Tahawus in Essex County, New York — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Hudson Powered
Photographed by Steve Stoessel, March 28, 2020
1. Hudson Powered Marker
A LOOK INSIDE
The water cascading over the wheels, the hissing pistons, and the exposed gears, connecting rods, and crankshafts must have made the wheel house a dynamic and noisy place. Cutaway view shows the inside details of the wheel house.
Based on drawings by the Historic American Engineering Record.
THE WHEEL HOUSE
You are looking at the remains of a timber-faced stone dam on the Hudson, and rusted pieces of water-powered machinery. Three overshot water wheels drove a blast engine that forced air to the blast pipes in the furnace, pumped water to cool the tuyeres, and powered the drop stamps on the charging bridge.
AIR
Four cast-iron blowing cylinders forced air from here to the hot blast stove, a brick structure on top of the furnace; there the air was heated to 500 degrees F by waste gases rising from the stack. The hot air was then forced down to the hearth through a cast-iron pipe called a downcomer.
MECHANICAL DRIVE
The water wheels turned a drive shaft that extended from here to the charging bridge where it supplied the power to lift the drop stamps: heavy blocks of hardened
this page online
COOLING WATER
Cast-iron nozzles, called tuyeres, blasted super-heated air on the fire, raising the hearth temperatures to 2500 degrees F. A belt driven pump, powered by the water wheels, supplied cooling water from here to prevent the tuyeres from melting in that intense heat.
Erected by Open Space Institute.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Industry & Commerce.
Location. 44° 4.729′ N, 74° 3.354′ W. Marker is in Tahawus, New York, in Essex County. It can be reached from Upper Works Road (County Route 25) 9.1 miles north of Blue Ridge Road. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Newcomb NY 12879, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in Upstate New York, in the Adirondacks & North Country, and in the Champlain Valley. It is also in the American Northeast and in the Mid-Atlantic. Globally, it is in North America, the Great North Woods, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the
Photographed by Steve Stoessel, March 28, 2020
2. Upper Left Inset
OVERSHOT WHEEL
The water power or "head” created by the dam provided a sure source of energy. The Hudson River powered not only this equipment but also other dams and wheels that powered sawmills and grist mills necessary to support the settlement of Adirondac.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: A Monumental Structure (here, next to this marker); Making Bricks (a few steps from this marker); “New” McIntyre Furnace (within shouting distance of this marker); An Iron Making Complex (within shouting distance of this marker); Heavy Construction (within shouting distance of this marker); Tahawus Clubhouse (approx. half a mile away); Adirondac (approx. half a mile away); MacNaughton Cottage (approx. half a mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Tahawus.
More about this marker. The main illustration shows positions of the iron and steel parts of the wheel house machinery when functioning 150 years ago including:
- Iron gear section that ringed the water wheels.
- Crankshaft-eccentric mounted arms created stroke in blast cylinders.
- Connecting rod.
- Blast cylinders with pistons inside. The air receiver has collasped over time.
Additional keywords. Engineering, Technology
Photographed by Steve Stoessel, March 28, 2020
3. Lower Inset
LYING
WHERE
IT FELL
The iron and steel parts of the wheel house machinery remain where they fell when the wooden structures collapsed and rotted away 150 years ago.
- Iron gear section that ringed the water wheels.
- Crankshaft - eccentric mounted arms created stroke in blast cylinders.
- Connecting rod
- Blast cylinders with pistons inside. The air receiver has collasped over time.
The iron and steel parts of the wheel house machinery remain where they fell when the wooden structures collapsed and rotted away 150 years ago.
- Iron gear section that ringed the water wheels.
- Crankshaft - eccentric mounted arms created stroke in blast cylinders.
- Connecting rod
- Blast cylinders with pistons inside. The air receiver has collasped over time.
Photographed by Steve Stoessel, March 28, 2020
4. Remains of the Wheelhouse
Compare to the lower inset illustration for details
Credits. This page was last revised on April 15, 2020. It was originally submitted on April 13, 2020, by Steve Stoessel of Niskayuna, New York. This page has been viewed 205 times since then and 11 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on April 13, 2020, by Steve Stoessel of Niskayuna, New York. • Michael Herrick was the editor who published this page.
Editor’s want-list for this marker. A wide angle photo of the marker and its surroundings. • Can you help?
