A manual of pyrotechny

SECTION IV.

Division of Fire-Works.

Fire-works are generally divided into two classes, those which compose the first are chiefly squibs, serpents, crackers, sparks, marroons, saucipons, pin-wheels, leaders, gerbes, or roman candles, and (when without any appendages) rockets; these by their requiring but little dexterity in the preparation are called simple, or more properly single fire-works, and are said to be of the first class. Others which are of more difficult constructions, are called compound or complex fire-works, and are said to be of the second class. These consist of suns, moons, stars, wheels, globes, balloons, batteries, flower-pots, fire-pumps, pyramids, &c.; these are generally composed of some of the single pieces, as gerbes, serpents, marroons, saucipons, &c. properly arranged on suitable frames, according to the taste of the operator, and connected with each other by long pipes filled with inflammable composition called leaders, and fired by means of quick-matches or port-fires, and very frequently by common touch-paper. We shall begin our descriptions and instructions, with those of the simple or single kind, which will lead us progressively to those which are more complex, the order we purposed pursuing at the commencement of our Work.

In the subsequent directions we shall have frequent occasion to mention pipes of communication, commonly called leaders, by which the several parts of a compound work are connected with each other; and several other articles of less importance, as touch-paper, quick-match, port-fires, &c.

Touch-Paper.

1. Touch-Paper.—This is a paper impregnated with a solution of salt-petre, by which it acquires the property of burning slowly away without flame, and yet with sufficient strength to communicate its fire to meal powder, with which it comes in contact. It is prepared in the following manner:—

To make Touch-Paper.

2. To Make Touch-Paper.—Dissolve a quantity of salt-petre in vinegar or any other acid, more or less of the salt-petre according as you would have your paper to burn slow or fast; then dip into this solution some thin blue paper, let it be well saturated, then take it out, and dry it for use. If, on trial, it is not found to burn properly, or if it blazes on being set on fire, it is an indication that your solution is too weak; you must therefore strengthen it by adding more of the nitre, and the paper must be passed through again. On the application of this paper to fire-works, two modes are in use:—For small articles, or such as are choaked (to be hereafter explained) tie a piece round the orifice with thread or fine twine, leaving enough of the paper at the end to form a small tube, in which is put some mealed gunpowder, and the paper is then twisted over it, and ready for firing.

For larger articles, as Rockets, Roman Candles, &c. the paper, instead of being tied should be pasted round the orifice with thin flower paste; but care must be taken that the paste does not extend beyond the end of the case, for this would prevent the fire from communicating with the composition, and the piece would consequently fail in the going off.

Quick-match.

3. Quick-match.—The purpose of the Quick-match is similar to that of touch-paper, but chiefly used to form the inside of leaders; it is generally made of cotton-wick, (such as is usually made use of in the manufacture of candles) impregnated with nitre. It is made of several sizes, from one to six threads, as is most suited to the pipes, or articles for which it is designed. The pipes must be sufficiently large to receive the match easily, as its quality will be much diminished by its breaking. The following is the best method of making this match:—Having distributed the cottons into the number of threads requisite for your purpose, coil it very lightly into a flat bottomed copper or earthen pan, then pour in a part of the salt-petre and liquor, and boil them together about twenty minutes, after which coil it again into another pan and put to it the remainder of the liquor, then put in some meal powder, and well mix it with the liquid; after which place the pan beneath the wooden frame (fig. 12) and tying one end of the cotton to one side of the frame, then by one hand by means of the handle (A) turn the frame round while you let the cotton pass through the other, holding it very lightly, and at the same time keeping your hand full of the wet powder; if the powder is too wet to stick to the cotton put more in the pan, so as to keep a supply until the match is all wound up; you may wind it as close on the frame as you please, providing it do not stick together; when the frame is full take it off the joints and sift dry meal powder on both sides the match, till it appears quite covered, afterwards hang it in some warm place to dry, which, if it be in summer, will be effected in a few days, but if it be in winter it will be a fortnight before it is fit for use; when it is perfectly dry, cut it along the outside of one of the side-pieces of the frames, and tie it up in skains for use.

Composition for the match.

The proper ingredients for the Match are, cotton, one pound twelve ounces, salt-petre, one pound, spirits of wine two quarts, water three quarts, isinglass three gills, and meal powder ten pounds; or half the quantity may be prepared by taking the ingredients in the same proportion. Four ounces of isinglass should be dissolved in about 3 pints of water.

Port Fires.

4. Port Fires.—This term is applied to paper tubes, filled with mealed powder, or a similar composition, and which is generally used in setting fire to rockets, or compound fire-works, which require to be lighted very expeditiously; there are two kinds, the one used as above, the other for illuminations: those of the former kind are usually called common Port-Fires, and may be made of any length, but are seldom more than 21 inches; they are rolled on rods about half an inch in diameter, and made of cartridge paper in three or four folds till their exterior diameter is about five-eighths of an inch, the last fold being well secured at the edge by paste, and one end pinched or folded down. The moulds, five-eighths of an inch diameter, should be made of brass or tin, and to take to pieces length-wise, forming two semi-cylindrical tubes, and when used, to be connected together by several rings fitted to the outside of the tube. If about an inch of metal be made fast to one extremity of the half tube of the diameter of the rod or former, it will supersede the necessity of a foot, and be much more convenient; but the part of the former as we may term it, must be made very fast to the tube, or it will easily be detached by the ramming of the cases. The composition for filling these cases generally consists of salt-petre, sulphur, and mealed powder, in various proportions, according to the intended strength of the fire, though salt-petre is generally in the greatest proportions. When the fire is to be very slow, saw-dust is sometimes added, and the ingredients are frequently moistened with spirits of wine or linseed oil; these compositions should not be rammed too hard. In using this kind of Port Fires, the close end is fixed in a metal socket made like a port crayon, which is attached to a stick of sufficient length to reach any required part of the fire-work.

Composition for Port Fires.

The following compounds are recommended for filling Port Fires to Fire Rockets, &c.

Port Fires for Illuminations.

Port Fires for Illuminations.—These differ only as it regards their length from those above described, their diameter is the same, their length from three to six inches, pinched close at one end and left open at the other; they are filled by small quantities at a time and rammed very lightly, or their cases will be endangered. Three or four rounds of paper, with the last round pasted, will be strong enough for these cases, the compositions the same as before.

Leaders, or pipes of communication.

5. Leaders, or pipes of communication.—These are small tubes of paper, of lengths adapted to the distances to which they are to extend, and filled with a combustible composition that will not burn too fast. As it is much the best to have them in long lengths some large size paper must be used for the purpose, that which is called “Elephant” is found most convenient, and which for this purpose is generally used. It is cut into slips two or three inches broad, or sufficient to go four times round the formers, which will make the tube strong enough for most ordinary purposes; indeed, if they are made with greater substance much inconvenience will be found in the application of them to the different works to which they are designed, from flying off without communicating their fire.

The formers for these leaders should be about one fourth of an inch diameter; this size I have found to answer most purposes, though they are sometime, made of less, as well as larger diameters, but from one-eighth to three-eighths must be the extreme; smooth brass wire of proper dimensions make the best formers we can use, which when you use observe to dip them in oil or grease to prevent their sticking to the paper, which must be pasted all over; in rolling them, make use of a rolling board, but press it very lightly upon them; when you draw out the former, which must be done with one hand while you retain the tube with the other, great care must be taken in doing this, or the former will stick and tear the paper.

Application of Leaders.

In the joining and placing these leaders you must be as particular and careful as in their manufacture for on the well securing and adjustment of them depends much of the performance of all complex pieces, on which account we shall give in detail the best method, and that in as plain a manner as possible:—your works being ready to be clothed (as this operation is termed) cut your pipes in lengths sufficient to reach from one case to the other, then put in the Quick-match (prepared as taught in the last article,) which must always be made to go in very easy; when the match is in the tube, cut it off about an inch beyond the end of the pipe, and let it project as much at the other end, then fasten the pipe to the mouth of each case with a pin, and put the loose ends of the match into the mouths of the cases of the works, with a little mealed powder; this done, paste over the mouth of each two or three bits of paper, and the joint will be pretty well secured.

For Illuminations and small cases, the following method is generally employed.

First thread a long pipe, then lay it on the tops of the cases and cut a piece off the under side over the mouth of each case, so that the match may appear; then pin the pipe to every other case, but before you put on the pipes put a little mealed powder into the mouth of each case. If the cases thus clothed are Port-fires or illuminated works, cover the mouth of each case with a single paper; but if they are choaked cases so situated that a number of sparks from other works may fall on them before they are fired, secure them with three or four papers, which must be pasted on very smooth that there be no creases for the sparks to lodge in, which often set fire to the works before their time.

Avoid as much as possible placing the leaders too near or one across the other, so as to touch, as it may happen that the flash of one will fire the other, and thereby destroy the beauty of your arrangements.

If your works should be so formed that the leaders must cross or touch each other, be very careful to make them strong and secure at the joints, and likewise at every opening.

When a great length of pipe is required, it must be made by joining several pipes together, after the following manner. Having put on one length of match as many pipes as it will hold, paste paper over every joint, but if a still greater length is required more pipes must be joined by cutting about an inch off one side each pipe near the end, and laying the quick-match together and tying them with small twine, after which cover the joining with pasted paper.