AMERICAN INSTITUTE. 103 



stroys one's confidence in the cable; in fact, it can never be de- 

 pended on with certainty at anchor in rough weather. 



Above, the cut represents the friction cable stopper; it is 

 simple in its construction, and not liable to get out of order. It 

 consists of cast iron bed or frame having one fixed law firmly se- 

 cured to the deck, and one movable jaw and plate in one piece 

 that slides in guides on the top of same, between which jaws 

 passes the cable. The movable jaw plate is moved by eccentrics 

 acting against the same, the eccentrics being attached to the shaft 

 over the plate having sockets for levers or handspikes. 



Operation — Pass the cable through the jaws and connect it to 

 the anchor; put the levers into their sockets, allowing them to 

 be in nearly a vertical position; let the hands stand by their 

 levers to bear down; when the word is given, let go the anchor; 

 when the word is given to stop (which may be when the cable is 

 run out about three-quarters the length required,) bear down 

 upon the levers, thus creating friction, that the remainder of the 

 cable may be stopped gradually, and without any straining of 

 the cable or vessel, or the least shock felt. It may now be 

 clutched or pinned, (not shown in the cut,) and all is secure. 



The anchor trippers and stopper may be applied in half a day 



by any ordinary carpenter. \^A silver medal was awarded for the 



best anchor tripper, and a diploma for an anchor stopper. 



Specimens of Breckenridge Coal and its products. 

 F. F. Thompson, 3 Wall street. The Breckenridge coal is found 

 in the western part of the State of Kentucky, within a few miles 

 of the Ohio river. The mines cover an area of eleven square 

 miles, and are situated part in Hancock and part in Breckenridge 

 coimties. This coal was discovered only about four yeai-s ago, 

 and the mines have been in operation but a year. 



This mineral is improperly called cannel coal, although it is 

 different in its qualities from any coal heretofore discovered. It 

 has an even grain like hard wood, and can be readily cut with an 

 axe or knife in even square blocks. When cut open it presents a 

 smooth, glossy surface, perfectly black, there being no brown shade, 

 and the texture is so fine and close that it will not soil the whitest 

 kid glove rubbed upon it. Pieces of it under the graver's tools or 

 in the lathe, can be converted into all the ornamental forms made 

 from ivory, and can be carved into broaches, handles, &c., &c., 

 resembling the bog-oak carvings so much sold in Dublin, Ireland. 



As a fuel, the Breckenridge coal is the nearest approach to a 

 wood fire of any known mineral. It burns with the freedom and 



