To the charge required.

Table for the Charges of Mines,
according to Valiere.

Line of
Least
Resistance.
Charge for
the Mine.
Line of
Least
Resistance.
Charge for
the Mine.
Feet. lbs.oz.Feet. lbs.oz.
 10 221868 3
 20 1222998 4
 32 8231140 10
 46 241296
 511 11251558 9
 620 4261647 12
 732 2271815 4
 848 282058
 968 5292286 7
1093 12302530 4
11124 12312792 4
12162 323072
13205 15333369 1
14257 4343680 22
15316 4254019 8
16384 364374
17460 9374748 11
18546 12385144 4
19643 395561 2
20750 406000

This table is calculated upon a supposition that the excavation of the mine is a paraboloid, having a base double the line of least resistance; and that 10 lbs. 10 oz of powder is sufficient for raising one cubic fathom of earth, by making the line of least resistance of the required globe only equal to the radius of the globe of compression.

The charges thus found by means of this table, being only for one nature of soil; viz. light earth and sand, (that for which the table is calculated) must be augmented according to the following table of Vauban’s, by one, four, five, seven, or nine elevenths of the charge found.

Table of the Quantity of Powder
required to raise a Cubic Fathom,
according to the Soil.

1 Light earth, mixed with sand11 pounds.
2 Common earth12
3 Strong sand15
4 Clay, or fat earth16
5 Old and good Masonry18
6 Rock20

The following rule is however laid down by Belidor, and generally adopted, if it be intended that the mine shall produce its maximum or greatest effect: Multiply the line of least resistance, expressed in feet, by 300, the product will be the charge in pounds.

In making mines of any kind, the following remarks may be of service.