'candles'

[Scurvvy Sam]

I was wondering if anyone knew how to make or where to get what was referred to as candles. The candles that are spoken of that Blackbeard wore under his hat? They seem more like punks to me as some thing that is lit and blown out but used to light fuses as opposed to the candles whe have today. Any help would be great. Thanx

[Patrick Hand]

It was slow match...... used to light cannons..... basicaly rope soaked (or not..... it still works) in saltpeter.....

Not period.... but incense stuck under your hat will do the same thing.... and it smells better...... just don't catch your hair on fire.....

[LongTom]

Not period.... but incense stuck under your hat will do the same thing.... and it smells better...... just don't catch your hair on fire.....

AIIEEEEEGH! It's Patchouli Pete! And he's ta windward! Run, lads, if ye value yer olfactory capacity!

[Scurvvy Sam]

And where would one get 'saltpeter'?

[Capn_Enigma]

That's the guy who cures the foodstuff.

"Hey Peter, come over here, we need to salt down more meat!"

Seriously, if you are a citizen of the US of A, you'd be wise to reconsider buying saltpeter. It may result in a visit by the FBI.

[MorganTyre]

There was a time (pre-9/11) where I could buy saltpetre in the pharmacy section of my local grocery store. I don't know if that's still the case though, I haven't bought it in years and years. Still, a grocery store or pharmacy might be the place to check. It would be over the counter. As for the slow match, make nitrate by adding 3-6 tablespoons of saltpetre to 4 cups of water. Stir it well then soak a natural fiber line in it overnight. Lay the line flat to dry and you are set.

[Rumba Rue]

You might be able to find some at your local occult store that sells the type of incences that you use with charcoal.

[Capt. Sterling]

The artillery guys in the American Rev. War hobby usually have some slow match on hand... so it still must be available for sale... can anyone confirm??

[CaptainJackRussell]

I guess, one teaspoon of salpeter should be enough for 4 cups of water to soak pieces of rope in it. It is just needed to let it glow, not to burn it down quite fast.

If you can't get Salpeter (you can ask at large butcher stores, they use it to preserve meat along with normal salt). Chemical it's potassium nitrate.

If you have no better idea, soak half a cup of blackpowder in one liter of hot (not boiling) water. This will fit the same.

cheers

[Captain Bob]

What size and kind of rope?

[CaptainJackRussell]

I use for making matchcord a cotton rope (like those used for magic tricks), but I guess any made of natural fibers will do. Plastik in it makes it smell and smurgle, so you will prefer "Patchouli Pete".

Just try, even with the salpeter, until matchcord works like wanted.