(CONT.)
'These facts and others similar, which could be adduced, show clearly, we think, that we have set out upon and are pursuing a wrong policy. Even if the iron produced by mineral coal were not so good as that produced by charcoal, still it would be better to have iron not quite so good, than not to have it at all. But it has been recently proved, by experiment made by this Company, that iron of superior quality can be made from our ores, by the use of the mineral coal of this region exclusively as fuel, in the whole process from the ore to bar iron. The result of this experiment was every way satisfactory. The iron was subjected to severe tests, and exhibited remarkable strength and toughness.
As a further and practical illustration of this subject, we will state something of the operations and experience of this Company. Unacquainted with the business as they were, they commenced, some two years ago, with the idea of constructing three, four or five blast furnaces, expecting to make some ten thousand tons or more of iron per year, after completing their arrangements. But the first furnace built by them had not been long in operation, before they discovered that it would be a hard task to keep that single furnace in full and constant operation with charcoal, even while the wood from which the coal was obtained stood within convenient proximity to the furnace. The forests which stood near have, in a great measure, disappeared, materially increasing the difficulty of procuring fuel. From this and other causes growing out of the condition of the country, such as want of laborers, the scarcity and dearness of provisions and all other necessaries, the impracticability of obtaining teams to put in the places of those worn out by hard and constant service, the business is attended with many more difficulties now than in the early part of last year. With great exertion, the Company were able to make and deliver to the Government last year, counting from March to March, only about 3,500 tons, including what they used in improvements and repairs. Small as this quantity may appear, it exceeds what any other Company in this State made within the same period. The difficulties attending the business now, being considerably greater than heretofore, this quantity is not likely to be increased, but rather diminished, in the future, under the present system. Bur we presume this system will not be adhered to. We are about making propositions to the Nitre and Mining Bureau at Richmond, looking to changes which, as they involve no loss or expense or inconvenience to the Government, while promising a large increase in the production of iron, we can hardly doubt will receive the proper sanction. If this is done, we propose to complete a new furnace, commenced last year, construct a railroad from our works to the Alabama and Tennessee River road, about six miles, on which the work is far advanced and in progress, and make other necessary arrangements for obtaining a full and regular supply of mineral coal. This being done, and substituting mineral for charcoal, we have great confidence in the ability of the Company to increase the manufacture of iron more than a hundred per cent., without increasing the number of laborers required in their present business, and with one-fourth the number of wagons and teams now employed. It is deemed unnecessary to go into a statement of particulars to show how this result can be brought about. The great advantage consists in dispensing with a large number of hands and teams required in the production and hauling of charcoal, and in the increased amount of iron which an equal quantity of mineral coal will produce. It is estimated that the hands required in the production and delivery of charcoal for one furnace, are sufficient to mine coal enough for two furnaces. This Company propose to mine their own coal, having one mine opened and being engaged in opening another. What is practicable for this Company, may be fairly presumed to be so for a portion at least of the other Companies of this region.
The business of mining coal is being largely extended, and under the arrangement completed and in progress, the prospects are that the supply or coal will, ere very long, be ample. The principal difficulty to be apprehended in the successful prosecution of the plan of substituting mineral coal for charcoal, in a large degree, is the want of railroad machinery for transporting the coal. The present machinery is insufficient, but we understand that arrangements have been made to bring upon the road considerable additional machinery.'
'These facts and others similar, which could be adduced, show clearly, we think, that we have set out upon and are pursuing a wrong policy. Even if the iron produced by mineral coal were not so good as that produced by charcoal, still it would be better to have iron not quite so good, than not to have it at all. But it has been recently proved, by experiment made by this Company, that iron of superior quality can be made from our ores, by the use of the mineral coal of this region exclusively as fuel, in the whole process from the ore to bar iron. The result of this experiment was every way satisfactory. The iron was subjected to severe tests, and exhibited remarkable strength and toughness.
As a further and practical illustration of this subject, we will state something of the operations and experience of this Company. Unacquainted with the business as they were, they commenced, some two years ago, with the idea of constructing three, four or five blast furnaces, expecting to make some ten thousand tons or more of iron per year, after completing their arrangements. But the first furnace built by them had not been long in operation, before they discovered that it would be a hard task to keep that single furnace in full and constant operation with charcoal, even while the wood from which the coal was obtained stood within convenient proximity to the furnace. The forests which stood near have, in a great measure, disappeared, materially increasing the difficulty of procuring fuel. From this and other causes growing out of the condition of the country, such as want of laborers, the scarcity and dearness of provisions and all other necessaries, the impracticability of obtaining teams to put in the places of those worn out by hard and constant service, the business is attended with many more difficulties now than in the early part of last year. With great exertion, the Company were able to make and deliver to the Government last year, counting from March to March, only about 3,500 tons, including what they used in improvements and repairs. Small as this quantity may appear, it exceeds what any other Company in this State made within the same period. The difficulties attending the business now, being considerably greater than heretofore, this quantity is not likely to be increased, but rather diminished, in the future, under the present system. Bur we presume this system will not be adhered to. We are about making propositions to the Nitre and Mining Bureau at Richmond, looking to changes which, as they involve no loss or expense or inconvenience to the Government, while promising a large increase in the production of iron, we can hardly doubt will receive the proper sanction. If this is done, we propose to complete a new furnace, commenced last year, construct a railroad from our works to the Alabama and Tennessee River road, about six miles, on which the work is far advanced and in progress, and make other necessary arrangements for obtaining a full and regular supply of mineral coal. This being done, and substituting mineral for charcoal, we have great confidence in the ability of the Company to increase the manufacture of iron more than a hundred per cent., without increasing the number of laborers required in their present business, and with one-fourth the number of wagons and teams now employed. It is deemed unnecessary to go into a statement of particulars to show how this result can be brought about. The great advantage consists in dispensing with a large number of hands and teams required in the production and hauling of charcoal, and in the increased amount of iron which an equal quantity of mineral coal will produce. It is estimated that the hands required in the production and delivery of charcoal for one furnace, are sufficient to mine coal enough for two furnaces. This Company propose to mine their own coal, having one mine opened and being engaged in opening another. What is practicable for this Company, may be fairly presumed to be so for a portion at least of the other Companies of this region.
The business of mining coal is being largely extended, and under the arrangement completed and in progress, the prospects are that the supply or coal will, ere very long, be ample. The principal difficulty to be apprehended in the successful prosecution of the plan of substituting mineral coal for charcoal, in a large degree, is the want of railroad machinery for transporting the coal. The present machinery is insufficient, but we understand that arrangements have been made to bring upon the road considerable additional machinery.'