[Figs. 127], [128.] represent a pair of wash-stocks. A A are called the stocks, or feet. They are suspended on iron pivots at B, and receive their motion from wipers on the revolving-shaft C. The cloth is laid in at D, and, by the alternate strokes of the feet, and the curved form of the turnhead E, the cloth is washed and gradually turned. At the same time, an abundant stream of water rushes on the cloth throughout holes in the upper part of the turnhead. Wash-stocks are much used in Scotland and in Ireland. In the latter country, they are often made with double feet, suspended above and below two turnheads, and wrought with cranks instead of wipers. Wash-stocks, properly constructed, make from 24 to 30 strokes per minute.
This mode of washing is now entirely given up in Lancashire, where a preference is given to what are called dash-wheels and squeezers. The dash are small water-wheels, the inside of which is divided into four compartments, and closed up, leaving only a hole in each compartment for putting in the cloth.
There are, besides, smaller openings for the free admission and egress of the water employed in cleansing. The cloth, by the motion of the wheel, is raised up in one part of the revolution of the wheel; while, by its own weight, it falls in another. This kind of motion is very effectual in washing the cloth, while, at the same time, it does not injure its strength. The plan, however, where economy of water is of any importance, is very objectionable; because the wheel must move at by far too great a velocity to act to advantage as a water-wheel.
The wash or dash-wheel, now driven by power in all good bleach and print-works, is represented in [fig. 129.], upon the left side in a back view, and upon the right side in a front view (the sketch being halved). [Fig. 130.] is a ground plan.
a a is the washing-wheel; b b its shaft-ends; c c their brass bearings or plummer-blocks, supported upon the iron pillars d d. The frame is made of strong beams of wood, e e, bound together by cross bars with mortises. f f, two of the circular apertures, each leading to a quadrantal compartment within the dash-wheel. In the back view (the left-hand half of the figure) the brass grating g g, of a curvilinear form, is seen, through which the jets of water are admitted into the cavity of the wheel; h h, are the round orifices, through which the foul water runs off, as each quadrant passes the lower part of its revolution; i, a water-pipe, with a stop-cock for regulating the washing-jets; k k, the lever for throwing the driving-crab l, or coupling-box, into or out of geer with the shaft of the wheel. This machine is so constructed, that the water-cock is opened or shut by the same leverage which throws the wheel into or out of geer. m, a wheel, fixed upon the round extremity of the shaft of the dash-wheel, which works into the toothed pinion connected with the prime mover. When the end of the lever k, whose fork embraces the coupling-box upon the square part of the shaft, is pushed forwards or backwards, it shifts the clutch into or out of geer with the toothed wheel m. In the latter case, this wheel turns with its pinion without affecting the dash-wheel. n n, holdfasts fixed upon the wooden frame, to which the boards o o are attached, for preventing the water from being thrown about by the centrifugal force.
The dash-wheel is generally from 6 to 7 feet in diameter, about 30 inches wide, and requires the power of about two horses to drive it.
From one to two pieces of calico may be done at once in each quadrantal compartment, in the course of 8 or 10 minutes; hence, in a day of 13 hours, with two such wheels 1200 pieces of yard-wide goods may be washed.