This earthcache will introduce you to a rare type of cemetery monument as compared to others within the Alma Baptist Cemetery. Most tombstone markers are made of stone, but this one is a metal.
Capt. Owen Martin played a most prominent part in the Alma ship-building years ago. He was an owner and Captain, having built four vessels: the P.C. Copeland, Busirus, Gondola and Heber. The Captain sailed many times to England, often accompanied by his wife.
It was during the building of the Heber, at the age of 52 that Capt. Martin fell from the staging. Capt. Martin was killed instantly. His son Leonard completed the Heber and sailed it himself continuing the family tradition.
Physical properties
Zinc, a synonym for Spelter, is a bluish-white metal with a shiny surface. It is neither ductile nor malleable at room temperature. Ductile means capable of being drawn into thin wires. Malleable means capable of being hammered into thin sheets. At temperatures above 100°C (212°F), however, zinc becomes somewhat malleable.
Zinc's melting point is 419.5°C (787.1°F) and its boiling point is 908°C (1,670°F). Its density is 7.14 grams per cubic centimeter. Zinc is a fairly soft metal. Its hardness is 2.5 on the Mohs scale. The Mohs scale is a way of expressing the hardness of a material. It runs from 0 (for talc) to 10 (for diamond).
Zinc is produced mainly from three types of deposits: sedimentary exhalative (Sedex), Mississippi Valley type (MVT), and volcanogenic massive sulfide (VMS).
- Sedex deposits account for more than 50 percent of the world's zinc resources and are formed when metal-rich hydrothermal fluids are released into a water-filled basin (usually an ocean), resulting in the precipitation of ore-bearing material within basin-floor sediments.
- MVT deposits are found throughout the world and get their name from deposits that occur in the Mississippi Valley region of the United States. The deposits are characterized by ore mineral replacement of the carbonate host rock; they are often confined to a single stratigraphic layer and extend over hundreds of square kilometers. MVT deposits were a major source of zinc in the United States from the 19th century through the mid-20th century.
- VMS deposits have a clear association with submarine volcanic processes. They also can contain significant amounts of copper, gold, and silver in addition to zinc and lead.
Uses of Zinc Today
Zinc is currently the fourth most widely consumed metal in the world after iron, aluminum, and copper. It has strong anticorrosive properties and bonds well with other metals. Consequently, about one-half of the zinc that is produced is used in zinc galvanizing, which is the process of adding thin layers of zinc to iron or steel to prevent rusting.
The next leading use of zinc is as an alloy; the zinc is combined with copper (to form brass) and with other metals to form materials that are used in automobiles, electrical components, and household fixtures. A third significant use of zinc is in the production of zinc oxide (the most important zinc chemical by production volume), which is used in rubber manufacturing and as a protective skin ointment.
Zinc is also important for health. It is a necessary element for the proper growth and development of humans, animals, and plants. The adult human body contains between 2 and 3 grams of zinc, which is the amount needed for the body's enzymes and immune system to function properly. It is also important for taste, smell, and to heal wounds. Trace amounts of zinc occur in many foods, such as oysters, beef, and peanuts.
Zinc Monuments
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. The Canadian distributor was in St. Thomas, Ontario.
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.)
Monuments ranged in size from a few inches for name ‘stones’ to over 25 feet high with statues.
In an attempt to boost sales, the Monumental Bronze Company changed the "finish" on the metal base so it would resemble stone. The sandblasting roughened the surface and speed up the natural formation of protective oxide coating. Many pre 1879 monuments are smooth with a grayish colour while the post 1879 monuments have rough surface and are more bluish-silver in colour.
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.
In order to log this earthcache
Please email or use the geocaching messaging, and send the answers to the following questions using the information that you find at GZ, and your observations:
1. Compare the weathering of the zinc (white bronze monument) to those around it. In terms of readability and resistance to lichens and discolorations, which markers are holding up the best?
2. Is the zinc monument solid or hollow? (Try tapping lightly)
3. What is the relationship of the other person memorialized on this monument besides Captain Owen Martin?
4. Is it pre, or post 1879?
5. 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.
