A manual of pyrotechny

SECTION V.

Of Single Fire-Works.

We now proceed to enumerate and describe that class of articles, which from the simplicity of their construction have obtained the name of Single Fire-works; among these, the first which offers itself to notice is the serpent, or what is commonly called the squib.

Serpents.

1. Serpents.—These Serpents are generally made about six or eight inches long, and about half an inch in diameter, they are sometimes made strait, and sometimes with a choak in the middle of them; the name which they bear, probably rose from the hissing noise which they make when fired, or from the zigzag or vibrating directions in which they move when properly constructed, on their being projected from the hand. Fig. 17 represents a Serpent complete, where A C, the length of the case, may be about six inches for an ordinary size. These cases must be made of some strong paper, and rolled in a former about one-fourth of an inch diameter, or somewhat more, and having choaked or tied one end up close, with strong twine, fill the case about two-thirds of the way with some of the composition described in the general Table in Section VII, rammed moderately hard in the mould proper for the diameter of the case, and then it is either choaked in the part B. that is, pinched with a piece of twine, so as to leave a very small aperture, or some obstructing body, such as a small piece of paper, or a vetch seed is introduced, and the remainder of the case must be filled with grained or corn powder. Lastly, this other extremity is to be well secured with twine, and is commonly dipped into melted pitch: the other end must be now untied and a little moistened meal powder is introduced, over which a piece of touch-paper being properly fastened, the Serpent is completed.

If the Serpents are not choaked towards the middle, instead of moving in a zigzag direction they will ascend and descend with an undulating motion, till the fire is communicated to the grained powder in the part B C, when they will burst with a loud report.

To introduce the compositions into small cases, a quill cut into the form of a spoon will be found very useful. The trouble of first temporarily choaking and tying the ends of the cases may be dispensed with, if the mould in which they are rammed have attached to them a foot and nipple as described in the article Rockets.

The common squibs, or such as are of small dimensions, may be made with still less trouble, for the cases being rolled, pasted, and dried as before, one end may be permanently tied and sealed, or dipped into hot pitch, after which they may be filled in the following manner:——first put in a small quantity of grained powder, which with your rammer and mallet ram down quite hard, then fill up the case as before with the composition, ramming it hard down in the course of the filling two or three times; this done, cap it with touch paper, as before directed, and the Squib is fit for action.

Crackers.

2. Crackers.—The best material for the cases of Crackers is cartridge paper, the dimensions of which for an ordinary size is about 15 inches long, by three and a half ditto wide, folded in the following particular manner; we call it particular, because on it depends the goodness of the Cracker; the method is, first to fold one edge down about three-quarters of an inch broad, then the double edge is turned down about a quarter of an inch, and the single edge is bent back over the double fold, so as to form within a channel a quarter of an inch wide, which when opened is to be filled with mealed powder, not ground very fine, this powder is then to be covered by the folds on each side, and the whole to be pressed very smooth and close, by passing over it the edge of a flat ruler or some like instrument, and this part containing the powder is to be gradually folded into the remainder of the paper, taking care to press down every fold in the same manner.

The Cracker thus far advanced is to be doubled backwards and forwards in folds about two and a quarter inches, as many times as the length of the paper will allow. After this, the whole should be pressed quite close together by means of a small wooden vice, (similar to those known by carpenters under the name of hand-screws, the use of which would be found extremely convenient for many other purposes,) and a piece of twine passed twice round the middle across the folds, and the joinings secured by causing the twine to take a turn round the middle at every fold successively; one of the ends of the folds may be doubled short under, which will produce an extra report, the other must project a little beyond the rest for the purpose of priming and capping with the touch paper; when this is done the cracker is complete. Crackers when well made and of sufficient strength, are productive of much mirth, and when of considerable magnitude, furnish excellent means of dispersing a crowd; at the same time they are so perfectly harmless that no evil consequence may be expected to follow the amusement they afford.

Pin wheels.

3. Pin wheels.—Pin or Catherine Wheels are of very simple construction, nothing more being wanted than a long wire former, about three sixteenths of an inch diameter; on this wire are formed the pipes, which being filled with composition are afterwards rolled round a small circle of wood, so as to form an helix or spiral line.

The cases are generally made of Elephant paper, or such as will admit of the greatest length; rolled about four times round the wire and pasted as they are rolled; when a number of pipes are made and got perfectly dry, they are filled with the composition described at No. 2, in the table; these cases are not rammed, but filled by means of a tin funnel with a long pipe, made so as easily to pass down the case, which is gradually filled by shaking the composition out of the funnel; all the cases prepared being thus filled, one of them being closed at one end, is to be pasted round the flat circle of wood, which must not be above half an inch thick, and one inch in diameter, and secured at every half turn by sealing wax; when this is all wound round the circle and the wheel not sufficiently large, a second case may be inserted into the mouth of the last, taking care that the end introduced is only loosely twisted, otherwise it might obstruct the communication and destroy the effect; but this being properly adjusted and the joining secured by pasting paper round it, the spiral is to be continued in the same way as before, till the wheel be increased to the proper dimensions, or such as suits the taste of the Tyro.

The central block must be pierced in the middle for the purpose of receiving a strong pin, or a small piece of wire, by which the wheel may be attached to a post or any other convenient object, or the pin or wire being inserted into the pith of an hazel stick, the wheel without any danger may be let off in the hand; when the mouth of the last round is primed and capped with touch-paper, on its being lighted, the impulse of the flame against the air forces back the ignited part of the wheel, which continues to revolve till the whole of the composition is consumed.[7]

Stars.

4. Stars.—These are small paper globes filled with a composition that emits a most beautiful radiating light, which has been compared to the light of “those endless beauties which adorn our celestial hemisphere;” as the purposes for which they are used are chiefly as ornaments to other articles, such as rockets, roman candles, &c. their dimensions must of consequence be limited or adapted to those articles, therefore their diameters must seldom exceed three-quarters of an inch, unless the articles to which they are attached are of more than ordinary dimensions, and for small articles their diameter must be less in proportion. At the beginning of this article we called them “paper globes,” but we must observe that they are only put in paper, when their composition is prepared dry; and instead of paper they are frequently wrapped in a small piece of linen rag, tied closely round with small twine, and when either of these wrappers are used, a hole must be pierced through its middle, to receive a piece of match left projecting a little on each side.

Though the above mode of making Stars is frequently practised, yet I have always found it best to use the composition moist, in the form of stiff paste, when it will not be necessary to inclose the Star in any thing, because when prepared of such paste it can retain its roundness; there will be no need also of piercing a hole in it for the match, because when newly made and consequently moist, it may be rolled in pulverized gunpowder, which will adhere to it; this powder when kindled will serve as a match, and inflame the composition of the Star, which in falling will form itself into stars, and exhibit a most beautiful appearance. For the composition for stars consult the table Sect. 7, No. 3, and No. 4.

Strung Stars.

Strung Stars.—To make these cut some thin paper into pieces of about an inch and a half square, then on each piece lay equal quantities of dry star composition, nearly as much as the paper will contain, then twist up the paper as light as possible, when done rub some flower paste on your hand and roll the star between them, then set them in some warm place to dry; the stars being thus prepared, get some flax or fine tow, and roll a little over each star, then paste the band and roll them as before, after which set them again to dry; which when that is quite effected, with a piercer make a hole through the middle of each, and thread them on a cotton quick-match, long enough to contain 10 or 12 stars three or four inches distance; by joining sundry lengths of match we may string any number of stars we choose.

Tailed Stars.

Tailed Stars.—Or, as they are sometimes called cometic-stars, from their sending out a great number of sparks, which represent a tail similar to that of comet; there are two kinds which bear the above name, which are those that are rolled, and those that are driven; when rolled they must be moistened with a liquor made of half a pint of spirit of wine, and half a gill of thin size, (vellum or any other that is fine,) of which as much as will bring the composition to a consistency proper for rolling into balls; when that is done, sift mealed powder over them and set them to dry.

Driven Stars.

Driven Stars.—For these, the liquid used for moistening the composition must be spirit of wine, with a little camphor dissolved in it, and but a very small quantity of it, as for Driven Stars the composition does not require to be wet; cases containing one or two ounces are best for this purpose, which must be made of some very thin paper.

The composition being damped with the spirit of wine and camphor as above, they are to be filled and rammed moderately hard, taking care that the case be not broken or the paper drove down on the inside; as a protection to them, while filling and ramming, it will be best to procure several moulds fitted to their exterior diameter. These moulds may be of tin, or any kind of wood, of dimensions suited to Stars from 8 drams to 4 ounces; when they are filled, their cases must be made considerably lighter, which is effected by unrolling the paper within three or four rounds of the charge, which is to be cut off, and the loose edge made fast with a little paste, and afterwards set by for two or three days to dry; when they have attained sufficient dryness they must be cut into lengths proportionate to their weights, which will be nearly as follows: from quarter to half-ounce cases, their lengths may be five or six eighths of an inch; from half to one ounce cases, their lengths may be one inch; if two ounces, one inch and a quarter; from 3 to 4 ounces one inch and a half long: of the smaller pieces, one end must be dipped into melted wax in a manner to cover the composition, the other end must be sprinkled with mealed powder wetted with spirit of wine. Of the larger pieces both ends must be primed with mealed powder wetted as before.

Stars made after the above manner are used almost exclusively for Air Balloons, and are driven in cases to secure them from the force of the composition with which the Balloons are filled, therefore their application to Rockets, and other small articles, is quite incompatible with their nature.

Rolled Stars.

Rolled Stars.—These are so called chiefly from the operation employed in their manufacture. Their dimensions are from half an inch to one inch diameter. In the composition care must be taken that the ingredients are well mixed, and previous to its being made up, it must be wetted with the following liquid sufficient to convert it into paste; spirit of wine one quart, in which dissolve one fourth of an ounce of Isinglass. Too much of the composition must not be prepared at once, one pound will be sufficient for an ordinary number of Stars, for if a greater quantity is wetted the spirit will be liable to evaporate, and leave the composition dry and unfit for the purpose, before it can be all rolled up. To make the stars of uniform dimensions, I have found the following method most eligible, and of least trouble; when the composition is properly moistened, roll it with a smooth round stick on any flat even surface, as stone or wood, till its thickness is about half an inch, then divide it accurately into squares, of dimensions suitable to the desired magnitude of the Stars; there are other methods for regulating the size of the Stars, but this I have found most practicable which will justify me in recommending it. Having rolled up the portion of prepared composition as directed, shake them in some meal powder while they are damp, and set them in some warm place to dry, which will be effected in two or three days; but if wanted immediately they may be quickly dried, in an earthen pan over a slow fire, or in an oven of moderate temperature; when the Stars are perfectly prepared they must be preserved in some small box for use, for if exposed to the air they will grow weak, and produce but few of those effects which at other times render them so beautiful.

Sparks.

5. Sparks.—It is only as it regards magnitude that Sparks differ from stars above described, they being generally made of very small size, and consequently of short duration in their exhibition. The method of preparing them is as follows: put into an earthen vessel one ounce of mealed gunpowder, three ounces of powdered salt-petre, and four ounces of camphor, reduced to powder by rubbing it in a mortar with a small quantity of spirit of wine; pour over this mixture some weak gum-water, in which some gum-adraganth has been dissolved, till the composition is brought to a state of thin paste; then take some lint, prepared by boiling it in vinegar or salt-petre, and afterwards dried and unravelled, and put into the composition enough of it to absorb the whole, at the same time take care to stir it well. This matter is to be formed into small balls, of about the size of a pea, which being dried by a moderate heat are to be sprinkled with mealed gunpowder, for the purpose that they may readily catch fire.

Another method.

Another method of making Sparks.—Take some saw-dust made from fir, or any kind of wood that burns readily, and boil it in water in which salt-petre has been dissolved; after boiling about a quarter of an hour, the vessel must be removed from the fire, and the liquid poured off so as to leave the saw-dust at the bottom of the vessel, then place the saw-dust by itself upon a flat board or table, and while in a moist state sprinkle it with sulphur, sifted through a fine hair sieve, the sifting powder (sulphur) will be improved if to it be added a small portion of bruised gunpowder. When the whole has been well mixed and of proper consistence, it is to be made up into Sparks, as described in the other method.

Marroons.

6. Marroons.—Marroons are of very easy construction, being nothing more than small cubical boxes, filled with a composition proper for making them burst, and thence producing a loud report, which, and the suddenness of it, is their chief property. They are used principally in combination with other pieces, or to form a battery, in which, by different lengths of quick-match, they are caused to explode at distinct intervals.

Construction.

Construction.—Cut a piece of pasteboard into the form represented in fig. 18, which will fold up into a cubical case, the angles must be well secured by pasting paper over them, the top being left till it is filled: when this is done the box is to be filled with grained powder, then cement strong paper over the top, and again in various directions over the body; and to increase the strength of the box (which will produce a louder report) wrap round two or three rows of packthread dipped in some strong glue, then make a hole in one of the corners, and introduce into it a piece of quick-match, and your Marroon is ready for action.

Marroons may be rendered luminous, or caused to emit a brilliant appearance previous to their explosion.

This is effected by covering them with paste made of flower of sulphur, mixed up with thin starch, and afterwards rolling them in pulverized gunpowder, which will serve as a match or communication; when made after this manner they are called luminous marroons.

Saucissons.

7. Saucissons.—These differ only in form from the foregoing articles; till lately no distinction was made between them, nor (in our opinion) ought any to exist, but the French Artists have thought proper to give them the above name from the supposed resemblance they bear to a sausage.

The cases of Marroons are made cubical, those for the present articles are made cylindrical, and in proportion must be about four times their exterior diameter in length; their diameters may be from one to two and a half or three inches, and their cases increasing in strength as their dimensions.

The cases must be choaked or pinched at one end after the manner of rockets, and tied quite close; and afterwards the former, on which they are rolled, should be pressed hard upon the bottom to make it smooth, and to take out the wrinkles left by the choaking; the former, or interior diameter, should not exceed one half of the exterior diameter of the case.

The cases being thus prepared, they are to be filled with coarse powder one diameter, and one fourth high, and the rest of the paper must be folded down tight upon the powder; then bind them tight in every direction with strong packthread dipped in glue, and they are then left to dry as before.

They may be rendered luminous, and the match applied in the same manner as to Marroons.

Batteries of Marroons &c.

Batteries of Marroons, &c.—These, it has been said, if well managed, will keep time to a march, or a slow piece of music. They must indeed be well managed to do so; I have (with care) made several trials, but in neither was I fortunate enough to produce that uniformity in their intervals, as to mark correctly their commencement of each bar of the music; which, if they do not, they fail entirely as to this property. But, however, much effect may be produced by these noisy pieces by arranging them on several stands, with a number of cross rails, on which they are to be nailed, and connected together by means of leaders &c. of different lengths, according to their distance asunder, observing to use the large and small marroons and saucissons in order to produce a greater variety in the reports, which during the exhibition of other articles is their chief purpose.

A Battery with the leaders complete is represented in Fig. 19.

Gerbes.

8. Gerbes.—This is a species of Fire-work which, from a cylindrical case, throws up a luminous and sparkling jet of fire, which From its partial resemblance of a water-spout, the French have given it the appellation of Gerbe.

Gerbes consist of a strong cylindrical case made of thick paper or paste-board, and filled with brilliant composition, and sometimes with stars or balls placed at small distances, so that the composition and balls are introduced alternately; immediately below each ball is placed a little grained powder. This last kind of Gerbes are more properly called Roman Candles, which we shall describe in the next article. Gerbes are sometimes made wholly cylindrical, and sometimes with a long narrow neck; the reasons for making them with a neck are deduced from rather philosophical considerations: when fired they exert great force on all parts of the case, especially at the mouth, from which it proceeds with great velocity; the reasons therefore deduced for making them with a long neck are—first, that the particles of iron, which enter into their composition, will have more time to be heated, by meeting with greater resistance in getting out than with a short neck, which would be burnt too wide before the charge be consumed, and spoil the effect; secondly, that with long necks the stars will be thrown to a greater height, and will not fall before they are spent or spread too much; but when made to perfection, will rise and spread in such a manner as to represent pretty exactly the form of a wheat-sheaf.

The diameter of Gerbes is generally estimated by the weight of a leaden ball, which the case is capable of receiving; thus we say Gerbes of eight ounces, of one pound, &c. Their length from the bottom to the top of the neck should be about six diameters; the neck being about one-sixth diameter, and three-fourths diameter long. They are filled in two ways, according as they have a neck, or are wholly cylindrical; the cases of the latter kind are closed below, and are filled like those of serpents, but the composition must be put in by small quantities, and rammed very hard; cases with necks are filled from the bottom, but you must be careful, before you commence ramming, to plug up the aperture of the neck with a piece of wood fitted to its diameter, for if this is not done, the composition will fall into the neck, and leave a vacancy in the case, which will cause it to burst as soon as the fire arrives at that part of it.

You must observe, too, that the first ramming or two be of some weaker composition than the body of the case. When filled the plug must be removed, and the neck filled with some slow charge, and capped with touch-paper; a foot of wood is afterwards to be fixed to the Gerbe and well secured, either by a cylinder fixed to the outside of the case, or by having in it a hole, into which the case may be inserted; when either of these methods is employed the foot must be firmly attached.

Sometimes sparks (Article 5,) are introduced during the filling of the cases, but in this case special care must be taken that they are not broken by hard ramming; their number should be regulated by the size of the case, and when carefully used, they produce a pleasing effect, but they are most adapted to such Gerbes as are wholly cylindrical.

The following method of finding the interior diameter of Gerbes is generally employed:—supposing the exterior diameter of the case at bottom (which is usually made somewhat larger than the top) to be four inches, then by taking two-fourths for the sides of the case, there will remain two inches for the bore, which will be a tolerable good size, and from the rules given for the height the same will be about twenty-four inches to the top of the neck. Fig. 20 represents a wooden former; and fig. 21 a Gerbe with its foot complete. The composition for filling will be found in the Table, Section 7.

In ramming large Gerbes an external mould will not be requisite, the cases being sufficiently strong to support themselves.

Small Gerbes.

Small Gerbes.—These are frequently called “White Fountains;” they differ but little, when used as Gerbes, from the foregoing: they are made of four, eight, or twelve ounce cases, of any length, pasted and made very strong: before they are filled, drive in about one diameter of their orifice high some good stiff clay, and when the case is filled, bore through the centre of the clay to the composition a vent-hole of common proportion, which must be primed and capped as before.

These cases are sometimes filled with Chinese fire, in this case the clay must not be used, but filled the same as cylindrical cases, and footed and primed in the same manner.

Roman Candles.

9. Roman Candles.—Roman Candles are constructed nearly after the manner of Gerbes; their cases are made perfectly cylindrical, as above described, and between the layers of composition, are interposed balls, or stars, which are prepared as directed in Article 4. In filling and ramming Roman Candles, especial care must be taken that the stars are not broken in the operation. When the cases have been properly rolled and dried, and their bottoms firmly secured by tying them with some strong twine, it is best, previous to putting in the composition, to ram a little dry clay, which will fill up the hollow, and leave a better bottom to the case. This being properly done, put in a small quantity of corn powder, and over this a small piece of paper, just to prevent the composition from mixing with the powder; then as much of the composition is to be put in as will, when rammed hard down, fill the case about one sixth of its height; then over this a small piece of paper (covering about two thirds of the diameter) as before, then a little corn powder, and upon that a ball is to be placed, observing to let the ball be somewhat less than the diameter of the case. Over this first ball more of the composition is to be introduced, and pressed lightly down, till the case is about one third full, when it may be rammed, but with some gentle strokes, lest the ball is broken by it; then a piece of paper, a little corn powder, and upon it another ball, as before; so that the case after this manner will contain five or six balls with regular beds of composition between them, and have about the same length of composition above the highest ball. When the case is thus filled it is to be capped with touch-paper by pasting it round the orifice, and a little priming of mealed powder being added, the piece is rendered complete.

In regard to the stars or balls, it is best that their form be flat and circular, or even square rather than spherical, as they will be less liable to be injured in the filling; they should also be somewhat different in size, which is found to add much to their effect; that is, let the first star be about two thirds the diameter of the case, let the next be a little larger, and so on increasing to the fourth, fifth, or sixth, which last should fit tight into the case.

Observe also to let the quantity of powder at the bottom of each ball increase as the balls increase in diameter, or as they come nearer the top of the case; not on account of the additional weight of the ball, but, as on those balls situate near the top, the force of the powder ceases to act on the ball, sooner than on those situate lower in the case, consequently the force to throw the ball to the same distance must increase proportionally; another reason for decreasing the quantity of powder towards the bottom is, that the same quantity used with the bottom as with the top ball, would cause the case to burst, and destroy all the effect which they are intended to produce.

The composition for filling will be found in the Table, Section 7.

The best way of exhibiting these Roman Candles is to place them in rows on a stand, some fixed quite perpendicular, others declining at different angles, that the balls may be projected to various distances, and produce a more beautiful effect. The greatest angle of declination should not exceed forty-five or fifty degrees.

A very pleasing variety of Gerbes may be produced by filling the cylindrical cases with the compositions called Chinese fire, (see next article,) being filled with red or white, and used with different proportions of the ingredients, they may be cast into many and various shades of colours.

Chinese Fire.

10. Chinese Fire.—The principal ingredient which forms this beautiful composition, has been already described in article 6, section 2, under the name of Iron-sand; what we have to give in this place is, the proportion in which it is used with the other ingredients; the composition is rendered into two particular distinctions, namely, red and white, and each of them made with different proportions of the ingredients according to the calibres of the cases intended to be filled with it, which calibre is estimated by the weight of lead balls, which will just fill out their diameter, as was taught in the Article Gerbes.

Composition for Chinese Fire.

For Red Chinese Fire.

For White Chinese Fire.

After carefully weighing the several ingredients, observe to sift the salt-petre and charcoal two or three times through a hair sieve in order that they may be well mixed; the iron-sand is then to be moistened a little with brandy or spirits of wine, which will make the sulphur adhere, and they must be well incorporated. The sand now said to be sulphured, must be put to the mixture of salt-petre and charcoal, and then stirred and turned about till the parts are thoroughly incorporated.