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24 MARINE REVIEW. . [September 26, CHART-ENGRAVING MACHINES. THE NAVIES OF GERMANY AND JAPAN PURCHASE A COMPLETE SET OF THE MACHINES USED IN THE HYDROGRAPHIC OFFICE IN WASHINGTON. Messrs. Queen & Co., Philadelphia, have just completed a complete set of hydrographic chart-engraving machines for use in the hydro- graphic office of the Imperial Japanese navy, identical with those now 1n use in the hydrographic office at Washington. These machines are the invention of Vincent L. Ourdan, who has for twenty years been the chief engraver in the hydrographic office, or was until recently when he resigned to leave for Japan to install a complete set of his machines there. Atten- tion to these remarkable machines was first called in the naval edition of the Marine Review, issued in September, 1899, .and almost immediately thereafter Ourdan received overtures for a set of them from the German and Japanese navies. It is gratifying to note now that Queen & Co. have received orders from both of these governments for a complete set of the machines. The American rights to the machines were purchased by the United States government from Ourdan but beyond that the govern- ment never took recognition of his distinguished services. His position in the government service was never advanced. These machines have more than trebled the output of charts by the hydrographic office. "The machines, of which there ate six, consist of a sounding-engraving machine, a combination of tinting and border-engraving machine, a border-subdividing machine, a border and scale-shading machine, a com- pass-engraving and lettering machine and a multi-point divider. Until now the United States has been the only nation that has done its engrav- ing by machinery. The machines operate as follows: When the drawing of the chart is finished it is turned over to the engraver, who, after laying down the projection from the computation furnished for that purpose, proceeds to engrave the body of the chart. This machine is 5 ft. long and 1 ft. wide, consisting of a two-rail track, on which slides a carriage about 1 ft. square, which carries a graver that cuts a line exactly like a hand engraved line, only more uniform. This graver is fed transversely by a micrometer screw. The machine is then set off on the plate and a series of lines are engraved so closely together as to make when printed a solid black line. If the border is to be divided into longitude and latitude scales the degrees are laid off and they are in turn subdivided into six minute spaces by multi-point dividers, made in the form of a hollow cylin- der, through the opposite sides of which are cut in opposite directions a series of radial slots. A post of lozenge or square section is then in- serted in the cylinder from end to end, on which is strung a series of points, each end of which passes through the slots, and when the post is turned the points recede from or approach each other, there being eleven points, When those on the ends are in coincidence with the limits of the degree the intermediate points instantly subdivide the degree into ten spaces. Each alternate degree is then shaded. This is done 'by another machine, which is composed of an annolong base of about 5 ft. by 2 in., on which travels a cross track, A carriage rides on this cross track, which carries a rising and falling point. The machine is then set parallel to the border and by turning a handle a series of wheels and cams is set in motion, which by one operation first moves the point forward the required distance, then lowers it to the plate. The point is then drawn back, cutting a short line. The point is then raised and moved forward again ad infinitum. By another operation the carriage, after each line is cut, and while the point is raised and is moving forward, is moved laterally the required distance. This gives a series of short parallel lines. The topographical engraver then takes the plate and engraves all the topo- \graphical features on the chart. It is then passed to the next engraver who proceeds to engrave the compass.roses, This is done by a combi- nation machine consisting of an annular base, on which rotates an annular ring on a series of about 200 hardened steel balls, such as are used in bicycles. On this ring is first fitted another ring bearing the compass- cutting mechanism, which cuts automatically all the different lengths of lines, the operator having only to move the arm forward or backward. The following operation ensues: First, by a ratchet on the arm the turret at the back is rotated, bringing either its periphery or a slot of the required length to the front. Second, a lug at the arm then lowers the point to the plate and another lug engages: the tool carrier, drawing the same back- wards, cutting the line, the length of which is regulated by a projecting point which strikes against the periphery or enters a slot of the turret. On the forward stroke the first operation raises the point out of the cut line and from the plate; the second carries the tool forward, while at the same time the ring bearing the carrier is.rotated one degree, This operation is con- tinued until the circle of 8360 degrees has been engraved. The machine is then adjusted to cut the second series of lines representing the 128 points of the mariner's compass, after which, by adjusting the annular ratchets, the machine is then adjusted to the required magnetic variation and the same operation of cutting is repeated. The ring bearing the compass- cutting mechanism is now removed and another ring bearing a lettering device is substituted, consisting of an upright bearing, a longitudinally rotating pattern disc, having engraved thereon, on a large scale, such numerals and letters as may be desired, a rising and falling universal joint, through which passes the engraving point, at one end of which is the stylus, at the other the tracer, which, following the channel of the engraved pattern above, engraves on the plate below an exact reproduction in minia- ture of the pattern, the size of the production being regulated by raising or lowering the universal joint, which is on the principle of a fulcrum. The plate then goes to the sounding-engraving machine. This ma- chine has two side tracks, each 6 ft. in length with interior racks; a cross- head, 6 ft. in length, traversing the side tracks by means of a shaft, on each end of which is a pinion engaging the racks of the side tracks. On this cross-head, are two carriages connected at the top of one and bottom of the other by a steel tape, The one carriage carries the lettering device of the same pattern as that on the compass-machine and controlled by an endless screw with ratchet at one end, operated by a lever-handle carrying a pawl. The movement of this carriage is transmitted' in reverse to the other carriage which bears the stationing point by means of the steel tape. Thus these carriages move east and west in opposite directions to each other by means of the endless screw, and north and south simultaneously by the movement of the cross-head; and so any position on the chart can be instantly assumed. Now the plate is fastened to the table under the engraving carriage and the drawing in the corresponding position under the stationing point, so that when the stationing point is directly over the center of a sounding, the engraving point, when perpendicular, is directly over the corresponding position on the plate. By rotating the pattern disc the desired numeral is brought to the front, the tracer is lowered into the engraved pattern on the disc, the stylus is lowered and 'by means of its weight pressed into the plate, and by following the channel of the pattern the numeral is reproduced on the plate. If the sounding consists of several figures, the desired spacing is obtained by a limited turn of the endless screw, and the second, third or fourth figure engraved in proper order. The plate then goes to the letter engraver, after which the land surface is tinted by the tinting machine, which is composed of a long narrow track, cn which runs a carriage bearing a small roulette of 100 points to the inch, which when drawn under weight across the table makes a dotted line, the lines being 1-100 of an inch apart. This is the last opera- tion and the plate is ready to be printed from. DOMINION IRON & STEEL CO. _ The annual report of the Dominion Iron & Steel Co., which is build- ing up an immense steel plant at Sidney, Cape Breton, and also developing iron mines near the steel works, shows that there has been expended up to the present time $9,571,054.41. In his report to the president, General Manager Moxham says: "We have been considerably disappointed ift the delay in completing the plant; nevertheless two of our blast furnaces afe now in operation and the other two so near completion that their operation will not be long delayed. The 400 coke ovens have been completed. The blooming mill has most of the machinery in place and everything needed to complete it is on the ground. The open-hearth plant is being energetically pushed by the contractors, and at the present rate of progress will be compieted during the early fall. The piers and unloading plants are practically com- pleted. We have gone far enough in the development of our ore mines at Wabana and in the working of our coke ovens and also in the develop- ment of our limestone to speak with certainty as to these three items. There only remains the cost of labor, and with a thoroughly modern design of plant and the very satisfactory way in which the new machinery has so far dropped into line in its practical working, I think we can rest assured that there is no doubt as to our labor costs." MORE SUBMARINES. The new submarine torpedo boat Porpoise was launched a few days ago from the Crescent Ship Yard, Elizabethport, N. J. Miss Fanny Max- well Moore, daughter of Charles H. Moore of Brooklyn, performed the christening ceremony, and a number of prominent naval officers were present for the occasion. The Porpoise is one of five Holland submarine boats built for the United States government. Her length is 64 ft. 4 in., and her beam 11 ft. 9 in. Her displacement when submerged is 120 tons. When steaming along the surface she is to be propelled by a 160 H.P. gasoline engine, and when entirely submerged by a 70 H.P. electric motor. Her estimated speed will 'be 8 knots an hour on the surface, and 7 knots an hour under water. Five Whitehead torpedoes constitute her arma- ment, and these can be discharged whether the vessel is submerged or not. The conning tower, the only part always to be exposed above water, is of Harveyized steel 4 in. thick. It has sights in eight directions. The crew of the Porpoise is to consist of seven men. The torpedo boat Nicholson was launched directly after the Porpoise and christened by Mrs. O. H. P. Belmont. This boat is 175 ft. long, has - 165 tons displacement and of 3,500 I.H.P. SHIP YARD NOTES. Gardner & Cox of New York have received from Col. John Jacob Astor a commission to design and superintend the construction of a twin- screw steam yacht of 227 ft. water line, 32 ft. beam and 18 ft. draught. _ The first vessel constructed at Bangor, Me., since 1891 is to be built this winter at the yard of E. & I K.'Stetson for Capt. Charles. Trask of the schooner I. K. Stetson, and others. The vessel is to be a four-masted wooden schooner of about 900 tons. The Merrill-Stevens Engineering Co., Jacksonville, Fla., is at work oo two steel steamships to 'be used in the river service in North Caro- lina, The Kelley, Spear Co., Bath, Me., has closed a contract to build a four-masted wooden schooner of about 600 tons to be completed in Janu- ary. It has not yet been announced who the vessel is for. CRAMP STEEL CO. AT COLLINGWOOD. Work on the foundations for the five buildings for the Cramp Steel Co., Collingwood, Ont., is being pushed along with all possible speed. The plans call for a machine shop 62 ft. by 45 ft., a boiler house 200 ft. by 60 ft., a blooming mill 206 ft. by 50 ft., and a merchant bar mill 190 ft. by 70 ft., to 'be made with stone foundations, wooden and structural iron sides and to be covered with corrugated iron roofing. The company is also laying out two 30-ton open-hearth furnaces. The company estimates that the plant will cover thirty acres. Tenders for the construction 'of docks and approaches are to be asked for in the near future and the com- pany expects to be ready for business by the opening of navigation next year. ------------ Strohman propeller wheels, manufactured by the Strohman Iron Co., West Superior, Wis., are highly commended in letters from several vessel men of the great lakes. The company has published these letters in a pamphlet, which they are now distributing. "In this wheel," says the pamphlet, "the principle is reversed. Instead of adjusting the wheel to the water, the water adjusts itself to the wheel. Every inch of the blade is a working surface. The casting is much lighter for the same strength of material. The diameter is decreased from 6 per cent. to 10 per cent.-- the blades are narrower. The work of turning surplus metal in the water is reduced to a minimum." Low Rate Excursion to New York via B. & O.--Tickets on sale daily until Oct. 20 with privilege of returni i : ticket office, 241 Superior "reat rag vie ais, = 30 city