The Northern Daily Times.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1856-11-05 00:00:00

A VISIT TO WOOD BROTHERS CHAIN AND
ANCHOR WORKS,'AT SALTNEY.

Yesterday, a large number of scientific, mercantile, and
other gentlemen paid a visit to the extensive and important
chain and anchor works of Messrs. Woodßrothers, Saltney,
near Chester, aid we have rarely observed more interest on
any occasion, than that manifested by the large and respect-
able company assenibled. The object was to see the testing
of chain cables—a subject that has now become so intimately
connected with the shipping of the port of Liverpool as to
attract the greatest attention, not only of owners of vessels,
but with all concerned in the important trade of our port,
of which the shipping forms the
.chief portion.
Before entering on the more immediate business of the
day, it may be observed that the Messrs. Wood Brothers are
the most extensive manufacturers of anchors and cha!n
cables, perhaps, in the world, for there is no house known
to equal them in extent. The introduction of chains, for
the old rape cable, is of a very moderate growth, and,
therefore, the subject is well worthy of attention. Iron
ships have been produced, to
the astonishment of many.
within the last few years, and it is not therefore wonderful,
that almost everything connected with a ship should be
iron. Externally, chains and anchors are the most import—
ant portion of a vessel ; and the particular attention of the
eminent house of Wood Brothers has been turned scientifi-
cally, for some years past, to these points ; and, from what
we saw yesterday, and judging from the honest experiences
of scientific minds, we are of opinion that, so far as science
goes at present, nothing more can be done in the
way of chains and anchors, and that Messrs. Wood
have achieved a great victory in the way of iron working,
in reference to the furnishing of ships, in the smallest
detail. The works at Saltney are of an extensive description,
and covers a large space of ground ; and we have hardly, if
ever, observed such regularity, and, as it were, discipline, as
we observed amongst the large number of men employed at
the works. To use a well known adage, " There is a place
for everything," and everything is certainly in its piaci ;
and, to the uninitiated, a visit to the works will not only
repay, but enlighten considerably. The firm possesses three
large factories and houses ; the first at Saltney, near
Chester (the scene of yesterday's proceedings) ; one at Wol-
verhampton ; and one at Stourbridge ; and, altogether,
they have over 1,400 persons in their employment—the chief
portion of these being skilled workmen ; without calculating
engineers and others of a higher class—and again, counting
up common labourers, boys, &c. The apparatus alone at
the Saltney works, will give some idea of the magnitude of
the operations carried on there. There is one of Nasmyth's
hammers 45 cwt., one of 20 cwt., and one of 15 cwt., all
worked by steam, and in constant motion, beating out iron
or welding it together for the purpose of fabricating chains;
and anchors. A Helve hammer of 5 tons, and one of one ton
two proving chains (machines, ion the same principle as
those used in her Majesty's dock-yards for testing chain
cables!; one to prove a chain of 150 tons, and one to prove
a chain of 100 tons strain. At this place they forge about
50 tons of chain cable per week ; about fifteen sets of anchors,
of more than 30 tons, a week, of all sizes, common, and
Trotman's patent anchors, which have now nearly
superseded all others—not only from their superiority,
and lightness, but their cheapness, when compared with
the other sorts usually in use. The great number of these
anchors made, ready for use, and the quantity in course of
fabrication, show the estimation in which these
anchors are held. They are made from five tons
downwards, and it has been proved, that one of them of far
less density than the old sort of anchor, is twenty times as
effective. At Wolverhampton the house makes fifty tons
of chain cable per week, and at Stourbridge about sixty
tons, this being chiefly of small quality, for ships' rigging
and crane purposes. At Saltney they make all sorts of iron
works for shipping, including castings —Saxsby's patent
stoppes, and a variety of other articles in that line. As
remarked, a large company had been invited yesterday to
witness the testing of some chaiu cables, and to inspect the
works generally at Saltney. There was a special train at
the Birkenbead terminus at a quarter before eleven to
receive the company, and convey the gentlemen composing
it to the factory. Amongst the numerous and highly
respectable company assembled were the following :
MEMBERS OF THE TOWN COUNCIL—Aldermen Bennett
and Cooper, James Holmes, and J. Gladstone, jun.
DOCK TRUSTEES.—Messrs. John Lockett and James
Smith.

EMIGRATION OFFICERS.—Captain Schomberg (Chief),
R.N., Captain James and Hazeldine.

DIRECTJRS OF LIVERPOOL STEAM TIM COMPANIES.—
Messrs. John Gorden, Edward Heath, G. B. Bateson, and
Dantic (manager), Mr. M`Donnell, supervisor of the
Liverpool Corporation proving machine, Mr. Pope, Lloyd's
surveyor for Liverpool district, Messrs. James Beasley,
Walter M'Gregor, Bushby, Edwards, Charles Buff, Charles
Saifelt, Thomas Clint, Adam Beard, Grinnell (firm of
Bowman and Grinnell), J. E. Marsh, William E. Clayton,
Mussabini, G. Ross, John Aikin, William Lindsey, 8.
M. Soxby, Captain Reed (manager of the ferries), John
Trotman, and nearly fifty other gentlemen, whose names
we could not procure, all in some degree connected with, or
have an interest in, the shipping of the port of Liverpool.

Letters of apology were read from the following gentlemen :
Messrs. Robertson Gladstone, George Kendall, Alderman
Bold, Admiral Grenfell, J. B. Hardy, and others, expres-
ing their regret that pre-engagements and other matters
prevented them being present, which they would
very much like to have been, if not prevented. The
company was most cordially received by the Messrs.
Wood, and it may be remar:;ed, once for all, that the ur-
banity of these gentlemen to the numerous visitors was of
the real English style, and, without assumption on the part
of Messrs. Wood, they won the good opinion and esteem of
all who visited the premises. The curiosity of every one was
excited at the first entrance into the premises, which re-
semble the busy scene in a small town on a market day.
To describe, in detail, the various process of iron from its
crude state—from its liquid boil until it is turned out in
anchors, which for ornament (if we may say so) and use
cannot be equalted—would occupy more time and spice
than we can possibly devote to such an important and in-
teresting subject. Suffice to add, that here may be witnessed
iron in all shapes and forms, and in every stage of manu-
facture for ships' use. The forging of the great anchors is,
of course, one of the chief objects; and certainly, had we
time, we should enter into a minute description of this work,
which is one of great interest. The fabrication of the chains
from the time they are rolled and cut into regular pieces,
whilst red hot, by verticle saws—the facility with which the
men weld and connect these ponderous chains—the accuracy,
nay, the scientific manner in which these huge cables are,
turned, delight and astonish every one. The company
having gone over the whole factory, and examined its
details, which were all explained by one of the principals,,
or some of their intelligent employees, and having seen all
the operatives from first to last, were invited to witness the
testing of some cables. The testing machine is one of enor-
mous power, on the hydraulicprinciple, butmost effective, and
capable almost of any strength. The first experiment was
made on an ordinary chain cable fifteen fathoms long, links of
two inches. The strain on this was for seventeen minutes,
and it yielded to a pressure of sixty-eight tons only three
feet, after which no strain that could be put on it had any
effect. The second, in like manner, was a two inch chain
of like length and links as the other. At a pressure of
sixty-six tons, this only yielded two feet five inches, and
stopped at that, so that no further pressure had any effect
on it. About three hours having been spent on the
inspection of the works, the company proceeded to partake
of a splendid repast, which was laid out in an hotel adjoining
the premises. There was everything that could be wished
for in the shape of viands; champagne and other favourite
wines were in abundance, and of the best quality. Thomas
Wood, Esq., was in the chair, and his brother Henry sat
next him while William acted as Vice chairman. The
" good things" having been " duly respected," the Chair-
man, in succession, gave all the loyal toasts, which were
duly honoured. He then gave, in brief but appropriate
terms, the " Army and Navy," and this was duly
honoured.

Captain Scbomberg being loudly called on, returned
thanks. They all were well acquainted with what the
army and navy had done for them in the time of need, and
if occasion required their services to-morrow, the army and
navy would be as willing to fight and again conquer, for
the honour of the country, as they had done already.
(Cheers.) He passed a high compliment on Mr. Wood, for
all he had done for the shipping of the country, and hoped
that, if another war broke out, the country would have an
" Iron Wood to sustain it." (Loud cheers.) The Chairman
then gave " Prosperity to the town and trade of Liverpool,"
coupled with the names of Messrs. James Holmes, and
James Beasley. The toast was received with loud cheering.
Mr. James Holmes returned thanks. He did not think,
when coming out that day, that he would be called on
to say a word, but when he had seen the works which he
had the satisfaction of viewing that day, and when he
considered the influence and advantage such works were is
the town and trade of Liverpool, he could not but think
that the town was increasing in shipping prosperity.
(Cheers.) Ile trusted that the dock trustees would provide
testing ,machines such as he had witnessed, and if they
wanted all one side of the Mersey for docks, they had at
least Birkenhead, where they could have safety tests, such
as Mr. Wood had established at Saltnev. (Cheers.)
Having duly thanked the company, he sat down amid
considerable applause.
Mr. Beasley also returned thanks; and, as illustrative of
the superiority of Liverpool'over any other port in the king-
dom, be stated that, some five or six weeks ago, a 1600 ton
ship of his arrived in London from a foreign port. He went
to London to get a good freight, if such offered, and bis
agent there told him he might get a freight, perhaps, in 70
days. (Hear, hear.) He, of couse, did not like that, and
he had the ship brought round to Liverpool, and in 35 days
after she sailed from London she was on her voyage from
Liverpool to Australia with a first rate freight. (Loud
cheers.) He had a few days ago a letter from his London
brokers asking for a ship, but tie wrote, saying that he was
so disgusted that he would not send any more of his ships
there, and the broker, in reply, said Liverpool was at least
a century before London. (Loud cheers.) And between
Wood's chains and Trotman's anchors, they would make
Liverpool another century in advance of any port in the
world. (Loud cheers.)
Tke next toast proposed was, " The Town Council and
Dock Committee of Liverpool," with the names of Alderman