Blacksmithing

Blacksmithing. Shaping Iron for Fittings to Run the Canal. , Blacksmith Shop , A Blacksmith is one who works with iron at a furnace or forge where "black” metal, heated and wrought is formed by beating and hammering into a desired shape. A "whitesmith” worked with light metals. Early 1820's era U.S Treaties with Miami and Potawatomi people ceding lands in return for annuity payments and salt also included a blacksmith. Blacksmiths were an important part of the development of America especially during the Canal era before the work could be done by other means. There is still an important place for the custom work and the artistic products of the blacksmith.

Blacksmiths Produced Various Objects used on Canal Boats , Included were structural pieces used for protection against wear or damage such as a long 1/2 inch by 3 inch iron strap fastened to the hull and around the bow of the boat to protect against unexpected collisions or scrapings with obstacles. Small iron eyelets could be fastened to the boat deck used to attach to the towline, and iron rings for passing through a line helped stabilize a boat in a lock. A four- pronged grapnel or anchor found on board came in handy to retrieve lost items that fell overboard. The blacksmith could fashion the iron- tipped hook for the end of a long pike pole that aided the crew in steering a boat.

Cramp: an inverted metal U-shaped clamp or staple to hold to gather coping stones of a lock.

Deadeye: mounted on the deck, an iron eyelet attached to the towline.

Forge: a furnace where metal is heated and wrought.

Bellows: a device that draws in and expels air under strong pressure used for blowing fires.

Tongs: a pair of pivoted levers used to grasp hot an iron

Hammer: for flattening and shaping metal with repetitive striking blows. ,

The Blacksmith , by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

Under a spreading chestnut tree , The village smithy stands , The smith, a mighty man is he, , With large and sinewy hands; , And the muscles of his brawny arms , Are strong as iron bands.

And children coming home from school , Look in at the open door; , They love to see the flaming forge, , And hear the bellows roar, , And watch the burning sparks that fly , Like chaff from a threshing floor.

, Goon Neck: an iron strap fastened to a lock's coping stones held a lock gate heel post in place.