin-top:2em; margin-bottom:4em'>*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK TRI-NITRO-GLYCERINE AS APPLIED IN THE HOOSAC TUNNEL SUBMARINE BLASTING ***</div> - -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> -<div class="figcenter"> - <img id="FIG_I" src="images/i_i.jpg" alt="" width="500" height="664" /> -</div> - -<hr class="r25 x-ebookmaker-drop" /> -<div class="figcenter"> - <img id="FIG_II" src="images/i_ii.jpg" alt="" width="600" height="499" /> -</div> - -<hr class="full x-ebookmaker-drop" /> -<h1>TRI-NITRO-GLYCERIN,<br /><span class="fontsize_70">AS APPLIED IN THE</span><br /> -<i>Hoosac Tunnel, Submarine Blasting,</i><br /><span class="fontsize_70">ETC., ETC., ETC.</span></h1> - -<p class="f90">BY</p> -<p class="f150">GEO. M. MOWBRAY,</p> - -<p class="center">NORTH ADAMS, MASS.<br />1872.</p> - -<p class="center space-above2">NORTH ADAMS:<br /> -JAMES T. ROBINSON & SON, PRINTERS AND BINDERS,<br /> -TRANSCRIPT OFFICE,<br />Transcript Building, Bank Street.<br /> -1872.</p> - -<p class="center space-above2">Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1872,<br /> -by GEORGE M. MOWBRAY,</p> - -<p class="center">In the Clerk’s Office of the District Court of the<br /> -District of Massachusetts.</p> - -<hr class="full x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<h2 class="nobreak">DEDICATION.</h2> -</div> - -<div class="blockquot"> -<p><span class="smcap">To Walter Shanly, M. P.</span></p> - -<p>Indebted to you for the resources which have enabled me to investigate -the properties of Nitro-Glycerin, and render its manufacture a -commercial success, permit me to dedicate the following pages in token -of my appreciation of the indomitable energy, admirable organization, -integrity of purpose, and engineering talent which have rescued the -Hoosac Tunnel from the mire of politics and rendered it an engineering -success; notwithstanding extraordinary impediments of flood, water -fissures, strikes, jealousy and indifference on the part of those -chiefly interested, that must have been most disheartening to your -mind, and challenged a resolution and resources seldom combined with -the abilities you have shewn in this work. Our relations during the -past three years having been without a ripple, render this, my simple -duty, an agreeable task.</p> - -<p class="author"><span class="smcap">Geo. M. Mowbray.</span></p> -</div> - -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<h2 class="nobreak">PREFACE.</h2> -</div> - -<div class="blockquot"> -<p>A paper read by request at the Albany Institute, was the germ of the -following pages; its publication in this form, I considered would -furnish engineers, contractors and railroad directors, who occasionally -apply to me for particulars as to the use of Nitro-Glycerin in the -Hoosac Tunnel, with detailed information impossible to condense in -a business letter. Hurriedly composed during the spare hours of a -manufacture involving grave responsibility, the writer weighted with -the additional task of defeating an attempt to monopolize the use (not -the manufacture) of Nitro-Glycerin throughout the United States, whilst -the subject itself, “Explosives, and firing mines by Electricity,” -constantly demanded experimental research, this work has not the -arrangement nor the completeness I could desire; but the author hopes -it will create a more favorable regard in the public mind, towards the -most powerful blasting agent known, by correcting errors in respect -to its properties, and the casualties attending its use; and assist -miners and contractors to a more intelligent acquaintance with some of -the materials the present advanced state of engineering progress has -brought into practical use.</p> - -<p class="author"><span class="smcap">Geo. M. Mowbray.</span></p> -<p>North Adams, Mass., June 1st, 1872.</p> -</div> - -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<h2 class="nobreak">CONTENTS.</h2> -</div> - -<div class="blockquot"> -<table border="0" cellspacing="0" summary="Table of Contents" cellpadding="2" > - <tbody><tr> - <td class="tdc"><a href="#CHAPTER_I">CHAPTER I</a>.</td> - </tr><tr> - <td class="tdl"><p class="neg-indent"> - Nitro-Glycerin—Introduction of the explosive in New York, San - Francisco, Lake Superior, and the Hoosac Tunnel, Massachusetts; - Accidents; Reports of Engineers Thos. A. Doane, W. P. Granger and - B. D. Frost, of the Manufacturer; Miners’ statement.</p></td> - </tr><tr> - <td class="tdc_space-above1"><a href="#CHAPTER_II">CHAPTER II</a>.</td> - </tr><tr> - <td class="tdl"><p class="neg-indent"> - Submarine Blasting—Erie Harbor—Dimon’s Reef, New - York—Coenties Reef, N. Y.—Oil Wells, Penn.</p></td> - </tr><tr> - <td class="tdc_space-above1"><a href="#CHAPTER_III">CHAPTER III</a>.</td> - </tr><tr> - <td class="tdl"><p class="neg-indent">Nitro-Glycerin considered in its chemical details.</p></td> - </tr><tr> - <td class="tdc_space-above1"><a href="#CHAPTER_IV">CHAPTER IV</a>.</td> - </tr><tr> - <td class="tdl"><p class="neg-indent">Electricity in blasting operations.</p></td> - </tr><tr> - <td class="tdc_space-above1"><a href="#CHAPTER_V">CHAPTER V</a>.</td> - </tr><tr> - <td class="tdl"><p class="neg-indent"> - The Tri-Nitro-Glycerin manufactured at the Hoosac Tunnel—How - Tri-Nitro-Glycerin is made—How stored—How Gutta-Percha is purified—How - the Exploders are manufactured.</p></td> - </tr><tr> - <td class="tdc_space-above1"><a href="#CHAPTER_VI">CHAPTER VI</a>.</td> - </tr><tr> - <td class="tdl"><p class="neg-indent">Explosive mixtures.</p></td> - </tr><tr> - <td class="tdc_space-above1"><a href="#CHAPTER_VII">CHAPTER VII</a>.</td> - </tr><tr> - <td class="tdl"><p class="neg-indent">Nitro-Glycerin patents and litigation.</p></td> - </tr><tr> - <td class="tdc_space-above1"><a href="#CHAPTER_VIII">CHAPTER VIII</a>.</td> - </tr><tr> - <td class="tdl"><p class="neg-indent"> - Hoosac Tunnel—Drilling by machine—Blasting with - Powder—Nitro-Glycerin.</p></td> - </tr><tr> - <td class="tdc_space-above1"><a href="#Page_91">DIRECTIONS</a> FOR HANDLING AND USING TRI-NITRO-GLYCERIN.</td> - </tr><tr> - <td class="tdc_space-above2"><a href="#Page_93">APPENDIX</a>.</td> - </tr><tr> - <td class="tdl"><a href="#AA">A.</a> Memoranda for Contractors.</td> - </tr><tr> - <td class="tdl"><a href="#BB">B.</a> Over-sensitive Exploders.</td> - </tr><tr> - <td class="tdl"><a href="#CC">C.</a> Professor Abel on effects of initial explosion on explosives.</td> - </tr><tr> - <td class="tdl"><a href="#DD">D.</a> Car freighted with 4,800 lbs. Nitro-Glycerin off the track.</td> - </tr><tr> - <td class="tdl"><a href="#EE">E.</a> Accidents at the Hoosac Tunnel.</td> - </tr> - </tbody> -</table> -</div> - -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<h2 class="nobreak">ILLUSTRATIONS.</h2> -</div> - -<table border="0" cellspacing="0" summary="List of Illustrations" cellpadding="2" > - <tbody><tr> - <td class="tdr" colspan="4">PAGE.</td> - </tr><tr> - <td class="tdr_top">I.</td> - <td class="tdl_ws1" colspan="2"><a href="#FIG_I">Vignette</a>.</td> - <td class="tdr"> </td> - </tr><tr> - <td class="tdr_top">II.</td> - <td class="tdl_ws1" colspan="2"><a href="#FIG_II">Drilling machine</a> at heading, a photograph taken in Tunnel<br /> -  by Magnesium light, 7,760 feet from West Portal.</td> - <td class="tdr"> </td> - </tr><tr> - <td class="tdr_top">III.</td> - <td class="tdl_ws1">Stereoscopic view.</td> - <td class="tdl">Twelve cans after an explosion,</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#FIG_III">18</a></td> - </tr><tr> - <td class="tdr_top">IV.</td> - <td class="tdl_ws1"><span class="ws2">“</span><span class="ws3"> “</span></td> - <td class="tdl">West End, Hoosac Tunnel,</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#FIG_IV">28</a></td> - </tr><tr> - <td class="tdr_top">V.</td> - <td class="tdl_ws1"><span class="ws2">“</span><span class="ws3"> “</span></td> - <td class="tdl">East End, Hoosac Tunnel,</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#FIG_V">39</a></td> - </tr><tr> - <td class="tdr_top">VI.</td> - <td class="tdl_ws1"><span class="ws2">“</span><span class="ws3"> “</span></td> - <td class="tdl">Nitro-Glycerin factory,</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#FIG_VI">43</a></td> - </tr><tr> - <td class="tdr_top">VII.</td> - <td class="tdl_ws1"><span class="ws2">“</span><span class="ws3"> “</span></td> - <td class="tdl"><span class="ws2">“</span><span class="ws2">“</span>  interior of converting room,</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#FIG_VII">46</a></td> - </tr><tr> - <td class="tdr_top">VIII.</td> - <td class="tdl_ws1"><span class="ws2">“</span><span class="ws3"> “</span></td> - <td class="tdl">Central shaft, Hoosac Tunnel,</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#FIG_VIII">50</a></td> - </tr><tr> - <td class="tdr_top">IX.</td> - <td class="tdl_ws1">Miners ascending</td> - <td class="tdl">  “<span class="ws2"> “</span> - <span class="ws2"> “</span><span class="ws2"> “</span></td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#FIG_IX">58</a></td> - </tr><tr> - <td class="tdr_top">X.</td> - <td class="tdl_ws1" colspan="2">Bursting of can, whilst conveying Nitro-Glycerin, Hoosac Tunnel,</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#FIG_X">66</a></td> - </tr><tr> - <td class="tdr_top">XI.</td> - <td class="tdl_ws1" colspan="2">Sinking Central Shaft, Hoosac Tunnel,</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#FIG_XI">74</a></td> - </tr><tr> - <td class="tdr_top">XII.</td> - <td class="tdl_ws1" colspan="2">Profile of the Hoosac Mountain, shewing progress January 1, 1872, </td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#FIG_XII">80</a></td> - </tr><tr> - <td class="tdr_top">XIII.</td> - <td class="tdl_ws1" colspan="2">"Stopeing out" enlargement, East End,</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#FIG_XIII">85</a></td> - </tr><tr> - <td class="tdr_top">XIV.</td> - <td class="tdl_ws1" colspan="2">Driving bench work and dumping from heading, West End,</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#FIG_XIV">90</a></td> - </tr> - </tbody> -</table> - -<p class="blockquot space-above1">(Photographs taken by L. Daft, operating for -Messrs. Thompson & Co., of Albany, the drawings by Assistant Engineers -C. O. Wederkinch and G. Lunt, the wood-cuts by Andrew & Son, Boston.)</p> - -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_I">CHAPTER I.</h2> -</div> - -<p class="neg-indent space-below1">Nitro-Glycerin—Introduction of the explosive -in New York, San Francisco, Lake Superior, and the Hoosac Tunnel, -Massachusetts. Accidents, Reports of Engineers Thos. A. Doane, W. P. -Granger and B. D. Frost, of the Manufacturer, Miners’ statement.</p> - -<p>The city of New York was startled one fine Sunday morning (1865) by an -explosion in Greenwich Street, opposite the Wyoming Hotel, the windows -of every house within one hundred yards of the entrance to the Wyoming -Hotel were shattered, pedestrians were thrown down, and the pavement -broken up. A few minutes previous to the explosion, one of the guests -in the hotel had been engaged polishing his boots; for this purpose he -had drawn from under the counter of the hotel office a small box, on -which he had rested his foot; noticing a reddish vapor emanating from -there, he drew the attention of the hotel clerk to it, who taking the -box in his hands made his way to the front door and threw it into the -gutter, whereupon explosion instantly followed.</p> - -<p>An investigation of the circumstances connected with the storage -of this box, developed the following facts: Some time previously a -passenger from Germany who had occupied a room at the hotel, being -unsuccessful in obtaining employment had left it as security for his -board, stating that it was Glonoin Oil, a new material that had been -used in Germany for blasting purposes with great success, that he, the -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_4">[Pg 4]</span> -passenger, had been entrusted with an agency for introducing the same -to miners and others, but had failed to get it introduced into use; -undoubtedly the box contained Nitro-Glycerin, manufactured by the Nobel -Brothers, who had a manufactory where this explosive was compounded, at -Hamburgh.</p> - -<p>In the early part of the year 1866 this substance was again a prominent -subject of discussion, owing to an explosion which was attended with -the burning and ultimate destruction of the steamer “European,” one of -the West India mail packets, while she was lying at the railway wharf -of Colon or Aspinwall, on the Atlantic side of the isthmus of Panama. -Knowing that Nitro-Glycerin was on board under the name of “glonvene” -or “glonoin oil,” on its way to the gold mining districts of the North -American Pacific States, as an explosive or blasting agent, it was -concluded that the explosion was due to this substance. Unfortunately, -forty-seven persons were either killed at the time of the explosion or -died shortly afterward from the injuries they sustained. Immediately -succeeding this accident another explosion occurred in the office of -Wells, Fargo & Co., in San Francisco, by which eight persons lost -their lives. The damages by the explosion on board the “European” were -estimated at one million dollars, for the vessel, built of iron and of -unusual strength, was destroyed, and the pier with an upper railroad -track for unloading cargo, and warehouses for storing freight, were -completely wrecked. The San Francisco explosion involved a further loss -of a quarter million dollars.</p> - -<p>In all the above cases the Nitro-Glycerin manufactured at Hamburgh -reached New York safely; in the Wyoming Hotel explosion it had been -lying in the hotel several weeks, in the Aspinwall catastrophe it -had been transported over the Isthmus and reshipped by steamer as -express freight by Wells, Fargo & Co., to San Francisco, and carted -to their office in Montgomery Street before the explosion occurred. -It subsequently transpired that the immediate cause of the explosion -at Aspinwall was a case slipping from the slings whilst being hoisted -out of the hold of the vessel; in San Francisco, the circumstances as -detailed to the writer, were as follows: a man passing by Wells, Fargo -& Co.’s office heard one of the employee’s address a gentleman riding -past on horseback, saying, “Doctor, we have got a case of glonoin oil -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_5">[Pg 5]</span> -and it seems to be smoking, I wish you would step in and advise us -what had better be done with it;” the doctor (Hill) dismounted, -requesting a passer-by to take charge of his horse and walk it up and -down the block, the animal being too high spirited to stand without -an attendant; scarcely had the person in charge gone a block from the -office when the explosion occurred. It can only be inferred that in -breaking open the case to discover the cause of leakage of red fumes, -the Nitro-Glycerin was exploded. I have since ascertained from the -New York consignee of this parcel of Nitro-Glycerin, (Messrs. Nobel’s -agent) that after the shipment to Panama, which was only a part of -the consignment from Hamburgh, the agent leaving another portion in -warehouse in Tenth Street, New York, proceeded to Lake Superior in the -winter season with a part of the same shipment, where, on arrival and -opening the cases, he found it had been packed in bottles surrounded -with sawdust, and in congealing had burst the bottles, a portion -of the Nitro-Glycerin being found solid in the neck of the bottle. -This therefore, if correctly reported, would go to prove the Nobel -Nitro-Glycerin expands during congelation.<a id="FNanchor_1" href="#Footnote_1" class="fnanchor">[1]</a> -What had been bottles containing Nitro-Glycerin were now fragments of -broken glass, whilst the Nitro-Glycerin itself, owing to the extremely -cold temperature of a Lake Superior winter, was found in solid mass of -the exact mould of the bottle that had contained it. Upon discovering -this condition of the cases and their contents the consignee at Lake -Superior telegraphed to his correspondent in New York: “Direct Messrs. -Bandmann to throw the cases of Nitro-Glycerin, shipped to them, -overboard on arrival.” Probably in the belief that the temperature of -the upper lakes was the cause of the broken bottles and that the warmer -temperature of the tropics and San Francisco did not apply, this advice -was neglected.</p> - -<p>Reflecting as a chemist upon these explosions, that here was a compound -made at Hamburgh, carted to the wharf, loaded on board steamer by -the stevedores, voyaging to London, reshipped to Panama, the express -portion of it forwarded across the Isthmus by railway, thence lightered -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_6">[Pg 6]</span> -to and loaded upon the steamer, bearing twelve days’ voyage to San -Francisco, where on arrival it is taken to the express office, -previous to being forwarded to the mines; now how did it happen, since -there is no effect without a cause, after all this handling that an -explosion took place? Determined to solve this problem, I undertook the -preparation and qualitative examination of Nitro-Glycerin. Residing -at that time at Titusville in the oil region of Pennsylvania, where -the disastrous results of speculations in oil territory during the -previous year, compelled most of us to “masterly inactivity,” I had the -leisure, whilst my curiosity was piqued to discover, the apparently -anomalous properties which this explosive seemed to present, and in -1866, after maturing the process patented April 7, 1868, I inserted a -brief advertisement in the Scientific American, offering to manufacture -Nitro-Glycerin on a large scale for miners and others. In 1866, I -received a communication from Thomas A. Doane, Esq., chief engineer -of the Hoosac Tunnel, who was keenly alive to the necessity of more -efficient means for driving that work. I extract from his annual report -to the Commissioners of the Troy and Greenfield Railroad and Hoosac -Tunnel, James M. Shute, Alvah Crocker and Charles Hudson, dated Dec. -19, 1866, and having reference to the work of the current year, as -follows:</p> - -<p>“Page 21. It has been my continual desire since entering upon this work -to learn how to fire several charges at the same time. This I hoped -to do of Colonel Tal P. Shaffner, but his coming upon our work was so -long delayed, it being something more than a year after his first brief -visit here, that it began to seem hopeless. Last spring, in making a -visit to the Bessemer steel works in Troy, partly in way of business, -but more out of curiosity to see and learn something concerning -this process of making steel, it was my good fortune to obtain an -introduction through Mr. Holley of the steel works, to J. J. Revey of -London. Mr. Revey is connected with the gun-cotton works of London, and -was acquainted with the most approved methods of simultaneous firing. -He very kindly and fully explained to me the process and gave me a -description of the electrical machine and fuses necessary, and also -afterwards made a visit to our Tunnel. The Commissioners ordered for -me two electric machines, four thousand fuses, and several miles of -conducting and connecting wire. These were several months in transit -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_7">[Pg 7]</span> -and before their arrival Colonel Shaffner came with his material. -His machine for exploding was Wheatstone’s magneto-electric -exploder, and by it and his system of connecting wires it was found -impossible to fire more than about five charges at once, and these -not simultaneously. This of course was far from satisfactory. Shortly -after, the ebonite (or Austrian pattern) machines with the Abel fuses -ordered for me, arrived, and we very soon learned how to use them both, -and have been able to fire at once as many as thirty-one charges.</p> - -<p>“While it is important to save the time which can be saved by this -process in firing, and to reduce the risk of accident, and to avoid the -smoke made by the burning of the common fuse, it is much more important -to the progress that simultaneity of firing be secured. If charges in -adjoining holes can be fired as though but one charge, then they help -each other and much more rock will be torn away. The whole top may be -thrown down or the bottom brought up by proper arrangement of holes, -and by means of a ring of converging holes the center may be dragged -out. The passage of the electric spark through one system of wires -occupies practically no appreciable time, while through several systems -it may. If the charges in adjoining holes are fired with the interval -of an instant, it may just as well be a week so far as the tearing of -the rock is concerned.</p> - -<p>“The number of fuses obtained was so small that their influence upon -progress is hardly appreciable, except possibly at the Central Shaft.</p> - -<p>“Under the direction of Colonel Shaffner, experiments have been tried -at the West Shaft with Nitro-Glycerin. The article used was imported -from Europe, and much time was consumed in ordering, shipping, and -passing it through the custom house. In these experiments Colonel -Shaffner has been eminently successful. No accident has resulted, and -indeed there seems to be comparatively little risk if the article is -good and ordinary care is taken in its use.</p> - -<p>“The Glycerin will occasion to some persons, if they are exposed to -it in a particular manner, a headache<a id="FNanchor_2" href="#Footnote_2" class="fnanchor">[2]</a> -for an hour or two, while others are not thus affected. Our men have -made very little complaint in this respect, and indeed there has -been no difficulty experienced in introducing this new and powerful -explosive among men who never before have used anything but powder.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_8">[Pg 8]</span> -“It was some time ago demonstrated by experiment, that double progress -could be made with Glycerin over that made with powder at less cost. -This is a wonderful achievement and its effect upon the prospect -of this work, in regard to its early completion at reasonable cost -cannot but be good. It is true that the experiment was limited to a -shorter time by reason of the small supply of electrical fuses and -Nitro-Glycerin than could have been wished, and that my views may -upon further experience be modified or changed even, but with what -information I now have there is no room to doubt its fitness for our -purpose. It is the testimony of all who have seen our work, including -Mr. Revey, George Berkeley of London, C. E., Dr. Erhardt of London, -Colonel Shaffner, and others familiar with tunnelling, that while our -rock is not in general harder to drill than many others, it is most -persistently tough. That is, the number of charges we fire, if they -could be in granite or lime or in any brittle stone, would bring out -two or three times more of debris than now. It is therefore necessary -that we should have the quickest explosive to get the best result. As -preparations of mercury are not to be thought of on account of their -danger, we take Nitro-Glycerin as being next in power, while it is -comparatively safe. Whenever its extensive use shall be concluded upon -it will be necessary to secure the services of some scientific person -expert in handling it, that some antidote against headache may be -discovered, and that the risk may be reduced to the lowest possible -point. Bulk for bulk, which is the only useful comparison to be made -here, Nitro-Glycerin is eight times more powerful than common powder.”</p> - -<p>In same report, page 64, the consulting engineer, Benj. H. Latrobe, -states: “In the east heading of the West Shaft experiments with -Nitro-Glycerin as an explosive were made with highly favorable results, -as reported by the chief engineer who states, the forward progress in -the heading proper (six by fifteen in section) as doubled, and in the -heading enlargement (to ten and a half and fifteen) as trebled by this -new agent when compared with gunpowder. He also reports $10.20 per -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_9">[Pg 9]</span> -cubic yard saved in the heading, and $3.64 in the enlargement, on -a similar comparison with gunpowder, results certainly of the most -encouraging character, and inviting to farther and persevering effort -for the safe and successful use of the new explosive.”</p> - -<p>The Commissioners themselves report—page 6: “The value and economy of -Nitro-Glycerin as an explosive seems to have been fully demonstrated -and the method of using it with safety to the employees appears to be -the only question now undetermined. Its early introduction is very -desirable and preparations are making to bring this about whenever it -shall appear prudent to do so, since it is believed, on the strength of -numerous experiments made in the tunnel at the West End, that by the -use of this agent alone, as compared with gunpowder, the time required -for completing the work may be greatly reduced.”</p> - -<p>Between the issuing of the above report and that of 1867, circumstances -led to the withdrawal of Mr. Doane from the Tunnel, and Commissioner -Hon. Alvah Crocker personally undertook the superintendence of the -work. In his report dated January, 1868, the following remarks occur:</p> - -<p class="blockquot">“Nitro-Glycerin—experiments as made in the West -Shaft as given by Mr. Doane and referred to by Hon. Tappan Wentworth, -chairman of the Tunnel Committee of that year, induced early action by -the Commission. As long ago as February last I visited New York, and -spent several days in endeavoring to ascertain if the article had been -made there, or in the vicinity, but to no purpose. Finding subsequently -that the railroads refused absolutely to transport it, the matter -rested until the first of July, when I addressed George M. Mowbray, -Esq., of Titusville, operative chemist, and with the permission of the -Commission he was called to North Adams and a contract concluded with -him highly advantageous to the Commonwealth. As will appear in the -appendix, the public will be gratified to learn that we are on the eve -of giving it a fair trial.”</p> - -<p>On the 29th of October, 1867, the writer arrived in North Adams and I -subjoin my report to the superintending commissioner, dated January 11, -1868, and addressed to Hon. Alvah Crocker, Superintendent of Hoosac Tunnel: -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_10">[Pg 10]</span></p> - -<div class="blockquot"> -<p>“Sir: I avail myself of permission to report progress of the -arrangement to introduce Nitro-Glycerin for the purpose of blasting -in the Hoosac Tunnel, subject to the conditions imposed by you at an -interview held in the engineer’s office, during the latter part of -October, 1867. These conditions were—</p> - -<p>“First. To conduct the operations with a strict regard to the safety -of the miners, and to avoid all risks that might endanger the property -of the State, connected with the Tunnel.</p> - -<p>“Second. The outlay of capital for the necessary works to be -defrayed at my own cost and expense.</p> - -<p>“Third. That the Nitro-Glycerin should be supplied at current -market rates, freight added; the State of Massachusetts furnishing -a convenient site for the buildings, compressed air, and a supply -of water, free of cost, and to give the subscriber a preference in -consideration of his erecting the works adjacent to the Tunnel.</p> - -<p>“The reasons that led to this arrangement were, that as the rock -found in excavating the Tunnel was exceedingly tough, any increased -progress or lineal advance per month without any increased expenditure; -in other words, diminished cost per lineal foot and quickened advance, -seemed possible only by the use of a more effective explosive agent -than gunpowder; that in Nitro-Glycerin this greater power existed, -and therefore its use was desirable; the problem being convenience -of supply, guarding against the possibility of accident, by planning -carefully every detail in its use, rigidly enforcing every precaution, -a failure in any of these points involving pecuniary loss in outlay for -the works by the party undertaking its supply and superintending its -use in the Tunnel.</p> - -<p>“Agreeing with you in the propriety of these views, I commenced -operations on the 30th of October. During the past two months a -convenient two-story factory has been erected, and the necessary -apparatus set up therein, about 1000 feet south of the west shaft; -within twenty feet of this factory, a small dwelling for myself and an -experienced assistant, and about 500 feet further south on the extreme -line of land owned by the State, a magazine for storing Nitro-Glycerin -has been constructed. Inclement weather somewhat retarded these -operations, nevertheless, the crude articles used in the manufacture -and every appliance to render the labor of making a “chemically pure” -Nitro-Glycerin, without danger to those engaged in its manufacture, -were completed and in good working order on the 31st of December, 1867. -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_11">[Pg 11]</span></p> - -<p>“The assistance rendered me by the gentlemen superintending the -various departments of the tunnel work, materially contributed to -this result, and I gratefully acknowledge their uniform courtesy and -promptitude in forwarding my undertaking. Your own constant attendance -at the engineer’s office permitted me almost daily to submit my plans, -which therefore met no delay in being subjected to the scrutiny of the -engineer in charge, who as promptly reported on them.</p> - -<p>“On the 2d of January, 1868, I moved up to the works and on the -following day tested the apparatus by manufacturing, and although -somewhat delayed by the necessity of drying the plastering in the -magazine, and introducing suitable heating apparatus to maintain a -moderate temperature during this inclement season, (a neglect of which -precaution remotely led to the Bergen accident) yet to-day we have a -supply of Nitro-Glycerin, properly and safely stored, ready for use. -Samples of this have been duly tested for its explosive force by the -engineer in charge and his assistant, giving satisfaction as to its -tremendous power, and facility of explosion, with a peculiar fuse and -exploder. You may therefore rely on a regular supply as needed, and -I submit that a month’s consumption be kept on hand, in order that -it may free itself from adherent water, which, except other means be -used to free it, does not separate for about ten days. Freed from this -obstinately adhering moisture, it is safer and more effective for -blasting purposes.</p> - -<p>“As respects its application to blasting, during the ensuing week -the conducting wires will be laid to the east heading (west shaft) and -in order to maintain the electrical machine in working order, I have -arranged that the act necessary to firing a blast shall be performed in -the time-keeper’s office, where the air is dry and therefore favorable -to exciting the charge of electricity, but the control and the means to -signal for a discharge, will be in the Tunnel at a safe distance from -the heading. By this arrangement, although requiring more conducting -wire, the incessant repairs to a costly and delicate instrument and -disappointment and delay attending miss-fires will be avoided, and the -drillers will be detained from their labor at each discharge for a less -period of time. -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_12">[Pg 12]</span></p> - -<p>“The order of charging and firing is as follows: When the -drill holes have been completed, (say every four hours) signal is -made, for the cartridges which are only then taken into the Tunnel, -(the Nitro-Glycerin in its containing cartridge in one vessel, the -exploders, with priming and connecting wires attached, in another -separate vessel.) On arrival at the heading, the miners are dismissed -to a safe distance, the drill holes are then gauged, to be assured they -will receive the cartridges; now, and for the first time the exploders -are attached to the Nitro-Glycerin cartridges, and immediately passed -into the drill holes, these latter are plugged with a bung, perforated -to allow the delicate connecting wires to pass, (thus avoiding cutting -the insulation against the rock, and confining the flame;) connection -is made beginning with the return wire to the cartridges consecutively, -and on to the conducting wire. The operator now retires from the -heading some 300 feet towards the shaft where a simple but important -apparatus, or break is arranged; he then and there connects his return -wire and his conducting wire to two similar wires that lead to the -electrical discharge, which duty is performed in the dry, warm room -before referred to, and the explosions take place instantaneously.</p> - -<p>The above modification is a necessity to avoid the damaging -influence of the moisture in the Tunnel, so disturbing in its effect -on the machine. I have only to add, that we have under-way apparatus -for coating and re-covering damaged insulated wires, an improvement -to insure perfect explosion of the Nitro-Glycerin; the manufacture -of Abel’s priming for fuse, the formula having been published by the -inventor; matters of comparatively minor importance, but where so many -blasts are daily occurring, involving considerable saving in cost -and express charges, and securing a better article when made by the -individual for his own actual use, than when made simply for sale, -all tending to greater safety and certainty in firing the blasts, -ameliorations that have already been submitted to and approved by your -engineer in charge, who will doubtless speedily report the actual -results of blasting operations.</p> - -<p class="center">Respectfully,</p> -<p class="author space-below2"><span class="smcap">Geo. M. Mowbray</span>, -Operative Chemist.</p> -</div> - -<p>The following letter from the Engineer in charge to the Commissioners, -is interesting, as showing that the Nitro-Glycerin we had made, was -superior, and possessed far more valuable properties, than that which -had been imported from Hamburg: -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_13">[Pg 13]</span></p> - -<div class="blockquot"> -<p class="author"><span class="smcap">North Adams, Feb. 18, 1868.</span></p> -<p class="neg-indent">To the Commissioners of the Troy and Greenfield -Railroad and Hoosac Tunnel</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Gentlemen</span>:—I have to report that -yesterday 4 <span class="smcap">p. m.</span>, we exploded eleven -cartridges of Nitro-Glycerin in charges of 1-2 lb. each, in open -holes without tamping, with entire success. This experiment was made -in the East heading of West Shaft. On approaching the heading, the -absence of foul gases and smoke was remarkable, the mass of broken -rock lay close to the heading, and there was no appearance of any -rock thrown to any distance from the heading. Inquiring of the miners -if they experienced any headache, elicited the remark they noticed a -pleasant smell, but nothing further. This settles the question of its -applicability in a close tunnel. I attribute this freedom from the -foul gases which we noticed in our experiments a year since, to the -evident purity of this Nitro-Glycerin; it differs greatly from all -descriptions of the article, and in appearance from that we imported, -being a liquid colorless as water, and free from smell or bubbles. -That which we imported was a thick, yellow liquid, quite different in -appearance from this. I have requested Mr. Mowbray, who manufactures -the Nitro-Glycerin, to take charge of the blasting, and informed him -that the Commissioners wish him to assume the responsibility of using -the Nitro-Glycerin until further orders, or at least until the system -of firing is thoroughly organized among the employees.</p> - -<p>I enclose his reply, and approve his suggestions, subject -to your instructions.</p> - -<p class="center">I am very truly yours,</p> -<p class="author"><span class="smcap">W. P. Granger</span>, Engineer in charge.</p> -</div> - -<p>The Commissioners for the year 1868, report as follows:</p> - -<p>During the Summer, Glycerin of a very good quality has been -manufactured at this point, under the direction of Mr. Mowbray, and has -been used for several months in blasting in the tunnel east of the West -Shaft. No accident has attended its use. And while its effect in the -heading did not meet the expectations of the Commissioners, the result -of its operation in the bench below the heading, justifies the belief -that with due provision for its economic use, and essential care and -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_14">[Pg 14]</span> -attention paid upon its management, it will prove an effective agent in -the prosecution of this enterprise.</p> - -<p>The Superintending Engineer, Benj. D. Frost, Esq., reports as follows: -“The following is a statement of monthly progress.</p> - -<table border="0" cellspacing="0" summary="Monthly Drilling Progress" cellpadding="2" > - <tbody><tr> - <td class="tdc" colspan="3"> </td> - <td class="tdc">Length<br />driven.</td> - <td class="tdc">  Total distance<br />  from W. Shaft.</td> - </tr><tr> - <td class="tdl">In November,</td> - <td class="tdl_ws1">1867,</td> - <td class="tdc"> </td> - <td class="tdc">33 feet,</td> - <td class="tdc">1272 feet.</td> - </tr><tr> - <td class="tdl_ws1">December,</td> - <td class="tdl_ws1">1867,</td> - <td class="tdc"> </td> - <td class="tdc">22 feet,</td> - <td class="tdc">1294 feet.</td> - </tr><tr> - <td class="tdl_ws1">January,</td> - <td class="tdl_ws1">1868,</td> - <td class="tdc"> </td> - <td class="tdc">33 feet,</td> - <td class="tdc">1327 feet.</td> - </tr><tr> - <td class="tdl_ws1">February,</td> - <td class="tdl_ws1">1868,</td> - <td class="tdc"> </td> - <td class="tdc">35 feet,</td> - <td class="tdc">1362 feet.</td> - </tr><tr> - <td class="tdl_ws1">March,</td> - <td class="tdl_ws1">1868,</td> - <td class="tdc"> </td> - <td class="tdc">34 feet,</td> - <td class="tdc">1396 feet.</td> - </tr><tr> - <td class="tdl_ws1">April,</td> - <td class="tdl_ws1">1868,</td> - <td class="tdc"> </td> - <td class="tdc">24 feet,</td> - <td class="tdc">1420 feet.</td> - </tr><tr> - <td class="tdl_ws1">May,</td> - <td class="tdl_ws1">1868,</td> - <td class="tdc"> </td> - <td class="tdc">26 feet,</td> - <td class="tdc">1446 feet.</td> - </tr><tr> - <td class="tdl_ws1">June,</td> - <td class="tdl_ws1">1868,</td> - <td class="tdr"> <a id="FNanchor_3" href="#Footnote_3" class="fnanchor">[3]</a></td> - <td class="tdc">21 feet,</td> - <td class="tdc">1467 feet.</td> - </tr><tr> - <td class="tdl_ws1">July,</td> - <td class="tdl_ws1">1868,</td> - <td class="tdc"> (Nitro-Glycerin used) </td> - <td class="tdc">47 feet,</td> - <td class="tdc">1514 feet.</td> - </tr><tr> - <td class="tdl_ws1">August,</td> - <td class="tdl_ws1">1868,</td> - <td class="tdc">“</td> - <td class="tdc">44 feet,</td> - <td class="tdc">1558 feet.</td> - </tr><tr> - <td class="tdl_ws1">September,</td> - <td class="tdl_ws1">1868,</td> - <td class="tdc"><span class="ws3">“</span><span class="ws2"><a id="FNanchor_4" href="#Footnote_4" class="fnanchor">[4]</a></span></td> - <td class="tdc">51 feet,</td> - <td class="tdc">1609 feet.</td> - </tr> - </tbody> -</table> - -<p>“But for the improved methods of working introduced, the advance would -have been much less satisfactory than that we are enabled to exhibit -above.</p> - -<p>“Concerning the employment of Nitro-Glycerin and machine drilling at -West Shaft, it is hardly necessary to remark that many difficulties -are to be encountered in the training of men to a new service and in -successfully employing a new description of fuse and explosive. Some -remarks upon our experience in blasting with this compound, will be -found in a subsequent portion of this report. Continuous use of machine -drills was commenced at the West Shaft in the latter part of June, and -of Nitro-Glycerin as an explosive in the month of August. Some delays -were necessarily experienced at first, but greatly improved progress -was shortly attained. Some previous trials of machine drilling had been -made earlier in the present year, but without continuous progress, -upon which satisfactory estimates of success might be based. The last -workings made, including the month of September, up to the time of -suspension, about five-sixths of a working month, attained a linear -progress of 51 feet, with six drills only. The machinery provided at -West Shaft is only sufficient to supply the pneumatic power for the -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_15">[Pg 15]</span> -ordinary working of the above number, to which accordingly we have been -necessarily confined.</p> - -<p>The two drill carriages employed are larger than those at East End, and -are intended to carry five drills each—in all, ten drills working at -the breast of the heading. Assuming, as we may safely, that the rate of -progress is proportional to the number of drills employed, ten drills -would advance 100 feet per month; and with full power provided and -further experience to be acquired by the workmen, this and even greater -average rates of monthly progress can be made and maintained.</p> - -<p>These headings are run at top, i.e., above the excavations hereafter to -be made, and of such height, and top outline as to correspond with the -roof of the completed tunnel.</p> - -<p>Amounts of progress upon this section of the work during present and -preceding year are exhibited in the following comparative table:—</p> - -<table border="0" cellspacing="0" summary="Progress_West Shaft" cellpadding="2" rules="cols" > - <thead><tr> - <td class="tdc bb2" colspan="5"> </td> - </tr><tr> - <td class="tdc">West Shaft</td> - <td class="tdc bb" colspan="2">Heading and Adit.</td> - <td class="tdc bb" colspan="2">Enlargement.</td> - </tr><tr> - <td class="tdc bb">Section.</td> - <td class="tdc bb">Linear Feet.</td> - <td class="tdc bb">Cubic Yards.</td> - <td class="tdc bb">Linear Feet.</td> - <td class="tdc bb">Cubic Yards.</td> - </tr> - </thead> - <tbody><tr> - <td class="tdl"><span class="smcap">Year Ending</span></td> - <td class="tdc"> </td> - <td class="tdc"> </td> - <td class="tdc"> </td> - <td class="tdc"> </td> - </tr><tr> - <td class="tdl">November 1, 1867</td> - <td class="tdc"> 543</td> - <td class="tdc">2349</td> - <td class="tdc">161</td> - <td class="tdc">2100</td> - </tr><tr> - <td class="tdl">November 1, 1868</td> - <td class="tdc">1280</td> - <td class="tdc">4696</td> - <td class="tdc"> 82</td> - <td class="tdc"> 488</td> - </tr><tr> - <td class="tdc bt2" colspan="5"> </td> - </tr> - </tbody> -</table> - -<p>The limited employment of Nitro-Glycerin made previous to August 1st, -had been directed to excavations of enlargement, which very nearly -resemble open cut work. The experience of the two months, August and -September, is all we have that throws direct light upon its value in -mining operations, using this phrase in its more limited sense, as -applied to advance of heading only. The varying hardness and tenacity -of rock and other attendant conditions, make material variations in the -progress of separate days or weeks, even in the same drift and with the -same means and appliances of working.</p> - -<p>For the reasons thus stated, actual records of advance without full -knowledge and discussion of all attendant circumstances, and more -especially when confined to short periods, must not be held conclusive -in regard to the measure of advantage to be derived from its use. We -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_16">[Pg 16]</span> -cannot claim that in this short time, full knowledge as to its best -possible application has been obtained. Its superiority over the powder -ordinarily used in blasting, as demonstrated by our experience may be -briefly expressed in the following items:</p> - -<div class="blockquot"> -<p>“1. Less number of holes drilled in proportion to area of face -carried forward. Estimated saving 33 per cent.</p> - -<p>“2. Greater depth of holes permissable. Average depth of -Nitro-Glycerin, 42 inches; for blasting powder, 30 inches.</p> - -<p>“3. More complete avail of the full depth of hole drilled. The -greatly superior explosive power of the Nitro-Glycerin rarely fails to -take out the rock to the full depth of the hole. Powder often comes -short of this, and by reason of this loss of useful effect, a large -percentage of additional drilling becomes necessary.</p> -</div> - -<p>“In all the foregoing comparison, I assume it to be understood -that simultaneous blasting by electric battery is employed. The -great economy of force secured thereby, whenever hard rock may be -encountered, is admitted by all conversant with the matter, and since -the early part of the Summer, I have continuously employed it in both -the headings advancing into the mountain.</p> - -<p>“It is hoped and expected that further experience will demonstrate -an increase in each of the several items of advantage resulting from -Glycerin blasting; and it is only claimed that the best use was made -of the short term of experiment afforded, and the most faithful and -diligent effort was put forth to attain the best results and greatest -benefit therefrom to the Commonwealth.</p> - -<p>“It was a source of great disappointment that Professor Mowbray -should have been unable sooner to provide a continuous supply of the -explosive, and in view of the fact that a small quantity was furnished -earlier in the year, it is appropriate to make mention of the obstacles -which for a time delayed its further manufacture. The first lot -produced was made with imported acids, reaching the actual standard -of purity represented. In providing for more extended operations, -acids were ordered of American works of the same expressed standard, -but these when received, were found so far below requirement, that a -separate process of purification became necessary. For this process, -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_17">[Pg 17]</span> -retorts of a special pattern not to be procured in market, had to -be manufactured, and separate works erected, and in the processes, -necessity for which was not foreseen, much delay was unavoidably -encountered. I have been fully satisfied throughout of Professor -Mowbray’s earnest desire fully to meet the expectations of the -Commissioners and of the public, and deem it proper to make this -general statement of the more important circumstances, unanticipated, -and therefore beyond his control, which disappointed his purpose.”</p> - -<p>I have been thus explicit in narrating the various details connected -with the introduction of Nitro-Glycerin at the Hoosac Tunnel, in order -that full justice might be done to the gentlemen whose enterprise and -authority were necessary to bear up against the prejudices which the -three explosions hereinbefore referred to had caused on the public -mind. It is now five years since I commenced, and have with slight -intermission, continued, to manufacture this explosive, and during this -whole period but two accidents have occurred at my works. The first -occurred on the 23rd of December, 1870, to my foreman, who I surmised, -in the absence of proof, in removing the clinkers from the heater, may -have thrown a red hot coal on to the inflammable floor boards of the -magazine, moistened with Nitro-Glycerin spilt during three years use, -whilst adding fuel to the parlor stove which warmed it. It is a poor -consolation that Mr. Velsor, the foreman, who had been engaged with -me during the greater part of the past ten years, had finished his -day’s work and was using the magazine for a bath house, probably on -account of its seclusion. Universally respected, thoroughly acquainted -with the properties of Nitro-Glycerin, careful and untiring, cool, -courageous, and without bravado, his superintendence of the factory -where thousands of pounds of this explosive were being handled, and in -the course of distribution to different points of the United States, -was steadily and quietly overcoming the dread of this powerful blasting -agent; accompanying me and aiding in the most difficult operations of -submarine blasting, in every case without a shadow of accident, lead -to one conclusion, that some slip of the hand, failure of a muscle, -started a flame, which in a magazine crowded with receptacles for -Nitro-Glycerin no human power could arrest, but which I am satisfied, -his courageous sense of duty led him to attempt, and thereby sacrificed -his valuable life. -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_18">[Pg 18]</span></p> - -<p>The new magazine had hardly been completed, and stored with -Nitro-Glycerin, when on Sunday morning, 6:30 o’clock, March 12, ’71, -the neighborhood was startled by another explosion of sixteen hundred -pounds of Nitro-Glycerin. The cause of this last explosion, was -continuous overheating of the magazine. Work at the factory had been -suspended for a week, the heating arrangement was now effected by -steam, in order to avoid a possibility of actual fire, the weather for -several days had been close and muggy,—some parties who had visited -the magazine remarked to me afterwards, they had noticed a hot, close -air, similar to that experienced on entering the drying room of a print -factory, whilst the watchman confessed he had neglected to examine the -thermometer, made up his fire under the boiler, and gone to bed. I -had been summoned during the previous week to Washington, taken down -with sickness and unable to return home,—the new foreman having been -closely at work without any Christmas vacation, owing to the previous -accident, availed himself with my permission, (during the suspension -of work at the factory) to visit New York. Fortunately this accident -involved no damage to life or limb, whilst a very instructive lesson -was taught in the following circumstance: within twelve feet of the -magazine was a shed, 16×8 containing twelve 50 lb. cans of congealed -Nitro-Glycerin ready for shipment. This shed was utterly destroyed, the -floor blasted to splinters, the joists rent to fragments, the cans of -congealed Nitro-Glycerin driven into the ground, the tin of which they -were composed perforated, contorted, battered, and portions of tin and -Nitro-Glycerin sliced off but not exploded. Now, this fact proves one -of two things, either that the Tri-Nitro-Glycerin made by the Mowbray -process, differs from the German Nitro-Glycerin in its properties, or -the statements printed in the foreign journals as quoted again and -again that Nitro-Glycerin when congealed is more dangerous than when in -a fluid state, are erroneous.</p> - -<div class="figcenter"> - <img id="FIG_III" src="images/i_iii.jpg" alt="" width="600" height="317" /> -</div> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_19">[Pg 19]</span> -The following incident is, to say the least, instructive: during the -severe winter of 1867 and 1868, the Deerfield dam became obstructed -with ice, and it was important that it should be cleared out without -delay; W. P. Granger, Esq., engineer in charge, determined to attempt -its removal by a blast of Nitro-Glycerin. In order to appreciate -the following details, it must be borne in mind that the current -literature of this explosive distinctly asserted that when congealed, -the slightest touch or jar was sufficient to explode Nitro-Glycerin. -Mr. Granger desired me to prepare for him, ten cartridges, and as -he had to carry them in his sleigh from the West end of the Tunnel -to the East end or Deerfield dam, a distance of nine miles over the -mountain, he requested them to be packed in such a way that they would -not be affected by the inclement weather. I therefore caused the -Nitro-Glycerin to be warmed up to 90°, warmed the cartridges, and after -charging them, packed them in a box with sawdust that had been heated -to the same temperature; the box was tied to the back of the sleigh, -with a buffalo robe thrown over it; in floundering across the divide -where banks, road, hedge and water courses were indistinguishable -beneath the drifted snow; horse, sleigh and driver were upset, the box -of cartridges got loose, and were spread indiscriminately over the -snow; after rectifying this mishap, picking up the various contents of -sleigh, and getting ready to start again, it occurred to Mr. Granger to -examine his cartridges; his feelings may be imagined when he discovered -the Nitro-Glycerin frozen solid; to have left them behind and proceeded -to the dam where miners, engineers and laborers were waiting to use -this then much dreaded explosive, would never do, so accepting the -situation he replaced them in the case, and laying it between his feet -proceeded on his way, thinking a heap but saying nothing; arrived, -he forthwith attached fuse, exploder, powder and some gun cotton, -and inserted the cartridge in the ice; lighting the fuse he retired -to a proper distance to watch the explosion; presently a sharp crack -indicated that the fuse had done its work, and on proceeding to the -hole drilled in the ice, it was found that fragments of the copper -cap were imbedded in the solid cylinder of congealed Nitro-Glycerin, -which was driven through and out of the tin cartridge into the anchor -ice beneath, but not exploded. A second attempt was attended with like -results. Foiled in attempting to explode the frozen Nitro-Glycerin, Mr. -Granger thawed the contents of another cartridge, attached the fuse and -exploder as before; this time the explosion was entirely successful. -From that day I have never transported Nitro-Glycerin except in a -frozen condition, and to that lesson are we indebted for the safe -transmission of more than one hundred and fifty thousand pounds of this -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_20">[Pg 20]</span> -explosive, over the roughest roads of New Hampshire, Vermont, -Massachusetts, New York, and the coal and oil regions of Pennsylvania, -in spring wagons with our own teams.</p> - -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_II">CHAPTER II.</h2> -</div> - -<p class="neg-indent space-below1">Submarine Blasting,—Erie -Harbor,—Dimon’s Reef, N. Y.,—Coenties Reef, N. Y.,—Oil Wells, Penn.</p> - -<p>In the winter 1869, 1870, I received a communication from the engineer -in charge, Major G. Clinton Gardiner, formerly of the United States -Boundary Line Survey, concerning the harbor improvements in Erie, -Penn., under W. A. Baldwin, General Superintendent of the Philadelphia -and Erie Railroad, with a view to blasting in the harbor of Erie, so as -to furnish from 15 to 17 feet of water for vessels laying alongside of -their wharves, instead of carrying them (the wharves) into deep water; -these operations were entirely successful, and I subjoin the report of -Major Gardiner to General Parke, U. S. Engineer Corps, written previous -to dredging. The certificates of Mr. Baldwin, Superintendent; F. J. -Wilson, Ass’t Engineer; Chas. F. Dunbar, contractor for the dredging, -follow Major Gardiner’s report. These certificates it will be observed, -were given after a considerable portion of the rock had been removed by -the dredging machine. -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_21">[Pg 21]</span></p> - -<div class="blockquot"> -<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Letter from Major G. Clinton Gardiner -to General John G. Parke</span>, Corps of Engineers, Washington City, D. C.</p> - -<p class="author"><span class="smcap">Office of Philadelphia & Erie Railroad.</span><br /> -Erie Harbor—August 2nd, 1869.</p> - -<p>To <span class="smcap">General John G. Parke</span>, Corps of Engineers, U. S. A.</p> - -<p>My dear General: Some days ago I received a letter from Mr. Geo. -M. Mowbray, who is the patentee of a most valuable improvement in -the manufacture of Nitro-Glycerin. He being interested in having his -material used in the improvements at Hell Gate, requested me to report -upon the experiment in blasting at this place. Being unknown to General -Newton, and having no time for a report, I take the liberty of writing -to you on the subject.</p> - -<p>Since leaving the United States Boundary Survey, I have been -employed on the Philadelphia and Erie Railroad, under the direction of -the Ass’t Gen. Superintendent, Mr. W. A. Baldwin, in the improvement of -their dock at this terminus of the road. The water at the end of the -main pier and for a short distance inshore, on either side of the pier, -is over 14 feet deep, shoaling back to about 6 feet, which we had to -deepen to 14 feet. The bottom is a smooth hard surface of shale rock, -a portion of which when exposed to the air disintegrates, while other -parts are sufficiently hard, and are used for, building purposes. It -lies in strata of about eight inches to twelve inches thickness, which -we drilled through and blasted during the winter, and are now dredging -the rock. The process of drilling was in the primitive style, with hand -drills, mostly done through the ice, and the blasting, with powder -in cartridges with small tubes reaching to the surface of the water, -through which the match was conducted to the powder. Firing however, -was afterwards done by dropping a red hot nail down the tube, which -was quite an improvement on the match, and gave us almost simultaneous -explosions. The holes drilled were 5 feet apart, in rows of 5 feet -from each other, and the largest charge of powder used was a canister -2 inches in diameter and 40 inches long. This process having been used -to some extent the season before, it was commenced again this last -winter, but the work being extended, we thought it advisable to make -some improvements in the modus operandi. After a correspondence with -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_22">[Pg 22]</span> -different manufacturers of machine drills, we found no one of them -ready for business at once, and before we were able to make terms, our -primitive style of drilling advanced almost to completion. We sent -to Mr. Mowbray who was then in Titusville, Pennsylvania, to try his -Nitro-Glycerin, and made an experiment in a square of a little over ten -yards, where the rock to be removed was over seven feet deep. The holes -were drilled a greater distance apart, but to the same depth as used -for powder (15 feet from surface of water). In this square we blasted -about 230 square yards of rock, using 50 pounds of Nitro-Glycerin in -cartridges fired in rows by electricity, but without a face of rock to -work from, such as we had with the powder blast. This would have taken -125 lbs. powder. Upon reaching the place with the dredge, we found -the rock completely crumbled, <span class="smcap">rendering dredging -as easy as that of gravel</span>, and to the depth of seventeen feet, -while with the powder blasting we have had trouble, and in two cases -had to blast again to obtain fourteen feet of water, and even then have -to lift rock measuring ten and twelve cubic feet. Nitro-Glycerin is -certainly far superior in its effect, and would have been much cheaper -to use in this case. Gunpowder does not blast to the depth of the -holes drilled, whilst Nitro-Glycerin tears the rock from the bottom, -and here seems to have penetrated three feet beyond. The reason it -was not used before, was the difficulty in procuring it. The nearest -factory was that of Mr. Mowbray at Titusville, and the local as well -as state laws were such that it could not be transported, except by -private conveyance, which added to its cost. That used was carried to -Corry in Mr. Mowbray’s carriage, over a very rough road, and thence -by special train to this place. If pure, the danger in the use of -Nitro-Glycerin is no greater than that of powder, and the premature -explosions that have proved so fatal in many instances, have without -doubt been caused by decomposition, which was the result of imperfect -manufacture. If regularly manufactured, accidents will be the result -only of inexperience or the neglect of instructions from those having -experience. In the manufacture, the nitrous vapours that are disengaged -at the time of mixing, if not entirely expelled, will make it liable to -explosion from any concussion, and from Mr. Mowbray’s experience in a -number of instances with that manufactured by himself, I should judge -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_23">[Pg 23]</span> -his Nitro-Glycerin to be as safe as powder in the hands of experienced -persons. It is of a light yellowish color, with pungent aromatic taste, -rather sweet than otherwise, and is so poisonous, that in handling, -should one allow it to remain on his hands, it would produce intense -head ache. It does not explode from the application of flame to its -surface, yet will burn, but explodes only from severe concussion, as by -the explosion of detonating mixtures and fulminates.</p> - -<p>I write to you hoping you will communicate any information my letter -may contain to General Newton, as it may serve Mr. Mowbray, who I think -has made a great improvement in the manufacture of Nitro-Glycerin, and -as he gives it his personal attention, I have no doubt it is superior -to any now used.</p> - -<p>I was much pleased to receive the report of the blasting in -California, and should interesting professional papers be published by -the Bureau, let me beg you will remember</p> - -<p class="center">Your sincere friend,</p> -<p class="author"><span class="smcap">G. Clinton Gardiner</span>.</p> -</div> - -<p class="space-above1">The experiments above narrated and conducted -under the supervision of Major Gardiner, were continued, (on the -removal of the Major to the Pennsylvania Central’s works at Altoona,) -by F. J. Wilson, under General Superintendent Wm. A. Baldwin, and -the results expected were entirely fulfilled, as will be seen by the -subjoined communications:</p> - -<div class="blockquot"> -<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Submarine Blasting with Nitro-glycerin; Results as Compared with -Blasting Powder, in Erie Harbor, May, 1870.</span></p> - -<p class="center">Philadelphia and Erie R. R.; Pennsylvania R. R. Co., Lessee.</p> - -<p class="author">Office of the General Superintendent,<br /> -<span class="smcap">Erie, Penn.</span>, May 19th, ’70.</p> - -<p>To <span class="smcap">Geo. M. Mowbray</span>,<br /> -<span class="ws5">North Adams, Mass.,</span></p> - -<p>Dear Sir: The comparative values of the two materials, Gun-Powder -and Nitro-Glycerin, as to results and actual cost for blasting in -the harbor at Erie, cannot be positively obtained until the dredging -is finished; when this year’s operations with Nitro-Glycerin, can be -compared with that of last year done with powder. The prospects thus -far are so favorable, however, I regret that the use of Nitro-Glycerin -was not adopted last year. -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_24">[Pg 24]</span></p> - -<p>On the completion of the work I shall be pleased to furnish you with -statements of comparative results, feeling confident they will prove a -more full satisfactory and valuable endorsement of your Nitro-Glycerin -for submarine use, than any theoretically based opinion can be.</p> - -<p>I enclose you copy of reports of Mr. F. J. Wilson, Engineer in -charge of Erie Harbor Works, and of Mr. Dunbar, contractor for -dredging, which will give you an idea of the economical results to us -from the use of your Nitro-Glycerin.</p> - -<p class="center">Yours truly,</p> -<p class="author"><span class="smcap">Wm. A. Baldwin</span>, Gen’l. Supt.</p> -</div> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<div class="blockquot"> -<p class="author"><span class="smcap">Erie</span>, Penn., May 16th, 1870.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Wm. A. Baldwin</span>, Esq.,<br /> -<span class="ws5">Gen’l. Supt. P. and E. Railroad.</span></p> - -<p>Dear Sir: Below please find a statement of comparative cost of -drilling and blasting where Nitro-Glycerin is used. The 1240 lbs. of -Nitro-Glycerin were used over an area of 26,700 sq. feet, with an -average depth of rock of about seven and seven-tenths feet, making -11,500 cub. yards of rock measured in the bed.</p> - -<ul class="wrapping_list"> -<li class="wr1">Cost of drilling and blasting (using Nitro-Glycerin), $5,119 67.</li> -<li class="wr1">Cost of drilling and blasting (using Powder), 7,475 73.</li> -<li class="wr1">Difference of cost in favor of Nitro-Glycerin, 2,356 06.</li> -</ul> - -<p>The difference in favor of Nitro-Glycerin in dredging and in time -saved is not taken into consideration in the above (see Capt. Dunbar’s -letter).</p> - -<p class="center">Very respectfully,</p> -<p class="author"><span class="smcap">F. J. Wilson</span>, Ass’t Engineer.</p> -</div> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<div class="blockquot"> -<p class="author"><span class="smcap">Erie</span>, May 18th, 1870.</p> - -<p>To <span class="smcap">W. A. Baldwin</span>, Esq.,<br /> -<span class="ws5">Gen’l. Supt. P. and E. Railroad,</span></p> - -<p>Dear Sir: In reply to your inquiry as to the relative difference in -dredging rock blasted by Nitro-Glycerin and that blasted by Powder, I -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_25">[Pg 25]</span> -have no hesitation in saying that I am certain we can dredge twice the -number of cubic yards where it is blasted with the Nitro-Glycerin. I -think I could speak safely and say three yards to one where the rock -is hard. In fact, there are places where we could do nothing with the -Powder blasting, when we have no trouble with the Nitro-Glycerin.</p> - -<p class="center">Truly yours,<br /> -<span class="ws8"><span class="smcap">Chas. F. Dunbar</span>,</span></p> -<p class="author">Firm of Lee & Dunbar.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Result.</span>—Submarine drilling and blasting with Nitro-Glycerin -costs 44½ cents per cubic yard. Gunpowder costs 66¾ cents per cubic -yard. Nitro-Glycerin used, one ounce and six-tenths of an ounce per -cubic yard of rock removed.</p> -</div> - -<h3><span class="smcap">Dimon’s Reef, New York Harbor.</span></h3> - -<p>General Newton, U. S. Corps of Engineers, who has been entrusted with -the expenditure of the annual appropriation for the improvements in -New York harbor, having constructed a floating drilling apparatus, -with steam power to capstans, four steam derricks, and direct engines -to lift the drop-drills, applied to me (1870) first, to enter upon a -competitive test, with Nitro-Glycerin as compared with Dualin, and with -blasting powder, into which a reel of lightning fuse was inserted, to -ensure more perfect and rapid combustion of the powder. These tests -were conducted at Hell Gate, under the supervision of Mr. Reitheimer; -Mr. H. H. Pratt, with Nitro-Glycerin, on my behalf; Mr. Dittmar with -Dualin, and Mr. Gomez, for the powder and lightning fuse blasts, who -respectively directed the holes to be drilled, charged them, and fired -the several charges. The results were decisive of the superiority -of Nitro-Glycerin, over both Dualin, and Blasting Powder, even when -assisted by a coil of lightning or fulminating fuse, inserted in the -powder. Two points were elicited, as reported by my operator; first -the Nitro-Glycerin tore out more work, invariably reaching to the -bottom, and sometimes beyond the bottom of the drill hole, whilst its -explosion was so instantaneous it did not cause leakage in the roof, -as with Dualin. Thereupon I was invited by General Newton, to arrange -operations for blasting at Dimon’s Reef, between the Staten Island -Ferry and Governor’s Island. Eight holes had been drilled in a circle -of twenty feet diameter, with a ninth or central hole, thus leaving an -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_26">[Pg 26]</span> -average of eight feet of rock between each drill hole. Finding that the -drilled holes were shaped like an inverted cone, owing to the omission -of the reamer; that is, whilst the drill, jars, sinker bar, cable -and cable clutch of the Pennsylvania oil wells, had been used, the -provision for remedying the effect of the worn edges of the drill, had -been overlooked, and thus a very disadvantageous form of hole, viz.: -funnel shaped, was the result, necessitating the use of a cartridge, -whose diameter must not exceed that of the smallest, which in this case -was the lowest part of the drilled hole. The irregularity, and jagged -edge of these unreamed holes, had also to be guarded against, lest the -friction of any Nitro-Glycerin moistening the outside of the cartridge, -might cause a casualty. I therefore determined, until better drilling -could be secured, to use 2¼ inch two-ply rubber hose for cartridges, a -material by no means desirable, because it afforded a cushion between -the rock and the blast, but it became a necessity from the funnel -shaped drill holes, when providing against the risk of premature -explosion. The holes being 4½ inches in diameter at the upper part, -and barely 3 inches at the bottom; the cartridge made of rubber hose, -being uniform throughout, containing a column of liquid Nitro-Glycerin, -2¼ inches in diameter only, and 6 feet long; at the upper part of the -holes there was an intervening cushion of water and hose, over 1 inch -thick; and at the lower part, a cushion of ⅜ inch of hose. This should -have been avoided, and I have mentioned these details as a caution to -future operators, who desire the full explosive force of Nitro-Glycerin.</p> - -<p>The depth of water at or during high-tide, is about twenty-two feet, -and at low tide, fourteen to fifteen feet, the tide running four -miles an hour with an amount of silty matter, drainage of N. Y. City -sewerage, rendering it impossible for a diver to distinguish objects -one foot from his helmet. Under these circumstances plugs have to be -inserted in the several holes, each plug attached to the other by a -rope, so as to enable the diver to guide himself from one hole to -the other. Owing to various interfering circumstances the holes were -only ready for blasting on the 16th of December, 1870; and the second -day after arrival in New York, accompanied with three assistants, -I proceeded to the work; there was a stiff wind blowing from the -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_27">[Pg 27]</span> -northwest, which, meeting the tide, caused a chopping sea; the weather -was cold as shown by the crust of ice attached to the scow. The frozen -Nitro-Glycerin was thawed out by hot water obtained from the steam -boiler on board the scow.</p> - -<p>These cartridges were lowered to the diver with the connecting wire, -fuse, and exploder attached, one after the other, occupying twenty -minutes; two of the holes being too small to allow the cartridge to -be fully inserted, these projected, one about eighteen inches, the -other one foot above the surface of the holes; the diver, moreover, -became entangled in the wires and in order to extricate him, it was -necessary twice to haul him to the surface, after which considerable -time was occupied in moving the scow from over the site of the -intended explosion, before the order could be given to fire. The -amount of Nitro-Glycerin used to fill the nine cartridges, was one -hundred and thirty-four pounds. On the order being given, the charge -was successfully fired. Similar charges of nine cartridges, with more -perfect holes and a heavier charge were fired three weeks afterwards.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Nitro-Glycerin Torpedoes in Oil Wells.</span>—The -Legislature of Massachusetts having resolved to place the further construction -of the Hoosac Tunnel under contract, pending the transfer from October, -1868, to April, 1869, from State management to the present contractors, -Messrs. F. Shanly & Co. I proceeded to the Oil Region, and there -verified the fact that Nitro-Glycerin, properly exploded, i. e., -the charge completely exploded, was more efficient in causing an -increased yield of oil when applied to wells ceasing or diminishing -their yield, than any other material. Erhardt’s powder, Oriental -powder, and ordinary blasting powder, had been used very generally, and -Nitro-Glycerin had been alleged to have been used, but the results were -unsatisfactory; as soon however, as we started a Nitro-Glycerin factory -at Titusville, and inserted charges varying from six pounds to fifty -pounds, the results were so advantageous to the well owners, that none -others would be used, while Nitro-Glycerin could be obtained. The first -explosion was in D. Crossley’s well on the Weed farm, a charge of six -pounds having been inserted, and fired. The well whose previous best -yield had only amounted to six barrels per day, increased forthwith to -one hundred and twenty barrels of petroleum per day, and settled down -to forty barrels per day, which were obtained daily for nearly a year. -On the road to Enterprise at the McKinney & Prior well, the explosion -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_28">[Pg 28]</span> -of six pounds of Nitro-Glycerin invariably started the well to flow -at the rate of about one hundred barrels in twenty-four hours. At the -Crocker wells on the Weed farm, the increase after an explosion of -Nitro-Glycerin was usually from ten barrels to one hundred and twenty. -After a charge of Nitro-Glycerin in an oil well, the yield generally -rises to the highest point it has ever attained, and thence gradually -diminishes therefrom, apparently owing to an accumulation of paraffine -deposited in the interstices of the walls of the well. This has led to -the pouring down the well, benzine, and pumping same out with the oil, -and is another form of recuperating the yield of oil. As the process of -increasing the production of Petroleum in oil wells, by means of the -explosion of gunpowder or its equivalent, substantially as described -in the specification of E. O. L. Roberts, ante-dated May 20, 1866, was -claimed by the patentee to cover the use of Nitro-Glycerin and every -known or hereafter to be invented method of effecting an explosion in -an oil well, and as the case has hereto been presented in the courts, -this claim has been sustained.</p> - -<p>When, therefore, the contractors commenced operations on their work -at the Tunnel, I resumed my manufacture of Nitro-Glycerin for that -work, leaving the oil region, where the oil operators and producers -have since been incessantly litigating the validity of the Roberts -patents above referred to, with, however, up to the present date, -indifferent success. The average of greatly increased production in -exhausted wells, so far as my experience extended, during four months -at one hundred wells, was that 80 per cent. were benefited, and in -about 20 per cent. no marked results were obtained. When the question -as to whether this form of blasting, viz.: in oil wells, is patentable -has been decided, it will be time to renew the careful application of -Nitro-Glycerin in oil wells, but at present, the careless handling, -the pursuit of wealth regardless of the lives of the employed, and the -unscrupulous assertion prevalent among those interested in the patent -referred to, is depriving the oil producers of a valuable agent. Since, -however, the present yield of oil is ample for the consumption, this, -so far as the public is concerned, is of less moment than it is to the -producers, who, by the time economical and useful blasting in oil wells -is needed to bring up the yield to the ever increasing demand, will -have finally disposed of this patent litigation.</p> - -<div class="figcenter"> - <img id="FIG_IV" src="images/i_iv.jpg" alt="" width="600" height="318" /> -</div> - -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_29">[Pg 29]</span></p> -<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_III">CHAPTER III.</h2> -</div> - -<p class="f150">Nitro-Glycerin Considered in<br /> its Chemical Details.</p> - -<p>Glycerin, the base of Nitro-Glycerin, is produced from most of the -fixed oils and solid fats by the process of saponification, that is, by -treating these fatty bodies with an alkali, or other metallic oxide, in -presence of water, or with water itself at a high temperature. For many -years the Glycerin of commerce was produced from olive oil, by boiling, -in the presence of water, litharge, which yielded the well known lead -plaster or diachylon, and a sweetish liquid, which by evaporation of -the water, was found to be Glycerin; thus procured, however, it was -apt to be contaminated with lead, and therefore very objectionable -for medical purposes. The sources whence it is now procured, are, the -alkaline mother liquor of the soap works, when the soap is separated by -common salt: also the residue of the manufacture of stearic acid for -candles, by heating neutral fats with water or with steam, (Tilghmann’s -process): and the action of muriatic acid on castor oil. It is apt -to be contaminated with sulphuric acid, oxalic acid, lead, and more -generally with uncrystallizable sugars. The demand has vastly increased -of late years for medical purposes, elastic sponge, and retaining -moisture in tobacco, print works, as a preserving agent, and for -floating compasses, etc., etc.</p> - -<p>The following are the synonyms of Nitro-Glycerin; Nitrate of Oxide -of Lipyl, (<span class="smcap">Berzelius</span>); Glonoin, Mono-Nitro-Glycerin, -Di-Nitro-Glycerin, Tri-Nitro-Glycerin, (<span class="smcap">Liecke</span>)—Symbol, -<b><big>(C₆H₅,) O³, 3NO⁵</big></b>; (Hydrogen = 1, Oxygen = 8,) -the equivalent or atomic weight is 147.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_30">[Pg 30]</span> -Pure Nitro-Glycerin is nearly colorless; usually, however, owing to -coloring matter contained in the Glycerin used in its manufacture, it -is of a light yellow-tinted color, oily, without odor, but having an -aromatic taste, Sp. Gr. 1.6 at 60°F, very insoluble in water; mixes -with alcohol (one part to four parts) and ether; it separates from -the alcoholic solution by the addition of water. A vinous taste is -perceptible to the tongue, the maxillary glands are stimulated, and -in a few minutes the individual who has tasted it from a pin’s point -for the first time, is conscious of a persistent, throbbing headache. -Slightly touching, it with the hands produces a like effect; after -a few days of frequent handling, however, the system becomes less -susceptible to these effects, and workmen constantly employed in its -manufacture are not affected by it. It is poisonous, a small quantity -being sufficient to kill a dog, (<span class="smcap">Sobrero</span>). It -decomposes at 320°F, giving out red vapors, and explodes at a higher -temperature, or by concussion or percussion, crashing the containing vessel; -it ignites by flame, and burns without explosion, yielding a light ethereal -flame of considerable volume.</p> - -<p>Pure Nitro-Glycerin may be kept for a year unchanged, (De Vrij). The -writer has exposed it to frost, sun and rain, for three years, and -found it unchanged. Unless perfectly pure, however, it rapidly changes, -becoming of an orange yellow color, evolving fumes, and seems to become -a wholly differing compound, being difficult, when thus changed, to -congeal, except at a much lower temperature than 45°F, and is more -readily exploded.</p> - -<p>It very easily decomposes by drying in a warm room with rarefied air, -(<span class="smcap">Williamson</span>).</p> - -<p>It is instantly decomposed when dissolved in alcohol, by adding an -alcoholic solution of caustic potash, the reaction being so violent as -to eject the mixture from the test tube.</p> - -<p>Nitro-Glycerin in contact with the following salts: nitrates of lime, -cobalt, soda, barytes and potash; chlorides of calcium, of barium; -perchloride of iron, carbonate of lime, sulphates of potash, lime and -soda, was found unchanged after a year’s exposure.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Incompatibles</span>: nitrate of silver precipitates black -oxide of silver; nitrate of copper gives a precipitate of peroxide of copper, -the Nitro-Glycerin remaining, however, bright and apparently unchanged. -In a solution of nitrate of mercury, there appears a white film, a -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_31">[Pg 31]</span> -bubble of protoxide of azote, apparently adherent to the -Nitro-Glycerin. Muriate of ammonia seems to divide the Nitro-Glycerin -into two liquids, a light film supernatant, and the heavier liquid -subjacent. The action of chloride of mercury (calomel) is but very -slight. Protochloride of tin forms a precipitate of peroxide of -tin, the residuary Nitro-Glycerin reflecting light powerfully, and -as brightly as a diamond. Bichromate of potash is partly reduced to -chromate. Sulphate of copper forms a very slight precipitate of oxide -of copper, with apparently no change in the residuary Nitro-Glycerin. -Sulphate of iron decomposes it, giving a voluminous precipitate, -with evolution of nitrous fumes. Sulphuret of ammonia decomposes -it, with precipitation of sulphur. Acetate of lead, chlorine water, -ferridcyanide of potassium, cyanide of potassium, sulphocyanide of -potassium, and of mercury, nitroprusside of sodium decompose it, also -the sulphurets of iron, and potassium.</p> - -<p>The action of tin, iron, and lead, slowly decomposing the -Nitro-Glycerin, especially in the presence of an acid, indicates that -metals having an affinity for oxygen, are the most active in promoting -decomposition, evolving at the same time nitrous fumes, or protoxide -of nitrogen, whilst the residuary Nitro-Glycerin does not seem to be -affected; with sulphuretted hydrogen, as with sulphuret of sodium, -potassium and ammonium, the action is prompt, and if these reagents be -added in sufficient quantity, the Nitro-Glycerin is wholly decomposed, -sulphur being precipitated.</p> - -<p>Ascagne Sobrero, the discoverer of Nitro-Glycerin, says: it may be -prepared by slowly introducing syrupy Glycerin into a mixture of two -volumes concentrated sulphuric acid to one volume of nitric acid, Sp. -Gr. 1.4, dropping it in and rapidly cooling. It seems to dissolve in -this mixture without any noticeable reaction, and by pouring it into -water, the so formed Nitro-Glycerin separates from it. It is then -washed several times in water, is next dissolved in ether, and after -evaporation (dangerous work this) is finally purified over sulphuric acid.</p> - -<p>De Vrij recommends dissolving 100 grammes of Glycerin Sp. Gr. 1.262 in -200 c. c. of hydrated nitric acid cooled to 14°F, taking care that the -mixture never exceeds in temperature 32°F. When a homogeneous mixture -has been obtained, 200 c. c. of strong sulphuric acid are added very -gradually, taking especial care that the temperature of this mixture -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_32">[Pg 32]</span> -never rises above 32°F. The oily Nitro-Glycerin which floats on the -surface is separated by a tap-funnel from the acid liquid (which -yields more Nitro-Glycerin on being diluted with water) and is now -dissolved in the smallest possible quantity of ether; this solution -is shaken with water, until the water no longer reddens litmus; the -ether evaporated (here take care!) and the remaining Nitro-Glycerin -heated over the water-bath till its weight remains constant. Merck, -of Darmstadt, the eminent operative chemist, found in following De -Vrij’s method, whilst evaporating the ethereal solution, and before -the temperature had reached 212°F, it was accompanied by a terrible -explosion. An accident from the same cause occurred in the laboratory -of Dr. E. Von Gorup-Besanez, and we find in “Comptes Rendus” an account -of the effects of the explosion of only 10 drops of Nitro-Glycerin, -which, by one of the pupils of that chemist, in his laboratory, were -put into a small cast-iron saucepan, and heated with a Bunsen gas -flame. The effect of the explosion was that the forty-six panes of -glass of the windows of the laboratory were smashed to atoms, the -saucepan was hurled through a brick wall, the stout iron stand on which -the vessel had been placed was partly split, partly spirally twisted, -and the tube of the Bunsen burner was split and flattened outwards. -Fortunately, none of the three persons present in the laboratory at the -time were hurt. When Nitro-Glycerin is caused to fall drop by drop on a -thoroughly red hot iron plate, it burns off as gunpowder would do under -the same conditions; but if the iron is not red hot, but yet hot enough -to cause the Nitro-Glycerin to boil suddenly, an explosion takes place.</p> - -<p>Nitro-Glycerin is decomposed by evaporation, even in vacuo, over -sulphuric acid at ordinary temperatures (<span class="smcap">Railton</span>), -and when left to itself, frequently undergoes spontaneous decomposition; but -when well purified, it may be kept for a long time without alteration -(<span class="smcap">H. Watts</span>); exhibits different properties, according -to the manner in which it is prepared (<span class="smcap">Gladstone</span>).</p> - -<p class="space-below2">Liecke in Dingler’s Polytechnical Journal, -prescribes the following formulæ for manufacturing the three -several preparations, Mono-Nitro-Glycerin, Di-Nitro-Glycerin and -Tri-Nitro-Glycerin.</p> - -<table border="0" cellspacing="0" summary="Chemical Formula" cellpadding="2" > - <tbody><tr> - <td class="tdr">Mono-Nitro-Glycerin:</td> - <td class="tdc" colspan="4"> </td> - </tr><tr> - <td class="tdc"> </td> - <td class="tdl_ws1">Glycerin 100 grammes.</td> - <td class="tdc" colspan="3"> </td> - </tr><tr> - <td class="tdc"> </td> - <td class="tdl_ws1">Nitric acid, Sp. Gr. 1.3, 200 grammes.</td> - <td class="tdc" colspan="3"><span class="pagenum" id="Page_33">[Pg 33]</span></td> - </tr> - </tbody> -</table> - -<p>Dissolve the Glycerin in the nitric acid, and then add -sulphuric acid 200 cubic centimeters.</p> - -<table border="0" cellspacing="0" summary="Chemical Formula" cellpadding="2" > - <tbody><tr> - <td class="tdr">The product should be </td> - <td class="tdr"><b><big>C³H⁵O²H</big></b></td> - <td class="tdc" rowspan="3"><img src="images/cbr-3.jpg" alt="" width="16" height="57" /></td> - </tr><tr> - <td class="tdc"> </td> - <td class="tdc"> </td> - <td class="tdl"><b><big>O⁴</big></b></td> - </tr><tr> - <td class="tdc"> </td> - <td class="tdr"><b><big>NO⁴H</big></b></td> - <td class="tdc"> </td> - </tr> - </tbody> -</table> - -<hr class="r25 x-ebookmaker-drop" /> -<p>Di-Nitro-Glycerin:</p> -<p class="big_indent blockquot">Sulphuric acid containing 1 eq. water, two volumes, -nitric acid, Sp. Gr. 1.4, one volume; mix the above, -lower the temperature to 32°F, or below, and drop into it</p> - -<p>Glycerin, pure,<span class="ws2">one volume.</span></p> - -<table border="0" cellspacing="0" summary="Chemical Formula" cellpadding="2" > - <tbody><tr> - <td class="tdr">Prod. </td> - <td class="tdr"><b><big>C³H⁵O²H</big></b></td> - <td class="tdc" rowspan="3"><img src="images/cbr-3.jpg" alt="" width="16" height="57" /></td> - </tr><tr> - <td class="tdc"> </td> - <td class="tdc"> </td> - <td class="tdl"><b><big>O⁴</big></b></td> - </tr><tr> - <td class="tdc"> </td> - <td class="tdr"><b><big>2NO⁴</big></b></td> - <td class="tdc"> </td> - </tr> - </tbody> -</table> - -<hr class="r25 x-ebookmaker-drop" /> -<table border="0" cellspacing="0" summary="Chemical Formula" cellpadding="2" > - <tbody><tr> - <td class="tdr">Tri-nitro-glycerin:</td> - <td class="tdc" colspan="4"> </td> - </tr><tr> - <td class="tdc"> </td> - <td class="tdl_ws1">Sulphuric Acid, 3.5 parts.</td> - <td class="tdc" colspan="3"> </td> - </tr><tr> - <td class="tdc"> </td> - <td class="tdl_ws1">Nitrate of Potash, 1 part.</td> - <td class="tdc" colspan="3"> </td> - </tr> - </tbody> -</table> - -<div class="blockquot"> -<p class="no-indent">cooled to 0°F, produces <b><big>KO + 4SO³ + 6HO</big></b>, from this the -concentrated fuming Nitric acid is separated by decantation, -and being maintained at 0°F,</p> -<p>Glycerin 0.8 parts is very gradually added,</p> -</div> - -<table border="0" cellspacing="0" summary="Chemical Formula" cellpadding="2" > - <tbody><tr> - <td class="tdr">producing </td> - <td class="tdr"><b><big>C³H⁵O²NO⁴</big></b></td> - <td class="tdc" rowspan="3"><img src="images/cbr-3.jpg" alt="" width="16" height="57" /></td> - </tr><tr> - <td class="tdc"> </td> - <td class="tdc"> </td> - <td class="tdl"><b><big>O⁴</big></b></td> - </tr><tr> - <td class="tdc"> </td> - <td class="tdr"><b><big>2NO⁴</big></b></td> - <td class="tdc"> </td> - </tr> - </tbody> -</table> - -<p class="space-above2">From the above extracts of several of the most -eminent chemists of the present day, the reader will glean, that in -order to prepare this explosive, of uniform quality, invariable in -composition, free from water, or any other impurity, it is not merely -necessary to buy the best materials, but to have at command the means -of verifying their purity before attempting its manufacture.</p> - -<p>These points secured, viz: purity and strength of materials, i. -e., glycerin free from sugar, fatty acid, saline impurities, and a -mixture of Sulphuric Acid with Nitric Acid in due proportion, of due -percentage of the respective acids, and not more water therein, nor in -the glycerin, at one time of making, than another; the next point to -command will be, that in combining the glycerin with the acids, when -considerable heat is evolved, the heat thus evolved shall be absorbed -rapidly, so as never under any circumstances whatever, to exceed a -certain temperature. Sobrero names 32°F; otherwise, according to my -experience, very differing nitro-glycerin will result from variation -of temperature whilst mixing. Such products may be fatal to the miner, -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_34">[Pg 34]</span> -although only affecting the manufacturer in a pecuniary sense. I am -led to emphasize these remarks from the fact that prospectuses have -been issued to tempt contractors to buy apparatus in the one case, -and offering to manufacture on the side of a railroad cutting, if -required, in another case, by parties who have no experience in the -manufacture, and who start in their new avocation, by deriding the -care, outlay and precautions that their competitors have deemed it -necessary to make, in order to secure a uniform, certain, and, for -mining purposes, perfectly safe explosive; for as the product is to be -handed over to the uneducated miner, who cannot estimate the risk he -is subjected to even if such a course occurred to him, it does seem -to me just and proper, that the controlling engineer, the intelligent -contractor, and especially the operating miner who is to handle this -explosive, should be advised, that under the term Nitro-Glycerin, very -different substances, both as regards explosive force, and liability to -spontaneous explosion, do result, unless extraordinary precautions are -adopted in the selection of the crude materials, as well as securing -uniformly low temperature throughout the process of making. Unless this -be done, decomposition sets in and is indicated by the emanation of -fumes, by the deepening of the light lemon tint to an orange yellow, -and at this point, the miner should decline using it, and require the -manufacturer to take his place, and the risks contingent on using it.</p> - -<p>Since many of the accidents that have occurred with Nitro-Glycerin, -have been traced to leakage from the containing vessel, notably the -San Francisco accident, probably the Panama explosion, and undoubtedly -the Titusville or Enterprise explosion, besides other cases where -it leaked through the bottom of wagon and thence on to the springs, -whose hammering caused an explosion, the discovery by Granger, <a href="#Page_19">page 19</a>, -confirmed by the magazine explosion, <a href="#Page_18">page 18</a>, teach the importance -of transporting this explosive in a solid state, that is, congealed; -there is however another reason; decomposing Nitro-Glycerin will not -solidify at 45°F, and the consumer has a ready and convenient test -for the purity of this article, by seeing to it that he invariably -purchases the explosive deliverable in a solid form. Another test is, -when exploded, in a close tunnel, the fumes or decomposed gases should -not inconvenience the miner.—Failing in either of these tests, it may -fairly be rejected as an inferior article, or should be used up as -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_35">[Pg 35]</span> -speedily as possible, preferably by the manufacturer or his more -experienced employees, rather than by a miner who may not be fully -aware of the unnecessary risk to which he is exposed in handling impure -Nitro-Glycerin.</p> - -<h3>METHOD OF ANALYSIS.</h3> - -<p>Walter Crum<a id="FNanchor_5" href="#Footnote_5" class="fnanchor">[5]</a> -describes a method of analysing bodies containing nitric acid, -applicable to the nitro-compounds; when nitrate of potash is used, -it is previously purified by crystallization, and fused at little -more than its melting heat. Nitro-Glycerin, gun-cotton, etc., must be -deprived of moisture.</p> - -<p>A glass jar eight inches long and an inch and a quarter in diameter, -is filled with and inverted over mercury; a single lump of time fused -nitrate, weighing about six grains, is let up through the mercury into -the inverted jar, and afterwards fifty grains of water. As soon as the -nitrate is dissolved, 125 grains of sulphuric acid, ascertained to be -free from nitric acid, are added. By the action of the mercury upon the -liberated nitric acid, deutoxide of nitrogen soon begins to be evolved, -and, usually in about two hours, without the application of heat, -the whole of the nitric acid is converted into that gas. Sometimes -agitation is necessary, and it is easily performed by giving a jerking -horizontal motion to the upper part of the jar. The surface of the -sulphuric acid is then marked, and three-fourths of an inch of solution -of sulphate of iron recently boiled, let up into the jar. The gas is -rapidly absorbed, except a small portion at last, which must be left -several hours to the action of the solution, or be well agitated in a -smaller tube with a fresh portion of it. No correction of the nitric -oxide has to be made for moisture, for the mixture of acid and water -employed has no perceptible vapor tension.</p> - -<div class="blockquot"> -<p>In one experiment, 5.40 grains of nitrate of potash yielded 4.975 -cubic inches of gas, at 60°F, and barometer 30 inches.</p> - -<p>The residue not absorbed by the sulphate of iron, was 0.015 cubic -inch, leaving</p> - -<p>4.96 cubic inches of nitric oxide = 1.594 grains <b><big>NO²</big></b>, -and which correspond to 2.869 grains nitric acid, or 53.13 of the nitrate of -potash.</p> -</div> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_36">[Pg 36]</span></p> - -<table border="0" cellspacing="0" summary=" " cellpadding="2" > - <tbody><tr> - <td class="tdl" colspan="4">Four consecutive experiments yielded</td> - </tr><tr> - <td class="tdc" colspan="2"><span class="ws5"> </span></td> - <td class="tdc">53.13</td> - <td class="tdc"> </td> - </tr><tr> - <td class="tdc" colspan="2"> </td> - <td class="tdc">53.14</td> - <td class="tdc"> </td> - </tr><tr> - <td class="tdc" colspan="2"> </td> - <td class="tdc">53.73</td> - <td class="tdc"> </td> - </tr><tr> - <td class="tdc" colspan="2"> </td> - <td class="tdc u">53.29</td> - <td class="tdc"> </td> - </tr><tr> - <td class="tdc"> </td> - <td class="tdr">Mean</td> - <td class="tdc">53.32</td> - <td class="tdl">or leaving out the third experiment.</td> - </tr><tr> - <td class="tdc"> </td> - <td class="tdr">Mean</td> - <td class="tdc">53.19</td> - <td class="tdc"> </td> - </tr> - </tbody> -</table> - -<p>The calculated percentage of nitric acid in nitrate of potash, the -acid being represented by 6.75, and the potash by 5.8992, is 53.36. -<span class="smcap">Thomson</span> gives for percentage of nitric acid -in nitrate of potash 52.94, and <span class="smcap">Berzelius</span> 53.44.</p> - -<p>Salts in powder, which are difficult to pass through mercury without -loss, may be enclosed in small glass cylinders. Nitro-Glycerin may -be made into pellets with powdered glass, and congealed at 45°F, or -simply congealed by taking great care it is not partially thawed during -manipulation.</p> - -<p>Mr. Theron Skeel, of Albany, has furnished me with the following -extract from the Engineering Journal of the 17th Nov., 1871, being an -explanation of M. L. Hote’s method of analysing the gases produced -by the explosion of Nitro-Glycerin. He uses Ure’s graduated electric -eudiometer, made out of a green glass organic analysis tube. Introduce -into the apparatus ten centimeters of the gases evolved from water -by voltaic electricity, then introduce small globules of thin glass, -containing from five to six milligrammes of the explosive; an electric -spark being passed through the mixed gases by means of the platina -points melted in the upper part of the eudiometer, explodes the gases, -breaks the small glass globules and explodes the Nitro-Glycerin. The -gases evolved are colorless, and contain a proportion of binoxide of -nitrogen. Submitted to the proper absorbents, for moisture, binoxide of -nitrogen and carbonic acid, there remains nitrogen. Thus:</p> - -<table border="0" cellspacing="0" summary="Nitro-Glycerin Analysis" cellpadding="2" > - <tbody><tr> - <td class="tdl_top">1 gramme</td> - <td class="tdl">Nitro-Glycerin gave at temp.</td> - <td class="tdr">0</td> - <td class="tdl">Cent.</td> - </tr><tr> - <td class="tdl" colspan="2"> </td> - <td class="tdr_top">29.7</td> - <td class="tdl">barom. press.,</td> - </tr><tr> - <td class="tdl" colspan="4">of these gases 284 c.c.</td> - </tr><tr> - <td class="tdl_ws1" colspan="4">One hundred parts by volume contained</td> - </tr><tr> - <td class="tdc"> </td> - <td class="tdl">Carbonic acid,</td> - <td class="tdr">45.72</td> - <td class="tdc"> </td> - </tr><tr> - <td class="tdc"> </td> - <td class="tdl">Binoxide of Nitrogen,</td> - <td class="tdr">20.36</td> - <td class="tdc"> </td> - </tr><tr> - <td class="tdc"> </td> - <td class="tdl">Nitrogen,</td> - <td class="tdr u">33.92</td> - <td class="tdc"> </td> - </tr><tr> - <td class="tdc" colspan="2"> </td> - <td class="tdr">100.00</td> - <td class="tdc"> </td> - </tr> - </tbody> -</table> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_37">[Pg 37]</span> -<span class="smcap">Martin</span><a id="FNanchor_6" href="#Footnote_6" class="fnanchor">[6]</a> -has devised a method of ascertaining the percentage of nitric acid, by -its conversion into ammonia. Nitric acid when mixed with sulphuric or -muriatic acids, in the presence of metallic zinc, is converted into -ammonia (Gmelin I, 828). By placing some zinc in a mixture of the two -acids, there is no disengagement of gas, whilst the nitric acid is -converted into ammonia. Hydrogen in its nascent state combines with the -oxygen of the nitrogen compound, produced by the nitric acid alone.</p> - -<p>Metallic zinc, with dilute nitric acid, gives protoxide of nitrogen; -and by taking one equivalent of this gas and four equivalents of -hydrogen, water and ammonia may be formed.</p> - -<p class="f120"><b>NO + 4H = NH³ + HO.</b></p> - -<p>The nitric acid, acting gradually and slowly on the zinc, is -transformed into ammonia, equivalent for equivalent. When this reaction -has ceased, then follows a disengagement of hydrogen gas from the zinc, -which is permitted for a few seconds. It now remains to ascertain -the percentage of ammonia. The ammonia may be distilled off and then -absorbed by a normal or previously ascertained quantitative solution of -oxalic acid, and afterwards to ascertain the quantity of oxalic acid -not taken up; deduct this from the original quantity contained in the -absorbing solution, and the result gives the percentage of oxalic acid -neutralized by the absorption of the ammonia; from this the ammonia -is calculated. Mohr’s apparatus for the disengagement of ammonia may -be used with advantage in this operation. See Mohr’s Traite d’analyse -chimique, supplement, p. 402, Paris, 1857.</p> - -<p>Tilberg<a id="FNanchor_7" href="#Footnote_7" class="fnanchor">[7]</a> -analysed the Stockholm Nitro-Glycerin with the following -results: <b><big>C³H⁵(NO²)O³</big></b> (the Carbon atoms being estimated -as 12, Hydrogen 1, Oxygen 16,) and regarded it as Mono-Nitro-Glycerin.</p> - -<p>In proof of the fact of Nitro-Glycerin being explosive by concussion -effected at a distance, if proof were needed, I instance a small can -containing about 4 lbs. of Nitro-Glycerin left by the blaster about 350 -feet from the heading, and partially protected by the rail which was -curved upwards to prevent the cars running over the dump, was exploded, -when a full charge of 16 holes was fired in the heading at the West End -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_38">[Pg 38]</span> -of the Hoosac Tunnel. It will be noted that there could be no heat -developed 350 feet from the primary explosion, and being enclosed -in an ordinary kerosene can, it appears a striking instance of the -possibility of explosion from induced concussion.</p> - -<p>Again, in April, 1872, a cartridge of Nitro-Glycerin was left in the -cartridge chest, containing about 2 lbs. Nitro-Glycerin, whilst 20 -charges of blasting powder were fired in the heading, 200 feet distant; -the explosion of the powder was unusually heavy, and the Nitro-Glycerin -exploded, tearing the chest to pieces, fracturing the air main and -disrupting the track. This indubitably proves the explosion of -Nitro-Glycerin by concussion, and should warn every operator to be -careful to place any surplus explosive away from exploders, and as -far distant as possible from where an explosion is intended, and -particularly in such position that if it should explode, a contingency -possible, there may be no one near the vessel containing such surplus.</p> - -<p><a id="FNanchor_8" href="#Footnote_8" class="fnanchor">[8]</a>The -experiments of February 17, 1870, described by Professors Barker -and S. W. Johnson, where water and glass intervened to receive the heat -and concussion, confirm the fact of Nitro-Glycerin being explosive -by concussion, without heat or pressure; in these instances neither -heat nor pressure were admitted, yet the explosion blew the tub into -fragments, cutting off the staves level with the hoops, smashing and -fracturing the bottom of the tub on the rock serving as a pedestal, and -sending the water up so that it descended in a shower seventy feet from -the point of explosion.</p> - -<p>It is proper I should here announce that, after a series of -experiments, during my leisure hours, extending over several years, -with nitro-mannite, nitro-sugar, nitro-dextrin, nitro-starch, and -nitro-naphthalin, with a view to obtain a homogeneous compound -convertible wholly into gaseous matter, and miscible with liquid -Nitro-Glycerin, which would not explode under ordinary conditions, I -have succeeded in obtaining such a mixture, viz.:</p> - -<p class="center">Nitro-Glycerin, thirty parts.<br /> - Nitro-Toluol,  ten parts.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_39">[Pg 39]</span> -Mixed, this will not explode when struck on an anvil, burns when thrown -on to the fire, and can only be exploded with very heavily charged -exploders, containing, say, fifteen grains of fulminate, better and -more surely, however, with twenty grains. To this I know but one -drawback: it does not solidify at a moderate (45°F) temperature, and, -if the containing vessel should leak, a too frequent source of accident -with inferior Nitro-Glycerin that cannot be congealed, the nitro-toluol -is liable to evaporate, and the Nitro-Glycerin is then left with its -usually dangerous properties unimpaired.</p> - -<p>This was patented by C. Volney, who formerly blasted for me, and for -the Lake Shore N. G. Co., and assigned to me for a consideration.</p> - -<div class="figcenter"> - <img id="FIG_V" src="images/i_v.jpg" alt="" width="600" height="321" /> -</div> - -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_IV">CHAPTER IV.</h2> -</div> - -<p class="f150">Electricity for Blasting Operations.</p> - -<p>Although half a century has passed since blasting by electricity was -effected by Col. Pasley, in his submarine explosions for removing the -wreck of the Royal George, at Spithead, the apparatus for exciting -the electricity necessary to explode many charges simultaneously, is -still (May, 1872), very unsatisfactory. Mr. H. Julius Smith, of Boston, -taking the Austrian friction battery, recommended by Baron Abner, in -his report at Vienna, for his basis, has ameliorated the arrangements -by enclosing the working parts in a better vulcanite casing, and -securing the discharge by reversing the motion of the handle, but the -objections remain that an ebonite plate is scratched by the rubbers, -that specks of the sulphuret of tin, used as an amalgam, cause a -partial discharge all over the surface of the plate, rendering it a -short-lived machine whose power is limited, unless the priming of the -exploders is made very sensitive, and liable to explode by atmospheric -electricity. Several fatal accidents have occurred to miners, from -premature explosions of the charge whilst loading the holes, and these -fatalities having been traced to the “over-sensitive priming” used, it -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_40">[Pg 40]</span> -behooves the mining engineer to look well to the exploders offered him, -and in every case he will find where cotton immersed in a varnish is -sufficient insulation to protect the wire from losing its electricity, -the priming used for charging such exploders is too dangerous for -miners’ use, and involves a grave responsibility.</p> - -<p>Mr. Abel’s Electro-magnetic Exploder limits the discharge to a series -of five mines, or blasts in each series, being the Verdu or Savare -system, and involves several leading wires for numerous explosions, and -although yielding electricity in quantity it lacks intensity.</p> - -<p>The Holtz machine is altogether too vicarious in its operation for -blasting purposes. A machine or apparatus that will discharge 100 -blasts, if needed, durable, and not liable to derangement or wear, is -a necessity, and it should evolve enough electricity and of sufficient -tension to jump between the wires 1-20th of an inch apart, necessary -to fire priming, so as to secure simultaneous firing. The heated wire, -or a quantity of electricity heating wire by the resistance a small -wire offers to the current, since it occupies time, brief though it -be, involves, as I think, the objection that the discharges cannot be -simultaneous in, say twenty blasts. Of this class are the machines -now in course of construction by Mr. Moses Farmer, of Boston, where -the exciting power is manual labor, being a dynamo-electric machine. -Breguet’s electro-magnetic exploder, giving a spark by breaking -contact, is altogether too weak, at least for the American contractor.</p> - -<p>The ordinary Ruhmkorff coil is accompanied with the objection, that in -a numerous series of blasts, the spark, when it has passed some five or -six holes, seems to vanish in a glow, and to lose the heat necessary to -effect decomposition of the priming, besides the incumbrance of acids -and battery; in brief, it is not sufficiently portable for the use of -contractors.</p> - -<p>During the past four years I have given this subject much attention, -and, having experimented pretty extensively, I have secured the first -point, viz.: a safe priming which is not affected by the induced -electricity caused by machinery running, friction of handling, or -atmospheric electricity. My present aim—the evolution of electricity -of sufficient intensity to leap fifty to one hundred solutions of -continuity, i. e., effect fifty blasts simultaneously, I hope I have -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_41">[Pg 41]</span> -secured, but this subtile force, electricity, is so readily affected by -so many interfering elements in blasting operations, that it would be -premature in this patent-demanding age, to communicate the progress I -have obtained, until the several apparatus I am now constructing (three -forms of machine), are complete, and have been subjected to actual work -in severely critical hands. An inventor is no judge of the success of -his own bantlings.</p> - -<p>Aware of the short life of the frictional electric machine, as at -present constructed; knowing how the ordinary induction coil diminishes -its intensity of spark, in proportion to the number of blasts to be -fired; seeing that the Electro-magnetic machine is limited to a series -of five blasts, which can only be exploded consecutively; that the -Electro-dynamic machines are open to this last objection, besides -destruction of their conducting parts by overheating, whilst in the -matter of adopting “over-sensitive priming” to compensate for the -deficiency of electricity or cheap conducting wire, there looms up the -danger to the miner of handling exploders, which “go off by looking -at” them, it seemed that, unless some amelioration was effected in -these details, the great economy of simultaneous blasting by means -of electricity would have to be abandoned. Add to these difficulties -the fact that any casualty occurring from any of the above causes -would reach the public as caused by Nitro-Glycerin, and my reader will -comprehend the interest I have felt, during the past four years, in -solving the following problem:</p> - -<p>To construct an apparatus that will, under every condition of -atmosphere, whether damp, dense or rarefied, evolve, at the will of -the operator, abundance of electricity; such electricity to possess -the property of developing intense heat, so as not to need a very -sensitive priming, and to possess sufficient tension to overleap -numerous solutions of continuity, say fifty, at a flash. Next, to -discover a priming composition, to insert between the solutions of -continuity, that would not be affected by moisture, that would bear -handling without danger of exploding, be unchangeable for years, -unaffected by the induced electricity of the atmosphere, whether caused -by thunder storms, lightning on the rail, machinery belting in motion, -or steam blowing off from a safety valve, ozone, etc., and yet not too -exhaustive of the electric force of the spark required to fire it.</p> - -<p>The above seemed to me the conditions necessary for the apparatus and -the exploder in firing with electricity. -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_42">[Pg 42]</span></p> - -<p>In addition to these, for conducting such electricity to the points -required, the best conductor, and the best insulation attainable.</p> - -<p>Further, that as Nitro-Glycerin was an expensive explosive to waste, to -supplement the above details with some material that would absolutely -develope its extreme force instantaneously, and not as is easily the -case, burn a part, explode a part, and throw the remainder into the -atmosphere, to poison the miners, or by missing fire, endanger life, -and waste time. How these objects, so desirable, have been obtained, I -now proceed to relate.</p> - -<p>By modifying the ordinary induction coil, so as to make it yield a -highly heating spark, and remedying its property of losing tension -rapidly after leaping four or five solutions of continuity, the Messrs. -Ritchie & Sons, of Boston, have constructed for me a coil that fires -18 intervals when charged with rifle powder simply; and they are now -constructing another coil capable of firing fifty mines, when charged -with priming that is perfectly safe to handle, and fulfilling the -conditions enumerated above. One spark alone is required to effect -these results, which may be summed up as “eliminating the heating -properties of induced electricity.”</p> - -<p>I have previously referred to the necessity of using a heavy charge -of fulminate of mercury, in order to secure perfect and instantaneous -explosion of a charge of Nitro-Glycerin, without confining the latter; -the manipulating this explosive salt (fulminate of mercury) without -hazard to the operators (generally girls), was accomplished by -precipitating gum mastich from its alcoholic solution, by the addition -of water, and mixing in the moist fulminate, and then filling the pasty -compound into a stout copper capsule, which is subsequently enclosed in -a wooden case, saturated with paraffine. The resistance of the stout -copper capsule, immensely adds to the effective force of the exploder, -and ensures the most effective explosion of the Nitro-Glycerin, which -cannot be obtained by a wooden capsule alone. These details as to the -requirements for effectively exploding the nitro-compounds, have been -very fully examined and proved, by Abel, Article, Pyroxylin, Watts’ -Chem. Dictionary, Vol. 4, p. 776, et seq., and daily use confirms them. -My observation of the fatalities that have occurred with over-sensitive -priming composition, introduced with a view to compensate for deficient -electric force, and thus to permit the use of a weak battery and -cheap cotton covered wire varnished over (instead of gutta-percha -insulation), in order to substitute a weak current that would be -sufficient to fire these over-sensitive exploders for the stronger -current required to fire a safe priming, satisfy me that electric -blasting had better be discontinued, and tape fuse resumed, unless the -work will bear the expense of absolutely safe materials. Better to -face the difficulty, construct efficient electric apparatus, convey -the electricity along wires of perfect insulation to a safe priming, -and by complete and violent explosion of the Nitro-Glycerin, or -powder, make such effective blasting as not to throw away the labor of -drilling, candles, power, and blasting materials. I believe this the -true economy. These details may seem wearisome, but the casualties of -blasting can best be diminished by avoiding missed holes, a result only -attainable by using materials absolutely reliable; and the reader, if -he has ever attempted to harness up as a team those subtile, evasive, -terrific forces—electricity and explosives, for the service of his -fellowman, will excuse the writer’s earnestness and agree with him that -in such a task the rule should be “Aut nunquam tenta aut perfice.”</p> - -<div class="figcenter"> - <img id="FIG_VI" src="images/i_vi.jpg" alt="" width="600" height="300" /> -</div> - -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_43">[Pg 43]</span></p> -<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_V">CHAPTER V.</h2> -</div> - -<p class="neg-indent space-below1">The Tri-Nitro-Glycerin Manufactured -at the Hoosac Tunnel—How Tri-Nitro-Glycerin is Made—How Stored—How -Gutta-Percha is Purified—How the Conducting Wires are Insulated—How the -Exploders are Manufactured.</p> - -<p>There are probably few of my readers who have ventured to trust -themselves within a Nitro-Glycerin manufactory; the very name is -sufficient to make the passer-by quicken his step, till he is a safe -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_44">[Pg 44]</span> -distance beyond the dreaded precinct. Some account of such a factory -will, accordingly, be interesting to many who are familiar with the -article, perhaps have used it, but whose curiosity has not been of such -a nature as to induce them to pay a visit to the works, where the least -negligence involves a death penalty.</p> - -<p>About 100 yards beyond the West shaft of the Hoosac Tunnel, is to be -seen a board fence surrounding about ten acres of ground, with the -announcement,</p> - -<p class="center"><b>“<span class="smcap">Nitro-Glycerin Works;—Dangerous;—No Visitors -Admitted.</span>”</b></p> - -<p>A drive leading between two rows of buildings brings the “visitor” to -the acid house, a well-ventilated building, 150 feet long. Here are -11 stills, each seven feet long and two feet in diameter. Under these -a light, slow fire burns, which is carefully attended to, for the -temperature must be kept moderate. In each of these stills is placed -300 lbs. of nitrate of soda and 375 lbs. of sulphuric acid. A stoneware -pipe conducts the gases, at a temperature of about 180°F, from each -still into a stone receiver or condenser, or rather a series of four -condensers connected by stoneware pipes, ranged on a platform three -feet above the ground. Into the first of these 150 lbs. of sulphuric -acid is poured, into the second 150 lbs., into the third 100 lbs., and -the fourth is empty. The nitrous vapor passes from the still to the -first condenser, where a portion of it, forming as it condenses nitric -acid, is taken up by the sulphuric acid; the remainder passes on to -the second, third and fourth condensers, though a very small portion -is left to pass into the last, which only requires to be emptied once -a month. It takes about twenty-four hours for the still to complete -the conversion of its contents into nitric acid, at the end of which -time the resultant mixture of acids, about 600 lbs., is run off into -carboys, twelve of these being filled from three stills. About 100 -carboys are generally kept in stock, as the acid does not spoil when -kept closed. These carboys are then emptied into a soapstone tank -having a capacity of 18 carboys, and an iron pipe, connected with the -main leading from two blowers in the engine house, is inserted into -the acid, causing a current of air to agitate it so as to remove the -nitrous fumes, mix it thoroughly and bring it all to uniform strength. -Formerly, this was effected by removing the acid into a glass vessel -containing about forty gallons, and it required boiling for hours; the -mode now practised occupies only five minutes and the risk of fracture -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_45">[Pg 45]</span> -of a glass vessel in a sand bath is avoided. The acid is then carried -into the converting room, about one hundred feet long and well lighted, -where it is weighed, seventeen pounds being poured into each of one -hundred and sixteen stone pitchers which are arranged in nine wooden -troughs placed in the centre and at the end of the room, and these -troughs are now filled with ice-cold water, or ice and salt, so as -to rise within four inches of the top of the jar. On shelves above -the troughs, are arranged glass jars, one to each stone pitcher. Into -each of these glass jars, two pounds, by weight, of pure Glycerin is -poured, and this, by means of a siphon, with a rubber tube attached, -about two feet long, falls drop by drop into the corresponding pitcher -of mixed sulphuric and nitric acids. Immediately below the shelf, in -which the Glycerin jar stands, is a 2¼ inch iron pipe, which brings a -current of cold air from the receivers connected with the two blowers -before-mentioned. This current of air is distributed to each jar, -while the acid and glycerin are mixing, by a rubber pipe, to which is -attached a glass tube 16 inches long, and with a ¼ inch bore. During -the hour and a half to two hours that the glycerin takes to run off -into the pitchers, the greatest care, and the closest attention is -requisite. The three men whose duty it is to attend to the mixing -process, have each a row of pitchers to watch, walking the whole -time up and down, beside them, with thermometer in hand, and as the -nitrous fumes rise from the forming Nitro-Glycerin, they stir the -mixture, with the glass tube before-mentioned, in any pitcher that -may be giving out too violent fumes. Sometimes this is caused by the -glycerin running a little freely, which fires the mixture, wastes the -glycerin, forming oxalic acid, and developes unpleasant vapors. In -such a case, by pushing back a little wooden peg in the glass jar, the -flow of glycerin is lessened, and by stirring with the glass tube the -nitrous vapors dispelled. Should the engine also stop working by any -unforseen circumstance, the current of air will of course be stopped, -when the mixture will take fire. In this case, it is necessary to stir -the mixture, and at once stop the flow of glycerin. When the glycerin -and acid is all mixed, and the nitrous fumes cease to appear, the -Nitro-Glycerin from each pitcher is dumped into a large tank of water, -at a temperature of 70°, about 450 lbs. of Nitro-Glycerin being the -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_46">[Pg 46]</span> -amount of each batch manufactured. The Nitro-Glycerin sinks to the -bottom and is covered by about six feet of water. Here it remains for -fifteen minutes to be subsequently washed free from any impurities. -This tank goes through the floor into a basement chamber, its -bottom being on a slight incline, so that the Nitro-Glycerin may -run out easily. The water is first drawn off from the top of the -Nitro-Glycerin, and then the latter is run into a wooden swinging tub, -in shape somewhat like an old-fashioned butter churn, but a good deal -larger in diameter. In this it is washed five times, three times with -plain water, and twice with soda, a current of air working through it -at the same time. The water from this tub is run off into a wooden -trough, which conveys it to a barrel buried in the earth, in the side -of which a hole carries it to another barrel a little lower down the -hill, and this again to another barrel, whence it finds its way to the -dump of rocks being removed from the tunnel, any Nitro-Glycerin that -may have escaped in the washing process being collected and retained in -one or other of these barrels.</p> - -<p>The Nitro-Glycerin is by this time thoroughly washed and ready to -store in the magazine, 300 feet distant, to which it is carried in a -couple of copper pails at a time, by a man with a yoke, similar to -what milkmen use for carrying their pails. Curious thought, that a -man carrying a couple of harmless looking pails with only a little -colorless fluid in them, should have enough explosive matter about him -to annihilate a regiment.</p> - -<p>In the magazine the Nitro-Glycerin is poured into “crocks,” as they are -called, earthenware jars holding 60 lbs. These crocks are then placed -in a wooden tank 2½ feet deep, which holds 20 of them, and immersed -to within six inches from the top of the jars in water warmed by a -small pipe from the boiler, to raise the temperature to 70°, at which -temperature it is kept all the time, as nearly as possible. They remain -in this water for about 72 hours, during which time any impurities -still remaining rise to the surface as scum, and are skimmed off with -a spoon. The Nitro-Glycerin is then chemically pure, transparent as -water, refracts light powerfully, and is ready for packing. The tin -cans, lined with paraffine and containing 56 lbs. each, are placed -in a shallow wooden trough, and the Nitro-Glycerin being poured from -the crocks into copper cans, is again poured into the tins through a -gutta-percha funnel, the bottom of the trough being covered with a -thick layer of plaster of paris, which absorbs and renders harmless any -drops of Nitro-Glycerin that may be spilt. The tins when filled are -then placed in a wooden trough containing iced water, or ice and salt, -where the Nitro-Glycerin is slowly crystallized or congealed; in this -condition, it is stored away in small magazines 300 feet distant, in -amounts of 30 to 40 cans each, until required for use.</p> - -<div class="figcenter"> - <img id="FIG_VII" src="images/i_vii.jpg" alt="" width="600" height="322" /> -</div> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_47">[Pg 47]</span> -When the Nitro-Glycerin is to be conveyed over the mountains, the tins -are packed in open wooden boxes, with two inches of sponge at the -bottom, and four rubber tubes underneath; these are long enough to -allow the ends to come one inch over the top of the tin on opposite -sides, thus interposing two elastic tubes between the outside of the -tin and the inside of the wooden box, rendering it perfectly safe to -carry. Each tin is cellular, i. e., from the top of each tin to the -bottom a tube passes, about ten inches deep and 1½ inch in diameter, -for the purpose of thawing the congealed Nitro-Glycerin when the -blaster is ready to use it, liquefaction being effected with water -of 70° to 90°. The tins being closed with a cork wrapped in bladder, -are put into a sleigh or wagon, covered in summer with a layer of ice -and blankets, and may thus be carried any distance in this purified -crystalline state, as safely as so many tubs of butter.</p> - -<p>The reflecting reader will note the care taken to purify the -Nitro-Glycerin; it occupies 1½ hours to make it, about 72 hours to -purify, and about 48 hours to congeal or crystallize it. And yet there -are parties who attempt to make and vend Nitro-Glycerin, and induce -miners and contractors to use it, taken direct from the precipitating -tank, with all its impurities tending to decomposition, and requiring -only time and moderate temperature for spontaneous explosion; hence, -I believe many accidents.</p> - -<p>Proceeding back to the factory, two ice-houses will be noticed, -capable of containing 400 tons of ice, required for crystallizing -Nitro-Glycerin in summer. There is a small engine-house with a boiler -of fifteen horse power, and engine of about ten horse power; this -latter, to pump water into the washing tank, run the two “blowers,” and -give power in the gutta-percha factory. The air is not pumped directly -into the pipe which distributes it to the pitchers, as the pressure -would not be always uniform; but into two receivers under the floor of -the factory, whence it is evenly distributed, and deprived of watery -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_48">[Pg 48]</span> -vapor, which if blown into the pitchers would raise the temperature and -vitiate the product.</p> - -<p>Attached to the factory is a building about 90 feet long, for covering -the copper wire (used in exploding) with gutta-percha, so as to render -the insulation perfect. The first process is to purify the crude -gutta-percha which is imported in blocks about a foot long. This is -placed against a rasping machine with toothed knives about four inches -apart, which crush and tear the gutta-percha to pieces, delivering it -into a trough of water. The impurities sink, while the gutta-percha -floats. It is then warmed in a steam jacketed kettle, and when still -plastic is put into another tearing or rasping machine with another -series of knives set closer together, from this it drops into a trough -of clean water, more dirt separating. This is repeated two or three -times, as it is most important that no extraneous matter should be -retained in the gutta-percha, because it would interfere with perfect -insulation, and so place in jeopardy the lives of several men. It is -again steamed and put into a “masticator” consisting of a fluted roller -working in a steam jacket; here it is “chawed up” for about six hours, -until it arrives at a proper consistence; it is then passed between -two smooth cylinders heated by steam, and transferred thence into a -cylinder, where it is pressed through gauze wire, under a pressure of -four tons to the inch. Being thoroughly cleansed, it is then steamed, -masticated and pressed between the cylinders, and is ready to cover -the copper wire. Five wires at a time, horizontally parallel to one -another, are passed through a gun metal mould with a disc at the -further end perforated with five holes but little larger than the wires -themselves, placed at the base of an upright cylinder. The gutta-percha -is inserted in the top of this cylinder, and a pressure of 95 tons is -put upon it by means of a screw, when it is pressed into slots in the -mould surrounding the wires, which are then drawn from the holes in -the disc, through a trough of water 80 feet long, and back again: it -is then wound on drums ready for use. The “leading” wire receives two -coatings, separate discs having larger bores being attached to the -brass cylinder.</p> - -<p>A house is attached to the factory, for the foreman and his family. -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_49">[Pg 49]</span></p> - -<p>Perfect system pervades this factory, and is absolutely necessary in -the manufacture of Nitro-Glycerin, to ensure safety. The steadiest men -possible are selected for the work, and the foreman of the gutta-percha -department, Mr. Robert Wallace, who has charge of the machinery, is a -skilful machinist and a thoroughly trustworthy Scotchman. He has four -sons employed, of whom one takes charge of the works at Maysville, -Kentucky, another, is foreman of the Nitro-Glycerin factory.</p> - -<p>Three men are employed in the acid house, working in three shifts -of eight hours each, but they do not actually work more than seven -hours; every movement is like clock work, every man has his place and -special duty, which he is expected to perform at the proper time. In -the morning, at 7 or 7½ <span class="smcap">a. m.</span>, two men dump the -carboys of acid into the soapstone tank and mix them, while a third is filling -the glass jars with glycerin. This operation takes about an hour. One draws -the acid, another weighs it, and a third carries it to the troughs. -After an interval during which the acids cool, three men attend closely -to the converting of glycerin into Tri-Nitro-Glycerin, knowing that -their safety, and the safety of every man on the works, depends on -themselves alone, during this process. After the Nitro-Glycerin is -dumped into the water tank, two men are employed in washing it, down -stairs, while two wash the stone pitchers with water; more water, -temperature about 60°, is swilled on the floors so as to keep them -scrupulously clean and perfectly free from atoms of Nitro-Glycerin, -which, stepped upon while the men are at work, might send them to -eternity, and the building to smithereens. The room is then prepared -for next day’s operations, and by about one or two o’clock, after six, -or at most seven hours’ work, the day’s task is done. Mr. Wilson, in -charge of the purifying process, canning, and preparing for shipment, -has now been over four years at this work.</p> - -<p>Making exploders is a distinct operation, requiring great precision. -The materials of which the priming for fuses is composed, are prepared -in my private laboratory, and consist of sulphide and phosphide of -copper with chlorate of potash. Considerable nicety of manipulation -is required to prepare the former of these compounds so as to obtain -homogeneous, uniform sulphides and phosphides, and, from the failure of -several chemists—and some of our best have attempted the manufacture—to -prepare them, I attach great importance to this work, invariably -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_50">[Pg 50]</span> -making them myself. For, if prepared with the above ingredients, no -accident can occur from atmospheric electricity, friction etc., a -contingency which all other primings now in use are liable to. The -priming is then taken to the warehouse where from three to four hands -are employed in making it up into exploders. Two insulated wires from -4 to 12 feet long, are inserted in the smallest end of a wooden tube, -previously dipped in boiled paraffine, ¾ inch long and ⅛ inch diameter -at one end, and 3/16 at the other, to which they are fastened by a -shoulder of gutta-percha. Immediately before the priming is inserted, -an electric spark is passed through and between the wires where the -priming is put so as to ascertain that the insulation is perfect, and -to guard against the possibility of a miss-fire. This being proved, -the priming is put in at the other end of the tube, and a small paper -plug boiled in paraffine inserted; then a copper cap, ¾ inch long and -⅜ inch diameter, receives 20 grains of fulminate of mercury, on the -top of which a varnish is poured which prevents any of the fulminate -from being shaken out by accident, or affected by vibration. This -copper cap is then placed in a larger wooden cap 1½ inch long, the fuse -inserted about ¼ inch, when it fits tight, the wooden part painted with -asphaltum varnish around the joints, and the exploder is complete and -ready for service. Three hands employed ought to make 1,000 a day of -these exploders.</p> - -<p>Having thus given a full account of the manufacture of Nitro-Glycerin -and its appurtenances, I will conclude with the remark that there is -no danger in the manufacture when due precaution is used; but, to -paraphrase the language of Professor Tyndall, in his preface to “Hours -of Exercise in the Alps”: “For rashness, ignorance, or carelessness, -Nitro-Glycerin leaves no margin; and to rashness, ignorance, or -carelessness, three-fourths of the catastrophes which shock us are to -be traced.”</p> - -<div class="figcenter"> - <img id="FIG_VIII" src="images/i_viii.jpg" alt="" width="600" height="317" /> -</div> - -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_51">[Pg 51]</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_VI">CHAPTER VI.</h2> -</div> - -<p class="f150">Explosive Mixtures.</p> - -<p>The laws of nature are immutable. To-day, to-morrow, -forever—unchanged, unchangeable, as the great Creator himself, who -established them, and it is only from scientific research, starting -with the conviction that these laws are God’s laws, and therefore -immutable, that results of general utility can be obtained. Believing -that everything which, in common parlance, is termed “an accident,” is -simply a violation of these laws through carelessness or ignorance, -it is the duty of the scientific chemist to investigate the causes -and effects of the adherence to or violation of these laws in -regard to the science of which he is a student. As a chemist I have -accordingly applied myself to a close examination of the phenomena -attending the preparation and use of Nitro-Glycerin, and consequently -to the investigation of the mixtures purporting to be substitutes for -Nitro-Glycerin and gunpowder, of which Nitro-Glycerin is the active -base.</p> - -<p>And this brings before me, in all their glaring defects, the anomalies -of the patent system of our country, especially in regard to chemical -compounds. For the past hundred years, the greatest chemists the -world has ever known, have given the results of their researches -free, and untrammelled by any patents, though they might, indeed, -have justly taken toll of the world at large for their discoveries. -I need only instance Berzelius, who threw open to the world the -numerous discoveries of his long and valuable life, and Pelouze, the -celebrated French chemist, who devoted fifteen years of his life to the -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_52">[Pg 52]</span> -investigation of the constituents of fatty matters and their -decomposition into stearic, margaric, oleic acids and glycerin. Let -the reader picture to himself, for a moment, what would have been the -state of affairs in the manufacturing world, had all the chemists of -the last fifty years patented every discovery they made, every mode of -preparation they suggested; how dark, gloomy and uncertain would the -path of our manufactures have been; they must almost have stood still -until these patents, and perhaps their renewals also, had expired. -By such a course, the bleaching and printing of cottons, and all the -numerous processes dependent on applied chemistry, would have been -deferred half a century; for it is only by the quick, free application -of the discoveries of the unselfish chemist, that the progress that has -been made was possible. What a contrast to the self-aggrandizement of -the present race of patent-seeking chemists! An individual, with the -labors of the grand army of scientific chemists for the past hundred -years before him, selects one, two or three chemical compounds, mixes -them, modifies to a certain extent some property of either of them, -applies for, and obtains, a patent. Then for seventeen years this -“ghoul” sits over his mixture, and, with the assistance of a lawyer, -proceeds to black-mail any one, who, in attaining certain results, -is led by the properties of the several compounds to avail himself -of a similar mixture. The discovery of a Sobrero is attempted to be -appropriated by a Nobel and his assignees, and, with the confidence -inspired by the weakness of a patent examiner, who chuckles at the -delusion of the patentee, they absolutely infer that, because they -have a patent, they can appropriate the result of the chemist’s -labors obtained 20 years before. The patent office secures $35.00, -the examiner his salary, and the ceilings of the noble building at -Washington are ultra-marined, until the visitor’s eyes are dazzled -with the brilliant color. Finally comes a suit in chancery, in which -thousands of dollars are expended, and in which these stealers of other -mens’ brains, count less on their claim than on the hope that they -may so interfere with their opponent’s occupation, and so deplete his -pocket with law-costs, that he will submit to accept a free license, at -least, and thus enable them to terrify others into payment.</p> - -<p>The above remarks are somewhat of a digression from the subject of this -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_53">[Pg 53]</span> -chapter, but, I think most of my readers will admit that they are -by no means uncalled for. I have been told, and the newspapers teem -with assertions, that these patented explosive compounds, with high -sounding names, will bear “tamping” as hard as gunpowder, are safer, -more powerful and cheaper than Nitro-Glycerin. We are a people, Barnum -says, who like to be humbugged; I am afraid we are not the only -people who like to be humbugged—it is a weakness of humanity—but -this I do believe; the man who is addicted to humbug, had better give -Nitro-Glycerin a wide berth, that is, if he hopes to end his days on a -feather bed.</p> - -<p>Let us briefly examine these patents—the Lord deliver us from all -such—for explosive mixtures, and see the amount of invention required.</p> - -<p>For a mixture of Nitro-Glycerin with rotten-stone, a patent was -granted, and (the name being the only real invention) it was called -“dynamite.”<a id="FNanchor_9" href="#Footnote_9" class="fnanchor">[9]</a></p> - -<p>Make a mixture of Nitro-Glycerin and sponge, and patent it, and -forthwith “Porifera nitroleum” is presented to an admiring public.<a id="FNanchor_10" href="#Footnote_10" class="fnanchor">[10]</a></p> - -<p>Add plaster of Paris to Nitro-Glycerin, patent it, and you have in all -its explosive power, “Selenitic Powder.”<a id="FNanchor_11" href="#Footnote_11" class="fnanchor">[11]</a></p> - -<p>Try red lead and Nitro-Glycerin together, and when patented, “Metalline -Nitroleum” is the last new sensation to astonish the weak nerves of -contractors.<a id="FNanchor_12" href="#Footnote_12" class="fnanchor">[12]</a></p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_54">[Pg 54]</span> -Take some gunpowder in a fine state of division, and moisten it with -Nitro-Glycerin until it becomes “the color of mud and about the -consistency of putty”; assure the editor of the Barnumtown Inquirer, -that it has five times the explosive power of Nitro-Glycerin, and -forthwith a flaming article appears, upon the new explosive agent, -“Lithofracteur.”<a id="FNanchor_13" href="#Footnote_13" class="fnanchor">[13]</a></p> - -<p>Make a compound of sawdust and Nitro-Glycerin, and let your patent -prove that you are unacquainted with the commonest properties of -sulphuric acid and charcoal, that, on the face of it, your preparation -cannot possibly be made as you describe (that is not the business of -the examiner, or if it be, he is so bothered by Prussian officers -that these facts escape his notice), on payment of $35.00, a patent -will issue, give it a name, say, “Dualin”, boldly assert that its -properties are unequalled; let a governor of a state, whose experience -is confined to fire-crackers, witness an explosion (it is not material -what substance you explode before him), hire a steamer, give a splendid -collation, invite all the reporters within reach, make any statements -you please to them (they will be swallowed along with the collation, -especially if washed down with plenty of Heidsick), and there is no -telling where this halo of a patent may not carry the unscrupulous -patentee.<a id="FNanchor_14" href="#Footnote_14" class="fnanchor">[14]</a></p> - -<p>But these assertions involve loss of life, as, for instance, when -Joseph Butloe was killed at the Hoosac Tunnel. He was attempting to -introduce a dualin cartridge into a drill hole, and as it did not -reach the bottom of the hole he endeavored to push it in further with -a “tamping stick,” a method which the inventor of dualin advocated, -and regarded as perfectly safe. Unfortunately, however, in the present -case it was not so, the explosion following the first “tamp” instantly -killing the operator, and exploding the mis-statements of the patentee.</p> - -<p>Truly, these gentlemen are wonderful mathematicians; they have -discovered that a part is greater than the whole, that various mixtures -of inert matter with Nitro-Glycerin, have greater explosive power than -Nitro-Glycerin per se.</p> - -<p>As Dualin is the only one of these compounds that has been attempted -to be brought in any way into competition with Nitro-Glycerin, in the -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_55">[Pg 55]</span> -Eastern States, a synopsis of the results may possess interest. Some -six different parcels of dualin in all, have been experimented with -at the Hoosac Tunnel, and of these the first shipment, being useless -at the West End, was forwarded to the Central Shaft, and there again -tried, but the effects, as compared with the Nitro-Glycerin supplied by -the writer, were not such as to justify the contractors in continuing -its use, consequently it was thrown out. Another parcel, intended to be -stronger, shipped in the hot summer of 1870, exploded in the cars in -transit at Worcester, proving, what had been suspected from a perusal -of the dualin patents, that the inventor was really ignorant of the -properties of the materials of which his combination was composed. -From evidence adduced at Worcester, given by the compounder of dualin, -and also by a manufacturer of exploders, some of whose wares were in -the same car, it appeared that the Nitro-Glycerin exuding from the -mixture of sawdust (40 per cent.) and Nitro-Glycerin (60 per cent.) -of which the dualin, made at that time by Mr. Dittmar, was composed, -flowed in a pool on the floor of the car, and, when the cars were set -in motion, a series of sharp detonations ensued, probably from this -pool of Nitro-Glycerin running on to the wheels and being compressed or -hammered during the revolution of the car wheels on the rails, firing -the pool, which in turn fired the whole shipment of dualin, together -with the exploders.</p> - -<p>After some months further shipments were made, and in all cases the -trials made with these were superintended by the introducer of dualin, -and, in every case but one, were reported failures, and rejected. -In the case in which a success was reported, a small parcel only -was brought along, and exploded side by side with Nitro-Glycerin; -that is, four holes were charged with dualin, and four other holes -nearly parallel with them were charged with Nitro-Glycerin. The -enlargement was brought down, but whether the work was principally done -with Nitro-Glycerin, and only partially by the dualin, was left to -conjecture. The foreman of the drillers asserted that the side charged -with dualin was seamy, whilst the side containing the Nitro-Glycerin -was solid, and without any seam. However, it was claimed by the -inventor that dualin was now a success, and a further trial, viz.: the -sixth, was undertaken, and 1,500 lbs. of dualin brought on the ground, -about the 26th of November, 1870. On Tuesday, the 28th, the experiments -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_56">[Pg 56]</span> -under the supervision of Mr. Dittmar commenced, and were continued on -the 29th and 30th, but they demonstrated beyond cavil, there being -no Nitro-Glycerin fired at the same time to assist them, that dualin -was of “no account,” not one single hole having been “bottomed,” and, -again, the dualin left over from this experiment, 1,300 lbs., was -thrown out, as utterly unable to effect the blasting results obtained -by the Nitro-Glycerin it was brought to supersede. Four hundred pounds -of this was ordered to the Central shaft, but the results at the East -End being so conclusive, it was consigned, like all the previous -shipments, to the tomb of the Capulets, and was subsequently used up -for trimming, in lieu of powder.</p> - -<p>In a previous chapter, I gave a full account of the experiments made -at Hallett’s Point, New York. On that occasion, General Newton, of -the United States Engineers, reported to me that he considered that -Nitro-Glycerin, in point of economy and power, had the advantage over -both dualin and powder even when supplemented by fulminating fuse. -The advantages claimed (only by the inventor) for dualin, are, that -it is cheaper, safer, and more powerful than Nitro-Glycerin, and some -experiments made in Prussia, are adduced in proof. I have to observe, -on this point, that the Nitro-Glycerin made by the Nobel process, -probably used in Prussia, is very inferior to the Tri-Nitro-Glycerin -made by my process, both in stability and in explosive force, and it -is much more readily exploded, fifteen grains of fulminate of mercury -being necessary to ensure explosion of this latter, without chance of -failure. Nobel’s Nitro-Glycerin is said to expand when solid, in which -state the slightest friction is said to explode it, while Mowbray’s -Tri-Nitro-Glycerin actually contracts about one-tenth in bulk when -solidifying, and cannot be exploded when in the solid state, except -by a heavy charge of fluid Nitro-Glycerin fired with it. Nobel’s -preparation is yellow, and gives off nitrous fumes, and is claimed by -the patentee to solidify at 50°F, while Mowbray’s is colorless as -water and solidifies at 45°F.</p> - -<p>It may be possible, but not probable, therefore, that Nobel’s -Nitro-Glycerin is inferior to Dittmar’s dualin, as used in Prussia; -the latter then said to have been a preparation of nitrate of ammonia, -sawdust immersed in sulpho-nitric acid and Nitro-Glycerin: but that -40 per cent. of washed sawdust (not treated with sulpho-nitric acid), -moistened with 60 per cent. of a dark colored and evidently impure -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_57">[Pg 57]</span> -Nitro-Glycerin, and such was Dittmar’s dualin analysed by me, should -surpass, in blasting, a chemically pure Nitro-Glycerin, is to expect 60 -cents of currency to have more value than 100 cents of gold, or that a -part is greater than the whole.</p> - -<p>As I have above referred to my analysis of Mr. Dittmar’s dualin, I will -give in full the process and result of the same, for the benefit of the -reader.</p> - -<p>Twenty (20) grammes of dualin were allowed to digest in a glass tube -for several days, covered with washed sulphuric ether. The ether was -then drawn off, and the residue in the glass tube washed with ether -until the cessation of the peculiar persistent taste of Nitro-Glycerin, -causing the “Glycerin headache,” proved the Nitro-Glycerin was -exhausted. The residual woody fibre was now dried thoroughly, and -weighed eight grammes. A portion of it thrown on a red hot plate did -not deflagrate; this indicated it had not been treated with nitric -acid, and had not been converted into nitro-cellulose. Washed in -distilled water, and the washings evaporated, no saline or crystalline -salt was obtained. The residue, dried and thrown on a red hot plate, -charred and burnt like any other sawdust. Now, I assert positively, the -dualin I analysed, furnished by Mr. Dittmar himself for blasting in -the Tunnel, was simply a compound of washed sawdust and Nitro-Glycerin -(actually yellow fuming Nitro-Glycerin.)</p> - -<p>I have deemed it due to myself to extend these observations further -than I intended, but, in the interest of truth, I could not permit the -friendly notices of the press, which have been industriously secured, -nor the biased views, of men employed in exploding, (to whom payment of -ten dollars was promised, for every case of dualin used, to exaggerate -results), to mislead mining contractors, and I stand prepared to prove -that 100 parts dualin are only equal to 50 parts pure Nitro-Glycerin, -for practical blasting purposes. Dualin is a mixture varying according -to the humor of the compounder, but never exceeding one-half the -strength of Tri-Nitro-Glycerin; it has all the danger of the Nobel -Nitro-Glycerin, with the additional tendency to decomposition, sworn -to by Mr. Dittmar himself at the Worcester investigation, owing to -its being an admixture of organic matter with Nitro-Glycerin, and its -inventor, (as evidenced by his patent, where he proposes to concentrate -sulphuric acid, and free it from nitrogen, by boiling it with -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_58">[Pg 58]</span> -charcoal!), does not understand the properties of the commonest -commercial compounds he undertakes to handle. These facts determine, I -submit, the superior advantage of a uniform chemical product produced -under invariable conditions, especially since it is more difficult to -explode it, and it is proportionately safer, and, above all, has double -the effective force.</p> - -<p>Mr. Dittmar’s promises have failed, and his representations have been -disproved by the results at the Hoosac Tunnel. Up to October, 1870, he -had six trials, of which he only claims one as a success, though he -did succeed in inducing the employees to misrepresent the facts to the -contractors, and thereby obtained a testimonial; but over two thousand -pounds of his dualin was buried in the Berkshire mountains—a stern -pecuniary lesson, verifying the truth of the old Roman apothegm, so -much neglected in modern times—“Magna est veritas et prevalebit.”</p> - -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_VII">CHAPTER VII.</h2> -</div> - -<p class="f150">Nitro-Glycerin Patents and Litigation.</p> - -<p>It is seldom that any valuable invention has been brought into -public use without costly litigation being entailed on the inventor; -and especially is this the case in chemical discoveries, either by -pretenders who would interfere with the inventor who has turned his -discovery to practical account, on the plea of having previously -conceived the same idea, or by unscrupulous individuals who would -appropriate to their own use, without payment, the fruits of the labors -of other men’s brains; hence the writer did not altogether escape, as -will be seen by the following remarks on the subject.</p> - -<div class="figcenter"> - <img id="FIG_IX" src="images/i_ix.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="646" /> - <p class="center space-below1">Miners ascending Central Shaft.</p> -</div> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_59">[Pg 59]</span> -I will commence by stating briefly that a patent was granted and four -re-issues of the same made to Alfred Nobel and his assignees, for the -use of Nitro-Glycerin for blasting purposes, when “confined,“ and -for a process of manufacturing the same, by running the glycerin and -mixed acids together rapidly, in suitable proportions, into a tank of -water. Now, it has never been denied that Sobrero was the discoverer of -Nitro-Glycerin, and that it was competent for any one to manufacture -that article. The only point, therefore, on which a patent could be -obtained was for some improved method of making it. Accordingly, in the -course of experiments, I discovered that by passing a current of cold, -compressed air through the mixing glycerin and acids, a very valuable -improvement was effected, economizing time and material, and rendering -the process of manufacturing safer; and for this I obtained a patent on -April 7, 1868.</p> - -<p>That my readers may see how far I was correct in my estimate of the -patentable value of my invention, I give below the opinion of eminent -counsel:</p> - -<div class="blockquot"> -<p class="author"><span class="smcap">New York</span>, July 10, 1869.</p> -<p><span class="smcap">Geo. M. Mowbray, Esq.</span>:</p> - -<p>Dear Sir:—Pursuant to your request, I have examined your Letters -Patent of the United States for inventions in the manufacture of -Nitro-Glycerin, dated the 7th April, 1868. I recollect of aiding you -in preparing the application for that patent, and of examining it -immediately after it was issued. I believed then that that patent was -good and valid, and nothing since has occurred that has changed my -opinion or shaken my confidence concerning its validity.</p> - -<p>I have recently examined copies of the five re-issued patents to -assignees of Alfred Nobel, and I find nothing in them, or any of them, -which impairs the validity of your patent.</p> - -<p>I further say, that it is my opinion, and clearly so, that the -manufacture and sale of Nitro-Glycerin made according to the process -described in your patent, does not infringe upon any of the five -re-issued patents granted to the assignees of Nobel; and that so far as -any of those re-issued patents are concerned, or anything else that I -know of, you have a clear right to manufacture and sell Nitro-Glycerin -according to your patent.</p> - -<p class="center">Very respectfully,</p> -<p class="author"><span class="smcap">Geo. Gifford</span>, Counsellor at Law.</p> -</div> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_60">[Pg 60]</span> -This discovery was not allowed to pass unchallenged, for Mr. Tal. P. -Shaffner, having learnt that I had obtained a patent, came forward with -a claim that he had conceived the idea (!) in 1865; and in January, -1869, nearly a year after the application for the patent which was -granted to me, he applied for a patent for the same thing. This -brought our respective rights before the Patent Office in a matter of -interference. However, the following remarks by Mr. John W. Thacher, -Examiner of Interferences, in giving his decision on the case, will -show pretty clearly to whom the right to a patent justly belongs. He -says:</p> - -<p class="blockquot">“The principle is well established that he who -first reduces an invention to practical form is entitled to a patent -therefor. Applying this test in this case, the right to a patent seems -to rest entirely in Mowbray, and the invention is accordingly awarded -to the patentee.”</p> - -<p>And again Mr. Samuel S. Fisher, the Commissioner of Patents, in -giving his decision, remarks:</p> - -<p class="blockquot">“The story of Shaffner is not that of a man who -had invented anything. He had a theory, talked about it, doubted -its value; did not experiment to satisfy himself; until Mowbray was -manufacturing on a large scale; and evidently did not intend to apply -for a patent at all. I can find none of the ear-marks of a perfected -invention, carried beyond the region of experiment; still less of any -trace of diligence. Priority is awarded to Mowbray.”</p> - -<p>As previously noted, the Nobel patent with its re-issues, in four -divisions, and twenty-four columns of specifications, containing eight -claims drawn up expressly to intercept infringers, specifically, -emphatically, and unmistakably insisted:</p> - -<p>1st. That Nobel discovered it was necessary to confine Nitro-Glycerin -in order to explode it, and that it was practically impossible to -explode it unconfined.</p> - -<p>2d. That heat and pressure were the agents necessary for a successful -explosion of Nitro-Glycerin.</p> - -<p>The writer, however, discovered that the heat, pressure and -confinement, claimed by the Nobel patent and re-issues, were -unnecessary, by charging an open glass tube with Nitro-Glycerin, -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_61">[Pg 61]</span> -the glass tube being immersed in water, and the Nitro-Glycerin -exploded by the concussion of a cap containing fulminate -of mercury, and so succeeded in extricating himself from -the domain of the Nobel patents and their particular claims.</p> - -<p>But he could not extricate himself from litigation; the insolvent -assignee, the United States Blasting Oil Company, clearly perceiving -that the monopoly, as they had termed it, was gone, now resorted to the -“pis aller” of litigation, misrepresentation, and threatening every -one who used Mowbray’s Nitro-Glycerin, with the trouble of making -affidavits, engaging counsel, and collecting evidence, a by no means -to be despised aggressive warfare to contractors, who need all their -time, all their capital, and all their ingenuity, to carry out their -contracts to a profitable result. Guaranteeing the payment of enforced -damages, I met this flank movement by engaging the best counsel, and -resolutely set about terminating the pretensions of these patents.</p> - -<p class="neg-indent space-above2"><b>A Suit in Equity was commenced in the Circuit Court -of the United States, Western District of -Pennsylvania, during the May Term, 1870, by the</b></p> - -<p class="neg-indent space-above2"><span class="smcap">United States Blasting Oil Company -of New York, by its President, Tal. P. Shaffner</span>,</p> - -<p class="f120"><i>vs.</i></p> - -<p class="neg-indent"><span class="smcap">Geo. M. Mowbray, J. H. King, -Chas. Lobb, W. L. Holbrook, James Dickey and A. D. Hatfield.</span></p> - -<p>As the sworn affidavits in the above case, now pending, are of great -importance in substantiating, both practically and legally, the claims -urged in previous observations, on behalf of the “Mowbray system” of -manufacturing and using Nitro-Glycerin, I give below the substance of -the testimony.</p> - -<p>Evidence of George F. Barker, Professor of Physiological Chemistry and -Toxicology in the Medical Department of Yale College.</p> - -<p>“I have carefully examined the several re-issued patents, Nos. 3,377, -3,378, 3,379, 3,380, 3,381 and 3,382, the four former being divisions -A, B, C and D, of the re-issued patent, granted upon the surrender of -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_62">[Pg 62]</span> -the original patent No. 50,617, dated October 24th, 1865, and the -two latter divisions 1 and 2 of the original patent, also granted -to the assignees of Alfred Nobel, on surrender of the original -patent No. 57,175, dated August 14th, 1866, granted to said Alfred -Nobel. I would further state that in the specifications of the -before-mentioned re-issues it is asserted that Sobrero discovered -that Glycerin was capable of giving, when, mixed with sulphuric and -nitric acids, a substance analogous to gun cotton, which is true; -and that the specifications of the said patents further state that -“Sobrero abandoned further research with the declared opinion that its -combustion or explosion could not be managed”; which statement, having -read all which Sobrero is believed to have published upon the subject, -viz.: his papers published in the Comptes Rendus de L’Academie des -Sciences, Volume XXIV., page 247, printed in Paris A. D. 1847, and in -the Repertoire de Chimie Applique, Volume II., page 400, printed in -Paris in 1860, I have entirely failed to find recorded by him as his -opinion.”</p> - -<p>J. E. de Vrij also, in a communication to the British Association, -which was read in July, 1851, and is published in the report of the -association for the year 1851, page 52 (Notices and Abstracts), states -in regard to Nitro-Glycerin, that it “explodes at a moderate heat, as -was shown by experiment, detonating when the drops of Nitro-Glycerin on -paper were struck a smart blow with a hammer.”</p> - -<p>The before-mentioned re-issued patents further assert that “in -order to explode the whole, or even a large proportion of the mass -of Nitro-Glycerin, it is necessary to subject it to confinement or -restraint”; which assertion is untrue, for Nitro-Glycerin, when freely -exposed to the air in an open vessel or plate, may be and is capable of -being readily exploded, without confinement, restraint, or pressure, -as I have proved by experiment made at North Adams, on the 17th day of -May, 1870, in exploding upon two occasions a quantity of Nitro-Glycerin -in an open saucer with great violence, on which occasion the -Nitro-Glycerin was exploded by simple concussion in open vessels, the -fulminate cap used as the exploder being suspended above the surface of -the Nitro-Glycerin in the saucer, and distant nearly two inches from -it; so that the application of heat and pressure, or of either of these -agencies, is unnecessary. -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_63">[Pg 63]</span></p> - -<p>The said re-issued patents further assert, that “the degree of -confinement must be sufficient to allow a pressure upon the -Nitro-Glycerin to an extent that 360°F will be realized, so that -decomposition will take place before the liquid can escape the force -or heat of the evolved gases of a percussion cap, etc.”; whereas I -found on the above occasion that when water was interposed between the -Nitro-Glycerin and the percussion cap, so that no measurable increase -of temperature (much less 360°F) could possibly occur in the former, -the Nitro-Glycerin could be exploded.</p> - -<p>In the first experiment three tubes, closed at bottom and containing -half an ounce of Nitro-Glycerin each, were placed in water in a -tumbler, being supported an inch from the bottom. Into the water in -the tumblers, and outside of the tubes, distant from them nearly an -inch, the fulminate cap was put. This was then fired, and caused the -explosion of the Nitro-Glycerin through the intervening water. In -the second experiment, using a tub of water in which eleven tubes -containing Nitro-Glycerin were placed, the explosion of six fulminate -caps failed to fire the Nitro-Glycerin, the distance from the tubes at -which they were placed, nearly or quite ten inches, being too great. In -the third experiment five such tubes of Nitro-Glycerin were suspended -in a tub of water distant four or five inches from each other; the -fulminate cap being inserted in the middle tube. On firing this cap -the Nitro-Glycerin in all the tubes was exploded, as judged from the -violent effects produced.</p> - -<p>The said re-issued patents further assert that “Gun-cotton will explode -in proportion to the degree of confinement, igniting at 266°F.” The -celebrated chemist of the English War Department, F. A. Abel, who has -made the most extended researches upon gun cotton on record, asserts -in his paper published in the Philosophical transactions for 1869 -(an abstract of which appears in the Journal of the Chemical Society -of London for 1869, Volume XXIII., page 11,) “that rows of detached -masses of gun cotton, placed on the ground, and extended 4 or 5 feet, -have been exploded with most destructive results by firing a small -detonating tube in contact with the piece of compressed gun cotton -which formed one extremity of the row or train, the explosion of the -entire quantity being apparently instantaneous and equally violent -throughout.” And further that these and similar experiments “appear to -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_64">[Pg 64]</span> -indicate decisively that such explosion is not a result of the heat -developed by the explosion of the detonating materials.”</p> - -<p>I have witnessed the manufacture of Nitro-Glycerin as practised by the -defendant Mowbray, at his works situated near the West Shaft of the -Hoosac Tunnel, in Massachusetts, and after a full examination of the -mode said to have been the invention of Alfred Nobel, and described -in the before-mentioned re-issued patents, find that the process -actually in daily use, at said Mowbray’s works, is that described in -said Mowbray’s patent No. 76,499, dated April 7th, 1868, which process -is substantially different from that described in the complainant’s -re-issues hereinbefore set forth. According to said re-issues, Nobel’s -process consists in running two separate streams, the one of Glycerin, -the other of mixed nitric and sulphuric acids simultaneously into -a conical vessel which is perforated at the lower portion thereof, -through which perforations the mixture of acids and Glycerin passes -into a vessel placed beneath, containing water. In the Mowbray process, -a single fine stream of Glycerin is allowed to run into a previously -cooled mixture of sulphuric and nitric acids, through and into which -cooled mixture of acids is continuously forced, while the Glycerin -is entering, a current of atmospheric air, previously artificially -dried, compressed and cooled. The action of this current of air is an -essentially important and useful one, both upon the process itself -and upon the resulting product. First, as to mechanical effects: it -thoroughly incorporates the ingredients; it removes in part the nitrous -fumes which would otherwise be retained by and contaminate the product, -and it cools the mixture by absorbing the heat produced by the chemical -reaction of the ingredients. Second, as to the chemical effects: by the -action of the oxygen which this air contains it oxidizes the nitrous -acid, which may be present in the acids or may be produced in the -reaction, to nitric acid, and thus economizes the materials, increases -the quantity of the product, and produces a chemically pure article, as -is shown by the fact that the Nitro-Glycerin thus produced is perfectly -colorless, congeals uniformly at the same degree of temperature and -produces, when exploded, no offensive vapors deleterious to the health -of the miners using it. Moreover, as, in my opinion, these nitrous -fumes tend to induce decomposition in the Nitro-Glycerin and thus to -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_65">[Pg 65]</span> -render it unstable, dangerous, and liable to spontaneous explosion, as -is demonstrated to be the case in the analogous substance gun cotton, -the introduction, in the method of Mowbray, of cold, dry, compressed -air into the mixture, in order to get rid of these nitrous fumes, must -be regarded as a substantially new invention.</p> - -<p>In my opinion, the character of the Nitro-Glycerin is determined by -the strength of the acids used in its preparation; the stronger the -acids, the purer the product and the more efficient. I verily believe -this: first, because it is true of the precisely analogous compound -gun cotton, which is prepared in the same way; Hadow having proved, as -stated in his paper published in the Quarterly Journal of the Chemical -Society of London in 1854, Volume VII., page 201, that at least three -products are obtained by acting upon cotton by a mixture of sulphuric -and nitric acids, the most explosive being always produced by the -strongest acids; and 2nd, because of similar differences observed -in Nitro-Glycerin made by different experimenters, and believed by -them to be due to like differences in composition; Railton obtained -by analysis, as stated in his paper in the Quarterly Journal of the -Chemical Society of London for 1854, Volume VII., page 222, the -composition now universally adopted as that of Tri-Nitro-Glycerin. De -Vrij believes the product he obtained, Journal de Pharmacie, series -III., Volume XXVIII., page 38, 1855, to be Tri-Nitro-Glycerin, and -Liecke in Dingler’s Polytechnisches Journal, Volume CLXXIX., page 157, -1866, gives methods by which Mono-Nitro-Glycerin, Di-Nitro-Glycerin and -Tri-Nitro-Glycerin may be produced, the essential difference in these -methods being only the strength of the acids employed. Gladstone’s -Report of the British Association for 1856, page 52 (Notices and -Abstracts), has shown that different samples of Nitro-Glycerin -differed in properties according to the amount of water contained in -the Glycerin; this water, by diluting the acids, making them weaker. -Moreover the physiological properties of Nitro-Glycerin have been found -by different experiments to differ widely. Sobrero, its discoverer, -says a very small quantity taken upon the tongue produces a severe -headache for several hours, whence he concludes that it is poisonous. -De Vrij in 1851, says that it is not poisonous, and in 1855 that it -produces headache, though ten drops caused no symptoms of poisoning in -a rabbit. Dr. Herring, in 1849, reported in the American Journal of -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_66">[Pg 66]</span> -Science and Arts, series II., Volume VIII., page 257, observed the -violent headache produced by 1/250 of a grain of Nitro-Glycerin or -Glonoin, as he proposed to call it, and killed a cat with three -drops. Field, in 1858, Pharmaceutical Journal, Volume XVII., page -544, confirmed these results; but Harley and Fuller, reported in -the same place, were unable to obtain them by using other specimens -of Nitro-Glycerin, though they largely increased the dose. Field -consequently says, place given, page 627, “I am daily more convinced -of two important facts connected with it, viz.: the great variation in -the strength of different specimens, and the very marked difference -in the susceptibility to its influence.” In further support of the -opinion that several allied but distinct Nitro-Glycerins have been -made, the wide difference in density and in congealing point may also -be mentioned.</p> - -<p>In my opinion the best effect cannot be obtained with commercial -acids, owing to their insufficient strength. I have witnessed at the -defendant Mowbray’s works, at the West shaft of the Hoosac Tunnel, the -preparation of the acids used for making the Nitro-Glycerin, commercial -acids being found deficient in strength, and in my opinion it is to -the use of these stronger acids, combined with the method described in -defendant’s patent, as above mentioned, that the stability, efficiency, -and, above all, the freedom from noxious gases and vapors of the -products of combustion of defendant’s Nitro-Glycerin is due, when -contrasted with that made by complainant, which I have been informed -and verily believe is made with acids of commercial strength, and -produces, when exploded in a mine, gases and vapors highly deleterious -to health.</p> - -<p>I have further examined the patent No. 93,113, dated July 27th, 1869, -granted to Mowbray, for exploding Nitro-Glycerin, and have experimented -with the same, the explosions hereinbefore enumerated having been -effected by the method therein described. And this deponent finds that -by said Mowbray’s process of exploding Nitro-Glycerin, as claimed in -his patent, confinement, restraint, or pressure is wholly unnecessary.</p> - -<p>In my opinion the same is true in exploding Nitro-Glycerin on a large -scale, as I have been informed, and verily believe that upwards of one -thousand explosions of Nitro-Glycerin are made weekly in the Hoosac -Tunnel by the mode so described in said patent.</p> - -<div class="figcenter"> - <img id="FIG_X" src="images/i_x.jpg" alt="" width="400" height="648" /> -</div> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_67">[Pg 67]</span> -I believe, moreover, that the method claimed by Mowbray, in said -patent, differs materially from any of the various modes of exploding -Nitro-Glycerin described in the before-mentioned re-issues granted to -the assignees of A. Nobel, since these various methods specifically -require the Nitro-Glycerin to be under confinement, or subjected to -heat or pressure when confined, in order to explode it; while Mowbray -claims exposing the Nitro-Glycerin to the concussion, agitation, or -percussion of a heavy charge, not less than ten or twelve grains of -pure fulminate of mercury, which fulminate is fired by passing the -electric spark through a priming composition.”</p> - -<p class="author"><span class="smcap">George F. Barker.</span></p> -<p class="space-below2">June 8, 1870.</p> - -<div class="blockquot"> -<p class="no-indent">Evidence of S. W. Johnson,<br /> Professor of Analytical -and Agricultural Chemistry in Yale College.</p> - -<p>“I have read the foregoing affidavit of Professor Geo. F. -Barker; I witnessed the experiments therein described, and -concur in the statement contained in said affidavit.”</p> - -<p class="author"><span class="smcap">Samuel W. Johnson.</span></p> -<p class="space-below2">June 8, 1870.</p> -</div> - -<p class="center">Evidence of George M. Mowbray,<br /> Operative Chemist.</p> - -<p>“About October, 1867, I concluded an agreement with the Commonwealth of -Massachusetts, to erect Nitro-Glycerin works near the West Shaft of the -Hoosac Tunnel; these erected, I commenced manufacturing Nitro-Glycerin -about the 26th day of December, 1867, and with but few intermissions -have continued to manufacture it for blasting purposes for the tunnel -work ever since. About June 13, 1868, I had a long interview with Mr. -Taliaferro P. Shaffner, the complainant in this suit, when the said -Shaffner proposed to me a consolidation of interests, and told me, if -I would influence J. H. King and Henry Hinckley to advance the sum of -seventy-five thousand dollars, that Robert Rennie of the Lodi Chemical -Works, of Lodi, New Jersey, would credit him with acids to manufacture -Nitro-Glycerin, to the amount of eighty-five thousand dollars, and he -would then purchase land about twenty miles up the Hudson river, and -manufacture Nitro-Glycerin. The proposal I forwarded to J. H. King -and Henry Hinckley, who deemed the same too chimerical to enter upon, -more especially since said Shaffner informed me that one-fifth of the -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_68">[Pg 68]</span> -consolidated association would have to be paid to one Frederick Smith, -one-fifth to said Robert Rennie, and one-fifth to said Shaffner, -on behalf of said U. S. Blasting Oil Company’s engagements, said -Company being deeply indebted to the Lodi Chemical Works, according -to the assertion of Joseph Butterworth, the superintendent at Lodi. -Mr. Shaffner further informed me that the United States Blasting Oil -Company had transferred and assigned all the patent rights conferred -by the Nobel patents to him, and he intended to obtain a re-issue of -the said patents, and with the individual patents obtained by him, and -the patent that had been granted to me in April, 1868, a Company could -be formed that would control the supply of Nitro-Glycerin throughout -the United States. I soon after consulted with J. H. King and Henry -Hinckley, both capitalists, with means, as to the proposals of Tal. P. -Shaffner, and the conclusion that we arrived at, was, that, as all the -cash capital, and the only practicable method of manufacturing a safe, -stable and pure Nitro-Glycerin, was already secured by patent to me, -to place seventy-five thousand dollars at the disposal of the parties -named by Mr. Shaffner would not be a sensible or prudent course, in -view of the condition to which the management of the said Shaffner had -reduced the United States Blasting Oil Company’s affairs financially, -and the failure to supply the demand for Nitro-Glycerin, although the -United States Blasting Oil Company had no competitor in New York; -so I informed said Shaffner that said Hinckley and King would not -advance the money, to wit: seventy-five thousand dollars, under such -arrangements, and the proposition fell through. And I would further -state, that at each of the various interviews—one of them prolonged -for four hours without interruption—the said Tal. P. Shaffner fully -admitted to me that any one could or might make Nitro-Glycerin, either -by the method described by Sobrero, the inventor, in 1846, or by my -patent, granted in 1868, April 7th, without in any way infringing on -the patents issued to A. Nobel, and assigned to said Shaffner, as -President of the United States Blasting Oil Company. And further, on -the 8th December, 1869, I was at Oil City, at the request of the Lake -Shore Nitro-Glycerin Works, and assisted in the explosion of one blast -in three drill holes of Nitro-Glycerin, using a frictional electric -machine, insulated wires, the priming fuse and fulminating charge, as -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_69">[Pg 69]</span> -described in Letters Patent, granted to me, July 27th, 1869, and -being No. 93,113, and entitled “An Improved Method of Exploding -Nitro-Glycerin.” I am well informed of the four re-issued patents, -Nos. 3,377, 3,378, 3,379 and 3,380, and the methods therein described -differ very materially from the method that was practised on the 8th -December, 1869, at the Oil City Tunnel, by me, and particularly in -this very material respect; whereas, by the method practised at the -Tunnel, an operator can blast simultaneously at will one hundred drill -holes; by the methods described in the re-issues above mentioned, it -is absolutely impossible to explode two drill holes simultaneously. -And this difference between the simultaneous blasting of a number of -holes and firing the same number of holes one after the other has been -found in actual results to effect an economy of thirty per cent. in the -cost of blasting out rock in the Hoosac Tunnel. In a book (Exhibit B), -entitled “Liebig and Kopp’s annual report of Chemistry for 1847 and -1848”, pages 376 and 377, volume 2, published in London in 1850, there -is a notice of the comparative power of nitro-cotton and gunpowder, -and reference is there made to the nitro-compounds, made from dextrin, -glycerin and sugar, as being “similarly explosive preparations,” to -gun-cotton and nitro-mannite, which latter is described as a cheap -substitute for fulminating mercury in the manufacture of percussion -caps, and certain comparative experiments with the former (gun-cotton), -as to the relative value of the same, compared with gunpowder, are -mentioned as having been made by the celebrated powder manufacturers, -“Messrs. Hall & Son, of Dartford, in the county of Kent, England.” -After such publication, the claim made by the said Nobel, or his -assignees, in the re-issues before-mentioned, that Nobel discovered -that Nitro-Glycerin could be exploded under confinement is invalid, -for the fact that Nitro-Glycerin had been described as a similarly -explosive preparation to nitro-mannite and nitro-cotton, or gun-cotton, -by its discoverer, Sobrero, necessarily involved, and indeed published -the circumstance of its only being necessary to subject it to the like -conditions of other explosives to effect its explosion. I further state -that in four affidavits filed in this Court, on the 25th of February, -by Taliaferro P. Shaffner, and T. P. Shaffner and E. A. L. Roberts, -jointly, and E. A. L. Roberts singly, and W. M. Shaffner, these parties -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_70">[Pg 70]</span> -have sworn that the mode of exploding at the Oil City Tunnel, December -8th, 1869, was identical and precisely similar to the mode described -in a patent granted to said T. P. Shaffner, December 18th, 1868, and -re-issued April 13th, 1869, No. 3,375, whilst the very same parties -describing the same blasting at said Oil City Tunnel, at the same time, -in the same words, and almost word for word throughout, as positively -have sworn that it was identical, precisely similar to the mode of -blasting described in the re-issues Nos. 3,377, 3,378, 3,379 and 3,380. -Neither of these parties were at any time on the ground during the -operations therein and thereat (to wit, Oil City Tunnel) performed, -except W. M. Shaffner, who was at no time within twenty feet of the -parties operating, and who has erroneously stated that water was poured -on to the Nitro-Glycerin at the bottom of the hole, which to my certain -knowledge was not done. And I ask the attention of this Court, to the -affidavits filed in this cause for the plaintiff, and also in a cause -of Taliaferro P. Shaffner against the same defendants, filed February -25th, 1870, as completely disproving each other.</p> - -<p class="author"><span class="smcap">Geo. M. Mowbray.</span></p> -<p class="space-below2">February 26, 1870.</p> - -<p class="center">Evidence of Phillip Mackey and Timothy Lynch,<br /> -foremen of miners at the Hoosac Tunnel.</p> - -<p>“We were employed during the month of September, 1868, at the West -Shaft of the Hoosac Tunnel, at the time when Colonel Shaffner, the -complainant, was making experiments with Nitro-Glycerin in the said -tunnel, and assisted him by drilling holes in the rock to receive the -cartridges containing Nitro-Glycerin, and tamping said holes. After -the explosion of the said Nitro-Glycerin, we witnessed its effects on -the miners. These effects were usually to produce a dryness about the -throat, and feeling of thirst, which led the miners to take a drink of -water; immediately thereafter the miners would vomit, and such vomiting -would be followed by severe headache, rendering it necessary for the -miner so affected to be removed to the air, and out of the tunnel, and -the effects of such headache would last for from twelve to eighteen -hours; in fact, the vapors caused by the Nitro-Glycerin exploded by -said Shaffner were of such a noxious character as to disable the miners -generally from continuing their work.</p> - -<p>“During the past three years we have often examined the Nitro-Glycerin -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_71">[Pg 71]</span> -manufactured by G. M. Mowbray, and been regularly employed as foremen -of the miners who drilled the holes for receiving the cartridges of -Nitro-Glycerin exploded by said Mowbray and by his assistants, and we -declare that Mowbray’s Nitro-Glycerin differs greatly in appearance -from that used by said Shaffner; that Mowbray’s Nitro-Glycerin is -colorless almost as water, whereas Shaffner’s was orange-colored; -that the explosive effects of said Mowbray’s Nitro-Glycerin were much -greater, so far as we could observe, and that particularly we have -noticed the miners do not suffer from any noxious vapors after the -firing of blasts of said Mowbray’s Nitro-Glycerin, and that during -the three years the Nitro-Glycerin made by Mowbray has been used -in said Tunnel, there has not been a single case where a miner has -been compelled to leave his work by reason of the gases given off by -the explosion of Mowbray’s Nitro-Glycerin. And we consider that the -Nitro-Glycerin made by said Mowbray, and used in the Tunnel; very much -safer to handle, and does not give off noxious gases as compared with -the Nitro-Glycerin made by the United States Blasting Oil Company of -New York, and used by said Shaffner in the Hoosac Tunnel. And we verily -believe that if said Nitro-Glycerin were attempted to be used in the -Tunnel, now that so general a use is made of Nitro-Glycerin, it would -compel the miners to leave their work and seriously retard the progress -of the work by reason thereof, for those who could endure it for a time -would have to carry out those who are unable to move after inhaling the -gases of the Shaffner Nitro-Glycerin, and thus lose time which would -otherwise be employed in doing work.</p> - -<p>“We consider it utterly useless to confine the Nitro-Glycerin when -fired by Mowbray’s system.”</p> - -<p class="author"><span class="smcap">Philip Mackey</span>,<br /> -<span class="smcap">Timothy Lynch</span>.</p> - -<p class="space-below2">Feb. 16, 1870.</p> - -<p class="center">Evidence of John Van Velsor,<br /> Superintendent of -Mowbray’s Nitro-Glycerin works<br /> at the Hoosac Tunnel:</p> - -<p>“In October, 1868, I was employed to fit up a Nitro-Glycerin factory at -Fairport, Ohio, and instruct the hands in the process of manufacturing -under Mowbray’s patent of April 7th, 1868. I endorse the evidence of -Messrs. Mackey and Lynch, as to the difference in appearance and smell -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_72">[Pg 72]</span> -between Mowbray’s Nitro-Glycerin and that manufactured under Nobel’s -patent by the United States Nitro-Glycerin Company.</p> - -<p>“I have made under Mowbray’s patent upwards of twenty thousand pounds -of Nitro-Glycerin, a great portion of which has been exploded in -the Hoosac Tunnel, by a method patented by Mr. Mowbray, dated July -27th, 1869, No. 93,113. I have exploded on numerous occasions the -Nitro-Glycerin made at said Mowbray’s factory, without subjecting the -same to confinement, by firing a charge of fulminating mercury, say ten -or twelve grains, contained in a wooden or copper cap, by means of the -electric spark. I have witnessed the use of Nitro-Glycerin at the West -Shaft of the Hoosac Tunnel, both in the bench work and in the heading, -where the blasters left the Nitro-Glycerin in the drill holes entirely -unconfined, such being the general practice at the Hoosac Tunnel, so -that in case of the wires not conducting the electricity, or in case of -the priming being defective and not firing the fulminating charge, the -exploder might be removed from the Nitro-Glycerin without danger to the -operator. During the eighteen months I have been in the employ of Mr. -Mowbray, manufacturing Nitro-Glycerin, he has only made Nitro-Glycerin -by his patented method, and by none other.</p> - -<p class="author"><span class="smcap">John van Velsor.</span></p> -<p class="space-below2">February 18, 1870.</p> - -<p class="center">Evidence of A. D. Hatfield.</p> - -<p>“I have been employed in blasting in the railroad tunnel at Oil City, -using Nitro-Glycerin furnished by the Lake Shore Nitro-Glycerin -Company, manufactured under Mowbray’s patent. In firing and exploding -the Nitro-Glycerin I have acted under a license from George M. Mowbray, -said Nitro-Glycerin having been exploded without being confined.”</p> - -<p class="author"><span class="smcap">A. D. Hatfield.</span></p> -<p>February 19, 1870.</p> - -<p class="center">Evidence of Charles Lobb,<br /> Railroad Contractor.</p> - -<p>“I have been engaged in tunnelling through the hill at Oil City, -Pa., for the Jamestown and Franklin Railroad, and have used for that -purpose Nitro-Glycerin manufactured by the Lake Shore Nitro-Glycerin -Company, under Mowbray’s patent of April 7, 1868. I have tried to -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_73">[Pg 73]</span> -purchase Nitro-Glycerin from Tal. P. Shaffner, President of the United -States Blasting Oil Company, and have been unable to procure the same. -Said Shaffner referred me to E. A. L. Roberts for the purchase of -Nitro-Glycerin, and on application to said Roberts was unable to obtain any.</p> - -<p class="author"><span class="smcap">Charles Lobb.</span></p> -<p class="space-below2">February 19, 1870.</p> - -<p class="center">Evidence of David Crossley.</p> - -<p>“I have been engaged in operating oil wells in Pennsylvania, for ten -years. On December 6, 1869, I obtained a torpedo containing six pounds -of Nitro-Glycerin from the agent of Robert’s Torpedo Company, which he -said was from New York, and of the best quality. I had it put into an -oil well where it was exploded by said agent.</p> - -<p>“The explosion of said torpedo, in said well, had the effect of -reducing the production of oil in said well from two barrels of oil to -one and a half barrels of oil in a day of twenty-four hours.</p> - -<p>“On the sixteenth day of December, 1869, I put in another torpedo -in the same well, which I obtained from the same agent of the same -company. It contained the same quantity of Nitro-Glycerin, which was -represented to me to be the same as before-mentioned. This torpedo was -exploded by the agent in said well on the day last mentioned. Before -the explosion of the torpedo in said well, it produced one and a half -barrels of oil in a day of twenty-four hours, and the explosion of said -torpedo caused no difference in the production of oil from the same -well. About the first day of October, 1868, I employed G. M. Mowbray to -explode a Nitro-Glycerin torpedo in another well of mine. He exploded -said torpedo in said well in my presence. He used in the torpedo six -and a quarter pounds of Nitro-Glycerin. The effect of the explosion -was to increase the production of said well from five barrels to one -hundred barrels in a day of twenty-four hours. After this, Mr. Mowbray -put in and exploded other Nitro-Glycerin torpedoes in wells for me, and -always with the effect of increasing their production.</p> - -<p>“Judging from my knowledge as an expert in operating oil wells and the -explosion of torpedoes of all the various kinds therein, I consider that -G. M. Mowbray’s Nitro-Glycerin is far more effective than that of any -other party, or that his method of exploding is more effective.”</p> - -<p class="author"><span class="smcap">David Crossley.</span></p> -<p class="space-below2">February 19, 1870. -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_74">[Pg 74]</span></p> - -<p class="center">Evidence of Jesse Smith,<br /> Oil Well Operator.</p> - -<p>“In November 1869, I had a torpedo from the Roberts Torpedo Company -exploded in my well in Crawford Co., Pa., by their agent. The explosion -was an utter failure, one-half the contents of the torpedo still -remaining in it; this the agent said was Nitro-Glycerin.”</p> - -<p class="author"><span class="smcap">Jesse Smith.</span></p> -<p class="space-below2">February 19, 1870.</p> - -<p class="center">Evidence of George West.</p> - -<p>“I am employed in exploding the Nitro-Glycerin in the holes drilled -by the miners in the Oil Creek Tunnel, Pa. I used Nitro-Glycerin from -the Lake Shore Nitro-Glycerin Works, which is very different to that -of the United States Blasting Oil Company, of New York, and requires a -different mode of explosion. I do not use any of the methods described -in Nobel’s patent of October 24, and re-issued April 13, 1869, for -exploding, for the methods therein described would only explode it, if -at all, which I doubt, by hazard, and not with certainty, owing to the -peculiar properties of the Lake Shore Nitro-Glycerin as compared with -what I have seen and used as the Shaffner, or Nobel’s Nitro-Glycerin. -I endorse all the previous evidence as to the difference between the -Nobel or Shaffner Nitro-Glycerin, and that made under Mowbray’s patent. -The method I have used to explode this Nitro-Glycerin, at the Oil -City Tunnel, consists in what is known as the Austrian battery and -electric fuse and fulminating shell; that is, an electric machine, -whose exciting plate is made of ebonite or hard rubber, with insulated -and conducting wire terminals, which are from ¹/₁₆ to ¹/₃₂ of an inch -apart, and between those terminal points a priming composition is -inserted, through which the electric spark being passed, such priming -ignites, giving a flame (insufficient to explode the Nitro-Glycerin, -but) sufficient to inflame a fulminating compound, of which there is -a heavy charge, and this fulminating compound being exploded by the -priming composition, explodes the Nitro-Glycerin. I have never used -the method of exploding with gunpowder as described in the Nobel -patent, No. 50,617, in the tunnel aforesaid, nor elsewhere, but I have -witnessed attempts to explode the Nitro-Glycerin used under Mowbray’s -Patent by means of fuse and gunpowder, as described by Nobel, where -that method failed.”</p> - -<p class="author"><span class="smcap">George West.</span></p> -<p class="space-below2">February 19, 1870.</p> - -<div class="figcenter"> - <img id="FIG_XI" src="images/i_xi.jpg" alt="" width="400" height="637" /> - <p class="center space-below2">Sinking the Central Shaft.</p> -</div> -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_75">[Pg 75]</span></p> - -<p class="center">Evidence of H. Julius Smith.</p> - -<p>“I am engaged in the business of manufacturing electric fuses and -introducing explosive compounds to contractors, miners and torpedo men. -I have carefully examined the patents in question re-issued to Tal. P. -Shaffner, and, I find, by the modes therein described, it is impossible -to fire with certainty, and simultaneously, more than two mines charged -with Nitro-Glycerin by any of the methods described in said four -re-issued patents; and to effect any explosion of Nitro-Glycerin by any -of the methods therein described, and materials delivered to the public -by the assignees of the inventor Nobel, it is absolutely essential that -the Nitro-Glycerin should be confined as described in the re-issues in -question. I have also carefully examined the patent issued to George -M. Mowbray, dated July 27th, 1869, and find that the process therein -described of exploding Nitro-Glycerin, does away with the necessity for -confining Nitro-Glycerin in order to explode it. I endorse previous -evidence from my own experience in regard to exploding Nitro-Glycerin -when unconfined under Mowbray’s system. I have also manufactured and -delivered upward of twenty thousand fuses to the contractors of the -Hoosac Tunnel, capable of exploding Nitro-Glycerin when unconfined, at -said Hoosac Tunnel. I have been present when the modes described in -the re-issues of the Nobel patent have been carefully practised, and -entirely failed to fire Nitro-Glycerin, and in one instance immediately -after the failure of the Nobel system, I inserted a fuse of the exact -description, and with the electric appliances as described in Geo. M. -Mowbray’s patent, No. 93,113, dated July 27th, 1869, and the result was -a successful explosion. The modes described in the Nobel re-issues, -Nos. 3,377, 3,378, 3,379 and 3,380, have been abandoned by all -parties with whom I am acquainted, who have important works to carry -through, requiring Nitro-Glycerin to be exploded, and particularly by -the said Tal. P. Shaffner himself, as I have manufactured, sold and -delivered to said Shaffner and others, the apparatus and the exploding -electrical fuses for firing Nitro-Glycerin made by said Shaffner, -and Nitro-Glycerin made by the Lake Shore Nitro-Glycerin Company, -which said fuses or electrical exploders, involve a principle of -firing Nitro-Glycerin of great practical importance and very recent -development, viz., the principle of concussion, so as to effect the -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_76">[Pg 76]</span> -explosion of the entire mass of Nitro-Glycerin instantaneously, -without requiring the explosion to be transmitted from particle to -particle, in this respect differing very materially from the methods -described in the Nobel re-issues above referred to, which require, -first, confinement, and then heat and pressure, to be developed in the -presence of the Nitro-Glycerin.”</p> - -<p class="author"><span class="smcap">H. Julius Smith.</span></p> -<p class="space-below2">February 24, 1870.</p> - -<p class="center">Evidence of James H. King.</p> - -<p>“I am one of the proprietors of the Lake Shore Nitro-Glycerin Works, -situated near Painesville, Ohio. I am personally acquainted with -Taliaferro P. Shaffner, and endorse all the evidence of G. M. Mowbray -as to Shaffner’s proposal to consolidate the Nobel and Mowbray patents, -and his admission that the parties he represented did not claim the -exclusive right to manufacture Nitro-Glycerin. I would state that -one W. B. Roberts, of the firm of Roberts & Co., of Titusville, -Pennsylvania, informed me that he is one of the Trustees of the United -States Blasting Oil Company, and that since the commencement of this -suit I have delivered to Roberts & Co., at request of W. B. Roberts, -twelve hundred pounds, or thereabouts, of Nitro-Glycerin manufactured -by the company of which I am a member.</p> - -<p>“I manufacture (as a party interested in the Lake Shore Nitro-Glycerin -Works of Painesville) under a license from George M. Mowbray, under a -patent to said Mowbray, bearing date April 7th, 1868.”</p> - -<p class="author"><span class="smcap">J. H. King.</span></p> -<p class="space-below2">February 25, 1870.</p> - -<p class="center">Evidence of James Dickey.</p> - -<p>“I am acquainted with Nobel’s system of blasting. I assisted in making -ten explosions in Oil City Tunnel, for Charles Lobb, the contractor. -We did not use any of the methods of exploding specified in Nobel’s -or Shaffner’s patents. We used the improved electrical machine of H. -Julius Smith, patented August 10, 1869, and used the method of firing -and fuse described in G. M. Mowbray’s patent of July 27, 1869, and -which several methods are entirely different from those mentioned in -the several patents claimed by complainant in this case. I used in the -blasts made by me, the Nitro-Glycerin manufactured by the Lake Shore -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_77">[Pg 77]</span> -Nitro-Glycerin Company, under Geo. M. Mowbray’s patent, No. 76,499, -dated April 7, 1868. I endorse the statements of the miners Mackey -and Lynch as to the noxious effects and danger arising from the use -of Shaffner’s Nitro-Glycerin, and the freedom from the same in that -manufactured by Mowbray’s system.”</p> - -<p class="author"><span class="smcap">James Dickey.</span></p> -<p class="space-below2">February 25, 1870.</p> - -<p class="center">Evidence of W. S. Holbrook.</p> - -<p>“I was engaged along with James Dickey to perform some blasting in Oil -Creek Tunnel. I endorse his statement as to the kind of Nitro-Glycerin -and the method of exploding used in said tunnel, and further state that -we never used any other process or material.”</p> - -<p class="author"><span class="smcap">W. S. Holbrook.</span></p> -<p class="space-below2">February 25, 1870.</p> - -<p class="center">Evidence of Henry H. Pratt.</p> - -<p>“I was foreman at the West Shaft at the Hoosac Tunnel, up to October -15, 1869. In December, 1869, I went to Oil City, Pa., to show Charles -Lobb, the contractor for the Jamestown and Franklin Railroad, how to -use Nitro-Glycerin for blasting rock. The weather being very cold, -warm water was first poured into the holes to prevent the frozen -sides of the drilled hole chilling the Nitro-Glycerin. A charge of -Nitro-Glycerin was then poured through the water, and a small cartridge -of tin being introduced, the charge was fired by means of a frictional -electric machine, connected with a priming fuse and a charge of -fulminating mercury, being the mode set forth and shewn in the Letters -Patent, granted to George M. Mowbray, No. 93,113, and dated July 27th, -1869. I am familiar with the re-issued patents in question, and the -mode by which I exploded said Nitro-Glycerin in said tunnel, as above -described, is very different from the mode described in the patents -re-issued to said U. S. Blasting Oil Company; it would have been -utterly impossible to have fired the said three holes in said tunnel -by the mode stated in the above referred to re-issues at one and the -same moment, as was done by me. I find on examination, that in all the -patents granted to Taliaferro P. Shaffner, Nos. 51,671, 51,674, dated -December 19th, 1865, the mode of firing a consecutive series of fuses -is condemned by said Shaffner, and in patent No. 51,674, that the -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_78">[Pg 78]</span> -specification accompanying said Letters Patent contains the following -words: “Figures 6 and 7 represent the heretofore known mode of -exploding two or more charges by the same electric current, and the -former is shewn as applied to a consecutive series of blasts in line, -and the latter to the heading of a tunnel,” such mode being identically -and exactly what I practised at the Oil City tunnel, and none other. I -confirm all the previous evidence as to the feasibility of exploding -pure Nitro-Glycerin when unconfined, and also as to the good qualities -of the Mowbray Nitro-Glycerin when compared with that made under the -Nobel re-issues.”</p> - -<p class="author"><span class="smcap">H. H Pratt.</span></p> -<p class="space-below2">February 26, 1870.</p> - -<p class="center">Evidence of Otto Burstenbinder,<br /> of New York.</p> - -<p>“I have been familiar with the use of Nitro-Glycerin since May, 1865, -and introduced that article from Hamburgh, Germany, in July, 1865. -I witnessed the application of Nitro-Glycerin to blasting purposes -about 20 miles from Hamburgh, when many distinguished citizens were -present, a full account of the results effected being published -afterwards in the principal German newspapers. The mode used to explode -Nitro-Glycerin on that occasion was by fuse and cap, the Nitro-Glycerin -being confined, in one experiment, in a gas-pipe, plugged at each end, -and the fuse led through the plug, and at the end of the fuse there -was a percussion cap attached; in another experiment a wooden plug was -hollowed out conically inside and the cone was filled with gunpowder; -to this plug a fuse was attached and lighted in the usual manner. I -myself fired Nitro-Glycerin in the City of New York, on or about the -fifteenth day of July, A. D. 1865; this was the first time I used -Nitro-Glycerin in the United States, for blasting purposes; the mode of -operation was to pour the Nitro-Glycerin into the naked drill hole, and -lower a wooden plug charged with gunpowder, on to the Nitro-Glycerin, -poured some dry sand on to the plug, and fire a fuse which was situated -on the plug in the usual way.</p> - -<p>“I am quite familiar with the Nitro-Glycerin manufactured by the -United States Blasting Oil Company, under Nobel’s patent, and that -manufactured by G. M. Mowbray under his own, and confirm all the -previous evidence as to the superiority of Mowbray’s Nitro-Glycerin, -in explosive power, in absence of color, absence of smell, absence of -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_79">[Pg 79]</span> -nitrous gases, in greater safety through the greater difficulty of -exploding it, and in purity. As an expert of considerable experience -in the use of Nitro-Glycerin, I assert that it is entirely unnecessary -to confine Nitro-Glycerin in order to explode the same, the explosion -being as thorough, and its effects nearly as powerful for blasting -purposes, owing to the extreme instantaneous conversion into gas when -unconfined, provided a proper charge of fulminate be used.</p> - -<p>“I have made the explosion of Nitro-Glycerin, and its application to -blasting purposes, my occupation since 1865, and am thoroughly familiar -with its properties, use, and the literature referring to it, and I -have never heard or read that the Nitro-Glycerin made by Sobrero was -incapable of being crystallized, but I verily believe, and have always -found, that Nitro-Glycerin congeals when exposed to a moderately low -temperature.”</p> - -<p class="author"><span class="smcap">Otto Burstenbinder.</span></p> -<p class="space-below2">June 7, 1870.</p> - -<p>Parties using Nitro-Glycerin are requested to note, that on the 19th -of March, 1872, the insolvent U. S. Blasting Oil Company (by the -aid of funds drawn, under litigation also, from the Oil producers -of Pennsylvania, by the notorious torpedo patents), finding their -twenty-four columns of specification and eight claims wholly -inapplicable to the mode of using Nitro-Glycerin as now practised, -surrendered their re-issues, and, as I am of opinion, by the -injudicious oversight of the Examiner, an intimate friend of Mr. -Shaffner, obtained four more re-issues, containing twenty columns of -specification and seventeen claims, thereby, as eminent counsel advise -me, practically abandoning their case up to March 19, 1872.</p> - -<p>Counsel further advise me, after full consideration of these last -re-issues, that the litigation has entered upon a new phase, and that -the original patent, the first re-issues, and the second re-issues, -contain in themselves the proof of their utter worthlessness, needing -no other evidence to render them void. But a graver and more serious -charge rests upon the means by which these anomalies have been put on -record in the Patent Office, which will be reviewed by experienced -counsel, before a competent tribunal.</p> - -<p>For myself, with resources which I hope and intend to keep unimpaired, -to conduct this business to its final issue, with a pecuniary interest -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_80">[Pg 80]</span> -I am bound to take care of, besides a further amused interest, aroused -during the past four years, by the shifts and pretences of this -impecunious company to avoid trial of a suit instituted by itself, -there will be a courteous desire to accommodate my opponents with the -earliest possible verdict, counsel, judges and jury can arrive at, -consistent with a complete, full and fair investigation of plaintiff’s -pretences and patents.</p> - -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_VIII">CHAPTER VIII.</h2> -</div> - -<p class="neg-indent space-below1">Hoosac Tunnel—Drilling by Machine—Blasting with -Powder—Nitro-Glycerin.</p> - -<p>The Hoosac Mountain, whose summit is 2,700 feet above the sea level, -is composed, according to the geologist, of mica slate, so compressed -that near the West End the stratification is contorted, upheaved, and -intermingled with quartz and pyrites; consequently the classification -of the rock as “mica slate” conveys a very imperfect idea of its hard -impracticable nature to the miner. To any one who will be at the pains -of examining the masses lying near the powder magazine, built of -massive stone, at the West Shaft, the hardness of this rock is at once -apparent. Parts of this mountain have been found so hard and tough, -and so difficult to drill, that thirty-four drills have been worn in -drilling a blast hole thirty-six inches deep. This was an exceptional -case, but similar hard layers are met from time to time. Had it not -been for the Burleigh drill and Nitro-Glycerin, the sturdy indomitable -perseverance of Massachusetts would have been severely strained, if not -exhausted, in running this Tunnel.</p> - -<p>The following extract from the Adams Transcript, for April 11, 1872, -gives a summary of the progress made during the month of March, and the -lengths remaining to be opened to complete the work:</p> - -<div class="figcenter"> - <img id="FIG_XII" src="images/i_xii.jpg" alt="" width="600" height="379" /> - <p class="center space-below2">Profile of the Hoosac Mountain, and Advance - of Tunnel,<br /> January 1, 1872.</p> -</div> -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_81">[Pg 81]</span></p> - -<h3>HOOSAC TUNNEL PROGRESS<br /> FOR MARCH, 1872.</h3> - -<p>“East End, 120 feet; Central Shaft, eastward, 100 feet; West End, 140 -feet, total, 360 feet. Total lengths opened to April 1, 1862: East End, -10,166 feet; Central Shaft, east, 617 feet, west, 325 feet, total, 942 -feet; West End, 7,494 feet. Lengths remaining to be opened: between -East End and Central Shaft, 2,054 feet—586 feet less than half a mile. -Between West End and Central Shaft, 4,375 feet—855 feet more than -two-thirds of a mile.”</p> - -<p>A reference to the <a href="#FIG_XII">wood cut opposite page 80</a>, shows the -profile of the mountain and progress of the Tunnel to January 1, 1872.</p> - -<p>The distance made during the month of March, in the East heading, was -120 feet of heading, 24 feet wide and 9 feet in height, exclusive of -first enlargement or roof, and second enlargement of roof to full -size or stopeing, which is usually carried on simultaneously to about -250 feet per month. This heading is being attacked by twelve of the -Burleigh drilling machines, mounted on two carriages manned by eight -miners and a foreman, who work for eight hours, with brief intermission -whilst the charges are being fired. The drills are impelled by -compressed air, making 300 strokes per minute, and calculated to strike -with a force of 200 lbs. at each blow, perforating from one inch to -five inches per minute, of a hole two inches in diameter when powder -is used, and 1½ inch diameter for Nitro-Glycerin blasting. At the East -heading, partly owing to the rock being softer than either at the West -End or in the Central Shaft, partly to the miners being accustomed to -powder, partly to the heavy battery of drills enabling twelve drilling -machines to work at once, and thus make progress satisfactory to the -contractors, who, wisely, let well enough alone, the holes when drilled -to a depth of from two feet six inches to three feet, are each charged -with from one to two and one-half pounds of blasting powder, then -tamped; the carriages are drawn back, and the sixteen to twenty-six -holes are fired simultaneously by means of a frictional electric -machine. This takes place every four hours, exploding from 100 to 150 -cartridges every twenty-four hours. The reader must not infer from -this that every blast makes from two feet six inches to three feet of -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_82">[Pg 82]</span> -advance; because, first, the holes are never drilled for powder -in a horizontal plane, but at an angle, sometimes upwards, sometimes -downwards, to the right or left, the aim being, that a straight line -drawn from the bottom of the hole to the face of the rock shall be -shorter than the extreme length of the drilled hole, so that the charge -or blast which exerts its force in the line of least resistance, may -displace the rock between the bottom of the hole and the surface of -the rock, and not collar the hole, that is, merely remove the rock -surrounding the outlet of the drilled hole. It is usually found -also, that the power exerted by powder is not sufficient, in working -a heading, to blast out the rock from the bottom of the hole, but, -most frequently, from the point where the cartridge begins, and the -tamping terminates. Thus, if a hole be drilled at an acute angle from -the face to a depth of thirty inches, with a line of least resistance -of twenty-four inches from the bottom of the hole, and a fifteen inch -cartridge of blasting powder be inserted, and tamping to the extent -of fifteen inches be rammed in above the cartridge, the rock removed, -will, under ordinary circumstances, be removed from about where the -cartridge commences, that is about 12 inches, or it may be 14 inches, -in a direct line from the face. And herein lies the very important -distinction between powder and Nitro-Glycerin; the latter, bottoms, i. -e., removes the rock from the bottom of (in roofing and quarry work -beyond) the hole; with powder this is rarely the case. Moreover, as -the depth of the holes is increased, so must the diameter be increased -in proportion to the depth when powder is the blasting agent, but when -the drilled hole is to be blasted out with Nitro-Glycerin, a diameter -of 1¾ inches is sufficient for a hole having a depth of ten feet, and -a line of least resistance of eight feet, a depth wholly inadmissible -for powder, because the rock at that depth would act like the breech -of a cannon, and the explosion would issue direct from the hole, only -fracturing the edge, i. e., collaring the hole. With Nitro-Glycerin -the holes need not be drilled at so acute an angle to the face of the -rock, and need no tamping, that is, the drilled hole is left entirely -open, and no time is occupied therefore in ramming materials over the -explosive, and no risk is incurred in cutting the fuse or electric -wire, as with powder, dualin or dynamite, all of which must be tamped. -The explosion of Nitro-Glycerin differs from that of every other -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_83">[Pg 83]</span> -explosive in this, that the explosion is instantaneous, consequently -the rock yields before any flash can reach the mouth of the drilled -hole, and the work is done before the gases can travel six feet. Hence -the necessity of deep holes; to charge holes only 30 inches deep -(except they are from ⅝ to ⅞ inch diameter) is a waste of the material. -The same charge will clear the rock to the bottom, with a hole drilled -six feet deep, and in fact bottom the six foot hole, whilst a similar -charge inserted in a 30 inch hole may leave three or six inches of the -hole visible with its surrounding rock, after the blast. And here I -cannot refrain from narrating what a narrow escape Nitro-Glycerin had -at one time from being rejected at the Tunnel. In the dark days of this -enterprise, when every cent expended was narrowly watched, and when -it was favor enough for a miner to condescend to allow Nitro-Glycerin -to be used in his shift, requests and entreaties for deep holes, and -remonstrances that the holes were not drilled deep enough to give -this explosive a fair chance, were found fruitless; until, finally, a -consultation was held in the time-keeper’s office at the West End, the -purport of which was, to notify the writer that no more Nitro-Glycerin -was needed, as it did not answer expectations. The superintendent, at -the West Shaft, was asked what reason I gave that greater progress -was not made with the new explosive. His reply was: “Mowbray says the -holes are not drilled deep enough, and, I think (he added) it is but -fair his demand for deep holes should be complied with, before you -throw up the use of Nitro-Glycerin. He has outlaid some $5,000 for the -experiment, and you ought at least to see the effect of deep holes, -before you decide.” Agreed; the superintendent then went to the foreman -of the shift, and requested deeper holes, ordering six feet holes. -“It’s no use,” was the reply; “it’s all nonsense; why, I tell ye, it -won’t bottom a hole 30 inches deep; then how is it going to fare with -a six foot hole; besides, we can’t drill six feet holes by hand in -one shift.” “Then take two shifts to do it, and take three if it is -necessary; this Nitro-Glycerin man says he must have deep holes, and he -shall for this once, if I drill them myself, and it takes a week to do it.”</p> - -<p>The deep (only six feet) holes were drilled, and charged; cartridges -of same size as those inserted in 30 inch holes, were used, and fired, -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_84">[Pg 84]</span> -every hole bottomed, every miner was astonished, and from that day -the use of Nitro-Glycerin was a necessity for the heading in the West -End. But it was a narrow escape from what would have been deemed a -failure. On another occasion, during a drought, the supply of water -at the West End, where the Nitro-Glycerin was manufactured, gave out, -and, being a necessity in the manufacture, we had to haul it by team. -This was troublesome work, and cost money. There had been a change -of engineers, and the gentleman now in charge, on the difficulty -reaching him, determined first to ascertain whether Nitro-Glycerin -was a necessity, before complying with the contract the Commissioners -had made, and which involved a supply of compressed air and water, if -they used Nitro-Glycerin. And to make no mistake, the holes of what -is termed the “cut” in the heading, that is, two series of four holes -each, in a parallel line from the roof, about nine feet high, were -drilled about five feet apart at the face of the heading, and six feet -deep, tending towards each other so that at the bottom of the holes -they terminated about three feet apart. After charging and firing, the -above gentleman and his assistant inspected the result. A mass of rock -eight feet in height, five feet wide in front, and about five feet -deep, with the rear end three feet wide, had been blown from its seat, -some ten feet from the heading, and there stood, a monument (until -block-holed) of the use of Nitro-Glycerin, when properly applied. “You -shall have all the water you want, sir, if I bring it myself in pails,” -was the energetic assurance of this gentleman, who felt satisfied that -Nitro-Glycerin was a necessity for the Hoosac Tunnel.</p> - -<div class="figcenter"> - <img id="FIG_XIII" src="images/i_xiii.jpg" alt="" width="600" height="381" /> - <p class="center space-below2">“Stopeing out” Roof Enlargement<br /> (East End.)</p> -</div> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_85">[Pg 85]</span> -In drilling holes for blasting with Nitro-Glycerin, a depth of not less -than five feet should be reached; six feet are better, but ten and -twelve feet are the right depth for a heading, whilst fifteen feet for -bench work, and eight feet apart, or, for quarry work ten feet apart, -and ten feet from the face, provided the rock is hard enough (in clay, -owing to the sudden shock Nitro-Glycerin is ineffective); exploded -in holes of such a depth it will throw out everything before it—and -make progress. How difficult to get miners to drill such holes, how -many frivolous objections, how the wires and their connections will be -tampered with to interfere with the intended blast, and how criminal, -contrary, and pig-headed, they deem the contractor and Nitro-Glycerin -man who insists on such depth of holes, I have often experienced, and -it needs the firmness and vim of desperation to enter a quarry, descend -a shaft, or go into a rock cutting, and oppose the life-long habits of -men who believe honestly they know everything that concerns mining, -and what they do not know is not worth knowing. But if once a blast is -shewn, and they have to hoist out the rock, their obstinacy succumbs, -and in three months, men, who knew it was poison, and so dangerous it -was wicked to ask them to drill holes to receive it, have positively -refused to descend a shaft if powder was attempted to be used merely -in a comparative experiment, alleging, that the powder was unhealthy -and not fit to be used at the bottom of a shaft, where the air was -confined. And here let me truly add, I have never sent Nitro-Glycerin -to be experimented with in any rock work, rock cutting, or rock tunnel, -that was not followed by a large order, repeated until the end of the -work, during my past experience of four years’ manufacture. Indeed, -there have been only two cases where it was found inapplicable, -and these were in hard clay, where it seems actually to mould for -itself a chamber, compressing the walls of the drill hole, as if an -enormous hydraulic ram had been inserted; but the tenacious mass is -not displaced, it only suffers compression. When, therefore, holes can -be made with a crow-bar, and not drilled, do not use Nitro-Glycerin, -but if you have rock, be it as hard as emery, or as the magnetic iron -ore of the Lake Superior or Ottawa Iron mines, the harder the better -for the economy of drilling, which is very great, so few holes being -required, the introduction of Nitro-Glycerin, with a good steam or -air drill, causes the progress of the work to advance to that degree -that it is only limited by the ability to remove the debris of blasted -material. To return from this digression to my subject.</p> - -<p>To effect this progress of 120 feet, probably about 3,000 holes have -been drilled in an area not exceeding 24 feet by ten feet, requiring -twelve drilling machines, and 60 horse steam power to compress the air -requisite to drive the drills; add to this the powder, over a ton and a -half, the electric exploders, the candles and oil for miners, and the -fact that a mass of rock 120 feet long, ten feet high and twenty-four -feet wide, has to be carried out and dumped two miles from where it was -excavated, and some slight idea of the labor at this one point may be -formed. Now take double this length of rock, viz.: 250 feet, increase -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_86">[Pg 86]</span> -its height to 15 feet, keeping its breadth of 24 feet—I say, take -this mass which is torn from the roof, whilst the heading is being -pushed, and bring it and dump it 1¾ miles from where it lay solid, -and you have again another point on which you can begin to estimate -the East End work. About 350 men, a locomotive, forty cars, 200 horse -water power, machinists, blacksmiths a legion, for sharpening drills -is hand work, so is picking up rock, loading cars, making track, and -all this is done in the smoky, wet, grimy, confined tunnel, or round -about its entrance, and you have a mixed, confused suspicion that this -tunnel driving is a work needing high powers of organization; and, with -the license of the miner, his pay day, his weddings and his wakes and -funerals, which are all powerful reasons for quitting work, you have a -still clearer idea of the anxiety such work involves.</p> - -<h3>CENTRAL SHAFT.</h3> - -<p><a href="#FIG_XI">The Plate, opposite page 74</a>, conveys an idea -of the sinking of the Central Shaft at 891 feet depth; at the time of -writing, May, 1872, however, this shaft had not only reached grade, -but to a sump beneath grade at a depth of 1,040 feet; headings and -enlargements have been also driven at grade, east and west, to meet -the works from the East End, and from the Western Shaft. Owing to the -stratification of the rock, which dips towards the west, great progress -was anticipated in this direction; but man proposes and God disposes; -on reaching about 300 feet westward, seams of water were struck, of -so threatening a nature that a powerful Cornish pump was erected, at -a cost reaching, in all its details, $80,000, and now, May, after -enlarging the diameter of the former plunger pump, prudence suggests -the temporary delay of any further disturbance of this water inlet -(immediately under the divide of the mountain), until the present -pumping force has sufficiently drained the sources of water supply to -permit a further advance of this (the western) heading of the Central -Shaft to be driven without involving a flooding out of the men working -at the eastern heading. Meanwhile, from the sump, the excavations -are enlarged to full tunnel size, the capacity of the Cornish and -plunger pumps are being tested, and all energy summoned to meet any -difficulties to be overcome when this western heading of the Central -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_87">[Pg 87]</span> -Shaft shall resume work. All the rock here has to be moved from the -heading by hand power, and lifted (by steam power) 1,000 feet to the -surface, yet, notwithstanding these adverse circumstances, during -March, 100 feet was driven to the eastward alone. I append a memorandum -furnished by Mr. E. A. Bond, of actual drilling and blasting, taken -at this point during the dates given, being about the average -performance.</p> - -<p>On August 19th, 1871, on the north side of the east heading, machine -No. 1, starting at 10 <span class="smcap">a. m.</span>, had at 2.08 <span class="smcap">p. m.</span> drilled -three holes, averaging about five feet four inches; the time actually -occupied in drilling being 74 minutes, or an average of about 25 -minutes to each hole. The remaining 2 hours and 54 minutes are -accounted for by changes of drills, breaking of carriage, and an -interval of 40 minutes for dinner. On the south side, machine No. 2, -starting at 9.35 <span class="smcap">a. m.</span>, had at 2.09 <span class="smcap">p. m.</span> drilled -three holes, averaging about six feet four inches; the time actually -occupied in drilling being 81 minutes, or an average of 27 minutes to -each hole. The remaining 3 hours and 13 minutes are accounted for in -a similar manner to the time of machine No. 1, except that there was -no accident to the carriage. The average time of the two machines was -about 26 minutes for the average depth of about five feet ten inches, -being two inches and seven-tenths per minute. It will be seen by these -facts that the actual drilling is but a comparatively small part of -the work; bringing forward the machines, connecting to the air main, -inserting the drills into the jaws of the machine piston, changing -these drills as they wear down, oiling, releasing drill when stuck, -removing back the machine carriage out of reach of the blasted rock, -waiting for blaster to charge the holes, connect his wires, and apply -the electric current to fire the exploders, removing the debris to -clear the track for the approach of the drills—all these operations, so -varied and yet so necessary, each consume a considerable quota of the -eight hours allotted to each shift.</p> - -<p>On August 30, 1871, a blast was made in the east heading at 5.30 <span class="smcap">p. m.</span>, as follows: fourteen 7 foot holes were fired with 25 lbs. -of Nitro-Glycerin, throwing out about 30 tons of loose rock; and one -solid rock, diameter 9 × 4½ × 4 feet, and weighing about 24,000 lbs., -a distance of 30 feet, a weighty testimonial to the explosive power of -Nitro-Glycerin.</p> - -<p>The expense incurred and difficulties met with, in working at the -Central Shaft, will serve as a hint to contractors to make all due -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_88">[Pg 88]</span> -allowance in their estimates for striking a seam of water; work may go -on smoothly for a long time; the general geological formation of hill -or mountain may be well understood, and yet the contractor cannot tell -but that he may strike a vein of quartz that may throw him back days -and weeks in his drilling calculations, or a seam of water which will -cost him thousands of dollars in machinery and labor to keep it under.</p> - -<p>On December 7, 1870, the hoisting machinery broke at the Central Shaft, -and then the following measurements of water were made. On December -3, the depth was 3 feet; December 13, 7 feet; December 15, 8½ feet; -December 20, 21 1/6 feet; and December 24, 48½ feet. At midnight they -commenced bailing with two buckets, one having a capacity of 341 -gallons or 54.65 cubic feet, and the other 189½ gallons or 31.36 cubic -feet. The large bucket was hoisted 1,075 times, bailing 58,745.3 cubic -feet of water, and the small bucket 966 times, with 29,327.8 cubic -feet of water, the whole amount being 549,179.0 gallons in 27 days, or -21,080.0 gallons per day.</p> - -<p>The following anecdote is worth relating, as showing the wonderful -escapes men sometimes have, when the chances are one hundred thousand -to one against their lives:</p> - -<p>In February, 1872, Thomas Hawkins felt tired and sleepy, and concluded -to lie down in the east heading of the Central Shaft, about 30 feet -distant from where the blaster was charging sixteen holes with -Nitro-Glycerin, intending to retire when the holes were charged. But -he failed, as we many of us do, to carry out his intention. When the -blaster had charged his holes, he left the heading, connected his -wires, and having halloed the usual warning “Fire,” and every thing -being quiet, discharged his blast. Thomas Hawkins was awakened by the -report of the blast, scattering 30 or 40 tons of rock, and annoyed to -find his foot bruised, he limped out to meet the miners returning to -their work, who now, when a blast is about to take place, unceasingly -ask him where he proposes to take up his position, that they may choose -an equally safe place.</p> - -<p>An escape, as wonderful, at the West Shaft, is worthy of being -recorded. On August 3, 1868, as Richard Dunn was advancing to the -heading, with a can about a quarter filled with Nitro-Glycerin, his -foot slipped, and, in trying to avoid falling, he swung the can over -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_89">[Pg 89]</span> -his head, striking the drilling machine frame, and fell prostrate, -still holding the can; a rush of air was heard, and the can was found -as shown in the <a href="#FIG_X">photograph, page 66</a>, the Nitro-Glycerin not -having exploded. The man got up a great deal more unconcerned than those at -work near him, and quietly went forward and filled his cartridges -as if nothing had happened. As I told him afterwards, he will never -be so near eternity again without actually reaching it. The can had -been filled at a temperature of 45°F, and the temperature of the room -where it had been stored for 36 hours, was about 65°, thus causing an -expansion both of the Nitro-Glycerin and the air contained in the can.</p> - -<p>The West End of the Tunnel comprises the brick arch and portal, -well No. 4, the supplementary shaft, and what is known as the West -Shaft. The brick arch has been driven through what is aptly termed, -“demoralized rock,” for immediately after the spring thaw it becomes a -quicksand, and spews into the tunnel from every direction. By driving -small adits on each side, and a central adit some distance ahead of the -main tunnel, Mr. B. H. Farren overcame this dangerous and difficult -work, which at one time threatened his contract, and thus enabled -the arch work to be carried on. Subsequently, the central adit was -carried through to the West Shaft, and thus the costly and difficult -task of lifting 420 gallons of water per minute, to a height of 320 -feet, was avoided, and it now escapes by natural flow through the west -portal. Drilling is practised here as described for the East End and -Central Shaft; in the East End the heading is driven on grade, and the -overhanging enlargement is “stoped” out by hand drilling worked from an -arched stage, (<a href="#FIG_XIII">see plate opposite page 85</a>) thus avoiding -the necessity of handling twice; mules draw the laden trucks, from the heading -and beyond where this stopeing out of the roof is going on, to the -locomotive, which hauls a train of cars laden with stone to the dump.</p> - -<p>At the West End, however, the roof of the heading is driven in line -with the roof of the tunnel, which is hereby left complete as the -heading progresses; this involves trucking by hand, and dumping the -rock from the heading over the bench to the lower level, <a href="#FIG_XIV">see plate -opposite page 90</a>, and is not found so economical as the East End -method. These differing methods of working, however, were not started -simply as experiments, but for good engineering reasons; at the East -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_90">[Pg 90]</span> -End, the dump was ample below the grade of the outlet, whereas, at the -West End there was no opportunity to get out at the portal, on the line -of the intended railroad; all the rock here had to be lifted (until the -portal and arched work were completed) up and out of the West Shaft, -and dumped on to the mountain side, and, to avoid being impeded by -water, the heading was driven on a level higher than the grade of the -Tunnel, thus ensuring good drainage for the most important part of the -work, as it was then deemed, viz.: monthly linear advance. For the -Commissioners were servants of the public, and the advance, rather than -the enlargement of the Tunnel, was the measure of their success so far -as public opinion was concerned.</p> - -<p>Only by a personal visit to this enormous work can a correct idea -be obtained of the expense, ingenuity, engineering skill, and -indomitable energy of the several foremen and superintendents at the -four divisions, viz.: East End, under Mr. Blue; at the Central Shaft, -under Mr. Roskrow; at the West Shaft, Mr. Williams, with underground -superintendent, Mr. White; and at the West Portal or arch work, the -sub-contractors, Messrs. Hocking and Holbrook; all of whom are daily -devising more expeditious methods of detail, in compassing the great -end sought by each brigade, the completion of the Hoosac Tunnel -contract at the time specified.</p> - -<p>And whilst this energy, this organization, and all this development -of the highest grade of modern engineering, are being devoted to -carrying out the expressed wish of the majority of the people of -Massachusetts, the malcontent minority is sleepless in offering every -possible obstruction to the work; in Governor’s council, in consulting -engineering supervision, in committee of assembly, in the newspaper -press, covert expression of the opposition has found vent, and been -doubtless useful in its way. But is it not time this opposition should -cease? Must our citizens be for ever confined to one route from their -Capitol to the West? Surely there will be traffic enough and ample, to -remunerate both lines, when the Hoosac Tunnel route is open. If so, the -time is approaching for a generous welcome from the opponents of the -Hoosac Tunnel, and the conditions “at owner’s risk and at corporation’s -convenience” may cease to appear on our freight notes.</p> - -<div class="figcenter"> - <img id="FIG_XIV" src="images/i_xiv.jpg" alt="" width="600" height="379" /> - <p class="center space-below2">Driving Bench Work and Dumping from - Heading<br /> (West End.)</p> -</div> - -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_91">[Pg 91]</span></p> -<h2 class="nobreak">Instructions for Handling and Using<br /> -<i>MOWBRAY’S</i><br /> TRI-NITRO-GLYCERIN.</h2> -</div> - -<div class="blockquot"> -<p>1. Handle carefully, avoiding a sudden jar or concussion, and be -very careful, if any is spilt outside the can, to avoid striking it -against any hard substance.</p> - -<p>2. When solid, thaw out by placing the cans in a tub of warm water, -not hotter than the wrist can bear, first pouring warm water into the -can, and always remove the can before adding more hot water to the -tub.</p> - -<p>3. To fill Cartridges, &c.—Hold the Cartridges to be filled over -a tray, say 2 feet by 3 feet, the bottom of which should be covered -with Plaster of Paris (which will not readily explode when saturated -with Nitro-Glycerin.) The soiled Plaster of Paris should be frequently -renewed.</p> - -<p>4. If the Nitro-Glycerin in a liquid state is kept in store or -magazine for some time, the cork should be loosely inserted, and a -pint of cold water poured in each can, to be frequently poured off and -replaced with fresh cold water in warm weather, taking care to retain -the bladder under the cork. It is preferable, when ice can be procured, -to congeal the Nitro-Glycerin. -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_92">[Pg 92]</span></p> - -<p>5. Use Funnels (gutta-percha if they can be had) for filling water -holes. Under no circumstances whatever attempt to tamp the drill holes; -it is unnecessary, and may kill the man who attempts it.</p> - -<p>6. Hot irons to warm the water, or soldering the cans, will be sure -to cause explosions.</p> - -<p>7. Never sledge or attempt drilling in a hole or seam where -Nitro-Glycerin has been spilled; fire an exploder, which will -effectually clear it up.</p> - -<p>8. Never pour Nitro-Glycerin into a hole unless perfectly sure -that it is a sound hole, or will hold water; if seamy always use -cartridges.</p> - -<p>9. To obtain the best results with Nitro-Glycerin, drill deep holes, -6 feet or more. Use powerful exploders and well insulated wires. It is -cheaper to fire by electric battery with simultaneous explosion, than -to fire several holes with tape fuse.</p> - -<p>10. Look out after a blast for any unexploded cartridges lying -around.</p> - -<p>11. Never allow any but the most careful persons to handle or -have charge of the Nitro-Glycerin, and insist upon the use of every -precaution to prevent an accident or explosion.</p> - -<p>12. Never allow empty Glycerin cans to be used for any other -purpose, but destroy them by a fuse and exploder, or building a fire -under them, first, however, removing them to a safe distance.</p> - -<p>13. Examine your cans from time to time, and notice if, at the -level of the Nitro-Glycerin, any pin-holes have eaten through; in such -case procure a new can, or stone jar, and empty the contents out, not -trusting your hold to the upper part of the can, lest it may give -way.</p> - -<p>14. When solid, or congealed, it is absolutely safe; if possible, -therefore, any surplus should be stored surrounded with ice, since no -explosion can take place when it is solid.</p> - -<p class="author"><span class="smcap">George M. Mowbray.</span></p> -<p>North Adams, Mass., June, 1872.</p> -</div> - -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_93">[Pg 93]</span></p> -<h2 class="nobreak">APPENDIX.</h2> -</div> - -<h3 id="AA">A.<br />MEMORANDA FOR CONTRACTORS.</h3> - -<p>1. There are very different qualities of Nitro-Glycerin, varying from -50 per cent. in blasting force, and the same manufacturer, unless -able to control absolutely every detail of his work, cannot insure a -precisely similar product, even from similar ingredients.</p> - -<p>2. The best Nitro-Glycerin may be simply fired, or only exploded, or -its full blasting effects achieved, precisely according to the initial -velocity or force used to start the explosion; two cents in an exploder -therefore may save ten dollars in a blast.</p> - -<p>3. Ten per cent. of water diffused through Nitro-Glycerin, giving it a -milky appearance (Nitro-Glycerin emulsion), will diminish its effective -blasting results 30 per cent.</p> - -<p>4. Thirty per cent. more blasting power is evolved, when the -Nitro-Glycerin reaches the bare rock of the drill hole, than when, by -insertion in cartridge, the metal of the cartridge and a layer of air -or water are interposed between the blasting gases and the rock.</p> - -<p>5. Pure Nitro-Glycerin may be safely stored, and does not readily -change; impure Nitro-Glycerin needs only time and temperature to -explode spontaneously.</p> - -<p>6. In hard pan, or indurated clay, Nitro-Glycerin is not so economical -as powder; in granite, gneiss, hornblende, quartz and other hard -rocks, the harder the better, especially in large erratic boulders, -the larger the better, Nitro-Glycerin will enable the tunneling, cut -or block-holing, to be performed at half the cost as compared with -gunpowder.</p> - -<h3 id="BB">B.<br />“OVER-SENSITIVE” EXPLODERS.</h3> - -<p>The term, “over-sensitive,” has been used in the foregoing pages, and -applied to exploders. Mr. Joseph Dowse, of Lockport, Illinois, applied -“fulminate of copper” (a discovery of Dr. John Davy) as a priming -for exploders, and patented the application, observing in his patent -that parties unaccustomed to the preparation of fulminates had better -leave this preparation alone. The sequel shows Mr. Dowse’s caution -was not superfluous. Two manufacturers, provoked by the commercial -inconvenience of the constant return of exploders owing to their -inefficiency, have resorted to this “over-sensitive” priming, and -received the following warnings:</p> - -<p>In 1869, Mr. Stowell was standing in the office, on Sudbury street, -Boston, whilst Mr. H. Julius Smith was packing 200 exploders in a -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_94">[Pg 94]</span> -rubber bag, in which an ebonite electric machine had been placed. Mr. -Stowell remarked, “Is it safe to crowd them into a bag like that?” “Oh -yes, perfectly safe,” was the reply, when instantly 170 out of the 200 -exploded, severely burning and injuring both Smith and Stowell, the -latter being confined to his bed for five weeks in consequence.</p> - -<p>A similar explosion occurred to Mr. Smith on another occasion, the -copper caps penetrating the fleshy part of the thigh, in almost the -same parts as Mr. Stowell had been wounded, and burning the eyelashes, -eyebrows and face severely; by this accident Mr. Smith was confined to -his room for a considerable time.</p> - -<p>Mr. Smith’s partner, in touching some of this priming, whilst moist, -in a wooden bowl, was also severely burnt by its detonation, the face, -eyebrows and eyelashes being injured, and himself confined to his room -for four days.</p> - -<p>On Thanksgiving day, 1869, Charles A. Brown was handling some of this -priming, incautiously touching it on a piece of glass with a steel -knife; it exploded, and the consequence has been deprivation of sight.</p> - -<p>One Hogan, in the Fall of 1871, working in Charles A. Brown’s exploder -factory, lost the sight of one eye, the other being severely injured, -by imprudently omitting his helmet (usually worn whilst handling this -material), and proceeding to move some of the primers whilst drying the -same.</p> - -<p>The superintendent, foreman of machine shop, foreman carpenter and -blaster, engaged in connecting the wires, at the enlargement of the -East End, were killed April 21, 1871, by a premature explosion, -caused by the lightning striking the iron rails, whence the induced -and ambient electricity, radiating to the leading wire, fired the -over-sensitive exploders which were inserted in the charges of -Nitro-Glycerin.</p> - -<p>At the Burleigh Mine, Georgetown, two men were killed from similar -causes producing similar effects.</p> - -<p>An exploder, from one of the above manufacturers, placed in a cartridge -that was being lowered with forty pounds of Nitro-Glycerin from the -Government scow, at Dimon’s reef, to the diver below, exploded by -reason of the friction of the insulating wire as it passed through -the hands of Superintendent Pierce; now, as there were 300 pounds of -Nitro-Glycerin on the scow, had it exploded, it must have destroyed the -scow and every soul (about 40) on board. Fortunately, the fulminating -charge was as imperfect as the priming was over-sensitive, confirming -remarks on <a href="#Page_42">page 42</a>.</p> - -<p>These casualties, the comments of the press, together with the constant -explosions in the factories of those who prepare “over-sensitive” -exploders, are beginning to influence both principals and employees, -and it is hoped exploder makers will eventually succeed in either -resorting to the Abel priming, or discover, in the records of the -Patent office, some formula that they can imitate, not so sensitive as -that of Mr. Jacob Dowse, and whose proprietor is equally indifferent, -or not “over-sensitive” to infringement. It is too much to expect they -will surprise their friends, as Sheridan is reported to have astonished -his, when, after repeated failures to guess how he became possessed of -a new pair of boots, he coolly announced, “he had actually bought and -paid for them.”</p> - -<p>Meanwhile, the manufacturer of Nitro-Glycerin, if he would avoid the -additional risk of exploder accidents, which are invariably laid to -Nitro-Glycerin, must make his own exploders, and try to construct the -necessary electric apparatus to fire them, until further developments -have stimulated those who have entered into these trades to perfect -their wares.</p> - -<h3 id="CC">C.<br />PROFESSOR ABEL ON EFFECTS OF<br /> INITIAL EXPLOSION ON EXPLOSIVES.</h3> - -<p>Mr. Abel, of the Woolwich Arsenal, Great Britain, in an abstract of the -Proc. Royal Society xvi. 395, observes:</p> - -<p>The degree of rapidity with which an explosive substance undergoes -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_95">[Pg 95]</span> -metamorphosis, as also the nature and results of such change, are in -the greater number of instances susceptible of several modifications, -by variation of the circumstances under which the conditions essential -to chemical change are fulfilled. Excellent illustrations of the modes -by which such modifications may be brought about are furnished by -gun-cotton, which may be made to burn very slowly and almost without -flame, to inflame with great rapidity, but without development of -great explosive force, or to exercise a violent destructive action; -according as the mode of applying heat, the circumstances attending -its application, and the mechanical conditions of the explosive agent -are modified. Nitro-Glycerin or Glonoin, which bears some resemblance -to chloride of nitrogen in the suddenness of its explosion, requires -the fulfillment of special conditions for the full development of its -explosive force. Its explosion by the simple action of heat can be -accomplished only when the source of heat is applied for a considerable -time in such a way that chemical decomposition is established in some -portion of the mass, and is favored by the continued application of -heat to that part; under these circumstances the chemical change -proceeds with very rapidly accelerating violence, and eventually brings -about a sudden transformation of the heated portion into gaseous -products, which transformation is instantly communicated throughout -the mass of Nitro-Glycerin, so that confinement of the substance is -not necessary to develop its full explosive force. This result can be -obtained more expeditiously, and with greater certainty, by exposing -the substance to the concussive action of a detonation produced by the -ignition of a small quantity of fulminating powder placed in contact -with or near to the Nitro-Glycerin.</p> - -<p>The development of the violent explosive action of Nitro-Glycerin, -freely exposed to air, through the agency of a detonation, was -regarded until recently as a peculiarity of that substance; but Abel’s -experiments have shown that gun-cotton and other explosive compounds -and mixtures do not necessarily require confinement for the full -development of their explosive force; this result being obtained (and -very readily in some instances, especially in that of gun-cotton) by -means similar to those applied in the case of Nitro-Glycerin, viz.: by -the percussive action of a detonation.</p> - -<p>The action of a detonation in determining the violent explosion of -gun-cotton, Nitro-Glycerin, etc., cannot be ascribed to the direct -operation of the heat developed by the chemical changes of the charge -of detonating compound used as the exploding agent. An experimental -comparison of the mechanical force exerted by different explosive -compounds, and by the same compound employed in different ways, has -shown that the remarkable power exhibited by the explosion of small -quantities of certain bodies (the mercuric and argentic fulminates) -to accomplish the detonation of gun-cotton, while comparatively large -quantities of other highly explosive agents are incapable of producing -this result, is generally accounted for in a satisfactory manner by -the difference in the amount of force suddenly brought to bear in the -different instances upon some portion of the mass operated upon. Most -generally, therefore, the degree of facility with which the detonation -of a substance will develop similar changes in a neighboring explosive -substance may be regarded as proportionate to the amount of force -developed within the shortest space of time by that detonation, the -latter being, in fact, analogous in its operation to that of a blow -from a hammer, or of the impact of a projectile. Several remarkable -results of an exceptional character have, however, been obtained, -which indicate that the development of explosive force under the -circumstances referred to, is not always simply ascribable to the -sudden operation of mechanical force. Thus silver fulminate, which -explodes much more suddenly, and with much more powerful local force -than mercuric fulminate, nevertheless, when applied under the same -conditions, does not induce the explosion of gun-cotton so readily -as mercuric fulminate. Five grains of mercuric fulminate enclosed -in a case of stout sheet metal, and exploded in close contact with -compressed gun-cotton, caused the detonation of the latter, but five -grains of silver fulminate enclosed in tin-foil, though it appeared to -produce quite as sharp a detonation as the same quantity of the mercury -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_96">[Pg 96]</span> -salt enclosed in the stout case, did not explode the gun-cotton with -which it was surrounded, but merely scattered the mass; when enclosed -in the stout sheet metal case, however, the five grains of silver -fulminate accomplished the detonation of the gun-cotton. Iodide and -chloride of nitrogen are much more susceptible of sudden explosion even -than silver fulminate; nevertheless, the iodide does not appear to be -capable of causing the explosion of compressed gun-cotton; and the -chloride of nitrogen shows but little capability of producing the same -effect, fifty grains being the smallest quantity that will answer the purpose.</p> - -<p>Lastly, it is found that Nitro-Glycerin when exploded by a charge of -mercuric fulminate, will not bring about the explosion of compressed -gun-cotton placed in contact with it, though under precisely similar -circumstances the explosion of gun-cotton or of Nitro-Glycerin will -induce the explosion of a larger mass of its own kind.</p> - -<p>These results point to the conclusion, that the effect of the -detonation of one substance in causing the explosion of another depends -not only on the force, but also on the nature of the vibrations -developed in the former; the most probable explanation of the observed -results being that the vibrations attendant upon a particular -explosion, if synchronous with those which would result from the -explosion of a neighbouring substance in a state of high chemical -tension, will, by their tendency to develop those vibrations, either -determine the explosion, or, at least, greatly aid the disturbing -effect of mechanical force suddenly applied, while, in the instance of -another explosion, which develops vibratory impulses of a different -character, the mechanical force applied through its agency, has to -operate with little or no aid, so that greater force or a more powerful -detonation is required in the latter case to accomplish the same result.</p> - -<h3 id="DD">D.<br />NITRO-GLYCERIN CAR OFF THE TRACK.</h3> - -<p>The perfect safety with which Nitro-Glycerin can be transported, -when congealed, is demonstrated in the following fact, which should -effectually banish from the minds of freight agents and express -companies the objections which they have heretofore successfully urged -against carrying Nitro-Glycerin by rail; so far, at least, as concerns -that manufactured by the writer.</p> - -<p>On May 3, 1872, a special car loaded with seventy-nine cans containing -4,800 pounds of congealed Nitro-Glycerin, was being transported over -the Chesapeake and Ohio Railroad, from Huntington to Charlestown; C. -J. Cheshire, Assisting-Superintendent at the Maysville, Ky., Works, -was on the car running at the rate of 18 miles an hour; suddenly the -car jumped the track, and was dragged over the ties, some of which -were two feet ten inches measured distance apart (the new roadway not -then ballasted), for a distance of 684 feet, before the train could -be brought to a stand still, to the no small consternation of Mr. -Cheshire, the engine-driver and stoker. The rough jolting had no effect -whatever on the Nitro-Glycerin, except tumbling some of the cans off -the car, and in a few hours, the car being replaced, transportation -was resumed, and one more experience of the properties of our -Nitro-Glycerin added to the list.</p> - -<h3 id="EE">E.<br />ACCIDENTS AT THE HOOSAC TUNNEL.</h3> - -<p class="space-below2">Until within the last two years there has -been no complete record kept in the State Engineer’s office of the -casualties among the miners at work on this great undertaking; but a -careful examination of the existing records, and of the superintendents -at different portions of the work, has enabled us to present the -following analysis of the accidents, causing death or injuries to -miners, which have occurred <span class="pagenum" id="Page_97">[Pg -97]</span> within the past three years, and to this we append the -accidents by gun-cotton, Erhardt’s powder and fire, which, although of -an earlier date, from their peculiar nature have had special memoranda -made in regard to them.</p> - -<table border="0" cellspacing="0" summary="Accident Analysis" cellpadding="2" > - <thead><tr> - <th class="tdc" colspan="3">ANALYSIS.</th> - </tr><tr> - <th class="tdc"> </th> - <th class="tdr">Killed.</th> - <th class="tdc">Injured.</th> - </tr> - </thead> - <tbody><tr> - <td class="tdl">Killed and injured by falling rocks, tumbling down</td> - <td class="tdr_bott"> </td> - <td class="tdr_bott"> </td> - </tr><tr> - <td class="tdl_ws1">Shaft, and the usual casualties of miners other than</td> - <td class="tdr_bott"> </td> - <td class="tdr_bott"> </td> - </tr><tr> - <td class="tdl_ws1">those mentioned below,</td> - <td class="tdr_bott">14</td> - <td class="tdc">12</td> - </tr><tr> - <td class="tdl">Fire—Burning Central Shaft,</td> - <td class="tdr_bott">13</td> - <td class="tdr_bott"> </td> - </tr><tr> - <td class="tdl">Over-sensitive Exploders,</td> - <td class="tdr_bott">7</td> - <td class="tdc"> a number.</td> - </tr><tr> - <td class="tdl">Dualin (about 600 lbs. actually used),</td> - <td class="tdr_bott">1</td> - <td class="tdc">3</td> - </tr><tr> - <td class="tdl">Erhardt’s Powder (less than 500 lbs. used),</td> - <td class="tdr_bott">3</td> - <td class="tdc">10 </td> - </tr><tr> - <td class="tdl">Gun-Cotton (about 250 lbs. used),</td> - <td class="tdr_bott">1</td> - <td class="tdc">4</td> - </tr><tr> - <td class="tdl">Nitro-Glycerin (about 150,000 lbs. used),</td> - <td class="tdr_bott">5</td> - <td class="tdc">5</td> - </tr><tr> - <td class="tdl">Gun-Powder (most of the accidents from powder,</td> - <td class="tdr_bott"> </td> - <td class="tdc"> </td> - </tr><tr> - <td class="tdl_ws1">occurred at an earlier date than our record,</td> - <td class="tdr_bott"> </td> - <td class="tdc"> </td> - </tr><tr> - <td class="tdl_ws1">which in this respect is necessarily incomplete),</td> - <td class="tdr_bott u"> 2 </td> - <td class="tdc_bott u"> 3 </td> - </tr><tr> - <td class="tdl"> </td> - <td class="tdr_bott">46</td> - <td class="tdc">37</td> - </tr><tr> - <td class="tdl"> </td> - <td class="tdr_bott"> </td> - <td class="tdc u"> 8 </td> - </tr><tr> - <td class="tdl"> </td> - <td class="tdr_bott"> </td> - <td class="tdc">45</td> - </tr> - </tbody> -</table> - -<p>This analysis shows 46 killed, and 45 (allowing 8 as the “number” -vaguely mentioned in the records) injured by the various sources of -accidents referred to, and as the relation of Nitro-Glycerin to other -explosives is what especially interests our readers, the following -comparative analysis of the deaths in proportion to the number of -pounds of each explosive used at the Hoosac Tunnel, will enable them to -form some idea as to the comparative safety of those mentioned.</p> - -<table border="0" cellspacing="0" summary="Accident Analysis" cellpadding="2" rules="cols" > - <thead><tr> - <th class="tdc" colspan="4">ANALYSIS.</th> - </tr><tr> - <th class="tdc bb" colspan="4"> </th> - </tr><tr> - <th class="tdc"> </th> - <th class="tdr bb" rowspan="3">Killed.</th> - <th class="tdc">Amount</th> - <th class="tdc">Proportion</th> - </tr><tr> - <th class="tdc"> </th> - <th class="tdc"> used.</th> - <th class="tdc"> of deaths</th> - </tr><tr> - <th class="tdc bb"> </th> - <th class="tdc bb">lbs.</th> - <th class="tdc bb">per 100 lbs.</th> - </tr> - </thead> - <tbody><tr> - <td class="tdl">Erhardt’s Powder,</td> - <td class="tdc">3</td> - <td class="tdc">500</td> - <td class="tdl_ws1">.6</td> - </tr><tr> - <td class="tdl">Gun-Cotton,</td> - <td class="tdc">1</td> - <td class="tdc">250</td> - <td class="tdl_ws1">.4</td> - </tr><tr> - <td class="tdl">Dualin,</td> - <td class="tdc">1</td> - <td class="tdc">600</td> - <td class="tdl_ws1">.16</td> - </tr><tr> - <td class="tdl">Nitro-Glycerin,</td> - <td class="tdc">5</td> - <td class="tdc">150,000  </td> - <td class="tdl_ws1">.0003</td> - </tr><tr> - <td class="tdc bt" colspan="4"> </td> - </tr> - </tbody> -</table> - -<p class="space-above2">As Nitro-Glycerin has 13 times the explosive -power of gunpowder, our readers, who are accustomed to use the latter -for blasting, can easily ascertain the percentage of accidents in -proportion to the amount used, and so judge for themselves as to the -comparative safety of these explosives.</p> - -<p>Really, whilst using, only two lives have been lost; one man rashly -advancing to the charge, although advised to desist, whilst his fuse -was burning; the other, on change of shift, after a blast, a cartridge -having failed to explode, and the blaster neglecting to examine whether -his cartridge had exploded, allowed the new shift to proceed drilling -in the same rock, and within one inch of the same spot previously -drilled, and where a charged cartridge was contained, when after -a few inches of drilling progress, they came on to the concealed -cartridge—explosion followed. In the magazine where three were killed, -in order to hurry up, after a previous night’s spree, it had become -the practice, notwithstanding peremptory warnings, to remove the cover -of the stove, and expose the naked can of Nitro-Glycerin to the naked -fire, of course, explosion must, as it did, follow this reprehensible -folly, and disobedience to orders, resulting in killing three men.</p> - -<p class="f120 space-above2">I have established Tri-Nitro-Glycerin Factories</p> - -<div class="blockquot"> -<p>At North Adams, Massachusetts,</p> -<p><span class="ws10"><span class="smcap">Alfred Wallace</span>, Foreman;</span></p> - -<p>At Maysville, Kentucky,</p> -<p><span class="ws10"><span class="smcap">John Wallace</span>, Superintendent;</span></p> - -<p>At Kingston, Province Ontario, Upper Canada,</p> -<p><span class="ws10"><span class="smcap">H. H. Pratt</span>, Superintendent;</span></p> - -<p>In order to facilitate supply, and make deliveries at least -possible cost for freight.</p> - -<p class="author">GEO. M. MOWBRAY,<br /> -<span class="smcap">North Adams, Mass.</span></p> - -<p class="no-indent">Where orders for Exploders, both electric and tape -fuse, gutta-percha insulated leading and connecting wire, of quality -very superior to any hitherto made in the United States, should be -addressed.</p> - -<p class="center">Agent in New York City:<br /> -W. B. TOWNSEND,<br />No. 40 Broadway (Room 39.)</p> -</div> - -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="footnotes"> -<p class="f150"><b>Footnotes:</b></p> - -<div class="footnote"><p class="no-indent"> -<a id="Footnote_1" href="#FNanchor_1" class="label">[1]</a> -This property distinguishes it from the Mowbray Tri-Nitro-Glycerin, -the latter contracting about one-twelfth of its bulk in congealing; -further, the Nobel patents claim a preparation which congeals at 55°F, -whereas the Mowbray Tri-Nitro-Glycerin congeals at 45°F. No further -evidence is necessary to prove that a real difference of component -parts exists between the two preparations.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"><p class="no-indent"> -<a id="Footnote_2" href="#FNanchor_2" class="label">[2]</a> -This effect has never been produced by the Tri-Nitro-Glycerin -(“Mowbray’s”) and is another and very emphatic proof of the difference -between the two preparations.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"><p class="no-indent"> -<a id="Footnote_3" href="#FNanchor_3" class="label">[3]</a> -Preparing for machine drilling.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"><p class="no-indent"> -<a id="Footnote_4" href="#FNanchor_4" class="label">[4]</a> -September 1, to 24, 5-6 month. Rate 61 feet per month.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"><p class="no-indent"> -<a id="Footnote_5" href="#FNanchor_5" class="label">[5]</a> -Pharmaceutical Transactions, vol. 7, 1848, p. 27, et seq.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"><p class="no-indent"> -<a id="Footnote_6" href="#FNanchor_6" class="label">[6]</a> -Comptes rendus, V. xxxvii, p. 947.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"><p class="no-indent"> -<a id="Footnote_7" href="#FNanchor_7" class="label">[7]</a> -Chemical News, March 1869, p. 151.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"><p class="no-indent"> -<a id="Footnote_8" href="#FNanchor_8" class="label">[8]</a> -See abstract of Prof. Barker’s affidavit, towards the -close of this pamphlet.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"><p class="no-indent"> -<a id="Footnote_9" href="#FNanchor_9" class="label">[9]</a> -“Dynamite”—Patent No. 78,317, dated May 26, 1868, granted to Alfred -Nobel, of Hamburg, Germany, assignor to Julius Bandmann, of San -Francisco, California. The following is the substance of the claim: “My -invention consists in combining with Nitro-Glycerin a substance which -possesses a very great absorbent capacity, and which at the same time, -is free from any quality which will decompose, destroy, or injure the -Nitro-Glycerin, or its explosiveness. The substance which most fully -meets the requirements above mentioned, so far as I know, is a certain -kind of silicious earth, known under the various names of silicious -marl, tripoli, rotten-stone, etc.”</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"><p class="no-indent"> -<a id="Footnote_10" href="#FNanchor_10" class="label">[10]</a> -“Porifera Nitroleum”—Patent No. 93,753, dated Aug. 17, 1869, granted -to Taliaferro P. Shaffner, of Louisville, Kentucky. The claim is as -follows: “I claim a compound composed of a mixture of Nitro-Glycerin -with sponge or other vegetable fibre.”</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"><p class="no-indent"> -<a id="Footnote_11" href="#FNanchor_11" class="label">[11]</a> -“Selenitic Powder”—Patent No. 93,752, dated Aug. 17, 1869, granted -to Taliaferro P. Shaffner, of Louisville, Kentucky. The claim is as -follows: “I claim the combining of nitroleum or Nitro-Glycerin with -plaster of Paris, or equivalent substances, in such manner as will make -an explosive compound.”</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"><p class="no-indent"> -<a id="Footnote_12" href="#FNanchor_12" class="label">[12]</a> -“Metalline Nitroleum”—Patent No. 93,754, dated Aug. 17, 1869, granted -to Taliaferro P. Shaffner, of Louisville, Kentucky. Claim as follows: -“I claim a compound composed of a mixture of Nitro-Glycerin with -metallic powder or atoms, however formed or produced.”</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"><p class="no-indent"> -<a id="Footnote_13" href="#FNanchor_13" class="label">[13]</a> -“Lithofracteur”—For a wonder this has not been patented.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"><p class="no-indent"> -<a id="Footnote_14" href="#FNanchor_14" class="label">[14]</a> -“Dualin”—Patent No. 98,854, dated January 18, 1870, granted to Carl -Dittmar, of Charlottenberg, Prussia. Claim as follows: “I claim a -compound consisting of cellulose, nitro-cellulose, nitro-starch, -nitro-mannite and Nitro-Glycerin, mixed in different combinations, -depending on the degree of strength which it is desired the powder -should possess in adapting its use to various purposes.”</p></div> -</div> - -<div class="transnote bbox space-above2"> -<p class="f120 space-above1">Transcriber’s Notes:</p> -<hr class="r5" /> -<p class="indent">The illustrations have been moved so that they do not break up - paragraphs and so that they are next to the text they illustrate.</p> -<p class="indent">Typographical and punctuation errors have been silently corrected.</p> -</div> -<div style='display:block; margin-top:4em'>*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK TRI-NITRO-GLYCERINE AS APPLIED IN THE HOOSAC TUNNEL SUBMARINE BLASTING ***</div> -<div style='text-align:left'> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -Updated editions will replace the previous one—the old editions will -be renamed. -</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -Creating the works from print editions not protected by U.S. copyright -law means that no one owns a United States copyright in these works, -so the Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United -States without permission and without paying copyright -royalties. 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