A. Ludlow Case Letter 14 Febraury 1870
Feby 14,1870
Sir,
The letter of the Inspector of Ordinance of the 10th inst, forwarded by you on the 11th inst, No 13 relating to the explosion of a 12 pdr shrapnel at the Naval Magazine, Fort Norfolk, has been received.
In view of the construction of shrapnel the Bureau is entirely at a loss to comprehend how this accident could occur.
In the first place the Bormann fuse is of lead and hermetically sealed, screwing into a thread cut into the shell, which thread must have been clean when the fuse was screwed down. Then beneath this fuse, is a copper disc, having only a small hole through its center, and this whole is the only channel through which fire can be communicated to the load of powder in the shrapnel.
Now, the report says, that while in the act of making the first turn with the wrench, from some unknown cause, it exploded. But what kind of a wrench was used, and in what manner it's power was applied, is not explained.
The experience of the Bureau with similar accidents, leads it to doubt the statements of the men in a matter so important to themselves. They do not wish to be considered in the slightest degree careless. A case of this kind occurred sometime ago at the Fort Mifflin Magazine. A mysterious and unaccountable explosion of a 24 pdr shrapnel. The persistent efforts of the Bureau, however, elicited the fact that the ignition of the Bormann fuse was caused by the steel edge of a drift held against it, just over the magazine, and struck by a heavy hammer; one man holding the shrapnel while another one struck the blow.
The absolute safety of the Bormann fused shrapnel has always been one of its greatest recommendations. Accidents of the kind reported, if not thoroughly investigated will of course seriously impair this confidence in them.
Wherefore, the Bureau requests that you will appoint a Board of Officers to further, and fully, examine this case in detail, and report the conclusions to which they arrive.
The exact position of the place where this work was going on should be specified also, and, if possible, the fragments of the shell, fuse &c., sent to the Bureau with this report.
I am Sir,
Your obedient servant,
A. Ludlow Case
Chief of the Bureau
Commodore A. H. Kilty,
Comandant Norfolk
Fort Norfolk Documents
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Source of Information
National Archives, Record Group 74 Records of Bureau of Ordnance
Letters Sent to Navy Yards & Stations, 1842 - 1882.
Norfolk
May 1867 - Oct 1881
Box No. 16, Entry 3
Page 180 - 182