Volume 31 (1875) (428 pages)

al of M ning, Popular Science and General News. An Illustrated Journ BY DiEWtY & Co., Patent Solleitors. SAN FRANCISCO, SATURDAY, JULY 3, 1879. VOLUME XXAAT WNuanber 1. The Union tron Works. This iastitution is the oldest established and the most extensive fonndry and machine shop on the Pacific const, and iu its nppointments will beara favorable comparison with any of the iron works in older cities East. The engraving shown on this pago represents the front of the works, which, however, on Mission and Fremontstreets as well as First, covering an area of 275 feet by 186 feet. Additions have been made to the huildings from time to time, as the necessities of business demanded, and several changes have recently heen made as stated hereinafter. No better indication of the ndvance in progrsss of the Pacific coast could be given, than that shown hy the steady increase in bnsi ; sentative mechanical iustitntion of this kind; and n brief history of its origin and growth will repay pe-rusal hy those interested in mechsnical pursuits or the progress of California. The , Union Iron Works were originally fonnded in 1819 by Messrs. James and Peter Donshue, and at that time consisted ef-a—small rude fur-, uace and a few commou tools, not even covered in or protected from the weather. The furnsce blast was produced hy two blacksmith _ hellows. Soon after the works started the first iron casting turned out on the Pacifio coast was made, in the shape of a ‘‘steady or spring bearing,” for the propellor McKim. ‘Lhie casting cost fifty cents er pound. From thie little*‘plant”’ the Donahue Brothers built up a very large business, enlarging and improving their establishment from time to time, and endeavoring to keep it in advance of similar works which in course of time sprung up around them. In 1856 James Donahue sold his interest in the business to his brother Peter, who erected a large hrick building on the site of the roofless workshop of 1849, and carried on the business in his own name. As Mr, Donahue, however, was engaged in other enterprises of great magnitude, he was unable to exercise a personal supervision over the mechanical branch of his husinsss, and in 1863 formed a copartnership with H. J. Booth, of the Marysville Foundry, and C. S. Higgins, under the firm name of Donahue, Beoth & Ce. Mr. Booth had been in the foundry husiness in California tor twelve years, and Mr. Higgins was also an active business mau; hut the institation did not flourish ay it should, and the firm sold out in 1865 toa new firm composed of H. J. Beoth, G. W. Prescott and Irving M. ace under the firm name of H. J. Booth & 0. Under this firm the foundry has heen ranning for the past ten years. As soon as they ‘took hold of the husiness it began to increase -wonderfully and new machinery was purchased, more men employed, and the fucilities incressed gradually to the present timo, until now it is the most completely eqnippsd foundry and ReREe shop on the coast. The New Firm. On the 8th of lact month Mr. H. J. Booth retired from the businese and the firm name ‘was changed'to Prescott, Scott & Co., the new firm comprising G;'W.'Prescott and Irving M, face . . Scott of the old firm, and H. T. Scott, who has for about ci¢htyears been connected with the firm as coufidentisl agent. G. W. Prescott and H. T. Soott will as hefo:e conduct the commercial and financial dspartments, and Irving M. Scott continues to superintend the mechanical . branches of the business, Mr. Prescott, the senior member of the firm, was one of the origins] members of the firm of H. J. Booth & Co. He is one of the best finsncial men in San Francisco, aud a first-class, intelligent mechanic. He has traveled nearly all over the world, gaining a great fnand of iuformation thereby. Heis on of our prominent citizens, and isa capitalist who always has his money within reach. Mr, Prescott is head of the financial department of the works and is a imau who is respected by all who know him. Irviug M. Scott, well known as one of California's most intelligent mechanics, came to the works ag draftsmanin 1860. 1n 1861 he iness of a repre-. was promoted to the position of Superintenyerputes moment to the numorous inventors . who were experimenting with this class of majebinery, to have an intclligent mechanic who was thoroughly inte-ested in the improvement to suggest such features iu detail as would cheapen or strengthen the machine aud at the same time effectually carry out the inventor's ideas. Mr, Scott’s claims ssa first class mechaniz are fully recognized hy all his compstitors in business—a conceded compliment nt easily gained. Although he did not on entering the firm hring with him much capital, he brought what was better, energy, mechanical talent and an excellent executive capacity. H. T. Scott, the new member of the firm, a younger brother of the Supsrintendent, has heen connected with the iostitution for some eight years, He tirst went into the casting depirtment, then the time departmont, then cellection, and was finally confidential agent of the old firm. During Mr, Prescott’s absence jin Europe, he is manager of the financial and UNION TRON WORKS—PRESCOTI, SCOTT & CO. dent of the works, of which ke has had chsrge ever since. He and Mr. Prescott both came in as partners in 1865. Mr. Scott has distinguished himself hy improviug greatly the mechanical details ot all varieties of quartz machinery. When he first began to make a point of this, stsmps were able to crush from one half a ton of quartz dry to one and a quarter tons wet, perday. Now they crush two tons dry and up as high as five tons wet, a result which Mr. Scott has addod much to gain, He took out with Mr. Eckert in 1867, a patent for a slide valve governor, au invention of great importance and rightly judged to he a very beautiful and simple contrivance for controlling the speed of the engine under all conditions whether loaded or suddenly relieved from the entire work, or gradnally unloaded. The principle consisted in connecting the ingress of steam directly with the governor, making it supreme, shutting off or letting on steam, as circumstances might require. Mr. Scott hae no doubt contributed more to the mechanics of metallurgy than any other man on the coast. He has improved the mechanical details of nearly all the pans and settlers,.making euggestions of value to the inveutors, while the machines were under his supervision. He introduced the first double armed came, with huh on one side, for quartz mills, which are now in univereal uee. It must he remembered thit iu making muchinery of this kind much had to he left to the machinist afew years ago when allthe principles were not eo well laid down as at present. It was therefcre of the commercial department, in which he has shown much ability. Hs hss had charge of the purchase of supplies for the works for the past four years. Hehas made his way ahead in the institution unaided hy relatives, but depending on his own energy and ability for advancement. He is a young man of much promise. The Buildings Comprising the works are not of elegant ex: terior, although the interior arrangements are well adapted for the purposes for which the are used. The offices have heen recently fitted up in neat style, with counting room, business room, private offices, etc. A new and com. modious boiler shop has recently been erected, . as mentioned hereinafter. The inetitution is connected with the American District tele. graph system of this city, and has speaking tubes, etc., throughout the buildings. Each mechanical branch of the businees of these works comprises a distinct department under the special charge of a foreman of experience. The workmeu rely on merit alone for promotion, and discipline is maintained with a firm hand, the rules heing thoroughly understood. The Drafting Department Room ie completely fitted np, being supplied with the very best materials. Details of ordere are here worked ont for delivery to whichever department is to fillthe order. There are eight draftsmen employed, in charge of Eugeue ; O'Neil, who has worked his way up fom the imachina shops to the head of this department. The Pattern Shop Is amply provided with planers, lathes, band saws, circnlar saws and a complete ontfit of machinery of this class. Every facility is here given to turn out work in a superior style at short notice, the machinery all being well adapted for the purpose and the men skilled in their trade. This shop isin charge of Willism MeConuell, who bas hegn in the institntion for many years, and worked his way up to the head of his department. There are eighteen inen employed in this shop. The Foundry Is of course au extensive branch of the establishmeut and gives employment to 127 molders. It is wall supplied with proper appurtenances. There 13 one crane of thirty and one of tweuty tous capscity; two large sized coro ovens, three cupolis, with a capacity of melting 64,000 . ponnds in two auda half hours; pits and ap, Purtcnances tor maLing the largest cylinders in castings of any description. One ot the core ovens is one of the most approved appliances inyented up to date, enabling them to do this class of work very cheap. This departMent is very complete. It 1s under the chsrge of Heury Dimmick, a superior mechanic, who hss been in the fonndry since 1863, and worked his way from & common molderin the shop upto his present position. The Machine Shop In these works con-tains some of the largest tools on this coast. The anpliances in this department have heen enlarged to meet the reqnirements of the increase of work on heavy machinery for the Comstock mines. Every kind of mschinery tht can aid man’s labor is represented here, and all of the most approved patterns. In this department there are thirtyfour lathes, from twelve to twenty feet, _, and thirleen planers from six feet wide by twenty-four feet long to ten feet wide hy thirty feet long, both lathes and planers heing the largest on the Pacific coast; six slotters; fourteen drills from ten feet to ninety-six teet; two vertics] horing mills from four to eight feet; four horizontal horing mills, three bolt cutters, two nut tappers, two nut fscsrs, six shspers, four pulley lathes, two spur gear cutters from two sud a hslf inches to twenty-six feet; two hevil gear cutters from six inches to ten feet; also a complete assortment of milling machinery, 7 . small tools, cranes capable of handling thirty tons, cars, car tracks, etc., etc. This department is superintended by Wm. Worth, an old hand at the foundry, and one of the most thorough mechanics in California. The Blacksmith Shop Has seventesn fires, two steam hammers, and ig supplied with cranes, small tools, and all facilities for turning out forgings of all kinds. About forty men are employed, over whom Patrick Hayes is foreman. The Boiler Shop Is a new building, erected this year in the rear of the main buildings and fronting on Fremont street. It iesupplied with a complete outfit of new and improved tools. Pipes, boilers, tanks and uumerous other thinge are constructed in this department, which in reality includes many various details which are inseparable from the business. By # new system of (Continued on Page 8.)

al of M ning, Popular Science and General News. An Illustrated Journ BY DiEWtY & Co., Patent Solleitors. SAN FRANCISCO, SATURDAY, JULY 3, 1879. VOLUME XXAAT WNuanber 1. The Union tron Works. This iastitution is the oldest established and the most extensive fonndry and machine shop on the Pacific const, and iu its nppointments will beara favorable comparison with any of the iron works in older cities East. The engraving shown on this pago represents the front of the works, which, however, on Mission and Fremontstreets as well as First, covering an area of 275 feet by 186 feet. Additions have been made to the huildings from time to time, as the necessities of business demanded, and several changes have recently heen made as stated hereinafter. No better indication of the ndvance in progrsss of the Pacific coast could be given, than that shown hy the steady increase in bnsi ; sentative mechanical iustitntion of this kind; and n brief history of its origin and growth will repay pe-rusal hy those interested in mechsnical pursuits or the progress of California. The , Union Iron Works were originally fonnded in 1819 by Messrs. James and Peter Donshue, and at that time consisted ef-a—small rude fur-, uace and a few commou tools, not even covered in or protected from the weather. The furnsce blast was produced hy two blacksmith _ hellows. Soon after the works started the first iron casting turned out on the Pacifio coast was made, in the shape of a ‘‘steady or spring bearing,” for the propellor McKim. ‘Lhie casting cost fifty cents er pound. From thie little*‘plant”’ the Donahue Brothers built up a very large business, enlarging and improving their establishment from time to time, and endeavoring to keep it in advance of similar works which in course of time sprung up around them. In 1856 James Donahue sold his interest in the business to his brother Peter, who erected a large hrick building on the site of the roofless workshop of 1849, and carried on the business in his own name. As Mr, Donahue, however, was engaged in other enterprises of great magnitude, he was unable to exercise a personal supervision over the mechanical branch of his husinsss, and in 1863 formed a copartnership with H. J. Booth, of the Marysville Foundry, and C. S. Higgins, under the firm name of Donahue, Beoth & Ce. Mr. Booth had been in the foundry husiness in California tor twelve years, and Mr. Higgins was also an active business mau; hut the institation did not flourish ay it should, and the firm sold out in 1865 toa new firm composed of H. J. Beoth, G. W. Prescott and Irving M. ace under the firm name of H. J. Booth & 0. Under this firm the foundry has heen ranning for the past ten years. As soon as they ‘took hold of the husiness it began to increase -wonderfully and new machinery was purchased, more men employed, and the fucilities incressed gradually to the present timo, until now it is the most completely eqnippsd foundry and ReREe shop on the coast. The New Firm. On the 8th of lact month Mr. H. J. Booth retired from the businese and the firm name ‘was changed'to Prescott, Scott & Co., the new firm comprising G;'W.'Prescott and Irving M, face . . Scott of the old firm, and H. T. Scott, who has for about ci¢htyears been connected with the firm as coufidentisl agent. G. W. Prescott and H. T. Soott will as hefo:e conduct the commercial and financial dspartments, and Irving M. Scott continues to superintend the mechanical . branches of the business, Mr. Prescott, the senior member of the firm, was one of the origins] members of the firm of H. J. Booth & Co. He is one of the best finsncial men in San Francisco, aud a first-class, intelligent mechanic. He has traveled nearly all over the world, gaining a great fnand of iuformation thereby. Heis on of our prominent citizens, and isa capitalist who always has his money within reach. Mr, Prescott is head of the financial department of the works and is a imau who is respected by all who know him. Irviug M. Scott, well known as one of California's most intelligent mechanics, came to the works ag draftsmanin 1860. 1n 1861 he iness of a repre-. was promoted to the position of Superintenyerputes moment to the numorous inventors . who were experimenting with this class of majebinery, to have an intclligent mechanic who was thoroughly inte-ested in the improvement to suggest such features iu detail as would cheapen or strengthen the machine aud at the same time effectually carry out the inventor's ideas. Mr, Scott’s claims ssa first class mechaniz are fully recognized hy all his compstitors in business—a conceded compliment nt easily gained. Although he did not on entering the firm hring with him much capital, he brought what was better, energy, mechanical talent and an excellent executive capacity. H. T. Scott, the new member of the firm, a younger brother of the Supsrintendent, has heen connected with the iostitution for some eight years, He tirst went into the casting depirtment, then the time departmont, then cellection, and was finally confidential agent of the old firm. During Mr, Prescott’s absence jin Europe, he is manager of the financial and UNION TRON WORKS—PRESCOTI, SCOTT & CO. dent of the works, of which ke has had chsrge ever since. He and Mr. Prescott both came in as partners in 1865. Mr. Scott has distinguished himself hy improviug greatly the mechanical details ot all varieties of quartz machinery. When he first began to make a point of this, stsmps were able to crush from one half a ton of quartz dry to one and a quarter tons wet, perday. Now they crush two tons dry and up as high as five tons wet, a result which Mr. Scott has addod much to gain, He took out with Mr. Eckert in 1867, a patent for a slide valve governor, au invention of great

importance and rightly judged to he a very beautiful and simple contrivance for controlling the speed of the engine under all conditions whether loaded or suddenly relieved from the entire work, or gradnally unloaded. The principle consisted in connecting the ingress of steam directly with the governor, making it supreme, shutting off or letting on steam, as circumstances might require. Mr. Scott hae no doubt contributed more to the mechanics of metallurgy than any other man on the coast. He has improved the mechanical details of nearly all the pans and settlers,.making euggestions of value to the inveutors, while the machines were under his supervision. He introduced the first double armed came, with huh on one side, for quartz mills, which are now in univereal uee. It must he remembered thit iu making muchinery of this kind much had to he left to the machinist afew years ago when allthe principles were not eo well laid down as at present. It was therefcre of the commercial department, in which he has shown much ability. Hs hss had charge of the purchase of supplies for the works for the past four years. Hehas made his way ahead in the institution unaided hy relatives, but depending on his own energy and ability for advancement. He is a young man of much promise. The Buildings Comprising the works are not of elegant ex: terior, although the interior arrangements are well adapted for the purposes for which the are used. The offices have heen recently fitted up in neat style, with counting room, business room, private offices, etc. A new and com. modious boiler shop has recently been erected, . as mentioned hereinafter. The inetitution is connected with the American District tele. graph system of this city, and has speaking tubes, etc., throughout the buildings. Each mechanical branch of the businees of these works comprises a distinct department under the special charge of a foreman of experience. The workmeu rely on merit alone for promotion, and discipline is maintained with a firm hand, the rules heing thoroughly understood. The Drafting Department Room ie completely fitted np, being supplied with the very best materials. Details of ordere are here worked ont for delivery to whichever department is to fillthe order. There are eight draftsmen employed, in charge of Eugeue ; O'Neil, who has worked his way up fom the imachina shops to the head of this department. The Pattern Shop Is amply provided with planers, lathes, band saws, circnlar saws and a complete ontfit of machinery of this class. Every facility is here given to turn out work in a superior style at short notice, the machinery all being well adapted for the purpose and the men skilled in their trade. This shop isin charge of Willism MeConuell, who bas hegn in the institntion for many years, and worked his way up to the head of his department. There are eighteen inen employed in this shop. The Foundry Is of course au extensive branch of the establishmeut and gives employment to 127 molders. It is wall supplied with proper appurtenances. There 13 one crane of thirty and one of tweuty tous capscity; two large sized coro ovens, three cupolis, with a capacity of melting 64,000 . ponnds in two auda half hours; pits and ap, Purtcnances tor maLing the largest cylinders in castings of any description. One ot the core ovens is one of the most approved appliances inyented up to date, enabling them to do this class of work very cheap. This departMent is very complete. It 1s under the chsrge of Heury Dimmick, a superior mechanic, who hss been in the fonndry since 1863, and worked his way from & common molderin the shop upto his present position. The Machine Shop In these works con-tains some of the largest tools on this coast. The anpliances in this department have heen enlarged to meet the reqnirements of the increase of work on heavy machinery for the Comstock mines. Every kind of mschinery tht can aid man’s labor is represented here, and all of the most approved patterns. In this department there are thirtyfour lathes, from twelve to twenty feet, _, and thirleen planers from six feet wide by twenty-four feet long to ten feet wide hy thirty feet long, both lathes and planers heing the largest on the Pacific coast; six slotters; fourteen drills from ten feet to ninety-six teet; two vertics] horing mills from four to eight feet; four horizontal horing mills, three bolt cutters, two nut tappers, two nut fscsrs, six shspers, four pulley lathes, two spur gear cutters from two sud a hslf inches to twenty-six feet; two hevil gear cutters from six inches to ten feet; also a complete assortment of milling machinery, 7 . small tools, cranes capable of handling thirty tons, cars, car tracks, etc., etc. This department is superintended by Wm. Worth, an old hand at the foundry, and one of the most thorough mechanics in California. The Blacksmith Shop Has seventesn fires, two steam hammers, and ig supplied with cranes, small tools, and all facilities for turning out forgings of all kinds. About forty men are employed, over whom Patrick Hayes is foreman. The Boiler Shop Is a new building, erected this year in the rear of the main buildings and fronting on Fremont street. It iesupplied with a complete outfit of new and improved tools. Pipes, boilers, tanks and uumerous other thinge are constructed in this department, which in reality includes many various details which are inseparable from the business. By # new system of (Continued on Page 8.)