This earthcache will introduce you to a rare type of cemetery monument as compared to others within the Fredericton Rural Cemetery. Most tombstone markers are made of stone, but this one is a metal.
What is Zinc?
Zinc is a chemical element with symbol Zn and atomic number 30, official designation is 30Zn. Zinc is the 24th most abundant element in the Earth's crust.
Zinc is a bluish-silver, lustrous metal that tarnishes in moist air, producing a layer of carbonate. It is somewhat brittle at room temperature but malleable above 100 deg Celcius.
It can conduct electricity, and burns in air with a bright bluish-green flame producing white clouds of the oxide.
Interesting Zinc Facts
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It has been in use by workman and artisans since at least 1000 BC.
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Writings from as early as 400 BC mention a silvery metal that was used to make brass, most likely, zinc.
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Zinc is used in the production of brass, where it's alloyed with copper, and many other alloys.
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After copper, aluminium, and iron, zinc is the most commonly used metal by industry.
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Zinc production today is from nearly 70% mining and 30% recycling.
Zinc Monument History
The technique for constructing zinc monuments was developed in 1873 by M.A. Richardson of Chautauqua, New York. Richardson, along with two business partners tried to get a company off the ground but failed. In 1879, the rights were sold and a new company, the Monumental Bronze Company, was incorporated in Bridgeport, Connecticut.
To create a white bronze monument required several steps. An artist would begin the process by carving similar designs used on traditional granite and marble headstones into wax forms. Plaster would be poured into the wax forms and allowed to set, creating a plaster cast. A second, identical plaster cast would then be made. This would be the cast that the sand molds were made from and cast in zinc. The zinc castings were then assembled and fused together with molten zinc. Once assembled and fused, the monuments were sandblasted to create a stone-like finish. And the final step, a secret lacquer would be applied to chemically oxidize the monument, creating the bluish-grey patina – hence the name white bronze. (Much more romantic sounding than zinc.)
Although white bronze monuments weathered well, they have one flaw known as ‘creep’ This occurs when the weight of the top of the monument bears down onto the base and it begins to bow or bulge – very slowly, over the years. The only way to rectify this is to place a stainless steel armature inside the base to help support the upper weight.
Although not white, and not made of bronze, these memorials are usually very detailed, always different, and found in very good to excellent condition. But there were those who looked down on the white bronze marker as being a cheap imitation of a solid granite stone. Some cemeteries even banned them.
White bronze monuments were made for only forty years, from 1874 to 1914. With the advent of World War One came their demise. Zinc was needed for the war effort. The company never produced another monument.
To Log this EarthCache
Please answer the following questions and send answers in a timely manner to my geocaching profile or email. Answers not received will result in deleted logs. Do not post your answers in your log.
- How many family members are memorialized on this Lamont monument?
- Are the placques tightly attached to each side?
- How tall is this monument?
- Is the zinc monument solid or hollow? (Try tapping lightly)
- As "creeping" is a big problem with zinc monuments, do you see any evidence on this one?
Failure to send answers to these questions within 7 days, will result in a log deletion.
