No .244.] 61 



The Trenton Iron Works. The Trenton Iron Works were 

 erected by Peter Cooper, of New-York. They were commenced in 

 May, 1845, and went into operation in October following, producing 

 bar iron and wire rods. In February, 1846, Mr. Cooper commenced 

 preparing the works for the manufacture of heavy railroad iron, under 

 a contract with the Camden and Amboy Railroad Co., for two thou- 

 sand tons, at $79 per ton, cash, at Trenton. In July following, the 

 first rail was made, since which time the works have turned out about 

 18,000 tons, which have been laid in seven different States, including 

 Michigan and Louisiana. A great variety of patterns have been 

 made, varying from 50 to 70 lbs. per lineal yard. In every case, the 

 quality has been pronounced far superior to the English article. In 

 1847, Mr. Cooper found that an act of incorporation would better pro- 

 tect his interest, and the Trenton Iron Company was accordingly or- 

 ganised, but no new parties associated. 



The mill covers two acres of ground, has twenty double pud-' 

 dling furnaces, five double heating furnaces, and eight setts of weigh- 

 ing and finishing rolls, constantly in operation. 



The whole cost of the works, water power and real estate at Tren- 

 ton, has been over $300,000, some of which has been raised by way 

 of loan, or on mortgage. The number of men employed is about 

 five hundred. The weekly wages vary from four to five thousand 

 dollars. 



The capacity of the establishment for producing iron, is greater than 

 any other in this country. 



The following is the report of the work done in the week previous 

 to the visit of the committee : 



Puddling furnaces worked from Monday 3 o'clock P. M., to Satur- 

 day, 6 A. M. Made 292 tons 10 cwt. qrs. 10 lbs. of puddled bars. 

 The reheating furnaces worked from Monday 9 o'clock A. M., to Sat- 

 urday noon. Reheated, 197 tons 09 cwt. qrs. 17lbs. of tops and 

 bottoms. 



The rail mill furnaces worked from noon on Monday, to Saturday 

 3 o'clock P. M., and made, 334 tons 15 cwt. 1 qr. 19lbs. of rails, 

 weighing 70 lbs per yard, for the Hudson River Railroad Co. 



Total iron heated in the week, 824 tons 14 cwt. 2 qrs. 18 lbs. \ J 

 Coal burnt, 555 tons 10 cwt. 2 qrs. 14 lbs., exclusively anthracite 

 iron. 



