NEIMME Transactions
Volume 30
NORTH OF ENGLAND INSTITUTE OF MINING AND MECHANICAL ENGINEERS.
TRANSACTIONS.
VOL. XXX.
18 8 0-81.
NEWCASTLE-UPON-TYNE: A. REID, PRINTING COURT BUILDINGS, AKENSIDE HILL.
1881.
CONTENTS Of VOL. XXX.
PAGE.
Report of Council............... v.
Finance Report ......... ........ ix.
Account oe Subscriptions ...' xii.
Treasurer's Account............ xiv.
General Account ............... xvi.
Patrons ... .......................... xvii.
Honorary and Life Members xviii.
Officers.............................. xix.
Original Members............... xx.
PAGE.
Ordinary Members ............ xxxiv.
Associate Members ............ xxxiv.
Students .......................... xxxvi.
SuBSCRiBiNa Collieries......... xi.
Charter.............................. xii.
Bye-Laws ........................... xlvii.
Barometer Readings............ 293
Index................................. 301
Report .............................. v.
GENERAL MEETINGS.
1880.
PAGE.
Sept. 4.—Paper by Mr. Walter Saise, D.Sc., etc., " On the Kurhurballee
Coalfield, with some Remarks on Indian Coals" ... ... ...
... 3
Discussed ... ... ... ... ... ...
... ... ... 24
Specimen of Luminous Paint Exhibited ... ... .........
24
Oct. 2.—Paper by Mr. J. D. Kendall, "On the Hematite Deposits of West
Cumberland" (Supplementary Paper) ... ... ... ...
... 27
Notes on Lightning in the Pit at Tanfield Moor Colliery ...
... 31
Discussed ... ... ... ... ... ...
... ... ... 35
Oct. 15.—Visit to the Whitburn New Winning near Sunderland ... ...
... 45
Nov. 6.—Communication from Mr. Henry Richardson, describing a Sinking Set
fitted with new Windbore Protector and Suction Regulator ...
49
Paper by Mr. Edwin Gilpin, "On the Gypsum of Nova Scotia" ...
53
Discussed ... ... ... ... ...
... ... ... ... 67
Dec. 4.—Paper by Mr. D. P. Morison, "On Boiler Accidents and their
Prevention" (Part IV. and conclusion) ... ... ..
... ... 71
Discussion of Mr. Robert Miller's Paper, " On Jefferson's Automatic,
Free-falling, Hydraulic Boring Apparatus" ... ... ...
... 83
Discussion of Mr. J. W. Richardson's Paper, "On the Strength of
Wrought Iron in Compression"... ... ... ...
... ... 89
1881.
Feb. 5.—Notes by Mr. Thomas J. Bewick, "On Diamond Rock Boring"
... 93
Discussed ... ... ... ... ... ...
... ... ... 101
Paper by Mr. J. D. Kendall, "On the Iron Ores of Antrim"...... 107
Discussion of Mr. J. D. Kendall's Paper, " On the Hematite Deposits
of West Cumberland" ... ... ... ... ...
... ... 113
(iv)
1881.
PAGE.
Mar. 5.—Paper by Professor G. A. Lebour, "On the Mineral Resources of the
Country between Rothbury and Wooler, Northumberland" ... 121
Account of a Discharge of Lightning at Kimblesworth Colliery, by
Mr. John Daglish.......................129
April 2.—Stephenson Centenary, proposed College Building ...
... ... 133
Paper by Mr. Charles Parkin, " On the Treatment of Ores" ...... 135
May 14.—Description of Swan's Electric Lamp ... ... ...
... ... 149
June 4.—Meeting ad journed ... ... ... ... ...
... ... ... 161
Aug. 6.—Paper by Mr. J. G. Cranston, "On Cranston's Deep Boring Machine"
263 Discussion of Mr. D. P. Morison's Paper, "On Boiler Accidents and
their Prevention"... Mr. G. C. Greenwell's Remarks at the
expiration of the term of his Presidency ... ... ...
... ... • • • ¦ • ¦ • • • 269
Paper by Mr. Lindsay Wood, " On Experiments showing the Pressure
of Gas in the solid Coal" (read June 19th, 1880)...... ... 163
Discussed ... ... ... ... ... ...
••• ••• ••• 257
Report of the Committee on Mechanical Ventilators, appointed
April 13th, 1878........................273
Perhaps at no time in the history of mining has a larger quantity of mineral
been brought to the surface than during the year 1880-81, and it ¦ would
naturally be thought from this circumstance that the profession of mining
was in a prosperous condition, whereas, unfortunately, the reverse is the
fact, and never has the pressure of adverse times been so severely felt.
The Institute has suffered from this condition of things, but not to the
extent that might have been anticipated. The total number of members has
decreased by 36, but the income from all sources has increased. This is
attributable to the larger amount of arrears that has been collected.
The accumulation of arrears has seriously occupied the attention of the
Council for some time past, and although the evil is great as regards the
Institute, it is one that is not confined to it alone, for it forms a
serious item in the balance sheets of other Societies.
After mature consideration the Council recommend that the most stringent
measures provided by the rules for compelling payment of the outstanding
subscriptions be applied in all cases, and that in future all those who have
not complied with the provisions contained in Form H be taken off the List
of Members.
The Eeport of the Finance Committee appears to be in every way satisfactory,
and the fact that there is a balance of a thousand pounds which can be
invested, shows that the financial position of the Institute is sound. The
Council recommend that the advice of the Finance Committee be adopted, and
that this sum be invested in some suitable security. This is the more
necessary as the number of life members continues to increase.
There have been no excursions during the past year. A courteous invitation
was received in April from the Association des Ingenieurs sortis de l'Ecole
de Liege to view the collieries and manufactories of interest in the
neighbourhood of Liege; but owing to the lateness of the date at which the
invitation was received, most of the members had already made their
arrangements for the summer, and there was not a sufficient number of
persons who could avail themselves of the invitation to properly represent
the Institute before so important a body.
By the kind invitation of Mr. John Daglish a very instructive and enjoyable
visit was made to the Whitburn Colliery, to inspect the sinking operations
carried on by the Kind-Chaudron process.
The papers read before the Institute during the year have fully equalled
those of former years. The contribution of Dr. Saise, on " The Coal-Field of
Kurhurballee," gives a most interesting description of the mode of working
coal in our Imperial possessions. Mr. J. D. Kendall has added two more
geological papers, one on " The Hematite Deposits of West Cumberland," and
the other on "The Iron Ores of Antrim," to his previous contributions. Mr.
Edwin Gilpin has given a paper on " The Gypsum of Nova Scotia," and Mr.
Lebour one on " The Mineral Resources of Central Northumberland."
Some of the more mechanical branches of the profession of the miner have
been ably illustrated by Mr. T. J. Bewick in his paper on " Diamond Rock
Boring," and by Mr. Charles Parkin in his remarks on "The Treatment of
Ores."
That most important question, the Lighting of Mines, has always occupied the
attention of the Council, and hearing that Mr. J. W. Swan had invented a
mode by which mines could be, partially at least, lighted by electricity,
that gentleman was asked to explain his views to the members. Mr. Swan
kindly responded to the request, and exhibited the lamp, a description of
which has appeared in the Transactions. Most certainly the beautiful mode by
which Mr. Swan has succeeded in dividing the light produced by passing an
electric current through.a thin filament of carbon, has rendered the
lighting of collieries by this means even in the most remote workings
possible and safe, although much seems yet to be done before that amount of
simplicity is attained which will bring the process into general use. The
suggestion, however, is a most valuable one, and, in the hands of a
gentleman possessed of the practical knowledge of Mr. Swan, is likely to
result in a most important change in the present mode of working coal; for
increased light means also increased safety, facility for the use of
mechanical contrivances underground, and an increased amount of care in the
separation of band, impure coal, stone, and other matters, which it is now
extremely difficult to distinguish from the pure coal.
However advantageous electricity under control may be in a mine, the "
Report of the Committee on the Descent of Lightning in Tanfield Moor
Colliery" plainly demonstrates that when not under such control it may be
extremely dangerous. From Mr. John Daglish's paper on " The Effects of
Lightning at Kimblesworth," and from the discussions which
(vii)
followed, it would appear that occurrences such as are there described may
be looked for as constantly likely to happen, with the certainty of
exploding gas if there should be any present; and, further, when it is known
that sparks from a horse's hoof, or, in fact, sparks caused by any
circumstance whatever will fire gas, the wonder is that so few explosions
have hitherto occurred in coal mines, and shows how much there is yet to be
done to make life and property secure.
Mr. Lindsay Wood's paper on " The Pressure and Quantity of Gas in the Solid
Coal," read about twelve months since, has occupied more time than was
anticipated in bringing the series of experiments which had been undertaken
to a close, but it will now be issued to the members very shortly. This
paper will be found unique of its kind, and will no doubt cause more
extended inquiry into this very important subject.
The Council has at different times considered whether the Students could not
be made more directly interested in the working of the Institute with
advantage to both themselves and the members generally. A student has more
time for research than a professional man, and has more need perhaps to
exchange the results of his experience ; but a natural diffidence often
prevents him from stating the results he has arrived at before those
standing above him in his profession, and it is possible that some scheme
might be adopted which would enable the students to have meetings of their
own under the presidency of officers chosen from amongst themselves, who
might recommend to the Council such papers read at their meetings as they
might consider fit to submit to the members and suitable for publication in
the Proceedings. Such an arrangement might be the means of bringing the
students more together, increasing their professional knowledge, and giving
them such additional interest in the Proceedings of the Institute as would
probably remain with them for life. The Council consider this a suitable
time for bringing the subject forward, as it is probable that the Society of
British Students, which has done really good work during the few years it
has been in existence, will be dissolved, and as the young men connected
with the profession have shown a desire to improve themselves by mutual
instruction, it is thought that nothing could possibly be of more service to
them than affording them the means of doing so in the way they themselves
have pointed out as being the most suitable to their inclinations.
• (ix)
$iwxtt §,t$ati.
The Finance Committee have to report that they have minutely examined the
finances of the Institute during the last few years, and think that the
members have every reason to congratulate themselves upon their position.
The highest income the Institute ever realized was in the year 1876-77, when
it reached £2,168 16s. 4d. It now stands at £1,993 Is., or only £175 15s.
4d. less, and this in spite of the long period of depression that has been
passed through, and which is probably not even now ended. The fact that the
amount of income is reduced might seem discouraging were it not that the
past year's income shows an increase of £50 9s. 9d. over that of the
preceding year.
Although every possible effort has been made to obtain the payment of
arrears, there is still a large amount outstanding, and it will be for the
Council to decide as to the advisability of rigorously taking the names off
the List of Members of all persons not paying their subscriptions in
accordance with the rules.
The expenditure of the Institute has been £130 4s. 4d. less than last year,
and £504 10s. 7d. less than the income, leaving a balance at the bankers of
£1,029 13s. 10d., out of which there is a sum due to the Treasurer of £10
10s. 6d. One thousand pounds of this amount the Committee recommend should
be invested.
The Institute continues to hold 134 shares in the Institute and Coal Trade
Chambers Company, Limited, of the value of £2,680, and had there been any
shares of this Company procurable, the Committee would have recommended that
the above-mentioned sum of one thousand pounds should have been invested in
this security; but having ascertained that the River Tyne Commissioners are
paying 4 per cent, for loans for seven or ten years, the Committee recommend
that the money should be invested with that Body for seven years.
G. C. GREENWELL. WM. COCHRANE. JOHN B. SIMPSON.
b
ADVERTISEMENT.
The Institute is not, as a body, responsible for the facts and opinions
advanced in the Papers read, and in the Abstracts of the Conversations which
occurred at the Meetings during the Session.
(xii) Dr. THE TREASURER IN ACCOUNT
£ s. d.
To 651 Original Members, as per List, 1880-81, 11 of which are Life
Members.
640 at £2 2s. ........................1,344 0 0
To 22 Ordinary Members, as per List, 1880-81,
1 paid, as Life Member ..................... 25 0 0
21 = 1 at £2 2s., 20 at £3 3s................ ... 65 2 0
To 52 Associate Members, as per List, 1880-81, at £2 2s.......... 109
4 0
To 136 Students, as per List, 1880-81,
2 having paid as Members... ... ... ... ...
... ... 440
134 at £1 Is............................ 140 14 0
To 13 Subscribing Collieries ..................... 65 2 0
To 4 New Ordinary Members, at £3 3s................ 12 12 0
To 12 New Associate Members, at £2 2s................ 25 4 0
To 12 New Students, at £1 Is...................... 12 12 0
1,803 14 0
To Arrears, as per last Balance Sheet ... ... ... ...
£598 10 0
Deduct—
Irrecoverable Arrears not inserted in 1880-81 List, Dead,
Resigned, &c................... 148 1 0
----------- 450 9 0
To Arrears considered as irrecoverable, but since paid ...
... ... 220
£2,256 5 0
(xiii) WITH SUBSCRIPTIONS, 1880-81.
Cr.
PAID. UNPAID.
£ s. d. £ s. d. By 517 Original Members
paid...............1,085 14 0
By 93 do. unpaid ............
195 6 0
By 7 do. dead, unpaid ... ...
... 14 14 0
By 14 do. resigned, unpaid ... ...
... 29 8 0
By 9 do. gone, no address ... ...
... 18 18 0
640
By 1 Ordinary Member paid as Life Member ... ... 25
0 0
By 16 Ordinary Members paid, at £3 3s.......... 50 8 0
By . 3 do. unpaid, 1 at £2 2s., 2 at £3 3s.
... 8 8 0
By 2 do. resigned, at £3 3s. ......
6 6 0
21
By 42 Associate Members paid, at £2 2s.......... 88 4 0
By 9 do. unpaid, at £2 2s..........
18 18 0
By 1 do. gone, no address, at £2 2s.
... 220
52
By 2 Students paid as Members ... ... ...
... 440
By 105 do. paid, at £1 Is................ 110 5 0
By 26 do. unpaid, at £1 Is..........' ...
27 6 0
By 1 do. resigned, unpaid, at £1 Is. ... ...
... 110
By 2 do. gone, no address, at £1 Is. ... ...
... 220
134
By 13 Subscribing Collieries paid ... ... ...
... 65 2 0
By 3 New Ordinary Members paid, at £3 3s....... 9 9 0
By 1 do. do. resigned, at £3 3s.......
3 3 0
4
By 11 New Associate Members paid, at £2 2s....... 23 2 0
By 1 do. do. unpaid, at £2 2s.......
2 2 0
• 12
By 12 New Students, at £1 Is............. 12 12 0
1,474 0 0 329 14 0
By Members'Arrears .................. 20112 0 216 6 0
By Students' do................... 9 9 0 23 2
0
By Arrears considered irrecoverable, but since paid ... ...
220
1,687 3 0 569 2 0 Audited and Certified,
1,687 3 0
JOHN G. BP^NSON & Co.,
Fellows op the Institute of Chartered Accountants.
Newcastle-upon-Tyne, August 4th, 1881.
£2,256 5 0
(xiv) TREASURER IN ACCOUNT WITH THE NORTH OF ENGLAND
Ds'_______
For the Year ending
£ s. d.
To Balance at Bankers ... ... ... .... ...
^gg 22 a
To Balance in hands of Treasurer ...............
45 0 3
To Dividend of 8 per cent, on 134 Shares of £20 each = £2.680...... 214
8 0
To Bent of College Class Booms, less Borough Bates .........
48 15 6
777 16 3
To Subscriptions for 1880-81 from 517 Original Members .. .£1.085 14 0
Do. do. 16 Ordinary Members ... 50
8 0
Do. do. 1 do. paid, as Life Member 25
0 0
Do. do. 42 Associate Members ... 88
4 0
Do. do. 105 Students ...... 110 5
0
Do. do. 2 do. paid, as Members 4
4 0
Do. do. 3 New Ordinary Members 9 9
0
Do. do. 11 New Associate Members 23 2
0
Do. do. 12 New Students ... 12
12 0
To Subscribing Collieries :—
Ashington ............ £2 2 0
Haswell ............ 440
Hetton ............ 10 io 0
Lambton ... ... ... ... 10 10 0
North Hetton ... ... ... ... 6 60
Londonderry ... ... ... 10 10 0
Byhope ............ 4 4 0
Seghill ............ 2 2 0
South Hetton ............ 440
Stella ............ 2 2 0
Throckley ............ 2 2 0
Wearmouth ............ 440
Whitworth ... ... ... 220
----------- 65 2 0
lo Members Arrears ... ... ... 201 12
0
To Students' do. ... ... .,
990
To Arrears considered as irrecoverable, but since
Paid ............... 2 2 0
----------- 213 3 0
--------------1,687 3 0
To Sale of Publications, per A. Beid......... 42 4 6
Less 10 per cent. Commission ......... 446
38 0 0 To Sale of Publications, per Secretary.........
4 14 6
---------- 42 14 6
To Balance due Treasurer ............
10 10 6
£2,518 4 3
(XT)
INSTITUTE OF MINING AND MECHANICAL ENGINEERS.
August, 1881.
Cb.
£ s. d. £ s. d.
By Paid A. Eeid, Publishing Account ......... 271 5 0
Do. Covers for Parts and Stitching ... ... 33
9 6
Do. Binding and Sewing Volumes ... ... 37 17
0
Do. Postage ............... 32 10 7
Do. Stationery and Circulars ... ... ...
148 2 1
Do. Library ............... 23 13 2
Do. Borings ............... 33 0 0
--------------- 579 17 4
By other Printing and Stationery ... ... ...
... ... ... 474
By Secretary's Incidental Expenses and Postage .. ...
... ... 154 10 3
By Sundry Accounts ... ... ... ... ...
... ... ... 73 12 5
By Travelling Expenses... ... ... ... ...
... ... ... 15 6 8
By Secretary's Salary ........................ 300 0 0
By Assistant's do. ... ... ... ...
... ... ... ... 75 0 0
By Reporter's do......................... 12 12 0
By Payments on account of Furnishing ... ... ...
... ... 5 4 4
By Bent .................. ......... 73 8
4
By Bates and Taxes ........................ 14 11 4
By Fire Insurance ... ... ... ... ...
... ... ... 906
By Water, Coals, and Gas ..................... 20 1110
By Subscription to the Natural History Society ... ...
... ... 20 0 0
By Books for Library, in addition to amount paid A. Reid ... ...
... 51 1 4
By Instruments ... ... ... ... . . ...
... ••• ... „ „ »
By Expenses in connection with Ventilator Experiments ... ...
... 9 18 11
By Awards for Papers ... ... ... ... ...
... ... ... 3 7 10
By Snowguard and Bepair of Windows, Sec, Wood Memorial Hall ...
66 0 0
1,488 10 5
By Balance at Bankers........................1,029 13 10
By Balance in hands of Treasurer ... ... ... ...
... ... „ „ „
Audited and Certified,
JOHN G. BENSON & Co., Fellows of the Institute of Chartered Accountants.
Newcastle-upon-Tyne, August 4th, 1881.
£2,518 4 3
(xvi)
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Pea
S "o,
His Grace the DUKE OF 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 OF DURHAM.
The Right Honourable the EARL GREY.
The Right Honourable the EARL OF RA YENS WORTH.
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.
Orig. Hon
The Eight Honourable the EARL OP HAVENS WORTH ...
1877
WILLIAM ALEXANDER, Esq., Inspector of Mines, Glasgow ...
1863
JAMES P. BAKER, Esq., Inspector of Mines, Wolverhampton ... 1853
1866
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
FRANK 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
WARINGTON W. SMYTH, Esq., 28, Jermyn Street, London ...
1869
The Very Rey. De. LAKE, Dean of Durham ......... 1872
: Peof. W. S. ALDIS, M.A., Principal of the Col. of Phys. Sc, N'castle
1872
„ G. S. BRADY, M.D., F.L.S. do. do.
... 1875
„ A. FREIRE-MARRECO, M.A. do. do. ...
1872
: „ A. S. HERSCHEL, M.A., P.R.A.S. do. do.
... 1872
= „ G. A. LEBOUR, M.A., F.G.S. do.,
do. ... 1873 1879
M. DE BOUREUTLLE, Commandeur de la Legion d'Honneur, Con-
seiller d'etat, Inspecteur General des Mines, Paris ... ...
1853
De. H. VON DECHEN, Berghauptmann, Ritter, etc., Bon-am-Rhine,
Prussia ... ... ... ... ... ...
... ... 1853
M. THEOPHILE GUIBAL, School of Mines, Mons, Belgium ...
1870
M. E. VUILLEMIN, Mines d'Aniche (Nord), France ......
1878
Orio. Life.
C. W. BARTHOLOMEW, Esq., Blakesley Hall, near Towcester ...
1875
DAVID BURNS, Esq., C.E., Brookside, Haltwhistle.........•
1877
E. B. COXE, Esq., Drifton, Jeddo, P.O., Luzerne Co., Penns., U.S. ...
1873 1874
JAMES S. DIXON, Esq., 170, Hope Street, Glasgow ...... 1878
1880
ERNEST HAGUE, Esq., Castle Dyke, Sheffield ......... 1872
1876
G. C. HEWITT, Esq., Coalpit Heath Colliery, near Bristol...... 1871
1879
HENRY LAPORTE, Esq., M.E., 80, Rue Royale, Brussels......
1877
NATHAN MILLER, Esq., Kurhurballee Collieries, East Indian
Railway, Chord Line, Bengal ............... 1878
H. J. MORTON, Esq., 4, Royal Crescent, Scarborough ...... 1856
1861
RUDOLPH NASSE, Konigl Bergwerks Director, Louisenthal,
Saarbriicken ..................... 1869 1880
W. A. POTTER, Esq., Cramlington House, Northumberland ... 1853
1874
R CLIFFORD SMITH, Esq., Parkfield, Swinton, Manchester ...
1874 * Honorary Members during term of office only.
OFFICERS, 1881-82.
GEORGE BAKER FORSTER, Esq., M.A., Backworth House, Newcastle-on-Tyne.
WM. ARMSTRONG, Sen., Esq., Pelaw House, Chester-le-Street. CUTHBERT BERKLEY
Esq., Marley Hill, Gateshead. T. J. BEWICK, Esq., Hay don Bridge,
Northumberland. JOHN DAGLISH, Esq., Marsden, South Shields. THOMAS DOUGLAS,
Esq., West Lodge, Crook, Darlington. J. B. SIMPSON, Esq., Hedgefield House,
Blaydon-on-Tyne.
WM. ARMSTRONG, Jun., Esq., Wingate, Co. Durham.
E. BAINBRIDGE, Esq., Nunnery Colliery Offices, Sheffield.
T. W. BENSON, Esq , 11, Newgate Street, Newcastle-on-Tyne.
R. F. BOYD, Esq., Moor House, Fence Houses.
V. W. CORBETT, Esq., Chilton Moor, Fence Houses.
S. B. COXON, Esq., Usworth Hall, Washington Station, Co. Durham.
S. C. CRONE, Esq., Killingworth Hall, Newcastle-on-Tyne.
W. GREEN, Jun., Esq., Thornelly House, Lintz Green.
W. H. HEDLEY, Esq., Medomsley, Newcastle-on-Tyne.
THOS. HEPPELL, Esq., Leafield House, Chester-le-Street.
Peop. G. A. LEBOUR, M.A., F.G.S., College of Physical Science; Newcastle
-on-Tyne.
WM. LISHMAN, Esq., Bunker Hill, Fence Houses.
GEO. MAY, Esq., Harton Colliery Offices, Tyne Docks, South Shields.
R. S. NEWALL, Esq., Ferndene, Gateshead.
A. M. POTTER, Esq., Shire Moor Colliery, Newcastle-on-Tyne.
J. G. WEEKS, Esq., Bedlington Colliery, Bedlington.
JAMES WILLIS, Esq., 14, Portland Terrace, Newcastle-on-Tyne.
W. 0. WOOD, Esq., Trimdon Grange Colliery, Co. Durham.
(Sib W. G. ARMSTRONG, C.B., LL.D., F.R.S., Jesmond,^ Newcastle- on - Tyne.
E. F. BOYD, Esq., Moor House, Fence Houses.
SlB GEORGE ELLIOT, Bart., Houghton Hall, Fenced ™x Houses.
I
Presidents.
Ex-officio <j G. C. GREENWELL, Esq., F.G.S., Tynemouth.
LINDSAY WOOD, Esq., Southill, Chester-le-Street. J
WM. COCHRANE, Esq., Grainger Street West, New-)
castle-on-Tyne. /
Retiring
JOHN MARLEY, Esq., Mining Offices, Darlington. f Vice-Presidents. 1,
A. L. STEAVENSON, Esq., Durham. )
$tmfar% mui Wxmmtx.
THEO. WOOD BUNNING, Neville Hall. Newcastle-on-Tyne
a§hl of gprnfars.
AUGUST, 1881.
(BxtQtml ^tmbtxx.
Marked (*) are Life Members.
elected,
1 Adams, G. F., Guild Hall Chambers, Cardiff............Dec. 6,1873
2 Adams, W., Cambridge House, Park Place, Cardiff .........
1854
3 Adamson, Daniel, Engineering Works, Dukinfield, near Manchester Aug. 7,
1875
4 Addy, W. F., Marehay Main Colliery, Ripley, near Derby ......Miy 6,
1876
5 Aitkin, Henry, Falkirk, N.B...................Mar. 2,1865
6 Allison, T., Belmont Mines, Guisbro'...............Feb. 1, 1868
7 Andebson, C. W., Sea View, South Shields ............Aug. 21, 1852
8 Anderson, William, Rainton Colliery, Fence Houses ......Aug. 21,
1852
9 Andeews, Hugh, Felton Park, Felton, Northumberland ......Oct. 5,
1872
10 Appleby, C. E., Charing Cross Chambers, Duke St., Adelphi, London Aug.
1, 1861
11 Aecheb, T., Dunston Engine Works, Gateshead .........July 2,
1872
12 Armstrong, Sir W. G., C.B., LL.D., F.R.S., Jesmond, Newcastle-
upon-Tyne ...... (Past President, Member of Council) May 3, 1866
13 Armstrong, Wm., Sen., Pelaw House, Chester-le-St.(VicE-PRESiDENT) Aug.
21, 1852
14 Armstrong, W., Junior, Wingate, Co. Durham (Member of Council) April
7, 1867
15 Aemstbong, W. L., Kettlebrook Colliery, Tarn worth.........Mar. 3,1864
16 Arthur, Dayid, M. E., Accrington, near Manchester ......Aug.
4, 1877
17 Ashwoeth, James, 56, Upper Duke Street, Southport ......Feb.
5, 1876
18 Ashwoeth, John, Bryn Celyn, Llanferis, Mold .........Sept. 2,
1876
19 Asquith, T. W., Seaton Delaval Colliery, Northumberland......Feb.
2,1867
20 Atkinson, J. B., Ridley Mill, Stocksfield-on-Tyne .........Mar.
5,1870
21 Atkinson, W. N, Shincliffe Hall, Durham ............June 6,1868
22 Aubrey, R. C, Wigan Coal & Iron Co. Ld., Standish, near Wigan ... Feb.
5, 1870
23 Austine, John, Cadzow Coal Co., Glasgow ............Nov. 4, 1876
24 Aynsley, Wm., Brynkinalt Collieries, Chirk, Ruabon.........Mar. 3,
1873
25 Bagley, Chas. John, Tees Bridge Iron Co., Stockton ......June
5, 1875
26 Bailes, George, Murton Colliery, Sunderland .........Feb.
3, 1877
27 Bailes, John, Wingate Colliery, Ferryhill ............Sept. 5,
1868
28 Bailes, T., Junior, 41, Lovaine Place, Newcastle-on-Tyne ......Oct.
7,1858
29 Bailes, W., West Melton, Rotherham...............April 7,1877
30 Bailey, Samuel, Perry Barr, Birmingham ............June 2, 1859
31 Bain, R. Donald, Newport, Monmouthshire............Mar. 3, 1873
(xxi)
ELECTED.
32 Bainbbidge, E., Nunnery Colliery Offices, Sheffield (Mem. of Council)
Dec. 3, 1863
33 Banks, Thomas, Leigh, near Manchester ............ Aug. 4, 1877
34 Baeclay, A., Caledonia Foundry, Kilmarnock ......... Dec.
6, 1866
35 Babktjs, Wm......................... Aug. 21, 1852
36 Baenes, T., Seaton Delaval Office, Quay, Newcastle-on-Tyne ...
Oct. 7, 1871
37 Baeeat, A. J., Ruabon Coal Co., Ruabon ............ Sept. 11,
1875
38 Babtholomew, C, Castle Hill House, Ealing, London, W....... Aug. 5,
1853
39*Baetholomew, C. W., Blakesley Hall, near Towcester ...... Dec.
4, 1875
40 Bassett, A., Tredegar Mineral Estate Office, Cardiff.........
1854
41 Bates, Matthew, Bews Hill, Blaydon-on-Tyne .........Mar.
3,1873
42 Bates, Thomas, Heddon, Wylam, Northumberland.........Mar. 3, 1873
43 Bates, W. J., Old Axwell, Whickham, Gateshead-on-Tyne......Mar. 3,
1873
44 Batey, John, Newbury Collieries, Coleford, Bath .........Dec. 5,
1868
45 Beanlands, A., M.A., North Bailey, Durham............Mar. 7,1867
46 Beaumont, James, M.E., Nanaimo, Vancouver's Island ......Nov.
7,1874
47 Bell, I. L., Rounton Grange, Northallerton ............July 6,1854
48 Bell, John (Messrs. Bell Brothers), Middlesbro'-on-Tees ......Oct.
1, 1857
49 Bell, Thomas, Crosby Court, Northallerton............Sept. 3,1870
50 Bell, T., Jun. (Messrs. Bell Brothers), Middlesbro'-on-Tees......Mar.
7, 1867
51 Benson, J. G., Accountant, Newcastle-on-Tyne ........Nov. 7,
1874
52 Benson, T. W., 11, Newgate Street, Newcastle (Member of Council) Aug.
2, 1866
53 Beekley, C, Marley Hill Colliery, Gateshead ... (Vice-President) Aug.
21, 1852
54 Beswicke, Wm., South Parade, Rochdale ............Sept. 11, 1875
55 Bewick, T. J., M. Inst. C.E., F.G.S., Haydon Bridge, Northumberland
(Vice-President) April 5,1860
56 Bidder, B. P., c/o C. J. Ryland, 3, Small Street, Bristol ......May
2, 1867
57 Bigland, J., Bedford Lodge, Bishop Auckland .........June 4,
1857
58 Binns, C, Claycross, Derbyshire...... ............July 6, 1854
59 Bieam, B., Peaseley Cross Collieries, St. Helen's, Lancashire
... 1856
60 Black, James, Jun., Portobello Foundry, Sunderland ......Sept.
2, 1871
61 Black, W., Hedworth Villa, South Shields ............April 2, 1870
62 Bolam, H. G., Little Ingestre, Stafford...............Mar. 6,1875
63 Bolton, H. H., Newchurch Collieries, near Manchester ......Dec.
5, 1868
64 Booth, R. L., Ashington Colliery, near Morpeth ... ...
... 1864
65 Bouene, Petee, 39, Rodney Street, Liverpool............
1854
66 Bouene, Thos. W., Broseley, Salop ...............Sept. 11, 1*75
67 Boyd, E. F., Moor House, Fence Houses (Past Pees., Mem. of Council) Aug.
21, 1852
68 Boyd, R. F., Moor House, Fence Houses ... (Member of Council)
Nov. 6, 1869
69 Boyd, Wm., 74, Jesmond Road, Newcastle-on-Tyne.........Feb. 2, 1867
70 Bradford, Geo., Etherley, Bishop Auckland............Oct. 11,1873
71 Bbeckon, J. R., Park Place, Sunderland ............Sept.
3,1864
72 Beettell, T., Mine Agent, Dudley, Worcestershire .........Nov. 3,
1866
73 Beomilow, Wm., 18, Leicester Street, Southport, Lancashire ...
Sept. 2, 1876
74 Beown, E., 79, Clayton Street, Newcastle-on-Tyne .........Mar.
7,1874
75 Beown, John, The Hawthorns, 3, Lozell's Road, Birmingham ...
Oct. 5, 1854
76 Brown, J. N., 56, Union Passage, New Street, Birmingham ...
1861
77 Brown, Thos. Forster, Guild Hall Chambers, Cardiff ......
1861
(xxii)
ELECTED.
78 Bbowne, B. C., M.I.C.E., No. 2, Granville Road, Jesmond, Newcastle Oct.
1, 1870
79 Beitton, W., 32, High Street, Rotherham, Yorkshire.........Feb. 6,
1869
80 Beyham, (William, Rosebridge Colliery, Wigan .........Aug.
1,1861
81 Beyham, W., Jim., Douglas Bank Collieries, Wigan ......Aug.
3,1865
82 BuraiKG-, Theo. Wood, Neville Hall, Newcastle-on-Tyne
(Secretary and Treasurer) 1864
83*BimNS, David, C.E., Brookside, Haltwhistle............May 5,1877
84 Buebows, J. S., Howe Bridge, Atherton, near Manchester......Oct. 11,
1873
85 Caldwell, Geo., The Grove, West Houghton, nr. Bolton, Lancashire Mar.
6, 1869
86 Campbell, W. B., Consulting Engineer, Grey Street, Newcastle ...
Oct. 7, 1876
87 Caee, Wm. Cochean, South Benwell, Newcastle-on-Tyne ......Dec. 3,
1857
88 Caeeington, T., J un., Endcliffe Court, Sheffield .........Aug.
1,1861
89 Cateon, J., Brotton Hall, Saltburn-by-the-Sea .........Nov.
3,1866
90 Chadboen, B. T., Pinxton Collieries, Alfreton, Derbyshire ......
1864
91 Chambees, A. M., Thomcliife Iron Works, near Sheffield ......Mar.
6, 1869
92 Chapman, M., Plashetts Colliery, Northumberland .........Aug. 1,
1868
93 Chablton, Geobge, Washington Colliery, Co. Durham ......Feb.
6, 1875
94 Checkley, Thomas, M.E., Lichfield Street, Walsall.........Aug. 7,1869
95 Cheesman, I., Throckley Colliery, Newcastle-on-Tyne ......Feb.
1,1873
96 Cheesman, W. T., Wire Rope Manufacturer, Hartlepool ......Feb.
5, 1876
97 Childe, Rowland, Wakefield, Yorkshire ............May 15, 1862
98 Claeence, Thomas, Elswick Colliery, Newcastle-on-Tyne ......Dec.
4,1875
99 Clabk, C. F., Garswood Coal and Iron Co., near Wigan ......Aug.
2,1866
100 Claek, G., Newton-le-Willows, Lancashire ............Dec.
7,1867
101 Claek, R. B., Marley Hill, near Gateshead ............May 3,
1873
102 Claek, W., M.E., The Grange, Teversall, near Mansfield ......April
7, 1866
103 Claeke, William, Victoria Engine Works, Gateshead ......Dec.
7,1867
104 Cocheane, B., Aldin Grange, Durham...............Dec. 6,1866
105 Cochbane, G, The Grange, Stourbridge ............June 3,
1857
106 Cochbane, W., St. John's Chambers, Grainger Street West, Newcastle
(Member of Council) 1859
107 Cockbubn, G., 8, Sunnnerhill Grove, Newcastle-on-Tyne ......Dec.
6,1866
108 Cole, Richaed, Walker Colliery, near Newcastle-on-Tyne ......April
5,1873
109 Cole, Robeet Heath, Scholar Green, Stoke-upon-Trent ......Feb.
5,1876
110 Cole, W. R., Broomfield, Jesmond, Newcastle-on-Tyne ......Oct.
1,1857
111 Collis, W. B., Swinford House, Stourbridge, Worcestershire
... June 6, 1861
112 Cook, J., Jun., Washington Iron Works, Gateshead.........May 8,1869
113 Cooke, John, Langley Old Hall, near Durham .........Nov.
1,1860
114 Cojksey, Joseph, West Bromwich, Staffordshire .........Aug.
3,1865
115 Coopee, P.., Thornley Colliery Office, Ferryhill.........' ...
Dec. 3,1857
116 Coopee, R, E., C.E., 1, Westminster Chambers, Victoria Street, London
Mar. 4, 1871
117 Coopee, T., Rosehill, Rotherham, Yorkshire ............April 2,
1863
118 Cope, James, Port Vale, Longport, Staffordshire .........Oct.
5,1872
119 Cobbetp, V. W., Chilton Moor, Fence Houses (Member of Council) Sept.
3, 1870
120 Coebitt, M., Wire Rope Manufacturer, Teams, Gateshead ......Dec.
4, 1875
121 Coiilson, F., 10, Victoria Terrace, Durham ............Aug. 1,
1868
(xxiii)
FXKOTED.
122 Coplson, W., 32, Crossgate, Durham...............Oct. 1,181
123 Cowen, Jos., M.P., Blaydon Burn, Newcastle-on-Tyne ......Oct.
5, 18E
124 Cowey, John, Wearmouth Colliery, Sunderland .........Now 2,
187
125 Cowlishaw, J., Thorncliffe, &c, Collieries, near Sheffield
......Mar. 7. 186
126 Cox, John H., 10, St. George's Square, Sunderland .........Feb. 6,
187
127*Coxe, E. B., Drifton, Jeddo, P. O. Luzerne Co., Penns., U.S.
... Feb. 1, 187
128 Coxon, S. B., Usworth Colliery, Washington Station, Co. Durham
(Member of Council) June 5, 185
129 Cbaig, W. Y., Palace Chambers, St. Stephen's, Westminster, London Nov.
3, 1861
130 Cbawfobd, T., Littletown Colliery, near Durham ... ...
... Aug. 21, 1851
131 Cbawfobd, T., 3, Grasmere Street, Gateshead-on-Tyne ......Sept.
3, 186<
132 Ceawfobd, T., Jun. Littletown Colliery, near Durham ......Aug.
7, 186!
133 Ceawshay, E., Gateshead-on-Tyne ...............Dec. 4,186!
134 Ceawshay, G., Gateshead-on-Tyne ...............Dec. 4,186!
135 Ceone, E. W., Killingworth Hall, near Newcastle-on-Tyne......Mar. 5,
187C
136 Ceone, J. R., Tow Law, via Darlington ............Feb.
1,1868
137 Ceone, S. C, Killingworth Colliery, Newcastle (Member of Council)
1853
138 Ceoss, John, 71, King Street, Manchester ............June 5,1869
139 Croudace, C. J., The Laurels, Newton, by Chester .........Nov.
2,1872
140 Ceoudace, John, West House, Haltwhistle............June 7,1873
141 C rottdace, Thomas, Lambton Lodge, New South Wales ......
1862
142 Daglish, John, Marsden, South Shields ... (Vice-Peesident)
Aug. 21, 1852
143 Daglish, W. S., Solicitor, Newcastle-on-Tyne......... ...July
2,1872
144 Dakees, J., Chilton Colliery, Ferryhill...............April 11, 1874
145 Dale, Datid, West Lodge, Darlington ... ............Feb. 5,
1870
146 D'Andeimont, T., Liege, Belgium ...............Sept. 3,1870
147 Daniel, W., Steam Plough Works, Leeds ............June 4, 1870
148 Daeling, Fenwick, South Durham Colliery, Darlington ......Nov.
6,1875
149 Darlington, John, 2, Coleman Street Buildings, Moorgate Street,
Great Swan Alley, London.................. April 1,1865
150 Daelington, J., Black Park Colliery Co. Limited, Ruabon...... Nov.
7,1874
151 Dayey, Heney, C.E., Leeds .................. Oct._ 11, 1873
152 Dayis, David, Coal Owner, Maesyffynon, Aberdare......... Nov. 7,1874
153 Day, W. H, Eversley Garth, So. Milford ............ Mar.
6,1869
154 Dees, R. R., Solicitor, Newcastle-on-Tyne ............ Oct.
7, 1871
155 Dickinson, G T., 14, Claremont Place, Newcastle-on-Tyne...... July
2,1872
156 Dickinson, R., Coal Owner, Shotley Bridge, Co. Durham ...... Mar.
4, 1871
157 Dixon, D. W., Brotton Mines, Saltburn-by-the-Sea ......... Nov.
2,1872
158 Dixon, Nich., Dudley Colliery, Dudley, Northumberland ...... Sept.
1, 1877
159 Dixon, R., Wire Rope Manufacturer, Teams, Gateshead ...... June
5, 1875
160 Dodd, B., Bearpark Colliery, near Durham ............ May 3,
1866
161 Dodds, J., M.P., Stockton-on-Tees ............... Mar.
7,1874
162 Douglas, C. P., Consett House, Consett, Co. Durham......... Mar.
6,1869
163 Douglas, T., Peases' West Collieries, Darlington (Vice-Peesident) Aug.
21, 1852
164 Dohthwaite, T., Merthyr Vale Colliery, Merthyr Tydvil ...... June
5, 1869
165 Dove, G., Viewfield, Stanwix, Carlisle............... July 2, 1872
(xxiv)
ELECTED.
166 Dowdeswell, H., Butterknowle Colliery, via Darlington ......April
5,1873
167 Dyson, George, Middlesborough ...............June 2, 1866
168 Dyson, 0., Pooley Hall Colliery, near Tamworth .........Mar.
2, 1872
169 Easton, J., Nest House, Gateshead ...............
1853
170 Eddison, Robert W., Steam Plough Works, Leeds.........Mar. 4,1876
171 Elliot, Sir George, Bart., Houghton Hall, Fence Houses
(Past President, Member of Council) Aug. 21, 1852
172 Elsdon, Robert, 76, Manor Road, Upper New Cross, London ...
Nov. 4, 1876
173 EmblbtOH, T. W., The Cedars, Methley, Leeds .........Sept.
6, 1855
174 Embleton, T. W., Jun., The Cedars, Methley, Leeds.........Sept. 2,
1865
175 Eminson, J. B., Londonderry Offices, Seaham Harbour ......Mar.
2,1872
176 Everard, I. B., M.E., 6, Millstone Lane, Leicester .........Mar.
6,1869
177 Farmer, A., South Durham Fitting Offices, West Hartlepool
... Mar. 2, 1872
178 Farrar, James, Old Foundry, Barnsley ............July 2,
1872
179 Favele, Thomas M., 14, Saville Street, North Shields
......April 5, 1873
180 Fen-wick, Barnabas, Team Colliery, Gateshead .........Aug.
2, 1866
181 Fenwick, George, Banker, Newcastle-on-Tyne .........Sept.
2, 1871
182 Fenwick, Thomas, East Pontop Colliery, by Lintz Green ......April
5, 1873
183 Feeens, Robinson, Oswald Hall, near Durham .........April
7,1877
184 Fidler, E., Piatt Lane Colliery, Wigan, Lancashire.........Sept.
1,1866
185 Fisher, R. C, 5, Picton Place, Swansea ............July
2,1872
186 Feetcher, Geo., Hamsteels Colliery, near Durham.........Aug. 1,1874
187 Fletcher, H., Ladyshore Coll., Little Lever, Bolton, Lancashire ...
Aug. 3, 1865
188 Feetcher, Jas., Manager Co-operative Collieries, Wallsend, near
Newcastle, New South Wales ...............Sept. 11, 1875
189 Fletcher, J., Kelton House, Dumfries...............July 2,1872
190 Fletcher, W., Lansdowne House, Didsbury, Manchester ......Feb.
4, 1871
191 FOGtGrN, W.tf, North Biddick Coll., Washington Station, Co. Durham
Mar. 6, 1875
192 Forrest, J., Assoc. Inst. C.E., Witley Coll., Halesowen, Birmingham
Mar. 5, 1870
193 Forster, G. B., M.A., Backworth House, near Newcastle-upon-Tyne
(President) Nov. 5,1852
194 Fjrster, J. R., Water Company's Office, Newcastle-on-Tyne ...
July 2, 1872
195 Forster, J. T., Waldridge Colliery, Chester-le-Street
......Aug. 1,1868
196 Forster, Richard, 51, Quayside, Newcastle-on-Tyne ......Oct.
5,1872
197 Forster, R., South Hetton, Fence Houses ............Sept.
5,1868
198 Foster, George, Osmondthorpe Colliery, near Leeds.........Mar. 7,
1874
199 France, Francis, St. Helen's Colliery Co. Ld., St. Helen's, Lancashire
Sept. 1, 1877
200 France, W., Lofthouse Mines, Saltburn-by-the-Sea.........April 6,
1867
201 Franks, George, Victoria Garesfleld, Lintz Green .........Feb.
6, 1875
202 Frazier, Prof. B. W., Lehigh University, Bethlehem, Penns., U.S.. Nov.
2, 1872
203 Galloway, R. L., Ryton-on-Tyne ...... .........Dec.
6, 1873
204 Galloway, T. Lindsay, M.A., 28, Enoch Square, Glasgow......Sept. 2,
1876
205 Gerrard, John, Westgate, Wakefield...............Mar. 5, 1870
206 Gillett, F. C, Midland Road, Derby...............July 4, 1861
(XXV)
ELECTED.
207 Gilmour, D., Portland Colliery, Kilmarnock............ Feb. 3, 1;
208 Gilpin, Edwin, 75, Birmingham Street, Halifax, Nova Scotia ...
April 5, l!
209 Gilroy, G., Ince Hall Colliery, Wigan, Lancashire ......... Aug.
7, l!
210 Gilroy, S. B., Mining Engineer, Crewe ............ Sept.
5,1!
211 Gjers, John, Southfield Villas, Middlesbro' ............ June
7, 1!
212 Goddard, F. R., Accountant, Newcastle-on-Tyne ... ...
... Nov. 7, It
213 Gooch, G. H., Lintz Colliery, Burnopfield, Gateshead......... Oct.
3, If
214 Gordon, James N., c/o W. Nicolson, 5, Jeffrey's Square, St. Mary
Axe, London, E.C......................Nov. 6, 1!
215 Grace, E. N., Dhadka, Assensole, Bengal, India .........Feb.
1, If
216 Grant, J. H., District Engineer, Beerbhoon, Bengal, India ...
... Sept. 4, If
217 Greaves, J. 0., M.E., St. John's, Wakefield............Aug. 7, If
218 Green, J. T., Mining Engineer, Ty Celyn, Abercarn, Newport, Mon. Dec.
3, 18
219 Green, W., Jun., Thornelly House, Lintz Green (Member of Council) Feb.
4 It
220 Greener, John, General Manager, Vale Coll., Pictou, Nova Scotia ...
Feb. 6, It
221 Greener, T., 76, Arlingford Road, Brixton, London, S.W.......Aug.
3, It
222 Greenwell, G. C, Tynemouth (Past President, Mem. of Council) Aug. 21,
18
223 Geeenwell, G. C, Jun., Poynton, near Stockport .........Mar.
6, 18
224 Greig, D., Leeds........................Aug. 2, 18
225 Grev, C. G., 55, Parliament Street, London ............May 4,18
226 Grieves, D., Brancepeth Colliery, Willington, County Durham ...
Nov. 7, IS
227 Griffith, N. R., Wrexham ..................
IS
228 Grimshaw, E. J., 23, Hardshaw Street, St. Helen's, Lancashire ...
Sept. 5, 18
229 Grimshaw, W. J., Springfield House, Stand, near Manchester ...
Nov. 1, 18
230 Gitinotte, Lixcien, Directeur des Charbonnages de Mariemont et de
Bascoup, Mons, Belgium ... ... ... ...
... ... Sept. 2, 18
231 Haggie, D. H., Wearmouth Patent Rope Works, Sunderland ...
Mar. 4, 18
232 Haggle, P., Gateshead ..................... 18
233*Hague, Ernest, Castle Dyke, Sheffield ............Mar.
2,18'
234 Haines, J. Richard, Adderley Green Colliery, near Longton ..,
Nov. 7, 18'
235 Hales, C, Nerquis Cottage, Nerquis, near Mold, Flintshire ...
... 18l
236 Hall, F. W., 1, Eslington Terrace, Jesmond Road, Newcastle-on-Tyne Aug.
7, 181
237 Hall, George, South Garesfield Colliery, Lintz Green
......Mar. 6, 18'
238 Hall, M., Lofthouse Station Collieries, near Wakefield
......Sept. 5, 18(
239 Hall, M. S., M.E., Leasingthorne Colliery, near Bishop Auckland ...
Feb. 14, 18^
240 Hall, W., Spring Hill Mines, Cumberland County, Nova Scotia ...
Sept. 13,18^
241 Hall, Wm., Thornley Colliery, County Durham ... ...
... Dec. 4,18^
242 Hale, William F., Haswell Colliery, Fence Houses ... ......May
13, 18{
243 Hann, Edmund, Aberaman, Aberdare............ ... Sept. 5,186
244 Harbottle, W. H., Orrell Colliery, near Wigan .........Dec.
4, 18V
245 Hardy, Jos., Preston Colliery, North Shields............June 2, 18V
246 Hargreaves, William, Rothwell Haigh, Leeds .........Sept.
5,186
247 Harle, Richard, Browney Colliery, Durham............April 7,187
248 Harle, William, Pagebank Colliery, near Durham.........Oct. 7,187
249 Harrison, R., Eastwood, near Nottingham ............
186
250 Harrison, T., Great Western Colliery, Pontypridd, Glamorganshire Aug.
2, 187
d
(xxvi)
ELECTEH
251 Harbison, T. E., C.E., Central Station, Newcastle-on-Tyne......May
6,1853
252 Harbison, W. B., Brownhills Collieries, near Walsall
......April 6, 1867
253 Haswell, G. H., Messrs. Tangye Brothers, Birmingham ......Mar.
2,1872
254 Hay, J., Jun., Widdrington Colliery, Acklington .........Sept.
4,1869
255 Heckels, Matthew, Castle Eden Colliery, Co. Durham ... ...
April 11, 1874
256 Heckels, W". J., South Medomsley Colliery, Dipton, by Lintz Green May
2, 1868
257 Hedley, Edw., 2, Church Street, London Eoad, Derby ......Dec.
2,1858
258 Hedley, J. J., Consett Collieries, Leadgate, County Durham ...
April 6, 1872
259 Hedley, J. L., Elooker's Brook, Chester ............Feb.
5,1870
260 Hedley, T. F., Valuer, Sunderland ...............Mar. 4,1871
261 Hedley, W. H., Consett Collieries, Medomsley, Newcastle-on-Tyne
(Member of Council) 1864
262 Henderson, H., Pelton Colliery, Chester-le-Street .........Feb. 14,
1874
263 Heppell, T., Leafield House, Birtley, Fence Houses (Mem. of Council)
Aug. 6. 1863
264 Heppell, W., Brancepeth Colliery, Wellington, County Durham ...
Mar. 2, 1872
265 Heedman, J., Park Crescent, Bridgend, Glamorganshire ...
... Oct. 4,1860
266 Heslop, C, Lingdale Mines, via Guisborough ... ... ...
... Feb. 1,1868
267 Heslop, Gbainger, Whitwell Colliery, Sunderland .........Oct.
5,1872
268 Heslop, J., Hucknall Torkard Colliery, near Nottingham ......Feb.
6, 1864
269 Hetherington, D., Coxlodge Colliery, Newcastle-on-Tyne ... ...
1859
270*Hewitt, G. C, Coal Pit Heath Colliery, near Bristol
......June 3, 1871
271 Hewlett, A., Haigh Colliery, Wigan, Lancashire .........Mar.
7,1861
272 Hick, G. W., 14, Blenheim Terrace, Leeds ............May 4,
1872
273 Higson, Jacob, 94, Cross Street, Manchester............
1861
274 Hill, Leslie C, Bartholomew House, London, E.C..........Nov. 6, 1875
275 Hilton, J., Standish and Shevington Collieries, near Wigan
... Dec 7 1867
276 Hilton, T. W., Wigan Coal and Iron Co., Limited, Wigan......Aug. 3,
1865
277 Hindmarsii, Thomas, Cowpen Lodge, Blyth, Northumberland ... Sept.
2,1876
278 Hodgson, J. W., Dipton Colliery, via Lintz Green Station......Feb.
5,1870
279 Holliday, Maetin, M.E., Peases'West Collieries, Crook ......May
1,1875
280 Holmes, C, Grange Hill, near Bishop Auckland .........April
11,1874
281 Homer, Charles J., Mining Engineer, Stoke-on-Trent ......Aug.
3,1865
282 Hood, A., 6, Bute Crescent, Cardiff ...............April 18,
1861
283 Hope, George, Newbottle Colliery, Fence Houses .........Feb.
3,1877
284 Hoensby, H., Whitworth Terrace, via Spennymoor, Co. Durham ... Aug.
1, 1874
285 Horsley, W., Whitehill Point, Percy Main ............Mar. 5,1857
286 Hoskold, H. D., C. and M.E., F.R.G.S., F.G.S., M. Soc. A., &c,
Fonda de Oriente, Barcelona, Spain ... ... ...
... April 1, 1871
287 Howard, W. F., 13, Cavendish Street, Chesterfield .........Aug.
1,1861
288 Hudson, James, Albion Mines, Pictou, Nova Scotia.........
1862
289 Hughes, H. E., The Hollies, Sedgley, near Dudley, Staffordshire ...
Nov. 6, 1869
290 Humble, John, West Pelton, Chester-le-Street .........Mar.
4,1871
291 Humble, Jos., Staveley Works, near Chesterfield .........June
2, 1866
292 Hunter, J., Silkstone and Worsbro' Park Collieries, near Barnsley ...
Mar. 6, 1869
293 Hunter, W., Monk Bretton Colliery, near Barnsley.........Oct. 3,
1861
294 Hunter, Wm., Ridley Hall, Bardon Mill, Northumberland......Aug. 21,
1852
295 Hunter, W. S., Moor Lodge, Newcastle-upon-Tyne.........Feb. 1, 1868
(xxvii)
EI.ECTUD
296 Hunting, Charles, Fence Houses ...............Dec. 6, 1866
297 Hurst, T. G., F.G.S., Lauder Grange, Corbridge-on-Tyne ......Aug.
21, 1852
298 Jackson, C. G., Chamber Colliery Co., Limited, Hollinwood...... June
4, 1870
299 Jackson, W., Cannock Chase Collieries, Walsall ......... Feb.
14, 1874
300 Jackson, W. G., Loscoe Grange, Normanton, Yorkshire ...... June
7, 1873
301 Jareatt, J., Broomside Colliery Office, Durham ......... Nov.
2, 1867
302 Jefpcock, T. W., 18, Bank Street, Sheffield ............ Sept.
4,1869
303 Jenkins, W., M.E., Ocean S.C. Colls., Ystrad,nr. Pontypridd, So. Wales
Dec. 6, 1862
304 Jenkins, Wm., Consett Iron Works, Consett, Durham ...... May
2, 1874
305 Johnasson, J., Leadenhall Street, London, E.C.......... July 2,1872
306 Johnson, Henry, Dudley, Worcestershire ............ Aug. 7,
1869
307 Johnson, John, M. Inst. C.E., F.G.S., 21, Victoria Square, Newcastle
Aug. 21, 1852
308 Johnson, J., Witley Colliery Co. Ld., Halesowen, nr. Birmingham
Mar. 7, 1874
309 Johnson, R. S., Sherburn Hall, Durham ............ Aug. 21,
1852
310 Joicey, J. G., Forth Banks West Factory, Newcastle-on-Tyne ...
April 10,1869
311 Joicey, W. J., Tanfield Lea Colliery, Burnopfield ......... Mar.
6,1869
312 Jordan, Robert, Ebbw Vale, South Wales............ Nov. 7,1874
313 Joseph, D. Davis, Ty Draw, Pontypridd, South Wales ...... April
6, 1872
314 Joseph, T., Ty Draw, near Pontypridd, South Wales......... April 6,
1872
315 Kendall, John D., Roper Street, Whitehaven ......... Oct.
3,1874
316 Kennedy, Myles, M.E., Hill Foot, Ulverstone ......... June
6,1868
317 Kimpton, J. G., 40, St. Mary's Gate, Derby ............ Oct.
5, 1872
318 Kiekby, J. W., Ashgrove, Windygates, Fife............ Feb. 1,1873
319 Kiekwood, William, Larkhall Colliery, Hamilton ... ......
Aug. 7, 1869
320 Kirsopp, John, Team Colliery, Gateshead ............ April 5,
1873
321 Knowles, A., High Bank, Pendlebury, Manchester......... Dec.
5,1856
322 Knowles, John, Westwood, Pendlebury, Manchester ...... Dec.
5,1856
323 Knowles, Thomas, Ince Hall, Wigan............... Aug. 1, 1861
324 Kyrke, R. H. V., Westminster Chambers, Wrexham......... Feb. 5,1870
325 Laidlee, W. J.........................Mar. 4,1876
326 Lamb, R., Cleator Moor Colliery, near Whitehaven .........Sept.
2, 1865
327 Lamb, R. O., The Lawn, Ryton-on-Tyne ............Aug. 2,1866
328 Lamb, Richaed W., Coal Owner, Newcastle-on-Tyne.........Nov. 2,1872
329 Lambert, M. W., 9, Queen Street, Newcastle-on-Tyne ......July
2, 1872
330 Lancaster, John, Bilton Grange, Rugby ............July 4, 1861
331 Lancaster, J., Jun., Anfield House, Willes Road, Leamington ...
Mar. 2, 1865
332 Lancaster, S., Nantyglo & Blaina Steam Coal Collieries, Blaina, Mon.
Aug. 3, 1865
333 Landale, A., Lochgelly Iron Works, Fifeshire, N.B..........Dec.
2,1858
334*Laporte, Henry, M.E., 80, Rue Royale, Brussels .........May 5,1877
335 Laverick, Robt., West Rainton, Fence Houses ... ...
... Sept. 2,1876
336 Lawrence, Heney, Grange Iron Works, Durham ... ...
... Aug. 1,1868
337 Laws, H., Grainger Street West, Newcastle-on-Tyne......... Feb.
6,1869
338 Laws, John, Blyth, Northumberland............... 1854
(xxx)
ELECTED,
425 Parkin, C, West Rosedale Ironstone Co., Ld., Pickering, Yorkshire ...
June 5, 1875
426 Parkin, John, Rosedale Abbey, Yorkshire ............April 11,
1874
427 Parrington, M. W., Wearmouth Colliery, Sunderland ...
... Dec. 1, 1864
428 Parton, T., P.G.S., Ash Cottage, Birmingham Road, West Bromwich Oct.
2, 1869
429 Pattison, John, Engineer, Naples ...............Nov. 7, 1874
430 Peace, M. W„ Wigan, Lancashire ...............July 2, 1872
431 Peacock, David, West Bromwich ...............Aug. 7, 1869
432 Pearce, P. II., Bowling Iron Works, Bradford ......
...Oct. 1,1857
433 Pease, J. W., M.P., Hutton Hall, Guisbro', Yorkshire
......Mar. 5,1857
434 Peel, John, Wharncliffe and Silkstone Coll., Wortley, near Sheffield
Nov. 1, 1860
435 Peel, John, Horsley Colliery, Wylam-on-Tyne .........Mar.
3,1877
436 Peile, William, Rosemount, Roath, Cardiff............Oct. 1, 1863
437 Penman, J. H., 2, Clarence Buildings, Booth Street, Manchester ...
Mar. 7, 1874
438 Pickup, P. W., Dunkenhalgh Collieries, Accrington, Lancashire ...
Feb. 6,1875
439 Pinching, Archd. E., The Terrace, Gravesend .........May
5, 1877
440 Potter, Addison, C.B., Heaton Hall, Newcastle-on-Tyne ......Mar.
6, 1869
441 Potter, A. M., Shiremoor Coll., Northumberland (Member of Council) Feb.
3, 1872
442 Potter, C. J., Heaton Hall, Newcastle-on-Tyne .........Oct.
3,1874
443*Potter, W. A., Cramlington House, Northumberland ......
1853
444 Price, JOhn, Messrs. Palmer Brothers & Co., Jarrow-on-Tyne ...
Mar. 3, 1877
445 Price, J. R., Standish, near Wigan ...............Aug. 7, 1869
446 Priestman, Jon., Coal Owner, Newcastle-on-Tyne .........Sept. 2,
1871
447 Pringle, Edward, Choppington Colliery. Northumberland......Aug. 4,
1877
448 Ramsay, J. A., Westbrook, Darlington...............Mar. 6,1869
449 Ramsay, J. T., Walbottle Hall, near Blaydon-on-Tyne
......Aug. 3, 1853
450 Ramsay, Wm., Tursdale Colliery, County Durham .........Sept. 11,
1875
451 Reed, Robert, Felling Colliery, Gateshead ............Dec. 3,
1863
452 Rees, Daniel, Glandare, Aberdare ...............
1862
453 Refeen, Wm., Teplitz, Bohemia..................Oct. 5, 1872
454 Reid, Andrew, Newcastle-on-Tyne ...............April 2, 1870
455 Richards, E. W., Messrs. Bolckow, Vaughan, & Co., Middlesbro' ...
Aug. 5, 1876
456 Richards, G. C, M.E„ Woodhouse, near Sheffield .........June
5,1875
457 Richardson, H, Backworth Colliery, Newcastle-on-Tyne ......Mar.
2,1865
458 Richardson, J. W., Iron Shipbuilder, Newcastle-on-Tyne ......Sept.
3,1870
459 Ridley, G., Trinity Chambers, Newcastle-on-Tyne ... ...
... Feb. 4, 1865
460 Ridley, J. H., R. & W. Hawthorn's, Newcastle-on-Tyne ......April
6,1872
461 Ridyard, J., Bridgewater Offices, Walkden, nr. Bolton-le-Moors, Lan.
Nov. 7, 1874
462 Rigby, John, Ash Villa, Alsager, Stoke-upon-Trent.........Feb. 5,
1876
463 Ritson, U. A , 6, Queen Street, Newcastle-on-Tyne .........Oct.
7, 1871
464 Ritson, W. A., Shilbottle Colliery, near Alnwick .........April
2, 1870
465 Robertson, W., M.E., 123, St. Vincent Street, Glasgow ......Mar.
5,1870
466 Robinson, G. C, Brereton and Hayes Colls., Rugeley, Staffordshire...
Nov. 5, 1870
467 Robinson, H., C.E., 7, Westminster Chambers, London ...
... Sept. 3,1870
468 Robinson, John, Hebburn Colliery, near Newcastle-on-Tyne ...
Nov. 4,1876
469 Robinson, R., Howlish Hall, near Bishop Auckland.........Feb. 1,1868
470 Robson, E., Middlesbro'-on-Tees..................April 2, 1870
(xxxi)
ELECTI'D.
471 Robson, J. S., Butterknowle Colliery, via Darlington.........
1853
472 Robson, J. T., Cambuslang, Glasgow ...............Sept. 4, 1869
473 Robson, Thomas, Lumley Colliery, Fence Houses .........Oct.
4,1860
474 Rogerson, John, Croxdale Hall, Durham ............Mar. 6,1869
475 Roscamp, J., Rosedale Lodge, near Pickering, Yorkshire ......Feb.
2,1867
476 Roseby, John, Haverholme House, Brigg, Lincolnshire ......Nov.
2, 1872
477 Ross, A............................Oct. 1,1857
478 Ross, J. A. G., Consulting Engineer, 13, Belgrave Terrace, Newcastle
July 2, 1872
479 Rossbr, W., Mineral Surveyor, Llanelly, Carmarthenshire ......
1856
480 Rothwell, R. P., 27, Park Place, New York, U.S..........Mar. 5,1870
481 Routledge, Jos., Ryhope Colliery, Sunderland .........Sept.
11, 1875
482 Routledge, J. L., Ryhope Colliery, Sunderland .........Oct.
7, 1876
483 Routledge, Wm., Sydney, Cape Breton ............Aug. 6,1857
484 Rowley, J. C, Shagpoint Colliery, Ofcago, New Zealand ......Dec.
4,1875
485 Rutherford, J., Halifax, Nova Scotia............... 1866
486 Rutherford, W., West Shield Row Colliery, via, Chester-le-Street...
Oct. 3, 1874
487 Rutter, Thos., Blaydon Main Colliery, Blaydon-on-Tyne ......May
1,1875
488 Ryder, W. J. H., Forth Street Brass Works, Newcastle-on-Tyne ...
Nov. 4, 1876
489 Saint, George, Vauxhall Collieries, Ruabon, North Wales......April 11,
1874
490 Scarth, W. T., Raby Castle, Darlington ............April 4,
1868
491 Scott, Andrew, Broomhill Colliery, Acklington .........Dec.
7,1867
492 Scott, C. F., Gateshead Fell Colliery, Gateshead-on-Tyno
......April 11, 1874
493 Scoular, G., Parkside, Frizington, Cumberland .........July
2,1872
494 Seddon, J. F., Great Harwood Collieries, near Accrington ...
... June 1, 1867
495 Shall's, F. W., M. and J. Pritchard, 9, Gracechurch Street, London
April 6, 1872
496 Siiaw, W., Jun., Wolsingham, via Darlington... ... ...
... June 3,1871
497 Shiel, John, Framwellgate Colliery, County Durham ......May
6, 1871
498 Shone, Isaac, Pentrefelin House, Wrexham............
1858
499 Shortrede, T., Park House, Winstanley, Wigan .........April 3,
1856
500 Shute, C A., Westoe, South Shields ...............April 11, 1874
501 Simpson, J., Heworth Colliery, near Gateshead-on-Tyne ......Dec.
6, 1866
502 Simpson, Jos., Springhill Mines, Cumberland Co., Nova Scotia ...
Mar. 3, 1873
503 Simpson, J. B., Hedgefield House, Blaydon-on-Tyne(Vice-President) Oct.
4,1860
504 Simpson, J. C.........................April 7, 1877
505 Simpson, R., Moor House, Ryton-on-Tyne ............Aug. 21, 1852
506 Simpson, Robt., Drummond Collierj, Westville, Pictou, N.S.
... Dec. 4,1875
507 Slinn, T., 2, Choppington Street, Westmorland Road, Newcastle ...
July 2,1872
508 Small, G., Duffield Road, Derby.................June 4,1870
509 Smith, G. F., Grovehurst, Tunbridge Wells ............Aug. 5, 1853
510 Smith, J., Bickershaw Colliery, Leigh, near Manchester ...
... Mar. 7, 1874
511*Smith, R. Clifford, Parkfield, Swinton, Manchester ......Dec.
5, 1874
512 Smith, T., Sen., M.E., Cinderford Villas, nr. Newnham, Gloucester...
May, 5, 1877
513 Smith, T. E., Phoenix Foundry, Newgate Street, Newcastle-on-Tyne
Dec. 5, 1874
514 Snowdon, T., Jun., West Bitchburn Coll., nr. Towlaw, via Darlington
Sept. 4, 1869
515 Sopwith, A., Cannock Chase Collieries, near Walsall... ...
... Aug. 1, 1868
516 Sopwith, Tho3., 6, Great George St., Westminster, London, S.W. ...
Mar. 3, 1877
(xxxii)
elected.
517 SOUTHERN, R , Burleigh House, The Parade, Tredegarville, Cardiff...
Aug. 3, 1865
518 Southwoeth, Thos., Hindley Green Collieries, near Wigan......May 2,
1874
519 Spence, G................. ............June 7,1873
520 Spence, James, Clifton and Melgramfitz Collieries, Workington ...
Nov. 7, 1874
521 Spencek, John, Westgate Road, Newcastle-on-Tyne.........Sept.
4,1869
522 Spencer, M., Newburn, near Newcastle-on-Tyne .........Sept.
4,1869
523 Spenceb, T., Ryton, Newcastle-on-Tyne ............Dec.
6,1866
524 Spewobb, W., 125, London Road, Leicester ............Aug. 21, 1852
525 Steavenson, A. L., Durham ...... (Member of Council)
Dec. 6,1855
526 Steavenson, D. F., B.A., LL.B., Barrister-at-Law, Cross House,
Westgate Road, Newcastle-on-Tyne ............April 1, 1871
527 Steele, Charles R., Almburgh House, near Maryport ......Mar.
3,1864
523 Stephenson, G. R., 9, Victoria Chambers, Westminster, London, S.W. Oct.
4, 1860
529 Stephenson, W. H., Elswick House, Newcastle-on-Tyne ......Mar.
7,1867
530 Stevenson, R.........................Feb. 5,1876
531 Stobabt, W., Wearmonth Colliery, Sunderland .........July
2,1872
532 Storey, Thos. E., Clough Hall Iron Works, Kidsgrove, Staffordshire
Feb. 5, 1876
533 SrBAKBB, John, Stagshaw House, Corbridge-on-Tyne ......May
2,1867
534 Si-raker, J. H., Willington House, Co. Durham .........Oct.
3,1874
535 S cbatton, T. H. M., Tredegar, South Wales............Dec. 3, 1870
536 Swallow, J., Pontop Hall, Lintz Green ......... ...
May 2,1874
537 Swallow, R. T., Spring well, Gateshead ............
1862
538 Swan, H. F., Shipbuilder, Newcastle-on-Tyne............Sept. 2,1871
539 Swan, J. G., Upsall Hall, near Middlesbro' ............Sept.
2,1871
540 Swann, C. G., Sec, General Mining Asso. Ld., 6,New Broad St., London
Aug. 7, 1875
541 Tate, Simon, Kimblesworth Colliery, Co. Durham .........Sept. 11,
1875
542 Tastlor, Hugh, King Street, Quay, Newcastle-on-Tyne ......Sept.
5,1856
543 Taylor, T., King Street, Quay, Newcastle-on-Tyne.........July
2,1872
544 Taylor-Smlth, Thomas, Urpeth Hall, Chester-le-Street ......Aug.
2,1866
545 Thomas, A., Bilson House, near Newnham, Gloucestershire ... ...
Mar. 2, 1872
546 Thompson, James, Hurworth, Darlington ............June 2,1866
547 Thompson, John, Boughton Hall, Chester ............Sept. 2,1865
548 Thompson, J., Hilton House, Blackrod, near Chorley.........April
6,1867
549 Thompson, R., Jun., Rodridge House, Wingate, Co. Durham ...
Sept. 7, 1867
550 Thompson, T. C, Milton Hall, Carlisle...............May 4, 1854
551 Thomson, John, Eston Mines, by Middlesbro'............April 7, 1877
552 Thomson, Jos. F., Manvers Main Colliery, Rotherham ......Feb.
6,1875
553 Tinn, J., C.E., Ashton Iron Rolling Mills, Bower Ashto'n, Bristol
... Sept. 7,1867
554 Tylden-Wright, C, Shireoaks Colliery, Worksop, Notts ......
¦ 1862
555 Tylor, Alfred E., 123, Bute Street, Cardiff............April 1,1876
556 Tyson, Wm. John, 1, Lowther Street, Whitehaven .........Mar.
3,1877
557 Tvzack,D., Kelung, Formosa Island, c/o Com. of Customs, Amoy, China
Feb. 14,1874
558 Tyzack, Wilfred, Tanfield Lea Coll., Lintz Green Station, Newcastle
Oct. 7,1876
559 Vivian, John, Diamond Boring Company, Whitehaven ......Mar.
3,1877
(xxxiii)
ELECTED.
560 Wadham, E., C. and M.E., Millwood, Dalton-in-Furness ......Dec.
7,1867
561 Wake, H. H., River Wear Commissioners, Sunderland ......Feb.
3,1872
562 Walker, G. B., Wharncliffe Silkstone Collieries, Wortley, nr. Sheffield
Dec. 2, 1871
563 Walkee, J. S., 15, Wallgate, Wigan, Lancashire .........Dec.
4,1869
564 Walker, W., Saltburn-by-the-Sea ...............Mar. 5,1870
565 Wallace, Henry, Trench Hall, Gateshead ............Nov. 2,1872
566 Ward, H., Rodbaston Hall, near Penkridge, Stafford.........Mar.
6,1862
567 Wardale, John D., M.E., Redheugh Engine Works, Gateshead ... May
1,1875
568 Wardell, S. C, Doe Hill House, Alfreton ............April
1,1865
569 Waeeington, J.........................Oct. 6,1859
570 Watson, H., High Bridge Works, Newcastle-on-Tyne ......Mar.
7,1868
571 Watson, H. B., High Bridge Works, Newcastle-on-Tyne ......Mar.
3,1877
572 Watson, M., Flimby and Broughton Moor Collieries, near Maryport.. Mar.
7,1868
573 Weeks, J. G., Bedlington Colliery, Bedlington (Member of Council) Feb.
4, 1865
574 Westmacott, P. G. B., Elswick Iron Works, Newcastle ......June
2,1866
575 Whately, W. L., Wearmouth Colliery, Sunderland.........Dec. 4,1875
576 White, H., Weardale Coal Company, Towlaw, near Darlington ...
1866
577 White, J. F., M.E., Wakefield..................July 2,1872
578 White, J. W. H., Woodlesford, near Leeds ............Sept.
2,1876
579 Whitehead, James, Brindle Lodge, near Preston, Lancashire ...
Dec. 4,1875
580 Whitelaw, JonN, 118, George Street, Edinburgh .........Feb.
5,1870
581 Wiiitelaw, T., Shields and Dalzell Collieries, Motherwell
......April 6,1872
582 Whittem, Thos. S., Wyken Colliery, near Coventry.........Dec.
5,1874
583 Widdas, C, North Bitchburn Colliery, Howden, Darlington......Dec.
5,1868
584 Wight, W. H., Cowpen Colliery, Blyth...............Feb. 3,1877
585 Wild, J. G., Ellistown Colliery, Ellistown, near Leicester
......Oct. 5, 1867
586 Williams, E., Cleveland Lodge, Middlesbro'............Sept. 2,1865
587 Williams, J. J., Pantgwyn House, Holywell, Flintshire ......Nov.
2,1872
588 Williamson, John, Chemical Manufacturer, South Shields......Sept.
2, 1871
589 Williamson, John, Cannock, &c, Collieries, Hednesford ......Nov.
2,1872
590 Willis, J., 14, Portland Terrace, Newcastle (Member of Council)
Mar. 5, 1857
591 Wilson, J. B., Wingfield Iron Works and Colliery, Alfreton......Nov.
5, 1852
592 Wilson, Robebt, Flimby Colliery, Maryport............Aug. 1,1874
593 Wilson, W. B., Kippax and Allerton Collieries, Leeds
......Feb. 6,1869
594 Winter, T. B., Grey Street, Newcastle-on-Tyne .........Oct.
7, 1871
595 Wood, C. L., Freeland, Bridge of Earn, Perthshire .........
1853
596 Wood, Lindsay, Southill, Chester-le-Street (Past Pbesident, Mem-
ber of Council) .....................0ct- 1.1857
597 Wood, Thomas, Rainton House, Fence Houses .........Sept.
3,1870
598 Wood, W. H., West Hetton, Ferryhill...............
1856
599 Wood, W. O., Trimdon Grange Coll., Co. Durham (Mem. of Council) Nov.
7, 1863
600 Woolcock, Heney, St. Bees, Cumberland ............Mar. 3,1873
601 Weight, G. H., 12, Trumpington Street, Cambridge.........July
2,1872
602 Weight, J. M., Barmoor, Ryton.-on-Tyne ............Aug. 5,
1876
603 Weightson, T., Stockton-on-Tees ...............Sept. 13, 1873
604 Young, Philip ........................0ct- 11» l8^3
e
(xxxiv)
ELECTED.
1 Ackroyd, Wm., Jun., M.E., Morley Main Collieries, Morley, nr. Leeds Feb.
7,1880
2 Bell, C. E., Park House, Durham ...............Dec. 3,1870
3 Bramall, Henry, M.I.C.E., St. Helen's, Lancashire ......Oct.
5, 1878
4 Broja, Richard, Mining Engineer, Ostwall, Dortmund ......Nov.
6,1880
5 Butler, W. F., C.E., 6, Queen Anne's Gate, Westminster, London, S. W.
Feb. 7, 1880
6 Dacres, Thomas, Dearham Colliery, Maryport .........May
4,1878
7*Dixon, James S., 170, Hope Street, Glasgow............Aug. 3,1878
8 Ellis, W. R., F.G.S., Wigan ..................June 1,1878
9 Gilchrist, Thomas, Eltringham, Prudhoe-on-Tyne.........May 4,1878
10 Goudie, J. H, 13, Lowther Street, Whitehaven .........Sept. 7,
1878
11 Kellett, William, Wigan ..................June 1,1878
12 Lancaster, John, Auchinbeath, &c, Collieries, Lanarkshire ...
Sept. 7,1878
13 LAWS, W. G., Civil Engineer, Newcastle-on-Tyne .........Oct. 2,
1880
14 Llewellin, David Morgan, F.G.S., Glanwern Offices, Pontypool... May 14,
1881
15 Martin, Tom Pattinson, Allhallows Colliery, Mealsgate, Carlisle ... Feb.
15, 1879
16 Potts, Jos., Jun., Architect, &c, North Cliff, Roker, Sunderland ...
Dec. 6, 1879
17 Prior, Edward G., Inspector of Mines, Nanaims, British Columbia... Feb.
7, 1880
18 Rogers, William, M.E., 19, King Street, Wigan .........Nov. 2,1878
19 Russell, Robert, M.E., Coltness Iron Works, Newmains, N.B. ... Aug.
3,1878
20 Spencer, John W., Newburn, near Newcastle-on-Tyne ......May
4,1878
21 Topping, Walter, Messrs. Cross, Tetley, & Co., Piatt Bridge, Wigan Mar.
2, 1878
22 Winstanley, Robt., M.E., 32, St. Ann's Street, Manchester......Sept.
7,1878
1 Arnold, Thomas, Mineral Surveyor, Louchor, Glamorganshire ... Oct.
2, 1880
2 Audus, T., Mineral Traffic Manager, N.E. Railway, Newcastle-on-Tyne Aug.
7, 1880
3 Bacon, Arthur H., Murton Colliery, Sunderland .........Nov. 3,
1877
4 Bailes, E. T., Wingate, Ferryhill ...............June 7, 1879
5 Barnes, A. W., Grassmore Colliery, near Chesterfield ......Oct.
5, 1872
6 Barrett, Charles Rollo, New Seaham, Seaham Harbour......Nov. 7, 1874
7 Berkley, R. W., Marley Hill Colliery, Gateshead .........Feb. 14,
1874
8 Bewick, T. B., Haydon Bridge, Northumberland .........Mar. 7,
1874
9 Bird, W. J., Wingate Colliery, Durham............ Nov. 6,1875
10 Brough, Thomas, Seaham Colliery, Seaham Harbour ......Feb.
1, 1873
11 Brown, M. W., 7, Elswick Park, Newcastle-on-Tyne.........Oct. 7,1871
12 Brown, W. B., Springfield, Wavertree, Liverpool .........Mar.
2,1878
13 Bruce, John, 2, Framlington Place, Newcastle-on-Tyne ......Feb.
14,1874
14 Bulman, H. F., West Rainton, Fence Houses...... ......May
2,1874
15 Burnley, E. F., Whitwood Collieries, Normanton .........April 11,
1874
16 Cabrera, Fidel, c'o H. Kendall & Son, 12, Gt. Winchester St., London
Oct. 6, 1877
(XXXV)
ELECTED.
17 Chambers, W. Henry, 15, Victoria Road, Barnsley.........Dec. 2,1871
18 Charlton, W. A., Manager, Messrs. Tangye Bros., 25, Lincoln St.,
Gateshead-on-Tyne............... ......Nov. 6, 1880
19 Clark, Robt., Garnant Collieries, Cwmaman, nr. Llanelly, So. Wales Sept.
11. 1875
20 Clough, James, Bedlington Collieries, near Morpeth.........April 5,1873
21 Clovis, Louis, 1, Borough Houses, Gateshead-on-Tyne ......Feb.
15,1879
22 Cobbold, C. H., Ross, Herefordshire ............ ...May
3,1873
23 Cochrane Ralph D., Hetton Colliery Offices, Fence Houses ...
June 1,1878
24 Cooper, R. W., Solicitor, Newcastle-on-Tyne............Sept. 4, 1880
25 Dalziel, W. G., 2, Pembroke Terrace, Cardiff .........Sept.
7, 1878
26 Dodd, M., Jun., Heddon Colliery, Wylam-on-Tyne .........Dec. 4,
1875
27 Douglas, M. H., Marsden Colliery, South Shields .........Aug.
2,1879
28 Doyle, Patrick, C.E., F.M.S., F.L.S., M.R.A.S., Municipal Chambers,
Charters Towers, via Townsville, Queensland, Australia ... ... Mar.
1,1879
29 Eden, C. H., Etherley House, Darlington ............Sept. 13,
1873
30 Edge, J. C, Ince Hall Coal and Cannel Co., Limited, Wigan ...
Dec. 5, 1874
31 Edge, John H., Coalport Wire Rope and Chain Works, Shif nal, Salop Sept.
7, 1878
32 Fairley, James, Craghead and Holmside Collieries, Chester-le-Street Aug.
7, 1880
33 Fryar, Mark, Denby Colliery, Derby...............Oct. 7,1876
34 Gambier, G. G. C. .....................Aug. 3,1878
35 Gerrard, James, Ince Hall Coal and Cannel Company, Wigan ... Mar.
3. 1873
36 Greener, T. Y., Rainford Collieries, St. Helen's, Lancashire...
... July 2, 1872
37 Greener, W. J., Pemberton Colliery, Wigan............Mar. 2, 1878
38 Gresley, W. S., Overseale, Ashby-de-la-Zouch .........Oct.
5,1878
39 Hamilton, E., Rig Wood, Saltburn-by-the-Sea .........Nov.
1,1873
40 Harris, W. S., Andrews House, near Gateshead .........Feb. 14,
1874
41 Harrison, J. W., M.E., Gildersome, near Leeds .........Aug. 3,
1878
42 Hedley, E., Rainham Lodge, The Avenue, Beckenham, Kent ... Dec.
2, 1871
43 Hughes, E. G., Solway View, Whitehaven ............June 1,1878
44 Humble, Stephen, Uttoxeter Road, Derby ............Oct. 6,1877
45 Jepson, H., Ebbw Vale Works, Ebbw Vale, Mon..........July 2,1872
46 Johnson, W., Abram Colliery, Wigan...............Feb. 14, 1874
47 Jordan, J. J., South Derwent Colliery, via Lintz Green ...
... Mar. 3, 1873
48 Leach, C. C. Bedlington Collieries, Bedlington .........Mar.
7, 1874
4<9 Liddell, J. M., Murton Colliery, near Sunderland ... ...
... Mar. 6, 1875
50 Lisle, J., Washington Colliery, County Durham .........July 2,
1872
51 Maccabe, H. O., Russell Vale, Wollongong, New South Wales ...
Sept. 7, 1878
52 Makepeace, H. R., Bog & Home Farm Colls., Larkhall, Hamilton, N.B. Mar.
3, 1877
53 Markham, G. E., Howlish Offices, Bishop Auckland.........Dec. 4, 1875
54 Melly, E. F., Nunnery Colliery Offices, Sheffield .........Oct.
5,1878
55 Merivale, W., C.E., Engineer's Office, Central Station, Newcastle...
Mar. 5, 1881
56 Miller, D. S., Neston Collieries, Cheshire ............Nov.
7,1874
57*MiLLER,N.,KurhurballeeColl.,EastIndiaRailway,ChordLine,Bengal Oct. 5,
1878
58 Moreing, C. A., 37, Spring Gardens, London............Nov. 7, 1874
59 Morison, John, Newbattle Collieries, Dalkeith, N.B.
......Dec. 4,1880
60 Prichard, W., Nav. and Deep Duffryn Colls., Mountain Ash, So. Wales Dec.
7, 1878
61 Pringle, Jos., Manager, Coxlodge Colliery, So. Gosforth, Newcastle
Mar. 5, 1881
(xxxvi)
ELECTED.
62 Rathbone, Edgar P., 28, The Boltons, South Kensington, London Mar.
7, 1874
63 Rylands, Richard A., Haford Las, Minera, Wrexham ... ...
June 1, 1878
64 Saise, W., D. Sc, Giridi, E.I.R., Chord Line, via Muddapore, Bengal Nov.
3, 1877
65 Sawyer, A. R., Ass. R.S.M., Basford, Stoke-upon-Trent ......Dec.
6,1873
66 Seymour, T. M., Lambton Colls.,Waratah, nr. Newcastle, New S.Wales Dec.
4, 1875
67 Smith, J. Bagnold, The Laurels, Chesterfield............Nov. 2,1878
68 Smith, Thos. Reader, M.E., Rockingham Colliery, near Barnsley ... Feb.
5, 1881
69 Stobart, F. Blue House, Washington, Co. Durham.........Aug. 2. 1873
70 Stones, T. H.. Wigan Coal & Iron Co., Westleigh, nr. Leigh, Lancashire
Nov. 7,1874
71 Tait, James, Estate Agent, Garmondsway Moor, Coxhoe ......May
14,1881
72 Telford, W. H., Cramlington Colliery, Northumberland ......Oct.
3,1874
73 Turnbull, George, Seaham Colliery, Seaham Harbour ......Oct.
4, 1879
74 Walters, Hargrave, Coton Park and Linton Coll., Burton-on-Trent June
4, 1881
75 Walton, J. Coulthard, South Benwell Colliery, Newcastle-on-Tyne Nov.
7,1874
76 Wardle, Edward, M.E., Craghead Colliery, Chester-le-Street ...
Feb. 5,1881
1 Armitage, Matthew .....................Oct. 6, 1877
2 Atkinson, A. A., 4, Belle Vue Crescent, Sunderland.........Aug. 3,1878
3 Atkinson, E. E., Westbourne House, Long Benton.........Nov. 4, 1876
4 Atkinson, Fred., Maryport ..................Feb. 14, 1874
5 Ayton, E. F., Lumley Colliery, Fence Houses............Feb. 5,1876
6 Ayton, Henry, Seaton Delaval Colliery, Dudley, Northumberland ... Mar.
6, 1875
7 Baumgartner, W. 0., East Hetton Coll. Office, Coxhoe, Co. Durham Sept.
6, 1879
8 Bell, Geo. Fred., 13, Old Elvet, Durham ............Sept. 6,1879
9 Bird, Harry, Mines de l'Argentiere, La Bers^e sur Durance, Hautes
Alpe, France........................April 7, 1877
10 Blackett, W. C, Jun., 6, Old Elvet, Durham............Nov. 4,1876
11 Blakeley, A. B., Hollyroyd, Dewsbury ............Feb. 15, 1879
12 Bowlker, T. J., Heddon Vicarage, Wylam-on-Tyne.........May 5,1877
13 Bramwell, Hugh, Tynemouth..................Oct. 4, 1879
14 Brown, C. Gilpin, Hetton Colliery, Fence Houses .........Nov.
4,1876
15 Buckham, Robert, Alderdean House, Lanchester, Durham......Oct. 5,1878
16 Bunning, C. Z., Gaviller's Office, Coleford, Gloucester
......Dec. 6,1873
17 Candler, T. E., East Lodge, Crook, Darlington .........May
1,1875
18 Chandley, Charles, Atherton Collieries, near Manchester......Nov. 6,
1880
19 Chapman, Ale. C, Mining Offices, Marsden, South^Shields......Oct.
4,1879
20 Child, H., Whitkirk, Leeds ..................Feb. 15, 1879
(xxxvii)
ELECTED.
21 Cockbtjrn, W. C, 8, Summerhill Grove, Newcastle-on-Tyne......July
2,1872
22 Cox, L. Clifford, Ravenstone, near Ashby-de-la-Zouch ......April
1,1876
23 Crawford, T. W., Peases' West Collieries, Crook, by Darlington ...
Dec. 4,1875
24 Crone, F. E., Killingworth House, near Newcastle .........Sept.
2,1876
25 Curry, W. Thos., Wardley Colliery, Newcastle-on-Tyne ......Sept.
4,1880
26 Davidson, C. C, Ore Bank House, Bigrigg, via Carnforth, Cumberland Nov.
4,1876
27 Davis, Kenneth M., Towneley and Stella Collieries, Ryton-on-Tyne April
5, 1879
28 Depledge, M. F., Satley Vicarage, Darlington .........April
7, 1877
29 Donkin, Wm., Usworth Colliery, Washington Station, Co. Durham ... Sept.
2, 1876
30 Dorman, Frank, The Palace, Maidstone, Kent .........May
1,1875
31 Douglas, Arthur Stanley, Harton Colliery, near South Shields ... June
1,1878
32 Dowson, W. C, Belle Vue House, Escomb, near Bishop Auckland ... Mar.
2, 1878
33 Dunn, A. F., Poynton, Stockport, Cheshire ............June 2,
1877
34 Durnford, H. St. John, Bird well, near Barnsley .........June
2,1877
35 Evans, David L., Goldtops, Newport, Monmouthshire ......May
4,1878
36 Fenwick, J. W., 16, Percy Gardens, Tynemouth .........Oct.
7,1876
37 Ferens, Fredk. J., 220, Gilesgate, Durham ............Dec. 4,1880
38 Fletcher, John E., Ellesmere Park, Eccles, near Manchester ...
Dec. 1,1877
39 Forster, Thomas E., Backworth, Newcastle-on-Tyne ......Oct.
7,1876
40 Forsyth, Frank W......................Dec. 2,1876
41 Fowler, Robert, Wearmouth Colliery, Sunderland ... ...
... Dec. 2,1876
42 Gallwey, Arthur P., Towneley and Stella Collieries, Ryton-on-Tyne Oct.
2, 1880
43 Gilchrist, J. R., Newbottle Colliery Offices, Fence Houses......Feb.
3, 1877
44 Gordon, Chas., St. Chads, Lichfield ...............May 5,1877
45 Gould, Alex., Cowpen Colliery, Blyth...............Dec. 1,1877
46 Greig, J., Brancepeth, Durham..................Feb. 5, 1881
47 Guthrie, James Kenneth, Ryton-on-Tyne............Mar. 1,1879
48 Haddock, W. T., Jun., Ryhope Colliery, Sunderland.........Oct. 7,1876
49 Hallas, G. H., Hindley Green Colliery, near Wigan.........Oct. 7,1876
50 Hallimond, W. T., 55, Western Hill, Durham .........May
2,1874
51 Hare, Samuel, Gladstone Street, Crook ............Aug. 2,
1879
52 Harrison, Robert J., Backworth Colliery, near Newcastle-on-Tyne May
1, 1875
53 Harrison, R. W., Public Wharf, Leicester ............Mar. 3,1877
54 Hedley, Sept. H., Londonderry Offices, Seaham Harbour ......Feb.
15,1879
55 Hendy, J. C. B., Usworth Colliery, Washington Station, Co. Durham Sept.
2, 1876
56 Heslop, Septimus, Urpeth, Chester-le-Street............Dec. 4,1880
57 Heslop, Thomas, North Bitchburn Colliery, Darlington ......Oct.
2,1880
58 Hill, Leonard, No. 4, Brancepeth, Durham ... ... ...
... Oct. 6, 1877
59 Hooper, Edward, Haydon Bridge, Northumberland... .. ...
June 4, 1881
60 Howard, Walter, 13, Cavendish Street, Chesterfield ......April
13, 1878
61 Hudson, Joseph G. S., Albion Mines, Pictou County, Nova Scotia... Mar.
2, 1878
62 Humble, Joicey, 17, Westmorland Terrace, Newcastle-on-Tyne ... Mar.
3,1871?
(xxxviii)
ELECTED.
63 Humble, Robert, 17, Westmorland Terrace, Newcastle-on-Tyne ... Sept.
2, 1876
64 Hunteb, John P., Backworth Colliery, near Newcastle-on-Tyne ...
Oct. 6,1877
65 Jobbing, Thos. E., Coxlodge Colliery, by Kenton, Newcastle-on-Tyne Oct.
7, 1876
66 Kayll, A. C, Felling Colliery, Gateshead ............Oct.
7,1876
67 Kirkhouse, E. G., Medomsley, Lintz Green, Newcastle-en-Tyne ... Aug.
3, 1878
68 Kiekup, Philip, Peases' West Collieries, by Darlington ......Mar.
2, 1878
69 Kibton, Hugh, Browney Colliery, Durham ... ... ...
... April 7,1877
70 Lindsay, Clarence S., Marsden, South Shields .........Mar. 4,
1876
71 Liveing, E. H., 52, Queen Anne Street, Cavendish Square, London
Sept. 1, 1877
72 Locke, Ernest G., Ellistown Colliery, Bagworth, near Leicester ...
Dec. 2, 1876
73 Longbotham, R. H., Ormskirk Road, Newton, Wigan ......Sept. 2,
1876
74 Mackinlay, Thos. B., West Pelton Colliery, Chester-le-Street ...
Nov. 1,1879
75 Maddison, Thos. R., Thornhill Collieries, near Dewsbury ......Mar.
3, 1877
76 Mundle, Robeet, Learn Cottage, Woodburn............Mar. 6, 1875
77 Mtjeeay, W. C, So. Derwent Coll., via Lintz Green, Annfield Plain Oct.
4, 1879
78 Murton, Chaeles J., Jesmond Villas, Newcastle-on-Tyne......Mar. 6,1880
79 Nicholson, Jos. C, Newbottle Colliery, Pence Houses ......Feb.
3, 1877
80 Noble, J. C, Us worth Hall, near Washington Station, Co. Durham... May
5, 1877
81 Oensby, R. E., Seaton Delaval Colliery, Dudley, Northumberland ..
Mar. 6,1875
82 Palmer, Heney, East Howie Colliery, near Ferryhill ......Nov.
2,1878
83 Pattison, Jos. W., Londonderry Offices, Seaham Harbour .......Feb.
15,1879
84 Peake, Chaeles Edwd., Cwmaman Colliery, Aberdare, South Wales Nov. 3,
1877
85 Peake, R. C, Harton Colliery Offices, South Shields.........Feb.
7,1880
86 Peaet, A. W., Cwmaman Colliery Offices, Aberdare .........Nov. 4,
1876
87 Pickeeing, W. H., College of Physical Science, Newcastle......Mar.
2,1878
88 Pickstone, Wm., Oak Bank, Black Lane, near Manchester......Sept. 11,
1875
89 Pike, Aenold, Silksworth Colliery, Sunderland .........Feb.
5,1881
90 Pocock, Feancis A......................Mar. 6, 1875
91 Potter, E. A., Cramlington House, Northumberland ... ...
... Feb. 6,1875
92 Prest, J. J., St. Helen's Colliery, Bishop Auckland.........May 1,
1875
93 Price, S. R., Houghton Main Colliery, near Barnsley, Yorkshire ...
Nov. 3, 1877
94 Pringle, H. A., Lofthouse Mines, Saltburn-by-the-Sea, ...
... Oct. 2,1880
95 Peingle, Hy. Geo., Tanfield Lea Coll., Lintz Green Station, Newcastle
Dec. 4, 1880
96 Peoctor, C, P., Killingworth Colliery, Newcastle .........Oct.
7, 1876
97 Reed, R., Fountain Head, Seaton Sluice, via Whitley, Northumberland Feb.
3, 1877
98 Rees, Ernest P., Langley Park Colliery, Durham ... ...
... Mar. 4,1876
99 Richardson, R, W. P., 8, Mount Pleasant, Consett, Co. Durham ... Mar.
4, 1876
100 Robinson, Frank, Ackhurst Hall, Wigan ............Sept. 2, 1876
101 Robinson, Geo., Hebburn Colliery, near Newcastle-on-Tyne......Nov.
4,1876
(xxxix)
ELECTED.
102 Robson, Habey N, 3, North Bailey, Durham............Dec. 4,1875
103 Robson, Thos. O., Medomsley, Newcastle-on-Tyne .........Sept. 11,
1875
104 Routledge, W. H., Staveley Coahand Iron Co. Limited, Chesterfield Oct.
7, 1876
105 Scarth, R. W., Stanghow House, Stanghow, near Guisbro'...... Dec.
4,1875
106 Schiee, H. C, East Hetton Colliery Offices, Coxhoe, Co. Durham ...
Dec. 4, 1875
107 Scott, Alex., Lof thouse Colliery, Limited, Wakefield ......
Mar. 2,1878
108 Scott, Walter, Cornsay Colliery, Lanchester... ......... Sept.
6, 1879
109 Scott, Wm., Brancepeth Colliery Offices, Willington, Co. Durham ...
Mar. 4, 1876
110 Smith, Thos., 17, Woodbine Terrace, Bensham Road, Gateshead ...
Feb. 15, 1879
111 Smith, T. F., Jun., Cinderford Villas, near Newnham, Gloucestershire
May 5, 1877
112 Southern, E. O., 5, Fenwick Terrace, Jesinond, Newcastle ...
... Dec. 5, 1874
113 Southern, W. J., Redheugh Colliery, Gateshead ......... Aug.
1,1874
114 Spence, R. F., Cramlington .................. Nov. 2,1878
115 Stobart, Heney Temple, Eton Villa, Saltburn-by-the-Sea...... Oct.
2, 1880
116 Stoker, Arthur P., Birtley, near Chester-le-Street......... Oct.
6,1877
117 Todd, John T., Hetton-le-Hole, Fence Houses............Nov. 4,1876
118 Todnee, W. J. S., 22, Alexander Street, Elswick, Newcastle-on-Tyne
Sept. 6, 1879
119 Topham, Edwaed C......................Nov. 3,1877
120 Veenes, Amidee, 8, Claremont Place, Gateshead .........May 4,
1878
121 Walkee, F. W., Aldbro', Darlington...............Sept. 2, 1876
122 White, C. E., Hebburn Colliery, near Newcastle-on-Tyne ......Nov.
4, 1876
123 Wilson, J. D., 8, Walker Terrace, Gateshead-on-Tyne ......Sept.
11, 1875
1 Ashington Colliery, Newcastle-on-Tyne.
2 Haswell Colliery, Pence Houses.
3 Hetton Collieries, Fence Houses.
4 Lambton Collieries, Fence Houses.
5 Londonderry Collieries.
6 North Hetton Colliery, Fence Houses.
7 Ryhope Colliery, near Sunderland.
8 Segliill Colliery, Northumberland.
9 South Hetton and Murton Collieries.
10 Stella Colliery, Hedgefield, Blaydon-on-Tyne.
11 Throckley Colliery, Newcastle-on-Tyne.
12 Wearmouth Colliery, Sunderland.
13 Whitworth Colliery, Ferryhill.
CHAR TER
OP
THE NORTH OF ENGLAND
irftafe 0f fining unto ^ttljpmml <&n$mzm.
FOUNDED 1852. INCORPORATED NOVEMBER 28th, 1876.
®Lnt0OTt by ^e 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 :
Wheeeas it has been represented to us that Nicholas Wood, of Hetton, in the
County of Durham, Esquire (since deceased); Thomas Emerson Foestee, 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 op 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 pursued
its aforesaid objects, and in so doing has made costly experiments
/
(xlii)
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 Eoyal
Charter of Incorporation. Now know ye that we, being desirous of encouraging
a design so laudable and salutary of our special grace, certain knowledge,
and mere motion, have willed granted, and declared, and
(xliii)
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 and 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 respectfully at the
rack rent which might have been had or gotten for the same respectfully at
the time of the purchase or acquisition thereof. And we do hereby grant our
especial licence 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 and pleasure is, and we
further grant and declare that for the better rule.
(xliv)
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 further
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 respectfully shall continue such until the first election shall be made
at a General Meeting in pursuance of these presents. And we do hereby
further 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
Realm, or any Bye-law of the Society in force for the time being. And we do
further 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 fall 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, and for convening the same and regulating the
proceedings thereat, and
(xlv)
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 Realm. And we do
further will and declare that the present Rules and Regulations 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
Rules 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 whereof we have caused these our Letters 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
OF
MINING AND MECHANICAL ENGINEERS. BYE-LAWS
PASSED AT A GENEEAL 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 Members shall be those who were Ordinary Members on the 1st of
August, 1877.
3.—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.
1 (xlviii)
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-
(xlix)
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 should become void.
9
(1)
16.—Every Ordinary Member elected having signed a declaration in the Form F,
and having likewise made the proper payment, shall receive
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
(H)
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.
(Hi)
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.
(liii)
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.
(Hv) 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.
FROM PERSONAL KNOWLEDGE.
(Five Members.
[To he 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.
Dated this day of 18
(It)
[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—
[Sere 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.
PEOM PERSONAL KNOWLEDGE.
----------------------------------________I Two
Members.
[To be filled up 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
[FOKM D.]
List of the names of persons to be balloted for at the Meeting on , the
day of 18
Ordinary Members :—
Associate Members :— Honorary Members :—
Students:—
Strike out the names of such persons as you desire should not be elected,
and hand the list to the Chairman.
[FORM E.]
Sir,—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
(lvii)
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 F.]
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.]
Sir,—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
h
(lviii)
[FOEM 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 feci 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
(lix) [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.
-g"
------------------ I
o
Vice-Pkesidents—Six Names only to be returned, or the vote
j>
will be lost.
£>
The Votes for any Members who may not be elected as S
President or Vice-Presidents will count for them as other Members
Jjf
of the Council.
S §
53 o
_______*___ -\
w '—!
------------------
cu ^q
-----------^ Vice-Presidents for the current year eligible for re-
S
------------J election.
(z; Jj
-------------------
«H O
'
O
[>
-----------' )
£ » j§
-----------I
S S ° Z-i
> New Nominations.
s £ ^ '2
a g g p a
Council—Eighteen Names only to be returned, or the vote 2 S « m
fe
will be lost. es g & is
a ________-n
* 3 g | '»
I
.~S
PV t> H * ______________
te U on
______
Z | M § |
________,
§ O m H a
-----------'
u 'M
________
a a
-g u
----------- ^Members of the Council for the current year eligible for u
£
-----------' re-election.
¦£ <u
_____ '
'3 ^
-----------------------
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^j
---------
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----------
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N
} New Nominations.
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
(lx)
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-President______________________________________
As Councillors________________________________________
[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
OF
MINING AND MECHANICAL ENGINEEKS.
GENERAL MEETING, SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 4th, 1880, IN THE WOOD MEMORIAL HALL,
NEWCASTLE-UPON-TYNE.
T. J. BEWICK, Esq., in the Chaik.
The Secretary read the minutes of the last meeting and reported the
proceedings of the Council.
The following gentlemen were elected, having been previously nominated :—
Associate Member— Mr. R. W. Cooper, Solicitor, Newcastle-on-Tyne.
Student— Mr. Wm. Thomas Curry, Wardley Colliery, Newcastle-on-Tyne.
The following were nominated for election at the next meeting :—
Ordinary Member— Mr. Wm. George Laws, Civil Engineer, Newcastle.
Associate Member— Mr. Thomas Arnold, Mineral Surveyor, Louchor,
Glamorganshire.
Students— Mr. Arthur P. Galwey, Towneley and Stella Collieries,
Ryton-on-Tyne. Mr. Henry A. Prinole, Lofthouse Mines, Saltburn-by-the-Sea.
Mr. Henry Temple Stobaht, North Bitchburn Colliery, Darlington. Mr. Thomas
Heslop, North Bitchburn Colliery, Darlington.
A paper "On the Kurhurballee Coal-field, with some Remarks on Indian Coals,"
was then read by Mr. Walter Saise, D.Sc. (Lokd.), F.G.S., E.C.S.
VOL. XXX.-1880.
THE KTJRHURBALLEE COAL-FIELD. 3
THE KURHURBALLEE COAL-FIELD, WITH SOME REMARKS ON INDIAN COALS.
By WALTER SAISE, D.Sc. (Loitd.), F.G.S., F.C.S.,
Associate of the Royal School of Mines, London, Assistant Manager of East
Indian
Railway Collieries.
(Mead by permission of the Directors of the East Indian Railway Company.^
The East Indian Railway Company owns the greater part of this coalfield, and
the writer being in their service, and having collected the most of the
information contained in the following paper, in his official capacity as
their servant, he thought it necessary to obtain their consent to the
publication of matter which affects them more than anyone else; their
sanction was not only cheerfully given, but every assistance was rendered to
the writer to make the paper as full and complete as possible.
The only literature on this subject with which the writer is acquainted
is:—1st. An excellent memoir by Mr. Theodore Hughes, Associate of the Royal
School of Mines, published in Vol. VII. of the Geological Survey of India.
It gives all particulars obtainable up to the date of publication, i.e.,
1871. 2nd. A very elaborate and complete monograph, by Dr. Otto Feistmantel,
" On the Flora of the Karbarbari Beds."
The writer intends in this paper to make the diagrams tell their own tale
and to say little more than is absolutely necessary. The diagrams have been
prepared with great care, and will give a comprehensive sketch of what is at
present known of the field.
The coal-field is situated in the district of Hazaribagh, between the
parallels of 86° 10' and 86° 23' east longitude, and of 24° 10' and 24° 14'
north latitude. (See Plate I.)
It is within 24 miles of one of the main lines of the East Indian Railway
which runs from Calcutta to Delhi, and which, by means of a connection with
the Great Indian Peninsular Railway, is the highway to Bombay, as will be
seen by reference to the map of India.
The East Indian Railway runs through and taps the Great Raniganj, or
Rancegnngc, coal-field, which it is stated has an area of 500 square
4 THE KURHURBALLEE COAL-FIELD,
miles. Fifty miles beyond the Raneegunge coal-field there is a branch line
to the Kurhurballee coal-field; the station at which the branch leaves the
main line is called Muddapore. This branch line is 23 miles long, and
consists of a single road with pass-bye lines at the two stations,
Jagadispur and Mohesmimda. The terminal station is called Giridi.
At G-iridi two branches run to the collieries, one branch going to the
Serampore (properly Srirampur) Colliery estate, and the other to the
Kurhurballee Colliery. These branches are shown on the sketch surface map,
Plate I.
The coal is loaded by hand into the coal trucks, which are usually covered
and closed. These trucks are used for bringing rice and other merchandize
one way and taking coal the other. The gauge of the railway is six feet.
The coal-field, which has an area of about 11 square miles, all of which,
however, is not productive, with a greatest length of six miles and a
breadth of 2f, is held by four Companies, three of which are actively
engaged in working coal j these latter are the East Indian Railway Company,
Bengal Coal Company, and Raneegunge Coal Association.
The East Indian Railway possesses several wharves on the two branches for
loading their coal. The Bengal Coal Company and the Raneegunge Coal
Association have each one siding and wharf. The East Indian Railway coal is
led to the main wharves by tip waggons running on a metre gauge railway. The
metre gauge railway at Kurhurballee is about one-and-a-half miles long, and
the same at Serampore; these are marked on the surface map. Where the mines
are near the wharves the coal is led in the ordinary coal tubs (which hold
from five to seven cwts.) by hand on a 1 foot 9 inch gauge railway, or by
bullock carts. The East Indian Railway Company have led the way in the
matter of leading coal on the surface, but the other Companies are following
closely.
The Raneegunge Coal Association convey their coal over a 1 foot 9 inch gauge
railway by a small locomotive, and by ponies, and the Bengal Coal Company
are connecting their distant mines to the railway by a tramway, which is in
course of construction.
The Kurhurballee coal-field is one of the coal-fields that lie in the
metamorphic higher ground which rises out of the alluvial flats of Lower
Bengal. The mean height above the sea is 950 feet, some of the hills of hard
sandstone rising to a height of 1,100 feet. Around the coalfield the hills
of metamorphic rock rise in isolated peaks as high as 1,600 feet; while the
Parasnath, the sacred hill of the Jains, as well as the sanatorium of
colliery officials, towers to a height of 4,479 feet above the sea.
WITH SOME REMARKS ON INDIAN COALS. 5
The coal-field lies between the Osri and the Baraker, of which the former is
a tributary. Although the Osri passes within a mile of the northern boundary
of the field, the direction of drainage is towards the Barakar, which lies
several miles further from the coal-field. The force which determined the
initial direction of drainage had probably some connection with the faulted
and disturbed boundary on the north of the field.
The coal-field is drained by several important streams or "nalas" (pron.
Nullah) which are named in the map. The west of the field is drained by the
Sooknid and Khakho, which are supplied by smaller ones called the
Dhurdhurwa, Muckpitto, and Komersote.
The centre and west of the field are drained by the Komaljore, Puth-rodiha,
Purtdiha, and Suni Nalas, which unite with those from the west of the field,
and flow into the Barakar.
During the rainy season these " nalas" are goodly streams; during the rest
of the year they are but beds of sand in which water may be found by digging
small wells.
The yearly rainfall is about 50 inches, the greater portion of which falls
during the months of July, August, and September.
Nowhere has the writer seen the degrading action of rain so well marked as
in India. After the baking, parching heat of the hot season has destroyed
all vegetation, and the ground is cracked and bare, down pours the rain, and
muddy rivulets collect and pour into a crack in the ground, which rapidly
becomes a small canon, as it may be called, the depth depending on the
thickness of the soil. These rivulets, or small waterfalls, collect
together, and become at last a roaring " nala," full of the mud that it has
collected in its course. The ground is very much cut up by these ravines or
canons in the soil.
The loss of soil in this way in uncultivated parts must be very great. Large
stones protect the soil immediately beneath them from the carving
power of the rain, and it is not uncommon to see stones a foot or so in
diameter standing on these earth pillars.
6 THE KURHURBALLEE COAL-FIELD,
The height of these pillars is a measurement of the amount of denudation due
to rain in that part.
The work of disintegration goes on apace even on the bare rocks; scales
become detached and splintered off during the scorching heat of the summer,
and the rains carry these away, leaving the heavier portions in situ.
The writer has seen large collections of waterworn pebbles lying on the bare
rock. The rock is a conglomerate, and the inference is, that the enclosing
matter has been carried away, leaving the pebbles exposed.
Another feature very noticeable in the coal-field is the large number of
potholes to be observed in the tracks of the hill-torrents, or at any point
where a stream passes rapidly over a rocky bed. These potholes vary from a
few inches to a foot in diameter, and usually contain the pebble which,
under the twirling action of the waters, has drilled the holes.
The hills in the coal-field are formed by the escarpment of hard beds of
sandstone. The steep precipitous sides are those at right angles to
the dip, as shown in the woodcut. These hills are covered with sparse
vegetation, the bare rocks projecting through at every turn. They are
covered by a slight growth of scrub jungle, the chief tree being a stunted
sal.
The streams have cut this escarpment into several isolated hills, but the
general feature is very marked, the steep side facing the north. The hard
sandstone hills dip ultimately under the richer soil of the plains. In the
lower parts of the field the Mango, Tamarind, the Jack tree, the Peepul, the
Bir or Banyan grow, here and there surrounded by plots of Indian corn
(maize) and the picturesque villages of the natives. Whenever the water can
be caught and spread over a small area of ground the frugal native
cultivates his rice. These little patches of ground are plentiful near the
nalas, or in the course of any flow of water which is so necessary in rice
cultivation.
The coal-field lies in a basin of metamorphic rocks which form an easily
recognizable boundary when exposed. The metamorphic rocks are granites,
gneiss, micaceous and chloritic schists, and hornblende rock. The granites
vary from pegmatite, or fine grained, to coarsely porphyritic, in which the
crystals of felspar are of very large size.
WITH SOME REMARKS ON INDTAX COALS. 7
Large dykes of trap and quartz reefs intersect these rocks. The trap dykes
are micaceous and felspathic, and extend into the coal-field damaging the
seams and interfering with mining progress, as the writer will hereafter
have to mention.
The decomposition of the metamorphic rocks goes on to a great depth. The
writer sank a well in this compound 40 feet in depth, the whole requiring
nothing but the pick and shovel, or at least the natives' substitute for a
shovel, viz., the "khodari" or "hoe." The section was that of a solid
schist, and yet the fragments could be squeezed to pieces by the hand, the
grains falling into coarse sand of mica, quartz, etc.
From the metamorphic rocks surrounding the field, or from some similar
source, the materials which went to form the sandstones, conglomerates and
shales were derived. The sandstones are peculiarly felspathic, the crystals
of felspar being very large and nearly perfect at times. Mica occurs in the
lamina} of the shales to a large extent.
At Kurhurballee and Jogitand, and on the south of Serampore, in some places,
the conglomeratic sandstone contains broken pieces of garnets showing their
derived nature from pre-existing metamorphic rocks.
The loose pebbles found in the present streams of the coal-field, of
granite, gneiss, hornblende rock, quartz, etc., are similar to those found
in the conglomerates of the coal-measures.
The base of the coal-measures consists of a series of strata of marked
character and unproductive of coal. They are called the Talchir series, the
productive measures lying on them being called the Karharbari beds. These
Talchir beds form the Farewell Bock of this coal-field, and wherever exposed
they occupy the lowest part of the measures.
They are exposed very unequally over the coal-field, partly owing to, first,
the Karharbari beds overlapping them; second, to the Karharbari beds being
faulted against the metamorphic rocks; or, third, to the thinning out of the
Talchirs.
This feature of the thickenning and thinning out of the coal-measures is
very noticeable, and points to a limited area of deposition.
The unproductive measures consist, where exposed, of abase of boulder
conglomerate, containing very large and rounded boulders of metamorphic
rock, as well as smaller pebbles. They are contained in a fine silt like
base. Above these come bluish white, bluish green, or brownish coloured
shales, which break up into needles, and are hence called needle shales.
In lithological characters they reminded the writer very much of the lias
shales. They overlap the boulder conglomerate in places as is shown by the
section on the next page; this section was obtained from a cutting
8 THE KURHURBALLEE COAL-FIELD,
made for the purpose of diverting the course of a stream which flooded a
mine. The Talchirs are shown on the surface map, Plate I., which is adapted
from the map issued by the Geological Survey of India.
Above the measures referred to come the productive coal-measures, with which
this paper has more particularly and exhaustively to deal.
The measures consist chiefly of sandstone of varying texture and structure,
with conglomerates, shales, duns, and coal seams, but with no fire-clay
proper. The floor is either sandstone or hard shale in every case. The
sandstones easily weather and are therefore not much used. Coping stones for
the platforms of stations have been made of them, but they are not of good
quality.
Near the base of the productive coal-measures or Karharbari beds comes the
lower seam (or seams Nos. 1 and 2 of the Geological Survey). This seam or
group of seams presents very different sections in different parts of the
coal-field, as may be seen by reference to Plate III.
At Kurhurballee alone is the upper as well as the lower division worked, and
there only on the east of the distiict.
As the upper division recedes from the lower it diminishes in thickness, and
becomes unworkable j the lower bed, however, becomes much thicker, and less
stoney. The name "lower seam" is used to comprehend the whole of these two
main divisions. If every division were created into a separate seam, it
would cause some trouble.
This seam has a thickness of 21 feet from roof to floor at Kurhurballee, but
this includes a great deal of stone and shale parting.
At Serampore the lower band, which alone is worked, varies from 11 feet to
15 feet, and there are indications of its becoming much thicker towards the
south-east.
The inconstant character of this seam, as regards thickness, is well
illustrated by Plate IV. (section of the lower seam).
The quality of the coal, as far as its chemical composition is concerned,
does not vary much, though in physical structure it alters, in some places
being very hard and rubbly, and in others soft. The seam extends over about
eight square miles of country, five of which belong to the East Indian
Eailway Company.
WTTH SOME REMARKS ON INDIAN COALS. 9
The diagrammatic sections (Plate II.) will show the geological conditions
under which the seams exist, and the surface map (Plate I.) shows the area
over which the seams extend.
The coal-field is divided into two unequal divisions by an anticlinal, the
northern portion being a semi-basin of small size, the southern portion
forming the largest portion of the field.
The upper section (section on A B, Plate II.) shows the ground as proved by
the shafts thereon named and figured.
South of No. 41 shaft is found same faulty ground, which the shaft No. 25
proves to be a downthrow south. This shaft is 200 feet deep. Passing south,
the same seam is now worked by No. 22 shaft, at a depth of 242 feet. Farther
south, at No. 16b shaft, the seams were worked at a moderate depth of 100
feet or thereabouts, dipping to the north, the workings ending against a
fault. No. 16a shaft has been sunk 245 feet, and has met with a thin seam 70
feet above the main seam. The axis of the synclinal would therefore be in
the line of this fault.
North and south of this section are the metamorphic rocks.
The evidence from the section on A B has been used to explain the observed
facts collected from boring, trial shafts, etc., in other parts of the
coal-field, and sections on C D and E F are the results.
Taking a line of section (C D) across the centre of the coal-field, it will
be noticed that there is a greater extent of coal-measures.
The higher and more hilly ground that this section passes through, the
greater thickness of measures, on account of its being the centre of the
field, allow some higher seams to come in, cropping on Bhaddoah Hill, as
will be seen on the section.
The force of upheaval which brought up the metamorphic rock on the north of
section A B has, in this part of the field, only produced an anticlinal,
with the result of giving a larger extent of coal for enterprise and energy.
The section on E F shows a somewhat similar state of things. The
anticlinal axis, prolonged into the metamorphic rocks, and a small basin
of-unproductive coal-measures, lie to the north of the productive
coal-field.
The following facts, selected from a multitude of examples, will show the
difficulty in giving one general section of the coal-field.
Had the writer attempted one general section only, the most important
feature of the field would have been overlooked, viz., the alteration of
thickness of seams and enclosing strata.
VOL. XXX-1880.
B
10 THE KURHURBALLEE COAL-FIELD,
At Serampore, within a distance of 200 yards, the parting between the two
beds of coal thickens in the manner shown in the sketch. .
At Kurhurballee, in the part of the coal-field on the north dip, the
following may be noticed. It will be seen that 2 feet of coal has dwindled
down to 2 inches, and 3 feet to 3 inches, the parting stone increasing from
1 foot to 7 feet 7 inches.
The writer has therefore adopted the plan of giving four general sections
of the field in four places shown on the surface ma,p. The evi-
WITH SOME REMARKS ON INDIAN COALS. 11
dence, from which these general sections are obtained, is also shown in the
shape of pit sections or sections of borings.
The first part of the field that will be noticed is that lying north of the
anticlinal. The seams are here faulted and disturbed, the dip varying from a
few degrees to 30 or 35 degrees.
The section on C D gives the general conditions under which the coal seams
occur. They abut, after dipping towards the north, against the metamorphic
rocks, which form the boundary in other parts of the field. The strike of
the seams forms a semi-basin, as will be seen by the surface map. The fault
which brings up the metamorphic rocks, forms the northern boundary.
On the eastern side of the field there is a much larger development of stone
and shale in the seams than occurs on the west of the field. This may be
seen from an examination of sections of 5 G and 40 and 17 B and 23 B (Plates
IV. and V.)
The lower seam exists over the greater portion of the area. The upper seam,
which is 160 feet above the lower one, exists over a large portion of this
part of the field. The general section A, Plate III., gives the probable
section of No. 23 D, now sinking, of the East Indian Railway collieries,
which is to win and work the whole of the coal in the two seams mentioned.
The total thickness of measures close to the fault must be about 400 feet,
and this includes the large amount of 36 feet of coal, 21 feet of which is
included in the two seams at present worked. The remaining 15 feet is spread
over seams considered too thin to be workable, or at all events too thin to
attract attention while so much thick coal is available.
There are two well-marked seams each containing more than four feet of coal,
one lying above the lower seam and the other above the upper seam. They are
landmarks in the field, and as it is essential that they should have some
designation in literature on the coal-field, the writer proposes the names
given in the general section A, one from the chairman, the other from the
agent in India. This is preferable to numbering the seams, which must cause
confusion when a seam that has been overlooked is found to exist between two
already numbered seams.
On the south of the anticlinal the lower seam dips regularly to the south,
as shown in sections on A B, C D, and E F, Plate II., until within a short
distance of the southern boundary, where there is a synclinal axis
coincident over a great portion of it, with a fault which brings up the
lower seam.
The upper seam appears to be about 3 or 4 feet thick on the south of
12 THE KURHURBALLEE COAL-FIELD.
the anticlinal until it reaches Serampore, where it gives from 3 feet 6
inches to 5 feet of coal, in a total thickness of seam of 8 feet 6 inches.
Above this upper seam the ground in the south of the anticlinal does not
resemble that on the north of the anticlinal.
There are two seams cropping on Bhaddoah Hill, the upper and lower one named
the Bhaddoah seam. On the side of the hill they are about 30 feet apart, but
as they dip to the south the thickness of intervening strata becomes much
less, and the upper seam increases in thickness. On the south of Bhaddoah
Hill the upper seam is represented by 8 feet of shale. The writer is
inclined to believe that the thick seams of Khundiha represent the Bhaddoah
seams.
On the west of Bhaddoah, towards the villages of Maheslundi and Karharbari,
the Karharbari beds abut against the metamorphic rocks, and the outcrop of
the lower seam is not exposed. It probably lies at no very great depth
however.
Still farther west the seam crops, and has been worked in years past to some
extent, and proved of excellent quality.
Eastward of Jogitand the seam passes through Kuldiha to Buriadih, into the
Serampore estates of the East Indian Bailway and Baneegunge Coal
Association. The sections on A B, to which the writer has already called
attention, showed the position and depth of the coal in this part of the
field, and the general section on the right (Plate III.) gives a generalized
section at the point marked D on the surface map (Plate I).
The great thickening of the strata will be the most noticeable feature, and
corresponding with the increase of thickness of rock strata there appears to
be an increase in the thickness of the coal on the lower seam. The increase
in the thickness of strata cannot be better shown than by comparing some
shafts at Serampore with those at Kurhurballee.
On referring to the section of No. 22 shaft or No. 21 shaft, it will be
found that 250 feet of strata enclose 16 or 17 feet of coal.
The ground included in shafts No. 23b and 24 (Plate I), at Kurhurballee, on
the north pitch, amounts to 280 feet or thereabouts, and this includes 29
feet of coal.
Farther south than No. 22 the strata still increases in thickness; and No.
16a shaft, close to the fault, has been sunk 250 feet, and has only met with
the small seam which lies about 70 or 80 feet above the lower seam. When
completed, this shaft will be 360 deep—about the same as No. 23 D. This
latter will cut 36 feet of coal, including the upper and lower seams;
whereas 16a will only cut the lower seam, the upper seam cropping some
hundred of feet on the deep side of the shaft.
WITH SOME REMARKS ON INDIAN COALS. 13
At 23d the upper seam will lie about 160 feet above the lower seam. At No.
16a, or near the southern boundary, the distance between the seams is from
450 to 500 feet. This is a great increase on 160 feet. Above this seam crop
the Khundiha seams, which are but little explored or known, but which the
writer has connected by boreholes with the Bhaddoah seams. These will lie at
the point marked D, quite 200 to 300 feet higher than the upper seam.
The total thickness of productive measures in this part of the field, i.e.,
at D, Plate I., therefore, is probably not less than 1,000 feet.
The greatest thickness of strata is thus seen to be near the southern
boundary. The structure of the field with the faulted boundaries is most
interesting.
It will be observed that the faults, as regards actual throw or heave, are
not very great. That on the north may be about 600 feet, that running along
the south of the field is probably from 200 to 400 feet in vertical throw.
Trap dykes intersect the field as shown in the surface map. "Where they come
in contact with the coal the latter becomes coked and useless for some
distance. Plate VII. gives a few interesting examples which the writer met
with during his inspection of sinkings or of the workings.
The lower seam is often divided by a band of trap which, with the stone and
shale partings, divides the seam into four or five beds of coal.
Specimens of the trap were carefully examined microscopically by Mr. Rutley,
of the Museum, Jermyn Street, and he reports on them all as being micaceous
traps very decomposed indeed, the felspar being replaced by carbonate of
calcium. In one specimen he thought he discerned olivine, but he is not
quite sure of this.
The sections (Plate VII.) represent a band of trap passing across the coal
and coking it for some distance. This is the upper seam. The trap is
brownish white and very decomposed, and when first cut it yielded a great
quantity of water.
In the lower seam, No. 6b mine, the trap is parallel to the bedding, and is
very decomposed.
In No. 40 shaft the working was delayed by the presence of the trap which,
though decomposed (as was shown by microscopic examination), was very hard
to cut through. The coal was coked and hardened to the extent shown. A great
deal of pyrites was found in the coal. The shale was hardened and laminated,
and contained flakes of white calcspar that gave it a very pretty
appearance.
In No, 24 shaft the trap was very thick and massive, but was of
14 THE KUEHURBALLEE COAL-FIELD,
the same variety as at No. 40 shaft. There were 8 feet of coal above the
trap at the pit bottom, but as the gallery or headway was driven, the
thickness of good coal decreased to three feet, and then the trap broke
through the seam into the roof. The coal was burnt, the shale being hardened
and split into polygonal columns, and pieces of coal (or rather coke) and
burnt shale were included in the igneous matter. Below the trap the coal was
found burnt as at the top.
Having considered the geological structure of the field, the writer will now
attempt to show the amount of coal in the field.
The coal-field is small in area, as has already been stated, but it is great
as regards thickness of coal. The area of the lower seam may be taken at
eight square miles. This is the seam with the greatest extent, as well as
the greatest thickness, and really contains the greatest portion of the
mineral wealth of the coal-field, It is the best seam too as regards
structure and chemical composition, as hereafter will be seen, and has a
mean specific gravity of 1*35. The thickness of the seam, the writer can
safely say, is, on an average, not less than 14 feet of coal, but may be
safely taken as 12 feet 6 inches. In one shaft there were 15 feet of coal
with more beneath. Eight square miles of a seam 12 feet 6 inches in
thickness and of a specific gravity of 1*35 means 105,008,040 tons.
The upper seam is only worked at Kurhurballee, and, in the absence of
workings on it elsewhere, the writer will only calculate the quantity in
this part of the field. At a specific gravity of 1*33, and assuming an
average of 72 inches, there are about 1,578,990 tons of this coal.
The Bhaddoah seam, which is the most easily and cheaply worked at present as
it lies in the hill, is a useful seam (see Plate VI.), and a tolerably good
one, as shown in the table of analyses.
The Khundiha seam (the analyses gives the composition of the top band of the
three seams shown in general sections) is probably the upper Bhaddoah seam,
and underneath it the Avriter expects to find good coal.
The specific gravity is 1*40, the average thickness is taken at 86 inches.
This means an amount of 11,793,420 tons. It may be summed up as follows :—
Tons.
Lower seam ...............105,008,040
Upper seam ............... 1,578,990
Bhaddoah seam ............... 11,793,420
118,380,450 Allowing 30 per cent, for waste, etc., etc. ...
35,514,135
There remains ............... 82,866,315
Allow for what is worked ... ...... 1,500,000
81,366,315
WITH SOME REMARKS ON INDIAN COALS. 15
The output of the coal-field is from 400,000 to 450,000 tons per annum, of
which the East Indian Railway raises 250,000 to 300,000 tons. Assuming an
output of 500,000 tons, the coal-field will have a life of 162 years.
This coal-field yields nearly half the output of India.
Many seams of what in England, with approved methods and intelligent
workmen, would be considered good workable seams, are left unnoticed. As it
is probable that these thinner seams will in the future attract attention,
the writer thinks they should be allowed for. In the Kurhurballee (general
section A., Plate I.) 21 feet only out of 36 feet of coal was worked.
Allowing that 4 feet of coal more may be won over the whole coal-field,
14,000,000 tons must be added to the above estimate, after allowing for
waste in working, etc., etc. This would prolong the life of the field
another quarter of a century.
QUALITY AND COMPOSITION OF THE COAL.
The physical structure of the coal may be thus described.
It is very laminated, in the better specimens the laminae being
inconspicuous, but in that from " Khundiha," the laminated character is very
exaggerated. It shows on examination thick laminae of bright bituminous
matter alternating with laminae of mineral charcoal and shale. The mineral
charcoal can be seen in all the coals when broken parallel to the planes of
bedding. Microscopically it appears very like wood charcoal, which in fact
it is. The writer exposed some of this mineral charcoal to heat with the
following result. It gave off a large amount of volatile matter without
caking, and burnt slowly to a fiocculent yellowish ash, like wood ashes in
appearance :—
Per Cent.
Ash......... ...... ......... 2-22
Carbon, fixed ... ... ... ... ...
... 70-58
Volatile matter and water ... ... ... ...
27'20
The bituminous layers bubbled up on heating, and burnt with a reddish ash.
The analysis gave the following :—
Per Cent.
Ash...................... 094
Fixed carbon ............... . 73-59
Volatile matter ... ... ... ... ...
... 25-47
Under the microscope the writer recognized a long flattened spore case in
the bituminous matter.
16 THE KTJRHURBALLEE COAL-FIELD,
A reference to the tables of analyses which follow will show that the layers
of shale or carbonaceous shale must be present in a large degree in the
Khundiha seam; in a less degree in the other seams, as the amount of ash in
the seams is greater than that shown by the above analyses to be contained
in the mineral charcoal and the bituminous matter.
The first table gives the commercial analyses of the different seams, i.e.,
the fixed carbon, the volatile matter, ash, sulphur, and heating power of
the coals.
TABLE I.
Specific « h Kxed Volatile Sn]nh,„. Calorific
ttPmnrlrs
Gravity. Asfl- Carbon. Matter. bmPn«r' power.
KemarKs.
.' 1-37 11-67 67-51 20-82 0"72 12-93 Ash white.
Lower Seam ¦[ 1-34 9-53 64-67 25*80 0'84 13-20 ^
Cakino. coal. ash
( 1-35 9-15 66-84 24'00 0'42 13-20 ) fa"Tn-coloured.
Upper Seam ... 133 11-96 60-46 27'59 0-52 12-50 Caking
coal; ash white.
| 1-40 13-60 61-03 25-37 0-80 12"40 Caking coal; ash
grey. Bhaddoah Seam <
( 1-40 18-08 61-45 20-46 — 12-26 Ash grey.
Average ... 1-38 1233 63-66 24-01 0-66 12-75
Khundiha ... — 2232 59-10 18-58 — 11-00 Ash
earthy.
_________,_________________________________!________________
The following table gives the ultimate composition of the seams : —
TABLE II.
Nitrogen Carbon. Hydrogen and Sulphur. Ash.
Bemarks
Oxygen.
i 74-41 4-28 8-92 072 11*67 Upper portion of
seam. 78-00 4-72 6-91 0-84 9-53 Serampore, j T
,
1 I Lower part 78-20 4-34 7-89 0-42 915
Jogitand, ) of seam*
Upper Seam ... 70-93 4-10 12-49 0"52 11-96
Kurhurhallee.
( 71-46 4-31 9-83 080 13-60 Bhaddoah
(Kurhurhallee.) Bhaddoah Seam <
{ 68-94 3-26 9"72 — 18-08 Serampore.
Khundiha ... 64-38 3*71 9"59 — 22-32
Serampore.
I_______,______________________________!__________________________,_________
__
WITH SOME REMARKS ON INDIAN COALS. 17
The most noticeable feature is the high specific gravity of the coal. The
next point is the rather large amount of ash—large, the writer means, in
comparison with English standard coals. In running down the list of analyses
it must be recollected that the lower seam forms the largest proportion of
the coal in the field, and the largest proportion of the output, and this
seam has only 9 per cent, of ash, which is not very great.
The next point is the large amount of carbon and hydrogen, and the
proportion of fixed carbon, which is coke with the ash abstracted. The
calorific power, or the pounds of water that can be converted from 212
degrees into steam by one pound of coal, is also good. They were ascertained
by Thomson's calorimeter.
In order to arrive at a correct idea of the quality of these coals, the
writer has in the following table put the lower seam, as well as the average
of the Kurhurballee seams, in comparison with Welsh and Bristol coals, and
also with the coals from the Eaniganj coal-field. The Eaniganj analyses are
the average of two good specimens, and the general average of sixteen
samples from different portions of the seams. The sulphur is not given, but
it is stated to be high :—
TABLE III.
Specific «„,, Fixed b.,i_i,„„ Volatile , ,.
Gravity. Ash' Carbon. SulPhur' Matter. Authority.
Indian— j Lower Seam 1-35 9-15 66-84 0-42 24-00 )
Kurhurballee <
C Author.
(Average ... 1-38 12*88 63-66 0-66 24 01 )
I Good specimen ... — 10"70 5L80 ! — 37'50 ) ,,
Raniganj \ i
i Mf?• Geo Survey
( Average of 16 do. — 16-27 51*08 — 82*65 ) o± India,
Vol. III. English—
Welsh coals......... 1312 3"68 82"66 T59 13-66 Official
Report on
Coal for Navy.
Bristol Lower Series (Steam) 1312 6'16 69 35 L56 24-48
Author.
Bristol Upper Series (Gas) ... 1-26 5-60 60-67 136 3373
Author.
The above table will shoAv the difference in character between the
Kurhurballee coals and the Eaniganj. The Kurhurballee coal is slightly
smaller in amount of ash, but the most noticeable difference is this— the
Kurhurballee coal contains a large amount of fixed carbon, and the Eaniganj
coal a large percentage of volatile matter. This is the difference between a
gas coal and a steam coal. For house purposes coal is not so largely needed
in India as in England. The chief value of coal is for steam purposes, and
in this respect the Kurhurballee
VOL. XXX.-1880.
C
18 THE KURHURBALLEE COAL-FIELD,
coals are decidedly superior. Some years ago experiments were made on the
East Indian Eailway to determine the relative values of the Kurhur-ballee
and Eaniganj coals for locomotive purposes, and the results were largely in
favour of the former.
When a comparison with English coals is made, the results, with the
exception of the amount of sulphur, are not so favourable. The nearest
approach to the Indian coal is in the Bristol coals of the lower series,
which are largely used for house and steam purposes. There is one seam in
the Bristol coal-field about 2 feet or 2 feet 6 inches in thickness (called
the " two feet seam"), which so much resembles the Indian coal in
composition and structure that the writer is constrained to compare them :—
Bristol. Kurhurballee. Two Feet Seam.
Ash............... 9-15 ... 9-59
Fixed carbon ......... 66-84 ... 69"89
Volatile matter ......... 24-01 ... 20-52
The analyses of the seams at Jogitand and Serampore, places widely
separated, show great similarity in structure and the colour of the ash, as
shown in Tables I. and II. At Eamnuddi, on the extreme west of the field,
the lower seam was worked some years ago, and an analysis yielded the
following results:—
/Ash ...................•• 8-80
#) Fixed carbon.................. 67'80
(Volatile matter ............... 23-40
the ash is described as being fawn-coloured. This is very similar to results
in Table I. of the lower seam.
The writer believes that picked specimens would show a smaller percentage of
ash, but the percentage of ash within reasonable limits is less a test of
the value of coal than the amount of fixed carbon. The analyses given
definitely show this fact, that the coals are good useful coals for steam
purposes in consequence of containing so much fixed carbon.
The Khundiha seam is not used, in fact it was only recently cut in sinking
for the better coal that will be met with below. Although it contains so
much ash, and would be a dull burning coal, it contains a fair amount of
carbon, and may probably be useful. It represents what in other parts of the
field is a seam of worthless shale.
The coal raised by the East Indian Eailway Company is used on the
locomotives, and on the line generally, either in the form of coke or of
large steam coal. The rubble and smithy (cobbles and nuts) are sold to other
railways and the general public.
* Memoirs Geological Survey of India, Vol. VII.
WITH SOME REMARKS ON INDIAN COALS. 19
The coal raised by the other companies is sold to railways and the public
generally.
The large quantity of small made in the extraction of the coal makes the
production of coke a most important question. The small coal, incompletely
coked in large G-erman ovens, makes an excellent fuel for locomotive
purposes. When burnt thoroughly there is so much ash, and the coke is so
hard, as to be almost incombustible. Coking in this way, i.e., leaving six
inches or a foot of unburnt coal on the top of the coke means waste, but
much less waste than when the small coal accumulates in heaps, and becomes
positively useless under the effect of rain and heat.
AGE OF THE COAL-MEASURES.
The writer was much struck on his arrival in India by the absence of the
form of fossil life he had been accustomed to see in the shales and
sandstones of the English coal-measures. The fluted sigillaria, the scarred
stigmaria, and the sculptured lepidodendron, are conspicuous by their
absence. The most familiar was a neuropteris-like fern, which is called
neuropteridium.
The writer regrets that his rapid retreat before the climate of India
compelled him to leave specimens of fossils behind, but that loss is fully
made up by the memoir of Dr. Feistmantel, which is invaluable to all
interested in the flora of the coal-field.
After an examination of the flora, Dr. Feistmantel writes—" I thought that
on the whole I could not be wrong in considering these beds of the lowest
triassic age." From his memoir the writer quotes the following species:—
Eqttisetacea ... Schizoneura Gondwanensis.
Sch. Meriani.
Vertebraria Indica. Filices ... ... Sphenopteris
polymorpha.
Neuropteridium valida.
Gangamopteris cyclopteroides.
G. Buiradica.
G. major.
G. angustifolia.
Glossopteris communis.
G. Damudica.
G. decipiens. Cycadacea ... Glossozamites Stoliczkanus.
Noegerrathiopsis Hislopi. CoNlEEBiE...... Europhyllum Whittianum (?)
Voltzia heterophylla.
Albertia, etc.
20 THE KURHURBALLEE COAL-FIELD,
With a few remarks on the method of working, and on the labour obtainable in
the coal-field, the writer will close the paper.
The system adopted is a kind of board and pillar, such a system as probably
obtained in England in the infancy of mining engineering. The pillars vary
from 10 feet to 40 feet square, galleries being usually 12 feet wide. This
system has one advantage, that of giving a large output in a short time ;
but there are so many and obvious disadvantages (the greatest being the
waste of coal) that nothing can be said in favour of the system. The
workings formerly passed from the crop towards the dip, a shaft being sunk
just in time to witness the exhaustion of the rise coal, and to see the
difficulties of dip drainage from every face or gallery below the level of
the pump. A great improvement has taken place of late, thanks to machinery
and management, and the result is highly satisfactory.
The small pillars have been successfully extracted in the hill workings. The
chocks used are old railway sleepers, as wood is extremely scarce and dear.
Much of the timber is lost, and occasionally some coal; but accidents to the
men are rare. A face of four or five pillars is taken out at a time, chocks
being put between those pillars that have to come out, and a row of chocks
between those pillars and the next row of pillars.
The sketch above represents the method. The chocks are 4 feet square. The
pillars are worked off from the galleries towards the goaf, props being put
up under bad stones. A special set of men, called propping coolies, with a
sirdar, or foreman, examine the roof, and look after the men. The chocks are
taken out, and the roof allowed to fall. If the roof hangs after several
rows of pillars are gone, the work is suspended, and the place vigilantly
watched, no man being allowed to approach the open. The cracking of the
roof is the sign for cessation of
WITH SOME REMARKS ON INDIAN COALS. 21
work; and the men withdraw until it is safely down. The men, who at first
were difficult to get into pillar workings, take to it kindly, as they can
cut much more coal than in the solid, and get the same hewing prices. This
pillar working is in a seam from 6 to 8 feet thick; and it is this thickness
that makes it possible. The covering is from 20 to 50 feet of rock.
The tools used by the men who work in pairs are long crowbars, or " sabels,"
and picks. The men that use sabels strike alternately. The coal is
hand-picked into the baskets, and carried to the surface, or to the coal
tubs, which are on the English pattern, and in the better arranged mines run
on 1 foot 9 inch gauge tramways. The mines are in nearly all cases connected
with the surface by inclines, as the men prefer walking down to their work.
The native labour, which is controlled and directed by European officers,
comprises Hindoos, Mussulmans, and quasi-aboriginal tribes.
The higher caste Hindoos (Brahmins, Eajpoots, Kyasths) take responsible
positions as clerks, accountants, native overmen, store-keepers, surveyors,
and draughtsmen, or any position that will not degrade them or their caste.
The better class of Mussulmans fill the same positions. They speak English
fluently, if not correctly, and are a thoroughly useful class of men.
The miners are recruited from Hindoos and Mussulmans of the lower type. The
Hindoos comprise the Gopas, or cow-herds; Sunris, or distillers ; Beldars,
or labourers ; Kahars, bearers, or domestic servants. The
Lohars—blacksmiths, and Barhi—carpenters, find work in their respective
trades.
The bulk of the miners consist of aborigines that have adopted a bastard
kind of Hindooism. The Bauris—labourers, from lower Bengal, who have been
attracted by high wages into the district, make some of the best of miners,
but are at the same time the most difficult to manage.
The Doms—basket-makers, and general scavengers, form a large proportion of
the labour. The Bhuiyas—labourers, also form a portion of the miners.
The Kols and Santhals are aboriginal tribes, with a different language and
different religion to the rest of the miners. They make excellent miners,
and are tractable men.
The lower orders of the Mussulmans, as the Meahs, make a large proportion of
the miners.
The men live in ranges of brick huts built by the companies, or in mud huts
made and thatched by themselves. The miners that visit the
22 THE KTJRHURBALLEE COAL-FIELD,
collieries in the hot season make huts of poles, the walls being the leaves
and leafy branches of trees interlaced.
Men, women, and children work in the mines in India. The strong and sturdy
men hew the coal, the women, the decrepit, and children carry it away in
baskets on the head either to the surface or to the tubs or trams which are
" putted " away by dusky putter lads or women. The payment for hewing, which
includes a certain amount of carrying, is made per basket or " balti," four
of which go to the ton.
The price varies from eight pice or two annas to twelve pice or three annas
per bucket. This means eight annas (Is.) to twelve annas (Is. 6d.) per ton
for large coal. A uniform price of three pice per bucket or three annas per
ton is made for small coal, which is afterwards hand-sorted into steam
rubble, rubble, and smithy. All that goes through a one-inch mesh is called
smithy. This is paid for at a uniform rate of one pice per maund (82 lbs.)
This means about 6*8 annas (10"2d.) per ton.
When the coal is teamed from the pit trams it is loaded at one anna per ton
into the coal trucks. This is done by men, women, and children too.
It will be seen that the miners wages are high, higher than ordinary labour,
which may be put at two annas, or threepence a day.
Men paid by the day receive from two to four annas (3d. to 6d.), women get a
half-anna per day less for the same work, and so do children.
In shallow pits the coal is raised in iron buckets by a " gin " worked by
women. In a pit 100 teet deep about twenty women are required, five at each
arm. They receive one-and-a-half annas daily. The " Sirdar " or foreman gets
three annas.
The miners are paid weekly on Sunday mornings, and go away to the Bazaar
which has been established in the coal-field by the East Indian Railway
Company for the benefit of the miners, to lay in their stocks of rice, curry
powders, etc., for the ensuing week. Monday sees but few of them at work,
and Tuesday not many more; but Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday as well as
Saturday are good working days. The miners are then in full swing
anticipating the next pay. Some idea may be formed of the size and use of
the Bazaar, to which merchants and hucksters (as we may term the men with
their handful of merchandise) flock from miles around with articles of food,
dress and jewelry (of brass and lead) when it is stated that from £500 to
£1,000 pass hands in a single day.
The holidays are numerous and religiously respected, a day of laziness being
followed by a night of carousing and noise. The tom-toms and their chants
make night truly hideous.
WITH SOME REMARKS ON INDIAN COALS. 23
The men are not perfectly weaned from their ordinary caste pursuits. The
hold on them is not great, and any discontent is followed by migration. They
pick up their beds, or rather the wives do, collect the cooking utensils,
gird up their loins, and depart.
Labour has been attracted to settle in the immediate vicinity by allotment
of land at nominal rents on the understanding that when cultivation is over,
they shall work in the mines.
Some men, as the Sunris, or Soories, come from a distance, say 40 or 50
miles, stay during the hot season, and return, when they can follow their
own avocations, to their own homes.
The rainy season no sooner commences than the labour decreases. Men, women,
and children, go away to cultivate their own plots, or the plots of those to
whom they are indebted, and the output drops. From the beginning of July
until November the cultivation, and then the religious festivals, keep the
output low. From November till June following the most of the coal is
raised. Cheap rice makes labour scarce, as a native will not work if he has
enough to eat without it. Scarcity fills the mines to overflowing. Still the
general state is " want of labour." It will probably take many years to
train up a set of miners, who will follow nothing else but mining as a
profession.
The lamps used by the natives are bits of earthenware, on which a little oil
is poured and a wick laid, the end of which is lighted. There is no
firedamp. Ventilation is natural and easy from the number of shafts. It is
only in the deeper ones that arrangements are made for producing and
directing the air currents.
Machinery is being largely introduced. The engines are of second motion
type, either fixed or semi-portable. The largest pair is a pair of 18-inch
cylinders, by Fowler. This firm has supplied iron pit-head frames, and these
with wire-rope guides, signals, etc., have begun to give the coalfield quite
an English appearance.
The writer trusts that the paper will have been interesting and brief, at
both of which he has aimed. The amount of material at hand was very
great—the difficulty was to condense it. The condition of Indian miners,
their customs, religions, and character, would fill a large book of itself!,
and be thoroughly interesting. He trusts that the members of the Institute,
who now occupy positions in the Indian coal-fields of Baniganj and
Nerbuddha, coal-fields much larger and earlier developed than the one
described, may be prevailed on to give an account of the districts in which
they have laboured with success.
24 THE KURHUKBALLEE COAL-FIELD.
The writer has to express his obligations to Mr. Ernest Cook, B.Sc., of the
Bristol Mining School, for his assistance in the analyses of these coals,
and to Mr. Albert Henshaw for his assistance in getting the plans ready.
Mr. John Cooke asked Dr. Saise whether the rice was not discoloured when it
came in the return coal waggons ?
Dr. Saise, in reply, said the waggons were swept out before the rice and
other material were put into them.
Mr. T. W. Benson said, he had great pleasure in proposing a vote of thanks
to Dr. Saise for his very interesting paper. It appeared that even in the
remote district treated of, the working of collieries was not altogether
free from the difficulties complained of in this neighbourhood. He had
listened to the paper with much interest, and regretted that the attendance
of members was not larger. No doubt that was owing to a very great number of
the members being away from home at this period, and also to the fact that
one or two other gatherings of a similar nature were being held
simultaneously in the district.
Mr. John Cooke seconded the vote of thanks, which was carried unanimously.
LUMINOUS PAINT.
At the invitation of Professor Freire-Marreco, the members proceeded to the
Laboratory of the College of Physical Science and wTere there shown a
specimen of the new Luminous Paint, the Professor explaining the same and
the various uses to which it could be applied.
The meeting then terminated.
PROCEEDINGS. 25
PROCEEDINGS.
GENERAL MEETING, SATURDAY, OCTOBER 2nd, 1880, IN THE WOOD MEMORIAL HALL.
G. C. GREENWELL, Esq., Peesident, in the Chaib.
The Secretary read the minutes of the last meeting and reported the
proceedings of the Council.
The following gentlemen were elected members, having been previously
nominated :—
Oedinaey Membee— Mr. W. Geoege Laws, Civil Engineer, Newcastle-on-Tyne.
Associate Membee— Mr. Thomas Aenobd, Mineral Surveyor, Louchor,
Glamorganshire.
Students— Mr. Abthub P. Galwet, Towneley and Stella Collieries,
Ryton-on-Tyne. Mr. Heney A. Pbingle, Lofthouse Mines, Saltburn-by-the-Sea.
Mr. Henet Temple Stobaet, North Bitchburn Colliery, Darlington. Mr. Thomas
Heslop, North Bitchburn Colliery, Darlington.
The following were nominated for election at the next meeting :—
Oedinaey Membee— Mr. Richaed Beoja, Mining Engineer, Dortmund.
Associate Membee— Mr. W. A. Chabbton, Manager, Tangye Bros., 25, Lincoln
Street, Gateshead-on-Tyne.
Student— Mr. Chaeies Chandley, Atherton Collieries, near Manchester.
The Secretary read the following paper on " The Hematite Deposits of West
Cumberland," by Mr. J. D. Kendall.
VOL. XXX —1880.
I)
HEMATITE DEPOSITS OP WEST CUMBERLAND. 27
HEMATITE DEPOSITS OF WEST CUMBERLAND. (SUPPLEMENTARY PAPER.)
By J. D. KENDALL.
In the writer's paper on this subject, published in Vol. XXVIII., page 109,
of the Institute Transactions, a number of reasons were given for
considering the deposits in the Eskdale granite, the Skiddaw slates, and the
volcanic lavas and ashes of Borrowdale, as having been formed by a process
of replacement.
In the discussion which took place afterwards, and which was recorded in the
same volume of the Transactions, page 219, a doubt was entertained by some
of the speakers as to the possibility of such a replacement as was
suggested, and an attempt was consequently made by the writer in replying to
show the modus operandi of the process he suggested. At that time no
evidence was adduced in support of the indirect or double replacement
process which it was contended had produced the deposits of hematite in the
siliceous and aluminous rocks before mentioned, for the simple reason that
none had been observed. Since then, however, the writer has met with
evidence which he considers to be of great interest, and which at the same
time he believes is wholly in favour of his explanation.
The evidence spoken of is to be met with in Eskdale, on the south side of
the valley opposite Boot. The granite and volcanic lavas and ashes are there
in horizontal contact, and they are both traversed by several veins of
hematite, bearing nearly north and south. These veins are similar to those
previously described, and have, like them, the same direction and " hade" as
the principal joints of the rocks in which they occur. Parallel to these
hematite veins there are several veins of a mineral that was shown to the
writer as spathic iron, but which he soon discovered to be nothing more than
a carbonate of lime and magnesia. The form and inner nature of these veins
are exactly similar to those of the hematite veins previously described.
Near the centre of them the limey matter is comparatively free from
mechanical admixture, but, like the hematite, it becomes mixed with country
rock as the " cheeks" are approached, no matter whether those cheeks be
granite, or lavas and ashes.
28 HEMATITE DEPOSITS OF WEST CUMBERLAND.
Below is a section of part of one of these veins in the latter rocks, taken
near the cheek to show how the limey matter there becomes mixed with the
country rock. This, it will be remembered, is also a feature of hematite
veins.
The writer would also call attention to the parallelism of the joints and
the different parts of the limey deposit as shown in this section. The same
thing holds good when the vein is taken as a whole, a fact which it will be
remembered was pointed out by the writer as being presented by all hematite
veins. Indeed, were hematite substituted for the carbonate of lime and
magnesia, these veins would be indistinguishable from the veins of hematite
that are to be seen now in their immediate neighbourhood. The writer would
submit, therefore, that the same salt of iron which, he contends, acted on
the carboniferous limestone to produce the hematite deposits in that
formation, has only to be brought into contact with the limey veins in the
granite and the volcanic lavas and ashes of Eskdale, to form, in those
rocks, veins of hematite similar to those now found therein. That such was
the way in which hematite veins were formed in siliceous and aluminous rocks
generally, is rendered highly probable by the fact, that in these limey
veins, enclosed veins of hematite are sometimes found holding such relation
to the limey matter as to leave no doubt whatever that the latter preceded
the former.
Below is an analysis of some ore taken from the Nabgill vein. The large
percentage of lime in it is very curious, but it strongly supports the
statements made by the writer in replying to the criticisms on his paper:—
DISCUSSION—HEMATITE DEPOSITS OP WEST CUMBERLAND. 29
Per cent.
Ferric oxide .................. 27'43
Manganous oxide ... ... ... ... ...
"03
Alumina ... ... ... ... ...
... 6'10
Lime ..................... 23-18
Magnesia ... ... ... ... ...
... 9'04
Phosphoric acid ... ... ... ... ...
-04
Sulphur..................... -02
* Insoluble siliceous matter ... ... ... ...
2-15
Carbonic acid and water ... ... ... ...
32'00
99-99
Metallic iron.................. 19-20
* Consisting of Silica .. .. .. 1'84
Alumina .... "31
215
Professor Leboue said, he wished to take that opportunity of making a few
remarks upon Mr. Kendall's paper as to the origin of Hematite, because on
the occasion of Mr. Kendall's reading the original paper, he (Professor L.)
happened to come in after the paper was read and at the end of the
discussion. Now that he had read the paper carefully, he found Mr. Kendall's
theory consisted in this—that he supposes that a solution of perchloride of
iron, coming in contact either with limestone, granite, slate, or lava,
instantly alters the rock into a precipitate of red peroxide of iron. How
this singular proceeding takes place in exactly the same way, whatever be
the composition of the rock acted on by the solution, was so
incomprehensible that one could scarcely credit that this was really Mr.
Kendall's theory. But an hour before the meeting he looked up Mr. Kendall's
paper, and that gentleman himself said so in so many words. He said that if
a piece of chalk be put in a solution of perchloride of iron, the chalk is
instantly attacked, and a red precipitate of peroxide of iron was obtained;
and he said that that is exactly what happens when the same salt of iron is
placed in contact with slate or with granite; and when it came in connexion
with the lavas of the lake district. He admired Mr. Kendall's paper
extremely; so far as the description of the deposits is concerned, it was
one of the best papers they had ever had; and the descriptions and careful
drawings of the veins and the pockets, and of the odd-shaped repositories in
which the hematite is found were beyond all praise; but the theory Avhich
Mr. Kendall bases upon them was opposed, he thought, to every geological
experience at any rate, and he would like some chemist to give his opinion
on it from a chemical point of view. But from the
30 DISCUSSION—HEMATITE DEPOSITS OF WEST CUMBERLAND.
geological point of view, he thought that every geologist would agree with
him in saying that how the hematite, which is found in the North of England
filling up vacancies in the rocks of a certain age, was deposited, was, at
present, unknown, but that probably it was not according to Mr. Kendall's
theory. Old caverns were found in the limestone filled up with hematite.
Faults and fissures in rocks which were not of limestone, such as slate and
lavas and granite, and so on, were also filled up with hematite; and these
he thought could not possibly have been so filled up according to Mr.
Kendall's theory. In the very drawing which Mr. Kendall gave as
supporting his theory, there were a number of facts which militated against
it. In the woodcut, page 28, there was delineated a vein of calcite and
carbonate of magnesia, which he looked upon as representing what a hematite
vein was before the introduction of the hematite ; there was a simple
representation of a typical vein of any sort of ore, and those lumps of
country rock in the middle of the vein were simply the horses of the country
rock, such as were found in almost every vein ; and when these horses were
found they did not always occur, as Mr. Kendall seemed to assume, as
boulders tumbled at hazard in the vein, but often as portions of country
rock in situ. There was a great deal of mischief sometimes done by a
single transverse section; in that illustrating Mr. Kendall's present
remarks it is not known that the apparent boulders are really detached
boulders ; it is not known whether they may not diverge in a plane at right
angles to the diagram; it is not known whether if they were followed in that
direction they would not be found joining the country rock and forming part
of it. He hoped that on the whole they would reject Mr. Kendall's
conclusions, and accept, with very many thanks, his facts, which he believed
were all perfectly correct and of the greatest possible value.
The President said, it seemed to him that in trying to account for a thing,
people sometimes put themselves in greater difficulties than before. If they
accounted for the deposition of hematite from a perchloride of iron, they
must ask in the first instance where the perchloride of iron came from, and
in fact, where were the perchlorides, or muriates, or whatever they might
happen to be, which would be formed during the time of the deposit of the
hematite from perchloride of iron. He fancied that these were much more
difficult questions to answer than the simple question as to where the
hematite came from. Did that not occur to Professor Lebour ?
Professor Lebour said he quite agreed with the remarks of the President.
The Secretary then read the following paper :—
lightning in the pit at tanfield moor colliery. 31
LIGHTNING IN THE PIT AT TANFIELD MOOR COLLIERY.
It having come to the notice of several members of the Institute that
lightning had been stated to have entered Tanfield Moor Colliery on Monday,
July 12th, 1880, and traversed the workings in several directions, Mr.
William Joicey kindly gave them permission to examine the witnesses of the
occurrence and the workings of the colliery so that a complete and accurate
report could be drawn up of the circumstance; and, on the 30th July, 1880,
Mr. C. Berkley, Mr. J. B. Simpson, Mr. W. H. Hedley, and the Secretary went
out to the colliery and were met by Mr. W. Joicey, one of the owners, Mr.
Pringle the viewer, and Mr. Arkless the resident viewer; and the following
statement is a record of the information then obtained:—
The top of the working shaft at this Colliery is 36 fathoms from, the Shield
Row Seam, and Plate VIII. shows the arrangements at the bottom of the shaft;
Fig. 1, Plate IX., shows the plan of the workings; and Fig. 2 shows a
section through the north incline way and the south engine way; both plates
show the position of the different witnesses at the time of the appearance
of the lightning ; and Plate X. shows the position of the pipes, ropes, and
signal wires in the shaft. It will be seen by these plans that the Incline
Bank leads northwards from the working shaft and ultimately reaches the day
by a drift at X, and a little to the south of this is an upcast shaft. The
Engine way leads south from the working shaft, and goes in-bye to the goaf
at Y. It will be remarked that between this goaf and the working shaft there
are two down-cast shafts, one of which is to the south of the furthest
witness at this part of the pit. From what can be gathered, the lightning
passed down the working shaft and struck the flat-sheets and then divided
itself into two parts, one of which went north up the Incline way and
probably passed out to the day at X, where it is supposed to have left
traces of its exit in marks upon a bank of rubbish near by. The other part
went south, along the Engine way, but after passing the point B, where it
was noticed, its further course is not known; the thill of the seam is
composed of soft sagger and the roof of strong post, both of which would
offer great obstruction to the absorption of the
32 LIGHTNING IN THE PIT AT TANFIELD MOOE COLLIERY.
electric fluid, and the probability is, that this portion of the fluid had
been dissipated in the goaf, or had forced an exit by way of the down-cast
shaft, No. 2.
The following evidence was taken :—
Joseph Kirtley, back overman, said, that on Monday, the 12th July, about 3
o'clock p.m., he was on the north side of the shaft, about six yards from
it. A light, distinct but not very bright, fell and struck the
flat-sheets, and split up into several lights like a lot of lighted matches.
He could only see the light for a moment among the tub wheels. It struck
the puller-out William Watson, who said, " Man, something struck me on the
arm ;" he complained that his arm was numb. The onsetter, James Offord;
H. McGie and Wilfred Eeay, drivers; and John Burdis, who minds the drags,
also saw it. Watson told Kirtley afterwards that when he got home his
left arm from the wrist to the elbow was quite yellow. Kirtley said, "
That's lightning;" and the onsetter said the same. A heavy peal of
thunder was heard very distinctly almost at the same moment. No injury
was done either in the shaft or on the road where the lightning was said to
have passed. He could liken it to nothing better than a box of matches all
struck at once.
James Offord, onsetter, said that on Monday, the 12th of July, about a
quarter or half-past three, he was at the shaft bottom on the north side.
He had just sent the west cage away and had his back to the pit, perhaps two
or three yards from it, taking hold of a tub to be ready to set it on in the
next cage, when he heard a crack like the report of a small pistol, and saw
a light close to his feet. He was on the north side of the pit. William
Watson was standing on the opposite side of the pit, and saw the fire strike
the flat-sheets and make its way towards the North Incline. He also felt
another part go past him to the south. He heard a heavy peal of thunder
almost immediately on the light being seen; did not recollect ever hearing
such a heavy peal; he never noticed lightning come down the pit before.
The slides in the pit are all of wood. There are two sets of steam pipes;
they come from bank under the heap-stead and down the pit, and go into the
south side just over the head of the puller-out.
William Watson, 24 years of age, puller-out at bottom of pit, said that on
Monday, a fortnight past, he was standing with his left hand on the empty
tub that he had pulled out. He saw a flash of light come down and heard a
noise like a gun; he would be two and a half yards from the pit. It
struck on the plate, or flat-sheet, to the north of the
LIGHTNING IN THE PIT AT TANFIELD MOOR COLLIERY. 88
side he was standing on. He felt something strike him on the arm, and saw
the light divide when it struck. His arm was numbed for a time after, which
made him think that part went past him. He had the numbness all the
afternoon; he felt something go all over him. When he went home and got
washed, his arm was yellow from the wrist to the elbow. His sister, Ann
Watson, who is about 21 years of age, saw the arm was yellow, but no one
else. He had no pain in it afterwards. He heard a heavy peal of thunder
immediately after the light fell. The light, when it struck, seemed very
bright, but he did not notice it brighten up the place to any distance.
The evidence of the five following witnesses relates to the portion of
electric fluid which was observed to go up the North Incline :—
Thomas Crisp said, he was a deputy, and on the afternoon of July 12th, the
Monday previous to the Risca explosion (which occurred on Thursday, July
15th), he was on the north side of the pit, about 20 or 30 yards from the
top of the Incline bank, in company with John Greener. (C, Plate IX.) They
wrere bringing down a tram used for carrying timber when the electric fluid
passed. Greener had his hand on the tram but he had not. He (Crisp) saw
something like a lot of fire flying, and he thought the tram had cut the
joint. It was like as though a person had trodden upon matches and they had
gone off*. Greener saw it as well as he. They then thought there had been a
fall upon the rails, but as they proceeded down the bank no fall was to be
seen. The fire came right up to the inclined plane; it seemed a little
larger than the light of a candle, and came close by the tram where he was
standing. To the best of his judgment it came along the metals.
John Greener said, that when going dowm the Incline with Crisp, and having
hold of the tram, he saw a light on the rail about twenty yards off, about
the size of a candle, flickering, not steady. It appeared to travel along
the rail, and as it passed the tram it made a noise like the crack of a
pistol, which he thought proceeded from matches or something on the way that
was cracking. He saw it first fifty or sixty yards before it came to where
he was standing. They were not far from a guiding-wheel which changed the
direction of the rope, and there were men working at the wheel both east and
west in a new place recently commenced. He had no idea that it was lightning
as it flashed past; they had never seen such an appearance before.
In answer to some remarks from the visitors it was elicited that the rails
were fished; that it was not noticed if the lightning came down
VOL. XXX.-1880,
SJ
34 LIGHTNING IN THE PIT AT TANFIELD MOOR COLLIERY.
the rails or the rope; that it was a self-acting incline; it was a
flickering unsteady light that Greener saw which was past in a second; there
was a noise as it came to the tram as of a pistol or gun shot; it was not
very loud, and a similar noise was heard as it left the tram ; the metallic
contact might have been broken by a fish plate being off. Crisp said that he
did not think of its being lightning, but supposed that matches had been
dropped which crackled as they went off.
Nicholson Watson said, he was going up the Incline bank and met Crisp and
Greener, his feet were on the rail, and he saw a light go close past them,
which seemed to numb them for a short time ; as it passed it was like the
spark and noise from the cap of a pistol when exploded. There was a wheel
near and two men hewing close to it; he went to the men, who said they had
heard a great noise, which they thought had been caused by the electric
light being tried at bank. Two hewers at the bank-head, William Athey and
John Brown, told him they had heard a report going off like a gun, and he
remarked to them, " They are trying the electric lights from bank," but he
did not think of its being lightning till he got to the shaft.
John Hagan, a putter, said, he saw lightning come along the plates. (D,
Plate IX.) It caught him as it passed, giving him a sort of queer feeling in
the legs; it made a sharp cracking noise in the plates, like a gun ; it
passed him as he was going down with his pony. He had seen matches put on
the rails to be exploded by the trams passing over them— and the appearance
was like that caused by the trams going over the matches. He thought it was
lightning at first, before any one had time to tell him, because of the
feeling about his legs. Where he was standing the rails were about 4 feet
long, not fished, and with a good space between them.
Thomas Spring said, he was a hewer on the north side, and was working about
fifty yards from the bank-head. (D, Plate IX.) He heard the noise and went a
few steps back from where he was working. He asked the lad, John Hagan, what
it was, and he replied it was lightning. He thought it was a fall of stone
at the bank-head, and to be sure that there was no one hurt he went out to
see.
The statements of the four following witnesses relate to the portion on the
south side of the shaft.
George Crisp said, he was a siding minder, and was about fifty yards from
the shaft. (A, Plate IX.) He heard a cracking noise, and saw a bright light
and flash of fire against the big binding sheave (two feet
LIGHTNING IN THE PIT AT TANFIELD MOOR COLLIERY. 35
diameter) like five or six matches going off at once. All the tubs near at
hand were at rest at the time. He had seen matches placed on the rail and
exploded by the trams passing over them, but the light and noise could not
be explained in this way now, because there were no tubs running by at the
time.
Matthew Hardy, said, he was an engine flatter, and worked close to the
shaft; was about 100 yards along the shaft siding when he saw a light like a
spark from a lamp, and there was a noise like a match being struck by a tub
passing over it. It was a custom in the pit to place matches on the rails at
intervals of a yard or two apart, like fog signals on a way. The light
appeared to be close to him on the rope, which was running, but he did not
notice the direction in which the light passed.
George Nicholson, rolleywayman, said, he was at the outbye side of the
junction, 700 yards south of the shaft. (B, Plate IX.) He saw no light, but
heard a report as if a man had struck a plate a sharp blow with a hammer,
although it could not have been that, as there was nobody about but himself
and Miller.
John Pyle said, he was the set-rider on the south side. (B, Plate IX.) He
was about 700 yards from the shaft, near the junction, changing the ropes,
and was just going to the siding when he heard a noise like somebody
striking a match, or louder than that, but he saw nothing.
The gentlemen who have conducted this inquiry do not deem it necessary to
make any comment upon the evidence, but simply to remark that they have
every reason to believe that the facts recorded by the several witnesses are
in every way to be relied upon, and that the information thus obtained forms
a valuable record of the occurrence, and places beyond doubt the possibility
of lightning penetrating into the workings of collieries. All further
observations, which can only be based on conjecture, it is considered had
better be made during the discussion after the communication has been read,
which it is hoped will be taken up by some of the members of the Institute
who have made electricity their special study.
The President said, this was an inquiry of very great interest. It was not
entirely a new one, because suggestions had been made long since as to the
possibility of lightning producing explosions. The question came before a
Select Committee of the House of Commons on
36 LIGHTNING IN THE PIT AT TANEIELD MOOR COLLIERY.
Accidents in Mines, on the 26th of June, 1835, when evidence was taken upon
the point. Mr. George Stephenson, in answers 1705 to 1733, gave his views at
great length, and doubted the possibility of gas exploding underground by
lightning. Mr. J. Buddie was then examined in answers 2191 to 2211, and
said, amongst other evidence; that "the LawsonMain Pit was exploded by the
lightning. The pit was upwards of 70 fathoms deep, and was not particularly
fiery. The explosion took place at or above the surface. I happened to be
near the pit during the thunderstorm. A flash of lightning exploded the gas,
and a very heavy explosion immediately ensued. I cannot state the interval
between the flash and the gas being perceived to be ignited, but I
understood it to be instantaneous. I know a fact, recorded by my father, of
the engine pump having acted as a conductor and carried the electric fluid
to the bottom of the pit; but I do not know it of my own knowledge. My
father saw it." The meeting would be exceedingly glad if any gentleman would
be kind enough to favour them with any opinion on the matter, or with any
facts which had come before them.
Mr. A. L. Steavenson said, he remembered hearing about ten years ago of a
circumstance of a similar kind. It was told to him that the boys at the
siding about a mile in-bye at the Page Bank Pit had seen lightning running
along the rails at the time a heavy thunderstorm raged on the surface ; but
it seemed so entirely unlikely that he took very little notice of it at the
time and made no inquiry. When he saw the notice of the Committee's report
upon the agenda paper, however, the circumstance immediately recurred to
him, and he would take the opportunity of trying to get some evidence on the
subject. The difficulty which occurred to his mind at the time was, that the
lightning should run along the rails and do no harm.
Mr. May said, he had had a little experience connected with the action of
the electric fluid underground, which might be interesting to the members.
In this particular case, at Tanfield, it was stated that the lightning went
down the pit and went along the rails or along the rope; but the difficulty
was to know what became of it. At Boldon Colliery they fitted up some
electric bells about a mile from the shaft, and the electricity could not be
got rid of after it had been used for the working of the bells, the bells
themselves ceasing to work in consequence. Ultimately they tried to get rid
of it by fastening one of the wires to the rails and thus endeavour to take
the electricity out-bye again, but to no purpose, until it was discovered
that about 200 yards of the way was not fished ; and it was this break in
the rails which prevented the bells working. As soon
LIGHTNING IN THE PIT AT TANFIELD MOOR COLLTERY. 37
as a small piece of wire was attached on the 200 yards to couple up the
lengths that were not fished, the bells went to work at once. Seeing the
difficulty of getting rid of the small quantity of electricity required for
the bells, he was led to ask how the much larger quantity that went down the
Tanfield pit was got rid of. At Harton Colliery, during the late severe
storms, the lightning struck some wires which were used for connecting the
electric bells at the bottom of the pit with the engine house at the
surface, and it passed along into the engine house and fused all the small
wires upon a telephone, and so passed to the earth. The lightning did not go
down the pit at all, as the resistance through the telephone on the surface
in the engine house was very much lighter than that which it would have
encountered in having to go down the pit.
Professor Herschel said, the question which seemed to be a very important
one was, what became of the lightning when it entered a pit ? And it was in
a great measure answered by the very excellent paper which they had heard
read, and which he thought contained more abundant information on a
particular point of a very interesting character than he had met with for
some time, or had ever been able to fall in with. The paper showed quite
clearly what was the nature of the occurrence which took place in the
passage of the fluid and certainly described a clear case of lightning
stroke. It had been a matter of deliberation with him for a long time
wdiether accidents of this kind, where injuries wrere done to instruments,
might be produced without the actual stroke of the lightning, by what was
called the return stroke. A flash of lightning which took place in the
clouds never reached the earth at all. There was a great relief, not only of
the strain on the clouds themselves, but of that on the earth which had
sympathised with it; and the rush of the fluid which streamed through the
earth might be of such magnitude as to do these injuries. If the water pipes
and gas pipes of a town were connected together, by telegraph wire for
example, the largeness of the area covered by the water pipes, and that
covered by the gas pipes, might be very different; and under the attractions
of electricity in the clouds, there might be an electricity of one kind
accumulated in the large area of the water pipes, and of the other kind
accumulated by influence, or induction, on the area of the gas pipes. When
the relief takes place in the clouds these two electricities unite
themselves on the earth, and the passage through the telegraph circuits
which used these earths might be severe and injurious. He had often
questioned whether there might be sufficient strength in these return
strokes, as they are called, to do these injuries. He doubted it
now ; and this history which they
38 LIGHTNING IN THE PIT AT TANEIELD MOOR COLLIERY.
had heard especially convinced him that the accidents which occur are really
strokes of lightning—of electricities coming from the clouds to the earth.
Then the question arose, where does the electricity go to ? And the fact
just described by Mr. May that the bells would not work at the bottom of a
pit because no good earth could be found there, was a fact which he could
confirm by experience. He had had to put up bells in this house, and had
taken the earth wire to almost every accessible piece of metal-work in the
building, and finally even to the lead and gutters of the roof, without
being able to find earth sufficient to work the bells, until he tried the
water pipes, and in joining the wire up to the water pipes it found good
earth. Laboratory electricity, however, differs altogether from lightning
electricity; not, as was supposed by Mr. May, in the quantity of the fluid
which had to be got rid of, for the difference was just the opposite. In the
laboratory there was a great quantity of electricity to be got rid of, but
it was of very low tension, and it would not overcome resistance. A passage
to the earth that was unsuitable for a bell was quite suitable for a
lightning stroke ; and the lightning would spring from wires to the earth,
and make its escape where laboratory electricity could not follow. The
quantity of lightning electricity was very small; but coupled with its high
tension where it passes, it does a work far exceeding what a current of less
stress would do, and it would melt the wires which it was able to traverse
on account of its intensity or strength; it melted thin wires of great
resistance, like those of telephone coils.
In a case like this, where a real stroke of lightning had, he believed, come
down the steam pipe, and thus descended the shaft to a certain depth, it
found there rails spread over a large surface of earth. This probably was a
very dry pit, and it might very reasonably be asked how the electricity
found its way from these rails ? It would not do any harm in passing along
the rail, but in jumping across from one to the other, the flash and the
heat produced there would be dangerous to a colliery by the risk of firing
explosive gases. If a safe earth for the lightning at the bottom of the pit
could be insured, there would be no injury from it underground. The facts
which were learnt in the present case were, that the lightning on reaching
the bottom of the steam pipe, not having any chance of escaping into a sump
full of water as might have been the case had the pipe gone to the bottom of
the shaft, sprang down to the plates, and from the plates to the rails, and
found its way along the tram roads. The pit must have been very dry, for the
lightning did not escape to the earth as readily as lightning from a
lightning conductor is supposed to do; but having entered the rails,
LIGHTNING IN THE PIT AT TANPIELD MOOR COLLIERY. 39
spread along them, seeking the earth at every foot or yard it ran in that
way; and the fact, for instance, that at 700 yards from the shaft the sound
was heard and no light seen, showed that the lightning had diminished in
power by the time it arrived there; it had partly escaped into the earth.
400 and 500 yards from the shaft there was still much left; but he thought
it would be found from the workmen's accounts, who were in the inclined way,
that they spoke of considerably less light and less noise appearing between
the breaks of the rails than the setter-on and the pusher-out at the bottom
of the shaft mentioned, where the character of the flash as it fell upon the
plates was like that of a gun, and the lightning struck with a light upon
the plates which alarmed them all. There could be no doubt that the
lightning did make a great flash just there, and passed on into the rails,
and there it diminished its strength as it reached to greater distances. All
that was perfectly in harmony with what would be understood from lightning
leaking out of the rails as fast as it could all along the earth-way. The
rails afforded a tolerable earth for the lightning. He thought it was of
importance, however, to learn in such cases what took place above ground.
There was a thunderstorm, and a thunderclap was heard at the same time. It
would be well to know whether on every such occurrence as this it could be
ascertained that a lightning flash was seen at the top of the pit. If this
proved to have been the case, pits were in need of lightning conductors as
much and more than ordinary buildings ; just as a powder magazine should be
protected by a good lightning conductor, so also should be a pit; and the
nature of that lightning conductor should, he thought, occupy the attention
of mining engineers and students, and of those who are acquainted with
electrical science, and particularly of electrical engineers, of whom he
hoped there might be some present who would give some information on the
subject. The narrative which they had just heard, showed that rails,
extensive as they were, and far as they might lead away lightning, are yet
scarcely a better earth than short steam pipes, and that although the rails
laid down in a pit do conduce to carrying away electricity, they yet retain
the flash for long distances. On the other hand, this flash might probably
be avoided by pointed conductors on the surface, which was the only way in
which a lightning flash would ever be effectually prevented.
He had thought it might interest the members of the Institute to show them
an instrument which he brought from Paris the other day; it was intended to
serve as an electric light for the dark places in the pit. It was a
gas-vacuum tube, through which a discharge of elec-
40 LIGHTNING IN THE PIT AT TANFIELD MOOR COLLIERY.
tricity passing produces a useful light. He would not wish to work by it,
and as the sellers of the instrument said to him, he thought it was an
instrument for amateurs, and not for practical use ; because there was
danger of the electrical spark passing between unprotected portions of the
wires connected with the instrument. The instrument, therefore, was one of a
dangerous nature ; and he thought it should be borne in mind in reference to
the use of electricity underground, and especially in very fiery pits, that
there was always risk of a spark becoming sufficiently strong in the case of
breakages of the circuit to have dangerous effects. The experience of George
Stephenson on the subject, viz., that electricity seldom fires gas, and is
probably not dangerous on that account, had no doubt a great deal of weight,
and he (the Professor) thought it might be true that, as ordinary electric
sparks have not nearly the body which a candle flame has, such small
electrical sparks as are likely to occur in the bell circuits which are now
frequently being put up would not be of any serious risk. But should it come
to a question of using electricity for mechanical working underground, he
thought the risk of inflammation occurring from the use of the electrical
current might be a very serious one. In the examples which the members had
had brought before them to-day, the discharges had been of a very much more
violent character, and he would like to know how far the experience of
telegraph engineers, on their lines where the instruments are sometimes
destroyed even where lightning guards are used, led them to think that the
destruction was likewise produced by the lightning stroke itself, and
whether pointed conductors would avoid the occurrence of this damage ?
The President asked, how the steam pipes going down this shaft were
supported ?
Mr. Pringle—They were supported by wood. (See Plate X.) Professor Herschel
said, he had not before thought of the circumstance, but the lightning in
this case made its way along C and D, Plate IX., to the open mouth of a
drift, and from what had been described it may have passed out of the drift.
On that the suggestion was made by Mr. Punning that the lightning tried to
make its way out to the air again. It would, of course, naturally have been
expected that it would try to make its way to the earth. But he thought it
quite possible that the explanation suggested was true, and that in this
case the lightning tried to make its way through the earth by another flash
having taken place—one down the pit and one down the drift—the two flashes
seeking to join each other through the best conductor they could find, which
was along the waggonway.
LIGHTNING IN THE PIT AT TANFIELD MOOR COLLIERY. 41
Not enough is known as to where lightning goes after it has struck a
conductor, and as to what earths are needed to get rid of it; that was a
point upon which the experience of telegraph engineers was wanted. It might
be that rails were very poor means for the discharge of the electricity, and
that the thill or floor of the seam was often so dry as to be a retentive
material, or very bad conductor, as seems in this instance to have been the
case. It might, therefore, be a question for the miner to inquire what sort
of earth he ought to provide for his lightning conductor, which should be
adopted at every pit.
Mr. D. P. Morison said, a very curious case occurred near Acomb, Hexham,
about six or seven years ago, in an old pit which had been totally disused
for two years. It had been sunk, he believed, originally for a lead mine,
but they found a small seam of coal; and they had worked a little coal out
of that pit and then tried for lead afterwards. When the pit was closed, the
wire-rope guides and the ropes were left in the shaft, and two years after
the pit had been closed up^n a thunderstorm on a Sunday afternoon, the pit
blew up. The cages were sent out of the shaft along with the ropes and other
debris. Now, there was no chance whatever of there being any naked light
down below, or near the top, which was railed off. The pit was altogether in
private grounds; and, according to the account of a man who was walking in a
field near the pit, the flash of lightning and the blowing up of the cage
were simultaneous.
Professor Herschel said, he had not heard of the case, but should think
there would be many such, and that the ironwork which was laid and left down
a pit might afford an excellent earth for the lightning and prove a great
attraction for it; and he should think that rails carefully fished over a
large area might be the best earth which could possibly be used for
providing lightning conductors with.
Mr. A. L. Steavenson thought it natural to suppose that the lightning would
strike the pulleys, which are the most prominent object at the pit head, and
then run down the rope into the pit, much more likely than to follow the
steam pipes.
The President said, there was only this objection to that supposition, and
that was, if the lightning did strike the pulleys, instead of going down the
shaft it would go down to the engine house and get relief there. Professor
Herschel—Except for the attraction of the rails underground.
The President—Yes; but it would take the shortest way where there was less
difficulty in passing to the earth, which would be through the means of the
engine house to the earth rather than going down the shaft to the earth.
VOL. XXX.-1^80.
F
42 LIGHTNING IN THE PIT AT TANFIELD MOOR COLLIERY.
Professor Hebschel—The earth alone is not a good recipient.
Mr. Morison said, he would like to ask Professor Herschel whether lightning
could light up gas underground unless it was in a thoroughly explosive
condition ?
Professor Herschel said, it would have to be highly inflammable. In the
laboratory they found that electricity did not succeed in exploding mixtures
which were only approximately inflammable. Sparks from lightning would be
more intense than sparks given off in small experiments, and on that account
they would very probably be more dangerous.
A Member said it had been mentioned that the Risca explosion occurred at
about the same time, and there was a good deal of speculation as to whether
that explosion was caused by electricity. As all life underground was
destroyed, there was no evidence to show what did happen there; but the
workings were very dry and dusty, and the result of the inquiry was, that
the explosion had occurred in-bye, and that there had been an accumulation
of gas, but them was no evidence to show how that gas had
been exploded.
Mr Ryder said, it had been mentioned that there were some traces o± the
lightning flash upon X at the daylight drift, Plate IX.; he would like to
know of what character these traces were, and whether there was any
damage done ?
Mr J. B. Simpson said, with respect to this question, there was no definite
evidence as to its having gone out there. Some of the witnesses said there
was a mark on the side of the drift which might have been caused by the
lightning, but the Committee had no other evidence.
The President said, he would like to know whether any of the foreign
engineers had made any statement as to their experience, or whether any
member had any knowledge of anything having appeared in the Transactions of
any of the Foreign Societies upon the subject ?
Mr. Morison said that both in Belgium and Germany, as a rule, they had
lightning conductors on the top of the pulleys.
Mr. Simpson asked whether that might not be to save the surface buildings,
and not to prevent the lightning going down the shaft ? The surface
buildings in Belgium were very large.
Mr. Morison said, the conductors might not be put up to prevent the
lightning going down the shaft, but would still have that effect.
Mr. Bunning said, he had noticed that the use of lightning conductors abroad
was very much more general than in England.
Mr. Morison—It is very much more general.
Mr May said, that at Harton Colliery, where they had two or three chimneys,
and very high houses round about, they had them protected
LIGHTNING IN THE PIT AT TANFIELD MOOR COLLIERY. 43
by lightning conductors ; yet still the electric fluid struck the wires
which are only about 10 or 12 feet from the ground.
The President said, the matter had now been very fairly discussed, and he
hoped it would receive the attention of those gentlemen who were more
conversant with electrical matters than many of the members, and that they
Avould endeavour to let it be known whether there was any possibility of an
accident happening from an explosion of gas by lightning passing
underground, and if so, whether the danger could be met by finding earth, as
Professor Herschel had put it, without the lightning going in-bye. Perhaps
this subject might receive consideration, and the members would be very glad
to hear of it if any gentleman arrived at any satisfactory proposition.
The Secretary said that an electric signal apparatus for use at pits was now
being exhibited at Messrs. Mills and Co.'s, Forth Banks, and those gentlemen
would be very happy to exhibit it to any member of the Institute who liked
to go round and see it at the close of the meeting.
The President moved a vote of thanks to the Committee of Investigation for
the most interesting paper they had given, and also to Mr. Kendall for his
paper.
Mr. Steavenson had great pleasure in seconding the motion.
The votes of thanks were then carried by acclamation, and the meeting
terminated.
Since the discussion took place the Secretary has received the following
communication from Mr. Heaviside, the Superintendent Engineer, Post Office,
Telegraph Department, Newcastle-upon-Tyne :—
1, Grafton Road, Whites y, Newcastle-on-Tyne,
2,0th December 1880. T. W. Bunning, Esq.
Dear Sie,—Mr. Ryder has been good enough to favour me with a perusal of the
accompanying proofs, and 1 beg leave to offer the following observations
thereon:—
I have read the evidence and there can be no doubt that the pulleys, the
steam pipe, and the signal wire were struck by lightning; and owing to the
imperfect fishing of the rails, the charge, whilst in the act of dissipating
itself over the various conductors which carried it to earth, experienced so
much resistance in its course that heat and sparks were caused, accompanied
by slight reports as described by the witnesses. I have no knowledge of the
pit in question, but it almost follows that it must be a dry one, and also
that the surface must have been dry at the time of the lightning discharge,
otherwise the phenomenon would have taken place much more quietly.
Remarking upon Mr. May's observations. It is a law that all circuits must be
complete within themselves for a current to flow, hence if the bells would
not rine:
44 LIGHTNING IN THE PIT AT TANFIELD MOOR COLLIERY.
there must have been a break in the circuit, and Mr. May points out where
the break was; namely, in the earth connection; for as soon as that was made
good by connecting the 200 yards of unfished rails, the bells worked all
right. Hence in the Harton pit also, if the earth connections at each end of
the wire were perfectly made, there was no path, or a path of such very high
resistance, owing to the dryness of the pit, that but a fraction of the
current took the course intended for it, and that fraction was insufficient
to work the bells. The whole question of the safety of the pit from being
struck by lightning appears to depend upon the nature of the earth
connections made on the surface. Now, with ordinary telegraph instruments,
it is a well-known fact that where the earth is riddled with shafts and
underground workings, or is artificially raised, as at the Ballast Hill at
North Shields, a good earth connection is not obtainable. I can mention
three cases in particular: Throckley, West Stanley, and the Ballast Hill at
North Shields. At Throckley the "ABC" was fitted with a switch, so that each
side of the line coiild be used independently of the other, but when the
switch was turned to say line A, it was found that line B was also getting
the message intended for A, what happened was this, owing to the imperfect
earth connection, the current had three paths open to it, the one to line A,
the other to the earth, and the last to line B, the current dividing
inversely as the resistances of the three paths, probably the greater
portion going by line A, and smaller portions by the earth and line B; this
difficulty was got over by taking care to make the earth connection of large
surface.
At West Stanley the wire was frequently being reported faulty and this was
finally traced to a defective earth at West Stanley.
At the Ballast Hill, North Shields, the earth wire had to be carried down
into the River Tyne, otherwise there was danger of failure of the Time G-un.
Mr. Steavenson's remarks as to the lightning probably striking the pulleys
is a most pertinent one, and though the lightning would take every path open
to it, the pulleys being so prominent and the rope continuous, that path
would probably have the largest share of the charge to dispose of.
With regard to the chimneys at Harton being protected with lightning
conductors and yet the telegraph wires 10 or 12 feet from the ground being
struck by lightning, this is probably explained by the fact that the wires
in question extend over a large surface of country, and no matter where
struck the charge would be felt at Harton.
The practical point is how to prevent lightning discharges entering pits,
and being a source of danger, the extent of which is not -well understood:
obviously, to protect the mouth of the shaft efficiently, lightning
conductors should be fixed to all lofty chimneys and buildings in the
neighbourhood, the various points upon a building being connected to the
main conductor, and this conductor must be continuous and make good earth.
To effect the latter, should the surface and pit be dry, it must be taken to
some point, no matter how distant, where a good earth can be obtained, and
nothing is better than the bed of a stream or the water mains.
At most collieries I have observed a reservoir of water, and in many cases a
stream of some volume due to pumping operations, and in those cases there
can be no difficulty.
Then there is one other point, the conductor or conductors must be tested
from time to time so that it may be ascertained that they are intact and
making good earth.
I have not specially studied the subject of lightning conductors, but it is
a pleasure to ¦comment upon so interesting a topic.—I am, yours truly,
A. W. HEAVIS1DE.
VISIT TO THE WHITBURN NEW WINNING. 45
VISIT TO THE WHITBURN NEW WINNING, NEAR SUNDERLAND.
On October 15th, the members of the Institute paid a visit to the new
winning of the Whitburn Coal Company at Whitburn, for the purpose of
witnessing the process of sinking by the Kind-Chaudron process, which had
been adopted by the Company in order to carry the necessary shafts for
working the coal through the water-bearing strata. This process was fully
described in a paper by Mr. Warington Smyth, which was read before the
members of the Institute, at a general meeting of the members in the Wood
Memorial Hall, on the 6th of May, 1871; and will be found fully reported in
the Proceedings of the Institute, Yol. XX., page 187. The process itself,
however, had not previously been in operation in the North of England, the
only other instance of its use in this country having been at Cannock Chase,
in Staffordshire, where also, as at Whitburn, it had been adopted in order
to overcome the difficulty of an enormous influx of water into the shaft,
which rendered all the ordinary means of sinking unavailable at such a
depth. A very large number of members of the Institute, including the
President (G. C. Greenwell, Esq.) and several members of the Council,
availed themselves of the opportunity thus afforded of seeing the process in
operation, the majority of them leaving Newcastle by the 12'35 p.m. train
for South Shields, where they arrived at a quarter past one. A train of
carriages belonging to the Whitburn Coal Company waited at Westoe Bridge for
the arrival of the visitors, and conveyed them along the Company's private
line to the pit at Marsden.
The Whitburn Coal Company having obtained their royalty, commenced
operations about five or six years ago; but the quantity of water
encountered became so enormous that the sinking operations in the ordinary
way had to be suspended. The quantity of water pumped at the time the
ordinary methods of sinking were discontinued amounted to nearly 12,000
gallons a minute. In each pit water was met with at a depth of 110 feet, and
the enormous difficulties then began. By means of incessant pumping upon a
prodigious scale, a further depth of 36 feet was sunk; and then the
excessive cost and the slow progress of the work
46 VISIT TO THE WHITBURN NEW WINNING.
decided the proprietors to discontinue the means which had up to that time
been employed, and to resort to the Kind-Chaudron process, the use of which
had been in successful operation in the North of France and Belgium. In the
first shaft a preliminary pit, 6 feet in diameter, was sunk to a depth of
422 feet, and then the shaft was sunk to the same depth at its fall diameter
of 14-6 feet. Upon the completion of the first shaft to below the
water-bearing strata, a second shaft, which is necessary in order to comply
with the requirements of the Legislature, was begun. This second shaft is
being put down, and is now sunk to a depth of 274 feet 7 inches, of which
the lower part, or 1G4 feet 8 inches, has been sunk by the Kind-Chaudron
process. At the time when the members of the Institute visited the pit one
shaft had been completed to below the waterbearing strata, and the second
was in course of sinking, and far advanced towards successful completion. In
the first shaft the average rate of advance by the small bore was 2 feet 8
inches per day of 24 hours, and by the large bore 1 foot 1 inches. In the
second shaft the rate of advance with the small bore was 1 foot 8 inches,
and with the large bore it has been up to this time 1 foot 6 inches. The
diameter of the small bore in the second shaft is 6 feet 7 inches, and of
the large bore 15 feet 5 inches. The weight of the small trepan is 11 tons,
and of the large trepan 20 tons. The miller contains 12 feet in depth, and
12 tons in weight of debris from the large bore.
When the visitors arrived the large trepan was in full operation. It was
afterwards stopped, the " balancier" and " trepan" were withdrawn, and the
engineers then commenced to lower the rods with which to withdraw the
"cuiller suspendm" containing the debris. The rods were then attached to the
" cuiller suspendm," which was withdrawn and the contents tipped into a
trough. They consisted of very small pieces of limestone, the largest
weighing only a few ounces, and these larger pieces being very few in
number. It was expected that the second shaft would be completed by the end
of the present year to below the water-bearing strata.
The debris, although from the limestone rocks, is of no commercial value;
but the Company have a number of limestone quarries which they are working
for commercial purposes. Samples of the different stones, the produce of the
quarries, were exhibited at the pit; and consisted of broken limestone for
chemical works and for road metal; of screened chips for carriage drives and
for garden walks; of unslacked shells; of slacked lime; and of limestone for
building purposes. The Company have also erected large limekilns.
PROCEEDINGS. 47
PROCEEDINGS.
GENERAL MEETING, SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 6th, 1880, IN THE WOOD
MEMORIAL HALL.
G. C. GREENWELL, Esq., President, in the Chair.
The Secretary read the minutes of the last meeting, and reported the
proceedings of the Council.
The following gentlemen were elected members:—
Ordinary Member— Mr. Richard Broja, Mining Engineer, Dortmund.
Associate Member— Mr. W. A. Charlton, Manager, Tangye Bros., 25, Lincoln
Street, Gateshead-on-Tyne.
Student— Mr. Charles Chandley, Atherton Collieries, near Manchester.
The following were nominated for election at the next meeting:— Associate
Member— Mr. John Morison, Newbattle Collieries, Dalkeith.
Students— Mr. Septimus Heslop, Urpeth, Chester-le-Street. Mr. Frederick J.
Ferens, 220, Gilesgate, Durham. Mr. Henry G. Pringle, Tanfield Lea Colliery,
Co. Durham.
Mr. Henry Eichardson read a " Description of a Sinking Set fitted with New
Windbore Protector and Suction Eegulator:"—
DESCRIPTION OP A SINKING SET. 49
DESCRIPTION OP A SINKING SET FITTED WITH NEW WINDBORE PROTECTOR AND
SUCTION REGULATOR.
Communicated by HENRY RICHARDSON.
When a larger quantity of water is met with in a sinking shaft than can be
drawn by a tub, the next means used is generally that of pumping it out, and
the first thing to be observed in connection with this is to make in the
bottom of the shaft what is generally termed a " sump," or, in other words,
a portion of the shaft bottom is sunk down lower than the other, thus
forming a kind of dish into which the water collects, and which is always
allowed to be the deepest part.
Fig. 1, Plate XI., represents the shaft section, and shows the general
arrangement of a hanging pumping-set used for the purpose of keeping the
bottom clear of water and allowing the sinking to be proceeded with, the
general method of conducting operations being as follows :—
The lowest casting No. 1, termed the windbore, consists of a pipe flanged at
one end and closed and V pointed at the other ; about half its length is
made larger in diameter than the other half, and is perforated with a number
of small holes, into which the water enters when the pump is working. In
consequence of the large number of holes in the windbore it often happens
that two or three rows of holes are above the level of the water and
therefore exposed to the atmosphere; such being the case, and supposing the
pump to be started, the atmosphere would enter these holes, and the whole
operation would consist in pumping air instead of water. In order to
overcome this difficulty the holes above the water line have to be closed
with wooden plugs driven tightly in, to prevent the air from entering.
The next part is the clack piece (No. 2, Fig. 1), bolted to the flange end
of the windbore. Internally it contains the clack C, admission to which is
obtained by means of a door bolted on as shown, and secured by strong
wrought iron cross bars ; on its external surface two large projections are
cast D E, one on each side, with a hole in each, in order to receive the
wrought iron ends of the " ground spears" 0 S.
No. 3, Fig. 1, is the working barrel within which the bucket works.
VOL. XXX.—1830.
^
50 DESCRIPTION OF A SINKING SET,
No. 4 is named the " bucket-door piece," in which a similar door to that on
the clack-piece gives access to the bucket.
No. 5 shows the ordinary pumps used above the foregoing pieces, and
continued upwards until the surface or any other delivery for the water is
reached.
The " ground spears" referred to, come down each side of the pumps, and are
fixed to the clack piece 2 by means of cotters through the wrought iron ends
bolted to them. The top ends are connected to the pulley blocks and ropes
used for raising or lowering the whole set as occasion may require. The
pumps are also secured to these spears by means of wrought iron clamps
similar to that marked H H, Figs. 1 and 4. The wood framing marked B T is
called a " collaring," its use being to steady the pumps and spears, and
keep them in a vertical position ; it likewise prevents the movement which
would ensue from the vibrating motion imparted to the pumps by the action of
the spears inside.
Fig. 2 shows an enlarged sectional elevation of the Windbore itself, and
also of the Windbore Protector and Suction Regulator.
Fig. 8 is a plan and transverse section of the same.
Fig. 4 is a plan of the clamps and pulleys marked H H, Fig. 1.
The "Windbore Protector and Suction Regulator is cast in halves, faced and
jointed with ^g-th sheet India-rubber, flanged and bolted, as shown, a
little larger in internal diameter than the external diameter of the
enlarged part of windbore. The top is flanged inwards a little in order to
protect the neck ring from injury. The method of securing an air joint at
the top of the Regulator is exceedingly simple, consisting only of a
circular India-rubber ring Y placed in a small concave recess formed on the
neck of the Windbore, in order to keep the axis of the ring perfectly
horizontal and rolling on its outer surface.
The method of raising or lowering the Regulator is shown more clearly on
shaft section ; two chains, one on each side, are connected to the top bolt
by means of a shackle, and passing up through the weights R R, Fig. 1, over
the pulleys H H, and down again to the centre of the weights to which they
are then connected. The chains thus serve two purposes, namely, to connect
the weights, and thus balance the Regulator, and also to act as guides by
passing up through them. From the bottom of the weights, chains B B pass
downwards within reach of the sinkers, who can keep the Protector at any
required height by simply connecting the loose chain to those suspending it
by an S.
The particular action of the Regulator and its advantages will perhaps be
best understood by stating the disadvantages of the present method and then
the remedy proposed.
DESCRIPTION OP A SINKING- SET. 51
Having previously stated that the holes in the Windbore, which in a general
way are above the water level, have to be " plugged," it follows that should
the set settle down into any soft stratum, which might be exposed by the
action of a shot when the sinkers are out of the shaft bottom, and the
bottom holes become imbedded, the set becomes wiredrawn, and it is possible
that so large a quantity of wTater may be given off as to prevent the men
returning to remove the plugs, which would necessitate lifting the whole set
and all its appliances, and cause serious delay. By using the Protector the
plugs are entirely dispensed with, and the difficulty arising from the set
settling down is overcome. The necessity for lifting the whole set is done
away with, and the fact of the water being so high that the men cannot get
into the bottom is rendered of no importance to the proper performance of
the pumping apparatus.
By referring again to Fig. 1 the Regulator is shown in position, and its
action may be explained as follows :—The set is supposed in the first
instance to be resting on hard strata at X ; the Regulator is supposed to
be in its normal position, with its bottom covered by water, and two rows
of holes in the Windbore exposed. W and Z are two shots supposed to have
been just fired, and having broken up the strata X, have entered the softer
strata Y, thus removing the pump foundation or support. Immediately,
therefore, the pumps begin to settle down into the softer stone, the
Regulator is brought into action, and inasmuch as it is still above in the
strata X, and its bottom of a larger area than the Windbore, it is only
reasonable to suppose, instead of going down along with the Windbore, it
will be caught by some of the broken fragments of rock, and thus arrested
in its downward movement. Supposing this to be so, the chains begin to
slacken, and the pumps still continuing to move downwards, the previously
covered holes are exposed to the water; and even should those at the very
bottom be choked by their being imbedded in the soft strata at Y, the pump
is kept going, and when the sinkers return to the bottom they can regulate
the descent of the Regulator as they may require by simply removing the
loose pieces of rock supporting it, until it resumes its original position.
The advantages to be derived from the use of the Protector are obvious:
1.—It protects the Windbore from the blows caused by the detonation of the
shots, and is not likely to be damaged itself by any blows because of the
entire absence of any weak or working parts. 2.—It renders plugging of
windbore holes unnecessary, and wThen called into action such action is
automatic, and the time of the sinkers is economised.
52 DESCRIPTION OF A SINKING SET.
3.—The absence of working parts and the consequent reduction of wear and
tear.
4.—The travel of the ring being only half the surface exposed, its action is
reduced to a minimum. *The joint is always tight, and is unaffected by any
blow from shots.
5.—It cannot be rendered inactive by corrosion.
6.—The ease with which it can be fixed either to new or to present working
sets by being cast in halves.
7.—Its comparatively small cost.
The President said, that when the paper was published along with the
drawings the members would have a better opportunity of obtaining all the
information they needed, and it would therefore be advisable to delay any
remarks.
Mr. Richardson said, he had recently been engaged in sinking, and had
experienced the very trouble he had described. He had not yet adopted the
improvement, but should he do so, he would communicate to the members the
result of the application.
The President moved, and Mr. E. F. Boyd seconded, a vote of thanks to Mr.
Richardson for his communication.
The Secretary then read the following paper " On the Gypsum of Nova Scotia,"
by Mr. Edwin Gilpin :—
THE GYPHUM OF NOVA SCOTIA. 53
THE GYPSUM OF NOVA SCOTIA. By EDWIN GILPIN, A.M., F.G.S., Inspector of
Mines.
The writer ventures to lay before the Institute the following remarks on the
gypsum found in the Maritime Provinces of Canada, gathered from his own
notes as well as from the experience of others.
The beds of this mineral attain in these provinces, the Acadia of the early
writers, dimensions which arrest the attention of the geologist and
traveller. It contributes an important item to the little list of mineral
exports, and with its associated limestones and marls, gives to large
districts of Nova Scotia a fertility seldom surpassed in the northern part
of the temperate zone.
Rising- in cliffs from fifty to one hundred and fifty feet in height, it
looks down on the mud-laden tides of the Bay of Fundy, and the blue waters
of the Gulf of St. Lawrence, or forms a striking feature on the beautiful
Bras d'Or Lake, a little inland sea, " running away into lovely bays and
lagoons, leaving slender tongues of land and picturesque islands, and
bringing into the recesses of the land the flavour of salt and the fishes
and molluscs of the briny sea."
The traveller meets it surrounded by dense growths of spruce and hemlock
shadowing some quiet pond in the woods, or standing like some ruined castle
of marble on the side of a fertile river valley.
AGE OE THE GYPSUM.
So far as the writer is aware, the gypsum deposits of Nova Scotia are the
largest and most extensive in the world, and the only ones occurring in
measures of the Carboniferous age.
Dr. Dawson in his classical work on "Acadian Geology" has separated the
Carboniferous of the Maritime Provinces into five divisions:—
1.—The upper, or Permo-Carboniferous Coal-Measures, not holding beds of
workable coal.
2.—The true or productive Coal-Measures.
3.—The Millstone Grit.
4.—The marine limestone or gypsiferous formation.
5.—The lower, or false Coal-Measures, holding many characteristic coal
fossils, but destitute of workable beds.
54 THE GYPSUM OP NOVA SCOTIA.
In Nova Scotia the gypsum and associated strata were long considered of
Permian age from their resemblance to these rocks in other countries and
their somewhat obscure relations to the succeeding measures ; and it was
only by a careful study of sections, and a comparison of fossils that the
labours of Sir Charles Lyell, Dr. Dawson, and Mr. R. Brown, relegated them
to their true position as forming part of the Carboniferous marine
formation. Their stratigraphical position is now undoubted, and Davidson
affirmed the fossils, especially the brachiopods, to be in many cases
identical with tb,ose of the Mountain Limestone of England. De Koninck
stated " that the fauna completely recalled that of the Carboniferous
limestone of Vise in Belgium."
Yet, as Dr. Dawson remarks, it is true that the rocks themselves, the
limestones, the red sandstones, the marls, and the gypsums, have much the
aspect of Permian strata,, and the fossils, although Carboniferous, have,
especially in the upper beds, many forms common to the Carboniferous and
Permian, suggesting that there may have been here what M. Barrande would
have styled a " colony" of Permian forms in the Carboniferous age.
This formation in the Lower Provinces is made up of red and grey sandstones,
arenaceous and argillaceous shales, conglomerates, limestones, gypsums, and
marls; the various members predominating in different districts.
The formation extends in an irregular form from the Tobique river, in New
Brunswick, through the northern and eastern parts of Nova Scotia to the
Sydney coal-field of Cape Breton. The gypsiferous deposits of Newfoundland
and the Magdalen Islands also belong to the same series of rocks, and are
isolated patches of the northern and eastern edges of the great mass of
Lower Carboniferous sediment which stretches under Prince Edward's Island
and great part of the gulf of St. Lawrence, over an area of not less than
100,000 square miles.
ASSOCIATED STRATA.
The following section, measured by the writer, in Pictou county, shows in a
general manner the succession of these strata:—
Ft. In. Red fissile shales ... ... ... ...
... ... ... 15 O
Compact bluish limestone ... ... ... ... ...
... 46
Gray marl, with nodules of limestone ... ... ...
... 214
Gray laminated sandstone ... ... ... ...
... 60
Gypsum, with a few layers of arenaceous matter ... ... ...
173
Brown marl, with veinlets and crystals of gypsum ...... 30
6
Arenaceous limestone, fossiliferous ... ... ... ...
... 3 10
Gypsum ......... \.............. 8 0
Calcareous, fissile sandstones ...... ... ...
... ... 11 5
THE GYPSUM OP NOVA SCOTIA. 55
They follow no regular order, but it is frequently observed that the gypsum
rests in the beds of marl, in other cases it rests on beds of dark
limestone, alternating with beds of gypsum and anhydrite.
The limestones and shales are characterised chiefly by numerous brachiopods,
especially Productus cora, Athyris subtilita, and Terebratula sufflata, with
other marine invertebrates.*
The limestones present every shade of composition, varying from arenaceous
and argillaceous to the almost chemically pure mineral, according to the
varied modes and conditions of its deposition. The thickness of the beds
varies from 6 inches to 50 feet; the greatest continuous section being about
300 feet. These limestones are very free from magnesia as a general rule.
Out of twenty limestones from this formation in Pictou county, that the
writer has analysed, but two contained notable percentages of this mineral,
viz., 10 and 10"5 per cent, as carbonate of magnesia, the average percentage
being 2'5. Dr. How, of King's College, Windsor, mentioned finding
considerable traces of magnesia in a gypsum deposit of that locality, and in
one instance a large percentage in a limestone contiguous to gypsum, but
other limestones in this district are very free from magnesia. The writer
finds no mention of magnesian limestones occurring in any other Nova Scotia
district, except a memorandum, perhaps not altogether reliable, of a bed one
foot thick met in a chisel borehole made in Antigonish county some years
ago. Three limestones associated with gypsum, near Mabou, in Cape Breton,
gave but traces of magnesia on qualitative examination. Two limestones,
however, presented by Mr. Fletcher, of the Canadian Geological Survey, from
the vicinity of the gypsum beds of Judique, Cape Breton, gave 15 and 21 per
cent, of magnesia carbonate. In other parts of the island, according to Mr.
Fletcher, the limestones are non-magnesian.
The marls are, so far as the writer has had opportunities of observing them,
made up of a siliceous or argillaceous base with limestone, gypsum,
bituminous and carbonaceous matter in various proportions. They are
frequently penetrated by veins and nodules of gypsum and limestone and in
some cases hold the fossils characterising the formation.
The sandstones are of the usual gray and reddish colours, generally much
broken by slaty cleavage. The conglomerates are composed largely of the
older rocks, and in some cases hold pebbles of the preceding beds of the
same formation. In many places they show marks of metamorphism, and
occasionally are united by ferruginous cements, which, through weathering,
have formed deposits of bog ore.
* Dawson's "Acadian Geology."
56 THE GYPSUM OF NOVA SCOTIA.
THICKNESS OF THE LOWER CARBONIFEROUS MARINE LIMESTONES.
The thickness of this formation varies in the different districts. In
Cumberland county, Sir W. Logan estimated the thickness of the upper part at
1,658 feet; adding the lower members, there would be a total thickness of
about 2,500 feet.
In Pictou county no complete sections have been measured, and the passage to
the Millstone Grit is obscure ; the writer is inclined, however, to consider
it as somewhat greater than in Cumberland county, and ventures to
approximate it at 3,000 feet.
In the Eastern parts of Cape Breton the officers of the Geological Survey,
have, as the result of a careful and systematic survey, been enabled to
estimate its thickness at 4,637 feet. In these dimensions they have included
the great beds of conglomerate lying at the base of the formation, part of
which may belong to, or be an equivalent of, Dr. Dawson's lowest or fifth
division.
In Western Newfoundland, Mr. A. Murray, the chief of the Geological Survey
of that Island, estimates the thickness of the Lower Carboniferous marine
formation at .2,150 feet, not including 1,300 feet of coarse conglomerate,
corresponding to that found at the same horizon in Eastern Cape Breton.
HORIZON OF THE GYPSUM.
The gypsum occurs in this great volume of measures, so far as is at present
known, at no fixed horizon. In the vicinity of Hillsboro, in New Brunswick,
Mr. G. Matthews states that the gypsum occurs with regularly stratified
bituminous limestones and marls directly overlaid by the Millstone Grit. In
this district, he marks the occurrence of a series of limestones lower down
in the measures, which do not appear to be gypsiferous. In Cumberland county
it occurs about the middle of the series,. In Pictou county it is found in
the lower part of the formation, and frequently only a few yards from the
Silurian strata, but does not form as prominent a feature as in many other
districts.
The researches of Mr. Fletcher in Cape Breton have shown that in Sydney
Harbour, it occurs a few feet below the Millstone Grit, and that on
Boularderie Island, the base of the Boisdale and St. Anne's Hills, it
occupies the same position, being "overlaid almost immediately by the gray
sandstones of the Millstone Grit, containing characteristic fossils." About
the Strait of Canso and near Baddeck, it occurs low down in the
Carboniferous Limestone.
THE GYPSUM OF NOVA SCOTIA. 57
On the western shore of Cape Breton, at Mabou and Broad Cove it is found
quite close to the coal beds, but this is evidently caused by faulting, and
affords no key to its proper position in the limestone formation. A similar
association occurs in the sections of the Little River coal-field of
Richmond county.
In Newfoundland, Mr. Murray (Report of Progress, 1873, p. 15), places the
leading exposures of gypsum in the lower part of the limestone formation,
division B, and states that they are underlaid by over 1,000 feet of
conglomerates corresponding to those already mentioned as occurring at the
base of the Sydney Carboniferous. The associated strata are similar to those
found in Cape Breton; the limestones being in many cases crowded with
characteristic fossils. At a higher horizon, a short interval below measures
which represent the Millstone Grit of Cape Breton, Mr. Murray found smaller
deposits of gypsum associated with magnesian limestones, marls, and
calcareous or dolomitic sandstones.
VARIETIES OF THE GYPSUM.
The gypsum in this great series of deposits presents every variety of colour
and state of aggregation, and a corresponding difference in its composition.
On the Tobique river, in New Brunswick, it may be characterised as an impure
earthy gypsum of a red and greenish colour seamed with layers of pure white
and crystalline gypsum, and holding nodules of limestone in the red coloured
portions.
At Hillsboro it forms generally a pure white snowy alabaster; other portions
are cream-coloured, or with a shade of blue, and are translucent. At the
works of the Albert Manufacturing Company there is a quarry face composed of
the last-mentioned varieties, 400 feet long and from 25 to 75 feet high.
Selenite, though met in veins and small crystals, is rare. The anhydrite
occurs here in beds underlying the gypsum, and is of unknown dimensions.
At Sussex, New Brunswick, selenite occurs as single and grouped crystals
containing symmetrically disseminated sand, and the process of formation
seems to be still going on.
In the Windsor district, three ranges of gypsum are worked, the most
northerly of which runs in an almost unbroken line to Maitland, 30 miles
distant. From the quarry in the town of Windsor, considerably over a million
of tons have been extracted, and the deposit shows no signs of exhaustion.
Here the gypsum is white and blue with large quantities of selenite ; in
some quarries small beds of limestone and anhydrite are found in the gypsum.
At some points in the district large deposits of
VOL. XXX.—3880.
H
58 THE GYPSUM OF NOVA SCOTIA.
transparent selenite are found in the quarries, and on several occasions
cargoes of it have been shipped for special purposes.
On the Shubenacadie river the gypsum occurs in beds 10 to 15 feet in
thickness, generally with anhydrite at the base, and in some cases dark
laminated limestones holding Conularia, Terebratula, etc.
In Pictou county the gypsum is white and red, holding much anhydrite. Like
some of the Bras d'Or gypsum it is associated with deposits of spathic ore.
In a paper read before the Halifax Institute of Natural Science, in March,
1879, on the "Marine limestones of Pictou county," the writer has noticed
this point more fully.
In Antigonish a noted exposure consists of a beautiful white alabaster, 100
feet thick, with veins of fine-grained gypsum, and anhydrite and crystals of
calcspar.
At Plaster Cove, where an exposure is met, 80 feet thick, the mass is for
the greater part an intimate mixture of gypsum and anhydrite in varying
proportions. In some parts of the bed rounded grains of limestone are found.
On the Bras d'Or Lake it is essentially white, but tinted and spotted with
red, blue, green, and other shades. The stratification of the gypsum is
frequently undistinguishable from weathering, but in many cases it appears
as a regular bed forming many thick and shaly layers in which crystals of
selenite are frequently found, of a dark colour, scattered through the mass
so as to give it a porphyroid appearance, or arranged in rude star-shaped
forms. In some cases wedges of sandstone are found penetrating it, and
layers of earthy matter, especially on the planes of bedding.
Mr. Fox, collector of customs in the Magdalen Islands, has kindly furnished
the writer with much information relating to the gypsum of that locality. It
appears to underlie large areas at several points, especially on Grindstone
and Amherst Islands. The gypsum is white, red, and variegated, associated
with the usual marls and limestones, and presents the same faces as that of
the mainland.
The gypsum also occurs of varying degrees of hardness, from a crumbling mass
to blocks which can be carved for indoor ornamentation. The gypsum is also
found fibrous and granular in red and white colours, a striped gypsum, and
occasionally as Hack gypsum. The following analysis of the latter is by Dr.
How of Windsor :—
Gypsum ........................ 80-45
Anhydrite ........................ 2"84
Bituminous matter ... ... ... ... ...
... ... 1*53
Sand and clay ... ... ... ... ...
... ... 7*94
Carbonate of lime and magnesia, with alumina and protoxide of iron
7'23
99-99
THE GYPSUM OF NOVA SCOTIA. 59
The anhydrite occurs in fibrous, lamellar, granular, and impalpable masses
of irregular form, and as orthorhombic crystals.
The following analyses show generally the composition of the gypsum and
anhydrite found in these provinces, the state of aggregation being due
rather to the forces and modes of its deposition than to any decided change
in composition by mixture of foreign bodies :—
Gypsum. S03 CaO H20 Si02 A1203
Fe203
Granular white ... 4416 33'83 21-00 Fibrous „
... 45-51 32-10 29-96 3'21
Compact „ ... 45-76 31-87 19-90 2-80
-60
Compact red ... 46-50 31-99 21-56 ...
-45
Anhydbite. S03 CaO H20 Si02 A1203
Fe2Os
Crystalline ... 55-80 40-68 2'91 "23
-25
Coarse ...... 56"77 41-40 '94 -26
-03
Fine ...... 58'01 40-21 -65 -09
MINERALS ASSOCIATED WITH THE GYPSUM.
Among the more common may be mentioned Glauber salt, common salt, calcspar,
magnesia carbonate, and arragonite. The writer has also observed carbonate
of iron, limonite, and in one instance a few crystals of silica, and at
Cheverie inspissated bitumen. Sulphur also occurs in small quantity in the
gypsum of Went worth, near Windsor, as crystals associated with the mineral
ulexite to be noticed below. Mr. H. Louis, in a paper on " Additions to the
Mineralogy of Nova Scotia," read before the IS: ova Scotia Institute of
Natural Science, mentioned finding crystals of sulphur in a quantity of soft
grayish gypsum, near Truro. The quantity present, being small, was not
considered of economic value.
Brine springs issue from many points in the Lower Carboniferous of Nova
Scotia, and from some of them salt of good quality has been manufactured to
a small extent. These springs are frequently in the vicinity of the gypsum
deposits, but do not appear, as a rule, to be immediately connected with
them. The presence of these springs suggests the possibility of beds of salt
being found intercalated in these measures. Their detection would be a very
valuable discovery in a country which is so largely engaged in fishing, but
no explorations have ever been made for the purpose of settling the
question. When the extensive denudations of the Nova Scotia marine
limestones, and the changes of level incidental to the great thickness of
succeeding measures are considered, it is to be
60 THE GYPSUM OF NOVA SCOTIA.
feared that ancient systems of drainage have dissolved out these deposits,
if they ever existed. But the matter can be settled only by proper boring
explorations, similar to those which disclosed the valuable salt beds of
Goderich, Ontario.
The late Dr. How made, some years ago, an interesting discovery of compounds
of borax in the gypsum and anhydrite of Windsor.
These minerals occur in crystals and nodules up to two inches in diameter,
and in some cases form a considerable percentage of the rock. The nodules
are sometimes pearly white, compact, and hard; in other specimens they are
made up of acicular tufts of prismatic crystals, colourless and transparent.
The following table shows the composition of these interesting minerals, and
also of another discovered by the same gentleman. The latter appears to have
been produced by alteration of the ulexite by selenite, as it occurs partly
and completely replaced by the selenite, retaining the same nodular form :—
Component Natroboro Calcite. Crypto- Silicoboro
Calcite. Went-
Parts. Ulexite (Dana). morphite. Howlite
(Dana). worthite.
Water ...... 34-49 1972 11-84
18-00
Lime ...... 14-20 15-50 2869
31-14
Sulphuric acid ... ... ...
... 3P51
Silicic „ ... ... ...
15-25 4"98
Boracic „ ... 44-10 59-10
4222 1437
Soda ... ... 14-20 5'68
106-99 100-00 98-00 100-00
The ulexite is a very pure form of the Peruvian boratetiza, which the writer
believes is found only in these two countries. It has been largely exported
from Peru into the United States for the manufacture of borax, and for
glazing operations. Should these Nova Scotia deposits be found to occur in
quantities of economic importance, they would form a valuable article of
export, and materially aid the output of the associated gypsum.
OEIGIN OF THE GYPSUM.
It is a comparatively easy task to account for the origin and mode of
formation of most of the sedimentary non-metamorphosed rocks. But among the
short list of those whose history is nut quite understood must be placed
Gypsum.
THE GYPSUM OF NOVA SCOTIA. 61
Several theories have been advanced to account for its presence in the
geological sequence; none of these, however, are applicable to every
condition of its occurrence.
Dr. T. S. Hunt, in the report of the Geological Survey of Canada, 1857-58,
gives a detailed account of some interesting experiments made with a view of
throwing light on the formation of Canadian dolomites. From these
experiments, which may be considered an extension and modification of the
researches of Haidinger and Mitscherlich in this connexion, he deduces the
following views. First, that in lakes or sea basins not having an outlet,
the mutual decomposition of bicarbonate of lime and sulphate of magnesia
gives rise to carbonate of magnesia and sulphate of lime, which are
successively deposited on concentration ; explaining the constant
association of magnesian rocks with stratified gypsum. Secondly, that in sea
basins the action of waters containing bicarbonate of soda causes the
separation of the lime as carbonate, and the formation of a very soluble
bicarbonate of magnesia, also deposited on evaporation. This mixture when
heated under pressure, readily forms the double carbonate constituting
dolomite.
This theory offers a means of accounting for the origin of the gypsum of
Ontario, thus described by Sir W. Logan, " Geology of Canada, 1863 :"—In the
Onondaga, Upper Silurian, measures of Ontario, between the Niagara and Grand
rivers, gypsum occurs as lenticular masses, varying in horizontal diameter,
from a few yards to a quarter of a mile, and from three to seven feet in
thickness. The strata above them are crushed and broken, while those beneath
form a level floor. These deposits are associated with dolomites and marls,
and at Goderich, Ontario, with beds of salt up to 60 feet in thickness. At
various points in this formation there are springs yielding from three to
four thousandths of free sulphuric acid; but Sir William Logan affirms the
gypsum to have been contemporaneous with the strata, and to be unconnected
with the acid springs of the present day: and also illustrates the origin of
the magnesian portion of the Newfoundland Lower Carboniferous.
It does not, however, apply to the gypsiferous measures of the Lower
Provinces. These deposits as already described, occur as regular beds, of
enormous size, accompanied by measures abounding with the remains of a
vigorous marine fauna, and essentially non-magnesian. To meet these
differences of condition, Dr. Dawson, in his " Acadian Geology," has
proposed to account for their formation in the following manner :—
That volcanoes in the Pre-Carboniferous rocks, surrounding the ocean
62 THE GYPSUM OF NOVA SCOTIA.
in which the marine limestones were forming, poured out rivers of sulphuric
acid which, flowing into the sea, changed the limestone into gypsum: the
lessened acidity of the waters, and the deposition of detritus in some
cases, allowing part of the gypsum to be mixed with the limestones and
marls, and at other points causing the total conversion of the limestone.
There are some objections to this view, among which may be mentioned the
following:—The older rocks now present no traces of the origin or action of
the acid, nor do the marls, sandstones, and shales associate with the
gypsum, and it is evident that they must have occasionally also been
subjected to its action. It may be questioned how long a stream of sulphuric
acid would remain sufficiently undiluted to allow of an uninterrupted action
producing such enormous masses of the mineral, and it is evident that over
so vast an area the whole mass of water could not have been acidulated to
any degree.
Dr. Dawson quotes the cases of several volcanoes of the present day giving
rise to sulphuric acid and forming gypsum by acting on beds of limestone,
but they appear trifling and local when compared with the extent of the
effect now under consideration, and are moreover sub-aerial.
When the great extent of the Acadian gypsiferous formation is considered, it
will almost appear that the two theories noticed above can have acted only
in isolated cases. The anomalous character of these deposits and their
associates opens a new field to the chemical geologist. The writer is not
aware of any other theories that have been advanced to account for this
abnormal local development of gypsum. There are, however, two agencies that
may have assisted in their formation.
Springs containing carbonate of lime and sulphate of magnesia, and holding
free carbonic acid would form sulphate of lime, which, when escaping at the
sea bottom and partially relieved from pressure, would lose carbonic acid
and deposit sulphate of lime. Similarly, springs holding sulphuretted
hydrogen, passing into water holding carbonate of lime and free carbonic
acid, will gradually form sulphate of lime in both fresh and salt water.
Some of the Iceland gypsum is apparently deposited in the latter manner, and
the gypsums of Nova Scotia are in some instances connected with springs
yielding small percentages of sulphuretted hydrogen. Such springs, when
rising in comparatively undisturbed waters, would gradually form large
masses of gypsum of great purity. When, however, currents prevailed,
particles of the gypsum would be carried to one side and form gypseous
marls, and become mixed with the limestones.
THE GYPSUM OP NOVA SCOTIA. 63
This force is perhaps justly considered unequal to the effects now seen, but
it must be remembered that it was synchronous with the slow growth of the
limestone beds of that period, and great masses of limestone composed
entirely of shells as at Windsor, Brookfield, Shubenacadie, and other
places, and that the springs issuing on lines of pre-existing fractures
would become shifted by the dynamic changes of pressure of accumulating
strata, and gradually traverse considerable areas.
This apparently insignificant power may thus have produced effects similar
to the fall of the leaf, which has preserved to our use masses of vegetable
matter now compressed into beds sometimes 30 to 40 feet in thickness.
These deposits, however formed, were gradually buried by the succeeding
sediments, and under heat and pressure probably became anhydrated. In the
march of time, when the strata were again exposed to the weathering of the
atmosphere, water, etc., the anhydrite once more became hydrated.
This would appear from crystals of anhydrite occurring with their edges
converted into gypsum, and from the lenticular masses of anhydrite embedded
in the gypsum. This is also confirmed by the action of anhydrite from a deep
boring at Goderich, Ontario, which, when placed in fresh or salt water at
ordinary temperatures, rapidly became hydrated. Silliman found that the
gypsum of the East River of Pictou, like that of South Virginia, contained
one atom of water to two of sulphate of lime, and gave the following
analysis :—
Sulphuric acid ... ... ... ... ...
54*7
Lime ............... ... 39"4
Water .................. 5*9
100-0
This compound may illustrate the transition stage. The writer believes the
gypsum forming marine boiler incrustations sometimes presents a similar
composition.
The veins and irregular masses of gypsum and selenite found in the
associated limestones and marls, and in the triassic sandstones, and
occurring as films and plates in the coal seams, are probably a later
deposit from aqueous solutions.
The broken and dislocated appearance of the strata immediately surrounding
the gypsum was formerly considered a proof of their intrusive origin, and is
now generally considered to be due to the expansion caused by absorption of
water by the gypsum. This disturbance of the
64 THE GYPSUM OP NOVA SCOTIA.
strata may perhaps be more readily explained by the action of water which
has dissolved or worn away portions of the gypsum, and allowed the shales,
etc., to occupy the cavities thus formed. The gypsum frequently presents
deep funnel-shaped holes, which contain water, and on examination yield
bones of deer and other animals.
The hydration of the gypsum a short distance below the surface would be a
comparatively slow operation, even now not completed at its outcrop, and the
expansion would be spent more in binding the strata than in its fracture.
APPLICATION OF THE GYPSUM.
The uses to which gypsum is put are so much the same in every country that a
detailed list would merely express the information already possessed by the
members. The soft blue and white varieties are largely exported, to be
ground for agricultural purposes. It is considered in the Southern States to
be a valuable adjunct to the growth of cotton and tobacco. It is also much
used as a top dressing, in the Northern States and the Provinces of Quebec
and Ontario.
In Nova Scotia itself certain districts have been well served with this
enricher in a remarkable manner. In the Bay of Fundy, which separates Nova
Scotia and New Brunswick, the tides rise to a height of from 40 to 60 feet,
and from the rapidity of their movements exert a powerfully erosive effect
on every stratum exposed to their action.
Great part of the Lower Carboniferous marine limestone formation of Nova
Scotia is penetrated by it, or drained by its tributaries; thus large
quantities of the limestone, gypsum, and marl have been denuded and
re-arranged in large meadows covering many thousand acres. These have been
protected from inundation by large dykes, and present a soil of unsurpassed
fertility. Constant additions are being made to these meadows by the
unceasing denudation.
In addition to this, its dissemination, together with limestone and clay
through the overlying soils, have rendered large districts in Cumberland,
Pictou, Hants, and Antigonish, and parts of Cape Breton, capable of
producing, when efficiently worked, more than average crops of the more
common grains and roots.
The compact white gypsum and selenite is used for finishing walls, for
cornices, etc. No more suitable place than Nova Scotia could be selected for
the manufacture of those cements into which gypsum enters, as the mineral is
cheap and of every grade of quality.
THE GYPSUM OF NOVA SCOTIA. 65
There are numerous gypsum mills scattered through Canada, and e rapidly
increasing amount, which cannot be readily ascertained, is annually ground
for domestic use. A large mill at Hillsboro, New Brunswick, has been working
for a number of years on the deposits of that locality, already mentioned as
being of the greatest purity.
The principles involved in the manufacture of gypsum are so wel known, that
the chief interest centres in the comparison of cost. Ai this establishment,
a forty-five horse-power engine furnishes the powei necessary for driving
the stones, revolving pans, making barrels, etc Four cauldrons are used,
each holding 18,000 lbs. j in the course of a daj each boiler will yield
three charges. At present this mill is working ai only one-fifth of its
capacity. From what information the writer has beei able to acquire, the
cost of the calcined gypsum is about 3s. per barrel o: 300 lbs., barrel and
paper lining included. This price would of course tx materially reduced were
the mill working up to its capacity.
The cost of quarrying the gypsum varies from Is. 5d. to 2s. 6d. pel ton ;
the selling price on board varies from 3s. 6d. to 4s. 9d., including i short
haulage, interest, etc.
The mineral is all held in fee simple, and pays no royalty to the
government, and is so abundant, that, as yet, operations have been confined
to the outcrops of the beds nearest to the available shipping points, This,
of course, materially reduces its price, and the capital charges of the
quarry owners.
The vessels employed in carrying the gypsum to the neighbouring ports of the
United States, are of small burden : up to 400 tons. When shipping from the
Bay of Fundy ports, they sail up with the flood tide, and lie in the soft
mud at the wharves when the tide falls; thus, alternately afloat and
aground, they receive their cargoes.
The term " inexhaustible " is seldom applicable to the treasures of the
earth, as they appear in any one district; but it may be justly enough
applied to those deposits as developed in Nova Scotia. The extent of the
trade, which, although considerable, falls far short of the facilities
nature has offered for its prosecution, may be gathered from the following
STATISTICS. The town of "Windsor may be considered the head-quarters of the
gypsum trade, as three-fifths of the total amount shipped is raised in the
surrounding quarries. The total amount shipped from Windsor since 1833, is
about 2,544,376 tons, of 2,240 lbs., valued at about 2,200,000 dollars.
VOL. XXX— 188D.
I
66 THE GYPSUM OF NOVA SCOTIA.
The following table will show the average volume of the total export of the
province, during the last twenty-five years:—
Value. Year. Tons.
Dollars.
1855 95,301
80,875
1860 105,431
85,936
1865 56,155
45,088
1870 98,050
75,650
1873 120,693
120,693
In 1877, year ending June 30, Canada exported 101,376 tons, valued at 96,175
dollars ; of which Nova Scotia exported 96,440 tons, valued at 89,488
dollars. In 1878, Canada exported 100,134 tons ; of which Nova Scotia
exported 94,607 tons, valued at 85,049 dollars. In 1879, Nova Scotia
exported 95,126 tons, valued at 74,923 dollars.
The total exports from Nova Scotia since 1854, are about 2,300,000 tons,
valued at about 1,900,000 dollars.
Very little ground gypsum is exported from Nova Scotia, but about 5,000
tons, or 20,000 dollars worth, is annually exported from New Brunswick to
the United States. The imports of raw and manufactured gypsum into the
western parts of Canada, from the United States, are of an annual value of
about 10,000 dollars.
The United States do not impose any duty on raw gypsum, but the ground or
calcined article is subjected to 20 per cent, duty, which is practically
prohibitive. There is no duty on foreign gypsum coming into Canada except
when ground, then the duty is 20 per cent.; or when calcined, in which case
it pays 15 cents per hundred pounds.
From the Provincial census of 1861 it would appear that 75,387 tons were
quarried for domestic use. The Dominion census of 1871, gives only the
quantity exported, viz., 96,544 tons. It may, however, be assumed that the
quantity used for domestic purposes has not decreased. This would make the
total quantity quarried in Nova Scotia, in 1879, about 150,000 tons. Mr.
Hunt gives the quantity raised in England, in 1878, at 74,908 tons, valued
at £22,472.
The writer thinks that the foregoing, necessarily imperfect, account of an
important Canadian mineral may prove of interest, and that, if of no other
value, it may indicate where unlimited quantities of a valuable agricultural
material can be procured, should at any time the progress of invention and
discovery allow its introduction into England.
DISCUSSION—THE GYPSUM OF NOVA SCOTIA. 67
The President said, he was sure they would all be willing to record the
obligation they were under to Mr. Gilpin for his very interesting
communication. There were several points in it, however, which would
certainly admit of considerable discussion. Foremost amongst these was the
alleged position of the gypsum in the strata of Nova Scotia, which was
certainly an uncommon one, and not in accordance with the experience of
geologists in this country. The writer made statements as to some of the
uses to which gypsum was put, but had omitted one or two others. For
instance, gypsum was made use of to make cotton heavier, and sometimes it
was used to adulterate food. As to the question in relation to geology, he
would be very much obliged to Mr. Lebour if he would state his views, for he
did not know of any gypsum in England out of the new red sandstone.
Mr. Lebour said, that in Britain most of the gypsum certainly occurred at
much higher horizons, but they had it in small quantities in older beds.
They had it in the Old Eed Sandstone in Scotland, and in the Silurian of
Scotland, but he did not know of any so low down either in Wales or in
England. "With regard to the Nova Scotian Carboniferous beds, it had been
held for many years that the whole series of those deposits have in them
very many Permian characteristics. They had in a large part of the
Carboniferous series, in the north-east of America, a very marked
representation of the passage from the Carboniferous to the Permian series.
Mr. Gilpin noticed the occurrence of certain fossils which in this country
were only found in the Carboniferous Limestone ; but he (Mr. Lebour) did not
think, at such a great distance as that, it was at all fair to attempt to
synchronize deposits by fossils only; for it was possible that those
mentioned had been deposited while Permian beds were being deposited here.
The term Permo-Carboniferous, suggested by Dr. Dawson, was an excellent one,
descriptive of the theory he (Mr. Lebour) alluded to—that many of the
so-called Carboniferous rocks of Nova Scotia and Newfoundland were really
the representatives of the time which elapsed between the Carboniferous
series of this island and the Permian ; in fact, they were the
representatives of the gap which existed in England between the two series.
He would not say they were lower, but he thought they were. In Spain there
were gypsum works going on in rocks of undoubted Carboniferous age, and he
believed in other parts of the continent, gypsum was also found in rocks of
that age; but, as a rule, Mr. Gilpin was right in stating that such cases
were rare.
Mr. E. F. Boyd said, that the author of the paper had suggested much which
ought to be carefully considered. Dr. Dawson's idea as to the
68 DISCUSSION—THE GYPSUM OF NOVA SCOTIA.
formation of the gypsum from the quantity of sulphuric acid emanating from
volcanoes, if an actual fact, would to a large extent account for the
amalgamation which had produced thin beds of gypsum; but when they came to
beds of 100 feet in thickness, it was difficult to refer them to a liquid
converted into rock by extra pressure and heat. He proposed a vote of thanks
to Mr. Gilpin for his paper.
Mr. Lebour seconded the vote of thanks and it was unanimously agreed to.
The meeting then terminated.
PROCEEDINGS. 69
PROCEEDINGS.
GENERAL MEETING, SATURDAY, DECEMBER 4th, 1880, IN THE WOOD MEMORIAL HALL,
NEWCASTLE-UPON-TYNE.
WILLIAM COCHRANE, Esq., Vice-President, in the Chair,
The Assistant-Secretary read the minutes of the last meeting and reported
the proceedings of the Council. The following gentlemen were elected :—
Associate Member— Mr. John Morison, Newbattle Collieries, Dalkeith.
Students—
Mr. Septimus Heseop, Urpeth, Chester-le-Street.
Mr. Frederick J. Ferens, 220, Gilesgate, Durham.
Mr. Henry G. Pringle, Tanfield Lea Colliery, Co. Durham.
The following were nominated for election at the next meeting :—
Associates—
Mr. Thomas Reader Smith, M.E., Rockingham Colliery, near Barnsley. Mr.
Edward J. Wardle, M.E., Craghead Colliery, Chester-le-Street.
Students—
Mr. Arnold Pike, Silksworth Colliery, Sunderland. Mr. J. Greig, Brancepeth,
Durham.
The following paper "On Boiler Accidents and their Prevention," Part IV., by
Mr. D. P. Morison, was read :—
VOL. XXX —1881,
J
ON BOILER ACCIDENTS AND THEIR PREVENTION. 71
ON BOILER ACCIDENTS AND THEIR PREVENTION.
By D. P. MORISON.
PART IV. AND CONCLUSION. ON THE CONSTRUCTION OP BOILERS.
In this, the concluding section of the writer's remarks, he desires to
notice those points of toiler construction which might tend to occasion or
to prevent accidents, rather than the general mechanical scope of the
subject, which has already been so ably handled in volumes, pamphlets, and
contributions to this and other Societies.
The first question which naturally occurs to a works manager is, how, with
every advantage in the way of coal and labour, to obtain a boiler of which
the construction shall afford every facility for rapid and regular
generation of steam, and yet be safe ; and the second inquiry is, to whom to
look for this information. The replies to these two inquiries might occupy
more space than would be available in these Transactions; but the writer
suggests the following heads, under which information is practically within
the grasp of every one interested in the question.
1.—OP WHAT MATERIAL SHOULD THE BOILER BE CONSTRUCTED ?
Cast iron, wrought iron, steel, and copper are the materials which in
various epochs and stages of steam civilisation have been employed. Cast
iron and copper may be at once dismissed from practical consideration : the
former on account of its unreliability and weight (besides many other
apparent drawbacks), and the latter from its relative and intrinsic expense.
There remains, then, to be dealt with— {a.)—Malleable or wrought iron.
(5.)—Steel.
In both cases plates have to be made, and these have to be regulated in size
by the cost attending their production, as compared with the cost of
riveting them together, and also by the facility with which they may be
moulded or adapted to the various shapes of boilers recommended by different
engineers.
72 ON BOILER ACCIDENTS 4ND THEIR PREVENTION.
(a.)—Iron; of this material, rolled in plates or sheets, of areas and
thicknesses varying according to the class of boiler to be constructed,
"Best Yorkshire" plates, as represented by the Low Moor, Farnley, Bowling
(Plate XIII.), and two or three adjacent firms, are considered by far the
most suitable for boiler purposes, for many reasons, such as their
fire-resisting properties, tensile strength, regularity in contraction and
expansion, freedom from blisters, scales, etc., and facility in moulding,
flanging, dishing, etc. In fact the term "fibrous," which has been so much
objected to as unscientific, is the term which can most correctly be applied
to plates possessing these requisite qualities. In other words, "fibrous"
infers all the essentials of resistance to shocks and strains, whether
produced by smiths, by the incidents of daily work, or by the jointing,
drilling (punching as sometimes even now resorted to in certain yards),
riming, riveting, caulking, testing, or other strains. Many other species of
iron are employed, Swedish and Russian, ranking first, real Staffordshire
plates of the old " best best" and " treble best" brands, Shropshire, Tudhoe
best, and a few Scotch makes, all of which may be reckoned good ; " Crown"
plates, and "best best" of ordinary makers, and plates down so low as ship
builders' plates, which, some few years ago, the writer detected being used
in a boiler-yard which shall be nameless.
(b.)—Steel, which ranks in nature between cast iron and malleable iron, has
not yet, in the writer's opinion, been constructed in plates of sufficiently
uniform consistency and ductility to inspire the same confidence as the
Yorkshire best plates ; but this is more a question of future test and use
than of past experience. His own personal observation has not, so far, been
in favour of steel ; but this may be attributed to local accident, such as
inferior coal or bad water. If thickness is sacrificed for weight, as is
often done in the case of steel plates, the effects of deteriorating
agencies are aggravated. It might also be worthy of remark, that steel is
more potently affected by changes of temperature and less liable to recover
from any " shock to the system."
2.—OF WHAT FORM SHOULD THE BOILER BE CONSTRUCTED ?
Space would fail to describe all the antique forms of boilers; some of these
the writer has already illustrated in Plates VI. to XIII., Vol. XXIX., they
have varied from spherical to balloon, haystack, wagon, etc., now all nearly
exploded (not in a literal sense), so that the consideration of the members
may be mainly, though briefly, directed to the types at present in use.
,
ON BOILER ACCIDENTS AND THEIR PREVENTION. 73
1.—The Marine Boiler.—Plates XIV. and XV. Perhaps no class of boiler has
assumed at different times such varied shapes as this. When pressures were
low and quantities of coal varying from 5 to 15 lbs. to each indicated
horse-power had to be burned, these boilers assumed such formidable
dimensions that they had to be made expressly to suit the form of the boat
they were intended to propel; at present, however, when higher pressures are
used and the consumption reduced to somewhere about 2 lbs. per indicated
horse-power, forms more in accordance with science are adopted, and the
result has been a combination of the two forms of boiler which have been
most successful on land, viz., the Lancashire and the Locomotive.
Generally a marine boiler may now be considered, as far as its outside shell
and fire tubes are concerned, as of the Lancashire type, and as far as its
take-up and small tubes are concerned, of the Locomotive type.
The front and back of these boilers are usually flat. The front is flanged
to receive the fire tubes, and both front and back are flanged to receive
the shell plates; the top parts above the small tubes are secured together
by massive through stays, screwed at each end, secured by nuts and washers
on each side of the plates. The centre portion of the front is secured by
the small tubes, a certain number of which are stay tubes— that is, they are
secured by nuts after the manner of the long stays, and the bottom portion
of the front is secured by the fire tubes and by gusset plates, while the
centre and bottom of the back are secured by screw stays closely placed
together after the manner of the fire-box of a locomotive.
The fire tubes are mostly in rings, welded together longitudinally with
flanged joints at either end, but their mode of construction differs
considerably with the varied experience or caprice of the maker. The
takes-up which lead from the fire tubes to the small tubes are flat-sided,
and are secured to the back shell and to each other by screwed stays after
the manner of a locomotive, and the small tubes are so arranged and
proportioned above the fire tubes that they absorb sufficient heat from the
products of combustion to reduce the inconvenience of a dry smoke-box front
to a minimum. On the top these boilers are usually provided with a large
dome from which the steam is taken.
2.—The Locomotive Boiler.—The general construction of this form of boiler is
not varied nearly so much as that of the Marine type, and for carrying high
pressures for periods of moderate duration under most difficult
circumstances, which expose it to strains perfectly unconnected with its
functions as a steam producer, it may be said to be the most perfect and
safe boiler ever invented.
74 ON BOILER ACCIDENTS AND THEIR PREVENTION.
In one of its most usual forms, Plates XVI. and XVII., the fuel is consumed
in a rectangular copper fire-box, open at the bottom and stayed in every
direction to the shell, except where the tubes are connected to it, by a
number of copper screwed stays very closely set together; on the top the
communication between these stays and the shell is not direct but is
maintained by means of strong bars of iron, which, as it were, bridge over
the crown of the fire-box, and rest on its front and back edges, and these
bars in their turn are secured to the shell by means of links and angle iron
brackets. The back portion of the shell corresponds in shape to the fire-box
which it covers, except at the top, where it is semi-circular; the remaining
part of the shell which contains the tubes is a cylinder with a flat end
which forms the back portion of the smoke-box. The bottom portion of this
plate and the fire-box are connected by the tubes, usually made of some
alloy of copper, which act as stays to both surfaces, while the top portion
is strengthened with gussets, or stays, running from end to end of the
boiler.
As the draught in this class of boiler is mainly produced by the action of
the exhaust steam in the chimney, the fuel is urged to an intense pitch of
incandescence, and the evaporative power of the boiler may be said to be
enormous. Strange to say, the fire-box, although square, is the most
reliable portion of the boiler, because it is accessible at all times to
minute examination, and shows signs of fatigue long before it is so weakened
as to become dangerous. The cylindrical portion, which cannot be so minutely
examined without withdrawing the tubes, is subject to grooving and other
deteriorations, from unequal expansion and from the constant jars and
frequent shocks it is subject to. Of course if properly inspected it rarely
gives way, but if a rupture takes place anywhere in the boiler it is usually
here, the fire-box remaining intact and forming an almost safe screen from
the effects of the explosion to the engine-driver who may be behind it.
3.—Lancashire and Cornish boilers, Plates XVIII. and XIX., practically
represent the same system ; the former having, however, two internal flues,
and the latter only one. They may be fired underneath (the flues acting as
return flues) or in the flues themselves, the heat being conveyed back round
and under the boiler. Many different modes of communicating the power of
these internal flues to the external and circulating water have been
adopted, so as to utilise to the highest degree the heat of the fire.
Galloway and other tubes, conical, straight, and of various forms, have been
suggested and employed, and all to some extent successfully; the main idea
being to keep the water in such a state of motion that it will, at some
stage of its circulation, impinge upon the direct heat of the furnace.
ON BOILER ACCIDENTS AND THEIR PREVENTION. 75
4.—HaivTcsley and Wild's improved Lancashire or Cornish boilers, Plate XX.,
have been extensively examined and tested by the writer, and his experience
tends to confirm what the makers claim, namely, that boiler accidents are
reduced to a minimum by the adoption of their flanged boilers.
To quote the words of a reviewer on these boilers :—
Hawksley, Wild, & Co.'s flanged flued boiler is undoubtedly one of tbe best
contrivances yet carried out for making a strong, elastic, and safe flue. As
might be expected from a study of this arrangement of flanging, it appears
that while thousands of these boilers are working in various parts of the
country, a good number of which have been down 13 or 14 years, not an
explosion has occurred, or life, or limb, or property been injured, although
on one or two occasions at least, from causes too common in boiler
management, these boilers have been allowed to run short of
water, and flues been red hot. Un one of sucn occasions tne ogee nange (see
woodcut and a. a. Fig. 5, Plate XXI.) was evidently put upon its trial. With
a full fire and the flues bare of water, such was the remarkable resistance
to collapse, that the flanges elongated until the first flanged ring came
down on to the back wall of furnace, while the seam itself stood
to its circle without a rivet hole being broken. By the flange giving such
extreme latitude, coming as stated above on to the furnace wall, and turning
the draught out at the fire-hole door, the situation was thus discerned, and
life and property saved, which, with other classes of flued boilers, it is
perhaps not too much to say would almost certainly have been sacrificed.
The Bowling hoops, thus,
were it not that they make two seams where
there should only be one, as also Adamson's flange, are, like the rings, of
Tee iron, good as a means of stiffening a flue, but in a case of shortness
of water, as described above, they are useless, as however stiff and rigid
the flue or the boiler may be, something must give way; then it is that the
great superiority and safety of the ogee flue are maintained; the extra
length of plate in the flange naturally in such a crisis allows the ring to
bend almost double without straining the seams, which, with other flues,
break, and cause explosion.
5.—Plain cylinder boilers, although inferior in economy of coal, possess
many advantages in facility for examination and cleaning, and if constructed
of good iron and fair workmanship, necessitate few or no repairs. In point
of fact, where small or refuse coals are obtainable, at a price of, say,
three shillings a ton, and no extreme pressure is required, the writer would
not unhesitatingly condemn the past opinions of many eminent engineers in
their favour. They further admit of being easily accommodated to flues of
coke ovens or furnaces, and are relatively stronger and safer than any of
the internally fired boilers.
6.—Multitubular boilers, where water is comparatively pure and free from
salts or other deteriorating matters, and skilled attendance is available,
are doubtless unrivalled for rapid and economical production
76 ON BOILER ACCIDENTS AND THEIR PREVENTION.
of steam. The frequent stoppages and expenses necessitated by repairs to
tubes, and the unequal strain render them, however, rather unsuitable to
those to whom the writer's remarks are principally directed ; but they offer
many advantages in underground workings, due to the small space they occupy
and the minimum of weight per horse-power of steam expended, as well as the
rapidity with which steam is raised.
Messrs. Hawksley, Wild, & Co. have constructed a sectional boiler, working
pressure 120 lbs. (Plate XXII.), which is made up of a number of
comparatively small shells, rendering impossible explosions such as from
time to time occur with large diameter boilers, yet the construction is so
plain and accessible to thorough external and internal inspection and
cleaning, entirely free from intricate, complicated, and dangerous parts,
that it stands unique among high pressure boilers for stable working and
safety from, explosions and other accidents.
Similar somewhat to these are also the Boots, Perkins, and other boilers,
all being a kind of compromise between the multitubular and the internal
flued boilers. For ordinary colliery work, however, the advantages of
simplicity of construction and facility of examination and repair have
induced the writer to pass over this latter class of boilers perhaps rather
too cursorily.
Having determined upon the form of boiler most likely to suit his
requirements, the next question which will occur to the employer is—
3.—HOW SHOULD A BOILEE BE CONSTRUCTED ?
The construction of boilers forms a very wide subject to treat generally, as
the demand for marine, locomotive, or stationary purposes involves so many
differences as to need specific modification to meet each case.
Enormous external shells of great thickness are found prudent for marine
work, which would be needless expense and risk on shore. The locomotive or
portable boiler must be light as a whole, with very large evaporative
surface to secure a supply of steam under ever-varying demands, without the
necessity of a large store of highly-heated water, which, in ordinary
boilers, conveniently provides for changing needs.
It would be well, therefore, to consider stationary boilers, as worked under
ordinary circumstances. First and foremost, in every way, is the selection
of the most suitable material; but here the choice must be influenced by the
nature and permanence of the work to be done and the materials in the
market. The very best material for boiler work ,can hardly be described by
any one word, such as iron or steel, it must t. material containing
sufficient strength to require only a small thickness
ON BOILER ACCIDENTS AND THEIR PREVENTION. 77
resist the strain from pressure, yet tough and ductile enough to accommodate
itself to all the vicissitudes of shaping, punching, riveting, and caulking.
Many samples might be given of boilers worked safely until nearly corroded
away, although made of iron of no famous brand. On the other hand, modern
examples might be named of steel boilers which gave way, before any steam
pressure was put upon them, from the mere strain of getting up the fires. A
well-known authority (D. Lenner) describes suitable material as any "stuff"
which had the above qualities, and named particularly a certain material
sometimes called " mild steel," but so manipulated as to be sent into the
market with the strength of steel and the toughness of leather, so that a
vessel of it could not be burst by rupture, but was only rendered useless by
the elongation of the rivet holes and the consequent leaking of the joint,
making further pressure • impossible. An experimental vessel, 4 feet
diameter and |- inch thick, was shown to the Institution of Mechanical
Engineers last summer, at Barrow, under a pressure of 400 lbs., which bore
out the previous descriptions of its probable behaviour. If all boilers were
of such material, explosions from over pressure would be rare, except that
the public would at once rely on the material and increase the pressure, so,
possibly, bringing up the risk to its present amount.
It is most important ;to so design boilers as to leave the material as much
as possible " in repose;" that is, with only a fair strain in the direction
of its greatest strength without repeated side strains in addition, causing
bending backwards and forwards as in a boiler or tube out of circle, and
constantly struggling to assume the true circle under varying pressures. It
is almost impossible to avoid the need of adjustment or accommodation in the
most carefully built boiler, but the yielding material above described will
give way until each part takes up its fair share, and makes the fabric as a
whole secure, without, as in a harder material, one part being strained
beyond endurance before it is assisted by surrounding parts. It must be
remembered that a boiler is not a vessel only to resist pressure, but that
it has, at the same time, to support the strains due to unequal expansion
owing to its various parts being unequally heated; this produces constant
movement in all its parts, which soon " over fatigues " the hard and brittle
metal, but leaves comparatively uninjured the soft and ductile quality
recommended.
Having secured the best material it must be put together judiciously. The
exigencies of boiler work, where the shells are exposed to fire, preclude
the strongest form of riveted joint, and leave only the single riveted joint
^ticable, on account of the danger of burning off the outside lap. The gle
riveted joint in soft and ductile metal is more difficult to make
VOL. XXX.-1881.
78 ON BOILER ACCIDENTS AN!) THRIR PRETENTION.
tight under great strain than that in unyielding iron, but it is much safer
than that in the harder iron, which rips from hole to hole, often without
showing it, until it suddenly parts altogether.
The simplest boilers are still very complicated fabrics, and the ponderous
Lancashire double-flued boilers, with various internal cross tubes, are
still more complicated ; but long experience has enabled the makers to
adjust proportions and allow for expansion and alterations of shape during
work, so that the whole becomes a machine upon the behaviour of which any
one may calculate with tolerable certainty, while poor imitations often give
great trouble because supposed improvements to add strength have destroyed
the balance arrived at by experience, and too great rigidity of the ends has
caused contraction between the tubes . and shell, soon inducing local
failure. The prevailing practice is to provide a very large margin between
the working and the bursting pressures of boilers, but it is not so great as
many suppose, as modern experiments on ordinary riveted joints, and joints
purposely cut from boilers, show that their strength, as compared with the
solid plate, is much less than that often given in books. Some recent
careful experiments by the Board of Trade may be worth quoting, as embodying
concisely some recent information on the subject.
In calculating the strength of a toiler made with single rivetted lap
joints, some engineers erroneously adopt 56 per cent, of the strength of the
solid plate, whilst others regard 31,000 lbs. per square inch as the
ultimate strength of the joint, irrespective of tlifi diameter and pitch of
the rivets, or the injury arising from punching. The latter
value is generally given upon the authority of Sir William Fairbairn. 1
have, however, a difficulty in ascertaining upon which of his experiments
this value is based. Referring, however, to his " Useful Information for
Engineers," First Series, page 283, it will be seen that, remarking upon the
experiments he had carried out with some single rivetted lap joints having
the material between the rivets equal to some solid plates, also tested, he
states that the strength of the joints was only equal to 76 per cent, of the
strength of the solid plate. The loss of 24 per cent, he attributes not to
the metal punched out, but to the injury the plates sustained by punching,
and to the effects of the form of the joint upon the breaking strain.
When a single rivetted lap joint is tested to destruction it is found that
the joint does not retain the form in figure 1, but first takes that in
figure 2,
and finally, if the plate is ductile, that in figure 3; the result is that
the metal at the weakest part is subject to cross-breaking, and gives way at
a lower stress than a
ON BOILER ACCIDENTS AND THEIR PREVENTION.
straight plate of equal section. It is to this cross-breaking action, and
the injur; plate caused by punching, that the loss of 24 per cent, is to be
attributed. Sir Vi bairn remarked that, in addition to this loss, there is
the loss of strength due to tb rial actually punched out. In this boiler,
one the reviewer has described before, tl per cent., which, deducted from 76
per cent., leaves the strength of the joint e only 32 per cent, of the solid
plate. In some experiments which were made ab or three years since with
single rivetted lap joints, made of plates of about the sam ness as those in
the exploded boiler, the loss due to the punching and the ef lap jointing
was found to be about 19 per cent. Adopting this as the loss of st so as not
to err on the severe side, we have the value of the joint in the boiler
pared with the solid plate equal to only 39 per cent. The mean tensile s the
lower shell plates tested in the direction of the strain on the longitudina
of the boiler, and which broke at sound parts, is 19'04 tons per square
inch. 39 per cent, of this gives 16,633 lbs., or less than half of 34,000
lbs., which shown to be far too high. With the value of 16,633 lbs., we
find, by the usual calc that the bursting pressure of this boiler for plates
f inch thick was only about per square inch. As one wide plate where
fracture occurred was, however, red corrosion at the rivet holes, the
bursting pressure through this part would r not exceed 88 lbs. per square
inch.
These pressures are calculated upon the assumption that the material is only
to the strains arising from the pressure inside, and that its strength is
not red overheating or other causes. Even under such conditions the ratio of
the 1 pressure to the working pressure of 88 to 41, or about 2, is far too
little. Th however, did not work under these conditions. The plates were
subject to cons heat, and to the strains arising from differences of
expansion caused by inte playing first on one side and then on another, and
again to the effects of oc sudden blasts of cold air as the iron was charged
or withdrawn from the p furnaces. Under these circumstances, the bursting
pressure of the boiler when must have been less than stated above, and the
margin or factor of safety less to what extent, however, it is difficult to
say, although the effects of the cause mentioned are known to be often very
great.
Persons not well acquainted with the strength and properties of metals tu
times apt to wonder why the bursting pressure of a boiler being stated to 88
lbs. per square inch, should have burst at a lowTer pressure. Sometimes t
may be injured, and the boiler may come under the influence of strains wl
impossible to calculate, and which are sometimes overlooked. There is,
however, reason. The bursting pressure alluded to is that which suffices to
burst the boi the first application; the pressure, of course, being applied
slowly. A smaller ] if above a certain limit, would, however, burst it, if
continuously or frequently owing to the destructive effect of overstraining
upon the material. To allow for corrosion, defects in the plate, etc., and
strains which cannot be calculated, authorities recommend that in steam
boilers the working pressure shall, acco circumstances, he from one-sixth to
one-fourth of the bursting pressure.
It is not expedient to give here the details of proportion of holes, pitch
or lap, such as would be suitable for a boiler maker's n and derived from
Avhat has been done in the acknowledged best p:
80 ON BOILER, ACCIDENTS AND THEIR PREVENTION.
The real and true principles involved in vessels with riveted joints are
certainly not settled and are still open to considerable discussion.
It is comparatively easy with unlimited means to lay down a set of boilers
where the risk will be at a minimum, but the problem is seldom so simple as
this; for in some cases the means are crippled and in others space is an
object, or waste heat from some manufacturing process has to be made use of,
and then perhaps the feed-water is middling, and would destroy the best
material at such a rate as to be unsuitable for any but the simple plain
cylinder boiler.
The purpose for which the steam is needed may not be permanent, so inferior
boilers may last long enough ; but, unfortunately, in this case they are
often purchased without due examination, and worked after having become
unfit for further service.
Closely following on good manufacture of boilers, is judicious repair.
Repair too often weakens a boiler far more than is supposed. It is nearly
impossible to adjust the new work so as to take its proper strain, owing to
new plate generally yielding more than old, so that a much-repaired boiler
becomes a very treacherous machine and often deceives the most experienced.
After a certain amount of repair each patch is one more weakness.
GENERAL SUMMARY.
The writer has progressively found the impossibility of reducing within
reasonable compass the varied and complicated problems which the too
comprehensive title of his paper would include ; but he will not consider
even this a matter of regret if the various heads in which he has
sub-divided his subject should elicit from other members of the Institute
more detailed expressions of opinion on any one or more of the points of
interest.
These may thus be briefly recapitulated :— 1.—Is extraneous inspection
desirable ? 2.—Should this inspection be undertaken by Government or by
private firms ? 3.—Should assurance be combined with inspection ? 4.—What
improvements can be effected in the heating of boilers ? 5.—Of what material
should boilers be constructed ? 6.—Of what form should they be ? 7.—How
should their construction be carried out ? Any one of these topics treated
singly, would of itself afford scope for much theory and still more
practice, and the writer trusts that the opening
OX BOILER ACCIDENTS AND THEIR PREVENTION. 81
thus made by him may be wedged out by others into a series of technical and
useful contributions to the Transactions, and concludes with the following
extract from the writings of Sir William Fairbairn:—
It has ever been the province of the philosopher and man of science to
investigate and elaborate, for the good of mankind, all those physical and
mathematical truths which bear upon the wants of civilized society, and the
development of those laws which through a succession of ages have been
handed down to us. These truths have been still further extended by the
inventions and discoveries of the mechanician and those men of practical
science whose lives have been devoted to the pursuit. To the researches and
labours of those benefactors of the human race, we are indebted for most of
the comforts and enjoyments we now possess; but these are of no avail unless
properly used, and carefully managed; and it is to the management of one of
these ingenious discoveries—the safe and economic production of steam—that I
would, in conclusion, direct your attention. To the combined discoveries and
inventions of the mechanic and man of science we are indebted for the
steam-engine; and it remains with the possessor to determine to what extent
he will make it safe and efficient, for in the management of so docile and
so powerful an instrument depends its security as well as its effect.
In the faithful discharge of this very important duty, many circumstances
concur to render the uses and appliances of steam-power profitable and
secure; and I will avail myself of this opportunity to enforce vipon your
consideration the following suggestions, which, if carried into effect, will
doubtless secure to the owners the most important and satisfactory results.
In the steam-engine the boiler is the source of all power, and the quantity
of work performed depends upon the quantity of water evaporated, and the
quantity of fuel consumed.
Its generative powers, and the way in which those powers are used, are
therefore matters of considerable importance; and those who would work with
economy will require to attend to two things—the perfect combustion of the
fuel on the one hand, and the transmission as well as the retention of heat
on the other. In a well managed concern we never hear of safety valves and
feed pumps being out of order, there is no tampering with such vital organs
of safety; everything is in its place, and the self-acting moveable parts of
the apparatus, such as valves, stuffing boxes, and bearings, are kept in the
most perfect order, well oiled and cleaned, so as at all times to be ready
and fit for service. In the steam-engine also the same regularity and system
of management are preserved, and the result is a ponderous piece of
machinery working with a degree of precision at once the admiration of the
employer as it is the pride of the engineer.
The Chairman said, they Avere very much obliged to Mr. Morison for the great
care he had taken in compiling the four comprehensive and valuable papers on
boilers, of which that now read was the last.
Mr. J. A. G. Eoss asked if he was right in understanding that Mr. Morison
wished it to be supposed that double riveting did not add to the strength of
a boiler. If so he should be glad to have some further
82 DISCUSSION—BOILER ACCIDENTS AND THEIR PREVENTION.
explanation, since this opinion seemed somewhat at variance with the
experiments of Fairbairn and others, which he thought went to prove that
single-riveted joints did not present sufficient crushing surface in the
rivets, which defect was remedied by double riveting; for boilers generally
gave way from the weakness of the rivets and not from that of the plates.
Mr. A. L. Steavenson asked why best Yorkshire plates were the only plates
mentioned for making boilers ? In the North of England three-fourths of the
boilers were made of other brands, one of which, the Weardale, made from the
best ores in England, was, he thought, equal to any iron produced.
Mr. Morison said, that Mr. Eoss had scarcely caught the spirit of his
remarks, which meant that he did not insist upon double riveting except in
cases where extra pressure was required, when it was unquestionably of great
use ; but he thought that at ordinary working pressures double riveting had,
if anything, a tendency to increase the probabilities of the plates not
being of uniform strength. In reply to Mr. Steavenson, he certainly would
not like to say that best Yorkshire was the only plate that boilers could be
made of; he only instanced best Yorkshire as a sample of the plates that
would stand best; and if boiler makers could afford to use nothing but best
Yorkshire plates, no doubt they would do so ; but as these plates were about
double the price of other brands, they were only used over the fires, and
not always even there. He believed that some of the local plates were
formerly equal to best Yorkshire, but they were not so uniform in quality.
Some of the boilers which had been at work for forty or fifty years,
although exceedingly cheap, were , made of plates better than those now
obtainable. The plates they bought now were either not so well rolled, or
the iron was not so carefully prepared as in past times.
Mr. W. Green asked, what was the average age of the boilers which were going
now ? He recollected an Inspector saying that some of the boilers made
thirty years ago were better than others made at the present time, and that
bore out what Mr. Morison said.
Mr. Morison replied that he knew of some boilers in this neighbourhood which
by report were eighty years old. The average, however, would not exceed
fifteen to twenty years. He hoped that in this discussion the advantage of
drilling over punching would come out strongly.
A unanimous vote of thanks was then accorded Mr. Morison for his valuable
paper.
DISCUSSION—JEFFERSON'S BORING APPARATUS. 83
The paper on " Jefferson's Automatic, Free-Falling, Hydraulic Boring
Apparatus" was then discussed.
The Chairman remarked, that he had not read the paper through, but in the
last clause the writer said, " although the design has not been actually
tried, yet as it is a combination of methods which have been in actual use,
the inventor believes that he has warrant for stating that it would be found
cheaper than any existing method, and second only to the Diamond Rock Drill
in speed." This was subject for regret as difficulties always arise in
practice. The principal feature of the invention seemed to be forcing water
down outside the bore rod, and then up through the centre of the bore rod,
instead of forcing it down through the rod and up between the rod and the
side of the hole. Mr. Jefferson was present, and perhaps would like to make
some remarks.
Mr. Jefferson said, that in opening the discussion the Chairman had pointed
out what was certainly a very great difficulty in arriving at a conclusive
decision as to the practical merits of the apparatus, namely, that it had
not been at work; but the apparatus had only been invented a short time, and
borings were not commenced every day, therefore it was difficult to get it
tried. He had not patented the apparatus because he did not think that any
one system was in all cases the best, but that the choice of apparatus
should depend greatly on the character of the strata to be passed through.
The arrangement he had brought before them readily allowed of a variety of
tools being used at the bottom of the two-inch piping, and either a rotatory
or percussive action of the tool being employed. The apparatus could readily
be removed, and the ordinary grappling tools attached in the case of
breakage, whilst a breakage of the rods was often fatal to the Diamond
drill. He considered there were three principal parts in this apparatus.
First, there was what they knew as the free-falling arrangement; the second
was the mode of producing rotation ; and thirdly, there was the current of
water down the outside and up the inside of the rod. This free-falling
arrangement was not exactly new, but was a modification of one invented by
Degousee thirty or forty years ago, which had been tried and found to work
very well in practice. The arrangement for producing rotation is an
arrangement which is common in all boring machines for hand-boring ; and the
use of a current of water down the outside of the apparatus and up the
inside wTas one which had been extensively used in Germany; he had seen it
in use there himself bringing up pieces of rock from one to one inch and a
half long and one inch thick. With regard to the details, the shoe was shewn
attached by a screw, but he thought it would
84 DISCUSSION—JEFFERSON'S BORING APPARATUS.
be better to have the upper part of the shoe turned taper, and fastened with
a cotter. In Plate XLVL, Vol. XXIX., the apparatus was arranged for boring
continuously, but this was not necessary. They could tell almost immediately
by the rods when passing from any other strata into coal, and for ordinary
use he would suggest that the chisel should go right across the borehole,
and not as shown in the plate.
The Chairman said, that with respect to the last suggestion, he would ask
what diameter of hole an apparatus like the one under discussion would be
capable of boring, so that the whole of the debris should be washed up from
the bottom. He was informed by his friend Mr. Bewick that the Diamond Borer
was not always to be relied upon in getting up a core when going through
coal, and he wished to know from Mr. Jefferson if there would not be the
same difficulty with the new borer. He would also like to have some
particulars as to the cost of boring.
Mr. Lebour said, he could confirm the Chairman's statement as to the Diamond
Boring and its occasional faulty indication with respect to coal. He had a
strong proof of that two years ago, when he delivered a lecture on "Coal and
Coal-getting" at the annual congress of the Gas Managers' Association. He
happened to mention that in boring with the Diamond apparatus, in some cases
coal had been gone through with little or no record of it, and this, he
thought, might be attributed to the action of the water. That lecture was
fully reported in a good many papers, and he afterwards received a letter
from an official of the Diamond Boring Company on the subject. He had
praised the Diamond Boring system very much in the course of his lecture;
for this his correspondent thanked him, but added that he was very sorry for
what he (Mr. Lebour) had said as to the defects of the system when recording
coal, and stated that whenever they came to coal they ceased boring with the
Diamond and used the ordinary apparatus. The writer of the note also
remarked that experienced borers knew by the touch of the rods what they
were going through to a certain extent. The depth indicated by the cores and
debris raised by the Diamond apparatus was very great in the Sub-Wealden
boring, which was sunk with the greatest care; but there, owing to the large
amount of soft rock and clay, it was found that, on the average, for every
15 feet of rock bored through, they got only 14 feet of core. With that
before them, they had a proof that the process was not a perfect one
whenever they got to soft, and especially light, rock.
Mr. Morison said, that with respect to boring and detecting coal by the
ordinary hand-process, it used to be a kind of superstition among the old
North-country borers, that they could always tell when they
discussion—jefferson's boring apparatus. 85
touched coal, because the debris, sand, or mud, sank immediately to the
bottom of the hole, but he did not find this always a fact. In one case, 3
feet of coal was entered in the boring book as 10 inches of sand. He did not
think they could rely upon the bore-rods alone for knowing what they were
going through; but both the Diamond Borer and the invention of Mr. Jefferson
would certainly give more reliable results than could be obtained by the old
process.
Mr. T. J. Bewick said, that so far as the Diamond Borer was concerned, the
percentage of cores depended very much upon the nature of the strata. The
Sub-Wealden boring mentioned by Mr. Lebour was certainly a good example; but
in passing through coal the core as a rule was more than what he had
indicated. It depended upon the size of the hole put down, which, with the
Diamond Borer, might easily, he believed, be made so as to give a core of
from 10 to 12 if not 14 inches in diameter. In ordinary rock the average
brought up was sometimes as much as 95 per cent, of the depth bored. They
could distinguish when passing through some kinds of coal with comparative
correctness, but if the coal was soft no apparatus could indicate with
accuracy its thickness by the debris raised, because it got mixed with sand.
What this apparatus of Mr. Jefferson's could do it was impossible to say.
Mr. Lebour said, the instance he gave of the Sub-Wealden boring in the South
of England was confessedly a very extreme one, as it was chiefly in clay and
soft rock, and would not apply to the strata of the North, which were
chiefly compact shale and hard rock. He could agree with what Mr. Bewick
said as to Diamond boring.
Mr. Merivale said, a hole was being put down near Port Clarence by Messrs.
Bell Brothers, for salt. The Diamond apparatus started away at 26 inches
diameter, which was reduced now to about 16^, and they were losing about 10
per cent, of core. It is almost entirely through red sandstone. It did not
seem very friable, but he had only observed the cores from the hard rock.
The Chairman said, they had been told that some time ago an agent of the
Diamond Company said that when they came to coal they abandoned the idea of
getting a core. Could Mr. Bewick tell them if this was so now ?
Mr. Bewick said, that was not so, they always exercised the greatest care in
securing cores of coal. As soon as they thought they had reached the coal
the quantity of water was materially reduced, or perhaps the boring was
continued dry with the view of getting the whole of the coal out, but he
did not know what success had attended recent efforts.
VOL. XXX.—1881.
k
86 DISCUSSION—JEFFERSON'S BORING APPARATUS.
There had been many inventions to bring out a solid core when boring through
coal.
Mr. Lebour said, he received his information from Mr. Vivian.
The Chairman invited Mr. Bailey, Jun., who was not a member of the
Institute, to speak on the subject.
Mr. T. H. Bailey said, that at the Perry Sinking near Birmingham, the
Company had within the last three years put down a hole with the Diamond
Borer. They commenced with a 7-inch hole terminating with a 4-inch, at a
depth of 1,700 feet, but at that depth the boring-rods unfortunately broke
in the casings, and they were unable to recover them, so the scheme was
abandoned. From the whole depth they obtained only 1,100 feet of core. He
thought the loss was principally occasioned by the quantity of water forced
through the boring-rods and core tube, and round the end of the Diamond
crown, which washed away a great proportion of the strata forming the core
with the debris which would otherwise have choked the crown in its work.
They found in passing through the softer strata, of which there were many,
that they were all but washed away time after time, the core tube coming to
the surface with very little in it. The men said that in one of four holes
bored into the coal measures they passed through 8 feet of coal without a
vestige of core, and the only way they could tell there was coal was by the
colour of the water. The boring was through the new red sandstone.
The Chairman said, that Mr. Bewick had told him if the discussion was
adjourned he would get particulars of the percentages of the core through
various strata, which would be valuable information ; the question was,
whether Mr. Jefferson, who no doubt had come here at some inconvenience,
would like the discussion adjourned for further information.
Mr. Jefferson said, he had no objection to have the discussion adjourned.
His attention had been specially drawn to boring whilst studying at
Clausthal in Germany; he had been much struck with the ingenuity displayed
by the French, Belgian, and German engineers in boring, and had followed the
various inventions with much care. Two years ago he was in Germany, and he
went to see Herr Kobrich, who was the chief Boring Inspector for the German
Government. ' The Government owned the minerals in Prussia, and spent a
certain amount of money every year on boring. Herr Kobrich was boring at
Schonebeck with an apparatus which he had invented, and which was very
successful. At great depths, however, it was most exhausting for the workmen
to twist the boring-rods, and he thought it possible to design an apparatus
which would work automatically. One reason for
discussion—Jefferson's boring apparatus. 87
bringing this matter before the North of England Institute of Mining and
Mechanical Engineers, was because the Institute occupied a peculiar
position. Although called the North of England Institute of Mining and
Mechanical Engineers, its Transactions went all over the world, and it was
really a national Institute ; and he thought if this apparatus was described
in the Transactions there would be some chance of having it tried. With
regard to the question of size asked by the President, he doubted whether it
might be arranged for boring out shafts on the Kind-Chaudron principle, but
he saw no reason against the possibility of boring holes 30 inches diameter
or more with it. It was an advantage of the design, hoAvever, that it was
not necessary to begin with very large diameters to attain a considerable
depth, and it allowed a bore-hole being widened out with very great
rapidity.
In boring for coal the main object is to ascertain the depth, thickness, and
quality of a bed of coal, and not to obtain cores all the way from the
surface to the coal. The character and thickness of the various strata
passed through are given with all practical accuracy, by the ordinary
methods {i.e., by the debris brought up), and quite near enough for making
the estimate of the cost of sinking shaft. The Diamond drill failed to bore
cores in coal, and consequently it seemed to him that the speed of the
Diamond drill is its greatest advantage, whilst the readiness with which it
bores out cores in hard ground, is a more apparent than real advantage.
As to the cost, it was estimated from information given to him by Herr
Kobrich, and from the actual cost of a number of borings, executed with
various free-falling instruments. On the next page will be found a
comparative table of costs, taken from the paper on boring in the
Transactions of the Midland Institute, from which it will be seen that the
cost by the Diamond drill is upwards of three times as great as by the other
methods. The new apparatus, taking the speed of the apparatus of Herr
Kobrich as basis, will have a speed approaching that of the Diamond drill.
In boring through coal, he would suggest that the shoe which he had shown,
should be changed as soon as it was supposed from the feel of the rods that
coal was reached, and the core taken out by rotation with a special tool. If
they were boring for coal they should have the cores brought up now and
again as a sort of assurance that they were right as to the material brought
up, but he did not think it was really necessary to have the core bored all
the way down.
The Chairman said, they would all join with him in thanking Mr. Jefferson
for his valuable contribution to their Proceedings. The discussion would be
adjourned, and Mr. Bewick had promised some information as to the percentage
of the cores.
DISCUSSION—WROUGHT IRON IN COMPRESSION. 89
Mr. Richardson's paper " On the Strength of Wrought Iron in Compression' was
then discussed.
The Chairman said, such an important paper coming from a gentleman of such
experience as Mr. Richardson was a most valuable record— it was one on which
only gentlemen who had had extensive practice could offer any opinion. If
his conclusions are correct, then the strength of girders is very materially
increased beyond that derived from the usual formulas. Perhaps Mr.
Richardson might have further observations to make.
Mr. Richardson said, he had nothing further to add to his paper, but he
hoped to be able afterwards to submit to the Institute the results of some
experiments on the question. He suffered from a severe illness about the
time the paper was read, and he fully intended to have some experiments
made, not to establish data, because such experiments could only be made by
gentlemen who could devote special leisure to the subject ; but simply to
ascertain what amount of foundation there was for the conclusions he had
arrived at. He had less doubt in his mind than when he wrote the paper,
because it had elicited letters from friends in various parts of England,
and, in fact, of the world ; he had had even a letter from South Africa ;
and he found a unanimity in support of his views which almost startled
himself. The views he propounded were, to a certain extent, in direct
contradiction of the figures and data, and deductions which had appeared in
almost every text-book published for the last twenty years. Reflecting upon
these with humility, and knowing that what had been written in text-books
had been deduced from experiments, and knowing that Sir William Fairbairn
was a painstaking and careful test-maker, it seemed to him that the
erroneous deductions had been developed in the mathematical deductions
derived from the experiments. He thought that Sir William Fairbairn had not
sufficiently appreciated, in his mathematical formulae, the difference
between a factor and a function, and so had been led into errors, which, so
far as he could see, were patent upon the face of what that gentleman had
written in explanation. In the data given for calculating the strength of
materials and structures, whether in wrought or cast iron, it was usual to
make the strength of the column decrease inversely as the length, which
meant, if it meant anything, that if a column was a certain strength, it
would be half that strength if made twice as long, and vice versa. Common
sense showed that not to be the case. He should be inclined to think that in
wrought iron, or any other substance that had elasticity, both in
compression as in tension, an increase of the surface through which the
strain
88 jefferson's boring apparatus.
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90 DISCUSSION—WROUGHT IRON IN COMPRESSION.
took place, must, within limits, instead of decreasing, actually increase
the strength of the structure.
The Chairman said, that he hoped Mr. Richardson, by the experiments which he
had promised to make, would be able to maintain his views, which, if
correct, would prove a very great boon to all who had large iron structures
to erect, and that he would communicate the result of his experiments to the
Institute.
proceedings. 91
PROCEEDINGS.
GENERAL MEETING, SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 5th, 1881, IN THE WOOD MEMORIAL HALL.
T. J. BEWICK, Esq., Vice-President, in tiie Chair.
The Secretary read the minutes of the last meeting and reported the
proceedings of the Council.
The following gentlemen were elected members :—
Associate Members—
Mr. Thomas Reader Smith, Engineer, Rockingham Colliery, near Barnsley. Mr.
Edward J. Wardale, M.E., Craghead Colliery, Chester-le-Street.
Students—
Mr. J. Greig, Brancepeth, Durham.
Mr. J. Arnold Pike, Silksworth Colliery, Sunderland.
The following gentlemen were nominated for election at the next meeting :—
Associate Members—
Mr. Joseph Pringle, Manager, Coxlodge Colliery, South Gosforth,
Newcastle-on-Tyne. Mr. Walter Merivale, C.E., Engineers' Office,
Central Station,
Newcastle-on-Tyne.
Mr. Thomas J. Bewick read the following "Notes on Diamond Eock Boring:"—
NOTES ON DIAMOND ROCK BORING. 93
NOTES ON DIAMOND ROCK BORING.
By T. J. BEWICK.
To the members of an Institute such as this, comprising both Mining and
Mechanical Engineers, rock boring is especially interesting, inasmuch as it
combines mechanical skill and appliances with a knowledge of various strata
and the minerals occurring therein.
Having at the meeting of the members, held on the 4th December last,
undertaken to furnish some particulars on the questions raised in the
discussion upon Mr. Robert Miller's paper on " Jefferson's Automatic
Free-falling Hydraulic Boring Apparatus," with especial reference to the
results obtained in boring through various strata by the Diamond Rock Borer,
the writer now begs to submit the following:—
AS TO CORES.
In the early experience of those using the Diamond Borer the percentage of
cores obtained naturally varied much in different strata, but in the
coal-measures formation as much as 95 per cent, of core was not unfrequently
brought out. At that time soft beds of shale, marl, and coal did not yield
cores, owing to the fact that the holes put down were so small in diameter.
For some time after the first introduction of the system the holes were
under 2 inches diameter, and the cores produced were about f inch. This
smallness in the size of the holes rendered it most difficult to secure
cores of the softer strata, but in limestones, sandstones, hard shales, and
suchlike, the results were most satisfactory.
The experience gained in carrying on the operations led the engineers in
charge to observe that the larger the diameter of the hole the more certain
were the results. This, and the fact that for very deep borings large holes
were necessary to admit of the application of lining tubes, gradually led to
an increase in the diameter, until holes have been put down up to 26 inches,
yielding cores 23^ inches diameter.
In many cases where the diameter of the hole is sufficiently large, and even
in comparatively small holes, absolutely the whole depth bored through
VOL, XXX.—1881
M
94 NOTES ON DIAMOND ROCK BOEING.
has been brought to the surface in cores, however soft the rock may have
been. The following are a few examples of what has, from time to time, been
done:—
1.—At Caerphilly, South Wales, in 1874, a hole was put down to a depth of
1,00 7^ feet, from which " the cores brought up showed a complete section of
the strata passed through, and the samples of coal were satisfactory, being
such" (in the opinion of the gentleman for whom the hole was put down), " as
it would have been impossible to obtain by any other means of boring."
2.—In the same year two holes were made for the London and South Wales Coal
Company at Eisca, in South Wales, from which " perfect cores of the strata
were obtained, thereby giving a most reliable section of the nature of the
ground passed through."
3.—At Clapton, in 1875, in a boring through coal, the following results were
obtained :—
Depth Bored. Strata. Core obtained.
Percentage.
Ft. In. Ft.
In.
1 2 ... Coal ...... 9 ...
64-3
5 ... Soft fire clay ... 2 ...
40-0
6 6 ... Clift ...... 6 0 ...
92-4
6 ... Coal ...... 3 ...
500
7 9 ... Black shale ... 7 6 ...
9G'7 4 7 ... Coal ...... 3 9
... 81-8
2 0 ... Coal and shale ... 1 0 ...
500
3 2 ... Coal ...... 3 0 ...
94'7
Total ••• 26___1 Total ... 22
5 Average 86"0
" Besides the borings washed up, which in themselves gave as good an
evidence of the strata passed through as could otherwise have been
obtained."
In this case the total thickness of coal bored through was 9 feet 5 inches,
of which 7 feet 9 inches, or 82-3 per cent, of core was got out of the hole.
4.—In 1876, the Vancouver Coal Mining and Land Company had a Diamond Borer
in operation, and at a depth of about 500 feet passed through a seam of coal
reported to be 9 feet thick, from which the " coal core extracted was of
fair quality."
5.—At Rheinfelden, in Switzerland, in boring through Permian strata at a
depth of from 738 to 1,454 feet, 80 per cent, of the cores were obtained
with a crown 3£ inches diameter.
NOTES ON DIAMOND ROCK BORING. 95
6.—At Aschersleben, in Saxon-Prussia, where several borings for rock salt
have been made, cores of potash salt easily soluble were got out, samples of
which were submitted to the meeting.
One hole was bored 902 metres, equal to 2,959 feet, and from this 100 per
cent, of cores were drawn, of which some were salt cores 2*2 metres, or over
7 feet long in one piece. This hole was commenced 12 inches diameter at top
and finished 3 inches at bottom.
In another hole 405 metres, or 1,329 feet in depth, "perfect cores were
drawn." The diameter in this case was from 10^ to 3 inches.
From a third hole 361 metres, or 1,184 feet in depth, " perfect cores were
drawn," amongst them being some of potash salt 2 feet long in one piece. The
hole was commenced 10^ inches diameter and finished 4 inches.
Considering that these holes were in what is generally considered as soft
rocks, the results cannot be looked upon otherwise than with satisfaction,
and go to prove that with even moderate-sized holes solid cores are obtained
by the Diamond Borer. 7.—In connection with the Sub-Wealden borehole, near
Hastings, the. scientific geologists forming the sab-committee appointed to
report on the results obtained by that boring, state that the determination
at which they arrived with reference to the position of the strata was " due
to the manner in which large cores were brought to the surface by the
Diamond Rock Boring machine, so that a number of fossils were obtained
entire, the species of which could be accurately determined."
This hole was put down 1,906 feet through the Purbeck series, the Kimmeridge
clay, Coralline oolite, and Oxford clay, and, had funds been at command,
might have been continued to a further depth. At the commencement this hole
was 7 inches diameter and the core therefrom 5^ inches. 8.—In a boring for
the New River Water Company, in the neighbourhood of London, the total depth
reached was 1,010 feet, the diameter of the hole was 18 inches, and the
strata consisted partly of gault clay, very soft and readily affected by
water, yet every bit of core was obtained. Had this hole been only 3 or 4
inches diameter, it is estimated that not more than 20 per cent, of core
could have been got out.
96 NOTES ON DIAMOND ROCK BORING.
9.—From a borehole put down at the Chatham Dockyard, commenced 23 inches
diameter at top and finished at a depth of 910 feet, 15f inches diameter,
all the core was obtained, the strata in this case being chalk and gault.
10.—At Northampton, from a hole 23 inches diameter at top, and 15| inches at
a depth of 840 feet, all the core was secured, although the lias clays were
passed through.
11.—The following are examples of borings through coal, viz.:—
No. 1.
Total Depth from Thickness of Core
Percentage
Surface. Coal. obtained.
of Core.
Ft. In Ft. In. Ft. In.
410 6 ... 6 ... 3 ...
50-0
576 0 ... 4 1 ... 3 2 ...
77-5
590 0 ... 6 ... 2 ...
33-3
623 0 ... 2 0 ... 1 8 ...
83-3
626 0 ... 10 ... 8 ... 66-6
628 4 ... 2 4 ... 1 10 ...
78-5
732 0 ... 3 6 ... 2 8 ...
76-2
830 0 ... 6 2 ... 5 0 ...
81-0
Total ... 20 1 15 5 Average 7G'8
No. 2.
861 0 ... 4 ... 3 ...
75-0
880 6 ... 2 0 ... 1 5 ...
708
1,020 0 ... 3 ... 2 ...
66-6
1,086 0 ... 2 ... If ...
68-7
1;105 0 ... 7 ... 3 ...
42-8
1,332 1 ... 16 ... 10 ...
55-5
1.458 0 ... 4 ... 2 ...
50'0
1.514 0 ... 2 1 ... 17 ...
Vo-0
1-563 1 ... 2 1 ... 1 3 ...
60-0
1.586 9 ... 9 ... 8 ...
88-9
1.605 6 ... 3 11 2 8 ...
684
1,615 11 ... 1 11 ... i 2 ...
609
1,672 0 ... 5 8 ... 4 G ...
79-4
Total ... 21 7 15 Of Average 69"6
Colonel Beaumont, E.E., in a communication received a few days ago on this,
remarks :—" I have never known a proved instance of a boring through coal
being inaccurately recorded. Indications from the water and the action of
the machine enable the thickness and position of the bed to be identified;
but in many instances, especially with small-sized holes, cores cannot be
obtained—the character of coal, especially in many
NOTES ON DIAMOND ROCK BORING. 97
thin seams, is friable, and it washes to powder. By taking proper
precautions, actual samples of any strata can be obtained, and in all cases
(even the most disadvantageous to the Diamond Drill) the samples are more
correct with it than with the percussive system; because, while the means of
extracting a sample in soft strata is in either case the same, the Diamond
Drill has the advantage of a comparative immunity from the walls of the hole
being shaken down during the boring."
The following are taken as examples of boring through soft strata at varying
depths in different holes :—
Total Depth atrata Depth
Thickness Per- Size of
from Surface. strata. Bored.
of Core. centage. Core.
Ft. Ft. In.
Ft. In. In.
650 Coal measure shales ... 58 4 52 3
89'5 8*
745 Sandy shales ...... 16 0 15 3 95-3
3
760 Whin and sandstone ... 15 2 12 8 83"5
3
822 Sandy shales ...... 55 0 49 7 90'2
3
893 Shaly sandstone and shales 23 11 19 0 79"4
3^
977 Shales ......... 55 10 49 2 88"0
3
1,330 Fire clays and shales ...193 5 160 0 82'7
3
1,457 Do. do. ... 105 4 92 0
87"3 2}
1,500 Sandstones and shales ... 48 7 46 0
94'6 2f
1,580 Shales and fire clay ... 58 0 49 0
84'4 2f
1,666 Do. do. ... 50 7 43 5
85-8 2±
680 2 588 4 86"5
In another case of boring through red shales in Cumberland, in 200 feet
nearly all the cores were obtained, the hole commenced at 9 inches and was
afterwards reduced to 8 inches diameter.
From the preceding it appears that, with the Diamond Borer in holes of
sufficient size, the entire depth passed through can be brought out in cores
even in the softest strata, and that in small holes, from 80 to 95 per cent,
of the core is obtainable.
To this, however, the Port Clarence hole, referred to in the discussion
which took place on the 4th December last, is an exception, inasmuch as it
is the largest-sized hole the writer has heard of, and yet in the rock only
90 per cent, of the core has been obtained. It was commenced in July, 1880,
and at 31st December had reached a depth of 930 feet, the first 200 feet
being in gravel, sand, and clay, the remainder in the New Bed Sandstone
formation. The hole at the commencement is 26 inches, and at 930 feet 18|
inches diameter. It may be that the reason a smaliei proportion of core has
been got out than is usual in large-sized holes is because it is
unimportant, and the same care may not have been exercised in preserving it.
98 NOTES ON DIAMOND EOCK BOEING.
AS TO THE COMPARATIVE COST BY THE ROPE, RIGID ROD, AND DIAMOND DRILL
SYSTEMS.
So much depends on the various circumstances surrounding each particular
case that it is difficult to arrive at a correct conclusion as to which is
the cheapest, inasmuch as, not unfrequently, time forms an important element
in the calculation, and this may be equivalent to money. In the tabular
statement furnished by Mr. Jefferson, the Diamond Drill appears at a
considerable disadvantage as regards cost; but the contrary is shown by the
following quotation, which is extracted from a letter written by the manager
of the Vancouver Company before mentioned. By the "old system" of boring
(which, however, is not explained) the Company put down a hole of 240 feet
at a cost of £560, which is equal to £2 6s. 8d. per foot; a second one of
363 feet cost £1,100, or £3 0s. 7^d. per foot; and subsequently, with the
Diamond Drill, 497 feet were bored for £320, equal to 12s. 10^d. per foot,
or only from about one-fourth to one-fifth the cost by the old system. In
this same case the question of speed formed an important element, as the
first hole by the old method occupied twelve months, or at the rate of 20
feet per month; the second one seventeen months, or 21W feet per month,
whilst the 497 feet bored by the Diamond Drill was done in three months,
giving an average speed of 165f feet each month, which is about eight times
as fast as by the old system, and that, too, in a deeper hole. It may be
that untoward circumstances occurred in prosecuting the two holes by the old
system, causing delay in their execution and augmenting the cost; and, on
the other hand, the Diamond Borer may have on this occasion been more than
usually successful both as regards time and cost.
Fuller details of strata and other circumstances are necessary to enable a
full comparison to be made; but the case is brought forward to show how
impossible it is to arrive at a correct conclusion on the merits of the
several methods.
On this Colonel Beaumont says:—" I should consider the Diamond system would
always be cheaper than the Free-falling system except in ground where there
was a very heavy Diamond expenditure, in which case it is difficult to form
an estimate; but on the average, taking the actual cost of boring, I fancy
that more work has been done, for the same amount of money spent by the
contractors, by the Diamond than by any other system."
The first hole at Middlesbrough, bored by Mather & Piatt's system, was 1,200
feet deep, it occupied a long time, and cost about £10,000, equal to £8 6s.
8d. per foot. If this had been done by the Diamond
NOTES ON DIAMOND EOCK BOEING. 99
Borer, it would probably have been finished within twelve months and at
one-third the cost.
It cannot, however, be doubted that, amongst other advantages, the Diamond
Drill system is superior—
Firstly—In the rate at which borings can be accomplished; and, Secondly—In
more correctly showing the exact character of the
strata bored through. No opinion can be fairly formed as yet as to the depth
which can be reached by the different systems. It is true that at present
the deepest known hole has been bored by rigid rods, viz., that at
Sperenberg, in Brandenburg, which reached a depth of 4,170 feet, and
occupied nearly 4| years in sinking. On the other hand, the Bohmische Brod
hole, put down by the Diamond Drill, reached 2,207 feet, and was then
stopped because the object in view had been attained. It is also true that
this hole was little more than half the depth of that at Sperenberg, but it
took only l£ years in its accomplishment, which is about one-fourth the time
taken up by the Sperenberg hole. More recently, by the same system, a depth
of 1,207^ metres, or nearly 4,000 feet, has been attained by a boring for
salt near Ltibtheen, in Mecklenburg, and this was done in less than six
months, which can only be looked upon as a marvellous success in deep
boring. From this hole 100 per cent, of cores was obtained, one piece of
salt rock being over 20 feet long.
It has been alleged that, in case of the breakage of the tubes or rods used
in working the Diamond Drill, there are difficulties in recovering them
which often prove fatal to the further prosecution of the hole. This, so far
as the writer has been able to ascertain, is not correct, for as a rule, in
cases of breakage, the rods, or the crown itself, can be fished up Avithout
much difficulty, and in practice, there are extremely few breakages of this
character which cannot be remedied.
On this Colonel Beaumont remarks :—" There are many instances of the
breakage of the rods, but at this moment I cannot charge my memory with more
than one case in which the hole had to be abandoned. The mere breakage of
the rods can be got over with proper recovering tackle so simply that it is
not considered a serious matter; and in this instance the hole could have
been continued had the boring not been abandoned owing to the colliery being
stopped."
A remarkable case is on record in the Transactions of the South Wales
Institute of Engineers, where a borehole at the brewery of Messrs. Meux &
Co., in Tottenham Court Road, London, had been put down from the bottom of a
well 265 feet from the surface, by the boring
/
100 NOTES ON DIAMOND ROCK BORING.
appliances of Messrs. Mather & Piatt to a further depth of about 435 feet.
This hole was 13 inches diameter, and for 151 feet was sunk vertically, but
the remaining 284 feet was much out of truth—i.e., crooked—first going more
than its own width to one side, and then back to the opposite side of the
vertical line to even a greater distance. At this depth the boring head of
the machine, weighing 10 cwts., becoming detached, had to be left in the
hole, and the boring abandoned. At a later period the hole was made vertical
from the bottom of the well by the Diamond Borer, and continued to a depth
of 879 feet, making the total from the surface 1,144 feet. Of this 879 feet,
607 feet were 13 inches diameter, and the remainder 9^ inches, the last 70
feet or thereabouts in palasozoic rocks, the strata above being in the chalk
and green sand formations. In putting down boreholes through sand or soft
strata, lining tubes are necessary, but in such a case as that described it
would be impossible to insert lining tubes.
In simplicity and fewness of parts in the hole itself the Free-falling
apparatus cannot compare with the Diamond Drill, in which there are
absolutely no parts that can become detached except it be the diamonds, and
in such cases, otherwise than by increasing the cost of the boring by the
loss thereof, the operation is not affected. On the other hand, looking at
the drawings accompanying Mr. Miller's paper (Plate XLVL, Vol. XXIX.), it
appears there are many parts of the apparatus near the bottom of the hole
which may easily become deranged and interfere seriously with the
effectiveness of the borer and the rapidity with which the hole can be put
down.
One of the merits claimed for Mr. Jefferson's apparatus is the passing of
the current of water down the outside and up the inside of the hollow rods.
This in practice is, as a rule, disadvantageous, inasmuch as the water not
unfrequently gets away in fissures in the rock, and thus the pressure is not
maintained, and it has been found that solid cores of rock cannot by this
means be brought up inside the rods simply by the action of the water.
Colonel Beaumont on this remarks:—"It is quite impossible to get solid cores
up the inside of the rods. The best pattern of rod is one which is flush
inside, necessitating joints in the hollow part which would prevent cores
rising. Assuming there be no difficulty from this cause, in my opinion the
system proposed is altogether useless, because in many instances hydraulic
pressure could not be put on owing to the water finding its way into the
strata through cracks. I think there cannot be a doubt of the very great
importance of having nothing complicated at the bottom of the hole.
Irrespective of the non-liability of the Diamond Drill to get out of
DISCUSSION—NOTES ON DIAMOND ROCK BORING. 101
order, it has the enormous advantage of being, comparatively speaking,
readily withdrawn in the event of the ground closing in over the tool, which
with a Free-falling apparatus would probably be the cause of serious
difficulty. Another advantage of the Diamond Drill is, that with proper care
the hole can hardly get out of truth, whereas with the Free-falling rope
system there are instances of holes inclining so far from the perpendicular
as to stop the boring. I remember one case, bearing out this remark, of a
deep boring in the Barrow district."
At the discussion referred to, Mr. Jefferson stated that the Diamond Drill
failed to bore cores of coal; in answer to this the writer has made
inquiries of engineers who have had great experience writh this borer and is
assured that this assertion is not borne out by fact. Figures have already
been given showing that solid cores of coal have been got out, and although
it is difficult to obtain such cores, they being for the most part in
possession of the parties for whom the work was undertaken, the writer has
succeeded in obtaining the loan of two, which are submitted for the
inspection of the members. A part of one of these it will be observed is
very friable ; it is from South Wales, and was brought from a depth of about
300 yards from the surface by a borehole 3 inches diameter.
For most of the figures and circumstances brought before the members the
writer is indebted to his friends, Colonel Beaumont, K.E., one of the
original patentees of the application of the diamond for rock boring
purposes in this country, and to whom its subsequent introduction and much
of its success is due ; to Mr. John Yivian, who has been connected wuth the
system from its first commencement; to Herr Schmidtmann, who successfully
applied it on the Continent in putting down several deep holes; and to Mr.
J. K. G-ulland, whose connection with the system has extended over several
years.
Mr. J. B. Simpson said, he would like to ask whether the Company had ever
put a pit down near the place where they had made a boring, and whether the
thickness of the seams had turned out the same as shown by the boring ?
Although no doubt the Diamond Bock Boring apparatus was very good for going
through hard rock, yet, so far as his experience went, he did not think it
was adapted for ascertaining the exact thickness of coal seams, especially
if the coal was tender. At the present time a
N
VOL. XXX—1881.
102 DISCUSSION—NOTES ON DIAMOND ROOK BORING.
three-feet seam was worth working, but if the boring apparatus only brought
up 70 per cent, of this it might prevent the proprietor from sinking to what
might nevertheless be a profitable seam.
The Chairman said, he was not in a position to answer the question, but
perhaps Mr. Vivian or Mr. Wild would be able to do so. When he spoke uf 70
per cent, it was of solid coal brought out; in addition to that there was
the disintegrated coal obtained with the water, and the two together would
pretty clearly denote the thickness of the seam passed through. He would not
say that mistakes had not arisen in this matter, but the system adopted by
the Diamond Drill was quite equal to any other for ascertaining the
thickness of the seams, for as soon as it touched coal it gave indications
of the fact not to be mistaken by an experienced borer. Mr. Simpson—Is it
possible to detect bands an inch thick in the seams passed through when the
coal is tender?
The Chairman—Yes, if a solid core is brought out, but not otherwise; and it
will be seen by specimens on the table that solid cores can be obtained from
very friable coal.
Mr. A. L. Steavenson thought they must admit that if the Diamond Borer did
not give the entire thickness of the seam, at all events it gave a closer
approximation to it than any other system. He had been present when coal had
been bored through by other systems and not a single ounce of debris
obtained, in cases where both gas and water were present. The Diamond Borer,
on the contrary, would pass down and show the thickness of any fault, and
any inferiority in the seams would be shown in a distinct manner. The
comparative facility with which the Diamond Borer went through hard rock was
also a great advantage, for some holes put down in the neighbourhood of the
river Browney were abandoned on reaching a bed of basaltic rock at about 70
fathoms, whereas if the Diamond Borer had been used the holes might have
been carried through the basalt without difficulty.
Mr. T. W. Benson said, his father had a borehole put down by the Diamond
Bock Boring Company in the beginning of 1875 to prove the mountain limestone
coal, near Coastley, about three miles west of Hexham, in a plantation on
the north side of the main turnpike. This hole was put down to a depth of
about 200 feet, and abandoned in consequence of getting into broken strata.
The depth of the second hole was about 767 feet; it was sunk further up the
burn on the south side of the road, about 100 yards away from the first
hole, and coal was passed at 760 feet and recorded as follows;—
DISCUSSION—NOTES ON DIAMOND ROCK'BORING. 108
Ft. In.
Coal ..................... 2 O
Sandstone ... ... ... ... ...
... 2
Coal ..................... 9
Shale ..................... 1
Coal ..................... 2\
Shale ..................... 4
Coal ..................... 3
Total ...............3 9|
The cores varied from two to four inches diameter ; but the coal that was
got out was all in dust and small pieces, no piece being much larger than a
marble. The diameter of core in passing through the coal was two inches. The
result not being satisfactory a pit was not put down, but the record proved
that a band of coal an inch in thickness could be detected. So far as he
could, recollect, the cost of the two holes was about £1,850, or about £1
18s. per foot. The nature of the coal was soft and friable, and scarcely
likely to give a good core in so small a hole, but since the early part of
1875, when these holes were put down, he understood that the size of the
holes had been considerably increased.
Mr. J. D. Kendall said, it might be interesting to know what had been done
with regard to the two systems of boring in use in Cumberland —the Diamond
Bock boring system and the rigid rod percussive system. He found that for
holes of 600 feet in depth the Diamond boring system cost 22s. per foot,
which was 75 per cent, dearer than the other system; for a hole 700 feet
deep, the Diamond system cost 24s. per foot, which was 68 per cent, in
excess; for 800 feet and over, the cost of the Diamond system was 25s. per
foot, and exceeded the other by 50 per cent. But it must be borne in mind
that the Diamond Boring Company gave a guarantee that the holes they put
down should go to the depth that was required, or forfeit their claim for
payment. In connection with the other system, they frequently found that
after the hole had gone a certain distance, and was not paying the
contractor, he threw it up, because there was no guarantee given whatever as
to how far he would go, and this was an important consideration. In the
matter of speed, the Diamond machine could bore more than twice as fast as
the other machine, besides obtaining infinitely better samples.
Mr. Vivian said, he had been connected with the Diamond boring from its
commencement, having worked out the patents of Colonel Beaumont, and brought
the system up to its present position, in company with others. When they
first started, it was in a small way, as was the case
104 DISCUSSION—NOTES ON DIAMOND BOCK BOEING.
with most inventors; for they commenced with a hole one inch and a half in
diameter on the side of aWelsh mountain. In about a dozen hours they got
some rods screwed together, and in the next thirty hours they went down
about 200 feet, and told an engineer who was conducting some tunnelling
operations, the nature of the strata he would have to traverse. Tbey came
next to the Cleveland district, and put down a hole, but unfortunately they
started with one that was too small, and met with difficulties. They then
made up their minds to have larger holes and telescope them, and put in
tubes to keep back the debris. The object in boring for coal was, of
course, to get the very best sample they could, and keep up the reputation
of the Company. He was afraid some gentlemen here condemned the system,
because they did not quite understand it. A pit was sunk near Manchester,
under the direction of Messrs. Higson, Mining Engineers, some 720 yards, on
the assumption that coal was there; and when this depth was reached and no
coal was found the partners were disappointed, and determined to have a bore
opened from the bottom of the 720 yards shaft. The Diamond Boring Company
fixed their plant at the bottom of the shaft, and bored 1,040 feet in four
months, and the samples brought up were so far satisfactory, that they were
now pushing on the sinking, and had passed through several seams of coal
without hearing any complaints. The Company had bored two holes in
Ayrshire for Mr. Galloway. There were several whinstone dykes running
through the coal there, and in boring they had frequently to pass through
them. In the coal-measures they got 60, 70, and as much as 80 per cent,
of core, even when the coal was thin and friable. Mr. Calloway was so
satisfied with the first sinking that he employed them to sink other holes.
The Company had just finished a hole for the Shotts' Company, at Roslin,
near Edinburgh, and from the coal they got 60 to 70 per cent., and in the
soft shale and sand they got 80 and 90 per cent. core. They now obtained
cores eight, nine, and ten inches outside diameter, according to the
probable depth of the boring. He always desired to know before starting
what was the depth required, and the Company bound themselves to go down and
finish the hole to that depth. As to Mr. Jefferson's Free-falling tool,
from his experience, and apart from any interest he had in boring, he would
not like to trust it for getting samples; he did not believe in its
retaining the small core. The action described by Mr. Jefferson had not
been tried, and was only theoretical at present; but he was sure that the
action of the borer would destroy the section it happened to retain in the
bottom. They all knew that any machine, however good, would not do good
work if placed in the hands
DISCUSSION—NOTES ON DIAMOND BOCK BOEING. 1 05
of unskilful workmen, and unfortunately in busy times the Diamond Borer had
sometimes been badly used, but in the last ten years they had only lost two
holes. They had on an average six to eight machines at work, and they
expected each machine to do from 2,000 to 3,000 feet yearly. The quantity of
work the Company got, too, was a guarantee that they did their work
satisfactorily, and also that they did it quickly. They did not look upon
the breakage of rods as a serious matter. They preferred a break to a jam,
as causing the least delay. Most of the jams in the Cumberland district were
caused by lumps of limestone falling down on the rod whilst rotating 300 or
400 times in the minute; sometimes a piece of stone so falling would jam the
rod and break it, but if the jam was not very serious they soon got the rods
out and continued the boring. Mr. Kendall's experience of their system had
shown that the cost was not very much in excess of the other system, but he
(Mr. Vivian) thought that the guarantee given by the Company was worth 25
per cent, of the cost at least, and besides there was the extra speed, and
the extra certainty of samples, so that they would see that with the Diamond
Borer they got value for their money.
The Chaieman asked Mr. Vivian if he could answer Mr. Simpson's question as
to Avhether sections of coal indicated by the borer have actually been
verified by subsequent sinking on the same site?
Mr. Vivian—Yes, in several cases. At Ashton Moss and other places, sinking
has confirmed the indications of the borer most satisfactorily.
Mr. Simpson said, with respect to one case which he had to investigate, the
boring was so unsatisfactory that they felt they could not place dependence
upon it, for they were not sure whether the samples were right or not. In
fact no actual samples came up, but only water with coal-dust in it, and in
consequence no sinking was attempted.
Mr. Coulson said, he understood that in some cases the only proof there was
that the Diamond Borer was passing coal was the colour of the water coming
to the surface, but sometimes the water escaped by gullets existing between
the bottom of the hole and the top; how in that case could there be any
reliable means of knowing if coal had been passed when neither cores or
debris had been obtained ?
The Chaieman said, that in such cases there could not be any certainty, the
same causes of failure would tell equally against all systems. The
discussion of this subject would be adjourned, and the members would be glad
if, at a subsequent meeting, they could be favoured with the views of Mr.
Coulson, who was the oldest and most experienced borer in the North of
England, and possibly in this island. They would have great pleasure in
handing down Mr. Coulson's views in the Transactions of the Institute.
106 DISCUSSION—NOTES ON DIAMOND EOCK BORING.
Mr. Coulson promised to read some notes on the subject.
Mr. J. W. Wild mentioned that, with regard to the hole put down at Port
Clarence, for the first 120 feet no core was obtained, for the simple reason
that they were passing through clay and gravel, but subsequently they got 90
per cent, of core for the entire depth of the hole. At Wol-laton, near
Nottingham, a hole was put down, and they bored through 2 feet 6 inches, 3
feet, 5 feet, and 6 feet seams of coal, and a pit was sunk afterwards which
completely verified their indications.
Mr. Simpson said, he would be much obliged if Mr. Wild could supply them at
the time of the next discussion with particulars of both the boring record
and the strata passed through by the pit, so that they might be compared
together, for one simple fact was worth a thousand off-hand statements.
Mr. J. W. Wild said he would furnish to the Secretary the details required.
Mr. Maeley, in reply to the remarks made by Mr. Bewick in his paper
respecting the Middlesbro' borings, was glad to find they were not founded
on the paper which he had written on the subject, and remarked that he
thought it was true that the Middlesbro' well sinking for water might have
cost Bolckow and Vaughan the large sum stated, although the boring itself
did not cost anything like so much. They bored many hundred feet, 18 inches
diameter, at not a greater cost than £1 per foot, instead of £8 per foot as
quoted. He was glad that Mr. Coulson had been induced to promise to provide
some statistics and information on the subject of boring; and he thought Mr.
Simpson should also produce some statistics as to the accuracy or inaccuracy
of the old-fashioned boring. He knew from experience that borings had been
put down, and had indicated seams which, on sinking, had either not been
found to exist, or if found, were of very different thickness to what was
indicated. Mr. Coulson's father, the late Mr. John Arch. Forster, and
himself had, about forty-one years ago, tried two or three different kinds
of boring instruments, with a view to bringing core of coal up, which were
partially, but not wholly, successful.
The discussion was adjourned, and Mr. J. D. Kendall read the following paper
on " The Iron Ores of Antrim:"—
THE IEON OEES OF ANTEIM. 107
THE IKON" OSES OF ANTBIM.
By J. D. KENDALL, C.E., F.G.S.
The north-east corner of Ireland—that occupied by the county of Antrim— is
almost entirely covered by a sheet of basalt, which varies in thickness from
a few feet to several hundred feet. This basalt rests upon chalk, and is
supposed, from the nature of the plants yielded by some inter-bedded layers
of Lignite, to be of Miocene age. A generalised section of the rocks in this
part of Ireland is given in Fig. 1, Plate XXIII.
Generally, the basalt may be divided into two classes, amorphous and
columnar, the latter of which must be well-known to all who have visited the
famous Giant's Causeway, on the north coast; and the former may also there
be seen between and beloAV the two tiers of columns which form such a
conspicuous feature of the cliffs.
Although the basalt is not a sedimentary rock, but volcanic, yet, as is
often the case with rocks of the latter class, it shows distinct traces of
bedding, as may be seen in the cliffs at Pleaskin, near the Giant's
Causeway, a sketch of which is given in Fig. 2.
MODE IN WHICH THE ORES OCCUR AND THEIR NATURE.
Parallel to the bed-planes of the basalt and inter-stratified with that rock
are a number of ferruginous bands, which, of late years, have attracted
considerable attention. The precise number of these bands is not known, but
they occur one above another like seams of coal, as shown in Fig. 1, Plate
XXIV., which is a section of the cliffs near Downhill.
In the above sketch only two seams are shown; in other places, however,
there are more. Usually they consist of a ferruginous clay called bole, with
an underlying layer of lithomarge; but one seam, the most important of all,
and perhaps the only seam that has yet been worked to a commercial success,
consists of three beds. The position of this seam, as seen at Portmoon, is
immediately under the lower tier of basaltic columns. It appears to be the
highest of the series of ferruginous bands, at least the writer is not aware
that any have been found above it. The seam which occurs in a similar
position, that is, below the lower tier of basaltic columns in the cliffs
near the Giant's Causeway, is the same, and it may be found in many other
parts of the county. A general section of the seam is given in Fig 2. and
described below.
10S THE IRON ORES OF ANTRIM.
a.—Columnar Basalt.—Lower tier.
b.—Clay.—Slate-coloured, passing gradually into the overlying basalt. The
thickness of the clay is very irregular, and it peels off the overlying
basalt in lamina), parallel to the sinuosities of the under surface thereof.
c.~Pisolitic Ore.—This bed consists of a soft brown or reddish ochre, in
which are thickly embedded small irregular pieces of harder ore about the
size of peas, which are strongly attracted by the magnet, being partly
hematite and partly magnetite. Sometimes this bed has an amorphous character
and appears as limonite when it is not magnetic. The junction between it
and the overlying clay is very distinct, and they separate quite easily.
A quantity of fossil wood has been found in the bed, the vegetable tissue of
which was replaced by limonite. The pieces which have been seen by the
writer belong to a coniferous species allied to the yew. Average
thickness of bed about two feet. d— Bole.—A yellowish-red ochre, containing
numerous concretionary nodules of basalt. It is moderately hard, and
breaks into irregular cuboidal pieces. The junction between this and the
overlying pisolitic ore is not very distinct. Average thickness about six
feet. e.~Lithomarge.—A variegated soft rock of a prevailing blue slate
colour and greasy feel. Like the bole, it contains concretionary nodules
of basalt, but they are more numerous in this bed than in the bole. The
line separating it from the bole is somewhat indistinct. Average
thickness about 25 feet. /.—Concretionary Basalt.—Passes gradually into the
overlying
lithomarge. The nodules of basalt included in the bole and lithomarge are
very curious. Fig. 1, Plate XXV., is a sketch of three of these nodules
occurring in the bole at Ballylagan.
Fig. 2 shows two similar nodules enclosed in the lithomarge, at Pleaskin.
The centres of the nodules consist of compact basalt, which gradually and by
.concretionary layers passes into either bole or lithomarge. The extent of
the ferruginous bed containing pisolitic ore is not known ; but it must
cover many thousands of acres, although it does not occur everywhere within
the basaltic area. In many places it has been removed by denudation, being
found in the hills but absent in the intervening valleys. The breach of
continuity thus brought about is further increased by the numerous faults
that traverse the county.
THE IRON ORES OF ANTRIM. 109
It is possible that there may be more than one band containing pisolitic
ore, and that the seams which have been worked by the different Mining
Companies operating in the county may not be portions of one original seam
as is generally supposed, but so far as is at present known, they appear to
be.
The quality of the pisolitic ore is good, as shown by the following
analyses:—
Constituents. Bed Bay. Red Bay. Oargan. E^|hs-
Knockboy. S^»-
Pero. of iron ... 59-40 77-22 66-56 65-42
63-70 71-00
Protoxide of iron...... ... ... ...
... 18'00
Oxide of manganese ... ... '11 trace
... trace
Titanic acid... I _ ^ ^ ^ ^
Vanadic acid >
Alumina ...... 2-80 ... 7"92 12-54
1275
Silica ......... 10-40 20"65 5"47 7"08
6'30 900
Sulphur............ ... -03 trace
-02
Phosphorus......... ... trace -02
-06
Magnesia ......... ... *16 -08
-05
Lime ............ ... "68 "20
'10
Water of combintn. 8-40 2-13 14-34 8"82
12-70
Metallic iron ... 41-58 54-05 4661 45-99
44-60 63"70
Analyst ......Apjohn. Cameron. Tosh. Tosh. Tosh.
Cameron.
The bole yields only about half as much iron as the pisolitic ore, and
contains a much larger quantity of alumina. The following are analyses of
samples taken chiefly from the bole, but having a slight admixture of the
pisolitic ore:—
Constituents. Kilwaughter. Kilwaughter.
Glenarm. Tully.
Pero. of iron ...... 41-00 45-00 33-34
45-50
Oxide of manganese ... ••• trace
... trace
Titanic acid ...... "50 ...
5-31 2-00
Alumina ...... 51-00 36-44 41-13
35-50
Silica......... POO ... 3-78
4-00
Magnesia ...... trace 2"44
-97.
Lime ......... -50 0'56 "21
-35
Sulphur ...... ... •¦•
trace
Phosphorus ... ... ... •••
'04
Water of combination 6-00 18-00 15'55
12-65
Metallic iron...... 28"70 3P50 23"34
3P85
Analyst ... ... Cameron. Cameron. Tosh.
Cameron.
VOL. XXX.-1881.
0
110 THE IRON ORES OF ANTRIM.
The yield of iron by the lithomarge is too small to render it of any value
for iron-making, as is shown by the following analysis:—
Pero. of iron ... ••• ... ... ...
... 6'61
Magnesia .................. P47
Lime ... ... ... ... ... ...
... '43
Potash ..................... 6-35
Silica ..................... 4975
Alumina.................. » ... 29"88
Water......... ............ 5'48
99'97
Metallic iron .................. 4'62
ORIGIN OF THE DEPOSITS.
Lithomarge and Bole.—The manner in which these beds have been produced seems
to the writer to be rendered perfectly clear, by the presence in them of the
concretionary nodules already noticed. The graduation from bole to basalt
and from lithomarge to basalt, as seen in the nodules of the respective
beds, leaves no doubt whatever in his mind that both bole and lithomarge are
the result of metamorphic action on basalt. The appearance presented by
these nodules cannot possibly be explained on any other assumption, but
whether the rock from which the two beds were produced was exactly alike in
chemical constitution, as well as like that of the basalt now above and
below them, it is impossible at present to say. The probability is, in the
writer's opinion, that the beds of rock from which the bole and lithomarge
were produced differed in their chemical constituents. If not, and it is
assumed that they were both subjected to the same metamorphic action, then
the two beds of lithomarge and bole must represent two different stages of
the metamorphic process. But if bole were metamorphosed lithomarge, that is,
if it had undergone a higher degree of metamorphism than lithomarge, there
would be found in the concretionary nodules of the bole, a transition from
basalt to lithomarge in the first place, and then from lithomarge to bole;
in other words, between the bole and basalt forming the centre of the
nodules, there would be found a layer of lithomarge, which is not the case.
Then again, if lithomarge were altered bole, there would be found in the
concretions of the lithomarge bed a layer of bole immediately round the
basaltic kernels, which did not appear. These facts incline the writer to
the idea that the bole has been produced from a bed of basalt chemically
different from that which, by alteration, has resulted in lithomarge. Below
are two analyses of basalt from Antrim.
THE IRON ORES OF ANTRIM. Ill
I. II.
Peroxide of iron ............ 27"87 8-95
Magnesia ............... 4'00
Lime.................. 4-15 4-55
Silica ............... 39-72 53-70
Alumina ............... 14-32 25-41
Sulphuret of iron ... ... ... ... ...
tr.
Soda... ... ... ... ... ... ")
Potash ............... i 9-94
Water ............... ) 4"30
They show how variable that rock is, and that its composition differs quite
as much in the same locality as lithomarge does from bole. A fact which may
throw some light on the mode of metamorphism may be observed, in connection
with the bed of clay lying between the pisolitic bed and the overlying
basalt. Tins clay, the writer believes, is also metamorphosed basalt, for
there is a most gradual laminated passage from hard basalt to soft clay, as
shown in Fig. 1, Plate XXYI. Wherever this clay bed crops out to the day it
appears to thicken, as shown at a, Fig. 2, which is a section of the
pisolitic ore and accompanying beds, as seen at Ballylagan. This thickening
of the clay-bed at the outcrop would seem to indicate that whatever was the
metamorphic action which produced the clay, it acted most powerfully near
the surface. The metamorphism cannot, however, have been recent, or the
upper part (c) of the bed A might be expected to be also converted into
clay. This may have been so at one time and have been subsequently removed
by glacial or pre-glacial denudation.
Pisolitic Ore.—This bed has been accounted for in various ways. Some have
supposed it to be of igneous origin, others consider it to be metamorphosed
bole, whilst not a few are of opinion that it had an aqueous origin. The
fact, previously referred to, that fossil wood has been found in the bed,
seems to favour the last idea. It clearly precludes the possibility of the
first and second. Besides, if this ore is the result of metamorphic action
on bole, why is the same sort of pisolitic ore not found accompanying the
other bole beds ? They were all alike, overlaid by a bed of basalt, which,
according to the holders of this view, was instrumental in producing the
pisolitic ore.
The precise mode of deposition usually advocated by those who believe in the
aqueous origin of this bed, is the sedimentary. But that view, it seems to
the writer, is scarcely reconcilable with the facts. The freedom of the ore
from the mechanical admixture of other rocks, alone seems a sufficient
argument against its deposition in that way. The most likely mode of origin
appears to be that of precipitation from a chemical solution,
112 THE IRON ORES OP ANTRIM.
possibly by organic agency, but not necessarily so. On that supposition, the
absence of foreign matter, such as would almost assuredly have been present
had the bed been of sedimentary origin, offers no difficulty, whilst the
occurrence of wood in the ore is as easily explained by assuming the ore to
be a sediment. Suppose the bed of basalt from which the bole was produced to
have been in a comparatively soft and decomposed state at. the time the
pisolitic ore was deposited, that would also afford a probable explanation
of the fact already mentioned, that the junction of the pisolitic bed and
bole is somewhat indistinct. Some of the first precipitated ore would almost
certainly find its way into the decomposed bed below, the effect of which
would be to produce the appearance of a regular transition from iron ore to
bole. The magnetic character of the ore is probably due to the influence of
the overlying basalt whilst it was in the condition of molten lava.
It may be thought somewhat improbable that three beds, such as the pisolitic
ore, the bole, and the lithomarge, should be found lying together in such
intimate relations and yet two of them to have originated in one way, and
the other in a manner entirely different. It may be asked why, if the
pisolitic ore was precipitated from a chemical solution, should it be
underlaid by bole and lithomarge ? It might as easily have been thrown down,
it may be said, on unaltered basalt. But it should not be forgotten that one
of the very conditions which is necessary to produce a chemical precipitate,
that is the presence of water, is also one that is likely to afford the
agent necessary to effect the metamorphic change which resulted in the
formation of bole and lithomarge, so that these beds might have been formed
at the same time or nearly so, and yet in very different ways. Besides, by
adopting that view, the difficulty of explaining the absence of pisolitic
ore from any of the underlying bands yielding only bole and lithomarge is
avoided. On the precipitation hypothesis it need only be supposed that if
the lower beds, like the upper one, were submerged in water, iron was
present only during the deposition of the pisolitic ore accompanying the
upper bed, or it may be that then only were the necessary organisms present
to effect the precipitation.
AGE OP THE DEPOSITS.
Being inter-bedded with rocks of miocene age, it is certain that these ores
are not older than middle Tertiary; nor can the pisolitic ore be younger, as
it must have been formed contemporaneously with the rocks in which it
occurs. The bole and lithomarge may be much younger if they are
metamorphosed basalt, but the evidence afforded by the blended junction of
the pisolitic ore and bole suggests that these two beds, at any rate,
DISCUSSION—HEMATITE DEPOSITS OF WEST CUMBERLAND. 113
originated at the same time. It is also probable that the lithomarge was
produced then as well, so that the whole three beds may be dated as middle
Miocene.
The Chairman said, that this paper was one of a character which deserved
their best consideration. The commercial importance of the subject was
evidenced by the fact that in 1860 the produce from the Antrim fields was
only 20,000 tons; at the end of the next five years it had increased to
nearly 100,000 tons ; in 1875 it was 122,000 tons ; and in 1879 it was
155,000 tons of iron ore. As there was still some other business to get
through, he thought the discussion had better be postponed till the paper
was printed and in the hands of the members.
Mr. J. D. Kendall's paper on the " Hematite Deposits of West Cumberland" was
then discussed.
Mr. Kendall stated that in the discussion which took place, in his absence,
on his supplementary paper on this subject—which paper and discussion are
together published in Vol. XXX., Part I., of the Transactions—a number of
observations were made by Professor Lebour which he felt called upon to
answer.
Professor Lebour asserts that his (Mr. Kendall's) explanation of these
deposits is this —" That a solution of perchloride of iron coming into
contact either with limestone, granite, slate, or lava, instantly alters the
rock into a precipitate of red peroxide of iron."
Nowhere in the paper was the word "instantly" used in the above sense, and
only in one place—Vol. XXVIII., page 148, line 30 from top—was anything said
or implied at all resembling the remarks of Professor Lebour, above quoted;
for nowhere but in the discussion which took place on his first paper—which
discussion is published in Vol. XXVIII., page 219 of the Transactions—had he
(Mr. Kendall) put forward his views as to how the replacement took place in
the granite, slate, or lava. In that discussion, page 232, he stated that
"he agreed with Mr. Steavenson that there is a difficulty in seeing how any
solution of iron could replace granite and slate, but he had before him a
specimen which came from the Boot deposit, which he thought threw very
considerable light on how the replacement might have been effected. A part
of this specimen was limestone, and this limestone blended off in
114 DISCUSSION—HEMATITE DEPOSITS OP WEST CUMBERLAND.
one direction into granite, and in the other into hematite. Now, if it were
supposed that the hematite of the veins in the granite and slate were
preceded by limestone, much of Mr. Steavenson's difficulty would disappear.
How the limestone got there is another question which he had not attempted
to answer, but it seemed to him that it might have been produced in some
such manner as the following. Suppose the rocks to be submerged in the sea,
and that heated waters containing carbonate of soda were rising from below
through the joints in the rocks; the silica in the walls of these joints
would be slowly dissolved. Small quantities of sea water would also find
their way into the rocks, and these coming into contact with the ascending
alkaline waters, a reaction would ensue between the carbonate of soda and
the lime salts of the sea water. The result would be a precipitate of
carbonate of lime, which would take the place of the dissolved silica. The
other minerals in the rocks might have been previously removed by
decomposition through the influence of hydrochloric and carbonic acids."
Then, again, the supplementary paper was written for the very purpose of
adducing facts in support of this double replacement, that is, to show that
the veins of hematite in the slate, granite, lavas, and ashes, were
originally veins of carbonate of lime and magnesia on which the perchloride
of iron acted.
Again, Professor Lebour, referring to a section in the supplementary paper,
speaks of it as showing a vein of " calcite and carbonate of magnesia"—that
is, calcite and magnesite, two distinct minerals; but he (Mr. Kendall) found
in the vein referred to only one mineral, carbonate of lime and magnesia
(dolomite), which is different from either of the minerals mentioned by
Professor Lebour. Would Professor Lebour be good enough to give his reasons
for thus differing on a matter of fact which can be easily settled, and
about which there need not be two opinions ?
Speaking of the section above referred to, Professor Lebour said, that it "
was a simple representation of a typical vein of any sort of ore, and those
lumps of country rock in the middle of the vein were simply the 'horses' of
the country rock, such as were found in almost every vein; and when these
'horses' were found they did not always occur,as Mr. Kendall seemed to
assume, as boulders tumbled at hazard in the vein, but often as portions of
country rock in situ." Wow, the pieces of country rock shown in the
section—so-called boulders of Professor Lebour, but which are not boulders
at all—had no connection whatever with the cheeks of the vein, as he (Mr.
K.) was able to trace them from end to end along the line of the vein, that
is, at right angles to the plane of the section. Some of them were only a
few inches in length, whilst others were several feet.
DISCUSSION—HEMATITE DEPOSITS OF WEST CUMBERLAND. 115
So much by way of reply. He would now like to ask Professor Lebour for
proof of the statement made by him in the discussion that " old caverns were
found in the limestone filled up with hematite." What are the facts on
which such an opinion is based ? He (Mr. Kendall) had shown—as he
thought, conclusively—by reference to an abundance of facts—and he could
furnish many more if required—that hematite was not deposited in caverns,
and he would be extremely glad to know the data which had led Professor
Lebour to an opposite conclusion. The opinions of earnest workers must be
formed by the facts that have come under their own observation, or by facts
that are generally accepted, or by both. From which of these does Professor
Lebour arrive at the opinion above stated, and how ? The point raised by the
President as to the source of the perchloride of iron loses much, if not the
whole, of its force when it is remembered that chloride of iron is
frequently found—as already pointed out—among volcanic emanations, and that
in the craters of certain volcanos peroxide of iron has been found in
considerable quantities. M. Elie de Beaumont remarks ("Note sur les
Emanations Volcaniques et Metalliferes," page 19), that "iron as a chloride,
often changing into peroxide (specular iron, fer oligiste), is among the
most abundant of the substances derived from volcanic emanations."
Professor Lebour read the following paragraph from Mr. Kendall's original
paper (Yol. XXVIII. of the Institute Transactions, p. 148):— " For instance,
if a piece of chalk is dropped into a solution of perchloride of iron, there
at once sets in a reaction between them; part of the chalk is dissolved, and
a red precipitate thrown down in its place. In time the chalk would
disappear altogether, and nothing be left but this red precipitate. Now,
that seems to be the process by which the hematite deposits were produced.
The limestone, the slate, and the granite were each attacked like the chalk
in the above experiment by a solution of iron, by which parts of them were
removed and peroxide of iron thrown down in place thereof."
This seemed to be a sufficient justification of his (Mr. Lebour's) statement
of Mr. Kendall's theory, and "at once" was fairly good English for "
instantly." As to magnesite and dolomite, he thought Mr. Kendall might have
given him credit for a knowledge of the difference between these minerals ;
the point was, however, not in any way material to the question at issue,
and if he had unintentionally misquoted Mr. Kendall in this particular, he
very willingly apologised for doing so. As to the " horses" of country rock
shown in the diagram (page 28, Yol. XXX. of the Transactions), he had only
spoken of them as they were shown in the
116 DISCUSSION—HEMATITE DEPOSITS OP WEST CUMBERLAND.
figure, and his criticism had, he was glad to find, elicited the new and
valuable facts from Mr. Kendall which were necessary for a proper
comprehension of the figure.
Turning to the effect of perchloride of iron solution upon limestone, he
would first note in passing that the first replacement result obtainable in
that way would be a hydrated compound, the water of which would have to be
got rid of in some way before hematite could be produced. In what way Mr.
Kendall did not say. He presumed that the probable reaction contemplated by
Mr. Kendall would be fairly represented by this equation:—
Fe2Cl6 + 3 CaCOs = Fe208 + 3 CaCl2 + 3 C02. From this the fact was obtained
that 300 parts by weight of limestone would produce only 160 parts by weight
of hematite. Assuming the specific gravity of limestone to be 2*7, and that
of hematite 5, a step further can be made and the relative volumes of the
displaced stone and of the replacing ore found out, which would prove that
432 cubic feet of limestone could yield but 150 cubic feet of hematite. Now,
was it a fact or not that many of the cavities in the carboniferous
limestone, which he was not allowed to call caverns, were filled or nearly
filled with hematite? If Mr. Kendall's theory were the true one, the
cavities would never be even half filled with hematite. This consideration
was alone sufficient to upset the theory.
Mr. Kendall asked him to prove that the cave-like cavities in limestone
holding the ore were caverns. This was the general belief held by
geologists, because these cavities had usually all the characters of
caverns, and as the hematite was not found in them only, but filling up
hollows and fissures in all manner of rocks indiscriminately, no relations
of cause and effect need be suspected to exist between the ore and the
containing stone. He was bound to admit that Mr. Kendall, in one at least of
his beautiful drawings, had shown appearances which it was difficult to
account for on the cavern theory, and possibly more evidence of the same, or
even more weighty kind, might in time be brought to light. In that case the
cavern theory would have to be given up, but Mr. Kendall's theory would not,
he thought, be substituted for it. In conclusion, he begged to repeat what
he had said at a former meeting, and to express his strong sense of the
great value of Mr. Kendall's facts, and his admiration of the beautiful
plates by means of which he illustrated them.
Mr. Kendall said, that Professor Lebour was still wrong in his use of the
word "instantly." If they referred to the paper they would find it there
stated that a reaction at once set in, not that a replacement was
DISCUSSION—HEMATITE DEPOSITS OF WEST CUMBERLAND. 1 17
at once effected, as Professor Lebour reads it. There is no statement as
to the length of time occupied by the replacement. The chemical
formulae of Professor Lebour no doubt represented the reaction that would
take place under certain conditions, and the calculation based upon these
formulae was correct in principle; but Professor Lebour took the
specific gravity of hematite too high. Instead of 5 it should only be
about 3*9. Then it must not be forgotten that the hematite deposits
contain a very large number of loughs, many of Avhich are still empty, but
more of which have been filled with dolomite. Besides, it is very
probable that these loughs were once very much larger than they are now, and
that the kidney ore which lines their walls, sometimes as much as eight
inches in thickness, was formed after the amorphous ore. When to
these considerations was added the effect likely to be produced by the
perchloride of iron coming into contact with infiltrated sea-water
containing alkaline salts, it will be seen that the mathematical test of
Professor Lebour is robbed of its force and accuracy. Such a
test is all very well in a laboratory, where disturbing conditions can be
eliminated and quantities ascertained with precision, but it is of very
little use in the question under discussion. But even supposing there
were some force in it, the principle of replacement would not be affected.
It was perfectly certain from the facts they knew that limestone had been
replaced by hematite, no matter how the replacement had been effected. He
did not, as already stated (Vol. XXVIII., page 232), bind himself to the
particular kind of iron by which the replacement w7as effected—that is, as
to whether it was perchloride of iron or carbonate of" iron, or any other
salt of iron; but he did say it was a replacement. That was a deduction
from geological premises independent altogether of chemical considerations.
He would like Professor Lebour to give them the facts upon which his
opinions as to caverns were based. The general "belief of geologists"
does not justify the positive statement that " old caverns were found in the
limestone filled up with hematite," unless that belief is based on facts.
If it is so based, what are the facts ? The cavities in the limestone
holding hematite have not usually all the characters of caverns, as
Professor Lebour says, and by carefully reading the paper he will find that
out. He (Mr. Kendall) had given a great number of facts to show that
hematite was not deposited in caverns. If Professor Lebour could bring
forward others showing that it was, he (Mr. Kendall) would try to prove that
the arguments based on these facts were inconclusive; if he could not do so,
he would give up his present position, and say at once that in some cases
hematite had
1 18 DISCUSSION—HEMATITE DEPOSITS OP WEST CUMBERLAND.
been thrown down in caverns. He was sure the members of the Institute would
appreeiate very highly any paper Professor Lebour might bring forward upon
this matter.
Professor Lebour said that Mr. Kendall had so explained his meaning that
they were now more of one mind than they were. If Mr. Kendall had been
present at the last meeting, they could have had the matter settled in five
minutes.
Mr. Kendall—He differed as much as ever from Professor Lebour so far as the
caverns are concerned.
Professor Lebour—But the perchloride of iron is given up altogether.
Mi. Kendall—No, it is not; but it may be wrong. As stated in
Vol. XXVIII., page 231, " the pith of the paper was in the attempt to
prove that the ore had been formed by replacement," and on that point
he invited Professor Lebour's criticisms.
The meeting then concluded.
PROCEEDINGS. 119
PROCEEDINGS.
GENERAL MEETING, SATURDAY, MARCH 5th, 1881, IN THE WOOD MEMORIAL HALL.
G. C. GREENWELL, Esq., President, in the Chair.
The Secretary read the minutes of the last general meeting and reported the
proceedings of the Council.
The following gentlemen were elected:—
Associate Members— Mr. Joseph Pringle, Manager, Coxlodge Colliery, South
Gosfortli,
Nevvcastle-on-Tyne. Mr. Walter Merivale, C.E., Engineers' Office, Central
Station,
Newcastle-on-Tyne. Professor G. A. Lebour read the following paper :—
VOL. XXX.—1881.
P
THE MINERAL RESOURCES OF THE COUNTRY, ETC. 121
THE MINERAL RESOURCES OF THE COUNTRY BETWEEN ROTHBURY AND WOOLER,
NORTHUMBERLAND.
By G. A. LEBOUR, M.A., F.G.S.,
Professor of Geology in the University of Durham College of Physical
Science, Newcastle-on-Tyne.
Within the last few months it has been repeatedly stated by those who are
anxious that a railway should be constructed between the Tyne and the Tweed
across Central Northumberland that the country to be thus traversed was
interesting and valuable from an agricultural point of view only. The object
of the present paper is to bring the light of geological observation to bear
upon the subject, and to show that, although the region in question is
undoubtedly primarily an agricultural one, there are yet not a few natural
resources within it which may fairly be classed under the head of "
Minerals," using the term in its ordinary or non-scientific sense.
GEOLOGY OP THE DISTRICT.
The chief features of the geology of the district will easily be understood
by glancing at the accompanying sketch map and sections, Plates XXVII. and
XXVIII.
The chief rocks exposed are the following, in descending order, the Drift
and Alluvial Deposits being omitted as unnecessary for the purposes of this
inquiry :—
5.—The Lower Bernician Rocks, or Lower Carboniferous Limestone
series, consisting of thick grits and sandstones, shales (some of
them with clay ironstone), numerous beds of marine limestone,
under-clays, and coals.
4.—The Tuedian Beds, or Calciferous Sandstone series, consisting of
grits and sandstones, shales, and beds of impure limestone. 3.—The Basement
Beds, or Upper Old Red Sandstone, consisting
chiefly of reddish grits and conglomerates. 2.—Silurian Clay Slates.
1.—The Cheviot Rocks, consisting of granite, syenite, porphyrite, dolerite,
ashes, and breccia.
122 THE MINERAL RESOURCES OF THE COUNTRY BETWEEN
Of these five divisions No. 2, 3, 4, and 5, are sedimentary. No. 1 is
igneous. The high ground is formed of the latter, the lower of the former.
The useful products afforded by these rocks may be noticed under the
following heads, viz.:—Building stones, ornamental stones, limestones,
cement stones, clays, coal, and metalliferous ores.
BUILDING STONES.
Those at present in use are almost exclusively the grits and sandstones of
the Bernician and Tuedian Groups. These occur of considerable thickness and
with every variety of grain from the coarsest to the finest. Perhaps the
best of these is that quarried on Biddlestone Edge, near Burradon, a stone
which has furnished the material for many of the large and well-built
mansions of the neighbourhood. The grits of Kothbury and Chil-lingham are
good examples of these stones, but they are so generally present throughout
the non-eruptive portion of the region that it is needless to further
particularize them.
In the Cheviot hills, however, other kinds of stone occur which have seldom,
if ever, been made use of for anything better than dry-wall making, but
which could with advantage be employed for higher purposes were the
localities in which they are found rendered more easily accessible. On the
other side of the Border the igneous rocks of which these hills are formed
are not allowed to remain untouched, witness the church at Yetholm, which is
built of pitchstone porphyry, a kind of glassy felsite which is also found,
though not in such large quantities, near Wooler. Again, the granite and
syenite, with the intermediate varieties of granitic syenite and syenitic
granite (so named according as mica or hornblende predominates) of Cheviot,
Lousey Crag, Langleehope, Akeld, Yevering, Eeaveley, Linhope, Staindrop, and
many other places, although often too full of joints for remunerative
quarrying, would, in well-selected spots, yield blocks of very large size
and of very handsome grain. The porphyrites again might furnish, under
similar conditions, building stone of great value for decorative
architecture. They consist of a felsitic base in which are imbedded large
and small crystals of felspar. As a rule they are much fissured, but there
are many places where this is not the case, and where large supplies of
good-sized blocks could easily be obtained, such, for instance, as near
Biddlestone Hall, where the stone is a bright red porphyry, most beautiful
after rain, and near Akeld, where it is of a rich chocolate brown speckled
with white. The red porphyrite is the most widely distributed.
ROTHBURY AND WOOLER, NORTHUMBERLAND. 123
ORNAMENTAL STONES. The red porphyritic felsites mentioned above might well
claim a place under this head also, but they must yield precedence to what,
for want of a better name, may be called the Ingram stone. This is a most
beautiful quartzose breccia that occurs close to the village of Ingram, and
at several places in the neighbourhood. It is formed of a number of
sub-angular fragments of quartz, held together by a siliceous cement, and
the whole, matrix and inclusions, are bright red. The stone is excessively
hard, and is capable of receiving a perfect polish. Indeed a more handsome
or less-known material for monuments of great durability is not to be met
with. The only case in which, to the writer's knowledge, it has been
utilized, is in the churchyard at Ingram, where a large block, a small
portion of which only has been polished, was a few years ago placed as a
memorial to some of the victims of the Abbots-Bipton accident. Perhaps the
numerous geodic agates which are found in the amygdaloidal felsites of the
Cheviots, at the Kidlees, at Akeld, and elsewhere, should be mentioned here.
LIMESTONES. The only limestones worth burning for lime occur in the
Bernician series, and they improve in quality for this purpose the higher
they are in that series. Towards the base they become impure, in some cases
cherty, and in others oolitic, i.e., consisting of many-coated small
spheroidal concretions.* The latter character does not, however, appear to
impair the quality of the stone to any great extent, as, for example, at
Hetchester on the Coquet above Kothbury, where beds of this nature are
extensively quarried and burned. That many of the limestones are fit for
burning is proved by the number of lime-kilns that are found dotting the
country here and there along their outcrops throughout the Bernician area.
Few of the beds, however, can compare with the Great Limestone of
Green-leighton, or the Four Fathom Limestone of Elf Hills, as agricultural
limestones, and it is quite possible that new railway facilities might
diminish the working and burning of these lower Bernician calcareous bands.
CEMENT STONES.
The Calciferous Sandstone series of Scotland, has long been known as to its
upper and more typical part, for the numerous beds of cement stone and
bituminous shale which it contains. In the Tuedian of North-
* Note.—These beds may possibly be really of the Upper Tuedian age.
1 24 THE MINERAL RESOURCES OE THE COUNTRY BETWEEN
umberland the oil shales are absent—or at all events have not yet been
found—but the cement stones are present. These beds represent the limestones
of the Bernician series above ; indeed they are limestones themselves, but
with such an admixture of impurities, argillaceous and ferruginous, as to be
quite unfit for the ordinary purposes to which ordinary limestones may be
put. But if as limestones these beds be most impure, for the purposes of
cement manufacture they are excellent, and there seems to be no good reason
why cement making should not become as flourishing an industry in
Northumberland as it is in Scotland. Trials of some of the Tuedian cement
stones have been made on a very small scale and with the best results, but
the beds vary in thickness (rarely attaining fifteen feet), are anything but
constant over large areas, and their composition is doubtless variable
likewise, so that special processes would be required for the treatment of
the stone in different cases. It is right to point out these difficulties,
none of which, however, seem to be at all insurmountable.
CLAYS.
The Cheviot Rocks being all felspathic, the tendency of their disintegration
and decomposition is to produce clays more or less of the nature of the
Kaolin or china clay of Cornwall and Devon. Accordingly the writer has found
clay of this kind, but not of the purest, occurring as the infilling of
fissures at several spots within the porphyrinic hills. At none of these
places were the deposits of sufficient importance to suggest the possibility
of their ever being worked profitably, but enough was seen to justify a
search among these rocks for deposits of similar nature and of larger
extent. It is even possible that in some cases where the stone is deeply
weathered, it might pay to wash down the decomposed felspar after the
Cornish fashion.
Of brick-earths and coarse potter's clays there are plenty in the drifts
which obscure and mask the older rocks of the district, more especially in
the old lake basin of Flodden, north of Wooler.
COALS. The seams of coal are all in the Bernician series. They are thin
and not of the best quality, but several of them have been and some are
still worked for landsale purposes. Some of the seams are well known,
such as the following, given in descending order :—
The Fawcet or Caldside coal, worked at Doddington, Biter Bit (or Biteabout),
Chatton, &c, varying from 1 foot 8 inches to 3 feet.
ROTHBURY AND WOOLER, NORTHUMBERLAND, 125
The Craw or Main coal, worked at Eglingham and Chatton. This is
the second best coal in the district. According to the late Mr.
G-. Tate, F.Gr.S., it is from 2 feet 6 inches to 5 feet thick, is a
strong coal, but leaves a considerable residue after burning;
some portions were formerly used at smithies, when sea-borne
coal was taxed. The Hardy or Stony coal, worked at Ford and Lemmington, with
a
maximum of 3 feet. The Main or Bulman coal, worked at Doddington, Barmoor,
Chatton,
Eglingham, &c, a good steam coal varying from 2 feet to 6 feet
2 inches. The best coal in the district. The Three-Quarter, Cooper Eye,
and Wester coals, each with a maximum
of about 3 feet, three poor seams, below which none are known
to be workable.*
ORES. These are probably the least valuable mineral products of the
district, but it may be as well to enumerate those that are known to be
present. Iron ores occur as clay-ironstone in the Bernician, and, to a less
extent, in the Tuedian shales, but not, so far as the writer is aware,
anywhere in workable quantities unless the Brinkburn ironstone shale be
regarded as coming within the limit of the paper, in which case the
Shilbottle coal, and some beds of " Gannister " would have to be included
likewise. Mr. Tate records hematite as having been seen in a vein near to
Harthope*. Copper has been very frequently said to have been found in
various localities in the Cheviots, as, for instance, at the Ridlees in
Upper Coquetdale. The writer believes all such cases to be apocryphal; green
earth, or glauconite, which is very common in the porphyrites and their
associated rocks, having probably been mistaken for it. In the same way gold
has more than once been recorded as a Cheviot mineral, yellow mica having
given rise to the story. Lead is commonly said by miners not to occur among
the Cheviot Rocks. There is, however, a very distinct lead vein, which
anyone can see, at a place called Raven's Cleugh, a little to the north of
Alwinton. There are also indications of veins in the neighbourhood of
Ingram, and it is very unlikely indeed that these should be the only lodes
in these hills.
CONCLUSION.
The list of the mineral resources known to the writer as occurring in the
district under consideration is now ended. Probably the cement-
* Much information respecting these seams is to he found in the late Mr.
Tate's papers in the Berwickshire Transactions.
126 DISCUSSION—THE MINERAL RESOURCES OF THE COUNTRY
stones of the Tuedian, met with as they are quite near to workable seams of
coal, may prove to be in the future, in conjunction with these coals, of
greater importance to Northern Mid-Northumberland than any of the other
products enumerated.
The President asked the Professor if the granite discovered in the basaltic
dyke gradually changed from basalt in the same way as at Portrush ?
,
. Professor Lebour replied, that the points of junction between the
porphyrites and granite unfortunately occurred where the flanks of the hills
were covered with peat, which in that district was often of very great
thickness; and the result was that these points of junction between the
different kinds of rocks were very rarely seen. This was one of the great
drawbacks to Cheviot geologizing, and so much so that he had never seen a
junction between the granite and the porphyrites.
The President said, they must be very much obliged to Mr. Lebour for having
taken so much pains in giving them that paper. It would perhaps give rise to
discussion as to whether the resources he had described would be sufficient
to add very materially to the traffic of a public railway; but a railway
might give rise to certain employments and development of the district. He
confessed he did not think the enumeration of the resources of the district
gave much hope, but he would be very glad k> hear what any gentleman had to
say.
Professor Lebour, in answer to a question by Mr. Bewick, said the lead ore
which had been found to the north of Alwinton was not on the line of dyke
shown on his (the Professor's) geological map, but was north, not in
connection with any basaltic dyke, and the vein was an east and west one. It
had never been worked, or even attempted to be worked, although it is
perfectly visible, and is one of the most beautiful veins that can be seen
anywhere in the field. The seams of coal were of variable thickness from 3
feet to 6 feet, and ought to be valuable. They were worked at a number of
different places, which he mentioned, but the want of railway communication
had always prevented these collieries becoming anything more than landsale
collieries, and supplying coal for burningj lime. The coals are, however, of
good quality, and used for blacksmiths' purposes.
Mr. D. P. Morison supposed that the whole of the series was limestone
coal—not coal from the true coal measures.
Professor Lebour—Yes, all were in the Bernician series; and there was an
interesting point, geologically, which he had omitted to point out in his
paper. In this particular district, in a line due south-west
BETWEEN ROTHBURY AND WOOLER, NORTHUMBERLAND. 127
of this, there was the very greatest thickness of Carboniferous Limestone to
be found anywhere in Britain, or, as far as he knew, in the world, the only
approach to it being in the Kulm of Silesia. When he wrote his little book,
" Outlines of the Geology of Northumberland," he thought he was going very
far in saying that the series was at least 8,000 feet thick. That was
against all preconceived notions; but now he was happy to say that the work
of Topley, Gunn, and others of the Geological Survey, in Northumberland, had
proved the statement to be under the true thickness, which was probably from
10,000 to 11,000 feet. It is not the widest part of the outcrop where there
is the greatest thickness.
Mr. T. J. Bewick said that in Yorkshire there were fewer shales and
sandstones alternating with the beds of limestones; and northwards into this
district the shales and sandstones increased in thickness, whilst there was
probably no diminution in the aggregate depth of the limestone —which might
even be thicker.
Professor Lebour thought that this was hardly the case, and that probably,
if the beds of limestone in this district were all added together, they
would not be so thick as those in Yorkshire; but they were infinitely more
divided, and probably there were not fewer than twenty or thirty thin beds.
Mr. T. J. Bewick asked Professor Lebour if he had any idea whether, if the
Northumberland Central Eailway was made through this district, it would lead
to any development of its mineral resources ?
Professor Lebour could not venture an opinion ; it would be rather too much
like a prediction. He thought he had understated the riches of the district;
if he had been advocating the merits of the railway, he would probably have
stated the case more strongly than he had done; but he had wished simply to
give an account of the resources existing in the district which he knew,
without making them appear better than they were. He thought, on the whole,
that the cement beds would be the most important feature of the district at
present, and there might be lead veins which would ultimately materially
increase its prosperity.
The President proposed a vote of thanks to Professor Lebour for his very
interesting paper. Perhaps it had opened the ground for a little further
discussion, which he hoped it would receive.
Mr. T. J. Bewick seconded the vote of thanks, and it was carried by
acclamation.
The Secretary read the following " Account of a Discharge of Lightning at
Kimblesworth Colliery," by Mr. John Daglish :—
VOL, XXX.-1881.
Q
LIGHTNING AT KIMBLESWORTH COLLIERY. 129
ACCOUNT OF A DISCHARGE OF LIGHTNING AT KIMBLESWORTH COLLIERY, ON JULY 12th,
1880.
By JOHN DAGLISH.
The following evidence was taken down at the time of the occurrence:—
Mr. Tate, Manager, was in the colliery office (see Plate XXIX.), 80 yards
from the shaft (3*41 p.m.) The thunder-storm was very near, the lightning
very vivid, and the thunder very loud. The office was struck by the
lightning at the corner x, where the telegraph wire enters. From the
appearance of the damage done, it seems probable that the lightning passed
along on the telegraph wires up to where they are attached to the office,
where it divided, one portion running down the smaller wires to the
telegraph instrument, melting and destroying them and sprinkling the
gutta-percha over several parts of the office ; the corner of the office was
blackened twelve inches on each side of where these wires stood, and the
small wood box surrounding them was splintered into innumerable small
pieces. The larger portion of the lightning had been apparently discharged
on to the office roof, carrying away many of the slates. Considerable damage
was done to the interior of the office, portions of plaster being removed,
and in some parts the wall scored down deeply, as if by a nail. As the
damage was done in different parts of the office, apparently the discharge
from the roof had been from several points. Twenty-one panes of glass were
broken in different parts. The office was filled with smoke, a strong smell
of burning pervading, and a detonation was heard resembling that made by the
discharge of a large cannon. The lightning conductor of the large boiler
chimney at the pit was struck and damaged about the same time.
George Strong, Clerk, was in the office with Mr. Tate. Corroborates Mr.
Tate's statements. Suffered from the effects for some time after.
Samuel Boswell, Onsetter, was at the bottom of the Kimblesworth Pit (100
yards deep), at A, on the north side of the downcast shaft. About 3-30 p.m.
saw a bright flash, just as he was about to rap. He stood back; was
stupified; heard a loud peal of thunder simultaneously with the flash.
130 LIGHTNING AT KIMBLESWORTH COLLIERY.
John Ord, Onsetter, was on the north side of the shaft at A; saw a flash of
light, and thought he saw it go in-bye.
Frederick Hodgin, coupling up wagons at bottom of shaft, was about 15 yards
off the shaft on the north side at B, with his back to the shaft; saw a
bright light which apparently passed off the drum of the underground engine
(situated 20 yards north of the shaft), thought it was lightning, but heard
no thunder, as the engine was running.
John Tate, Back-overman, was at the shaft bottom on the north side at B,
facing towards the shaft. Saw a flash; heard B. Thirlwell say at once, "
There is something gone off the drum of the engine," and he said, " I think
it is lightning."
Eobert Thirlwell, Engine Drum Boy, was in the engine-house on the north side
of the shaft at C (9 feet above the wagonway), was looking in-bye; saw a
flash, which lighted up the place; shouted to his father, " There is a flash
of lightning gone in-bye;" then he heard the onsetter speaking about it. The
impression on everyone was that a flash of lightning had come down the pit
and gone into the workings.
John Bobinson (17), attending the underground pumping-engine, had just come
through the doors from the "return" where the pump is placed, into the "
intake " close to the hauling-engine at D, saw a number of sparks at the
joint of the compressed air pipes, and also heard a crackling noise ;
thought a bolt of the joint had broken ; went and told the onsetter, who
said lightning had come down the pit.
William Atkinson (18), wagonwayman, was at the south way ends at E (100
yards south from the shaft); the shaft cannot be seen from this point, as
there is a bend in the road, saw a light, like sparks, fly out of the rope
where it is socketed, with a crackling noise; had no idea of what it was ;
then a boy came from the shaft and said that lightning had come down the
pit.
Luke Thew (17), attending to the rope off-take, was near Atkinson at south
way end (100 yards from shaft), saw a bright light at the socket, heard no
noise.
Mr. Tate, in answer to a question from Mr. Bewick, stated that no effects
wrere produced in the pit beyond what was stated in the paper. There was no
note of the lightning having been seen further in-bye than was there
described.
Mr. Bunning then read the following letter from Mr. John Brown, the
President-Elect of the North Staffordshire Institute of Mining and
Mechanical Engineers :—
LIGHTNING AT KIMBLESWORTH COLLIERY. 131
The Hawthorns,
3, Lozedls Road, Birmingham,
18t7i. January, 1881.
Dear Sie,—I have been reading the interesting account of' the Lightning at
Tanfield Moor Colliery in the last number of your Transactions.
About ten years ago it was reported to me at the Cannock Chase Collieries
that the lightning had struck the pulleys at the No. 8 North Pit, and had
gone down the round wire rope and alarmed the man at the pit bottom by a
flash or report, or both (I forget which).
I remember that there was not anything said as to it traversing the
workings, which were then only exploring headways in very faulty ground, and
the roads wet and dirty.
I believe the effect was not observed beyond the plates or " flat sheets" at
the pit bottom.
The pit was a little more than 300 yards deep; the surface works in an
elevated and exposed situation, so I determined to have a lightning
conductor fixed to the pit frame and above the pulleys, and this was done by
Messrs. Bailey and Son, of Salford, Manchester.
The lightning could only have passed down the shaft by the rope, as there
was no other metallic conductor excepting a signal wire; but I do not
recollect anything having been said of there being any discharge into the
engine-house.
Yours faithfully,
JOHN BROWN, President-Elect of the North Staffordshire Institute of
Engineers.
Theo. Wood Bitnning, Esq.,
Newcastle-on-Tyne.
Mr. Tate, continuing his remarks, stated that the ropes go within a few
inches of the iron guides, and that two of the boys and men at B, who were
mentioned, had their backs to the shaft and saw the light; but the two
onsetters were facing the shaft at A.
The President said, that the lightning wrent down the Tanfield Moor and
Kimblesworth pits at nearly the same time on the 12 th of July, so that
apparently it was in the same storm.
Mr. Tate, in answer to Professor Herschel, said that there was a small
lightning conductor over the telegraph office on the top of the telegraph
pole, but the conductor was destroyed; in fact all the wires were destroyed
within 110 yards of the office, and had to be renewed.
The President said, it seemed to him strange that in the whole of the years
which had passed bye, accidents of this kind had not been recorded; but he
thought that what they had now heard would probably induce managers to take
more notice of similar phenomena in future.
132 LIGHTNING AT KIMBLESWORTH COLLIERY.
It had been thought very likely by some people that the explosion which took
place at Risca was owing to lightning going down the pit; as there was a
very severe thunderstorm at the time the accident happened. If they found
that lightning went down pit shafts, they should try to prevent it from
doing so. He thought the members would agree that they were very much
obliged to Mr. Daglish for having brought these facts forward. They had
heard of one particular case, and when that became corroborated by almost a
similar one happening elsewhere about the same time, it very much
strengthened the first account they heard, and probably they might obtain
much more information now that their attention had been directed to the
subject. In conclusion, he proposed a vote of thanks to Mr. Daglish. The
proposal was seconded by Mr. Bewick, and having been carried by acclamation,
the meeting separated.
PROCEEDINGS. 188
PROCEEDINGS.
GENERAL MEETING, SATURDAY, APRIL 2nd, 1881, IN THE WOOD MEMORIAL HALL,
NEWCASTLE-ON-TYNE.
G. C. GREEN WELL, Esq., President, in the Chair.
The Secretary read the minutes of the last meeting and reported the
proceedings of the Council.
The following gentlemen were nominated for election :— Ordinary Member—
Mr. David Morgan Llewellin, F.G.S., Civil and Mining Engineer, Glanwern
Offices, Pontypool.
Associate Member— Mr. James Tait, Estate Agent, Garmondsway Moor, Coxlioe.
The Secretary said that Mr. Charles Parkin, who was absent, had requested
him to read his paper " On the Treatment of Ores."
Mr. Bewick said there was a small attendance; the paper was a long one, and
contained many statistics which they could not very well carry in their
heads, and he moved that the paper be printed and issued before being
discussed.
Professor Lebotjr seconded the motion, which was agreed to.
THE STEPHENSON CENTENARY.
The Secretary stated that he had spoken to the Mayor a few days ago as to
the desirability of the authorities of the town taking some steps to
celebrate the Centenary of the birth of George Stephenson in a
184 PROCEEDINGS.
manner worthy of the town that might be said to represent the district in
which he was born, and that the proposal had been most enthusiastically
received.
The President observed that he had that day attended a large and influential
meeting that had been called by the Mayor to consider the subject, and had
proposed that the most suitable way of identifying the name of Stephenson
with the town would be to erect a spacious and handsome building for the
College of Physical Science which had for the last eight years been
established in the town under the auspices of the University of Durham; and
this proposition had been so well received that it was carried unanimously.
Mr. Simpson proposed " That this meeting hears with satisfaction the
proposal that has been adopted at the meeting held at the Town Hall to-day
with respect to the George Stephenson Centenary, and the members present
pledge themselves, both individually and collectively, to do all they can to
ensure its success."
Mr. Bewick seconded the motion, which was agreed to, and this concluded the
business of the meeting.
ON THE TREATMENT OF ORES. 135
ON THE TREATMENT OF ORES.
By CHARLES PARKIN.
It is intended in this paper to give some description of the machinery and
appliances used in dressing tin, copper, lead, and other ores in Cornwall,
based upon the writer's observations made in the country during the last six
years.
Although vast improvement has been made in the underground branch of mining
operations in this country, the dressing department has been greatly
neglected, and Cornishmen have been slow in taking up the scientific
advantages which have been at their command; there is, however, in many
cases, every excuse for their reluctance in adopting so-called improved
machinery, when it is considered that much of what they have adopted has had
to be abandoned as utterly useless, and that in many cases the working
expenses and cost of the improved appliance place it beyond the means of the
mine owners.
The old adage that "necessity is the mother of invention" has been
peculiarly applicable in this instance, for the deplorable state of Cornish
mining during the late period of depression, coupled with the strong
competition with the colonies, more especially in the tin trade, made it
absolutely imperative to invent, and to adopt, every mechanical means
possible to reduce the cost of rendering the ores fit for market, and the
consequence is that great progress has been made during the past few years
by the introduction of new and improved machinery, to supersede, as far as
practicable, the expensive treatment which had been carried on hitherto by
manual labour alone, the result of which shows a considerable saving in each
department.
CRUSHING. The following remarks will apply more especially to tin, but to
some extent, the same treatment is observed in dressing lead, copper, and
other ores. The first process through which the ore passes on its arrival at
surface, is that of breaking it down to a suitable size for the stamps;
until recently this operation has been solely performed by hand labour
VOL. XXX.—1881.
R
1 36 ON THE TREATMENT OF ORES.
under the style of "spalling" and "ragging," but Blake's stone-crusher is
now being used for this work at many of the mines with satisfactory results.
As most of the members of this Institute will no doubt be fully acquainted
with the construction of this machine, the patent of Mr. H. R. Marsden, Soho
Foundry, Leeds, it will not be necessary to give any detailed description of
it here more than bears on its use in the present instance.
The action of the machine consists of subjecting the rock dropped
between the two jaws to a succession of bites, until it is sufficiently
crushed to pass out at the bottom, the size can be regulated at pleasure
by changing the cast iron plates, and putting in narrower or broader
ones. It seems to be a mistake to try to reduce the stuff too small at one
operation (the best distance to leave the jaw open at the bottom is from
2 to 2-| inches), should it be necessary to reduce the ore to a smaller
size,
it would be better either to pass it through a second time with the jaw
set closer, or to allow the stuff to fall into another machine. The
patent
combined arrangement of working two machines together, the larger one
being a 15 inch or 20 inch x 9 inch and the smaller one a 12 inch x 5 inch
seems advantageous, as it crushes the whole of the rock down to a given
size with once handling, the larger stone being dropped from the larger
machine into the hopper of the smaller machine. This latter plan is
most desirable, also, because, when large stones are put into the large
crusher and reduced at one operation into small, a good deal of power is
lost; and, again, by having two machines an opportunity is offered of
throwing away between the two operations any part of the stone which may
contain no mineral, for often stones are met with, especially in the case of
copper, of perhaps 12 inches cube, one half of which is clear spar. Another
advantage in this machine is that in crushing the ore, in addition to its
being broken into small pieces, it is partly disintegrated irrespective
of joints or faces, and the strength of the rock is so destroyed that the
stamps do nearly twice the duty upon ore crushed by this machine as
upon ore " spalled" by hand labour. Where the stuff is not stamped
after leaving the stone-crusher, as in some cases in lead and copper mines,
and where it must in consequence be brought down to a much finer
degree than in the case of tin, two machines would be undoubtedly best.
An important consideration is the position in which the machine is
placed. At one mine where this crusher is used and worked by two men
and a boy, 100 tons per day is passed through and carried direct to the
stamps below without hand labour. In another case two boys, paid 9d.
per day each, attended a small hand machine, and the amount of work
done was equal to that which had previously cost 9s. per day.
ON THE TREATMENT OP ORES. 137
Mr. Campbell in his paper read before the Cornwall Mining Institute says
that—
Even allowing that in some cases considerable alteration would have to be
made to place the stone-breaker as it should be placed to become a
labour-saving machine, a very great economy would still be effected by the
use of such a machine or machines, especially where the rock is hard, and
where large quantities of ore have to be dealt with. The following figures
were kindly supplied me by Captain Tregay, of Pedu-an-drea Mines, and
although the stuff in different mines varies greatly in hardness, toughness,
quantity to be dealt with, etc., they will, I hope, give some idea of the
economy effected by the substitution of these machines over hand labour.
Before reading out the figures I would remind you that in many cases the
advantages in favour of the machine would be greater than here shown, as for
instance where the cost of hand breaking is greater, etc. The cost of
alteration would also be in some cases much less.
Hand LABorit.
Per 10 Tons. s. d. Cost of breaking .....................6 4
Deduct for dividing ... ... ... ...
... ... 1 3
10! 5 1
Or per ton ... ... ... ... ... 6^
By Stone-Bueakek. First cost of 20 inch x 9 inch machine ... ...
... ... £400
Alterations in floors ... ... ... ...
... ... 300
£700
s. d. Interest on this sum @o °/o assuming 50 tons to be put through
the breaker per day ... ... ... ... ...
... 54
Wear and tear ....... ... ... ... ...
... 4,
Coal and grease ... ... ... ... ...
... ... 4
s. d. Labour costs ... ... ... ... ...
... 33
Deduct for dividing............... 1 3 = 2 0£
10 ] 3 If
Or per ton ... ... ... ... ...
3f
Hand labour ... ... ... ... 6 ,\jd.
Machine ...............3fd.
S^d. per ton in favour of machine.
In this case, where the cost of hand " spalling" is calculated at rather
below the average at many mines, and a very heavy charge is assumed for the
alterations of the floors, there is yet a balance of more than 2id. per ton
in favour of the machine. It is easy to conceive that under different
circumstances this saving might amount to 4d., and even more per ton.
138 ON THE TREATMENT OF ORES.
The introduction of this machine into the Cornish mines has lessened the
labour cost in a wonderful manner, and there is no doubt that the stamps
will do considerably more work if the ore is first broken by it. Fully 25
per cent, more has been done in one or two experiments, where instead of
stamping 34 cwts. 3 qrs. of tin ore per day on a consumption of 61*3 lbs. of
coal per ton of tin ore, 44 cwts. have been stamped on a consumption of 48
lbs. of coal per ton.
STAMPING Is the next process through which the ore is put after leaving the
stone-crusher, and is about the same in principle now as it was in the
earliest historic days, only improved and adopted on a larger scale.
There are many points to be taken into consideration to obtain good duty
from the stamping machinery, and to economise fuel; and foremost amongst the
conditions which should have particular attention are the following, viz.:—
1.—An engine and buildings sufficiently strong and powerful to allow of a
high expansion of steam, with boilers of the best construction, to work high
pressure steam, and of sufficient heating surface without forcing the fires.
2.—The proper loading of the fly-wheel. 3.—Stamp heads and lifters of
increased weight. 4.—To lay the bed of the stamps firmly on a floor, which
should be
set two and a half inches below the grate. 5.—The choice of a suitable site,
so that the ores can be put through the different processes, by their own
gravitation, without being lifted by hand labour. The ordinary cam stamps,
Plate XXX., require little or no further explanation than is given in the
plate. They are arranged in boxes in sets of four, Fig. 1, and are moved
by cams a, Fig. 2. The height of the lift is 10^ inches, and each stamp
head weighs %\ cwts., making sixty falls a minute, and stamping a ton of
stuff in every twenty-four hours. This is a very slow process, but the speed
cannot be usefully increased, and much loss is incurred in the quality as
well as the quantity of the work accomplished for this reason.
Besides the ordinary common stamps in use, there are the pneumatic stamps,
one of which is the patent of Husband, of Hazle, by which the heads are
driven by belts worked by an independent engine; and one patented by Sholl,
of Manchester, which is direct-acting, having a steam cylinder for each
head.
ON THE TEATMENT OP ORES. 139
Since "cam stamps" were introduced 300 years ago they seem, until recently,
to have kept their place in the public esteem, but latterly the pneumatic
stamps have been adopted at some mines with very good results. They are
represented in Plates XXXI. and XXXII., and in this arrangement it will be
seen that the stamp is attached to a piston a working in an air cylinder ~b,
which has an up and down motion imparted to it by a crank shaft c. By
raising the cylinder the air is compressed below the piston, and the stamp
is jerked up ; and when the stroke is reversed the air which is compressed
above the piston drives the stamp down with a force and a velocity much
greater than would be given by the force of gravity alone. Thus, a stamp
weighing three hundredweights can be made to have a velocity of 150 blows
per minute and a stroke of 15 inches, while the crank only has a stroke of
10 inches. Small holes, dd, are placed round the centre of the cylinder, so
that the ends of the cylinder may be filled at each stroke with air at the
ordinary pressure. Water from the pipes, e e, is made to flow continuously
through the piston rod, which is hollow, to prevent the heating of the
cylinder by the compression of the air. This water escapes through small
holes, //, at the bottom, above the stamp head, and forms a portion of the
supply of water required for stamping. The remainder of the water supply
passes in a circular jet, g g, under several feet of pressure, upon the
outside of the piston rod, as shown in Fig. 4, Plate XXXII. A lever, h, Fig.
3,Plate XXXII., attached to the stamp head by means of a screw, is guided by
two vertical bars, ii, which permits the attendant to turn the stamp end
round in any way that may be required to equalize the wear. These stamps are
placed together in pairs, and stamp about 10 tons per head per day, or about
ten times as much as the old cam stamps, Avith a diminished expenditure of
fuel per ton. The slime passes away from the stamps in much the same manner
as in the old process, Fig. 2, Plate XXX, over a floor, placed at an
inclination of about 1 in 12, into wooden troughs about 25 feet long, 12
inches deep, and 18 inches wide, at right angles to the row of stamps, where
it is deposited according to its specific gravity into pits. The very
lightest particles pass, and are collected for further treatment.
At Wheal Yor they have stamped 15 cwts. per hour of the hardest rock in the
county, with a consumption of about 60 lbs. of coal per ton, and with three
heads have stamped 20 tons per diem of 10 hours, on an average consumption
of 5G lbs. of coal per ton. At Park Mines there are six heads of those
stamps at work, which have stamped 9 tons per head per diem, with a
consumption of only 40 lbs., as against the ordinary
140 ON THE TREATMENT OF ORES.
stamp average of about 1 ton of coals per ton stamped, while less water is
required. One of the principal objections to these stamps was, that being
driven with a crank there was difficulty in obtaining a regular feed and
blow; but this has been overcome, and it is said that these stamps now feed
as regularly as any other. Experience has shown that the increased quantity
stamped is in proportion to the increased size of the head, which is an
important fact, because the wear and tear is almost in proportion to the
number of cylinders.
The pneumatic stamps, to do the work of about 70 ordinary cam stamps can be
erected with engine, but without boiler, for about £1,500 ; whereas 64
heads, on the old ordinary principle, with all modern improvements and
advantages, cost about £4,000. This shows a heavy margin in the first cost
in favour of the pneumatic plan.
The common stamps, however, are by no means discarded, and are still largely
used, and if constructed with due regard to modern principles and situation,
will accomplish their work in a most efficient manner.
In considering the erection of the plant the supply of water should not be
overlooked, for it is very seldom that sufficient water is to be obtained at
the surface for dressing the ores, and consequently provision has to be made
for storing and using it several times over. The quantity of water required
for stamping is about 800 gallons per minute for 80 heads, doing an average
of about 70 tons per diem. It has been stated that from 50 to 60 tons of tin
escapes from the dressing floors of about seven mines into the " red" river
per month, where every pound of tin is washed in about 500 gallons of water
before it is rendered fit for the smelter; and this assertion is more than
probable when it is considered how many people get their living by selling
the tin which they obtain from the river. Their occupation is called " tin
streaming," and they are generally known as "squatters."
One horse-power is required to drive an ordinary stamp head, but the heavier
lifter and head require about 1*3 horse-power per head.
The cost of stamping with ordinary stamps favourably situated and erected on
the improved principle is as follows:—
s. d. Wear and tear ... ... ... ...
4
Coals (at 17s. per ton) ... ... ... 5£
First cost, with 5 per cent, interest ... 2%
1 0 per ton of ore. This is exclusive of grate plates and smiths'
charges.
ON THE TREATMENT OF ORES. 141
Mr. J. Hocking, in his paper read at Camborne in 1878, gives the following
comparative statement of results obtained from stamps of the ordinary
description, on the old system and on the new principle, at West Bassett
Mine:—
The old stamps, which may he taken as a fair sample of a great many in this
district, were erected ahout six years ago. Laid out without any original
plan, these stamps were erected at different times. To the engine, which is
one of 30-inch cylinder, 9-foot stroke, double-acting, were attached five
axles of sixteen heads each, making a total of eighty heads; a 15-inch
plunge lift, 9-foot stroke, for lifting the waste water to be used over
again, pumping about 800 gallons per minute ten fathoms high; a large dipper
wheel for lifting the stamped ore from the pit in which the stamps are
placed to the level of the dressing floors; and an incline for drawing the
tin stuff to supply the stamps.
The new stamps were planned and designed from the outset so as to reduce the
cos t of both stamping and dressing to the lowest minimum point; to the
engine, which is a double-acting one of 40-inch cylinder, 9-foot stroke, are
attached four axles of sixteen heads each—total, sixty-four heads; and
during the time that the results I am about to speak of were obtained
constituted the sole load of the engine. There was a full supply of surface
water, both for condensing and dressing purposes.
compabative results of west bassett stamping engines eoe week ending 26th
Febeuaby, 1877.
Old 30-inch New 40-inch
Average number of revolutions per minute, including Engine.
Engine.
stoppages ... ... ... ... ... ...
11*5 10*7
Load per square inch on piston in lbs. ... ... ...
20"6 9"31
Tons. Cwts. Consumption of coal, including pumping water, etc. ... 32
2 ......
Do. stamping only ... ... ... ......
17 tons
Duty ... ... ... ... ... ...
... 44 millions 66"3 millions
Quantity of tinstone stamped ... ... ... ...
457 tons 621 tons
Coal per ton of tinstone stamped ...... ... 109 lbs.
61"3 lbs.
Quantity stamped per head per day (after allowing for cwts. qrs. lbs.
Cwts. qrs. lbs.
stoppages) .................. 19 3 13 34 3 0
Average weight of head and lifter ......... 680 lbs.
877 lbs.
Total load in foot lbs............. 262,530 210,480
The value of a good site for dressing purposes cannot be better illustrated
than by reference to the following figures, which will show the saving that
can be effected by first-class machinery. I should mention that the old
stamps are on a comparatively flat piece of ground, while the new are on the
side of a hill.
149 ON THE TREATMENT OP ORES.
Cost of Stamping Tinstone and bringing it into Whits. Old Stamps.
^ew Stamps.
No. of tons stamped ......1,600 No. of tons stamped
......2,380
£ s. d. *
s- d-
Labour cost.........126 11 8 Labour cost at
Engincmen......... 97 6 present... £48 4 10
Coals, 108 tons ...... 9116 0 When complete ... L2
0 0
Oil, 6 gallons per week ... 4 4 0
------------ 60 4 10
Grease ......... 1 10 0 Engineman......... 9
0 0
Smiths'work ...... 10 0 0 Coal, 66 tons at 17s.
... 56 2 0
Sundries-Hemp, etc. ... 2 0 0 Oil
............ 2 16 0
Engineers, etc....... 1 10 0 Grease .........
1 10 0
Carpenter, and Timber for Wear and tear
...... 25 0 0
repairs ......... 3 0 0 Grates .........
1 10 0
Wear and tear, per month ... 25 0 0 Smith's Work
...... 5 0 0
Grates ......... 1 10 0 Sundries—Hemp, etc.
... 10 0
Engineers, etc. ... ••• 1 10 0
Carpenters ......... 2 00
Traming and filling 2,400 tons
at4fd.......... 47 10 0
Wear and tear of waggon ... 6 0 0
Extra repeating water ... 10 0 0
£27~6~7"~2 £f9J^0
3s.5-47d.perton. " Is. in d. per ton.
The boilers for the new stamps are built on the principle very common in the
North; they are the usual Cornish tubular construction, with what are known
as " Galloway's" cone tubes introduced into the tubes. These not only give
greatly increased strength but give increased heating surface, and I am
perfectly satisfied that they tend to economy of fuel in the generation of
steam. Three years since we applied these cone tubes to one of two boilers
attached to an engine with a fixed load, at a cost of £15, resulting in a
saving of If cwt. of coal per day, about 8 per cent, on the total
consumption. We are enabled to work steam at a pressure of 60 lbs. to the
square inch.
PULVERIZING.
Where the ore is required to be reduced to a finer degree after leaving the
stamps, it is taken to the pulverizer, of which there are different
varieties ; many mines use one which is a modification of " Stephens'
patent," while others again use " Dingey's patent," and as this pulverizer
has given such general satisfaction, a description of it is given.
Plate XXXIII. is an illustration of " Dingey's Patent Pulverizer" for
grinding tin "roughs," lead " skimpings," and other ores requiring to be
ground to a very fine degree, such ores having been previously stamped or
crushed sufficiently fine to pass through a sieve six holes to the inch.
It
ON THE TREATMENT OF ORES. 143
consists of a shallow basin a, of 6 feet internal diameter, having vertical
slides fitted with a series of grates b, through which the pulverised
material is delivered. Four annular grinding discs or runners (c c) 2^ feet
diameter, and geared together, revolve upon the bottom of the pan at a high
speed of 200 revolutions per minute ; and the pan itself is made to revolve
slowly, at about four or five revolutions per minute by the wheel d, so as
to avoid any tendency to wearing in grooves. The wearing surface of the
bottom of the pan is a separate cast iron plate e, with a number of holes in
it f, forming shallow recesses in which the stuff to be pulverised is
retained whilst the grinding runners act upon it. The stuff mixed with a
stream of water is supplied by a launder g, into a central annular trough h,
from which it is delivered by spouts ii, into the centre of each of the
grinding runners; and having been ground by passing under the runners, it
escapes with the water through the grates in the sides of the pan into the
external trough 7c, whence it is conveyed direct to the buddies.
The shoes of the grinding runners, as well as the bottom of the pan, are
made separate, of castings 1^ inch thick, so as to be readily replaced when
required. The space between the grinding faces of the shoes and bottom of
the pan is adjusted by hand-regulating screws and levers, supporting the
runner-spindles. The total weight of the machine is about four-and-a-half
tons, and can be made in lighter parts for exportation. The cost of wear and
tear in destroying the grinding plates is about £2 per month per machine,
and the quantity of tin leavings or " roughs," etc., which it will grind in
this time is about 270 tons, but this varies according to the class of ore
treated. This is less than a quarter-part of the wear and tear in stamps
doing a similar portion of work; and stuff containing ever so small a
percentage of ore can be treated by this machine at a profit, which by the
ordinary process would not pay.
The reverse motion of the pan keeps the grinding surfaces perfectly true and
free from grooves, which is a great advantage, and the stuff treated is
brought to such a fine and uniform size that every particle of mineral is
easily extracted; with a consumption of 9 cwts. of coal per day it has done
the work of at least thirty-two head of stamps.
At Wheal Jane Mine the machine pulverized in twelve hours 82 tons of tin "
roughs" sufficiently to pass through a grate of 230 holes to the square
inch, and in comparing the duty of the machine with the stamps at this mine
it was found to do the work of thirty head of stamps satisfactorily ; in
another instance it was found by experiment to do 75 per cent, more duty
than stamps would do for the same amount of power
VOL. XXX.—1881.
S
144 ON THE TREATMENT OF ORES.
expended on it. Three of these machines are at work at Frank Mills Mine, in
Devon, treating the lead leavings (" Halvans"), and answer well. The cost of
this machine is £140.
JIGGING.
This process has been tried for tin dressing lately and with very gratifying
results, although in many of the mines the tin is found so closely
amalgamated with other minerals of nearly the same specific gravity that the
operation is attended with difficulties; when tin ore is in this condition
huddling, and not jigging, is the next process through which it is put,
consequently the following remarks under this head will apply more
especially to lead and copper.
There can be no doubt of the success of jigging when applied to lead and
copper ores. Jigging is a process by which the separation of the mineral
from the waste is effected by causing each particle of stuff to be suspended
in water for a time, and in falling allowing them to arrange themselves
according to their specific gravity. The stuff resting on a sieve is forced
upwards by the motion of a plunger acting on the water
underneath.
A thorough classification of the stuff is necessary before it goes into the
jigger, as without this no complete separation of the metal can be obtained,
and it is therefore necessary that the particles to be jigged should be as
nearly as possible of the same size.
The proportion between the maximum and minimum size of the stuff to be
operated on should be according to the specific gravity of the minerals
contained in it.
It is also very desirable to have clean water for jigging, and where very
fine stuff has to be dealt with it becomes absolutely necessary, because
water containing slime will tend to clog the particles together.
There are numerous kinds of machines in use, but the writer will confine
himself to a couple of those, which he has seen at work, viz., the " West
Chiverton," and " Collom's patent." It would be as well to state here that
the old break sieve or hand jigger is still in extensive use at many of the
copper mines in the county, but it must eventually give place to the
continuous working jiggers. The " West Chiverton " is a capital machine, and
at West Chiverton mine there are a great many of them erected ; the
arrangement of the machines at this mine is both efficient and simple ;
after leaving the crusher, the lead stuff passes through three revolving
sieves of ten, fourteen, and twenty holes to the square inch respectively,
dividing it into four different sizes, each of which is carried
ON THE TREATMENT OF ORES. 145
through launders to a separate jigger. Tn this case, from the time the stuff
is put into the crusher until leaving the jigger it is not touched by hand,
but is all prepared automatically; the mixture of lead and blend is
separated here with the greatest of ease. The machine works with 140 strokes
per minute, varying in length from 1 to 1 \ inches. The sieves are set in
with a fleet of 1 inch. The price of this machine is about £35, and at this
mine 1,600 tons of lead stuff have been crushed, sized, jigged, and washed
for £50 per month. Plates XXXIY. and XXXV. represent Collom's Patent Jigger,
or rather a pair of them, which have been in use in Cornwall now for many
years. The motion is produced by two pistons a a, which work up and down in
square tanks, with a stroke varying from ^ an inch to 1 inch, the coarsest
ore requiring the longest stroke. A lever b strikes the pistons alternately,
spiral springs-bringing them back to their first position against the stops
c c, which can be adjusted to vary the stroke. A crank running at about 120
revolutions a minute actuates the striking lever. A pair of conical
reservoirs d d, are placed under and at each side of the pistons, each with
a fine sieve of brass wire on the top, on which is spread a bedding of f of
an inch of coarse ore. The material to be operated on is mixed with water
and supplied to the machine by means of the launder e. The pipe / constantly
supplies water to the reservoirs; this water escapes at^, carrying with it
the light particles. The motion of the pistons drives the water up through
the sieves, the lighter particles of slime resting on them are therefore
raised up and carried away by the flowing water, whilst the richer stuff
falls down into the reservoirs below, whence it passes off through a hole at
the bottom. To carry away any stuff that may be too light to fall through
the sieve, and yet be too heavy to be carried away by the wrater, a
so-called " ragging gear" h is provided, which consists of a row of holes,
the opening through which is regulated by plugs. The particles of ore that
pass through this gear go into a distinct compartment of the reservoir i. A
second machine h, in all respects like the one described, receives the water
from the first, and works it over again.
Twenty-two tons of ore can be turned over by this machine per day of ten
hours, which is equal to eleven ordinary hand jiggers. A fleet is generally
given to the sieve of \ inch in the 3 feet. The cost of the machine is £80.
The cost of jigging copper with the old hand machine is about 8|d. per ton,
including wear and tear ; the cost with Collom's machine is Id. per ton.
Another advantage in favour of the use of this machine is that whilst the
average produce from the hutches of Collom's gives 9 per cent..
146 ON THE TREATMENT OF ORES.
the ore from the hand jigger only averages 5 per cent. There is also a
smaller amount of waste, by use of the former. The spiral springs for making
the return stroke of the plunger form rather a weak part in this machine, as
they have to be renewed three or four times a month.
The idea that jigging is only applicable to rough stuff is not correct, as
there are machines now made purposely adapted for very fine work, and where
the stuff has only contained 3 per cent, of lead or blend it has been worked
at a profit.
The average quantity of copper jigged per day of ten hours with the hand
sieve machine is two tons. There are many conditions to be observed in order
to make jigging successful. The bedding material which is left on the sieve
should be about three times the size of the sieve meshes, and the richer the
stuff which is to be passed through the less bedding will be requisite, and
the finer the stuff the greater number and less length of plunger stroke is
required. It is desirable to give the plunger a greater velocity in the down
stroke than in the up stroke.
As to whether jigging will be more economical for tin dressing than buddling
is a question yet to be solved, but it seems clear that much of the tin
which escapes to the "red" river might be saved if jigging direct from the
stamps could supersede the oft-repeated operation of buddling. Jigging by
mechanical means has certainly been successful wherever it has been tried,
and consequently ought to have the serious attention of all interested in
tin and lead mines.
BUDDLING.
After leaving the classifiers, or, in other cases, the jigger, the stuff is
treated and washed in a variety of ways. Sometimes it is deposited into long
strips but generally into buddies, the two kinds usually adopted are
Boiiase's patent and the Convex, but the former has still the preference,
although there has been great improvement in the Convex buddle since its
introduction. For instance, it has been much enlarged, especially at the
head, which was at first a mere cone, now it is from two feet ten inches to
twelve feet diameter; six feet has been found to be the best distance to
allow from the head to the tail of the buddle. It is usual for the slime tin
to be lodged in larger pits after leaving the stamps previous to framing or
buddling.
The convex or centre-head, Plate XXXVI., Fig. 2, is usually the first one
used. It consists of a circular pit about 24 feet diameter and 18 inches
deep at the edge; the centre portion is raised as at a, and the floor falls
from it outwards towards the circumference at a fleet of about 1 in 30 for
ON THE TREATMENT OF ORES. 147
a length of 7 feet. The slime, well mixed with water, is delivered on to the
centre of the buddle by a launder b, and is distributed upon the raised part
by means of a number of spouts c c, which spread the liquid stream
uniformly. The slime and water in their passage down the slope gradually
deposit the pure ore, which is the heaviest, and falls nearest the centre.
In order that the slime may spread itself uniformly over the floor, and not
form little channels or gutters, revolving arms dd, provided with brushes e
e, continually sweep over it, and keep it to an even surface throughout.
These brushes make about six revolutions per minute. As the deposit
accumulates in the buddle, the sweeps are successively raised to a
corresponding extent; and the water is made to flow away at a higher level
by stopping up the lower holes in the conduit, which takes the waste water
from the pit, and the process is continued until the space between the
centre and the circumference is filled up, or for about ten hours. The
contents are then divided into head, middle, and tail; the head, being
nearest the centre, contains about 70 per cent, of ore, the middle 20, and
the rest only a trace.
The heads of the buddies are then passed together with water to the concave
buddle (Plate XXXVL, Fig 1.) Here the stuff is conveyed direct to the
circumference by the spouts, and gradually flows towards the centre, where
the overflow of the water is regulated by the holes a. The ore is here
deposited in the greatest abundance round the outside.
Plate XXXVII., Figs. 1, 2, and 3, show an improved concave buddle called
Borlase's buddle. The difference between this and the ordinary concave
buddle consists chiefly in the addition of an agitator a, which mixes the
slime before it runs down the launder b, and the application of a ring c,
which is made to rise and fall as the lead is deposited by means of the rod
d, the lever e, and the screw/, and the overflow of the water is thus
regulated, without the trouble of having to stop the machine to close the
holes, as in the ordinary buddle.
Clean water is a great advantage again in this operation, and it is equally
important that the man in charge should keep up a regular flow, otherwise
much mineral will be washed away.
The mineral sticks wherever it touches in the large head buddies, while in
the small ones, with a large flow of water, the mineral has no chance of
adhering to the bottom. In the Borlase buddle it is distributed so thinly
that it sticks just in the same way as may be noticed in a vanning shovel.
In the St. Austell district the writer has seen tin treated in small buddies
which had no head at all, generally known as spout buddies, they
148 ON THE TREATMENT OF ORES.
are inexpensive and very simple, and a floor might be laid out with them for
about one-third of the cost of other buddies. For some class of work no
doubt the spout buddies are equally as good as the others for the same
reason that long strips are preferable to the buddle. It is therefore
important in laying out works to well understand the class of work to be
dealt with.
The average yield of tin stuff in this district is about twenty-eight pounds
of tin to the ton, and in the dressing of stuff yielding this percentage
there is a loss of about one-eighth.
The tailings of the buddies generally produce from two to three pounds per
ton on average work.
The Fnu Vanner was tried at West Seaton mine and did its work very, well,
but was too expensive in its working for Cornish ores. It might do very well
for silver and gold.
TOSSING AND PACKING MACHINE. Figs. 3 and 4, Plate XXXVI., show a very
efficient and simple arrangement, combined both for tossing and packing.
The machinery for this is often much more complicated. After the slime
has been huddled three or four times it undergoes the further process of "
tossing:" mixed with about equal parts of water it is put into a tub a, and
agitated violently by means of a rotating shovel or disc h, which is raised
as the tub becomes full of lead. This keeps the lighter particles freely
suspended, and whilst thus in suspension the stuff is "packed" by the
repeated blows of an iron bar c, which strikes the side of the tub about
100 times a minute. The heavy particles are then caused to deposit on
the bottom, and become closely "packed" together.
PROCEEDINGS, 149
PROCEEDINGS.
GENERAL MEETING, SATURDAY, MAY 14th, 1881, IN THE LECTURE
ROOM OP THE LITERARY AND PHILOSOPHICAL SOCIETY,
NEWCASTLE-UPON-TYNE.
G. C. GREENWELL, Esq.. President, in the Chaie.
The Secretary read the minutes of the last meeting, and reported the
proceedings of the Council.
The following gentlemen were elected :—
Ordinary Member-—
Mr. David Morgan Leewellin, P.G.S., Civil and Mining Engineer, Glamvern
Offices, Pontypool.
Associate Member— Mr. James Tait, Estate Agent, Garmondsway Moor, Coxhoe.
The following were nominated for election at the next meeting :—
Associate Member— Mr. Hargrave Walters, M.E., Coton Park and Linton
Colliery, Burton-on-Trent.
Student— Mr. Edward Hooper, Haydon Bridge, Northumberland.
The President said the first business was to hear Mr. Swan's description of
his electric lamp, and to that end he had great pleasure in introducing Mr.
Swan to the meeting.
Mr. Swan said, from time to time during the last twenty years the question
had been propounded of the feasibility of lighting mines by electricity, and
various proposals had been made with reference to it. The first idea was to
employ a Giessler tube for the purpose. An apparatus on this principle was
devised by Messrs. Dumas and Benoit, and was
150 swan's electeic lamp.
exhibited in Newcastle about eighteen years ago. In the apparatus of
Messrs. Dumas and Benoit an induction coil and battery were arranged very
neatly in a little knapsack, which could be strapped on the back of a
workman, and transplanted to the place where it was to be used. When that
place was reached the intention was that the workman should detach it from
his back, and hang up the lamp in a convenient position. This earliest form
of electrical lamp had the advantage of being self-contained, so to speak,
and of carrying its own light-producing power along with it; but it had the
great drawback of giving a very faint light, and of being somewhat costly
and cumbrous, since each lamp required as an accompaniment both a battery
and an induction coil. At all events the fact of its never having been
adopted as a practical lamp in mines was evidence of its not having
commended itself to the good opinion of mining engineers (the electric
light produced—in a vacuum tube— was the faintest form of electrical light).
Then it was proposed to employ the arc light in mines—not in the dangerous
parts of mines, but as a means of lighting portions of mines which might be
lighted by means of naked lights. They knew the kind of light to which he
made reference when he spoke of the arc light produced between carbon
points. That extremely brilliant light, if it could be placed in a
perfectly close vessel, and maintained without much trouble and without much
cost, would evidently be a very good form of light for a mine; but
unfortunately it could not be maintained as a steady light without some
mechanical arrangement more or less cumbersome in the nature of a regulator
lamp, and it could not be enclosed perfectly without incurring the
disadvantage of having a deposit formed upon the glass which contained it;
practically, therefore, this form of electrical lighting had never gone
further than a proposal— a proposal which he believed had been condemned by
some of the best physicists who had looked into the question, and whose
opinion had been asked as to its applicability. Between these two extremes
of a very faint light and very brilliant light there was a middle path along
which occurred a possibility of producing electrical light in another way
and of intermediate power—by passing an electrical current through a very
thin conductor made of some comparatively resisting and
comparatively infusible material. This last-mentioned method is
illustrated by Fig. 5, Plate 38, where a is a thin wire of platinum, and b b
are copper wire conductors of much stouter material. The thick
conductors, b b, offered comparatively little resistance, but the contrary
was the case with the thin conductor, not only because of its thinness, but
because of its being composed of platinum, which was a bad conductor; if a
current was passed
swan's electric lamp. 151
through it, it would become white hot, while the rest of the conductor, b b,
was cold. Now, if it were possible to keep a piece of platinum wire like
that at a white heat without too great an expenditure of the electric
current, nothing would be better as a means of producing light; but
unfortunately a wire even of that thinness required a very strong electrical
current to make it white hot, so that it would become too expensive to
produce electrical light by means of a white hot wire of that kind; it could
not be made sufficiently hot for the production of an economical light
without melting it. Many had so attempted to use it, but had not been
successful. But the principle remained good all the same. It was only
necessary to find another material analogous to platinum in respect of its
lower conductivity, but different from it in its fusibility; such a
substance was found in carbon. By making carbon in the form of a very
fine filament it was possible to send through it an electric current which
would heat it to a very high degree, and cause it to emit a brilliant light
without excessive cost. It was also possible to carry it to a higher
temperature than could be accomplished with platinum; and because a
very slight increase of temperature had the effect of increasing the light
very considerably, the substitution of carbon for platinum was attended
with great economy. His improvements in electric lighting had
been directed to the utilization of carbon on the principle of producing
light by incandescence; by that means getting rid of all the machinery
inseparable from the ordinary type of electric lamp, and with the
further advantage, that the light so produced could be divided indefinitely.
It hardly needed elaboration or remark to show that any given length of
wire, which could be made of a white heat in the manner described, would
also become of a white heat if divided into several pieces, and interposed
in the thick conductor in different places, perhaps widely apart. It was
almost a self-evident thing that the same power which was required to heat
that length of wire in one continuous piece would also suffice to produce
the same result if it were divided into several pieces. Self-evident or
not, it was a fact, that however many pieces the platinum wire was divided
into, it would require the same electrical force to make it white hot that
it took to make it white hot when in one piece; so that this method of
producing the electric light involved the principle of divisibility, and
that was the most important point in connection with the subject he was
going to bring under their consideration to-day. He did not at first think
of applying his lamp to mining purposes. His intention was simply to
produce an electric lamp which was generally applicable ; but several
persons, whose opinions
VOI,. XXX.-1881.
^
152 swan's electric lamp.
he could not but pay great respect to, represented to him that it was not an
unsuitable form of lamp for lighting coal-mines ; and their strongly
expressed wish had led him to put the lamp in the shape in which it would
have to be used if it received such an application; and the ultimate result
was the form of safety-lamp now exhibited. The construction of the lamp is
shown in Plate XXXVIII.:—a is a glass tube from which the air has been
almost totally exhausted; I is a slender filament of carbon bent with a
loop, with its ends secured in two steel sockets c, c, with two little rings
d, d, these two steel sockets are continued in the shape of steel strips e,
e', till they meet the wires f,f; these wires terminate in two loops g,g'; h
is a glass rod swelled at i, where it contains the two wires g, g', which
are fixed therein when the rod is blown, the other end of the glass rod h
terminates in a projection j, where two small pieces of wire h, Jc, are
fixed while the glass is hot; these two pieces pass through small holes in
the strips e, e\ and keep them steady. The upper part of the lamp is
enclosed in a brass cylinder p, which screws into a brass ring q, formed so
as to receive a glass cylinder r, secured to the ring q by means of four
strong wire supports t, t', and the brass button u. The top part of the
cylinder p is closed by means of a wooden plug s. The glass a a is
encompassed by a socket of some non-conducting material t; secured on each
side of this are two brass slips m, m', one of which, m', is prolonged to y,
so that it can be pressed by the finger when the cylinder p is removed from
the ring q and the lower portion of the lamp. The inside of the wooden top
is also provided with two brass strips n, n', which are in connection with
the conducting wires o, o, at the bottom these strips n, m, and n', m, are
so bent as to act as springs, and one of them m', has a small catch x, which
can be released at will by pressure applied to y; this arrangement allows
the lighting portion of the lamp to be readily detached from its case and as
readily replaced. In the position in which the apparatus is shown in the
Plate the current is completed, passing from o to n, then to m through the
loop g to /, and onwards through the steel strip e to the socket c, passing
through the carbon filament b which it makes white hot, it returns through
c', 4, f, g', m', till it reaches ri, which is in connection with the return
wire d. No doubt the details of this lamp could be very considerably
improved in the direction of simplicity; perhaps the form of the glass could
also be improved. It had been represented to him that it would be an
advantage if the glass were carried higher up, and a little bevelled at q,
so as to allow the rays of light to pass upwards. Improvements of that kind
they could easily frame in their own minds; all he asked them to do now was
to consider the principle, and whether
swan's electric lamp. 153
in any case it might be applicable to the wants of coal-miners. They would
observe it was absolutely secluded from air, and therefore would be quite
safe in a dangerous atmosphere, on condition, of course, that the glass did
not break; but he believed that in the ordinary safety-lamp they were
exposed to that danger. There were safety-lamps in common use—the Clanny
lamp, for instance—which had glass about them, and the Clanny lamp became
unsafe when the glass was broken; but he thought this danger almost
imaginary, because a blow which would break the glass would inevitably break
the carbon, and consequently extinguish the light. He thought a lamp of that
kind would be much less liable to be broken by water falling upon it, which
was a source of danger in connection with safety-lamps of the ordinary kind
surrounded by glass; but that danger must be much less in a lamp of this
kind, because the amount of heat was so small that the outer glass would
scarcely be warm; therefore, the danger of fracture of the glass from water
falling upon it would, he thought, be very small indeed. He ought, however,
to mention another danger, namely, that which would result from the
accidental rupture of the wires. It always happened that when wires which
carried a current such as would be required for the lamp were severed, a
spark occurred at the moment and place of severance. Now, if the wires which
were in communication between the electric generator and the lamp were
accidentally broken, a spark would occur which, in an explosive atmosphere,
would be dangerous; but the wires might be made of such a nature that the
chances of their being broken wrere extremely remote, but still it would not
do to shut out of sight the danger that might arise from that source. Great
care would have to be taken in making and unmaking the connection between
the lamp and the main wires; the current would have to be previously cut off
the wire through which the attachment or detachment was being made, or
special contact devices would have to be provided which would cut off by a
covering of liquid all communication between the spark and outer atmosphere,
or seclude it in a close box, in order to guard against the possibility of a
spark occurring where it might be dangerous. He thought it would not be
right to show them the good points of the lamp without at the same time
mentioning whatever objection he himself could see to it. One of the main
questions with them would be, how far a lamp of that kind would be
practicable, supposing it to give a good light and to be comparatively safe
? A further question would be, what kind of apparatus would be necessary in
order to work the lamp, and what would be the expense of it ? He need hardly
tell them, because there was probably no one present
15i SWAN'S ELECfJtiC LAMP.
who did not know, that in order to produce the electric current for lighting
purposes they were now using some kind of motive power-—generally that of a
steam engine—so that, if these lamps were used in mines, they would have
to draw upon their fan or other engines for the supply of the power to
be applied to the working of what was called a dynamo-electrical machine. A
dynamo-electrical machine was very simple, and by means of it electricity
was produced simply and cheaply. It consisted of* two parts—an
electro-magnet which was fixed, and an electro-magnet which was
moveable. In order to develop an electric current it was necessary to
give a rotary motion to the moveable electromagnet. This apparatus was a
somewhat heavy one, and he did not know how it could be arranged so as to
assume a portable form and be connected with the lamp in the same way as was
proposed in the case of Dumas and Benoit's first electric lamp, where, as
the light was feeble, only a comparatively small electric current was
required. This would have to be very much increased to give the light
contemplated now, and would require a much larger apparatus, one altogether
too cumbersome to be portable, so that they would have to realize the
necessity of having the lamp tethered by means of wires—he was afraid thick
ones— to the main wires coming from the dynamo-electric machine. The
wires might be flexible, but they must be very strong, so that to a certain
extent the lamp was a fixed lamp. But supposing these difficulties were
not thought sufficient to debar the lamp from use—he meant supposing the
tethering of the lamp were not thought an insuperable objection to it— and
supposing the production of a current at the pit head by means of a
dynamo-electrical machine was thought not to involve too much trouble and
cost, then he believed they would have there a lamp which might be
considered as one means of producing that very indispensable thing in
coal-mining, a reasonably safe artificial light. An experiment would be
made almost immediately with a number of these lamps; he had fifty of them
being made now, and as soon as made they would be placed at the disposal of
the Accidents in Mines Commission. They would be first used in a colliery
in Nottinghamshire; some also were to be tried at Grarnock Colliery, near
Glasgow, and their practicability for coal-mining thoroughly tested; but he
did not think their use as safety-lamps would be tested in either of those
mines; that point, he believed, would be thoroughly tested in the
laboratory by Professor Abel and his assistants, so that the question
of the adaptability of this lamp for use in mines was to this extent
receiving an answer. With regard to the amount of power necessary to work
such lamps, about one horse power would be consumed
SWAN*S ELECTRIC LAMP. 155
for every ten or twenty lamps. Professor Herschel had (with his usual
kindness) lent him a small hand dynamo-electrical machine, which
enabled him to demonstrate to them how exactly proportional was the motive
power required to drive it to the amount of electricity produced. He fancied
that one of the questions they would have to ask him, would be whether
instead of keeping the current always supplied directly from the
electro-dynamical machine, there could not be a store of electricity carried
about with the lamp. He was sorry to say there was not much to be hoped
for at present in that direction. The operation of a Daniell's battery was
accompanied by a chemical change, which ended in the deposition of copper on
one side of a porous diaphragm, and the dissolution of zinc on the other.
It is quite conceivable that this process might be reversed by means of
the dynamo-electrical machine, and the zinc deposited, while the copper
was dissolved by a reverse action of the current; so that the using of the
current of a Daniell's battery, and charging it again from a
dynamo-electrical machine, would constitute something like a store of
electricity; and he thought it quite likely that great progress would be
made in the perfecting of apparatus of this kind, and that electricity might
in this way be to some extent stored. He had had lamps going an hour,
or perhaps even longer by means of stored electricity ; but at present for
the lighting of coal mines electrically he thought the use of a
dynamo-electrical machine direct, would be found to be necessary.
Having now stated his proposition with regard to the electrical illumination
of mines, he left it to their consideration as to how far it was practicable
to adopt the idea. It was a question for them much more than for himself.
He had shown them how far the electrician could help them in the matter,
and he thought it worthy of their consideration how far they could make it
fit in with their other arrangements. He thought it would perhaps more
fully answer the end the Institute had in view if he reserved
anything further he had to say till the subject was discussed. He would
be very glad to answer any question which might be asl<ed of him.
Mr. Swan in answer to the President, stated that the light of the lamp
exhibited was equal to that given by two or three candles, although it might
very readily be increased to 10 or 12. With reference to the beautiful
woolly material found in coke ovens, he did not think it could be made use
of in a lamp of that kind ; he had not tried it, but he had looked at it
very carefully, and the difficulty with it was that the filaments were so
extremely thin and tender, that it would not be possible to secure them in
such a way as to make a perfect contact with the conductor which conveyed
the current to and fivom the filament.
156 swan's electric lamp.
In answer to Mr. T. J. Bewick—the increase of cost by increasing the light
would depend upon the way in which it was done. If the light were increased
by lengthening the carbon, then the increase of cost to the increase of
light would be absolutely in the proportion of the increase of light; but if
the light were increased by sending a greater current through carbon of a
given size and length, then a very slight increase of current would give a
very great increase of luminosity. When his lamp was shown to Professor
Tyndall, he said he thought it might be made applicable to the illumination
of mines, and suggested that perhaps its safety might be increased by having
a double casing of glass, with water between the casings.
In reply to Mr. Cuthbert Berkley—he did not think that at present it was
possible to produce the requisite amount of electricity to work a lamp for
any useful length of time by clock-work, for it required a man to exert
himself very considerably to illuminate one lamp; and even if the machinery
producing the electricity were to be considerably improved, he did not think
the power could be reduced so far as to give any hope of a clock-work motion
becoming possible, and on the other hand there was absolutely no loss of
power in conveying electricity twenty or thirty miles to the lamps. There
was always a certain amount of what was quite analogous to leakage by
lengthening the conducting wires; but, under proper conditions, leakage was
not so considerable as to prevent electricity being conveyed a great deal
more than a mile ; even as much as ten or twenty miles might be thought of
as not impracticable. Should the glass become broken the lamp would go out
instantly; immediately air got admission to a lamp of this sort it would go
out. The carbon would burn away just as a piece of coal burnt on a fire,
and as the filament in a lamp was very thin, it would burn away in a moment.
The time it would take to replace the lamp with another would evidently
depend upon the construction of the lamp. He had some being constructed
so that by the undoing of a single screw the lamp could be replaced in two
minutes, even when the change was effected in the dark. Mr. A. L. Steavenson
hoped that anything he or any one else might say would not be considered by
Mr. Swan in the light of criticism, but merely in the light of remarks
offered by the members of the Institute for the purpose of affording
assistance to Mr. Swan in the very valuable experiments he was now making.
Of course, the first difficulty with the members was these long wires.
Everyone acquainted with pit work must be aware that to have a lot of such
long cords as these moving about was very serious. At the present
moment he could
swan's electric lamp. 157
not see how to get over it; but for the purpose of lighting the main roads
and the shaft bottoms, such lamps as had been shown could undoubtedly be
used with great ease. When they got into the workings they would have to
light up the hewers, which, he thought, it was barely possible to do; but
beyond this again they had the wastes and returns, and various parts of the
mine, where there might be more or less fallen material, and where a man had
enough to do to get through himself without carrying wires after him. He
had known men compelled to travel with a Davy lamp in their mouths. Under
such circumstances it would be very difficult to introduce a lamp such as
Mr. Swan had put before them. The question of cost would not enter into
the calculation; if a lamp could be found, the use of which would be a
guarantee for perfect safety, he was certain the question of cost would not
enter into the consideration of the manager of a mine. He would like to
ask Mr. Swan how far he considered the lamp would fairly compare with the
ordinary Davy lamp now in use in intensity or amount of light ? One use
which he thought the lamp might be applied to was to light a place known to
contain dangerous gases. Men were sometimes known to be where it was
almost impossible to reach them with the present appliances, and where
a lamp like this could be employed. In the ordinary working of a coal pit
there were often as many as 300 or 400 safety-lamps used by the miners, and
in order to supply their places by the electric light it would be necessary
to regulate the intensity of the current, so as not to destroy the lamp
from any sudden increase of current caused, say, by a certain number of
lights becoming extinguished, or from numbers of men leaving the pit. That
wrould have, of course, to be carefully considered, so as not to extinguish
all the lamps of a mine at one moment. It would be a serious matter to
have several hundred men in a mine left suddenly in the dark by the
severance of the
wire.
Mr. Swan said, he had but little practical knowledge of coal-mining, and
would not enter into any disputation, or anything approaching to it, with
Mr. Steavenson as to the applicability of a lamp of this kind under all the
conditions in which it had to be used. He could very well imagine conditions
under which it would be totally impracticable; but perhaps there were mines,
not so common in this part of the country as in others, where a lamp of the
kind shown might not be impracticable. From what he gleaned in conversation
with members of the Mines Commission the other day, he thought that it might
be feasible to employ it in working the long-wall system, and in certain
mines where the method
158 swan's electric lamp.
of working was very regular and where there was ample space. The main wires
might be laid in some cases under the roadway, in other cases overhead, up
to the face of the coal, whence branch wires might be taken, entanglement
might be prevented by the wires being rolled up on reels. With such help it
might be possible for men to place their lamps in a convenient position
without their being very much encumbered by the wires. The opinion seemed to
be entertained by some mining engineers with whom he had discussed the
matter that it was not entirely unfeasible to use the wires in certain
mines, but that there are other mines, and perhaps they are the majority, in
which it would not be feasible. Still he submitted there would be cases
where the space was ample and the method of working very regular and
systematic, where it might be useful to employ a lamp of this kind. The
regulation of the current might be made at the place where the electric
current was generated; it might be part and parcel of the generating
machine. There were several ways in which the regulation might be effected.
The clanger from the rupture of the wires would still have to be
encountered; but he thought the wires might be made so secure as to present
no serious danger from accident. Telegraph wires laid under ground very
seldom go wrong. Probably electric wires in mines should be laid similarly
in iron tubes and under ground.
The President said, they were all very much indebted to Mr. Swan for his
most interesting communication. He must confess that seeing what changes had
taken place in electric lighting, especially in the direction initiated by
Mr. Swan, he did not entirely lose hope of seeing the time when a
self-contained and portable electric safety lamp would be invented, which
would be able to be brought within the power of the person who used the
lamp, to carry to his work, and be driven probably by some little reservoir
of compressed air or other power; and he was more especially sanguine when
he saw the matter taken up by such men as Mr. Swan. He had great pleasure in
proposing a vote of thanks to that gentleman.
Mr. A. L. Steavenson said he had great pleasure in seconding the vote of
thanks.
The motion was carried by acclamation.
Mr. Swan said he joined most earnestly in the hope which Mr. Greenwell had
expressed. Seeing the rapid changes in the direction of advancement which
had oeen made in so short a time, one was ready almost to hope anything and
everything. He would like to say, in conclusion, how very much obliged he
was to Professor Herschel for his
swan's electric lamp. 15J)
kindness in providing him with apparatus and assistance. The Professor had
helped him with such hearty goodwill as made him doubly indebted.
On the motion of the PRESIDENT, seconded by Mr. .1. B. Sjmpson, a vote of
thanks was given to the members of the Literary and Philosophical Society
for having so A^ery kindly granted them the use of their lecture room.
The meeting then terminated.
PROCEEDINGS. 16 I1
PROCEEDINGS.
GENERAL MEETING, SATURDAY, JUNE 4th, 1.881, IN THE WOOD MEMORIAL HALL.
J. B. SIMPSON, Esq., Vice-President, in the Chair.
The Secretary read the minutes of the last general meeting, and reported the
proceedings of the Council. The following gentlemen were elected :—
Associate Member—
Mr. Hargrave Walters, M.E., Coton Park and Linton Colliery,
Burton-on-Trent.
Student- -Mr. Edward Hooper, Haydon Bridge, Northumberland.
The following were nominated for election at the next meeting :—
Ordinary Member—
Mr. John Grey Cranston, Consulting Mining and Mechanical Engineer,. 29,
Grey Street, Newcastle-upon-Tyne.
The balloting list for the annual election of officers in August Was
submitted in pursuance of Bye-law 21; after which, as there was but a
limited attendance of members, the meeting was adjourned.
PRESSURE OF GAS IN THE SOLID COAL. 163
EXPERIMENTS SHOWING THE PRESSURE OF GAS IN THE SOLID COAL.*
By LINDSAY WOOD.
The writer having had his attention drawn to the frequency of blowers of gas
escaping from coal workings at high pressures, was led to try a series of
experiments to ascertain if gas existed at any pressure in the solid coal
itself.
He was also anxious to ascertain what quantity of gas was given off from a
given area of a face of working coal, and at what rate this exudation of gas
diminished per hour of exposure, so as, if possible, to ascertain the
effect, from this cause, of rapidly exposing new surfaces of coal by quick
working, with a view of having some data by which to compare pits working 12
hours a day with those working 24 hours.
To this end five distinct experiments were made, and holes were bored at
different depths into the coal in various seams at Elemore, Hetton,
Eppleton, Boldon, and Harton Collieries ; these holes were plugged and
gauges applied, and it was soon found that very great pressures were shown
to exist.
Arrangements were also made, which are hereafter described, by which the
quantity of gas given off from the boreholes of a known surface area was
accurately measured.
One of these experiments was made in the Low Main Seam at Elemore Colliery,
at a depth of 750 feet from the surface; one in the Hutton Seam at Hetton
Colliery, at a depth of 1,228 feet; and eight in the Hutton Seam at Eppleton
Colliery, at a depth of 1,261 feet. Five were made in the Bensham Seam at
Boldon Colliery, at a depth of 1,268 feet from the surface ; and three were
made in the Bensham Seam at Harton Colliery, at a depth of 1,215 feet.
* Read at the General Meeting held on the 19th June, 1880, but publication
delayed to permit of further experiments being recorded.
VOL XXX—1881.
V
164 EXPERIMENTS SHOWING THE PRESSURE OF
It will be noticed from this that all the experiments except the first were
tried at a depth within 2 per cent, of 1,243 feet, the mean of the whole.
THE EXPERIMENT MADE AT ELEMORE COLLIERY.
The Elemore Colliery was opened out about the year 182G—54 years before the
experiment was made, the following being the account of the strata sunk
through in the Lady Isabella Pit:—
TOWNSHIP OF PITTING-TON, DURHAM.
Sheet 20 of Ordnance Map. Lat. 54° 48' 14£", Long. 1° 26' 45".
Approximate surface level 400 feet above sea (Ordnance datum).
Fs. Ft. In. Fs. Ft. In. Fs.
Ft. In. Fs. Ft. In
Outset ...... 2 4 0 Brought
forward 10 3 3 42 6 1
Strong brown clay ... 8 0 0 Black stone ...
... 0 2 3
Limestone ...... 16 0 0 Brown thill......
0 2 •
Blue limestone ... 0 1 0 COAL
...... 0 10
Brown clay, scared
------------ 11 3 0
with blue...... 0 0 7 Brown thill......
0 0 9
Sand bed.—Soft sand, COAL
...... 0 3 9
in which the water Thill
...... 0 4 0
increased to 1,000 Blue metal ...
... 1 5 0
gallons per hour ... 10 3 0 Grey metal, with post
White post, in which girdles
... ... 2 0 0
a crib was set ... 0 2 10 Strong white post
... 1 4 0
Grey metal...... 0 1 10 Greymetal...... 2
0 10
COAL ...... 0 1 10 Strong white
post, I" „ *
-----------' 38 3 1 mixed with iron-<
t
Greymetal...... 0 1 10 stone balls
... (0 2 0
White post...... 0 5 0 Greymetal...... 0
0 10
Greymetal...... 0 0 10 Strong grey metal,
White post...... 0 0 10 with post girdles ...
7 4 6
Greymetal...... 0 1 10 Grey post ......
2 2 4
Wnitepost...... 0 0 7 COAL—High Main
Strong blue metal ... 2 3 4 geam
.....0 5 10
COAL ...... 0 0 9
----------- 23 4 5
----------- 4 3 0 White thill...... 0 4 0
Brown thill...... 1 1 4 Strong white post
... 1 0 8A
White post...... 0 4 1 Black stone...... 0
10
Blue metal..... 0 0 5 Blue metal ......
2 17
White post...... 2 10 Greymetal...... 2
5 3
Blue metal stone ... 0 0 2 Strong white
post ... 2 0 6
White post...... 3 0 9 Strong brown
post,
Brown whin...... 0 2 6 mixed with whin ...
4 0 6±
White post ...... 053 COAL (supposed
Greymetal...... 14 2 Maudlin Seam) ... 0
0 9
Black stone ... ... 0 0 3
________1324
Grey metal ... ... 0 1 4
Carried forward 10 3 3 42 6 1
Carried forward 91 3 10
* Approximate sea level (Ordnance datum).
GAS IN THE SOLID COAL.—ELEMORE. 165
Fs. Ft. In. Fs. Ft. In. Fs.
Ft. In. Fs. Ft. In.
Brought forward 91 3 10 Brought forward 12
0 0 99 0 71
Brown thill...... 0 0 10| Greymetal...... 1 3
7
White post ... ... 0 2 7 COAL
...... 0 0 9
Greymetal...... 0 5 3
----------- 13 4 4
COAL ...... 0 0 2 Band
...... 0 0 3
Soft brown thill ... 0 2 5 Brown
thill...... 0 0 8
Soft white thill ... 0 0 9 Greymetal
...... 3 3 4
Soft brown post girdles 0 10 Strong white post
... 3 3 0
Grey metal ... ... 0 2 0 Strong brown
whin... 0 4 0
COAL ...... 0 0 4 Strong white post
... 6 0 0
------------ 2 3 4| llutton Seam—
Brown thill ... ... 0 0 8
Ft In
Soft white post ... 0 4 0 COAL ...
4 5
Greymetal...... 0 4 0 Band ... 0
1
Soft blue metal and COAL, bot-
post girdles ... 2 5 0 torn
... 0 9
COAL—LOW MAIN Strong splint 0 4
SEAM ...... 0 3 9
------ ° 5 7 .. . 1A
w^mmimmmmB^mmmm ________ 4 5 5
------------14 4 10
Greymetal...... 10 1 Black stone......
0 0 6
White post...... 4 4 2
COAL ...... 0 0 5
Greymetal...... 2 3 4
White post...... 10 6
Whin girdles ... 2 0 3
Black stone...... 0 3 3
_______
Carried forward 12 0 0 99 0 1\
Total...... IgLAJJ
Note.—The George and Lady Isabella Pits are about 45 yards apart, and there
is a dip dyke to the East of 7 fathoms between the two shafts.
The experiment was made in the Low Main Seam at a point about 319 yards
south-east from the shaft, and fully 60 yards from any whole workings or
goaf; the dip of the strata being towards the east.
The roof is composed of grey metal and post girdle, is rather tender, and
the thill is of strong seggar clay.
The coal is clear, hard, bituminous, and moderately bright, with the
cleavage well defined, and is used for household purposes.
The Main Coal Seam 114 feet above is partially worked, and the Hutton Seam
78 feet below is partially worked.
The specific gravity is 1*24.
On August 28th, 1879, a hole was bored in the solid coal at the face of a
narrow board. See Section No. 1.
166 EXPERIMENTS SHOWING THE PRESSURE OF
CONDITIONS.
Ft In.
The length of the borehole was ... ... ... ... 7
0
The diameter of „ ... ... ...
... 2£
The diameter of pipe fixed in the hole ... ... ...
^
Gas space ... ... ...... ...... ... 2 6
Hole at right angles to the cleat.
Cover—depth of hole from surface ... ... 750 feet.
Distance of hole from shaft ... ' ... ... 319
yards.
Description of gauge used... ... ... ...
Bourdon's.
The hole was plugged up in the following way:—The pipe for conveying the gas
from the gas space to the pressure gauge was screwed at its inside end and
provided with a nut and washer, the other end was provided with a collar.
Between this collar and the nut were placed, first a metal socket, and then
a number of India-rubber washers which were a little smaller in diameter
than the hole. When these were placed in the hole they were all screwed
tightly up together, and the space round the socket at the outer end of the
borehole filled with good Portland cement.
RESULTS—See Table, Page 225.
Lbs. per sq. inch
In the first 5 minutes after the hole was made tight the Pressure
pressure rose to ... ... ... ... ...
13
In 2 hours and 20 minutes the pressure was ... ... 25|
In 11 hours and 35 minutes the maximum was attained,
namely ... ... ... ... ... •••
28
This maximum pressure was maintained for 4 hours, Avhen
a steady decrease ensued $ the gauge was attentively
observed, and the varying pressures noted every hour. In the first 12 hours
after the maximum, the pressure was 27
In 36 hours after this ...... ... ... ...
25|
A steady decrease still going on, the hourly observance
of the pressure was continued. At the end of 26 days 3 hours and 25 minutes
the last
pressure was read off and noted, which was ... 8£
GAS IN THE SOLID COAL.—HETTON. 167
THE EXPERIMENT MADE AT HETTON COLLIERY.
The Hetton Colliery was opened out about the year 1822—58 years
before the experiment was made, the following being the account of the
strata sunk through in the Minor Pit:—
TOWNSHIP OF HETTON-LE-HOLE, DURHAM.
Sheet 21 of Ordnance Map. Lat. 54° 48' 59", Long. 1° 26' 26".
Begun Dec. 20th, 1820.
Approximate surface level 319 feet above sea (Ordnance datum).
Fs. Ft. In. Fs. Ft. In.
Fs. Ft. In. Fs. Ft. In.
Outset ...... 1 0 0
Brought forward 52 5 6
Soil ... ... 0 2 0
Grey metal stone or
Sand ...... 13 0 thill
...... 0 16
Gravel ...... 0 4 0 White
post...... 0 2 3
Limestone, marl, and Grey metal
stone ... 1 2 5
soft limestone ... 3 0 0 White post,
with part -
Yellow limestone in ings
and water ... 6 3 3
different beds ... 15 5 6 Grey metal
stone ... 0 2 8
Blue limestone, flaggy COAL,
mixed with
at bottom (called black
metal ... 0 1 6
"Blue Rag") ... 7 2 2
-------------9 17
Blue metal ...... 0 5 2 Thill
...... 0 0 8
Soft sandstone ... 0 4 4 White
post...... 0 2 5
Very soft white metal Grey
metal...... 0 2 2
stone ... ,.. 0 1 2 Grey
metal stone, with
Grey metal stone ... 0 0 9 post
girdles ... 0 1 4
Strong brown lime- Grey
metal...... 0 0 6
stone, mixed with COAL
...... 0 0 10
whin ...... 1 2 8
-------------1 1 11
Soft bluish grey metal Thill
...... 0 0 3
stone ...... 5 2 3 Grey metal
stone ... 0 0 10
COAL ...... 0 14 White post......
14 2
---------¦— 38 4 4 Grey metal, mixed
Soft grey metal ... 0 4 8 with
post...... 0 2 9
Blue metal stone ... 1 3 0
------------. 220
COAL, mixed with Black and
blue metal 1 5 10
black metal ... 0 1 9 COAL
...... 0 0 3
------------- 2 3 5
------------- 2 0 1
Grey metal stone ... 2 5 10 Grey
metal...... 0 1 3
COAL ...... 0 10 White post......
119
------------- 3 0 10 Grey and white post,
Grey metal stone ... 0 0 4 mixed
with grey
Black metal, mixed metal
stone ... 1 5 2
with coal...... 0 0 7 Whin
...... 0 3 7
COAL ...... 0 1 10 White post, with
blue
—-----------0 2 9 metal and partings 0 2 10
Grey metal stone or Strong white
post ... 1 4 6
thill ... ... 0 1 4
Strong white spongy
Grey metal stone, with post,
with partings 4 5 11
partings ...... 4 0 10 Grey and white post
Strong white post and and
water ... ... 3 1 3
water, very spongy 3 18 Grey metal stone
... 0 4 6
COAL ...... 0 2 4
------------- 8 0 2
Carried forward 52 5 6 Carried forward 15 0
9 67 5 1
* Approximate sea level (Ordnance datum).
168 EXPERIMENTS SHOWING THE PRESSURE OF
Fa. Ft. In. Fa. Ft. In.
Fs. Ft. In. Fs Ft In.
Brought forward 15 0 9 67 5 1 Brought forward
113 2 11
Three- Quarter Seam Blue metal, with
iron-
(High Main on stone girdles
... 0 2 10
TyneJ— Ft. In. COAL
...... 0 0 5
COAL ... 0 4
------------ 0 3 3
Grey metal... 1 0 Strong grey
metal
COAL ... 1 3 stone
...... 0 2 0
Band ... 0 5 Grey and
white post... 4 3 9
COAL ... 3 2 Grey
metal...... 13 2
Band ... 0 4 Maudlin or
Bensham
COAL,mixed Seam—
j-t. In.
with black COAL ...
1 2
metal ... 0 11 Grey metal...
3 9
------115 COAL ... 0 4
------------ 16 2 2 ------ 0 5
3
Thill ...... 0 18
----------- 7 2 2
Grey metal stone, with Grey metal......
0 4 2
large ironstone balls 12 4 Blue metal ...... 0
4 0
Strong grey metal post, Grey metal
... ... 1 5 6
with girdles ... 3 3 9 Blue metal,
with coal
Black metal, with pipes
...... 0 3 8
scares of coal ... 0 0 9 Strong grey post
... 0 5 8
COAL ... ... 0 1 2 Strong grey
post, with
----------- 5 3 8 girdles ...... 0 5 2
Dark grey metal,-with Whin
...... 0 3 0
scares of coal ... 0 2 8 Soft grey metal
... 2 5 8
Grey metal, with iron- COAL — Low Main
stone balls...... 0 2 6 Seam (5j4 on Tyne)
0 4 1
Grey metal, with dun-
~---------- 9 4 11
nish post girdles ... 3 110 White post...... 2
0 6
Grey metal stone ... 1 0 8 Whin
... ... 0 2 2
COAL (5\4 Seam on Grey metal, with post
Wear) ...... 0 17 girdles ......
2 0 10
----------- 5 3 3 Black and blue metal 10 0
Black metal, with COAL, splint
... 0 1 0
scares of coal ... 0 0 6
------------ 5 4 6
Dark grey metal ... 0 4 4 Grey metal and
post
COAL . ... 0 0 5 girdles
...... 0 5 11
----------- 0 5 3 COAL ...... 0 0 4
Grey metal stone, with Band
...... 0 0 If
post girdles ... 5 4 6 COAL
...... 0 0 7
Grey post ...... 0 4 10
------------ 1 011|
Blue and grey metal Thill
...... 0 4 0
stones ...... 3 5 9 Strong grey metal
... 1 2 0
-----------.10 3 1 Grey post ...... 1 2 11
Blue and grey metal,
------------ 3 2 11
with post girdles ... 1 5 3 Black metal......
0 3 0
Sigh Main {Yard Blue metal, with
gir-
CoalonTyne)— dies
...... 0 1 4
rt in Strong white post ... 4 0
0
COAL, top 1 8 Grey metal and
post
Band ... 0 1 girdles
...... 110
COAL .,. 4 9
------10 6 HUTTON SEAM—
------------ 2 5 9 Ft.
In.
Thill ...... 0 0 8 COAL ...
4 7i
Grey and white post... 15 0 Band ...
0 3^
Black metal stone ... 0 1 4 COAL,bottoml
3
stone girdles ... 1 2 4
------------ 656
Black metal stone ... 0 1 4
----------- 3 4 8
________
Carried forward 113 2 11 Total ......
148 3 U
GAS IN THE SOLID COAL.—HETTON. 169
The experiment was made in the Hutton Seam at a point about 3,530 yards due
east from the shaft and about 100 yards from some old goaf, the dip of the
strata being towards the east.
The roof is composed of grey metal with post girdles, and is moderately
good. The thill is of rather soft seggar clay.
The coal is clear, hard, and bituminous, with the cleavage well defined, and
is used for household purposes.
None of the coal seams, either above or below, have been worked.
The specific gravity is 1*17.
On September 1st a hole was bored in the solid coal at the face of a winning
headways, on the dip side of a 7-feet trouble. See Section No. 2.
CONDITIONS.
Ft. In.
The length of the borehole was............ 9 0
The diameter of „ ... ...... ...
2|
The diameter of pipe fixed in the hole ... ... ...
^
Gas space.................. ... 2 0
The hole parallel with the cleat.
Cover—depth of hole from surface ... ... 1,228 feet.
Distance of hole from shaft ... ... ... 3,530
yards.
Description of gauge used... ... ... ...
Bourdon's.
The hole was made tight in the same way as in Experiment No. 1, except that
only one foot of India-rubber washers was used; these washers were screwed
up and expanded so as to completely fill the hole, the outer end being
filled up with Portland cement. See Section No. 2.
170 EXPERIMENTS SHOWING THE PRESSURE OF
RESULTS.—See Table, Page 226.
Lbs. per sq. inch.
Sept. 1.—At 10 p.m. the gauge was screwed on, and the _
readings were noted every hour. In five
Pressure
of Gas. minutes the pressure was ... ...
... 8|
„ At 11 P.m. „ ......... 29
Sept. 2.—At 5 a.m., the pressure was......... 40
Up to this time a steady increase went on, which was followed by an equally
steady decrease. „ At G a.m. the pressure was ... ...
... 39^
Keadings continued to be taken every hour; and decreasing pressure was noted
until
8 p.m., when it fell to ......... 35
This last noted pressure was at once succeeded by increasing pressures.
„ At 9 p.m. the pressure noted was ...... 37
During the next 33^ hours various fluctuations occurred; sometimes the gauge
showed increasing and sometimes decreasing pressures. Sept. 4.—At the end
of this time, namely, at 6-30 a.m., being 2 days and 8| hours from the
commencement, the highest pressure was noted, namely ... ...
... ... ... 45
Half an hour later the pressure fell to ... 40
And remained so for several hours, when the experiment was discontinued.
GAS IN THE SOLID COAL.—EPPLETON. 171
THE EXPERIMENTS MADE AT EPPLETON COLLIERY.
The Eppleton Colliery was opened out about the year 1837, 43 years before
the experiments were made, the following being the account of the strata
sunk through in the Jane Pit:—
TOWNSHIP OP GREAT EPPTjETON, DURHAM.
Sheet 21 of Ordnance Map. Lat. 54° 49' 40", Long. 1° 26' 1".
Begun May 23rd, 1825. Approximate surface level 435 feet above sea (Ordnance
datum).
Pi. Ft. In. Pi. Ft. In. P».
Ft. In. Fs. Ft. In
Soil......... 0 1 7 Brought
forward 12 5 50 0 '
Sand and gravel ... 4 3 0 gin .
pnmps were
Limestone ...... 9 3 0 then put in,
and at
Yellow sand (water got 9
floras into post
near the bottom, laid
fourth crib; the
which increased to water was
only par.
(5 tabs of 60 gallons tially
stopped) ... 10 0 0
an hour) ...... IS 2 9 Soft biue metal
... 0 0 6
Confused post ... 0 2 0 Soft black
metal ... 0 0 6
Grey metal stone (first glue
metai) with bands
wedging crib laid at ot coal
...... 0 3 4
top of grey metal) 0 5 0
_________12 0
Red metal, with water 1 1 0 Grey metal
stone, with
Black band, with post
girdles and wa-
water ...... 0 0 4 ter ^aiA two more
Soft red metal and cribs
in tMs metal>
water ... ... 3 111 and
stopped all the
Soft blue metal, with water)
...... 1 5 1
water (second wedg- Black metal"!
.'.'. 1 1 0
ing cribs laid about Grey thill
.....0 16
3£ fathoms into this COAL, and a
drift
blue metal) ... 11 0 6 driven
through to
Whinstone, with wa- Carolina
Pit ... 0 2 0
ter (had 70 tubs of
_________3 3
60 gallons per hour) 0 0 6 Grey thill
...... 0 10
Black metal, with Grcy
post> witn water
water ...... 0 1 4 Q&st
we(lging crib
COAL ...... °18-An>7 laid on the bottom,
-------------oO 0 7 .Uld tubbing all got
Grey thill (third wedg- iu<
1)ut llot - wedgea,
ing crib laid at this mvin„ to
the break-
thill, and stopped ing
of malleable
the whole of the iron
shaft; this crib
water—had in all 36 afterwards
cut out,
tubs of 80 gallons and
metal 8ubsti.
per hour)...... 0 0 5 tutecP)
...... 0 3 7
White post (got a
___________ q 4
little water in this
______
Post) •• .. 0 3 0 Total depth to wliere Soft red metal ... 0 0 0
j0rt 0ff {n LS27, Grey and red post (ou
when the water over-entering this post
powered the en-the large feeder was
gine8 and as mea. got, and was drawn
sured when resumed out of bottom with
onNov.15th.1831... 66
3
Carried forward ] 2 5 50 0 7 Carried forward
66 3
W
vol, xxx.—im.
172 EXPEEIMENTS SHOWING THE PEESSUEE OP
Fs. Ft. In. Fs. Ft. In. Fs.
Ft. In. Fs. Ft. In.
Brought forward 66 3 6 Brought forward
81 0 5*
Strong white Ft. In. Thill stone, in
which
post ... 3 5 were
laid two metal
Dark post ... 2 0 wedging
cribs that
Strong white carried
all the
post ... 1 8 feeders
...... 0 2 4
------ Ill Grey and white post 0 1 10
Strong grey metal to Grey metal ...
... 0 1 10
where was laid a White post, with
wa-
wedging crib, which ter (about 300
gal-
carried the whole of Ions per
minute) ... 0 1 10
the water ... ... 0 3 11 White post, with
blue
Grey metal ... ... 0 3 10 metal
partings, very
Blue metal...... 3 2 1 thin
...... 5 3 5|
Ft. In Blue metal ... ... 0
0 6
COAL ... o' 2 White post,
with two
Band... ... 0 1 thin
blue metal
COAL ... 0 3 partings
(one at the
------ 0 0 6 bottom) ...... 0 2 11*
— 5 5 5 COAL ...... 0 1 11
White thill...... 0 15 *
------------ 7 4 8
Verv strong erev Black
stone...... 0 1 0
very strong giey WhHo thill
ft K fil
metal, mixed with ^ l-i •"
i/Y 2
whin and ironstone Gv^ tM1' }n whl.f
girdles, upon which two ^edj?inS
cribs
I crib (wood) was we,re+ J"**? carry
. . „
laid, but afterwards and tub off the
water 0 4 11
cutout ...... 113 Grey metal (continued) 3
1 0
Blue stone ...... 10 3* Post, with threads and
Black stone...... 0 0 5 _,.wat«p ......
° J 9
COAL ...... 0 0 10 Blue stone ......
0 0 8
Strong post ... ... 1 3 4
3 12^ Post, with partings
Thill stone ...... 0 1 10* ana water (about
90
Post, to where two gallons a
minute)... 6 2 9*
metal wedging cribs COAL ...
... 0 0 4'
were laid, the water
_______ 1^44,
had been accumulating for the last 5
Thill......... 0 3 8
fathoms, which was Grey metal,
with
all borne up by this threads, to
where a
crib, and the pit kept wedging
crib was
quite dry—engine, laid for the
purpose
1 stroke in about 6 of securing the
pit 0 0 3
minutes ... ... 0 0 Hi Grey metal
(continued
Post (continuation of below the
crib) ... 0 3 0
the above)... ... 1 1 10* Black metal,
mixed
Grey metal, mixed with post
girdles... 2 0 8
with whin...... 0 2 2 Black stone...... 2
4 0
Post ...... 0 4 8* COAL ......
0 10
Blue metal...... 14 0 Thill......... 1 0 10
Ft. In. Post, mixed with grey
COAL ... 1 9 metal
...... 12 7
Band... ... 0 11 Strong
post to two
COAL ... 2 1* metal
wedging cribs 0 2 5
------ 0 4 9{
—--------5 2 3f
(A drift driven through to Carolina Pit, and got water).
Carried forward 81 0 5* Carried forward 9
0 5 102 3 5*
* Approximate sea level (Ordnance datum).
GAS IN THE SOLID COAL.—EPPLETON. 173
Fs. Ft. In. Fs. Ft. In.
Fs. Ft. In. Fs. Ft. In.
Brought forward 9 0 5 102 3 5* Brought forward 7
2 9 134 1 0£
Post, very close and Blue stone (much
dis-strong, without any turbed and
broken, water (drew the and at
about 3 fa-pumps after finish-
thorns into it got ing the last tub) ... 7 2 7
the leader of a
Grey metal, with post trouble rising
to the
girdles, in which East)
...... 5 2 1
there were three CO AL(supposed
Main
leaders of dykes, ap- Coal, but
only found
parently dipping to on the west
side of
West, and very soft 3 0 0 the leader got in
the
Blue metal...... 0 1 6 blue stone above)...
1 0 6
COAL—Three-Quar-
________13 5 4
ter Seam,-\\At\i about
.',,., , , - - „ 20 inches of coarse
ZerJ ™lld bl"e metal 5 5 6 top coal, and coarse
Low Mmn Seam-coal at the bottom 10 6
*»«... Ft. In.
„ COAL, good 5 6 ------------ 20 5 0
Black swad 0 3
Black thill ...... 0 1 10 COAL, bot-
Verystronggreymetal 119 torn ... 1
10
Ironstone girdle ... 0 0 4
------ 117
White thill stone and
________7 11
seggar clay, mixed
wif greyUal... 2 2 7 g^^.....3 2 5
Grey metal............ Urey metal...... 6 Z
b
Black metal...... 0 0 8 £°st. - ......
" t %
COAL, mixed with ro5i r"V
'" n I I
stone ...... 0 1 10 COAL' sPlmtJ -..0
2 2
------------4 3 0 ------------4
1 2
Thill......... 0 2 6 B1^ stone> mixed n
„ 1A
Blue and grey metal... 0 4 10 with coal......
0 3 10
COAL .....0 0 H Grey metal ... ...
0 1 0
Strong post, with grey
1 1 5? metal partings ... 2 3 6
Strong grey metal, in- Blue metal,
mixed
dining to post ... 2 4 0 with grey
metal
White post, at bottom girdle
...... 1 1 0
of which a leader of Very soft black
metal 0 5 4
a dyke was dis- COAL
...... 0 0 10
covered ...... 118
----------- 5 3 6
Grey metal . ... 0 4 9 Black thill
...... 0 2 10
COAL-Mve-Quar- White post...... 0
0 6
ter beam, in which „ l ,
n 1 R
Zl£TLr:e o i 9 ^S-(jaud<« o 4 8
Grey metal, mixed
-----------5 0 2 with post girdles... 13 4
ThiU 114 Black stone
... ... 0 0 9
Black stone...... 0 16
Ft. In.
Grey metal, with post „ ,L
••' „ \
girdles ...... 112 Band......0 2
Post......... 1 3 10 COAL ... 0 11
Black stone...... 0 0 6
------ 0 18
Grey metal...... 2 2 10
------------ 3 3 3
Post......... 0 10 Black stone...... 0 1 10
Grey metal...... 0 1 2 Qrey metal, mixed
Whin ...... 0 1 5 ^^ post
girdles... 0 2 6
Grey metal ... ... 0 5 6
Whin, mixed with post 0 2 4
Carried forward 7 2 9 134 1 0* Carried forward 2
0 2 168 3 4*
174 EXPERIMENTS SHOWING THE PRESSURE OF
Fg. Ft. In. Fa. Ft. In.
Fs. Ft. In. Fs. Ft. In.
Brought forward 2 0 2 16b 3 442- Brought forward
174 2 10
Grey metal ... ... 0 1 6 Sunk
below seam as
Black stone ... ... 0 5 2
sump:—
Grey metal...... 0 1 6 Black stone......
0 0 6
Whm,mixed with post 0 0 G Thill.........
0 2 0
Grey metal, mixed Grey
metal ... ... 2 4 9
with post girdles... 1 0 6 Black stone
... ... 0 0 8
Blue stone ...... 0 0 9
0 0 5
Black stone...... 0 0 2 Thill.........
0 3 0
BUTTON SEAM
_______ 3 5 4
Ft. In.
COAL,good 3 11-L CO AL, coarse 0 6
wmmammmmmmmmmmmmmm Hi;,',
------------- 5 2 8£
Thill.......... 0 1 8
Ft. In. COAL, coarse
and brassy... 0 P COAL, coarse 0 7
------Oil
-------------0 2 9
Carried forward 174 2 10 Total ......
178 2 2
The whole of the experiments were made in the Hutton Seam at a point about
4,000 yards north-east from the shaft and 39 G yards from any whole working
or goaf, the dip of the strata being towards the east.
The roof is composed of blue and grey metal mixed with post girdles, and is
moderately good. The thill is of soft seggar clay.
The coal is clear, very bright, bituminous, and moderately hard, with the
cleavage fairly denned.
The coal is not worked in any seam either above or below.
The following is an analysis of the coal:—
Fixed carbon ... ... ... ... ...
... G0'34
Matters volatile at a red heat, other than sulphur and
moisture ... ... ... ... ...
... 33'81
Sulphur ... ... ... ... ... ...
... 1*47
Ash .................... 3-48
Moisture ... ... ... ... ... ...
... 1*40
100-00
The specific gravity is 1*24.
GAS IN THE SOLID COAL.—BPPLETON, NO. 1. 175
Plan No. 1 showing the position of the workings in which the experiments
were made.
EXPERIMENT I.
On August 29th, 1879, a hole was bored in the solid coal at the face of No.
4 Winning Cross Cut. See Plan No. 1 and Section No. 3.
176 EXPERIMENTS SHOWING THE PRESSURE OF
CONDITIONS.
Ft In
The length of the borehole was............3 6
The diameter of „ ............ 1|
The diameter of pipe fixed in the hole ......... £
Gas space ... ... ... ... ... ...
... 2 0
Hole bored about 65 deg. to the cleat.
Cover—depth of hole from surface ...... 1,261 feet.
Distance of hole from shaft ... ... ... 4,000
yards.
Description of gauge used... ...... ... Bourdon's.
To make the borehole secure and gas tight, a wooden plug, previously bored
to receive the half-inch iron pipe, was driven into the hole, and firmly
wedged in, the outer end being covered with Portland cement. See Section
No. 2.
RESULTS.—See Table, Page 227.
Lbs. persq. inch.
Pressure Aug. 29.—At 8'46 a.m. the pressure gauge was screwed on
to the pipe, and the pressure was observed and noted at intervals varying
from three to five minutes.
At 8*58-| a.m. the pressure was ...... 30
A steady increase followed.
At 9'36 a.m. the gauge registered ... ... 54
At 10 a.m. the maximum was reached and
noted, namely ............ 54f
Aug. 30.—At T30 a.m., the gauge was taken off a short time and then screwed
on again. In thirty minutes the pressure rose to ...... 45
The experiment was then discontinued.
EXPERIMENT II.
On September 1st, 1879, a hole was bored in the solid coal at the face of
No. 3 Crosscut. See Plan No. 1, page 175, and Section No. 4.
GAS IN THE SOLID COAL.—EPPLETON, NO. 2. 177
CONDITIONS.
Ft. In.
The length of the borehole was............7 6
The diameter of „ ...... ...... 14
Afterwards enlarged to 2 inches for 2 feet in length at outer end.
The diameter of pipe fixed in the hole ......... ^
Gas space.....................2 0
Hole bored about 65 deg. to the cleat.
Cover—depth of hole from surface ...... 1,261 feet.
Distance of hole from shaft ......... 3,970 yards.
Description of gauge used ......... Bourdon's.
The pipe in the hole was made tight by 16 inches of India-rubber washers
being screwed up and expanded, the outer end of the pipe being filled up and
plastered over with Portland cement. See Section No. 4.
Results.—See Table, Page 227. Sept. 1.—At 9*50 a.m. the gauge was screwed
on.
Lbs. per sq. inch.
„ At 10*5 a.m. the pressure was ... ... 10
„ At 10-12 a.m. „ ...... 25
Some leakage was observed, and the India-rubber was screwed tighter, and
more cement put on.
„ At 10*14 a.m. the pressure was ...... 30
„ At 10-40 A.M. „ ......... 50
The pressures were read off and noted at times varying from three to twelve
minutes.
„ At 4 p.m. the pressure noted was ...... 93^
Then ensued a decrease, readings being taken every hour.
„ At 10 p.m. the pressure read off was...... 80
This was followed by an increase. Sept. 2.—At 8-22 p.m. (being 34 hours 22
minutes from the commencement of the experiment) the maximum pressure was
reached, namely ... 104^ Various fluctuations then ensued, the pressures
increasing and decreasing, and never giving the same readings for more than
three consecutive hours.
178 EXPERIMENTS SHOWING THE PRESSURE OF
0 _ . .
Lbs. per sq. inch.
Pressure oept. 3.—At 12 p.m. the pressure was ... ...
... 93
ofGas- Sept. 4.—At 1a.m. „ .........
98
At 8 a.m. „ ......... 90
This pressure was maintained up to September 5th, at 4 a.m., being 3 days 18
hours and 10 minutes from the commencement, when the experiment was
discontinued.
» Plan No. 2, being an enlargement of a portion of Plan No. 1, showing the
winning crosscuts in which the experiments were made.
EXPERIMENT III. On September 5th, 1879, a hole was bored in the solid coal
at the face of No. 4 Winning Crosscut. See Plans Nos. 1 and 2, and
Section No. 5.
GAS IN THE SOLID COAL.—EPPLETON, NO. 8. 179
CONDITIONS.
Ft. In.
The length of the borehole was ... ... ... ... 24
6
The diameter of ,, ... ... ... ...
2\
The diameter of pipe fixed in the hole ... ... ...
\
Gas space ... ... ... ... ... ...
... 4 0
Hole bored about 65 deg. to the cleat.
Cover—depth of hole from surface ... ... 1,261 feet.
Distance of hole from shaft ......... 3,970 yards.
Description of gauge used ... ... ...
Bourdon's.
To make this hole perfectly tight, 2 feet 6 inches of India-rubber washers
were put on the inner end of pipe, then a 12-inch wooden washer, then 3
inches of India-rubber, and then 12 inches of wood, and so on nearly to the
outer end of the pipe. The whole of this was screwed up, and the
India-rubber expanded, the outer end of the hole being filled with cement.
The whole face of the coal was then cemented over. See Section No. 5.
W- RESULTS.
The readings will be found in extenso on page 228 ; but such of them as are
necessary to illustrate the remarks which follow M\ given in the following
table :— i '
•i ^i ii ° .§11 it
Date. Hour. J§ g g § | g Date.
Hour. S1 9 8 h &
Sept. 5 ... ll'O a.m. »......... Sept. 11 ... 3-0 p.m.
201 30-63 71
„ „ ... 11-2 „ 21 ...... „ „ ...
6-0 p.m. 201 30"62 71
„ „ ... 12-54 p.m. 121 ...... „ 12 ... 8-0
a.m. 198 30-30 72
„ 6 ... 5-0 a.m. 181 ...... „ „ ... 30
p.m. 199 30-32 71
„ „ ... 6-0 „ 179 ...... „ „ ...
4-0 „ 198 30-31 71
„ „ ... 7-0 „ 179 ...... „ 13 ...
4-0 a.m. 198 30-41 71
„ „ ... 8-0 „ 181 ...... „ „ ...
6-0 „ 196 30-41 71
„ „ ... 2-0 p.m. 184 ...... „ „ ... 7-0
„ 197 30-42 71
„ „ ... 3-0 „ 183 ...... „ „ ...
4-0 p.m. 195 30-54 71
„ 8 ... 6-0 „ 195 ...... „ „ ...
6-0 „ 193 3055 71
„ 9 ... 6-0 a.m. 184 3012 72 „ „ ...
7-0 „ 194 30'58 70
„ „ ... 12-0 noon 190 30-10 72 „ 15 ... IPO
p.m. 185 30'85 70
„ „ ... 2-0 p.m. 190 3020 72 „ „ ...
12-0 „ 186 30-85 70
„ „ ... 5-0 „ 197 30-30 72 „ 16 ...
5-0 a.m. 186 30-88 70
„ „ ... 6-0 „ 201 30-30 72 „ 17 ...
12-0 noon. 180 30-86 71
„ „ ... 9-0 „ ( 204 30-45 72 „ „ ...
1-0 p.m. 177 30-88 71
„ „ ... 11-0 „»1 204 30-50 72 „ „ ...
4-0 „ 180 30'85 70
„ 10 ... 6-0 „ 201 30-70 73 „ „ ...
5-0 „ 181 30-85 70
„ „ ... 8-0 a.m. 201 3072 72 „ „ ...
6"0 „ 180 30-85 70
„ „ ... 1-0 p.m. 203^ 30-73 72 „ 18 ...
10-30 „ 170 30'88 70
„ „ ... 4-0 „ 202| 30-74 71 „ 19 ...
10-0 „ 168 31-00 71
„ „ ... 6-0 „ 203 30-74 71 ,. 22 ...
9*0 „ 156i 30-60 73
„ „ ... 8 0 „ 202 30-77 71 „ „ ...
10-0 „ 158 3058 72
„ 11 ... 3-0 a.m. 202 30-78 71 „ „ ...
11*0 ,, 161 30"54 71
„ „ ... 10-0 a.m. 200 30'60 71 „ 24 ...
9-0 a.m. 160 30-29 71
„ „ ... 11-0 a.m. 200 30-65 71 „ 26 ... 10"0
„ 155 3091 70
1 Gauge put on. a Maximum pressure.
VOL. XXX.-1881
^
180 EXPERIMENTS SHOWING THE PRESSURE OF
Pressure Sept. 5.—At 11 a.m. the gauge was screwed on.
of Gas.
Lbs per sq. inch.
In two minutes the pressure rose to...... 21
The gauge was very attentively observed, and readings noted at times varying
from half a minute to three minutes. The pressure rose rapidly, as much as 5
lbs. in three minutes at the commencement of the experiment, and in 1
hom4 and 54 minutes 120 lbs. pressure was reached, the ratio of rise being
1 lb. in three minutes. The gauge continued to register increasing pressures
until Sept. 6.—At 5 a.m., 18 hours from the commencement,
when it was ... ... ... ... 181
„ In the next two hours (6 and 7 a.m.) it was ... 179
„ At8A.M................ 181
„ At2p.M.......... ...... 184
At 3 p.m. ............... 183
Increasing pressures again ensued. The readings were now recorded regularly
every hour, and showed that the gauge remained stationary for several
consecutive hours, with an occasional rise or fall of 1 lb. Sept. 8.—At 6
p.m., 3 days 7 hours from the commencement, the pressure was .........
195
This was followed by decreasing pressures until Sept. 9.—At 6 a.m., when the
pressure was ...... 184
In order to ascertain whether the various fluctuations indicated by the
gauge were caused by atmospheric changes, a barometer and thermometer were
obtained, and their readings noted with those of the pressure gauge.
It will be observed that the pressure fell to 201 lbs. in seven hours, at
which time the barometer was 30*70, and the thermometer 73 deg. The pressure
then rose to 203| lbs., and the barometer to 30*73 inches; the thermometer
falling to 72 deg. After which, the pressure decreased and went down to 202|
lbs. j then rose to 203 lbs.; and again went down to 202 lbs., at which it
stood several hours. The barometer continued steadily rising through all the
above fluctuations of pressure.
On September 11th, at 3 a.m., 5 days 16 hours from the commencement of the
experiment, the readings were :—Gauge, 202 lbs.; barometer, 30-78 inches;
thermometer, 71 degrees.
GAS IN THE SOLID COAL.—EPPLETON, NO. 3. 1
After that a regular and steady decrease of pressure, with falling bai
metrical readings, ensued, which continued several hours; then t barometer
began to rise, but the gas pressure continued to fall. T barometer rose at
11'0 A.m., t^, and stood steady three hours, at 30* inches, the gas pressure
remaining the same, namely, 200 lbs. In t next two hours the gas pressure
rose to 201 lbs., and the baromei dropped to 30*63 inches : the several
readings being at this time, Se tember 11th, 3 p.m., 6 days 4 hours from
commencement:—Gauge, 2' lbs.; barometer, 30*63 inches ; thermometer, 71
degrees.
A steady decrease in the gas pressure now followed, and continu seventeen
hours, the barometer slowly falling the whole time: readin at this time,
September 12th, 8 a.m. :—The gauge, 198 lbs.; baromeb 30*30 inches ;
thermometer, 72 degrees.
In the next seven hours the gas pressure stood at 199 lbs., the baromei
slightly varying every hour—sometimes rising and sometimes falling. T
readings noted one hour after this time were as follows:—September 121 4
p.m. ; Gauge, 198 lbs.; barometer, 30*31 inches; thermometer, 71 de The
pressure remained at 198 lbs. for twelve hours; during seven of the hours
the barometer stood at 30*31 inches; then began to rise a litt and at the
end of the thirteen hours the readings were:—Gauge, 198 lb; barometer, 30*41
inches; thermometer, 71 degrees.
The next two hours, the gas pressure fell to 196 lbs.; then rose to 1! lbs.,
at which it stood for nine hours, the barometer steadily rising all t time.
One hour afterwards, the gas pressure fell 2 lbs.; the readings this time,
September 13th, 4 p.m., were:—Gauge, 195 lbs.; barometi 30*54 inches;
thermometer, 71 degrees.
The gas pressure fell 2 lbs. in the next two hours, then rose 1 lb. in t
next hour; the barometer continuing to rise slowly. These fluctuatio were
followed by a steady decrease of pressure, which continued for lift three
hours, the barometer rising slowly the whole of the time.
On September 15th, at 11 p.m., the several readings were :—Gau^ 185 lbs.;
barometer, 30*85 inches; thermometer, 70 deg. In the ne hour the pressure
rose to 186 lbs.; the barometer and thermomet remaining the same.
The pressure was now steady for five hours, the barometer still risin then
succeeded (with only one interruption of two hours, when the pressu rose
from 185 lbs. to 186 lbs.) a steady decrease, continuing for thirty-o hours,
the barometer rising a great part of the time. The readings this time, viz.,
on the 17th September, at 12 noon, wrere:—Gauge, 180 lb barometer, 30*86
inches ; and thermometer, 71 degrees.
182 EXPERIMENTS SHOWING THE PRESSURE OF
Pressure During the whole of this experiment the readings were taken
every hour.
Gauge. Barometer. Thermometer. Lbs. Inches.
Degrees.
One hour after the above readings, that is on Sept. 17.—At 1 p.m., a fall of
3 lbs. occurred 177 80*88 71 The pressure then stood 3 hrs. „
¦ Then at 4 p.m. it rose to ... 180 30*85 70
„ 5 „ „ ... 181 30*85 70
6 „ „ ... 180 30-85 70
At this point the gauge was screwed off and the pipe allowed to remain open.
After the gauge was again attached, the pressure rose in nineteen hours to
170 lbs.; the barometer standing at 30*88 inches; and the thermometer, at 70
deg. With the barometer steadily rising, the gas pressure (with one or two
exceptions, when there was an increase) steadily decreased; so that on
September 19th, at 10 P.m., the readings were:— Gauge, 168 lbs.; barometer,
31-00 inches; thermometer, 71 degrees.
From this date to September 22nd, nothing occurred requiring special notice;
a steady decrease invariably went on. On September 22nd, a somewhat sudden
rise took place, which will be seen from the following readings:—
Gauge. Barometer. Thermometer,
lbs. Inches. Degrees,
Sept. 22.—At 9 p.m. the readings were... 156J 30-60 73 „
At 10 p.m. „ ... 158 30-58 72
„ At 11 p.m. „ ... 161 30-54
71
The barometer, previous to 9 p.m., was steady for six hours.
When the pressure reached 160 lbs. it remained stationary thirty-one hours,
the barometer slowly rising nearly the whole of the time.
On September 24th, at 9 a.m., the readings were :—Gauge, 160 lbs.;
barometer, 30"29 inches; thermometer, 71 deg.
Nothing requiring notice occurred from this time up to September 26th, at 10
a.m., when the readings were :—Gauge, 155 lbs.; barometer, 30*91 inches;
thermometer, 70 deg. The barometer had steadily risen, with one exception,
during the whole of the observations between September 24th and 26th.
On September 26th no regular readings were noted after 10 a.m.
On October 1st, twenty-six days from the commencement of the experiment, the
pressure was 152 lbs.
MEASUREMENT OP GAS. Quantity A series of experiments were now made to
ascertain the quantity of gas given off from a known area of coal face
during the time that the gas was maintained at pressures varying from 105
lbs. to that of the atmosphere.
GAS IN THE SOLID COAL.—EPPLETON, NO. 3. 183
This was done by allowing only such a quantity of gas to escape from Qu
the borehole as would keep the desired pressure uniform during the time of
measurement.
The following results were obtained by allowing the gas to escape through a
pneumatic trough into a glass jar, with the gas pressure at zero.
The capacity of the jar was five pints, or 173-295 cubic inches.
Average time in filling ... ...... 23 seconds.
Being equal to ... ......... 1 cubic foot in 3 minutes 49
seconds.
Or.................. 15-72 cubic feet in 1 hour.
Superficial area of bore-hole equal to ... 2*65 square feet.
Discharge of gas per hour per square foot 5-927 cubic feet.
Arrangements were made to continue this part of the experiment more
accurately, and on October 3rd, recourse was had to a " Grail's Dry Gas
Meter," through which the gas was passed as it issued from the hole; a small
gasometer was also used, having an exact capacity of 2 cubic feet. See Plate
XLV., which shows also the arrangement of taps by which the pressure was
regulated. The meter and gasometer were carefully tested together by filling
the gasometer with exactly 2 cubic feet of gas, which was then passed
through the dry meter, and the result proved the accuracy of both. The
results obtained with the gasometer will be seen from the following table :—
1. At maximum pressure of 105 lbs. per sq. in. got 1 cub. ft. in 9 mins. 5
sees.
2. At pressure of 90 „ „ 1
„ 9 „ 53 „
3. ,. 75 „ „
1 „ 11 „ 21 „
4. „ 60 „ „
1 „ 9 ,, 3 „
5. „ 45 „ „
1 „' 7 „ 32 „
6. „ 30 „ „
1 „ 5- ,, 6 „
7. „ 20 „ „
1 „ 4 „ 32 „
8. „ 10 „ „
1 „ 4 „ 18 „
9. „ 5
„ 1 „ 3 „ 38 „ 10. At
zero „ 1 ,. 3 „ 44
„
The gas was allowed to pass through the meter without intermission, the
quantity passing being read off and noted about every twelve hours. These
readings give an average of 1 cubic foot in eight minutes three seconds.
. .
On October 18th readings of the barometer and thermometer were again noted,
and the quantities indicated by the meter read off every three hours.
The following table shows in extenso the results obtained by the dry meter—
Table showing the quantity of Gas coming from thr Hole, the time
occupied in passing through the meter, the time per cubic foot, and the
cubic feet per hour, with the pressure run off.
Massed"* Time I TimePer Cubic Feet I
Th
Date. tfrS0Suegdh occupfed. Cubic
per Barometer. J^
_________________________________Meter.______________| Joot-
iiour- |_______________________
Cubic Feet. h. m. m. s. Cubic Feet. Inches.
Degrees.
October 3 and 4 ... 163'07 14"3 510 11-40
4 ...... 117-94 120 6'6 9-82
5 ...... 109-03 13-0 7-9 8-381
5 ...... 97-02 11-0 6-48 8"82
„ 6 ...... 98-91 11-30 6-58 875
„ 6 ...... 112-06 12-30 6-42 911
., 7 ...... 107-64 12-0 6-41 8-97
7 ...... 131-38 13-0 5-56 10-10
8 ...... 122-62 11-0 5-22 1P14
8 ...... 64-60 8-0 7-26 8-072
9 ...... 75-50 12-0 9-32 629
„ 9 ...... 84-50 12-0 8-31 7"04
„ 10 ...... 85-50 120 8-25 7*12
„ 10 ...... 83-10 120 8-40 692
„ 11 ...... 83-50 12-0 8-37 695
„ 11 ...... 74-70 10-0 8-2 7-473
„ 12 ...... 76-50 120 9-25 637
„ 12 ...... 92-90 12-0 7-45 774
„ 13 ...... 82-10 12-0 8-46 684
„ 13 ...... 83-10 12-0 8-40 6"92
„ 14 ... ... 85-20 12-0 8-27
7"10
„ 14 ...... 8370 12-0 836 6'97
„ 15 ...... 89-20 12-0 8-4 7'43
„ 15 ...... 78-30 120 9-12 6"52
„ 16 ...... 74-50 12-0 9-39 6"20
„ 16 ...... 96-10 12-0 7-30 8-00
„ 17 ...... 85-20 12-0 8-27 7"10
„ 17 ...... 86-60 12-0 8-19 7'21
„ 17 and 18 ... 49-60 7-0 8-29
7"08*
„ 18 ...... 24-0 3-0 7-30 800
„ 18 ...... 20-50 3-0 8-47 6-83
„ 18 ...... 1950 3-0 9-14 650
„ 18 ...... 21-35 3-0 8-26 7"11
3077 70
„ 18 ...... 22-10 30 8-8 7'36
3073 70
„ 18 ...... 20-90 3-0 8-37 6"96
3073 70
„ 18 ...... 20-15 3-0 8-56 672 3060
69
., 18 ...... 22-70 3-0 7-56 7"56
30-50 69
„ 19 ...... 24-40 3-0 7-22 8-13
30-29 70
„ 19 ...... 20-10 3-0 8-57 6-70
30-27 70
„ 19 ...... 20-40 3-0 8-49 6'80
3016 70
„ 19 ...... 22-60 30 7-57 7"53
30-14 70
„ 19 ...... 20-50 3-0 8-47 6"83
30-13 70
„ 19 ...... 20-70 3-0 8-41 6-90
30'09 70
„ 19 ...... 26-30 3-0 6-50 876 3005
70
„ 19 ...... 20-70 3-0 8-41 6-90 29-98
70
„ 20 ...... 23-50 3-0 7-40 7'83
29"90 70
., 20 ...... 22-30 3-0 8-4 7"43
29"88 70
„ 20 ...... 21-80 3-0 8-15 7"26
29-88 70
„ 20 ...... 20-40 30 8-49 6-80
29-98 69
„ 20 ...... 21-80 3-0 8-15 7"26
30'08 69
,. 20 ...... 20-20 3-0 8-55 673
3018 69
„ 20 ...... 25-50 3-0 7-4 8-59
3037 70
„ 20 ...... 21-50 3-0 8-22 7"16
30-44 70
„ 21 ...... 20-80 3-0 8-39 693
30-50 70
„ 21 ...... 21-50 3-0 8-22 7"16
3052 69
„ 21 ...... 21-60 3-0 8-20 7-20
30-56 70
„ 21 ...... 19-80 3-0 9-5 6-60
30'60 69
„ 21 ...... 21-50 3-0 8-22 7"16
30'64 70
,. 21 ...... 21-0 3-0 8-34 7-00
30-67 70
., 21 ...... 23-60 3-0 7-37 7-86
3071 70
„ 21 ...... 21-80 3-0 8-15 7*26
30-71 70
„ 22 ...... 21-30 3-0 8-27 7-10
3072 70
„ 22 ...... 20-60 3-0 8-44 6'86
30-68 69
„ 22 ......1 22-60 3-0 7-58 7'53
_30;61______70___
1 Meter filled with water. 5 Water taken out and syphon put on pipe.
!Tio hours spent in comparing
meter and gasometer. * 12 p.m., taken now every three hours, counting
from this.
GAS IN THE SOLID COAL.—EPPLETON, NOS. 3, 4. 185
On October 25th the measuring of gas with the dry meter was resumed, when—
1. One cubic foot passed in 3 hours 55 minutes.
2. „ „ 4 „ 15 „ 3-
» » 4 „ 11 „
These results were compared with others taken at the pneumatic trough to
test their accuracy, with the following results :—
1. One cubic foot passed in 4 hours 11 minutes.
*• 55 55 55 ^
iJ 11 55
3 4 0
'¦>' 55 55 55
* 55 v 55
EXPERIMENT IV.
On October 13th, 1879, a hole was bored in the solid coal at the face of the
stenton out of the No. 3 Crosscut, going towards No. 4 Crosscut. See Plan
No. 2, page 178, and Section No. 6.
CONDITIONS.
Ft. In.
The length of the borehole was............ 12 0
The diameter of „ ............ 2^
Diameter of pipe fixed in the hole ......... ^
Gas space..................... 6 0
Hole bored about 65 deg. to the cleat.
Cover—depth of hole from surface ...... 1,261 feet.
Distance of hole from shaft ......... 3,970 yards.
Description of gauge used ......... Bourdon's.
The hole was made tight with wooden washers, oakum, and India-rubber washers
alternately, and the whole screwed firmly up. The whole of the face of the
coal was cemented in the same way as is shown in Section No. 5, page 178.
On October 13th, at 2 p.m., the gauge was screwed on, and the readings
regularly noted.
186 EXPERIMENTS SHOWING THE PRESSURE OF
Pressure RESULTS—See Table, Page
233.
of Gas.
Gauge. Barometer.
Thermometer.
Lbs. Inches. Degrees,
October 13th, at 5 p.m., the readings were 25 31-10 71 „ 15th, at 3 a.m.
(maximum pressure) 31 31*05 70 „ 19th, at 11 p.m., the readings were 29
30-00 70 „ 22nd, at 10 a.m., „ 28
30-61 70
It was suspected that this place was within the gas drainage of the No. 4
Crosscut; the experiment was therefore discontinued.
EXPERIMENT V. On October 14th, a hole was bored in the solid coal at the
face of north wall out of the No. 4 Crosscut. See Plan No. 2, page 178.
CONDITIONS.
Ft. In.
The length of the borehole was ......... 25 6
The diameter of „ ... ... ... ...
2§
Diameter of pipe fixed in the hole ... ...... -|
Gas space .................. 6 0
Hole bored about 65 deg. to the cleat.
Cover—depth of hole from surface .........1,261 feet.
Distance of hole from shaft ............3,970 yards.
Description of gauge used ............Bourdon's.
The hole was made tight in the same manner as in No. IV. Experiment.
RESULTS.—See Table, Page 235.
Gauge. Barometer. Thermometer. Lbs. Inches.
Degrees
Pressure The gauge registered 107 lbs. within a few minutes after
having been attached, and on October 14th, at 12 a.m., the readings were
107 30'92 70 „ „ 12 p.m. (maximum pressure)
125 31*03 69
16th, at 10 a.m., the readings were 115 31*03 G9 11 „
„ „ 119 31-07 69
This rise of 4 lbs. could not be accounted for, unless it was caused by
water in the pipe. The barometer was almost stationary. Yarious other
fluctuations occurred during the experiment; sometimes there would be a rise
of 1 lb. or more when the barometer was falling. Throughout the experiment
the readings were noted every hour, and on October 22nd, at 10 a.m.,
were:—Gauge, 102 lbs.; barometer, 30-61; thermometer, 70 degrees.
GAS IN THE SOLID COAL.—EPPLETON, NOS. 5, 6. 187
The experiment was then discontinued, as it was suspected that this place
was within the gas drainage of No. 4 Crosscut.
When the coal was subsequently taken out and tne inner end of the hole
exposed, it was found to have entered the roof 3 feet, the last 18 inches
being wholly in the stone.
EXPERIMENT VI. On October 14th, 1879, a hole was bored in the solid coal afe
the face of No. 3 Crosscut, See Plan No. 2, Page 178.
CONDITIONS.
Ft. In.
The length of the borehole was ......... 37 0
The diameter of „ ... ... ...
2-|
The diameter of pipe fixed in the hole ... ...
^
Gas space ... ... ... ... ••¦ ...
6 0
Hole bored about 65 deg. to the cleat.
Cover—depth of hole from surface ... ... ... 1,261 feet.
Distance of hole from shaft ... ........ 3,970 yards.
Description of gauge used ... ... ...... Bourdon's.
The hole was made tight as in No. IV. Experiment.
RESULTS.—See Table, Page 237.
Gauge. Barometer. Thermometer.
Lbs. Inches, Degrees,
The pressure rose almost immediately to
p,
198 lbs., and on
oJ
October 14th, at 7 p.m., the readings were... 198 31-02 69
„ 15th,at 9 „ „ ... 213 31'08
69
The increase of pressure was constant up to this time, the barometer
also showing a steady increase. October 15th, at 10 p.m., the readings were
211 31-08 69 11 „ „ ... 209
31-08 69
„ 16th, at 3 A.M. „ ... 210 31-07
69
8 p.m. „ ... 221 30-95 70
A pressure of 221 lbs. was maintained for three hours; then a decrease
commenced, which went on for 28 hours, the barometer slightly falling most
of the time. The readings on October 18th, at 2 a.m., were:—Gauge, 218 lbs.;
barometer, 30*67 ; thermometer, 69 deg. After this hour, the pressure again
began to increase at a slow rate, rising to 222 lbs. on October 19th, at 9
a.m.. or 4 lbs. in 31 hours, the barometer falling very slowly
VOL. XXX,—1S81
Y
188 EXPERIMENTS SHOWING THE PRESSURE OF
Pressure throughout that time. The pressure after this began to fluctuate,
sometimes remaining perfectly steady for several hours, with an occasional
rise or fall of 1 lb.
On October 22nd, at 1 a.m., 7 days and 6 hours from the commencement, the
maximum pressure was reached, the readings at that time being:—Gauge, 223
lbs. j barometer, 3071 j thermometer, 70 deg. This pressure was maintained
for twelve successive hours, the barometer falling very slowly the whole of
the time. A fall of 3 lbs., which continued three hours, then took place,
the barometer having been steady five hours, after this the pressure rose to
223 lbs. again.
Quantity On October 23rd, at 9 p.m., the meter was attached to
ascertain the
quantity of gas given off. The gas was allowed to pass through the meter for
twelve hours, and the readings were recorded every three hours, with the
following results :—
Time per Cubic Feet. Cubic Foot.
. m. s.
9 P.M. to 12 P.M. ... ......... 13-01 13-85
12 P.M. to 3 A.M............1249 14*41
3 A.M. to 6 A.M............. 8-GO 20-93
6 A.M. to 9 A.M............. 8-30 21-08
Giving an average of 1 cubic foot of gas in 17 mins. 43 sees. At 12 noon an
experiment was made to test the meter and ascertain if it was registering
correctly, by passing the gas from the meter into a pneumatic trough and
measuring it in a glass jar:—
No. of Experiment. Time in Filling Jar.
Time per Cubic Foot.
M. s. M. s.
1 ...... 2-12 ...... 21-56
2 ...... 2-23 ...... 23-22
3 ...... 2-8 ...... 21-16
4 ...... 2-7 ..... 21-6
5 ...... 2-0 ...... 19-57
6 ...... 1-57 ...... 19-26
Pressure On October 27th, at 7 r.M., the pressure gauge was screwed
on, and
its readings, with those of the barometer and thermometer, again recorded
e\ery IlOUr.
Gauge. Barometer. Thermometer.
.Lbs. Inches. Degrees.
October 27th, at 7 p.m., the readings were... 30 31-15 69
„ 9 „ „ ... 110 31-19 69
„ 11 „ „ ... 140 31-20 69
On October 30th, at 9 a.m., the pressure continued to increase until it
reached 195 lbs., and the experiment was discontinued at 10 a.m. the same
day.
GAS IN THE SOLID COA.L.—EPPLETON, NO. 7. 189
EXPERIMENT VII. On October 11th, 1879, a hole was bored in the solid coal at
the face of No. 1 Crosscut. See Plan No. 2, page 178.
CONDITIONS.
Ft. In.
The length of the borehole was ... ••• ••• 47
0
The diameter of „ ... ......
2^
The diameter of pipe fixed in the hole ...... i
Gas space ... ......... ••• ••• 6 0
Hole bored about 65 deg. to the cleat.
Cover—depth of hole from surface......... 1,261 feet.
Distance of hole from shaft............ 3,971 yards.
Description of gauge used ... ... ••• •••
Bourdon's
The hole was made tight in the same way as in No. IV. Experiment.
RESULTS.—See Table, Page 239.
On October 11th, at 6 p.m., the experiment commenced. The pressure rose to
70 lbs. in thirty minutes, and continued to rise somewhat rapidly until it
was 182 lbs. on October 13th, at 5 a.m., when the readings were :—Gauge, 182
lbs. ; barometer, 31*28; thermometer, 71 degrees.
On October 16th, at 9 p.m., the readings were :—Gauge, 220 lbs.; barometer,
30-90 ; thermometer, 70 deg. The gauge continued at 220 lbs. for nineteen
hours, and in the next three hours fell 3 lbs.; after which it rose to 233
lbs.; the readings at this time (October 25th, 5 a.m.) were :—G-auge, 233
lbs.; barometer, 30-47 ; thermometer, 69 degrees.
The increasing pressure was not continuous, although it frequently remained
stationary for many successive hours ; for example, when it reached 231
lbs., it remained so forty-three hours, and then rose to 232 lbs., at which
it remained twenty hours; when it rose to the 233 lbs., named above,
remaining stationary sixty-two hours at this pressure.
On October 27th, at 11 p.m., the readings were:—Gas pressure, 235 lbs.;
barometer, 31'20; thermometer, 69 deg. This was the maximum pressure 16 days
and 5 hours from the commencement of the experiment, and it was maintained
five hours. The barometer indicated a uniform pressure during the greater
part of the experiment.
On October 29th, at 8 a.m., the readings were:—Gauge, 233 lbs.; barometer,
31-13; thermometer, 69 deg. These were the last readings recorded in this
experiment.
190 EXPERIMENTS SHOWING THE PRESSURE OF
Quantity On October 29th, at 9 a.m., the quantity of gas which was
discharged
was measured, when the following results were recorded, viz. :— Oct. 29th,
at 9 a.m., in 1 hour, 6*10
cub. ft. passed through meter... = 1 cub. ft. in 9 min. 50sees.
Oct.29th,atl0p.M.,in 12 hours 4-02
cub. ft. passed through meter... = 1 „ 2hrs. 59 „ 6 „
Oct. 30th, at 9 a.m., in 11 hours 2-17 cub. ft. passed through meter... = 1
„ 5hrs. 4 „ 9 „ The experiment was then discontinued to
allow the place to resume work.
EXPERIMENT VIII. On October 22nd, a hole was bored in the solid coal at the
face of No. 2 Crosscut. See Plan No. 2, page 178.
CONDITIONS.
Ft. In.
The length of the borehole was ... ... ... 25
0
The diameter of „ ... •• ...
2^
The diameter of pipe fixed in the hole... ... ...
%
Gas space ... ... ... ... ... ...
6 0
Hole bored about 65 deg. to the cleat.
Cover—depth of hole from surface ... ... ... 1,261 feet.
Distance of hole from shaft ... ... ... ... 3,971
yards.
Description of gauge used ... ... ...
...Bourdon's.
The hole was made tight in the same way as in No. IV. Experiment.
RESULTS.—See Table, Page 243.
Gauge. Barometer. Thermometer. Lbs. Inches.
Degrees.
Pressure October 22nd, at 1 a.m., the readings were 75
30-60 71
ofGas- „ „ 2 „ „
193 30-60 71
„ „ 5 „ „ 200 30-62
70
The pressure increased slowly up to 220
lbs., the barometer rising gently. On October 23rd, at 9 p.m. the readings
were...............220 30'69 68
The pressure continued for six hours, after which several small fluctuations
of a pound up or down occurred; it then remained steady for several hours.
On October 24th, at 4 p.m., 2 days 3 hours after the commencement of the
experiment, the maximum pressure was reached, the readings being
then:—Gauge, 221 lbs.; barometer, 30'47 inches ; thermometer, 69 deg. After
continuing three hours the pressure fell 1 lb.; and after seventeen hours it
rose to 221 lbs. again.
GAS IN THE SOLID COAL.—EPPLETON, NO. 8.—BOLDON. 191
This experiment was characterized throughout by the constant varia- pres;
tions of the pressure. For example :—
°
Gauge. Barometer. Thermometer.
Lbs Inches. Degrees.
October 27th, at 4 p.m., the readings were 211 31*12 69
Having fallen 9 lbs. in six hours.
October 27th, at 6 p.m., the readings were 210 31" 13 69
7 „ „ 215 31-15 69
„ 28th, at 10 A.m. „ 220 81*19
69
12 a.m. „ 208 31-17 69
„ „ 5 p.m. „ 215 31*11
69
„ 29th, at 7 A.M. „ 208 31-13
69
„ „ 6 p.m. „ 214 31-21
69
11 p.m. „ 210 31-29 69
„ 30th, at 10 a.m. „ 208 31*25
69
The gauge was now taken off, and the gas meter attached; but the quantity of
gas issuing from the hole was not sufficient to move the index. The
experiment was then discontinued.
When the coal was taken out the end of the hole was found to be 15 inches
below the roof, and therefore wholly in the coal.
THE EXPERIMENTS MADE AT BOLDON COLLIERY.
The Boldon Colliery was opened out about the year 1869—11 years before the
experiments was made. The following being the account of the strata sunk
through in the No. 2 or Downcast Pit:—
TOWNSHIP OF BOLDON, DTTKHAM.
Sheet 7 of Ordnance Map. Lat. 54° 57' 15", Long. 1° 27' 29".
Commenced 19th March, 1866. Sunk to Bensham Seam, June 7th, 1869.
Approximate surface level 100 feet above sea (Ordnance datum).
Fs. Ft. In. Fs. Ft. In. Fs.
Ft. In. Fs. Ft. In.
Soil .........0 0 8 Brought forward 5
1 2 13 1 6
Yellow clay...... 030 COAL, mixed with
Dark brown clay ... 6 5 0 stone
... ... 0 0 4
Sand, with a little Grey metal
thill, with
water ... ... 0 0 7
ironstone balls ... 0 3 8
Strong stony clay ... 5 4 3 Brown metal...
... 1 1 O
------------ 13 16 Brown post girdle ... 0 1 0
Q. . „ , (3 2 6
Brown metal...... 0 5 3
Strong brown freestone j Q 3 8---------* COAL
... 0 0 2
Soft brown metal ... 1 1 0
------------8 0 7
Carried forward 5 1 2 13 1 6
Carried forward 21 2 1
* Approximate sea level (Ordnance datum).
192 EXPERIMENTS SHOWING THE PRESSURE OF
Fs. Ft. In. Fs. Ft. In.
Fs. Ft. In. Fs. Ft. In.
Brought forward 21 2 1 Brought forward
44 3 1
Grey metal thill ... 0 1 6 Dark grey
metal, with
Grey post, with water 0 2 4 ironstone balls
... 0 3 5
Blue metal ...... 0 3 9 Strong grey metal
.'.. 0 4 0
COAL ...... 0 0 1 Post girdle......
0 0 3
-----------118 Blue metal ...... 0 4 2
Grey metal thill, with Black
stone...... 0 0 6
ironstone balls ... 0 5 3 White post girdle
... 0 0 8
Strong grey post ... 0 4 4 Blue metal
...... 3 3 1
Blue metal post girdle 0 2 4 White post, with
water
Post girdles...... 0 2 0 (metal partings)
... 0 5 7
Grey post ...... 0 3 10 Grey post
...... 0 13
Strong post girdle ... 0 2 6 White post girdle
... 0 1 2
Grey metal, with post Grey metal ...
... 3 0 6
girdles ...... 0 5 0 COAL ......
0 0 5
Dark blue metal ... 3 0 0
------------ 10 1 0
COAL, mixed with Black
stone...... 0 0 4
stone ...... 0 0 4 Thill grey metal
... 0 4 3
------------ 7 17 Grey metal, with iron-Grey metal, with balls
stone balls...... 1 5 9
of ironstone ... 0 2 7 Blue
metal...... 0 2 7
Strong grey metal ... 0 0 10 Black
stone...... 0 110
Strong brown post, Grey post, with
a little
mixed with whin water
...... 0 4 7
and water...... 5 0 0 Post girdle...... 0
2 2
Soft dark grey metal 13 8 Strong grey metal ...
4 2 8
COAL, mixed with Black
metal...... 0 2 8
stone ...... 0 12 COAL, mixed with
------------ 7 2 3 metal ...... 0 0 10
Grey metal thill ... 0 1 8
----------- 9 3 8
White post girdle ... 0 1 6 Grey metal
thill, with
Brown metal... ... 1 0 0 balls of
ironstone... 0 2 3
COAL, mixed with Blue metal, with
balls
stone ... ... 0 0 7 of
ironstone ... 0 5 10
Grey metal thill, mixed Strong brown
post ... 0 4 0
with coal...... 0 3 1 Grey metal thill
... 1 0 2
Black stone...... 0 0 4 Green metal......
2 2 0
COAL ...... 0 0 10 Grey post ......
0 4 7
------------2 2 0 Blue metal...... 0 2 0
Grey metal thill ... 0 2 7 White post
girdle ... 0 1 8
White post...... 0 4 3 Dark grey metal ...
0 5 0
Grey metal ... ... 0 1 0 Grey metal
post girdles 13 6
Post girdles ... ... 0 1 2 Strong grey
metal ... 1 4 0
Blue metal...... 0 5 9 Black stone......
0 0 4
Black stone, mixed Strong grey
metal ... 1 5 8
with coal...... 0 2 2 Light grey metal thill
0 2 0
Grey metal thill ... 0 1 1 Grey
metal...... 3 3 0
Strong post girdle ... 0 2 10 Soft hitch
stone,mixed
Blue metal parting ... 0 0 5 with
post...... 4 0 0
Post girdle...... 0 12 COAL ...... 0
13
Blue metal...... 0 0 9
-----------20 5 3
Black stone, with coal Soft hitch stone
... 3 2 0
pipes ...... 0 12 COAL ......
0 0 5
Grey metal thill, with
----------- 3 2 5
ironstone balls ... 0 3 0 Soft hitch stone
... 2 5 7
Black stone, with coal Post girdles,
mixed
pipes ... ... 0 0 3 with
whin... ... 0 3 0
Grey metal thill, with COAL
...... 00 5
ironstone balls ... 0 1 5
-----------3 3 0
COAL ...... 0 0 6 Soft blue hitch stone
4 2 7
-----------4 5 G
Carried forward 44 3 1 Carried
forward 4 2 7 92 0 5
GAS IN THE SOLID COAL.—B0LD0N. 198
Fs. Ft. In. Fs. Ft. In.
Fs. Ft. In. Fs. Ft. In. Brought forward 4 2 7 92 0 5
Brought forward 13 0 7 172 5 5£ Ft. In.
Ft. In. COAL
... 1 4 COAL (sup-Grey
metal band 0 3 posed Main COAL
... 1 2 Coal)
... 1 6 ------ 0 2 9 Band...... 0
2
------------ 4 5 4 COAL, very
Soft hitch stone ... 8 4 7 coarse
splinty,
Grey post ...... 5 4 0 ™ixf Wlth
, A
White post, with coal bands
••¦ 1 4
pipes ...... 9 3 0
------ 0 3 0
Dark metal ... ... 2 1 0
________ -.„ <¦> >-
COAL ...... 0 0 8
" w » /
Black stone and coal 0 0 3 Dark coaly stone,
with
._______ 26 16 coalpipes... ... 0 0 9
„. . , n _ -
Seggar or thill stone 0 2 0
Blue metal .. 1 2 0 Strong grey
metal ... 3 5 0
Wlnte post, with salt G ^^J with
t
water ...... 13 0 girdles
3 1 10
Blue metal and thill Strong white post
and
s*°™ 4...... I ° ° a little water
... 9 4 7
Shit^stone ::: 6 6 0° COAL-BrassTMll 0
2 7
White post, with a
------------ 17 4 9
leader up at trouble 4 2 0 Strong segsar
... 0 2 6
Grey metal...... 1 5 10 Strong grey ' metal,
COAL ...... 0 10 with post
girdles... 13 6
Thill stone ...... 0 2 4 Black metal stone
... 1 4 0
COAL ) Drift (° 2 3 COAL ......
0 0 4
Thill stone j ^rJ £o 1 6
------— 26 0 11 ------------
3 4 4
White post...... 7 3 0 strong dark metal
Grey metal...... 10 0 n stone i ...... 2
10
White post...... 13 0 Grey post ...... 0
4 6
Grey metal...... 0 4 0 Strong grey metal ...
0 3 6
Dark slaty metal ... 0 2 0 Strong white
post ... 1 4 3
COAL, black slaty... 0 0 8 Strong grey metal
... 2 2 6
J ________ 11 0 8 COAL ...... 0 0 9
Thill stone ...... 0 0 10
----------- 7 4 6
White post...... 1 3 2 Thill stone, mixed with
Grey metal ... ... 0 3 9J coal
pipes... ... 0 3 0
White post, mixed
pt_ in-
with whin and a COAL ...
0 3
little water ... 9 0 0 Band...... 0
1£
Dark blue metal ... 0 4 10 COAL ...
0 3£
COAL ...... 0 2 0
n n «
----------- 12 2 lh ------ 0 0 8
Thill stone ...... 112
0 3 8
Strong blue metal ... 2 0 8 Strong grey
post, with
Strong white post ... 1 0 6 whin girdles
... 1 1 6
Grey metal...... 10 7 Dark blue metal, with
Black slaty stone ... 0 1 3 ironstone
girdles ... 2 5 0
Thill stone ...... 0 1 6 Yard Seam—
Strong blue metal ... 1 1 6
Ft In
Strong white post ... 3 4 0 COAL
1 4
Grey metal...... 1 1 5 Band '"
0 4
Black slaty stone ...100 COAL 14
------- 0 3 0
-------------4 3 6
Carried forward 13 0 7 172 5 5£ Carried forward
220 5 9$
194 EXPERIMENTS SHOWING THE PRESSURE OF
Fs. Pt. In. Ps. Pt. In. Ps.
Ft. In. Fs. Ft. In.
Brought forward 220 5 9^ Brought forward
3 1 0£ 238 0 0£
Thill stone ... ... 0 3 0 Blue metal
and whin
White post...... 10 0 girdles ......
0 3 9
Dark blue metal, iron- Five-Quarter
Seam—
stone girdles ... 1 1 0
Grey metal ... ... 1 2 0 COAL
1 7^
Grey post . ... 2 0 0 g Unt
;;; 1 Q2
Grey metal, with iron-
____ 0 2 1-
stone girdles ... 3 0 0
________2 415
BEN SHAM SEAM— Dark grey post, with
Ft. In. whin girdles ... 3
1 6
COAL, top 3 1 Strong white post
... 4 2 5
Splint ... 0 2| Strong
grey metal,
COAL,coarse 0 1# with post
girdles ... 2 0 0
COAL,hottom2 1 Grey metal...... 0
4 0
,.................... 0 5 6
Grey post ...... 0 2 0
----------- 9 5 6 Blue metal...... 0 3 1
Grey post ... ... 1 1 0 Tyne Low
Main, Sutton
Grey metal, with iron- Seam on
Wear—
stone halls... ... 3 2 0
Ft. In.
Splint......... 0 0 5 COAL,good 4 0
COAL, good ... 0 1 0 COAL, bot-
------------ 4 4 5 torn ... 0 7
Strong grey post ... 1 0 0
'___ , -. eh
Grey metal...... 10 0
ll & '
Black stone ... ... 0 1 9
OK/l , AJL
COAL ...... 0 0 7
AM X °2
------------ 2 2 4 Sump—
Grevnost 1 0 fi
Seggar, with ironstone Ureypost ... ... 1 U b
^ ...... 0 16
XdleT 1 0 9 StronS *«V metal<
Blfe metal 2 I 0 with
ironstone halls 3 4 0
White m«t 0 1 11 Strong grey
metal,
£3 ::: ::; S 1% w^hpf ^fVi 2 2 9
WMtepost...... 0 2 92 W^ZT 0 5 7
------------ 7 1 10
Carried forward 3 1 0^238 0 0^ Total......
261 2 10?
The whole of the experiments were made in the north-west district of the
Bensham Seam at a point about 2,200 yards north-west from the shaft, and
about 352 yards from some long-wall goaf, the dip of the strata being
towards the south-east.
The roof is composed of bad blue metal. The thill is of grey metal.
The coal is exceedingly bright, moderately hard, and bituminous, and is used
for household purposes and gas-making.
The coal is not worked in any seam either above or below.
GAS IN THE SOLID COAL.—BOLDON. 195
The following is an analysis of the coal:—
Carbon ..................... 79'58
Hydrogen..................... 4'87
Oxygen ..................... 5-2l
Nitrogen .. .................. 1-64
Sulphur..................... 2-02
Ash....................... 5*53
Water ................. ... 1*15
100-00 The specific gravity is 1'20.
Plan No. 3 showing the position of the workings in which the experiments
were made.
196 EXPERIMENTS SHOWING THE PRESSURE OF
Plan No. 4, being an enlargement of a portion of Plan No. 8, showing
the position of the holes bored for the first four experiments.
EXPERIMENT I, On May 11th, 1880, a hole was bored in the solid coal at the
face of a narrow board. See Plans Nos. 3 and 4, and Section No. 7.
The tool which was used to bore the hole was broken and the end left in
during the experiment.
CONDITIONS.
Ft. In.
The length of the borehole was ... ... ... ... 19
1
The diameter of ,, ... ... ...
... 8
The diameter of pipe fixed in the hole ... ... ...
\
Gas space ... ... ... ... ... ...
... 54
Hole at right angles to the cleat.
Cover—depth of hole from surface ... ... 1,208 feet.
Distance of hole from shaft ... ... ... 2,200
yards.
Description of gauge used ... Schaeffer and Budenberg's.
Capacity of gas space, allowing for broken tool, 389*64 cubic inches.
GAS IN THE SOLID COAL.—BOLDON, NO. 1. 197
The hole was stemmed alternately with oakum steeped in cement, and wooden
plugs, to a depth of 13 feet 9 inches, in the following way:—First, about an
inch of dry oakum and then an inch of saturated oakum, followed by a wooden
cylinder, and so on alternately. The innermost two cylinders composed a
spigot and faucet joint, which served to keep the
pipe firm.
Elevation No. 1, showing the position of the first three holes in the
face of the board.
On May 14th, at 1*40 p.m., one of Schaeffer and Budenberg's patent steel
tube gauges, registering 500 lbs. pressure, was put on to the end of the
pipe :—
RESULTS.—See Table, Page 246.
Lbs. per sq. inch.
May 14.—At 1-40 pji.............
„ 2*20 „ the pressure rose to ...... 25
2-50 „ „ „ ... ... 40
5-00 „ „ „ ...... 100
9-00 „ „ „ ...... 202
ll'OO „ „ „ ...... 246
At this hour the boring of No. 3 Hole was commenced, and on
May 15.—At 1*00 a.m., the pressure was......... 314
S'30 „ „ „ ......... 331
„ At 3'45 the gauge fell back 2 lbs. owing to a
small blower coming off at No. 3 Hole. This, however, took up, and on
May 15.—At 6*00 a.m., the pressure rose to ... ... 335
„ 8-00 p.m. „ „ ......
369
The top of No. 2 Hole, was now opened, the pressure run off, and the meter
attached.
198 EXPERIMENTS SHOWING THE PRESSURE OF
~ -»r - - ^
,.., .
Lbs. per so. inch.
Pressure May 15.—At 9*00 p.m., The boring of No. 3 Hole was
of Gas. , , . ,
stopped, when the pressure was ...... 373
„ At 12-00 noon, the pressure was ... ... 379
„ At 2-30 a.m., the stemming of No. 3 Hole was
commenced.
May 16.—At 4-00 a.m., the pressure was run off No. 2
Hole, and the meter re-attached, the pressure
in No. 1 rising to............ 383
„ At 9*00 a.m., the pressure was ... ... ... 382
and the stemming of No. 3 Hole completed,
the pressure then remained the same till 1*55
p.m., when the gauge was taken off.
It is interesting to observe that during this experiment in No. 1 Hole
the pressure continued to rise during most of the time, notwithstanding
that only 5 feet 5 inches distant No. 3 Hole was in progress, and therefore
free to allow of any escape of gas.
On May 17th, at 4*0 p.m., the pressure gauge was re-attached, and
on May 22nd, at 10*30 a.m., registered the maximum pressure, 425 lbs.
per square inch, which pressure was continued until May 25th, at 5'0
a.m., when the gauge was taken off, and on May 27th, at 1*15 p.m., the
pressure gauge was again applied, with the undermentioned results :—
Lbs. per sq. inch.
May 27th, at 1*40 p.m., the pressure was......... 29
May 28th, at 7*45 a.m. „ ... ...... 324
„ 9-00 p.m. „ ......... 355
At this time the pressure was again blown off, and the gas measured, and on
Cub. ft. per hour
Quantity May 28th, at 10'20 p.m., the meter stood at 0013-00
of Gas* „ 10-30 „ „ „
0013-226 = 1*356
10-40 „ „ „ 0013-435 = 1*254
10-50 „ „ „ 0013-630 = 1-170
11-00 „ „ „ 0013-830 = 1-200
„ 11-10 „ „ „ 0014-015 = 1-110
11-20 „ „ „ 0014-210 = 1-170
Average cubic feet per hour, 1*210.
During this experiment the other gauges indicated—
,
Lbs. per sq.
inch.
No. 2 .................. 0
No. 3 .................. 354
On May 28th, at 11*45 p.m., the gauge was put on No. 1 Hole, and on
GAS IN THE SOLID COAL.—BOKDON, NOS. 1, 2. 199
Lbs. per sq. inch.
May 29th, at 2*20 a.m., the pressure was......... 182
„ 30th, at 5-30 „ „ „ ...... 362
„ 31st, at 8-00 „ „ „ ...... 372
June 1st, at 8*10 „ „ ,, ......
381
„ 2nd, at 8-10 „ „ „ ...... 386
In conclusion, on June 3rd, the amount of gas exuding from the hole was
measured by the testing meter of the South Shields Gas Company, with the
following results :—
June 3rd, at 8-40 a.m., the meter stood at... 0271*00 „ 4th, at 7-40 „
„ ... ,0291-00 = 20 cubic feet.
Which would give '8 7 feet per hour.
The other gauges during this experiment were standing at—
Lbs. per sq. inch.
No. 2............... 248
No. 3............... 402
No. 4................280
EXPERIMENT II.
On May 11th, 1880, a second hole was bored in the same board. See Elevation
No. 1, page 197, and Section 8.
CONDITIONS
Ft. In.
The length of the borehole was............7 8^
The diameter of „ ••• ......... -2
The diameter of pipe fixed in the hole ......... i
Gas space ... ... ••• ••• ••• •••
••• 1 10
Hole at right angles to the cleat.
Cover—depth of hole from surface ...... 1,268 feet.
Distance of hole from shaft ......... 2,200 yards.
Description of gauge used ... Schaeffer and Budenberg's.
The gas space contained 107-99 cubic inches.
200 EXPERIMENTS SHOWING THE PRESSURE OF
The position of No. 2 Hole, with regard to the holes Nos. 1 and 3, is shown
in Elevation No. 1, page 197, and generally, with regard to the workings, in
Plans Nos. 3 and 4, pages 195, 196.
The total length of stemming was 5 feet 10^- inches, and the mode of
performing the operation exactly the same as in No. 1 Hole. This hole,
however, was much shorter, being only 7 feet 8£ inches. It was also put in a
little higher up in the seam, as shown in the Elevation.
On May 14th, a 300 lbs. gauge was attached to the hole.
KESLTLTS.—See Table, Page 246. Pressure May 14th.—At 1*40 p.m., the
gauge was put on.
of Gas.
Lbs. per sq. inch.
„ 2-20 „ the pressure rose to ... ...
70
2-50 „ „ „ ...... 112
5-00 „ „ „ ...... 210
>, y oo ,, „ „ ... ...
Jo2
11-00 „ „ „ ...... 263
„ At this hour the boring of No. 3 Hole was commenced.
May 15th.—At TOO a.m., the pressure was ...... 272
„ 3*30 „ „ „ ... ... 283
4-00 „ „ „ ...... 284
6-00 „ „ ,........ 282
2-00 P.M. „ „ ...... 280
4-00 „ „ „ ...... 273
6-00 „ „ „ ...... 260
8-00 „ „ „ ...... 259
From May 15th, at 3*30 p.m., the gauge showed a steady decrease in pressure,
no doubt owing to the boring of No. 3 Hole alongside, which was begun at
ll'O p.m. the previous day.
This being a very short hole, it undoubtedly came Avithin the gas drainage
of No. 3 Hole, and in consequence could not sustain its pressure; in this it
differed from No. 1 Hole, which kept increasing its pressure during the
boring of No. 3 Hole, clearly showing that it was not affected by it.
It will be observed that, from the moment the gauges were applied, the
pressure increased more rapidly in No. 3 Hole than in No. 1, this was owing
to No. 3 having only 1 foot 10 inches of gas space, whereas No. 1 had 5 feet
4 inches.
GAS IN THE SOLID COAL.—BOLDON, NO. 2. 201
On May 16th, at 3*45 p.m., one of Schaeffer and Budenberg's 500 lb. gauges
was put on to the pipe end, and the maximum pressure of 266 lbs. was
attained on May 19th, at 11*0 A.M., when it was run off.
The gauge was started again at 11 '30 on the same day, and on
Lbs. per sq. inch.
May 19th, at 5"00 p.m., the pressure was......... 205
„ 20th, at 5-00 „ „ „ ......... 280
„ 21st, at 5-00 „ „ „ ......... 291
„ 22nd, at 5-00 „ „ „ ......... 297
„ 23rd, at 5-45 A.M. „ ,.......... 297
„ 24th, at 4-30 „ „ „ ......... 297
„ 25th, at 5-00 „ „ „ ......... 298
On May 25th, at 12*5 p.m., the pressure was run off, and a gas meter was
attached to the hole, and at
Cubic feet Feet. per hour.
12-15 p.m. the meter passed .........'071 — "43
12-25 „ „ .........'075 = -45
12-35 „ „ ........'081 = -49
Average, *457 cubic feet of gas per hour. Water given off, 2 cubic inches
per hour.
May 27th, at 1*15 p.m., the pressure gauge was attached to the hole, and on
the same day
Lbs. per sq. inch.
At 1 '40 p.m., the pressure was......... 57
„ 28th, at 7-45 A.M. „ „ ......... 22L
9-00 P.M. „ „ ......... 214
The pressure was then blown off again, and on May 28th, at 9*15 p.m., a
testing meter of the South Shields Gas Co. was attached.
Cubic feet Feet. per hour.
9*15 p.m. meter standing at ...... 0012-00 =
9-25 „ „ „ ...... 0012-080 =
-48
9-35 „ „ „ ...... 0012-180 =
-60
9-45 „ „ „ ...... 0012-260 =
"48
9-55 „ „ „ ...... 0012-328 = "41
10-5 „ „ „ ...... 0012-400 =
'43
10-15 „ „ „ ...... 0012-460 =
-36
Average, -46 cubic feet of gas per hour.
During this experiment the gauges on the other holes were:—
Lbs. per sq. inch.
No. 1 ............... 355
No. 3............... 354
No. 4............... 298
202 EXPERIMENTS SHOWING THE PRESSURE OF
^Gas6 The Pressure SauSe was re-attached on May 28th, at 11 p.m., and
on
Lbs. per sq. in.
May 29th, at 2-20 a.m., the pressure was......... 157
„ 30th, at 5-30 „ „ „ ......... 253
„ 31st, at 8-00 „ „ „ ......... 257
June 1st, at 8"10 „ „ „ ......... 259
„ 2nd, at 8*10 „ „ „ ......... 269
The pressure was run off, and a gas meter put on to the hole on June 4 th,
at 8 5 a.m.
^f™asty It was then standing at ......... 0291-00
June 5th, at 12'35 a.m., it stood at...... 0301*00 = 10 feet.
Average, *60 cubic feet per hour.
EXPERIMENT III. On May 14th, at 11*0 p.m., another hole was bored in the
same board as Nos. 1 and 2 Holes, about half-way up the seam, and to the
extreme left of the place. See Plan No. 4, page 19G, Elevation No. 1, page
197, and Section No. 9. The boring was finished at 9-0 p.m. on the following
day, in exactly 22 hours. The stemming was begun on May 15th, at 2'30 a.m.,
and finished at 9*0 a.m. the same day, in 6^ hours.
CONDITIONS.
Ft. In.
The length of the borehole was ............32 0
The diameter of „ ............ 3
The diameter of pipe fixed in the hole ......... X
Gas space .....................3 6
Hole at right angles to the cleat.
Cover—depth of hole from surface ... ...... 1,268 feet.
Distance of the hole from the shaft... ... 2,200
yards.
Description of gauge used...... Schaeffer and Budenberg's.
GAS IN THE SOLID COAL.—BOLDON, NO. 3. 208
This hole was put in in the usual manner, but it touched the roof when the
above-mentioned length was bored. It was stemmed in the same way as were
Nos. 1 and 2 Holes. A Davy lamp held close to the hole previous to its being
stemmed would not fire. There was a little water coming out of the hole.
On May 16th, at 2-13 p.m., the Schaeffer and Budenberg 500 lb. gauge, which
had been taken off No. 1 Hole to allow of the gas being measured, was
attached :—
RESULTS.—See Table, Page 247.
May 16.—At 3'00 p.m. the gauge had shown no indication of moving, p, It
was then examined and found to be all right. It was put on again at 3-15
p.m. and
Lbs. per sq. inch.
„ At 3-45 p.m., it registered ......... 8
5-00 „ „ ......... 35
„ At 5*30 p.m. a leak was discovered in the cement
at the outer-end of the hole. This was put right, and
„ At 6'00 P.M., the pressure was......... 58
7-00 „ „ „ ......... 105
9-00 „ „ ,.......... 241
„ At 9'15 „ a leak at the joint next the gauge
was discovered, and the gauge fell back very fast. Pressure was noted every
half-hour, and at
„ ll'OO p.m., the pressure was......... 214
11-30 „ „ „ ......... 210
May 17.—At 5-00 A.M. „ „ ......... 214
3-00 p.m. „ „......... 210
The pressure was then run off and the gauge detached.
May 16th, at 9"00 p.m., the maximum pressure was obtained,
namely ... ••• ... ••• ••• 241
And on May 17th, at 3'00 P.M., when the gauge was detached, the pressure was
......... 210
Having lost in 18 hours ... ... ... 31
Or nearly 2 lbs. per hour.
VOL. XXX —1881.
A A
204 EXPERIMENTS SHOWING TUB PRESSURE OF
Pressure Qn May 17th, at 4-10 p.m., one of Schaeffer and Budenberg's
1,000 lb.
Ol VTciS.
patent steel tubed pressure gauges was put on, and on
Lbs. per sq. inch.
May 17th, at 4-45 p.m., the pressure was......... 0
5-00 „ „ „ ......... 25
7'30 „ „ „ ......... 120
9-00 „ „ „ ... ...... 240
May 18th, at 5-00 a.m. „ „ ......... 442
„ 19th, at 1-30 „ „ „ ... *......
456
„ „ 12'00 noon (maximum pressure) ... ... 461
„ „ 2'40 p.m., the pressure was ... ... ...
441
The fittings were closely examined, and a leak was found at a joint just
below the tap. A steady decrease of pressure ensued on that account, so that
on
May 19th, at 8*00 p.m., the pressure was ... ... ... 437
„ 20th, at 1-00 A.M., „ „ ......... 400
» » 10-00 „ „ „ ........ 330
„ 2-30 P.M., „ „ ......... 280
The gauge then took a rise, registering at 7-00 p.m. ... 300
May 21st, at 10*00 a.m., the pressure rose to ...... 322
„ 22nd, 7-30 p.m., „ „ ......
383
„ 25th, 5*00 a.m., the pressure was only...... 335
At which time it was run off. From May 25th, at 12-00 noon, until May 27th,
at 12*00 noon, the gas was allowed to drain freely from the hole, and at 127
p.m. the pressure gauge was put on, and up to T40 p.m. had not moved. It was
not read again until
Lbs. per sq. inch.
May 28th, at 7-45 a.m., when the pressure was ... ... 390
„ 9-00 p.m., the pressure was only ... ... 354
This diminution in pressure was owing to a leakage from the tap. Quantity
The gauge was again blown off and the testing meter attached. Sub-Gas"
joined are the measurements:—
Cubic feet Feet. per hour.
May 28th, at 11-45 p.m., meter standing at... 0015-000 = ...
11-55 „ „ ... 0015-090 = -54
May 29th, at 12-5 a.m. „ ... 0015-180 =
-54
12-15 „ „ ... 0015-265 = '51
12-25 „ „ ... 0015-340 = '45
May 29th, at 12-35 „ „ .. 0015*415 =
-45
12-45 „ „ ... 0015-483 = -41
Average, -483 cubic feet per hour.
GAS IN THE SOLID COAL.—BOLDON, NOS. 3, 4. 205
During this experiment, the other gauges were standing at :—
Lbs. per sq. inch.
No. 1 ............... 83
No. 2 ...............110
No. 4 ...............302
On May 29th, at 1*15 p.m., the pressure gauge was reattached, and at 2-20
p.m. it had risen to ...... 50
May 30th, at 5'30 a.m. „ ...... 418
On May 31st, at 8"00 a.m., it began to leak, and only registered
... ... ... ... ...... 397
June 1st, at 8*10 a.m., the pressure was......... 373
„ 2nd, at 8*10 „ „ „ ......... 390
In conclusion the gauge was taken off, and the gas
measured on June 2nd, at 8*30 A.M., the meter standing at... 0254*00
„ 3rd, at 8'30 „ the meter indicated ... 0270-46 = 16*46 feet.
Average, -68 cubic feet per hour. During this experiment the pressures were
as follows :—
Lbs. per sq. inch.
No. 1 ...............382
No. 2 ...............268
No. 4 ...............278
EXPERIMENT IV. On May 14th, 1880, a hole was bored in the solid coal at the
face c a stenton about 14 yards to the outbye side of Nos. 1, 2, and 3
Holes, an on the left-hand side. See Plans Nos. 3 and 4, pages 195 and
196, an Section No. 10.
206 EXPERIMENTS SHOWING THE PRESSURE OF
CONDITIONS.
Ft. In.
The length of the borehole was ............23 5|
The diameter of „ ... ...... ...
3
The diameter of pipe fixed in the hole ... ... ...
|
Gas space .....................3 2\
Hole parallel with the cleat.
Cover—depth of hole from surface ...... 1,268 feet.
Distance of hole from shaft ... ... *... 2,196
yards.
Description of gauge used...... Schaeffer and Budenberg's.
Elevation No. 2, showing the position of the hole in the face of the
stenton:—
The stemming of this hole was begun on May 16th, at 10*0 a.m., and finished
at 2-0 p.m. on the same day in four hours, including a stoppage , of
twenty minutes, caused by the rods having got unscrewed in the hole.
One of Schaeffer and Budenberg's 400 lb. gauges was put on to the hole on
May 16th, at 3*00 p.m., with the following results :—
RESULTS.—See Table, Page 247.
Lbs. per sq. inch.
Pressure May 16th, at 4'30 p.m., the pressure was.........
8
0f GaS" K AA
A n
5-00 „ „ „ ...... 47
6'00 „ „ „ ... • ... 120
7-00 „ „ „ ...... 170
8-00 „ „ „ ...... 295
„ 12-00 MIDNIGHT „ „ ...... 342
May 17th, at 9'00 a.m., the pressure was ...... 371
9-30 „ „ „ ...... 372
2-00 p.m. „ „ ...... 377
4-00 „ „ „ ...... 380
4-12 „ „ „ ...... 381
The pressure was then run off, and the gauge removed. One of Schaeffer and
Budenberg's 1,000 lb. gauges was attached on May 17th, at 4*30 p.m., and
registered as follows :—
GAS IN THE SOLID COAL.—BOLDON, NO. 4. 20
Lbs. per sq. in
May 17th, at 4*45 p.m., the pressure was......... 45
6-00 „ „ „ ...... - 220
7-30 „ „ „ ... ...... 302
11-30 „ „ „ ......... 338
May 18th, at 7-00 a.m. „ „ ......... 350
„ ,, 1-00 „ „ „ ........
348
„ 21st, at 9-30 p.m. „ „ ......... 348
After 1*0 p.m., the gauge did not move for 25^ hours, at the end this time
it dropped to 344 lbs., and then at 4*30 p.m. to 340 lbs. t square inch, and
stood there until May 25th, at 5 A.M., when the pressv was run off, and the
gauge disconnected.
The gas was then allowed "to drain from the hole from May 25th, 5 A.M.,
until May 27th, at 11*30 A.M., a period of 54 hours 30 minuh when a test
meter was attached, and left on for 30 minutes, and the avera quantity of
gas given off was found to be 1-4616 cubic feet per hou the water given off
was 20 cubic inches per hour.
The gas was again measured as under:— cubic
fe«
° °
Feet, per houi
May 29th, 1*5 am., meter standing at ... 0016-00 =
„ 1-15 „ „ „ ••- 0016-51
= 3-06
1-25 „ „ „ ... 0016-99 m 2-88
1-35 „ „ „ -. 0017-43 = 2-64
„ 1-45 „ „ „ ... 0017-85
= 2-52
1-55 „ „ „ -. 0018-265 = 2*49
2-5 „ „ „ ... 0018-645 = 2-28
Average, 2*645 cubic feet per hour.
During this experiment the pressure gauges showed in—
Lbs. per sq. inch.
No. 1 Hole ............ 170
No. 2 Hole ............ 153
No. 3 Hole ............ 40
On May 29th, at 2*20 a.m., the testing meter was put on again and 1 on until
June 2nd. The readings were:— „ t cubicfeet
° Feet. per hour.
May 29th, at 2*20 a.m., meter standing at... 0020-00 =
„ 30th, at 5*30 „ „ „ ... 0086*00 =
2*43
5*40 „ „ „ ... 0086*38 = 2*28
„ 31st, 8*10 „ „ „ ... 0147*68 =
2*31
8-40 „ „ „ -. 0148-90 = 2-44
June 1st, 8-10 „ „ „ ... 0200'81 =
2-21
„ „ 8-40 „ „ „ ... 0201*88 =
2-14
„ 2nd, 8-10 „ „ „ - 0252-70 =
2-16
Average, 2*281 cubic feet per hour.
208 EXPERIMENTS SHOWING THE PRESSURE OF
EXPERIMENT V. On June 14th, 1880, a hole was bored in the solid coal in the
face of a stenton, to the outbye side of where No. 4 Hole was bored. See
Plans Nos. 3 and 4, pages 195 and 196, and Section No. 11.
CONDITIONS.
Ft. In.
The length of the borehole was ......... ... 28 0
The diameter of „ ... ... ...
... 2^
The diameter of pipe fixed in hole ......... i
Gas space ... ... ... ... ... ...
... 4 0
Hole parallel with the cleat.
Cover—depth of hole from surface......... 1,268 feet.
Distance of hole from shaft ......... 2,080 yards.
Description of gauge used...... Schaeffer and Budenberg's.
Elevation No. 3, showing the position of the hole in the face of the
stenton:—
In stemming the hole, the spigot and faucet plugs broke away the ferrule at
the end of the pipe, and had therefore to be driven to the far end of the
hole and left, thus diminishing the gas space by 1 foot 2 inches, and
accounting for the seeming discrepancy between the length of stemming and
gas space and the total length of hole, as stated above.
GAS IN THE SOLID COAL.—BOLDON, NO. 5. 209
The boring of this hole was commenced with on June 14th, at 3'00 A.M., and
finished TOO p.m. on the same day in 10 hours. The stemming was begun on
June 14th, at 11*45 P.M., and finished on June 15th, at 3*40 a.m., in 3
hours 55 minutes. It was stemmed in the same manner as the preceding holes,
with oakum and cement and wooden plugs.
On June 15th, one of Schaeffer and Budenberg's 300 lb. pressure gauges was
put on.
RESULTS.—See Table, Page 250. June 15th, at 4*15 a.m., gauge attached.
Pr<
Lbs. per sq. inch. of
„ 4*20 „ the pressure was......... 53
„ 4*25 „ „ „ ... •••
••• do
5-15 „ „ „ ......... 134
At 5*15 a.m., the joint below the tap began to leak, and by 5*20 A.M. the
pressure had fallen to 130 lbs. per square inch. The joints were made
tight again, and on
June 15th, at 5"45 a.m., the pressure was ... ...... 131
9-00 „ „ „ ......... 141
4-00 p.m. „ „ ......... 162
At 4-15 p.m., a 500 lb. gauge was attached without running off the pressure,
and on
June 15th, at 11*30 P.M., the pressure was ...... 165
„ 16th, at 6-45 a.m. „ „ ......
170
11-30 A.M. „ „ ...... 172
„ 17th, at 4-30 „ „ „ ......
174
3-00 p.m. „ „ ...... 176
„ 18th, at 12-30 noon „ „ ...... 175
The gauge was left in the hole until February 2nd, at 9 a.m., when the
pressure still stood at 175 lbs ; the gauge was then detached.
Cubic Feet.
July 2nd, at 9 a.m., the gas testing meter was attached,
Q'
. , .
oj
registering..................0432*00
July 4th, at 5 a.m., 44 hours after, it registered ... 0887*00
455*00 Average, 10*34 cubic feet per hour.
210 EXPERIMENTS SHOWING THE PRESSURE OF
THE EXPERIMENTS MADE AT HARTON COLLIERY.
The Harton Colliery Avas opened out about the year 1825, 55 years before the
experiment was made, the following being the account of the strata passed
through:—
TOWNSHIP OP HARTON, DTJEHAM.
Sheet 4 of Ordnance Map. Lat. 54° 58' 14", Long. 1°' 26' 5".
Approximate surface level 75 feet above sea (Ordnance datum).
Fs. Ft. In. Fs. Ft. In.
Fs. Ft. In. Fs. Ft. In.
Soil ... ... 0 1 0
Brought forward
Yellow ...... 0 3 0 Dark grey thill
... 0 4 6
Blue leafy clay ... 1 1 0 Grey
metal...... 1 4 0
,. , (10 4 0 COAL ...... 0
12
Blue gravelly clay -j Q & 2--------#
________2 3 8
Red clay ...... 14 0 Grey metal band ...
0 0 4
Soft blue metal stone COAL
...... 00 6
and water...... 1 3 0 Post, with whin girdles
COAL ...... 0 0 3 and water......
110
----------- 16 3 5 Grey metal and water 0 3 4
Dark grey metal and COAL ......
0 0 6
a little water ... 1 16 Band
...... 0 0 3
COAL ...... 0 0 3 COAL ......
0 0 3
Dark grey metal or
------------ 2 0 2
thill ... ... 2 0 3 Grey
metal, with post
COAL and a little girdles
...... 1 2 4
water ...... 0 0 4 COAL ......
0 0 3
Strong dark grey Grey
metal...... 0 5 2
metalandpost ... 1 3 2 COAL ......
0 0 2
Strong grey post and Grey metal, with
post
water '...... 1 1 10 girdles and water...
3 5 7
Grey metal...... 3 0 0
Ft. In.
Black metal...... 0 0 5 COAL ... 1
3*
COAL .....0 10 Brassy band ... 0 3
------------ 9 2 9 COAL ... 1 34
Thill or grey metal ... 0 4 2
------0 2 10
Post girdles...... 0 0 10
------------6 4 4
Grey metal post girdles Grey thill
...... 0 4 0
and water...... 2 2 2 Grey metal post girdles
White post girdles and and
water...... 2 3 1
water ...... 0 3 5 Post and water
on /
Black metal...... 0 2 9 north or rise side
of
COAL ...... 0 0 4 pit
...... 13 0
----------- 4 18 Post and water on
Thill ... ... 1 4 0
south or dip side of
Grey post ...... 0 3 2 pit
...... 6 0 0
Grey metal...... 0 2 6 Dark grey metal ...
2 0 0
Grey post, with black COAL
...... 0 1 8
partings ...... 0 2 8
-----------12 5 9
Blue metal...... 0 5 8
COAL ...... 0 12
------------ 4 12
Carried forward 34 3 0 Carried
forward 58 4 11 * Approximate sea level (Ordnance datum).
GAS IN THE SOLID COAL.—HARTON. 211
Fs. Ft. In. Fs Ft, In. Fs.
Ft. In. Fs.
Brought forward 58 4 11 Brought forward
2 2 1 115 4 6*
Grey metal or thill ... 0 4 0 White post, with
metal
Grey post and water... 0 5 2 partings
...... 2 1 11£
White post and metal Grey metal......
0 1 4
partings and water 19 2 8 COAL, strong
and
Dark grey metal ... 2 4 3 good
...... 0 2 6
COAL ...... 0 0 8 Splint
...... 0 0 6
------------23 4 9 Grey metal...... 0 1 6
Dark grey metal or Strong white
post and
thill ...... 2 4 3 water
...... 7 17*
COAL ...... 0 0 5 Black stone......
0 0 3*
------------2 4 8 COAL, black slaty... 0 1 5£
Brown thill...... 0 0 6 Grey metal, with
post
Grey post, with metal girdles
...... 2 3 8
partings and water 1 1 3 J Black metal,
with
Bed and. white post, ironstone
girdles ... 0 3 0
very damp ... 8 5 8| COAL
...... 0 0 1*
COAL, stony ... 0 0 3
------------ 16 2 0*
Soft grey metal or thill Dark grey
metal, with
stone ... ... 1 1 0 post
and whin gir-
Strong black metal, or dies
... ... 2 4 1
white catheads and Hard white post,
mixed
coal ... ... 0 1 5
with whin in beds,
COAL ... ... 0 0 2* very
coarse in the
------------11 4 4* grain, much mixed
Strong light-coloured with small
metal grey post, white and
ironstone balls metal partings, and
of various colours, whin girdles near
and a little water top of bed, with a
(supposed Seventy-little water ... 1 4 0
Fathoms Post) ... 12 2 6 Dark grey metal
... 1 4 7 Dark blue metal, with COAL
... ... 0 0 2 metal balls
andiron-Black band ... ... 0 0 2
stone girdles at a
COAL ...... 0 0 3£ depth of 1
fathom.
Black band...... 0 0 1* From the top of this
COAL ... ... 0 0 11 stratum
a mussel
------------3 4 3 bed of from 4 to 5
Grey metal stone, with inches
thick was
whin girdles ... 4 3 4 passed
through ... 1 3 0
Dark grey metal, with Grey metal, with
post
ironstone girdles ... 2 3 10 girdles
... ... 1 0 0
COAL, foul...... 0 0 5 Black stone......
2 15
Thill, or dark grey COAL,
strong and
metal ...... 0 2 6 good
...... 0 0 6
Dark grey metal stone
------------19 5 6
and post girdles ... 2 0 0 Grey metal,
with post
COAL ...... 0 0 5 girdles
...... 3 3 0
-----—— 9 4 6 White post, with a
Grey metal ... ... 0 1 8
little water (sup-White post, with gir-
posed Main Post)... 3 10
dies and water ... 4 011 Grey metal, with
iron-
COAL, good ... 0 0 4 stone
girdles ... 1 0 0
COAL, black slaty... 0 11 Supposed Main Coal—
Thill or grey metal ... 0 2 7
Ft In.
COAL ...... 0 0 6 COAL ... 1
2
------------5 11 Black slaty
Dark grey metal stone, band
... 0 1
with post and whin COAL ...
0 2*
girdles and water,
------ 0 15*
and coal pipes at
------------ 7 5 5.^
bottom ...... 2 2 1
Carried forward 2 2 1 115 4 6*
Carried forward 159 5 6*
VOL. XXX —1881.
B B
£l2 EXPERIMENTS SHOWING THE PRESSURE OF
Fs. Ft. In. Fs. Ft. In. Fs. Ft.
In. Fs. Ft. In
Brought forward 159 5 6£ Brought forward 21
4 9 178 4 10
Black slaty stone ... 0 3 0 Yard Coal
Seam—
Black slaty stone,
Ft. In.
mixed with coal COAL ...
0 8£
pipes ...... 0 0 6 Band ...
0 3£
Grey thill stone ... 0 5 6 COAL
... 3 2
Grey metal stone ... 3 3 0
----- 042
Grev metal, with post
----------- 22 2 11
girdles ...... 5 3 0 Thill stone
...... 0 4 2
Strong grey post, with Black stone ...
... 0 0 5i
metal partings, whin COAL, splinty
... 0 0 2}
girdles, and a little Grey metal ...
... 0 1 2
water ... ... 7 2 2 Dark grey
metal, with
Blue metal girdle ... 0 2 0^ ironstone
girdles ... 1 0 2 White post girdle, with
Grey metal, with iron-metal partings ... 0 2
3 stone girdles ... 1 5 3 COAL
(supposed Grey post, with metal
Metal Coal) ... 0 1 10 partings and
whin
-----------18 5 3} girdles ...... 2 3 0
Grey thill, with iron- Dark grey metal,
with
stone halls .. ... 0 4 0 ironstone
girdles ... 1 2 0
Strong grey metal, White post,
with whin
with post girdles ... 14 0 girdles ...
... 0 5 6
Strong dark grey Grey post,
with scaling
metal and post gir- metal partings
and
dies ... "... 2 2 0 whin
...... 3 4 2
COAL, splint ... 0 0 5 Black
metal...... 0 0 4
Grey metal, with post BENSHAM SEA
Nicies ...... 14 0
Strong white post, COAL t
z q
with whin girdles... ZOO Splint 0
21
Grey whin ...... 1 2 0 COAL hot-
*
Grey metal stone and , '
2 ol
ironstone girdles ... 5 3 1 ^^^^^^^
100
Black slaty stone ...010
_ -in o k
?°?L ...... ° g ? Sump-
J™~......... n a n Blue metal, with whin,
"lU •" , "' ••• U 4 U white
post,and iron-
Grey metal stone, with stone
girdles ... 4 1 4
whm girdles ... 1 1 9 Six-Quarter Seam-
vUAL ... ...Uuo
Grey metal, with post CO A L, splinty
2' 0
and whm girdles... 4 1 3 COAL, good 1
8
------0 3 8
Left off in strong grey
post ... ..".030
------------ 5 2 0
Carried forward 21 4 9 178 4 10 Total
...... 220 0 2
The whole of the experiments were made in the No. 1 Holder House District,
Bensham Seam, at a point about 3,000 yards south-east from the shaft, about
440 yards from some old workings, and 594 yards from the nearest goaf, the
dip of the strata being towards the south-west.
The roof is good, of blue metal, and the thill is also of blue metal.
The coal is bright and bituminous, and is used for household purposes. The
cleavage is well defined and the texture open.
No coal is worked in any seam either above or below.
The specific gravity is T21.
GAS IN THE SOLID COAL.—HARTOX NO. 1. 213
Plan No. 5, showing the workings in No. 1 Holder House District:—
EXPERIMENT I.
On June 1st, 1880, No. 1 Hole was bored in the solid coal at the face of a
winning (narrow board). See Plan No. 5, and Section No. 12. This hole
came in contact with the roof.
214 EXPERIMENTS SHOWING THE PRESSURE OF
CONDITIONS.
Ft. In.
The length of the borehole was............ 16 2
The diameter of „ ............ 3
The diameter of pipe fixed in the hole... ...... \
Gas space ... ••• ••• ••• •••
••• 3 0
Hole at right angles to the cleat.
Cover—depth of hole from surface .........1,215 feet.
Distance of hole from shaft about .........3,000 yards.
Description of gauge used ... Schaeffer and Budenberg's.
The holes were stemmed in exactly the same manner as those at Boldon
Colliery, with wooden plugs, oakum, and cement.
This hole took 5 hours to bore and 3 hours 15 minutes to stem.
Elevation No. 4, showing the position of Nos. 1 and 2 Holes in the narrow
board.
On June 6th, at 3-30 a.m., one of Schaeffer and Budenberg's 500 lb.
Pressure ' 7
of Gas. pressure gauges was put on.
RESULTS.—See Table, Page 251.
Lbs. per sq. inch.
June 6th, at 3-35 a.m., pressure was......... 10
4-10 „ „ „ ...... 30
7'5 „ „ „ ...... 80
June 6th, at 8'20 „ „ „ ......
100
4-00 p.m. „ „ ...... 157
June 7th, at 1-00 a.m. „ „ ...... 170
1-00 p.m. „ „ ...... 178
June 8th, at 1-00 „ „ „ ......
186
„ 9th, at 1-00 „ „ „ ......
191
„ 10th, at 1-00 „ „ „ ......
195
„ 11th, at 1-00 „ „ „ ......
196
GAS IN THE SOLID COAL—HARTON, NOS. 1, 2. 215
Lbs. per sq. inch. .
June 12th, at TOO p.m., the pressure was ...... 197
„ 13th, at .1-00 „ „ „ ......
195
„ 14th, at 1-00 „ „ „ ...... 196
„ 15th, at 12-00 A.M. „ „ ...... 193
The pressure was then run off, and a 300 lb. gauge put on and started at
12*45 p.m., and on
June 15th, at 1"00 p.m., it had risen to ......... 11
4-00 „ „ ......... 119
A leak was discovered in the pipes which reduced the pressure, so that on
June 15th, at 5*0 p.m., the pressure was only 100 lbs. per square inch. The
leak seems, however, to have taken up, and the pressure rose gradually until
June 16th, at 5 a.m., when the gauge registered 146 lbs. per square inch.
The pressure at this time was run off and the gauge detached.
At 5*45 another 300 lb. gauge was fixed to the hole, and on June 16th, at
5-0 p.m., registered 197 lbs. per square inch.
EXPERIMENT II.
On June 1st a second hole was bored in the solid coal at the face of the
same winning (narrow board). See Elevation No. 4, page 214, and Section No.
13.
This hole also came in contact with the roof.
CONDITIONS.
Ft. In.
The length of the borehole was ... ...... 27 6
The diameter of „ ... ... ... ...
3
The diameter of pipe fixed in the hole...... ... A
Gas space .................. 3 6
Hole at right angles to the cleat.
Cover—depth of hole from surface ... ... ...1,215 feet.
Distance of hole from shaft ............3,000 yards.
Description of gauge used ... Schaeffer and Budenberg's.
216 EXPERIMENTS SHOWING THE PRESSURE OF
This hole was bored in a similar manner to No. 1, in 7 hours 15 minutes, and
stemmed in 5 hours 45 minutes.
One of Schaeffer and Budenberg's 1,000 lb. patent steel tubed gauges was
attached with the undermentioned results:—
RESULTS.—See Table, Page 251.
Pressure June 6th, at 3-30 a.m., pressure gauge put on.
0 as" „ 4*15 „ the gauge had not
moved.
Lbs. per sq. inch,
„ 4-20 „ it rose to ......... 10
„ 5*15 „ the pressure was ...... 50
6-20 „ „ „ ...... 100
2-10 P.M. „ „ ...... 200
7-00 „ „ „ ...... 207
June 7th, at 1-00 A.M. „ „ ......
208
„ 9-00 P.M. „ „ ......
219
June 8th, at 7'00 a.m. „ „ ......
220
„ 9th, at 7-00 „ „ „ ......
225
„ 10th, at 7-00 „ „ „ ......
227
This pressure continued until June 11th, at 10*0 a.m. At 1T0 a.m. the
pressure was 228 lbs. per square inch, and rose to 230 lbs. at 9 p.m. on the
same day, at which it remained for 92 hours, except from 1 to 4 a.m. on the
15th, when it was a pound higher. A leak at the joint reduced the pressure
to 226 lbs. per square inch. The leakage, however, took up, and on June
16th, at 5'0 P.M., the pressure rose to 230 lbs. per square inch.
EXPERIMENT III.
On June 2nd, a hole was bored in the solid coal at the face of a stenton in
the No. 1 District. See Section No. 14, and Elevation No. 5, page 217.
GAS IN THE SOLID COAL.—HARTOtt NO. 3. 217
Ft. In.
The length of the borehole was... ......... 37 3
The diameter of „ ... ... ......
2-^
Diameter of pipe fixed in the hole ...... ...
J
Gas space ......... ... ... ... 5
4
Hole parallel with the cleat.
Cover—depth of hole from surface ... ... ... 1,215 feet.
Distance of hole from shaft about .........3,000 yards.
Description of gauge used ... Schaeffer and Budenberg's.
The hole was stemmed in precisely the same manner as Nos. 1 and 2.
The time occupied in boring was 6 hours 25 minutes, and in stemming 8 hours
20 minutes.
The hole was commenced on June 2nd, at 2*50 a.m., and finished on June 6th,
at 3'15 a.m.
Elevation No. 5, showing the position of No. 3 Hole in the stenton: —
At 10*0 p.m., on June 10th, one of Schaeffer and Budenberg's 1,000 lb.
gauges was put on.
RESULTS.—See Table, Page 251.
June 10th, at 10'0 p.m., the gauge was put on; at 11*0 p.m. the Pressure
pressure was 104 lbs. per square inch. It was then found that all three
tap joints were leaking at this hole. The pressure, however, still rose,
and on June 11th, at 3*30 a.m., registered 220 lbs. per square inch, and at
8-30 A.m. 237 lbs.
At this point the leakage became worse, and the gauge fell 11 lbs. in 15
minutes. The taps were tightened and the gauge again began to rise.
218 EXPERIMENTS SHOWING THE PRESSURE OF
Lbs. per sq. in.
Pressure June- 11th, at 12-00 noon, the pressure was ......
259
of Gas.
„ „ at 12-00 p.m. „ „ ...... 278
June 12th, at 6-00 a.m. „ „ ...... 280
„ „ at 6-30 p.m. „ „ ......
280
June 13th, at 6-00 a.m. „ „ ...... 293
„ „ at 6-00 p.m. „ „ ......
294
June 14th, at 6'00 A.m. „ „ ... .f. 295 This pressure continued until
June 14th, at midnight, when the pressure was ... 294
„ 15th, at 9 00 a.m. „ „ ...
292
„ 16th, at noon „ „ ...
291
„ „ at 6-00 p.m. „ „
... 290
After this the readings were discontinued.
Quantity A series of experiments were then made to test the quantity
of gas of Gas. given off from the Nos. 1, 2, and 3 Boreholes at Harton
Colliery ; a test meter belonging to the South Shields Gas Company being
used for the purpose.
On June 18th the pressure was allowed to ease off from all the holes, and
after each had stood about twenty minutes the gas meter was put for -
an hour on each hole separately, the readings being taken every
ten
minutes.
No. 1 Hoie. Measurement of Gas given off pee Hour.
Reading of Equal per
Date. Hour. Meter.
Hour.
Cubic Feet. Cubic Feet.
June 18 ... 7-40 a.m. ... 300-00
... 7-50 „ ... 300-21 1-26
„ ... 8-00 „ ... 300-40 1-14
... 8-10 „ ... 300-57 1-02
... 8-20 „ ... 30074 1-02
... 8-30 „ ... 300-91 1-02
... 8-40 „ ... 301-09 1-08
Average, 1'09 cubic foot per hour.
GAS IN THE SOLID COAL.—HARTON. 219
No. 2 Hole. . Measurement oe Gas given off per Hour.
Reading of Equal per
Date. Hour. Meter.
Hour.
Cubic Feet. Cubic Feet.
June 18 ... 9-00 a.m. ... 301-00
„ ... 9-10 „ ... 301-45 2-70
... 9-20 „ ... 301-88 2-58
... 9-30 „ ... 302-29 2-46
... 9-40 „ ... 302-68 2-34
... 9-50 „ ... 303-00 1-92
„ ...10-00 „ ... 303-34 2-04
Average, 2'34 cubic feet per hour.
No. 3 Hole. Measurement of Gas given off per Hour.
T)atp Hour Reading of Equal
per
Date. Hour. Meter_
Houri
Cubio Feet. Cubic Feet.
June 18 ... 10-20 a.m. 303-00
„ „ ... 10-30 „ 303-83 4-98
„ „ ... 10-40 „ 304-78 5-70
„ „ ... 10-50 „ 305-60 4-92
„ „ ... 11-00 „ 306-45 5-10
„ „ ... 11-10 „ 307-23 4-68
„ ,, ... 11-20 „ 308-02 4-74
Average, 5 "02 cubic feet per hour.
On July 13th the meter was again attached to No. 1 Borehole, and left on for
one week, when it was taken off and put on No. 2 Hole for the same length of
time. It was then put on to No. 3 Hole, where it stood until August 20th.
The readings were taken every twenty-four hours except at the week ends, and
were as follows:—
No. 1 Hole. Measurement of Gas given off per Hour.
y., H Reading of Equal
per
JJate- ±lour- Meter.
Hour.
Cubic Feet. Cubic Feet.
July 13 ... 8-50 a.m. 000"15
„ 14 ... 8-50 „ 015-71 -65
„ 15 ... 8-45 ,, 027-14 -48
„ 16 ... 8-45 „ 037-65 -44
„ 16 ... 10-30 p.m. 043-62 '43
„ 19 ... 8-45 a.m. 068-97 '42
„ 20 ... 7-45 „ 078-63 -42
Average, "47 cubic foot per hour.
VOL. XXX.—1881.
C ^
220 EXPERIMENTS SHOWING THE PRESSURE OF
No. 2 Hole. Measurement of Gas given off fee Hour. '
-P, t rr Beading of
Equal per
Date. Hour. Meter
Hour
Cubic Feet. Cubic Feet.
July 20 ... 8-30 a.m. 080-44
„ 21 ... 8-30 „ 108-21 1-16
„ 22 ... 8-30 „ 129-45 -88
»
„ 23 ... 8-30 „ 149-40 -83
„ 23 ... 8-30 p.m. 159-65 -85
„ 26 ... 8-30 a.m. 208*27 -81
„ 27 ... 8-30 „ 227-75 -81
Average, "89 cubic foot per hour.
No. 3 Hole.
Measurement of Gas given off per Hour.
T)atp Hour Reading of Equal
per
•Uate- ±iour- Meter.
Hour.
Cubic Feet. Cubic Feet.
July 28 ... 9-15 a.m. 0240-48
„ 29 ... 9-15 „ 0342-50 4-25
„ 30 ... 9-15 „ 0440-60 4*09
Aug. 1 ... 6-30 „ 0625-30 409
„ 2 ... 9-30 „ 0735-10 4-07
„ 3 ... 9-15 ., 0832-40 4"09
„ 4 ... 9-15 „ 0929-35 4"04
„ 5 ... 9-15 ,. 1026-28 4"04
„ 6 ... 9-15 „ 1122-40 4-01
„ 9 ... 9-15 „ 1410-10 3-99
„ 11 ... 9-15 ,. 1589-10 3-73
„ 13 ... 9-15 „ 1763-14 3-63
Average, 4'00 cubic feet per hour.
No. 3 HOLE.—EXPERIMENT 3a.
On April 12th, 1881, the pressure was allowed to ease off from No. 3
Borehole, and a 400 lb. pressure gauge was attached.
The pressure had been retained in the hole by having the pipe end screwed
up, since the close of the former experiments on August 20th, 1880, a period
of 33 weeks.
GAS IN THE SOLID COAL.—SUMMARY. 221
RESULTS.
April 12th, at 4-45 A.M., the gauge was attached.
Lbs. per sq. mch. Pressure „ 5-30 „ the pressure rose
to ... ... 3 of Gas.
5-45 „ „ „ ...... 20
6-00 „ „ „ ...... 42
„ 6-30 „ „ „ ......
85
7-00 „ „ „ ...... 107
10-00 „ „ „ ...... 136
„ 3-45 p.m. „ „ ...... 137
12-00 night „ „ ...... 141
April 13th, at 9'00 A.m. „ „ ...... 149
9-00 „ „ „ ...... 155
9-00 „ „ „ ...... 158
9-00 „ „ „ ...... 159
9-00 „ „ „ ...... 158
SUMMARY.
From the foregoing remarks it will be seen that the experiments were made in
five distinct groups or collieries—
1 at Elemore. 1 at Hetton. 8 at Eppleton. 5 at Boldon, and 3 at Harton.
The highest pressure was obtained at Boldon, being 461 lbs., and equal to 84
per cent, of that due to a column of water the same height as the thickness
of the cover, but this occurred in one instance only ; in most of the other
cases it scarcely reached 50 per cent, of the pressure due to the column,
and in one, Elemore, where the highest pressure exhibited was only 28 lbs.,
it was only 8| per cent., the lowest pressures being obtained in the
collieries that had been the longest opened out.
For instance, at Boldon, where 84 per cent, was obtained, the pit has been
opened out only eleven years, whereas at Elemore, where only 8| per cent,
was obtained, the pit has been at work for fifty-three years.
It will, however, be seen that the pressures are not the same in all cases
where the thickness of cover is the same ; as only one experiment, was tried
at Elemore, and one at Hetton; any variation which might exist at those
collieries was not ascertained, but in the other three collieries, and
especially at Eppleton, this variation was very apparent, and seems to
222 EXPERIMENTS SHOWING THE PRESSURE OF
show that the pressure bears some relation to the distance from the face of
the coal in the workings in which it is ascertained.
In endeavouring to ascertain what relation this increase of pressure bears
to the increase of depth of hole, there seems to be an indication that under
similar circumstances of cover, the pressure varies as the square root of
the depth of the hole. For example, take the Eppleton experiments, and
exclude JSTos. 4 and 5, which were abandoned because it was suspected that
incorrect results were being obtained bythem, and then apply this formula,
and taking the sixth hole as the standard for comparison, the results will
be as shown in Table A.
TABLE A.
No. of Depth of Hole V of the Depth Calculated
Actual n-ffo
Experiment. in Feet. of Hole.
Pressure. Pressure. -umerence.
Lbs.
1 3-5 1-87 69 54-75 -14-25
2 7-5 2-74 100 104*5 + 4"5
3 24-5 4-94 181 204 + 23 8 25-0 5-0
183 221 + 38
6 37-0 6-08 223 223
7 47*0 6-85 251 235 - 16
Thus giving a mean deviation from the rule of about 3^ per cent, on the
average pressures exhibited.
If the Boldon experiments are compared in the same way, excluding the fifth
(which seems for some reason to have given less pressures than any of the
other holes, some of which were much shorter, probably because the end of
the hole was blocked up by the plug, which had got loose), and taking the
third hole as the standard of comparison, the results will be as shown in
Table B.
TABLE B.
No of Depth of Hole V of the Depth Calculated
Actual t,-™.
Experiment. in Feet of Hole.
Pressure. Pressure. uirrerence.
2 7-7 2-77 226 298 + 72 1 19-1 4-37
356 425 + 69
4 23-5 4-84 395 381 - 14
3 32-0 5-65 461 461
t
GAS IN THE SOLID COAL.—SUMMARY. 223
This gives a mean deviation from the rule of about 8 per cent, on the
average pressures exhibited. Extending the comparison to the Harton
experiments, where there seems to have been no exceptional circumstance
requiring the exclusion of any of them, the results will be as shown in
Table C.
TABLE C.
No. of Depth of Hole V of the Depth Calculated
Actual Difference
Experiment. in Feet. of Hole.
Pressure. Pressure.
1 16-2 4-02 194 197 + 3
2 27-5 5-24 253 231 - 22
3 37-2 6-10 295 295
These give a mean deviation from the rule of about 2| per cent, on the
average pressures exhibited.
If for the sake of comparison the rule of the pressure, being in proportion
to the s/ of the depth, be applied to the five sets of experiments in order
to give a pressure at a uniform depth of hole of say 30 feet, the results
would be as shown in Table D.
TABLE D.
Pressure due to Pressure Probable Thiplmpss
a column
Years. n„TT™„„ Depth of indicated At a
Pressure im"^ta,B of water
Opened. Colliery. Hole inExpen- Depth of.
at Cover the height
ment. " 30 Feet. ^°ver.
ofthe
Cover.
Ft. Lbs. Ft.
Eeet.
11 Boldon ...AsV32 : 461 ::v30= 446
1,268 549
43 Eppleton ... „V37 : 223 :*.V30= 200
1,261 546
54 Elemore ... „V7 .' 28 I*. V 30 = 58
750 324
55 Harton ... „V37*25 : 295 ::V30= 265
1,215 526 58 Hetton ... „V 9 : 45
:'.V30= 82 1,228 531
Tables A, B, 0, and D, are further illustrated in Plate XLIV.
The experiments seem to indicate that the direction of the hole with
reference to the cleat has no influence on the pressure.
"With respect to the quantities of gas coming from the different holes,
Table E, page 224, gives a synoptical exposure of all the conditions and
results of the experiments, and shows the nature of the data
224 PRESSURE OF GAS IN THE SOLID COAL.
ascertained. In the Boldon experiments the largest quantity of gas given off
per square foot per hour was obtained considerably after the time that the
least quantity noted was ascertained, whereas in the other experiments the
least quantities noted were always after the greatest had been obtained.
The places where the pressure of the gas in the coal have been the highest
do not seem to give off the greatest quantities of gas, and there appears to
be no connection whatever between the length of the hole and these
quantities; but the results show that there is no connection between the
variations of the barometrical column and the temperature, with the
quantities of gas evolved, and it may be observed that the number of
different circumstances acting together or in opposite directions, either
separately or in groups, form a series of combinations which would take more
time than the writer has at his disposal to reduce to a reliable standard of
comparison. It is hoped, however, that this paper will have disclosed many
facts that may be interesting, and which may pave the way to more elaborate
research hereafter.
PEESSTTRE OF GAS IN THE SOLID COAL. 257
The President said, he was sure every one of the members must be exceedingly
obliged to Mr. Wood for having communicated these most elaborate and
interesting experiments to the Institute. As there were so many figures to
be mastered, the paper could hardly be discussed at the present time with
any advantage ; but if gentlemen had any observations to make he would be
very glad to hear them.
Mr. A. L. Steavenson stated that he thought it would be in the recollection
of many of the members that in the third volume of the Transactions of the
Institute there was a paper which was read by Mr. P. S. Eeid, and which
spoke of pressures due to gas in coal even higher than those now given, and
in order still further to illustrate the subject he hoped the experiments
would be published with such information as to the depth of the superposed
strata as would enable members to ascertain if the pressure of the gas in
the coal bore any ratio to the pressure due from any defined column of
water. In order to arrive at any satisfactory conclusion on this point it
would be necessary to know from the nature of the strata what might be
reasonably supposed to be the height of any column of water that Avould have
access to the seam where the gas was. The pressures given fell very much
short of those that would have resulted had they been formed under a column
of water the whole depth of the strata; but there were many circumstances,
for instance a portion of the upper strata being drained into other
channels, which would prevent the actual column acting against the strata
being represented by its depth from the surface.
Mr. D. P. Mopjson said, he quite agreed that it would be highly desirable if
the information suggested by Mr. Steavenson could be placed before the
members. He thought one of the best proofs that water had something to do
with the pressure was the fact of water issuing from the borehole.
Mr. Cooke said, he had seen a borehole in Strafford Main Colliery, from
which the very large pressure of 120 lbs. to the square inch was obtained in
twenty minutes, and no water came with the gas upon opening the top of the
pipe, but as the hole dipped downwards it was not ascertained if any came
into the hole.
Mr. E. L. Galloway thought perhaps the water was due to the hydrogen in the
gas combining with the oxygen of the atmosphere, and that water had not
passed through the strata.
Mr. E. F. Boyd thought that there were certain difficulties with regard to
the water pressure theory; for instance, he considered it more than probable
that the coal seams are not subject to the superincumbent pressure due to
water, seeing that there are many shale beds overlying the coal beds where
these experiments had been made which are water-tight.
Mr. Moeison replied that these strata might be very much fissured, and allow
the full pressure to come upon the gas in some portion of the seam and cause
the pressure to accumulate.
258 DISCUSSION—EXPERIMENTS SHOWING THE
Mr. Logan thought the experiments were extremely interesting, and he would
be very glad if they could be extended a good deal further so that they
might ascertain the conditions under which the gas presented itself. At
present they had only dealt with it in its gaseous state; but he should like
to be supplied with some data by which it could be ascertained if it existed
naturally in a gaseous, a liquid, or a solid state. He never could
understand how the enormous quantity of gas recorded in the volumes of the
Institute as filling millions of cubic feet of space could come from a small
borehole, or even from a trouble in so short a time.
Professor Herschel said, it appeared to him that the gas pressure indicated
in the way described had accumulated by being confined, and that the
borehole had been sunk to a certain depth where the gas was confined,
and had indicated the pressure. It might be a question as to where the
gas came from and how it raised the pressure, but that it existed at the
depth to which the borehole had been put, and had remained there till
indicated and liberated, there could be no doubt. There were no deep
fissures or cracks in the coal which permitted the passage of the gas; so
that the pressure found was that which enabled the gas to make its escape
through the varied thickness of coal contiguous to the hole. If the
borehole was deeper a higher pressure would perhaps be found. The gas
pressure was very likely due to its compression by the water pressure which
holds it in; but it did not follow that water would find its way wherever
gas would go, but the gas as it formed in the coal would balance the column
of water which prevented its escape. If a hole could be put into the
centre of the coal-field, away from the open workings where these boreholes
were opened, the pressure of the water the gas was originally overcoming
might be ascertained; as it was, the gas in the vicinity of the hole had
escaped into the workings, and the question was, could the water follow it
up so as to maintain the pressure ? He thought not, and that the gas
would gradually escape as the workings went on, and in no case in which a
hole could practically be put would it indicate the full pressure due to the
depth at which it had been tapped. A pressure indicated of 195 lbs.
represented about 75 fathoms of water, which was of course a less depth than
that at which the borehole was placed; but he supposed that this 75 fathoms
of water thus indicated was not the pressure which the gas was actually
overcoming in its generation in the coal, but the pressure which was found
at the end of the borehole after the gas had partially liberated itself by
escaping through the working face, for it had to be taken into account in
these experiments that the coal was very permeable to gas, and would allow
the escape of the gas through all the open parts of the mine where it might
not allow the escape of water. He expected that the pressure of the gas
in all cases had been that due to the pressure of the water which had
confined it, but that before these experiments had
PRESSURE OF GAS IN THE SOLID COAL. 259
been tried the gas had escaped into the workings, and that the pressures
given at the various distances bored into the coal had all been more or less
modified by this escape.
Mr. E. F. Boyd said, that with regard to Mr. Logan's observations he had a
strong impression that gas prior to its being exposed to the action of the
atmosphere might possibly exist in a state of solid matter. The action of
taking off the pressure under which it existed in situ by the penetration of
the borehole might have produced the very effect which Mr. Logan premised;
and he (Mr. B.) thought the experiments in future might very well be
directed, first of all, to ascertaining the quality of the gases given off
and what they consist of, whether they were pure car-buretted hydrogen, the
same as is met with in the ordinary driving of coal workings, or whether
they consist of any other gases originating from that solid condition which
Mr. Logan indicated. He (Mr. B.) thought that the latter supposition was
very possibly the correct one.
Mr. Morison said, it would be very interesting if in any of the future
experiments now in contemplation the pressure should be found in excess of
that due to a column of water of the height of the superposed strata.
Mr. Gl. May (in answer to a member) said, that in the Bensham seam the holes
were bored both in the line of the cleat and against it. In boring the
holes the headways way they got a greater flow of gas by measurement; that
is more gas was given off from the holes, but in boring the other way they
got greater pressures. The experiments were going to be continued to test
the question as to whether the different depths at which the seams were had
anything to do with the pressure. Some experiments were being made in
Wales, corresponding to those which proved that the temperature was guided
entirely by the cover, about 100 fathoms down a pit, in a situation directly
under a valley; and also in another place under a hill, 600 feet high—that
is in situations covered by 100 and 200 fathoms of cover respectively; and
so far as the experiments had gone they did not find the results were
affected by depth. With regard to the water very little came from the
holes in the experiments now described. The seams were almost perfectly
dry; and when the taps were opened, after the pressures had been obtained,
the gases came off very largely. The greatest difficulty which they had
had to contend with had been to keep the holes tight. For instance, in the
case of the one where 460 lbs. had been obtained, the pipes gave way and
caused the pressure to fall. Of course a very little leakage took away
the gas, and the pressure was immediately reduced.
The President thought they did not exactly know what the extreme pressure
due to the situation might have been, inasmuch as the leakage had
260 PRESSURE OF GAS IN THE SOLID COAL.
begun while the pressure was still increasing. He was sure that this paper
would give them all much matter for consideration. When they had it before
them they would be in a better position to gather their thoughts into some
sort of form, so that the discussion might rise to a level worthy of the
great importance of the subject. In the meantime he felt sure they would
accord Mr. Lindsay Wood a cordial vote of thanks for the very valuable paper
he had communicated to them. This was unanimously responded to.
PROCEEDINGS. 261
PROCEEDINGS.
ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING, SATURDAY, AUGUST 6th, 1881, IN THE WOOD MEMORIAL
HALL, NEWCASTLE-UPON-TYNE.
G. C. GREENWELL, Esq., President, in the Chair.
Messrs. George May, J. G-. Weeks, and William Armstrong, Jun., were
appointed Scrutineers to examine the voting papers for the election of
officers for the year 1881-82.
The Secretary read the minutes of the last meeting and reported the
proceedings of the Council.
The Secretary also read the reports of the Council and Finance Committee,
which were unanimously adopted.
The following gentleman was then elected :—
Ordinary Member— Mr. John Grey Cranston, Consulting Mining and Mechanical
Engineer, 22, Grey Street, Newcastle-upon-Tyne.
The following were nominated for election at the next meeting:—
Ordinary Member— Mr. George H. Geddes, Mining Engineer, 142, Princes Street,
Edinburgh.
Associate Member— Mr. Frank Stobbs (Manager, Messrs. Thomas and William
Smith), 1, Queen Street, Quay, Newcastle-upon-Tyne.
Students— Mr. Arthur P. Wilson, Brancepeth, near Durham. Mr. J. H.
Nicholson, Cambois Colliery, Blyth, Northumberland.
The following paper on " Cranston's Deep Boring Machine" was read by the
Secretary :—
vol. xxx.—ippi.
H H
Cranston's deep boring machine. 263
CRANSTON'S DEEP BORING MACHINE, SUITABLE FOR SINKING ARTESIAN WELLS,
SUB-MARINE BORING, AND BORING FOR MINERALS, &c.
By J. G. CRANSTON.
In comparing the operations and tools of Artesian well-borers, the various
systems that have at different times been employed may be classified under
three distinct heads, which may be described as follows :—
1.—A suspended tool, to which an up-and-down motion is communicated either
by means of hand or steam power, the tool receiving between each drop, or
from time to time a rotary motion communicated to it either by the apparatus
itself or by the attendant. 2.—A rotating tool, either solid in the form of
an augur, as in the old boring apparatus, or hollow in the form of a tube as
in the Diamond boring instrument, the rotating motion being applied either
direct by hand or by gearing. 3.—A stationary tool resting on the surface to
be bored and having a series of blows imparted to it by hand, as in the
ordinary drill, or by a body made to move up and down by machinery. It would
no doubt be most interesting to follow the separate history and career of
each of these methods in all their several and numerous ramifications from
the earliest to the present time, as each class in its turn has been brought
to prominence by some important improvement or by some special case of
notoriety to which it was more than usually adapted ; but the object of
the present notice is to show the mode adopted for boring a series of deep
bore-holes by a suspended tool for the Hartlepool Water Works Company.
The West Hartlepool Gas and Water Company is probably unique in having two
distinct mains for supplying water to their district, one main supplying
surface water to manufacturers and another supplying drinking water,
obtained by boring through the magnesian limestone. The surface water is
accumulated in reservoirs in the usual way ; one of these reservoirs is at
Hurworth Burn and holds 160,000,000 gallons ; and one in the neighbourhood
of Hartlepool holds 20,000,000 gallons—the total yearly supply of soft water
delivered in the town being 130,000,000 gallons.
264 cranston's deep boring machine.
The drinking water was obtained till lately from five holes bored through
the magnesian limestone, one 6 inches diameter; two 4^ inches diameter; and
two 3 inches in diameter, and the supply from this source not being
sufficient, it was determined to put down another hole. These five holes
were placed at distances of from 400 feet to 600 feet apart, and tap the
water-bearing strata at depths varying from 40 to 85 feet; the water rises
up to within three feet of the surface, and is carried by brick culverts to
one common well, from whence it is pumped into reservoirs 80 feet high,
which is sufficient to allow it to gravitate to the highest parts of the
district. This service is performed by two condensing engines, one having a
25-inch cylinder with a 5-feet stroke, and the other a 33-inch cylinder with
a 6-feet stroke. These engines were put down at different times, but are so
arranged that they can be made to work either separately or together as one
compound engine. This permits of the service being continued whilst one
engine is under repair.
The holes thus sunk through the magnesian limestone which abounds in the
locality, were somewhat difficult to bore on account of the hard and
peculiar nature of the rock.
The usual progress made in sinking these holes was from 8 to 9 inches per
day, and the shallowest costing something over a hundred pounds for labour
alone.
For sinking the sixth hole the boring arrangements employed were constructed
with a view to simplicity combined with increased rapidity and economy, and
consisted of a vertical steam engine a, with a 10-inch diameter of cylinder
and a 12-inch stroke, making about 120 revolutions a minute ; the crank
shaft carries a small drum b, which is geared into a larger one c, attached
to the shaft e by means of a belt d ; on this shaft is a cam roller /, which
lifts the wooden beam or lever g once to every three revolutions of the
engine.
The bore rods, with an adjusting screw li attached, are suspended from the
end % of the beam lever directly over the bore-hole. The boring tool/ Fig.
2, Plate XLVL, is made of steel ; it is attached to the rods by a screw in
the usual way, and is alternately raised and dropped with considerable force
upon the face of the rock, while at the same time it is slightly rotated and
fed forward as the hole deepens by the man in charge; provision is also made
to regulate the balance of the beam lever, which necessarily becomes heavier
at one end in proportion to the additional weight of the rods which are
gradually lengthened to suit the depth of hole required. K is a support to
receive the beam, and is provided with India-rubber to break the shock of
the blow.
CRANSTON'B DEEP BORING MACHINE. 265
The balance or force of the blow can be regulated by simply moving the
fulcrum or trestle I which supports the beam arm further along nearer to the
bore rods, when weights may be added to its opposite end m so as to maintain
the desired equilibrium in this manner by the adjustment of the fulcrum and
lever ; holes of various dimensions are bored to very great depths with a
remarkable degree of simplicity and rapidity.
At the West Hartlepool Works water was taken from the Company's reservoirs
by iron piping n, about half-inch in diameter, 320 feet long, down the
6-inch diameter bore-holes to a point close above the boring tool, so that
the debris or mud accumulating at the bottom of the hole, as the rock is
being pounded away, is washed or forced out through o by the regular flow of
water ; it was found to be of great advantage, as over 100 feet could be
bored at one time without it being necessary to withdraw the rods.
A crab winch p and derrick q being provided, the rods are readily withdrawn
and re-inserted when desired.
The rods are made from l£ inch square wrought iron, varying in lengths from
1 foot 6 inches to 15 feet each. The boring tool/, an enlarged view of which
is given, is made in shape similar to the letter z, and ensures a perfectly
round hole, which is found to be a great advantage when tubing is required.
The apparatus has accomplished the work desired by the Water Company at West
Hartlepool without requiring any repairs whatever, to their entire
satisfaction.
The average cost for erecting the machine and boring a 6-inch diameter hole
103 feet deep, has not exceeded £15, including labour, fuel, oil, and
stores. The progress was 10 feet a day, the whole depth being completed in
ten days by two men at 3s. 6d. a day each, or for a total sum of £3 10s. The
steam was taken from the boiler working the pumping engine, so that no
additional fireman was required; the remaining cost being for the extra fuel
and oil, and for the men's time erecting the machine; whereas, 4-inch
diameter holes had previously been bored 70 feet deep by hand, and they cost
considerably more than 103 feet boring with machine.
The water has been tapped at this depth, each hole yielding an additional
supply of pure water equal to 25,000 gallons per hour.
A somewhat similar apparatus is now being constructed and will shortly be
employed by the River Tyne Commissioners on the Tyne for sub-marine boring;
some modifications in the general arrangement are being made, but the
principle is the same as the apparatus shown in the drawings, in order to
suit the peculiar circumstances in having to work from a floating pontoon
266 DISCUSSION—BOILER ACCIDENTS AND THEIR PREVENTINO.
so as to be enabled to bore at any time during the varying rise and fall of
the tides; but the whole is very simple and very inexpensive.
This machine has been got to work since the paper was read; at the first
trial a hole 3 inches diameter was put down, 1 foot in two minutes and 14
feet in rather less than two hours, the average depth of water over the rock
being 16 feet, and holes are now being bored 22 feet deep under 18 feet of
water.
In reply to several questions the Secretary stated that the machine was
suspended by a short chain, that a depth of one hundred feet was bored
without changing the tool, even to sharpen it, as the water which entered at
the small pipe N was carried down to the place where the tool worked and
kept it sharp and free from debris. The sum of £15, mentioned as the cost of
erecting the machine and boring a hole six inches in diameter, 103 feet
deep, was the total expense incurred for labour, and did not of course
include the value of the machinery.
The Chairman—It is not possible it could be that amount for the whole depth.
The Secretary—Mr. Mossman, the engineer of the West Hartlepool Water Works,
supplied the details connected with the supply of water and the mode by
which they obtained both the surface water and the hard water, and he
perfectly agreed with this statement.
As Mr. Cranston had been unable to attend the meeting, the discussion was
adjourned.
Mr. D. P. Morison's paper on " Boiler Accidents and their Prevention" was
then discussed.
Mr. I). P. Morison said, that since the first portion of his paper was
published, much anxiety had been expressed with reference to the inspection
of boilers by independent engineers; and he believed the subject would
eventually take the shape of some legislative enactment. He thought the
Government would either recommend, or to some extent compel, users of steam
boilers to have them inspected by some impartial engineer, and would
recommend that every boiler, working at a pressure, should be registered the
same as ships. Although many seemed to object to Govern-ment inspection, he
himself thought it very desirable, but the general feeling appeared to be
that all boilers should be registered by the Govern-
REPORT OF COMMITTEE ON MECHANICAL VENTILATORS. 273
REPORT OP THE COMMITTEE OX MECHANICAL VENTILATORS, APPOINTED APRIL 13th,
1878.
The experiments were undertaken by your Committee with a view to place, as
far as possible, on an impartial basis for comparison, the results of
working, under ordinary conditions, of the principal Ventilators at present
employed for the ventilation of mines, and the practical carrying out of
such experiments was placed in the hands of two engineers, Messrs C. S.
Lindsay and E. H. Liveing.
The following machines were selected, and the experiments were made in the
order in which they appear in the annexed Table :—
One half the number of the above ventilators, viz., those numbered from 1 to
6 inclusive, are centrifugal, and the other half, numbered from 7 to 12, are
varying capacity, or displacement machines.
VOL. XXX—1881.
t J
274 REPORT OF COMMITTEE ON MECHANICAL VENTILATORS.
The results of the experiments, together with the dimensions of the machines
experimented on, are given in the annexed table, Pages 289 to 292.
Some ventilators are included which cannot fairly be said to show what the
system they represent is capable of doing under more favourable conditions,
and to these your Committee will briefly refer.
LEMIELLE VENTILATOR, PAGE BANK COLLIERY.
This ventilator was examined because, as far as could be ascertained, it was
the only one of its class at work in this country. It will be seen on
reference to the tabulated results that the' re-entry was more than half the
theoretical delivery of air with the present low water gauge. The engine is
stated to be too large for the ventilator, the mean steam pressure in the
cylinder being five pounds per square inch at the highest speed at which it
can be worked with safety.
NIXON VENTILATOR, NAVIGATION COLLIERY.
This also is the only ventilator of its class at present working in this
country. Considerable leakage, amounting to as much as 41 per cent, of the
theoretical delivery of air, occurs at the air pistons, which prevents a
high result being obtained.
MODE OE CONDUCTING THE EXPERIMENTS.
Measurement of Air in Ventilator Drift.—The first air measurement was made,
when possible, in the ventilator drift. At the place of measurement strings
or wires were fixed so as to divide the drift into divisions of nearly equal
area.
The anemometer was allowed to run for one minute in each division; one
minute interval was taken for reading the instrument and moving it to the
next division.
The air measurement thus occupied twice as many minutes as there were
divisions in the drift.
If it was not practicable to make the measurement in the drift, the returns
were divided and the measurements made as in the drift.
Diagrams of Engine, Water Gauge, etc.—Simultaneously with the air
measurement, diagrams were taken from the engine at intervals of three"or
five minutes. Each diagram was accompanied with an observation of the water
gauge and revolutions of the engine per minute.
mode of conducting the experiments. 275
The usual working speed was in all cases that adopted for the experiment,
and it was maintained as uniformly as possible throughout the trial.
In most instances diagrams were taken from each end of the cylinder on the
same paper; when this could not be done, the diagrams were taken from one
end of the cylinder only during the experiment, and subsequently a series of
diagrams were taken from both ends of the cylinder, with the engine working
at the same speed as during the experiment. A ratio was thus established
between the pressures on both sides of the piston, which was used to
determine the pressure at the end which could not be observed during the
experiment.
Check Air Measurements.—After completing the drift measurement, a second air
measurement was made either in the intakes or return air-ways to check in
some degree the drift measurement.
These measurements were made by moving the anemometer uniformly over the
whole area of the air-way for two minutes, and repeating the observation
twice, to avoid error.
This method of measuring gives very trustworthy results.
An experiment was carefully made at Hilda Colliery in the Fan Drift, where
the air current is very irregular, to compare these two methods of
measuring, and the results obtained were practically the same.
Diagrams of Engine and Water Gauge.—During the measurements, diagrams of
engine, and observations of speed and water gauge, were taken in the same
manner as in the first measurement.
Corrections of Underground Air Measurements to the conditions of the
Ventilator Drift.—The laws of Mariotte and Gay Lussac were applied to
correct the volume of air measured in the intake or return air-ways to the
condition of the ventilator drift at the surface, viz., for pressure and
temperature, after the following manner :— Supposing the volume of air
measured in the intakes to be 100,000 cubic feet per minute, then the
required volume it would occupy in the ventilator drift would be found by
calculation to be 107,900 cubic feet, with the following conditions:—
and neglecting any small increase of volume due to evolution of gas or
absorption of aqueous vapour in the mine, the conclusion would stand thus :—
276 REPORT OF COMMITTEE ON MECHANICAL VENTILATORS.
,™„™ 31-25" x (60° + 461°)
100'000 * 30-30" x (37° + 461°) " 10^,900 cubic feet
in the ventilator drift.
A second determination of useful effect was then made on this volume, with
simultaneous diagrams and observations.
INSTRUMENTS. Water Gauge.—The " Daglish" form of water gauge was used, and
at the suggestion of Professor Herschel the end of the pipe connecting it to
the drift was placed at right angles to the air current, and covered loosely
with a roll of felt, plugged at the top with wood to cause the air to pass
through the felt, as shown in woodcut No. 1.
All observations of the water gauge in the inlet were made in the same
manner.
To ascertain the water gauge of the varying capacity machines producing a
pulsating pressure, the open end of the water gauge was closed by a
capillary tube of glass, see woodcut No. 2, several of which were at hand,
and one selected to reduce the pulsations within sufficiently narrow limits.
Anemometer.—The Casella anemometers employed were frequently tested on the
circular whirling machine to ascertain the friction and a constant obtained
from the straight lines by the formula V = m E + a.
Considerable accuracy was attained by means of an automatic arrangement on
the whirling arm, contrived by Mr. Liveing, by which the anemometer stop
could be set on and off when in motion.
This arrangement is shown in Plate XLVIII. A B represents the end of the arm
of the whirling machine which should be made as thin as is consistent with
rigidity, to this the anemometer is secured by two small wooden clamps Z Z
tightened by screws. Beyond the anemometer is fixed a wooden frame D, in
which are four pegs E F G H. On the other side of the anemometer a metal peg
K is screwed into the arm. To the
instruments used. 277
catch M of the anemometer is attached a piece of twisted wire of the form
shown at N, Avhich terminates in a loop at one end and in two hooks at the
other ; to one of these a weak India-rubber band X is secured, the other end
of Avhich is attached to the peg K, this band is of sufficient strength when
acting alone to draw the catch on, and stop the index, to the other end of
the twisted wire is fixed a second stronger India-rubber band Y, secured by
a piece of thread T, passing over the peg E and attached to G-; this second
band is of sufficient strength to pull the catch off in opposition to the
band X, and lastly a thread S is attached to the hook P and passing round
the peg K and over F is secured to II; this being drawn tight keeps the
catch on in opposition to the band Y. There is a small knife V attached to a
slide and fixed to the wall or other support in such a manner that by its
movement in the slide it can be made to cut first one thread, and then the
other. On cutting the first thread the index is released, and on cutting the
second it is stopped.
Before commencing an experiment the threads are arranged as shown in the
drawing, and before starting the machine the reading of the anemometer is of
course noted, the arm is then permitted to make ten revolutions in order to
acquire a uniform speed; between the ninth and tenth revolution the knife is
moved up against a small stop on the slide, and as the tenth revolution is
completed the thread is cut at 0, and the time noted by a watch, the sound
produced by the cutting of the thread rendering this easy. Nineteen
revolutions are then counted, and between the nineteenth and twentieth the
knife is moved up against a second stop on the slide so that it severs the
second thread at the completion of the twentieth revolution, the time being
again noted by the watch, the arm is then allowed to come to rest and the
reading of the anemometer recorded.
The following table shows an example of the results obtained from the
Casella anemometer, No. 572, which was used during the experiments when
tested on a circular whirling machine provided with E. H. Liveing's
automatic arrangement, 3rd June, 1880. The circumference of the circle of
motion was 25 feet, and 20 revolutions were therefore equal to 500 feet.
278 REPORT OF COMMITTEE ON MECHANICAL VENTILATORS.
Taking the mean results of a and c a straight line formula of the type is
obtained, V = m R 4- a in which
m = 1034-5 - 507-6 = 5261) = 1008 — 478-4 529-6
and a = 507-6 — m 478*4 = 31-7, therefore V = -9949 R + 31-7 or '995 R +
31-^ (very nearly is obtained) and this figure agrees with great exactness
with all the above observations. It will be seen from these figures that the
arrangement described gives very satisfactory results, and is a great
improvement upon the primitive method hitherto employed of suddenly stopping
the arm at full speed, and reading the instrument, for the sudden shock this
occasioned was liable to materially alter the co-efficient of correction.
Steam Indicator.—Richard's indicator was used, and the springs were tested
and compared with their corresponding scales in the following manner, Plate
XLIX.:—
The spring to be examined was placed in the indicator cylinder in the usual
way, but, before the milled nut A was attached to the piston rod a
perforated metal disc, C, with a wire loop, B, was arranged, so as to rest
upon the milled nut.
The indicator was fixed in an inverted position with a diagram paper on the
drum, and an atmospheric line, D, drawn. Known weights were then suspended
to the wire loop, and corresponding lines drawn on the drum after each
addition. The diagram thus obtained was subsequently measured with the
corresponding scale, and the readings compared with
THE SCHIELE VENTILATOR. 279
the weights employed, then as the area of the piston was half a square inch,
every half pound suspended should indicate one pound on the scale ; if it
did not do so to any appreciable extent the spring was rejected.
In order to render this report to some extent complete in itself a small
drawing of the Gruibal, Waddle, Lemielle, and Cooke ventilators, already
fully described in the Transactions, is given in Plate L., and those
ventilators only which have not been previously alluded to are more
particularly described.
SCHLELE VENTILATOR.
CAR HOUSE COLLIERY, ROTHERHAM.
This ventilator has been at work for some years. Tt ventilates the Barnsley
Bed Seam, which has at this pit been worked a considerable length of time :
large areas of goaf surround the shaft; indeed the goaf has for the most
part to act as the return air-way. This, together with the high inclination
of the seams (from 12 to 16 in. per yard) renders the ventilation of this
colliery a matter of considerable difficulty. This fan replaced a furnace,
and gave a very great increase in the ventilating current.
Description.—The Schiele Ventilator (Plates LI. and LII.) is a centrifugal
machine of the closed type. The moving part of the fan is small in diameter,
and constructed wholly in wrought iron, the heaviest portions being disposed
round the centre. The disc or blades of the fan taper from the tip, widening
towards the centre. This disc revolves between two cast-iron side walls of a
section following the taper of the blades. The air enters at each side of
the fan in equal quantities. The casing of the fan is in wrought iron, and
takes the form of a gradually increasing volute air-chamber surrounding the
periphery of the blades, and culminating in the exit which forms the widest
point of the air-chamber.
The engines are usually of a horizontal type, with broad-faced fly-wheel,
from which the power is given off by suitable belt to a driving drum on the
fan shaft. Some of the Schiele Fans are driven direct from the crankshaft of
the engine.
280 REPORT OF COMMITTEE ON MECHANICAL VENTILATORS.
NIXON VENTILATOR.
DEEP DUFFRYN COLLIERY, MOUNTAIN ASH, SOUTH WALES.
This ventilator was the first and is at present the only one of its kind
working.
It was erected in 1859, and has worked without any considerable stoppage
since that period, requiring very little repair. Pfates LIIL, LIY., LY.,
LVL, and LVII.
The workings ventilated are the east and west workings in the four-feet seam
; these extend over 450 acres ; the downcast shaft (Navigation) is situated
1,000 yards from the upcast shaft at Deep Duffryn ; the effective area of
each shaft is 122*28 square feet and 60 square feet respectively.
Description.—The Nixon Ventilator is a horizontal double-acting air pump;
two rectangular pistons, each 30 feet wide and 20 feet high, reciprocate to
and fro on a railway fixed in the chambers; the back and front of these
chambers consist of wood framing, on which a number of wood valves or "
flaps" are hung; the lower half of each chamber is in connection with the
pit when the inlet valves are open; on the upper half of the chamber the
outlet valves are hung, and communicate with the atmosphere.
The Chambers.—There are two chambers, Plates LIV., LV., and LVL, built
chiefly of wood (red pine), and strengthened with masonry buttresses, one at
the centre and one at each end. Each chamber is SO feet wide, 20 feet high,
and 7 feet long. These are erected on stone foundations; half their depth,
about 10 feet, is below the top of the engine pillar. The chambers are
surrounded at the sides and ends by drifts which communicate with the main
drift (36 yards long and 93*25 square feet area) to the top of the upcast
shaft—Plate LIII. Over the casing of the chambers is a slate roofing to
protect it from the weather.
Theoretical Capacity.—The loss arising from leakage (41 per cent.) is very
high; it is improbable that all this occurs at the valves, no doubt some
portion of it takes place at the pistons, for on observing a free water
gauge connected with the chamber (right hand) a sudden fall was observable
at half-stroke. It is stated that there is no packing inserted between the
edge of the piston and the sides of the chamber.
THE NIXON VENTILATOR. 281
Theoretical Capacity.
Double Strokes Wide. High. Stroke. Strokes, p. min.
30 ft. x 20 ft. x 7 ft. y 4 x 7"19 = 120,790 cob. ft. p. min.
Strokes. Measured quantity at 7'19 p. min. = 71,215 „
„
Difference ......... 49,575 ,, „
Equal to a loss of 41 per cent.
In the piston of a new ventilator of this class it is proposed to make the
'edge of the piston, where it meets the sides of the chamber, about 3 feet
wide.
Pistons.—There are two rectangular pistons, their dimensions corresponding
with the chambers. They form a "casing" or "shell;" the sides are covered
with sheet iron plates 3*75 inch thick near the centre, and •25 inch thick
at the outer edge; the middle plates are riveted to a cast-iron centre-piece
3 feet by 2 feet 9 inches by a projecting flange 3 inches all round ; the
piston is connected to the crank shaft by a piston rod and connecting rod;
the piston rod is attached to the centre-piece by a taper head and key.
Each piston is carried on four rollers, two on either side, which are placed
in carriages fixed at the bottom, and travel on a rail secured to the floor;
the diameter of each roller is such that in one stroke of the piston it
makes exactly one revolution, so that the wear may be uniform. This wear is
found to be rather excessive, and wheels of puddled steel are adopted. There
is a flange to prevent any lateral movement; and each roller is further
fitted with adjustable set bolts to set the piston up when required.
In the piston of the new ventilator these rollers have been done away with
and a double-headed girder 25 feet long substituted; this is secured to the
piston two feet above the centre in such a way as to travel with the piston
over wheels placed on the outside of the chambers.
Outlet Valves.—The outlet valves, 336 in number, occupy the top half of both
sides of the chambers; these are suspended by a hook attached to the
framework, and are made so as to cover the opening by the space of one inch
all round; no packing is attached to the faces, as experience has shown that
additional back pressure is caused by inserting a strip of felt. The
resistance of the valves with planed faces as at present is •5 inch water
gauge.
The size of each valve is 24 inches long by 16 inches high; and the amount
of opening at the lower edges varies from 2\ inches to 3 inches.
VOL. XXX.—1SK1.
j£ j£
282 REPOET OF COMMITTEE ON MECHANICAL VENTILATORS.
Inlet Valves.—These occupy the lower half of the front and back sides of the
chambers, and number 392, or 56 more than the outlet valves, and are similar
in construction and dimensions.
Engine.—Cylinder (single) 36 inches diameter and 6 feet stroke. It is placed
in front of the ventilator, Plate LIIL, and works direct on to the crank
shaft, on which are placed two fly-wheels 20 feet diameter, weighing 15 tons
each.
The ventilator cranks at the end of the shaft are placed at right angles to
each other, and the engine crank 45° in front of the right-hand chamber, and
135° from the left; this is shown in Plate LVIL
STRUVE VENTILATOR.
CWM AVON COLLIERY, TAIBACH, SOUTH WALES.
This ventilator is situated at the Ynysdavid Pit. It is one of the largest
of its kind erected, and is now one of the few remaining at present working.
The workings which it ventilates are very irregular, the dip varying from 45
degrees to 90 degrees, the average inclination being about 50 degrees.
A slant driven in the dip of the seam is used as a downcast, and splits of
air are taken from it along the different levels in the Finery Seam.
Description. — This ventilator consists of two air pistons, or "aerometers,"
Plates LVIIL, LIX., LX., and LXI.,each 18 feet 3 inches diameter, made of
sheet iron -25 inch thick, which reciprocate vertically in an annular tank
or reservoir filled with water. The length of stroke of each piston is 7
feet, the motion is communicated to them by a beam above the chambers (Plate
LVIIL), and the pistons are connected to it by a parallel motion.
Chambers.—There are two chambers to each piston, viz., one above and one
below it. The sides are formed of hexagonal wood framing, on which the
valves are hung. The outlet valves are hung on the front, and the inlet on
the inner or back half, Plate LX.
THE STRUVE VENTILATOR. 283
Valves.—There are ninety-two outlet valves, including four double valves
used as manholes. Each valve is 4 feet long, and 1 foot 2 inches high,
extending 1^ inches over the framing. They are made of zinc (about 7 ounces
per foot), carried on a light frame of wood, and suspended to the chamber
frame by a leather band, Plate LXL, Fig 2). The face of the valve is covered
with a strip of canvas. The maximum amount of opening at the bottom edge is
4 inches, and the resistance due to opening the outlet valves *3 inch water
gauge.
Plate LX. shows a section of the shaft and ventilator. It is connected to
the upcast by a short rectangular drift 8 yards long and 16 feet below the
surface level.
Engine.—The engine is a single cylinder; diameter, 24 inches; length of
stroke, 4*37 feet. It is connected to the ventilator by spur gear 4 to 1.
The first motion shaft carries a fly-wheel 12 feet diameter. A disc crank, 3
feet 6 inches throw, is fitted on the second motion shaft, to which the beam
on the top of the chamber is attached by a wood connecting rod 25 feet long.
There are two observations worth recording, namely: On entering the
ventilator drift the rapid variation in atmospheric pressure, viz., from
5*89 to 2*00 inches, had a painful effect upon the drum of the ear ; and the
sudden relief of pressure on the saturated return air caused a momentary
precipitation of moisture, the air in the chamber becoming quite opaque at
one instant, and transparent at the next. This was noticed also with the
Nixon ventilator, though to a less extent.
Theoretical Capacity and Leakage.—The diameter of the cylinders of this
ventilator, as near as could be ascertained by measurement, was 18 feet 3
inches. The length of stroke was 7 feet. Leaving out of consideration the
small error due to oscillation in the level of the water in the annular
reservoirs of the water joint, a theoretical capacity is obtained of 18"25
diameter = 261*58 area x 7 X 4 — 7,324 cubic feet per revolution of the
ventilator crank. If this figure be multiplied by the mean revolutions of
the ventilator crank during the two air measurements, it gives for the first
7,324 x 6*53 = 47,825 cubic feet as the quantity that should have been
delivered had there been no leakage, and during the second experiment 7,324
x 6-255 = 45,811 cubic feet, showing leakages of about 4,000 cubic feet and
3,000 cubic feet respectively, or about 1\ per cent.
This leakage of course occurs at the valves, as the water joint admits of
none, and appears to cause very little inconvenience from splashing.
284 REPORT OF COMMITTEE ON MECHANICAL VENTILATORS.
ROOTS VENTILATOR.
CHILTON COLLIERY, DURHAM.
This ventilator commenced working in 1877, and is at present ventilating the
workings in the Five-quarter and Main Coal Seams. *
Description.—It is a rotary displacement machine, discharging the air in
four distinct volumes during each revolution. It consists of two rotary
pistons A A, Plate LXIL, Fig. 1, each 25 feet diameter and 13 feet wide,
revolving in a casing, the lower part of which is connected with the pit,
the upper part being open to the atmosphere. The periphery of each piston B
is in the form of a sector, and revolves closely with a centre drum 7 feet 6
inches diameter on the opposite piston C, their relative positions being
maintained by spur-gearing. The sectors are supported by three wrought-iron
arms on either side of the centre, the pistons, and the centre drums are
covered on their peripheries with sheet iron •25 inch thick, and the insides
are covered with wood.
The shaft carrying the piston revolves in bearings fixed on a girder D, Fig.
2, at either side, 13 feet -25 inch apart; this allows -125 inch clearance.
There are two adjustable packing blocks of wood E, Fig. 1, fixed at each end
of the ventilator chamber, and two F on either side of the inlet from the
shaft; these are attached to hinged frames, and made so as to be adjusted,
by set screws, close to the periphery of the pistons.
Engine.—The engines are placed at right angles to the ventilator, Fig. 2.
There are two cylinders 28 inches diameter and 4 feet stroke, with
adjustable cut-off valves, which were set to cut-off at *3 of the stroke
during the experiment. The motion is communicated to the rotary pistons of
the ventilator by two bevel wheels G G', Fig. 2, each 9 feet 3 inches
diameter.
THE GOFFINT VENTILATOR. 285
GOFFINT VENTILATOR.
HORLOZ A TILLEUR, LIEGE, BELGIUM.
Both ventilator and engine are the design of M. Goffint, formerly Director
of the Meuse Iron Works.
Description of Ventilator.—Plate LXIII. is a sectional elevation of the
apparatus. It will be seen that it is a horizontal piston ventilator, like
Nixon's, but differing in construction from that machine. Plate LXIV. shows
the drift connecting the ventilator with the up-cast shaft.
Air Cylinders.—The air chambers, two in number, are of sheet iron, circular
in section, and 13'2 feet in diameter; they are strengthened by iron rings
N, Plate LXIII., and the ends, which are of cast metal, are secured to them
by a flange of angle iron B.
Valves.—The ends of the cylinders are not flat, but are made with a slight
bevel extending outwards, so that the exit valves hung on the outside of the
upper half, and the inlet valves on the inside of the lower half are
retained by gravity against their seatings, and their immediate closing at
the end of the stroke is insured.
The details of the valves and seats are shown in Plate LXV, Fig. 1, 2, 3.
The seats are made of India-rubber tubing covered with canvas, and, when
new, are very efficient, but they appear to suffer from long wear. The
valves are of sheet iron. There are 48 at each end of the cylinder, the
lower 24 of which are inlet valves communicating by the drift G (Plate
LXIII.) with the upcast shaft, and the other 24 are outlet valves opening to
the atmosphere.
Air Pistons.—The pistons are of sheet iron in the form of a convex lens,
with a central boss of cast iron, by which they are secured to the piston
rods; they are supported by small wheels travelling on rails placed within
the cylinders; the periphery of the pistons is of wood, and the packing
formed by a flexible India-rubber tube covered with leather; this, judging
from M. Stevart's experiments, would appear, when in good condition, to
permit very little re-entry.
Dimensions of Engine.—The engine consists of a pair of horizontal steam
cylinders which act directly upon the air pistons without crank or
fly-wheel; they are 15f inches in diameter and have a maximum stroke of 11*6
feet; the length of the stroke is adjustable, being determined by the
movement of the steam valves.
The steam and air piston rods are in a continuous line and are joined in a
cross-head, S, Plate LXIII. travelling between cylindrical guides Z,
286 REPORT OF COMMITTEE ON MECHANICAL VENTILATORS.
at either end of which are placed powerful buffers of India-rubber, Y, to
resist the shocks which are liable to be produced if the stroke of the
engine becomes excessive.
The steam is admitted by crown valves CO7; which.are lifted by cams D D
keyed on to shafts which have a reciprocating movement communicated to them
by a rod and levers (not shown in the plate, but which connect them with the
spindle B' and the cataract E.
The action of the single engine may be thus explained :—
Beneath each guide Z is placed a shaft A capable of turning in bearings and
carrying by means of a lever on one side a counterpoise P P', and on the
other a long inclined lever cam (not shown). The cross-head S is provided
with small rollers R on both sides ; one of these, whilst the out stroke is
being made, travels along the lever-cam, turns the shaft A, and raises the
counterpoise P'; when this reaches a certain height it is secured by a
catch, and is retained though the roller passes off the cam, and it is the
fall of this counterpoise that is made use of at the requisite moment to
move the valves for the next out stroke.
The shaft A is connected by levers with the spindle B and with the valve
cams D D.
Supposing the machine to be in the position shown, the counterpoise P
raised, the counterpoise P' just fallen, and the out stroke commenced: the
roller R first comes in contact with the cam lever belonging to the
counterpoise P', and travelling along it gradually raises it till it is
secured by a catch; then, as the piston approaches the end of the stroke,
the roller strikes the catch, and releases the counterpoise P which in its
fall turns the spindle B and cataract E from right to left, and this
movement transmitted to the valve cams D D closes the admission of the steam
on the left and opens the exhaust on that side, then closes the exhaust on
the right, and admits the steam for the return stroke, during which a
similar course of action takes place.
Action op the two Engines combined.—In this manner each machine may be
worked singly if desired, or one driven at a different speed from the other.
When, however, the two are worked together, the first is made to control the
admission of the steam to the second in such a manner that it must have
passed through part of its course before the second commences.
The action is then as follows:—
Suppose the piston of the first machine moving from left to right, detaching
the catch; the counterpoise P in falling moves the valve cams through
two-thirds of their course; this counterpoise is then arrested
the gofpint ventilator. 287
in its fall by a catch or detent (not shown) on the starting lever L, which
prevents it falling the last third.
The form of the valve cams and their setting is such that during the first
third they close the admission on the left, during the second they close the
exhaust on the right and open that of the left, and it is only during the
last third of their movement that they cause the admission of the steam on
the right, and this last cannot be completed until the counterpoise P is
released from the second detent, and it is the second machine that is made
to do this.
In connection with this detent are two levers of peculiar construction, one
of which (L) is shown, so arranged that when the second machine has passed
through two-thirds of its back stroke the roller on its cross-head strikes
this lever and releases the detent; the counterpoise P of the first machine
then falls through the last third of its course, and the steam . being
admitted, the machine commences its back stroke. The levers L L are made
with hinged heads so that the rollers can pass them in one direction without
effect; whilst in the other they cause them to release the detent of the
opposite machine.
Diagrams.—The diagrams taken from the engine, Plate LXV., Figs. 1, 2, and 3,
show that a considerable amount of cushioning is required to stop the piston
at the end of the stroke before reversing the motion.
RESULTS OF THE EXPERIMENTS.
The results obtained by the experiments are placed side by side for
comparison in the following Table:—
APPENDIX.
BAROMETER AND THERMOMETER READINGS
FOR 1880.
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 degrees 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.
VOL. XXX—1PP0.
M
M
INDEX TO VOL. XXX.
Accidents. (See Boiler Accidents?)
Accounts, xii.
Acomb pit, lightning in, 41.
Advertisement, xi.
Analyses : Basalt from Antrim, 111.— Bristol coal, 18. — Gypsum of Nova
Scotia, 58, 59, 60, 63.—Hematite ore from Nabgill vein, 29. —Indian coal,
15, 16.—Pisolitic and other ore?, 109.
Antrim, iron ores of, by J. D. Kendall. (See Iron Ores, &c.)
Associate Members, xxxiv.
Balloting List, 161.
Barometer readings, Appendix, 293.— Diagrams.—Plates 1, 2, 3, 4, Appendix.
Bell Brothers, Invitation to visit collieries, &c, 269.
Bewick, T. J., Notes on Diamond rock boring. (See Notes on, &c.)
Boiler accidents and their prevention, by D. P. Morison, Part iv. and
Conclusion, 71.—On the construction of boilers— Of what materials should the
boiler be constructed ? 71.—Of what form, 72.— Marine boilers—Locomotive
boilers, 73. —Lancashire and Cornish boilers, 74. —Hawksley and Wild's
improved Lancashire and Cornish boilers — Plain cylinder
boilers—Multitubular boilers, 75. — How should a boiler be constructed ?
76.—General Summary, 80. —Discussed, 81.
Plates.—13. Samples of best Yorkshire (Faniley) tubes collapsed without
damage.—14. Marine boiler, half
section, half elevation.—15. Marine boiler, longitudinal section.—16.
Locomotive boiler, longitudinal section. —17. Locomotive boiler,
half-end elevation, half section.—18. Lancashire or double-flued
boiler, side elevation.—19. The same, with Galloway's tubes, cross
section. — 20. Hawksley, Wild, and Co.'s flanged flued boilers,
longitudinal section and sectional plan.—21. Showing effects of
overheating.—22. Hawksley, Wild, and Co.'s safety steam boiler. Boldon
Colliery, experiments at, showing the pressure of gas in the solid coal,
163. Boring apparatus. (See Jefferson's Automatic Boring Apparatus,
Notes on Diamond Bock Boring, and Cranston's Deep-boring Machine.) Bristol
coal, 18. Brown, John, Letter from, on lightning
at Cannock Chase Collieries, 131. Bye-laws, xvii.
Cannock Chase Collieries, lightning at, letter from Mr. John Brown, 131.
Charter, copy of, xii.
Cleveland—Invitation to visit Messrs. Bell Brothers' collieries, 269.
Coal, pressure of gas in. (See Experiments, &c.)
Coal-field, Kurhurballee. (See Kiirhur-baltee.)
Coal working, India, 20.
Coke making. India. 19.
College building, 133.
Contents of volume, iii.
Council report, v.
Cranston's deep-boring machine in use at
the works of the West Hartlepool Gas
and Water Company. 263.
Plates.—46. Side elevation of the machine, and sketch of drill bit.—47.
Front elevation of the machine. Cumberland, Hematite deposits of. (See
Hematite Deposits)
Description of a Sinking set fitted with new Windbore protector and Suction
regulator, communicated by Henry Richardson, 49.—Description of Apparatus,
49.—Method of raising and lowering, 50.—Advantages gained by using the
apparatus, 51. Plate.—11. Drawings of the apparatus. Diamond rock boring.
(See Notes on, &c.) Discharge of lightning at Kimblesworth Colliery, On a,
by John Daglish, 129.
Election of Members, 1, 25, 47, 69, 91, 119, 133, 149, 161.
Electric lamp, J. W. Swan's, 149.
Elemore Colliery, Experiments at, showing pressure of gas in the solid coal,
163.
Eppleton Colliery, ditto, ditto, 163.
Expeeiments showing the pressure of gas in the solid coal, by Lindsay Wood,
163. —Introduction, 163.—Experiments at Elemore Colliery, section of strata,
&c, 164.—Experiments at Hetton Colliery, section of strata, &c,
167.—Experiments at Boldon Colliery, section of strata, &c, 191.—Experiments
at Harton Colliery, section of strata, &c, 210.—Summary, 221.—Table showing
the results of all the experiments, 224. —Tables showing full particulars of
all the experiments : Elemore, 225—Hetton, 226—Eppleton, 227—Boldon, 246
—Harton, 251.—Paper discussed, 257. ' Plates.—39. Synoptical table showing
the pressures of gas at the same
hours and days after the boring of the holes.—40. Diagram showing the
pressures of gas at the same hours and days after the boring of the holes
in the Elemore experiment, the Hetton experiment, and in Nos. 1, 2, and 3
Eppleton experiments.—41. Ditto, ditto, Nos. 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8 Eppleton
experiments.—42. Ditto, ditto, Boldon experiments.—43. Ditto, ditto,
Harton experiments.—44. Diagrams showing the experiments arranged
according to the depth of the holes.—45. Plan showing connections from
borehole to gasometer and meter. Woodcuts.—Sections showing arrangement of
stemming, &c.—No. 1, Elemore, 165.—No. 2, Hetton, 169.—No. 3, Eppleton
1,175.—No. 4, Eppleton 2, 176.—No. 5, Eppleton 3, 178 — No. 6, Eppleton 4,
5, 6, 7,185—No. 7, Boldon 1,196.—No. 8, Boldon 2,199. —No. 9, Boldon 3,
202.—No. 10, Boldon 4, 205.—No. 11, Boldon 5, 208.— No. 12, Harton
1,213.—No. 13, Harton 2, 215. —No. 14, Harton 3, 216. Plans.—No. 1.
Showing the position of the workings in which the Eppleton experiments
were made.—No. 2. An enlargement of a portion of No. 1, showing the
winning crosscuts in which the experiments were made.— No. 3. Showing
the position of the workings in which the Boldon experiments were made.—No.
4. An enlargement of a portion of No. 3, showing the position of
the holes bored for the first four experiments.— No. 5. Showing the
workings in No. 1, Holder House District, Harton. Elevations. — No. 1.
Showing the position of the Boldon 1, 2, 3 holes in the face of the
board, 197.—No. 2. Showing the position of Boldon No. 4 hole in the face of
the stenton, 206.—No. 3. Showing the position of
Boldon No. 5 hole in the face of the stenton, 208.—No. 4. Showing the
position of Harton 1 and 2 holes in the narrow board, 214.—No. 5. Showing
the position of the Harton No. 3 hole in the stenton, 217.
Finance Committee's report, ix. Forms of nomination of members, liv.
Freire-Marreco, Prof., Luminous paint, 24.
Gas in coal. (See Experiments, &c.)
General statement of accounts, xvi.
Gilpin, Edwin, On the gypsum of Nova Scotia. (See Gypsum)
Goffint Ventilator. (See Beport of Committee on Mechanical Ventilators)
Greenwell, G. C, Remarks at the expiration of his term of presidency, 269.
Gypsum of Nova Scotia, by Edwin Gilpin, 53.—Age of the gypsum,
53.—Associated strata, 54.—Thickness of the lower carboniferous marine
limestones—Horizon of the gypsum, 56.—Varieties of the gypsum, 57.—Analyses,
58, 59, 60,63.— Minerals associated with the gypsum, 59.—Origin of the
gypsum, 60.—Application of the gypsum, 64.—Statistics, 65.—Report, &c,
66.—Discussed, 67. Plate.—12. Sketch map—Approximate distribution of the
carboniferous series of Nova Sotia and New Brunswick.
Harton Colliery, experiments at, showing the pressure of gas in the solid
coal, 163.
Heaviside, Mr., On lightning in pits, 43.
Hematite, origin of, G. A. Lebour, 29.
Hematite deposits of West Cumberland, by J. D. Kendall, 27.—Section of part
of vein, 28.—Analysis of ore from the Nabgill veins, 29.—Discussed, 29.—
Further discussion and additional notes by Mr. Kendall, 113.
Herschel, Prof., On lightning in coalpits, 37.
Hetton Colliery, experiments at, showing the pressure of gas in the solid
coal, 163.
Honorary members, xviii.
Indian coals. (See Kurhurballee Coalfield.) Iron in compression. (See
Strength of, &c.) Iron ores of Antrim, The, by J. D. Kendall. Mode in which
the ores occur and their nature, 107.—Analyses of pisolitic ore and of
samples taken chiefly from the bole, 109.—Origin of the deposits, 110.—
Analyses of basalt from Antrim, 111.— Age of the deposits, 112.—Discussed,
113.
Plates.~23, 24, 25,2.6. Sketches illustrating the paper.
Jefferson's automatic, free-falling, hydraulic boring apparatus, Discussion
on, 83.—Comparative table showing the work performed by various systems and
the cost.
Kendall, J. D., On the Hematite deposits of West Cumberland. (See Hematite
Deposits.) On the Iron ores of Antrim. (See Iron Ores, &c.)
Kimblesworth Colliery, On a discharge of lightning at, by John Daglish, 129.
Kind-Chaudron sinking apparatus, 45.
Kurhurballee Coal-field, The, with some remarks on Indian coals, by Walter
Saise, D.Sc, 3.—Situation of the coalfield—The East-Indian Railway, 3.—
Loading-wharves — Conveyance — Geology of the district, 4. — The
coal-measures, 7.—Sections, 9.—Quantity of coal, 14.—Output, quality, and
composition of the coal, 15.—Comparison with English coals—Bristol coal,
18.—Coke-making—Age of the coal-measures— Fossils, 19.—Method of working,
20.— Tools—Native labour and wages, 21.— Holidays, 22.—Lamps—Machinery, 23.
—Discussed, 24.
Plates.—1. Sketch map of the Kurhurballee coal-field.—2. Diagrammatic
sections across the field.—3. Sections of shafts and borings.—4. Sections of
lower seam.—5. Sections
of upper seam. — 6. Sections of Bhaddoah main seam.—7. Sections illustrating
the occurrence of Trap.
Lebour, G. A., Origin of hematite, 29.—
On the mineral resources of the country
between Rothbury and Wooler. (See
Mineral Resources, &c.)
Life members, xviii.
Lightning at Cannock Chase Collieries,
Letter on, by John Brown, 131. Lightning at Kimblesworth Colliery, On, by
John Daglish, 129. Plate.—29. Plan showing position of shafts, &c.
Lightning in the pit at Tanfield Moor Colliery, 31. — Discussed, 35. —
Prof. Herschel's remarks, 37. Acomb Pit, 41.—Risca explosion,
42.—Letter from Mr. Heaviside, 43.
Plates.—8. Bottom of shaft, Tanfield Moor Colliery.—9. Portion of workings
in the Shield Row seam.—10. Willie Pit shaft, showing position of pipes,
signal wire, &c. Luminous paint, 24.
Mechanical ventilators; Report of Committee. (See Report, &c.) Members,
Honorary, xviii.—Life, xviii. —Original, xx. — Ordinary, xxxiv.— Associate,
xxxiv.—Students, xxxvi. Mineral resources of the country between Rothbury
and Wooler, Northumberland, by G. A. Lebour, 121.—Geology of the district,
121.—Building stones, 122.— Ornamental stones —¦ Limestones — Cement stones,
123.—Clays—Coals, 124.— Ores — Conclusion, 125. — Discussed, 126.
Plates.—27. Sketch map illustrating the paper.—28. Fig. 1, sketch section
showing general arrangement of the rock-masses from the Cheviot in any
direction along the dip; Fig. 2, diagram section in direction of strike,
showing the irregular distribution of the cement stones in the Tuedian
series.
Nixon ventilator. (See Report of Committee on Mechanical Ventilators.)
Nomination of members, Forms for, liv.
Notes on Diamond rock boring, by T. J. Bewick, 93.—As to cores, 93.—Examples
of work done in various places, 94.— Section of strata bored through at
Clapton, 94.—The Sub-Wealden borehole, 95.—Sections of other strata bored
through, 96, 97.-—As to the comparative cost by the rope, rigid rod, and
diamond drill systems, 98.—Remarks by Colonel Beaumont, 99, 100.—Discussed,
101.— Section of strata bored through at Coastley, near Hexham, 103.
Nova Scotia, Edwin Gilpin, On the Gypsum of. (See Gypsum.)
Officers, xix.
Ordinary members, xxxiv.
Ores, On the treatment of, by Charles
Parkin. (See Treatment of Ores, &c.) Original members, xx.
Parkin, Charles, On the treatment of ores.
(See Treatment of, &c.) Patrons, xvii. President's remarks at the expiration
of
his term of office, 269. Pressure of gas in coal. (SeeExperiments.)
Report of the Committee on Mechanical Ventilators. 273.—Machines selected
for the experiments, 273.—Mode of conducting the experiments,
274.—Instruments used, 276.—Tabular statement of results obtained, 278.—The
Schiele ventilator at Car House, Rotherhain, 279.—The Nixon ventilator at
Deep Duffryn Colliery, Mountain Ash, 280.—The Struve ventilator at Cwm Avon
Colliery, Tai-bach, 282. — The Roots' ventilator at Chilton Colliery,
Durham, 284.—The Goffint ventilator at Horloz a Tilleur, Liege,
285.—Tabulated results of experiments, 289.
Plates.—48. Machine for testing the anemometers.—49. Mode of testing
the indicator springs.—50. Drawings of ventilators already described in
the Transactions.—51, 52. Schiele ventilator.—53, 54, 55, 56, 57.
Nixon ventilator.—58, 59, 60, 61. Struve ventilator.—62. Roots'
ventilator.— 63, 64. Goffint ventilator. — 65. Diagrams from
engines and details of valves, Goffint ventilator. Report of Council, v.
Report of Finance Committee, ix. Richardson, J. W., paper " On the strength
of wrought iron in compression," discussed, 89. Richardson, R., Description
of a Sinking set fitted with new Windbore protector and Suction regulator.
(See Description of &c.) Risca explosion, lightning, 42. Rock boring.
(See Notes on, &c.) Roots' ventilator. (See Report of Committee on
Mechanical Ventilators.) Rothbury and Wooler, Mineral resources of the
country between, by G. A. Lebour. (See Mineral Resources, &c.) Royal
Charter, copy of, xii. Rules, xlvii.
Saise, Dr., On Indian coals. (See Kur-hurballee Coal-field.)
Schiele ventilator. (See Report of Committee on Mechanical Ventilators.)
Sections:—Kurhurballee coal-field, 9, and Plates 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7.—Hematite
vein, West Cumberland, 28.—Strata in Pictou County, 54.—Strata at Clapton
and other places bored through by the Diamond rock drill, 94, 96, 97.—Strata
at Coastley, near Hexham, 103.—Sketch section, showing general arrangement
of the rock masses from the Cheviot in any direction along the dip; and
Diagram section in direction of strike, showing the irregular distribution
of the cement
stones in the Tuedian series, Plate 28.— Strata sunk through at Boldon
Colliery, 191.—Ditto, Elemore Colliery, 164.— Ditto, Eppleton Colliery,
171.—Ditto, Harton Colliery, 210.—Ditto, Hetton Colliery, 167.
Sinking set fitted with windbore protector, &c. (See Description of, &c.)
Stephenson centenary, College building, 133.
Strength of wrought iron in compression, by J. W. Richardson, discussed, 89.
Struve ventilator. (See Report of Committee on Mechanical Ventilators.)
Students, xxxvi.
Subscribing collieries, xi.
Subscriptions, Account of, xii.
Sub-Wealden bore-hole, 95.
Suction regulator, Sinking set fitted with. (See Description of, &c.)
Swan's electric lamp as applied to mining, Description of, 149.
Plate.—38. Sectional drawing of the lamp.
Tanfield Moor Colliery, Lightning in the
pit at, 29. Treasurer's account, xiv. Treatment of ores, On the, by
Charles Parkin, 135. — Crushing, 135. — Comparative cost of breaking
by hand labour and stone-breaker, 137.—Stamping, 138.—Cost of
stamping, 140.— Comparative results of West Bassett stamping engines,
old and new, for a week, 141.—Cost of stamping tinstone and bringing it
into whits—Pulverizing, 142.—Jigging, 144.—Buddling, 146.— Tossing and
packing machine, 148. Plates.—30. The ordinary cam stamp. —31. The
pneumatic stamp, front view.—32. The pneumatic stamp, side view.—33.
Dingey's pulverizer. —34. Collom's jigger, sectional elevation.—35.
Collom's jigger, plan and cross section.—36. The concave
buddle, the convex buddle, and tossing and packing machine.—37. The Bor-lase
buddle.
Ventilators; Report of Committee on. (See Report, &c.)
West Hartlepool Gas and Water Company, Deep-boring machine used by, 263.
Whitburn New Winning, Visit to, 45. Windbore protector, Sinking set
fitted
with. (See Description of, &c.) Wood, Lindsay, Experiments showing the
pressure of gas in the solid coal. (See
Experiments, &c.) Wrought iron in compression. (See
Strength of, &c.)