MATCH, SLOW.
Slow match is prepared from slightly-twisted hemp rope, which is dipped in a solution of lime water and saltpetre.
One yard burns about three hours. One skein, 35 yards, weighs seven pounds.
During the Siege of Gibraltar, Slow match was thus made:—Eight ounces of saltpetre were put in a gallon of water, and just made to boil over a slow fire, strong blue paper was then wetted with the liquor, and hung to dry. When dry, each sheet was divided into two parts, which were rolled up tight, and the outward edges pasted down. Each half sheet would burn three hours.
French slow match is made by soaking light twisted white rope in a solution of one pint of rain water, and three quarters of an ounce of sugar of lead.
PARACHUTE, LIGHT BALL (BOXER’S).
This light ball consists of a paper shell, enclosing two tin hemispheres, one containing the composition, the other the parachute. The shell is fired from a mortar, having a fuze, fixed in the usual manner, which communicates with the bursting powder, opens the shell, and lights the composition in the hemisphere attached to the parachute, which, suspended in the air, renders conspicuous the objects required to be illuminated.
| Composition. | ||
| lbs. | oz. | |
| Saltpetre, ground | 7 | 0 |
| Sulphur, sublimated | 1 | 12 |
| Red orpiment | 0 | 8 |
PENDULUMS.