Abstract
“A CURIOUS case of ignition,” quoted in NATURE, vol. xxvii. p. 509, reminds me of a similar circumstance that came under my own observation when serving in H. M. despatch vessel Psyche, 1862-66. We were moored “head and stern” in Port Napoleon, Marseilles, on a bright summer day. A strong smell of burning was traced to the saloon skylight. On bursting open the door of the saloon it was found that a scuttle glass (a planoconvex lens) through which the solar rays were admitted and focused on a rep curtain (which was smouldering) had been substituted for a broken one, but through an oversight had not been ground on the plane surface (as is usual). The case was reported by letter, and an order issued to insure all scuttle glasses used in men-of-war for the purpose being ground.
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GWYNNE, B. A Curious Case of Ignition. Nature 27, 580 (1883). https://doi.org/10.1038/027580d0
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/027580d0
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