Visit to Southern Porcelain rebuilt works after fire during the war

The Southern Porcelain Works.

[From the Augusta Constitutionalist.]

On Wednesday, we had the pleasure of a stroll through the Southern Porcelain Works at "Kaolin," on the South Carolina road, six miles from the city. These works were commenced some years since, but were destroyed by fire during the war.

Early this spring a number of the stock­holders concluded to "begin again," and push an enterprise, which, properly conducted, seems to promise much in favor of true Southern independence. Accordingly the President, Colonel Bullock, gave the agent and manager, Dr. Schaub, carte blanche to proceed to the re-establishment of the works. During our brief visit we had an opportunity to observe the satisfactory manner in which the Doctor has dis­charged his duties.

The clay from which the porcelain ware in manufactured is found in inexhaustible quantity beneath the soil to the extent of hundreds of acres in the vicinity of the works. This clay is of extraordinary puri­ty, entirely free from sand or grit, thus saving to the manufacturers engaged in the business a very tedious and costly opera­tion which would otherwise become neces­sary. From the hill-side, near the works, this clay is excavated, hauled to a shed and allowed to dry before it is ready for use. When ready, the clay is ground, then mix­ed with Fieldspar [sic] Feldspar, flint &c., in different tubs or vats. This mixing operation is effected by machinery similar in construc­tion to patent Churns that we have seen, and kept in motion by a powerful steam engine, located in an adjoining room. From these vats the composition, now of the consistency of a thin paste or batter, is passed through seives into the "slip kiln" — an oblong basin, built of fire brick — manufactured at these works — where it is prepared for the workmen's hands.

Thus prepared, it is transferred to the "Pottery Shop," where it is moulded into the many different shapes of bowl and pitcher, cups and saucers — in fact, into all the numerous vessels, which the ware is so wont to assume while "clay in the hands of the potter." For circular ware a ma­chine is used to give it shape, called a "gigger," which is operated like a hand lathe.

In this shop are employed none but the most experienced workmen — artisans who have "served their time" and learned their trades in potteries, either in the “"old coun­try" or the United States. Mr. H. R. Lawton, the chief potter, is an Englishman, and has had many years experience in his native land.­

We were much pleased with the neat and tidy appearance of the operatives in this, as well as the other departments of the manufactory. Two or three young lads and a number of girls were engaged upon the lighter and plainer articles.

The ware is now taken into the "green room," where it remains until such time as it may be ready for burning the first time, when it is carefully placed in "saggers" — oval-shaped earthen-ware ovens, or bake dishes, housekeepers would call them. These "saggers" are placed in the kiln, one above the other, and subjected to an in­tense heat for thirty-six or forty hours.

One more process and the ware is ready for market. This is the "glazing" pro­cess. After the ware is taken from the first furnace or kiln, it is dipped in the "glaze" — the composition of which is one of the secrets of the art — and again placed in a kiln, where it undergoes another baking process for forty-eight hours.

This enterprise gives daily employment to about eighty operatives, the majority of them being white men, who are earning wages sufficient to support themselves and families, and which also enables them to lay by something for a rainy day.

As we remarked in the outset the deposit of clay is inexhaustible. Hence immense quantities are being shipped to other man­ufactories of porcelain as well as to paper factories. Indeed the admirers of paper collars, fancy soaps, fine imported candies and many other things, so nice, because they are made a thousand miles hence, have never realized that they might be wearing, using or eating the Kaolin clay which abounds in such proximity to us.

The quality of the ware now manufactured by the Southern Porcelain Company is equal to any "Queen’s Ware" now made. The orders from the North and West are flattering testimonials in its favor, and we have no doubt that in, less than another twelve month the manufactory will be doubled in size.