564 



been puddled in the best manner upon iron buttons, and at least three times sufficiently 

 drawn out at three distinct welding heats, and at least twice properly fagotted.' 



The following is a Table of the breaking proof of chain cables, and of the iron for 

 the purpose of making them, and the proofs required by Her Majesty's Navy for 

 chain's : 



In these iron cables, the matter in the link is thrown very much into one plane ; 

 the link being of an oval form, and provided with a stay. As there are emergencies 

 in which the cable must be severed, this is accomplished in those of iron by means 

 of a bolt and sheckle (shackle), which is inserted in the Eoyal Navy cable at the end 

 of every 12^ fathoms, and at the end of every 15 fathoms in the merchant service ; 

 so that by striking out this bolt or pin, this cable is parted with more ease than a 

 hempen one can be cut. And the iron cable can be reconnected when the ship is clear, 

 while with the hempen cable it would be necessary to cut it with an axe, and thus per- 

 manently injure the cable. Mr. Lenox's plan for securing these bolts is now made 

 part of the Government contracts. 



We have avoided all relating to the general history and application of chain 

 cables, but in connection with the following particulars, obtained from Brown, Lenox, 

 and Co.'s chain works at Millwall, we must admit the important part performed 

 by this house in the improvement of this manufacture. The following remarks refer 

 to chain cables for the Royal Navy, messenger and mooring chains for the Trinity 

 Corporation, and ship cables for merchant service, showing the practice in 1858. 



After selecting the best iron, cutting it off into required lengths, and heating it as 

 before described, the links for chain cables may be bended at the rate of about 60 

 per minute, by machinery at Lenox's works, in "Wales, worked by water-power, the 

 welding of the links in all cases being effected by hand labour. 



In the practice with the bending machine at Newbridge works, Pont-y-Prid, Gla- 

 morganshire, it is as follows : When the iron is cut to the requisite length for links, 

 from 20 to 60 pieces, according to size, are put into the furnace, and when heated, are 

 placed separately on the bending mandrel G {fig. 320) the machine is set in motion, 

 and one revolution forms a link, which is pinched off the mandrel by a small crowbar, 

 and another piece of iron applied, and so on, until from 40 to 60 links are formed in 

 a minute. 



The bending machine is connected with a water-wheel, or other power, by an 

 ordinary coupling clutch, or box, which a lever throws into and out of gear at 

 pleasure. 



' There is a stub or knob of iron on the mandrel under which the point of the piece of 

 iron to be bent is fixed : the mandrel being oval, or of the inside shape of the link, 

 when turned, is followed by the roller above, and this, pressing upon the piece of iron, 

 forms it to the shape of the mandrel. 



A B c ( fig. 320) are standards, D connecting-rod, E crank for lifting, F F the roller for 

 Dressing sides of links, G mandrel, H mandrel spindle, i wheel for mandrel spindle, J 

 pinion on main spindle, x crank spindle. 



The form of the link, after being bended into shape (fig. 320) is shown with the two 

 'Blant-cut surfaces of the ends to be welded together and hammered into form. 



For short lengths of chain the bending may be effected by hand ; in this case the 

 process is simple : A sufficient length of the best iron is cut off, and, while hot, is 

 ' partially bent by the workman over an iron ring, ono end of the bar resting on the 

 ' ground ; the bend is finished upon the anvil ; one entire end of the link is thus formed. 



