The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1869-10-09
Sketches Of Principle Furnace.-No. 2.

PRINCIPIo FURNACE, Sept. 81, 1869.
Dear Ednor:-When Mr.. G. P Whita-
ker became the entire owner of this place,
his system of improvements was evidently
different from that heretofore used, COM
bining within them those prime objects of
beauty, usefulness, convenience, permanan-
cy and durability.
The hot blasts as used in the furnace
which is by routine of huge iron pipes
conveying the cold air through the great
heat above the melting cavity and by their
circuitous route through, the air thus
becomes changed to the temperature of
blazing heat and then blown into the oar
and fuel below, thereby saving large per-
centum of fuel, and at the same time, the
extensive heat being so applied has its
expected tendency of extracting from the
oar a much greater portion of metal.
The oar breaker is also used here, the
capacity of which in preparing the larger
sized car for use is almost indiscribable,
crushing between its gigantic jaws some
thirty tons per hour if fully attended, but
on ordinary occasions the attention of one
lad is sufficient to supply its voracious
demands, thereby saving the labor of a
number of men from the old manner of
sledging up the same material for use.
tant machinery has been recently put in
operation here by the skilful machinist
Mr.. Spratt, instead of the old thirty feet
wooden rattletrap, formerly used, and
works with the procession of a patent lever,
and is so easily controlled as to the power
of engendering heat that is necessary in
the manufacturing of the different quail
ties of iron, that it proves itself to be a
very useful improvement indeed doubly
paying the expense of the whole structure.
The furnace and the contiguous building
haue been recently covered with iron or
other nOn-cOmbustible material so as to
secure safety from that destructibe element
fire. so much necessarily used here. His
| hands consists of very wise selection
The leader gentleman of German birth
and education, whose physical and mental
Developments do honorto his native cline. APP
pears to understand the whole minutia of
manufacturing iron from the raw material
| so perfectly, that one might consider him
| to be salamander. The other hands who
act under his instructions seem to be
endeavoring to approximate the scientific
example of their illustrious leader.
There is an arm or switch of the railroad
running from the main track part of the
| way on great trussel work twelve feet high,
| on which is conveyed by steam those nee
essary ingredients used such as oar, coal,
lime, shells, &c, &C., even into the thresh-
| hold of the works.
The dryness of the present season has
rendered it expedient to save all the water
for the use of the sinks here, consequently
the dam has been very permanently raised
some three feet, by adding hewen stone on
top well bound together with iron bars by
the well known mechanic John Boice who
was imported here from Europe. Would to
Providence that many more such importa-
tions shall be made speedily.
! There is now under way tho construction
| of a considerable reservoir in the head race
which when done will retain many thous-
ands gallons of water More hereafter.
Yours, truly, Ii.