We may introduce here a description of the stands for sky-rockets, and the girandole chests for the flights of rockets. The first is formed of two rails of wood, of any length, supported at each end by a perpendicular leg, so that the rails lie horizontal; and let the distance from one to the other be almost equal to the length of the sticks of the rockets, intended to be fired. Then in the front of the top rail, drive square hooks at eight inches distance, with their points turning sidewise; so that, when the rockets are hung on them, the points will be below the sticks, and keep them from falling or being blown off by the wind. At the front of the rail at the bottom must be staples, driven perpendicularly under the hooks at top. Through these staples put the small ends of the rocket-sticks. They are fired by applying a lighted port-fire to their mouths. Two or three seconds will expire before they ascend.
The girandole chest is composed of four sides of equal dimensions; but may be made of any size, according to the number of rockets to be fired. Its height must be in proportion to the rockets, and higher than the rockets with their sticks. When the sides are joined, fix in the top, as far down the chest as the length of one of the rockets with its cap on. On this top, make as many square or round holes, to receive the rocket-sticks, as the number of rockets to be fired; but let the distance between them be sufficient to prevent their touching each other. From one hole to another cut a groove of a sufficient size for a quick match to lie in. The top being thus fixed, put in the bottom, at about 11/2 feet distance from the feet of the chest. In this bottom, make as many holes as at the top, and all to correspond, but not so large as those in the top.
To prepare the chest, a quick match is laid in all the grooves, from hole to hole. Then take the sky-rockets, and prime them with meal-powder, or priming paste, as before-mentioned, and put a bit of match up the cavity of each, which should project out. Put the sticks of the rockets through the holes in the top and bottom of the chest, so that their mouths may rest on the quick match in the grooves. The rockets will then be fired at once. There should be a door in the side of the chest, and also a cover, to secure the rockets until they are required.
The fountain of rockets, an exhibition which frequently accompanies a display of works, is nothing more than a number of rockets discharged at the same time.
There are some improvements on the girandole chest, and on the different modes of discharging a series of rockets.
We may mention one contrivance for this purpose, as described by Morel. It is an oblong box furnished with a double lid, which, when shut, resembles the roof of a house. This box is sixty inches in length, ten inches in breadth, and nine inches in height. It rests upon a frame, and has a bottom in which are one-hundred holes, to receive the same number of rocket-sticks, the rockets resting on the bottom of the box. The lid serves to prevent the access of moisture, and to secure the rockets. No part of the rocket is seen in the box. They are set off by first strewing meal-powder on the bottom, which is then in contact with their mouths, and applying a lighted port-fire. They rise out of the box all together, and at the same time. When fired together, so as to form a flight of rockets, the French use them of three-quarters of an inch caliber.
The girandole may be considered an assemblage of a large number of rockets of various calibers, arranged in gradation; the largest, occupying the first range, &c. The girandole constitutes, as a fire-work, in the language of Morel, the feux de gouvernement.
Similar to this is a contrivance for the same purpose, but not so extensive, and rather differently formed. It consists of a case, in which there are holes to receive the sticks and support the rockets. The case is supported by legs; two of which, working upon a joint, may be extended, and thus the rockets be made to move in any angular direction. The inclination given is hardly ever more than 55 degrees. The legs are pointed, so as to retain their position. If the rockets are to ascend vertically, the two legs, which move in a joint, are closed. They are stuck in the ground at the same place.
For the mode of discharging the Congreve Rocket, see the article on [Congreve Rockets.]
Sec. VII. Of the Appendages, and Combinations of Rockets.