Treatise on Armament Technology: Illustrated Naval Firearms

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For naval warfare, use the "hull-striking" cast-iron cannon original: 鐵鑄大砲 (tiezhu dapao). It is one foot five inches long and four inches in diameter. Inside, it contains two catties original: 斤 (jin); a unit of weight approx. 600g of propellant powder. The fuse original: 藥信 (yaoxin) is coiled around the top of the cannon. It fires a large lead ball weighing two catties. Seal the mouth of the cannon with yellow wax. Use a single piece of dog skin sewn into a bag to wrap the cannon in the center. Use four spikes original: 錐 (zhui); literally "awls" or "drills" to nail it to the bottom of the enemy ship. Use eight cannons for every ship's hull. When the burning incense [fuse] reaches the powder, the cannon fires. The bottom of the ship is shattered to pieces, causing the vessel to sink, so the enemy may be captured alive.

Formula for the Fuse original: 藥信方 (Yaoxin fang)

Grind all ingredients together into a fine powder. Use saltpeter water original: 硝水 (xiaoshui) to temper date pulp, then pound the mixture into fine rods. Slowly coil these onto the "heart" the primer or ignition point of the cannon. Dry in the sun until ready for use. For the "heart" of the cannon, use saltpeter-mud original: 硝泥 (xiaoni) to form the tip, and ignite it there.