The Art of Splitting Stone
Early Rock Quarrying Methods in Pre-Industrial New England 1630-1825 (2nd Edition)

By Mary Gage & James Gage

The Art of Splitting Stone is a detailed study of the history, tools, and methods used to split, hoist, and transport quarried stone in pre-industrial New England (1630-1825). It is an invaluable resource for historians, archaeologists, and stone masons interested in identifying, dating, or experimenting with early stone splitting and quarrying methods. The amateur researcher and avid outdoors person will find the book useful as a field guide to identifying split boulders and stone quarries abandoned in the woods.

Trade Paperback, 88 pp. 36 illustrations. 8 ½ x 11 in.
ISBN 978-0-9717910-2-2
$10.00

Available from Publisher www.PowwowRiverBooks.com
Available from Amazon.com

Stone Quarrying Webpages

Quarry Tools

Quarrying Methods

Types of Quarries

Transportation

Hoisting

Sawing Stone

TABLE OF CONTENTS

INTRODUCTION
     EGYPTIAN, ROMAN, AND BRITISH QUARRY HOLES
     EGYPTIAN
     ROMAN
     BRITISH
STONE QUARRIES IN NEW ENGLAND 1630 - 1825
     BOULDER FIELD QUARRIES
     SURFACE LEDGE QUARRIES
EARLY ROCK SPLITTING METHODS IN NEW ENGLAND
     SANDSTONE QUARRYING METHOD (1600’S)
     SLATE AND SCHIST QUARRYING METHOD
     FIRE SPLITTING METHODS
         Fire and Iron Ball Method
         Fire and Hammer Method
         Fire and Wedge Method
         Fire, Groove, and Water Method
         Spalling
     HAMMERING (OR TRACING) METHOD
     CHANNELING AND WEDGING METHODS
     ROUND HOLE METHODS
         Blasting Hole
         Plug & Feather Method: Bartram’s Version (1730)
         Plug & Feather Method: Farmer’s Version (Circa 1774)
         Plug & Feather Method: Commercial Version (1803)
     FLAT WEDGE HOLE METHODS
         Flat Wedge Method: Hand Version (1803)
         Flat Wedge Method: Machine Version (1849)
         Flat Wedge Method: Rock Hammer Version (1868)
     HAMMER DRILLING OR TRIANGULAR HOLE METHOD
     SAWING STONE
HOISTING
     I. SUPERSTRUCTURE
         Gin Pole
         Jib Crane (or Post Crane)
         Tripod (or Triangle)
         Shear Crane (or Shear Pole)
         Moveable Shear Crane
         Stevenson Moveable Beam Crane (1808 - 1811)
         The Holmes Derrick (1825-Present)
     II. LIFTING DEVICES
         Lewis
         Compression / Hoisting / Quarry / Lifting Tongs
         Chain Dogs
         Cable or Chain
     III. WINCHES
         Windlass
         Capstan
     IV. POWER SOURCE
         Hand
         Horse / Oxen
         Water Power
         Steam Engine
TRANSPORTATION
         STONE BOAT / SLEDGE
         CARTS AND WAGONS
CONCLUSION
APPENDIX A - STONE BUILDINGS IN EASTERN MASSACHUSETTS: 1630 - 1826
APPENDIX B – GLOSSARY OF GEOLOGY TERMS
APPENDIX C – WOODEN WEDGE METHOD
APPENDIX D – STONE WEDGES
APPENDIX E – EXPANDING ICE METHOD
APPENDIX F – MISCELLANEOUS REFERENCES TO STONE QUARRYING (PRE-1825)
BIBLIOGRAPHY