Transcript
with gunpowder, or a solution of nitrate of lead as
used in france. The string hanging out. would be
no impediment to loading, or to the discharge of the
ball. I do not know how much powder wd be required
to burst a shell of cast iron of a given thickness,"
but if a ball cd be cast with a hollow sufficient to
hold powder equal to the purpose, and the iron strong
enough to pass through, or lodge in, the side of a
vessel, it wd. be a very destructive instrument.
Thomas Cooper
