The charge having been put into these hollow projectiles, a fuse is introduced into the eye, after it has been cut diagonally at the smaller end, and the smaller part taken off. It is forced in by repeated blows of a mallet on the fuse driver, which is laid upon the cap of the fuse. It ought not to project more than eight or ten lines in shells, and six or seven in howitzes.
The fuses of loaded shells, howitzes, and grenades are preserved from wet and fire in the field, by dipping that part of the fuse, which projects from the surface of the sphere, for the same purpose as before mentioned, into the following composition. The immersion must be made, when the composition, after being melted, is half cold. Either this, or the formula before given, may be used.
Composition.
| Pitch, | 31 | parts. |
| Turpentine, | 16 | —— |
| Mutton tallow, | 1 | —— |
| Linseed oil, | 6 | —— |
Agreeably to the Strasbourg Memoir on Military Fire-works, it appears, that, fuses being driven into the shell, four threads of match must be neatly arranged in the cap. Then cap the fuse with a piece of parchment dipped in brandy; after which, apply round the fuse, at the eye of the shell, some capping wax when lukewarm. Then dip all the extreme part of the fuse, down to the shell, in melted pitch, which you will leave to cool in the shade, in such a manner, that the shell may neither be exposed to moisture, nor to the accident of fire.
Composition of the Pitch.
| Black pitch, | 4 | lbs. |
| Rosin, | 4 | — |
This pitch serves not only to pitch the fuses of bombs and grenades, but also to cover the outside of fire-balls and other fire-works, intended to be preserved.
Another Composition of pitch for the same Purposes.
| Black pitch, | 6 | lbs. |
| Linseed oil, | 12 | oz. |