The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1854-09-17
COLwELLs IRON BUILDISG.-THE IRON: INTER
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We publish below article from the National Iatcli
geueer upon the subject OF improved method of con-
structing iron buildings which earnestly commend
to the attention of the country At time when the ca
srophes to iron bridges and other iron structures
duced by their expansion under the intense heat of the
summer would seem TO amonish the public of the dangers
attending the application of this material to the snbsan-
tal purposes Of architecture il is gratifying be enabled
to announce an invention protesting obva,e these diff
cues by means so simple and obvious
mend themselves the popular and scientific Judgment of
the country.
We take especial pleasure opening columns for this
purpose in view OF the probable effect of this invention
upon the production and consumption of American iron
by stimulating its general substitution for the present
building materials In this respect bids fair exercise
the same beneficial influence upon this great branch of
northern productive industry did the invention of the
coton-gn upon the production and consumption of the
great staple OF the South Indeed the applications of
iron which are constantly being made cannot fail ultimate
" to do for the iron interests what has been perna
ciously claimed in behalf of high protective tarifand
that too not only without detrimen, but with cor
responding advantage TO the other material interests OF
the country. The following opinion of gentleman SO
well the world MS IrOiessOf
tive to distinctive feature OF this invention may be inter
esting 10 the public;
In reply the inquiry to the probable effect OF Mr.
Cowes conducting wall upon the expansion and
traction enclosed iron frame work. beg leave to
that there can be doubt whatever that it completely obv
ates difficulties of this nature hitherto experienced in the
employ ent of for the substantial portion Of buildings
as must be apparent from brief statement.
Mr. Colwers invention consists in the erection of wall
of skeleton frames of IRON piled upon each other
like blocks stone, thus making sesupporting wall of
which the outer and inner coverings to be secured
The whole, when completed, presents wall which, to
great extent nonconucng from the fact that the space
between the and inner wall is filed with dead
Such wall necessarily resist, to great extent the
effects of extreme changes of temperature The conducton
of heat the plates to the skeleton frames has been
completely remeded by the interposon of conducting
materials suitable character between the frames and
platesan improvement which is before the Patent
Office The destructive effects of expansion and contraction
resulting from changes of temperature are completely
by preserving the structure in nearly equal tenn
result obvious the preservation of papers
from conhagration in fre-proof safe.
affords another of the of great practical
result by American genius in the application to and
useful purpose of we'll known principean application
simple have escaped the attention Of the inventors of
Europe who have lnbored attain the result by
plcated mechanical arrangements
c. G.. PAGE,