The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1847-08-18
The Spiral Bolt.

We have not had opportunity OF examining the ar
ticle which is described in the following communication;
but the manner in which it presents itself to our consd-
eraon and the respectable by which it recon-
mended leave us little doubt of its utility. We have
hesitation in presenting another specimen of Ameri
can ingenuity
To the Editor of the Union
WASHINGTON, Aug. ID, 1s47
SIR beg leave to call your attention to the subject Of
the 'Spral Bolt" simple invention OF Mr. Selger, OF
the General Land Office in this city It is described in the
enclosed paper and copies of letters from which you will
perceive that, in the opinion OF the most competent
Judges they will add materially to the strength and dura
w fssS appea 10 baag and other
structures, and of course diminishing the risk OF loss in
the same proportion
vented the proper steps being taken for the Introduction
of these bolts and fastenngs, till very recently the
attention of the board of naval constructors at the Navy
Department has been invited to them and they have ex
pressed the favorable opinions of them; likewise
Col J. ]. Albert, chief of Typographical engineers and
arrangements have just been made Tor giving them
trial large steamboat of 100 tons BURDEN Ito be a
mate for the Vanderbit,) being built by Messrs
Simonson CO., New York-that is, should the prelim
mary experiments prove satisfactory to them, Tor which
purpose specimens forwarded from Washington a
| few days since.
! Separate from the mere pecuniary compensation that
possibly to the inventor for the years of labor
which he has bestowed the invention, feel deep
interest its of the benefits anticipate
from it in almost every department of human life and
when [ reflect the vast amount of life and property
hourly aloat every sea- including the vessels of our
gallant navy, all exposed to storm and wreck, and de-
pending for its security the fidelity of the fastepings
and that this invention may perhaps be the means OF
doubling their strength, this interest greatly enhanced
have read with peculiar pleasure your frequent
tees of the ingenious inventions made by country
men, and have admired their truly patriotic spirit If there
be ANYTHING in which am enthusiast ii is on this point
feel proud of my country this respect and have often
asserted what most sincerely believe to be rue-ihat
lanAn f thcr Dr,lT Of
thought and action, to surround ourselves with wall like
China and thus keep new inventions and discoveries
to ourselves we should lay the whole world under
trbution in less than ten years. am not one of that
class who fear that machinery will be struck down
unless sustained by the legislation of Congress as if il
depended on such aids, and not its own intrinsic
power its superiority that OF all other countries
the capacity of counymen 10 MAINTAIN that supe-
riorty by originating almost every day something new
as evnced in the valuable annual reports of the Patent
lOice and their native energy unrng enterprise and
dustry in overcoming all obstacles in carrying their in
| ventons into operation
| | invite attention, then to the following described
Improvement in bolts and iaseungs for bridges and
every other description OF frame work, especially
for the construction of ships, steamboats,, docks,
other marine structures. 1t has been patented to the
inventor This invention is remarkable for its grea
simplicity, and, in the opinion of the most compe
tent Judges will be highly important in impatng grea
strength and durability to the structures especially 10
naval purposes, which are assaed almost constantly b,