Punch,  7 (1844), 53.

Captain Warner's Discovery

Brougham

Genre:

Introduction, Drollery; Letter, Drollery

Subjects:

Military Technology, Invention, Chemistry, Light, Magic

Publications cited:

Long, ed. 1833–43


    The letter by Brougham (an allusion to Henry P Brougham (1st Baron Brougham and Vaux)) includes an explanation of 'Captain Warner's' method of blowing up ships. Explains that the explosion was caused by 'something that floated up to the ship which pulled a trigger'—a 'trick' which, in Brougham's opinion, anybody could do. Explains the complex chemical reactions causing the explosion on board ship and insists that the feat was 'a semi-optical delusion' rather than a 'great truth in science'.



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