Dynamite is a loose, soft, readily moulded substance, of a buff colour.
The preparation of dynamite is very simple.
The nitro-glycerine is mixed by means of wooden spatulas with the fine white powder (kieselguhr) in a leaden vessel.
It freezes at 39°-40° F., and when solidly frozen cannot be exploded, but if in a pulverised state it can be exploded, though with diminished violence.
It can be easily thawed, by placing the vessel containing it in hot water.
Friction or moderate percussion does not explode it.
Its firing point is 356° F.
If flame be applied to it, it burns with a strong flame.
It is fired by means of fulminate of mercury, and its explosive force is about seven times that of gunpowder.
For ground and buoyant mines, where actual contact between the hostile vessel and the torpedo will be rarely achieved, this being next to nitro-glycerine the most violent of all known explosive agents, and being cheaply and readily procured, is the very best explosive for such torpedoes.