A Switcher Moving Cotton, c. 1868-70.

[AndyHall]

A switcher moving cotton, probably at Galveston, c. 1868-70. From the Lawrence T. Jones III Texas Photographs Collection at SMU.

 

[USS ALASKA]

How much does the standard bale weigh? In the photos, it doesn't seem like you can see the end of the train. That is a lot of tonnage, isn't it?

Thanks,
USS ALASKA

 

[DaveBrt]

How much does the standard bale weigh? In the photos, it doesn't seem like you can see the end of the train. That is a lot of tonnage, isn't it?

Thanks,
USS ALASKA

At that time there was no "standard" bale size or weight -- each press did the best it could. Of the hundreds of bales I have seen on southern paperwork, the average in the 1860's was about 450 lbs.

 

[USS ALASKA]

The current standard...

U.S. Cotton Bale Dimensions

Description and characteristics of a typical U.S. gin universal density cotton bale.

The Joint Cotton Industry Bale Packaging Committee (JCIBPC) established the following guidelines in 2001 to clarify the dimensions of cotton bales compressed to U.S. Gin Universal Density Bale standards:

"…the outside bulge to bulge (thickness) dimensions shall average no greater than 33 inches (.84 m) and outliers are not to exceed 34 inches (.86 m)."

Physical Description
While tie length is an indicator of bale thickness, other factors that play a role in determining bale thickness should not be ignored. Some of these factors are cotton's natural resilience, the force applied during bale pressing and the bagging material used to protect the lint.

Size matters! Producing uniform well-protected cotton bales for our mill customers is a primary goal of the U.S. bale packaging program. Uniform cotton bales benefit the U.S. industry by maximizing mill processing efficiency, as well as creating efficiencies for everyone storing, handling, and transporting bales of cotton.

Gin Universal Density Bale*

Net Weight 500 pounds

Length 54-55 inches

Width 20-21 inches

Average Bulge Thickness 33 inches (or less)

Volume 17 ft cubed

Density 28 lbs./ ft3

Note: These are approximate values and some normal variations are to be expected.

*Gin Universal Density and Gin Standard Density Bale tie lengths for approved ties can be found in the JCIBPC Publication Specifications for Cotton Bale Packaging Materials.

http://www.cotton.org/tech/bale/bale-description.cfm
105

Cheers,
USS ALASKA

 

[JOHN42768]

The Little Engine that Could.

 

[AndyHall]

The standard weight today is 500 lbs, and there is a high level of standardization in dimensions, that greatly facilitates shipping.

Steam press at Wilmington, late 19th/early 20th century.

In our period it was different, where the bales were inconsistent in weight and size as well, based on what presses were used. Having consistent weight was not as important, as they were usually re-weighed and sampled at every point where they changed hands, so whether any individual bale weighed 425, 450, or 500 lbs was not a great concern. It was common for bales to be re-pressed one or more times after leaving their original gin, using higher-capacity (e.g., steam-powered) presses that could compact them more efficiently. In the late 19th century cotton ports like Galveston, Mobile, New Orleans had a particular type of longshoremen, called "screwmen" or "jammers" whose job it was to use wedges and screw-jacks to compress bales still further in the hold of the ship to get as many bales in as possible.

Screwmen at Galveston, late 19th/early 20th century.

 

[Western Reserve Volunteer]

I'll bet it's a Porter locomotive, reminds me of the Northern Pacific construction locomotive Minnetonka.