The rollers should be bored in their axis, so that, in drawing them out, they may come out easy, and without injuring the bag. This hole admits the external air, and prevents the formation of a vacuum in a degree, when the roller is suddenly withdrawn. The bottoms (culots,) are cut of the same diameter as the roller. The paste is made of flour and glue.
The table given by Bigot, p. 28, relative to the dimensions of sacks or cartridges, for cannon, embraces the following particulars: The diameter of the former, or roller for a 24 pr. is 51/6 inches: for a 16, 41/2; for a 12, 4; for an 8, 31/2; for a 6, 31/6; and for a four pounder 23/4 of an inch: the circumference of the cartridge for a 24 pr. is 172/3 inches; for a 16, 153/12ths; for a 12, 131/3; for an 8, 1211/12; for a 6, 61/2; for a 4, 92/3ds inches. The height of the roller for a 24 pr. is 18 inches; for a 16, 15; for a 12, 14; for an 8, 13; for a 6, 121/2, and for a 4, 12. The height of the paper, including the circumference, for a 24 pr. is 172/3 inches; for a 16, 14; for a 12, 14; for an 8, 11; for a 6, 101/2; for a 4, 10. The height, which covers the cartridge, is for a 24 pr. 15/10 inches; for a 16, 13/12; for a 12, 11/12; for an 8, 11/12; for a 6, 10/12; and for a 4, 9/12. The bottom (culot,) for a 24 pr. is 12/12th inches; for a 16, 1; for a 12, 10/12; for an 8, 2/3ds; for a 6, 7/12; and for a 4, 1/2 inch. The height of the charge for a 24 pr. is 111/6 for a 16, 81/2; for a 12, 81/6; for an 8, 71/3; for a 6, 69/11; and for a 4, 62/12ths inches. The height of the paper, for the charges of exercise, is for a 24 pr. 10 inches; for a 16, 9; for a 12, 8; for an 8, 7; for a 6, 61/2; and for a 4, 6 inches.
In the table of the proportions of the charge, for different calibers, given by Ruggieri, (Pyrotechnie Militaire, p. 197,) besides the weight of the ball, and the height of the sack, the weight of the charge is given in pounds, and ounces, which is thus stated by him: for a 4 pr. 1 lb. 8 oz; an 8 pr. 2 lbs. 8 oz; a 12 pr. 4 lbs. 8 oz; a 16 pr. 5 lbs; and a 24 pr. 8 lbs.
Cannon Cartouches are composed of a bag of serge, and a shoe or base, in which the ball was fixed by means of a tin cross, nailed to the shoe or base. The bag should be as large as the shoe, and long enough to contain the requisite quantity of powder. The shoe is a little less in diameter than the ball, so that the tin and the bag put upon it, do not increase its size beyond that of the ball. The shoe is flat on one side, and hollow on the other. The hollow part should be a spherical concavity, about one-third of the diameter of the ball. At a small distance from the bottom of the shoe, a groove is made sufficiently deep to contain the packthread, with which it is fastened to the bag.
In the construction of cannon cartouches, the ball must first be fixed to the base by means of two tin bands in the form of a cross, and nailed with two small nails at the bottom and sides of the base. These bands for sixteen and twelve pounders, are at least .44 decimal parts of an inch in width, and 15 inches long. Those for eight and four pounders, are .355 decimal parts of an inch in width, and 11.72 inches in length.
The ball being fixed on this base, it is put into a bag filled with powder, and the bag tied above to the base. Then a bit of parchment soaked in water, of from two to four inches in width, and of sufficient length to go round the cartouch, is placed round the bag, half on the shoe and half on the powder. Then tie it with a string passing in the groove, at about .27 parts of an inch below the base; so that the cartouch is tied in three different places—the two first above in the groove of the shoe, serves to hold the bag and it strongly together; the third below, is to prevent the powder from rising and slipping between the bag and the shoe. The band is placed on the part where the greatest friction is, to preserve the bag from being torn.
The cartouch thus made, is to be calibered by trying it with the piece for which it is intended, into which it must enter with ease. This cannot be too strongly recommended. It is of all things the most essential, and the only way of ascertaining the goodness of ammunition.
A workshop of twelve workmen is divided into four classes. The first class consists of two men who put the ball into the shoe; the second of two others who fill the bag with powder; the third, two others who press the powder into the bag; and the remaining six are employed in tying the bags to the shoes, two to each.
These twelve workmen can, in one day of twelve hours, make two hundred and forty cartouches, of sixteen or twelve pounders, or 320 of eight or four pounders.
Table relative to the Cartouch, or Pouch.