NEIMME Transactions
Volume 15
NORTH OF ENGLAND INSTITUTE OF MINING ENGINEERS.
TRANSACTIONS.
VOL. XV.
18 6 5-6.
NEWCASTLE-UPON-TYNE : A. REID, PRINTING COURT BUILDINGS, AKENSIDE HILL.
1866.
CONTENTS OF VOL. XV.
Report of Council............... 6
Finance Report .................. 9
Patrons ..............................13
Officers, 1866-7 ..................15
PAGE.
Honorary Members ...............14
Members and Graduates.........16
Subscribing Collieries .........28
Rules ....................................29
GENERAL MEETINGS.
1865.
Sept.2.—Mr. T. Y. Hall on The Progress of Coal-Mining Industry in China
1
Oct. 5.—Mr. Thos. Doubleday on The Causes of Certain Boiler Explosions
3
Nov. 4.—General Meeting ..................... 3
Dec. 7.— Do. Do. .....................
3
On the Causes of Certain Boiler Explosions, by T. Doubleday... 5—11
*On Some of the Leading Features of the Lancashire Coal-Field,
by Joseph Dickinson, F.G.S., with discussion ... ...
13—17
*On Direct-Acting Pumping Engines, etc., by Jno. Knowles ... 19—42
1866.
Feb. 3.—Mr. T. Doubleday read a Memoir of the late President, Mr. N.
Wood ........................ 43
Discussion on Mr. Doubleday's Paper on Boiler Explosions ... 43—47
Memoir of the late Nicholas Wood, Esq., by Thos. Doubleday ... 49—59
*Coal-Washing Apparatus in use at the Ince Hall Coal and
Cannel Company's Collieries, by G. Gilroy......... 61—66
On the Progress of Coal-Mining Industry in China, by T. Y. Hall 67—74
Mar. 1.—Election of President..................... 75
Mr. Green's Paper, The Chronicle and Kecord of the Northern
Coal-trade in the counties of Durham and Northumberland 77
Discussion on Enlarging the Obi ects of the Institute...... 77—80
•On Tail-ropes, by G. C. Greenwell, F.G.S., and Cuthbert Berkley 81—97
•Particulars of an Explosion and Standing Fire at Newbottle
Colliery, by W. Lishman ............... 99—102
*On certain Improvements in the Construction of the Water-gauge, by Jno.
Daglish.................. 103—105
•Observations on Safety-cages, by Jno. Marley ......... 107—120
Apr. 7.—Discussion (renewed) on Mr. Knowles' Paper ... ...
... 121—129
Mr. Lishman read a Description of Pumping Engines in use at
Lyon's Pit, Newton Cap Colliery ............ 131—133
May 3.—Mr. Greener read a Paper on the Improved Method of Eaising
Water from Mines, by Bastier's Patent Chain Pump ... 135—140 Mr. J. B.
Simpson read a Paper on a Direct-acting Engine, at
Towneley Colliery, in connection with Mr. Knowles' Paper 140—143
Discussion on Tail-ropes .................. 143
Discussion on Mr. Lishman's Paper ............ 144
On the Improved Method of Eaising Water economically from
Mines, by Bastier's Patent Chain Pump, by T. Greener ... 147—155 On a
Direct-acting Engine, at Towneley Colliery, etc., by J. B.
Simpson......... ............... 157—161
Jun. 2.—G. F. Ansell, Esq., read a Paper on a New Method of indicating
the presence and amount of Fire-damp, etc., in Coal Mines 164 On
a New Method of indicating the presence and amount of
Fire-damp, etc., in Coal Mines, by G. F. Ansell, Esq. ... 165—175
The Chronicles of the Coal Trade, etc., by William Green ... 175—281
Aug. 2.—President, T. E. Forster, Esq., Inaugural Address of ......
283—293
Discussion on Mr. Simpson's Paper on Direct-acting Pumping
Engine ,........................ 294—299
Note.-Marked thus (*) are Pipers read at Special Meeting, at Manchester,
July, 1865.
NEWCASTLE-UPON-TYNE : ANDHEW KKID, PRINTWO 0OUBT BVffl-W", AKKN«1UL
Did.
ILLUSTRATIONS TO VOL, XV.
PAGE.
Plate I..........Cleggswood Pumping Engine, by J. Knowles .........19
„ II..........Cleggswood Pumping Engine, by J. Knowles .........
19
„ III.......Clifton Hall Winding Engine, by J. Knowles .........19
„ IV.......Clifton Hall Winding Engine, by J. Knowles .........19
„ V..........Plan of Arrangement of Pumping Rods ... ...
... ... 19
„ VI.......Plan of Water Cisterns for Winding at Clifton Hall, by J.
Knowles ........................19
„ VII.......Plan of Cages for Clifton Hall, by J. Knowles ... *
*...... 19
„ VIII. ...Plan of a Pumping Engine in use at Thornhill Collieries, to
illustrate Mr. W. P. Maddison's Paper............40
„ IX.......Plan, etc., of Coal Washing Apparatus at Ince Hall Colliery,
near Wigan, by C Gilroy ...............61
„ X..........Plan and Sections of Underground Engine-roads at Marley
Hill
Colliery, Durham, by C. Berkley ............83
„ XI.......Ditto, showing Way-branch, Changing of Eopes, and
Disconnecting Apparatus ..................84
„ XII.......Plan of Holing into Jane Pit Old Workings, Newbottle
Colliery,
showing the extent of Fire on the 8th April, 1864......100
„ XIII. ...Drawings to illustrate the Improvements in the Water Gauge,
by J. Daglish .....................103
„ XIV. ...Map of China, showing the localities in which coal has been
obtained ........................67
„ XV.......Calow's Patent Safety Cage, with Detaching Hook and
Indicator, by J. Marley ..................108
„ XVI. ...Ditto ...........................108
„ XVII. ...Ditto ...........................108
„ XVIII....Ditto, Wire Rope with Indicator...............120
„ XIX. ...Ditto ...........................120
„ XX.......Ditto ... .-.......................120
„ XXI. ...Plan of Bastier's Patent Chain-Pump ............147
„ XXII. ...Plan of Direct-acting Pumping Engine in use at Towneley
Colliery, by J. B. Simpson ...............158
„ XXIII...Ditto ...........................159
%tpit
In presenting- to the members their Eeport for the year, which this day
brings to an end, the Council have, once more, the pleasing* task of
congratulating- the Society upon the progress and general prospects of the
Institute. As far as the accession of members may be assumed to be an index
of the general utility and good management of an institution, the past year
affords evidence favourable to those of the North of England Institute of
Mining- Engineers. The number of members who have joined the Institute
during the past year is twenty-two ; whilst the losses by death or by
resignation have been nine; leaving a net balance of thirteen additional
members.
To draw attention to the great loss which the Society has sustained, by the
demise of their late President, would be merely a superfluous task on the
part of the Council. That which all feel and which all lament does not need
comment, and does not admit of exaggeration. To repair the loss we have
sustained the best way is to follow the example set us by our late
President, and never to omit, by the exertion of such energy and talent as
are embodied in this Society, to aid its progress and to increase its
usefulness as an Institution.
On looking through the Transactions of the year just ended, we shall find
the Society indebted to the meeting held at Manchester, and to the gentlemen
of that locality for a series of very valuable papers, relative, in part, to
the geology of the district, but also embracing various practical subjects.
Amongst these the merits of various pumping engines have been treated of and
discussed in a way calculated to interest and instruct the mechanical as
well as the mining engineer. In addition to these the Council may also draw
attention to some able papers, as well as discussions connected with the
transit of coals underground; a matter of growing importance, as the working
of coal becomes more and more extended, and the area to be passed over of
greater dimensions.
(vi)
Turning their attention to subjects of more general interest, the Council
cannot refrain from congratulating- the Society upon the appointment of a
Commission to enquire into the supplies of coal still remaining to this
country. And they may further be permitted to express their satisfaction
to find an able, experienced, and practical man—as is the President of this
Institute—selected, together with Messrs. Woodhouse and Elliot, to take part
in an enquiry at once so important and so interesting. That an estimate,
substantially correct, of the supply of coal still to be raised from the
coal-fields of Great Britain, may be constructed by the enquirers the
Council are inclined to admit, and without much hesitation. They cannot,
however, recognise any impropriety on their part if they venture to advert
to an opinion, very commonly entertained, that an enquiry if limited to the
known coal-fields does not embrace more than half the question.
Those who are acquainted with the Transactions of this Institution must be
aware that strong reasons have been adduced by members, perfectly competent
to deal with such questions, for the supposition that, in many parts of the
United Kingdom, seams of coal exist, as yet untouched and, of course,
unexplored. Gentlemen, whose opinion on such a subject are entitled to all
respect, have expressed in this room a belief that the Durham coal-field is,
in fact, conformable to that of Yorkshire in the Barnsley district; and
that, at some future day, these continuous seams will be discovered, thrown
down at a great depth probably, as they approach the Tees, within a short
distance of which the Durham seams crop out towards the surface in the
south-west and disappear.
The probability that the coal measures will ultimately be found to underlie
the new Red Sandstone formation of Cumberland, and the south-west of
Scotland, has been also strongly advocated in papers which form part of
the Transactions of this Society. Nor are there wanting competent judges
of questions of geology, who assert the probable existence, at different
depths, of a continuous coal formation, beginning on the east coast of
Northumberland and extending directly southwards through the midland
counties, where it again appears, as far, at least, as Gloucestershire,
where it is also visible. That it would, in a national point of view, be
well to submit these conclusions to the test of actual experiment is an
opinion beginning to be very generally held. Should the Legislature give
the subject their consideration, any expression of opinion by members of
this Institute would have its due weight. That it is a matter of the
first importance is undeniable, and
(vii)
without giving any opinion of their own, as a body, the Council deem it not
unadvisable to elicit those of any members of this Society who may see fit
to express them.
The advantages to be derived from a coal-cutting- machine have frequently
been the subject of consideration here and elsewhere. If machinery can be
devised which shall, efficiently and cheaply, lighten the labour of working-
coal, the desirableness of such a machine is admitted both by the collier
and his employer. In pursuance of this object a Special Committee of
thirteen members of this body, living in various districts, was nominated in
October last, of whom three were to constitute a quorum; and who were asked
to view and report upon the performance of any coal-cutting machine which
might be on trial in any of their immediate vicinities. Thus far, however,
the Council have not been favoured with any communication from any of the
coal districts.
In conclusion, the Council needs only to draw the attention of the meeting
to the Report of the Treasurer and the Finance Committee, which needs no
comment from them.
ADVERTISEMENT.
The Institution is not, as a body, responsible for the facts and opinions
advanced in the papers read, and in the Abstracts of the Conversations which
occurred at the Meetings during the Session.
fmmu %tpit
Your Committee have pleasure in reporting- the continued satisfactory state
of the Finances of the Institute during- the past year. There is an increase
of eig-hteen members and four graduates.
The Receipts and Disbursements are nearly the same as those of the previous
year, with the addition of the amount expended on a Portrait of the late
lamented President.
The excess of Income over Expenditure is about £200. The Balance in the
hands of the Treasurer is now above £900, and it is for your consideration
whether a portion of this should not be permanently invested. There still
remains about £18 due from the Liquidators of the District Bank.
The entire expenses connected with the very successful meeting-, held at
Manchester, amounted to under £24. This compares favourably with the
previous meeting-, held at Birmingham, in 1863, the expenses of which
amounted to £175.
The value of the Stock, now amounting- to £994, has increased £60 during-
the past year.
Your Committee regret ag-ain to have to call attention to the delay in
preparing- the Annual Accounts, which causes much unnecessary trouble both
to your Treasurer and Committee.
JOHN DAGLISH. G. B. FORSTER. LINDSAY WOOD.
Dr. THE TREASURER IN ACCOUNT WITH THE NORTH
For the Year ending
1865. Ur.
A s. d.
July 1.—To Balance in hands of Treasurer from Thirteenth
Year............... ...£714 5 1
„ Ditto ditto Liquidators of District Bank 18 10 10 „
Bequest of the late K. Stephenson, Esq., invested on Mortgage of
Northumberland Dock Kates ...... ¦.........2000 0 0
-------------- 2732 15 11
1866.
July 1.—To Interest on ditto, from June 6, 1865, to June 6,
1866 .................. 95 0 0
Less Income Tax ...... 1 11 8
------------ 93 8 4
„ Deposit in Messrs. Lambton's Bank, Newcastle-upon-Tyne
............... 300 0 0
„ Interest on ditto, from September 20, 1864, to
June 30, 1866 .,............. 18 14 1
----------- 318 14 1
„ Arrears of 1865, Subscriptions collected since balancing
last year ..................... 8 8 0
„ Subscriptions received for this year from 289 Members ... 606 18 0
„ Ditto ditto from 16 Graduates ... ...
... 16 16 0
„ Ditto ditto from Colliery Owners, viz, :—
Black Boy ......' ......... £4 4 0
Leasingthorne............... 2 2 0
Westerton ............... 2 2 0
Hetton................. 10 10 0
North Hetton...... ,........ 6 6 0
Grange.................. 2 2 0
Kepier Grange ............ 2 2 0
Lambton ............... 10 10 0
Haswell ............... 4 4 0
Byhope.................. 4 4 0
Whitworth ............... 2 2 0
Stella............ ... .., 2 2 0
South Hetton and Murton......... 8 80
Seghill.................. 2 2 0
----------- 63 0 0
To Sales of Publications, per A. Beid :—
From June 30, 1865, to June 30, 1866 ... 72 1 0
Less 10 per cent. Commission on £71 17 6... 7 3 3
------------ 64 17 9
£3904 18 1
OF ENGLAND INSTITUTE OF MINING ENGINEERS. Cr.
July 1st, 1866.
1866. <Hv.
* 8. d.
July 1.—By paid A. Reid for Printing and Publishing Account—
From June 30,1865, to Feb.17,1866 £147 5 0
From Feb. 17,1866, to June 30,1866 171 12 0
----------------£318 17 0
„ Ditto Covers for Parts, Circulars, &c. 14 10 6
„ Ditto ditto ditto ... 6 2 0
-------------- 20 12 6
„ Ditto Binding and Sewing Vols. ...... 75 14 4
„ Ditto Postage Stamps ...... 10 14 3
„ Ditto ditto ...... 16 2 11
-------------- 26 17 2 •
------------ 442 1 0
„ Secretary ditto ...... 7 13 6
„ Ditto ditto ...... 8 17 6
--------------- 16 11 0
„ Assistant Secretary, ditto ... 0 10 0
„ Ditto ditto ... 0 10 0
---------------10 0
„ Treasurer, ditto, etc............. 6 11 8
------------24 2 8
„ Secretary's Salary for year ending June 30, 1866...... 25 0 0
„ Assistant ditto ditto ditto ......
35 0 0
„ B. Curtice, Reporting ditto ditto ......
12 12 0
„ Natural History Society's Subscription for year ending
Oct. 3, 1865..................... 20 0 0
„ Insurance on Property at Institute Rooms ... 0 12 0
„ Ditto ditto called Stock, per A. Reid 1 16 0
------------2 8 0
„ William Cochrane's expenses connected with
Manchester Meeting ......... 6 13 0
„ Messrs. Lee and Nightingale, Reporting and
Advertising ditto ............ 16 13 8
-----------23 6 8
„ Robert Turner, for Portrait of late Nicholas Wood, Esq. 34 13 0
„ Messrs. Robinson and Co. for Stationery ......... 04 6
„ Thomas Crawford, for assisting in Drawing this Balance
Sheet........................ 110
„ Balance in hands of Treasurer at this date ... 965 18 5
,, Ditto Liquidators of District Bank, being proportion of deposit yet
unpaid ............... 18 10 10
„ R. Stephenson, Esq., Legacy, invested on
Mortgage of Northumberland Dock Rates 2000 0 0
„ Deposited at Messrs. Lambton's Bank, Newcastle-upon-Tyne ............
300 0 0
--------------- 3284 9 3
• £3904 18 1
^atwm
His Grace the Duke of Northumberland.
The Right Honourable the Earl of Lonsdale.
The Right Honourable the Earl Grey.
The Right Honourable the Earl of Durham.
The Right Honourable the Earl Vane.
The Right Honourable Lord Wharncliffe.
The Right Honourable Lord Ravensworth.
The Right Reverend the Lord Bishop of Durham.
The Very Reverend the Dean and Chapter of Durham.
Wentworth B. Beaumont, Esq., M.P.
lottonmj 3&tmbm.
William Alexander, Esq., Inspector of Mines, Glasgow.
John J. Atkinson, Esq., Inspector of Mines, Chilton Moor, Fence
Houses. Lionel Brough, Esq., Inspector of Mines, Clifton, Bristol,
Somersetshire. Joseph Dickinson, Esq., Inspector of Mines, Manch3ster,
Lancashire. Matthias Dunn, Esq., Ex-Inspector of Mines. Thomas Evans, Esq.,
Inspector of Mines, Field Head House, Belper. John Hedley, Esq., Inspector
of Mines, Derby.
Peter Higson, Esq., Inspsctor of Mines, 94, Cross Street, Manchester.
Charles Morton, Esq., Inspector of Mines, Wakefield, Yorkshire. Thomas
Wynne, Esq., Inspector of Mines, Long-ton, North Staffordshire. Goldsworthy
Gurney, Esq., Bude Castle, Cornwall. M. de Boureuille, Commander de la
Leg-ion d'Honneur, Conseiller d'etat,
Inspector General of Mines, Paris. Dr. H. Von Dechen, Berg-hauptmann,
Bitter, etc., Bonn on the Bhine,
Prussia. Herr R. Von Carnall, Berg-hauptmann, Bitter, etc., Breslau,
Silesia,,
Prussia. M. De Vaux, Inspecting General of Mines, Brussels, Belgium. M.
Gonot, Mining Engineer, Mons, Belgium.
fife Member,
H. J. Morton, Esq., Garforth House, Leeds, Yorkshire.
OFFICERS? 1866-7.
Incident
Thomas E. Forster, 7, Ellison Place, Newcastle-upon-Tyne.
John Taylor, Earsdon, Newcastle-upon-Tyne.
William Armstrong, Wing-ate Grange, Ferry Hill.
George Elliot, Betley Hall, Crewe.
Edward Potter, Cramlington, Newcastle-upon-Tyne.
Sir W. G. Armstrong, Jesmond, Newcastle-upon-Tyne.
Isaac L. Bell, Washington, Washington Station, N.E. Railway.
$otttt*|iL
Lindsay Wood, Hetton Hall, Fence Houses. T. Douglas, Peases' West
Collieries, Darlington. S. C. Crone, Killing-worth Colliery,
Newcastle-upon-Tyne. C. Berkley, Marley Hill Collieries, Gateshead. J.
Daglish, Belmont Hall, Durham.
J. B. Simpson, Hedgefield House, Blaydon, Newcastle-upon-Tyne. T. G. Hurst,
Backworth, Newcastle-upon-Tyne. J. T. Ramsay, Walbottle Colliery. Wm.
Cochrane, Seghill House, near Cramlington. J. F. Spencer, Consulting
Engineer, 3, St. Nicholas' Buildings, Newcastle-upon-Tyne. Capt. A. Noble,
Jesmond, Newcastle-upon-Tyne. Dr. Richardson, Framlington Place,
Newcastle-upon-Tyne. P. G. B. Westmacott, Elswick Ordnance Works,
Newcastle-upon-Tyne. R. S. Newall, Ferae Dene, Gateshead. J. F. Tone, C.E.,
Westgate Street, Newcastle-upon-Tyne. John Marley, Mining Offices,
Darling-ton. G. W. Southern, Hallgarth House, Durham. G. B. Forster,
Backworth, Newcastle-upon-Tyne. Hugh Taylor, Earsdon, Newcastle-upon-Tyne )
n* •
J. T. Woodhouse, Midland Road, Derby \ ex-ojpcio.
Edward F. Boyd, Moor House, Durham.
Thomas Doubleday,. Newcastle-upon-Tyne.
Assistant ^nftterg*
Richard Howse, 17, Saville Row, Newcastle-upon-Tyne.
AUGUST, 1866.
1 Adams, W., Severn House, Roath Road, Cardiff, Glamorganshire.
2 Aitken, Henry, Falkirk, North Britain.
3 Anderson, C. W., St. Hilda's Colliery, South Shields.
4 Anderson, Joseph, Solicitor, Neville Hall, Newcastle.
5 Anderson, William, Rainton Colliery, Fence Houses.
6 Appleby, Charles Edward, Reinshaw Iron Works, near Chesterfield.
7 Armstrong-, W., Wing-ate Grange, Ferry Hill, County of Durham.
8 Armstrong, C.B., Sir W. G., Jesmond, Newcastle.
9 Ashwell, Hatfield, Anchor Colliery, Longton, North Staffordshire.
10 Attwood, Charles, Holywood House, Wolsingham, Darlington.
11 Aytoun, Robert, 3, Fettes Row, Edinburgh.
1 2 Bagnall, jun., Thomas, Whitby, Yorkshire.
13 Bailes, jun., Thos., 3, Queen's Terrace, Gateshead.
14 Bailey, W. W., Kilburn, near Derby.
15 Bailey, Samuel, The Pleck, Walsall, Staffordshire.
16 Barkus, jun., Wm., Hollymount, Bedlington.
17 Bartholomew, C, Doncaster, Yorkshire.
18 Bassett, A., Tredegar Mineral Estate Office, Cardiff, Glamorganshire.
19 Beacher, E. Thorncliffe and Cbapeltown Collieries, Sheffield.
20 Beckett, Henry, Pennover, Wolverhampton.
21 Bell, John, Normanby Mines, Middlesbro'-on-Tees.
22 Bell, I. L., Washington, County of Durham.
23 Bell, T., South Moor Colliery, Chester-le-Street, Durham.
24 Benson, T. W., Cowpen Colliery, Blyth.
25 Berkley, C, Marley Hill Colliery, Gateshead, County of Durham.
26 Bewick, Thomas J., Allenheads, Haydon Bridge, Northumberland.
27 Bigland, J., Bedford Lodge, Bishop Auckland, County of Durham.
28 Binns, C. Claycross, Derbyshire.
29 Biram, Benjamin, Peasely Cross Collieries, St. Helen's, Lancashire.
30 Blackwell, J. Howard.
(xvii) ?
31 Bolckow, H. W. R, Middlesbro'«#n-Tees, Yorkshire.
32 Bourne, P., Whitehaven, Cumberland.
33 Bourne, S., West Cumberland Hematite Iron Works, Workington.
34 Bourne, Thos. R., Care of Ashton Williams, Esq., Black Rock
Grange, Newton-in-Cartmel.
35 Bowie, Alexander, Canonbie Colliery, Canonbie, Carlisle.
36 Boyd, Edward F., Moor House, Durham.
37 Boyd, M.E., Nelson, Belfast Foundry, Donegal Street, Belfast.
38 Braithwaite, Thomas, Eglinton Iron Works, Killwinning, Ayrshire.
39 Breckon, J. R., Darlington.
40 Brogden, James, Tondu Iron and Coal Works, Bridgend, Glamor-
ganshire.
41 Brown, J., Harbro' House, Barnsley, Yorkshire.
42 Brown, John N., 56, Union Passage, New Street, Birmingham.
43 Brown, Thos. Forster, Gaveller's Office, Coleford, Gloucestershire.
44 Brown, Ralph, Ryhope Colliery, Sunderland.
45 Bryham, William, Rose Bridge, &c, Collieries, Wigan, Lancashire.
46 Bryham, jun., Wm., Ince Hall, Wigan.
47 Bunning, C.E., Theo. Wood, Newcastle-upon-Tyne.
48 Burn, James, Rainton Colliery, Fence Houses.
49 Burns, Edward, 14, Pimblett Street, Cheetham, Manchester.
50 Buxton, William, Snibstone Collieries, near Leicester.
51 Cadwaladr, R., Broughton Colliery, Wrexham, Denbighshire.
52 Campbell, James, Staveley Works, Chesterfield.
53 Carr, Charles, Cramlington, Newcastle-upon-Tyne.
54 Carr, William Cochrane, Blaydon, Newcastle-upon-Tyne.
55 Carrington, jun., Thomas, Holywell House, Chesterfield.
56 Chadborn, Beckit T., Pinxton Collieries, Alfreton, Derbyshire.
57 Childe, Rowland, Wakefield, Yorkshire.
58 Clark, William, Shotton and Haswell Collieries, Fence Houses.
59 Clark, Christopher Fisher, Garswood, Newton-le-Willows.
60 Clarke, Edmund, Colliery Guardian Office, Wigan.
61 Cochrane, W., Seghill House, near Cramlington.
62 Cochrane, C, The Ellowes, near Dudley.
63 Cockburn, William, Hutton Low Cross Mines, Guisbro', Yorkshire.
64 Coke, Richard George, Tapton Grove, Chesterfield, Derbyshire.
65 Cole, W. R., Bebside Colliery, Morpeth.
6Q Collis, William Blow, Amblecote, Stourbridge, Worcestershire.
c
(xviii)
67 Cook, .Richard, East Holywell Colliery, Earsdon, Newcastle-upon-
Tyne.
68 Cooke, John, 4, Mulberry Street, Darling-ton.
69 Cookson, Norman, Newcastle-upon-Tyne.
70 Cooksey, Joseph, West Bromwich, Staffordshire.
71 Cooksey, J. H., West Bromwich, Staffordshire.
72 Cooper, Philip, Rotherham Colliery, Rotherham, Yorkshire.
73 Cooper, Thomas, Park Gate Colliery, Rotherham, Yorkshire.
74 Cope, J., Pensnett, Dudley, Worcester.
75 Cossham, H., Hill House, Bristol, Somersetshire.
76 Coulson, W., Crossgate Foundry, Durham.
77 Cowen, jun., Joseph, Blaydon Burn, Newcastle-upon-Tyne.
78 Coxon, S. B., Usworth Colliery, Washing-ton Station, Durham.
79 Crawford, T., Little Town Colliery, Durham.
80 Crawhall, G. E., St. Ann's Rope Works, Newcastle-upon-Tyne.
81 Croften, J. G., Bowdon Close Colliery, Crook, Darling-ton.
82 Crone, S. C, Killing-worth Colliery, Newcastle-upon-Tyne.
83 Curry, James, Turston, Pontefract.
84 Dag-lish, F.G.S., J., Belmont Hall, Durham.
85 Dakers, jun., Thomas, Willing-ton Colliery, Durham.
86 Dakers, W., Seaham Collieries, Sunderland.
87 Darling-ton, James, Spring-field House, near Chorley, Lancashire.
88 Darling-ton, John, Moorg-ate Street Chambers, London, E.C.
89 Davison, A., Hasting-s Cottag-e, SeatonDelaval, Newcastle-upon-Tyne.
90 Davidson, James, Newbattle Colliery, Dalkeith.
91 Dees, J., Whitehaven, Cumberland.
92 Dennis, Henry, Brynyr Owen, Ruabon, Denbighshire.
93 Dickinson, W. R., South Derwent Colliery, Annfield Plain, Gateshead.
94 Dixon, Georg-e, Lowther Street, Whitehaven, Cumberland.
95 Dobson, S., Halswell Cottag-e, Cardiff, Glamorganshire.
96 Doming, Elias, 41, John Dalton Street, Manchester.
97 Douglas, T., Peases' West Collieries, Darlington.
98 Dunn, T., Richmond Hill, Sheffield, Yorkshire.
99 Dunn, C.E., Thomas, Windsor Bridge Iron Works, Manchester.
100 Dyson, George, Tudhoe Iron Works, Ferry Hill.
101 Easton, J., Nest House, Gateshead.
102 Elliot, G., Betley Hall, Crewe.
(xix)
.
103 Elliot, W., Weardale Iron Works, Towlaw, Darlington.
104 Embleton, T. W., The Cedars, Methley, Leeds.
105 Evans, William, Ruabon Iron Works, Ruabon.
106 Feare, G., Camerton Coal Works, Bath.
107 Fenwick, Barnabas, Broomhill Colliery, Acklington.
108 Fletcher, C.E., Jos., 69, Lowther Street, Whitehaven.
109 Fletcher, John, Clifton Colliery, Manchester.
110 Fletcher, Isaac, Clifton Colliery, Workington.
111 Fletcher, Herbert, Clifton Colliery, Manchester.
112 Foord, J. B., General Mining Association Secretary, 52, Broad
Street, London.
113 Forster, J. H., Old Elvet, Durham.
114 Forster, A.M., G. B., Backworth, Newcastle-upon-Tyne.
115 Forster, Thomas E., 7, Ellison Place, Newcastle-upon-Tyne.
116 Fothergill, Joseph, Cowpen and North Seaton Office, Quayside,
Newcastle-upon-Tyne.
117 Fowler, Geo., Donisthorpe, Ashby-de-la-Zouch, Leicestershire.
118 Firth, William, Birley Wood, Leeds.
119 Firth, S., 5, Port Street, Manchester.
120 Fryar, Mark, Team Colliery, Gateshead.
121 Gainsford, William Dunn, Darnall Hall, Sheffield.
122 Gainsford, Thos. R., 18, York Place, Leeds.
123 Gardner, M. B., Tondu Iron and Coal Works, Bridgend, Glamor-
ganshire.
124 Garforth, W. G., Lord's Field Colliery, Ashton-under-Lyne.
125 Gillett, F. C, 5, Wardwick, Derby.
126 Gilroy, G., Ince Hall Colliery, Wigan, Lancashire.
127 Glover, B. B., Mining Engineer, Newton-le-Willows, Lancashire.
128 Goddard, C.E., William, Golden Hill Colliery, Longton, North
Staffordshire.
129 Gooch, G. H., Lintz Colliery, Gateshead.
130 Gott, Wm. L., Willington Colliery, Durham.
131 Greeves, J. O., Roundwood Colliery, Horbury, Wakefield, Yorkshire.
132 Green, jun., Wm., 6, St. Mary's Terrace, Newcastle-upon-Tyne.
133 Greener, Thos., Etherley Colliery, Darlington.
134 Greenwell, F.G.S., G. C, Poynton and Worth Collieries, Stockport,
Cheshire.
135 Greig, D., Leeds.
(XX)
136 Haggie, P., Gateshead.
137 Hales, Onas, Oakpits Colliery, Mold, Flintshire.
138 Hall, T. Y., 11, Eldon Square, Newcastle-upon-Tyne.
139 Hall, William F., Brotton Mines, Saltburn-by-the-Sea.
140 Hall, Henry, Haswell Colliery, Fence Houses.
141 Harden, J. W., Folshill Colliery, Coventry, Warwickshire.
142 Harper, Matthew, Whitehaven, Cumberland.
143 Harrison, C.E., T. E., Central Station, Newcastle-upon-Tyne.
144 Harrison, Robert, Eastwood Collieries, Nottingham.
145 Hawthorn, C.E., R., Engineer, Newcastle-upon-Tyne.
146 Hawthorn, C.E., W., Engineer, Newcastle-upon-Tyne.
147 Herdman, John, Park Crescent, Bridgend, Glamorganshire.
148 Heath, Robert, Biddulph Valley Coal and Iron Works, Stoke-upon-
Trent.
149 Heckels, R., Pensher House, Fence Houses.
150 Hedley, Edward, Osmaston Street, Derby.
151 Hedley, W. H., Consett Collieries, Medomsley, by Gateshead.
152 Heppell, Thomas, Little Town Colliery, Durham.
153 Heslop, James, Peases' West Collieries, Darlington.
154 Hetherington, David, Netherton, Morpeth.
155 Hewlett, Alfred, Haigh Colliery, Wigan, Lancashire.
156 Hindhaugh, Thos. S., Moreton Hall Colliery, near Chirk, Denbigh-
shire.
157 Higson, Jacob, 94, Cross Street, Manchester.
158 Higson, P., jun., Brookland, Swinton, Manchester.
159 Hill, Arthur.
160 Hilton, T. W., Haigh, Wig-an.
161 Hodgson, R., Engineer, Whitburn, Sunderland.
162 Homer, Charles S., Chatterley Hall, Tunstall.
163 Hood, Archibald, Whitehill Colliery, Lasswade, Edinburgh.
164 Hopper, John, Britannia Iron Works, Houghton-le-Spring.
165 Horsley, W., Whitehill Point, Percy Main.
166 Horsfall, J. J., Fanbottom Colliery, Ashton-under-Lyne.
167 Horton, T. E., Prior's Lee Hall, Shiffnal, Shropshire.
168 Howard, Wm. Frederick, Kiveton Park Colliery, near Worksop.
169 Hudson, James, Albion Mines, Pictou, Nova Scotia.
170 Humble, jun., Joseph, Garesfield, Blaydon-on-Tyne.
171 Hunt, J. P., Corngreaves, Birmingham.
172 Hunt, A. H., Pelaw Main Office, Quayside, Newcastle-upon-Tyne.
(xxi)
173 Hunter, Wm., Moor Lodge, Newcastle-upon-Tjoie.
174 Hunter, William, Morriston, Swansea, Glamorganshire.
175 Hurst, T. G., Back worth Colliery, Newcastle-upon-Tyne.
176 Jackson, Henry, Astley and Tyldesley Collieries, Tyldesley, Man-
chester.
177 Jackson, John, Clay Cross, Chesterfield.
178 Jeffcock, P., Midland Road, Derby.
179 Jenkins, M.E., William, 3, Brighton Terrace, Roath, Cardiff.
180 Jobling, T. W., Point Pleasant, Wallsend, Newcastle-upon-Tyne.
181 Johnson, John, Chilton Hall, Ferry Hill.
182 Johnson, R. S., Haswell, Fence Houses.
183 Joicey, John, Urpeth Hall, Fence Houses.
184 Jones, E., Granville Lodge, Wellington, Salop.
185 Kenrick, Wm. Wynn, Wynn Hall, near Ruabon, Denbighshire.
186 Kerr, John, Auchinheath, Lesmahagow, Lanarkshire, N.B.
187 Kimpster, W., Quay, Newcastle-upon-Tyne.
188 Knowles, A., High Bank, Pendlebury, Manchester.
189 Knowles, John, Pendlebury Colliery, Manchester.
190 Knowles, Thomas, Ince Hall, Wigan.
191 Knowles, jun., Andrew, Eagley Bank Colliery, Bolton, Lancashire.
192 Knowles, Kaye, Little Lever Colliery, near Bolton.
193 Knowles, R. M., Eagley Bank, Bolton.
194 Lamb, Robert, Cleator Moor Colliery, near Whitehaven.
195 Lamb, R. O., Axwell Park.
196 Lancaster, John, Ashfield, Wigan.
197 Lancaster, jun., John, Hunwick and Newfield Collieries, Ferry Hill.
198 Lancaster, Joshua, Coal and Iron Works, near Wigan.
199 Lancaster, Samuel, Kirkless Hall Colliery, Wigan.
200 Landale, Andrew, Lochgelly Iron Works, Fifeshire, North Britain.
201 Laverick, George Wm., Zion House, Chesterton, near Newcastle-
under-Ly ne.
202 Laws, J., Blyth, Northumberland.
203 Lees, Samuel, Barrowshaw Colliery, Greenacres Moor, near Oldham.
204 Lever, Ellis, West Gorton Works, Manchester.
205 Levick, jun., F., Cwm Celyn and Blaina Iron Works, Newport,
Monmouthshire.
(xxii)
206 Lewis, Henry, Swannington Colliery, near Ashby-de-la-Zouch,
Leicestershire.
207 Lewis, T. Wm., Mardy, Aberdare, Glamorganshire.
208 Lewis, G., Coleorton Colliery, Ashby-de-la-Zouch.
209 Lewis, Wm. Thos., Mardy, Aberdare, Wales.
210 Liddell, J. R., Netherton Colliery, Morpeth.
211 Liddell, M., Tynemouth.
212 Lindop, James, Bloxwich, Walsall, Staffordshire.
213 Lishman, Wm., Etherley Colliery, Darlington.
214 Lishman, Wm., Bunker Hill, Fence Houses.
215 Lishman, John, Ridsdale Iron Works, Bellingham.
216 Livesey, Thomas, Chamber Hall, Hollinwood, Manchester.
217 Livesey, Clegg, Bradford Colliery, Manchester.
218 Llewellin, David, Glanwern Offices, Pontypool, Monmouthshire.
219 Longridge, J., 11, Abingdon Street, Westminster, London, S.W.
220 Love, Joseph, Brancepeth Colliery, Durham.
221 Low, Wm., Vron Colliery, Wrexham, Denbighshire.
222 Low, Wm., jun., Wrexham, Denbighshire.
223 Maddison, W. P., Thornhill Colliery, Dewsbury, Wakefield.
224 Maddison, J., Alexander Street, Newcastle-upon-Tyne.
225 Maddison, W., Coxlodge Colliery, Newcastle-upon-Tyne.
226 Mallet, C.E., F.R.S., Robert, 7, Westminster Chambers, Westminster,
London, S.W.
227 Mammatt, C.E., John E., Barnsley, Yorkshire.
228 Marley, John, Mining Offices, Darlington.
229 Marshall, Robert, 10, Three Indian Kings Court, Quayside, New-
castle-upon-Tyne.
230 Marshall, John, Smithfold Colliery, Little Halton, near Bolton.
231 Marshall, F. C, Jarrow, South Shields.
232 Matthews, Richd. F., South Hetton Colliery, Fence Houses.
233 May, George, North Hetton Colliery, Fence Houses.
234 Maynard, Charles, Cardiff and Newport Collieries, Machen, New-
port, Monmouthshire. «
235 McCulloch, H. J., East Mount, York.
236 McDonald, Hugh, Standish and Shevington Cannel Works, Wigan.
237 McGhie, Thos., Cannock Chase Colliery, Walsall, Staffordshire.
238 McGill, Robert, St. Helen's Colliery, St. Helen's, Lancashire.
239 McMurtrie, J., Radstock Colliery, Bath.
(xxiii)
240 Middleton, J., Davison's Hartley ©ffice, Quay, Newcastle-on-Tyne.
241 Miller, Robt., Outwood, Wakefield, Yorkshire.
242 Mitchinson, jun., Robt., Kibblesworth Colliery, Gateshead.
243 Monkhouse, Joseph, Gilcrux Colliery, Cockermouth.
244 Morison, David P., Pelton Colliery, Chester-le-Street.
245 Morris, William, Waldridge Colliery, Chester-le-Street.
246 Morton, H., Lambton, Fence Houses.
247 Morton, H. T., Lambton, Fence Houses.
248 Muckle, John, Manston Collieries, near Leeds.
249 Mulcaster, H., Colliery Office, Whitehaven.
250 Mulcaster, Joshua, Crosby Colliery, Maryport.
251 Morrison, James, Gresham Place, Newcastle-on-Tyne.
252 Morrison, H. M., Rainton Colliery, Durham.
253 Murray, B.
254 Mulvany, Wm. Thos., 1335, Carls Thor, Dusseldorf on the Rhine,
Prussia.
255 Murray, T. H., Chester-le-Street, Fence Houses.
256 Napier, Colin, Westminster Colliery, Wrexham, Denbighshire.
257 Newall, Robert Stirling, Fern Dene, Gateshead.
258 Nicholson, William, Seghill Colliery, Newcastle-upon-Tyne.
259 Nicholson, Marshall, Middleton Hall, Leeds.
260 Noble, Captain, Jesmond, Newcastle-on-Tyne.
261 North, Frederick, Tipton, Staffordshire.
262 Oliver, Wm., Stanhope Barn Offices, Stanhope, Darlington.
263 Oliver, John, Victoria Colliery, Coventry.
264 Oliver, Geo., Peases' West Collieries, Darlington.
265 Palmer, C. M., Quay, Newcastle-upon-Tyne.
266 Palmer, A. S., Port Mulgrave, Redcar, Yorkshire.
267 Peace, Maskell Wm., Solicitor, Wigan, Lancashire.
268 Pearce, F. H., Bowling Iron Works, Bradford, Yorkshire.
269 Pease, J. W., Woodlands, Darlington.
270 Peel, John, Springwell Colliery, Gateshead.
271 Perrott, Sam. W., Hibernia and Shamrock Collieries, Gelsenkirchen,
Dusseldorf.
272 Piggford, Jonathan, Haswell Colliery, Fence Houses.
273 Pilkington, jun., Wm., St. Helen's, Lancashire.
(xxiv)
274 Potter, E., Cramlington, Newcastle-upon-Tyne.
275 Potter, W. A., Monk Bretton, Barnsley, Yorkshire.
276 Powell, T., Coldea, Newport, Monmouthshire.
277 Ramsay, J. T., Walbottle Colliery, Newcastle-upon-Tyne.
278 Reed, Robert, Felling- Colliery, Gateshead.
279 Rees, Daniel, Lletty Shenkin Colliery, Aberdare, Glamorganshire.
280 Richardson, Dr., Neville Hall, Newcastle-upon-Tyne.
281 Richardson, Henry, Backworth Colliery, Newcastle.
282 Robson, J. S., Butterknowle Colliery, Staindrop, Darlington.
283 Robson, Neil, 127, St. Vincent Street, Glasgow.
284 Robson, Thomas, Lumley Colliery, Fence Houses.
285 Rockwell, Alfd. P., M.A., Norwich, Connecticut, United States,
America.
286 Ronaldson, James, Clough Hall Coal and Iron Works, Stoke-upon-
Trent.
287 Rose, Thomas, Millfield Iron Works, Bilston, Wolverhampton,
Staffordshire.
288 Ross, A., Shipcote Colliery, Gateshead.
289 Rosser, Wm., Mineral Surveyor, Llanelly, Carmarthenshire.
290 Routledge, William (J. B. Foord), 52, Old Broad Street, London, E.G.
291 Russell, Robert, Gosforth Colliery, Newcastle-upon-Tyne.
292 Rutherford, J., Inspector of Mines, Halifax, Nova Scotia.
293 Sanderson, R. B., West Jesmond, Newcastle-upon-Tyne.
294 Sanderson, Thomas, Seaton Delaval, Newcastle-upon-Tyne.
295 Seddon, Wm., Lower Moor Collieries, Oldham, Lancashire.
296 Shield, Hugh, Woodifield and Whitelee Collieries, Crook, Darlington.
297 Shortreed, Thos., Park House, Winstanley, Wigan.
298 Simpson, L., South America, per E. Simpson, Dipton, Gateshead.
299 Simpson, R,, Townley Office, 4, Queen Street, Quay, Newcastle-
upon-Tyne.
300 Simpson, John Bell, Hedgefield House, Blaydon.
301 Smith, F., Bridgewater Offices, Manchester.
302 Smith, jun., J., Mining Engineer, Thornley Colliery, Sunderland.
303 Smith, Edmund J., 14, Whitehall Place, Westminster, London, S.W.
304 Smith, Thomas Taylor, Oxhill, Chester-le-Street.
305 Sopwith, F.G.S., etc., T., 43, Cleveland Square, London, W.
306 Southern, G. W., Hallgarth House, Durham.
(xxv) *
307 Southern, Robert, Cassop CollieryfFerryhiH.
308 Spark, H. K., Darlington, County of Durham.
309 Spencer, J. F., 3, St. Nicholas Buildings, Newcastle-upon-Tyne.
310 Spencer, W., West Staveley Colliery, Chesterfield.
311 Steavenson, A. L., Skelton Mines, Guisbro', Yorkshire.
312 Steel, Charles R., EUenborough Colliery, Maryport, Cumberland.
313 Stenson, W. T., Whifcwick Colliery, Coalville, near Leicester.
314 Stephenson, George R., 24, Great George Street, Westminster,
London, S.W.
315 Stobart, H. S., Witton-le-Wear, Darlington.
316 Stott, James, Basford Hall, Stoke-on-Trent.
317 Sutcliffe, John C, North Gawber Colliery, Barnsley.
318 Swallow, R. T., Pontop Colliery, Gateshead.
319 Swallow, John, Harton Colliery, South Shields.
320 Taylor, H., Earsdon, Newcastle-upon-Tyne.
321 Taylor, H., Tynemouth.
322 Taylor, J., Earsdon, Newcastle-upon-Tyne.
323 Telford, W., Cramlington, Newcastle-upon-Tyne.
324 Thompson, John, Marley Hill Colliery, Gateshead.
325 Thompson, John, Field House, Hoole, Chester.
326 Thompson, T. C, Milton Hall, Carlisle, Cumberland.
327 Thompson, Astley, Truro, near Cardiff.
328 Thompson, James, Bishop Auckland.
329 Thorman, John, Ripley, Derbyshire.
330 Tone, C.E., John F., Westgate Street, Newcastle-upon-Tyne.
331 Trotter, J., Newnham, Gloucestershire.
332 Truran, Matthew, Dowlais Iron Works, Merthyr Tydvil, Glamor-
ganshire.
333 Vaughan, John, Middlesbro'-on-Tees.
334 Vaughan, Thomas, Middlesbro'-on-Tees.
335 Varley, James, Waterloo Foundry, St. Helen's, Lancashire.
336 Verner, Albert, 31, Old El vet, Durham.
337 Wales, T. E., Brunswick Place, Swansea, Wales.
338 Ward, Henry, Priestfield Iron Works, Oaklands, Wolverhampton.
339 Wardell, Frank N., Plashetts Colliery, Newcastle-upon-Tyne.
340 Warrington, John, Kippax, near Leeds.
d
(xxvi)
341 Watkin, Wm. J. L., Pemberton Colliery, Wigan.
342 Watson, W., High Bridge, Newcastle-upon-Tyne.
343 Webster, R. C, Ruabon Collieries, Ruabon, Denbighshire.
344 Weeks, John G., Phos Llantivit Colliery, Caerphilly, Glamorganshire.
345 Westmacott, Percy G. B., Elswick Iron Works, Newcastle.
346 Whalley, Thomas, Orrell Mount, Wigan.
347 White, Jos. T., 68, Westgate, Wakefield.
348 Williams, E. (Bolckow, Vaughan, and Co., Middlesbro').
349 Willis, James, Washington Colliery, Washington Station, County
of Durham.
350 Wilmer, F. B., Usworth Colliery, Washington Station, County of
Durham.
351 Wilson, J. B, BTaydock, near St. Helen's, Lancashire.
352 Wilson, R., Flimby Colliery, Mary port, Cumberland.
353 Wilson, J. Straker, Ruardean Villa, near Newnham, Gloucestershire.
354 Wood, C. L., Black Boy Colliery, Bishop Auckland.
355 Wood, Lindsay, Hetton Colliery, Fence Houses.
356 Wood, W. H., West Hetton, Ferry Hill.
357 Wood, John, Flockton Collieries, Wakefield, Yorkshire.
358 Wood, William 0., Brancepeth Colliery, Durham.
359 Woodhouse, J. T., Midland Road, Derby.
360 Wright, C, Tylden, Shireoak Colliery, Worksop, Nottinghamshire.
351 Armstrong-, L., Cowpen Colliery, Blyth, Northumberland.
362 Bainbridge, Emerson, Londonderry Collieries, Durham.
363 Booth, R. L., Rainton Gate, Fence Houses.
364 Coates, C. N., Skelton Mines, Guisbro'.
365 Crawford, Thos., West Rainton, Fence Houses.
366 Dodd, Benj., Seaton Delaval Colliery, Newcastle.
367 Embleton, jun., T. W., The Cedars, Methley, Leeds.
368 Gilchrist, Thos., Newbottle Colliery, Fence Houses.
369 Harrison, John G., Chilton Offices, Ferry Hill.
370 Maughan, James A., Benwell Colliery, Newcastle.
371 Parrington, Matthew, Normanby Mines, Middlesbro'-on-Tees.
372 Peile, William, Corkickle Forge, Whitehaven, Cumberland.
373 Ramsay, Thomas Dunlop, Trimdon Colliery, Ferry Hill.
(xvii)
374 Ridley, George, Cowpen Colliery, Blyth, Northumberland.
375 Sopwith, Arthur, 103, Victoria Street, Westminster, London, S.W.
376 Taylor, W. N., Ryhope Colliery, Sunderland.
377 Wardell, Stuart C, Townley Colliery, Blaydon, Newcastle.
378 Wright, George H., Rainton Colliery, Fence Houses.
%M of $nbmikin$ djall^ri^.
Owners of Stella Colliery, Ryton, Newcastle-upon-Tyne.
„ Kepier Grange Colliery, by Durham.
,, Leasingthorne Colliery, Ferry Hill.
„ Westerton Colliery, Ferry Hill.
„ Poynton and Worth Collieries, Stockport, Cheshire.
„ Black Boy Colliery, Bishop Auckland.
„ North Hetton Colliery, Fence Houses.
„ Haswell Colliery, Fence Houses.
„ South Hetton and Murton Collieries,. Fence Houses.
;, Earl Durham, Lambton Collieries, Fence Houses.
„ Seghill Colliery, Seghill, near Newcastle.
„ East Holywell Colliery, North Shields.
„ Hetton Collieries, Fence Houses.
„ Whitworth Colliery, Ferry Hill.
%n\w.
I.—The objects of the North of England Institute of Mining Engineers are to'
enable its members to meet together at fixed periods, and to discuss the
means for the Ventilation of Coal and other Mines, the Winning and Working
of Collieries and Mines, the Prevention of Accidents, and the Advancement of
the Science of Mining generally.
2.—The Members of the North of England Institute of Mining Engineers shall
consist of four classes of Members, viz.:—Ordinary Members, Life Members,
Graduates, and Honorary Members.
3.—Ordinary and Life Members shall be persons practising as Mining and
Mechanical Engineers, and other persons connected with or interested in
Mining.
4.—Graduates shall be persons engaged in study to qualify themselves for the
profession of Mining Engineers.
5.—Honorary Members shall be persons who have distinguished themselves by
their literary or scientific attainments, or who have made important
communications to the Society.
6.—The Annual Subscription of each Ordinary Member shall be £2 2s., payable
in advance, and the same is to be considered due and payable on the first
Saturday of August in each year, or immediately after his election.
7.—The Annual Subscription of each Graduate shall be £1 Is., payable in
advance, and the same is to be considered due and payable on the first
Saturday of August in each year, or immediately after his election.
8.—All persons who shall at one time make a donation of £20 or upwards,
shall be Life Members.
9.—Each Subscriber of £2 2s. annually (not being a member) shall be entitled
to a ticket to admit one person to the rooms, library, meetings, lectures,
and public proceedings of the Society; and for every additional £2 2s.
subscribed annually,"* another person shall be admis-
(xxx)
sible up to the number of five persons; and each such Subscriber shall also
be entitled for each £2 2s. subscription to have a copy of the proceedings
of the Institute sent him.
10.—Persons desirous of being- admitted into the Institute as Ordinary
Members, Life Members, or Graduates, shall be proposed by three Ordinary or
Life Members, or both, at a General Meeting-. The nomination shall be in
writing, and signed by the proposers, and shall state the name and residence
of the individuals proposed, whose election shall be balloted for at the
next following General Meeting, and during the interval notice of the
nomination shall be exhibited in the Society's room. Every person proposed
as an honorary Member shall be recommended by at least five Members of the
Society, and elected by ballot at the following General Meeting. A majority
of votes shall determine every election.
11.—That the Officers of the Institute shall consist of a President, six
Vice-Presidents (four of whom, only to be mining engineers), and eighteen
Councillors (twelve of whom, only to be mining engineers), who, with the
Treasurer and Secretaries (if Members of the Institute), shall constitute a
Council for the direction and management of the affairs of the Institute;
all of which Officers shall be elected at the Annual Meeting, and shall be
eligible for reelection, with the exception of the three Councillors-whose
attendance have been fewest, and such Vice-Presidents as have held office
for three consecutive years; but such Members are eligible for reelection
after being one year out of office. All Officers, with the exception of the
paid Officers (who need not necessarily be Members of the Institute), to be
nominated at the General Meeting next before the Annual Meeting; a list of
whom, with voting papers, shall be posted to every Member at least fourteen
days previous to the Annual Meeting. All nomination and voting papers must
be in writing, and signed by the respective Members, and delivered
personally or forwarded under cover, and in the latter case signed, sealed,
and addressed to the Secretary, so as to be in his hands before the hour
fixed for the nomination or election of Officers. The Chairman shall, in all
cases of voting, appoint scrutineers of the lists, and the scrutiny shall
commence on the conclusion of the other business of the meeting. At meetings
of the Council, five shall be a quorum, and the Minutes of the Council's
proceedings shall be at all times open to the inspection of the Members of
the Institute.
12.-^That the Vice-Presidents who have become, or may become,
(xxxi)
ineligible, from having held office for*three years, shall be, ex-officio,
Members of the Council for the following year.
13.—A General Meeting of the Institute shall be held on the first Thursday
or Saturday, alternately, of every month (except in January and July), at
twelve o'clock noon, or two o'clock if on Saturday; and the General Meeting
in the month of August shall be the Annual Meeting, at which a report of the
proceedings, and an abstract of the accounts of the previous year, shall be
presented by the Council. A Special Meeting of the Institute may be called
whenever the Council shall think fit, and also on a requisition to the
Council, signed by ten or more Members.
14,—Every question which shall come before any meeting of the Institute
shall be decided by the votes of the majority of the Ordinary and Life
Members then present.
15.—The Funds of the Society shall be deposited in the hands of the
Treasurer, and shall be disbursed by him according to the direction of the
Council.
16.—All papers sent for the approval of the Council shall be accompanied by
a short abstract of their contents.
17.—The Council shall have power to decide on the propriety of communicating
to the Institute any papers which may be received, and they shall be at
liberty, when they think it desirable, to direct that any paper read before
the Institute shall be printed and transmitted to the Members. Intimation,
when practicable, shall be given at the close of each General Meeting of the
subject of the paper or papers to be read, and of the questions for
discussion, at the next meeting; and notice thereof shall be affixed in the
rooms of the Institute a reasonable time previously. The reading of papers
shall not be delayed beyond such hour as the President may think proper, and
if the election of Members or other business should not be despatched soon
enough, the President may adjourn such business until after the discussion
of the subject for
the day.
18.—Members elected at any meeting between the Annual Meetings, shall be
entitled to all papers issued in that year.
19,__The Copyright of all papers communicated to and accepted by
the Institute shall become vested in the Institute; and such communications
shall not be published for sale, or otherwise, without the permission of the
Council.
20.—All proofs of discussion forwarded to Members for correction
(xxxii)
must be returned to the Secretary not later than three days from the date of
their receipt.
21.—The Institute is not, as a body, responsible for the facts and opinions
advanced in the papers which may be read, nor in the abstracts of the
conversations which may take place at the meetings of the Institute.
22.—The Author of each paper read before the Institute shall be allowed
twelve copies of such paper (if ordered to be printed) for his own private
use.
23.—The Transactions of the Institute shall not be forwarded to Members
whose subscription is more than one year in arrear.
24.—No duplicate copies of any portion of the proceeding's shall be issued
to any of the Members unless by written order from the Council.
25.—Each Member or Graduate of the Institute shall have power to introduce a
stranger to any of the General Meetings of the Institute, and shall sign, in
a book kept for the purpose, his own name as well as the name and address of
the person introduced; but such stranger shall not take part in any
discussion or other business, unless permitted by the meeting to do so.
26.—No alteration shall be made in any of the Laws, Rules, or Regulations of
the Institute, except at the Annual General Meeting, or at a Special
Meeting, and the particulars of every such alteration shall be announced at
a previous General Meeting, and inserted in its minutes, and shall be
exhibited in the room of the Institute fourteen days previous to such Annual
or Special Meeting, and such Meeting shall have power to adopt any
modification of such proposed alteration of, or addition to, the Rules.
ERRATA.
Page 181, line 11. lor line read hire.
Page 265, line 5. For Washington Colliery, etc., read, Washington
Colliery, were
convicted but not punished, owing to the arrangement of the solicitors. Page
266, Appendix A, line 5. Dele from the Bishoprick Halmot Court Book,
and read from the Enrolled Decrees of the Court of Chancery of Durham.
NORTH OF ENGLAND INSTITUTE
OP
MINING ENGINEERS.
GENERAL MEETING, SATURDAY, SEPT 2, 1865, IN THE ROOMS OF THE INSTITUTE,
WESTGATE STREET, NEWCASTLE-UPON-TYNE.
E. POTTER, Esq., Vice-President, in the Chair.
The minutes of the Council having been read, the following new members were
elected :—Mr. John Hopper, Britannia Works, Houghton-le-Spring; Mr. James
Morrison, Gresham Place, Newcastle; Mr. Edward Williams,
Middlesborough-on-Tees; Mr. William Anderson, Rainton Colliery, Fence Houses
; Mr. John Thompson, Field House, Hoole, near Chester; Mr. Robert Lamb,
Cleator Moor Colliery, near Whitehaven j Mr. Embleton (a graduate), Seaham
Colliery.
Mr. Boyd read a paper, contributed by Mr. T. Y. Hall, on the t* Progress of
Coal-Mining Industry in China."
Mr. Howse said, that carboniferous fossils had been brought from China, and
Devonian also.
Mr. Boyd said, if a single specimen of a fossil from the carboniferous
series had been brought home, it would have been very interesting.
The Chairman said, he had seen coal from the Island of Formosa, and it was
pretty good in quality.
Mr. Boyd said, that looking at its undeveloped coal-fields, the history of
China may be only beginning.
Thanks were then voted to Mr. Hall for his able and interesting paper, after
which the meeting separated.
Vol. XV.—Sept., 1865.
a
NORTH OF ENGLAND INSTITUTE
OF
MINING ENGINEERS.
GENEEAL MEETING, THURSDAY, OCTOBER 5, 1865, IN THE ROOMS OP THE INSTITUTE,
WESTGATE STREET, NEWCASTLE-UPON-TYNE.
HUGH TAYLOR, Esq., Vice-President, in the Chair.
The Secretary read the minutes of the Council,
After which the question of amending Rule 11 was discussed, and an amendment
carried.
Mr. Win. Seddon, Lower Moor Colliery, Oldham, Lancashire, was elected a
member.
Mr. Doubleday read his paper on u The Causes of certain Boiler Explosions,"
which was ordered to be printed.
GENERAL MEETINGS, NOVEMBER 4, AND DECEMBER 7, 1865.
In consequence of the absence of Dr. Richardson, Mr. John Taylor, and many
others whose presence was deemed desirable, the busiriess of these meetings
was adjourned till February next.
ON THE
CAUSES OP CEETAIN SIEAI-BOILER EXPLOSIONS.
By THOMAS DOUBLEDAY.
The following observations are submitted, by their author, as embodying' a
mere theory. He has never attempted to verify his conclusions
experimentally; and, with the exception of one experiment, detailed by
Professor Tyndall in his Treatise on " Heat," he has not seen any account of
any experiments that may seem to confirm the theory he has framed.
It is generally admitted, I believe, by those who have attended to, and are
conversant with, the accounts of explosions of steam boilers, that, in the
circumstances of many of them, and especially of those of a violent nature,
there remains something to be explained. We have many instances of boilers
exploding with terrific violence, under circumstances that give no clue to
any probable or assignable cause for the phenomena. It may be, and probably
is, true, that if—through some almost inconceivable carelessness—the water
of a boiler is suffered to exhaust itself until the iron becomes red-hot, a
supply of water, suddenly let in, may produce an explosion of great
violence. So may a neglected safety-valve. And it may be, also, easily
conceived that, owing to a sedimentary deposit at the bottom from impure
water, the iron may become overheated and its quality deteriorated. This,
however, can hardly be deemed a cause of those terrible explosions which
occur so frequently, although it may account for a plate giving way; with
more or less of risk to those who happen to be near.
These admissions may be safely made; but there are records of catastrophes
caused by boilers bursting, with extraordinary violence and vast damage,
which are quite inexplicable under the evidence adduced. In many of these
cases it has been distinctly shown that there was no want of water j that
the water did not deposit a sedimentary crust, and that the safety-valve, or
valves, were not in bad condition, nor over-loaded.
6
Of these important negatives there has been undeniable proof. Yet,
notwithstanding" all these admitted negations, the boiler has exploded with
vast force, and vast damage to all in its vicinity.
If these assertions be admitted as true,—as, I think, they will be by most
persons who have attended to the subject,—we must look for some other mode
of explaining phenomena at present inexplicable. In one very striking and
suggestive fact, as it appears to me, a clue to this explanation may
possibly be found.
It has been observed and commented upon by those who have narrated the
circumstances of some of these explosions, that many oi the most destructive
have occurred after the boiler has been, for some time, at rest—that is to
say, just after the breakfast or dinner-hour. In this fact may, I
believe, be found a clue to the explanation of the other facts. In order to
begin at the beginning, and to conduct the reader, regularly, to the
conclusions to which it is my aim to lead him, I must first advert to some
general facts connected with water. It is admitted that, in ordinary
cases, all water, and especially all running water, contains, interspersed
throughout its bulk, a considerable portion of atmospheric air, with a
little free oxygen over and above. This is a truth sufficiently
notorious. It is by separating this air from the water that the gills of
fish enable them to breathe; and its presence is necessary to their
existence. I take it for granted, then, that all water, in ordinary use,
contains a considerable quantity of air; and that it is the presence of this
interspersed air that, for the most part, causes the ordinary phenomena of
ebullition. The most accurate experiments that have been tried, in order
to ascertain the relative conducting powers of water and of atmospheric air,
prove that water is a somewhat slow and feeble conductor of heat, and that
atmospheric air,—especially when under more than ordinary pressure,—is,
though not absolutely a non-conductor, even a slower conductor than is
water. I say that it is slower when under pressure than it is when that
pressure is diminished; this being evidenced by the fact, that when water is
exposed to the action of fire at high elevations, ebullition takes place
much sooner than when it is boiled under ordinary circumstances. In ordinary
cases water only boils when heated up to 212° Fahrenheit. But at an
elevation, above the sea, of 10,000 or 12,000 feet, it boils at a much lower
temperature : and Humboldt, I think, states that, upon the ridge of the
Cordillera of the Andes, it was almost impossible to cook an egg by
boiling—the water never retaining sufficient heat to coagulate tlie egg.
This seems to show that, when the air was less condensed, owing to
7
the effect of the diminution of the weight of the column of the atmosphere,
it conveyed the heat more rapidly to the watery particles amongst which it
was interspersed. Hence, those particles sooner became steam, and found
their way to the surface; which is the cause of that motion of heated water
which we term " boiling." I conclude, therefore, that air under pressure is
a very .slow conductor of heat; and that as the pressure is augmented the
time of boiling is delayed; and that if air were not present, the water
could not exhibit the phenomena which we style " boiling."
I now come to a second portion of the theory which I am endeavouring to
establish—
I understand that it is known and admitted, and has been amply proved, that
water may, by being subject to long heating or boiling, be deprived of its
air. And I presume it will be further admitted, as a consequence of this,
that the particles of water thus deprived of the air usually interspersed,
must necessarily cohere more strongly together, as being homogeneous.
If these conclusions be admitted, I assume it, first, as a possibility, and
next, as a probability, that in a boiler of the water of which a portion may
continue long unchanged—the fresh supplies being always introduced when the
water is at a certain level—there may be contained portions of water that
have been deprived of their air. And if this be admitted, it seems
necessarily to follow that these airless portions, being of a greater
density than the rest of the water which contains air—must have a tendency
towards the bottom of the boiler, unless kept from it by some extraneous
action.
Now then, if this be admitted to be not only possible, but to some extent
probable, let us proceed to ascertain what would be likely to happen under
two given sets of circumstances.
If first, we suppose the mass of water in a steam-boiler to contain here and
there smaller bodies of water deprived of air, and the whole subjected to
the action of the furnace, what, under these circumstances will follow? Heat
will be transmitted through the iron bottom to the entire mass, but will
find different portions of that mass very differently circumstanced. The
entire mass consists for the most part of water interspersed with air. To
the particles of water thus mixed with air, that air conveys the heat, and
these particles as they absorb it, one after another become steam, and
ebullition begins as the steam rises, to the surface and escapes. But upon
the small bodies of water deprived.of air the heat cannot so act. They
are homogeneous and only to be heated
8
slowly, and if heated throughout up to 212° Fahrenheit, will not become
steam (as has been frequently proved) even at that temperature. But above
that temperature they cannot, under these circumstances, be raised, any
extra heat will be carried off by the surrounding- air-interspersed water
turning into steam. Hence, these small portions of airless water will merely
be tossed to and fro by the action of ebullition agitating the whole mass,
without becoming steam at all; and this seems to me to be the process that
must go on whilst the boiler is in strong action.
Let us now take an opposite set of circumstances, and ask ourselves, as
before, what kind of results are likely to follow ?
Let us now suppose a boiler, which has been in constant use for some time,
gradually brought to the state which I have described,—that is to say, let
us suppose the water it contains to be, generally, water mixed with air, but
to have here and there interspersed small portions of airless water, made so
by frequent boiling. These portions of airless water, being denser than
water that contains air, must be of slightly greater specific gravity. This
seems undeniable. But as long as the entire mass is kept rapidly boiling,
these portions must be tossed up and down by the ebullition, and prevented
from settling down towards the bottom, which their somewhat greater density
must tend to cause them to do. Let us, however, reverse the circumstances,
and then inquire of what nature the probable results are expected to be ?
If, then, we suppose the action of the furnace to be now discontinued, the
fire slackened or drawn, and the water left to tranquilise itself; this
consequence seems naturally to follow : that the air-deprived portions must
slowly and gradually, owing to their somewhat greater specific gravity, find
their way to the bottom, and there form a sort of substratum of airless
water; all above being composed of water containing the usual mixture of
air. Thus, then, in this supposed case, the bottom of a large boiler may
come to be covered, up to a certain depth, with a layer of water almost or
entirely free of air, quite homogeneous, and with all its particles in close
and intimate coherence. This lower substratum of air-deprived water may be
of such magnitude that, if heated to the steam-producing point (whatever
that may be in such a case), it would produce a prodigious volume of steam.
This is not difficult to be conceived. Let us enquire, then,—for that is the
important point,— what would be the probable consequences of again setting
the furnace in action, the water within being in the state which I have just
described ? It appears to me, that in the case I am supposing, the
consequences would be these :—As the fire gave out heat, this layer of
homogeneous,
9
air-deprived water would gradually absorb it throughout its entire mass.
This heating would be quite regular, and though gradual, it would be more
rapid than the heating of the air-containing water above it. This is
sufficiently obvious ; because, water being a better conductor than air, the
air-less would receive and absorb it, as it came from the furnace, faster
than the air-containing mass above it would receive and absorb it. Thus it
seems to follow, as a necessary result, that the air-deprived, homogeneous
substratum must be brought to the steam-producing point sooner than any
portion of the water above it. It appears further to follow, that the entire
layer, being homogeneous, would reach this point at one moment of time ; and
thus, in the single fraction of a second, a vast number of cubic feet of
steam might leap into existence, and explode the strongest boiler like a
bomb-shell.
In this way I explain these hitherto inexplicable cases of violent boiler
explosions, which are noticed to have occurred soon after the boiler has
been at rest and the fire re-kindled. The immense violence of many of these
recorded explosions of steam-boilers, appears to me to be fully accounted
for, when the following facts are taken into view.
In the first place it has been proved by Professor Tyndall and others, that
water when completely free of air becomes much more dense. " Water (says he
in his Treatise on 'Heat/ pp. 110 and 112) becomes vastly more cohesive, and
in a glass tube when moved, sounds like a solid body." This is when it is
completely deprived of its air, which may be effected by the following
ingenious method. I extract it from page 113 of Tyndall's Treatise.
11 Water, in freezing, completely excludes air from its crystalline
architecture. Supposing then, we melt a piece of pure ice under conditions
where air cannot approach it, we have water in its most highly cohesive
state; and such water when heated, ought to exhibit the effects to which I
have referred. That it does so has been shown by Mr. Faraday. He melted pure
ice under spirits of turpentine, and found that the liquid thus formed,
could be heated far beyond the boiling point, and that the rupture of the
liquid by the act of ebullition took place with almost explosive violence."
This statement unquestionably goes to bear out, to a certain extent, the
conclusions as to the causes of certain violent boiler explosions, at which
I have arrived. More especially will this be allowed when it is considered
that, in all human probability, this experiment was made by heating the
air-less water in an open vessel. At page 112 of his Treatise on u Heat,"
Professor Tyndall, however, makes use of still stronger expressions as to
the result of this particular experiment.
Vol. XV.—Sept., 1865. '
b
10
Talking of the augmentation of the cohesion of the particles of water when
it is completely free of air, he proceeds thus :—" So much for this
augmentation of cohesion, but this very cohesion enables the liquid to
resist ebullition. Water thus freed of its air, can be raised to a
temperature of 100° and more above its ordinary boiling point (212°) without
ebullition. But mark what takes place when the liquid does boil. It has an
enormous mass of heat stored up. The locked-up atoms finally part company.
But they do so with the violence of a spring which suddenly breaks under
strong tension, and the ebullition is converted into explosion. This was
proved first by M. Donny, of Ghent."
Here we see Professor Tyndall asserting without hesitation, that water
deprived of its air exhibits a greater cohesion of the watery particles—in
short becomes more dense; and in a glass tube, sounds as if it were actually
a solid. We see him further to assert that this air-less water will resist
ebullition until its temperature be raised more than 100° above the boiling
point—that is to say to more than 312° Fahrenheit, and that when the
locked-up atoms, at length " part company," they do so suddenly and with
violence, so that " ebullition is converted into explosion."
It appears to me to be only fair to assume that these experiments, whether
made by Mr. Faraday, Professor Tyndall, or M. Donny, of Ghent, have been all
made in open vessels. Had any of them used a close vessel, and any fracture
occurred, as is most likely, the fact would have been noted. If we suppose
this sudden conversion of air-less water into a volume of steam to take
place in an ordinary close boiler, there cannot be any difficulty in
predicting the result.
Before concluding, it seems to me to be proper to hazard one or two further
observations as to one important part of the question. I have assumed the
possibility of the ordinary water of a boiler having small, interspersed
portions deprived of their air. Now, it may be asked, through what
imaginable process would this result occur ? The question can only be
replied to hypothetically ; but it seems to me capable of being so answered.
It must occasionally happen, especially when the boiler is large, that the
heat of the furnace may reach the water to be heated irregularly and
partially, and that this irregular and partial action of the fire may
continue for a considerable time before the whole mass is heated up to 212°.
Now, in this case, it is not difficult to conceive that in portions of the
water where the fire is hottest, the commingled air may be expanded and
driven out. This expanded air would ascend, leaving this portion of the
water of a greater density and a firmer coherence, and incapable of forming
steam, until heated to a point far above 212°. Whilst the boiler was
11
-* in action, these portions would be driven, by the motion of the mass of
water, hither and thither. When the fire was damped, and the mass tranquil,
such portions would sink to the bottom, from their somewhat greater specific
gravity, form a layer and explode, when, by a renewal of the furnace heat,
they were raised to some point above the ordinary boiling point of 212°.
I now conclude, and I do so by saying that if this theory be assented to as
probably founded in fact, those who do so will easily devise means for
obviating the danger arising from this source. To prove the truth of the
theory laid down by means of further experiments will be a less easy matter.
The important point will be to prove, experimentally, that frequent boiling
does actually deprive small portions of the water of a boiler of their
ordinary mixture of air. If this could be accomplished, the remaining
conclusions might, perhaps, be admitted without much hesitation j or, at all
events, might be experimentally tested without much difficulty.
ON
SOME OF THE LEADING FEATUEES
OF THE
LANOASHIEE COAL-FIELD.
By JOSEPH DICKINSON, F.G.S.
Read at the Manchester Meeting, July 11th, 18G5.
In a paper which I read before the Manchester Geological Society on the 31st
of March, 1863, " On the Coal Strata of Lancashire," * I gave a general
description of the coal-field, together with detailed sections of the strata
at several of the principal places where the coal is being worked j and as
that paper and the sections have been printed for the society, and may be
bought by the public, it would be undesirable to repeat the same matter
here. Having, however, been requested by the South Lancashire and Cheshire
Coal Association to give a paper upon that subject, on the occasion of the
visit of the North of England Institute of Mining Engineers to Manchester, I
have much pleasure in offering a few brief observations, without trenching
upon my previous paper.
The most remarkable points in the Lancashire Coal-field are,—
1st,—The great thickness of the strata, which constitute it one of the
thickest coal-fields in the kingdom. North Staffordshire and Somersetshire
being two others which are also of great thickness.
2nd,—The great number of workable coal seams which it contains, which afford
every variety of coal, except lignite, that is required for use.
3rd,—The magnitude of the faults by which the coal-field is dislocated ; the
vertical displacement of the strata reaching to as much as 1,000 yards.
Owing to the large number of the seams of coal, and the similarity in the
thickness and quality of some of them, together with the magni-
* Transactions of the Manchester Geological Society, No. 6, Vol. IV., pp.
155-175. . 1862-3.
14
ttide of the faults, it has not always been found easy to trace the
connection of the seams throughout the different parts of the coal-field.
The annexed table of superposition may, however, be taken as being generally
correct.
The table shows that there are in the Lancashire Coal-field about 2,150
yards of strata, which actually contain seams of coal \ and it is possible
that some higher beds may yet be discovered under the Trias and Permian; but
most likely the top, or very nearly the top, of the coal-field has been
already discovered.
In addition, however, to this 2,150 yards, there are the Millstone-grit,
shales, etc., which are here of great thickness, and the Mountain-limestone
below, all of which lie conformably to the Coal-measures. The thickness of
the Millstone-grit and the shales may be judged of at several places; but
one of the best natural sections is near Burnley, between the north of
Padiham, through Sabden, to near Chatburn. The strata there dip at a steep
angle, and the thickness of the whole is apparently about 2,000 yards.
Towards the lower portion, which is chiefly dark shale, the strata become
impregnated with Limestone, and nearer the bottom thin bands of impure
Limestone intervene, until the main upper bed of Limestone is reached.
The limestone strata are apparently of a medium thickness compared with what
they are further south and north, the thickness here being probably about
700 yards.
We have, therefore, altogether,— yaeds.
Proved coal-bearing strata...................... 2,150
Millstone-grit, shales, etc....................... 2,000
Mountain-limestone........................... 700
Carboniferous formation................ 4,850
Viewing the formation here with regard to the position it assumes further
south and north, remarkable transitions are to be observed. In the south and
west of England, and under the principal part of the South Wales Coal-field,
the Old-red-sandstone is of great thickness underneath the
Mountain-limestone; whilst, in Lancashire, the Old-red-sandstone is almost
wanting-, and the Mountain-limestone rests uncon-formably upon or against
the metamorphic rocks. And as the Old-red-sandstone is thus disappearing
from below the Limestone, the Millstone-grit and the Shales above the
Limestone are simultaneously becoming greatly increased in thickness. The
Limestone itself, also, which in the south is bedded in almost one dense
mass, with only scale partings,
15
begins, in Lancashire, to be divide^by other strata; and at Ardwick, near
Manchester (where, apparently, the thickest part of the Lancashire
Coal-field has been proved), some beds of Limestone, called
Carboniferous-limestone, but possessing- the property belonging- to the
Lias-limestone of setting in water, are found capping the coal-field. Whilst
further north, on reaching Cumberland and Northumberland, the change is
still continuing; and workable coal-seams are found amongst the upper beds
of the lower portion of the Limestone until, on reaching Scotland, the
Limestone has almost disappeared from below, and is associated with the
principal coal-measure strata, and at some places the principal coal-seams
may be seen bassetting or resting unconformably against the metamor-phic
rocks, and the transition is completed.
DISCUSSION ON MR. JOSEPH DICKINSON'S PAPER ON SOME OF THE LEADING FEATURES
OF THE LANCASHIRE COAL-FIELD.
J. T. WOODHOUSB, Esq., Vice-President, in the Chair.
The Chairman said, Mr. Dickinson appended a table of superposition in
connection with the principal coal-seams which Mr. Cochrane had passed over.
No doubt if, in the middle of a paper, a mass of details were entered into,
it tended to confuse the mind, and the listener lost the thread of the
general bearing of the paper; but he would undertake himself to give the
thickness and relative position of some of the mines, if it were their
pleasure that he should do so. It was not desirable that they should work
their volunteer Secretary too hard, and as he (the Chairman) had devoted
none of his time to their business before, he thought it was only proper and
right that he should take all the work upon himself he could to make amends.
The Chairman then said, this was a very complete table indeed, and showed
clearly to the mind even of a non-geologist, who had got the least idea in
the world of what stratification meant, the relative position of the
different series of the coal-fields in this county, and their respective
thickness. He would take, for instance, Wigan. The description was this:—The
upper series to the Worsley four-feet coal, as proved at Patricrofo, was
about 390 yards in thickness, while the upper strata at Clayton, Manchester,
showed the full thickness to be about 550 yards. He was not now speaking to
residents in Lancashire, but to those who might not know its exact
geographical position. There was a very excellent map which could be seen,
showing the relative position of these beds; but when Mr. Dickinson spoke of
Patricroft, he (the Chairman) saw some gentlemen
16
present who might not be aware of the collieries around it. Years since it
was a well known name in this county, and there, it appeared, the upper seam
was about 390 yards in depth.
Mr. J. Dickinson—The upper seam is at a greater depth, but there are some of
the Permian strata, at the top, which are not classed as coal-measures.
The Chairman—The Coal-measures you take at 390 yards, and the Permian at 50
more. I will make one remark upon Wigan. It is
described as being thin.
Mr. J. Dickinson—At Wigan the measures above the Worsley-four-feet are not
in the ground, and consequently not included in the table.
The Chairman, after making several extracts from the table, said that an
inspection of it would show a clear and concise comparison of the various
series—the upper, middle, and lower—and give a full explanation of many
points of interest. He then said it had been suggested that as they had so
much to do, they had better postpone the discussion on the papers until a
future day. If, however, it would be more agreeable to the meeting for the
discussion to proceed, he was entirely in their
hands.
Mr. Boyd—I was going to ask Mr. Dickinson to give us the appearance of the
Magnesian-limestone. Does it appear at all ? In our county it underlies the
New-red-sandstone.
Mr. J. Dickinson—I think there is no trace whatever of the
Magnesian-limestone. If it be, it is so thin as to be scarcely worth
noticing. Mr. Binney, of Manchester, who has devoted a great deal of
attention to the Permian strata, thinks he can trace a little of it, about a
foot in thickness. He has shown it to me; but generally you may say that the
Magnesian-limestone does not appear here.
A Member said, he had been told that there was some to be seen at a place
called Skinner Clough, and he went with a friend there to look for it; but
the brook was so swollen by heavy rains that they did not
succeed in finding it.
Mr. J. Dickinson—Some of the rocks which are here classed as Permian, are,
by some of our local geologists, supposed to be some of the Red-stone of the
Coal-measures, pushed up by faults. The Trias or Upper New-red-sandstone is
well developed, and the marls underneath it, and also in Lower
New-red-sandstone. The last is particularly known as being well suited for
foundry purposes—good moulding sand.
The Chairman—How do the geologists of this district classify the
New-red-sandstone ? They take the Trias as the upper portion; then
17
immediately below that the Permian. But have you any of the great
conglomerate ?
Mr. J. Dickinson—The. -thin bed, about one foot thick, that I have spoken
of, called Magnesian-limestone, appears to me to be a sort of conglomerate;
but I do not put myself forward as an authority on this matter. For anything
we know yet, the coal-field is extending under this New-red-sandstone.
The Chairman—I understand that New-red-sandstone dips generally towards
Wigan.
Mr. J. Dickinson—No, not towards Wigan. It overlies the coalfield as it dips
southwards, and also in tongues or thin wedge-shaped pieces at the deep side
of some faults.
Mr. Lancaster—The popular idea, I think, amongst the mining engineers, up to
a very recent period, was that the thin seams of Limestone found at Ardwick
occupied the position of the Magnesian-limestone of the Northern and Eastern
counties.
Mr. J. Dickinson—Mr. Lancaster is right, and when he began to sink his pit
at Patricroffc he was very much ridiculed; and I know Sir Henry de la Beche
expressed himself that he was " knocked off his stool" by Messrs.
Lancaster's discovery of coal there. But this idea was the popular idea
twenty or thirty years ago. I think it is not so now. The popular idea is
right, so far as regards the western portion of the Patri-croft and the
Bedford-limestone. They do not lie conformably to the Coal-measures, and are
allied to some of the upper strata. But the Limestones at Ardwick do lie
conformably to the Coal-measures, and are supposed by geologists not to be
the same Limestone as Bedford and Patricroft.
The Chairman—I beg to move that the paper be printed and placed amongst the
archives of the Institute; and also to propose that the thanks of this
meeting be presented to Mr. Dickinson for the very clear and able
explanation of the coal in this part of Lancashire.
The resolution was carried by acclamation.
ON
DIRECT-ACTING PUMPING ENGINES
AND
DIRECT-ACTING WINDING ENGINES.
By JOHN KNOWLES.
Head at the Manchester Meeting, July 11th, 18G5.
Having been informed that a paper on the above subjects, in connection with
those in use in Lancashire, would be interesting, I have thought it
desirable to combine both in one, as they are very much connected with each
other in colliery operations, and an opportunity is given by which a
comparison of their respective merits may be made, where they are employed
to do the same kind of work, namely, raising water. As the pumping engine
has had greater and earlier attention paid to it in consequence of the
enormous expense that some collieries have been subjected to on account of
the large quantities of water raised, it is, perhaps, desirable to state the
improvements that have been made with respect to it; and, in doing so, I
have taken the engine at Cleggsvvood Colliery, near Littleborough, as a
sample of this kind of engine.
The engine is a direct-acting engine, with a cylinder fifty-one inches
diameter and a ten-feet stroke. It is placed over the pit, and was used to
pump the water during the sinking of the shaft. The steam is used on the
underside of the piston, at a pressure of 40 lbs. per square inch, and is
cut off at a part of the stroke; and when the up-stroke is completed, the
steam is allowed to go through a regulating valve to the top side and make
the down-stroke, then it is ready for condensing for the next up-stroke.
Since the erection of this engine, a plan is adopted of having a beam, with
a balance at the back end, equal to half the weight of the rods in the pit,
and by using the steam on both sides of the Vol. XV.—1865.
r>
20
piston, there is an opportunity of gaining- two vacuums of 10 lbs. each,
instead of one, and thereby saving fuel. The Cleggswood engine has a beam,
with a small balance to it, to counteract the weight of the draw-lift rods.
The top set of pumps are eighty yards long, with a ram twenty inches in
diameter ; and the rods, in this case, are so arranged that the weight of
them will force up the water to the top of the pit. The lower set of pumps
has a bucket-lift of eighteen inches diameter, and forty-six yards long, and
these rods are balanced by the weights on the engine beam.
In sinking the pit a very large quantity of water was met with, and a
draw-lift of eighteen inches diameter was placed in the front of the engine,
and connected with the top rods of the pumping engines by two fiddles (see
plate).
This plan will answer during sinking, but it would be better changed to
direct-acting as soon as practicable. A ram-pump is much better than a
draw-lift for the top-lift, where a direct-acting engine is used, unless it
is some distance down the pit to the place where the water is delivered from
the pumps, and thereby have a long length of rods out of the pump-trees.
If it is only a short distance from the engine to the top of the draw-lift,
there is a difficulty in getting the rods in and out of the "trees;" and as
this has often to be done where buckets are used, it is much better to have
a ram-pump, provided there is very little risk of the pumps being drowned
out.
When the pit was sunk eighty yards, the twenty-inch ram-pump was then put
in, and connected directly with the top rod, and the lower draw-lift was put
to it in the usual manner.
During the sinking of the pit, which was an oval one, there was a feeder of
600 gallons of water per minute to contend with; and when the engine
stopped, it rose up the pit one foot per minute; and when the clacks
required changing, the change had to be accomplished in fifteen minutes. A
difficulty arose in sinking the pit on account of the long-stroke of the
engine causing the use of a short slide, instead of a long one, which would
allow a nine-feet tree to be put in during a change, and therefore the
changes had to be made oftener.
When the bucket was drawing with the long stroke, it would o-et too high for
the proper action of the draw-lift when sinking, and as a large quantity of
air gets in, the lift is liable to lose its water if the lower part is too
long.
There is connected with this engine an arrangement by which the
21
handles opening the valves can be so arranged that they will open at any
speed, and cause the engine either to work fast or slow, at the up-stroke or
the down-stroke, or, if requisite, remain stationary a short time. There is
also a registering indicator, so arranged that every stroke, or part of a
stroke, is counted, which has been at work since the engine started, and it
is possible to ascertain the number of strokes it has made since it was
erected.
The first of these indicators was used in 1851, at the Belfield
pump-ing-engine, and as it then was found so useful, they were adopted at
all the pumping-engines owned by Messrs. Knowles.
One of the great advantages of this kind of engine is, that there is very
little friction between the power which is exerted upon the piston, and the
work of raising the rods and water; and, of necessity, it must use less
fuel. Another advantage is, that it obviates the risk and chance of such an
accident as that which occurred at Hartley Colliery, in Northumberland, as
the beam which is used as a balance is kept in such a position that it is
almost impossible for it to fall down the shaft.
In comparison with the old kind of beam engines, with cog wheels, slide
rods, and L legs, there is a very great saving, and we cannot wonder at this
when the power has to be transmitted round eleven corners, each adding to
the friction and work.
The Table on the next page, compiled from the actual work of seventeen
engines, will show the wonderful difference in their respective values; and
although they are not yet up to the proper theoretical working of engines,
they show the true principle which ought to be adopted; and as the
experiments were made in their ordinary working condition, it may be
presumed they are a fair sample of those generally adopted.
The first direct-acting pumping-engine, erected by the late Mr. Andrew
Knowles, of Eagley, was at the Eccleston Colliery, near St. Helens, in 1829,
and at the time there were many difficulties to contend with, not only on
account of the engine, but, also, as this was the first place where the
ram-pump was tried, it was with difficulty the two could be made to work
well. Since then there have been a great number erected, and no doubt the
idea of the steam-hammer and the steam pile-driving-machines was taken from
these.
In comparing the work of the engines, the ordinary slack of the colliery was
used, and as it takes six tons of slack to five tons of coal, the economic
result would be much better if the experimen a had been made with coal. In
balancing these engines, it is of the greatest importance that it should be
done very accurately; and if the engine has to work
23
slow, then it requires very little extra weight of rods, over and above the
weight of the column of water, to work well.
But if the engine has to work a great number of strokes per minute, then it
requires the weight of the rods to predominate much more, to get it to work
at the required speed.
The Cleggswood engine now works only three strokes per minute, because the
feeder is now much less; but when sinking, it varied from six to eight
strokes per minute.
In arranging the dimensions of the rods, and weight for the ram-pump, it is
desirable that they should be a little heavier than the column of water, so
that the engine will not have to press down upon them, and cause them to
bind, and rub against the bearers, but should really be made to hang in such
a way that there will only be the friction of the glands. At a small
pumping-engine at Lever Colliery a wire rope was used, and the weight of the
ram itself was sufficient to force the water to the top of the " trees."
The wire rope is about to be replaced with some strong old round iron
conducting-rods, because it was liable to breakage.
On examining the Table, the best engine is the one at Cleggswood ; and this
may be accounted for by the fact that it has been well balanced for the
work, and is a large lift for a short depth, with very little friction of
the rods against the bearers, and also less friction of the water in the
pump-trees.
The little Hey pit engine works exceedingly well, considering it has down
brow-pumps attached to it ,• and it is singular that this engine, or, I may
say, the parts not renewed, was the engine first erected, in 1&29, at
Eccleston Colliery. The Outwood engine is also connected with down
brow-pumps, which no doubt adds much to the friction in working. With
respect to the Hagside engine, it is possible that the great length; of the
lifts in this case will materially affect the power, by causing greater
friction in the pump-trees. The Allen's Green engine does not work so
satisfactorily as could be wished, and no doubt it is caused by the
balancing being imperfect. With regard to the other kind of engines using
wheels and L legs, those to take as a fair sample of work are the Age-eroft,
Clifton Moss, and Ben's Pit, Outwood; and as these give a result of forty
per cent, of the value of the direct-acting, considering that the
direct-acting engine will, at the least average, pump 120,000 gallons of
water 100 yards high, by the consumption of a ton of slack; and, in the
other case, there will only be, at the best average, 48,000 gallons pumped
100 yards high, also with a ton of slack.
24
There cannot be any doubt as to their relative merits, and the first cost in
the erection is also in favour of the direct-acting- engine.
The engine at the Clifton Hall Colliery has been taken as a sample of the
direct-acting- winding-engine in Lancashire ; and this has been chosen on
account of its being- the largest erected by Messrs. Knowles, and has a
compensating drum.
It is also used for winding water, by which an opportunity is given to test
its economical value in comparison with pumping-engines of various kinds.
The cylinder is forty-two inches diameter, and has a six-feet stroke;
pressure of steam 45 lbs. per inch. The connecting- rod is eighteen feet
long, and the shaft is fourteen inches square, and of wrought iron. The
compensating drum commences at fifteen feet diameter and ends at twenty-five
feet diameter.
The ropes lap on the drum from each outside, and a line drawn from the
pulleys at right angles with the main shaft of the drum, will come on to the
drum at the point where the rope begins to lap on the flat part (see plate).
Therefore, the tendency of the rope, on ascending, is to lie against the
side of the drum, and avoid slipping off. The outside of the drum is made of
English oak, and the grooves are cut into it, and on some parts of the
scroll there are iron-plate guards. A steam break is used at this engine,
and is under the command of the engineer, who can throw on the steam at any
moment; and it is so powerful that it will stop the main engine in less than
two strokes, if it is going at full speed, with all steam on; but if the
steam is off, it will stop it instantly. The engineer uses the break in his
ordinary work, so that it has always to be kept in order, and, therefore,
ready for any emergency. Round iron wire-ropes, four inches circumference, 7
lbs. per yard, were used at the first; but now there is a steel wire-rope on
the one side of the drum, and an iron one on the other side. It is intended
to use steel wire-ropes on both sides, if they are found to answer
satisfactorily. The pulleys over the pit are three feet six inches from each
other, and are fifteen feet diameter, with wrought-iron arms, and the
outside rim is arranged to be filled up" with timber, so that the rope will
not be so much injured as it would be by running upon the iron surface. Teak
wood was first used, and lasted eighteen months; then English oak, which
lasted four months; and now lignum-vitse is found to be the most suitable,
having been used for thirty-six months.
It is found that the wire-ropes are much worn with running upon iron; and,
consequently, every care should be taken to avoid this.
At the present time the engine has not full work for its power during
25
the day; but it was erected in anticfpation of an increased quantity, which
is now being prepared. The average amount of coal raised is 280 tons per day
from one pit, which is 430 }'ards deep.
The pit is nine feet diameter for 220 yards, and ten feet diameter for the
remaining depth, and has two ropes in it.
The cages have two decks, with two waggons of coal, containing 7 cwts. each
on both decks, making 28 cwts. of coal raised at one lift; and it is raised
up in forty-five seconds, or at the rate of nearly twenty miles per hour.
The greatest speed of the cage, when in the middle of the pit, is
twenty-five miles per hoar.
When the full tubs are placed in the lower deck, at the bottom of the pit,
the cage is lowered by the aid of a lowering platform, so that the top deck
comes to the level of the plates; and when the tubs are taken off at the
top, the engine raises each deck to the level of the pit-brow when required.
There is a great advantage in using the lowering platform, when the engine
begins to raise the load from the bottom of the pit, because the weights of
the lowering platform assist the engine with the start. The cages are 25
cwts. in weight, and are fitted up with safety catches, which have often
been successfully used, and have, at various times, saved a large amount of
property from destruction. The water-cisterns weigh 20 cwts., and contain
530 gallons of water, and are used at the end of every week or fortnight,
according to the quantity of water made in the mines. The cisterns are so
arranged, that when they come to the top they empty themselves by means of a
lever and a moveable weight. By this means of winding water, thirty-three
cisterns have been raised per hour, making 290 gallons per minute; and this
has been done for ten to twenty hours together.
During this time it has occupied two men to fire up at the boilers, and
notice is taken how many cisterns are raised, and the length of time in
doing it.
The average quantity of water made in the mine is now fifteen gallons per
minute, but it has been up to twenty-six gallons per minute.
By this method of raising water from the depth of 430 yards, the experiments
show that 106,975 gallons can be raised 100 yards by the consumption of one
ton of slack, and thereby showing that this system is much better than using
beam-engines, wheels, and |_ legs but not so economical as the direct-acting
pumping-engine.
In deciding upon so important a subject, many considerations must be thought
of; and although this result is considered satisfactory, it would not be so
at the shorter depths, as exemplified by the Farnworth
26
Bridge winding-engine, which only raises 55,000 gallons of water 100 yards
high, hy the consumption of one ton of slack.
If the quantity of water to he raised is hut small, and at a great depth,
with sufficient lodge-room for a week, then this plan will, perhaps, he the
best; one of the considerations being the great expense of erecting a
pumping-engine for a small quantity, when the winding-engine could easily do
the work. If the quantity of water is large, even at any depth, the
direct-acting pumping-engine will be found to be the most •economical in the
end, and it is quite certain to be so with a moderate depth.
There is a great objection to winding water in a pit used for raising coal,
as it is sure at times to inconvenience the regular work.
There is also the necessity of having a number of men to put on and take off
the cisterns at the commencement and ending of the winding-; and as these
men cannot be usefully employed in the meantime, a loss must, of course,
arise in their having to come to the colliery for that special purpose.
DISCUSSION ON ME. JOHN KNOWLES'S PAPER ON DIRECT-ACTING PUMPING ENGINES AND
DIRECT-ACTING WINDING ENGINES.
J. T. Woodhouse, Esq., Vice-President, in the Chair.
The Chairman—This is a very interesting and valuable communica-cation
indeed. This paper, in fact, contains the substance matter of two papers—one
upon pumping engines, the other upon winding engines and the comparative
merit of drawing water by beams, or wire ropes. I am happy to see several
gentlemen in this room who have had great practice in pumping and drawing
water; and I am sure the meeting will be most happy to hear their opinion on
the subject. I cannot do better than turn, first, to my friend, Mr.
Lancaster; and I do so because I believe Mr. Lancaster, in his practice, has
constructed the largest plunge direct pumping engine that was ever built,
and if he will favour us with his experience in that matter, we shall be
delighted to hear him. There is a valuable table put in with this paper,
containing much useful statistical information.
27
A Member—It would be valuaMe to add the number and size of the boilers used.
[It was intimated that this addition should be made.]*
The Chairman—Well, now, gentlemen, it is my duty to inform you that we are
going this afternoon to see, I believe, these very engines.
Mr. Knowles—We are going to see the winding engines.
The Chairman—Therefore, we shall have an opportunity of completely
investigating their merits. Of course, we can go into the discussion here,
and then into further discussion after we have inspected the engines.
Mr. Lancaster said, he was not able to go into all the details; but so far
as he had been able to make experiments, he could quite confirm what Mr.
Knowles had said. Some gentlemen would, perhaps, give an account of the
Cornish engine, as a contrast with this. There appeared to be, in this case,
a total absence of the duty performed by the Cornish engine. There were
several of the latter in the county, and it would be well if they could be
compared with the direct-action engines. He believed it would be found that
there was a saving of from twenty to twenty-five per cent, in friction. The
value of these engines consisted in the saving of first cost, and in the
saving of that friction. As to the bell cranks and T bobs, there could be no
doubt that there was a saving* of fifty per cent, upon these. It would be
useful now to small colliery owners to know that pumping by that plan cost
fifty per cent, more than with direct-acting engines. He believed Mr.
Knowles had adopted the double-Hue boilers, which were fired internally.
They (Mr. Lancaster's firm) had not adopted them, but had the
externally-fired boilers. The engine the President alluded to was a large
one—100 inches diameter, working pumps twenty-four inches diameter to a
depth of 250 yards. It had been worked satisfactorily for the last few
years. He was sorry he had not the experiments by him as to the consumption
of coal by that engine; but he had no doubt it would compare favourably with
those which had been mentioned by Mr. Knowles.
The Chairman thought Mr. Maddison might be able to add some information on
this subject.
• *Note.—In reply to the inquiry respecting the boilers used. There are more
boilers at the collieries where the experiments were made than is absolutely
requisite for pumping the water ; and as it would not give any useful
information to name them here, it is perhaps better to state the kinds of
boiler used, viz. :— Two flued boilers, 26 feet long, 7 feet diameter, with
two flues through, 2 feet 10 inches diameter ; and one flue boiler, 26 feet
long, 6 feet diameter, with one flue 3 feet diameter. The ends of the
boilers are flat, and the fireplace is in the flues. During the experiments,
only the requisite amount of boiler power was used for the purpose ; and as
it was not noted at the time, cannot now be given.—J, K.
Vol. XV.—1865,
e
28
Mr. Maddison could not say that he was at all prepared to state, at this
meeting, his experience of the matter, as he had not expected to be called
upon to do so. He had bad considerable experience in pumping- with botb
sorts of engines. One, at the new colliery at Thornhill, with a thirty-eight
inch cylinder, was working two sets of pumps, driven by a pressure of
forty-five pounds. The sets of pumps were each eighty-seven yards lift, and
eighteen inches diameter. He believed he might say they got a very large per
centage of power from that engine, and that the weight of water lifted would
be very little less than the power exerted upon it. The engine itself had
been viewed by numbers of experienced men, and had been thought by them to
be, at least they had so expressed themselves, one of the best they had ever
seen.
The Chairman—Will you give us the depth of the pit ? Mr. Maddison—The length
of the sets is eighty-seven 'yards, the depth of the pit 120. The engine
itself is so void of friction, or nearly so, that with a fly-wheel of
twenty-two feet diameter it has been known to run at the rate of one stroke
in three minutes five seconds, and the motion never ceased. Had I been
aware, I would have brought further particulars with me; but at present I do
not know that I am prepared to say more.
The Chairman—At any rate, gentlemen, we have an instance here of very
economical working of wheels, cranks, and pumps. Mr. Maddison, did I
understand that these are plunge pumps ?
Mr. Maddison—No; these are lifting pumps, of eighty-seven yards in length.
The Chairman—Do you recollect the velocity—either the number of feet per
minute, or the number of strokes ? You gave one instance of an engine taking
three minutes and a fraction to complete a stroke ; but what is the maximum
velocity ?
Mr. Maddison—Six strokes a minute we have had with that engine. I dare not
say what would be the maximum if we placed the whole of the steam against
the engine ; I believe we should break something or other. The length of
stroke was four feet six inches in each set.
The Chairman asked whether Mr. Lancaster could tell them any more ?
Mr. Lancaster—It would have been well if Mr. Maddison could have furnished
us with the consumption of fuel, or some other guide of that sort. We have
got at present information of an excellent working engine, without any data.
No doubt, it is possible to construct a very
29
good machine, worked through by llftirect motion; but I think before we
compare the two, we ought to have data. Perhaps, if Mr. Maddison could
furnish that, there would be a very good contrast.
A Gentleman suggested that perhaps it would be well to adjourn the
discussion for this purpose.
Mr. Maddison said, he would have pleasure in furnishing the particulars at
some future day.
Mr. Lancaster—This may be a very arbitrary rule which has been chosen by Mr.
Knowles, but at all events it is a very simple one, viz., that the duty is
measured by the actual amount of coal consumed. The old Cornish plan may be
more scientific, but this plan is a good one. The test is the number of tons
of coal required to raise a certain number of gallons of water 100 yards
high.
The Chairman said, the absence of notice on the paper, when a paper was to
be read, was found to be very inconvenient. It would be well if notice could
be given of all papers intended to be read, in order that engineers might be
fully prepared for the discussion. It had been proposed that, if it were
agreeable to the meeting, the discussion should be adjourned until Thursday,
in order that their friend might have an opportunity of preparing a few
statistics; and also to afford Mr. Knowles an opportunity of completing his
paper, by filling in the number of boilers, and a few other tabulated
results connected with the subject. That being so, unless there was any
objection, they would adjourn the discussion of that paper until Thursday,
when there will be time to take it.
Mr. Marley thought that at this point it was well to call attention to the
rule of the Institution of Engineers with regard to the process these papers
would have to undergo after this meeting. It was well that the members
present, and especially the strangers, should know that before the papers
were published in the volume of the proceedings, an opportunity would be
given for the embodiment of any further remarks ; and the actual discussion
would be held in Newcastle. The Newcastle discussion was usually fro forma;
but persons were enabled to bring in anything which might have been
previously omitted. In all these cases they would have an opportunity—in
addition to Thursday's discussion— after having seen the paper in print
(which enabled them to understand it better than the simple hearing) of
adding to it what might be thought important, or making any observations
they pleased upon it.
The Chairman was obliged to Mr. Marley. The gentlemen who read papers at
these meetings would all agree with him that that was a
30
very wise and useful regulation of the Institution; because it enabled a man
to have what they called fair play. He not only had his paper reported and
printed, but it ultimately came before the world in the shape in which he
intended to present it. They might not, however, for some time to come be
assembled so numeroxisly as at present; and, to afford an opportunity of
getting these particulars, the discussion would be continued on Thursday;
and after that the useful rule which had been described by Mr. Marley would
come into operation. They had, perhaps, better now proceed to the
consideration of the third paper.
Mr. Spencer—I should like to ask Mr. Knowles a question. You mentioned that
a safety apparatus was applied to the cages. Whose is it?
Mr. Knowles—It is Owen's.
The Chairman—Can it be inspected to-day ?
Mr. Knowles—Yes; and there is a sketch of it on the wall of this room.
Mr. Dickinson—Owen's is the safety apparatus generally adopted in this
county. There is, I should think, a much larger number of Owen's in this
county than in all the other mining districts, except Scotland, put
together. They are working successfully. You will have an opportunity of
seeing some of them.
Mr. G. C. Gkeenwell—I think you said the engine could be stopped by the
brake after it had made two strokes, and I understood that was with the
steam on. If I understood Mr. Knowles aright, two strokes of the engine must
be made before it could be brought to a stand; and as the extreme diameter
is twenty-four feet, that is something like twenty-four fathoms. Am I
quite right ?
Mr. Knowles—I was only showing the great power of the brake, which could
stop the engine, although it was at full speed. But the steam can be
taken off and the brake put on, and it can be done. instantly—the engine
can be stopped in a moment.
Mr. Bigland—What is the size of the screen ?
Mr. Knowles—Three-eighths of an inch spaces.
Mr. Spencer asked whether Mr. Knowles, who had mentioned a plunger pump,
could give a comparison between it and the piston or tight-bucket pump. In
his (Mr. S.'s) experience, the piston-pump, the rod of which worked through
the packing, was more economical than the plunger or ram-pump. The packing
in the leather case being round the larger diameter of the ram itself.
31
The Chairman—The ordinary lifting pump ?
Mr. Spencer—No, the tight-bucket—the same as the piston.
The Chairman—I understand Mr. Knowles to say he has not tried that
experiment.
Mr. Marley said, it occurred to him that, as the discussion was to be
adjourned, it might be as well to throw in a comparison with regard to a
very important element which came into the question, besides the exact merit
of the engines—that was, the amount of capital employed in making the
winning in the first instance. The direct-action engine essentially required
a separate shaft for the cylinder and plunger. Other shafts were used for
both the purposes of drawing coals and pumping water. Many parties might use
one engine in preference to another, not because it was essentially a better
engine in the abstract, but because of the saving of capital. A remark had
been made as to the winding engine requiring a separate shaft and also as to
its requiring a larger quantity of coal. He thought the same remark applied
to the direct-action engine.
Mr. Lancaster—Perhaps I can correct one or two matters off-hand. First, as
to the separate shaft. I have not found that any more room is taken up by
the engine, than is necessaiy for the pumps. In point of fact, the measure
or size of the pumps determines the amount of space in the shaft, and the
engine never takes up more room than the pumps require.
Mr. Marley—Not for the cylinder?
Mr. Lancaster—The overhanging of the cylinder is never beyond the pumps in
the shaft. We invariably use them in winding shafts, as well as for pumping.
As to capital, where you have actual employment (for often there is not full
employment, and it all depends upon that) for an engine, these are, 1
believe, cheaper in the first cost than any other modes of pumping.
Mr. Marley—My remark as to capital was made under the impression that, as a
rule, you required a separate shaft. Therefore, it does not apply to the
original cost of the engine.
The Chairman—I suppose a good deal will depend upon the size of the shaft ?
Mr. Marley—Everything.
Mr. Lancaster said, he had had these engines put to shafts of nine feet
diameter up to thirteen feet.
Mr. Higson said, that if the engine required a separate shaft it might
32
be set back, and the beam extended over the pit. It seemed to him to be the
nicest application of the direct-action engine.
In answer to a question,
Mr. Lancaster said, his firm had one of these engines at work with
fifteen-inch pumps—the size of pit was ten feet diameter; and they were
drawing coals out of the same shaft.
Mr. Dickinson remarked that, practically, the discussion upon this paper
appeared to be going on.
The Chairman said, he listened with great interest to what was being said.
He had rather thought his friend on the right (Mr. Knowles) had got himself
into an awkward position in dealing with the diameter of the cylinder ;
because it had a good deal to do—suppose there was no, or very little,
off-take. He could suppose that where that was long there was no difficulty,
or where a plunger lift was used at the top. But still, it must be that,
where they had a cylinder of so large a diameter, it would occupy to a
certain extent a large segment of the pit. He had not seen the large engine
of which Mr. Lancaster had spoken—the engine of 100 inches diameter and
fourteen feet stroke. That must be a very large, powerful machine indeed.
But the nature of the ground or the architecture he did not know. He
understood that in that engine the spears were directly suspended from the
end of the piston-rod.
Mr. Lancaster—Yes.
The Chairman—Then the question arises—how far the outer rim or flange of the
cylinder will project beyond the line of the buntings down the shaft?
Mr. Lancaster said, that in the case in question the shaft had never been
intended for a winding shaft, although there was room for a pair of cages.
It had always been intended to be simply a downcast and pumping shaft, and
it had been reserved for that. The pumping rods went as near the side of the
shaft as possible—perhaps about six inches; and the cylinder front of the
flange went parallel with the horse-trees. The engine was direct-acting. All
the engines he alluded to were direct, and were coupled parallel with the
piston-rod. He had no instance of the top-lift being anything but a plunge
lift. With that engine, there were three plungers—one under the other, and
the lower lifts, eighteen inches diameter, lifting to supply a twenty-four
inch plunger.
Mr. C. Berkley asked whether they had applied double-acting rams to force
the water to the surface ?
33
Mr. Lancaster replied, that he hacftried one twenty years ago, in the
Patricroft shaft. They had put an engine in the bottom to draw the coals up
an incline. They found that the friction was excessive. He had no statistics
of the experiments before him at present; but the friction at that depth was
very considerable. That had succeeded; but he could scarcely recommend it
for the same depth—440 yards at one lift. They had one working successfully
now at 160 yards, with a small pair of engines; but on too small a scale for
sufficient data. They were only six inches diameter—the pair working at
right angles. They were very successful and gave very little trouble.
Mr. Berkley—What is the greatest depth for plungers ?
Mr. Lancaster said, on a large scale 200 yards in one column.
Mr. G. C. Green well said, there was an engine at the Bradbury Colliery,
which he should be glad to have described. Unfortunately, Mr. Livesey, was
not in the room, or he would have referred to him, because Mr. Livesey would
be able to give particulars if he were present.
Mr. Clegg Livesey said, there was a ten-feet stroke cylinder,
eighteen-inches in diameter, with six-inch ram and eight-inch pipes. The
depth of the pit was 200 yards. The boiler pressure about thirty-five
pounds. They were working with a smaller one at another colliery, where the
pressure was forty pounds. But he could not say what was the quantity of
water sent up.
Mr. J. Dickinson—I think it is very important that as many of these
practical questions should be suggested as possible, before this discussion
be adjourned ; for if there be one thing more than another, in which you may
expect to find excellence in this district, it will be the machinery. It
bears comparison with any I have seen, in this country or out of it. Mr.
John Knowles, being connected with a firm which has so many collieries at
work in this district, has had so many opportunities of comparison, that I
think this paper of itself, will establish the superiority of the
direct-acting, over the indirect-acting, engines. But although that is the
experience he has arrived at, there are parts of Lancashire where that
pratice is not adopted. For instance, in the Burnley coal-field the view
prevails that the intervention of wheels, so as to make a difference between
the velocity of the pump-rods in the pit, and the velocity of the piston in
the cylinder, is advantageous, and gives facilities in changing the
pump-rods which more than counterbalances the friction which is inherent in
the indirect-acting engines, the rate at which the piston travels being
rather more than twice that of the pump-rods. In Cornwall, also, where,
perhaps, we take our best pumping engines
34
from, at all events the Cornish principle, the old view was, that the stroke
of the pump-rods should not be the same as the stroke in the cylinder; and
for years and years, I believe, all the Cornish engines were made with a
difference of about one foot between the stroke in the cylinder and the
stroke in the shaft. But latterly, in Cornwall, I have found that new
engines were being- put up with the stroke the same in the shaft as in the
cylinder. I think this paper of Mr. Knowles's will establish the superiority
of the direct-action engines in regard to the quantity of fuel used.
Mr. Lishman asked what was the number of strokes per minute, and the
quantity of water raised by these engines ?
Mr. Lancaster had scarcely come prepared with figures; but he thought the
quantity of water was 280 gallons per stroke, and the maximum speed was
eight strokes per minute. They could work it as slow as half-a-stroke per
minute; though he did not know whether there was any advantage in that. He
believed it was the rule with most Cornish pumpers not to run the pumps more
than 120 to 140 feet per minute; and, as they were all aware, Watt's rule
for the piston was 240 feet per minute. Now they were going at the rate of
300 to 340 feet per minute. But by having the steam cylinders jacketed and
working at this slow speed, making up for want of power and loss of speed of
the larger cylinder, he thought they got pretty nearly as economical results
out of an equal amount of steam duty.
Mr. Lishman said, that within the last three or four months his firm had
raised about 2,000 gallons a minute, and they were raising it about
fifty-five fathoms. He had been up in London some time ago, and heard of a
patent, which was in operation in some works there. He went to examine it
and found it a most economical mode, and he was thinking of introducing it
into his own works. There was a wrought iron tube with glass enamel inside
and outside. The depth was 178 feet. It worked with a chain, in the old
chain-pump fashion, and a wheel, one metre, or three feet three inches in
diameter. There was a continuous flow of water out of a 4^-inch pipe. Of
this mode of pumping M. Bastier, was the patentee ; and he had given a
license to a person in Scotland, and his (Mr. Lishman's) firm was in treaty
with him for a license to attempt to raise water fifty fathoms. The endless
chain went down the pit, and up the tube over a pulley at the top of the
engine. The discs being only three feet three inches apart, there was a
flow, of water con- * tinuously. They were pumping about one hundred and
twenty gallons a minute.
35
-¦* The Chairman—What is the power ?
Mr. Lishman—A twenty-five-horse power engine. The pump is driven by a belt,
and other machinery is connected with it as well. «.
Mr. W. Cochrane—Do you think the system of valves would do for a larger size
?
Mr. Lishman—He has granted a license for a cylinder of fifteen-inches
diameter, for sixty feet. He will guarantee to fit ours with an eight-inch
one.
Mr. J. Dickinson-asked whether there was any difference between this and the
other chain pump of which they had read in the old mining books ?
Mr. Lancaster said, in this case there was a wheel at the top of the pit,
three feet three inches. It was pretty nearly the same mode as the original
pump. It brought the water up a pipe, and at each diameter of the wheel at
the top the buckets fitted in.
The Chairman thought there must be some similarity between this pump and the
ordinary chain pump which had been so much used.
Mr. Lancaster said, they were very similar.
The Chairman said, it was common to use the old chain pump for ordinary
purposes, such as draining railway cuttings, but he was not personally
informed as to the height at which they had been used in this country, nor
did he recollect the velocity at which they worked. Did Mr. Lishman know
what was the velocity of this pump ?
Mr. Lishman had known it, but it was not in his mind at present. It was not
a great velocity. I think about 180 feet per minute. The pump had been in
operation twelve months, and had not cost the firm a shilling.
Mr. Marley thought he could state what was the principal difference between
the pumps. The ordinary pumps were worked with buckets, a very few feet
apart. This pump had the chain constantly ascending, and there was a tube
contracted for a few feet. He had examined it at the exhibition of 1862.
There was a flat bucket, so they might almost call it, which fitted certain
parts very tightly, and there was the ordinary momentum; and they got the
water in a continuous stream, not like the ordinary chain pump.
The Chairman explained that he was not speaking of the old chain which was
rigged like a dredging machine. He meant the chain pump with flat discs,
driven at a certain velocity. It was rather as to quantity that he wished to
ask the particular application of this pump.
A Member suggested that Mr. Lancaster should be asked to give, VOL. XV—1865.
*
36
at the future discussion, some further information, as he was sure that
gentleman, from his large experience, would be able to do so.
The Chairman—I am sure I concur most fully in the suggestion. Mr.
Lancaster—One proviso I must make—that you will allow time sufficient.
Mr. Homer said, he had a large pump on the old principle, but he was
abandoning those pumps and adopting the system of winding water. It would be
well to compare the cost of winding with the cost of pumping in the various
modes. He had got sixteen-inch and thirteen-inch dip at some of the pits,
and very dirty water; and where it was so dirty he found it cut up the
buckets and wore the plungers very much indeed. Where they were working a
sixteen-inch ram he need not stop pumping. In another place they were only
opening out. It was his intention to drive out lodgments of sufficient size
to draw the water. The only cost was the wear. They were drawing 100,000
gallons a day. Something had been said in this discussion about taking up
room in the shafts; but that could be obviated by putting the engine further
back. As to the direct-acting engine—the first erected in Staffordshire had
been erected by Mr. Lancaster, at Redhills Colliery. That engine was driven
from twenty to twenty-three strokes per minute in a sinking shaft. Perhaps
Mr. Lancaster would be able to get for them the figures connected with that
engine. That engine was a wonder. With respect to the whole question, if his
(Mr. Homer's) firm put down engines at all, he should put down direct-acting
engines. But he thought expense would be saved by winding the water. If he
could have been present on Thursday, he would have brought statistics of the
cost of pumping in comparison with this system; but he could not be present
on that day.
The Chairman remarked that the meeting would be glad if Mr. Homer would
furnish these particulars by Thursday. They should have proper attention.
Mr. Homer was sorry that he should be obliged to attend quarter-day at
Birmingham, on Thursday.
The Chairman said, this was another melancholy instance of science having to
give way to more necessary concerns. The plan of winding, with a compound
cage, he had no doubt was effectual. He understood the cage was fitted with
a tub underneath, and filled itself with water while the man below was
landing. They had, he thought, in this discussion, lost sight of a very old
friend. They had been talking very fully of direct-acting pumping engines,
and of winding water by ropes j
37
but they had lost sight in a great Measure of the old beam engine. Mr.
Lancaster was the only member who had referred to it. He would be glad to
hear if any one in the room was prepared to give them the results of
experience as to pumping on the old beam plan. From the information they got
from Cornwall, it appeared that with the old beam a more economical result
had been arrived at than with an}T other methoi; but whether the same degree
of economy would be attained by the direct-acting engine he had yet to
learn. Were these engines condensing ?
Mr. Lancaster said, they had both types. For smaller engines, he preferred
the non-condensing type, on account of the economy of first cost; and they
had generally a high pressure of steam for the first-class, and therefore
they worked from the same boiler. If they had well-jacketed cylinders there
was not much difference between them, when they had 45 or 501bs. pressure,
if they expanded the steam properly. By the condensing plan they brought the
cooling process into the cylinder, and in a slow working engine that told
against economy. With a non-condensing engine they never reduced below 200
degrees. With regard to winding water instead of pumping, he thought, for
very deep shafts, with a small quantity of water, there was, perhaps, more
economy in winding; but where they got a large quantity of water, they could
lift more in a given time by pumping than by winding, that is, where pit
room was valuable.
The Chairman was sorry to find that his attention had been so taken up by
this discussion that he had quite forgotten that he was looking at a diagram
of a condensing engine on the wall near him, in fact, a beam engine. There
was no reason why the condensing process should not be effected as cheaply
by this as by the beam engine.
Mr. Langdale asked what was the difference between the whole moving weight
of the pump-rods, and the weight of the column of water raised ? What was
the preponderance 1 He believed there was some. If the difference was small,
the engine must go slowly. The work of the engine was to lift the rods. That
would bring out again what was the best speed at which to work it. If it was
best slow, there was no necessity for anything but a small difference in the
preponderance of the rods. If there was a great difference, the engine had
better go quickly. Mr. Lancaster observed that they would easily see that
that must be determined by the velocity. The proper velocity was, he
believed, about 150 feet a minute. Beyond that, the increase of wear and
tear became excessive. A very small difference in the weight, he could
not
38
give it now, but he should think something like two or three per cent, of
the gross load was sufficient. Two or three per cent, extra of the weight of
the rod was sufficient to drive an engine at six or eight strokes a minute.
Having all parts equally balanced that was quite sufficient to give the
velocity.
Mr. Marley said, that if Mr. Homer's statistics were not ready by Thursday
they would be happy to receive them at Newcastle.
The Chairman moved that the thanks of the meeting be given to their friend
Mr. Knowles for his very interesting and excellent paper.
The motion was carried by acclamation.
Communication from Mr. Charles J. Homery relative to the Pumping Apparatus
at the Chatterly and Weston Coyney Collieries.
I have much pleasure in complying with your wish, of forwarding to you
particulars of the pumping at the Chatterly and Weston Coyney Collieries,
with which I am connected.
Chatterly No. 1. pit, is 200 yards deep, has three lifts of pumps, four feet
stroke, the top one eighty yards sixteen-and-a-quarter inches plunger;
second, seventy yards sixteen inches; bucket and bottom fifty yards; also
sixteen inches bucket, worked by a horizontal engine; cylinder
twenty-six-and-a-quarter inches diameter, which is quite equal to its work.
But, owing to the greater portion of the water, coming in one of the lower
seams, the bottom of which is a soft alum shale, eighteen feet thick, which
renders it almost impossible to keep a water-course by the side of the
level, and causes the water to be very dirty, and consequently wears the
buckets very much. We have also to cleanse out the bottom lodgment every
fortnight, which is an additional expense, in this particular case, and
which ought not to be considered in calculating the comparative cost of
raising water.
No. 2. plant. Up to last June, the water at these pits, was raised from the
depth of 125 yards, with two plunger pumps, each thirteen-and-a-half inches,
and five feet stroke, by a pair of horizontal engines, with twenty-two inch
cylinders.
One eight-and-a-half inch bucket-lift, four feet stroke, forty-two yards
below surface, worked by a fourteen-inch cylinder horizontal engine,
39
(and which is still at work) each engine delivering the water to the
surface. The water to the bottom of the pit, a depth of 220 yards, was drawn
by means of a ringe, and not less than 40,000 gallons per day, which with
the quantity 115,000 gallons, lifted by the large pumps, is now raised by a
steel water-chest, 4 ft. 6 in. x 3 ft. 4 in. x 3 ft. 2 in. deep, attached to
the bottom of each cage, also made of steel, self-acting, the water emptying
itself during the time the load of stone is being removed from the top
compartment of the cage, the only cost being the additional wear on the
ropes, whereas for No. 1 pit, we cannot put down the cost at less than £500
per annum.
During the time the water was pumped at the No. 2 pit, it was found very
difficult to keep the clack in order, the leather being often times cut
through in a few days, the cast iron plates on top side of lid If inches
thick, and the bottom plate of lid T9g- of an inch, wrought iron, broke
several times, the joints breaking and the packing round the plungers
continually giving way, which caused very great trouble, owing to so great
an amount of pressure, when it was determined to erect a direct-acting
pumping-engine of sufficient power to pump the whole of the water from both
pits, but as the pumping pit requires to be sunk down 120 yards lower, I
resolved to test the cost of winding the water, as compared with the pumping
at No. 1 pit, where the water is not nearly so much.
At the Weston Coyney Colliery we pump the water from the depth of eighty-two
yards, and below that to a depth of 275 yards, we draw the whole by an iron
chest, for the purpose, in one pit, and draw coals from another; the cost
being trifling, as compared with pumping.
I would always reccommend keeping the top water back by tubbing in deep
pits; otherwise, I would put down a direct-acting engine, to pump the said
surface water ,• but where it would involve a heavy outlay, (which is the
chief consideration in opening a colliery) to pump several hundred yards,
with the continual expense of packing plungers, changing buckets,
examination of rods, &c, &c, which is absolutely necessary, together with
the interest of capital at first employed, I am firmly of opinion, that
water can be as cheaply raised, without first cost of pumping machinery, by
winding as pumping. ,
In all pumps more than seventy yards long, I would put in a second clack,
which will be found beneficial.
I beg you will excuse the brief manner, in which I have presented this,
having been very much engaged all day. Any further particulars I shall be
glad to give.
40
ADJOURNED DISCUSSION ON MR. JOHN KNOWLES'S PAPER ON DIRECT-ACTING PUMPING
ENGINES AND DIRECT-ACTING WINDING ENGINES—JULY 13th, 1865.
J. T. "WOODHOUSE, Esq., Vice-President, in the Chair.
The Chairman, referring to the paper read by Mr. John Knowles, on "
Direct-Acting1 Pumping* Engines and Direct-Acting Winding Engines," and to
the subsequent discussion, which was adjourned, said that Mr. W. P. Maddison
was kind enough to say that he would prepare some statistics in reference to
one of the pumping engines at present in use at the Thornhill Collieries.
Mr. W. P. Maddison then read the following :—In compliance with the wish of
the President, I have now the pleasure to give particulars of one of the
pumping engines at present in use at the Thornhill Collieries. The engine,
built by Messrs. Thomas Murray and Co., of Chester-le-Street, from
instructions given by the writer, is horizontal, and working at high
pressure, with a cylinder thirty-eight inches diameter and five feet stroke,
and having a fly-wheel attached, twenty-two feet diameter. Two L legs
connect the engine with two sets of pumps, the stroke in which is four feet
six inches (which can be varied six inches, either more or less), with
working barrels eighteen inches diameter, the total length of each set being
261 feet, and each lifting and delivering independently of the other. The
maximum speed yet worked has been eight strokes, but ten, or even twelve
strokes, may be considered a fair estimate of a safe maximum. At the
increased speed of eight strokes, it has been found that the engine
accomplished its work comparatively with much less steam, and that in
proportion to the velocity of the fly-wheel.
At eight strokes per minute, of four feet six inches in the pumps, we have
864 gallons per minute raised 261 feet, being equivalent to 225,504 gallons
raised one foot high per minute.
The two sets in the pit are uniform, having the same sized spears, etc.,
attached, and, consequently, an exact counterpoise is obtained ; and in
order to ascertain what is the precise amount of friction, an experiment has
been made for the purposes of these remarks, which will, I hope, elucidate
the matter in a very clear and satisfactory manner. The engine, being at
work, was stopped, and a steam-gauge and indi-
41
cator, previously tested and found correct, were attached to the cylinder.
The column in both sets was then allowed to run off by the easing- of the
clack and bucket doors, and until the buckets worked freely in air. The
engine was then again started, and run at a speed of eight strokes per
minute, working- all the machinery, but lifting- no water, the steam gauges
indicating, momentarily, when the steam was admitted through the valve,
seven pounds, instantly dropping' to two and three-quarter pounds, and
decreasing, to the end of the stroke, to a pressure of two pounds on the
square inch. This, consequently, is the exact amount of steam at thirty-five
pounds in the boilers (the then pressure) required to overcome the friction
of such an engine, or rather better than seven per cent. The weight of a
column of water in an eighteen-inch set, 261 feet long, will be 31,320 lbs.;
to overcome which we have 1,134 inches area of cylinder X 32| lbs., the
remaining available pressure, or 36,855 + l-10th for difference of stroke in
pumps and cylinder, or 40,540 lbs.
Unfortunately, I am not able to state, upon so short a notice, what weight
of coal is required to do this work, in consequence of the steam being
taken, conjointly with other engines, from six boilers, six feet diameter
and thirty-six feet long, all working at one uniform pressure of thirty-five
pounds ; but I may state they are all fired with slack or " durf," as known
in the North of England.
I must explain an apparent discrepancy in these figures and my remarks on
Tuesday last, when I stated the working pressure at forty-five pounds. Until
a few weeks ago such was the pressure on the boilers, but having since made
an alteration to one of the other engines attached to * the same boilers,
the pressure has been reduced to thirty-five pounds, and it is at this
reduced rate that these data have been obtained.
It will be understood that these remarks are not in any way made as in
disparagement of the principle of direct-action, as set forth in Mr.
Knowles's paper, but as simply showing that efficient pumping arrangements
may be arrived at by other than direct action.
The Chairman remarked that those who heard the previous discussion would
probably be desirous of asking Mr. Maddison some questions in further
elucidation of the subject. If not, he should simply propose a vote of
thanks to Mr. Maddison for his paper, which would be placed in the archives
of the Institute.
Mr. J. Knowles said, with respect to the boilers they had in use, connected
with the engines to which he referred in his paper, he had not
42
been able to get their exact size and number. But lie might say that the
average size would be twenty-six feet long, seven feet diameter, and two
flues of three feet diameter. That was the general size of the boilers they
used. In connection with the Cleggswood pump, the boiler there was only six
feet diameter, with one flue through.
The motion proposed by the Chairman was then carried by acclamation.
NORTH OF ENGLAND INSTITUTE
OF
MINING ENGINEERS.
GENERAL MEETING, SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 1866, IN THE ROOMS OF THE INSTITUTE,
WESTGATE STREET, NEWCASTLE-UPON-TYNE.
EDWARD POTTER, Esq., Vice-President, in the Chair.
The following gentlemen were elected members of the Institute, viz.:—Capt.
Noble, of Elswick Works; and Mr. H. M. Morrison, of Rainton Colliery.
A letter was read from Mr. Lindsay Wood, thanking the members of the
Institute for their expression of condolence on the decease of his father,
the late President of the Institute.
Mr. Doubleday read a Memoir of the late President, Mr. Wood. On the motion
of the Chairman, seconded by Mr. Hunt, it was resolved that the same should
be inserted in the proceedings of the Institute.
A letter was read from Mr. W. Green, Jim., stating his inability to be
present. The reading of his paper entitled "The Chronicle and Record of the
Northern Coal Trade in the Counties of Durham and Northumberland," was
postponed to the next meeting.
The discussion on Messrs. Richardson and Bunning's u Reports on the
Experiments at Keyham," was postponed, sine die, neither of these gentlemen
being present.
Mr, Doubleday then read the following- remarks supplementary to his paper "
On the Causes of Certain Steam Boiler Explosions:"—
FURTHER CONSIDERATIONS ON BOILER EXPLOSIONS. It has been remarked, if we
assume that certain portions of water at the bottom of a boiler may be
deprived of more of the interspersed air than other portions, owing to the
inequalities of the heat applied, that this is a mere assumption as jet
unproved by any fact. This, however, is perhaps hastily said. It must be
remembered, that to assume the Vol. XV.—18G6.
o
44
antagonistic proposition, and to assert that in all cases the heat of the
furnace is applied quite equally to the bottom of the boiler, is a more
improbable assumption than the other. The plates of which the bottom is
composed are not precisely equal, and a furnace generally burns more rapidly
in one place than in another. It seems to follow, therefore, that we must
admit some inequality in the heat applied; and, if this be admitted, let us
ask ourselves to what this admission leads ?
It is an ascertained truth, that beginning at 32° Fahrenheit, every
additional degree of heat applied to air, expands its volume to the extent
of one-480th of its bulk.
If, then, we suppose, as I think we may fairly do, that some portions of the
water of a boiler may, owing to the inequality of heating, receive
five, ten, fifteen, or twenty degrees of heat more than the surrounding
portions receive, the air contained in those portions must be expanded to
the extent of expansion which is given to air bj each degree of additional
heat that it receives. Now, as it is ascertained, that commencing at
32° Fahrenheit, each additional degree of heat which it receives expands
air one-480th of its bulk, it follows that twenty degrees of heat, added to
a portion of air, would expand the volume of that air one-twenty-fourth of
its bulk. If, then, we may be allowed to assume that a portion of air at
the bottom of a boiler may receive twenty degrees of heat more than the
rest (and twenty degrees is only the difference between a cool spring and
hot summer's-day), it seems to follow that the chances of part of that air
leaving the water, and escaping must be in the ratio of the expansion. It
further seezns to follow that, after such escape, the cohesion and mean
density of the particles of the water must also be increased in the ratio
of the quantity of air which it has lost; and it further follows that the
difficulty of turning that water into steam must increase in the same ratio.
These considerations, when taken together, appear to the writer to render it
probable that the theory by which he has tried to account for those violent
boiler-explosions, which occur after the boiler has been at rest, may be
founded in truth, and capable of being proved to be so by the test of
careful experiment.
Mr. Bell said, in the first place, he must express their gratitude to their
friend the Secretary, for having' taken up so important a question as the
explosion of boilers. But, in congratulating him and themselves on the
resulting paper, he (Mr. Bell) could not say that he agreed either
45
with all the arguments, or admit aif Mr. Doubleday's facts. Mr.
Doubleday tells us, "the most accurate experiments that have been tried,
in order to ascertain the relative conducting powers of water and of
atmospheric air, prove that water is a somewhat slow and feeble
conductor of heat, and that atmospheric air, especially when under
more than ordinary pressure, is, though not absolutely a nonconductor,
even a slower conductor than water. I say that it is slower when
under pressure than when that pressure is diminished; this being evidenced
by the fact, that when water is exposed to the action of fire, at high
elevations, ebullition takes place much sooner than when it is boiled under
ordinary circumstances." Mr. Doubleday then refers to Humboldt's well
known experiments on the Cordilleras. He (Mr. Bell) had not been able to
lay his hands on any experiments undertaken for the express purpose to
ascertain whether water was a better or worse conductor under pressure; and
therefore he was not in a position to answer the theory which Mr. Doubleday
there lays down; but he would suggest that the result to which Mr. Doubleday
alluded would probably not be found due to any alteration in the conducting
power of water, but simply owing to the fact that atmospheric pressure is
lower on the top of the Andes than at the base of the mountains.
Ebullition depends on the liberation of vapour from water, and takes place
more freely when the pressure on the surface of the water is
diminished. This has little or nothing to do with its conducting power,
but is simply owing to the difference of pressure. Following Mr.
Doubleday's reasoning, it appeared from circumstances which had been
observed, and about which there could be no doubt, that water deprived of
its air by boiling, or in any other way, might be heated, without ebullition
taking place, to a temperature beyond that of boiling water. He (Mr.
Bell) had not been able to find any account of the difference of
specific gravity of water so deprived of its air, and water not deprived of
its air. But he was strongly inclined to the belief that the difference
of specific gravity between airless water, and water charged with air, as
in its natural condition, was so small that the assumption of one taking
up in the boiler an inferior position to the other, he apprehended could not
be substantiated by actual experiment. But supposing such to be the
case, and that we have two portions of water, one of which has been deprived
of the air which it is capable of absorbing, so that its specific gravity is
raised, as Mr. Doubleday supposes; and suppose both in the same vessel,
separated by an imaginary line of demarcation, he felt
46
satisfied that the heavier portion, as Mr. Doubleday assumed it to be,
namely, the airless portion, being; at the bottom of the boiler, would, by
its expansion, have its specific gravity reduced below that of the
air-impregnated water. In point of fact, the airless water, by that
expansion, would rise almost immediately to the top of the boiler.
Notwithstanding all this, he was not inclined to dispute the conclusion to
which Mr. Doubleday arrived, that boilers might, from having within them
water, previously deprived of air, be liable to explosion; because there was
no doubt, he believed, of this fact, that where to water so circumstanced
you add a small quantity of water in its normal condition, those curious
results to which Mr. Doubleday had alluded did take place. This water,
impregnated, it might be, by an infinitesimal amount of air, loses the power
which it had before of being raised to a high temperature, without being
converted into steam; and we might well conceive a boiler filled with
airless water entirely, having, in starting the engine, injected into it a
quantity of air-impregnated water; and then the super-heated water becoming
mixed with air-impregnated water, would no doubt produce a quantity of
vapour, which the steam pipes or safety-valves might be incapable of
carrying off. While he considered it quite possible that airless water might
frequently cause explosions in boilers, he was also very strongly of opinion
that boilers frequently do explode by sheer overpressure. He believed, in
the case of exploded boilers, that they who directed the investigation
frequently shifted the responsibility off their own shoulders on to the
shoulders of others; and that the first explanation they rushed to was, to
find that the unfortunate engineer or fireman were to blame by permitting
the boiler to become deficient in water. He believed it would be found, if
these cases were properly examined in that critical way which the
requirements of science demanded, that very frequently the boilers exploded
by one portion giving way. Conceive a portion of a boiler built with its
plates lengthways, in the direction of the circumference of the boiler.
Suppose such a portion of plate two feet wide in a boiler six feet in
diameter, it would require very little calculation to show that the pressure
over such a section, at thirty lbs. to the square inch, amounts to a very
considerable strain. The shape of the boiler itself at this particular part
was preserved by the circumstance of the pressure, as it were, being in a
state of equilibrium on every portion. They knew that if that boiler was
square, instead of round, a very speedy deviation from its original
construction would be the result, If you imagine a line across the
portion of the
47
boiler where the fire is, corroded tlfl not more than one-eighth of an inch
thickness of iron is left to resist the pressure to which it is exposed—a
crack takes place in that length, and instantly, excepting so far as that
portion of the boiler is restrained by its being in connection with the
adjoining plates, the tendency of that row of plates, to which he had been
referring, was immediately to flatten out. Well, this instantaneously gives
exit to an enormous volume of steam; and, acting on the opposite end, throws
the boiler out of place. His impression was that very many of the explosions
were due, not to any particular condition of the water in the boiler, but
simply to a want of care on the part of those to whom the boilers belonged,
in not examining into their condition more carefully and systematically than
he believed in many cases was done.
The Chairman said, they were glad to receive all the explanation that could
be given of a very difficult subject. He had no doubt that the society in
Manchester, which was extending itself materially, would have a good effect.
Mr. Bell gave notice of the following motion:—" That a committee of three be
appointed to assist the President in revising the Reports of the
Transactions previously to their being printed."
The meeting then separated.
MEMOIR
or
THE LATE NICHOLAS WOOD, ESQ.
By THOMAS DOUBLEDAY.
Mr. Nicholas Wood, the late President of this Institute,—an office to which
he was annually elected from its commencement,—was born April 24, in the
year 1795. His birth-place was Sourmires, in the parish of By ton, situated
on the south side of the river Tyne. In early life his constitution appears
to have been delicate; so much so, that its superintendence seems to have
been undertaken by an uncle, Mr. Greener, of Hallgarth, near Winlaton, under
whose care he was placed. His first school was the village-school of
Crawcrook—a hamlet on the south bank of the Tyne. His schoolmaster was Mr.
Craigie, a man said to have been of some ability as a teacher; an assertion
which the future career of his pupil, young1 Wood, does not certainly tend
to disprove. At Crawcrook the youth seems to have shown considerable
readiness, as well as application; and his progress in the ordinary branches
of education was so great as to attract the notice of Sir Thomas Liddell, of
Ravensworth, who appears to have taken an early interest in his future
welfare. Through the influence of Sir Thomas, the young man was sent to
Killing-worth Colliery—in which Sir Thomas was a principal partner—to learn
the duties of a viewer—a profession which he not only helped to adorn, but
materially to advance.
At Killing-worth Colliery the young man was thrown into the society of one
who exercised a considerable influence over his future life; and whose own
arduous and successful career his young companion unquestionably assisted to
bring to a fortunate issue. This was George Stephenson—then, himself, a
young man—whose persevering ingenuity had already begun to attract
attention, and who, about this time, was made directing engineer of
Killing-worth High Pit. In young Nicholas Wood, Stephenson found exactly
the coadjutor he wanted. He found
50
his young- companion endowed with imperturbable good temper, a docile
disposition, great power of application, and perseverance under difficulties
hardly inferior to his own. Young Wood became accordingly the confidant of
Stephenson; the depositary of his plans and schemes, of whatever
description; and his assistant in that series of persevering experiments
which at last resulted in the modern locomotive, which, but for the early
and irrepressible energy of Stephenson and his young companion, might yet,
possibly have remained a desideratum.
It must not be supposed, however, that Stephenson's speculations were
confined to the invention and construction of the iron horse. He was at this
period engaged in the construction of a safety-lamp. His experience in coal
mining soon taught him the necessity that existed for some invention which
should shield the miner from the tremendous risk to which, in deep and fiery
collieries, he is constantly exposed, from sudden and unforeseeable
irruptions of the masses of carburetted hydrogen gas, pent up in these
perilous seams. The result of Stephenson's attempts was the first "
safety-lamp "—long since superseded by those of Clanny and Davy—of which
young Wood, who was already a very fair di*aughtsman, made a drawing- from
which, under its inventor's instructions and supervision, the lamp was
constructed.
The metallic part was put together by Mr. Hogg, then an eminent tin-worker
in the Side, Newcastle. The glass portion was made at the Northumberland
Glass House, in the Close, by the foreman of the works. The lamp, though in
many requisites, imperfect, was found to be efficient for its main purpose.
It could be burned, with comparative safety, in an explosive atmosphere; and
young Wood, it is stated, was one of those who had courage to attend his
friend, and witness the testing of the lamp at a " blower" in Killing-worth
Colliery—a perilous experiment, but one readily fronted by men really
enthusiastic in pursuing scientific improvements and inventions of
whatsoever nature; as witness the " Montgolfier Balloon," the precursor of
the present balloon, which, many years before that period, had brought
Pilatre de Rozier and his companion to an untimely end. In 1815 the lamp was
exhibited, before a numerous gathering of persons interested in the
invention, at the rooms of the Newcastle Literarj^ and Philosophical
Society, which at that time were in the Bigg Market. At this scene the
writer of this memoir was present, and- well recollects the mixed ingenuity
and simplicitjr of the inventor, who was greatly indebted to his young
coadjutor for such proofs and explanations as were given of the merits and
details of the invention.
51
That Stephenson's lamp was generally superseded by that of S; Humphrey Davy
experience has demonstrated; but this proves nothin beyond the fact, that
the original inventor rarely brings his own idea t entire perfection. The
Marquis of Worcester, Savory, and Newcomen, ha the notion of the steam
engine before Watt developed it. Neither was th multitubular boiler of the
locomotive the device of Stephenson, thoug but for him the rest might never
have existed; and, in point of fact, th George Stephenson lamp, a little
modified, is still in use at Killingwortl. under the suggestive title of the
" Geordy-lamp." The consequence c this not uncommon occurrence was, that
after the Davy-lamp ha appeared, a controversy arose, in which, as usual,
each party looked i his own side of the shield, and denied any merit on that
of his oppc nent. The truth, in fact, lay between them, and was thus
verified b both, and is now recognised by less zealous partizans. In this
contrc versy Mr. Wood is stated to have taken some part, as was sure to h
the case. In fact, in the accomplishment of clear delivery, and in th art of
expressing his thoughts clearly in writing, George Stephensor like some
other eminent men, was very deficient. In this point hi young friend had
somewhat the advantage of him j and, no doubt, h was glad to avail himself
of the aid he needed. It is needless to sa that this connection soon ripened
into a friendship between Stephenso and his companion, which, with little
interruption, lasted whilst the lived. Of Stephenson's appreciation of the
acquirements and ability c Mr. Wood we cannot have a better proof than the
fact, that he obtaine for his son Robert—afterwards the eminent engineer—the
advantage c Mr. Wood's experience as a colliery viewer and mining engineer,
whils he held that position at Killing-worth Colliery. That Robert Stephenso
was a pupil of Mr. Wood is a fact honourable to both; nor was the forme ever
slow to acknowledge his obligation to his early instructor.
About this time, one of the earliest developments of the railway sys tern
occurred in the guise of a scheme for a railroad between Stockto and
Darlington. The railway system was then in its infancy, and Mi Stephenson
was accordingly sent for and consulted by the promoters c the enterprise. On
this occasion it appeared that Mr. Wood accom panied his friend Stephenson
to Darlington; and the result was, ulti mately, the employment, by Mr. Pease
and the other promoters of th line, of George Stephenson as engineering
manager of the work. Th line did not present any difficulty that would give
trouble to the engi neers of the present day; but railway engineering as a
science was, a
Vol. XV.—18G6.
H
54
prevailed; and properly prevailed. The Government of that period saw the
necessity of taking some step in accordance with the prevalent feeling";
and, ultimately, two commissioners—Sir Henry de la Beche and Dr.
Playfair—were sent down to inquire, authoritatively, into the general
management of the collieries of the North of England, and into the causes of
the loss of life to an extent so serious. These gentlemen's report was
published, at last, in 1847; and, as might easily have been anticipated,
amongst other recommendations, it advocated the proposal, by Government, of
some system of " inspection," to be sanctioned by Parliament. This
suggestion was acted upon by those then in power. Parliament were readily
induced to take the matter up; committees were appointed, and evidence
taken. A second commission, consisting of Professor Phillips and Mr. Kenj^on
Blackwell, was sent down to examine all the circumstances still more
narrowly—an investigation in which the leading coal-owners, including Mr.
Wood, took an active and important part. It was, of course, felt on all
sides that the subject was, of necessity, beset with difficulties, and must
be handled in a manner proportionately delicate and cautious. In the general
principle of an inspection the trade, however, unanimously acquiesced ,• and
the result was the enactment of the first Inspection Act, Victoria anno
xviii. and xix., cap. 108.
One of the earliest consequences of this combined action, on the part of the
public and of the.Government, was to convince the leading members of the
Coal Trade of the Counties of Northumberland, and Durham that some further
effort, on their part, to improve both the theoretical and practical
departments of mining science was, if not imperative, at all events highly
advisable and desirable. On the 3rd of July, 1852, accordingly, a meeting of
owners and viewers of collieries was held at Newcastle, the late Mr. William
Anderson occupying the chair. This meeting resulted in the formation of a
society, which was proposed to be entitled "The North of England Society for
the Prevention of Accidents, and for other purposes connected with Mining."
At a second meeting, however, both the plan and title of the proposed
society were altered, and the title of " The North of England Institute of
Mining Engineers" substituted for the other. The Institution was formally
commenced in August, 1852, when Mr. Wood was elected its first President;
the four Vice-Presidents being Messrs. T. J. Taylor, Forster, Anderson, and
Potter; Mr. Boyd, Treasurer; and Mr. Edward Sinclair its first Secretary.
The President's inaugural address was delivered on the 3rd of the following
September. The number of members enrolled during the first
55
year seems to have been about one hundred. The Institution has gone on
steadily increasing in numbers and utility up to the present time; and,
although the officers were annually elected, so highly were Mr. Wood's
services as President estimated by the body over which he so long presided,
that he was annually chosen President by a great majority of votes, and held
the office up to the day of his lamented death. The Transactions of the
Society have, since its commencement, been published in monthly parts, and
collected into an annual volume, of which fourteen are complete. To this
valuable collection of essays, on almost every subject connected with mining
for coal, Mr. Wood's contributions are numerous, varied, and important,
being replete with practical knowledge. They may be enumerated as follows
:—
Vol. I.—Inaugural Address to the Members.
Experiments on the Kelative Value of the Furnace and the Steam Jet in the
Ventilation of Coal Mines, with eleven diagrams. [This is a most elaborate
paper in defence of furnace ventilation. It extends over 101 pages.]
On Safety-lamps for Lighting Coal Mines.
Vol. III.—On the Conveyance of Coals Underground in Coal Mines, with ten
plans. [Another voluminous paper, comprising experiments on the friction of
underground tubs at several collieries, and a most comprehensive account of
the various modes of underground locomotion and their relative values.]
Vol. V.—On the Conveyance of Coals underground in Pits. [A continuation of
the experiments given in the previous paper on the same subject,]
On Sinking through the Magnesian Limestone at the Seaham and Seaton Winning,
near Seaham, with four coloured plates.
An Account of the Explosion of Fire-damp at the Lundhill Colliery, with two
coloured plans.
Vol. VII.—On the Deposit of Magnetic Ironstone in Bosedale, with six
coloured plans. . .
A Summary of the various conclusions which appear to result from the several
papers and discussions brought before the Institute on the subject of
Ventilation.
Vol. VIII.—Biography of the two late eminent Engineers, George and Eobert
Stephenson. Vol. IX.—Sketch of the Life and Career of Joseph Locke, Esq.,
M.P., one of the
Vice-Presidents of the Institute. On the Explosion in the Boiler Flues of
one of the Engines at Hetton
Colliery, on l">ecember 20, 1860, with three coloured plates. Vol.
X.—Inaugural Address delivered at the Central Meeting of the Institute at
Birmingham, on July 16, 1861.
56
Vol. XL—On the Upper and Lower Beds of Coal in the Counties of
Northuniber1-land and Durham, with nine coloured plates and several
wood-cuts. [The object of this paper is to establish the connection of the
Northumberland and Durham coal-basin with the smaller coal-fields of Berwick
and Plashetts, and more particularly with the coal-basin of Canonbie, on the
borders of Scotland, and with'the coal-fields of Scotland generally.]
Observations on the Mineral Section of the International Exhibition of 1862.
Vol. XIL—On Safety-lamps.
As these and all other papers read to the Society, were discussed at the
next or some succeeding meeting-, and these conversations are recorded with
tolerable accuracy; they form an interesting* portion of the Transactions.
In these discussions the President, when present, rarely omitted to take a
leading- part. His observations and criticisms are characteristic. They
exhibit abundant practical knowledge, a ready reference to facts, recorded
during a life-long experience in coal-mining in all its branches, and a
knowledge of the geology of the district, perhaps only to be obtained
through an experience like that of the late President.
It is unnecessary to remind those to whom these reminiscences are addressed,
that since the enactment of the first Mines' Inspection Act, in 1851, there
has been a continuous agitation on the subject of the inspection of
coal-mines, and on various other subjects more or less connected with
coal-mining—an agitation both within and without the walls of parliament;
and most perseveringly carried on whenever a renewal of a Mines' Inspection
Act became a matter of debate. On these occasions Mr. Wood, amongst other
leading engineers and coal-owners, was always appealed to as a high
authority on every subject connected with management and working of
collieries. He was invariably called upon to give evidence before committees
of one or other of the Houses of Parliament, whenever coal-mines and their
management formed the subject to be enquired into. The evidence there given
is on record; and it is worthy of note that the views of the late President
of the Institute, and those of the other leading engineers and coal-owners
of this district, have been most frequently adopted by, and recommended in
the reports of, these committees, and finally embodied in such enactments,
relative to coalmines, as have become law for a time.
After the establishment of the North of England Institute of Mining
Engineers, Mr. Wood's efforts, as a writer, were nearly confined to the
production of the papers which he contributed to, and which are printed
in their Transactions. One exception seems to have occurred, in the shape of
an essay " On the Improvements in the Working of Coal-mines," during the
last half-century, read at a meeting of the Society of Mechanical Engineers,
in Newcastle, 1858, and published by them in their Proceedings. Mr. Wood's
attention was now, however, actively engaged by other projects for the
improvement of mining science, towards which he had already so largely
contributed. Sometime during the year 1855, the circumstances of that period
seem to have impressed upon the minds of some of the leading mining
engineers of the North of England, as well as of some of the principal
coal-owners of this district, a conviction that the time had arrived when an
effort ought to be made, whether with or without the aid of government, to
establish some collegiate institution for the cultivation, improvement, and
teaching of mining science, especially as applicable to coal-mines. This
impression soon led to active measures. The subject was brought, by those
most strongly interested in the success of the enterprise, before the
council of the North of England Institute, and was by them brought under the
notice of the society at one of their general monthly meetings. The result
was the immediate appointment by the body of a special committee, whose
instruction it was to take the entire subject into consideration, and to
report to the society thereon; appending to that report, if deemed
advisable, the prospectus and plan of such a college, embodying- all the
requisite details. Nor was any time lost in carrying- these instructions
into effect. The prospectus of a mining college was matured and finally
drawn up, for the most part under the able auspices of the President, and of
the late Mr. Thomas John Taylor, then one of the Vice-presidents of this
Institution; and on the first of November, 1855, this report and prospectus,
with the ground plan and elevation of a suitable building, supplied by Mr.
Archibald Dunn, were presented to the council by Mr. Thomas John Taylor, on
behalf of the committee. By the council the documents were laid before a
general meeting of the society, with a recommendation that the meeting
should adopt, print, and distribute them wherever such distribution might
promise to be of service. This recommendation was at once acted upon by
those present. The prospectus and plans were printed without loss of time,
together with a circular appended, calling upon the patrons of the
Institute, the leading coal-owners, and various other influential persons
connected with mining generally, and coal-mining especially, to aid the
undertaking. The document was extensively distributed, and no effort spared
to impress upon the public mind, and particularly in the
58
North of England, the importance of such an institution to a country whose
mines exceed those of any other country in the world in extent and value.
Under the same auspices an attempt was also made to impress upon government,
the national importance of such an establishment as that proposed.
The time, however, was not ripe for the success of an undertaking so
weighty. Notwithstanding the liberal offers of aid, tendered from some few
quarters, and most especially by that munificent patron of everything that
promised to bfe useful to his fellow-men, the late Algernon, Duke of
Northumberland, the project was doomed to fail. For this disappointment,
some causes not without weight, may be adduced. The coal-trade was not then
in a state to induce those, whether immediately or mediately connected with
it, to expend capital upon an establishment only remotely bearing upon their
interests. Much difference of opinion also existed as to the locality most
proper for such an establishment. By many, Newcastle, was held not to be
sufficiently central. It was also feared that, unless the endowment should
much exceed anything that could be reasonably expected, the receipts would
fail to meet the demands of an institution where not only mining science was
to be taught, but other branches of knowledge collaterally connected with
it. Be the causes of failure, however, what they might, the project proved
abortive. Nor was the attempt more successful which was made under the same
auspices, to induce the heads of the University of Durham to add mining
science to the curriculum of the studies there promoted, the funds at their
disposal been deemed insufficient for the purpose.
During the closing years of Mr. Wood's life his attention was principally
occupied with the management of his own extensive coal-mining concerns—quite
enough for most minds, however well balanced and inured to the active
business of life. He attended the meetings of the Institute, and, to the
last, took part in such discussions as occurred, but ceased to employ his
pen in its service. He also attended, up to a late period, the meetings in
London of the General Mining Association, of which he was chairman.
During the second session, however, in the town of Newcastle, of the British
Association for the Advancement of Knowledge, Mr. Wood read a very able
paper, composed by himself, in conjunction with Mr. John Taylor, Mr. Isaac
Lowthian Bell, and Dr. Richardson, on the various industrial pursuits of the
northern counties, including, of course, as the most prominent, the coal and
iron trades in all their branches. This
*
59
•* elaborate and interesting tract has been published as a separate volume,
of which two large editions have been sold.
The last time of his taking the chair, as President of this Institute, was
on the occasion of a paper " On the Hydraulic Coal-Cutting Machine," which
created great interest, being read by Mr. T. W. Embleton, of Methley, near
Leeds. After this time Mr. Wood's state of health became too precarious to
admit of his attending the monthly general meetings of the Institute. His
illness gradually assumed a more serious form ; and, after a protracted
struggle, he expired in London—whither he had gone for medical advice—on
Tuesday, the 19th of December, 1865. Mr. Wood was for some years a widower,
having survived his wife, Miss Lindsay, of Alnwick, for some years. He
leaves four sons and three daughters—two of whom are married—to inherit his
ample fortunes.
The prominent characteristics of Mr. Wood's mind were plain, practical good
sense; steady perseverance in his pursuits; the faculty of calmly
contemplating and patiently investigating the subjects to which he applied
himself; and an equanimity of temper, hardly, if ever, exceeded, for which
he was very remarkable. As a public speaker he was deficient, seizing the
appropriate expression with apparent difficulty and hesitation. This want of
fluency sometimes caused him to repeat the last words of a sentence as if
they were meant to serve as a sort of index to the next—a habit which
occasionally impeded the clear expression of his views, however accurate, of
the questions to which he applied himself. To praise some men, even after
death, is difficult. To praise others is an easy task; whilst, in the case
of some few, praise is all but superfluous. Under the last of these
divisions the writer may, without exaggeration, place the late President of
this Institute; for whether he be viewed as an employer of labour, as a
successful man of business, as a promoter of knowledge, as a friend to
education amongst all classes, as a neighbour, a parent, or a friend, we may
safely say that his place in society will not be easily filled.
COAL WASHING APPARATUS
IN USE AT THE
INCE HALL COAL AND CAMEL COMPANY'S COLLIERIES,
AT INOB, NEAR WIGAN. By G. GILROY.
Read at the Manchester Meeting, July 13th, 1865.
This apparatus has been in operation for fourteen months. It consists ot a
line of spouts attached at one end to the slack or duff-hopper of the
nut-screening* apparatus, and is continued to each row of coke ovens, or, if
necessary, to each oven.
By means of valves worked by the attendant, who is stationed near the coke
ovens, water and slack are admitted together, or separately, as required,
into the spouts at the end attached to the nut screen. The slack is conveyed
to the coke ovens by water, any pyrites, earthy matter, or other impurities,
being- deposited at the bottom of the spout whilst in transit. For
particulars as to construction, see plate. The distance from the screens to
the ovens is about 600 feet. The spouts are arranged as follows :—From the
screen to a point, 275 feet, the spout is ten inches X ten inches inside,
with a fall towards the ovens of one in eighteen; then, forty feet, ten
inches x ten inches inside, falling one in twenty-four; then, seventy feet,
twenty-three inches broad and ten inches high, falling one in twenty-four.
The spouts are supported by single upright poles, about sixty feet apart,
the centre of each being held up to the level line by wire-rope suspenders
or guys, reaching from pole to pole. At the point 326 feet from the slack
screen there is a valve A ( plate IX.), which, when opened, the slack being
previously shut off at the screen, allows all the dirt and refuse, that may
be deposited in the spout down to this point, to pass into the dirt wagon
beneath.
62
Fifteen feet further there is a dam B (plate IX.), consisting1 of a piece of
wood, three inches deep, which arrests the progress of any of the lighter
particles of dirt which do not settle higher up the spout. When the first
portion of the dam of three inches high is filled with dirt, another piece
of wood of the same thickness is added, and so soon as the refuse
accumulates behind it to the level of the top, a valve is opened, and the
dirt falls into the dirt wagon, after which one of the pieces of wood
before-mentioned is again inserted.
Again, at a point twenty-four feet lower down, a dam C (plate IX.) is formed
by another loose piece of wood, which secures any stray pieces of dirt that
may have escaped the obstructions higher up; and thirty-one feet nearer the
ovens another loose dam D (plate IX.), two-and-a-half inches high, is
placed, where there is a valve to let out the dirt from both.
The quantity of Arley Mine slack washed daily is 120 tons, yielding* about
six per cent, of refuse. The water required is about eighty to ninety
gallons per minute. The attendance to the washing department costs three
shillings per day, or three-tenths of a penny per ton on the slack.
The advantages of this mode of washing small coal are these:— 1st,
Simplicity of arrangement.
2nd, Economy in first outlay, and in cost of working and upholding-. 3rd,
Efficiency.
First, then, as to its Simplicity. It will be seen that the first requisite
is a copious supply of water j the spouts, dams, and valves are simple in
design, and not difficult to keep in order. I may here be allowed to say,
that if the distance the slack is now floated could be doubled, it would, in
my opinion, be an advantage, seeing that the separation of the heavier and
soluble parts of the earthy matter from the coal would be more complete,
even with fewer dams than I employ in this case.
Secondly, its Economy. By reference to the model, it will be observed that
the repairs of the spouts, valves, and dams, must be very small indeed.
There is also a considerable saving in the carriage of the slack by water,
as compared with the ordinary modes of transit. In this case the difference
in favour of water is great.
As to its Efficiency. I can only say that the cleansing of the coal is
complete, without the least possible loss of coal amongst the refuse, and
the quality of the coke is greatly improved.
DISCUSSION ON MR. G. GILEOY'S PAPER ON A COAL WASHING
MACHINE.
J. T. Woodhouse, Esq., Vice-President, in the Chair.
The Chairman—Most of us who visited the works yesterday had an opportunity
of inspecting the model and seeing it in action, and, therefore, perhaps
that may, in addition to the drawing which is on the paper behind me, be of
considerable assistance in enabling- you to arrive at a conclusion, or in
promoting discussion on the merits of this machine. There were two large
washing machines in the immediate vicinity in use by the Kirkless Hall
Company. These gave us an excellent opportunity of comparing the merits of
washing by continual agitation, and by merely running the slack down a long
spout. The machine is so simple and appears to be so effectual that we
imagine that it does all that can be required. At the same time there may
be subject for discussion.
Mr. Lancaster—I can testify to the quality of the coke manufactured from it,
and the result is very near, if not quite, equal to the machines you saw at
our works.
The Chairman—To the coke washed by the agitation principle ?
Mr. Lancaster—Yes.
The Chairman (addressing Mr. Gilroy) said, in your paper you say " at the
point, 326 feet from the slack screen, there is a valve," etc. Had you any
particular reason for fixing that distance 1 That appears to be the first
weir upon the machine, and that is where the first accumulation of dirt
takes place.
Mr. G. Gilroy—The object of having that valve there is simply, that it is
very nearly upon the termination of the spout. You would observe that we
have two different inclinations. First, one in eighteen for the length of
275 feet. That was found out entirely by experiment. We did not work upon
any rule, but had to watch the action of the water and do the best we could,
and we found it required a fall of one in eighteen for that distance.
Further on we make the inclination a little less, one in twenty-four, and
that caused the deposit of the heavier
64
matter in the spout from that point. The greater portion of the whole
deposit is made between these two points. We observed, also, that the nearer
level you can keep the spouts, supposing- there to be plenty of water, so
much easier does the deposit go on. That must be obvious so long- as you can
get through the quantity and float the slack. I have mentioned that there
might be an improvement by lengthening the spouts. I do not say the machine
is anything- approaching perfection; but the further you can convey the
spouts, up to 400 to 500 yards, the more perfect would be the cleansing, and
the deposit would, no doubt, go on more satisfactorily.
Mr. G. C. Greenwell—As to the present state of its perfection, I ¦ can only
testify to this, that, having an object in view, I went to see Mr. Gilroy's
machine, and I carefully examined both the refuse that was taken out and the
coal that was left; and I could not find any coal amongst the refuse, or any
refuse amongst the coal. Another point was the light colour of the water
when it was taken away with the dirt. The water was more like milk than
anything else.
Mr. Marley—I wish to ask Mr. Lancaster, as to his washing machine, if he can
answer, off-hand, what the relative cost is ? Mr. Gilroy estimates his at
three-tenths of a penny per ton. I missed the opportunity of going to see
the washing itself; but I saw the model and was very much pleased with it.
And I have to ask Mi-. Gilroy where he gets the large quantity of water,
whether he has it to lift or has it ready at hand 1
Mr. Gilroy—In this statement of cost, it is the real cost and not an
estimate. I think I said it was for the attendance to the washing. That does
not include the cost of lifting the water which, I suppose, was thrown up
about seventy feet by a donkey engine.
Mr. Lancaster—I have no hesitation in saying that our cost is very much
larger, and that the original cost of the erection of machinery is also much
more expensive. I feel certain it is more than double.
Mr. Lowe inquired the per centage of dirt in the slack ?
Mr. Gilroy replied, six per cent.
Mr. Lancaster said, the loss of theirs consumed over half a year was about
twelve per cent.
Mr. Lowe said, they found in their district that the cost was thirty per
cent.
Mr. Lancaster said, that would depend upon the quality of the slack.
65
In reply to a question from Mr. Spencer,
Mr. Lancaster said, he was hardly prepared to say off-hand, what amount of
ashes was produced by coke from washed as compared with unwashed coal.
Taking theirs as a type, the ash was very much reduced by the process of
washing. Theirs was just the same seam as Mr. Gilroy's.
Mr. G. Gilroy—The coke in both Mr. Lancaster's case and mine is very much
improved. Before we commenced to wash, the vertical fractures in the coke
were very frequent indeed, coming out in thin, shivey pieces. It is now very
much larger, something like, on the average, three or four inches square. I
should be very glad if any gentleman can explain - the cause of this.
Whether it is on account of the tyrge amount of sulphur being in the
unwashed slack, or whether it is that the slack is put in in an unwashed
state, I cannot say.
The Chairman—Do you think the construction of the oven has anything- to do
with it ?
Mr. G. Gilroy—The construction of the oven is exactly the same.
Mr. Southern—It is not always the case that the coke from washed coal is
larger than from coal unwashed. It being so in Mr. Gilroy's case, does
certainly differ from some that I have seen.
Mr. Lancaster—I believe, in this particular case, the moisture has a great
deal to do in'assisting the melting of the bituminous parts.
Mr. W. Cochrane—If the mechanical intermingling of the shale and coal does
not explain that, I do not know how it can be accounted for. If you have a
fine coal with a quantity of foreign matter, you will find that the coking
process is stopped, and the coke will be broken across in small fragments
wherever shale intervenes. If you get rid of the shale you do not find this.
By passing the small coal over a wire gauze, and not washing, the shale is
sufficiently removed to yield a perfect coke.
Mr. Marley—I agree with Mr. Cochrane, that it is the mechanical operation,
the large particles of dirt, that makes the difference in the size of your
coke, more than the chemical process.
Mr. Spencer remarked, that the coke was not so large after being-washed ; it
drew smaller.
Mr. Douglas said, his experience taught him always to expect that the more
foreign matter there was mixed with the coal, the more was the coke broken
up, and in a way that did not appear when the same coal was found free from
foreign matter.
66
No further observations being" offered,
The Chairman moved the usual vote of thanks to the author for his paper,
which was directed to be placed in the archives of the Institute.
Mr. G. Gil hoy, in acknowledgment, said, I beg to thank you for the manner
in which my paper has been received. We shall be glad, if any member wishes
to see the machine, to show it at any time.
ON THE PROGRESS OP
COAL MINING INDUSTRY IN CHINA.
By THOMAS YOUNG HALL.
Read at Newcastle, September 2nd, 1865.
There exists abundant evidence in the written annals of China,* to prove
that coal was used by the Chinese as an article of fuel many centuries
before its properties were known in Europe.
In the history of the Han dynasty, which was preeminent for its men of
learning- and genius, commencing" the year 202 B.C., and ending Anno Domini
25, mention is made among the remarkable events of that period, that in the
province of Kiang-see, there were black stones found which the inhabitants
used as a fuel for cooking. In the seventh century of the Christian era, a
writer on the products of China mentions coal as an article of commerce; and
a poet in the tenth century at Pekin, passes a high eulogium on its value in
the manufacture of iron implements of agriculture.
Then we find the famous traveller, Marco Polo, who visited China in the 13th
century, stating that there are a kind of black stones cut from the
mountains in veins, which burn like logs.
* [For this account of Coal and Coal-Mines in China, I am indebted to Samuel
Mossman, Esq., who accompanied me on a mining expedition through Austria,
Styria, France, Prussia, &c, and has since spent some years in Australia and
China. On Mr. Mossman leaving for China, I requested him to examine the coal
mines of that country, and to communicate his observations to me for the
information of the members of the Northern Institute of Mining Engineers.
Mr. Mossman was resident in China for a considerable period, and travelled
through the chief provinces of that empire, so that much of what is here
stated came under his own experience, and he can vouch for the general
accuracy of the whole ; although the calculations of extent and produce must
be taken as only approximate.—T. Y. H.]
Vol. XV.—1866.
K
68
Although the first to discover the combustible utility of coal, yet the
Chinese have been very slow in adopting- it as a substitute for wood and
charcoal in manufactures and for culinary purposes. Several causes have been
assigned for this neglect of a product which may be said to have raised the
material prosperity of Great Britain to its present unexampled height. Some
travellers of eminence consider that it has been the policy of the Chinese
Government from time immemorial to encourage the labours of the field in
preference to those of the mine from political views; in order that public
tranquillity should not be disturbed by the owners of mines becoming too
rich and haughty, and cause the people to neglect agriculture, the first and
highest occupation inculcated by the state under the immediate patronage of
the Emperor. Perhaps this discouragement of mining occupations by the state
did exist in early times, especially when famine forced the people to use
all their time and means for the growth of food; but I did not find anywhere
a direct prohibition to work coal mines, whatever may exist concerning the
precious metals. On the contrary, wherever coal has been found, the
inhabitants of the vicinity have used it as fuel when it was to be purchased
at less cost than wood or charcoal; and if the Government never assisted in
working the mines, they have not in any instance, that I am aware of,
prevented the mining and sale of coal. I attribute its limited use, chiefly
to the high cost of production, and the inferior quality of the coal
obtained from the surface workings; while the miners have been deterred from
deep sinking from fire-damp, choke-damp, and flooding, which they cannot
overcome by their rude appliances and want of scientific knowledge. In
general, the seams have been worked where they happened to crop out of the
hill sides, and the borings made with a pickaxe just sufficient to allow the
miner to creep into. Through time, the pits have been carried a long
distance into the mountains, so that the labour in bringing- the produce to
the surface is very great and costly, and, consequently, coal is dear in
China. Some idea of this may be gathered from, the fact, that at the "
pit's-mouth" of the coal mines in the province of Che-kiang-, the cost is
equal to £1 5s. 8d. per ton. Notwithstanding this high price the miners are
extremely poor, and they find it more convenient and cheaper to burn the
shrubs and grass of the sterile mountains for their own use, than the coals
they dig from their mines.
In its pristine state, there is abundant evidence to show that not only the
plains and the valleys of the " Great Flowery Land" (as the Chinese term
their mother country) were densely covered with trees, but the
69
mountain ranges likewise, and that for ages the fuel of the inhabitants was
confined almost exclusively to wood. In the course of time the primeval
forests disappeared as the plains and valleys, and even the mountain sides,
were cultivated to produce vegetation for the food of man, that for culinary
purposes being of secondary consideration, and for mere bodily warmth
ignored altogether. Hence the whole extent of this vast empire with its
dependencies, greater than Europe, is destitute of forest land or trees
three feet in diameter; and hence, also, the people who live in the cold
provinces in the north, where the thermometer falls below zero of
Fahrenheit, maintain animal heat in the rigorous season by clothing padded
with cotton, or lined with furs. In all the multitude of habitations for a
population of 416 millions, from the prince to the peasant, there is not a
stove or fireplace for warming the person, while those for cooking are of
the most economical construction for the consumption of wood or charcoal. To
the practical Chinese mind, it seems a waste of money to spend it for such a
purpose, when sufficient warmth can be obtained by means that are not so
evanescent or costly. Yet they highly appreciate the " barbarian coal fire."
As I have witnessed in Shanghai, when a wealthy Chinese merchant would sit
before the Englishman's fireside with out-stretched palms and glowing face,
enjoying the cheerful heat with infinite gusto, remarking that we foreigners
had something good which they had not in China.
There is no coal found near Shanghai or in the province to which it belongs,
as the country is an extensive alluvial plain, but in the adjacent provinces
of the Che-Kiang and Kiang-see, it is found plentifully in the mountain
ranges leading into the green tea districts. These deposits are of
considerable extent, and the qualities of the coal are various, from slatey,
cannel, and bituminous kinds to anthracite. The last-named quality is most
in demand at Shanghai, where it costs about 50s. per ton, and is almost
entirely used by the manufacturers of brass and nickled tobacco pipes. It is
very compact, occasionally iridescent, specific gravity 1*34, and burns
intensely with a small blue flame, its ashy residuum being of a reddish
colour. The proximity of the coal measures in these provinces to ferruginous
ore and lime, facilitates the manufacture of iron. Some of the mountains,
which contain carboniferous strata, furnish the disintegrated granite of
which the celebrated porcelain is fabricated. The furnaces at the great
factories at Kingteh-chin, the chief seat of this branch of industry, are
heated by coal procured from adjacent mines. These form quite an
extensive coal-field
70
on the eastern slopes of the Wookwye mountains, in the district of Kew-chow,
about 130 miles S.W. of Ning-po. There are several varieties of the mineral
here, the one most valued being- termed " wood coal" from its fibrous
appearance, yet it has a brig-lit conchoidal cleavag-e, cakes while burning,
emitting- hydrogen gas, and leaving- light-coloured ashes. Its specific
gravity is 1*29. It possesses a much larg-er proportion of carbon than
ordinary bituminous coal, and compares favourably with English coal for the
use of the navy in the East; yet as a rule, Chinese coal is not suitable for
steam engines. This "wood-coal," when employed for culinary purposes, is
reduced into a powder, then mixed with mud, and formed into bricks,
something similar to patent fuel. In this shape it is sometimes used by
blacksmiths, but more frequently in the tea shops, for keeping water
constantly boiling, and in making the " Samshoo," or vico whisky, hot, by
means of a rude brick furnace, with a mud orifice, over which the vessel
containing the liquor is placed, keeping it hot all day, without further
care, at a cost of about 2d. The annual produce of coal from the mines in
these provinces is about 80,000 tons for Cho-kiang, and 190,000 for
Kiang-see. At the pit it costs on an average 25s. 8d. per ton, the baskets
in which it is packed cost about 3s. 6d., and its carriage to Shanghai 5s.
to 6s. Of course, that great emporium of commerce and steamers obtains its
supplies by the sea-board from every part of the world. What is here stated
relates only to the native coal mines.
The province of Che-kiang being situated on the eastern sea-board, and
Kiang-see on the inland frontier, shows that the coal-measures trend from
thence towards the interior, becoming richer in that direction.
Consequently, in the central province of Hoonan, coal mines of the greatest
extent and best quality have been found. Of the produce, that called "Kwang"
coal is most in demand, being the best anthracite, nearly as good as
American. This is carried by junks down the tributaries of the Toong-ting
lake, which is 300 miles in circumference, and from thence down the
Yang-tsze river to the cities on its banks. At Hankow, the farthest inland
river port open to foreign trade, where the writer has seen it in blocks of
one hundred-weight and more, showing that the working of these mines is on a
larger scale than in the maritime provinces. It is used almost entirely for
smelting- iron, and in the manufacture of iron and brass wares of all kinds.
Among the former is a cast-iron boiler for cooking-, made of such fine and
thin
ynatooial +Viof mix T*,' t. m i v> rvli n m mnTi nfn/if
ni>/ii>c Vi o rm <fm'ln/J i-n nnJnmnn.
71
an equally light and durable article. This is attributed to the high
carbonaceous properties of the coal used in smelting, which imparts a
texture approaching to steel, and finer than the best puddled iron by
Bessemer's process. The yield of the coal-mines in Hoonan is not less than
260,000 tons per annum.
Above Hankow, on the lands of the Great River Yang-tsze, which is 3000 miles
long, coal-mines are worked on the hill side, where the formation, for more
than a hundred miles, presents the same features as those of the coal
measures in England. The workings are nearly all horizontal, with a dip to
the North-East, and the character of the coal is more or less bituminous and
slatey. Most of it is got out in small pieces, which are pounded up, mixed
with water and loam, and then made into the shape of bricks, which are dried
in the sun and exported in junks.
Near Canton there are coal-mines in the hills of Ea-yune, from whence the
manufacturing town of Fat-shan is supplied with the mineral. Along this
range of hills excavations are seen over a distance of four miles, but
nearly the whole of them are abandoned.
Apparently the miners dig as far as they can profitably work, and if any
obstacle comes in the way, such as flooding, choke-damp, or firedamp, or the
seam dips too perpendicularly, they leave the pit to commence afresh from
some other spot on the surface. Still many of these pits show the rudiments
of mining* machinery, where the perpendicular seams are worked by men in
galleries at different depths, and where the water accumulates at the bottom
it is raised from one gallery to another by bamboo pumps• a most laborious
and apparently unsatisfactory process. The descent into some of these mines
is by a rude wooden staircase at an angle of 70 degrees, others are by
horizontal shafts, while the best coal is found at the greatest depth. At
one of these pits in full working order, recently visited, large piles of
coal were seen at the mouth, with numerous people at work, exhibiting
symptoms of activity and animation. The managers stated that with sixty men
working below they could turn out 500 peeculs a day, or about 30 tons. The
coal was of inferior quality, in small pieces, the largest about 41bs.
weight, and mixed with a large proportion of shale. When these lumps Were
struck with the hammer, they proved very friable, but adhered together upon
being submitted to the action of heat, and emitted fumes of sulphur. The
value of the coal at the pit's mouth was about £1 4s. 4d., and its carriage
to Canton 4s. lOd. These mines are worked by a wealth}* Chinaman, belonging
to Fat-shan (the Birmingham
72
of China), who has leased them from the Government for a period of ten
years, by paying a premium of 2000 taels, or £666, and a royalty of 2 taels,
or 13s. 4d. on every 100 peeculs or 6 tons. After several years mining-, he
found that he was working- at a loss, with the tedious inefficient
hand-labour at his command, and wished to give up the lease, but the
g-overnment officials would not allow it. If he had the means and appliances
of English coal-mining', he would soon make a fortune. The annual yield of
the Quand-tung- mines is about 130,000 tons.
The western provinces of Yen-nan, Sze-choven, and Kwy-chow have the
carboniferous system superimposed upon a granitic base throughout a great
part of their extent, in numerous sections of which the coal-measures exist
generally interstratified with beds of slatey clay and limestone. Very
little is known, however, of the extent to which these have been worked. Of
the coal-fields in the northern provinces of Shan-see, Pe-che-lee, and
Shing-king more is known. Touching certain mines in the last-named province,
Chinese cosmogonists, drawing on mythology, gravely state, that in one of
them the furnace still exists in which Nioo-kwa fused stones, for repairing
holes in the heavens, and that it is the original of all furnaces now in
use. This probably shows, that at one period, some of these mines have
caught fire and burned so intensely that they could not be extinguished.
Of these northern coal-mines, the oldest still at work are those that supply
the Chinese capital, Peking-, with this kind of fuel. They commence at about
twenty miles from the city, in the western mountains, and extend for a great
distance north and south. The coal is brought to the city in panniers on the
backs of ponies, mules, and camels. The long strings of tawny,
funereal-paced camels, begrimed with the carbonaceous loads they bear with
such melancholy fortitude, conducted by their sooty Tartar drivers, through
the wide dusty streets of Peking, the sonorous tinkling of the heavy
brass-bells suspended to the lower part of their necks, and the frequent
shi-ill, discordant scream of anger or fatigue emitted by these slow, but
patient creatures, tells the traveller of the neighbourhood of coal. It is a
good day's journey, however, for him to reach the nearest of these mines on
horseback. As he begins to ascend the low rounded hills which contain the
coal, their structure appears to the eye essentially slatey, but the strata
are upheaved and riven where the seams are laid bare and crop out on the
surface. A narrow gorge leads from the road in a tortuous manner up the
sides of the hills, and where it presents difficulties in the way of ascent,
steps of mica-
73
slate or gneiss are made to facilitate the transport of baskets of coal from
above by men and boys. At the pit's mouth is a coal yard, where small heaps
are collected and streaked or dribbled over with whitewash to mark whether
any one takes a portion away, as practised in this country on heaps of
bricks. In like manner, at the entrance to the pit, a large coal fire is
kept burning in order to ventilate the mine, like the up-cast shafts here.
And so, also, the miners furnish the visitor with an old Chinese skull-cap
and suit of coaly clothes to descend into the mine, while they slip the
string of a lamp over his head, and when ready to go below he looks the
exact picture of a Lancashire or Newcastle miner. Then he follows his guide,
descending* backwards, down the shaft, cut through a thick stratum of rock
at an angle of 45 degrees, the top and sides loose and soft, requiring to be
propped up with timbers. At every fifteen feet or so, the shaft twists in a
spiral direction through the rock, and terminates at about 120 long strides,
where the strata is a kind of blue compact limestone. There is a gallery,
narrow and wet, running along the surface of the coal, which in this seam is
considered inferior to the lower one. A trap-door opens into another
passage, which the guide states is to divert the current of air from one
gallery to another. Down this the visitor descends some thirty strides,
where a series of adit levels branch right and left into the seam, where the
miners are at work, with small pickaxes, lying on their sides. Without much
care in picking-out the shale, a long basket on wooden skids, containing
about 251bs. weight, is filled and dragged away by a boy with a rope-band
passed over the shoulder and allowed to play between his legs, while he
hauls it up the spiral shaft painfully and laboriously.
The character of this coal approaches that of ordinary household coal, more
than any other found in China. It is used in all the houses of the towns and
villages close to the mines, but at a few miles distant the inhabitants
prefer burning wood or charcoal. Coal is, however, commonly used in the
kitchens of the tea-houses, and the wealthy mandarins of Peking -, while the
Tartar population of that city have less antipathy to its use for culinary
purposes than the pure Chinese. At an approximate calculation the annual
produce of the coal-mines in the northern provinces is 310,000 tons. This,
added to the other estimates, makes about 1,000,000 tons as the production
annually of coal in China, valued in round numbers at £1,200,000 sterling,
at the pit's mouth. Compared with the population, the consumption is only 1
ton to 406 people.
Besides these coal-measures on the mainland of China, there are
74
deposits in the Island of Formosa, and in the Japanese Isles, which are of
superior quality, and more accessible to shipping1. However, sufficient data
is here given to show that the coal measures of the " Far East" are as yet
undeveloped. A new field is open there to the enterprising- " men of the
West," not only to show what they can do in developing- the coalmines of
China for their own profit, but how they may enrich the Imperial Chinese
Treasury. If it be the case, as abundantly shown in the foreg-oing-
memoranda, that it is the cost of the article which prevents its consumption
by the people, from the slow, rude process of mining-, there is no doubt
that, provided with the steam-engine and the safety-lamp, the Chinese miner
could produce inexhaustible supplies of coal at a cheap rate. Now is the
time for Engiish capitalists, and engineers skilled in coal-mining, to
obtain concessions from the Chinese Government, with whom we are on the most
friendly footing-, since the ratification of the " Treaty of Tientsin."
Under that " treaty" Englishmen may traverse the leng-th and breadth of the
land without molestation, and the Government would g*ladly grant concessions
to responsible individuals for a royalty, to fill their impoverished
exchequer. Of course, those who might obtain such concessions would be bound
to send out skilled " viewers" and " miners," with the most approved
appliances of machinery to raise the coal, and carry it by tramways to
markets and ports of shipment. In doing- so, they would show the slow
Chinese mind how superior is the civilisation of the West to that of the
East, especially in the arts and sciences bearing- upon works of utility and
profit. By such means, if coal became cheap and abundant in China, it would
not only make the fortunes of its promoters, but it would be a lasting-
benefit to the shipping- and commercial interests of this country by
increasing- our trade with that vast empire.
[On the Map attached to this paper (plate XIV.) the localities where coal
has been obtained in China are shewn in red.]
NORTH OF ENGLAND INSTITUTE
OF
MINING ENGINEERS.
»
GENERAL MEETING, THURSDAY, MARCH 1, 1866, IN THE ROOMS OP THE
INSTITUTE, WESTGATE STREET, NEWCASTLE-UPON-TYNE.
EDWARD POTTER, Esq., Vice-President, in the Chair.
The minutes of the Council meeting- having- been read,
The Chairman said, the business of the day would be commenced by the
election of a President, and fortunately there were a great many g-entlemen
who were capable of filling- that office. There was a proposal that the term
of office should be limited, but a difference of opinion existed as to
whether it should be for one, two, or three years.
Mr. Isaac Lowthian Bell said, that question would be broug-ht to an issue by
his bringing- before the meeting- the notice which stood on the paper in his
name—viz., that the mode of electing- the President be altered from the
practice hitherto pursued. A variety of circumstances, to which he need not
allude at any length, had caused the election to fall on their late lamented
President, Mr. Nicholas Wood, who held the office from the first
establishment of the Institute to his death. The fitness of Mr. Wood for
this office, and the fear that the choice of the Institute migiit fall on
any other, whose avocations might interfere with the discharge of the
duties, operated, no doubt, ag-ainst any gentleman becoming- a candidate for
the office for the last dozen years. The time had arrived when they were led
to inquire whether the plan hitherto pursued was, on the whole, most
conducive to the present interests of the Institute, and a strong-opinion
was held that a limit ought to be placed on the number of years any
g-entleman ought to serve. The office of President, he hoped, was,
Vol. XV.—1866.
L
76
and ever would be, an object of honourable ambition on the part of their
members, and it was desirable that the selection should have as large a
scope as possible. He thought, again, it was not desirable, perhaps, looking
at the duties of the office, to look to any one gentleman for their
discharge for so long- a period as Mr. Wood had held them. He had come to
the conclusion that a limited time would best meet the requirements of the
case, and best serve the interests of the Institute. Whether that time
should be one year, two, or three was a question they would now be called on
to discuss, The words of the motion placed on the paper left it to his
option to move it for any of these periods, and it was equally at the option
of the meeting- to take which was most likely to be acceptable. The
reason why one year was preferable to any other term would be, that the
office itself would be brought within a reasonable prospect of being filled
by a greater number of their own body. On the other hand, no doubt, the
longer the period, the greater the distinction. But while thus gaining on
the one hand, they would lose it on the other by circumscribing the number
of gentlemen who would be called on to discharge its functions. Having
consulted, as far as circumstances permitted, with other gentlemen, he had
come to the conclusion that a middle course was the best fitted to meet our
requirements. Therefore, if they saw no objection, he would submit for
the consideration of the members that two years should be the limit. He,
therefore, begged leave to move that the President shall not be eligible
for more than two years in succession; and that the retiring President shall
be ex-qfficio a Vice-President for one year.
Mr. Southern seconded the motion.
Mr. Armstrong suggested that the retiring President should become ex-qfficio
a member of the Council.
Mr. Bell consented to that alteration. The motion was then amended as
follows and carried unanimously :—" That rule No. 11 shall be altered so far
as regards the election of President, who shall hold office for two years,
and shall, on retiring, become ex-qfficio a member of the Council. Any
President shall be ree'ligible after being one year out of office."
Scrutineers were then appointed, and the votes taken. There was an absolute
majority in favour of Mr. Thomas E. Forster, who was consequently elected.
The voting was as follows :—Mr. Forster, thirty-one votes; Mr. Potter, nine
j Mr. Armstrong, three,• and Mr. J. T. Wood-house, two.
77 p
The President, in taking the chair, thanked the members of the Institute for
the honour they had conferred upon him. He dare not promise to devote as
much time to the duties of the office as their late President, but he would
do as much as he could, relying on their assistance.
The following new members were elected, viz.:—Mr. Joseph Tolson White,
Wakefield; Mr. Thomas Dunlop Ramsay, Trimdon Colliery, Ferry Hill, was
elected a graduate.
Mr. Cochrane called attention to a recommendation which had been made some
time ago for preparing a list of books to be obtained for their library,-
and to the generally neg-lected state of the Recommendation Book.
Mr. Green said, the library ought to be made as complete as possible, as
their funds were in a good state. There were some valuable books connected
with the coal-trade in the possession of the Society of Antiquaries. That
society made no objection to anyone inspecting their books, but they could
not be removed. These books contained reports upon, and plans of, the
working of collieries a hundred years back.
On the motion of Mr. Berkley, seconded by Mr. Armstrong, Mr. Green's paper,
entitled " The Chronicle and Record of the Northern Coal-Trade in the
Counties of Durham and Northumberland," was considered as read, and it was
ordered that it be printed.
Mr. Bell said, that availing themselves of the fact that they had a numerous
meeting, he begged leave to submit whether they might not, by enlarging the
sphere of operations of the North of England Mining Institute, render it a
more important body, not only to the coal-miners themselves, but to the
district generally. The question had been considered in the Council, whether
they might not so far enlarge it as to take into their society mechanical
engineering, and, probably, other branches of manufacture connected with the
district. There were objections urged by some, and one was, that they might
so far obscure the objects they had in view as entirely to alter the
complexion of the Institute—that instead of being one of entirely a
practical character, they might get into the discussion of pure theoretical
science. There was not much danger of that, because all the papers, before
they were read, must be submitted to the Council itself; and that body ought
to take care that such questions were excluded from consideration. There
would be no more danger of having their time taken up with such questions as
he had mentioned, than there was at present. He could not say that he
himself had sufficiently
78
considered the question to recommend that the Mining- Institute should so
far depart from its original objects; but he knew that this question had
occupied the attention of gentlemen who took no part in their discussions^
who, though members, never attended its meeting's, and never gave
information, or took any other part, except to subscribe to our funds.
He thought that an alteration of their constitution might be
attended with beneficial results. It was a reflection on the North of
England that they had-no institution that took special cognizance of
scientific subjects, excepting those of Natural History and Medicine.
Recently they had a Literary and Philosophical Society. The
late Robert Stephenson, by a very munificent offer on his part, effected a
change in the constitution of that body. One of the results was, that
that which was, to a great extent, a philosophical institution, had become
almost exclusively one of a literary character. He apprehended, though he
did not say it in condemnatory terms, that every year would see a nearer
approximation to its becoming an exclusively literary institution. Whether
or not this Institute, by joining to itself gentlemen of scientific and
manufacturing skill, might possibly supplement that which he thought they
were seeing about to depart from them, he could not tell. If they had any
establishment recognising the objects of manufacturing science, and uniting
with it a museum of products and models, they would possess a collection
having great interest, not only to themselves, but to the community
generally. In Newcastle such a collection was totally wanting.
The President said, that from the little that was said at the meeting of the
Council, they seemed all agreed that it would be a great benefit to the
Institute if mechanical engineers could be united with them.
Mr. Marley said, that in looking at the rules, he found that the first rule
related to the objects for which this Institute was originally founded.
These were connected with the ventilation of mines, the winning of
collieries, the prevention of accidents, and the promotion of mining science
generally. In the last clause they might introduce a great many of the
subjects referred to by Mr. Bell. Then, with regard to the qualification of
members, the rule said, " Other persons connected with or interested in
mining;" so that without any alteration in the rules they might meet Mr.
Bell's wish. He would suggest that this matter should go to the Council for
their consideration. It was a matter of very great importance, and before
they altered or interfered with the
79
¦ title of their society, the subject should be well discussed. They should
not be in a hurry to make any1 radical change till the annual meeting. With
the principle in the remarks of Mr. Bell he cordially agreed. With regard to
the title of the Institute, it might be a question whether, instead of
saying " Mining Engineers," it would not be better to say simply "
Engineers," or " Mining, Civil, and Mechanical Engineers."
Mr. Boyd said, he happened to have a pamphlet in his possession, written by
Mr. Thomas, applicable to this subject. It was a proposal that a society be
formed for lodging plans of mines that might be discontinued, and to prevent
accidents from new workings approaching such mines. Some information might
be gleaned out of this pamphlet assisting the object which Mr. Bell had in
view.
Mr. Southern said, it would be well if the recommendation of the Council on
this matter were in the hands of members as early as possible, that they
might have time to consider it before voting upon it.
Mr. Atkinson said, he did not quite agree with Mr. Marley in the propriety
of putting it off till August. If the thing was good, why put it off?
Mr. Marley said, that it would require till then to make such a fundamental
change.
Mr. Cochrane said, no papers on mechanical subjects would be refused; he did
not see what further inducement the Society could offer to members to bring
these subjects before the meeting.
The President—Probably these mechanical engineers were not aware of it.
Mr. Atkinson—They are, I understand, ready to join us, but they want to be
acknowledged.
Mr. Marley said, one of the founders and framers of the rules of this
Institute, the late Mr. Thomas John Taylor, said his object was to make the
rules so expansive and liberal as to bring almost everything reasonable
within them.
Mr. Atkinson said, that from conversations he had had out of the meetings of
the Society, he had reason to believe that several able gentlemen, connected
with mechanical engineering- and chemical science, would join the Institute
if they had a distinct recognition. They would wish to have a share in the
management as well as contribute papers. Unless something was done in this
way he thought they would stand aloof. It would be an infusion of new blood,
and make the society more lively and more useful.
82
described above, in a moveable piece of iron which is easily slipped on to
or off the edge of each tub j by this contrivance and by having the sheaves
rather elevated above the top of the tub the chain detaches itself from each
tub at the end of its journey.
At the top and bottom of the bank for every tub that is detached from the
chain, another is attached by the attendant. Any number of tubs may be
running- at a time, and as the deliveries are regular a very large amount of
work may be done, although the speed of the chain may be very low.
However simple and efficient the above process may be, there are many
circumstances under which it is inapplicable. The friction and weight of the
chains, for instance, would be found to be productive of an immense waste of
power in Jong planes, and there is a disadvantage which must not be
overlooked, viz., that it involves the necessity of double way throughout,
and, consequently, a large increase in the cost of road making-. We conceive
that the application of this mode of conveyance along* long flat planes
underground would be so disadvantageous as to be almost, if not entirely,
impracticable whether viewed commercially or mechanically.
The object of this paper is to describe the tail-rope principle by which
large quantities of coal may be conveyed, by engine power, very long*
distances underground along level or undulating planes. As illustrative of
the system, we shall describe it as practised in the Marley Hill Colliery,
county of Durham. The engine which there is placed in a chamber under the
waggonway and near to the shaft, as will be seen on reference to Plate XL
fig. 1, has two horizontal cylinders, twenty inches in diameter each, with
three and a-half feet stroke. There is upon the main shaft a fly-wheel,
weighing five tons, and a spur-wheel, six feet in diameter, into which, on
opposite sides, two other spur-wheels, also six feet in diameter, work by
means of sliding gear, so that either of them may be attached to or detached
from the engine as required. On each of the shafts of the last-mentioned
spur-wheels is fixed a drum, of the diameter of six feet, and three feet
wide. The engine is supplied with steam by two boilers, forty feet long and
five and a-half feet in diameter, with egg ends and wheel flues, which are
placed at the surface, the length of steam pipe, from the boilers to the
engine, being five hundred and eighty-two feet, and its internal diameter
seven inches. The steam pipes are covered with dry hair-felt, closely lapped
with tarred small line, and the whole coated with boiled tar and sand.
83
There is a receiver near the engine, thelength of which is ten feet, and
diameter three and a-half feet. The ropes used are of iron wire, and are of
the weight of seven pounds per fathom, or two and seven-eighths inches in
circumference.
It will be seen that the length of rope required to work any plane is, by
this system, three times the length of the plane; for supposing the empty
train of tubs to be starting from the shaft there is the rope which,
fastened to the front of the train, passes to the far end, round a sheave
and back to the drum which (now in gear) draws the train to its destination,
and the rope which fastened to the back of the train is drawn off the other
drum (now out of gear), and which, together with the other rope, when the
empty train has arrived at the station is detached from it, and attached to
the full train waiting to be drawn out. The drum first-named is then thrown
out, and that last-named into gear and the load drawn to the engine.
Strictly speaking, either rope is the tail-rope, as it is attached to the
tail of the train, but that which is used to bring out the full train is
commonly called the main-rope, and the other, which is usually of a lighter
description, is called the tail-rope.
The brake is always kept lightly on that drum which is out of gear, so as to
prevent its momentum from allowing any slack rope to run off, or any sudden
check to the speed of the train, or to prevent the train, where the road may
have an inclination, from over-running the rope which is in gear, and where
this inclination is steep it is necessary to apply the brake more strongly.
The main-rope is carried in the middle of the railway by cast-iron rollers,
eight inches long and four inches in diameter, weighing eighteen and
a-quarter pounds each, and the tail-rope, travelling by the side of the way,
runs upon sheaves twelve inches in diameter, weighing twenty-eight and
a-half pounds each; both rollers and sheaves are put in twelve yards apart.
The sheave at the far end, round which the rope passes, is six feet in
diameter. It will be seen, on reference to the plan, Plate X., that the
machinery in use at Marley Hill Colliery is applied to bring coal from four
stations ; the distances of which from the engine are shown by the plan j
the section shows the various undulations on the planes. When, therefore, it
is desired to bring coal from some station, other than that from which it
was brought last, the following process is gone through.
We shall suppose that a train of full tubs has been brought from the station
No. 3, and that the signal has been given that the next train of Vol.
XV.—1866.
m
84
empties is required to be sent to station No. 1, where a full train is ready
to be sent away.
There is lying- in the branch, from the point of divergence from the main
line to the station No. 1, a rope, which having- at the end a few yards of
chain with large links, passes over rollers similar to those already
described, round a six feet sheave, and back along the side of the way upon
sheaves to the same point, and at this end of the rope there is a plain
socket.
When the empty train has been drawn to this point it is stopped j the rope
fastened to the front is detached, and the branch rope is hung-on by means
of one of the links referred to, the remaining part of the chain, if any,
being* put in the first tub.
About the same point that the other end of the branch rope is lying, there
is a joint in the tail-rope by means of two sockets which are fastened
together by a common shackle and screw-bolt, the bolt having-a head like a
bed-screw; this joint is now broken, and made between the end of the
tail-rope next to the engine and the socket at the other end of the
branch-rope. The engine being- again put in motion draws the empty set into
station No. 1, and this process is repeated whenever any other station is
ready to send away coals. When the socket at the end of the branch-rope is
not opposite to the socket in the tail-rope, it is sometimes requisite to
employ a winch to haul it to this point, and it is therefore necessary to
keep a winch for the purpose. Instead of carrying-the branch tail-rope round
the curve, it has been found more convenient to pass it under the way and to
turn it round a six feet sheave by the side of the main line (Plate XI.,
fig. 2).
The coals are conveyed in tubs (Plate XI., fig. 3), each of which when empty
weighs five hundred weight, and when full thirteen and a-half hundred
weight. The tubs have flanged wheels, eleven inches in diameter. The number
of tubs in each train is seventy, although sometimes if a set is not quite
ready at the station, a short, or sixty-tub set is run out. Fig. 3, Plate
XI., also shows the self-acting apparatus used for detaching the rope from
the end of the train, when drawn up to the shaft. The top part of the
gradient A, striking- against a piece of wood, lifts the pin B, by which the
shackle at the rope, or chain-end, is at once disconnected from the tub.
The following experiments show the time occupied in drawing a train from
each of the stations. The train going to Nos. 1 and 3 having to be changed
at No. 1 branch end.
85
No. 1 STATION.—2,1 m Yards from Shaft.
J TIME. A.M.
9-50 Full set landed at shaft.
•54 Empty set started for No. 1 station. •59 „
stopped at No. 1 branch end to change ropes.
10'2 „ started again, ropes changed.
•8 „ landed at No. 1 station.
•11 Full set started from „
•18 „ stopped at No. 1 way end to change ropes.
•20 „ ropes changed and started.
•22 „ stopped at bank head.
•25 „ started again.
•27 „ landed at shaft.
No. 2 STATION—1,276 Yards from Shaft.
A.M.
8-34 Full set landed at shaft.
•37 Empty set started.
•42 ,, landed at No. 2 station.
•51 Full set started from „
•55 „ stopped at bank head.
9-0 „ started again.
•2 „ landed at shaft.
In both of these cases it will be observed that the full set could not be
broug-ht in for a few minutes, the winding- engine in each case not having
cleared off the previous train.
No. 3 STATION.—2,904 Yards from Shaft.
PRESSURE
OF STEAM AT TIME. ____________|
Boiler. *«*
A.M. Lbs. Lbs,
7-30 29 28 Full set landed at shaft.
•32 29| 29 Engine standing.
•34 29£ 29 do.
•36 29 28 Empty set going in.
•38 29 29 Engine checked to change ropes at No. 1 way end.
•40 29 29 Engine just starting.
•42 28| 28 Engine going.
•44 29 28 Engine slightly checked at going round curve at No.
3 branch end.
•46 28J 27£ Engine running hard to heavy part of road.
•48 29£ 26J Do. do. heaviest part of road.
•50 29f 28 Engine stopping at No. 3 station.
"52 31 30 Engine starting full set.
•54 30f 30J Set coming down incline.
•56 30J 30 Set nearing turn, No. 3 branch end.
•58 30 29i
8-0 29f 28^ Set passing No. 1 branch end.
•2 29| 28
"4 29£ 29| Set landed at shaft, steam suddenly cut off.
86
The following1 experiment was made in order to arrive at the amount of power
of the engine utilized.
The engine drew seventy tubs, chiefly with the load, on a gradient of from 1
in 252 to 1 in 440, or practically level, 420 yards in exactly two minutes;
the resistance being- as follows :—
The space travelled over was that between the points a and b on the plan and
section X., the train having- come from station No. 3; consequently there
would be 5,863 yards of rope in motion, which, at seven lbs. per fathom,
weig-h 20,520 lbs.
In this length of rope, there are 240 rollers, which, at eighteen and
a-quarter lbs. each, amount to 4,380 lbs.; and 250 sheaves, which at
twenty-eight and a-half lbs. each are equal to 7,125 lbs.
Weight of rope........................... 20,520
Rollers................................. 4,380
Sheaves................................. 7,125
32,025
And taking the friction at ^th (Transactions of North of England
Institute, vol. III., p. 286), we have the resistance of the ropes, rollers,
and sheaves = 32^2-5 = 1,143-75 lbs. The weight of seventy full
tubs at thirteen and a-half cwts. each, is 105,840 lbs., and taking the
friction (Transactions, vol. III., p. 258) at g^, we have the resistance of
the tubs = 1Q5^4Q = 1,290-73 lbs. The total resistance, therefore 82
(1,143-75 + 1,290-73) = 2,434-48 lbs., and this multiplied by 630 feet,
the rate per minute, gives a total resistance in pounds moved one foot
per minute, of 1,533,722-4 lbs. During this experiment the pressure of
steam, as indicated at the engine, was twenty-nine lbs. per square
inch, the diameter of the pistons twenty inches, and the space travelled
by each 210 feet per minute. We have, therefore, the power represented
by 3,826,468 lbs. moved one foot per minute.
The effective performance of the engine is, therefore, forty per cent, of
the estimated power (no deduction, however, being made for the friction of
the engine, resistance of the atmosphere, etc.)
If, however, we make the usual deduction of one-third from the estimated
power, we reduce it from 3,826,468 lbs. to 2,550,979 lbs. moved one foot per
minute, and the effective power is thus 60-1 per cent, of that of the
engine.
87
The consumption of coal used in firing the boilers for five days was 25 tons
2 cwts., during which time the quantity of coal and fireclay drawn along the
planes was 2,805 tons, the engine not being employed more than ten hours in
the day, or about 9-7 lbs. per hour per indicated horse-power. A large
quantity of heat is, however, unavoidably wasted during the periods when the
engine is not actually at work, and this deduction is probably of not much
value. Prom the nature of the gradients, the power required to take in the
empty load is equal to that required to bring out the full one. The number
of people employed daily to carry on the work is as follows:—One fireman at
the boilers, one engineman, one man attending drums, one hoy getting set
ready at shaft, one bank rider, one assistant ditto, one boy at No. 1 way
branch end, one boy at No. 1 station, one boy at No. 2 station, one boy at
No. 3 way branch, one boy at No. 3 station, two men greasing rollers and
sheaves, three waggon-way men. In all ten men and six boys, of whom three
men and the six boys would be required whether machinery was employed or
not.
The following shows the actual cost of bringing coals, etc., along these
planes for one year:—
Labour—
Engine and Firemen ...... £157 12 3
Bank Eiders ......... 98 0 0
Waggon-waymen ...... 150 3 0
Boys at Stations and Shaft ... 150 10 3
G-reasers ............ 62 6 8
Repairs ............ 36 6 4
--------------- 644 18 6
Materials—
Sundry Iron ......... 12 16 9
Castings ............ 25 0 9
Timber, Sleepers, Pins, etc. ... 75 19 1
Wire Ropes ......... 303 7 2
Oil, Tallow, etc.......... 30 13 11
Grease ............ 150 0 0
Hemp, Spun Yarn, etc....... 12 11 5
Hardware, Nails, etc....... 1 12 4
Sundries ............ 0 11 4
--------------- 612 12 9
Coals—
1,405 Tons 12 Cwts............. 245 19 6
£1,503 10 9
88
The quantity of coal, etc., led during- the year was 159,553 tons 13 cwts.,
or 216,271f tons led over one mile of way. The cost per ton per mile was,
therefore,
Labour .................. O'Tll pence.
Materials .................. 0'679 „
Coals .................. 0-273 „
1-663 „
Prior to the application of the engine, the same amount of work required the
employment of twenty-four horses, the maintenance of which, with that of the
roads, etc., would not be far short of £2,500 per annum. The present cost,
however, as compared with what it would have been with horses, is no
criterion of the advantag-es gained by the substitution of machinery. The
same machinery will draw the quantity when the coal has to be brought double
the distance, in which case from forty to fifty horses would be required.
The only disadvantage of machinery is, that any derangement of it involves
the entire stoppage of the works until the repair can be effected; but with
everything strong, good, and well appointed, such occasions should be very
rare. During the year in question, the pit worked 280 days,—the average
daily quantity being 569 tons, all brought to the shaft by the engine.
DISCUSSION ON MESSES. G. C. GREENWELL'S AND C. BERKLEY'S PAPER ON
TAIL-EOPES.
J. T. Woodhouse, Esq,, in the Chair.
Mr. G. C. Greenwell said, the paper just read was written at the suggestion
of certain members of the South Lancashire and Cheshire Coal Association,
who thought that as the system had scarcely been introduced in this county,
some information upon it would be useful. The paper was the joint production
of himself and Mr. C. Berkley, the latter having made the experiments
referred to in it.
The Chairman was sure they would agree with him that the paper just read was
a most valuable contribution to their proceedings. He thought it ought to
lead to extended discussion, particularly on the
89
respective merits of tail-ropes ancTfhe endless-chains which were so much
used in Lancashire.
Mr. Whaley said, Mr. Greenwell told them the tail-rope plan was not
generally adopted in the Lancashire district. He happened to be the manager
of the Norley Colliery, and eight years ago he put down a tail-rope exactly
on the principle just described. He could speak to its very great
efficiency, and he thought it the best mode of bringing coals under such
circumstances. Since then they had introduced another tail-rope.
Mr. Gilroy said, as Mr. Greenwell had mentioned the endless-chain mode of
drawing coal, and as he had stated the weight of the chain to be an
objection for long distances, perphaps he was not aware that wire ropes,
very small ones indeed, were used in the neighbourhood of Wigan ; some by
the Ince Hall Company, and he thought Lord Crawford had got some, as an
endless-rope, on the same principle as the chain was used.
Mr. Lancaster—We have several miles of that description at work, but having
seen the tail-rope, I certainly prefer it for various reasons, such as the
varying inclines. I think the system is invaluable for overcoming those
inequalities. There is also this consideration, that with the endless-rope
you can only travel about three miles per hour, but on this system you can
go ten miles. I am now substituting the tail-rope in the place of the
endless wire rope, as described by Mr. Gilroy. I, for one, pressed Mr.
Greenwell to bring- this paper forward, thinking there was a want of
information, especially in our county, upon it. It will be of great service
in facilitating their use, which is desirable, especially where the mines
are flat.
Mr. Hughes said, they had a great many endless-ropes at Lord Crawford's, but
the difficulties were precisely what had been pointed out. It was necessary
to have a road with one gradient, or with a very little change in gradient.
If there were several changes, the tubs were apt to get off the way; and the
road should be as nearly straight as possible. These two circumstances had
made him think a good deal of adopting the tail-rope instead of the
endless-rope. He did not, however, agree that it might be driven at the rate
of ten miles an hour, as they were apt to get off the way. He had been
anxious to hear a paper on the tail-ropes. He knew something about them, but
not sufficient to enable him to understand the whole of their merits, and he
felt indebted to Mr. Greenwell for bringing the subject forward. He thought
the result would be that he should adopt some of the tail-ropes.
90
Mr. Forster said, they had at Seaton Delaval a mile and a-half of tail-rope,
and they had done 1,200 tons a day without the slightest difficulty, the
full load being- brought out in eight minutes, and the empty one in seven
minutes.
Mr. Lancaster—With the endless-rope you rather want a double way unless you
reverse the rope, but with this plan you can do more work with a single road
than with a double road under the other way. This is, perhaps, the most
prominent feature in its saving.
Mr. Matthews said, they carried out the same principle at several of their
pits. At Murton there was one more than two miles, where part of it was
level, and part dipping- at something like two inches to the yard. They were
bringing out 5,000 or 6,000 tons a-day without any difficulty whatever, and
taking them round turns, and up hill and down hill, with a tail-rope and a
single way.
Mr. Wood thought there was a great deal of time lost by stopping the train
at the way ends to change the ropes. At one of their pits they were drawing,
with a small engine, from seven different stations, about 500 tons a-day;
and with the gradients—some being about three inches in the yard—they could
not bring many coals out at once, not more than eleven tons. The saving of
time, therefore, was a great object, and they always changed the ropes for
the different ways while the train was at the shaft.
Mr. G. C. Greenwell remarked that the changing did not occupy more than two
minutes.
Mr. Berkley inquired of Mr. Wood what amount of double rope they had lying
in order to make the change at the shaft.
Mr. Wood replied, that it was double rope all the way. They generally had
the loose ends as near together as possible. One small boy could change the
ropes without any difficulty.
The Chairman—We seem rather carried away by these tail-ropes. I hope some
one will say something about endless-chains. We saw a very ingenious
contrivance the other day—I think at the Agecroft Colliery—from the top of
the shaft to a railway, on a very simple and inexpensive plan. It is true
the train travelled very slow; but taking into consideration that there was
a considerable number of tubs attached, somewhere about twenty, I think, and
the weight of the chains being carried on the top of the tubs, entirely as a
self-acting machine, it appeared to me that by that convenience alone any
amount of coal might be conveyed q, day, say a thousand tons, and any
distance at a trifling
91
expense. In fact, a gentleman who was there told me that in some colliery in
Lancashire they were drawing underground, I think, several thousand yards
with a machine of that kind.
Mr. Dorning (the gentleman alluded to) said, the pits he referred to were
Mr. Hargreaves', near Newchurch. He believed they had about seven miles of
chain in use there. He was working the chain himself for at least half a
mile, and the cost on the surface was about 3d. per ton. For working on the
surface, he did not think there could be a more inexpensive .plan than these
endless chains.
The Chairman—Will you permit me to ask you, if it be economical to work it
on the surface, why not equally so underground, provided your roads are all
of sufficient capacity and your ventilation is perfect ?
Mr. Dorning—The reason is really this, that the chain entails a double road,
and that is the only reason why I do not adopt them underground. And most of
our collieries here have very steep inclinations. I should not apply the
chain if the incline was one in three or one in four, but only when not
steeper than one in twenty.
The Chairman—To what part of the working would you apply this chain ? I do
not suppose at the jig and brows, but you would apply it along level lines ?
Mr. Dorning—I am not an advocate of the chain down a colliery at all, I
should prefer the rope (and especially in our part of Lancashire where you
have a gradient steeper than one in ten) for dragging the tubs down a
working with an engine.
The Chairman asked what was the relative quantity of coal that could be sent
out by a single road with a tail-rope, and a double rope worked with an
endless chain or wire ?
Mr. Forster said, that at Seaton Delaval they could send out 1,200 tons a
day, a mile and a-half, with a single way.
Mr. John Knowles did not feel that he should be an advocate of an endless
chain at the bottom of a pit. They had one some years ago, but at the
collieries the members saw on Wednesday, they had employed on the surface
three endless chains, and they found them useful when they had to take the
coals from the pits to where they had to be loaded. He thought, so far as he
had seen of the method adopted, that this tail-rope was the most suitable of
all.
Mr. Spencer asked what there was to prevent an endless rope going faster ?
Mr. Lancaster said, they had had both systems in operation, and he Vol.
XV.—1866.
w
92
had no hesitation in saying" that the tail-rope would do more work with a
single way than could be done with any double way and an endless chain. As
he had stated before, they were pulling- up endless ropes and putting*
tail-ropes down as a substitute for them. First they tried Messrs. Knowles's
plan of having tubs attached here and there, but there was great difficulty
in the intermediate attachment. Then they followed a plan, long- adopted by
the chairman, of having a single way with a rope alongside, and having the
train of tubs attached by clips to the rope; and they had also adopted the
double road plan. If they must have the endless rope and do any work with
it, they must have the double way.
Mr. Gtilroy said, he was not an advocate for the endless rope, but he should
like to see it have fairplay; and more particularly with regard to the nmde
of attaching tubs at intervals. A very simple plan was introduced by Mr.
Hartley at the Ince Hall Colliery some time ago. He must first say that this
endless rope business was somewhat in a retail way. It had only sent about
150 tons a day, but it answered exceedingly well. The mode of attaching was
this. There was a chain four feet long with a hook at each end; the hook was
attached to the coupling-chain by one end, and the attendant just gave it a
swing round the rope and the other hook caught it. It went up so, and when
it reached the top, the lad there detached the hook and gave it a swing the
other way. For this quantity it answered very well, and the changing did not
damage the rope.
Mr. Dickinson—I am glad you have endeavoured to draw some attention to the
merits of the endless chain. One thing I particularly notice in moving over
wide districts of country, and that is, that one particular system seems to
pervade a particular neighbourhood. In South Lancashire, I may say that the
general system is the system of drawing by ropes," whilst in North
Lancashire the general system is exactly the reverse,—it is drawing by
endless chains. Mr. Doming has told you of the colliery in Rossendale,
belonging to Mr. Hargreaves, where they have about eight miles of endless
chain at work, and which works over gradients of various kinds, steep and
level. He has named, also, that of another firm, at Burnley, the executors
of the late John Hargreaves, where they have between thirty-five and forty
miles of endless chain at work. The Cliviger Colliery also applies it
extensively ; and, indeed, it is the general system of traction in North
Lancashire. They work it over gradients as steep as one in five, without any
means of attachment except the fork which is attached to the tub. The
93
V
chain drops into the fork and requires no other attachment,—drops of itself,
and is lifted out by the pulley at the floor end where the tub is delivered.
They not only work these endless chains on the surface, but they take the
chains down their shafts ; they carry them along their level roads, they run
them down their brows, and they run them up their brows. The attachments at
the different junctions which have been inquired about, are made with the
greatest ease. It simply requires a pulley to be placed for the chains to
run round. A new chain may be started, or it may be the same chain, but
there must be a pulley at each place where the hookings on or takings off
have to take place. The roads are also changed from one direction to another
in the same way; and the change is not unfrequently made without having a
person to attend to it. But it is better to have some one, particularly if
it be on the surface and there be snow on the ground, or liability to any
interruption. This done, you have an alteration in the direction. The tub is
first drawn up to a little elevation, and then by its own gravity it runs
down, taking the curve to alter the line of the road. I think if the members
of this Institute, who are so strong in their advocacy of these tail-ropes,
were to pay a visit to those collieries in North Lancashire, where the
system is so efficiently carried out, they would be much more doubtful than
they are now of their system of tail-rope. The weight of the chain has been
spoken of by Mr. Greenwell as an objection, on account of the increased
friction produced. It actually produces no friction excepting its actual
weight. It touches nothing from end to end. It is merely laid on the tubs;
it never touches the ground; there is no friction whatever. And the other
objection as to having double roads, of course that must go for what it is
worth. But the surface tram-roads are laid in such an inexpensive way as to
weaken this objection. They lay their sleepers on the bare ground,—on the
field as it exists; up hill and down hill, just as the surface undulates.
And for this reason, the chain being an endless one, and the weight
distributed throughout it, there is a counterbalancing action going on from
one end of the chain to the other. They are often carried through fields
where the descent is tolerably steep on one side, and have to go up the
other, which, by many people, has been supposed to be impracticable because
of the stretching of the chain. This is an objection, because, with hollows,
it does occasionally take place that the chain may be lifted; but if the
chain is of sufficient weight it is not found insuperable in practice. At
the Cliviger Colliery, you may see a very excellent illustration of the
kind. I should
1
94
say for economy, the endless chain will bear comparison with any system of
traction. I only wish we had Mr. Wadding-ton, the manager of the Burnley
Collieries here to tell us some of its advantages. I am quite satisfied he
would have listened in a most sceptical manner to all those arguments which
have been brought forward in favour of the tail-rope. In reply to a
question, Mr. Dickinson said, they had different lengths of chain in
connection with the different collieries in the neighbourhood of Burnley,
both aboveground and underground. He thought in some instances they carried
these chains more than a mile in length underground.
A Member said, he did not understand how they changed the tubs.
Mr. Dickinson—It is rather difficult to explain it; but I endeavoured to say
that at each alteration in the direction of the road, there must be a pulley
for the chain to go round, and the tub must be liberated from one chain to
make its curve. It must pass underneath the pulley, and in doing so it has
to be taken to a certain elevation so as to give it a descending gradient,
to run itself round the curve, on to the next chain. There is, perhaps, as
good an illustration of that at the Towneley Colliery, near Burnley, as can
be found.
Mr. Forster did not think there was much difficulty in conveying coals on
the surface; the intermediate stages constituted the difficulty. At a pit
belonging to Lord Durham, they had not a single horse employed. The pit was
entirely worked by machinery. He believed he was himself the first to
introduce the tail-rope system in his locality, and since then almost every
colliery had the machinery applied to level roads.
Mr. Dickinson—The objection that has been stated in regard to having the
extra width of the road underground is not altogether an objection. You do
not wish in your underground roads to have them so small that the trams
interfere with the ventilation. It is always desirable when you can to have
the inclined planes sufficiently broad and spacious not to interfere with
the currents of air. In reply to another question, Mr. Dickinson said, they
had as bad roofs in the neighbourhood of Burnley to contend with as any in
his district.
Mr. Southern asked how, in pits like the one at Marley Hill, with four
different ways going into one main way, the chain could be adapted for such
workings ?
Mr. Dickinson did not see that the number of branches had anything to do
with the system; it was equally adapted to four as to one. They must have
different chains, one for each way.
95
Mr. Gilroy—I should like to ask Mr. Dickinson whether it is abso- j lutely
necessary to have a separate system of pulleys for each different branch,
and whether it could not be obviated in this way. Supposing the tubs to be
thirty yards apart, and at any place midway between the two pulleys a branch
is made for the tubs to be brought and attached there, —whether a slight
undulation, just a hollow, opposite that branch end would not enable a man
to draw out and push his tub in underneath; and if there was a slight dish
at that point, whether the chain would not be sufficiently high for a man to
get his tub underneath, and by pushing it up the brow a little get it out of
the way ?
Mr. Dickinson—That is occasionally done; and where the pulley is resorted
to, the mechanical arrangement for freeing the tub from the chain, where the
fork is used, is both simple and efficacious.
Mr. Gilroy—We may consider that it is quite possible and feasible to attach
the tub anywhere between these pulleys whilst the rope is in motion ?
Mr. Dickinson—Where you have to use the fork as a means of attachment for
the chain to lie in, it is merely not so easy to get the chain out at that
particular place, as where the chain only lies on the tub.
Mr. Gilroy—I think you might do it by having a siding running nearly
parallel and joining the main road, where the rope is just of sufficient
height to admit the tub.
Mr. Stott called attention to a pit which the members had seen, where, at a
depth of 148 yards a very small engine was employed in winding coal at the
rate of two boxes a minute, or 220 tons a day, and with certainly not more
than a fourteen-inch cylinder. I think no one can put the same power to
work, winding with ropes, and get the same results out of it as if he
applied the same power to endless chains. The same rule at least ought to
apply to the application of endless chains underground as aboveground on
almost any incline. I am an advocate of this chain as against any rope
whatever, and having a considerable length of chains working, I might have
been in possession of a few favourable statistics as to the cost of the
working, had I known what would take place at this meeting. As to the
difficulty of changing the boxes, I believe there is no difficulty whatever,
whether on a horizontal or incline road. The plan I have found best has been
to have the chain carried by pulleys, in framework, suspended from the roof,
so that the chain shall be clear' from the waggons as they pass under these
points ; or it might be done by depressions in the road. But there is some
difficulty
96
about the latter, assuming- the distance from waggon to waggon to be thirty
yards, on account of the increased depression in the chain. I think whoever
in this room went to look at the collieries at Cliviger, Burnley, or
Marsden, would be forced to the conclusion that the advantages of chains are
very great indeed. You would be told, I believe, that chains have been in
work for fifteen years, and that since they were fixed they have never
broken, nor have they incurred any cost beyond the interest of the first
outlay. I have, in Derbyshire, chains which were only of three-eighths iron
to begin with, working an incline of 560 yards long*, and the amount of coal
got is now 150 tons a-day. I am quite sure that six or eight times that
amount could be turned on with this endless chain. I could point to numerous
parallel instances, and mention this one simply because the chain was fixed
on an incline of one in five, that it was only three-eighths in thickness,
and that it has never cost a shilling in repairs during about eight years'
use.
Mr. Forster asked, if the engine first-mentioned was fourteen inches in
diameter ?
Mr. Stott—The engine is not mine, but I am prepared to say that it is not
above fourteen inches in diameter ; the depth of the pit is 148 yards, and
the quantity of coal raised 220 tons per day.
Mr. Forster—You talk about these chains lasting. That entirely depends upon
the quantity of coal raised.
Mr. Stott—My argument is, that if you apply the same power to winding by
means of ropes, you will not get the same results.
Mr. Forster said, he had a very powerful engine. It would raise 1,500 tons
a-day at 224 yards.
Mr. Stott—I say that if you will apply your powerful engines to the endless
chain, you will still get double the quantity.
A Member remarked, that he thought there was a limit to the use ot chains.
Mr. Dickinson said—The points upon which Mr. Forster has made the inquiry of
Mr. Stott, who has put the advantages of endless chains before you, are very
precise. But the question relates more to the system of winding the coal up
the pit-shaft by the endless chain. As an observer of what is going on over
a wide district, I must say that the experience of endless chains in the
shafts appears to be rather against their use. So much so, that the number
of pits worked upon that principle is rather on the decrease than on the
increase. There are, though, I should say, from half-a-dozen to a dozen
still at work in this
97
county. But those that have been worked above 100 yards deep are
disappearing. About 100 to 120 yards appears to be about the depth these
endless chains can be advantageously worked. For shallow depths they are
considered very advantageous, but still there has been a decrease with the
winding by endless chains, in shafts, whilst the application of the endless
chains, for traction on railways, has been considerably on the increase.
A conversation as to the subsequent proceedings here ensued, after which
Mr. Forster again proposed the appointment of a committee to inquire into
the relative merits of endless chains and tail-ropes.*
Mr. Hewlett seconded the motion.
* Further remarks on this subject, and on the appointment of a committee to
inquire into the respective merits of tail-ropes and endless-chains, are
reported in vol. xiv., p. 113, et seq.
PARTICULARS .
OP AN
EXPLOSION AND STANDING FIRE
AT NEWBOTTLE COLLIERY.
By WILLIAM LISHMAN.
Read at the Manchester Meeting, July 14th, 1865.
Before proceeding to relate the circumstances under which this explosion
took place, it may not be uninteresting if a brief account be given of the
locality where it occurred. In connection with the New-bottle Colliery there
are several old pits, some of which have not been worked for many years.
Amongst these is the Jane Pit, in which there was an explosion and standing
fire in the year 1799. No lives were lost, with the exception of one man,
who was left in the pit, and, as the shaft was filled up and never again
reopened, the body of this man has never been recovered.* The tract of
workings from this shaft were not very extensive, but some time ago it was
determined to hole into them for the purpose of taking away the pillars and
barrier round about them. Accordingly a single drift was set away into the
barrier, of course preceded by bore-holes never less than twelve yards in
advance. All these holes, after being set away, had a cock-pipe inserted and
made secure, and tested by a hydraulic apparatus up to 150 lbs. per square
inch, and some of them were bored as far as thirty yards. On the 30th
November, 1863, one of the bore-holes, nineteen and a-half yards in
* Since the above was written, the bones of this man have been found, and in
a good state of preservation.
Vol. XV.—1866.
o
100
length, communicated with the old working's, from which water came off with
great force. Upon closing the cock and attaching a pressure-gauge to the
pipe, the pressure was found to be seventy-one lbs. on the square inch,—the
pressure gradually diminished until at thirty-eight lbs. gas commenced to be
discharged and continued to come off in immense quantity. When the pressure
was reduced to thirty-seven lbs. a second hole was put in, and at length
when the pressure was lowered to two lbs., preparations were made to double
the drift, and also to lessen the thickness of coal, for the purpose of
putting in more holes preparatory to opening the place with the pick.
On the night of the 8th April, there were three hewers working at the points
marked A B and C on the plan annexed (Plate XII.). The man who was thinning-
the coal at the point C, suddenly holed into one of the bore-holes, it
having taken a turn from the course in which it was set away. This being a
nearer outlet than at the end of the hole, the gas came off with
considerable force. This frightened the man, also the other at B, and they
both rushed outbye, leaving their lamps; and as they passed the place end A
a, where the other man was hewing, they shouted, " Come away j she's holed
!" This man took his lamp and followed, but had not proceeded many yards
down the drift when an explosion took place. It was very slight, and did not
hurt them, but resulted in a standing fire. It is not necessary to state the
measures adopted for the extinction of the fire, further than to say that as
soon as all air was taken from the place, the gas (which constituted a
source of danger whilst battling with the fire) appears to have extinguished
the fire very soon, for it had not extended any further after being left. On
the plan is shown by blue shading where the coal was burnt, and it will be
seen that in the face, there was no cinder-coal whatever, and, indeed, none
on the intake side of the drift, until the point where the brattice of brick
(shown by the red line on the plan) was broken, so as to take off the air.
When the accident took place, a current at the rate of about four feet per
second, or 5,000 cubic feet per minute, was passing to the face.
When the place was opened out, the lamps (ordinary Davy's) were found
perfectly uninjured. The one in the place B, hanging on a lamp-stand at the
point marked (°) on the plan, the one at C on a stand at the point marked
(*) on the plan, but the stand in the place C had been knocked over, whether
by the man in his flight and hurry to escape, or by the explosion, it is
impossible to say. At first it was conjectured that the lamp had been
damaged, and thus caused the explosion; but the
101
lamps both being found perfect, it becomes a matter of certainty that the
flame had passed the gauze in some way or other.
As it appeared to be a matter of importance to know the exact nature of this
gas, and whether it was of a different nature from the ordinary fire-damp
met with in coal-mines, an analysis was made by Dr. Richardson, of
Newcastle, and his analysis is as follows :—
Laboratory, Neville Hall, Newcastle-on-Tyne, 19th December, 1864. Sir,—We
have examined the bottles of gas sent here by you some time since, and find
them to contain a mixture of light carburetted hydrogen with some nitrogen,
and a small quantity of oxygen, defiant gas, carbonic oxide, and hydrogen
were carefully sought for but were not present. Carbonic oxide may have been
present in the original mixture, but as each bottle contained some water,
which would absorb it if present, no separate determination of it was
attempted.
We are, Sir,
Your obedient servants,
(Signed) RICHARDSON & BROWELL.
Since the occurrence of this accident the writer had some experiments
made which are given below; the gas (ordinary illuminating coal-gas)
was compressed in a locomotive boiler to the pressures mentioned, and a
one-inch pipe fifty-five feet in length carried away from the boiler.
1.—An ordinary Davy-lamp was placed two and a-half feet from the
end of the pipe and in a direct line; the flame passed and caused
an explosion almost instantaneously. Pressure three and a-half lbs.
2.—Ordinary Davy-lamp, four and a-half feet off; pressure two and
a-half lbs. In sixteen seconds the flame passed and caused an
explosion. 3.—Gauze red hot about five seconds before explosion. In both
of these
experiments the shield was up. 4.—Davy-lamp four and a-half feet off: shield
down ; pressure three lbs.
Exploded in five seconds. 5.—Stephenson-lamp, in same position as last;
pressure three lbs.
Lamp extinguished in three seconds. 6.—Stephenson-lamp, in same position as
last; pressure three lbs.
The result being the same as last trial in every respect.
7.—Stephenson-lamp, two and a-half feet off; three lbs. pressure.
Lamp put out instantly. 8.—Clanny-lamp, two and a-half feet off; three lbs.
pressure. Exploded
in two or three seconds.
102
9.—Clanny-lamp, two and a-half feet off; three lbs. pressure. Exploded
in three seconds. 10.—Clanny-lamp, four and a-half feet off; three lbs.
pressure. In
twenty seconds the pressure was reduced, and the lamp extinguished.
11.—Davy-lamp, with copper gauze and shield down; four and a-half
feet off. Exploded in three seconds. 12.—Stephenson-lamp, two and a-half
feet off, and four inches above
the line of the pipe; three lbs. pressure. The lamp went out in
ten seconds. 13.—Davy and Stephenson's lamps, four and a-half feet off the
pipe, and
six inches out of the line; three lbs. pressure. A Stephenson-lamp
went out, a Davy-lamp was nearly extinguished. There was no
explosion. 14.—Davy-lamp, four and a-half feet off, in line; shield down ;
pressure
three lbs. Exploded in eight seconds. 15.—Davy-lamp, four and a-half feet
off; three lbs. Lamp smeared
with oil and coal-dust. Exploded in two seconds. From these experiments,
it would appear that though the Davy-lamp is, under ordinary circumstances,
a safe lamp, that in extraordinary circumstances the Stephenson-lamp is a
more safe one, unless the Davy-lamp be enclosed in a lantern so as to
prevent any current affecting it.
That the explosion occurred at one or other of the two perfect safety-lamps,
there need not be a doubt, inasmuch as there was not a naked light within
600 yards of the point where the holing was made into the bore-hole.
OBSERVATIONS ON SAFETY-CAGES,
WITH DISCUSSION THEREON. By JOHN MARLEY.
Read at the Manchester Meeting, July 11th, 1865. J. T. WOODHOUSE, Esq.,
Vice-President, in the Chair.
Mr. Marley, in introducing; the subject, said, I think some little apology
is due to you for these notes of mine being called a " paper j" because it
was only at the beginning of last week that I had my attention called to the
fact that " safety-cages" were not amongst the subjects put down for
consideration; and I said I had expected that, coming to Manchester, we
should have had at least two or three papers connected with this subject;
more particularly after the remarks made by Mr. Dickinson, at Birmingham, in
1861, that, in connection with Lancashire and this district, we should find
greater experience of them than in almost any other locality. But as it
occurred to me that possibly the cage I wished to draw your attention to had
not been much tried within this district, and, therefore, not with the view
of preparing an elaborate paper on " safety-cages" generally, but of putting
a few statistics on record, I have hastily thrown a few remarks together;
and I must beg your indulgence, inasmuch as several of the particulars with
regard to the cage I shall now mention, have only been sent to me here in
Manchester, instead of to Darlington, and I have never seen them till I came
here this morning, Mr. Marley then read the following
OBSERVATIONS. Although I have not had time to prepare an elaborate paper on
the general subject of safety-cages, yet having had the subject under my
notice for some time past, I think the present is a proper opportunity to
Vol. XV.—1866.
p
108
give a few statistics which should not be passed by, especially as others
may have papers on the general subject.
Many years ago I was struck with the idea that the feeling or prejudice
against safety-cages, which I then shared with my professional brethren, and
as strongly as any of them, might be removed, and that we should give them a
fair trial. Hence, about the year 1848, I tried Fourdrinier's in a shallow
pit, but, after paying patent right and giving it a year's trial, I was
obliged to take it off, as I found it a positive evil and source of danger.
This and other failures in the district, as you may suppose, discouraged me
and almost justified the verdict against safety-cages, which I have
mentioned as then prevailing.
Owing, however, to a rope having slipt off the drum, at a colliery under my
charge (and, although it did not break, two men's lives were lost), I was
induced to try White and Grant's patent safety, but it also proved
unpractical and not fit for general application, although much superior to
Fourdrinier's. The subject had not afterwards much of my attention until
1862, when, of the numerous plans at the International Exhibition, I
determined to try both Aytoun's and Calow's, but finally adopted only the
latter j the following being my experience of this plan as tried at Shildon
Lodge Colliery, in the county of Durham.
NOTES ON CALOW'S SAFETY APPARATUS AT SHILDON LODGE
COLLIE EY.
Plates XV., XVI., and XVII. represent the cage with the safety apparatus,
under the various phases of being at rest and having caught—the parts
coloured red having been put on since the meeting at Manchester, and are
alluded to hereafter. The plates also show the detaching hook, which the
cage can either be worked with or without, its weight being half a cwt.
The tons drawn by this cage, while the apparatus has been on, up to this
time, are about 100,000 tons. The weight of the cage, with the apparatus, is
nineteen cwts., tub six and three-quarter cwts., and coals about eleven
cwts., making a total of thirty-six and three-quarter cwts. General speed of
drawing forty-five seconds. Total depth of pit and heap-stead about 124
fathoms. Cost of apparatus about £15; and repairs, including several
alterations in adjusting, not required hereafter, only between £1 and £2. It
has been in use upwards of two years, and during that time has been twice
brought into play. The cage which was then on was a single tub-cage, but it
will shortly be attached to a double tub-cage and with a more powerful
engine, which will draw the coals in
m 109
about fortj seconds. On the first occasion, when the apparatus was useful as
mentioned above, the cage was drawn up to the pulley, when the rope was
detached by the detaching-hook (breaking- the spring- which must first give
way before the hook can detach itself), and bringing- the safety apparatus
into play, and the cage was thus hung in the skeats or slides, having at the
time a full tub in, without any damage, and the whole delay, including
readjusting the hook, only occupied thirty minutes, while it only fell ten
inches.
The second case was precisely similar, except that the tub in the cage was
empty.
These notes show, I think, that there are reasons for the removal of the
prejudice against safety cages, and although, perhaps, no such proof is here
adduced of their efficiency as yet to justify their compulsory adoption,
along with other precautions for the safety of the men, I cannot let slip
the present opportunity of laying before you what I have found to be the
real merits of the case.
This morning there has come by post from Mr. Calow his specification; and
there being time, I had better read a short description of the cage from
him.
EXTRACT FROM OALOW'S PATENT, DATED 10th MARCH, 1862. No. 648. ON CAOES OR
HOISTS.
My invention consists in manufacturing an improved safety apparatus,
hereinafter described, to be applied to cages and hoists, which safety
apparatus will, in the event of the rope or chain breaking or becoming
otherwise detached from the cage or hoist, grip securely the slides, guides,
or conductors, and thereby prevent the cage or hoist from falling, and will
also prevent the over-winding of the cage or hoist. The apparatus is not
attached to, or connected with, the rope or chain from which the cage or
hoist is suspended, as is usual in other apparatus heretofore used for the
like purpose ; and, consequently, it is not affected by the tightening or
slackening of the rope or chain, and has no tendency to come into action, or
be at all moved by such tightening or slackening of the rope or chain when
the cage or hoist is at rest on the props, or otherwise at rest, but is
brought into action by the cage or hoist gravitating or becoming a falling
body. The apparatus consists essentially of a spring or springs, and a
weight or weights connected to, and acting upon, mechanism for gripping the
slides, guides, or conductors. In case of accident the said spring or
springs, having a bearing or foundation on the cage or hoist, while the
weight or weights hang from or rest upon the spring or springs, so as to
neutralise or counteract the tendency of such spring or springs to bring the
grips into action, while the cage or hoist remains suspended or supported.
When the rope or chain breaks or becomes detached from the cage or hoist,
the grips are brought into action by the law of gravitation, that is, by the
cage or hoist becoming a falling body, and thereby releasing the spring or
springs, which, on being free to act, instantly bring the grips in contact
with the slides, guides, or
, 110
conductors, and thereby prevent the cage or hoist from falling. To prevent
overwinding, I use a detaching-hook fixed at a convenient distance above the
cage or hoist. This hook consists of two bars or legs jointed together at
one end and hooked outwards at the other. These bars or legs are connected
to the chain or rope by means of a shackle at the joint; the hooked ends
carry a curved slotted plate, and are distended by the weight of the cage or
hoist, by bearing down the joint of a pair of shorter bars or legs, jointed
together and placed between the longer or outer bars or legs, which said
shorter bars or legs have a shoulder bearing also upon the curved slotted
plate. Between the bars or legs I insert one or more plate springs, to keep
the hook in position when the weight of the cage or hoist is not bearing
upon it. Under the pulley I fix a strong ring of such diameter that the hook
cannot pass through unless the outer bars or legs are closed, so as to
release the hooked ends from the curved slotted plate, thereby detaching the
rope or chain from the cage or hoist, and thus prevent over-winding.
I may here remark that one of the essential differences between this and the
various cages I have had my attention directed to, is that at the pit top
and pit bottom this apparatus does not come into play. It does not use the
spring- every time; thus there is no wear and tear going- on as is usual in
other cages. Mr. Calow also says :—
I recommend that a reference index-plate be placed over the spring to
indicate the state and condition of the spring, and the amount of pressure
upon it.
I do not know that I need read further as to the detaching-hook, as it is
much similar to those of other cages. Mr. Calow, in his letter, says :—>
I have just now paid £50 for the Stamp-duty upon my patent; by doing so it
has renewed it for a further term of four years. Some time since I wrote
you, stating my position ; that of my creditors being upon me. They have had
a meeting, and it was agreed (be it to their credit) for me to renew the
patent, and then wait a given time to see if it made anything. A person in
Chesterfield is empowered to sell it, and is, he says, trying to form a
company ; but I have little faith in him, because if he succeeds I shall get
very little, and the company might get the profit I have a reasonable right
to. It has cost me upwards of £450 now, and has put me in an unenviable
position with my creditors, besides keeping me in a continual fermentation
wondering the result, because I am fast how to make the best of it in the
meantime. If coalmasters would combine and purchase it, say for a mere £1
each, I am sure it would do them good and myself no harm, for as you know,
sir, it has not been accomplished without a great deal of intense thought
and trouble ; and to me it appears a strange affair that there should be so
much apathy on the part of coalmasters. Perhaps they don't know it
sufficiently. If. you, sir, bring it before them at the meeting, they will
then have little excuse. I doubt not but you will explain the principle upon
which it is based, the motion being obtained by the difference in the speed
of a body being let down by an engine and the same body gravitating; the
difference being brought to bear on machinery at the time of falling, and
then only, so that it is not constantly wearing itself out, but is always
ready in case of accident. It will be seen from the
111
drawing that, there is no connection between the rope and the apparatus, a
feature which will be calculated to take the attention of those present.
He sends several testimonials, but I do not know that it is essential to
read them. I will first call your attention to this diagram on the wall,
which is the working plan of the cage as actually in use. Plate XV.
represents the cage as at work, and plate XVI. represents the state of
matters after the cage has been drawn up, the pulley and the rope
disconnected, and the cage brought into play. After the occasion of one of
the accidents, viz., on the 8th of April, 1864, a testimonial was given by
our Mr. Watkin, the resident Mining Engineer:—
April 18th, 1864. Dear Sir,—I have much pleasure in bearing testimony to
your excellent safety-cage apparatus, for the prevention of accidents in
shafts. It was well tested at Shildon Lodge Colliery, near Bishop Auckland,
on the 8th instant. The brakesman neglected to take hold of the "hand gear"
at the proper time, and the cage would have been drawn over the pulley, but
for the ''detaching hooh" coming in contact with the ring, which at once
separated the rope from the cage. The latter fell only ten inches, and was
then stopped by your apparatus. Work was resumed thirty minutes after the
accident took place. The guides were very little damaged.
Yours truly,
Mr. J. T. Calow.
W. J. L. WATKUST.
P.S.—The weight of the cage, tub and coals, was about one ton nineteen cwts.
I shall be very glad to show any of these testimonials to any gentleman in
the room; but these are the principal points I have to bring before you, my
object being (as I understand that Owen's and other safety-cages are much
adopted in this neighbourhood) to bring other statistics before the
institution, and have a discussion on the subject.
Mr. H igson asked whether it could be used with round wire-rope guides in a
pit ?
Mr. Marley—Perhaps not as well as to the others; although the patentee
thinks he can contrive a plan for it. But I have not seen it in use with
them. We have the ordinary wood slides and not wire-ropes.
Mr. HiGsoisr—In this county, or at least in the western part of it, there is
a great desire to adopt wire-ropes in almost every case; and unless the
safety apparatus can be used with these wire-ropes as guides it would not be
employed.
Mr. Marley said, that of course this opened the question of the advisability
of using round wire-rope at all; but he did not think the merit of such an
invention as this should be judged, or the invention condemned, on such a
ground as its suitability for use with these ropes.
112
Mr. Best—I should like to know the greatest speed at which you can work the
cage ?
Mr. Marley replied that he could not exactly give the greatest speed at
which it could be worked. The cage had been run with the view of testing and
adjusting the weight. The weight had to be adjusted according to the speed
at which the cage was expected to run; so that it was of sufficient weight
to represent the maximum speed at which it could go until it became a
falling body. But he could not give the exact speed at which it had been
tried; he might say that the engine had been run at the greatest speed
possible; with the view of adjusting the weight. He had not the figures
by him.
Mr. Best—Do you think it is possible for the apparatus to come into play
when the engine is travelling at the rate of from twenty-five to
twenty-eight miles an hour, or more 1
Mr. Marley—I think you can so adjust the weight as to meet any speed
whatever. It has been proved by practice, that if, in descending you found
you had not sufficient weight, and there was the slightest tendency to
jumping or vibration, you could add the weight. You can adjust the weight to
any speed short of positive falling.
Dr. Birkenhead said, he had paid some attention to the subject for some
years past, as a letter which he had addressed to Mr. Nicholas Wood, and
which was published in one of the volumes of the Institute's proceedings
would show. It had been felt that the weak point about safety-cages
generally was the spring. The springs were liable to get out of order.
He had been much interested in hearing of a cage in which the motive power
was not the spring; or, in which the spring was not brought into play till
the rope broke. He asked, could Mr. Marley explain the actual mode in
which the spring was brought into operation ? He had wished very much,
during the Exhibition of 1862, to examine the model of this apparatus which
was exhibited there. For a day or two during the time he was there, Mr.
Calow was present. One day, unfortunately, some person had been speaking of
the safety-cage as being no better than others; and Mr. Calow was on that
account not very well disposed to offer any explanation, being rather angry.
The next day when he (the speaker) went again, the model was gone; so that
he did not succeed in getting an explanation, and he was still unable to
understand the mode in which the apparatus worked. The expression he
wished to have explained, because it was used in the description of the
apparatus, was " until it becomes a falling body." Mr. Marley said, the fact
was that the bar, upon which the upright
113
spring was resting until the cage attained a great speed, was a fulcrum or
base upon which the spring rested. Its tendency was to leave the spring,
and the weight was adjusted to keep the spring pressed upon that bar or base
with sufficient tension to keep the arms from catching the slides. But as
soon as the cage got to the speed belonging to a falling body, the base upon
which the spring had rested was removed, so that it, i.e., the spring, rose.
The moment the cage attained the speed of a falling body, the spring
lifted the weight and brought the arms into play. This was the way in which
it was done; but he confessed that, without a model, it was difficult to
understand. He had passed Mr. Calow's model cage at the Exhibition on two
days, very much in the same manner as Dr. Birkenhead; only that, having-had
a previous correspondence with Mr. Moody, who had adopted the cage at the
West Staveley Colliery, and finding Mr. Calow there, he had the apparatus
explained. It was very simple and easy to understand with a model,
although it was difficult to understand it without a model. If they
were to see the cage in action and descend in it, regulating the apparatus
according to the speed, they would easily comprehend how it came into
action. If they decreased the weight, it would come into action at a less
speed. If they increased the weight, the apparatus would not come into
action until a greater speed was attained.
Mr. Mason said, if they took one trip at the rate of, say ten miles, and
another at the rate of twenty miles, he supposed they would regulate the
action for each rate of descent.
Mr. Marley—No ,• we regulate the weight at first at a point greater than the
maximum speed of the engine. Although the apparatus had been tested and the
springs measured, to see that they had been all right, the springs had not
cost a halfpenny during the time it had been in use; and on the two
occasions named, the one when the tub was empty, and the other when it was
full, the apparatus had come into play the moment it was required.
Mr. Green well—I take it, that in practice speed is not so important as at
first sight it appears; because when a man is going down, the speed is less
than when the empty tubs go down. If the spring would break, it would be
with the full tubs in coming up. I understand what you say about regulating
the speed, but it is not of great practical importance.
Mr. Marley—But it is necessary to have the weights adjusted, in order that
the apparatus may not come into play when it is not wanted; and it is
necessary to have it made so as to meet any speed at which the engine would
allow the cage to descend.
114
Mr. Greenwell said, he was looking at it as a question of the safety of
life.
Mr. Bright had had the apparatus in use at 300 yards. It had never actually
held the cage fast; but it had injured the guides very much. Consequently,
they had been obliged to take it of. He believed Mr. Calow was still
considering an improvement of it; and he had had a letter from that
gentleman that morning, in which he had expressed himself very anxious to
have further experience. He (Mr. Bright) thought that there was no doubt
that this was the best principle. It had been spoken very highly of by Mr.
Smyth and others, in the Exhibition.
Mr. Marley observed, that he had had a correspondence with Mr. Wright upon
this subject. For the first three months or so, the apparatus no doubt
required constantly watching and improving upon before it could be brought
to its present state of perfection; but during the last year and a-half he
had not had occasion to alter or touch it in any shape or form. The Jurors'
Report, given at the Exhibition of 1862, was very interesting, and was to
the following effect:—
" A very ingenious method of releasing the clutches by a spring, which flies
into action as soon only as the cage acquires the action of a falling body.
The spring, instead of being held in tension as usual, by the means of the
rope, is kept down by means of a weighted cap. If the rope breaks, the cage
begins to fall, but the cap having the force of gravitation diminished by
the upward pressure of the spring, allows the latter to expand, and thus to
bring the clutches into action. Unless, therefore, the descent be very
rapid, or in jerks, this modification appears little liable to catching when
not required, a source of much inconvenience and danger."
The inventor has a system whereby he can overcome the result of rapid
descent or "jerks," which has been practically tested at modern collieries
where the average speed is about fifty feet per second.
Mr. Simpson asked, what they calculated as the velocity—sixteen feet per
second ?
Mr. Marley said, it was eighteen to twenty feet.
Mr. Simpson observed, that a body falling down the pit, would go sixteen
feet during the first second.
Mr. Marley said, that from forty to forty-five seconds was the greatest
speed at which coals were ever run. The weight was adapted to prevent the
apparatus from coming into play at that speed.
Mr. Simpson meant to say that a body fell sixteen feet in the first second.
If they had a greater velocity than that, the apparatus would not come into
play suppose the rope was to break.
115
Mr. Marley—Hence, of course, the distance the cage would have to fall before
the apparatus would come into play would be very short.
Mr. SiMrsoN thought, probably this could not be done until the velocity was
equal to seventy feet.
Mr. Marley said, that in the first instance the full tub fell a greater
distance than the empty one; in one case rather more than ten inches, and
the other about two feet.
The Chairman—If I understand rightly, but I am not quite clear upon the
point myself, for I am not quite sure whether Mr. Marley contemplates the
cage breaking in the descent, but I think it is rather in the ascent that he
thinks of its breaking, and in that case it will be for an instant in a
state of repose after the breakage. If the cage is going up and the rope
breaks, then the grip will be liable to catch before it attains the velocity
that has been mentioned.
Mr. Simpson said, the speed of a falling body, after falling even ten
inches, must be greater than had been spoken of.
Mr. Lancaster—Supposing the maximum speed to be fifty feet or forty feet per
second, you would grip the conductor.
Mr. Marley said, the weight was upon the spring, so as to keep the catches
from coming into action at the highest maximum speed.
Mr. Lancaster—Therefore, when it catches hold the cage must be travelling at
more than the maximum speed ?
Mr. Marley—Yes; but only for a small amount of time.
Mr. Lancaster—Therefore, you must have a power in the conductor to resist
that velocity, which would be very considerable 1
Mr. Marley—Yes ; if it is for any distance. In the cases we have had in
breaking and disengaging when we did not want it, there was not a shilling's
worth of damage done to the skeats, which continued workable afterwards.
Mr. Lancaster—But the mechanical resistance of a falling body of thirty feet
per second would take very powerful conductors to resist the action.
Mr. Marley—Yes; if it had fallen for anj distance. I believe the conductors
are either five or six inches in breadth.
Mr. Dickinson—These little matters are very important. It is in little
matters of this kind that the practical utility of the invention really
consists. Mr. Marley has described how these safety-cages originated, and
how the progress of invention has gone on until the present one came into
existence. What I find in practice is, that the point which fails when any
safety apparatus should act, is that frequently the guides Vol. XV.—1866.
q
116
are too weak to sustain the weight. With regard to Owen's apparatus, it is a
simple piece of mechanism; as simple as it is possible to get for such a
purpose. It only acts when the rope breaks, the only time when it is wanted;
and it runs at all speeds, up to the rate of twenty-five miles an hour;
about as quick as a railway train, and at this high velocity it does not
come into operation. It does not act till the cage becomes a falling body,
and has accumulated a considerable velocity. The fact that Calow's
apparatus, which is now brought forward, does not come regularly into
operation, has been spoken of as showing that it is, therefore, not wearing
itself out. But this is one of the best points of Owen's apparatus, that it
comes into operation every time the cage rests on the bottom or the top of
the shaft, which keeps it in working order.
Mr. Green well said, there was that point. Also, he maintained that the cage
would not obtain the high velocity which had been mentioned in falling a
distance of ten inches. The spring must come into operation from some other
cause than the velocity. The velocity had not been attained in the instance
which had been described when the catch operated, for the catch operated at
the time when the cage had only fallen ten inches.
Dr. Birkenhead said, his first impression, on hearing that the safety-cage
was to be brought into operation by the action of a weig'ht, was that it was
quite evident that, when the body fell, the cage and the weight were equally
falling bodies, and the weight could not exert any power on any part of the
cage as a weight, unless the cage itself were retained by friction, such as
the friction on the guides; but as long as the cage was free, any weight
attached to it could not have any force in bringing any part of the
mechanism into operation.
Mr. Marley replied, that the weight itself did not bring the guides into
operation; it was the spring that brought the arms into operation. He might
call attention to this remark in the Jurors' Report:—
" The spring, instead of being held in tension as usual by the means of the
rope, is kept down by means of a weight cap. If the rope breaks, the cage
begins to fall ; but the cap, having the force of gravitation diminished by
the upward pressure of the spring, allows the latter to expand, and thus to
bring the clutches into action."
It was the spring (Mr. Marley continued) that brought the clutches into
action, and the weight prevented their coming- into action.
Dr. Birkenhead asked, whether any experiment had been tried to show how the
apparatus would act when the cage was in the middle of its course, and to
ascertain whether, under those circumstances, it would act ?
117
Mr. Marley—Yes; I knew ofone case where it came into play from not having
been sufficiently weighted when going down; but I cannot speak of any
instance of the rope breaking. However, this was a case in which the cage
was going down at a greater speed than had been calculated for.
Dr. Birkenhead thought it would be advantageous to have such an experiment
tried. On the general question, he thought it must be allowed that the
object of those who had safety-cages in charge should be to adapt them to
wire-ropes. There were very few, so far as he was aware, now in operation
that were adapted to wire-ropes ; and he was not aware whether Owen's
apparatus was. It must be known, however, to all present, that wire-ropes
were now employed very much; and it was desirable that the safety-cages at
present in existence should be so modified as to be suitable to be used with
them, or that some other form should be devised. Of all the cages with which
he was acquainted, he thought Fourdrinier's arrangement was as suitable as
any for this purpose.
Mr. Gilmore could confirm what Mr. Marley had said as to the catches coming
into operation. He had known an instance in which Fourdrinier's cage was
going down at a great speed, and the catches came into play and did great
damage in the pit.
The Chairman—Was that a double or a single rope shaft ?
Mr. Gilmore—Double.
The Chairman—Which was the rope ?
Mr. Gilmore—The descending rope.
Mr. Lancaster said, he had had a similar case in a sing-le shaft on
Fourdrinier's patent. It failed in catching hold where the velocity was
rather greater, or there was some little impediment.
Mr. Gilmore—That was the case with us.
Mr. Bassett asked, what provision Mr. Marley made in the case of a great
quantity of rope falling down; whether there was provision in the shape of a
bonnet to protect the men 1
Mr. Marley said, yes, but whether they had a safety cage or not, in any
circumstances, if the rope broke, they would have that difficulty to contend
with. When this question should come up for discussion at Newcastle, if he
could contrive to do so, he would bring one of the cages, or the top of one,
either to Newcastle or to some suitable place where any gentleman could have
the matter tested and see it in operation.
Mr. Matthews wished to know whether Mr. Marley thought that where rails were
used, this apparatus would suit 1
118
Mr. Marley thought it would, but it would have to depend more upon the
question of friction, and as they had last adopted them it would be more on
the principle of a wedge.
Mr. Matthews—You think it would grip ?
Mr. Marley—Yes.
Mr. Knowles said, that as to the question of applying the apparatus to round
iron rope, he might say that Owen's had been applied to round iron
conductors. They had iron conductors in the Pendleton Colliery, and they had
the points of the catches sharpened, but had not had the necessity to try
it.
Mr. Marley said, the patent safety cage would catch equally on a round wire
rope or on wooden guides.
The Chairman had no doubt that these different descriptions of safety
apparatus might be applied either to wooden slides, or to round iron ropes,
but at one conclusion he thought they might all arrive. It was very
important to have their slides made of sufficient strength to carry any
extraordinary shock that might arise from the breaking of the cages. One
point was not so clear. Mr. Dickinson argued that Owen's apparatus was of
great value because it was always in use. On the other hand Mr. Marley
argued that Calow's invention was of advantage because it was never in use,
and that, therefore, it was not liable to get out of order. He did not think
that if they were to discuss that question for another day they would be
likely to agree. The responsibility of settling that question must rest with
those who had the question in hand. Unless any other observations were to be
made, he proposed the usual vote of thanks to Mr. Marley for his kindness,
and the paper which he had contributed would be appended to the proceedings
of the day.
Mr. Marley observed that there was one point to which he wished to allude in
reply to Mr. Dickinson. That gentleman had asked upon what he (Mr. Marley)
had based his reasons for differing with him. First, he had been led to
differ with him because he considered that in connection with Fourdrinier's
apparatus the constant coming into play at the top and bottom of the shaft
caused the wedges to get out of order, and repairs would be required almost
once a week. The same thing had occurred to him with respect to Aytoun's. He
had experimented on that, and he had witnessed it in the presence of Mr.
Aytoun himself with his cage in the Exhibition, and he thought still the
great objection was that that apparatus was very likely to get out of order
from constant wear and tear every time the cage came to the top or the
bottom. With
119
respect to that, of course, a great deal better than the theory was the
practice as to Owen's. One object of his paper would be lost unless it
should induce Mr. Dickinson, or some other gentleman who was in a position
to do it, to give statistics as to how long these different apparatuses had
been actually in use. It was not his object to uphold Calow's as the best
invention that had been produced, but it was, in his opinion, the best he
had seen. His object was that they might fully discuss the matter, and have
information upon all sides of the question, and so be able to get at the
best apparatus that they could possibly obtain. The meeting then closed.
ADDITIONAL NOTES ON SAFETT-CA GES.
By JOHN MARLEY.
Since reading the paper at the Manchester meeting in July last, I have
frequently had the springs examined in the cages at Shildon Lodge Colliery,
as also at the Upsal Pit of the Eston Ironstone Mines, in Cleveland, the
result being always satisfactory; but in order to meet the objections and
wishes of some as to not being tested or brought into play every time of
coming to bank, I have put on the plans, (Plates XV. and XVI.) the index
plates and levers, coloured red, so that one can at any time lift the weight
by hand, and so test the spring by the index; or if that be not sufficient,
the lever can be made to come into contact with some fixture at bank, and so
be tested every time the cage comes to bank, although I would not adopt such
mode myself, preferring the special examinations. Mr. Calow has suggested
other modes of indexing, but I like the arrangement shown by the drawings
the best. Plate XVIII. ' represents the cage in its working position, and
with the apparatus at rest. Plate XVI. represents it with hook detached, and
the apparatus brought into action. The index-plate A is fixed in front of
the grip, and the finger or pointer B is fastened on to the shaft, with the
grip at C, and therefore travels in the same direction. The numbers on the
index-plate correspond with the distension of the spring in inches when
released from the weight D. The length of the spring, without any
compression, is fourteen inches, and when compressed with the weight D is
seven inches. Hence, for safe working, the cage-shoe ought always to be kept
in good repair. The first tooth in the grip is fixed at such a distance from
the skeat, as that, when the finger is at 4 on the index-plate, the
apparatus
120
is brought into action, but in order to test the elasticity of the spring-,
the finger ought always, when released from the weight D, by means of the
handle or lever E, to travel to No. 5 on the index-plate. Next, to meet the
requirements for a round wire-rope, Mr. Galow suggests the plan shown in
Plates XVIII., XIX., and XX., which he thus describes, as also comments on
the indicator:—" The use of the indicator, as shown in figures 1 and 2 on
the plan, is to remove an objection which has been raised to the present
system of applying my apparatus, as it does not show when in or out of
working order, which can only be known by examination. In my final
specification, I made provision for the introduction of an index-plate if
found necessary; and although the old adaptation has not been known to fail
when required to act, yet there are parties who require a (something' to
indicate the constant condition of the apparatus."
Plates XVIII., XIX., and XX. show a form of grip applicable to iron guides.
These grips are secured together at their centres at D, same as a pair of
scissors, and a slot being cut at the ends EE, allows them to open or shut
as occasion requires. In the drawing, they are represented as supporting the
cage on the rope or wire-guide, by means of strong studs well secured in the
levers, as shown at FFFF. These studs are made a little hollow on their
surfaces to fit the guide.
Upon looking at the position of the levers, the cage rests upon the extreme
ends of the levers at EE; therefore, the point or place of bearing being
considerably below the studs or grips FFFF, the cage cannot fall; but so
soon as the cage is elevated, the grips fall and release their hold of the
slide. The action of the spring is shown, and all it has to do is to suspend
the centres D in case of accident, when the cage, through being fast to the
levers at EE, takes the ends of the levers down with it at the time of
gravitating, and at once applies the grips.
NORTH OF ENGLAND INSTITUTE
OF
MINING ENGINEERS.
GENERAL MEETING, SATURDAY, APRIL 7, 1866. IN THE ROOMS OF THE
INSTITUTE, WESTGATE STREET, NEWCASTLE-UPON-TYNE.
C. BERKLEY, Esq., in the Chair, in the unavoidable absence of the President.
Mr. Double day read the minutes, after which, Mr. Dacres, Seaham Colliery,
and Mr. Clarke, Shotton Colliery, were elected members of the Institute.
In the absence of Mr. Dickinson, the discussion upon his paper, which stood
first on the list, was postponed.
DIRECT-ACTING, PUMPING, AND WINDING ENGINES.
Prior to the discussion of Mr. Knowles' paper, Mr. Lishman, of Etherley,
read a paper, being- a short description of a pumping- engine in use at
Lyon's Pit, Newton Cap Colliery.
Mr. Steavenson said, that, according- to the calculation, a ton of coals
would raise two millions of gallons, or twenty millions of pounds a foot
high.
Mr. I. L. Bell said, that the Cornish boiler would raise fifty millions of
pounds a foot high with a bushel of coals of 112 lbs. So that they were
raising- here—if Mr. Steavenson's figures were rig-ht—half the quantity with
something- like twenty times the coals.
The Chairman—Is there not something- else besides the ton of coals to be
taken into account ? The machinery is more costly in the first instance; and
that may cause a great deal more expense.
Mr. Lishman—I have taken the coal there at its commercial value.
Mr. Steavenson—The writer of the paper is entirely astray. What Mr. Knowles
wishes to consider is—What is the economy of power
122
applied in the engine—not what is the quantity of coals used ? On the form
adopted you have to consider the class of boiler and whether there is any
patent apparatus employed. Then there is the question of ' the engines,
whether they are direct-acting- or not ? You will find in the table given
that one is doing- fifty per cent, more work than the others ; and you will
find some, perhaps, that are not direct-acting" engines working- better than
those that are direct.
Mr. Lishman—This table is given to show that the work mig-ht be done cheaper
by direct-action.
Mr. Steavenson—If you measure the number of gallons lifted, and then take a
diagram, you will see how the machinery is acting-independent of the boiler.
I have done so, and I have found that sixty per cent, is as much as we can
g-et of the power applied. I would sug-g-est that a few members of the
Institute should g-o into it in this way, and ascertain what are the actual
conclusions with direct-acting- engines as compared with other engines.
Mr. Willis—Looking at the proportion of power got at by the best mode of
engine, you would not omit the question of cost.
Mr. Lishman—I have no objection to appending to this the details. This was
taken over three months.
Mr. Steavenson—Of course we have a great number of valuable data given, but
the actual matter we have not got.
Mr. Newall—There should be two diagrams,- the first showing what the engine
does itself,- and then there should be a diagram giving the working with the
pumps attached.
Mr. Steavenson—By measuring the actual water lifted you would arrive at the
result.
Mr. Lishman—Do you mean by measuring the diameter of the pump 1
Mr. Steavenson—Measuring by fifty-gallon buckets, or any other measure.
Mr. Bell—That ought to be over a considerable period of time. I do not know
any more fallacious mode than by going at intervals—unless you have
considerable intervals, and go once in half hours to see what the engine is
doing.
The Chairman—Mr. Knowles has given the number of strokes for twenty years.
Mr. Bell—The question is whether the stroke gives solid water or not. I know
we have gone into the quantity of water we are using at the Clarence Works
by multiplying the number of strokes by the
123
volume of each, and it gives a^-iesult so totally different from the
quantity of water which we can possibly use, that I am sure you cannot by
these indications arrive at the real quantity of water pumped.
Mr. Morrison—The consumption of blast furnaces is very variable.
Mr. Bell—With regard to economy, take any kind of pumping machinery employed
in a mine, the interest on the first cost is so very small compared to the
yearly expense of carrying it on. We have been too much guided by first cost
instead of yearly expense. Coal, unfortunately, was so cheap that the last
thing we thought of was any economy in its use.
The Chairman—There is a great difference between the wear and tear of
different classes of engines.
Mr. Bell—Cheap engines are the dearest, because they entail a greater annual
expense than those of a better and dearer description.
The Chairman—Perhaps one engine uses more coal and has less wear and tear.
Mr. Bell—The general rule is contrary. The more coal you use the greater is
the wear and tear, you require more boiler room; and where there is
imperfect machinery the wear and tear is far greater.
Mr. Newall—The more boiler room you have the cheaper you do your work. You
are obliged to keep it at a high temperature. If taken care of, as in
Cornwall, you have a different result. Your engine is the boiler. The
cylinder is the means of measuring its power.
Mr. Bell—As a rule the engines in this neighbourhood are under-boilered; but
yet in consequence of imperfect construction the engines are not capable of
doing their work unless provided with an unusual boiler capacity which is of
course a source of expense.
Mr. Morrison—No doubt the oftener you open the doors you lose power by
cooling ,• and when you have inferior coals you have to open them oftener
than you do with good coals.
Mr. Lishman—The coals mentioned there are good coals.
Mr. Morrison—There is enormous waste on account of open doors. It is much
better if you coal through the teaze-holes as in puddling furnaces.
Mr. Bell—In every case with the puddler the teaze-holes have to be opened.
Mr. Morrison—Yes, but the man goes immediately and closes it up.
Mr. Steavenson—I wish to press the proposition that diagrams should be taken
by different members. The arrangements, I believe, are of all descriptions
in this neighbourhood.
Vol. XV.—1866.
K
124
The Chairman—I do not believe you have any of the Cornish engines.
Mr. Bell—You have the Cornish duty every month; in fact; every week.
Mr. Morrison—It is remarkable if the Cornish system is so efficient why the
other districts do not imitate them.
Mr. Bell—I would like to ask whether any member of the Institute has ever
set himself seriously to work to make a calculation—taking the first cost
and diminished annual expenditure—in comparison with cheap engines and
increased annual expenditure.
The Chairman—I do not think any one has done so.
Mr. Lishman—We have an idea of introducing Bastier's Chain Pump at Newton
Cap Colliery. We are trying to make up our minds to introduce it instead of
the engine and pumps I have described.
Mr. T. Greener—I have offered the owners of Newton Cap Colliery to pump all
their water for four years with Bastier's Patent Chain Pump, and at the end
of that time to let them have the pumps at a fixed price. I am connected
with Messrs". Jackson and Co., engineers, London. Mr. J. W. Hackworth and I
have given our attention to this mode of pumping for the past nine years.
Mr. Bell—What is the duty got by this kind of pump ?
Mr. Greener—It has been used in Devonshire. During six months it was used in
Wheal Concord Mine, with a five-inch tube lifting about 320 gallons per
minute, with an engine of twenty-five horse power. I have not the
particulars of the coal used. The depth was fifty-five fathoms. I can give
the particulars of one proposed to work at eighty fathoms. It will be a
seven-inch pipe, to lift 800 gallons per minute. The first cost, including
engine and pumps, £2,500; and to use five tons per day of coals.
Mr. Bell—Why did you not bring the figures of those at work ?
Mr. Greener—There is only one working'- it is at Bromley-by-Bow; depth,
thirty fathoms. The engine is driving a great deal of other machinery, and
we cannot separate it. I now understand what is required, and against
another discussion I shall be provided with particulars which I have not
to-day.
Mr. Bell—What are the results relative to the wear and tear ?
Mr. Greener—The pump at Bow has been working two years, and has not cost a
farthing for repairs. As to the waste of water there can be none. Going at
from 400 to 500 feet per minute, there is not time for any to escape. The
bottom of the tube is contracted. They are made of malleable iron, with
glass enamel inside and outside.
125
¦ Mr. Newall—What space is there between the disc and the side of
the tube ?
Mr. Greener—None. They fit exactly. It is an endless chain, and the chain
fits on the top of the pulley. The discs are made of India rubber. There are
three or four ply of India rubber; one narrower than another, leaving a
little edge j an iron plate is keyed on each side of the India rubber.
Mr. Bell—All inequalities in the dimensions of the pipe are compensated for
by the dimensions of the India rubber ?
Mr. Greener—Just so.
Mr. Willis—At certain distances, ten or twenty feet, there are contractions
1
Mr. Greener—Fifty yards.
Mr. Willis—If there was a contraction every twenty-four or thirty feet, each
contraction, when the disc came to it, would be a force pump of itself. The
advantage of having the contractions a less distance than fifty feet apart
would be, that their discs, in addition to simply lifting, would also, to
use a convenient term, suck the water immediately below it.
Mr. Newall—Unless the discs fit the tube the whole way, there must be a
leakage of water. In case you make these intervals fifty yards, there must
be an enormous waste of water, unless your discs fit the whole length.
Mr. Greener—In practice it is not so.
Mr. Bell—I understand you fit the tube from top to bottom ?
Mr. Greener—There is a difference between having a suction power and just
fitting. The length of the contraction is ten feet.
Mr. L. Wood—The discs act as a bucket in the pump.
Mr. Bell—Then it is not that they fit in the pipe ?
Mr. Greener—They do fit; and there is also the principle of momentum ; it is
felt when running a high uniform rate.
Mr. L. Wood—It is just the same as a bucket when going through the
contraction. It sucks the water in behind it. The discs travel at the same
rate as the water when in the pipe.
Mr. Greener—For very great depths this is what would be done. We have never
lifted very great depths. For the lift of fifty fathoms we have only ten
feet contraction at the bottom, and ten feet contrac-tion in the middle ;
all the rest is lifted freely. At Bromley, where the lift is thirty fathoms,
we have only a contraction of ten feet at the bottom.
126
Mr. Bell—You would only have a loss of water while the distance is run
between one disc and the other. If you had more contractions that loss would
be diminished.
The Chairman—You have always three discs continually in the contracted part
of the pipe. The only advantage of making" them fifty yards apart is, that
you take off the weight of a column of water from one particular disc. The
top disc has a fifty-yard column of water to carry.
Mr. Willis—Assisted by the bottom disc.
Mr. GreexVer—At the speed we run there is a reduction in the pressure of the
water on the side of the pipes, and so the water sticks to the chain on its
passage upwards.
Mr. Bell—Why not follow the example of Mr. Knowles, and write a paper upon
it 1
Mr. Morrison—It is hardly applicable to this country if you only pump fifty
fathoms.
Mr. Greener—It would pump 200 fathoms.
Mr. Bell—I think a useful paper might be written on the subject. We know
very little about Bastier's pump.
Mr. Greener—I shall be glad to prepare a paper, and to exhibit models.
Mr. Newall—You should bring a full-sized disc, a piece of chain, and a
specimen of the pipe.
The Chairman—If you could bring the economic state of action of the pump it
would be of use; the quantity and price of the coal used.
Mr. Greener—A gentleman in Derbyshire said he wished he had seen this before
he had expended £10,000 in putting in Cornish engines and pumps.
Mr. Steavenson—It would be well to let Bastier's pump alone until we have
Mr. Greener's paper, or else, I think, the principle is wrong. You ought to
have fewer points of application. If you put in a single plunge, the per
centage lost would be much less than at these discs—each disc being a
plunger.
Mr. Greener—Allow me to make one reply. Mr. Steavenson forgets this—the
immense amount of foreign matter daily tossed about by the present mode of
pumping. If you take a seven-inch pipe, you have only one ton eleven cwts.
in the pipe of thirty-five fathoms; while in an eighteen-inch pump of the
same length, you have ten tons six cwts. You also get the advantage of the
water not pressing so much on the sides of the pipe. This is a great
saving of power.
127
Mr. Steavenson—But in the one case you may have twenty pumps of fifty feet
apart, and in the other you have one pump lifting the whole length.
Mr. Newall—There is a point in Mr. Knowles paper which I wish to refer to. I
mean as to the size of the pulleys he uses. At page twenty-four he describes
the drawing of water out of his pits by wire ropes, and says:—"It is found
that the wire-ropes are much worn with running upon iron," and he uses a
lining of wood to get over the difficulty. Now the wear of the rope can only
arise from its sliding on the pulley, which is fifteen feet in diameter.
This is too large; for when going at a great speed it acts like a fly-wheel,
and the rope is made a brake to stop it. The consequence is, that the rope
is most worn at the stopping and starting points. When we first introduced
wire ropes into use, we found the same complaint attached to hemp ropes. On
examining into the cause of it, I found that the pulleys, though of small
diameter, being of cast-iron, were very heavy, and moved after the rope
stood still. I, therefore, in order to get rid of the weight of cast iron,
introduced the light pulleys, with malleable iron arms, which are now so
much used. Mr. Knowles has gone to the opposite extreme, and made his
pulleys too large and heavy. If they had been ten feet diameter, this
slipping would not have occurred.
Mr. Bell—That is a self-evident proposition. You get a great momentum in the
pulley when it is so large; whereas, if the pulley was made very light, it
could easily be stopped by the friction of the rope.
Mr. JVewall—More damage is done by velocity after you get beyond a certain
size. To have fifteen or eighteen feet pulleys, I think is a mistake. If you
mark the pulley and the rope with a piece of chalk, you find, after a
certain time, they do not come to the same point.
Mr. Willis—They often surge.
At this stage, at the suggestion of the Chairman, it was agreed that the
discussion should be allowed to stand over until Mr. Greener's paper was
before the Institute, or any other paper on the subject.
COAL WASHING AT INCE HALL COLLIEEY.
The next subject for discussion was Mr. Gilroy's paper on the Coal-Washing
Apparatus at Ince Hall Colliery. A letter was read from Mr. Gilroy,
apologising for his absence.
The Chairman described the process. He said the coal was put into
128
a long box, and a runner of water goes with it. There were certain traps at
different points that catch the heavier stones and so forth, and the finer
coal goes on. It is the same as we have seen. At different points there are
different qualities of coal deposited.
Mr. Morrison—At different points of the sluices.
The Chairman—I saw the same principle practised in Bohemia. The water pumped
out of the pit was allowed to run into wooden spouts; fifteen or twenty men
and women were employed to shovel the small coal into these spouts and keep
it in a state of agitation for a time. The water was then turned off, the
top or lighter part of the coal was taken as good, the lower part of the
deposit being slack or inferior; both were used for making coke.
Mr. Morrison—We have a coal-washing machine doing the work at a penny
farthing per ton.
Mr. —Mr. Gilroy's gives one-third of a penny. I think
there will be a great difference in the telling of it. You will have to have
a special engine to lift the coal and the water; though it must be cheap
when it is at work.
The Chairman (to Mr. Morrison)—Yours does not include wear and tear ?
Mr. Morrison—No.
The Chairman—Mr. Gilroy's does.
Mr. Douglas—Is it a similar plan ?
Mr. Morrison—No.
Mr. Douglas—I saw Mr. Gilroy's apparatus at work on one occasion. Mr. Gilroy
was not present, but I happened to see two or three trucks into which the
coal had been discharged, and I was surprised to see a large quantity of
stony matter in the trucks, to which I drew the attention of the man in
charge. He said it was owing to the large quantity of water passing, or from
some carelessness on the part of the person in charge, whose attention
seemed a necessity for the proper cleaning of the coal.
Mr. Morrison—The advantage or otherwise of any system of coal-washing
depends on the economy of labour, and whether there is a waste of coal by
the stream of water going over it. You want a method that will wash the dirt
cleanest out and lose the least coal.
The Chairman—It is a fact Mr. Morrison can speak to. Machines, either on the
principle of Mr. Gilroy's or any other, if put to do more work than they are
fitted for, will allow the stones to go through.
Mr. Morrison—Yes; without great care.
129
Mr. Steavenson—You should al»# be as little as possible at the mercy of the
man in whose charge they are.
Mr. Morrison—We do 400 tons a day, and one man works regularly in one field.
Mr. Douglas—The like difficulty I mention might occur in the want of
attention at the machine you use ?
Mr. Morrison—It does not depend so much on the supervision of the man in
charge. If it does not raise the sluices, it will go into the waggon.
Mr. Douglas—The larger the quantity of water that is going, the more likely
it will be to carry a quantity of foreign matter.
Mr. Morrison—When there is little water, it washes dirt and all away, if not
impeded by a given quantity of coal.
The Chairman—You might give us some particulars in a paper.
Mr. Morrison—When I hear what Mr. Gilroy has to say about it.
The Chairman—Coal-washing machines are coming more and more into requisition
every year.
Mr. Morrison—Coke is becoming more valuable, and you cannot make good coke
without separating the dirt from the coal.
The discussion was then adjourned. The discussion on Mr. T. Y. Hall's paper,
on " The Progress of Coal Mining in China," was also adjourned; and the
meeting shortly after separated.
DESCRIPTION
OF
PUMPING ENGINES IN USE AT LYONS PIT,
NEWTON CAP COLLIEEY.
By WILLIAM LISHMAN.
There are two engines, with cylinders of the diameter of 28 inches and 26
inches respectively; one engine is in the engine-house, and is an ordinary
four-double mitred-valved engine, with the ordinary hand-gear used in such
engines. The beam is overhead, and, by means of a connecting rod, is
attached to the fly-wheel shaft, at the same level as the bed-plate of the
cylinder. This fiy-wheel shaft is carried through the engine house wall,
and, by means of an outside crank and connecting rod, is attached to a large
pumping beam which hangs over the back shaft. This, of course, causes loss
of power; to restore which, another upright cylinder is placed within two
feet and beneath the other end of this large beam, and is fitted with an
ordinary slide valve, which is worked by an eccentric sheave and rod from
the fly-wheel shaft of the in-door engine. The piston-rod is applied
directly to the beam, to assist in raising it and the column.
There are two sixteen-inch sets of pumps, with five-feet and seven-feet
strokes respectively, pumping between them eighty gallons per stroke, the
speed being seven-and-a-half strokes per minute = 600 gallons per minute.
DUTY OF THE ENGINES.
600 gallons per minute = 25,920,000 gallons per month. 225 tons of coals are
consumed per month.
Now, —J---2----= 110,000 gallons, lifted seventy yards high (which is the
height of lift) by one ton of coals.
132
SUMMAEY OF COST OF PUMPING WATER AT LYONS PIT, NEWTON CAP COLLIERY, FOR
THREE MONTHS.
Stores......................................................................
.....£16 7 3
Six Buckets, changed .....................................................
3 0 0
Wages.......................................................................
.. 64 18 0
Coals—675 tons, at 4s. per ton ........................................135
0 0
Leading Coals
............................................................... 45 0 0
3-r- 264 5 3
£88 1 9
DETAILED ACCOUNT OF MATERIALS USED, AND WAGES PAID, AND COALS CONSUMED, IN
PUMPING 25,920,000 GALLONS OF WATER PER MONTH, AT LYONS PIT, NEWTON CAP
COLLIERY.
Oil............................................................... £5 8
9
Tallow......................................................... 2 13 1
Patent rings.................................................. 0 9 0
Cotton waste................................................ 0 4 10
Lamp cotton................................................ 0 2 8
Leather....................................................... 0 11 3
Gutta percha................................................ 4 10 6
Canvas packing............................................. 15 0
India rubber................................................ 0 2 6
White lead................................................... 0 16
Spun yarn ................................................... 0 15 4
Sundries...................................................... 0 2 10
------------ £16 7 3
Six buckets, changed in three months, costing as
follows each, viz.:—
Six men, two hours.......................... 0 4 0
Three horses, two hours.................. 0 3 6
Sundries....................................... 0 2 6
0 10 0 = £3 for three months, or six buckets.............. ------------
3 0 0
Wages as follows, per fortnight:—
Two enginemen.............................. 5 6 4
Two firemen.................................. 4 4 0
Two houses.................................... 0 16 0
Grathing....................................... 0 10 0
10 16 4 = £64 18s. for three months...........................
64 18 0
675 tons of coals, at 4s. per ton........................
135 0 0
675 tons of coals, leading at Is. per load of 15 cwts.
45 0 0
For three months................................. £264 5
3
= For one month..........................................
£88 1 9
133
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF L?ONS PIT PUMPING ENGINE, NEWTON CAP COLLIERY, 1866.
Diameter of cylinder inside, 26 inches.
Diameter of cylinder outside, 28 inches.
Diameter of fly-wheel, 18 feet.
Length of pumping beam, 32 feet. A pit at each end.
28 lbs. per square inch high pressure.
5 feet stroke inside piston.
7 feet stroke outside piston.
7i strokes per minute.
Diameter of pumps, 17" and 16'.
Working barrels, 16".
Length of pump trees, 70 yards.
Boileks— 1—34 feet + 6 feet. 2—32 feet + 6 feet. 1—32 feet + 5| feet.
36 gallons of water per minute used for boilers. 7^ strokes per minute. 80
gallons per stroke, capable of going 10 strokes per minute.
NORTH OF ENGLAND INSTITUTE
OF
MINING ENGINEERS.
GENERAL MEETING, THURSDAY, MAY 3, 1866, IN THE ROOMS OP THE INSTITUTE,
WESTGATE STREET, NEWCASTLE-UPON-TYNE.
T. E. FORSTER, Esq., President op the Institute, in the Chair.
Mr. Doubleday having read the minutes of the Council, the following
elections took place:—Sir William Armstrong was elected a member; Mr. C. N.
Coates, of Skelton Mines, and Mr. Benjamin Dodd, of Seaton Delaval, were
elected graduates.
BASTIER'S PATENT CHAIN PUMP.
Mr. Greener then read a paper " On the Improved Method of Raising Water
Economically from Mines, by Bastier's Patent Chain Pump," which was
illustrated by a working model.
The President—Would the pump go from top to bottom in a pit of 100 fathoms?
Mr. Greener—Yes; contracting the tube at every fifty yards. But as a matter
of prudence, it would be as well if there was a possibility of dividing it
into two lifts when the depth is very great.
The President—But there would be no difficulty in having a hundred fathom
pipe ?
Mr. Greener—None at all. We have tendered for 120 fathoms, and I would
undertake to do it.
Mr. Greenwell—There is one question I wish to ask. They seem to be very
powerful engines, You mention 300-horse power engines to
136
lift a thousand gallons per minute. But they would do that with the common
pump.
Mr. Greener—You must make a reduction for nominal horse power. These are
indicated horse power. It is exactly what we tendered, and the engineers I
am connected with in London are very cautious. They quoted more, I believe,
than are necessary for working- the pump.
Mr. Knowles—The best way would be to test the exact quantity of coal used.
With regard to experiments, to be quite certain it will answer, I would ask
whether it has been used in sinking- a pit ?
Mr. Greener—We think they can be used in sinking. These chains can be added
every three feet three inches.
Mr. Knowles—How would you be able to get the water up to the first bucket ?
The disc has to be in the water, and the depth of the pit is altering every
one or two hours.
Mr. Greener—These pipes are so light that they can be swung in the shaft,
and they could be lowered as required.
Mr. Greenwell—What depth of water do you allow ?
Mr. Greener—A foot or six inches covering the bottom of the pipe will do.
Mr. Greenwell—A man could not work in the water.
Mr. Greener—You might always have it low enough by keeping a good sump.
Mr. Knowles—You would have to make a hole in it; whereas, in the ordinary
mode of sinking a pit, you can get the pump down to the lowest place that
has to be kept dry.
The President—It is seldom that there is no water at the bottom of a sinking
pit. The return stroke sends it back a couple of feet, so that the sinkers
are always working in the water. The great point is to get the sump kept
down.
Mr. Greener—Mechanical engineers seem to see their way to use it in sinking
a pit, by the ease with which they can move about these pipes.
Mr. Lishman—They would be liable to damage.
The President—Cast iron pipes would bear a blow better than these do.
Mr. Greener—They can have always an extra strong one at the bottom. A
blow on the discs would not hurt them.
The President—You might have brattice in to protect them. It requires little
room, and would not be expensive.
Mr. Greenwell—This is all in favour of what Mr. Greener says.
137
You raise a thousand gallons, of 33,000 lbs., one foot high per minute, with
engines of 220-horse power. The engines have nothing to do but lift the
water whichever way they can do it. I merely ask the question, how is it you
take so high a power as 300-horse, whereas, a 220-horse engine would do the
same.
Mr. Greener—Ours is not more than 200, the way you are calculating.
The President—Allowing for friction, you think it would not be more than
200.
Mr. Greener—We calculate that would be strong enough.
Mr. Greenwell—Fifty-five fathoms is the deepest you have worked.
Mr. Berkley—What is the sheave at the top ?
Mr. Greener—About twelve or thirteen feet in circumference.
Mr. Berkley—A wheel four feet diameter at the bottom would be awkward, and
likely to be broken.
Mr. Greener—The lower wheel is simply a small roller for the disc and chain
to pass against.
The President—The roller is at the bottom, and the chain will go underneath
it.
Mr. Greener—It seldom touches it.
Mr. Steavenson—You said you had ninety per cent, effective power in one
pump.
Mr. Greener—Yes; several engineers carefully tested it, and it was quite
clear that the pump utilised ninety per cent, of the power employed upon it.
Since the last meeting, I have done all I could to obtain a separate account
of the coal used at Bow; but they could not separate the pump from the other
machinery.
Mr. Knowles—Do the chains wear, going through the water ?
Mr. Greener—I have taken a great many people to look at the pump at Bow. The
chain is as good as new. It seems rather oiled than anything else. It is
quite greasy to the touch.
The President—There will not be much difficulty about this, if the water is
good. If it is an old working, with a great many pyrites to pass over, it
will be very bad.
Mr. Berkley—Like the water at Wingate Grange.
Mr. Knowles—I was thinking of the wearing of the chain with the water upon
it.
Mr. Greener—There is nothing of wear about the chain that we have had in use
two years. There is a little brightness on some of the
138
links that do not fit well. But this is not so perfectly made as the chains
we can get now.
Mr. Steavenson—If the chain broke at the top, all would go to the bottom.
Mr. Greener—At Tavistock there was an accident of that kind; but by
grappling-, they got it with little trouble. That in the pipe was so near
the end that they could get hold of the last link with a grapnel.
The President—If the chain went down and got upon the men's heads, that
would be against employing- it in sinking- a pit.
Mr. Knowles—What was the depth of water in the pit ?
Mr. Greener—It was nearly full.
Mr. Knowles—Was the roller fastened to the bottom of the pipes ?
Mr. Greener—Yes; between two pieces of wood. We just dropped it down ready
for work. We can put twenty or thirty feet length of pipe on at once. We
take two or three lengths, fasten them, and let them down. We fasten them
at the top, just as it is lowered down.
Mr. Knowles—I think in sinking a pit they would have to lower the pipe from
the top; they could not get at the bottom.
Mr. Steavenson—If the chain broke, it would require a great many hours to
set her agoing- again.
Mr. Greener—I can only say what has been done. Unfortunately, at Tavistock,
they broke their chain. Still it is a useful fact to know that they could
fish it up in two hours, though it was in upwards of forty fathoms of water.
Mr. Steavenson—If after the accident you had to join the links of the chain,
it would be an awkward thing to get the chain up from a hundred fathoms
depth.
Mr. Greener—I do not see the difficulty.
Mr. Steavenson—If a hundred fathoms of chain was lying at the bottom, you
would have to put something down to fasten the chain, and draw it up.
The President—It would be in the shaft clear of the pumps.
Mr. Steavenson—If you did not catch hold at the end of the chain, you might
have two discs coming together, suppose it had gone to the bottom ?
Mr. Greener—It could not all get out.
Mr. Steavenson—Unless the pumps are at the bottom, all would go clean
through.
Mr. Greenwell—When do you expect it will work on a large scale ?
139
-»» Mr. Greener—Unfortunately every one is waiting till everybody
else tries it.
Mr. Greenwell—I thought they were trying it at Newton Cap ?
Mr. Greener—They are, I think, waiting until you gentlemen say whether it is
a useful experiment. I offered, on behalf of Messrs. Jackson and Co., in
London, to work the patent for four years at Newton Cap for their present
expenses and for an amount agreed upon for the engines and pipes at the end
of that period. But that offer has not yet been accepted. It is probable
the owners may put it in themselves.
The President—Suppose you had two sets of chains. If the depth was too great
for one lift you might have two.
Mr. Knowles—The weight of the chain would be great.
Mr. Greener—Three hundred fathoms would be fourteen tons on each side.
Mr. L. Wood—It would also have to carry the weight of water ?
Mr. Berkley—The chain only in one part carries something like fifty yards of
water in one disc.
Mr. Wood—The top link of the chain has to bear the whole weight.
Mr. Greener—The question has been discussed whether it is so liable to break
when the weight is divided on the chain, as when the whole weight is on the
extreme end of the chain.
Mr. Greenwell—Five hundred and fifty fathoms of wire rope is stronger than
the same length of chain. 550 fathoms of wire rope just carries its own
weight safely. There must be a point at which the chain would break by its
own weight, and that must be less than 550 fathoms. Now if you take 300
fathoms that leaves little margin to carry more than itself in safety.
Mr. Greener—You can divide the lifts by appliances from the top, or by other
means.
Mr. Knowles—The depth at Bow is only thirty fathoms. We used the endless
chain for winding coal, and we found it did well at the depth of 100 yards;
but when it is above 200 yards the weight of the chain is so heavy that it
is liable to break. We had one of 217 yards, and we could only just manage
to keep it in good working order.
Mr. Greenwell—We are going to draw 1000 gallons per minute, at a depth of
120 fathoms. We have not begun yet, and we want to fix on the best plan.
Mr. Greener—As far back as nine years, in conversation with Mr. John W.
Hackworth, son of the late Mr. Timothy Hackworth, he said Vol. XV.—1866.
T
140
he saw his way quite clear to lift from 150 fathoms by a machine on this
principle.
The President—The subject will require a little consideration. We are all
very much indebted to Mr. Greener for bringing- it forward. If it really
does answer the purpose it will be a great boon to the trade. For slight
depths, I have no doubt it will answer; but it will require a little
consideration before applying it to great depths, and as to sinking pits
there will be great difficulty in applying it. I beg to move a vote of
thanks to Mr. Greener, and to propose that his paper be printed in the
Transactions of this Society.
The motion was unanimously adopted.
ON A DIRECT-ACTING ENGINE, AT TOWNELEY COLLIERY.
In connection with the discussion on Mr. Knowles's paper, Mr. J. B. Simpson
read a paper "On a Direct-acting Engine, at Towneley Colliery," with
observations on the consumption of fuel in Cornish and other engines.
Mr. Boyd asked if Mr. Simpson had found any difficulty in drawing and
putting in his spears.
Mr Simpson said, there was quite sufficient room to take off the spears at
the top of the pit, and with respect to those in the lower set, if anything
went wrong with them, the ram would have to be taken out, and to enable this
to be done easily, there was an off-take joint immediately above the ram.
Mr. Knowles—That is the plan we adopted at Belfield Colliery fifteen years
since. By having the ram fastened on the rods it answered very well.
Afterwards we put on another engine, and used the ram at a lower place.
We did not like to depend on one engine.
The President—What quantity of water do you raise ?
Mr. Knowles—Seven hundred and fifty gallons per minute. It was only
seventy-five yards deep.
Mr. Steavenson called attention to the importance of having some uniform
method of stating questions of this kind ; some giving gallons per day, some
per hour, and some per minute. Again some gave it in gallons, some in yards,
and some in feet. Suppose they were to say so many gallons raised one fathom
per minute.
Mr. Greenwell—Say the number of gallons raised a hundred yards by a ton of
coals. The way Mr. Knowles had put it was very simple.
141
Mr. Steavenson said, a great deal depended on the boilers, and he suggested
that they should take a diagram and see exactly the horsepower they obtained
with the pressure given by the indicator. With respect to this table we
found that some of those direct-acting engines were performing three times
the work of the others; but if he looked further down, the indirect-actmg
engines were doing as much work or more than the direct-acting. In the
direct-acting engine they had either to have a cylinder very much larger in
proportion, or they could not get through the same amount of work. The
direct-acting engines, simply had high pressure, with an exhaust, forming a
cushion of the returning spears. They could balance the spears by having two
sets, and use both sides of the piston. The engine at Page Bank was pressed
at thirty-two pounds, and was pumping twice the water at the same depth. The
proper mode of going about these experiments was to get diagrams. There was
an indicator experiment by Maddison; he let the water off, , then found what
friction was with it. When you have water pressing on the apparatus you have
heavier friction. He would measure the number of gallons pumped every
minute, and take the indicator. Then they would easily get what was the
available horse power. The remainder they must allow for friction and loss.
Maddison also showed that he obtained seventy-seven per cent. This was not a
direct-acting engine. It took seven pounds to start the engine, but then he
got a start of two and a-half. A direct-acting engine has this to overcome
every time it makes a lift.
Mr. Knowles, in reply to Mr. Steavenson, said these particulars were got up
at their own colliery for their own use to test the engines. He did not say
that all were perfect; but by these means they were able to see what engines
were not doing their proper work. The first four engines were a fair sample
of what direct-acting engines could accomplish. It was found that the engine
at Allen's Green was working to a disadvantage ; but it was now working a
great deal better. They must not compare the working of this engine with
that of a first-class direct engine. With respect to wheel-engines or
running-engines, they had to transmit the power round so many corners that
it could not be done with economy. Here the power was applied, as near as
they could fix it to the work. The direct action was only applied at one
side of the piston ; but they were now applying it on both sides by having a
balance-beam underneath it. The steam on the higher side can force the beam
down, and it helps the lift up on the outside. By this means they got two
142
vacuums. No doubt that would be more economical; and if they had another to
erect they would do it in this way. They had had these engines erected for
many years, and so far as their experience went they approved of them. They
were very simple to set up. Though there had been a difficulty about
connecting the rods with the piston, they had never found this to interfere
with the working-.
Mr. Greenwell remarked that the inertia had equally to be overcome whether
they had a fly-wheel or a direct acting-engine.
Mr. Steavenson said, he thought there was some discrepancy in the figures
given by Mr. Knowles.
Mr. Knowles said, they were only statements from their own engines. The very
low ones he considered were in very bad order. He took 50,000 gallons as
about the average work.
Mr. Steavenson—We require three times the amount from our engines.
Mr. Knowles—The direct-acting* engine gives 144,000. The Cornishmen use a
better class of engines.
The President—They economise the fuel very much; they have to pay so dear
for it.
Mr. Knowles—From the discussion on these engines good will arise to the
trade. We shall see where improvements can be made, not only in engines but
in boilers.
The President—No doubt it will set people to think whether direct or
indirect engines are the best. We have not had much experience in direct
engines here. I think Mr. John Simpson's is the first, except at Burradon;
but they did not get it to act at all there.
Mr. Berkley—The greatest difference will arise in the boilers. There is not
so much difference in the actual work performed by the engines as in the
boiler. There is so much more steam, per ton of coals, raised by the Cornish
boiler. We are the most wasteful people in regard to boilers.
The President—My son has put up a winding engine at Cambois, and he has put
up the Cornish boilers there. They work very well indeed.
Mr. Greenwell—Are they single or two-tube boilers?
Mr. Simpson—I think there are two tubes.
Mr. Greenwell—The kind of boilers generally used in Lancashire are two-tube
boilers.
The President—Cornish.
Mr. Knowles—Twenty-six or twenty-eight feet long is considered
143
9
the best. The smoke goes through the two flues, then underneath, and back up
each side. We have three boilers forty-five feet long, but we have poor
results from them.
COAL-WASHING APPARATUS.
Mr. Gilroy's paper on " Coal-Washing Apparatus," stood next for discussion.
Mr. Greenwell said, Mr. Gilroy could not be present, but he wished the
discussion might go on notwithstanding, and he had requested him (Mr.
Greenwell) to watch his interests. They got their coal from the screens to
the coke ovens very much cheaper than before. The cost of washing was less
than the actual conveyance of coal was formerly, so that they had the
washing for nothing. It had also improved the coke from 2s. to 2s. 6d. per
ton in price. There was one subject, he did not know whether there was
anything in Mr. Gilroy's paper about it, but it was very important, and that
was the fresh air furnace. He had seen it at Ince Hall Colliery a short time
ago, and it was well worth taking into consideration. A wall was built in
the drift behind the furnace. Holes were made in it which acted as a
regulator, and they work the furnace without any furnace doors at all.
Mr. L. Wood—How does he fire the furnace ?
Mr. Greenwell—He fires from the front in the ordinary way.
Mr. Steavenson—How does he increase or reduce ?
Mr. Greenwell—By making the tubes large or small. He has four small furnaces
instead of one large one. Each of these he can put out. This enables him to
clean a furnace without checking the ventilation.
Mr. Knowles—The wall at the back of the furnace will get very hot ?
Mr. Greenwell—The fireman is at the front of the furnace.
ON TAIL-ROPES.
The next paper for discussion was Messrs. Greenwell and Berkley's, on "
Tail-Ropes."
Mr. Berkley said, that Mr. Lindsay Wood asked at the meeting in Manchester,
why they did not change the ropes at the different stations at the shaft,
instead of stopping and changing 1 We do that now when we have only two
stations at work. We did not find much saving when we had four stations. We
might have a set ready at one station and not at the other. Boys were placed
at different stations. At some stations we run with fewer tubs to a set than
we do at others. We found it, for these reasons, more convenient to stop the
set at the way end and change the ropes.
144
Mr. L. Wood said, that these changes would take up about five minutes out of
thirty-four each trip.
Mr. Berkley explained that No. 1 being" a short run, the set would have to
wait at the bank-head, and the men might as well change instead of waiting.
Mr. Wood—When we have to run the trains very hard, ten miles an hour, every
stop is of much importance.
The President—We have to run our engine harder than one and a-half miles in
eight minutes.
Mr. Wood—Yours is a straight road ?
The President—It has two turns in it.
Mr. Knowles—How many wagons do you bring at once ?
Mr. Wood—Twenty-one, and in some cases thirty.
Mr. Knowles—What is the weight ?
Mr. Wood—Eight hundred-weight, and in some cases fourteen cwts.
The next subject for discussion was Mr. Daglish's paper on " Certain
Improvements in the Construction of the Water-Gauge," but Mr. Daglish not
being present, the discussion was postponed.
EXPLOSION AND STANDING FIRE AT NEWBOTTLE COLLIERY.
Mr. Lishman's paper on this subject stood next.
Mr. Greenwell said, might this question not bear on what had been brought
before the Institute about the oil in gauze 1 There was oil used in the
making* of gauze, which, when the lamp became red-hot, would fire.
Mr. Lishman—None of the lamps had been red-hot.
Mr. Wood—I believe very little depends upon its being a new or an old gauze
in that respect, for every gauze is smeared with oil during its use to a
greater extent than a new one. Experiments go to show that the tendency to
fire is rather reduced than increased when the gauze is smeared with oil.
The mere fact of the volatilization of the oil on the gauze keeps it cool.
Even paraffin, which is more volatile, has this effect.
Mr. Greenwell—Then, it would follow that a lamp is increased in safety by
being dipped in oil ?
Mr. Wood—I do not say it is safer, but the gauze does not get so soon red
hot.
Mr. Steavenson—This state of things might exist, so that when the oil is
evaporated it would burst into flame.
145
Mr. Wood—It volatilizes at a lower temperature than flame will pass through
the gauze.
The President—When the Davy-lamp was first in use, I was serving my time at
Hebburn, where it was constantly in use. I remember that the top part of the
lamp was always red-hot, and it never fired; so that I have full confidence
in the Davy-lamp. Mr. Buddie saw it several times.
Mr. Boyd—It would help to accumulate coal-dust, being smeared with oil.
Mr. Wood—I do not think that would be liable to take fire merely by the heat
of the wire.
The President referred to Messrs. Richardson and Browell's analysis.
Mr. Wood—I may state that the lamps that were in use at the place where the
Newbottle explosion took place were tested in gas obtained from a blower in
the Eppleton Pit, and were found to be in a perfect state.
Mr. Greenwell—In some experiments made in London, when they were tried in
coal-gas, they exploded at much less heat. The strangest thing is that the
Newbottle lamps had apparently not been red-hot.
The President—My idea was that a man must have put his pick through one of
the lamps; but when found they were quite perfect.
Mr. Lishman—The gauze not being red-hot, might be accounted for by the fact
that the flame as soon as it passed the gauze, would leave the face. The
lamps would be put out immediately by the gas.
Mr. Wood—The question is, whether the lamp had g-ot so hot as to pass the
flame ?
Mr. Lishman—There was no appearance of that.
Mr. Greenwell—You did not fire shots in the place at all ?
Mr. Lishman—No.
The President—The great danger is when you beat the flame back. As long as
they allowed the gas to burn it would be safe enough; but as soon as they
beat it back to where there is plenty of gas—then to the flame, and away she
went. These experiments are very interesting-, but we must remember it was
coal-gas and not pit-gas. With the exception of Stephenson's all the other
lamps exploded.
Mr, Wood—What was the pressure per square inch of the gas that was given off
the old workings.
Mr. Lishman—Two pounds previous to the fire.
The meeting then broke up.
ON THE IMPROVED METHOD OF
RAISING WATER ECONOMICALLY FROM MINES
BY BASTIER'S PATENT CHAIN PUMP.
By THOMAS GREENER. Read at Newcastle, May the 3ed, 1866.
The necessity which has long been felt for some improved mode of raising
water from mines of various depths has recently been strongly expressed in
the papers read and discussed before the members of this Institute.
The desire for such improvement is daily experienced by all whose duty it is
to superintend, or whose work it is to manage and keep in repair the
complex, cumbrous, and expensive machinery up to this time employed; and to
those who embark their capital in mines the necessity of some cheaper mode
must be so apparent in their periodical balance-sheets, that they will be
ready fully to appreciate any real improvement:—
1st. By smaller outlay in the erection of machinery ; and,
2nd. In the reduction of regular working cost, by a decreased consumption of
fuel, by less liability to accident, and by a diminution of wear and tear.
This subject is looked at, too, with great interest by those who see, or
think they see, in the future, a probable necessity of raising water from
still greater depths than the present, and that with the employment of a
proportionately smaller amount of power than has yet been attempted; whether
by the ancient plan of drawing water by tubs, the old beam pump, or the
direct-acting pump.
Vol. XV.—1866.
V
136
lift a thousand gallons per minute. But they would do that with the common
pump.
Mr. Greener—You must make a reduction for nominal horse power. These are
indicated horse power. It is exactly what we tendered, and the engineers I
am connected with in London are very cautious. They quoted more, I believe,
than are necessary for working- the pump.
Mr. Knowles—The best way would be to test the exact quantity of coal used.
With regard to experiments, to be quite certain it will answer, I would ask
whether it has been used in sinking a pit ?
Mr. Greener—We think they can be used in sinking. These chains can be added
every three feet three inches.
Mr. Knowles—How would you be able to get the water up to the first bucket 1
The disc has to be in the water, and the depth of the pit is altering every
one or two hours.
Mr. Greener—These pipes are so light that they can be swung in the shaft,
and they could be lowered as required.
Mr. Greenwell—What depth of water do you allow'?
Mr. Greener—A foot or six inches covering the bottom of the pipe will do.
Mr. Greenwell—A man could not work in the water.
Mr. Greener—You might always have it low enough by keeping a good sump.
Mr. Knowles—You would have to make a hole in it; whereas, in the ordinary
mode of sinking a pit, you can get the pump down to the lowest place that
has to be kept dry.
The President—It is seldom that there is no water at the bottom of a sinking
pit. The return stroke sends it back a couple of feet, so that the sinkers
are always working in the water. The great point is to get the sump kept
down.
Mr. Greener—Mechanical engineers seem to see their way to use it in sinking
a pit, by the ease with which they can move about these pipes.
Mr. Lis h man—They would be liable to damage.
The President—Cast iron pipes would bear a blow better than these do.
Mr. Greener—They can have always an extra strong one at the bottom. A
blow on the discs would not hurt them.
The President—You might have brattice in to protect them. It requires little
room, and would not be expensive.
Mr. Greenwell—This is all in favour of what Mr. Greener says.
137
You raise a thousand gallons, of 33,000 lbs., one foot high per minute, with
engines of 220-horse power. The engines have nothing to do but lift the
water whichever way they can do it. I merely ask the question, how is it you
take so high a power as 300-horse, whereas, a 220-horse engine would do the
same.
Mr. Greener—Ours is not more than 200, the way you are calculating.
The President—Allowing for friction, you think it would not be more than
200.
Mr. Greener—We calculate that would be strong enough.
Mr. Greenwell—Fifty-five fathoms is the deepest you have worked.
Mr. Berkley—What is the sheave at the top ?
Mr. Greener—About twelve or thirteen feet in circumference.
Mr. Berkley—A wheel four feet diameter at the bottom would be awkward, and
likely to be broken.
Mr. Greener—The lower wheel is simply a small roller for the disc and chain
to pass against.
The President—The roller is at the bottom, and the chain will go underneath
it.
Mr. Greener—It seldom touches it.
Mr. Steavenson—You said you had ninety per cent, effective power in one
pump.
Mr. Greener—Yes; several engineers carefully tested it, and it was quite
clear that the pump utilised ninety per cent, of the power employed upon it.
Since the last meeting, I have done all I could to obtain a separate account
of the coal used at Bow; but they could not separate the pump from the other
machinery.
Mr. Knowles—Do the chains wear, going through the water ?
Mr. Greener—I have taken a great many people to look at the pump at Bow. The
chain is as good as new. It seems rather oiled than anything else. It is
quite greasy to the touch.
The President—There will not be much difficulty about this, if the water is
good. If it is an old working, with a great many pyrites to pass over, it
will be very bad.
Mr. Berkley—Like the water at Wingate Grange.
Mr. Knowles—I was thinking of the wearing of the chain with the water upon
it.
Mr. Greener—There is nothing of wear about the chain that we have had in use
two years. There is a little brightness on some of the
138
links that do not fit well. But this is not so perfectly made as the chains
we can get now.
Mr. Steavenson—If the chain broke at the top, all would go to the bottom.
Mr. Greener—At Tavistock there was an accident of that kind; but by
grappling, they got it with little trouble. That in the pipe was so near the
end that they could get hold of the last link with a grapnel.
The President—If the chain went down and got upon the men's heads, that
would be against employing it in sinking a pit.
Mr. Knowles—What was the depth of water in the pit ?
Mr. Greener—It was nearly full.
Mr. Knowles—Was the roller fastened to the bottom of the pipes ?
Mr. Greener—Yes; between two pieces of wood. We just dropped it down ready
for work. We can put twenty or thirty feet length of pipe on at once. We
take two or three lengths, fasten them, and let them down. We fasten them
at the top, just as it is lowered down.
Mr. Knowles—I think in sinking a pit they would have to lower the pipe from
the top j they could not get at the bottom.
Mr. Steavenson—If the chain broke, it would require a great many hours to
set her agoing again.
Mr. Greener—I can only say what has been done. Unfortunately, at Tavistock,
they broke their chain. Still it is a useful fact to know that they could
fish it up in two hours, though it was in upwards of forty fathoms of water.
Mr. Steavenson—If after the accident you had to join the links of the chain,
it would be an awkward thing to get the chain up from a hundred fathoms
depth.
Mr. Greener—I do not see the difficulty.
Mr. Steavenson—If a hundred fathoms of chain was lying at the bottom, you
would have to put something down to fasten the chain, and draw it up.
The President—It would be in the shaft clear of the pumps.
Mr. Steavenson—If you did not catch hold at the end of the chain, you might
have two discs coming together, suppose it had gone to the bottom 1
Mr. Greener—It could not all get out.
Mr. Steavenson—Unless the pumps are at the bottom, all would go clean
through.
Mr. Greenwell—When do you expect it will work on a large scale ?
139
Mr. Greener—Unfortunately every one is waiting till everybody else tries it.
Mr. Greenwell—I thought they were trying it at Newton Cap 1
Mr. Greener—They are, I think, waiting until you gentlemen say whether it is
a useful experiment. I offered, on behalf of Messrs. Jackson and Co., in
London, to work the patent for four years at Newton Cap for their present
expenses and for an amount agreed upon for the engines and pipes at the end
of that period. But that offer has not yet been accepted. It is probable
the owners may put it in themselves.
The President—Suppose you had two sets of chains. If the depth was too great
for one lift you might have two.
Mr. Knowles—The weight of the chain would be great.
Mr. Greener—Three hundred fathoms would be fourteen tons on each side.
Mr. L. Wood—It would also have to carry the weight of water ?
Mr. Berkley—The chain only in one part carries something like fifty yards of
water in one disc.
Mr. Wood—The top link of the chain has to bear the whole weight.
Mr. Greener—The question has been discussed whether it is so liable to break
when the weight is divided on the chain, as when the whole weight is on the
extreme end of the chain.
Mr. Greenwell—Five hundred and fifty fathoms of wire rope is stronger than
the same length of chain. 550 fathoms of wire rope just carries its own
weight safely. There must be a point at which the chain would break by its
own weight, and that must be less than 550 fathoms. Now if you take 300
fathoms that leaves little margin to carry more than itself in safety.
Mr. Greener—You can divide the lifts by appliances from the top, or by other
means.
Mr. Knowles—The depth at Bow is only thirty fathoms. We used the endless
chain for winding coal, and we found it did well at the depth of 100 yards j
but when it is above 200 yards the weight of the chain is so heavy that it
is liable to break. We had one of 217 yards, and we could only just manage
to keep it in good working order.
Mr. Greenwell—We are going to draw 1000 gallons per minute, at a depth of
120 fathoms. We have not begun yet, and we want to fix on the best plan.
Mr. Greener—As far back as nine years, in conversation with Mr. John W.
Hackworth, son of the late Mr. Timothy Hackworth, he said Vol. XV.—1866.
t
140
he saw his way quite clear to lift from 150 fathoms by a machine on this
principle.
The President—The subject will require a little consideration. We are all
very much indebted to Mr. Greener for bringing- it forward. If it really
does answer the purpose it will be a great boon to the trade. For slight
depths, I have no doubt it will answer • but it will require a little
consideration before applying it to great depths, and as to sinking pits
there will be great difficulty in applying it. I beg to move a vote of
thanks to Mr. Greener, and to propose that his paper be printed in the
Transactions of this Society.
The motion was unanimously adopted.
ON A DIRECT-ACTING ENGINE, AT TOWNELEY COLLIEBY.
In connection with the discussion on Mr. Knowles's paper, Mr. J. B. Simpson
read a paper "On a Direct-acting Engine, at Towneley Colliery," with
observations on the consumption of fuel in Cornish and other engines.
Mr. Boyd asked if Mr. Simpson had found any difficulty in drawing and
putting in his spears.
Mr Simpson said, there was quite sufficient room to take off the spears at
the top of the pit, and with respect to those in the lower set, if anything
went wrong with them, the ram would have to be taken out, and to enable this
to be done easily, there was an off-take joint immediately above the ram.
Mr. Knowles—That is the plan we adopted at Belfield Colliery fifteen years
since. By having the ram fastened on the rods it answered very well.
Afterwards we put on another engine, and used the ram at a lower place.
We did not like to depend on one engine,
The President—What quantity of water do you raise ?
Mr. Knowles—Seven hundred and fifty gallons per minute. It was only
seventy-five yards deep.
Mr. Steavenson called attention to the importance of having some uniform
method of stating questions of this kind j some giving- gallons per day,
some per hour, and some per minute. Again some gave it in gallons, some in
yards, and some in feet. Suppose they were to say so many gallons raised one
fathom per minute.
Mr. Greenwell—Say the number of gallons raised a hundred yards by a ton of
coals. The way Mr. Knowles had put it was very simple.
141
Mr. Steavenson said, a great deal depended on the boilers, and he suggested
that they should take a diagram and see exactly the horsepower they obtained
with the pressure given by the indicator. With respect to this table we
found that some of those direct-acting engines were performing three times
the work of the others; but if he looked further down, the indirect-acting
engines were doing as much work or more than the direct-acting. In the
direct-acting engine they had either to have a cylinder very much larger in
proportion, or they could not get through the same amount of work. The
direct-acting engines, simply had high pressure, with an exhaust, forming a
cushion of the returning spears. They could balance the spears by having two
sets, and use both sides of the piston. The engine at Page Bank was pressed
at thirty-two pounds, and was pumping twice the water at the same depth. The
proper mode of going about these experiments was to get diagrams. There was
an indicator experiment by Maddison; he let the water off, , then found what
friction was with it. When you have water pressing on the apparatus you have
heavier friction. He would measure the number of gallons pumped every
minute, and take the indicator. Then they would easily get what was the
available horse power. The remainder they must allow for friction and loss.
Maddison also showed that he obtained seventy-seven per cent. This was not a
direct-acting engine. It took seven pounds to start the engine, but then he
got a start of two and a-half. A direct-acting engine has this to overcome
every time it makes a lift.
Mr. Knowles, in reply to Mr. Steavenson, said these particulars were got up
at their own colliery for their own use to test the engines. He did not say
that all were perfect; but by these means they were able to see what engines
were not doing their proper work. The first four engines were a fair sample
of what direct-acting engines could accomplish. It was found that the engine
at Allen's Green was working to a disadvantage ; but it was now working a
great deal better. They must not compare the working of this engine with
that of a first-class direct engine. With respect to wheel-engines or
running-engines, they had to transmit the power round so many corners that
it could not be done with economy. Here the power was applied, as near as
they could fix it to the work. The direct action was only applied at one
side of the piston ; but they were now applying it on both sides by having a
balance-beam underneath it. The steam on the higher side can force the beam
down, and it helps the lift up on the outside. By this means they got two
142
vacuums. No doubt that would be more economical; and if they had another to
erect they would do it in this way. They had had these engines erected for
many years, and so far as their experience went they approved of them. They
were very simple to set up. Though there had been a difficulty about
connecting the rods with the piston, they had never found this to interfere
with the working.
Mr. Greenwell remarked that the inertia had equally to be overcome whether
they had a fly-wheel or a direct acting-engine.
Mr. Steavenson said, he thought there was some discrepancy in the figures
given by Mr. Knowles.
Mr. Knowles said, they were only statements from their own engines. The very
low ones he considered were in very bad order. He took 50,000 gallons as
about the average work.
Mr. Steavenson—We require three times the amount from our engines.
Mr. Knowles—The direct-acting engine gives 144,000. The Cornishmen use a
better class of engines.
The President—They economise the fuel very much; they have to pay so dear
for it.
Mr. Knowles—From the discussion on these engines good will arise to the
trade. We shall see where improvements can be made, not only in engines but
in boilers.
The President—No doubt it will set people to think whether direct or
indirect engines are the best. We have not had much experience in direct
engines here. I think Mr. John Simpson's is the first, except at Burradon;
but they did not get it to act at all there.
Mr. Berkley—The greatest difference will arise in the boilers. There is not
so much difference in the actual work performed by the engines as in the
boiler. There is so much more steam, per ton of coals, raised by the Cornish
boiler. We are the most wasteful people in regard to boilers.
The President—My son has put up a winding engine at Cambois, and he has put
up the Cornish boilers there. They work very well indeed.
Mr. Greenwell—Are they single or two-tube boilers?
Mr. Simpson—I think there are two tubes.
Mr. Greenwell—The kind of boilers generally used in Lancashire are two-tube
boilers.
The President—Cornish.
Mr. Knowles—Twenty-six or twenty-eight feet long is considered
143
the best. The smoke goes through the two flues, then underneath, and back up
each side. We have three boilers forty-five feet long, but we have poor
results from them.
COAL-WASHING APPARATUS.
Mr. Gilroy's paper on " Coal-Washing Apparatus," stood next for discussion.
Mr. Greenwell said, Mr. Gilroy could not be present, but he wished the
discussion might go on notwithstanding, and he had requested him (Mr.
Greenwell) to watch his interests. They got their coal from the screens to
the coke ovens very much cheaper than before. The cost of washing was less
than the actual conveyance of coal was formerly, so that they had the
washing for nothing. It had also improved the coke from 2s. to 2s. 6d. per
ton in price. There was one subject, he did not know whether there was
anything in Mr. Gilroy's paper about it, but it was very important, and that
was the fresh air furnace. He had seen it at Ince Hall Colliery a short time
ago, and it was well worth taking into consideration. A wall was built in
the drift behind the furnace. Holes were made in it which acted as a
regulator, and they work the furnace without any furnace doors at all.
Mr. L. Wood—How does he fire the furnace ?
Mr. Greenwell—He fires from the front in the ordinary way.
Mr. Steavenson—How does he increase or reduce ?
Mr. Greenwell—By making the tubes large or small. He has four small furnaces
instead of one large one. Each of these he can put out. This enables him to
clean a furnace without checking the ventilation.
Mr. Knowles—The wall at the back of the furnace will get very hot ?
Mr. Greenwell—The fireman is at the front of the furnace.
ON TAIL-ROPES.
The next paper for discussion was Messrs. Greenwell and Berkley's, on "
Tail-Ropes."
Mr. Berkley said, that Mr. Lindsay Wood asked at the meeting in Manchester,
why they did not change the ropes at the different stations at the shaft,
instead of stopping and changing 1 We do that now when we have only two
stations at work. We did not find much saving when we had four stations. We
might have a set ready at one station and not at the other. Boys were placed
at different stations. At some stations we run with fewer tubs to a set than
we do at others. We found it, for these reasons, more convenient to stop the
set at the way end and change the ropes.
144
Mr. L. Wood said> that these changes would take up about five minutes out of
thirty-four each trip.
Mr. Berkley explained that No. 1 being a short run, the set would have to
wait at the bank-head, and the men might as well change instead of waiting.
Mr. Wood—When we have to run the trains very hard, ten miles an hour, every
stop is of much importance.
The President—We have to run our engine harder than one and a-half miles in
eight minutes.
Mr. Wood—Yours is a straight road ?
The President—It has two turns in it.
Mr. Knowles—How many wagons do you bring at once 1
Mr. Wood—Twenty-one, and in some cases thirty.
Mr. Knowles—What is the weight ?
Mr. Wood—Eight hundred-weight, and in some cases fourteen cwts.
The next subject for discussion was Mr. Daglish's paper on " Certain
Improvements in the Construction of the Water-Gauge," but Mr. Daglish not
being present, the discussion was postponed.
EXPLOSION AND STANDING FIRE AT NEWBOTTLE COLLIERY.
Mr. Lishman's paper on this subject stood next.
Mr. Greenwell said, might this question not bear on what had been brought
before the Institute about the oil in gauze ? There was oil used in the
making of gauze, which, when the lamp became red-hot, would fire.
Mr. Lishman—None of the lamps had been red-hot.
Mr. Wood—I believe very little depends upon its being a new or an old gauze
in that respect, for every gauze is smeared with oil during its use to a
greater extent than a new one. Experiments go to show that the tendency to
fire is rather reduced than increased when the gauze is smeared with oil.
The mere fact of the volatilization of the oil on the gauze keeps it cool.
Even paraffin, which is more volatile, has this effect.
Mr. Greenwell—Then, it would follow that a lamp is increased in safety by
being dipped in oil ?
Mr. Wood—I do not say it is safer, but the gauze does not get so soon red
hot.
Mr. Steavenson—This state of things might exist, so that when the oil is
evaporated it would burst into flame.
145
. *m Mr. Wood—It volatilizes at a lower temperature than flame will pass
through the gauze.
The President—When the Davy-lamp was first in use, I was serving my time at
Hebburn, where it was constantly in use. I remember that the top part of the
lamp was always red-hot, and it never fired; so that I have full confidence
in the Davy-lamp. Mr. Buddie saw it several times.
Mr. Boyd—It would help to accumulate coal-dust, being smeared with oil.
Mr. Wood—I do not think that would be liable to take fire merely by the heat
of the wire.
The President referred to Messrs. Richardson and Browell's analysis.
Mr. Wood—I may state that the lamps that were in use at the place where the
Newbottle explosion took place were tested in gas obtained from a blower in
the Eppleton Pit, and were found to be in a perfect state.
Mr. Greenwell—In some experiments made in London, when they were tried in
coal-gas, they exploded at much less heat. The strangest thing is that the
Newbottle lamps had apparently not been red-hot.
The President—My idea was that a man must have put his pick through one of
the lamps; but when found they were quite perfect.
Mr, Lishman—The gauze not being red-hot, might be accounted for by the fact
that the flame as soon as it passed the gauze, would leave the face. The
lamps would be put out immediately by the gas.
Mr. Wood—The question is, whether the lamp had got so hot as to pass the
flame ?
Mr. Lishman—There was no appearance of that.
Mr. Greenwell—You did not fire shots in the place at all ?
Mr. Lishman—No.
The President—The great danger is when you beat the flame back. As long as
they allowed the gas to burn it would be safe enough; but as soon as they
beat it back to where there is plenty of gas—then to the flame, and away she
went. These experiments are very interesting, but we must remember it was
coal-gas and not pit-gas. With the exception of Stephenson's all the other
lamps exploded.
Mr, Wood—What was the pressure per square inch of the gas that was given off
the old workings.
Mr. Lishman—Two pounds previous to the fire.
The meeting then broke up.
ON THE IMPROVED METHOD OF
RAISING WATER ECONOMICALLY FROM MINES
BY BASTIER'S PATENT CHAIN PUMP.
By THOMAS GREENER. Read at Newcastle, May the 3rd, 1866.
The necessity which has long been felt for some improved mode of raising
water from mines of various depths has recently been strongly expressed in
the papers read and discussed before the members of this Institute.
The desire for such improvement is daily experienced by all whose duty it is
to superintend, or whose work it is to manage and keep in repair the
complex, cumbrous, and expensive machinery up to this time employed; and to
those who embark their capital in mines the necessity of some cheaper mode
must be so apparent in their periodical balance-sheets, that they will be
ready fully to appreciate any real improvement:—
1st. By smaller outlay in the erection of machinery; and,
2nd. In the reduction of regular working cost, by a decreased consumption of
fuel, by less liability to accident, and by a diminution of wear and tear.
This subject is looked at, too, with great interest by those who see, or
think they see, in the future, a probable necessity of raising water from
still greater depths than the present, and that with the employment of a
proportionately smaller amount of power than has yet been attempted; whether
by the ancient plan of drawing water by tubs, the old beam pump, or the
direct-acting pump.
Vol. XV.—1866.
u
148
It may, therefore, be expected that the advocacy of any attempt to meet this
necessity of improving the method of raising water economically from mines
is likely to be listened to with patience, the principles of that method,
examined with care, and the appliance itself, fairly tested by experiment,
before a judgment is formed on its merits, however much the peculiarity of
that appliance may clash at present with the opinions of those gentlemen who
have given the whole subject of raising water from mines their careful
attention.
The other departments connected with coal mines have, during the last thirty
years, been gradually improving, such as cages and tubs, instead of corves,
including the small coal apparatus for raising coal; the use of wire ropes
for shafts and on inclines, instead of 'hemp or chain ; bridge rails and
rolley wheels, instead of the old trams and flat tramway; electrical
signals, instead of large levers, wires, and hammers; not omitting the
present attempts, in some measure successful, of hewing coal by the
employment of coal-cutting machines. These have all advanced very
considerably. Yet, while all this has been going on, the principle and modes
of raising water from mines are the same as those that were in use before
the oldest miner now living was born. Indeed, the only improvements that
have been attempted in this department have been more in the quality of
engines and boilers used to work the pumps, and in the mode of connecting
the pumps to the engines, than in any radical change in the pumps
themselves.
Until very recently no successful attempt was made to complete the
construction of a pump to work in harmony with universal natural laws, and
which should be simple in its mechanism, easy of application, uniform in its
action, and economical in its results.
However, I have now the honour of bringing before the members of this
Institute a machine which fully answers this description; for such, it may
be asserted, is the apparatus known by the name of " Bastier's Patent Chain
Pump."
After illustrating its principle, and after placing before you a few facts
from actual results, I hope I shall be able to prove to this meeting that
this pump is capable of doing more work, at greater depths, with less risk
of accident, and doing it more economically, than any other description of
pump known to be in use at the present time.
The apparatus, as shown by the drawings, and the model now in the room,
consists of first, an iron glass enamelled tube, reaching from the delivery
drift to nearly the bottom of the sump (Plate XXI., a-c).
149
The mouth-piece at the bottom is in the shape of a funnel or bell; above
which is a contracted tube, ten feet long, the diameter of which is about
three-sixteenths of an inch less than the rest of the tube (a).
In great depths this ten feet of contracted tube is repeated every fifty
yards.
2ndly. At the top of the pit is a cast-iron frame, bearing a shaft, on which
is a pulley, for the purpose of guiding a chain for raising the water (I).
On this shaft there is also a driving wheel (F) for a belt or cog-gearing,
as the case may be. Also, on the same shaft, there is a guard to prevent the
weight of water carrying back the wheels in a contrary direction whenever
the engine, employed in turning them, has occasion to stand.
The groove of the pulley is cast with openings for each link of the chain to
fall into. On its outer rim there are gaps into which the discs fit; this
arrangement also secures the grip of the chain upon the pulley, so that
under ordinary circumstances it is impossible for it to surge.
3rdly. The chain is endless, passing over the pulley, down the open shaft
and up through the tube which is to convey the water to the delivery.
It is made of links, exactly uniform in size to fit the openings on the
wheel; at intervals of about three feet three inches, a disc or bucket of
India rubber is fixed on a bar of iron (C) betwixt two links of the chain.
This bar is so arranged as to be easily disengaged whenever the disc may
need to be repaired.
The disc was at first made of three pieces of India rubber; but now it is
made of one piece, as illustrated by the drawings.
On both sides of the disc there is an iron plate, which is keyed on. By
tightening or slackening the keys, the India rubber can be enlarged or
contracted in the tube.
4thly. The mouth-piece, which is in the sump, is fastened between two
pei'pendicular pieces of timber (J), which are fixed into the bottom and
secured to the side of the shaft.
Just opposite the bell-mouthed entrance of the tube, but a little below it,
there is a wooden roller (E), as a guard to the tube and a guide to the
chain and discs, to secure for them a proper entrance into the mouth of the
tube.
When the pulley at the top is set in motion, the chain and its discs being
equal in weight on each side of the pulley, nothing remains to be lifted but
the water, and for this purpose the chain and its discs move up
150
the tube so that the discs may in the first place remove the air and create
a vacuum.
The atmosphere, with its pressure of fifteen pounds to the square inch, is,
in obedience to its natural law, ever ready to assist when arrangements are
made to work in harmony with it. In this case there is that harmony.
The pressure of the atmosphere is uniform and constant, so is the motion of
these discs. They pass rapidly through the lower contracted tube in which
the discs are perfectly air-tight.
A vacuum is thus made; and as the action is continuous, the atmosphere has
liberty to do its work continuously also, since it follows up its pressure
without let or hindrance by any such periodic stoppages as occur from twelve
to thirty times in every minute in pumps of the present mode. So that,
without any interruption, this willing agent raises the water full five
fathoms in the tube; and this is all it can do, but happily it is quite
enough for the purpose.
This important start being effected, accumulated motion (momentum) is
obtained, and with sufficient power to continue the motion and keep good
what has thus been obtained, no fears need arise as to the result.
With that friendly ally, the atmosphere, moving on the surface of the water
and ever continuing its powerful aid, the force once put into the water and
carefully husbanded (added to all, a sufficient power above in the steam
engine which is employed to supplement, not as by the present mode to
destroy, those combined friendly forces), everything is now in favour of
landing the water at the destination desired in whatever quantities required
or at whatever depths the water may be found.
The above description will show that this apparatus is simple in its
construction and very little liable to get out of order.
That it is easy of application will appear from the fact, that a space of
fifteen inches cut off by a straight line from a ten feet shaft, is more
than enough for a large-sized pump to work in.
Uniformity of action is the distinguishing characteristic of this
pump.
With the use of the India rubber discs, these being air-tight only in the
contracted parts of the glass enamelled tube, and in the other parts just as
tight as to enable each disc to carry its own load of water, the chain being
of proportionate substance and made of the best iron, the speed may be
increased to almost any degree.
It will thus be seen that the motive power is so economised, and the
151
wear and tear is so small, that there can be no other conclusion arrived at
than that this apparatus is able to raise a larger quantity of water, from a
greater depth, at a less cost, than any other kind of pump now in use.
The peculiar advantages of this pump in comparison with others employed, may
be shown as follows:—1st. It is uniform and continuous in its action. 2ndly.
There is much less loss of motive power, as the descending chain and discs
are equal in weight to those ascending. Srdly. Greater speed is gained than
can be had with an alternating pump; and, therefore, less sectional area of
pump is required to deliver equal quantities of water. 4thly. These buckets
or discs being solid, but elastic, will admit of foreign matter such as
stones coming between them and the sides of the pipes without doing any
injury.
Indeed, pieces of wood, stones, etc., small enough to get upon the discs,
can be conveyed to the top and delivered there without any mischief whatever
to the pump; so that gagged clacks, etc., will cease to annoy the " changer
and grather," and to stop the pumping operation, when this pump is adopted.
5thly. There being no buckets with falls and separate clacks in this pump,
as in the lifting-pump; or air-tight stuffing glands and chambers, as in the
forcing or ram pump; this chain-pump will not " work on air," which is at
present a great source of accident to the pipes, etc., etc.
6thly. This pump is less liable to break in any of its parts than the
ordinary pump.
Moreover, it can be more easily repaired should any accident happen to it,
as in the breaking of the chain, which kind of accident happened three times
at the Wheal Concord Mine, near Tavistock, when the chain fell to the bottom
of the shaft, fifty-five fathoms deep, which was nearly full of water. On
each occasion the chain was fished up in two hours.
7thly. Another but minor advantage to be derived from the use of this pump
is its easy application to raise water to be delivered at various heights in
the same tube. This may be understood by reference to the drawings prepared
for Newton Cap Colliery, where it is necessary to raise 800 gallons per
minute from the mine, and about 120 gallons per minute of this quantity is
to be raised above the surface, in all, about fifty fathoms from the bottom,
to supply the coke ovens. It is shown that the remaining 680 gallons per
minute can be left at the delivery drift, which is only thirty-five fathoms.
Indeed, by this arrangement, any proportion may be sent up to the
152
top, or the whole of it may be sent away at the delivery-drift. This is a
peculiarity which no other pump would admit of.
Now, as to actual experience to verify these assertions. Up to the present
time there are very few facts; but few as they are, they are valuable and
enough to inspire confidence for the further adoption of this pump.
There is first the pump which was fixed upwards of five years ago, and
worked so successfully, for more than six months, at the Wheal Concord Mine.
This shaft was 351 feet deep, diameter of pump inside five inches,
circumference of wheel thirteen feet. Speed per minute thirty-two
revolutions, which, multiplied by thirteen, gives 416 feet per minute. The
quantity lifted per minute, as measured by the engineer of the Birkenhead
Water Works (ten gallons per revolution), was 320 gallons. This pump was
worked by a water-wheel of twenty-five horse-power in winter, and by a
twenty-five horse-power steam-engine in summer.
About seventeen days after starting, the first chain broke three different
times; the iron of which it was made being very bad.
It was replaced by a new chain of the same dimensions, after which the pump
worked night and day for upwards of six months, when the Mining Company
stopped their operations for want of money.
The horse-power mentioned in this case is nominal. It would take about
thirty-five horse-power indicated to do the work.
The next case is that of a pump 178 feet, fixed at the Patent Rice Starch
Works of Messrs. W. Berger and Co., of Bromley-by-Bow.
Their engine, twenty-five horse-power, has to drive the machinery and pump
the water. Up to February, 1862, the water was pumped by two ordinary pumps
from the best makers, each six and a-half inches diameter.
It was found that the engine was not able to do all the work, and their
engineer advised them to put in one of these pumps rather than buy a new
engine. This was done. A four and a-half inch pipe, glass enamelled inside
and outside, was adopted.
This now pumps more water than they require, and the engine is more than
sufficient for all their work. The discs travel at about 180 feet per
minute, raising about 120 gallons per minute.
This pump has now been at work upwards of two years, and never cost sixpence
for repairs, and the discs are as good for the work they have to do as ever
they were.
153
For some time after it commenced^sthe engineman thought it necessary to keep
the discs tight in the contracted tube. During that time the works were
stopped for repairs for nearly two weeks, and at the end of that period the
column was still standing entire in the pipes. In practice, he found this a
little inconvenient, having all the column to start on the first movement of
the engine. He, therefore, eased the keys which press the iron plates upon
the disc, and thus contracted the disc a little; so that now the column will
run out in about half on hour, and the water is lifted quite as efficiently.
The engineman says that they quite forget they have a pump at work.
It is to be regretted that in this case, as in the one already mentioned, no
account has been taken of the quantity of coal consumed; but the power
required for this pump cannot be very great, when the engineman scarcely
perceives the fact of the pumps being taken from the engine, and the fireman
cannot tell when it is on or off.
The only other case where this pump has been at work was at the Great
Exhibition of 1862, where they ran the discs at 1,000 feet per minute, and
utilised 90 per cent, of the power employed.
As an appendix to this paper, I give copies of certificates about the
working of Wheal Concord Pump; also some calculations, comparing the cost of
erecting and working this and other pumps.
After a careful consideration of the matter contained in this paper, I trust
that this chain pump will, on its own merits, upon fair and patient trial,
command the attention of mining engineers.
APPENDIX.
Bastier's Patent Pump, to lift 1,000 gallons per minute 100 fathoms.
Diameter of pipe, 10 inches, cast iron, enamelled inside.
Price of pump ........................................«...............
£1,540
„ 250 H P Corliss'engine ................................. 1,875
„ Erection, carriage, etc....................................
385
Total cost of pump for 100 fathoms............................. £3,800
Apparatus cost 12s. 8d. per 100 gallons per foot per minute.
Fuel consumed,—
Seven tons of coals every twenty-four hours, to do six millions units of
work per minute. Particulars of cost of a Cornish pumping engine and pumps
lately fixed
at a colliery in the Midland Counties. To lift 1,000 gallons per minute, 70
fathoms, fixed in a shaft 10 feet in diameter ; two 18-inch setts.
Cost of engine..........................................................
£3,130 0 0
Four boilers and fittings.............................................
622 2 10
£3,752 2 10
Pumps.....................................................................
1,513 14 8
£5,265 17 6
Cost of apparatus, 25s. per 100 gallons per foot per minute.
Six tons of coal used every twenty-four hours, to do 4J millions units
of work per minute ; showing a saving of 1J tons per day in favour of
Bastier's Chain Pump.
Extract of Letter from Mr. Trotter, Son of the late Secretary of Wheal
Concord. Dear Sir,—My late father, the secretary of the Wheal Concord
Silver, Lead, and Copper Mining Company (limited), was, I know, thoroughly
satisfied with your patent chain-pump, which, up to the time of his decease,
had been at work for nearly a year without costing the company a penny for
repairs, and utilising full eighty per cent, of the motive power.
155
The pit drained by your pump is 100 yards deep, into which the water of
another pit drains at the rate of 250 gallons per minute. The tubes of your
pump are five inches diameter, and each revolution of the wheel brings up
ten gallons of water, occasionally with large pieces of wood and other
materials which come within the current of the water, without any injury
whatever to the pump.
(Signed) JOSHUA TROTTBB. T. W. Bastier, Esq.
Extract of Letter from Mr. John Eastcott, Esq., one of the late Directors of
" The Wlieal Concord Mining Company."
London, 20th May, 1862.
Dear Sir,—I beg to subscribe my testimony to the efficiency of your patent
chain-pump, supplied by you for the purpose of raising water from a shaft
about 100 yards deep, in Wheal Concord Silver, Lead, and Copper Mine, South
Sydenham, near Tavistock, Devon.
Your pump was placed in the engine-shaft, the latter being at the time full
of water, and within a very short period after the pump was set to work,
speedily lowered the water about thirty-eight fathoms, that depth being
required for prosecuting the works of the mine, although many levels and
drivings (all full of water) also flowing into the same shaft, the whole
forming a great body of water together, with the constant-coming supply from
the lodes of the country.
I may here add, that in all my experience I have never seen any pump with
equal motive power and diameter of tube, raise so much water at that depth
within the same time.
I am sorry to say that in consequence of the unforeseen circumstances
attendant upon speculative mining, that the company for want of capital were
obliged to suspend operations ; therefore, the pump is at present
not being
worked.
(Signed) JOHN EASTCOTT.
To T. W. Bastier, Esq.
ON A
DIBECT-ACTING ENGINE AT TOWNELEY COLLIERY,
WITH OBSERVATIONS ON THE
CONSUMPTION OF FUEL IN CORNISH AND OTHEE ENGINES. By J. B. SIMPSON,
F.G.S.
Read, May 3rd, 1866.
The application of direct-acting engines to the pumping- of water from the
mines in the counties of Northumberland and Durham, is only of recent date,
and at present there are only a few on this principle. In connection with
the discussion on Mr. Knowles' paper, I have thought it advisable to give an
outline of one erected at the Addison Pit, Towneley Colliery, with a
statement of the duty it is performing.
The engine is single-acting, and works in the same way as that at
Cleggswood, described by Mr. Knowles. The cylinder is fifty-two and a-half
inches diameter, and placed over the pit. The steam is applied below the
piston, and after the completion of the up-stroke, it gradually escapes
through a regulating-valve to the top of the piston, where it remains until
the end of the down-stroke. It is then condensed, and the vacuum thus formed
assists the next up-stroke of the engine. In the down-stroke, the valve
mentioned regulates the speed of the descent by allowing the exhaust steam
to go quicker or slower as may be required, to the top of the piston. It is
intended to work expansively, but hitherto it has been considered more
prudent to work with the steam wiredrawn. The diagrams appended, taken by
the indicator, will explain the working of this engine. It will be seen that
the steam enters the cylinder at a pressure of nineteen and a-half lbs. to
the square inch, and diminishes gradually to the end of the stroke, where it
is eleven and a-half lbs. Vol. XV.—1866.
x
158
The mean effective pressure of steam applied is ......... 14*2 lbs,
To which add the average vacuum obtained............... 11-2 ,,
The actual effective pressure required in the up-strokeis 254 lbs.
In the down-stroke, the diagram shows that the exhaust
steam, as regulated by the equilibrium valve, exerts
an upward pressure or resistance of........................ 8°2 lbs. per
sq. inch.
But it also exerts on the top of the piston a downward
average pressure of ............................................. o-2 ,,
Leaving ............................................. 8"0 lbs. per inch
as
U-l-H^ UHj^OUilj \J± OL^Uili X^VJLlli^U. CIO Ol
\J U.& LX L\J XL V\J UiQV&UU VXX^J lJXOl,yjXX.
IW-IO.
etc., descending too rapidly; and this amount of pressure on the area of the
piston equals 2*7 tons.
The arrangement of the pumps, as shown on Plate XXII., was proposed by Mr.
Robert Anderson, of the Aberdeen Water-Works, and is as follows :—A lifting
set, with a twenty-inch working barrel, is placed at the bottom of the pit
and raises the water seventy-six feet, above which, and in connection
therewith, is a ram of twenty inches diameter and delivery pipes, by which
the water is forced to the surface 204 feet further. The spear rods which
work the bucket of the lifting set, are attached to the bottom of the ram by
an ordinary Y-plate in the interior of the pumps.
In the up-stroke of the engine, the weight lifted is as follows :—
Weight of piston, piston-rod, spear-rods, plates, ram, bucket, air-pump
beam, etc...................................................................
lo-6 tons.
Weight of seventy-six feet of water column, twenty inches
diameter....................................................................
....... 4-6 „
Total............................................................ 20/2 tons.
The water lifted in the up-stroke fills the space occupied by the ram before
its ascent, and in the down-stroke the water is forced from the ram to the
surface. The weight of this column is 12'56 tons.
Excluding friction in both cases, it appears that in the down-stroke there
is a weight of 15'6 tons to force a column of 12'56 tons, showing a
difference of three tons preponderance of weight, which corresponds very
nearly with the difference shown by the indicator; and as half a ton would
have been sufficient for this excess, the surplus is an unnecessary weight,
and represents about 2-5 lbs. per square inch of steam used for no purpose.
The application of a balance beam will remedy this defect.
The friction of the engine and spear-rods, etc., in the up-stroke, is found
by the following calculation :—
Area of Cylinder. Lbs. per %a. inch. Tons.
216477 x 25-4 = 24*55 applied to the piston. The actual weight lifted is
20-20
Then the difference 4'85 represents what is lost by friction,
159
or 17*69 per cent, of the power applied, or about l-6th, and is equal to
about 4*5 lbs. per square inch.
The positions of the cylinder, masonry, and girders for supporting the
masonry, etc., with respect to the pit, will be seen by a reference to
Plates XXIII.
The engine has been at work since September last, and during that time
neither the bottom clacks (of which there are two for safety), nor the
delivery clack have been changed, and only one bucket has been renewed.
The following experiment as to the consumption of fuel may be taken as an
average of the present working of the engine.
In-going, 4,320 strokes in thirty hours, or 2*4 strokes per minute, and
pumping 100 gallons per stroke (276 feet high), the consumption of small
coal was seventy cwts. (The length of stroke is seven feet six inches.) This
is equal to a duty of 116,443 gallons lifted 100 yards with a ton of coal,
which is below that of the Cleggswood engine, the duty of which was 144,881
gallons.
The nominal horse-power of the engine is 110, but, in the
foregoing-experiment the actual indicated horse-power applied was thirty.
The consumption of coal was at the rate of 261 pounds per hour, making the
duty eight and three-quarter pounds per horse-power per hour, or nineteen
millions of pounds raised one foot high with ninety-four pounds of coal. One
Cornish boiler, thirty feet long and six feet in diameter, with one tube, is
sufficient to drive the engine four strokes per minute.
Another experiment, with unscreened coal, gave 141,390 gallons lifted 100
yards with a ton of coal. The duty being at the rate of seven pounds per
horse-power per hour,
The chief causes which at present prevent this engine from being worked as
economically as it ought to be, are, the want of standage for water in
consequence of which the engine is required to be driven at a very slow
speed; the proper balancing of the sets as referred to; the loss from
uncovered boilers and from a long range of uncovered steam pipes, and the
non-application of the expansion of steam in the cylinder. When these
defects shall have been remedied, it is expected that a duty of about 5 lbs.
per horse-power per hour, or about 200,000 gallons lifted 100 yards with a
ton of coal, will be obtained.
At the Emma Pit, Towneley Colliery, the duty performed by a high pressure
pumping engine (non-rotary), worked with two beams, is as follows :—The
nominal horse-power of the engine is 100, but when going
160
8-65 strokes per minute and pumping- 640 gallons per minute from a depth of
144 yards, the actual indicated horse-power is 118*8. The consumption of
small coal is 1126 lbs. per hour, or 9'5 lbs. per horse-power per hour, or
17| millions of pounds lifted one foot high with 94 lbs. of coals, or
109,615 gallons lifted 100 yards with a ton of coal. This engine is supplied
with steam from common cylindrical boilers. If, however, Cornish boilers
were used, and the steam worked expansively, this engine would work almost,
if not quite, as economically as the direct-acting engine. It might be
expected that the friction of the direct-acting engine would be considerably
less than that of a beam-engine, but a comparison of the two engines
mentioned does not show so much difference.
DIRECT-ACTING ENGINE.
Area of Power of Feet per
cylinder. steam. minute.
a * i a ? * ¦ 2164-75 x 22-9 x 18 07AQ,
Actual duty of engine =-----------00 A_----------- = 27'03 horse-power.
J 33,000
r
The indicated pressure of steam m this calculation is taken at 22-9 lbs.,
being 25-4 lbs. (the real indicated pressure) less 2-5 lbs., which it is
fair to deduct for the steam which is used in excess in consequence of the
unnecessary weight of spears.
Galls, per lbs Feet
Effective duty of engine in §|() x jq x 276
water lifted = —----- —— = 20-07 horse-power.
00,000
Loss .. 6-96 horse-power.
from the power applied.
BEAM-ENGINE.
Area of Indicated Feet per
cylinder. pressure. minute.
- . 1520-53 x 22-55x115-33 1ia.Q. Actual duty of engine
=------------sTOOO-------------= horse-power.
Galls, per Lbg Feet
Effective duty of engine — 1Q 4g2
in water lifted = -------oo~nnn-------= "^ ' horse-power.
Loss .. 36-l horse-power.
Then, as 119-8 : 100 :: 83-7 = 69-8 percent, the effective duty obtained
from the power applied.
The difference is, therefore, in favour of the direct-acting engine of 6*8
per cent. only.
161
9
The direct-acting1 engine described, works in a most satisfactory manner,
but as far as economical working is concerned, it does not appear that this
arrangement supersedes rotary- or beam-engines. Economy of fuel and
effective duty are dependent more on the details of the construction of the
engine and boilers than on the kind of engine. The best of the results given
by Mr. Knowles of the duty of a direct-acting engine, when compared with the
duty of the Cornish engines, shows a remarkable difference in favour of the
latter almost in the proportion of three to one; but there does not seem any
reason for so great a difference, if equal care were taken in the
arrangements.
The following extract from one of the Cornish-engine reporters gives the
result of the working of twenty-eight engines :—" They consumed 1,887 tons
of coal, and lifted eighteen millions of tons of water ten fathoms high;
(or, adopting Mr. Knowles' method, 427,345 gallons of water lifted 100 yards
with a ton of coal) and the average duty of the whole was fifty-four
millions of pounds lifted one foot high by the consumption of ninety-four
lbs. of coal," or equal to three pounds per horsepower per'hour. Some
engines have been known to reach and even exceed the enormous duty of 100
millions.
From an inspection of colliery pumping-engines, in various districts, there
does not appear to be a greater average duty obtained than ten or eleven
pounds of coal consumed for each actual or indicated horse-power per hour.
It must, however, be borne in mind that in the Cornish engines the best of
coal is used; whereas, in colliery engines generally, only refuse or small
coal. Still it cannot be denied that there is a great necessity for economy.
Formerly, when small coal was of little or no value, the subject was not of
so much importance; but now, when coal is everywhere more valuable, the
matter assumes a different aspect; and if, in many places, economy of coal
be not so much an object, it must not be forgotten that a less consumption
of coal reduces very materially the cost of manual labour, and also the
annual wear and tear.
It would be difficult to arrive at data which would give the amount of coal
that might be saved, if our colliery pumping-engines throughout the country
were giving such results as are obtained by Cornish engines ; but could only
a saving of three pounds of coal per horse-power per hour be effected, this
would equal 1,200 tons of coal per year on every engine exerting 100
horse-power of actual duty; and, taking the whole of the engines into
consideration, it may be conceived that a large quantity of coals might be
annually saved.
NORTH OF ENGLAND INSTITUTE
OF
MINING ENGINEERS.
GENERAL MEETING, SATURDAY, JUNE 2, 1866. T. E. FORSTER, Esq.,
President of the Institute, in the Chair.
A general meeting* of the members of this Institute was held in the
Lecture-room of the Literary and Philosophical Society, Newcastle-upon-Tyne,
for the purpose of hearing- a lecture by G. F. Ansell, Esq., Chemist to the
Royal Mint, on " A new method of indicating- the presence and amount of
fire-damp and choke-damp in coal and iron-mines." There was a large
attendance, the members of the Literary and Philosophical Society having
also been invited. The lecturer explained at length the principles of the
diffusion of gases, illustrating his lecture by numerous experiments, and
exhibited the apparatus he had invented for the purpose of showing how the
condition of the atmosphere in a mine could be indicated above-ground,
either by the ringing of a bell or the motion of the electric needle.
Mr. Daglish inquired if time was an element to be regarded ?
Mr. Ansell—You have to hold it forty-five seconds in any mixture If you hold
it too long you have effusion. That is different from diffusion.
The Chairman—Diffusion is an intermingling of the gases.
Mr. Ansell—Yes; but effusion is a mechanical oozing out, as of water from a
sponge. That is the reason why this instrument does not give out so much
force as according to the theory.
The Chairman said, they were highly gratified with Mr AnselPs
164
lecture, and he begged to move that a vote of thanks be accorded to him,
which was carried by acclamation.
Mr. Daglish moved a vote of thanks to the members of the Literary and
Philosophical Society, for the use of their Lecture-room.
Mr. Crone seconded the motion, which was carried unanimously.
Mr. Clapham, secretary of the Literary and Philosophical Society, said, the
committee were very glad that the room should be used for such a purpose.
The meeting- was then adjourned to the rooms of the Institute, for the
discussion of papers and general business. The following new members were
elected :—Mr. James Humble, jun., Garesfield, Blaydon-on-Tyne; Mr. Percy
Westmacott, Elswick Ironworks ; Mr. George Dyson, Tudhoe Ironworks; Mr. John
Lishman, Bidsdale Ironworks; Mr. Sam. W. Perrott, Hibernia and Shamrock
Collieries, Golsenkirchen, Dussel-dorf; and Mr. James Thompson, Bishop
Auckland.
The following notice of alteration of the rules was announced :— That in
consequence of the rapid development of Iron Manufactories and of other
Engineering Works in this district, and of the recent considerable accession
of members actively engaged in various mechanical pursuits, the council
consider that an alteration of Rule XI. is desirable, and recommend the
following amendment:—
" That the officers of the Institute shall consist of a President; six
Vice-Presidents, four of whom to be Mining Engineers; and eighteen
Councillors, twelve of whom to be Mining Engineers," etc.
After a short conversation, the meeting was concluded. •
ON A NEW METHOD OP INDICATING THE PRESENCE AND AMOUNT OP
FIRE-DAMP AND OF CHOKE-DAMP IN COAL- AND IN IRON-MINES.
Br GEORGE FREDERICK ANSELL,
of the royal mint. Read June 2nd, 1866.
Mr. President and Gentlemen,—While introducing to your notice a subject
which I hope will be found worthy your attention, I will endeavour to avoid
what is known as book-knowledge, and, so far as I am able, place before you
my proposition in a practical form ; yet, as my plans are based on a purely
natural law, it will be necessary to advert to that law that my ideas may be
fully opened out to you. One part of my proposition is dependent on the law
of diffusion, the other part of my proposition is dependent on a law yet to
be discovered, but which I hope I may be permitted to develope in the
future; at present the experimental facts are antagonistic to any known law.
I refer to the behaviour of gases in relation to thin India-rubber.
Matter in every form, whether solid, liquid, or gaseous, that is, liquid in
a higher sense, is formed of minute particles, just as the ocean is formed
of particles of water; those minute particles have been called atoms or
molecules, and there are reasons for believing that these atoms have motion
amongst themselves in either the solid, liquid, or gaseous form of matter.
In the case of gases the law governing one particular motion has been
discovered by Mr. Thomas Graham, who has demonstrated that gases diffuse
into each other, and into space in the inverse
Vol. XV.—1866.
y
166
ratio to the square root of their densities; in other words, a light gas
diffuses itself rapidly, while a dense gas diffuses itself slowly into
space, or into another gas.
If we take the following substances and compare them with atmospheric air as
the standard of specific gravity; they will illustrate my meaning, for
Special Gravity. Cubic Inchea. Grains.
Air being taken as of ... -1-0000 ... 100 will weigh 31-0117
Hydrogen......... 0-0691 ... „ 2-1400
Marsh-gas......... 0 5590 ... „ 17-4100
Carbonic-acid ...... 1-5240 ... „
47-2600
the barometer being at 30 inches and the thermometer 60° Fahr. If,
therefore, a vessel of a given capacity be filled with each of these
•different gases, under precisely similar circumstances, and weighed
carefully, the variations of weight would be as indicated above.
If, then, we imagine the containing vessel to be made of such a substance as
will admit of diffusion, we should find that the gas would diffuse out of
that vessel in a period of time relative to its specific gravity; hydrogen
most quickly, marsh-gas next in its place, air following, and lastly,
carbonic-acid; each gas being replaced by its diffusion-equivalent of air,
but in the case of air, although diffusion would take place, its amount
would not be registered, because air would replace air, volume for volume.
To demonstrate this with one experiment will be sufficient. Thus, I will
fill this glass tube, whose upper end is closed by a plug of
Plaster-of-Paris, with coal-gas, and if I then place its lower end in water
you will observe that the water will gradually rise in the tube, because the
gas diffuses out into space, leaving a partial vacuum, while the atmosphere
presses the water into that space.
But we find that the whole space is not exhausted, yet there is no coal-gas
remaining, for while the coal-gas has diffused out, air has diffused into
the tube (the gases have passed each other within the interstices of the
Plaster-of-Paris), and thus we come to the relative movement of gases under
the circumstances of diffusion—endosmose and exosmose, as it was formerly
called.
The same gas diffusing through different substances occupies varying times,
being quicker through unglazed Wedgewood pottery-ware than through
Brockedon's graphite. The force or power of diffusion is considerable, as
will be evident if I place this little apparatus in an atmosphere of coal
gas. The instrument consists of a porous celi, surmounted by a
167
cylinder, in which is placed a piston of brass, the piston being free to
move just as in the case of steam. Immediately that this instrument is
placed in an atmosphere of coal gas, diffusion commences, the gas passing
into the porous cell through its walls more rapidly than the air passes out,
causes an increase of volume which exerts its pressure on the lower side of
the piston and carries it up through the cylinder.
Upon this law, the nature of which I have endeavoured to explain, I have
founded my proposition for indicating the presence of fire-damp, and of
choke-damp, in coal- and in iron-mines.
Fire-damp is a mechanical mixture of carburetted-hydrogen, nitrogen, and
carbonic-acid in varying proportions. The carburetted-hydrogen is the only
substance with which we have to deal in fire-damp, because it is this
substance that, when mixed with atmospheric air, becomes explosive in the
act of combustion, its carbon forming carbonic-acid, and its hydrogen
forming water, both of which at the moment of formation are gaseous, and at
a high temperature, and, therefore, occupy a larger space than was formerly
occupied by the mixed gas; in other words, in the act of combustion it
explodes and gives rise to all the facts so well known to you.
In speaking then, in future, of fire-damp, I allude only to the
carburetted-hydrogen, or marsh-gas contained in the mixture, because that
alone is the combustible substance, and this consideration is to be noticed,
because my figures will appear to be different to those obtained by some
members of your Institution, who have taken the compound substance, while I
have taken only its combustible gas.
In the same manner while speaking of "choke-damp," "after-damp," "
black-damp," " dampie," etc., I allude only to the carbonic-acid which is
contained in the compound which passes under so many names, according to the
source whence it occurs,, for in all cases it is a mixture of carbonic-acid,
watery vapour, and nitrogen, in varying proportions.
Fire-damp is a chemical substance, otherwise known by the name of mine-gas,
or marsh-gas, and is composed of one equivalent of carbon, and two
equivalents of hydrogen. It is a light substance of specific gravity 0-559,
air being 1-000, and by its lightness has a tendency to rise to the
Tippermost part of a chamber, notwithstanding the law of diffusion; but I
have found that the lower strata contain less than the top strata in a
chamber. Yet this is not invariably the case, for I found in a return airway
in the Hetton Colliery, a uniform atmosphere of three per cent, of
fire-damp. Fire-damp is combustible, forming carbonic-acid and water.
168
Carbonic-acid gas is a chemical substance, composed of one equivalent of
carbon and two equivalents of oxygen. It is a dense gas of specific gravity
1*524, and of a poisonous nature; its density causes it to flow to and
accumulate upon the floor of a chamber. In an atmosphere containing ten per
cent, of carbonic-acid, life can be maintained for a short time only, and a
candle for a still less time; indeed, Dr. Angus Smith has observed, that
three per cent, is fatal if the per centage of oxygen falls below eighteen
per cent, in the same atmosphere.
Possessing this information, I visited some pits, that I might see the
precise conditions to be met, and I placed before myself the problem how to
make known, by their own agency, the existence of substances so varying as
carbonic-acid and fire-damp. It was perfectly manifest that the specific
gravity, as specific gravity, which had been proposed by others must fail
because of the dust and currents of air in the pits, but these thoughts
developed the idea that specific gravity as a diffusion-agent would be the
plan, and I have, up to this date, been unable to improve the first-formed
idea, although I have been enabled to greatly simplify the mode of
operation. I felt all along that if the existence of dangerous gases could
be made known to the master without man's agency, then the servants would be
more particular to observe the laws laid down by the master, and so conduce
to the welfare of all.
The plans which suggested themselves to me, I now submit to you, hoping that
you will be disposed to give them a fair trial in your pits for a year,
because I feel that a new thing as the world calls it, takes some time
before it becomes acclimatized.
Fire-damp and choke-damp accumulate slowly under some conditions and rapidly
under others, there are, therefore, two main divisions to be met; and I will
first explain how I propose to indicate the existence of a slowly
accumulating mass of gas in a "goaf" or other place. For the purpose of
indicating by signal a slowly accumulating mass of fire-damp or of
carbonic-acid, I use a balloon of thin India-rubber, for, singularly enough,
both these gases cause an expansion of the balloon. At first sight, one can
understand how marsh-gas expands the balloon by the law of diffusion, but
that carbonic-acid should also expand it, is so surprising that the effect
will require to be explained by a law not yet discovered.
The balloon is filled with atmospheric air, and its neck tied tightly with
silk or wax-end, and a piece of linen is bound round the equator of the
balloon to prevent lateral expansion. The balloon so prepared is placed
under a small lever, upon a stand of wood, so that it
169
I exerts a gentle pressure on the lever. If now any fire-damp or
carbonic-acid accumulate round it, either of these gases pass through the
substance of the India-rubber balloon, and, accumulating inside, causes it
to expand, thus to press against the lever, and raising it releases a detent
by which the terminal poles of a battery are connected, whereby we get
telegraphic communication with a distant place, or a warning on the spot at
will.* The action of gases through India-rubber has been explained by
assuming that the gases dissolve in the outer coats of the India-rubber, and
in solution pass through and evaporate from the inside. This proposition is
rather fascinating, but I cannot regard it as the true explanation ; I am,
therefore, engaged in investigating the facts in a larger field, and at a
future time hope to have the honour to bring the law, if I am permitted to
discover it, to your notice. Until that time I must consider this paper
incomplete; yet, this fact does not affect the action of the instrument. I
am simply unable to say why the India-rubber behaves as it does. I somewhat
claim your indulgence, because, although I have worked hard at this matter,
I have found it impossible to do more than elaborate my plans to their
present point. If you will consider that my duties at the Mint oblige me to
leave home at seven a.m., and detain me from home till seven p.m., and that
I have, therefore, but the evenings and the early hours of the morning to
work at my own pleasant studies, I feel sure that you will excuse me from
any apparent disrespect in bringing to your notice an incomplete subject;
therefore, I have explained why I have not completed my investigation, so
full of other and startling results.
Gases which pass through India-rubber are retained within it so long as the
outside atmosphere remains unchanged, that is to say, no effusion takes
place as is the case through ordinary diffusion-septa, hence the balloon
does not admit of the mechanical escape of its contents.
These balloon instruments can be so arranged as to tell if the accumulation
be still free from danger, or if it be explosive.
In the event- of a sudden irruption of fire-damp, I propose to apply the law
of diffusion in all its simplicity; for, by this instrument, I show at once
if there be gas, and I believe that no irruption can be so sudden that this
instrument cannot tell of its approach, in from five to ten seconds,
according to the per centage of fire-damp contained in the dangerous
irruption. It may be so delicately set as to give warning if
* It must be noted that the temperature of a given place in a mine, docs not
vary from year's end to year's end.
170
the mixture be still below the explosive point. The instrument consists of
an iron funnel, whose stem is U-shaped, the funnel being- closed with a
plate of unglazed Wedgwood ware (in my first experiments I used a broken
flower-pot), the stem being closed by a cap of brass, through which is
passed a platinum-tipped copper wire, capable of just dipping into the
mercury previously placed in the bend of the funnel. The distance between
the platinum-pointed wire and the mercury regulates the point at which the
indication should be given as regards the irruption; that is to say, if a
non-explosive irruption is to give its warning, the wire must be brought
almost to touch the mercury • but if it be intended to give an alarm for an
explosive amount, then it may stand a little farther off, but in no case to
exceed the thickness of a shilling. If, when the instrument be ready, gas
impinge on the porous tile, diffusion taking* place, the pressure of the
accumulating gas forces the mercury against the platinum-pointed wire, and
the circuit being thus completed, telegraphic warning is given on the spot,
as well as in the manager's room, if such be desirable, either by a needle
or by a bell. I have on the table one of these instruments, and I now show
its action.
The instrument just described is intended to meet such cases as are reported
to occur occasionally where, in evidence, it has been stated that from the
fall of coal, or the breaking into old workings, a volume of gas is suddenly
released • and it would, therefore, be of use in the case of men working
where such events are likely to take place. But if the accumulation be
extended over half or even a quarter of an hour, then that instrument would
be useless, because effusion would counteract the effect of diffusion. The
case of gas accumulating in a working place during the absence of the men at
dinner has been brought to my notice, and this case I will endeavour to meet
• but at present I am of opinion that the India-rubber balloon cannot be
made to give its warning in so short a time. Therefore, I must find another
substance, possibly cast-iron.
So far, I have endeavoured to provide for unknown accumulations • but in the
case of known accumulations, I have considered that if the amount per cent,
could be readily ascertained, then measures, in proportion, could be taken
to sweep out by ventilation such a dangerous mass. I have tried instruments
upon many plans, all acting by diffusion, and with many I have obtained
splendid results • such, for instance, as with a column of water or of
mercury; but in all cases changes of temperature would be fatal, unless in
the hand of a scientific man. Then, again, there
171
is another action depending on the exchanges of the proportions of the gases
composing the atmosphere which leads to errors. I have, therefore, been led
to use the Aneroid barometer, which, although far from being a perfect
instrument, is still reliable, and may be depended on till a better is
discovered. In this place, I may say that Mr. Short is now at work at a most
beautiful pocket indicator, which we have reason to believe will avoid all
the difficulties of the Aneroid, and be simply an indicator, not a compound
instrument, answering other purposes, as does the Aneroid-indicator. I am
aware that that marvellous arrangement, the Davy-lamp, gives magnificent
indications ¦ and I may be asked why attempt to go beyond it 1 I reply, I
hope to supplement it by another indicator, for it must still be used with
my proposed instrument- yet I am not without hope that I shall soon make my
instrument self-registering, then I shall hope it will be even more useful
than in its present form.
The instrument I now desire to explain to you is an Aneroid barometer of the
most delicate construction, the brass back of which has been removed, and
its place occupied by a porous tile. There are, beside, one or two minor
alterations—such, for instance, as a small valve, to be used at pleasure.
This instrument acts by pressure on the outside of an Aneroid chamber,
which, by a system of levers, causes a hand to travel over a dial face,
which is graduated to inches, just as the ordinary Aneroid is- so that it
can be used as a barometer, and as such can be relied upon. If we desire to
experiment for fire-damp, or for choke-damp, by means of this indicator, it
must be taken into the neighbourhood of the suspected atmosphere, and laid
on the floor or held by the ring-handle till it has become of the same
temperature as the new place. It is absolutely necessary to follow these
instructions, because when the valve is closed the instrument is affected by
change of temperature. When the temperature is equalised, which is usually a
short time, and may be known by the fact that the hand remains stationary
after the valve is closed—(the valve is closed by screwing it tightly, and
the position of the hand recorded)—then the brass cap, which protects the
porous tile, is removed, and the instrument held up into the suspected
atmosphere, when, in about fort}r-five seconds, the maximum effect is
produced; and at this time it is necessary to read the barometer accurately,
because the maximum point having been reached, effusion takes place, and the
hand travels back to zero. Effusion is the mechanical passage of gas through
the tile by pressure alone, and takes place in proportion to the specific
gravity of the gas under experiments. This action proceeds with the
diffusion. Hence we never obtain all the effect
172
calculated upon; but directly diffusion ceases, effusion continuing1 empties
the chamber of gas, so that if the instrument be held long- enough in the
same atmosphere, the hand will return to zero, whence it started, and remain
there till the instrument is taken into a purer atmosphere, or into one more
fully charged. If into an atmosphere more fully charged, the barometer
will rise, and this increased reading must be added to the other reading, so
as to obtain the amount present at the new place. Thus, in one reading,
it gives three per cent, of fire-damp. This atmosphere remains, and the
hand returns to zero; but the instrument is placed in an atmosphere which
gives seven per cent, on its face, therefore the 7 + 3 = 10 per cent., which
can be confirmed by taking the instrument into the intake gallery for a few
minutes, and then putting on the cap carry back the instrument to the
suspected atmosphere, and it will at once indicate the ten per cent.
All the time the valve is open the instrument is a barometer, therefore it
indicates change of altitude, and at the spot one wishes to test, the valve
is closed; a knowledge of this] will preclude the possibility of mistaking
change of altitude for gas. I feel sure that a few intelligent observations
will make any man as perfectly acquainted with the indicator as with his
watch.
It is imperative that the instrument be held by the ring-handle, else its
action cannot be relied on. I have found that the following figures are to
be relied upon for fire-damp and for carbonic acid :—
WITH BISING BABOMETEE. WITH FALLING BABOMETEE
PIEE DAMP. CABBONIC
ACID.
Inches.
1 percent. = 0-010 X per cent -. J£j
3 » =0'030 3 M
=o-0o0
5 " =0'060 5 „
=0-080
I " =°-080 10 „ =0-160
II " = °'090 15 „ = 0-240 Wh " =°-130
20 „ =0-330 J? " =0,170 50 „
= 0-820 15 " = °'220 100 „ = 1-040 20 „
= 0-320
50 „ = 0-800
100 „ _. i-680
I have much pleasure in offering to Mr. Thomas W. Short* my most sincere
thanks for his valuable cooperation. I had considerable difficulty
* Of the firm of Marratt and Short, 63, King William Street, London Bridge,
who arc the makers of my instruments.
173
I in meeting with any gentleman who would undertake to construct my
instruments, in fact, attempt to carry out the ideas I endeavoured to convey
to them; at last I met Mr. Short, and he with the true spirit of an
Englishman faced all difficulties, determined only to overcome them; but not
satisfied with this much he has given me most valuable advice and assistance
in suggesting many, very many advantages, and I feel that it is not too much
to say of Mr. Short, that unless he had assisted me, I could not have had
the honour of appearing here to-day to render to you an account of my
apparatus, and to beg you to adopt it in your pits if you shall find it
worthy. In conclusion, allow me to thank you for your attention, and Mr.
Doubleday for the extreme courtesy he has extended to me.
THE CHRONICLES AND RECORDS
OF
THE NORTHERN COAL TRADE
IN THE
COUNTIES OF DURHAM AND NORTHUMBERLAND.
By WILLIAM GREEN, Jun.
i
Having frequently experienced the want of a Book of Reference in matters
relating to the Coal Trade, I have been induced to compile the accompanying1
Chronology.
In doing so, I have availed myself of all the information upon the subject
within my reach, and have not hesitated to appropriate whatever met my views
in local histories, records, newspapers, and Parliamentary reports; as also
the works of various authors who have written upon the Coal Trade, including
the late Mr. Thomas John Taylor, the Messrs. Nicholas Wood, Dunn, Greenwell,
Hunt, and others.
I am aware that the compilation is exceedingly bald and imperfect, and that
there are few members of the Institute who could not materially improve and
enlarge it; such as it is, I have great pleasure in presenting it to the
Institute.
To commence with the period of the Roman occupation of England, we have
abundant proof, from the traces of workings and remains of coal found in and
near their stations, that they were acquainted with the uses of this
mineral.
Horsley remarks—" There is a coalry not far from Benwell, a part of which is
judged by those best skilled in such affairs, to have been wrought by the
Romans."
Lysons, in his Cumberland, when remarking upon the Roman station near
Maryport, says, " Glass vessels, and even mirrors, were found, and coals had
evidently been used in the fire-places."
176
Dr. Bruce, in his work on the Roman Wall, states—" In nearly all the
stations of the line, the ashes of mineral fuel have been found; in some, a
store of unconsumed coal has been met with, which, though intended to give
warmth to the primeval occupants of the isthmus, has been burnt in the
grates of the modern English. In several places the source whence the
mineral was procured can be pointed out; but the most extensive workings
that I have heard of, are in the neighbourhood of Grindon Lake, near
Sewingshields. Not long ago, a shaft was sunk with a view of procuring the
coal which was supposed to be below the surface; the projector soon found
that though coal had been there, it was all removed. The ancient workings
stretched beneath the bed of the lake."
In a paper read by Mr. Gibsone, before the Northern Institute of Mining
Engineers, he remarks—" At Hallows Bridge, upon the Esk, is a small Roman
post in a sort of angle formed by two steep rocks facing the water ; and a
deep ditch has been cut for defending the other side, with the usual
military bank. On digging into this ditch, I found the coal cut out as well
as the covering soil, and little doubt can be that the old Roman soldiers
worked and burned coals during their weary and cold stay."
Numerous other instances might be named of coals and cinders being found in
Roman stations, as at Caervorran and Borcovicus stations in Northumberland,
and Brierly in the West Riding of Yorkshire.
The Saxons also, it would appear, by an extract from the Saxon Chronicles of
the Abbey of Peterboro', were not unacquainted with the use of coal, for in
the year 852 occurs the payment of twelve loads of fossil or pit coal to the
Abbey, probably required for smith work, for at this period, and for
centuries after, the immense forests with which the island was covered,
supplied the fuel required for domestic purposes.*
1180. Among the earliest notices we have of coal being wrought in the
northern coal-field in Norman times appears the following from the Boldon
Book, viz., the grant from Bishop Pudsey of a toft and croft to
Pennant mentions a flint axe or celt found in a vein of coal where it
bassets out at Craig-y-Parc, in Monmouthshire, and from this circumstance,
and there being a British name (glo) for coal, it is supposed that the
Britons were acquainted with the fossil.
* The Saxon name col (now coal) appears to have superseded the old British
name glo, and if introduced into Britain at the colonisation of the country
by the German tribes, it is in favour of the supposition that the art of
coal mining was practised in Europe during the first centuries of the
Christian era.—Hull's Coal-jields.
Ill
a collier for providing coals for**fche cart-smith of Coundon. A similar
grant was made to the smith of Sedgefield; and the smith at Bishop-wearmouth
had twelve acres for the iron work of the carts, and finds his own coal
(carbonem).
1233-1238. We now come to the period when coal began to be worked in the
neighbourhood of Newcastle. In "Ross' Book of Dates," 1233 is named as the
time when coal was first discovered at Newcastle, but doubtless it was long
antecedent to this date, for we find that coal was wrought in the high
grounds at Fenham, near Newcastle, not far distant from the Roman coalry
spoken of by Horsley.
1239. On the 1st day of December, 1239, in the twenty-third year of his
reign, Henry III., upon the application of the good men (probi homines) of
Newcastle, granted them license to dig coals and stones in the Castle Field
and the Forth, and from thence to draw and convert them to their own profit,
in aid of their own fee-farm rent of £100 per annum, and the same as often
as it should seem good unto them.
Eddington, in his Treatise on the "Coal Trade" (1813), states, regarding the
working of these mines:—" It may be seen to this day, where the water-course
comes out to the surlace at Gallowgate, from near the bottom of the Moor,
the high-main runs out, the only coals they wrought were the metal-coal,
which lies about five fathoms below the high-main, the seam about thirty-two
inches thick, pretty good, and about four and a-half fathoms below lay the
stone-coal, about thirty inches, pretty good."
1246. In an inquisition of this date, sea coal {carlo maris) is named,
leading to the presumption that coal had become an article of export. A very
few years later, Mafchew Paris, not only speaks of carlo maris, but of the
wages of the persons employed to dig it.
1272. Henry III. granted a charter to the town of Newcastle, in which he
gave the inhabitants a license to dig coal in the Frith j but, as Gardner
says, no land was granted above the said coal.
Extract from John Trotter Brockett's additions and corrections to Spearman's
Enquiry into the Ancient and Present State of the County Palatine of Durham.
RANDALL MS.
Liberties claimed within the Manors of Barnard Castle, Eaby, and Brancepeth
Circa 13th century.
" Tennants of Raby clayme to have theire coles at 0'6 a corfe lode and the
one rope till they be served."
" Tennants of Tudhoe to have theire coles at 0-6 the corfe, and the corfe
"to conteyn 6 peckes upheaved Durham measure, which now is but 3, and they
pay o"-6 Everie pitt ought to be filled and rayled or else well covered."
"And to have theire coles at Hargill pitts for Id. a wayne lode and 0"6 a
corfe and at Brandon pitts at 0'6 a corfe, and at Thorneley pitts 6d. a
wayne lode."
178
1281. The coal-trade had, at this period, increased so much as to double the
worth of Newcastle in the shape of revenue from £100 to £200 per annum.
1305. The artisans, brewers, and smiths in London were now in the habit of
using coal for their crafts, because wood in populous districts was already
becoming scarce. The High Court of Parliament formally appealed to Edward I.
to prohibit the further consumption of coal, as the smoke arising* therefrom
contaminated the atmosphere, and rendered it unfit for his leige subjects to
breathe. In the next year, 1306, its use was prohibited by proclamation in
London and its suburbs, to avoid the sulphurous smoke and savour of the
firing, but little regard appears to have been paid to the prohibition, as
we find that 10s. worth of coals were burnt at the coronation of Edward II.
1325. This year we have the first account of the foreign exportation of coal
from Newcastle: a French ship having arrived in the port, laden with corn,
and returned with a freight of coals.
1327. Brand remarks that at this time the measure and increase of sea-borne
coals having become an object of consideration, we may infer that coa! had
become an important article of commerce.
1330. About this period two collieries near Elswick (Elstewyke) are
mentioned as being let by the Prior of Tynemouth to Ada de Colewell, for £5
per year, and another near at six merks a year.
1333. At this date a colliery is spoken of as existing at Collierly, near
Lanchester.
Marco Polo attests the general use of coal among the Chinese in the 13th
century.
As a notice upon working coal, extracted from Captain T. W. Blakiston's
"Five Months on the River Yang-Tsye, China, in 1862," may not be
uninteresting, I give it in full.
"In the gorge (at Ping-shan, 1,800 miles from Shanghai) we noticed a method
of working the coal which we never observed before. Having to be got at a
great height up in the cliff, very thick hawsers, made of plaited bamboo,
are tightly stretched from the mouth, or near the mouth of the working
gallery, to a space near the water where the coal can be deposited. These
ropes are in pairs, and large pannier-shaped baskets are made to traverse on
them, a rope passing from one over a large wheel at the upper landing, and
down again to the other, so that the full basket going down pulls the empty
one up, the velocity being regulated by a kind of brake on the wheel at the
top. At some places the height at which the coal is worked is so great that
two or more of these contrivances are used, one taking it to a landing half
way down, and another from thence to the river. The hawsers are kept taut by
a windlass for that purpose at the bottom. The quantity of coal worked in
this gorj^e is very large, and numbers of boats are employed in transporting
it to Su-chow."
In another part of this book, Captain Blackiston speaks of finding coke in
use, also of coal being pounded up, mixed with loam and water, and then
dried into bricks. He further remarks that the coal is bituminous, and has a
micaceous sandstone cover.
179
*m 1338. Mention now occurs of coal-staiths.*
1343. Coal was, at this date,- wrought in the neighbourhood of Merrington
and Ferryhill.
1344. At this date Bishop Bury granted a lease of the mines, under the
manors of Whickham and Gateshead, to Sir Thomas Gray, knight, and John
Pudbore, Rector of Whickham, for twelve years, under 500 merks rent. The
lease was renewed to the same parties by Bishop Hatfield in 1356.
1350. The late Mr. Thos. John Taylor, in his Archaeology of the Coal
Trade, remarks, that the coal seams at Gateshead and Whickham were now being
worked, these being situations where the coal approached the surface, for as
yet no attempt had been made to win the deeper portions of the coal-field.
The mines were freed from water by day levels, and the coals were drawn up
by the jack-roll. The produce was taken away from the pits by pack-horses,
their load being about three cwts., carried at the rate of three miles an
hour.f
1351. This year Edward III. granted a license to the freemen of Newcastle
to work coals without the walls, in the castle-field.
Birtley district, about this time, appears to have been producing coals.
1354. Coal mines were leased, at this date, at Ferryhill, to the Prior of
Durham for thirty years. The lessee bargains to be allowed half a cart load
of coals every week, in which coals should be won and worked. Particular
mention is made, in this lease, of drifts for the purpose of carrying off
Water. X
The author of Fossil Fuel remarks, that in every period of the history of
coal mining in the north, wayleaves have formed an important item of
expenditure. A covenant for " sufficiens chiminum" occurs in the latter
sense to the Prior of Durham in 1354. Chiminum is a term implying a right of
way or road. §
*" 'Stathe,' ' stade,' or 'steed' are Anglo-Saxon terms, formerly applied to
single fixed dwellings, or to places on the banks of rivers, where
merchandise was stored up, and at which vessels could lie to receive
it."—Picture of Newcastle.
f "Within the last twelve years the Western Dales, in Yorkshire, have been
supplied with coals from Butterknowle Colliery, carried on the backs of
droves of mules.
Mr. Tone, the engineer, in a paper read before the British Association in
1863, says, that the pack-horses travelled upon an average about eight
miles, with his load, and the cost of this mode of conveyance might be l£d.
per cwt. per mile, or 30d. per ton per mile.
% Surtees.
§ In Bishop Hatfield's Survey it is stated that the Master of the Hospital
of
180
1358, May 10. Edward III. confirmed the license of the men of Newcastle to
work coal in the Castle-field and Castle-moor, as they had immemorially
possessed. He also issued orders concerning coal measures, etc.||
1364. Mention now occurs of a coal mine in the fields of Gateshead.1T
1367. In this year the Bishop of Durham appointed a Nicholas
Coke, of Newcastle, to be the supervisor of his mines, within the manors
of Whickham and Gateshead, for which duty he was paid 13s. 4d. per
annum.
1367. The accounts of Adam-de-Horeyndon, of this date, furnish some
curious proofs of the difficulties which must have attended extensive
building- works in the fourteenth century. As in earlier times, all the
metal work was executed on the spot, and forges and furnaces were built for
the smiths and plumbers. These furnaces and forges required fuel, and it
had already been discovered that coal was a more efficient material than
wood. Owing, however, to the prejudice of the Londoners against that
mineral, on account of its effect on the external appearance of their
habitations, no supply of it could be procured in the metropolis, and the
King's Master of the Works was compelled to buy a cargo at the pit's mouth,
in the county of Durham. According to the custom of the time, the King
sent his writ to th,e Sheriff of Northumberland, ordering him to buy the
coals and send them to London. The Sheriff purchased 576 chaldrons by the
long hundred, which make 676 chaldrons reckoning by the lesser hundred, at
Winlaton, in the county of Durham, at 17d. per chaldron (20 of these
chaldrons went to the Keel, so that it would appear that they were little
more than a ton each). Prom Winlaton they were conveyed in keels to
Newcastle, and there shipped. The freight to the south was at the rate of
3s. 6d. a chaldron. On their voyage to London the colliers met with a "
mighty tempest" at sea; and through that, and by reason of the excess of
measure over that of Newcastle, a loss of 86| chaldrons was incurred, the
greater part having been thrown overboard during the tempest. Arrived at
London, the coals were put on board "shutes" or barges, and taken to
Windsor, at the cost of Is. a chaldron. The total expense of bringing
this insignificant quantity of
- i-------»\7 Ui
St. Edmund the King (in Gateshead) holds one plot of ground "pro quodam
chamino habendo," or wayleave from the hospital to Freregose (now Friar's
Goose), through the Lord's meadows there, and pays id. Chaminum means " a
road," and, unless the context shows a wayleave is meant in its technical
sense, it would not necessarily have that signification.
|| Brand. ^[ Brand.
181
fuel to London, including the cost price, was £165 5s. 2d., to which must be
added the barge hire to Windsor. *
1375. By an inquisition post mortem, taken at this date, Vavasour's
Colliery, on Cockfield Fell, is valued at 20 merks, when let to farm. This
is only one instance of many, of the longevity of a colliery; coal being now
worked, after a lapse of nearly 500 years, upon a larger scale than ever
upon this Fell.f
1378. At this date we first find the name of keelers (keelmen) applied to
the bargemen of Tynemouth Priory. The keels were manned by five hands, who
had sixpence each for their work in taking the coals from Winlaton to
Newcastle, with twelvepence for the line of each keel. J Keels are now
manned by three men and a peedee (boy), or even fewer hands.
1379. This year a tax of sixpence per ton, every quarter of a year, was
imposed upon ships loaded with coals from Newcastle to foreign parts. This
is the first notice we have of export duties in connection with coal.§
1381. Richard II. grants a charter to the Bishop of Durham for the mooring
of ships, the loading and unloading of coals, etc., in the River Tyne,
without molestation from the men of Newcastle.||
1381. The Bishop of Durham appoints Thomas Hannsard supervisor of his mines
of coal and iron, in his royalties of NorhamshireH and Bedlirjgtonshire.* *
1395. A notice occurs at this date, of four chaldrons of coals being
shipped at Sunderland for Whitby Abbey, for which was paid 13s. 4d.
1402. The price of coals about this period was 4s. 8d. per chaldron.
1404. By the fifth statute of Henry IV., of this date, Hostmen
were established to provide and entertain " merchants and aliens,"
resorting to Newcastle, to buy coals or stones (grindstones).
1404. A receipt occurs to the Mayor, Aldermen, and community of Newcastle,
bearing date March 4, 1404, for £12 10s., stating, in part payment of the
sum of £37 10s., due the Michaelmas following, for rent of mines of sea-coal
at Fenham, to the Prior of the Hospital of Jerusalem, in England.
* Extractfrom the " Pipe Bolls of Edward III." See the late Mr. T. J.
Taylor's "Archaeology of the Coal Trade."
f Hutchinson's History of Durham.
% In early times, Gardner says, that ships were required to load as near
Newcastle as possible.
§ Brand. || Brand. % Brand. * *
Brand.
XV.—1866.
A A
182
1407. An agreement, bearing- this date, between the Sub-Prior of Durham and
others, authorises the cutting- of a trench for carrying- off the water and
winning- the coal at Hett.
1427. By the ninth Henry V., keels were regulated to carry twenty chaldrons
of six bolls each; some keels had been carrying twenty-two and twenty-four
chaldrons, to defraud the King. Keels were now required to be sealed by the
King's officers. Each chaldron of coals sold to persons not franchised in
the port of Newcastle, was liable to a King's duty of twopence.*
1489. The Bishop of Durham this year attempted a negotiation with Sir John
Paston, of Norfolk, for an exchange of coal for corn, wine, and wax, "
whereby our familiarity and friendship may be increased."
1512. In the celebrated "Household Book" of the fifth Earl of
Northumberland, of this date, mention is made of eighty chaldrons a year of
sea coal, at 4s. 2d. and 5s. per chaldron, being allowed, as also sixty-four
loads of great wood, to make the coals burn, "because," observes the writer,
" colys will not byrne without wodd."
1529. This year, Cardinal Wolsey constituted William and Thomas
Thornlyngson, clerks to his " mynes," by the following instrument:— "Thomas,
by Divine mercy, Presbyter Cardinal of the title of St. Cecilia, in the Holy
Church of Eome, Archbishop of York, Legate, as also de Latore of the
Apostolical See, Primate and Chancellor of England, and Bishop of the
Cathedral Church of Durham, to all to whom these our present letters shall
come, greeting. Know ye, that we of our especial grace, and in return for
the good and commendable services hereto performed, for us, by our beloved
servant William Thornlyngson, of Gateshead, and henceforth shall faithfully
execute for us, our successors, and the Church of Durham, do ordain, and
have constituted William Thornlyngson himself, and Thomas Thornlyngson his
natural son, clerk of all our mynes, as well of lead and iron as of coals,
being wheresoever within the demesne lands of our Bishoprick of Durham, and
by these presents we give and grant the said office of clerk of the mynes to
the said William and Thomas jointly and separately, to have, exercise, and
enjoy by themselves personally, or their sufficient deputy, for whose
behaviour they shall be answerable, during the term of their lives, or of
the survivor, receiving yearly in the said office of us and our successors,
during the term of the said William and Thomas, and the survivor of them,
ten merks of English money, to be paid at our
. * Brand.
183
Exchequer of Durham, at the Feast of Michael the Archangel, by the hands of
our General Receiver who shall then be in office. We likewise give and grant
to the said William and Thomas, and to the survivor of them, one chalder of
coals of each coal myne belonging to us and our successors within our
demesnes of Gateshead, Whickham, and Lynne-deanne, to be duly paid and
delivered, together with all other profits, advantages, rights, costs, and
expenses of old, accustomed and pertaining to the said office, and in as
extensive manner and form as in the said office any clerk formerly had and
received, or used to have and receive. And we firmly command all and
singular, our bailiffs, farmers, and officers in the said mynes, that they
shall be observant, obedient, and assistant to the said William and Thomas,
and to each of them, in the performance, execution, and possession of the
aforesaid office, as in decency they ought. In testimony whereof, we have
commanded these our letters to be made patent. Witnessed by Wm. Frankeleyne,
our Chancellor of Durham, the 6th day of October, in the sixth year of our
Pontificate, and in the year of our Lord 1529."*
1530, May 20. James, Bishop of Durham, granted a lease of coal mines in
Whickham, to Bertram Anderson, of Newcastle, merchant adventurer, for
twenty-one years, at a yearly rent of £30. f
1530, June 24. The Prior of Tynemouth leased a coal-pit at Bebside and
Cowpen for seven years, at the annual rent of 22s. 8d. The same year he
leased Elswick Colliery to Christopher Mitford, for twenty-five years, at
the yearly rent of £20; the lessee not to dig or draw more than twenty
chaldrons of six bolls (2,000 lbs.) to the chaldron, for every working day
in the year.!
1530. A grant of wayleave occurs this year from Bishop Ruthall, for "
carriage by wayne, coupe, or horses, from the coal-mines and pits now
opened, or which shall be opened, in Ravensall and Eighton, through all the
grounds, waists, and moors of the said reverend father, for twenty-one
years, at 5s. rent.§
1536. Coals sold at Newcastle for 2s. 6d. per chaldron of six bolls each;
coals sold at London for 4s. per chaldron of six bolls each.||
1538. Two pits were let at Elswick for eight years, at the annual rental
of £50. In this lease, sufficient " wayleve and staith leve" were provided
for.
1539. Gateshead coal mines let.
1539. The society or fraternity of keelmen instituted.lf
* Bourne, f Brand. J Gibson. § Longstaffe. | Stowe. % Brand.
184
1543. An Act of Henry VIII., of this date, recites—" That of late years not
only the king's highnesse, but also all his lovinge subjects, have been much
deceived in their fuell that they have boughte, by the greadie covetous
myndes of ye sellers of ye same, as well as by the untrue measures of coales
lytle and lytle continuallye mynished." *
The coalowners were also charged with the mixing- of coals, which they admit
and justify, saying " There is a necessitie for some mynge-lynge, for the
best and chieffest coals are not useful without some alloy or mixture."
1554. Queen Mary granted a lease of all the mines within the bounds of
Elswick, at the annual rent of £68.
1572. John Killinghall, Esq., mentions in his will, his leased "cole pittes"
at Wyndleston and Ryton.f
1575. In a grant made by the Bishop of Durham, the lessee of certain mines
is to have sufficient way-leave to the water of Tyne, where he was to have a
staith to lay the coals on.t
1577. The following extract, from Harrison's description of England,
prefixed to " Hollingshead's Chronicles," dated this year, is interesting
:—" Of cole mines, we have such plenty in the north and western parts of our
island as may suffice for all the realme of England. And soe must they doe
hereafter indeede, if wood be not better cherished then it is at present,
and to say the truth, notwithstanding- that very many of them are carryed
into other countries of the maine, yet theyr greatest trade beginneth to
growe from the forge into the kitchen and hall, as may appear already in
most cities and townes that lye about the cost, where they have little other
fewel excepte it be turfe and hassocke. I marvayle not a little that there
is no trade of these into Sussex and Southamptonshire, for want whereof the
smiths do work their yron with charre-coal. I think that farr carriage be
the only cause, which is but a slender excuse to inforce us to carry them
unto the myne from hence."
1579. The Mayor of Newcastle wrote to the bailiffe of Yarmouth to forbid
their ships to come as usual for coals on account of the plague.
1580. Coals sold at Newcastle at 5s. a chaldron.
1582, April 26. Queen Elizabeth obtained the lease from Richard, Bishop of
Durham, of the manors of Gateshead and Whickham, and
According to Stowe, " The nice dames of London would not come into any house
or roome where sea-coales were burned, or willingly eat of the meat that was
either sod or roasted with sea-coale fire."
* Taylor. f Longstaffe. % Fossil fuel.
185
all the coal mines within the saicflnanors, at the rent of £90 per annum,
for ninety-nine years; which lease the Earl of Leicester procured from the
Queen, and transferred to Sir Thomas Sutton, of the Charter-house, who, for
£12,000, sold the same to Sir W. Riddell and others, for the Mayor and
burgesses of Newcastle.* This lease was called the " Grand Lease," f and was
understood to be of the yearly value of £50,000. According to Brand, the
annual rent to the Queen was £117 15s. 8d. This lease was much complained of
on the score of monopoly; for whilst Sutton held it, the price in London was
6s. per chaldron, but on its assignment to the Corporation of Newcastle, the
price rose to 7s., and soon after to 8s. per chaldron of six bolls. J
1590. Brand relates that the price of coals appears to have been advanced to
9s. per chaldron, upon which the Lord Mayor of London complained to Lord
Treasurer Burleigh against the town of Newcastle; setting forth that the
society there, called Free-hosts, on whom the " Grand Lease " (Gateshead and
Whickham Manors) was fully assigned for the use' of the town, consisted of
about sixty persons, who had made over their right to about eighteen or
twenty, who engrossed all other collieries, viz., Stella, the Bishop's
Colliery, Ravensworth Colliery, the mines of Mr. Gascoign, and the colliery
of Newburne, requesting that all the collieries might be opened and wrought,
and that the price should not exceed 7s. a chaldron. §
1599. Queen Elizabeth demanded such great arrears of the coal duty, that the
people of Newcastle, finding they could not pay, agreed to charge themselves
and their successors with Is. per chaldron duty. At this period the duty
upon coals exported beyond the sea was 5s. per chaldron.
Towards the close of Queen Elizabeth's reign, the duty of the town, at 4d.
per chaldron, appears to have brought in £10,000 per annum to the
Corporation.!!
* Gardner's Grievance.
f The title of " Grand Lease " is still retained in that held by the Stella
Coal Company.
J Dunn.
§ In reference to this complaint Henry Mytforde and Henry Chapman, aldermen
and cole-owners of the town of Newcastle, were called upon, for themselves
and other cole-owners, on the information exhibited to the Bight Hon. the
Lords of Her Majestie's Privy Councell, by the Lord Maior and Aldermen of
the city of London, to explain the causes of the excessive pryces of coles
inhanced at Newcastell aforesaid.—See Reprint, oy Moses Aaron Richardson.
II "Rm/nrl
186
In the latter part of the sixteenth century, the use of coal was
pretty-general for manufacturing- and culinary purposes, but not for
domestic fires.*
1600. The Society of Hostmen had existed as a fraternity from time
immemorial, before their incorporation by Royal Charter, which took place
March 22, 1600, when the Hostmen obliged themselves to pay Is. per chaldron
of coals exported from Newcastle to the free people of England. Forty-eight
persons are named by the Great Charter of the town of Newcastle, f
1600. At this time waggon-ways had not been invented, and the coals were
brought down from the pits in wains, of eight bolls each (lately several had
only brought seven), all measured and marked at the staiths on the river,
but maunds or panniers, carrying two or three pecks each, were used for
horses.
1602. From books of the Hostmen, it would appear that there were
twenty-eight acting fitters, who were to vend! 9,080 tens, or 190,600 tons
of coals, and find eighty-five keels for that purpose. Prices were ordered
to be not above 10s. per chaldron for best sorts; 9s. per chaldron for
second sorts; and 8s. per chaldron for " meane coales."
1604. Charles Killgoure, the Farmer's Collector, complains that the ships
are continually in the habit of clearing for a smaller number of chaldrons
than the ticket expressed, by three, five, six, and ten chaldrons. In the
bitterness of his heart he affirms, " That there is no truth in colliers." §
1606. Mr. Bowes, who died in 1606, remarks in his papers:— " There is coles
gotten in five several places of the Biddick estate, the fur-
* Taylor. f Brand.
% The late Mr. T. J. Taylor, writing upon the measures in use about this
time in his Archasology of the Coal Trade, says—" The original chaldron was
2000 lbs. weight. In a lease of mines from the Prior of Tynemouth, the
chaldron is rated at 6 bolls. 1\ bolls were equal to very nearly 2000 lbs.
weight, modern Custom House measure. Keels were used as early as 1421 to
carry 22 or 23 chaldrons of 2000 lbs. each. If from the London chaldron a
right proportion is deducted for heaped measure, we shall have left almost
exactly 2000 lbs. weight as above.
" The coal boll was probably derived from the corn boll, what a man could
carry. The bowl tub of Newcastle is described to contain 22 gallons and a
pottle, Winchester measure. A wain to contain 7 bolls each, a cart 3 bolls
and 1 bushel heaped measure. Three wains or 6 carts to a chaldron.
"Wain x 3 = 21 bolls = 1 chaldron. 21 chaldrons x 10 = 210 bolls or 1
ten.
" It is manifest that the kele and the ten were at this period synonymous,
and that the kele carried 10 of these chaldrons, the size of which is
afterwards particularly specified in the Act of 30 Car. II., and which
constituted the then Newcastle chaldron. It is also clear that the keel-load
consists of 10 scores of the bolls of that period, 21 to a score, and we are
thus enabled to trace the origin of that singular denomination of quantity
and weight, the modern ten."
S Tavlor.
187
thest place thereof is not three miles frortyfehe house; and I have sonke a
shafte within the domaine, having only bestowed £1 charges, and have already
gotten some coles, which if the seame of coles prove to be three-quarters of
a yard thick, the same, with £200 stocke, will yield £200 per annum clear
profit.
1609. Vend of coals from Newcastle at this period :—Coast, 214,305 tons;
foreign, 24,956 tons; total, 239,261 tons. Sunderland:—Coast, 9,265 tons;
foreign, 2,383-tons ; total, 11,648 tons. Blyth :—Coast, 855 tons; foreign,
nil; total, 855 tons.
1610. Sir George Selby, in Parliament, said that the coal mines of
Newcastle could not hold out the term of their leases of twenty-one years.
This was on account of the cost of draining them to any depth.
1612. Simon Sturtevant obtained a patent for making iron with pit and
sea-coal.
1615. Four hundred ships are reported at this date to have been employed
in the Newcastle coal trade, half of which supplied London, and the other
half the rest of England, besides French and Dutch vessels, for the supply
of their respective countries.
1616. This year 13,675 tens of coals were shipped at Newcastle. Brand
states that the use of coal was now becoming general for want of wood.
1618. A notice of a colliery working in the Moncton (Hebburn) seam, near
Jarrow, occurs at this date.
1622. The first mention occurs of Stockton as a coal-shipping port, ten
chaldrons of coals having been exported.
The Fellowship of Hostmen were authorized to vend this year 14,420 tens of
coals. At this period the French traded to Newcastle in fleets of fifty sail
at one time.
1630. A duty of 5s. per chaldron was this year laid on coals sent foreign,
and Is. 8d., over and above, on such as were exported by any Englishman or
denizen.
The coast vend at this time was 253,380 tons; foreign, 36,542; total,
289,922 tons.
1632. Wooden ways were now introduced; before their introduction we are told
that the collieries of Kenton and Benwell employed between 400 and 500 carts
and wains each, carrying coals from the pits to theTyne.*
In 1619, Dad Dudley used pit coal for making iron in Worcestershire.
* The late Mr. T. J. Taylor stated the cost of the wooden rails, known in
other parts of the kingdom as " Newcastle Roads," did not exceed from £400
to £600 per mile.
188
On these ways three to four tons were conveyed from ten to twelve miles per
day, or thirty to forty tons one mile per day; when cast iron rails were
introduced, the quantity was increased from 120 to 140 tons one mile per
day.
1632. The manor or lordship of Winlaton was formerly enjoyed in common by
three lords. Sir William Selby had a moiety, and Sir Robert Hodgson and Mr.
Robert Anderson, the remainder. About this time (1632) they came to a
division of ye lordship, but the royalties, mills, and grounds therewith
enjoyed, collieries and quarries were not divided.
1635. Price of coals at Newcastle, 10s. per chaldron; coals used at Shields
Salt-pans, 7s. per chaldron, these being" probably small coals.
1638. At this period the following* well-known names appear among the
coalowners, who (from a document of 1622) also appear to have been members
of the Hostmen's Company, viz.:—Thomas Lydell, Sir Thomas Tempest, Sir
Thomas Riddell, Knight, Sir William Selby, Sir Robert Shaftoe, Robert
Bewick, John Clavering*, Mrs. Barbara Riddell. 1638. Charles I., in the
thirteenth year of his reign (1638), created a new Corporation of free
Hostmen in Newcastle, and granted a lease for twenty-one years to Sir Thomas
Tempest, Knight, with others, for the selling of all coals exported from the
Tyne, with power to seize all coals sold by the owners of such coals.*
This year, when Newcastle was taken by the Scots, all the coal mines which
had been wont to employ 10,000 people all the year long, some working
underground, some above, and others upon the water in keels, were laid in,
not a man to be seen, not a coal wrought, all absconding, being possessed
with a fear that the Scots would give no quarter. More than 100 vessels
which arrived off Tynemouth bar the day after the fight, returned empty. The
same year, when the Scots besieged Newcastle, the Marquis of Newcastle
ordered all coal mines to be fired, this was prevented by General Lesley
surprising all the boats and vessels.f
1642. In January, an ordinance of Parliament prohibited ships from bringing
coals from Newcastle, Sunderland, or Blyth; in consequence, coals were sold
in London at £4 per chaldron, a price never known before that time; the
poorer sort of people were almost" starved." On the
1640. We hear of coke being used in Derbyshire for drying malt.
Judging from the account of short measure sold by the coal dealers
("colliers") in London, given in a pamphlet published about this date
(1640), entitled—" A Pleasant Discovery of the Coosenage of Colliers," it
would appear that Charles Killyoure's opinion of lack of honesty in
colliers, need not to have been restricted solely to those engaged in the
coal-trade in the north.
* Gardner, f Brand,
189
21st March, a further order fixed the selling price of coals at 23s. the
chaldron, and after the 1st of April next, at 20s. at the most.
1643. The Commander of the Parliament Forces at Newcastle sent up a
quantity of coals for the relief of the poor in London.
1644. The trade with Newcastle reopened for coals, etc.
1644, November 17. Bourne states that the " Committee of both kingdoms,
after many meetings and serious debates amongst themselves, and the hearing
of sundry persons well experienced in the collieries and coal works about
the town of Newcastle, and having taken into their serious consideration
sundry propositions for the good of those works and the drawing on of the
trade for the benefit of Parliament, and the pay of the army, have at length
concluded and agreed amongst themselves, that some of the most notorious
delinquents and malignants, late coalowners in the town of Newcastle, should
be wholly excluded from intermeddling with any share or parts of collieries,
or interest in any coals wharsomever that formerly they had laid claims
unto." Then follow reasons for not ousting all those malignant coalowners at
one time, and the prices that shall be allowed the coalowners for coals
delivered to the ships, viz.—10s. sterling per chaldron; also, fixing the
selling price of the coals to the merchant or shipper at 20s. per chaldron.
The difference between the two prices to be applied to the public use by way
of loan. The committee go on to caution the coalowners to use all diligence
in getting on foot their several coal works, under penalty in case of
non-compliance of losing all benefit in them.
The malignant coalowners were Sir Thomas Marley, Sir Thomas Riddell, Sir
Thomas Liddell, Sir Alexander Davison, Sir John Minns, and Sir Francis
Anderson.
1644. The Colliery of Harraton, on the Wear, was at this time the property
of Mr. Hedworth, and had been leased for a mere acknowledgment to Sir W.
Wray, of Beamish, who, being a papist and recusant convict, the colliery was
sequestered, when it was valued at £3,000 per annum, perhaps owing to the
Tyne being shut against the rebel city of London.
This colliery was leased under the state to George Grey, of South-wick, and
George Liiburn; but, in 1649, it was seized by Sir Arthur Hazelrigge, the
Governor of Newcastle.
During the reign of Charles I., the coal-trade was continually subjected to
monopolies and variations in taxes.
Vol. XV.—1866.
bb
190
1648, August 1. By an extraordinary storm of wind and rain, two of the best
collieries on the river Wear were drowned.
1649. Grey, in his " Chorographia" (published this year), speaking of
the coal-trade, says:—" That many thousand persons are employed in this
trade. Many men are employed in conveying the coals in keels from the
staiths aboard the ships. One coal merchant employed 500 or 1,000 in his
works; yet, for all his labour, care, and cost, can scarce live by his
trade. Nay, many of them have consumed great estates and died beggars. Some
south gentlemen, upon hope of benefit, came into the county of Durham to
hazard their monies in coal mines. Mr. Beaumont, a gentleman of great
ingenuity and rare parts, adventured £30,000 in our mines, who brought with
him many rare engines not known in our parts, as the art to bore with iron
rods, to try the deepness and thickness of the coal, rare engines to draw
water out of the pits, wagons with one horse to carry down coals from the
pits to the staiths, etc Within a few years he consumed his money, and rode
home upon his light horse.*
1649. A notice of this date shows that the keelmen were dependent upon
the hostmen.f
1650. Total quantity of coals imported into London, 216,000 tons.
1651. According to Gardner there was computed to be at this time 320 coal
keels, and every keel was accounted to have carried every year 800 chaldrons
of coals to the ships.
1653. Ralph Gardner in his book " England's Grievance Discovered in relation
to the Coal Trade," states, " that in or about the eighteenth year of King
James, (1621) an information was exhibited in the Star Chamber, by the
Attorney-General, against the Mayor and Burgesses of Newcastle by the name
of Hostmen, for that they, having the preemption of coal from the inheritors
in Northumberland and county of Durham, by their Charter of Free Hostmen,
42nd Queen Elizabeth, they having the sale of all coals, who force ships to
take bad coals, or will not load them, unmarketable coals being bought for
London, prove much to the damage of the people; which grief begot great
suits between the merchants and masters of ships, to their disquieting and
high charge, upon which this information was brought against the said
hostmen, for selling bad and unmerchantable coals, and much slate amongst
them; for which the}"
?.Beaumont's wagons carried nineteen bolls or forty-two cwts., and ran upon
wooden ways four inches square, laid upon sleepers.
f Brand.
191
were all fined, some £100 apiece, some more, others less, being found guilty
and ordered to do so no more; but it is proved they continue the same to
this day." *
Gardner also charges the Corporation with hoarding up the corn, and the
people not being able to buy the same by reason of its being so dear; "many
country people were necessitated to eat dogs and cats, and to kill their
poor little coal horses for food."
The Mayor and Burgesses in reply to the several charges brought against
them, pleaded their rights " from the time of the contrary, whereof it is
not in the memory of man."
The Hostmen about Gardner's time paid £8000 yearly to government. About the
same time "poor collyers and colemen" numbered about 20,000.
'
1654. About this period the port of Sunderland began to rise into great
importance. A meeting of keelmen took place for an increase of wages, f
1655. Coals sold in London for twenty shillings per chaldron. At this
date it was decided that 136 Newcastle chaldrons should equal 217 London
chaldrons.
1656. Whitley Colliery, near Tynemouth, supposed to be working at this
time, and shipping its coals at Cullercoats. In the year 1848 it was laid
in.
1658. It is recorded that two men were drowned in a pit this year, at Galla
Flat, by the breaking in of water from an old waste; their bodies were not
recovered for many years. This is the first fatal accident in coal mines of
which we have any record.
1660. The yearly vend of Newcastle and Sunderland was now 537,000 tons.
Gardner gives the following account of the treatment of masters of ships who
cast their ballast wrongfully :—" Whereas, there hath been an ancient custom
in Newcastle, that every master of any ship, who is known to cast any
ballast at sea, between Souter and Hartley, or within fourteen fathoms water
of the haven, to the hurt of the said river, was brought into the Town
Chamber ; and there in the presence of the people, bad a knife put into his
hand, was constrained to cut a purse, with monies in it, as who should say
he had offended in as high degree, as if he cut a purse from the person of a
man, whereby he might be so ashamed that he should never offend again
therein; and others by his example were terrified from trespassing in like
kind, that now in the time of so general wrongs done to the river, and the
great number of ships which come into that haven, this ancient custom be
revived and put in execution."—See Stat. 8 Eliz., 4.
* Bourne, the historian, speaks of Gardner as a " bitter enemy to
Newcastle." No doubt he was a bitter enemy to the monopolies claimed by that
town.
f Brand.
192
1661. The Hostmen of Newcastle petitioned that a duty of Is. per chaldron be
imposed on coals exported from Sunderland.
1661. This year, Sir Kinelin Digby presented a memorial to the Crown,
containing most serious allegations against the use of coal.
1662. August 20. A petition was signed by 2,000 colliers, in order to be
presented to His Majesty; in this they complained of the wrongs done them by
the coalowners and overmen. A redress of grievances, however, prevented it
from being sent.*
1663. Bishop Cosins issued a commission for measuring the keels and coal
boats of Sunderland.
1665. The use of gunpowder was introduced into pits about this time.
Newcastle vend of coals, 194,000 chaldrons; Sunderland ditto, 62,000
chaldrons.
1665. The following curious document, dated Newcastle, April 27, 1665, was
agreed to and signed by a number of the principal coalowners:— " At a
meeting of several of the principal traders in coals at the said town, upon
a serious debate and consideration, that there is a great quantity of coa.s
now wrought and lying at the pits and staiths, which, if it should please
God, trade should be open and free in a short time, cannot be vended in the
ensuing summer ; and that if more coals be wrought, it will not only bring
such necessity upon the owners of the mines, as that they will not have
money to keep on their water-charge, and other necessary charges for
preserving the collieries from being utterly ruined, and rendered useless to
themselves and the people in general, but the coals that are, and may be
wrought will become unfit for fuel. They have, for the causes aforesaid,
unanimously agreed and concluded that, from the first day of May next, no
coals shall be wrought at all, or any of the collieries of the river Tyne,
for ship coals, until the coals now at the pits and staiths, that are
merchantable, be so near vended, that the trade may be supplied with fresh
and merchantable coals/'
1663. As showing the nature of law-suits relating to the coal-trade and
mines about this period, in an Appendix will be found a variety of extracts,
made from a book, in the custody of the Registrar of the Court of Chancery
of the County Palatine of Durham, containing- the Orders and Decrees of the
Court of Chancery of the County Palatine of Durham and Sadberge ; beginning
in September, A.D. 1661, 13 Car. II., and ending August, A.D. 1670, Car.
II., which may not be found uninteresting or out of place. For these I am
indebted to Mr. John Booth, solicitor, of Shotley Bridge.
* Brand. Collier originally implied a charcoal-burner ; but, in the course
of time the term became applied to the coal-miner, the coal-seller in
London, and the ships which carried the coals.
193
" I am content that my colliery wherein I am concerned shall lye until the
29th day of September next.—Fran. Liddell.."
" For want of money I cannot carry on work, and therefore I am content to
let mine stand till 29th September.—Jas. Clavering."
" I am resolved, and do promise you that my colliery shall not work, for
some reason to myself best known, till the 29th September next.— Fras.
Anderson."
"Having at this present more coals than, in all probability, I can possibly
vend this eighteen months, am therefore resolved to lay in my colliery for
five months ensuing.—Wm. Blakett."
" For want of money, I promise to work no coals till the 29th of September
next.—Henry Maddison."
" I do promise to cause no ship coals to be wrought until the 1st of
September, unless commanded from my master, Sir Thos. Liddell.— Jas. Bird."
Similar reasons to the above are assigned for laying in their collieries by
the following coalowners:—Wm. Riddell, Robt. Carr, Peter Maddison, John
Rogers, Robt. Ellison, Cuth. Dykes, Thos. Harrison, John Varey, J. Watson,
Ralph Grey, jun., Thomas Belley, Jer. Colherst, Ra. Johnson, Geo. Beadnell.
1666, December 8. The following extracts from " Pepy's Diary," as referring
to the supply of coals to London, will not be found out of place:—"In much
fear of ill news of our colliers, a fleet of 200 sail, and fourteen Dutch
men-of-war between them and us, and they coming home with a small convoy,
and the city in great want, coals being at £3 3s. per chaldron, as I am
told."
" 1667, March 6. Everybody complains of the dearness of coals, being at £4
per chaldron; the weather, too, being become most bitter cold, the King
saying to-day that it was the coldest day he ever knew in England.
" 1667, March 8. This day was reckoned by all people the coldest day that
ever was remembered in England, God knows ; coals at a very great price.
" 1667, April 27. This afternoon I got in some coals at 23s. per chaldron, a
good hearing. I thank God having" not been put to buy a coal all this dear
time, that during the war poor people have been forced to give 45s., 50s.,
and 60s.
" 1667, June 23. The great misery the city and kingdom is likely to suffer
for want of coals, in a little time, is very visible, and is feared
194
will breed a mutiny: for we are not in any prospect to command the sea for
our colliers to come, but rather, it is feared, the Dutch may go and burn
all our colliers at Newcastle, though others do say that they lie safe
enough there.
" 1667, June 26th. Such is the want already of coals, and the despair of
having any supply, by reason of the enemy's being abroad, and no fleet of
ours to secure them, that they are come this day to £5 10s. per chaldron.
" 1667, September 13th. Called up by people come to deliver in ten chaldrons
of coals, brought in one of our prizes from Newcastle. They sell at 28s. or
29s. per chaldron, but Sir William Button hath sworn that he is a cuckold
that sells under 30s., and that makes us lay up all but what we have for our
own spending which is very pleasant; for I believe we shall be glad to sell
them for less."
1667, September 10th. The Common Council of Newcastle made an order that the
custom of sending coals by way of presents to their friends in London should
thenceforth be discontinued.*
1667, December 16th. Parliament made an order that the price of coals till
the 25th of March following should not exceed 30s. per chaldron, f
1670. Heavy duties, to continue to 1687, were laid upon coal imported into
London, to rebuild St. Paul's and fifty parish churches after the great fire
in London.
1670. The Hostmen imposed a duty of Id. per chaldron on all coals cleared at
the Custom House, in order to support the men laid off work at the
collieries, which had been laid in on account of the war, a great quantity
remained on hand unsold.!
1670. About 200,000 chaldrons of coals consumed annually in England at
this period.
1671. Staith bills of Sir Thomas Liddell of this date, show that coals
were led to the Team River, and that waggon ways were in use at Ravensworth
Colliery.
1675. In the nineteenth year of Charles II. an Act was passed, entitled " An
Act for the re-building the City of London." An imposition on coals was
granted to the Corporation of London, for the purpose of repairing the
ravages of the great fire of 1666, and the tax, under one pretence or
another, has.been levied ever since.
* Brand. f Brand.
% Dunn.
195
1676. By an extract from Roger NorfWLife of Lord Keeper North, it would
appear that "His Lordship was curious to visit the coal mines in Lumley
Park, which are the greatest in the north, and produce the best coal, and
being exported at Sunderland, distinguished as of that place. These
collieries had but one drain of water drawn by two engines, one of three
stories, the other of two. All the pits for two or three miles together,
were drained into these drains. The engines were placed in the lowest
places, that there may be the less way for the water to rise; and if there
be a running stream to work the engines it is happy. Coal lies under the
stone, and they are twelve months in sinking a pit. Damps or fould air kill
insensibly; sinking another pit that the air may not stagnate is an
infallible remedy. *
" They are most affected in very hot weather. An infallible trial is by a
dog, and the candles show it. They seem to be heavy, sulphurous airs, not
fit for breath, and I have heard some say that they would sometimes lie in
the midst of a shaft and the bottom be clear.
" The flame of a candle will not kindle them so soon as the snuff, but they
have been kindled by the striking fire with a tool. The blast is mighty
violent, but men have been saved by lying flat on their bellies. When they
are by the side of a hill, they drain by a level carried a mile underground,
and cut through rock to the value of £5,000 or £6,000; where there is no
rock it is supported with timber.
"Some of the Aldermen (of Newcastle) relate strange histories of their coal
works, and one was by Sir William Blacket, who cut into a hill in order to
drain the water, and conquered all difficulties of stone and the like till
he came to clay, and that was too hard for him, for no means of timber or
walls would assist, but all was crowded together; and this was by the weight
of the hill bearing upon a clay that yielded. In this work he lost £20,000.
" Another thing that is remarkable, is their way leaves, for when men have
pieces of ground between the colliery and the river, they sell leave to lead
coals over their ground, and so dear that the owner of a rood of ground will
expect £20 per annum for this leave.
u The manner of the carriage is by laying rails of timber from the colliery
down to the river, exactly straight and parallel, and bulky carts are made
with four rowlets fitting these rails, whereby the carriage is so easy, that
one horse will draw down four or five chaldrons of coals, and is an immense
benefit to coal merchants."
At some collieries thin plates of iron were nailed upon the upper sm-fafA nf
the wood, more esneciallv round curves.
196
About this period, Sir William Petty estimated the coal-shipping' of
Newcastle at 80,000 tons.
1677. Charles II. this year granted the duty of Is. a chaldron to Charles
Lennox, Duke of Richmond, his natural son, which was purchased by
Government, in 1799, for £400,000. The following year it produced £26,889
13s.
About this date the water was drawn from Lumley, Heaton, and Jesmond
collieries by chain-pumps worked by water-wheels.
This year (1677) died George Lilburn, of Sunderland, who, as stated before,
contrived to obtain the lease of Harraton Colliery in the year 1644, which
cleared him £15 per day.
1680. At this time the cog and rung gin was in use, and the coals were drawn
up the pits by horses. For a pit forty fathoms deep, eight horses were
required every day to draw twenty-one scores (ninety tons) of coals.*
I have seen a calculation as to whether it was cheaper to draw coals from a
depth of eighty fathoms by means of horses or by an engine, f
1683. The coal-trade at " Color Coats" excited the jealousy of the
Newcastle Hostmen.
1684. In a lease of this date, from Tempest to Emmerson, a ten is
specified of 40 fothers, each fother 7| bolls = 300 bolls.!
1687, January 29th. In a lease of Greenfield Colliery, near West Auckland,
from Nl. Crewe, Bishop of Durham, the score is described to consist of
twenty-one twenty peck corves, which even at this time is, or very recently
was, the one most generally used in the coal-trade.
1687. From an indenture of lease made the 20th June, in the third year of
the reign of James II., between Nathaniel Crewe, Lord Bishop of Durham, and
Thomas Langley, ye elder, of the city of York, the following extracts are
made :—
" The bishop demises all his ' cole mynes, cole pitts, and seams of cole'
within ye parks of Eavenwood, and within all and singular ye coppyhold lands
of Eavenwood, towne, and townships, and within all and singular the
townships, hamlets, places and villages of Ramshaw, Gordon, Morley, and Toft
Hill, according to their antient moots and courts within ye barony of
Eavenwood, in the county of Durham, and within all ye coppyhold and
coppyhold lands whatsoever within ye sd barony of
* Taylor, f Warrington Smyth, in a recent lecture, stated that horses were
employed in South America in raising minerals from a depth of 200 fathoms,
t Taylor.
197
Eavenwood, together with full power and authority to break ye ground and
soyle, and digg and sinke within ye said parks, and within all and singular
the sd coppyhold and coppyhold land and premises, as well as for the digging
of so many cole pitts as shall please him, ye sd Thomas Langley, to digg and
sinke for ye winning and getting of cole there, as for drawing and conveying
away of water and styhe, etc.
" Together with all and singular liberties priviledges for carriage with
free way, liberty of passage, egresse and regresse for all manner of
persons, carts, carriages, horses, oxen, to or from those cole mynes through
all wastes, commons, demesnes, and coppyholds, belonging to the said Lord
Bishop of Durham, for carrying away of the coles.
" And that the scl Thomas Langley shall have and take sufficient and
convenient wood for the making, timbering, maintaining and upholding of the
shafts, pitts, water-gates, hovils, and lodges, as also wattels and wands
for the curves fit and necessary to be used and occupyed in and about the
cole mynes, pitt or pitts, there to be had and taken in ye woods of ye said
reverend father next adjoining to the sd cole mynes.
"To have and to hold for the longest of three lives, yielding and paying
20s. yearly for the time being, and for every pit 33s. 4d. yearly, from
which coals shall be wrought."
1690. This year Winlaton Iron Works were founded by Sir Ambrose Crowley,
Knt., and employed at one time 1,500 people. Doubtless his choice was guided
by the accessibility of coal suitable for smith purposes, and which still
retains its character. Whickham Colliery, at this period, was worked, and
employed 600 wains in leading the coals to Derwenthaugh.
1693. The Bishop of Durham let Blackburn Fell to Sir J. Clavering and Thomas
Siddell, for £40 per annum. The coals were led to Swalwell, and afterwards
by waggons to Dunston, where large staiths were erected.
1693. Waggon ways were now first introduced in the River Wear Collieries by
Thomas Allan, Esq., of Newcastle and Allan's Flat Colliery, near
Chester-le-Street.*
1695. An Act for the better admeasurement of keels and keel boats in the
port of Newcastle, received the Royal Assent.
1695. An export duty of 5s. per chaldron of thirty-six bushels, Winchester
measure, was laid upon coals sent abroad, in addition to former duties.
1698. In this year we first find mention made of shaft tubbing.f
* Hutchinson. t Taylor.
Vol. XV.-«-1866.
ce
198
1699. An order was made by the Hostmen's Company, for the payment of 4d.
each tide, by every trading- brother of the fraternity, towards the
hospital, to be stopped off every keelman.*
1700. During- the seventeenth century, a coal mine near Benwell, in
Northumberland, took fire at a candle,, and burned nearly thirty years. Its
progress was so small at first that a person offered to extinguish it for
half-a-crown, which was refused him ; but it afterwards acquired so great
strength as to spread into Fenham grounds, and burst out in the manner of a
volcano in near twenty places. It covered the furze in its way with flour of
sulphur, and cast up pieces of sal-ammoniac six inches broad, f
1700. The yearly vend of Newcastle and Sunderland at this time was 653,000
tons.
Best coals were now selling' in the port of London at from 18s. to 18s. 31.
per chaldron, out of which was deducted between 7s. and 8s. for duties and
metage.
At Newcastle, gop-d coals sold at from £4 to £4 4s. per keel of fifteen
chaldrons.
400 keels, manned by 1,500 or 1,600 keelmen, were employed at this time on
the Tyne.
1700. Total quantity of coals imported into London, 42S,000 tons. 1703.
In an undertaking of Mr. Silvertop's of this date, the ten is stated to
consist of twenty-five wagons of fifteen bolls each—375 bolls. The late Mr
Taylor remarks that the present ten appears to have been fixed towards the
middle of the last century.^
1703. It was stated to the House of Commons by the Masters of the Trinity
House, that at this period 600 ships, one with another, of the burthen of
eighty Newcastle chaldrons, employing- 4,500 men, were requisite for
carrying on the Coal-trade.
1709. A mutiny occurred among the keelmen, which continued for some weeks.
1709. At this period the depth of pits varied from twenty to sixty
fathoms.
1710. The vend from Newcastle, for some years up to this date, averaged
yearly 475,000 tons; and from Sunderland, 175,000 tons.
1710. This year, Newcomen and Crawley first rendered the steam-engine
suitable for practical application.
1710. About this time Bensham Colliery exploded, by which seventy
* Brand. f Phil. Trans. $ Taylor.
199
or eighty lives were lost. At this colliery the first attempt was made to
work the Low-main seam in the neighbourhood of Newcastle.
1710. A combination of the coalowners, formed this year to raise the price
of coals, was prohibited by 9 Ann, c. 22.
1712, January 26th. The Hostmen repealed their former order of 19th May,
1699, because the money collected in pursuance thereof had not been applied
to the purposes for which it had been originally designed, but had lately
been spent in encouraging' mutinies and disorders among the keelmen.*
17 J 3. This year the first engine, north of the Tyne, was erected at Byker
Colliery; engines had previously been erected at Oxclose and Norwood
Collieries, in the County of Durham. These were atmospheric engines, on
Newcomen's principle, having open-topped cylinders.
1715. In a suit of this date, relating to coal-mines in Evenwood Barony,
between William Palmer, Esq., and Henry Young, complainants, and Sir Eobert
Eden, Bart., and John Hodgson, defendants,
The following extracts from the Bill and Answer show what were then
considered the relative rights of the Lord of the Manor, the Bishop of
Durham, and the Copyholders.
The Bill sets forth " That the Bishops of Durham in right of their See, are
entitled to all coalmines under all copyhold lands held of them, and that
their tenants or farmers of the collieries by themselves, their workmen,
servants, or agents, time beyond memory, have enjoyed and ought to enjoy the
right to sink pits, work ye colemines and collieries under ye same, and to
lead away the coles gotten, and to do every other needful and necessary act
for the winning and working thereof, paying reasonable damages to the owners
of such lands."
In the Answer, " That the Bishops of Durham in right of their See are
entitled to all colemines. in their copyhold lands, and time beyond memory
have enjoyed and ought to enjoy the right and privilege to sink pits and
work the mines and to do every needful and necessary act thereabout, paying
reasonable satisfaction for damages, but believe copyholders in fee should
have a recompence for damage done the inheritance as well as for corn and
grass."
1718. About this time, Beighton of Newcastle, made engines self-acting.f
1718, August 18. On this date occurs the explosion at Fatfield Col-
* Brand. f Taylor.
202
Winning-s, our " Collier" states, to be about seven yards, viz., three yard
boards and four yard pillars; and goes on to say, " When the workings have
got about 200 yards on all sides from the shaft, it is time to sink
another."
He advises, " To have a good stock of coal provided against the time of
sale, which is chiefly in summer, by reason of the weather, which makes it
hazardous for ships to sail in winter on these coasts."
He evidently has no high opinion of fitters, for he describes them, as "
Those persons who live at the ports and have keels; their pretence is, to
have and get no more than 2s. 6d. per chaldron of the shipmaster for
fittidge, which, because a keel carries no more than seven chaldrons
a-piece, at Sunderland, is but 17s. 6d. per keel."
1721. Brand remarks that the steam-engine was not in common use at the
collieries in the north for drawing water. Eight or nine of Bolton and
Watt's engines were in use in the neighbourhood of Workington in Cumberland.
1725. At this period a large proportion of the coals wrought, came from
the districts west of Blaydon and Whickham, and were shipped on the river
Derwent, between where it flows into the Tyne and Swalwell. Here there were
fifty-five " keel-rooms." *
It may not be out of place to remark, that collieries in the western
districts referred to, which were supposed to be exhausted many years ago,
have recently been re-opened to work seams of coal formerly considered of
little value, but which are now, owing to the demand for coke and coal for
manufacturing purposes, of great consequence.
1726, June 27th. The copartnership deed of the celebrated Grand Allies,
viz.:—Lord Ravensworth, Lord Strathmore, and Lord Wharncliffe, originally
Col. Liddell, the Hon. Charles Montague, and Lord Strathmore bears the above
date.
* Many of these " keel-rooms " belonged to Axwell Colliery. Among the
lessors and lessees names appear, George Pitt, Esq., Sir James Clavering,
Mr. Shaftoe of Whickham, Mr. Blackiston of Durham, and Mr. Montague.
1723, March 15th. George Bowes, Esq., of Gibside, who himself had been
apprenticed for seven years to Anthony Tullie, Hostman, writing from Gibside
at this date to Mr. Gibson, apparently acting in London as his agent there,
says, " I hope I have so settled all my coal affairs in ye countrey, that my
commodity will both come clean and round to the market, and do not doubt
your diligence in giving them their deserved character. I have made great
alterations amongst my fitters, and believe very much to my advantage and to
their satisfaction. I may safely say that I have the best and honestest
fitters in Newcastle, viz.:—Mr. Scott, (father of Lords Stowell and Eldon)
Mr. Simpson, Mr. Henry Atkinson, and Selby, the latter being upon his good
behaviour.—From Pamphlet. Extracts from the Letter Book of William Scott,
203
1726. An extraordinary feature connected with the working of collieries
at this date, was the enormous number of carts and horses required to lead
their produce to the Tyne. Jesmond Colliery was said to employ upwards of
700 wains in leading its coals to the Ouseburn, and from 600 to 700 carts
were engaged in leading the produce of Benwell . and Fenham Collieries to
Scotswood Quay.
1727. This year the coalowners of Durham entered into an agreement for
seven years not to sell coals for less than lis. 6d. per chaldron.
1727. At this date Tanfield Arch, frequently called Causey Arch, was built
by Col. Liddell and the Hon. Charles Montague, the founders of the
partnership called the Grand Allies, to obtain a passage on the level for
coal waggons. The span of the arch is 103 feet, height 60 feet, and the cost
of erection £12,000. It has long been disused, and now exists
as a picturesque ruin.
1729. We here extract somewhat largely from " An Enquiry into the Ancient
and Present State of the County Palatine of Durham," printed in the year
1729. These extracts will bear principally upon the rights claimed by the
Bishop of Durham, which rights have recently been revived by the
Ecclesiastical Commissioners, the Bishop's successors, and stoutly withstood
by the surface proprietors.
" It is very remarkable that the person (John Spearman, gent., who was
deputy-register of the Court of Chancery of Durham, for forty-two years) who
composed the abridgement of the royalties of the Bishop of Durham, in the
year 1687, and had collected and examined all the records of the said County
Palatine, hath not taken any notice of the Bishops of Durham ever claiming
or enjoying the mines, within the inclosed copyhold and ancient leasehold
lands of that see, which he certainly would have done, if there had been any
evidence or records thereof.
A Bill was brought before Parliament in the year 1723, which was strongly
supported by the Bishop of Durham and his friends, to enable bishops, deans
and chapters, parsons, and others having spiritual promotions, " to make
leases of their mines, which have not been accustomably
1726, June 27th. In a viewer's report upon Butternowle Colliery of this
date, occurs the following passage relating to the engine, which appears to
have been driven by a water-wheel:—
" It is necessary to have a house over ye engine to prevent idle persons
from doing any damage to ye same, also it preserves the engine from ye
drought in summer, and by having a house there may be a fire made on in
winter, to prevent frosts which hath often hindered engines from performing
their proper use."
Some pumps recently lying near where the engine stood were merely trees
bored out.
204
letten, not exceeding- the term of twenty-one years, without taking- any
fines upon the granting- or renewing the same."
This attempt alarmed the whole nation, and a vigorous opposition was made to
it, and the following petition was presented against it:— " The humble
petition of diverse leasehold and copyhold tenants of and within the
bishoprick of Durham," sheweth among other things, " that upon perusal and
consideration of the said Bill, your petitioners do humbly conceive and are
advised that in case the said Bill should pass into law, your petitioners'
undoubted right and properties will be greatly prejudiced, if not utterly
destroyed and taken away."
The following notes and observations were made upon the Bill:— " That there
have been former attempts made by some Bishops of Durham, to destroy the
wood and timber in the bishoprick under the pretence of its being of use to
them in the working of their coal-mines."
" By this Act (as conceived) a power may be claimed to grant way-leaves, lay
waggon ways, and use other liberties within the inclosed grounds of all such
copyhold and leasehold tenants, and not only for the leading and carriage of
such coals as shall be wrought within the said tenements, but for the
carriage of coals from other places; and without making satisfaction for any
damage done therein, although they have at present no manner of right to any
such liberties or power to grant the same."
"The claim of mines under inclosed copyholds and leaseholds, is modern, and
set up within the memory of man, and as to any claim of right for laying
waggon-ways, fixing frames of timber, laying stones or rubbish upon the
soil, cutting the soil, making trenches or levels for waggon-ways, erecting
buildings or hovels for workmen upon inclosed copyholds, was never pretended
to, and indeed waggon-ways are of a modern invention."
The copyholders of all the Bishop's Manors, are copyholders in fee. A small
fine paid upon an admittance. The widow has her frank Bank, durante
viduitate et castitate, but cannot have it, if the husband does not die
seized, as if he hath surrendered to trustees, and the estate be in them at
the time of his death.
The Bishop of Durham is Lord of Copyhold Manors, viz.:—of Bondgate in
Darlington, of Bondgate in Bishop Auckland, of Cornforth, (of West Auckland,
of Evenwood, one manor), of Easington, of Wolsingham, of Whickham, of
Lanchester, of Chester-le-Street, of Houghton-le-Spring, of Sedgefield, of
Stockton, of Bed-lington, of Gateshead. In this manor, leased 1749, to Henry
Ellison, of Park House, Esq., and to Henry Thomas Carr, Esq., who died at
Durham, out of his senses, April 15th, 1770. The surrender must be presented
to the homage or it is not good.—111 p. Third Part of the "Enquiry into the
Ancient and Present State of the County Palatine of Durham," by Gilbert
Spearman. John Trotter JSrocketfs Additions and Corrections.
The whole book from which these extracts ~are made is interesting, from
showing the overgrown power of the bishops, and the flagitious use made of
it.
A case is named where a water-course, out of Sir Francis Clavering's mines
at Beckley, through Mr. Dawson's colliery at Tanfield, was charged at the
rate of £2,000. A considerable sum at that period.
1730. With regard to working pillars about this period, the late Mr.
Nicholas Wood makes the following remarks :—"I have taken some trouble to
inquire into the facts regarding this operation. I find that previous to
1730, pillars had been worked, and they were, moreover, worked as a system,
by extracting all the coal and allowing all the superstrata to fall."*
1732. Fire-lamps or furnaces in use at Fatfield Colliery.f
1738. Mr. Dunn, in his work on the Coal-trade, states that the working away
of pillars in fiery collieries was first introduced at Chaters-haugh
Colliery, on the Wear, in 1738. Previous to this time, the quantity of coal
left in pillars in fiery mines amounted to at least two-thirds.
1738. An Act passed this year empowered the Corporation of London to fix the
price of coals sold in their jurisdiction.
1738. The first cast-iron rails are supposed to have been laid down at
Whitehaven about this time.
1740. In this year the mischievous practice of screening coals was first
introduced at Willington Colliery, by Mr. Wm. Brown. The screens were first
made very narrow, but were a good deal enlarged towards the year 17704
1740. The coal in Tanfield Colliery took fire this year from a boy's
carelessness. The pit was changed into a terrible volcano, thundering out
eruptions of hot cinders of considerable weight into the open air, to an
incredible height and distance. The flames were extinguished by closing the
pits up.
1740. About this period hewers earned from Is. 6d. to Is. lOd. per day.
1740. Upon February 11th, of the above date, the principal coal fitters,
under Sir Henry Liddell, Edward Wortley, and George Bowes, Esqs.,
* Mining Institute Discussion, December 2nd, 1858.
1746. Mr. Taylor remarks that at this date, judging by a report upon Byker
Colliery, pillar working was not pursued.
f Dunn.
% A.t this date there were only fifty-nine furnaces in England, producing
17,350 tons of iron per annum.— Wood,
Vol. XV.-18G6.
d d
206
with 200 men, cut away the ice and opened a channel from below bridge to
their staiths above bridge, being nearly one and a-half miles in length, by
which keels passed to load ships.*
1744. A disturbance took place at this time with the keelmen, who
refused to work, and would not allow any keels to pass down the river, in
consequence of the fitters loading the keels with ten instead of eight
chaldrons of coals, which was the statute measure.f
1745. The twelve peck corf was commonly used at this time for the '
convenience of drawing by gins.
1745. Coals selling in London at 36s. and 38s. per chaldron.
1748. Sunderland vended this year 147,403 chaldrons. J
1749. August 28. A grant passed the Great Seal this year, to Mr. Wm.
Newton, of Burnopfield, and Mr. Thomas Stokoe, of Bryan's Leap, in the
county of Durham, both gentlemen of great experience in the coal works, for
a newly invented method of drawing coals, stones, etc., out of deep pits or
mines.§
In the year 1760, we find a rather stringent lease of Pontop Pike Colliery,
recommended by a Wm. Newton, probably the person named in the preceding
paragraph.
The term in this lease is for twenty-one years, with a certain rent of £900
per annum, and a tentale rent of 16s. Twenty bolls were to be allowed to the
wagon, and no coals were to be allowed for lessees' or workmen's firing.
1750. This year a serious riot occurred with the keelmen, who struck
work for seven weeks.
1750. The yearly vend from Newcastle and Sunderland at this
period was 1,193,467 tons. ||
1750. Total quantity imported into London, 688,700 tons.IT
1752. About 297,000 Winchester chaldrons of coals were this year
shipped in the port of Sunderland. The number of ships loaded in that
According to extracts from the letter-book of William Scott, father of Lords
Eldon and Stowell, it would appear that about this time (1745) wooden rails
and wagon-wheels were largely imported into Newcastle from Sussex and
Hampshire. The rails of oak, ash, and beech sold at from 5d. to 7d. per
yard, and the wheels, made of birch, at from 5s. to 7s. each. In a letter,
dated 8th January, 1747, Mr. Scott says, " Beech rails will not be wanted as
formerly, I mean not so many, the long wagon-ways being on the decrease."
* Local Kecords. f Local Kecords. { Dunn. § Gent.'s Mag. ||
Taylor.
^f Jevons.
207
harbour, principally with coals, were—coaster^ 3,424; foreign ports, 173
—total, 3,597.
1753. At this date the number of persons employed in and about the
coal-mines of Durham and Northumberland, were estimated at 30,000. This
calculation included the wives and children of the workmen.
1753. A machine was going at this time at Chatershaugh Colliery, invented
by Michael Menzies, Esq., by which coals were drawn by the descent of a
bucket of water, lifting a corf of about 600 lbs. weight out of a
fifty-fathom pit in two minutes.*
1754, October 14. As illustrating to some extent the habits of the pitmen
at this date, we introduce the following account of one of their weddings
from Local Records:—
At the above date, " William Weatherburn, pitman, belonging to Heaton, was
married at All Saints' Church, in Newcastle, to Elizabeth Oswald, of
Gallowgate. At the celebration of this marriage there was the greatest
concourse of people ever known on a like occasion. There were five or six
thousand at church and in the churchyard. The bride and bridegroom having
invited their friends in the country, a great number attended them to
church; and being mostly mounted double, or a man and woman upon a horse,
made a very grotesque appearance in their parade through the streets. The
women and the horses were literally covered with ribbons." There are no such
doings among the colliers now-a-days. On this occasion, doubtless, the "
poor little coal horses," as Gardner calls them, had been released from the
wains to take a part in
the pageant.
1754. According to Mr. Dunn, brick stoppings were first introduced
at Eatfield Colliery at this date.
] 755. In an estimate of this date, to work Brunton Colliery, the ten is
stated to consist of twenty-two wagons of twenty bolls each = 440 bolls. Mr.
Taylor remarks, that about this period the ten appears to have become fixed
at the above measure ; but in 1756, the succeeding year, a ten at Hartley
Colliery is stated to equal ten scores of eighteen peck corves = 450 bolls.
1756. Denton Colliery was now won by Edward Montague, Esq.
1760. About this time, Mr. Spedding, of Whitehaven, invented the steel-mill;
f he also introduced the coursing of the air through the wastes, which,
prior to this date, had not been ventilated.
* New Gentlemen's Magazine. ¦)• The steel-mill consists of a brass wheel,
about five inches in diameter, with fifty-two teeth, working a pinion with
eleven teeth ; on the axle of the latter is
208
Mr. Wood, in a discussion at the Mining Institute, stated, that previous to
this date, ventilation was by the system of shething. This appeared to
consist of building stone stoppings in every third wall.
1760. This year the moors in the townships of Hamsterley, South Bedburn,
Lynesack, and Softley, in the manor of Wolsingham, were divided ; the Bishop
of Durham, as Lord of the Manor, claiming all the mines of coal and
quarries.
1763. The earliest period at which coke ovens are mentioned. In a work,
published in 1774, a drawing is given of " nine kilns at Newcastle for
destroying sulphur, and reducing coal to cinder and coaks." 1763. Beamish
Colliery commenced working at this date. 1763. By an explosion at
Fatfield Colliery, fifteen people were killed. Upon this occasion the
first steel-mill (brought from Whitehaven) was used in this district.
1763. A Mr. Joseph Oley obtained a patent this year for a machine for
drawing coals.
1763, October 22. In a colliery bond, of this date, made between Lady
Windsor and John Simpson, alderman of Newcastle, owners of Harelaw, Pontop
Pike, Harperly, and Collierly Collieries, and their workmen there
are several noteworthy particulars, and certainly some conditions and
restrictions much more severe than many complained of by the pitmen in the
present bonds : as, " The parties hired shall continue at work, without
striking, combining, or absenting themselves; shall deliver one corf of
coals gratis every pay, or fourteen days; shall be fined one shilling for
every corf sent to bank less than wood full, and shall be immediately drawn
to bank, if the banksmen call him, and shall deliver one corf of coal gratis
for every corf of coals set out; and for the true performance of all and
singular these conditions, the hewers, drivers of sledge horses, drivers of
gin horses, onsetters, and bankmen, bind themselves severally and
respectively, their and each of their several and respective heirs and
assigns, in the penal sum of £18."
To this bond, which is stamped, is attached the names of 110 hewers and
fifty-five drivers, all opposite to seals. As now, very few of these parties
appear to have signed their own names. The period of binding commenced on
the 3rd of December. Sixpence each appears to have
fixed a thin steel wheel, from five to six inches in diameter. The wheels
are fixed in a light frame of iron, which is suspended by a leathern belt
round the neck of the person who plays the mill. Great velocity is given to
the steel wheel by turning the handle of the toothed wheel, and the sharp
edge of a flint applied to the circumference of the steel immediately
elicits an abundance of sparks, and emits a considerable light.— Greenwell.
209
been the hiring money. Two seams were working at these collieries at this
time, the Second or Hard coal, and the Hutton.
1764. This year 3727 vessels cleared from the Tyne to the coast, and 365
to foreign parts, all coal laden.
1765, March 19th. An improved engine was at this time erected at Hartley
Colliery, by Thomas Delaval, Esq., for drawing coals by fire ; by it coals
were drawn out of the mine at the rate of a corf a minute. This was the
second machine which had been erected at this colliery, and was of so simple
a construction, that the whole worked upon two axletrees of about five feet
long. The first engine was erected October 12th, 1763, and was looked upon
as the greatest improvement in the Coal-trade since the fire (pumping)
engine.*
1765. Down to this period two wooden and two cast-iron wheels were mostly in
use for the wagons, the wooden ones being retained for the application of
the brake.f
1765. In the month of October this year the pitmen returned to work after a
strike of several weeks. The difference between the pitmen and the
coalowners was, that most of the pitmen were bound the latter end ot August
and the remainder the beginning of September, and the coalowners would not
free them until the 11th of November, making their term of servitude upwards
of fourteen months.
1765, November 27th. At this date Long Benton street opened and closed again
from end to end, and some fields sunk about two feet, occasioned by the
colliery at Long Benton having been wrought entirely out. The coal pillars
had been worked away, and slight wooden ones fixed in their stead, which not
being sufficient to support the rock, the whole sunk together.X
Mr. Nicholas Wood, in a discussion upon pillar-working, at a meeting of the
Mining Institute, in November, 1860, referred to Benton Colliery, and
stated—" I have reports as far back as 1740 or 1750, and upwards, as to the
mode of taking away the pillars, and have travelled in the Old Benton waste
where large districts of pillars have been worked entirely
away.
"Benton Colliery was abandoned sometime before 1765, so that before that
period there must have been a very extensive system of taking away pillars.
If you enquire of old people, they say it was the practice to leave
* Gilhespy's Collection. f Taylor. % Local Eecords.
210
pillars till they got to the extremity, and then they came back and took
them away. The records of the very old collieries show that it was the
practice to take away pillars."
Mr. Wood further remarks upon this subject, in December, 1858 :— " My
experience, derived from examining- old workings of several collieries,
would show that, generally a much larger proportion of coal was taken away
(than one-third). My notion is, that the principle laid down, was only to
leave the ' pillars of sufficient size to support the superincumbent strata,
the intention having been, in the very early period of working coal, to
support the superincumbent strata, and to leave pillars only just sufficient
to accomplish this, and in some cases mere shells of coal appear to have
been left over large areas of workings "
1766. Coal was this year won at West Denton, and considered equal in quality
to Long Benton coal, which was then worked out.
1768, June 14th. Tanfield Moor Colliery, the property of the Earl of Kerry,
was won, the coals being shipped at Derwenthaugh.
1769. William Brown, of Throckley, a viewer, at this date, enumerates
upwards of ninety fire-engines in the Northern Coal-field, including
Cumberland. Of these Tynemouth Moor and Benwell Collieries' engines had each
cylinders of seventy-five inches in diameter.— Old MS.
1769. Arthur Young, in his tour through the northern counties, in the
year 1769, remarks that "The people employed in the coal mines are
prodigiously numerous, amounting to many thousands, the earnings of the men
are from Is. to 4s. a day and their firing, The coal waggon roads, from the
pits to the water, are great works, carried over all sorts of inequalities
of ground, so far as the distance of nine or ten miles. The track of the
wheels are marked with pieces of timber, let into the road, for the wheels
of the waggons to run on, by which means one horse is enabled to draw, and
that with ease, fifty or sixty bushels of coals." He further remarks, " That
Crowley's works used annually 7,000 bolls of coals."
1770. About this period a remarkable undertaking was completed by
Christopher Bedlington, an eminent viewer of that day. It was the driving of
an underground drift from the Tyne, near Scotswood Bridge, to Old Kenton
Colliery, a distance of nearly two miles, with the intention, not only of
winning the colliery, but bringing the coals by it to the river. It was
found, in a great measure, to be ineffective, as it only cut
211
the rise part of the colliery. It is now known as " Kitty's Drift," and
drains Denton and other colliery workings.
1770. It is reported that only twenty-one collieries were working at this
period. About this time the width of the screens was considerably enlarged.
1771. The first regulation of the Coal-trade took place this year, fixing
the price of coals on board ship at 12s. and 15s. per Newcastle chaldron.
The original basis for the coal-trade, as apportioned between the two
rivers, was :—For the Tyne, 886,000 chaldrons, or about three-fifths; for
the Wear, 254,000 chaldrons, or about two-fifths; total, 640,000 chal>
dsons; issues for the year, 890 per 1,000.
1771. Upon the 17th of November, in this year, occurred the great floods. By
them, Wylam (to the extent of 300 acres),, North Biddick, Chatershaugh, and
Low Lambton Collieries, were inundated.*
1771. According to Jevons, the average shipping price of Newcastle coals
was, this year, 5s. 4d. per ton.
1772. The only best coal colliery working below Newcastle Bridge at this
period was Walker.
1772. Elvet Moor, near Durham, was divided, the mines being-reserved by the
Dean and Chapter of Durham, as Lords of the Manor.
1772. 5,585 ships sailed from the port of Newcastle this year, laden
with 330,200 tons of coals, showing a large increase over 1764, when only
4,092 were loaded.
1773. Witton and North Bedburn Moors Division-Act was passed, the Bishop
of Durham, as Lord of the Manor of Wolsingham, retaining the mines and
minerals.
1773. To a report upon South Birtley Colliery, dated August 17th, 18th, and
31st, 1773, no less than ten viewers attached their names, viz. :
—Christopher Bedlington, Peter Donnison, Thomas Bedlington, Anthony Waters,
John Bedlington, Edward Smith, John Daglish, John Donnison, John Allison,
and William Gibson. They state that they have examined the condition of
seventeen pits, which, however, do not appear to have had more than thirty
acres each of royalty attached. Some districts they speak of as having been
wrought in both the whole mine and pillars.
* It was estimated that there were 1,728,000 hogsheads of water in the
several seams of coal in Wylam Colliery.
1775. Scotch colliers, until this date, were accounted adsoripti glebm, and
were sold, with their wives and families, with the property, as part and
parcel thereof. An Act was passed this year which declared that colliers and
salters were no longer to be transferred with the collieries and salt works.
212
1775, November 2nd. Wellington Colliery, near Howdon Pans, was won at this
time by Messrs. Bell and Brown.*
1776. An underground engine for the purpose of working lying sets of
pumps, was at this period in use at a colliery eighty fathoms deep, at
Whitehaven, in Cumberland.!
1776. From Custom House returns, upon an average of six years, 380,000
Newcastle chaldrons were shipped from the Tyne, 260,000 of
which went to London.
1777. In this year Mr. Carr, of Sheffield, introduced iron rails
underground, and so superseded sledges; he also invented the flat-rope,
which however, from want of suitable machinery, was not brought into use at
that time.
1778. November 6th. A newly invented machine for drawing coals by water was
set agoing at this time, at Willington Colliery, on the Tyne; its
performance exceeded the most sanguine expectations, uniformly drawing
thirty corves of twenty pecks each in a hour, from an depth of 101
fathoms.^
1778. About this time, or perhaps rather later, low-pressure steam
engines, of a very rude construction, were erected at Chopwell Colliery, and
at the Stella Grand Lease or Townley A Pit, for the purpose of pumping water
from large ponds, constructed for the purpose, to a cistern fifty-two feet
high; and was then made to turn a wheel, with ropes, drums, and a brake, by
which the brakesman could draw the men as well as the coals up the shaft.
These two engines were put up by the late Mr. James Hall, of Greenside; they
were the last employed in this manner in the North of England, one being
abandoned in 1800, and the other in 1808.—Fordyce.
1779, April 30. Felling Colliery was won this year by Charles
Brandling, Esq.
1779, July 10. Mr. Smeeton, speaking of engines at this date, says— " That
of four chaldrons of coals consumed in the fire-engine in the year 1772, his
improvements upon Newcomen reduced them to two, and the new principles of
Messrs. Bolton and Watt have reduced them to one." A picture of the
water-engine will be found in the late Mr. T. J. Taylor's Archaeology of the
Coal-trade.
1779, September 20. This day the first coals were led from Wald-ridge Fell
Colliery, the property of William Jolliffe, Esq., to be shipped at Fatfield
Staith.
* Local Records, f Fossil fuel. $ Local Records.
213
1781, June 9. The birthday of the ^Mebrated George Stephenson, who was born
in a labourer's cottage at Wylam.
1782. Fire-engines were this year erected at Killingworth Moor and
Walker Collieries, by the use of which a considerable number of horses were
rendered unnecessary.
1784. The Wear vend this year was 244,485 chaldrons, of which the Lambton
Collieries furnished 41,247, and the Tempest 31,000 chaldrons.
1785, May 9. Upon this day a man lost his life at Wallsend Colliery by an
explosion. This was the first explosion which was distinctly known to have
taken place by the use of the steel-mill. Some doubt existed up to this time
as to whether the fire-damp would explode by the spark of the steel-mill or
not, but the fact was clearly ascertained on this occasion, as the person,
John Selkirk, who was si playing " the mill, survived the accident.*
1787. Brand gives a list of twenty-nine collieries on the Tyne at this date,
the deepest of which was Wallsend, being 105 fathoms.
1790. The number of keels on the Tyne at this period were 338 ; and on the
Wear 412.f.
1790. About this time, Mr. Dunn remarks, " The principal scene of
operations of the trade had greatly changed. The collieries delivering at
Derwenthaugh had mainly declined, as well as those at Throckley, Team,
Dunston, etc."
1791. As before remarked, colliery bonds up to this period contained
much more severe clauses than those of the present day. In one of West
Rainton Colliery, dated 1791, the fine for any fault in driving boards or
headings, was 3s. Considerable fines were exacted for foul coal or splint
sent to bank.
The workmen were only allowed ten fothers of fire coal yearly, for which
they paid 8d. per load.
1792. Mr. McNab, at this date, estimated the number of persons employed
in and about the Tyne collieries, including their families dependent on
them, at 38,475; and on the Wear, 26,250; total, 64,725. And the capital
employed in the collieries at £1,030,000 ; and in shipping, £1,400,000.
1792. This year the winning of Hebburn Colliery commenced. Owing to the
quantity of water met with, it was considered the most difficult up to this
time attempted.
1794. Malleable iron rails were partially laid down at Walbottle
* Local papers. f Dunn.
Vol. XV.—1866.
£ E
214
Colliery, they were plain bars of an oblong1 section, the narrow edge, not
more than three-quarters of an inch wide, being presented for the wheels to
run upon.*
1794. Average shipping price of Newcastle coals 7s. 6d. per ton.f
1795. Up to this period, the pillars of the deep collieries below
Newcastle bridge were given up as lost; but the robbing of them was now
introduced by the late Mr. Thomas Barnes, of Walker Colliery, viz , taking
away to the extent of one-fourth of what remained, one-half of every
alternate pillar. This plan having proved successful, was speedily adopted
at the Bigge's Main and Wallsend Collieries. Mr. Barnes also introduced at
this time cast iron tubbing at Walker Colliery, consisting of circular rims
the size of the shaft.t
1796. This year Mr. Buddie adopted segments (4 feet by 2 feet) fastened
together by screw bolts, in sinking Percy Main New Pit. §
1796. Previous to this date two descriptions of wood tubbing were used, the
one called plank tubbing, and the other solid tubbing. As might be supposed,
the latter was much the superior in strength, besides requiring neither
spikes nor planks. Mr. Dunn states, in his work upon the " Winning and
Working of Coal Mines," that tubbing of the latter description will sustain
a pressure of fifty fathoms.
Plank tubbing was the spiking of two and a-half or three-inch planks
(properly dressed to the sweep of the pit) to cribs of six or eight inches
square, placed at intervals of two or three feet. With this description of
tubbing was effected the winning- of Hebburn, Jarrow, and South Shields
Collieries.
1796. The following curious charge (significant of the times) appears in
a pay-bill of Pontop Pike Colliery of this date. " The overseers of the poor
of Kyo Township. An additional assessment upon the pits sunk therein for the
purpose of hiring a man for the navy. Rental £410 at 3d. = £5 2s. 6d."
1797. A paper, entitled "Hints for establishing an office in Newcastle
for collecting and recording authentic information relative to the state of
the collieries in its neighbourhood," was read before the Literary and
Philosophical Society, by William Thomas, Esq., of Denton.
1797. At this date Mr. Barnes introduced the first self-acting incline-plane
at Benwell Colliery.
1797. Mr. Taylor remarks that there were still numerous water-
* Taylor. f Jevons. £ Dunn. § Taylor.
215
¦ wheels with rope-rolls on the same axle at this period at work in the coal
districts of Durham and Northumberland.
1798. The quantity of coals cleared this year from Newcastle was coastwise
395,960 chaldrons; foreign 44,460 chaldrons; total 410,420 chaldrons.
1798. At this time the coals from Pontop Pike Colliery were led to
Derwenthaugh by horses, costing from 2s. 2d. to 2s. 6d. per waggon. It was
customary for the tenants of the coalowners to find horses, according to
agreement, to lead the coals.
1798. Lighting by gas, destined so greatly to influence the coal trade,
was at this period introduced at Bolton and Watts', Soho Works.
1799. At this date there were only forty-one collieries, and the number
of keels employed on the Tyne was 319; on the Wear, 520.*
1799. Percy Main Colliery won to the Bensham Seam, at a depth of 160
fathoms, being at this time the deepest that had been sunk. The sand was
passed, and the water dammed back, by a cast-iron tub, the first used in the
coal-trade for sinking through quicksands.
1800. The price of coals on the Tyne was 20s. 6d., on board ship,
including all charges, 26s. 5d. per chaldron; on the Wear, 18s., on board
ship 25s. 9d. per chaldron.
In the above year, the " Richmond Shilling" was purchased by Government for
an annuity of £19,000 per annum.
Coke ovens at this period were in existence on the outcrops of the Brockwell
Seam, at Cockfield, Woodland, and Old Woodifield, in the county of Durham;
but the ordinary way of burning coke was in the open air, in what were
called " cinder rows."
1800. In a Parliamentary Committee of this date, appointed to enquire into
the alleged high price of coals, and the existence and effect of the coal
regulation, the late Mr. Nathaniel Clayton, the Town Clerk, was examined as
to the profits of the coalowners, when he gave evidence to the following
effect:—" I have possessed the means, and have had frequent opportunities of
adventuring in speculations of that nature. I have ever declined doing so,
upon the principle that the average profits resulting from these adventures
were inadequate to the employment of so much capital as they required, and
to the risk attending them." Among others who gave evidence before this
committee were Messrs. Charles Brandling, John Martindale, and Thomas Ismay;
the latter of whom stated that rye was the chief bread of the pitmen, the
market
* Taylor.
216
price of which was then lis. per bushel, but was sold to them by the
coalowners at 5s. per bushel. No effectual legislation resulted from the
labours of this committee.
1800. This year the late William Chapman took out a patent for the " drop,"
now universally used in shipping coals. It was not, however, brought into
use until applied by Benjamin Thompson, at Wallsend Staith, in 1810.
1800. Garesfield Colliery commenced working.
1800. The first employment of self-acting inclined planes underground was
this year introduced by Mr. James Hall, at Townley Colliery.*
1800. Total quantity of coals imported into London, 1,099,000 tons.
1800. Tanfield Moor Act passed for allotting and enclosing; the Marquis
of Bute, the Marquis of Hertford, and the Earl of Windsor being entitled to
the mines and minerals, except the coal; and William Morton Pitt, Esq.,
being entitled to the collieries and coal-mines; and Sir John Eden, as Lord
of the Manor, claiming the waifs and estrays.
1801. Eramwellgate and Charlaw Moors Enclosure Act passed; the Bishop of
Durham's rights, as Lord of the Manors of Chester and Lanchester, to work
mines, lay waggon ways, erect engines, etc., being reserved, upon paying
suitable damages.
1801, Average shipping- price of Newcastle coals, 10s. 6d. per ton.f
1802, September 3. Percy Main Colliery commenced shipping coals.
1803, September 28. Jarrow Colliery commenced shipping coals.
1803. December 16. Robert Stephenson born at Willington Quay.
1804. Before this date, two or three guineas per hewer had been given as
binding money; but this year, owing to the extraordinary demand for coals,
from twelve to fourteen guineas were given per man on the Tyne, and eighteen
guineas per man on the Wear, besides increasing the rate of wages thirty or
forty per cent. J
1805. Mr. Carr, of Sheffield, applied fixed engine power on a railway
leading from Birtley over the Black Fell.
1805. Coast vend this year, 2,426,616 tons; oversea vend, 147,146 tons;
total, 2,573,762 tons. Of this quantity, London took about 1,350,000 tons.§
1805, October. An address to the owners and agents of coal-mines, on
destroying the fire- and choke-damp, was published by Thomas Trotter, M.D.,
of Newcastle.
* Fordyce. f Jevons' Coal Question. % Dunn. §
Taylor.
217
1806. Willington Colliery on the Tyne commenced about this year.
1808. IFpon Wylam wagon-way, one of the oldest in the North of England,
the wooden way was replaced by cast-iron.
1809. Pannel working in pits introduced by Mr. Buddie.
" 1809. The Rooms, Newcastle, September 30. At a general meeting of
coalowners, holden here this day (Mr. Chapman in the chair) :—
" 1st, Resolved—That this meeting think it expedient to change the time of
binding to the 21st January, and that the men shall be bound, at the ensuing
binding, for three months only, viz., from the day on which their present
bonds expire, to the 21st January next, and that the binding be opened on
Saturday, the 7th October next.
" 2nd, That the binding money shall be, for the above period :—
Tyne. Wear.
For the hewer, being a householder.....;...£0 5 0 ... £0 10
6
Ditto, a single man .................. 0 8 0 ...
0 13 6
Hewer Driver....................................... 0 4 0 ...
0 8 0
Driver .............................................. 0 3 0 ...
0 5 6
A Tram ........................................... 0 16 0 ...
110
The wages of drivers to remain as at present, viz., Is. lOd. per day on the
Tyne, and 2s. on the Wear; the drivers on the Tyne to work fourteen hours to
the shift or day's work, in single shift pits, unless the coals can be
filled and put out in a shorter time. And that the above sums shall not, on
any pretence, be exceeded; nor shall anything in lieu of money be given to
the parties employed, directly or indirectly, or to any of their families or
connexions. No binding money to be given to any off-handmen, bankmen, or
horsekeepers, nor flannels allowed to bankmen or horsekeepers; and where
cows or Galloways are fed by the owners, a full and fair price to be paid by
the workmen for the same.
" 3rd, That the binding shall take place at each respective colliery office,
or other usual place of binding-, and nowhere else; and that no treat nor
drink be given, except the usual allowance of liquor, which shall be given
at the colliery office, or usual place of binding, and on the days of
binding only.
" 4th, That no person, of any description, shall be sent from one colliery
to another, to tamper with, or hire the men of such other colliery.
" 5th, That in case the workmen refuse or decline to be bound for the space
of a week after the expiration of their present engagement, and after that
time continue to be unbound, such men so remaining unhired, shall not be
employed either by their late masters, or any other nronrietors of
collieries, so lon&- as they remain unbound.
218
" 6th, That the penalty for lying- idle upon each hewer, deputy, craneman,
onsetter, sinker, driver, or off-handman, shall be 2s. 6d per day for lying-
idle, and 10s. 6d. for misdemeanours. The amount of such penalty to be left
to the discretion of the principal viewer or agent.
" Twenty-four men only must be bound to Garesfield, in the first instance;
and progress must be reported to the committee, at my office, on Tuesday
next, the 10th insfc., at 11 o'clock, stating- the number of men bound, as
also the number remaining* unbound on each colliery. Oct. 3, 1809.—JNO.
BUDDLE.—Pontop, 43 men."—MS.
1810, March 15. At this date, a self-acting- plane, 1600 yards in leng-th,
was opened from Bewicke Main to the Tyne. It conveyed fifty wag'ons an hour,
at a speed of ten miles an hour.
1810, April 23. Manor Wallsend Colliery, the property of Simon Temple, Esq.,
shipped its first coals.
1810, June 1. The bill for regulating- the loading- of sbips with coals in
the port of Newcastle-on-Tyne came into force at this date.
1810. The following paragraph appeared in the Tyne Mercury, June 12th, 1810
:—"The night office lately established here for taking on ships to load
coals, presented a very singular scene of confusion on Sunday nig-ht. With a
tender and pious reg-ard for the souls of these sacrilegious men called
coal-fitters, who were in the habit of walking- the quay all the Lord's-day,
neglecting- all religious duties • intent, like the barbers of former times,
on notbing- but the gain of filthy lucre, in pursuit of which they were
often tempted by the devil to break all the commandments in the decalogue,
the framers of the late Coal Bill enacted, that in future no business should
be done until twelve o'clock on Sunday night, and that then ships should be
taken on by two men appointed by the Commissioners of the Act to attend this
office.
"It is now, therefore, decreed as of old, 'That in six days the fitters
shall do all that they have to do, but on the seventh day shall rest from
their labours.' In conformity with these wholesome regulations, this office
was opened on Sunday night at twelve o'clock. Through the day an immense
number of vessels came into Shields, which made the number of applicants at
the office in the course of the night very numerous. About eleven o'clock
the crowd of captains became very great, which soon occasioned, when the
office opened, much wrangling- about the turns • and as they are in general
men who have not the ' fear of God before their eyes,' they began abusing
the attendants, and though one of them was actually a Bishop, they
absolutely, in defiance of all order
219
- *. and decency, uttered the most horrid imprecations in his sacred
presence;
and in the end, to such a height did their impious rage proceed, that they
broke his mitre (alias his desk) over his head ; and from all appearance,
the Pope himself, had he been present, would have been treated with as
little ceremony. This Reverend Prelate, seeing his authority thus scorned
and set at naught, though 'slow to anger,' could not forbear making use of
the power lodged in his hand for the support of his authority against such
blasphemous intruders. He, therefore, excommunicated and anathematized the
whole crew of offenders; and though not in such detail (for he had not time)
as the form set forth in " Tristram Shandy," it was fully as comprehensive,
and must have had an equal effect, being delivered in the most impressive
style. We have not heard that any of the agents of the Vice Society have
taken any steps in this business • but certainly neither they nor the
Reverend Bench will suffer such a daring outrage upon religion and social
order to pass unnoticed."
This humorous paragraph, doubtless, described a scene of frequent
occurrence. James Bishop was the name of one of the clerks.
1810. According to Mr. Wilson, from whose notes to the "Pitman's Pay" and
other pieces, these extracts are made, the sailors riding for their "turns"
(to Newcastle before railway times) was perhaps one of the most laughable
scenes that can well be imagined. The poor hacks had a sorry time of it when
they had such customers on their backs ; and when a large fleet arrived, it
was not unusual to see these miserable animals appear on the quay two or
three times from Shields during the day.
Both the rider and his steed were often pictures of real distress • so much
so, that when some one was astonishing Bold Archy with an account of the
transmigration of souls after death, he replied—"That was very queer • but I
don't care what shape I appear in next, provided it is not that of a Shields
hack."
" The yen airm gannin' like a flail, The tother bizzy steerin', (But whether
by the heed or tail, The course was oft a queer un.)"
The Captains and the Quayside.
Any one anxious to acquaint himself with the Doric of Tyneside, or the
pitman's dialect, cannot do better than read the late Mr. Wilson's "
Pitman's Pay" and other pieces, all admirable in their way.
1810, October 18. The pitmen struck work in consequence of the
220
masters wishing- to bind them from the 18th October (the usual binding-day)
for a jear and a-quarter, or up to the latter end of December. Great numbers
of pitmen were imprisoned, and the old Gaol of Durham
was so full, that 300 of them had to be confined in the Bishop's stables.
By the intervention of the JRev. Mr. JYeshfield, the differences between
the masters and the pitmen were accommodated, and from this time the
binding- day was fixed on the 5th of April.
1810. Mr. Bailey, in his Agricultural Survey of Durham, of this
date, remarks that there were sixty-nine collieries in that county, viz.:—
Tons. Men.
35 Landsale...l2 in the Tyne and Wear district, producing 59,360 and
employing 74 23 „ Tees „ „
146,552 „ 308
35 „ Total Landsale Tons.........205,912 „
382
34 Watersale (River and Seasale)...........................1,866,200
„ 7011
69 Collieries.
Total...........................2,702,112 „ 7393
He estimates the number of pitmen employed in Durham and Northumberland at
about 10,000, and the produce of the pits in chaldrons of thirty-six
Winchester bushels of twenty-eight cwts. each.
Speaking of the wagon-ways, he says that a new way, including-timber,
levelling, gravelling-, and workmanship, will cost about 5s. per yard, or
£440 per mile.
He also remarks, that the coals in the western part of the county are of the
best quality, and leave the least quantity of ashes, especially those of
Railey Fell, Witton Park, Bitchburn, West Pits, Lonton Hill, and Copley
Bent.*
1810. The coast vend for this year was 2,783,404 tons j the oversea vend
for the same period was 50,922 tons—total, 2,834,326 tons, f
1811. Burdon Main Colliery commenced working' this year. Coals,
however, had been worked here during the last century.
1811, May. The High-main coal-seam won at Fawdon Colliery.
1811. Average shipping price of Newcastle coals, 13s. per ton.
1812. In the winter of this year (Napoleon's winter) £6 6's. per
chaldron was paid for coals in the suburbs of London.
1812. At this period, and for some time after, it was the g-eneral custom
on the Wear to sheth the waste and not to course it. t
* All these collieries produce excellent coking coal, t Jevons.
J Mr. Barkus, sen., at Mining Institute discussion, December, 1858.
m
1813, March 13. Mr. William Hedley, viewer to Mr. Blackett, of Wylam, took
out a patent for a locomotive engine, which succeeded so well as to draw
eight loaded wagons at the rate of four or five miles an hour, and
completely superseded the use of horses. It would thus appear that to Mr.
Hedley belongs the honour of first making the locomotive engine of practical
use. This engine has been in constant use until recently, when it was
removed to the Patent Museum at Kensington.
1813, July 27. This day Stephenson's engine was placed upon the
Killing-worth Colliery Railway, and on an ascending- gradient of 1 in 450 it
drew eight loaded wagons of thirty tons weight, at the rate of four miles
per hour. By the application of the steam blast the power of the engine was
doubled.
1813, September 2. One of Blenkinsopp's engines was placed upon the Kenton
and Coxlodge Railway; it drew sixteen loaded chaldron wagons (a weight of
about seventy tons) about three miles per hour. The boiler of the engine
shortly blew away, and was not replaced.
1813, October 18. The late Mr. Buddie addressed Sir Ralph Mil-bank, Bart.,.
President of the " Society for Preventing Accidents in Coal-mines," which
had been established on the 1st of this month, and described an air-pump
able to draw 8,000 cubic feet, or 778 hogsheads, of air through the mine per
minute; or, allowing one-fourth off for inaccuracy of piston, valves, etc.,
584 hogsheads per minute. It, however, might be increased at pleasure.
Mr. Buddie goes on to say, "The exhausting-pump has always been found
preferable to the forcing-pump; " and also, " Although the inflammable air
has frequently fired at the sparks of the steel-mill, it only happens, from
all the facts which I have been able to collect, when the mills are played
near the place where the hydrogen gas is discharged."
'' The standard air-courses in the collieries under my care are from thirty
to forty feet area. The air moves with a velocity of three feet per second,
which equals from 5,400 to 7,200 cubic feet per minute," etc.
" In concluding this letter, I beg the indulgence of observing that as
colliers are exposed to many accidents beside fire, it may not, perhaps, be
deemed improper to combine, with the objects of this society, the formation
of a general permanent fund, for the relief of the widows and orphans of
such colliers and others as may lose their lives in the collieries on the
Tyne and Wear, and for the support of such as are maimed and disabled.
" On an average, through this district, I believe that the ordinary Vol.
XV.—1866.
f f
222
and unavoidable casualties in collieries occasion more calamity than
explosions of inflammable air. Should the society think proper to turn its
attention to this suggestion, I shall have much pleasure in submitting the
outline of a plan for its accomplishment to the committee, the basis of
which is, to raise the fund principally by a proportionate contribution on
the earnings of the workmen, to be aided by a subscription from the coal-
and landowners of Durham and Northumberland."
1814, September 13. We here insert part of an address of this date to the
proprietors of collieries, by John Bedlington, colliery viewer, Sheriff Hill
Colliery.
" I now beg leave to revert to the lack of attention in those viewers who
are said to inspect two or more (even to the number of six) collieries; any
one of which requires their sole and not divided attention, as they seldom,
if ever, from observation, know the actual state of any one of them. The
information they possess is chiefly from the reports of their under-viewers,
and in many collieries they are very worthy, intelligent men; but why are
they consigned to that situation, when it would be more to your interest
were no such men as upper-viewers known ? I am convinced, to have a resident
sole viewer of ability, unshackled by those whose knowledge of the colliery
must be greatly inferior to his own, is the first step towards a total
emancipation from the chaos in which the management of collieries seems to
be enveloped."
Mr. John Bedlington appears to have been a member of a family, several of
whom, judging from old reports, seem to have been extensively engaged as
colliery viewers.
1815, February 28. Stephenson took out a patent for an improved locomotive
engine.
1815, August. Stephenson requested Mr. Nicholas Wood to prepare a drawing of
a lamp according to a description he gave him.
1815, August 28th. Upon this day Sir Humphrey Davy visited the collieries
near Newcastle to investigate the nature of the gases produced in them.
1815, October 16, and again on November 20. The first safety-lamp, invented
by Dr. William Reid Clanny, of Sunderland, was tried in the Herrington Mill
Pit in the county of Durham, in an inflammable atmosphere; though
successful, it was found too unyieldy for use.
From 1810 to 1814 inclusive, the duty on round coals exported to foreign
parts mounted to 25s. 2d. per Newcastle chaldron.
223
1815, October 19. Upon this date, Sir H. Davy writes—"I have already
discovered that explosive mixtures of mine-damp will not pass through small
apertures or tubes; and that if a lamp or lanthorn be made air-tight on the
sides, and furnished with apertures to admit the air, it will not
communicate flame to the outward atmosphere."
1815, October 21. Stephenson's lamp,* with one tube to admit air, tried at a
blower in Killingworth Pit, and found to burn well.
1815, October 25. Sir H. Davy announced his discoveries to the Chemical Club
of London, and describes a lamp on the principle of tubes above and below.
1815, November 4. Another lamp of Stephenson's, with three capillary tubes
to admit air, tried and found to burn considerably better than the previous
one.
1815, November 9. Sir H. Davy read his celebrated paper on firedamp before
the Royal Society of London.
1815, November 24. Stephenson's third lamp was completed this day and tested
on the 30th.
1815, November 30. Stephenson's third lamp, in which the air was admitted by
means of a double row of small perforations, was tried in the mine, and
found to be perfectly safe and burn extremely well.
1815, December 5. Stephenson's third lamp was tried with inflammable air
before the Literary and Philosophical Society of Newcastle.
From the above it is difficult to say whether George Stephenson or Sir H.
Davy had the priority in the invention of the safety-lamp; probably, as
frequently happens with important discoveries, the same subject had been
occupying the minds of these great men at the same time, and simultaneously
they arrived at the same conclusion.
1815. In the course of this year coal screens were reduced from five-eighths
and half-an-inch to three-eighths' inch-spaces between the bars, and Mr.
Benjamin Thompson introduced malleable iron rails down the Ouston Pit.
1815. According to Mr. Barkus, senior, "split air" was first introduced this
year by the late Mr. Hill, at Felling Colliery.
1815. The coast vend this year was 2,717,509 tons; oversea, 159,174
tons—total, 2,876,683 tons.
1815. Mr. Wm. Chapman, C.E., this year read an essay to the
* This lamp was a month at least in making, owing to the necessity of having
the glass made and well tempered before the lamps could be begun to be made.
Literary and Philosophical Society—" Observations on the Necessity of
adopting Legislative Measures to diminish the probability of the recurrence
of Fatal Accidents in Collieries, and to prolong the Duration of the
Coal-mines of the United Kingdom."
In this essay, he stated that the following collieries shipping below bridge
have been wrought out* since Mr. Thomas's paper in 1797 :—
Walker—High Main Seam, wrought out.
St. Anthony's—High Main, wrought out ; Low Main Seam, relinquished.
Lawson's Main—Low Main Seam, relinquished.
Felling—High Main Seam, wrought out.
Gateshead Park—High Main Seam, wrought out.
Flatworth—High Main Seam, wrought out.
Bigge's Main—High Main Seam, wrought out.
Long Benton—High Main Seam, wrought out.
Kenton—High Main Seam, relinquished.
To the westward of Newcastle, Baker's Main, Throckley, and Heddon Hill had
ceased to work.
At this period (1815), Mr. Chapman estimated the annual consumption of pit
coal at 13,040,000 tons, and remarks, " According to the above estimate,
which I conceive in some parts to be underrated more than sufficiently to
compensate for any error on the opposite side, the annual consumption of
Great Britain will amount to the enormous quantity of thirteen millions of
tons of coals, exclusive of the waste, which is beyond all reasonable
comprehension, and can only be restrained by legislative authority; which
may, I conceive, be so exerted as to produce beneficial results, not only to
the future, but to the present times."
1816, January 1. The first safety-lamp, invented by Sir H. Davy, was brought
into use at Hebburn Colliery. This lamp is said to be preserved in the
Museum of Practical Geology, in Jermyn Street. The following extract from
the "Book of Days," showing Sir H. Davy's disinterested conduct, when urged
to remunerate himself for his valuable invention, merits insertion:—" Mr.
Buddie advised Sir Humphrey to take out a patent for his invention, which he
was certain would realise £5,000 to £10,000 a-year. But Davy would have none
of this; he did not want to be paid for saving miners' lives. < It might,'
he replied, ' undoubtedly enable me to put four horses to my carriage; but
what
* Many of the above collieries have since been re-opened and extensively
worked, thus illustrating an old saying, " That the Coal-trade is often sick
but never dies."
225
could it avail me to have it said that Sir Humphrey drives his carriage and
four ?'"
1816. The Gillegate, or Gilesgate Moor, near Durham, Enclosure Act,
received the Royal Assent, the Right Hon. Lady Frances Anne Vane Tempest,
afterwards Marchioness of Londonderry, as Lady of the Manor, being entitled
to the mines and minerals.
1817, October 11. The committee of the Coal-trade presented Sir H. Davy
with a service of plate, valued at £2,000, for his invaluable discovery of
the Davy-lamp.
As the opinions of competent witnesses upon the safety and utility of the
Davy-lamp are important and interesting, a letter, written by the late Mr.
Buddie, upon the subject, in August, 1831, is here inserted, followed by
some evidence bearing on the same point, given by Messrs. T. J. Taylor and
Mr. Darlington, in more recent years. Mr. Buddie writes as follows :—" If
the Davy-lamp was exclusively used, and due care taken in its management, it
is certain that few accidents would occur in our coal-mines ; but the
exclusive use of the Davy is not compatible with the working of many of our
mines, in consequence of their not being workable without the aid of
gunpowder. In such mines, where every collier must necessarily fire, on the
average, two shots a day, we are exposed to the risk of explosion from the
ignition of gunpowder, even if no naked lights were used in carrying on the
ordinary operations of the mine. This was the case in Jarrow Colliery at the
time the late accident happened. As the use of gunpowder was indispensable,
naked lights were generally used, and the accident was occasioned by a.bag
of inflammable air forcing out a large block of coal, in the face of a
drift, from a fissure, in which it had been pent up, perhaps, from the
creation ; and firing at the first naked light with which it came in
contact, after having been diluted down to the combustible point by a due
admixture of atmospheric air. As to the number of old collieries and old
workings which have been renovated, and as to the quantity of coal which has
been and will be saved to the public by the invention of the Davy, it is
scarcely possible to give an account, or to form an estimate. In this part
of the country, Walker Colliery, after having been completely worked out
according to the former system, with candles and steel-mills, and after
having been abandoned in 1811, was re-opened in 1818, by the aid of the
Davy, and has been . worked on an extensive scale ever since, and may
continue to be worked for an almost indefinite period. Great part of the
formerly relinquished workings of Wallsend, Willington, Percy Main, Hebburn,
Jarrow, Elswick, Benwell, etc., as well as several collieries on the Wear,
have been recovered, and are continued to work by the intervention of the
Davy." The late Mr. T. J. Taylor, in his " Archaeology of the Coal-Trade,"
states that four Davy-lamps were equal, in illuminating power, to one of the
candles, thirty to the lb., and that the phosphorescent gleam of dried fish
had been used formerly to work by in dangerous parts of mines. The same
gentleman, in Professor Phillip's Report of 1850, expresses himself on
safety-lamps as follows :—" Without giving a preference to any particular
lamp, the experience of above thirty years in the mines of the North of
England has proved the common Davy-lamp to be a practically safe lamp. The
expense of lighting mines with safety-lamps is, on the whole, less than that
of lighting with candles ; and though it is desirable to exclude naked
lights as much as possible, yet the use of gunpowder, under proper
regulations, is not inconsistent with that of safety-lamps." Evidence to a
less favourable effect was given by Mr. Darlington, before the Committee of
the House of Commons, in 1852, viz. :—" I can state, from my own practical
knowledge of the Davy-lamp, and from opinions of miners who have for years
worked with the Davy-lamp, that it is not a safe instrument in an explosive
mixture, under a strong current." According to the late Mr. G-. Clark, of
Wallsend Colliery, who made various experiments with safety-lamps in 1848,
the weight of a Davy-lamp is 1 lb. 5 oz. ; Stephenson's ditto, 2 lb. 4£ oz.
; Clanny's ditto, 2 lb. 13 oz. Compared with a miner's candle, 30 per lb.,
i\ Davy lamps, 8| Stephenson's, and If Clanny's, were required to produce an
equal light."
226
1817, November. In this month was issued a report upon the claims of
George Stephenson relative to the invention of his safety-lamp, by the
committee appointed at a meeting holdenin Newcastle on the 1st of the month.
1818, January 12. A party of gentlemen, with Charles John Brandling, Esq.,
in the chair, presented George Stephenson with a large silver tankard ; and
this, added to a former donation of the Coal-trade at large, amounted to
nearly £1,000.
1818. During the course of this year, steamboats were applied to towing
vessels in and out of harbours. This gave an impetus to trade and led to the
abolition of lying up collieries during the two winter months.
1818. Mr. Croudace at this time, agent for the Lambton Collieries, to
avoid the breakage of coals, fitted up keels with eight square tubs,
containing a Newcastle chaldron each.
1819. A strike occurred among the keelmen this year.
1820. May. By a series of experiments made at this time by Mr. Benjamin
Thompson, the floating power at various places on the Tyne, as ascertained
by keels, was found to greatly vary.
The difference between high water at Newcastle New Quay, and low water at
Shields Quay, was found to be ten and a-half cwts. in the keel, and the
difference at high water between Newcastle and Shields New Quay, was
twenty-seven cwts.
1820. About this vear steam traction underground begun to be introduced.
1820. Coast vend, 3,244,885 tons; oversea vend, 158,340 tons; total,
3,403,225 tons.
1821, April 19. Upon this day occurred the interview between the late
Edward Pease, the Father of Railways, and George Stephenson, relative to the
making of the Stockton and Darlington Railway, for which an Act was this
year obtained, but the first rail was not laid until the 23rd of May, 1822.
1821. This year the Hetton Colliery, Blossom and Minor Pits were won. The
original pit was commenced by Mr. W. Lyons, in 1810, but abandoned, not
being able to pass through the ufriable sand." *
* Mr. Thomas Wood, in his evidence given before the Committee of the House
of Commons, in 1857, stated that he disposed of his share in Hetton Colliery
at the rate of £324,000 for the whole.
Wrought-iron rails, invented by Mr. Birkenshaw, were rolled at Bedlington
Iron Works, near Newcastle.—Jevons.
227
1821. Average shipping price of Newcastle coals 12s. 8d. per ton.*
1822, October 24. One of the frequent strikes among the keelmen occurred,
which lasted till December 22nd.
1822, November 18. On this day the Hetton Colliery Railway was opened, and
the first coals from the colliery were shipped. Five of George Stephenson's
patent travelling engines were used on the railway, of which Robert
Stephenson, his son, was resident engineer.
1825, September 27. The Stockton and Darlington Railway, of which George
Stephenson was engineer, was opened for twenty-five miles in length, from
Stockton to Witton Park.
In the early days of this railway the passengers were conveyed in ordinary
coaches mounted upon railway wagon wheels. Upon Sundays it was usual for the
" Friends " residing at Shildon to go to Darlington in a car drawn by a
horse along the line.
About the same period an ordinary stage coach, drawn by a horse, was used
for passenger traffic upon the Clarence Railway.
1825. This year Mr. Nicholas Wood published his work on the " Establishment
and Economy of Railways."
1825. Guides, now universally used in pit shafts, were this year first
introduced into shafts in the neighbourhood of Chesterfield, at Duck-manton
Colliery ; they were also in use at Radstock Colliery, in Somersetshire,
shortly after this date.
1825. Up to this period, the Marquis of Londonderry's Hutton-seam coal,
which had sold for many years at the place of shipment at 36s. 6d. per
chaldron, or 13s. 9d. per ton, was reduced to 32s. 6d. per chaldron, or 12s.
per ton.
1825. The " Small Coal Act" passed, reducing the duty upon small coals
exported abroad.
1825. The Wear vend for this year was 502,043 tons. 1825. In this year was
published a pamphlet, entitled "A Voice from the Coal Mines, or a plains
tatement of the various Grievances of the Pitmen of the Tyne and Wear." In
it they complain of the low prices, fines, bonds, and bad ventilation. They
say, " Sir H. Davy's invention of the safety-lamp has been an advantage to
the coalowners, but a great injury to the comfort and earnings of the
pitmen, for while the former remain indifferent about the safety of the
mine, and neglect
* Jevons. 1823.—The net produce of duties on coal, cinders, and culm in the
United Kingdom, amounted this year to the large sum of £1,167,767 17s. lid.
228
to form the proper supply of atmospheric air to the inner parts of the •
pit, on account of the great power of the lamp to resist combustion or
explosion, the poor miner has to suffer the most awful agony in an
exceedingly high temperature, inimical to his health, comfort, and even
life."
1826, January 17. Spring-well Colliery commenced shipping coals.
1826, The Pitman's Union formed this year for an increase of wag-es,
upon which occasion they struck work for seven weeks.
1827, May. The first coals drawn at Wideopen Colliery.
1828, August 15. The following- curious verdict was this day delivered in
the case Kex v. Russell and others, owners of Wallsend Colliery, which was
tried at Carlisle:—
" We find that part of the navigable channel of the river Tyne, opposite to
Wallsend, has been straitened, narrowed, lessened, and obstructed by the
gears described in the indictment, but we find, nevertheless, that the trade
of Newcastle and the harbour of the Tyne have, at the same time, been
greatly improved."
The late Mr. T. J. Taylor remarked that the export of coals may be
considered to have commenced as a great trade about this year.
1828, November 28. The late Marquis of Londonderry laid the foundation stone
of Seaham Harbour.
1828. Moorsley Pit, North Hetton Colliery, was sunk.
1829, February 6. This day, a ball was given at the bottom of Gosforth
shaft, at a depth of 1,100 feet, to celebrate the winning* of the colliery.
Between 200 and 300 people were present, nearly one-half of whom were
females.
1829, May 1. A committee of the House of Lords sat (before which Messrs. R,
W. Brandling, John Buddie, Hugh Taylor, and others, were examined), the
following matters were deposed:—
By Mr. Buddie, that there were on the river Tyne 41 collieries, 23 on the
north side, and 18 on the south side; on the Wear, 6 on the north side, and
12 on the south side, making 18—the whole number on both rivers being 59.
That the collieries on the Tyne, with respect to their machinery, were
capable of raising double their present quantity.
Speaking- of the introduction of Davy-lamps, he remarks as follows: "I beg'
to state that this introduced quite a new era in coal-mining, as many
collieries have been re-opened, producing the best coals, which must have
lain dormant, but for the invention of the Davy-lamp."
229
That the deepest working-pit at this time was 180 fathoms, and the
shallowest twenty-three fathoms,
That the capital employed by the coalowners of the Tyne, exclusive of craft
in the river, amounted to £1,500,000, and on the Wear from £600,000 to
£700,000.
That the colliers could make 5s. per day, but for want of employment had not
earned more than half that sum during the last year.
''That in 1795, when collieries became exhausted in the whole mine, an
attempt was made at partial working- by removing one-half of every alternate
pillar. There was just about fifty-seven, or from fifty to sixty per cent,
obtained, and the rest was totally abandoned. In 1810 another improved
system was introduced; the coal-mines were exhausting so very rapidly, that
an attempt was made by which every intermediate pillar was token, and also a
portion of the adjoining ones; by this plan we succeeded, by working in
small divisions, in obtaining between eighty or ninety parts out of 100 ;
still, the ultimate effect was that creeps took place, the danger was
increased, and great loss of coal was the consequence."
Upon the difference in value between working stock and stock to be moved, he
remarks, " we seldom calculate to be less than forty per cent. deterioration
and frequently more," and upon coalowners' profits he says, "according to
the best of my knowledge, taking- a run of years, from the time I have been
in the trade, I should think that by no means ten per cent, has been made as
simple interest, without allowing any extra interest for redemption of
capital."
That the positive waste by screening, added to the waste on small coal
stowed underground, would amount to a loss of from one-fourth to one-third
of the whole mine.
That the number of men employed in the Coal-trade on the two rivers were,
underground on the Tyne, 8,491, aboveground, 3,463— making the total of
11,954; upon the Wear, 9,000—making 21,000 in all. At the same time, there
would be 1,400 vessels, which would require 15,000 seamen and boys.
Mr. Buddie gave the following abstract of charges upon a London or imperial
chaldron of coals :—
Charges in the Kiver Wear.
For seven miles carriage, loading and unloading, &c. ... £0 4 9|
„ Government duty................................................ 0 6
0
„ Freight ....................¦.......................................
0 11 0
Carried forward .....................£1 1 9|
Vol. XV.—1866.
o a
230
Brought forward.............'........£1 1 9f
For Municipal dues—London .................'................... 0 4
9J
„ Charges of delivery from the vessel into the cellar of
the consumer ................................................ 0 13 7
„ Original price received by the coalowner............... 0 12 9
£2 12 11|
Mr. Hugh Taylor informed the committee, that he estimated that the Northern
Coal-field would supply the present annual vend of 3,500,000 tons for a
period of 1,727 years.*
1829, August 31. The Coal-trade determined to re-establish the vends.
* Table op Coal Measures used in Durham and Northumberland,
COMPILED BY Mr. HUGH TAYLOR.
Cubic Old Ale
Inches. Gallons. _,, _
________________________ Old Com
GaEons.
•282 1
•268j -9532 ~T~ jJXnf""
277-274 -9832 1-0315 1 Pecks.
Cwts.
1209-6 4-289 4£ 4-362 1
-309 Boils.
9676-8 34-315 36 34-899 8 2*23
J 1 Fe°rtgh'
77414-4 274-31 288 279-198 64 17-14f
8 1 Chas.
!32,243- 823-5 864 837'59 192 53
24 3 1 Keel.
6588-4 6912 6700*75 1536 424 192 24 8
1 [Ten.
14412-2 15120 14657-9 3360 S27J 420 52J 17J
2TV 1
By the above, it appears that a Newcastle chaldron of twenty-four coal bolls
ought to contain 232,248$ cubic inches, whereas, in reality, the standard
weight of fifty-three cwts. requires only 217,989 cubic inches, which is the
Custom-house measurement, being a difference of 14,254* cubic inches = 6-14
per cent., or 22-526 instead of twenty-four bolls.
Upon the Ten Mr. Buddie, in his evidence, stated—" That it is a local or
customary measure and very arbitrary. It varied in different periods, but it
seems now to have settled itself to a certain standard, and more
particularly with the Dean and Chapter of Durham.
"The usual Ten is 440 coal bolls of thirty-six gallons Winchester measure,
which equalled in weight forty-eight tons eleven cwts. two qrs. and
seventeen lbs., and a decimal -9, that is a fractional measure.
"The Dean and Chapter, at my suggestion, found it more convenient to adopt a
measure which is not fractional, and they made theirs 432 bolls, which
equals forty-seven tons fourteen cwts."
Upon the weight of coal, Mr. Buddie informed the committee, "That all our
bituminous coals range from about seventy-six lbs. to eighty lbs. per cubic
foot. Also, that five cubic feet of coal, if in one block, would, if broken
into the ordinary state in which they are sent to market, fill a measure of
eight cubic feet."
231
1829. The area of therJorthern Coal-field has been computed by various
authorities as under—
In 1829—By Hugh Taylor at 837 square miles.
Less excavated 105 square miles, leaving 782 square miles.
T. Y. Hall at 750 square miles.
G. C. Greenwell at 800 square miles.
B. Hull at 685 square miles.
I. S. Bell at 700 square miles. The length varies from 47 to 58 miles, and
its breadth from 15 to 24 miles.
1830. This year the state of the Coal-trade was investigated by a
committee of the House of Commons, being the third Parliamentary Inquiry.
Among the witnesses examined were Messrs. R. W. Brandling, John Buddie, John
Clayton, Dr. Buckland, and Professor Sedgwick.*
The burning of small coals, the duties, the regulation, and the abuses in
London, were the chief objects of inquiry.
Mr. Buddie, among other things, informed this committee, that five per cent,
was the average profit of collieries after returning the capital. The
highest rate of profit he knew of was fourteen per cent., including
redemption of capital, viz.—five per cent, profit, and nine per cent,
redemption.
This committee came to the following conclusions :—That the present
regulation, with various interruptions, had continued since 1771.
Regret was expressed at the waste of coal by screening. They recommended
that weight should be substituted for measure.
With regard to interference with the regulation. That " the trade had better
be left to the control of that competition which appears already to have
affected it.
" That every means of promoting a new supply of coals be encouraged, as
furnishing the most effectual means of counteracting the combinations of the
coalowners and factors; and that the Act of 28 George III. be repealed, so
as to leave the Coal-trade free in the port of London, and conclude by
advising the removal of all duties on coal consumed in this kingdom,
whenever financial arrangements can be made for effecting such removal with
security to the public revenue."
* During the investigation, Professors Sedgwick, Conybeare, and Buckland,
expressed considerable doubt of the existence of any great body of good coal
underneath the extensive district of Magnesian-limestone lying to the
eastward of Hetton.
232
1830. Coast vend this year, 3,289,241 tons; oversea, 341,062 tons; total,
3,630,303 tons.
1830. At a meeting- of viewers, held March 13, 1830, the following-prices to
be paid to colliery workmen were fixed:—Putting- a twenty-peck corf, Is.
2d., until the average distance exceeds 100 yards, and Id. for every twenty
yards beyond that distance. Putters to find their own candles, grease, and
soames. Eolley-drivers, Is. 2d. per day ; trappers, lOd. per day; overmen,
28s. per week; back-overmen, 4s. per day; wastemen, 20s. per week; deputies,
3s, 6d. per day ; shifters and coal workmen, 3s. per day of eight hours;
banksmen, 3|d. per score, when separated; 3d. per score when together ;
stick odds, 3s. per week; brakesmen, 18s. per week; fourteen hours per day
and upwards, 20s., including attending pit on Sunday mornings, and cleaning
boilers; enginewright, 18s. per week ; common enginewrights and joiners,
16s. per week; blacksmith, 3s. per day; masons, 2s. lOd. per day; cartmem,
2s. 2d. per day; labourers, 2s. per day.
1830. The Marquis of Londonderry presented a petition to the House of
Lords, from the coalowners and others interested, for a repeal of the duties
on coal.
1831, February 26. This day, eight or ten thousand pitmen met on the Black
Fell, when they entered into resolutions to demand higher wages. Frequent
notices occur after this time, in the " Local Records," of large gatherings
of pitmen, amounting- occasionally to many thousands.* Seeing that Mr.
Buddie had, shortly before this time, estimated the total body of men and
boys employed in and about the collieries, upon the rivers Tyne and Wear, at
21,000, we have good grounds for believing the numbers stated to be present
at these meetings to have been greatly over estimated.
1831. Average shipping- price of coals, 12s. 4d. per ton.f
1831, March 1. The "Richmond Shilling" ceased to be levied after this date.
When relinquished, the whole amount of its cost in 1799, with five per cent,
interest, and an overplus of £341,900, had been realised by Government.
1831, March 21. Nearly 20,000 pitmen assembled on Newcastle Town Moor, to
consider measures for improving their condition.
1831, April 5. The pitmen struck work, but recommenced about the middle of
June.
* Local Historian's Table Book. t Jevons.
233
1831, April 18. From 1,200 to 1,500 prfnfen visited the collieries in the
neighbourhood of Blyth and Bedlington, which they laid off work, beside
doing considerable damage.
1831, July 25. The first cargo of coal was shipped from Seaham Harbour.
1831, August 1. Waldridge Colliery commenced shipping coals.
1831, August 13. 10,000 or 12,000 pitmen met at Boldon Fell.
1831, December 24. 1,000 pitmen riotously assembled at Waldridge Colliery,
stopped the pumping-engine while thirty or forty men were down the pit, and
threw tubs and corves down, with the intention of killing those at work.
Five hundred guineas were offered for the apprehension of the parties
concerned in these outrages. Six men were tried at the ensuing Durham
Assizes, and sentenced to imprisonment for various terms.
1831. This year Wallsend Colliery became exhausted in the Main-coal seam,
which originally extended over an area of 1,200 acres. It commenced working
in the year 1778.
1831. Middlesborough dock was opened, when a block of coal, wrought at Black
Boy Colliery, and weighing three and a half tons, was shipped. This was
probably the largest mass of coal ever shipped from the Northern Coal-field.
1831. The coastwise duty of 12s. per Newcastle chaldron was repealed
this year.
1832, March 3. Between 7,000 and 8,000 pitmen met at Boldon Fell, for the
purpose of arranging not to agree with their masters for the next twelve
months, unless some of the clauses were struck out of the bonds ; also, to
urge the support of the Union.
1832, April 14. 9,000 pitmen met upon the Black Fell, for the same purpose
as the meeting held the previous month.
1832, April 21. A riot occurred at Hetton Colliery, when a bound man, named
Errington, was murdered, being shot with two marbles, by the Union men.
1832, May 1, A riot occurred at Friars Goose, near Gateshead, occasioned by
turning the pitmen out of their houses. It was found necessary to call out
the military, in order to quell the rioters.
1832, June 11. Mr. Nicholas Fairless, a magistrate of South Shields, was
attacked and ill-treated by two pitmen, named Jobling and Armstrong-, in
consequence of which he died. Jobling was tried and executed at Durham, and
hung in chains upon Jarrow Slake, on August 3rd, succeeding. Armstrong
succeeded in making his escape.
234
1832, September. In" the latter part of this month the Pitmen's Union was
dissolved, and the men recommenced work, after a loss of £80,000 in wages.*
1832. An Act of Parliament was passed this year, substituting weight for
measure in the buying- and selling of coals j thus doing away with a system
of uncertainties.
1832. Rules for the establishment of friendly societies were submitted
to the coalowners and pitmen of the Tyne and Wear.
1833, March. The Main-coal seam was won at St. Helen's Colliery, Auckland.
1833, June. The Hutton-seam was won at the Eppleton Pit, Hetton Colliery, at
a depth of 155 fathoms.
1833, August 5. South Hetton Colliery was opened, and shipped its first
coals at Seaham Harbour.
1833, August 7. The first cargo of coals was shipped from St. Lawrence
Colliery, the produce of the Low-main seam, at a depth of ninety-four
fathoms.
1833. The Coal-trade was open this year, in consequence of which best
coals became a drug upon the market.f
1834, January 16. The first cargo of Crowtrees Wallsend coals was shipped
at Stockton.
1834, February 15. The Bensham or Maudlin-seam, at Monkwear-mouth Colliery,
was won at a depth of 264 fathoms, and at an expenditure of £100,000; since
which the Hutton-seam, at a considerably further depth, has been sunk to and
worked. The first cargo was shipped on June 13, following. The sinking of
this colliery commenced in May, 1826. The tub first used for drawing coals
was of iron, seven feet high, circular in shape, and contained 105 pecks,
weighing 30 cwts.J In a few years' time, these tubs gave way to the ordinary
ones, now generally used.
1834, March 1. The regulation of vends was recommenced.
1834, September 10. This day the first vessel was loaded by the Stanhope and
Tyne Railway, which, upon this occasion, was opened for traffic.
* Fordyce. t Dunn.
X In the early period of mining, coals were drawn in corves. The trams had
broad, wooden wheels, and the tramways were constructed of three planks, the
upper one forming an elevated edge for the guidance of the tram.
1882. Cobbett, who visited this part of the country in 1832, inserted the
following astounding passage in his "Political Eegister" shortly afterwards
:—"Here is the most surprising thing in the whole world ; thousands of men
and thousands of horses continually living underground ; children born
there, and who, sometimes, never see the surface at all, though they live to
a considerable age."—Hair's Sketches of the Coal-mines,
235
1834, October 8. Gordon Colliery, near Evenwood, was won.
1834, December 23. The late Mr. Buddie read to the Natural History Society a
paper, entitled " Suggestions for making the Natural History Society a place
of deposit for the Mining Records of the District."
1834. At this time there were sixty-four collieries, having an aggregate
basis of 4,618,287 tons.
1834. Importation into London, 2,078,685 tons.
1835, March 11. Haswell Colliery was won to the Hutton-seam, at a depth of
155 fathoms. The first cargo of coals from it was shipped at Seaham in July
succeeding. A few years ago, Mr. T. J. Taylor stated that the annual
production of this colliery was 200,000 tons of coals, to obtain which 289
men and 139 boys were employed underground.
1835, July 9. Hartlepool Dock and Harbour was opened; the first coals
shipped in it being from Thornley Colliery.
1835, Aug. 12. The winning of Pelton Fell Colliery was commenced.
1835. Coast vend this year, 3,290,511 tons; oversea, 494,485 tons; total,
3,784,996 tons.
1835. In this year a committee of the House of Commons was appointed (being
the fourth Parliamentary Inquiry) of which Mr. Joseph Pease was chairman,
for the purpose of examining into the causes of explosions, and devising
suitable remedies. This committee was enabled to ascertain that, during the
twenty-five years previous to their inquiry, 2,070 persons had perished from
colliery explosions, and they considered the number much understated,* and
that during the last ten years the rate of loss of life from this cause had
certainly not diminished. This committee pointed out that more persons had
lost their lives from colliery explosions for the eighteen years succeeding
the introduction of the Davy-lamp in 1816, than in the eighteen years
preceding the invention; and accounted for this fact by the working of
numerous fiery seams of coal, which had, in consequence of the assumed
security of this lamp, been undertaken, and by the abandonment of many
precautions considered requisite, when candles were commonly employed in
collieries.
The Report ends as follows :—¦" In conclusion, your committee regret that
the results of their inquiry have not enabled them to lay before the House
any particular plan by which the accidents in question may be avoided with
certainty, and, in consequence, no decisive recommendations are offered.
They anticipate great advantage to the public and to
* See Appendix on Accidents.
236
humanity from the circulation of the mass of valuable evidence they have
collected. They feel assured that science will avail itself of the
information, if not for the first time obtained, yet now prominently
exhibited; and that the parties, for whose more immediate advantage the
British Parliament undertook the inquiry, will not hesitate to place a
generous construction on the motives and intentions of the Legislature." The
steam jet, for ventilating* purposes, about which much will be heard
hereafter, was originally proposed by Goldsworthy Gurney at this committee.
1835. Wear vend this year, 410,872 tons.
1836, August 30. The Durham and Sunderland Railway was opened. 1836,
October 13. Belmont Colliery commenced shipping coals. 1836. About
this year coal tubs and guides in shafts were introduced
at South Hetton Colliery, by Mr. T. Y. Hall. Previous to the introduction of
guides, the coals were brought up the shaft in large iron tubs, holding
upwards of a ton, similar to those used at Monkwearmouth Colliery. The coals
were brought from the face in six cwt. tubs, placed upon rolleys capable of
carrying two or three each, and drawn by horses to the shaft, where they
were discharged into the iron tubs. After a few years the rolleys were
universally discontinued.
1836. The use of wire ropes in collieries commenced about this time.
1837, January 7. Woodhouse Close Colliery was won to the Main-coal seam, at
a depth of seventy-four fathoms.
1837, March 31. The pitmen of the Tyne and Wear resumed work, after a strike
of some months, upon the same terms they had previously been paid.
1837, June 20. Whitwell Colliery was won to the Hutton-seam, at a depth of
fifty-nine fathoms.
1837, January 30. Two pitmen, named Storey and Surtees, in consequence of a
wager, undertook to hew coals against each other, at Thornley Colliery. The
wager was won by Storey, who hewed thirty-three and a half tubs, of twenty
pecks each, and Surtees thirty tubs ; the former being ten tons and one
cwt., and the latter nine tons. The time of working was eight hours, and the
amount of earnings, according to the price paid for hewing, was—Storey, lis.
2d. ; Surtees, 10s. ; from the hardness of the seam, the feat was supposed
to be unprecedented.—Latimer's Local Records.
1837, July 30. Workington Colliery, in Cumberland, inundated by the sea, in
consequence of the stupidity of the agent. Thirty-six lives were lost; but
as no body was ever recovered, no inquest could be held.
1837. About this period it is stated that a landsale colliery was in
operation at Brandon, near Brancepeth, at which the coals were drawn by a
gin, in which a bull was harnessed, instead of a horse, as is usual. Much
about the same period, a landsale was in existence near Witton-le-Wear,
where the coals were drawn by an ass, and the coals banked out and sold by
an old woman.
237
1837, July. South Tanfield Colliery was won to the Main-coal seam.
1837, September 11. Blaydon Main Colliery was won.
1837, October 3. The first coals from Ratcliffe Colliery were shipped in
Warkworth Harbour.
1837, November 1. The Monkwearmouth Dock was opened. In 1846 it was
purchased by the York, Newcastle, and Berwick Railway Company for £85,000.
1837. In a Parliamentary document, the number of tons of coal and coke
exported from the North in the year is thus stated:—
COASTWISE.
Coals. Coke. Total.
Newcastle .....................2,385,192 ... 7,302 ...
2,392,494 tons.
Sunderland ................... 931,944 ... 191 ...
932,135 „
Stockton ........................1,145,827 ... 10 ...
1,145,837 „
FOREIGN.
Coals. Coke. Total.
Newcastle ........................471,150 ... 5,007 ...
476,157 tons.
Sunderland........................242,252 ... 211 ...
242,463 „
Stockton ........................... 46,407/ ... 109 ...
46,516 ,.
1838, May 10. A new winning was this day commenced at Seaton Delaval.
Ground was broken for six pits, all within the compass of
600 yards.
1838, June 18. The Newcastle and Carlisle Railway was opened from Redheugh
Station, near Gateshead, to Carlisle.
1838, August. The Durham Junction Railway was opened.
1838, December. West Auckland Colliery was won.
1838. This year the Durham County Coal-, and the Northern Coal-Mining
Companies, with a capital of £500,000 each, commenced operations. Through
their instrumentality many collieries were opened out prematurely. Both
companies succumbed in the course of a dozen years, after losing their
capital and seriously embarrassing their shareholders.
1839, March 18. The Clarence and Hartlepool Junction Railway was opened,
the first coals shipped by it being from Kelloe Colliery.
1839, May 28. The first coals shipped from Garmondsway Moor
Colliery.
1839, June 28. Hilda Wallsend Colliery exploded, by which fifty-two lives
were lost. This accident led to the appointment of the South Shields
Committee, with Robert Ingham, Esq., as chairman. This committee sat
occasionally for three years, and in 1843 issued a
H H
238
report of great value. Among" the conclusions arrived at, were—That within
the last twenty years 680 miners had been destroyed in the districts of Tyne
and Wear. That the upcast should be larger than the downcast shaft. That the
Davy-lamp has been found by experiment and practice to explode the external
gas by the passage of the flame through the gauze; and that no doubt can
remain that it has been the cause of some of the hitherto unaccountable
accidents which have occurred. That the velocity of the air-current is found
to traverse in the galleries, sometimes, at a rate not exceeding- two feet;
and in some of the most extensive mines, it is reduced so low as one foot,
and even -66 of a foot per second. The committee strongly recommended the
adoption of Goldsworthy Gurney's hig'h-pressure steam for ventilating-
purposes, government inspection, etc.
1889, August 19. Dr. Clanny read a paper to the members of the South Shields
Committee, explanatory of his lamp, which he stated gave five times as much
light as the Davy.
1839, August 29. Sacristan Colliery Railway was opened.
1839, August 30. Brandling Junction Railway was opened from Gateshead to
Monkwearmouth.
1839, December 30. Medomsley Colliery commenced working.
1840, June 1. Seghill Colliery Railway was opened to Howdon. 1840, June
2. The first cargo of coals from Cassop Colliery was
shipped at Hartlepool.
1840, June 12. The West Durham Railway was opened.
1840, July 20. Andrew's House Colliery commenced shipping coals. At this
period there were 101 collieries in operation. According to Latimer nineteen
collieries were opened from June 1833 to this date.
1840. Coast vend, 4,391,085 tons; oversea vend, 1,196,299 tons; total,
5,587,384 tons. Steam coal vend this year included in the above, 198,583
tons.
1841, January 4. The Great North of England Railway was opened for coal
traffic from York to Darlington.
1841, May 5. Framwellgate Colliery commenced shipping coals.
1841, July 10. Whitworth Colliery was won to the Hutton-seam at a depth of
eighty-six fathoms, at a cost of £40,000, by the Durham County Coal Company.
1840. An Act was passed this year to do away with female labour
underground in Scotland.
239
*
1841, July. Westerton Colliery commenced shipping coals.
1841, December. Shotton Colliery was won by the Haswell Coal Company.
1841. About this period the plan of drawing the tubs along the rolley ways
in pits upon their own wheels, now universally followed, was adopted.
1841. Average shipping price of Newcastle coals 10s. 6d. per ton.*
1842, February. Houghall Colliery commenced shipping coals. 1842, April
7. Spital Tongues Colliery tunnel was opened to the
Tyne. It is nearly two miles in length, and is six feet three inches in
width by seven feet five inches in height. It is cased throughout with
strong masonry and brick work, and took nearly three years in construction.
1842, May 12. Middlesborough New Dock was opened.
1842, May 27. Coal was won at Oakwellgate Colliery, Gateshead.
1842, May 30. Kibbles worth Colliery commenced shipping coals.
1842, September 17. The Hutton-seam was won at Castle Eden Colliery.
1842, November 15. Brancepeth Colliery shipped its first coals.
1842. In consequence of a Commission of Inquiry appointed in 1840, to
enquire into the state of the mining population, and for the purpose of
devising means for preventing accidents, an Act was passed this year to
regulate the employment of boys, to prohibit the employment of women and
girls in mines and collieries, and the payment of wages in public-houses,
etc.f
1843, February 25. Trimdon Colliery commenced shipping coals.
1843, April 17. Murton or Dalton Colliery was won to the Hutton-seam at a
depth of 248 fathoms. Ground was broken for the first shaft on the 19th
February, 1838. Extraordinary difficulty was experienced in passing through
the "friable sand" owing to 9,306 gallons of water per minute having at one
time to be lifted from the depth of ninety fathoms. This winning is said to
have cost from £250,000 to £300,000.1
* Jevons.
f The bearing system by females was still common in Scotland at this period.
The ordinary load was from 200 to 246 lbs. each. The only recorded instance
of a woman having been employed in the northern coal mines, is in Gateshead
Burial Kegister, about 1.705, where the daughter of Jackson, who had three
pits in the front field, at the head of Jackson's Chare, is recorded as
killed, with a number of the opposite sex, by a blast in one of the pits.—T.
Y. Hall.
% In the Report on Coal, Coke, and Mining, read before the British
Association
240
1843, July 8. A meeting- of 20,000 pitmen took place at Shaddon's Hill, to
uphold restriction.
1843, August 4. A trial of some importance took place at the Northumberland
Assizes, at this date, between Williamson and Taylor and others, owners of
Holywell Colliery, involving the question, Whether the legal construction of
the agreement, commonly called the " Pit Bond," enabled the men to claim
reasonable wages when the pit is laid off work ? A verdict of 30s.
damages was given for the plaintiff.
1843. The Special Committee of the Coal-trade, about this time, reported
that an ordinary workman could earn 3s. 8d. in eight hours.
1843, October 10. Mr. Buddie, the celebrated viewer, died at Walls-end, aged
seventy. As a mining engineer, he stood in the first rank of his profession.
An immense cortege of private carriages, horsemen, and workmen, accompanied
his remains to the grave.
1843. Before the close of this year, a strong feeling of dissatisfaction
spread among the mining population, in consequence of what they considered
their grievances, resulting in frequent conflicts with their employers, in
which they were advised and represented by their Attorney-General, Mr.
William Prouting Roberts. His proceedings against the employers did much to
augment the irritation which prevailed.
1844, February 7. The first shipment of coals from Coxhoe Colliery took
place.
1844, March 27. A deputation of coalowners submitted the following
statements to Sir Robert Peel:—That the capital embarked in the Coal-trade
was £9,500,000; that 33,920 men and boys were employed in it as follows,
viz., on the Tyne, 15,556 ; Blyth, 1,051; Wear, 13,172; Tees, 4,211; of whom
25,383 were employed underground, and 8,607 were employed aboveground. That
there were 4,031 ships engaged in the home Coal-trade, and 2,842 ships
engaged in the foreign Coal-trade, and that the annual produce of coals was
9,623,922 tons.
1844. The late Mr. Thos. John Taylor estimated that there would be 12,874
hewers in the Coal-trade at this date, and allowing each man to
in 1863. On the Drainage of Mines it is stated that Hartley, Walbottle, and
Wylam Collieries each had upwards of 1,200 gallons of water per minute. That
the general cost of pumping water from the Durham and Northumberland Mines,
exclusive of interest and redemption of capital, is about ^d. per ton of
water raised 100 fathoms. In the case of Murton Colliery winning, the
leather for the buckets for some time cost £11 5s. per hour. An elaborate
Paper was read upon the Sinking of this Colliery to the Members of the
Mining Institute by Mr. Potter in 1856.
241
produce three tons of round coal per working day, and 800 tons a-year, we
have 10,299,200 tons for the extreme powers.
The returns to the Coal-trade Office at this time show that the
pump-ing-engine horse-power was 10,919; and of drawing-engine horsepower,
8,285 j and that it is capable of raising 57,713 tons daily, the proportions
for the different districts being nearly as three on the Tyne, two on the
Wear, and one on the Tees.
1844. An important trial occurred this year, known as the Wingate Colliery
Wire-Rope Trial. The decision of the jury fully demonstrated the superiority
of the wire-rope over that manufactured of hemp.
1844, April 5. A universal strike took place among the pitmen, which did not
terminate until the beginning of August, when the men resumed work at their
old prices, after having undergone great hardship and privation, from being
turned out of their houses.* Numerous large meetings took place between the
times of striking and resuming
Average daily earnings of hewers Average daily earnings
Daily average
previous to restriction. since restriction.
of fines.
*Tyne..................3 8-866 ... 3 1-481
... -615
Wear ...............3 7-814 ... 3 1-100
... '362
Tp.fia..................3 9-500 ... 3 0-750
... '523
After the close of the strike, it was estimated that the cost ot tne umuu am
aix, Eoberts to the pitmen
was.........................................................£441,850
Made up as follows (first money paid) :—
Mr. Roberts, one year's salary and expenses in removal...... £1,120
Do. other expenses..........................................
330
Do. for Wingate trial.......................................
t>00
Union fund, say 20,000 men, at £1 each,........................ 20,000
£22,050
Second—Money Lost:—
From restriction on wages, which caused 33,002 hands to be employed when
22,000 was necessary—11,000 extra men, for forty-eight weeks, from 1st May,
at 10s. each
per
week...............................................................£264,000
Wingate strike—thirteen weeks, at £400 per week ......... 5,200
Thornley „ twenty „ at £800 „ .........
16,000
Jarrow and other strikes, say......................................
2,600
Present strike, 33,000 hands at 10s. each for eight weeks... 132,000
------------£419,800
Total lost ..........................................
£441,850
And beside this large amount, the coalowners suffered to the extent
of...£200,000. Among numerous threatening letters of this date, the
following specimen, addressed to an overman at Monkwearmouth Colliery, is
selected :—" I am put to a stand to know how thow dirst offer up prears to
the most high God when thou knowest how thous defecting thy fellow cretur of
their rights or at least trying to do it. Man be shamd of thyself. God will
power his vengens down upon thy head, & if it is not seen soon the vengens
of earthley man will & shall fall upon
242
their work, and a newspaper, called the " Miners' Advocate," was commenced
and carried on for some time, to discuss and advocate their claims and
supposed grievances. Among1 their demands were an average advance of
twenty-eight per cent, upon the hewing- prices j working-hours per day to be
ten instead of twelve; to be allowed to retain possession of their houses
for sixty-six days after the termination of the period of hiring-; work
g-uaranteed for five days a-week, or fifteen shillings in money; hiring- to
be for six months, expiring- on the 5th October. To these demands, with
other resolutions, the following- was passed at a Coal-trade meeting-, held
13th April, 1844 :—" That it is incumbent on the coalowners to act unitedly
and determinedly in resisting- these demands of the workmen; and that a
special committee be named to sit at the Coal-trade Office, to whom all
communications are requested to be addressed."
1844, June 18. The Newcastle and Darlington Railway was opened ; this was
the last link between Newcastle and London.
1844, July 8. Harton Colliery was won to the Bensham-seam, at a depth of
215 fathoms.
1844, September 28. In consequence of an explosion at Haswell Colliery, by
which ninety-five lives were lost,f Professor Faraday and Sir Charles Lyell
were deputed by Government to attend the inquest and report upon the
explosion, and on the means of preventing* similar accidents. To consider
their report, a special committee of the Coal-trade was appointed, who,
while exposing- the impracticability of their suggestion of conducting- the
gaseous contents of the g-oaves to the upcast shaft, by means of cast-iron
pipes, twelve inches in diameter, express the hope that " much good may be
done, when the attention of eminent men is directed towards the prevention
of pit explosions. The trade is deeply indebted
the, depend upon this letter to be a true one, I wearn you to alter your
discurse fore the futer & I request the to read the second chap of Habbakuks
prayer this comes to show & such as thou & youl all be plunged out of time
into etermty before long if it contines as it is licley to do So preper fore
a nother World thou will be deprived of thy life when thou little thinks of
it and spedley. Men not a bove a hundred miles of has not been Ded to all
thy words and transections before the strike and since it took place. The
hand of vengence is uplifted at the & a hevy weepon in it to plunge the out
of time into Etermty. a good name is rather to be chosen than grate riches,
and lovings favour rather then silver & gold Chap xxii of prov"
" Read the iv OHP. of Ecclesiasties. So I returned & considered &c thou
ven-tursom vagabond thouil be remembered all the days of thy Life As a
tyrant towards thy fellow creture"
f A subscription for the sufferers on this occasion amounted to £4,264.
243
to Messrs. Lyell and Faraday for the labour and consideration they have
bestowed towards the attainment of this desirable end; and your committee
trust that those gentlemen will not g-ive up the investigation of a subject,
in relation to which, when its practical difficulties come to be fully
appreciated by them, their eminent acquirements may prove highly
beneficial."
1845, March 12. Byers Green Colliery was opened.
1845, May 20. The first shipment of coals from Croxdale Colliery.
1845. This year, Sir H. De-la-Beche, Dr. Lyon Playfair, and Mr. Warrington
Smyth, were appointed by Government to report on gases and explosions in
collieries. These gentlemen recommended the compulsory use of safety-lamps
in all fiery mines, and the appointment of Government Inspectors.*
1845. The late Mr. Thomas John Taylor, speaking of the capital now embarked
in collieries, railways, and harbours for colliery purposes (nine or ten
millions) says, of which it may be safely calculated that six millions have
been embarked since 1828.
1845. At this date there were 129-collieries, having an aggregate basis of
10,635,703 tons.
1845. The coast vend was 5,059,880 tons; oversea, 1,731,113 tons ; total,
6,790,993 tons.
1845. About this time Mr. Edward Foudrinier invented the patent grip or
safety-cage.
1845, August 12. The winning of Seaham and Seaton Colliery was commenced.
1845. Wear vend, 533,713 tons.
1846. This year saw the opening out of the coking-coal district near
Crook, known as Pease's West Collieries.
1846. Messrs. N. Wood and the other gentlemen who prepared the Report on
Coal, Coke, and Mining for the British Association, held in Newcastle in
1863, state that, " The Coke-trade in the northern counties may be
considered as established previously to this date only at Gares-field and
Wylam, and it was made from the Busty, Harvey, and Brockwell coal-seams."
1846. Under this date the late Thomas John Taylor published an able
pamphlet, " Observations addressed to the Coalowners of Northumberland and
Durham on the Coal Trade of those counties, more especially
* The Report was published in 1847.
244
with regard to the cause of, and remedy for, its present depressed
condition." *
1847, June 1. The "West Hartlepool Dock was opened.
1847. Coast vend, 5,921,037 tons j oversea, 1,806,637 tons ; total,
7,727,674 tons.
1847. This year a correspondence took place between Mr. A. Spottiswood
and the late Marquis of Londonderry. The former gentleman proposed to form
the whole of the collieries in the North of England into a Joint Stock
Company, with a capital of £16,000,000, which project was scouted by the
noble marquis in somewhat plain terms.
1848, August 12. George Stephenson died at Tapton House, near Chesterfield,
Derbyshire, aged sixty-seven years.f
This year, according to Mr. Marley, saw the first practical application of
the discovery of the thick bed of ironstone in Cleveland.
Mr. Forster introduced the steam-jet for ventilating purposes at Seaton
Delaval Colliery this year.
1848, December 30. Died at Brussels, aged seventy-four, Robert William
Brandling, Esq. The deceased, for a lengthened period, was chairman of the
Northern Coal-trade.
1849. This year Government appointed Professor Phillips and Mr. J. Kenyon
Blackwell to report on the ventilation of mines and collieries. These two
gentlemen made separate reports in 1850, the former of the mines in
Northumberland and Durham, Derbyshire and Yorkshire; the latter of those in
Lancashire, Shropshire, and South Wales. These gentlemen recommended
practical and scientific acquirements for the managers of mines,
well-appointed provincial mining schools, and a systematic inspection under
the authority of Government.
A series of Reports on the Coals suited to the Steam Navy, by Sir Henry
De-la-Beche and Dr. Lyon Playfair, was this year concluded and published.
The results were questioned, and further experiments have since been made
upon a practical scale.
1849, June. A committee of the House of Lords (the fifth Parlia-
* Mr. Taylor in his pamphlet, speaking of the Coal-trade regulation, says— "
We can establish, therefore, a full period of 180 years during which this
arrangement has existed, with intermissions, originating, as they do now,
among the coal-owners themselves."
f The following remark of George Stephenson's evinces his great shrewdness
:— " The strength of Britain lies in her iron- and coal-beds; and the
locomotive is destined, above all other agencies, to bring it forth. The
Lord Chancellor now sits upon a bag of wool, but wool has long ceased to be
emblematical of the staple commodity of England. He ought to sit upon a
bag of coals."—Smiles' Engineers.
245
mentary Inquiry), Lord Wharncliffe, chaiflSfan, was this year appointed to
inquire into explosions and accidents in collieries. This Committee sat for
eighteen days and received a mass of evidence bearing upon the steam-jet and
furnace ventilation. No legislative measure was recommended to Parliament by
this committee. In their Report they do not take upon themselves to
pronounce an opinion upon the comparative merits of the furnace and
steam-jet, or of the safety-lamps, which they say "can only be decided by
practical experience." The Committee direct attention to the evidence
bearing upon the appointment of Inspectors, on which nearly every witness
expressed an opinion more or less favourable.
1849, September 5. The first cargo of coals was shipped from Broomhill
Colliery at Amble.
1850. The first charge of Eston ironstone was smelted at Witton Park
Iron Works.
1850, January 3. On this evening a body of men, fifteen in number, made
their appearance at Burnopfield Colliery, drove away the enginemen who where
employed at the steam-engine, and placed a cask of gunpowder under each of
the boilers, having previously thrown upon the fires a sufficient quantity
of fresh coals to enable them to perpetrate their hazardous outrage in
security. The boilers in a few minutes were blown up with tremendous
violence, and the machinery connected with them was entirely destroyed. This
diabolical act was supposed to have been committed by some recently
discharged workmen. *
1850, February 15. Died at Dipton, in the County of Durham, Thomas Fenwick,
many years Mining Agent for the Dean and Chapter and Bishops of Durham, the
Marquis of Bute, and others.
1850, June 20. The South Dock at Sunderland was opened.
1850, July 30. Robert Stephenson was entertained at a public dinner in
Newcastle, at which about 400 gentlemen were present. It was stated that Mr.
Stephenson had up to that time been engaged in the construction of 1790
miles of railway in England alone.
1850, October 22. The Coalowners of Durham and Northumberland entertained
Hugh Taylor, Esq., of Earsdon, at a sumptuous dinner in the Assembly Rooms,
Newcastle, in recognition of his valuable services as Chairman of the
.Coal-trade Committee for a lengthened period, f
1850, November. Four Mining Inspectors appointed under the
* Latimer. f Latimer.
Vol-. XV.—1866.
n
246
recent Act, Mr. Matthias Dunn being entrusted with the Northern
District.
1850. Average shipping price of Newcastle coals, 9s. 6d. per ton.
1851, March 22. The coal-miners of Durham and Northumberland presented Mr.
James Mather, of South Shields, with an elegant piece of plate as a mark of
their gratitude for his talented and praiseworthy exertions in promoting
measures to diminish the dangers arising from bad ventilation and other
causes in the mines of the kingdom.
1851, October. This month Jarrow Colliery was inundated with water from some
colliery on the other side of the river.
1851. Coast vend this year, 5,707,736 tons; oversea, 2,180,070 tons;
total, 7,887,806 tons.
1852, May 27. Accidents still happening, notwithstanding the appointment
of Mining Inspectors, a committee of the House of Commons, solicited by the
advocates of the steam-jet (being the sixth Parliamentary Inquiry), was
appointed, of which Mr. Cayley was chairman. Before it Messrs. Darlington,
T. E. Eorster, Professor Hann, Messrs. Mather, Goldsworthy Gurney, Wood,
Dickinson, and others were examined. The course pursued by this committee
showed that they were strongly biased- in favour of the steam-jet. In their
report are the following recommendations and opinions :—" Your, committee
are unanimously of opinion that the steam-jet is the most powerful, and at
the same time, least expensive method of ventilation;" and, again, "your
committee, however, are unanimously of opinion that the primary object
should be to prevent the explosions themselves, and that if human means (as
far as known) can avail to prevent them, it is by the steam-jet system as
applied by Mr. Forster (at Seaton Delaval Colliery)." *
1852, June 16. After an explosion, which occurred at this date, at Seaton
Colliery, by which seven lives were lost, the first suggestion for the
formation of the Mining Institute originated at a meeting of gentlemen
interested in and connected with the colliery. Among those present were
Messrs. H. Morton, G. Elliot, E. Sinclair, and M. Dunn.
1852, July 3. The North of England Institute of Mining Engineers
* This report and the proceedings of the committee, as also the results
obtained
by the application of the steam-jet at Seaton Delaval and other collieries,
were
very fully reviewed by Mr. Matthias Dunn in a pamphlet published in 1854,
and
entitled " A History of the Steam-jet, as applicable to the Ventilation of
Coal
. Mines."
1850. Total quantity of coals imported into London, 3,638,883
tons.—Jevons.
247
was established, of which Mr. NichgUte Wood was, at a subsequent meeting,
chosen President.
1852, July 30. With this date commenced a new era in the carrying trade of
coal; for upon this day the first screw collier, the John Bowes, commenced
running. She was built by the Messrs. Palmer to carry 650 tons of coals, and
to steam about nine miles an hour. " On her first voyage she was laden with
650 tons of coals in four hours; in forty-eight hours she arrived in London;
in twenty-four hours she discharged her cargo ; and in forty-eight hours
more she was again in the Tyne; so that in five days she performed
successfully an amount of work that would have taken two average sized
sailing colliers upwards of a month
to accomplish." *
1852, December 27. An extraordinary fire broke out at St. Hilda Colliery,
South Shields. The pit had not been worked for some time, owing to defective
ventilation, and this morning, as a workman was passing by the mouth of the
shaft with a shovel full of red-hot cinders, the gas that was coming up
suddenly ignited and burst into an immense body of flame. The adjoining
wood-work immediately caught fire, and burnt with great fury until about
half-past four, when a portion of the materials fell down the shaft, and
another explosion took place at the bottom, throwing up a vast body of flame
to a great height. This, however, assisted in extinguishing the fire, which,
owing to a high wind, had previously assumed an alarming aspect, f
1852. The late Mr. T. J. Taylor estimated the number of persons employed in
and about the Coal-trade at this period as follows :—Men and boys employed
underground, 29,669 ; men and boys employed aboveground (including smiths
and joiners) 7,899; men and boys employed shipping coal, 1,365 ; seamen and
boys employed in the Coal-trade, 22,500 ; total, 61,433.
1852. Coast vend this year, 6,000,337 tons; oversea vend this year,
2,334,546 tons ; total, 8,334,883 tons.
1852. Imported into London by rail and canal, 411,820 tons, of which 196,865
tons were carried by the Great Northern, and 137,978 by the North Western
Railway. X
* Mr. C. M. Palmer's Paper on Iron Shipbuilding, read before the British
Association, 1863.
f Latimer's Local Records. In this year (1852) the number of Mining
Inspectors was increased from four to six.
% Adelaide Wallsend coals, the property of Mr. Joseph Pease, were the first
coals sent by rail to London.—Fordyce.
248
1858. In consequence of the prominent position given to the steam-jet Jby
the Parliamentary Committee of last year, an elaborate series of experiments
were undertaken by Mr. N. Wood and other members of the Mining- Institute,
which are fully reported in the Transactions of the Society for this year.
The comparative merits of the two systems, steam-jet and furnace, may be
considered as settled in favour of the latter after the discussion of April
1st, 1853, when the late Robert Stephenson, M.P., observed as follows :—"
I referred to the subject of the steam-jet as one that had been exhausted,
but I did not apply that observation to the ventilation of coal-mines, for I
am very far from thinking- that has been exhausted; but so far as the
comparison between the merits of the furnace and the steam-jet goes, I think
it has been exhausted by the very able and elaborate experiments that have
been made."
In the paper read by Mr. Wood before the British Association in 18G3,
furnace ventilation is thus remarked upon—"¦ That many means of ventilation
have been devised from time to time, but it has been found that rarefaction,
by the use of the ordinary furnace, possesses the advantages of greater
cheapness, regularity, and efficiency over all other systems."
1854, March 24. Another Committee of the House of Commons, appointed to
inquire into the causes of the numerous accidents in coal mines, with a view
of suggesting- the best means for their prevention, this day commenced
sitting, with Mr. Hutchins as chairman (being the seventh Parliamentary
Inquiry). Before this Committee were examined Messrs. G. Elliot, J.
Darlington, T. J. Taylor, N. Wood, J. T. Wood-house, and others. Unlike the
previous Committee, many valuable suggestions resulted from the labours of
this.
They report "that the preponderance of evidence is decidedly in favour of
the furnace."
That since the Committee of 1852, "Investigations and experiments on a much
larger scale have been instituted by Mr. Nicholas Wood and others, the
results of which, together with the evidence before your Committee, lead
them to an opposite conclusion, and induce them to think that, especially
where the coal lies at a considerable distance below the surface, and the
shafts are consequently deep, the furnace is most effective, as well as the
most economical mode of ventilation."
1853. According to Mr. Hunt, there were 2,397 collieries at work in the
United Kingdom this year.
1853. In this year occurred the celebrated Boghead coal trial in
Scotland, to determine whether the mineral was coal or not.
249 m
" That safety-lamps, however valuable, should not be relied upon for the
prevention of explosions."
" That the ventilation of mines should be kept so good, that under ordinary
circumstances it would be safe to work with naked lights."
" That the number of inspectors be increased, and their salaries augmented."
The Committee looked upon the objections raised against the furnace, under
the title of furnace limit, furnace paradox, and natural brattice, as
theoretical views.
In consequence of the desire expressed by the Committee, that a meeting of
the Coalowners of England should take place, and that the deputies of the
men and the Government Inspectors should attend, meetings were held in
London on the 25th, 27th, 28th, and 29th of April, and the result of their
deliberations was laid before the Committee.
1854, August 3. The Sunderland and Seaham Railway opened for coal traffic.
1854, August 5. The Astronomer Royal, Professor Airey, commenced a series of
experiments in Harton Collieiy, near South Shields, with a view of
ascertaining the density of the earth. This pit is the deepest on the Tyne,
the workings being 1260 feet below the surface; and the observations
occupied about three weeks. Professor Airey afterwards published the result
of the operations, which he said had been most successful.*
1854. A strike occurred this year at Seaton Colliery, and though the men
agreed to have the working prices settled by arbitration, they refused to
act upon the award.
1854, October 14. Gosforth and Coxlodge Collieries, the property of the
Messrs. Brandling, were offered for sale. The former became the property of
John Bowes and partners, and the latter of Mr. Joshua Bower.
1854, November. Oakenshaw Colliery, near Willington, Durham, was won, as was
also Bebside Colliery, near Blyth, Northumberland.
1854. Total vend for this year, 15,420,615 tons.
1854. The number of sea-sale and land-sale collieries at this date was 225,
viz., sea-sale on the Tyne and Blyth, 94; on the Wear, 30 ; on the Tees, 60;
land-sale, 41.
1854. The coke-trade was now making considerable progress in the
* Latimer. 1854. According to Mr. Hunt, 64,661,401 tons were raised from
our coal mines in the United Kingdom this year.
250
Northern Coal District, and a class of coal, which was formerly of little
value, was now becoming- an important article of commerce. From returns
recently published, it appeared that in 1833 the whole of the coke exported
from this country only amounted to 4,008 tons, 3,275 tons of which were
manufactured on the banks of the Tyne, and seventy-three at Sunderland. The
quantity exported from the Tyne this year, exclusive of that sent coastwise,
was 75,204 tons. Exclusive of the shipments from the Tyne and other ports,
was the large quantity sent to the principal railways in England by land
carriage.
1854. In consequence of the shrinking of Lambton Castle, which had been
built over coal workings, wrought so far back as the year 1600, it was found
necessary to fill up the old working's with solid brick, which was done at a
cost of upwards of £20,000.
1855. In the latter part of this year the number of Government
Inspectors was increased to twelve, Mr. J. J. Atkinson being appointed to
the South Durham district.
1855. A short strike occurred this year at Hetton Colliery, when the men
brought Mr. Roberts down to defend their cause.
1856, January 19. The Duke of Northumberland offered £5,000 towards a
College of Practical Mining and Manufacturing Science, provided £15,000 was
raised by other means; or £10,000, if £30,000 was raised. It is to be
regretted that this noble offer did not meet with a corresponding response.
1856, February 15. Willington Colliery, on the Tyne, was suddenly inundated
with water. The horses and workmen were saved with difficulty, and the
colliery was abandoned.
1854. Ships entered by each coal-factor in London during this year :—
Hill, Wood, and Hughs .................. 2286
Harris and Dixon .................. 1037
Marshall and Page..................... 881
Hugh Taylor ..................... 839
Stephenson Clarke ... ... ... ...... ...
... 691
Charlton and Watson ... ... ... ... ...
... 673
Smith, Scurfield, and Co................ • ... 587
Milnes and Co...................... 500
Miller and Potter..................... 430
Fen-wick, Laroche, and Stobart ............ 346
F. D. Lambert ..................... 326
W.E.Bell ..................... 135
Metcalfe and Son..................... 134
Carr, Lamb, and Co................... 129
8944 By Agents ..................... 1170
10,114
251
1856, February 20. A public dinner was ^ven at Hetton-le-Hole to Mr.
Nicholas Wood, in token of the high esteem entertained for that gentleman by
the inhabitants of the neighbourhood j 160 gentlemen were present.
1856, March 1. The Marchioness of Londonderry entertained upwards of 3,000
pitmen and workpeople, employed in her ladyship's collieries, to a
substantial dinner, at Chilton, near Fence Houses.
1856, September 23. The Jarrow Dock was founded.
1856. About this period, Black Boy, Coundon, Westerton, and
Leasingthorne Collieries were sold to Mr. Nicholas Wood.
1857, April 1. The Durham and Bishop Auckland Railway was opened.
1857, May 19. His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales, after being equipped
in a suitable dress, descended the shaft of Houghton Colliery, belonging to
the Earl of Durham, and was conducted through the workings.
1857. A committee of the House of Commons was this year appointed to inquire
into the rating of mines (being the eighth Parliamentary Inquiry). The
committee examined thirty-three witnesses from various mining districts upon
the subject of rating mines. They conclude their report as follows, on
August 5 :—" That in making the assessment on mineral property, of whatever
description, all plant and machinery, locomotive or stationary, in any way
connected with or belonging to the mines, and which is incidental and
necessary to the working thereof, should be assessed as a whole, together
with and as part of the mine, and not separately." Mr. T. J. Taylor being
asked by the abovenamed committee, How many years' value do you calculate
you ought to give, if you were going to open a mine ? replied, " There are
two distinct circumstances which arise for consideration in answer to this
question. The first is, that where the freehold of a mine is purchased, it
is usual to allow eight per cent, upon the perpetuity; that would be twelve
and a half year's purchase. The duration of a mine is less than a
perpetuity—say, ten or eleven years' purchase; the allowance for that
depends entirely upon the length of time the mine has to last. The other
case is the case of the purchase of a lessee's interest in a mine; the
purchase of the interest of the occupier of the mine in distinction from
that of the lessor. Then an annuity has to be purchased, subject not only to
the mining risk, but also to occasional risk; it is calculated
1857. According to Mr. Hunt, 65,394,707 tons of coal were produced in the
kingdom this year; 15,826,525 tons being from Durham and Northumberland.
, 252
as an annuity for the term of tlie lease. It varies from twelve to eighteen
per cent.; that gives from five to eight years' purchase."
1858, July 20. The Messrs. Carr's steam coal collieries sold, Seghill
Colliery bringing £93,000; Cowpen, £120,000; Burradon, £50,000; Hartley
Colliery being- reserved.
1858, July 31. Died at Darlington, Edward Pease, one of the originators of
the Stockton and Darlington Eailway.
1858, September 30. In consequence of the firing of the brattice in Page
Bank Colliery shaft, ten men were suffocated. At the coroner's inquest some
rather singular causes of the fire were broached.
1858. In this year three reports, " On the use of the Steam Coals of the
Hartley district of Northumberland in Marine Boilers," were made by Messrs.
W. G. Armstrong, James A. Longridge, and Thomas Richardson, to the Steam
Coal Collieries Association. These gentlemen conclude their report as
follows:—" And we cannot but congratulate you upon the fact, that whilst the
experiments which you instituted have entirely established the
practicability of using north country coal, without the production of smoke,
they have also, as we trust, restored it to that high position as a steam
fuel, from which it ought never to have been displaced."
1859, October 12. Robert Stephenson died, aged fifty-six years, and was
buried in Westminster Abbey. For some years he represented Whitby in the
House of Commons.
1859. Under the authority of the Coal-trade committee, it was stated, about
this time, that the trade contributed, as individuals, largely towards the
general purposes of education, and for the relief of those suffering from
accidents at the collieries, to the extent of about £30,000 per annum.
1859. The quantity of coals produced this year, in the counties of Durham
and Northumberland, amounted to 20,704,077 tons.
1859. In consequence of the high price of coke, locomotive engines were, on
many railways, adapted for consuming coals.
1859. From experiments made upon the London and South-Western Railway, with
the best Newcastle coke and Welsh coal, the conclusion arrived at was that
there was a clear saving of 10*8 lbs. per mile, when coal was reduced to its
coke value. The coke used was Ramsay's Gares-field, and the coal Griff and
Llanguathog Merthyr.*
* At a meeting of the Society of Arts, Mr. B. Fothergill, engineer, read a
paper to prove :—1st. That coal was decidedly superior to coke in respect to
heating power, and, consequently, more economical. 2nd. That a plentiful
supply of steam
253
1860, March 12. Burradon Colliery exploded, by which seventy-four lives were
lost. This accident created a great amount of excitement, and Serjeant
Ballantyne was specially retained by some gentlemen to attend the inquest.
The sum of £6,104 14s. 5d. was subscribed for the relief of the widows and
orphans, numbering 113.f
1860, April. Ryhope Colliery commenced working. The sinking was begun in
1856, in the prosecution of which, under the charge of Mr. John Taylor,
sixteen fathoms of "friable sand" were passed through in the extraordinary
short space of seven weeks, and the Maudlin-seam was finally won at a depth
of 254 fathoms.
1860, December 20. A rather unusual explosion occurred at this date at the
engine-fire of the East and West Minor Pits of Hetton Colliery, by which
twenty-two lives were lost, besides nine horses and fifty-six ponies. At the
time of the accident 180,000 feet of air per minute were said to be
circulating in the workings. According to Mr. Wood this accident cost the
company upwards of £10,000. In the words of the Coroner's jury, when
returning their verdict, this accident was occasioned " by an explosion of
inflammable gas, accumulated in the flue leading from a boiler fire to the
upcast shaft, which gas was not generated in the workings of the pits."
1860, December 31. In the ten years ending at this date, in the two northern
Mine-inspectors' districts, there were 184,922,978 tons of coals wrought and
1,614 deaths, or one death to every 114,574 tons of coals wrought.
1860. Average shipping price of Newcastle coals, 9s. per ton. X
1860, September 18. Died, Joseph Locke, Esq., M.P., aged fifty-five years,
one of the Vice-presidents of the Mining Institute.
1861, April 3. This day, died after a very brief illness, Thomas John
Taylor, aged fifty-one years, one of the Vice-presidents of the Mining
Institute. Taking all his varied abilities and acquirements into account, he
may safely be considered to have been the most able of the mining- engineers
of the Northern Coal-field.
could be generated by the use of coal, for working engines at high
velocities, and for drawing heavy trains. 3rd. The capabilities of
coal-burning engines for consuming their own smoke. 4th. The increased
durability of fire-boxes and tubes when coal was used.
f An account of this accident, by the late Mr. T. J. Taylor, appears in the
Mining
Institute Transactions.
% Coal-trade Committee of Newcastle.
Note.—In 1859, the Commissioners of Harbours of Refuge, in their report,
estimate the annual loss of life on our own coasts to be 780.
I860. Collieries in the United Kingdom, 3,009 ; tons of coals raised,
80,04-2,698.
Vol. XV.—1866.
k k
254
1861. It was intended this year to have obtained a Bill called u The Tyne
Coal Drainage Bill," having* for its object the draining of the drowned out
collieries below Newcastle bridge, at the joint expense of the lessors and
lessees. This important scheme was for the time abandoned in consequence of
the untimely and lamented death of Mr. T. J. Taylor, who was the originator
of it.
1861, July 16, 17, and 18. Upon these days an important and interesting
meeting of the North of England Institute of Mining Engineers was held at
Birmingham.
1861, September. The following rather important case was decided at this
time:—A number of boys belonging to Broomhill Colliery, in Northumberland,
were brought before the county magistrates, at Morpeth, for leaving their
employment without giving legal notice. The manager of the colliery stated
that the boys all worked under a monthly agreement, and that he was entitled
to a month's notice before they could leave their employment; that the
conditions were exhibited in a conspicuous place at the pit, where all the
parties employed in the colliery had access to at all times, and that all
the contracts were verbal. On the 2nd of September, the boys applied for an
advance of wages, and on being refused, they struck work on the following
day. For the defence it was contended that infants were not competent to
bind themselves by their contracts, and that, therefore, the boys were not
liable to punishment. The court ruled that infants are entitled by law to
make contracts which are beneficial to their personal interests; and that
such a contract subjects them to all the legal regulations applicable to
masters and servants. Three of the boys were convicted, and committed to
prison for one month, with hard labour.
1861. The produce of coal from the Durham and Northumberland Coal-field
for this year, was estimated as follows :—
Tons.
House Coal .....................................................
4,493,450
Gas Coal .........................................................
1,717,000
Steam Coal and Manufacturing ........................... 4,317,120
Passed over the North-Eastern Railway ............... 2,180,000
Coke Consumed in the Iron Trade........................ 5,000,000
Coke Consumed in Alkali and other Manufactures... 1,250,000
Passed over the Carlisle Railway ........................ 120,000
Colliery and Home Consumption ........................ 2,200,000
Duff and Waste ................................................
500,000
Total .......................................... 21,777,570
255
1861. According to the census, the*rti were 53,524 coal-miners in the
counties of Durham and Northumberland.
1861. Number of collieries in Durham and Northumberland, 283; under Mr.
Dunn's inspection, 142; Mr. Atkinson's, 141.
1861. A strike at Cassop Colliery occurred this year.
1862, January 16. At eleven o'clock on the forenoon of this day
(Thursday) occurred the most serious calamity that ever happened in the
Northern Coal-field, in the closing up of the shaft of the New Hartley
Colliery, the property of the Messrs. Carr, caused by the breaking and
falling down the shaft of half the immense pumping-beam, weighing
forty-three tons. By this accident 204 lives were lost. The whole of
the bodies, except the five found in the shaft, when reached on the
Wednesday succeeding the accident, were found in positions showing that they
had died quietly and without pain, the gas (carbonic oxide) having evidently
produced a sleep which ended in death. This frightful accident created an
intense excitement, extending from the Palace downwards, and the large sum
of £83,733 8s. 4d. was subscribed for the relief of the widows and children,
numbering 407. Mr. J. Kenyon Blackwell was sent by the Home Office to
attend the inquest. He reported that if the beam had been trussed with
iron rods, no part of it would have fallen down the shaft. That in future
winnings single shafts should not be allowed. In consequence of this
accident and Mr. Blackwell's Report thereon, an Act was passed in July
following, setting forth that—" After the passing of this Act it shall not
be lawful for the owner of a new winning, and after the first day of
January, 1865, it shall not be lawful for the owner of any existing mine to
employ any person in working within such mine, etc., unless there are in
communication with every seam of such mine for the time being at work at
least two shafts, or outlets, separated by natural strata of not less than
ten feet in breadth." Previous to this legislation, the Home Secretary
sent a circular letter to the inspectors for their opinion of bratticed and
single shafts.*
1862, March. At the Assizes held in Durham, at this date, the important
cases of Blackett v. Bradley, and Scarr v. Summerson, in which the manorial
rights of the Ecclesiastical Commissioners, in the county of Durham, were
involved, were entered for trial. The plaintiffs counsel, in opening his
case, stated as follows:—" It was a startling
* A Paper on this accident was read by Mr. G. B. Forster before the
Institute of Mining Engineers.
1861. Total coals produced in the United Kingdom, according to Hunt—
oo mc aiA + „„„ . „„„„„!;„„ f„ Uvll_SR 817 3<U tnns
256
fact that the Ecclesiastical Commissioners now sought, throughout this great
county, they being the owners, to an enormous extent, of the mines lying
under estates in this county, to set up, that there had been a custom from
time immemorial that they might go under any gentleman's estate in this
county, be it freehold or copyhold, and let them all down, and destroy them
for purposes of cultivation." The Judge suggested that as the two cases
would probably be taken to the House of Lords, a special case should be
stated for the superior court. In accordance with this suggestion, an
arbitrator (Mr. Grant) was appointed, who sat in the following' August, at
Darlington, when numerous witnesses were examined, both as to the custom of
burning coke, mode of working coal, and paying for pit damage in the
chapelry of Hamsterley. Unfortunately, these cases were " hung up," in
consequence of the death of the arbitrator before he had prepared them.
1862, May 20. At a public meeting, held in the Town Hall, at Newcastle, a
sum of £509 and medals were presented to the Messrs. Coulson and the
thirty-six sinkers who opened out the Hartley shaft.
1862, May. Mr. Nicholas Wood stated to a committee of the House of Commons
that the annual quantity of coals raised at Hetton Colliery, was 500,000
tons; and Lambton Colliery, 800,000 tons.
1862, July. In the discussion in the House of Commons upon the Mines
Prevention of Accident Bill, the Attorney-General, Sir William Atherton,
stated that the Judges had decided that masters were not to be liable to
their work-people for injuries, if it were proved that they had employed
competent persons as managers; also, that courts have decided that a master
was not responsible to his servant for injuries done by a fellow-workman.
1862, September 19. On this day, Mr. William Anderson (aged seventy-seven
years), one of the oldest and most respected of the Mining engineers, died.
From the commencement of the Mining Institute, he had been one of the
Vice-presidents.
1862. This year the Messrs. Corry fitted up a float in the Thames, with a
hydraulic crane for discharging screw colliers. It is said to be capable of
discharging 1,200 tons of cargo in ten hours.
1862. According to Mr. Hunt's Mineral Statistics, 19,360,356 tons of coals
were this year wrought in the counties of Durham and Northumberland.
1862. Out of 4,973,823 tons of coals sent to London market this year not
less than 1,531,421 tons were sent by rail.
257
1863, May 25. In the Court of Exel*«quer, the case of Fenwick and and
another v. Hedley and others, came on for a new trial. This case was
raised to try the right of the Ecclesiastical Commissioners or their lessees
to carry freehold coals over Lanchester Common land. The case was tried
at Durham at the last Assizes, when a verdict for 40s. was entered for the
plaintiffs upon all the issues, leave being reserved to the defendants to
move. As the case involved questions of very great importance, it was
taken into the Exchequer Chamber. The decision of the Court was, that the
defendants had no power to lead such coals over Common Lands, and directed
them to pay compensation, which was afterwards assessed at Is. 9d. per ten.
1863, June 4. Messrs. T. E. Forster and John Taylor, at the request of
the Tyne Improvement Commissioners, reported upon the extent of unworked
steam coal; the increase that may be expected in the produce of such coal;
and in the annual shipments thereof in the river Tyne; as to the
probabilities of the Northern Coal-field maintaining its ground against
competition with the Welsh coal, etc., as follows :—" We find that there is
sufficient Low-main seam still remaining to endure on the present rate of
shipments of steam-coal on the Tyne, in addition to the portion diverted to
Sunderland Docks, for a period of 110 years. We have to observe that the
existing steam collieries could produce from twenty to twenty-five per
cent, more than they do at present. Considering, however, the large
number of screw-steamers which are building annually, coupled with the
ordinary increase of trade, and that this huge fleet requires several
hundred thousand tons annually, we think that
18G2 Vends of coals, coastwise and foreign, from 1791 (from Messrs.
Wood's and others British Association Paper) :—
Coast Vend. Foreign Vend.
^I™'
Tons. ions.
1791...... 1,814,661 ...... 264,944 ......
2,079,605
1795 .... 2251,547 ...... 418,885
...... JSn^
t'nA 2381986 ...... 138,089 ......
2,520,075
}^9 ...... 2426616 ... 147146 ......
2,573,762
]l% ...... 2783404 ... 50922 ......
2,834,326
\m°k 2717509 ...... 159174 ......
2,876,683
}§J5 ...... 3246885 ...... 158 340 ......
3,403,225
JS5J ...... 3309386 . 178544 ......
3,487,930
JSg ...... 8289241 .... 341,062 ......
3,630,363
35 :::::: wil ...... m.™ ...... 3,784,9%
lofn 4391085 ...... 1,196,299 ......
5,587,384
}|i? ...... 5477273 ...... 1,731 113 ......
7,208,386
!«.? 6405395 ...... 3,959,252 ......
10,364,647
1862 :::::: loliill ...... 4;o44,i8i ...... 10,134,790
1862. Total number of collieries in the United Kingdom, 3,088. i«R9
Total tons of coals produced, 81,638,338.—Hunt.
258
there will be found ample room for north country and Welsh coal. As regards
the inferior description of coal, the time (110 years), is so distant, when
the steam coal of the first-class quality will he exhausted, and as in
addition, the yard-seam will endure sixty years, tog-ether 170 years, we
think it unnecessary to go into the question."
These gentlemen give the following statistics, showing the increase of the
steam coal-trade on the Tyne.
Tons.
Tons.
1854 ............... 1,485,833
1859............... 1,275,707
1855 ............... 1,172,701 1860
............... 1,847,091
1856 ............... 1,241,188 1861
............... 1,544,067
1857 ............... 1,326,889 1862
............... 1,955,386
1858 ............... 1,269,887
1863, July 6. The following document was signed and issued by a majority of
the leading mercantile firms of Newcastle :—
" We, the undersigned merchants, shipbrokers, and shipowners of
Newcastle-upon-Tyne, recognising that the keel has long been obsolete, and
does not now in reality exist as a standard measure, that it bears no
relation to foreign weights and measures, but one that is most difficult and
tedious to establish (the reduction having first to be made in tons and
cwts., and subsequently into keels) ; and furthermore that coal and coke are
now sold by the ton, and not by keels and chaldrons, hereby pledge ourselves
and agree to commence at an early date, to conduct all our chartering
operations, whenever and wherever practicable, on the basis of the
established and legitimate weight of the realm, viz., the ton, in order to
simplify calculations, which as hitherto conducted, cannot have failed to be
a source of great inconvenience to foreigners having business with this
port."*
1863, August. At the British Association meeting, held at this time in
Newcastle, Messrs. N. Wood and Charles M. Palmer, in their papers read
before the Association, gave the following particulars of the performances
of screw colliers, viz.:—In the year ending January 9, 1863, the "
Killingworth " made sixty-five voyages from West Hartlepool to London, and
delivered 38,738 tons 19 cwts. of coals, or an average of 596 tons per
voyage. Again, in one year, the " James Dixon" made fifty-seven voyages to
London, and delivered 62,842 tons of coals, and this with a crew of only
twenty-one persons. This vessel frequently
* Other measures and denominations used in the Ccal-trade, as the peck,
boll, and ten, could advantageously be done away with or simplified.
259
received 1,200 tons of coals in four hours; made her passage to London in
thirty-two hours ; there, by means of hydraulic machinery, discharged her
cargo in ten hours ; returned in thirty-two hours—thus completing her voyage
in seventy-six hours.
Table by Mr. C. M. Palmer of the quantity of coal sent to London by screw
colliers, since their introduction to June 30, 1863:—
Cargoes. Tons.
1852 .................................... 17 making ........................
9,483
1853................................... 123 „
........................ 69,934
1854 .................................... 345 „
....................... 199,974
1855 (Crimean war) ............... 174 „
........................ 85,584
1856 .................................... 413 „
........................ 238,597
1857 .................................... 977 „
........................ 547,099
1858 ....................................1127 „
........................ 599,527
1859 (Italian war).................. 899 „
........................ 544,614
1860 ....................................1069 „
........................ 672,476
1861 ...................................1299 „
........................ 851,991
1862 ...................................1427 „
........................ 929,825
1863 (half-year ending June) ... 714 „
........................ 463,609
5,212,713
1863, September 24. Died this day, Mr. Thomas Crawford, colliery-owner and
viewer, aged eighty-three years. He was a self-made man, and for many years
was principal Mining-agent to the Earl of Durham.
1863, October. A strike occurred at this time throughout Messrs. Straker's
and Love's collieries in the Brancepeth district. After much agitation and a
prolonged resistance, the men returned to work, but not before several had
brought themselves within the talons of the law for intimidation and riotous
conduct. There is little doubt that the leaders of the Union selected these
collieries for a strike, with the intention, if successful in obtaining
their demands, of striking at other collieries in detail. Fortunately for
the coalowners, the Messrs. Straker and Love resisted their somewhat
unreasonable claims, which, according- to a letter of Mr. Love's, of 31st
October, would make a difference to the owners of £20,000 a-year, and, in so
doing, doubtless fought the battle of the trade. The owners, in a notice to
miners issued in December, state that in their collieries the wages
generally vary from 4s. to 7s. per day ', but there are good workmen making
from 8s. to 9s. per day at the present time.
1863. In the latter part of this year, the new ratings under the Parochial
Assessment Act came into operation, when, as a rule, the rateable value of
the collieries was very considerably increased, in some
260
instances, in the Durham Union, to'double the old amount. In addition to
this augmentation, the engines at each pit were rated at £50 each, miners'
cottages at £3 12s. each, coke-ovens where the smoke is not consumed at £2,
and £1 10s. where it is.
A considerable number of disputes as to the proper rateable value naturally
resulted from the course taken by the Assessment Committees, the most
noteworthy of which was that with Ryhope Colliery. An extract from a letter
of Mr. Hedley, the valuer to Mr. John Taylor, the viewer, will show the
principle gone upon.
" I will adopt your suggestion and take thirty years as the period for
refunding or paying off the capital invested in the shaft, buildings,
machinery, and plant of Ryhope Colliery, and six per cent, for interest and
to provide for the repayment in thirty years. The buildings, machinery, and
plant will certainly be worth more at the expiration of thirty years than
they will at the end of fifty years. I, therefore, assume that at the end of
thirty years they will be worth twenty-five per cent, of their original
cost, or £31,250, instead of twelve and a-half per cent., which will leave
£93,750 to be provided in thirty years by a sinking fund, which will require
two per cent, per annum, or £1,875 to be invested annually to reproduce that
amount. On this principle the valuation of Ryhope Colliery will stand thus
:—
Koyalty rent as before.............................................
£3,120 0 0
Koyalty of land as before .......................................
600 0 0
Gross rent of shaft, buildings, engines, and plant at six per cent, on
£125,000 £7,500 0 0
Lessor's repairs ............ £750 0 0
Eedemption f und............ 1,875 0 0
--------------2,625 0 0
--------------4,875 0 0
Rateable value ........................... £8,595 0 0
1863. In the paper read by Mr, Wood before the British Association, it is
stated that the present make of coke in Durham and Northumberland is
estimated to be 2,519,945 tons per annum, for which is required an annual
consumption of 1,000 acres of a four-feet seam of coal. In the same paper
the number of people employed in the Northern Coal-trade is estimated as
follows:—Men and boys employed underground, 36,000; men and boys employed
aboveground, 9,700; men and boys employed shipping coal, 1,600; total,
47,300;—seamen and boys employed
[261
in the coasting trade, not including those in the oversea trade, 25,000;
total, 72,300.
1863. Mr. Hunt gives the production of the Northern Coal-field for
1863 at 22,154,146 tons.
1863, August. Sir William Armstrong, in his address as President of the
British Association, remarked as follows upon the duration of our
Coal-fields:—" Assuming 4,000 feet as the greatest depth at which it will
ever be possible to carry on mining operations, and rejecting all seams of
less than two feet in thickness, the entire quantity of available coal,
existing in these islands, has been calculated to amount to about 80,000
millions of tons, which, at the present rate of consumption, would be
exhausted in 930 years, but with a continued yearly increase of two and
three-quarter millions of tons, would only last 212 years."
18(53. Coal and coke imported into London this year:—Seaborne, 3,335,174
tons in 9,687 ships; road, rail, and canal, 1,791,932 tons; total, 5,127,106
tons *
1864, March 3. An adjourned meeting of the Steam Collieries' Association
was held at the Coal Trade Office, when, after taking into consideration the
prices of work given during the past year, it was resolved, " That no
advance shall be given unless the seam shall go below its usual height; and
that the owners of the colliery which shall be required by the Coal Trade
Association to resist unjustifiable demands of the workmen, and thereby be
put on strike, shall be indemnified by the united trade, pro rata, for all
expenses and losses of profit or otherwise, arising out or incurred during
the period of such strike; the same to be ascertained and awarded by two
impartial viewers, one to be chosen by the owners of the colliery on strike,
and the other by the Steam Coal Association, with an umpire, as usual, to be
chosen by the arbitrators."
1864, March. Elaborate reports were published of the North of England and
Welsh Steam-coal, tested at Her Majesty's Dockyard, Davenport. From the
experiments it was evident that the introduction of North Country coals, to
be burnt in combination with Welsh coals in equal proportions, would be
attended with desirable results.f
* Of the above importation into London, 656,760 tons were re-exported. f By
these experiments the following results were arrived at:—
Lbs. of water evaporated Cubic feet of water
by a lb. of coal. evaporated per hour.
Hartley Coal.............................. 10-71 ..................
43-6
Welsh Coal .............................. 10-14 ..................
38-6
1863. According to Mr. Hunt, 86,292,215 tons of coals were wrought in the
United Kingdom this year, being an increase of more than 4,500,000 tons upon
the produce of 1862. The same authority gives the number of collieries at
3,160. Another authority gives the quantity of coal raised, including duff
and waste, at 90,000,000 tons.
Vol. XV.—1866.
l l
262
1864, April. A grand banquet was given by the chairman and members of the
Steam Collieries' Association, in honour of W, S. Lindsay, Esq., M.P., for
his exertions in obtaining a fair trial, and a proper recognition by the
Admiralty of the North Country Steam-coal. Up to this time Welsh coal had
been exclusively used,
1864, May 11, This month the Hunwick and Newfield Collieries, being part of
the West Hartlepool system, were offered for sale by auction. Newfield was
sold for £20,000; for Hunwick, £45,000 was offered, when the reserved bid of
£60,000 was put in.
1864, June 2. In the Court of Common Pleas the following action was tried at
this time :—The Guardians of the Society of Keelmen of the Tyne v.
Davison.—This was an action brought by the plaintiffs to recover the amount
of |d. per chaldron on all coal shipped, under the provisions of an Act of
Parliament, and was made subject to the opinion of the Court on a special
case. The Chief Justice thought that the sum was due, and that the
defendant's colliery was near enough (thirteen miles) to the Tyne, to be
within the enactment of 1 Geo. IV. The other learned Judges were of the same
opinion.—Judgment for the plaintiffs.
1864. During the latter part of this year measures were taken to enforce the
Coal Turn Act against some coalowners, who had given an undue preference in
loading to screw-colliers over sailing-ships.
1864. Considerable efforts had now been making for some time to perfect and
introduce coal-cutting machines, but so far only with imperfect success.*
1864. Collieries in North Durham and Northumberland, 135; collieries in
South Durham 160.
1864. According to the Coal Trade Report of this year, the average price of
best coals was 20s. Id. per ton; second best, 18s. 2|d.; rate of freight,
6s. llf d. The general result is, that in company with an average increase
in freight of 5|d. per ton, there is upon best coals an advance of Is. lOf
d. per ton; and upon second coals an advance of 2s. 4d. per ton.
1864. Production of Durham and Northumberland, 23,248,367 tons.f
* Mr. Jevons has the following remark upon coal-cutting machines :—" Even in
the West Ardsley ColHery, belonging to the patentees of the coal-cutting
machine, who naturally carry out its use to the utmost possible extent, this
machine is found to diminish the staff only ten per cent."
f Hunt. The production of pig-iron at Middlesborough in 1864 was 904,000
tons, for the smelting of which 1^286,350 tons of coke were used. Coal
raised this year, according to the Mining Inspectors' Return, 95,122,919
tons ; according to Mr. Hunt, 92,787,873 ; Collieries in the United Kingdom,
3,268 ; coals sent to London by rail and sea, 2,351,3=12 tons.
263
1864. Strikes occurred this year at Ravensworth, Walbottle, and Seghill
Collieries; the one at the last colliery being somewhat protracted.
1864. According to the Mining Inspectors' Return for this year,
Northumberland, Cumberland, and North Durham had 24,423 male persons
employed in the collieries, and raised 10,156,000 tons : and South Durham
employed 33,115 male persons, and raised 13,835,544 tons.
1865, January 25. A case in the County Court was decided in favour of five
miners of Cassop Colliery, who each claimed £2 8s. for time lost in
consequence of the bad state of the ventilation of the pit.
1865. The Times newspaper devoted a leading article to a short account of
Timothy Hackworth's, George Stephenson's, and William Hedley's old engines,
the Sanspareil, the Rocket, and the Wylam Puffing Billy, all now placed in
the Kensington Museum.
1865, May 9. Vice-Chancellor Kindersley decided in the cause Bell v. Wilson,
that in the construction of a reservation in a deed of conveyance of land at
Long-Benton, Northumberland, the words " all mines and seams of coals, and
other mines, metals, or minerals, with liberty to dig, bore, work, lead, and
carry away the same," did not include freestone wrought in an open quarry,
and that the grantor had liberty only to get it by underground mining; this
decision was confirmed by the Lords Justices.
1865, June 12. Died at Hetton, the eminent sinker, William Coulson, aged
seventy-four years.
1865, June 23. The Cramlington Colliery strike commenced in consequence of
an application by the men for an increase of wages being refused.
1865, October 9. Thornley and Ludworth Collieries, with a royalty of 3,728
acres, sold to Messrs. Walton and Gowland for £105,100.
1865. In an arbitration case, held this month, between the Durham Guardians
and the Weardale Iron- and Coal-Company, the Assessment Committee's
estimated rental of £5,000 was reduced to £3,000, and the rateable value
from £3,750 was reduced to £2,250.
1865. In the cases Blackett v. Bradley, and Scarr v. Summerson, commenced in
1862, an award was made by Mr. Tomlinson, Q.C., the arbitrator, as follows
:—In Scarr v. Summerson, "the Coke Oven" case, the award was absolutely in
favour of the plaintiff. In Blackett v. Bradley, " The Pit-falls" case, the
jura regalia plea was adjudged bad in law
1865, March 30. A Bill, entitled " Metalliferous Mines Bill,' was read a
first time in the House of Lords, and dropped.
264
and fact. On the general question in this case, the arbitrator reserved his
award for further consideration. Subsequent to the above decisions, a
meeting- of landowners, interested in the questions pending-, was held at
Bishop Auckland, when " the meeting warmly congratulated the owners and
occupiers of allotment lands on the uninterrupted success that had attended
their efforts to vindicate their surface rights whenever they had been
brought to the test of a legal tribunal." About half-a-dozen cases, in which
they had been successful against the Ecclesiastical Commissioners, were
enumerated, among which was that of Shafto v. Stobart, where 130 ovens and
twenty-six cottages had been recovered, and rent was now paid for them.
1865, October 9. John Dixon, C.E., died. He was the right-hand man of George
Stephenson, when constructing the Stockton and Darlington Railway.
1865, October 11. The owners of Cramlington Colliery commenced turning the
men, who had been on strike since June, out of their houses, when a riot
ensued, which resulted in several of the rioters being committed to prison
for several months. Large sums of money were contributed by various
collieries towards the support of the men on strike,* especially from the
adjoining steam-coal collieries; from Sleekburn alone, £190 7s. 2d. was
received in the three months ending the 30th September. This prolonged
strike may be said to have terminated in December, by the importation of a
large number of Cornish miners.
1865, November 21. At the Miners' National Conference, held in Newcastle, at
this date, Mr. Rymer, the sole delegate from the county of Durham, in the
bitterness of his heart, in consequence of having so few constituents ("they
numbered about 1,000 members, but only seventy-four were represented
there"), described his fellow-workmen as follows:—"He was sorry to say that
the county of Durham, in a mining and unionistic point of view, appeared as
a black blot upon the map of England. The ignorance, cowardice, and drunken
habits of the people led them to plunge into misery, ruin, and despair."!
"* The following notice, dated 24th November, 1865, was extensively
advertised :—"Fellow-workmen.—Beware! beware!!—The iron hoof of despotism is
again anxious to trample out of the country every vestige of manhood and
liberty! Whereas, notice has been given that none need apply for work at
Cramlington Colliery, which is now on strike, who has the manliness to unite
with his fellow-men for the protection of his labour. But every one who
chooses to sell his birthright (liberty) for a mess of potage, can do so by
applying to the owners of Cramlington Colliery."
f If some statements which appeared in the Durham Chronicle about Mr. Rymer
were correct, it did not become him to belie his fellows.
265
1865, November 24. A strike for increase"*^ wages took place at Page Bank
Colliery.
1865, December 5. Two boys, respectively aged thirteen and fifteen years,
were charged before the magistrates with absenting themselves from the
service of the owners of Washington Colliery. Eventually it was agreed that
the solicitors of the respective parties should agree upon the facts, in
order to submit a case to a superior court.
1865, December 19. A miners' mass meeting held near Shankhouse, in the
steam-coal collieries district.
1865, December 19. Mr. Nicholas Wood, President of the North of England
Institute of Mining Engineers, and one of the largest coal-owners in the
district, died, aged seventy years. He had been for upwards of half a
century connected with the Coal-trade, having gone to serve his time as a
colliery viewer, at Killing-worth Colliery, in the year 1811. The last
Institute meeting he presided over was that held upon the 3rd of June, when,
to the general regret of the members, he stated that his health was failing.
A committee of the House of Commons sat for a short time to investigate the
condition and alleged grievances of the coal-miners, but owing to the late
period of the session when appointed, after examining two or three witnesses
it dissolved.
Owing to the universally prosperous state of trade, especially the iron
manufacture, the Coal-trade this year received a considerable impetus. Each
colliery endeavoured to extend its working powers, but for the most part
without obtaining the desired result, in consequence of the workmen, now in
the enjoyment of large wages, limiting their hours of labour.
Notwithstanding, however, all drawbacks, owing to the high price obtained
for their produce, the coalowners must have found the working of their
collieries to be highly remunerative.*
1865. Seaborne coals imported into London this year, 3,161,683 tons; coals
imported by railways and canals, 2,748,257 tons—total, 5,909,940 tons.
* A general agitation this year pervaded the working-classes for diminishing
the hours of labour, and for an increase of wages.
APPENDIX A.
The seventeenth century appears to have been rather prolific in lawsuits
connected with the Coal-trade; and as showing the nature of the causes of
action at that period, I am tempted to append the record of several, for
which I am indebted to Mr. John Booth, of Shotley Bridge, who extracted them
from the Bishoprick Halmot Court Books.
The complainants in this bill set out their title to seams of coal
1663, Sept. 15. (the colliery was called the Grand Lease Col-
Georqius Vane miles et alii ,. N -, ,. .,
^. , „ ^. .
* ei hery) as lessees or the Bishop or
Durham,
Johannes Marley et alii. lying- under the copyhold lands, wastes,
moors,
and commons within the Manors of Whickham and Gateshead. They
then set out defendants' title to coal-mines within a freehold tenement,
called Brenkburne freehold, and that they had sunk therein three shafts,
by which they had wrought great quantities of coal out of complainant's
liberty, concluding with a prayer for relief, and for the appointment of
a commission to go down defendants' pits to view and measure the
coal-mines wrought by the defendants.
The decree empowered William Lyddell, Trystram Fenwick, John
Emerson, and Ralph Haggerston (to whom a commission was awarded
for the purpose), to view the defendants' workings, and from time to time
to ryde the shafts of the pits wrought by the defendants, and to go into
and return out of their coal works, until they had perfected the view;
and in order thereunto to make use of the standard rowler, wayes, and
other like instruments, and .also to carry with them spades, shovels, hacks,
picks, and other towles and instruments, to remove all such lettes,
obstructions, and impediments, above or underground, as should hinder
of viewing the said defendants' collieries and their doings therein. The
decree directed they should certify to the court.
267
The complainant, by this bill, sets out that in March, then past, the
1664, Sept. 7. defendant brought his ship to the port of Sunderland,
y_ ' laden with salt fish, and that it was agreed the com-
Rogers. pkinant should take 108 of them, at the rate of £13, and defendant
was to take of the complainant all the coals he was in need of during the
summer, at the rate of 14s. per chaldron. Whereupon the complainant took the
fish, and gave his bill for his £13, to be paid in money or in coals.
That on defendant next coming to the port, a keel of coals, amounting to £4
18s., was delivered to him, and the remainder was ready to be delivered, but
the defendant refused them.
By the decree, it would appear that the coals to be delivered were derived
from Lumley Park Colliery.
The complainant in his bill sets out a bond which he had given de-Maliestan
fendant about two years before, in which it was recited Dlj,eg
that the confplainant, being employed as overman in the
March 27,1665. wyning and working of coals out of the collieries of
Crawcrook, in the county of Durham, was in arrear twenty tenns for which he
had received money, and ought to have paid the defendant, who was a joint
owner of the colliery, his proportion thereof; he therefore became bound to
the defendant in a penal sum of £40, that he would deliver to the defendant
out of the pits in the colliery of Crawcrook, the said twenty tenns " of
good merchantable ship coles accompt-ing twenty waggons to a tenn, every
waggon to contain fifteen bowles usual cole measure," at any time, on
demand, after the date thereof, and before the 1st August then next. The
complainant then sets out performance of the conditions of the bond ;
nevertheless, the defendant, though thereunto requested, had refused to
deliver up the bond to be cancelled, and had vexatiously, without a cause,
by a writ of justices, issued forth of the court and process thereupon,
arrested the complainant upon the said bond, and proceeded thereupon with
all possible violence in the County Court. Prayer for relief.
The defendant by his answer confessed the obligation and condition as above,
and admitted the delivery of a portion of the coals as agreed, but denied
they were good and merchantable ship coals, " but bad and foul." He also
averred four tenns and eleven waggons then remained due and unpaid, and they
were of the value of £15 12s. 5d., and for badness of quality of those
delivered he claimed as his loss £12. Decree that,
268
u It appearing to this court to be a matter of great intricacy and trouble,
and yet of no great weight," and the parties assenting, the matters in
difference between them be referred to Sir Francis Anderson, Knight, and Sir
Nicholas Cole, Knight, as auditors and arbitrators, and that a commission be
awarded to them for that purpose.
The information sets out the title of the Bishop of Durham to
Attorney- General, ex relatione,
Sir Paul Neile et alii,
et
Smelt et alii,
June 10, 1667.
certain collieries, coal-mines, and seams of coal called " Edderley
Colliery," and in consideration of a fine of £1,100, granted a lease thereof
to the relators for three lives.
That the relators had been put to great charges in winning and working the
said colliery, and in clearing the same from water. That the defendants
being seised of a freehold colliery adjoining, had sunk pits very near " to
the bounders" of the said Bishop's colliery, and had secretly worked
thereout great quantities of coal which they had brought out at their own
pits, and had also worked great part of the walls purposely left by the
relators for the purpose of keeping the water from coming into the said
Bishop's colliery; also that the defendants had driven drifts into the
Edderley Colliery, whereby the water ran in and would inevitably drown the
same. On the motion of counsel for the relators, the Court directed a
Commission to issue for the examination of the workings, unless the
defendants should show good cause to the contrary to the Chancellor, at his
chambers in Lincoln's Inn, on a future day.
A Commission was directed to issue to Commissioners to be named
Same v.
Same,
22 June, 1667.
then following
by the Registrar, who were to make a return of the damage done to the
Bishop's colliery on the 1st August
The Commissioners who had made the view certified that 'several
Same v.
Same,
August 1, 1667.
workings within the defendants' colliery had been stopt up in several
places towards the relators' colliery,
and (as they conceived) it was done to prevent a view under the Commission,
by reason thereof they could not view the workings of the defendants towards
the Edderley Colliery, neither could they certify the damage sustained by
the relators, but all the watercourses tended towards their colliery. A
new Commission was thereupon directed
269
to issue, with power to remove the stoppings and fillings up of the workings
within defendants' colliery, and with power to use the roller, ropes,
shafts, and engines of the defendants, and in default thereof with liberty
to erect others necessary for the view, and to remove them again.
The former proceedings are set out, and a demurrer by the defen-
Same
v.
Same,
Sept. 5, 1667.
iants to the information, on the ground that the matters complained of were
properly triable at Common Law tnd bv action of tresnaas. Thfi
Court ovfirniled the
demurrer, as the information was for discovering if the defendants had
entered the Bishop's colliery and worked thereout. The last Commission was
directed to be renewed with powers as before. The defendant, Smelt, who was
principally concerned, was ordered at his own charges to remove the rubbish
and other obstructions in defendants' colliery, and allow the Commissioners
" with instruments, lights, lynes, compasses, and utensils, as well to
remove obstructions without endangering or drowning defendants' colliery, as
to view and measure the workings aforesaid." An attachment was further
ordered to issue against such of the defendants as should obstruct the
execution of the Commission.
The complainant, in her Bill, set out that the defendant, about three
Watson
v.
Ayton.
Mar eh 23,1667
years before, demised to her (the complainant's) late husband, George
Watson, " all those mynes and seames of coles usually called the maine
cole seame or mvne," within
the Townfields of Great Lumley, for a term of three years, at a rent of 15d.
yearly for every twenty-one corves of coal wrought, each corve not to exceed
ten pecks. It was covenanted that during the first year Watson should win
2,000 score of coals, and in the second, 3,000, the defendant to find such
gins and engines as then were upon the land, on condition, by Watson, he
would leave them in as good repair as he found them, and that for working
the Five-quarter coal the defendant was to have one of the gins or engines
during the last two years. It was further agreed that on failure by Watson
to pay the said rent, he would confess a judgment of £200 to the defendant.
The defendant agreed to find sufficient horses and drivers, with furniture
to the said horses, for drawing the coals to bank.* The complainant then
set out
* From the tenor of the agreement it would seem the colliery was worked at
the same time by the defendant and Watson, the former working the
Five-quarter-seam, the latter the Main-coal.
Vol, XV.—1866.
M M
270
that her said late husband became bound to the defendant in £2,000 for the
performance of his part of the agreement—his death in 1666 and grant of
administration to her; that a sum of £56 4s. Id. was due to defendant for
rent, and £5 for repairs to the gins, and she prayed that defendant might be
compelled to accept that sum and give up the bond to be cancelled.
The defendant answered and confessed the agreement, but insisted that Watson
had not kept it, as he had drawn coals in corves containing more than ten
pecks each; and that he did not deliver gins for defendant to work the
Five-quarter coal at the end of the first year. Also, that more rent was due
than admitted in the bill. Further, that by irregular working of the said
mines he had occasioned " divers thrusts of cole," which hindered him from
working the mines, and did not satisfy the defendant for the same according
to his agreement.
The breaches appearing many and intricate, and the damages therein
uncertain, the court directed a trial at law by an action of covenant, for
ascertaining the damages, and on return of the verdict would finally
determine the cause, and granted an injunction for staying proceedings upon
the bond.
APPENDIX B.
COLLIERY ACCIDENTS IN THE COUNTIES OF DURHAM AND
NORTHUMBERLAND.
The earliest accident of which we have any record occurred in a pit at Galla
Flat, in May, 1658, by the breaking-in of water from an old waste. Two
men lost their lives.
The " Compleat Collier" speaks of thirty lives being lost by an explosion,
near Newcastle, in 1705. Possibly this is the explosion mentioned in
Gateshead Church books, as having taken place in a colliery in a field at
the head of Jackson's Chare, when Jackson's daughter,* with sundry men, lost
their lives. This is the only woman ever spoken of as having worked in the
mines of these counties.
Upon August the 18th, 1708, Fatfield Colliery exploded, causing the loss of
sixty-nine lives. This is said to be the earliest explosion in our
coal-field of which we have an authentic record.
About the year 1710, Bensham Colliery exploded, by which seventy or eighty
lives were lost.
On January the 18th, 1743, an explosion occurred at North Biddick Colliery,
occasioning the death of seventeen persons. This accident resulted from
holing into a drift which communicated with an old waste.
From about the middle of this century some sort of record of colliery
accidents appears to have been kept, doubtless very imperfect, which may in
some degree be explained by the ensuing extract from the Newcastle Journal
of March 21, 1767 :—" As so many deplorable accidents have lately happened
in collieries, it certainly claims the attention of coal-owners to make
provision for the distressed widow and fatherless children occasioned by
these mines, as the catastrophes from foul air become more common than ever.
Yet, as we have been requested to take no particular notice of these things,
which, in fact, could have very little good tendency, we drop the further
mentioning of it."
* Up to this time (1865) women are still employed in screening the coals at
the Cumberland pits.
272
1756 ... August 11 ... Chatershaugh Colliery exploded ...... 4 lives
lost.
1757 ... June 10 ... Eavensworth do. do.
......16 „
„ ... Sept. 4 .. Lambton do. do.
...... 2 „
„ ... Nov. 18 ... Long Benton do. do. ......
3* „
1760 ... June 15 ... Do. do. do.......1
„
1761 ... June 4 ... Byker do. do.
... ... 2 „
„ ... Dec. 1 ... Hartley do. do.
...... 5f „
1765 ... April 2 ... Walker do. do.......8
„
1766 ... March 18 ... Do. do. do.......10
„
„ ... April 16 ... South Biddick do. do.
......27 „
„ ... August 22 ... Lambton do. do. ......
6 ,,
1767 ... March 27 ... Fatfield do. do.......39
„
„ ... Oct. 19 ... Tanfield do. shaft accident
... 1 „
1773 ... Dec. 6 ... North Biddick do. exploded ......12
„
1776 ... Oct. 7 ... East Bainton do. do.......2
„
„ ... Nov. 19 ... Washington do. shaft accident
... 4 „
1778 ... Dec. 8 ... Chatershaugh do. exploded ......24
„
1780 ... August 21 ... Birtley do. do.......3
„
1782 ... ... Gateshead do.
do.......4 „
„ ... Oct. 11 ... Wallsend do. do.
...... 1 „
1783 .. May ... Washington do. do.
...... 2 „
1784 ... Dec. 7 ... Wallsend do. do.......5
1785 ... June 9 ... Do. do. do.......1%
„
„ ... Dec. 4 ... Do. do. do.
...... 2 „
1786 ... April 9 ... Do. do.
do.......6
1787 ... May 9 ... Do. do. do.......1
„
„ ... Nov. 18 ... Long Benton do. do. ......
3§ „
1790 ... Oct. 4 ... Wallsend do. do.......7
„
1793 ... ... Washington do. do.
...... 4|| „
„ ... Dec. 27 ... Sheriff Hill do. do.......14
1794 ... June 9 ... Picktree do. do.
......30 „
„ ... June 11 ... Harraton do. do.
......28 „
„ ... Nov. ... Oxclose do. do.
...... 2 ,,
„ ... Dec. 21 ... Sheriff Hill do. do.
......several,,
1795 ... April 24 ... Benwell do. do.......11
„
1796 ... Feb. ... New Washington do. do. ......
7 „
„ ... April ... i Do. do. do.
...... 2 „
„ ... Sept. 8 ... Slatyford do. drowned out
... 6*[f „
1798 ... Feb. 27 ... Washington do. exploded ...... 7
„
* Including the viewer. f Including the viewer.
% The first explosion which could be distinctly traced to have taken place
at the steel-mill.
§ Including those of Mr. George Bawling, borer, and Mr. Balph Unthank,
viewer.
|| Including the viewer and two overmen.
% Inundated in consequence of pricking an old waste.
273
1798 ... May 28 ... Oxclose Colliery exploded ...... 4
lives lost.
1799 ... August 13 ... Do. do. do.......1
„
,, ... August 13 ... Newbottle do. do.
...... 1 „
„ ... Oct. 11 ... Lumley do. do.
......39 „
1803 ... Sept. 25 ... Wallsend do. do.......13
„
„ ... Sept. 25 ... Lambton do. do.
...... 3 ,,
1805 ... April ... Oxclose do. do.
...... 2 „
„ ... Oct. 21 ... Hebburn do. do.
......35* „
„ ... Nov. 28 ... Oxclose do. do.......38f
„
1806 ... March 28 ... Killingworth do. do.......10J „
1808 ... August 31 ... Shiney Bow do. do. ......
2 „
„ ... Nov. 29 ... Harraton do. do.
...... 4§ „
„ ... Nov. 30 ... Fatfield do. do.......3
„
1809 ... Sept. 14 ... Killingworth do. do.......12
„
1812 ... May 25 ... Felling do. do.......92
„
„ ... Oct. 10 ... Pensher do. do.......24
„
1813 ... July 17 ... CollingwoodMaindo. do.......8 „
„ ... Sept. 25 ... Fatfield do. do.......32
„
„ ... Dec. 24 ... Felling do. do.......22
„
„ ... Dec. 24 ... Jarrow do. fall of stone
... 2 ,,
1814 ... April 15 ... Percy Main do. exploded ......
4 „
„ •... August 12 ... Hebburn do. do.
......11|| „
„ ... Sept. 9 ... Leafield do. do.
...... 4 „
1815 ... May 3 ... Heaton do. inundated......75*([
„
„ ... June 2 ... Newbottle do. exploded ......57
,,
„ ... June 27 ... Sheriff Hill do. do.......11**
,, ¦
„ ... August 7 ... Newbottle • do. locomotive boiler burst
18 „
1815 ... Dec. 8 ... Nesham Main do. shaft accident ...
4 „
„ ... Dec. 11 ... Sheriff Hill do. exploded .
... 5 „
,, ... Dec. 18 ... Townley do. do.
...... 1 „
1817 ... June 30 ... Harraton do. do.
......44tt „
„ ...July 21 ... Sheriff Hill do. do.......1
,,
„ ... Sept. 25 ... Jarrow do. do.
...... 6 „
* Twenty-five widows and eighty-one orphans left. f Eighteen widows and
seventy orphans left.
% This accident is said to have cost the owners £20,000.
§ After this pit had been closed for two months, in order to extinguish the
fire, a pony was found in high condition, though twenty-one of its
companions had been killed.
|| Including the under-viewer.
^f Including the under-viewer. The bodies were not recovered for nine months
after the accident.
* * Including the viewer.
ff This accident was caused by the perversity of a young man, named John
Moody, refusing to use a Davy-lamp. Twice did the other workmen extinguish
his lighted candle.
274
1817 ... Nov. 3 ... Ouston Colliery exploded ......
1 lives lost.
„ ... Dec. 18 ... Eainton (Plain Pit) do. do.......27
„
1818 ... Aug. 5 ... Wallsend do. do.......4*
„
1819 ... July 19 ... Sheriff Hill do. do.......35f
„
„ ... Oct. 9 ... Lumley (George Pit) do.
......13 „
1820 ... April 28 ... Jarrow do. do.
... ' ... 2 „
1821 ... July 9 ... Eainton do. do.......1
„
„ ... July 9 ... Coxlodge do. do.
...... 1 „
„ ... Oct. 19 ... Newbottle do. choke-damp
... 6 „
„ ... Oct. 23 ... Wallsend do. exploded
..." 52 „
„ ... Oct. 23 ... Felling do. do.......6
„
1822 ... Feb. 28 ... Burradon do. rope broke
... 4 „
1823 ... Feb. 21 ... Ouston do. exploded ... 4
„ „ ... June 19 ... Walker do. shaft accident ... 6{ „ ,,
... Nov. 3 ... Eainton (Plain Pit) exploded
... 59 „
1824 ... Oct. 25 ... Lumley (George Pit) do.......14 „
„ ... Nov. 19 ... Newbottle do. do.
......11 „
1825 ... July 3 ... Fatfield do. do....... 11
„
„ ... Oct. 5 ... Hebburn do. do.
... ... 4§ „
1826 ... Jan. 17 ... Jarrow do. do.
......34 „
„ ... May 30 ... Townley do. do.......38
„
,, ... Sept. 5 ... Heworth do. do.......
5 ,,
„ ... Oct. 27 ... Benwell do. do.......2
„
1827 ... July 20 ... Lumley do. do.......1
„
„ ... Sept. 5 ... Fawdon do. do.
...... 2 „
1828 ... March 15 ... Jarrow do. do.
...... 8 „
„ ... Sept. 1 ... Houghton do. do.
...... 7|| „
„ ... Nov. 20 ... Washington do. do.
......14 „
1829 ... May 13 ... Killingworth do. do.......1 „
„ ... June 25 ... Newbottle do. do.
...... 1 „
„ ... Dec. 3 ... Willington do. do.
...... 4 „
1830 ... May 26 ... St. Helen's Auckland, shaft accident ... 1
„ ,, ... August 3 ... Jarrow do. exploded
......42 „
1831 ... July 9 ... Wrekenton do. do.......3
„
„ ... Sept. 20 ... Willington do. do.......7
„
1832 ... March 7 ... Beamish do. inundated...... 2^f
„
„ ... June 15 ... Newbottle do. boiler exploded
... 12 „
„ ... Nov. 10 ... Gosforth do. shaft accident
... 2 „
„ ... Nov. 13 ... Heaton do. exploded .....1
„
* A boy, by falling, injured a Davy-lamp, and so exploded the gas.
f Thirty-three of these were boys.
J Including the under-viewer.
§ The gas is said to have fired at a steel-mill.
|| Explosion in consequence of a door being left open by one of the
sufferers.
^f The viewer being one.
275
1832 ... Nov. 14 ... St. Helen's Auckland, shaft accident ...
1 lives lost. „ ... Dec. 21 ... Harraton do.
broken rope ... 4 „
1833 ... May 2 ... Kingswood do. inundated...... 5
„
„ ... May 9 ... Springwell do. exploded
......47 „
„ ... May 28 ... Lumley do. do.
...... 2 „
„ ... Nov. 8 ... Black Fell do. do.......3
„
1834 ... Feb. 25 ... Gosforth do. shaft accident
... 4 „
„ ... Oct. 4 ... Springwell do. do.
...... 2 „
„ ... Nov. 24 ... St. Lawrence do. exploded ...... 3
„
„ ... Nov. 24 ... Hartley do. broken rope
... 4 „
1835 ... May 1 ... Whitley do. shaft accident
... 6* „
„ ... June 18 ... Wallsend do. exploded
......102f „
„ ... Nov. 19 ... Burdon Main do. do.
......11J „
1836 ... Jan. 6 ... Hetton do. shaft accident
... 2 „
„ ... Jan. 28 ... Hetton do. exploded
......20§ „
„ ... March 28 ... Cramlington do. boiler exploded ...
3 ,,
„ ... July 19 ... Hebburn do. exploded ......
3 ,,
„ ... August 22 ... Cowpen do. fall of stone
... 1 „
„ ... Oct. 31 ... Little Houghton do. inundated...... 1
„
„ ... Dec. 27 ... High Heworth do. exploded ...... 2
„
1837 ... Feb. 22 ... St. Helen's Auckland, shaft accident ... 1
„ „ ... April 18 ... Monkwearmouth do. broken rope ... 3 „ „ ...
Sept. 11 ... Eainton do. fall of stone ... 2 „ „ ... Dec.
6 ... Springwell do. exploded ......30 „
1838 ... Sept. 1 ... Howdon do. inundated......
3 „
„ ... Feb. 20 ... Whitley do. exploded ......
2 „
„ ... Nov. 4 ... Monkwearmouth do. fall of stone ...
2 „
„ ... Dec. 19 ... Wallsend do. exploded
......11|| „
1839 ... June 28 ... Hilda Wallsend do. do.......52^[ „
„ ... July 11 ... St. Helen's do. do.
... ... 4 „
1840 ... March 9 ... Springwell do. broken chain
... 3 „
„ ... March 30 ... Willington do. exploded ......
1 „
„ ... June 16 ... Haswell do. do.
...... 1 „
„ ... June 18 ... Hartley do. boiler burst......
2 „
„ ... Oct. 23 ... Farnacres do. inundated...... 5
„
* According to Sykes' Local Eecords, 1,544 lives were lost in pits, and a
few at bank between the years 1743 and 1835.
f Twenty-four widows and eighty-three orphans were left by this accident.
{ A door left open by a trapper.
§ A door left open by a trapper.
|| The late Mr. Thomas John Taylor, in a paper on the state of high tension
in situ of fire-damp, read before the Mining Institute, stated that the mean
annual quantity of gas evolved from a barred-up district of fifty acres, in
the Bensham seam at Wallsend Colliery, was thirty-four and a half millions
of cubic feet, equal to the solid contents of a coal-bed five feet thick and
160 acres in extent.
% Nineteen widows and forty-four orphans left.
276
1841 ... March 15 ... Cowpen Colliery shaft accident ...
4 lives lost, „ ... April 19 ... Willington do.
exploded ......32* „
„ ... May 29 ... Derwent Crook do. boiler burst...... 3
„
„ ... August 5 ... Thornley do. exploded ......
9f „
„ ... August 7 ... Haswell do. do.
...... 1 „
1842 ... March 2 ... West Cramlington do. ......
1 „
„ ... March 5 ... Monkwearmouth do. shaft accident ...
1 „
„ ... Dec. 9 ... Fenwick do. drowned ......
2 „
1843 ... April 5 ... Stormont do. exploded
......28J „
„ ... April 24 ... South Hetton do. do. ......
3 „
„ ... August 31 ... Monkwearmouth do. shaft accident ... 2
.„
„ ... Oct. 9 ... Pasture Hill do. inundated ...
... 7 „
1844 ... Jan. 18 ... Killingworth do. exploded ......
5 „
„ ... April 25 ... Friar's Goose do. fall of stone
... 1 „
„ ... Sept. 28 ... Haswell do. exploded
......95 „
„ ... Oct. 15 ... Coxlodge do. do.
...... 1 ,,
,, ... Dec. 1 ... Seghill do. do.
...... 2 „
1845 ... Jan. 11 ... Ludworth do. shaft accident
... 4 „
„ ... April 3 ... West Moor do. exploded ......10
„
„ ... August 21 ... Jarrow do. do.
......40 „
,, ... Dec. 5 ... Seghill do. boiler burst
... 2 „
1847 ... June 22 ... Felling do. exploded
...... 6 „
1848 ... August 15 ... Murton do. do.
......15 „
1849 ... Jan. 14 ... Gosforth do. do.......3
„
„ ... Jan. 21 ... Monkwearmouth do. shaft accident ...
1 „
„ ... June 5 ... Hebburn do. exploded
......31 „
1850 .. June 5 ... Usworth do. do.
......13 „
„ ... Nov. 11 ... Houghton do. do.
......27§ „
„ ... Dec. 18 ... Crowtree do. boiler burst......
2 „
In November, 1850, the Coal-mines Inspection Act came into operation, when
Mr. Matthias Dunn was appointed Government Inspector. The principal
accidents from this date to the year 1865 have been:—
1851 ... August 18 ... Washington Colliery exploded ......34|| lives
losi
1852 ... May 6 ... Hebburn do. do.......22^[
„
1860 ... March 2 ... Burradon do. do.......74 „
* Attributed to the negligence of a trapper.
f Attributed to the negligence of a trapper.
J Fourteen widows and twenty-three orphans left.
§ The gas fired, owing to the foolhardiness of a pitman.
|| Ten widows and thirty-two orphans left. This accident was caused by a
man removing the top of his lamp.
% Caused by the neglect of a door.
277
1860 ... Dec. 20 ... Herton Co|p exploded......«• *• **
1802...Jan. 16 ...Hartley do. shaft closed
-JMt -
Nov 22 ...Watte, do. exploded ......« ,.
1863 ... March 6 ... Coxlodge do. ao. -
Summarising the deaths recorded to the close of the year 180U, we have the
following results :—
Deaths from explosion......... 2,022 ......= per cent, of whole...... 90'34
„ shaft accidents... 53 ...... „
...... 2*36
„ drowning......... 108 ...... „
...... 4-82
„ sundry causes ... 55 ...... ,,
...... 2-45
Total......... 2,238 Total......... 99'97
From the reports of Messrs. Dunn and Atkinson, Government Inspectors of
Mines for the Northern District, we obtain the following account of fatal
accidents in the ten years ending with 1860 :—1851, 160; 1852,155; 1853,151;
1854,127; 1855,148; 1856,140; 1857, 151; 1858, 159; 1859, 181; 1860,1 242;
total, 1614; equal to 1 death for every 114,574 tons raised.
Mr. Dunn in his report, named above, made to the House of Commons for the
ten years ending with 1860, gives the following synopsis of fatal accidents
in his district of North Durham, Northumberland, and
nnmhfvrln.rid.^
Cumberland. ^
¦n„0™i™i™ Shaft Falls of coal
Miscellaneous. Ta.,,, Tons of coal
Jiy explosion, accidents. and stone. Underground.
Bank. X0M1- per death.
228 ...... 138 ...... 272 ...... 186 ...... 80 ...... 904
...... 85,657
From this statement we obtain the following per centage of causes
of death :—
From explosions and choke-damp.............................. 25*22
Falls of stone and coal.............................................
30-09
Shaft accidents .......................................................
15-27
Miscellaneous.........................................................
29*42
100-00
* The gas fired at the underground engine fire. Besides the men's lives
lost, were nine horses and fifty-six ponies. Mr. Nicholas Wood stated the
cost of this accident to have been upwards of £10,000.
t This accident, the most fearful that ever occurred in the Coal-trade,
resulted from the closing of the shaft, caused by the breaking and falling
into it of the half of an immense pumping engine beam..
X This year includes Burradon and Hetton accidents.
§ From this return for the coal-mines in Great Britain, it appears that the
total fatal accidents in the ten years, amounted to 9,090, being at the rate
of one life lost for every 66,573 tons of coal raised, while from a similar
return confined to the Northern Coal-field (Messrs. Dunn and Atkinson's
districts), the total fatalities are represented as amounting to 1614, or
one death to every 114,574 tons of coals raised (total tons 184,922,978), a
return highly favourable for the north, compared with other districts.
Vol. XV.—1866. ,
n n
278
Mr. Greenwell, in his compilation of the deaths in all the coal-mining
districts for the five years, including 1858, states the total at 5,065, of
which 1,269, or twenty-five per cent., were caused by explosion or
suffocation, which result accords with that obtained from Mr. Dunn's
synopsis. But taking the Inspector's reports of all the districts for the
years 1860, 1861, and 1862, the per centages are found to somewhat vary.
Explosions. ^cfcoaT accents. ^undneB. Total
death.
1860............ 363 ...... 388 ...... 54 ...... 304
...... 1,109
1861............ 119 ...... 427 ...... 70 ...... 327
...... 943
1862............ 190 ...... 422 ...... 52 ...... 469
...... 1,133
Percent.......21-10 ......38'84 ......5-53 ......34-53
......100-00
Referring to the per centages obtained from Mr. Dunn's analysis, which may
be taken to fairly represent the relative proportion of accidents in the
Northern District, and applying them to the number of accidents recorded in
this paper, the total deaths, instead of being 2,238, would be increased to
8090, and doubtless this number very imperfectly represents the total.
Again, comparing the per centages of the two statements, it will be seen
that comparatively few accidents have been formerly recorded except those
arising from explosion, and these no doubt in the absence of any
authoritative reports, have been very imperfectly noticed. This opinion is
confirmed by the following extract taken from a paper by the late Mr. Thomas
John Taylor, who had given great attention to the statistics of the
Coal-trade, and which appeared in Professor Phillips' Report in 1850 :—
" It may be necessary to remark that this account* (referring to one he had
furnished) in common with others we possess is very defective,
* This remark of Mr. Taylor's is strongly illustrated by the following
extract from " Defoe's Travels in the Counties of Durham and
Northumberland," in 1727 : —"Here (at Chester-le-Street) we had an account
of a melancholy accident, which happened in or near Lumley Park, not long
before we passed through the town. A new coal-pit being dug or digging, the
workmen workt on in the vein of coals till they came to a cavity, which, as
was supposed, had formerly been dug from some other pit; but be it what it
will, as soon as upon the breaking into the hollow part, the pent-up air got
vent, it blew up like a mine of a 1,000 barrels of powder, and getting vent
at the shaft of the pit, burst out with such a terrible noise, as made the
very earth tremble for some miles round, and terrified the whole country.
There were near threescore poor people lost their lives in the pit." Of this
accident we have no record.
According to Mr. Dunn, the number of lives lost in the counties of Durham
and Northumberland, from 1799 to 1840, has been 1,468. And in a paper read
by Mr. Nicholas Wood, before the British Association in 1863, the deaths
from explosion in the above counties from 1755 to 1815, the date of the
introduction of the Davy-lamp, were 734, and since its introduction from
1815 to 1845, they have been 9G8. And that since the appointment of
Government Inspectors they have averaged 161 per annum.
279
and far short of the number of explosions*vvhich have actually occurred. In
general the minor cases are forgotten, the great ones only being
remembered."
Taking all the circumstances into consideration, we cannot be thought to be
overstating the fatalities previous to the year 1850, when estimating them
to have amounted to at least 10,000.
Referring to the colliery accidents to this date, it will be seen that the
collieries at which there has been the greatest sacrifice of life, have been
Wallsend, Fatfield and Harraton, and Hartley, where in each case it has
amounted to upwards of 200, and at Felling, Haswell, Hebburn, and Jarrow, to
100 and upwards.
Since 1880, the loss of life has been in the two Northern Inspectors'
districts, in—
Mr. Dunn's.* Mr. Atkinson's. Total.
1861.................. 99 ......... 76 .........
175
1862.................. 325 ......... 56 .........
381
1863t ............... 99 ......... 88 ........
187
1864.................. 69 ......... 89 .........
158
1865.................. 97 ......... 82 .,.......
179
After the dreadful accidents at Burradon and Hartley Collieries, great
exertions were made by many miners and others interested in their welfare,
to set on foot and maintain a permanent fund for the relief of the widows
and orphans of those who had lost their lives in and about coal-mines.
At a meeting held at Durham for this object, on January 31st, 1862, Mr.
William P. Shield, a miner, made the following statements:—
In the three counties of Durham, Northumberland, and Cumberland, in ten
years, ending with 1860, there had been 1,597 deaths by colliery accidents,
or 1597 per annum out of 51,000 persons, equal to a death-rate of 3-13 per
1,000. Nearly 184,000,000 tons of coals were raised during these ten years,
so that the average number of lives lost in the production of 1,000,000 tons
was 8*7.
From a return made to the Coal-trade Office, and upon papers laid before a
Select Committee of the House of Commons in 1861, it was estimated that the
following persons were employed in the three counties—
Underground ....................................... 44,600
Aboveground ....................................... 15,400
In all....................................... 60,000
* Mr. Dunn's includes the accidents in Cumberland, but they are not
numerous, t This year, in South Wales, one life was lost to every 45,390
tons raised.
Of which 44,443 were above the age of 18, at a contribution of
Id. per week
............................................................£9,629 6 4
And 15,557 were under the age of 18, at Jd. per week............ 1,685
6 10
£11,314 13 2
The expenditure upon the above data of deaths, 188 out of 60,000 workpeople
per annum, would be—
An annuity of 5s. per week to 75 widows for
five years .............................................£4,221 5 0
An annuity of 2s. per week to 225 widows for
four years............................................. 4,143 18 1^
Allowance of £25 for 45 single men ............... 1,125 0 0
„ „ £15 for 68 boys ........................ 1,020 0 0
-----------------10,510 3 1|
Overplus................................................ £804 10 0J
Practically, it has been found that barely a tithe of the work-people have
availed themselves of the society, and also that the scale of payments was
too low.
Mr. Towers, an agitator, and an ostensible friend of the pitmen, at a
meeting- held at Leeds in May, 1862, stated that there were 300,000
coal-miners in Great Britain. That 1,000 were killed annually, and 10,000
permanently disabled. This latter statement is quite at variance with
practical men's opinion. Upon this subject, Mr. W. P. Shield remarked as
follows :—" With regard to permanent disablement, the committee believed,
from their own knowledge and what they could gather from others, that such
cases were not numerous, the instances being rare where a man or boy was
incapacitated for more than six months.*
In a pamphlet, recently published by M. Guillaume Lambert, Ingenieur des
mines, he draws a comparison between Belgian and English mining engineers,
and comes to the conclusion that the latter are fifteen years in the rear of
the former in respect to ventilation and the working of the coal. For the
last fifteen years the mining engineers of Belgium have discontinued the
furnace as a means of ventilation, and substituted for it a mechanical
ventilation of one power or another, with manifest advantage.
* It is a well-known fact that, as a rule, pitmen recover from accidents
sooner than any other class of workmen.
M. Lambert makes the following comparison between the coal-mines of Hainault
and those of Durham, Northumberland, and Cumberland:—
Collieries in Durh im, Collieries
Northumberland, and in
Cumberland. Hainault.
Number of working miners, not in- )
eluding day-labourers; average for > 36,000 ...
46,183
1860, 1861, and 1862 .....................)
Number of pits at work in 1862 ............ 307 ...
207
Number of workmen per pit.................. 117 ...
223
Coals raised in 1862 (tons) .................. 20,690,000 ...
7,795,000
Average produce per day, and per pit I ~qe
,<,«
in 1862 (tons) ..............................f
Average annual produce by each hewerI K7.
. ~0
in 1862 (tons) ..............................} D/*
'" ibJ
Working miners killed annually by i 266, or 1 in 135, j (
151, or 1 in 306,
various accidents ; average of the > or >
... < or
three years, 1860, 1861, and 1862......) 7"4 per 1,000. ) (
3-26 per 1,000.
Working miners killed annually, by ] 46-3, or 1 in 777, ) I
30*7, or 1 in 1501,
explosions ; average of the three > or >
... < or
years, 1860, 1861, and 1862 ............) 1-29 per 1,000. ) (
0*66 per 1,000.
NORTH OF ENGLAND INSTITUTE
OF
MINING ENGINEERS.
ANNIVERSARY MEETING, ON THURSDAY, AUGUST 2, 1866, IN THE
ROOMS OF THE INSTITUTE, NEVILLE HALL, WESTGATE STREET,
NEWCASTLE-UPON-TYNE.
T. E. FORSTER, Esq., Pkesident of the Institute, in the Chair.
The Secretary having read the minutes of the Council, the President
delivered the following
INAUGURAL ADDRESS.
Gentlemen,—It is with mingled feelings of sorrow and pride that I take the
chair of this Institute to-day; of sorrow when I think of the loss we have
sustained through the death of our late President; and of pride at your
choice having fallen on me as his successor. I can assure you I feel the
honour very deeply, and, though I cannot promise to discharge the duties of
the office as efficiently as he did, yet I will do my best, and I trust you
will all lend me your aid and assistance as far as you possibly can to
maintain the prestige of the Institute; and where practicable, to increase
its scope and usefulness. I consider this is most important at the present
time, for I feel that in losing our late President, the Institute lost a
moving power which cannot readily be replaced.
When the Society was formed in 1852, it consisted only of about eighty
members, and its objects were comparatively limited, but during the fourteen
years which have since elapsed, it has, by the energy and fostering care of
our late President, expanded into an Institute numbering more members on its
books, and having a wider scope of action than any provincial association of
a similar kind.
284
I think you will not consider that I am going- beyond the mark in saying
that it is to Mr. Wood's exertions that we owe this satisfactory result. No
one who witnessed his untiring- zeal, his courteous tact, and ready
appreciation of the necessities of any case, can for a moment doubt that he
was the prime mover in all that concerned the prosperity of the Institute,
and that he also most ably guided and directed the exertions of others, so
as to make them most conducive to the same end.
I think no one can hesitate to acknowledge that the Institute has done its
duty and has answered the purpose for which it was founded. During the
fourteen years it has been in existence it has regularly held its meetings
in this town, and has thus been the means of bringing together parties
interested in the objects of the Society. Meetings have also been held in
Birmingham and Manchester, and the reception given us by the gentlemen of
those towns proves that the Institute holds a very high place in their
estimation.
The volumes of Transactions attest the industry of members in the production
of papers on the various subjects coming within the scope of their
observation. These, from their practical character, will always prove a
source of valuable information, as well as an interesting record of many
events which have occurred in the course of those years. And I cannot help
observing that if the Institute had done nothing beyond producing these
Transactions, it would have accomplished no mean work. We in England have
not an extensive liternture bearing- on mining subjects in general, and
still less on coal-mining. There is scarcely one standard treatise on it of
recent date, and if any one requires information on the practical details of
this great branch of our national industry, I know of no books in which he
can find such an accumulation as in our volumes.
The discussions on these papers, though not so numerous as could have been
wished, have brought out many valuable and interesting facts and opinions,
but I am inclined to think we might improve our practice in this case by
managing- our discussions after the manner of several older and Idndred
societies, that is, by making it an invariable rule to discuss the paper as
soon as it is read. I am aware that many members like to have a paper
printed, so that it may be carefully read over at home before it is
discussed, and these will no doubt object to the above proposal. To such I
would suggest that the great point in these discussions is to strike whilst
the iron is hot, and to let us hear what people know about the subject, not
what they may read up about it between the publication of the paper and the
discussion on it.
285
It has been thought that by some'alteration in the Rules a more extended
basis would be given to the Institute. I think this is highly desirable, and
the proposition will be brought before you for discussion this day.
Accidents in mines are unfortunately still more numerous than we
anticipated. The more remarkable ones have been fully described in our
Transactions, special papers having been devoted to those of Burradon,
Lundhill, Hetton, and Hartley, whilst a great many points in ventilation,
etc., have been so elucidated and brought into notice that I trust we may
say we have done our duty in endeavouring as far as possible to aid in
preventing these unhappy occurrences.
The accident at Hartley was as unusual in its character as it was appalling
in its effects. It is highly improbable that anything of the kind will ever
occur again, but I think the Legislature has done very wisely in enacting
that in future all coal-mines should be provided with a second shaft or
other outlet, and I think another good result of this unfortunate affair has
been to extend the practice of making large pumping beams of malleable iron,
which had before that been introduced at one colliery in this district.
I have said that accidents have not diminished in number to the extent we
formerly expected they would have done. This at least is numerically the
case; but when we look more closely into this class of statistics, and
compare the number of accidents, either with the quantity of coal raised, or
with the number of men working, we see, that in reality, the sacrifice of
human life is decreasing.
The winning and working of coal-mines have also received due attention at
your hands, although I think the comparison of the long-wall and the board
and pillar methods of getting coal should be a little more gone into, with a
view of determining which is really the best, or whether each is not most
adapted to the circumstances of the district in which it has received its
full development. This question is the more interesting at the present time
as it is intimately connected with the new element of cutting coal by
machineiw. For some time past various machines for assisting in getting coal
have been brought out, and though their introduction has not yet become so
general as was anticipated, they are now used to some extent, and there can
be no doubt that they will ultimately be brought to such perfection that
their application will be very largely extended,
The two principal engines used for this purpose have been described
Vol. XV.—1866.
oo
286
in your Transactions.* The one works with compressed air and uses a pick as
a cutting tool; the other is moved by water-pressure and cuts by a slotting
action. Both are at work in this district, so that we may hope soon to hear
the results of their practical working* from the gentlemen who are using"
them. I am not aware that either machine has been applied to board and
pillar working-, but modifications will probably be introduced to effect
this object, so that they can be used in collieries where the long--wall
system of working- is not carried out.
Among'st the many improvements which have been made of late years, may be
mentioned the superior manner in which shafts are now finished and fitted
up, more especially in the case of tubbing- through water-bearing strata.
When tubbing was first largely used in the shafts of this coal-field, the
thickness of metal seems to have been determined almost entirely by the
strength required, and little or no allowance was made for the deterioration
of the iron itself, which is, of course, considerable, especially in damp
upcast-shafts. In fact, one might almost say that at that time we considered
iron indestructible. Recent experience and experiments have, however, proved
the fallacy of this system; and in most cases where tubbing is now put in, a
very considerable allowance is made on this head. Various systems of inner
casings of fire-brick, or some other material, have also been devised, by
which the tubbing of upcast-shafts is to a great extent protected from the
action of the acids produced by the smoke.
Many contrivances have been brought out for the purpose of avoiding
accidents in shafts, arising from the breakage of rope or from overwinding ;
but though they have been used to some extent in Lancashire and n Scotland,
they do not seem to have been regarded with much favour in this district; in
fact, accidents of this nature are fortunately so rare that the want of such
an apparatus has scarcely been felt.
In the matter of boring tools and appliances, I fear we have not made so
much progress as our continental neighbours, but the apparatus of Messrs.
Mather and Piatt, which was used to bore the deep bore-hole at
Middlesborough, is an exceedingly ingenious, and, as far as mere boring-is
concerned, a very efficient piece of machinery. For trial bore-holes, that
is, for bore-holes to prove the existence, or, at all events, the thickness
of beds of coal or other minerals, many of us will, I think, prefer the old
system of boring by hand; but if we can add to Messrs. Mather and Piatt's
borer the French apparatus for bringing out cores of the
* Trans., vols. XIL, p. 63 ; XIV., p. 83.
287
material bored through, I have no doubt we shall find it a great and sure
advantage in making deep bore-holes.
Boiler explosions have, unfortunately, been very frequent during late years,
and of all casualties which we have to investigate, they are the most
difficult to explain. From the nature of the accident, it commonly
happens that nearly all the data from which we could judge of the state of
the boiler are destroyed, and it often happens that the persons in charge
are killed, so that we have very small evidence on which to found an
opinion. Numerous theories have been advanced to account for cases in
which, according to what evidence remained, boilers ought not to have
exploded. Some of these will be found in our Transactions, and though I
have no wish to throw doubt on these ingenious ideas, I cannot help thinking
that care in construction and working is the main thing to be depended on,
and that if we make our boilers of the very best materials and most
careful workmanship, supply them with good water, and do not allow
them to serve us too long, and, above all, if we see that every attention is
paid to the working of them, explosions, if not altogether avoided, will at
all events be reduced to a minimum.
Gun cotton has been long brought before the scientific world, but the
deficiencies of manufacture have prevented its being introduced into
practical work. The improvements of Lenk's process have, however,
obviated this difficulty, and it has recently been considerably used in
England, and more especially in the lead and copper mines, where the
hardness of the rock causes it to act to the greatest advantage, whilst its
comparative freedom from smoke is a great boon in those imperfectly
ventilated mines. Nitro-glycerine has also come partially into use for
blasting, and there is no doubt that its great power and the facility with
which it can be used in wet places, and even with nothing but water for
tamping, render it a most powerful agent. As it is at present
manufactured, it seems to be, unfortunately, a very hazardous thing to deal
with, both from the great tendency to accidental explosion, and from the
poisonous effects which follow the use of it in blasting. This latter is
said to arise from the dissemination of very fine particles of the material
unconsumed by the explosion, and not from the gases it produces. If this
cannot be obviated by improvements in the manufacture, I fear it will prove
an insurmountable obstacle to its use in close workings, though in quarrying
or open work it will not be so much felt.
The question of which is the best ventilating power may now be said to rest
between the Furnace and the Fan, and whilst the former is
288
very generally advocated for deep pits possessing larg*e airways, there can
be no doubt that the fan is very advantageous for shallow mines, and for
those in which, from any cause, the area of the return airways is
contracted.
M. Guibal's fan apparatus appears to be the best in point of efficiency and
economy, and it Las been introduced in several places in this district.
Messrs. Atkinson and Dickinson, two of Her Majesty's Inspectors of
Coal-mines, have been engaged for some time in an inquiry into the various
systems of mechanical ventilation. This investigation has extended over
several years. It comprises examinations of every system used both in
England and on the Continent, and has been conducted with the greatest care.
I believe the report containing the results of their experiments will
shortly be published, and it will without doubt be a most valuable addition
to our knowledge on the subject.
We have recently had a very interesting' communication from Mr. Ansell, of
the Royal Mint, in which he describes his application of the beautiful law
of the diffusion of gases for the purpose of constructing fire-damp
indicators to warn us of the approach of gas in our underground workings.
The subject is still open for discussion by the Institute, and I shall,
therefore, offer no opinion on it at present, beyond observing that whether
capable of practical application or not, the invention is an exceedingly
ingenious one and reflects very great credit on Mr. Ansell.
It was observed in a recent public discussion on accidents in mines, that
practical men are always unwilling to adopt scientific inventions ; but when
it is remembered how readily Sir Humphrey Davy's lamp was taken up in this
district, and how quickly its use spread to all parts, not only of England
but of Europe, I think it must be acknowledged that the above statement is
unfounded. The truth is, that men of science often entirely ignore the
practical difficulties which prevent the introduction of their inventions,
and are very apt to .ascribe all such difficulties to our unwillingness
to-work out their ideas. If, however, scientific men would come more amongst
us, as Sir Humphrey Davy did, and as Mr. Ansell has lately done, I am quite
sure they would soon feel the truth of what I have said, and would find that
we are always not only ready but eager to avail ourselves of all the
resources of science, more especially in the case of any invention which may
conduce towards the prevention of accidents affecting the safety of human
life.
The question of the possibility of flame passing through the gauze of the
safety-lamp was investigated by Mr. Wood, in 1853, and the results
289
of his experiments shewed that at a ceiftain velocity of current flame would
immediately pass through apertures of the ordinary size; such a danger is,
of course, partially guarded against by having a shield on the lamp, and by
keeping it as much as possible protected from the current, but some
accidents and observations have of late years caused many to suspect that
there are several conditions under which the Davy-lamp is not so safe as it
is generally considered to be. This was eminently a subject for
investigation by this Institute, and was also one which required to be
decided without delay ; and accordingly a committee was appointed to carry
out certain experiments which it was hoped would prove something definite.
These gentlemen have now, I believe, concluded their labours, and the
results will shortly be laid before the Institute.
What is the best form of engine for draining mines is a question of great
importance in all districts where feeders of water of any amount are met
with, either in sinking or exploring for coal or other minerals. It has long
been acknowledged that the Cornish engine (of which the recently
introduced direct-acting engine is only another, though modified
form) is productive of the greatest economy of power, i.e., that it can
raise the greatest quantity of water to a given height with a certain
aUowance of coal. In former years such an engine has been known to raise
120,000,000 pounds of water to the height of one foot with an expenditure of
one bushel of coals ; and even now, when Cornish-men do not pay so
much attention to the subject as they used to do, there are many engines
reported as doing a duty of 70,000,000. Of course, in this district the
amount of coal used is not a matter of such importance as in Cornwall, and
may be said to be comparatively neglected ; and further, it is also a
question whether the slow motion of the Cornish-engine is not a serious
drawback to its efficiency, more especially where accidents or increased
feeders render a variable speed necessary. I am inclined to think that the
tendency of recent engineering decidedly shows the advantage of smaller
engines travelling at a much greater speed. It would, I think, be very
advisable that we should have more papers from our members on this subject,
with descriptions of work done by the various forms of engines, both
horizontal and vertical, and in positions both at the surface and at the
bottom of the shaft.
The question of the duration of our coal-fields has lately engrossed a
considerable amount of public attention, and without doubt deservedly so,
for it cannot but be acknowledged that the present greatness of this country
is mainly due to its superiority in the production and cheap
290
supply of fuel, without which not only would our manufactures at once •
begin to retrograde, but our mercantile navy, of which we are so justly
proud, would both directly and indirectly be deprived of a great part of its
employment. The subject was investigated by Mr. Hull, in his work on our
Coal-fields, published in 1861, and was first publicly alluded to by Sir W.
G. Armstrong, in his inaugural address as President of the British
Association in 1863. Since then Mr. Jevons has published an elaborate
treatise on it, and Mr. J. S. Mill and the late Chancellor of the Exchequer
have spoken on it in Parliament. The latter gentlemen have, however, treated
the matter more as a question of political economy than of engineering, and
have assumed the estimates of former writers as accurate or approximately
so. I do not think we are at present in a position to say what amount of
workable coal yet remains. Such an estimate can only be correctly made by
combining the reports of a number of people each of whom has a clear
knowledge of the resources of his own district. I am inclined to think that
sufficient allowance has not been made for the extension of our coal-fields
under the Permian and other newer formations, nor for the quantity we may be
able to work under the sea.
With regard to the working of coal as the supply decreases, it has been
assumed that seams of less than two feet are to be altogether left out of
the calculation as unworkable, but the fact should not be overlooked that
seams of less thickness are already worked in some districts of the kingdom,
and if the use of machinery for coal-cutting progresses, I have no doubt we
shall secure a considerable addition on this head. The limit of the depth to
which our mines can be sunk mainly depends on the increase of temperature,
which is known to take place as we descend. According to the data now relied
on, this would increase so rapidly that, at the depth of 4,000 feet, it
would reach 106° Fahrenheit, which is evidently as high a degree of heat as
can be conveniently borne by men engaged in hard labour. I doubt not,
however, that means will be devised of artificially decreasing this
temperature by the use of compressed air, evaporation of water, and other
contrivances, so that we may be able to obtain coal lying at a greater depth
than that mentioned above. Much importance is attached to the increase of
cost in working deep pits, which is not, I think, justified by experience.
Doubtless, the amount of capital required to open out deep mines is much
larger than in shallow ones, and the expenses of working and maintaining the
shafts and winding apparatus are greater; but in other respects the increase
of
291
expense is certainly not in the ratio of the depth. In fact, the difficulty
of having to contend against large feeders of water in the workings, is
generally diminished, if not altogether got rid of.
The great question of duration depends, however, on the rate of consumption.
In former times we have been accustomed to talk of the quantity of coal
remaining, and, on comparing it with our annual consumption, we
congratulated ourselves that even after making a liberal allowance for
profitable increase, we had yet a store of coal sufficient for many
generations to come. The series of mineral statistics commenced by Mr.
Hunt in 1854, has rapidly dispelled this illusion, and to some extent has
established the fact of our coal production increasing in such a geometrical
ratio that it will be doubled every twenty years. It may, however, be
observed that these statistics, though compiled with great care, are rather
open to doubt as regards the earlier years of their compilation ; and it is
even supposed that their greater accuracy of late years has added to the per
centage of increase they show, that is, that the returns for the last few
years being more complete, show a relative increase which is not wholly due
to actual increase of production, but really arises in part from a portion
of the consumption having been omitted from the earlier years of the series.
Notwithstanding these considerations, it is evident that the consumption
of coal has increased in a marvellous way; and that it will do so in the
future is equally certain, for as long as our coal remains reasonable in
price, England will maintain her superiority in manufactures, and as long as
her population increases these will extend more and more to all pares of the
world. A slight limit will no doubt be put to this increase by the growing
disposition of the labouring classes to curtail their hours of labour.
Twenty years ago, a man would work twenty to twenty-five per cent, more
coal than he now produces under the same circumstances. All these
circumstances have so much impressed the minds of men, both in and out of
Parliament, that when, on the 12th June last, Mr. Vivian, the member for
Glamorganshire, in a very able and interesting speech, moved the appointment
of a Royal Commission to inquire into and report on the subject, his
motion was at once agreed to. This Commission has commenced its labours,
and will no doubt elicit much information of a practical and useful nature.
During the past and present year, a Select Committee of the House of Commons
has been engaged in investigating a petition presented to Parliament by the
miners of Northumberland and Durham. Their
292
attention has been directed more to the social condition of the workmen, and
to the question of the hours of labour of the boys, than to any engineering-
points connected with coal-mines. They have taken a large mass of evidence,
but have not yet made any final report.
In conclusion, I would address a few words to the graduates of the
Institute. The advantages they now enjoy in the greater facilities for the
attainment of knowledge are infinitely superior to those existing forty or
fifty years ago. But it must also be borne in mind that with these increased
facilities comes a higher standard of excellence and a greater amount of
competition. The special knowledge required in mining engineering is,
perhaps, greater than in any other branch of the profession ; and the
acquirement of a practical insight into the working of mines occupies a
large portion of a young man's time during his apprenticeship. It is,
therefore, of the utmost importance that he should have a liberal education
as a boy, and should, before beginning his pupilage, have acquired some
knowledge of those scientific branches which will be most useful to him in
his future career.
With this view, our late President laboured long and earnestly to provide a
College of Practical Science for this district, but, unfortunately, this
very desirable project did not meet with sufficient support, and was
eventually abandoned. I cannot say whether the scheme will ever be revived
and carried out. In the meantime, it is the duty of all young men who are
about to enter the profession, to make the most of such facilities as are
afforded them, and, above all, to use the greatest diligence in making
themselves thoroughly conversant with the practical part of their business,
more especially the underground department of it. They are the material out
of which our successors are to be made, and on them depends not only the
prosperity of this Institute, but also the position and standing of our
profession.
Mr. I. L. Bell begged to move a vote of thanks to the President for his
excellent and luminous address. He ventured to express a hope that the
suggestions which the President had so ably laid before the meeting would
not be allowed to sleep, and that the advice tendered to this body, and to
the mining interest at large, in the North of England, would find a response
from them.
Mr. Morrison said, he rose with great pleasure and diffidence to second the
motion. This was only the second time he had attended a meeting of the
Institute, and he had never been more interested, and he
293
might say, more instructed, than he had "teen in listening to the excellent
and luminous address they had just heard. Their President was no stranger.
They all knew that every suggestion which had fallen from him, not only bore
a scientific character, but had the advantage of being soundly practical. If
for one thing more than another they esteemed their President, it was for
his sound, practical intelligence on every question relating to mining.
• The motion was adopted by acclamation.
ALTERATION OF RULE XL
The meeting then proceeded to discuss the following notice of motion
:—
" That in consequence of the rapid development of the iron manufactures and
of other engineering works in this district, and of the recent considerable
addition of members actively engaged in mechanical engineering, the Council
consider that an alteration in Rule XL is desirable, and recommend the
following, viz. :— ' That the officers of the Institute shall consist of a
President, six Vice-presidents (four of whom to be mining engineers and two
mechanical engineers), and eighteen Councillors (twelve of whom to be mining
engineers and six to be mechanical engineers').'"
Mr. Morrison said, any gentleman like himself would hardly assume the
position of either mining or mechanical engineer • but there might be,
unlike himself, many gentlemen connected with an institute like this, who
might be very useful members of the Council, but who, not enrolling
themselves under either of these denominations, might be excluded.
Mr. I. L, Bell said, he was of opinion that they would commit a fatal
mistake if they forgot the origin of their body so far as to lessen the
representation and influence of that class of gentlemen who were its
originators. They all understood what was meant by the appellation of mining
engineer, and he thought two-thirds of the Council should belong to that
body. If they fixed that proportion at twelve, then they might consider
whether the other six should be mechanical engineers, or whether along with
them they would admit other gentlemen who did not belong to either
profession.
After some further discussion the alteration was made to stand as follows :—
" That the officers of the Institute shall consist of a President, six
Vice-Presidents (four of whom only to be mining engineers) ; and eighteen
Councillors (twelve of whom only to be mining engineers)."
Vol. XV.—1866.
P p
294
The President begged to propose Earl Vane as a patron of the Institute. Like
all the other patrons he would subscribe ten guineas a year.—Agreed to.
Mr. J. Daglish read the Treasurer's Report.
The President read a letter from Mr. Ansell, requesting that the discussion
on his paper be postponed till the meeting in September.
The following new members were elected :—Mr. D. Greig, Leeds; Mr. W. E.
Garforth, Lord's Field Colliery, Ashton-under-Lyne; Mr. Samuel Lees,
Barrowshaw Colliery, Greenacres Moor, near Oldham ; Mr. B. B. Glover, mining
engineer, Newton-le-Willows, Lancashire; Mr. Henry Hall, Haswell Colliery,
Fence Houses; Mr. Jonathan Piggford, Haswell Colliery, Fence Houses; Mr.
Thomas Taylor Smith, Oxhill, Chester-le-Street; Mr. Christopher Fisher
Clark, Garswood, Newton-le-Willows; Mr. Edmund Clarke, Colliery Guardian
Office, Wigan; Mr. Thomas Whalley, Orrell Mount, Wigan; Mr. Henry Lewis,
Swannington Colliery, near Ashby-de-la-Zouch, Leicestershire; Mr. James
Ronaldson, Clough Hall Coal and Iron Works, Stoke-upon-Trent; Mr. James
Burn, Rainton Colliery, Fence Houses; Mr. R. 0. Lamb, Axwell Park; Mr.
Barnabas Fenwick, Broomhill Colliery, Acklington; Mr. J. F. Spencer,
Newcastle; Mr. F. C. Marshall, Jarrow; Mr. T. W. Benson, Cowpen Colliery;
Mr. Arthur Hill, and Mr. B. Murray.
DIRECT-ACTING PUMPING ENGINE.
After the reading of a letter from Mr. Greenwell relative to the working of
Bastier's chain-pump, the meeting proceeded with the discussion of Mr. J. B.
Simpson's paper " On a Direct-acting Pumping Engine, etc."
Mr. Steavenson said, the engine had a cylinder fifty-two inches in diameter,
and the result was only twenty-seven horse power. Those who had any practice
with engines must consider it rather an anomaly to apply so large a cylinder
to do so little work. It was admitted that it was not running at more than
24 strokes, whilst it was competent to run at six. He did not think it was
safe to run faster; though he had known engines to have run at ten. He
thought in practice, however, that six was about the proper rate. That would
give two and a-half times as much, or sixty-seven horse power. It would be
very easily seen that the result was still much below what might be expected
from an engine of such a size. They must take into consideration that to
work at a higher speed does away with the advantage that might be looked
for in
295
working at slow speed, which Mr. Simpson seemed to think was an objection to
its economy. He was inclined to think that if it ran faster they would get
less vacuum, and, consequently, they would lose economy. He did not know
whether Mr. Simpson had made experiments at a higher speed. He would be glad
to see any diagrams and the result taken at five or six revolutions. Mr.
Simpson obtained 7Q'6 per cent, efficiency, and he admitted that the
non-direct acting-engine gave not much less. In May last he (Mr. Steavenson)
made experiments at Page Bank, with a thirty-four-inch cylinder. The
efficiency he obtained was seventy-seven per cent., which was superior to
the direct-acting method. There was no reason to suppose that the
experiments were made with the view of depreciating the qualifications of
the direct-acting engine. They were made before he had taken any steps to
estimate the value of the different engines.
Mr. J. J. Atkinson—Would it not be well if you could put down the results,
and get them reported ?
Mr. Steavenson said, he proposed to make some experiments to elucidate the
results obtained with the assistance of a gentleman who had engines which he
desired to have examined. The shaft was forty-six and a-half fathoms, and
the quantity of water obtained by measurement was 301 gallons per minute.
This gave 839,790 pounds. He was really inclined to think there was no great
efficiency in the direct-acting engine, but he hoped to go on making
experiments.
Mr. Atkinson—I think, if you please, you might state that the engine is
horizontal.
Mr. Steavenson—Yes, it is worked with two quadrants. There are two lifts,
and the weight is equalized as much as possible.
Mr. Armstrong said, with regard to the direct-acting engine, he found that a
great many of his young friends were apt to take up with new notions. He did
not deny that there were some situations where direct-acting engines were
found to work economically j but if they looked at Mr. Simpson's engine what
did they find? Here was a fifty-two-and-a-half inch cylinder on the surface,
to draw what ? 250 gallons, or 100 gallons two and a-half strokes—a height
of 204 feet; but instead of requiring an engine of thirty-three horse power,
if Mr. Simpson would divide his column into two, having 102 feet on the one
side, and 102 feet on the other, all that he would find necessary would be
(excluding friction) an eleven-horse engine to do the work. He would find
the old fashioned plan of dividing the column and putting the motive power
at
296
one end of the beam the most economical arrangement that he could adopt. He
(Mr. A.) did not object to putting up a large engine, but he did quarrel
with the notion of making any sort of case like this in favour of a
particular mode of working. If Mr. Simpson contemplated the pumping of some
large feeders of water there was wisdom in providing a large engine to meet
the case, but certainly there was no necessity for such an engine to do the
work reported.
Mr. Simpson said, the engine was not put up for the purpose of pumping
simply 240 gallons per minute, but for the purpose of pumping 900 or 1000
gallons per minute, which they expected to get when they communicated with
another pit. Even at present the engine was working satisfactorily, and
certainly as economically as any they could erect. The pit has just been
completed, and as soon as standage is made the engine will only be driven in
the day time until the large feeder is met with. It is true that the engine
now exerts only thirty horse-power, but in course of time it would require
to go nine or ten strokes per minute, which he was quite sure the engine
would do, and then the indicated horse-power exerted will be probably 110 or
120 horse-power. The nominal horsepower is 110, so that for the ultimate
work of the engine they were not beyond their power. As to the amount of
fuel consumed, this engine would bear comparison with any engine in the
neighbourhood, as only seven pounds per indicated horse-power per hour were
used, and that, by-and-by, would be reduced to five pounds. At the same
time, he had mentioned in his paper that he was not wedded to the
direct-acting engine, because he was satisfied that other kinds of engines
could be put up that would be just as efficient in economy of fuel and duty
performed as a direct-acting engine. Mr Steavenson spoke of the vacuum.
They had driven the engine quickly and still kept a vacuum of eleven and
a-half pounds per square inch. He had brought forward the subject in
connection with the discussion on Mr. Knowles' paper, as it contrasted
favourably with the engines alluded to by Mr. Knowles, and also because the
engine, although not working to its full power, was more economical, not
only in the consumption of fuel but also in the cost of labour, than almost
any engine in the district. The experiments were all carefully
performed.
Mr. Atkinson—Are you willing that I should ask Mr. Crawford to allow me to
try his engines at Houghall, test them, and compare notes with you at some
future meeting ?
Mr. Simpson—Quite willing.
297
rift Mr. Armstrong said, in this case the surface of the strata water was
half wTay down the pit, and the pumps could have easily been divided into
two equal columns, both lifting-pumps, and the engine could draw one-half
the total column of water, pumped alternately ; the one half at one end of
the beam and the other half at the other. With such an arrangement of
pumps practicable, it was simply absurd to introduce a forcing-pump, which,
he thought in itself, an objectionable form of pump for fluctuating
quantities of mine water. The peculiar contrivance in this case of having
the spears to work through the force-pump, and then be attached to the light
lifting-set in the bottom, he thought most objectionable. In form it
assimilated closely to the patent taken out by Mr. Charles Carr, at Seghill,
and which met with no success. The boiler may be improved for any form of
engine, and applies to any ; and the fuel may be economised without relation
to the arrangement of the engine. I contend that in situations like this,
where the water-column could be divided into two lifts, one at either end of
the beam, the arrangement was the most perfect which could be devised.
If a mine-feeder has to be pumped 100 fathoms, and the lift divided into
two-fifties where the division was practicable, then, unquestionably, the
cost of pumping would be reduced • to a minimum.
Mr. Southern said, Mr. Cochrane was getting nine strokes per minute at New
Brancepeth Colliery.
Mr. Cochrane said, he did not wish to refer to this engine, as at present it
was only used for sinking, and, owing to peculiar circumstances, very
imperfectly applied; but when he did get it in proper working order he would
give the result. He was working up to nine strokes, and he had gone to ten
strokes. The depth was about sixty
fathoms.
Mr. Atkinson said, he did not quite agree with Mr. Armstrong. He understood
him to sa}r that the lift, in the case he had supposed, was only equal to
one-fifty fathom lift.
Mr. Armstrong said, the ordinary state of a pumping-engine consisted of one
part effective, the other non-effective. If a beam be placed between two
sets, the pumps attached to either end of the beam would be alternately at
work ; the one during the one-half of the stroke, the other during the other
half; and this in effect threw but one-half of the mine-feeder upon the
engine at one time, and in the case assumed but one- • half of the
water-column. To use a direct-acting engine, as is done in some cases to
pump from the bottom, under the case assumed was absurd.
298
Mr. Cochrane—The steam is on one side only, and you allow the weight of the
spears to do the work.
Mr. Armstrong—That is objectionable.
Mr. Simpson said, the great point in pumping-engines was the economical
effect. If Mr. Armstrong could show him ten engines out of twenty in the
neighbourhood that were doing better duty, he would be satisfied that this
direct-acting engine, and its arrangements, were wrong.
The President said, they had better adjourn the discussion to the next
meeting. There were one or two remarks of Mr. Armstrong's with which he did
not agree. He did not think that forcing sets were useless.
Mr. Armstrong—I said objectionable.
The President—As to your having two sets; in that case you must have two
pits, which we have not.
Mr. Armstrong—I said in case it could be done.
The President—If you have only one pit must you not have a forcing set ? I
mean with a common pumping-engine. You must have a pit and a staple, and one
at each end of the beam. If you have only one shaft to balance your engine,
you must have a lifting set and a forcing set.
Mr. Armstrong—I have already stated, where practicable, the division of the
pumping column is the most economical arrangement. When this cannot be
effected, then to balance the engine a forcing-set must be introduced; the
lifting-set being at the bottom.
Mr. Simpson said, that in his case the pumps were arranged so that a large
proportion of the water which is met with at the seam, fifteen fathoms from
the bottom, would be taken in below the ram, instead of allowing it to go to
the bottom of the pit as at present. Considerable economy will result when
this shall have been carried out.
Mr. Atkinson said, that some Cornishmen whom he employed in South Wales,
said there was less difficulty with the forcing sets than with the lifting
sets. It would be imprudent to put in a bottom set as a forcing set. He said
this from his own experience, and more particularly from the experience of
trustworthy men who had seen such cases.
The President—A bottom set you must have.
Mr. Simpson—There is no doubt that forcing sets at the bottom of
. a pit are objectionable, especially if you have little standage for
water.
At our Emma Pit, however, it was unavoidably necessary to put in a
forcing set at the bottom, and it has worked satisfactorily for several
299
years, costing less in repairs than the lifting*set. From 700 to 800 gallons
per minute are pumped from a depth of seventy-two fathoms— the forcing set
pumping it half the distance.
The discussion was then adjourned, and the meeting proceeded to the election
of officers.
INDEX TO VOL. XV.
Accidents in Coal Mines, App. B., 271.
Analysis of Gas found in Newbottle Colliery, 101.
Ansell, G-. F., Esq., On a New Method of Indicating the Presence and Amount
of Fire-damp, etc., in Coal Mines, 165.
Bastiek's Patent Chain Pump, On the Method of raising Water by, by J.
Greener, 147.
Bell, I. L., Motion to Enlarge the Sphere of Operations of the Institute,
77, et seq.
Boiler Explosions: On the Causes of certain, by T. Doubleday, 5; Discussion
on and Supplementary Bemarks, 43, 44.
Chain Pump, Bastier's, 147.
China, On the Progress of Coal-Mining Industry in, by T. Y. Hall, 1.
Chronicles of the Northern Coal-Trade in the Counties of Durham and
Northumberland, by W. Green, 175.
Clanny Lamp, Experiments on, 101-2 ; Invention of, 222.
Coal Mining Industry in China, etc., by T. Y. Hall, 1.
Coal Washing Apparatus in use at Ince Hall Coal and Cannel Company's
Collieries, by G. Gilroy, 61 ; Discussion on, 63.
Collieries, Subscribing, xxvii.
Vol. XV.—1866.
Daglish, J., On certain Improvements in the Water Gauge, 103; Discussion,
104.
"Davy" Lamp, Experiments on, 101-2; Invention of, 224.
Dickinson, Joseph, F.G.S., On some of the Leading Features of the Lancashire
Coal-field, 13; Discussion on, 17.
Direct - acting Pumping and Winding Engine, by J. Knowles, 19; Discussion
on, 26-42; Renewed Discussion on, 121.
Direct-Acting Pumping Engine at Towneley Colliery, by J. B. Simpson, 157;
Discussion on, 294.
Discussions : On some of the Leading Features of the Lancashire Coal-field,
• 17 ; On Direct-acting Pumping Engines and Direct-acting Winding Engines,
26-42 ; On the causes of certain Boiler Explosions, 44; On the Coal-washing
Apparatus in use at Ince Hall, 63, 127, 143 ; On Enlarging the Objects of
Institute, 77; On Tail-ropes, 88, 143 ; On Explosion and Standing Fire at
Newbottle Colliery, 144; On Certain Improvements in the Construction of the
Water Gauge, 104 ; On Safety Cages, 111; Renewed Discussion on Mr. Knowles'
Paper, 121; On the Improved Method of Raising Water by Bastier's Patent
Chain-pump, 124,135; On Mr. Simpson's Paper on Direct-acting Pumping Engine
at Towneley Colliery, 140, 294.
302
Doubleday, Thos., On the Causes of Certain Boiler Explosions, 5; Memoir of
the late President, N. Wood, Esq., 43, 49 ; Supplementary Remarks on Boiler
Explosions, 43.
Election of President, 75. Experiments on the Davy, Stephenson,
and Clanny Lamps, by W. Lishman,
101. Explosion of Boilers, on the causes of, *' by T. Doubleday, 5.
Explosion and Standing Fire, at Wal-
bottle Colliery, particulars of, by W.
Lishman, 99.
Fire-damp, on a New Method of Indicating the presence of, by G. F. Ansell,
Esq., 165.
Forster, T. E., Esq., Inaugural Address, 283.
General Meetings, 1865: September, 1; October, 3 ; November, 3 ; December, 3
;—1866 : February, 43 ; March, 75 ; April, 121 ; May, 135 ; June, 164 ;
August, 283.
Gilroy, G., On a Coal-washing Apparatus in use at Ince Hall Coal and Cannel
Company Collieries, 61; Discussion on, 63.
Green, W., Chronicles of Northern Coal-Trade, etc., 175.
Greener, T., On the Improved Method of Raising Water, by Bastier's Patent
Chain-pump, 147 ; Discussion on, 135.
Hall, T. Y., On the Progress of Coal Mining Industry in China, 67.
Homer, Charles J., Communication by, relative to Pumping Apparatus, at
Chatterly, etc., 38.
Honorary Members, xiv.
Inaugural Address of President, T. E. Forster, 283.
Knowles, John, On Direct-acting Pumping Engines and Direct-acting Winding
Engines, 19 ; Discission on, 26.
Lancashire Coal-field, On some of the Leading Features of, by Joseph
Dickinson, 13 ; Discussion on, 17.
Lawsuits connected with Coal Trade, Appendix A, 266.
Locomotive Engine, Mr. Blackett's Patent, 1813, 221; George Stephenson's,
221 ; Blenkinsop's, 221.
Lishman, W., On an Explosion and Standing Fire, etc., 99 ; Description of a
Pumping Engine in use at Lyon's Pit, Newton Cap Colliery, 131.
MADDlSON,W.P., On the Pumping Engines
in use at the Thornhill Collieries, 40. Manchester Meeting, Special, Papers
read
at, by J. Dickinson, F.G.S., 13 ; by J.
Knowles, 19 ; by G. C. Greenwell, and
C. Berkley, 81; by W. Lishman, 99 ; J.
Daglish, 103 ; J. Marley, 107. Marley, J., Observations on Safety Cages,
107. Members, Honorary, xiv. Members and Graduates, List of, xvi. Memoir of
late N. Wood, Esq., by Thos.
Doubleday, 49.
Officers, 1866-7, xv.
Patrons, xiii.
President, Election of, 75.
President, Inaugural Address of, 283.
President, Memoir of late, 49.
Pumping-Engines, Direct-Acting, On, by J. Knowles, 19 ; Discussion on, at
Manchester, 26-42; at Newcastle, 121.
Pumping-Engine, Description of one in use at Newton Cap Colliery, by W.
Lishman, 131.
Reports, Council, v.; Finance, Do., ix.
308
Rule XL, Alteration of, Notice of, 164. Rules, xxix.
Safety-Cages, Observations on, by J.
Marley, with Discussions, 107-119 ;
Additional Notes on, 120. Safety-Lamp, Invention of, Clanny's, 222;
Stephenson's, 223 ; Sir H. Davy's, 224. Simpson, J.B., On a Direct-Acting
Engine
at Towneley Colliery, etc., 157. Stephenson Lamp, Experiments on, 101-2.
Subscribing Collieries, xxvii.
it
Tail-Ropes, On, by G. C. Greenwell,
F.G.S., and Cuthbert Berkley, 81; Discussion on, 88. Tyndall, Professor,
Treatise on Heat referred to, 9, et scq.
Water-Gauge, On Certain Improvements in, by J. Daglish, 103; Discussion,
104.
Wood, N., Esq., late President, Memoir of, by Thomas Doubleday, 49.