Inventor. He was considered one of the best practical metallurgists of his time, with his numerous patents of improved processes in the continued advancement of ordnance. In 1809, he established the Cyrus Alger Iron Company in South Boston, Massachusetts and by 1850, his company was the largest foundry in the country. During the War of 1812, he supplied the government with large numbers of cannon balls and his works became famed for the excellent ordnance they manufactured. The first gun ever rifled in America was made at his works in 1834. He invented the first malleable iron cannon in 1836 and improved time fuses for spherical shells. The first perfect bronze cannon was made at his foundry and the mortar "Columbiad," the largest gun of cast iron made in the United States, was cast under his supervision. In 1837, his company received the first War Department contract to cast the American version of the mountain howitzer, designated the M1835. During the American Civil War, his model M1835 was present in almost every campaign and participated in every major engagement. He also patented a method of making cast-iron chilled rolls and the first designed cylinder stoves. To date many Cyrus Alger cannons are collection pieces in museums, on battle fields, at memorials, monuments and reproduction models made for Civil War re-enactments.
Inventor. He was considered one of the best practical metallurgists of his time, with his numerous patents of improved processes in the continued advancement of ordnance. In 1809, he established the Cyrus Alger Iron Company in South Boston, Massachusetts and by 1850, his company was the largest foundry in the country. During the War of 1812, he supplied the government with large numbers of cannon balls and his works became famed for the excellent ordnance they manufactured. The first gun ever rifled in America was made at his works in 1834. He invented the first malleable iron cannon in 1836 and improved time fuses for spherical shells. The first perfect bronze cannon was made at his foundry and the mortar "Columbiad," the largest gun of cast iron made in the United States, was cast under his supervision. In 1837, his company received the first War Department contract to cast the American version of the mountain howitzer, designated the M1835. During the American Civil War, his model M1835 was present in almost every campaign and participated in every major engagement. He also patented a method of making cast-iron chilled rolls and the first designed cylinder stoves. To date many Cyrus Alger cannons are collection pieces in museums, on battle fields, at memorials, monuments and reproduction models made for Civil War re-enactments.
Bio by: John "J-Cat" Griffith
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