Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1855-05-16

MEssRs. HOLDEN & Observation-Disclosures, Having
made flying visit tow ilmngton, N C. for the pur-
pose of seeing what was going on in the way of
mechanical improvements, and TO look about me for
some place where I could find location that would
justify removal, and in the least warrant perma
nancy in my line of operations concluded that it
would not be uninterestiAg to yourselves (rom my
personal knowledge of the great interest you have
always evinced in such matters to some of your
readers, to learn what was really going on in that
part of the State, notwithstanding the great "pres
sure, " and very hard times " in this City.
My visit was most particularly to the Clarendon
Iron Works, and, although had had description
of this establishment in a Wilmington paper, must
confess was more than surprised to find such an
The very gentlemanly and intelligent Superinten-
dent, Mr.. Henry NJ Drane, kindly Interested himself
in showing me through the buildings.
The first building we entered was the Foundry,
which is 80 so feet 20 feet high In this there is
an improved Cupao, equal to the best in use, capa
bic of smelling from one hundred to eighteen thou
sand pounds of iron at single blast; arrangements
were being made in this department, in the way of
powerful cranes and other conveniences, for execut
ing every description of Iron and Brass Castings,
from the largest to the smallest From this We pass
ed into the Boiler Shop, which is 81 90 feet and
Is feet high, and is supplied with all necessary tools
for the manufacturing of Steam Boilers. In connec-
ton with the Boiler Shop is the Blacksmith Shop,
which is also GO 90 feet and lG feet high and its
arrangements are very complete, In this shop they
are now using powerful trip-hammer, and arrange
ments were being made to erect an improved Steam
Hammer for the purposes of heavy forging. Unlike
most other blacksmith shops this is entirely free
from the gas and smoke arising from the use of COAL
as it is prevented by extraneous hues which lead
from each forge to stack chimney of not less than
one hundred feet in height, situated between the
blacksmith shop and the finishing shop. and through
which all the smoke passes away. We next visited
the Finishing Shop. which is very spacious build
ing 100 SO feet, three stories high, the lower room
Is feet and the two upper each IL feet pitch
In the lower room noticed quite number of
tools for planning turning boring and drilling heavy
parts of Machinery such cylinders, cranks, shafts,
pullies, &c. &c. and preparations were in course of
progress for machine capable of boring or turning
cylinders fy-wheels, from to fifteen feet in
diameter. On this floor will be fitted up ready for
delivery all heavy machinery and castings. The Sec
ond room, which is very amply filled with lathes,
planes drilling machines, sloting engines &c is term
ed the Finishing Shop as it is designed in this de-
parment to execute all the more delicate and par
tcular branches of turning, planning, filing, and fin
shng the various parts of brass, iron and steel
nected with machinery, preparatory to its erection.
the first floor The third floor is occupied by the
Pattern Makers who also well supplied with every
kind of labor saving machinery adapted to- and CAL
culated to facilitate their operations. These build
ngs all of brick, and rendered fire proof as
far they could be. The whole Of this immense
amount of machinery throughout the various build
ngs is driven by an engine of 40 horse power which
of itself is model of neatness, beauty and
my, and reflects much credit upon the good taste o.
the Superintendent in its selection. The gne and
boiler room, which is a connecting link between the
machine shop and blacksmith shop, is 40 x 20 feet
and is, well all the other buildings, vel! lighted
and ventilated, which is very great disideratum in
that locality.
This establishment is designed, as it will deserve
to be, the Model Southern Machine Shop, and as l
informed by highly intelligent gentleman, Zone
of the proprietors that it is the intention of the
Company to fully test the question: whether or not
Machine Shop can be sustained in North Carolina.
From the knowledge l have of the business, and
the character of the gentlemen connected with it
look upon it as certainty; as no Southern man
within the reach of this establishment either by
land or water, would do justice to the South, by
passing it by, in search of any kind of machinery
coming under their Legitimate business, for am well
satisfied from their advantages of manufacturing and
shipping, that machinery can be manufactured in
Wilmington and delivered in any of the Southern
States cheap, all things considered, it be
purchased and delivered from any Northern manu-
factory; and it is for the people of North Caro-
lima particularly to say whether not this establish
ment shall be sustained, and made, it will be,
ornament to the State.
Yours, very truly,
ENGINEER.