The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1871-09-21
THE NEW DREDGING MICHINE.
How to Dig Phosphates-sPlendid Ma
chinery.

N
for the Marine and River Phosphate Mining
and Manufacturing Company, was nrst put
upon Its trial. yesterday morning, in the COCK
at Robb's Mill, at the foot of Laurens street.
Several Of the officers and stockholders OF the
company were present, all OF whom expressed
their satisfaction with the complete manner in
which the machine performed its work. The
dredcer is mounted on fiat, and in appear
ance is similar to other dredging and wrecking
boats.
The wooden part of the marchine was built
by s. ]. Pregnall, well known ship car
penter and coat builder, upon plans furnish
ed by Mr.. Ralph r. 0sgood, of Troy, New
York. 1t Is eighty-one feet long, twenty
eight feet broad, and six feet deep; built some
what like common fiat, but with fantail
stern and more neatly finished. On the deck
is massive structure built of beams OF timber
about eight feet six inches high, intended TO
strengthen the hull ord support the crane
which hangs over the 1ow of the boat. 1t is
secured by braces and cross beams, and the
two beams ut the bow of the boat which sus-
tain most OF the weight are three feet square.
The hull of the fiat Is built in a substantial
manner, with kelson and cross kelsons Of
large dimensions.
The machinery was designed by Ralph R.
Osgood, the machlnist of Troy, New York, and
was built BY Slarbuck Brothers, oil the same
place. 1t has twelve-inch bore and stroke,
and the model Is admirably adapted for the
purpose in view. The rollers around which the
huge chain OF the crane works and the reVersl-
BILE cranks are compact in form and work to
great advantage. The engine was in course of
adjustment b. Mr.. Osgood, who was obliged to
leave the city few days ago. Mr.. Fitzslmons,
an expert New York engineer, took the affair
10 hand and finished putting up the engine
four days earlier than was expected. Mr..
Filzsimons is at the head OF the Marine Com
pany's works, and runs the new machine as If
he had made 1t himself.
The crane of the machine Is one Of the most
perfect of Its kind, and Its advantages are at
once perceptible to the eye of even the unintt-
ated. 1t is we'll balanced, and the two extrem-
tiles, the one far over .he water and the other
away back in the boat, are strengthened and
connected by strong iron braces. At the end,
on the boat, Is large box in which about
three thousand i've hundred pounds should be
placed. This weight balances the crane ex-
actly, and little or no force is required to push
1t around. The iron dipper lifts yard square
OF rock and earth, which is equal to ton Of
matter. The engine is equal to raising three
yard dipper, or one containing six tons.
The deck structure is neatly rooted over,
and is fitted with canvas 3!cs, on the side, to
make all snug. The roof is covered with tin,
and supplies fresh rain-water for the boat On
the roof, at the stern Of the fiat, Is cabin with
two rooms neatly furnished,
This machine Is an Improvement on the
other dredge boats, being supplied with two
distinct engines. One works at hoisting the
dipper, and the other is devoted to turning the
crane and holstlng end lowering the spuds.
The latter articles are two heavy beams, run
ming in grooves along the two upright timbers
on each side of the bow of the fiat. When in
position, the spuds are let 60 with rush, the
lower ends, which are sharpened, drive into
the mud, and retain the machine in position.
The dpper Is then driven down into the bot
tom as far as 1t cen reach. The spuds are then
pulled up, aud tho ..ss-otiuV 10 a,~-. up vroi
the dipper. The spuds once more 60 down
with run, and the machine is In new posi-
lion to scoop out new semi-circle of rock
with Its swinging crane. When under way, the
machine can make one dip minute, and with
a plenty OF rock at the bottom, the affair VIII
soon pay for It's cost. which is $4,000. The
machine was taken to Bull River last night,
and will commence operations at once.