On Jul 1, 5:52=A0pm, "Tom Biasi" <tombiasi...@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
> wrote:
> "John Reilly" <strb...@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
> wrote in message
>
>
news:65fabf99-af24-4bac-9481-8e759fcc3e56@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
> On Jul 1, 11:27 am, richardcas...@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
(Richard Casady)
> wrote:
>
> > The first cannon to be raised from the wreck was also sealed with a
> > tampion and wax.
> > Mr Mensun said: =93When we opened it there was a spontaneous
combustion
> > of gun powder. It started to smoke.=94 The historians ran in all
> > directions, fearing a discharge.
>
> > Found this at the naval science group.
>
> > Casady
>
> That's interesting! =A0It reminded me of an anecdote I read years ago
> about Roger Bacon and his experiments with the mixture we now call
> gunpowder. =A0Supposedly, there was an unexpected explosion in Bacon's
> laboratory when a damp mixture of saltpetre, charcoal, sulfur and
> powdered iron spontaneously fired up. =A0I know that the oxidation
> (rusting) of iron in combination with a corrosive salt like nitre can
> cause heat. =A0This phenomenon (using iron filings) =A0is the base
> component of the hand warmers and meal warmers for military food
> rations.
> I wonder if the oxidized cannon barrel caused such a reaction when the
> atmospheric oxygen reached the powder?
>
> John
>
> I have heard that bacteria can cause this.
> Tom
That too, could be the culprit, Tom. I think about all the times
I've tried to start a good mulch pile for gardening. Having a good
strain of bacteria (and other wee beasties) to eat and "cook" the
compost is the key. I love to see the steam rising off the compost in
the cool winter weather and when working with it, the heat produced by
a good pile is amazing!
I'm not sure what the bacteria would be eating with 75% saltpetre
though. When I make corned beef and other preserved meats, the small
amount of saltpetre is added to reduce this bacterium. Whether it's
effective is another story, I guess.
John
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