The manner of dividing the tail of a sky-rocket, so as to form an arch when ascending, is thus performed. Having some rockets made, and headed according to fancy, and tied on their sticks, get some sheet tin, and cut it into round pieces of about three or four inches in diameter. Then, on the stick of each rocket, under the mouth of the case, fix one of these pieces of tin, sixteen inches from the head of the rocket, and support it by a wooden bracket as strong as possible. The use of this is, that, when the rocket is ascending, the fire will play with great force on the tin, which will divide the tail in such a manner, as to form an arch. If there is a short piece of port-fire, of a strong charge, tied to the end of the stick, it will add greatly to the appearance; but this must be lighted before fire is put to the rocket.
Sec. VIII. Of Swarmers, or Small Rockets.
Although swarmers are nothing more than rockets of a smaller size, as from two ounces downwards, and are charged with the usual rocket composition, which we have described; yet it may be necessary to make some remarks respecting them.
Swarmers are sometimes fired in flights, or in a volley, and in large aquatic fire-works. They are bored in the same manner as large rockets, or pierced in the act of charging them. This is the case with those of one and two ounces. All rockets, however, under one ounce, are not bored, but must be filled to the usual height with composition. The number of strokes for ramming these small swarmers is not material, provided they are rammed true and moderately hard. The necks of unbored rockets must be in the same proportion as in common cases. The composition, with which small swarmers are charged, generally consists of
| Meal-powder, | 4 | oz. |
| Charcoal, or steel-dust, | ¼ | oz. |
As to the swarmers which are pierced, or bored, viz. those of one and two ounces; they are made, we observed, in the same manner as large rockets, with the exception, that, when headed, their heads must be put on without a collar. The number of strokes for driving one-ounce cases must be eight, and for two-ounce, twelve.
Sec. IX. Of Scrolls for Sky-Rockets, and of Strung, Tailed, Drove, and Rolling Stars.
We have given, in a preceding chapter, the composition of various stars, which are used for the decoration of sky-rockets, and other species of fire-works. We shall, therefore, confine ourselves to their application, and the different modes of preparing them for this purpose.
Scrolls are used as furniture, or decorations for sky-rockets, and are so named from the spiral form they assume, when fired very quick in the air. We may put into the head of a rocket, as many of the cases as it will contain. Cases for scrolls should be four or five inches in length, and their interior diameter, three-eighths of an inch. One end of these cases must be pinched quite close before it is filled; and, when filled, the other end must also be closed. Then, in the opposite sides, make a small hole at each end, in the same manner as in tourbillons, and prime them with priming paste, or meal-powder and brandy.