230 NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES 
from the fact that cents were hoarded to such an extent as to keep them out of 
circulation, that in the present state of the currency it would be futile to attempt 
to carry out the project. More than this: we believe the end of our nation’s 
troubles is nigh, and that peace will soon bless our country. With peace we may 
confidently expect an influx of silver, always more acceptable than any substitute, 
which will supply every want and furnish a currency of ‘ small coins’ equal to any 
demand.” ** 
Pollock’s prophecy as to the return of peace and the return of 
fractional silver currency into circulation were both fulfilled, 
and further experiments with aluminum alloys became unneces- 
sary. The work of this committee of the Academy, which was 
indeed limited in extent, led, therefore, to no practical results.” 
COMMITTEE ON THE EXPLOSION ON THE UNITED STATES 
STEAMER CHENANGO. 1864 
During the Civil War the Government ordered the construc- 
tion of 27 light-draft side-wheel steamers, intended for use as 
gun-boats. Among these was the Chenango. ‘These vessels 
were known as “ double-enders,” or ‘“‘ double-bowed,” from the 
circumstance that they were fitted with a bow and rudder at each 
end. The Chenango was built at a private shipyard in New 
York. The boilers were constructed at the Morgan Iron Works 
“Rep. Secr. Treas. for 1864, pp. 214-215. The report of the assayer to the committee of 
the Academy, which contains many interesting details, is given in full in the Annual 
Report of the Academy for 1864, pp. 8-10. (House Exec. Doc. no. 66, 38th Congress, 
2d Session.) 
*° The experiments mentioned above seem not to have become generally known. We read 
in Richard’s “ Aluminum: Its History, Occurrence,” etc., the following: 
“ Aluminum has often been proposed as a material for coinage, but the only recommenda- 
tion it ever possessed for this purpose was its high price..... It is said that the United 
States Government made experiments, in 1865, in making aluminum coins, but that the results 
were not sufficiently successful to induce its adoption. What the difficulties were I cannot find 
out, but they were—aside from the uncertain value—probably the fact of the great power 
required to stamp the coins, which is stated to be several times that needed for silver 
unless the metal is of exceptional purity. The problem of hardening it by adding a little 
silver or nickel did not probably stand in the way of its adoption. However, as an alloy 
in ordinary silver coins to replace copper, aluminum can be successfully used, since 5 per 
cent of aluminum added to silver makes an alloy as durable as ordinary silver coin with 
10 per cent of copper, without giving it the yellow color of coin silver.” 
Aluminum: Its History, Occurrence, Properties, Metallurgy and Applications, including 
its Alloys. By Joseph W. Richards, M. A., A. C. 2d ed. 8°. Philadelphia, 1890, p. 370. 
