MODERN INVENTIONS. 275 



PERR ING'S IMPROVED ANCHOR. The improvements in this im- 

 portant nautical machine, introduced by Mr. Perring, consist in an alte- 

 ration of the form, by which a greater certainty of taking and retaining 

 its hold in the ground is insured ; and by a most decided and scientific 

 improvement in the mode of manufacture. The change of form brings 

 the proportions and bearing of the several parts of the anchor more within 

 the outline of mathematical accuracy ; which can only be understood by 

 a comparison between the anchor hitherto in use, and that constructed 

 by Mr. Perring. The improvement in forging this, in some cases, 

 immense mass of iron, will be understood readily from the following 

 description. Instead of being formed of bars of iron, welded and 

 beaten together, by which those bars, or rather the outer surface of 

 those bars that form the external circle, receive the whole force of the 

 hammering, whilst the others, and particularly those in the centre, are 

 but partially compressed , the required quantity of metal is prepared in 

 thin flat sections, which have an exceeding hardness, and increased 

 durability given to them, by the lusty strokes of our modern Vulcans ; 

 and these plates, so prepared, are then welded together, and form an 

 anchor of the most approved shape, whilst they present themselves 

 edgewise, at all points of resistance j so that every section of the anchor 

 sustains its proportion of the enormous strain to which this most useful 

 of all naval instruments this beautiful type of mortal reliance can be 

 ever subjected in the terrible turmoil of the deep the mad contention 

 of the warring elements. 



Spirit of the first e( worker in metals" immortal Tubal-Cain ! be- 

 hold how emulous is the present race to subjugate every thing in art to 

 thy purposes ! Stretched out in the inert laziness of its strength is the 

 anchor we have endeavoured to describe, and pendant to the cat-head 

 is its necessary adjunct, the help-mate of the anchor the creaking cat- 

 block one of 



BOTH WAY'S METALLIC BLOCKS another of thy triumphs, Tubal ! 

 Besides the advantages of incomparable durability, and lightness, these 

 blocks have a swivel hook, by which less labour is required in getting 

 the anchor te on board," and less risk is run by the hardy tar who must 

 take his chance, whilst on that sometimes dangerous duty, of getting 

 " canted" off the anchor-stock, and being sent down to explore tlje un- 

 available stores of (( Davy Jones' locker." 



To complete this metallic arrangement, w r e have produced, for the 

 occasion 



AN IMPROVED CHAIN CABLE, composed of -links, after the approved 

 form of the far-famed iron cables introduced by Acraman, of Bristol. 

 Having ascertained, by a series of careful experiments, that a link of 

 an oval shape, with a bar dividing it laterally into equal parts, would 

 sustain a greater strain than links of any other form, Mr. Acraman took 

 out a patent for the exclusive right of liis discovery, and has been amply 

 rewarded, by the most extensive patronage, foreign as well as British. 

 The strain on each link being always in the direction of its length, the 

 insertion of a bar, or stay, to keep the sides of the links from collapsing, 

 was an improvement that seemed to be all that was necessary to induce 

 the exclusive usage of iron cables forthe mooring of vessels, instead of 

 those of hemp j but as it has been recently shewn, that if zinc and iron 

 be kept in contact, the former will prevent the oxidation of the latter, 



