3-047-130 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

Casting one of the plates for the great steam-hammer at Woolwich, 1872. 'The last and the largest of the plates intended to form the foundations of the gigantic steam-hammer at the Royal Arsenal was cast in the Dial-square of the Royal Gun Factories at Woolwich [in south-east London], a week or two ago. It weighs within a little of 100 tons, and the casting, being an open one, presented a striking spectacle. The molten metal having been collected in three immense cupolas, the whole were simultaneously poured into the mould, the surface of which, 24 ft. square, emitted a heat so powerful as to break the glass in the open windows. The operation, which required great dexterity, was successfully performed by Mr. Vinicombe, foreman of the Dial-square, under the supervision of Colonel Campbell, superintendent of the Royal Gun Factories, and Mr. Frazer [or Fraser], deputy assistant superintendent. It was considered worthy of remark that the large anvil-block for the same hammer, which was cast about three months ago, was not yet cool enough for removal'. From "Illustrated London News", 1872.