2023-03-06 - From *The Kingston Daily News* (June 9, 1899): The contract for the new organ for St. George's Cathedral has been awarded, as already announced, to the D. W. Karn Co. Limited of Woodstock, Ont., after negotiations which have extended over a period of nearly three months. The specifications, which we publish in full, contain so many novelties, that a brief description will be of interest to many of our readers. The system upon which it is to be constructed, is radically different from that in common use, in that all weighted bellows tops and wind trunks are done away with. The pipes draw their wind from one universal supply which is an air-tight room, six feet high, on the ceiling of which are the valves, one for each pipe, and on the roof of which the pipes are placed. This room or wind-chest contains all the mechanism, together with the feeder bellows and pressure board. Protection is thus given from adverse influences, such as dust and sudden changes of humidity and temperature. At the same time, the convenience of access to all valves, pneumatics, and connections controlling the wind-supply and stop-actions, without the removal of a panel or a screw, is even of greater value. All these are within easy reach, and may be observed under the influence of the wind-pressure, by means of entrance by an airtight door; displacement of any pipes or parts is thus avoided. On this system there cannot be any "robbing" or insufficient supply of wind, or any unsteadiness of pressure; each pipe has its own valve, opening directly into this chest, where air is under a uniform pressure, in bulk, and not limited in quantity, as on the old slider chest, sectional chest, or, in fact, any other system. There are no trunks, grooves, or air ways necessary to convey wind, with their inevitable inducement of varying currents, and consequent varying density or pressure at the pipe foot; a point where the slightest variation should not by any means take place. This wind-pressure once adjusted, cannot by any adverse circumstances be either increased or reduced, however, few or many pipes may be taking their supply; nor do the intermittent thrusts of the feeders cause the slightest disturbance. A large volume of air is the only communication between the feeders and pressure-board, and, equally, between it and every pipe valve. The pressure-board is of large area, vertically placed on one side of the chest, and moves horizontally, thus increasing and lessening the capacity of the chest, according to the irregularities of supply and demand. There are no weights to give pressure with their inevitable evil of inertia and momentum. Spring of flat steel take their place, and are compensated by one outward folding rib which forms the attachment of this dsplacement board to the side of the chest. The action of the springs thus converts it into a concussion of very large area, exceedingly sensitive to respond to the loudest staccato chord, and, equally, to cease its motion at its close. The pneumatics, having direct exposure in this chest, equally share in the benefit of being thus placed. It is evident that any number being required to collapse at the same time does not cause any lessening of pressure, as is the case when placed in a contracted trunk; nor do they interfere in the least with the constancy of the supply of wind to the pipes. The organ is dead in time when played up to its full capacity, or equally so with its softest stop. Each manual key opens only one valve which in itself contains the control of couplers; it is adjusted to a 4-oz. touch; they each regain their normal position so as to allow of a quick repeat, and the exhaust pneumatic action is equally perfect to respond. As the electric action will be applied to the keys and pedals, the position of the console or the distance from the organ will have no effect on the repetition. The numerous couplers available on this system are not intended or necessary to be in use for "full organ" effects, but for a selection and combination otherwise unattainable." -Andrew Henderson
Source: The Kingston Daily News June 9, 1899
Couplers Swell to Great Unison, Sub-Octave & Super-Octave, Swell to Choir Unison, Sub-Octave & Super-Octave, Choir to Great Unison, Sub-Octave & Super-Octave, Great at Octaves, Swell at Octaves, Choir at Octaves, Great to Pedal, Swell to Pedal, Choir to Pedal
Great Organ (61 notes) Double Open Diapason 16, Open Diapason 8, Doppel Flute 8 (wood), Gamba 8, Dolce 8, Principal 4, Wald Flute 4 (wood), Twelfth 2⅔, Fifteenth 2, Mixture III, Trumpet 8
Swell Organ (61 notes) Bourdon 16 (wood), Open Diapason 8, Stopped Diapason 8 (wood), Viol di Gamba 8, Aeoline 8, Voix Celeste 8 (49 pipes), Flauto Traverso 4 (wood), Flautina 2, Mixture II, Cornopean 8, Oboe 8, Vox Humana 8 (in separate box)
Choir Organ (61 notes) Geigen Principal 8, Melodia 8 (wood), Dulciana 8, Harmonic Flute 4, Harmonic Piccolo 2, Clarionet 8, Orchestral Oboe 8 (prepared for only, 49 notes)
Pedal Organ (30 notes) Open Diapason 16 (wood), Open Diapason 16 (borrowed by tubular transmission from the Great), Bourdon 16 (wood), Lieblich Gedact 16 (borrowed by tubular transmission from the Swell), Violoncello 8, Bass Flute 8, Contra Posaune 16
Pistons 3 Combination pistons to Great Organ, 4 Combination pistons to Swell Organ, 3 Composition pistons to Choir Organ, Great Separation, Swell Separation, Choir Separation, controlled by "on" and "off" pistons placed in the edge of the key-frames
Pedal Movements Pedal Unison, Pedal Super-Octave, Forte, Piano Combination pedals to Pedal Organ, Tremolo Pedal to Swell Organ, Reversible Pedal (Great to Pedal), Full Organ Pedal, Mezzo Pedal, "hitch down", Crescendo Pedal, Balanced Swell Pedal
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