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taining five thick wires. The circumference of the largest 
v,-ire rope did not exceed 4^ inches, and the weight usually 
lifted by it was about half a ton. A hempen rope of equal 
strength was said to be four times the weight, and lasted only 
half the time, — the hempen rope being worn out in one year, 
and the wire rope in two years. The metallic surface was 
always kept well coated with tar to prevent oxidation, and 
the rope was never coiled over pullies or drums of less than 
eight feet diameter, — at least it was considered injurious to 
make use of smaller ones. 
Three or four years since, an attempt was made in this 
country to supersede hemp, and to introduce iron wire, in the 
manufacture of ropes and cordage ; and subsequently several 
patents have been taken out for this purpose : but those which 
have attracted the largest share of public attention, are 
Ne wall's, Smith's, and Heimann's ; the first of Gateshead, 
and the two last of London. 
Smith's patent consists of improved methods of combining 
any number of wires into strands, and twisting these strands 
into ropes of any required size. These ropes are perfectly 
flexible ; and they can be spliced, knotted, and fitted in the 
ordinary way, as easily as hempen ropes. The effects of 
oxidation are prevented by a chemical preparation, by which 
the durability of the metal is greatly increased. 
They are made either round or fiat ; the smallest of the 
round ones being one inch in circumference, and the largest 
six inches. The smallest of the flat ropes are three inches 
broad and 3-16ths thick, and the largest four inches broad 
.by half an inch thick. 
The patentee declares that his wire ropes are only half 
the size and weight of hempen ones for the same strength, 
and 25 per cent, cheaper ; and his assertion is borne out by 
the results of certain experiments made by order of the 
Admiralty, to show the comparative difference between patent 
