THE MILITARY AND CIVIL HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF ESSEX, NEW YORK; and a GENERAL SURVEY OF ITS PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY, ITS MINES AND MINERALS, AND INDUSTRIAL PURSUITS, EMBRACING AN ACCOUNT OF THE NORTHERN WILDERNESS; AND ALSO THE MILITARY ANNALS OF THE FORTRESSES OF CROWN POINT AND TICONDEROGA., continued ...
By WINSLOW C. WATSON.
PART IV.
INDUSTRIAL PROGRESS AND RESOURCES, continued ...
Iron Manufactories, continued ...
BOQUET VALLEY, continued ...
Willsboro' Forge is located at Willsboro' falls upon the Boquet, and very near the site occupied by William Gilliland for a saw-mill in 1765, which was supplied for the creation of its motive power by a wing dam.
The same site was occupied by Higby & Troop for the forge erected in 1801.
The property has been held by a succession of owners.
For a period it suspended operations.
The forge was rebuilt in 1862, and with other improvements received an iron roof.
It is owned by General Belden Noble, and is in the charge of J. M. Ferris, as manager.
A large body of woodland owned by the proprietors is appropriated for the supply of charcoal, which is usually burnt in closed kilns.
The forge consumes annually about three hundred thousand bushels, and yields twelve hundred tons of iron. 2
These works enjoy peculiar and far greater facilities than any other upon the waters of the Boquet, in the vast economy it effects in the transportation of ore and the shipping of its fabrics.
The Boquet is navigable within a short distance of the forge, and canal boats laded with ore from Moriah can in good water approach within a fourth of a mile, and having discharged their cargoes are loaded with iron, which without being reshipped is exported usually to Troy.
The forge contains four fires, one iron hammer of about five tons weight, and two wheels, one each for the hammer and bellows.
It manufactures blooms and slabs.
A forge of two fires situated on a branch of the Boquet in Lewis, and owned by A. H. Wilder, was built in 1844, and abandoned in 1862.
Another containing four fires, standing on the Boquet at Whallonsburg, and owned by Hon. J. S. Whallon, suspended operations in 1856.
A grist and saw-mill, clothier works and a plaster mill have been also erected at this place.
2 Rev. A. D. Barber.
TO BE CONTINUED ...
THE HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY
Re: THE HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY
THE MILITARY AND CIVIL HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF ESSEX, NEW YORK; and a GENERAL SURVEY OF ITS PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY, ITS MINES AND MINERALS, AND INDUSTRIAL PURSUITS, EMBRACING AN ACCOUNT OF THE NORTHERN WILDERNESS; AND ALSO THE MILITARY ANNALS OF THE FORTRESSES OF CROWN POINT AND TICONDEROGA., continued ...
By WINSLOW C. WATSON.
PART IV.
INDUSTRIAL PROGRESS AND RESOURCES, continued ...
Iron Manufactories, continued ...
BOQUET VALLEY, continued ...
Boquet Works. Extensive and important works embracing a rolling mill for the fabrication of bars and iron plates from blooms, were erected about 1827 on the Boquet falls, two miles and a half west of Essex village.
Gould, Ross & Low, for a period after they assumed the occupation, carried on a large and prosperous business, but the works were suspended in the year 1856.
A grist mill and woolen factory are in operation on this site.
Brainard's Forges, containing two or three fires each, were erected in 1830 and stood on Black river, a few miles from the Court House.
They have been long abandoned.
A saw mill now alone occupies this very fine water power, which may be used several times successively, on contiguous wheels. 3
Highland Forge was located on Howard's brook, near Willsboro' bay, and seven miles from Keeseville.
It was owned and worked by A. G. Forbes; built in 1837 and suspended operations in 1857.
3 R. W. Livingstone.
TO BE CONTINUED ...
By WINSLOW C. WATSON.
PART IV.
INDUSTRIAL PROGRESS AND RESOURCES, continued ...
Iron Manufactories, continued ...
BOQUET VALLEY, continued ...
Boquet Works. Extensive and important works embracing a rolling mill for the fabrication of bars and iron plates from blooms, were erected about 1827 on the Boquet falls, two miles and a half west of Essex village.
Gould, Ross & Low, for a period after they assumed the occupation, carried on a large and prosperous business, but the works were suspended in the year 1856.
A grist mill and woolen factory are in operation on this site.
Brainard's Forges, containing two or three fires each, were erected in 1830 and stood on Black river, a few miles from the Court House.
They have been long abandoned.
A saw mill now alone occupies this very fine water power, which may be used several times successively, on contiguous wheels. 3
Highland Forge was located on Howard's brook, near Willsboro' bay, and seven miles from Keeseville.
It was owned and worked by A. G. Forbes; built in 1837 and suspended operations in 1857.
3 R. W. Livingstone.
TO BE CONTINUED ...
Re: THE HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY
THE MILITARY AND CIVIL HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF ESSEX, NEW YORK; and a GENERAL SURVEY OF ITS PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY, ITS MINES AND MINERALS, AND INDUSTRIAL PURSUITS, EMBRACING AN ACCOUNT OF THE NORTHERN WILDERNESS; AND ALSO THE MILITARY ANNALS OF THE FORTRESSES OF CROWN POINT AND TICONDEROGA., continued ...
By WINSLOW C. WATSON.
PART IV.
INDUSTRIAL PROGRESS AND RESOURCES, continued ...
Iron Manufactories, continued ...
BOQUET VALLEY, concluded ...
West Port Furnace stands upon the margin of North West bay and about one mile from Westport village.
It was erected about the year 1848 by Mr. Francis H. Jackson, and called by him Sisco furnace.
The cost of its original construction exceeded one hundred thousand dollars.
For a term of years it was in the possession of Hon. G. W. Goff.
The premises are now owned by the Champlain Ore and Furnace Company, but the works have been suspended for a long period.
The motive power of this furnace was steam, and its products pig iron.
The ore used was chiefly from the Cheever bed, and in part from a bed two or three miles west of the village of Westport, and owned by the proprietors of the furnace, who are also owners of the Goff ore bed in Moriah.
Mr. Lewis H. Roe is superintendent of this company.
TO BE CONTINUED ...
By WINSLOW C. WATSON.
PART IV.
INDUSTRIAL PROGRESS AND RESOURCES, continued ...
Iron Manufactories, continued ...
BOQUET VALLEY, concluded ...
West Port Furnace stands upon the margin of North West bay and about one mile from Westport village.
It was erected about the year 1848 by Mr. Francis H. Jackson, and called by him Sisco furnace.
The cost of its original construction exceeded one hundred thousand dollars.
For a term of years it was in the possession of Hon. G. W. Goff.
The premises are now owned by the Champlain Ore and Furnace Company, but the works have been suspended for a long period.
The motive power of this furnace was steam, and its products pig iron.
The ore used was chiefly from the Cheever bed, and in part from a bed two or three miles west of the village of Westport, and owned by the proprietors of the furnace, who are also owners of the Goff ore bed in Moriah.
Mr. Lewis H. Roe is superintendent of this company.
TO BE CONTINUED ...
Re: THE HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY
THE MILITARY AND CIVIL HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF ESSEX, NEW YORK; and a GENERAL SURVEY OF ITS PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY, ITS MINES AND MINERALS, AND INDUSTRIAL PURSUITS, EMBRACING AN ACCOUNT OF THE NORTHERN WILDERNESS; AND ALSO THE MILITARY ANNALS OF THE FORTRESSES OF CROWN POINT AND TICONDEROGA., continued ...
By WINSLOW C. WATSON.
PART IV.
INDUSTRIAL PROGRESS AND RESOURCES, continued ...
Iron Manufactories, continued ...
Moriah.
The enterprise of Moriah has been diverted from the manufacturing pursuits, which its magnificent capabilities were calculated to cherish, by the more tangible and certain remuneration afforded by the raising and sale of its ores.
The works which do exist, however, are on a scale of great magnitude and perfection.
Port Henry Furnace. Major James Dalliba, formerly of the army, in connection with Hon. John D. Dickenson of Troy, erected the first furnace at this place, about the year 1822.
A notice of the work produced by the earlier furnaces will strikingly exhibit the vast progress which a quarter of a century has accomplished in both the practical and scientific operations of these works.
The furnace of Major Dalliba yielded a product of only fifteen to eighteen tons of iron a week, about one-half of the yield of the present furnace per day.
The former run from three to six months for a blast.
The ore used was obtained from a vein near the furnace, from another about three-fourths of a mile distant and from Vermont.
The iron made was exported to Troy until 1827, when the production of pig metal was abandoned and the works were appropriated to the manufacture of stoves and hollow ware.
On the decease of Major Dalliba, the property passed into the hands of Stephen S. Keyes, who sold in 1844 to Cole, Olcott & Tarbell, and they transferred it the succeeding year to Powell & Lansing.
These proprietors erected a second furnace on the lake shore.
In 1838, the title became vested in Horace Grey, Jr., of Boston, and was transferred by him in 1840, to the Port Henry Iron Company.
Mr. Grey was the principal stock holder in this company.
He leased individually the furnace property and the Cheever ore bed, in 1846, at a nominal rent.
The original furnace was demolished and a new one built, which commenced operations in 1847.
On the reverses which occurred to Mr. Grey in the fall of this year, the works were temporarily suspended.
Improved intelligence and the application of the hot blast has gradually augmented the yield of the furnace, from two and three tons per day to ten and twelve tons for the same period.
TO BE CONTINUED ...
By WINSLOW C. WATSON.
PART IV.
INDUSTRIAL PROGRESS AND RESOURCES, continued ...
Iron Manufactories, continued ...
Moriah.
The enterprise of Moriah has been diverted from the manufacturing pursuits, which its magnificent capabilities were calculated to cherish, by the more tangible and certain remuneration afforded by the raising and sale of its ores.
The works which do exist, however, are on a scale of great magnitude and perfection.
Port Henry Furnace. Major James Dalliba, formerly of the army, in connection with Hon. John D. Dickenson of Troy, erected the first furnace at this place, about the year 1822.
A notice of the work produced by the earlier furnaces will strikingly exhibit the vast progress which a quarter of a century has accomplished in both the practical and scientific operations of these works.
The furnace of Major Dalliba yielded a product of only fifteen to eighteen tons of iron a week, about one-half of the yield of the present furnace per day.
The former run from three to six months for a blast.
The ore used was obtained from a vein near the furnace, from another about three-fourths of a mile distant and from Vermont.
The iron made was exported to Troy until 1827, when the production of pig metal was abandoned and the works were appropriated to the manufacture of stoves and hollow ware.
On the decease of Major Dalliba, the property passed into the hands of Stephen S. Keyes, who sold in 1844 to Cole, Olcott & Tarbell, and they transferred it the succeeding year to Powell & Lansing.
These proprietors erected a second furnace on the lake shore.
In 1838, the title became vested in Horace Grey, Jr., of Boston, and was transferred by him in 1840, to the Port Henry Iron Company.
Mr. Grey was the principal stock holder in this company.
He leased individually the furnace property and the Cheever ore bed, in 1846, at a nominal rent.
The original furnace was demolished and a new one built, which commenced operations in 1847.
On the reverses which occurred to Mr. Grey in the fall of this year, the works were temporarily suspended.
Improved intelligence and the application of the hot blast has gradually augmented the yield of the furnace, from two and three tons per day to ten and twelve tons for the same period.
TO BE CONTINUED ...
Re: THE HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY
THE MILITARY AND CIVIL HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF ESSEX, NEW YORK; and a GENERAL SURVEY OF ITS PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY, ITS MINES AND MINERALS, AND INDUSTRIAL PURSUITS, EMBRACING AN ACCOUNT OF THE NORTHERN WILDERNESS; AND ALSO THE MILITARY ANNALS OF THE FORTRESSES OF CROWN POINT AND TICONDEROGA., continued ...
By WINSLOW C. WATSON.
PART IV.
INDUSTRIAL PROGRESS AND RESOURCES, continued ...
Iron Manufactories, continued ...
Moriah, continued ...
Port Henry Furnace, continued ...
In 1852, Mr. Benjamin T. Reed, of Boston, purchased all the property of the Port Henry Iron Company, and in the following year, the Cheever ore bed was transferred to the Cheever Ore Bed Company, and the furnaces to the Port Henry Furnaces.
These were distinct corporations organized under the laws of this state.
The Port Henry Furnaces company conveyed its property in 1867 to the Bay State Iron Company, a corporation formed under the laws of Massachusetts, and doing business at South Boston.
The stockholders of both incorporations were the same individuals.
Under the latter title the business of the furnace property is at this time conducted.
The officers of the company are: Samuel Hooper, president; John H. Reed, treasurer; and Wallace T. Foot, superintendent of the works at Port Henry.
In 1853, the old charcoal furnaces were repaired and a blast anthracite coal substituted, with water as the motive power.
The year after a new furnace was erected on the margin of the lake near the former structure of Powell & Lansing.
This furnace was constructed on a new plan, having an outer casing or shell of boiler iron rivetted together and standing upon plates, supported by cast iron columns.
This was the first erection of the kind built in the country, and so far as I am aware in the world; although some have been constructed in Europe, with a boiler iron shell supported by brick arches. 4
The furnace is forty-six feet high, sixteen feet diameter at the top of the boshes, eight feet at the top of the furnace, and is blown through five tuyeres, by a vertical steam engine having a steam cylinder thirty inches in diameter, six feet stroke, and a wind cylinder eighty-four inches diameter, six feet stroke.
In 1860 another furnace was commenced, but not completed until 1862.
This furnace is propelled by machinery similar to the other, but somewhat enlarged in its proportions and power.
The furnace built by Powell & Lansing was taken down in 1855, and that erected by Gray was demolished in 1865.
4 Mr. W. T. Foot, the accomplished manager of the works, to whose courtesy I am indebted for most of the facts on this subject incorporated in the text.
TO BE CONTINUED ...
By WINSLOW C. WATSON.
PART IV.
INDUSTRIAL PROGRESS AND RESOURCES, continued ...
Iron Manufactories, continued ...
Moriah, continued ...
Port Henry Furnace, continued ...
In 1852, Mr. Benjamin T. Reed, of Boston, purchased all the property of the Port Henry Iron Company, and in the following year, the Cheever ore bed was transferred to the Cheever Ore Bed Company, and the furnaces to the Port Henry Furnaces.
These were distinct corporations organized under the laws of this state.
The Port Henry Furnaces company conveyed its property in 1867 to the Bay State Iron Company, a corporation formed under the laws of Massachusetts, and doing business at South Boston.
The stockholders of both incorporations were the same individuals.
Under the latter title the business of the furnace property is at this time conducted.
The officers of the company are: Samuel Hooper, president; John H. Reed, treasurer; and Wallace T. Foot, superintendent of the works at Port Henry.
In 1853, the old charcoal furnaces were repaired and a blast anthracite coal substituted, with water as the motive power.
The year after a new furnace was erected on the margin of the lake near the former structure of Powell & Lansing.
This furnace was constructed on a new plan, having an outer casing or shell of boiler iron rivetted together and standing upon plates, supported by cast iron columns.
This was the first erection of the kind built in the country, and so far as I am aware in the world; although some have been constructed in Europe, with a boiler iron shell supported by brick arches. 4
The furnace is forty-six feet high, sixteen feet diameter at the top of the boshes, eight feet at the top of the furnace, and is blown through five tuyeres, by a vertical steam engine having a steam cylinder thirty inches in diameter, six feet stroke, and a wind cylinder eighty-four inches diameter, six feet stroke.
In 1860 another furnace was commenced, but not completed until 1862.
This furnace is propelled by machinery similar to the other, but somewhat enlarged in its proportions and power.
The furnace built by Powell & Lansing was taken down in 1855, and that erected by Gray was demolished in 1865.
4 Mr. W. T. Foot, the accomplished manager of the works, to whose courtesy I am indebted for most of the facts on this subject incorporated in the text.
TO BE CONTINUED ...
Re: THE HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY
THE MILITARY AND CIVIL HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF ESSEX, NEW YORK; and a GENERAL SURVEY OF ITS PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY, ITS MINES AND MINERALS, AND INDUSTRIAL PURSUITS, EMBRACING AN ACCOUNT OF THE NORTHERN WILDERNESS; AND ALSO THE MILITARY ANNALS OF THE FORTRESSES OF CROWN POINT AND TICONDEROGA., continued ...
By WINSLOW C. WATSON.
PART IV.
INDUSTRIAL PROGRESS AND RESOURCES, continued ...
Iron Manufactories, continued ...
Moriah, continued ...
Port Henry Furnace, concluded ...
During the last five years, these furnaces have produced 58,100 tons of pig iron, consuming 107,700 tons of coal and 100,800 tons of ore.
The ore used is chiefly from the Cheever and Barton beds.
The English method of working a high furnace with a closed top has been recently adopted, and each of the furnaces has been raised twenty feet, giving them an elevation of sixty-six feet.
One of them, after an operation of three months under this charge shows a very satisfactory result by an increased production of iron, with a less consumption of coal per ton of iron made.
The company obtains lime from a quarry upon its own property a short distance from the furnaces.
The anthracite coal is exclusively used, and is principally transported in return boats from Rondout.
The fabrics of the furnaces are chiefly exports to the mill of the company at South Boston.
A foundery and repairing shop is attached to the works for the convenience of the establishment.
The former is a large edifice one hundred and sixty feet.
The last year the foundery has made about two hundred tons of castings.
A carpenter's shop contiguous, is worked by the same motive power as the cupola and in it are formed all the patterns required in the works.
About one hundred and thirty-five men are usually employed at the furnaces.
The coal and cinders are transported in hand carts upon a small railroad to and from the works.
The latter are used for filling in the wharf property of the company.
TO BE CONTINUED ...
By WINSLOW C. WATSON.
PART IV.
INDUSTRIAL PROGRESS AND RESOURCES, continued ...
Iron Manufactories, continued ...
Moriah, continued ...
Port Henry Furnace, concluded ...
During the last five years, these furnaces have produced 58,100 tons of pig iron, consuming 107,700 tons of coal and 100,800 tons of ore.
The ore used is chiefly from the Cheever and Barton beds.
The English method of working a high furnace with a closed top has been recently adopted, and each of the furnaces has been raised twenty feet, giving them an elevation of sixty-six feet.
One of them, after an operation of three months under this charge shows a very satisfactory result by an increased production of iron, with a less consumption of coal per ton of iron made.
The company obtains lime from a quarry upon its own property a short distance from the furnaces.
The anthracite coal is exclusively used, and is principally transported in return boats from Rondout.
The fabrics of the furnaces are chiefly exports to the mill of the company at South Boston.
A foundery and repairing shop is attached to the works for the convenience of the establishment.
The former is a large edifice one hundred and sixty feet.
The last year the foundery has made about two hundred tons of castings.
A carpenter's shop contiguous, is worked by the same motive power as the cupola and in it are formed all the patterns required in the works.
About one hundred and thirty-five men are usually employed at the furnaces.
The coal and cinders are transported in hand carts upon a small railroad to and from the works.
The latter are used for filling in the wharf property of the company.
TO BE CONTINUED ...
Re: THE HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY
THE MILITARY AND CIVIL HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF ESSEX, NEW YORK; and a GENERAL SURVEY OF ITS PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY, ITS MINES AND MINERALS, AND INDUSTRIAL PURSUITS, EMBRACING AN ACCOUNT OF THE NORTHERN WILDERNESS; AND ALSO THE MILITARY ANNALS OF THE FORTRESSES OF CROWN POINT AND TICONDEROGA., continued ...
By WINSLOW C. WATSON.
PART IV.
INDUSTRIAL PROGRESS AND RESOURCES, continued ...
Iron Manufactories, continued ...
Moriah, continued ...
Fletcherville Furnace. This furnace is situated seven and a half miles north-west of Port Henry.
It is owned by Messrs. S. H. & J. G. Weatherbee & F. P. Fletcher; its erection was commenced in 1864, and it was blown in, in August, 1865.
The stack is of stone, and the boiler house of brick.
The height of the furnace is forty-two feet, and width of the boshes eleven feet.
The construction and mechanism of this furnace is somewhat peculiar and complicated.
As it is not my purpose to present any scientific or technical views, I shall refrain from an attempt to describe it.
The ore used in the establishment is obtained mainly from a number of beds owned by the company, but not at present fully developed, which are contiguous to the furnace.
Steam is the motive power of the works, and charcoal the only fuel consumed.
This is burnt in ten large kilns, capable of containing sixty-five cords of wood.
Nearly fifty bushels of charcoal is yielded in these kilns by every cord of seasoned wood
The company own extensive ranges of timber land, which supplies the material for the kilns.
The average product per week of this furnace has been at some periods seventy-six and a half tons per week. 5
A large proportion of the iron produced here is manufactured in the Bessemer works at Troy.
Mr. Thomas F. Weatherbee is the resident agent and manager at this furnace.
5 Mr. Neilson's report.
TO BE CONTINUED ...
By WINSLOW C. WATSON.
PART IV.
INDUSTRIAL PROGRESS AND RESOURCES, continued ...
Iron Manufactories, continued ...
Moriah, continued ...
Fletcherville Furnace. This furnace is situated seven and a half miles north-west of Port Henry.
It is owned by Messrs. S. H. & J. G. Weatherbee & F. P. Fletcher; its erection was commenced in 1864, and it was blown in, in August, 1865.
The stack is of stone, and the boiler house of brick.
The height of the furnace is forty-two feet, and width of the boshes eleven feet.
The construction and mechanism of this furnace is somewhat peculiar and complicated.
As it is not my purpose to present any scientific or technical views, I shall refrain from an attempt to describe it.
The ore used in the establishment is obtained mainly from a number of beds owned by the company, but not at present fully developed, which are contiguous to the furnace.
Steam is the motive power of the works, and charcoal the only fuel consumed.
This is burnt in ten large kilns, capable of containing sixty-five cords of wood.
Nearly fifty bushels of charcoal is yielded in these kilns by every cord of seasoned wood
The company own extensive ranges of timber land, which supplies the material for the kilns.
The average product per week of this furnace has been at some periods seventy-six and a half tons per week. 5
A large proportion of the iron produced here is manufactured in the Bessemer works at Troy.
Mr. Thomas F. Weatherbee is the resident agent and manager at this furnace.
5 Mr. Neilson's report.
TO BE CONTINUED ...
Re: THE HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY
THE MILITARY AND CIVIL HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF ESSEX, NEW YORK; and a GENERAL SURVEY OF ITS PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY, ITS MINES AND MINERALS, AND INDUSTRIAL PURSUITS, EMBRACING AN ACCOUNT OF THE NORTHERN WILDERNESS; AND ALSO THE MILITARY ANNALS OF THE FORTRESSES OF CROWN POINT AND TICONDEROGA., continued ...
By WINSLOW C. WATSON.
PART IV.
INDUSTRIAL PROGRESS AND RESOURCES, continued ...
Iron Manufactories, continued ...
Moriah, continued ...
Crown Point Iron Company's Furnace. This work is situated ten miles west of Crown Point landing, and is owned by that company, consisting of J. & T. Hammond & E. S. Bogue.
A furnace was built on this site in 1845, was burnt down in 1865, and immediately erected anew.
It is forty-two feet high, and nine feet across the boshes.
It is a charcoal blast furnace, the escape heat being used for generating steam, for power for blast, stamping, sawing coal brands and grinding feed.
The furnace consumes 6,500 tons of ore and 650,000 bushels of charcoal, which yield 3,500 tons of pig metal.
In the last eight years the furnace has not run more than three-fourths of the time, owing to the insufficient supply of fuel.
The charcoal is chiefly burnt in kilns.
The ore used is taken from the bed owned by the company, situated about one mile from the works, and the lime is procured from their own quarry about the same distance.
This furnace has been peculiarly successful, both in the manner of its operation and the quality of iron it produces.
Since the establishment of the Bessemer steel works at Troy, a large portion of the iron from this furnace has been purchased by that institution.
The harder and higher qualities of this iron secure a constant market from the manufacturers of malleable iron.
For their use it is esteemed an eminently desirable material.
In approaching this furnace, then owned by Hammond & Co., in 1862, I observed the road formed for some distance by a very beautiful material, exhibiting a surface soft and lustrous, and glowing in every shade and tint.
This substance was the concretion of the slag or cinders of the furnace.
When gushing from the stack in fusion, it will form and draw out, by a wire thrust into the boiling mass, an attenuated glass thread the entire length of the furnace, a distance of sixty feet.
The glass presents the most delicate and diversified coloring; although combined in the eruption from the furnace with extraneous properties.
Thus beautiful in its crude and adulterated condition, may not this substance, purified and refined by science, be rendered subservient to the arts?
TO BE CONTINUED ...
By WINSLOW C. WATSON.
PART IV.
INDUSTRIAL PROGRESS AND RESOURCES, continued ...
Iron Manufactories, continued ...
Moriah, continued ...
Crown Point Iron Company's Furnace. This work is situated ten miles west of Crown Point landing, and is owned by that company, consisting of J. & T. Hammond & E. S. Bogue.
A furnace was built on this site in 1845, was burnt down in 1865, and immediately erected anew.
It is forty-two feet high, and nine feet across the boshes.
It is a charcoal blast furnace, the escape heat being used for generating steam, for power for blast, stamping, sawing coal brands and grinding feed.
The furnace consumes 6,500 tons of ore and 650,000 bushels of charcoal, which yield 3,500 tons of pig metal.
In the last eight years the furnace has not run more than three-fourths of the time, owing to the insufficient supply of fuel.
The charcoal is chiefly burnt in kilns.
The ore used is taken from the bed owned by the company, situated about one mile from the works, and the lime is procured from their own quarry about the same distance.
This furnace has been peculiarly successful, both in the manner of its operation and the quality of iron it produces.
Since the establishment of the Bessemer steel works at Troy, a large portion of the iron from this furnace has been purchased by that institution.
The harder and higher qualities of this iron secure a constant market from the manufacturers of malleable iron.
For their use it is esteemed an eminently desirable material.
In approaching this furnace, then owned by Hammond & Co., in 1862, I observed the road formed for some distance by a very beautiful material, exhibiting a surface soft and lustrous, and glowing in every shade and tint.
This substance was the concretion of the slag or cinders of the furnace.
When gushing from the stack in fusion, it will form and draw out, by a wire thrust into the boiling mass, an attenuated glass thread the entire length of the furnace, a distance of sixty feet.
The glass presents the most delicate and diversified coloring; although combined in the eruption from the furnace with extraneous properties.
Thus beautiful in its crude and adulterated condition, may not this substance, purified and refined by science, be rendered subservient to the arts?
TO BE CONTINUED ...
Re: THE HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY
THE MILITARY AND CIVIL HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF ESSEX, NEW YORK; and a GENERAL SURVEY OF ITS PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY, ITS MINES AND MINERALS, AND INDUSTRIAL PURSUITS, EMBRACING AN ACCOUNT OF THE NORTHERN WILDERNESS; AND ALSO THE MILITARY ANNALS OF THE FORTRESSES OF CROWN POINT AND TICONDEROGA., continued ...
By WINSLOW C. WATSON.
PART IV.
INDUSTRIAL PROGRESS AND RESOURCES, continued ...
Iron Manufactories, continued ...
Moriah, concluded ...
Irondale Iron Works are situated six miles west of the lake, and upon Putman's creek, which affords the motive power.
The forge which now contains four fires, one wooden twelve hammer, weighing one thousand eight hundred pounds, and two wheels, was erected in 1828.
It is at present owned by Penfield, Harwood & Co.
The forge consumes charcoal, which is principally burnt in covered kilns, about four miles from the works in the west part of Ticonderoga.
Ore from the bed of the company located about five miles from the works, is used in the forge.
It manufactures blooms and bars.
The iron made in this forge has established the highest reputation.
This statement is sustained by the fact that in 1829, the company received an order from the government for a large quantity of their iron to be fabricated into chain cables.
It is extensively used for the fabrication of fine ware, and at Pittsburg it is used for making cast steel.
The company have a separator near their works, in which the ore is prepared for the forge.
It is stated that two tons of separated ore will yield a ton of iron.
The annual amount manufactured at this forge is about five hundred tons.
There are a saw mill and grist mill standing a few rods below the iron works, and owned by the proprietors. 6
The other minor industrial pursuits of Crown Point embrace, at the centre village, three miles from the lake, a tannery, woolen factory, grist mill, saw mill, tub and barrel factory, and wheelwright shop; one mile below are a sash and door factory, and a pail and tub factory; still nearer the lake are a grist and saw mill, and wheel-wright shop.
All these works stand upon Putnam's creek, a small stream I have already described.
6 C. Fenton.
TO BE CONTINUED ...
By WINSLOW C. WATSON.
PART IV.
INDUSTRIAL PROGRESS AND RESOURCES, continued ...
Iron Manufactories, continued ...
Moriah, concluded ...
Irondale Iron Works are situated six miles west of the lake, and upon Putman's creek, which affords the motive power.
The forge which now contains four fires, one wooden twelve hammer, weighing one thousand eight hundred pounds, and two wheels, was erected in 1828.
It is at present owned by Penfield, Harwood & Co.
The forge consumes charcoal, which is principally burnt in covered kilns, about four miles from the works in the west part of Ticonderoga.
Ore from the bed of the company located about five miles from the works, is used in the forge.
It manufactures blooms and bars.
The iron made in this forge has established the highest reputation.
This statement is sustained by the fact that in 1829, the company received an order from the government for a large quantity of their iron to be fabricated into chain cables.
It is extensively used for the fabrication of fine ware, and at Pittsburg it is used for making cast steel.
The company have a separator near their works, in which the ore is prepared for the forge.
It is stated that two tons of separated ore will yield a ton of iron.
The annual amount manufactured at this forge is about five hundred tons.
There are a saw mill and grist mill standing a few rods below the iron works, and owned by the proprietors. 6
The other minor industrial pursuits of Crown Point embrace, at the centre village, three miles from the lake, a tannery, woolen factory, grist mill, saw mill, tub and barrel factory, and wheelwright shop; one mile below are a sash and door factory, and a pail and tub factory; still nearer the lake are a grist and saw mill, and wheel-wright shop.
All these works stand upon Putnam's creek, a small stream I have already described.
6 C. Fenton.
TO BE CONTINUED ...
Re: THE HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY
THE MILITARY AND CIVIL HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF ESSEX, NEW YORK; and a GENERAL SURVEY OF ITS PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY, ITS MINES AND MINERALS, AND INDUSTRIAL PURSUITS, EMBRACING AN ACCOUNT OF THE NORTHERN WILDERNESS; AND ALSO THE MILITARY ANNALS OF THE FORTRESSES OF CROWN POINT AND TICONDEROGA., continued ...
By WINSLOW C. WATSON.
PART IV.
INDUSTRIAL PROGRESS AND RESOURCES, continued ...
Iron Manufactories, continued ...
TICONDEROGA.
Horicon Iron Company. This forge was erected by the Ticonderoga Iron Company, in 1864, under the direction of Col. W. E. Calkins.
It is a very superior forge, and is esteemed equal to any in northern New York.
It is built of wood and roofed with slate, and contains six fires with a capability of working twelve.
It has two wooden helve hammers weighing about twenty-seven hundred pounds.
"The blowing is performed by water power."
"A forty-eight inch Chapman wheel is used."
"There are two blast cylinders of five feet in diameter with five feet stroke."
This forge, which is supplied by the water that forms its motive power, by a tube four hundred feet long, and about six feet in diameter stands at the Lower Falls about two miles from the steam boat landing, and at the head of the navigation accessible to canal boats from Lake Champlain.
These boats may moor directly alongside of the works for discharging and loading.
The company own large tracts of woodland on the shores of Lake George.
The wood is transported on barges, which are towed by a small tug, to the foot of the lake, where it is burnt into charcoal in five extensive kilns, capable of burning sixty-five cords each.
The charcoal is carted a distance of about two miles to the forge.
The ore now used, although the company owns extensive mineral property, is principally shipped from Port Henry and landed at the works.
A separator is erected near the forge.
The product of the works, which was bloom iron, in 1865, was about four hundred and fifty tons; in 1866, about three hundred; but at present the forge is not in operation. 7
A cupola furnace was erected on the lower falls in 1832 by John Porter & Son, and continued until recently, in the occupation of the same family.
It is now owned by Clark, Strain & Hooper.
The furnace and machine shop connected with it fabricates about eight thousand dollars worth of agricultural implements, stoves, mill irons and general work adapted to home consumption.
The census returns of 1865 report three woolen factories in the county.
The most important of these is the works of Messrs. Treadway, situated on the lower falls in Ticonderoga.
This factory embraces all the modern improvements, and produces work of the highest quality.
It is at this time performing an extensive and prosperous business, but possessing an unemployed capacity of executing very large operations.
7 W. O. Neilson.
TO BE CONTINUED ...
By WINSLOW C. WATSON.
PART IV.
INDUSTRIAL PROGRESS AND RESOURCES, continued ...
Iron Manufactories, continued ...
TICONDEROGA.
Horicon Iron Company. This forge was erected by the Ticonderoga Iron Company, in 1864, under the direction of Col. W. E. Calkins.
It is a very superior forge, and is esteemed equal to any in northern New York.
It is built of wood and roofed with slate, and contains six fires with a capability of working twelve.
It has two wooden helve hammers weighing about twenty-seven hundred pounds.
"The blowing is performed by water power."
"A forty-eight inch Chapman wheel is used."
"There are two blast cylinders of five feet in diameter with five feet stroke."
This forge, which is supplied by the water that forms its motive power, by a tube four hundred feet long, and about six feet in diameter stands at the Lower Falls about two miles from the steam boat landing, and at the head of the navigation accessible to canal boats from Lake Champlain.
These boats may moor directly alongside of the works for discharging and loading.
The company own large tracts of woodland on the shores of Lake George.
The wood is transported on barges, which are towed by a small tug, to the foot of the lake, where it is burnt into charcoal in five extensive kilns, capable of burning sixty-five cords each.
The charcoal is carted a distance of about two miles to the forge.
The ore now used, although the company owns extensive mineral property, is principally shipped from Port Henry and landed at the works.
A separator is erected near the forge.
The product of the works, which was bloom iron, in 1865, was about four hundred and fifty tons; in 1866, about three hundred; but at present the forge is not in operation. 7
A cupola furnace was erected on the lower falls in 1832 by John Porter & Son, and continued until recently, in the occupation of the same family.
It is now owned by Clark, Strain & Hooper.
The furnace and machine shop connected with it fabricates about eight thousand dollars worth of agricultural implements, stoves, mill irons and general work adapted to home consumption.
The census returns of 1865 report three woolen factories in the county.
The most important of these is the works of Messrs. Treadway, situated on the lower falls in Ticonderoga.
This factory embraces all the modern improvements, and produces work of the highest quality.
It is at this time performing an extensive and prosperous business, but possessing an unemployed capacity of executing very large operations.
7 W. O. Neilson.
TO BE CONTINUED ...