The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1868-01-24

THE PHENIX Iron WORKS.--Altnou6n not
manufacturing city,. Charleston can show q
goodly number OF factories of different desorip-
tions, and her artisans have an enviable repu-
tation for mechanical skill and ingenuity. Not
withstanding her present desolation, and the
general depression Iof business, number OF
her;industrial and mechanical enterprises have
been fe-established, and only await the dawn
ing Of betterd days to regain the prosperity and
Importance they enjoyed in former days.
Among these the Phnnix Iron Works rank de-
servedly high. These were re-established by
Messrs. ]. F. Taylor & Co. soon after the war,
at which time the fine building that is now
occupied by the firm was erected. A recent
visit paid to this foundry enables us to present
to our readers some idea Of the manner in
whi,h iron is moulded and worked in that
dtesE OF Tubal Oaiii: "a .liI..
On'the second story Of the building is the
office, drawings room and pattern room: In
the second the drawings for the patterns are
nialle by; Mr.. Taylor Of the machinery wanted.
In ihe pattern room, which is, under the super
vision OF Mr.. Barkley Zone OF the ffrm), we see
themost laborious part OF the business, as the
patterns. are required to be made with the
greatest exaetness, and each Joint Ia fitted
with care. Especially is this the case with cog.
wheels, which are finished with sa much accu-
racy AZ the wheelwork OF q watch. These pat
terms when once made can be used again, and
quite large number . Variety and de-
scripti6h are to be found on the premises.
The foundry YVES the next place we visited,
where castings are produced Of any size and
weight. The furnace that supplies the fused
metal has q capacity Of ten tons, and is often
heated to 300 and even 1900 degrees Fahren-
heit. A huge CRIME, in the centre OF this
apartment, lifts the heavy castings and reoeiy-
ing Kettles, and can be arranged to raise
twenty tons. ~. sl.,isa e.. - .ll.., $50.
In one corner Of this room Is Q brass foun.
dry, entirely different from the iron foundry,
being under ground. The coal fire is made In
this sunken furnace, and the brass placed IN o
black lead crncible, which is removed when
the metal is fused. The floor Of the foundry
il composed Of black sand, and is covered with
moulds Of various shapes.
In the rear Of the foundry are the blacksmith
shops, with room sufficient for ten or more
forges. These are connected with tubing that
surrounds the shop, at one end of which is
a fan-wheel for generating wind. This is
worked by the engines, and makes three thou
sand revolutions in one minute. The same fan
supplies the necessary wind to the furnace.
The engine room is next to this shop, and
contains, besides the engines, number OF
machines used in the works, such as puncher,
one for riveting bolts on boilers, cutter, q
bending machine, &c. Most Of these were
made by Mr.. Taylor when with Cameron & Co.
Tile engine is of sixteen horse power, and
drives all Of the machinery connected with
these two shops. a.9e5 es.-i
In the lower portion OF the main building is
the machine shop, where the finishing touches
are given, and the finer pieces Of machinery
produced which have made Mr.. Taylor'a name
famous. '..'e.,
storerooms where boats, materials, oils,
paints, &c., ara kept, are in the yard, while
bars Of pig iron and piles OF broken fragments
stand ready to be converted into useful ma
chimes. -. - = .,,.
The Phoenix Works are supplied with every
material necessary to conduct a;large business.
Mr.. Taylor, the senior partner, has oyer twen-
yesrs' experience and the work furnished by
him viii compare fayorably with that Of North
ern makers.