RESTRICTED ORDNANCE PAMPHLET NO. 4 AMMUNITION INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE NAVAL SERVICE . xi Ls MAY 1943RESTRICTED ORDNANCE PAMPHLET NO. 4 AMMUNITION INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE NAVAL SERVICE This publication is RESTRICTED and will be handled in accordance with Article 76, United States Navy Regulations, 1920 MAY 1943TABLE OF CONTENTS Chapter rite 1, General instructions. . Safety precaution Description and Black powder Smokeless powder. amination and tests of powder aboard ship. |. Surveillance ovens. . High explosives. Detonating substances... 20.2 -- eae - Projectiles... . Cartridge eases ar XII. Ammunition cont XIII. Fuzes and tracers XIV. Primers... XY. Assembled charges. XVI. Miscellaneous ammunitior XVII. Aireraft ammunition. XVIIL Stowage of ammunition. XIX. Pyrotechnic materials. XX. Marking of ammunition... ‘case ammunition. LIST OF FIGURES Figure 1, Sulphur burner. : 2. Cotton picking machine... as 3. Cotton dryer. 4. Cotton nitraters 5, Contrifugal wringer. cae 6 Pyro discharge to boiling tubs... 2-0-0 7. Boiling tubs. Duplex beater, pulping machi |. Poaching tub: Pyro sereens.. g Dowatering machine...----..-.-2---20---- Dehydrating press... Mixing machine. Blocking press. ‘Macaroni press 5 os 16. Graining press. ze 17. Powder dio for multiperforated grains 18, Grain cutter (cover in place)... 19. Grain cutter (cover removed)... a 20, Sorting table. 21, Mark 2 oven, showing relay. 31 32 a4 35 36 37 37 39 40 Al 4 42 42 42 43 43 44Vv TABLE OF CONTEN Figure 22, Mark 2 oven, sho 23. Mark 2 oven, inte 24. Operations for making 4 5. L-pounder ammunition boxes, Marks 2 and 3 26, 3'7/23 ammunition boxes, Mark 4 and Mark 4, Mod 1 27. 47/50 cartridge tank, Mark 2... 28, 4'7/50 cartridge boxes, Mark 3 and Mark 3, Mod 1. 29, 5.ineh powder tanks. 0. 12-inch powder tanks 31, Lsinch powder tanks. 82, 16-inch powder tanks... 38. Frankford Arsenal 21-sceond combination fuze 34, Stacked (left) and unstacked powder charges 35. Cross section of a V. B. rifle grenade. 36. Cross section of a hand grenade 87. 8- and 6-pounder line-throwing projectiles. ing rheostat ‘TABLE OF PLATES Plate 1, Diagrammatic arrange: Mark 2, Mod 2, wiring diagram: Mark 2, Mod 2, relay, general arrangement. 5, Surveillance oven, Mark 2, Mod 2, method of installing Boyce ‘moto meter Surveillance oven, Mark 2, Mod 3, general arrangement ark 2, Mod 3, wiring diagram wiring diagram... if : Surveillance oven, Mark 2, Mod 4, relay, front. view. 13, Surveill lark 2, Mod 5, side elevation Biss L-pounder ama 3-poundor am . 6-pounder atm’ Facing Facing Facing Facing, G-inch (47 caliber) ammunition. 26, Primers : 27. Stacking machine, 28, Method of use of 45 ealiber line-throwing gun 1, Juliens Creek, Va EERSSESSSSESSS Saas seeses 2888INSTRUCTIONS GOVERNING THE CARE, PRESERVATION, STOWAGE, INSPECTION. AND TEST OF AMMUNITION FOR THE NAVAL SERVICE 1. This revision which supersedes Ordnance Pamphlet No. 4, of S lished in accordance with article 74, Navy Regulations, 1920, and covers instructions gover the caro, preservation, stowage, inspection, and test of service and general info tion about ammunition, No attempt has been made to go deeply into the general subject of ammunition materials, as the subject is too broad for general consumption. Personnel see more detailed information should utilize standard works on explosives, consulting the list com- piled under the direction of the National Research Council. 2. There are certain repetitions herein of matter contained in the Bureau of Ordnance Manual, but in most cases this pamphlet covers the subjects in greater detail than is appropriate for the Bureau Manual. 3. ‘This publication should be gi en a free circulation under its restricted status to the end that all concerned with ammunition may have adequate information pertaining thereto. 4, In this revision the chapters on Pyrotechnics, Interior Ballisties, Erosion, and Dispersion have been omitted The first is thoroughly covered in Ordnance Pamphlet No. 725 of August 1937, and the remainder appear better suited to pamphlets on gun design or ballistics than to an ammunition manual. 5. Tho revision of Ordnance Pamphlet No will follow this revision will constitute Patt I1 of the Naval Amnumition Manual, and will contain matter pertaining only to ammunition depots, naval magazines, ete. 6. The inclusion in this pamphlet of matter pertaining to ordnance material which is obsolete or obsolescent so far as the Fleet is concerned, is dietated by the necessity for providing adequate information as to material issued in time of war to converted merchantmen, patrol eraft, auxil- inries, and the like. . Shipments of explosives by fi ith the Interstate Commerce Commission Regulations for the , copies of which are on file at the various navy yards and station naval ammuni- tion depots. When it becomes necessary for a vessel to ship ammun ight or express, it is preferable to turn it in to an ammunition depot for proper packing, loading, and placarding, if such turning in is practicable, otherwise to the supply officer of a navy yard or station. Ship- ment of explosives by mail is positively FORBIDDEN. Ait or express must be packed and marked in accordance tation of Explo- yAMMUNITION NAVAL AMMUNITION MANUAL Part I—1943 Chapter I. GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS 1-1. The instructions contained in this Ordnance Pamphlet, promulgated primarily for the service afloat, shall be followed at all naval ammunition depots, naval magazines, naval torpedo stations, ordnance plants, naval mine depots, and other naval stations on shore, insofar as they are applicable, 1-2. The methods of caring for and handling ordnance material as set forth in- (@) United States Navy Regulations. (6) Ordnance pamphlets, (c) Ordnance manuals. shall be closely followed. 1-3. Detailed instructions relative to any particular class of ordnance will be found in the following publications: (a) Navy Regulations, (6) Ordnance Pamphlets (OP's), Ordnance Data (OD's), and Ord- nanco Drawings. (©) Ordnance Manuals. (®) Gummery Instructions. (©) Ship and Gun Drills. (f) Landing Force Manual. (g) Navy Department General Orders. (4) Ordnance circular letters, (i) War Department circulars or technical regulations issued through the Bureau of Ordnance, When in doubt as to the meaning of any regulation or instruction concerning ordnance, an interpretation should be requested from the Bureau of Ordnance. 1-4. Commanding officers shall have on file a complete and up-to-date set of ordnance publications covering all ordnance material and ammuntion on. 1 Instruction! ashore ad afloat Instructions for ord nance material. Detailed instructions. File of ordnance pub- eatona.Use of sens. Damage tocemtainers: MUNITION board the vessels under their command. Ordnance pamphlets may be obtained from the Bureau of Ordnance upon request, ascertaining the pamphlet number from the index published as Pamphlet No. 0. ‘The exercise of the utmost care and prudence in handling, inspecting, testing, preparing, assembling, and transporting all kinds of ammunition and ammunition details is enjoined upon all officers and other persons whose duties require cognizance over or actual handling of explosives during any of the above operations. Subordinates are liable to become careless and indifferent when continually engaged in work with explosives and, as long as nothing occurs, are inclined to drift gradually into a neglect of necessary precaution Nothing but constant vigilance on the part of « and others in change will insure the constant observance by subordinates of the rules and regulations which experience has taught to be necessary. Safety precautions, rules and regulations for handling explosives should be made the subject for frequent instruction, and the necessity for strict compliance therewith should be so firmly fixed on new men that they will invariably and subconsciously do th proper thing thereafter. Attention should be especially invited to the fact that in the earlier stages of the use of explosives the experience gained has been at a costly price, No relaxation of any regulation should be tolerated, as this tends to induce an idea that tho rules are arbitrary. 1-6. The use of placards and signs containing admonitory notices, serving $a constant reminder of the safety precautions, is sometimes condemned as i the effect of creating a fear of explosives, especially in new men. ‘The use of signs is probably not so vitally required aboard ship as in shore plant: but their obvious advantages should not be overlooked. 1-7. Handling of ammunition shall be reduced to the minimum in order to prevent the occurrence of leaky containers, damaged tanks and cartridge cases, loosened projectiles, torn powder bags, ete., and in order to reduce the chances of accidents, ‘The number of men allowed in tho vicinity of explosives should, as far as practicable, depending on the requirements of the opera be reduced to the minimum for properly performing the work in hand. frequently happens that unnecessarily large working parties are assembled for handling live ammunition, Every effort and known preeaution is taken to make ammunition safe in handling under all conditions, but this should not presuppose that an necident may not happen, and, therefore, unnecessarily subjecting the personnel to the effects of such is unwarranted, 1-8. Of equal importa considered in the handling of ammunition the question of damage to containers, A study of smokeless powder shows posing it to the air affects its stability in a very injurious manne! Powder tanks are so constructed that th remain airtight as long as the gaskets hold; hence, if care is observed in handling not to dent the body so as to open the seams, or to loosen the top or bottom rings or covers, and on periodic inspections to note that the gaskets are holding up, one may be assuredGENERAL INSTRUCTIONS that the powder is properly protected from the atmosphi Ip handling powder tanks, dents are frequently caused by the use of cargo nets, by rolling tho tanks along decks and over obstructions, by allowing the bodies or rings to strike projections when hoisting or lowering, or by dropping them, When powder tanks are opened for inspection, the gaskets and general airtight con- dition of the tank shall be observed. _ It is impossible to give a standard method of handling tanks, but, in general, they shall be hoisted and lowered with care, carried along decks by hand, or transported by truck. 1-9. A vessel turned in her service allowance of ammunition to a de for overhaul. While it was aboard the ship, the reports of surveillance tests ashore gave 50 days and on board ship about 60 days, showing that apparently the powder was entir for continued use afloat for a number of years. During the overhaul, a number of leaky tanks were discovered and the tests on powder taken from them gave less than 6 days surveillance test. ‘The real danger to the of this ship and crew is apparent, but may be more fully realized when it is considered that the action of a deteriorating powder is, that is, the presence of nitrous oxide fumes react to cause more to break down, Carelessness on the part of the personnel resulted in the unsatisfactory condition of these tanks. Many instances are on file in the Bureau of Ordnance where sister ships have turned in their service allo ances for overhaul, one requiring practically no repairs and the other requiring most extensive repairs and replacement of material. The investigation into the poor condition of one ship’s outfit disclosed the fact that the powder tanks: had been transferred from ship to lighter by dumping them down a chute. ‘The only explanation for such utter disregard of existing instructions can be found in the failure of the personnel to appreciate the significance of their carelessness, 1-10. Aside from the danger of leaky powder tanks, there are other serious conditions which arise, ‘The silk powder bag cloth is attacked by the nitrous oxide fumes. ‘This would soon impair the serviceability of the charges f loading. ‘The rotting bag would burst, scattering powder grains with the ulting danger and delay. Powder in leaky containers will not only give dif- ferent ballistic results from those determined on proof, but will give erratic results, to the serious inconvenience of fire control. ‘The seriousness of per- mitting ammunition to deteriorate so that it would not only be ineffective but dangerous and erratic in battle should be obvious to every person who participates in the teamwork which produces the correct answer in battle; namely, “hits per gun per minute.” Smokeless powder in leaky containers shall be landed for replacement at the earliest practicable moment after discovery, unless a surveillance test shows it to be in normal condition, and the container an be repaired. 1-11. Tho greatest care shall be exercised in handling loaded and fuzed projectiles, A projectile which has been dropped from « height exceeding 5 fect Danger in damaged containcte Damage to charges. Handling projeetien.Empty containers. Powder charg. Exposere to mun. AMMUNITION shall be set aside and turned in to an ammunition depot. Such a projectile shall be clearly marked to show its condition and shall be handled with the Upon receipt at a naval ammunition depot it shall be unfuzed il the fuze scrapped. Fuzes are designed and manufactured so that a fuzed projectile may be dropped without causing the fuze to function, but additional drops or the shock of firing may cause a fuze action. Rotating bands on projectiles for separate or semifixed ammunition have nonftingi easily damaged. handled and stowed with care and shall be turned in to a naval ai depot at the earliest opportunity, To prevent deformation, cart which are still hot from firing should not be laid on their sides or roughly handled. Before restowing empty cartridge cases below they shall be freed from inflammable gases. Since these gases are lighter than air the clearing can best be accomplished by standing the empty cases on their bases in the open air for 10 minutes. Washing cases aboard ship is neither necessary nor desirable, 1-13. Navy smokeless powder is manufactured to contain in the finished grain a definite percentage of “residual volatiles,” which is as low as practical considerations will permit. Under normal conditions of storage the volatiles will not be reduced app Powder is packed at the factory, and char; and cartridges are made up at the naval ammunitions depots, as far as practi- cable, under normal atmospheric conditions to obtain a standard percentage of surface moisture. The charges in cartridges are effectually sealed by the cork mouth plug or by the projectile, and both cartridges and bag charges are uued in airtight tanks. The weights of charge having been established by the proof firing of the indexes under standard conditions of temperatures, cic., it is most important, for ballistic reasons, that powders undergo no change in service. To insure this freedom from change, personnel charged with the care of powder shall sco that the airtightness of tho containers is maintained. Powder exposed to the atmosphere will lose a portion of its residual volatiles, and on board ship will gain or lose surface moisture. While these changes may counteractive, it is highly unlikely that they will exactly balance, and the importance of keeping powder containers airtight should, therefore, be rated as on a par with the upkeep of the director systems. 1-14. The proof of powder is conducted under normal conditions as to volatiles and moisture, with the powder at a temperature of 90° F. Variations in storage temperatures do not affect the larity of the powder, nor does loss of stability of itself affect ballistics unless it has gone so far as to preclude retaining the powder aboard ship. 1-15. When smokeless powder is removed from magazines at naval ammu- nition depots or on board ship for any purpose, it shall not be exposed to the direct rays of the sun or subjected to other abnormal conditions of temperature.GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS: 5 This prohibition applies equally to powder in bulk, in tanks, cartridge cases, ammunition boxes, or other containers, Whenever it may be necessary to transport smokeless powder ammunition in boats, or to take it on shore, as for bont-gun or field-gun target. practice, it must be effect shaded from the rays of the sun. 1-16. When lar cases, the terms of the previous paragraph have not been complied with, any ammunition which may have been exposed shall be segregated, and shall, for purposes of tests, inspections, and reports, be regarded as a separate index; and, if on board ship, it shall be landed at a naval ammunition depot at the first opportunity, should there be reason to believe it has deteriorated, 1-17. If at any time smokeless powder be exposed to a temperature higher ,figemre tbektem- than 100° F., a special report shall be made to the Bureau of Ordnance immedi ately, explaining the circumstances in detail and stating the temperature and the length of time the powder was so exposed. 1-18. Smokeless powder that has been wet from any cause whatever must Wetperder. be regarded as dangerous for storage on board ship. Such powder must be completely immersed in distilled water ‘h condition it is entirely safe), and must be turned in without delay to a naval ammunition depot. Each container of immersed powder must be clearly marked to indicate its gross weight and the condition of such powder. In handling powder charges which have been wet, the smokeless powder shall be removed from the powder bags or cartridge eases, the smokeless powder then being cleaned by washing in water to remove any black powder residue, before finally packing in water. ‘The powder bags and ignition charges shall be thrown overboard. The con n to be avoided is shipping smokeless powder and black powder in a w condition in the same container, 1-19. Where safety devices are provided for any form of ainmunition, they ft ¢eviees. shall always be used in order to preclude any possibility of accidental discharge, 1-20. Service ammunition is supplied to ships for use in battle only, It Seve ammuniden. is not to be used for drill at the guns, instruction of the personnel that requires opening of charges or projectiles, for testing hoists or conveyors, or for similar purposes, except upon express authority from the Navy Department. It shall he regarded as part of a vessel's outfit, shall be kept distinct from the ammuni- tion issued for gunnery exercises, and shall never be expended in gunnery exer- es without the authorization of the orders for gunnery exercises or special nstructions from the Bureau of Ordnance, ‘Target practice ammunition may be stowed in the same magazine with ammunition, but steps shall be taken to provent the use of the latter in target practice. 1-21. The inspector of ordnance in charge of the ammunition depot nearest the navy yard in which a ship is undergoing overhaul should be con- sulted and requested to have the service allowance of ammunition inspected to determine the requirements for overhaul and replacement, and to provide the6 AMMUNITION data for a report on the condition to the Bur authority to turn it in for temporary stowag: of 1-22. All service ammuni cally as follow when requesting Periodle overba’ sctrice ammunition: ion on board ship shall be overhauled periodi- (a) Powder Charges (other than black powder and small arms powder) for cither bag guns or cartridge ease guns: (1) Fire years after assembly or reassembly.—All powder charges and all cartridges that have been on board ship for 5 years after assembly or reassembly shall be turned in to a naval ammunition depot for examination, test and overhaul during the ship’s next regular overhaul period at a navy yard In no case, however, shall powder charges be permitted to remain on board ship for more than 7 years after assembly or reassembly without having been overhauled at a depot (2) Three years after an orerhaul—AMl powder charges and all car- tridges that have been on board ship for 3 years after the overhaul mentioned in the preceding paragraph shall be tuned in to a naval ammunition depot at the ship's next regular overhaul period for examination, test and overhaul. Powder charges shall not remain on board ship for a lon: period than 4 years without overhaul, except in the ease of new or rens- sembled ammunition, as provided for in the preceding paragraph. (3) Special overhaul.—Whenever authorized by the Bureau of Ord- nance, powder charges shall be given special overhauls because of having. been subjected to unusually high temperatures, rough handling, water or moisture, storage in leaky tanks or cartridge cases, or other abnormal conditions; and as may be considered desirable as a result of the “Examina- tions and Tests of powder on Board Ship” (see ch. 6), Ammunition on destroyers, submarines and other vessels having similar storage conditions, and on vessels having long service in tropical waters will probably require Speci 5- and 3-year periods specified in the foregoing instructions. Commanding officers of such vessels should take the initiative in requesting examination and overhaul during the regular navy yard overhaul periods of the vessels. () Projectiles: (1) Separate loading ammunition. —Projectiles afloat for guns using bag charges or somifixed ammunition shall be kept in serviceablecondition on board ship as prescribed in article 1-30, chapter 1, page 19. Projectiles Jonded with black powder, mixed filler, explosive “D,” granular TNT, and illuminating assemblies need not be turned in to an ammunition depot for overhaul unless required as a result of the inspection mentioned below. Five pereent of projectiles loaded with east TNT, chemical warfare or ineendiar; materials, or other special explosives or pyrotechnic materials, shall be turned in at every ammunition overhaul for such examination by the depotGENERAL INSTRUCTIONS as may be necessary to establish their serviceabi ued stowage on board ship. ‘The service allowance of projectiles shall be inspected by the Inspector of Ordnance in Charge of the ammunition depot, or his representative, in company with the Gunnery Officer of the ship prior to or during the period of the powder overhaul in order to determine what overhaul is required; and if considered necessary, shall be in to the depot without further reference to the Bureau. (©) Special ammunition, small arms, primers, unassembled fuzes, signalling and pyrotechnic materials, trench and chemical warfare munitions, ¢te.—These materials shall be inspected by the Inspector of Ordnance in Charge or his representative and the Gunnery Officer at the time of the projectile inspection; and, if necessary, shall be turned in to the depot for such cxamination, test, grading, marking, overhaul, and replacement or completion of allowances as may be deemed desirable, having due regard for the nature of the materials and 1g instructions for stowage, handling, testing, surveillance, preservation, replacement, and safety. (a) Responsibility and authorit (1) The responsibility for the care, surveillance, testing, inspection, and overhaul of ammunition, explosives, and pyrotechnic materials, afloat, rests with the Commanding Officers of the ships who shall arrange for and request authority from the Bureau of Ordnance for the overhaul of ammunition at a depot during a regular navy yard overhaul of the ship. Advantage should be taken of the first opportunity for periodic ammu- nition overhaul, so that through unexpected changes of schedules or duties 4 ship will not be forced to retain ammunition on board for periods longer than the maximum given above. In no case, however, shall any bag changes or cartridges remain afloat in ships’ service allowances for a period longer than 10 years (regardless of: the number of inspections or partial overhauls) without break-down, complete overhaul, and reassembly at an ammunition depot. ‘The dates of assembly or of reassembly as well a8 the dates of any subsequent overhauls will be printed by the depot on the “powder identification tags.” (2) The Bureau shall be informed of any inability of a ship to comply th the instructions for inspection, test and overhaul of ammunition and explosi (3) The regular forms for reporting powder, projectiles, small arms, pyrotechnics, bombs, warheads, etc., should be submitted by ships even though the materials are undergoing overhaul at a depot. Where neces- sary, tho forms should be forwarded through the depot for filling in of test data. (4) Ammunition depots shall submit to the Bureau a report (copy to the ship concerned) of inspections, examinations, tests and overhauls of ity and safety for contin-Operations ohibited aboard ship. oe Disposition of unex- pended tarde practice Une of proper con taleers. Primers. ammunition with complete details regarding the condition of containers and explosives, the results of tests and the extent of overhaul found to be necessary or desirable, with recommendations for filling shortages in or replacing allowanei 1-23. It is expressly forbidden for any ship to make additions to powder bags. All ammunition is issued to the service in such condition that no work, except possibly tightening bag lacings, is required to be done on it preparatory to firing It is strictly forbidden to remove a fuze from a loaded proje this is a very dangerous undertaking and shall be done only at ammunition depots under special regulation, unless ordered by the Bureau of Ordnance. Under no circumstances shall any person, except when carrying out explicit structions from the Bureau of Ordnance, attempt to break down a fuze. Only regularly prescribed fuze setters shall be used for setting time fuzes, and regular tools for preparing saluting, signaling, and subealiber charges, and in breaking down and assembling charges for testing powder 1-24. Special ammunition, called target practic is put up and issued for gunnery es, or occasionally part of a ship’s allow- ance of service ammunition is designated by the Bureau of Ordnance for that: purpose. Such ammunition, provided it is not live ammunition, may, when in the discretion of the commanding officer it becomes necessary, be used for instructional purposes, for testing hoists and conveyors, but not for drill at the guns 1-25. Tho unexpended portion of such target practice ammunition as may have been issued for a specific gunnery exercise or experimental firing shall be turned in as soon as practicable, after such firing, to an ammunition depot, preferably the one where it was prepared, unless additional firings are immedi- ately authorized by the Navy Department 1-26. After opening containers and removing ammunition for firing, care shall be taken to return unexpended ammunition to the proper containers and not to obliterate the identification marks. ‘The repacking of case ammunition in tanks or boxes other than those designated to take it will result in damage to the ammunition. A case is on record where a ship restowed some shrapnel in boxes not designed for it in such a manner that the time percussion fuzes were moved off safety, the watertight caps cut, and the ammunition rendered useless and dangerous 1-27. The Bureau supplies to each ship an allowance of lock combination drill primers, ‘This allowance is furnished on an annual basis and provides an adequate quantity for testing of firing cireuits and for such training of primer- men as cannot be obtained with fired primers. With the exception of these, primers in excess of an allowance of 10 per gun per year shall not be expended except in actual firing. Primers issued for drill are from the oldest lots of prim- ers, Mark 15, mod, 1, on hand, ‘The use of service primers for fire-control drills or training ammunition,BRAL INSTRUCTIONS. or other training is prohibited. Cases have occurred where ships have used up primers in preparation for target practice, thus service ammunition worthless until the supply is re- 1-30. Projectiles comprising the service allowance of ammunition shall not d or disassembled on board ship, in any of their parts, without explicit ns from the Navy Department. They shall be kept freo from rust, and the paint and lacquer shall be renewed when necessary. ‘The old paint shall be removed beforo painting in order that the dimensions may not be inereased by constant addition to it, and care shall be exercised that no paint is placed on the bourrelet. Projectiles for separate loading ammuni in -inch guns and above are issued with grommets protecting the rotating bands. When projectiles are stowed horizontally grommets should be left in place until projectiles are removed for sending up the hoists. In base stowages grommets may be removed, but only if necessary to permit the designed stoway When removed, grommets shall be returned to an ammunition depot. Slings fitted on 5-inch projectiles should be removed before sending up the hoists to avoid possible jambs 1-31. When ships tun in target ammunition, the following shall be done: (@) All paint not required by chapter XVIII of this pamphlet will be removed before delivery of tanget projectiles to depots. (8) All time fuze covers and safety wires and grommets removed for firing will be collected and delivered to depots for sulvaging, (©) Replace grommet if removed. 1-32. Illuminating projectiles assigned for target use are of the oldest manufacture available in the caliber concerned, thus retaining the most modern and improved projectiles for service use. 1-33. Empty cartridge cases, cartridge boxes and tanks, powder tanks, bomb crates, primer boxes and blocks, and all other containers and ammunition details including covers, gaskets, projectile grommets, metal stops, wood dis- Lance pieces and projectile nose blocks, fuze covers, ete., shall be returned to an ammunition depot (preferably the one from which issued) at the first convenient opportunity. Empty ammunition containers or boxes shall be closed with the same method and care as filled containers. Such materials shall be carefully saved and protected from damage and shall be invoiced to the depot, Invoices of materials turned in which are incomplete or damaged shall form separate items with notation as to the condition and reasons therefor, Ammunition, ammunition containers, and details which are missing or have been lost shall be covered by “missing surveys” as prescribed by the Navy Regulations. Service projectiles. Return of empty con- talneer and mansion seatChapter II. SAFETY PRECAUTIONS 2-1. The safety precautions are contained in article 972 of the Navy Regu- lations, 1920. ised from time to time as changed material condi- tions render existing precautions unnceessary or inadequate, or dictate the addition of further 2-2, It must be borne in mind in studying and ea precautions that in the main they are derived from costly experience, and that the most serious casualties on record are attributable to neglect or viola tion of safety precautions then in effect. ‘The attention of all concerned is avited to that chapter of the Gunnery Instructions which covers the history of safety precautions, 2-3. The safety precautions are explicit and allow no recourse except posi- tive compliance. It is difficult to cover every possible emergeney which may arise and which, if improperly handled, may result seriously, An attempt should be mado in carrying out the safety precautions to grasp the ideas on which they are based so that, under circumstances not known at the time of their promulgation, the proper action may instinctively be taken. 24, As a matter of precaution, persons working with explosives shall have no iron, steel, or articles of a combustible nature about their persons, Matches or other flame producing articles are a source of great danger and shall never be permitted around explosives. Smoking shall not be permitted during firing or when magazines are open and powder exposed. Particular attention shall be paid to avoiding the making of sparks from contact of stecl on stecl, especially with black powder present. Black powder is the most dangerous explosive used in the Navy, and the one most likely to cause accidents. 2-5. Avred flag (International B) shall be hoisted and kept flying when- or explosives are being handled. All lighters, boats, and vehicles carrying explosives, except artillery pieces, shall carry a red flag (International B). 2-6. A careful distinction must be made between safety devices and de- vices for increasing the celerity of service of a gun, ‘The most common error is regarding a gas-ojector system as a safety device when it is merely a means of decreasing the time required for compliance with that safety precaution which requires that the bore be clear before powder is exposed at the breech of the gun. ng out the safety Assrsar—12—2 " orbidden articles. Med ag.Chapter III. DEFINITIONS AND HISTORY OF EXPLOSIVES 3-1. The term explosion is very broadly used to define a bursting with ,, great violence and loud noise, thus covering many occurrences resulting from the action of other substances than those known as explosives. ‘The most im- portant effect of an explosion is a rise in the pressure in the surrounding medium, Although an explosion results from the rupture of a cylinder filled with gus under pressure, the gus is not considered an explosive substance as the action produces a fall in pressure, An explosive substance, on the contrary, produces arise in pressure, Marshall defines an explosive as follows: “A solid or liquid substance or mixture of substances which is linble on the application of heat or a blow to a small portion of the mass, to be converted in a very short interval of time into other and more stable sub- stances largely or entirely gaseous. A considerable amount of heat is also invariably evolved, and consequently there is flame.” It is characteristic of an explosive that when the explosion occurs it is always accompanied by a chemical transformation. “Explosives have also been defined as substances whose atomic groups are in unstable equilibrium.” (“Ex- plosives,” Brunswig, Munroe & Kibler,) 3-2. There are three important conditions to be fulfilled by an explosive substance; first, to produce large quantities of gas; second, to liberate heat; and third, to accomplish these two conditions in a very short space of time. If gases are evolved slowly, they are dispersed without causing any noticeable in pressure, such as happens when oil, for instance, is consumed in the ordinary wi Yet petroleum has 30 times the latent power of fulminate of mercury. A chemical reaction may liberate largo quantities of heat such as is the case i ite, yet not evolve gaseous products. Hence it cannot be classed as an explosive substance. It is, therefore, essential that pressure result from the sudden decomposition of an explosive substance. ‘The volume of gas evolved “at compared with the original mass that a sudden pressure results, ng the energy released in the surrounding medium, manifesting itself in the disruptive phenomena accompanying an explosion, 3-3. The chemical transformation taking place in an explosive reaction is an oxidation process of a kind which liberates heat, i.e., an exothermic re- action. If heat were not liberated, the absorption of energy due to the work done by the explosive would cool the explosive and slow down the reaction until it ceased, unless heat were supplied from without. Once the reaction is 13 (Esloion and exer Conditions for an sploiom. Explosive reaction.14 Expledzemistureand comps Heat of explosion. AMMUNITION started the heat liberated tends to propagate the explosion, Au explosiv substance may be considered as containing a certain amount of Intent chemical energy, which is released on decomposition in an almost instantaneous oxidation process. ‘This means that the substance must contain sufficient oxygen to com- bine with the other elements to form the gascous products. Carbon and gen are the elements with which the oxygen reunites to form water, dioxide and carbon monoxide, depending on the amount of oxygen present. ‘The oxygen is not combined with the carbon and hydrogen until the reaction occurs, but is present either as a separate compound, as in the saltpeter in black powder, or combined in a single compound, as in a nitro explosive in which the nitro radicals act as the oxygen carriers, ‘This distinction in the method of supplying the oxygen divides explosive substances into two classes: xplosive mixtures: consis mixed together, and Explosive compounds: consisting of substances which are of definite homogeneous chemical constitution, each molecule having the elements necessary for combustion, ing of distinct substances mechanically As a rule, few explosives have sufficient oxygen present to oxidize all the ear- bon to carbon dioxide, but when they do, a very high temperature results, as may be seen from the following. If 12 grams of carbon unite with 16 grams of oxygen to form 28 grams of carbon monoxide, 29 large calories of heat are liberated. If 12 grams of carbon unite with 32 grams of oxygen, then 97 large calories of heat are liberated. ‘This influence of the products of combustion on the power of explosive substances is shown by the difference between nitro- glycerin, which has an exeess of oxygen (more than is required to convert all the carbon to carbon dioxide), and nitrocellulose, which has a deficiency of gen such that only small quantities of carbon dioxide are formed. 3-4. It might be supposed that the quantity of heat given off by an explo- sive is large, but this is not the ease, as is shown by the following table giving the relation of certain articles to each other with reference to the amount of heat given off in combustion. Petroleum. -.. 7 - 30 : S 20 & 4 1 Explosives appear to contain more energy for the reason that they have the property of releasing their energy in an extremely short space of time—that is, the velocity of explosion or the rate at which the effects of the reaction are transmitted from layer to layer is very great. Although the quantity of gas and heat evolved affect greatly the power of an explosive, the rate at which they are given off is of prime importance. ‘This rate is measured by takingDEFINITIONS AND HISTORY OF EXPLOSIVES: the time the explosive wave requires to travel a known distance in a tube in which the explosive has been packed. 3-5. The sensitivity of an explosive is an important property. ‘The sub- stance must be “safe” until the impulse is applied to start the reaction. If the atomic groups are in such an unstable equilibrium that the reaction starts spontancously, or in response to a slight blow, the substance can have no prac~ ticable application, Explosives vary in the strength of the impulse required to cause them to explode. Some are exploded by the slightest touch; others, such as fulminate of mercury, require a moderate blow or a flame, and others requiro a very violent blow and cannot be exploded in the open by a flame. Tt was originally considered that the power of an explosive was measured by the sitivity and that the most powerful explosives were quite sensitive; but now, the light of modern investigation, it is found that insensitive explosives are quite powerful and that the safest explosives are those which under ordinary circumstances require a detonator to initiate the reaction, Of these, Explosive “D" and TNT are examples. 3-6. Explosives eannot be classified definitely from their chemical consti- tution, by the gas evolved or the heat liberated. Consequently, they arc classified by the speed of the chemical change. If the velocity of explosion can be controlled after the reaction starts, the explosive is classed as a propellant, ¢., for use in ejecting a projectile from a gun. One not in this class is termed a “high explosive.” A propellant is sometimes termed a low explosive and is one which burns relatively slowly and permits of initiating the action by flame. When an explosive requires a powerful agent, such as fulminate of mercury, to start the reaction, but which when once started proceeds at a high rate, it is considered a “high explosive.” ‘The latter have a powerful disruptive action, ‘The velocity of explosion for a smokeless powder is about a meter per second, for black powder about a few hundred meters per second, and for high explo- sives several thousand meters per second, depending on the conditions under which the reaction occurs. 3-7. From the above it may be judged that the difference between a propellant and a high explosive cannot be sharply drawn. Tn fact, until nitro- explosives came under investigation, there was no need of such a distinction, as black powder was the only well-known explosive substance and was used both for propellant and blasting purposes. It would be possible to use any explosive for propellant purposes if the velocity of explosion could be controlled. Investigations along this Tine eaused the development of smokeless powder as we know it today, for nitro-cotton, when attempts were made to use it as a propellant charge, did considerable damage to the guns. However, when it was found that when this high explosive was dissolved in ether and alcohol the colloid resulting burned instead of detonated, a revolution in the propellant explosives industry began, ‘The number of chemical compounds which ean be so treated as to permit control of the velocity of explosion is very stall, and Sensitivity. Clamiteation of ex trees Progeltant and high expan: Requirements of an expla.16 Greek fre. Piest use of back poder. D ver evelopment of black ‘ie is still more limited by the fact that the substance in its final state must not only be efficient ballistically, but must be safe in use, casy to handle, and stable under varying conditions of storage, and also remain in a stable condi- tion for protracted periods of time. When selecting an explosive, it is nece: sary to consider the case and safety of manufacture and use, the cost, the ivity, the power, the stability, and the temperature of explosion, 3-8. Various attempts have been made through search of the works of the fourteenth and fifteenth century writers to determine with some degree of certainty the early history of gunpowder and its use in military operations. Due to the inaccuracies of the manuscripts, to the fanciful style of many writers of that day, and to the errors in translation and loose use of terms, not only is it impossible to namo tho inventor, but it is also a matter of conjecture as to which nation belongs tho credit for its invention. It scems most probable that gunpowder as used in the fourteenth century was the result of the gradual development of the substance known as “Greek fire” and “wildfire” by the addition of saltpeter when this substance was found to have the property of doflagrating with burning bodies, 3-9. In 660 A. D., in the defense of Constantinople, a mixture thought to contain sulphur, pitch, resin, ete., was discharged from a tube or siphon some- what after the manner of modern flame projectors. ‘The tubes were mounted in the bows of the Greek ships and destroyed the enemy by directing a burning stream of liquid fire at them. ‘The sceret has not survived the ages, but a similar substance appeared at a later date, about the time of the sixth crusade, as “Wildfire.” In this, sulphur, naphtha, pitch, and saltpeter, in a semisolid mass, was ignited and thrown by ballistae in land warfare. 3-10. From the best authorities it appears probable that the Arabs about 1280 A. D. used mixtures similar to gunpowder by substituting charcoal for the naphtha, and that about 1313 A. D. the gun for the use of black powder was invented by a German monk named Schwarz, ‘The use of gunpowder was not extensive at first, as its employment was not in accord with the chivalrous sens of the times, but when it finally was adopted its use spread rapidly, resulting in improvements in manufacture and rapid development of powder-making machinery. It was restricted use in the early stages, as it was prepared as a fine powder, and consequently was suitable only for use in small arms, but in the sixteenth century the French began to grain it and classify it according to so that it could be used in various sizes of guns. In the seventeenth century its use was adapted to the blasting of rock for getting out minerals. 3-11. Until a few years ago gunpowder was the only propellant in use for firearms. During the long period since its introduction it has changed but little in its ingredients, though many changes have been made in methods of manufacture and in its final form. By the introduction of rifled cannon and the increase in pressures for large ordnance the necessity for controlling the rate of combustion became apparent. General Rodman, United States AtmDEFINITIONS AND 1 in 1860 inaugurated the method of pressing the powder into different size grains and later of controlling the rate of burning by perforating the grain, thereby improving the ballistic qualities. ‘The next change was the introduction of chareoal from rye straw which resulted in the brown or cocoa powder, so named on account of its color, ‘This improvement gave a denser grain, more suitable for heavy guns as it burned more progressively. In 1882 guns had increased to 16 inches in diameter in the British Navy. 3-12. During the nineteenth century a great development in explosives resulted from the discovery that when certain organic substances were treated with nitric acid easily combustible substances were obtained. In 1838 Pelouze discovered that an explosive could be made by treating cotton with nitric acid. Previous to this, in 1832, Braconnet found that starch, wood, and similar sub- stances treated with nitric acid made explosive compounds. These discoveries were without practicable importance until Schoenbein in 1845 found that a mixture of nitric and sulphuric acids produced a better quality of explosive than nitric acid alone. Considerable interest was shown in this development by several European countries, resulting in the erection of several factories. Due to the fact that no one knew how to purify the nitrated cotton, and, as very little attention was paid to the purity of the ingredients, the stability was very low and many disastrous explosions occurred. In 1853 Von Lenk showed that tho trouble lay in the purification and suggested that, instead of merely washing, the nitrated cotton with water until neutral, an extended course of washings was necessary, including boiling with dilute potash solution, In spite of Von Lenk’s improvements explosions still occurred. Meanwhile, Abel con- tinued experiments and in 1865 found that there was great virtue in a pulping process, in that the treatment reduced the impurities and also permitted pressing the pulped material into blocks. In 1868 it was found that when wet it could be detonated by dry guncotton and that the dry guncotton could be detonated by fulminate of mercury. ‘This resulted in its adoption for military purposes for explosive charges. 3-13. In 1846 Sobrero discovered nitroglycerin, ‘This substance, due to its dangerous nature and difficulty in causing it to explode, was vot developed. until Nobel in 1859 found that it could be detonated by fulminate of mere In 1867 he found that by allowing “keisclguhr” to absorb about three tin weight of nitroglycerine a satisfactory and fairly safe explosive resulted. ‘This substance, known as dynamite, has become very popular and entirely replaced. black powder as a blasting agent. In 1875 Nobel invented blasting gelatine, made by solidifying nitroglycerine by the addition of 8 percent of nitrocellulose. 3-14. As the new blasting powder replaced black powder in commercial uses, so the continued investigation of nitro compounds produced a substitute for it as a military bursting charge for projectiles, Pierie acid or trinitrophenol was adopted by many countries for this purpose; by France in 1885, by Ger- many in 1888, and about the same time the British Government adopted. Nitrocommpounds. Guncotton.