A propellant fire nearly destroyed Descartes in the Far East in 1900. The accident exposed the danger of keeping early nitrocellulose ammunition aboard ship. The material had a distinctive sweet and sharp smell, and alcohol treatment stabilized it into a colloidal substance. Manufacturers pressed it into thin sheets and cut flakes to control the exposed area and reaction. Developed in France in 1884, Poudre B produced far less smoke than black powder, while Descartes's accident exposed its serious handling and storage risks.
Notable Point · 33:19-36:39
Poudre B performance and propellant-fire risk
Descartes's near-disastrous 1900 fire introduces the chemistry, manufacture, reduced-smoke advantage, and storage danger of Poudre B.