Part 11 — RECIPES.

527.—FOR BLACKING SHIP’S STANDING-RIGGING.

To a half barrel of tar add 6 gallons of whiskey, 4 pounds of litharge, 4 pounds lamp-black, 2 buckets of boiling beef-pickle, or hot salt water out of the coppers, if the other cannot be had conveniently; mix well together and apply immediately.

528.—FOR BLACKING GUNS.

Six pound of beeswax mixed with one gallon of spirits of turpentine, one paper of lamp-black, mixed well together, for twenty 24 pounders.

Note.—The beeswax to be cut fine, and dissolved in spirits of turpentine before being mixed with the lamp-black.

529.—FOR BLACKING HAMMOCK-CLOTHS, YARDS, AND BENDS.

First scrub the cloth well with salt water, and while wet put on the first coat of priming, which should be well-ground paint, with one and-a-half pounds of beeswax added to each gallon of paint; after the first coat is dry, put on second, mixed as follows, viz.: one pound lamp-black mixed for paint, one pound red lead, one gallon paint oil, half pound litharge, and half an ounce of indigo, boiled for half an hour, and stirred at intervals. Care should be taken that the composition boils that length of time. After it has cooled a little, add one pint of spirits of turpentine; apply when warm, and it will dry in a short time with a beautiful gloss, and be perfectly limber. This last mixture has been found very suitable for yards, and also the bends; but it must never be used too warm, particularly on canvass, in which case it will lose its gloss. The priming, or first coat, is not put on cloths that have been blacked before.

530.—FOR MAKING LIQUID-BLACKING.

Four ounces of ivory black, five or six table-spoonsful of molasses, one and a-half ounce oil of vitriol, one and a-half ounce sweet oil, and six gills of vinegar. After mixing the ingredients together well and stirring them frequently, the blacking will be fit for use.

531.—FOR BLACKING GUNS.

Six ounces of lamp-black, three pints of spirits of turpentine, and three ounces of litharge to be put in after the lamp-black and turpentine are well mixed; add one ounce of umber to give it a gloss, and one gallon bright varnish.

532.—COMPOSITION FOR BLACKING GUNS.

Six pounds of beeswax cut up fine, then add seven quarts spirits of turpentine; let it stand until it is well dissolved, then add one pound lamp-black, and mix it well together.

533.—FOR MAKING BLACK-VARNISH, NO. I.

Two pounds of gum shellac, two pounds umber, one gallon linseed oil, and quarter pound of lamp-black; boiled together for four hours over a slow fire.

534.—COMPOSITION FOR BLACKING HAMMOCK CLOTHS, NO. I.

Twenty pounds of beeswax, four pounds rosin, two gallons spirits of turpentine, one gallon paint oil, and six pound of lamp-black. Boil them well together, and keep it warm while putting on.

Note.—To be primed first with lead-colored paint.

535.—COMPOSITION FOR HAMMOCK CLOTHS, NO. II.

Forty-eight pounds of yellow ochre, eight pounds black paint, half pound soap, and three pints of fresh water.

536.—FOR HAMMOCK CLOTHS, NO. III.

Half a pound of black paint, three pounds yellow ochre, half pound of soap, three-quarters of a gill of fresh water.

537.—FOR HAMMOCK CLOTHS, NO. IV.

Eighty pounds black paint well ground, ten gallons linseed oil, ten pounds of beeswax, five pounds litharge, and one gallon of spirits of turpentine. For blacking bends, add two gallons of tar.

538.—FOR MAKING BLACK-VARNISH, NO. II.

One gallon of the spirits of turpentine, one pound and four ounces of rosin, one pound and four ounces lamp-black, and one quart of linseed oil; to be boiled on a slow fire for half-an-hour, then used or laid on when cold.

539.—SOLDER FOR COPPER.

Nothing is necessary here, but good tough borax and brass, well mixed together with water, to the consistence of paste.

540.—SOLDER FOR LEAD.

Take two parts of water-lead, and one part of tin; its goodness is tried by melting it, and pouring the size of a half dollar piece on a table; then if it be good there will arise small, bright stars or beads on it. Apply rosin when you use it.

541.—TO MAKE THE BEST DRYING OIL.

Mix one pound of litharge of gold to every six gallons of oil; boil it over a slow fire, but not too much, least it prove too thick, and be unserviceable.

542.—FOR BLACK STAIN.

Four ounces of copperas; iron rust, or a few pieces of old iron hoop; one gallon of vinegar; half pound lamp-black, and a small quantity of oak shavings.

543.—BLACKING GUNS, SHOT, &c.

Coal tar alone, or mixed with a little salt water, is a good thing for blacking guns and shot. It should be laid on quite warm, and if the day be cold, a hot shot may with advantage be put into the guns to warm the metal, and make it take the blacking better, due attention being previously paid to unloading.

Lay the stuff on as thin as possible, with paint-brushes, using hot loggerheads or bolts to keep it warm.

If well laid on, and wiped afterwards with an oil-cloth occasionally, this process will prevent rust, and preserve the good look of the guns for a length of time, without having recourse to washing with water.

544.—FRENCH RECIPE FOR BLACKING GUNS, &c.

To one gallon of vinegar, put ten ounces of lamp-black, and one pound and a-half of clear sifted iron-rust, and mix them well together.

Lay this on the guns after a good coat of black paint, and rub it occasionally with a soft oil-cloth.