Note 33 — Chapter III
Reading edition
Captain George Harris, R. N., C. B., and member for Grimsby, in the present parliament, has recently been manufacturing rope and cables of the phormium tenax, or New Zealand flax; and instead of tar, substitutes a solution of gum, or some such substance, (principally, we suspect, the caoutchouc or Indian rubber,) by which, it is contended, the rope is rendered stronger, more pliant, and less liable to part in short bends, turns, or clinches, and being stronger, smaller ropes than those now in use will answer for ships’ rigging; the consumption of hemp, of course, diminishes in proportion—we say hemp, because the solution will also impart to the hemp the qualities we have named. If, however, a substitute is to be found for hemp and tar, we are rendered independent of the Russian trade in these articles;—a most desirable object, should the state of Europe at any time involve us in a difference with that nation. The bogs and rough ground of Ireland, all our African possessions and West Indian islands, and New South Wales, are particularly adapted to the culture of the phormium tenax. Captain Harris was here on Monday, and superintended the making of a 14½ inch cable, which is to be tried on his Majesty’s ship Rainbow. A trial is also to be made of the relative strength of the phormium tenax and hemp in this yard, in a few days, for which a piece of 14½ inch cable has been expressly manufactured. The price of hemp per ton is £38; that of the phormium tenax £28. Of the experiments that have been made at Woolwich, by order of the Admiralty, the following are the results:—
T. cwt. lbs.
A 4½ inch rope of the old sort broke at a strain of 3 8 40
4 inch phormium, with the solution 5 10 0
4 inch bolt rope, Italian yarns, present sort 4 15 0
4 inch ditto, with the same yarns, with the preserving solution 6 8 56
4 inch common rope 5 7 56
4 inch hempen rope, with coal or mineral tar 3 7 56
4 inch phormium, with the solution 5 16 70
The strongest proof is thus given of its strength. Its power, however, to resist wet, and its durability, are yet to be ascertained.—Hampshire Telegraph.