1862 London Exhibition: Catalogue: Class I.: Richard Walter Wolston

411. WOLSTON, RICHARD WALTER, Brixham, Devonshire.

Wolston's Torbay iron paints and composition for coating materials under water.

These paints are applicable to general purposes, and resist in a remarkable degree the action of the atmosphere, and sulphureous and other gases, as well as aqueous influences.

In the year 1853, a trial was authorized by the Admiralty in Woolwich, Devonport, and Keyham dockyards. The trial in Woolwich dockyard was on a caisson, and on a large surface of iron-roofing; in Devonport yard, on the iron and wood work of a crane erected on the sea wall at the anchor wharf, and various other surfaces of wood and iron. The trials have been officially reported on, and were so satisfactory as to result in an extensive use of the paint, not only in all the dockyards, but also in the Royal Arsenal and War Departments for corrugated iron roofs and buildings, and especially for painting the wood and iron huts at Shorncliff, Colchester, and Curragh camps; as also the huts previously covered with coal tar, at Pembroke dock and on Woolwich common.

The caisson in Woolwich dockyard, painted nine years since, is in a perfectly sound condition, both under water and between wind and water.

On the important question of expense, the official report stated, that 62lbs. of "Wolston's Torbay Iron Paint effectually cover as much surface as 112 lbs. of either white or red lead."

These paints have been found to stop corrosion even after it has set in to a considerable extent; and are therefore particularly valuable for the preservation of corrugated and other iron roofing; of which the following are remarkable instances:-

1. In the year 1859, two of the iron roofs over the slips Nos. 8 and 9 in Pembroke dockyard were found on inspection to be so corroded, as in the opinion of the authorities to need entire renewal; but in lieu of this, trial was made of Wolston's Torbay Iron Paint, and two coats were applied. The result has been most satisfactory, renewal now being unnecessary, and a very considerable outlay being thereby saved to the department.

2. In the year 1853, the corrugated iron roofing over the forges and mills at the Aberdare Iron Works were painted with two coats of Wolston's Torbay Iron Paint. They have had one coat since, and on examination by the engineer of the works in January, 1862, the roofs were found to be in good condition; no corrosion having taken place, notwithstanding a constant discharge of steam and gases passing over them for a period of nine years.

3. In the spring of 1852, the iron pillars supporting the Fish-market at Brixham were painted with Wolston's Black Torbay Paint. The paint is now (January, 1862), after ten years' exposure, in a perfectly sound condition, and has effectually protected the iron from corrosion, although the building is situated close to the sea, and subject to all the damp vapours of the harbour and sea coast.

The base of these paints being iron, they are free from those properties which in lead paints are so prejudicial to health and destructive to iron. The numerous testimonials received by the manufacturer prove the paints to possess the following valuable properties:-

1. They effectually protect iron from corrosion, and stop corrosion even after it has set in.

2. The body and covering qualities are so good, that three coats are equal to four of lead paints.

3. For priming wood (and for finishing, where the colour suits), the second coat bears out nearly equal to the third of lead paint. The same effect will be found when applied to stucco or compo fronts.

4. As a stainer the colouring properties are so intense, that where ochre, umber, and other stainers are used, half the quantity of Torbay brown accomplishes the work with better effect and less trouble.

5. The black, for general purposes, retains its lustre longer than other black paints, and is peculiarly valuable for ship painting, as it does not fade or get rusty by the action of sea water, and owing to its covering properties is really cheaper than the ordinary black paint of much less price.

6. These paints resist intense heat, and stand well on galvanized iron, and on materials previously coated with coal tar, where all other paints fail. They also resist the effects of sulphuretted hydrogen, without loss of colour, and likewise repel the action of acids longer than other paints.

These paints are extensively used by numerous railway, harbour, and gas companies, breweries, ship-owners, iron and wood ship-building and engineering establishments.

Specimens showing the condition of the paint on iron and wood, after various periods of exposure, are exhibited.

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