302 Annual Report of the Council. 



ascertaining the mechanical properties of iron and steel.. 

 Adamson proved by his experiments that it was possible 

 to obtain qualities of mild steel which would be superior to 

 the best iron for bridge building and other structures, as 

 well as for boiler work, and in this way he aided materially 

 in bringing about the more extended use of steel in place of 

 iron. In the early days of steel great difficulty was also 

 experienced in welding the new material, and Adamson 

 was the first to point out the conditions under which success- 

 ful welding was possible. 



Mr. Adamson also took an extremely active part in 

 opening out the Lincolnshire iron fields, and he was the 

 first to erect a furnace at Frodingham, in 1866, depending 

 entirely for its supplies upon ores found in the district. 

 The greatest difficulty was, however, experienced in working 

 the ore, as it could not be fused at the usual temperature of 

 the blast furnace, owing to the presence of a large quantity 

 of lime mixed with the ore, and a want of silica and alumina. 

 This experience was gained at a great cost, but the 

 difficulty was ultimately overcome by the addition of Lincoln 

 siliceous ore, which is combined with a large quantity of 

 alumina, and these works have since been very prosperous. 



It yet remains to refer to the crowning work of 

 A damson's life, which consisted in rescuing the Manchester 

 Ship Canal scheme, and rendering it a practically possible 

 undertaking. It is a thrice-told story how Adamson, by 

 force of argument, succeeded in arousing the enthusiasm of 

 the teeming millions of Lancashire workers in support of 

 the great scheme, how bravely he fought the Parliamentary 

 battle in the face of the opposition of the greatest vested 

 interests in the Empire, how the reverses which would have 

 sufficed to paralyse the powers of less sturdy men only 

 served to spur Adamson on to renewed efforts, and how he 

 finally led the scheme to triumphant victory. 



In the great popular agitation which carried the Ship 



