ABSTRACT
In order to make this matter clear, your Lordship will please to observe, that the longitudinal threads (or what is termed the warp) of a piece of plain shirting, are divided into two equal numbers ; or, in
other words, that all the odd threads, counting from the side of the warp, viz., the first, third, fifth, &c., move up and down together. So, likewise, all the even threads, viz., the second, fourth, sixth, &c. Now, if we suppose that by a movement of the loom the odd threads are made to ascend, and the even threads to descendy they will form a sufficient space between the rows of threads for the shuttle to pass through, and leave behind it a thread of weft. The next move ment of the loom will be to knock close up the weft left by the shuttle, and reverse the order of the threads of the warp, or cause the odd threads to descend, and the even ones to ascend. This movement is repeated in a power-loom from 100 to 130 times per minute; being as quick as the eye can follow the shuttle. Now, should one of the threads of the warp break (as is frequently the case) while the loom is in full Operation, the shuttle wTill most probably trail the broken thread across the warp, which will thus prevent the threads of the warp passing each other freely. The shuttle is thus checked on its journey, and as it is going at a railway pace, it flies out, and strikes any object that may be in its way, with a force which I am not able to calculate.
