>> Also of interest is the use of water cooling on the tuyere, a
>>practice
>> that seems common through the area in farm forges but rates no mention
>> in any of the north american literature either archaeological or modern.
>> I have found one reference to this procedure in a 1950's English text so
>> presume it could be an British invention post American independance.
John:
'Practical Blacksmithing' edited by Richardson (Library Congress 77-94507
) This is a combination of volumes orginally published in 1889, 90, 91 from
a specialty publication called 'the Blacksmith and Wheelwright' from the US.
On page 48 of volume one (1889), there is an illustration of what is called
an 'Arkansas Forge' that shows a barrel used as a water supply to a 'water
tuyere'. Seems pretty much as you describe. I'd say that makes for primary
documentation for the equipment in the USA around the turn of 1900. There
may be other references in the volume - that one had stuck in my memory.....
Darrell Markewitz
the Wareham Forge
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