NEIMME Transactions
Volume 26
NORTH OF ENGLAND INSTITUTE OF MINING AND MECHANICAL ENGINEERS.
TRANSACTIONS.
VOL. XXVI.
1876-77.
NEWCASTLE-UPON-TYNE: A. BEID, FEINTING COURT BUILDINGS, AKENSIDE HILL.
1877.
CONTENTS OF VOL. XXVI.
PAGE.
Report of Council............... v
Finance Report .................. viii
Account of Subscriptions...... x-xi
Treasurer's Account............xii-xiii
General Account.................. xiv
Patrons .............................. xvii
Honorary and Life Members xviii
Officers, 1877-78.................. xix
Ordinary Members............... xx
Students ...........................xxxviii
SUBSCRIBING COLLIERIES ......... xlli
Charter .............................. xlix
Rules ................................. lv
Batiometer Readings......End of Vol.
Index........................... „
GENERAL MEETINGS.
1876.
pag . '
Sept. 2.—Paper by Mr. N. R. Griffith " On the ' CofEering' of Shafts to keep
back Water" ........................ 3
Discussed ........................... 8
Oct. 7.—Translation of a Paper describing the new Coal-basin discovered in
the Dutch Limburgh, by Mr. Theo. Wood Bunning ...... 15
Discussed ........................... 25
Discussion of Mr. E, F. Boyd's Paper " On the Coal-measures and
Oil Produce of America" .................. 28
Nov. 4.—Visits to Collieries and Works in the neighbourhood of Newcastle
suggested........................... 33
Paper by Mr. A. Freire-Marreco, " Further Notes on the Gases occluded by
different Coal" .................. 35
Discussed .................. ... ...... 37
Paper by Mr. G. C. Greenwell, '¦ Kemarks on Anthracite, suggested by Mr.
Boyd's Paper, ' On the Coal-measures and Oil Produce of
America'" ........................ 39
Discussed ........................... 43
Mr. Lebour's Paper, " On the larger divisions of the Carboniferous
System in Northumberland" discussed ............ 48
Dec. 2.'—Announcement of the Grant of a Royal Charter .........
53
Paper by Mr. Theo. Wood Bunning, " On the Gowrle Mines, Cow
Bay, Cape Breton," communicated by Mr. Charles Archibald ... 55
Discussed ........................... 60
(iv)
1877.
PAGE
Feb. 3.—Discussion of Mr. John Daglish's Paper, " On the application of
Counterbalancing and Expansion to Winding-engines" ...... 64
Further Eemarks by Mr. W. 0. Wood, " On the Long-wall Working at East Hetton
Colliery" ...............
Discussed ........................
Paper by Mr. Edwin Gilpin, " On the Iron Ores of Nova Scotia"
Eemarks on same.....................
Mar. 3.—Paper by Mr. John Shaw, " On a new form of Marine Boiler"
Discussed ........................
Discussion of Messrs. Hall and Clarke's Paper, " On the mechanical effects
of Blown-out Shots on Ventilation".........
Paper by Mr. William Page, " Description of a Winding-engine with
self-acting variable expansion" ............
Discussed ........................
April 7.—Paper by Messrs. G-. A. Lebour and Mark Fryar, " On the Harkess
Eocks, near Bamburgh" .................
Eemarks on same, by Mr. E. F. Boyd..............
May 5.—Notice of proposed alteration of Eules..............
Paper by Mr. A. L. Steavenson, " On an improved method of de tecting small
quantities of Inflammable Gas" ........
Discussed ............... ... ........
Translation of a Paper by M. Eemaux, describing the method of cleaning Coal
at Lens No. 5 Pit; by Mr. John Daglish ...
Discussed ........................
June 2.—Election of Members, &c...................
„ 16.—Discussion of the proposed New Eules............
Paper by Professor A. S. Herschel, B.A., " On a new Hand-gear assisted by
-Steam for starting and reversing Winding-engines"—
Preliminary Eemarks.....................145
Paper ...........................147
Discussed...........................148
Paper by William Cockburn, " On Cooke's Ventilating Machine." ... 151
Aug. 4.—Appointment of scrutineers to examine the voting papers for
election
of officers...................... ...... 159
Paper by William Cochrane " On the advantages of Centrifugal
Action Machines for the Ventilation of Mines ......... 161
Discussed...........................]77
101
109 114
121 128 131
133 136
139 140 143 144
£jj0rL
The Council in presenting their report have great pleasure in referring to
what they consider has been a most important phase in the history of the
Institute, namely, the acquisition of a Eoyal Charter; this they consider
has not only placed the affairs of the Institute on a more secure basis, but
has greatly added to its prestige, and given it a more important position
among the other scientific societies of the kingdom.
The acquisition of this charter has been greatly due to the active exertions
of your President, who has thereby consolidated and perfected the work his
father so happily inaugurated. Lord Eslington and Sir George Elliot also
gave great assistance in the negotiations, and the thanks of the members are
especially due to these gentlemen, to Mr. Dees your solicitor, and Messrs.
Hallowes, Price, and Hallowes the London agents, for their unwearied
exertions in carrying out the wishes of the Council.
In order to comply with the provisions of the charter, a revision of the
bye-laws was rendered necessary, and the Council took advantage of the
opportunity to recommend for approval certain alterations in the
classification of the members, which you have been adopted, and which they
believe will materially add to the professional status of the members.
The Council have also to congratulate the members on the increase in the
number of students, and the interest they have taken in the proceedings
generally, and particularly in the discussion on the proposed new bye-laws,
showing how anxious they are for the welfare of the Institute; and the
Council trusts that the students will continue to attend the meetings and
assist in the discussions, which will prepare them for becoming valuable
members of the Institute, and induce them to take a life-long interest in
its objects.
The warmest thanks of the members are due to the Committee which was
appointed to arrange the new bye-laws, for the zeal with which they carried
out the task imposed upon them, as the Council believe the result of their
labours will give general satisfaction to all classes.
The Council have to report that the publication of the Records of Borings
and Sections has been greatly delayed owing to the very large
(vi)
amount of data that has been received from various sources, amounting to
upwards of 2,000 in number. In order that the work may be as complete as
possible it has been deemed necessary to classify the different sections,
and in order to ensure accuracy, proof sheets have been sent for correction
to members acquainted with special localities to which they refer. However,
120 pages have now been printed, and it is confidently hoped that the first
volume will be published during the ensuing year.
In addition to this work the Council have in the press a catalogue of the
Hutton Collection of Fossils, and 64 additional autotype plates of Fossils,
with descriptive letterpress. They are also printing an Index to the 25
completed volumes of your Transactions, and it is expected that these will
also be published during the forthcoming year.
The Council have again the satisfaction of reporting a continued steady
accession of members, rather more than the average number having been
elected during the past year, the total number on the list being now 934,
after making the usual deductions for losses by death and resignations,
showing a net increase of 55.
The papers communicated have been of the usual interesting character. That
by Mr. N. R. Griffith, « On the Coffering of Shafts to keep back Water"
being a very useful and practical paper, and the Council would be glad if
members would contribute more of this class of papers, describing operations
of various kinds, and how the difficulties met with are successfully
overcome.
Mr. G. A. Lebour has given a description of the new coal basin in the Dutch
Limburgh, which is rendered doubly interesting from the fact of the
increased competition it is likely to afford with England. This gentleman,
in conjunction with Mr. Mark Fryar, also contributed a very excellent paper
" On the Geology of the Harkess Eocks at Bamburgh." Mr. Fryar is a student
of the Institute, and the Council have much pleasure in noticing any
contributions from this class, and hope that they will avail themselves more
and more of opportunities of adding interest to the Proceedings.
Mr. E. F. Boyd contributed a valuable paper, " On the Coal-Measures and Oil
Produce of the United States," being the result of observations made by him
during a personal visit to America, which, together with the " Remarks on
Anthracite Coal," by Mr. Greenwell, which were contributed by him during the
discussion on Mr. Boyd's paper, will no doubt be read with great interest.
Professor Freire-Marreco contributed a useful paper " On the Gases occluded
by Welsh Coals," and Messrs. Archibald and Edwin Gilpin have
(vii)
added much to our knowledge of the coal-fields and iron ore districts of
Nova Scotia.
The Council have to thank correspondents from these districts for having
contributed a mass of information not to be found anywhere but in the
volumes of the Transactions of this Institute.
Mr. Shaw, Mr. Page, and Professor Herschel, have each contributed
interesting papers on mechanical subjects. Mr. Shaw, " On a New Form of
Marine Engine Boiler;" Mr. Page, "A Description of a Winding Engine provided
with variable Automatic Valve Gear ;" and Professor Herschel "On a New Hand
Gear for assisting the Engineman in Starting and Reversing Winding Engines."
These papers will be of peculiar interest to those connected with large
colliery plant.
The paper contributed by Mr. A. L. Steavenson, " On the Use of Coloured
Glass in Testing for the presence of small Quantities of Inflammable Gas" is
interesting and ingenious.
$mma §Lepil
The Finance Committee have to report that the income for the past year shows
an increase of £51 5s. 9d., the receipts from all sources in 1875-76 being
£2,117 10s. 7d., and this year £2,168 16s. 4d.
The expenditure has been £239 15s. 4d. less than the income, although
unusual expenses have been incurred during the year.
The Institute continues to hold 134 shares in the Institute and Coal Trade
Chambers' Company, Limited, of the value of £2,680.
(x)
Dr. THE THEASURER IN ACCOUNT
£ s. d.
To 777 Old Members as per List, 1876-77...............1,631 14 0
To 57 New Members do. ............... 119
14 0
To 102 Old Students do. ...............
107 2 0
To 2 Old Students paid as Members ............... 4 4
0
To 55 New Students as per List, 1876-77............... 57 15 0
To 2 Life Members'Subscriptions.................. 40 0 0
To 14 Subscribing Collieries .................. 71 8 0
2,031 17 0
To Arrears as per last Balanc^ Sheet ...... ... 292 19 0
Deduct— Irrecoverable Arrears not inserted in 1876-77 List
(dead, resigned, &c.)............... 115 10 0
Actual Arrears to collect, 1876-77 ...... 177
9 0
Arrears considered as irrecoverable but since paid ...
12 12 0
£2,221 18 0
(xi) WITH SUBSCRIPTIONS, 1876-77.
Cr.
PAID. UNPAID.
£ s. d. £ s. d.
By 668 Old Members paid ...............1,402 16 0
By 10 Do. dead (Subscriptions unpaid) ...
21 0 0
By 15 Do. resigned do. ......
31 10 0
By 4 Do. gone, no address .........
8 8 0
By 80 Do. unpaid...............
168 0 0
777
By 47 New Members paid ............... 98 14 0
By 8 Do. unpaid...............
16 16 0
By 2 Do. paid on Life Members ......
4 4 0
57
By 99 Old Students paid ............... 103 19 0
By 1 Do. unpaid...............
110
By 2 Do. paid as Member ...... ...
2 2 0
102
By 2 Old Students paid as Members ......... 4 40
By 54 New Students paid ............... 56 14 0
By 1 Do. unpaid...............
110
55
By 2 Life Members paid ............... 40 0 0
By 13 Subscribing Collieries paid ............ 69 6 0
By 1 Do. unpaid............
2 2 0
14
1,775 13 0 256 4 0
By Members'Arrears.................. 71 8 0 105 0 0
By Students' do................... 110
By Arrears considered as irrecoverable but since paid ... 12 12 0
1,860 14 0 361 4 0
--------------1,860 14 0
Audited and Certified,
BENSON, ELAND, & CO.,
Public Accountants. Newcastle-on-Tyne, August 3rd, 1877.
£2,221 18 0
(xii)
TREASURER IN ACCOUNT WITH THE NORTH OF ENGLAND
Dk.
For the Year Ending
£ s. d.
To Balance at Bankers............... ...... 572 6 9
„ Balance in hands of Secretary ............... 71 18 5
„ Balance in hands of Liquidators of District Bank ...... 12
7 3
„ Bequest of the late R. Stephenson, Esq., invested in Shares of
the Institute and Coal Trade Chambers Co., Limited ... 2,000 0 0
2,656 12 5
„ Dividend of 6 per cent, on the above Shares ......... 160 16 0
„ Rent of College Class Rooms, less Borough Rates ...... 48 7
10
,, Received from Members for Copies of the Catalogue of the
Hutton Collection of Fossils ............... 67 9 0
„ Subscriptions for 1876-77 from 668 Old Members 1,402 16 0 ,,
Do. do. 47 New Members 98 14 0
„ Do. do. 99 Old Students 103
19 0
,, Do. do. 2 do. paid as Members 4
4 0
„ Do. do. 54 New Students 56
14 0
Do. do. 2 Life Members 40 0 0
„ 14 Subscribing Collieries, viz. :—
Ashington............ £2 2 0
Bast Holywell ......... 2 2 0
Haswell ............ 4 4 0
Hetton ............ 10 10 0
Lambton ............ 10 10 0
North Hetton ......... 6 6 0
Rainton ............ 10 10 O
Ryhope ............ 4 4 0
South Hetton and Murton ... 8 8 0
Stella ............ 2 2 0
Throckley...... ...... 2 2 0
Wearmouth............ 4 4 0
Whitworth........... 2 2 0
----------- 69 6 0
,, Members'Arrears ............ 71 8 0
,, Students'Arrears ............... 110
,, Arrears considered as irrecoverable but since paid 12 12 0
-----------1,860 14 0
„ Sale of Publications per A. Reid......... 34 19 6
Less 10 per cent. Commission......... 3 10 0
----------- 31 9 6
£4,825 8 9
(xiii)
INSTITUTE OF MINING AND MECHANICAL ENGINEERS.
August, 1877.
Cr.
£ s. d.
By paid A. Reid, Publishing Account.........£526 0 0
„ Do. Covers for Parts and Stitching ... 51 11
0
„ Do. Binding and Sewing Volumes ... 55 6 0
„ Do. Postage ............ 53 2 7
„ Do. Stationery and Circulars...... 118 1 5
„ Do. Library ............ 62 10 6
„ Do. Insurance and Advertising ... 6 18
0
-------------- 873 9 q
„ Other Printing and Stationery ............... 41911
„ Secretary's Incidental Expenses and Postage ......... 140 18 4
„ Sundry Accounts ..................... 32 18 3
„ Travelling Expenses.................. 11 16 0
,, Secretary's Salary ..................... 300 0 0
„ Assistant's do....................... 75 0 0
„ Reporter's do...................... 12 12 0
„ Payments on Account of Furnishing, &c....... ...... 4 4 3
„ Rent..................... ...... 72 8 0
„ Rates and Taxes ..................... 13 3 2
„ Fire Insurance .................. ... 3 14 2
„ Water, Coals, and Gas ...... ............ 22 15 8
„ Subscription to the Natural History Society ......... 20 0 0
„ Prizes for Papers ..................... 10 0 0
„ Books for Library in addition to amount paid to A. Reid ... 17
5 1
„ Cost of obtaining the Royal Charter...... ...... 246 4 2
„ Payments to Mr. Lebour on account of the Catalogue of the
Hutton Collection of Fossils .............. 67 12 6
1,929 1 0 „ Bequest of the late R. Stephenson, Esq., invested in
Shares of
the Institute and Coal Trade Chambers Co., Limited ... 2,000 0 0
„ Balance in hands of Liquidators of District Bank ...... 12
7 3
„ Balance at Bankers.....................866 14 11
„ Balance in hands of Secretary ............... 17 5 7
Audited and Certified,
BENSON, ELAND, & Co.,
Public Accountants, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, August 3rd, 1877.
£4,825 8 9
Dr. GENERAL STATEMENT, AUGUST,
1877. Cr.
Liabilities. £ s. d.
^ssets.
£ s. d.
None ........................ f) rt ^ Balance
of Account at Bankers............866 14 11
Capital........................5,603 13 3 Balance in hands
of Liquidators of District Bank ... 12 7 3
Balance in hands of Secretary............ 17 5 7
134 Shares of £20 each in the Institute and Coal
Trade Chambers Co., Limited .........2,680 0 0
Arrears of Subscriptions...............361 4 0
Value of 311 Bound Vols, of Transactions
@ lis. 6d.............£178 16 6
Value of 2,835 Sewn Copies of Transactions @ 9s............. 1,275 15
0
Value of sundry Sheets of Plates belong-to Vol. XXVL, unfinished at this
date 200 0 0 Value of 46 Copies of Mr. T. F. Brown's
Map of the South Wales Coal-field 11 10 0
---------------1,666 1 6
£5,603 13 3 .
£5,603 13 3
Audited and Certified,
BENSON, ELAND, & Co.,
Public Accountants. Newcastle-upon-Tyne, August 3, 1877.
His Grace the DUKE OP NORTHUMBERLAND.
His Grace the DUKE OF CLEVELAND.
The Most Noble the MARQUESS OF LONDONDERRY.
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 OF RAVENSWORTH.
The Right Honourable the LORD WHARNCLIFFE.
The Right Reverend the LORD BISHOP OF DURHAM.
The Very Reverend the DEAN AND CHAPTER OF DURHAM.
WENTWORTH B. BEAUMONT, Esq., M.P.
Elected. Ordy. Hon.
WILLIAM ALEXANDER, Esq., Inspector of Mines, Glasgow ...
1863
* JAMES P. BAKER, Esq., Inspector of Mines, Wolverhampton ... 1853 1866
LIONEL BROUGH, Esq., Inspector of Mines, Clifton, Bristol ...
1855 JOSEPH DICKINSON, Esq., Inspector of Mines, Manchester ...
1853 THOMAS EVANS, Esq., Inspector of Mines, Pen-y-Bryn, Duffield
Road, Derby ..................... 1855
* HENRY HALL, Esq., Inspector of Mines, Rainhill, Prescott ...
1876
* RALPH MOORE, Esq., Inspector of Mines, Glasgow ......
1866
CHARLES MORTON, Esq., The Grange, St. Paul's, Southport ...
1853
* THOMAS E. WALES, Esq., Inspector of Mines, Swansea...... 1855
1866
* ERANK N. WARDELL, Esq., Inspector of Mines, Wath-on-Dearne,
near Rotherham ... ... ... ... ...
... ... 1864 1868
* JAMES WILLIS, Esq., Inspector of Mines, 14, Portland Terrace,
Newcastle-on-Tyne .................. 1857 1871
THOMAS WYNNE, Esq., Inspector of Mines, Manor House, Gnosall,
Stafford ........................ 1853
R. P. PHILIPSON, Esq., Newcastle-upon-Tyne .........
1874
WARINGTON W. SMYTH, Esq., 28, Jermyn Street, London ...
1869
The Very Rev. De. LAKE, Dean of Durham ... ......
1872
* Pbof. W. S. ALDIS, M.A., College of Physical Science, Newcastle
1872
* „ G. S. BRADY, M.R.C.S., etc. do.
do. ... 1875
* „ A. FREIRE-MARRECO, M.A. do. do.
... 1872
* „ A. S. HERSCHEL, B.A., P.R.A.S. do. do.
... 1872
* De. DAVID PAGE, LL.D., do. do. ... 1872 M. DE BOUREUILLE,
Commandeur de la Legion d'Honneur, Con-
seiller d'etat, Inspecteur General des Mines, Paris ... ...
1853
De. H. VON DECHEN, Berghauptmann, Ritter, etc., Bon-an-Rhine,
Prussia ........................ 1853
M. THEOPHILE GUIBAL School of Mines, Mons, Belgium ...
1870
Sift Ifymtyr*.
Ordy. Lifk.
C. W. BARTHOLOMEW, Esq., Broxholme, Doncaster ......
1875
DAVID BURNS, Esq., C.E., Alston, Cumberland .........
1877
E. B. COXE, Esq., Drifton, Jeddo, P.O., Luzerne Co., Penns., U.S.... 1873
1874
ERNEST HAGUE, Esq., Endcliffe Vale, Sheffield ......... 1872 1876
HENRY LAPORTE, Esq., M.E., Flenu, Mons, Belgium ......
1877
H. J. MORTON, Esq., 4, Royal Crescent, Scarborough ...... 1856
1861
W. A. POTTER, Esq., Cramlington House, Northumberland ... 1853
1874
R. CLIFFORD SMITH, Esq., Parkfield, Swinton, Manchester ... 1874
1874 * Honorary Members during term of office only.
OFFICERS, 1877-78. §t[&)itat
LINDSAY WOOD, Esq., Southill, Chester-le-Street.
#ia-JPtt$itfpte.
I. LOWTHIAN BELL, Esq., M.P., Rounton Grange, Northallerton.
T. J. BEWICK, Esq., Haydon Bridge, Northumberland.
JOHN DAGLISH, Esq., Tynemouth.
G. B. FORSTER, Esq., M.A., Backworth House, Newcastle-on-Tyne.
G. C. GREENWELL, Esq., Tynemouth.
CHARLES MITCHELL, Esq., Jesmond, Newcastle-on-Tyne.
Council
T. W. BENSON, Esq, 11, Newgate Street, Newcastle-on-Tyne.
V. W. CORBETT, Esq., Londonderry Offices, Seaham Harbour.
S. B. COXON, Esq., Usworth Hall, Washington Station, County of Durham.
S. C. CRONE, Esq., Killingworth Hall, Newcastle-on-Tyne.
H. D. FURNESS, Esq., Close House, Ravensworth, Gateshead.
W. GREEN, Jun., Esq., Thornelly House, Blaydon-on-Tyne.
W. H. HEDLEY, Esq., Medomsley, Newcastle-on-Tyne.
THOS. HEPPELL, Esq., Leafield House, Chester-le-Street.
A. LESLIE, Esq., Hebburn, Gateshead-on-Tyne.
F. C. MARSHALL, Esq., Messrs. Hawthorn and Co., Newcastle.
GEO. MAY, Esq., Harton Colliery Offices, Tyne Docks, South Shields.
JAMES NELSON, Esq., Marine and Stationary Engine Works, Gateshead.
R. S. NEWALL, Esq., Ferndene, Gateshead.
A. M. POTTER, Esq., Shire Moor Colliery, Newcastle-on-Tyne.
J. A. RAMSAY, Esq., Washington Colliery, County of Durham.
J. T. RAMSAY Esq., Walbottle Hall, Blaydon-on-Tyne.
J. B. SIMPSON, Esq., Hedgefield House, Blaydon-on-Tyne.
J. G. WEEKS, Esq., Bedlington Colliery, Bedlington.
fSiE W. G. ARMSTRONG, C.B., LL.D., F.R.S., Jesmond,"!
Newcastle.
p ,
E. F. BOYD, Esq., Moor House, Fence Houses. S>p
-fr ,
Slit GEO. ELLIOT, Bart., M.P., Houghton Hall, Fence |
^resiaents-Ux-offlcio <j Houses.
J
W. ARMSTRONG, Sen., Esq., Pelaw House, Chester-le-"|
Street.
I Retiring
WM. COCHRANE, Esq., St. John's Chambers, Grainger [Vice-Presidents. ^
Street West, Newcastle. J
$u\'4mq and i^asmttfr,
THEO. WOOD BUNNING, Neville Hall, Newcastle-on-Tyne.
fpst xrf §pm&m+
AUGUST, 1877.
ELECTED.
1 Ackroyd, Thomas, Berkenshaw, Leeds...............Mar. 7, 1867
2 Adams, G. F., Guildhall Chambers, Cardiff ......... ...Dec.
6,1873
3 Adams, W., Cardiff ..................... 1854
4 Adamson, Daniel, Engineering Works, Hyde Junction, Manchester Aug. 7,
1875
5 AddY, W. F., Dronfield, near Sheffield...............May 6,1876
6 Ainslie, Aymbe, Hall Garth, Carnforth ............Aug. 7,1869
7 Aitkin, Henry, Falkirk, N.B...................Mar. 2,1865
8 Allison, T., Belmont Mines, Guisbro'...............Feb. 1, 1868
9 Anderson, C. W., Kirk Hammerton Hall, York .........Aug. 21, 1852
10 Anderson, William, Sainton Colliery, Fence Houses ......Aug.
21, 1852
11 Andrews, Hugh, Eastfield Hall, Bilton, Northumberland ......Oct.
5, 1872
12 Appleby, C. E., 20, Great George Street, Westminster, London, S.W. Aug.
1, 1861
13 Archbold, James, Engineer, Ryton-on-Tyne............Feb. 1,1873
14 Archer, T., Dunston Engine Works, Gateshead .........July 2,
1872
15 Arkless, John, Tantoby, Burnopfield...............Nov. 7, 1868
16 Armstrong, Sir W. G., C.B., LL.D., F.B.S., Jesmond, Newcastle-
upon-Tyne ...... (Past President, Member of Council) May 3, 1866
17 Armstrong, Wm., Sen., Pelaw House, Chester-\e-St. (Mem. of Council) Aug.
21, 1852
18 Armstrong, W., Junior, Wingate, Co. Durham .........April 7,
1867
19 Armstrong, W. L., Leighs Wood Colliery Co. Ld., Aldridge, nr. Walsall
Mar. 3, 1864
20 Ashwell, H., Anchor Colliery, Longton, North Staffordshire ...
Mar. 6, 1862
21 Ashworth, James, Bank Top Colliery, Burslem .........Feb.
5,1876
22 Ashworth, John, Jun., 81, Bridge Street, Manchester ......Sept.
2, 1876
23 Asqitith, T. W., Seaton Delaval Colliery, Northumberland......Feb. 2,
1867
24 Atkinson, J. B., Ridley Mill, Stocksfield-on-Tyne .........Mar.
5, 1870
25 Atkinson, W. N., Chilton Moor, Fence Houses .........June 6,
1868
26 Aubrey, R. C, Astley House, Woodlesford, near Leeds ......Feb.
5, 1870
27 Austine, John, Cadzow Coal Co., Glasgow ............Nov. 4,1876
28 Aynsley, Wm., Birtley, Chester-le-Street ............Msr.
3,1873
29 Bachke, A. S.........................Mar. 5,1870
30 Bagley, Chas. John, Tees Bridge Iron Co., Stockton ......June
5, 1875
31 Bailes, George, Murton Colliery, Sunderland ...... ...
Feb. 3,1877
32 Bailes, John, Wingate Colliery, Ferryhill ............Sept.
5,1868
33 Bailes, T., Junior, 41, Lovaine Place, Newcastle-on-Tyne ......Oct.
7,1858
34 Bailes, W., Murton Colliery, Sunderland ............April 7, 1877
(xxi)
ELECTED.
35 Bailey, G., St. John's Colliery, Wakefield ............June
5,1869
36 Bailey, Samuel, Perry Barr, Birmingham ............June 2, 1859
37 Bailey, W. W., Kilburne,. near Derby...............May 13, 1858
38 Bain, Donald R., Seaton Delaval Colliery, Dudley, Northumberland Mar.
3,1873
39 Bainbridge, E., Nunnery Colliery Offices, Sheffield.........Dec.
3,1863
40 Barclay, A., Caledonia Foundry, Kilmarnock .........Dec.
6, 1866
41 Barkus, Wm., 1, St. Nicholas' Buildings, Newcastle-on-Tyne ...
Aug. 21, 1852
42 Barnes, R. J., Atherton Collieries, near Manchester.........Sept.
13,1873
43 Barnes, T., Seaton Delaval Office, Quay, Newcastle-on-Tyne ...
Oct. 7,1871
44 Barrat, A. J., Ruabon Coal Co., Ruabon ............Sept. 11, 1875
45 Bartholomew, C, Castle Hill House, Ealing, London, W.......Aug. 5,1853
46 Bassett, A., Tredegar Mineral Estate Office, Cardiff.........
1854
47 Bates, Matthew, Cyfarthfa Iron Works, Merthyr Tydvil......Feb. 1,1868
48 Bates, Matthew, Bews Hill, Blaydon-on-Tyne .........Mar.
3,1873
49 Bates, Thomas, Heddon, Wylam, Northumberland.........Mar. 3, 1873
50 Bates, W. J., Bews Hill, Blaydon-on-Tyne ............Mar. 3,1873
51 Batey, John, Newbury Collieries, Coleford, Bath .........Dec. 5,
1868
52 Beacher, E., Chapeltown, near Sheffield ............
1854
53 Beanlands, A., M.A., North Bailey, Durham............Mar. 7,1867
54 Beaumont, James, M.E., Oughtbridge, near Sheffield ......Nov.
7, 1874
55 Bell, I. L., M.P., Rounton Grange, Northallerton(ViCE-PRESiDENT) July
6, 1854
56 Bell, John (Messrs. Bell Brothers), Middlesbro'-on-Tees ......Oct.
1,1857
57 Bell, Thomas, Crosby Court, Northallerton............Sept. 3,1870
58 Bell, T., Jun. (Messrs. Bell Brothers), Middlesbro'-on-Tees......Mar.
7, 1867
59 Benson, J. G, Accountant, Newcastle-on-Tyne .........Nov.
7,1874
60 Benson, T. W., 11, Newgate Street, Newcastle (Member of Council) Aug.
2, 1866
61 Berkley, C, Marley Hill Colliery, Gateshead............Aug. 21,1852
62 Bebkyman, Robert, Howick Villa, Pershon Road, Birmingham ... Aug.
5,1876
63 Beswicke, Wm., Waithland House, Rochdale............Sept. 11, 1875
64 Bewick, T. J., M. Inst. C.E., F.G.S., Haydon Bridge, Northumberland
(Vice-President) April 5, 1860
65 Bidder, B. P., Duffryn Collieries, Neath, Glamorganshire ...... May
2,1867
66 Bidder, S. P., 24, Great George Street, Westminster, London, S.W. Dec.
4, 1869
67 Bigland, J., Bedford Lodge, Bishop Auckland ......... June
4, 1857
68 Binns, C, Claycross, Derbyshire.................. July 6, 1854
69 Biram, B., Peaseley Cross Collieries, St. Helen's, Lancashire
... 1856
70 Black, James, Jun., Portobello Foundry, Sunderland ......
Sept. 2, 1871
71 Black, W., Hedworth Villa, South Shields ............ April 2,
1870
72 Bladen, W. Wells, Hanley, Staffordshire ............ April 7,1877
73 Blagburn, C, King Street, Quav, Newcastle-on-Tyne ...... Sept.
2,1871
74 Blandeord, Thomas, Corbridge, Northumberland ... ...
... Feb. 14, 1874
75 Bolam, H. G., Little Ingestre, Stafford............... Mar. 6,1875
76 Bolckow, H. W. F., M.P., Middlesbro'-on-Tees ......... April 5,
1855
77 Bolton, H. H., Newchurch Collieries, near Manchester ...... Dec.
5,1868
78 Boole, Charles, Rainford Colliery, St. Helen's, Lancashire...... Dec.
4,1875
79 Boot, J. T., M.E., The Orchards, Hucknall, near Mansfield...... April
1, 1871
80 Booth, E. L., Medomsley, Lintz Green, Newcastle-on-Tyne......
1864
(xxii)
ELECTED.
81 Borries, Theo., Lombard Street, Quay, Newcastle-on-Tyne......April
11,18*74
82 Bourne, Peter, 39, Rodney Street, Liverpool............
1854
83 Bourne, Thos. W., Broseley, Salop ...............Sept. 11, 1875
84 Boyd, E. F., Moor House, Fence Houses (Past Pres., Mem. of Council) Aug.
21, 1852
85 Boyd, R. F., Moor House, Fence Houses .............Nov.
6,1869
86 Boyd, Wm, 74, Jesmond Road, Newcastle-on-Tyne ..'. ......Feb.
2,1867
87 Bradford, Geo., Etherley, Bishop Auckland............Oct. 11,1873
88 Breckon, J. R., Park Place, Sunderland ............Sept.
3,1864
89 Brettell, T., Mine Agent, Dudley, Worcestershire .........Nov.
3,1866
90 Brogden, J„ Sea Bank House, PorthcawLnr. Bridgend, Glamorganshire
1861
91 Bromilow, Wm., Queen's Road, Southport, Lancashire ......Sept.
2,1876
92 Broughton, John, Chapel House, Westoe, South Shields ......May
6,1876
93 Brown, E., 79, Clayton Street, Newcastle-on-Tyne .........Mar.
7,1874
94 Brown, J. N., 56, Union Passage, New Street, Birmingham ...
1861
95 Brown, Thos. Forster, Guildhall Chambers, Cardiff ......
1861
96 Browne, B. C, Asso. M.I.C.E., No. Granville Road, Jesmond, N'castle Oct.
1, 1870
97 Breton, W., Whitwood, Methley Junction and Streethouse Collieries,
near Normanton .....................Feb. 6, 1869
98 Bryham, William, Rosebridge, &c, Collieries, Wigan ......Aug.
1, 1861
99 Bryham, W., Jun., Douglas Bank Collieries, Wigan ......Aug.
3, 1865
100 Bunning, Theo. Wood, Neville Hall, Newcastle-on-Tyne
(Secretary and Treasurer) 1864
101 Bern, James, The Avenue, Sunderland...............Aug. 2,1866
102 Burrows, James, Douglas Bank, Wigan, Lancashire.........May 2,1867
103 Burrows, J. S., Green Hall, Atherton, Manchester .........Oct. 11,
1873
104 Cabby, J., N.E. Railway, B. and T. Section, Newcastle-on-Tyne ...
Sept. 4, 1869
105 Caldwell, George, Moss Hall Colliery, near Wigan ......
Mar. 6, 1869
106 Campbell, W. B., Consulting Engineer, Grey Street, Newcastle ...
Oct. 7, 1876
107 Caer, Wm. Cochran, South Benwell, Newcastle-on-Tyne ...... Dec.
3, 1857
108 Carrtngton, T., Jun., High Hazels, Darnal, near Sheffield...... Aug.
1, 1861
109 Catron, J., Axwell Colliery, Whickham, Gateshead......... Nov. 3,
1866
110 Chadbobn, B. T., Pinxton Collieries, Alfreton, Derbyshire ......
1864
111 Chad wick, W. H., Bank Colliery, Little Hulton, nr. Bolton, Lancashire
Dec. 4, 1875
112 Chambers, A. M., Thorncliffe Iron Works, near Sheffield ......
Mar. 6, 1869
113 Chambers, H., Tinsley Collieries, Sheffield ............ Dec.
2,1871
114 Chambers, W. Hoole, Silkstone Main Colliery, near Barnsley ...
Feb. 5, 1876
115 Chapman, M., Plashetts Colliery, Northumberland ... ...
... Aug. 1, 1868
116 Charlton, E., Evenwood Colliery, Bishop Auckland......... Sept.
5,1868
117 Charlton, F., C.E., Moot Hall, Newcastle-on-Tyne......... Sept.
2,1871
118 Charlton, George, Washington Colliery, Co. Durham ... -
... Feb. 6, 1875
119 Checkley, Thomas, M.E., Lichfield Street, Walsall......... Aug.
7,1869
120 Cheesman, I., Throckley Colliery, Newcastle-on-Tyne ......
Feb. 1,1873
121 Cheesman, W. T., Wire Rope Manufacturer, Hartlepool ...... Feb.
5,1876
122 Childe, Rowland, Wakefield, Yorkshire ............ May 15,
1862
123 Clarence, Thomas, Elswick Colliery, Newcastle-on-Tyne ...... Dec.
4, 1875
124 Clark, C. F., Garswood Coal and Iron Co., near Wigan ......
Aug. 2,1866
(xxiii)
ELECTED
125 Clabk, G., Chesterton Coal and Iron Co. Limited, Chesterton, North
Staffordshire.........................Dec. 7,1867
126 Clark, G., Jun., Monkwearmouth Engine Works, Sunderland ...
Dec. 6,1873
127 Clark, R. B., Burnopfield, Lintz Green ............May
3, 1873
128 Clark, W., M.E., The Grange, Teversall, near Mansfield
......April 7,1866
129 Clarke, William, Victoria Engine Works, Gateshead ......Dec.
7, 1867
130 Clieft, J. H., 26, Devonshire Street, High Broughton, Manchester... May
6, 1876
131 Cochrane, B., Aldin Grange, Durham...............Dec. 6,1866
132 Cochrane, C, The Grange, Stourbridge ............June 3,
1857
133 Cochrane, H., The Longlands, Middlesbro'-on-Tees.........Mar.
4,1871
134 Cochrane, W., St. John's Chambers, Grainger Street West, Newcastle
(Member of Council) 1859
135 Cockburn, G., 8, Summerhill Grove, Newcastle-on-Tyne ......
Dec. 6,1866
136 Cockburn, W., Upleatham Mines, Upleatham, Marske ...... Oct.
1, 1859
137 Coe, W. S., Newchapel Colliery, Tunstall ............ Feb.
5,1876
138 Coke, R. G., Tapton Grove, Chesterfield, Derbyshire......... May
5,1856
139 Cole, H. A. B., Willington Quay, Newcastle-on-Tyne......... Mar.
3,1873
140 Cole, Richard, Walker Colliery, near Newcastle-on-Tyne ...... April
5, 1873
141 Cole, Robert Heath, Grange Colliery, Hanley ......... Feb.
5,1876
142 Cole, W. R., Broomfield, Jesmond, Newcastle-on-Tyne ...
... Oct. 1, 1857
143 Collis, W. B., High House, Stourbridge, Worcestershire ...
... June 6, 1861
144 Cook, John, Wigan Coal and Iron Co., Wigan............ Nov. 7,1874
145 Cook, J., Jun., Washington Iron Works, Gateshead.........May 8,
1869
146 Cook, R. F., Pemberton Colliery, near Wigan............
1860
147 Cooke, John, North Brancepeth Colliery, near Durham ...
... Nov. 1, 1860
148 Co;>ksey, Joseph, West Bromwich, Staffordshire ... ...
... Aug. 3,1865
149 Cooper, P., Thornley Colliery Office, Ferryhill............ Dec.
3,1857
150 Cooper, R. E., C.E., 1, Westminster Chambers, Victoria Street,
London, S.W.........................Mar. 4,1871
151 Cooper, T., Rosehill, Rotherham, Yorkshire ...... ...
... April 2,1863
152 Cope, James, Port Vale, Longport, Staffordshire .........Oct.
5,1872
153 Corbett, V. W., Londonderry Offices, Seaham Harbour
(Member of Council) Sept. 3, 1870
154 Corbitt, M., Wire Rope Manufacturer, Teams, Gateshead ... ...
Dec. 4, 1875
155 Coulson, F., Shamrock House, Durham ............ Aug.
1,1868
156 Coulson, W., Shamrock House, Durham ... ... ...
... Oct. 1,1852
157 Cowen, Jos., M.P., Blaydon Burn, Newcastle-on-Tyne ......
Oct. 5,1854
158 Cowey, John, Wearmouth Colliery, Sunderland .........Nov.
2, 1872
159 Cowlishaw, J., Thorncliffe, &c, Collieries, near Sheffield
......Mar. 7,1867
160 Cox, John H., 10, St. George's Square, Sunderland.........Feb. 6,
1875
161 Cox, S. H. P., Lower Carloggas, St. Columb, Cornwall
......Dec. 2, 1876
162 Coxon, Henry, Quay, Newcastle-on-Tyne ............Sept. 2,1871
163 Coxon, S. B., Usworth Colliery, Washington Station, Co. Durham
(Member of Council) June 5, 1856
164 Craig, W. Y., 2, Cambridge Gate, Regent's Park, London, N.W. ...
Nov. 3, 1866
165 Cbaweobd, T., Littletown Colliery, near Durham ... ...
... Aug. 21,1852
166 Crawford, T, Burnhope Colliery, by Lanchester, Co. Durham ...
Sept. 3,1864
(xxiv)
ELECTEH.
167 Crawford, T., Jim., Littletown Colliery, near Durham ......Aug.
7,1869
168 Crawshay, E., Gateshead-on-Tyne ...............Dec. 4,1869
169 Ceawshay, G., Gateshead-on-Tyne ...............Dec. 4, 1869
170 Crofton, J. G., Esh Colliery, Durham...............Feb. 7,1861
171 Crone, E. W., Killingworth Hall, near Newcastle-on-Tyne......Mar. 5,
1870
172 Crone, J. B., Stanhope, Darlington ...............Feb. 1,1868
173 Ceone, S. C, Killingworth Colliery, Newcastle (Member of Council)
1853
174 Cross, John, 78, Cross Street, Manchester............ June 5,1869
175 Cbotjdace, C. J., Brayton Domain, &c, Colliery Office, Maryport ...
Nov. 2, 1872
176 Ceoudace, John, West House, Haltwhistle ............June 7, 1873
177 Ceottdace, Thomas, Lambton Lodge, New South Wales ......
1862
178 Cuthbert, W., Beaufront Castle, Northumberland .........Aug. 1,
1874
179 Daburon, Mons., Ingenieur aux Mines de Lens, pas de Calais ...
May 1, 1875
180 Daglish, John, F.G.S., Tynemouth ...... (Vice-Peesident) Aug.
21, 1852
181 Daglish, W. S., Solicitor, Newcastle-on-Tyne............ July
2,1872
182 Dakees, J., Chilton Colliery, Ferryhill............... April 11,1874
183 Dakees, W., Jun., Birtley, Co. Durham ............ Oct.
3,1874
184 Dale, David, West Lodge, Darlington............... Feb. 5,1870
185 D'Andrimont, T., Liege, Belgium ............... Sept. 3,1870
186 Daniel, W., 37, Camp Boad, Leeds ............... June 4,1870
187 Darling, Fenwick, South Durham Colliery, Darlington ...... Nov.
6, 1875
188 Darlington, John, 2, Coleman Street Buildings, Moorgate Street,
Great Swan Alley, London ... ... ... ...
......April 1, 1865
189 Daelington, J., Black Park Colliery Co. Limited, Buabon......Nov.
7,1874
190 Davey, Heney, C.E., Leeds ..................Oct. 11,1873
191 Davidson, James, Newbattle Colliery, Dalkeith .........
1854
192 Davis, David, Coal Owner, Maesyffynon, Aberdare.........Nov. 7, 1874
193 Davison, Geoege, East Floss Farm, near Durham .........Mar.
4,1876
194 Day, W. H., Eversley Garth, So. Milford ............Mar.
6,1869
195 Deacon, Matteice........................Sept. 11, 1875
196 Dees, B. B., Solicitor, Newcastle-on-Tyne ............Oct.
7,1871
197 Defty, E., Stand Lane Collieries, Badcliffe, near Manchester
... Dec. 5, 1874
198 Delgobe, Emiee, 52, Wharncliffe Street, Newcastle-on-Tyne ...
Mar. 6, 1875
199 Dickinson, G. T., Wheelbirks. Northumberland .........July
2, 1872
200 Dickinson, B., Coal Owner, Shotley Bridge, Co. Durham ......Mar.
4, 1871
201 Dickinson, W. B., Priestfield Lodge, Lintz Green, Co. Durham ...
Aug. 7, 1862
202 Dinning, Josefh, Langley Smelt Mills, Northumberland ......April
5, 1873
203 Dixon, D. W., Brotton Mines, Saltburn-by-the-Sea .........Nov.
2,1872
204 Dixon, B., Wire Bope Manufacturer, Teams, Gateshead ...
... June 5, 1875
205 Dobson, W., 14, Ashfield Terrace West, Newcastle-on-Tyne......Sept.
4, 1869
206 Dodd, B., Bearpark Colliery, near Durham ............May 3,
1866
207 Dodds, J., M.P., Stockton-on-Tees ...............Mar. 7,1874
208 Donaldson, P., Alipore, Calcutta ...............Nov. 1, 1873
209 Doeglas, C. P., Consett House, Consett, Co. Durham...... ...Mar.
6,1869
210 Doeglas, T., Peases' West Collieries, Darlington .........Aug.
21, 1852
211 Douthwaite, T., Merthyr Vale Colliery, Merthyr Tydvil ......June
5, 1869
(xxv)
ELECTED.
212 Dove, G., Viewfield, Stanwix, Carlisle...............July 2, 1872
213 Dowdeswell, H., Butterknowle Colliery, via Darlington ......April
5, 1873
214 Dunlop, Colin, Jun., Quarter Iron Works, Hamilton ......Sept.
3, 1870
215 Dyson, Geoege, Middlesborough ...............June 2,1866
216 Dyson, O., Skelton Park Mines, Marske-by-the-Sea.........Mar. 2,1872
217 Easton, J., Nest House, Gateshead ...............
1853
218 Eaton, W. C, Cassop Colliery, Trimdon Grange, near Ferryhill ...
June 6, 1874
219 Eckeesley, Nathaniel, Standish Hall, Wigan .........Sept. 2,
1876
220 Eddison, Robert W., Steam Plough Works, Leeds.........Mar. 4, 1876
221 Eland, J. S., Accountant, Newcastle-on Tyne............Nov. 7,1874
222 Elliot, Sir G., Bart., M.P., Houghton Hall, Fence Houses
(Past President, Member of Council) Aug. 21, 1852
223 Elliot, W. S., Windlestone Colliery, near Ferryhill Station......Sept.
13, 1873
224 Elliott, W. Tudhoe House, Durham............... 1854
225 Elliott, W. D., Pemberton Street, Hull ............Oct.
11,1873
226 Elsdon, Bobert, 76, Manor Road, Upper New Cross, London ... Nov.
4, 1876
227 Elteingham, W., West Shield Row, Chester-le-Street ......Oct.
3,1874
228 Embleton, T. W., The Cedars, Methley, Leeds .........Sept.
6,1855
229 Embleton, T. W., Jun., The Cedars, Me.thley, Leeds.........Sept.
2,1865
230 Eminson, J. B., Londonderry Offices, Seaham Harbour ...
... Mar. 2,1872
231 Everard, I. B., M.E., 6, Millstone Lane, Leicester .........Mar.
6,1869
232 Farmer, A., Westbrook, Darlington ...............Mar. 2,1872
233 Farrae, James, Old Foundry, Barnsley ............July 2,
1872
234 Favell, Thomas M., 14, Saville Street, North Shields
......April 5, 1873
235 Fearn, John Wilmot, Chesterfield ...............Mar. 6,1869
236 Fenwick, Barnabas, Team Colliery, Gateshead .........Aug. 2,
1866
237 Fenwick, George, Banker, Newcastle-on-Tyne .........Sept.
2,1871
238 Fenwick, Thomas, East Pontop Colliery, by Lintz Green ......April
5, 1873
239 Ferens, Robinson, Oswald Hall, near Durham .........April 7,
1877
240 Ferrari, Paola Emile de, Gov. C. and M. Engineer, 13, Via
Guistiniani, Genoa .....................Feb. 3,1877
241 Fideer, E., Piatt Lane Colliery, Wigan, Lancashire.........Sept.
1,1866
242 Firth, S., M.A., 16, York Place, Leeds...............
1865
243 Firth, William, Burley Woods, Leeds ............Nov. 7,1863
244 Fisher, B. C, The Wern, Ystalyfera, Swansea............July 2, 1872
245 Fletcher, G., Trimdon Colliery, Trimdon Grange .........April 4,
1868
246 Fletchee, Geo., Hamsteels Colliery, near Durham ... ...
... Aug. 1,1874
247 Fletcher, H., Ladyshore Coll., Little Lever, Bolton, Lancashire ...
Aug. 3, 1865
248 Fletcher, I., M.P., Clifton Colliery, Workington .........Nov.
7,1863
249 Fletcher, Jas., Manager Co-operative Collieries, Wallsend, near
Newcastle, New South Wales ...............Sept. 11, 1875
250 Fletcher, J., Kelton House, Dumfries ............July
2,1872
251 Fletcher, W., Croft, Windermere ...............Feb. 4, 1871
252 Foggin, William, Pensher Colliery, Fence Houses .........Mar. 6,
1875
253 Forrest, J., Assoc. Inst. C.E., Pentrehobin Hall, Mold. Flintshire
... Mar. 5,1870
d
(xxvi)
ELECTED
254 Foester, G. B., M.A., Backworth House, near Newcastle-upon-Tyne
(Vice-President) Nov. 5, 1852
255 Forster, J. R., Water Co.'s Office, Newcastle-on-Tyne
......July 2,1872
256 Forster, J. T., Washington, Gateshead...............Au°\ 1,1868
257 Foestee, Richard, White House, Gateshead............Oct. 5, 1872
258 Foestek, R., Trimdon Grange Colliery, Ferryhill .........Sept.
5,1868
259 Foster, George, Osmondthorpe Colliery, near Leeds.........Mar. 7,
1874
260 Fothergill, J., King Street, Quay, Newcastle-on-Tyne ......Aug.
7,1862
261 Fothergill, Robt. T., 4, Queen Street, Quay, Newcastle-on-Tyne ... Mar.
3, 1877
262 France, W., Lofthouse Mines, Saltburn-hy-the-Sea.........April 6, 1867
263 Franks, George, Victoria Garesfield, Lintz Green .........Feb.
6,1875
264 Feazier, Prop. B. W., Lehigh University, Bethlehem, Penns., U.S... Nov.
2, 1872
265 Fryar, M, C.E.........................Sept. 7, 1867
266 Furness, H. D., Close House, Ravensworth, Gateshead-on-Tyne
(Member of Council) Dec. 2, 1871
267 Galloway, R. L., Barmoor, Ryton ...............Dec. 6,1873
268 Galloway, T. Lindsay, M.A., Ryton-on-Tyne .........Sept. 2,
1876
269 Gardner, Walter, M.E., The Stone House, Rugeley ......Feb.
14, 1874
270 Garforth, W. B., Lord's Field Colliery, Ashton-under-Lyne......Aug.
2, 1866
271 Gerhard, John, Westgate, Wakefield...............Mar. 5,1870
272 Gibson, John, Ryhope Colliery, Sunderland ............Dec. 4,1875
273 Gill, Harey, Consulting Engineer, Newcastle-on-Tyne ......May
2,1874
274 Gillett, F. C, Midland Road, Derby...............July 4,1861
275 Gilmoue, D., Portland Colliery, Kilmarnock............Feb. 3,1872
276 Gilpin, Edwin, 26, Spring Gardens, Halifax, Nova Scotia......April
5,1873
277 Gileoy, G., Ince Hall Colliery, Wigan, Lancashire .........Aug.
7,1856
278 Gieeoy, S. B., Assistant Gov. Inspector of Mines, Stone
......Sept. 5,1868
279 Gjees, John, Southfield Villas, Middlesbro' ............June
7,1873
280 Goddaed, D. H., Chester-le-Street ...............July 2,1872
281 Goddaed, F. R., Accountant, Newcastle-on-Tyne .........Nov.
7,1874
282 Gooch, G. H., Lintz Colliery, Burnopfield, Gateshead.........Oct. 3,
1856
283 Goodman, A., Walker Iron Works, Newcastle-on-Tyne ......Sept.
5,1868
284 Goedon, James N., care of John Hockin, St. John d'el Rey Mining
Co., 8, Tokenhouse Yard, London...............Nov. 6, 1875
285 Gott, William L., Woodhouse Terrace, Gateshead-on-Tyne......Sept.
3,1864
286 Geace, E. N, Dhadka, Assensole, Bengal, India .........Feb.
1,1868
287 Grant, J. H., care of C. Grant, 69, Lower Circular Street, Calcutta...
Sept. 4, 1869
288 Gray, Thomas, Underhill, Taibach, South Wales .........June 5,
1869
289 Greaves, J. 0., M.E., St. John's, Wakefield............Aug. 7,1862
290 Green, J. T., Abercarn Fach, near Newport, Monmouthshire ...
Dec. 3, 1870
291 Green, W., Jun., Thornelly House, Blayd on-on-Tyne (Mem. of Council)
Feb. 4,1853
292 Greener, John, General Manager, Vale Coll., Pictou, Nova Scotia ...
Feb. 6, 1875
293 Greener, Thomas, 71, Kellett Road, Brixton, London, S.W. ...
Aug. 3,1865
294 Geeenwell, G. C, Tynemouth.........(Vice-Peesident) Aug. 21, 1852
295 Geeenwele, G. C, Jun., Poynton, near Stockport .........Mar.
6,1869
296 Geeig, D., Leeds.......,................Aug. 2,1866
(xxvii)
ELECTED.
297 Geey, C. G.. 55, Parliament Street, London ............ May
4,1872
298 Grieves, D., Brancepeth Colliery, Willington, County Durham ...
Nov. 7,1874
299 Griffith, N. R., Wrexham .................. 1866
300 Grimshaw, E. J., Cowley Hill, St. Helen's, Lancashire ......
Sept. 5, 1868
301 Grimshaw, W. J., Stand Lane Colliery, Radcliffe, Manchester ...
Nov. 1,1873
302 Ground, H. N., Redheugh Colliery, Gateshead-on-Tyne ...... July
2, 1872
303 Gutnotte, Litcten, Directeur des Charbonnages de Mariemont et de
Bascoup, Mons .....................Sept. 2,1871
304 Haggie, D. H., Hendon Patent Ropery, Sunderland.........Mar. 4, 1876
305 Haggle, P., Gateshead ..................... 1854
306 Haines, J. Richard, Adderley Green Colliery, near Longton ...
Nov. 7, 1874
307 Hair, T. O, Shire Moor Colliery, Earsdon, Northumberland......Feb.
1,1873
308 Hales, C, Nerquis Cottage, Nerquis, near Mold, Flintshire......
1865
309 Hale, F. W., 23, St. Thomas' Street, Newcastle-on-Tyne ......Aug.
7,1869
310 Hall, George, South Garesfield Colliery, Lintz Green ......Mar.
6,1875 '
311 Hall, M., Lofthouse Station Collieries, near Wakefield
......Sept. 5,1868
312 Hall, M. S., M.E., Westerton, near Bishop Auckland ......Feb.
14, 1874
313 Hall, W., Spring Hill Mines, Cumberland County, Nova Scotia ...
Sept. 13, 1873
314 Hall, Wm., Manston Collieries, near Leeds ............Dec.
4,1875
315 Hall, William F., Haswell Colliery, Fence Houses.........May 13, 185S
316 Hann, Edmund, Brotton, near Saltburn-by-the-Sea.........Sept. 5,1868
317 Harbottle, W. H., Orrell Colliery, near Wigan .........Dec.
4, 1875
318 Hardy, Jos., Preston Colliery, North Shields............June 2,1877
319 Hargreaves, William, Rothwell Haigh, Leeds .........Sept.
5,1868
320 Harkness, A., 6, Cumberland Terrace, Sunderland .........Dec.
5,1868
321 Harle, Richard, Browney Colliery, Durham............April 7, 1877
322 Harle, William, Pagebank Colliery, near Durham.........Oct. 7,1876
323 Harrison, R., Eastwood Collieries, Nottingham .........
1861
324 Harrison, T., Great Western Colliery, Pontypridd, Glamorganshire Aug.
2, 1873
325 Harrison, T. E., C.E., Central Station, Newcastle-on-Tyne......May
6, 1853
326 Harrison, W. B., Brownhills Collieries, near Walsall
......April 6, 1867
327 Haswell, G. H., 11, South Preston Terrace, North Shields......Mar.
2, 1872
328 Hawthorn, T., 98, Rye Hill, Newcastle-on-Tyne .........Dec.
6,1866
329 Hay, J., Jun., Widdrington Colliery, Ashington .........Sept.
4,1869
330 Heckels, Matthew, Boldon Colliery, Durham .........April 11,
1874
331 Heckels, W. J., Thrislington Colliery, near Ferryhill.........May
2,1868
332 Hedley, Edw., 2, Church Street, London Road, Derby ......Dec.
2,1858
333 Hedley, J. J., Consett Collieries, Leadgate, County Durham ...
April 6, 1872
334 Hedley, J. L., 3, Elm Vale, Fairfield, Liverpool .........Feb.
5,1870
335 Hedlby, T. F., Valuer, Sunderland ...............Mar. 4,1871
336 Hedley, W. H., Consett Collieries, Medomsley, Newcastle-on-Tyne
(Member of Council) 1864
337 Henderson, H., Pelton Colliery, Chester-le-Street .........Feb. 14,
1874
338 Henderson, John, Leazes House, Durham ............Mar. 5,1870
339 Heppell, T., Leafield House, Birtley, Fence Houses (Mem. of Council)
Aug. 6, 1863
340 Heppell, W., Brancepeth Colliery, Willington, County Durham ...
Mar. 2, 1872
(xxviii)
ELECTED.
341 Heedman, J., Park Crescent, Bridgend, Glamorganshire ...
... Oct. 4, 1860
342 Heslop, C, Lingdale Mines, via Guisborough............Feb. 1,1868
343 Heslop, Geaingee, Whitwell Colliery, Sur.derland .........Oct.
5,1872
344 Heslop, J., Hucknall Torkard Colliery, near Nottingham ...
... Feb. 6, 1864
345 Hetheeington, D., Coxlodge Colliery, Newcastle-on-Tyne ... ...
1859
346 Hetherington, Kobekt, Coanwood, Haltwhistle .........Nov. 1,
1873
347 Hewitt, G. C, Coal Pit Heath Colliery, near Bristol.........June 3,
1871
348 Hewlett, A., Haigh Colliery, Wigan, Lancashire .........Mar.
7,1861
349 Hick, G. W., 14, Blenheim Terrace, Leeds ............May
4,1872
350 Higson, Jacob, 94, Cross Street, Manchester............
1861
351 Higson, P., Lawns wood, Swinton Park, near Manchester ...
... Aug. 3,1865
352 Hill, Leslie C, Canadian Copper and Sulphur Co., Limited,
Capelton, Quebec ... ... ... ... ...
... ... Nov. 6, 1875
353 Hilton, J., Standish and Shevington Collieries, near Wigan
... Dec. 7, 1867
354 Hilton, T. W., Wigan Coal and Iron Co., Limited, Wigan...... Aug.
3, 1865
355 Hindmaesh, Thomas, Cowpen Ledge, Blyth, Northumberland ...
Sept. 2,1876
356 Hodgkin, T., Banker, Newcastle-on-Tyne ............ Sept.
2,1871
357 Hodgson, J. W., Dipton Colliery, via Lintz Green Station...... Feb.
5, 1870
358 Hodgson, T., care of John Hodgson, Cliff Cottage, Port Mulgrave,
Saltburn-by the-Sea ... ... ...... ...
... ... Dec. 4,1875
359 Holding, W., Brensop Hall Coal Co., Wigan............Mar. 3,1877
360 Holliday, Mabtin, M.E., Peases' West Collieries, Crook .,.
...May 1,1875
361 Holmes, C, Grange Hill, near Bishop Auckland .........April
11,1874
362 Homee, Chaeles J., Caverswall Castle, Stoke-on-Trent ......Aug.
3,1865
363 Hood, A., 6, Bute Crescent, Cardiff ...............April 18, 1861
364 Hope, Geoege, Newbottle Colliery, Fence Houses .........Feb.
3,1877
365 Hopton, James, 18, Buckley Street, Barnsley............Dec. 5,1874
366 Hoensbt, H., Whitworth Colliery, Ferryhill ... "'
......Aug. 1,1874
367 Hoesley, W., Whitehill Point, Percy Main ............Mar. 5,1857
368 Hoskold, H. D., C. and M.B., F.R.G.S., F.G.S., M. Soc. A., &c. ...
April 1, 1871
369 Howaed, W. F., 13, Cavendish Street, Chesterfield.........Aug. 1,1861
370 Hoyt, J., Acadia Coal Mines, Pictou, Nova Scotia .........May
8, 1869
371 Hudson, James, Albion Mines, Pictou, Nova Scotia.........
1862
372 Hughes, H. B., Old Durham Colliery, Durham .........Nov.
6,1869
373 Humble, John, West Pelton, Chester-le-Street .........Mar.
4,1871
374 Humble, Jos., The Cottage, Barrow Hill, Chesterfield
......June 2,1866
375 Huntee, J., Jun., Silkstone and Worsbro' Park Colls., nr. Barnsley...
Mar. 6, 1869
376 Huntee, W., Monk Bretton Colliery, near Barnsley.........Oct. 3,1861
377 Huntee, Wm., Charlaw Colliery Office, Quay, Newcastle ......Aug.
21, 1852
378 Huntee, W. S., Moor Lodge, Newcastle-upon-Tyne.........Feb. 1, 1868
379 Hunting, Ciiaeles, Fence Houses ............... Dec. 6,
1866
380 Huest, T. G., F.G.S., Lander Grange, Corbridge-on-Tyne ...... Aug.
21, 1852
381 Hutchinson, G., Quarry House, Howden-le-Wear ......... July
2,1872
382 Hyslop, J. S., Guisbro'..................... April 1, 1871
383 Jackson, C. G., Wigan Coal and Iron Co., Limited, Wigan......June
4,1870
384 Jackson, W., Cannock Chase Collieries, Walsall .........Feb.
14, 1874
(xxix)
ELECTED.
385 Jackson, W. G., Lime Street, Saltburn...............June 7,1873
386 Jaeeatt, J., Broomside Colliery Office, Durham ... ...
... Nov. 2, 1867
387 Jepfcock, T. W., 18, Bank Street, Sheffield ............Sept. 4,
1869
388 Jenkins, W., M.E., Ocean S.C. Collieries, Ystrad, near Pontypridd,
South Wales.......................Dec. 6,1862
389 Jenkins, Wm,, Consett Iron Works, Consett, Durham ......May
2, 1874
390 Johnasson, J., Leadenhall Street, London, B.C. .........July
2,1872
391 Johnson, Heney, Dudley, Worcestershire ............Aug. 7,1869
392 Johnson, John, M. Inst. C.E., F.G.S., 21, Victoria Square, Newcastle
Aug. 21, 1852
393 Johnson, J., Witley Colliery Co. Ld., Halesowen, nr. Birmingham
Mar. 7,1874
394 Johnson, R. S., Sherburn Hall, Durham ............Aug. 21,
1852
395 Johnson, W. J., W.B. Lead Works, Allendale .........April
6, 1872
396 Johnston, T., Deanmoor Colliery Co., by Cockermouth ......April
6,1872
397 Joicey, E., Coal Owner, Newcastle-on-Tyne ............April 6,1872
398 Joicey, John, Newton Hall, Stocksfield-on-Tyne .........Sept.
3,1852
399 Joicey, J. G., Forth Banks West Factory, Newcastle-Qn-Tyne ...
April 10,1869
400 Joicey, W. J., Tanfield Lea Colliery, Burnopfield .........Mar.
6,1869
401 Joedan, Robert, Ebbw Vale, South Wales............Nov. 7,1874
402 Joseph, D. Davis, Ty Draw, Pontypridd, South Wales
......April 6, 1872
403 Joseph, T., Ty Draw, near Pontypridd, South Wales.........April 6,
1872
404 Kasalousky, Josef, 11, Kaiser Josefs Strasse, Vienna
......Aug. 1,1874
405 Kelsey, W., 41, Fawcett Street, Sunderland............Mar. 7,1874
406 Kendall, John D., Roper Street, Whitehaven .........Oct.
3, 1874
407 Kennedy, Myees, M.E., Hill Foot, Ulverstone .........June
6,1868
408 Key, Thomas, Gate Fulford, York ...............Nov. 2,1872
409 Kimpton, J. G., 40, St. Mary Gate, Derby ............Oct.
5,1872
410 Kiekby, J. W., Pirnie Colliery, Leven, Fife ............Feb.
1,1873
411 Kiekwood, William, Larkhall Colliery, Hamilton.........Aug. 7,1869
412 Kiesopp, John, Team Colliery, Gateshead ............April 5,
1873
413 Knowles, A., High Bank, Pendlebury, Manchester ... ...
... Dec. 5, 1856
414 Knowles, John, Pendlebury Colliery, Manchester ... ...
... Dec. 5, 1856
415 Knowles, Kaye, Little Lever Colliery, near Bolton ... ...
... Aug. 3,1865
416 Knowles, R. M..........................Aug. 3,1865
417 Knowles, Thomas, Ince Hall, Wigan...............Aug. 1, 1861
418 Kyeke, R. H. V., Westminster Chambers, Wrexham.........Feb. 5, 1870
419 Lackland, J. J., care of M. Stainton, 24, Winchester St., So. Shields
Mar. 7, 1874
420 Laidlee, W. J., 6, Piazza Giacherry, via di Monte
Pelligrino,
Palermo, Sicily ..................... Mar. 4,1876
421 Lamb, R., Cleator Moor Colliery, near Whitehaven ......... Sept.
2,1865
422 Lamb, R. O., Gibside, Lintz Green, Newcastle-on-Tyne ......
Aug. 2,1866
423 Lamb, Richard W., Coal Owner, Newcastle-on-Tyne......... Nov.
2,1872
424 Lambeet, M. W., 9, Queen Street, Newcastle-on-Tyne ......
July 2, 1872
425 Lancastee, John, Bilton Grange, Rugby ............ July 4,
1861
426 Lancastee, J., Jun., South Bank, Milverton, Leamington ......
Mar. 2, 1865
427 Lancastee, S., Heath End Colliery, near Ashby-de-la-Zouch ...
Aug. 3, 1865
(xxx)
ELECTED.
428 Landale, A., Lochgelly Iron Works, Fifeshire, N.B..........Dec.
2,1858
429 Laveeick, J., Castle Eden Colliery, Castle Eden, County Durham ... July
2, 1872
430 Lavekick, Eobt., West Eainton, Fence Houses .........Sept.
2, 1876
431 Laweence, Henby, Grange Iron Works, Durham .........Aug. 1,1868
432 Laws, H, Grainger Street West, Newcastle-on-Tyne.........Feb. 6,1869
433 Laws, John, Blyth, Northumberland............... 1854
434 Lawson, Rev. E., Longhirst Hall, Morpeth ............Dec. 3,1870
435 Lawson, J. P., Port Hood, Cape Breton, Nova Scotia
......Dec. 3,1870
436 LAycock, Joseph, Low Gosforth, Northumberland ... ......Sept.
.4, 1869
437 Leathee, J. T., Middleton Hall, Belford, Northumberland......Aug. 6,
1870
438 Lebotte, G. A., Wedepark House, Dipton, Lintz Green ......Feb.
1, 1873
439 Lee, Geokge, Loftus, in Cleveland ...............June 4, 1870
440 Leslie, Andeew, Hebburn, Gateshead-on-Tyne (Member of Council) Sept.
7,1867
441 Levee, Ellis, West Gorton Works, Manchester .........
1861
442 Lewis, Heney, Annesley Colliery, near Mansfield .........Aug.
2,1866
443 Lewis, William Thomas, Mardy, Aberdare ... .........
1864
444 Liddell, G. H, Somerset House, Whitehaven .........Sept.
4, 1869
445 Liddell, J. R., Nedderton, Northumberland............Aug. 21, 1852
446 Liddell, M., Prudhoe Hall, Prudhoe-on-Tyne............Oct. 1,1852
447 Lindop, James, Bloxwich, Walsall, Staffordshire .........Aug.
1,1861
448 Linsley, R., Cramlington Colliery, Northumberland.........July 2,
1872
449 Linsley, S. W., Whitburn Colliery, Sunderland .........Sept.
4,1869
450 Lishman, John, Claypath, Durham ...............June 2,1866
451 Lishman, T., Jun., Hetton Colliery, Fence Houses .........Nov.
5. 1870
452 Lishman, Wm., Witton-le-Wear.................. 1857
453 Lishman, Wm., Bunker Hill, Fence Houses ............Mar. 7, 1861
454 Livesey, C, Bredbury Colliery, Bredbury, Stockport.........Aug. 3,
1865
455 Livesey, T., Alton Grange, Ashby-de-la-Zouch .........Aug.
1,1861
456 Livesey, T., Jun., Hatherlow House, Romilly, Cheshire ......Nov.
7, 1874
457 Llewellin, D., Glanwern Offices, Pontypool, Monmouthshire ...
Aug. 4, 1864
458 Llewelyn, L., Aberaman, Aberdare, South Wales .........May
4,1872
459 Lloyd, John F., Saltburn-by-the-Sea...............Sept. 11, 1875
460 Logan, William, Langley Park Colliery, Durham.........Sept. 7, 1867
461 Longbotham, J., Framwellgate Colliery, near Durham ......May
2, 1868
462 Longeidge, J. A., 3, Westminster Chambers, Victoria Street, West-
minster, London, S.W. ... ... ... ...
... ... Aug. 21,1852
463 Low, W., Vron Colliery, Wrexham, Denbighshire .........Sept.
6,1855
464 Lupton, A., F.G.S., Bagillt, North Wales ............Nov.
6,1869
465 Mackenzie, J., 1, Royal Terrace, Crosshill, Glasgow.........Mar. 5,
1870
466 Maddison, Heney, The Lindens, Darlington............Nov. 6, 1875
467 Maling, C. T., Ford Pottery, Newcastle-on-Tyne .........Oct.
5,1872
468 Mammatt, J. E., C.E., Beechwood, Bramley, near Leeds ...
... 1864
469 Maeley, John, Mining Offices, Darlington ............Aug. 21,1852
470 Maeley, J. W., Mining Offices, Darlington ............Aug.
1,1868
471 Maeshall, F. C, Messrs. Hawthorn & Co., Newcastle
(Member of Council) Aug. 2,1866
(xxxi)
ELECTED.
472 Maeshall, J......................... 1864
473 Maeston, W. B., Leeswood Vale Oil Works, Mold .........Oct.
3,1868
474 Maeten, E. B., C.E., Pedmore, near Stourbridge ...... ...
July 2,1872
475 Maetin, R. F., Mount Sorrel, Loughborough............April 11,1874
476 Matthews, R. F., South Hetton Colliery, Fence Houses ......Mar.
5,1857
477 Maitghan, J. A., Nerbudda Coal and Iron Co. Limited, Garrawarra,
Central Provinces, India ... ... ... ...
... ... Nov. 7, 1863
478 Maughan, J. D., Hebburn Colliery, near Newcastle-on-Tyne ...
Nov. 4, 1876
479 May, Geoege, Harton Colliery Offices, Tyne Docks, South Shields
(Member of Council) Mar. 6,1862
480 McCeeath, J., 138, West George Street, Glasgow .........Mar.
5,1870
481 McCitlloch, David, Beech Grove, Kilmarnock, N.B. ......Dec.
4, 1875
482 McCiilloch, H. J., Moat House, Wood Green, London, N.......Oct. 1,
1863
483 McCulloch, W., 178, Gresham House, Old Broad Street, London, E.C. Nov.
7, 1874
484 McGhie, T., Cannock, Staffordshire ...............Oct. 1,1857
485 McMttbteie, J., Radstock Colliery, Bath ............Nov.
7,1863
486 McMuetbie, W. G., Llwynypia Coll., near Pontypridd, South Wales Sept.
4, 1869
487 Meadows, J. M., Coal Island, County Tyrone, Ireland ......Dec.
4, 1875
488- Meik, Thomas, C.E., 6, York Place, Edinburgh .........June
4,1870
489 Menzies, W., King Street, Newcastle-on-Tyne ...... ...
Sept. 13, 1873
490 Meeivale, J. H., Nedderton, R.S.O., Northumberland ......May
5,1877
491 Millee, Robeet, Strafford Collieries, near Barnsley.........Mar.
2,1865
492 Mills, M. H., Duckmanton Lodge, Chesterfield .......-..Feb.
4,1871
493 Mitchell, Chaeles, Shipbuilder, Newcastle ... (Vice-Peesident)
April 11,1874
494 Mitchell, Joseph, Jun., Worsbro' Dale, near Barnsley ......Feb,
14, 1874
495 Mitchinson, R., Jun., Pontop Coll., Lintz Green Station, Co. Durham
Feb. 4, 1865
496 Moefatt, T., Montreal Iron Ore Works, Whitehaven ......Sept.
4, 1869
497 Monkhouse, Jos., Yeat House, Frizington, Whitehaven ......June
4,1863
498 Mooe, T., North Seaton Colliery, Morpeth ............Oct.
3,1868
499 Moon, W., Engineer, Hetton Colliery, Fence Houses.........Oct. 3,
1874
500 Mooe, Wm., Jun., Engelholm, Sweden...............July 2,1872
501 Mooee, R. W., Colliery Office, Whitehaven...... ......Nov.
5,1870
502 Mooee, T. H., Smeaton Park, Inveresk, Edinburgh.........Feb. 2,
1867
503 Mobison, D. P., 21, Collingwood Street, Newcastle-on-Tyne......
1861
504 Moeeell, John, Darlington ..................Oct. 7, 1876
505 Moeeis, W., Waldridge Colliery, Chester-le-Street, Fence Houses ...
1858
506 Moeeison, Maetin, Royal Exchange, Middlesbro' .........Sept.
2,1876
507 Moeton, H. T., Lambton, Fence Houses ............Aug. 21,
1852
508 Moses, Wm., Lumley Colliery, Fence Houses............Mar. 2,1872
509 Muckle, John, Monk Bretton, Barnsley ............Mar. 7,
1861
510 MuLCASTEE, W., Jun., M.E., Croft House, Aspatria, near Carlisle ...
Dec. 3,1870
511 Mulvany, W. T., Pempelfort, Dusseldorf-on-the-Rhine ......Dec.
3,1857
512 Mundle, Aethue, 3, Victoria Villas, Newcastle-on-Tyne ......June
5,1875
513 Mitndle, W., Redesdale Mines, Bellingham ...... ......Aug.
2,1873
514 Mueeay, G., Engineer, Sandhill, Newcastle-on-Tyne.........Nov. 7,
1874
515 Miteeay, T. H., Chester-le-Street, Fence Houses .........April
18,1861
(xxxii)
ELECTED,
516 Nanson, J., 4, Queen Street, Newcastle-on-Tyne .........Dec.
4, 1869
517 Nasse, Heeb Be rgassessob, Louisenthal, Saarbrucken, Prussia ...
Sept. 4,1869
518 Nayloe, J. T., 10, West Clayton Street, Newcastle-on-Tyne......Dec.
6, 1866
519 Nelson, J., C.E., Marine and Stationary Engine Works, Gateshead
(Member of Council) Oct. 4. 1866
520 Neville, Samuel, Jun., Engineer, Newcastle-on-Tyne ......May
5, 1877
521 Nevin, John, Mirfield, Yorkshire ...............May 2,1868
522 Newall, R. S., Ferndene, Gateshead ......(Member of Council) May
2, 1863
523 Nicholson, E., jun., Beamish Colliery, Chester-le-Street
......Aug. 7,1869
524 Nicholson, J. W., Greenside Colliery, Milton, Carlisle
......Oct. 11,1873
525 Nicholson, Maeshall, Middleton Hall, Leeds .........Nov. 7,
1863
526 Nicholson, R,, Blaydon-on-Tyne ...............July 2,1872
527 Nicholson, T., Park Lane Engine Works, Gateshead.........Dec. 4,1869
52S Noble, Captain, Jesmond, Newcastle-upon-Tyne .........Feb.
3,1866
529 Noeth, F. W., F.G.S., Rowley Hall Colliery, Dudley, Staffordshire ...
Oct, 6,1864
530 Nuttall, Thomas, Broad Street, Bury, Lancashire.........Sept. 11,1875
531 Ogden, John M., Solicitor, Sunderland...............Mar. 5,1857
532 Ogilvie, A. Geaeme, 4, Great George Street, Westminster, London Mar.
3,1877
533 Oliveb, Robeet, Charlaw Colliery, near Durham .........Nov. 6,
1875
534 Oxley, James A., Innox Hill, Frome, Somerset .........Oct.
7, 1876
535 Pace r, T., Bishop Auckland ..................April 10, 1869
536 Page, William, 6, Pleasant Row, Newcastle-upon-Tyne ......Mar.
6, 1875
537 Palmes, A. S., Wardley Hall, near Newcastle-on-Tyne ......July
2, 1872
538 Palmes, C. M., M.P., Quay, Newcastle-upon-Tyne .........Nov.
5,1852
539 Pamely, C, Radstock Coal Works, near Bath............Sept. 5,1868
540 Panton, F. S., Silksworth Colliery, Sunderland .........Oct.
5,1867
541 Papik, Johanne, Teplitz, Bohemia ...............Feb. 5,1870
542 Paekin, Chaeles E., Deer Park Mines, Newlyn East, Grampound
Road, Cornwall .....................June 5, 1875
543 Paekin, John, Westbourne Grove, Redcar, Yorkshire.........April 11,
1874
544 Paeeington, M. W., Wearmouth Colliery, Sunderland ......Dec.
1, 1864
545 Paeton, T., F.G.S., Ash Cottage, Birmingham Road, West Bromwich Oct.
2, 1869
546 Pattinson, J., Analytical Chemist, Newcastle-upon-Tyne ......May
2,1868
547 Pattison, John, Engineer, Naples ... ... ...
... ... Nov. 7,1874
548 Pattison, W., Ruabon and North Wales Colliery, Prysgwyn, Chirk Oct.
11, 1873
549 Pattison, W., Jun......................Oct. 11,1873
550 Peace, M. W„ Wigan, Lancashire ...............July 2, 1872
551 Peacock, David, Horseley, Tipton ...............Aug. 7, 1869
552 Peaece, F. H., Bowling Iron Works, Bradford .........Oct.
1,1857
553 Peaeson, J. E., Golborne Park, near Newton-le-Willows ......Feb.
3, 1872
554 Pease, J. W., M.P., Hutton Hall, Guisbro', Yorkshire
......Mar. 5,1857
555 Peel, John, Wharncliffe and^Silkstone Coll., Wortley, near Sheffield
Nov. 1, 1860
556 Peel, John, Horsley Colliery, Wylam-on-Tyne .........Mar.
3,1877
557 Peile, William, Rosemount, Roath, Cardiff............Oct. 1,1863
(xxxiii)
BT.I'CTET).
558 Penman, J. H., Clarence Buildings, 2, Booth Street, Manchester ...
Mar. 7, 1874
559 Peeeot, S. W., 39, Kronprinzen Strasse, Dusseldorf.........June
2,1866
560 Philipson, H., 8, Queen Street, Newcastle-upon-Tyne
......Oct. 7, 1871
561 Pickebsgill, T. Waterloo Main Colliery, near Leeds
......June 5, 1869
562 Pickup, P. W., Dunkenhalgh Collieries, Accrington, Lancashire ...
Feb. 6, 1875
563 Piggeobd, J., Risca House, Risca, near Newport, Monmouthshire ...
Aug. 2,1866
564 Pinching, Abchd. E., Kruisrivier, Middleburg, Transvaal, So. Africa May
5, 1877
565 Pottee, Addison, Heaton Hall, Newcastle-on-Tvne.........Mar. 6,1869
566 Potteb, A. M., Shiremoor Coll., Northumberland (Member of Council) Feb.
3, 1872
567 Potteb, C. J., Heaton Hall, Newcastle-on-Tync .........Oct.
3,1874
568 Psice, John, Messrs. Palmer Brothers & Co., Jarrow-on-Tyne ...
Mar. 3, 1877
569 Peice, J. R., Standish, near Wigan ...............Aug. 7,1869
570 Peiestman, Jon., Coal Owner, Newcastle-on Tyne .........Sept.
2,1871
571 Railston, C. A., Framlington Place, Newcastle-on-Tyne ......Feb.
3,1877
572 Ramsay, J. A., Washington Colliery, nr. Durham (Member of Council) Mar.
6, 1869
573 Ramsay, J. T., Walbottle Hall, nr. Blaydon-on-Tyne (Mem. of Council)
Aug. 3, 1853
574 Ramsay, T. D., Eldon Lane, near Bishop Auckland .........Mar.
1,1866
575 Ramsay, Wm., Tursdale Colliery, County Durham .........Sept. 11,
1875
576 Reed, Robeet, Felling Colliery, Gateshead ............Dec. 3,
1863
577 Reeeen, Wm., Teplitz, Bohemia..................Oct. 5, 1872
578 Rees, Daniel, Glendare, Aberdare ...............
1862
579 Reid, Andeew, Newcastle-on-Tyne ...............April 2,1870
580 Reynolds, J. J., M.E., Leigh Road, Atherton, near Manchester ...
April 3, 1875
581 Richaeds, Chaeles, Grainger Street, Newcastle-on-Tyne ......Mar.
3, 1877
582 Richaeds, E. W., Messrs. Bolckow Vaughan & Co., Middlesbro' ...
Aug. 5, 1876
583 Richaeds, G. C, M.E„ Woodhouse, near Sheffield .........June 5,
1875
584 Richaedson, H, Backworth Colliery, Newcastle-on-Tyne ......Mar.
2, 1865
585 RiCHAEDSON, J. W., Iron Shipbuilder, Newcastle-on-Tyne ......Sept.
3, 1870
586 Richabdson, M., West Stanley Colliery, Chester-le-Street ......April
3,1875
587 Ridley, G., Trinity Chambers, Newcastle-on-Tyne .........Feb.
4,1865
588 Ridley, J. H, R. & W. Hawthorn's, Newcastle-on-Tyne ......April 6,
1872
589 Ridyabd, John, Walkden, near Bolton-le-Moor .........Nov. 7,
1874
590 Rigby, John, Ash Villa, Alsager, Stoke-upon-Trent.........Feb.
5,1876
591 Riska, Feanz, Machinen Fabrik, Prague, Bohemia.........Aug. 1,1874
592 Ritson, U. A , 6, Queen Street, Newcastle-on-Tyne .........Oct.
7,1871
593 Ritson, W. A., Shilbottle Colliery, near Alnwick .........April
2, 1870
594 Robeetson, W., M.E., 123, St. Vincent Street, Glasgow ......Mar.
5,1870
595 Robinson, G. C, Brereton and Hayes Colls., Rugeley, Staffordshire...
Nov. 5, 1870
596 Robinson, II., C.E., 7, Westminster Chambers, London ......Sept.
3, 1870
597 Robinson, John, Hebburn Colliery, near Newcastle-on-Tyne ...
Nov. 4, 1876
598 Robinson, R,, Howlish Hall, near Bishop Auckland.........Feb. 1,1868
599 Robinson, R. H, Whittington, near Chesterfield .........Sept.
5,1868
600 Robson, D. W., Ouston, Chester-le-Street ............Nov.
7,1874
601 Robson, E., Middlesbro'-on-Tees..................April 2, 1870
602 Robson, J. M., 11, Belhaven Terrace, Glasgow............Dec. 5, 1868
603 Robson, J. S., Butterknowle Colliery, via Staindrop, Darlington ...
1853
e
(xxxiv)
ELECTED.
604 RobSON, J. T., Cambuslang, Glasgow ...............Sept. 4, 1869
606 Eobson, M., Coppa Colliery, near Mold, Flintshire .........May
4,1872
606 Robson, Thomas, Lumley Colliery, Fence Houses .........Oct. 4,
1860
607 Robson, W. C, Walbottle Colliery, near Newcastle-on-Tyne......Sept.
4, 1869
608 Rogerson, J., Croxdale Hall, Durham...............Mar. 6, 1869
609 Roscamp, J., Rosedale Lodge, near Pickering, Yorkshire ...
... Feb. 2,1867
610 Roseby, John, Haverholme House, Brigg, Lincolnshire ...
... Nov. 2, 1872
611 Ross, A., Shipcote Colliery, Gateshead...............Oct. 1,1857
612 Ross, J. A. G., Consulting Engineer, 34, Collingwood Street, Newcastle
July 2, 1872
613 Rosses, W., Mineral Surveyor, Llanelly, Carmarthenshire ...
... 1856
614 Rothwell, R. P., 27, Park Place, New York............Mar. 5,1870
615 Routledge, Jos., Ryhope Colliery, Sunderland .........Sept.
11, 1875
616 Routledge, J. L., Ryhope Colliery, Sunderland .........Oct.
7,1876
617 Routledge, T., Lorway Coal Co., Limited, Sydney, Cape Breton ...
Dec. 3,1870
618 Routledge, War., Sydney, Cape Breton ............Aug. 6,1857
619 Rowley, J. C.........................Dec. 4,1875
620 Rutherpord, J., Halifax, Nova Scotia............... 1866
621 Rutherford, W., Marden House, Whitley, Newcastle-on-Tyne ... Oct.
3,1874
622 Rutter, Thos., Blaydon Main Colliery, Blaydon-on-Tyne ...
... May 1, 1875
623 Ryder, W. J. H., Forth Street Brass Works, Newcastle-on-Tyne ...
Nov. 4, 1876
624 Saint, George, Vauxhall Collieries, Ruabon, North Wales...... April
11, 1874
625 Scarth, W. T., Raby Castle, Darlington ............ April 4,
1868
626 Scott, Andrew, Broomhill Colliery, Acklington ... ...
... Dec. 7, 1867
627 Scott, C. F., Hall Royal Collieries, Silkstone Common, Barnsley ...
April 11, 1874
628 Scouiar, G., Parkside, Frizington, Cumberland ... ...
... July 2,1872
629 Seddon, J. F., Great Harwood Collieries, near Accrington ...
... June 1, 1867
630 Seddon, W., Dunkirk Collieries, Dukinfield ............ Oct.
5,1865
631 Shallis, F. W., M. and J. Pritchard, 9, Gracechurch Street, London
April 6, 1872
632 Shaw, John, Neptune Engine Works, Low Walker, Newcastle ... Nov.
6,1875
633 Shaw, W., Jun., Wolsingham, via Darlington......... ... June
3,1871
634 Shelford, W;, 35a, Great George Street, Westminster, London ...
Feb. 5, 1876
635 Shied, John, Usworth Colliery, County Durham ......... May
6, 1871
636 Shone, Isaac, Pentrefelin House, Wrexham............
1858
637 Shortrede, T., Park House, Winstanley, Wigan ......... April 3,
1856
638 Shute, C A., Westoe, South Shields ............... April 11, 1874
639 Simpson, J., Heworth Colliery, near Gateshead-on-Tyne ......
Dec. 6, 1866
640 Simpson, John, West Stanley Colliery, Chester-le-Street ......
April 3,1875
641 Simpson, Jos., South Derwent Colliery, via Lintz Green Station ...
Mar. 3, 1873
642 Simpson, J. B., Hedgefield House, Blaydon-on-Tyne^Jtfem. q/ Council)
Oct. 4,1860
643 Simpson, J. C, Clyde Coal Co., Hamilton ............ April 7,
1877
644 Simpson, R., Moor House, Ryton-on-Tyne ............ Aug. 21,
1852
645 Simpson, Robt., Drummond Colliery, Weshrill, Pictou, N.S....... Dec.
4,1875
646 Sinclair, James, 48, Blackfriars Street, Manchester...... ...
May 6, 1876
647 Slinn, T., 2, Choppington Street, Westmorland Road, Newcastle ...
July 2, 1872
648 Small, G., Duffield Road, Derby.................. June 4,1870
649 Smallshaw, J., Westleigh Colliery, Leigh, near Manchester...... Nov.
7, 1874
(xxxv)
ELECTED.
650 Smith, C. J., 16, Whitehall Place, Westminster, London, S.W., ...
July 2,1872
651 Smith, E. J., 16, Whitehall Place, Westminster, London ......Oct.
7,1858
652 Smith, G. F., Grovehurst, Tunbridge Wells ............Aug. 5,1853
653 Smith, J., Bickershaw Colliery, Wigan...... .........Mar. 7,
1874
654 Smith, R. A., 2, Church Street, Derby...............Nov. 7,1874
655 Smith, T., Sen., M.E., Cinderf'ord Villas, nr. Newnham, Gloucester...
May, 5, 1877
656 Smith, T. E., M.P., Gosforth House, Dudley, Northumberland ...
Feb. 5,1870
657 Smith, T. E., Phcenix Foundry, Newgate Street, Newcastle-on-Tyne
Dec. 5, 1874
658 Snowdon, T., Jun., West Bitchburn Coll., nr. Towlaw, via Darlington
Sept. 4, 1869
659 Sopwith, A., Cannock Chase Collieries, near Walsall.........Aug. 1,
1868
660 Sopwith, T., Jun., South Derwent Coll., nr. Annfield Plain, Co. Durham
Nov. 2, 1867
661 Sopwith, Thos., Jun., 6, Gt. George St., Westminster, London, S.W. Mar.
3, 1877
662 Sohthall, F., Park Hall Colliery, Cheadle, Stoke-upon-Trent
... Feb. 5,1876
663 Southern, R., Burleigh House, The Parade, Tredegarville, Cardiff...
Aug. 3, 1865
664 Southworth, Thos., Hindley Green Collieries, near Wigan......May 2,
1874
665 Spark, H. K., Startforth House, Barnard Castle .........
1856
666 Sparkes, C, care of J. Dunning, Southfield Villas, Middlesbro'
... Sept, 5, 1868
667 Spence, G., Southern States Coal, Iron, and Land Co.,
South
Pittsburg, Tennessee, U.S...................June 7,1873
668 SpeNce, James, Clifton and Millgramfitz Collieries, Workington ...
Nov. 7, 1874
669 Spencer, John, Westgate Road, Newcastle-on-Tyne.........Sept. 4,1869
670 Spencer, John P., Borough Surveyor, Tynemouth .........Dec. 5,
1874
671 Spencer, M., Newburn, near Newcastle-on-Tyne .........Sept. 4,
1869
672 Spencer, T., Ryton, Newcastle-on-Tyne ............Dec.
6,1866
673 Spencer, W., Cross House Chambers, Westgate Road, Newcastle ... Aug.
21, 1852
674 Spours, J. L.........................April 11, 1874
675 Stainton, Matthew, Ironfounder, South Shields .........May 6,
1876
676 Steavenson, A. L., Durham ..................Dec. 6, 1855
677 Steavenson, D. F., B.A., LL.B., Barrister-at-Law, Cross House,
Westgate Road, Newcastle-on-Tyne ............April 1,1871
678 Steele, Chas., Bolton Colliery, Mealsgate, Cumberland ......June
7, 1873
679 Steele, Charles R., Ellenborough Colliery, Maryport ......Mar.
3,1864
680 Stephenson, G. R., 24, Great George St., Westminster, London, S.W. Oct.
4, 1860
681 Stephenson, W. H., Elswick House, Newcastle-on-Tyne ......Mar.
7, 1867
682 Stevenson, R., Crewe Coal & Iron Co. Ld, Newcastle-under-Lyme ... Feb.
5, 1876
683 Steward, Thos. F., North Fenham Colliery, Newcastle-on-Tyne ... Mar.
3, 1877
684 Stobart, H. S., Witton-le-Wear, Darlington............Feb. 2,1854
685 Stobart, W., Wearmouth Colliery, Sunderland .........July
2, 1872
686 Stokoe, Joseph, Houghton-le-Spring, Fence Houses
......April 11, 1874
687 Storey, Thos. E., Clough Hall Iron Works, Kidsgrove, Staffordshire Feb.
5, 1876
688 Straker, John, Stagshaw House, Corbridge-on-Tyne ......May
2, 1867
689 Straker, J. H., Willington House, Co. Durham .........Oct.
3,1874
690 Stratton, T. H. M., Seaham Colliery, Sunderland .........Dec.
3,1870
691 Sutherst, Thomas
.........Nov. 7, 1874
692 Swallow, J., East Castle Colliery, Annfield Plain, Lintz Green ...
May 2, 1874
693 Swallow, R. T., Springwell, Gateshead ............
1862
694 Swan, H. F., Shipbiulder, Newcastle-on-Tyne............Sept. 2,1871
(xxxvi)
ELECTED.
695 Swan, J. G., Upsall Hall, near Middlesbro' ............Sept. 2,
1871
696 Swann, C. G., Secretary, General Mining Association Limited, 6, New
Broad Street, London ..................Aug. 7. 1875
697 Tate, Simon, Kimblesworth Colliery, Co. Durham .........Sept. 11,
1875
698 Tayloe, Geobge, Brotton Mines, Saltburn-by-the-Sea ...
... June 5,1875
699 Tayloe, H., Queen Street, Quay, Newcastle-on-Tyne
......Sept. 5, 1856
700 Tayloe, John, Earsdon, Newcastle-on-Tyne............Aug. 21, 1852
701 Tayioe, John B., The Mount, Clent, Stourbridge .........May 3,
1873
702 Tayioe, T., Queen Street, Quay, Newcastle-on-Tyne.........July 2/1872
703 Taylob-Smith, Thomas, Urpeth Hall, Chester-le-Street ......Aug.
2,1866
704 Teeey, E., M.E., 269, Castle Street, Dudley ............Sept. 13,
1873
705 Thomas, A., Bilson House, near Newnham, Gloucestershire......Mar. 2,
1872
706 Thompson, James, HurwOrth, Darlington ............June 2,1866
707 Thompson, John, Marley Hill Colliery, Gateshead.........Oct. 4, 1860
708 Thompson, John, Boughton HalLThester ............Sept. 2, 1865
709 Thompson, J., Norley Colliery, Wigan, Lancashire ... ...
... April 6, 1867
710 Thompson, R., Jun., Bodridge House, Wingate, Co. Durham ...
Sept. 7, 1867
711 Thompson, T. C, Milton Hall, Carlisle...............May 4,1854
712 Thomson, John, South Skelton Mines, via Guisbro.........April 7,1877
713 Thomson, Jos. F., Manvers Main Colliery, Rotherham ......Feb.
6, 1875
714 Thomson, G., Manager of Ironworks, Pen-y-Bryn, Buabon ... ...
Nov. 7,1874
715 Thoepe, B, S., 17, Picton Place, Newcastle-on-Tyne.........Sept.
5,1868
716 Thubeon, N., Broadoak Colliery, Longhor, near Swansea ......Oct.
3, 1874
717 Tinn, J., C.E., Ashton Iron Boiling Mills, Bower Ashton, Bristol ...
Sept. 7,1867
718 Tone, J. F., C.E., Pilgrim Street, Newcastle-on-Tyne
......Feb. 7,1856
719 Tettban, M., Dowlais, Glamorgan ...............Dec. 1,
1859
720 Tuenee, W. B., C. and M.E., Sella Park, via Carnforth ......Dec.
7,1867
721 Tylden-Weight, C, Shireoaks Colliery, Worksop, Notts ......
1862
722 Tyloe, Alpbed, E., Shepley House, Carshalton, Surrey
......April 1,1876
723 Tyson, Wm. John, 1, Lowther Street, Whitehaven .........Mar.
3,1877
724 Tyzack, D., Kelung, Formosa Island, care of Commissioner of Customs,
Amoy, China........................Feb. 14, 1874
725 Tyzack, Wilfeed, Tanfield Lea Coll., Lintz Green Station, Newcastle
Oct. 7,1876
726 Uee, J. F., Engineer, Tyne Commissioners, Newcastle
......May 8, 1869
727 Vaitghan, Cedbic, Hodbarrow Mines, Leyfield House, Millom,
Cumberland........................Aug. 5,1876
728 Vivian, John, Diamond Boring Company, Whitehaven ......Mar.
3,1877
729 Vondeacek, Vladimie.....................Aug. 1,1874
730 Wadiiam, E., C. and M.E., Millwood, Dalton-in-Furness ......Dec.
7, 1867
731 Wake, H. H., Biver Wear Commissioners, Sunderland ......Feb.
3, 1872
732 Walkek, G. B., Wharncliffe Silkstone Collieries, Wortley, nr. Sheffield
Dec. 2,1871
733 Walkek, G. W., Bulwell, Notts......... .........Sept. 7,1867
734 Walkee, J. S., 15, Wallgate, Wigan, Lancashire .........Dec.
4,1869
(xxxvii)
ELECTED.
735 Walkee, T. F., 58, Oxford Street, Birmingham .........April
11, 1874
736 Walkek, W., Saltburn-by-the-Sea ...............Mar. 5,1870
737 Wallace, Heney, Trench Hall, Gateshead ............Nov. 2,1872
738 Walton, W., Upleatham Mines, Marske-by-the-Sea...... ...Feb.
1,1867
739 Wand, B. W., Cliff House, Southwold, Suffolk .........Dec.
5, 1874
740 Waed, H., Bodbaston Hall, near Penkridge, Stafford.........Mar.
6,1862
741 Waedale, John D., M.E., Bedheugh Engine Works, Gateshead ... May
1,1875
742 Waedell, S. C, Doe Hill Hoxise, Alfreton ............April
1,1865
743 Waeeington, J., Worsborough Hall, near Barnsley.........Oct. 6,
1859
744 Watkin, William J. L., Pemberton, Colliery, Wigan ......Aug.
7, 1862
745 Watson, H., High Bridge, Newcastle-on-Tyne .........Mar.
7,1868
746 Watson, H. B., High Bridge Works, Newcastle-on-Tyne ......Mar.
3, 1877
747 Watson, M., Mortomley Hall, Chapeltown, near Sheffield .......Mar.
7,1868
748 Webstee, B. O, Bangor Isycoed, near Wrexham, North Wales ...
Sept. 6, 1855
749 Weeks, J. G., Bedlington Colliery, Bedlington (Member of Council) Feb.
4, 1865
750 Westmacott, P. G. B., Elswick Iron Works, Newcastle ......June
2, 1866
751 Whaley, John, Coanwood Colliery, Haltwhistle .........Feb.
1, 1873
752 Whaley, Thomas, Orrell Mount, Wigan ............Aug. 2, 1866
753 Whately, W. L., Kirkleatham Mines, Guisbro' .........Dec.
4,1875
754 White, H., Weardale Coal Company, Towlaw, near Darlington ...
1866
755 White, J. F., M.E., Wakefield..................July 2,1872
756 White, J. W. H., St. Andrew's Chambers, Park Bow, Leeds ...
Sept. 2, 1876
757 Whitehead, James, Brindle Lodge, New Preston, Lancashire ...
Dec. 4, 1875
758 Whitelaw, A., 168, West George Street, Glasgow .........Mar.
5,1870
759 Whitelaw, John, 118, George Street, Edinburgh ...... ...
Feb. 5, 1870
760 Whitelaw, T., Shields and Dalzell Collieries, Motherwell
......April 6, 1872
761 Whittem, Thos. S., Wyken Colliery, near Coventry.........Dec. 5,
1874
762 Whitwell, T., Thornaby Iron Works, Stockton-on-Tees ......Sept.
5,1868
763 Widdas, C, North Bitchburn Colliery, Howden, Darlington......Dec.
5,1868
764 Wight, R., Killingworth Colliery, Newcastle-on-Tyne
......Oct. 11,1873
765 Wight, W. H., Cowpen Colliery, Blyth...............Feb. 3,1877
766 Wigeam, B,, Steam Plough Works, Leeds ............Feb. 6,1875
767 Wild, H. F., Stockport, Columbia County, New York, U.S.......Oct.
3, 1874
768 Wild, J. G., Ellistown Collieries, near Bagworth, Leicestershire
... Oct. 5, 1867
769 Williams, E., Cleveland Lodge, Middlesbro'............Sept. 2, 1865
770 Williams, J. J., Pantgwyn House, Holywell, Flintshire ......Nov.
2, 1872
771 Williamson, John. Chemical Manufacturer, South Shields......Sept.
2,1871
772 Williamson, John, Cannock, &c, Collieries, Hednesford ......Nov.
2,1872
773 Willis, J., 14, Portland Terrace, Newcastle-on-Tyne.........Mar.
5,1857
774 Wilson, J., 69, Great Clyde Street, Glasgow... ......
... July 2, 1872
775 Wilson, J. B., Wingfield Iron Works and Colliery, Alfreton......Nov.
5,1852
776 Wilson, J. S., Moorfield, Coxlodge, Newcastle-on-Tyne ......Dec.
2, 1858
777 Wilson, Robeet, Flimby Colliery, Maryport............Aug. 1, 1874
778 W.lson, T. H., 21, Collingwood Street, Newcastle-on-Tyne......Mar.
6.1869
779 Wilson, W. B., Kippax and Allerton Collieries, Leeds
......Feb. 6, 1869
780 Winship, J. B., Newcastle, Australia ... ... ...
... ... Dec. 4,1869
781 Wintee, T. B., Grey Street, Newcastle-on-Tyne .........Oct.
7,1871
(xxxviii)
ELECTED.
782 Wood, C. L., Freeland, Bridge of Earn, Perthshire ... ,.....
1853
783 Wood, Lindsay, Southill, Chester-le-Street ......(President) Oct.
1,1857
784 Wood, Thomas, Rainton House, Pence Houses .........Sept. 3,
1870
785 Wood, W. H, West Hetton, Ferryhill............... 1856
786 Wood, W. 0., East Hetton Colliery, Coxhoe, Co. Durham ......Nov.
7,1863
787 Woodhouse, J. T., Midland Road, Derby ............Dec. 13, 1852
788 Woolcock, Henry, St. Bees, Cumberland ............Mar. 3,1873
789 Weight, G. H., 22, Low Pavement, Nottingham .........July 2,
1872
790 Weight, J. M., 20, Summerhill Terrace, Newcastle-on-Tyne ...
Aug. 5,1876
791 Weightson, T., Stockton-on-Tees ...............Sept* 13, 1873
792 Young, Philip, Deckham Hall Colliery, Gateshead.........Oct. 11,1873
1 Aekless, Thos. W., Coxhoe Colliery, Coxhoe, Co. Durham......June 2,
1877
2 Atkinson, E. E., Hebburn Colliery, near Newcastle-on-Tyne ...
Nov. 4, 1876
3 Atkinson, P. R., Haswell Colliery, Pence Houses ... ...
... Peb. 14, 1874
4 Ayton, E. F., Lumley Colliery, Fence Houses ... ... ...
... Peb. 5, 1876
5 Ayton, Henry, 9, Osborne Terrace, Newcastle-on-Tyne ... ...
Mar. 6,1875
6 Barnes, A. W., Grassmore Colliery, near Chesterfield ......
Oct. 5, 1872
7 Barrett, Charles, Harton Colliery, South Shields......... Nov. 7, 1874
8 Bell, C. E., 31, Old Elvet, Durham ............... Dec. 3, 187o
9 Berkley, R. W., Marley Hill Colliery, Gateshead ......... Feb. 14,
1874
10 Bewick, T. B., Haydon Bridge, Northumberland ... ...
... Mar. 7,1874
11 Bird, Harry, Haydon Bridge, Northumberland .........April 7, 1877
12 Bird, W. J., Wingate Colliery, Durham ............Nov. 6,1875
13 Blackett, W. C, 6, Old Elvet, Durham ............Nov. 4,1876
14 Bowlker, T. J., Rockingham Colliery, near Barnsley.........May 5,1877
15 Beagge, G. S., New Hucknall Colliery, near Mansfield ......July
2,1872
16 Beough, Thomas, Seaham Colliery, Seaham Harbour ......Feb.
1, 1873
17 Brown, C. Gilpin, Hetton Colliery, Fence Houses .........Nov.
4,1876
18 Beown, M. W., Prospect House, West Rainton, Fence Houses ... Oct.
7, 1871
19 Beuce, John, 2, Framlington Place, Newcastle-on-Tyne ......Feb.
14,1874
20 Bulman, G. H., Ryhope Colliery, Sunderland............April 11,1874
21 Bulman, H. F., 10, Framlington Place, Newcastle-on-Tyne......May 2,
1874
22 Bunning, C. Z., Ryton-on-Tyne..................Dec. 6,1873
23 Burnley, E. P., Whitwood Collieries, Normanton .........April 11,
1874
24 Byerley, R. Reed, The Grove, Sunderland ............Mar. 5,1870
25 Caldwell, John S., The Grove, Westhoughton, near Bolton, Lan.... Nov.
7,1874
26 Candler, T. E., East Lodge, Crook, Darlington .........May
1,1875
(xxxix)
ELECTED.
27 Carr, Charles B., Harton Colliery Office, South Shields ......May
6,1876
28 Chambers, W. Henry, Birch wood Colliery, near Alfreton ......Dec.
2,1871
29 Claek, Robert, Gannat Collieries, Cwmaman, nr. Llanelly, So. Wales Sept.
11,1875
30 Clough, James, Seaton Delaval Colliery, Northumberland......April
5,1873
31 Cobbold, C. H, Strafford Collieries, near Barnsley .........May
3,1873
32 Cockburn, W. C., 8, Smnmerhill Grove, Newcastle-on-Tyne......July
2,1872
33 Cockin, G. M., Skinningrove, near Saltburn-by-the-Sea ......Nov.
2,1872
34 Cox, L. Clifford, Hardingstone, Northampton .........April
1,1876
35 Crawford, T. W., Peases' West Collieries, Darlington ...
... Dec. 4, 1875
36 Crone, P. E., Killingworth House, near Newcastle .........Sept. 2,
1876
37 Davidson, C. C, Hetton Colliery, Fence Houses .........Nov.
4,1876
38 Depledge, M. F., Brancepeth, near Durham............April 7,1877
39 Dodd, Michael, Jun., Morton Grange, Fence Houses ......Dec.
4,1875
40 Donkin, Wk., Usworth Colliery, Washington Station, Co. Durham ... Sept.
2, 1876
41 Dorman, Frank, Stanley Colliery, Crook ............May 1,1875
42 Dumford, Heebeet St. John, Wharncliffe Silkstone Colliery,
Wortley, Sheffield ...... ...............June 2,1877
43 Dunn, A. F., Towneley Colliery, Ryton-on-Tyne .........June 2,
1877
44 Eden, C. H., Sedgefield, Ferryhill ...............Sept. 13, 1873
45 Edge, J. C, Ince Hall Coal and Cannel Company, Limited, Wigan ... Dec.
5, 1874
46 Fenwick, J. W., Bebside Colliery, Cowpen Lane, Northumberland ... Oct.
7, 1876
47 Forster, Thomas E., Backworth, Newcastle-on-Tyne ......Oct.
7,1876
48 Forsyth, Frank W., Lofthouse Station Colliery, Wakefield......Dec. 2,
1876
49 Fowler, Robert, Wearmouth Colliery, Sunderland.........Dec. 2,1876
50 Fbyae, Mark, Walker Colliery, Newcastle-on-Tyne.........Oct. 7,1876
51 Garthwaite, T. Y. B., Ryton-on-Tyne...............Feb. 1, 1873
52 Geipel, Wm., 17, Cliff Terrace, Hartlepool ............Nov.
4,1876
53 Gerrard, James, Ince Hall Coal and Cannel Company, Wigan ... Mar.
3,1873
54 Gibson, W. P., 100, Bedford Street, North Shields .........April 7,
1877
55 Gilchrist, J. R., Newbottle Colliery Offices, Fence Houses......Feb.
3, 1877
56 Gordon, Chas., Podmoor Hall Colliery, near Stoke-upon-Trent ...
May 5, 1877
57 Geeenee, T. Y., Thorncliffe Collieries, near Sheffield.........July 2,
1872
58 Haddock, W. T., Jun., Ryhope Colliery, Sunderland.........Oct. 7,1876
59 Hallas, G. H., Hindley Green Colliery, near Wigan.........Oct. 7,
1876
60 Hallimond, W. T., 9, Sutton Street, Durham .........May
2,1874
61 Hamilton, E., Rig Wood, Saltburn-by-the-Sea .........Nov.
1,1873
62 Hareis, W. S., Marley Hill Colliery, Gateshead .........Feb.
14, 1874
63 Harbison, Robeet J., Silksworth Colliery, Sunderland ......May
1, 1875
64 Harbison, R. W., Poynton & Worth Colls, nr. Stockport, Cheshire... Mar.
3, 1877
65 Hbdlby, E., Rainham Lodge, The Avenue, Beckenham, Kent ...
Dec. 2, 1871
66 Hedley, Eenest H., Bebside Colliery, Cowpen Lane, Northumberland Oct.
7, 1876
67 Hendy, J. C. B., Usworth Colliery, Washington Station, Co. Durham Sept.
2, 1876
68 Holme, James, Whitfield Collieries, near Burslem, Staffordshire ...
Sept. 11, 1875
(xl)
ELECTED.
69 Humble, Joicey, 17, Westmorland Terrace, Newcastle-on-Tyne ... Mar.
3, 1877
70 Humble, Robt., Tanfield Lea Colliery, Lintz Green Station, Newcastle
Sept. 2, 187G
71 Ironside, John C, Beamish, near Chester-le-Street.........Dec. 4,1875
72 Jepson, H., Bower's Allerton Colls., Astley, Woodlesford, near Leeds
Jnly 2, 1872
73 Jobling, Thos. B., Elsdon Road,Gosforth,Newcastle-on-Tyne ...
Oct. 7,1876
74 Johnson, W., Abram Colliery, Wigan...............Feb. 14,1874
75 Jordan, J. J., Soutli Derwent Colliery, via Lintz Green ......Mar.
3,1873
76 Kayll, A. C., Felling Colliery, Gateshead ............Oct.
7,1876
77 Kirton, Htjqh, Oxclose, Brancepeth, Durham .........April 7,
1877
78 Leach, C. C, Bedlington Collieries, Bedlington .........Mar.
7,1874
79 Liddell, J. M., Somerset House, Whitehaven .........Mar. 6,
1875
80 Lindsay, Clarence S., 5, Park Place West, Sunderland ......Mar.
4,1876
81 Ltsle, J., Washington Colliery, Co. Durham............July 2,1872
82 Locke, Ernest G., Peases' West Collieries, Darlington ...
... Dec. 2, 1876
83 Longbotham, R. H., Pramwellgate Colliery, near Durham ... ...
Sept. 2, 1876
84 Lyon, James, Vale View, Whitehaven...............Mar. 3,1877
85 Maddison, Thos. R., Thornhill Collieries, near Dewsbury ......Mar.
3,1877
86 Makepeace, H.R., Heworth Colliery Offices, Heworth,near Newcastle Mar.
3,1877
87 MARKnAM, G. E., Howlish Offices, Bishop Auckland.........Dec. 4,1875
88 Marsh, T. G., Burnt Tree House, Tipton, Staffordshire ......Sept.
13, 1873
89 Miller, D. S., Wearmouth Colliery, Sunderland .........Nov.
7,1874
90 Milling, John T., Redheugh Colliery, Gateshead .........May
6,1876
91 Moore, Wm, Colliery Office, Whitehaven ............Mar. 3,1877
92 Moreing, C. A., 37, Spring Gardens, London............Nov. 7,1874
93 Mundle, Robert, 3, Victoria Villas, Newcastle-on-Tyne ...
... Mar. 6,1875
94 Nicholson, Jos. C, Newbottle Colliery Offices, Pence Houses ...
Feb. 3, 1877
95 Noble, J. C, Penshaw Colliery, Fence Houses ... ...
... May 5,1877
96 Oliver, Septimus, East Hetton Colliery, Coxhoe, County Durham... Mai.
4, 1876
97 Obnsby, R. E., Seaton Delaval Colliery, Dudley, Northumberland ...
Mai. 6,1875
98 Peart, A. W., Mining Offices, Tynemouth ... .........Nov.
4,1876
99 Pickstone, Wm., Oak Bank, Black Lane, near Manchester ... ...
Sept. 11,1875
100 Place, Thomas, Trafalgar Terrace, Coatham, Redcar.........April 2,1870
101 Pocock, Francis A., Silksworth Colliery, near Sunderland......Mar. 6,
1875
102 Potter, E. A., Cramlington House, Northumberland ... ...
... Feb. 6, 1875
103 Prest, J. J., Marske-by-the-Sea..................May 1,1875
104 Proctor, C. P., Killingworth Colliery, Newcastle .........Oct.
7,1876
105 Rathbone, Edgar P., 22, Sussex Place, Queen's Gate, London, S.W. Mar.
7,1874
106 Reed, R., Cowpen Colliery, Blyth ...............Feb. 3,1877
(Xli)
ELECTED.
107 Rees, Ernest P., Langley Park Colliery, Durham .........Mar.
4,1876
108 Richardson, R. W. P., Langley Park Colliery, Durham ......Mar.
4,1876
109 Robinson, Frank, Croxdale Rectory, Durham............Sept. 2,1876
110 Robinson, Geo., Hebburn Colliery, near Newcastle-on-Tyne......Nov.
4,1876
111 Robson, Harry N., 3, North Bailey, Durham............Dec. 4,1875
112 Robson, Thos. O., Lofthouse Mines, Saltburn-by-the-Sea ......Sept.
11, 1875
113 Routledge, W. H., Prudhoe-on-Tyne...............Oct. 7, 1876
114 Sawyer, A. R., Ryton-on-Tyne ...............Dec. 6,1873
115 Scarth, R. W., Upleatham, Marske-by-the-Sea .........Dec.
4,1875
116 Schier, H. C, East Hetton Colliery Offices, Coxhoe, Co. Durham ...
Dtc. 4, 1875
117 Scott, Wm., Brancepeth Colliery Offices, Willington, Co. Durham ...
Mar. 4, 1876
118 Seymour, T. M., Staveley, near Chesterfield ............Dec.
4,1875
119 Short, James T., Assoc. Coll. of P.S., Bedlington Coll., Bedlington
Dec. 5, 1874
120 Smith, T. F., Jun., Cinderf ord Villas, near Newnham, Gloucestershire
May 5, 1877
121 Southern, E. O., 5, Fenwick Terrace, Jesmond, Newcastle......Dec.
5,1874
122 Southern, W. J., Tanfield Lea Colliery, by Lintz Green ......Aug.
1,1874
123 Southworth, Chaeles, Hindley Green Colliery, near Wigan ...
Oct. 7,1876
124 Stobart, F., Washington Colliery Offices, near Washington Station,
Co. Durham........................Aug. 2,1873
125 Stone, T. H., Wigan Coal and Iron Co., Wigan .........Nov.
7, 1874
126 Swinney, A. J., Shincliffe Colliery, near Durham ... ...
... Feb. 5,1876
127 Teleord, W. H., Cramlington Colliery, Northumberland ......Oct.
3, 1874
128 Thompson, William, Washington Colliery, Co, Durham ......May 2,
1874
129 Todd, John T., Hetton-le-Hole, Fence Houses............Nov. 4,1876
130 Tucker, A. W., Tanfield Lea Colliery, Lintz Green Station, Newcastle
Dec. 2, 1876
131 Tucker, Geo. A., Ouston Colliery, near Chester-le-Street ......Aug.
5,1876
132 Vernon, J. O., Villa de St. George, Newcastle-on-Tyne
......Sept. 7, 1867
133 Walker, F. W., Harton Colliery, South Shields .........Sept.
2, 1876
134 Walker, Smart, Ryhope Colliery, near Sunderland.........Dec. 4,1875
135 Walton, J. C, Heworth Colliery, near Newcastle-on-Tyne......Nov.
7,1874
136 White, C. E., Hebburn Colliery, near Newcastle-on-Tyne ......Nov.
4,1876
137 Willtams, E. C. E., 9, Edward Terrace, Cardiff .........Dec.
2,1876
138 Williamson, J. E., Harton Colliery Offices, Tyne Docks, South Shields
Nov. 7, 1874
139 Wilson, John, Jun., The Priory, Whitehaven............Dec. 2, 1876
140 Wilson, J. D., 15, West Street, Gateshead-on-Tyne.........Sept. 11,
1875
141 Wilson, J. T. Thornton Fields, Guisbro' ............Nov.
7,1874
142 Wood, A. E., Pemberton Colliery, Wigan ............Dec.
2,1876
Sfet of $nhmMn% (Mimes.
1 Ashington Colliery, Newcastle-on-Tyne.
2 East Holywell Colliery, Earsdon, Northumberland.
3 Haswell Colliery, Fence Houses.
4 Hetton Collieries, Fence Houses.
5 Lambton Collieries, Fence Houses (Earl Durham).
6 North Hetton Colliery, Fence Houses.
7 Rainton Collieries (Marquess of Londonderry).
8 Eyhope Colliery, near Sunderland.
9 Seghill Colliery, Northumberland.
10 South Hetton and Murton Collieries.
11 Stella Colliery, Hedgefield, Blaydon-on-Tyne.
12 Throckley Colliery, Newcastle-on-Tyne.
13 Wearmouth Colliery, Sunderland.
14 Whitworth Colliery, Ferryhill.
CHARTER
OP
THE NORTH OF ENGLAND
lurffctate of |ptmi0 mix Iprlroial $VL%wtm.
FOUNDED 1852. INCORPORATED NOVEMBER 28th, 1876.
WlttOXX%f by the Grace of God, of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and
Ireland, Queen, Defender of the Faith, to all to whom these Presents shall
come, Greeting :
Whereas it has been represented to us that Nicholas Wood, of Hetton, in the
County of Durham, Esquire (since deceased) ; Thomas Emerson Forster, of
Newcastle-upon-Tyne, Esquire (since deceased); Sir George Elliot, Baronet
(then George Elliot, Esquire), of Houghton Hall, in the said County of
Durham, and Edward Fenwick Boyd, of Moor House, in the said County of
Durham, Esquire, and others of our loving subjects, did, in the year one
thousand eight hundred and fifty-two, form themselves into a Society, which
is known by the name of The North of England Institute of Mining and
Mechanical Engineers, having for its objects the Prevention of Accidents in
Mines and the Advancement of the Sciences of Mining and Engineering
generally, of which Society Lindsay Wood, of Southill, Chester-le-Street, in
the County of Durham, Esquire, is the present President. And whereas it has
been further represented to us that the Society was not constituted for
gain, and that neither its projectors nor Members derive nor have derived
pecuniary profit from its prosperity; that it has during its existence of a
period of nearly a quarter of a century steadily devoted itself to the
preservation of human life and the safer development of mineral property;
that it has contributed substantially and beneficially to the prosperity of
the country and the welfare and happiness of the working members of the
community; that the Society has since its establishment diligently
9
(1)
pursued its aforesaid objects, and in so doing has made costly experiments
and researches with a view to the saving- of life by improvements in the
ventilation of mines, by ascertaining the conditions under which the safety
lamp may be relied on for security; that the experiments conducted by the
Society have related to accidents in mines of every description, and have
not been limited to those proceeding from explosions; that the various modes
of getting coal, whether by mechanical appliances or otherwise, have
received careful and continuous attention, while the improvements in the
mode of working and hauling belowground, the machinery employed for
preventing the disastrous falls of roof underground, and the prevention of
spontaneous combustion in seams of coal as well as in cargoes, and the
providing additional security for the miners in ascending and descending the
pits, the improvements in the cages used for this purpose, and in the
safeguards against what is technically known as " overwinding," have been
most successful in lessening the dangers of mining, and in preserving human
life; that the Society has held meetings at stated periods, at which the
results of the said experiments and researches have been considered and
discussed, and has published a series of Transactions filling many volumes,
and forming in itself a highly valuable Library of scientific reference, by
which the same have been made known to the public, and has formed a Library
of Scientific Works and Collections of Models and Apparatus, and that
distinguished persons in foreign countries have availed themselves of the
facilities afforded by the Society for communicating important scientific
and practical discoveries, and thus a useful interchange of valuable
information has been effected; that in particular, with regard to
ventilation, the experiments and researches of the Society, which have
involved much pecuniary outlay and personal labour, and the details of which
are recorded in the successive volumes of the Society's Transactions, have
led to large and important advances in the practical knowledge of that
subject, and that the Society's researches have tended largely to increase
the security of life ; that the Members of the Society exceed 800 in number,
and include a large proportion of the leading Mining Engineers in the United
Kingdom. And wheeeas in order to secure the property of the Society, and to
extend its useful operations, and to give it a more permanent establishment
among the Scientific Institutions of our Kingdom, we have been besought to
grant to the said Lindsay Wood, and other the present Members of the
Society, and to those who shall hereafter become Members thereof, our Royal
Charter of Incorporation. Now know ye that we, being desirous of encouraging
a design so laudable and salutary, of our especial grace, cer-
(li)
tain knowledge, and mere motion, have willed, granted, and declared, and do,
by these presents, for us, our heirs, and successors, will, grant, and
declare, that the said Lindsay Wood, and such others of our loving subjects
as are now Members of the said Society, and such others as shall from time
to time hereafter become Members thereof, according to such Bye-laws as
shall be made as hereinafter mentioned, and their successors, shall for ever
hereafter be, by virtue of these presents, one body, politic and corporate,
by the name of " The North of England Institute of Mining and Mechanical
Engineers," and by the name aforesaid shall have perpetual succession and a
Common Seal, with full power and authority to alter, vary, break, and
renew the same at their discretion, and by the same name to sue and be sued,
implead and be impleaded, answer and be answered unto, in every Court of us,
our heirs and successors, and be for ever able and capable in the law to
purchase, acquire, receive, possess, hold, and enjoy to them and their
successors any goods and chattels whatsoever, and also be able and capable
in the law (notwithstanding the statutes of mortmain) to purchase, acquire,
possess, hold and enjoy to them and their successors a hall or house, and
any such other lands, tenements, or hereditaments whatsoever, as they may
deem requisite for the purposes of the Society, the yearly value of which,
including the site of the said hall or house, shall not exceed in the whole
the sum of three thousand pounds, computing the same respectively at the
rack rent which might have been had or gotten for the same respectively at
the time of the purchase or acquisition thereof. And we do hereby grant
our especial license and authority unto all and every person and persons and
bodies politic and corporate, otherwise competent, to grant, sell, alien,
convey or devise in mortmain unto and to the use of the said Society and
their successors, any lands, tenements, or hereditaments not exceeding with
the lands, tenements or hereditaments so purchased or previously
acquired such annual value as aforesaid, and also any moneys, stocks,
securities, and other personal estate to be laid out and disposed of in the
purchase of any lands, tenements, or hereditaments not exceeding the like
annual value. And we further will, grant, and declare, that the said
Society shall have full power and authority, from time to time, to sell,
grant, demise, exchange and dispose of absolutely, or by way of mortgage, or
otherwise, any of the lands, tenements, hereditaments and possessions,
wherein they have any estate or interest, or which they shall acquire as
aforesaid, but that no sale, mortgage, or other disposition of any lands,
tenements, or hereditaments of the Society shall be made, except with the
approbation and concurrence of a General Meeting. And our will
(Hi)
and pleasure is, and we further grant and declare that for the better rule
and government of the Society, and the direction and management of the
concerns thereof, there shall be a Council of the Society, to be appointed
from among the Members thereof, and to include the President and the
Vice-Presidents, and such other office-bearers or past office-bearers as may
be directed by such Bye-laws as hereinafter mentioned, but so that the
Council, including all ex-officio Members thereof, shall consist of not more
than forty or less than twelve Members, and that the Vice-Presidents shall
be not more than six or less than two in number. And we do heeeby fuethee
will and declare that the said Lindsay Wood shall be the first President of
the Society, and the persons now being the Vice-Presidents, and the
Treasurer and Secretary, shall be the first Vice-Presidents, and the first
Treasurer and Secretary, and the persons now being the Members of the
Council shall be the first Members of the Council of the Society, and that
they respectively shall continue such until the first election shall be made
at a General Meeting in pursuance of these presents. And we do heeeby
fuethee will and declare that, subject to the powers by these presents
vested in the General Meetings of the Society, the Council shall have the
management of the Society, and of the income and property thereof, including
the appointment of officers and servants, the definition of their duties,
and the removal of any of such officers and servants, and generally may do
all such acts and deeds as they shall deem necessary or fitting to be done,
in order to carry into full operation and effect the objects and purposes of
the Society, but so always that the same be not inconsistent with, or
repugnant to, any of the provisions of this our Charter, or the Laws of our
Eealm, or any Bye-law of the Society in force for the time being. And we do
fuethee will and declare that at any General Meeting of the Society, it
shall be lawful for the Society, subject as hereinafter mentioned, to make
such Bye-laws as to them shall seem necessary or proper for the regulation
and good government of the Society, and of the Members and affairs thereof,
and generally for carrying the objects of the Society into full and complete
effect, and particularly (and without its being intended hereby to prejudice
the foregoing generality), to make Bye-laws for all or any of the purposes
hereinafter mentioned, that is to say : for fixing the number of
Vice-Presidents, and the number of Members of which the Council shall
consist, and the manner of electing the President and Vice-Presidents, and
other Members of the Council, and the period of their continuance in office,
and the manner and time of supplying any vacancy therein; and for regulating
the times at which General Meetings of the Society and Meetings of the
Council shall be held,
(liii)
and for convening the same and regulating the proceedings thereat, and for
regulating the manner of admitting persons to be Members of the Society, and
of removing or expelling Members from the Society, and for imposing
reasonable fines or penalties for non-performance of any such Bye-laws, or
for disobedience thereto, and from time to time to annul, alter, or change
any such Bye-laws so always that all Bye-laws to be made as aforesaid be not
repugnant to these presents, or to any of the laws of our Bealm. And we do
fuethee will and declare that the present Bules and Begulations of the
Society, so far as they are not inconsistent with these presents, shall
continue in force, and be deemed the Bye-laws of the Society until the same
shall be altered by a General Meeting, provided always that the present
Bules and Regulations of the Society and any future Bye-laws of the Society
so to be made as aforesaid shall have no force or effect whatsoever until
the same shall have been approved in writing by our Secretary of State for
the Home Department. In witness wheeeof we have caused these oue Lettees to
be made Patent.
Witness Ourself at our Palace, at Westminster, this 28th day of November, in
the fortieth year of our reign.
By Her Majesty's Command.
CARDEW.
THE NORTH OF ENGLAND INSTITUTE
OP
MINING AND MECHANICAL ENGINEERS. BYE-LAWS
PASSED AT A GENERAL MEETING ON THE 16th JUNE, 1877.
1.—The members of the North of England Institute of Mining and Mechanical
Engineers shall consist of four classes, viz.:—Original Members, Ordinary
Members, Associate Members, and Honorary Members, with a class of Students
attached.
2.—Original Membees shall be those who were Ordinary Members on the 1st of
August, 1877.
8.—Ordinary Members.—Every candidate for admission into the class of
Ordinary Members, or for transfer into that class, shall come within the
following conditions:—He shall be more than twenty-eight years of age, have
been regularly educated as a Mining or Mechanical Engineer, or in some other
recognised branch of Engineering, according to the usual routine of
pupilage, and have had subsequent employment for at least five years in some
responsible situation as an Engineer, or if he has not undergone the usual
routine of pupilage, he must have practised on his own account in the
profession of an Engineer for at least five years, and have acquired a
considerable degree of eminence in the same.
4.—Associate Members shall be persons practising as Mining or Mechanical
Engineers, or in some other recognised branch of Engineering, and other
persons connected with or interested in Mining or Engineering.
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.—Students shall be persons who are qualifying themselves for the
profession of Mining or Mechanical Engineering, or some other of the
recognised branches of Engineering, and such persons may continue Students
until they attain the age of twenty-three years.
(hi)
7.—The annual subscription of each Original Member, and of each Ordinary
Member who was a Student on the 1st of August, 1877, shall be £2 2s., of
each Ordinary Member (except as last mentioned) £3 3s., of each Associate
Member £2 2s., and of each Student £1 Is., payable in advance, and shall be
considered due on election, and afterwards on the first Saturday in August
of each year.
8.—Any Member may, at any time, compound for all future subscriptions by a
payment of £25, where the annual subscription is £3 3s., and by a payment of
£20 where the annual subscription is £2 2s. All persons so compounding shall
be Original, Ordinary, or Associate Members for life, as the case may be,•
but any Associate Member for life who may afterwards desire to become an
Ordinary Member for life, may do so, after being elected in the manner
described in Bye-law 13, and on payment of the further sum of £5.
9.—Owners of Collieries, Engineers, Manufacturers, and Employers of labour
generally, may subscribe annually to the funds of the Institute, and each
such subscriber of £2 2s. annually shall be entitled to a ticket to admit
two persons to the rooms, library, meetings, lectures, and public
proceedings of the Society; and for every additional £2 2s., subscribed
annually, two other persons shall be admissible up to the number of ten
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 to him.
10.—In case any Member, who has been long distinguished in his professional
career, becomes unable, from ill-health, advanced age, or other sufficient
cause, to carry on a lucrative practice, the Council may, on the report of a
Sub-Committee appointed for that purpose, if they find good reason for the
remission of the annual subscription, so remit it. They may also remit any
arrears which are due from a member, or they may accept from him a
collection of books, or drawings, or models, or other contributions, in lieu
of the composition mentioned in Bye-law 8, and may thereupon constitute him
a Life Member, or permit him to resume his former rank in the Institute.
11.—Persons desirous of becoming Ordinary Members shall be proposed and
recommended, according to the Form A in the Appendix, in which form the
name, usual residence, and qualifications of the candidate shall be
distinctly specified. This form must be signed by the proposer and at least
five other Members certifying a personal knowledge of the candidate. The
proposal so made being delivered to the Secretary, shall be submitted to the
Council, who on approving the qualifications shall determine if the
candidate is to be presented for ballot, and if it is so deter-
(lvii)
mined, the Chairman of the Council shall sign such approbation. The same
shall be read at the next Ordinary General Meeting, and afterwards be placed
in some conspicuous situation until the following Ordinary General Meeting,
when the candidate shall be balloted for.
12.—Persons desirous of being admitted into the Institute as Associate
Members, or Students, shall be proposed by three Members; Honorary Members
shall be proposed by at least five Members, and shall in addition be
recommended by the Council, who shall also have the power of defining the
time during which, and the circumstances under which, they shall be Honorary
Members. The nomination shall be in writing, and signed by the proposers
(according to the Form B in the Appendix), and shall be submitted to the
first Ordinary General Meeting after the date thereof. The name of the
person proposed shall be exhibited in the Society's room until the next
Ordinary General Meeting, when the candidate shall be balloted for.
13.—Associate Members or Students, desirous of becoming Ordinary Members,
shall be proposed and recommended according to the Form C in the Appendix,
in which form the name, usual residence, and qualifications of the candidate
shall be distinctly specified. This form must certify a personal knowledge
of the candidate, and be signed by the proposer and at least two other
Members, and the proposal shall then be treated in the manner described in
Bye-law 11. Students may become Associate Members at any time after
attaining the age of twenty-three on payment of an Associate Member's
subscription.
14.—The balloting shall be conducted in the following manner:— Each Member
attending the Meeting at which a ballot is to take place shall be supplied
(on demand) with a list of the names of the persons to be balloted for,
according to the Form D in the Appendix, and shall strike out the names of
such candidates as he desires shall not be elected, and return the list to
the scrutineers appointed by the presiding Chairman for the purpose, and
such scrutineers shall examine the lists so returned, and inform the meeting
what elections have been made. No candidate shall be elected unless he
secures the votes of two-thirds of the Members voting.
15.—Notice of election shall be sent to every person within one week after
his election, according to the Form E in the Appendix, enclosing at the same
time a copy of Form F, which shall be returned by the person elected,
signed, and accompanied with the amount of his annual subscription, or life
composition, within two months from the date of such election, which
otherwise shall become void.
(Mi)
16.—Every Ordinary Member elected having signed a declaration in the Form F,
and having likewise made the proper payment, shall receive a certificate of
his election.
17.—Any person whose subscription is two years in arrear shall be reported
to the Council, who shall direct application to be made for it, according to
the Form G in the Appendix, and in the event of its continuing one month in
arrear after such application, the Council shall have the power, after
remonstrance by letter, according to the Form H in the Appendix, of
declaring that the defaulter has ceased to be a member.
18.—In case the expulsion of any person shall be judged expedient by ten or
more Members, and they think fit to draw up and sign a proposal requiring
such expulsion, the same being delivered to the Secretary, shall be by him
laid before the Council for consideration. If the Council, after due
inquiry, do not find reason to concur in the proposal, no entry thereof
shall be made in any minutes, nor shall any public discussion thereon be
permitted, unless by requisition signed by one-half the Members of the
Institute; but if the Council do find good reason for the proposed
expulsion, they shall direct the Secretary to address a letter, according to
the Form I in the Appendix, to the person proposed to be expelled, advising
him to withdraw from the Institute. If that advice be followed, no entry on
the minutes nor any public discussion on the subject shall be permitted; but
if that advice be not followed, nor an explanation given which is
satisfactory to the Council, they shall call a General Meeting for the
purpose of deciding on the question of expulsion ; and if a majority of the
persons present at such Meeting (provided the number so present be not less
than forty) vote that such person be expelled, the Chairman of that Meeting
shall declare the same accordingly, and the Secretary shall communicate the
same to the person, according to the Form J in the Appendix.
19.—The Officers of the Institute, other than the Treasurer and the
Secretary, shall be elected from the Original, Ordinary and Associate
Members, and shall consist of a President, six Vice-Presidents, and eighteen
Councillors, who, with the Treasurer and the Secretary (if Members of the
Institute) shall constitute the Council. The President, Vice-Presidents, and
Councillors shall be elected at the Annual Meeting in August (except in
cases of vacancies) and shall be eligible for re-election, with the
exception of any President or Vice-President who may have held office for
the three immediately preceding years, and such six Councillors as may have
attended the fewest Council Meetings during the past
(lix)
year; but such Members shall be eligible for re-election after being one
year out of office.
20.—The Treasurer and the Secretary shall be appointed by the Council, and
shall be removable by the Council, subject to appeal to a General Meeting.
One and the same person may hold both these offices.
21.—Each Original, Ordinary, and Associate Member shall be at liberty to
nominate in writing, and send to the Secretary not less than eight days
prior to the Ordinary General Meeting in June, a list, duly signed, of
Members suitable to fill the offices of President, Vice-Presidents, and
Members of Council, for the ensuing year. The Council shall prepare a list
of the persons so nominated, together with the names of the Officers for the
current year eligible for re-election, and of such other Members as they
deem suitable for the various offices. Such list shall comprise the names of
not less than thirty. The list so prepared by the Council shall be submitted
to the General Meeting in June, and shall be the balloting list for the
annual election in August. (See Form K in the Appendix.) A copy of this list
shall be posted at least seven days previous to the Annual Meeting, to every
Original, Ordinary, and Associate Member; who may erase any name or names
from the list, and substitute the name or names of any other person or
persons eligible for each respective office; but the number of persons on
the list, after such erasure or substitution, must not exceed the number to
be elected to the respective offices. Papers which do not accord with these
directions shall be rejected by the Scrutineers. The votes for any Members
who may not be elected President or Vice-Presidents shall count for them as
Members of the Council. The Chairman shall appoint four Scrutineers, who
shall receive the balloting papers, and, after making the necessary
scrutiny, destroy the same, and sign and hand to the Chairman a list of the
elected Officers. The balloting papers may be returned through the post,
addressed to the Secretary, or be handed to him, or to the Chairman of the
Meeting, so as to be received before the appointment of the scrutineers for
the election of Officers.
22.—In case of the decease or resignation of any Officer or Officers, the
Council, if they deem it requisite that the vacancy shall be filled up,
shall present to the next Ordinary General Meeting a list of persons whom
they nominate as suitable for the vacant offices, and a new Officer or
Officers shall be elected at the succeeding Ordinary General Meeting.
23.—The President shall take the chair at all meetings of the Institute, the
Council, and Committees, at which he is present (he being ex-officio a
member of all), and shall regulate and keep order in the proceedings.
(k)
24.—In the absence of the President, it shall be the duty of the senior
Vice-President present to preside at the meetings of the Institute, to keep
order, and to regulate the proceedings. In case of the absence of the
President and of all the Vice-Presidents, the meeting may elect any Member
of Council, or in case of their absence, any Member present, to take the
chair at the meeting.
25.—The Council may appoint Committees for the purpose of transacting any
particular business, or of investigating specific subjects connected with
the objects of the Institute. Such Committees shall report to the Council,
who shall act thereon as they see occasion.
26.—The Treasurer and. the Secretary shall act under the direction and
control of the Council, by which body their duties shall from time to time
be defined.
27.—The Funds of the Society shall be deposited in the hands of the
Treasurer, and shall be disbursed or invested by him according to the
direction of the Council.
28.—The Copyright of all papers communicated to, and accepted for printing
by the Council, and printed within twelve months, shall become vested in the
Institute, and such communications shall not be published for sale or
otherwise, without the written permission of the Council.
29.—An Ordinary General Meeting shall be held on the first Saturday of every
month (except January and July) at two o'clock, unless otherwise determined
by the Council; and the Ordinary 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 General Meeting shall be called whenever the Council may
think fit, and also on a requisition to the Council, signed by ten or more
Members. The business of a Special Meeting shall be confined to that
specified in the notice convening it.
30.—At meetings of the Council, five shall be a quorum. The minutes of the
Council's proceedings shall be at all times open to the inspection of the
Members.
31.—All Past-Presidents shall be ex-officio Members of the Council so long
as they continue Members of the Institute, and Vice-Presidents who have not
been re-elected or have become ineligible from having held office for three
consecutive years, shall be ex-officio Members of the Council for the
following year.
32.—Every question, not otherwise provided for, which shall come before any
Meeting, shall be decided by the votes of the majority of the Original,
Ordinary, and Associate Members then present.
(lxi)
33.—All papers shall be sent for the approval of the Council at least twelve
days before a General Meeting, and after approval, shall be read before the
Institute. The Council shall also direct whether any paper read before the
Institute shall be printed in the Transactions, and notice shall be given to
the writer within one month after it has been read, whether it is to be
printed or not.
34.—All proofs of reports of discussions, forwarded to Members for
correction, must be returned to the Secretary within seven days from the
date of their receipt, otherwise they will be considered correct and be
printed off.
35.—The Institute is not, as a body, responsible for the statements and
opinions advanced in the papers which may be read, nor in the discussions
which may take place at the meetings of the Institute.
36.—Twelve copies of each paper printed by the Institute shall be presented
to the author for private use.
37.—Members elected at any meeting between the Annual Meetings shall be
entitled to all papers issued in that year, so soon as they have signed and
returned Form F, and paid their subscriptions.
38.—The Transactions of the Institute shall not be forwarded to Members
whose subscriptions are more than one year in arrear.
39.—No duplicate copies of any portion of the Transactions shall be issued
to any of the Members unless by written order from the Council.
40.—Invitations shall be forwarded to any person whose presence at the
discussions the Council may think advisable, and strangers so invited shall
be permitted to take part in the proceedings but not to vote. Any Member of
the Institute shall also have power to introduce two strangers (see Form L)
to any General Meeting, but they shall not take part in the proceedings
except by permission of the Meeting.
41.—No alteration shall be made in the Bye-laws of the Institute, except at
the Annual Meeting, or at a Special Meeting for that purpose, and the
particulars of every such alteration shall be announced at a previous
Ordinary 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 the Bye-laws.
Approved,
R. ASSHETON CROSS.
Whitehall,
2nd July, 1877.
(lxii)
APPENDIX TO THE BYE-LAWS.
[FORM A.]
A. B. [Christian Name, Surname, Occupation, and Address in full], being
upwards of twenty-eight years of age, and desirous of being elected an
Ordinary Member of the North of England Institute of Mining and Mechanical
Engineers, I recommend him from personal knowledge as a person in every
respect worthy of that distinction, because—
[Here specify distinctly the qualifications of the Candidate, according to
the spirit
of Bye-law 3.]
On the above grounds, I beg leave to propose him to the Council as a proper
person to be admitted an Ordinary Member.
Signed -----______________________Member.
Dated this day of 18
We, the undersigned, concur in the above recommendation, being convinced,
that A. B. is in every respect a proper person to be admitted an Ordinary
Member.
PROM PERSONAL KNOWLEDGE.
SFive Members.
[To be filled up by the Council.']
The Council, having considered the above recommendation, present A. B. to be
balloted for as a of the North of England Institute
of Mining and Mechanical Engineers.
Signed —----------------------------Chairman.
Bated this day of 18
(lxiii)
[FORM B.]
A. B. [Christian Name, Surname, Occupation, and Address in full], being
desirous of admission into the North of England Institute of Mining and
Mechanical Engineers, we, the undersigned, propose and recommend that he
shall become [an Honorary Member, or an Associate Member, or a Student]
thereof.
(Three* Members.
* If an Honorary Member, five signatures are necessary, and the following
Form must be filled in by the Council.
Dated this day of 18
[To be filled up by the Council.] The Council, having considered the above
recommendation, present A. B. to be balloted for as an Honorary Member of
the North of England Institute of Mining and Mechanical Engineers.
Signed________________________Chairman.
Dated day of 18
[FORM C]
A. B. [Christian Name, Surname, Occupation, and Address in full], being at
present a of the North of England Institute of Mining
and Mechanical Engineers, and upwards of twenty-eight years of age, and
being desirous of becoming an Ordinary Member of the said Institute, I
recommend him, from personal knowledge, as a person in every respect worthy
of that distinction, because—
[Here specify distinctly the Qualifications of the Candidate according to
the spirit
of Bye-law 3.]
On the above grounds, I beg leave to propose him to the Council as a proper
person to be admitted an Ordinary Member.
Signed ------------------------------Member.
Dated this day of 18
We, the undersigned, concur in the above recommendation, being
(Ixiv)
convinced that A. B. is in every respect a proper person to be admitted an
Ordinary Member.
FEOM PERSONAL KNOWLEDGE. ___________________________________/ TWO
t Members.
[To he filled tip by the Council.] The Council, having considered the above
recommendation, present A. B. to be balloted for as an Ordinary Member of
the North of England Institute of Mining and Mechanical Engineers.
Signed______________________Chairman.
Dated day of 18
[FOBM D.]
List of the names of persons to be balloted for at the Meeting on , the
day of ' 187
Oediwaey Membees :—
Associate Membees :—
Honoeaey Membees :—
Students :—
Strike out the names of such persons as you desire should not be elected,
and hand the list to the Chairman.
[FOEM B.]
Sie,—I beg leave to inform you that on the day of
you were elected a of the North of England Institute of
Mining and Mechanical Engineers, but in conformity with its Rules your
election cannot be confirmed until the enclosed form be returned to me
(lxv)
with your signature, and until your first annual subscription be paid, the
amount of which is £ , or, at your option, the
life-composition
of £
If the subscription is not received within two months from the present date,
the election will become void under Bye-law 15.
I am, Sir,
Yours faithfully,
Secretary. Dated 18
[FORM P.]
I, the undersigned, being elected a of the
North
of England Institute of Mining and Mechanical Engineers, do hereby agree
that I will be governed by the Charter and Bye-laws of the said Institute
for the time being; and that I will advance the objects of the Institute, as
far as shall be in my power, and will not aid in any unauthorised
publication of the proceedings, and will attend the meetings thereof as
often as I conveniently can; provided that whenever I shall signify in
writing to the Secretary that I am desirous of withdrawing my name
therefrom, I shall (after the payment of any arrears which may be due by me
at that period) cease to be a Member.
Witness my hand this day of
18
[FORM G.]
Sie,—I am directed by the Council of the North of England Institute of
Mining and Mechanical Engineers to draw your attention to Bye-law 17, and to
remind you that the sum of £ of your annual subscriptions
to the funds of the Institute remains unpaid, and that you are in
consequence in arrear of subscription. I am also directed to request that
you will cause the same to be paid without further delay, otherwise the
Council will be under the necessity of exercising their discretion as to
using the power vested in them by the Article above referred to.
I am, Sir,
Yours faithfully,
Secretary. Dated 18
(kvi)
[FORM H.]
Sir,—I am directed by the Council of the North of England Institute of
Mining and Mechanical Engineers to inform you, that in consequence of
non-payment of your arrears of subscription, and in pursuance of Bye-law 17,
the Council have determined that unless payment of the amount £ is
made previous to the day of
next, they will proceed to declare that you have ceased to be a Member of
the Institute.
But, notwithstanding this declaration, you will remain liable for payment of
the arrears due from you.
I am, Sir,
Yours faithfully,
Secretary. Dated 18
[FORM I.]
Sir,—I am directed by the Council of the North of England Institute of
Mining and Mechanical Engineers to inform you that, upon mature
consideration of a proposal which has been laid before them relative to you,
they feel it their duty to advise you to withdraw from the Institute, or
otherwise they will be obliged to act in accordance with Bye-law 18.
I am, Sir,
Yours faithfully,
Secretary. Dated 18
[FORM J.]
Sir,—It is my duty to inform you that, under a resolution passed at a
Special General Meeting of the North of England Institute of Mining
and Mechanical Engineers, held on the
day of
18 , according to the provisions of Bye-law 18,
you have ceased to be a Member of the Institute.
I am, Sir,
Yours faithfully,
Secretary. Dated 18
(lxvii) [FORM K.]
BALLOTING LIST.
Ballot to take place at the Meeting of 18 at Two o'Clock.
President—One Name only to be returned, or the vote will be lost.
-----------President for the current year eligible for re-election.
~ New Nominations.
Vice-Presidents —Six Names only to be returned, or the vote will be lost.
The Votes for any Members who may not be elected as President or
Vice-Presidents will count for them as other Members of the Council.
-----------1 Vice-Presidents for the current year eligible for re-
-----------1 election.
v New Nominations.
Council—Eighteen Names only to be returned, or the vote will be lost.
----------1
________ Members of the Council for the current year eligible for
_______ r re-election.
---------
[-New Nominations.
-----------j
Extract from Bye-law 21.
Each Original, Ordinary, and Associate Member shall be at liberty to
nominate in writing, and send to the Secretary not less than eight days
prior to the Ordinary General Meeting in June, a list, duly signed, of
Members suitable to fill the Offices of President, Vice-Presidents, and
Members of Council, for the ensuing year. The Council shall prepare a list
of the persons so nominated, together with the names of the Officers for the
current year eligible for re-election, and of such other Members as they
deem suitable for the various offices. Such list, shall comprise the names
of not less than thirty. The list so prepared by the Council shall be
submitted to the General Meeting in June, and shall be the balloting list
for the annual election in August. (See Form K in the Appendix.) A copy of
this list shall be posted at least seven days
(Ixviii)
previous to the Annual Meeting, to every Original, Ordinary, and Associate
Member; who may erase any name or names from the list, and substitute the
name or names of any other person or persons eligible for each respective
office; but the number of persons on the list, after such erasure or
substitution, must not exceed the number to be elected to the respective
offices. Papers which do not accord with these directions shall be rejected
by the Scrutineers. The votes for any Members who may not be elected
President or Vice-Presidents shall count for them as Members of the Council.
The Chairman shall appoint four Scrutineers, who shall receive the balloting
papers, and after making the necessary scrutiny destroy the same, and sign
and hand to the Chairman a list of the elected Officers. The balloting
papers may be returned through the post, addressed to the Secretary, or be
handed to him, or to the Chairman of the Meeting, so as to be received
before the appointment of the Scrutineers for the election of Officers.
Names substituted for any of the above are to be written in the blank spaces
opposite those they are intended to supersede. The following Members are
ineligible from causes specified in
Bye-law 19:—
As President__________________________________________
As Vice-Pbesident_____________________________________
As Councilloes________________________________________
[FORM L.] Admit of
to the Meeting on Saturday, the (Signature of Member or Student)
The Chair to be taken at Two o'Clock. I undertake to abide by the
Regulations of the North of England Institute of Mining and Mechanical
Engineers, and not to aid in any unauthorised publication of the
Proceedings.
(Signature of Visitor) Not transferable.
NORTH OF ENGLAND INSTITUTE
OP
MINING AND MECHANICAL ENGINEERS.
GENERAL MEETING, SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 2nd, 1876, IN THE WOOD MEMORIAL HALL.
Mb. G. C. GREENWELL in the Chaie.
The Secretary read the minutes of the last meeting, which were confirmed and
signed, together with the proceedings of the Council meeting held on August
26th, 1876.
The following gentlemen were then elected :—
Membebs— Mr. Richaed Caetee, C.E., Cockerham Hall, Barnsley. Mr. Nathaniel
Eckeesley, Standish Hall, Wigan. Mr. Thomas Hindmabsh, Cowpen Lodge, Blyth,
Northumberland. Mr. I. W. H. White, St. Andrew's Chambers, Park Row, Leeds.
Mr. T. Lindsay Galloway, M.A., Ryton-on-Tyne.
Mr. John Ashwoeth, Rose Hill House, Bradshaw,Bolton-le-Moors, Lancashire.
Mr. Robekt Laveeick, West Rainton, Fence Houses. Mr. Martin Mobrison, Royal
Exchange, Middlesborough. Mr. Richabd Cuthbeet, Beaufront Castle,
Northumberland. Mr. Wm. Bbomilow, Colliery Owner, 9, St. Mary's Place,
Newcastle.
Students— Mr. J. C. B. Hendy, Usworth Colliery, Washington Station, Co.
Durham. Mr. Robeet Humble, Dsworth Colliery, Washington Station, Co. Durham.
Mr. William Donkin, Usworth Colliery, Washington Station, Co. Durham. Mr. R.
H. LonOBOTHAM. Framwellgate Colliery, Durham. Mr. F. W. Walkeb, Harton
Colliery, South Shields. Mr. Feed. Eenest Crone, Killingworth House,
Newcastle-on-Tyne. Mr. Fbank Robinson, Croxdale Rectory, Durham.
VOL. XXVI —1876.
.
2 PROCEEDINGS.
The following gentlemen were nominated for election at the next meeting:—
Members— Mr. Wilfred Tyzack, Tan field Lea Colliery, Lintz Green Station,
Newcastle. Mr. James A. Oxley, Colliery Proprietor, Frome, Somerset. Mr. W.
B. Campbell, Consulting Engineer, Grey Street, Newcastle. Mr. John Morrell,
Darlington.
Mr. J. L. Routledge, Ryhope Colliery, near Sunderland. Mr. W. Harle,
Redheugh Colliery, Gateshead.
Students— Mr. Ernest H. Hedley, Bebside Colliery, Cowpen Lane,
Northumberland. Mr. Edgar Jobling, Bebside Colliery, Cowpen Lane,
Northumberland. Mr. Alfred C. Kayll, Usworth Colliery, Washington Station,
Co. Durham. Mr. Mark Fryar, Walker Colliery, Newcastle. Mr. J. W. Fenwick,
Choppington Colliery, Northumberland. Mr. C. P. Proctor, Killingworth
Colliery, Newcastle. Mr. G. H. Hallas, Hindley Green Colliery, near Wigan.
Mr. Charles Sottthworth, Hindley Green Colliery, near Wigan. Mr. Thomas
Haddock, Jun., Ryhope Colliery, near Sunderland. Mr. W. H. ROUTLEDGE,
Prudhoe-on-Tyne. Mr. Thomas Emerson Forster, Backworth, Newcastle-on-Tyne.
Mr. N. R. Griffith then read the following paper " On the ' Coffering' of
Shafts to keep back Water:"—
COFFERING OF SHAFTS TO KEEP BACK WATER 3
ON THE " COFFERING" OF SHAFTS TO KEEP BACK WATER.
By MR. N. R. GRIFFITH.
Lining the sides of shafts in a watertight manner to stop the influx of
feeders of water is a matter of much importance. Where there is a
considerable head of water behind the lining, there can be no doubt that
metal tubbing as usually employed is the best method of effecting the
object. Where, however, the pressure is not great, a watertight lining of
brick and cement, or brick and hydraulic mortar, backed with puddled clay or
puddled soil, usually called coffering, is equally efficacious and much
cheaper; and as in many instances the surface water can be cheaply kept out
in this manner, which, although commonly practised in some districts,
appears to be comparatively unknown in others, the writer thinks that a
description of it may not be deemed uninteresting by the members of this
Institute.
Coffering consists essentially of a brick and cement, or brick and hydraulic
mortar walling, backed with puddled clay or soil. In putting it in, it is
necessary that the water should be allowed to escape from the back until the
cement or hydraulic mortar has had time to set. This is provided for by
placing through the bottom of the coffering a plug-box, or piece of timber
with a horizontal hole bored nearly through it, and another vertical hole
bored from the top into the back end of the horizontal hole. From the top of
the vertical hole square wooden tubes or boxes, with holes that can be
stopped with pegs at short intervals, are carried up, through the puddle at
the back of the walling, and as the walling is carried up the water escapes
through these holes, down the boxes, and out through the plug-box into the
bottom of the shaft. Before putting in the puddle each time, pegs are put
into the holes in the vertical boxes up to the height to which it is
intended to puddle, and after the coffering is finished, a plug is driven
into the plug-box.
The best method of describing the details of the whole operation is probably
to give a full account of an instance in which it has been sue-
4 COFFERING OF SHAFTS TO KEEP BACK WATER.
cessfally carried out. The writer has recently coffered back the surface
water in two pits now being sunk under his charge near "Wrexham, for the
Plas Power Coal Company, and the following is an account of the manner in
which the upper portion of the No. 1 Pit, 16 feet diameter in the clear, was
sunk and coffered.
Before commencing to sink, a bore-hole was put down to prove the distance to
the stonehead. This showed that about 20 yards of alluvium, chiefly loam and
sand with water, had to be sunk through before the solid measures were
reached. (See Plate I.)
The shaft was sunk 21 feet 6 inches diameter, and lined with a back
casing of 9 inches dry brickwork, set on oak cribs 9 inches x 4 inches in
section, as a temporary protection, the diameter in the clear of the back
casing being thus 20 feet, and allowing two feet all round for the
coffering.
The operation of sinking was as follows :—
The pit was sunk 21 feet 6 inches diameter for 7 feet from the surface, when
the first crib in the back casing (AA, Plate I.) was laid, and 9 inches dry
brickwork (BB, Plate I.) carried up from it to the surface. Twenty pieces of
Norway timber, about 8 inches square by 9 feet long each (CC, Plate I.) were
then laid radially all round the pit, their inner ends being flush with the
inside of the back casing. An inch-and-a-half board was then placed
vertically from the end of each of these to the crib, and spiked to both.
The pieces of square Norway timber were then buried under about six feet of
soil, to prevent them from moving, and the back casing was carried up to the
top of the bank thus raised. The first crib in the back casing was thus
securely hung, and prevented from giving way when the ground beneath it was
removed. The subsequent cribs in the back casing until the stonehead was
reached, were suspended each from the crib above in a similar manner by
one-and-a-half-inch boards, spiked from crib to crib.
The second and all subsequent cribs in the back casing until the stonehead
was reached were " quartered in"—i.e., the middle of the shaft was sunk down
for the required distance for each length—from 4 feet to 6 feet —and then
ground was taken out on one side sufficient to put in one-segment. This was
laid, walling up to the crib above was placed upon it, and it was suspended
from the crib above in the manner described. Ground was then taken out for
an adjoining segment, and so on all round the pit. As the ground got worse
the segments were made shorter (about 4 feet long each), and it soon became
necessary to pile, in order to prevent the sides running in while the cribs
were being " quartered in." The piles were narrow one-and-half-inch boards
sharpened at the driving end, and by
COFFERING OF SHAFTS TO KEEP BACK WATER. 5
driving these of a slope backwards from each crib the pit was kept to its
full diameter of 20 feet in the clear of the back casing. The segments of
the cribs were made with lap or halved joints. The first segment of each
crib quartered in was made with both laps below; all the rest except the
last or closer with one lap above and the other below, and the last segment
or closer was made with both laps above, so that it was laid without
disturbing the segments on each side which had been previously laid.
In this manner the pit was carried down to the stonehead. This was jointy
freestone rock, or post, and sinking was continued until a watertight bed
for the wedging-crib was met with. The back casing of 9 inch dry brickwork
was continued through the upper part of the rock, but in the lower part,
which was more solid, it was discontinued, and the outside diameter of the
sinking was reduced to 20 feet. At the depth of 27 yards 2 feet 10 inches, a
bed of strong metal was reached, and in this the wedging-crib for' the
foundation of the coffering was laid at the depth of 28 yards 1 foot.
The wedging-crib was of metal, 1 foot 6 inches in the bed and 6 inches deep
(Section A, Fig. 2, Plate II.) It was made with a garland, or water-ring, in
the front, as it was anticipated that the sweating of the coffering would
give off enough water to render a garland advisable in order to keep the pit
dry when sinking below the coffering. Experience, however, proved that the
garland was quite unnecessary, as the quantity of water coming off from the
coffering when finished was practically nil, and in the No. 2 Pit, which was
commenced immediately afterwards at a distance of 82 feet, centre to centre,
from No. 1, and sunk in precisely the same manner, the wedging-crib was made
without a garland (B, Fig. 2^ Plate II.)
The bed for the wedging-crib was levelled 21 inches wide, being 18 inches
for the crib and 3 inches for wedging at the back—the other 3 inches all
round, making up the 2 feet allowed for coffering, was levelled with the top
of the crib. The crib (K, Plate I.) was laid and wedged in the ordinary
manner, as if for a foundation for tubbing ; after this was done, solid work
of brick and Roman cement 1 foot 9 inches thick was commenced on the crib,
the wedging at the back, and the 3 inches all round behind the wedging that
had been levelled with the top of the crib. The bricks used throughout were
of the ordinary size (9 inches x 4^-inches x 3 inches), good, hard,
well-burnt bricks, not pressed, made from a stratified coal-measure
fire-clay. Three courses of solid work, well grouted, were laid. The
plug-box (G, Plate L), 9 inches wide x 10 inches deep x 1 foot 9 inches
long, with a 3 inch diameter hole from the front
6 COFFERING OF SHAFTS TO KEEP BACK WATER.
to within 1 inch of the back end, and a vertical hole of the same size into
the back end of the horizontal hole (to the top of which vertical hole was
attached a square box with peg-holes every 3 inches) was then laid, and
three courses of solid work up to the top of the plug-box, and three more
courses above it were laid. A temporary garland had been fixed in the shaft
below the come of water, so as to prevent the water running down the sides
and washing out the cement from this solid work. It is very essential in all
coffering that this should be done, as it would be quite impossible to lay
the solid work properly with water running down the shaft sides on to it.
From the top of the solid work the ordinary coffering was commenced. This
consisted of three rings of bricks, the middle ring being grouted in, and a
backing of puddled clay. As in the brickwork the joints were not broken in
the ordinary way by headers—the bricks being all stretchers—they were broken
vertically by placing 1^ inch of mortar under the middle ring to commence
with. The horizontal joints in the middle ring were therefore, throughout
the work, half a course higher than those in the inner and outer rings (See
Fig. 1, Plate II.)
The method of walling was to lay one course of the inner and outer rings,
leaving 5^- inches between them, then to place in this space the middle ring
and grout it in, and so on course by course. When about four courses had
been laid, the walling was suspended and puddled clay put in at the back and
rammed to within about one course of the top. Walling was then recommenced
for another length, and so on. This walling was put in with hydraulic mortar
made with blue lias lime, the proportions being one of blue lias lime to two
of sand. For grouting in the middle course, the same mixture was used, but,
of course, thinned with more water. In subsequent coffering, however, the
writer has used hydraulic mortar made as above for the outer and inner
rings, and has grouted in the middle ring with pure Eoman cement, and this
method he thinks preferable, as the Eoman cement sets very rapidly and
stiffens the walling, preventing any possibility of its being pushed forward
by the ramming in of the puddled clay at the back.
When the coffering had been carried up about twelve yards it was found that
the water no longer appeared on the top of the puddled clay at the back of
the walling. Pieces of rubble were then dropped down the wooden box through
which the water had previously escaped, and cement was poured down it till
it was full to the top. This so effectually closed it, that when the pit
bottom was cleaned out to recommence sinking, not a drop of water was found
to come through the plug-box, even before the plug was put in.
COFFERING OF SHAFTS TO KEEP BACK WATER. 7
The coffering was then continued up to two feet above the level of the
original surface.
When the water which had gone down the water-boxes and through the plug-box
and had accumulated in the pit-bottom during the time the coffering was
being put in, was wound out and sinking recommenced, the coffering was found
to be perfectly watertight, and if left undisturbed it will continue so as
long as the pit lasts.
The whole of the operation is excessively simple. The solid work carried up
for nine courses, and projecting three inches behind the wedging of the crib
(See H, Plate I.) was designed to prevent the wedging at the back of the
crib from rising under the pressure of water. In fact, it answered the same
purpose as the second crib, wider in the bed than the first, that is
frequently laid on the first crib as a foundation for metal tubbing. Against
the water it will be noticed that the coffering gives three lines of
defence, viz. :—
1st—The puddle at the back of the walling ; and
2nd and 3rd.—The two unbroken rings of hydraulic mortar grouted in, one on
each side of the middle ring of brickwork.
The first of these is, however, in the writer's opinion, the one on which
most reliance is to be placed. It appears to him that the puddle ought to be
the waterproof portion of the coffering, and the brickwork the portion to
resist the mechanical pressure.
With regard to the puddle, although puddled clay was used in the instance
above described, puddled soil (good black soil, riddled and free from
stones) has been frequently used with success; indeed, it is perhaps
preferable to clay, as it does not require so much ramming—it sinks down and
puddles itself, and it therefore does not press so heavily on the brickwork
and tend to push it forward as clay does. If clay be used it is essential
that it should be of suitable quality, free from sand and stones and well
tempered.
In work of this kind cement is sometimes used throughout instead of
hydraulic mortar. Besides the greater expense there is also more trouble in
using cement, as on account of its setting so quickly it has to be mixed in
smaller quantities and used more rapidly than hydraulic mortar. For grouting
in the middle course, the writer, as above stated, prefers to use Roman
cement, but for laying the inner and outer courses he thinks that good
hydraulic mortar answers quite as well as cement. Whether cement or
hydraulic mortar be used, the bricks should, of course, be thoroughly
saturated with water.
8 DISCUSSION—COFFERING OF SHAFTS, ETC.
With regard to cost, as compared with metal tubbing, the actual cost per
yard of the coffering in the instance above described was as follows :—
£ s. d.
Labour—taking out extra ground to make room for coffering... 2 0 0
Do. putting in coffering ... ............3 0 0
Bricks—2,250, at 33s. per 1,000 ...............3 14 3
Blue lias lime—7 cwts., at 25s. per ton...........,089
Puddled clay—5J cubic yards, at 4s.............12 0
Sand for mortar got out of pit when sinking .........- - -
Total cost per yard of coffering ......... £10 5 0
In the above the cost of the back casing put in as a temporary protection
while sinking has not been included, as a temporary lining would have been
necessary also if metal tubbing had been used.
If instead of coffering, metal tubbing § inch thick had been put in, the
weight per yard would probably have been not less than three tons, which at
£6 per ton would have cost £18 ; in addition to which would have been the
cost of sheathing, timber backing and wedges, and labour putting in the
tubbing, altogether not less than £5 per yard, making the total cost of
metal tubbing not less than £23 per yard.
The President said they were very much obliged to Mr. Griffith for having
given them this information upon a method of securing shafts which was not
very usual in this part of the country. In Somersetshire, a somewhat similar
mode of lining was adopted ; but the inside facing was made with lias
limestone simply dressed at the joints, the walling being about
two-and-a-half feet thick. The space behind was filled in with hot lias lime
mixed with twice its bulk of ashes. This had answered well with shafts of
small size up to depths of fifty yards.
Mr. W. Cochrane asked if the coffering was only resisting a pressure of
twelve yards ? because the brickwork was strong enough to resist a much
higher pressure.
Mr. Griffith—At one time it was not pressed more, what it is now he did not
know ; it was impossible to foresee what the pressure might ultimately
prove. It might have been equal to twenty-seven yards—in fact, in wet
weather, it most probably is so now.
Mr. W. Cochrane—The mode of lining shafts described by Mr. Griffith was very
commonly adopted in Staffordshire. The bricks were often put in
DISCUSSION—COFFERING OF SHAFTS, ETC. 9
loose, for the settling of the pit was found to crack the mortar or cement.
Loose bricks, puddled behind with grouted soil, were found amply sufficient
for holding back water where only a small pressure—say of ten to fifteen
yards—had to be contended against.
Mr. Griffith said, that in Staffordshire pits they worked the coal very
close up to the shaft, and this very often caused a movement in the masonry
in the shafts, which would make the use of cement really disadvantageous ;
but where it was intended to leave sufficient shaft pillars, he had found it
better to use cement.
Mr. W. Cochrane said, that some years ago he had used cement blocks for
tubbing to hold back a large quantity of water not under very heavy
pressure, and it had answered admirably. He had in this case cemented the
joints, and let the water off as the blocks were being fixed, by providing a
hole in each block, which hole was filled up afterwards.
Mr. Griffith had no doubt cement blocks would answer equally well, but was
not aware that they were ever put in loose, although in Staffordshire the
almost universal settling of the shafts would seem to render this mode
preferable. He had heard that, frequently when the shaft settled on one
side, they worked coal out at the other side to bring the shaft straight
again.
Mr. Steavenson asked, what was the quantity of water he had to contend with
?
Mr. Griffith—The quantity was small—less than two thousand gallons an hour;
but he had coffered back larger quantities. The quantity does not affect the
question : it is the pressure.
Mr. Steavenson thought the quantity of water was also an important element,
for, if excessive, it would very much impede the progress of the work, and
materially add to the cost.
Mr. Griffith thought that the only difference in the larger quantity of
water would be, that larger boxes would have to be put in at the back of the
coffering to allow the water to escape through while the coffering was being
put in, and of course more power would be required to keep the water down.
Mr. Steavenson—Was there water in the shaft-bottom where the men were
working ?
Mr. Griffith—The men worked on a hanging scaffold, or " cradle," to put in
the walling, and in this case the coffering rose faster than the water. In
other cases, special means had to be provided to prevent the water
interfering with the men.
The President understood the cribs were put in six feet apart, and
XXVI.—1876.
jj
10 DISCUSSION—COFFERING OF SHAFTS, ETC.
wished to know if there was any difficulty in getting the sand back during
the sinking of this six feet ?
Mr. Griffith here described the mode of sheet-piling adopted in this case,
which was as follows :—Supposing the pit-bottom to be as shown in the Sketch
V, Plate III., before commencing to pile—the wooden crib at the bottom being
suspended from the next above by 1^ inch boards, and so securely hung as
described in the paper—ground was taken out in the middle of the shaft to a
depth of say 3 feet, the pit-bottom then being as shown in Sketch W. Then
piles, consisting of narrow 1^ inch boards, about 4 feet long, sharpened at
the driving end, were driven close together for about 10 feet in length
along the crib. When each pile had gone in its full length, the top end was
knocked back under the crib, and prevented from coming forward by knocking a
nail up into the bottom of the crib in front of it. The pit-bottom was
then as shown in Sketch X. The ground in front of the piles was then taken
out to the depth of about 4 feet; the width of the ground thus taken out at
the bottom, in the line of the circumference of the shaft, being about 3
feet. If, as the ground wTas being taken out in front of the piles, the
ground at the back of the piles ran in through the joints between the piles,
these joints were stuffed up with hay and straw, or else other piles were
driven in front of the joints. The first segment of the next crib was
then laid, and 9 inches dry brickwork built upon it till the piles behind
did not allow room for this thickness of brickwork. Then the brickwork
was continued 4-^ inches thick up to the crib above, and 1^ inch boards were
nailed in front of the brickwork from the crib above to the segment thus
laid to hang it. Sketch Y shows the pit-bottom after the first segment had
been thus laid. (In all the sketches, the boards in front of the brickwork,
hanging crib from crib, are omitted for the sake of clearness). Piles
were then driven for another 3 feet in length, in the line of the
circumference of the shaft, at one end of those already driven, and ground
was taken out for another segment of the crib next to the one already laid.
This and the walling on it were put in as described in the case of the
first segment; and so segment after segment was "quartered in" all round the
shaft. The method in which the segments of the crib were made, so as to
lay the last without disturbing the first laid, was described in the paper.
Sketch Z shows the whole of the crib laid, walling put in to the crib
above, and the pit-bottom ready to commence sinking for another length.
The President—How far down was it when it became necessary to
put these piles in ?
Mr. Griffith could hardly say at the moment; probably at a depth
DISCUSSION —COFFERING OF SHAFTS, ETC. 11
of about twelve yards. If they had had more water, they could hardly have
piled through as described, as the ground would have been too "quick" for
this method. Ordinary piling would probably have had to be resorted to.
Mr. Steavenson said, that under certain conditions the system seemed very
commendable; but no doubt there were certain conditions in which, perhaps,
metal would be better. It appeared to him at present only a question of
cost. In taking the metal tubbing at £6 per ton, he thought Mr. Griffith was
putting it at too high a figure. At the present time, he should think it
could be got for £5.
Mr. Griffith said he was giving £6.
Mr. Steavenson said, he could get it here at £5. He never knew pig metal at
a lower price than at present. In case it was desirable to fix timber in the
shaft, he thought tubbing would be found more easily treated than stonework,
into which holes would have to be cut to insert the timber. All these were
matters for consideration. It seemed to him that this was a description of
paper they wanted more frequently. It was a good, practical, useful paper,
and he would have great pleasure in moving a vote of thanks to Mr. Griffith.
Mr. Cochrane said he had very great pleasure in seconding the vote of
thanks.
Carried unanimously.
The Secretary said, he was sorry to inform the meeting that Mr. Boyd, whose
paper " On the Coal Measures and Oil Produce of the United States of America
" was to have been discussed that day, was detained at the Consett office,
and would not be able to attend. Mr. Boyd did not wish the discussion to be
closed, as he had some remarks to offer.
The President said, as Mr. Boyd could not attend, the discussion should be
postponed to a future meeting. He had brought with him some specimens to
illustrate a few remarks he had to make upon the paper; but as Mr. Cochrane
did not know he was going to do so, and had also some specimens which he
would like to produce, it was an additional reason for postponing the
discussion to a future meeting.
Mr. Cochrane begged to propose a vote of thanks to the Chairman, which was
unanimously carried, and the meeting then terminated.
PROCEEDINGS. 13
PROCEEDINGS.
GENERAL MEETING, SATUKDAY, OCTOBER 7, 1876, IN THE WOOD MEMORIAL HALL.
Me. E. F. BOYD in the Chaie.
The Assistant-Secretary read the minutes of the last meeting and also the
minutes of the Council Meetings.
The following gentlemen were then elected :—
Membees—
Mr. Wilfbed Tyzack, Tanfield Lea Colliery, Lintz Green Station, Newcastle.
Mr. James A. Oxley, Colliery Proprietor, Frome, Somerset.
Mr. W. B. Campbell, Consulting Engineer, Grey Street, Newcastle.
Mr. John Moeeell, Darlington.
Mr. J. L. Routledge, Byhope Colliery, near Sunderland.
Mr. W. Haele, Redheugh Colliery, Gateshead.
Students—
Mr. Eenest H Hedley, Bebside Colliery, Cowpen Lane, Northumberland.
Mr. Edgae Thomas Jobling, Bebside Colliery, Cowpen Lane, Northumberland.
Mr. Alpeed C. Kayll, Usworth Colliery, Washington Station, Co. Durham.
Mr. Maek Feyae, Walker Colliery, Newcastle.
Mr. J. W. Fenwick, Choppington Colliery, Northumberland.
Mr. C. P. Peoctoe, Killingvvorth Colliery, Newcastle.
Mr. G. H. Hallas, Hindley Green Colliery, near Wigan.
Mr. Chaeles Southwoeth, Hindley Green Colliery, near Wigan.
Mr. Thomas Haddock, Jun., Ryhope Colliery, near Sunderland.
Mr. W. H. Routledge, Prudhoe-on-Tyne.
Mr. Thomas E. Foestee, Backworth, Newcastle-on-Tyne.
14 PROCEEDINGS.
The following were nominated for election at the next meeting :—
Members— Mr. W. J. H. Ryder, Manager, Forth Street Brass Works, Newcastle.
Mr. John Douglas Maughan, Viewer, Hebburn Colliery, near Newcastle. Mr. John
Robinson, Hebburn Colliery, near Newcastle. Mr. Robert Elsdon, 76, Manor
Road, Upper New Cross, London. Mr. John Bell, Mining Engineer, Cleveland.
Mr. John Austine, Coal Owner, Cadzow Coal Company, Glasgow,
Students— Mr. A. W. Peart, Mining Offices, Tynemouth. Mr. W. C. Blackett,
Mining Offices, Tynemouth. Mr. E. E. Atkinson, Hebburn Colliery, near
Newcastle. Mr. William Geipel, Hebburn Colliery, near Newcastle. Mr. Charles
E. White, Hebburn Colliery, near Newcastle. Mr. George Robinson, Hebburn
Colliery, near Newcastle. Mr. 0. Gilpin Beown, Hetton Colliery, Fence
Houses. Mr. Chris. C. Davidson, Hetton Colliery, Fence Houses. Mr. John T.
Todd, Hetton-le-Hole, Fence Houses.
Mr. Lebour then read " A Description of the New Coal Basin discovered in the
Dutch Limburgh," being a translation by the Secretary of a pamphlet by M.
Gruillaume Lambert, referred to by Mr, Warington W. Smyth, at the discussion
of Mr. Lebour's paper at the meeting in London.
Mr. Lebour said this translation was prepared by Mr. Bunning, to be read at
this meeting, but as he was unable to be present in consequence of an
important engagement in Edinburgh, he had requested him (Mr. Lebour) to read
it; and he did so with all the more pleasure that he was acquainted with the
district, and had already brought some parts of Professor Lambert's
interesting paper before the English public in the " Geological Magazine"
for the last month, and had also reported and corresponded on the subject.
Before he proceeded to read the paper, he begged to remark that although he
would read, of course, Professor Lambert's opinions in his own words, yet he
begged not to be held responsible for any of the opinions which were brought
forward, because in some cases his own opinions were very much the reverse
of the author's.
THE NEW COAL BASIN IN THE DUTCH LIMBURGH. 15
A DESCRIPTION OF THE NEW COAL BASIN DISCOVERED IN THE DUTCH LTMBURGH.
By Monsieur GUILLAUME LAMBERT, Mining Engineer, and Professor of the
University of Louvain.
Being a Translation by Mr. Theo. Wood Bunning of a Pamphlet by M. Guillaume
Lambert, published, at Brussels, March, 1876.
During the first years of the extraction of coal in Europe, those portions
only were worked which were near to the surface or were not covered by more
recent formations. As these deposits became exhausted, however, the works
were extended to more recent strata, and it is thus that in Westphalia, in
Belgium, in the North of France, and in the North of England, the
coal-bearing strata known or wrorked are now ten times larger than they were
fifty years ago.
In later years especially, the dearness of coal has caused more active
research, which has resulted in many fortunate discoveries, causing the
addition of a large area of coal-bearing strata in the Departments of the
Pas-de-Calais, in France, and the splendid discoveries that have been made
in the northern part of the Ruhr Basin.
Towards the north, this basin has been worked and put to profitable use, and
has opened out a new area of coal-bearing strata, not less than nine miles
wide, and of such a length that its termination towards the north is yet
undefined ; indeed, it would seem that the coal-bearing strata increase in
thickness and regularity the more they continue in that direction.
The actual breadth of the basin already explored, measured on the meridian
passing through Bochum, is about 31 miles ; the increased thickness of the
strata resting on the coal formation as the field reaches the north,
prevents the rapid extension of pits in that direction.
Fortunately, these formations belong almost entirely to the lower portions
of the chalk depositions, and are formed of rich marls and clays, holding
but little water, easily sunk through, and not liable to fall in, so
16 THE NEW COAL BASIN IN THE DUTCH LTMBURGH.
that a pit of 16^ feet diameter can be easily sunk to the coal measures
(that is, down to 100 or 160 fathoms deep) with less cost than would be
necessary to sink a pit to the south of Mons, in many places, to a depth of
only 25 fathoms, through chalk full of fissures and very open, or to go
through beds of flint which abound in water, and which are always present
below the chalk in the Province of Hainault.
In the districts to the north of this new field, or in the neighbourhood of
the river Lippe, the tertiary sands that repose on the chalk formations, and
the magnesian limestones of the permian series which appear to exist in
these districts, will probably offer great difficulties to the sinking of
pits; but, fortunately, it is scarcely necessary to take account of such
obstructions, for those portions which can be easily worked are sufficient
to supply all the necessities of the trade for many years. It seems probable
that the Westphalian coal basin has a breadth proportional to the length
that is presumably to be attributed to it. Towards the north, it is not
thought to stop at the river Lippe, but to extend much further in that
direction, under the cretaceous and triassic formations which, at a certain
distance northward, come to the surface over a great extent. The general
aspect of the country seems to indicate that this basin continues as far as
Ibbenburen and Osnabruck, at which place the coal-bearing strata comes to
the surface at about 40 miles north of the river Lippe, and at about 20
miles north of the town of Munster. The seams worked at Ibbenburen evidently
belong to the lower part of the coal formations. They are contained in
perfectly recognisable millstone grit, and near to Osnabruck, anthracite is
extracted similar in all respects to the anthracite of Pennsylvania. Under
the circumstances, it is easy to understand the interest which the borings
and researches that have been made have given rise to, especially in the
north of this immense zone, extending from the banks of the Lippe to
Osnabruck.
Discoveries similar to those about to be described have also been made in
England. The richest basin of the English coal-fields has been worked with
effect towards the north on a large scale, and it is well known that there
also the most valuable portion of this basin has been found in the northern
direction, only the seams are less favourably situated than those that are
found in Westphalia, for they descend and disappear too rapidly under the
sea and under large formations of the new red sandstone and magnesian
limestone (permian), which are full of water.
In order that these remarks may be better understood, a section of the
Durham coal formation, running from about south-west to north-east,
THE NEW COAL BASIN JN THE DUTCH LIMBURGH. 17
is given ; also, a section of the basin of the Ruhr, through Dildorf, Essen,
and Gladbeck, nearly in the direction of the meridian. (See Plate IV.)
In addition to these two sections, and in order to complete the series, a
third section is given, which also runs in a north and south direction,
passing by Theux, Eichelle, and Sittard; that is taken through about
one-sixth part of the distance that separates the two others. This section
was made in 1880, by an authority on the subject, the geologist Andre
Dumont, and was appended to his work on " The Geology of the Province of
Liege," adopted by the Academy at the time; it was therefore not made to
exemplify the present treatise. The northern portion of this section is
shown by dotted lines on the map.
One important fact seems to be developed by the study of these three
sections and of the three great basins to which they refer. In each of the
three basins the southern extremities are very irregular and very broken, in
consequence of the pressure in all directions which seems to have been
brought to bear on them during their formation, or shortly afterwards,
before the deposition of the more recent rocks.
The consequence is that the southern limits of these basins are very
irregular, in many cases a number of inferior or secondary basins are found
by their sides mixed and entangled with the principal basins, and in some
instances these small basins are isolated from, though contiguous to, the
main field. This is not so with the northern portion of these basins, as is
indicated by the sections given of those in England and Germany. In these
places the regularity is very marked, and the more the formation extends
towards the north the more does its richness seem to augment.
This fact is of great consequence in considering future explorations at
points situated between these sections : for every time that the part
already known shows signs of having been subject to great dislocation, to
frequent changes of direction, combined with great inclinations, it would
suggest the advisability of examining the northern portion to a considerable
distance with the view of finding the more regular basin in that direction.
From this point of view the Dutch Limburgh and also probably the northern
part of Belgium are favourably situated for us to hope to find there the
prolongation of the coal formations.
It is admitted that the coal formations of Belgium are due to the same
causes of formation as those of Germany and those of the North of England,
between which places it is situated, and of which, according to the writer's
opinion, it should be considered as forming part.
One particular fact seems to strengthen this surmise, w7hich is, that on
VOL. XXVI.—1876.
q
18 THE NEW COAL BASIN IN THE DUTCH LIMBURGH.
one side the prolongation of the basin of the Ruhr, towards the west, is
well defined at present by the pits actually at work at Homberg, on the left
side of the Rhine, besides the discovery of coal at Crefeld, which is some
distance to the west of the Rhine.
This prolongation is besides very clearly indicated by the general strike of
the primary and surrounding strata.
If attentively considered it is easy to perceive that in the extreme western
part the German basin bends easily towards the south, and after what has
already been said upon the subject, it will be readily understood that the
basins of Stolberg and of Worms are simply the southern outcrop of the great
basin. A great number of English engineers and geologists (and among
these last Mr. Prestwich, one of the most celebrated), are of opinion that
there are coal-measures in the neighbourhood of London, below the thick
deposits of the more recent formations, which are found there, especially to
the north of the city. Boreholes are even now in course of being put
down, to arrive if possible at the proof of a fact of such great importance
; the hundreds of borings recently executed under the waters of the English
channel to determine the direction of the chalk strata at this point
corroborate these conjectures by proving that the strata regularly incline
about 1 or 2 per cent, toward the north-north-west. Regarding it in this
light, this strip of coal strata would extend almost in a continuous line
from the eastern portion of Westphalia, or from the source of the river
Lippe, in the neighbourhood of Paderburn, to Scotland, or a distance of
about 250 leagues. If compared with other geological formations in the
neighbourhood, and even in other portions of the coal-measures, this great
distance is not surprising, because the great horizon of the carboniferous
series of North America is worked through an extent of 350 leagues, in
length from east to west; that is to say, this bed is workable for almost
the whole of that distance. In Belgium or in Europe those parts which are
rich and easy of access (and everything seems to indicate that these terms
may be applied to the portion belonging to the Dutch Limburgh) have been but
few and of but small importance. It is for this reason no doubt that
their significance in indicating the continuity of the great basin has not
up to the present time been sufficiently appreciated, and if the efforts
made to prove the prolongation of the Belgian basin towards the north have
not sooner been successful, it is because the question has hitherto been one
of mere scientific value, so to speak $ for the extent and richness of the
portion of this basin already discovered has easily sufficed to satisfy all
demands up to the present time.
The practical aspect of the question and its industrial effects appear
THE NEW COAL BASIN IN THE DUTCH LIMBURGH. 19
notwithstanding to be now fully realised by old explorers, and it may be
said that the existence of coal in the Dutch Limburgh seems to have been
suspected for some time, for certain concessions appear to have been granted
by the Erench Government in the neighbourhood of Sittard.
These concessions, however, have remained without having been used, and the
operations which were commenced for extracting the coal never passed the
overlying strata.
Later on, in 1856, a company called " L'Union Minerale," in the Netherlands,
began to make further researches in the same direction and with the same
view ; but being less ably advised, and not so skilful as the first
explorers, their researches were undertaken too much to the south.'
Towards 1873, another company was formed to search for coal in the Dutch
Limburgh.
Encouraged by the splendid results obtained in the northern part of the
basin of the Ruhr, this company has not hesitated to commence operations
considerably to the north of the works of their predecessors; and this
action on their part has been crowned with the most complete success.
Eour sinkings, shown by the figures 1, 2, 3, 4, were sunk at a sufficient
distance from each other (see Plate YL), and the coal formation with
workable seams was determined by each of these boreholes, as will be seen by
the sections given.
The most encouraging part of this undertaking is that the extent of the coal
measures thus brought to light is too great to leave any doubt of its
importance, especially when it is remembered that the southerly bend which
has been remarked upon is also extremely favourable to the prospective value
of this deposit. At every one of the four points where it has been proved,
the nature and thickness of the seams and the strata which cover them are of
such a nature as to cause no apprehension; in other words, at each of these
places working pits can be constructed at small expense without encountering
any great difficulties.
On comparing the samples of cretaceous deposits taken from these borings
(especially that of Yorwaerts (No. 4,) at Wynandsraden, or the one furthest
to the north) with the same strata in the last pits sunk in the northern
part of the Ruhr basin, resting as here directly on the coal formation in
the communes of Heme, Recklinghausen, &c, one is struck by the perfect
resemblance that exists between them.
Indeed, it is known through the sinking of this last pit that, besides the
difficulties presented by the tertiary strata, which in certain places cover
the cretaceous strata, these last are formed of soft and tender clays,
20 THE NEW COAL BASIN IN THE DUTCH LIMBURGII.
with very little, if any, water, and resting directly on the coal measures;
so that in very many of these pits there are upwards of 100, and even 150,
fathoms of clay measures to traverse. These marls can be passed very rapidly
and without difficulty, with but a limited plant either for pumping or
sinking.
In only one case out of twenty-five has any difficulty occurred. This was at
the Konig-Ludwig pit, at Heme, where fissures and faults in the clay,
accompanied with water, were met with, which prevented the pita being sunk
by the ordinary means. An account of these four sinkings is now given.
BOREHOLE No. 1, OR THE "AURORA."
Situated 1,400 yards south-west of the village of Heerlen, on the road from
Maastricht to Heerlen and Aix-la-Chapelle. In consequence of the discovery
of the measures containing coal made by this boring, the Butch Government
accorded a concession of about 1.000 acres, having a length of about 3,400
yards from, south-west to south-east, by 1,400 yards broad. The borehole is
near the centre of this area, and a single set of works at this point would
be sufficient to dram out the whole of the coal in the concession.
Fs. Ft. In.
Alluvial deposits (hesbayen) ............ 1 4 5'2
Yellow clay, sandy, whitish, with small white quartz
pebbles (drift) ............... 5 0 8-5
Yellow sand, slightly argillaceous ..... ... 5 4
3-42
Blue sand, also argillaceous ............ 2 1 8"56
Argillaceous sand, with lignite (tongrien) ...... 1 0 11-56
Bluish sandy clay-lignite, with turritelloe and cerithia 1 0 9-l
Grey sand, slightly argillaceous ......... 6 5 1*7
Argillaceous sand.................. 2 1 9*35
Slightly argillaceous sand ............ 2 1 7'78
Very fine sand, with the remains of shells ...... 6 5 11-54
Bluish calcareous marl grey in some places...... 6 1 3'24
Coal measures (shale) ............... 5 4 9"32
Coal (officially registered) ............ 0 0 11-81
Coal measure (shale) ............... 8 5 1
Coal (officially registered) ............ 0 1 11*62
56 5 5-70
THE NEW COAL BASIN IN THE DUTCH LIMBURGH. 21
BOREHOLE No. 2, OR "NORDSTERN."
Situated at 2,600 yards north of Borehole JVo. 3, or 2,000 yards
north-west of the village of Voerendael, in the Commune of th.it name.
Fs. Ft. In.
Alluvial deposits (hesbayen) ... ...... 2 0 4-27
Argillaceous sand ............... 12 2-82
Sand with pyrites............... 14 3-54
Grey sand .................. 5 2 11-39
Bluish sand.................. 9 1 7"28
Bluish sandy clay ...... ......... 2 5 6*04
White marl.................. 7 4 10-28
Yellow marl with flint ............ 7 0 8-75
Grey marl .................. 5 2 5-37
Marl with flint ............... 1 1 8-68
Grey marl .................. 17 1 11-80
Green sand.................. 1 1 2"50
Grey marl .................. 9 1 7"20
Green marl.................. 19 1 3-93
Grey sand .................. 2 3 5-31
Green sand.................. 4 5 4*16
Grey marl .................. 6 3 7-70
Green marl.................. 3 0 6-44
Shale with lignite, containing sulphur...... 1 4 3-58
Grey sand .................. 0 5 1-81
Coal-measure shale............... 8 4 6-51
Coal (officially registered)............ 0 4 0-82
120 3 10-18
22 THE NEW COAL BASIN IN THE DUTCH LIMBURGH.
BOREHOLE No. 3, OR «ABENDSTERN."
Situated in the commune of Klimmen, 780 yards south-nest of the village oj
Voerendacl, on the road to Maestricht, about 3,050 yards west
of the Borehole JSTo. 1.
Fs. Ft. In.
Alluvial deposits (hesbayen) ...... 3 2 7-24
-" Argillaceous bluish, sand ......... 4 3 5-13
^ Grey sand, with tine grains, slightly argil-
P3 t
<] I laceous............... 1 0 6-74
§ Grey sand, with fine grains, a little more
E-i argillaceous ............ 2 1 1*48
_ Greenish argillaceous sand......... 6 3 4-44
- Yellowish coarse limestone......... 10 2 2-85
U> Blue argillaceous marl, with calcareous
g J nodules............... 21 3 8*30
^ Hard green calcareous marl ...... 2 2 4-83
M Green marl ............... 25 4 0-82
-. Marl, somewhat grey ......... 13 3-02
Coal measure shale ... ........ 3 2 6-85
Do. grit ............ 2 1 4-63
Do. coal ............ 23 3 0-91
Do. grit ............ 5 5 0-07
Do. coal ............ 14 5 10-34
Coal (officially registered)......... 11 3-00
130 3 10-65
THE NEW COAL BASIN IN THE DUTCH LIMBURGH. 23
BOREHOLE No. 4, OR "VORWAERTS."
Situated 2,000 yards nest of the Borehole No. 2, in the commune of Wynands
raden. At this Borehole, at the end of the work, 2?t,d November,
1875, the mater stood at a level of 2% feet below the surface.
Fs. Ft. In.
Sandy loam............... 2 1 1-48
r Fine yellow argillaceous sand ...... 2 1 1-48
Grey sandy clay, with small white pebbles 3 1 8-22
Fine greenish sand, slightly argillaceous... 2 1 1*48
The same with lignite ......... 1 0 6-74
£ Sandy yellow clay............ 1 0 6-74
g <j Grey sand, slightly argillaceous, with broken
%, fossils ............... 3 1 8-22
Grey sandy clay ............ 2 1 1-48
Fine grey sand, slightly argillaceous ... 9 5 0'66 The
same, but of a greenish blue, more
argillaceous ............ 2 1 1'48
^ Grey calcareous marl ..... ... 14 1 3-62
tri Marl, more argillaceous ......... 28 2 7-24
g Marl, more argillaceous and green ... 18 3 6-58
«1 \ Marl, more argillaceous, greener and darker 7 3 11-26
H Greenish]marl, very argillaceous...... 3 1 8'22
^ Greenish grey argillaceous marl ...... 7 0 7-81
_ Dark green marl, with pebbles (tourtias)... 0 5 9-30
Coal measures ............ 4 0 0-60
Coal (officially registered)......... 0 2 4-37
114 1 098
According to the details given, the tops of all these boreholes are on the
same level, and this seems to be corroborated by the contour of the country,
which is nearly level over the whole extent of the borings.
From the examination of these data, and especially with regard to a fifth
borehole marked "X" (Plate VI.), the details of which have not been given,
the following conclusions seem inevitable :—
The borehole, No. 1, having reached the coal at 41 "77 fathoms, and the
borehole "X," which is 2,570 yards to the north, only having reached the
coal at 56*71 fathoms, the inclination of the coal measures towards the
north is, therefore, 15 fathoms between these two boreholes, or 1*16 per
cent. Going 3,900 yards more to the west, a greater inclination is found,
for it is 2*23 per cent, along the line from the borehole No. 3 to the
borehole No. 2.
24 THE NEW COAL BASIN IN THE DUTCH LIMBURGH.
This line is not exactly to the north of the borehole No. 8 ; it forms with
it an angle of some degrees towards the west, and it must, therefore, be
admitted that, reduced to the true north, the inclination would be about 2
per cent. The greatest inclination of the above-mentioned strata takes place
towards the north-west, at least along the entire length of the 4,050 yards
which, in this direction, separate the boreholes Nos. 1 and 2. The
inclination along this line reaches as much as 3'27 per cent.
Further to the north-west of the "Nordstern," No. 2, a change is
perceptible. If the inclination of 3'27 per cent, had continued, the coal
formation ought to have been reached at a depth of 136*5 fathoms, while, on
the contrary, these measures were reached at a depth of 113*56 fathoms. This
may be considered due to a flattening of the strata towards the northwest,
commencing from the borehole No. 2, or (which is more probable) to the fact
that the measures, after having continued their inclination towards the
north-west to within a certain distance of the borehole No. 2, make a bend;
that is to say, they dip in the contrary direction, or towards the
north-east. This last supposition would indicate that there would be found
towards the " Nordstern" a lower cretaceous stratum, which seems to show
sufficiently clearly that the "Aachenien" sands have been gone through.
Again, if this surmise is correct, a borehole placed north-west of the
borehole No. 4, would probably touch the coal measures at a less depth than
the last-mentioned.
The next question is to determine the width of the new area by the four
boreholes above indicated.
To the south-east, and from the south of the place where the four boreholes
are placed, the coal formations and the more ancient strata covering these
formations, instead of being directed from east to west, run from the
south-east to the north-east. It is, therefore, upon a line, leading from
the north-west to the south-east, that an estimate of the new area must be
reckoned. Now, in this direction, the boreholes, Nos. 1 and 2, show that the
coal has a width of 4,062 yards, which may be extended to 5,500 yards, by
adding only 1,400 yards for the elongation of this band to the south-east of
the borehole No. 1.
Again, in admitting the existence of a basin, in the form the boreholes Nos.
2 and 4 would seem to indicate, this zone of 5,500 yards, only takes in the
part which is inclined to the south-east, and it may be easily conjectured
that the opposite part towards the north-west will have at least the same
breadth. One can, therefore, easily understand all the
DISCUSSION—THE NEW COAL BASIN, ETC. 25
importance which this new basin presents. The breadth of which, upon this
calculation, extends to at least 6^ miles. *
In these portions of the Belgian coal-field, which are the most productive,
this width is scarcely attained.
In short, the boreholes, 1, 3, and 4, appear to have been very favourably
situated, and indicate that the coal can be safely and economically worked
to the dip at each of these stations, f
Mr. Lebour wished to point out that there were two startling theories
enunciated in this paper which he thought were well worthy of discussion and
consideration. One was, that it was held to be a probable theory that when a
dislocated area was found in a coal-field, by searching further to the north
of it coal would probably be found in more regular formations; the second
theory was, that the great coal-fields of Wurtemberg and Northwestern
Europe, generally, were simply part of a former great spread of
coal-measures which ran as far as Scotland, and therefore included both the
North of England and the Yorkshire coal-fields. This last was a question
that had been debated by very able men, and was noticed in the Coal
Commission Eeport, but had been strongly reported against by men of
standing. These two points were well worthy of further consideration and
discussion.
The Chairman asked if any gentleman would favour the meeting with remarks or
ask any questions which might be reported to the writer of the paper ? It
seemed to come to them rather in a new form and shape; he was not himself
prepared to discuss questions of such importance as the existence of
coal-fields so far distant from England, or of admitting or combatting the
theory that they extended into England. He had a very strong opinion that,
on the contrary, these coal-fields did not extend into this country, and he
believed that the boreholes around London and in the neighbouring southern
counties would not reach coal in our day. He would have liked very much if
Professor Lambert had given them a
* The coal reached by the four boreholes is reported to be either
manufacturing or gas coal; and there is no doubt, considering the extent of
the basin, but that it will contain three varieties of coal, namely,
anthracitic, manufacturing, and gas.
fThe general map representing the Belgian and German coal basins, is taken
from a publication of Mr. Burat, to which has been added the prolongation of
the Northern part of the Westphalia basin, recently discovered, and the new
basin at Sittard.
VOIj. XXVI.—1876.
J)
26 DISCUSSION—THE NEW COAL BASIN, ETC.
broad section right across the country, to have shown the cretaceous and the
tertiary strata, and the millstone grit, with the coal-measures in the
position they held relatively towards each other. He had a strong impression
that these were not conformable with each other, but Professor Lambert
seemed to insinuate that they were.
Mr. Charles Cochrane said, that with regard to the Sub-Wealden borings, Mr.
Willett, the late secretary to the Boring Works Committee, stated in the
last report to the British Association that they had nearly given up all
hope of finding coal at anything approaching a depth which could be reached,
and it was very doubtful whether any further borings would be continued.
Mr. Lebour said, that the report by Mr. Willett, mentioned by the last
speaker, was an exceedingly prejudiced one, in which Mr. Willett gave his
own personal opinion only, that the borehole could not be continued with any
hope of success either there or in any place in the same neighbourhood ; but
he (Mr. L.) was very happy to be able to state that Mr. Willett's opinions
were not shared by a single other member of the Committee. Mr. Willett had
most ably helped the cause of the boring with his purse, and with his
influence in the South of England, and it was a pity that his convictions
prevented his continuing to act as he had done, but he hoped this would not
stop the undertaking, which was one of the greatest importance, both
geologically and commercially, in an indirect way. Whether coal was reached
or not, had nothing to do with the question of the utility of the
undertaking. It had already proved to us several points of great value in
British geology ; as for instance, an enormous thickening of part of the
Jurassic series in the South of England, which had already given rise to
some theoretical considerations of great interest. Mr. Willett's report,
however, recently read at the British Association meeting, was followed by
one by Mr. Topley, who had for some time past acted as geological adviser to
the committee, containing diametrically opposite views. Major Beaumont
having promised to continue the hole at a low cost per foot, they had
succeeded in obtaining a further grant of a hundred pounds from the British
Association to aid in continuing the present boring. The subscription list
was therefore again open, and any gentleman who would like to do good to his
country had better add his name to it, and follow the example of the British
Association.
The Chairman asked what depth they had got to ?
Mr. Lebour said he could not tell exactly, but roughly it was about 2,000
feet.
DISCUSSION—THE NEW COAL BASIN, ETC. 27
The Chairman—In what position ?
Mr. Lebour said it was at Netherfield, close to Battle Abbey.
Mr. William Cochrane asked what was the diameter of the last borehole ?
Mr. Lebour—Very small indeed ; he should think about two inches, certainly
not more than that; it was a continuation of a hole which they began at nine
inches. The rods at present had broken in the hole, but in spite of all
difficulties the work was going to be continued, so that besides a hope
(which, however, he did not share) of getting to the coal-measures, there
certainly was every prospect of having the boring carried down another 500
or 1,000 feet, and that was of great importance, because they had now
reached the base of the Kimmeridge clay in which they had stuck so long. The
stratum they had reached looked very like some of the older Jurassic rocks,
so that they might hope very soon either to come to the carboniferous rocks,
or else to still older rocks lying below them, where it was known there was
no hope of coal. Considering, however, the vast amount of denudation which
the Silurian rocks, in the nearest districts which can be appealed to for
evidence, have undergone, it may reasonably be supposed that there may be
many hollows or valleys in them filled even now with carboniferous rocks,
although it was perhaps more probable that these rocks would belong to the
lower carboniferous series, without coal, or with very little coal, than
that they should belong to the coal-bearing measures.
The Chairman remarked, in answer to Mr. Lebour, that he expected that one of
the great points which maintained the hopes of the gentlemen who were
engaged in such an arduous undertaking would seem to be the absence of some
one or other of the geological series by the effect of denudation and the
subsequent super-deposition of others. There was more than one instance in
Scotland where some of the upper permians and tertiaries were present and
some were absent, and yet the coal formation appeared in its place. This
state of things might possibly exist in the South of England, namely, the
upper permians and tertiaries might be regularly passed through to the
Silurian, and no appearance of coal be discovered, or the opposite. He hoped
that when this paper passed into the hands of the members of this Institute
they would be kind enough to get up their geology, and that some of the
young men particularly, who had more time than those engaged in active
business, would give the paper their study, and favour the Institute with a
few remarks on the subject. It was a very wide field, and offered plenty of
room for the observation of intelligent people, and no one should hesitate
28 DISCUSSION----THE NEW COAL BASIN, ETC.
because his surmises appeared to rest only on speculation, for geology was a
subject not yet so well denned but that speculation and theory might be
supported by future exploration.
Mr. W. Cochrane proposed a vote of thanks to the author of the paper and to
Mr. Bunning for haying brought the subject before the meeting.
Mr. Ramsay seconded the motion, and it was carried by acclamation.
The Chairman asked if any gentleman would wish to make remarks upon the
paper " On the Coal Measures and Oil Produce of America" which he had
introduced to their notice. He would be very happy if there were any
questions which he could answer in order to clear up any point which had
been left undefined. He did not pretend to be perfectly master of all the
geological features of that great continent, neither did he wish them to
assume that the general map accompanying the paper had been compiled from
his own personal observations. He had availed himself of the American
Government Records, placed at his disposal by the intervention of a friend
at Washington, and thinking the present too valuable to remain shut up in
his study he had had it copied, and hoped thereby to add to the value of the
Institute Transactions. The American people were, he thought, in advance of
the British nation in their statistics ; they take care to have a register
of every determined circumstance which interests their country collected for
the information of Congress—diagrams showing the population, the relative
numbers of the different races which form the population, the progress and
locality of disease, the crops and weather, the amount of drainage and the
quantity of wood and water, with geological surveys and maps. The
circumstance which first led him to write his paper was, that there is no
mention whatever in the Institute Records of the origin and production of
mineral oil. He had not attempted to detail to them their mode of boring for
it, their mode of lifting it by pumps, transporting by pipes, nor the mode
in which they clarify and distill it, and make it into the varieties of oils
for commerce. The reason why he did not do so was, because any one desirous
of obtaining information on these points could find it in a work called " A
Practical Treatise on Coal, Petroleum, and other Distilled Oils," by Mr.
Abraham Gesner, assisted by Mr. George Weltden Gesner, consulting chemist
and engineer. There were some specimens upon the table wdiich Mr. G. C.
Greenwell had had the opportunity of collecting, which were very
interesting, and could be examined by any gentleman who wished to
DISCUSSION—COAL MEASURES OF AMERICA, ETC. 29
look at them. If Mr. Isaac Lowthian Bell had been there that day, he (Mr.
Boyd) would not have hesitated to ask him to have lent them his specimens to
be brought before the Institute, more particularly his specimens of iron
ore. That gentleman went over, he believed, chiefly for the purpose of
writing a paper for the Iron and Steel Institute of England, to define the
relative position of the American and British people as manufacturers of
iron, and his paper was well worthy the perusal of members.
Mr. Wm. Cochrane said, with respect to the specimens upon the table, to
which the chairman had alluded, they were shown to illustrate a position
that was taken at the last meeting by Mr. Green well with reference to the
formation of anthracite. At the time he (Mr. C.) hardly agreed with Mr.
Greenwell, but now he had considered and compared the specimens, he found
they did not differ so far as he then imagined. The interesting point to
discuss was, whether a coal-basin in which the seams changed gradually from
bituminous to anthracitic coals had been originally deposited as bituminous
coals, and if the anthracitic coals had been so converted by the local
application of heat, the vicinity of dykes, or by other circumstances which
might cause any single deposit of coal to assume the various forms of
bituminous, semi-bituminous, house and steam coal, and then finally assume
the form of anthracite. He considered that the original deposit of coal had
been affected by particular atmospheric conditions or variations of pressure
or heat, to which it had been subjected, or all of these, and so had
contained within itself from the first the elements of variety, or had
acquired them shortly after its formation. Comparing the specimens of
American anthracite on the table with the Welsh anthracites, he ventured to
assert that there was no such perfect anthracite in this country as in
America, and his opinion, he thought, would be shared by those who compared
the specimens now before them—the Welsh specimen exhibited being from the
Pump-quart seam, which was supposed to contain the purest anthracite in
Wales. It would be remarked that the fractures of the two specimens were
different. He had brought there some specimens of the limestone strata, in
which the petroleum oils were discovered, and also specimens of a stone coal
obtained in the neighbourhood of the Whinsill of Cumberland. In the latter
specimen they would see a coal which had been entirely changed by heat and
pressure, but which in no way could be considered anthracitic.
Mr. Lebotjr asked Mr. Cochrane whether he had ever noticed in the anthracite
of America any fossils similarly preserved, for instance, to those in the
specimen he held of anthracite from South Wales, which had on it some most
beautiful vegetable remains, but in such a state of pre-
30 DISCUSSION—COAL MEASURES OF AMERICA, ETC,
servation that the outer texture had become true coal ? There was no sign
whatever of any baking having taken place in these beds. No baking could
have taken place and left these plants in that condition. Besides this,
there were no dykes or eruptions of trap in South Wales to account for these
anthracitic rocks on the local application of heat theory. Coal in contact
with basalt in this district became coke and not anthracite. Might he ask
whether similar natural coking had been seen in the anthracitic districts?
There was one other feature in connection with anthracite which he thought
was very remarkable, that was the occasional ridgy structure of the coal.
There were in the Museum of Newcastle one or two beautiful specimens of this
structure j and he believed that it was entirely limited to anthracites. It
existed, he was told, wherever they found that the coal was anthracitic,
although in other parts the same seam might be bituminous ; and he heard the
other day that one seam in South Wales was known by this ridgy structure
over something like ten miles. In other places this structure had only been
found in the neighbourhood of faults, but it had never, so far as he knew,
been found out of anthracite coal.
Mr. Cochrane said this occurred in the four-feet vein in South Wales, but
that was not anthracitic. There was a similarly peculiar formation in the
Lancashire cannels, called " curly cannel." He should attribute its origin
to some kind of squeeze.
Mr. Lebour said the fact he had mentioned had been remarked by Professors
Harkness and James Thomson, namely, that this curly structure had never been
seen.
Mr. Cochrane said he had not seen any fossils in anthracite. Those shown by
Mr. Greenwell were not in anthracite, but in anthracitic shale, forming
either the roof or the floor of the seam. In America, the great mammoth vein
of anthracite had a conglomerate for both the roof and the floor.
The Chairman said, before concluding the discussion, he would simply draw
attention to the remark of Mr. Greenwell as compared with Mr. Cochrane's. He
could quite understand Mr. Cochrane not giving up the theory which he at
first promulgated—that this anthracite was affected by underground heat. It
was quite within the range of reason that coal deposited by peat bogs might
vary in character, according to the local circumstances ; but he must at the
same time, whilst favouring the view which Mr. Cochrane had taken, draw
their attention to the words which Mr. Greenwell used during the last
discussion. (Page 114, Vol. XXY.)
DISCUSSION—COAL MEASURES OF AMERICA, ETC. 31
Mr. Cochrane thought that the process described by Mr. Boyd would form a
bituminous and not an anthracitic coal. He thought Mr. Greenwell meant that
if the volatile gases were not prevented from escaping by super-imposed
strata, anthracite would be the result.
The Chairman asked if the question would not be answered by ascertaining
whether all the anthracites known were in the neighbourhood of plutonic
action ?
Mr. Lebour said they were not so. In South Wales there were no igneous
rocks.
The Chairman asked if there was any bituminous coal underneath the
anthracite ?
Mr. Cochrane—No, not in Wales. The anthracite is the lowest.
The Chairman thought it exceedingly interesting to endeavour to account for
the fact of these coals appearing in this anthracitic condition, in
contra-distinction to the bituminous one, and it was a matter which he
thought was well worth the study of young men. In conclusion, he was sorry
to have to remark that the oil produce in America had begun to fail. This
was a very important fact, for although coal-g beautiful
illuminating power in large centres, the poor man who could not get gas in
the country could now have a very brilliant light in his cottage from
mineral oils; and if, as some Americans had the impression, six years would
exhaust the supply, where were we to seek shales of that character which
would discharge oils to the surface by merely puncturing them with a bore ?
In his paper, he thought he made a remark that it might be necessary
eventually to fall back entirely for the manufacture of oil out of the shale
itself by distillation, as is now being done in some parts of Great Britain.
Mr. Cochrane thought the case put by the Chairman was very much like that of
the man who at the present moment finds gold nuggets, and is satisfied with
them till he is compelled to go to the quartz rock and crush it to get gold
dust. He had a specimen of limestone on the table which contained oil; in
fact, it was a portion of the limestone used for some of the buildings of
Chicago. This limestone outcropped over a large area. He had chipped these
specimens out of the rock near the surface. When he got them they smelt
strongly of petroleum, and there was one piece so thoroughly charged that
the petroleum ran out.
After a vote of thanks to the Chairman, which was unanimously carried, the
meeting separated.
PROCEEDINGS. 33
PROCEEDINGS.
GENBKAL MEETING, SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 4, 1876, IN THE WOOD MEMORIAL HALL.
LINDSAY WOOD, Esq., President, in the Chair.
The Secretary read the minutes of the last meeting, which were confirmed and
signed, together with the proceedings of the Council meeting, held on
October 28th.
The President said, with regard to the minutes of the Council meeting just
read, it was thought advisable that the members might have an opportunity of
visiting some of the interesting and important works in the immediate
district in a quiet way, without putting the firms that should favour them
by allowing an inspection to any expense for refreshment. In this way it was
thought that they would be more likely to get real benefit from their
visits; they had, therefore, instructed the Secretary to suggest some
excursions, and when the Council had decided which should be adopted, the
matter would again be brought before the members.
The following gentlemen were then elected :—
Members— Mr. W. J. H. Ryder, Manager, Forth Street Brass Works, Newcastle.
Mr. John Douglas Maughan, Viewer, Hebburn Colliery, near Newcastle. Mr. John
Robinson, Hebburn Colliery, near Newcastle. Mr. Robert Elsdon, 76, Manor
Road, Upper New Cross, London. Mr. John Bell, Mining Engineer, Cleveland.
Mr. John Austine, Coal Owner, Cadzow Coal Company, Glasgow.
Students— Mr. A. W. Peart, Mining Offices, Tynemouth. Mr. W. C. Blackett,
Mining Offices, Tynemouth. Mr. E. E. Atkinson, Hebbum Colliery, near
Newcastle. Mr. William Geipel, Hebburn Colliery, near Newcastle. Mr. Charles
E. White, Hebburn Colliery, near Newcastle. Mr. George Robinson, Hebburn
Colliery, near Newcastle. Mr. 0. Gilpin-Brown, Hetton Colliery, Fence
Houses. Mr. Chris. C. Davidson, Hetton Colliery, Fence Houses. Mr. John T.
Todd, Hetton-le-Holc, Fence Houses.
VOL. XXVI.-X876.
-pi
34 PROCEEDINGS.
The following were nominated for election at the next meeting :— Member— Mr.
S. H. F. Cox, M.E., Lower Carloggas, St. Colnmb, Cornwall.
Students—
Mr. E. C. E. Williams, Aberdare Rhondda Collieries, Kir wain, South Wales.
Mr. Alfred W. Tucker, Tanfield Lea Colliery, Lintz Green Station,
near
Newcastle. Mr. Robert Fowler, Wearmouth Colliery, Sunderland. Mr. John
Wilson, Jun., Wearmouth Colliery, Sunderland. Mr. Arthur Ernest Wood,
Pemberton Colliery, Wigan. Mr. Frank F. Forsyth, Lofthouse Station Colliery,
Wakefield. Mr. Ernest Locke, Peases' West Collieries, Darlington.
Mr. A. Freire-Marreco then read the following " Further Notes on the Gases
Occluded by Different Coal" :—
GASES OCCLUDED BY DIFFERENT COAL. 35
FURTHER NOTES ON THE GASES OCCLUDED BY DIFFERENT COAL.
By Mr. A. FREIRE-MARRECO.
Mr. Marreco said that the paper which he had to read was an exceedingly
short one ; but he had thought it might interest members to learn that Mr.
Thomas had, by fresh examinations of coal, filled up the gap in his former
paper, and rendered the list of coals which he had examined a tolerably
complete one. He did not expect to be able to make his notes very
intelligible without referring to the original paper of Mr. Thomas in the
Journal of the Chemical Society, for August, 1876, which was a somewhat
lengthy one, and in which Mr. Thomas had published the result of some
examinations of Wigan cannel, Scotch cannel, cannel shale, and Whitby jet;
but he (Mr. Marreco) had thought that an abstract of those results might
supplement the former paper and form an interesting addition to what was
already known of the subject. It would be unnecessary for him to go into
them in detail, as the table appended—
Gas Car- TTvrlT-irlp
evolved by bonic Marsh •^"¦iiue Quar.
SAMPLE. 100 grms. anhy- gas
¦p4.v,„i tane or Nitrogen,
at 100° in dride C HI rfe1^ Ethyl,
vacuo. C 02. OJ Mb-
Wigan Cannel, 5/3 Seam, 350 yds..
deep ............421\5cc 6'44 80-69 475 ...
8-12
Wigan Cannel, 3/2 Seam, 600 yds..
deep ............350-6 cc 905 77'19 7"80 ...
5'96
Scotch (Heywood) Cannel, Wilson-town ............16-8 cc 53-94
......... 46-06
Scotch (Lesmahago) Cannel ... 55-7 cc 84-55 ......j 0-9]8
I14'54
Whitehill Cannel Shale, Lasswade 55-7 cc 68*75 ... 2-67
... 28-58
Whitby Jet (finest quality) ... 30-2 cc 10-93 ......
86-90 2-17
36 GASES OCCLUDED BY DIFFERENT COAL.
shows sufficiently the points in which they differ from those obtained with
the Welsh coals by a precisely similar method. It may be noticed, however,
that the analysis was embarrassed in the case of No. 2 (Wigan cannel) by the
somewhat considerable evolution of condensible hydrocarbons. The effect of a
higher temperature (200° 0) was examined in this instance with not very
satisfactory results ; a considerable additional evolution of gas took
place, the analysis of which was unsatisfactory from the presence of
considerable quantities of condensible products. Mr. Thomas concludes that
many of the higher terms of the paraffin series exist, in a highly condensed
form, in this coal. He might remind the meeting that Mr. Thomas had found
that coal heated in vacuo, say to a temperature of 100° centigrade, seems to
give off an appreciable quantity of gas. It is known that coal heated to 100
degrees in air is not expected to give off anything to signify; and Mr.
Thomas had found that in vacuo in the cold it did not seem to give off
anything more ; but when heated to 100 degrees in the vacuum of the Sprengel
pump, it gave off gases and condensible hydrocarbons. He had occasion, a
good many years ago, to experiment on the amount of hydrocarbons which could
be obtained from Scotch cannels by mechanical solvents, such as benzole, &c.
Although he could not find the note-book with the results, he remembered
obtaining only very small traces of those hydrocarbons. That seemed of
interest, as rendering all the more difficult speculation as to what the
condition of the hydrocarbons in the coal really is. It could hardly be
imagined they were formed, at the temperature employed in the experiment;
therefore, it seemed necessary to conclude that they existed in the coal to
begin with, yet how they should exist and not be extracted by mechanical
solvents seemed rather difficult to understand; but putting the two results
together it did seem to be so. There was another point which he had not
alluded to. When the coal was subjected to a very prolonged joint action of
the vacuum and heat, if he understood Mr. Thomas' details rightly, not only
did the quantity of the products increase but their quality appeared to vary
as the action went on. Late on in the action volatile products seemed to
come off which condensed to crystalline solids, and he thought this was one
point of interest in the paper; because it did seem, taken by itself, to
suggest the possibility of some at least of these hydrocarbons being
products of the action. Hydrocarbons originally contained in the coal one
would have expected to have found more nearly the same from end to end of
the action. If that should be confirmed by further experiments he thought it
would be interesting, as showing tliat the action of heat upon these coals
began at a very much lower tempera-
DISCUSSION—GASES OCCLUDED BY COAL. 37
ture than he had previously supposed. He thought that this was a point of
direct interest as bearing upon the spontaneous combustion of coal. It had
been the custom to consider that the action did not begin practically under
600 degrees Fahrenheit. They had occasion, at the time to which the
experiments to which he had previously referred were made, to examine the
action of heat with the view of ascertaining the very lowest temperature at
which they could get any sensible evolution of hydrocarbons from cannel. The
lowest temperature at which they got sensible results was in a bath of
molten lead with particles of unmelted metal. He supposed they would not be
very far wrong if they took the temperature of that bath at between 600 and
620 degrees Fahrenheit, and that was about the lowest temperature at which
they had been able to obtain any sensible yield of hydrocarbons, and was
much lower than the temperature which had been previously taken as the
commencing point of decomposition. Now, Mr. Thomas' results, he thought,
seemed to point to this, that the reaction commenced, although very slowly,
at a very much lower temperature.
Mr. Greenwell asked if that applied to the evolution of these hydrocarbons
from coal, or did it refer to what might be an evolution of hydrocarbons
from the substances of which coal is composed previously to its having been
made into coal ?
Mr. Marreco thought Mr. Thomas' results pointed to the hydrocarbons having
been formed by actual dissociation within the coal itself.
Mr. Greenwell—Then, would not that apply, for instance, to a possibility of
the hydrocarbons being evolved at a much lower temperature from the
vegetable matter of which coal is composed, supposing that to be done
previously to its consolidation into coal ?
Mr. Marreco thought it was quite possible they might be evolved, but the
temperature at which coal was formed was not known.
Mr. A. L. Steavenson thought it was pretty well ascertained that action took
place when the coal was exposed to the atmosphere. As, for instance, in a
heap of coal a certain amount of distillation goes on, and that coal
afterwards was not of so much value as before. Would it not be supposed that
this was a sign that at a low temperature a certain amount of distillation
goes on ?
Mr. Marreco said that it was a well ascertained fact that a certain amount
of the gases occluded by coal was lost in weathering, but he did not think
that that pointed to an actual process of distillation.
38 DISCUSSION—GASES OCCLUDED BY COAL.
Mr. Steavenson'—To an analogous process ?
Mr. Marreco—Hardly. Of course, if the coal heated up sensibly, this effect
was produced.
Mr. Steavenson said, that frequently, even when the coal had not been
heated, he had noticed that it had very much deteriorated in the heap.
Mr. Marreco said, he pointed out some time ago that two of Mr. Thomas'
results taken together showed that a certain amount of chemical change goes
on in the weathering of coal; because, if coal which contained, any quantity
were taken to start with, and put to weather, it would be found that it gave
off less gas, representing a certain loss during the action. But if a
quantity of coal completely exhausted of gas were taken to begin with, and
exposed like the first for fifteen or eighteen weeks, and then heated again,
it gave off an additional quantity of gas. Even that lost quantity, he took
it, did not represent the whole quantity of gas which had been formed in the
coal during the exposure, but it represented that amount minus a certain
quantity which had been lost during the same time; because if the coal which
is saturated with gas, so to speak, loses a certain quantity during
weathering, it would scarcely be expected that the second portion of
exhausted coal should retain all the gases which had been produced in it. So
that he thought there could be little doubt that exposure to the weather
induced sensible chemical action, but whether it should be called
distillation or not is a different thing.
Mr. Steavenson said it was so long since the paper was read that he did not
remember it exactly ; but he thought they had all noticed that a blower of
gas went on for years at an almost undiminishing rate. He did not exactly
see how that gas was generated, how it was given; off, or indeed where it
came from, and it was very difficult to trace.
Mr. Greenwell said, that it did come to an end, because it would be
recollected that the large blower of gas which came from one of the pits at
Wallsend continued to blaze for a great number of years, and gradually died
out.
Mr. Steavenson said the blowers would die out, but still it was
extraordinary the length of time they would continue.
The President said they were very much obliged to Professor Marreco for the
trouble he had taken in preparing the details which he had favoured them
with. They would, no doubt, be much better understood when printed.
Mr. Gr. C. Greenwell then read the following Kemarks on Anthracite ;
suggested by Mr. Boyd's paper, " On the Coal-Measures and Oil-Produce of
America," read April 1st, 1876 :—
COAL-MEASURES AND OIL-PRODUCE OF AMERICA. 39
KBMAKKS ON ANTHRACITE ; SUGGESTED BY ME. BOYD'S PAPER, "ON THE COAL-MEASURES
AND OIL-PRODUCE OE AMERICA," READ APRIL 1, 1876.
By Me. G. C. GREENWBLL.
At page 155, Yol. XXY., Mr. Boyd says:—"Whether or not the anthracites are
the same or a part of the bituminous coals, converted by their nearer
approach to the older and harder rocks, and by plutonic action, into their
nearly pure carbon condition (said to be 93 per cent, of solid carbon), the
writer does not venture to express an opinion;" and at page 173, during the
discussion which ensued, Mr. Cochrane said :—" But respecting the reasons
which had been given as to the change—one of which was that the anthracite
was in the volcanic region and the bituminous was away from it—Mr. Boyd
hazarded the theory that the bituminous coal had been formed into anthracite
by plutonic agency. He believed that the American geologists who had offered
any opinion upon it did not think that the coal was formed as a bituminous
coal primarily and then altered by heat, but that the anthracitic coal was
absolutely formed as anthracitic under conditions favourable to such
formation. What these were was matter of speculation, but as against the
theory of a bituminous coal being converted into anthracite, he did not know
of any fossils being found in anthracite." The following table of analyses
is taken from a paper on anthracite, which was read by the writer of these
remarks at the meeting of the Manchester Geological Society on November
28th, 1871 :—
40 COAL-MEASURES AND OIL-PRODUCE OF AMERICA.
As the paper here quoted may probably not have reached many of the members
of this Institute, the following further extract may be made from it as
showing the writer's theory as to the formation of [anthracite, and how
arrived at:—
"The most striking difference between anthracite and other coals
consists in the fact, that in anthracite only do we find that the carbon and
ash added together (both of which are contained in the coke) amount to
the coke left by each coal. Thus in the Welsh anthracite above analyzed
we have—
Carbon .....................91-44
Ash........................ T52
-------92-96
And Coke..................... 92-9
And corroborative of this we find in an analysis of Slievardagh Irish
anthracite given in the third report on the coals suited to the steam navy,
by the late Sir H. de la Beche and Dr. Lyon Playfair :—
Carbon .....................80-03
Ash........................10-80
-------90-83
And Coke..................... 90-10
The slight discrepancy being no doubt owing to the oxygen which in the
analysis is included in the ash.
In the other coals we find in the case of bituminous coal—
Carbon .....................82'61
Ash........................ 1-53
-------84-14
And Coke ..................... 64-00
And in that of free burning coal—
Carbon .....................78-53
Ash........................ 4-03
-------82-56
And Coke .................... 54-22
And even in the description of Welsh steam coal (not anthracite), containing
the largest amount of carbon, and given in Sir H. de la Beche and Dr.
Playfair's report, that from Aberaman Merthyr, we have—
Carbon .....................90-94
Ash........................ 1-45
-------92-39
And Coke..................... 85-00
From the above we arrive at the conclusion—
1. That it is not the amount of carbon contained in the mineral that
constitutes it an anthracite.
COAL-MEASURES AND OIL-PRODUCE OP AMERICA. 41
2. That it is the entire absence of the volatile (or perhaps more properly
speaking, volatilizable) hydrocarbons, the carbon contained in which passing
off during the coking process. We thus obtain one grand distinction between
anthracite and all other coals.
Pursuing this examination further we arrive at the conclusion that free
burning coal contains the largest amount of volatile hydrocarbons of the
three descriptions of coal investigated, and that it approaches nearest in
composition to peat.
In considering the origin of peat, it is at any rate acknowledged that it is
in a comparatively slight degree removed from existing vegetable matter. And
what do we find to have taken place in the process of change ?
We find that in mass for mass, as compared with wood, peat contains a
greater proportion of carbon, a little less hydrogen, and considerably less
oxygen ; and we also know that the vegetable matter has become peat from, to
a certain extent, the conversion having been formed under water, and where
it was consequently unexposed to the action of the atmosphere. If, then, a
certain process of fermentation or chemical action has the effect of
converting what was originally vegetable matter, pure and simple, into peat,
a continuation of the same process would a fortiori convert it into a mass
with a greater proportion of carbon, a little less hydrogen, and
considerably less oxygen than those contained in the peat before it was
subjected to this further process ; and by the same train of reasoning we
can ultimately arrive at the formation of anthracite. All that is necessary
to account for the production of a varied condition in the result from the
same origin is, that in the progress from vegetation, or rather vegetable
matter to anthracite, the progress of change should be arrested by the
superposition of such deposits of sand or shale as would completely check
the action which has been referred to ; and I think that it is quite
consistent with reason that as the superincumbent masses increased and
exercised greater pressure, we should have such development of the latent
heat of the compressed vegetable mass as fully to account for such phenomena
as we have hitherto attributed to heat developed by other and external
causes."
As to the expression by Mr. Cochrane, that " he did not know of any fossils
being found in anthracite," if that expression be meant to apply to the
actual existence of fossil remains in the coal itself, the writer never
having seen any, can offer no remark ; but if it is meant to apply to the
existence of fossils in the shale immediately overlying the coal, the speci-
VOL. XXVI.—1876.
ji
42 COAL-MEASURES AND OIL-PRODUCE OF AMERICA.
mens from the roofs of anthracite at Yniscedwyn and Saundersfoot are a
sufficient answer.
The fact of a fossil plant being found adjacent to anthracite is no proof in
itself that there was no igneous agency. Straws put with small coal coked in
a coke-oven preserve all their form and beauty to as great an extent as is
shown in the Lepidodendron, Lepidostrobus, and Calamite, now exhibited.
But it is necessary to go further. It is insufficient to show how anthracite
could be produced without igneous agency; this would be only a negative
proof. It must be shown why its formation is incompatible with such an
agency.
In the first place anthracite does not present the appearance of bituminous
coal subjected subterraneously to heat; the effect produced is shown in the
two specimens exhibited, one of which is a piece of " blacked" coal from the
neighbourhood of Dudley, in Worcestershiie, and shows the contact of the
green rock or basalt with the cindered coal. The other specimen is a piece
of cindered coal from the four-feet seam at Poynton, in the vicinity of a
large fault. In this latter case the thickness of the coal is unaltered.
As distinguished from these is a specimen of anthracite from South Wales,
which it will be observed has the conchoidal fracture and lustre of Mr.
Boyd's specimen from the American coal-field. In addition to the above
argument there is one founded on the condition in which clay-band ironstone
is discovered when in the neighbourhood of igneous rocks, and when-in the
neighbourhood of anthracite.
A specimen of ironstone, calcined red, has been obtained from the
coal-measures underlying the basalt of Salisbury Crag, at Edinburgh, and is
here shown, and also a specimen of ironstone, calcined red, from the
vicinity of the fault at Poynton, above referred to.
The Anthracosia shown here, which is a piece of clay-band ironstone, is in
the ordinary state of clay-band stone uncalcined, and is from the roof of an
anthracite seam at Saundersfoot, in Pembrokeshire ; and the clay-band
ironstones overlying the anthracite of Carmarthenshire are in the ordinary
condition of such ores. A comparison may also be made between the shale
underlying the basalt at Edinburgh and the shale overlying the anthracite at
Yniscedwyn.
It may still be said that although the above arguments may go to prove that
anthracite may be produced without igneous agency, and that its production
is incompatible with igneous agency, they at best can only succeed to a
certain extent; they may only go to prove that the heat which
DISCUSSION—COAL-MEASURES, ETC., OP AMERICA. 43
may have altered coal into anthracite was insufficient to cinder the coal or
to calcine the ironstone.
But it is replied that after arguments have been given in favour of the
production of anything being attributable to simply natural causes, the onus
of proving the contrary must rest with those who are not satisfied with the
attribution of results to the ordinary course of events.
Mr. E. E. Boyd said, they would all feel very much obliged to Mr. Greenwell
for his very great kindness in bringing his views on this important subject
before the meeting, and in travelling so far to personally expound them. He
thought they would be all very ready to admit that Mr. Greenwell's mode of
accounting for the changes which occurred in coal seams by the evaporation
of gases by atmospheric action, and by the pressure of superincumbent
strata, seem amply conclusive ; and he was himself quite satisfied that the
reasons given would be sufficient to account for the production of coal in
an anthracitic condition without the action of plutonic heat: there must
have been a certain amount of heat in the formation of any bed of coal, and
that heat arising in the way which Mr. Greenwell has so clearly described,
had only to be somewhat varied to account for the difference of the results,
shown in the varieties of coal in the specimens before them. When ironstone
was brought into immediate contact with the action of plutonic heat it was
altered in a very different manner. He was only sorry that he himself had
not had an opportunity of investigating these points ; he did not come in
contact with any one in the district through which he travelled who had
sufficiently accurate information on the subject to give him. He had
hazarded the opinion of plutonic action simply from the fact of these
anthracites being so very near to a large district of mountain country which
was of plutonic origin.
Mr. Lebour said, he wished only to repeat what he said in the discussion on
Mr. Boyd's paper at the last meeting, namely, that although the difference
between anthracitic and bituminous coals in Wales was such as led people to
believe that the former had been baked by heat, yet there was no geological
evidence to support this opinion. There were no igneous rocks either in
contact with or near those coals; and moreover, whenever coal approached or
came in contact with eruptions of igneous rocks in the North of England, or
almost anywhere else, coke or cindered coal, like that which Mr. Greenwell
showed that day, and not anthracite, was the result. Kecently, however,
he came across an American paper on a dis-
44 DISCUSSION—COAL-MEASURES, ETC., OP AMERICA.
trict of New Mexico, that described a large series of lignitiferous rocks
of, he believed, secondary age. There the lignites were strongly bituminous
in character over the greater part of the field 5 but at a certain part of
it there was a great eruption of newer tertiary porphyries, and wherever
these porphyries occurred, there the lignites ceased to be bituminous and
became true anthracites.
Mr. Boyd—The porphyries overlying the lignites ?
Mr. Lebour—Cutting through them in the shape of dykes.
Mr. Boyd—And overlying it afterwards ?
Mr. Lebour said, that he did not know, but certainly cutting through them in
the shape of dykes, and in the vicinity of those dykes and over the district
which was acted upon by these porphyritic outbursts, the lignite was stated
to have become anthracitic. He simply mentioned this paper as worthy of
notice, although it was quite against the experience which geologists had
hitherto obtained.
Mr. Boyd said, he did not know that they had got an answer to the question
put in a former discussion, viz., if any proof could be had in any part of
Wales that a seam which appeared bituminous in one situation was anthracitic
in another ?
Mr. Greenwell—The nine-feet seam, which is a well-known seam, is a sort of
semi-bituminous coal in the district near Cardiff; and it appears as a pure
anthracite in Carmarthenshire.
Mr. J. B. Simpson said, that when in South "Wales he was given to understand
that in that district there was an example of a bituminous seam lying
between two anthracitic seams ; he had no means of proving this assertion,
but if that were the case it would considerably diminish the probability of
the baking theory being correct.
Mr. Greenwell said, that was perfectly consistent with the theory he had
endeavoured to broach.
Mr. Boyd—It is not only consistent with it but it is in its favour.
Mr. Bewick said, he thought the causes by which some seams of coal were
bituminous and others anthracitic were as yet unknown, and that what had
just been mentioned with reference to fche South Wales coals bore out that
view. It was well known that the coal in the eastern part of the South Wales
field is principally bituminous, and that in the western portion of the
field the same seams are anthracite. No local circumstances that he knew of
arising from the effects of porphyritic rocks, or igneous eruptions, would
account for the anthracite abounding more in one portion of the basin than
in the other, nor yet was there anything on the surface to account for it,
for as a rule they would find that the anthra-
DISCUSSION—COAL-MEASURES, ETC., OF AMERICA. 45
citic coals in Pembrokeshire and to the western portion of that basin had
less covering than the bituminous coal in the eastern portion. Of course
there might have been greater denudation in one place than in another, but
he could not but think that there must have been some agency at work of
which literally nothing at present was known. He did not believe that any
heat, such as might arise through the agency of dykes which cindered the
coal, would account for it being anthracitic in one place and bituminous in
another in the same district, and this was particularly exemplified in the
case of the South Wales coal-field.
Mr. Greenwell said, Mr. Bewick was perfectly right in speaking about the
change from bituminous coal into anthracite progressing from east to west in
South Wales ; and as to the question of igneous rocks, he (Mr. G.) did not
mean to say there were none in South Wales, but he simply said that from a
pretty extensive experience, and from information at his disposal, he did
not know where there were any in the shape of dykes or otherwise.
The President thought they must have further information to settle the point
of how the difference in the two sorts of coal arises.
Mr. Greenwell said, he would only suggest that it seemed to him to be a
matter for the chemists to look into and consider, whether the heat
developed in decomposition would be sufficient to expel those hydrocarbons.
He thought it was more a chemical question than a geological one.
Mr. Steavenson said, that although he did not think heat was entirely the
cause of it, still he thought it had some effect in the alteration of the
character of the coal. Where they lately sunk through 40 feet of whin lying
horizontally they found the coal beneath so altered in its nature that when
it was put into the coke-ovens no further coking could be produced ; that
was the effect of heat undoubtedly, but still that did not give it an
anthracitic character. On the other hand, in the vicinity of hitches they
very often saw bright coal—very much like anthracite—far more so than any
coal which was altered by the effect of the whin. How faults or troubles
could produce that change he did not pretend to say.
Mr. Bewick said, that so far as the dykes or faults were concerned he
thought that in the western part of the South Wales coal-field, that is in
the anthracitic deposits, there are fewer dykes than in the other ; in fact
in the district with which he was more particularly acquainted, namely, that
already alluded to by Mr. Greenwell at Saundersfoot and towards
Haverfordwest, there were very feAv indeed.
Mr. J. B. Simpson said, he thought that in the Northern coal-fields there
46 DISCUSSION—COAL-MEASURES, ETC., OF AMERICA.
was a phenomenon which was perhaps analogous to that which occurs when a
seam changes from bituminous to anthracite coal; for instance, the change
which occurs in the low main seam in its passage through Northumberland and
Durham. In Northumberland it is a steam coal; on the Tyne it is a gas coal;
and in the Hutton seam, which is its continuation through Durham, it is a
house coal. There were thus three different qualities of coal in the same
coal seam.
Mr. Boyd—All bituminous ?
•
Mr. Simpson—Yes, certainly, but still varying considerably as to their
bituminous qualities.
Mr. Greenwell'said, if he recollected rightly, a seam of coal was found
about seven fathoms under the Permians in the Shotton sinking pits, three
feet thick, bright, but which would not burn. It was a very great number of
years since he saw it, and although not knowing very much at that time about
anthracite, yet he felt sure that the coal was purely and simply of that
nature. It was the only thing approaching to anthracite he knew near any
whin dyke, but it was too far off to be affected by that. He hoped some
gentleman would be able to give a further account of this coal, for he felt
sure that the seam was anthracite, as when put in the fire the coal came
through the bars as it went in as anthracite will do when wrongly treated.
Mr. Steavenson—Not only so, but in Cleveland some time ago it was put into a
blast furnace and it seemed to come out as it went in.
Mr. Bewick—What was the area worked ?
Mr. Greenwell—It was only sunk through ; it was not attempted to be worked.
Mr. Cooke asked Mr. Marreco if anything could be inferred from the
conchoidal nature of the fracture ?
Mr. Bewick said, with reference to the point of exposure, was there any
evidence to show how long the same seams in different places had been
exposed to atmospheric or other influences ? He thought that great
parallelism prevailed throughout the whole of the field from east to west in
South Wales, yet there were two distinct descriptions of coal. Again, if it
was a question of the depth of the overlying rocks, would not a deeper part
of the basin existing in Glamorganshire be affected where the coals are
probably four or five times the depth that they were in many parts nearer
the outcrop ? With regard to the deepest part of the South Wales coal-field
in Glamorganshire, taking a section north and south, an enormous thickness
of superincumbent strata was found, and yet the coals are bituminous. He
was not forgetting the effect of denudation, merely want-
DISCUSSION—COAL-MEASURES, ETC., OF AMERICA. 47
ing to draw attention to the fact that in the eastern part of the coal-field
there existed the thick Pennant rocks which are not in the western part;
therefore unless that was accounted for by denudation, there had been from
the first considerably greater superincumbent strata in the one case than in
the other ; and the bituminous coal was found under a greater depth of
strata, the anthracite being now comparatively near the surface.
The President understood Mr. Simpson to say there was a bituminous seam
between the two anthracite seams.
Mr. Simpson stated that he had heard so.
Mr. Bewick—If substantiated it would be a very interesting fact. He had
never heard of it.
The President—That would rather do away with the pressure theory.
Mr. Lindsay Galloway asked Mr. Greenwell whether the pressure of the
superincumbent strata was supposed to be applied suddenly or gradually ? He
did not think that any perceptible heating effect could be attributed to a
gradually increasing pressure, such as would be produced by the slow piling
up of other strata above the coal. Unless it was applied suddenly, the
pressure, however great, could not produce heat.
Mr. Greenwell stated that the changes which had taken place since the coal
was originally formed could scarcely be conceived from simply viewing the
present condition of the overlying strata. It might indeed be strictly
correct to state that these strata were formed each in its turn at the
surface after the deposition of the coal or the substances that formed it,
but it did not necessarily follow that they should be evenly deposited. The
coal might have been level originally, and even continued so, while exposed
or during the formation of the earlier covering strata, but it might also
have been subjected to upheaval, which would cause the seam to be exposed to
the atmosphere for a longer period in one part than in another, and this
would also cause the covering strata to be deposited under ever-varying
circumstances, and would account for their varied thicknesses at
comparatively insignificant distances.
Mr. Thorpe said, might he ask Mr. Greenwell if it was not possible that the
formation of anthracite coal might be due to a large mass of vegetable
matter lying in a moist state, and becoming heated, charred, similar to the
firing of a haystack ? He had seen a mass of vegetable matter the interior
of which on being opened out was perfectly charred, and the whole of the
volatile constituents driven away ; and if part of the bed of vegetable
matter, for example, was under water, it would be converted into coal by the
ordinary process. When the inundations of mud which formed the shales and
sandstones took place, this lower portion
48 DISCUSSION ON" MR. LEBOUR'S PAPER.
might be covered, but the upper portion having been exposed for a
considerably longer period, might have heated and fired, and would naturally
be formed into an anthracite.
Mr. Greenwell—While generally agreeing with these remarks, thought the
question could only be solved by a chemist.
The President asked the meeting to give a vote of thanks to Mr. Gfreenwell
for his paper, which had originated a very interesting discussion.
This was unanimously responded to.
Mr. Greenwell thought that all he had to say on the question he had said in
that paper. It was one which required a great deal of further consideration.
He had put forward this idea more as a theory than anything else, leaving it
to some other person to find a better one if he could.
Mr. Boyd said, he must not allow the opportunity to escape of personally
thanking Mr. Greenwell most sincerely for the trouble he had taken in
further elucidating that which he (Mr. Boyd) had scarcely entered upon. It
was a theory which he thought was very interesting and very well worthy of
investigation by that Institute. Any person now leaving this discussion
should keep before their mind a very simple question, viz.—Is it plutonic
action that produces the characteristics of anthracite coal, or can its
peculiarities be accounted for by Mr. Greenwell's theory ? For his part he
was now inclined to favour the latter view. He thought that coal altered by
plutonic agency, became very probably more like our coke, and was incapable
of being burned in an ordinary fire, therein differing from anthracite. He
thought most of the members would join with him in adopting Mr. Greenwell's
theory, that evaporation—he scarcely would use the word distillation, but
the escape of the gases in different proportions— seemed sufficient to
account for the differences which are found between bituminous and
anthracite coals.
Mr. Lebotjr said, with regard to the Plate LXX., Vol. XXV., which
illustrated the paper which he had the honour of reading before the
Institute, he would state that since its publication some corrections had
been made with respect to some of the thicknesses in the Wensleydale and
Cross Fell sections. It seemed from the unpublished work of the Geological
Survey in that district that the thicknesses he had given were too small,
these having been taken from the late Prof. Phillips's conjectural
measurements, which were the only ones available when he (Mr. L.) drew up
the diagrams, but now the thicknesses were found to be much greater,
especially those of the Lower Carboniferous Series along the Penine
escarpment. At the
DISCUSSION ON MR. LEBOUR'S PAPER. 49
base of No. 3 section there was a series of thick grits called Roman Fell
Grits, which were there shown as being of inconsiderable thickness. It
seemed they really were about 1,600 feet at that locality. Towards the end
of his paper he mentioned that Mr. Goodchild, of the Geological Survey, whom
he had to thank for the correction, had suggested that these Roman Fell
Grits were the representatives and equivalents of the Lowest Carboniferous
rocks. In Scotland these were known as the Cal-ciferous Sandstone Series,
and the late Mr. Tate, in Northumberland, had, in 1855, called them the
Tuedians, which name he (Mr. L.)had adopted. He had since heard from Mr.
Goodchild saying that now all the geologists who were acquainted with the
formations of the district agreed with him in considering that these grits
really did represent those Lowest Carboniferous rocks in Scotland and in the
north-west of Northumberland. Then he would like to make one observation as
to some remarks which Mr. Warington Smyth made at the London meeting. Mr.
Smyth there condemned the practice of coining new strati graphical names,
and thereby rendering geological nomenclature more confused than it is. But
referring to the Table given in Page 284, Vol. XXV., it would be remarked
that in the whole of the division containing the proposed names there was
not a single new term. The name Coal Measures was known to everybody; the
name Gannister Beds had also been used for years; Millstone Grit had been
used as far as memory goes back. The name Bernician, in the lower division,
however, he (Mr. L.) thought at the time, was a new name, and he gave it
under the impression that it would be found to be new; but a short time ago
he found that this very name had been proposed in 1856, by Dr. S. P.
Woodward, to define a well-marked division of the Carboniferous Series
which, curiously enough, proved to be roughly the equivalent of the one
similarly named by himself. Dr. Woodward, however, meant it to apply to the
whole of the Carboniferous Limestone Series in England and elsewhere. The
word Tuedian had been proposed in 1855, and therefore there was not a single
new name used in his table, and he thought he was rather hardly used in
being charged with bringing forward new names when, in fact, he had used old
ones only. He had suggested these five names as being more easily to be
remembered than the fifteen formerly in use. Moreover, he would be happy if
people would leave out even these five names and say simply Upper and Lower
Carboniferous; that, he thought, was the only true and natural division of
the system—the only one which would be found to answer in every part of the
Old World. Everywhere in the Carboniferous rocks of Europe there was an
Upper Series, which is, as a rule, the coal-bearing series, and there was a
Lower
VOL. XXVI—1876.
p
50 DISCUSSION ON ME. LEBOUR'S PAPEE.
Series which was essentially marine, whether it consist of the Greywacke or
Nassau and Silesia, or of the limestone of Russia, France, or England. The
distinction between the Upper and Lower is always precise; and in Central
Europe is even more marked than in England, as there there was a great
unconformity between the two. He therefore thought that the division into
Upper and Lower was a purely natural and not in the least a conventional
one. At the last meeting of the British Association Professor Hull proposed
a new division of the Carboniferous System in England, and he divided it
into seven members, which he placed in three primary groups, an Upper, a
Middle, and a Lower; but instead of including in the Middle Carboniferous
the Gannister Beds and the Millstone Grit, as Sir Roderick Murchison did,
Professor Hull included in it the Gannisters, Millstone Grit, and the
Yoredale Rocks. This arrangement made a succession of fresh water, brackish,
and purely marine beds together in one series. The divisions he (Mr. L.) had
proposed had met with much approval from very competent geologists not only
in England but abroad, and especially from German geologists, which had been
very gratifying to him. He would be very happy to hear any criticisms on the
proposed divisions.
Mr. Bewick said, that inasmuch as he agreed with the observations made by
Mr. Smyth at the London meeting, he was afraid he must be considered one of
those who were using Mr. Lebour hardly. He, however, spoke more as an
engineer than a geologist, and could only say for himself that the
suggestion which Mr. Lebour had now made would, he thought, be much less
-objectionable, and certainly more convenient, than the adoption of the
names introduced by the late Mr. Tate, and by Mr. Lebour himself on a former
occasion. He thought " Upper " and " Lower " were infinitely better than any
names such as those that were proposed in the paper, which, although known,
were not generally adopted. The distinction between the beds forming the
coal-measures and those of the millstone grit and the gannister beds, he
considered subject to local variation. But the point of division between the
millstone grit and the mountain limestone was well known, at any rate in the
North of England. On the whole, he could not but think it better to adhere
to old names rather than introduce new ones. With regard to Plate LXX., he
was glad that he had heard Mr. Lebour's explanation, having noticed what he
considered an error in the thickness of the beds given in sections 2 and 3.
Again, in the Cross Pell section, the mountain limestone was shown resting
on the Silurian. He thought that was not by any means certain.
DISCUSSION ON ME. LEBOUIi'S PAPEE. 51
Mr. Lebour—It is clearly seen to be so at many points along the base of the
escarpment.
Mr. Bewick did not know much of that side of the county, but he had an
impression that it was not so.
Mr. Lebour said that he went over part of the district very carefully last
year, and thought there was no doubt about it.
Mr. A. L. Steavenson asked if Mr. Lebour meant that there were no
intermediate Yoredale rocks ?
Mr. Lebour—The Yoredale rocks are there. What Mr. Bewick maintains is that
the carboniferous limestone which forms the base of the Cross Fell
escarpment before reaching the Penine Fault, is not seen to rest upon the
Silurian rocks before it abuts against the Permians on the other side of the
Fault. But a few miles to the north and south of Cross Fell there will be
found distinctly visible towards the base of the range, the Green Slate and
Porphyries Series of the Silurians. [Mr. Lebour then showed by means of the
black board the way in which in the narrow strip of country between the
carboniferous escarpment and the Penine Fault, sometimes the Silurians were
seen to run against the Permian Bed sandstones, and sometimes the Older Bed
rocks of the Upper Old Bed Series, which, however, in reality were now shown
to be themselves probably of the lowest carboniferous age.] In his paper,
and in the newer Geological Survey maps of the district, these Bed
Sandstones are now grouped with the Carboniferous Series, under the name of
Upper Old Bed Conglomerate, which is the lowest member of the Carboniferous
Series, and is so considered because the fossil evidence has not been strong
enough to show it to be really allied to the true Old Bed Sandstone.
Mr. Bewick said, in the neighbourhood of Cross Fell, near Melmerby, there
are very interesting sections of the strata, where, owing to the effects of
the Penine Fault, the New Bed Sandstone and the Old Bed Sandstone are
brought in contact, and, from the same cause, at another point at Hartside,
from the comparatively horizontal position of the mountain limestone strata,
there is a sudden change, the beds of Old Bed Sandstone being almost
vertical.
Mr. Greenwell said, that with respect to the gannister beds, and the
question of whether they were localised or common to this and other
districts, he would remark that " gannister" is a Lancashire term applied to
a hard species of very siliceous fire-clay which underlies the mountain
mines. Now, the lower coal seams here are in many instances resting on
similar hard fire-clay. The gannister seams in Lancashire contain in their
roofs fossils of a marked character; and he would be glad to hear if
similar
52 DISCUSSION ON ME. LEBOUR'S PAPER.
ones (Goniatites, for instance) had been found in this neighbourhood, he had
heard that some of them at least had been found at West Wylam.
Mr. Steavenson—Gannister certainly is not a local deposit; it is found in
Weardale. The beds are clearly visible there, and at Frosterly, and also at
Cockfield Fell.
Mr. Boyd said he thanked Mr. Lebour for having taken so much trouble and
interest in classifying this very interesting series. He thought Mr. Lebour
was perfectly entitled to establish names for any series which would more
clearly describe them than those at present in use, especially if such names
had been adopted by geologists on the Continent. However, he (Mr. Boyd)
could confirm what had been mentioned as to the division of the Upper and
Lower series, it had of late been almost universally adopted. With regard to
the terms Bernician aud Tuedian, he thought there was a natural line
dividing them, and that was where the limestones lost their peculiar value
for manufacturing purposes, and became mixed with the sandstones of the
Tuedian series.
Mr. Lebotjr said, he thanked Mr. Boyd very much for his kindness in
advocating his views. But he repeated that none of these names were new and
none of them were his ; and as to the Gannisters being only local, they
were, of course, only local in a very large sense, as they run over a very
considerable extent of country, and are there very distinct from other
deposits ; but it bore out his views that in Northumbria the Gannister
Series is one of very small importance. He understood that in the maps of
the Geological Surveys which are in course of publication, and which carry
geological research into the north of the county, the Gannister Series,
which is mapped in the southern division, has not been further traced. As to
the word Tuedian, he thought they were bound to use it, simply as a matter
of honesty to the memory of the late Mr. Tate. He was glad to hear that Mr.
Bewick intended to adopt the division of the Carboniferous Series into Upper
and Lower, and would have nothing to do with a Middle Division, which is a
most insiduous one, and, in his (Mr. Lebour's) opinion, nothing but a
delusion and a snare ; and he hoped that no member of that Institute would
listen to a threefold division of the Carboniferous rocks until much
stronger evidence be brought forward in favour of such a course than had yet
been done.
The meeting then separated.
PROCEEDINGS.
GENEEAL MEETING, SATURDAY, DECEMBER 2, 1876, IN THE WOOD MEMORIAL HALL.
Mb. E. F, BOYD, Vice-President, in the Chair.
The Secretary read the minutes of the previous meeting, and also the minutes
of the Council meetings.
The Chairman said, in explanation, they had heard by the minutes which the
Secretary had just read to them that Her Majesty had, by the advice of her
Privy Council, granted the Institute a Royal Charter; and he took the
opportunity of congratulating the members on the success which had attended
the application. The matter had occupied the close attention of the Council
for some time, for there were many serious difficulties to surmount; and the
final conduct of the negotiations was ultimately confided to their
President, Mr. Lindsay Wood, and their Secretary, Mr. Bunning, who by their
united exertions had brought the negotiations to a successful termination.
He thought the possession of a charter would be invaluable to them as
proving that their position and standing were recognised by the Government;
and the Council had only that very day an opportunity of making use, as it
were, of this official recognition of their status in making an application
to the Commissioners for the Exhibition of 1851 to ask, in conjunction with
other Institutions devoted to physical science, to be allowed to participate
in the distribution of a very considerable sum of money which it seems is at
present unappropriated, and which the Commissioners propose to devote to the
advancement of science and education. For his part, he thought that
considering how very much the mining industries had been benefited by the
elaborate experiments that had from time to time been carried out under the
auspices of the Institute, and considering the costly nature of such
experiments, it would be a wise expenditure of portions of these funds were
they to be placed at the disposal of the Institute for the purpose of
carrying out such researches as might prove useful to the mining community
54 PROCEEDINGS.
in general. He, therefore, considered that for this, as well as for many
other reasons, the charter would prove of great use. In conclusion, he would
ask them to accompany their approbation of the minutes of the Council
recording what had taken place with regard to the charter, with a vote of
thanks to the President and Secretary for their exertions in the matter, and
also to Lord Eslington and Sir George Elliot for their very great kindness
in aiding the exertions of their officers. The following gentlemen were then
elected :—
Member — Mr. S. H. P. Cox, M.E., Lower (Jarloggas, St. Columb., Cornwall.
Students— Mr. B. C. E.Williams, Aberdare Rhondda Collieries, Kirwain, South
Wales. Mr. Alfred W. Tucker, Tanfield Lea Colliery, Lintz Green Station,
near
Newcastle. Mr. Robert Fowler, Wearmouth Colliery, Sunderland. Mr. John
Wilson, Jun., Wearmouth Colliery, Sunderland. Mr. Arthur E. Wood, Pemberton
Colliery, Wigan. Mr. Frank F. Forsyth, Lofthouse Station Colliery,
Wakefield. Mr. Ernest Locke, Peases' West Colliery, Darlington.
The following gentlemen were nominated for election at the next meeting:—
Members— Mr. George Hope, Viewer, Newbottle Colliery, Fence Houses. Sig.
Paola Emilio de Ferrari, Government Civil and Mining Engineer,
13, Via Giustiniani, Genoa. Mr. George Bailes, Viewer, Murton Colliery,
Sunderland. Mr. W. H. Wight, Cowpen Colliery, Blyth. Mr. F. S. Harding,
Cowpen Colliery, Blyth. Mr. C. A. Railston, Framlington Place,
Newcastle-upon-Tyne.
Students— Mr. J. R. Gilchrist, Newbottle Colliery Office, Fence Houses. Mr.
Jos. C. Nicholson, Newbottle Colliery Office, Fence Houses. Mr. Robert Reed,
Cowpen Colliery, Blyth.
The Chairman said that after having had the plans and papers prepared in
order to have gone into the discussion of Mr. Daglish's paper that day, it
was a pity that Mr. Daglish was not present, and the discussion would
therefore have to be postponed. Mr. W. 0. Wood also had been unable to
attend, and the discussion on his paper on the Long-wall System at East
Hetton would have to be postponed.
The Secretary then read the following paper:—"On the Cowrie Mines, Cow Bay,
Cape Breton," communicated by Mr. Charles Archibald, the owner of the
colliery.
THE GOWRIE MINES, COW BAY, CAPE BRETON. 55
ON THE GOWRIE MINES, COW BAY, CAPE BRETON. By Mr. THEO. WOOD BUNNING.
(Communicated, by Mr. Charles Archibald.)
The two workable seams, in what is known as the Cow Bay Basin, are the Block
House and the McAulay. These seams have been much mentioned by Mr. Richard
Brown and Mr. John Rutherford, late Inspector of Mines for the Province of
No via Scotia, and therefore no geological particulars concerning them are
necessary.
The McAulay seam is at present worked by Messrs. Archibald and Co. at a
colliery called " Cowrie."
This seam underlies the Block House seam, about 600 feet; it averages 5 feet
of pure coal in thickness, and has a roof-coal varying from 4 to 7 inches.
The breadth of the seam along the shore line, from the crop to the upheaval,
is about one mile-and-a-half; the angle of dip at the crop is
eight-and-a-half degrees, and at the upheaval thirty-eight degrees.
The line of the crop runs N. 70 W., starting from the shore with a little
variation, owing to the fall and rise in the surface, and the line of the
upheaval starts on almost a parallel course, but turns more westerly until
it meets the crop, about three miles from the shore, thus forming a
well-marked basin.
Work was commenced on this seam in 1862, by putting down a small vertical
shaft, 40 feet in depth (Plate VII., Pit No. 1), on an old natural water
level, A, which had been formerly used by the French when they were in
possession of the island. This water-level emptied into the sea, the mouth
of the level being 80 yards from the shaft.
The level was extended 500 yards, when another shaft was put down at a depth
of 80 feet. At the No. 2 Pit coal was worked from this shaft for three
years, but not very extensively.
In 1868 a shaft, Pit No. 3, was commenced 300 yards to the dip of the water
level. Sinking was commenced with a gin worked by horses,
56 THE GOWRIE MINES, COW BAY, CAPE BRETON.
but the water increased so much that, at a depth of eighty feet, the work
was abandoned.
In the summer of 1864 a combined pumping and winding engine was put in
position ; the size of the cylinder was 16^ inches, its stroke 3 feet 6
inches, size of pumps 10 inches, with a stroke of 4 feet.
This engine was supplied with steam from two Cornish boilers each 5 feet in
diameter, and 30 feet in length, carrying a pressure of thirty pounds to the
square inch.
The winding-drum and pumping-rods were driven by geared wheels
two-and-a-half to one, and arranged to work separately, or together, as
might be required.
After the pumps were placed in position and the water pumped out, the
sinking was resumed.
The pit was sunk very successfully with one column of pumps slung by chains,
and lowered as the pit advanced.
A lodgment was made at a depth of 110 feet from the surface, and a
stationary set of pumps put in; the sinking was then continued to the coal
by means of another column of pumps slung by chains, and discharging into
the lodgment.
The total depth of the pit was 210 feet.
When the coal was reached, the pumping pit was sunk below the coal and a
large lodgment made in the usual manner by back mining. The second set of
lift-pumps was then put in, discharging at the half-way lodgment, the water
being pumped to the surface by the upper lift.
The great difficulty that had to be encountered in sinking this pit was from
the acidity and corrosive nature of the water, which proved most destructive
to the pumps and gear.
After working a short distance from the bottom of the shaft, the water
coming from the seam, and filtering through the fine coal left in the rooms,
although mixed with a large quantity of surface water, was so strong with
acid that it was impossible to make leather buckets last twenty-four hours
in the iron working barrels. Bucket leathers pegged with wood first, and
then with copper, and iron, all failed after a few trials, and the barrels
continued to get more and more destructive to the leather every day.
Two working barrels lined with gun-metal were then put in, to replace the
iron ones ; they worked very well for a few months, but after the water
becoming more acid it acted upon the metal, and the leather would not last
much longer than in the iron barrels.
Babbit's anti-atrition, or white metal, composed of fifty parts tin, five
parts antimony, and one copper, was next tried as a lining, and
THE GOWRIE JVIINES, COW BAY, CAPE BRETON. 57
after experimenting successfully with it, two working barrels lined with
this composition were placed in the shaft.
The water was found to have no action on this composition, but the two first
linings cracked after a year's use from having been imperfectly cast.
The defect in the casting was that the lining did not come to the face of
the flange ; so that the water worked in between the iron and the lining,
and after eating the iron, the space made caused the composition to crack.
In the next two linings that were made, this defect was remedied by having
the lining put in flush with the flange, so that the flannel joint would
prevent the water from working between the iron and the composition. These
barrels have been in use for the past six years ; they are still perfectly
smooth, and have only worn a sixteenth of an inch in that time.
Stamped leather buckets are used in the working barrels, and they generally
last about six months.
After overcoming the difficulty of working barrels there were many others to
contend with ; the clack and bucket shells, falls, and sword joints being
continually destroyed by the water.
The iron and brass shells were then replaced with babbit, which proved a
success, but the babbit was not strong enough for fall plates, so gun-metal
protected by a coating of tallow, and gutta percha was used, and was found
to last long enough for ordinary purposes.
After a respite for a. few months a greater trouble appeared : the water
getting more acid as the workings increased, it commenced to act seriously
on the pumps, and large holes were eaten completely through them ; these
pumps were repaired by means of flannel patches, put on with iron hoops,
made with a hinge and tightened up with a bolt and nut where possible ; in
many cases new pumps had to be put in, but in a very short time the water
destroyed the new pumps, and frequently eat away the bolts holding the
hoops, thus causing the latter to fall to the bottom.
Finding that it was quite"aimpossible to preserve the iron pumps, wooden
ones were resorted to, which after a few experiments were made to answer
very satisfactorily.
The first made were bored out to the size and hooped with iron, drawn
together with a screw and nut ; these worked well for some time, but the
water dropping from the top destroyed the nuts, and in some cases, when the
hoops were loosened, the pumps split from the pressure of water.
58 THE GOWRIE MINES, COW BAY, CAPE BRETON.
The last that were made and those now in use were a perfect success ; they
were prepared as follows :—
A piece of wood 9 feet long, after being bored out to the proper size, was
put in a lathe and turned with a taper from the centre towards each end.
Heavy iron hoops, made in one piece, were then drawn on from each end ; five
such hoops, made of five-eighth iron, three inches in breadth, were used to
each pump, and after they were drawn on, they were covered with tarred
flannel.
On each end heavy cast-iron flanges, made in two pieces, were let into the
wood and screwed up with bolts and nuts, the latter being protected from the
water by the flange itself.
So far these pumps have lasted well, and there is every reason to hope that
they will withstand the influence of the water for a long time.
The greatest difficulty experienced at present is to keep the rods in repair
; the water frequently destroys the bolts and nuts used to fasten the joint
plates, and the Y ends have to be put in new nearly every three months. It
is comparatively easy to protect the round iron rods to which the hanging
joint is attached by winding tarred flannel round them and serving them with
marling ; but the Y ends and joint plates could not be effectually protected
in the same way.
It is intended to join the next rods that are put in, by one plate in the
centre of the wood instead of one on each side; the bolts and nuts can then
be protected by nailing cleats of wood over them. If this succeeds, flat
bars of iron can be used in the same way to take the place of the Y ends now
in use, and then all the iron connected with the pumps will be securely
protected from the action of the water.
The iron bucket-door and clack-pieces also perished very rapidly, and had to
be replaced two or three times. Last summer a wooden clack-piece was used,
and was found to work so successfully that it is intended to replace all the
iron buckets and clack-pieces now in use with wood.
The water in the mine is at times very abundant, especially in the spring of
the year, but the same engine that hoists the coal during the day pumps the
water at night.
The pit is rectangular, 15 feet by 5 feet 6 inches; the pumping and the
hoisting shafts being divided from each other by a wooden brattice.
The hoisting shaft is the upcast, and has a furnace at the bottom leading
into the shaft 30 feet from the coal; the downcast pit is about 300 yards to
the rise.
For many reasons it would be better not to have the upcast shaft in
connection with the winding shaft and pumping pit; but it is a great
THE GOWRIE MINES, COW BAY, CAPE BEETON. 59
advantage during the long frosty winter, when the winding shaft would be
filled with ice, if it were not for the heated air coming out.
The coal is raised in single cages, each cage carrying a ten-bushel tub ;
the coal is screened over bars three-quarters of an inch apart into two-ton
wagons ; these wagons are taken by a locomotive for about half-a-mile, and
then run down a self-acting incline upon the wharf, where the coal is
shipped into vessels by means of drops or shoots, according to the size of
the vessel.
The system of working the coal at this colliery is the room and pillar.
For many years the rooms were driven six yards wide, and seven yard pillars
were left; but as the roof-coal had all to be taken down and stored in the
room, together with the riddlings (for which there was no outlet except for
that portion which was used on the colliery), this refuse was banked up
against the pillars on both sides of the room.
In taking out the pillars the roof-coal and riddlings were much in the way,
and much expense was incurred clearing the pillars.
A new method of working was adapted two years past, and, as the coal has an
excellent roof, this new method has been found to work very satisfactorily
and much more economically than the old one.
The rooms are now driven 11 yards in width and the 7-yard pillars are left;
the roads run up each side of the room, and the roof and small are thrown in
the centre of the room, which is well timbered.
As the rooms advance there is only one road laid in each, with a turn put in
at the last cross-cut from the face. When the rooms were 6 yards wide, only
one cutter worked in each ; there are now two, consequently the change
produces the following advantages, viz. :—The pillars are clean, and the
road in a position to take them out; when the rooms are driven the required
distance, railway iron is saved, and the men are stowed in a smaller space.
At one time it was proposed to work on the long-wall system, but ultimately
it was considered that it would not be so profitable as the present mode of
working.
In 1873, fearing that one engine could not pump the water and raise
sufficient coal to supply the increasing demand, it was determined to put
down a new shaft on the same level at a distance of three-quarters of a mile
from the present pit.
After sinking to a depth of 90 feet the water became very heavy, when the
level being driven the required distance, a three-inch bore-hole was put
down by steam, and the pit continued without further trouble.
The shaft was sunk within 10 feet of the seam, when it was stopped, and the
bore-hole plugged to ease the pumping-engine.
60 DISCUSSION ON THE GOWRIE MINES.
This shaft is 11 feet 6 inches in diameter, and the depth 250 feet.
A very fine pair of engines for winding the coal was imported from Messrs.
JohnWithenshaw and Co., Birmingham; the cylinders being 20 inches, and the
stroke 48 inches.
This engine has been generally admired, and is considered the best finished
colliery engine in the country. It has one of the new indicators worked from
the main shaft by means of mitre-wheels, and this was found a great boon
when sinking the shaft.
By day or night the engine-driver could land the tub at the surface or the
bottom more correctly by the indicator than if he saw the tub.
The demand for coal has decreased to such an extent since 1873 that nothing
has been done towards the completion of the shaft, the old engine being
found able to pump the water and wind the coal.
The new pit is arranged for double cages, and the working out-put would be
five to six hundred tons per day.
The prospect for coal trade this season (September, 1876), is at present
very discouraging, and as the eastern ports in the United States are being
almost entirely supplied from their own mines, the Cape Breton mines will
suffer very much from the depression in trade.
The past winter has been a most trying one to nearly all the colliers in
Cape Breton. The coal trade was so dull last year that companies, contrary
to their usual custom, did not bank coal during the winter; consequently the
men that were out of employment were reduced to the utmost straits of
poverty and destitution. Very little coal has been contracted for this
season, and if trade does not soon revive, there must necessarily be an
emigration of miners from Cape Breton.
The Chairman said, that as Mr. Archibald would not be able to come over to
this country, any remarks which any of the members might wish to make should
now be made known, and they would be communicated by the Secretary to the
writer. Mr. Archibald did not seem to have attempted to apply the process by
which Mr. Armstrong, at Wingate, combated the effects of acid water by
mixing it with carbonate of lime before it came in contact with the pumps.
This water was rendered acid by passing over the thill of the five-quarter
seam and mixing with the coal dust and fine particles of iron pyrites.
Mr. Lawrence said, he understood that only the working barrel was lined with
Babbit's Patent Metal, and that the other parts of the pump were made of
wood. Babbit's metal had been used in England for a great
DISCUSSION ON THE GOWRTE MINES. 61
number of years. One of its peculiar properties was, that like type metal it
expanded in cooling, and therefore when run into dove-tailed recesses it
would fill them completely when cold; this and its anti-friction properties
rendered it very valuable as a liner for bearings exposed to heavy strains.
He was rather surprised that it should have stood as a working barrel, not
but that it would work very nicely so far as the friction was concerned, but
his (Mr. Lawrence's) experience was that it was rather weak, and unless well
backed with cast-iron it would fall away very readily.
The Chairman said, Mr. Archibald in his paper did not say what became of the
seven-yard pillars which he left; the paper seemed to lead them to infer
that they were lost.
Mr. S. C. Crone—He has to experience that.
Mr. J. A. Ramsay thought it evident from the expression respecting the
improved system of working that the pillars were taken out.
Mr. Cooke thought that sulphuric acid would have had a serious effect upon
the wood; it charred and injured it very seriously.
The Chairman supposed that if it was anything like pure sulphuric acid, the
wood would not bear it; but in this instance it would be very much diluted.
Mr. Lawrence stated that the practice of using wood for pumps was very old;
but of course pumps so made were only available for limited depths, 100 feet
or so, as in the present case; at pressures of 200 lbs. to the inch and
upwards, the water would be forced through the wood, and the arrangement
would fail.
The Secretary stated that several very able papers connected with this
district had been contributed by Mr. Edward Gilpin and printed in the
Transactions, namely:—On the Pictou Coal-field, published in Vol. XXII.; on
the Coal-Measures and Lower Carboniferous Strata of Western Newfoundland, in
Vol. XXIII.; on the Submarine Coal of Cape Breton, in Vol. XXIV.; also a
valuable Paper on the Sydney Coal-field in the Island of Cape Breton, by Mr.
fm. Routledge, published in Vol. XXIV. By referring to these Papers members
would see what an important district it was. The paper now before them, he
thought, formed a valuable commentary on these former contributions, as
showing the difficulties that had to be encountered from the climate and the
uncertainties of trade; it was indeed a state of things they could scarcely
contemplate here that when slack times came the men had to emigrate en
masse, and return when things became more hopeful.
Mr. George May said, he thought it would be very interesting if Mr.
Archibald would give them an analysis of the water.
62 DISCUSSION ON THE GOWRItt MINES.
The Secretary said, he had already been trying to get this analysis, but
there seemed to be some difficulty in obtaining it.
Mr. New all—Let a bottle be sent over.
Mr. Burning said he had also thought of that, but feared from experience
that the water would be unfit for analysis after being so long bottled.
Mr. Lawrence said, perhaps Mr. Bunning would also ask Mr. Archibald how long
it was since they discovered this water which had given them so much
trouble; because he knew that sixteen or seventeen years ago, to the order
of Mr. Forster, they sent out some 20-inch ram sets and 20-inch lifting sets
for pumps to Cape Breton for the General Mining Association, and also two
very large pumping engines and a number of cast-iron pumps and working
barrels, lined with brass; and he never heard of any difficulty they had
with the water. The last pumping engine, he thought, would be sent out about
twelve years ago, and was very similar to the pumping engine at Cowpen
Colliery, so that he should imagine that this acid in the water was quite a
recent discovery.
The Chairman asked Mr. Lawrence if the pumps he sent out drew from the same
seam ?
Mr. Lawrence said, he did not know who were the owners of the mine in
question, but the General Mining Associaion had nearly the whole of the
mines of Cape Breton. They were a very powerful company, and he thought they
had the grant of the whole of the mines from the Government.
The meeting then terminated.
PROCEEDINGS.
GENERAL MEETING, SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 1877, IN THE WOOD MEMORIAL HALL.
THOMAS J. BEWICK, Esq., Vice-President, in the Chair.
The Secretary read the minutes of the previous meeting and also the minutes
of the Council meetings.
The following gentlemen were then elected :—
Members— Mr. George Hope, Viewer, Newbottle Colliery, Fence Houses, Sig.
Paola Emilio db Ferrari, Government Civil and Mining Engineer,
13, Via Giustiniani, Genoa. Mr. W. H. Wight, Cowpen Colliery, Blytli. Mr.
George Bailes, Viewer, Murton Colliery, Sunderland. Mr. F. S. Harding,
Cowpen Colliery, Blytli. Mr. Chas. A. Railston, Framlington Place,
Newcastle-upon-Tyne.
Students— Mr. J. R. Gilchrtst, Newbottle Colliery Office, Fence Houses. Mr.
Jos. C. Nicholson, Newbottle Colliery Office, Fence Houses. Mr. Robert Heed,
Cowpen Colliery, Blyth.
The following were nominated for election at the next meeting:—
Members— Mr. Arthur G. Ogilvie, Penshaw Colliery, Fence Houses. Mr. Robert
T. Fothergill, 4, Queen Street, Quay, Newcastle. Mr. John Vivian, C.E.,
Manager, Diamond Boring Company, Whitehaven. Mr. Thos. F. Steward, Manager,
No. Fenham Colliery, Kenton, Newcastle. Mr. John Peel, Manager, Horsley
Colliery, Wylam-on-Tyne. Mr. Wm. John Tyson, No. 1, Lowther Street,
Whitehaven. Mr. Henry Burnett Watson, High Bridge Works, Newcastle. Mr. Wm.
Holding, Manager, Brensop Hall Coal Company, Wigan. Mr. John Price, Manager,
Palmer Bros, and Co., Jarrow-on-Tyne. Mr. Thos.'Sopwith, Jun., 6, Great
George Street,Westminster, London, S.W. Mr. Chas. Richards, Architect and
Surveyor, Grainger Street, Newcastle.
64 DISCUSSION ON Mil. DAGLISH'S PAPER.
Students— Mr. Thos. E. MADDigON, Thornhill Collieries, near Dewsbury. Mr. R.
W. Harrison, Poynton and Worth Collieries, nr. Stockport, Cheshire. Mr. H.
R. Makepeace, Heworth Colliery Office, Heworth, near Newcastle. Mr. James
Lyon, Vale View, Whitehaven. Mr. William Moore, Colliery Office, Whitehaven.
Mr. Joicey Humble, 17, Westmorland Terrace, Newcastle.
The Chairman said, as Mr. Daglish and Mr. Wood were both present, it was
proposed to take the diseussion on their papers first, commencing with that
of Mr. Daglish.
Mr. Daglish said, that since his paper was written, they had put some extra
counter-balance weight on the Silksworth winding-engine and increased the
pressure on the boilers. Referring to Plate LIT., Vol. XXV., he said the
line of work done by the engine was shown by the line J K. Throughout the
whole of the winding the load on the engine was the same except at the
start, where it is lighter (at J) ; and at the finish, where the
counter-balance weight comes against the engine and checks it (at K). This
is accomplished by the arrangement of the weights, the work done throughout
the winding being exactly the weight of the coals to be raised—the same load
being upon the engine throughout the winding except at the beginning and
end. The effect of the extra counterbalance has been to increase the curve
at the top and bottom of the diagram for the purpose of enabling the engine
to get quicker away and stop without having recourse to back pressure.
Referring to the diagram given by the engine before the alteration now
described, Plate LVIL, Vol. XXV., it would be seen that at the end of the
winding the engineman had to throw the steam against the engine, and it was
to do away with that as much as possible that the additional counter-balance
weight was added. This modification and a small increase in the initial
pressure of the steam enabled them to save 20 per cent, in time, and now to
draw the load the 270 fathoms in thirty-five seconds instead of forty-five
seconds.
The Chairman said, the next paper for discussion was " On the Long-wall
Working at East Hetton Colliery," by Mr. W. 0. Wood.
Mr. W. 0. Wood said, when the paper was read a few remarks were made upon
it, and to these he would just briefly reply. With reference to
DISCUSSION ON MR. W. O. WOOD'S PAPER. 65
the cost of working, although this is shown to be 4d. per ton higher on the
gross workings than in board and pillar, it is rearly cheaper on the round
coal, as the following figures will show :—
COST OF BOARD AND PILLAK. Gross yield—
DIVISION OP LABOUR, The division of labour was introduced after working some
time in the usual way, and for very obvious reasons—
1.—The system of separate holers compels the men to under-hole a fixed
depth, viz., three feet six inches, and always ensures a jud of proper size
being made.
2.—It ensures at least twenty or thirty yards, and often more, of coal being
holed without any fast side, considerably reducing the breakage from this
cause.
3.—It prevents the men filling up the refuse coal and band (breaking it
small to avoid detection), as the " holers" are compelled to cast this back
into the goaf. Every one knows the difficulty now experienced when working
in the ordinary way of having the jud properly made, both as regards depth
under and height at foreside. The men often enough go to the pit, make as
little " vantage" as they can, use large quantities of powder, thus
destroying the round coal, or they scallop a few tubs to make out their
day's work.
4.—The shots are all fired at nights when the bulk of the men are out of the
pit. The doors are then kept closed and everything is quiet.
5.—The minimum quantity of powder is used, and consequently there is less
breakage from this cause.
With respect to the produce of the seam, the whole of it is brought to bank
as explained.
The kirving (which under the old system is in the seam, and where really the
great proportion of the small is made) is in this system in the band and
thin coal underneath the seam.
66 DISCUSSION ON MR. W. O. WOOD'S PAPER.
This band has formerly been considered the thill. It is quite impossible to
work it in*the whole, and it is only the goaf pressure that enables it to be
worked in this long-wall; in fact in a new face the band looks quite hard
and unworkable. A considerable area of the Harvey has been worked, as stated
in the paper, on the ordinary system of long-wall, which obtains in the
district, the kirving being made in the seam. From this the produce of round
is 52 per cent.
Mr. Bunning asked if the expenses had increased more than had been
contemplated when they first started this system ?
Mr. W. 0. Wood—Not in the slightest. Indeed, on the contrary, there has been
a reduction in the holers' prices of about 2d. a ton.
The Chairman asked if the figures Mr. Wood had given included anything but
labour ?
Mr. W. 0. Wood—Labour and timber. The cost of the timber was very light, and
the quantity of plates and brattice used was very much less than in the
ordinary system; in fact, they did not use any brattice-cloth except for the
doors.
Mr. A. L. Steavenson supposed that Mr. Wood did not wish to raise the
general question as to whether pillar working or the long-wall was the most
advisable under all circumstances; because no doubt under many circumstances
in this district the long-wall could not in any way compete with the pillar
system. The nature of the roof and the floor had so much to do with the
circumstances that it was almost impossible to argue from one colliery as to
what would be desirable in another. He had known it tried in thin seams for
coking, where small coal was wanted, but there the board and pillar proved
pre-eminently the best. Where household coal was worked, which required to
be as large as possible, there was a great deal to be said in favour of a
system which would give large coal. It seemed to him that there would be a
doubt as to the relative safety of the two systems, for whereas in board and
pillar working shots could be fired with considerable impunity, at all
events, in the whole mine; in the long-wall, i-n continual proximity to a
goaf, the question of firing shots became very serious. He was not sure
whether in many instances it would be safe to use powder in the long-wall at
all if there was much gas. Did Mr. Wood use powder ?
Mr. W. 0. Wood—Yes ; but there is very little gas in the mine.
Mr. A. L. Steavenson—If there were more, the use of powder would probably be
dangerous.
Mr. W. 0. Wood did not mean for one moment to say that the long-wall was the
best system under all circumstances; but he merely wished to
DISCUSSION ON MR. W. O. WOOD'S PAPER. 67
point out that in household seams, and where the thill and roof were
favourable, it was considerably the best method. He could not for a moment
think of applying the system of long-wall in coking collieries. So far as
relative safety goes, they had had some little gas on the long-wall faces
occasionally ; but it must be remembered that the goaf was not in the
ordinary condition that is generally understood by goaf in this district,
there being no heavy falls and masses of loose stone. The goaf is closely
packed, and there is no room left for the gases to accumulate. The roof,
instead of falling, gradually subsides. If they occasionally saw small
quantities of gas, a brattice was put across.
Mr. Bunning said, if he understood rightly, there was some difference in the
mode of working the long-wall as conducted by Mr. Wood and the long-wall
system generally used ?
Mr. W. 0. Wood—Decidedly ; there is the system of the division of labour. He
employed three sets or classes of men instead of one, and holed in the coal
and band below the seam. It was totally different from the ordinary system
of long-wall.
A Member—Taking a particular piece of coal—say of fifty acres —and winning
it with narrow pillars entirely to the extremity, and then bringing it back,
would any very different result as to yield in the quantity of round coal be
arrived at, and would it not be worked in that way more cheaply than at
present, since the expense of the gateways would be saved ?
Mr. W. 0. Wood—Quite so. It is stated in the paper that this is being done
now. By laying out the remainder of the pit as for as possible in square
pillars, what may be called coal gateways are formed by the narrow places.
This gave practically the same result, except the loss of produce in the
narrow places themselves, which would be driven on the thill in the ordinary
way. He had one district where they were using coal gateways, and the
difference between the shift work in forming the stone gateways, and in
working it by coal gateways, was 4d. a ton, which was a considerable saving;
and he intended to carry that out throughout the colliery as soon as they
could possibly do so. The question of working them with stone gateways,
carrying the face forward and through the goaf, or of waiting till they got
coal gateways formed to a barrier, and bringing the face back through them
(which would have taken some considerable time to prepare), depends on the
output required at the moment. There is not always time to form the pillars
and bring back the face.
Mr. S. C. Crone asked what length of face they had between the coal gateways
?
68 DISCUSSION ON ME. W. O. WOOD'S PAPER.
Mr. W. 0. Wood said they intended to make them as long as they
could—practically, about" forty to sixty yards.
Mr. S. C. Crone—Then, between these forty yards there will have to be cross
gateways ?
Mr. W. 0. Wood—In the same way as the cross gateways in the long-wall go at
present; and these are made either at right angles to the main gateways, or
slightly oblique to them, to suit the inclination of the seam.
Mr. S. C. Crone—Is it not to be apprehended, that in forming the coal roads
the pillars which are allowed to remain to secure them will be very much
crushed ?
Mr. W. 0. Wood—No. The mode is to win an area of, say fifty acres, by
forming blocks forty yards square, and when the boundary or a trouble is
reached then to commence to work the face back.
Mr. S. C. Crone—That is fore-winning and working backwards—a very old
system.
Mr. W. 0. Wood—That part is old enough, but it is the method of working the
coal which is new in this district. At present in this long-wall the Avhole
face is carried forward, and the gateways are kept open by means of packs.
Instead of carrying out this system altogether, what is now being done is to
form these blocks forty yards square, and drive them all out to a certain
limit or boundary, and then bring the face back through the coal, instead of
carrying it forward through the goaf as at present. [See PlateVII. a.~\ This
saves the cost of making stone pillars and packs for the gateways and taking
down the stone. The difference of expense is something like 4d. a ton, which
will bring it down to the cost of the present whole work, whilst still
retaining the great increase of round, and consequently the gain due to the
system as described in the paper.
Mr. Matthew Heckels—Is the timber in the coal gateways from the commencement
up to the face ?
Mr. W. 0. Wood—No timber is used in the narrow place, except to carry the
brattice; none is required to support the roof.
Mr. S. C. Crone—In point of fact, this is forming pillars in the usual way,
and there seems to be no difference between this and the old system of
working, and the expense of forming pillars is still incurred.
Mr. W. 0. Wood—True, but in the other way the stone gateways are much more
expensive.
Mr. S. C. Crone—It is entirely a question which must be settled according to
the peculiarities of the seam.
Mr. W. 0. Wood did not for one moment say the system was better than any
other, but it had answered in his case remarkably well. As repeatedly
DISCUSSION ON MR. W. O. WOOD'S PAPER. 69
explained, whether they worked it back or carried it forward was not the
point of the thing ; the peculiarity of the system was, that they worked
with three different classes of men in precisely the same manner as they
work in South Yorkshire and Derbyshire, the men kirved beneath the seam, and
instead of wasting 14 or 15 per cent, of the seam in kirving in it, the
whole is secured intact. The difference between the two systems of gateways,
i.e., stone gates and coal gates, is 4d. a ton in favour of the coal gates.
Mr. A. L. Steavenson proposed a vote of thanks to Mr. Wood for his paper.
They had very often been told that in the North of England they had been
unwise in not adopting the long-wall system, which was so commonly adopted
in Yorkshire, Derbyshire, and Staffordshire, but he thought that the
circumstances which particularly warranted its adoption there did not exist
in this district to the same extent. He remembered that when Sir Geo. Elliot
was President of this Institute, he reflected very much on the north country
viewers for not adopting the long-wall system; but he, Mr. Steavenson, was
inclined to think that, as far as practicable, they had adopted it, although
Mr. Wood had introduced some little modification into it. In fact, they had
one and all of them tried it. He himself certainly had tried it, but the
circumstances did not suit. Where the coal was soft they found the cost of
keeping the roads far outbalanced the other system, and therefore they had
to abandon it. He had much pleasure in'moving a vote of thanks to Mr. Wood.
Mr. S. C. Crone said he had much pleasure in seconding the motion, which was
carried unanimously.
The Secretary read the following paper " On the Iron Ores of Nova Scotia,"
by Mr. Edwin Gilpin, M.A., F.G.S. :—
THE IRON" OSES OF NOVA SCOTIA.
By EDWIN GILPIN, M.A., F.G.S.
In the following paper the writer purposes laying before the members, as
concisely as possible, all the available information that he has been able
to collect relative to the Nova Scotia Iron Ores. The geological ages,
positions, extent, and qualities of the ores, are the chief points at
present noticeable, the economic development being as yet limited.
The geological range of the best-known ores will be readily seen from the
following table :—
These ores form a broad band extending from end to end of the Province, and
in the description, following the band from west to east, the ores will be
noticed as they are successively met.
In the dykes and masses of trap associated with the triassic sandstones of
the south side of the Bay of Fundy, are numerous veins and
72 THE IRON ORES OF NOVA SCOTIA.
pockets of magnetite and red hematite, probably not exceeding in any case
one foot in thickness. The magnetite is generally very pure, the chief
foreign ingredient being silica. It is usually massive, sometimes
crystallised in partly filled veins, and associated with quartz, colourless
and amethystine. Near Digby Neck, it is found with red hematite, and several
hundred tons have been extracted for smelting.
The following analyses by Dr. H. How are of the common compact magnetite
from two localities in the trap :—
i. i.
Quartz ............ 5;46 ...... 4-94
Magnesia and traces of lime ... 1-27 ......
4-84
Oxygen ............ 24-94 ...... 25-19
Metallic iron ......... 68-33 ...... 65-03
The magnetite also occurs disseminated where no ore is visible, and may be
separated by means of a magnet from the powdered trap of several
localities.
Red hematite is found at a number of places associated with agate, quartz,
and calcite. Tt is sometimes presented in the form of small crystalline
plates, in a granular quartz, matrix, and sometimes as crystals, apparently
showing its derivation from magnetite. Much of the ore is decidedly
magnetic, especially the more highly crystalline specimens.
This range of trap extends from Blomedon to Briar Island, a distance of 120
miles, and contains these ores every where in it; but as yet no veins have
been found large enough to allow of systematic mining.
TITANIFEROUS IRON ORE. This is found at St. Mary's Bay, west of Digby, as
sand, forming-bands of irregular extent in the beach. The indications are
extensive, but no attempts have been made to test their value for working. A
sample yielded—
Magnetic ironsand, or iserine ...... 30
Non-magnetic, or ilmenite ......... 56
Silicious sand....., ......... 14
both varieties containing a large amount of titanium and a little magnesia.
This ore is reported from Shelburne, on the Atlantic coast, and from
Musquodoboit, near Halifax; that from the latter place, being a dark grey
micaceous schist, holding crystals of magnetite, with titanium in
considerable quantity. The writer has also found an ore of similar
appearance near Sutherland's River, Pictou Co., containing decided traces of
titanium.
»
THE IRON ORES OF NOVA SCOTIA. 73
An attempt has been recently made to work titanic iron ore at Bay St. Paul,
on the north shore of the Gulf of St. Lawrence. The ore containing about 36
per cent, of iron, 44 of titanic acid (and, according to Dr. Penny, no
manganese, sulphur, or phosphorus), occurs as a bed about 90 feet thick in a
rock of anorthosite of Huronian age.
The dimensions of the furnaces are as follows :—
Height............... ... 30 feet
Diameter at hearth ... ... ... ... 4 „
Diameter at boshes ...... ...... 14 „
Diameter at throat ... ... ... ... 8 „
Each furnace has three tuyeres, the blast being heated by waste gas taken
off by a cupped cone, and applied at a pressure of 1^ lb. The fuel used was
exclusively charcoal, 200 or 250 bushels being required for each ton of pig.
The daily product of each furnace did not exceed five tons. The pig made was
white and of fair quality; but the large amount of fuel used presented a
formidable obstacle to profitable working. The following is an analysis of
the pig by Mr. Edward Riley:—
Carbon ............... 3-966
Silicon ... ...... ...... -086
Sulphur ............... -030
Phosphorus ... ... ........ -253
Chromium ............... "689
Manganese |
m. . f ......... ... traces
1 itanmm '
Iron ... ... ... ... ... ... 95245
The beneficial effects of titanium formerly dwelt upon are hardly borne out
by practice, and it may perhaps be more justly regarded as a foreign
ingredient that must be made to pass into the slag, thereby causing a loss
of heat.
While in this connection, it may be stated that iron sand is found at
various places along the Gulf of St. Lawrence, the Atlantic coast of Nova
Scotia, and the west coast of Newfoundland, where in many places the -iron
sand is chiefly composed of magnetic ore.
The ores of Clementsport, near Annapolis, next claim attention. Here a
narrow belt of strata of Devonian age, three to five miles wide, rises from
under the Trias of the Annapolis Valley, and pursues an east and west course
for about sixty miles. At one point it is divided by a mass of granite into
two nearly equal portions. In the western division is the Clementsport, and
in the eastern the Nictaux ores.
74 THE IRON ORES OF NOVA SCOTIA.
At Clementsport there are two beds of ore running nearly east and west, and
underlying to the south* at angles of 75 to 80 degrees. The highest of
these, the Milner bed, varies in thickness from two to four feet. It is
specular ore metamorphosed with magnetic properties, and still retaining
casts of virelebite, spirifers, and associated mollusks. The ore, which is
of fair quality, yields about 33 per cent, of metallic iron. It is mined by
open cast, and costs 6s. per ton for extraction.
The Potter bed is a magnetite, (?) and presents the following section where
worked :—
Ft. In.
Ore ............ 8 0
Slate............ 2 6
Ore ........, ... 3 6
9 0 It is compact, and of a dark grey colour. The writer has seen no
analysis of it, but it is stated to yield 15 per cent, more iron than the
Milner bed.
BLOOMFIELD BOG ORE.
This is found at several places in the vicinity of the above deposits, and
yields 25 per cent, of iron. It occurs in layers six inches to two feet
thick, covered by a few inches of soil. Considerable quantities of it have
been extracted at a cost of Is. 8d. per ton, for mixture with the other
ores.
A blast-furnace was erected here about twenty years ago, and has been
running since occasionally for a few months at a time. It is of similar
dimensions to those built at Bay St. Paul, but 2^ feet narrower at the
boshes. The blast is supplied by a water-wheel through three tuyers, at a
pressure of If to 2 lbs.
The blowing-cylinders are three in number, of cast iron, four feet in
diameter, and four feet stroke. The blast is heated by burning the waste gas
in an oven with seventeen syphon pipes. Mixtures of all the above ores are
smelted, yielding an average of 35 per cent, of iron. 130 (Winchester)
bushels of birch charcoal, costing 2|d. to 3£d. per bushel, are required to
make one ton of grey pig. There are forty-five charges in twenty-four hours,
consisting of from 750 to 800 lbs. ore, 120 lbs. limestone, and 16 bushels
of charcoal, yielding daily about five tons. These ores cost at the furnace,
including mining and hauling, two to four miles, from 4s. 3d. to 9s.
THE IRON ORES OF NOVA SCOTIA. 75
At Nictaux, 37 miles east of Clementsport, a furnace was built to work
similar ores, but is now abandoned. The bed which was worked to supply the
furnace is a highly fossiliferous peroxide of iron, associated with coarse
dark slates, dipping S. 50 degrees E., at an angle of 60 degrees. It has
been traced about four miles, and found to vary in thickness from three to
four-and-a-half feet.
The fossils of the red hematite and associated beds are Spirifer arenosus,
Strophemena depressa, Strophomena magnifica, Atrypa ungui-formis, and
species of Avicula, Bellerophon, Favosites and Zaphrentis, Tentaeulites, and
a coral considered by Mr. Billings identical with the Pleuro-dictyum
problematicum, Goldfuss. These Professor Hall compares with the fauna of the
Oriskany Sandstones, and they seem clearly to prove that these beds are of
lower Devonian age.
The percentage of iron realised in working was about 50 per cent., but the
amount of phosphorus present and the expense of transport were against the
success of the enterprise. Purer ores are now known in the district, and it
is intersected by a railway, so that the proposed resumption of smelting has
more chance of succeeding.
There is a second deposit known here of grey magnetic ore, also of Devonian
age. It is eight feet wide, and free from fossils ; but, as the analyses
show, still containing notable amounts of phosphorus.
The ores of this district appear to have been originally red hematites or
peroxides, but they have more or less lost part of their oxygen and become
magnetic. Specimens can be got showing the gradual change from normal
hematites, with cherry-red powder, to magnetic ores, with brown or black
streaks. This is probably a local metamorphism, due to
76 THE IRON ORES OF NOVA SCOTIA.
the presence of organic matter and the granitic dykes which traverse the
rocks in the vicinity.
From the country lying to the south of the Devonian above described, and
extending to the east as far as Windsor, the writer has received specimens
of red hematite, specular and bog ore. As yet, these ores are not known to
exist in quantity, but as part of this district is underlaid by strata
considered by Dr. Dawson and others equivalents of the ferriferous upper
silurian beds of Arisaig and Pictou (to be described further on), there is a
possibility of ores being found here in workable quantities.
At Goshen, between "Windsor and Truro, a vein of ankerite containing
limonite has been opened in strata of the marine limestone age, and proved
to be 40 feet wide. The following analysis of the ore is interesting from
the amount of manganese present. In connection with this ingredient, it may
be stated that considerable quantities of manganite and pyrolusite have been
mined and exported from this district.
At the mouth of the Subenacadie river, the lowest visible carboniferous bed
is a dark laminated limestone, which, with the overlying sandstones and
marls, contains small veins holding limonite and specular ore, with
ankerite, barite, calcite, goethite, manganite, and siderite. In the same
formation, a few miles to the eastward at Clifton, similar ores are found.
At this point they are of more importance, one of the limonite veins being
six feet wide.
At Brookfield, ten miles south of Truro, in measures of the same age, and
near the contact of older strata, are extensive surface indications of
limonite. A small trench shows a vein two feet wide in sandstone; further
explorations might disclose a more valuable lode, as many of the boulders
belong to a larger vein. This ore, from analyses by Dr. II. How, appears to
be of unusual purity.
At North river, near Truro, a bed of magnetite has been opened in strata of
upper silurian (?) age, and stated to be eight feet thick, and to contain 70
per cent., with mere traces of sulphur and phosphorus.
ACADIA MINES, LONDONDERRY.
The next to be noticed are these limonite deposits which are hardly equalled
for extent, facility of access, and uniformity of quality. The Cobequid
Hills, forming the division between the watersheds of the Gulf of St.
Lawrence and the Basin of Minas, are an immense mass of upper and lower
silurian strata, highly metamorphosed, and containing dykes of syenite.
The southern slope of these hills feeds numerous large brooks which have cut
for themselves channels frequently 300 feet deep, and afford unusual
facilities for tracing the ore as well as for studying its position. A good
idea of its mode of occurrence may be gathered from the section exposed in
the brook near the charcoal furnace. Here is a series of red and grey shales
and sandstones of lower carboniferous age, dipping south at an angle of GO
degrees west, on vertical black and olive slates and quartzites of upper
silurian age, striking north 31 degrees east. This line of contact has been
traced about twelve miles along the hill sides or across the property of the
company, and affords a key to the position of the ore vein, which is always
found in the Silurian strata, at a distance varying from 300 or 500 yards
from the lowest met carboniferous bed.
Another parallel vein is known one-half mile further north, but has not yet
received attention, owing to the ample supply at present developed.
The vein rock consists of a mass of ankerite varying in width from 30 to 150
feet, and holding in places breciated masses of quartzite and slate. The ore
occurs in minor veins in the ankerite, and is found to be from 5 to 50 feet
in width. The chief ore is limonite, which is found in the botryoidal,
statactitic and compact form, but considerable quantities of micaceous
hematite have been met.
The following are analyses of the two chief ores met:—
80 THE IRON ORES OF NOVA SCOTIA.
blast furnace was erected at the colliery, and a small quantity of red
hematite and limonite smelted; but the expense of hauling the ore twelve
miles soon put an end to the work. Nothing was then done until, in 1872-3,
extensive explorations were carried on under the supervision of Dr. Dawson,
and continued from that date by the writer.
The accompanying maps (Plates VIII. and IX.) will show the geological
formation of the district, and the chief outcrops of ore. They are tolerably
correct where defining the boundaries of the coal-field, and the contact of
the carboniferous and silurian.* The other lines may be regarded as
approximately correct, but as yet the writer knows no distinct change of
life or strata dividing the millstone grit and lower carboniferous of this
district.
Taking the ores in descending geological order, the first to be noticed are
the clay ironstone bands of the Pictou coal-field. From sinking records they
appear to form bands from 6 to 30 inches thick. Little attention has as yet
been paid to them, and no analysis has been obtained by the writer, but it
is considered that their quality is sufficiently good to render them an
important addition to the older ones.
At French river, in the marine limestone formation (?) are numerous beds of
clay ironstone, carbonates, and hydrated peroxides, in beds from six inches
to four feet in thickness, with a breadth of outcrop of about one mile. As
they are as yet only exposed on the French river, and the measures are
undulating, part of the width of outcrop may prove a repetition. The
discovery is a recent one, and little is yet known about the deposits. From
assays of several samples, a percentage of 25 to 30 of metallic iron has
been obtained.
Passing to the westward a large deposit of spathic ore is found at
Sutherland's Brook, held by the Pictou Coal and Iron Co. The containing
strata were formerly considered of millstone grit age ; but, from the
proximity of gypsum and limestone, they would seem rather to belong to the
marine limestone formation. As fir as can be judged from a rough survey,
this ore is found at a horizon 800 feet lower than the ironstone of French
river.
The bed dips south at an angle of 60 degrees, and varies in thickness from 6
to 10^ feet, and has above and below a small bed of the same 6 to 10 inches
thick. The ore is a sparry carbonate of iron, holding peroxide in places,
with a variable proportion of manganese, and very little sulphur and
phosphorus. Superficially it is rusted, but where unweathered of a pearly
grey colour.
* Until recently considered of Devonian age.
From the map (Plate VIII.) it will appear that, from Springwell for several
miles up the East River, the line of contact of the marine limestone and
silurian follows closely the course of the river. At several points along
this line a very fine deposit of limonite has been proved. On the property
of the Halifax Co., some years ago, the writer proved it to have a thickness
of 21 feet 6 inches, and recent researches have proved a width of 15 feet on
the Saddler area of the Pictou Coal and Iron Co.
The ore is compact, concretionary, and fibrous, with considerable quantities
of gravel ore. At two points the ore has been proved to rest on the silurian
clay slates, and has limestone on the hanging wall, usually with a gore of
red clay, frequently holding concretions of manganite and pyrolusite
intervening. These ores are very pure, and appear to be much more free from
phosphorus than the Londonderry limonite, the average of five analyses
giving *118 phosphoric acid, or '083 of phosphorus, in 100 parts of iron.
The belt holding ore is 800 yards wide at several places, as shown by
surface indications, and it appears probable that there is a large amount of
it in the valley.
The limonite may have been derived, like the limonite of Cumberland Co. and
other localities in Pennsylvania, as a residual precipitate from the
disseminated iron sand grains of the upper silurian strata, as well as a
deposit from the gradual dissolution of the marine limestones. In view of
this, it may be stated that in this district the rocks of both ages contain
considerable quantities of iron as carbonate and peroxide, and that the
erosion has been on an enormous scale, as shown by the section taken along
the line A to B, Plate VIII., extended in section in Plate X. (For analysis
see Table, page 84.)
The district extending from the Sunny Brae nearly to the spathic ore in
Sutherland's Brook, is occupied by grey and brownish quartzites, olive and
grey slates with calcareous bands, usually coarse and unevenly bedded,
82 THE IKON ORES OF NOVA SCOTIA.
and containing the fossils of the Arisaig group, a series considered
equivalent to the lower Helderberg of American geologists, and perhaps in
its specific forms more related to the English Ludlow. The following are
among the more common fossils of this district:—Favosites, Zaphrentis,
Chonetes tenuistriata, Spirifer rugcecosta, Strophomena profunda,
Rhyn-chonella spirata, Atrypa reticularis, Athyris didyma, Megambonia
striata, trilobata, Orthoceras sev. sp., Cornulites, Dalmania Logani, etc.
The chief ore of this formation is a bedded red hematite found in four
principal deposits. The most northerly of these is known as the McKenzie red
hematite. It appears from surface indications to be of large size, but no
work has yet been done to test it.
The next bed, known as the Webster ore, has been carefully trenched and
tested at several points. Its thickness varies from 15 to 80 feet, its dip
being generally north at angles varying from 25 to GO degrees.
At two points it presents the following sections :—
This ore follows the crest of a high hill, cut transversely by the valley of
Sutherland's river, and admits of adit drainage to a depth of 300 feet. The
ore is compact, non-fossiliferous, and brick-red when weathered.
The third exposure is known as the Blanchard great bed. No attempts have yet
been made to trace it beyond the natural exposures which extend about half a
mile. It varies in width from 30 to 100 feet, measured across a dip nearly
vertical. It is also situated on elevated ground, and would yield a large
amount of ore.
At a geological horizon about 700 feet higher than the last-mentioned bed,
is a conformable range of red hematites forming the fourth series. This ore
appears as shown on the map to form a synclinal trough. On the west side the
ore is 12 feet thick, and at the apex there appear the outcrops of two other
beds eight and three feet in thickness, the larger possibly representing the
great bed. On the east side of the synclinal, only one bed has been opened,
varying in width from three to five feet. Underlying this bed, and on the
line where the great bed would show its eastern outcrop, are large boulders,
precisely similar in appearance to the one on its western outcrop, and it is
expected that it will shortly be found here.
It is considered by some geologists that the three large single beds were
originally one, and owe their present disjointed condition to faults and
erosion; no detailed survey, however, has been made to prove the correctness
of this opinion, and at present it can only be said that they are apparently
contained in a limited vertical range of strata.
The outcrops of other red hematites have been marked on the map, but no work
has been done to allow of details.
These red hematites are all of the same class, being of a red colour, with
earthy to steely lustre, compact or laminated, sometimes oolitic, owing to
the peroxide forming minute concretions around grains of sand. In places
these ores contain fossils, but the larger proportion are quite free from
them. (For analyses see Table, page 84.) They are excellently adapted for
mining, being on high ground, with good roof, and requiring little or no
dead work.
Similar ores, called fossil red hematites, are found in Pennsylvania, in
strata of the Clinton age, and extensively worked near Tyrone, for mixture
with rich hematites and magnetites. For comparison, an analysis of one is
given, made at the University of Pennsylvania :—
Sesquioxide of iron ............... 38'48
Peroxide of iron.................. 4*37
Silica ..................... 37-99
Alumina..................... 9'56
Lime ..................... 1-08
Alkalies..................... 2-89
Phosphoric acid.................. 1*48
Sulphur ... ... ... ... ... ...
... trace
Volatile..................... 4'50
Metallic iron ..................30-34
Passing to the west side of the East River is found the carboniferous,
resting on a broad belt of black and olive slate, with bands of quartzite
dipping almost vertically to the south. In these measures, considered by Dr.
Dawson the equivalents of those holding the Londonderry ores, is a large
vein of specular—or rather micaceous iron ore. The exact relation of these
measures to those holding the red hematites is not easily ascertained, as no
fossils have yet been found in them, but they appear to underlie them. The
vein shows ore varying in width from 5 to 20 feet; in places there are
intercalated masses of quartzite and ankerite. The Pictou Coal and Iron
Company own over two miles of this vein, in addition to large and
well-selected areas in the Webster and other red hematites on the east side
of the river.
At two points, a side vein, of a mixture of specular and magnetic ore,
84 THE IKON ORES OF NOVA SCOTIA.
one to two feet thick, has been met, but no work has been done to test its
value.
The main vein is cut by several ravines, and for some distance runs close to
the brow of a hill about 200 feet high, which would be found advantageous in
mining. (For analyses see Table below.)
About two-and-a-half miles to the westward, and nearly on the strike of the
specular ore, an immense mass of reddish quartzite is found in similar black
slates, and holds several veins of limonite, from one to three feet in
thickness. The bed rock has been traced some distance, and is capable of
yielding a considerable quantity of ore above water-level. The ore is
compact, of a chocolate-brown colour, with small cavities lined with
crystals, and smooth plates of the same mineral.
Near Glengarry, specular ore is again met in small veins, in a yellowish
grey quartzite, but no work has been done to test its extent.
At numerous other points in the county, rocks of silurian and carboniferous
age, and some of the traps, contain crystals and veinlets of specular and
magnetic ore, as traces of metamorphic action, as well as indications of
permanent deposits ; but little attention has been paid to them beyond the
district described.
At Arisaig, in highly metamorphic upper silurian strata, a bed of red
hematite, three feet wide, has been opened. From specimens that the writer
has seen, it appears similar in character to the bedded hematites just
described. This bed is found at the eastern extremity of the Lower
Helderberg strata already noticed, and in the long range intervening new
discoveries may be confidently expected.
CAPE BRETON.
Knowledge of the iron ores of this part of the province is limited, no work
having been done beyond a few trenches across the outcrops of what appear to
be promising deposits.
At Loraine, near Louisberg, boulders of a compact red hematite, of excellent
quality, have been found ; but the writer is not aware of any attempts to
prove the ore in situ. The following is an analysis of it by Mr. G. F.
Downing, of Workington :—
Peroxide of iron.................. 90*14
Lime and magnesia ... ... ... ... ••¦
4°20
Sulphur..................... "1°
Phosphoric acid.................. *H
Silica ..................... 5*45
Phosphorus in 100 parts of iron ......... '054
This ore resembles some of the Cumberland (England) red hematites in
appearance and quality.
Near the summit of the lower carboniferous, as exposed near Sydney, is a
thick bed of red marl, with nodules of limestone. Near the top of this bed
is a hard grey sandstone, containing a variable amount of peroxide of iron
in places, equal to 30 per cent, of metallic iron. Attempts to work this ore
proved unsuccessful, owing to its irregular quality and distribution.
At Big Pond, on the Bras d'Or Lake, a bed of red hematite, about eight feet
thick, has been traced about 700 yards. It occurs in hard felsitic rocks,
associated with soft nacreous and steatitic slates, considered by the
Geological Survey of Canada to be of Huronian age(?) According to Dr. How,
of Windsor, the ore contains 61*39 per cent, of iron, 9 per cent, of silica,
and mere traces of sulphur and phosphorus. On the opposite side of East Bay
similar ore has been found.
At Whyhogomah, in rocks of upper silurian age, no less than nine deposits
have been exposed and traced a few hundred yards; from surface indications
they appear to extend much further, dne bed of magnetite is nine feet thick,
and another of red hematite six feet. The former, on analysis by the
officers of the Geological Survey, was found to consist of a mixture of
specular and magnetic ore, with a considerable quantity of silicious matter,
and gave 42*64 per cent, metallic iron, and *26 per cent.
H6 THE IRON ORES OF NOVA SCOTIA,
of phosphoric acid. The latter gave, it is stated, 56 per cent, of iron.
These deposits, being on elevated ground, and only a quarter of a mile from
shipping, are well situated for working. Clay ironstone is found in nodules
and thin beds at several localities in the Cape Breton coal measures, but is
not yet proved to be of economic value.
When the lack of interest, the want of information, and the thinly settled
state of the province are considered, it is thought the discoveries made
promise well for the future. As the country gets more settled, fresh
discoveries may be anticipated, for nearly all of the ores mentioned above
were disclosed by the plough or natural exposures, and as the greater part
of the province likely to contain ore is wooded, there will probably be no
future deficiency of the raw material.
THE IRON ORES OF NOVA SCOTIA. 87
LIMESTONES.
Little is yet known of the character and composition of the Nova Scotia
limestones. They are principally confined to the lower carboniferous main
formation, and, as shown on the map, have a wide range over the province. A
few beds have been quarried to a small degree for lime, but nothing is known
of their extent, operations having been confined to the crop.
Their qualities, judging from their physical properties, are as varied as
their extent and number; some being arenaceous or argillaceous, others
bituminous, with from 2 to 3 per cent, of phosphoric acid; these latter
being from the lower or false coal-measures, and some are quarried for
building and ornamental purposes.
At Windsor, Subenacadie, and Antigonishe, the outcrops of numerous beds are
known. On the East River of Pictou, they are, as already mentioned,
associated with the iron ores, and very abundant. In a survey of the
limestone band, made by the writer in 1875, he noted the crops of over fifty
beds, varying in thickness from 2 to 30 feet.
CONDITIONS UPON WHICH MINERAL LANDS ARE GRANTED.
The following is a brief outline of the conditions under which mineral lands
are granted by the Provincial Government to those desirous of opening mines
:—
Up to the year 1809 all lands were granted with the iron ores they
88 DISCUSSION ON THE IRON ORES OP NOVA SCOTIA.
contained; after that date iron ore, coal, and other minerals, were reserved
to the Crown, and after the year 1858 were granted as a sonrce of revenue
under the following conditions :—
Upon payment of £4 a license is granted to search for minerals over a space
of five square miles during one year; upon a further payment of £4 this
license can be extended another year.
Before the expiry of the license to search, a right to work, extending over
one square mile, can be selected out of the license to search. This right to
work, not exceeding two and one-half miles in length, costs £10, and lasts
two years, and may be extended one year by payment of £5.
During the right to work, if bona fide mining operations have been commenced
and carried on, the holder of the right to work will be entitled to a lease
of the one square mile for twenty years on payment of £6, which lease is
again renewable.
The Crown also requires a small royalty of three cents, or about one penny
farthing, on every ton of iron ore, of two thousand pounds, that is
extracted.
The law further provides that parties exploring and working mines can take,
under arbitration, all land required for mining purposes.
It will appear from the above outline that mineral properties are acquired
in this province under reasonable conditions, and the mining law is framed
with the view of affording the mineral explorer every legitimate assistance.
Mr. John Daglish thought it would be very difficult to follow a paper of
that kind when just hearing it read. It was a paper containing much matter
for consideration and reference. There was, however, just one observation
which struck him in passing, and which had a general interest, and that was
where the writer spoke of the passage of hematite into magnetite ore by
deoxidization. He had had an opportunity, near Lisbon, in Portugal, of
investigating extensive adjacent mines of magnetite and brown hematite, but
in no case was there any red hematite. The reason given by the writer for
the deoxidization of the ores, on the face of it, carried apparent reason ;
and the same arguments were sometimes used as to the formation of hematites
in the first instance, viz., that they were carbonated to begin with.. In
Lincolnshire, it is stated that the carbonate there passed into oxides at
the outcrop.
The Chairman—Mr. Gilpin speaks of it as a probable local meta-
DISCUSSION ON THE IRON ORES OP NOVA SCOTIA. 89
morphism. He knew the ores to which Mr. Daglish alluded, but did not know of
any red hematites in Portugal. Magnetites and red hematites are not
generally found together.
Mr. Bunning said there was one drawback to these papers which were written
by gentlemen who reside at a great distance from the Institute; the authors
were not able to answer any question which might be asked. He thought this
inconvenience could be very much remedied if, after the paper was in the
hands of the members, any member who might have any question to ask, or
remark to make, would write to him a letter containing those questions or
remarks, and he would enclose the substance of the letters to the writer of
the paper, and hear what further observations he had to make, and this
correspondence might be condensed into a sort of discussion, and published
with the Transactions.
The Chairman approved of the remarks of Mr. Bunning. It had occurred to him
that day, on looking over the paper, that the difficulty which the Secretary
had mentioned would arise, inasmuch as there were several points upon which
he should like to ask questions; but as the author was not present, and no
one to represent him, it was of course impossible to get them answered; it
would be well to carry out the suggestion of the Secretary. The paper
contained much valuable information as regards iron ores, and a part of it
had reference to limestone. From the paper it appears that there are really
some valuable deposits of iron ore in Nova Scotia. It would be interesting
if Mr. Gilpin were to send some specimens, especially of the ores referred
to by Mr. Daglish. Communications of this character would be more
interesting if writers of papers generally forwarded specimens of the
minerals alluded to in their respective papers. He begged to propose a
vote of thanks to the writer.
A vote of thanks having been carried by acclamation, the meeting separated.
PROCEEDINGS.
GENERAL MEETING, SATURDAY, MARCH 3, 1877, IN THE WOOD MEMORIAL HALL.
E. F. BOYD, Esq., Vice-President, in the Chair.
The Secretary read the minutes of the last meeting and the minutes of the
Council meetings.
The following gentlemen were elected :—
Members— Mr. Arthur G. Ogilvie, Penshaw Colliery, Fence Houses. Mr. Robt. T.
Fothergill, 4, Queen Street, Quay, Newcastle-on-Tyne. Mr. John Vivian, C.E.,
Manager, Diamond Boring Co., Whitehaven. Mr. Thos. F. Steward, Manager,
North Fenham Colliery, Kenton, Newcastle. Mr. John Peel, Manager, Horsley
Colliery, Wylam-on-Tyne. Mr. William John Tyson, No. 1, Lowther Street,
Whitehaven. Mr. Henry Burnett Watson, High Bridge Works, Newcastle-on-Tyne.
Mr. William Holding, Manager, Brensop Hall Coal Co., Wigan. Mr. John Price,
Manager, Palmer Brothers and Co., Jarrqw-on-Tyne. Mr. Thos. Sopwith, Jun.,
6, Great George Street, Westminster, London, S.W. Mr. Charles Richards,
Architect and Surveyor, Grainger Street, Newcastle.
Students— Mr. Thomas R. Maddison, Thornhill Collieries, near Dewsbury. Mr.
R. W. Harrison, Poynton and Worth Collieries, near Stockport, Cheshire. Mr.
H. R. Makepeace, Heworth Colliery Office, Heworth, near Newcastle. Mr. James
Lyon, Vale View, Whitehaven. Mr. William Moore, Colliery Office, Whitehaven.
Mr. Joicey Humble, 17, Westmorland Terrace, Newcastle-on-Tyne.
The following were nominated for election at the next meeting :— Members—
Mr. Richard Harle, Colliery Manager. Browney Colliery, Durham. Mr. Robinson
Ferens, Coal-Owner, Oswald House, Durham. Mr. William Bailes, Murton
Colliery, Sunderland. Mr. John Thompson, M.E., South Skelton Mines, via
Guisbro'. Mr. W. Wells Bladen, Secretary, North Staffordshire Institute of
Mining and Mechanical Engineers, Hanley, Staffordshire.
92 PROCEEDINGS.
Students— Mr. M. F. Depledge, Mining Pupil, Browney Colliery, Durham. Mr. W.
F. Gibson, 100, Bedford Street, North Shields. Mr. Harry Bird, Hay don
Bridge, Northumberland. Mr. Hugh Kirton, Oxclose, Brancepeth, Durham.
The Secretary then read the following paper, " On a new form of Marine
Boiler," by Mr. John Shaw :—
A NEW FORM OF MARINE BOILER. 93
A NEW FORM OF MARINE BOILER.
By Mr. JOHN SHAW.
During the last ten years a great change has been effected in the type of
marine engines by the introduction of higher pressures, and of high and
low-pressure or compound cylinders. The steps by which this change was
effected, and the dependence of it upon the introduction and the perfecting
of the surface condenser, were very ably and clearly traced by your
Secretary, Mr. Bunning, in a paper which he read before this Institution on
the 6th of March, 1875. In that paper an interesting and valuable table was
inserted, showing the utmost theoretical saving from increased pressures of
steam. To those who had not previously studied the subject, it was perhaps a
surprise to find how small is even the theoretical gain by the use of
pressures greater than from 60 to 75 lbs. above the atmosphere. An
inspection of the theoretic curve of the expansion of steam is equally
surprising. Between 20 lbs. and 70 lbs. above the atmospheric line, the
curve changes altogether in direction, and from a horizontal curve
approximates to a straight and nearly perpendicular line. Like the peculiar
properties of water and ice between 30 degrees and 40 degrees Fahr., this
property of steam is a law to the cause of which there seems to be no clue.
Marine engineers are constantly reminded that in locomotives a higher range
of steam pressures has been demonstrated by practical result to be
beneficial. It has, however, been ably pointed out by Mr. John McFarlane
Gray, that the difference between the initial and the terminal pressure in a
locomotive cylinder is less than in a marine engine; that is to say, the
range of expansion, which is the source of economy, is less. For instance,
in a locomotive working at 160 lbs. pressure against a back
of pressures for the range of expansion is already in ordinary practice much
greater in marine engines than in locomotives.
94 A NEW FOEM OP MARINE BOILER.
Now, the foregoing observations are intended to impress the idea that no
very great benefit will or can arise from increasing the working pressure at
sea above from 60 to 75 lbs. or thereabouts; or, if there is any advantage,
it will be chiefly in the possible reduction of weight and size, and not in
any marked economy in fuel. The disadvantages of extreme pressures are many
indeed, and are familiar to every marine engineer of experience. The losses
and vexations which have attended the efforts to introduce high pressures at
sea are written on every page of steamship history, and it is with a feeling
of real relief that in this at least there seems some solid ground to rest
on—some assurance that striving to perfect the details of present types is
more profitable than pressing further forward. At the present time, and for
the last ten years, a very great deal of inventive talent, and a very large
amount of money, have been expended in the endeavour to devise a boiler that
shall be fit to work at such high pressures as are now used. All, or almost
all, of these devices have been based upon reducing the diameter of the
barrel or cylinder exposed to the pressure of the steam. Some are made
multi-spherical in form, and one is called by its inventor the " pot"
boiler. In all, or nearly all, the object sought to be attained, namely,
that of getting a large heating surface and great strength combined with a
moderate weight, has probably been realised. Notwithstanding this, everyone
appears to have been abandoned in practice. Nor is the reason far to seek.
It is well known that many of these schemes to secure strength form very
inefficient steam raisers, and thus, what may be gained by the using of
higher pressed steam in the engine itself is more than lost from the
inefficient action of an unsuitable boiler. Again, even with a surface
condenser, there are in practice serious deposits from the water used at
sea, and no boiler can be relied upon in a steamer where the deposits are
allowed to form in inaccessible parts, or, still worse, where the principal
deposit may form on the parts most exposed to the action of the fire; and no
matter what the theoretical advantage in point of strength may be in any
proposed form of boiler, it is sure ultimately to fail if possessed of this
disadvantage.
Thus, the ordinary type of marine boiler still holds its own, and perhaps
the most successful specimen is what is known as the double-ended boiler,
which would seem from lengthened experience to be a better steam raiser than
the single-ended one. It has, however, some defects from which the
single-ended boiler is free. In large steamers, the double-ended boiler is
often so heavy that it is not in every dock or port that a crane or
shearlegs strong enough to lift it can be found. For the same reason, in
case of replacing it or removing it for repairs, the ship has to be much cut
up before the double-ended boiler can be got out. Trouble
A NEW FORM OF MARINE BOILER. 95
is also caused by the unequal strains to which all long boilers are subject.
Even in the ordinary egg-ended boilers, which are so much used at collieries
and blast furnaces, these unequal strains are a cause of constant trouble
whenever their length is great. Finally, the flame-box of the double-ended
boiler is inaccessible for repairs, and there is a difficulty in efficiently
staying its crown, and at the same time keeping it clear from deposit.
It is claimed for the boiler which this paper describes, that it unites the
advantages of the double-ended boiler with freedom from its defects. The
arrangement is shown in Plates XI. and XII. The boiler can be made either
oval or cylindrical, or indeed rectangular.
A A, are the furnaces or fire tubes, of which two are shown in eacli boiler,
but of which, as may be readily understood, there may be any convenient
number. B, is the space formed between each pair of boilers, which space
receives the products of combustion from the fires of the two adjoining
sections.
According to one arrangement this space is roofed by a fire-brick arch,
whilst according to the arrangement shown in the Plates it is covered by the
projecting portions b, of the two boilers. In both cases the bottom of the
space B is formed of a plate of cast or wrought iron, usually lined with
fire bricks, \, and its sides, h8, are similarly constructed.
C 0, are the tubes through which the products of combustion pass from the
flame-box or space B to the uptakes in front of each boiler section. These
uptakes D may be either led into separate chimneys, or, what is a better way
where practicable, into a common chimney, E.
F, is the cylindrical steam receiver, which communicates by a steam pipe and
shut-off valve with each boiler section. Thus any one of the sections can be
thrown out of use at pleasure.
The steam receiver can be placed either transversely over the firebrick arch
in the first arrangement, or it can be placed longitudinally between the
crowns of the boilers.
In either case it is mostly enclosed in a chamber communicating with the
uptakes, so that it receives heat from the products of combustion on their
way to the chimney whereby the steam collected is kept hot and dried.
The following good qualities will probably be conceded for this form of
boiler:—
1. That it does not depart from the well-tried and well-proved prin-
ciple of placing the water outside, and the heat inside, the flues and tubes
; and
2. That on this principle, it has as large an effective heating surface
in as small a water space as is possible.
96 A NEW FORM OF MARINE BOILER.
3. That it is a form of boiler that will not be destroyed by incrusta-
tion.
4. That it will in an eminent degree be a smoke consumer, and so
waste no coal by sending it up the chimney in the form of smoke.
5. That it is wonderfully accessible for repairs ; and
6. That the sections are such as to be able to be taken out of the ship
through the boiler-hatch without cutting up the decks.
7. That it is so constructed that in the event of accident the different
sections can be used independently of each other.
There now remains to state what has been the experience with this form of
boiler at sea. Until now only one steamer has been fitted, and that is the "
Royal Dane," a vessel of 220 nominal horse-power, belonging to the Tyne
Steam Shipping Company. She trades between Newcastle and Copenhagen, and is
one of the fastest steamers sailing from the Tyne. She has been running for
about a year and a half, and her boilers continue to give unqualified
satisfaction ; nor is there the least symptom which might lead one to
suppose that they will not last at least as long as any other form of marine
boiler. The consumption of coal is so perfect that there is a total absence
of smoke.
Soon after starting an untoward accident happened to the starboard boiler,
which gave an admirable opportunity for testing their very great
accessibility for repairs. The side bA was removed, and the flame-box was
thus left perfectly open and free for work and inspection.
The last report received from the superintendent of the company, Mr.
Moffatt, is perfectly satisfactory, and though short, it is unequivocal. It
is as follows :—" It gives me much pleasure to inform you that the machinery
of the s.s. ' Eoyal Dane,' is now doing first-rate. The boilers keep
beautifully clean, and give us no trouble, and yield ample steam;
consumption, within the promised standard; speed, 12 knots. I shall be glad
to show the machinery to any of your friends and customers when convenient."
In confirmation of the benefit to be derived from expansion the following
letter is appended:—
Manhattan Villa, Summekside Place, John Shaw, Esq.
Leith.
Dear Sir,
Your favour of the 5th I received, and, as you wish, I have sent you the
results of eleven of our ships, with and without steam in the jackets. These
experiments were all done with great care, and as the four last-named ships
are all of the same power, you will see how near each other they are. The "
Berlin" and " Danzig" are of the same power, and the " Courland" and "
Prague" are also sister
A NEW FORM OF MARINE BOILER. 97
ships. The coal in all these experiments was weighed for eight hours at a
time, so that a correct consumption might be got, and each experiment the
mean of twelve diagrams. I am not at all surprised at some of your engineers
in Newcastle being of opinion that steam-jackets are of no use. I find many
here who argue the same way; and also in Glasgow, some who think themselves
well posted on the merits and demerits of the steam engine are of the same
belief, but they are labouring under a great mistake.
Some are of opinion that the high pressure cylinder only should be jacketed,
but I also enclose a few of the ship diagrams power showing clearly that the
great gain is got in the jacketing of the low pressure.
I hope this may be of use to you ; if you want anything else which I can
give you I shall be glad to send it.
Yours very truly,
(Signed) W. CALDWELL.
Results op a Series op Experiments on Steam Jackets, made in Eleven
Steamers, under the direction op W. Caldwell, Esq., op Leith.
Each experiment gives the mean of 12 diagrams, and the coal weighed for
eight hours.
98 DISCUSSION ON A NEW FORM OP MARINE BOILER.
Mr. William Boyd asked if any advantage was taken of the great heating
surface in the combustion chamber ? Of course, it is clear a certain amount
of advantage was taken of it, for though apparently it has no sides in
connection with a water space, still it has a crown, and to a certain extent
the heat from this combustion chamber will communicate itself to the water
on the top of it. He would also ask if the boilers of the " Royal Dane" were
made in accordance with the design given in the Plates ?
Mr. Shaw—The drawing mentioned by Mr. Boyd shows all the details, as carried
out on board the " Royal Dane," and no further attempt to utilize the heat
in the take-up was made than was there shown.
The Chairman said, Mr. Shaw mentioned that the consumption of smoke was very
perfect—was there any particular arrangement attached to this which made it
more perfect than the ordinary marine boiler ?
Mr. Shaw said, the only reason he could assign for this complete consumption
of smoke was that the fire-brick sides after a time got very much heated,
and helped to complete the combustion of such gases as became evolved,
without having been raised to the requisite temperature for the perfect
decomposition of the smoke. In answer to Mr. Newall, Mr. Shaw said that the
brick sides gave great facilities for the admission of air into any part of
the combustion chamber; and by taking out a brick at the side all that took
place in that chamber could be distinctly observed, and he had by such
observation personally satisfied himself as to the perfection of the
combustion. It was the first time he had had the opportunity of watching
what took place in the inside of the combustion chamber of a boiler, and the
results of his investigation had interested him very much. Since the
question of smoke had been raised he might state that the captain said,
namely, that " they had not given him as much smoke as would show him how
the wind blew."
The Secretary asked how this brick-work had stood in heavy weather ? It
seemed to him that the boilers, however strongly connected together they
might be, would have some little motion between them, which he should think
would severely try the stability of the brick-work, and, of course, if that
brick-work were to give way, there would be nothing to stop the heated gases
and flame from coming out into the engine-room, which might be very
dangerous.
Mr. Shaw said, that at first the sides were made of a frame-work of cast
iron, formed with oblong recesses, specially made to receive the bricks and
keep them in their places, but when the inboard division b3, between
DISCUSSION ON A NEW FORM OP MARINE BOILER. 99
the two boilers, had to be removed for repairs, these frames were replaced
by T bars, in the form shown in the plate, and both these bars and the
original frames, which are still attached to the outside of the combustion
chamber at the sides of the ship, have stood well, and retained the bricks
securely in their places, although at times most severe weather had been
experienced.
Mr. F. 0. Marshall said, as these boilers had been at work for some twelve
or eighteen months, it would be conveying very valuable information to the
members if Mr. Shaw could give them some idea as to the consumption of fuel,
and if the results in this respect were more favourable than in ordinary
boilers of either the single or double-ended type ; and if there was any
saving, he should like Mr. Shaw to explain how he accounted for it. With
regard to the durability of the boiler, he noticed that the overhanging
portion over the combustion chamber in effect practically increased the
length or, more properly, height of the plating forming the back end of the
boiler, and proportionally increasing its area over that of the front end.
In that proportion the two ends are out of balance, and the inner or back
end subjected to very severe and unusual strains, which could only be
supported by being very securely stayed in some special manner, and he would
ask Mr. Shaw what experience had shown to be the result, and whether this
portion of the boiler had given trouble in any way ; and without wishing to
regard the accident already mentioned as other than an untoward circumstance
of an exceptional character, he would like to know what difficulties, if
any, had been experienced, and how they had been overcome. He could not
conclude his remarks without observing that he thought that they, as
engineers, owed a great debt of gratitude to Mr. Shaw, as a manufacturer of
marine engines, for having in the first instance dared to bring out a new
marine boiler, and then again that he had had the courage to bring his
design here, and submit it to the criticism of the engineers who were more
particularly connected with the Institute of Mining and Mechanical
Engineers.
Mr. Shaw said, the boilers of the " Royal Dane" were made exceptionally
large—this was required by the specification—and even with these large
boilers the consumption had been kept from that and other causes to below 2
lbs. per horse-power per hour. There had been no inconvenience experienced
from the extra length of the boiler from unequal expansion, or from the
shape of the plate at the top of the combustion chamber, neither had the
boiler exhibited any sign whatever of weakness from that source or any
other. There had been a deposit of salt on the
100 DISCUSSION ON A NEW FORM OF MARINE BOILER.
plate above the combustion chamber, but that had been obviated by placing
the plate at a greater angle. With regard to general repairs, he had only to
remark that the boiler had been " started" at the beginning through
carelessness, and all engineers would know what that meant.
Mr. Burning asked if Mr. Shaw could give the weight of the boiler per
horse-power, and also the weight per horse-power of the ordinary boilers,
together with the weight of the necessary brick-work ?
Mr. Shaw said, the weight of the four section^, complete with uptake,
receiver, doors, fire-brick, etc., was 130 tons, two ordinary double boilers
or four single boilers would have weighed 140 tons; and would have held 15
tons more water ; there was thus a saving of 25 tons in weight, which can be
carried as cargo; but the boilers of the " Royal Dane" were made extra large
and are not a fair example for ordinary practice. The following statement
may put the comparative economy more prominently. Negotiations are now on
foot to replace an ordinary double boiler for 100 horse-power engines, the
weight of which is 26 tons, but on the new plan only 18 tons weight, and
with from four to five tons less water, this would make a total saving in
weight of 12 tons, which could, of course, be carried as cargo. With regard
to the economy in first cost, he had just now offered a shipowner to
construct boilers on his plan for £800, while his offer for one of the
ordinary type was £1,300.
Mr. Bunning thought it would be very interesting to know how many pounds of
water per pound of coal could be evaporated by this boiler, and asked Mr.
Shaw (if he had not done so before) to take an early opportunity of making
such experiment as would show the relative economy with other marine
boilers.
The Chairman said this would be a very interesting addition to the paper.
Mr. Shaw stated that the " Royal Dane's " high pressure cylinder was 35
inches; low pressure, 70 inches; stroke, 42 inches; 80 pounds pressure; 58
revolutions ; indicated on trial 1,057 horse-power and burned 1,792 pounds
of coal; this gives -x^f-f 1*69 pounds, say 1*7 pounds per horse per hour.
Steam cut off at 32 inches of high pressure cylinder gives for water
evaporation:—
Per one pound of coal per hour.
Mr. Boyd begged to propose a vote of thanks to Mr. Shaw, which was seconded
by Mr. Marshall, and unanimously carried.
DISCUSSION—BLOWN-OUT SHOTS, ETC. 101
The Chairman said, they were very much obliged to Mr. Shaw for having
introduced the paper to their notice; it had conferred a benefit upon the
whole district, even in point of discussion.
Mr. Shaw said, he was very much obliged to them for their vote of thanks. It
certainly had required a little courage to come before such eminent
engineers. He had forgotten to state that in the trial of the boiler, the
coal used—which he mentioned as being under two pounds per horse power per
hour—was the Allerdean coal (Teams) ; the properties and calorific power of
which, in relation to other well-known coals, would be known to gentlemen
present.
The Chairman said, that the coal mentioned was known as the Eavens-worth
steam coal.
The discussion on Messrs. Hall and Clarke's paper on " The Mechanical
effects of Blown-out Shots on Ventilation" was then proceeded with.
Mr. Hall said, he had nothing special to add at present to what had been
written in the paper. He might mention that the experiments were undertaken
at first to try to test whether, when a shot blew out in a narrow place, it
would cause a partial vacuum in that place, and if so, if such vacuum would
be immediately filled with gas. But while the experiments progressed, the
extraordinary part which coal-dust seemed to play was forced upon their
attention, and they did not fully follow out what they originally intended
to do with reference to the vacuum. He was not quite certain whether north
country gentlemen quite understood the meaning of a blown-out shot. In
Lancashire they had an unfortunate habit of blasting without any nicking or
side preparation, that is, shooting partially fast, and then, when it occurs
that the coal bears the strain of the powder longer than the stemming in the
hole, the result is a " blown-out shot." He thought that these experiments
almost proved the fact that wherever there was a body of flame caused either
by lighting a small quantity of gas or by a blown-out shot, there might be a
serious explosion, through its lighting any small coal dust that might be in
the workings. That was the point which they brought before the Institute. He
knew it had been pointed out once or twice before by some of the gentlemen—
he thought by Mr. Greenwell on one occasion—but perhaps it had not been so
practically tested.
102 DISCUSSION—BLOWN-OUT SHOTS, ETC.
Mr. Geeenwell said, he would like to ask Mr. Hall for a little further
explanation of the experiments as regarded the formation of a vacuum. Mr.
Hall had said their attention was drawn to the action of the shot upon the
dust, and thereby diverted from this subject; hut he would still ask if Mr.
Hall could give them any further explanation touching that, which seemed to
have been the original object of the experiment ?
Mr. Hall said, they partly followed the original object, but they did not
persevere with it as they might have done if other things had not presented
themselves on their attention.
Mr. Gbeenwell—Then, there is nothing you have done tending to show you that
no vacuum is made when a blown-out shot takes place ?
Mr. Hall said, they did try so far as this; they fired small quantities of
powder in the end of a boiler provided with a gauge to see if there was any
relief of the pressure when the powder went off, and they did not find there
was any relief of the pressure on the gauge itself. But he was not satisfied
with the mode of trying the experiment.
Mr. Gbeenwell did not know whether Mr. Hall had heard of an experiment which
he (Mr. Greenwell) once made, that was with firing in a wooden box in such a
way as to represent a blown-out shot placed in one end of it, and having at
right angles to it another box with a valve on the top of it opening
inwards, that valve being accurately adjusted so that it simply rested
against the under side of a hole which was made in the top of the box. When
the shot was fired—he meant the shot in the box —the valve immediately went
down with great force from the vacuum which was produced in the cross box,
on account of firing the shot of powder past the open end of it.
Mr. Hall said, he remembered Mr. G-reenwell's paper on the subject.
Mr. Geeenwell—Because there it was perfectly clear there must have been some
vacuum in order to have the effect which was produced. Now, what would be
produced on that small scale would undoubtedly be produced equally if the
shot was fired at the end of a straight drift.
Mr. Hall quite agreed with Mr. Greenwell in thinking their would be a
vacuum; but what he said was that so far as their experiments had gone, he
could not say they had proved it to be so.
Professor Heeschel said, if he understood rightly the interest which Mr.
Hall and Mr. Clarke originally attached to this vacuum, it depended on the
possibility of its extracting additional fire-damp from the coal in the
air-ways affected by the shot, and that this additional fire-damp might
produce a more explosive and readily inflammable condition of the air in
DISCUSSION—BLOWN-OUT SHOTS, ETC. 103
the track of the wave or concussion that proceeded from the shot; he also
understood that they had been diverted from further continuing those
experiments by considerations of another kind, relating to the action of
disseminated' coal-dust and fine coal, which might produce an even more
dangerous state of things than the feared increase of gas occasioned by the
vacuum, which they had originally intended to investigate.
Mr. Hall—Yes, that is so.
Professor Heeschel thought this a very interesting subject, requiring much
consideration. It was one which had occupied the attention of a number of
gentlemen, and regarding which he hoped they might have some further
information, for he knew experiments were being continued in this direction,
in order to ascertain further facts; and he thought that in the absence of
some gentlemen who were investigating this question, it might be desirable
that this discussion might be resumed.
Mr. Bunking thought from wThat they had learned already from those
experiments, it might be safely concluded that the fine impalpable dust
about a mine was explosive.
Mr. Gbeenwell supposed the only way it could be called explosive— for it
would not be simply so as dust per se—was that the dust would become
distilled by the heat which would be produced by this blown-out shot, and
the gases distilled from the dust would become explosive matter.
The Chaieman said that was the point. They always found in the case of a
great explosion, that the dust had had a great deal to do with the result
which had taken place. It always seemed to have accumulated and formed a
great part of the deposit on the props and sides of the mine after the
explosion, where it was sometimes found an inch thick.
Mr. Geeenwell—Yes, that is one of the results which Mr. Hall and his friend
wish to prove.
Mr. Hall—Yes, they wished to prove that the dust will of itself, without any
gases at all, cause a serious explosion, and that whenever an explosion of
gas and dust did occur, the dust would add much to the seriousness of the
consequences.
The Chaieman thought that was very right.
Mr. Leboue asked Mr. Hall what he considered were the bearings of his
experiments compared with those described by M. Yidal, in the " Annales des
Mines," a year or two ago ?
Mr. Hall said, he had not seen them.
Mr. Leboue said, there was a very long paper on the subject by M. Yidal, and
he thought Mr. Hall's attention ought certainly to be directed to it. It
would be a great satisfaction to Mr. Hall to find that results similar to
those he had arrived at, had been obtained abroad.
104 DISCUSSION—BLOWN-OUT SHOTS, ETC.
Mr. Nelson said, he should think that Mr. Hall might take it as a fact, that
very finely divided dust, at any rate coal-dust, would certainly cause a
very violent explosion. It was well known that ordinary wheaten flour in a
room would explode very violently indeed; therefore, he would say there was
no doubt whatever that very fine coal-dust floating about in a mine would be
explosive, more so even than gases. He believed that the danger attendant on
the presence of finely divided coal and charcoal was so great that insurance
companies refused absolutely to insure all buildings in which these
substances were pulverised.
The Chairman said, they would be very glad to hear of the remedy which Mr.
Hall proposed. He had pretty well determined the fact, and the remedy would
be the next point to which they would like to direct his attention.
Mr. Hall said, he was quite aware that it had usually been supposed that
coal-dust was explosive, but he did not think it had been very
satisfactorily brought to the minds of engineers that it was so; and what he
wished to do was to point out to them, that if they used gunpowder in such a
way as to have these blown-out shots, they might light the coal-dust and
have a very serious result from it. They had turned his attention to the
question of how the danger was to be avoided. He thought it would be
difficult, at all times at any rate, to avoid lighting-small quantities of
gas now and again. He believed there was some hope that the use of dynamite
would prevent blown-out shots. If they used dynamite, he did not think they
would have blown-out shots.
Mr. Bunning said, he would like very much to have the opinion of Professor
Herschel upon the following point. They knew that in the case of gunpowder a
very small spark would cause the ignition of a large mass of gunpowder, and
that the consequences would be very deadly. Now, with regard to this highly
divided dust, would it be so ? Would not coal-dust require, in the first
place, a higher temperature; and, in the second place, that the particles
immediately and at first exposed should be impinged upon as it were by this
higher temperature in a more forcible manner than was required to explode
gunpowder which is fired by the smallest spark ?*
Professor Hebschel said, that the speed of communication of the
* In flour-mills the most dangerous portion is the stythe room through which
the air is passed, which is drawn through the stones to keep them cool. A
considerable quantity of the finest dust is of course carried with it, and
this is often exploded by a spark from the stones. Lamps or lights are
strictly prohibited from being taken into this room, and the insurance
companies recommend that it should be made of very light material and placed
outside the mill.
DISCUSSION—BLOWN-OUT SHOTS, ETC. 105
flame would probably be deducible from the experiments that he had
indicated. The rate of transmission of flame in inflammable gas mixtures had
been accurately measured; but where the place of combustible gas is taken by
finely-divided dust, the case was one which could only be experimentally
examined and the conditions of it so ascertained. He thought it was on this
account that the experiments would prove so very valuable and interesting.
That finely divided dust was capable of transmitting flame through a
dust-charged atmosphere they knew from the disastrous results in
flour-mills; and to what extent the action of coal may be similar to that of
flour and of some other dusts was exactly one of the points which required
examination. He had no doubt that much interesting matter would result from
those trials which were now proceeding ; and he would hope that Mr. Hall's
results would prove corroborative of those which had been obtained
elsewhere. It was with great pleasure he heard that Mr. Hall had undertaken
those experiments.
Mr. Greenwell apprehended that the case in coal-dust was something of this
kind—that a large quantity was diffused through the air ; the first action
of the flame of the shot was upon that portion of the coal-dust which was
nearest to that flame, and that coal-dust was then distilled by the action
of the flame, and that the heat so produced was communicated to the other
dust extremely rapidly, everything being so minutely divided, and that very
quickly the whole was suddenly distilled and inflamed. He did not believe
that the dust itself, as dust, was explosive at all, but it must be the gas
which was distilled from the coal-dust which was the cause of the explosion.
The same must hold good with regard to the dust from flour.
Mr. Wigham Eichaedson asked if Mr. Greenwell thought that explained the
action in the Crampton furnace ?
Mr. Geeenwell said he did not know; he had not thought about that; that was
where small coal was projected into the furnace ?
Mr. Bunning said it was projected with a quantity of air sufficient for its
consumption.
Mr. Greenwell thought that might be the action of it. Mr. Bunning—But the
coal there is burnt; it does not explode. Mr. Greenwell—No, it is not
exploded, because it is burnt as it is thrown in. Supposing there was a
large quantity of dust suspended in the atmosphere of the furnace when flame
was put to it, probably there would be an explosion in the same way.
Mr. Nelson said, as to the question whether the very fine dust in the
Crampton furnace was burnt or exploded, the coal-dust which is blown
106 DISCUSSION—BLOWN-OUT SHOTS, ETC.
into the Orampton furnace was burnt long before it bad time to fall on to
anything; it was burnt in mid air; it was no sooner in than it was burnt,
but there being a continuous stream of it, the whole furnace not being
charged with it, but merely with, as it were, a jet of it, he thought that
it burned as the gas coming out of a gas-burner would do, and that the
consumption in a Crampton furnace was somewhat in the nature of an
explosion, but being continuous and regular it was not a violent one.
Mr. Bunning- thought there was a fair answer to Mr. Richardson's question.
There was a very marked difference in the quality of the dust which was
blown into the Crampton furnace and that which was in a pit. He apprehended
that the dust in a pit was the most impalpable dust that could possibly be
imagined. Now the coal-dust which they put into a Crampton furnace was in a
very much coarser state.
Mr. Nelson—Mr. Crampton recommended it to be as impalpable as if it had been
ground through a millstone. He thought it was as fine as flour or dust.
Mr. Richardson said the coal was ground by horizontal stones. Mr. Matthew
Heckels said, he would like to ask Mr. Hall if in his opinion they were
correct in assuming that serious explosions had occurred through blown-out
shots, or were they not rather caused through insufficient ventilation,
together with incomplete examination of the neighbourhood previous to the
shot being fired, or if the shot which caused an explosion had not been
fired where they had an open and broken roof, for they knew the safety-lamp
would only indicate at some four or five inches from the roof-line any gas
there might be at the time the shot was to be fired. The large flame
filling the narrow drift might have penetrated into those crevices and
ignited the gas, hence the explosion. The Chairman said that would do away
with Mr. Hall's theory. Mr. Hall said, he was much of the opinion of the
gentleman who spoke last when he first went to Lancashire, but there he
constantly met very able men who held the opinion that there might be a
serious explosion from a blown-out shot without any gas coming either from
the strata or from any of the surrounding workings, and it was to test this
assertion that these experiments were undertaken.
The Chairman said Mr. Hall's conclusions were very different from his first
expectations.
Mr. Hall said they were. He went to prove the previous speaker's case
rather than the case he had brought before them that day.
Mr. W. N. Atkinson said, there was another question which he would like to
ask, and that was, had any experiments ever been made to ascertain
DISCUSSION—BLOWN-OUT SHOTS, ETC. 107
if finely-divided coal-dust carried along by a strong current of air would
cause an explosion by passing through the gauze of a safety-lamp similarly
to an explosive mixture of fire-damp and air ?
Mr. Lebour said such experiments were in progress now. Mr. Atkinson asked
where ?
Mr. Lebour believed, partly by Mr. Cochrane, who, he was sorry to say, was
not present that day, and partly by Professor Marreco and others, and he had
no doubt that for that reason Professor Herschel had suggested that the
discussion be resumed at a future time, when those gentlemen could be
present, and give the meeting some account, at all events, of the results of
their experiments, although no doubt these results would be brought before
the Institute in a more perfect form by means of a separate paper at the
proper time. It would be a great pity that the discussion should be closed
that day.
The Chairman asked if there was a probability of their being favoured with
the result of those experiments ?
Mr. Lebour said, he had no authority for his opinion, but he certainly
thought so, and hoped so.
Mr. Bunning asked if Mr. Hall had not tried experiments with regard to the
action of safety-lamps exposed to the dust ?
Mr. Hall thought it was Mr. Galloway who had been trying these
experiments.
Mr. G-reenwell said, that it should be remembered that it requires very much
less heat to explode the gas which is given off by distilled coal than to
explode fire-damp ; and that if very fine dust was projected against a
red-hot gauze, it was possible some of that dust might be converted into
gas, which would be exploded by the heat of the gauze.
The Chairman said, they would adjourn the discussion until they might have
the results of those experiments, which would be laid before the Institute;
and Mr. Hall might be asked to be present again on a future occasion, if
that would be convenient to him.
A " Description of a Winding Engine with Self-acting Variable Expansion" was
then read by Mr. William Page :—
DESCRIPTION OF A WINDING ENGINE WITH SELF-ACTING VARIABLE EXPANSION.
By Mr. WILLIAM PAGE, Newcastle-on-Tyne.
The application of self-acting variable expansion gear to the
stationary-engine is known not only to procure an economy of steam but
constancy of motion. From the winding engine similar results are desired by
the action of an apparatus, simple in construction and at all times
effective, and under the control of the brakesman.
To procure constancy of motion in very deep pits a great difficulty is met
with, caused by the momentum of the descending weight, increasing the power
exerted to raise the ascending load, sometimes to an extent sufficient in
the end not only to bring the load to bank but even requiring the
counter-action of the steam to retard the accelerated speed of the engine.
Here, then, is a source of danger as well as a waste of steam, to which is
added the necessity of increased dimensions to the working parts, so that
the development of power may be obtained at the first moment of winding. In
order to remedy the evils resulting from this want of equilibrium,
counter-balancing by weights, throttling or reducing the steam-pressure at
each successive stroke, and variable expansion, adjusted to an ascertained
load, have been adopted ; while to meet these several requirements, the
application of self-acting variable expansion has been successfully
introduced by the combined action of an automatic "cut-off" with an ordinary
hydraulic regulator or "cataract." The object of this paper is to give a
description of an engine so constructed, by Messrs. Carels Brothers, of
Ghent.
Plate XIII. represents a pair of horizontal non-condensing engines to draw
from a depth of 1,200 yards. The cylinders are 39*37 inches in diameter,
with a stroke of 70*87 inches • the drum-shaft is provided with a
double-acting brake for steam or hand-power. The quantity of coal that the
engine can raise during a working day of ten hours is upwards of 600 tons,
with a pressure of steam of 45 lbs. per square inch.
110 DESCRIPTION OF A WINDING ENGINE.
The type of engine is that of Sulzer Brothers, specially adapted for this
class of work. The main frame of the engine is of the " Corliss" design,
being that of one continuous cast-iron distance-piece between the centres of
resistance, namely, the steam-cylinder and the drum-shaft, by which a
strength and rigidity is given to the structure that is not attained in the
ordinary form of bed-plate. The cylinders are each provided with two steam
and two exhaust ports, situated close to the ends with the clearance space
reduced to a minimum. The admission and exhaust ports are each provided with
equilibrium double-beat valves of the Cornish type, and these are actuated
by the shafts A A, horizontal and parallel to the centre of the engine, and
driven direct by gearing from the drum-shaft. The exhaust valves are opened
to fixed limits, and remain permanently so, quite independent of any action
in the expansion gear. The situation of the steam valves is upon the top of
the cylinder, while the position of the exhaust valves is beneath, to
facilitate the escape of condensed steam or water. The main steam-pipe
entering from beneath the cylinders also affords the means by which they can
be thoroughly drained.
Plates XIV., XV., and XVI., show the mechanism by which the steam is
admitted and the varying expansion effected. The same letters and figures
refer to the same parts in all.
The shafts A A are driven by spur gear from the crank-shaft of the engine
and revolve at the same speed ; they are horizontal, and lie in the same
plane as the main centre of the engine; they are supported by bearings As A2
fixed to the cylinders, and terminate in two cranks, B2 and B3. The crank Ba
gives motion to a rod, B4, connected to a block working in a slot B5 in the
reversing disc X. This block as it moves up and down communicates a rocking
motion to the shaft A1 by means of the rod B6, which shaft A1 is carried
along the whole length of the cylinder, and has attached to it two discs, a
a, which give motion to the two steam valves on the tops of the cylinders S
S by means of the rods b &, and levers C C, and to the two eduction valves E
by means of the rods &2.
The reversing disc X is connected by the rod X1, and the lever X2 to the
reversing shaft 2, which is moved at will by the brakesman by means of the
lever E, Fig. 2, Plate XVII.
The action and variation of the expansion gear is carried out by the
intervention of the shafts T T, levers Z2 and rods bx, to which motion can
be given in three separate ways.
First.—By the brakesman by the reversing lever B actuating the rod L, lever
L1, rod L2, lever L8, and giving motion to the tripping gear shaft I, which
again moves the shafts T T by means of the rods and levers Z, Z1 Z3.
DESCRIPTION OP A WINDING ENGINE. Ill
Second.—By means of either a governor or hydraulic regulator in a way
hereafter to be described.
Third.—By means of the crank B3 attached to the end of the shaft A, effected
in the following manner :—There is a connection made between the small ends
of the levers Z2 by means of the rod Z3, which is allowed to move freely in
brass bushes inserted in the levers Z2 by means of a small lever Z4 forged
upon it, and actuated by the crank B3 through the rod Z5.
The steam valves S are provided with spindles, dash-pots, and other usual
contrivances, for the prevention of undue shocks, and are lifted by the
levers C1, which move loosely on the shaft C2. The lever C1 is moved by the
lever C, which moves also loosely on the shaft C2; but the lever C can only
move the lever Cl when the end of that lever e1 overlaps the end of the
catch e affixed to the lever C. It will be therefore seen that although a
regular and constant motion may be given to the lever C by means of the
shaft A, crank B2, and intermediate gear, yet no motion will be communicated
to the lever C1 until the catch e is raised above the end of el of the lever
C1, and the valve S will at any time when opened by C1 immediately close on
the catch e, moving lower than the end e\ Upon the motion of the catch e the
whole range of the expansion of the engine is made to depend; when it is
depressed by the rod b being raised, the valve shuts. Motion is communicated
to e by the socket e2, against which the rod b1 pushes upwards directly by
means of the nuts e3, because no damage can arise to e by its slipping lower
than the end e1. On the other hand, the downward motion of the socket e2 is
caused by the rod b1 acting through the medium of a spring &, which gives
way on any attempt being made to raise e when below ex, which would result
in fracture if continued.
It will be observed that the top end of the rod Z1 has a slot attached to it
which allows the governor or hydraulic regulator to raise the lever Z8
without interfering with the motion of the tripping shaft by the brakesman;
and it may be here stated that the motion that he gives it is so regulated
that the steam valves shall never be open when the handle R, Plate XVIL,
Fig. 2, is upright, and that most steam is admitted when that handle is
pushed furthest forward or backward as the engine may be going.
This is effected by means of the hanging link L attached to the lever R,
which pushes down the levers and rod L1, L2, L3, when it is upright, but
which raises them when the lever B is at either extremity R1 or Ra of its
motion.
It now remains to describe the mode of operation of the regulator, the
object of which is to control the speed of the engine by adjusting
112 DESCRIPTION OF A WINDING ENGINE.
the power to the work to be done. This is readily and conveniently attained
by the application of centrifugal force, as in the common ball governor;
which, for many reasons, is not suitable for a winding engine, not only
owing to the ever-varying loads upon the machine, but to the comparatively
few revolutions, and other causes well known to the mining
engineer.
The most effective governor or regulator that can be made available is in
the application of hydraulic power, the principle of which is in forcing a
certain volume of fluid into a closed space, from which the fluid can only
escape by means of an adjustable orifice. For instance, if this closed space
be constructed as a cylinder, with a moveable piston acted upon by a
pressure of water produced by pumps connected to the engine, then the
pressure in the cylinder or cataract will vary according to the speed of the
engine, and the piston will be actuated to a corresponding amount, producing
the self-acting motion by which the variable expansion is obtained.
Plate XVI. the cataract rod r is connected to the cut-off gear, by means of
the lever I and rod t actuating the tripping shaft T. The construction of a
hydraulic regulator comprises a cast-iron box divided into three
compartments. The pumps P1, P2, P3, are situated in one. These are of the
ordinary construction, worked by eccentrics keyed upon the valve motion
shaft A, at angles of 120° to one another, in order to give uniformity to
the work done. The diameter of the plunger of each pump is 6'1 inches, with
a stroke of 6*1 inches. Inlet and outlet valves are supplied to each,
communicating with the other divisions, namely, the supply tank and the
cataract.
To govern the speed of the engine by means of the regulator at any
determined point in the winding, the following mechanism is applied. In one
side of the box is placed the cock/, communicating with the cataract and
tank, which, if opened or closed, causes the cataract to actuate the
cut-off, more or less. An automatic motion is given to the cock by means
of the adjustable tappets g, g, actuated by the nut N sliding along the
valve motion shaft A, and which is screwed in its length to travel the nut a
corresponding distance to the depth of the winding motion. A relief valve
v prevents undue pressure in the cataract by a self-acting motion, as well
as the means given to the brakesman by the treadle F, whereby the water
pressure can be relieved at any moment and the action of the governor
negatived. In this way the volume of water in the cataract will vary,
either owing to the speed at which the pumps are driven, and in proportion
to the velocity of the outflow, to the position of
DESCRIPTION OF A WINDING ENGINE, ETC. 113
the cock regulated by the tappets, or by the opening of the relief valve.
The tripping gear is thus actuated, the steam being expanded more or less,
according to the velocity of the engine. If, however, the cock of the
cataract be now closed by one of the tappets, then the pressure will
immediately rise; the rod r will raise the lever /, which in its turn will
actuate the cut-off, and thus cause the steam to be shut off earlier and
earlier at each stroke, until the admission of steam is completely closed.
In its action during this period, the result obtained is that of a "
pump-brake :" while the grade of expansion between the periods of action by
the tappets will correspond to the actual load upon the engine, the
economical results from which governing action is clearly seen by the
indicator diagrams from a pumping-engine, regulated by self-acting variable
expansion gear, described by the writer in the discussion " On Winding
Engines," Vol. XXV. of the Transactions.
In this example an engine with a mean of 89*15 indicator H.P. is capable of
doing the same work that it would take a non-variable expansion engine of
137"15 indicator H.P. to overcome. The saving, then, is directly in
proportion to the powers of these engines, which is more than one-third,
and, as will also be observed, the further economy obtained by the
regularity with which the machinery performs its duty, thereby diminishing
tear and wear, and the chance of accidents to the working parts.
Again, referring to .the hydraulic regulator and means by which the engine
is governed. At certain periods in the winding the brakesman may desire to
have the command of the steam supply; this is provided for either by the
action of the relief valve, or by the action of the link L, connected to the
reversing lever R, whereby the tripping shaft is actuated by the rod Z1,
quite independent of the hydraulic apparatus, giving full steam in either
direction and during any period of the winding motion.
The weighted lever rods w iv balance the cataract gear and the tappets; the
latter, when disengaged from the travelling nut N, are thus brought into
position and varied according to the point at which the final cut-off action
is desired.
The signal bell N1 of the engine is likewise attached to the sliding nut,
giving a reliable and convenient means of regulating the periods of alarum.
Another source of considerable economy is obtained by the thorough covering
or jacketting of the cylinders, as in the engines described. The results
from experiments with compound pumping-engines are given which show a
difference of ten per cent, when the cylinders were encased to prevent the
radiation of heat.
114 DISCUSSION—WINDING ENGINE, ETC.
The working levers are conveniently placed and easily managed by the
brakesman, who, from a raised platform on the left hand side of the engine,
has a complete survey and command over the machinery. At the right hand, and
next to the cylinder, is the reversing lever E, and on the left hand the
steam regulating levers S, s. A flange projecting from the reversing lever
bracket R8 carries the handles for opening and closing the drain cocks R,4
provided to the steam cylinders. Close to the brakesman is the treadle F in
connection with the relief valve v of the hydraulic regulator, this valve
being of great importance in the working of the engine. At the front of the
platform is placed the hand-power brake-wheel H, the shaft from which, as
well as the others already described, are carried beneath the engines, and
thus protected from injury. Universal joints are provided at the ends of all
the connecting-rods between the levers and points of distribution.
Mr. Nelson said, he would like to ask one question. Mr. Page said that using
a jacket would cause an economy of ten per cent. He thought it possible Mr.
Page might have made some mistake, or he (Mr. N.) might not have exactly
understood him. It seemed to him almost impossible that a steam-jacket could
possibly make the difference of ten per cent., even if the steam introduced
in the jacket was supplied from some extraneous source. That there was an
economy he thought was unquestionable ; but if the steam was taken from the
same boiler, it seemed to him to be almost impossible that there could be a
difference of ten per cent.
Mr. Page said, that it was not steam-jacketing, it was a covering of a
non-conducting material such as felt or cork. The effect of steam-jacketing
would give further economy; but in this case the economy would not have been
above one per cent.
Mr. Wigham Richaedson asked if Mr. Page meant that his experience showed him
that there was this saving by the use of steam-jacketing, or did he refer to
experiments ?
Mr. Page said, he referred to his own experience and to the results obtained
by others.
Professor Heeschel would like to ask Mr. Page if this system had been in use
for engines in this country, or if it was a system which had already been
employed and much developed abroad ? There were other
DISCUSSION—WINDING ENGINE, ETC. 115
systems which employ graduated expansion to steam to overcome the
irregularities of the resistance offered to the winding-engine. Guinotte's
system was of this description, and the one described by Mr. Page was new to
him. He would be glad to have any information upon that point which Mr. Page
would be good enough to oblige them with, namely, as to the present district
where it was in use, and if it had been adopted to any great extent.
Mr. Page said, the system had not been adopted in this country ; it was in
practical operation at the Sacre-Madame Colliery, near Chaiieroi, and so far
as the results were concerned it had been a successful introduction. The
regulating principle differed from the Guinotte, for by this arrangement of
mechanism a governor in every sense of the word was procured. In the
Guinotte system variable expansion is obtained by a peculiar arrangement of
ordinary slide-valve gearing, and by a common motion given to the expansion
valve and to the valve of distribution, a mean degree of expansion is
obtained continuously and automatically. The variations in the grades of
expansion depend upon the positions of the quadrants and levers, and these
again have to be adjusted and determined by an investigation of the degree
of expansion admissible during each revolution, and this investigation will
be a special one for each particular case.
Professor Heeschel said, that in Guinotte's system the regulation applied to
the steam by the engine itself was a hard and fast one, provided to overcome
certain resistances, and which was obliged to follow its course from the top
of the winding to the bottom. In the present system, as he understood it,
the automatic regulation appeared to be sensitive to variations of the
engine's speed from certain fixed rates at different parts of the winding,
and to control the steam accordingly, so as to make the speed of the engine
preserve a constant course during the winding, whatever the resistances
might be.
Mr. Geeenwell said, supposing the engine was to be brought to a stand in the
shaft during the time the steam was shut off, would there be any difficulty
in starting it again ?
Mr. Page—None whatever, because during the action of the engine it may be
controlled either by the regulator or by the brakesman. The connection
between the reversing lever and tripping shafts provided the means by which
any desired amount of steam can be thrown upon the engine, and that at any
moment, whether in motion or not.
Mr. Wigham Richaedson said, he would rather like to press this question
about the steam-jackets, and if he could elicit any opinion from
116 DISCUSSION—WINDING ENGINE, ETC.
their secretary he should also be very glad. Mr. Bunning would be very
familiar with the fact that steam-jackets (in marine engines particularly)
are very usually employed, and perhaps marine engines represent as large a
horse-power as any other class. Steam-jacketing was a very expensive
operation to the manufacturing engineer. There was increased risk of
breaking down through bad castings, but still such importance was attached
to it that he thought he was correct in saying it is the rule rather than
the exception to make marine engines with either one or both of the
cylinders jacketed. He could not speak from memory, but the experiments
which were made by James Watt on the Cornish pumping-engines pointed, in his
recollection, to a very much higher saving. Again, the late Mr. John Elder,
of Glasgow, who introduced such improvements in marine engines as to reduce
the consumption perhaps more than any man had done in our lifetime, not only
steam-jacketed round about the barrel of both cylinders, but the bottoms and
covers of the cylinders were jacketed also, and he even went so far as to
bore a hole down the piston rod and to steam-jacket the piston. The English
Admiralty also go to great expense in jacketing a large number of marine
engines. Mr. Marshall had left the room or he could have told them that the
large number of engines which his firm (R. and W. Hawthorn) was making for
the Admiralty were to be jacketed.
Mr. Bunning said, that as Mr. Richardson had appealed to him on this matter,
he was sorry to say that he had not latterly given any attention to the
subject, and in his experience of marine engines he did not think he ever
jacketed a cylinder. He would think that Mr. Page, who had really done so,
would, at all events, if not now, when the discussion was resumed at a
future time, be prepared to give them the result of his observations and
experience, and, possibly, also the experience of others whose work he had
studied.
Mr. Richaedson said the jacketing he referred to was steam-jacketing.
Mr. Page said, the economy obtained by jacketing cylinders, particularly in
marine engines when compounded, was well known. In 1869, he was in the
employment of the firm mentioned by Mr. Richardson, and at that date the
jacketing to both cylinders was carried out to a very considerable extent.
The " Corliss," and other modern types of engines where high degrees of
expansion are used, generally adopt the steam-jacket, from which economical
results are obtained. In the discussion which would come on afterwards, he
would be very glad to give the further information and experience wThich he
had in this matter.
The Chaikman begged to propose a vote of thanks to Mr. Page for
DISCUSSION—WINDING ENGINE, ETC. 117
his able paper. If it succeeded even in drawing their attention to these
important items, it would prove of very great advantage to the town of
Newcastle and to trade in general.
The meeting then separated.
PROCEEDINGS.
GENERAL MEETING, SATURDAY, APRIL 7th, 1877, IN THE WOOD MEMORIAL HALL.
LINDSAY WOOD, Esq., President, in the Chair.
The Sechetaey read the minutes of the last meeting, which were confirmed and
signed, together with the proceedings of the Council meetings. The following
gentlemen were then elected, having been previously nominated:—
Members-Mi-. Richard Harle, Colliery Manager, Browney Colliery, Durham. Mr.
Robinson Ferens, Coal Owner, Oswald House, Durham. Mr. Wm. Bailes, Murton
Colliery, Sunderland. Mr. John Thomson, M.E., South Skelton Mines, via
Guisbro'. Mr. W. Wells Bladen, Secretary North Staffordshire Institute of
Mining
and Mechanical Engineers, Hanley, Staffordshire. Mr. James Cowie Simpson,
Clyde Coal Company, Hamilton.
Students— Mr. M. F. Depledge, Mining Pupil, Browney Colliery, Durham. Mr. W.
F. Gibson, 100, Bedford Street, North Shields. Mr. Harry Bird, Haydon
Bridge, Northumberland. Mr. Hugh Kirton, Ox Close, Brancepeth, Durham.
The following were nominated for election at the next meeting :—¦
Members— Mr. J. H. Merivale, M.E., South Hetton, Fence Houses. Mr. Samuel
Neville, Jun., Engineer, Newcastle-on-Tyne. Mr. Henry Laporte, M.E., Flenu,
near Mons. Mr. Archibald E. Pinching, Assoc. Royal School of Mines, North
Brancepeth Colliery, Littleburn, Co. Durham. Mr. Thomas Smith, Sen., The
Villa, Cinderford, near Newnham,
Gloucestershire. Mr. David Burns, Civil Engineer. Alston.
VOL. XXVI —1877.
p
120 PROCEEDINGS.
Students—
Mr. J. C. Noble, Penshaw Colliery, Fence Houses.
Mr. Charles Gordon, Littleburn Colliery, near Durham.
Mr. T. F. Smith, Jun., The Villa, Cinderford, near Newnham,
Gloucestershire. Mr. Thomas James Bowlker, Rockingham Colliery, near
Barnsley.
The Secretary, in the absence of the authors, read the'following paper :—"
On the Harkess Rocks, near Bamburgh," by Mr. G. A. Lebour, F.G.S., and Mr.
Mark Fryar.
GEOLOGY OF NORTHUMBERLAND. 121
ON THE HARKESS ROCKS, NEAR BAMBURGH.
By G. A. LEBOTJR, F.G.S.,
Lecturer in Geological Surveying in the University of Durham College of
Physical Science, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, Member; and
MARK FRYAR, Student of the Institute.
The geological details which form the subject of this paper, are the result
of a careful investigation of that portion of the coast which lies between
Bamburgh and the mouth of the Budle Water, carried on during part of the
midsummer geological surveying field-week in 1876, in connexion with the
College of Physical Science.
The district has not yet been mapped by the Government Geological Survey,
and since 1823 it has not, to the writers' knowledge, been the subject of
any recorded observations. In that year, however, the Harkess Rocks were
described by Sir Walter C. Trevelyan, Bart., F.G.S., in the Memoirs of the
Wernerian Society.* With his habitual extreme accuracy in matters
geological, Sir Walter Trevelyan's description is such that little would
have remained to be added to it by his successors in the field, had not the
lapse of time, with its (literally) shifting sands and quarrying away of the
rock, disclosed some important features which were probably concealed in the
first quarter of the century, and had not the progress of our knowledge
regarding the stratigraphical relations of the igneous and sedimentary rocks
of Northumberland been such as to throw some light on the phenomena
displayed in the small area in question. These considerations have induced
the writers to present this paper to the Institute,
*" Sketch of the Geognosy of part of the Coast of Northumberland."
Edinburgh, Mem. Wernerian Hoc, Vol. IV. (1821-23), pp. 253-261.
122 GEOLOGY OF NORTHUMBERLAND.
not to take the place of the older memoir, but as a kind of supplement to
it. They have the less hesitation in bringing it forward, as the
publications of the Wernerian Society are so difficult of access to the
majority of geological students as to render them a closed book to most of
those to whom, chiefly, these observations are addressed.
The general configuration of the Harkess Bocks is shown in the plan, which
is drawn on the Ordnance scale of 6 inches to the mile (see Plate XVIII).
From this it will be seen that the rocks exposed consist of whin-stone
(basalt), sandstone, shale, and limestone. The greater part of the whin
belongs to the Great Whin Sill, and is certainly directly connected with the
range of basaltic outbursts of which the Spindlestone Crags, the rock on
which Bamburgh Castle stands, and the Fame Islands form part. There is,
however, no direct evidence showing any connection between the Great Whin
Sill and the small dyke near the point marked A in the plan, or with the
great Holy Island dyke.
The interest attaching to the spot lies entirely in the fact that within the
very limited space which it occupies—being scarcely a mile in length, and
between tide-marks—the mutual relations of the whinstone and the bedded
rocks are shown in a series of unique sections of the greatest distinctness
and importance.
A longitudinal section (Plate XIX) following the broken line A B, shows the
general nature and relative positions of most of these exposures, on a true
scale of heights and distances six times that of the plan. The minuter
details, which even this scale could not reach, and those out of the line of
the section, will be found in the enlarged sketches accompanying the
description.
The name "Harkess Eocks" is given to the low-lying fore-shore between the
Bamburgh boat-house and Budle Point. No rock section seen is of any great
height therefore. The thickness of the whinstone cannot even be estimated,
as it is impossible to tell where its true base may be. It will be
understood from the sequel how strong is the probability of the existence of
a number of sheets of whin in this district—sheets separated at times by
masses of sedimentary rock, and at others coalescing so as to form a single
body of very great thickness. The examples here given, however, do not deal
with vast thicknesses of rock. Certainly not more than 30 feet thick of
basalt are seen in the Harkess Eocks proper, and the only beds exposed in
the sections to be described are the following, which, it need scarcely be
said, belong to the Carboniferous Limestone or Bernician series, and to the
upper portion of that series, but to what precise horizon within it the
writers cannot yet tell.
For general purposes, Nos. 3 to 7 may be regarded as one bed of limestone,
but for a proper understanding of the various sections the divisions given
are necessary.
On stepping from the Bamburgh Sands on to the southernmost point of the
Harkess Eocks (the most easily followed course) by the boat-house, the rock
is found to consist of a flat, slightly undulating spread of basalt, so
greyish in colour, and, at first glance, so unlike the ordinary " blue
whin," that it requires some time to convince oneself that it is not a
highly altered sedimentary deposit. Proof, however, on being searched for,
is not wanting. The surface of the stone is in many places wrinkled with
shrinkage or cooling marks, in the shape of concentric ridges, reminding one
in general appearance of the so-called " ridgy" structure sometimes met with
in coal, and the rock soon resumes its characteristic colour. But the chief
peculiarity of the basalt here is its arrangement in thin sheets of a foot
or more in thickness, separated by very marked and frequently open
horizontal joints. These remarkable divisional lines give a strong bedded
appearance to the rock, and at once suggest the idea of repeated flows of
the molten matter. It will, however, be seen on ¦ examination that these
pseudo-planes of bedding are by no means constant, and from time to time
merge one into the other. The structure is more probably a result of cooling
and unequal shrinkage, and is to be referred to the same class of phenomena
as the transverse jointing of columnar basalt. In passing it may be
remarked, that appearances of bedding, at least as strongly marked as these,
are frequently seen in the midst of the porphyritic whinstone of the
Cheviots. The long gaping joints are, however, useful for working the stone,
as can be seen a few yards farther, where the whin is quarried regularly
layer by layer.
At the point marked by a small semi-circle on the plan, and lettered "
enclosed shale" on the longitudinal section (Plate XIX), is the section
shown in Figs. 1 and 2. Here there is a semi-lenticular mass of shale,
probably belonging to the bed No. 1 as above, caught up as it were be-
124 GEOLOGY OP NORTHUMBERLAND.
tween two of the pseudo-layers of trap which are seen to coalesce in Fig. 2.
This sketch shows the section at right angles to Fig. 1. It
should be noted that beyond being hardened, the shale is not much altered,
and that it lies in a gentle synclinal, its bedding being quite conformable
to the layers of whin, except, of course, where it is cut off by them. The
outcrop of this enclosed shale can scarcely be shown in plan, but its form
is indicated by the semi-circle mentioned above.
Following the longitudinal section there are now about two hundred and fifty
yards of gently undulating layers of whin, at the end of which is a
considerable spread of shale (No. 1) lying perfectly flat, about one hundred
yards in breadth at the widest place, and bounded on two sides by tiny
cliffs of basalt, and on the others, by the sea and the blown sand. This
shale is probably—on a larger scale—a repetition of what is shown in the
last section, only in this case the overlying whin has been denuded off. At
all events, here again the beds are in no wise disturbed by the proximity of
the igneous rock, nor is the shale at all markedly altered.
A narrow ridge of basalt, higher and more rugged than any yet seen, brings
one suddenly upon a jagged sandstone area. The junction between the two
rocks is this time by no means an undisturbed one, although the disturbance
is more one of flexure and slight contortion than one of disruption. Fig.
3 shows the bending of the beds at the
worst. It will be noticed that even here the whin follows the lines of
bedding of the sandstone.
GEOLOGY OP NORTHUMBERLAND. 125
It has been said that the exact relative position of No. 1 shale is
doubtful, but there is every reason to believe that the sandstone, No. 2,
lies above it. It is this sandstone which is seen in Fig. 3 dipping under
the whin. This only takes place, however, at the westernmost boundary of the
little island of grit. In the line of the longitudinal section A B the
sandstone soon rights itself, and is presently seen dipping at a low angle
under the bottom post of the limestone (No. 3), as shown in
Fig. 4. Then follow Nos. 3, 4, and 5, in regular succession, forming a
little cliff. Immediately above No. 6, however, a second little scarp is
formed by a sheet of basalt, on the top of which lies a denuded patch of
limestone belonging to the top post, and, notwithstanding the intervening
whin, dipping quite conformably with the other beds below.
In Fig. 4, the whin is seen lying regularly or evenly upon the shale; a
section nearly along the strike of the beds (see Fig. 5) will
show that the arrangement is but temporary. This exposure is necessarily
almost at right angles to the line A B. It is perhaps the most striking of
all the geological curiosities of this singular locality, especially when
viewed in conjunction with Fig. 6, which properly belongs to it.
In this section, Fig. 5, the general arrangement is very much what might
have resulted from an overflow of lava over the already denuded surface of
the country. Of course this cannot be the true interpretation, but the
resemblance is striking in the highest degree. The whin, in almost all the
sections, shows itself much oftener resting on shale than on limestone; and
here it will be observed that, while it lies for considerable distances
evenly upon the shale beds Nos. 6 and 4, it passes rapidly through and
neglects, as it were, the thicker beds of limestone. On the other hand,
no such rule is apparent with
126 GEOLOGY OF NORTHUMBERLAND.
regard to limestone overlying the whin, a state of things which obtains
throughout the northern portion of the Harkess Bocks. That there is a good
reason for this apparent preference for a shale floor on the part of the
whin cannot be doubted, but what that reason may be is by no means obvious.
The suggestion may be ventured, however, that, as the comparatively soft and
unresisting shales offered much less resistance to the lateral flow of the
trap than the hard and unyielding limestones, it was natural that the
arrangement alluded to should obtain as a general rule. But this does not
explain why limestone should so frequently form the roof of the whin.
A section parallel to that shown in Fig. 4, but a little west of it, is
represented in Fig. 6. Here the overlying whin is the same layer as the
one
shown in Fig. 5. The lower mass of basalt, shown surging up beneath the
middle post of limestone (No. 5), is seen to have cut off Nos. 2 to 4, which
are well shown (with the exception of No. 3, which is covered with sand) to
the right of the section. Once more it will be noticed that the sheets of
basalt lie evenly upon shale and beneath limestone.
About two hundred yards west of the last point the line A B crosses another
semicircular mark, somewhat like the one illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2. It is
indeed comparable with the section there shown in every way, except that the
rocks enclosed in the whin are, in the present case, both shale and
limestone (probably Nos. 5 and 6). Here again is a striking example of the
fact which is in this district so often observable —shale for floor and
limestone for roof of the whin. (See Fig. 7.)
The frequent occurrence of masses of sedimentary rock, varying from many
square yards to a few square feet in extent, enclosed in no very disturbed
condition between thin gently-undulating and constantly coal-
GEOLOGY OF NORTHUMBERLAND. 127
escing sheets of trap, and the existence of which is only made known by the
accidental position and accompanying denudation of that trap, renders it
highly probable that many more similar masses are lying concealed from view
within the whin. In the Fame Islands, limestone and other beds are seen at
low water, associated with the basalt of which those islands are formed, in
a manner identical with that of the Harkess Rocks.
From all these facts, then, the Harkess Bocks must be looked upon as showing
in a striking way the details of the process by means of which the great
whin sill intruded laterally among the Carboniferous Limestone beds of
Northumberland. It is seen how it spread slowly and simultaneously between
the strata at various horizons ; how, when obstacles occurred in their
course, the channels were changed to other levels, and how now and again the
temporarily separated branches of the great sheet re-united, and thus
enveloped beds and sets of beds without any of the violent tilting or
contortion which is often associated with the intrusion of igneous rocks.
Many of the teachings with regard to the origin of the whin-sill may be
gathered from the sections described, but they have been referred to
elsewhere, and need not be repeated here. It will be only necessary to state
that the connection between the Harkess Bock trap and the line of the
basaltic crags to the south and west, known as Newtown Hill and Kittling
Hill, is clearly established and can easily be traced from the beach. At
Kittling Hill, the basalt is at least one hundred feet thick.
It has been stated that the alteration of the first mentioned shale was very
slight. This is generally the case throughout the sections described, where
the metamorphism of the shale is always such that the nature of the rock can
be recognised with ease. In its extreme examples, the shale has become hard
and cherty, and might with propriety be termed "pthanite," without, however,
being much altered in outward aspect. It must be remembered, however, that
beds of chert and pthanite unassociated with igneous eruptions are known in
the Carboniferous rocks of Belgium, Ireland, and even in Northumberland.
With limestones, also, the alteration, although quite apparent, is not
excessive. They are more crystalline than usual, harder, and more splintery,
but that is all, and these effects are rather better shown where the
limestone caps the trap than where it lies below it. A curious form of
weathering is characteristic of the spread of limestone covering the western
portion of the Harkess Bock. The stone, which is very dark in colour and
very hard, but contains unaltered fossils, is sculptured all over its
surface into a mass of narrow slightly-sinuous grooves or furrows, exactly
simulating
128 DISCUSSION—GEOLOGY OF NORTHUMBERLAND.
the tool-marks caused by a small gouge. The writers cannot explain this
appearance, nor can they say whether it is due to the altered state of the
rock, or to the action of the sea, or both.
The limestone near the A extremity of the line A B probably rests on trap,
but the determination which the writers have carried out of only
representing in the illustrations what can actually be seen on the spot, has
prevented this being shown. The limestone is probably No. 5.
A narrow whin-dyke is seen running through this limestone. The suggestion
that it is but a vertical offshoot of the masses of basalt surrounding it is
a tempting one, but no such connection is seen; and bearing in mind the
singular fact that up to the present time no whin-dyke has ever been proved
to belong to, cut through, or come in contact with, the Great Whin Sill, the
writers will not say more than that they have here a case which may probably
prove an exception to the rule.
The President said, they were very much obliged to Mr. Lebour and Mr. Fryar
for their very interesting paper. He did not know whether any gentleman had
any remarks to make upon it; but probably it would be better to adjourn the
discussion until one or other of the authors was present.
Mr. E. F. Boyd said, he had only one or two remarks to make in confirmation
of Mr. Lebour's observations—that the whin, the intrusive character of which
was at one time disputed, was very clearly proved to be so in this paper.
The paper also bore out another remark which Mr. Lebour once made, and which
he (Mr. Boyd) had the opportunity of corroborating in a quarry wrought close
to the Whin Sill by Sir Walter Trevelyan, near to Elf Hills farm, by Cambo.
There the Whin Sill shows its protrusive character from the fact of its
rising up through the crevices caused by small troubles within the limestone
which overlies it. Another remark which he thought he might also make
would perhaps induce Mr. Lebour to go on with his examination of the
Northumberland rocks, and particularly of the Whin Sill, namely—that the
continuity of the Whin Sill from the place where it first appears in the
Kyloe Hills, through Belford, through Spindlestone, and then to these rocks
which Mr. Lebour's paper identified to-day, seemed to him to be very clearly
made out, and did not admit of much question. The railway cutting at
Belford passes through the upper surface of the whin, and there shows the
line of continuation towards the coast; and it did not require a very great
stretch of
DISCUSSION—GEOLOGY OF NORTHUMBERLAND. 129
imagination to carry it on to the Fame Islands and from the Fame Islands
back over to Dunstanborough, as he had no doubt Dunstanborough Castle was
also founded upon the same rock. The corresponding thickness of it in
different places seemed to be an additional reason for believing it to be
the same protruded whin. The well at Bamborough Castle is 90 feet deep
before it reaches the sand, and this agrees with its section in other
places. Very likely in process of time when other geological surveys are
made, or some other gentlemen undertook to continue the description of this
line of strata through the rest of Northumberland, it would be proved that
the Whin Sill divides itself into more than one block, and that as it
approaches towards Kirkharle and Little Harle, and in that south-west
direction, two distinct layers of whin become apparent, with the intervening
stratified limestones, shales and freestone between. In the absence of Mr.
Lebour, perhaps it would not be well to make any further remarks. The
members ought to be very much obliged to him for the pains and trouble he
had taken for the purpose of giving a minute description of a very
interesting subject in geology.
The President moved a vote of thanks to Mr. Lebour and Mr. Fryar for their
paper and adjourned the discussion until another meeting, when those
gentlemen could be present.
Mr. Boyd seconded the motion, which was carried unanimously.
The meeting then separated.
PROCEEDINGS.
GENERAL MEETING, SATURDAY, MAY 5, 1877, IN THE WOOD MEMORIAL HALL,
NEWCASTLE-UPON-TYNE.
LINDSAY WOOD, Esq., Prksident, in the Chair.
The minutes of the Council meetings, of April 28th and May 5th, were read,
and a copy of the New Rules recommended by the Council laid on the table.
The President stated that, according to Rule 28, it was proposed to make the
meeting on June 2nd a special meeting, to consider the proposed New Rules,
and that notice of the alterations to be made is now given, which, in point
of fact, amounted to an entire reconstruction of the existing Rules, and he
would ask the meeting to consider the New Rules as read. This was agreed
to.
The following notices of motion were given:— By Mr. Geo. Baker Forster—
That the two classes be called "members" and "associates" instead of
"fellows" and "members."
By Mr. T. J. Bewick—
That, exclusive of honorary members and students, those now constituting the
Institute continue as "members," but that in all future admissions
therebetwo classes, namely, "members" and "associates," as respectively
described in the proposed Rules.
The President stated that it was very desirable that the views of the bulk
of the members should be ascertained before so important a change in the
Rules was effected; and on his motion it was decided that each member should
have a copy of the proposed new Rules, and be requested to state his views
on the changes proposed, both by the Rules and the notices of motion.
132 PROCEEDINGS.
The following gentlemen were elected:— Members—
Mr. J. H. Merivale, M.E., South Hetton, Fence Houses.
Mr. Samuel Neville, Jun., Engineer, Newcastle-on-Tyne.
Mr. Henry Laporte, M.E., Flenu, near Mons.
Mr. Archibald E. Pinching, Associate Royal School of Mines, North Brancepeth
Colliery, Littleburn, Co. Durham.
Mr, Thomas Smith, Sen., The Villa, Cinderford, near Newnham,
Gloucestershire.
Mr. David Burns, C.E., Alston.
Students—
Mr. J. C. Noble, Penshaw Colliery, Fence Houses. Mr. Charles Gordon,
Littleburn Colliery, near Durham. Mr. T. F. Smith, Jun., The Villa,
Cinderford, near Newnham, Gloucestershire. Mr. T. J. Bowlker, Rockingham
Colliery, near Barnsley.
The following were nominated for election at the next meeting:— Member— Mr.
Joseph Hardy, Preston Colliery, North Shields.
Students—
Mr. H. St. John Dumford, Wharncliffe Silkstone Colliery, Wortley,
Sheffield. Mr. A. F. Dunn, Towneley Colliery, Ryton-on-Tyne. Mr. Thos.
Arkless, Coxhoe Colliery, Coxhoe.
The President then called upon Mr. A. L. Steavenson to read the following
paper " On an Improved Method of Detecting the Presence of Small Quantities
of Inflammable Gas."
INFLAMMABLE GAS. 133
AN IMPROVED METHOD OP DETECTING SMALL QUANTITIES OF INFLAMMABLE GAS.
By A. L. STEAVENSON.
Mr. Steavenson said, before he read the paper he might mention that
Professor Marreco had kindly assisted him in the preparations to show the
members a few experiments in the Lecture Room of the College of Physical
Science. Of course the observation of gas at any time was a-very delicate
and difficult matter, and he was afraid they would not be able, with the gas
from the pipes in the town, to give a very satisfactory demonstration; but
at the same time those who chose, after the meeting, to go round into the
chemical laboratory, would have an opportunity of verifying to,some extent
the propositions which he was about to submit. He stated that the machine of
Mr. Ansell's, which they had had at Page Bank Colliery for some time, was
now in the hands of Mr. Isaac Lowthian Bell, and he had thought of asking
Mr. Bell to present it to the Institute, more as a curiosity than as a
useful apparatus.
Mr. Steavenson then proceeded to read his paper as follows:— There have been
many attempts to prevent explosions in coal-mines by means of indicators,
amongst the most notable being that of Mr. Ansell, fully described in the
fifteenth volume of the Transactions. He says on page 169 :—" In the event
of a sudden eruption of fire-damp, I propose to apply the law of diffusion
in all its simplicity." He then goes on to describe an instrument consisting
of an iron funnel being closed with a plate of unglazed wedge-wood ware, and
the stem by a cap of brass, through which is passed a platinum-tipped copper
wire, capable of very nearly dipping into the mercury previously placed in
the bend of the funnel; the distance between the pointed wire and the
mercury not to exceed the thickness of a shilling. Then, when gas infringes
on the porous tile, diffusion takes place, and the pressure of the
accumulating gas forcing the mercury against the wire and the circuit being
completed, telegraphic warning is given on the spot, or by a system of wires
at the surface.
This machine the writer for a period of several months vainly attempted to
make useful; but its extreme delicacy and the difficulty of preserving a
net-work of telegraphic wires communicating with all the different holes and
corners in the mine, rendered it in practice a failure.
134 INFLAMMABLE GAS.
Lately an attempt has been made by M. Lemaire- Douchy, of Paris, to devise a
cheap, simple, convenient, and easily-erected apparatus which would work
automatically, and make no demand on the prudence or the vigilance of the
miner. This apparatus is intended to be placed on the surface, so as to be
out of the reach of accident, easy of observation, and capable by means of a
bell, of giving a warning of danger and indicating the portion of the mine
in which the deleterious gas may be generated. This so-called "very simple
machine" is described as consisting of a means of effecting a vacuum for
drawing the air from the different parts of the mine by means of metal or
flexible tubes, and of another series of tubes for conveying the air to an
apparatus for revealing its compositions at each instant. All such schemes
are clearly impracticable, and time is only wasted in their consideration.
Nothing short of actual observation in the mine, as required by our various
rules, will meet the case. One of these rules reads to the following
effect;—" The deputy-overman must descend before the men, and carefully
examine with a safety-lamp all the working places." Another is to the effect
that before firing a shot he must first carefully examine the place, and
those places contiguous to it; but it has occurred to the writer of this
paper that a good deal may be done in assisting the deputy in his very
important duty.
As is well known to the members of this Institution, the examination with
the safety-lamp consists in carefully observing the indications of the
flame. When inflammable gas is present in a proportion sufficient to
explode, the lamp is of course filled with flame, and the required
observation is a very simple one ; but when a lesser proportion is present,
then the indications consist of a cap or tail upon the flame, and it
requires very great nicety and care to detect small quantities. The nature
of this cap appears to be somewhat disputed, although Professor Marreco is
clearly of opinion that it is carbonic-oxide.
It may be suggested that in the presence of these non-explosive quantities
no danger need be apprehended; but experience has shown that wherever gas is
present at all, it is unsafe and absolutely wrong to fire shots, the flame
of which, extending many yards, may reach an unnoticed and dangerous
accumulation. There are few who have not had experience of this danger
attending all shot-firing in mines where gas is met with; but,
unfortunately, to abandon the use of powder would entail the entire closing
of many of such mines.
With a view to render the observation of the safety-lamp, when making these
examinations, more simple and effective, the writer has availed him-
INFLAMMABLE GAS. 135
self of one of the beautiful laws which the study of optics in recent years
has put us in possession of, generally known as " The law of absorption of
light."
Newton discovered that the light of the sun consists of rays differently
refrangible, and that when a white light is passed through a prism, the
constituent rays separating each at the different angles of its
refrangibility, produces the band of colours known as the spectrum. This
subsequently led to the discovery of the spectrescope, and the use of that
to the property of coloured transparent bodies.
If a continuous spectrum is taken, and a piece of neutral-tinted glass
interposed, it will cut off the light and deaden the spectrum throughout its
whole length, having the faculty of keeping back the light-red,
orange-yellow, blue, green, and violet, which is an instance of general
absorption.
If, instead of interposing a neutral-tinted glass, a piece of coloured glass
is introduced, the action instead of being general throughout the spectrum
will be limited to a particular part of it; thus a piece of red glass cuts
off nearly all the light except the red, and green or blue absorbs red rays.
By this law of absorption chemists are enabled to recognise different
substances, and by the same law an attempt is now made with a coloured
medium to shut out the flame of the safety-lamp and render evident the pale
blue cap (of carbonic-oxide flame ?) in a manner much more distinct than by
the unassisted eye.
With this view the writer has had a lamp arranged to receive a small slip of
blue pot-opal glass to be adjusted whenever it is desired to make an
examination for gas; or a pair of spectacles may be fitted with glass of
this colour.
It is well known that there is a great difference in the condition in which
gas is found for affording a top or cap to the flame; gas coming off fresh
from a blower can hardly be seen on the flame at all, until the lamp fills,
whilst on the other hand gas which may have been standing for some time in a
disused place will tail up to the top of the lamp before exploding, probably
owing to some admixture of carbonic-acid.
But, under all these circumstances, the writer has proved that the use of a
dark-blue glass is most beneficial, enabling the observer to detect the
presence of gas when quite invisible to the unassisted eye. The yellow flame
having a clear white appearance, and the blue cap a much more distinct and
striking effect. With this assistance it is hoped that explosions of gas,
produced by the firing of shots, will be almost entirely avoided, each
deputy having with him one or two small pieces of glass
136 DISCUSSION—INFLAMMABLE GAS.
with which to make his examinations, and that by this simple addition,
easily applied to any class of lamp, another valuable aid to coal-mining has
been effected. There is no expense, no complication, no miles of wires or
pipes, but a mere application in practice of one of the interesting
discoveries of pure science.
The President said, they were extremely obliged to Mr. Steavenson for his
very interesting paper describing the very ingenious mode by which he
proposed to test for gases in mines. It was one which he thought might have
struck a good many of them, although it did not seem to have done so ; for
it was a very well-known law that when light was transmitted through
different coloured mediums certain rays are absorbed, leaving the others
more easily seen, and this principle might be very easily utilized in the
way Mr. Steavenson had described. He asked if one piece of glass was all
that was required ?
Mr. Steavenson said, that the glass he used was sold by glass-makers as
pot-opal at from sixpence to a shilling a foot.
The President asked if any description of glass would do ?
Mr. Steavenson said the more dense it was the better.
Mr. G. B. Forster asked if light coloured glass would not do ?
Mr. Steavenson said, it would hide the yellow flame.
Professor Herschel said, he had had the pleasure of seeing this lamp in
action in the College laboratory, and of being able to speak favourably of
it from the experiments that he had seen. As regarded any information which
he could offer concerning its principle, he was afraid it was very scanty.
They were informed by Mr. Steavenson that probably the source of the blue
cap was carbonic oxide—a flame of which they certainly did not know the
exact character of the spectrum; and they were, therefore, unable to say
beforehand what particular tint of glass should be employed to transmit its
light exclusively; but, from the general description of the flame, blue
glass is certainly the best qualified to do so. He agreed with Mr.
Steavenson that it was necessary to test the cautioning cap with several
glasses, in order to see which was the most effective in this respect; and
as the blue glass which Mr. Steavenson had recommended was one which
transmitted almost unchecked the whole of the blue light of the spectrum, it
was without doubt the best that could be adopted with this object. As all
the bright rays of a flame, of more luminous colours than the blue (a single
thoroughly red ray only excepted),
DISCUSSION—INFLAMMABLE GAS. 137
are nearly extinguished by one ordinary thickness of this glass, at a depth
of one or two or more thicknesses, the bright ordinary light of a flame
would entirely disappear. If there was a blue light in the cap peculiar to
it, it would come through several such thicknesses as freely as through
white glass. He did not know that any amount of thickening of this blue
glass would prevent the light of a purely blue flame from traversing it, so
that the brightest rays of a gas or lamp flame (with the exception of a
certain amount of red light) might be extinguished totally and hidden from
the eye, while the blue and singular rays would still be visible. This
property of cobalt blue, or, as it was called by Mr. Steavenson, pot-opal
glass, of arresting and absorbing the brightest rays of the spectrum, was a
quality which it possessed very remarkably, and he thought that the glass
was excellently chosen for the purpose for which it was intended.
Mr. Freire-Marreco said, one thing which struck him, when Mr. Steavenson was
good enough to show him his lamp in the first instance, was the signal
practicability of the arrangement provided it was successful. He thought the
experiments which had been made with coal-gas, in the lecture-room, could
hardly be considered a fair test, or regarded as anything more than
demonstrations, because in many respects coal-gas was scarcely comparable
with fire-damp; but it struck him that as the blue glass cost perhaps about
three half-pence per lamp, there ought to be no difficulty in getting,
within the next few months, a somewhat extended series of trials reported.
The President said, the discussion would now be adjourned until they had
seen the experiments in the laboratory.
The Secretary read " A Translation of a Description of a Method of Cleaning
Coal at Lens, No. 5 Pit, Pas de Calais," by Mr. John Daglish.
METHOD OF CLEANING COAL AT LENS. 139
METHOD OF CLEANING COAL AT LENS, No. 5 PIT, BY M. REMAUX.
Extract from minutes of monthly meetings of the " Societe de V Industrie
Minerale" General Meeting, Vlth December, 1876.
Translated by JOHN DAGLISH.
The members of this Society, on the occasion of the recent visit of the
Congress, had an opportunity of admiring the extensive surface arrangements
(" installation") at the No. 5 Lens Pit, which consists of a shaft of the
clear diameter of 16 ft. 5 in. The cages travelling in this shaft are
double-decked, and carry eight tubs each, four per deck.
Each tub holds 957 lbs. (8'5 cwts.) of coal.
With such a large output as that which became possible with a pit so fitted
up (which the richness of the seams fully justified) it was necessary to
have recourse to special apparatus, if the important operation of cleaning
was to be carried on within reasonable limits.
Considering this large output, M. Remaux was opposed to the employment of
fixed tables, which have now become so common in the " Nord" and " Pas de
Calais" coal-fields, and for two reasons :—
If the tables have too little slope, the coal remains on them too long, and
it becomes necessary to employ a greater number of them, which renders their
superintendence more difficult, and interferes with the regularity of the
operation. Besides, the cleaners break the coal very much by shovelling or
raking it down.
If, on the other hand, the slope is sufficient to cause the coal to slide
down by its own weight, the cleaning is only imperfectly done.
These are the considerations that have led M. Remaux to make use of the
travelling tables of the " Sarre " coal-field after having modified them to
suit the requirements of the colliery.
At bank, the eight tubs all run out of the same side of the cage, and are
guided into eight " kick-ups" placed in line near the mouth of the pit.
140 DISCUSSION—METHOD OF CLEANING COAL.
The coal is teemed into a large iron hopper A, Fig. 1, Plate XXI., forming a
reservoir, so as to keep the delivery regular, in spite of the little delays
which often occur.
From the hopper A the coal passes on to a distributing moving table B. It
spreads itself on this to a thickness equal to that of the largest blocks,
about 1 foot.
The endless band B has a very slow movement communicated to it (10 feet per
minute), in consequence of which the end of the coal slides little by
little, and spreads itself in a thin layer on the perforated iron plate 0.
Although this plate has only a length of 3 feet 3 inches, the screening is
perfect, by reason of the regular arrival of the coal in a thin layer. When
it is not desired to screen the coal the perforated plate is replaced by a
plain one.
On leaving the plate the coal is received on the cleaning band D, from 13 to
16 feet long, the speed of which is six times that of the band B, or 60 feet
per minute ; the thickness of the layer of coal is therefore one-sixth, or
about 2 inches ; by varying the relative speeds of the two bands and making
it 10 or 12 to 1, for example, the coal is spread so openly that no stone
can escape the cleaners.
Girls of twelve or fourteen, placed alongside the bands, pick out the stones
at 3d. per hectolitre, or about If d. per cwt. of stones.
At the end of the band D an inclined plate E guides the coal into the wagon
; the slope of this inclined plate—24°—is such that the coal collects to a
certain thickness, and, not having any velocity, arrives in the wagon
without any shock except that due to the fall from the bottom of the
inclined plate into the wagon.
For loading nuts the inclined plate is made so that the wagon can be
commenced almost without a fall.
At P and L is shown a door worked by a lever, for the purpose of diminishing
the thickness of the layer on the distributing band. It is sufficient to
raise the door when a large block requires to pass.
The travelling bands are 3 feet 3 inches broad, and are constructed of
contiguous strips of iron 5-16ths inches thick and 2|ths inches broad,
rivetted on to three India-rubber belts 3^ inches broad and ^ inch thick.
The translator had an opportunity of recently visiting the Lens Colliery,
and of seeing this cleaning apparatus at work, which probably exceeds in
extent any in operation elsewhere.
The President said, he thought Mr. Daglish's paper was very interesting,
although the system described seemed very much like the one
DISCUSSION—METHOD OF CLEANING COAL. 141
carried on in some collieries where the coal was mostly coked. There they
had revolving bands for picking out the stones. The one described ; was at
the end of the screen, and would no doubt cause less breakage of the coals
than by running quickly down a screen. He would like to ask Mr. Daglish if
he knew how long the belts lasted which were composed of iron and
India-rubber, and why they used India-rubber instead of a permanent fixed
belt like a rope, or anything of that kind ?
Mr. Daglish said, he thought the apparatus had not been sufficiently long at
work to be able to speak as to the durability of the belts. The peculiarity
of the whole apparatus is in having two sets of belts, one going at a speed
four or five times greater than the other. When a tub full of coal is teemed
at once into a belt the coals are carried in large heaps, but by using two
belts going at different rates of speed, a thin film of coals is spread
perfectly even over the lower belt, and carried along by it whilst being
cleaned. That was the peculiarity of the apparatus, as the use of belts for
carrying coals is now common in the North of England.
The President asked why that could not be done with one belt with a slide ?
Mr. Daglish said, if a large piece of coal came whilst the trap was open
there would be a whole tub full of coals pass into the first belt; but these
coals are very small, like what gas coals usually are ; and they are very
careful in picking out all the stones.
Mr. J. A. Ramsay said, he believed that between the two appliances they
often had a screen.
Mr. Daglish—Yes, there is a small screen.
Mr. Ramsay said, he believed between the two applications a screen was often
applied, but with one belt a screen could not very well be there.
The President said, the author in his paper spoke of the apparatus being in
operation in the North of Germany 5 did Mr. Ramsay know of it ?
Mr. Ramsay said he had not seen it; but ten or twelve years ago he had seen,
near Zurickan, in Saxony, a very large table, twelve or thirteen feet in
diameter, circulating; the coals were emptied upon its outer edge at one
place, and on one revolution were swept off into the wagon being loaded.
There were children placed all round the disc of that large wheel, or
revolving table, picking stones or other foreign matter from out amongst the
coals, in a similar way to what they do in passing over the band. He thought
it was a very interesting method of cleaning the coals.
Mr. W. H. Hedley said, he had great difficulty in comprehending how the
screening could be thoroughly carried out within the very short distance
142 DISCUSSION—METHOD OP CLEANING COAL.
which Mr. Daglish described, viz., about three feet; because the coal there
was shown on the drawing to be relatively in rather a thick layer, and
indeed, as he understood the description, the coal was distributed in a
thick layer on the short screen, and by variation of the size of speed of
driving wheel in a thin layer on the longer belt; therefore, with the coals
in a thick mass on so limited a screen space, he did not understand how the
small could be efficiently separated. Might he ask Mr. Daglish if, from
having seen the screen in operation, he could say whether the screening was
really and efficiently done ?
Mr. Daglish said, at the time he visited the colliery they were not making
screened coals, so that he could not say anything as to the question which
had been asked. The paper was simply a translation, and he had only used the
words of the writer of the original paper, who said it screened
properly.
Mr. Parrington said, so far as he could see, it seemed to be a similar
screen to that which the members saw at Langiey Park Colliery the other day,
when the Institute met there; with the addition of the cleaning band. He
thought they were all aware that the Langiey screen differed from this one
in having a wave motion imparted to the bars.
The President proposed a vote of thanks to Mr. Daglish for having brought
this paper before them.
Mr. J. A. Ramsay seconded the motion, and it was carried unanimously.
The Members then went to the Chemical Lecture Room of the College of
Physical Science, where Professor Marreco kindly exhibited a lamp fitted
with blue glass, under the action of gas, and where the effect of the glass
was distinctly visible.
The meeting separated after passing a vote of thanks to Mr. Steavenson for
his paper, and to Mr. Marreco for his kindness in making the demonstration.
PROCEEDINGS. 143
PROCEEDINGS.
SPECIAL GENERAL MEETING, SATURDAY, JUNE 2, 1877, IN THE WOOD MEMORIAL
HALL, NEWCASTLE-UPON-TYNE.
J. T. RAMSAY, Esq., IN the Chair.
The Secretary read the minutes of the previous meeting and the minutes of
the Council meetings.
The following gentlemen were then elected :—
Member— Mr. Joseph Hardy, Preston Colliery, North Shields.
Students— Mr. H. St. John Dumford, Wharncliffe Silkstone Colliery, Wortley,
Sheffield. Mr. A. F. Dunn, Towneley Colliery, Ryton-on-Tyne. Mr. Thomas
Arkless, Coxhoe Colliery, Coxhoe.
The following were nominated for election at the next meeting :—
Members— Mr. William H. Lewis, 3, Bute Crescent, Cardiff. Mr. Edward
Pringle, Choppington Colliery, Northumberland. Mr. David Arthur. M.E.,
Accrington, near Manchester. Mr. Thomas Banks. Land and Mine Surveyor,
Leigh, near Manchester. Mr. John H. Owen, 18, Prudhoe Terrace, Tynemouth.
Iii pursuance of the recommendation of the Council, agreed to at their
meeting on the 19th of May, that at this meeting the election of new Members
and other routine business only should be transacted.
Mr. Eichards proposed that the discussion of the New Kules should be
postponed until Saturday, the 16th of June, in order that every Member might
have an opportunity of freely considering the proposed alterations.
The postponement was agreed to, and after a vote of thanks to the Chairman,
the meeting separated.
144 PROCEEDINGS.
PROCEEDINGS.
ADJOURNED SPECIAL GENERAL MEETING, SATURDAY, JUNE 16, 1877, IN THE WOOD
MEMORIAL HALL.
LINDSAY WOOD, Esq., President, in the Chair.
The Secretatiy read the minutes of the last meeting.
The question of the proposed new Rules was discussed at great length, and
ultimately, on the motion of Mr. William Boyd, seconded by Mr. G. A. Lebour,
The following proposition was passed by a large majority.—"That the present
or original Members remain in all respects as they are, but that all future
Members be elected in accordance with the proposed new Rules; the words
'Ordinary Member' and 'Associate,' being substituted for 'Fellow' and
'Ordinary Member:' and that the present or original Members and Associates
pay an annual subscription of two guineas, and Ordinary Members an annual
subscription of three guineas."
On the motion of Mr. Logan, seconded by Mr. Laws, it was agreed —"That all
existing Students may, at the proper time, claim to be Ordinary Members
under the new Rules; their subscription to be two guineas per annum."
STARTING AND REVERSING WINDING-ENGINES. 145
A NEW HAND-GEAR ASSISTED BY STEAM, FOR STARTING AND REVERSING
WINDING-ENGINES, USED IN BELGIUM.
By Professor A. S. HERSCHEL, B.A.
Professor Herschel said, he would preface his paper by a short explanation.
It was during a recent tour in Belgium, which he had an opportunity of
making during the Easter recess, that he paid a visit to Professor Guibal,
at Mons, the Professor of Mining Engineering in the School of Mines and of
Industry, at Hainault. Professor Guibal gave him introductions to many
engineers of good position in that neighbourhood, who were exceedingly
hospitable and courteous, and afforded him opportunities of seeing all the
engines at work on their collieries, and of inspecting a form of
winding-engine which was described to the members of this Institute by Mr.
Page in March last, whereby he was enabled to compare the action of the
Sultzer system of automatic regulation with the well-known Guinotte system.
Mr. Guinotte sent his engineer with him round all the collieries under his
superintendence, and was also good enough to present him on his leaving with
several beautifully executed plans of working diagrams, or rather
photographic copies of working diagrams, to represent the Guinotte system as
applied to engines of several descriptions in the mines at Mariemont. While
there he noticed a very ingenious contrivance for handling the valves of
some of the extremely powerful winding-engines that were shown to him. In
some of these large engines, the ordinary donkey engines found necessary to
move the handles, were being removed, in order to replace them by the little
contrivance which, by the kindness of Mr. Guinotte and his engineer, he was
enabled to describe now. It occurred to him that it was the culminating
point of a great many similar ingenious devices which had been making their
way in England for some time. It might be said that the principle involved
dated back to the introduction of hydraulic cranes, and received an
additional impulse from the use of hydraulic machinery for steering on board
ship, which was
146 STARTING AND REVERSING WINDING-ENGINES.
adopted in the "Bessemer" steamer. The "Bessemer" steamer was fitted with
hydraulic steering gear in which a very light wheel and index-hand was moved
to direct and control the movement of the rudder, which instantly obeyed and
followed the index as if by instinct. The very large cabin on board the
"Bessemer" was frequently supposed to have been held in its position by a
very massive gyroscope; but this gyroscope by preserving its horizontal
position actuated certain valves the moment the cabin departed from the same
horizontal position, and these valves caused the water to act in cylinders
which always kept the cabin in a similar position of hori-zontality with the
gyroscope which was thus designed to act as a governor. In this Avay a
ponderous rudder was guided and held in any position against the blows of
the sea, and a heavy cabin with all its passengers was held horizontal
despite the rolling of heavy waves by the mere injunction of a light hand
which was moved by the attendant. The same principle is also brought into
action by the differential valve-gear adapted to pumping and other engines
by Messrs. Hawthorn, Davis, and Co.—an instance where steam instead of water
is made to drive a working piston to and fro, at the fixed rate of a leading
or cataract piston in another cylinder—and he thought that a description of
this new adaptation of a well-known principle would not fail in being
acceptable to the members.
Professor Herschel then proceeded to read his paper as follows:—
STARTING AND REVERSING WINDING-ENGINES. 147
HAND-LEVER ASSISTED BY STEAM, FOR REVERSING WINDING AND OTHER LARGE ENGINES.
By A. STEWART, Acting Director of the Engineering Establishments of the
Mense*
The contrivance represented in the accompanying plate (Plate XXII.) is
designed to facilitate the process of manipulating, under pressure, the
slide valves used to distribute steam in the cylinders of very large and
ponderous steam-engines.
It is well known that the difficulty of such manipulations has become of
serious consequence with the increasing weight and size of the working parts
of engines of the largest class; and further, that the difficulty of moving
the valve-gear used to reverse such engines, has, to a great extent, limited
and prevented the effective employment of the expansive power of steam in
engines, the direction of whose motion has to be reversed frequently.
This very simple mechanism, invented by Mr. J. Goffint, formerly an engineer
in the firm of Messrs. Ch. Marcellis (noAv the " Societe anonyms des
ateliers de construction cle la Ifeuse"), enables the steam to help the
driver's hand in pushing over the lever which changes the direction of the
engine's motion, from one side to the other.
A is the wreigh-shaft, whose oscillation on its axis causes the change of
direction of the engine's motion.
B is a crank-arm forged in one piece with the latter, or keyed to it,
carrying two stops, S S1 projecting from it, one on either side of the line
of prolongation Ll of the hand-lever L through the axis.
The hand-lever L is held normally in its middle position by two springs of
equal length and strength between the two stops S S1.
T the rod of the steam-piston, exerting a pushing or pulling force upon the
extremity E of the crank-arm B.
* Translation of a note in the " Annuaire de r Association des Ingenieurs
sortis del'Ecole de Liege " (Liege, J. Desoer, 1876), communicated to the
section of the Association at Liege on the 6th of February, 1876.
148 STARTING AND REVERSING WINDING-ENGINES.
At the point a of this latter arm (prolonged across the axis) a small
side-lever is pivoted, whose one extremity b is jointed to the hand-lever L,
and the opposite end c is joined by a connecting rod to the valve-spindle t,
whose motion to and fro causes the distribution or admission of the steam to
the opposite faces of the piston T.
With this description of the moving parts the action of the side-lever will
be readily understood; in the first place, the engineer imparts a slight
motion to the hand-lever without encountering any resistance until the
prolongation of the lever strikes one of the stops S Sl; but the mere motion
of displacement so imparted to the lever is taken up by the extremity b, and
is transmitted to the other extremity c of the side-lever, whence the
valve-spindle t is also displaced in the opposite direction to that of the
motion imparted to the hand-lever L.
The valve uncloses the steam-port of the cylinder, and the piston driven
forward by the steam, acts by its connecting-rod in such a way as to assist,
with any force of pressure that may be desired, the hand movement that the
engineer in the first place impresses on the lever-handle.
No hesitation is felt by the engineer, by this means, in using the handle,
since no new moving piece distracts his attention or impairs his confidence
by calling for particular reflection.
A still more important element of the contrivance is, that the engineer
holds in his hand the actual reversing gear of the engine, and that the
office of the steam-piston in the combination is simply to diminish the
muscular effort which the reversing machinery requires to move it.
The force exerted by the piston T can never set in motion the reversing gear
independently of the motion of the handle; and, on the other hand, the
effective pressure of the piston is always proportioned to the resistance
which it has to overcome, since the same steam which drives the piston is
also that with which the reversing valves that have to be moved are loaded.
Numerous applications of this hand-lever have already been made by the
Society of Engine-factories of the Meuse, and all of them with satisfactory
success. The introduction of this simple auxiliary contrivance has enabled
them to retain, even in surpassingly large engines, slide-valves with
plane-bearing faces to effect expansion, which with all the substitutes for
it that ingenuity has devised, still remains the simplest and most effective
means of using steam expansively.
The President said, he thought they were very much obliged to Mr. Herschel
for having described this motion. He believed it would very
DISCUSSION—REVERSING WINDING-ENGINES. 149
likely come into very extensive use. A great number of different inventions
had been tried in order to relieve the weight of the hand-gear of those
large winding-engines which were at present being brought so largely into
use, and all he had seen were deficient in some way or other: either the
valves were heavy, or where a small donkey engine was used there was a
continual jump in them, and some of them were exceedingly difficult to
manage. That now described appeared to be very simple, and he should think
also exceedingly powerful. He did not know whether or not it had ever been
in use in England, but it appeared to be very effective.
Mr. Boyd said, he had adopted a somewhat similar plan himself to assist the
engineer in handling the valves of large engines where the links had been
reversed by means of a screw and hand-wheel. He had employed an auxiliary
cylinder to exert its force on the nut which was actuated by the screw and
hand-wheel, and this enabled the engineer to turn the screw with great
facility; the pitch of the screw being so regulated as not to turn without
the assistance of the engineer, the nut and the links attached to it
remained in any given position.
Mr. Steavenson said, he thought the best way of getting over the difficulty
of moving large valves was not to have any large valves to move, but to
employ double-beat valves, which would admit of the largest engines being
worked by hand with the greatest facility. The contrivance was, however,
exceedingly ingenious.
Professor Herschel replied that no doubt there were very many excellent
contrivances which were equivalent to the slide valves, but it was on
account of the preference given to slide-valves in engines of the Guinotte
construction, that the contrivance just described had proved of so much
advantage in those engines, and that he had found it a very marked feature
in the engines of that description, used in the collieries at Mariemont.
On the motion of the President, a vote of thanks was passed to Professor
Herschel for his very interesting paper; and the meeting then separated.
cooke's ventilating machine. 151
ON COOKE'S VENTILATING MACHINE.
By WILLIAM COCKBURN.
Since the mechanical ventilation of mines first received attention, three
distinct modes of effecting the object seem to have presented themselves,
each of which had-its adherents ; namely, the steam blast, the centrifugal
machine, and that class of machine which exhausts air by means of chambers
of varying capacity. At present, the steam blast seems to have been
completely lost sight of. Centrifugal machines, on the contrary, have become
extensively used, and the Guibal, the most successful of these, may be
considered as the representative of the class. Many of these machines are in
use in different parts of England, and various experiments have been made as
to their efficiency, summaries of which will be found in various Volumes of
the Proceedings.*
Notwithstanding that such a very high result as 50 per cent, of the power
used in the cylinder has been realized as work done, there were many
engineers who thought that machines of varying capacity were better, and,
under certain conditions, especially where the drag was heavy and high
water-gauges were necessary, very much superior to the centrifugal machines,
and various modifications of these machines were tried from time to time.
About ten years ago, some rather large machines on this plan were introduced
in the North of England, constructed by Mr. Lemielle, on his patent (see
Vol. XVIII., p. G3, of the Transactions); but these machines, although doing
reasonably good work when new, from the complication of their details, were
never received into very high favour, and the mechanical difficulties that
always seemed to attend the adaptation of this principle to mining purposes,
prevented the further spread of the system.
Many, however, were of opinion that could these mechanical difficulties be
successfully overcome, and a simple and well considered form adopted, the
principle of varying capacities would be found the most economical and
efficient. Mr. Cooke, among others, shared this belief, and invented
* Guibal's Ventilator, description of, Vol. XIV., 73. Experiments with, in
France, Vol. XVI., 11. Compared with Lemielle's, Vols. XIX., 228, XXIII,
223. Guibal and Lemielle's System of Ventilation, Remarks on, by W.
Cochrane, Vol. XVIII., 139. Gnibal and Waddell's Ventilator at Pelton,
Remarks on, by D. P. Morison, Vol. XVIIL, 99. Lemielle's System of
Ventilation, Vols. VI., 129, XVL, 57, XIX., 2, 226; at Page Rank, Vol.
XVIIL, 63. Cooke's Apparatus, Vol. XIX., 17.
152 cooke's ventilating machine.
a machine that, perfect in its mechanical details, was extremely simple, and
which, manufactured by the eminent firm of Messrs. Fowler & Co., of Leeds,
with their well-known attention to excellence of detail, has given very good
results.
Some years ago, Mr. Cooke (see Vol. XIX., p. 17, of the Transactions) read a
paper on this new invention, but as no experiments on a large scale had then
been made, the author thought that a further description of some of the
later ventilators that have been made on.this principle, together with the
results of some experiments on their efficiency, would not be out of place
or uninteresting.
Some of the details of the earlier fans made on this principle were such as
not to allow them to realize the maximum amount of power they were capable
of attaining, but since the manufacture of them has been confided to Messrs.
Fowler and Co., of Leeds, nothing has been left to desire on this head, and
the fans now at work are steadily doing good duty, and continue working
economically without requiring any repairs.
The drawings show the ventilator that was erected at the Lofthouse Ironstone
Mines; the casings are 22 feet diameter by 11 feet 6 inches wide, and the
drums are 15 feet diameter, theoretically capable of drawing 4,530 cubic
feet out of the pit at each revolution.
Plate No. XXIII. shows a sectional elevation of one of the fans of latest
construction, Plate No. XXIV. shows an outside view of the casing, and the
mode of working the lever that actuates the shutter, and Plate No. XXV.
shows a plan of the two fans, side by side.
It will be seen that the machine consists of a circular case, A, made of
cast-iron, bolted together. This casing is made very exact, so that the
eccentric cylinders or drums, B, may, as they rotate, pass as closely as
possibly to the inside of the casing without touching. Upon this accuracy
depends, in a great measure, the success of the machine. The eccentric
rotating drum is made of wrought-iron plates, rivetted together flush on the
outside, and supported from within by cast-iron centre pieces, keyed firmly
on the shafts, and by means of stay-rods and angle-irons, firmly secured to
the metal centre pieces and the wrought iron outside casing; the object
being to combine lightness with perfect rigidity and accuracy.
These drums are perfectly smooth when finished, and revolve about thirty
times a minute within 3% of an inch from the casing. A shutter, C, likewise
made of sheet iron, and strengthened and supported by angle-irons and metal
bosses, is suspended at D, in such a way that its curved end is kept close
to the cylinder B, by means of the crank I, connecting rods F, and the lever
Gr, which is keyed on the shaft carrying the shutter. The upper curve H of
the shutter has the same radius as that of the
cooke's ventilating machine. 153
inside of the metal casing, and the lower curve E has the same radius as the
amount of eccentricity of the drum B. The cranks I are keyed on the shafts
Avhich carry the drums, but are outside the casing, and they have also the
same length between centres as the amount of eccentricity given to B. It
will be seen by this arrangement that the end E of the shutter C is always
kept at one uniform distance from the drum B, as this latter revolves. The
air is drawn from the mine at K, and delivered at L, and the pressure being
greater in that portion of the ventilator towards L than it is inside in the
portion marked K, there will always be a tendency for air to escape from the
former to the latter side, hence the necessity of having the Avhole
apparatus very stiff, strong, and accurate. In practice, however, when the
machine is well made, this leakage is found to be very trifling ; in fact,
when it is considered that the pressure equal to two inches of water is only
10 lbs. per square foot, or on such a shutter as shown in the drawing, about
1,000 lbs., half of which only is effective at the extremity E, there is no
very great strain tending to separate it from the drum B, and the minimum
space allowed is always preserved. It will be seen that, like all machines
of varying capacity, there are times when no air is passing in or out, and
this necessitates the use of two separate cases and drums. These were
formerly placed on separate shafts, and each was counterbalanced by metal
weights, keyed on these shafts, which arrangement gave much trouble; noAV,
it will be seen by reference to the plan, Fig. 3, Plate XXV., that both the
drums are keyed on one shaft, and that in consequence they counterbalance
each other. The cases A A are, of course, placed side by side, the cranks I
I and the connecting rods F are placed outside the cases, and the engine is
placed at X, and drives the shaft by means of the crank F.
Before submitting tables of experiments, made with the assistance of several
gentlemen of the highest professional attainments, it would be as well to
remark that it is very easy, even with the utmost care, to make very serious
errors in the amount of air passed through a given opening, for the velocity
of the air varies in almost every square inch of the area of the drift.
When the author compares the results of his own experiments with other fans
made by other gentlemen, the difference in the results is very material ;
and this was very likely, seeing how very great is this variation in the
different portions of a drift, as the following figures will show:—
At Upleatham, the velocity at slowest point was 713 feet per minute. Do.
do. highest do. 985 do.
Difference.........272 feet.
Take the average velocity, 960 feet per minute, and the useful effect is
154 cogke's ventilating machine.
58*50 per cent., whilst if the highest velocity be taken the useful effect
is 60*03 per cent. Lofthouse, under the same conditions, rises from 59*16
per cent, to 84*31 in one case and 71*57 in another; Cannock Chase from
41*02 per cent, reaches 46*02 per cent.; Aberaman 44*95 per cent, is
improved to 46*56 per cent.; St. Hilda from 37*77 comes up to 55*33 ; and
lastly, Liverton is readily raised from 47*42 to 60*01.
These figures are put below in a tabulated form in order to show what
different results can be obtained by the way in which the velocity is
ascertained.
Upleatuam, percentage between 58-50 and 60-03 is equal to 260 per cent.
Lofthcrase, do. 59-1G and 84-31 do.
42 do.
Do. do. 5916 and 71-57 do. 20
do.
Cannock Chase, do. 41-02 and 46-02 do. 12
do.
Aberaman. do. 44*95 and 46-56 do.
3'50 do.
St. Hilda, do. 37-77 and 55-33 do.
46 do.
Liverton, do. 47-42 and 60-01 do.
26 do.
In the experiments given in the following table, Messrs. Atkinson and
Daglish's method of ascertaining the velocity of air has been carried out as
far as possible, with the introduction of the division of the drift into
sections, determined with the assistance of Mr. Daniel, of Leeds, and with a
"Casella" barometer, which was tested and corrected by Mr. A. L. Steavenson,
of Durham.
The ventilator No. 2, at Upleatham, has been at work over thirty-one months,
and ventilator No. 3, at Lofthouse, over twenty-two months, and taking the
consumption of fuel over nine months, it is found to be close upon 3*9 lbs.
per indicated horse-power per hour, and 6*07 lbs. per effective horse-power
per horn, with an average discharge of 108,000 cubic feet of air per minute
from Upleatham, and 106,000 cubic feet per
cooke's ventilating machine. 155
minute from Lofthouse. The useful effect obtained from Upleatham ventilator
is 60*6 per cent., and from Lofthouse 62 per cent.
The consumption of fuel at Crag's Hall with a Guibal fan, over a period of
thirteen months, was 8*2 lbs. per effective horse-power per hour. At
Upleatham, for the same period, it is 6*07 lbs. per effective horsepower per
hour, showing a clear gain of over 35 per cent, by the latter in fuel.
The total consumption of fuel at Upleatham was, for the thirteen months, 709
tons. Now, had a Guibal fan been placed at Upleatham instead of the Cooke,
the consumption of fuel, taking Crag's Hall as the basis, would have been
958 tons.
The average of two experiments at Crag's Hall gave the percentage of useful
effect at 45*6. At Upleatham, the average of a number of experiments is
60*19 per cent, of useful effect, showing a clear gain of 33 per cent, in
favour of the Cooke ventilator.
In conclusion, an abstract of the percentages of useful effect obtained from
fans upon which Mr. Daniel and the author have made experiments is given, in
order to place the matter fairly before the members, and the author
concludes that it may justly be stated that Cooke's ventilator has an
advantage of 24 per cent, over Guibal's fan, and that the superiority of the
varying capacity type, compared with the centrifugal class, is fairly
established.
The author tenders his most sincere thanks to Mr. Daniel, Mr. Steavenson,
Mr. G. B. Forster, and others, who have assisted him, and to all those who
have afforded the necessary facilities for making the experiments.
PROCEEDINGS. 159
PROCEEDINGS.
ANNUAL MEETING, SATURDAY, AUGUST 4, 1877, IN THE WOOD MEMORIAL HALL.
LINDSAY WOOD, Esq., President, in the Chair.
The election of officers for the ensuing year was proceeded with, Messrs. E.
S. Newall, J. A. Ramsay, W. H. Hedley, and Frederick Gosman being appointed
scrutineers of the voting papers.
The Secretary then read the minutes of the last meeting, which were
confirmed and signed, and reported the proceedings of the Council. The
reports of the Council and of the Finance Committee were also read.
The Peesident said that, having heard the report of the Finance Committee,
they might congratulate themselves upon having so large a surplus. The cost
of obtaining the Charter was included in this year's account; otherwise the
balance of income over expenditure would have been much larger. This he
thought showed the Institute was in a flourishing condition.
Mr. Cochrane begged to move the adoption of the reports.
Mr. Bewick said he had pleasure in seconding the proposition.
The motion was put and carried unanimously.
The following gentlemen were then elected :—
Members—
Mr. W. H. Lewis, 3, Bute Crescent, Cardiff.
Mr. Edward Pringle, Choppington Colliery, Northumberland.
Mr. David Arthur, M.E., Accrington, near Manchester.
Mr. Thomas Banks, Leigh, near Manchester.
Mr. J. H. Owen, 18, Prudhoe Terrace, Tynemouth.
160 PROCEEDINGS.
The following were nominated for election at the next meeting:— Mons. De
Cizancourt, President of the Societe de l'lndustrie
Minerale, St. Etienne. Mons. Devillaine, Vice-President of the same Society.
Mr. Robert Urwin, North-Eastern Railway, Neville Hall, New-
castle-on-Tyne. Mr. J. W. Sandeman, C.E., 1, St. Nicholas' Buildings,
Newcastle. Mr. Nicholas Dixon, Dudley Colliery. Dudley, Northumberland. Mr.
Francis Prance, St. Helens Colliery Co., St. Helens, Lancashire.
Students— Mr. Robert Morrison, Lofthouse Mines, Saltburn-by-the-Sea. Mr.
Charles Fry, Lofthouse Mines, Saltburn-by-the-Sea. Mr. E. H. Liveing,
Browney Colliery, Durham.
Mr. Cochrane said, he would be glad to know whether, when candidates in
future were put up for election, the Council would have already considered
the qualifications, and whether, when they were brought before the general
meeting, it would be considered that their names were passed as duly fitted
and qualified under the new regulations, or if that would become a
consideration and be discussed by the general
meeting.
The President said, he thought the meaning of the rule was this: the names
must first be submitted to the Council for their approval, and if approved,
then they would be submitted to a general meeting for ballot.
Mr. Bewick—Yes. Not as we do now, but by ballot.
Mr. Cochrane asked if a ballot box would be adopted.
The Secretary—Yes; the members will be provided with ballot papers as they
come into the room.
Mr. William Cochrane read the following paper " On the advantages of
Centrifugal Action Machines for the Ventilation of Mines":—
VENTILATION OF MINES. lfil
ON THE ADVANTAGES OF CENTRIFUGAL ACTION MACHINES FOR THE VENTILATION OF
MINES.
By WILLIAM COCHRANE.
The writer having, about twelve years since, satisfied himself that the
variable capacity machines, such as Lemielle, Fabry, and others, were
inferior, both theoretically and practically, to the centrifugal action
machines ; and, with his subsequent experience, not having found any reason
to alter his opinion, deems this a suitable opportunity, when variable
capacity machines, such as Cooke's and Root's, are being again recommended
for adoption in the ventilation of mines, to compare fully the two
principles.
The writer is especially led to this step from an opinion which has been
recently expressed by the Government Inspector of the County of Durham, in
his annual report, viz.:—"The centrifugal fans, such as Guibal's and
Waddle's, have hitherto had the lion's share of patronage; but displacement
machines (of which Cooke's ranks first) are at length taking their stand in
the foreground, and notwithstanding the prejudices which tend to maintain
the centrifugal systems, these last must soon be effectually displaced."
In doing so the writer has only one anxiety, and that is to find out the
best ventilator, and, knowing it, to see its general adoption to the
exclusion of inferior systems. It has been with this strong argument on his
side, that since 1864, when he first introduced the Guibal system into this
country, there have been adopted about two hundred of these ventilators,
which have given the guaranteed results, and are all working satisfactorily,
and the results of which, when compared with other systems, establish the
superiority of this ventilator.
This has been the result, not of mere chance in the arrangement of the
ventilator, but of the most accurate theoretical investigation, conducted by
M. Guibal, leading from one point of detail to another, until
162 VENTILATION OF MINES.
he attained what may be considered the most perfect combination of parts
that a centifugal ventilator can possess, so that, now the term of
protection of his patent in this country has expired, he cannot find any
further improvement to make on the general principle in order to secure
further protection.
The writer refers to his paper read before this Institute, Vol. XIV. of the
Proceedings, to a paper read before the Institution of Mechanical Engineers,
1869, and to a comparative summary of the different systems of ventilation,
by Mr. D. P. Morison, Vol. XIX. of the proceedings of this Institute, for a
full description of the Guibal ventilator; and he takes this system,
believing it to be the best of the centrifugal machines, as the one to
compare with Cooke's and Root's ventilators, the former of which, in the
report previously alluded to of the Government Inspector of Mines, is said
to rank first among the so-called displacement machines. A description of
Cooke's ventilator, by Mr. William Daniel, will be found in the Proceedings
of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers of 1875, and in a paper
communicated by Mr. William Cockburn, which precedes this notice j and to
the experiments recorded in those papers the writer will refer.
Whether these ventilators will be found ultimately to be more efficient
machines than the Lemielle and Fabry, to which they may respectively be
considered to be closely allied, remains to be proved by a fuller and more
extended trial than they have yet had.
The two Lemielle ventilators adopted in the County of Durham, in the year
1868, were well constructed, and were reported to be working well when they
first started; but one of them has been removed, and the other, though still
at work, is admitted to be a very inferior ventilating apparatus.
A detailed report, by Mr. A. L. Steavenson, of the Lemielle ventilator at
Page Bank Colliery, in the County of Durham, will be found in the
Transactions of the North of England Institute of Mining and Mechanical
Engineers, Yol. XVIII.
The large volumes of air that have to be dealt with cause the rotary pump or
variable capacity machines to be objectionable, owing to the necessarily
large and cumbrous machinery involved ; otherwise, with small volumes, as in
a blast furnace piston blowing engine, a much higher useful effect can be
obtained than by any centrifugal action machine. For example, a 100-inch
blowing cylinder, 45-inch steam cylinder, 4£ feet stroke,, at thirty-five
strokes ner minute, yielding 18,000 cubic feet of air per minute, under a
pressure of about 4 lbs. per square inch" ot
VENTILATION OE MINES. 163
about 110 inches water gauge, gave a useful effect of 86 per cent, of the
steam power applied, as tested by the writer. The conditions, however, of a
blast engine are quite distinct from the large volumes under low pressures
which are required for the ventilation of mines. An approximation to the
action of a blast engine piston is to be found in Nixon's modification of
Struve's ventilator, but this yields a very much lower useful effect. The
massive machinery required for large volumes of air in mines involves a slow
speed if the apparatus is to work safely and without serious wear and tear.
Even at the slow speeds adopted on these accounts, closely fitting rubbing
surfaces are not safe, and leakage is therefore permitted in the original
design of this apparatus. It must be admitted that the wear and tear of the
working parts will tend to increase the extent of these leakages. If there
were no friction and no sources of re-entries of air, this class of
ventilator should utilize 100 per cent, of the steam power applied. The
element of friction obtains in both the centrifugal and the variable
capacity systems, but there are no reentries of air in the perfected
centrifugal ventilator of Guibal, and the friction due to the working parts
is very much less than in .the variable capacity machines. It is admitted by
all the supporters of the variable capacity system that leakages are
unavoidable, and it was mentioned by Mr. A. L. Steavenson in his paper on
the Lemielle ventilator, that at 18#10 inches water gauge there would be no
discharge of air at all, owing to the re-entries.
The writer refers to papers communicated to the North of England Institute
in 1867, Vol. XVI., on "A comparison of the Guibal and Lemielle systems of
mechanical ventilators;" and in 1868, Vol. XVIIL, "Remarks on the Guibal and
Lemielle systems of mechanical ventilation," where this particular point is
fully examined; and following the same line of investigation with the
Cooke's ventilator, from the details communicated in the papers above
referred to, by Mr. Daniel, the writer finds that taking the following
experiment upon Cooke's ventilator at Upleatham, viz., 88,900 cubic feet of
air per minute, with 27 revolutions and 3'25 inches water-gauge, gives 61*18
per cent, of useful effect. At 10"89 inches water gauge, the discharge of
the ventilator would be only 50 per cent, of its cubical
164 VENTILATION OF MINES.
water gauge under which these conditions would obtain is found to be 10*89
inches. Taking the co-efficient of the useful effect of the engine at 80 per
cent, this condition of water gauge would only give a useful effect of 40
per cent, of the steam power exerted.
A similar calculation upon the same experiment shows, from the
equation 4,530=1,238 —— that the value of h', or the water gauge
«J 3-25 under which these re-entries would equal the volume displaced and
thus there would be no discharge of air, is 43-6 inches.
No doubt this is a much better result than the Lemielle ventilator
previously referred to, and the water gauge of 43'6 inches for a mine is not
likely to be required; but the writer wishes to point out, in opposition to
the views of those who believe this ventilator to be in the right direction,
and that very large volumes and very high water gauges can be obtained by
it, that its limit is soon reached, and that its useful effect must
deteriorate as the resistances it has to encounter increase.
Taking the experiments upon Cooke's ventilator, recorded at Loft-house, it
will be seen that whereas the theoretical discharge of each drum is stated
to be 2,265 cubic feet per revolution, or 4,530 cubic feet for one
revolution of the engine, there was only discharged at 26 strokes, 96,757
cubic feet of air per minute at 1 inch water gauge, or 3,721 cubic feet per
revolution, and 101,308 cubic feet per minute at 1*12 inches water gauge, or
3,896 cubic feet per revolution, instead of 26 x 4,530 = 117,780 cubic feet,
or a loss of 21,023 cubic feet, i.e., 18 per cent, in the first instance,
and 16,472 cubic feet, i.e., 14 per cent, in the second instance.
The writer questions the accuracy of the measurement of the air in these
experiments, for the re-entry must be greater as the water gauge increases,
and here it is a smaller re-entry with a higher water gauge. The drawings in
the issue of the Proceedings of the Mechanical Engineers are too small to
scale off for reliable detail, but taking the dimensions obtained from them,
the displacement per revolution, without allowing any loss for leakage,
should be 4,840 instead of 4,530 cubic feet.
It is noticeable that at Upleatham, on August 25th, 1'56 inches water gauge
yielded about 15,000 cubic feet, or nearly 15 per cent, more air than 1*55
inches water gauge on September 16th, indicating either a change in the
condition of the mine or inaccurate observations.
The experiments at Upleatham on March 6th, show at 27 revolutions 88,900
cubic feet of air per minute, or 3,292 cubic feet per revolution, at 3'25
inches water gauge; and at 29 revolutions, 120,816 cubic feet of air
VENTILATION OF MINES. 165
per minute, or 4,166 cubic feet of air per revolution, at 1*56 inches water
gauge; instead of 27 x 4,530= 122,310 cubic feet at 27 revolutions, and 29 x
4,530 = 131,370 cubic feet at 29 revolutions, or a loss of 33,410 cubic
feet, i.e., 27*3 per cent, in the first case, and 10,554 cubic feet, i.e., 8
per cent, in the second case.
The writer infers that, for the purposes of experiment, the airways were
reduced in size to effect the different resistances indicated by these
experiments, and the result at Upleatham is in accordance with the theory of
this machine. He is, therefore, at a loss to understand the conclusion
expressed in the discussion that a definite volume of air is discharged at
each revolution, and that the effect of any ventilator on this system is
thus known beforehand; also, that a much higher rer**."would be secured by
this ventilator than could be obtained by any other fan yet introduced. In
fact, the above experiments point to the opposite conclusion, and to the
serious defects of this and similar machines.
That the useful effect under the conditions of increased resistances can
have been raised to 6T18 in No. 2 experiment from 58*50 in No. 4 experiment,
considering that the co-efficient of the engine may be considered constant,
is a further proof that there must be some serious errors of observation.
The co-efficient of the useful effect of the engine can be deduced from
the experiments recorded, thus:—In the 1*56 inches experiment, the
re-entry being 8 per cent., the discharge of the ventilator is 92 per cent.
of the theoretical volume, and the entire useful effect of the engine
and ventilator being 58*50 per cent., the co-efficient of the engine is
•58-50
_ g3.5 per cent.
From the 3*25 inches water gauge experiment, a similar calculation gives 84
per cent, as the useful co-efficient of the engine.
166 VENTILATION OF MINES.
If the 1*56 inches water gauge experiment is correct, 63*5 per cent, is the
co-efficient of the useful effect of the steam power transmitted, and 72-7
per cent, being the discharge of air, the result shows 6*35 x 72*7 = 46 per
cent, of useful effect, instead of 6T18 per cent, recorded in
No. 2 experiment.
The writer is of opinion that the co-efficient of 63*5 per cent, is more
likely to be correct than the 84 per cent, deduced from the 3*25 inches
water gauge experiment. He is led to this conclusion by a comparison of the
other experiments, and this agrees with the results of the Lemielle
ventilator, and points to one of the serious defects in this class of
construction of ventilating machine, viz., that of absorbing a large
percentage of the power applied.
The hypothetical conditions, under which a useful effect of 80 per cent, is
anticipated by Mr. Daniel, remind the writer of the original notice of this
ventilator in 1868, when it was stated to have yielded a useful effect of 84
per cent, of the steam power applied to the piston, and to be capable of a
still higher duty ; and the examination of the defective elements of this
system of ventilation confirms the writer in the conclusion that it has not
done nor ever will attain such a result in practice.
The writer agrees with Mr. Daniel as to the varying velocities of a current
of air in any drift, and consequently the difficulty of measuring it
correctly. In some cases the current is reversed in the vicinity of the
inlet of a ventilator, but an accurate measurement can be taken by the mode
adopted at Hilda Colliery, if sufficient time is devoted to it, and this
does not appear to have been done in the experiments on the Guibal
ventilator recorded in this paper, however carefully those on the Cooke's
ventilator
may have been made.
The writer has not had the opportunity of seeing a Cooke's ventilator at
work, but if a similar effect is produced in the water gauge as with the
Lemielle, it is very difficult to record its height correctly, the water
rising and falling with violent fluctuations, and thus offering another
element of error in the observations which does not apply to a centrifugal
ventilator.
The Hilda conditions of ventilation by the Guibal ventilator are such as to
allow a comparatively small volume of air to circulate under an ordinary
water gauge, the air having to travel along passages, some of them having a
total length of about eleven miles, and thus the conditions are not
favourable for developing the merits of any ventilator, for if the volume
remains constant the useful effect must decrease under a higher water gauge.
VENTILATION OF MINES. 167
The writer submits the following experiments, made on Guibal ventilators
working at mines, where the conditions of the ventilation are such as will
admit of a mechanical ventilator worked to its full advantage:—
And the following show a very good useful effect, although the conditions
are less favourable :—
It seems to be taken for granted that the Guibal ventilators are working
with a wasteful type of engine, and the author of the paper on Cooke's
ventilator leads to the inference that only Cooke's ventilator can be worked
otherwise. The contrary is the case ; engines working expansively and with
condensers are in use where economy and not first cost has been the
consideration. Even the diagram of the Liverton engine with Guibal
ventilator, referred to in the paper on Cooke's ventilator, indicates
considerable expansion, and should have prevented this assertion being made.
It is, however, very difficult to see how expansion will be successfully
applied to Cooke's ventilator in the case of the engine working direct and
without fly-wheel, and certainly there is but little indication of it in the
diagrams submitted.
In one case the consumption of fuel for a 30 feet ventilator has been only 5
lbs. of common duff coals per hour per horse-power in the air. Consumption
of fuel is, however, not a fair comparison except the boilers
168 VENTILATION OF MINES.
and quality of coals used are accurately compared. The true comparison of
the efficiency of the mechanical ventilator is the utilized steam power
applied, although the increased consumption of coal may be, and in fact is,
one of the great objections to the variable capacity type of ventilator.
The Lemielle ventilator, as will be seen from the record of experiments in
the paper previously alluded to in the Proceedings of the North of England
Institute, in the case of air being allowed to come freely to the
ventilator, gave as large a percentage of discharge as that recorded in the
3*25 inches water gauge experiment, viz., 72*7 per cent., and considering
the ventilation of Upleatham Ironstone Mines to be even a more favourable
condition than the average of collieries requiring about 100,000 cubic feet
of air per minute to circulate through them, this has been adopted as the
basis of comparison.
No doubt there is a great advantage in the mechanical details of Cooke's
ventilator compared with the Lemielle; fewer working parts, and less
liability to wear; also, probably, less expensive working cost in stores.
The writer cannot help noticing one important point, and in fact in his
opinion the important point, viz., the superior fitting of the ventilator
here described as compared with the first machine which proved so
inefficient at the Skinningrove (Cleveland) Mines ; but with all the skill
that has been brought to bear on the perfection of its manufacture, there is
still a serious source of weakness in the shutter, which, as now arranged
and constructed, must of necessity admit of enormously increased re-entries
as the resistance, and consequently the pressure on its very large surface
(above 180 square feet each shutter) increases.
The reversing of the motion involves also considerable re-entry of air, as
the shutter is neither rigid, nor is it even in contact with the drum.
Further, a clearance must be left throughout all the revolution of the
eccentric drum between it and the casing, and sufficient to allow for the
wearing of the brasses, so as not to incur the risk of seizing. The wear of
brasses will certainly not be trifling when it is remembered that the main
shaft is about 35 feet long, and carries two drums each 15 feet in diameter
by 11|- feet wide.
In what respect, therefore, is the practical working of the Cooke ventilator
superior to the Lemielle, which is admitted to be a failure ?
The writer believes it was attributed to imperfect construction and the
excessive leakages due thereto that the first ventilator erected on this
system in the Cleveland district failed to give any such results as are now
VENTILATION OF MINES. 169
recorded. Will not the same condition recur to the well-fitted apparatus now
described after a few years' wear and tear, and especially if any much
higher speed is attempted than 30 to 40 revolutions per minute with a
ventilator of the dimensions adopted at Upleatham and Lofthouse ? Such a
speed may be considered its maximum for safety, and in this respect there
lies an objection to this system of ventilation as compared with the
centrifugal, in case a sudden emergency arises, demanding a
largely-increased volume of air.
A centrifugal ventilator, 36 feet diameter, producing 100,000 cubic feet of
air per minute at its ordinary working speed of 30 revolutions, might safely
be driven at 80 revolutions per minute, thus providing a margin for an
emergency equal to its ordinary working volume.
In fact, the centrifugal principle, as perfected in the Guibal, is equal to
the largest requirements of modern mining, and will be found to be efficient
whether for large volume or high water gauge, long after the variable
capacity machines have failed to be economically applicable; and it is more
capable of precise calculation for adaptation to each particular case than a
variable capacity machine; for the Guibal ventilator, with properly
regulated shutter, does discharge per revolution the same volume of air at
varying speeds under the same conditions of the mine. The variable capacity
machines, with their sources of re-entries, do not.
It will be curious to know what dimensions and speed of a Cooke's ventilator
will effect a ventilation of 250,000 cubic feet per minute under a water
gauge of six inches, which are the working conditions of a recently erected
Guibal ventilator. Five inches, the limit of the Guibal fan mentioned in
discussion, has been regularly exceeded for the ventilation of a colliery at
Abercarn, where a Guibal ventilator of 40 feet in diameter is working at 68
strokes per minute, exhausting 97,500 cubic feet per minute under a water
gauge of 5^ inches, and in smaller fans for cupola work of 4 feet diameter,
13 to 14 inches of water gauge is steadily obtained, with a speed of 1,100
revolutions per minute.
In Belgium, where high water gauge and small volumes are required, a Guibal
ventilator of 30 feet diameter has been worked at 129 revolutions per
minute, producing 7*25 inches water gauge.
In the case of Cooke's ventilator, calculating the re-entry from the 3*25
inches water gauge experiment, at a six inch water gauge it would
be 1,238 = 1,683 cubic feet per revolution, or 2,847 cubic feet
nI 3-25 would be the discharge per revolution, equal to 62*8 per cent., and
adopt-
170 VENTILATION OP MINES.
ing 63'5, previously calculated, as the co-efficient of the engine, a useful
effect of only 39*88 per cent, would be obtained.
In case of the stoppage of the ventilator, a separate drift or opening would
be necessary to allow a current of air to circulate in the case of the
variable capacity ventilator, whereas, the centrifugal always allows a free
passage for the upcast current.
Another advantage of the centrifugal is, that in case of a heavy fall in the
mine, or any other obstruction arising, the ventilator would increase its
speed, the steam supply remaining constant owing to the reduced volume of
air, and thus automatically increase the water gauge, consequently, tend to
remedy the defective ventilation thus produced.
The Cooke or Lemielle in a similar case, having a greater resistance to deal
with, would have its re-entries of air increased and volume of air drawn
from the mine reduced, thus depreciating still further the already reduced
ventilation of the mine.
The writer cannot help referring to an item in the discussion, where it is
alleged as an indication of inferiority in the Guibal ventilator, that when
the air is entirely shut off, that is, when the fan has no work to do, and
the steam is still applied to the engine, it continues to go round, while
the Cooke's ventilator would stop, or some part have to give way. This being
so, is it not rather an indication of the superiority of the centrifugal
principle over the variable capacity? There are conditions of mine
ventilation which are favourable to the development of the maximum useful
effect of any mechanical ventilator, and there are the contrary conditions,
which must depreciate the useful effect; but the centrifugal, under the
circumstances of the shutting off of all of air, is absorbing
very little power, while the variable capacity machine, though doing no
useful work, must be absorbing an enormous power—a defect which has already
been alluded to.
It is necessary to refer to the cost of the two systems, as this is
prominently, though very erroneously, brought forward in Mr. Daniel's paper.
Taking a Cooke's ventilator of the dimensions referred to in the paper, as
costing £4,500, exclusive of the masonry, and to be such a ventilator as
would be recommended for the ordinary conditions of 100,000 cubic feet of
air per minute, under a three inch water gauge. A Guibal ventilator of 36
feet diameter, with two engines, each 30 inches diameter of cylinder, and 30
inches stroke, erected, with casing and chimney complete, and ordinary
foundations, would cost £2,100 instead of the sum named by Mr. Daniel of
£7,000 or £8,000.
VENTILATION OF MINES. 171
The wear and tear and the consumption of stores by a Guibal ventilator are
very small. The consumption of stores in the case of a 30 feet by 10 feet
Gluibal ventilator during six months was as follows:—
Equal to *0082d. per ton of coal drawn, and the stores used for lamps,
cleaning, &c, amount to £1 14s. 2d., equal to '0018d. per ton of coal drawn,
making the total cost £8 6s. 10d., or £16 13s. 8d. per annum = '0100 per ton
of coal drawn.
The consumption of stores and repairs in the variable capacity machine has
hitherto been a very heavy item. This particular machine must have a longer
trial before reliable data can be given upon these points.
A description of another mine ventilator on a similar principle has recently
appeared in the Transactions of the Mechanical Engineers for 1877, by E.
Hamer Carbutt. It is erected at Chilton Colliery, in the County of Durham,
and is called " Eoot's mine ventilator." It is claimed for this machine that
under water gauges up to about 83" (3 lbs. per square inch) it can compete
with blowing cylinders, especially in volume of air delivered per centage of
useful effect, and first cost. The writer of the paper does not say
successfully, but probably infers it.
The experiments recorded give a very high, useful effect, but they carry
their own refutation, and more accurate experiments must be made before any
opinion can be formed of the worth of this machine. It is only necessary to
refer to the following experiments to confirm this view, viz.:—74,928 cubic
feet of air per minute, water gauge 4*00, 13 revolutions, useful effect
76*85 per cent.; and 67,312 cubic feet of air, water gauge 2*75, 12
revolutions, useful effect 56*30 per cent.; from which it follows that the
increase of one revolution produced 74,928 — 67,312 = 7,616 cubic feet of
air, when the displacement of the apparatus is stated to be only 5,800 feet,
and a difference of 76*85 — 56*30 = 20*55 per cent, is shown in useful
effect in two experiments at 12 and 13 revolutions respectively.
It may be remarked, in reference to the useful effect of 76*85 per cent.,
that the engine and machinery absorb 20 per cent, of the steam power
\7'2 VENTILATION OF MINES.
applied, and, considering the nature of the driving gear, this is an
assumption probably much below the actual fact. The power applied to the
air is
utilized to the extent of 100 x------= 96 per cent., a result which seems
80 l
incompatible with the admitted leakage in the working parts.
A comparison of the volumes of air and water gauges in the experiments shows
that unless the conditions of ventilation were varied, and there is no
mention of such a step being adopted, they cannot be accurately recorded.
Take, for instance, 74,928 cubic feet with 4 inch
water guage, there should be x — x 74,928 at 5 inch water gauge, that is
83,920, but 101,69G are stated to have been measured.
The experiments do not record the measured volumes of air and useful effects
deduced therefrom under the water gauges higher than 5 inches, but only the
theoretical volumes and theoretical useful effects. This is to be regretted,
for there are indications in the experiments, inaccurate though they
evidently are, which point to the confirmation of the theory applicable to
this as to similar machines, that, as the water gauge increases under which
they exhaust the air, the useful effect seriously diminishes. The
consumption of coals should also have been given, and the nature of the
boilers used, for although this is not an accurate basis of comparison with
other ventilators worked by different systems of boilers and different
qualities of coal, still the writer thinks that there would have been
evidences in this item of the serious cost of ventilation by this system.
The consumption of coal in the case of other ventilators will be found
recorded in the various papers already alluded to.
It is only justice to Mons. Guibal to caU attention to the adaptation of
what is called an annular funnel-shaped opening for discharge of the air, to
which, probably, some of the useful effect of this application of Root's
mine ventilator is due, though it is evident that unless the communication
with the mine is uninterrupted the benefit of this arrangement cannot act
through the machine upon the mine ; if it does, it is simply the application
of the Evasee chimney of the Guibal ventilator, already well known to those
who have used it.
In the paper upon Root's mine ventilator reference is made to the Morley
Main ventilator, which has been recently described as a modified Guibal. It
is specially mentioned in the experiments recorded by Mr. Daniel already
alluded to. It is urged that a Guibal ventilator, with a diaphragm, as
therein described, is a superior machine to the Guibal.
The writer considers that it is certainly a much more complicated
VENTILATION OF MINES. 173
and expensive arrangement; and he need only point out that with a Guibal
ventilator, of 40 feet diameter by 10 feet wide, similar dimensions to those
of the ventilator described by Mr. Daniel at Morley Main Colliery, and
costing very much less, the results would be guaranteed as follows, working
under the same conditions as the Morley Main ventilator, viz:—
The writer considers he has justified the practical issue which he proposed
to the members in opening this paper, taking for comparison, the
acknowledged best systems of variable capacity machines at present in
operation in this country; and in confirmation of this it should be
recorded, that abroad, where mining engineers have tried for many years
various systems of ventilating machinery, the centrifugal type has taken
precedence of all others.
The writer will now redeem a promise made some years since, when the paper
was submitted to the Institute, in Vol. XVIII., that he would communicate to
the members the theory of the centrifugal type of ventilator. For the
mathematical details of this he is indebted, as in the case of the previous
communication, to Mons. Guibal.
Suppose a cylindrical vessel, abed, Plate No. XXVI, immersed in water to the
level indicated by m n, the bottom of such vessel having an opening in its
centre at O of very small diameter ; suppose the vessel to be furnished with
a system of vanes on the axis O P, fixed radially, and a revolving motion be
communicated round the axis, instead of the level of the water being
preserved inside the vessel at m n, it will assume a peculiar form due to
the centrifugal force acquired, which is shown to be the outline of a
parabola thus :—w being the angular velocity, that is, the velocity of a
point situated at a distance from the centre, equal to unity, any molecule
at a distance y from the axis will have a velocity, v =¦ w y; and the
which is the equation to a parabola referred to its principal axes.
174 VENTILATION OF MINES.
If x = o, y = o, for all values of w; if y = r the radius of the cylin-
der, then x = —=.— a value for which substitute H. 2g
Before the rotation commences, the water inside and outside of the
vessel will be at one level m n; and when commenced, the opening 0 being
closed, the water inside will assume the surface efg, giving rise to an
interior pressure on the orifice at 0 equal to Of, while there is an
exterior
pressure on 0 equal to h 0; so that if 0 be opened, water will flow in
from the exterior, and the surface efg will be raised to e' k g', a
precisely
similar form to efg. In this position, the interior and exterior
pressures
on 0 are in equilibrium; e' z will in this case be of the value H, equal,
as before mentioned, to —;— 2g.
Any point in the bottom or side of the vessel has an interior and exterior
pressure measured by the vertical height of liquid, inside and outside,
above it; for instance, q has interior pressure equal to q e', and exterior
equal to q z.
Suppose 0 closed and q open, and the angular velocity w communicated to the
vessel, the surface efg is formed as before ; but the interior pressure q e
exceeding the exterior q z, the water will flow out through q until ez is
zero, and the interior surface will become z Ig", when there will be
equilibrium.
The centrifugal force produces, therefore, a difference of level at the
centre and circumference of radius r equal to H = -x— the vessel being
closed, and the distance Jcf of the lowest point below the original level, m
n being equal to hf, the highest point above m n, it is represented
TT
by -«- Hence the bottom of the vessel vertically under U V has a lesser
pressure, and that under V z and V g" has a greater pressure than originally
when the vessel was at rest, so that the water has a tendency to flow in
under U V and to flow out under U z and Y g".
If an orifice be opened, therefore, in the centre of the bottom of the
vessel when the depression is greatest, water will flow in until this
depression is in equilibrium; and if an orifice be opened on the side at the
lowest point where the interior pressure is greatest, the water will flow
out till this pressure is in equilibrium ; and the respective currents of
interior surfaces will be formed as already explained. If orifices of equal
areas at 0 and q be opened, the curve efg having been previously formed, the
ex-
cess of pressure on each orifice is -^ but of contrary sign, viz., on 0 to
VENTILATION OF MINES. 175
force water in, and on q to force it out. The rotation continuing, there
will flow in as much water as flows out, and the level efg will be
undisturbed. If the area of 0 be greater or less than that of q, there will
be an excess of flowing in or of flowing out, and the curve surface will
rise towards e' Ic g' or fall towards z Ig".
For the most effective discharge the surface of the interior water should
ft)8 7*8
be the lowest possible ; if it is z I g", h I = II = - 9 - is the maximum
effect produced by the movement communicated to the water by centrifugal
force. To attain this level, z I g", there must be no resistance to the
discharge. This theory would lead to the opening q being infinite, that is,
in practice, as large as possible; hence the hitherto accepted rule for
exhausting fans to discharge all round the circumferences.
The vanes of a fan drive the air before them when in motion, but they also
draw it behind them, the general effect being a diminution of pressure in
the centre, so that the air from the mine tending to be drawn out, that
round an open running fan tends to re-enter, and does actually re-enter. As
an illustration of this, if the air is prevented from entering the centre of
an open running fan, only a slight power should be required to drive it,
there being no volume of air drawn through the inlet; but, on the contrary,
a very large power is found to be expended, and the surrounding air is
violently agitated. This result led to the adoption, by Mons. Guibal, of the
casing for his exhausting ventilator.
If the area of 0 is equal to that of q, the power represented by H will be
equally divided to produce the velocity of the inlet and outlet currents,
and in such case the theoretical result will only be a utilization of the
power applied of 50 per cent., which, without considering other elements
involved in the problem, is therefore the maximum theoretical useful effect
of an open running fan, but in practice, owing to the proportions of the
diameter of the fan and its inlet usually adopted, this is reduced to 47 per
cent, as the maximum utilization of the power transmitted to the air, and if
the co-efficient of the engine is taken at 80 per cent., the useful effect
of the steam power applied in the cylinders cannot
80 x 47 exceed---- - = 37'60 per cent. In practice this result is
still further
reduced by the re-entries of air from the exterior, as was shown in the case
of the Elsecar open running fan, recorded in Vol. XI. of your Proceedings,
where only 12 • 6 9 per cent, of useful effect was produced. If q i s
greater than 0, there would be less loss of power, if the water did not, for
the reason deduced from the previously mentioned experiment, create
resistances at the
VOL. XXVI.—1877,
w
176 VENTILATION OF MINES.
circumference. Experiment alone can fix in each case the size of outlet by
which re-entries of the air can be avoided, and hence the adoption of the
adjustable shutter by Mons. Guibal to vary the area of the discharge outlet.
If the water issued from the vessel at q it would have a radial velocity
or J 2/7 x —-— = wr, or exactly equal to that of the water against
the sides of the vessel, i.e., the angular velocity. This velocity is not
developed if the level z I g" is maintained, and water would not, even if q
were open, be discharged; but if, instead of this orifice in the direction
of the radius, another orifice q is substituted, as shown on the plan of the
vessel, the velocity of rotation which must exist, whatever the interior
surface may be, will produce a discharge by the orifice q', so that although
the level z I g" will be maintained there will be an inflow and an outflow.
This circulation of the water will absorb a corresponding power
M x ¦•— equal to that which the development of the centrifugal force
required, so that the useful effect will not be greater than with the
orifice q and the interior surface efg.
Instead, however, of a simple orifice q, an outlet of the Evasee form, as
shown in the plan q' q", is adopted, and by this means the water restores
the power represented by the difference of the potential force at the points
q' and q"—this is a well-known property of Evasee tubes. The power so
restored is equivalent to a column of water which will effect a lowering of
the interior surface in the vessel from z Ig" say, to z!1' g'".
Thus, with a power measured by H, due to centrifugal force, and an equal
power H, due to the velocity of the radial extremities of the vanes, there
will be produced a lower level, at the centre, equal to 1c V = H + z z', and
according to the value of z z!, the useful effect can be increased to 60,
70, or 80 per cent, and indeed 100 per cent, of zz1 = H, which would be the
case if the Evasee outlet restored all the potential force.
Suppose the engine and shaft of a Guibal ventilator absorb 20 per cent, of
the power applied in the cylinder, there would be 80 per cent, transmitted
for the purpose of ventilation; hence, in the cases where the useful effect
has been shown to be 50, 60, or 70 per cent., there is represented a
utilization of the power used for the air of 62*5, 75, or 87'5 per cent,
respectively.
As the water flows out, notwithstanding the level at the circumference is
lower than that of the surrounding water, so the air is thrown from the fan
into the open air, though the pressure against the inside of the
DISCUSSION—VENTILATION OF MINES. 177
casing is less than the atmospheric pressure. This depression of the water
gauge, which is shown in a Guibal ventilator inside the casing, arises like
z z1 from the restored potential force of the air due to the action of the
Evasee outlet.
The President said, they were very much obliged to Mr. Cochrane for his very
interesting paper. It was a paper which would have to be read over carefully
before it could be properly understood and discussed. There might, however,
be some gentlemen who would like to ask some questions. There was one thing
which he was not sure that he rightly understood. Mr. Cochrane said that if
the air-ways of the mine were to fall, and the quantity of air decreased,
that the ventilator would increase in speed on account of the air being
taken off. Would that be the effect? Mr. Cochrane—Yes.
The President said, he would have thought that the resistances drawing the
air from the mine being increased, it would have a contrary effect.
Mr. Cochrane—No. What he said was perfectly correct—that the same steam
pressure being applied to the fan, if there was an obstruction of the
air-way, the air was prevented from arriving at the fan, and the fan would
quicken its speed immediately, and tend fo restore the conditions which
existed prior to the obstruction. That was a matter which they could soon
test for themselves ; but it must be absolutely so, because the fan having
less work to do, and having the same steam applied, would quicken its speed,
and the quickened speed would increase the water-gauge, and so increase the
air in the air-ways.
Mr. Punning said, Mr. Cochrane had stated that if the air-ways in the mine
were closed both Lemielle's and Cooke's machines would stop altogether: was
that really the case? Would not the water gauge rise in the same way as in
the centrifugal machine, but to a much greater extent, and would not this be
a very valuable quality in case of accidents?
Mr. Cochrane said, immediately the water gauge in one of the variable
capacity machines was increased the re-entries increased also, because these
re-entries vary in the proportion of the square roots of the water gauges;
and as already referred to in the paper, and noticed by Mr. Cockburn as a
defect in this system, the variable capacity machine has no such property of
tending to restore an obstructed ventilation; but if
178 DISCUSSION—VENTILATION OF MINES.
air were entirely prevented from coming to it, as Mr. Daniel says, the
machine would stop, or something would give way.
Mr. Bunning—The machine would doubtless make fewer revolutions, from the
increased water gauge putting more strain on it, but it would not
necessarily give way.
Mr. Steavenson said, he had understood the President to propose a vote of
thanks to Mr. Cochrane, and he (Mr. S.) had much pleasure in seconding it.
As his own name had been mentioned once or twice, he would say this was a
paper which they could not follow without having the figures and details
before them. He was very sorry that neither Mr. Cooke, Mr. Cockburn, or Mr.
Daniel, had found time to be present to explain what their views were upon
the subject. He certainly hoped that when the paper should come before them
for discussion, all these gentlemen would be able to attend. He (Mr. S.)
supposed it was something like ten years now since Mr. Cochrane and himself
first argued this subject. They had had the thing pretty well discussed, and
he (Mr. S.) did not see anything very new in the matter. The Lemielle fan
was still going, working very quietly and very well. He did not mean to say
the useful effect was very high. He did not mean to say it was the most
perfect displacement machine which they were possessed of, but so far as its
working satisfactorily was concerned, he certainly was very well • satisfied
with it. He had at the present time either five or six centrifugal machines
under his care, and with them he was extremely well pleased, more especially
with the Gruibal. He had not had the pleasure of making any experiments on
Cooke's. He had looked at it, which Mr. Cochrane had not, and he had also
looked at Root's blower. With both these fans he hoped some day to make
experiments. What he (Mr. S.) would suggest would be, that some two or three
gentlemen of their Institute should form a small committee, and try each of
these fans carefully and independently. He, himself, would be very glad to
form one of that committee, and let them, if possible, have the thing fairly
tested, and not have Mr. Cooke coming there and saying one thing, and Mr.
Cochrane coming and saying another, and Mr. Root coming and saying a third.
Let them have two or three gentlemen who were entirely independent, and let
them have the matter thoroughly discussed, and the facts proved, to their
satisfaction. The Lemielle fan was not a perfect displacement machine, as he
had already said, but the blast-engine, as Mr. Cochrane admitted, was a very
perfect machine. Now, this was what he (Mr. S.) had always held, and,
therefore, if any approach to the perfection of a blast-engine could be
made, a better ventilator would
DISCUSSION—VENTILATION OF MINES. 179
be found than the Guibal machine j and if hitherto displacement machines had
not approached the perfection of the blast-engine, it was the imperfection
of their machinery, and not the imperfection in the principle of
displacement itself. He thought that the matter had been sufficiently
discussed, and could not be carried further at the present time, but he
thought they should have it discussed when Mr. Cooke and Mr. Cochrane were
present, so that if possible they could have it settled once for all.
Mr. Daglish wished to ask Mr. Cochrane if he would kindly reply to two
questions. He might say that he had also a paper prepared on this subject.
He was not aware that Mr. Cochrane was going to write one, and he (Mr. D.)
had advocated views somewhat opposed to those of Mr. Cochrane. He would ask
Mr. Cochrane first, where, in these experiments which he gave, the water
gauge was taken at; whether it was taken at the entry to the fan, or in the
drift at some distance removed? Another question which he would ask was
this: if Mr. Cochrane considered it possible to obtain by a centrifugal
machine an increased quantity of air, by putting in another ventilator,
running at the same velocity as can be done in the case of a displacement
machine? In his observations Mr. Cochrane mentioned that abroad, centrifugal
machines had taken precedence over all others. In the paper which he (Mr.
D.) proposed to read, there was a description of a displacement machine or
air pump, which was exhibited at the Brussels Exhibition during last year.
The manufacturers of the machine express a strong opinion that the
displacement machine will take precedence of the centrifugal machine, giving
reasons which he (Mr. D.) will have pleasure in laying before the Institute
on a future occasion.
Mr. Cochrane said, the water gauge was placed where it indicated the total
amount of useful work done by the machine, and that was exactly where the
air entered into the machine—at the inlet; it registered the whole of the
resistances which the air-current encounters up to that point. Mr.
Daglish—Would a second fan, going at the same number of revolutions as the
first fan, increase the quantity of air passed through the mine?
Mr. Cochrane—Certainly not. A fan, having a particular velocity, produces a
certain water gauge. Several fans may be arranged, running together, and
exhausting from the same inlet, each working under precisely similar
conditions, and at that same speed the air will not be increased in volume,
but will divide itself equally among all the fans, each fan doing only its
equal part of the work; but the ventilation of a particular mine cannot
possibly be increased unless there is an increase
180 DISCUSSION—VENTILATION OF MINES.
in the water gauge. Under these circumstances, quantity is due to the mine
itself, in which only a certain volume of air will circulate under a
particular water gauge. If more air through the mine is wanted, the
conditions of ventilation will require an increased water gauge, or less
resistance in the mine. In the former case the speed of the fan must be
increased, because the increased water gauge would be dependent on the
velocity.
Mr. Moeison thought the same principle applied to the variable capacity
ventilators.
Mr. Daglish—To an air-pump ?
Mr. Moeison—Yes ; a given water gauge, whether obtained by variable capacity
or by centrifugal means, can only draw the same quantity of air through the
same air-passages.
Mr. Daglish—But two air-pumps can be used instead of one.
Mr. Moeison—Yes; but unless the water gauge is increased the volume of air
cannot be increased.
Mr. Daglish—But the water gauge would be increased.
Mr. Moeison—So it would with the centrifugal fans.
Mr. Daglish—Of course, by increasing the velocity, but it could not be
increased by putting down another fan.
Mr. Morison—Not if placed side-by-side. He might add, with regard to the
position of the water gauges, the difference between the water gauge at the
inlet of the fan and that at the top of the pit is very easily tested, by
measuring the distance between the two and the area of the drift, and
applying to these and the volume the co-efficient of friction, the actual
difference of the readings is obtained. In some experiments which he saw
yesterday, the water gauge at the inlet of the fan was 3'40 inches, while at
the top of the pit it was only 3'25 inches.
Mr. Daglish—That is a loss of 0-15.
Mr. Moeison—Yes; between the top of the pit and the fan; and if the drift
had been shorter, there would not have been the difference of
0-15.
Mr. S. B. Coxon thought it would be of great interest if Mr. Morison, who
had the facts of the experiments which were made in Wales with two fans some
time ago, would give the members the result of those experiments.
Mr. Moeison said, he would be very glad to look out a few figures respecting
the experiments which Mr. Coxon spoke of before the discussion came on.
Mr. Nelson said, Mr. Cochrane had observed that he considered the
discussion—ventilation of mines. 181
blast-engine a very efficient machine, but he thought that the manner in
which Mr. Cochrane expressed it might require explanation. The blast-engine
was no doubt a suitable appliance for the purpose for which it was used,
namely, forcing air at about 100 inches of water gauge, and at that work
might be economical in effect, forcing perhaps about 18,000 cubic feet per
minute; but if the pressure was reduced to about one inch of water gauge, or
say the 24th part of a pound pressure per square inch, the friction of all
the parts of the blast-engine and the piston would remain constant, and that
under the altered conditions the variable capacity machine might be found to
be absorbing 95 per cent, of the power applied to it in friction. With such
low pressures as were employed in ventilating collieries (rarely exceeding
three inches of water gauge), the principle of the blast-engine would be
totally unsuitable; and arguing the theory of the varying capacity blowers,
referred to by Mr. Steavenson, from the blast-engine, they would be found to
be totally unsuited for the ventilation of collieries. The same remarks
could be illustrated in the pumping of water. Under certain conditions the
centrifugal pump was superior to the varying capacity; for instance,
draining vast quantities of water at five to six feet lift, but when greater
heights were reached there was a certain point to be found at which the
centrifugal pump was of no service, and the variable capacity pumps came in.
Prof. Herschel wished to remark, regarding the value of the paper which they
had just heard read, that Mr. Steavenson was, he thought, a little too
sparing in acknowledging its merits and the features of novelty which it
possessed, when he observed that, beyond what had been brought forward
before in papers on revolving fans, very little information of a signally
new kind was communicated in Mr. Cochrane's present paper. Mr. Cochrane had,
he thought, brought forward a more striking collection of illustrative
statements in explanation of the loss which arises from re-entries of air,
in different forms of ventilators, than they had ever heard produced before,
at least in the form in which it was now presented so clearly and
distinctly; and it was shown, he thought, for the first time, what was the
distinctive difference between ventilators of the centrifugal form and those
which had been described at the present meeting. He did not know how long
the appropriate name had been in use as variable capacity ventilators—a
class of suction-engines with which he had just heard ordinary water-pumps
compared, and which are in fact, as the Lemielle and Cooke's ventilators and
the Boot's blower are, similar in their mode of action to ordinary
force-pumps. These variable capacity ventilators seize the air, and push it
forward against a higher pressure
182 DISCUSSION—VENTILATION OP MINES.
than that at which they first receive it, and the work they do is done
accordingly against so much back-pressure. It is not spent in giving speed
to air, but in overcoming the whole head or back-pressure acting against
them through the distance that the air travels. The consequence of this was,
as he (Prof. Herschel) believed that Mr. Cochrane had correctly pointed out,
that the re-entries, or, as they might be more simply termed, leakages, of
the air in such machines became very great when the water gauges that they
are required to produce are high, or pretty considerable ones. In the case
of centrifugal fans, like Waddle's and Guibal's, the action of the
fan-blades was entirely different. Certain quantities of air in the mine
having to be transferred from a lower to a higher pressure, as before, in
order to throw it into the atmosphere (for that was the work of the
ventilator under all circumstances), while the variable capacity ventilators
do that work by pressing the air forward against a high pressure in front,
with a low pressure behind them. The fan does not work directly against
pressure, but acts by imparting speed to the air; and by a special property
of the rotatory motion which it gives, that speed then raises the pressure
of the revolving air from the centre outwards, and carries it at the same
time through the successive stages of higher pressure so produced, by a
continual series of projections. The first, and in fact the only, work of
the fan is thus to impart speed to the air, and accordingly a fan differs
entirely in its mode of action from a pump, and from those forms of
ventilators of variable capacity which overcome pressure directly. When no
air is admitted to a pump, it will either stop, break, or leak; or else do
great work in the first stroke, and very little more work afterwards, except
to overcome friction and the effects of leakage of the small quantities of
air left in or entering its chambers. The first stroke must be accomplished
if it is performed at all, and if there is no leakage or re-entry of air to
equalize it, against a heavy pressure, the strength of which is likely to
cause fracture of the pump or bearings. If these are strong enough to bear
the pressure of the first stroke, the pump will afterwards accommodate its
speed to any work required of it under the new circumstances of the higher
watei gauge attained. A centrifugal fan in the same case continues without
the slightest interruption to propel the air, leaving the rotatory velocity,
which it communicates to it, to divide itself effectively between producing
higher pressure m the outer zones and passing some of the air outwards to
them from the inner zones of the revolving air. If absolutely no air is
admitted to it, the fan whirls round the air which it contains (which is its
proper duty), and empties itself at last of air, if there are no re-entries
DISCUSSION—VENTILATION OF MINES. 183
at the circumference (in the same way that a pump does also in the same
conditions), as soon as velocity enough is imparted to make the difference
of pressure between the circumference and the centre produce a vacuum at the
centre of the fan. More work applied to the fan then carries all the air
out of it through the successive pressure stages to the circumference, and
leaves it empty, incapable of effecting any further useful work, and free to
" run away" by the continued action of the engine, except so far as friction
checks it, and as re-entries at the circumference give it constantly fresh
work to do to expel the entering air; or as small needful quantities of air
enter the fan at the centre, according to any requirements of ventilating
work which it is called upon to perform at the higher water gauge attained.
Throughout the process no sudden increase of work or, in other words,
heavy pressure at its constant rate of motion is thrown upon the fan,
because the new water gauge can only be produced gradually, as the speed
increases and the volume of air discharged is actually less and not greater
than it was before as soon as the admission of air is interrupted. The
interrupted course of the discharge will now no longer absorb and dissemble
part of the velocity given to the air by the fan, but will let that make its
appearance in whirling round the air between the blades more rapidly than
before; and this it will do in obedience to the pressure of the engine,
which will remain constantly the same, without suffering any alteration by
the different destination provided for the impulse, which it is at the time
of the change actually communicating to the fan. Thus it is by not
attempting to confine the air in rigid vessels (as variable capacity or
pump-like ventilators do), but by acting on it continuously in its free
state, so as to alter its velocity only, and not to do any work against
those solid pressures which a fluid can be made to exert, that all
injuriously abrupt changes of this kind are avoided as much as possible in
revolving fans; and that they may work under great varieties of sudden
changes of condition, without incurring the serious mischance of fracture,
or the liability of stoppage from this cause. Another instance of the
unfavourable consequences of applying the abrupt transitions of pressure
peculiar to rigid bodies to the propulsion of a fluid like air, on the large
scale required in ventilation, appears to be remarkably well illustrated by
the careful series of examples furnished by Mr. Cochrane in the present
paper. As air passes along the blades of a revolving fan it receives
gradually from the fan that speed which enables its pressure or tension to
mount; also, by gradual steps from the centre outwards towards the
circumference. Hence there are no abrupt transitions from one point to a
neighbouring point, either of
VOL. XXVI.—1877.
„
184 discussion--ventilation of mines.
pressure or of velocity, which can cause the production of re-entries
injurious to the economical working of the fan (even when driven at a high
speed and famishing a high water gauge), at all deserving to be compared to
the unfavourable conditions in this respect, under which air is discharged
at a high water gauge, by the direct forcing action of the variable capacity
machines; and the practical advantages of this peculiar mode of action of
centrifugal fans are perfectly well exhibited in several of the examples of
this description which Mr. Cochrane has discussed. The fan blades raise the
pressure of the air very little in front of them, only in fact by the small
amount required to communicate a little additional velocity to the air as it
creeps along the blades; and, therefore, from the front to the back of the
fan blades there are none of those great pressure differences which occur in
those direct-acting engines which act against the full pressure of the air
at slow speeds, and are not contrived especially to increase or alter only
the velocity of the air. He (Prof. Herschel) thought that this point had,
for the first time, been very distinctly brought forward in this paper, and
that a number of very useful and valuable facts were furnished in it,
showing how important the essential difference of the action is by which
ventilating fans of the revolving or centrifugal form differ from other
descriptions of these machines. He agreed with Mr. Steavenson that the
discussion would be most profitably pursued by a further collection of
similar facts, brought face to face and compared with each other, and to
bear upon the general question. He hoped the importance of the paper would
be his excuse for having ventured to add these few general remarks to its
discussion.
The scrutineers having returned the result of the voting, the meeting
terminated.
ToiUu^trafeM^WiZlican' Cochrocrteis paper On>-ihc> advantages of centrifugal
(lofamsMcuJmws for iJw; Ventilcctiort af3fi}neG."
APPENDIX.
BAROMETER AND THERMOMETER READINGS
FOR 18.7 6.
By the SECRETARY.
These readings have been obtained from the observatories of Kew and Glasgow,
and will give a very fair idea of the variations of temperature and
atmospheric pressure in the intervening country, in which most of the mining
operations in this country are carried on.
The Kew barometer is 34 feet, and the Glasgow barometer 180 feet above the
sea level. The latter readings have been reduced to 32 feet above the sea
level, by the addition of * 150 of an inch to each reading, and both
readings are reduced to 32° Fahrenheit.
The fatal accidents have been obtained from the Inspectors' reports, and are
printed across the lines, showing the various readings. The name of the
colliery at which the explosion took place is given first, then the number
of deaths, followed by the district in which it happened.
At the request of the Council the exact readings at both Kew and Glasgow
have been published in figures.
PATENTS.
The publication of the Chronological and Descriptive Index of Patents having
terminated in December, 1875, the Secretary is reluctantly compelled to
discontinue the List of Patents which has been issued with the Transactions
since 1868.
INDEX TO YOL. XXYI.
" Abendstein" borehole, Dutch Limburgh, 22.
Accounts, x. to xiv.
Acid water at the Gowrie Mines, Cow Bay, Cape Breton, 53. See (Gowrie
Mines.')
Advantages of centrifugal action machines for the ventilation of mines, by
Wm. Cochrane, 161.—Results obtained by various fans, 164.—Useful effect.
165. —Results of experiments with a Guibal fan, 167.—Cost, 170.—Consumption
of stores, 171.—Theory of the centrifugal type of ventilator, 173. —
Discussed, 177.
Plate. 26. Diagram showing the effect of ventilators working by centrifugal
action.
Advertisement, ix.
Alteration of rules, notice of, 131.— Agreed to, 144.
America; coal-measures and oil produce of, by Mr. E. F. Boyd, paper
discussed, 28.
Analyses : Wood, peat, coal, &c, 39.— Welsh anthracite, Slievardagh Irish
anthracite, &c, 40. — Iron ores, Nova Scotia, 72 and 85.—Limestone, Nova
Scotia, 87.
Anthracite; remarks ou by, G. C. Green-well, suggested by Mr. Boyd's paper "
On the coal-measures and oil produce of America," 39.—Analyses : 39-40.—
Peat compared with wood, 41.—Specimen of anthracite from South Wales.—
Ironstone, &c, exhibited and described, 42.—Discussed, 43.
Application of counter-balancing and expansion . to winding-engines.—Further
remarks by Mr. John Daglish, 64.
Archibald, Charles; description of the Gowrie Mines, Cape. Breton, 55. (See
Gowrie Mines,)
" Aurora" borehole, Dutch Limburgh, 20.
Bamburgh; Harkess rocks at, described by G. A. Lebour and Mark Fryar, 121.
(See HarJtess Rocks.)
Barometer readings, Appendix. Diagrams. Plates 1, 2, 3, 4, Appendix.
Boiler, marine; new form of, by John Shaw, 93. (See Marine Boiler).
Boyd, B. F., Paper on the coal-measures and oil produce of America
discussed, 28.
Bunning, T. W., Translation of a paper by M. Guillaume Lambert, describing
the new coal basin discovered in the Dutch Limburgh, 15. (See Deseri/p-tion
of.)— Description of the Gowrie Mines, Cape Breton, 55. (See Gowrie Mines.)
Bye-laws, iv.
Cape Breton, description of the Gowrie Mines at Cow Bay, 55. (See Gowrie
Mines.)
Carboniferous system in Northumberland. —Divisions in.—Further remarks by G.
A. Lebour, and his former paper discussed, 48.
Carells Brothers; description of engine constructed by, 109. i Centrifugal
action machines for ventila-
ting purposes, 161. (See Advantages
of.) Charter; announcement of grant of, 53.—
Copy of, xlix. Clabke and Hall's paper, On the me-
chan cal effect of " Blown-out" shots
on ventilation discussed, 101. Cleaning coal at Lens No. 5 pit, 139. (See
Method of.) Coal; analyses of various descriptions of,
39, 40.—Cleaning coal at Lens No. 5
pit, 139. Coal basin discovered in the Dutch Lim-
burgh, 15. (See Description of.) Coal-fields of Nova Scotia; geological
map
showing position of, Plate 8. Coal-mea sures and oil produce of America;
Mr. E. F. Boyd's paper discussed, 28. Coal-working; long-wall at EastHetton;
W. 0. Wood's paper discussed, 64. Cock bane, William, On the advantages of
centrifugal action machines
for the ventilation of mines, 161. (See
Advantages of.) Cockbtjen. Wm,, On Cooke's ventilating
machine, 151. (See Coolie's Ventilating
machine?) " Coffering " of shafts to keep back water,
by N. R. Griffith, 3.—Description of
"coffering," 3. Operations at two pits
near Wrexham, 4.—Protection against
water, 7.—Cost, 8.—Discussed, 8. Plates.
1. Section of the upper part of No. 1 pit, Plas Power colliery.—2.
Section of coffering.—3. Method of sheet piling at Plas Power colliery.
Contents of volume, iii. Cooke's ventilating machine, by Wm.
Cockburn, 151. — Description of the
machine, 152.—Useful effect, 155.—
Besult of experiments, 156. Plates.
23. Sectional elevation of machine.— 24. Side elevation.—25. Plan.
Council report, v.
Counter-balancing and expansion applied to winding-engines; further remarks
by Mr. John Daglish, 64.
Cow Bay; description of the Gowrie Mines at, 55. (^ee Gorvrie Mines.)
Daglish, John, Further remarks on the application of counterbalancing and
expansion to winding-engines, 64.— Description of the method of cleaning
coal at the Lens No. 5 Pit, 139.
Description of the new coal-basin discovered in the Dutch Limburgh, by M.
Guillaume Lambert, translated by Theo. Wood Bunning, 15.—Extent of the
basin, 15.—Strata, 16.—Sections of strata, borehole No. 1, or the " Aurora,"
20.—Do. No. 2, or " Nord-stern," 21.—Do. No. 3, or " Abend-stein," 22.—Do.
No. 4, or "Vorwaerts," 23.—Discussed, 25,
Plates. 4. Sections : Coal-basin of Durham, Richelle to Theux, Westphalia,
Ruhr basin.—5. Map of the district, showing the extension of the field.—6.
Map showing the position of the boreholes.
Detecting small quantities of inflammable gas; improved method of, by A. L.
Steavenson, 133. (See Gas.)
Divisions in the Carboniferous system in Northumberland; further remarks on,
by G. A. Lebour, and former paper discussed, 48.
Durham coal-basin, section, Plate 4.
Dutch Limburgh; coal-basin discovered in the, 15. (See Description of.)
East Hetton Colliery; W. 0. Wood's paper On long-wall working at, discussed,
64.
Election of members; question as to mode of, 160.
Excursions to collieries and works in the neighbourhood of Newcastle
suggested, 33.
Expeeiments: On steam jackets, 97.— With ventilating machines, 154, 156,
164.
Finance Committee's report, viii.
Forms of nomination, &c, lxii.
Freire-Marreco, A., Further notes on the gases occluded by different coal,
35.— Discussed, 37.
FetAk, Mask, and G. A. Leboue ; Description of the Harkess Rocks, near
Bamburgh, 121.
Further notes on the gases occluded by different coal, by Mr. A.
Freire-Marreco, 35.—Discussed, 37.
Further remarks on the divisions in the Carboniferous system in
Northumberland, by G. A. Lebour, and former paper discussed, 48.
GAS : On an improved method of detecting small quantities of inflammable
gas, by Mr. A. L. Steavenson, 133.— Discussed, 136.
Plate. 20. Front elevation and section of lamp fitted with coloured
glass. Gases occluded by different coal; further notes on, by Mr. A.
Freire-Marreco, 35.—Discussed, 37. General statement of accounts, x.—xiv.
Gilpin, Edwin, On the iron ores of
Nova Scotia, 71. (See Iron Ores.) Cowrie Mines, Cow Bay, Cape Breton; paper
on, by Theo. Wood Bunning, communicated by Charles Archibald,
55.—Description of the McAulay seam, 55.—Pumping and winding-engine, 56.
—Action of acid water on the pumps. —Method of working the coal.—Condition
of trade, 60.—Discussed, 60.
Plate. 7. Plan and section showing position of the pits and the
water-level running into the sea. Gkeenwell, G. C, Remarks on anthracite,
39. (See Anthracite.)
Geifpith, N. R., On "coffering" of shafts to keep back water, 3. (See
Coffering.)
Hall and Claeke's paper, On the mechanical effects of " blown-out" shots on
ventilation, discussed, 101.
Hand-gear assisted by steam for starting and reversing winding-engines, by
Prof. A. S. Herschel; preliminary remarks, 145.—Translation of a paper by A.
Stevart, 147.—Discussed, 148.
Plate. 22. Sketch showing arrangement of gearing.
Harkess Rocks, near Bamburgh, On the ; by G. A. Lebour and Mark Fryar, 121.
—Sections of the strata at various points, 124, 126.—Discussed, 128.
Plates. 18. Plan of Harkess Rocks.—19. Section at Harkess Rocks.
Heeschel, Prof. A. S., On a new hand-gear assisted by steam for starting and
reversing winding-engines, 145. (See Hand-gear.)
Honorary members, xviii.
Improved method of detecting small quantities of inflammable gas, by A. L.
Steavenson, 133. (See Gas.)
Iron ores of Nova Scotia, by Edwin Gilpin, 71.—Geological range of the best
known ores, 71.—Titanif erous iron ore, 72.—Description of furnaces used,
73. —Bloomfield bog ore, 74.—Analysis of grey magnetic ore, 75.—Acadia
Mines, Londonderry, 77.—Analyses of ores, 77, 78.—Pictou ores, 79.—Analyses
of spathic ore, 81. — Fossils, 82.— Cape Breton, 85.—List of localities
containing iron ore, 86.— Limestones, 87.— Analyses of, 87. — Conditions
upon which mineral lands are granted. 87. —Remarks by Mr. John Daglish, 88.
Plates. 8. Geological map of part of Pictou
County.—9. Geological map of Nova Scotia, showing the relative position of
iron ores, limestones, and coalfields. — 10. Section across East Kiver iron
ore.
Lambert, Gtjillaume, Description of the new coal basin discovered in the
Dutch Limburgh, 15. (See Description of.)
Lebour, G. A., Further remarks on the divisions in the carboniferous system
in Northumberland, and former paper discussed, 48.—Description of the
Har-kess Eocks, near Bamburgh, 121.
Lens No. 5 Pit, cleaning coal at, 139. (See Method of.)
Life members, xviii.
Limestone ; Nova Scotia, 87.—Harkess Eocks, 121.
Local excursions suggested, 33.
Logan, Sir William ; Geological map of part of Pictou County, Nova Scotia,
from surveys by, Plate 8.
Long-wall working at East Hetton Colliery ; further particulars by W. 0.
Wood, and original paper discussed, 64. —Plate 7a. Plan of long-wall worked
by coal gateways.
Marine boiler, new form of, by John Shaw, 93.—Description of the boiler; its
good qualities, 95.—Experience on board the "Boyal Dane," 96.—Eesults of a
series of experiments on steam jackets, 97.—Discussed, 98.
Plates. 11, 12. Sections through boiler.
McAulay Seam, Gowrie Mines, Cape Breton, 55. (See Gowrie Mines.)
Mechanical effect of '-blown-out" shots on ventilation ; Messrs. Hall and
Clarke's paper discussed, 101.
Members: List of Honorary, xviii.— Life, xviv.—Ordinary, xx.—Students,
xxxviii.
Members ; new classification of, 144.
Method of cleaning coal at Lens, No. Pit, by John Daglish.—Translation of a
paper by M. Eemaux, 139.—Discussed, 140.
Plate. 21. Sketch of apparatus.
New form of marine* boiler, by John Shaw, 93. (See Marine Boiler.)
Nordstern "Borehole," Dutch Limburgh, 21.
Nova Scotia, iron ores of ; by Edwin Gilpin, 71. (See Iron Ores.)
Officers, 1877-78, xix.
Oil produce and coal-measures of
America; Mr. E. F. Boyd's paper,
discussed, 28. Ordinary members, xx.
Page, William, Description of a winding engine with self-acting variable
expansion, 109. (See Winding Engine.)
Patents; Appendix, 9.
Patrons, xvii.
Pumping acid water at the Gowrie Mines, Cow Bay, Cape Breton, 55. (See
Gowrie Mines.)
Eemarks on anthracite, by G. C. Green-well, 39. (See Anthracite.)
Eemaux, M., On the method of cleaning coals at the Lens No. 5 Pit, 139. (See
Method of.)
Eeport of Council, v.
Eeport of Finance Committee, viii.
Eoyal Charter ; announcement of grant of, 53.—Copy of, xlix.
Eules ; notice of alteration of, 131.— Alteration agreed to, 144.—New
bye-laws, lv.—Appendix, lvii.
Sections: Boreholes, "Aurora," "Nordstern," "Abendstein," and "Vorwaerts,"
in the new coal-field discovered in the Dutch Limburgh, 20, 23.—Upper part
of No. 1 Pit, Plas Power Colliery, Plate 1.—Coffering at the Plas Power
Pits, Plate 2.—Durham coal basin, Eichelle to Theux, Westphalia Biihr basin,
Plate 4.—Gowrie Mines, Cow Bay, Cape Breton, Plate 7. — Porter bed, Nova
Scotia, 74.—Webster ore, Nova Scotia, 82.—Section across East Eiver iron
ore, Nova Scotia, Plate 10. —Harkess Eocks, 124,126. and Plate 19.
Shafts : " Coffering" of, to keep back water, by N. E. Griffith, 3. (See
Coffering.)
Shaw, John, On a new form of Marine Boiler, 93. (See Marine Boiler.)
Steam jackets, Experiments on, 97.— Discussion on, 115.
Steavenson, A. L., On an improved method of detecting small quantities of
inflammable gas, 133. (See Gas.)
Stevart, A., Description of a new hand -gear, assisted by steam, for
starting and reversing winding-engines. 147.
Students, xxxviii.
Subscribing Collieries, xlii.
Subscriptions ; account of, x.,xi.
Sulzer engine, 110. — Expansion gear, Plates 14 and 15.
Treasurer's accounts, x.,—xiv.
Ventilating machine ; Cooke's, by Wm. Cockburn, 151. (See Cooke's
Ventilating Machine.)
Ventilation ; Messrs. Hall and Clarke's paper on the mechanical effect of
blown-out shots discussed, 101.—Advantages of centrifugal action ma-' chines
for, 161.
" Vorwaerts" borehole, Dutch Limburgh, 23.
Water, Acid, at the Gowrie Mines, Cow Bay, Cape Breton, 55. (See Gowrie
Mines.) Winding-engine, with self-acting variable expansion ; Description
of, by William Page, 109. — Engine constructed by Messrs. Carets, of Ghent,
109.—Discussed, 114.
Plates. 13. Elevation and plan of engine.—14, 15. Plan of Sulzer's expansion
gear. —16. Plan and elevation of hydraulic regulator, 17. Arrangement of
the different handles for working the engines. Winding-engines; Application
of counterbalancing and expansion to.—Further remarks on, by John Daglish,
64.— Handgear, assisted by steam, for starting and reveising, 145. Wood, W.
O., Paper on long-wall working at East Hetton Colliery discussed, 64.