The native American., 1840-09-19

the irregular contraction in cooling, which renders
the gun detective aud unsafe and being witha too
COSTLY om its great weight and expense Of transport
tationt is confidently believed that cannon made of
wrought,iron, in the manner contemplated BY your
memoriaist, would accomplish every desirable end
II is proper 10 remark that from tie earliest use of
cannon, wIought-iron has uniformly been regarded as
the best suited material for their fabrication IN all the
warlike countries Of Europe butan insuperable dill
hculiy always found ia lis application 10 that use
in the defective welding. All the experiments made
lby them resulted in lie rupture OF the gun at the
place Of welding, the grain or fibre of the iron being
there broken; and Tor mat this Invaluable ma
eiai has been thrown aside, and wholly lost for such
purposes, though IN all other respects il is universally
admitted TO be lar superior 10 any other metal.
Your memorialst, having much experience in work.
ing OF metals particularly in the manufacture Of can
non and small arms, and having directed his attention
long and closely to the defect above mentioned. has
alter great labor and expense, so completely over
come mat difficulty, that, by his plan Of welding
WfoiSt-iron may be safely used in the manufacture
OF cannon generally, for field service ships and or-
hcauohs; and It's adoption viii be recommended BY
the highest considerations, such as reduced cost
greater llShtness and durability, and much additional
effect, &c.
II is obvious that rifed cannon would be CONNIE
tent 10 lnroWa shot or smell greater distance with
more certainty OF al and with increased eject over
lhe cannon now IN use, OF whatever metal and is
eqlay obvious, that Wronght-irot is the only metal
That admits OF such application; and when to these
great advantages are superadded lightess ceapness
durability amt safety, series Of benefits are present
ed that seem TO claim the attention and the confidence
the Government. 49,
Your nemorialist will not attempt to show, in de-
tail, the many advantages which would result from
the of wrought-on in the fabrication Of cannon
some OF which will suggest themselves and will at
present., by way OF example, only contrast the weight
and cost Of l2-pounder gun made Of brass, with a
like sized cannon made of wrought-iron
BY referring 10 the official report Of the Ordnance
department OF January u.s. 1889 (Senate Docs VOL g.
Of Sd session. 25th Congress, doc. No. 100, page 81
| it will be seen that
| brass l2-pounder weighs 1906 lbs, and
| cost 6la cents per pound equal to $Ill6 93
! While a l2pounder Of wrought. iron, such IN.
| as your memoIalist proposes TO make, /"
| will weigh only 1900 lbs, and will cost
| CATER the works are estabshed) not
more than 30 cents per pound-equal
10 $50 90
difference 756 SO
thus showing clear saving of 1856 90 in each
gun, being nearly 6S per cent in favor of wrought
iron; and further saving would be found in the
transportation, the weight being one-hird less than
even brass guns; and the durability would be in the
proportion Of two three to one in favor Of wrought
iron; and for ship use, the advantage is even more
striking.
In order that the Government may profit by the in
vention and services Of your memoriast, and that
their merits may be adequately and safely demonstrate
ed he respectfully suggests the propriety Of prov-
bills now peading before your honorable bodies to
the amount Of $4,000, to be expended under the d-
recion Ct the Secretary Of War, in the construction
Of rided or smooth bore Wrought-ron cannon as he
shall elect.
And as in duty bound your memoralist will ever
pray. II. L. THISTLE.
WASHINGTON, June l6, 1910.