The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1840-03-06 00:00:00

A VISIT TO MESSRS. FAWCETT, PRESTON, AND
CO.'S MANUFACTORY OF STEAM ENGINES,
MILL WORKS, CANNON, &c. .

It has frequently and truly been remarked that many per-
sons, who take an interest in what is great, novel, beautiful;
or ingenious in arts or manufactures, travel to distant parts
of their own country, and even to foreign lands, to gratify
their taste or curiosity,—ignorant or regardless of the proba-
ble fact that their own town presents objects and establish-
ments equally or more worthy of their inspection and ad-
miration in the several branches of human skill and industry.
Many, indeed, have lived all their lives in towns containing
splendid specimens of architecture, numerous productions of
science and art, mechanical and other large establishments
evidencing the advancement of the age, which, from mere
inertion, they have never seen. How many 'thousands of
our own inhabitants have never visited the unequalled and
easily accessible suite of rooms in the Town-hall ! Thousands
residing in Chester have never entered the walls of its Castle,
or inspected its Armoury. Thousands, too, iii our manu-
facturing towns have never witnessed what may truly be
called the wonders of a cotton mill. In the metropolis, thou-
sands, though with ample opportunities through life, knew
little or nothing beyond the immediate locality in which they
were born, and cannot. even boast that they have heard the
sound of their footsteps in the magnificent interior of St.
Paul's Cathedral ; and the Tower and the National Museums
are known but to comparatively few.
This indifference to what is noble, remarkable, or instruc-
tive, is to be lamented on more than one account. It retards
the cultivation of the public taste, and deprives Genius and
Ingenuity of those stimulants to useful exertion which would
otherwise be operative, as well as of those wholesome re-
straints, when they are roused to action, which would lead
them to abandon fanciful theories and unprofitable pursuits.
We may adduce as corroborative of this view of the question,
that many clever mechanics and tyros in science have—in
lack of what they would have learned by a spirit of extended
observation and inquiry—busied and perplexed themselves
fruitlessly for years, in endeavourintrto perfect some inven-
tion or improvement in arts or mechanics, which, was either
impracticable, or had probably already been attained by
means or contrivances far more simple and effective than
those contemplated, even had these new speculators realized,
the summit of their hopes. In works of art, on the other
hand, how much time might not be saved by aspirants who
rely solely on their own originality, did they view and study
the productions of the celebrated masters who had preceded
them ! We would not be understood as wishing to discourage
the efforts of men of inventive powers. All we contend is,
that by a knowledge of what has already bees accomplished,
they might take their stand on the vantage ground which
genius has already attained, and direct their energies, in all
their freshness, to new and ennobling achievements.
These femarks are suggested by a visit to the extensive
establishment of Messrs. Fawcett, Preston, & Co., which,
though comparatively little known to the mass of our towns-
men, we have no hesitation in pronouncing—in its magni-
tude, in the science and •ingenuity displayed in its several
departments, and in the productions which it sends forth to
every part of the world—one of the most interesting to the
mechanical inquirer, and one of the most important as affect-
ing the progressive commercial interests of mankind. We
take blame to ourselves that we have not visited it before,
but shall endeavour to make the amende, by supplying some
account of the works, which, though inadequate to convey
a perfect idea of the whole, will, we trust, be perused with
some interest by that part of the mechanical community who
have not seen them, and by those in particular who appre-
ciate our advancement in steam navigation.
The object of the establishment is principally the con-
struction of marine and other steam engines, mill machinery,
pieces of ordnance, and other heavy articles of the foundry
and the forge, which here pass from their rudest state,
through the various requisite processes, until they are turned
out bright and perfect from the hands of the finishers. The
magnitude of the works may be estimated from the facts,
that the premises stand upon an area of many hundred yards ;
that that space, nearly covered by lofty buildings, is found
incommodiously small; and that the number of workmen
employed in the various departments considerably exceeds
seven hundred. The writer of this was a few days ago po-
litely permitted to view the works, and was furnished with
such information as the shortness of his visit would allow,
by one of the partners, as well as by an attendant. We shall
now notice the several departments under their respective
heads, and shall conclude with some particulars of the fine
marine engines now in a state of forwardness.
FOUNDING AND BORING OF CANNON.

On entering the yard the attention of the visitor is arrestec
by the great number of cannons of various sizes and calibres,
from swivels and half-pounders to thirty-two pounders,
ranged on the grourid, or peeping, in carriages, with por-
tentous aspect, from door-ways, entrances, and corners.
The larger guns are of various fashions, some being cast from
the plain models used in the French navy, others from those
of the Dutch, and others (the handsomest to our thinking)
of the more decorative form approved in England. In cast-
ing these guns (all solid), what is called " a head" is cast
along with them, at the muzzle end, having the appearance
of a plug or long tompion. This, which is cut off before the
boring is commenced, is for the purpose of resting the piece
at that end, while it is exteriorly cleaned off and polished.
At the breach, too, an additional square piece of the metal
is cast on, by which the gun is turned by machinery while it
is being bored, the borer being stationary in the operation.
When outwardly cleaned and fiished (with the exception of
drilling the touch-hole and fixinc, the lock), the gun is placed
horizontally, and secured so as Co turn without vibratory mo-
tion. The machinery is then applied, and the gun turns
rather slowly, advancing with an even pressure upon the
large steel boring instrument, and continually discharging
the metal which it cuts out. The gun has to be bored two
or three times, according to its calibre, and when the opera-
tion is completed the bore is as bright and true as that of a
fowling piece. The touch-hole is afterwards drilled out with
great nicety, as are the holes, in raised portions of thebreach
for the fixing. of the flint lock, which has now in gunnery
almost superceded the use of the match. Several guns are
bored daily and simultaneously, to meat the demand at home
and abroad, and a large " assortment" is kept constantly on
hand to supply those governments and individuals who are
bent on " mischief" or on self-defence. Amongst the pieces of
ordnance now in preparation or finished at the works are :-
2G thirty-two pounders, for a French house.
20 twenty-four pounders—another French order.
4 twelve pounders, for the same.

THE FOUNDRY.
This part of the works differs from most other foundries
only in the immense weight of the castings, which, from the
size of the building and the number of blast furnaces, cranes,
&c. may be turned out. Single pieces of twenty tons each
might be accomplished, if required. The operation is in-
teresting, but is too generally known to require detail. The
article to be cast is moulded (in sand) from wood, and en-
closed within iron frame-work, a hole being. left for the
entrance of the metal. The metal (cast iron) is thrown, in
broken piecei, mixed with coals, into a large cylindrical
furnace, the blast thrown into which, by machinery, with
great force, makes a roaring noise, and soon brings the whole
to a white heat. The metal, as it melts, sinks to the bottom.
When all is ready, a perforation is made with the point of an
iron rod, through a sort of doorway at the bottom, which at
that point is stopped up by fire clay. The boiling metal im-
mediately rushes out in liquid white fire, and is received in
pots with three long horizontal iron handles, two at one side,
like those of a handbarrow, and one at the other. By these
it is carried by three or four men, according to its weight ;
and if the casting or castings be comparatively small, the
metal is poured at mice from this into the moulds, the pot
being turned by the men holding the two handles. If, how-
ever, the casting be large, the smaller pots . full of liquid
metal are discharged into a cauldron of sufficient size, and
this, fro n its great weight, is hoisted by a crane and placed
over the casting, where it is discharged, in a careful manner,
of its contents. The air, forced out of the sand by the
metal, frequently makes a loud explosion, (as we witnessed
on Monday;) and when the intense heat of the hissing iron
perforates the outer portions of the same, blue and sulpureous
looking flame issues from the sides in all directions. When
the metal is sufficiently cooled the frame-work is removed,
and the castings taken out. Here may be cast any article,
from a lath nail to a steam-engine cylinder, weighing from
ten to fifteen tons.

THE WORKING-ENGINE ON THE WORKS.
On the east of the yard, on each side of which are the
extensive buildings, is the larger engine, of thirty-six horse
power, which works the greater part of the machinery used
in the different rooms, in the several operations of turning,
planing, drilling, and otherwise " torturing" the obdurate
but conquerable metal that falls under the cruel hands of the
workmen. This engine is of the old-fashioned principle,
with an immense wooden beam, secured with iron, and a
large fly-wheel. It is however, most effective, communicated
by cog-wheels and shafts with the several rooms, in which
the power is applied to the lathes, &c. by drums and shafts.
There are also other engines, but of considerably less power.
THE SMITHY. •
This is one of the most extensive portions of the establish-
ment. It comprises two large buildings thrown into one;
and a great number of workmen are constantly employed.
There is an avenue of anvils, and the constant hammering,
the blowing of their fires, together with the dusky visages
of the athletic workmen, remind one of the description of
the abode of the Cyclops. Here, however, " bolts" are
forged," of which neither " Jove " nor his armourer
" Vulcan" could have conceived any notion. All the iron-
work for the steam engines is here made, with the exception
of the very heavy paddle-shafts, which, are brought in the
rough from the Mersey Forge.
THE PLANING-MACHINE ROOM.
In this room are valuable and elaborately-contrived ma-
chines for the planing or levelling of large plates, or other
pieces of iron or brass, so as to give them a smooth, true,
and polished surface. The article or piece to be planed is
securely fixed by screw-bolts, &c., to an horizontal iron
table, perforated with holes for the insertion of the bolts
from beneath it in any required point, to suit the size or
form of the article. This table, when put in motion, travels
backwards and forwards with its load on two iron rails, or
parallel slides. Over the centre is perpendicularly fixed
what is called the " planing tool," an instrument made of
steel, somewhat in the form of a hook, with the point so
inclined as to present itself towards the surface of the metal
to be planed, as it approaches it on the table, so as, when all
is adjusted, to plough or plane it in narrow streaks or sha-
vings as it passes under it. The extremity of the tool is
about half an inch to three-quarters in breadth, and being of
a round form at the under side, and ground or bevelled on
the upper, presents a sort of point. If a plate of iron is to
be planed, the operation commences on the outer edge, and
each movement backwards and forwards of the table places
it in such a position under the tool, that another small pa-
rallel cut is made throughout its whole length. The tool, in
ordinary machines of this kind, is fixed so that it cuts only
in one direction, as the plate is drawn against its edge or
point, which is raised to allow of the backward motion of
the plate. A new patent has, however, been obtained for a
Manchester
improvement in this respect by Mr. Whitworth, of
Nlanchester ; and several of his machines are on Messrs.
Fawcett and Co.'s premises. In these, by a peculiarly
beautiful contrivance, the cutting instrument the moment
the plate passes under it, " jumps" up a little in the box or
case to which it is attached, and instantly " turns about" in
the opposite direction, and commences cutting away, so that
both backwards and forwards the operation goes on without
loss of time. The workmen very quaintly and appropriately
call this new planing-tool " Jim Crow." A workman at-
tends to each of the machines, and when the piece to be cut
is fixed with great exactness on the moving table, by a spirit
level, he has nothing to do but to watch that it remain so,
and that the machinery work evenly and correctly. Where
a very smooth surface is required, the operation of planing
is repeated, and two plates thus finished will be so truly
level, that they will adhere together. It should be added,
that so perfect are these machines, that in addition to pla-
ning horizontally, they may be so adjusted as to plane per-
pendicularly, or at any given angle.
THE TURNING ROOMS.
In several of the rooms, both beaten and cast iron of all
possible dimensions are turned, with astonishing facility and
correctness, on what are called slide lathes. In one of these,
we saw the paddle shafts for the President under the opera-
tion. Each of these weighed, when they came from the forge,
about 10 tons, and they will be but slightly reduced in weight
by turning. In the same room large piston and other rods
were being turned. While the shaft or rod is resolved, the
cutting instrument, fixed to a slide, on which it is slowly and
evenly carried along, performs its operation with wonderful
precision, frequently cutting a large and continuous shaving
of thirty or forty feet in length (as may be), apparently as if
it were lead, and which, curling up, forms a curious and per-
fect worm or screw. From the great pressure of the tool,
one of the edges of this screw is frequently split into regular
teeth like those of a fine comb, but shorter. The tool, when
it has gone from end to end of a shaft or rod, is, by a simple
adjustment, made to travel back again, and the operation is
continned till the whole is of the required diameter, and per-
fectly bright and polished. Another interesting operation in

' this department is the turning and polishing of circular pieces
of machinery, whether dished or flat. The tops or lids of the
cylinders of large engines are the principal, and some idea
may be formed of the advancement of this art, by an inspec-
tion of the cylinder tops of the "President," which are as
bright as mirrors, and are 80 inches in diameter ! Water
constantly dropping on the cutting tool from a small pipe is
all the " oil" used either in planing or turning.
THE FITTING-UP SHOPS.
There are several rooms in which the " fitters-up" are em-
ployed. These finish the smaller brass and iron work of
the engines, and have turning lathes, and all manner of hand
tools. In the building of an engine, they hold the same re-
lation to the foundry and the forge, that the clock and watch
maker (properly "finisher") does to the establishment that
supplies him with his wheels and other works in the rough.
THE MODEL OR PATTERN MAKERS' ROOMS
Are extensive, and many first-rate workmen are employed,
the greatest exactness being required, otherwise the castings
would be unavailable. The timber used is almost wholly
well-seasoned deal. Many of the patterns are complicated
and beautiful, a great deal of taste being displayed in the
mouldings and other decorations, where such can be appro-
priately introduced. The models are all finished and polished
in the best possible manner.
THE MODEL ROOMS.
These are in a lofty part of one of the buildings, and are
well worthy of a visit. In one of them we were fairly lost,
amidst many hundreds of bevelled, cog, and other mill
wheels, of all possible sizes (few alike), and piled up to the
very roof. Many of these are, we learned, for the purpose of
supplying foreign orders. Here, too, are a variety of engine-
bed plates, paddle. wheel centres, patterns for water and
other wheels, &c. &c., all made with mathematical accuracy.
In another room were an immense number of models of
great guns, as adopted, in outward fashion, by the English,
the French, the Dutch, and others. The models of beams
for marine engines, of all sizes, were here piled ; also of
lonic fluted pillars for their frames. The models from which
the beams, &c., of the Royal William, and many others,
were cast, are here deposited, as are those of the larger en-
gines in the yard below. The collection of patterns of all
descriptions is indeed great and excellent, and must have
cost an immense sum of money.
THE ENGINES NOW IN COURSE OF COM-
PLETION.
The following engines are now in hand at the works, and
the three largest nearly completed :-
1 pair of 540 horse-power, for the " President."
1 do. 420 do. the " United States."
1 do. 450 do. a French man-of-war steam-
frigate.
1 do. 300 do. "H.M. S. Medina."
1 do. 50 do. the " Calcutta Steam-tug."
1 do. 45 do. a Government tender.t
1 single engine of 60 horse-power, for Australia.
1 do. 50 do. for a French house.
THE PRESIDENT'S ENGINES.
These are the most remarkable for their size, and are re-
ally a stupendous piece of workmanship. They are already
fixed up, and strike the visiter with astonishment. The
castings, and all the workmanship are of the first descrip-
tion, and the architectural design of the frame-work or
pillars is highly ornamental, without any sacrifice to the re-
quisite strength. As probably the most suitable to attain
this desideratum, the Gothic style has been adopted. The
massy clustered pillars are surmounted by the pointed and
moulded arch to correspond. The diagonal stays and their
open work are in keeping; and such is the height and itn•
posing effect of the whole, that visitors have generally re-
marked that it strikingly resembled a handsome Gothic
chapel. The beams are beautiful castings, as are the cylin-
ders, and both of immense size and weight. The polished
iron and brass work is superb, and the whole furnishes a
gratifying proof of at once the enterprise and the ingenuity
of the men of England. The following are some interesting
statistics of this stupendous piece of machinery ;
Diameter of cylinder:..
Stroke of engine
Weight of cylinders .
Valve cases, from
Beams (four in number) upwards of 5 tons each.
Condensers, about
Gothic pillars, 4 pairs, each
Diagonal stays, 4 in number, each
Main or paddle shaft - 9 tons.
Two eduction pipes, each
Boilers, each
Bed plates (2) each in one casting l5 tons.
The whole engines and boilers with the water, will weigh
about 510 tons.
The hoisting tackle used in .setting up these engines is
well worthy of notice. On the principals or lower beams of
the roof, which are of extraordinary strength, railways are
fixed, upon which traverse scaffolds, railed round, and each
carrying a powerful winch. On these scaffolds are also rail-
ways, at right angles with those on the beams, so that, by
moving the scaffolds and the winches, any spot in the build-
ing may be attained directly perpendicular to the article to
be hoisted, which by other movements can be lowered to any.
given site.
THE ENGINES FOR THE " UNITED STATES."
These are precisely similar in construction to those of
" The President," differing only in being a little smaller. No
detailed notice of them is therefore required. The cylinders
are 731 inches diameter, and the power is the same as that of
" The Great Western"—namely, 420. They are erected in
the same shed or building containing those of " The Presi-
dent," and have been equally admired.
THE "MEDINA'S" ENGINES.
These are of 300 horse-power, and, though different in the
style of the casting, are also got up in the best manner.
The whole three pairs of engines will be ready simulta-
neously-, for shipment; but, unluckily, the want of proper
shears to hoist ill the machinery and boilers, (there being but
one pair,) at the Canning Dock, and a crane at the Trafalgar,
one or other of the vessels will have to await her turn.
The pair of 45 horse-power engines, for the Admiralty, are
also in a forward state ; as are most of the others before enumerated.
Such is a sketch of the works at Messrs. Fawcett & Co.'s
establishment. We do not remember to have enjoyed a
greater treat than in visiting it, and it was with considerable
reluctance that, having other engagements, we could not
prolong our stay on the premises, and examine some other
departments. The whole is a world of mechanism within
itself ; and though it send forth huge and deadly weapons of
war, it also produces maritime machinery calculated to ex-
tend civilization, and to promote the amicable commercial
intercourse, and mutual wealth and happiness, of nations
scarcely known to each other but by name.

* Nov building in India.
t To run, it is said, between Dover and Calais.

We are requested to state that the United States steam-
ship will be launched on Saturday next, at half-past twelve
o'clock, and not on Friday, as reported in the Courier.
MAYNOOTH COLLEGE.—It affords us sincere gratification
to announce that the number of signatures to the petition
against any further grant of public money for the support of
the Popish College of Maynooth exceeds 9,000, being above
double the number it received lust year. Our fellow Pro-
testants have now only a few days to affix their names to
this important petition.
THE " CHESHIRE HUNT."—The splendid painting of the
" Cheshire Hunt," by Calvert, is now on view at Mr. Lacey's,
80ld-street. This admirable work of art is well worth inspec-
tion. It has elicited the unqualified admiration.of all who
have seen it, The portraits of the leading nobility and gentry
of Cheshire are beautiffilly executed, and are considered very
faithful likenesses. We recommend an early visit to Mr.
Lacey's rooms.—See Advt.
THE ISLE OF MAN STANDARD.—WC have received a pro-
spectus of a new journal, to be started in the Isle of Man,
on " independent and constitutional principles," and to be
called " The Isle of Man Standard.' We rejoice to find
conservative newspapers thus multiplying on every hand.
It is a favourable sign of the times. We wish this new coin.
petitor every success.

•
LECTURES ON ORGANIZATION.—Dr. Southwood Smith
has announced his intention to deliver, at the Medical Insti-
tution, Mount Pleasant, a course of lectures on organization
and life. The first lecture will be delivered on Tuesday morn-
ing next. We have no doubt, from the attractive nature of
the subjectand the high character of Dr. Smith, that a nu-
merous audience will be attracted.
THE ROYAL AMPHITHEATRE.—This evening, Mr. Wid-
dicomb, the Riding-Master, and Mr. Bullock, the Clown,
will take their benefit at this attractive theatre. On Mon-
day next, Mr. Ducrow will take his benefit, when a new
series of classical novelties will be introduced. Our towns-
men will have but few more opportunities of witnessing the
splendid performances at the Amphitheatre, as Mr. Ducrow
has announced that it will close for the season on the 14th
instant.

WATERLOO COURSING MEETING, WEDNESDAY.—The
attendance was very numerous and respectable, and the
running very splendid. Waterloo Cup, first ties :—Empress
beat Skyrocket—Lady beat Streamer—Mutineer beat Cruis-
keen—Fingal beat Tippoo—Emperor beat Helmsman—Dart
beat Skimmer—Mango beat Maiden Queen—Isabella beat
Clayton Lass—Countess beat Marquis—Bus y beat 0 yes !
0 yes ! 0 yes !—Violet beat Kenwigs—Executrix beat Fly—
Earwig beat Hylax—Twist beat Magic—Touchstone beat
Skylark—and Mr. Ball's Rose beat Ambassador (late Mini.)
The following were the winners of the Second ties :—Lady,
Fingal, Emperor, Isabella, Countess, Executrix, Earwig,
and Rose. Waterloo Purse, first ties:—Enterprise beat
Victory—Martha beat Bendigo—Major beat Brenda—Castle
Carey beat Tschort—Rector beat Kenneth—Rebecca beat
Hernpseed—Sandy beat Mealman—Mat beat My Lord.
The remaining ties will he run this day.
LICENSED VICTUALLERS' ANNUAL BALL.—The annual
ball in behalf of the funds of the Liverpool Licensed Victuall-
ers' Society, took place on Tuesday, evening last, at the
Queen's Theatre, Christian-street. No event connected with
this respectable body ever created more interest, or passed off
with such éclat, as the ball on Tuesday. Under the auspices
of the stewards and trustees, the arrangements were admira-
bly made, and it is gratifying to record a circumstance which
has afforded satisfaction and delight to all the members of a
community having charitable objects in view. Amongst the
company we noticed James Aspinall, Esq. James Branckcr,
Esq. Robert Woodward, Esq. John Bent, Esq. James Law-
rence, Esq. Thomas Johnson, Esq. &c. &e.
PLATE GLASS.—A general meeting of the shareholders of
the Manchester and Liverpool Plate Glass Company was
held on Friday last, at the works, Sutton, near St. Helen's.
These extensive works are now in full operation, and the
shareholders were gratified by viewing the various processes
of the manufacture. Six large plates of glass were cast in a
surprisingly short space of time, and, apparently, with great
skill ; indeed, the competition of the new and old companies
seems likely to lead to considerable improvements in the pro-
duction of this beautiful commodity. Upon this occasion,
amongst a great number of very large plates of glass, there
was shown one plate of a size that, we understand, has been
rarely equalled in this or any other country; it was thirteen
feet long by eight feet wide, and apparently free from im-
perfections.

LONDON HIBERNIAN SOCIETY.—A public meeting in re-
ference to this society is advertised in another column. We
do not know of a more useful institution.
Itsobject' is to
establish and maintain scriptural schools, and
tocirculate the
scriptures in Ireland ; and, in
these
respects,
it
has so far
been eminently successful. We believe that its operations
are mainly carried on in the Irish language,
the benighted
peasantry- of the sister isle being willing
to listen to, and
profit from, instruction conveyed in their vernacular tongue,
but obstinately bent on rejecting it if laid before them in the
language of the Sassenach.
LIVER THEATRE.—The performances at this theatre
during the week have been more attractive than usual, and
have drawn excellent houses. The performance of the first
piece entitled "A Maiden's fame or a Legend of Lisbon"—
a drama of higher character than has usually been produced
at this theatre--enabled us to give credit to the company
generally for greater powers than they have hitherto been
thought to possess. Mr. Raymond in the interlude of
" Bailiffs and Blunders" has kept the house in a roar of
laughter. This gentleman in his peculiar characters, is se-
cond to no Irish comedian—not even to Power. Jack Shep-
hard seems still to draw. We observe, however, that it will
not be repeated after this week. By the bye Mr. Hatton,
the
have"Bl a bumper.takesueskin,''He well hiswbelndte thisdeserves
vs i
t.
evening, and we trust
will
gh
distress
scorrespondentwhichhas
called DISTRESSo a r
south end of the town, are want. The
prevalent
n,gefsrpoencliallyatthe
AamttOenNtGioTnHtoEtlPleooanla.r—mAin
eAmrept there no funds
protracted frost and the continuance of easterly winds,
haswinds,coaluvsined.g
to which, our docks
nh
oavuet
of
enilonearlypbyemcoemate.
lefthundredsto
tobe h
re-open the soup-shops ? Something must be speedily
done to alleviate the present aggravated sufferings of the
poor, who need shelter and clothing as much as they do food.