Second Report Of Experiments On Gunpowder

Author : UNKNOWN. AUTHOR
Publisher : Forgotten Books
ISBN 13 : 9781332066865
Total Pages : 342 pages
Book Rating : 4.0/5 (668 download)

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Download or read book Report of Experiments on Gunpowder written by UNKNOWN. AUTHOR and published by Forgotten Books. This book was released on 2015-07-28 with total page 342 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Excerpt from Report of Experiments on Gunpowder: Made at Washington Arsenal, in 1843 and 1844 Hon. Wm. Wilkins, Secretary of War. Sir: In the year 1839, this Department proposed the construction of a Ballistic Pendulum for the purpose of prosecuting, in an accurate manner, many experimental enquiries essential to the advancement of the science of gunnery, and to acquiring a knowledge of the principles which should govern, in determining the proper proportions of length and weight, in the construction of cannon, and the best mode of fabrication of gunpowder for artillery purposes, and introduced in its estimate an item for that purpose. This measure was approved by Mr. Secretary Poinsett, and the sum asked for was appropriated, but owing to the absence of the greater part of the Officers composing the Ordnance Board, on a visit to Europe, the construction of, and experiments with, the Pendulum were not commenced until the year 1842. This duty was then assigned to Capt. Mordecai, who has, since that time, been engaged therein under the direction of this office. Having completed the construction of, and a course of experiments with, the Cannon pendulum, to which was subsequently added a Musket pendulum, for the determination of similar principles in reference to small arms and powder therefor, Capt. Mordecai has now presented his first report, shewing the nature of his experiments, so far as they have been carried, and their results. This report exhibits great skill, industry and scientific knowledge on the part of that officer, and contains a mass of facts highly important to be known generally in the service. I, therefore, submit the report for your examination, and propose, with your sanction, to cause it to be printed and distributed for general information - the expense of which may be defrayed from a balance of the appropriation for the Pendulum yet remaining. About the Publisher Forgotten Books publishes hundreds of thousands of rare and classic books. Find more at www.forgottenbooks.com This book is a reproduction of an important historical work. Forgotten Books uses state-of-the-art technology to digitally reconstruct the work, preserving the original format whilst repairing imperfections present in the aged copy. In rare cases, an imperfection in the original, such as a blemish or missing page, may be replicated in our edition. We do, however, repair the vast majority of imperfections successfully; any imperfections that remain are intentionally left to preserve the state of such historical works.