THE GRAYDON DYNAMITE SHELL.

Waikato Times, Volume XXXII, Issue 2614, 13 April 1889, Page 6 (Supplement)

THE GRAYDON DYNAMITE SHELL.

4. — Following on the Maxim gun comes & new invention in gunnery ; not, however, in the form of an improvement in the projector, but in the constitution of the projectile. The idea is due to Leiutenant Graydon, of the United States navy, that dynamite might be turned into a valuable projectile if made into little packages, thus avoiding the danger of the sinking by gravitation of the nitroglycerine in the dynamite to the bottom of the composition, where it is liable to explode on the slightest touch. Lieutenant Graydon divides his charge into half-inch cubes, wrapped up in oiled or varnished paper. As another precaution, both against concussion and heat, the shell containing the charge is lined with a non-conducting material. In large shells the division of the high explosive and the'.isol.ition of the various portions of it is increased by the employment of partitions within the shell. The safety of a shell thus charged was proved by its being fired without a fuse. The shell was broken to fragments against the target, but the dynamite cubes were unexploded. The results of experiments made by permission of the United States authorities at Sandy Hook, before the Ordinance Board, were as follows:—The gun used was a 7-inch Ames wrought iron muzzle loader, weighing 23,000 lb., and the weight of the charge of powder was 231b. The projectile was of steel, open at the rear, of service pattern, closed by a bronze plug and weighing 133 lb. The charge of dynamite weighed slightly over 2 lb. Three shots were fired ; the target was in the form of a turret 14 inches thick, iu two layers of 7 inches each, with an embrasure, the joints being horizontal and at different levels. The roof was an iron plate 3 inches thick, weighing 13J tons, and was secured to the turret by strong bolts. The total weight of the target was 103 tons. The first shell struck the target 24 inches above the horizontal joint, and 33 inches to the left of the embrasure, and, although a glancing shot, it made an indentation 3 inches deep, and exploded with great violence. The roof was lifted on and blown 35 feet to tliu rear, and the plates were torn apart, The second shot struck 16 inches below the first and penetrated 3J inehos with great destruction. The third shot struck 12 inches below the horizontal joint aud 3 feet 4 inches to the left of the embnisure. It penetrated the first plate and 1 inch into the second, completely destroying the left side ot the target, a huge piece, estimated at three tons weight, being blown out. Lieut. Graydon states that ho. is prepared to destroy a target of str.el, (3 feet in thickness, with his projectile, fired from 8iuch rifled cannon, in fine or five shots.