Canada's Historic First Iron Castings

Miller, Harry

Published by Department of Energy, Mines and Resources Mines Branch, Ottawa, 1968

About this Item

[iv], v-xvi, pp. 1-81

In Very Good condition. Some scuffing and creasing to the covers, and some damage from an old price sticker on the back cover. Internally, in excellent condition. Owners name written on title page.

A historical account of the first ironworks in Canada, Les Forges Saint-Maurice near Trois-Rivieres, Quebec. Founded in 1738, the ironworks lasted until 1883 when it was finally closed down. Only a few pieces survive, including a large iron potash kettle, the research into was partially the source of new information on cast iron production in Canada.

Miller, the author, conducted research into the use of large cast iron vessels by early Canadian settlers for making potash from hardwood ashes, a not well-understood process. The text thus provides insight not only into the production of cast iron in Canada, but also information of settler life in Canada.

The table of contents is as follows:

Chapter I: Les Forges Saint-Maurice
A. Canada's Historic First Ironworks
B. Smelting Iron with Charcoal
C. The Making of Iron Castings
D. Potash Kettle, The Largest Casting

Chapter II: Potash from Wood-Ashes
A. Potash and Pioneer Settlement - A Summary
B. Relation to Saskatchewan Potash
C. The Potash Kettle in Use
D. The Rigorous Process Environment
E. The Saint-Maurice Kettle at Sutton, Quebec

Chapter III: Scientific Investigation of Kettle Iron
A. Mines Branch Research Program
B. Iron in As-Cast Condition
C. Iron After Process Heating

Chapter IV: Charcoal-Iron Technology
A. The Importance of Pure Ore
B. The Ore at Saint-Maurice
C. The Scient of Metallurgy and Early Charcoal Ironworks
D. Historic Charcoal Irons of Sweden, Britain, Early America, Canada; Table II, Comparison of Compositions

Chapter V: Cast Iron Vessels for Use At High Temperatures
A. Engineering Requirements
B. The Saint-Maurice Kettle Accomplishment

Chapter VI: Quality of Iron from Les Forges Saint-Maurice
A. Recorded Historical Evidence
B. Summary of New Evidence and Conclusions

A number of illustrations are also included.

Seller Inventory # 424

Bibliographic Details

• Title: Canada's Historic First Iron Castings
• Publisher: Department of Energy, Mines and Resources Mines Branch, Ottawa
• Publication Date: 1968
• Language: English
• Binding: Soft cover
• Condition: Very Good
• Dimensions: 8.5W x 11H x 0.5D inches 8.5 inches width by 11 inches height by 0.5 inches depth