THE ESSEX FIELD CLUB.
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The "Master-worker," Mr. James Findlay, first took charge of the party, and
showed and explained in the laboratory samples of the various materials used in
the manufacture, and the methods of testing them. The powders made at
Waltham Abbey are technically known as S. B. C. and E. X. E., and are manu-
factured under Colonel Noble's patent of 1886. Mr. Findlay described the mixing
of the "green charge" of sulphur, nitre, and charcoal, which is then incorporated
under the runners of a mill, forming what is called "cake," which is eventually
broken down into "meal" in another machine. Then the "meal" is pressed
into large flat cakes under a powerful hydraulic ram ; and the cakes are after-
wards granulated to various sizes as may be required. Specimens of the different
kinds of powder were shown as left after each process. Then came the "dusted
grain," the "blended grain," and then the grain moulded into hexagonal prisms
in a suitable moulding machine. During this process a distinguishing mark is
impressed on the upper end of each prism. The prismatic powder as it comes
from the moulding machine contains about 41/2 per cent, of water, and after it has
been dried about 2 per cent. The visitors were also shown a small bottle con-
taining some of the famous "Walthamite," or smokeless powder, which Colonel
Noble, with the assistance of his clever chemist, Mr. Chapman, has recently
produced for use in the new magazine rifle.
The experimenting-house was next visited ; and specimens of various prismatic
powders were burnt to show the "quickness" of the old black varieties in com-
parison with the more modern brown gunpowders. The company then broke up
into three sections, Colonel Noble taking one small party on board his electric
boat, the "Spark" ; Mr. Findlay conducted another detachment, and Mr. Dyer
the third. The ramble through the very pleasant grounds then began. They
are some 302 acres in extent, and there are about four miles of navigable water-
ways ; in fact the grounds are intersected with a perfect network of canals and
rivers. The majority are waterways for the powder barges to the different fac-
tories and storehouses. The latter are so separated by great belts of willow and
alder trees, that they seem like bungalows dotted about a forest, and the effect is
heightened by a small truck line raised on trestles, which, running through the
plantations, gives communication by land with the various groups of steam mills.
Water is the motive power for some of the machinery, as well as means of trans-
port for the powder, but a large number of the houses in the factory use steam
power as was evidenced by the many tall chimneys. A department of special
interest visited in the course of the walk was the leather-floored moulding house, in
which 47 grammes of coarse-grained powder are forced by hydraulic pressure
of 8oolbs. to the square inch into six-sided blocks, ten to the pound, 900 of
which go to make a charge for the 110-ton gun. The completeness of the
arrangements in case of accident were very noticeable ; as for instance : explosion
in a mixing-pan in the incorporating mills would empty a cistern of water placed
above it, so as to drench any fire which might result, and, simultaneously, drench
the contents of every other pan in the group of mills. The numerous stacks of
wood for charcoal, which are stored for many years before use, and the curious
coaling ovens were also inspected. One of the streams forming part of the old
Lea (at Waltham, broken up into a perfect network) was specially pointed out,
as well as some notable trees, particularly a celebrated old horse-chestnut on
the mill stream (circumference 23 feet 9 inches). The ramble lasted nearly a
couple of hours, and was thoroughly enjoyed by the whole party.
Before quitting the grounds the President warmly expressed to Col. Noble