New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1861-08-20
MANUFACTURE OF RIFLED CANNON.

"a
II was stated q few days since that Me'sTs.
Coroing VIII slow Co. Of Troy, propiietors OF the
lower works at the Nail Factory, had obtained large
contract for the manufacture Of steel ed cannon Tor
the Government. This was nl'take. Messfs' u,
w. a. Co. have a contract for making only tao an
Gus for the Government bo,h Of which are steel red
guns Of the Rodman pateOt, and are now nearly hn-
ished This euterprieing firm, however, anticipating
the demand which would be made Tor steel rint can
non and aware Of the immense resources OF iher es'
iatlslment tor turn ug out this class Of work, have
recently undertaken 10 conetru several cannons upon
a new and improved plan, and in the event OF their
Success of which there can scarce be doubt, tender
the use Of their extensive works TO the government
for the manufacture Of US many OF these improved
arms as may be desired.
Tie inventor of this new and doubtless most ef'ec-
tive ordnauce weapon is civil engineer, named Juan
Pgiteson, Intelligent and scientific msn, WHO has
speut much time in the study OF gunnery. lie super
intend. the cons ructOu Of the cannon the process OF
which ia exceedingly interesting. The steel is manu-
featured 10 the III of Messrs. Corning, Winslow *
Co, from the best Of pig iron, whi;h. by process
known only 10 the wOrkmen in this establ hment, ID
converted into superior article Of steel when the iron
l. being molten IN the furnace. so remarkable Ii this
proce in its operations that the best Workman I'M
eco uainted th the fact would be unable 10 deter'
mine whether tho heated be saw before him was
really UNDERGOING this delicate operation Of being
yfred from kiEd Of material into another as Oh ere
IL uoihin by which he conddeiect the change. Afer
the Steel Withdrawn from the furnace, II re y., Ell
uud. an immense trip-hammer, weighing three tdns
and there formed into solid pieces called " blooms
wei hing from 800 200 pounds. The utmost care "a
exercised 10 bring the material out In the most perfect
eape and au APP aIeutiy ns guiGcant check flaw IN
the edge OF the bloom is sufficient 10 cause It's rejection
by the critical Ope raOr in ehnTge of tnib department
The blooms are next placed under y smaller trip
hammer, where they are reduced to the size and APP
pearance OF u rough cannon. Next, they are turned
Oh ia the lathe, and subsequently drilled, Iihed, And
polished.
One OF the new Patterson cannon, which "a termed
the Excelsior, is nearly comp leted, aud will be
pe rimenied with at West PoDt some day next week.
The cannon is six feet long, ana throws six-pOuud
concal iron ball Tne barrel is groOved, and has "A
revolving twist in forty inches. Mr.. Patterson
iuforns that the Of the gun Is increased by
tho increased ratio Of the twist aud that where The
WhitwOTtb cannon has twist OF once IN thlriy-six
inches his obtains greater range from being inc esed
10 once in forty inches The symmetry Of tue gun Is
perfect, and in this respect II Is certainly much more
beautiful weapon than any we have ever seen. Tue
brcrch of he piece parallel twent s-oe Inches 70
the trunnioD, when il gradually tapers OIL to the tor
unation AZ the muZze. TIE bdlls are cart Nih pro-
ieci ions iug the grooves OF the barrel WITH recess
ia the base for baod OF leather 20 surround H. which
ia made by means OF press TO iii the bore pre-
cis.iy and this being covered with slight coating II
lead prevents any abrasion or injury TO the gun IN
fring The cannon weighs about seven hundred
Iolnds and is calculated possess range of 81
miles. A longer aud heavier piece, OF The same pat
tern aso nearly finished, lie calculated 10 throw ball
Xix miles The bore Of the gun is about three inches
The cannon has been put every trial possible to ex
plOde IT, but the material has withstood oil the tess
that conld be applied to il. -,
Mr.. Patterson has invented new and very ingen-
ions means Of Thing tie piece BY neau' o. '"-1"
tnlv or leek set in TIA casGk of TIE gnu 80" c''