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Berwick； as well as in several other of his great works。 The saving
of time effected by this machine was very remarkable； the ratio being
as 1 to 1800； that is； a pile could be driven in four minutes that
before required twelve hours。 One of the peculiar features of the
invention was that of employing the pile itself as the support of the
steam…hammer part of the apparatus while it was being driven； so that
the pile had the percussive action of the dead weight of the hammer
as well as its lively blows to induce it to sink into the ground。 The
steam…hammer sat as it were on the shoulders of the pile； while it
dealt forth its ponderous blows on the pile…head at the rate of 80 a
minute； and as the pile sank； the hammer followed it down with never
relaxing activity until it was driven home to the required depth。 One
of the most ingenious contrivances employed in the driver； which was
also adopted in the hammer； was the use of steam as a buffer in the
upper part of the cylinder； which had the effect of a recoil spring；
and greatly enhanced the force of the downward blow。
In 1846； Mr。 Nasmyth designed a form of steam…engine after that of
his steam…hammer； which has been extensively adopted all over the
world for screw…ships of all sizes。 The pyramidal form of this
engine； its great simplicity and GET…AT…ABILITY of parts； together
with the circumstance that all the weighty parts of the engine are
kept low； have rendered it a universal favourite。 Among the other
labour…saving tools invented by Mr。 Nasmyth； may be mentioned the
well…known planing machine for small work； called 〃Nasmyth's Steam
Arm；〃 now used in every large workshop。 It was contrived for the
purpose of executing a large order for locomotives received from the
Great Western Railway； and was found of great use in accelerating the
work； especially in planing the links； levers； connecting rods； and
smaller kinds of wrought…iron work in those engines。 His circular
cutter for toothed wheels was another of his handy inventions； which
shortly came into general use。 In iron…founding also he introduced a
valuable practical improvement。 The old mode of pouring the molten
metal into the moulds was by means of a large ladle with one or two
cross handles and levers； but many dreadful accidents occurred
through a slip of the hand； and Mr。 Nasmyth resolved； if possible； to
prevent them。 The plan he adopted was to fix a worm…wheel on the side
of the ladle； into which a worm was geared； and by this simple
contrivance one man was enabled to move the largest ladle on its axis
with perfect ease and safety。 By this means the work was more
promptly performed； and accidents entirely avoided。
Mr。 Nasmyth's skill in invention was backed by great energy and a
large fund of common sensequalities not often found united。 These
proved of much service to the concern of which he was the head； and
indeed constituted the vital force。 The firm prospered as it
deserved； and they executed orders not only for England； but for most
countries in the civilized world。 Mr。 Nasmyth had the advantage of
being trained in a good schoolthat of Henry Maudslaywhere he
had not only learnt handicraft under the eye of that great mechanic；
but the art of organizing labour； and （what is of great value to an
employer） knowledge of the characters of workmen。 Yet the Nasmyth
firm were not without their troubles as respected the mechanics in
their employment； and on one occasion they had to pass through the
ordeal of a very formidable strike。 The manner in which the inventor
of the steam…hammer literally 〃Scotched〃 this strike was very
characteristic。
A clever young man employed by the firm as a brass founder； being
found to have a peculiar capacity for skilled mechanical work； had
been advanced to the lathe。 The other men objected to his being so
employed on the ground that it was against the rules of the trade。
〃But he is a first…rate workman；〃 replied the employers； 〃and we
think it right to advance a man according to his conduct and his
merits。〃 〃No matter；〃 said the workmen； 〃it is against the rules； and
if you do not take the man from the lathe； we must turn out。〃 〃Very
well； we hold to our right of selecting the best men for the best
places； and we will not take the man from the lathe。〃 The consequence
was a general turn out。 Pickets were set about the works； and any
stray men who went thither to seek employment were waylaid； and if
not induced to turn back； were maltreated or annoyed until they were
glad to leave。 The works were almost at a standstill。 This state of
things could not be allowed to go on； and the head of the firm
bestirred himself accordingly with his usual energy。 He went down to
Scotland； searched all the best mechanical workshops there； and after
a time succeeded in engaging sixty…four good hands。 He forbade them
coming by driblets； but held them together until there was a full
freight； and then they came； with their wives； families； chests of
drawers； and eight…day clocks； in a steamboat specially hired for
their transport from Greenock to Liverpool。 From thence they came by
special train to Patricroft； where houses were in readiness for their
reception。 The arrival of so numerous； well…dressed； and respectable
a corps of workmen and their families was an event in the
neighbourhood； and could not fail to strike the 〃pickets〃 with
surprise。 Next morning the sixty…four Scotchmen assembled in the yard
at Patricroft； and after giving 〃three cheers；〃 went quietly to their
work。 The 〃picketing〃 went on for a little while longer； but it was
of no use against a body of strong men who stood 〃shouther to
shouther；〃 as the new hands did。 It was even bruited about that there
were more trains to follow！〃 It very soon became clear that the back
of the strike was broken。 The men returned to their work； and the
clever brass founder continued at his turning…lathe； from which he
speedily rose to still higher employment。
Notwithstanding the losses and suffering occasioned by strikes； Mr。
Nasmyth holds the opinion that they have on the whole produced much
more good than evil。 They have served to stimulate invention in an
extraordinary degree。 Some of the most important labour…saving
processes now in common use are directly traceable to them。 In the
case of many of our most potent self…acting tools and machines；
manufacturers could not be induced to adopt them until compelled to
do so by strikes。 This was the ease with the self…acting mule； the
wool…combing machine； the planing machine； the slotting machine；
Nasmyth's steam arm； and many others。 Thus； even in the mechanical
world； there may be 〃a soul of goodness in things evil。〃
Mr。 Nasmyth retired from business in December； 1856。 He had the moral
courage to come out of the groove which he had so laboriously made
for himself； and to leave a large and prosperous business； saying； 〃I
have now enough of this worl