Harris-Ingram Experiment

by Charles E. Bolton

  CHAPTER XVI

  A SEARCH FOR IDEAS

  Later on the Harrises spent considerable time in London staying at theGrand Hotel which occupies the site of the old Northumberland House onTrafalgar Square. They soon learned that the English matrons are devotedmothers, that they take long walks, dress their children simply, and thattheir daughters have fair complexions, are modest in manner, and are thepictures of health.

  Many of the English women find time to study national questions, toorganize "Primrose" and "Liberal Leagues," and to vote on municipalaffairs. Miss Helen Taylor and other cultivated women have been electedmembers of the London school board, and aided in temperance reform.

  While Alfonso, Leo, Lucille, and May were absent studying the artisticlife of the metropolis, Mr. and Mrs. Harris, Gertrude, and George spentmost of the day planning for the future. Reuben Harris and his wife hadrepeatedly talked over the Harrisville affair, and their trips in Londonwhere so many generations had lived and passed away had given bothclearer ideas of life.

  "At best," thought the colonel, "life seems short indeed." More than oncehe admitted to his wife that his early privations had made his life inHarrisville selfish and inconsiderate, that the questions of highercivilization were involved in the vigorous efforts of humanity for acloser brotherhood, and that if God permitted him he would lend a helpinghand.

  Mrs. Harris, naturally proud, was slow to respond to the colonel's newideas, but he felt that under Gertrude's generous influences his wifewould prove a help rather than a hindrance. Mrs. Harris knew thatGertrude and George, who had received a broad education, were ambitiousto do good, and besides she trusted and loved them both.

  It was clear to George and Gertrude that little or no hindrance would beoffered to wise plans of usefulness. It was finally agreed that ColonelHarris and George should spend a week or two visiting some of the greatindustrial centers of Europe, and that Alfonso and Leo should accompanythe ladies to Paris, and then visit the haunts of the old portraitpainters of the Netherlands.

  It was also decided by George and Gertrude that they would be married inParis. This made the two lovers happy; for soon the two diamonds and rubywould be advanced to the ring finger, as promised by Gertrude on Mt.Holyoke. Each felt that an inexpensive marriage in Paris would be afortunate escape from possible criticisms at home. Colonel Harris hadpromised Gertrude a special gift of a thousand dollars for theapproaching nuptials, she to do what she desired with the money. So shedecided to use only one-fourth of the gift for herself, to send one-halfof it to the Relief Society, and the balance to two ladies' benevolentsocieties of Harrisville.

  The discussion of these plans made the last night in London a happy one.Happiness comes when we warm the hearts near us. When selfishness leavesthe heart, the dove of peace enters. Early next morning at the VictoriaStation, Colonel Harris and George saw their friends off for Paris. Theroute taken was the one via the London, Chatham & Dover Railway, anhour's run to Dover, thence in the twin steamer "Calais-Dover," an hourand a half's ride across the English Channel to Calais, and from Calaisvia railway to Paris, capital of the French Republic.

  Then Reuben Harris and George Ingram left Victoria Station to pay theirrespects to Henry Bessemer, civil engineer, who lived at Denmark Hillsouth of London. They desired to study the conditions which make theBritish people powerful. Both were aware that England was richly storedwith the most serviceable of all minerals, coal and iron, in convenientproximity; that her large flocks of sheep supplied both wool and leather;that Ireland had been encouraged in the cultivation of flax; that theconvenience of intercourse between mother country and her neighbors,especially America, had enabled England to engage largely in themanufacture of the three textile staples, wool, flax, and cotton. Butmaterial resources are only one element in great industrial successes.Both labor and capital are equally essential.

  Englishmen have strength and skill. In delicate and artisticmanipulation, however, the Englishman may be surpassed, but he possessesin a rare degree great capacity for physical application to work, alsotremendous mental energy and perseverance. Most of the world's valuableand great inventions, as successfully applied to the leading industries,were made by the English.

  Though England has neither gold nor silver mines, yet for centuries shehas commanded vast capital. Her trading enterprise, which has made theEnglishman conspicuous round the world, existed long before the Normanconquest. Helpful and consistent legislation has also favored Britishindustries. Besides, England enjoyed a good start in the race withforeigners. Surplus English capital of late has been employed inpromoting foreign industry, and the interests of England as a rivalmay suffer.

  Reaching the station at Denmark Hill, the colonel and George drove atonce to Bessemer's home. It is doubtful if England has forty acres, ownedby a private citizen, more tastefully laid out and adorned, with forests,lawns, and flowers.

  Henry Bessemer was tall and well formed, and looked the ideal Englishman,as he gave cordial welcome, in his large drawing room, to Colonel Harrisand George Ingram. Evidences of his constructive skill and exquisitetaste were seen on every hand, notably in his billiard room,conservatory, and astronomical observatory. The last contained areflector telescope of his own design, that rivals the world-famedtelescope of Lord Rosse. Both were soon charmed with Bessemer's mannersand conversation.

  George had read of this wonderful man who was born in 1813; between 1838and 1875 he had taken out 113 patents, and the drawings of his own workmade seven thick volumes. This record of Bessemer indicates an almostunrivalled degree of mental activity and versatility as keen observer,original thinker, and clever inventor.

  His drawings showed patents in connection with improvements in engines,cars, wheels, axles, tires, brakes, and rails. Fifteen patents forimprovements in sugar manufacture, patents for motors and hydraulicapparatus, for the manufacture of iron and steel, the shaping, embossing,shearing, and cutting of metals, for marine artillery, ordnance,projectiles, ammunition, armor plates, screw propellers, anchors,silvering glass, casting of type, patents for bronze powder, gold paint,oils, varnishes, asphalt pavements, waterproof fabrics, lenses, etc.

  Mr. Bessemer's greatest invention, announced to the British Associationat Cheltenham, in 1856, is his method of the manufacture of iron andsteel without fuel, which started a new era in the iron trade. His namewill be forever associated with the rapid conversion of pig iron intomalleable iron and steel. By this process the price of steel per ton hasbeen reduced from $160 to $25, a price less than was formerly paid foriron. Mr. Bessemer received the Telford and Albert gold medals and honorsfrom sovereigns and societies round the world.

  George said to Mr. Bessemer that he thought Lord Palmerston's definition,"dirt was matter out of place," was especially applicable to theundesirable elements in ores.

  "Very true," replied Mr. Bessemer, "and the man who can clean the dirtfrom our ores, and produce the most desirable steel, at the least cost,is a great benefactor of humanity."

  Mr. Bessemer's own story of his most important invention was veryinteresting. Practical iron men had said that it was an impossible featto convert molten pig iron in a few minutes into fluid malleable iron,and then into available steel, and all this without additional fuel. Butthe genius and perseverance of Mr. Bessemer, aided by his practicalknowledge of chemistry and mechanics, did it. It had long been knownthat, if a horseshoe nail were tied to a cord and the point heated towhiteness, the iron nail could be made to burn in common air by beingwhirled in a circle. The ring of sparks proved a combustion. Mr. Bessemerwas the first however to show that if air was forced, not upon thesurface, but into and amongst the particles of molten iron, the samesort of combustion took place.

  Pig iron, which is highly carbonized iron from the blast furnace, waslaboriously converted into malleable iron by the old process of thepuddling furnace. Bessemer conceived the process of forcing air among theparticles of molten iron, and by a single operation, combining the use ofair in the double purpose of increasing
temperature, and removing thecarbon. The carbon of the iron has a greater affinity for the oxygen ofthe air than for the iron. When all the carbon is removed, then exactlyenough carbon is added by introducing molten spiegeleisen to producesteel of any desired temper with the utmost certainty.

  With the ordinary kinds of pig iron early in use, Bessemer's processwas powerless. The old puddling process was more capable of removingphosphorus and sulphur. But with pig iron produced from the red hematiteores, practically free from phosphorus, Bessemer's process was asurprising success.

  At once exploration began to open vast fields of hematite ores in thecounties of Cumberland and Lancashire of England, in Spain, in the LakeSuperior regions of North America, and in other countries. Bessemerwisely made his royalty very low, five dollars per ton; capital rapidlyflowed into this new industry, and Bessemer won a fortune. Mushroom townsand cities sprung up everywhere and fortunes were made by many.

  Mr. Bessemer himself vividly described his process in action: "When themolten pig iron is poured into mortar-like converters, supported ontrunions like a cannon, the process is brought into full activity. Theblast is admitted through holes in the bottom, when small powerful jetsof air spring upward through the boiling fluid mass, and the wholeapparatus trembles violently. Suddenly a volcano-like eruption of flamesand red-hot cinders or sparks occurs. The roaring flames, rushing fromthe mouth of the converter, changes its violet color to orange andfinally to pure white. The large sparks change to hissing points, whichgradually become specks of soft, bluish light as the state of malleableiron is approached."

  This very brilliant process, which includes the introduction and mixtureof the spiegeleisen, may occupy fifteen minutes, when the moulds arefilled, and the steel ingots can be hammered or rolled the same as bloomsfrom a puddling furnace.

  Mr. Bessemer explained many things, and offered many valuablesuggestions. A remark of Mr. Bessemer to George Ingram led the latterto tell Bessemer a story which he heard in the smoking-room of the S.S."Campania."

  "Two Irishmen once tried to sleep, but could not for Jersey mosquitoeshad entered their bedroom. Earnest effort drove the mosquitoes out, andthe light was again extinguished. Soon Mike saw a luminous insect, a bigfire-fly approaching. Quickly he roused his companion saying, 'Pat, wakeup! Quick! Let's be going! It's no use trying to get more sleep here,there comes another Jersey mosquito hunting us with a lantern.'"

  Mr. Bessemer was amused, and he ventured the assertion that whenelectricity could be as cheaply produced directly from coal as the lightby the fire-fly, and successfully delivered in our great cities, thesmoke nuisance would be effectually abated, all freight charges on coalwould be saved, and coal operators could utilize all their slack at themines.

  "Do you think this possible?" inquired Colonel Harris.

  "Oh, yes, quite possible," answered Bessemer, "our necessities beget ourinventions and discoveries. Thorough investigation in the near future onthis and kindred lines must be fruitful of astonishing results in theinterests of a higher civilization." The colonel and George took theirleave. Truly the fire-fly, like the whirling hot nail, is suggestive ofgreat possibilities, thought George.

  That evening it was planned to visit on the morrow the extensivetelegraphic works of Siemens Brothers & Co., Limited. George retired tosleep, but his mind was never more active. On warm summer evenings he hadoften held in his hand glow-worms and studied them as they emitted brightphosphorescent light. He had learned that this faculty was confined tothe female which has no wings, and that the light is supposed to serveas a beacon to attract and guide the male. The light proceeds from theabdomen, and its intensity seems to vary at will. He had also read ofa winged, luminous insect of South America, which emits very brilliantlight from various parts of its body.

  When George reflected that under even the most favorable conditions therewas realized in mechanical work of the energy stored in coal only 10%, hewas convinced that the extravagant waste of 90% of energy was in itselfsufficient argument against the present method as being the bestpossible. Ever since his graduation, he had believed that the greatest ofall technical problems was the production of cheaper power. That it wasthe great desideratum in cities in the production of food, and in foodtransportation from farms to trunk lines, on railways and on the ocean.

  While in America he had discussed the matter of cheaper power withEdison, Thompson, Tesla, and others.

  George and his father, James Ingram, experimenting with chemical energy,had already discovered a galvanic element which enabled them to furnishelectrical energy direct from coal and the oxygen of the air, but thisimportant discovery was kept a secret. The chief object of GeorgeIngram's visit abroad was to follow the footsteps of other greatscientists and manufacturers to the edge or frontier of their discoveriesand practical workings.

  It was two o'clock that night before George could close his eyes, butpromptly at 6:30 o'clock next morning he was ready for his bath andshave, and later he and the colonel ate the usual European breakfastof eggs, rolls, and coffee. The eight o'clock train was taken for thegreat works of Siemens Brothers & Co., Limited, which are located atWoolwich, down the Thames.

  This firm, the pioneers of ship lighting by electricity, has alreadyfitted out hundreds of vessels with electric lights. They alsomanufacture submarine and land telegraphs in vast quantities, havingaided largely in enclosing the globe in a network of cables. All theSiemens brothers have shown much ability. Charles William was born atLenthe, Hanover, in 1823, and has received high scientific honors. Theworld recognizes the valuable services that Dr. Siemens has rendered tothe iron and steel trade by his important investigations and inventions.

  Dr. Siemens, like Mr. Bessemer, labored to make iron and steel directfrom the ores. By the invention of his regenerative gas furnace, whichmakes the high grade and uniform steel so desirable in the constructionof ships, boilers, and all kinds of machines, Dr. Siemens has renderedsignal service. This visit at Siemens Brothers & Co.'s works was of greatinterest, and many valuable ideas were gained.

  Several days were next spent in Birmingham, and at the centers of steelmaking in northwest England. Birmingham is called the "Toy Shop of theWorld" for there almost everything is manufactured from a cambric needleto a cannon.

  Colonel Harris and George Ingram studied the workings of the English"Saturday half-holiday," which employees earn by working an extrahalf-hour on the five previous days. A visit was made to the Tangye Bros.Engine Works at Soho, near Birmingham, which absorbed the engine works ofBoulton and Watt. It was Boulton who said to Lord Palmerston visitingSoho, "Sir, we have here for sale what subjects of his Majesty mostseek, viz., Power."

  The Tangyes employ thousands of men, manufacturing engines and otherproducts. Steam engines of all sizes, in enormous quantities are stored,ready at a moment's notice to be shipped broadcast. It was the inventionof the powerful Tangye jack-screw that finally enabled the famousengineer Brunel to launch his "Great Eastern" steamship which he hadbuilt on the Thames, and which had settled on her keel.

  Today the Tangye Brothers are fond of saying, "We launched the 'GreatEastern,' and the 'Great Eastern' launched us." One of the TangyeBrothers took the two Americans through James Watt's old home, and intohis famous garret, where Watt invented the parallel motion and otherparts of the steam engine. So important were Watt's engine inventionsthat he alone should have the honor of inventing the modern engine whichhas so elevated the race.

  George was greatly interested in what the Tangye Brothers were doing fortheir employees. Instructive lectures by capable men were given weekly totheir workmen, while they ate their dinners. Medical aid was furnishedfree, and in many ways practical assistance was rendered their workingforce.

  After a most interesting journey among the steel firms, including Bocklow& Vaughn of Middleborough, John Brown at Sheffield, and others, ReubenHarris and George crossed over into busy Belgium, and thence theyjourneyed via historic Cologne to Westphalia, Germany. Here are some ofthe most productive coal mea
sures on the earth, which extend eastwardfrom the Rhine for over thirty miles, and here one wonders at the densenetwork of railways and manufacturing establishments, unparalleled inGermany.

  At Essen are the far-famed Krupp Works, one of the greatest manufacturingfirms on the globe. These works are the outgrowth of a small old forge,driven by water power, and established in 1810 by Frederick Krupp. Hisshort life was a hard struggle, but he discovered the secret of makingcast-steel, and died in 1828. Before his death, however, he revealed hisvaluable secret to his son Alfred, then only 14 years of age. After manyyears of severe application, Alfred Krupp's first great triumph came in1851 at the London World's Fair, where he received the highest medal. Atthe Paris Exposition of 1855, as well as at Munich the year before, healso won gold medals.

  Abundant orders now flowed in for his breech-loading, cast-steel cannons.In severe tests which followed, the famous Woolwich guns were driven fromthe field. The Krupp guns won great victories over the French cannon atSedan, which was an artillery duel. At Gravelotte and Metz the Krupp gunssurpassed all others in range, accuracy, and penetrating power, and HerrAlfred Krupp became the "Cannon King" of Europe. Americans remember wellhis gigantic steel breech-loading guns at the expositions held inPhiladelphia, and Chicago.

  Alfred Krupp, however, delighted more in improving the condition of hisarmy of employees. He provided for them miles of roomy, healthful homes.He formed a commissariat, where his employees could secure at cost priceall the necessaries of life. He also established schools where thechildren of his employees could receive education if desired intechnical, industrial, commercial, and mechanical pursuits, and inspecial and classical courses as well. He devised a "Sick and PensionFund," for disabled workmen, which scheme Emperor William II. has made alaw of the German Empire. He likewise created life insurance companies,and widow and orphan funds. The golden rule has been Alfred Krupp'sguiding star. He was always kind and considerate, and never dictatorial.

  When asked to accept a title, he answered, "No, I want no title furtherthan the name of Krupp." Alfred Krupp died July 14, 1887, in the 75thyear of his age. His request was that his funeral should take place, notfrom his palatial mansion, but in the little cottage within the works,where he was born, which is to-day an object of great reverence to the25,000 workmen who earn their daily bread in the vast Krupp foundries.

  Alfred Krupp lived to see Essen, his native village, grow from apopulation of 4,000 to a busy city of 70,000, where annually hundredsof engines and steam hammers produce thousands of tons of steel castingsand forgings. Alfred Krupp built his own monument in the vast mills andbenevolences of Essen, a monument more useful and enduring than marbleor bronze. His son Frederick Alfred Krupp, his successor, married thebeautiful Baroness Margarette von Ende. Colonel Harris and George visitedother great works in Europe, and finally started to rejoin their friendsin Paris.