The Hawaiian gazette., 1871-08-16
Iron Paper.

| In the Great Exhibition Of 1851 an American
specimen Of iron paper was first exhibited. A
lively competition in iron rolling ensued among
British iron manufacturers, excited by the
above challenge from America, as to the thinness
to which steel could be rolled cold. Mr.. elliott
rolled sheets the average thickness Of which was
the 1SOOth part of an inch. In other words, 1900
sheets piled upon each other would collectively
measure an inch in thickness. whilst the thinnest
tissue paper to be purchased in the stationers
shops measured the l2OOth part of an inch.
These very thin iron sheets are perfectly
smooth and easy to write on, although porous
when held up to good light. 1t may not be
out of place, considering the great interest that
is taken by those connected with that great
branch of industry, the iron trade, to give few
curious particulars as to the extent iron can be
welded, and tie thin sheets that can be rolled
out Brother Jonathan little thought what a
hubbub would be raised in the old country when,
from Pittsburg, he sent that wonderful letter,
written on a sheet made from iron, which took no
less than 1000 sheets to make inch in thickness,
the dimensions being in by 81 in, or a surface
of A in., and weighing 60 grains. The fact had
no sooner made its appearance in print than
Britains sons began to work, and soon we heard
that sheet, containing the same number Of
surface inches, but weighing only 46 grains, had
been made at the Marshield Iron Works,
Llanely, Carmarthensbire, being exactly one
third laaa in waiOhf Rnt AEON tha IValah
had to give way to the rose Of England, for
Staffordshre was anxious to take its wonted
lead. The Hope Iron Works succeeded in max
ing sheet of ll8 surface inches, weighing but SO
grains, which reduced to the American and
Welsh standard Of A inches gives about 80
grains Messrs. R. Williams & Co., SO inches,
40 grains, reduced to the same standard, about
81 grains. For q time Stafordshre wears the
belt, but Wales becomes very restless, and is
anxious for the honor OF st. David go further
attempts must be made. Marshfeld comes
again into the field. They succeeded in making
one sheet, inches by 81 inches, or surface Of
"A inches, Of the astounding weight of 23H
grains only, which required no less than 1888
7uCSbS " uidhS Ouc ilCu III duOiuef
sheet, 8 by inches, or 48 surface inches, weighed
% grains, but brought to the standard Of "A
inches gives but 20 grains, and requires 295O
sheets to make one inch in thickness. The Bon
.ardawe Tin Works next come into the field
with sheet 14A by Z 5-16ths, or a surface Of
Il5.l7 inches, weighing 60 grains; but being
'educed to A inches, is 241tS grains-a trias
heavier than the Marshfeld, but PontardaWe
claims 3799 sheets to make one inch in thickness
We now come to the climax. The mill
manager Of Messrs. W. Hallam & Co., Of the |
Upper Forest Tin Works, near Swansea, has |
ucceeded in making a sheet Of the finest ap- /
,earanee and thinnest that has ever yet been
cen by mortal eye The iron from which the
heet was rolled was made on the premises II
vas worked in fnery with charcoal and the
Isual blast afterwards taken to the hammer, to
'e formed into regular fat bottom from thence
onveyed to the balling furnace. and when suk
ciently heated taken to the rolls, heightened,
nd cut BY shears into proper lengths, piled up.
nd transferred to the baling furnace again
lhen heated it was passed through the rolls, back
gain into the balling furnace, and when duly
Fought to the proper pitch was taken to the rolls,