Page:Madras Journal of Literature and Science, series 1, volume 6 (1837).djvu/140

118 from the violent motion of the rafts; the party returned and were sent to the small channel. The weighing boat took up about six tons of stone, but was also obliged to return about noon and joined the party in the small channel. The second raft was launched this morning.

4th. The boats were at their stations in the main channel by 7 and at 11  eight holes had been made in the rock, some of which were charged with 8-lbs. of powder. The stock of the English hose being expended, tried that made at Madras, which entirely failed, and we were obliged to have recourse to the tin tubes and portfires. The attempt to fire all at the same moment failed, and only one charge took effect, the tubes of the others being damaged by the concussion; the attempt was therefore given over, and the party returned at 1 a number of holes being ready in the small channel, directed them to be fired with the match newly received from Madras. It all failed, in a strong current; reprinted with portfires, and exploded the charges in succession. One piece of portfire exploded on being fired and overturned the boat containing six men; fortunately was a small charge, had it happened with a large one, the whole must have been destroyed. A number of large stones removed out of the small channel, which is now used by all light vessels, affording them the means of being dragged against the current.

6th. Loaded twelve holes this day, and again tried the fuse made at Trichinopoly, which failed as before, with one exception, which exploded after 22 minutes; as it was considered to have been extinguished, a diver was sent to recover the case, who returned saying it was still burning. The boat had nearly reached the shore when the explosion took place; no accident occurred. A third raft nearly finished.

7th. Recovered the cases which had been lodged in the mines the day before; powder generally dry. Re-charged 7 others; two of these failed; a small quantity of powder, above what the box could contain, having been allowed to remain in the tubes, they burst before inflaming the charge, and water got in. This is a singular fact which experience could only prove. The effect was good and we may now be considered as fairly at work.

8th. Having received samples of the powder hose from several quarters, made a number of experiments both in and out of water, but found no reliance could be placed on it in either case. With the English, made by Mr. Bickford, in sixty-five trials, not one failure took place that could be fairly attributed to the hose.

9th. Four new holes were ready by 11, but the current did not allow their being fired till half past twelve, when nine were charged and seven succeeded perfectly, detaching a great quantity of stone. Ordered in future the tin tubes to be dammered, as there were some small defects in the solder which admitted water. To this date the work performed by the convicts was below what ought to have been done.