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Hussey, Howe & Co.
| Name | Hussey, Howe & Co. |
| Ortssitz | Pittsburgh (Pa.) |
| Straße | 17th Street |
| Art des Unternehmens | Stahlwerk |
| Anmerkungen | Verwaltung und Werk in der 17th Street und Penn. Avenue. Bezug zu "Hussey, Wells & Co." (s.d.) unbekannt |
| Quellenangaben | [Industries of Pittsburgh (1879) 85] |
| Zeit |
Ereignis |
| 1858 |
Gründung |
| April 1859 |
Beginn der Produktion |
| Produkt |
ab |
Bem. |
bis |
Bem. |
Kommentar |
| Stahl |
1859 |
Beginn |
1879 |
[Industries of Pittsburgh (1879) 84] |
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| Zeit |
Objekt |
Anz. |
Betriebsteil |
Hersteller |
Kennwert |
Wert |
[...] |
Beschreibung |
Verwendung |
| 1879 |
Dampfmaschinen |
8 |
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unbekannt |
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|
|
|
| Zeit |
gesamt |
Arbeiter |
Angest. |
Lehrl. |
männl. |
weibl. |
Kommentar |
| 1879 |
550 |
|
|
|
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500 - 600 |
| ZEIT | 1879 |
| THEMA | Beschreibung |
| TEXT | There have been certain epochs in the history of the American Iron trade so vital in import and of such overwhelming significance with regard to the future of all mechanic and most industrial arts, as to arrest at once the profound attention of all who trace the records of the development and elaboration of our material resources. The inauguration of the manufacture of crucible cast and open hearth steel, marks an era of this description, the full force of which, with reference to the growth and prosperity of Pittsburgh, will only be fully realized by the historian of a remote subsequent period, who will then be able to observe with unclouded vision the momentous consequences that hinge upon it. To the house of Hussey, Howe & Co. is justly ascribed the merit of first producing steel tliat should compete with the best imported English brands, and finally effecting an entire revolution of the trade, not only in this country, but in England. This result, however, was only achieved by years of unremitting endeavor, and the expenditure of nearly half a million of money before the efforts of the firm in this direction were crowned by a complete and signal success. The obstacles and discouragements to which the projectors of this enterprise were subjected required, in the highest degree, courage, tenacity of purpose and resolution to overcome. It was asserted on tlie part of the foreign manufacturers that the texture, quality and properties of American ore and iron were unsuited to the proper manufucture of steel, and that even the characteristics of our coke and coal were unfitted for this purpose. When these allegations had been entirely confuted by the actual product of steel that would compare favorably with any made iu the world, it became difficult to induce American consumers to even give it afair trial, so entirely prejudiced had they become by the arguments of British importers and producers. Every obstruction, however, finally disappeared before the unrivalled excellence of the steel, and the determination of its manufacturers. The firm was originally established in 1858, the plant being located on the corner of 17th street and Penn avenue, covering an area of about one acre, and considered at that time prodigious in extent. The work of production was commenced in April, 1859, and was regarded as an undertaking that was certain to culminate in the same disaster that had overwhelmed every previous attempt, in a similar direction, made in this country up to that time. Proceeding, however, with the greatest circumspection, for nearly a year the efforts of the firm can hardly be said to have been more than a series of skillful and cautious experiments. Every grade of American iron was tested, and the results of each operation closely scrutinized. During the first three months but 10 tons of steel were produced, and afier the lapse of 15 months the total product had reached but 280 tons. New methods were employed, and it was demonstrated that the English system of roasting the iron between layers of charcoal before the final crucible carbonization, could be dispensed with entirely, and the whole operation confined to the crucible alone. This was a discovery of paramount importance, and is properly attrii)Uted to this firm, as being the first to devise and carry it to asucccKsful issue. The introduction of tool steel to the American trade had from the first a considerable effect upon the price of the imported article, and as it gradually became better known and was found to answer perfectly every requisite, the demand rapidly increased, necessitating enlarged facilities, which were promptly supplied. Additional works were erected, which now occupy an area of over four acres, and are equipped with, the most perfect apparatus and machinery known to the trade. These appliances consist in part of eight trains of rolls, eight steam engines, with several batteries of boilers, twenty in all, nine steam hammers, five toll hammers, one hundred and two coke melting furnaces, four twenty-four pot Siemen furnaces for melting by gas, Siemen's Martin open hearth furnace, besides steam shears, hydraulic presses, Ac. The product consists in all descriptions of the finest quality of tool steel, and all kinds of agricultural and other steels. They have also lately introduced a very superior article of structural steel, which is used for building bridges and for armor and ship plates, out of which they have furnished in the last few months some 1.500 tons to build a bridge across the Missouri River at Glasgow, Mo., on the Chicago and Alton R. R. This is the first bridge built entirely of steel in the United States, and, perhaps, in the world. It was completed in April last, and has given the most complete satisfaction. As to the quality, Mr. Ames, of the Chicopee Ames Manufacturing Company of Massachusetts, testified before a congressional committee, that in the conversion to sabres of 200 tons of this material, a loss was sustained of less than two per cent, in defective metal, a result never equalled by the use of the best English steel. The members of this firm are gentlemen too well known in tliis city to require mention of a personal character. Commencing operations with a capacity of about 300 tons of steel per annum, the resources of the enterprise have been so enlarged as to be capable of producing at present from 10,000 to 12,000 tons yearly. As promotive of the general industrial welfare, the firm of Hussey, Howe & Co. perform a work of great magnitude in this direction, employing from 500 to 600 skilled workmen, at an average outlay of from $28,000 to 830,000 per month, and conducting a business that reaches almost every State of the Union, and increases with a steady and prosperous development. The most extensive enterprise of the kind upon this continent, its history is closely identified with the most important interests of Pittsburgh and the community at large. Since its inception the importation of English steel has fallen away to less than one-tenth of its former bulk, and there is every appearance that under existing conditions It may terminate altogether, and to all intents and purposes is now a dead letter. While enterprising and honorable, the business policy of the firm is liberal, and in this respect has few compeers in this city, no house having achieved so remarkable a success, and at the same time retained the high consideration of the trade, and the cordial esteem of the public, whose advantage has been fostered so materially by its operations. |
| QUELLE | [Industries of Pittsburgh (1879) 85] |
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