Daily union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1865-1866, 1866-08-30
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THE sOuTHEnNPOR wORKs
Prom the Augusta constitationaIist.l
On Wadnasda,, Ne b,d H. ,,lo..,,.. r. .

From the AuEnsta COnstitationaIist.
On Wednesday we had the pleasure of a
stroll through the Southern Porcelain
Works at "kaolin," on the South Carolina
road, SIX miles from the city. These works
were commenced some years since, but were
destroyed by fire during the war.
Early this spring a number Of the stock
holders concluded TO begin again" and
push an enterprise, which, properly conduct
Cd, seems TO promise much in favor Of true
Sonthen Independence Accordingly, the
President, Colonel BULLOCK, gave the agent
and manager, DIR. SCHAUB, o1tc blanche 10
proceed 70 the re-esiablishment Of the works
During our brief visit VIC had an opportu-
nifty 10 observe the satisfactory manner in
which the D0ci or has discharged his duties.
The clay from which the porcelain ware
IS manufactured is found in inexhaustible
quantity beneath the soil 10 the extent Of
hundreds Of acres in the vicinity Of the
works. This clay is Of extraordinary puri-
~, entirely free from sand or grit, thus saw
ing 10 the manufacturers engaged in the
business a very tedious and costly operation
which would otherwise become necessary.
From the hillside, near the works, this clay
is excavated, hauled TO a shed and allowed
10 dry before il is ready for use. When
ready, the clay is ground, then mixed with
Fieldspar, flint, &c, in different tubs or watts.
This mixing operation is effected by ma
chinery similar in construction to patent
churns that we have seen, and kept in me-
ton by powerful steam engine, located in
an adjoining room. From these watts the
composition, nov Of the consistency Of
thin paste or batter, is passed shrough selves
into the slip kiln"-an Oblong basin, built
Of fire brick-manufactured at these works
where il is prepared for the workmen's
hands. &
Thus prepared, il is transferred 10 the
Pottery Shop" where il is moulded into
the many different shapes Of boTi and
pitcher, cups and saucers--in fact, into all
the numerous vessels which the ware is 50
wont TO assume while "clay in the hands Of
the potter" For circular ware a machine is
used to give it shape, called . "gigger,"
which is operated like hand-lathe.
In this shop are employed none but the
most experienced wOrkmen-artisans who
have served their time" and learned their
trades IN potteries, either in the cold coun-
try or the United States. Mr. II. T. LAW
TON, the chief potter, is an Englishman, and
has had many years experience in his ma
tive land
Wewere much pleased with the neat and
tidy appearance Of the operatives in this, as
well as The other departments, Of the manu-
factory. Two or three young lads and a
number Of girls were engaged upon the
lighter and palmer articles.
The ware is now taken into the green
room" where II remains until such time as
il may be ready for burning the first time
when IL Is carefully placed in "saggers p
-uaaa,aI sanrfIrsr,- Ill,
dishes, housekeeper would call them-these
saggers are placed in the kiln, one above
the other, and subjected to an intense heat
for thirty-six or forty hours.
One more process and the ware is ready
Cor market This is the glazing" process
After the ware is taken from the first fur
mace or kiln, it is dipped in the glaze -
the composition OF which is one of the Sc
creta Of the art-and again placed in D kiln,
where 1t undergoes another baking process
for forty-eight hours.
This enterprise gives daily employment
70 about eighty operatives, the majority Of
them being white men, who are earning
wages sufficient 10 support themselves and
families, and which also enables them TO
lay by something for rainy day.
Az we remarked in the outset the deposit
Of clay Is exhaustible Hence immense
quantities are being shipped to other manu-
factories Of porcelain, as well as 20 paper
factories. Indeed the admirers Of paper
collars, fancy soaps, fine imported candies
and many other things, so nice, because they
are made n thousand miles hence, have
never realized that they might be wearing,
using or eating the KaoiA clay which
abounds in such proximity TO us.
The quality Of the ware now maniIfac-
tured by the Southern Porcelain Company is
equal 10 any Queens Ware" now made
The orders from the North and West are
iiattering testimonials in its favor, aud we
have no doubt that in less than another
twelve month the mandatory will be dou-
bled in size.