Towers of Fire: Iron Production in the Pine Barrens
- Thread starter Ben Ruset
- Start date
For some reason when I click that link I get a notice saying I'm not authorized to view this resource.
Same here. Ben is working on the site and that must have caused it. Here it is.
http://www.njpinebarrens.com/content/view/14/47/
Guy
All of the links to articles have changed. I basically re-created the front of the site from the ground up.
Well, that must be your wife doing that
Seriously, this link works.
http://www.njpinebarrens.com/content/view/14/47/
Guy
Ben,
Great article. It was very comprehensive regarding the Pine Barrens iron industry. I think that it will be a building block for further work in the area. And, it was really nice that Budd got a chance to chime in. He is a tremendous resource when it comes to the NJ Pinebarrens. He always keeps abrest of current scholarship in the area.
My only question for you regarding your research is: to what extent do you think Pennsylvania's proximity to the changing industrial raw materials (i.e. Anthracite coal vs. charcoal, and higher grade iron ore vs. bog iron) play a role in the downfall of the New Jersey Pine Iron industry? Obviously a big one, but in what way. Do you think that the bog iron industry could have carved some form of niche in local markets, especially with nearby manufacturers? And, why, in your opinion, do you think that it did not?
Just some further research questions, or even topics for discussion amongst researchers.
Scott W.
Great article. It was very comprehensive regarding the Pine Barrens iron industry. I think that it will be a building block for further work in the area. And, it was really nice that Budd got a chance to chime in. He is a tremendous resource when it comes to the NJ Pinebarrens. He always keeps abrest of current scholarship in the area.
My only question for you regarding your research is: to what extent do you think Pennsylvania's proximity to the changing industrial raw materials (i.e. Anthracite coal vs. charcoal, and higher grade iron ore vs. bog iron) play a role in the downfall of the New Jersey Pine Iron industry? Obviously a big one, but in what way. Do you think that the bog iron industry could have carved some form of niche in local markets, especially with nearby manufacturers? And, why, in your opinion, do you think that it did not?
Just some further research questions, or even topics for discussion amongst researchers.
Scott W.
PA's iron could be produced cheaper, and at a higher quality than the Jersey forges could produce. Bog iron was an expensive proposition - especially when you factor in the costs of getting the goods to market. PA had the benefit of a very good rail system, whereas the Jersey forges had to load up wagons and haul their goods either direct to market, or to a landing where a schooner would bring them to market.
I don't really know what sort of niche the Jersey Iron furnaces could have gotten into, unless somehow there was a niche market for brittle, sub-par iron products.
I don't really know what sort of niche the Jersey Iron furnaces could have gotten into, unless somehow there was a niche market for brittle, sub-par iron products.
Ben,
I like your reply. Bog iron was definitely a sub-par product, whose own uselessness contributed to its failure. I would be interested to see how long and what sorts of items made from bog iron stood the test of time. I believe that the Ocean County Historical Society has a salt pan from the Pennsylvania Salt Works (Revolutionary War period) in their collection that came from one of the bog iron industries. It would be interesting to see what other items survived.
Just some food for thought.
Scott W.
I like your reply. Bog iron was definitely a sub-par product, whose own uselessness contributed to its failure. I would be interested to see how long and what sorts of items made from bog iron stood the test of time. I believe that the Ocean County Historical Society has a salt pan from the Pennsylvania Salt Works (Revolutionary War period) in their collection that came from one of the bog iron industries. It would be interesting to see what other items survived.
Just some food for thought.
Scott W.
Longevity isn't really the problem. What lasted would have lasted forever. I am convinced that there are sewer pipes in New York City that are still lined with Jersey Iron.
But I don't doubt for a minute that there was a LOT of stuff that broke early on in it's life due to being too brittle.
Bog iron just isn't as consistent a material to work with as other types of iron.
But I don't doubt for a minute that there was a LOT of stuff that broke early on in it's life due to being too brittle.
Bog iron just isn't as consistent a material to work with as other types of iron.
they had similar problems with the Iron production in Scranton PA, the Scranton brothers, used coal and PA ore to make nails. They sold barrels of them, hit them with a hammer and the nails shattered.
I am not sure but I believe there was the occasional issue of Cannons and like equipment that failed almost immediately in use due to this issue. Tests indicated the need for heavier material thicknesses and such.
All,
Where do you get your sources that jersey bog iron products were inferior and basically useless? Cite please.
Where do you get your sources that jersey bog iron products were inferior and basically useless? Cite please.
I don't know about useless but everything I've read about the demise of the Jersey iron business blames it in part to the superior iron in PA.
Steve
"Superior"?
Cite please. I know cheaper and easier to get out of the ground. But not superior.