Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1867-10-01
Important Discovery.
Steel From Iron Ore.

We have received (says the Richmond Dis
patch the following interesting communication
from prominent citizen of Virginia. The OPP
erations for converting iron ore into steel are
carried on in the rich county of Rockbridge,
which, from its vast mineral resources, is to be-
come the theatre of grand enterprises. IF the
anticipations of the gentlemen who have made
the discovery alluded to are realized, results of
a character so important must follow that we
cannot well imagine limit to their magnitude:
"a VERY IMPORTANT DISCOVERY.
"a very short time ago, Messrs Sibert &
Brady perfected their experiments at Buffalo
Forge in manufacturing cast steel, and imme-
diately procured patent for their process of
efectlng this very important result. Learning,
on recent visit to the Rockbridge Alum
| Springs, that these gentlemen were preparing
| California Furnace near that place, to manu-
facture steel rails of the ordinary size and weight
Of railroad bars, visited the furnace to see for
myself l found it arranged for this work by
important alterations in its structure, and hands
were busy hauling in iron ore, manganese and
limestone from abundant mines and quarries
within a few hundred yards, and Golfers were
at work preparing coal for early operations. [
will not undertake to describe the scientific pro-
| They have undoubtedly succeeded in making
steel of the best quality, for minor on the
ground told me he was working with tools made
from this new steel, and it was equal in quality
to any he had ever used. A drill eight feet
long, which he was using in the limestone quar-
~, was made from an ingot Of steel produced
at the Buffalo Forge Works, and he pronounced
it to be of the finest temper imaginable
Mr.. Brady informs me that about the 18th
inst. he expects to put the furnace in blast and
to run out full-sized, perfect railroad bars of
molten steel into the prepared moulds, just as
they now run out pig metal at ordinary furna-
ces, and at very little more cost than ordinary
cast iron. He intends, as soon as they are full
ly at work. to invite iron men from all quarters
of the country to visit California Furnace and
witness the operation.
who can estimate the Importance of this
discovery to Virginia and to the whole coun-
try? In the neighborhood Of California Fur
mace In several counties the mountains are al
most literally made Of iron ore, manganese and
limestone, the three important mineral elements
In this new manufacture. With these and the
vast forests for supplying the carbon all around,
why may not Virginia furnish all the railroads
OF the country with steel rails, at even less
cost than wrought iron is now produced and
that will last from twenty-five to twenty
times as long as iron rails?
The substitution of steel for iron in the
track and rolling stock of railroads must. effect
a saving in repairs that will reduce the cost of
transportation and travel nearly one-half No
man can now foretell the consequences of such
result upon the general business of the coun-
try. The affairs of nations in war and peace,
on land and sea, must be largely affected by
such revolution as a successful application of
this discovery will produce in agriculture, man
ufactures and commerce.