Daily Los Angeles herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1876-1884, 1884-09-23
Nickel-rhe Coming Metal.

portance is generally recognized; It's
uses are destined to be vastly multiplied.
It Is only u few years since the metal
was first separated from its impuri ties
In commercial quantities, and utilized in
its pure state without alloy or contami-
nation by sulphur, arsenic, or other ele-
ments with which it is universally com.
bined in its natural state.
As to its geographical distribution, it
may be said that 1t is found in many
localities and in various parts Of the
| world; but only in few places has ii
been found in sufficient quantities and of
sufficient richness to be worked with
commercial success. The recent discov-
cries In New Caledonia ian island lying
to the east OF aud not far from Aus
tralia) have given such Importance and
commercial cheapness to this met.
Al as to bring 1t into economical uses
| heretofore unknown. This locality is at
present the main source of supply for
the world. The only place in the United
States where it has been extensively
mined is at Lancaster Gap, Pennsylvania.
This is the well-known mine of Joseph
Wharton, Of Philadelphia. He is now
the only producer of metallic nickel in
the United States. The ore from this
mine contains in bulk from IA to 2 per
cent Of nickel. 1t is worked into its
commercial state at Mr.. Wharton's ex
tensive works at Camden, N. j. The
important deposits of nickel ore recently
found in Nevada are now attracting
attention. These deposits are rich in
oxides of nickel and oxides of cobalt.
The grade of this ore is as high as the
per cent Of nickel or nickel aud cobalt
| Nickel is now worked so as to be ductile
and malleable.
This metal is to be viewed as q new
material, new gift to the industrial
arts, with an unknown number of ap-
plications before it. Its most extensive
use is in planting and in the mannfact.
ure Of German silver. For coinage,
there has been large demand which is
destined to be greatly increased as its
advantages and economy are better
understood. 1t has varied in price from
one dollar to four dollars per pound in
the last twenty years. The price in
England, in 1888, was quoted in a
memorial to Congress at seventy cents
per pound. In the shape for plating 1t
commands o much higher price. From
1876 to 1882, the price was on the aver
age upwards Of one dollar and forty
cents per pound for large contracts.
| The production from the Gap mine to
1888 is estimated at about 1000, 600
pounds. II the mines in Nevada turn
out as expected. the Importation of
nickel to this country will not be neces-
sary, but it is highly probable that
we can export to Europe. The con.
sumption of nickel for electro-plating
is very large. One company, known as
the United Nickel Company, admit that
the royalties received underits patent for
plating processes amounted to no less
than $l75, 900 year This is all recent
| and new. In the coinage up to June,
| 1876, the United States had alone issued
of the five-cent nickel to the extent of
Sc, ZIG, l29 in value. In the German
Empire, the total nickel coinage amount
ed in January, 1877, to about 30, $50. 600
and in Belgium, in 1876, to 6,598. S65
francis in value. There is to be added
also, the amount of one. cent nickel coin
| in the United States. Great Britain
ought to substitute nickle for its clumsy
pennies.
The refining Of nickel and cobalt was
| commenced in the United States by
Prof. j. C. Booth, of Philadelphia, in
IS46. Mr.. Wharton has done more
than any one else to promote this metal
lurgy Of the nickel in the United States.
| The treatment of it to secure the Lest
results 10 a matter of high degree Of
| skill Expensive works for rolling nick
el have been recently erected at Camden
containing, among other machines, of
40 incn rolls, Is inches in diameter with
annealng rooms and their adjuncts, and
. 90-inch horse. power engine. The
largest sheet yet rolled at Camden was
| ~ inches long and "a inches wide. pure
nickel. Nickel is also welded upon iron
and upon steel plates. A great variety
Of domestic utensils have been made out
of pure nickel. 1t is noble metal in
its beauty and in its durability and
freedom from rust and discUloratien.
1t is proposed to make nickel boiler
plates. Knives and razors will be made
of it. A more uniform and constant
supply Of this metal is demanded.
| Its production will constitute profit
able industry, now that the probability
OF increased supply is afforded by the
discovery of the Nevada mines. We
ISrefer to the article in the U. s. Geolog-
| ical Survey, Mineral Resources of the
| United States" AZ indicative of the
lack of appreciation of the uses and ap-
plications of pure nickel, and the prog
ress Of art in its manufacture. we
| mention that as late as 1873, ct the vi
emma exhibition, and again in 1876 at the
Centennial exhibition in Philadelphia.
the intelligent public failed to notice
the Importance Of the remarkabls series
! of objects made Of wrought nickel. The
Judge reported them as worthy of an
award. while persons not especially
versed in such matters we're surprised
wheu their attention was called to the
subjects, to find that pure nickel was
wrought into articles that could be put
to daily use in the arts and in domestic
economy. y.-Boston Traveller.