A Manual of Pyrotechny; or, A Familiar System of Recreative Fire-works

by G. W. Mortimer

Provide a horizontal wheel with circular fells complete, which should be about two feet six inches diameter; on its circumference, and at equal distances from each other, fix three pieces of light deal about four feet long, and at top connect them to a cylindrical block about three inches diameter; this block must be perpendicular to that of the wheel below. The wheel being thus far advanced, have a thin flexible lath or hoop, and having nailed one end to the bottom of one of the upright pieces, proceed to wind it round the three uprights in a spiral line from the wheel to the top block, to which the other end must be made fast; on the top of the block fix a case of Chinese-fire; on the wheel you may place any number of cases, which should incline downwards, and burn two at a time. If the wheel has ten cases, the illuminations and Chinese-fire may begin with the second case.

The axis for this wheel must pass through the bottom nave, and into the block at top.

This wheel may be easily wrought into a double spiral wheel, by winding round it another lath in an opposite direction, and clothing it in a similar manner. At the top of either may be placed a case of spur-fire, or amber-light, or any other article the pyrotechnist may think proper.

Balloon Wheels.

12. Balloon Wheels.

These are horizontal wheels, generally made of solid one-inch elm board, about two feet six inches diameter. On the top arrange and fix in pots, three inches diameter, and about six inches high, in number equal to the cases on the wheel: near the bottom of each pot make a small vent, into each of which carry a leader from the tail of each case; the pots may be loaded with Stars, Crackers, Serpents, &c. As the wheels turn, the pots will be successively fired, and caused to throw into the air a great variety of fires, which taking numerous and various directions, will present a pleasing exhibition.

Ground Wheels.

13. Ground Wheels.

These are of very simple contrivance. Provide two light wheels, in diameter from two to three or four feet: they must be fixed firmly to a square axle-tree, or in such manner that they cannot revolve on it; the axle may be about three feet in length. Then on the middle of this axle is to be firmly fixed a fire-wheel, which must be so much less in diameter, that when the cases are attached to it, it may be quite clear of the ground; care must be taken that this middle wheel be fixed at right-angles from the axle, or it will not keep in a straight direction when set in motion. Now the first case being fired, it is evident that motion will be given to the fire-wheel, which being fixed firmly to the axle of the others, the consequence which follows is, that absolute[16] motion will be given to the whole apparatus; which, if placed on level ground, will proceed to a distance proportionate to the number and strength of the cases employed.