The Portland daily press., 1865-09-19
MR. O. u. MARsEA11's IMPROVED
ANCHOR.

Wednesday afternoon, atVthe invitation OF
the INVESTOR party of gentlemen wen down
the harbor, 70 witness trial Of the strength
and capacityof mr.. Marshalps Improved an
chor. Capt. Chimney politelyplaced mis- schoon-
er,at the disposal Of the company,-and the
tnp Warrior was engaged in order to make
some extraordinary tests of the anchors hold
;,,O ,,o,ver,---F This invention Is Of an entirely
novel construction, being SO made that the
eukes revolve on pivot passing through the
crown ofthe shank, and, unlike anchors of Or
binary form, the fukes are straight and SO ar
ranged as both to- turn to the ground side
when the anchor rests on the bcttcm. AT
this time the one used was only two hundred
pounds in weight, and yet not only checked
the schooner, under full sail, with strong
breeze, the instant the cable frightened, but at-
forwards held her firm and smotionless when
subjected to draught from the Warrior which
according to the statement of Capt. Lee,
would, in ground Of the same description,
have dragged thousand pound anchor of the
old form. Experiments upon the anchor were
made with the tug under the pressure of fifty,
ffty-fve, ifty-eight and sixty poundsof steam
To the surprise Of all, the anchor remained
firm under all these repeated and unusual
strains. When first let go, the schooner was
under full sail and the promptness with which
her course was stopped was strong proof of
the anchors excellence as far las concerns a
quick and secure penetration of the holding
referred'to, and with such results as argued in
the best manner for the superiority Of this in
yention over any thing Of. the kind now in use.
Mr.. MNeil-the diver now employed in rails
ing the wreck and cargo Of the Bohemian,
made descent, and an examination of the
anchor as it rested, at the conclusion Of the
trial. He, reported it holding on broken
ground, and so deeply innbedded in the soft
mud Of the bottom as. to be nearly out Of sight.
The greatness of the strain brought upon the
anchor coupledwith its small size and light
weight, give the highestpromise ofits strength
and reliability. Among the gentlemen pres
emit were Capt. Webster, Lieut.. Hill, Lieut..
Richie, and Chief Engineer McAvoy of
the Mahoning. Capt. Chimney Mr.. -Quimby,
o. S. Deputy Marshal, Maj. Bradbury, Col.
Taylor, Capt. Davis, Mr.. MarTett Mr. w. r..
Aver from the eastern section Of our State. Mr..
Ripley Lyman, and quite a number Of expert
enced sea-faring men whose names we did not
learn An united in testifying to their sur
prise at the immense holding power exhibited
by 1 SO light an anchor. This invention is
already secured by an English Patent. APP
phcation for Letters Patent of the United
States have also been made, and we understand
IT is the intention of those interested to form
ajoint stock company for the manufacture of
the invention in Portland. .M.a.i
This is matter that must attract consider
able attention in seaport towns and among
commercial and maritime communities The
cheapness and convenience of the invention
are apparent upon inspection and it was only
necessary to confirm its practical working
qualities to prove its value and establish for
it prominence above ordinary instruments
ofthe hind which are now employed. Similar
tests tothe ones described have been made in
England and Nova Scotia, and with a like re-
suit. ina Comparison with the English Ad-
miralty anchor, the superiority Of. the revolv..
ing fukes of Mr.. MarshalPs Invention, was
clearly proved. There seems no reason to
doubt but that the invention is destined to
elicit the approval of men qualified to Judge of
its character, and to come into general use on
board vessels. ~ ls,:jt,l. n s6aiS z,o., H. I'D
~ .