128.2 
SteeL 
of which Dr. Beddoes has given a detailed account in then 
5th volume of the Manchester Transactions, 
Process of making Steel at Newcastle^ in England . 
1 Jars Voyages. Metallurgies, 221. 
“ There are several steel furnaces at Newcastle of differ- 
ent sizes, but similar proportions. The mason work of 
the cementing furnace, is an oblong square. A fire-place 
with bars passes the whole length. This grate, 20 inches 
wide, is nearly on a level with the ground ; the ash-hole ! 
is underneath. Sixteen inches above the grate on each 
side are placed the cases wherein the bars are arranged 
that are to be converted into steel. For this purpose ten 
flues are worked into the wall of those crucibles or cases 
on each side of their length ; they are of fire-brick and 
cemented with loam well beaten and worked. The in- 
side dimensions of the cases are 10 1-2 feet long, 2 feet 
4 inches wide, and 2 feet 6 inches deep. The flame cir- 
culates all round the cases, whose sides are supported by 
walls that enable them to sustain the weight of iron within. 
An arch is thrown over the cases and fire-place in order 
that the dame may reverberate on the top of the cases. 
The dame and smoke passes out at eight openings. The 
whole communicates with one common chimney of a co- 
nical form. The cases are of hewn fire-stone. 
No iron is used for the purpose of steel but Swedish 
iron. 
The iron bars are cut to the length of tire inside of 
the cases : they are of different breadths, from an inch 
and a half to two inches and an half, and from four to 
seven lines thick, (12 lines make an inch.) Each case can 
hold ten tons of iron of 21 cwt. of 1 12 lbs. each to the tom 
The only substance used is charcoal dust neither 
oil nor salt. The bottom of the cases are covered with 
charcoal dust sifted through a coarse sieve, and slightly 
* X believe animal substances are frequently added. T. Cr 
