NEIMME Transactions
Volume 39
NORTH OF ENGLAND INSTITUTE OF MINING AND MECHANICAL ENGINEERS.
TRANSACTIONS
VOL. XXXIX.
1889-90.
Edited by M. WALTON BROWN, Secretary.
Newcastle-upon-Tyne : Published by the Institute.
Printed by Andrew Reid, Sons & Co., Newcastle-upon-Tyne.
1892.
[All right* of publication or translation are reserved.]
ADVERTIZEMENT.
The Institute is not responsible, as a body, for the statements, facts, and
opinions
advanced in any of its publications.
CONTENTS OF VOL. XXXIX.
page.
advertizement ............................jj"
Contents ........................
GENERAL MEETINGS.
1889. page.
Oct. 12.—General Meeting ..................... 1
The Federated Institution of Mining Engineers........._ 1
" Winding, Banking Out, and Screening Plant at East Hetton
Colliery." By Mr. S. Tate.................. 3
Discussed............... ......... 6
Discussion on Mr. T. 0. Robson's " Notes on the Variations in the
Faulting of Coal observed on the Section of the^same Series of
Faults in Three Seams, at Redheugh Colliery ".......... 9
Pitkin Electric Safety-lamp.................. 10
Dec. 14.—General Meeting ..................... 11
The Federated Institution of Mining Engineers......... 11
" Memoir of Edward Fenwick Boyd." By his Son, Mr. H. F. Boyd 12
" Obituary Notice of the late M. Theophile Guibal." By Mr. W.
Cochrane ...............
... ... ... 14
Discussed ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ...
15
" Improved Coal Screening and Cleaning." By Messrs. T. E.
Forster and H. Ay ton ... ............... 17
Discussed.................. ...... 30
" A New Mechanical Device for the Rapid Fixing of Surveying
Instruments." By Dr. F. Colet Larkin............ 32
1890.
Feb. 8.—General Meeting ... ... ... ... ...
...... 33
" The Hauraki Gold Mining District (Northern Section), Auck-
land, New Zealand." By Mr. D. H. Bayldon......... 34
Discussed......... ......... ...... 38
Discussion on Mr. C. Z. Bunning's Paper on " Coal Mining at
Warora, Central Provinces, East India "............ 38
Discussion on Mr. S. Tate's Paper on the " Winding, Banking Out,
and Screening Plant at East Hetton Colliery "......... 89
The Federated Institution of Mining Engineers......... 42
April 12.—General Meeting ..................... 43
" Ramsay's Patent Improved Levelling Staff for use in Mines."
By Mr. W. Ramsay..........| ......... 44
Discussed ... ... ... ... ... t.t ... >t<
44
" On the Value of Photography to Mining Engineers." By Mr.
A. L. Steavenson ... ... ... ... ... ...
... 4t;
Discussed ... ... ... ... ... 47
The Flameless Explosives Committee ............ 48
June 14.—General Meeting ............... 51
" Ancient 4 Washes ' in the Coal-measures." By Professor G. A.
Lebour ...... ............ 51
Discussed............... ...
...... 52
Discussion on Messrs. T. E. Forster and H. Ayton's Paper on
"Improved Coal Screening and Cleaning" ......... 55
Discussion on Mr. Arnold Lupton's " Notes on the ' Medium
Fan'"............... ............ 5(;
July 24.-General Meeting (Edinburgh) ............... 59
(iv)
page.
1890
T 1 24 —" The Economical Working of Steam Boilers at Collieries." By
' Messrs. W. Armstrong, Jun., and W. J. Bird ......... 60
Discussed...... ......... ......
••• 76
The Edison Phonograph .................. 79
August 2.—Annual General Meeting ............ ...... 81
The Council's Annual Report ............... 83
Finance Report........................ 84
Accounts ... ... ... ... ... ... ...
••• 85
" On the Cleveland and South Durham Salt Industry." By Mr.
John Marley........................ 91
Discussed ... ... ... ... ... ......... 125
Election of Officers ... .................. 125
Lecture Theatre ..................... 127
The Federated Institution of Mining Engineers......... 127
APPENDICES.
I.—Barometer, Thermometer, etc., Readings, for the Year 1889. By Mr.
M. Walton Brown........................
II.—Notes of Papers on the Working of Mines, Metallurgy, etc., from the
Transactions of Foreign Societies and Foreign Publications...... 135
"A Hand Diamond Rock-boring Machine." By E. Gad...... 135
" The Conditions of Formation of Lignite." By F. Seeland ... 135
"The Origin of Coal." By A. Cocheteux............ 135
" The Coal Deposits in the Indwe Basin and Stormberg Range of
Mountains (Cape of Good Hope)." By W. Galloway ... 136
" The Adams Bee-hive Oven." By Frank M. McKelvey...... 136
" The Adams Improved Bee-hive Oven." By John Fulton ... 136
" Copper Mining in Spain (Huelva)." By L. De Launay ... 137
" A Cylindrical Dam "..................
... 137
" Permeability of Cements." By G. W. Hyde and W. J. Smith 138
" Grisoutite." By E. Larmoyeux ............... 138
uThe Chalon-Guerin Gelatinized Water-stemming." By V.
Watteyne and E. Larmoyeux ............... 139
" Dynamite and Grisoutite." By E. Braive ......... 141
" Notes on Petragite." By Dr. Muck ............ 141
"The Boilers Explosion at Friedenshutte." By — Olroy ... 142
" The Verpilleux Colliery Explosion (St. Etienne)." By A. Evrard 142
" The Carboniferous Conglomerate of Mons." ByJ.*Faly. ... 143
" Notes on the Topography and Geology of the Cerro de g^eco,
Peru." By A. D. Hodges, Jun......... ...... 143
" Notes on the Geology of the De Kaap Transvaal Gold-fields."
By W. H. Furlongs ...............
... 145
"The Gold-Mines of Ouro Preto (Brazil)." By Paul Ferrand... 146
" Gold-Washing and Dredging in New Zealand "......... 146
" The Amber Industry in East Prussia." By Dr. Richard Klebs 147
" Fireless Mine Locomotive." By Camille Holland ...... 148
" Transmission of Power Through a Borehole." By Wm. Hall ... 149
"Iron in Mexico." By Richard E. Chism............ 149
" Rules for Valuation of Iron Ores." By S. B. Patterson ... 150
" Lateral Effects of Falls in Mines." By — Villot ...... 150
PROCEEDINGS.
NORTH OF ENGLAND INSTITUTE OF MINING AND MECHANICAL
ENGINEERS.
GENERAL MEET TNG, Saturday, Octobek 12th, 1889.
Mr. John Marley, President, in the Chair.
The Secretary read the minutes of the previous meeting, which were
confirmed.
The Secretary reported the proceedings of the Council of this Institute,
also
of the first meeting of trie Council of the New Federated Institution of
Mining
Engineers, embodying the election of representatives from this district as
follows:—
Sir Lowthian Bell, Bart. ; and Messrs. W. Armstrong, Jun. ; M. Walton Brown
; W.
Cochrane ; J. Daglish; T. Douglas; G. B. Forster ; G. C. Greenwell; J.
Marley ;
G. May ; J. B. Simpson ; A. L. Steavenson ; J. Willis ; and L. Wood.
Among the members co-optated by the new Council were Messrs. W. Armstrong,
Sen.; T. J. Bewick ; R. F. Boyd ; and D. Dale.
Mr. Cochrane asked the meaning of the word "co-optate," and whether the
"co-optated" members had a seat at the Council? He confessed his ignorance
as
to the precise meaning of the term.
The President—One of our Past-Presidents has asked the same question.
Perhaps the Secretary will explain.
Professor Lebotjr said he learned from Webster's dictionary that to
"co-optate"
meant to choose together, and when a committee had power to add to its
members,
then they " co-optated " or " together chose " such other members as they
agreed to
have on the committee. " Co-optated" members of any council were those not
elected by the general body of constituents, but appointed by the council
them-
selves. They "together chose."
Mr. Cochrane—Do they always sit ?
Professor Lebour—Yes. ^
Mr. Cochrane—They may do so by right ?
The President—Yes.
Professor Lebour—They become part of the whole body.
Mr. Cochrane—I presume "elected by the council" would have a similar
meaning ?
Professor Lebour—Precisely.
The President The Secretary having been referred to Webster's dictionary
by one of the Past-Presidents is able to answer the question.
2 proceedings.
The following gentlemen were elected, having been previously nominated :—
Ordinary Member—
Mr. Thomas Robert Maddison (Associate Member), Mining Engineer, Wakefield.
. Associate Members-
Mi-. Frederick Gosman, Mining Institute, Newcastle-on-Tyne.
Mr. John Hodgson, Mining Engineer, Edmondsley Colliery.
Mr. Edward Hopkins, Mining Engineer, Weardale Place, St. John's Chapel.
Mr. R. Norman Redmayne, Chemical Manufacturer, 26, Grey Street, New-
castle-on-Tyne.
Mr. W. Topley, F.R.S., F.G.S., of H.M. Geological Survey, 28, Jermyn Street,
London, S.W.
Students—
Mr. Walter Bell, Mining Engineer, 23, Windsor Crescent, Newcastle-on-Tyne.
Mr. Percy Octavius Weightman, Mining Student, Barrow Colliery, Barnsley.
Members—
Mr. T. Colquhoun, Mining Engineer, West Stanley Colliery.
Captain William Charles Chitty Erskine, Inspector of Mines. Kimberley,
South Africa.
Mr. William Tasker Hallimond, Mining Engineer, Manager of Van Ryn Gold
Mining Company, Limited, Boksburg, Johannesburg, Transvaal.
Mr. Jethro Longridge, Colliery Manager, Burradon Colliery, Newcastle-
on-Tyne.
Mr. Thomas Lowden, Colliery Manager, Hamsteels, near Durham.
Associates—
Mr. William Draper, Assistant Under Manager, New Seaham Colliery, Sunder-
land.
Mr. John William Forster, Assistant (Certificated Manager, under Act),
Silksworth Colliery, Sunderland.
Mr. John Charles Hall, Surveyor, Trimdon Grange Colliery, Co. Durham.
Mr. Francis Burdett Johnson, Mechanical Engineer, 1, Charles Street, Marsden
Colliery.
Mr. John Riddell, Under Manager, Shilbottle Colliery, Lesbury, R.S.O.
Mr. John Southern, Master Wasteman. Heworth Colliery, Newcastle-on-Tyne.
Mr. Matthew Walton, Assistant Manager, Dearham Colliery.
Mr. Simon Tate read the following paper ;—
winding, banking out, and screening plant. 3
WINDING, BANKING OUT, AND SCREENING PLANT AT EAST
HETTON COLLIERY.
By S. Tate.
It having been found necessary to fit up the upcast shaft at East Hetton
Colliery
for drawing coals and to erect new screening plant, the writer attached
great im-
portance to the plant being so constructed as to require the least possible
amount
of adult manual labour in its working. Banking out in particular is costly
owing
to the heavy character of the work, and none but the strongest men can
perform
it in the manner usually performed. To diminish the labour cost and to
improve
the condition of the merchantable coal were the objects which the writer had
in
view.
The shaft is 10 feet 6 inches in diameter, and 131 fathoms deep, and has
been
fitted with iron wire rope guides, the only peculiarity of which is the
exceptional
manner in which the weights are attached at the bottom. Owing to the small
size
of the shaft it was found inconvenient to have a separate set of " weights "
on each
rope, and instead of this a " swinging tree " was attached (see Plate I.) to
each pair
of ropes, and one set of weights was attached to it.
The advantage of this method is apparent as it allows sufficient shaft room
in the
centre of the shaft for persons to pass. This is especially useful when the
weights
are hung midway down the shaft, as it is then somewhat awkward to get past
them.
The only other remark that need be made concerning these guides is their
prox-
imity to each other at " meetings," the intermediate distance being only 6
inches.
It would have been preferable to have had them 10 or 12 inches apart, but in
practice we have had no trouble with them.
At 'the shaft bottom the hanging on is fitted up on the same principle as is
the
No. 3 shaft at Seaham Colliery, from which in fact it is copied (see Plate
II.) at the
hanging on, each cage road is made as near the size of the cage as possible,
with a
st rong wooden frame carrying sliding doors. When the cage enters this is
completely
filled, and in its descent it strikes a spanner which is connected with a
series of
levers, etc., which lifts up the sliding doors on each side of the casing
and allows a
clear road through the cage for changing the tubs, etc. By the use of these
sliding
doors the disadvantage of having separation doors on the engine planes or
shaft
sidings is avoided.
At the shaft top a strong circular walling of brick and stone is built up a
suffi-
cient height to support the pulleys, guide ropes, etc.. and to carry off the
smoke and
fumes ascending the pit.
Hie winding engine is an ordinary vertical single cylinder, 10 inches
diameter,
of the lever type, and was formerly used with flat ropes. The drum, etc.,
has been
altered and round ropes substituted.
Pit Head and Heapstead.
Plate III. shows the pit head, from which it will be seen that the tubs are
moved
by gravitation and by engine-power.
The whole of the power required for driving the cleaning belts, tub haulage
belts,
and the jigger screen is obtained from a single cylinder engine, 14 inches
diameter
and 2 feet stroke, running 90 revolutions per minute, with an average boiler
pressure
of 35 lbs. per square inch.
4 winding, banking- out, and screening plant.
When the cage is at rest upon the keps the inclination of the tub way in the
cage is 1 in 48, and as soon as they are struck by the empties entering the
full tubs
leave the cage and run on to the full roads, which here continue at the
inclination
of 1 in 48.
They then pass singly (or in pairs as arranged at one colliery) into an im-
proved self-righting patent kick-up, working automatically (see Plate IV.),
and so
constructed as to enable the emptied tub or corve to be propelled through by
the
next full tub following in to be emptied. The automatic action is obtained
by
applying to the bottom of the kick-up a vessel containing liquid, so that
after the tub
is emptied the weight of the liquid causes it to right itself. Attached to
the tippler
is a self-indicating weighing machine (see Plate V.), and as soon as the tub
enters
the tippler the weight is registered, and almost simultaneously the tippler
turns
over, empties the coals from the tub, and returns to its original position.
The
empty tub is then weighed, and by this means every tub is weighed both full
and
empty, and only actual coals passed into the screens are paid for. To enable
the
weighman to ascertain the hewer and putter of each tub of coals the tokens
are
hung through a hole in the ends of the tub, and as soon as the tub enters
the tippler
the attendant calls out the number of the token for both hewer and putter.
The empty tub remains in the tippler until the boy allows another full tub
to
follow in, which propels the empty one through and on to the line at the
point A ;
it then runs round the semi-circular line to the point B, where the rising
gradient
begins. An endless belt driven by the screen engine and having projections
attached
is here kept constantly running. The projections catch the tub axles and
draw
them up the gradient of 1 in 9 to a point C whence the tub runs down an
incline
of 1 in 15. At this part the tubs pass over an india-rubber greaser, and
then reach
the point E when the token boy attends to the switches and sends the cage
load of
four empties into the proper sidings ready for the arrival of the cage at
bank. (See
Plate III.)
The whole of the banking out is done by four boys paid as follows :—
1 Boy at Cage Snecks ... Is. 8d. per day.
1 „ „ Tippler ... ' ... 2s. Od.
1 „ Shover in...... Is. 6d. „
1 „ Token Boy ... Is. Od. „
Total cost ... 6s. 2d. per day.
Under the old method four banksmen were employed and paid by the score
(these
men being allowed houses and coals), and their average wage (including value
of
houses and coals) was 5s. 3d. per day, besides which there was a man to take
the
tubs on to the weigh, and he was paid at the rate of 3s. lOd. per day,
making the
total cost £1 4s. lOd. per day, being 18s. 8d. per day, or 3| times nearly
more cost
than the cost on the new method.
The total amount of cost and saving per ton for one year, gained by the
adoption
of the new system of banking out, is as follows :—
winding, banking out, and screening plant. 5
Screening Arrangements.
When the coals leave the tippler they fall down a spout into a jigging
screen
(see Plate VI.), where they are assorted into three kinds—viz., bests, nuts,
and peas
and duff. The best coals are carried along a cleaning belt, 56 feet long and
4 feet
wide, where they are cleaned by boys placed along each side of it. The nut
coals
are delivered out at the side of the jigger on to a belt 33J feet long by 3
feet wide,
parallel with the first-belt, but at a different angle, and in travelling
the stones are
picked out, and the coals cleaned are delivered over a set of screen bars or
gauzes,
by which the trebles and doubles are separated into their respective wagons.
The
peas and duff coals drop out at the bottom of the jigger on to a smaller
belt, 31 feet
long by 2J feet wide, running in a direction contrary to the other belts,
and which
carries the coal to an ordinary " beeswing " elevator.
The whole of the cleaning of the coals is done by boys with one man as over-
looker or " keeker." The coals are now much better cleaned than they used to
be,
and at a very much less cost. The comparative wage cost per day is shown in
the
following table :—
This shows a saving of £1 16s. 2d. per day or £506 6s. 8d. per annum. The
total annual saving on banking out and screening is thus £767 13s. 4d. or
l-07d. per
t (m.
In this comparison allowance ought to be made in favour of the new method,
inasmuch as we now pick out the stones from the double and treble nuts,
whereas
formerly we only picked out a few stones from the trebles, but never
attempted to
pick any from the double nuts.
The advantages derived from this system of banking out and screening may be
summarised as follows :—
(1.) Cheapness of labour cost, consequent on the utilisation of steam
instead of
manual^ power.
(2.) Cheaper class of labour employed.
(3.) Only coals actually delivered on the screens are paid for.
(4.) Coals are better cleaned and with less breakage.
6 discussion—winding, banking out, and screening plant.
Mr. Gr. B. Forster said there were three kinds of coal referred to in the
paper :
best, nuts, and peas and duff ; did Mr. Tate mean that peas and duff were
one kind ?
Mr. Tate—There are three kinds of coal : best, treble nuts, and best nuts,
then
peas and duff.
Mr. Forster—There are only three sorts by the one operation.
Mr. Tate—After the nuts are taken out they are screened by another
operation.
Mr. Forster said it was not an uncommon thing to get three kinds. He had
found the revolving screen better for making nuts than the jigging screen.
Mr. Tate said they were under the impression that the revolving screen broke
the nuts.
Mr. Forster—Perhaps your coal was very soft, and ours very hard. We had
to abandon jigging and put up a revolving screen which makes better nuts.
Mr. Tate—We have now no complaints and we used to have a large number.
The President said this might seem a very short paper, and a subject the
details of which it was at one time considered unnecessary to give so much
attention
to, but he was sure that where they could put an increased value of one
shilling a
ton on some classes of their coal it was a matter of great importance. Mr.
Daglish,
through whose personal kindness he had an opportunity of visiting one of his
screens,
was present, and that gentleman might perhaps give them some information or
make
some remarks on the subject.
Mr. Daglish said this was a subject of great importance, as they all
recognised,
and was becoming so much so that all new plant was arranged upon some system
of the kind indicated. The first place he saw it tried was, he thought, at
Mr. Walker's
ironstone mines ; there the tub ran right round and the system was very
effective.
This system had been put in at Marsden. but was not in full operation yet.
In
Wales at several collieries they had elevators, not creepers, which ran the
tub round.
He did not know whether in Mr. Tate's arrangement the bottom of cage lifts.
Mr. Tate—No, it was found inconvenient.
Mr. Daglish said with regard to the kick-up he had not seen one of that kind
before, but usually the kick-ups revolved entirely ; some ingenious
arrangements
were made to accomplish this. He thought there was an arrangement of the
kind
at Heworth, Mr. May had also put one at Boldon, and they had another at
Marsden.
all effective he believed, but all done in different ways. The kick-up was
turned
over by machinery, either by friction wheels or surging belts, but it was so
little that
it could be stopped at the right moment for the tub to be taken out and a
fresh one
put on. There was no doubt Mr. Tate had taken advantage of all that was
known
on the subject and had succeeded in arranging a very nice plant. With regard
to
the jiggers, other jiggers separated the coals in the manner described, they
took out
best, nuts, and peas and duff.
Mr. Tate—Not at the sides, I think.
Mr. Daglish—Yes; Marsden was at the side, and cleaned by a belt. Me did
not know whether Mr. Tate's belt was arranged the same as that he (Mr.
Daglish)
first saw at Heworth and adopted at Marsden. namely, with a separation in
the
middle of the belt to put the stones on.
Mr. TATE—Ours has not got that.
Mr. Daglish—It is an extremely clever arrangement, and very important ; and
where they had to take out another kind of coal, as they had to do at
Marsden, it
would be very troublesome to have to sort them out behind.
The President—Mr. May, I think, is not here to-day, or he would have been
able to give us more information.
Mr. Forster said he did not quite agree with Mr. Daglish as to the second
belt.
If they had a second belt on the top for stones--
discussion—winding. banking out, and screening plant. 7
Mr. Daglish—It is not a second belt, it is a division.
Mr. Forster—It is the same thing. It complicated matters, and added great
extra weight to the belt. The way he had done was to put coarse coal on one
side
and stone on the other, and after work was done run them over the belt.
Mr. TATE said he had considered this point; but in his case it was
unnecessary
to take them further down than the level of the stone heap.
Mr. THOS. BELL—Mr. Corbett had it at one of his Rainton pits. I think lie
took it off.
Mr. W. 0. Blackett said he had had an opportunity of seeing Mr. Tate's
arrangement, and could testify to its economy. To him the most striking
feature
was the kick-up; as regards novelty it was the feature of the whole
arrangement.
He had seen all the arrangements Mr. Daglish had mentioned, and for
simplicity he
thought Mr Tate's beat them all. Nearly all he had seen, if they went right
round,
had to be assisted by machinery. Mr. Tate's could go right round as easily
as part
way, and it did so of its own gravitation. As regards the centre belt fo?
stones, in
many case it was not adopted, because boys were paid by the piece. The
owners
of his colliery decided some time ago to put in belts for the purpose of
cleaning
unscreened gas coal; this had not been previously done in many cases for
unscreened.
All their boys were paid by the number of boxes of stone, etc., picked out.
One
belt they had was 90 feet long and 4 feet wide; another 70 feet long and 5
feet
wide; and very great economy had been found in simply cleaning the coal for
gas
purposes. He believed in the coal going over the belt; they saved nearly a
farthing a ton, without considering greater efficiency, and they were
picking out
almost double the quantity of stones.
Mr. W. J. Bird said he, like Mr. Blackett, had had the pleasure of seeing
Mr. Tate's arrangement, and he agreed that the kick-up was the most striking
feature. Another point he was struck with was the belt bringing the empty
tub to
the requisite height to run by gravitation to the shaft. He had seen
arrangements
somewhat similar in Wales, where the necessary elevation was obtained by an
elevator, a man attending to it; and although there was an attendant
available and
plenty of power to carry the tubs the necessary distance Mr. Tate's had the
advantage : instead of using the whole of his steam power he used only a
portion of
it. and dispensed with the services of an attendant.
Professor Merivale said he was not quite clear as to the kick-up. He
gathered
%tJZr^ T°matiC 5 a b°y t0 Start jt> - ™ the weight of the tub
going ? He .aw that it came back automatically
it so as to go itseif- • as ^ ™ »> • *•*
^TZ'lriT heWOnM h'ket0hea'- »* OP"** expressed as to the
Some a ,p v ;f ^T' *° * difference <>f opinion on this point.
"
*i W ; ll^^ T'al'dS: °thel'S -as too much, and made
happy m diL and IT I \ /" **** h° put in he had tried to h" *e
«i^SdSStS" eet 6 inohes- The wifle1'belts were a-
~ iiTr^^™1 1 - meant a
Mr. Tate-No, sir. '
Mr W1'°ng iR Sayi"» 1 had—1 "
Mr. Tate—Yes ^ ™ th° 1 ^ '
Mr. Daglish That is the way we have it at Mar,,,,,.
discussion—faults at redheugh colliery. 9
Mr. Blaukett—Quite so ; but he did not think they would be able to get them.
Even if they could get the women to act as screeners they would have to
contend
with the union officials.
The President asked if Mr. Logan had anything to say on the subject of the
paper ?
Mr. Logan said he put in two belts lately, and he was of opinion that they
could not draw a hard and fast line, and say that 4 feet, 4 feet 3 inches, 4
feet
6 inches, or even 5 feet was the proper width. Every colliery-manager knew
his
own circumstances best, and could best decide on what would suit him both as
regards width of the belt, and whether or not he should have a centre
compartment.
He thought, however, they should not expect a boy to stretch more than about
2 feet 3 inches. He thought cleaning coal from the belt was the most
efficient
system yet adopted.
The President said, as there were no other remarks offered, it was his
pleasing
duty to propose a vote of thanks to Mr. Tate. In the first place that
gentleman had
given him, some time ago, the opportunity of examining the jigger screens
and belts,
as had also Mr. Daglish and Mr. May. He regretted the last named gentleman
was
not present to-day, as he would no doubt have been able to give them a good
deal of
information as to the systems in use at Boldon and St. Hilda. These jigger
screens were
all the creations or improvements of the last six years ; they had been put
in in place
of old machinery, and they were therefore not at all free agents as to the
width of belts,
etc. When the paper was open again for discussion each member would no doubt
be prepared to discuss it in a practical way, and he hoped they would have
the
pleasure of Mr. May's and Mr. Lawrence's presence, and that they would all
hear
of something more suitable for their own particular requirements than what
they
had had hitherto. He had pleasure in moving a vote of thanks to Mr. Tate for
bringing this interesting subject forward.
Mr Tate acknowledged the compliment,
Mr. T. 0. Robson's paper on " Faults at Redheugh Colliery," was opened for
discussion.
The President—Have you anything new to add, Mr. Robson ?
Mr. Robson said he had another section (which he proceeded to draw on the
blackboard) which went still further to show the inconsistency between the
faults
described in the previous sections. The one now drawn on the board was
proved,
since the paper was read, in the Brockwell seam, and represented the same
fault at
a point 180 yards further west than that shown on the Plate XYZ. Following
the
seam again for 32 yards they had a dip fault, the extent of which, however,
he could
not say, as it had not been proved, but from levellings made at both sides,
he took
it that the dip fault on the one side would be pretty nearly equal to the
rise fault
on the other. Instead of having a practically level seam at 180 yards
further west
they had a distinct riser and dipper. It showed that these faults were
altogether
abnormal and probably, as Professor Lebour had suggested, they were abnormal
for the
reason that tkey were a series of conglomerations of faults proved at
different depths
and showing different characteristics at each point where they were proved.
Whether there was any correlation or not he did not know—it was difficult to
prove
—but he should think not.
Referring to the sketch on the blackboard, the President asked if there was
a
hading as shown ?
10 discussion—new electric safety-lamps.
Mr. Robson said there was little or no hade ; the sketch was a very rough
one
and not quite accurate.
The President—You have no doubt about it being a dipper /
Mr. Robson—No, sir, not the least; we have the seam on the other side. In
printing the Transactions the sections had unfortunately been reversed, the
sections
on Plate I. should have been on Plate II. and vice versa.
The President suggested that the error might be corrected by an errata slip
in the next part.
In the absence of Mr. Pitkin, the Secretary exhibited two of that
gentleman's
new electric safety-lamps. The older and larger lamp weighed about 8£ lbs.
(not
quite), cost £2 10s., would burn from 20 to 30 hours, and give a light of
about three
candle-power. This lamp, however, the maker had abandoned in favour of the
smaller one, weighing 6 lbs. 5| ozs., costing £2, and giving the same light
as the
other lamp, for from 10 to 12 hours. It was said there was no danger
whatever
of breakage, and the lamp could be shaken about a good deal without hurt,
but it
could not be turned upside down. The principle of the lamp was the secondary
battery, the large containing four cells, the smaller one three.
The Secretary then read a further communication from Mr. Pitkin and
said he had also a note stating that the lamps had been in use at the
Waltham gunpowder factory for two and a half years ; also at a colliery in
Glamorganshire.
Mr. Tate asked if Professor Lebour could say how long it took to recharge
the
lamps ?
Professor Lebour—No, I have no further particulars.
Mr. M. Walton Brown said there was one point Professor Lebour had not
mentioned. There was a resistance coil in the lamp which enabled it to be
burned
at two different powers. (This was demonstrated with one of the lamps.) With
regard to recharging of secondary batteries, in most cases, except where an
exciting
fluid was used, it took somewhat longer to recharge the lamp than it would
after-
wards burn. A lamp burning eight hours would probably take ten hours to
recharge.
This concluded the business, and the meeting terminated.
proceedings. 11
NORTH OF ENGLAND INSTITUTE OF MINING AND MECHANICAL
ENGINEERS.
GENERAL MEETING, Saturday, December Hth, 1889.
Mr. John Marley, President, in the Chair.
The Secretary read the minutes of the previous meeting, and in reporting the
proceedings of the Council said there was not much new to tell except with
reference
to the Federated Institution of Mining Engineers. Since the last general
meeting the
Council had met at York, and it had been decided that the first general
meeting of
the members of the different Institutes should take place at Sheffield on
the 22nd
and 2ord of January. A full programme for those days would be issued as soon
as
the necessary details were obtained from the officials of the Midland
Institute, who
bad most <>i' the arrangements in hand. But, in a general way, he was
already in a
position to explain that the first day would be taken up by the reading of
papers,
visits to a few works in the immediate neighbourhood, a dinner, etc. The
next day
would be -riven up entirely to visits to works and collieries, especially
such collieries
as had any specialities worthy of notice. As soon as the programme was
ready, it
would be sent to all members ; and as Secretary he would like them to let
him know
as early as possible whether they were going or not, as a good many of the
arrange-
ment s depended on the number of members going, and it was only fair to
those who
bad taken the trouble for them that they should have some idea of the number
likely
to attend.
Mr. Cochrane asked if the arrangements for the Sheffield meeting would be
such
io allow of members leaving Newcastle on the morning of the 22nd, or must
they
be there the previous day.'
The pbbsidbnt .aid he had visited Mr. Rhode-, the President of the Midland
Lnstitute, the previous week, with a view to making some arrangements for
the
"U"f' Uf amon^t oth^' things it had been arranged that any one who had a
special wish to see coal-cutting and electrical appliances in connection
with coal
mining, would not only have an opportunity of seeing these things the day
after
'-' meeting on which papers would be read; but special arrangements would be
««le by which they could see them in the morning prior to the meeting, and
by
dja means member* could make their arrangements to suit their own
convenience,
ticu 1 fl C0Uld g° °n the TuCSday ni*ht' and time tables and other par-
the*!* givcn 111 11 fcwday*' Inasmuch as the Midland people thought
ey had something to show both as regards coal-cutting by machinery and the
so on H-! eJmnVi,«v to variousacts of mining, the transmission of power, ami
cu V 16 1,nvi,<^' ""(I hcen given of seeing these various machines before
the dis-
dav vm VVCil a" aftervvards- Tll0sc vvhom it would suit best could go on the
Tues-
< y night, others could go on Wednesday morning.
1- proceedings.
The following gentlemen were elected, having been previously nominated i—
Members—
Mr. T. Colquhoun, Mining Engineer, West Stanley Colliery.
Captain William Charles Chitty Erskine, Inspector of Mines, Kimberley,
South Africa.
Mr. William Tasker Hallimond, Mining Engineer, Manager of Van Ryn Gold
Mining Company, Limited, Boksburg, Johannesburg Transvaal.
Mr. Jethro Longriclge, Colliery Manager, Burradon Colliery, Newcastle-
on-Tyne.
Mr. Thomas Lowden, Colliery Manager, Hamsteels, near Durham.
Associates—
Mr. William Draper, Assistant Under Manager, New Seaham Colliery, Sunder-
land.
Mr. John William Forster, Assistant (Certificated Manager, under Act),
Silksworth Colliery, Sunderland.
Mr. John Charles Hall, Surveyor, Trimdon Grange Colliery, Co. Durham.
Mr. Francis Burdett Johnson, Mechanical Engineer, 1, Charles Street, Marsden
Colliery.
Mr. John Riddell, Under Manager, Shilbottle Colliery, Lesbury, R.S.O.
Mr. John Southern, Master Wasteman, Heworth Colliery, Newcastle-on-Tyne.
Mr. Matthew Walton, Assistant Manager, Dearham Colliery.
The following gentlemen were nominated for election :—
Member—
Mr. Daniel Henry Bayldon, Mining Engineer, Thames Gold-Field, New
Zealand; and 3, Drapers' Gardens, London, E.C.
Associates—
Mr. Sidney Bates, Surveyor, etc., The Grange, Prudhoe-on-Tyne.
Mr. John Bell, Under Manager, Wardley Colliery, Newcastle-on-Tyne.
Mr. Thomas Hepburn, Under Manager, South Street, Langley Park, Durham.
Mr. Robert Richardson, Under Manager, Throckley Colliery.
Mr. George D. Ridley, Colliery Surveyor, Tudhoe Colliery, Spennymoor.
Mr. Andrew Watson, Colliery Engineer, New Seaham Colliery, Sunderland.
Mr. Thos. Bell, H.M. Inspector, referring to the list of members for
election,
asked what part of the Mines Act provided for an " assistant manager " ?
The Secretary—I don't know.
Mr. Bell—Nor I. I see there is also ''assistant under manager"; I don't know
that official either.
Mr. G. B. Forster—I don't think he comes under the Act.
The President—I suppose the particulars are copied from the nomination paper
as it comes to us.
Professor Lebour—That is so.
Mr. R. F. Boyd read a memoir of the late Mr. E. F. Boyd, F.G.S., which is
pub-
lished separately with a portrait in pamphlet form, an abstract of which,
containing
the particulars of his professional career in connection with the coal
trade, will be
given in the next part of the Proceeding*.
proceedings. la
The President said it fell to his lot to perform a pleasing duty, and yet a
feel-
ing one. They had heard a memoir of one who, twenty years ago, was'President
of
the Institute, and therefore one of his predecessors. He (Mr. Marley) also
appeared
n another capacity as a pupil of Mr. Boyd, so that he felt it was especially
his .
duty, as President, to move that they pass in silence a vote of thanks to
their Past-
President's son, Mr. Hugh F. Boyd, for his kindness in contributing, and to
Mr.
Robert F. Boyd for reading, this memoir. With these few words he would do
his
duty best by simply putting the motion, after it had been seconded, for the
meeting
to pass in silence with a full show of hands.
Mr. G. B. Forster said he was privileged in being allowed to second the vote
of
thanks. He was sure, of all people in the district, the Mining Institute
owed per-
haps more to Mr. Boyd than anyone else ; and, whether they considered his
connec-
tion with this Institute and with the College of Science, his efforts to
advance the
education of both professional men, and, as his memoir said, of those under
him, or
his integrity and worth, his diligence and skill in his professional, or
geniality and
amiability in his private character, he thought they might well say they
would be a
long time before they would look upon another like him.
. The President—Gentlemen, you will kindly show, by holding up your hands,
that this vote is fully and unanimously acquiesced in.
The vote of thanks was carried in silence.
Mr. Wm. Cochrane submitted the following " Obituary Notice of the late
M. Theophile Guibal"
14 OBITUARY NOTICE OF THE LATE PROFESSOR GUlBAL.
OBITUARY NOTICE OF THE LATE M. THEOPHILE GUIBAL.
By W. Cochrane.
Theophile Guibal was born at Toulouse on the 31st May, 1814. At 19 years of
age, after private tuition, he was attracted by the reputation of the Ecole
Centrale
des Arts et Manufactures de Paris to resort to it for the purpose of a
scientific
education. He entered in October, 1833, and passed the three years' course
with
considerable distinction, developing his inventive genius, even at this
early age, in a
remarkable degree, his principal bent being towards mechanical appliances
for mining
purposes. As an illustration may be mentioned the study which gained for him
his
diploma of mechanical engineer. In this he worked out the use of two long
spear
rods, like the so-called " man-engines " of the Cornish mines, for the
delivery of coal
up a shaft, baskets which were in use at that date being automatically
attached and
detached at the end of each stroke of the engine, similarly to the progress
of a miner
up or down, with the result of delivering a full bucket at the top and an
empty one
at the bottom for each stroke.
His first practical work was in the service of Eugene Flachat, a leading
French
mining engineer, under whom he assisted to carry out various mechanical
engineering-
works.
In October, 1837, the project of a School .of Mines in the province du
Hainaut,
Belgium, was started, the chief professorial chair of which seemed to M.
Guibal to*
satisfy his ambition to have a large field of study in every department
relating to the
working of mines. His application for the post, backed by the reputation he
had
acquired, was successful, and he settled at Mons to carry out-the duties he
had
undertaken. His teachings and his investigations covered the whole range of
mining
experience. He had a marvellous facility for imparting information, as is
gratefully
acknowledged by those who were in his classes, and is known to some of the
members
of this Institute, who had the privilege in later years of knowing him and
deriving
the benefit of his varied knowledge. His original works for the improvement
of
mining science are also of world-wide reputation. Among these was the
sinking
through water-bearing strata at a great depth where pumping power was
inapplicable.
An interesting description of this will be found in a biographical notice in
the " Pub-
lications de la Societe des Ingenieurs du Hainaut," a copy of which is in
the library
of this Institute. It will be seen with what fertile resource and
determination he
met the many difficulties which were encountered.
Another, perhaps the most important, of his works to which much of his life
was
devoted, was the improvement of machinery for the ventilation of mines. His
system
of ventilation is so well known to this Institute, and is so fully discussed
in the
Transactions, that it need only be referred to. The introduction of it into
this
country, about 1863, gave an impetus to the investigation of mechanical
ventilation,
which it may be said has led to the adoption of machine ventilators in
almost all
important collieries.
Prior to 1863, the earliest reference to mechanical ventilators in the
Transactions
is in Vol. III., by J. J. Atkinson, in the year 1854-5, and the earliest
application
recorded in your Transactions in this country was by the same author in Vol.
XL,
that of Elsecar and Tursdale Colliery, on the " Biram " principle. The
useful effect
obituary notice of the late professor guibal, 15
• eu as 12*69 per cent. The Guibal form was first adapted to the Tursdale
Fan
WaVs63 and subsequently in its entirety at Elswick Colliery. The results are
Imbodiod in Vol. XIV., in the year 1864-5.
So decided an advance was established in the useful effect of centrifugal
action
til,tors that, since then, it has been largely adopted, and it may, without
fear of
Vhalleiv'Tc, be asserted that it has established the supremacy of
centrifugal action
° ain^all others for the purpose of mine ventilation. It was in view of this
import-
"^invcntion that you elected M. Guibal an honorary member of this Institute
in
wil 1870. The Academie Frangaise awarded him for the same work the prize for
themost important invention of his time for the health of miners.. He died
16th
September, 1888.
The School of Mines in Hainaut has decided to erect some monument to his
memory
and in lasting recognition of his life's work, which they consider has so
largely bene-
fited the mining world. This opinion is already confirmed by other countries
than
Belgium, which was only the country of his adoption, and you are invited to
support
this"object. which will only be a confirmation of the honour to the
Institute of having
such a man enrolled upon your list of honorary members.
Mr. Cochrane said, he had not had time to give all the details, but there
was a
complete French memoir in the library which any member could refer to who
wanted to know the particulars of the very difficult works that, as a young
man
entering his profession, Mons. Guibal encountered.
The School of Mines at Hainaut had decided to erect some monument to him.
The Council of this Institute had considered the matter, and he understood
the
members would be asked to-day to confirm a contribution from the fund of the
Institute to assist in raising that monument, which was to be considered
inter-
national. M. Guibal was not a Belgian, though that was the country of his
adoption, and France, where he was born, Germany, and Belgium itself were
com-
bining to put their names on such a monument as would be raised to his
memory,
that it might be shown that the work he did was universally approved, and
that
he was in his time a most important contributor of mechanical appliances to
the
development of the mining industry.
The President—The Secretary will read the minute of the Council.
Professor Lebour read the following :—
Memorial to the late Professor Guibal.~-On the motion of Mr. Douglas,
seconded
by Mr. W. Armstrong, Jun., that the sum of £25 be subscribed to the Guibal
Memorial Fund now being formed in Belgium ; and Mr. Cochrane undertook
the correspondence on this subject with the manager of this lunch—Minute
of Council, 30th November, 1889.
Mr* A. L. Steavenson regretted that he had not been able to hear the paper
read but from his knowledge of the fan invented by M. Guibal and his
different
said S ^ aU engineer' he (Mr' Steavenson) was sure that whatever Mr.
Cochrane had
and iWaS,deserved- He was a man belonging to no nation, but to every
country,
118 chsc°veries were invaluable to the whole world. He (Mr. Steavenson)
had
m11^11 proposinS a vote of thanks to Mr. Cochrane for writing the memoir,
ivir. m. Walton Brown seconded.
16 discussion—obituary notice op the late professor guibal.
The President said he cordially agreed with Mr. Steavenson's remarks, and
put
the motion to the meeting. It was unanimously adopted.
Mr. Cochrane, in thanking the meeting for the vote of thanks, said he was
glad
to find that what little he had written was corroborated by Mr. Steavenson's
remarks. What M. Guibal did in his life was of world-wide importance. He
hoped he would have the pleasure of communicating to Mons. Briart the
confirma-
tion of the Council's recommendation.
The Chairman put the recommendation of the Council to the meeting, and it
was unanimously confirmed.
Mr. Cochrane said he would communicate to Mons. Briart the vote of the
Institute, and also their reception of the memoir.
The President stated that, owing to the absence of Mr. Bayldon, that gentle-
man's paper on " The Hauraki Mining District (Northern Section), Auckland,
New
Zealand," would be read at the next meeting.
The following paper by Messrs. T. E. Forster and H. Ay ton on " Improved
Coal
Screening and Cleaning " was read :—
, vi proved coal screening and cleaning. 1"
IMPROVED COAL SCREENING AND CLEANING.
By T. E. Forster and H. Ayton.
p 1 tv in no department of above-ground colliery plant has a greater change
Feinaps fch^ that which appertains to the treat-
taken place during the pa»t tcwj
"^^^^^^^^for screening and cleaning coal * llZ
t. k nTnlace on so extensive a scale, and has been proved to be so
economical and
ffi-ent that the old-fashioned fixed screens, with their heavy charges for
the labour
re uired for screening, cleaning, and banking out, with in many cases
comparatively
unsatisfactory.results, are being .rapidly superseded in most parts of the
country by
the introduction of machinery to do their work.
Although various systems of mechanically treating coal have been applied for
a
considerable number of years, they appear only to have been utilised in
isolated
cases until the evolution of the travelling picking table or belt, generally
in
combination with the vibrating screen, drew attention to the economy and
advan-
tages to be gained by the application of this particular system.
Its success is, no doubt, due to the very much greater ease and economy with
which coal, and more especially that from either mixed seams or those which
con-
tain a very high proportion of refuse or inferior coal, can be treated as
well as to
t he reduction in the amount of breakage which takes place, and the
consequently
improved state of the coal when 'ready for market. In addition to this, it
may,
perhaps, to a certain extent be accounted for by the, comparatively
speaking, low
cost of installation, and the ready adaptability of the system to existing
heapsteads,
and to places where it is impossible to make any great alteration in the
structural
arrangements and general disposition of affairs.
There is also, no doubt, a considerable advantage to be derived from the
ease
with which the banking-out operations can be performed, especially in the
case of
large outputs and the saving which may'in consequence be effected under this
head, not to mention the greater facility with which the small coal can be
collected
for further manipulation where it is so required.
The general arrangement of a screening and cleaning plant of the above
nature
varies to so great an extent with the quantity to be treated, the nature and
amount
of the refuse to be separated, and the specific purpose for which the coal
is to be
subsequently marketed, in addition to the local requirements of each
individual
colliery, that it may perhaps be more expedient to describe certain details
and
arrangements, suitable for general purposes, before offering any remarks as
to the
mam principles and points to be taken into consideration in laying out a
plant for
any definite purpose.
Motive Power.
'I he position of the engines used to drive an apparatus is frequently a
matter of
some consideration. It is, of course, advisable to place the engine as near
as possible
o its work, and to complicate the gearing to as small a degree as possible.
At one
time it was considered to be a great advantage to drive the belts from the
leading
en ,«but except, perhaps, in the case of very long and heavily loaded belts
(where
a separate engine is frequently employed), it is now more usual to find the
driving
ven-61 HJphQd at the back end' owill£ t0 the fact tliat it; is usually the
most con-
venien point and being close to the screens, allows a large amount of
shafting to
be dispensed with.
a
18 IMPROVED COAL SCREENING- AND CLEANING.
In cases where there is very little variation in the nature and class of the
coal
produced, and the amount of separation which is required, it is generally
found
sufficient to drive both belts and screens from the same engine, as under
such
circumstances it is highly improbable that any variation between the ratio
of the
screen and belt speeds will be required.
In some instances, however, it may happen to be necessary to alter the
relative
speeds, either frequently or at intervals, and it is therefore preferable to
employ an
independent engine to actuate the screens. Cases such as these may occur
where
there is a great variation in the nature of the produce of different parts
or seams of
a colliery, in the relative proportions of coal which is to be passed over
the belt at
any time, as, for instance, in the case of a plant making unscreened coal at
frequent
and irregular intervals when the belt speed requires to be increased to thin
the coals
down to a proper degree for easy picking, and the screens, if fitted with
dumb
plates, require to be slowed down.
It is, furthermore, at times a matter of great difficulty to estimate the
correct
speeds in the case of unopened seams or collieries, although such
difficulties may be
to some extent guarded against by arrangements for regulating the feed and
length
of stroke of screens.
Fig. 1, Plate II., represents an arrangement which was applied to an
apparatus
sent to the New South Wales coal-field, with the view of enabling the
engines either
to be run as a pair working the entire plant or to be disconnected and used
inde-
pendently. The left-hand engine can be employed to drive the belts and the
right-
hand one the screens, or the two can be coupled by means of a coupling
between
the cranks. Bach cylinder also is made sufficiently large to drive the whole
plant
in case of accident to the other so as to avoid any long stoppage.
It is also a matter of some consequence where engines and machinery are
placed
on a heapstead, as frequently occurs, to pay some regard to the general
construction
and balancing of the machinery, so as, to minimise, as far as possible, the
vibration
which is often unavoidable without having to employ an unnecessary amount of
material on the erection which carries it.
Screens.
These may be divided into two classes, viz., the mains screens, on to which
the
whole produce of the colliery is passed, and secondary screens for the
treatment of
the smaller classes of coal.
Main screens. The amount of fall required on a vibrating screen varies, of
course,
with the nature of the coal, and also to a smaller degree with that of the
screen
itself and its speed and throw. Approximately speaking, a fall of about 8 to
3£
inches per foot, or an angle of 14-15 degs., will be found suitable for most
classes of
coal in this district, the necessary angle (other things being equal) being
slightly
less for bars or locket-work screens than for square wire gauze or
"sectional"
locket-work.
The simplest form of screen is a tray containing the gauze suspended on
short
vibrating arms carried from the fixed sides of the screen frame. (Fig. 6a,
Plate III.)
In some instances a dumb tray is added underneath for the collection of the
small,
where it is required for further treatment, and where a hopper cannot
advantage-
ously be placed. (See A, Fig. 15, Plate IV.) In other cases the whole body
of the
screen is slung from above and subjected to the jigging motion, the
screening surface
being fixed inside it, with a flat hopper underneath to deliver the small at
one point.
(Fig. 2, Plate I.) This entails the movement of an extra amount of weight,
and is
consequently only suitable for screens of ordinary dimensions; but, on the
other
hand, it is possible to arrange a screen of this description so that the
angle may be
IMPROVED COAL SCREENING AND CLEANING. 19
t much difficulty or delay. Where two or more screens are in use, and
varied wit iou^m^^ thg eccentrics are set so that a balance is effected by
worked from ie ' ^ovements of the screens ; and where unusually long
the simultaneous p± better to cut them so as to form two consecutive
screens,
screens are eccentrics and balanced as above. (Fig, 21, Plate VIII.)
each driven by screens are in duplicate, for throwing either out
^"o^ZZ the l^th °f thTOT' WWch " USUaUy d°nC by Ta"able
of gear, an ^ otherwise.
eccentrics (jng. » screening surface depends on the quantity of small
t ^l^T^of the coals, and, where the screen is not fed by a
rLlator, on the size of tub which is used.
The general width is from 4 to 5 feet or more, and m most cases a gauze of 8
to
10 feet in length is found sufficient.
The most important point to be watched is the passage of the coals on to the
screening gauze in a regular and even layer, so that the whole of the small
may be
eliminated. Where coals are allowed to rush forward on to the gauze in a
heap a
longer gauze is required, and perfect separation becomes a matter of
difficulty or
chance. This may, however, be ensured by the employment of a fixed shoot at
the
head of the screen, on to which the coals are tipped, passing gently
forwards on to
the gauze, which is in consequence preserved from undue wear and tear. The
addi-
tion of a regulating trap above the gauze is further, and more especially
for rapid
teaming, a great advantage ; and where the space at disposal does not allow
of a
sufficient length of shoot a "spreader" (B, Fig. 15, Plate IV.), consisting
of a plate
slightly hollowed in the middle so as to prevent the coals sliding forward
in a mass,
and fixed immediately above the gauze, with which it vibrates, is perhaps as
efficient, '
and requires no attention.
The material of which' the screening surface is composed is usually either—
1. Steel bars, made as light amf as deep as is possible in order to ensure
the clear-
ance" of the small, and occasionally plates with openings arranged on
different plans.
These are, however, somewhat heavy, and the actual amount of surface open
for the
passage of small is less in comparison than with steel or wire gauzes, which
are com-
monly preferred.
2. Square wire gauze. (Fig. 3, Plate II.) This has the advantage of
lightness and
cheap first cost, and appears to be most commonly employed. Where the coal
con-
tains long thin or " shivy " pieces, they can be passed over without
dropping into the
small, as sometimes happens with bars or locket-work. This is frequently of
import-
ance where stones of the above nature are present, and the small coal
receives no
further treatment.
With large and heavy coals there is sometimes a tendency for the cross wires
to
spread, which can, however, be to some extent obviated by using a double
crimped
wire gauze, or by increasing the gauge of the wires.
3. Locket-work. (Fig. 4, Plate II.) This is formed of continuous wires
running
the full length of the gauze, and turned at intervals (generally of 4± to 5
inches)
ovei round iron bars. Tt presents a smoother surface, and is
self-supporting, requir-
ing no stretching-frame, as in the case of square wire gauze. The first cost
is higher
than the latter; but it is sometimes preferred as showing little or no
tendency to
lose its gauge. The thickness of the wire used is dependent to some extent
on the
gauge of the screen, a certain number of turns on the bar having to fit with
the open
spaces between the wires.
int 4* SeCti0nai locket-work. (Fig. 5, Plate II.) This form of locket-work
has been
conTtr Wlth °b^eCt °f facilitafcinS any repairs which may be required. It-
is
cons ructed so that the section between every two bars is formed of an
independent
20 IMPROVED COAL SCREENING- AND CLEANING-.
wire, and can be removed and replaced by a fresh section. The wire is
twisted round
the two bars, alternately passing from the bottom of one to the top of the
other, and
vice versa, as shown. This destroys the smooth surface, and forms a number
of
lodgments in which small pieces of coal are apt to catch, and so tends to
destroy the
efficiency of the screen.
The relative duration of the different forms of wire gauzes is a subject on
which
it is difficult to obtain reliable information, but as far as can be
gathered the cost of
*> repairs and renewals to the screening surface is less than in the case of
fixed screen
bars.
The following shows the different gauges of the wires which are usually
employed
for screen gauzes, with the approximate cost per square foot.
Locket-work bars usually 5 inch to % inch diameter and 4J inch centres,
leaving about
3 inches clear space. Prices are for complete gauzes, ready for screens of
ordinary sizes.
The speed and throw of screens vary inversely, and are also dependent on the
nature of the coal and fall of the screen. From 90 to 110 vibrations may be
taken
as a very usual speed, with a throw of about 5 inches.
Secondary Screens.
The general form of nut screen is a reproduction of the main jigging screen,
and
fitted as a rule with square wire gauze.
The manufacture of more than one class of coal on it, either by employing a
long
screen having the necessary number of gauzes of different mesh and separated
by
short plates (Fig. 21, Plate VIII.), or by placing the gauzes in succession,
one above
the other. (Fig. 17, Plate V.) The latter plan is perhaps hardly so well
adapted to
most classes of coal, and is not so generally in use as the former by which
the
passage of the coals over the whole length of each gauze is secured.
When working with a small mesh it is frequently found that the clogging of
the gauze by wet coal is a serious defect, so much so that at some
collieries arrange-
ments are made to keep this coal out of the nut screens altogether, and in
some
places revolving nut screens are used as exhibiting a tendency to clog in a
lessened
degree.
It is, of course, desirable to feed the nut screens if possible by
gravitation from
the main screens, but where re-elevation is necessary the employment of
elevating-
belts where possible will generally be found to be an improvement on the old
form
of bucket elevator. The belt elevator delivers the small in a more regular
and con-
tMPROVED COAL SCREENING AND CLEANING. 21.
tinuous stream, and with a smaller amount of wear and tear. For elevating
small
coal, angle or bucket plates may be attached to the plates at intervals, the
depth and
number being proportioned to the load and speed of the belt.
Fig. 6, Plate III., is an illustration of the method in use at Ashington
Colliery,
the elevators taking the small direct from the main screen to the nut
screen, which
is placed immediately behind and in the same line. A trap is here provided
at b for
separating any wet coal from the small.
Where there is sufficient height at disposal a nut screen placed immediately
under
the main screen, either in the same line or at right angles to it, is a
ready and
economical arrangement, but it is better where room is small to re-elevate
rather than
run the chance of inferior screening due to insufficient space.
>f
Belts.
There is, Comparatively speaking, but little difference in the general
design and
construction of belts in use at the present time. The form which is almost
universally
in use consisting of steel plates attached to endless chains composed of
links usually
12 to 14 inches (centres) in length, the chief dissimilarities resting in
the form and
materials of the links, and the methods of attaching the plates to them.
A variety of designs have been in use from time to time, such as flat hemp
or
wire ropes, wire gauze, chains, and plates on wire ropes, but these have in
most cases
given place to the above-named generally adopted pattern. Plates bent so as
to pass
round a circular tumbler and others of a corrugated form have also been
tried, but
apparently with a similar result.
The chain links are generally either jaw links (usually cast steel) (Fig. 7,
Plate
I.) with a projecting bracket for the attachment of the plate, or double and
single
links (wrought iron or steel). (Figs. 8, 9, and 10, Plate I.)
. The former constitute a lighter chain, but are not so easily repaired as
the latter
which are occasionally made with a swelling at the ends so as to ensure
longer wear.
The plates are attached to single and double chains, either by riveting
through the
single links and to short pieces of angle iron which are again riveted to
the side of
the double links, or the angles may be dispensed with and the double link
swelled
near the end to admit a direct rivet. (Fig. 8, Plate I.) It is, however, an
undoubted
advantage to be able to substitute a plate without cutting any rivets, and
with this
object in view, the attachment is made either by riveting the plates to
angle irons,
which are bolted to the links (Fig. 9, Plate I.), or by hook bolfs which
grip the link
through a hole in the side and are secured by a nut above the plate. (Fig.
10,
Plate I.)
The chains are usually carried on rollers placed at intervals of about 2
feet
6 inches apart on the upper or loaded side, and double that distance on the
return
side. The abolition of rollers and substitution of slides is a practice
which has
recently obtained to some extent, belts of 200 feet and upwards being in
operation
on this principle. It is, however, difficult to suppose that as far as power
and
durability are concerned there can be any advantage although the first cost
is
lessened. The tendency to sag, which roller belts often have, unless fitted
with
rollers at very frequent intervals is sometimes objectionable, and may be
obviated by
carrying the plate ends on angle' irons, which also serve to confine the
coals to the
belt. (Fig. 11, piate I.) For belts up to 60 or 70 feet long and \ feet
wide, carry-
ing an ordinary load, two chains are sufficient, but with.a greater width or
length a
treble chain is used. The tumblers should be kept as small as possible at
the
leading end in order to reduce the fall over the belt end into the shoot.
For long
and heavy belts the driving tumblers should be fitted with projecting jaws,
but
for smaller sizes this is unnecessary. A sliding tightener should be
provided for
the trailing end, although this is sometimes dispensed with on short belts.
22 1 M PROVED COAL SCREENING- AND CLEANING.
The main points to be considered in determining the length, breadth, and
speed
of the belting are the amount of the load, the nature of the coal, and the
nature
and proportion of the stone or coal requiring separation.
The speed is governed by the fact that, if increased beyond certain limits,
it
becomes more difficult to ensure perfect cleaning, except at the cost of
unnecessary
extension of the belt, and if decreased, the heaping of the coals upon the
belt
becomes a serious evil. It is of the highest importance that the belts
should only
be loaded with coals sufficient to form a tolerably thin layer so that the
refuse
can be easily detected, and overloading belts should be carefully avoided.
The
most suitable speed for picking appears to be about 50 feet a minute, and
above
this it is doubtful whether, except, perhaps, in some special cases, the
thinner layer%
obtained by the extra speed counterbalances the greater difficulty in
picking,
especially where chipping is requisite. Irrespective of speed the length is
governed
by the amount and nature of the refuse.
For an average coal containing anything up to 4 per cent, of refuse on the
total load it will generally be found sufficient to provide 45 to 50 feet of
belting
for a load^of 300-350 tons to be passed over the belt in ten hours at a belt
speed
of 50 feet per minute, the width of belt being 4 feet, but where much
chipping
has to be done in addition it is better to extend the length to 60 or 70
feet. At
. higher speeds, or with a heavier percentage for separation, belts up to
100 feet
and even more are necessary. It is always, however, best to err on the safe
side
and allow a considerable margin in view of any unforeseen contingency. The
width (where there is no middle division for stones) is usually 4 feet, and
from
this to 4 feet 6 inches will be found the most convenient. Five feet belts
are
occasionally used, but it is a question whether the increased amount of
space
obtained compensates for the greater distance the pickers (especially in the
case of
boys) have to reach. The most convenient height is about 2 feet 6 inches.
In laying out a plant it is always advisable to duplicate as far as
practicable,
and although it may be possible to run a large quantity on to a screen and
over a
belt at a quick speed, it will be found a much safer course, as a rule, to
work with
two screens and shorter belts at slower speeds. The latter plan has the
additional
advantage of enabling either screen and belt to be worked independently in
case
bf need, and at a higher speed so as to avoid any loss of time should any
break-
down happen to the other. There is always a possibility, reduced it is true
by careful
inspection and attention to a very slight one, of a stoppage where machinery
is
used, and it is, generally speaking, a satisfaction to minimise the chance,
as far as
can reasonably be done, without any heavy increase in the first cost.
It is sometimes requisite to gain additional elevation at the delivery end,
and
this can be done by placing the belt at the requisite angle, which is
limited by the
sliding power of the coal. The greatest angle which has been employed
(without
special appliances) being, it is believed, about 4£ inches to the foot.
Loading Shoots.
The loading of the coal from the belt into the trucks is performed by a
shoot
placed as close to the tumbler as possible, and slightly below the line of
the tumbler
shaft. Several schemes have been devised for minimising the fall from#the
belt on
to the shoots, none of which appear to be particularly successful in
practice. Care-
ful adjustment of the shoot and a small tumbler is perhaps the best and
simplest
plan. The fall from the fixed shoot end into the empty truck,and consequent
break-
age, can be to a great extent avoided either by a short shoot hinged .to the
end of the
fixed one. and counterbalanced, or. better, by a telescopic plate (see C,
Fig. 15. Plate
IMPROVED COAL SCREE N'T NG AND CLEANING. 28
IV.), which may be run out towards the bottom of the empty truck and drawn
up
gradually as it is filled. The very objectionable drop which takes place
from fixed
screens is thus done away with, and rapid loading facilitated.
The above remarks refer generally to the nature and construction of the
various
parts, many or all of which are required in every apparatus.
It will now be necessary to make some observations as to the different
methods
in which they may be arranged, so as to form a plant which is most likely to
be
suitable for any given purpose.
The subject may be considered under two main heads, viz., (1) where the
screen-
ing precedes the cleaning, and (2) where the coal is first cleaned with or
without
subsequent screening.
The first is by far the most usual system employed, and will be found to be
the
best in the case of collieries where the output is, as a general rule,
classified, and
where no large proportion of unscreened coal is made.
In many cases the quality of the small coal is sufficiently good to enable
it to be
marketed without further treatment; but when picking is required, it is
perhaps
more easily and economically effected on a separate belt, where it is free
from the
larger coals, and the small stones can be more easily detected.
Where the proportion of unscreened to be made is large, it is sometimes
found
better to tip the coals directly on to the belt, and place the screen at the
leading
end, arranged in such a way that the unscreened may be loaded direct into
the trucks
without passing over the screens. . Unscreened is always more difficult to
clean,
especially when the coal is particularly uneven in size. Under any
circumstances,
however, an extra area of belt space is most desirable for this class of
coal, so that it
may be run down to a much thinner layer than is otherwise necessary. At some
works where only one class of coal is made, and the best results desired, a
series of
short belts are used in preference to one of considerable length, in order
that any one
may be stopped, should the coal be specially dirty, without undue
interference with
the remainder of the work. The short belts either deliver direct into wagons
or on
to a main collecting belt, running at right angles to them, and into a
loading shoot
in the usual way, or on to screens as an alternative.
When small quantities of unscreened coal are required at irregular intervals
and
short notice it is sometimes best to employ a dumb spout feeding directly on
to the
belt. This is generally practicable when the screens are at right angles to
the belts,
the only disadvantage being that it occupies a certain amount of belt space.
With
screens and belts in a line the difficulty is greater, and is usually
surmounted by
fixing a plate over the gauze. In this case, unless the screen speed can be
slowed
down, it is necessary to supply some device in order to prevent the coal
sliding down
in a heap on to the belt; and for this^ purpose an angle iron may be fixed
at the foot
of the dumb plate, or the plate end bent slightly upward, so as to retard to
some
degree the passage of the coals in a body. There is also a certain amount of
time
wasted in altering the screen, especially when frequent changes are
unavoidable, and
to obviate this difficulty arrangements may be made to remix the best and
small by
means of a trap at the screen foot. This method is adopted at Cowpen Mill
Pit, but
can only be utilised when the screen is fitted with a double tray. (D, Fig.
15, Plate
IV.) It has the advantage, where the belt is not fully loaded, of keeping
the two
sizes partly separate on it, and allowing them to be more easily cleaned.
Fig. 12, Plate VI., represents a device which is employed at the St. Hilda
Colliery
for plating the gauze with as little delay as possible, and consists of a
plate which
can be raised or lowered at will by means of levers actuated by a worm and
spur
wheel.
2i , improved coal screening anrd cleaning.
Disposal of Pickings.
The method of disposing of the different kinds of refuse or coal which may
be
picked off the belts requires some notice. The most usual custom is to throw
the
pickings on to benches or hoppers at either side of the belts, from whence
they can
be collected by means of shoots into wagons, or reloaded on to the belts and
into
wagons as opportunity offers. The question is, of course, largely dependent
on the
amount and number of classes of coal or refuse which are separated, and on
the
general arrangements and facilities which prevail at each individual
colliery.
The addition of a stone partition in the middle of the belt (A, Fig. 9,
Plate 1.)
has been largely adopted recently, and is perhaps best suited to places
where only
a single class is picked, such as stones or other small refuse, and where
the delivery
can be effected without any interference with the loading shoots. The
adoption of
this method, of course, necessitates an increase in the width, and
consequently in the
weight and cost of the belt, but on the other hand the space occupied by and
the
cost of erecting benches is reduced. Where considerable quantities are
picked off
and separated into different classes it has been suggested that a
cqgflecting belt placed
at a lower level and fed from a series of hoppers, into which the different
classes of
coal and refuse can be thrown, might be employed as an economical substitute
for
the ordinary bench deposit, and could be arranged to load each class at
intervals
direct into wagons at either end.
Laying out Tubs.
c
The difficulties which were at one time anticipated with regard to the laid
out
tubs under this system have been found in practice to be very slight. The
custom
usually is to station a man at the foot or side of the screen who can
readily detect
an undue quantity of refuse in the coal from any tub, and on suspecting one
he
places a mark or token at each end of the space occupied by its contents on
the belt.
Boxes are then placed on the belt and the refuse collected for weighing. Any
ordinary
amount of laid out tuba can easily be dealt with in this way, cases having
occurred
whereas many as 150 tubs have been so treated in a day often hours on a
single
belt.
Design.
The particular design of a plant most suitable for a given purpose is
dependent
to a great extent on the local circumstances and conditions which are
peculiar to
each individual colliery, and in the case of substitution for obsolete
methods is
largely governed by the buildings which are already erected and which may in
most
cases be utilised. It is, perhaps, preferable to arrange screens and main
belts in one
line if practicable where double screening is used without re-elevation, as
this allows
the different classes of small to be more easily loaded on to separate roads
bv means
of cross belts of different lengths. For single screening the arrangement of
placing
the belts at right angles to the screens is most suitable, and can generally
be most
easily adapted to buildings previously occupied by a range of fixed screens.
It is in
this case perhaps better where duplicate belts are being erected to run them
in
different directions in line with one another, and loading from their
respective ends
by curved shoots. This prevents one screen having to be made unusually long
as
occurs where the belts are placed side by side.
It appears desirable in order to illustrate more clearly the various
arrangements
which may be used and are more adapted to the requirements of different
classes
of coal, to give a description of several existing designs, and tor that
purpose the
following examples may be taken,
improved coal screening and cleaning. 25
Mill Pit, Blyth. (Figs. 13, 14, and 15, Plate IV.)—This apparatus is
designed
for the treatment of an average quantity of 1,000 tons in ten hours, with a
maximum
of 1,200 tons.
The coal after being tipped from a 12 cwt. tub on to either of the two
screens
furnished at the top with a curved spreading plate, and' each carrying £
inch locket-
work gauzes 10 feet long by 5 feet wide, is separated into best and small, a
certain
proportion of the latter being sub-divided into nuts and duff, and provision
being
made for cleaning the round coal and nuts, and for keeping separate the
entire
produce of either of the two screens and belts.
The screens lie at an angle of 15 degs., and are run at 100 vibrations per
minute.
They are driven direct from an independent single horizontal engine, 10
inches by
16 inches, placed immediately behind by means of variable eccentrics having
a
throw of from 5 inches to 6J inches. The round coal is delivered by shoots
on to
the main picking belts, and the small is collected by means of vibrating
dumb
trays attached underneath the gauzes with traps for the disposal of the
small in
the following ways:—The two higher traps (E, F, Fig. 15, Plate IV.) when
open
allow the small to drop into a hopper (H) placed underneath, whence it can
be
loaded on to the best coal roads. The third (G) deposits the small on to the
cross
belt (A, Fig. 14, Plate IV.) for elevation to the nut riddles, or for
loading by means
of a separate shoot (B, Fig. 14, Plate IV.) on to a separate way. By closing
this
trap the small passes down a shoot (D, Fig. 15, Plate IV.) underneath the
best
coal spout, and is remixed on the belt to form unscreened.
The belts are two in number, each 70 feet centres by 4 feet wide, and are
placed
in line with the screens. They are driven from the back tumblers by shafting
and
spur gearing from the main engines (12 inches by 24 inches) (A, Fig. 13,
Plate IV.)
which are placed near the screen engine, both being separated from the
screening
and picking shed by a partition. The belt speed is 45 feet per minute with
the
engine running 96 strokes. Both belts are fitted with clutches at the back
end.
The' loading spouts deliver on to two parallel rods and are fitted with
telescopic
shoots, 5 feet 6 inches by 4 feet wide, which are counter-balanced. (C, Fig.
15,
Plate IV.)
The weigh tables are placed immediately beneath the shoots, and are occupied
by the wagons during filling in order that the extra labour employed at an
adjusting
bench, which would be otherwise required in loading to a standard weight,
may be
avoided, and also to enable the tare to be taken if desired. The
steelyards are
. placed on the platform level.
The percentage of round coal is about 75, out of which about 2\ per cent, is
picked in the form of stones and brasses, in addition to 2 per cent, of
second class
coal.
The cross elevating belt is 3 feet 6 inches wide by 45 feet centres, rising
at an
angle of 23 degs., and having 2-£ inch angle irons attached to the plate at
intervals
of 7 feet, the whole being carried on a lattice framing. It is driven from
the top
end by a horizontal shaft connected to the main engine, and runs at a belt
speed
of 45 feet per minute. The elevator delivers either into the small coal
shoot or
by means of a breeches spout (C, Fig. 14, Plate IV.) into the two revolving
nut
screens, 4 feet diameter, fitted with a square mesh gauze, 9 feet long. They
lie at
an angle of 18 degs., and are driven by bevel gearing on a counter shaft
worked by
a belt from the horizontal shaft above-mentioned. The duff is delivered into
a
hopper common to both, and the nuts, from which about 2£ per cent, of refuse
is
picked, on to a belt 35 feet long, and similar to the main belts in all
other respects.
St. Hilda Colliery. (Figs. 17 and 18, Plate V.)—This plant is intended for
the
division of the coal treated into a considerable number of classes suitable
for house-
P
26 n improved coal screening and cleaning.
hold, gas, and manufacturing purposes, and is a good instance of the
facility with
which the frequent changes and combinations required under these conditions
may
be effected with economy both of time and labour.
The coal is of such a nature as to allow of its sub-division by means of
screen
gauzes placed in succession immediately below one another, and carried on
the same
locking arms.
It is first tipped (by means of revolving kick-ups driven from screen
shafting)
into hoppers (a, Fig. 17, Plate V.) fitted with regulating feed traps, and
thence
passes on to the main screen gauzes. Each of these is 10 feet by 4 feet,
with 1-]- inch
square mesh lying at an angle of 15 degs. and delivering the round coal
direct on to
a picking belt. The two belts are each 48 feet long and 4 feet 10 inches
wide, in-
including a 10 inch middle division for stones, and are speeded to run at
about 55 feet
a minute.
The coal passing through the top gauze falls on to the nut screen, 9 feet by
4 feet
and | inch square mesh, the nuts being delivered on to a small cross belt
(b, Fig. 18,
Plate V.)—12 inches wide, and running 90 feet a minute—which conveys them to
a
4 feet (e, Fig. 18, Plate V.) picking belt parallel to the main belts, and
having its
trailing tumbler depressed so as to permit delivery from the cross carrying
belt.
The third gauze converts the remaining coal into peas, which are loaded by a
small
jigging tray into wagons, and duff, which falls into a hopper placed
immediately
beneath.
For the manufacture of unscreened a lowering plate similar to that noticed
above
(Fig. 12, Plate VI.) is provided, and by means of a well-arranged series of
traps the
nuts and peas can be remixed and loaded as one class of small (best
household) the
peas and duff as another (factory), or, if desired, the three descriptions
can be
recombined.
Both belts and screens are driven by an engine having a pair of 12 inch by
16 inch
cylinders. The screens are worked by connecting rods from slotted adjusting
discs
(d, Fig. 17, Plate V.) fitted to counter shafts and driven by 18 inch spur
gearing
at equal speeds with the main screen shaft, each screen being supplied with
friction
clutches. The screen speed is 100 strokes per minute, and the produce, with
a 6 inch
throw, is :—Best coal, 37£ per cent.; nuts, 28^ per cent.; peas, 25| per
cent.; and duff,
8| per cent.
The picking belts are all driven from the leading end, and are clutched
there, the
power being transmitted by shafting and bevel gear. The loading shoots are
con-
structed with hinged reversing plates at the top (e, Fig. 17, Plate V.) and
double
spouts, so as to allow the coal to be loaded on to either of two parallel
roads at will.
The coal is drawn and tipped at two levels, one screen and belt being
reserved
for each level: the gross quantity which the apparatus is capable of
treating being
750 tons to each level, or 1,500 tons in all, in 10 hours, the amount of
refuse picked
out being about 2 per cent, of the gross quantity.
Beamish Colliery. (Figs. 19 and 20, Plate VII.)—The difference in the
general
design of this apparatus from that of those already described is due to the
fact that
it is intended for the cleaning of a coal containing a considerable
proportion of small
refuse, which it is equally important to eliminate from all the classes into
which it
may subsequently be divided.
To ensure this object the cleaning is done on four short belts (a, Fig. 19,
Plate
VII.) prior to screening, the produce of the picking belts being conveyed by
means
of a cross carrying belt (6, Fig 19, Plate VII.) to the screens for further
treatment.
After being deposited in hoppers (a, Fig. 20, Plate VII.) the coal is fed on
to each
belt by a trap, with a small roller at the outfall (&, Fig. 20, Plate VII.)
to ensure a
regular and even distribution. Each belt is 35 feet in length and 4 feet
10 inches
improved coal screening and cleaning. 27
wide, including a 10 inch stone division, and travels at a speed of about 50
feet
per minute. They are driven from the leading ends and are fitted with
friction
clutches, so that any belt may be thrown out of gear without any stoppage of
work
on the others. The stones are discharged into hoppers, from which they can
be
dropped into wagons for removal. The delivery of the coals is on to a cross
belt 35
feet long by 5 feet wide, which conveys the coal to a screen (c, Fig. 20,
Plate VII.)
placed at one end and parallel to the picking belts. The main screen is
fitted with
cast iron plates, having diagonal openings varying in size according to the
class of
coal to be made, and an underneath tray for the collection and delivery of
the small
—directly, if required—on to a nut screen (d, Fig. 20, Plate VII.) placed
immediately
below, with a hopper for delivery of duff. The speed of both screens is
about 70
vibrations per minute, with a 7 inch throw and an angle of 16 degs.
The whole of the machinery is driven by shafting from a 12 inch by 24 inch
engine placed at one end, and is arranged with a view to being subsequently
dupli-
cated for separate treatment of the produce of two shafts, so that the
number of
picking belts employed for each pit may be easily varied with the
fluctuations of the
outputs by altering the respective lengths of the cross carrying belts.
That part of the plant of which a sketch is given is capable of treating a
gross
output of 900 tons in 10 hours.
With the elimination of the cross belts and screens the design is similar to
that
most frequently adopted at collieries treating entirely unscreened coal.
Some mention of the system of picking and loading large coal into trucks by
hand, which is common in the Midlands, may perhaps be of interest.
Under this system the most improved method seems to consist in cleaning and
picking the coal on a belt placed at such a level that the large coal can be
easily
loaded by hand into trucks standing on roads placed on either side of and
parallel to
the belt.
The coal is tipped direct on to the belt, which may be 100 to 200 feet in
length
according to circumstances, and after cleaning and hand-picking, the residue
is
raised by a belt elevator (Fig. 22, Plate VIII.) to a level sufficient to
allow of its
separation by screening into (usually) three sizes, viz.:—cobbles, nut, and
slack.
The screen (#, Figs. 21 and 22, Plate VIII.) is placed at right angles to
the
belt, having gauzes of different mesh, and delivering the different classes
made on to
separate ways.
The size of screen and length of gauzes is, of course, proportioned to the
quantity
of coal which remains after picking has taken place. It is in this case
shown as a
double balanced screen capable of treating about 1,000 tons in eight hours.
Cost.
The cost of treating coal on the above described principle compares as a
rule very
favourably with that under systems hitherto generally adopted. The saving
under
ordinary circumstances may be estimated at a |d. to fd. per ton on the gross
output.
This is due mainly to the reduction of manual labour to that required merely
for the
picking and chipping, which renders possible the employment of boys for a
large
proportion of the work. At many collieries in the North of England where
screeners
are supplied with houses and fire-coal, the lower rate of wages paid is
still further
accentuated.
it must not. however, be supposed that the mere saving of labour is the only
advantage to be obtained, as the greater ease and certainty with which the
separat-
ing and sorting can be performed and the superior class of coal which
results are
benefits of much more serious importance.
Idle following table has been prepared from data obtained from various
collieries
where the system is in operation, and may. perhaps, be of some interest : —
discussion—improved coal screening and cleaning. 29
The actual cost has in each case been reckoned only on such labour as is
employed for screening, cleaning, and loading, and is taken on the wages
ruling in
October, 1889.
Banking out.
Amongst other advantages which the introduction of this system of mechanical
screening offers, mention has already been made of the economy effected by
the con-
centration of and consequently lessened amount of labour necessary for
banking out.
Where the long range of fixed screens gives place to one or two of the newer
type, it will readily be seen that the lessened distances the tubs have to
travel opens
the way to an appreciable reduction in the number of hands employed as
banksmen.
Where it is possible a system of banking out by gravitation is, of course,
the
best that can be devised, and reduces the class and quantity of manual
labour
employed to a minimum.
The simplest arrangement for this purpose is that in.which the tubs are con-
ducted round a more or less circular course. The full tubs gravitate from
the
cage to the tip, preferably of a side-teaming type, and arranged so that the
tub
passes out at the opposite end to that at which it enters. The body rests
upon
rollers, to one of which motion is given when required by means of friction
clutches
(Fig. 23, Plate IX.) or wheels, or the motion (Fig. 24, Plate X.) may be
regulated
by means of a hand brake and stop. About three tubs per minute can be teamed
by this means "without any further labour being employed than that necessary
for
stopping and starting the tippler, and the arrangement can also be
duplicated so as
to empty two tubs at one operation on the same or separate screens.
The objectionable fall and breakage of coal which usually occurs with the
em-
ployment of kick-ups is reduced considerably when the tub is turned sideways
and a
clean team is always ensured.
In situations, however, where an end team is indispensable an automatic
sliding
cover, such as that shown in Fig. 25, Plate IX., is a useful adjunct.
The empty tubs, after leaving the kick-up, are raised by mechanical means to
a
level sufficient to allow them to gravitate into the cage. For gaining the
necessary
elevation in such cases the design known as a " creeper " or " linger
chain," which is
described below, is perhaps the simplest and most satisfactory, as well as
the cheapest,
device that has hitherto been introduced.
Fig. 26, Plate VI., represents an arrangement on this principle now in
course of
erection at Harton Colliery, where the banking out is performed on two
flats, the
lower level being shown in full lines whilst the upper level is indicated in
dotted
lines. The coals from the high flat are tipped into a hopper, and screened
at the
same level as those from the low one.
The amount of power required can almost always be obtained from the screen
engine, and the methods of attachment and detachment of the tubs being
perfectly
automatic, no attention or labour is required.
The form of creeper most generally in use consists of an ordinary link chain
of
the double and single link type, having links with projections, of
sufficient height to
catch the tub axles, placed at intervals varying with the speed and amount
of work
to be done.
On a level road, or for slight loads, it may be driven from either end, and
at a
speed of not more than about 80 feet per minute ; but for heavy angles or
loads it is
better to drive from the leading end, and to use jaws on the driving
tumbler.
For haulages over comparatively short distances, such as sometimes occur
between
the shaft and screens, a creeper will be found to be both economical and
advantageous.
At Cowpen Mill Pit, where the heapstead is about 70 yards from the cages,
the
haulage is performed by a creeper 200 feet long, rising at a gradient of 1
in 7 to a
total height of 24 feet. (Fig. 27. Plate V.) The chains are driven by an
independent
30 DISCUSSION—IMPROVED COAL SCREENING AND CLEANING.
engine (10 inch by 20 inch cylinder) placed at the top, and are carried in
cast iron
troughs or channels, that containing the full chain being fitted with
rollers. The
returning portions of the chains are carried in angle iron slides suspended
in hangers
from the gangway. (A, Fig. 27, Plate V.)
The engine is geared 16 to 1. The speed of the chains being 47 feet per
minute,
and the distances between the fingers 12 feet, the number of tubs (19 cwt.
gross
weight per tub) which can be raised per hour is 240.
The President said it would be well to let the members know at the outset
that the discussion on the paper would be adjourned, but still he would be
glad if
some gentleman was in a position to commence the discussion to-day. There
was
an immense amount of most valuable information in detail and in principle
laid
before them, and he would be very glad to hear the remarks of any gentleman
on
the subject, especially if anyone had anything in the shape of questions on
any
points on which they desired information at the next meeting. It was a
matter
of great importance.
Mr. A. L. Steavenson said perhaps the subject was not one on which much
could be said until they had the paper before them for further
consideration, but
there could be no doubt that it was a very useful paper to have for
reference, and
although in their district the first thing to do was to clean the coals and
the next
to press them into a disintegrator, it was a subject of very great interest;
the
system described by Mr. Forster and Mr. Ayton was a very excellent one, and
he
could only suggest that on some other day, when the weather was warmer, the
Institute should visit the pits and see these appliances for themselves.
Mr. J. R. Breckon asked what would be the cost per ton to treat a given
quantity of coal by the means described 1
Mr. G. B. Forster pointed out that the information was all given in the
table
accompanying the paper, a copy of which was hung upon the wall as a diagram.
Mr. Breckon said he had listened with pleasure to the reading of the paper,
and also gathered some idea of the operation of the system described from
the
sketches on the walls. There was no doubt this was a move, in the right
direction,
of vast importance. Having had something to do with the disposal of coal in
the
market, it had been his experience that when the coal was treated in a
careful manner
at the screens, and sent into the market in a good clean condition, its
disposal was a
comparatively easy task, and a price could be realised for it far beyond
that realised
for coal not treated with such care. The system of screening by belts was a
valuable
and important invention, both as regards means of cleaning, ease with which
it could
be erected, and its economy, and so he felt certain they were moving in the
right
direction with regard to the treatment of coal, especially when they had to
consider
how to get the utmost price for it. For every penny expended for cleaning
coal he
ventured to say at least threepence or more might be realised on the price
per ton
vended—speaking in general terms. A system had been introduced in Scot-
land, at the works of Messrs. Murray k Cunningham, Motherwell, which seemed
to him to deserve attention. The plant had been erected by the firm of Simon
& Luhrig. Mr. Simon was a gentleman whose name was connected with the
coke ovens introduced in Durham, notably at Peases" West and Bearpark. Mr.
Luhrig was a German engineer; his plant had been extensively erected in
Silesia,
where 50 or 100 could be examined : but that at Motherwell was near at hand,
and
those interested might, if they thought it worth while, pay a visit to see
what was
done there. . He might mention that the firm of Simon ,V Ltthrig had been in
treaty with one firm in the County of Durham to deal with an output of 1,800
tons
per day, at a cost of a farthing per ton, being the entire cost of treating
the coal.
The system is worked by gravitation very largely and by belts, and whereas
in the
DISCUSSION—IMPROVED COAL SCltEEMNG AND CLEANI^U. 31
case of the colliery he referred to (with 1,800 tons per day), the cost was
given by
the colliery as £3,572 a year ; with Simon & Luhrig's system, after allowing
for
the steam-power and machinery, it was only £562, which left a saving of
£3,010.
Another useful part of their appliance was this, speaking of coal picked
out, they
had an ingenious and simple contrivance by which they took the coal—which
might
have pyrites or shale attached to it—and by squeezers of sufficient force
detached
it from the pyrites and shale, and in that way at a very slight cost a
considerable
quantity of coal was obtained, for which a ready market could be found at a
fair
good price ; and from other advantages in connection with this plant, he
thought
it might be said to be the most perfect contrivance yet known, and it seemed
to
him to recommend itself strongly to gentlemen considering this subject, He
could
not describe it from any drawing or from any accurate knowledge ; he could
only
speak of its. advantages in a commercial sense, and he thought it well to
direct the
attention of this meeting to the plant and the advantages it appeared to
offer.
It might be that in some respects the designs put before the meeting were
better
adapted to the requirements of collieries here, but in considering the
subject he
thought the plan adopted at Motherwell should be taken into account,
Mr. H. Ayton, referring to the diagram on the wall, explained that the cost
of
treating coal under the method described in the paper varied from *62d. to
2d. on the
gross quantity.
The President asked if there was any special leading charge into which the
cost was divided ? Of course, the tables on the wall could be examined in
detail by
any gentleman after the meeting ; but what were the leading features ?
Mr. Ayton read several of the particulars given on the table of costs.
The President—Then sufficient details are given, so that comparisons can be
made with other systems.
Mr. Ayton—Yes. Rates of wages are also given.
Mr. Breckon—Does the cost given include steam-power or use of machinery ?
Mr. Ayton—No ; just wages.
The President said it was important that questions should be asked to-day on
any point which it was desired should be brought out,
Mr. M. Walton Brown thought the number of enginemen and men on the
screens might be shown separately.
Mr. Ayton said as a rule only one engineman was employed, and sometimes he
was only partly employed. He acts as screener.
Mr. Brown—That might be shown. There will be differences.
Mr. Ayton—The numbers of men and boys employed are generally in proportion
to the length of the belt, and the lengths are given.
Mr. W. J. Bird asked if the authors of the paper knew of any particular
arrange-
ment of the system applied to accumulated and reserved stocks of screened
coal, or
unscreened and separated coal, which might be useful under circumstances
with
which they were all acquainted !
Mr. Ayton—The apparatus at Harton, which is not yet erected, has been
adopted
for that use.
Mr. Blackett asked if there was any means of turning the coal on the belt ?
Mr. Ayton said that to turn over so that coal would not rest on the belt in
large
blocks a " spreading plate " was adopted (Fig. 13, Plate IV.) in the
arrangement at
Mill Pit. It had answered very well.
Mr. Blackett— But I am speaking of turning it over on the belt to look for
stones.
Mr. Ayton—Nothing but hand-power.
Mr. T. H. M. Stratton said he presumed it would be too much to ask for the
first cost.
\V2 discussion—improved coal screening- and cleaning.
Mr, Ayton said they had not gone into the question of first cost, it varied
so
much according to the conditions of individual collieries. They had gone
into the
matter of the maintenance of screens, but the time the screens had been
running
was hardly sufficient to give any fixed idea on the subject. So far as they
had gone
into the question they found that the locket work compared very favourably
with
the old fixed screen bars, taking quantity for quantity.
Mr. Douglas asked if there was any difficulty in driving the belt from the
other
end; if it could not be got at from the leading end, or in the case of a
heavy
inclination 1
Mr. Ayton said he remarked in the paper that when this first came out the
belts
were often driven from the leading end ; they are now, in the case of heavy
loads.
If the load was heavy, it had generally been found best to drive from the
leading
end ; with a light load, and with a light inclination, it was matterless.
Mr. J. R. Breckon asked if there was any experience to show whether the coal
treated by this means, as compared with the old-fashioned screens, found
more favour
with the buyers ? To put it even more strongly, whether any portion of the
coal—
nuts, small, peas, or screened coal—had been found to realise any higher
prices ?
After all it came very much to the question, how will these operations tell
upon the
balance sheet 1 If there were any such particulars they would be
interesting.
Mr. Ayton said he was sorry they had no data one way or the other on that
point.
Mr. Kenneth Guthrie said he would be glad to have some information as to
revolving tables. He believed they were used at many collieries, and were
very well
suited for laying out tubs to get at the dirt.
Mr. Ayton said, although they had. touched on mechanical screening, they had
not gone into the question of revolving tables. They had found it best to
confine
themselves to the methods in use in the North of England. Revolving tables
were
more used in the South and Midlands.
Mr. Gr. B. Forster said, with regard to one set of screens described, he
would be
glad to adopt Mr. A. L. Steavenson's suggestion, and, when the temperature
was
rather better, to see the members of the Institute at Cowpen Colliery, if
they would
care to examine the screens and anything else there. They would also have an
opportunity of visiting the rising port of Blyth.
Mr. M. Walton Brown proposed a vote of thanks to the writers of the paper
for the clear way in which they had put the matter before the members.
Mr. J. R. Breckon seconded.
The President said he was sure they would all join in the vote of thanks.
The
subject of the cleaning and manipulation of coal after they had got them to
bank
was, he thought, of great and vital importance. Of course, Mr. Breckon must
not
expect them to get any chemical change in the condition of the coal which he
thought he seemed rather to aim at, they only got mechanical change. If he
suc-
ceeded in getting coal which he did not get before, the balance sheet would
no
doubt be very much improved. He would only remind them that this would be
one of the papers published in the next part of the Proceedings of the
Federated
Institute, but at or before the end of March he expected they would have it
in full
print to discuss it, and he hoped the weather before that time would be
sufficiently
genial for their friend Mr. Steavenson and other members to accept Mr.
Forster's
invitation.
The vote of thanks was cordially adopted.
Dr. F. Colet Larkin exhibited and explained " A new Mechanical Device for
the rapid fixing of Surveying Instruments."
The proceedings then terminal jd,
proceedings. 83
NORTH OF ENGLAND INSTITUTE OF MINING AND MECHANICAL
ENGINEERS.
GENERAL MEETING, Saturday, February 8th, 1890.
Mr. John Marley, President, in the Chair.
The Secretary read the minutes of the previous meeting, which were
confirmed.
The Secretary reported that since the last general meeting two meetings of
the Council had been held, and among the business done it had been decided
to
print Mr. Hugh Boyd's memoir of the late Mr. E. F. Boyd in full, as a
separate
publication, with a photographic portrait, to be issued to the members of
the
Institute. An abstract of the memoir, consisting of an account of the purely
pro-
fessional career of Mr. Boyd, would be published in the Proceedings of the
Federated
Institution.
The following gentlemen were elected, having been previously nominated :—
Member—
Mr. Daniel Henry Bayldon, Mining Engineer, Thames Gold-Field, New
Zealand ; and 3, Drapers' Gardens, London, E.C.
Associates—
Mr. Sidney Bates, Surveyor, etc., The Grange, Prudhoe-on-Tyne.
Mr. John Bell, Under Manager, Wardley Colliery, Newcastle-on-Tyne.
Mr. Thomas Hepburn, Under Manager, South Street, Langley Park, Durham.
Mr. Robert Richardson, Under Manager, Throckley Colliery.
Mr. George D. Ridley, Colliery Surveyor, Tudhoe Colliery, Spennymoor.
Mr. Andrew Watson, Colliery Engineer, New Seaham Colliery, Sunderland.
The following gentlemen were nominated for election :—
Member—
Mr. Hiram Craven, Jun., Mechanical Engineer, Sunderland.
Associate—
Mr. Edgar Ormerod Bolton, Mining Engineer, Exors. of Col. llargreaves,
Burnley.
In the absence of the author, the Secretary read the following paper by Mr.
D. H. Bayldon, on " The Hauraki Gold Mining District (Northern Section),
Auck-
land, New Zealand."
34 the hauraki gold mining district, new zealand.
THE HAUItAKI GOLD MINING DISTRICT (NORTHERN SECTION),
AUCKLAND, NEW ZEALAND.
By D. H. Bayldon, M.E., Thames, New Zealand.
The Hauraki mining- district, in the Province of Auckland, New Zealand, lies
between latitudes 36° 25' and 37° 40' S. and longitudes 175° 20' and 176° 0'
E., is about
100 miles long by an average of 2a miles wide, the greater portion being
known as
the Coromandel Peninsula,
It is bounded easterly by the Pacific Ocean and westerly by the Firth of
Thames
and the beautiful fertile valley of that name,' the extreme northern limit
being-
Cape Colville, and extends southward beyond Te Aroha mountain, 3.173 feet
high.
The country for tlx- most part is rugged and mountainous, covered with dense
forest of evergreen trees, intersected by innumerable streams of various
sizes, which
afford at all times of the year a magnificent supply of pure water for
mining,
timber floatage, and domestic use.
The timber on the ranges is of va&i extent. Here is found the celebrated
Kauri
pine, from 70 to 150 feet high, some of the boles of which have been known
to
exceed 20 feet in diameter. Other valuable timbers exist, suitable for
building,
cabinet, fencing, mining, and domestic purposes. The Kauri gum, a hard
substance
somewhat like-amber in appearance, and which is exuded from the pine of that
name, is found in the existing and extinct forests in great profusion, and
is a source
of wealth to the country : it is exported to England and America, where it
is highly
esteemed and manufactured into the finest carriage varnish.
The valleys are salubrious and fertile, composed of deep alluvium, and are,
to
some extent, cultivated by the Maoris, miners, and settlers. The crops are
such as
are grown in England. All English fruits are abundant and good. Stock of all
descriptions thrive and do well.
The situation of the Hauraki mining district is somewhat unique as a
gold-field,
the facilities offered for the export or import of material being all that
can be
desired, sea carriage being afforded almost up to the pit mouths in the
instances of
Thames and Coromandel. The noble and picturesque harbour of Auckland is
within
40 miles of the former and 30 miles of the latter town, where ships of any
draught
may lie and discharge at the wharves with the greatest safety.
Local steamers, carrying passengers and freight, run at regular and frequent
intervals between Auckland. Thames. Coromandel, and Mercury Bay, from whence
they distribute their freight to other points by drays, coach, or river.
The Thames or Waihou river drains the south-western section of the district;
it
is navigable for small steamers and craft for some 60 miles of its course.
Inside the
river, for several miles, exists a natural harbour, suitable for vessels up
to 600 tons
register. The land is rich and fertile, forming a broad valley 15 to 20
miles wide,
perfectly flat, intersected by other streams. The ground is somewhat swampy,
which is natural from its conformation, but for the most part easily
drainable.
Here the Phormium tenax, or native flax, covers large areas and fringes the
river
banks ; the white pine, a very useful timber, is also abundant. Much of this
land,
especially in the upper part of the valley, is reclaimed, and flourishing
farms are to
be seen as far as the eye can reach.
The lands on the eastern bank of the river are now nearly all occupied by a
hardy, industrious class of farmers, many of whom are now and have in days
gone
by been engaged in mining pursuits.
the haurak1 gold mini no district, n e w zkalaxd, $9
Such is a brief outline of the Hauraki mining district, and it will be seen
that
mining and agriculture can go hand in hand. Twenty years ago it was a
howling
wilderness, now there are inany small towns and villages, the country dotted
over
with farms, the miners penetrating the hills in search of the precious and
other
metals, and the country made accessible by roads and bridges. The future of
such
a country is not hard to predict.
The principal centres of mining in the district are Coromandel, Hastings,
Thames,
Hikutaia, Ohinemari (comprising Karangahake, Owharoa, Waihi, and
Waitekauri),
Te Aroha, including Waiorongomai.
Gold was first discovered at Coromandel in the year 1851, and attracted a
con-
siderable number of miners, but through native troubles, and superior
attractions
elsewhere, the diggings became comparatively deserted till 1861, from which
time
mining has been carried on, with more or less success, to the present day.
Con-
siderable tact required to be displayed in dealing with the natives to
induce them
to open their lands to the miners for prospecting and mining. All these
difficulties
have for many years been overcome ; cordiality and mutual good understanding
now prevails on both sides.
Coromandel is situated on a beautiful little harbour, and mining for gold is
carried on from the sea beach across the main range toward the east coast.
Coal
and other minerals are found throughout the district, but are undeveloped.
The principal gold mines are the Kapanga and Coromandel (English companies),
Tokatea, West Tokatea, Royal Oak, Pride of Tokatea, Success, Onslow, and
many
others.
Throughout this district the outcrop of a main or mother reef can be traced
for
many miles, averaging 25 to 30 feet thick, with a northerly strike and
westerly
underlie of about 45 degrees. It has not been found payable, but the lateral
veins,
which have an east and west strike and northerly dips of varying angles, are
found
to yield good paying ore, which, as a rule, lies in " chutes " or chimneys
of varying
widths and depths. These lateral veins vary from a few inches to several
feet in
thickness. The Tokatea Mine, in which this system of reef- is well
illustrated, is
situated on the main range, the highest point being about 1,400 feet above
sea-level;
it is worked by adits down to a depth of 900 feet, the lowest level being
about 2,500
feet long.
The Kapanga Mine is situated about one mile westward of the main reef: two
well defined reefs have been worked from the surface to a depth of 550 feet,
It is
worked from a main shaft, properly equipped with pumping and winding
machinery,
capable of going to a much greater depth.
Some of the ore from this mine was exceedingly rich, and in places highly
charged with metallic arsenic, which, in the course of amalgamation, had the
effect
of sickening the quicksilver, which, consequently, did not do its work,
entailing
considerable loss of the precious metal.
The Coromandel. Mine is situated on ihe sea shore, above high water mark.
The
company are doing good work, opening up new blocks 280 feet below sea-level.
The pumping and winding machinery is situated on the sea beach, the mine
being worked by two shafts about 450 feel apart. The inland shaft, being
about 120
feet above sea-level, and the deepest by 100 feet, is connected by sweep
rods to the
pumping engine, the water being pumped to the 180 feet level, from whence it
runs
back to the seaward shaft, and is then forked to the surface. The drainage
water
from the mine is settled in a reservoir and used for milling purposes.
The Country rock in which the lodes are encased is of igneous origin, of a
tufaceous nature, highly charged with undeconiposed pyrites, below
water-level,
sometimes coarse and rotfen. in other cases line grained and hard, .and has
been
36 the hauraki gold mining district, new zealand.
termed " tufaceous sandstone," and in this class of country rock only have
the lodes
been found payable. Alternating with the tufaceous sandstone are to be found
slates, diorite-porphyry, and felsites.
Hastings, some 20 miles south of Coromandel, is a small mining township.
Con-
siderable quantities of gold have from time to time been found in the
various gullies
and spurs off the main range, chiefly in decomposed slate and tufaceous
sandstone.
No deep mining of any consequence has been done here.
Thames is the centre and most important locality in the Hauraki mining
district.
It was opened for mining in the latter part of the year 1867, and has been
constantly
worked since that date.
The population was at one time 10,000 to 11,000, but being chiefly composed
of
miners, otherwise diggers, who are a roving set of men, attractions
elsewhere has
reduced the number to something like 4,500 at the present time.
The auriferous portion of the Thames is several miles wide, and the distance
back into the ranges uncertain, as not more than about six miles in a
straight line
has been explored for gold.
The country rock is composed of tufaceous sandstone, alternating with
diorite
or andesite dykes. The latter are extremely hard to penetrate, and are known
locally as " hard bars." The highest points in the locality are chiefly
composed of
this class of rock. The country is broken and irregular, intersected by
gullies and
cracks, which afford excellent opportunities for mining by means of adits or
tunnels.
The lodes have varying strikes between 10 degrees and 80 degrees north-east
and usually underlie to the north-west at angles ranging from 22 degrees to
80
degrees from the horizon. They are variable in thickness, from a few inches
to 20
feet, and all are more or less gold-bearing while traversing the tufaceous
sandstone.
The pay ore, as is usual, lies in " chutes " of varying lengths and depths,
the
best paying reefs have hard walls, to which the quartz, in a great measure,
adheres,
which gives the impression that when the rocks were in a state of fusion
they
emitted certain gases, which, with other combinations when the rocks cooled,
caused the deposition of gold in the veins. The deposition of gold is
especially
noticeable where lateral breaks occur, and which have the appearance of
water
channels.
Where the break does not cross the lode the chute of rich ore is of much
greater
extent, and the lode richest on that wall which has been subject to
fracture, and
the deposit of gold becomes weaker the further it recedes from that
fracture. In
many instances where a break crosses the lode the deposition of gold will be
at the
junction, and so marked is this in some instances that the cross courses are
followed
for the purpose of intersecting the junctions, and the lodes only worked at
those
particular points. The pay ore forms a pipe or chimney at the junction.
Black
veins, rich in pyrites, striking from the country rock into the lodes is a
most fruitful
source of gold. Flinty veins, barren in themselves, frequently run parallel
with a
lode, and when a contact takes place there is almost a certainty of gold
being
deposited.
There are also at the Thames several main slides or clay cross courses,
which
have an influence on the deposition of gold. The lodes are always more
productive
when in contact or in. the immediate vicinity of these slides, and,
moreover, the
lode is not productive on both walls of the slide but usually on the hanging
wall
contact. (Plate I.)
The veins are very numerous and sinuous in their course, and frequent
junctions
occur, which complicates mining to a very great extent. As a rule the lodes
main-
tain their underlie well. It may be as well to mention that where variations
in
strike and dip occur, the productiveness of the lode is influenced.
the hauraki gold mining district, new zealand. 37
All these eccentricities entail upon the management constant care and watch-
fulness, as many instances have been known of mines abandoned as
unprofitable
on further development turning out highly profitable dividend paying
concerns.
The mines, for the most part, are small, none exceeding 100 acres, some of
the
richest have not exceeded a few acres in extent.
The principal mines are worked from shafts on the low ground adjacent to the
sea beach, and the workings are, for the most part, below sea-level. The
deepest
shaft is 748 feet, being over 720 feet below the sea. No trouble is
experienced from
sea water, the whole of the drainage being coped with by a main pump.
An assessment is made annually on the various companies benefited by its
operations ; it is by that means maintained and managed by a board elected
from
the contributors.
The pumping machinery consists of a low pressure Buhl engine of 250 horse-
power, 82 inch cylinder, 8 feet stroke, with a 25 inch column, and four
Cornish
boilers ; two balance bobs, one at the surface, the other at the 300 feet
level, placed
over a shaft 12 feet by 8 feet inside measurement, depth of shaft 640 feet.
This
machinery at present does all the pumping for the field down to the 500 feet
level,
working about six strokes per minute.
* Mining in the hills is carried on by means of adits, of which there are. a
great
number, varying in length from over half a mile to a few hundred feet.
Roads and tramways are constructed up the creeks, by means of which the ore
is brought to the flat and distributed to the various reducing plants for
treatment.
There are about* 180 stamps at work in seven mills, a Newberry-Yautin
chlorina-
tion plant, and several other establishments for the treatment of tailings
by grinding
processes.
All these mills are driven by water-power. The water has been brought on to
the ground by a water race, fifteen miles long, constructed by the
Government, and
now administered and controlled by the Thames County Council, who let the
water
at a moderate rental per cubic foot per week—one cufric foot being equal to
about
12 horse-power, consequently crushing operations are conducted at a very low
cost.
This water is not only useful for milling purposes, but is supplied to the
foundries,
cabinet factories, for household purposes, and small machinery generally.
In addition to the peculiarities mentioned in connection with mining at the
Thames, it has been proved beyond doubt that the gold not only lies in
chutes, but
that these chutes have a southerly dip, and strike across the reefs at a low
angle.
(Plate II.)
Carbonic acid gas is frequently found in the mines below sea-level; it is
not
noticeable except during easterly weather, the prevailing winds being
westerly.
Several fatalities have occurred through its sudden influx, but greater
caution is
now observed and accidents are avoided.
Mining at Thames is carried out in a thoroughly systematic manner. The
machinery is of a superior description, subject to biennial inspection by a
Govern-
ment officer. The administration of the gold-field is conducted by the
warden or
magistrate, who hears <and decides all cases of dispute which may arise from
time
to time.
The southern portion of the district, including Hikutaia, Ohinemari, and Te
Aroha, are most interesting. The lodes are different to those at Thames and
north-
ward, and different classes of machinery are being put up for treating the
ores,
which are of a much more complex nature.
A short notice would not do them justice, therefore, as time will not
permit, I
have deemal it preferable to confine the foregoing paper to the northern
section
only.
38 discussion—waroiu coal-field, india.
The President said, the author of the paper, who had that day been elected a
member of the Institute, had, unfortunately, been obliged to leave for
Africa. The
paper was postponed from the last meeting in order, if possible, that Mr.
Bayldon
might be present, but as this was not possible, it might be well if there
were any
questions to ask or remarks to make on the paper that these should be
forwarded,
through the Secretary, to Mr. Bayldon, in order that that gentleman might
reply in
time for the adjourned discussion.
There being no remarks offered,
The President moved that a vote of thanks be accorded to Mr. Bayldon for the
paper, which was apparently very full of information on the subject of the
gold-
fields in New Zealand.
Mr. C. Z. Bunning's paper on the " Warora Coal-field, India," was opened for
discussion.
The President said he was glad to see the author of the paper present. Had
he any further information to give by way of introducing the discussion ?
Mr. BUNNiNGr said he had not much to add, and as the other paper on the
agenda was of more interest to the members, he would prefer that this be
taken
last.
Mr. A. L. Steavenson proposed a vote of thanks to Mr. Bunning. He said the
paper was not one which could be very much discussed, but both this and the
paper
just read would be very valuable additions to the Proceedings, and of great
assist-
ance to anyone about to visit the districts described. He had read Mr.
Bunning's
paper carefully ; there seemed to have been a great deal of labour involved
in its
preparation, and the writer deserved very much credit for the way in which
he had
stored his information.
The President thought it might perhaps be as well, if anyone had anything
to say on the paper, to follow the order of the agenda.
Mr. Thos. Bell (H.M. Inspector) asked if it was compulsory under Act of
Parliament in India to record every accident, however trifling ? If so, the
relative
number of accidents there appeared to be very ^much lower than in this
country,
the ratio in England being nearly double, if as he understood from the
paper,
every little accident was reported.
Mr. Bunning thought he had remarked in his paper on this head that every
accident which incapacitated a man from work for 48 hours had to be
reported.
With reference to Acts of Parliament, coal mines were included in the
Factories
Act ; there was not a separate Mines Act.
Mr. Thos. Bell—The Factories Act being a Government Act 1
Mr. Punning—Yes. The only matter to which he would like to draw the
attention of any mining engineer going abroad, and especially to India or
the
Brazils, was with regard to the water. They should take care to avoid
illness from
parasites which the water of the mines contained ; and all water before use
should
be properly filtered. He was in India four years, and his recent illness was
due to
ignorance of the dangers from the source mentioned.
Professor Lebour asked if there were any plant remains at all in the coal-
seams at Warora ?
Mr. bunning—Yes, the ordinary catamite is found there, out very rarely.
Professor Lebour—Is that all !
Mr. Bunning—Yes.
discussion—winding, banking-out, and bcreening plant. 89
The President said he had very much pleasure in seconding Mr. Steavenson's
proposal. Their most cordial thanks were due to Mr. Bunning for his paper.
With
regard to the warning as to water, although of course a very proper one, the
remark
would apply to all sorts of impure water, at home or abroad, and mining
water was
often impure.
The vote of thanks was agreed to with acclamation.
Mr. Tate's paper on "Winding, Banking-out, and Screening Plant at East
Hetton Colliery" was opened for discussion.
The President asked if the author of the paper had anything to add ? If not,
he would invite the other members to discuss the subject.
Mr.-Tate said he had very little to add. He had ascertained that previous to
using the belt they picked out rather better than a half per cent. ; now it
was about
\} or 1£ per cent, of stone.
The President—You have increased the quantity removed 1
Mr. Tate—Just about doubled it.
Mr. Willis—Trebled, is it not ?
Mr. TATE—No, not quite. It varied from a half upwards before ; now it is
U to li
The President said the question of screening and cleaning was a matter of
importance, deserving, in the coal-fields of the North, as well as
elsewhere, special
attention, so much so that he was asked the other day to take into
consideration
the question of spending- between £5,000 and £10,000 in this respect; and
when
such large sums as this were involved, the matter became one for serious
consider-
ation. Another paper, by Mr. Forster and Mr. Ayton, had been read on the
same
subject, and he hopefl both this and Mr. Tate's paper would elicit much
discussion.
Mr. Bell thought the President would naturally be anxious to have full
information on the subject.
The President—Yes, very full, before spending so much. As he mentioned at
the last meeting, he had seen Mr.* Tate's arrangement, and was very much
pleased
with it.
Mr. J. G. Weeks asked if Mr. Tate had just one kick-up, and, if so, what
quan-
tity per day could be put over it ? What was the average daily quantity ?
Mr. Tate said the apparatus had not been fairly tried at their pit; the most
they had put over it was seventy scores.
Mr. J. G. Weeks—Over one screen ?
Mr. Tate—Yes, one screen ; one kick-up ; but they could do over double that.
The President asked what tonnage seventy scores represented ?
Mr. TATE—Over a thousand tons.
Mr. BELL supposed it was not fully occupied.
Mr. Tate—Not half.
Mr. Bell asked how the weighing was arranged ? He saw the tubs came out in
front according to the diagram on the wall, but where was the indicator of
the
machine ?
Mr. Tate explained the diagram. The machine was not finished yet, but it
was intended to be hung on four rods within the kick-up ; the tub could be
weighed
full and again empty when the kick-up brought it back to its original
position. This
was the only place where the machine could be arranged so as to weigh the
tub full
10 discussion—winding, banking-out, and screening plant.
and empty. Messrs Pooley thought it would work nicely. Of course it was not
always necessary to weigh the tub fujl and empty ; they would weigh it
either full
or empty, or both, as circumstances required.
Mr. Bell asked whether boys or men were employed on the belt!
Mr. Tate—All boys.
Mr. A. L. Steavenson—I think you should ask us to go and see it and discuss
it there.
Mr. Tate—We shall be glad to see you at any time.
Mr. Blackett cited a colliery in Derbyshire where a thousand tons a day went
over one kick-up, and there the full tub was pulled in and the empty one
pulled out,
Mr. Tate's was an improvement on that, for the tub ran through the kick-up
and a
full tub coming displaced the empty one.
Mr. Bell—Yes, that is a saving of time.
Mr. Stratton said he did not consider a thousand tons a day a large quantity
to
deal with, but he thought it was perhaps rather an extreme case to say that
the
quantity going over the one machine could be doubled. If the apparatus
worked
full nine hours a day that only allowed, on the seventy scores Mr. Tate
referred to,
about twenty-four seconds for each tub : he could hardly bring that down to
twelve
seconds, especially if the tub was twice weighed.
Mr. Tate—The tub just goes over and back again ; we can team it quicker than
we can draw it out of the pit.
Mr. Thos. Bell thought the kick-up and travelling belt were quite capable of
taking twice their present quantity.
Mr. Blackett said it might be some guide to mention that it was usual with
' them to change the tub and draw the coals from the bottom of the pit in
twenty
seconds.
Mr. Bell—What depth 1
Mr. Blackett—Forty fathoms.
Mr. Bell—What is yours, Mr. Tate ?
Mr. Tate—One hundred.
Mr. blackett—I am only speaking of changing and drawing out of the pit—
twenty seconds—as against the kick-up.
Mr. C. c. Leach asked what brought the tub to rest in the kick-up ?
Mr. Tate explained (illustrating with a sketch* on the blackboard) that the
road
was " dished " a little.
Mr. Bell said many cages were fitted in the same way without the sneck. The
full tub coming in knocked the empty one out.
Mr. a. L. Steavenson said Mr. Tate did not debit himself with cost of steam,
nor did he give the horse-power required. This information would be
useful.
Mr. Stratton hoped the discussion on this paper would not be closed to-day,
but
that this paper, and that by Messrs. Forster and Ayton, would be discussed
together.
The President—But anything you do to-day will assist the further discussion
of the other paper. Don't stop the discussion of this paper for the sake of
the
other. They would be sure to come together afterwards, and he would suggest
that
the present discussion be carried as far as possible.
Mr. Stratton said there was one point, then, which he might mention, which
was of interest to those who had belts. How did Mr. Tate deal with stones ?
Did
he run more than one kind of coal at a time ? Were the stones loaded into
wagons,
and how ?
Mr. Tate said there were three kinds of coals. Referring to the diagram on
the
Avail, he explained that the peas and duff went out behind ; the stones were
just
teamed by a shoot into wagons,
discussion—winding, BA«*^rJ-OUT, and screening plant. 41
Mr. Stratton—By hand ?
Mr. Tate—Yes.
Mr. Stratton said he meant by his question the different kinds of good coal
separated.
Mr. Tate said they made only one kind of best. If other separation were
desired
they could have a middle partition for the best, and run it into a separate
wagon.
Mr. Bell said it was rather objectionable to have a separate box and belt.
It
had been tried at Rainton, and failed. It got mixed at the far end, and got
wrong
in other ways, and was eventually taken out.
Mr. J. G. Weeks asked if Mr. Tate anticipated any difficulty in iClaying out
"
when running at such a speed 1
Mr. Tate said 1,000 tons a day were being put over the screen at a Durham
colliery. If the manager had been present he could have told them something
about it, They had an ordinary old-fashioned kick-up, and there was no
difficulty
in laying out. As soon as a tub was teamed and ran down the spout, the lad
at the
handle saw if it was dirty, and if so he put a box on. It stayed there till
it got to
the end, and was laid out in the usual way.
Mr. Bell supposed the belt was running at such a speed that when a tub was
on there was an empty space on the belt, and the box would be put on the
space
represented by the dirty tub.
Mr. Tate—Yes.
Mr. J. G. Weeks said that was not his experience ; it was generally one con-
tinuous stream from one end to the other.
Mr. Stratton said his attention had been drawn to this very point not long
ago by a gentleman who had a large belt running a thousand tons a day, and
it was,
as Mr. Weeks said, a river of coal and no space. It ran uninterruptedly for
the
half hour he watched it.
Mr. R. L. Weeks—But we get an opportunity of cleaning the best and small,
whereas at the colliery named they have treble nuts and double nuts and have
not
a chance to clean them.
Mr. Bell thought perhaps the colliery named was a i different case, because
they
had a very wide screen, something like 1£ inch mesh, and not fifty per cent,
of the
coal went on the belt, the other went through into the common hopper. They
had
the chance of sending a thousand tons over the belt and cleaning it.
Mr. J. G. Weeks—Then, there will be only about 500 tons going over the belt
1
Mr. Bell—That is what I mean ; the other is going through into the common
hopper.
Mr. Blackett said-, over the belts he had in use they cleaned nothing but
unscreened, and it was not possible, as far as he could see, to do anything
like a
thousand tons over a belt. There might be a thousand tons over the kick-up,
in the
ordinary way, but screen them, and they did not get much more than half that
to
clean on the belt. When he put up a belt at Kimblesworth—the first they had—
he
had no idea how much unscreened they would get over the belt, and the very
utmost
they had been able to do at Kimblesworth was 500 tons, and even that could
not be
properly done ; still, they had no difficulty in cleaning the coals.
Mr. R. L. Weeks—How many screens had you before you adopted the belt ?
Mr. Blackett—About eight; and now we have a belt we are able to work with
one belt and two screens.
Mr. J. G. Weeks—What is the length of the belt ?
Mr. Blackett—90 feet, and 4 feet wide. We have another, 70 feet and 5 feet
wide.
Mr. J. G. Weeks—Do you find the wide width as easily worked as the narrow ?
F
42 discussion—winding, banking-out, and screening plant.
Mr. Black ett—Yes. They had a novel way of turning coals over on that belt,
by
fixing an ordinary ploughshare above the belt in the first instance to turn
the heap
of coals over, and other ploughshares further along to turn them back. He
was un-
certain at first as to whether these ploughshares would break much coal, but
there
was no breakage to any appreciable extent.
Mr. J. G. Weeks thought they had something of the same kind at Heworth
Colliery.
The President—The object desired to be attained by cleaning was a very im-
portant one in many collieries in the North, because it affected the
question as to
whether the coke was to be clean or dirty. That perhaps caused it to be a
matter
of greater importance than if it was simply a question of quantity. Each
gentle-
man, however, might now prepare himself against the time Mr. Forster's paper
came on, and if it was the opinion of the present meeting that the
discussion should
be adjourned, to come on at the same time as that on Mr. Forster's paper,
perhaps
some one would propose it.
Mr. Bell said he thought when Mr. Forster's paper was read, that gentleman
was kind enough to say he would invite the members to visit the colliery. He
would respectfully suggest that such visit should take place before the next
discus-
sion ; it would materially help the discussion, and be of advantage to the
Institute.
The Secretary stated that the paper would be published in March.
The President thought Mr. Bell's suggestion valuable. He would endeavour
to have it carried out if possible.
Mr. Tate said, as far as he was concerned, he would be glad to see the
members
of the Institute, individually or collectively, at East Hetton.
The President asked if it was the wish of the meeting that the discussion on
this paper should be adjourned as suggested 1 As Mr. Tate had been kind
enough to
give them a challenge, and say he would be glad to see them, they would now
have
an opportunity of seeing the screens in operation.
Mr. Willis thought it would be a pity to formally close the discussion. Let
it
remain open.
The President—Then it is understood that the discussion stands adjourned.
The Secretary—To be taken with that on Messrs. Forster and Ayton's paper ?
The President—Yes.
The President said he supposed that most of the members knew, and it was
only necessary perhaps for him to make a formal report, that what might be
con-
sidered a very successful meeting had been held at Sheffield on the 22nd and
23rd
of January in connection with the Federation of Institutes, and, in order
that they
might know a long time in advance, it had been decided that the next
Federated
meeting would be held in London on the last day of April, but of this due
notice
would be given.
This concluded the business, and the meeting terminated.
proceedings. 43
NORTH OF ENGLAND INSTITUTE OF MINING AND MECHANICAL
ENGINEERS.
GENERAL MEETING,
Held at the Wood Memorial Hall, Newcastle-upon-Tyne,
on Saturday, April 12th. 1890.
Mr. John Marley, President, in the Chair.
The President said that the minutes of the last meeting could not be read,
and
the proceedings of the Council could not be reported, owing to the absence
of the
Secretary (Professor Lebour) through illness.
The following gentlemen were elected, having been previously nominated :—
Member—
Mr. Hiram Craven, Jun., Mechanical Engineer. Sunderland.
Associate—
Mr. Edgar Ormerod Bolton, Mining Engineer, Executors of Colonel Hargreaves,
Burnley.
The following gentlemen were nominated for election :—
Members—
Mr. C. H. Eden, Mining Engineer, Old Etherley.
Mr. Leonard Francis Gillett, Mining Engineer, Derby.
Mr. W. H. F. Maddison, Mining Engineer, The Lindens, Darlington.
Associate—
Mr. John William Fryar, Mining Student, Seghill Colliery, Seghill, Northum-
berland.
A paper by Mr. W. Ramsay on " Ramsay's Patent Improved Levelling Staff for
use in Mines " was read.
44 ramsay's patent improved levelling staff.
RAMSAY'S PATENT IMPROVED LEVELLING STAFF FOR USE IN MINES.
By W. Ramsay.
Various kinds of levelling staves are described in treatises, but few of
them have
been found to be practically applicable to general use for mining purposes.
The old construction, the non-speaking staff, has many adherents, although
the
observations are recorded by an assistant required to possess sufficient
intelligence to
be trusted with the responsible duty of recording the results.
With the speaking staff, if the sights exceed a very limited distance, the
observer
soon begins to experience difficulty in reading the figures through the
telescope.
This difficulty arises from many causes : it may be from moisture or dust in
the air, indistinctness in the graduated face of the staff, and most
frequently from the
difficulty of illuminating the face of the staff with a miner's lamp.
The writer, in consequence of these difficulties, has devised an arrangement
which
he believes will prove useful in practice.
The staff is formed after any of the ordinary constructions, except the part
a
(Plate I.) carrying the scale, which is formed of any transparent material,
such as
white opal glass, with a ground or enamelled surface. The staff consists of
two parts,
b and e, which are packed together by sliding, and when drawn out for use
form a
staff of convenient length.
The divisions are placed upon the transparent surface with any opaque
colours, so
that when a lamp or other source of light is held behind the staff, the
reading can be
distinctly observed at considerable distances through the telescope by the
surveyor.
Comparative trials with the staves, side by side, have shown that using the
same
telescope the improved staff is read with ease when a speaking staff of the
ordinary
construction is read with difficulty, or even cannot be read at all.
The improved staff is read with facility where an ordinary staff could only
be
read by means of an improvised vane placed in front of it.
With the improved staff all chance of error in the readings is eliminated,
except
on the part of the observer himself. Further, there is the advantage that
the lamp
placed behind the staff illuminates nearly the whole of the scale, and the
observer
can, in most cases, take his reading without any alteration in the position
of the light.
The advantages as regards accuracy and saving of time are so great, by the
use of
the improved transparent levelling staff over those of the old
constructions, that the
writer believes that its universal adoption will be ensured.
The President asked Mr. W. Ramsay, who was present, to exhibit the staff and
explain its advantages.
Mr. Ramsay said he found, from experience, that mistakes were frequently
made
in the readings with the old style of staff. When working at a distance the
man at the
staff was frequently told to run his finger along the staff, and the
surveyor called to
him to-stop and read off the figures; if there was a mistake the
responsibility always
fell on the man at the staff. With the staff just described, the figures
could be
plainly read by the surveyor, when a light was placed behind the transparent
staff,
the figures being painted with opaque pigment on a white background of
frosted glass
or other transparent material. The operator is able to make his own
readings, under
all circumstances, when used underground, or on dark nights.
discussion—ramsay's patent improved levelling staff. 45
Mr. W. Lishman (Witton) said that such' a staff must prove very useful, and
especially for underground work, where its use appeared to enhance the
accuracy of
the results.
Mr. W. Ramsay then explained the sliding arrangement, by which the staff
could
• be used in seams varying from 3 to nearly 6 feet in height. The staff has
been in
use for nearly a year, andj he found that the work could be done with it in
about
one-third of the time required with the old staff.
Mr. T. W. Benson said the usefulness of the staff was not to be judged by
the
length of the paper; it would be extremely useful. He knew, from
recollections of the
time when he had to take levellingshimself, that there was nothing more
tedious than
making a levelling down the pit, and from the description of Mr. Ramsay's
staff he
thought it would enable a surveyor to do his work in very much less time,
and,
instead of being dependent upon the assistant, he would make his own
readings,
which was a very important advantage. He did not think they should deprecate
the reading of short papers; they were probably of more practical value than
those
occupying more space, and it was with much pleasure that he proposed that
the
thanks of the Institute should be given to Mr. Ramsay. It was not a staff
essentially
for underground use ; he thought it would have proved very useful fifty
years ago to
those who made flying surveys at night for projected railways at the risk of
having
men with pitchforks after them.
Mr. M. Walton Brown said he had great pleasure in seconding the vote of
thanks to Mr. Ramsay. He had seen the staff in use, and it was incomparably
superior to the ordinary staff, owing to the clearness with which the
readings were
made ; when seen in use, its value was at once appreciated. There was a
great differ-
ence between the use of the new staff and the old one; with the new staff, a
light
placed behind it was sufficient.
The President asked if it was necessary to raise or lower the light to take
readings of the first three feet ?
Mr. Ramsay said it was not necessary ; a light placed behind the staff
illuminated
its whole length.
Mr. Blackett thought that for use in the daylight it would be better than
the
old white painted staff with black figures.
The President agreed with Mr. Blackett, but he thought the light from behind
was an advantage.
Mr. c. c. Leach asked if the red figures showed clearly with the light
behind,
and also how many staffs he had broken ?
Mr. ramsay said the figures showed clearly with a light behind, and that he
had
not broken a staff; if a man had one of these staves he would be careful,
and
ordinarily there was not much risk of breakage. (He showed the tin case in
which
the staff was carried.)
The President asked the weight of the staff, and who was the maker ?
Mr. ramsay said that the weight was about 1^ lbs., and about 3 lbs.
inclusive
of case ; Mr. T. B. Winter made it.
Mr. Elwen asked if dust and dirt would have any effect upon the figures.
Mr. Ramsay—Not the least, it is glass on both sides, and can be freely
cleaned
with water.
The President invited the members to handle and examine the staff. Levelling
was one of those practical matters which they had to deal with daily, and
the staff
was most valuable if they performed a levelling with it in one-third of the
time
occupied with the ordinary staff, and more especially if the work was done
without the necessity of bullying the staff-holder.
Mr. Leach asked if Mr. Ramsay had noted the greatest distance at which
the staff could be used ?
46 on the value of photography to mining engineers.
The President thought that this distance would depend a good deal on the
power of the telescope used. What was the general length of the sets between
the
telescope and the staff ?
Mr. Ramsay said they had taken very long sights, and had experienced no
difficulty in making the readings. It was perfectly clear at a distance of
100 yards
in the dark with a light behind the staff, but this of course depends upon
the power
of the telescope used.
The vote of thanks to Mr. Ramsay for his paper was unanimously agreed to.
The President then stated that one of their Vice-Presidents, Mr. A. L.
Steavenson,
who had been visiting some parts of Spain, would make some remarks on his
visit,
and illustrate them by photographs, adding a few words on the advantage of
photo-
graphy to the mining engineer.
ON THE VALUE OF PHOTOGRAPHY TO MINING ENGINEERS.
Mr. A. L. Steavenson said that about two months ago he received instructions
to visit a mining property in Spain. He started with a friend, journeying
first to
London and Paris, next day to Bordeaux, where they met with the mosquitoes,
and
the following day to Bilbao, which they reached at five o'clock, the fourth
night of a
long but very interesting journey. At Bilbao they met with a friend who
could
speak Spanish, and was acquainted with different matters of interest
connected with
mining, knowing the different mines and their values, and without the
advantage of
his company it would have been a very difficult matter to complete their
business.
The first day was devoted to seeing the shipment of ore, and in order to
realise what
they saw and to bring home some little information for his friends he had
taken
with him a small camera.
The ore was shipped in steamers, and tie was told there were at that time
about
200 steamers waiting for ore. (Photographs exhibited.)
In the afternoon they went to one of the mines, adjacent to Bilbao, and not
more
than a mile and a half distant, and found the ore being carted in ox-carts,
down
roads about two feet deep in mud.
In some cases they found the ore being brought down by wire-rope tramways.
He did not know whether the members present had seen any of these tramways
at
work ; the ropes were run at a considerable speed, and carried boxes
containing
from 7 to 8 cwt. of ore. (Photographs exhibited.)
The following day, in order to make themselves acquainted with peculiarities
of
the ore, and to see a really good mine, they went to the Orconera mine or
quarry.
(Photographs exhibited.) They found that immense deposits of ore were being
worked.
The deposit was from 40 to 50 feet thick, and he believed that they had
other
40 or 50 feet below that. After separating about 10 per cent, of dirt, the
residue contained 50 per cent, of iron, and they had no chance of competing
with
that in England, if it were not for the distance from this country and fuel.
In one mode of shipping (photograph exhibited) a spout was lowered towards
the ship, and a trunk lowered to the bottom of the hold; this photograph was
taken at six p.m., when the light was not very good, but it showed the
details of
the machinery.
Before reaching the mines they had been deputed to visit, they went to a
branch
railway station and stayed at a little hotel, so as to make an early start
the next
morning. Carriages were ordered for seven a.m., but when they got up a
heavy
discussion—on the value of photography to mining engineers. 47
snowstorm was raging, and they were told it was impossible to think of going
to the
mountains, either that or the next day. They considered the best thing they
could
do was to go away to some cathedral town, where there would be something to
see
and better accommodation than in a country railway station hotel; and they
went to
see one of the finest cathedrals in the world—Burgos—(photograph exhibited)
and
stayed there until they received a telegram saying the mountains were clear
of snow.
In going up the mountains, of considerable height, they had the pleasure of
seeing eagles soaring above them, an opportunity not often met with in
England.
On the hill side they found the deposit they had gone to inspect; it
extended for
some distance. (Photograph exhibited.) The deposit was a curious one, and#
as
far as they could see, it was neither a lode nor stratified.
From the average of some eleven or twelve bore-holes the thickness of the
ore
did not amount to more than 10 yards, but it extended from the top of the
hill to the
bottom, a distance of about 300 yards, and perhaps 200 yards wide. He had
never
seen anything of the kind, before; the deposit appeared as if it had been
simply
poured over the side of the hill. People who understood the geology of the
district
said it was a cretaceous formation, and was really a deposit of iron from a
hot spring.
He took one or two photographs of the style of houses, and it would be seen
that
the cattle were housed below, in the bottom part of the houses, the people
living
above. (Photograph of roadside hotel exhibited.)
He would just take the opportunity of pointing out the advantages of a
knowledge
of photography to engineers, more especially as there were a number of young
members present. For the purpose of taking the photographs submitted,
everything
required could be carried on a long day's walk, and there was the advantage
of
obtaining views of not only matters of interest to oneself but to others who
could not
or did not go to see them. The negatives being obtained, copies could be
printed off
to the number desired, and any of the photographs exhibited to them could be
enlarged to the size of the diagram on the wall.
Mr. Steavenson said after exhibiting a few more photographs, that if anyone
wished to ask any questions he would be pleased to answer them.
The President said they were greatly obliged to Mr. Steavenson for bringing
forward such a useful and interesting subject, and invited discussion.
Mr. W. J. Bird asked if there was, in Mr. Steavenson's opinion, any
foundation
for the idea, more or less prevalent, that the richer ores of the Bilbao
district were
approaching exhaustion, and the average richness of the ore was now
diminished ?
The President said he had been over the mines referred to by Mr. Steavenson
and, therefore, appreciated his remarks. Did Mr. Bird apply his question to
vena,
rubio, campanil, or the ores generally ?
Mr. A. L. Steavenson said that the existing mines were exhausting the best
of
the ore ; but in a large district of an area equal to that of the county of
Northum-
berland, when one hill of ore was exhausted they might find another by
looking for
it; although they were exhausting the known supply, they were perhaps not
exhausting the available supply. There was one thing, they had to go further
inland
for fresh supplies, and future workings would have to bear the cost of
longer railway carriage. The mine railways were very simply made, and the
cost
of carriage by rail would be very much the same as in this country, except
that
fuel was a little dearer. The oxen carried loads of about two tons in carts;
they
were very powerful animals and travelled very slowly, but it was disgraceful
to see
the roads they had to travel.
48 discussion—flameless explosives committee.
Mr. Blackett said he could corroborate Mr. Steavenson's remarks as to the
great
value of photography to mining engineers, he had found it extremely useful
as
a means of providing evidence of anything which was likely to change, or
about
which evidence might be valuable in the future. It was almost as easy now to
take
photographs underground as on the surface. He would like to compliment Mr.
Steavenson on the excellence of his photographs, which spoke highly of his
ability
as a photographer.
Mr. W. Lishman (Witton) said they were all very much obliged to Mr.
Steavenson for his remarks, and asked what kind of light was required for
photo-
graphing underground ?
Mr. Blackett said he thought the 'magnesium light was the best.
Mr. Steavenson said, while he was speaking of the advantages of photography,
he would add a word or two about underground photography. He had on two
or three occasions tried to take photographs underground, and one of his
results, a
waggon running round a curve with a rope underneath, was now hanging in the
Council chamber. It was not a difficult matter; he preferred magnesium wire
to the
use of magnesium powder for obtaining a light sufficient for photographing.
The
best way wras to give each assistant—they generally had one or two with
them—
one or two feet of magnesium wure to light and hold near the object to be
photo-
graphed. He started to take photographs underground some eight or ten years
ago of
some fungus in the Cleveland mines; they often had very large fungi, and he
thought them so beautiful that they would be interesting as photographs;
since
then he had taken views of tubs and machinery underground. The magnesium
light could not be used in a fiery mine, and, as it made a good deal of
smoke there
should be a sufficient current of air to carry it away at once.
Mr. W. Lishman (Witton) proposed a vote of thanks to Mr. Steavenson for his
entertaining remarks.
Mr. M. Walton Brown seconded the proposal, which was carried with
acclamation.
FLAMELESS EXPLOSIVES COMMITTEE.
Mr. W. Lishman (Witton) referred to the appointment of a committee some
years ago to report on the use of fiameless explosives in mines ; he wished
to know
if any experiments had been made, and, if so, when would the results be
communi-
cated to the members of the Institute ?
Mr. M. Walton Brown said he was a member of the Fiameless Explosives
Committee ; they had prepared and approved a scheme for the carrying out of
the
experiments, and obtained estimates for the erection of their apparatus,
which would
cost about £300. The matter had been laid before the Council, who proposed
to ask
the Coal Trades Associations for monetary assistance.
The President said it was now only a question of ways and means.
Mr. W. Lishman asked what was the best step to take to raise the money in
order that the experiments should be carried out ?
The President said he thought the best course was that proposed by the
Council, to apply to the coalowners' associations for subscriptions.
Mr. W. Lishman said it was a most pressing matter so far as the trade was
concerned.
Mr. Thos. Bell (H.M. Inspector of Mines) said it had been pressing for some
time, but it had now become a most important matter.
discussion—flameless explosives committee. 19
The President said the Council proposed to bring it before the owners'
associations, together with a digest of the principal points of the proposed
scheme
of experiments, and a request for a contribution to the expense.
Mr. Lishman apologised for being so imperative, but he wished to know, if
they
received an unfavourable answer from the coalowners, were there any other
means
of getting subscriptions. If the owners refused as an association they would
not
refuse to subscribe individually.
The President said he thought the coal-owners would be more likely to
subscribe
as a body than as individuals.
Mr. Blackett asked if there were any precedent for an application to
Government.
Mr. Thos. Bell said the Government would no doubt think they had already
gone to great expense in carrying out the elaborate experiments of the late
Royal
Commission on Accidents in Mines, and would probably not feel inclined to
spend
more money at present, and if applied to for a subscription it is possible
that the
reply would be a refusal, accompanied with a copy of the Report of that
Commission.
This concluded the business of the meeting.
proceedings. 5l
NORTH OF ENGLAND INSTITUTE OF MINING AND MECHANICAL
ENGINEERS.
GENERAL MEETING,
Held in the Wood Memorial Hall, Newcastle-upon-Tyne,
on Saturday, June 14th, 1890.
Mr. George Baker Forster, Past-President, in the Chair.
The Chairman said he had much pleasure in informing the members that their
President, Mr. Marley, was very much better, and hoped soon to be with them
again.
The confirmation o'f the minutes of the previous meeting was postponed.
The Secretary said the Council that day had among other things agreed to
recommend that the next meeting of the Federated Institution should take
place
towards the end of July—about the 24th—at Edinburgh. Full details of the
pro-
ceedings on that occasion would be issued to members in due time, and he
would like
to notify that if any member had any special paper to send for that meeting
it should
be sent in early, as it would take some time to get the papers properly
ready for the
meeting.
The following gentlemen were elected, having been previously nominated :—
Members—
Mr. C. H. Eden, Mining Engineer, Old Etherley.
Mr. Leonard Francis Gillett, Mining Engineer, Derby.
Mr. W. H. F. Maddison, Mining Engineer, The Lindens, Darlington.
Associate—
Mr. John William Fryar, Mining Student, Seghill Colliery, Seghill, North-
umberland.
The following gentlemen were nominated for election :—
Member—
Mr. J. R. M. Robertson, M.D., F.G.S., Mining Engineer, Linton, Mitson's
Point, Sydney.
Associates—
Mr. Edward Taylor Cheesman, Colliery Manager, Blaydon Main Colliery,
Blaydon-on-Tyne.
Mr. Thomas Rontree, Colliery Manager, Harton Colliery, South Shields.
The Chairman called upon Professor Lebour to read a paper " On Ancient
1 Washes' in the Coal-measures."
Professor Lebour said he must apologise for appearing as the writer of a
paper,
but the President, although much better, had not sufficiently recovered from
his
recent illness as to be able to read his promised paper on " Salt in South
Durham ;"
he therefore submitted a few observations on the subject of " Ancient '
Washes' in
the Coal-measures."*
* This paper will be printed in Vol. II. of the Transactions.
52 discussion—ancient "washes" in the coal-measures.
DISCUSSION ON PROFESSOR LEBOUR'S PAPER ON "ANCIENT
i WASHES' IN THE COAL-MEASURES."
Mr. J. B. Simpson said he had listened with very much interest to the
remarks
of Professor Lebour. What he had to say would be very brief, and referred to
underground "nips-out," of which he had only had time that morning to make
diagrams. In the Five-quarter Seam, at Towneley Colliery, about 300 yards
distant
from the shaft, they came across a "nip-out" (Fig. 1, Plate I.), and after
driving
forty yards through it they got into the coal again. There was no fault,
they
went perfectly straight through, and the workings went 2,000 yards further
before
another "nip-out" was met with. A section of the first "nip-out" at C D
(Fig. 1,
Plate I.) is shown in Fig. 2, Plate II. On the east side of the " nip-out,"
the coal
was of the usual thickness, although it tapered sharply as shown on the
section
(Fig. 2, Plate II.). The seam before coming to this " nip-out," was about 3
feet
4 inches thick, and after passing through 40 yards of sandstone, they found
on
the west side that sometimes it fortunately increased to 6 feet or 8 feet,
and this
extended over an area as large as that which had been washed out. In some
places
there was no thickening of the seam on the western side, but he felt quite
sure
that if they made an exact calculation they w^ould find they had got as much
additional coal on the thicker side as would make up for the loss of coal "
nipped
out." The same held good with regard to the second "nip-out" (Fig. 2, Plate
I.) ;
on the western side they found a thicker seam as shown in the section (Fig.
1,
Plate II.) of the drift A B (Fig. 2, Plate I.). Contrary to what the
geologists
alleged to occur, there was no fault, and the coal was nearly always found
without
any rise or dip on the other side of the " nip-out." They had pretty much
the same
tiring in other parts of the colliery. The two " nips-out " shown on the
diagrams
were the largest ones they had; they had not proved how far they extended to
the
north and south, bat he supposed each had been proved about 1,000 yards. The
peculiarity was that in the seam 15 fathoms above there were no signs of
them,
they were purely local to the seam. Of course, the seam resumed its normal
thick-
ness when they got a considerable distance away towards the west.
Professor Lebour asked whether the coal on the side where it was thickest
was
of the same quality ?
Mr. Simpson—Yes; a peculiarity is that there is a band, and on the west side
the band is not quite as thick, but more " higgledy-piggledy." The strata
here are
mostly hard sandstones. We have never found a single boulder.
Mr. W. C. Blackett said he would like to ask Mr. Simpson whether he thought
it possible that the top part of the thicker seam was upside down ? He would
also
like to ask Professor Lebour whether he thought, from Mr. Simpson's
description,
that it was a true "nip-out?"
Mr. Simpson said he could hardly call it upside down, but it was very much
discussion—ancient "washes" in the coal-measures. 53
mixed up. Of course, in a colliery they knew their own seam when they saw it
again, but the upper part he could not recognise as the same they had
before; the
lower part was recognisable, but not the upper part.
Mr. Daglish said the terms, " roll," " nip," and " wash-out" had been used
somewhat indiscriminately. He ventured to think they were three distinct
things.
They met with "rolls"—especially with a post-roof—where the roof came down,
it
might extend a considerable distance, but it was of the same material as the
roof,
and these " rolls " were local. They met with " nips-out" underground like
that
described by Mr. Simpson—he (Mr. Daglish) had experienced several in
Wales—no
change being met with in the overlaying seams, but a great thickening
extending
over the seam affected in approaching the " nip-out;" there was no
deterioration
except, perhaps, that the coal was a little softer, but still of excellent
quality,
and in some cases a 4 feet 6 inch seam became 10 feet and even 12 feet high,
and somewhat dangerous to work. In this district, too, they had action of
that
kind. The Low Main Seam was " nipped-out," not by alluvial deposit but by
rock,
over a great portion of the Belmont estate, and over the whole of the Grange
estate Then, again, they had the ''wash-out," such as the Team "wash" or
"drift" (described in Messrs. Nicholas Wood and E. F. Boyd's paper, in
Volume
XIII. of the Transactions of the North of England Institute'), which passes
beside
Kimblesworth, and where he (Mr. Daglish) thought there was no alteration of
the
seams except a little reddening, and they passed from the seams into
alluvial
matter of a totally different character to the Coal-measures.
Professor Lebour said he ventured to think* Mr. Daglish was perfectly right
in saying the three terms, " roll," " wash," and " nip-out," should be
applied to
different things. They were three distinct phenomena, and it would be well
to
describe them by those terms which were now but loosely applied. A " wash
"—that
is, an ancient " wash "—being often described as a " nip-out," and sometimes
by other
terms. " Roll" was more generally limited to what it meant—a thinning of the
coal—and as Mr. Daglish mentioned, there were a great many of these in the
Low
Main Seam in certain parts of the Durham coal-field. He would very much like
to ask Mr. Daglish if he had any knowledge of the " nip-out" at Whitley?
Mr. Daglish said he was not familiar with it, but he did not think if it had
been
met with underground that the thinning out of the seam would have had
anything
to do with it. From the diagram, he would say it was a " wedge-out," not a "
nip-
out." Was the diagram properly drawn ?
• Professor Lebour agreed that it was a case of " wedge-out." He thought it
was
properly drawn, although there was a great deal of false bedding in the
sandstones.
Professor Merivale said he was'familiar with the " wash-out," or " nip-out,"
or
whatever it might be, in the neighbourhood of Gosforth, and he thought it
was
drawn correctly, but he could not tell what it was; he had often been
puzzled over it.
Certainly there was no thickening of the coal as was noticed in so many of
the
" washes" or " nips-out" in their collieries. He thought one of the largest
of these was
at Broomhill. About 440 acres, he estimated, of their Main Seam had been
swept
away, the seams both above and below remaining intact, and the thickening
of the coal near the " wash" and in an island of coal in the middle of the
"wash" was very marked indeed. It ran 6 or 7 feet of clean coal, without
a band in it, in the neighbourhood of the " wash-out," but half a mile away
the
seam thinned down to 4£ or 5 feet of coal with a band in it. The rock was
hard—he understood Mr. Daglish wished to make a distinction between the
hard rocks of the "rolls" and the softer rocks in the " w^ash." Whether that
really had anything to do with it or not he did not know, or whether with
the
hard rock they would expect the seam to be thicker, and with the softer beds
they
64 DISCUSSION—ANCIENT "WASHES'* IN THE COALjMEASURES.
would not expect it to thicken. He did not quite know whether there should,
be
any connection in this way. but at Broomhill the seam was certainly very
much
thicker. It seemed possible that they would get a thickening, if the
vegetable
matter was washed away before it had begun to consolidate, for it would then
have
had a better chance of being pushed aside and accumulating on either side of
the " wash," whereas if it had begun to consolidate it would more probably
have been
swept away. He did not understand how the smaller " washes "—or whatever
they
should be called—were formed. One would have supposed the river would have
washed a way through a considerable distance instead of picking out a bit
here and
a bit there.
Mr. J. B. Simpson—Would it not rather depend on the level at which the
stream was running ?
Professor Lebour—And the plane along which the river was running may have
altered.
Mr. j. B. Simpson said there was an interesting " wash" at Prudhoe and
Mickley; interesting from a scientific point of view, though not interesting
to the coal owners. The Five-quarter Seam was washed out for a width of
about 800 yards; and the Six-quarter and Three-quarter Seams were not so
much washed out as the upper one. They had just reached the same " wash" in
the Brockwell Seam, which was denuded for a breadth of about 40 yards. This
large " wash " had been proved, in the Five-quarter Seam, to have a length
of about
2£ miles, and was situated at a considerable height above the sea-level, but
joined,
he supposed, the great Tyne " wash" and the Team " wash," the latter of
which was
so ably described by Mr. Wood and Mr. Boyd. No doubt, it was the same "
wash,"
and might be made the subject of a very interesting paper, especially if the
observa-
tions of Messrs. Boyd and Wood were continued up and down the Tyne.
Professor Lebour—I always thought Mr. Simpson was busy on that.
Mr. W. 0. Blackett said, with regard to the Team "wash," the coal in
approaching it did not thicken at all, but simply deteriorated in quality.
The Chairman—Is it an alluvial " wash?"
Mr. Blackett—Yes; and he would like to draw attention to the great differ-
ence between the alluvial " washes " and the other " nips-out " mentioned.
No
deterioration of the coal was found in those described by Mr. Simpson, and
that
would seem to point to some difference in the ways in which the coal had
been
denuded, and in the length of time during which the denudation was effected.
They had had great difficulty in going over the royalties at Charlaw,
Kimbles-
worth, and Sacriston, where there were some curious " nips-out." In one
place the
seam went suddenly down in the form of an ordinary "nip," from 3 feet to 10
inches, and continued evenly at this height for a long distance. They had
not
explored it right through, but it eventually resumed its original height of
3 feet.
In another case they had a clean " nip-out," 260 yards wide, and the coal
imme-
diately adjoining was as good as anywhere else.
Mr. Simpson asked the length of the 260 yards' " nip ?"
Mr. Blackett said they had not been able to find out. The great difference
was—and it was most noticeable—that in the ancient "nip-out" where they
usually
had a post-roof the coal did not deteriorate in quality even to the very
edge,
while in the alluvial " washes " the coal was bad for perhaps 100 yards
before
reaching it. He wished to know whether, in some of the cases of thickened
coal approaching a " nip-out," which had been mentioned, it was possible by
any
means whatever that the seam which had occupied this space could have been
turned bodily over ?
discussion—improved coal screening and cleaning, 55
Professor Lebour said he was afraid he could not answer Mr. Blackett's
question.
It might possibly have drifted over, but then it would be, as Mr. Simpson
described
it, " higgledy-piggledy," and not turned over bodily.
Mr. T. H. M. Stratton said that, bearing on the question of " washes-out,"
they
had a series of them at Tredegar which affected every seam in a royalty of
over
5,000 acres. These " washes-out," or " barren grounds " as they were there
termed,
were, as suggested by Professor Merivale, like the bed of a river, but they
were not
continuous, and in the middle of the " barren ground " little islands of
coal were
frequently to be found. A " wash-out" or " barren ground" could always be
calculated on in a certain general position, but they were not always of the
same
description ; in this one royalty they had all the kinds mentioned to-day.
In some
cases the coal was good right up to the edge of the " nip-out;" in others it
was soft
and inferior for a considerable distance. It gave the general impression
that a
river had removed the coal when in a soft state, and this was confirmed by
the fact
that frequently the washed out coal was simply deposited on the top of the
adjacent
seam, thus doubling and sometimes tripling the normal thickness of the seam.
The course of the seam could always be traced ; the thill or clay was under
where the
seam once had been. In one case he thus traced a seam, for nearly half a
mile. It
was difficult to explain, and no theory was perfectly satisfactory.
The Chairman said he had much pleasure in moving a vote of thanks to
Professor Lebour for his very interesting notice of these ancient "
nips-out," and
now that the point had been raised he thought that they should try to
elucidate
the facts and gather up examples from which alone they could, perhaps,
derive
a theory. He thought himself there was some difference between alluvial
" washes " and what they called " nips-out J' underground. In the alluvial"
washes "
there was no pressure, whereas in the large "nips" found underground there
must
have been considerable pressure. He had seen some of the Midland "washes"
Professor Lebour alluded to, and there was always disturbance of some sort.
He
recollected one case where the cannel had been carried to another part of
the
seam, which became a seam with two distinct beds of cannel. With regard to
Professor Merivale's suggestion as to the course of the river bed, they did
not know
whether there may not have been large pools or holes in which the sand was
deposited. He had noticed, too, in places along the shore, where the tide
some-
times came and sometimes did not, a kind of peaty vegetation grew up, in
which
there are often hollows. How this was caused he did not know, but it seemed
to
him that something of this kind might have prevailed and had its effect in
regard
to the action of the ancient " washes." He hoped they would follow out
Professor
Lebour's advice and continue this subject, and more especially that Mr.
Simpson
would proceed with his paper.
The vote of thanks was carried with acclamation.
DISCUSSION ON MESSRS. T. E. FORSTER AND H. AYTON'S PAPER ON
"IMPROVED COAL SCREENING AND CLEANING."
The Chairman announced Messrs. T. E. Forster and H. Ayton's paper " On
Improved Coal Screening and Cleaning " open for discussion.
Mr. Ayton said, before entering on the discussion, he would like to mention
that
one or two alterations had been made in the table of costs since the
publication of
the paper, as follow :—
56 discussion—on the medium fan.
On page 94,
Table of Costs, Etc.
Column. 3. 11.
Total percentage picked out ...... 8*44 19'40
Total load on belts in tons ...... 482 ] 40
Percentage of load picked out... ... 15-06 33'25 j
d. d.
Cost per ton on coal cleaned ...... 1*10 2*28
On page 98, line 5, for " bucket" read " locket."
Professor Merivale suggested that some date should be put to the table of
costs.
Mr. Ayton said the costs had all been calculated to the same time (October,
1889) ; in some cases they had found it necessary, from the prices
prevailing at
different times, to reduce them all to a basis or standard.
Professor Merivale said he would like to ask Mr. Ayton if he had had any
difficulty with the belt ? Theirs had been most successful, and they picked
out 25 per
cent, more stone, saving about |d. per ton, but it made a fearful squeaking.
The Chairman—It wants a little oil.
Professor Merivale—We spend about 15s. a-week on grease, so it is not that.
Mr. Ayton said he had not experienced any difficulty in that matter. Perhaps
the rollers were set a little too low.
The Chairman asked Mr. Steavenson if he had any remarks to make ?
Mr. Steavenson said he had not. The object in their district was to get the
coal small; if they did not get it small enough they smashed it with a
breaker.
Mr. J. B. Simpson—I think Mr. T. E. Forster might give us his experience on
this subject in Australia.
DISCUSSION ON MR. ARNOLD LUPTON'S "NOTES ON THE MEDIUM
FAN."
The Secretary stated that Mr. Lupton had intended to be present, but he
had that morning received a letter from that gentleman stating his inability
to be
present, and saying that he had sent some diagrams for the meeting. These,
however, although it was ascertained that they had arrived in Newcastle, had
not
yet been delivered, but they were reproduced in the paper, of which copies
were on
the table, and could therefore be referred to by any gentleman who wished to
take
part in the discussion. Mr. Lupton was anxious that the discussion should be
pro-
ceeded with in his absence, and any question which might be asked would be
for-
warded to him.
Mr. A. L. Steavenson said the subject of fans was one which had often been
discussed here, and he would not now occupy the attention of the meeting
many
minutes. The paper seemed to be another instance of the mistakes inventors
were
apt to fall into. As was pointed out when the paper was first discussed at
the
Midland Institute, the results said to be attained—107 per cent.—meant more
than
perpetual motion ; it was therefore quite clear that the experiments given
were a
mistake. He agreed with much of the paper. It was essential that a fan
should
" produce the required ventilation without breakdowns," " work with the
maximum
discussion—on the medium fan. 57
of economy," and " require the minimum of capital outlay," and under
ordinary
circumstances he agreed that "the centrifugal machine is first and the rest
nowhere." As a general rule they might take it that the centrifugal fan was
quite
unapproachable for all ordinary work. On the next page, however, it was
stated
that the Capell fan was " cutting a road to the front." This he entirely
disputed. Mr.
Capell was, like Mr. Lupton, labouring under a mistake; they made
experiments
without sufficient care, and showed more air than really existed. He also
disputed
the statement that " the ordinary method of measuring the velocity for a
half minute
or one minute is a mere approximation." If the experiments were properly
made
and the anemometer carefully handled, the results obtained would be
accurate. He
had proved this over and over again by repeated experiments which gave
exactly
the same results, provided the conditions were such as permitted accuracy.
And
With regard to the effects of currents of air on the water-gauge, Professor
Herschel
had suggested that the mouth of the water-gauge tube should be placed in
such a
position that the air could not blow into it. With the Schiele and small
fans the
water-gauge was often very far in excess of what it actually put upon the
mine,
because they were able to get a vacuum, under which the mine afforded more
air
than the fan could swallow, and the consequence was that at a certain
distance from
the fan the water-gauge almost disappeared, while that at the fan was
constant.
This occurred with all the small fans, but least of all with the Guibal. " A
glance
will show that there are many inconsistencies, and all that can be said for
them is
that with such appliances as were at hand, and such time as he could spare
for the
work, an honest endeavour was made to ascertain the facts." He (Mr.
Steavenson)
was perfectly ready to accept that. He had not the slightest doubt that Mr.
Lupton, Mr. Capell, and other gentlemen who got so far wrong had done it
accurately—so far as they knew how. They would no doubt remember that on one
occasion a gentleman said he got 70 to 77 per cent., but when Mr. W.
Cochrane and
himself, with one or two others, went over to the colliery to spend a day
over
the experiments they obtained very much less. Then as regards the table on
page 71. Mr. Lupton gave the water-gauge which he calculated as due to the
velocity as 2*14 inches, with 90 revolutions of a 20 feet fan. If they had
taken a
Guibal fan—where they had the benefit of a chimney—and with the same speed
of
periphery, the water-gauge due to the speed would have been nearly double
what
the writer of the paper took it as—viz., V2 + 32 instead of V2 -r 64. As to
the fan
described, it seemed to be a sort of cross between the Guibal, Schiele, and
Waddle ;
they were all mixed in it a little ; it was a combined fan. In the
discussion which
followed the reading of the paper there was not much said except that it was
quite
clear the figures could not be right. He (Mr. Steavenson) quoted one or two
extracts from the discussion in question, and, concluding, said he hoped
that
Mr. Brown, who had had a great deal of trouble in testing various fans,
would
some day have this one tested, when he was quite sure it would be found to
give
the usual results of an open running fan, somewhere about 46 to 50 per cent.
The Chairman—I think it should be pointed out that Mr. Lupton says in a
foot-note that this 107 per cent, is evidently a mistake.
Mr. A. L. Steavenson—Yes ; he admits it is impossible ; but my argument is
that if one of the experiments is wrong, they all are and must be.
The Chairman asked Mr. May if he had anything to say on the subject ?
Mr. May said he had no observations to make, except that with the Guibal fan
there was little difference between the water-gauge close to the fan and at
the pit
bottom.
Mr. M. Walton Brown said, if the Guibal fan had been under the same condi-
tions as the Waddle fan it would have shown an equally great resistance and
con-
II
58 discussion— on the medium fan.
sequent loss of water-gauge at the bottom of the pit. In order to compare
the
results of Mr. Lupton's experiments on the Medium fan, they should have been
made
at the same velocity of rotation. The influence of the variations of the
velocity
could, however, be eliminated by the application of the fundamental
principle that
in any mine, under the same conditions, the volume of air is proportional to
the
velocity of rotation, and the water-gauge or depression varies with the
square of the
velocity of rotation of the fan, The following table shows the results of
the experi-
ments when reduced to a normal speed of 4,000 feet of rim, or 63-66
revolutions of
fan per minute :—
No. of Watpr Oano-p Volume of Air Efficiency of
Experiment. «er-^d,uBe. per Minute. Pan and Engine.
Inches. Cubic Feet.
1 1-22 65,100 -754
2 1-23 67,200 -782
3 1'07 54,520 '655
4 1-20 56,430 '730
The experiments being made under the same conditions, it is difficult to
understand
why the volumes and water-gauges observed in the experiments do not accord
when
reduced to a normal velocity of rotation ; and where the manometrical
efficiency is
as high as *63 with the volumes of air observed, some doubt attaches
naturally as
to the accuracy of a mechanical efficiency of -655, and more especially as
to the
accuracy of the higher results recorded. It would have added to the value of
Mr. Lupton's paper if he had named the colliery where the Medium fan had
been
applied and could be seen at work. It was a matter of regret that Mr. Lupton
was
not able to be present at this discussion.
The Chairman said the Secretary would of course send this discussion to Mr.
Lupton, and allow him to make any reply at the next meeting. They could
hardly
expect him to come to Newcastle, but he would no doubt send some reply on
the
points raised.
proceedings. 59
FEDERATED INSTITUTION OF MINING ENGINEERS.
GENERAL MEETING,
Held in the Exhibition Lecture Hall, Edinburgh, on Thursday
July 24th, 1890.
Mr. William Cochrane, Vice-President, in the Chair.
The Chairman said he was sorry to have to occupy the chair that day, in
conse-
quence of the illness of their President, who still remained too unwell to
leave his
home. He was sure the members would hear of this with regret, and that they
would join in expressing sympathy with Mr. Marley in his indisposition, and
in
hoping that he would be soon restored to health. The President had been very
anxious to be present at this meeting, and quite recently—in fact, only the
previous
week—told the Secretary he thought he would be strong enough to attend.
Unfor-
tunately, however, that hope had not been realised, and they must,
therefore, get on
as best they could in his absence. The occasion of meeting in Edinburgh was
in
consequence of the Exhibition. It was, accordingly, felt that but little in
the way
of outside excursions should be arranged, in order that the members might
have
an opportunity of examining everything of interest there ; the electrical
portion was,
he believed—though he had not had an opportunity of examining it himself—ex-
tremely valuable. Excursions, had been arranged for the following day, under
the
charge of Mr. Morison, to the Lothian Collieries, which could be reached by
going
to Dalhousie Station, from which they were distant about a mile, and during
the
whole of the day any member of the Institution would be welcomed. These col-
lieries were principally interesting in consequence of the very steep seams
being
worked. On the same day, the manager of the haulage and tram-car
arrangements
in Edinburgh would be at the central works of the Cable Tramway Compan3r, at
Henderson Row, and would be glad to give explanations upon the machinery
during the whole of the day. He had only to add that there was a dinner—at
which he would like to see as many members as could meet together—arranged
for six o'clock that evening, and the Secretary would be glad to take the
names
of those who would attend. The business for the present meeting was Messrs.
Armstrong and Bird's paper on the subject of " The Economical Working of
Steam
Boilers at Collieries."
Mr. A. L. Steavenson then read Messrs. Armstrong and Bird's) paper, as
follows:—
60 the economical working- of steam boilers at collieries.
THE ECONOMICAL WORKING OF STEAM BOILERS AT COLLIERIES.
By W. Armstrong, Jun., and W. J. Bird.
I.—Introduction.
This elaborate enquiry arose from a desire to test thoroughly the
comparative
advantages of mechanical stoking and hand-firing, before fitting up a series
of the
Henderson mechanical furnaces on a range of Lancashire boilers at Wingate
Grange
Colliery. The results, as will be seen hereafter, were sufficiently
satisfactory ; and
the writers were induced to continue the enquiry into every circumstance
affecting
the subject, so far as the colliery plant would allow.
Beyond the economic advantages of mechanical over hand-firing—and this more
especially applies to boilers of the Lancashire type—the regular and steady
supply of
fuel, forming a fire of constant thickness, and the automatic cleaning
arrangement of
the bars, result in an avoidance of those severe and destructive strains
throughout
the entire structure of the boiler (shortening its life, causing constant
leakages and
frequent repairs), occasioned whenever the fires require stoking, and more
especially
cleaning, under the old system.
The experiments have been continued over many months in order to accumulate
materials of sufficient interest to lay before the members of this
Institution.
All the evaporative tests were made of 48 hours' duration. This is very much
longer than tests are usually made, but it was adopted with a view of
showing the
results obtained under the ordinary working conditions of colliery practice.
In the
case of the Lancashire boilers, the ordinary working pressure was 35 lbs.
from 6 a.m. to
6 p.m., and 60 lbs. from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m., the latter pressure being
required during the
night for the steam-supply of a large underground pumping engine. In the
case of the
egg-ended boilers, however, 35 lbs. was the ordinary working pressure day
and night.
In all evaporative tests, the condition and size of the fires must, of
course, be the
same at the end of the test as at the commencement, and this is a matter
which
personal judgment alone can decide. Any error in such an estimate may be a
materially disturbing factor in tests of short duration, but over a long
period of 48
hours the proportions of any possible mistaken comparison of the fires
become
infinitesimal,
When the Admiralty experiments were made at Newcastle to determine the
evaporative efficiency of Northumberland coal, the test period was fixed at
5
hours only, and the experiments may, therefore, show erroneous results.
The amount of coals burnt, and the resultant ash was ascertained by careful
weighing.
A Siemens' water-meter was fixed on the feed-water pipe to record the amount
of water evaporated. Its accuracy was tested at intervals during the period
over
which the experiments extended, by comparison with a tank of known capacity.
The
instrument was specially adapted for hot water, and registered up to
1,000,000
gallons, and care was taken that the water-level in the boiler was the same
at the end
of each test as at the commencement.
The weight of water evaporated is frequently computed by estimating 10 lbs.
=
1 gallon, irrespective of the temperature of the feed. How serious an error
this may
occasion will be seen from Table I., which shows the true proportions at
different
temperatures, and by which all results of these experiments were computed.
The feed water for the Lancashire boilers is heated in a Twibell's
Economizer,
placed at the end of the main flue ; and that for the egg-ended boilers by
the exhaust
steam from the engines. The temperatures were taken by thermometers screwed
into the feed pipe.
The apparent duty is calculated by dividing the weight of water evapor-
ated by the weight of fuel burnt. Then the variations in the temperatures
of the
the economical working of steam boilers at collieries. 61
TABLE I.
Weight of a Gallon of Water at various Temperatures.
feed-water and of evaporation require correction to one common standard to
ascer-
tain the real comparative duty. The standard adopted was 212 degs. Fahr.
temperature of feed-water, and 212 degs. Fahr. temperature of evaporation,
the
corrections being made by the following formula :—
C = A [ 1,081-4 '+ ( -305 + t) ] - ( t - 32)
L
In which C = Corrected duty,
A = Apparent duty,
t = Temperature of evaporation in degs. Fahr. deduced from the
average steam pressure, and
L = Latent heat of steam at 212 degs. Fahr. = 966 units.
62 the economical working of steam boilers at collieries.
The corrected duty is used as the proper standard of comparison.
The rate of fuel combustion is shown per square foot of fire-grate surface
per hour.
The cost of evaporation of 1,000 gallons of water is also shown. The
standard
temperature of the water is taken at 62 degrees Fahr., and the quantities
are
corrected accordingly. The relative positions of the boilers are shown in
Fig. 1,
Plate I.
II.—Experiments upon a Lancashire Boiler, Hand-Fired, and Fitted
with the Henderson Mechanical Stoker.
The first series of tests were made on a Lancashire boiler 28 feet long by 7
feet 6
inches diameter. Three 48 hour tests were made by hand-firing with rough
small
coal, and two with duff coal. The boiler was then fitted up with the
Henderson
Patent Mechanical Stoker and Self-Cleaning Bars, and a corresponding number
of tests made with this apparatus, the construction of which is set forth as
follows,
and illustrated in Plate II.:—
I.—Description of the Henderson Mechanical Stoher.
The coals are thrown on to the fire by means of horizontal circular fans
revolving
in opposite directions towards the furnace. The fans are set in motion by
frictional
pulleys attached to the driving shaft running under the fan boxes, at the
end of
which is the belt-pulley. At the central driving shaft is a wheel, working
into a
worm-wheel B, attached to a vertical shaft on the top of which is another
worm A,
which drives the crushers above the fans. In front of these crushers there
is a plate
worked by a hand-screw from the outside for regulating the feed of fuel, and
against
which any large pieces of coal are broken to the proper size before going on
to the
fire. At the bottom of the vertical shaft is another worm C, and wheel for
working
the furnace bars, which rest on a rocker or cradle of very simple
construction, by
which means half the bars are moved up and down vertically, thus breaking up
the
clinker and keeping the fire open, while the other half of the bars travel
backwards
and forwards horizontally, taking with them the clinker and refuse from the
coal to
the back of the furnace, where they are deposited over the back-end of the
fire-bars into the combustion chamber, and form a natural bridge. The
clinker and
refuse are taken out of this chamber, when cold, by opening a damper door at
the
back-end under the bars. The bars in each furnace can be thrown out of gear
at
will by means of a thumbscrew attached to the crank in front. By means of a
clutch the bars can be disconnected entirely from the machine, and the bars
only
left working. The fire-doors are so constructed that hand-firing can be
carried on
when necessary, which is very useful in the case of anything going wrong
with the
machinery ; the fires are then still self-cleaned, while the boiler need not
be laid off,
nor the boiler power at all interfered with.
II—Increased Duty and Saving of Fuel.
On comparing the results of mechanical stoking with those of hand-firing
when
using the same kind of fuel, there is an increase of duty of 33*3 per cent.,
with a
diminution of cost of evaporation of 23 per cent, when small coal was used.
When
duff coal was used the duty was increased 35*9 per cent, by mechanical
stoking,
while the cost of evaporation was diminished 24*5 per cent.
Again, comparing hand-firing with small coal with mechanical stoking with
duff coal, the duty is increased 23*2 per cent., and the cost of evaporation
is
diminished 52*4 per cent.; the cost of fuel being Is. 6d. per ton less.
04 the economical working of steam boilers at collieries.
the economical working of steam boilers at collieries. 65
The cost of fuel per boiler per annum, based on these results, can now be
calcu-
lated. The year may be assumed at 300 working days, which is a pretty close
approximation to actual practice ; and the average evaporation under
mechanical
firing is taken as the basis :—
Annual cost of Fuel per Boiler.
Fuel.--¦- Saving.
Hand-firing. Mechanical Stoker.
£ s. d. £ s. d. £ s. d.
Small at 3s. 6d. per ton ... 360 3 2 277 8 5 82 14 9
Duff at 2s. Od. per ton ... 245 16 0 185 13 1 60 2 11
The annual saving of fuel per boiler, when small coal is used, is thus £82
14s. 9d.,
or about 90 per cent, per annum on the cost of the apparatus. If, however,
hand-
firing with small coal is compared with mechanical firing with duff coal,
the saving
is much greater, and amounts to £174 10s. Id. per annum.
III.—Experiment with the Henderson Fire-bars, Hand-fired.
To determine in what degree each part of the mechanical stoker contributed
to
the remarkable increase of duty, a test was made on the Lancashire boiler
with the
Henderson movable bars only, the coal being stoked by hand. The results were
as
follow :—
Coal burnt (in 48 hours) ............ 23,772 lbs.
Water evaporated .......... ...... 17,873 gallons.
Do. per hour ............ 370 gallons.
Temperature of feed-water............ 132 degs. Fahr.
Water evaporated............ ... 176,313 lbs.
Apparent duty... ............... 7'42 lbs.
Corrected duty ............... 8*22 lbs.
Do. .................. 20 % increase.
Coal burnt per square foot of grate surface, per hour. 19*61 lbs.
Proportion of ashes ......... ...... 8*1 per cent.
Value of fuel ... ............... 3s. 6d. per ton.
Cost of evaporating 1,000 gallons of water at 62
degs. Fahr. ...............2s. l'4d.
It thus appears that the increase of duty due to the bars is 20 per cent,
out of
the 33*3 per cent, increase yielded by the whole apparatus. Accounting out
of this
20 per cent, for the proportion gained by the diminution of ashes, the
useful effect
of the Henderson mechanical stoker and bars may be thus analysed :—
Per Cent.
Diminution of ashes increases duty ......... 6*0
Movable furnace bars ... ...... ...... 14*0
Effect of mechanical stoking ... ......... 13*3
Total effect of 4:he whole apparatus ...... 33*3
III.—Experiments upon Egg-ended Boilers, Covered and Uncovered,
with two Arrangements of Bridges and Flues, and fitted
with the juckes flre.
The next series of evaporative tests were made in a range of egg-ended
boilers,
worked with the Juckes Fire. The tests were made upon two of the boilers,
viz.,
No. 5, 38 feet long by 6 feet diameter, and No. 6, 28 feet long by 6 feet
diameter.
In No. 5 boiler the tests were made with the boiler covered and uncovered,
and with
a new arrangement of bridges and flues. In the No. 6 boiler the tests were
made
with the boiler covered.
I
go the economical working of steam boilers at collieries.
the economical working- of steam boilers at collieries. 67
As before stated, the working steam pressure was 35 lbs. per square inch,
day
and night. In every case but one the feed-water was maintained at a constant
• temperature of 210 degs. Fahr. by the use of the exhaust steam.
The proportion of ashes obtained in these tests was extraordinarily large,
and the
circumstance of so much of the fuel being unburnt accounts for the
comparatively
low rate of duty.
Table III. contains the whole of the tests made with the Juckes Fires on No.
5
and No. 6 boilers, with the results calculated from them.
Thus, the corrected duty is 4*85 lbs. for the long boiler, and 4'82 lbs, for
the
short boiler, a quite insignificant difference, the variation in the
proportion of
ashes being very small; and it would appear that within certain limits the
com-
parative length of a cylindrical boiler has no influence on its duty.
/.—Results of Old and New Arrangements of Bridges and Flues.
The No. 5 boiler was tested first with the old arrangement of bridges and
flues,
and then with a new adaptation. These two arrangements are shown in Figs.
1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6, Plate III.
The effect of the new adaptation on the effective duty is easily shown. With
the boiler uncovered, the respective corrected duties are—old plan, 4*64
lbs. ; new
plan, 4*77 lbs. ; with the covered boiler, 4-85 lbs. and 4*90 lbs.
respectively. At first
sight the difference would seem to be insignificant. But when we take into
account the differences in the respective proportions of ashes, and
eliminate these
factors, the theoretical duties will stand as follows :—Boiler uncovered,
old plan,
7'69 ; new plan, 8*62 ; increase, 12*6 per cent. Boiler covered, old plan,
7*06 ; new
plan, 8*40. Increase, 19*0 per cent.
The mean of these increments may, therefore, be taken as a fair
representation
of the improved useful effect by the adoption of the new flues and bridges,
and
the gain per cent, may be estimated at [(12*6 + 19*0) -f 2 =] 15*8 per cent.
There is frequent occasion to take into account differences in the
proportion of
ashes, and to eliminate that varying factor in order to arrive at any
trustworthy
comparison.
In these cases a theoretical or adjusted duty is deduced from the corrected
duty
as follows :—
D] = Adjusted or theoretical duty = ioq^ ^
In which D = Corrected duty, and p = Percentage of ashes.
II.—Results of Covered and Uncovered Boiler.
Table IV. contains the comparative results of a series of tests on No. 5
boiler,
covered and uncovered.
The boiler was, of course, only covered on the portion exposed above the
masonry, not much more than one-third of the total surface. The gain from
the
use of this non-conducting covering is represented by an increase of 4*1 per
cent,
of the corrected duty. When, however, the proportion of ashes is taken into
account, and the adjusted duties compared, the 4*1 per cent, completely
disappears,
and is replaced by a decrease of 7*3 per cent., a result which is absurd.
This discordance may be accounted for by the fact that in the first two
tests
made on No. 5 boiler the quantity of ashes had not been observed, and the
quantity in No. 3 test (31*3 per cent.) is assumed as the average of Nos. 1,
2, and
3, which assumption is very probably erroneous.
An endeavour must, therefore, be made to find some means of checking the
accuracy of the comparisons, and fortunately such a method is available.
the economical working of steam boilers at collieries. 69
The researches of Dulong enable one to find the amount of heat given off
from a
surface at a higher temperature than the surrounding medium, when their
respec-
tive temperatures are known. This is divided into heat lost by radiation and
heat
lost by contact of air.
For small differences of temperature between the radiating substance and the
absorbent medium, the loss of heat by radiation is simply proportional to
the
difference in temperature, but at higher temperatures and for greater
differences the
loss of heat is much greater, following a complicated law represented by
Dulong's
equation :—
. = 124-72 x 1-0077 * x (1'0077T — 1)
r T
when t = temperature (centigrade degrees) of absorbent,
T = excess temperature of radiating body (centigrade degrees),
r = ratio of loss of heat under the given temperatures.
The loss of heat by radiation is also dependent on the nature of the
radiating
substance, different surfaces giving very different results. These have been
determined by experiment for a great number of substances. R is the number
of
units of heat emitted per square foot per hour, for a difference in
temperature of
1 deg. Fahr. The total loss of heat by radiation is, therefore, R x D x r,
when
D = difference in temperatures of radiant and absorbent.
The loss of heat by contact of air is independent of the nature of the
substance,
but the form of the body affects the result considerably. In the case of a
hori-
zontal cylinder, if A = loss in units per square foot of surface per hour,
for a differ-
ence of 1 deg. Fahr., and r = radius of the cylinder in inches,
A = -421 + (-307-rr).
The heat lost by air-contact increases more rapidly than the simple ratio of
excess of temperature, and is found by the formula:—
, -552 x* i-233
r = —i—'
when t = difference of temperatures (centigrade degrees), and r1 = ratio of
loss of
heat with that difference.
The total loss of heat by air-contact is thus = AxDxr1, when D = difference
of
temperatures between substance and air.
III.—Temperatures of Boiler and Covering.
The first series of temperature observations were taken to check the six
tests
(uncovered and covered) of No. 5 boiler with the old bridges and flues, and
averaged as follows :—
Degs. Fahr.
Temperature—Uncovered boiler surface ...... 275
„ Covered boiler surface........106
Temperature of air ............... 73
Using the above formula the total loss of heat per square foot per hour is—
UbitF.
Uncovered boiler ...............414*00
Covered boiler............ ...... 45'18
and multiplying by the respective superficies the total loss per hour is—
Units.
Uncovered boiler ............ 110,289-60
Covered boiler............... 13,192*56
Difference = 97,097-04.
70 the economical working of STP1AM boilers at collieries.
For the whole 48 hours the heat loss would be—
97,097 x 48 = 4,660,658*88 units.
With a feed-water temperature of 210 degs. and steam pressure of 35 lbs.,
the
total heat of the steam (from 210 degs.) = 988*7 degs. Fahr., and
4,660,658*88 -*-
988*7 = 4,715 lbs. of water evaporated, equivalent to loss of heat for 48
hours.
The water evaporated per 48 hours on the average of the three earlier tests
in
the uncovered boilers, was .................. = 64,731 lbs.
Add loss - 4,715 „
Then average water evaporation in covered boiler ......... = 69,446 „
Coal consumption = 14,292 lbs., and 69,446---14,292 = 4*86 lbs. deduced
corrected
duty for covered boiler, compared with 4*85 lbs. corrected duty for covered
boiler
observed, or 4*7 per cent, increase over corrected duty of uncovered boiler.
The next series of temperature observations were made to check the two tests
(uncovered and covered) made on October 1st and November 7th, 1888.
• The average temperatures observed were :—
Degs. Fahr.
Uncovered boiler—Temperature of surface...... 280
„ Temperature of air ...... 54
Covered boiler—Temperature of surface ...... 91
„ Temperature of air......... 48
Working from these figures as previously, the corrected duty in the
uncovered boiler
of 4*77 lbs. is increased to 4'90 lbs. in the covered boiler, or 2*7 per
cent, increase.
Kef erring to Table IV., the observed corrected duty shows an increase of
4*1 per
cent, when the boiler is covered; and checking the comparison by Dulong's
method,
the increase of duty is found to be 4*7 per cent, increase from one set of
observa-
tions, compared with 2*7 per cent, with a second series; making an average
of 3*7 per
cent, increase, which corresponds very nearly with the 41 per cent, increase
observed.
This is, therefore, a satisfactory confirmation of the accuracy of the
compara-
tive tests, so far as the corrected duty is concerned, and, doubtless, had
the
proportion of ashes been observed in the first two tests, the comparison
would have
remained unaffected as regards the theoretical duties.
IV.—Further Experiments upon an Egg-ended Boiler, with New
Arrangement of Bridges and Flues, and Hand-Fired. (Plate III.)
Another series of tests was made with an egg-ended boiler 41 feet long by 6
feet
diameter, with hand-firing, which had just been fitted with the new
arrangement of
bridges and flues. The results obtained (see Table V.) were remarkably good,
the
corrected duty on the average of three tests being 6*07 lbs. It will be
rioted that
the proportion of ashes is much less than in the case of the Juckes Patent
Fires,
namely, 17 per cent, as compared with over 30 per cent.
Comparing the respective averages of three tests with long boilers by hand-
firing and the Juckes Fires, the corrected duties for the Juckes Patent
Fires is 4*85
lbs., with 31*3 per cent, of ash, and for hand-firing 6*07 lbs., with 17*0
per cent, of ash.
the economical working of steam boilers at collieries. 71
Calculating the respective theoretical duties they come out : Juckes Patent
Fires,
7-06 lbs.; hand-firing, 7*31 lbs.; and thus the patent fires seem to show
positively
worse results than hand-firing. It must be remembered, however, that the
hand-
firing tests were made with the new arrangement of bridges and flues which,
as
shown previously, are equal to a gain of 15*8 per cent. Deducting this
proportion
from the hand-firing figures, the comparative theoretical duties with old
flues and
TABLE V.
bridges are: Juckes Fires 7*06 lbs.; hand-firing, 6*31; an apparent
advantage of
11*9 per cent, in favour of the Juckes Fires.
It may, therefore, be concluded that the use of the Juckes Fires affords a
theoreti-
cal increase of duty of about 12 per cent,, which in practice is more than
counter-
balanced by the increase in the proportion of unburnt fuel.
V.—Experiments upon a Lancashire Boiler, as to the Effect of Boiler
Scale upon the Duty.
The next series of observations made referred to the effect of scale in a
boiler in
diminishing the duty of the fuel.
No. 21 Lancashire boiler was selected for making the comparison. Like the
others in the range it was 28 feet long by 7 feet 6 inches diameter. The
inside
was cleaned as perfectly as possible before the first 48 hours' test was
made, after
which the boiler was under steam about seven weeks. By this time a scale of
TV
inch in thickness had accumulated in the boiler, and the second 48 hours'
test was
made. Table VI. shows the comparative results of the two tests.
72 the economical working- of steam boilers at collieries.
TABLE vi.
This comparison has been complicated by the variation in the amount of
ashes.
The dirty boiler shows a falling off in corrected duty of 8*5 per cent., but
when
the respective proportions of ash are taken into account the difference is
reduced to
1-5 per cent., which is all that can be attributed to the action of
one-sixteenth of an
inch of boiler scale.
vi.— Experiments upon a Lancashire Boiler, with Ordinary and Checker
Fire-Brick Bridges.
A further series of tests were made on No. 23 Lancashire boiler to determine
the
effect of checker fire-brick work in the place of bridges. Two experimental
arrange-
ments of brickwork were made as shown in Figs. 2 and 3, Plate I.
A 48 hours' test with hand-firing, and the ordinary bridge was made on the
No.
23 boiler, beginning May 1st, 1889, after which the arrangements in Figs. 2
and 3
were successively tested with the results contained in Table VII.
The fixing of the No. 1 bridge, Fig. 2, diminished the evaporation by 60
gallons an
hour, but the saving in fuel was more than proportionate. The adjusted
duties are 9 35
lbs. with the ordinary bridge, or 9*82 lbs. with the No. 1 new bridge, an
increase of
5 per cent. At the same time, desirable as the 5 per cent, increase in duty
might
be, an accompanying disadvantage was the fall in evaporative power of the
boiler
from 347 gallons per hour to 287 gallons per hour, a loss of 17*3 per cent.
The arrangement in Fig. 3 was then designed with the object of securing the
5 per cent, increase of duty, while avoiding any marked loss in evaporative
power.
The comparison of the tests then made shows that the theoretical duties are
9'35 lbs.
in the old bridge, and 9*83 lbs, in the No, 2 new bridge, the increase of
duty being
the economical working of steam boilers at collieries.
TABLE VII.
Note.—Fire-grate surface in No. 23 boiler = 33 square feet.
5-1 per cent., while the evaporation of 347 gallons per hour was diminished
merely
to 333 gallons per hour, or only 4 per cent. But for the fact that in the
test with
No. 2 new bridge, the fuel left 19*3 per cent, of ash as compared with 16*9
per cent.,
probably even this small decrease of evaporation would not have occurred.
It may, therefore, be taken for granted that an arrangement of bridges
similar to
that in Fig. 3 with Lancashire boilers will increase their duties 5 per
cent, without
materially affecting their evaporative power.
VII.—experiments upon a lancashire boiler, with narrow and WlDE
Spaces between the Fire-Bars.
Owing to the employment of a dirtier coal than that in use when the
mechanical
stokers were first adopted, it was found that the work got out of each
boiler was
decreased by this change of fuel. It was determined to increase the air
spaces
between the fire-bars, and they were enlarged from | inch to I inch wide,
the effect of
which was to increase the fire-bar air space from 3*2 to 6*4 square feet per
boiler.
The results of the experiments with this modification are contained in Table
VIII.
It will be observed that the effect of changing from the clean to the dirty
coal
(8*7 per cent, ash to 22-2 per cent.) was to diminish the evaporative
efficiency of the
boiler from 405 to 366 gallons of water per hour, or from 64*8 H.P. to 58'6
H.P., while
the air spaces between the fire-bars remained unchanged. The effect of
increasing
the air space was to restore, and rather more than restore, the evaporative
efficiency
which rose to 411J gallons, or 65-8 H.P. Nevertheless, the actual economy
was less
than with the other tests, as may be seen by comparing the respective
duties.
J
74 the economical working of steam boilers at collieries.
TABLE VIII.
The dirty coal used in the latter portion of the experiments was analysed by
Mr.
J. Pattinson, as under:—
Carbon ..................... 66'87
Hydrogen..................... 4*07
Oxygen..................... 5-03
Nitrogen..................... 1*32
Sulphur..................... 2-93
Ash..................... 17*28
Water ..................... 2-50
100-00
Coke .....................66-3
Volatile matters... ...............33-7
76 discussion—economical working of steam boilers at collieries.
IX.—Pyrometer Observations.
A series of pyrometer observations were made in the flues with a Hopkinson
pyrometer, giving the following results :—
Lancashire Boiler Range—
Degs. Fahr.
End of flue.—Hand-fired boiler ............... 490
„ Mechanical stoking ............ 400
Egg-Ended Boilers—Juckes Fires—
End of flue, No. 5 boiler, 38 feet long by 6 feet diameter 875 and 865
No. 6 „ 28 „ 6 „ ... 940
Egg-Ended Boilers.—Hand-Fired—
End of flue, boiler, 41 feet long by 6 feet diameter ...... 780
Another series of observations were made in connection with a Twibell's
economizer, which is fixed in the main flue of the Lancashire boiler range,
with
the following results :—
Degs. Fahr.
Temperature in flue.—Entrance to economizer......... 500
„ Exit from „ ......... 232
Temperature of feed water in pond ............ 68
„ „ after passing economizer ...... 148
In this case the feed pump (8 inches by 12 inches) was going 9 strokes per
minute,
and theoretically pumping 2*18 gallons per stroke.
A similar series of observations gave:— Degs. Fahr.
Temperature in flue.—Entrance to economizer......... 485
„ „ Exit from „ ...... .. 244
Temperature of feed-water in pond ............ 68
„ „ economizer........ ... 141
With the feed pump going 10 strokes per minute.
Many other most interesting experiments might be suggested in connection
with boiler firing, but the writers think that enough has been described for
a paper
of reasonable length. In commending these ascertained results to the members
of the Institution, they would, in conclusion, point out that the
comparative tests
have been taken under practical working conditions, and for sufficiently
long
periods of time to eliminate incidental errors, besides which all disturbing
factors
have been taken into consideration, and their effect discounted so as to
arrive at a
true comparison.
Mr. Steavenson said he had only one suggestion to make in regard to the
paper, and that was that there should be a short synopsis or abstract
prepared so
as to summarise it.
The Chairman said they were all obliged to the authors of the paper for
bring-
ing this important matter before them, and also to Mr. Steavenson for
reading it.
Unless Mr. Bird had anything further to add, the paper would now be open for
discussion.
Mr. Bird said he had nothing further to add. The manuscript which Mr.
Steavenson had read was only compiled a few days ago, and the paper might,
therefore, be considered as up to date.
Discussion—economical working op steam boilers at Collieries. 77
The Chairman knew that Mr. Bainbridge had had considerable experience
with various systems of boilers, perhaps he would kindly make some remarks
on
the subject of the paper.
Mr. Bainbridge submitted that it seemed rather late in the day to read a
paper specially referring to the scope for economy in the firing of
cylindrical boilers,
as these were now only used on a small scale; probably nobody who had put
boilers
down during the last twenty years would have put down cylindrical boilers,
and it
was to these that the experiments applied. He would like to ask Mr. Bird, in
regard
to the cylindrical boilers, whether he found much difference in the
pyrometer ex-
periments after putting in the three bridges; and also as to the effect of
raising the
bridge itself ? It also seemed to him that the authors had not put enough
stress on
what appeared to be one of the most important points in the paper. In his
(Mr. Bain-
bridge's) experience of mechanical firing, a class of coal was chiefly used
containing
some 15 per cent, of dirt; some of the coal Mr. Bird mentioned exceeded
that, and
he thought the authors might have extended their remarks on the advantages
of mechanical stoking where the coal produced so much cinder and ash.
With regard to the question of mechanical firing, too, it would have been
interesting to learn not only the difference between hand-firing and the
Henderson
system, but also how the Henderson system compared with others. It was
rather
odd that while Messrs. Armstrong and Bird had hit upon the Henderson as
being the
best kind in the North of England, in Lancashire the Vickers was looked upon
as the
best, and in Yorkshire the Proctor. It would be interesting if experiments
could
be made to test relatively the merits of the three. He was led to believe
from
the description of the Henderson that it came under the same category as the
Proctor.
In the case of the Vickers stoker the coal was thrown close to the fire
doors, and by
becoming coked the tendency to smokelessness was much more marked than in
the Proctor and Henderson. The process mentioned in Figs. 2 and 3, Plate I,
of
trying to improve the economy of Lancashire boilers was, of course, by no
means a
new idea; the effect of No. 2 process carried out the same idea as that of
Mr.
G-osling, an engineer who brought out an economizer some years ago,
consisting of
discs of fire-clay placed within the tube, of about half the diameter of the
tube itself,
but these fire-clay discs were so easily worn away that they were replaced
by metal
ones. The Gaslight and Coke Co. of London had a large number of boilers
fitted with
this process, effecting a saving of some 15 or 20 per cent. The pyrometer
test at 490
degs. did not strike him as being quite satisfactory, as with a boiler
thoroughly
well arranged the temperature of the gases as they left the main flue should
not
exceed 350 to 400 degs. One mode of setting boilers had not been mentioned,
viz.: making the outside flue larger in area, and raising the side flue
curve
of fire-brick slightly above the level of the water, the effect being a very
marked economy of fuel. It was difficult to discuss the large number of
figures
read; but he gathered from the paper that the Juckes gave about the same
result as
hand-firing, and the Henderson mechanical stoker much better results.
Mr. A. L. Steavenson said his experience in testing boilers twenty years ago
was with the Juckes fire-bars and with common hand-firing, and he thought
the
results were that, so far as economy went, there was very little in it, but
there
was considerable saving in manual labour. The coals were teemed down a
long spout, and the labour was reduced to almost nothing; but the differ-
ence in evaporation was difficult to detect. He hoped Mr. Bird—who was
about to take a distant flight—was only leaving them for a time ; but, he
trusted,
that while he was away he would not forget his friends here, but would send
them
any notes he could, and he (Mr. Steavenson) would only be too glad to read
them
for him.
78 discussion—economical working of steam boilers at collieries.
The Chairman said he could speak to the merits of the Juckes bars in the
reduced
boiler repairs and saving of labour. With hand-firing, constantly opening
the doors
and exposing the front of the boilers to various temperatures were serious
objections,
which by the use of this system were much reduced, and further, there was
entire
prevention of the smoke which occurred with hand-firing. He instanced a
colliery,
where, owing to its being within the limits of a borough it became a
difficulty to
carry it on, but the adoption of the Juckes furnaces gave entire
satisfaction to the
authorities, and effected considerable economy. Where coals were cheap or of
such a
character as to be unsaleable, as was the case at many collieries with a
portion of their
output, he did not admit that the cylindrical boiler was out of date. Its
low first
cost and the facility for repairs were strong recommendations. The more
costly the
boiler, the more difficult and expensive are the repairs. It becomes a
question of
first outlay and of subsequent expense, as well as economy in fuel, in which
latter
respect the Lancashire boiler is no doubt an advance upon the cylindrical,
but it
must, he thought, give way to the type of tubular boilers, of which the Root
boiler is
an example, for efficiency and economy in evaporative power. He did not
think
the authors of the paper intended to recommend a similar boiler plant and
the use
of duff, or small or dirty coal, if they wanted the greatest efficiency, the
results
attained in pounds of water evaporated per pound of coal being so low; but,
in
regard to the best utilisation of such fuel at a colliery where it is
produced, the
record of these experiments is extremely valuable.
Mr. Bird said Mr. Bainbridge's interesting remarks were prefaced by a state-
ment that cylindrical boilers were practically out of date ; of course, he
agreed
with him in that. Colliery managers were not going to put down cylindrical
boilers
to any practical extent now; but, as they were in when the experiments were
made
for the Lancashire boilers, it was very little extra trouble to include
them. The
pyrometer observations were very incomplete. The pyrometer was only procured
during the last week or two, and there was no comparison of the temperature
obser-
vations available between the old bridge and the new, the pyrometer being
got after
the new bridge was introduced. The abnormal quantity of ash shown in the
experi-
ments with the Juckes fires was due solely to the fact of so much coal going
through unburnt, and not, so far as their observations showed, to any actual
varia-
tion in the quantity of ash. The analysis of the fuel showed a proportion of
ash of
17£ per cent, in the rough small coal, and a little more in the duff coal,
whereas the
proportion of burnt ash in the experiment with the Juckes fires rose as high
as 40 per
cent. He quite agreed with Mr. Bainbridge that, in considering the question
of
mechanical firing, it would be interesting to have a series of comparative
tests made
with the different kinds of apparatus, under the same conditions; but that
was not
available at Wingate Colliery, the Henderson being the only one on the
premises,
unless the Juckes apparatus could be considered a mechanical firer also.
Practically,
the Juckes firing seemed to give the same results as hand-firing on the
boilers; but
had the firing been done with cleaner coal—with less ash—he believed the
Juckes fires
would have shown the full advantage of 12 per cent, which had been worked
out
theoretically in the paper; and there was no doubt that the life of the
boilers
under the Juckes fires would be much longer than under hand-firing, for very
obvious
reasons. Mr. Steavenson very truly pointed out that the advantage of the
Juckes
system over hand-firing was in the less labour required—a less number of
firemen
could attend to the same range of boilers. But when the percentage of ash or
un-
burnt fuel increased to so great an extent, and rose to such figures as they
found at
Wingate, and where that ash had to be moved any considerable distance away,
the
increased labour in removing the ash neutralised the diminished labour in
firing.
As Mr. Cochrane said, even the Lancashire boiler, though giving a higher
duty than
discussion—economical working of steam boilers at collieries. 79
the cylindrical, was going out of date, and the Roots might be destined in
the long
run to supersede it. Yet before they reached that Utopian future they would,
he
thought, have to very considerably modify the quality of water used in
colliery
boilers. Generally speaking, the experiments had been, as Mr. Cochrane
remarked,
for the practical adoption of inferior fuel and consequent very obvious
economy.
He was obliged for Mr. Steavenson's kind offer to read any memoranda he
might
send home from Persia, and he could only assure him that he would take
advantage
of it at the earliest opportunity.
The Chairman said they would accord a vote of thanks to Mr. Bird and Mr.
Armstrong for their paper, which would be printed, and open for discussion
at a
future date. He thanked the members for their attendance; he was sorry there
were so few present, but he supposed this was due to the lack of information
as to
the kind of meeting this was intended to be. They could only by large
attendances
make the meetings successful. Nottingham had been fixed for the next
meeting,
on the 24th and 25th of September, and they hoped to have such a programme
for that meeting as would satisfy the most exacting of their members.
EDISON PHONOGRAPH.
Through the kindness of Mr. C. R. Johnstone of the Edison United Phonograph
Company, the members were given a private representation of the many uses of
the
phonograph.
PROCEEDINGS.
NORTH OF ENGLAND INSTITUTE OF MINING AND MECHANICAL
ENGINEERS.
ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING,
Held in the Wood Memorial Hall, Newcastle-upon-Tyne,
on Saturday, August 2nd, 1890.
Mr. William Cochrane, Vice-President, in the Chair.
The Chairman said he was very sorry that the President still remained too
unwell
to attend this meeting. In a letter he had that morning received from Mr.
Marley
he was asked to express that gentleman's regret at being unable to attend on
the
occasion of his retiring from the chair, and to thank the members for the
manner in
which they had supported him in it; when Mr. Marley was able to come among
them again he would possibly address them further. In the meantime, they
would all
regret the illness which had prevented him from continuing the work which he
had so
earnestly and zealously done during the time he had been their President.
They
would all agree in expressing sympathy with Mr. Marley in his illness, and
in
hoping that he would soon be perfectly restored. It was a pleasure to hear
from
the Secretary that Mr. Marley (whom he had seen the previous day) was much
better, and that there was a prospect of his resuming active work in a short
time.
With the indulgence of the meeting he (Mr. Cochrane) would do what he could
to conduct the business in the President's absence.
The minutes of the last meeting were read and confirmed.
The following gentlemen were declared elected in accordance with the rules
of the Institute :—
Member—
Mr. J. K M. Robertson, M.D., F.G.S., Mining Engineer, Linton, Mitson's Point
Sydney.
Associates—
Mr. Edward Taylor Cheesman, Colliery Manager, Blaydon Main Colliery,
Blaydon-on-Tyne.
Mr. Thomas Rontree, Colliery Manager, Harton Colliery, South Shields.
K
82 proceedings.
The following were nominated for election :—
Members—
Mr. George Bradford, Colliery Viewer, Witton Park, Darlington.
Mr. G. A. Mitcheson, Mining Engineer, Dresden, Longton, Staffordshire.
Mr. William Ryder Stobart, Mining Engineer, Etherley Lodge, Darlington.
Mr. Thomas Watson, Mining Engineer, Trimdon Colliery, Trimdon Grange.
Associate Member—
Mr. W. Cochran Carr, Coal Owner, Benwell Colliery, Newcastle-upon-Tyne.
Associate—
Mr. Thomas Clark, Under-Manager, Dipton Colliery, Lintz Green.
Student—
Mr. G. M. Andrews, Mining Student, Broomhill Colliery.
The Chairman then appointed Messrs. A. L. Steavenson, T. 0. Robson, R.
Thompson, and R. L. Weeks, to act as Scrutineers of the ballot papers for
the election
of officers for the ensuing year.
The Secretary read the annual report of the Council and Finance Committee,
as follows:—
council's annual report. 83
THE COUNCIL'S ANNUAL REPORT.
The past year has been an eventful one in the history of the Institute,
inasmuch
as it has been worked under a new set of rules, and for the first time in
close con-
nection with other Institutes of a kindred nature under the Federated
Institution of
Mining Engineers' scheme.
It is too soon yet to fully appreciate the results due to these changes, but
so far
as they can judge the Council see no reason to doubt the wisdom of the steps
which
led to them.
Fifty-two new members of all classes have joined the Institute since the
last
annual meeting, and 9 have resigned. During the same period there has been a
loss by death of 13 members, including, the Council deeply regret to say,
some of the
best known names connected with mining, such as Mr. E. F. Boyd, Mr. W.
Crawford,
M.P., Mr. R. Forster, Mr. T. G. Hurst, and Sir Warington W. Smyth.
With Volume XXXVIII. of the Transactions the Institute closes a publication
the
value of which—from a professional point of view—is now too well established
to
be dwelt upon. In place of these Transactions members are now receiving,
withouJ
extra payment, the Proceedings of the Federated Institution of Mining
Engineers—
in other words, the papers and discussions of this Institute plus those of
the
Chesterfield, Midland, and South Staffordshire Institutes.
Certain special publications have been issued to your members, unconnected
with
the Proceedings of the Federated Institution of Mining Engineers, such as
the
" Borings and Sinkings," now nearly completed, Abstracts of Foreign Papers,
which it is intended to issue quarterly, and the reports of certain
committees to be
referred to presently, etc.
In September, a ten days' visit to the Belgian Coal-field and to the Paris
Ex-
hibition took place, and much kindness was experienced by the members at the
hands of the Belgian coal owners and engineers. In January, the first
General
Meeting of the Federated Institution brought a large number of members
together
at Sheffield, where they were extremely well received by the Mayor, Master
Cutler,
and by their brother engineers of the Midlands, many of whose works and
collieries
were inspected. The next meeting of the Federated Institution was held in
London,
in April, in the rooms of the Institution of Civil Engineers, and the Royal
Mint and
Thames Subway were visited. The third meeting was held in Edinburgh, where
the Exhibition was the principal attraction.
The Fan Committee, in which the North of England Institute is united with
the
South Wales and Midland Institutes, has carried on its work regularly since
the
date of the last Annual Meeting, and its report is being prepared for the
press.
The Explosives Committee has also been hard at work, preparing plans,
estimates,
etc., and in connection with it, the translation of a valuable Report of a
French
Government Commission will be issued to the members in a few days.
The Council have pleasure in stating that the negotiations with the North-
Eastern Railway, mentioned in their last report, have come to a satisfactory
termination. The Company will provide an entrance in Orchard Street, and
a broad passage lined with glazed bricks adjoining the basement of the Wood
Memorial Hall.
In conclusion, the Council feel that they are justified in congratulating
the
members upon the continued and increasing prosperity of the Institute.
34 council's annual report.
FINANCE REPORT.
The income for the year 1889-90 amounted to £1,509 14s. 2d., being a
decrease on
that for the previous year of £301 7s. 5d.
The expenditure was £1,433 19s. 2d.—£84 0s. lid. less than that of the
preceding year.
The total receipts for subscriptions and arrears were £1,209 5s. 8d.—£240
16s. 4d.
less than last year; this decrease being attributed in a large measure to
the fact that
fewer finance circulars have been issued to the members this year. The
arrears of
subscriptions now amount to £207 18s. Od. as compared with £553 7s. Od. at
the end
of last year, of which amount £246 15s. Od. has been struck off as
irrecoverable.
In the ordinary items of expenditure there is a decrease this year of
£240 10s. lid., but against this must be placed the liability of £552 15s.
Od. in
respect of subscriptions to the Federated Institution, of which, however,
the sum of
£223 3s. 5d. appears in the balance sheet as expenses incurred and paid on
behalf
of that institution. The payment of one hundred guineas in connection with
the
meeting of the British Association also adds to the year's expenditure,
which,
however, still compares favourably with that of previous years.
The Treasurer in Account with Subscriptions, 1889-1890.
g6 accounts.
Dr. The Treasurer in Account with the North of England
accounts. 87
Institute of Mining and Mechanical Engineers. Cr.
General Statement, July 16th, 1890.
proceedings, 89
The Chairman said that in the Finance Report and Statements—which were on
the table and could be examined in detail by the members after the meeting—
it was stated that the total income for the year was £300 less than that for
1889 ; .
this was largely accounted for in the matter of arrears of subscriptions, of
which
there were large collections in 1889. These arrears having been partly paid,
and partly
wiped off by the Arrears Committee, left very few arrears to collect during
1890,
and whilst the total income from all sources for the year was not so great
as it
was for the previous year, the Institute was in as nourishing a condition
financially
as ever, and had, in fact, a net gain in its number of members to the extent
of thirty.
In this respect they would all agree with him in congratulating the
Institute—as
the report said—upon its " continued and increasing prosperity." The Council
of
the Federated Institution was now considering the subject of the mode of
print-
ing the Proceedings, which they would all consider at present to be
unsatisfactory.
There were, as they knew, two forms of publications printed in different
type, a
selection being made by the Council of the Federated Institution of the
papers
to appear in each. In one of these the discussions were printed verbatim,
and it was
thought undesirable to spend so much money in publishing these discussions ;
those
of similar institutions were generally concentrated into the remarks of a
speaker
once on each subject, but in the Transactions of the Federated Institution
they would
sometimes see on one page many short remarks from one speaker. This was
incon-
venient and expensive to print; so much so, that it was felt undesirable to
print the
discussions in full as at present. The subject was under consideration, and
some
proposals would, no doubt, be submitted to the members shortly when the
Council
had decided what was best to be done. The principal point to call attention
to in
the annual report of the Council was as to the number of meetings. He was
one of
the very few members who went to Edinburgh—only twenty-eight in all, and
these were never all together at one time—and it seemed to him that the
great
machinery of the Federated Institution of Mining Engineers having been put
into
operation to obtain the attendance of twenty-eight members from all the
institutes,
at Edinburgh, where the Exhibition was expected in itself to be a great
attrac-
tion, the result was extremely disappointing. The Council of the North of
England
Institute had thought it well to discuss this question, and to consider
whether
four meetings a year were more likely to succeed when the members of all
the institutes—except of that which was located at the place of meeting—were
called upon to leave their homes. He wrould be glad to hear the observations
of
the members on this or on other subjects of the reports; and in order to put
the matter formally he proposed that the reports as presented be adopted.
Mr. Willis (H.M. Inspector of Mines) seconded the motion.
Mr. Simpson said he had not thought of the subject; but if the meetings
were not better attended than that at Edinburgh he was afraid that even four
would
be too many. He did not know whether it would be wise to come to any
conclusion at
present, or to wait and see the result of another year. He supposed it would
have to
be brought before the Council of the Federated Institution for further
consideration.
The Chairman thought that the Council of the Federated Institution would
have their revised rules ready by September ; they could then be discussed
at the
Nottingham meeting, which was fixed for the 24th and 25th of September.
Mr. Simpson suggested that it would not be proper- for this meeting to come
to any conclusion.
The Chairman—Except as a recommendation, which the Council of this Insti-
tute could bring before the Council of the Federated Institution, showing
what the
members of the North of England Institute thought desirable to be done.
Mr. Simpson How would two meetings in the year do ?
90 proceedings.
The Chairman—The Council to-day thought two would be enough.
Mr. Willis thought four too many.
The Chairman—Shall the Council be instructed to represent to the Federated
Institution that they consider two meetings in the year sufficient ?
Mr. Thos. Bell (H.M. Inspector of Mines) said he would propose that it be
referred to the Council to take into consideration whether two meetings per
annum
would not be sufficient. The Chesterfield Institute met four times in the
year, and
the North of England Institute meetings had been reduced from monthly to
bi-monthly. He was not sure whether they would not get better local attend-
ances if even this were altered to quarterly meetings. He would at all
events
propose that the Federated Institution should only meet twice during the
year.
The question of the General Meetings of this Institute might be left for
future
consideration.
Mr. Simpson seconded the proposal to refer the question to the Council, with
a
recommendation that there be only two meetings each year.
The resolution was carried unanimously.
The Chairman called upon Professor Lebour to read Mr. Marley's paper " On
the South Durham Salt-field."
Mr. Thos. Bell remarked that no abstract of the paper had been issued,
neither
were there printed copies of the paper on the table.
The Secretary replied that, although it might have been possible to prepare
a
short abstract the paper itself could not be printed for the meeting, as was
done
formerly, owing to the fact—before-mentioned—of the papers being referred to
a
committee, who had to decide in which type it should appear.
The Chairman said this was one of the inconveniences which had been felt,
and
he hoped the subject of the publications would be brought before the Council
of the
Federated Institution at an early date.
cleveland and south durham salt industry. 91
ON THE CLEVELAND AND SOUTH DURHAM SALT INDUSTRY.*
By John Marley.
In 1863, at the Newcastle-upon-Tyne meeting of the British Association, the
writer read a short paper setting forth the then recent discovery at
Middlesbrough,
in Cleveland, of rock salt by Messrs. Bolckow & Vaughan, showing how they,
in
July, 1859, in their search for fresh water for the use of their
Middlesbrough iron-
works, had commenced the sinking of a shaft, which they sank to a depth of
178 feet into the New Red Sandstone. From the bottom of this they began, on
December 31st, 1861, a boring, 18 inches in diameter, by one of Messrs.
Mather &
Piatt's boring machines, their object still being fresh water, and after
repeated
warnings, both before and during their operations, that salt water was more
likely
to be got than fresh, they, at a depth of 1,206 feet, touched the top of the
rock salt,
proving it to be 100 feet thick (Section XVI.). The boring itself was
stopped on or
about September 10th, 1863. This was the first public announcement of this
great
geological and commercial fact. To this 1863 paper, which contained a full
descrip-
tion of the boring machine and a coloured section of the strata sunk and
bored
through, was attached an analysis of the lightest coloured sample of the
rock salt,
representing about one-half of the whole bed. It was then admitted to be
impossible
to attempt any predication of the area of the salt, but as bearing thereon,
the exten-
sion of the South Durham Coal-field from Castle Eden and South Wingate, and
the
fact of the existence of the Lias^and Oolitic formations south of
Middlesbrough were
mentioned. Besides the question of the area of the salt deposit, it was also
admitted that it was speculative to attempt to estimate the great commercial
results that were expected to the district of the Tyne and the district
generally.
A period of 26 years having elapsed since this discovery and since the last
meeting
of the British Association at Newcastle, during the first 11 years of which
the
matter lay dormant, South Durham has now become a salt-producing district of
vast commercial importance.
The question of salt in this district cannot be said to be a recent one, as
the Rev.
George Young in 1828 in his Geology of the Yorkshire Coast mentioned the
possi-
bility of rock salt similar to that of Cheshire and Worcestershire being
found in the
vale of the Tees ; next, Mr. G. C. Greenwell in his Milling Engineering
(1853), in
mentioning the Red Sandstone in the north-east part of Yorkshire, said it
was by no
means improbable that beds of rock salt might be found.
The British Association made an excursion from Newcastle-upon-Tyne to
Messrs.
Bolckow & Vaughan's salt boring in 1863, and to Messrs. Bell Brothers' works
at Port
Clarence, from York in 1881. After 1863, the salt question practically lay
untouched
till 1874, speculation being deterred by the depth at which the rock salt
lay and the
heavy water-bearing strata to be passed through, involving large capital
outlay for
sinking, and having regard also to the unknown extent of the area of the
deposit,
and the consequent uncertainty of suitable return on the capital invested.
Messrs. Bell Brothers' experimental or trial boring in 1874 (Section XI.)
having
proved that the rock salt continued to the north of Messrs. Bolckow &
Vaughan's
first boring, they adopted the Continental plan of a fresh-water column
balancing
the brine column at a point within 200 feet of the surface, accompanied with
ease of
pumping, and thus became the pioneers of the manufacture of salt in the
district.
Mr. Thomas Bell, of Messrs. Bell Brothers, had suggested, and the firm had
con-
sidered the practicability of raising salt by means of the two columns of
water,
viz., 1,200 feet of fresh water to 1,000 feet of brine, and on further
enquiry it was
* This paper was read before the British Association, at the Newcastle
Meeting, in 1889.
L
92 CLEVELAND AND SOUTH DURHAM SALT INDUSTRY
found that the plan in question was already in operation near Nancy, in
France,
where its details were investigated by the heads of the firm and their
staff. After-
wards, with the possibility of finding coal, Messrs. Bell Brothers continued
the boring
for 150 feet, and proved the existence of the Magnesian Limestone below the
rock salt.
The writer does not consider it necessary to enter into the details of the
respective
borings for the rock salt nor of the various modes adopted in the preparing
and
obtaining of the brine, and of pumping the same to the surface, as these, as
well as
the modes of manufacture of the salt, have been treated of fully by other
writers,
to whom reference is made below according to date.
By Mr. W. H. Peacock, mining engineer, on the New Red Sandstone of Cleveland
and the rock salt then discovered. This paper was read before the Cleveland
Literary
and Philosophical Society in 1869.
By Sir Lowthian Bell in 1881 in his paper for the British Association on the
industries of Middlesbrough; but more especially in his elaborate paper on
the
manufacture of this salt, which was read before the Institute of Civil
Engineers in
May, 1887.
By the late Mr. Thomas Allison, of Guisbro', in April, 1882, in his paper on
the " Geology of Middlesbrough and the Surrounding District."
By Mr. T. Hugh Bell, in 1883, before the Cleveland Institute of Engineers,
on
these salt deposits and the mode of winning them.
By the said Mr. T. Hugh Bell, on these salt deposits, in September, 1883, in
his
notes for the Iron and Steel Institute meeting at Middlesbrough.
By Mr. T. W. Stuart, on the Tees salt industry, in his paper read in
October,
1888, at the Durham College of Science, and published in the Journal of the
Society
of Chemical Industry for the same month. This paper treats fully of the
American
system of boring, and of all details connected with the salt.
By Mr. W. J. Bird on this salt bed and associated strata, read before the
Man-
chester Geological Society in June, 1888.
The writer therefore considers it would be a waste of time to repeat in
detail
that information which can be obtained by reference to these various papers,
but
wishes more especially, 1st, to direct attention to the extreme north, west,
south,
and east points of the deposit proved, with the various thicknesses, viz.:—
The last boring (VI.) in a northerly direction in which rock salt is proved
at
Greatham (see Plate LIV.), which proved salt 82f feet thick at a depth of
971 feet
9 inches, there being no salt proved at borings I., II., III., IV., and V.,
farther to
the north.
By way of illustration of the form of this basin of salt as far as known,
the
Lackenby boring (XXI.) being the deepest, the bottom of the salt being 1,804
feet
from the surface, and taking this as the datum-line (as the slight
difference of sur-
face-level is too trivial to be taken into account) ; the rise from XXI.
(Plate LIV.)
or Lackenby to VI. or Greatham, a distance of about 4 miles, is 832 feet 3
inches,
XXI. being as yet the easternmost position of the salt proved.
Then the westernmost point is at Stone Marsh or XXIX. (Plate LIV.), a
distance of about 4£ miles, with salt of a thickness of 9 feet, and a rise
of 1,011 feet
from Lackenby.
From Lackenby (XXI.) to South Bank (XX.), a distance of about 1 mile, with
salt 82£ feet thick, and a rise of 151 feet 9 inches.
Next from XX. (Plate LIV.) or South Bank to XVIII. or North Ormsby, a
distance of 2£ miles, with salt 89£ feet thick, and a rise of 216 feet 3
inches, as the
southernmost point. This southernmost point XVIII. or North Ormsby, and the
easternmost point XXI. or Lackenby, are clearly not the termination of the
salt
basin in these directions.
CLEVELAND AND SOUTH DURHAM SALT INDUSTRY. 93
The several papers from the respective authors, in describing the various
geological features, have brought into view differences of opinion on the
geological
questions, and amongst others a paper on " The Durham Salt District," in the
North
of England, by Edward Wilson, F.G.S., and published in the Quarterly Journal
of
the Geological Society;* and since then another paper by Mr. Howse on these
geolo-
gical points, and read by him in 1888 before the Tyneside Naturalists' Field
Club.
Having shown the position and form of the basin, the writer will now call
attention to the boring at the westernmost point, viz., XXIX. (Plate LIV.)
or
Stone Marsh, where only 9 feet of salt was proved, part of that being mixed
with
gypsum. This was abandoned after boring into Magnesian Limestone to a depth
of 178£ feet, or a depth from surface of 1,000 feet, this boring being taken
to prove
the westernmost outcrop.
Next, attention is called to the Seaton Carew boring IV. (Plate LIV.), where
it
was proved that salt rock did not exist at the point expected, viz., at a
depth of 497
feet. But at 606 feet rock oil was found, and sulphurous water was met with,
and at
1,153 feet a brine feeder was got. The salt bed being usually met with
between
the main beds of anhydrite, this boring was then continued through the
Magnesian
Limestone at 1,400 feet, proving 878 feet thickness of this rock ; and the
boring has
been continued to a total depth of 1,814 feet 6 inches, and Carboniferous
strata proved
below the Magnesian Limestone. These, with the 10 inches and 14 inches coal-
seams, all form elements for consideration as to their exact geological
position.
The next boring to which attention is called is at the point marked XXII.,
near to
the river Tees, where the Newcastle Chemical Co. only got either some few
feet of salt,
or as some say, none; after proving 167 feet of Magnesian Limestone to a
depth of
1,260 feet, this was abandoned, the position of the boring being almost in a
direct line
from Messrs. Bolckow & Vaughan's first boring, XVI., where salt is of great
thick-
ness, and that at Stone Marsh, XXIX, where salt, only 9 feet thick, rendered
the
absence of salt at XXII. as being most probably due to an underground
dislocation and
not to an outcrop. Another boring (XXX.) made near Norton by the diamond
drill,
proved gypsum and anhydrite, but did not prove salt, and after going through
the
Magnesian Limestone at 760 feet 8 inches depth, the boring was stopped in
sand-
stone and shale.
The production of salt for the years 1887, 1888, 1889, 1890, and 1891 was as
follows:—
9 i cleveland and south durham salt industry.
The salt area proved can be safely taken at 20 square miles, and would
produce,
if only 90 feet of thickness be taken, 115,200,000 tons of salt per square
mile, and
as the works on the Tyne consumed about 1 acre per annum, if there be 20
square
miles of salt area, there is a supply available for 12,800 years.
The questions of the form of cavities produced by the pumping of the brine,
and of possible subsidence of the surface in the future, may be left
untouched at
present by the writer, but it may be mentioned that the abandonment of the
arti-
ficial supply of water in the making of brine, and the adoption of
self-contained
springs may unintentionally be the means of avoiding legal questions as to
dam-
ages, if any, and also of the pumping of brine from adjoining lands.
Attached are copies of borings. (See Appendices A and B.)
APPENDIX A.
Sections of Boreholes in South Durham and Cleveland.
I.—Diamond-boring at the Warren Cement Works, near Hartlepool, by
Mr. John Vivian, 1888.
Thick- Depth
ness of from
No. Description of Strata. Strata. Surface.
Ft. In. Ft. In.
1 Sand ...... 22 0 22 0
2 Soft mud and peat 8 0 30 0
3 Red clay ...... 18 0 48 0
4 Red pinnel, with
small cobbles ... 6 0 54 0
5 Dark pinnel and
cobbles...... 18 0 72 0
6 Pinnel and cobbles 2 0 74 0
Thick- Depth
ness of from
No. Description of Strata. Strata. Surface.
Ft. In. Ft. In.
7 Dark pinnel and
cobbles...... 19 0 93 0
8 Red clay ...... 2 0 95 0
9 Soft limestone ... 1 0 96 0
10 Red clay ...... 1 0 97 0
11 Hard rock...... 1 5 98 5
12 Anhydrite...... 265 7 364 0
13 Dark grey limestone 38 0 402 0
II.—Diamond-boring at Messrs. Smalley's, Pidp or Celhdose Works, near West
Hartlepool.
Thick- Depth
ness of from
No. Description of Strata. Strata. Surface.
Ft. In. Ft. In.
1 Depth of well .. 37 0 37 0
2 Dark brown pinnel 13 0 50 0
3 Yellow clay ... 3 0 53 0
4 Coarse soft lime-
stone ...... 4 0 57 0
5 White limestone ... 1 0 58 0
6 Coarse, porous,
v e 11 owish-white
limestone ... 19 0 77 0
Thick- Depth
ness of from
No. Description of Strata. Strata. Surface.
Ft. In. Ft. In.
7 Yellowish-white
limestone ... 9 0 86 0
8 White limestone ... 102 0 188 0
9 Dark brown lime-
stone ...... 4 0 192 0
10 Dark shaly lime-
stone ...... 33 0 225 0
11 Yellow limestone ... 12 0 237 0
III.—Diamond-boring at the Cement Works, West Hartlepool, for Mr. C. T.
Caseboume.
Thick- Depth
ness of from
No. Description of Strata. Strata. Surface.
Ft. In. Ft. In.
1 Well previously sunk 30 0 30 0
2 Red sandstone ... 9 0 39 0
3 Red sandy marl ... 10 0 49 0
4 Red sandstone, with
beds of red marl 31 0 80 0
5 Red sandstone and
marl mixed ... 57 0 137 0
Thick- Depth
ness of from
No. Description of Strata. Strata. Surface.
Ft. In. Ft. In.
6 Red marl, with beds
of red sandstone 27 0 164 0
7 Red and grey sand-
stone, with beds of
red marl...... 26 0 190 0
8 Red sandstone ... 25 0 215 0
9 Red marl...... 35 0 250 0
cleveland and south durham salt industry. 95
Thick- Depth
ness of from
No. Description of Strata. Strata. Surface.
Ft. In. Ft. In.
10 Red marl, with beds
of sandstone ... 20 0 270 0
11 Red marl...... 38 0 308 0
12 Red marl, with thin
beds of red sand-
stone ...... 32 0 340 0
13 Red marl..... 45 0 385 0
14 Redmarl, with veins
of gypsum ... 95 0 480 0
15 Red marl, with veins
of gypsum and
blue joints ... 55 0 535 0
16 Red marl, with blue
joints ...... 4 2 539 2
17 Red marl, with veins
of gypsum and
blue spots ... 4 6 543 8
18 Redmarl, with veins
of gypsum and
blue joints ... 24 10 568 6
19 Redmarl, with veins
of gypsum and
red sandstone ... 10 0 578 6
20 Strong marl, with
thick veins of
gypsum...... 21 6 600
Thick- Depth
ness of from
No. Description of Strata. Strata. Surface.
Ft. In. Ft. In.
21 Red marl, with veins
of gypsum and
blue joints ... 5 6 605 6
22 Anhydrite...... 4 0 609 6
23 Anhydrite, with
veins of gypsum 12 0 621 6
24 Anhydrite...... 2 6 624 0
25 Blue marl...... 0 8 624 8
26 Red marl, with blue
joints and veins
of gypsum ... 27 10 652 6
27 Anhydrite...... 7 0 659 6
28 Anhydrite, with
black joints, and
veins of gypsum 11 0 670 6
29 Anhydrite, " with
black joints ... 16 0 686 6
30 Anhydrite, with
spots of gypsum 18 6 705 0
31 Anhydrite, with
gypsum ... 9 4 714 4
32 Anhydrite, mixed
with limestone ... 15 8 730 0
33 Limestone, with
gypsum...... 40 0 770 0
IV.—Diamond-boring near Seaton Carew, by Mr. John Vivian, for Mr. C. T.
Caseboume, 1887-1888.
Thick- Depth
ness of from
No. Description of Strata. Strata. Surface.
Ft. In. Ft In.
1 Brown clay...... 6 0 6 0
2 Red clay ...... 6 0 12 0
3 Red pinnel and cob-
bles ...... 6 0 18 0
4 Soft red sandy marl 12 0 30 0
5 Red sandy marl ... 3 0 33 0
6 Red and grey sand-
stone ...... 7 0 40 0
7 Red marl...... 2 0 42 0
8 Grey sandstone ... 5 0 47 0
9 Red marl, with beds
of sandstone ... 10 0 57 0
10 Red sandstone ... 20 0 77 0
11 Grey sandstone ... 2 0 79 0
12 Red sandstone ... 13 0 92 0
13 Grey sandstone ... 1 0 93 0
14 Red sandy marl ... 47 0 140 0
15 Red and grey sand-
stone ... ... 10 0 150 0
16 Red marl...... 15 0 165 0
17 Red marl, with beds
of grey and red
sandstone ... 8 0 173 0
18 Red marl, with blue
joints ..... 35 0 208 0
19 Red marl, with blue
joints and beds of
grey sandstone ... 24 0 232 0
Thick- Depth
ness of from
No. Description of Strata. Strata. Surface.
Ft. In. Ft. In.
20 Red marl, with beds
of grey marl ... 33 0 265 0
21 Red marl, with blue
joints ...... 24 0 289 0
22 Red marl, with blue
joints and veins
of gypsum ... 171 0 460 0
23 Red marl, with
veins of gypsum 7 5 467 5
24 Anhydrite...... 13 0 480 5
25 Blue marl, with
veins of gypsum 3 0 483 5
26 Anhydrite...... 1 0 484 5
27 Red marl, with veins
of gypsum (rotten
marl) ...... 10 0 494 5
28 Dark marl and gyp-
sum mixed ... 2 7 497 0
29 Anhydrite, with
black joints ... 25 0 522 0
30 Magnesian lime-
stone, with spots
of gypsum ... 27 0 549 0
31 Light grey mag-
nesian limestone,
with spots and
veins of gypsum 38 0 587 0
96 CLEVELAND AND SOUTH DURHAM SALT INDUSTRY.
Thick- Depth
ness of from
No. Description of Strata. .Strata. Surface.
Ft. In. Ft. In.
32 Dark grey limestone,
with spots and
veins of gypsum 16 0 603 0
33 Dark blue shale
(with smallf eeder
of rock oil and
sulphur water) ... 3 0 606 0
34 Anhydrite, with beds
of dark blue shale
and gypsum ... 35 0 641 0
35 Light grey lime-
stone and gypsum 7 0 648 0
36 Blue shale..... 2 0 650 0
37 Light grey limestone 11 0 661 0
38 White limestone ... 90 0 751 0
39 Hard white lime-
stone, with gyp-
sum ...... 12 0 763 0
40 Dark grey limestone
and anhydrite ... 20 0 783 0
41 Light grey lime-
stone, with gyp-
sum ...... 18 0 801 0
42 Light grey lime-
stone ...... 29 0 830 0
43 Limestone and gyp-
sum mixed ... 31 0 861 0
44 Grey limestone, with
gypsum ...... 11 0 872 0
45 Light grey lime-
stone and gyp-
sum ...... 33 0 905 0
46 Light grey limestone 50 0 955 0
47 Light grey lime-
stone, with spots
of gypsum ... 45 0 1,000 0
48 White limestone ... 107 0 1,107 0
49 Light grey limestone 23 0 1,130 0
50 Broken light grey
limestone, and
brine spring ... 23 0 1,153 0
51 Light grey limestone 9 0 1,162 0
52 Light grey lime-
stone, with spar
cavities...... 9 0 1,171 0
53 Light grey limestone 7 0 1,178 0
54 White limestone ... 82 0 1,260 0
55 Light grey lime-
stone, with a little
gypsum...... 23 0 1,283 0
56 Dark grey limestone,
with gypsum ... 17 6 1,300 6
57 Dark grey lime-
stone, with veins
of gypsum ... 19 6 1,320 0
58 Dark limestone, with
spots of gypsum 40 0 1,360 0
59 Dark grey limestone 40 0 1,400 0
60 Dark grey shaly
sandstone ... 10 0 1,410 0
61 Red and grey shaly
sandstone ... 17 6 1,427 6
Thick- Depth
ness of from
No. Description of Strata. Strata. Surface.
Ft. In. Ft. In.
62 Black shale ... 0 6 1,428 0
63 Dark grey shale ... 1 0 1,429 0
64 Dark grey sandstone I 0 1,430 0
65 Grey sandstone, with
black joints ... 30 0 1,460 0
66 Grey sandstone ... 10 0 1,470 0
67 Very coarse grey
sandstone ... 15 0 1,485 0
68 Dark grey sandstone 0 6 1,485 6
69 Black shale ... 0 6 1,486 0
70 Red and grey sand-
stone ...... 1 7 1,487 7
71 Black shale ... 12 4 1,499 11
72 Shaly sandstone ... 2 6 1,502 5
73 Black shale ... 10 0 1,512 5
74 Grey sandstone ... 4 0 1,516 5
75 Dark grey sandy shale 0 7 1,517 0
70 COAL ....... 0 10 1,517 10
77 Dark brown fireclay 1 2 1,519 0
78 Black sandy shale ... 2 8 1,521 8
79 Dark grey sandy
shale ...... 1 8 1,523 4
80 White sandstone ... 26 8 1,550 0
81 Dark grey sandstone 5 0 1,555 0
82 Light grey sandstone 12 8 1,567 8
83 Dark shaly sand-
stone, with coal
joints ...... 1 4 1,569 0
84 Black shale ... 9 6 1,578 6
85 COAL ...... 1 2 1,579 8
86 Dark black shale
and fireclay ... 0 4 1,580 0
87 White and grey sand-
stone ...... 6 0 1,586 0
88 Black shale ... 8 0 1,594 0
89 Fine grey sandstone 6 0 1,600 0
90 Dark grey sandstone 3 6 1,603 6
91 Black shale ... 7 0 1,610 6
92 Black shale, with
beds of dark grey
. sandstone ... 6 6 1,617 0
93 Black shale ... 6 0 1,623 0
94 Black shale, with
beds of grey sand-
stone ...... 7 11 1,630 11
95 COAL and shale ... 0 1 1,631 0
96 Dark brown fireclay 2 0 1,633 0
97 Dark grey sandstone 6 0 1,639 C
9S Dark shaly sand-
stone ....... 5 0 1,644 0
99 Yellowish sandstone 8 9 1,652 9
100 Coarse, light grey
sandstone ... 16 6 1,669 3
101 Hard yellowish sand-
stone, with lime
veinule...... 2 3 1,671 6
102 Coarse, light grey
sandstone ... 3 6 1,675 0
103 Coarse grey sand-
stone ...... 1 6 1,676 6
104 Dark grey shaly
sandstone ... 1 6 1,678 0
CLEVELAND AND SOUTH DURHAM SALT INDUSTRY. 97
Thick- Depth
ness of from
No. Description of Strata. Strata. Surface.
Ft. In. Ft. In.
105 Black shale ... 8 0 1,686 0
106 Dark grey sandy
shale ...... '3 0 1,689 0
107 Dark blue shale ... 7 0 1,696 0
108 Black shale ... 4 0 1,700 0
109 Dark brown shale . 3 0 1,703 0
110 Grey shaly sand-
stone ...... 10 0 1,713 0
111 Coarse grey sand-
stone, with coal
pipes ...... 24 0 1,737 0
112 Dark grey shaly
sandstone ... 5 0 1,742 0
rnicic- Depth
ness of from
No. Description of Strata. Strata. Surface.
Ft. In. Ft. In.
113 Yellowish shaly
sandstone ... 6 0 1,748 0
114 Dark shaly sand-
stone ...... 8 0 1,756 0
115 Black shale ... 24 0 1,780 0
116 Grey sandstone with
bedsofblackshale 10 0 1,790 0
117 Coarse grey sand-
stone, with black
joints ...... 10 0 1,800 0
118 Grey sandstone ... 14 6 1,814 6
V.—Borimj at Ouyhton, near Hartlepool.
Thick- Depth
ness of from
No. Description of Strata. Strata. Surface.
Ft. In, Ft. In.
1 Soil......... 10 10
2 Gravel, with water 10 0 11 0
3 Blue clay, very strong 54 0 65 0
4 Sand, with water... 1 8 66 8
5 Blueclay,verystrong 8 6 75 2
6 Red sand ... ,..3 6 78 8
7 Sandy clay...... 5 2 83 10
8 Red sand...... 8 2 92 0
9 Blue clay...... 3 10 95 10
10 Sandy clay...... 16 97 4
11 Sand, with water.... 0 8 98 0
12 Clay, very strong,
with pebbles ... 21 0 119 0
13 Grey freestone tum-
bler ...... 2 0 121 0
14 Grey sand...... 4 2 125 2
15 Clay, very strong... 1 9 126 11
16 Brown clay, very fine 9 1 136. 0
17 Brown freestone .. 5 0 141 0
18 Grey metal ... 7 5 148 5
19 Brown post, with gul-
lets ...... 3 0 151 5
20 Red freestone ... 2 10 154 3
21 White post, very
strong ...... 3 0 157 3
22 Red post ...... 12 7 169 10
23 White post, very
strong, with metal
partings .. ... 5 4 175 2
24 Grey metal...... 12 176 4
25 Red freestone ... 4 1 180 5
20 White post..... 3 2 183 7
27 Red freestone ... 15 0 198 7
28 Post girdle...... 0 9 199 4
29 Red freestone ... 22 10 222 2
30 Blue metal....... 3 6 225 8
31 Red freestone ... 11 0 236 8
32 Blue metal...... 2 0 238 8
33 Red freestone post 6 0 244 8
34 White post girdle... 0 6 245 2
35 Blue metal...... 1 6 246 8
36 Red freestone post 13 0 259 8
37 White post girdle... 0 6 260 2
38 Red freestone post 8 6 268 8
Thick- Depth
ness of from
No. Description of Strata. strata. Surface.
Ft. In. Ft. In.
39 White post ... 6 0 274 8
40 Red metal..... 12 0 286 8
41 White post girdle... 0 6 287 2
42 Red freestone post 6 0 293 2
43 White post girdle .. 0 6 293 8
44 Red freestone post 17 2 310 10
45 Whin girdle ... 0 4 311 2
46 Red freestone post 17 2 328 4
47 Strong whin girdle 0 2 328 6
48 Red metal...... 2 0 330 6
49 Strong whin girdle 0 8 331 2
50 Red metal...... 3 0 334 2
51 Strong brown post,
with metal part-
ings ...... 4 6 338 8
52 Red metal...... 6 0 344 8
53 Grey metal...... 3 6 348 2
54 Red freestone post 17 6 365 8
55 Red bastard whin... 0 10 366 6
56 Red metal...... 0 2 366 8
57 Strong whin girdle 0 8 367 4
58 Red metal...... 9 0 376 4
59 White post girdle... 0 4 376 8
60 Red metal...... 13 8 390 4
61 White post girdle... 0 2 390 6
62 Red and white metal 6 2 396 8
63 Red metal...... 1 6 398 2
64 White post girdle... 0 8 398 10
65 White stone, like
spar ...... 0 4 399 2
66 Red metal...... 0 4 399 6
67 Bastard whin girdle 0 6 400 0
6S Red metal..... 0 2 400 2
60 Bastard whin girdle 0 5 400 7
70 Red freestone post,
with metal part-
ings ..... 3 6 404 1
71 Red metal..... 1 6 405 7
72 Red freestone post 2 7 408 2
73 Red metal...... 0 4 408 6
74 Brown freestone post 15 8 424 2
75 Red metal...... 0 8 424 10
76 White post ... 1 1 425 11
77 Red metal . ... 0 6 4?6 5
98 CLEVELAND AND SOUTH DURHAM SALT INDUSTRY.
Thick- Depth
ness of from
No. Description of Strata. Strata. Surface.
Ft. In. Ft. In.
78 Brown freestone post 6 6 432 11
79 Red metal...... 0 6 433 5
80 White post...... 2 0 435 5
81 Red metal...... 0 4 435 9
82 Brownfreestonepost 2 0 437 9
83 Red metal, very
strong..... 1 0 438 9
84 Soft red metal ... 1 2 439 11
85 Brownfreestonepost 3 10 443 9
86 Red metal...... 0 8 444 5
87 Brownfreestonepost 3 4 447 9
88 Strong red metal ... 1 6 449 3
89 Soft red metal ... 0 6 449 9
90 Strong brown post,
with a strong
feeder of water 3 0 452 9
91 White post girdle... 0 2 452 11
92 Red metal...... 1 0 453 11
93 White post girdle... 0 10 454 9
94 Red metal and post
girdle ...... 14 4 469 1
95 Strong brown post 3 0 472 1
Thick- Depth
ness of from
No. Description of Strata. Strata. Surface.
Ft. In. Ft. In.
96 Red metal...... 0 4 472 5
97 COAL ...... 0 4 472 9
98 Red metal...... 1 0 473 9
99 Strong red metal ... 6 0 479 9
100 Strongfreestonepost 6 6 486 3
101 Soft red. metal ... 0 3 486 6
102 Brown whin ... 1 2 487 8
103 Brown freestone ... 0 10 488 6
104 Brown whin ... 5 4 493 10
105 Brown freestone ... 0 7 494 5
106 Brown whin .. 5 7 500 0
107 White stone, like spar 0 3 500 3
108 Brown freestone ... 2 9 503 0
109 Brown whin ... 2 6 505 6
110 Strong white post...* 4 0 509 6
111 Strong whin post.. 11 510 7
112 White whin ... 0 1 510 8
113 Strong whinstone ... 3 11 514 7
114 Strong grey stone... 0 6 515 1
115 Strong blue post ... 1 6 516 7
116 Blue metal...... 1 3 517 10
117 Brown stone ... 6 7 524 5
VI.—No. a Diamond-boring at Marsh House, near Greatham, by Mr. John Vivian,
for Mr. G. T. Gasebourne, 1887 [now Hartlepool Salt and Brine Co., Ltd.).
Thick- Depth
ness of from
No. Description of Strata. Strata. Surface.
Ft. In. Ft. In.
1 Soil......... 10 10
2 Red and blue clay 3 0 4 0
3 Tough red clay ... 26 0 30 0
4 Red sand...... 4 0 34 0
5 Red sand and clay 15 0 49 0
6 Fine gravel ... 1 0 50 0
7 Brown sandy pinnel 10 51 0
8 Brown pinnel and
cobbles...... 14 0 65 0
9 Red sand...... 2 6 67 6
10 Hard round gravel 4 5 71 11
11 Red sandstone ..300 7 372 6
12 Red sandstone, with
beds of marl ... 77 0 449 6
13 Red sandstone .. 15 2 464 8
14 Red sandstone, with
beds of marl ... 114 7 579 3
15 Red sandy marl ... 8 6 587 9
16 Red marl, with blue
joints ...... 8 6 596 3
17 Red sandy marl ... 21 3 617 6
Thick- Depth
ness of from
No. Description of Strata. Strata. Surface.
Ft. In. Ft. In.
18 Red marl...... 20 3 637 9
19 Red marl, with blue
joints ...... 21 8 659 5
20 Redmarl, with veins
of gypsum ... 18 8 678 1
21 Red marl, with veins
of gypsum and
blue joints ... 106 11 785 0
22 Red marl, with veins
of gypsum and
blue spots ... 68 2 853 2
23 Redmarl, with veins
of gypsum ... 9 10 863 0
24 Anhydrite...... 11 0 874 0
25 Red marl (rotten)... 15 0 889 0
26 ROCK SALT ... 57 2 946 2
27 SALT and anhy-
drite mixed ... 14 3 960 5
28 ROCK SALT ... 11 4 971 9
29 Anhydrite...... 1 0 972 9
VII.—No. 1 Diamond-boring on Gowpon Marsh, by Mr. John Vivian, for the
Newcastle Chemical Works Co., Ltd, 1885 {now United Alkali Co., Ltd.).
Thick- Depth
ness of from
No. Description of Strata. Strata. Surface.
Ft. In. Ft. In.
1 Blue clay...... 4 0 4 0
2 Dark muddy sand 2 0 6 0
3 Blue sand clay ... 29 4 35 4
4 Soft sand...... 9 0 44 4
5 Sand and gravel ... 7 0 51 4
6 Rough sand ... 6 0 57 4
Thick- Depth
ness of from
No. Description of Strata. Strata. Surface.
Ft. In. Ft. In.
7 Clay ,..... 0 6 57 10
s ({ravel ...... 0 8 58 6
9 Red pinnel...... 3 0 61 6
10 Brown clay and
cobbles...... 15 6 77 0
CLEVELAND AND SOUTH DURHAM SALT INDUSTRY. 99
Thick- Depth
ness of from
No. Description of Strata. Strata. Surface.
Ft. In. Ft. In.
11 Brown pinnel and
cobbles ... ... 8 0 85 0
12 Hard bound gravel 2 0 87 0
13 Soft red sandstone 6 0 93 0
14 Red sandstone ... 1 4 94 4
15 Soft red sandstone 40 0 134 4
16 Red sandstone ...223 3 357 7
17 Soft marl..... 0 8 358 3
18 Red sandstone ... 30 0 388 3
19 Red sandstone, with
marl beds ... 27 4 415 7
20 Red sandstone ...207 11 623 6
21 Red marl...... 3 9 627 3
22 Red marl, with grey
stripes...... 18 1 645 4
23 Red sandstone ... 13 0 658 4
24 Marly sandstone ... 35 2 693 6
25 Red sandy marl ... 13 0 706 6
26 Red sandstone ... 6 0 712 6
27 Red marl...... 17 0 729 6
28 Red sandstone,
broken...... 20 6 750 0
29 Red marl...... 15 0 765 0
30 Red sandstone ... 9 0 774 0
31 Marly sandstone ... 7 0 781 0
Thick- Depth
ness of from
No. Description of Strata. Strata. Surface.
Ft. In. Ft. In.
32 Marly sandstone,
with veins of
gypsum...... 20 0 801 0
33 Marly sandstone ... 16 0 817 0
34 Red marl...... 23 0 840 0
35 Red marly sand-
stone ...... 46 0 886 0
36 Red marl, with
veins of gypsum 10 0 896 0
37 Red marl...... 19 0 915 0
38 Marly sandstone,
with veins of
gypsum...... 11 0 926 0
39 Red marl, with veins
of gypsum ... 134 0 1,060 0
40 Anhydrite...... 9 0 1,069 0
41 Red marl, contain-
ing a little salt... 19 6 1,088 6
42 Red marl...... 2 6 1,091 0
43 ROCK SALT ... 96 0 1,187 0
44 ROCK SALT and
gypsum ... 4 0 1,191 0
45 ROCK SALT ... 16 9 1,207 9
46 White stone ... 3 9 1,211 6
47 Anhydrite...... 2 6 1,214 0
VIII.— No. 2 Diamond-boring on Gowpon Marsh, by Mr. John Vivian, for the
Newcastle Chemical Works Company, Limited, 1885 {noiv United Alkali Co.,
Ltd.).
Thick- Depth
ness of from
No. Description of Strata. • Strata. Surface.
Ft. In. Ft. In.
1 Brown soil..... 10 10
2 Blue clay...... 16 2 6
3 Sand ...... 2 6 5 0
4 Blue clay..... 4 0 9 0
5 Blue sandy clay ... 35 0 44 0
6 Sand ...... 10 0 54 0
7 Bound gravel ... 2 0 56 0
8 Sand and gravel ... 4 0 60 0
9 Brown clay and cob-
bles ...... 5 0 65 0
10 Pinnel and large pin-
nel cobbles ... 3 0 68 0
11 Sandy pinnel ... 2 0 70 0
12 Gravelly pinnel and
cobbles...... 7 9 77 9
13 Grey sandstone ... 2 2 79 11
14 Red sandstone ... 400 1 480 0
15 Red sandstone, with
marl beds ... 17 0 497 0
16 Red marl...... 2 0 499 0
17 Red sandstone ... 70 0 569 0
18 Red sandstone ... 11 0 580 0
19 Red marl...... 5 0 585 0
20 Red sandstone ... 27 0 612 0
21 Red marl...... 28 0 640 0
22 Red sandstone ... 16 0 656 0
23 Red sandstone, with
marl beds ... 9 0 665 0
24 Red sandstone ... 3 0 668 0
25 Broken red marl ... 5 0 673 0
26 Broken red sand-
stone ...... 5 0 678 0
Thick- Depth
ness of from
No. Description of Strata. Strata. Surface.
Ft. In. Ft, In.
27 Red sandstone ... 12 0 690 0
28 Broken red marl ... 10 0 700 0
29 Broken red sand-
stone ...... 14 0 714 0
30 Broken red marl ... 8 6 722 6
31 Red marl .<. ... 7 0 729 6
32 Red sandstone ... 22 0 751 6
33 Red marl...... 6 6 758 0
34 Red sandstone ... 3 0 761 0
35 Red marly sand-
stone ...... 17 0 778 0
36 Red marl...... 28 0 806 0
37 Red sandy marl ... 27 0 833 0
38 Red sandy marl, with
veins of gypsum 11 0 844 0
39 Red sandy marl ... 9 0 853 0
40 Red marl, with veins
of gypsum ... 42 4 895 4
41 Red marl...... 13 8 909 0
42 Red marl, with veins
of gypsum ... 15 0 924 0
43 Red marl...... 3 0 927 0
44 Red marl, with veins
of gypsum ... 116 0 1,043 0
45 Red marl...... 13 0 1,056 0
46 Anhydrite...... 9 0 1,065 0
47 Dark marl...... 16 2 1,081 2
48 Red marl, containing
salt ...... 6 4 1,087 6
49 ROCK SALT ... 115 4 1,202 10
50 White stone ... 7 111,210 9
51 Anhydrite...... 1 3 1,212 0
100 cleveland and south durham salt industry.
IX.— No. 3 Diamond-boring on Gowpon Marsh, by Mr. John Vivian, for the
Newcastle
Chemical Works Company, Limited, 1885 {now United Alkali Company, Ltd.).
Thick- Depth
ness of from
No. Description of Strata. Strata. Surface.
Ft. In. Ft. In
1 Soil......... 10 10
2 Blue clay...... 16 2 6
3 Sand ...... 2 6 5 0
4 Blue clay...... 38 0 43 0
5 Sand ..... 9 0 52 0
6 Sand and gravel ... 4 0 56 0
7 Brown sandy pinnel,
with pinnel cob-
bles ...... 1 0 57 0
8 Red clay and cob-
bles ...... 5 0 62 0
9 Brown sandy clay,
with cobbles ... 12 0 74 0
10 Red sandy pinnel 1 0 75 0
11 Soft red sandstone 3 6 78 6
12 Red sandstone ... 59 6 138 0
13 Grey sandstone ... 4 6 142 6
14 Red sandstone ...148 6 291 0
15 Broken red marl ... 3 0 294 0
16 Red sandstone ...201 0 495 0
17 Red marl...... 4 0 499 0
18 Red sandstone ... 30 0 529 0
19 Red marl...... 3 0 532 0
20 Red sandstone ... 43 0 575 0
21 Red marl...... 3 0 578 0
22 Red sandstone ... 5 0 583 0
inicK- uepui
ness of from
No. Description of Strata. Strata. Surface.
Ft. In. Ft. In.
23 Red marl...... 4 0 587 0
24 Red sandstone ... 31 6 618 6
25 Red marl...... 16 0 634 6
26 Red sandstone, very
much broken ... 58 6 693 0
27 Red sandstone ... 18 6 711 6
28 Red marl...... 13 0 724 6
29 Red sandstone ... 23 6 748 0
30 Red marl...... 9 0 757 0
31 Red sandstone ... 12 0 769 0
32 Red marl...... 24 0 793 0
33 Marly sandstone ... 20 0 813 0
34 Red marl ... ... 19 0 832 0
35 Red marl, with veins
of gypsum ... 226 0 1,058 0
36 Anhydrite ... 9 9 1,067 9
37 Broken red marl,
very salty ... 8 0 1,075 9
38 Red marl, contain-
ing salt...... 13 9 1,089 6
39 ROCK SALT ... 101 6 1,191 0
40 Gypsum ...... 1 6 1,192 6
41 Anhydrite...... 1 0 1,193 6
42 Gypsum, containing
salt ...... 9 6 1,203 0
43 Anhydrite...... 2 0 1,205 0
X. —No. 4 Diamond-boring on Cowpon Marsh, by Mr. John Vivian, for the
Newcastle
Chemical Works Company, Limited, 1885 {now United Alkali Company, Ltd.).
Thick- Depth
ness of from
No. Description of Strata. Strata. Surface.
Ft. In. Ft. In.
1 Soil......... 10 10
2 Brown sandy clay... 16 2 6
3 Sand ... ... 2 9 5 3
4 Blue clay..... 30 9 36 0
5 Brown clay ... 4 0 40 0
6 Sand ...... 9 2 49 2
7 Sand and gravel ... 0 4 49 6
8 Brown pinnel ... 18 6 68 0
9 Brown pinnel, with
cobbles...... 10 8 78 8
10 Soft red sandstone 8 4 87 0
11 Red sandstone ... 50 0 137 0
12 Grey sandstone ... 4 0 141 0
13 Red sandstone ... 43 0 184 0
14 Red sandstone ...283 6 467 6
15 Red marl...... 1 0 468 6
16 Red sandstone ... 8 3 476 9
17 Red sandstone, with
beds of marl .. 21 9 498 6
18 Red marly sand-
stone ...... 3 6 502 0
19 Red sandstone 27 0 529 0
20 Red marly sand-
stone ...... 25 0 554 0
21 Red sandstone ... 28 6 582 6
22 Red marly sand-
stone ...... 1 6 584 0
23 Red marl...... 4 0 588 0
Thick- Depth
ness of from
No. Description of Strata. Strata. Surface.
Ft. In. Ft. In.
24 Red sandstone ... 22 6 610 6
25 Red marly sand-
stone ...... 2 0 612 6
26 Red sandstone ... 9 0 621 6
27 Red marly sand-
stone ...... 10 6 632 0
28 Red marl...... 1 6 633 6
29 Red marly sand-
stone ...... 38 0 671 6
30 Marl ...... 3 0 674 6
31 Red sandstone ... 18 0 692 6
32 Red marly sand-
stone ...... 6 6 699 0
33 Red sandy marl ... 7 10 706 10
34 Red sandstone ... 7 0 713 10
35 Red marl ... ... 6 0 719 10
36 Red sandstone, with
beds of marl ... 29 8 749 6
37 Red marl...... 7 0 756 6
38 Red sandstone and
marl ...... 21 6 778 0
39 Red sandy marl ... 32 6 810 6
40 Red marl...... 30 0 840 6
41 Red marl, with veins
of gypsum ... 61 6 902 0
42 Red marl...... 18 8 920 8
43 Red marl...... 46 7 967 3
44 Not drawn...... 18 3 985 6
CLEVELAND AND SOUTH DURHAM SALT INDUSTRY. 101
Thick- Depth
ness of from
No. Description of Strata. Strata. Surface.
Ft. In. Ft. In.
45 Red marl, with veins
of gypsum ... 15 0 1,000 6
46 Red marl...... 9 0 1,009 6
47 Red marl, with
vertical joints
of gypsum, ^ in.
thick ...... 4 3 1,013 9
48 Red marl...... 17 3 1,031 0
49 Red marl, with veins
of gypsum ... 15 0 1,046 0
50 Red marl, with
gypsum...... 15 0 1,061 0
51 White stone ... 0 6 1,061 6
52 Hard white stone .. 8 6 1,070 0
Thick- Depth
ness of from
No. Description of Strata. Strata. Surface.
Ft. In. Ft. In.
53 Broken red marl,
containing salt... 6 4 1,076 4
54 Red marl, contain-
ing soft ...... 12 6 1,088 10
55 Decayed brown marl 1 0 1,089 10
56 Decayed brown marl
said rock salt ... 12 2 1,102 0
57 ROCK SALT ... 90 6 1,192 6
58 Gypsum and salt ... 5 6 1,198 0
59 Gypsum and salt .. 4 0 1,202 0
60 Gypsum and salt ... 7 0 1,209 0
61 Gypsum, containing
a little salt ... 3 0 1,212 0
62 Anhydrite...... 2 0 1,214 0
XI.—No. 1 Diamond-boring at Salt Holme Salt Works, near Port Clarence, for
Messrs. Bell Brothers, Limited {now Salt Union, Ltd.).
Thick- Depth
ness of from
No. Description of Strata. Strata. Surface.
Ft. In. Ft. In.
1 Peat, earth and clay 8 0 8 0
2 Blue clay...... 32 0 40 0
3 Brown and red
boulder clay .. 56 0 96 0
4 Red sandstone ...291 0 387 0
5 Grey sandstone ... 2 0 389 0
6 Red sandstone .. 57 0 446 0
7 Striped red and grey
sandstone ...2 0 448 0
8 Red sandstone ... 19 0 467 0
9 Grey sandstone ... 2 0 469 0
10 Red sandstone ... 9 0 478 0
11 Grey sandstone,
with 6 inches of
red marl...... 5 6 483 6
12 Reddish grey sand-
stone ...... 3 6 487 0
13 Red marl, with
white stripes ... 11 0 498 0
14 Red sandstone ... 38 0 536 0
15 Grey sandstone ... 4 0 540 0
16 Red sandstone ... 15 0 555 0
17 Grey sandstone ... 0 6 555 6
18 Red sandstone ... 12 6 568 0
19 Grey sandstone ... 7 0 575 0
20 Red marl, with
white stripes ... 14 0 589 0
21 Red sandstone ... 18 0 607 0
22 Red marl...... 8 0 615 0
23 Red sandstone ... 7 0 622 0
24 Red marl, with
, white stripes and
2 inches of grey
sandy band ... 14 2 636 2
25 Red sandstone ... 3 10 640 0
26 Red marl...... 3 0 643 0
27 Red sandstone ... 29 0 672 0
28 Red marl...... 4 0 676 0
29 Red sandstone ... 24 0 700 0
30 Red marl...... 2 0 702 0
31 Red sandstone ... 2 0 704 0
Thick- Depth
ness of from
No. Description of Strata. Strata. Surface.
Ft. In. Ft. In.
32 Red marl...... 7 0 711 0
33 Red sandstone ... 2 0 713 0
34 Red marl...... 15 0 728 0
35 Grey sandstone ... 2 0 730 0
36 Red sandstone ... 6 0 736 0
37 Red marl...... 5 0 741 0
38 Red sandstone ... 9 0 750 0
39 Red marl...... 1 0 751 0
40 Red sandstone ... 5 0 756 0
41 Red marl, with 2
inches of grey
sandy band ... 10 2 766 2
42 Red sandstone ... 7 10 774 0
43 Red marl..... 3 0 777 0
44 Red sandstone ... 13 0 790 0
45 Red marl, with grey
stripes and vein
of gypsum ... 185 0 975 0
46 Hard red marl, with
grey stripes and
veins of gypsum 21 0 996 0
47 Hard red marl, with
thicker vein of
pure gypsum ... 6 6 1,002 6
48 Pure gypsum ... 1 6 1,004 0
49 Hard white stone... 8 6 1,012 6
50 Red sandy marl,
rather hard ... 4 6 1,017 0
51 Red sandy marl,
very soft ... 5 0 1,022 0
52 lied sandy marl,
hard, with vein
of gypsum ... 4 0 1,026 0
53 Red and dark brown
marl ...... 5 0 1,031 0
54 Red and dark brown
marl, with salt ... 12 0 1,043 0
55 ROCK SALT and
red clay...... 65 0 1,108 0
56 ROCK SALT and
gypsum...... 12 0 1,120 0
102 CLEVELAND AND SOUTH DURHAM SALT INDUSTRY.
XII.—Trial Diamond-boring on SaU Holme Farm, near Port Clarence, for Messrs.
Bell Brothers, Limited, December 15, 1874 (now Salt Union, Ltd.).
Thick- Depth
ness of from
No. Description of Strata. Strata. Surface.
Ft. In. Ft. In.
1 Soil......... 16 16
2 Clay ...... 4 0 5 6
3 Dark sand...... 7 6 13 0
4 Clean sand...... 26 0 39 0
5 Red clay ...... 3 0 42 0
6 Sand and gravel ... 8 0 50 0
7 Boulder clay ... 27 0 77 0
8 Reel marl...... 73 0 150 0
9 Red sandstone, with
veins of marl ... 144 0 294 0
10 White sandstone ... 1 3 295 3
11 Red sandstone, with
veins of marl ... 153 9 449 0
12 Red sandstone ... 10 0 459 0
13 Soft marl...... 3 0 462 0
14 Red sandstone ... 6 0 468 0
15 Blue vein...... 0 10 468 10
16 Red sandstone ... 31 2 500 0
17 Red sandstone, with
veins of marl ... 27 0 527 0
18 Soft marl...... 4 0 531 0
19 Red sandstone ... 29 0 560 0
20 Red sandstone, with
veins of marl ... 49 0 609 0
21 Soft marl...... 6 0 615 0
22 Red sandstone, with
veins of marl ... 31 0 646 0
23 Red sandstone ... 6 0 652 0
24 Marl, with blue
veins of sand-
stone ...... 17 0 669 0
25 Red sandstone, with
veins of marl ... 66 0 735 0
26 Blue vein...... 0 7 735 7
27 Red sandstone, with
veins of marl ... 13 5 749 0
28 Strong marl ... 9 6 758 6
29 Red sandstone, with
veins of marl ... 26 6 785 0
30 Blue vein...... 0 3 785 3
31 Strong marl ... 6 3 791 6
32 Red sandstone, with
veins of marl ... 30 6 822 0
33 Strong red marl and
sandstone ... 17 0 839 0
34 Red sandstone, with
veins of marl ... 16 0 855 0
35 Strong marl ... 20 0 875 0
Thick- Depth
ness of from
No. Description of Strata. Strata. Surface.
Ft. In. Ft. In.
36 Red sand and marl 5 0 880 0
37 Red sandstone, with
veins of marl ... 14 0 894 0
38 Strong marl, with
veins of sandstone 6 0 900 0
39 Strong marl ... 23 0 923 0
40 Strong marl, with
veins of gypsum 7 0 930 0
41 Mixed marl and
sandstone ... 27 0 957 0
42 Marly sandstone,
with veins of
gypsum...... 141 0 1,098 0
43 Gypsum ...... 4 0 1,102 0
44 Hard white stone
(yielding gypsum) 3 9 1,105 9
45 Gypsum ...... 3 6 1,109 3
46 Marly sandstone,
very salt...... 8 1 1,117 4
47 Sandstone and salt 10 3 1,127 7
48 Red rock, with 4
per cent, of saltt
only 3 ft. of core,
because fresh
water was used... 9 0 1,136 7
49 GOOD SALT ... 16 0 1,152 7
50 ROCK SALT ... 48 5 1,201 0
51 ROCK SALT, with
marl and gypsum 35 0 1,236 0
52 Soft shale and gyp-
sum ...... 8 0 1,244 0
53 Gypsum ...... 13 0 1,257 0
54 Gypsum and lime-
stone ...... 12 0 1,269 0
55 Magnesianlimestone
(carburetted hy-
drogen gas was
liberated here) ... 45 0 1,314 0
56 Grey limestone ... 9 0 1,323 0
57 Grey limestone and
gypsum...... 11 0 1,334 0
58 Gypsum ... ... 2 0 1,336 0
59 Gypsum, containing
' salt ...... 1 0 1,337 0
60 ROCK SALT ... 14 0 1,351 0
61 Marl, containing salt 2 0 1,353 0
62 Marl, with gypsum 1 0 1,354 0
63 SALT, impure ... 1 0 1,355 0
XIII.— No. 1 Boring at Clarence, for Messrs. Bell Brothers, Limited, 1890.
Thick- Depth
_ . 1. ness of from
NO. Description of Strata. Strata. Surface.
_ Q Ft. In. Ft. In.
1 Sandy clay ... 10 0 10 0
2 Sand ...... 33 0 43 0
3 Sand and gravel ... 15 0 58 0
4 Sand ...... 1 0 59 0
5 Gravel ...... 5 0 64 0
6 Sand and gravel ... 3 0 67 0
Thick- Depth
ness of from
No. Description of Strata. Strata. Surface.
Ft. In. Ft. In.
7 Gravel and pinnel 25 0 92 0
8 Red sandstone ... 458 0 550 0
9 Sandy marl ... 62 0 612 0
10 Red sandstone ... 14 0 626 0
11 Sandy marl ... 4 0 630 0
12 Red sandstone ... 16 0 646 0
CLEVELAND AND SOUTH DURHAM SALT INDUSTRY. 103
Thick- Depth
ness of from
No. Description of Strata. Strata. Surface.
Ft. In. Ft. In.
13 Sandy marl ... 26 0 672 0
14 Sandstone...... 46 0 718 0
15 Sandy marl ... 39 0 757 0
16 Marl ...... 172 0 929 0
17 Hard white stone 5 0 934 0
18 Marl....... 34 0 968 0
19 Marl and gypsum 113 0 1,081 0
Thick- Depth
ness of from
No. Description of Strata. Strata. Surface.
Ft. In. Ft. In.
20 White stone ... 16 0 1,097 0
21 Marl, containing
salt ...... 15 0 1,112 0
£2 SALT ...... 88 0 1,200 0
23 SALT and marl ... 11 8 1,211 8
24 Blue shale and
anhydrite ... 10 0 1,221 8
XIV.—No. 3 Boring at Clarence, for Messrs. Bell Brothers, Limited, 1890.
Thick- Depth
ncss of from
No. Description of Strata. Strata. Surface.
Ft. In. Ft. In.
1 Surface ...... 89 0 89 0
2 Marl ...... 52 0 141 0
3 Sand and gravel ... 4 0 145 0
4 Sandstone, with
marl beds ... 99 0 244 0
5 Red sandstone .. 30 0 274 0
6 Sandy marl ... 13 0 287 0
7 Sandstone...... 82 0 369 0
8 Marl and sand-
stone ..... 104 0 473 0
9 Sandy marl .. 31 0 504 0
10 Sandstone...... 24 0 528 0
11 Sandy marl ... 27 0 555 0
12 Marl ...... 35 0 590 0
13 Marl and sandstone 79 0 669 0
14 Marl ...... 22 0 691 0
15 Sandstone and marl 21 0 712 0
16 Marl ...... 13 0 725 0
17 Sandy marl ... 51 0 776 0
18 Marl ...... 199 0 975 0
Thick- Depth
ness of from
No. Description of Strata. Strata. Surface.
Ft. In. Ft. In.
19 Limestone...... 8 0 983 0
20 Marl ...... 36 0 1,019 0
21 Very soft marl ... 9 0 1,028 0
22 Marl ..... 11 0 1,039 0
23 Marl, with a little
gypsum...... 11 0 1,050 0
24 Marl ...... 9 0 1,059 0
25 Marl and gypsum 28 0 1,087 0
26 Marl ...... 35 0 1,122 0
27 Muddy marl ... 8 0 1,130 0
28 Marl ...... 23 0 1,153 0
29 Marl and gypsum 12 0 1,165 0
30 White stone .. 7 0 1,172 0
31 White stone and
marl ...... 8 0 1,180 0
32 Marl ...... 15 0 1,195 0
33 SALT ...... 93 0 1,288 0
34 SALT and bluish
marl ...... 3 0 1,291 0
35 Anhydrite and marl 10 0 1,301 0
XV.—No. 5 Boring at Clarence, for Messrs. Bell Brothers, Limited, 1892.
Thick- Depth
ness of from
No. Description of Strata. Strata. Surface.
Ft. In. Ft. In.
1 Surface ..... 138 0 138 0
2 Red sandy marl ... 42 0 180 0
3 Red sandstone and
a little marl ... 90 0 270 0
4 Red sandstone ...232 0 5( 2 0
5 Red sandstone and
redmarl...... 68 0 570 0
6 Red marl ... ... 13 0 583 0
7 Red sandstone, with
streaks of marl... 34 0 617 0
8 Red marl, with
small streaks of
sandstone ... 30 0 647 0
9 Red marl...... 27 0 674 0
10 Red marl, with
streaks of sand-
stone ...... 28 0 702 0
11 Redmarl...... 103 0 805 0
12 Red sandstone ... 20 0 825 0
13 Red marl...... 105 0 930 0
Thick- Depth
ness of from
No. Description of Strata. Strata. Surface.
Ft. In. Ft. In.
14 Red marl, with
a little sandstone 22 0 952 0
15 Red marl . . 12 0 964 0
16 Red marl, with
veins of gypsum 75 0 1,039 0
17 Red marl...... 31 0 1,070 0
18 Red marl, with
veins of gypsum 20 0 1,090 0
19 Red marl and much
gypsum...... 27 0 1,117 0
20 Red marl...... 6 0 1,123 0
21 White stone ... 11 0 1,134 0
22 Red marl ... ... 3 0 1,137 0
23 Broken marl ... 15 0 1,152 0
24 Broken marl, with
salt ...... 4 0 1,156 0
25 SALT ...... 90 0 1,246 0
26 Anhydrite...... 5 0 1,251 0
27 SALT ...... 12 0 1,263 0
28 Anhydrite...... 2 0 1,265 0
104 CLEVELAND AND SOUTH DURHAM SALT INDUSTRY.
XVI.—Boring at Middlesbrough for Messrs. Bolckow and Vaughan, by Messrs.
Mather
and Piatt, commenced on July 4,1859, and completed on August 29,1862 {now
Cleveland Salt Co., Ltd.).
Thick- Depth
ness of from
No. Description of Strata. Strata. Surface.
Ft. In. Ft. In.
1 Made ground ... 11 0 11 0
2 Dry slime or river
mud ...... 8 0 19 0
3 Sand, with water... 10 0 29 0
4 Hard dry clay ... 10 0 39 0
5 Red sand, with a
little water ... 1 0 40 0
6 Loamy sand, with a
little water ... 3 0 43 0
7 Hard dry clay ... 15 0 58 0
8 Rock, mixed with
clay and water... 11 0 69 0
9 Rock, mixed with
clay ... ... 1 0 70 0
10 Rock, mixed with
gypsum... ... 6 0 76 0
11 Gypsum, with water 2 0 78 0
12 Red sandstone, with
small veins of
gypsum, & water 55 0 133 0
13 Rock gypsum ... 6 0 139 0
14 Brown shale, with
water ...... 10 140 0
15 Red sandstone ... 4 0 144 0
16 Red sandstone, with
small veins of
gypsum, & water 12 0 156 0
17 Blue sandstone, with
water at bottom 3 0 159 0
18 Red sandstone, with
water ...... 19 0 178 0
Bottom of sink-
ing, bored below.
19 Red sandstone ...437 4 615 4
20 Red and white sand-
stone ...... 1 6 616 10
21 Red sandstone ..215 7 832 5
22 Red sandstone and
clay ...... 1 0 833 5
23 Red sandstone ... 52 3 885 8
24 Red sandstone and
clay ...... 9 0 894 8
25 Red sandstone ... 66 5 961 1
26 Strong clay ... 2 9 963 10
27 Red sandstone and
clay ...... 1 6 965 4
28 Red sandstone ... 27 5 992 9
Thick- Depth
ness of from
No. Description of Strata. Strata. Surface.
Ft. In. Ft. In.
29 Red sandstone and
clay ...... 9 0 1,001 9
30 Sandstone, with a
vein of blue rock 49 4 1,051 1
31 Red and blue sand-
stone ..... 1 5 1,052 6
32 Red sandstone ... 6 0 1,058 6
33 Red sandstone and
thin veins of
gypsum...... 5 1,059 11
34 Red sandstone and
thin veins of gyp-
sum....... 39 8 1,099 7
35 Red sandstone, with
blue clay and
gypsum...... 1 2 1,100 9
36 Red sandstone, with
veins of gypsum 87 3 1,188 0
37 Gypsum ...... 3 2 1,191 2
38 White stone ... 0 8 1,191 10
39 Limestone...... 2 8 1,194 6
40 Blue rock...... 0 2 1,194 8
41 Blue clay...... 0 2 1,194 10
42 Hard blue and red
rock ..... 0 10 1,195 8
43 White stone ... 2 7 1,198 3
44 Dark red rock ... 1 2 1,199 5
45 Dark red rock, rather
salt ...... 6 7 1,206 0
46 ROCK SALT,
rather dark ... 12 7 1,218 7
47 ROCK SALT,very
dark ...... 4 1 1,222 8
48 ROCK SALT, very
light ...... 3 6 1,226 2
49 ROCK SALT,
rather dark ... 27 4 1,253 6
50 ROCK SALT, very
light ...... 43 6 1,297 0
51 ROCK SALT,
rather light ... 9 0 1,306 0
52 Limestone...... 1 0 1,307 0
53 Conglomerate,resem-
bling limestone,
and containing a
large quantity of
salt ...... 6 4 1,313 4
XVII.— No. 1 Boring at Middlesbrough for Messrs. Bolckow, Vaughan and
Company,
commenced to pump brine on August 17, 1886 (now Cleveland Salt Co., Ltd.).
Thick- Depth
ness of from
No. Description of Strata. Strata. Surface.
Ft. In. Ft. In
1 Made ground ... 11 0 11 0
2 Dry slime...... 8 0 19 0
3 Sand, with water... 10 0 29 0
4 Hard dry clay ... 10 0 39 0
1 hick- Depth
ness of from
No. Description of Strata. Strata. Surface.
Ft. In. Ft. In.
5 Red sandstone, with
water ... ... 1 0 40 0
6 Sand or loam, with
water ... ... 3 0 43 0
CLEVELAND AND SOUTH DURHAM SALT INDUSTRY. 105
Thick- Depth
ness of from
No. Description of Strata. Strata. Surface.
Ft. In. Ft. In.
7 Hard dry clay ... 13 0 56 0
8 Mixed rock and
clay, with water 11 0 67 0
9 Mixed rock and
clay, dry ... 1 0 68 0
10 Mixed rock and clay
and gypsum, dry 6 0 74 0
11 Shell of rock with
water ...... 2 0 76 0
12 Red and blue rock,
with small veins
of white gypsum,
and water ... 55 0 131 0
13 White gypsum rock,
dry ... ... 6 0 137 0
14 Brown shale, with
water ...... 10 138 0
15 Red sandstone ... 4 0 142 0
16 Red sandstone, with
small veins of
white gypsum ... 12 0 154 0
17 Blue post stone and
water ...... 3 0 157 0
18 Red sandstone, with
water ...... 19 0 176 0
19 Red sandstone ...134 6 310 6
20 Marl ...... 6 6 317 0
21 Sandstone and a
little marl ... 3 0 320 0
22 Soft red sandstone 35 0 355 0
23 Hard dark red sand-
stone ...... 9 0 364 0
24 Hard dark red sand-
stone, a little softer 5 9 369 9
25 Red marl ..... 3 3 373 0
26 Red sandstone, with
thin layers of
marl ...... 7 0 380 0
27 Hard dark sand-
stone, with a
little mica ... 23 0 403 0
28 Dark red sandstone,
with a little mica 9 3 412 3
29 Rough red sandstone 20 3 432 6
30 Rough red sand-
stone, a little
darker...... 9 6 442 0
31 Fine dark red sand-
stone ...... 7 0 449 0
32 Rough red sandstone 12 3 461 3
33 Red sandstone, with
a little marl ... 19 3 480 6
34 Red sandstone, with
kernels of marl... 8 6 489 0
35 Red sandstone, a
little harder ... 24 6 513 6
36 Hard red sandstone 8 6 522 0
37 Marl ...... 12 6 534 6
38 Soft red sandstone 34 9 569 3
39 Red marl...... 9 3 578 6
40 Soft red sandstone 11 0 589 6
41 Hard red sandstone 13 0 602 6
42 Soft red sandstone 4 6 607 0
Thick- Depth
ness of from
No. Description of Strata. Strata. Surface.
Ft. In. Ft. In
43 Red marl...... 13 6 620 6
44 Soft red sandstone,
with thin seams
of marl...... 19 9 640 3
45 Hard red sandstone,
with a little mica 28 3 668 6
46 Hard red sandstone
and marl ... 29 0 697 6
47 Marl ...... 14 6 712 0
48 Red sandstone ... 8 6 720 6
49 Hard red sandstone
and marl ... 25 6 746 0
50 Red marl...... 15 9 761 9
51 Red sandstone and
marl ...... 9 3 771 0
52 Soft red sandstone 20 3 791 3
53 Soft red sandstone,
with a little marl 5 6 796 9
54 Hard red sandstone,
with marl part-
ings ...... 6 6 803 3
55 Hard red sandstone
and marl ... 7 9 811 0
56 Soft red sandstone 4 6 815 6
57 Red marl...... 10 6 826 0
58 Hard red sandstone
and marl ... 9 3 835 3
59 Red marl...... 11 3 846 6
60 Fine dark red sand-
stone ...... 12 6 859 0
61 Hard dark sand-
stone, with marl
partings ... 11 6 870 6
62 Marl and a little red
sandstone ... 6 9 877 3
63 Dark red sandstone 9 3 886 6
64 Marl, with partings
of sandstone ... 1 8 888 2
65 Red sandstone ... 7 10 896 0
66 Red sandstone, with
marl partings ... 2 0 898 0
67 Red marl......21 6 919 6
68 Hard dark red sand-
stone ...... 4 6 924 0
69 Hard dark red sand-
stone and marl... 5 6 929 6
70 Hard red sandstone 4 3 933 9
71 Red marl...... 21 9 955 6
72 Red sandstone, with
veins of marl ... 9 9 965 3
73 Red sandstone ... 5 9 971 0
74 Red marl......43-0 1,014 0
75 Hard red sandstone,
with thin layers
of marl..... 8 0 1,022 0
76 Red marl...... 4 0 1,026 0
77 Hard red sandstone,
with grey spots... 2 6 1,028 6
78 Hard sandstone and
red marl...... 11 3 1,039 9
79 Red marl...... 7 9 1,047 6
80 Hard red sandstone
and marl ... 15 0 1,062 6
106 CLEVELAND AND SOUTH DURHAM SALT INDUSTRY.
Thick- Depth
ness of from
No. Description of Strata. Strata. Surface.
Ft. In. Ft. In.
81 Redmarl...... 15 6 1,078 0
82 Hard red sandstone
and marl ... 10 9 1,088 9
83 Red marl...... 5 9 1,094 6
84 Red marl, with thin
seams of red sand-
stone ...... 20 6 1,115 0
85 Hard red marl, with
a little red sand-
stone ...... 9 0 1,124 0
86 Hard red sandstone
and marl ... 8 0 1,132 0
87 Very hard red marl 4 6 1,136 6
88 Hard marl and sand-
stone mixed ... 17 0 1,153 6
89 Hard marl..... 15 0 1,168 6
90 Very hard marl and
sandstone ... 16 3 1,184 9
91 Magnesian limestone
and gypsum rock 2 9 1,187 6
92 Magnesianlimestone,
much lighter ... 0 10 1,188 4
93 Magnesian limestone4' 2 0 1,190 4
Thick- Depth
ness of from
No. Description of Strata. Strata. Surface.
Ft. In. Ft. In.
94 Band of blue rock... 0 3 1,190 7
95 Red and white rock 0 5 1,191 0
95 Hard gypsum and
lime ...... 1 0 1,192 0
97 Red and white rock,
rather salt ... 14 0 1,206 0
98 Marl and rock salt 2 0 1,208 0
99 Hard marl, with
blue spots, rather
salt ...... 5 0 1,213 0
100 Marl and dark col-
oured rock salt... 7 0 1,220 0
101 ROCK SALT ... 66 0 1,286 0
102 Hard red marl and
salt ...... 0 6 1,286 6
103 Very hard blue marl
and salt...... 1 0 1,287 6
104 SALT and a little
red marl ... 7 3 1 291 9
105 Solid grey gyp-
sum ...... 0 6 1,295 3
106 SALT and gypsum 1 0 1,296 3
107 Solid gypsum ... 3 9 1.300 0
* Analysis of No. 93 :—Sulphate of lime 27, carbonate of lime 40^, and
carbonate
of magnesia 32| per cent.
XVIII.—No. 1 Boring, near North Ormesby Toll Bar, for the Owners of the
Middlesbrough Estate, Limited, June, 1887.
Thick- Depth
ness of from
No. Description of Strata. Strata. Surface.
Ft. In. Ft. In.
1 Brown clay ... 6 0 6 0
2 Brown clay and
stones ...... 24 0 30 0
3 Hard clay and
cobbles...... 4 0 34 0
4 Red and grey marl 5 0 39 0
5 Rotten grey marl... 1 0 40 0
6 Red marl...... 2 6 42 6
7 Red and grey marl 1 0 43 6
8 Red marl, with
veins of gyp-
sum ... ... 5 0 48 6
9 Red and grey marl,
very hard ... 1 0 49 6
10 Red marl, with
veins of gypsum 0 6 50 0
11 Red marl...... 17 51 7
12 Red and grey marl,
very hard ... 1 6 53 I
13 Red and grey marl,
with veins of
gypsum... ... 411 58 0
14 Red and grey marl 1 0 59 0
15 Grey marl, with
veins of gypsum 7 6 66 6
16 Red and grey marl 2 0 68 6
17 Red marl, with
veins of gypsum 12 0 80 6
Thick- Depth
ness of from
No. Description of Strata. Strata. Surface.
Ft. In. Ft. In.
18 Grey marl, with
veins of gypsum 3 0 83 6
19 Red marl, with
veins of gypsum 6 6 90 0
20 Grey marl, with
veins of gypsum 11 0 101 0
21 Red and grey marl,
with veins of
gypsum...... 8 0 109 0
22 Red marl, with
veins of gypsum 5 0 114 0
23 Red and grey marl,
with veins of
gypsum...... 4 6 118 6
24 Red marl, with
veins of gypsum 3 6 122 0
25 Grey marl, with
veins of gypsum 10 123 0
26 Red marl, with
veins of gypsum 14 0 137 0
27 Red and grey marl,
with veins of
gypsum...... 116 148 6
28 Red marl, with
veins of gypsum 12 0 160 6
29 Red and grey marl,
with veins of
gypsum...... 10 0 170 6
CLEVELAND AND SOUTH DURHAM SALT INDUSTRY. 1q7
Thick- Depth
^ . ness of from
No. Description of Strata. Strata. Surface.
Ft. In. Ft. In.
30 Red marl, with
veins of gypsum 5 0 175 6
31 Grey marl, with
veins of gypsum 4 0 179 6
32 Red and grey marl 25 2 204 8
33 Red and grey marl,
with veins of
gypsum...... 21 4 226 0
34 Hard grey marl ... 3 0 229 0
35 Rotten red and
grey marl ... 3 0 232 0
36 Red and grey marl,
with veins of
gypsum...... 2 6 234 6
37 Rotten red and grey
marl ...... 1 0 235 6
38 Red and grey marl,
with veins of
gypsum...... 1 6 237 0
39 Red and grey marl 5 0 242 0
40 Blue marl...... 5 0 247 0
41 Red and grey marl,
with veins of
gypsum...... 2 0 249 0
42 Red and grey marl,
with veins of gyp-
sum, broken ... 2 0 251 0
43 Blue marl, with
veins of gypsum 2 8 253 8
44 Gypsum ...... 1 0 254 8
45 Grey marl, with
veins of gypsum 5 10 260 6
46 Red marl...... 16 6 276 6
47 Red and grey sand-
stone ...... 4 0 280 6
48 Red sandstone ...267 6 548 0
49 Red sandstone,
broken...... 41 0 589 0
50 Grey sandstone ... 2 0 591 0
51 Red sandstone ... 10 0 601 0
52 Grey sandstone ... 1 0 602 0
Thick- Depth
*t ^ ... ness of from
No. Description of Strata. Strata. Surface.
53 Red sandstone ...147 0 749 0
54 Red marly sand-
stone ...... 2 0 751 0
55 Red sandstone ... 131 10 882 10
56 Red marl...... 7 0 889 10
57 Red sandstone ... 57 4 947 2
58 Red sandstone, with
small beds of
marl ...... 20 6 967 8
59 Red sandy marl ... 7 6 975 2
60 Red sandstone ... 38 10 1,014 0
61 Red marl...... 7 0 1,021 0
62 Red sandstone ... 1 9 1,022 9
63 Red marl...... 1 0 1,023 9
64 Red sandstone ... 4 0 1,027 9
65 Marl ...... 0 9 1,028 6
66 Red sandstone ... 7 0 1,035 6
67 Red marl..... 1 6 1,037 0
68 Red sandstone ... 4 0 1,041 0
69 Red sandy marl ... 15 6 1,056 6
70 Red sandstone ... 17 6 1,074 0
71 Red sandy marl ... 8 1 1,082 1
72 Red marl...... 8 0 1,090 1
73 Red sandy marl ... 45 11 1,136 0
74 Red sandy marl,
with veins of gyp-
sum ...... 12 1 1,148 1
75 Red sandy marl ... 10 3 1,158 4
76 Red marl...... 20 3 1,178 7
77 Redmarl, with veins
of gypsum ... 140 2 1,318 9
78 White stone, anhy-
drite ...... 8 6 1,327 3
79 Red marl, very
much broken ... 12 6 1,339 9
80 Marl, containing
salt ...... 1 2 1,340 11
81 ROCK SALT ... 79 I 1,420 0
82 Anhydrous gypsum 6 0 1,426 0
83 ROCK SALT ... 10 0 1,436 0
84 Anhydrous gypsum 4 0 1,440 0
XIX.—Diamond-boring at the Imperial Iron Works, Eston, by Mr. John Vivian,
1887.
Thick- Depth
ness of from
No. Description of Strata. Strata. Surface.
Ft. In. Ft. In.
1 Slag......... 13 6 13 6
2 Loamy clay ... 10 14 6
3 Blue clay...... 15 6 30 0
4 Sandy clay...... 12 0 42 0
5 Fine red pinnel ... 6 0 48 0
6 Red pinnel...... 1 0 49 0
7 Hard brown pinnel 5 6 54 6
8 Hard brown pinnel,
with small cobbles 5 6 60 0
9 Brown pinnel ... 6 6 66 6
10 Red marl...... 6 6 73 0
11 Red and blue marl 33 4 106 4
12 Red and blue marl,
with gypsum ... 38 4 144 8
13 Hard blue marl ... 51 5 196 1
14 Blue and red marl 14 3 210 4
Thick- Depth
ness of from
No. Description of Strata. Strata. Surface.
Ft. In. Ft. In.
15 Red and blue marl,
with gypsum ... 6 0 216 4
16 Red and grey sand-
stone and marl,
mixed..... 311 6 527 10
17 Red and grey sand-
stone ...... 19 529 7
18 Red sandstone ...139 9 669 4
19 Red sandstone, with
marl joints ... 106 11 776 3
20 Red and grey sand-
stone, with marl
joints ...... 94 6 870 9
21 Red sandstone, with
marl joints ... 102 9 973 6
22 Red sandy marl ... 7 6 981 0
108 CLEVELAND AND SOUTH DURHAM SALT INDUSTRY.
Thick- Depth
ness of from
No. Description of Strata. Strata. Surface.
Ft. In. Ft. In.
23 Red sandstone, with
marl joints ... 65 8 1,046 8
24 Red sandstone, with
beds of marl ... 57 7 1,104 3
25 Red marl, with blue
spots ...... 16 0 1,120 3
26 Red sandstone, with
beds of marl ... 105 11 1,226 2
27 Red marl, with blue
spots ...... 13 0 1,239 2
28 Red sandstone, with
marl beds ... 26 6 1,265 8
29 Red marl...... 12 3 1,277 11
30 Red sandstone, with
marl beds ... 13 7 1,291 6
31 Reel marl......21 0 1,312 6
32 Red sandy marl ... 11 0 1,323 6
33 Red sandstone ... 7 0 1,330 6
34 Red sandy marl ... 3 0 1,333 6
35 Red sandy marl,
with blue spots
and gypsum joints 21 0 1,354 6
36 Red marl, with veins
of gypsum ... 13 0 1,367 6
Thick- Depth
ness of from
No. Description of Strata. Strata. Surface.
Ft. In. Ft. In.
37 Red marl, with
blue spots and
veins of gyp-
sum ...... 4 0 1,371 6
38 Red marl, with veins
of gypsum ... 0 6 1,372 0
39 Red sandy marl,
with veins of gyp-
sum and blue
spots ...... 19 9 1,391 9
40 Red marl, with veins
of gypsum and
blue spots ... 83 3 1,475 0
41 Red marl, with veins
of gypsum ... 61 9 1,536 9
42 Anhydrite...... 14 3 1,551 0
43 Red marl, with a
little «ofc ... 11 4 1,562 4
44 Marl and salt ... 25 8 1,588 0
45 ROCK SALT ... 48 0 1,636 0
46 Anhydrite...... 41 6 1,677 6
47 SALT and anhydrite,
honeycombed ... 12 9 1,690 3
48 Anhydrite..... 1 9 1,692 0
XX — No. 1 Diamond-boring ($i-inch hole) at South Bank Iron Works, Eston,by
Mr
John Vivian, for Messrs. Bolckow, Vaughan, and Company, Limited, IMo
(now Cleveland Salt Company, Limited).
Thick- Depth
ness of from
No. Description of Strata. Strata. Surface
Ft. In. Ft. In.
1 Made ground ... 6 0 6 0
2 Sandy blue clay ... 10 0 16 0
3 Dark brown clay ... 7 0 23 0
4 Soft red marl ... 2 0 25 0
5 Brown pinnel ... 1 0 26 0
6 Hard brown pinnel 15 0 41 0
7 Soft red marl ... 6 0 47 0
8 Red marl...... 16 10 63 10
9 Red and blue marl,
with veins of gyp-
sum ...... 7 0 70 10
10 Red and blue marl,
with veins of gyp-
sum ...... 3 0 73 10
11 Red and blue marl
with veins of gyp-
sum ...... 21 3 95 1
12 Red marl, with
veins of gyp-
sum ..... 46 8 141 9
13 Red and blue marl,
with veins of gyp-
sum ...... 15 3 157 0
14 Red and blue shale,
with veins of gyp-
sum ...... 325 0 482 0
15 Blue shaly sand-
stone ...... 2 0 484 0
16 Red sandstone, with
thin beds of gyp-
sum and shale ... 10 0 494 0
Thick- Depth
ness of from
No. Description of Strata. Strata. Surface.
Ft. In. Ft. In.
17 Sandstone, with
thin beds of shale 11 0 505 0
18 Red sandstone ...415 8 920 8
19 Red sandstone, with
thin beds of marl 39 0 959 8
20 Red sandy marl ... 8 6 968 2
21 Red sandstone ... 29 0 997 2
22 Red sandy marl ... 4 2 1,001 4
23 Red sandstone, with
small beds of marl 46 0 1,047 4
24 Red marl...... 8 6 1,055 10
25 Red sandstone, with
beds of marl ... 34 6 1,090 4
26 Red marl...... 17 8 1,108 0
27 Red sandstone, with
veins of marl ... 18 0 1,126 0
28 Red sandstone, with
beds of marl ... 120 7 1,246 7
29 Red marl, with beds
of red sandstone 21 11 1,268 6
30 Red sandstone, with
beds of marl ... 14 6 1,283 0
31 Red marl, with sand-
stone ...... 4 6 1,287 6
32 Red marl...... 43 0 1,330 6
33 Red sandy marl,
with veins of gyp-
sum ...... 6 0 1,336 b
34 Red sandy marl, with
blue spots and
veins of gypsum 36 6 1,373 0
CLEVELAND AND SOUTH DURHAM SALT INDUSTRY. 109
Thick- Depth
_ , ,, ness of from
No. Description of Strata. Strata. Surface.
35 Red sandy marl,
with thin veins of
gypsum...... 78 0 1,451 0
36 Red ^ sandy marl,
with veins of gyp-
sum and blue
spots ...... 9 6 1,460 6
37 Red sandy marl,
with veins of gyp-
sum ...... 10 0 1,470 6
38 Red sandy marl,
with veins of
gypsum and blue
spots ...... 60 6 1,531 0
Thick- Depth
ness of from
No. Description of Strata. Strata. Surface.
Ft. In. Ft. In.
39 Hard white stone,
anhydrite ... 11 6 1,542 6
40 Red sandy marl,
with salt ... 21 0 1,563 6
41 Red marl, with salt 6 3 1,569 9
42 ROCK SALT ... 81 0 1,650 9
43 Hard white stone,
with salt ... 1 6 1,652 3
44 Hard white stone... 1 6 1,653 9
45 Hard stone and a
little salt ... 18 0 1,671 9
46 Hard white stone,
with a little salt
in it ......7 Hi 1,679 8i
XXL—Diamond-boring (12-inch hole) on the Lackenby Foreshore Estate, by
Messrs. Mather and Piatt, 1889.
Thick- Depth
ness of from
No. Description of Strata. Strata. Surface.
Ft. In. Ft. In.
1 Clay and gravel ... 13 0 13 0
2 Hard red clay and
a little gypsum... 11 8 24 8
3 Red marl and thin
rock ... 62 4 87 0
4 Red marl and bed of
blue marl ... 159 8 246 8
5 Bed of hard rock ... 8 4 255 0
6 Blue and red marl... 88 0 343 0
7 Dark red marl and
blue stone ... 30 0 373 0
8 Hard blue stone ... 7 0 380 0
Thick- Depth
ness of from
No. Description of Strata. Strata. Surface.
Ft. In. Ft. In.
9 Red marl...... 217 0 597 0
10 Red sandstone ... 598 0 1,195 0
11 Red marl...... 77 0 1,272 0
12 Red marl and sand-
stone beds ...371 0 1,643 0
13 Hard white rock ... 20 0 1,663 0
14 Honeycomb marl... 9 0 1,672 0
15 SALT and marl,
mixed ...... 13 0 1,685 0
16 ROCK SALT,
clean ...... 119 0 1,804 0
17 White rock ... 2 0 1,806 0
XXII.—No. 1 Diamond-boring at Port Clarence, by Mr. John Vivian, for Messrs.
C. Allhusen and Sons.
Thick- Depth
ness of from
No. Description of Strata. Strata. Surface.
Ft. In. Ft. In.
1 Peat and muddy
sand ...... 10 0 10 0
2 Dark muddy sand 6 0 16 0
3 Dark sand...... 4 0 20 0
4 Sand and gravel ... 4 0 24 0
5 Dark sandy clay ... 4 0 28 0
6 Sandy clay ... 17 0 45 0
7 Running sand ... 35 0 80 0
8 Sand and gravel ... 4 0 84 0
9 Hard bound gravel 3 0 87 0
10 Strong red pinnel ... 7 0 94 0
11 Grey sandy clay ... 1 0 95 0
12 Red pinnel ... 4 0 99 0
13 Red and blue shale 17 0 116 0
14 Red sandy shale,
with gypsum ... 18 0 134 0
15 Red and grey sandy
shale, with gypsum 3 6 137 6
16 Grey sandy shale,
with gypsum ... 6 6 144 0
Thick- Depth
ness of from
No. Description of Strata. Strata. Surface.
Ft. In. Ft. In.
17 Red and grey sandy
shale, with gyp-
sum ...... 29 0 173 0
18 Grey sandy shale,
with gypsum ... 4 6 177 6
19 Red and grey sandy
shale, with gyp-
sum ...... 3 0 180 6
20 Red shale...... 17 0 197 6
21 Red and grey sandy
shale ...... 12 3 209 9
22 Soft red sandstone 119 6 329 3
23 Red sandstone ...193 9 523 0
24 Red shale...... 5 6 528 6
25 Red sandstone ... 33 0 561 6
26 Red shale, with beds
of sandstone .. 5 0 566 6
27 Red sandstone ... 41 0 607 6
28 Strong red shale ... 1 6 609 0
29 Red sandstone ... 4 0 613 0
110 CLEVELAND AND SOUTH DURHAM SALT INDUSTRY.
Thick- Depth
ness of from
No. Description of Strata. Strata. Surface.
Ft. In. Ft. In.
30 Strong red shale ... 5 0 618 0
31 Red sandstone ... 34 0 652 0
32 Strong red shale ... 1 0 653 0
33 Red sandstone ... 1 0 654 0
34 Strong red shale ... 11 0 665 0
35 Red shale, with beds
of sandstone ... 8 0 673 0
36 Red sandstone ... 17 0 690 0
37 Red sandstone, with
beds of shale ... 61 0 751 0
38 Strong red shale ... 8 6 759 6
39 Red sandstone ... 29 6 789 0
40 Red shale...... 9 6 798 6
41 Red sandstone and
shale...... 19 6 818 0
42 Strong red shale ... 10 0 828 0
43 Strong red shale,
with light blue
spots ...... 6 6 834 6
44 Red sandstone, with
light blue spots 5 0 839 6
45 Red shaly sand-
stone ...... 16 6 856 0
46 Red sandy shale ... 9 0 865 0
47 Red sandy shale,
with, light blue
spots ... ... 17 0 882 0
48 Red sandstone, with
red shale beds ... 22 0 904 0
49 Red shale, with
veins of gypsum 18 0 922 0
50 Red shale, with beds
of sandstone ... 46 0 968 0
51 Red shale, with
small blue joints
and veins of
gypsum ... ... 60 6 1,028 6
52 Red sandstone with
veins of gypsum 12 0 1,040 6
53 Red and grey
shale and gypsum
mixed ...... 12 0 1,052 6
54 Gypsum ...... 1 0 1,053 6
Thick- Depth
ness of from
No. Description of Strata. Strata. Surface.
Ft. In. Ft. In.
55 Hard grey stone,
with thin veins of
gypsum...... 14 0 1,067 6
56 Hard grey stone ... 10 0 1,077 6
57 Hard grey stone,
with gypsum ... 6 6 1,084 0
58 Grey stone, with
veins and spots of
gypsum...... 9 0 1,093 0
59 Magnesian limestone
and gypsum ... 4 0 1,097 0
60 Magnesian limestone 28 0 1,125 0
61 Magnesian limestone,
with gypsum ... 3 0 1,128 0
62 Magnesian limestone 33 0 1,161 0
63 Anhydrite...... 5 0 1,166 0
64 White gypsum ... 13 6 1,179 6
65 White rock ... 11 0 1,190 6
66 Magnesian lime-
stone ...... 22 6 1,213 0
67 Magnesian lime-
stone, with veins
of gypsum ... 6 0 1,219 0
68 Magnesian lime-
stone ...... 11 0 1,230 0
69 Anhydrite... ... 3 0 1,233 0
70 Dark grey lime-
stone, with gyp-
sum and black
joints .., ... 7 0 1,240 0
71 Dark grey lime-
stone ...... 5 0 1,245 0
72 Anhydrite...... 1 0 1,246 0
73 Limestone, with
gypsum...... 3 0 1,249 0
74 Dark grey lime-
stone, with gyp-
sum and black
joints ...... 5 0 1,254 0
75 Dark grey lime-
stone ...... 4 0 1,258 0
76 Magnesian lime-
stone and gypsum 2 0 1,260 0
XXIII. —No. 1 (or Eastern) Boring at Haverton Hill, for the South Durham
Salt
Company, Limited (now Salt Union, Limited).
Thick- Depth
ness of from
No. Description of Strata. Strata. Surface.
Ft. In. Ft. In.
1 Soil .. ...... 10 10
2 Yellow clay ... 3 0 4 0
3 Blue clay...... 35 3 39 3
4 Brown sand ... 0 9 40 0
5 Tough brown pinnel 12 0 52 0
6 Blue pinnel ... 3 10 55 10
7 Brown sandy pinnel 2 8 58 6
8 Hard bound gravel,
with pinnel ... 2 10 61 4
Thick- Depth
ness of from
No. Description of Strata. Strata. Surface.
Ft. In. Ft. In.
9 Gravel and pinnel
mixed ...... 1 5 62 9
10 Red sandstone ... 31 9 94 6
11 Grey sandstone ... 1 0 95 6
12 Red sandstone ... 35 6 131 0
13 Red marl...... 10 132 0
14 Red sandstone ... 45 0 177 0
15 Red and grey sand-
stone ...... 10 0 187 0
CLEVELAND AND SOUTH DURHAM SALT INDUSTRY. m
Thick- Depth
_ , ¦ ness of from
No. Description of Strata. Strata. Surface.
_ , , Ft. In. Ft. In.
16 Red sandstone ... 13 0 200 0
17 Red and grey sand-
stone ...... 18 6 218 6
18 Red sandstone ... 21 0 239 6
19 Red marl...... 2 6 242 0
20 Red sandstone ... 28 6 270 6
21 Red sandstone, with
marl joints ... 25 7 296 1
22 Red sandstone .. 25 7 321 8
23 Red marl...... 1 6 323 2
24 Red sandstone, very
jointy ...... 8 6 331 8
25 Red sandstone ... 37 0 368 8
26 Red marl...... 4 0 372 8
27 Red sandstone,
jointy ...... 40 5 413 1
28 Red marl...... 12 0 425 1
29 Red sandstone, with
marl joints ... 11 6 436 7
30 Red sandstone ... 8 5 445 0
31 Red sandstone, with
marl joints ... 21 9 466 9
32 Red sandstone ... 22 5 489 2
33 Red sandstone, with
marl joints ... 11 0 500 2
34 Red marl...... 8 0 508 2
35 Red sandstone ... 33 5 541 7
36 Red marl...... 5 0 546 7
37 Red sandstone ... 19 8 566 3
38 Red sandy marl ... 22 4 588 7
39 Red marl...... 8 3 596 10
40 Sandstone...... 2 0 598 10
41 Sandy marl ... 3 9 602 7
42 Red sandy marl ... 27 4 629 11
43 Red sandstone ... 5 0 634 11
44 Red marl...... 14 8 649 7
Thick- Depth
ness of from
No. Description of Strata. Strata Surface
Ft. In. Ft. In!
45 Red marl, strong ... 2 0 651 7
46 Strong marl, with
gypsum...... 8 3 659 10
47 Strong marl ... 14 8 674 6
48 Red sandy marl ... 22 10 697 4
49 Red marl, with long
vein of gypsum... 9 8 707 0
50 Red sandy marl ... 9 1 716 I
51 Red marl, with gyp-
sum joints ... 13 6 729 7
52 Red sandy marl . 3 0 732 7
53 Red marl, with veins
of gypsum ... 4 4 736 11
54 Red marl...... 6 0 742 11
55 Red marl, with
large veins of
gypsum...... 24 6 767 5
56 Red sandy marl,
with gypsum
joints ...... 22 11 790 4
57 Red marl, with gyp-
sum ...... 56 5 846 9
58 Anhydrite...... 9 6 856 3
59 Red marl, contain-
ing a little salt... 11 1 867 4
60 Dark red marl, con-
taining salt ... 3 0 870 4
61 SALT ...... 86 6 956 10
62 SALT and gypsum
mixed ...... 10 10 967 8
63 Gypsum, containing
salt ...... 1 0 968 8
64 Gypsum ...... 5 0 973 8
65 SALT ...... 8 10 982 6
66 SALT and gypsum 16 8 999 2
67 Anhydrite... ... 7 2 1,006 4
XXIV.— No. 4 (or Western) Boring at Haverton Hill, for the South Durham Salt
Company, Limited (now Salt Union, Limited).
Thick- Depth
ness of from
No. Description of Strata. Strata. Surface.
Ft. In. Ft. In.
1 Soil......... 10 10
2 Yellow clay ... 4 0 5 0
3 Brown clay ... 10 0 15 0
4 Brown clay and cob-
bles ...... 17 0 32 0 |
5 Brown sand and clay 3 1 35 1
6 Loamy sand ... 12 5 47 6
7 Brown pinnel ... 15 0 62 6
8 Yellow sandv clay 1 9 64 3
9Brownpinnef ... 4 9 69 0
10 Red sandstone ...160 6 229 6
11 Red marl...... 4 0 233 6
12 Red sandstone ... 79 0 312 6
13 Red marl...... 4 8 317 2
Thick- Depth
ness of from
No. Description of Strata. Strata. Surface.
Ft. In. Ft. In.
14 Red sandstone ... 34 0 351 2
15 Red marl...... 9 6 360 8
16 Red sandstone .. 79 10 440 6
17 Red marl...... 1 0 441 6
18 Red sandstone ... 70 6 512 0
19 Red sandy marl ... 64 6 576 6
20 Red marl...... 72 10 649 4
21 Redmarl, with veins
of gypsum ... 140 6 789 10
22 Anhydrite...... 6 0 795 10
23 Salty marl..... 14 0 809 10
24 Red salty marl ... 3 0 812 10
25 ROCK SALT ... 104 6 917 4
! 26 Gypsum ...... 7 6 924 10
112 CLEVELAND AND SOUTH DURHAM SALT INDUSTRY.
XXV'.—Diamond-boring at Westfeld, Haverton Hill, by Mr. John Vivian, for
Mr."
George Dyson, May 30 to November 21, 1885. (Now Westjield, Durham,
Salt Company, Limited).
Thick- Depth I
ness of from
No. Description of Strata. Strata. Surface.
Ft. In. Ft. In.
lSoil......... 10 10
2 Yellow clay ..2 0 3 0
3 Brown clay ... 8 6 11 6
4 Sand ...... 2 0 13 6
5 Hard red clay and
cobbles...... 6 6 20 0
6 Sand ...... 0 6 20 6
7 Tough brown pinnel 8 6 29 0
8 Sand ...... 2 6 31 6
9 Red clay ...... 1 3 32 9
10 Sand ...... 11 3 44 0
11 Brown sandy clay... 1 0 45 0
12 Brown pinnel ... 3 0 48 0
13 Tough brown pinnel 9 0 57 0
14 Rough sand and fine
gravel ... ... 3 6 60 6
15 Bound gravel ... 0 6 61 0
16 Hard bound gravel 3 8 64 8
17 Red sandstone ... 8 8 73 4
18 Red sandstone .. 30 5 103 9
19 Red sandstone, with
veins of spar ... 15 9 119 6
20 White sandstone ... 5 0 124 6
21 Red sandstone ... 69 11 194 5
22 Red sandstone ... 35 7 230 0
23 Soft red marl ... 8 0 238 0
24 Red sandstone ... 24 6 262 6
25 Red sandstone ... 54 0 316 6
26 Red marl ... ... 4 0 320 6
27 Red sandstone ... 11 6 332 0
28 Red sandstone ... 23 9 355 9
29 Sandy marl ... 8 0 363 9
30 Red marl...... 10 3 374 0
31 Red sandstone ... 20 0 394 0
32 Red sandstone ... 59 9 453 9
33 Red marl...... 3 0 456 9
34 Red sandstone ... 23 3 480 0
Thick- Depth
ness of from
No. Description of Strata. Strata. Surface.
Ft. In. Ft. In.
35 Red marl ...... 8 6 488 6
36 Red sandstone ... 5 0 493 6
37 Red sandstone ... 15 6 509 0
38 Red marl...... 21 6 530 6
39 Sandy marl ... 8 6 539 0
40 Red marl...... 18 6 557 6
41 Sandy marl, with
veins of gypsum 18 0 575 6
42 Red marl...... 10 0 585 6
43 Red marl, with veins
of gypsum ... 25 0 610 6
44 Red marl...... 19 0 629 6
45 Red marl...... 8 0 637 6
46 Red marl, with veins
of gypsum ... 10 6 648 0
47 Red marl, with veins
of gypsum ... 73 6 721 6
48 Red marl, with
veins of gypsum 52 6 774 0
49 Anhydrite...... 5 6 779 6
50 Red marl, rather
salty ...... 3 0 782 6
51 Red salty marl ... 11 0 793 6
52 Red marl, contain-
ing soft ...... 2 6 796 0
53 ROCK SALT ... 15 8 811 8
54 ROCK SALT ... 0 9 812 5
55 ROCK SALT .. 24 6 836 11
56 ROCK SALT ... 53 10 890 9
57 ROCK SALT,
mixed with gyp-
sum ...... 6 0 896 9
58 Gypsum and salt ... 0 6 897 3
59 Gypsum and salt ... 2 0 899 3
60 Gypsum, containing
a little soft ... 8 11 908 2
61 Anhydrite...... 1 0 909 2
XXVI.— Boring at Sandfield, Haverton Hill, 1886.
Thick- Depth
ness of from
No. Description of Strata. Strata. Surface.
Ft. In. Ft. In.
lSoil......... 16 16
2 Strong red clay ... 4 6 6 0
3 Brown sand ... 30 4 36 4
4 Dark sand...... 11 1 47 5
5 Brown clay ... 3 4 50 9
6 Brown pinnel and
cobbles...... 19 7 70 4
7 Red sandstone ...145 8 216 0
8 Red marl...... 2 0 218 0
9 Red sandstone ... 82 0 300 0
10 Red marl...... 3 0 303 0
11 Red sandstone ... 38 7 341 7
12 Red marl...... 10 5 352 0
13 Red sandstone ...102 2 454 2
Thick- Depth
ness of from
No. Description of Strata. Strata. Surface.
Ft. In. Ft. In
14 Red sandstone, with
beds of marl ... 7 8 461 10
15 Red marl ... .. 4 0 465 10
16 Red sandy marl ... 2 0 467 10
17 Red sandstone 20 2 488 0
18 Red marl...... 20 4 508 4
19 Red sandstone ... 17 8 526 0
20 Red marl ..... 15 6 541 6
21 Red sandy marl .- 7 9 549 3
22 Red sandstone .. 6 7 555 10
23 Red marl...... 29 3 585 1
24 Red marl, with
gypsum joints . . 8 6 593 7
25 Red sandy marl ... 52 11 646 6
CLEVELAND AND SOUTH DURHAM SALT INDUSTRY. 1)3
Thick- Depth
ness of from
No. Description of Strata. Strata. Surface.
Ft. In. Ft. In.
26 Strong red marl,
with veins of gyp-
sum ..... 38 9 685 3
27 Red marl..... 1 0 686 3
28 Red marl, with veins
of gypsum ... 84 3 770 6
29 Anhydrite...... 9 6 780 0
30 Red marl, salty ... 12 0 792 0
31 Decayed brown marl>
containing salt... 5 0 797 0
Thick- Depth
ness of from
No. Description of Strata. Strata. Surface.
Ft. In. Ft. In.
32 ROCK SALT ... 80 10 877 10
I 33 Anhydrite and rock
salt ...... 1 6 879 4
1 34 ROCK SALT ... 1 0 880 4
35 Anhydrite and salt 4 2 884 6
36 Anhydrite, con-
taining a little
salt ..... 9 9 894 3
37 ROCK SALT ... 6 0 900 3
38 Anhydrite...... 0 9 901 0
XXVII.—No. 1 Diamond-boring at Haverton Hill, for Messrs. G. Tennant and
Partners, Limited (now United Alkali Company, Limited).
Thick- Depth
ness of from
No. Description of Strata. Strata. Surface.
Ft. In. Ft. In.
1 Soil ...... 16 16
2 Red sandy soil ... 5 6 7 0
3 Stiff dark muddy
clay ...... 10 0 17 0
4 Stiff red clay ... 17 0 34 0
5 Red clay and cobbles 3 0 37 0
6 Dark sand...... 0 9 37 9
7 Brown sand ... 16 7 54 4
8 Brown sand, very
fine ... ... 5 2 59 6
9 Brown sandy pinnel
and gravel ... 4 6 64 0
10 Brown sandy clay
and cobbles ... 7, 0 71 0
11 Cobbly pinnel ... 9 0 80 0
12 Sand and gravel ... 3 3 83 3
13 Red sandstone ... 93 5 176 8
14 Grey sandstone ... 8 0 184 8
15 Red sandstone ...164 7 349 3
16 Red marl...... 3 0 352 3
17 Red sandstone ... 66 8 418 11
18 Grey stone...... 3 6 422 5
19 Red marl...... 3 0 425 5
20 Red sandstone ... 37 0 462 5
21 Red marl...... 16 9 479 2
22 Red sandstone ... 73 3 552 5
23 Red sandy marl ... 9 3 561 8
24 Red sandstone ... 24 0 585 8
25 Red sandy marl ... 2 9 588 5
26 Red sandstone ... 2 0 590 5
Thick- Depth
ness of from
No. Description of Strata. Strata. Surface.
Ft. In. Ft. In.
27 Red marl...... 6 6 596 11
28 Red stone and beds
of marl...... 18 9 615 8
29 Red marl...... 19 0 634 8
30 Red stone and beds
of marl...... 12 10 647 6
31 Red stone...... 3 0 650 6
32 Red marl, with blue
joints ...... 18 0 668 6
33 Red sandstone ... 5 0 673 6
34 Red sandy marl ... 20 6 694 0
35 Red marl, with veins
of gypsum ... 84 0 778 0
36 Red marl, with blue
joints and veins
of gypsum ... 74 0 852 0
37 Red marl, with gyp-
sum ...... 42 6 894 6
38 Red marl...... 0 9 895 3
39 Anhydrite...... 9 0 904 3
40 Red marl, with salt 1 0 905 3
41 Red marl, with veins
of salt...... 23 4 928 7
42 ROCK SALT ... 72 11 1,001 6
43 Hard stone...... 3 2 1,004 8
44 Hard stone, with
salt ...... 2 8 1,007 4
45 ROCK SALT and
gypsum...... 6 0 1,013 4
46 Hard blue stone ... 0 10 1,014 2
XXVIII.—No. 8a Boring, by the American system, at Haverton Hill, for the
United
Alkali Company, Limited (Messrs. G. Allhusen & Sons), completed
November 18, 1891.
Thick- Depth
ness of from
No. Description of Strata. Strata. Surface.
Ft. In. Ft. In.
1 Ordinary surface-
soil, etc. ... 5 0 5 0
2 Blue clay...... 30 0 35 0
3 Sand and clay ... 15 0 50 0
4 Sand and gravel ... 15 0 65 0
5 Gravel ..... 5 0 70 0
6 Soft sandstone ... 5 0 75 0
7 Red sandstone ... 325 0 400 0
Thick- Depth
ness of from
No. Description of Strata. Strata. Surface.
Ft. In. Ft. In.
8 Red marl...... 332 0 732 0
9 Anhydrite...... 9 0 741 0
10 Rotten marl, con-
taining salt ... 25 0 766 0
11 ROCK SALT ... 42 0 808 0
12 Light grey limestone 93 0 901 0
13 Dark grey limestone 18 0 919 0
14 Light grey limestone 313 0 1,232 0
114 CLEVELAND AND SOUTH DURHAM SALT INDUSTRY.
Thick- Depth
ness of from
No. Description of Strata. Strata. Surface.
Ft. In. Ft. In.
15 Dark grey limestone 42 0 1,274 0
16 Black and red shale 41 0 1,315 0
17 Sand and water, gas
bubbles...... 48 0 1,363 0
18 Black and red shale 6 0 1,369 0
19 Grey limestone ... 20 0 1,389 0
20 Shale ...... 18 0 1,407 0
21 Sticky substance, like
fireclay ... 17 0 1,424 0
22 Dark limestone ... 8 0 1,432 0
23 Sand ...... 9 0 1,441 0
24 Sand and limestone 18 0 1,459 0
25 Sand ...... 20 0 1,479 0
26 Shale and fireclay... 20 0 1,499 0
27 Fireclay ...... 36 0 1,535 0
28 Shale ...... 9 0 1,544 0
29 Grey limestone .. 35 0 1,579 0
30 Black shale ... 18 0 1,597 0
31 Sandstone...... 7 0 1,604 0
32 Sandstone and shale 11 0 1,615 0
33 Limestone and shale 8 0 1,623 0
34 Sandstone..... 30 0 1,653 0
35 Limestone...... 11 0 1,664 0
36 Light grey sand-
stone ...... 9 0 1,673 0
37 Dark sandstone and
shale ...... 21 0 1,694 0
38 Shale ...... 44 0 1,738 0
39 Black shale ... 16 0 1,754 0
40 Black shale ... 24 0 1,778 0
41 Limestone...... 16 0 1,794 0
42 Grey sandstone .. 19 0 1,813 0
43 Sandstone, mixed
with shale ... 20 0 1,833 0
44 Fine sand, with
water ...... 16 0 1,849 0
Thick- Depth
ness of from
No. Description of Strata. Strata. Surface.
Ft. In. Ft. In.
45 Black shale and sand 13 0 1,862 0
46 Shale ...... 53 0 1,915 0
47 Grey limestone ... 12 0 1,927 0
48 Grey limestone, with
a little shale ... 12 0 1,939 0
49 Grey sandstone ... 5 0 1,944 0
50 Shale and a little
sand ...... 6 0 1,950 0
51 COAL and a little gas 2 0 1,952 0
52 Limestone...... 6 0 1,958 0
53 Sandstone...... 14 0 1,972 0
54 Sandy shale and a
little gas* ... 2 0 1,974 0
55 Hard shale...... 3 0 1,977 0
56 Hard black shale ... 9 0 1,986 0
57 Grey sandstone ... 2 0 1,988 0
58 Black shale ... 2 0 1,990 0
59 Grey micaceous sand-
stone ...... 8 0 1,998 0
60 Black shale ... 11 0 2,009 0
61 Limestone..... 26 0 2,035 0
62 Grey micaceous sand-
stone ...... 7 6 2,042 6
63 Grey micaceous sand-
stone, with veins
of shale...... 32 0 2,074 6
64 Hard black shale,
with veins of
sandstone ... 6 0 2,080 6
65 Micaceous sandstone 9 0 2,089 6
66 Hard shale...... 3 0 2,092 6
67 Micaceous sandstone 8 0 2,100 6
68 Hard grey shale ... 3 6 2,104 0
69 Hard black shale... 48 6 2,152 6
70 Dark sandy shale... 3 6 2,156 0
71 In hard black shale 17 0 2,173 0
XXIX.—Boring at Stone Marsh or Sweethill, near Haverton Hill, 1886.
Thick- Depth
ness of from
No. Description of Strata. Strata. Surface.
Ft. In. Ft. In.
1 Soil......... 10 10
2 Yellow clay ... 10 2 0
3 Red clay ...... 16 6 18 6
4 Brown pinnel .. 24 6 43 0
5 Red sandy pinnel... 1 0 44 0
6 Blue and sandy clay 10 0 54 0
7 Red clay ...... 8 0 62 0
8 Sand and gravel ... 1 0 63 0
9 Gravel ...... 2 0 65 0
10 Gravel and cobbles 2 6 67 6
11 Sand and gravel ... 3 6 71 0
12 Sand ...... 2 0 73 0
13 Gravel and cobbles 2 0 75 0
14 Bound gravel and
pinnel ...... 5 0 80 0
15 Pinnel and gravel... 4 6 84 6
16 Clayey sand ... 7 0 91 6
17 Pinnel and gravel... 2 6 94 0
Thick- Depth
ness of from
No. Description of Strata. Strata Surface.
Ft. In. Ft. In.
18 Bound gravel ... 6 6 100 6
19 Fine gravel ... 4 3 104 9
20 Red sandstone ...179 3 284 0
21 Red marl...... 2 9 286 9
22 Red sandstone ... 20 3 307 0
23 Sandy marl ... 6 0 313 0
24 Red marl...... 7 0 320 0
25 Red sandstone ... 78 0 398 0
26 Red sandy marl ... 21 0 419 0
27 Red marl...... 3 0 422 0
28 Red sandstone ... 31 6 453 6
29 Red marl...... 6 6 460 0
30 Red sandstone, with
marl beds ... 15 3 475 3
31 Red marl, with red
sandstone beds... 11 6 486 9
32 Red marl, with blue
joints ...... 7 3 494 0
* Continued from this point by the diamond drill, August 25, 1891.
CLEVELAND AND SOUTH DURHAM SALT INDUSTRY. H5
Thick- Depth
ness of from
No. Description of Strata. Strata. Surface.
33 Red sandstone, with
marl beds ... 14 3 508 3
34 Red sandstone ... 4 0 512 3
35 Red marl...... 14 9 527 0
36 Red marl, with red
sandstone .. 3 3 530 3
37 Red marl...... 18 6 548 9
38 Red marl, with blue
joints ..... 41 6 590 3
39 Red sandstone ... 2 0 592 3
40 Red marl, with blue
joints ...... 9 6 601 9
41 Re^ marl, with blue
joints and veins
of gypsum ... 62 3 664 0
42 Red marl...... 15 0 679 0
43 Redmarl, with veins
of gypsum ... 61 0 740 0
44 Red marl...... 8 6 748 6
45 Red marl, with
veins of gypsum 7 6 756 0
46 Anhydrite...... 9 0 765 0
47 Decayed red marl,
containing salt.... 10 3 775 3
48 Red salty marl ... 1 9 777 0
49 Anhydrite...... 7 0 784 0
50 SALT and gypsum 9 0 793 0
51 Anhydrite...... 7 0 800 0
52 Anhydrite, with
black joints ... 14 3 814 3
53 Anhydrite ... 7 6 821 9
54 Magnesian lime-
stone ...... 7 9 829 6
Thick- Depth
ness of from
No. Description of Strata. Strata. Surface.
Ft. In. Ft. In.
55 Magnesian limestone,
with gypsum joints 12 6 842 0
56 Magnesian limestone 26 9 868 9
57 Magnesian limestone,
with gypsum veins 17 7 886 4
58 Hard blue stone,
with veins of gyp-
sum ...... 5 8 892 0
59 Red and blue marl,
with gypsum ... 1 8 893 8
60 Hard blue and red
stone ...... 0 8 894 4
61 Anhydrite...... 3 8 898 0
62 Red marl, with an-
hydrite and gyp-
sum ...... 2 10 900 10
63 Anhydrite, with red
marl and gypsum
veins ...... 15 11 916 9
64 Anhydrite and mag-
nesian limestone 14 8 931 5
65 Magnesian limestone,
with gypsum veins
and blue shale
joints ...... 11 11 943 4
66 Anhydrite...... 3 4 946 8
67 Magnesian limestone,
with gypsum veins 9 0 955 8
68 Anhydrite ... .. 4 0 959 8
69 Anhydrite, with spots
of gypsum ... 9 1 968 9
70 Magnesian limestone,
with gypsum veins 31 3 1,000 0
XXX.—No. 1 Diamond-boring on the White House Estate, near Norton,
by Mr. John Vivian, 1889.
Thick- Depth
ness of from
No. Description of Strata. Strata. Surface.
Ft. In. Ft. In.
1 Brown sandy clay 8 0 8 0
2 Blue clay...... 7 0 15 0
3 Red clay ...... 10 0 25 0
4 Stiff brown clay ... 21 0 46 0
5 Muddy sand ... 2 0 48 0
6 Brown sandy clay 2 0 50 0
7 Grey pinnel, with
stones ...... 2 0 52 0.
8 Stiff brown clay,
with stones ... 2 0 54 0
9 Stiff brown clay .... 14 0 68 0
10 Sand ...... 1 0 69 0
11 Sandy clay ... 1 0 70 0
12 Strong brown pinnel 7 0 77 0
13 Strong brown clay 1 0 78 0
14 Strong pinnel, with
cobbles...... 6 0 84 0
15 Brown pinnel ... 1 0 85 0
16 Sand ...... 0 6 85 6
17 Darkgravelly pinnel 2 0 87 6
Thick- Depth
ness of from
Ko. Description of Strata. Strata. Surface.
Ft. In. Ft. In.
18 Grey pinnel, wTith
cobbles...... 2 0 89 6
19 Brown pinnei ... 2 10 92 4
20 Sandstone...... 0 4 92 8
21 Dark brown pinnel 13 4 106 0
22 Dark red pinnel, with
sandstone cobbles 1 6 107 6
23 Grey pinnei ... 7 0 114 6
24 Dark red pinnel ... 0 6 115 0
25 Red sandstone ... 19 0 134 0
26 Red sandy marl ... 9 0 143 0
27 Red marl...... 17 144 7
28 Red sandstone .. 9 4 153 11
29 Red sandy marl ... 2 0 155 11
30 Red sandstone ... 4 2 160 1
31 Red marl...... 22 0 182 1
32 Red sandstone ... 7 8 189 9
33 Red marl...... 21 7 211 4
34 Red marl, with blue
joints ...... 13 8 225 0
110 CLEVELAND AND SOUTH DURHAM SALT INDUSTRY.
Thick- Depth
ness of from
No. Description of Strata. Strata. Surface.
Ft. In. Ft. In.
35 Red marl...... 41 0 266 0
36 Redmarl, with veins
of gypsum ... 8 3 274 3
37 Red marl...... 10 0 284 3
38 Red marl, with veins
of gypsum ... 12 5 296 8
39 Red marl...... 22 2 318 10
40 Red marl, with veins
of gypsum ... 77 2 396 0
41 Anhydrite... ... 10 0 406 0
42 Red marl, with veins
of gypsum ... 17 2 423 2
43 Anhydrite...... 17 9 440 11
44 Gypsum ...... 3 0 443 11
45 Magnesian lime-
stone, with veins
of gypsum ... 13 8 457 7
46 Magnesian limestone 55 4 512 11
47 Blue shale, with
veins of gypsum 11 11 524 10
48 Dark limestone and
gypsum...... 1 0 525 10
49 Blue shale and gyp-
sum ...... 3 0 528 10
50 Anhydrite...... 4 0 532 10
51 Red and blue shale,
with veins of gyp-
sum ...... 5 0 537 10
52 Anhydrite...... 1 0 538 10
53 Red and blue shale 2 7 541 5
54 Anhydrite, lime-
stone, and red
shale mixed ... 2 9 544 2
55 Anhydrite, with
brown shale joints 21 5 565 7
56 Anhydrite...... 10 0 575 7
57 Anhydrite, with
black shale joints 2 5 578 0
58 Magnesian limestone 13 11 591 11
59 Anhydrite, with
veins of gypsum 7 0 598 11
60 Anhydrite..... 14 3 613 2
61 Anhydrite, contain-
ing gypsum ... 15 10 629 0
62 Blue marl...... 8 0 637 0
63 Anhydrite, with
gypsum...... 1 6 638 6
64 Red marl, with
veins of gypsum 7 7 646 1
65 Anhydrite, with
gypsum...... 2 0 648 1
66 Red marl, with gyp-
sum ...... 11 8 659 9
67 Red and blue marl,
with gypsum ... 8 6 668 3
68 Anhydrite, contain-
ing spar... ... 2 2 670 5
69 Magnesian limestone,
containing spar... 8 10 679 3
70 Red and blue marl 4 3 683 6
71 Red sandy gritstone 3 4 686 10
72 Red and blue marl 6 3 693 1
Thick- Depth
ness of from
No. Description of Strata. Strata. Surface.
Ft. In. Ft. In.
73 Magnesian limestone,
broken...... 49 10 742 11
74 Grey gritstone ... 4 9 747 8
75 Grey sandstone ... 1 0 748 8
76 Magnesian limestone,
broken...... 6 0 754 8
77 Limestone...... 6 0 760 8
78 Dark blue shale ... 5 2 765 10
79 Light grey sand-
stone ...... 8 2 774 0
80 Dark sandy shale... 6 0 780 0
81 Light grey sand-
stone...... 7 3 787 3
82 Dark sandy shale... 9 9 797 0
83 Dark shale...... 16 5 813 5
84 White sandstone ... 4 0 817 5
85 Light grev sand-
stone...... 7 2 824 7
86 Coarse light grey
sandstone ... 3 11 828 6
87 Dark shale...... 2 0 830 6
88 Black shale, with
bands and balls of
ironstone ... 23 7 854 1
89 Black shale, with
balls of ironstone 8 3 862 4
90 Black shale ... 10 8 873 0
91 Black shale, with
veins of gypsum 4 0 877 0
92 Dark grey lime-
stone ...... 3 7 880 7
93 Black shale ... 13 6 894 1
94 Grey limestone ... 5 11 900 0
95 Dark limestone ... 5 11 905 11
96 Dark limestone, very
jointy ...... 6 8 912 7
97 Dark limestone ... 3 0 915 7
98 Dark grey sandy
shale ...... 10 0 925 7
99 Black shale ... 16 9 942 4
100 Grey sandstone ... 3 0 945 4
101 Black shale ... 7 6 952 10
102 Grey sandstone ... 3 0 955 10
103 Black shale ... 8 0 963 10
104 Dark grey sand-
stone with black
joints ...... 0 6 964 4
105 Dark grey sand-
stone and black
shale mixed ... 13 0 977 4
106 Coarse light grey
sandstone ... 18 0 995-4
107 Dark grey sandy
shale ... 2 8 998 0
108 Black shale, with
iron nodules ... 3 4 1,001 4
109 Dark grey sandy
shale ...... 1 3 1,002 7
110 Black shale, with
iron nodules ... 5 3 1,007 10
111 Dark grey sandy
shale ...... 3 0 1,010 10
CLEVELAND AND SOUTH DURHAM SALT INDUSTRY. H7
Thick- Depth
ness of from
No. Description of Strata. Strata. Surface.
Ft. In. Ft. In.
112 Black shale, with
dark limestone balls 16 0 1,026 10
113 Grey limestone ... 10 4 1,037 2
114 Black shale ... 1 1 1,038 3
115 Blue shale...... 5 8 1,043 11
116 Grey sandy shale ... 7 6 1,051 5
Thick- Depth
ness of from
No. Description of Strata. Strata. Surface.
Ft. In. Ft. In.
117 Dark grey sandy
shale, with veins
of spar...... 18 0 1,069 5
118 Dark grey sandy
shale ...... 9 0 1,078 5
119 Black shale ... 1 1 1,079 6
XXXI.—Boring at Kirklevington, about 2 miles south and east from Yarm, for
Lord Falkland, commenced in 1856, and continued during 1857 and 1858.
Thick- Depth
ness of from
No. Description of Strata. Strata. Surface.
Ft. In. Ft. In.
1 Reddish clay ... 27 0 27 0
2 Fine sand...... 7 0 34 0
3 Coarse sand ... 4 0 38 0
4 Fine sand...... 10 0 48 0
5 Reddish clay ... 51 0 99 0
6 Yellow sandstone... 0 8 99 8
7 White sandstone,
hard ... ... 0 9 100 5
8 Sand and gravel ... 4 0 104 5
9 White sandstone ... 1 6 105 11
16 Sand and gravel ... 3 3 109 2
11 Light bluish sand-
stone ...... 119 10 229 0
12 White sandstone,
extra hard ... 0 11 229 11
13 Light fireclay ... 1 5 231 4
14 Light fake* and fire-
clay ...... 2 6 233 10
15 Red sandstone in
bed ...... 204 3 438 1
16 Red fake and blae 1 0 439 1
17 Red sandstone, hard 1 1 440 2
18 Red sandstone, softer 18 0 458 2
19 Red fake and blae 0 3 458 5
20 Red sandstone, extra
hard ...... 2 3 460 8
21 Red fake ...... 7 3 467 11
22 Red sandstone, extra
hard...... 2 6 470 5
23 Red fake ...... 7 8 478 1
24 Red sandstone ... 4 0 482 1
25 Red fake...... 4 8 486 9
26 Red sandstone ... 2 1 488 10
27 Red fake and clay 2 8 491 6
28 Red sandstone ... 3 9 495 3
29 Red clay ...... 0 7 495 10
30 Light red sandstone 1 9 497 7
31 Red sandstone, in
bed ...... 13 9 511 4
32 Red sandstone, in
bed ...... 3 0 514 4
33 Magnesian limestone 6 9 521 1
34 Red fake ...... 3 0 524 1
35 Red fake and clay... 8 8 532 9
36 Red fireclay ... 9 5 542 2
Thick- Depth
ness of from
No. Description of Strata. Strata. Surface.
Ft. In. Ft. In.
37 Magnesian limestone 6 0 548 2
38 Fake and clay ... 2 3 550 5
39 Magnesian limestone 1 6 551 11
40 Red fake and clay... 5 1 557 0
41 Red sandstone, hard 9 1 566 1
42 Red sandstone, in
bed ...... 4 9 570 10
43 Light red sandstone,
hard ...... 4 0 574 10
44 Red sandstone, very
hard ...... 1 4 576 2
45 Red sandstone and
beds of fake ... 6 4J 582 6J
46 Red shale, with
beds of red sand-
stone and threads
of grey metal stone 16 2£ 598 9
47 Grey pyritic sand-
stone ...... 10 599 9
48 Red shale, with beds
of hard red sand-
stone ...... 24 3 624 0
49 Gypsum, called
chalk or pipe-clay
by the workmen 0 9 624 9
50 Red shaly sandstone 6 9 631 6
51 Red sandstone, with
a shaly appear-
ance ...... 20 6 652 0
52 Red shaly-looking
sandstone, con-
taining some gyp-
sum ...... 20 0 672 0
53 Red sandstone,
nearly uniform in
appearance, with
a great quantity
of carbonate of
lime and white
masses of gypsum 17 6 689 6
54 Red sandstone, with
a shaly appear-
ance, with gypsum 6 0 695 6
55 Red shaly sandstone,
with gypsum ... 14 6 710 0
* " Fake " is a Scotch term for shale, and " Blae " for white post or
sandstone. This boring was
made by Glasgow men, hence the use of these terms.
118 CLEVELAND AND SOUTH DURHAM SALT INDUSTRY.
XXXII._No. 2 Boring from the bottom of a well at Eston Low Farm, and about
1 300 vn.rds south of Eston Junction, for Messrs. Smith and Oakey.
Thick- Depth
ness of from
No. Description of Strata. Strata. Surface.
• Ft. In. Ft. In.
1 Well ...... 25 0 25 0
2 Shale ...... 3 0 28 0
3 Soft dark grey shale,
with water ... 2 6 30 6
4 Grey shale...... 16 6 47 0
5 Blue shale...... 4 0 51 0
6 Blue shale...... 18 0 69 0
7 Blue shale...... 7 0 76 0
8 Dark grey shale ... 20 0 96 0
9 Light shale...... 14 8 110 8
10 Dark red shale ... 0 11 111 7
11 Red gypsum ... 2 0 113 7
12 Grey gypsum, mixed
with white gyp-
sum ...... 18 115 3
13 Red gypsum, mixed
with white gyp-
sum ...... 0 8 115 11
Thick- Depth
ness of from
No. Description of Strata. Strata. Surface.
Ft. In. Ft. In.
14 Grey gypsum, mixed
with white gyp-
sum ... ... 0 4 116 3
15 Red gypsum, mixed
with white gyp-
sum ...... 10 117 3
16 White gypsum, a
little mixed ... 10 118 3
17 Red gypsum, mixed
with white gyp-
sum ...... 2 6 120 9
18 Solid white gyp-
sum ...... 0 6 121 3
19 Red gypsum, with
much white gyp-
sum ...... 0 8 121 11
20 White gypsum ... 6 6 128 5
XXXIII.—Boring on West Goatham Farm, Kirkleatham Estate, near Redcar, for
Messrs. W. Bullen and Partners. {Long. 1° 5' 28" W., lat. 5If 36' 31" N.)
Thick- Depth
ness of from
No. Description of Strata. Strata. Surface.
Ft. In. Ft. In.
1 Clay......... 6 0 6 0
2 Blue shale, with dog-
ger band ... 75 0 81 0
3 Nodular band ... 1 6 82 6
4 Blue shale...... 1 8 84 2
5 Nodular band ... 2 0 86 2
6 Blue shale...... 6 4 92 6
7 Nodular band ... 1 6 94 0
8 Blue shale...... 21 0 115 0
9 Bastard grey post... 5 0 120 0
10 Blue shale, with
hard band ... 33 0 153 0
11 Dark shale, with sul-
phur and hard
band...... 12 0 165 0
12 White and grey post,
with water* ... 9 0 174 0
Thick- Depth
ness of from
No. Description of Strata. Strata. Surface.
Ft. In. Ft. In.
13 Red and white mot-
tled, white and
blue mottled
post ...... 12 0 186 0
14 Dark blue shale,
with whin gir-
dles ...... 19 0 205 0
15 White shalef _ ... 18 0 223 0
16 Red marl, mixed
with gypsum ... 86 0 309 0
17 Strong band ... 0 2 309 2
18 Red marl...... 23 0 332 2
19 Strong band ... 0 3 332 5
20 Strong red marl ... 7 0 339 5
21 White gypsum ... 1 4 340 9
22 Red marl...... 0 9 341 6
XXXIV.—Boring on West Goatham Farm, Kirkleatham Estate, near Redcar,
for Mr. Slate. {Long. 1° 5' 28' W., lat. 54° 36' 45" N.)
Thick- Depth
ness of from
No. Description of Strata. Strata. Surface.
Ft. In. Ft. In.
1 Soil......... 06 06
2 Clay......... 6 0 6 6
3 Cashy partings, sul-
phurous...... 0 4 6 10
4 Blue post and whin,
with white metal
partings and salt
water ...... 16 8 4
5 Blue, grey, and black
metal, with slaty
white girdles,
without water... 10 0 18 4
Thick- Depth
ness of from
No. Description of Strata. Strata. Surface.
Ft. In. Ft. In.
6 Soft slaty metal ... 4 0 22 4
7 Hard grey post ... 0 4 22 8
8 Soft slaty metal ... 9 0 31 8
9 Hard grey post ... 0 8 32 4
10 Soft light grey post 12 0 44 4
11 Blue slaty metal ... 3 6 47 10
12 COAL ...... 0 10 48 8
13 Dark blue metal,
coaly and slaty 12 0 60 8
14 JET ...... 0 1 60 9
15 White post and blue
metal..... 3 0 63 9
* A feeder of salt water was met with in the stone which proved to be local,
and was supposed to be
the same salt water or brine spring found in sinking Slate's Pit.
t Bottom of the Lower Lias shale and top of the New Red Sandstone.
CLEVELAND AND SOUTH DURHAM SALT INDUSTRY. 119
Thick- Depth
ness of from
No. Description of Strata. Strata. Surface.
Ft. In. Ft. In.
16 Dark blue metal ... 6 0 69 9
17 Dark blue metal,
coaly ...... 2 6 72 3
18 Grey metal, with
white and grey
post ...... 3 0 75 3
19 Blue metal...... 3 6 78 9
20 Hard band, coaly... 0 4 79 1
21 Fireclay ...... 3 0 82 1
22 Blue metal...... 4 8 86 9
23 Strong white post 0 6 87 3
24 Dark metal stone
and ironstone... 0 2 87 5
25 Strong post and iron-
stone ...... 0 11 88 4
26 Slaty metal, with
Coal ...... 1 2 89 6
27 COAL ...... 1 3 90 9
28 Clay......... 0 9 91 6
29 Blue metal...... 10 6 102 0
30 Dark blue slaty metal 6 6 108 6
31 Grey metal, and
white post ... 2 6 111 0
32 Grey metal...... 2 0 113 0
Thick- Depth
ness of from
No. Description of Strata. Strata. Surface.
Ft. In. Ft. In.
33 White post and grey
metal ...... 2 0 115 0
34 Strong brown and
white post and
metal ...... 13 116 3
35 Strong white and
grey post ... 0 10 117 1
36 Blue metal, with
white post to-
wards top ... 3 0 120 1
37 Blue metal, with
white post and
mica ...... 1 10 121 11
38 Blue metal and metal
stone ...... 3 6 125 5
39 Grey metal and hard
girdles...... 3 3 128 8
40 Brown & grey metal,
metal stone,white
post and whin
girdles...... 16 130 2
41 Blue metal and metal
stone ...... 3 0 133 2
42 Blue metal...... 2 6 135 8
XXXV.—No. 1 Diamond-boring on the Elstob Estate, for the Earl of Eldon,
commenced on May 29, 1873. and stopped on March 4, 1874.
Thick- Depth
ness of from
No. Description of Strata. Strata. Surface.
Ft. In. Ft. In.
1 Lime and sand ... 3 0 3 0
2 Sand, clay, and gravel 31 0 34 0
3 Quicksand..... 29 0 63 0
4 Boulder clay and
stones...... 18 0 81 0
5 Sand ...... 2 0 83 0
6 Quicksand..... 6 0 89 0
7 Boulder clay c ... 2 0 91 0
8 Sandy clay...... 4 0 95 0
9 Quicksand...... 8 0 103 0
10 Boulder clay ... 43 6 146 6
11 Soft magnesian lime-
stone ...... 134 6 281 0
12 Hard limestone ... 19 0 300 0
13 Sandstone and lime-
stone ...... 4 0 304 0
14 Grey limestone ... 5 0 309 0
15 Fireclay ..... 2 0 311 0
16 Grey fimestone ... 10 312 0
17 Light blue limestone 3 0 315 0
18 Red shaly limestone 7 0 322 0
19 Shaly limestone ... 1 0 323 0
20 Hard limestone ... 19 0 342 0
21 Red sandstone ... 5 0 347 0
22 Bed sandstone and
shale ...... 5 0 352 0
23 White sandstone ... 8 0 360 0
24 Soft dark shale ... 6 0 366 0
25 Sandstone and spar 5 0 371 0
26 Soft dark shale .. 2 4 373 4
-7 Sandstone and spar 2 8 376 0
28 Soft dark shale ... 1 0 377 0
^9 Fireclay ...... 1 0 378 0
Thick- Depth
ness of from
No. Description of Strata. Strata. Surface.
Ft. In. Ft. In.
30 Hard limestone ... 4 0 382 0
31 Strong dark shale... 17 0 399 0
32 Sandstone and shale 11 0 410 0
33 Hard sandstone ... 10 411 0
34 Hard shale and
spar ...... 2 0 413 0
35 Strong dark shale .. 5 0 418 0
36 Strong dark shale,
full of spar ... 7 0 425 0
37 Strong shale ... 8 0 433 0
38 Soft shale and fire-
clay ...... 2 0 435 0
39 Hard red sandstone 6 0 441 0
40 Soft dark shale and
sandstone ... 12 0 453 0
41 Soft dark shale ... 1 0 454 0
42 Strong sandstone .. 3 0 457 0
43 Hard purple sand-
stone ...... 7 0 464 0
44 Soft sandstone, with
shale bands ... 54 0 518 0
45 Hard blue limestone 44 0 562 0
46 Sandstone, with
bands of shale... 102 0 664 0
47 Dark shale and spar 42 0 706 0
48 Light blue limestone 16 0 722 0
49 White sandstone ... 25 0 747 0
50 Soft dark shale ... 2 0 749 0
51 COAL, soft ... 0 3 749 3
52 Sandstone, with
bands of shale .139 9 889 0
53 Light blue limestone 1 0 890 0
54 Hard limestone ... 2 10 892 10
120 cleveland and south durham salt industry.
Report on Elstob Boring.
The result of the experiment by boring at Elstob, to a depth approaching
900 feet, is to establish—
Ft. In.
First, an unusual thickness of Pleistocene deposits (boulder clay) ... 146 6
Secondly, the absence of all Triassic (New Red) deposits
Thirdly, a considerable thickness of Magnesian Limestone ...... 195 6
Fourthly, a considerable thickness of Permian (red or purple sandstone
and shale) strata........................122 0
Making of this upper series ......... 464 0
Then follows a quite different group of strata, consisting of white and
grey sandstones, grey and dark shales, and blue or blueish lime-
stones, altogether at the date reported ............ 428 10
In this series, which in a large sense is Carboniferous, three limestone
beds occur,
at intervals, from the top to No. 2, 54 feet; between No. 1 and No. 2, 144
feet;
between No. 2 and No. 3, 167 feet; and below the second is a bed of coal
enclosed
in shale.
This coal is said to be about 3 inches thick, and to be enclosed in shale
about
3 feet 9 inches thick.
On considering Fig. 1 with attention, and examining the specimens of
limestone
from the three beds named, I arrive at the conclusion that the whole series
of
strata, penetrated to about 430 feet below the Permian (red and purple)
sandstones
and shales, belong to the Yoredale Rocks (upper part of the Mountain
Limestone
cleveland and south durham salt industry. 121
series). The composition of the limestones, taken by themselves, would be
quite
enough to prove their affinity to some part of the Mountain Limestone series
; and
the succession of the beds, well considered in relation to the well-known
sections in
the mining dales lying to the westward (Weardale, Tynedale, Teesdale, etc.),
leads to the probability that they belong to the Yoredale series, above the
thick
Scar limestones.
Adopting this conclusion as positive, I have to advise, in this first
report, that
the boring operations be discontinued at Elstob. By continuing the process,
similar strata, and among them thin coal-seams would be found; but in this
part
of the Carboniferous range the limestone seams, as they may be termed, have
no practical value, though farther to the north they are worked to profit.
What is already proved is of great importance in regard to any further steps
which may be advisable, on which I shall be prepared to report after seeing
selec-
tions from the other cores brought up in the boring, and considering the
plans
and other means of judging which you will be able to supply.
John Phillips,
April 4, 1874. Oxford.
To John Johnson, Esq.,
Newcastle-upon-Tyne.
XXXVI.— No. 2 Diamond-boring on the White House Estate, near Norton.
Thick- Depth
ness of from
No. Description of Strata. Strata. Surface.
Ft. In. Ft. In.
1 Soil......... 10 10
2 Red sandy clay ... 4 0 5 0
3 Blue clay..... 15 2 20 2
4 Sand ...... 14 21 6
5 Sand and gravel ... 1 6 23 0
6 Sand ...... 5 1 28 1
7 Red clay ...... 15 5 43 6
8 Dark brown sandy
clay ...... 30 3 73 9
9 Soft brown clay,
mixed with sand 4 0 77 9
10 Brown pinnel ... 16 1 93 10
11 Red loamy sand ... 4 0 97 10
12 Brown pinnel ... 5 10 103 8
13 Grey sandstone ... 0 3 103 11
14 Brown pinnel ... 10 11 114 10
15 Grey loamy sand ... 2 0 116 10
16 Dark brown pinnel 2 11 119 9
17 Dark brown pinnel
and cobbles ... 14 9 134 6
18 Red sandstone ... 24 8 159 2
19 Red marl...... 10 160 2
20 Red sandstone ... 23 10 184 0
21 Redmarl...... 14 7 198 7
22 Red sandstone ... 9 2 207 9
23 Red marl...... 7 0 214 9
24 Red sandstone ... 3 6 218 3
25 Red sandy marl ... 40 0 258 3
26 Red sandstone ... 5 6 263 9
27 Red sandy marl ... 6 6 270 3
Thick- Depth
• ness of from
No. Description of Strata. Strata. Surface.
Ft. In. Ft. In.
28 Red marly sand-
stone ..... 21 3 291 6
29 Red marl, with gyp-
sum and blue
joints ...... 1 7 293 1
30 Red marl, with blue
joints and gyp-
sum ...... 6 0 299 1
31 Red marl, with
veins of gypsum 13 8 312 9
32 Red marl, with blue
joints and gyp-
sum ...... 11 0 323 9
33 Red marl, with
veins of gypsum 49 5 373 2
34 Red marl, with blue
joints ...... 11 0 384 2
35 Red marl, with blue
spots ...... 17 1 401 3
36 Red sandy marl ... 10 7 411 10
37 Red marl, with
veins of gypsum 6 0 417 10
38 Anhydrite...... 6 3 424 1
39 Red marl, with blue
spots and gypsum 3 0 427 1
40 Red marl, with gyp-
sum (compact)... 16 8 443 9
41 Anhydrite..... 20 6 464 3
42 Magnesian lime-
stone ...... 55 9 520 0
APPENDIX B.—Abstracts of Sections of Boreholes and Brine-wells in Cleveland
and South Durham.
APPENDIX B. -Abstracts of Sections of Boreholes and Brine-wells in Cleveland
and South Durham.—Continued.
APPENDIX B.—Abstracts op Sections of Boreholes and Brine-wells in Cleveland
and South Durham.—Continued.
discussion—cleveland and south durham salt industry. 125
The Chairman invited comments on the paper, which, however, would be open
again for discussion.
Mr. Thos. Bell suggested that when the paper was again discussed an enlarged
map should be hung on the wall showing the position of the various
boreholes,
together with a section showing the position of the different beds bored
through. A
paper by Mr. T. W. Stuart had been alluded to, and he thought if that
gentlemen
could be induced either to read that paper or give them some extracts to
accompany
this one, the different boring-machines being treated of, it would be very
interesting ;
if, however, these machines were mentioned, care should be taken to omit
none.
There was a dispute among geologists in the district as to whether the Red
Sand-
stone underlaid the Lias.
Prof. Lebour—There is no reason to think it does not.
Mr. Thos. Bell.—Could it be proved ? He had had some discussion at a
meeting of the Manchester Geological Society on the point; they said it was
so, but
he had given them some notes on the Lackenby Hole to show that it did not.
It
might; but had any gentleman ever met with a case where it overlapped ? The
object, however, of his rising was not to ask these questions so much as to
propose
a vote of thanks to Mr. Marley for his paper.
Mr. J. B. Simpson said he had much pleasure in seconding the vote of thanks
to
Mr. Marley. The paper was a very interesting one, and when it was in the
hands of
the members they would be better able to consider the points upon which they
now
required more definite information.
Prof. Lebour, in answer to Mr. Bell, said that with regard to the red beds
beneath the Lias, unless they actually bored beneath the Lias he did not
think they
could absolutely prove it, but there was no reason to doubt that the red
beds
continued in that direction, though one could not tell. That red beds occur
in other
districts was of course well known. In the Bristol district, for instance,
the Lias
was to be seen above and the red beds below. That the red beds fell out
somewhere
to the south there was no doubt; the probability was that the Lias rested on
some
of the older beds, but he did not see how it could be proved in the North of
England
except by boring. It was not to be supposed that where they had a
considerable
thickness of these beds of red sandstone there would be a thinning out
immediately.
The Chairman said they would all agree in passing this vote of thanks. They
would also ask Professor Lebour—even if Mr. Marley was not able to attend to
it—
to make some arrangements for a plan and sections in a conspicuous form for
the
next meeting, something like Mr. Simpson's well known coal sections.
The Chairman said he would not offer any further observations—-rather
reserv-
ing till the adjourned discussion anything he might have to say; but he
would
allude to the extensive discoveries in recent times of valuable salt-beds in
other
districts than the Tees—among which was that on the West coast near
Fleetwood,
where, at 100 yards depth, the top of a salt-bed was reached, which had been
sunk
through and proved to be 100 yards thick. This would be likely to prove a
strong
competitor with this district.
The vote of thanks was carried with acclamation.
ELECTION OF OFFICERS.
The Scrutineers submitted the list of officers for the ensuing year as
follows:—
President.
Wm. Cochrane, Esq., Grainger Street West, Newcastle-upon-Tyne.
126 election of officers.
Vice-Presidents.
William Armstrong, Sen., Esq., Pelaw
House, Chester-le-Street.
T. J. Bewick, Esq., Suffolk House,
Laurence Pountney Hill, London,
E.C.
Wm. Lishman, Esq., Bunker Hill, Fence
Houses.
G. May, Esq., Harton Colliery, South
Shields.
J. B. Simpson, Esq., Hedgefield House,
Blaydon-upon-Tyne.
James Willis, Esq., 14, Portland Terrace,
Newcastle-upon-Tyne.
Council,
Henry Armstrong, Esq., Chester-le-
Street.
Wm. Armstrong, Jun., Esq., Wingate,
Co. Durham.
T. W. Asquith, Esq., Harperley, Lintz
Green, Newcastle-upon-Tyne.
Emerson Bainbridge, Esq., Nunnery
Colliery Offices, Sheffield.
T. W. Benson, Esq., 11, Newgate Street,
Newcastle-upon-Tyne.
R. F. Boyd, Esq., Houghton-le-Spring,
Fence Houses, Co. Durham.
M. Walton Brown, Esq., 3, Summerhill
Terrace, Newcastle-upon-Tyne.
Sir B. C. Browne, Westacres, Benwell,
Newcastle-upon-Tyne.
T. E. Forster, Esq., North Jesmond,
Newcastle-upon-Tyne.
T. Heppell, Esq., Leafield House, Birtley,
Chester-le-Street.
H. Lawrence, Esq., Grange Iron Works,
Durham.
Prof. J. H. Merivale, 2, Victoria Villas,
Newcastle-upon-Tyne.
M. W. Parrington, Esq., Wearmouth
Colliery, Sunderland.
A. M. Potter, Esq., Shire Moor Colliery,
Earsdon, Newcastle-upon-Tyne.
T. H. M. Stratton, Esq., Cramlington
House, Northumberland.
J. G. Weeks, Esq., Bedlington, R.S.O.,
Northumberland.
R. L. Weeks, Esq., Willington, Co.
Durham.
W. 0. Wood, Esq., South Hetton, Sun-
derland.
Mr. A. L. Steavenson said he had much pleasure in congratulating their new
President; he hoped he might have many years of health and strength to enjoy
a successful presidentship.
Mr. Cochrane said he felt very proud of the honour which the members had
done him, and he assured them that he would do his best to add to the
success
of the Institute. He felt a little nervous about taking the presidency under
any
circumstances, and it looked as if he were afraid of the position when he
told them
that he was going away for a time; he hoped, however, when he came back that
he would have good health to enable him to devote his energies to their
interests.
The Institute would not suffer by his absence, for he knew he conld rely on
the
band of Past-Presidents who were ready to support him, and without whose
assistance and that of the Council he could not undertake the work. He felt
certain
that under the circumstances, and knowing that he had gone away for his
health's
sake, they would conduct the affairs of the Institute, in his absence, as
well, and
perhaps better, than he could have done. He thanked them cordially.
Mr. J. B. Simpson said there was one duty they must not overlook. There was
an old proverb that it was better to be off with the old love before they
were on
with the new ; and they ought not to part to-day without emphasizing their
thanks
to Mr. Marley for the manner in which he had conducted the affairs of the
Institute
FKOCEKIMNG-S. 127
for the past two years, their sympathy with him in his illness, and the hope
that he
might be soon recovered and able to come amongst them again. They all knew
that Mr. Marley had thrown his whole heart into the work of the Mining
Institute,
and they ought therefore to convey to him in some manner their appreciation
of the
very able manner in which he had conducted their proceedings.
Mr. Cochrane could'only say that taking the chair after Mr. Marley was one
of
the serious things he had to face. Mr. Marley had unreservedly devoted his
time and
attention to the interests of the Institute, lie had done all that a
President could be
expected to do, and he thought the members would admit that the Institute
had
prospered in consequence. He would be happy to convey to Mr. Marley
personally
and by letter the kind expressions to which Mr. Simpson had given utterance,
and
the manner in which these had been received. He was very pleased to second
Mr. Simpson's motion.
The vote of thanks to the retiring President was heartily adopted.
Mr. Jas. Willis proposed a vote of thanks to the Scrutineers. The task of
these gentlemen was an unwelcome lone, and occupied considerable time which
they
might have spent much more pleasurably in listening to the interesting
papers and
discussions.
Mr. Simpson seconded the proposal, which was unanimously approved.
LECTURE THEATRE.
The President said that before closing the meeting he would call the
attention
of the members to the arrangements in connexion with the lecture theatre.
They
could now see from the window the white glazed bricks of the passage which
enclosed the new ground they held from the railway company. The only draw-
back to this acquisition was that it would be dark when the railway
company's
buildings were completed. The only natural light they would have in the
lecture
theatre would be from the end windows. The question of lighting by
electricity or
some other mode would, however, come before the Council in due course. He
would
also like to call attention to an adjoining room, in which the whole of
their stock of
Proceedings had been very conveniently arranged by Mr. Gosman. Although the
stock had been put there at some little cost, he thought they would all
agree that
the manner in which it was now stored was very efficient, and they could
obtain
information at any moment as to the volumes in hand.
Mr. Bell asked if the Council had agreed to the railway company closing the
side windows ?
The President explained that the Institute never had any right of light in
that direction ; they had always paid an acknowledgment of 5s. a year for
it, and
now that the railway company had purchased the adjoining property they had
power to build close to the windows.
The President announced that the next meeting of the Federated Institution
would take place at Nottingham, on the 24th and 25th of September, when he
hoped
many members from the North of England would attend. There would be every
inducement, for the colliery owners there were taking the matter up
strenuously.
He was sorry he would not be there himself ; but he hoped the meeting would
be—
as it promised to be—a success, and that the members would enjoy it
thoroughly.
The meeting then concluded.
128 BAROMETER, THERMOMETER, ETC.. READINGS, 1889.
APPENDICES.
I.—BAROMETER, THERMOMETER, Etc., HEADINGS FOR THE YEAR 1889.
By M. Walton Brown.
The barometer, thermometer, etc., readings have been supplied by permission
of
the authorities of the Glasgow and Kew Observatories, and give some idea of
the
variations of temperature and of atmospheric pressure in the intervening
districts in
which the mining operations of this country are chiefly carried on.
The barometer at Kew is 34 feet, and at Glasgow is 180 feet, above
sea-level.
The barometer readings at Glasgow have been reduced to 32 feet above
sea-level by
the addition of -150 inch to each reading, and the barometer readings at
both Obser-
vatories are reduced to 32 degs. Fahr.
The fatal explosions in collieries are obtained from the annual reports of
H.M.
Inspectors of Mines, and are printed upon the diagrams recording the
Meteorological
Observations.
BAROMETER, THERMOMETER, ETC., READINGS, 1889. 121)
JANUARY, 1889.
130 BAROMETER. THERMOMETER, ETC., READINGS, 1880.
MAECH, 1889.
BAROMETER? T1 f BRMOMETER, ETC., READINGS, 1889. 131
. MAY, 1889.
132 BAROMETER. THERMOMETER, ETC., READINGS, 1880.
JULY, 1889.
BAROMETER, THERMOMETER. ETC., READINGS, 1889. 133
SEPTEMBER, 1889.
134 B AKOMETETl, THERMOMETER, ETC., READINGS, 1889.
NOVEMBER, 1889.
notes op foreign papers. 135
III.—NOTES OF PAPERS ON THE WORKING OF MINES, METALLURGY,
ETC., FROM THE TRANSACTIONS OF FOREIGN SOCIETIES AND
FOREIGN PUBLICATIONS.
A HAND DIAMOND ROCK-BORING MACHINE.
Schwedische Diamantbohrmaschine fiir Handbetrieb des " Svcnska Diamantberg-
borrnings-Aktiebolag" in Stockholm. By E. Gad. Berg- und Buetten-
mcennischc Zeitung, Vol. xlviii., pp. 451-454. One figure.
Mr. A. Craelius has recently invented a hand boring machine formed on the
model of the American power drills, except as regards the advance motion,
and its
weight reduced to about 14 cwt., including 164 feet of bore-rods, force-pump
and
accessories. The boring crown is 1*38 inches outside and *94 inch inside
diameter,
giving a core of from '865 to '905 inch. Eight diamonds of *75 to "8 carats
are
fitted into it in the usual manner. The core-tube, screwed on to the diamond
crown, is 3 feet 3 inches long. The bore-rods are made of 4 feet 11 inches
lengths
of iron pipes of 1*30 inches outer and *98 inch inner diameter. A force-pump
supplies water to the boring crown through an india-rubber tube at the rate
of
1*10 gallons per minute. The boring spindle, into which the bore-rod fitted,
is
rotated with wheel gearing by handles, the iron stand resembling that of a
hand-
winch in size and appearance. By hand the new machine can be driven at about
60 or 70 revolutions per minute against the 200 to 400 obtainable by power.
The
advance motion is obtained by a weighted lever, and the power is doubled by
a
pulley, a rope being led from the end of the lever over a pulley on the
bore-rod to
an eye on the iron frame. For shallow depths three workmen are required, and
for
deeper holes five workmen, in addition to a skilled foreman. The greatest
speed
attained with the new machine is 34 feet in 24 hours. The work becomes
difficult
and costly as the depth increases. With workmen's wages at Is. 6d. per
shift, the
cost varies from 40s. to 50s. per fathom. The system is considered suitable
for
borings up to about 38 fathoms in any desired direction either in the mine
or from
the surface. A. R. L.
THE CONDITIONS OF FORMATION OF LIGNITE.
Alte Funde aufder Saalburg und die Lignitbildung. Von F. Seel and.
Oesterr-
Zeitsehr.f. Berg- u. Huttenwesen, 1891, Vol. xxxix.,p. 247.
The author has examined oak timber found in the remains of the Roman castel-
lum of Saalburg, built on the Eastern Taunus in 17 b.c., destroyed in 282
a.d. This
timber was used as lining for wells or cisterns (? for the baths) which were
sunk
about 30 feet below ground, and was thus long subjected to moderate pressure
at
the ordinary earth temperature. It is now mostly converted into a sort of
lignite
comparable with that of Koflach. O. S. E.
THE ORIGIN OF COAL.
Des Mverses theories emises sur le mode de formation de la houille et d'une
conclu-
sion que Von pent en tirer. By A. Cocheteux. Annates de la Soc. Geol.
de Belgique, 1885-86, Vol. xiii, Bulletin, pp. clxix-clxxiii.
After a brief recapitulation of the various theories extant on the formation
of
coal, the author enumerates his own conclusions with regard to the Belgian
coal-
field, as follows :—
1. —The Carboniferous Limestone is a deep sea formation.
2. —The soil of Belgium was slowly rising during the deposition of the
Lower Coal-measures, and of equivalent strata without coal.
136 notes op papers in foreign
3. —During the deposition of the Belgian coal-seams, the land slowly
subsided again. The dunes heaped up by the wind had formed a
salt-lake, in which the sediment, brought down by the streams from
the Ardenne and Brabant hills was deposited; the continual flow of
fresh water sweetened the lake, and made the growth of vegetation
possible ; then the set broke in again, and the preceding series of
events was repeated many times over.
4. —A second time the land rose during the Upper Coal-measure and Permian
age.
The author maintains that the above statements have been confirmed by his
own
observations in the collieries; and he intends to embody his theory in a
more
detailed work. O. S. E.
THE COAL DEPOSITS IN THE I NT) WE BASIN AND STORMBERG
RANGE OF MOUNTAINS [CAPE OF GOOD HOPE].
Report by W. Galloway, and presented to the Legislature oftlie Colony. 52
pages
and 5 Plates.
This report on the Indwe coal-mines gives details as to the area of the
deposit,
quality of the coal, best means of working, and estimated value to the
colony.
M. W.B.
THE ADAMS BEE-HIVE OVEN.
Coke-burning Simplified. By Frank M. McKelvey The Colliery Engineer,
(Scranton, U.S.A.), 1890, Vol. x.,p. 130-131, and three figures.
The ordinary bee-hive oven is fitted with a portable oven bottom, worked by
an
hydraulic ram, and removable with its contents from the oven upon a
four-wheeled
carriage.
The movable bottom of the oven is built up of wrought-iron, of circular
shape.
The oven is built of the same diameter as an ordinary oven, but of greater
height,
to the extent of 3 feet, and is fitted with a door whose width is equal to
the diameter
of the oven.
The hydraulic ram is placed in the centre of the oven, and has a stroke of 3
feet.
The oven bottom is placed upon a small carriage, and pushed along a track
until
it is in the oven and directly over the hydraulic ram. The ram is then
raised until
the oven bottom presses against a shoulder built around the oven. When the
bottom
is in position, supports are dropped to keep it secure. The ram is
withdrawn, the
carriage removed from the oven, and the doors closed.
The oven is then charged and burnt off in the ordinary way.
In withdrawing the coke, the doors are opened, the carriage run under the
oven
bottom, the ram raised until the supports are withdrawn, and the oven bottom
and
coke is then lowered on to the carriage, which is run out of the oven. The
coke is
watered, and a chain placed round in it, and the mass dragged off the oven
bottom.
M. W. B.
THE ADAMS IMPROVED BEE-HIVE COKE-OVEN.
By John Fulton. The Colliery Engineer, 1890, Vol. xi., pp. 8 and 9, and
three figures.
An Adams oven has been erected by the Cambria Iron Company, near Dunbar,
and its produce is of good quality. A charge of 6^ tons of coal produced 4
tons of
coke, and the Adams oven was drawn 3^ times per week; it was drawn easily in
•15 hour at a net cost of 3'12d. per ton; while the ordinary oven, with the
same
load of coal and produce of coke is drawn 3 times per week, was drawn in 3
hours
at a cost of 10*44d. per ton.
transactions and periodicals. 137
The cost of a battery of 100 ovens of the ordinary bee-hive oven, producing
60,000 tons of coke per annum, may be calculated as under :—
100 ovens.........each £50 ... £5,000
Annual charges—
Interest at 10 per cent. ...... £500 = 2*00d. per ton.
Repairs and renewals, each £2 ... 200 = *80d. „
Loading ovens............ 240 = *96d. „
Levelling ............ 480 = P92d. „
Drawing, 60,000 tons... . ...... 2,610 = 10'44d. „
Total ...... £4,030 = 16-12d. „
The same quantity of coke would be produced by 85 Adams ovens, the cost of
wnich would be :—
r 85 ovens.........each £100 ... £8,500
Annual charges—
Interest at 10 per cent. ...... £850 = 3*40d. per ton.
Repairs and renewals, each £3 ... 255 = l*02d. „
Loading ovens............ 255 = l'02d. „
Levelling ............ 510 = 2*04d.
Drawing, 60,000 tons......... 780 = 3'12d. „
Total ...... £2,650 = 10-60d. „
M. W. B.
COPPER MINING IN SPAIN (HUELVA).
EIndustrie du Cuivre dans la Region d'Huelva (Rio-Tinto, San Domingos,
etc.').
By L. De Launay. Annates des Mines, 1889, Ser. 8, Vol. xvi,,pp. 427-516,
and Plates X., XL, XII.
The copper industry has existed many years at Huelva, on the south frontiers
of
Spain and Portugal, and the names of Rio-Tinto, Tharsis, etc., are become
world-
renowned. These mines are very interesting owing to their antiquity, the
nature
of their outcrops, the mode of working by quarry systems, the ingenious
methods
employed in the economical extraction of the copper from so poor a mineral,
etc.
and these details are all exhaustively described in this memoir. M. W. B.
A CYLINDRICAL DAM.
Note sur la Plate-cure du Puits No. 1 des Mines de Sel et Salines de
Saint-Nicholas-
Varangeville. Bulletin de la Societe de VIndustrie Minerale, Third Series,
Vol. i., 1887, ^. 1268-70. Plate 27, Figs. 4-9.
Owing to subsidences of the old workings in the vicinity of the No. 1 pit,
in the
eleventh bed of rock salt, at a depth of 525 feet, an influx of brine was
found in
the roof of the old workings at a depth of 275 feet in the fourth bed.
These feeders, small at first, quickly increased and threatened to flood not
only
the old workings but also the new workings, recently commenced around No. 2
pit,
sunk about 1,050 feet to the east of No. 1 pit, the two pits being connected
by a
level in the eleventh bed.
The company therefore decided to fix in the No. 1 pit, between the level of
the
wordings of the eleventh bed and that of the workings in the fourth bed, a
dam
to keep back the water of the old pits, as well as the feeders leaking from
the
tubbing above the fourth seam.
The figures show the position and details of the dam, which consists of 35
seg-
ments of metal weighing about 59 tons.
The shaft was filled below the level of the thill of the sixth bed of salt
at a depth
of 370 feet. A timber scaffold was laid at this point, covered by about 11
feet of
concrete, and the centres for the dam were placed above the concrete.
The dam is in the form of a cylindrical arch, with a radius of about 12
feet, the
chord or width being 14| feet, and the length 17^ feet. It consists of seven
sections,
each containing five hollow cast-iron blocks, or voussoirs, the faces of
whose joints
138 notes of papers in foreign
are planed, and before being bolted together are brushed over with a thin
coating
of mastic and linseed oil. The four surfaces, between the four abutments of
the
arch, in the sixth bed of salt were covered with sheets of india-rubber. The
centres
were removed before the central key block was placed in position and wedged
with
The dam was covered with a bed of quick setting cement about 2J feet thick.
The
concrete was applied in thin beds of 1 to 2 yards area, about 3 inches thick
in the
middle and thinned towards the edges. Very little water was used with the
cement
applied to the sides of the pit in the rock salt, with which it united very
fairly.
The concrete was formed of one part of washed river sand and one part of
Vassy
cement, of which 17 tons were used.
The concrete is covered with about 33 feet of good clay, carefully pugged
with
saturated brine.
The sides of the pit were carefully dressed by the pick in order to remove
any
rock loosened by contact with air or water.
The work cost about £2,200. M. W. B.
PERMEABILITY OF CEMENTS.
Remits of Experiments made to determine the Permeability of Cements and
Cement
Mortars. By G. W. Hyde and W. J. Smith, condensed by L. M. Haupt.
Journal of the Franklin Institute, 1889, Vol 128, pp. 199-207. One figure.
The specimens, 3 inches thick, were tested by means of four pipes, 3 inches
in
diameter, joined to a 3-inches pipe, through which the pressure was
communicated
from a hand-pump, and maintained throughout the series at 75, 100, and 200
pounds
per square inch respectively for three hours.
The experiments embraced six series, and the discharge of water through the
samples was as follows :—
GRISOUTITE.
Experiences faites sur la Grisoutite, les 25 April et 23 Mai, 1889, an
Charbonnage
des Produits, a Flenu. By B. Larmoyeux. Revue UnirerseUe des Mines.
1889, Vol. viii,, pp. 239-255, and Plate 11.
The experiments were made in an old boiler about 48 feet long and 59 inches
diameter, and '39 inch thick. It was closed at one end with masonry
containing the
cannon, 27J inches long and I5f inches diameter, the shot-hole being 2}
inches
diameter and 19| inches long. The boiler was fitted with 14 windows, 6 of
which
were closed with glass f inch thick. There were 3 valves, near the closed
end of
the boiler.
transactions and periodicals. ]3{)
A meter was used to measure the gas. 7*71 grains detonators (triple) and
15*43 grains detonators (quintuple) were used on the first and second days'
trials
respectively.
A coil, heated by steam, was placed in the closed end of the boiler.
Coal-dust was spread upon a plank placed 6 inches below the orifice of the
shot-
holes, so that the gases of the explosive should be thrown upon the dust.
In 11 experiments the end of the boiler was open, but in the remainder an
iron
ring |_| was riveted to a wing in the boiler, to which a sheet of waxed
paper
could be attached by means of an india-rubber band, during each experiment.
By
this means a closed space of about 280 cubic feet was formed, fitted with 6
windows
closed with thick glass. The gas was introduced by an iron pipe into the
bottom of
the boiler, near the cannon, and was mixed with the air by means of an iron
plate,
swung to and fro, by an external lever. The valves rested upon india-rubber
seats.
All joints were carefully luted with thin clay. The glass windows were
replaced
by waxed paper on the second day.
_ It is with great difficulty that the gas was introduced without escape,
and that a
mixture of exact composition was obtained.
The explosions increased in violence as the proportion of coal-gas was
increased,
and for the same proportion, as the temperature increased. Explosions of gas
are
produced with 10 per cent, mixtures.
A short interval separated the appearance of flame at the end of the tube
and
that of the fumes and dust.
The results of the experiments may be tabulated as under :—
I signifies ignition, and N non-ignition of the explosive mixtures, the
small
figures 2,3, 4 indicating the number of experiments. * Crusts of coke found
in the
boiler. Coal-dust was placed in the boiler, in all the experiments except
the two
marked f.
It will be seen that all the explosives stemmed with coal-dust, gas being
absent,
produced flame except grisoutite. Forcite, stemmed with clay, gas being
absent, did
not produce flame.
In experiments with explosives care should be taken to distinguish the flame
of
the explosive, of the coal-gas, and of the coal-dust, which occur in rapid
succession.
In all the experiments the mechanical effects produced by the explosive with
coal-dust were very little more than when stemmed with clay, and much less
than
produced by the explosive with coal-gas.
It is not surprising that coal, a combustible, should ignite in prolonged
contact
with the very hot gases produced by the detonation of an explosive and make
a
slight addition to the mechanical effects owing to the heat developed during
its
combustion.
The non-explosibility of coal-dust seems demonstrated by the appearance of
flames exempt from sparks at the end of the tube followed by black clouds of
smoke
and dust; without dust they were accompanied by flame. M. W. B.
THE CHALON-GUERIN GELATINIZED WATER-STEMMING.
Grisoutite et VEau gelatinisee. By Messrs. V. Watteyne and E. Larmoyeux.
Revue Uhiverselle des Mines, 1889, Vol. viii., pp. 256-269.
Messrs. Chalon and Guerin use water in a gelatinous form, in small
cylinders.
These cylinders contain 98 per cent, of water and 2 per cent, of gelatinous
matter
procured from seaweed.
140 NOTES OF PAPERS IN FOREIGN
It is placed at the end of a shot-hole somewhat larger in diameter than the
cartridges, which are pushed in with the beater, so as to penetrate into and
be sur-
rounded by the gelatinous matter. One or more pieces of the gelatinized
stemming
is then pushed in, and the operation completed with clay stemming.
Trials have been made with this stemming in the mine and in the dark, and it
may be presumed that the absence of the slightest glimmer would allow of the
state-
ment being made that no explosion would occur in the presence of an
explosive
mixture.
' The following table contains the results of various trials :—
It is evident that impressions are subject to errors, which may be reduced
by the
number of witnesses.
The table shows that actual safety is not secured under any of the
conditions
given; with one exception, glimmers of light were seen in all the
experiments.
Grisoutite has about one-third of the power of blasting-gelatine or forcite.
It will be seen that grisoutite alone is similar to forcite or
blasting-gelatine,
with the gelatinized stemming in point of safety.
Although the Chalon-Guerin stemming is not difficult to use, it is more
difficult
than grisoutite.
The cost of a charge of grisoutite is a little more than a charge of
blasting-
gelatine or other explosive, with the addition of the safety stemming.
The gelatinous matter costs 5s. 6d. per pound, and boiled with fifty times
its
weight of water cools into a gelatinous mass, which is easily cast into
little cylinders
of suitable dimensions.
A charge of 10£ ounces of blasting-gelatine requires 18 ounces of
Chalon-Guerin
stemming, hence—
Blasting-gelatine ... 10J ounces at Is. 3d. per pound = 9*84d.
Stemming ...... 18 „ at ljd. „ = l'68cl.
Total ......... ll-52d.
20 ounces of grisoutite would be required, costing, at Is. per pound, Is.
4d., or a
difference of 4|d. in favour of the Chalon-Guerin stemming.
The writers suggest that instantaneous dry plates should be used. The camera
being turned towards the orifice of the shot-hole, the cover would be
removed as
scon as all lights had been removed. The shot would be fired, and the
glimmer
would be faithfully recorded on the plates. The records would be fixed and
could
be reproduced to any extent, and the copies could be compared and discussed
at leisure.
M. W. B.
transactions and periodicals.
DYNAMITE AND GRISOUTITE.
Note sur de Nouvelles Experiences faites sur la Grisoutite. By E. Braive.
Revue Universelle des Mines, etc., 1889, Vol. v., pp. 67-86.
The following experiments have been made at Schlebeisch, with grisoutite,
with
the apparatus as described in Vol. xxxviii., Abstracts, p. 26, of the
Transactions
of the North of England Institute of Mining and Mechanical Engineers :—
I, 2, 3.—Experiments were made in the absence of gas and dust. Dynamite
(2-65 ounces), gelatine dynamite (2*65 ounces), and grisoutite (7'95 ounces)
were
fired. In the first and second explosions flames were distinctly seen. No
flame
was seen with grisoutite, only a white cloud and water vapour.
4. —Dynamite: two cartridges (5'30 ounces); dry and finely screened
coal-dust
from Agrappe (4*41 pounds), no gas. Result, flames without explosion.
5. —Dynamite: 2*65 ounces enclosed in 4'41 pounds of coal-dust from Agrappe;
8 per cent, of gas; temperature, 73 degs. Fahr. Result, explosion of gas
rather than
coal-dust.
6. —Dynamite: 5*30 ounces with 4*41 pounds of dust from a New-Iseiiohn;
8 per cent, of gas; temperature, 86 degs. Fahr. Result, much more violent
explosion;
flames 13 feet high.
7. — Grisoutite: 8*82 ounces with about 4*41 pounds of the same dust as used
in
No. 6 ; 8 per cent, of gas ; temperature, 86 degs. Fahr. Result, neither
flame nor
explosion.
8. —Dynamite: 5*30 ounces; 4'41 pounds of dust from Boule; 12 per cent, of
gas ; temperature, 86 degs. Fahr. Result, very violent explosion, flames
many feet
high and burning for some seconds at the orifice of the cylinder; many
buttons and
crusts of coke in the interior of the apparatus.
Grisoutite: 8*82 ounces; 12 per cent, of gas; temperature, 84 degs. Fahr;
coal-dust from Boule. Result, neither flame nor explosion.
10.—Dynamite: 8*82 ounces; 4 per cent, of gas; Boule dust; temperature, 86
degs. Fahr. Result, long flames, heavy explosion.
II. — Grisoutite: 8*82 ounces; 16 per cent, of gas; Boule dust; temperature,
86 degs. Fahr. Result, no explosion and no flame.
12. —Dynamite: 5*30 ounces; 12 per cent, of gas; Agrappe dust; temperature,
84 degs. Fahr. Result, very sharp explosion, very high flames, the
sheet-iron
cylinder destroyed.
13. — Grisoutite: 8*82 ounces; 12 per cent, of gas; Agrappe dust;
temperature,
93 degs. Fahr. Result, explosion.
14. — Grisoutite: 8*82 ounces ; 12 per cent, of gas ; Agrappe dust;
temperature,
86 degs. Fahr. Result, neither flame nor explosion.
15. — Grisoutite: same conditions as the preceding, with similar result.
16. — Grisoutite: the same.
17. — Grisoutite: same conditions, except temperature, 95 degs. Fahr.
Result,
explosion.
18. — Grisoutite: 8*82 ounces; 4*41 pounds of Agrappe dust; temperature, 95
degs. Fahr. A stemming of about 4*8 inches of crystallized salt was placed
above
the cartridge in the hole, and the dust was spread in the ordinary manner.
Result,
neither flame nor explosion.
19. — Grisoutite: same conditions as above, with same result.
20. — Grisoutite: modified with extra salt; 7*05 ounces ; Agrappe dust; 12
per
cent, of gas ; temperature, 95 degs. Fahr. Result, neither flame nor
explosion.
21. — Grisoutite: with extra salt; same conditions as above, with same
result.
22. — Grisoutite: the same.
Grisoutite has been tried in the mine for blasting coal and stone. It is
very
suitable for coal, as it does not break it small, and is similar, if not
superior, to
powder in its effects. In ordinary stone, grisoutite has sufficient effect
in a hole
•90 inch diameter. Its power is said to be double that of compressed
powder.
M. W.' B.
NOTES ON PETRAGITE,
Mitteilungen uber den neuen Sprengstojf "Petragit" By Dr. Muck. Gluckauf.
1889, Vol. xxv., pp. 433-435.
The new explosive, petragite, is prepared as follows:—A quantity of
specially
prepared molasses is nitrified by the admixture of sulphuric and nitric
acids in the
same proportions as are used in the preparation of nitro-glycerine. The
nitrated
142 notes of papers in foreign
molasses are then washed, first in cold and then in warm water (with a
little
ammonia) to remove any free acid. The water is easily poured off and a
quantity
of wood-dust or powdered wood added, containing 52 per cent, of nitre. This
mixture, when thoroughly dried, is petragite, containing equal quantities of
nitrated
oil of molasses and wood-dust.
The following advantages are claimed for petragite as compared with
dynamite:—
(1) it does not freeze ; (2) its production is absolutely safe ; (3) it is
cheaper and
equally effective; and (4) it is unaffected by concussions or by contact
between metals.
Compared with roburite and other explosives free from nitro-glycerine (1) it
is
much cheaper ; (2) it keeps better, being free from hygroscopic substances;
and (3)
it is more homogeneous, containing only one kind of solid matter.
It is found in practice to act with good effect in coal and rock, exploding
with
less shock than dynamite, and with a quieter action, more like gunpowder. No
appearance of flame was noticed after the shots were fired, and the gases
given
off were non-injurious. A. N.
THE BOILERS EXPLOSION AT FRIEDENSHUTTE.
Une Explosion de 22 Chaudieres a Vapeur aux hants Fourneaux de
Friedenshiitte
(Haute-Silesie.') By — Olroy. 1889, Series 8, Vol. xv., pp. 5-60 and
Plate V.
This accident has been already described in the Transactions of the North of
England Institute of Mining and Mechanical Engineers, Vol. xxxviii.,
Abstracts,
p. 25. Full details are given of the accident.
The Silesian Boiler Inspection Association state that the bad quality of the
plates
of the twenty oldest boilers, which singularly facilitated the rents from
rivet to rivet,
was the preponderating cause of the extent of the disaster. Such defective
material
was wholly unsuitable for a batttery of boilers working twenty-four hours
daily for
many years. They think that boilers Nos. 4 and 15 were destroyed by steam
pressure, that No. 6 failed under the effects of an explosion of flue gases
and steam
pressure, and that the remainder have been thrown and displaced by the
external
action of the explosion of flue gases and by lateral shocks from the
adjacent boilers.
The Silesian Branch of the German Society of Engineers attribute the
explosion
to the bad quality of the plates, and consider that the determinate cause
was want
of water.
The German Society of Metallurgists consider that one of the boilers may
have
exploded first owing to the bad rivets, plates, want of water, etc., and to
have caused
the destruction of the others in succession by the fracture of the main
steam-pipe.
They declare that the explosion should not be attributed to the flue gases.
The General Committee of the Prussian Boiler Inspection Associations are of
opinion that by an unhappy combination of circumstances an explosive mixture
of
flue gases and air was formed in the flues and became suddenly ignited. The
explosion of gases produced local fractures, etc., in the boilers, which
(owing to their
length, their mode of construction, and the bad quality of the plates) were
readily
extended, and finally the boilers themselves exploded.
Mr. Olroy is of opinion that the catastrophe must not be attributed to
external
action upon the boilers, that is by the explosion of a mixture of flue gases
and air
accumulated in the flues. It was probably due to the bad condition of the
boilers,
constructed of inferior plates and want of proper repairs, and the explosion
of one
boiler would successively cause the destruction or displacement of all the
others,
owing to lateral shocks and the sharp fall of pressure in their interior.
M. W. B.
THE VERPILLEUX COLLIERY EXPLOSION (ST. ETIENNE).
Le Catastrophe du Puits Verpilleux, a Saint-Etienne. Le Genie Civil,
1889,
Vol. xv., pp. 219, 325.
IS Explosion de Grisou du Puits Verpilleux. By A. Evrard. Le Genie
Civil,
Vol. xv., pp. 264-268, and three figures.
No. 13 Seam, 15 feet thick, was being worked at a depth of about 1,300 feet
by
longwall in two sections of about 7^ feet, the goaf being carefully packed
with
material sent down from bank as required.
transactions and periodicals. 143
The explosion occurred about 11-50 a.m. on July 3, 1889, in either No. 5 or
6
district at the face. The flames, hot gases, irrespirable gases, and air
driven by the
expansion had extended in three principal directions—to the downcast pit and
to
the two upcast pits. Fires were found at several points.
Charred coal and crusts of coke were found on the timber in Nos. 5 and 6
districts, and attained a maximum, at a certain radius beyond which it
gradually
decreased in all directions.
Notwithstanding the fact that the Jabin Pit explosion of some years ago was
and is attributed to coal-dust, the cause of this explosion is attributed to
fire-damp.
It is thought that the gas came off very rapidly, and fouled a large and
rapid
current of air. This sudden issue is attributed to a slipping of the rocks
and coal
on a line of fault.
An earthquake occurred at 3 a.m. of the same day near the colliery and in
the
Pyrenees, and may have caused the slip.
It is difficult to define the mode of ignition, but it could not be an
opened lamp
as they are locked electrically. Matches had been found on workmen before
the
accident, and it is suggested that some may have fired spontaneously or from
a
blow. All the Marsaut lamps were found to be perfect after the accident. It
is
not considered probable that the gas was ignited from the spark of a pick.
M. W. B.
THE CARBONIFEROUS CONGLOMERATE OF MONS.
Le poudingue houiller (2eme notice). By J. Faly. Annates de la Soe.
Geoloq. de
Belgique, 1885-86, Vol. xiii. Memoires, pp. 183-196.
A detailed account is given of the occurrence of a Lower Carboniferous con-
glomerate in the Mons coal-field. Above this conglomerate there are 000 to
700 feet
feet of beds (sandstones and shales) either barren of coal or containing
only
unworkable seams, and above these again are the Coal-measures proper.
O. S. E.
NOTES.ON THE TOPOGRAPHY AND GEOLOGY OF THE CERRO DE
PASCO, PERU.
By A. D. Hodges, Jun., M.E., Boston, Mass. Transactions of the American
Institute of Mining Engineers, 1887-88, Vol. xri., pp. 729-752. Three maps
and one section.
A description of the geology, topography, climate, and industrial resources
of
the region.
The mining district of Peru is described as a belt of mountainous country
running nearly the entire length of the Republic. It comprises the two
ranges of
the Andes, and the high table-lands between them.
To the east of this belt are the plains and valleys of the Amazon and its
tributaries ; to the west a narrow strip of coast from 20*to 50 miles broad.
In this
latter district are found salt, petroleum, enormous quantities of nitrate of
soda,
silver in a few localities, copper, and other minerals.
The mining belt has an average elevation of 15,000 to 16,000 feet, It
contains
valuable mineral deposits in all parts. Gold, silver, quicksilver, lead, and
copper
are found ; salt and coal occur in many places ; iron is also said to exist.
The Cerro de Pasco—the portion of the district specially described in the
paper
—lies to the north of Lake Junin or Chinchaicocha. This latter lies in a
plateau
encircled by the Cordilleras of the Andes, which unite to form the Knot of
Pasco
(JNudo de Pasco').
At the extreme north of the plateau an irregular circle of hills forms the
basin
of the Cerro. It is a series of small terraced plains, with a low central
ridge, on
which the town and the greater number of the mines are located. This central
ridge is about \\ miles long, f mile broad, and is the " Cerro de Pasco/'
The town is situated on the backbone and eastern slope of the ridge, while a
series of immense quarries, or open cuts, called Tagos, or Tagos abiertos,
occupy the
western slope.
144 NOTES OF PAPERS IN FOREIGN
Mines have been worked over all parts of the ridge; many of the openings of
the
same occur in the yards and streets of the town.
The altitude of the town is some 14,000 feet above the sea ; the population
is
from 7,000 to 8,000.
A railway running to Sachafamilia, 7 miles distant, connects the mines with
various amalgamating works to the south.
The social accommodations and mining appliances are described as rough and
primitive for the most part Mining operations carried on unsystematically
for
250 years have resulted in the formation of the immense open cuts or tajos
by the
caving of the mines. These passing into and through the town limits have
destroyed
many buildings and threaten others.
As to the climate of the Cerro, its reputed terrible nature is said to be
unfounded. No extremes of heat or cold occur, and from August, 1886, to
March,
1887, the temperature ranged from 28 degs. to 64 degs. Fahr. Lowest point
recorded 10 degs. Fahr. during night.
July, August, and September are the coldest, and from December to March the
warmest months. Hailstorms, snow, and rain are liable to occur any time, and
especially during certain seasons. It is exceptional, however, to have more
than
2 inches of snow on the ground, or more than a mere skin of ice on the
pools, and
both disappear quickly under the sun.
Rains are prevalent from November to March.
The air is tonic and bracing, but owing to its thinness new-comers are
subject to
shortness of breath. There is very little wind.
Finally, it is concluded that the climate of Cerro is unusually wholesome
for
those with proper conveniences of life, but is trying to some constitutions.
At distances of from 8 to 10 miles, in almost any direction, a soft and
pleasant
climate can be reached by descending one of the steep ravines.
The climate is too cold for agricultural crops, but plenty of grass for
sheep and
cattle is produced.
The estimated grinding capacity of all the amalgamating works (haciendos) in
the vicinity of the Cerro is 185,000 tons yearly. Many of these, however,
are seldom
or never used, and some are falling into ruins.
The rocks of the mining belt are of Jurassic and Cretaceous age.
In and around the basin of the Cerro, limestone conglomerates, limestones,
andesites, slates, sandstones, and the argentiferous formation are found.
The limestone conglomerate caps the hills forming the western boundary of
the
basin ; the limestones form the hills on the north and east, and partly on
south.
Veins, some of which have been worked, occur in the limestone.
Next the limestones come nearly vertical slates, and then eruptive masses
and
dykes of andesite containing fragments of sedimentary rocks. These latter
are
frequently much altered in the neighbourhood of the igneous rocks.
The argentiferous formation occurs between the limestones on the east and
the
andesite on the west. It forms the surface of the central ridge on which the
town
is built. The same has long been a geological puzzle. For convenience it is
divided into (1) surface deposits, or ground above the water-level; and (2)
deep
deposits, or ground below the same.
(1) Consists of a highly metamorphosed and greatly oxidized material of
constantly varying structure, colour, and composition. Over a large portion
of the
town ridge.it is a hard, compact, reddish or brownish, and very quartzose
cap of
varying thickness.
Below this the formation is softer and more decomposed ; sometimes of frag-
ments of all sizes, loose or cemented together.
It is of all degrees of hardness and structure : earthy masses, soft clays,
sugary
sands, hard grey quartzite, porous matter like scoria, and rotten slate
occur in a
confused mixture. The smaller fragments are often arranged so as to present
a
slaty appearance. It is always very siliceous, and everywhere contains at
least
traces of silver.
Decomposition does not always proceed gradually from the surface downwards ;
very hard and very soft rocks often adjoin.
In some parts the silver is uniformly distributed, and in others in pockets.
The
metal is rarely visible, even with a glass, and when it is it occurs in
native scales
associated with quartz.
The following is an analysis of the surface ore ;—
transactions and periodicals. 145
Per Cent.
Silica.................. 72-00
Alumina ......... ... ... 6*50
Iron peroxide ............ 13*50
Iron protoxide ............ 0*50
Iron sulphide ............ 2*00
Lead carbonate ......... ... 1*25
Lime (and magnesia) carbonate...... 1*50
Manganese peroxide ... ... ... 0\55
Zinc (combination undetermined) ... 0*40
Copper ............... 0*05
Arsenic ............... trace
Antimony............... 0*25
Sulphur ............... 0*30
Silver ......... from traces upwards.
Below the water-level the rocks are very much less altered, but still
metamor-
phosed to a considerable extent. Sulphides of silver, copper, and iron are
common
to both divisions and to the veins in the limestone.
The following is an analysis of a hard pyritic ore from the deeper deposits
:—
.rer uent.
Silica, etc................ 40-05
Iron.................. 26-63
Copper ... ............ 2-73
Nickel ............... trace
Silver ............... 0*13
Sulphur ............... 26*55
Antimony............... 2*40
Arsenic ............... trace
Moisture ............... 0*95
99-44
Gold occurs in the merest traces, and thallium has been detected in the
bullion.
The argentiferous deposit is considered to be in part metamorphosed
sandstone,
and in part altered clay slate and limestone. The original strata having
been
repeatedly tilted and altered by ejections of siliceous and metalliferous
matter
from below accompanying the eruptions of andesite have produced the existing
formation. G. W. B.
NOTES ON THE GEOLOGY OF THE DE KAAP TRANSVAAL GOLD-
FIELDS.
By W. H. FURLONGS. The Engineering and Mining Journal {New York), 1890,
Vol. xlix.,pp. 287-291. One figure and one plan.
This paper contains a geological description ot the disti ict as a whole.
White or light red granite covers an extensive area, and is sometimes found
decomposed to considerable depths. Taking the large granite area upon the
south-
eastern edge of which Barberton is built, as a centre, the auriferous
deposits are
found on three sides among the hills. The rocks of these hills are highly
inclined,
with a strike tangential to the edge of the granite basin, and dipping away
from it at
angles varying from 60 degs. to 90 degs.
The northern hills are composed of a narrow belt of schistose rocks; on the
west
those rocks are true schists, talcose, hornblendic, and chloritic ; on the
east they are
argillaceous, and become true shales ; on the south are, as a whole, shales,
usually
argillaceous, and sometimes hornblendic and chloritic.
Beds of sandstone and conglomerate are found on the south side.
Dioritic dykes are found, frequently decomposed into an unctuous red clay at
the surface.
A most remarkable feature is the absence of lime and the large preponderance
of silica, generally as quartz, found in and among the shales and schists,
and pene-
trating the crevices, cracks, and pores of the eruptive rocks.
Many of these quartz deposits are auriferous, of irregular and roughly
lenticular
shape, found laying at intervals along the axis of their strike.
146 NOTES OF PAPERS IN FOREIGN
The other deposits of auriferous quartz take the form of veins, which extend
for
considerable distances along the line of strike.
Both these deposits are found continuous for the limited depths attained up
to
the present time. The associated minerals are all sulphides, and consist
usually of
pyrite or pyrrhotite, rarely of chalcopyrite and arsenopyrite. Galenite has
been
found in a few places, and sphalerite never.
These sulphides often contain 5 ounces of gold per ton ; 30 to 50 ounces are
not
uncommon, and 760 ounces have been found in one sample.
Many argillaceous beds contain payable amounts of gold ; the beds of conglo-
merate are frequently impregnated with pyrite, and with gold up to one ounce
per
ton. M. W. B.
THE GOLD-MINES OF OURO PRETO (BRAZIL).
Ouro Preto et les mines (VOr (BresU). By Paul FerrAnd. Le Genie Civil,
1890, Vol. xm.t pp. 285-288, 303, 304, 325-327, 338-340, 355-357, 374-376,
389-390, 421-423, and 22 figures; Vol. ccvil, pp. 8-10, 21-23.
Historical.—In 1572 the existence of gold was rumoured in Ouro Preto, and
proof was found in 1693. Mines were opened in various parts of the district.
The
miners, chiefly slaves, increased to 80,000 about 1750, but decreased to
6,000 in 1820.
Their objection to mining, the heavy imposts and taxes, gradually reduced
the
mining to its minimum.
At present only six companies are working: Saint John del Rey Mining Co.
(Morro Velho and Cuiaba mines), Santa Barbara Mining Co. (Pari mines),
Pitangui
Mining Co., Dom Pedro North del Rey Mining Co. (Machine), Ouro Preto Mining
Co. (Passagem, Raposos, Espirito Santo, and Borges mines), and Society des
Mines
d'Or de Faria.
Geology.—The rocks are distinguished in order of superposition as under :—
I.—Gneiss, mica-schists.
II.—Micaceous schists, schistose quartzites, argillaceous schists, "
itabirites."
III.—Compact quartzites, sandstones.
The itabirites are a mixture of schistose quartz and specular iron ore.
The gold ores are found in veins and alluvial deposits.
The veins are either quartz with auriferous pyrites, or auriferous quartz.
The
pyrites veins are only found in the lower rocks, following the lines of
stratification
forming bed veins. The quartz veins are found at various horizons in the
rocks.
In the argillaceous schists a series of parallel veins are usually found,
and the schists
are impregnated with gold for limited distances.
In the friable itabirites, jacotingas, which are traversed by quartz veins,
there
are impregnations of gold to such distances that they are frequently taken
for
distinct deposits from the veins with which they are intimately connected.
The alluvial deposits are found in the valleys, and were formerly
extensively
worked.
Mining.—The methods and tools used in the working of the alluvium deposits
of the river beds, edges, and surface deposits, and friable and decomposed
rocks, are
fully described and illustrated. M. W. B.
GOLD-WASHING AND DREDGING IN NEW ZEALAND.
Engineering and Mining Journal, 1890, Vol. I., p. 510.
Between the rocky bluffs, on the west and south coasts of the Middle Island,
are
low beaches consisting of the disintegrated bluff, the nearer the bluff the
coarser the
material, and on the west coast this is mixed with a quantity of drift wood.
The gold is found in layers of black titanic iron sand, inclining from the
sea at
an angle of 30 degs., or varying according to the depth of the wave that
caused
withdrawal of the lighter sand.
Numbers of men (hutters) are employed on these beaches (beach-combing). A
high wind causes the sea to make a high beach of sand and stone, and
succeeding
tides gradually wash down the lighter particles, leaving the gold or part of
it mixed
with the heavier sand.
The beach-comber uses a box about 4 feet long and 2 feet wide, with an
amalga-
mated copper plate at one end, and a trough, 4 feet by 2 feet by 2 feet,
with handles
TRANSACTIONS AND PERIODICALS. I47
at one end and a barrow wheel at the other. He wheels his plant from patch
to
patch, and ascertains the payable ground with a long-handled shovel.
The trpugh is placed at right angles to the box, with the copper plate
resting on
the edge of the trough, and the box is inclined to the trough at an angle of
1 in 6.
Another box, holding about 3 cubic feet of sand, is placed at the upper end,
forming
a hopper wherein the material is to be treated. The trough is half-filled
with sea
water, then the water is lifted from the trough to the hopper, and carries
back part
of the wash in its descent. When all the wash is out of the hopper the
tailings are
shovelled out of the trough, and the operation renewed. A large proportion
of the
gold is thus saved on a flat 2 feet square.
Dredging was introduced in the year 1887 by Mr. B. Smith. He used a Ball
centrifugal pump, three-bladed, 20 inches diameter, with suction end
enlarged to
double area. This was placed on a pontoon 10 feet by 30 feet, and 3£ feet
deep.
The pump was driven by a compound engine with two cylinders, 5 inches and 9
inches
diameter and 14 inches stroke. A vertical boiler was used, 5 feet by 2^
feet, with
twelve 3-inches tubes. The pontoon was fitted with a crane, fitted with a
Wild grab,
to lift large stones and drift wood.
Mr. Wellman uses a centrifugal pump, and does not enlarge the suction end,
but
places a loose sleeve outside the suction, with an opening equal to the area
of the
suction between the pipes. This machine is doing very good work.
The beachers usually have a lagoon or creek in close proximity to the beach,
where the dredgers get water; in other cases the water is led into ditches.
Bucket and ladder dredges have been tried, without financial success, on
beaches.
In rivers, buckets and ladders have been more successful, being driven by
side
wheels, by the river current, thus saving fuel and attendance.
The deposits have a short existence although some have yielded prodigiously
for
a few months. M. W. B.
THE AMBER INDUSTRY IN EAST PRUSSIA.
Bernstein mid Bernstein-Gewinnung. Dr. Richard Klebs. Zur Guten Stunde,
Vol. t\, No. 19.
At the beginning of the Eocene period thick forests of a gigantic species of
fir
tree, the Pinites succinifer, covered the north-east provinces of Germany
and the
southern bed of the Baltic, then dry. Their rosin has been preserved in the
form of
amber in a stratum of so-called " blue earth," consisting of the soil in
which the
forest grew, mixed with the detritus of the succeeding glacial period. At a
some-
what later epoch similar trees grew here and there in the forests, which
produced
the brown coal-seams, and in these latter also amber occurs in small
quantities.
The peninsula of Samland, near Konigsberg, was a part of the Tertiary or
Eocene
formation which escaped the devastation of the glacial epoch, and is the
home of
amber. The erosive action of the waters of the Baltic has partly laid bare
the blue
earth, and the coast between Danzig and Memel has been for centuries the
seat of
the amber industry.
In times past amber was fished from the sea. Its specific gravity being
small,
lumps of it, entangled in floating seaweed, were washed on shore by the
north and
north-west storms, and the right of fishing for it with a kind of shrimping
net from
boats was let to the different villages on the coast.
About twenty years ago the Konigsberg firm of Messrs. Stantien & Becker, in
whose
hands almost the whole industry now lies, successfully employed divers to
search the
sea-bed further from the shore. The principal seats of these operations were
the
villages of Bruesterort and Palmnicken, the blue earth near the latter
places form-
ing a bank 16J feet thick, in about 8 fathoms of water, and at from half a
mile to a
mile from the shore. After a time the loose pieces of amber were nearly all
gathered and the diving was discontinued, but the same firm continued to win
amber from the sea-bed in the Kurische Haff, and at a place further north,
near the
village of Schwarzort, by dredging. The bottom of the Haff was dredged to a
depth of about 33 feet, at first with good results, but here also the supply
in time
became exhausted.
In 1872, Messrs. Stantien & Becker began mining operations at Palmnicken,
and
were the first in successfully working the blue earth underground.
Previously
attempted sinkings had been frustrated by the large quantities of water met
with in
the overlying strata of sand and glacial debris.
148 NOTES OF PAPERS IN FOREIGN
At an earlier date the blue earth was reached by quarrying, and the 22
fathoms
of overlying strata were, at great expense, dug out and thrown into the sea.
One
of these quarries was now turned to good account. A drift was cut in the
blue
earth to a point below the intended shaft, and the water met with in sinking
was
let off downwards, through it, and into the quarry, to be there pumped out.
On the
shaft being finished, and the water in the sand stratum dammed back, the
drift
became unnecessary and was closed. The mine was then worked in the ordinary
manner, and it now has passages of a total length of some 150 miles. In the
year
1890 it employed 1,550 workmen and 100 officials, with engines of 1,300
horse-
power, using about 1,200 tons of coal. The annual output was 117,000 cubic
yards
of blue earth, yielding 200 tons of amber, worth about £90,000.
The blue earth is mined and sent to bank very much as coal is worked. The
larger pieces of amber are picked out at the face and collected in bags, at
bank the
earth is teemed into a large tank and softened with jets of water, and the
mass thus
dissolved is run off in long perforated troughs. The sandy earth falls
through the
holes in the trough and the lighter amber remains on the surface and is
picked out
with spoon-shaped nets.
The amber collected from the troughs and at the face is put into revolving
barrels and washed with water and sand until its coating of earth is
removed. It is
then sent to the sorting hall in Konigsberg, and, according to size, shape,
quality,
etc., is divided for the market into nearly 100 different varieties, the
shades of
colouring being very varied, and variously appreciated in different
countries. In
general, the flat pieces are manufactured into articles for smoking, the
round pieces
into beads and other ornaments, and the smaller pieces are used for the
preparation
of varnish. In the year 1890 these three classes of manufactured articles
represented
values of about £108,000, £7,750, and £9,500 respectively. A. R. L.
FIRELESS MINE LOCOMOTIVE.
Sur VApplication de la Locomotive a vapeur sans Foyer au Transport des
Wagons
dans Vlnterieur des Mines de Cliarbon. By Camille Rolland. Revue
Universclle des mines, etc., 1889, Vol. viii., pp. 229-238, and Plate 10.
The locomotive consists of a receiver containing water heated to 400 degs.
Fahr.,
corresponding to a pressure of about 16 atmospheres ; the heating of the
water being
affected by steam from boilers upon the surface. The receiver has a capacity
of
about 20 cubic feet, which allows of a journey of 2 to 2£ miles. The sides
frames
are-1 shaped iron plates, fitted with round buffer end plates.
There are two pairs of driving wheels, which are coupled together and to the
crank shaft. There are two cylinders placed between the I frames, and
vertically
over the internal cranked shaft. The driver's cab is convenient.
It is 6 horse-power at a speed of 400 feet per minute, that of a horse being
from
150 to 200 feet per minute. It weighs about 6,500 lbs., in working
condition.
All the mechanism can be readily examined and repaired, being placed
externally.
It is not more than 32£ inches wide, for a 24-inches gauge, and the length
about
10 feet. The exhaust is made at either end, at the will of the driver.
From 50 to 60 lbs. of steam are exhausted per mile, and aids in laying dust.
The heat given off is less than that of the equivalent (6) number of horses
and
drivers which it can replace.
In case of derailment, owing to its lightness, one man with proper tools can
replace it.
The cylinders are 4£ inches diameter, and 7 inches stroke. The wheels are
17f
inches diameter, and the axles 39£ inches apart. The maximum pressure of
steam
is 100 lbs. per square inch, and a maximum pressure of 1,660 lbs. upon each
piston.
The first cost of a plant for a length of 1,970 feet at a depth of 1,970
feet is :—
Two locomotives, one in reserve ... ... ......... £350 0 0
Boiler with 350 square feet of heating surface and fittings ... 83 0
0
Pipes, 2 inches diameter, for 1,970 feet............ 75 0 0
Covering of pipes..................... 75 0 0
Water-pipe......... ............... 42 0 0
Contingencies ..................... 25 0 0
£650 0 0
TRANSACTIONS AND PERIODICALS. 149
The cost of transport for 1,970 feet will be:—
Two enginemen at 2s. lid. for 300 days............ £87 10 0
Coal........................... 21 0 0
Oil, etc......................... 6 10 0
Maintenance and repairs ... ... ... ......
... 25 0 0
Interest and redemption of capital, 10 per cent. ... ... 65 0 0
£205 0 ~0
The same work by horses would cost:—
Feeding six horses, repairs to harness, redemption, 365 days
at 2s. 6d...................... £273 15 0
Five drivers, 300 days at Is. 8d................ 125 0 0
Two horse-keepers, 365 days at Is. 8d............. 60 16 8
£459 11 8
The saving being about £40 per animal replaced.
For a distance of 3,280 feet, requiring 10 horses, the cost would be :—
Ten horses, 365 days at 2s. 6d................ £456 5 0
Eight drivers, 300 days at Is. 8d. ............ 200 0 0
Two horse-keepers, 365 days at 2s. Id............. 76 0 10
£732 5 10
The two locomotives being still sufficient for the work, and allowing that
the cost
may be £220, there is a saving of at least £50 per horse replaced.
M. W. B.
TRANSMISSION OF POWER THROUGH A BOREHOLE.
By WM. Hall. The Colliery Engineer {U.S.), 1889, Vol. ix., p. 173.
The north slope in the Spring Hill Colliery (Nova Scotia) will ultimately be
driven for a distance of 2,050 feet, dipping about 18 inches per yard ; at
present it
has been driven about 800 feet.
A borehole 4 inches in diameter has been put down from the surface to a
depth
of about 600 feet, cutting the line of the north slope, at about 1,300 feet
from the
top. An engine and boiler are placed near the hole, and a rope is taken down
the
borehole, which will be used to haul the coals from the dip in extending the
north
slope, in advance, for a further distance of 750 feet. The coals from these
workings
is conveyed temporarily to the surface, through a level drift to the west
slope (at
the aforenamed depth of 600 feet), through which it is hoisted to the
surface.
M. W. B.
IRON IN MEXICO.
By Richard E. Chism. The Engineering and Mining Journal (JYew York),
Vol. xlvi., 1888, pp. 391-392.
The total production of iron in Mexico may be estimated as under :—
Tons.
Durango ............ 7,200
Hidalgo ............ 5,000
Jalisco ............ 600
Oaxaca ............ 450
Guerrero ............ 200
Other provinces ......... 100
13,550
About 4,500 tons are sold as castings and the remainder is wrought into bars
for
smiths' use.
The most important deposit of ore is the " Iron Mountain," near the city of
Durango. It is an immense hill, 1 mile long, £ mile wide, and rising at the
highest
points to 450 or 650 feet above the surrounding plain. The ore in situ is
estimated
at 250,000,000 tons, and is all oxides, yielding about 50 per cent, of iron
in the blast
furnace, and is reasonably free from phosphorus and sulphur,
150 notes of foreign papers.
The next deposit of ore in importance is that of Zimapan, in the state of
Hidalgo.
These ores are chiefly magnetic oxides, with 30 to 80 per cent, of iron, and
very low
in sulphur and phosphorus. There are six blast furnaces, four of which are
in
operation. The ore is worked open-cast at a cost of about 2s. per ton.
In the state of Jalisco, the chief ores found are haematites, with an
average of
65 per cent, of iron. There are two blast furnaces. The fuel used is
charcoal,
costing about 20s. per ton ; mining costs from 2s. to 3s. per ton.
In the state of Oaxaca extensive deposits of haematite and magnetite are
worked
in several places.
Other deposits of ore are found, of haematite near Salome Botello Station,
on the
National Railroad, about 80 miles south of Laredo, in Texas ; near Monclova,
on
the International Railroad, about 50 miles west of the last-mentioned
deposit; in
the cantons of Matamoros, Galeana, and Jimenez, in Chihuahua; in the
district of
Leon, in the state of Guanajuato ; and near the city of Culiacan, in the
state of
Sinaloa. M. W. B.
RULES FOR VALUATION OF IRON ORES.
By S. B. patterson. Engineering and Mining Journal (Neiv York), 1889, Vol.
xlviii., p. 201.
Rules for determining the relative values of iron ores containing the
ordinary
constituents:—
1. —Metallic Iron.—
O) Base, less than 40 per cent, per unit iron.
40 per cent, to 44 per cent., inclusive, add 4 cent per unit.
45 „ 49 „ ,, J m
50 „ 54 „ „ f n
55 59 1 ,,
60 „ 64 „ „ 1^ cents per unit.
65 „ and upwards, add 1J cents per unit.
No fractions of 1 per cent, to be counted.
(#) Taking unroasted magnetites as 100; calculate red haematites as 110;
and brown haematites as 115.
2. —Phosphorus.—Deduct for passing Bessemer limit 25 cents per ton, and 1
cent
per ton additional for every one-hundredth of 1 per cent.
3#—Sulphur.—Deduct 1 cent for every 2 one-hundredths of 1 per cent.
i—Silica.—Offset by bases in following ratio:—
Lime.—1 per cent, offsets 1 per cent, silica.
Magnesia.—1 per cent, offsets l£ per cent, silica.
For excess of silica above bases, as above calculated, deduct 5 cents for
every 1 per cent.
5#—Alumina.—In doubt as to its position.
6.—Fine Ore.—Proportion of fine ore to coarse ore has, in some cases, a
bearing
on the relative values. M. W. B.
LATERAL EFFECTS OF FALLS IN MINES.
La Propogation laterale des Mouvements d'Effondrement dans les Mines. By —
Villot. Annates des Mines, 1889, Series 8, Vol. %vi.> pp. 421-426, and
Figure 3, Plate X.
In this case, heavy falls, produced by the robbing and removal of pillars 33
feet
square, in a 7-foot seam of coal, lying at a depth of 1,060 feet, were felt,
and damage
caused to houses, etc., in villages situated at distances of 2,600 yards,
3,500 yards,
4,000 yards, and 7,900 yards, situated on coal-measures. No effects were
produced
at distances of 3,000 yards and 3,700 where the villages were situated on
older rocks
forming the margins of the coal-field or basin. M. W. B.
transactions and periodicals.
at one end and a barrow wheel at the other. He wheels his plant from patch
to
patch, and ascertains the payable ground with a long-handled shovel.
The trough is placed at right angles to the box, with the copper plate
resting on
the edge of the trough, and the box is inclined to the trough at an angle of
1 in 6.
Another box, holding about 3 cubic feet of sand, is placed at the upper end,
forming
a hopper wherein the material is to be treated. The trough is half-filled
with sea
water, then the water is lifted from the trough to the hopper, and carries
back part
of the wash in its descent. When all the wash is out of the hopper the
tailings are
shovelled out of the trough, and the operation renewed. A large proportion
of the
gold is thus saved on a flat 2 feet square.
Dredging was introduced in the year 1887 by Mr. B, Smith. He used a Ball
centrifugal pump, three-bladed, 20 inches diameter, with suction end
enlarged to
double area. This was placed on a pontoon 10 feet by 30 feet, and 3$ feet
deep.
The pump was driven by a compound engine with two cylinders, 5 inches and 9
inches
diameter and 14 inches stroke. A vertical boiler was used, 5 feet by 2^
feet, with
twelve 3-inches tubes. The pontoon was fitted with a crane, fitted with a
Wild grab,
to lift large stones and drift wood.
Mr. Wellman uses a centrifugal pump, and does not enlarge the suction end,
but
places a loose sleeve outside the suction, with an opening equal to the area
of the
suction between the pipes. This machine is doing very good work.
The beachers usually have a lagoon or creek in close proximity to the beach,
where the dredgers get water; in other cases the water is led into ditches.
Bucket and ladder dredges have been tried, without financial success, on
beaches.
In rivers, buckets and ladders have been more successful, being driven by
side
wheels, by the river current, thus saving fuel and attendance.
The deposits have a short existence although some have yielded prodigiously
for
a few months. M. W. B.
THE AMBER INDUSTRY IN EAST PRUSSIA.
Bernstein und Bernstein-Gewinnung. Dr. Richard Klebs. Zur Guten Stunde.
Vol. v., No. 19.
At the beginning of the Eocene period thick forests of a gigantic species of
fir
tree, the Pinites succinifcr, covered the north-east provinces of Germany
and the
southern bed of the Baltic, then dry. Their rosin has been preserved in the
form of
amber in a stratum of so-called " blue earth," consisting of the soil in
which the
forest grew, mixed with the detritus of the succeeding glacial period. At a
some-
what later epoch similar trees grew here and there in the forests, which
produced
the brown coal-seams, and in these latter also amber occurs in small
quantities.
The peninsula of Samland, near Konigsberg, was a part of the Tertiary or
Eocene
formation which escaped the devastation of the glacial epoch, and is the
home of
amber. The erosive action of the waters of the Baltic has partly laid bare
the blue
earth, and the coast between Danzig and Memel has been for centuries the
seat of
the amber industry.
In times past amber was fished from the sea. Its specific gravity being
small,
lumps of it, entangled in floating seaweed, were washed on shore by the
north and
north-west storms, and the right of fishing for it with a kind of shrimping
net from
boats was let to the different villages on the coast.
About twenty years ago the Konigsberg firm of Messrs. Stantien & Becker, in
whose
hands almost the whole industry now lies, successfully employed divers to
search the
sea-bed further from the shore. The principal seats of these operations were
the
villages of Bruesterort and Palmnicken, the blue earth near the latter
places form-
ing a bank 16J feet thick, in about 8 fathoms of water, and at from half a
mile to a
mile from the shore. After a time the loose pieces of amber were nearly all
gathered and the diving was discontinued, but the same firm continued to win
amber from the sea-bed in the Kurische Haff, and at a place further north,
near the
village of Schwarzort, by dredging. The bottom of the Haff was dredged to a
depth of about 33 feet, at first with good results, but here also the supply
in time
became exhausted.
In 1872, Messrs. Stantien & Becker began mining operations at Palmnicken,
and
were the first in successfully working the blue earth underground.
Previously
attempted sinkings had been frustrated by the large quantities of water met
with in
the overlying strata of sand and glacial debris.
148 NOTES OF PAPERS IN FOREIGN
At an earlier date the blue earth was reached by quarrying, and the 22
fathoms
of overlying strata were, at great expense, dug out and thrown into the sea.
One
of these quarries was now turned to good account. A drift was cut in the
blue
earth to a point below the intended shaft, and the water met with in sinking
was
let off downwards, through it, and into the quarry, to be there pumped out.
On the
shaft being finished, and the water in the sand stratum dammed back, the
drift
became unnecessary and was closed. The mine was then worked in the ordinary
manner, and it now has passages of a total length of some 150 miles. In the
year
1890 it employed 1,550 workmen and 100 officials, with engines of 1,300
horse-
power, using about 1,200 tons of coal. The annual output was 117,000 cubic
yards
of blue earth, yielding 200 tons of amber, worth about £90,000.
The blue earth is mined and sent to bank very much as coal is worked. The
larger pieces of amber are picked out at the face and collected in bags, at
bank the
earth is teemed into a large tank and softened with jets of water, and the
mass thus
dissolved is run off in long perforated troughs. The sandy earth falls
through the
holes in the trough and the lighter amber remains on the surface and is
picked out
with spoomshaped nets.
The amber collected from the troughs and at the face is put into revolving
barrels and washed with water and sand until its coating of earth is
removed. It is
then sent to the sorting hall in Konigsberg, and, according to size, shape,
quality,
etc., is divided for the market into nearly 100 different varieties, the
shades of
colouring being very varied, and variously appreciated in different
countries. In
general, the flat pieces are manufactured into articles for smoking, the
round pieces
into beads and other ornaments, and the smaller pieces are used for the
preparation
of varnish. In the year 1890 these three classes of manufactured articles
represented
values of about £108,000, £7,750, and £9,500 respectively. A. R. L.
FIRELESS MINE LOCOMOTIVE.
Sur V Application de la Locomotive a vapeur sans Foyer au Transport des
Wagons
dans Vlnterieur des Mines de Charbon. By Camille Rolland. Revue
Universclle des mines, etc., 1889, Vol. viii., pp. 229-238, and Plate 10.
The locomotive consists of a receiver containing water heated to 400 degs.
Fahr.,
corresponding to a pressure of about 16 atmospheres ; the heating of the
water being
affected by steam from boilers upon the surface. The receiver has a capacity
of
about 20 cubic feet, which allows of a journey of 2 to 2£ miles. The sides
frames
are I shaped iron plates, fitted with round buffer end plates.
There are two pairs of driving wheels, which are coupled together and to the
crank shaft. There are two cylinders placed between the ¦ , I frames, and
vertically
over the internal cranked shaft. The driver's cab is convenient.
It is 6 horse-power at a speed of 400 feet per minute, that of a horse being
from
150 to 200 feet per minute. It weighs about 6,500 lbs., in working
condition.
All the mechanism can be readily examined and repaired, being placed
externally.
It is not more than 32£ inches wide, for a 24-inches gauge, and the length
about
10 feet. The exhaust is made at either end, at the will of the driver.
From 50 to 60 lbs. of steam are exhausted per mile, and aids in laying dust,
The heat given off is less than that of the equivalent (6) number of horses
and
drivers which it can replace.
In case of derailment, owing to its lightness, one man with proper tools can
replace it.
The cylinders are 4£ inches diameter, and 7 inches stroke. The wheels are
17f
inches diameter, and the axles 39£ inches apart, The maximum pressure of
steam
is 100 lbs. per square inch, and a maximum pressure of 1,660 lbs. upon each
piston.
The first cost of a plant for a length of 1,970 feet at a depth of 1,970
feet is:—
Two locomotives, one in reserve...... ......... £350 0 0
Boiler with 350 square feet of heating surface and fittings ... 83 0
0
Pipes, 2 inches diameter, for 1,970 feet............ 75 0 0
Covering of pipes..................... 75 0 0
Water-pipe..................... ... 42 0 0
Contingencies .................. ... 25 0 0
£650 0 0
TRANSACTIONS AND PERIODICALS. 149
The cost of transport for 1,970 feet will be :—
Two enginemen at 2s. lid. for 300 days......... £37 iq q
Coal........................ 21 0 0
Oil, etc...................» ...... 6 10 0
Maintenance and repairs ... ... ... ... ... >b-
25 0 0
Interest and redemption of capital, 10 per cent. ... ... 65 0 0
£205 0 0
The same work by horses would cost:—
Feeding six horses, repairs to harness, redemption, 365 days
at 2s. 6d...........•........... £273 15 0
Five drivers, 300 days at Is. 8d....... ......... 125 0 0
Two horse-keepers, 365 days at Is. 8d....... "...... 60 16 8
£459 11 8
The saving being about £40 per animal replaced.
For a distance of 3,280 feet, requiring 10 Jiorses, the cost would be :—
Ten horses, 365 days at 2s. 6d..............., £456 5 0
Eight drivers, 300 days at Is. 8d. . ............ 200 0 0
Two horse-keepers, 365 days at 2s. Id............. 76 0 10
£732 5 10
The two locomotives being still sufficient for the work, and allowing that
the cost
may be £220, there is a saving of at least £50 per horse replaced.
M. W. B.
TRANSMISSION OF POWER THROUGH A BOREHOLE.
By Wm. Hall. The Colliery Engineer {U.S.), 1889, Vol. ix., p. 173.
The north slope in the Spring Hill Colliery (Nova Scotia) will ultimately be
driven for a distance of 2,050 feet, dipping about 18 inches per yard ; at
present it
has been driven about 800 feet.
A borehole 4 inches in diameter has been put down from the surface to a
depth
of about 600 feet, cutting the line of the north slope, at about 1,300 feet
from the
top. An engine and boiler are placed near the hole, and a rope is taken down
the
borehole, which will be used to haul the coals from the dip in extending the
north
slope, in advance, for a further distance of 750 feet. The coals from these
workings
is conveyed temporarily to the surface, through a level drift to the west
slope (at
the aforenamed depth of 600 feet), through which it is hoisted to the
surface.
M. W. B.
IRON IN MEXICO.
By Richard E. Chism. The Engineering and Mining Journal {New York),
Vol. xlvi,, 1888, pp. 391-392.
The total production of iron in Mexico may be estimated as under :—
Tons.
Durango ............ 7,200
Hidalgo ............ 5,000
Jalisco ............ 600
Oaxaca ... ......... 450
Guerrero ............ 200
Other provinces ......... 100
13,550
About 4,500 tons are sold as castings and the remainder is wrought into bars
for
smiths' use.
The most important deposit of ore is the " Iron Mountain," near the city of
Durango. It is an immense hill, 1 mile long, i mile wide, and rising at the
highest
points to 450 or 650 feet above the surrounding plain. The ore in situ is
estimated
at 250,000,000 tons, and is all oxides, yielding about 50 per cent, of iron
in the blast
furnace, and is reasonably free from phosphorus and sulphur.
150 NOTES OF FOREIGN PAPERS.
The next deposit of ore in importance is that of Zimapan, in the state of
Hidalgo.
These ores are chiefly magnetic oxides, with 30 to 80 per cent, of iron, and
very low
in sulphur and phosphorus. There are six blast furnaces, four of which are
in
operation. The ore is worked open-cast at a cost of about 2s. per ton.
In the state of Jalisco, the chief ores found are haematites, with an
average of
65 per cent, of iron. There are two blast furnaces. The fuel used is
charcoal,
costing about 20s. per ton ; mining costs from 2s. to 3s. per ton.
In the state of Oaxaca extensive deposits of haematite and magnetite are
worked
in several places.
Other deposits of ore are found, of haematite near Salome Botello Station,
on the
National Railroad, about 80 miles south of Laredo, in Texas ; near Monclova,
on
the International Railroad, about 50 miles west of the last-mentioned
deposit; in
the cantons of Matamoros, Galeana, and Jimenez, in Chihuahua; in the
district of
Leon, in the state of Guanajuato ; and near the city of Culiacan, in the
state of
Sinaloa. M. W. B.
RULES FOR VALUATION OF IRON ORES.
By S. B. patterson. Engineering and Mining Journal (Neiv York), 1889, Vol.
xlviii., p. 201.
Rules for determining the relative values of iron ores containing the
ordinary
constituents:—
1. —Metallic Iron.—
(a) Base, less than 40 per cent, per unit iron.
40 per cent, to 44 per cent., inclusive, add \ cent per unit.
45 ,, 49 ,, ,, * »j
50 „ 54 jfi „ f „
55 ,, 59 „ „ 1 „
60 „ 64 „ „ \\ cents per unit.
65 „ and upwards, add \\ cents per unit.
No fractions of 1 per cent, to be counted.
(&) Taking, unroasted magnetites as 100; calculate red haematites as 110;
and brown haematites as 115.
2. —Phosphorus.—Deduct for passing Bessemer limit 25 cents per ton, and 1
cent
per ton additional for every one-hundredth of 1 per cent.
3. _-Sulphur.—Deduct 1 cent for every 2 one-hundredths of 1 per cent.
±—Silica.—Offset by bases in following ratio:—
Lime.—1 per cent, offsets 1 per cent, silica.
Magnesia.—1 per cent, offsets 1£ per cent, silica.
For excess of silica above bases, as above calculated, deduct 5 cents for
every 1 per cent.
5. —Alumina.—In doubt as to its position.
6. —Fine Ore.—Proportion of fine ore to coarse ore has, in some cases, a
bearing
on the relative values. M. W. B.
LATERAL EFFECTS OF FALLS IN MINES.
La Propagation laterale des Mouvements d'Effondrement dans les Mines. By —
Villot. Annates des Mines, 1889, Series 8, Vol. xvi.y pp. 421-426, and
Figure 3, Plate X.
In this case, heavy falls, produced by the robbing and removal of pillars 33
feet
square, in a 7-foot seam of coal, lying at a depth of 1,060 feet, were felt,
and damage
caused to houses, etc., in villages situated at distances of 2,600 yards,
3,500 yards,
4,000 yards, and 7,900 yards, situated on coal-measures. No effects were
produced
at distances of 3,000 yards and 3,700 where the villages were situated on
older rocks
forming the margins of the coal-field or basin. M. W. B.