Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1888-01-19

CESS.
Pittsburgh Post
All was hustle and excitement at the
Pittsburgh Steel Casting COmpany's
works yesterday afternoon. The first
cast steel gun ever made in America
was put into the mold. 1t was the be-
ginning OF an experiment of national
significance. This fact made everyone
interested extremely anxious. The pro
cess of casting and its result as far as
can be ascertained, however, filled the
members of the firm with qualification.
There was a noteworthy company of
naval officers and business men present
to see the gun cast. Among the visitors
were: LieutenantS wainwright, Eaton
and Forse and Ensign Fletcher. The
gun is for the United States government
and the officers mentioned were looking
after the interests of Uncle Sam. From
the beginning to the end of the casting
process everyone was on the fip-toe OF
expectation and there was no relaxation
until the last pound of steel was run
into the huge mold. When this was
done general sigh of relief was breathed.
Neither hitch nor accident had occurred.
The work as far as smOothness and reg
ularity was concerned was admirably
conducted by the superintendent of the
firm, W. NJ. HainswOrth.
HOW IT WAS DONE.
There were many interesting features
in Yesterdays work of casting. A mold
25 feet deep had been prepared to re-
ceive the $1,000 pounds OF molten steel
to make the gun. This was larger
quantity than the firm had handled at
one time and extraordinary preparations
were consequently made to keep every
thing right. The converter could not
contain that quantity, and when l6,5OO
pounds had been put into it the process
of converting began. This was about
o'clock. A powerful air current was
forced through the converter, causing
millions of bright sparks to issue from
the top. AS the white showers of fire
and fame followed each other in rapid
succession, the sight was, indeed, a pretty
one. The hue of the flames varied ever
and anon and these variations were the
index that guided Superintendent Hams
worth in his calculations regarding the
requisite quality of the steel. After the
process of carbonizing had been done
the currant of air rushed through the
converter for several minutes longer.
Millions of sparks were flashing up to
the roof of the building and falling like
as many little meteOrs.
At last Mr.. Hainsworth gave the sig
nal and the air current was stopped.
The huge converter with its boiling con-
tents, was swung over as gracefully as
if it was a gigantic milk pail, indeed,
the liquified metal had the appearance
of milk as it ran from the converter into
the ladle. The latter and the 16,5O0
pounds of sleel were swung round to the
mold. 1t took only a few minutes to
remove the steel from the ladle into the
mold. Another heat was made and
1,500 pounds more were put into the
mold in the same way as described.
SAID TO BE A SUCCESS.
The casting was now complete, and
after the steel had partially cooled, Mr..
Hainsworth and other authorities were
of the opinion that a great success had
been achieved. An absolutely correct
estimate cannot be made, however, until
the steel is entirely cold. This will not
be for a few days When the casting is
taken from the mold another interesting
process will take place. A 6-inch bore
will be made from end to end of the
gun. To do this specially manufactur-
ed lathes will be used. The completed
gun will be 1913 inches long and will
weigh nine tons. Its largest diameter,
measuring from the outside, will be, at
the breech, % inches; its smallest diam
eter, at the muzzle, 10 inches. The wall
between the bore and the outside, at the
breech, will be 7I inches thick. The
pressure in the chamber will be Is tons
to the inch, and the muzzle velocity will
be 1000 feet to the second. 1t is esti.
mated that the entire cost of making
the gun will be $500. When finished
it is expected to throw $50 pound pro-
jectile at a velocity of 1000 feet per
second. 1t is breech-loader. 1t will
be two or three weeks before the bore is
made.
The gun will be forwarded to Wash
ingtOn, d. c., when finished. 1t will
there be thoroughly tested, and if it is
not satisfactory it will be returned to the
firm and the latter will be losers to the
extent of what the experiment has cost
them. If it is success, however, more
will probably be ordered.
WILL REvoLUTIONIzE GUN MAKING.
Hr,.Hainsworth stated that if this gun
proves satisfactory 125-ton gun can
be made on the same principle at a cost
of 100000 If the experiment turns
out as expected the system of gun max
| ing will be revolutioniZed. Heretofore
tho ''HOop" gun has held full sway.
Some time ago the French tried to make
cast steel gun but failed. Many lead
ing authorities believing that a cast
steel gun is possible urged the United
States government to promote the ex-
pertinent of making them. The govern
ment decided to have three made. Only
orders for two, however, were taken.
The other gun is to be made by a Phila-
delphia firm.
The physical characteristics of the
new gun, as furnished by Mr.. Hams
worth, are to be as follows: Ultimate
strength, $4,000 pounds per square inch;
elastic limit, 10000 pounds per square
inch; elOngation, z per cent. in 2 inches;
reduction, per cent. If it is finally
discovered that the casting is in any
way defective another will be made, as
the firm is anxious to test the new plan
thoroughly. The success of the system
means that a cast-steel gun manufact-
uring industry will probably be estab-
lished in this city.
C,nnEAn urTrT, CnT,Iu, c,rrr,CTr