I cannot provide anything on smithing.
Peat was used in smelting iron at Leighton in Lancashire: G. R Morton, 'The
use of peat in the extraction of iron from its ores' Iron & Steel 38 (1965),
421-4. According to Samuel Smiles (quoting an account book that does not
survive), Abraham Darby used a mixed fuel including peat at Coalbrookdale,
probably about 1710-12 (the date is my guess). I think there are other
references, some of them to 'moor coal'.
Peat was used in a forge process by John Bradley & Co. at Hampton Loade
and/or Eardington in Shropshire in the early 19th century: N. Mutton, 'The
Foster Family: a study of a Midland industrial dynasty 1786-1899' (Ts
(thesis) in Dudley Archives). This is based on accounts in the Apley
Collection (Foster Family) at Shropshire Archives. I think this may
recently have been considered in Richard Hayman's recent thesis, which was
probably prepared at Coalbrookdale.
A reference to the use of peat in lead smelting in Yorkshire (starting
'about 20 years ago') will be found in the appendix to my article 'Sir
Clement Clerke and the adoption of coal in metallurgy' Trans. Newcomen Soc.
73(1) (2001-2), 33-52 (at p.46). I do not think I referred to this in the
text, but (when I read that appendix as a member's contribution at a
Historical Metallurgy Society conference) David Cranstone identified this as
significant in indicating the date when that began. The text appears to be
dated c.1710, so that the use of peat began c.1690.
At the launch conference for Furness Iron (in 2000), a paper was given on
bloomery smelting in the Scottish Highlands. Is this work published? If so,
where? I do not even remember who the speaker was.
Peter King
-----Original Message-----
From: Arch-Metals Group [mailto:[log in to unmask]]On Behalf Of
Donald B Wagner
Sent: 14 July 2005 06:48
To: Peter King
Subject: Re: Peat
I believe I have seen an article about the use of peat in cupola
furnaces for remelting iron in Britain during World War II. Sorry I
can't be more specific - it wasn't something I was personally
interested in.
Don Wagner
>Do any list members have any information on the metallurgical use
>of peat? I have been searching for any practical information on the
>use of peat in the smithy. I have found some somewhat anecdotal
>information indicating the use of peat charcoal in the past, but am
>looking for something a little more concrete.
>
>Thanks
>
>Tim
--
Donald B. Wagner
Nordic Institute of Asian Studies, Copenhagen
http://staff.hum.ku.dk/dbwagner
|