Chapter II: Part 2

Fig. 2 is a somewhat similar application, but not so much in the nature of an ambuscade as of an open defence. Here a very low work is thrown up, for the defence of a post, or of a chain of posts, consisting merely of as much earth and turf as is sufficient to form the sides of shallow embrasures for the large Rockets, placed from two to three feet apart, or nearer; from which the Rockets are supposed to be discharged independently, by a certain number of artillery-men, employed to keep up the fire, according to the necessity of the case.

It is evident, that by this mode, an incessant and tremendous fire may be maintained, which it would be next to impossible for an advancing enemy to pass through, not only from its quantity and the weight and destructive nature of the ammunition, but from the closeness of its lines and its contiguity to the ground; leaving, in fact, no space in front which must not be passed over and ploughed up after very few rounds.

As both these operations are supposed to be employed in defensive warfare, and therefore in fixed stations, there is no difficulty involved in the establishment of a sufficient depôt of ammunition for carrying them on upon the most extensive scale; though it is obviously impossible to accomplish any thing approaching this system of defence, by the ordinary means of artillery.

THE USE OF ROCKETS IN THE ATTACK AND DEFENCE OF FORTIFIED PLACES.

Plate 9, Fig. 1, represents the advanced batteries and approaches in the attack of some fortress, where an imperfect breach being supposed to have been made in the salient angle of any bastion, large Rockets, weighing each from two to three hundred weight or more, and being each loaded with not less than a barrel of powder, are fired into the ruins after the revetment is broken, in order, by continual explosions, to render the breach practicable in the most expeditious way. To insure every Rocket that is fired having the desired effect, they are so heavily laden, as not to rise off the ground when fired along it; and under these circumstances are placed in a small shallow trench, run along to the foot of the glacis, from the nearest point of the third parallel, and in a direct line for the breach: by this means, the Rockets being laid in this trench will invariably pursue exactly the same course, and every one of them will be infallibly lodged in the breach. It is evident, that the whole of this is intended as a night operation, and a few hours would suffice, not only for running forward the trench, which need not be more than 18 inches deep, and about nine inches wide, undiscovered, but also for firing a sufficient number of Rockets to make a most complete breach before the enemy could take means to prevent the combinations of the operation.

From the experiments I have lately made, I have reason to believe, that Rockets much larger than those above mentioned may be formed for this description of service--Rockets from half a ton to a ton weight; which being driven in very strong and massive cast iron cases, may possess such strength and force, that, being fired by a process similar to that above described, even against the revetment of any fortress, unimpaired by a cannonade, it shall, by its mass and form, pierce the same; and having pierced it, shall, with one explosion of several barrels of powder, blow such portion of the masonry into the ditch, as shall, with very few rounds, complete a practicable breach.

It is evident, from this view of the weapon, that the Rocket System is not only capable of a degree of portability, and facility for light movements, which no weapon possesses, but that its ponderous parts, or the individual masses of its ammunition, also greatly exceed those of ordinary artillery. And yet, although this last description of Rocket ammunition appears of an enormous mass, as ammunition, still if it be found capable of the powers here supposed, of which _I_ have little doubt, the whole weight to be brought in this way against any town, for the accomplishment of a breach, will bear _no comparison_ whatever to the weight of ammunition now required for the same service, independent of the saving of time and expense, and the great comparative simplicity of the approaches and works required for a siege carried on upon this system. This class of Rockets I propose to denominate the _Belier a feù_.

Fig. 2 represents the converse of this system, or the use of these larger Rockets for the defence of a fortress by the demolition of the batteries erected against it. In this case, the Rockets are fired from embrasures, in the crest of the glacis, along trenches cut a part of the way in the direction of the works to be demolished.

OF THE USE OF ROCKETS BY INFANTRY AGAINST CAVALRY, AND IN COVERING THE STORMING OF A FORTRESS.

Plate 10, Fig. 1, represents an attack of cavalry against infantry, repulsed by the use of Rockets. These Rockets are supposed to be of the lightest nature, 12 or 9-pounders, carried on bat horses or in small tumbrils, or with 6-pounder shell Rockets, of which one man is capable of carrying six in a bundle, for any peculiar service; or so arranged, that the flank companies of every regiment may be armed, each man, with such a Rocket, in addition to his carbine or rifle, the Rocket being contained in a small leather case, attached to his cartouch, slinging the carbine or rifle, and carrying the stick on his shoulder, serving him either as a spear, by being made to receive the bayonet, or as a rest for his piece.

By this means every battalion would possess a powerful battery of this ammunition, _in addition_ to all its ordinary means of attack and defence, and with scarcely any additional burthen to the flank companies, the whole weight of the Rocket and stick not exceeding six pounds, and the difference between the weight of a rifle and that of a musket being about equivalent. As to the mode of using them in action, for firing at long ranges, as these Rockets are capable of a range of 2,000 yards, a few portable frames might be carried by each regiment, without any incumbrance, the frames for this description of Rocket not being heavier than a musket; but as the true intention of the arm, in this distribution of it, is principally for close quarters, either in case of a charge of cavalry, or even of infantry, it is generally supposed to be fired in vollies, merely laid on the ground, as in the Plate here described. And, as it is well known, how successfully charges of cavalry are frequently sustained by infantry, even by the fire of the musket alone, it is not presuming too much to infer, that the repulse of cavalry would be _absolutely certain_, by masses of infantry, possessing the additional aid of powerful vollies of these shell Rockets. So also in charges of infantry, whether the battalion so armed be about to charge, or to receive a charge, a well-timed volley of one or two hundred such Rockets, judiciously thrown in by the flank companies, must produce the most decisive effects. Neither can it be doubted, that in advancing to an attack, the flank companies might make the most formidable use of this arm, mixed with the fire of their rifles or carbines, in all light infantry or tiraillieur manœuvres. In like manner, in the passage of rivers, to protect the advanced party, or for the establishment of a _tete-du-pont_, and generally on all such occasions, Rockets will be found capable of the greatest service, as shewn the other day in passing the Adour. In short, I must here remark that the use of the Rocket, in these branches of it, is no more limited than the use of gunpowder itself.

Fig. 2 represents the covering of the storm of a fortified place by means of Rockets. These are supposed to be of the heavy natures, both carcass and shell Rockets; the former fired in great quantities from the trenches at high angles; the latter in ground ranges in front of the third parallel. It cannot be doubted that the confusion created in any place, by a fire of some thousand Rockets thus thrown at two or three vollies quickly repeated, must be most favourable, either to the storming of a particular breach, or to a general escalade.

I must here observe, that although, in all cases, I lay the greatest stress upon the use of this arm _in great quantities_, it is not therefore to be presumed, that the effect of an individual Rocket carcass, the smallest of which contains as much combustible matter as the 10-inch spherical carcass, is not at least equal to that of the 10-inch spherical carcass: or that the explosion of a shell thrown by a Rocket, is not in its effects equal to the explosion of that same shell thrown by any other means: but that, as the power of _instantaneously_ throwing the _most unlimited_ quantities of carcasses or shells is the _exclusive property_ of this weapon, and as there can be no question that an infinitely greater effect, both physical[A] as well as moral, is produced by the instantaneous application of any quantity of ammunition, with innumerable other advantages, than by a fire in slow succession of that same quantity: so it would be an absolute absurdity, and a downright waste of power, not to make this exclusive property the general basis of every application of the weapon, limited only by a due proportion between the expenditure and the value of the object to be attained--a limit which I should always conceive it more advisable to exceed than to fall short of.

[A] For a hundred fires breaking out at once, must necessarily
produce more destruction than when they happen in
succession, and may therefore be extinguished as fast as
they occur.

There is another most important use in this weapon, in the storming of fortified places, which should here be mentioned, viz. that as it is the only description of artillery ammunition that can ever be carried into a place by a storming party, and as, in fact, the heaviest Rockets may accompany an escalade, so the value of it in these operations is infinite, and no escalade should ever be attempted without. It would enable the attackers, the moment they have got into the place, not only to scour the parapet most effectually, and to enfilade any street or passage where they may be opposed, and which they may wish to force; but even if thrown at random into the town, must distract the garrison, while it serves as a certain index to the different storming parties as to the situation and progress of each party.

THE USE OF ROCKETS FROM BOATS.

Plate 11 represents two men of war’s launches throwing Rockets. The frame is the same as that used for bombardment on shore, divested of the legs or prypoles, on which it is supported in land service; for which, afloat, the foremast of the boat is substituted. To render, therefore, the application of the common bombarding frame universal, each of them is constructed with a loop or traveller, to connect it with the mast, and guide it in lowering and raising, which is done by the haulyards.

The leading boat in the plate represents the act of firing; where the frame being elevated to any desired angle, the crew have retired into the stern sheets, and a marine artillery-man is discharging a Rocket by a trigger-line, leading aft. In the second boat, these artillery-men are in the act of loading; for which purpose, the frame is lowered to a convenient height; the mainmast is also standing, and the mainsail set, but partly brailed up. This sail being kept wet, most effectually prevents, without the least danger to the sail, any inconvenience to the men from the smoke or small sparks of the Rocket when going off; it should, therefore, be used where no objection exists on account of wind. It is not, however, by any means indispensable, as I have myself discharged some hundred Rockets from these boats, nay, even from a six-oared cutter, without it. From this application of the sail, it is evident, that Rockets may be thrown from these boats under sail, as well as at anchor, or in rowing. In the launch, the ammunition may be very securely stowed in the stern sheets, covered with tarpaulins, or tanned hides. In the six-oared cutter, there is not room for this, and an attending boat is therefore necessary: on which account, as well as from its greater steadiness, the launch is preferable, where there is no obstacle as to currents or shoal water.

Here it may be observed, with reference to its application in the marine, that as the power of discharging this ammunition without the burthen of ordnance, gives it _exclusive_ facilities for land service, so also, its property of being projected without reaction upon the point of discharge, gives it _exclusive_ facilities for sea service: insomuch, that Rockets conveying the same quantity of combustible matter, as by the ordinary system would be thrown from the largest mortars, and from ships of very heavy tonnage, may be used out of the smallest boats of the navy; and the 12-pounder and 18-pounder have been frequently fired even from four-oared gigs.

It should here also be remarked, that the 12 and 18-pounder shell Rockets recochét in the water remarkably well at low angles. There is another use for Rockets in boat service also, which ought not to be passed over--namely, their application in facilitating the capture of a ship by boarding.

In this service 32-pounder shell Rockets are prepared with a short stick, having a leader and short fuze fixed to the stick for firing the Rocket. Thus prepared, every boat intended to board is provided with 10 or 12 of these Rockets; the moment of coming alongside, the fuzes are lighted, and the whole number of Rockets immediately launched by hand through the ports into the ship; where, being left to their own impulse, they will scour round and round the deck until they explode, so as very shortly to clear the way for the boarders, both by actual destruction, and by the equally powerful operation of terror amongst the crew; the boat lying quietly alongside for a few seconds, until, by the explosion of the Rockets, the boarders know that the desired effect has been produced, and that no mischief can happen to themselves when they enter the vessel.

THE USE OF ROCKETS IN FIRE SHIPS, AND THE MODE OF FITTING ANY OTHER SHIP FOR THE DISCHARGE OF ROCKETS.

Plate 12, Fig. 1, represents the application of Rockets in fire-ships; by which, a great power of _distant_ conflagration is given to these ships, in addition to the limited powers they now possess, as depending entirely on _contact_ with the vessels they may be intended to destroy.

The application is made as follows:--Frames or racks are to be provided in the tops of all fire-ships, to contain as many hundred carcass and shell Rockets, as can be stowed in them, tier above tier, and nearly close together. These racks may also be applied in the topmast and top-gallant shrouds, to increase the number: and when the time arrives for sending her against the enemy, the Rockets are placed in these racks, at different angles, and in all directions, having the vents uncovered, but requiring no leaders, or any nicety of operation, which can be frustrated either by wind or rain; as the Rockets are discharged merely by the progress of the flame ascending the rigging, at a considerable lapse of time after the ship is set on fire, and abandoned.

It is evident, therefore, in the first place that no injury can happen to the persons charged with carrying in the vessel, as they will have returned into safety before any discharge takes place. It is evident, also, that the most extensive destruction to the enemy may be calculated on, as the discharge will commence about the time that the fire-ship has drifted in amongst the enemies’ ships: when issuing in the most tremendous vollies, the smallest ship being supposed not to have less than 1,000 Rockets, distributed in different directions, it is impossible but that every ship of the enemy must, with fire-ships enough, and no stint of Rockets, be covered sooner or later with clouds of this destructive fire; whereas, without this _distant power of destruction_, it is ten to one if every fire-ship does not pass harmlessly through the fleet, by the exertions of the enemies’ boats in towing them clear--_exertions_, it must be remarked, _entirely precluded_ in this system of fire-ships, as it is impossible that any boat could venture to approach a vessel so equipped, and pouring forth shell and carcass Rockets, in all directions, and at all angles. I had an opportunity of trying this experiment in the attack of the French Fleet in Basque Roads, and though on a very small scale indeed, it was ascertained, that the greatest confusion and terror was created by it in the enemy.

Figs. 2, 3, and 4, represent the mode of fitting any ship to fire Rockets, from scuttles in her broadside; giving, thereby, to every vessel having a between-deck, a Rocket battery, in addition to the gun batteries on her spar deck, without the one interfering in the smallest degree with the other, or without the least risk to the ship; the sparks of the Rocket in going off being completely excluded, either by iron shutters closing the scuttle from within, as practised in the Galgo defence ship, fitted with 21 Rocket scuttles in her broadside, as shewn in Fig. 3; or by a particular construction of scuttle and frame which I have since devised, and applied to the Erebus sloop of war: so that the whole of the scuttle is completely filled, in all positions of traverse, and at all angles, by the frame; and thereby any possibility of the entrance of fire completely prevented. In both these ships, the Rockets may be either discharged at the highest angles, for bombardment, or used at low angles, as an additional means of offence or defence against other shipping in action; as the Rockets, thus used, are capable of projecting 18-pounder shot, or 4½-inch shells, or even 24-pounder solid shot. This arrangement literally gives the description of small vessels here mentioned, a second and most powerful deck, for general service as well as for bombardment.

Smaller vessels, such as gun brigs, schooners, and cutters, may be fitted to fire Rockets by frames, similar to the boat frames, described in Plate 11, from their spar deck, and either over the broadside or the stern; their frames being arranged to travel up and down, on a small upright spar or boat’s mast, fixed perpendicularly to the outside of the bulwark of the vessel. As a temporary expedient, or in small vessels, this mode answers very well; but it has the objection of not carrying the sparks so far from the rigging, as when fired from below: it interferes also with the fighting the guns at the same time, and can therefore only be applied exclusively in the case of bombardment. All the gun brigs, however, on the Boulogne station, during Commodore OWEN’s command there, were fitted in this manner, some with two and some with three frames on a broadside.

ROCKET AMMUNITION.

Plate 13 represents all the different natures of Rocket Ammunition which have hitherto been made, from the eight-inch carcass or explosion Rocket, weighing nearly three hundred weight, to the six-pounder shell Rocket, and shews the comparative dimensions of the whole.

This Ammunition may be divided into three parts--the heavy, medium, and light natures. The _heavy natures_ are those denominated by the number of inches in their diameter; the _medium_ from the 42-pounder to the 24-pounder inclusive; and the _light natures_ from the 18-pounder to the 6-pounder inclusive.

The ranges of the eight-inch, seven-inch, and six-inch Rockets, are from 2,000 to 2,500 yards; and the quantities of combustible matter, or bursting powder, from 25lbs. and upwards to 50lbs. Their sticks are divided into four parts, secured with ferules, and carried in the angles of the packing case, containing the Rocket, one Rocket in each case, so that notwithstanding the length of the stick, the whole of this heavy part of the system possesses, in proportion, the same facility as the medium and light parts. These Rockets are fired from bombarding frames, similar to those of the 42 and 32-pounder carcasses; or they may be fired from a slope of earth in the same way. They may also be fired along the ground, as explained in Plate 9, for the purposes of explosion.

These large Rockets have from their weight, combined with less diameter, even more penetration than the heaviest shells, and are therefore equally efficient for the destruction of bomb proofs, or the demolition of strong buildings; and their construction having now been realized, it is proved that the facilities of the Rocket system are not its only excellence, but that it actually will propel heavier masses than can be done by any other means; that is to say, masses, to project which, it would be scarcely possible to cast, much less to transport, mortars of sufficient magnitude. Various modifications of the powers of these large Rockets may be made, which it is not necessary here to specify.

The 42 and 32-pounders are those which have hitherto been principally used in bombardment, and which, for the general purposes of bombardment, will be found sufficient, while their portability renders them in that respect more easily applied. I have therefore classed them as medium Rockets. These Rockets will convey from ten to seven pounds of combustible matter each; have a range of upwards of 3,000 yards; and may, where the fall of greater mass in any particular spot is required, either for penetration or increased fire, be discharged in combinations of three, four, or six Rockets, well lashed together, with the sticks in the centre also strongly bound together. The great art of firing these _fasces of Rockets_ is to arrange them, so that they may be sure to take fire contemporaneously, which must be done either by priming the bottoms of all thoroughly, or by firing them by a flash of powder, which is sure to ignite the whole combination at once. The 42 and 32-pounder Rockets may also be used as explosion Rockets, and the 32-pounder armed with shot or shells: thus, a 32-pounder will range at least 1,000 yards, laid on the ground, and armed with a 5½-inch howitzer shell, or an 18 and even a 24-pounder solid shot.

The 32-pounder is, as it were, the mean point of the system: it is the least Rocket used as a carcass in bombardment, and the largest armed either with shot or shell, for field service. The 24-pounder Rocket is very nearly equal to it in all its applications in the field; from the saving of weight, therefore, I consider it preferable. It is perfectly equal to propel the cohorn shell or 12-pounder shot.

The 18-pounder, which is the first of the _light_ natures of Rockets, is armed with a 9-pounder shot or shell; the 12-pounder with a 6-pounder ditto; the 9-pounder with a grenade; and the 6-pounder with a 3-pounder shot or shell. These shells, however, are now cast expressly for the Rocket service, and are elliptical instead of spherical, thereby increasing the power of the shell, and decreasing the resistance of the air.

From the 24-pounder to the 9-pounder Rocket, inclusive, a description of case shot Rocket is formed of each nature, armed with a quantity of musket or carbine balls, put into the top of the cylinder of the Rocket, and from thence discharged by a quantity of powder contained in a chamber, by which the velocity of these balls, when in flight, is increased beyond that of the Rocket’s motion, an effect which cannot be given in the spherical case, where the bursting powder only liberates the balls.

All Rockets intended for explosion, whether the powder be contained in a wrought iron head or cone, as used in bombardment: or whether in the shell above mentioned, for field service, or in the case shot, are fitted with an external fuse of paper, which is ignited from the vent at the moment when the Rocket is fired. These fuses may be instantaneously cut to any desired length, from 25 seconds downwards, by a pair of common scissars or nippers, and communicate to the bursting charge, by a quickmatch, in a small tube on the outside of the Rocket; in the shell Rocket the paper fuse communicates with a wooden fuse in the shell, which, being cut to the shortest length that can be necessary, is never required to be taken out of the shell, but is regulated either by taking away the paper fuse altogether, or leaving any part of it, which, in addition to the fixed and permanent wooden fuse in the shell, may make up the whole time of flight required. By this system, the arrangement of the fuse in action is attended with a facility, security, and an expedition, not known in any other similar operations.

All the Rocket sticks for land service are made in parts of convenient length for carriage, and jointed by iron ferules. For sea service they are made in the whole length.

The 24-pounder shell and case shot Rockets are those which I propose issuing in future for the heavy field carriages; the 18-pounder shell and case shot for the light field carriages; the 12-pounder for the mounted ammunition of cavalry; the 9 and 6-pounders for infantry, according to the different cases already explained.

Fig. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, and 9, represent the different implements used for jointing the sticks, or fixing them to the Rocket, being of different sizes, in proportion to the different natures to which they belong. They consist of hammers, pincers, vices, and wrenches, all to accomplish the same object, namely, that of compressing the ferule into the stick, by means of strong steel points in the tool, so as to fix it immoveably. The varieties are here all shewn, because I have not hitherto decided which is the preferable instrument.

Fig. 10, 11, 12, and 13, represent another mode of arranging the different natures of ammunition, which is hitherto merely a matter of speculation, but which may in certain parts of the system be hereafter found a considerable improvement. It is the carrying the Rocket, or projectile force, distinct from the ammunition itself, instead of combining them in their first construction, as hitherto supposed.

Thus, Fig. 10 is the Rocket, and Fig. 11, 12, and 13, are respectively a shell, case shot, or carcass, which may be immediately fixed to the Rocket by a screw, according as either the one or the other nature is required at the time. A greater variety of ammunition might thus be carried for particular services, with a less burthen altogether.

Fig. 14 and 15 represent the light ball or floating carcass Rocket. This is supposed to be a 42-pounder Rocket, containing in its head, as in Fig. 12, a parachute with a light ball or carcass attached to it by a slight chain. This Rocket being fired nearly perpendicularly into the air, the head is burst off at its greatest altitude, by a very small explosion, which, though it ignites the light ball, does not injure the parachute; but by liberating it from the Rocket, leaves it suspended in the air, as Fig. 13, in which situation, as a light ball, it will continue to give a very brilliant light, illuminating the atmosphere for nearly ten minutes; or as a carcass, in a tolerable breeze, will float in the air, and convey the fire for several miles, unperceived and unconsumed, if only the match of the carcass be ignited at the disengagement of the parachute.

It should be observed that, with due care, the Rocket ammunition is not only the most secure, but the most durable that can be: every Rocket is, in fact, a charge of powder hermetically sealed in a metal case, impervious either to the ordinary accidents by fire, or damage from humidity. I have used Rockets that had been three years on board of ship, without any apparent loss of power; and when after a certain period, which, from my present experience, I cannot estimate at less than eight or ten years, their force shall have so far suffered as to render them unserviceable, they may again be regenerated, at the mere expense of boring out the composition and re-driving it: the stick, case, &c. that is to say, all the principal parts, being as serviceable as ever.

_The Ranges of these different Natures of Rocket Ammunition are as follow:_

+-------+----------------------------------------------------------------+ | | ELEVATIONS (in Degrees), RANGES (in Yards) | +-------+--------+-----+-----+-------+-----+-----+-----+-----+-----+-----+ |Nature |Point | 20 | 25 | 30 | 35 | 40 | 45 | 50 | 55 | 60 | |of |Blank, | to | to | to | to | to | to | to | to | to | |Rocket |or | 25° | 30° | 35° | 40° | 45° | 50° | 55° | 60° | 65° | | |Ground | | | | | | | | | | | |Practice| | | | | | | | | | +-------+--------+-----+-----+-------+-----+-----+-----+-----+-----+-----+ |6, 7, | | | | | | | | | |2,100| |and 8 | | | | | | | | | | to | |inch | | | | | | | | | |2,500| | | | | | | | | | | | | |42- | | | | | | | |2,000|2,500| | |Pounder| | | | | | | | to | to | | | | | | | | | | |2,500|3,000| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |32- |1,000 | | |1,000 |1,500|2,000|2,500|3,000| | | |Pounder| to | | | to | to | to | to | to | | | | |1,200 | | |1,500 |2,000|2,500|3,000|3,200| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |24- |nearly | | | | | | | | | | |Pounder|the same| | | | | | | | | | | |ranges | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |18- |1,000 | |1,000|1,500 | |2,000| | | | | |Pounder| | | to | to|2,000| to|2,500| | | | | | | |1,500| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |12- |nearly | | | | | | | | | | |Pounder|the same| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |9- | 800 |1,000|1,500| |2,000| | | | | | |Pounder| to | to | and|upwards| to|2,200| | | | | | |1,000 |1,500| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |6- |nearly | | | | | | | | | | |Pounder|the same| | | | | | | | | | +-------+--------+-----+-----+-------+-----+-----+-----+-----+-----+-----+

CONCLUSION.

Calculations proving the comparative Economy of the Rocket Ammunition, both as to its Application in Bombardment and in the Field.

So much misapprehension having been entertained with regard to the expense of the Rocket system, it is very important, for the true understanding of the weapon, to prove, that it is by far the cheapest mode of applying artillery ammunition, both in bombardment and in the field.

To begin with the expense of making the 32-pounder Rocket Carcass, which has hitherto been principally used in bombardments, compared with the 10-inch Carcass, which conveys even less combustible matter.

£. _s._ _d._
{Case 0 5 0
Cost of a 32-pounder {Cone 0 2 11
Rocket Carcass, complete {Stick 0 2 6
for firing in the present {Rocket composition 0 3 9
mode of manufacture. {Carcass ditto 0 2 3
{Labour, paint, &c. 0 5 6
------------
£1 1 11
------------

If the construction were more systematic, and elementary force used instead of manual labour, the expense of driving the Rocket might be reduced four-fifths, which would lower the amount to about 18_s._ each Rocket, complete; and if bamboo were substituted, which I am endeavouring to accomplish, for the stick, the whole expense of each 32-pounder Carcass Rocket would be about 16_s._ each.

Now as the calculation of the expense of the Rocket includes that of the projectile force, which conveys it 3,000 yards; to equalize the comparison, to the cost of the spherical carcass must be added that of the charge of powder required to convey it the same distance.

£. _s._ _d._
Cost of a 10-inch { Value of a 10-inch spherical
Spherical Carcass, { carcass 0 15 7
with a proportionate { Ditto of charge of powder, 0 6 0
charge of powder, &c. { to range it 3,000 yards
{ Cartridge tube, &c. 0 1 0
------------
£l 2 7
------------

So that even with the present disadvantages of manufacture, there is an actual saving in the 32-pounder Rocket carcass itself, which contains more composition than the 10-inch spherical carcass, _without allowing any thing for the difference of expense of the Rocket apparatus, and that of the mortar, mortar beds, platforms, &c._ which, together with the difficulty of transport, constitute the greatest expense of throwing the common carcass; whereas, the cost of apparatus for the use of the Rocket carcass does not originally exceed £5; and indeed, on most occasions, the Rocket may, as has been shewn, be thrown even without any apparatus at all: besides which, it may be stated, that a transport of 250 tons will convey 5,000 Rocket carcasses, with every thing required for using them, on a very extensive scale; while on shore, a common ammunition waggon will carry 60 rounds, with the requisites for action. The difference in all these respects, as to the 10-inch spherical carcass, its mortars, &c. is too striking to need specifying.

But the comparison as to expense is still more in favour of the Rocket, when compared with the larger natures of carcasses. The 13-inch spherical carcass costs £1. 17_s._ 11½_d._ to throw it 2,500 yards; the 32-pounder Rocket carcass, conveying the same quantity of combustible matter, does not cost more than £1. 5_s._ 0_d._--so that in this case there is a saving on the first cost of 12_s._ 11½_d._ Now the large Rocket carcass requires no more apparatus than the small one, and the difference of weight, as to carriage, is little more than that of the different quantities of combustible matter contained in each, while the difference of weight of the 13-inch and 10-inch carcasses is at least double, as is also that of the mortars; and, consequently, all the other comparative charges are enhanced in the same proportion.

In like manner, the 42-pounder Carcass Rocket, which contains from 15 to 18 lbs. of combustible matter, will be found considerably cheaper in the first cost than the 13-inch spherical carcass: and a proportionate economy, including the ratio of increased effect, will attach also to the still larger natures of Rockets which I have now made. Thus the first cost of the 6-inch Rocket, weighing 150 lbs. and containing 40 lbs. of combustible matter, is not more than £3. 10_s._ that is to say, less than double the first cost of the 13-inch spherical carcass, though its conflagrating powers, or the quantity of combustible matter conveyed by it, are three times as great, and its mass and penetration are half as much again as that of the 10-inch shell or carcass. It is evident, therefore, that however extended the magnitude of Rockets may be, and I am now endeavouring to construct some, the falling mass of which will be considerably more than that of the 13-inch shell or carcass, and whose powers, therefore, either of explosion or conflagration, will rise even in a higher ratio, still, although the first cost may exceed that of any projectile at present thrown, on a comparison of effects, there will be a great saving in favour of the Rocket System.

It is difficult to make a precise calculation as to the average expense of every common shell or carcass, actually thrown against the enemy; but it is generally supposed and admitted, that, on a moderate estimate, these missiles, one with another, cannot cost government less than £5 each; nor can this be doubted, when, in addition to the first cost of the ammunition, that of the _ordnance_, and _the charges incidental to its application_, are considered. But as to the Rocket and its apparatus, it has been seen, that the _principal expense_ is that of the first construction, an expense, which it must be fairly stated, that the charges of conveyance cannot more than double under any circumstances; so that where the mode of throwing carcasses by 32-pounder Rockets is adopted, there is, at least, an average saving of £3 on every carcass so thrown, and proportionally for the larger natures; especially as not only the conflagrating powers of the spherical carcass are equalled even by the 32-pounder Rocket, but greatly exceeded by the larger Rockets; and the more especially indeed, as the difference of accuracy, for the purposes of bombardment, is not worthy to be mentioned, since it is no uncommon thing for shells fired from a mortar at long ranges, to spread to the right and left of each other, upwards of 500 or even 600 yards, as was lately proved by a series of experiments, where the mortar bed was actually fixed in the ground; an aberration which the Rocket will never equal, unless some accident happens to the stick in firing; and this, I may venture to say, does not occur oftener than the failure of the fuze in the firing of shells. The fact is, that whatever aberration does exist in the Rocket, it is distinctly seen; whereas, in ordinary projectiles it is scarcely to be traced--and hence has arisen a very exaggerated notion of the inaccuracy of the former.

But to recur to the economy of the Rocket carcass; how much is not the saving of this system of bombardment enhanced, when considered with reference to naval bombardment, when the expensive construction of the large mortar vessel is viewed, together with the charge of their whole establishment, compared with the few occasions of their use, and their unfitness for general service? Whereas, by means of the Rocket, every vessel, nay, every boat, has the power of throwing carcasses without any alteration in her construction, or any impediment whatever to her general services.

So much for the comparison required as to the application of the Rocket in bombardment; I shall now proceed to the calculation of the expense of this ammunition for field service, compared with that of common artillery ammunition. In the first place, it should be stated that the Rocket will project every species of shot or shell which can be fired from field guns, and indeed, even heavier ammunition than is ordinarily used by artillery in the field. But it will be a fair criterion to make the calculation, with reference to the six and nine-pounder common ammunition; these two natures of shot or shell are projected by a small Rocket, which I have denominated the 12-pounder, and which will give horizontally, and _without apparatus_, the same range as that of the gun, and _with apparatus_, considerably more. The calculation may be stated as follows:--

£. _s._ _d._
{Case and stick 0 5 6
12-pounder Rocket {Rocket composition 0 1 10½
{Labour, &c. 0 2 0
--------------
£0 9 4½
--------------

But this sum is capable of the following reduction, by substituting elementary force for manual labour, and by employing bamboo in lieu of the stick.

£. _s._ _d._
{Case and stick 0 4 0
[B]Reduced Price {Composition 0 1 10½
{Driving 0 0 6
-------------
£0 6 4½
-------------

[B] And this is the sum that, ought to be taken in a general
calculation of the advantages of which the system is
_capable_, because to this it _may_ be brought.

Now the cost of the shot or spherical case is the same whether projected from a gun or thrown by the Rocket; and the fixing it to the Rocket costs about the same as strapping the shot to the wooden bottom.

This 6_s._ 4½_d._ therefore is to be set against the value of the gunpowder, cartridge, &c. required for the gun, which may be estimated as follows:--

£. _s._ _d._
6-pounder Amm’n. {Charge of powder for the 6-pounder 0 2 0
{Cartridge, 3½_d._ wooden bottom, 0 0 7¼
{ 2½_d._ and tube, 1¼_d._
-------------
£0 2 7¼
-------------

£. _s._ _d._
9-pounder Amm’n. {For the 9-pounder charge of powder 0 3 0
{Cartridge, 4½_d._ wooden bottom, 0 0 8¼
{ 2½_d._ and tube, 1¼_d._
-------------
£0 3 8¼
-------------

Taking the average, therefore, of the six and nine-pounder ammunition, the Rocket ammunition costs 3_s._ 2¾_d._ a round more than the common ammunition.

Now we must compare the simplicity of the use of the Rocket, with the expensive apparatus of artillery, to see what this trifling difference of first cost in the Rocket has to weigh against it. In the first place, we have seen, that in many situations the Rocket requires no apparatus at all to use it, and that, where it does require any, it is of the simplest kind: we have seen also, that both infantry and cavalry can, in a variety of instances, combine this weapon with their other powers; so that it is not, in such cases, _even to be charged with the pay of the men_. These, however, are circumstances that can _in no case_ happen with respect to ordinary artillery ammunition; the use of which never can be divested of the expense of the construction, transport, and maintenance of the necessary ordnance to project it, or of the men _exclusively_ required to work that ordnance. What proportion, therefore, will the trifling difference of first cost, and the average facile and unexpensive application of the Rocket bear to the heavy contingent charges involved in the use of field artillery? It is a fact, that, in the famous Egyptian campaign, those charges did not amount to less than £20 per round, one with another, _exclusive_ of the pay of the men; nor can they for any campaign be put at less than from £2 to £3 per round. It must be obvious, therefore, although it is not perhaps practicable actually to clothe the calculation in figures, that the saving must be very great indeed in favour of the Rocket, in the field as well as in bombardment.

Thus far, however, the calculation is limited merely as to the bare question of expense; but on the score of general advantage, how is not the balance augmented in favour of the Rocket, when all the _exclusive_ facilities of its use are taken into the account--the _universality_ of the application, the _unlimited_ quantity of instantaneous fire to be produced by it for particular occasions--of fire not to be by any possibility approached in quantity by means of ordnance? Now to all these points of excellence one only drawback is attempted to be stated--this is, the difference of accuracy: but the value of the objection vanishes when fairly considered; for in the first place, it must be admitted, that the general business of action is not that of target-firing; and the more especially with a weapon like the Rocket, which possesses the facility of bringing such quantities of fire on any point: thus, if the difference of accuracy were as ten to one against the Rocket, as the facility of using it is at least as ten to one in its favour, the ratio would be that of equality. The truth is, however, that the difference of accuracy, for actual application against troops, instead of ten to one, cannot be stated even as two to one; and, consequently, the compound ratio as to effect, the same shot or shell being projected, would be, even with this admission of comparative inaccuracy, greatly in favour of the Rocket System. But it must still further be borne in mind, that this system is yet in its infancy, that much has been accomplished in a short time, and that there is every reason to believe, that the accuracy of the Rocket may be actually brought upon a par with that of other artillery ammunition for all the important purposes of field service.

W. CONGREVE.

Transcriber’s Notes

Punctuation and spelling were made consistent when a predominant preference was found in this book; otherwise they were not changed.

Simple typographical errors were corrected.

Ambiguous hyphens at the ends of lines were retained; occurrences of inconsistent hyphenation have not been changed.

In the table of Ranges:

Transcriber rearranged parts of the column headings, but “as
follow” (singular) in the table’s title was printed that way in
the original.

The column heading “55 to 60°” was misprinted as “55 to 66°”;
corrected here.