Dear List,
Can anyone tell me when galvanising was introduced for wire ropes used in mine/canal/railway haulage? The date I've got is mid-late 1850s, which seems a tad early. A 4 mile long rope of 2in diameter was made for hauling barges in the Tavistock Canal Tunnel, but was a failure, probably due to the weight!!! A separate cable about 1 1/2 miles long and 3/4in diameter was used for signalling, and was also galvanised.
Robert Waterhouse
|