1832.] Iron Suspension Wheels. 531 



unserviceable : in the former, if even half of the spokes remained, the wheel would 

 continue serviceable — not so the other. It would be superfluous to dwell on the vast 

 advantages which might arise from the being able to keep a gun in action 

 that in ordinary circumstances would be disabled. The iron wheel, if struck by a 

 cannon shot, will not splinter. The trial that took place at Woolwich fully 

 establishes this important fact. Iron wheels may be considered proof against 

 rausquetry, if not against grape. Iron wheels will need no repair over rough 

 ground, or stony roads, or from concussions ; hence forge establishments with field 

 or battering rams may be greatly diminished, if not dispensed with altogether on 

 this account. In support of the general efficiency of iron wheels, in constant 

 employment for years in drags and heavy carriages of all descriptions, on the 

 paved streets of London, reference can be had to the certificates of many of the 

 principal brewers, builders, and practical engineers of the metropolis. The 

 draught of the patent wheels has been ascertained to be one-fourth lighter than 

 that of the common wheels — three horses performing the work of four. 



The first cost of the patent wheels, deliverable in London, is as follows, each 

 being 4 feet eight inches high. 



1st, with tire, 3 inches wide, £\% per pair. 



2nd, do. A\ do. 20 do. 



3rd, 6 do. 25 do. 



To this must be added the amount of freight from Europe, about £4 per ton. 

 I am not exactly aware of the cost of wheels made at the Gun Carriage Agencv, but 

 according to General Hard wicke's statement, it appears fully to equal, if not to exceed, 

 the above ; but the great economy that would attend the introduction of iron wheels 

 into the service would result from the abolition of expensive establishments kept 

 up to supply or repair wheels not fairly worn out by service, but decayed or 

 shrunk from exposure to the vicissitudes of alternate heat and moisture. I am 

 not prepared to point out the various particulars in which retrenchment might 

 be made ; but it is evident, that repairs would require but little ; that less than a 

 third of the sum at present allowed for tar and grease would be more than 

 sufficient for oil for the patent wheels ; that less than half the quantity of paint 

 would be required, and that every part of a condemned iron wheel would be worth 

 half of its original cost, whilst the condemned parts of wooden wheels, except 

 the iron work, are only fit for fire-wood. On this point of economy, I may quote 

 the substance of a letter addressed by Messrs. Whitbread and Co. to the Secre- 

 tary of the Honourable East India Company. 



" At the request of Messrs. Theodore Jones and Co. the proprietors of the iron 

 wheels, we beg to state to you, that the saving we have effected, in consequence 

 of the use of iron wheels, amounts to more than £180 per annum on 35 pair of 

 wheels. We take this opportunity of expressing our approbation of the invention 

 in every respect. Whitbread and Co." 



With reference to this letter, which was delivered by General Hardwicke to the 

 Secretary, it need hardly be observed, that if a single house of business obtained 

 so large a saving on 35 pair of wheels, the subject must be of immense importance 

 to the Hon'ble Company, as their saving would not only he great in proportion to 

 the number of wheels in the service, but also on account of the unfavourable in- 

 fluence of climate on wooden wheels. 



The above remarks are fully corroborated by the following Report of experiments 

 made with the new wheels, under the superintendence of Major-General Hardwicke 



