The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1855-01-18
LocAL MATTERS.
rarprGAR !,

TsrpraAR WoRKs-CAsTTNs A CYLIs-
pFx-we visited the Tredegar Works yesterday
afternoon to witness the casting OF one OF the large
cylinders intended for the new friRatee. which
Messrs. Anderson. Deiany Co. have conuacten
IN build for the United States government and were
very much gratified at observing the thorough pre-
Larations made for such an extensive job. WI en-
we arrived att he works we were estonished to lind
large an assembage OF citizens gathered asspec-
tators ON the occasion Three large furnaces were
In full blast melting the metal for the casting,
which was to be the largest OF the kind ever turned
out from the Tredegar Works, and notwithstanding
the skill OF the managers and thorough competency
of the workmep there was visible among them an
uneasiness, as If afraid that some unthought OF
accident might occur, to make the great event
prove abortion.
At o'clock however the metal having all been
melted and placed Ia large receiver IL was poured
into the mould and in snort time after, the casting
was perfected, to the great delight of the spec
tators, as well of the numberlees workmen
engaged, all of whom conducted themselves with
the GOODNESS of iceberg, notwithstanding the fact
that they were almost in the very midst of smolten
irop and white hot furnaces.
This cylinder, which is enc of the four intended
for the frgates Roanoke" and ''Colorada," is ~
riches in diameter and three feet stroke and de-
signed for direct acting trunk engine equal in CO.
pseity to ordinary cylinders of q inches diameter
to make minimum of fifty revolutions per minute
and to exert power about equal to those In the Col
lins steamers. They of the form 30 successfully
applied to the English and French screw line of bat
tie ships, Duke of Wellington" "Agamemnon,"
and others now in use by the allies We understood
that from ten to twelve tons of metal were melted
yesterday TO cast it.
Among the spectators to this gratifying scene In
the "Capital OF the Old Dominien,' where hereto
fore manufactures, mechanism aud everything else
that could add to the wealth and glory OF the State
have been asde to discuss federal politics and
abstract questions, we were pleased to notice w w.
Wood, Esq who had been appointed Chief Eng-
neer by the United States Government to superin.
tend the of the two feates contracted
for by Messrs. Anderson & Co and were pleased to
hear him speak in terms of commentator of the
completeness OF the Tredegsr Works and the skill
displayed not only by its managers, but employees
in carrying their lsbors.
In another part of this establishment were
shown portions of the boilers designed for the steam
fngates and in another VARIETY of patterns, ready
for the hands of the rnouders. These vessels to
be finished during the present year. and in order to
do SO, Messys Anderson & Co. will he compelled to
employ at least four hundred addito nal workmen,
when spring sets in, and then have ths various de-
partments pushed continually, night and day. That
these gentlemen will carry out their contract to the
letter we have doubt, and that they may realise
handsome profit from their industry and energy, is
our earnest wish.