The French, in their investigations in this field, found gun-cotton
too inconvenient, and decided upon melenite. This substance has
probably attracted more attention in the military world than all
others combined, on account of the fabulous qualities that have been
ascribed to it. Its composition was for a long time entirely a secret;
but it is now thought to consist principally of picric acid, which is
formed by the action of nitric acid upon phenol or phenyillic alcohol,
a constituent of coal tar. The actual nature of melenite is not
positively known, as the French government, after buying it from the
inventor, Turpin, are said to have added other articles and improved
it. This is probable, since French experiments in firing against a
partially armored vessel, the Bellequense, developed an enormous
destructive effect, while the English, who afterward bought it,
conducted similar experiments against the Resistance, and obtained no
better results than with powder. The proof that the Bellequense
experiments were deemed of great value by the French lies in the fact
that they immediately laid down a frigate--Dupuy de Lome--in which
four-inch armor is used, not only on the side, but about the gun
stations, to protect the men; this thickness having been found
sufficient to keep out melenite shell.
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