THE UNIVERSITY 
 OF ILLINOIS 
 LIBRARY 
 
Digitized by the Internet Archive 
 in 2015 
 
 https://archive.org/details/reports18354918502grea 
 
REPORT 
 
 FROM THE 
 
 SELECT COMMITTEE 
 
 ON 
 
 O A L MINE 
 
 TOGETHER WITH THE 
 
 PROCEEDINGS OF THE COMMITTEE, 
 
 MINUTES OF EVIDENCE, 
 
 APPENDIX and INDEX. 
 
 Ordered, by The House of Commons, to be Printed, 
 22 June 1852. 
 
C H 1 
 
 Jams, 27° die Mail, 1852. 
 
 Ordered, That a Select Committee be appointed to inquire into the Causes of the fre- 
 quency of Explosions in Coal Mines, with a view to prevent the appalling Loss of Life 
 arising from them. 
 
 Committee nominated, of— 
 
 Mr. Adderley. 
 Mr. Wakley. 
 Mr. Booker. 
 Mr. Charteris. 
 Colonel Pennant. 
 Colonel Mure. 
 
 Mr. Ker Seymer. 
 
 Mr. Bright. 
 
 Mr. Farrer. 
 
 Mr. John Abel Smith. 
 
 Mr. Cayley. 
 
 Ordered, That the Committee have power to send for Persons, Papers, and Records. 
 Ordered, That Five be the Quorum of the Committee. 
 
 Veneris, 4° die Junii, 1852. 
 
 Ordered, That Mr. Ker Seymer and Mr. Adderley be discharged from further attend- 
 ance on the Committee, and that Mr. Child and Mr. Headlam be added thereto. 
 
 Jovis, 10° die Junii, 1852. 
 
 Ordered, That the Committee have power to adjourn from place to place. 
 
 Martis, 22° die Junii, 1852. 
 
 Ordered, That the Committee have power to Report their Observations, together with 
 the Minutes of Evidence taken before them, to The House. 
 
 REPORT p. iii 
 
 PROCEEDINGS OF THE COMMITTEE - p. xiv 
 
 MINUTES OF EVIDENCE p. l 
 
 APPENDIX - - p. 151 
 
 INDEX p. 227 
 
[ iii ] 
 
 REPORT. 
 
 THE SELECT COMMITTEE appointed to inquire into the Causes of the 
 frequency of Explosions in Coal Mines, with a view to prevent the 
 appalling Loss of Life arising from them, and who were empowered to Report 
 their Observations, together with the Minutes of Evidence taken before them, 
 
 to The House ; Have considered the Matters to them referred, and agreed 
 
 to the following REPORT : 
 
 YOUR Committee had, in the first place, to consider how best, in the short 
 space of time permitted them in the present Session, so to prosecute their 
 inquiry as that some early advantage might be derived from it to that numerous 
 class which is employed in the Coal Mines of Great Britain. 
 
 If they had consented to receive evidence from every quarter from which it was 
 tendered, not only would the whole of their time have been occupied in examina- 
 tion of witnesses only, without an opportunity being afforded to them of offering 
 any conclusions of their own, but the Evidence would have been of that volumi- 
 nous character which renders it practically useless. 
 
 Your Committee, therefore, considering the pressing emergency of the matter 
 committed to their charge, how deeply the interests of humanity were involved 
 (the deaths from explosions having latterly increased to the fearful number of about 
 1,000 per annum), determined only to examine witnesses of the highest and most 
 experienced character, in the hope that they might be able to derive sound informa- 
 tion on which to recommend additional means for the prevention of such wide- 
 spread calamities during the present Session. 
 
 They were the more induced to adopt this course from the circumstance of a 
 Committee of the House of Commons having inquired into the subject in 1835 
 (Mr. Pease, Chairman), and of a Committee of the House of Lords (Lord Wharn- 
 cliffe, Chairman) having repeated the inquiry in 1849; and of a great mass of 
 evidence having been published by those Committees. 
 
 But early in their sittings, " The Report from the South Shields Committee, South Shields 
 appointed to investigate the Causes of Accidents in Coal Mines," was brought Committee, 
 under their notice ; to which Report the attention of the House of Lords' Com- 
 mittee was also directed in 1849. On examination, this Report proved to be a 
 repertory of information, so extensive, important, and apparently so accurate, that 
 it seemed to supersede in a measure the necessity of examining very numerous 
 witnesses. This committee was appointed by a public meeting in South Shields, 
 held in consequence of the dreadful loss of life by the explosion of the St. Hilda 
 Mine, in 1839, close to that town. It continued its labours for three years ; 
 visited in person various mines ; communicated with many of the most scientific 
 and practical men of the day, at home and abroad, and terminated its labours by 
 that Report. 
 
 The first witnesses, therefore, summoned by Your Committee, were the Chairman 
 of the South Shields Committee, Mr. Ingham, late Member for that borough, and 
 Mr. Mather, its honorary secretary, to authenticate the accuracy of that Report. 
 The result was satisfactory. To the evidence especially of Mr. Mather, whose labours 
 in this interesting cause of humanity are worthy of the highest praise, they beg to 
 refer. So much value do Your Committee 'attach to this document, that they 
 have added it in extenso, in an Appendix to their Report. 
 
 The Committee of the House of Commons in 1835 called public attention to Committee of 
 the undue confidence that hitherto had been placed in the Davy lamp ; suggested House of Com- 
 509. a 2 1 that raons ' l835> 
 
 251840 
 
IV 
 
 REPORT FROM THE 
 
 Committee of 
 House of Lords, 
 1849. 
 
 Ventilation by 
 mechanical means. 
 
 The furnace and 
 steam jet. 
 
 The furnace system 
 of ventilation. 
 
 The steam jet 
 system of ventila- 
 tion. 
 
 that reliance should chiefly be placed for security on increased ventilation ; and 
 concluded by expressing the hope that the evidence they published would stimulate 
 to such increase. It is to be regretted that so little attention was paid to those 
 beneficial suggestions. 
 
 From the Committee of the House of Lords emanated a recommendation for a 
 Government inspection of mines, which has since been adopted. The insecurity of 
 the Davy lamp under particular circumstances was implied. They report, " Better 
 ventilation, however, appears to be the improvement most generally needed and 
 most to be aimed at." They state, in addition, that the mines of Scotland are 
 comparatively free from danger from explosion. To this a melancholy contradic- 
 tion has been given by the calamitous tragedy last year, of the Nitshill Colliery 
 explosion, near Glasgow ; and by the statement of the Government inspector 
 of that district, Mr. M. Dunn, in a late report to the Secretary of State, in which 
 he says that " the department of Scotland exhibits a greater succession of acci- 
 dents in proportion to the number of persons employed, than in England." 
 
 The Committee of the House of Lords refers also with some stress, among 
 other plans, to the proposal to increase ventilation by means of the steam jet. 
 This plan had been suggested by Mr. Goldsworthy Gurney, its inventor, to the 
 Committee of 1835. It is the system almost exclusively relied on by the 
 South Shields Committee, in their Report, for increased security from explosion. 
 
 Having considered, therefore, the labours of those who have preceded them, 
 as well in Reports of Committees of the two Houses, as in those of inspectors 
 and others ; and having verified the authenticity of the South Shields Report ; and 
 having discovered that nothing new upon the subject appears to have been elicited 
 since the Report of the South Shields Committee, except on some important con- 
 ditions connected with ventilation pointed out by Mr. Gurney before the Lords* 
 Committee, as to what he termed the " furnace limit," and the formation of a 
 " natural brattice," and " the furnace paradox;" and all these Reports having 
 leaned to the conclusion that increased ventilation was the only true and secure 
 means for the prevention of explosions, Your Committee determined, if possible 
 within the limits of the present Session, to bring the matter, and the means, of 
 increased ventilation to some more practicable issue than that to which it had 
 hitherto been brought. And for the conclusions to which they have come, they beg; 
 to refer to the very interesting Evidence which they now publish. 
 
 Your Committee are of opinion — 
 
 That any system of ventilation depending on complicate machinery is 
 unadvisable, since under any disarrangement or fracture of its parts, the ven- 
 tilation is stopped or becomes less efficient. 
 
 That the two systems which alone can be considered as rival powers are 
 the furnace and the steam jet. 
 
 The furnace system, under favourable circumstances, i. e., of the area of the 
 shafts being large and deep, the air-courses sufficient, the goaves (or old workings) 
 well insulated, and the mine not very fiery, appears to be capable, with strict 
 attention, of producing a current of air that will afford reasonable security 
 from explosion ; but when the workings are fiery and numerous, as well as remote, 
 and the intensity of the furnace or furnaces requires to be raised in order to 
 increase, on any particular emergency, the amount of ventilation, then the furnace 
 not only refuses to answer the spur and to increase ventilation, but from a natural 
 law (discovered by Mr. Gurney, and scientifically and practically confirmed before 
 Your Committee), there arises a dangerous stoppage to the ventilation going on. 
 throughout the mine. An explanation of this is given under the heads " Natural 
 Brattice," and " Furnace Limit," in the " Technical Definitions and Explanations" at 
 the foot of this Report. Under the head of " Furnace Paradox" will be shown the 
 importance of the Water Gauge, as a test of the drag of the mine which produces 
 the furnace limit under the furnace system. 
 
 To the powers of the steam jet, on the other hand, there appears to be no 
 practical limit ; for although it acts, when placed (where recommended) at the 
 bottom of the upcast as a rarefier to the extent of the steam used, and fire under 
 the boiler, its principal or direct efficiency depends upon its power of propulsion. 
 The heated air not only rises from rarefaction, but any amount of cold air can be 
 
 bodily 
 
SELECT COMMITTEE ON COAL MINES. 
 
 v 
 
 bodily pushed up the upcast, the amount merely depending on the number and 
 size of jets employed, and the pressure of steam. 
 
 This power of the steam jet, although recommended so strongly by the South 
 Shields Committee in 1843, did not appear to have been so extensively intro- 
 duced, or so thoroughly tested, as to be taken by Your Committee for granted, 
 notwithstanding the testimony borne to its efficiency by most intelligent witnesses. 
 They held their judgment in suspense for the greater part of their inquiry. They 
 adjourned to the Polytechnic Institution, and there had ocular demonstrations of 
 its power : they summoned before them Mr. Nicholas Wood, considered the 
 most experienced exponent and defender of the furnace system. They heard 
 nothing from him to weaken the impression which grew upon their minds of the 
 great power of the steam jet as a ventilator. Still, from its having been, as stated, 
 ignorantly applied in some cases, and producing less effect than had been de- 
 scribed in such cases, the superiority of it over the furnace in actual practice had 
 not been adequately proved to them, until Mr. Forster, next to Mr. N. Wood, 
 it seems, the largest viewer of the North of England, appeared before them. 
 
 The evidence of Mr. Forster in favour of the steam jet, from long and constant 
 use, was conclusive, and any doubt previously existing was at once removed. 
 To the whole of his most valuable evidence reference should be made. 
 
 Your Committee are unanimously of opinion that the steam jet is the most The superiority of 
 
 powerful, and at the same time least expensive method for the ventilation of the s .^ eam J et as a 
 r . ventilator, 
 mines. 
 
 Previous to 1848, when Mr. Forster introduced the steam jet into the Seaton The comparative 
 Delaval mine, the fire-damp' was constantly seen playing around the face and cost of steam-jet 
 «dges of the goaves and other parts of the workings ; since that period the mine j"^/"™* 106 S ^ S ~ 
 is swept so clean that it is never observed, and all danger of explosion seems 
 removed in a very fiery mine. The increase of ventilation is from 53,000 cubic 
 feet per minute under the furnace system to 84,000 under the steam jet : and to 
 double that quantity, which Mr. Forster considers sufficient, would, he says, only 
 require the application of some extra jets. Mr. Forster states the original outlay for 
 the steam jet to be less than for the furnace by 39/. 15 s. 6d. ; and the annual 
 cost to be less by 50/. 12s. 1 d. : while the power of ventilation is increased to 
 nearly double. 
 
 Notwithstanding the increase of ventilation which Mr. N. Wood states he has 
 obtained in one of his collieries, where the areas of the shafts are very large, and 
 by the aid of three furnaces, it appeared in evidence that the explosion at the 
 Killingworth Colliery last autumn, under Mr. N. Wood's management, took place 
 under the furnace system of ventilation. 
 
 Although a few of the witnesses (two of the most intelligent of the Govern- 
 ment inspectors among the number) seemed to have misunderstood the mode in 
 which the steam jet operated as a ventilator, and professed themselves so far 
 unacquainted with it as to be unable to form an accurate judgment on its merits, 
 all the witnesses, with scarce an exception, coincided in the opinion that in a 
 fiery mine, even where the furnace system was thought sufficient, under ordinary 
 circumstances, it would be a prudent and almost necessary precaution to have a 
 steam jet apparatus at the top of the downcast connected with the boiler of the 
 engine which worked the mine, in case a sudden and great increase of power 
 was required, under pressing emergency. 
 
 It was stated in evidence that 70 per cent, of the deaths from explosions were After-damp, 
 occasioned not by the explosion of fire-damp, but by the " after-damp" which suc- 
 ceeds it. If the latter be inhaled in its pure state by the miner it causes immediate 
 death. But since, from the miners being subsequently discovered in various stages of 
 prostration, it is apparently inhaled in various degrees of dilution, it seems clear that 
 a power like the steam jet placed at the top of the downcast, out of reach (which 
 the furnace at the bottom of the upcast occasionally is not) of the effects of the 
 explosion, and capable of sweeping the galleries of the mine with an almost 
 irresistible force immediately after the explosion, might be the means of saving 
 a large proportion of the lives now lost for want of such a power. The furnace 
 under such pressing emergency is inapplicable and incapable of being used for the 
 purpose. 
 
 509. a 3 
 
 Your 
 
vi 
 
 REPORT FROM THE 
 
 Your Committee, however, are unanimously of opinion that the primary object 
 should be to prevent the explosions themselves ; and that if human means (as far 
 as known) can avail to prevent them, it is by the steam-jet system as applied by 
 Mr. Forster : although even in such case it might be prudent in a mine especially 
 fiery to add an inexpensive steam-jet apparatus at the top of the downcast, as a 
 means in reserve in case of explosion from neglect or otherwise. 
 
 Your Committee, still, are unwilling to recommend a compulsory enforcement 
 of any particular system of ventilation ; they would rather point to the conditions 
 under which alone they consider any mine to be safe, and leave it to some 
 improved system of inspection or control to secure those conditions being univer- 
 sally adopted. 
 
 The lowest rate of The proper condition of a mine, as regards its ventilation, Your Committee 
 current considered consider is when the current of air through all the air courses, more particularly 
 safe - in the extreme workings, is from four to six feet per second in rate through an 
 
 ordinary sized air-way, of (say) 50 feet sectional area ; this, in the extreme 
 workings, would command a rate of current to a much greater extent (and which 
 would be necessary) through the less remote workings of the mine. W ithout a 
 current of air at the rate of at least four feet per second, equal to about three miles 
 per hour, in every part of a mine at all fiery, the miner cannot be considered safe 
 from explosion. Such current would be the truest indication of the actual amount 
 of fresh air circulating through the general workings of the mine. It seems 
 immaterial by what mode this rate of current is produced, so that it be certainly 
 produced, and a means be furnished to the inspector at each visit to ascertain that 
 such rate of current has constantly existed during his ahsence. 
 
 Cause of increased There is a seeming contradiction to the conclusion at which Your Committee 
 number of explo- have arrived, that a generally increased ventilation is the truest security against 
 SIons • explosions, in the fact that these explosions have become more frequent in spite 
 
 of more attention having been given of late years to the subject of ventilation ; 
 the contradiction, however, is in appearance only. To produce explosion of the 
 fire-damp the presence of a certain quantity of air (or proportion of oxygen) is 
 required to make it explosive at all ; and with less than that proportion explosion 
 does not take place; and, also, after certain additions to that proportion of 
 oxygen, the tendency to explosion ceases. In the former case the atmosphere 
 of the mine is unhealthy, in the latter it is healthy. The postulatum in this 
 matter of ventilation may be considered to be, such a thorough ventilation as, 
 together with a wholesome air to breathe, should so sweep the mine clear of 
 the gases as they escaped from the goaves and fissures, or so dilute them with 
 pure air, as that they ceased to be explosive. To leave the mine to its natural 
 state of ventilation would be to leave it in undisturbed possession of a poi- 
 sonous, but possibly inexplosive atmosphere ; proper ventilation, on the con- 
 trary, would, by dispelling that poisonous atmosphere, leave to the miner an 
 atmosphere to breathe nearly as pure as the outer air. But a partial intro- 
 duction of an insufficient quantity of atmospheric air into a fiery mine may 
 Economy of im- cause the very mischief against which it is intended to guard. It should not 
 proved ventilation, be forgotten by the coal proprietor that the unhealthiness of some mines, 
 together with the danger of explosion, greatly enhances the rate of wages they 
 must pay, so long as their workmen have to encounter such evils; whilst the 
 removal of those evils, on the other hand, must tend ere long to reduce the rate 
 of wages in collieries more to a level with that of labourers in ordinary occupa- 
 tions. These observations, of course, extend also to the injury to health, and risks 
 arising from "black" or " choke damp " (carbonic acid gas). The poison gene- 
 rally, in smaller quantities, is slow in its operation, but not the less sure. The 
 miner is proverbially short-lived. 
 
 The attention of Your Committee has been directed to scientific and practical 
 means of decomposing or neutralizing the explosive gases as they exude from the 
 coal and goaves ; but it does not appear to Your Committee that science has dis- 
 covered any practical means for producing this desirable effect. It is, however, 
 on the Minutes of Evidence, that an individual well versed and long engaged in 
 mining operations, a Member of the House of Commons*, has offered, through the 
 Royal College of Chemistry, a premium of 1,000/. for the discovery of some 
 simple practical means for the attainment of this important object. 
 
 Your 
 
 * Mr. Blakemore. 
 
SELECT COMMITTEE ON COAL MINES. 
 
 vii 
 
 Your Committee would now refer to some more incidental means of security 
 against explosion ; first, stating their concurrence in the opinion expressed, 
 directly or indirectly, by the Committees of 1835 and 1849, and also with that so 
 strongly expressed by the South Shields Committee, that where a proper degree 
 of ventilation does not exist in a mine, the Davy lamp, or any modification of it, Davy lamp, 
 must be considered rather as a lure to danger than as a perfect security. Practically 
 secure in a still atmosphere, it may be considered ; and in the hands of a cautious 
 over-man, an admirable instrument for exploring, or as an indicator of danger ; 
 but in a current, as admitted by its illustrious inventor himself, it is not a security ; 
 and in the hands of an ordinary workman, under circumstances of excitement, 
 when danger is threatened, it is not improbably, far oftener than imagined, the 
 very cause of the explosion which it was intended to prevent. The experiments 
 of Dr. Bachhoffner, at the Polytechnic Institution, before Your Committee, were 
 very interesting on this point. Nevertheless, in a mine that is at all fiery, it will 
 be a prudent precaution to work with a lamp, until it can be proved that by means 
 of ventilation a mine can be so far cleared of all explosive gases, as to prevent 
 any accumulation of them in the workings, goaves, or elsewhere. Some of the 
 witnesses point to such a possibility ; and if it were for the sake of the health of 
 the miners alone, a current of fresh air passing through the mine which could Reflecting lamp, 
 produce this effect would render such a power one of the most valuable contri- 
 butions of the age. One of the principal objections to the Davy lamp, on the 
 part of the workmen, has been the insufficient light which it affords. A lamp of 
 greater reflecting power, which would, at the same time, admit of a double gauze 
 protection, has been suggested, and is explained below. Too entire a reliance on 
 the safety of the Davy lamp appears to have led, in not a few instances, to the 
 neglect of ventilation. 
 
 In the furnace system of ventilation, the power depends on the difference of the Thermometer, 
 temperature of the air going down the downcast shaft, and that coming up the 
 upcast ; and when the temperature of the outer air is high, the power of the 
 furnace is reduced. When the thermometer, therefore, exhibits a high rate of 
 temperature, the ventilation is lessened. This may account for accidents being 
 generally more frequent in spring and summer. It is very desirable, under such 
 circumstances, that an extra power of ventilation should be applied. 
 
 Under the ordinary pressure of the atmosphere, its weight operates in a fiery Barometer, 
 mine to keep back the escape of gas from the recesses of the mine. When the 
 pressure is less, the explosive gases have greater power of escape. Whenever, 
 therefore, there is a fall in the barometer, showing a diminished pressure of the 
 atmosphere, danger is indicated, and an increased amount of ventilation required. 
 In every mine, therefore, it should be imperative for a barometer to be kept. It 
 should be placed near the ventilating power, properly connected with the external 
 air, through the downcast, so as to take the pressure of the atmosphere. A " Diffe- Differential baro 
 rential Barometer " is much more sensitive than a common one, and should be meter, 
 used ; and since it costs only a few shillings, there would be no excuse for not 
 having one. 
 
 A Water Gauge should be placed at the bottom of the upcast, to indicate the Water eauge. 
 power of the drag of the mine, where the furnace system is used, so as to indicate 
 the presence or approximation of the furnace limit. 
 
 But an instrument of even greater importance than the above, especially in Anemometer, 
 reference to the periodical visits of inspectors, is a self-registering anemometer, by 
 which the inspector would know at each visit the rate at which the current of air 
 had been passing through the mine in his absence. The best instrument of this 
 kind at present known, perhaps, is that of Mr. Biram. Three, at least, of these 
 should be kept in every mine ; one at the intake (bottom of downcast shaft), one 
 at the return (bottom of upcast), and, especially, one or more in the extreme 
 workings. 
 
 The goaves (old workings) in extensive mines are a principal source of danger. 
 It has been suggested, if the water would permit, that the goaves might be as it 
 were drained of the explosive gas by a bore hole from the surface, acted on by a 
 steam jet ; that gas, being lighter than common air, would thus be drawn through 
 the bore to the outer air. 
 
 509. a 4 For 
 
 Bore-boles and 
 goaves. 
 
viii 
 
 REPORT FROM THE 
 
 Gas drifts. For a similar purpose, gas drifts have been recommended, as described in the 
 
 " Technical Definitions and Explanations." 
 
 Refuge stalls. It was suggested by Mr. Gurney, also, that refuge stalls might be established at 
 
 small expense, in places familiar to the miners, throughout the workings, to which, 
 upon an explosion, they could at once fly from the fatal effects of the after-damp. 
 A description of these will be found among the " Explanations." 
 
 It has been stated in the evidence, that boys are employed in mines to perform 
 duties, the neglect of which in a single instance might be productive of great loss 
 of life. They are employed, in particular, to attend to the opening and shutting 
 of the doors or traps necessary to regulate the courses of air in every system of 
 ventilation. It has further been stated, that even in the best disciplined pits, 
 where the men are rarely, if ever, guilty of serious acts of neglect or carelessness, 
 it has yet been found impossible to guard against similar negligence on the part 
 of the boys ; and accordingly it appears that in various instances fatal accidents 
 have been traced to such negligence in the performance of the duties allotted to 
 them. The Committee therefore are of opinion, that no responsible duties, the 
 neglect of which would involve serious risk of life, ouoht in any mine to be 
 entrusted to boys, or to any other class of inexperienced persons, but solely to 
 persons in whose judgment and discretion full reliance can be placed. 
 
 Working miners. The miners of the North of England and other districts, notwithstanding their 
 character for recklessness, are keenly alive to the dangers of their employment. 
 This they have evinced both by representations to Your Committee, especially 
 from Lancashire and Northumberland, and by a petition to The House itself, 
 numerously signed, from the miners of Lancashire. The points they chiefly dwell 
 upon are the necessity of increased ventilation, of increased inspection, of the 
 appointment of sub-inspectors, and of the unsatisfactory nature of the inquests 
 hitherto held after even the most distressing explosions. 
 
 Unsatisfactory It has been strongly recommended by several witnesses of knowledge and expe- 
 
 nature of inquests, rience that, in the inquests held after explosions, more diligent inquiry should be 
 made than has hitherto been customary into the remote as Avell as the proximate 
 Special Coroner causes of explosion and loss of life. Your Committee would further recommend 
 suggested. j. Q t ] ie attention of the Home Office whether it might not be expedient to institute 
 
 such an office as a Special Coroner for these investigations. In connexion witL 
 this suggestion, it may also be worthy of consideration how far local feelings or 
 prejudices may not tend, in occasional instances, to interfere with the impartial 
 discharge of their duties on the part of juries. 
 
 Education. In the letter of Sir H. De la Beche to the Chairman (vide Appendix), it will be 
 
 seen that education is a point insisted on as a precautionary means both among 
 the working colliers and their managers, as also that the qualification of inspectors 
 should be rigidly tested previous to their appointment. In these views Your 
 Committee entirely concur. They not only trust to see education more rapidly 
 
 Schools of mines, spreading than heretofore among the working colliers, but schools of mines 
 
 Overmen, under- established, without certificates from which no overman, underlooker, or manager 
 
 lookers, and ma- shall be legally appointed to his office. 
 
 nagers. 
 
 Qualification of The qualification of inspectors for their office is a point of the first importance : 
 inspectors. and should be efficiently tested before a competent Board, analogously with 
 
 the tests exacted in various professions where the interests of life and health are 
 involved. They should be acquainted generally with natural philosophy (espe- 
 cially pneumatics), chemistry, mechanics, also a competent knowledge of geology 
 and mineralogy ; and should also have had practical experience of colliery 
 working. 
 
 Almost every witness, however, bore testimony to the total inadequacy of the- 
 Insufficient number present system of inspection. The numbers were too small, its powers too 
 «f inspectors. limited. Each of the inspectors summoned before the Committee had something 
 like 400 mines in his district ; the whole of which he would be unable to go through 
 in less than four years. Many mines they had never visited. Your Committee 
 Additional inspec- cannot therefore hesitate to recommend, that the number of inspectors should be 
 tors recommended, increased. They at present amount to six. That number probably should, at 
 Also snb-inspee- least, be doubled ; and two sub-inspectors to each chief inspector added. In Sir 
 tors. H. de 
 
 Boys not to be en 
 trusted with re- 
 sponsible duties. 
 
SELECT COMMITTEE OX COAL MINES. 
 
 H. de Sa Beche's letter it is indicated, and it appeared also in evidence, that the 
 
 present salary of an inspector was too small, at least to induce a person really Salaries of inspec- 
 
 fitted for the office of inspector to remain in his situation. tors lnsuffi cient. 
 
 To increase the power of the inspector is a much more delicate matter. To 
 this some of the most intelligent of the managers of mines who were examined 
 objected : and with some reason, for it was evident, to say the least, that they 
 were in all respects, both as to practical and scientific attainments, upon a par 
 with the inspectors. But the objection was taken less to the principle itself than 
 to the possible unfairness of being subjected to the caprice, perhaps ignorance, of 
 an individual inspector. To the establishment of a Board with increased powers, Board recom- 
 no objection seemed to be taken. Some such central body Your Committee mended, 
 would strongly recommend, composed of scientific and practical men, to whom the 
 inspectors might report, and from whom they might receive official instructions, 
 which would give greater efficacy to their recommendations. To this Board with additional 
 should be given a power to enforce penalties under ordinary circumstances of P owers - 
 neglect — and, in cases of death, a power to facilitate an enforcement of justice to 
 the families of the victims — through the ordinary channels of law; the survivors 
 themselves being in a condition of life which renders them comparatively helpless 
 to obtain their just redress. 
 
 One additional power, however, it seems desirable to give to inspectors, at all increased powers 
 events temporarily, until the decision of a Board can be obtained ; viz , where great to inspector in 
 danger evidently exists, and the owner of a mine refuses to resort to the most ap- certain cases - 
 proved system for increasing its security, the inspector should have the power to 
 order its working to cease until its condition be improved. This would appear to 
 be the principal point of superiority in the inspection of the mines of France, 
 Germany, and Belgium, over that of this country. In one case, related in the 
 evidence, it appeared that preceding the explosion there had been a great fall in the 
 barometer, which indicated the necessity of increased ventilation and vigilance. The 
 overlooker had no barometer, and therefore was in ignorance of the fact of the 
 diminished pressure of the atmosphere ; which was all the while thus allowing the 
 fire-damp to escape in larger proportions, from the goaves and fissures of the mine. 
 In another case, that of recent occurrence in the Aberdare Valley, Mr. Black- 
 well (late inspector of that district) advised, on a previous visit, certain precautions 
 to be taken. The advice was disregarded. The explosion ensued. To a system 
 of inspection thus fortified, the objection could scarcely be raised, which is raised 
 to the present system — that it relieved the owners and managers of responsibility, 
 while it was inefficient for its object. 
 
 Your Committee therefore having full regard to the rights and privileges of 
 private property, but at the same time forming, to the best of their ability, a due 
 estimate of the value of human life, and of the extreme danger to which human life 
 under the present system of working mines, with a few honourable exceptions, is 
 exposed, consider that they should fail in their duty if they did not recommend 
 that a power should be placed somewhere to enforce precautions and to facilitate 
 the exaction of penalties, where neglect of such precautions was pertinaciously 
 persevered in; and that until those precautions were adopted, there should exist- 
 a power to stop the working of the mine. They have already pointed to what, 
 in their opinion, would be an improvement on the present system of inquests, and 
 to constituting a Board which might be regarded as a species of public prosecutor 
 in cases of loss of life from neglect of proper precautions. 
 
 It has been suggested that the families of those who perish should be sup- 
 ported for a limited number of years by the proprietor of the mine. Injustice 
 might be done under such a law ; for the owner might give orders for the proper pre- 
 cautions, and an overlooker or miner might neglect them. In such an instance, it 
 Avould be hard to enforce the extreme penalty; the conduct of owners after the fatal 
 effects of an explosion appears to have been generally considerate and humane : 
 extending in many instances, including that of the Aberdare mine just mentioned, 
 to the support of the families of those who perished. 
 
 Y our Committee, for their own part, feel disposed rather to trust to the appoint- 
 ment of an efficient and vigilant Board ; to an increased number of well-qualified 
 inspectors and sub-inspectot s, who should practically have the power of enforcing 
 
 509. b such 
 
X 
 
 REPORT FROM THE 
 
 such a rate of current of air through the various parts of the mine as, in their 
 judgment, the safety of the miners required, together with the adoption in each 
 mine of such scientific instruments as both preserved a register of the ventilation, 
 and gave warning of danger ; that these powers should extend to inflicting penal- 
 ties for the non-possession of such instruments, and non-attention to the precautions 
 recommended, and to stoppage of the mine until the right measures were taken. 
 Such measures, together with the better education of the miners, and the establish- 
 Sules and Regula- men! of schools of mines, and the circulation among the colliers of such rules and 
 ^ ons ' regulations as are adopted in the pits of Mr. Forster and Mr. Darlington (which 
 
 are given in their Evidence), Your Committee consider would go far to diminish, 
 and ultimately almost entirely to prevent, the dreadful explosions to which their 
 attention has been called. 
 
 A last topic remains, and that, perhaps, not the least important, viz., the pecu- 
 niary means for carrying out the suggestions and recommendations here made. 
 This is a point which your Committee consider should devolve upon The House, in 
 its collective capacity, rather than upon themselves. They have shown the prin- 
 cipal causes of danger ; the easy and economical means by which the danger may 
 be avoided ; they have hinted at the scientific instruments which should be impe- 
 ratively required to be kept in every mine, as a warning or test of safety or im- 
 pending danger ; they have referred to the species of authority to which, in their 
 opinion, should be entrusted the powers to see such suggestions carried out. The 
 financial part of the question they consider properly belongs to the House of 
 Commons at large. 
 
 DEFINITIONS 
 
SELECT COMMITTEE ON COAL MINES. 
 
 XI 
 
 DEFINITIONS AND TECHNICAL EXPLANATIONS. 
 
 Natural Ventilation is ventilation taking place without the aid of artificial means ; it is Natural ventilation, 
 due in a coal pit to the increasing heat of the earth as we descend. This natural heat 
 raiefies the air in the pit, which thus becomes (in winter especially) lighter ihan the atmo- 
 sphere. This waim air finding itself at the bottom of one of the shafts, gradually ascends, 
 and diaws clown the other a slow current of cold air : this alters the barometric balance of 
 the column of air in the two shafts, and a slight current is established, passing through the 
 galleries and workings, which is liable to be reversed or stopped by the slightest atmo- 
 spheric disturbance ; in fact, it is trusting the ventilation ot a pit to the caprice of the winds. 
 
 In Furnace Ventilation, a furnace is placed at the bottom of the upcast, which heats and Furnace ventila- 
 rarefies the air, thus increasing the difference of weight in the two columns in the upcast tion. 
 and downcast shafts. This of course acts in assistance of the natural warmth of the earth; 
 this kind of ventilation is much less liable to disturbance from atmospheric changes, 
 although far from exempt from their influence. 
 
 The Steam Jet acts in a manner totally different. It is a mechanical force applied to The steam -jet sys- 
 propel the air through the shaft. When a jet of high-pressure steam is blown into an tern of ventilation, 
 atmosphere at a state of rest, it produces a violent disturbance in that fluid. The particles 
 of steam are in rapid motion; and since the first law of motion is, that a body in motion 
 continues to move for ever or until stopped by something else, when stopped it communi- 
 cates iis force to the body stopping it. The force of the jet of steam is expended on the 
 air on which it strikes and through which it passes; and this force is applied to the air as 
 fully as if it were applied to a piston in a steam-engine. Thus by this method we have 
 the steam power applied directly to the object v-e require to move, avoiding all the friction 
 of an engine. The force thus obtained is used in forcing the air up or down the pit, or 
 both, according to the requirements, and is under more perfect control, and is a more 
 powerful agent when properly applied than the furnace, the furnace not producing above 
 three inches disturbance of the water gauge level, the jet has been shown to produce 15 
 inches of mercury, which is equal to 15 feet of the water gauge. It requires no machinery, 
 but a simple pipe in connexion with the steam. 
 
 Splitting the air, is to divide the original trunk or column of air into separate branches, Splitting the air. 
 proportioned to the extent and nature of each particular working district. It is arranged 
 by doors and stoppings sufficient to admit and regulate the quantities supposed necessary 
 for each. Some of these " splits,'' or branches, tun a course of only two or three miles, 
 and others of eight or ten miles. They are " coursed" in the working places up and down 
 the boards" (galleries, from 80 to 90 feet sectional area), and are directed against the face 
 of the woiks in each working board by " brattices," which take the air close up against the 
 solid coal, or by allowing it to fall short of the coal by shortening the brattices. These cur- 
 rents dilute and sweep away any fire-damp that may come off and keep the mine safe 
 and healthy. The air used to be " coursed," up to the year 1813, through the whole pas- 
 sages and galleries of a mine, as if through a tortuous pipe. From the time of its entrance 
 to its exit, it sometimes runs 30 miles, carrying all the impurities of the mine along with it. 
 In that y ear Mr. Buddie introduced " splitting the air," by dividing it into several great 
 streams that swept each particular district, as just stated. 
 
 It requires judicious management to direct proper quantities to each of these districts, 
 for while the more splitting is practised, the stream will be fresher and purer; yet when 
 done to a very great extent, the small columns become so weakened as, like small 
 streamlets of water, scarcely to be able to struggle forward and do their work amidst the 
 obstructions and difficulties in their course. 
 
 This is the present mode of carrying air through the workings. The doors, stoppings, 
 and regulators act as valves, and, like those in the vessels of the vital fluid of the body, they 
 direct, curb, and regulate the vital fluid (i. e. the currents of air) in the mines. 
 
 Upon this internal machinery, in addition to a full and healthy supply of air at its source, 
 the entire safety of the mine depends. If any part of it falls into disorder or is neglected, 
 congestion and accumulation in some district takes place ; this diseased locality being then 
 accidentally or negligently touched by flame, bursts forth in its whole mass into instant 
 explosion. 
 
 Thus abundance of air well directed is the source of life and safety to a mine. 
 
 Furnace Limit. — The quantity of heat generated by the furnace is directly as the quan- Furnace limit, 
 tity of fuel that can be consumed in a given time. The amount of rarefaction or power of 
 the upcast will always be directly as the temperature of the column of air passing up 
 in a given time, which temperature will vary in proportion to the quantity. The amount 
 of heat of the furnace is a constant quantity, which will be spread over a more or less quan- 
 tity of air. The power of the upcast rising in an arithmetical ratio; the friction or drag 
 of a current of air through the workings of a coal mine, offering a resistance, equal to the 
 squares of its velocity. Now it is manifest there will soon be a point where the resistance 
 
 509. b 2 overtakes 
 
xii 
 
 REPORT FROM THE 
 
 overtakes the power. The power being as an arithmetical ratio; while the resistance 
 increases in a geometrical ratio, the lt furnace limit" will be the point where these two 
 powers balance each other. This limit commences in practice much earlier than would 
 appear on calculation from these data; because there is another element to be taken into 
 calculation, that seems never to have been noticed. This element is the resistance offered 
 to the air going through a mine by the vena contractu. It amounts to a serious quantity 
 in the workings of an ordinary coal mine. This amount of extra resistance, added to the 
 friction arising from the rate of current, adds considerably to the rate of increase of the 
 drag. This important fact has never hitherto been noticed; nor was it referred to, by any 
 of the witnesses in the Committee of 1835, or that of the Lords in 1849. To Mr. Golds- 
 worthy Gurney we are indebted for pointing out this important fact for the first time. 
 
 Natural Brattice. Natural Brattice. — The resistance, or drag of a current of air passing through the working 
 of a coal mine is, as stated above, as the squares of its velocity. When this resistance is so 
 great that Ihe proper quantity of air cannot come through the galleries of a mine to fill the 
 exhaustion produced at the bottom of the upcast shaft, it will come down through the shaft 
 itself, as the easiest channel. It will come clown on one side, leaving room on the other for 
 the hot air to ascend ; the stationary particles of air between the two moving currents form- 
 ing an imaginary aerial plate. This plate has been called " the natural brattice." 
 
 Furnace paradox. Furnace Paradox. — The amount of resistance of currents of air coming through the 
 workings increase as the squares of their velocity; the power of exhaustion by the 
 upcast shaft is directly as its temperature. If the quantity of air passing through a mine 
 be reduced by increased friction or obstruction, that smaller quantity of air will be raised 
 to a higher temperature by the furnace in the up-shaft, and the exhaustion arising from its 
 increased temperature will produce a greater amount of "force." The water gau^e is a 
 measure of this force of exhaustion or power of the furnace. Under the above circumstances 
 the water gauge will rise and indicate a greater power, while the amount of ventilation 
 is reduced. This is a seeming fallacy ; it is not a fallacy ; therefore, is called the "Furnace 
 paradox." 
 
 Water gauge. The Water Gauge is a tube of glass bent in the form of the letter U, one end of which 
 
 communicates with the upcast and the other with the downcast shafts by a pipe ; it contains 
 a little water at the bottom of the bend, and is an indicator of the amount of power ; its 
 extent of break of level in the two legs is a measure of the actual force which is necessary 
 to overcome the " drag of a mine." When this force is known, its rise or fall indicates 
 whether proper ventilation is going on in the extreme workings, or not ; thus if the air 
 comes through the workings by a shorter passage than it ought to do, the water gauge will 
 immediately fall. In a late explosion, occasioned by leaving a door open between the down- 
 cast and upcast shafts, the water gauge would have pointed it out. If the water gauge rises 
 above its working point, it shows obstruction existing somewhere in the workings, {fit 
 stands at its working point, it shows that ventilation is going right. It is a most useful 
 instrument; it is a measure of the actual power required for ventilation, and in the posses- 
 sion of a practical man, will tell him nearly where, and how, ventilation is going on by simple 
 inspection. In connexion with the anemometer, the water gauge is most valuable. 
 
 Gas drifts. Gas Drifts. — A system of gas drifts along the rise of the coal deposit, intersecting its 
 
 cleanages, banks, and interstices, and taken to the upcast shaft, might be, and in some cases 
 has proved to be a practical and scientific means for removing the light carburetted hydro- 
 gen gas from the coal, without permitting it to descend into the workings. 
 
 Refuge stalls. Refuge Stalls. — At the ingoing end of the ordinary stalls, bays, or cul-de-sac recesses of 
 
 the workings in a coalpit, boarding must be placed, so as to insulate it from the main air- 
 courses, sufficiently strong to withstand the force of a moderate explosion at the spot ; or of 
 a violent one at a distance. In this stopping two openings are cut, one at the highest level, 
 and the other as low as possible, so as to effect self-acting ventilation ; by which means 
 the bay will always be filled with good air. They also relieve the stopping from the force of 
 explosion. On the inside two valves are suspended, so as to be always ready, in case of 
 need, to close the openings from within. The upper opening is small, about four to six 
 inches diameter; the under opening is sufficiently large for a man to pass through. In case 
 of explosion, instead of the men running, as they now do, into the main air-courses, and 
 consequently into the after-damp, they may go into these refuge stalls; close the openings, 
 and remain there till the after-damp is removed. Taking into consideration the quantity 
 of air required to support life for a given time ; and the ordinary size of the stalls ; it is 
 clear that men may remain in them in safety for 24 hours, or longer, when properly con- 
 structed. During this period the after-damp ought to be withdrawn from the workings. 
 The^e stalls are inexpensive, require no attendance, and may be made and left, or removed, 
 at shoit distances, as the ordinary workings of a coal-mine proceed. Thev should be within 
 a hundred yaids of each other, so that one may be always at hand. A few pitmen only 
 would be there and have occasion to go into the same refuge. The well-known laws of 
 pneumatic distuibances show that, properly constructed, it would practically be sufficient 
 io insulate and preserve the atmosphere of the refuge from danger of intercharge with the 
 after-damp for a long time together. In the midst, or close to, a violent explosion, the 
 stoppings might be blown down; but not at a short distance. A violent explosion would 
 produce death, by its force, in its immediate neighbourhood; but in such case the refuge 
 stalls would under any circumstance be useless. They are intended only as a protection 
 
 against 
 
SELECT COMMITTEE ON COAL MINES. 
 
 xiii 
 
 against loss of life from after-damp. It has been proposed to place large safety flaps 
 or valves in the stoppings, to guard against the force of explosion, but this seems 
 unnecessary. 
 
 Effect of Seasons on Furnace Ventilation. — In winter the atmosphere is colder than the Effect of seasons, 
 air of a coal mine; consequently the air in the mine forms of itselr a natural upcast, and 
 a certain amount of disturbance, or power, is thus produced. In summer, when the 
 temperature of the air equals that in the mine, this power will cease; this generally occurs 
 in spring; ventilation often ceases, and an explosion is the consequence. If a furnace be 
 used for ventilation its power in winter is increased by the weight of the cold air in the 
 downcast ; but in summer this weight is taken off. If no preparations are made to meet the 
 change, explosions will be more frequent at this season of the year. If the furnace at its 
 maximum power in winter, with this assistance, is but just sufficient to prevent the fire- 
 damp arriving at its explosive point, it will be unable to do it in summer, when its power 
 is thus weakened. 
 
 The Barometer is useful to show any change of weight of the atmosphere to the furnace Barometer, 
 man. 
 
 " The Differential Barometer," so called, is more delicate in its movement than an Differential In- 
 ordinary barometer : it may be made almost to any ratio of delicacy. It would show a rometer - 
 change taking place in the weight of the atmosphere long before it could be seen in the 
 ordinary barometer, and therefore be highly valuable in a coal pit. On the fall of the 
 barometer fire-damp issues out of the goaves and recesses of the coal in larger quantities 
 than usual, so that ventilation requires to be increased under such circumstances, and the 
 fall in the barometer points it out before it can be otherwise seen. The barometer is said 
 to be more useful in a coal pit than in a ship. It indicates impending storms, or change of 
 weather; and the more delicate it is the better. The index of the Differential Barometer 
 can be made to range easily from 50 to 100 times through a greater space than the ordinary 
 mercurial level ; and therefore slight changes in the weight of the atmosphere can be read 
 off by this instrument, which are invisible or inappreciable in the common barometer. 
 
 The Anemometer is a valuable instrument for measuring quantity of ventilation ; it Anemometer, 
 shows the exact rate of currents, and registers them by an index something like a gas 
 meter; sell-registering anemometers should be placed indifferent parts of the workings, 
 to show what proportion of the whole amount of ventilation is going through particular 
 parts. An anemometer placed in the return air near the upcast, and within a short dis- 
 tance of the water gauge, would be highly valuable. By the anemometer the actual quantity 
 of air passing may be known ; and, at the same time, by the water gauge, the absolute force 
 or power required to move or pass that, quantity may be known; so that, by these two 
 instruments the amount, power, and probable state of ventilation may be ascertained. 
 
 The Reflecting Lamp gives a very much larger proportion of light than the ordinary The reflecting- lamp, 
 safety lamp. It is made of polished wire gauze, instead of black iron wire. The latter has 
 an absorbing surface, the former has a reflecting surface; the latter intercepts and obstructs 
 more than half the light given out by the flame; the reflecting lamp, on the contrary, 
 reflects the light which falls on the meshes of the wire «auze, and sends the rays out on the 
 opposite side, in a profitable direction. The light intercepted by the "oil-can," and lost in 
 the ordinary lamp, is in the reflecting lamp sent out by a polished cone placed below the 
 flame also in a profitable direction, and saved. In this construction the principle of safety 
 is not interfered with. The great saving of light permits, as shown in evidence, a second 
 cylinder of wire gauze to be placed round the lamp, leaving sufficient light to pass. This 
 gives it a second security. The second cylinder is placed at such a distance from the first, 
 that the fire-damp enclosed between the cylinders, (if the flame passes the first,) explodes, 
 and may extinguish itself. This gives it a sort of third security. The principle of safety 
 in the Davy lamp is the cooling influence of the wire gauze; in the above arrangement 
 the radiation of heat is doubled, and therefore the cooling influence is doubled. As an 
 examining lamp, it would be valuable in the hands of the underlookers and viewers. 
 
 b 3 PROCEEDINGS 
 
xiv 
 
 PROCEEDINGS OF THE 
 
 PROCEEDINGS OF THE COMMITTEE. 
 
 Jovis, 3° die Junii, 1852. 
 
 MEMBERS PRESENT 
 
 Mr. Cayley. 
 Mr. Adderley. 
 Colonel Pennant. 
 
 Mr. Charteris. 
 Mr. Booker. 
 
 Motion made and question, " That Mr. Cayley do take the Chair," put, and agreed to. 
 The Committee deliberated on their course of proceeding. 
 
 [Adjourned to Monday next, at Twelve o'clock. 
 
 Luna, 7" die Junii, 1852. 
 
 MEMBERS PRESENT: 
 
 Mr. Cayley, in the Chair. 
 
 Colonel Pennant. 
 Mr. Booker. 
 Colonel Mure. 
 
 Mr. Farrer. 
 Mr. Child. 
 Mr. J. A. Smith. 
 
 Mr. Ingham and Mr. J. Mather, examined. 
 
 [Adjourned to Wednesday, at Twelve o'clock. 
 
 Mercurii, 9° die Junii, 1852. 
 
 MEMBERS PRESENT: 
 
 Mr. Cayley, in the Chair. 
 
 Colonel Pennant. Mr. Farrer. 
 
 Mr. Booker. Mr. Child. 
 
 Colonel Mure. Mr. Charteris. 
 
 Mr. James Mather, Mr. H. F. Mackworth, and Mr. Joseph Dickinson, examined. 
 
 [Adjourned to To-morrow, at Twelve o'clock. 
 
 Jovis, 10° die Junii, 1852. 
 
 MEMBERS PRESENT: 
 
 Mr. Cayley, in the Chair. 
 
 Mr. Child. I Colonel Pennant. 
 
 Mr. Booker. Mr. John A. Smith. 
 
 Colonel Mure. | Mr. Farrer. 
 
 Mr. James Darlington and Mr. Nicholas Wood, examined. 
 
 [Adjourned to To morrow, at Eleven o'clock. 
 
SELECT COMMITTEE ON COAL MINES. 
 
 XT 
 
 Veneris, 11° die Junii, 1852. 
 
 Mr. Child. 
 Colonel Pennant. 
 Colonel Mure. 
 
 MEMBERS PRESENT: 
 
 Mr. Cay ley, in the Chair. 
 
 Mr. Booker. 
 Mr. J. A. Smith. 
 
 The Committee met at the Polytechnic Institution, pursuant to leave given to adjourn 
 from place to place. 
 
 Mr. 'Robert Stephenson, a Member of the House, Dr. Bachhoffner, Mr. Ed. Cayley, Mr. 
 Goldsworthy Gurney, Mr. Geo. Overton, Mr. J. H. Pepper, Mr. Josh. Dickinson, and Mr. 
 J. Darlington, severally examined. 
 
 [Adjourned to Monday, at Twelve o'clock. 
 
 Luna, 14° die. Junii, 1852. 
 
 Mr. Booker. 
 Colonel Mure. 
 Colonel Pennant. 
 
 members present : 
 
 Mr. Cayley, in the Chair. 
 
 Mr. Child. 
 Mr. Farrer. 
 
 Dr. Bachhoffner, Professor James Hann, Mr. T. E. Forster, Dr. George Fife, Mr. George 
 Micheils, and Mr. Goldsworthy Gurney, severally examined. 
 
 [Adjourned to Monday, at Twelve o'clock. 
 
 Lunce, 21° die Junii, 1852. 
 
 Colonel Pennant. 
 Colonel Mure. 
 Mr. Booker. 
 
 MEMBERS PRESENT: 
 
 Mr. Cayley, in the Chair. 
 
 Mr. J. A. Smith. 
 Mr. Farrer. 
 
 Report, prepared by the Chairman for the consideration of ihe Committee, read, amended, 
 and agreed to. 
 
 Ordered to Report, together with the Minutes of Evidence. 
 
 EXPENSES OF WITNESSES. 
 
 NAME 
 of 
 
 WITNESS. 
 
 Profession 
 or Conditon. 
 
 By what 
 Member of 
 Committee 
 Motion made 
 for 
 
 Attendance 
 of the 
 Witness. 
 
 Date 
 of 
 Arrival. 
 
 | 
 
 Date 
 of 
 
 Dis- 
 charge. 
 
 Total 
 Number 
 
 of 
 Days 
 
 in 
 
 London. 
 
 Number 
 of Days 
 under Ex- 
 amination 
 
 Committee, 
 or acting 
 specially 
 
 under their 
 Orders. 
 
 Expenses 
 
 of 
 Journey 
 
 to 
 London 
 and back. 
 
 Expenses 
 in 
 
 London. 
 
 TOTAL 
 
 Expenses 
 allowed 
 
 to 
 
 Witness. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 £. s. d. 
 
 £. s. d. 
 
 £. s. d. 
 
 Mr. James Mather - 
 
 Engineer 
 
 Chairman - 
 
 7 June 
 
 9 June 
 
 3 
 
 3 
 
 
 
 15 0 - 
 
 Mr. E. Forster - 
 
 » 
 
 
 11 - 
 
 14 - 
 
 3 
 
 3 
 
 6 - - 
 
 9 9- 
 
 15 9 - 
 
 Dr. Fife ... - 
 
 Physician 
 
 
 11 - 
 
 14 - 
 
 3 
 
 3 
 
 6 - - 
 
 9 9- 
 
 15 9 - 
 
 Mr. James Darlington 
 
 - - Colliery Mana- 
 
 
 9 - 
 
 12 - 
 
 4 
 
 4 
 
 8 - - 
 
 S 8 - 
 
 16 8 - 
 
 
 ger and Proprietor. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 37 14 - 
 
 Mr. Goldsworthy Gurney - 
 
 Engineer 
 
 
 9 - 
 
 14 - 
 
 8 
 
 8 
 
 12 10 - 
 
 25 4 - 
 
 Mr. N. Wood - 
 
 Viewer 
 
 
 9 - 
 
 11 - 
 
 2 
 
 2 
 
 8 6- 
 
 4 4- 
 
 12 10 - 
 
 Dr. Bachhoffner 
 
 Ph. D. - . - 
 
 
 11 - 
 
 
 
 2 
 
 
 G 6 - 
 
 6 6- 
 
 Professor Hann 
 
 Professor 
 
 
 14 - 
 
 
 
 2 
 
 
 4 4- 
 
 4 4- 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 £. 
 
 123 C - 
 
 509. 
 
 b 4 
 
LIST OF WITNESSES. 
 
 Lunce, 7° die Junii, 1852. 
 
 Robert Ingham, Esq. 
 James Mather, Esq. 
 
 p. i 
 P- 4 
 
 Mercurii, 9° die Junii, 1852. 
 
 James Mather, Esq. - 
 
 Herbert Francis Mackworth, Esq. 
 
 Joseph Dickinson, Esq. - 
 
 P. 3* 
 P- 36 
 p. 50 
 
 Jovis, 10° die Junii, 1852. 
 
 James Darlington, Esq. 
 Nicholas Wood, Esq. - 
 
 pp. 66. 101 
 - P- 9° 
 
 Veneris, 11° die Junii, 1852. 
 
 Robert Stephenson, Esq. m.p. 
 
 George Henry Bachhoffner, Esq. ph. d. 
 
 Edward Cay ley, Esq. 
 
 Goldsworthy Gurney, Esq. - 
 
 George Overton, Esq. 
 
 J. H. Pepper, Esq. - 
 
 Joseph Dickinson, Esq. 
 
 James Darlington, Esq. 
 
 p. 103 
 
 Luna, 14° die Junii, 1852. 
 
 George Henry Bachhoffner, Esq. ph. d. 
 Professor James Hann 
 Thomas Emerson Forster, Esq. 
 George Fife, Esq. m. d. - - 
 George Micbiels, Esq. 
 Goldsworthy Gurney, Esq. - 
 
 p. 112 
 
 P- 115 
 
 p. 123 
 
 p. 136 
 
 P- 1 39 
 
 P- 143 
 
[ 1 ] 
 
 MINUTES OF EVIDENCE. 
 
 Luna, 7° die Junii, 1852. 
 
 MEMBERS PRESENT. 
 
 Colonel Pennant. 
 Mr. Booker. 
 Mr. Farrer. 
 
 Mr. E. S. Cayley. 
 
 Colonel Mure. 
 
 Mr. Child. 
 
 Mr. John A. Smith. 
 
 EDWARD STILLINGFLEET CAYLEY, Esq., in the Chair. 
 
 Robert Ingham, Esq., called in ; and Examined. 
 
 i. Chairman.^ YOU represented South Shields in three Parliaments? — R. Ingham, Es^ 
 
 2. Do you reside in the neighbourhood of South Shields ? — In the summer, 7 June l8 52. 
 and when not in London, within a mile of Shields, at the village of Westoe. 
 
 3. You were chairman of the Shields committee which was appointed some- 
 where about the year 1839 or 1840 to inquire into the causes of the frequent 
 explosions in coal mines, with a view to their prevention ? — I was one of some 
 gentlemen who were requested to act as a committee at a public meeting that 
 occurred just after a very formidable explosion, and my colleagues on the com- 
 mittee named me as their chairman. 
 
 4. Was that the St. Hilda Colliery ?— Yes, the St. Hilda Colliery, about 1838 
 or 1839 ; above 50 people were killed by that explosion. 
 
 5. The public meeting was held shortly afterwards ? — For the purpose of 
 giving relief to the sufferers ; and at that meeting Mr. Mather was present, who 
 stated what he had seen himself in going down the pit. He went down there 
 as soon as any person did go down after the occurrence of the accident, with 
 some of the officers of the colliery, and was himself of very material service in 
 carrying stimulants with him and restoring to animation several of those who 
 were in a state of asphyxia. I think it was a suggestion from him at that 
 meeting that there should be much more minute inquiry into the causes of 
 accidents of mines, and that we should not content ourselves by merely relieving 
 the sufferers. That was the occasion of the committee being appointed of 
 which Mr. Mather, and Mr. Salmon, the town clerk of Shields, acted as secre- 
 taries. 
 
 6. Was that committee appointed in the year 1839 or 1840, do you remem- 
 ber ? — It was, I know, immediately after the occurrence of the accident. I think 
 
 7. That committee carried on its labours for some time, did it not ? — The 
 gentlemen who were residents examined almost all the collieries in which there 
 was any peril apprehended, and an extensive correspondence was opened, and 
 it was not till the year 1840 or 1841, or later than that, that the report was 
 made. 
 
 8. They sat about three years ? — I do not remember, but they sat up to the 
 time of the report. 
 
 9. Were the members of the committee the following, as far as you can 
 remember, besides yourself: Dr. Winterbottom, Mr. Shortridge, justice of the 
 peace ; Mr. Roxby, justice of the peace ; Mr. John Clay, Mr. Errington Bell, 
 Mr. Robert Walter Swinburne, Mr. William K. Eddows, and Mr. Anthony 
 Harrison ? — Yes. 
 
 0.62. A 10. Were 
 
 I did. 
 
 1839. 
 
•2 
 
 MINUTES OF EVIDENCE TAKEN BEFORE THE 
 
 R.Ingham, Esq, 10. Were those persons living in the immediate neighbourhood? — All of 
 them. 
 
 7 June 1852. j ! , Were they, any of them, what would he called practical men ? — None of 
 them in connexion with collieries. I think there was some desire on the part 
 of the public meeting out of which the committee emanated, that it should be 
 composed of persons of intelligence and activity, likely to pursue the inquiry 
 zealously, and that they should be exempt from any supposed interest in col- 
 lieries. Two of those gentlemen, namely, Mr. Swinburne, a large glass manu- 
 facturer, and Mr. Harrison, an alkali manufacturer, were both experienced 
 chemists, and that was possibly the object of their selection. Some of them 
 went down the colliery, and they tested the gases, and analyzed them. Mr. 
 Eddows was a surgeon, in considerable practice ; and Mr. Clay, now the mayor 
 of the town, went down some of the collieries also ; he is a banker ; but I must 
 say the preparation of the report, and substantially the entire merit of the 
 inquiry, rested with Mr. Mather. 
 
 1 2. Mr. Booker.] The merit of the report rested with him ? — It was actually 
 sent to every person on the committee. We all had the report, and some 
 remarks might be made upon it before it came out in the shape in which it was 
 printed. The secretaries corresponded with various parties, and the committee 
 gratefully adopted the suggestions of Mr. Mather, and acknowledged the 
 labour and skill shown by him in the prosecution of the inquiry, I went 
 down Monkwearmouth Colliery, I believe almost the deepest ; there were half- 
 a-dozen gentlemen of the committee went down. At that time we took down 
 Upton and Roberts's lamp, and some others, and also examined the velocity of 
 the air currents. When 1 say it was Mr. Mather's report, I do not mean to 
 say it was to be considered as depending exclusively upon his view of the sub- 
 ject ; but that the merit of the report is his due, and that the other parties 
 concurred in ; it was our joint opinion. 
 
 13. Chairman J\ The choice of those parties arose from a feeling, perhaps, 
 on the part of the meeting that the owners of collieries might not, from the 
 expense of precautionary measures, have taken sufficient means perhaps to 
 ensure the safety of the mine ? — I should not say that ; it was a very distress- 
 ing time ; between 50 and 60 persons then lost their lives ; and the pit of 
 St. Hilda is absolutely in the town, not a furlong from the market-place. 
 I dare say the choice arose from thinking that to the pitmen themselves, and 
 those interested, it would be more satisfactory if the inquiry was made by per- 
 sons they knew as residents in the town, and not at all connected with the 
 collieries. I do not think past experience, speaking as a resident in the neigh- 
 bourhood, would justify me in saying that 1 should apprehend any unwilling- 
 ness on the part of coalowners to undertake anything in the. way of precaution 
 that could be suggested to them on reasonable grounds. I think Mr. Dunn, 
 who is the Government inspector for mines in the North of England, says 
 expressly, in his report, that the coalowners are vying with each other to intro- 
 duce improved means of ventilation and security in working of the mines, 
 whenever they can do it. 
 
 1 4 . The choice arose from a delicacy towards their feelings, for fear that it 
 might be supposed they themselves might have some interest in it? — I should 
 say that it was to assure the sufferers that the inquiry would be impartial. 
 
 15. Then, in fact, you can bear testimony to the authenticity of this report, 
 and to its having come from a body of men selected by a public meeting, and 
 that they carried on their labours with great zeal and minuteness for a long 
 period of time? — Without any false modesty I ought to make myself an 
 exception, 1 was so much absent ; but I know my colleagues upon the spot did 
 everything that was in their power, and the report was sent to each member 
 of the committee, and was carefully considered by all of them. 
 
 16. Evidence was examined to a great extent ? — I think not. The committee 
 visited the several collieries of the country ; but Mr. Mather can give exact 
 information upon the subject. We went down generally with one of the viewers 
 or some overman, or inferior officer of the colliery, and examined upon the spot, 
 and got answers to any questions that arose, and there was a great deal of evi- 
 dence got by correspondence. I might mention particularly that Mr. Thomas 
 John Taylor sent documents which are in the appendix ; he is a gentleman 
 of the very highest character as a scientific viewer. He communicated some 
 valuable intelligence. 
 
 17* There 
 
SELECT COMMITTEE ON COAL MINES. 
 
 3 
 
 17. There is a reference to the opinions of a great number of persons here ; r. Ingham, Esq. 
 
 were their opinions asked by correspondence or orally? — As to those that 
 
 were viewers in the North of England, their opinions would be taken orally 7 June 1852. 
 when they were upon the spot. I think Dr. Clanny, who is not living now, was 
 
 the first gentleman in that country who turned his attention to safety lamps, 
 and he was present with some of the committee at a meeting at Westoe ; and 
 in the case of others at a distance their opinions were entirely obtained by 
 correspondence. 
 
 18. Mr. Booker.'] You stated that you went down several of the collieries, 
 and that you examined the velocity of the currents, and that you also analyzed 
 the gases ; do you conceive that you analyzed them accurately, and ascertained 
 the simple substances of which they are composed? — I did not say I personally 
 examined them ; it was done by Mr. Harrison carefully, I believe ; he was a 
 chemist, and that I think was the object with which he was requested to be one 
 of the committee, but I should rather refer to Mr. Mather, who is in the room, 
 and knows the details of the investigation. 
 
 1 9. As chairman of that committee, the result of your investigations seems 
 to come to this : that efficient ventilation in some shape or other was the sole 
 cure for those explosions ; was that so ? — There were other suggestions : 
 efficient ventilation was most strongly recommended, feeling that danger 
 must ensue from trusting exclusively to any safety lamp ; and we went so far 
 into detail as to recommend the introduction of the steam jet, by which Mr. 
 Gurney has been able to accelerate the current of air ; and there were further 
 regulations mentioned, some of which have been since carried into effect, as, 
 that there should be inspectors of mines, who should visit the mines regularly, 
 and that there should be well-grown boys placed always in charge of the trap 
 doors. I think also that the education of the inferior officers and the miners 
 was recommended as of very great importance, and I have read with satisfac- 
 tion, in a Newcastle paper, that there has been a meeting there, at which 
 Mr. Nicholas Wood, well known to every one conversant with the coal trade, 
 presided, for establishing a school of mines connected with the Durham Uni- 
 versity, and in his instructive speech he alluded to the great benefit that would 
 result from the proper education of the overmen and inferior officers, they 
 communicating their information to the practical labourers below them. It is 
 rather, I think, to greater vigilance to be obtained by strict inspection than to 
 the introduction of any new mechanical remedy that we should at present look 
 for the diminution of risks. 
 
 20. Was your recommendation of the steam jet the result of actual experi- 
 ence, as being superior to any other mode of effecting ventilation ? — I do not 
 know that there were experiments tried in any colliery ; but the steam jet had 
 been in use at South Shields, in some of the alkali works, for accelerating the 
 current of muriatic acid gas in its passage through the absorbing towers ; it 
 was found they could not get rid of it with sufficient rapidity, and the steam 
 jet was introduced to quicken the current ; so that though there might have 
 been no experiment tried in regard to its application to a coal mine, we were 
 aware of its power. 
 
 21. Has your attention ever been drawn to the decomposition or neutralizing 
 of the gases r — It has not. 
 
 22. Colonel Mure.] You mentioned, referring to the gentlemen connected 
 with the coal interest not having been on the committee, that you thought there 
 was great anxiety on their part to vie with each other in enforcing precau- 
 tionary measures. Does that observation apply to the period of which you 
 were speaking, or to the present time ? — I should say it applied to both, though 
 precautions have been greatly increased since then. I think at that period 
 there was a greater confidence placed in the Davy lamp than at present. I do 
 not think they were so well aware then as they are now of the necessity of 
 trusting more to ventilation than to lamps ; and at that period I do not know r 
 that they were so anxious about ventilation, and so ready to multiply shafts, 
 which is the most secure method of ventilation, as I suppose they would be at 
 present. In what I said of the coalowners I referred to the expressions of 
 Mr. Dunn, in the Report laid before The House, in which he states the result 
 of his experience of what is doing in the mining districts of the North of 
 England, during the year 1851. 
 
 23. The impression that the report of the committee creates is rather that 
 0.62. a 2 there 
 
4 
 
 MINUTES OF EVIDENCE TAKEN BEFORE THE 
 
 it. Ingham, Esq, there was a want of precaution in regard to the sinking of additional shafts, 
 
 and a disinclination on the part of the coalowners to take the same precautions 
 
 7 June 1852. in that respect that were taken in Staffordshire and the West of England mines. 
 
 Has there been any greater exertion made with regard to those precautions 
 since that time? — Yes, there has been, they were then trusting more to 
 lamps than ventilation ; but since then there has been more attention given to 
 efficiently dividing old shafts, which, however, is but an imperfect mode of 
 ventilation, and in the collieries recently sunk there have been a great num- 
 ber of shafts ; in one, the Hastings Colliery, they sunk some live or six shafts. 
 I know at St. Hilda's Colliery now they are uniting two collieries, so as to 
 work them together, that they may have two shafts. . 
 
 24. Colonel Pennant.] Do you know of any additional shafts having been 
 placed in old collieries ? — No ; I have not such a knowledge as would justify 
 me in answering either way. I know they have made more permanent divi- 
 sions in some of the old shafts, to get more secure ventilation, and all new 
 collieries are laid out with a greater establishment of shafts than they had 
 before. 
 
 25. Mr. Booker.] It is exceedingly important that the opinion of a gentle- 
 man in your position in the northern districts should not go against the com- 
 parative security of the lamp. Though you may be of opinion that the lamp is 
 not the best security for the prevention of explosions, are you not of opinion 
 that it is of very great and essential service, and a great protection to the 
 miners ? — No question of it. 
 
 26. Though a great precaution, probably like vaccination for the prevention 
 of small pox, though not absolutely a positive prevention, perhaps in nine cases 
 out of ten, or 99 cases out of 100, it is a very great security to the miners? — 
 The only objection I can make to the Davy lamp is the imperfect light it trans- 
 mits ; it is so very irksome a thing to work under an obscure light that 
 I believe it is not unfrequently the case that the pitmen, in order to disem- 
 barrass themselves from it, use candles where they ought to use the lamp, and 
 possibly open the flame ; and if you could by any means increase the luminous 
 power of the lamp, at the same time not having too wide a mesh to allow the 
 transmission of fire, that would be the improvement. 
 
 27. You are still of opinion that the Davy lamp is of great benefit? — No 
 doubt. 
 
 28. Though not affording the most perfect security ? — Yes ; any lamp that 
 insulates the flame must be a great security, and if you could increase the 
 illuminating power it would be more valuable still. 
 
 James Mather, Esq., called in ; and Examined. 
 
 J. Mather, Esq. 29. Chairman.'] YOU were Secretary of the South Shields Committee, which 
 ■ was appointed to investigate the causes of accidents in coal mines ? — I was. 
 
 30. In what year was that committee appointed? — In August 1839. 
 
 3 1 . You heard what Mr. Ingham said as to the causes of those accidents ; do 
 you assent to that ? — I did not hear it distinctly, but I have no doubt of his 
 general correctness. 
 
 32. At a public meeting which was called in consequence of the St. Hilda's 
 colliery explosion? — Yes. 
 
 33. That committee began its sittings in 1839 ? — It did. 
 
 34. How long did it continue its sittings ?— About three years. 
 
 35. What means did it take to get the information which is contained in this 
 volume ? — It visited the mines frequently ; it consulted with some of the most 
 able and practical viewers ; it also corresponded with some of the most scientific 
 men of the day, and it made such experiments as came within its reach in the 
 
 s mines, with lamps and other instruments. 
 
 36. The committee visited collieries themselves, and they made experiments 
 in the collieries ; did they make any investigation as to the nature of the gases, 
 or the. means of preventing their deleterious effects ? — They made experiments, 
 not in the mines, of the nature of the gases, but out of the mines. They made 
 experiments in the mines with the lamps ; and in experiments of that nature 
 tested all their qualities of safety. 
 
 37. The conclusions to which you come, if I rightly apprehend them, are, 
 
 that 
 
SELECT COMMITTEE ON COAL MINES. 
 
 5 
 
 that the Davy lamp, though under certain circumstances a security in going j t Mather, Esq. 
 
 into an explosive atmosphere, still practically in the hands of the miners will ■ . - 
 
 frequently lead to accidents ? — I have no doubt of it. 7 June 1852. 
 
 38. And that the Davy lamp itself in the hands of a miner, or an ignorant 
 person, or a person under circumstances of excitement in running to and fro, 
 becomes a cause of the explosion which the miners expect it is to be the means 
 of preventing ? — I believe it is ; it has happened more than once. I will state 
 one or two cases : there was an explosion took place recently at Killingworth, 
 within five or six months ; they were then working under the Davy lamp. There 
 were eight people killed, and the lamps were all found perfectly safe, the tops 
 on, and the gauze uninjured, upon the after examination of the mine. 
 
 39. Colonel Pennant.] When was that ? — In November last. 
 
 40. Chairman.] That is merely in confirmation of a number of instances 
 given in this report r — Just so ; it is in confirmation, and therefore, though it 
 does not prove the absolute want of safety of the Davy lamp itself, it shows 
 that with all the precautions that may be taken in mines, it is an implement 
 in the hands of miners not to be altogether trusted. They require a good light 
 at their work, and the gauze unfortunately absorbs a great quantity of that 
 light, the consequence is that they are induced, it is asserted, being anxious to 
 get on, sometimes to unscrew the lamp, or use means to unscrew the lamp, and 
 the end of it is, that explosions occasionally occur under that process, as well 
 as the others connected with the lamp. A very recent explosion which took 
 place in the north was under the employment of the Davy lamp ; it was at 
 Hebburn Pit, when 22 people were killed. There, unfortunately, the precau- 
 tions usually taken were not taken ; the owner permitted the men to fire shots, 
 as it is called, in the workings, to blow down the coal ; for this they allowed them 
 to unscrew the lamps ; the lamps were not locked at all ; they constantly 
 unscrewed the tops and fired the gunpowder, thus counteracting the safety of 
 the lamp. If the mine w r as bad enough to require the Davy lamp, it was too 
 bad to have shots fired in it. 
 
 41. Mr. Child.] Is not it found that sometimes the use of the safety lamp 
 induces them to venture into places which otherwise would be dangerous ? — I 
 believe very commonly ; the Davy lamp very often enables them to go in and 
 take out masses of coal which would otherwise be lost to the owners of the 
 colliery. 
 
 42. Chairman.] In fact, as regards the Davy lamp, a person knowing its real 
 quality might venture in an atmosphere with safety, when, under excitement, 
 workmen would not do so ? — Certainly ; I think a philosopher, a man who 
 thoroughly understands the nature of the Davy lamp, knows that a quick 
 current will pass a flame through the meshes, unless he is very careful ; but it 
 is a delicate instrument, and I think, a dangerous instrument, in the hands of 
 miners, and in the ever-changing condition of mines. 
 
 43. In fact if the miner was stationary as a philosopher might be, and the 
 current not passing at more than the general rate, the Davy lamp would be a 
 perfect security against explosion ? — It would be a perfect security against it 
 if there were not the explosive mixture present ; but a Davy lamp filled with 
 flame inside the gauze, filled to the very summit, four or five inches high, 
 becomes red hot ; particles of carbon dust float about in the mines ; if they 
 were to alight at that moment upon the Davy lamp the chances are, by the 
 smallest particle of carbon flame arising, the whole mine might be exploded. 
 
 44. Have you ever seen the meshes of a Davy lamp red hot under the cir- 
 cumstance of stationariness ? — I have; it very frequently occurs; a man hearing 
 a flicker turns round and finds the lamp, inside of the gauze, with a flame four 
 or five inches high. 
 
 45. The danger arises from a miner, seeing his lamp to be in that condition, 
 taking it up and hurrying away with it, and so virtually producing the current 
 under which the danger exists ? — Yes. 
 
 46. Suppose the case of a lamp, the meshes of which are red hot, the state 
 of the current remaining the same, not more than two miles an hour ; would 
 that red hot wire, communicating with, explode the gas ? — I believe not at two 
 miles an hour ; it requires about five feet a second, which approximates to 
 something like four miles an hour. 
 
 47. Then in fact it is the pace at which the current which contains the 
 0.62. a 3 explosive 
 
6 
 
 MINUTES OF EVIDENCE TAKEN BEFORE THE 
 
 J. Mather, Esq. explosive gas is going, which is the cause of the danger, so far as the Davy 
 lamp is concerned ? — So far as that danger is concerned. 
 
 7 June 1852. 4 8. In practical use do you apprehend that that pace must constantly be 
 incurred, and that practically the Davy lamp becomes, under those circum- 
 stances, the cause of danger rather than of security from danger ? — It is the 
 cause of danger frequently. 
 
 49. I presume I need hardly ask you whether you would rather have the 
 Davy lamp than no lamp at all ? — 1 have expressed this opinion before ; I wish 
 we could do without lamps altogether, i fancy in our present state of venti- 
 lation we cannot do without them, but I trust to arrive at a more perfect 
 system ; without going into that question, at this moment, I may say I think we 
 shall arrive at so thorough a ventilation of mines, as to do without this dangerous 
 implement. 
 
 .50. Before going to the question of ventilation, is there any other lamp which 
 has been invented, and which you consider contains properties which altogether 
 make it more eligible than the Davy lamp ? — A safe lamp was invented and 
 shown before the Committee of the House of Commons in 1835 ; Upton and 
 Roberts's was a very safe lamp, but not practical. It is so delicate, if you move 
 with a pace of two or three miles an hour your lamp is suddenly put out ; if 
 there is a small quantity of gas, and no necessity for alarm, a slight, trifling, and 
 scarcely appreciable explosion in the interior will put the lamp out ; and con- 
 sequently it becomes almost useless in the hands of the miners. 
 
 51 . Which is Dr. Clanny's lamp ? — I will show it to you (the fVitness produced 
 various lamps). 
 
 52. Which is Davy's lamp ? — This (producing the same). This is one which 
 they have employed in the mines. This (producing another) is a new Davy ; it 
 is rather wider in the cylinder. 
 
 53. How many meshes are there in the square inch ? —Seven hundred and 
 eighty-four. 
 
 54. Should there not be 1,000 ? — One thousand have been tried here before, 
 and passed the flame. 
 
 55. Which is Clanny's ? — This (producing another lamp) is one of the original 
 Clanny's, which we experimented with in the mines ; it is changed in aspect. 
 
 56. Did this succeed ? — It succeeded very well, but the first experiment was 
 made with a more perfect lamp than this ; there was a gauze inside from the 
 top to the bottom of the lamp. 
 
 57. Colonel Pennant. .] Within that glass ? — Yes ; the lamp had a gauze con- 
 tinuously from the bottom upwards ; the glass was inside, and the supply of air, 
 which is the great principle of the lamp, came from above and descended into 
 the flame. Gases expand and become lighter in proportion to their specific 
 gravities, the consequence was, that the light carburetted hydrogen on approach- 
 ing the upper part of this lamp, which was exceedingly, not generally expanded, 
 flew off and disappeared. Nothing but the more dense atmospheric air, at least 
 very little of the carburetted hydrogen, descended into the lamp ; very seldom 
 one could get a slight explosion ; in fact, in the midst of explosive mixture 
 there was no possibility of passing the flame ; here too by experiment the top 
 of the lamp did not get red hot. The end of all the experiment was, that we 
 found it a much safer and better lamp than any in the mines. 
 
 ,58. Chairman.^ The Clanny lamp? — Yes; the improved Clanny lamp. 
 
 59. Is there anything with regard to its weight or size which makes it incon- 
 venient ?— There is an objection to its weight, not to the working miner so 
 much as to what are called the waste men ; the men who examine all the dan- 
 gerous parts of the mine ; who travel perhaps six and eight, and sometimes ten 
 hours a day, with the lamp in their hands. Some of the passages are very 
 low ; they have to creep through openings of two or three feet occasionally ; 
 and therefore, with a lamp of any weight, of two pounds and upwards, which the 
 Clanny lamp is, this becomes a matter of considerable importance. The Davy 
 lamp, from its weight, is on this point better than the Clanny. 
 
 60. Would you consider that Clanny's lamp is better than Stephenson's 
 lamp r — It is decidedly better than Stephenson's lamp, in this respect, you 
 cannot pass the explosive mixture through it as you have done through 
 Stephenson's lamp. 
 
 61. Has no one ever passed the explosive mixture through a Clanny lamp? 
 — Not of the original construction. He thought in his last lamp he had made 
 
 an 
 
SELECT COMMITTEE ON COAL MINES. 
 
 7 
 
 an improvement ; this is his improved lamp ( producing the same), by enclosing j Mather, Esq. 
 
 it all round with a glass, and lowering the cylinder of glass, without any gauze 
 
 cover. The light carburetted hydrogen, however, manages to get into this wide 7 June 1852. 
 
 portion of the lamp, the glass cylinder, and fills, and explodes more easily : it 
 
 is now more dangerous. There is great danger too, in consequence of this glass 
 
 without a gauze to it, for if there is any quantity of gas the cylinder gets hot, a 
 
 drop of water upon the glass would then fracture it. I have seen some of those 
 
 glasses fractured from top to bottom. 
 
 62. It would admit the flame to the explosive gas ? — Yes. 
 
 63. Have any steps been taken to remedy that objection ? — They continued 
 in one or two instances to work with it ; they thought it even safer ; it was a 
 mere crack, they said. It expanded ; but if a trifling opening had occurred it 
 would have let in the enemy. 
 
 64. Has it practically been adopted in many mines ? — Some of the officers 
 of the mines like it, notwithstanding its weight, because it gives so perfect a 
 light. 
 
 65. Do the working miners themselves prefer it? — There are one or two 
 mines where they employ it, and they like it very well, owing to the light. 
 They are not aware of their danger from the glass alone, and as long as the pro- 
 prietors and owners give their sanction to it, whatever gives light they like. 
 
 66. Mr. Booker.] Suppose that glass were annealed, would it be liable to 
 break from expansion and contraction as now ? — Whether annealed or not, if 
 it got hot from any cause fracture would occur, especially in wet mines, from 
 water constantly dripping in them. 
 
 67. Chairman.] Are they not all annealed ? — Yes, they are all annealed. 
 
 68. Colonel Pennant, ,] Is not it liable to fracture from blows in working the 
 coal mines ? — Some of them have been so fractured, but they did not know how 
 the injury occurred. 
 
 69. Chairman.] In fact, if the glass were not annealed, it would split in a 
 moment? — It would, from the rapid cooling in the atmosphere. 
 
 70. Does the Committee understand you to say that the Clanny lamp is not 
 liable to get red hot in the gauze ? — Not so easily ; I have never seen it hot. 
 
 71. To return to some questions I was putting before, supposing the case of the 
 gauze to be red hot, are there not other gases besides the carburetted hydrogen ; 
 even if the red hot gauze would not set fire to that carburetted hydrogen, are 
 there not other gases, such as sulphuretted hydrogen, which would light at a 
 lower temperature ? — Yes ; they have not much in English mines ; they have, 
 however, found it. Some very careful experiments of Professor Bischoff disco- 
 vered about 15 per cent, of the bi-carburetted hydrogen, in some of the con- 
 tinental mines ; which takes fire at scarcely the perceptible red heat of a wire. 
 
 72. Then if there is that bi-carburetted hydrogen mixed with the fire damp, 
 it will be found to explode at a lower temperature than would set fire to pure 
 carburetted hydrogen ? — Yes. 
 
 73. Supposing there is any particle of coal dust to fall on the heated wire 
 when surrounded with explosive gas, it would set fire to it ? — I think it would. 
 I may state two other instances : an explosion that took place at Wallsend, which 
 killed 102 people, while I think the last Committee was sitting on this subject 
 in 1 835 ; they were working under the Davy lamp, and some of the lamps 
 were produced at the coroner's inquest, and the coroner said it appeared as if 
 they had been subjected to an intense heat. There could be no explanation 
 given of that explosion, as the Davys were found perfect, except that the Davys 
 must have passed the flame. Two days they were working under red hot 
 lamps, the flame filling them to the top, and at last the explosion came and 
 killed that number of people. When the lamps were produced, the lamps ap- 
 peared as if they had been intensely hot, and had been put into a smith's fire. 
 
 74. Mr. Booker.'] They were in other respects in proper order? — In other 
 respects in proper order. I examined also the lamps of a mine after an explo- 
 sion, the Haswell Mine, where 95 people were killed in 1846 ; the lamps had 
 a similar appearance then ; one or two were bruised. I thus reason : those 
 lamps were crushed after the explosion, by its concussion bringing down the 
 roof; but previously an intense heat had evidently been applied to them; they 
 were almost as you see iron coming out of a blacksmith's fire, and therefore 
 the lamps being red hot, and a fall taking place in the goaf, the gas was pro- 
 jected through the lamps, and they passed the flame. The gas had passed at 
 
 0.62. a 4 an 
 
8 
 
 MINUTES OF EVIDENCE TAKEN BEFORE THE 
 
 j, Mather, Esq. an explosive rate through the gauze, and the injury to the lamps had taken 
 . place afterwards by the concussion. 
 
 7 June 1852. 75. The Belgian Government has given great attention to the subject of the 
 safety of mines ? — They have. 
 
 76. Have they expressed any opinion upon the Davy lamp ? — They have 
 expressed an opinion similar to that which I have expressed to-day. Mr. 
 Gurney, in his work on the Elements of Chemistry, and Dr. Pereira, before a 
 Committee of the House of Lords, distinctly showed that it would pass the 
 flame, and Mr. Hemming exhibited the same quality of this lamp. The Belgick 
 Commissioners arrived at the same conclusion precisely, and they state, in 
 addition, that it is probable the flame in the gauze lights suddenly, and the 
 workman getting a little alarmed, rushes from the spot, taking his lamp with 
 him, and brings on that very state of things which explodes the mine. 
 
 77. Mr. Child.~] Suppose the lamp to get red hot and the gas present in 
 large quantities, would not that explode also, though the miner did not move 
 the lamp away ? — Sir Humphry Davy states the quality of the lamp to be in 
 the cooling properties of the gauze, if, therefore, you red heat the lamp you lose 
 the cooling properties of the gauze ; and that, in my judgment, renders it a less 
 perfect instrument without referring to what was observed a short time ago 
 about the particles of coal dust lighting upon it in that state, and exploding it. 
 
 78. Supposing the lamp to get red hot, would not it explode the gas, though 
 it was not moved away? — I believe not, unless it was more than simply red hot. 
 
 79. Would not that heating increase ? — It would increase, I am afraid ; I 
 have seen gauze which had been more than red hot, almost white hot, like 
 heated iron, heated to a great degree. 
 
 80. But in all probability their moving the lamp would merely accelerate the 
 accident ; the accident would probably take place from the lamp becoming still 
 hotter ? — I think that is very probable, not only that you bring a double risk, 
 first, by passing the flame, and next, by increasing the combustion. 
 
 8 j. In consequence of the draught? — In consequence of the draught, and 
 the increase of the heat of the gauze. 
 
 82. Then it would appear that the safety lamp is rather an index of the 
 dangerous state of the mine than a means of preventing it ? — If used so it 
 would be an excellent instrument as an index of the state of the mine, and 
 should be immediately attended to. 
 
 83. Chairman^ Is it within your knowledge to state what steps the Belgian 
 Government, in consequence of the report of the commission, have taken with 
 the view of making their mines more safe ? — I did think to bring their report 
 here to-day, but I was unfortunately not able ; it will be sent up shortly, and you 
 will see exactly what they have done ; they have laid aside the Davy lamp, 
 and the Mueseler lamp has been adopted. 
 
 84. Have you one here ? — I am sorry a Philosophic Society at Manchester 
 borrowed it and forgot to return it. 
 
 85. What is the character of that lamp ? — It is precisely the last invention 
 of Dr. Clanny. It passes the supply of air to the wick down from above ; 
 there is a gauze, and no air gets in except over the top of the glass cylinder. 
 It is the improved Clanny lamp, in fact, altogether ; but it was made, perhaps 
 you will allow me to state, one year after Dr. Clanny had propounded this 
 lamp to the Shields committee. 
 
 86. Colonel Pennant.'] Is that the lamp referred to in this Report of the South 
 Shields committee ? — Yes. 
 
 87. Has there been no improvement since this report? — No; I think the 
 improvement of that lamp is no improvement. 
 
 88. Mr. Child.'] The old lamp is not likely to crack like the new one ? — 
 No, it has gauze. 
 
 89. Colonel Pennant.] When the gauze was over the lamp was not there the 
 same objection of its not giving so perfect a light for practical purposes ? — Yes ; 
 but it gave no worse ; of course the glass is always well selected, nearly trans- 
 parent, but when you have that obscurity to a certain moderate extent, you 
 have to place against it protection from very serious danger. 
 
 00. That of fracture by blows t — That of passing the flame. 
 
 91. Chairman.] Which of the chemists has given the most attention to the 
 question of which is the best lamp to prevent explosion by fire-damp ? — I do 
 not know any in particular ; Dr. Pereira explained before the Committee in 
 
 1835, 
 
SELECT COMMITTEE ON COAL MINES. 
 
 9 
 
 1835, and demonstrated by several very excellent experiments, the nature of the J. Mather, Esq 
 
 lamps then known. _ r~T ~ „ 
 
 1 T . . . 7 June 1052. 
 
 92. Is it true that Dr. Pereira stated that no lamp is a real security against 
 explosion ? — He stated it and proved it, except in Upton and Roberts's lamp, 
 which is not a practical one ; even through the gauze which Sir Humphry 
 Davy thought would not pass a flame of 32 meshes to the square inch, which 
 upwards of 1,000 little apertures, he passed it. 
 
 93. Did he have a Clanny lamp ? — The one then invented ; the new one was 
 not then discovered. 
 
 94. How did the first Clanny lamp stand the test of experiments ? — Not at 
 all. 
 
 95. It caused explosions to take place through that lamp ? — Yes ; he had an 
 especial piece of machinery. It is scarcely now worth detaining the Com- 
 mittee about. That was the lamp before the Committee of the House formerly, 
 it is like a telescope (producing the same). He put a little thin wire attached 
 to one of these perpendicular columns, run it through to the other side, and 
 fastened it there. It prevented the slipping down of this tube. As soon as much 
 gas was present it melted this wire, and the tube came down and covered 
 the lamp ; that was for the purpose of indicating danger and preserving against 
 it. However, it was found in the experiment here that the wire would not 
 always burn, and it got fast, and the flame got through before it came down. 
 
 96. Then what Clanny intended was that the falling down of the shield, 
 that external shield extinguishing the lamp under the circumstances, in the 
 presence of a large quantity of explosive gas, should be the protection of the 
 miner, and should put the light out ? — Yes. 
 
 97. Then Dr. Clanny seems to have been convinced, under the circum- 
 stances of a large quantity of explosive gas, that the meshes would not be an 
 absolute protection ? — He always thought so. 
 
 98. Therefore he provided against that so far by providing an extinguisher 
 to go down and put the lamp out t — Yes. 
 
 99. Practically the Committee understand you that the lamp which the 
 Belgian Commission have recommended, and Dr. Clanny's, made on the same 
 principle ? — On the same principle. 
 
 100. Mr. Boo her.] With reference to the lamp as an experimental lamp 
 and as a working lamp ; is it your opinion that if used as a working lamp the 
 meshes become liable to be choked up, or rather covered with the dust which 
 flies from the mining implements while the man is using the lamp, and then 
 from the heat within that dust will fly off in sparks and scintillas, and 
 then an explosion will take place from that cause ? — I think it a very probable 
 cause. 
 
 101. Do you not think that that is the fact frequently, when the lamp is used 
 as a working lamp, that is, used as a general lamp for the workman actually 
 plying his work in the mine? — That is one of the modes of accounting for 
 those explosions. It is either from what you state ; that is the quantity of dust 
 which the workman, perpetually busy with his pick, throws off in small par- 
 ticles^ of coal which naturally fall upon the meshes and if the gas comes off at 
 the same time it is a very probable cause, the gauze becoming hot, to ignite 
 the external gas. 
 
 ] 02. You have spoken of falls creating concussions ; it is absolutely necessary 
 for an explosion of carburetted hydrogen that there should be the presence of 
 flame ; it would not explode of its own accord; I am supposing that a fall from 
 the roof creates a concussion ; in that case there must be the presence of flame 
 to create explosion ; the gas would not explode of its own force ? — Not without 
 flame. 
 
 103. I ask you that opinion for the satisfaction of the workmen who are 
 emploved ; you stated that at the Wall's End explosion 1 02 persons were killed ? 
 —Yes". 
 
 1 04. Is it the fact, that after an explosion there is the presence of after-damp, 
 of carbonic acid gas ?■ — Yes, and nitrogen gas. 
 
 105. As to the system pursued by the Belgian Government, do they enforce 
 their recommendations, or do they merely recommend and leave the application 
 of them to the proprietors or workers of the mines. I have made inquiry, and 
 find the Belgian Government have a corps of engineers everywhere, and this 
 corps, which is of great intelligence and usefulness, without imposing directions 
 
 0.62. B or 
 
10 
 
 MINUTES OF EVIDENCE TAKEN BEFORE THE 
 
 J. Mather, Esq. or exercising any restraint whatever upon the mode of managing the works, 
 rather encourage the proprietors and give them all the information in their 
 7 J !; ne 1852. power ; that seems their view ? — Exactly ; there is a Royal Commission in Bel- 
 gium for the very purpose. 
 
 1 06. Chairman.] Will you be kind enough to tell us in what way this gas 
 explodes, or under what conditions it explodes. In what proportions must the 
 carburetted hydrogen be mixed with the oxygen in order to produce explosion ? 
 — I believe the most violent explosions occur from about seven parts of atmo- 
 spheric air and one part of carburetted hydrogen. 
 
 107. Then to introduce carburetted hydrogen in its pure state, if it came 
 against the flame it would not explode ? — It would not explode. 
 
 108. It requires the presence of a certain amount of atmospheric air? — 
 Yes ; it requires somewhere about 20 parts to one of carburetted hydrogen to 
 slightly show flame. In three or four times the quantity of atmospheric air it 
 slightly explodes ; there is then too much gas ; but when you get a little more 
 air, and about one part of carburetted hydrogen to seven parts of atmospheric 
 air, you have the most tremendous explosions. 
 
 109. The greatest explosive power is seven parts of atmospheric air to one of 
 the explosive gas? — Yes. 
 
 110. What is the margin of the explosive quality; would it be somewhere 
 between 5 and 15, or 5 and 14 ; explosions being more or less violent as it 
 comes towards the seventh or eighth parts of atmospheric air to one of car- 
 buretted hydrogen ? — It would be from about 5 to 13. 
 
 in. If you have not five parts to one of atmospheric air it will not explode, 
 and if there were more than 12 or 13 parts neither will it explode? — No. 
 
 112. The Committee may perhaps gather from what you have stated that 
 upon the whole you would be disposed to rely more upon the increased 
 efficiency of the ventilation than you would be upon any discoveries or im- 
 provements in lamps ? — Certainly. 
 
 1 1 3. You are acquainted with Mr. Taylor, the civil engineer ? — No, not per- 
 sonally. 
 
 114. Would you be disposed to agree with the opinion he appears to have 
 expressed here, that the tendency of dependence upon the Davy lamp would 
 be to make owners of collieries not take the same pains for ventilation that they 
 would otherwise have done ? — I quite agree in that opinion. 
 
 115. It is the great reliance upon the Davy lamp which has led the pro- 
 prietors to depend so little upon ventilation? — I think so. 
 
 1 16. Colonel Mure.'] When you talk of Davy lamps, do you use the term in 
 a general sense ; y ou have mentioned that, in your opinion, several of those other 
 lamps were preferable to the Davy lamp ? — When speaking of a Davy lamp, 
 I mean a simple wire gauze cylinder, as that lamp before you, without any 
 other arrangement whatever ; just as Sir Humphry Davy gave it. 
 
 117. You mean, in short, the principle of the Davy lamp? — Yes, the 
 principle. 
 
 n S. You mentioned also that the Clanny lamp was employed in several 
 mines ?■ — Yes. 
 
 119. Has there been any instance of an explosion in a mine where the Clanny 
 lamp, and not the old Davy lamp, has been preferred ? — None that I know of. 
 
 120. You said, except the glass which rendered it unsafe, that you were of 
 opinion that the Clanny lamp was a very complete instrument ? — With the 
 exception of the glass it is infinitely the best. 
 
 121. Is there no other transparent substance that could be used in the place 
 of glass that would not be exposed to the same risks as the glass ? — Mica 
 or talc. I am told, has been employed, though I have not seen a lamp con- 
 structed with that substance. 
 
 122. If some such material could be found to obviate the difficulty as to the 
 glass, would not the Clanny lamp be an effective instrument for its purpose i — 
 It would ; but there is an objection to using lamps too much, because if 
 you get a lamp of that kind you entirely rely upon it, and you bring on, from 
 slight accidents, those explosions : and there is another objection ; you induce 
 the men to work in an atmosphere which, though not so suddenly destructive 
 to their lives, is eventually so. 
 
 123. My question merely related to the relative merits of the construction of 
 lamps ; it seems to be your opinion that the most frequent cause_of explosion 
 
 with 
 
SELECT COMMITTEE ON COAL MINES. 
 
 with the Davy lamp has been the influence of currents of air : have any J. Mather, E*q. 
 attempts been made in mines with the Davy lamp, or the Clanny, to have — — — — - 
 them fixed, and placed in the mines so that the workmen should not have the 7 June 
 power of moving them from place to place ? — No attempt has been made of 
 this kind. In the leading drifts into the interior and the main passages, where 
 they have currents generally of five, six, or seven, and in some instances ten 
 feet of air a second; when the air is driving thus rapidly, and not much 
 explosive mixture present, they have naked lights perpetually ; in such places, 
 if deemed convenient, such lamps could be placed. 
 
 i 24. You mentioned also the case of lamps that gave greater security, but 
 which had the disadvantage of going out when moved from place to place. 
 Do you think it would be practicable to provide lamps for lighting the mines, 
 sufficient to enable the men to work, by means of reflectors or otherwise, with- 
 out the necessity of men having lamps in their hands, and carrying them up 
 and down, and exposing them to those risks? — I am afraid it would be scarcely 
 possible; two men for instance working in a recess together, they are con- 
 stantly changing and driving the drifts a couple of yards perhaps at one 
 working ; therefore the lamp would have to be changed, to meet that advance ; 
 the difficulty would be in altering the lamp perpetually, not only there but in 
 every part of the mine. 
 
 12,5, With respect to how far the Davy lamp is liable to explode, when the 
 gauze becomes red hot, was ever any experiment made by scientific men to test 
 how far that would happen without the influence of any unusual current of air ; 
 you mentioned experiments made by Dr. Pereira; by means of a current of air, 
 I apprehend ? — By means of a current of air blown through it with the explo- 
 sive mixture ; but Sir Humphry Davy performed an experiment at one of Lord 
 Durham's mines. He went to a blower of gas, and he took one of his own 
 lamps to show them the danger there was, of which he warned them ; he was 
 not what would be called a practical man, but he took the lamp and lighted 
 it, and exposed it to the blower, and as soon as the lamp became somewhat 
 hot it passed the flame and lighted the blower immediately ; that was in the 
 presence of the late Lord Durham and a large party. 
 
 126. Was the lighting of the flame on that occasion the consequence of the 
 gauze being red hot, without any other influence ? — To the rapidity also of the 
 blower, the gas jet. 
 
 127. I wish to ascertain, in reference to a question another Member of the 
 Committee asked, whether the Davy lamp, being perfectly red hot, without any 
 unusual influence of air, would or would not ignite the inflammable air ; has 
 that been tried by experiment ? — I believe it has not. 
 
 128. Colonel Pennant.'] You mentioned in the first part of your evidence 
 that supposing particles of carbon floated about in the atmosphere and lighted 
 on a red hot wire, even then, without any motion of the air, there would be 
 danger of explosion ? — No doubt. 
 
 129. Colonel Mure.] The question is whether there may be sufficient inflam- 
 mable power in the red hot wire gauze itself to promote explosion without any 
 unusual current of air ? — I am not aware that there have been any experiments. 
 
 130. Mr. Child.] You have stated before it was your opinion that it would 
 explode ? — Distinctly. 
 
 131. Even though it was exempted from draught? — Yes, by lighting small 
 particles of carbon or other floating inflammable matter. 
 
 132. Mr. Booker.] I presume that the air charged with carburetted hydrogen 
 is respirable when it is not fatal ? — Yes. 
 
 133. Is this, in your opinion, correct, that for every volume of carburetted 
 hydrogen, there results one volume of carbonic acid gas, and eight volumes of 
 nitrogen, requiring at least 24 volumes of atmospheric air to render it at all 
 respirable ?- -I think you would find a difference, of opinion on that subject. 
 
 134. That is not an ascertained fact?— Sir Humphry Davy performed some 
 experiments on that subject ; so did Professor Graham, of University College, 
 as well as Professor Bischoff. They found that if one-tenth part of carbonic 
 acid gas exists in air though for a short time respirable, it becomes at length 
 fatal. The true after damp consists of 8 parts nitrogen, 2 aqueous vapour, 
 1 carbonic acid, and about 20 atmospheric air, which instantly kills. 
 
 135. Chairman.] Has it been ascertained at what temperature an explosion 
 takes place ? — I do not think it has been ascertained. 
 
 0.62. b 2 136. What 
 
12 MINUTES OF EVIDENCE TAKEN BEFORE THE 
 
 J. Mather, Esq. ^g. What is the temperature of the wire when it becomes red hot? 
 
 "~" ~~ I believe from 700 to 800 degrees, or somewhere thereabouts. 
 7 June i 52. 137 Is it very hot ?— Yes, quite perceptible. It will fire any easily com- 
 bustible matter. 
 
 138. On the subject of ventilation, the South Shields committee I observe, 
 upon the whole, consider that the steam jet is the most efficient method of 
 ventilation ?— Yes. 
 
 139. Is it more under control than the furnace system ? — I am convinced of it. 
 
 140. Has it more power? — It has more power. The experiments that have 
 been already tried in mines, and its practical operation in them, and others 
 which are going on in this country, not only in the mines, but in manufac- 
 tories, demonstrate that very distinctly. 
 
 141. One of the observations in the Report of the House of Lords' Com- 
 mittee in 1849, in speaking of the steam jet, is this: That it does not appear 
 then to have been sufficiently tried. Since that time has it been more exten- 
 sively tried, that is, the steam jet's application to the ventilation of coal mines ? 
 — Not more extensively. There is one party who has made a very magnificent 
 experiment on the subject ; he is also about applying it to the South Hetton, 
 one of the largest collieries in the North, so satisfied is he of its safety. 
 
 142. When the Report of the House of Lords stated that it was not sufficiently 
 tried, that might apply to the want of time, as well as to the amount of trial ; 
 —Yes. 
 
 143. Has it been tried continuously within your knowledge by any mine 
 proprietor since that time ? — It has been continuously employed in the same 
 mine it was introduced into since 1848, and no other means have been 
 employed for the ventilation of that mine since that period. 
 
 J 44. Has it only been applied in one mine by only one mine proprietor ? — It 
 has been attempted in others ; I visited one or two of them, and I was sorry 
 to observe that they did not qviite understand the instructions of its inventor, 
 Mr. Gurney ; they had not made a proper application of it, though I must do 
 them the justice to say an attempt was made to introduce it. 
 
 145. Was the attempt made without consulting Mr. Gurney, or without 
 having a sufficient knowledge of the method by which it ought to be applied ? 
 — I think Mr. Gurney was not consulted ; in one instance I know he was not ; 
 he would never have given any instructions so incorrect as those that were 
 acted on. 
 
 J 46. Where is the mine situated where this steam jet has been employed? — 
 In Northumberland ; in a very large mine at Seaton Delaval, within six or 
 seven miles of North Shields. 
 
 147. Who is the proprietor of that ? — There is a company of proprietors. 
 
 148. Who is the principal manager? — Mr. Forster ; he was the first who 
 introduced it into mines in this country. 
 
 1 49. Has he tried it in any other mine than the Seaton Delaval ? —No ; he 
 is about applying it to South Hetton, nearly the largest in the county of 
 Durham. 
 
 l ,50. What were the circumstances that induced him to apply it to the Seaton 
 Delaval mine ? — He was in London, and he lounged into the Polytechnic Insti- 
 tution, and saw r them showing the effect of the steam jet ; he said, " I have 
 seen some account of this for the ventilation of mines." He came down to 
 the North, and opened the South Shields report ; so he informed me. He found 
 there developed the plan by Mr. Gurney for the ventilation of mines, and he 
 took the process and the arrangements which had been suggested, and applied 
 them to the mines of Seaton Delaval. He subsequently put out the furnaces, 
 and shut up one pit previously employed ; yet he got nearly double the air, or 
 from 53,000 cubic feet of air to 95,000 when I measured it myself. 
 
 151. Colonel Pennant.'] You mean of increase? — Yes; an increase from 
 53,000 to 95,000. 
 
 152. Chairman.'] Was the Seaton Delaval generally considered a safe pit 
 before the application of the steam jet ? — I suppose if any accident had hap- 
 pened, it would have been declared to have been the best ventilated pit, but 
 fortunately it escaped. The gas was seen at the edge of the goaves whence the 
 coal pillars had been withdrawn, in which large masses of the roof had fallen, 
 creating great confusion and chaos. The gas was amongst their recesses. At 
 the borders of the goaves the men are generally working pillar work, as it is 
 
 called. 
 
SELECT COMMITTEE ON COAL MINES. 13 
 
 called. Light carburetted hydrogen commenced to show itself off the margin /. Mather, Esq. 
 of those goaves. — 
 
 153. Would the gas also play along the walls and sides of the shaft ?— It did 7 June 1852. 
 not reach so far as that; it only reached the working places of the men, and 
 
 that became dangerous, especially when there was a sudden fall in the roof, as 
 at Haswell. 
 
 154. Then Mr. Forster concludes this Delaval mine was in a dangerous state, 
 or he would not have applied the new system to get rid of it ? — He did ; he 
 believed he required more air than he had. He had the best system, two fur- 
 naces and two up-cast shafts ; yet, seeing the principle of the jet, he made an 
 experiment with it, and the very first announcement was, the success of that 
 experiment to the world. 
 
 155. Has he ever tried to obtain a greater amount of ventilation than at the 
 rate, of 95,000 feet per minute? — I believe not; if he found it necessary, he 
 would seek for it. He has an engine, which draws his produce about 1,200 
 yards from the face of the coal. He finds while he is drawing his coal, he can 
 ventilate his pit with the boilers, so he applies the steam itself through 25 little 
 jets of about half an inch each, and while he is working his engine in one 
 direction, he is ventilating his shaft in another by the same means. 
 
 156. Mr. Child.'] Is that some other new principle? — The same principle. 
 The pressure is about 35 lbs. to the inch ; if he doubled or trebled his pres- 
 sure, he would get proportionally greater ventilation. 
 
 157. Chairman.) Could he, by additional expense, have increased ventilation 
 by the furnace, so as to make the current equal to what is produced by the steam 
 jet ? — It was not possible. The more it was tried by the furnace, the more it 
 became clear that it could not. The discovery was made before the Com- 
 mittee, of the House of Peers, in 1849, chiefly by the ingenuity of the Chair- 
 man, in my examination, that the furnace had a maximum power or limit. 
 When the proprietors and viewers used to say to me they were anxious for 
 more air, I pressed them to drive their furnaces a little better; instead of burn- 
 ing one ton and a half or two tons of coal a day, I asked them to add more, 
 three tons, and see whether they got better ventilation. On every experiment 
 we found we got no better, but I thought sometimes worse. 
 
 158. You are now approaching the question of what is called the furnace 
 limit? — Yes. I was asked whether it was not possible to get better ventila- 
 tion by furnaces. I said it was impossible, because they derived no advan- 
 tage from pushing the furnace. 
 
 159. Then there is, in fact, a limit to the power of furnace ventilation ? — 
 Yes ; there is a certain limit to the power of furnace ventilation. 
 
 160. Do you conceive, by what you have seen of the steam jet, there is any 
 practical limit to the power of steam jet ? — I think it is illimitable. I have 
 seen it do extraordinary work ; and from its effects, I infer that it is a power 
 that is controllable, though illimitable. 
 
 161. Have you visited the Seaton Delaval Colliery ?— Yes, not very long 
 ago. 
 
 162. Colonel Pennant^] Have there been any accidents in that pit since the 
 introduction of the system r — I am not aware of any. 
 
 163. Colonel Mure.) Do they use the safety lamps in it as usual, or do they 
 consider themselves so secure as not to render it necessary to apply them ? — 
 In the ordinary working you can force the air where you please ; but in taking 
 away the pillars and letting the roof fall, it is the practice to have safety lamps ; 
 you cannot ventilate the goaves well, though you can ventilate them. 
 
 164. Mr. Child.) Accumulations of gas have taken place notwithstanding 
 the ventilation by steam r — They will take place always in a goaf. I have seen 
 goafs ventilated, though you can scarcely drive any great current through 
 them. 
 
 165. What is the area of Seaton Delaval Colliery ? — I think 800 acres. 
 
 166. Is the expense much less under the present ventilation than the 
 furnaces before ? — Much less. Mr. Forster will precisely inform you upon 
 that. They have only one furnace now, instead of two ; they used to have 
 two men to each furnace night and day, besides those who attend the engine ; 
 they save in human labour and in coals too. 
 
 167. Chairman.) Then you require two shafts? — No, one; in this case I 
 think they had in that pit a great many shafts, either four or five shafts ; but 
 
 0.62. b 3 they 
 
14 MINUTES OF EVIDENCE TAKEN BEFORE THE 
 
 J. Mather, Esq. they found they were not all necessary. I think one of them has been closed, 
 ■ ■ or if used it is only occasionally so. 
 
 7 June 1852. 168. With the steam jet you require both a downcast and upcast ? — Yes. 
 
 169. By the system of brattices you could do with a single shaft, with the 
 downcast on one side and the upcast on the other ? — It is always obliged to 
 be done with a brattice where there is only one shaft ; on one side goes cold air ; 
 then there is from 3 h to 4 inches of deal, forming the brattice, and on the 
 other side is the upcast, up which comes the heated air. 
 
 170. Is that safe ? — It is exceedingly dangerous. 
 
 171. Mr. Booker.'] Here is a little work which has been put in my hands 
 this morning upon the subject of this Seaton Delaval Colliery ; I wish to ask 
 you, are you of opinion that the effect of steam jets is certain and unerring, or 
 rather that it is uncertain and capricious ? — I think it is certain in itself and 
 unerring, but the conditions of the mine are perpetually changing ; the fall of 
 the barometer and various operations within the interior of the mine may pro- 
 duce a change, though you are driving your air perhaps 80,000 or 100,000 
 feet the minute ; the gas will then pour out from every crevice of the coal, and 
 a fall in the goaf perhaps takes place ; the whole of your ventilation may require 
 to be changed ; you can do this by the power of the jet. 
 
 172. As to economy, are you of opinion that the jet is cheaper than the 
 furnace? — I am of opinion the jet is cheaper; you get an infinitely greater 
 proportion of results from it. 
 
 173. Have you seen the report of Professor Phillipps on this subject? — I 
 have not. 
 
 174. I believe, in page 25, his opinion is given ; have you seen it ? — No. 
 
 175. Are you aware that at the Seaton Delaval Colliery and others which 
 are mentioned, experiments were made by furnace and by the steam jets.; as to 
 Seaton Delaval Colliery, the steam jet and the boiler fire of an underground 
 engine, according to this table, produced no result, but failed alone, whilst the 
 furnace alone produced 50,909 cubic feet of air per minute, and the furnace and 
 the jet together combined produced 79,853 cubic feet per minute. Are you 
 aware of those experiments ? — I have heard something of them, and I tried 
 some experiments myself. 
 
 1 76. Could you explain them, as you speak of the unerring and certain effect 
 of the jet ? — Unerring so far, that without the jet you cannot raise your ventila- 
 tion there according even to Professor Phillipps. 
 
 177. This is a table of experiments at Seaton Delaval? — Producing about 
 50,000 cubic feet per minute. 
 
 178. That was by the furnace alone? — By the jet without any furnace except 
 such as may be required to keep the steam force up. By that alone you get 
 95,000 feet without any furnace all. 
 
 i 7g. Whilst in that position the steam jets and boiler fire and the under- 
 ground engine produced no result, but failed until the furnace was brought in 
 aid, and then combined they produced 79,000 feet ? — They had no furnace and 
 jet combined at all when I was down ; they had merely the fire that was required 
 to keep the boiler operating and the steam up ; they could not, of course, get 
 their steam without fire, and the application of that produced double the 
 quantity of ventilation, or nearly double ; from 53,000 with the furnace to 95,000 
 with the jet. Mr. Taylor made some experiments similar to those of Professor 
 Phillipps, and did not give time for the momentum of the column to cease. 
 They consequently produced erroneous conclusions. 
 
 180. Where was that? — At Seaton Delaval, the very mine you spoke of. 
 
 181. Mr. Child. ~] This was merely the surplus steam from the water in the 
 boiler ? — The surplus, the boiler being worked higher. 
 
 182. At a pressure of 32 ? — About 35 lbs. to the inch when I was there. 
 
 183. Mr. Booker.'] Professor Phillipps, in his Report (page 23) gives a state- 
 ment of the quantity of air which circulates in 10 of the northern collieries, 
 and the weight of coal consumed in generating this current, the average of 
 which he shows to be 18*831 cubic feet of air per minute, for every ton 
 of coal consumed in 24 hours by the furnace ; and according to the experiments, 
 a table of which is given here, it appears that 20 tons of coals, by high pressure 
 steam-jet ventilation, would be required to produce the same effect as is caused 
 by the furnace with one ton. This is a reprint from the " Mining Journal," 
 and said to be transcribed from Professor Phillipps's Report, at page 23. Will 
 
 you 
 
SELECT COMMITTEE ON COAL MINES. 
 
 15 
 
 you do me the favour of looking at it? — The viewer of the mine will tell you /• Mather, Esq. 
 
 rather a different story ; I think he will show you that a very little more con- 
 
 sumption of coal is required both to work the jet and the engine. There will 7 June 1852. 
 
 be somewhat more consumption, but he gets that immense quantity of air for 
 
 it ; and I understood him distinctly to say, and the resident engineer also, thatr 
 
 the quantity of coal consumed bore no proportion to its results ; that is to say, 
 
 the furnace could not have produced, by any combination of furnace power, 
 
 or any quantity of coal, that result upon the mine. 
 
 1 84. Then after practical experiments your opinion is that a steam jet is 
 decidedly a more certain and a more efficient instrument for ventilation than 
 a furnace ? — I distinctly think so. I can give two other cases : We have in the 
 North two large alkali works, and those alkali works used to pour forth 
 about 40 tons of muriatic acid gas every week ; the parties in the rural dis- 
 trict were perpetually at legal war with the manufacturers ; actions were 
 being laid constantly, and their proprietors were never at a cost of less than 
 300/. a year for damages 5 but after the steam jet was adopted in their works, 
 they have not paid a farthing damages since. The effect of this steam jet is, 
 to supersede chimnies of above 200 feet high, to produce a current of air, and 
 to absorb the muriatic acid gas by drawing it through water, and pouring upon 
 it a current of water perpetually as it ascends. They drive the jet through 
 a cone into the ground; they lay the chimney as a drain upon the ground, and 
 the jet draws this injurious gas up through a descending current of 24 feet 
 of perpetually falling water. They draw this muriatic acid gas through such 
 a column, and drive it into the earth along the drain ; it never appears upon 
 the surface at all. You can walk in the yard where the aperture is open with 
 comfort, when every other power human ingenuity could devise failed to pro- 
 duce security to their works, and which indeed they once thought of discon- 
 tinuing from the annoyance they created ; the steam jet being applied they are 
 now as healthy manufactures, and as free from public injury, as any in that 
 district. 
 
 185. Mr. Child.] Do you know the expense of that? — I think one company 
 has a ten-horse power to do all that ; the air is pressed to about 35 lbs. to 40 lbs. 
 an inch in a ten-horse boiler. 
 
 1 86. Colonel Mure.] Are you aware that the high chimney in Glasgow was 
 built to avoid a similar difficulty ? — I understood so ; and at Liverpool they 
 have been obliged I understand, for the want of some such power, to leave the 
 works, although most valuable. If I might venture a suggestion to them, it 
 would be to adopt the steam jet, and I feel perfectly satisfied it would save 
 their works and be a benefit to the town and neighbourhood. 
 
 1 87. Chairman.] The Committee understand that the nuisance was so great 
 from the noxious effects of this gas in these alkali works that the vegetation 
 was destroyed in the neighbourhood, and that they were otherwise so noxious 
 and were so much a nuisance that legal damages were given against the parties 
 engaged in the manufacture ? — Yes. 
 
 188. And the steam jet seems to have driven the noxious gases away to such 
 a distance as that it ceased to be a nuisance to the neighbourhood ? — Yes. 
 
 189. Mr. Booker.] Are you aware of another lamp, called Stooen's ? — I have 
 seen it. 
 
 190. Have you any knowledge of it? — No. 
 
 191. I find in the Evidence, in the Report of 1835, in the evidence of Mr. J. 
 H. Vivian, a Member of this House, he states that he was a personal friend of 
 Sir Humphry Davy, he being then dead ; and he is asked, " Had you ever an 
 opportunity of seeing that lamented gentleman after his visit to the North of 
 England ? " Mr. Vivian says, " I had." " Did he state to you any opinion re- 
 lative to the scientific or chemical means adopted for ventilating the mines of 
 that district ? " His answer is, " I perfectly recollect Sir Humphry Davy tell- 
 ing me, on his return from the mines at Newcastle, that he considered the 
 system of ventilation as perfect as it could be ; that nothing more could be done 
 in that respect." He is then asked, "Then your opinion is, in looking at the 
 great dangers attending upon working those mines, all that was required at the 
 hands of science was the means of producing sufficient light for the workmen 
 without endangering explosion ? " Mr. Vivian's answer is, " That was the 
 object which Sir Humphry Davy had in view, in recommending the safety 
 lamps"? — Yes ; but things have changed since that period. 
 
 0.62. b 4 192. Chairman.} 
 
i6 MINUTES OF EVIDENCE TAKEN BEFORE THE 
 
 J. Mather, Esq. i 92. Chairman.'] In fact the ventilation, since the time of Sir Humphry 
 
 ■ Davy, has been found not to be sufficient, or so many explosions would not have 
 
 7 June 1852. taken place ?— I think so. 
 
 193. And Sir Humphry Davy's lamp, which he in his philanthropy invented, 
 has not proved to be a sufficient security against those explosions ? — No. 
 
 1 94. Sir Humphry Davy was himself aware of the fact that, under certain 
 circumstances, it would not be that security. Now, to pursue the question of 
 ventilation, how is the steam jet generally applied ; to the top of the downcast 
 or the bottom of the upcast ? — The bottom of the upcast. 
 
 195. Let us understand ; when it is stated that the steam jet, in conjunction 
 with the furnace, produces a great increase of the ventilation, in point of fact, if 
 the steam jet was placed at the bottom of the upcast, it was merely placed in its 
 natural position, and the furnace was only an incidental circumstance ? — The 
 furnace was only an incidental circumstance : you must have fire to produce the 
 steam. I may give an instance of Mr. Buddie's experience ; he took the steam 
 down a pit a few yards from the top, and used it only for rarefaction ; he pro- 
 duced scarcely any result ; he was grievously disappointed ; it was well disposed, 
 and it produced no result whatever in that instance, because its propelline: force 
 was not used, and it was at the top of the pit. 
 
 1 96. In the Seaton Delaval Pit, is the steam jet applied at the bottom of the 
 upcast ? — At the bottom of the upcast. 
 
 197. It might be applied either at the top of the downcast or at the top of 
 the upcast ? — Its inventor thinks so ; I regret exceedingly not having been 
 quite convinced of that point ; I think it is better applied at the bottom of the 
 upcast. 
 
 198. The theory of that would be, that placed at the top of the downcast it 
 would drive all the air through the galleries up the upcast, and, placed at 
 the top of the upcast, it would suck, as it were, the air down the downcast, 
 all through the galleries, and along the up-shaft ? — Yes ; Mr. Edward 
 Cayley had an opportunity, with Mr. Gurney and myself, of introducing the 
 vis a tergo system to drive in carbonic acid gas, in Scotland ; the jet was placed 
 at the top of the downcast, and the choke-damp was projected at the rate of 
 7,000 cubic feet per minute. 
 
 199. That experience you are now speaking of in Scotland is intended to 
 elucidate the power of the steam jet where you placed it ; that explains in the 
 mode described, the great power of the steam jet ? — Yes ; it is a mine belonging 
 to Lord Mansfield ; it had been burning for the last 25 years, before Mr. Gurney 
 went down to see it, and it was wished, as there were seams of underlying 
 valuable coal, if possible entirely to extinguish the fire. It was proposed to 
 Mr. Gurney, after the experiments in Lancashire with Mr. Darlington's mines, 
 when the steam jet extinguished the fire, by, I think, Lord Mansfield himself, 
 to come clown and experiment upon his mine. He went, and it was a very 
 serious undertaking indeed ; there were different fires in the waste in various 
 directions, and it was scarcely penetrable at all ; there was a wall of about 
 3,000 feet cutting it off from the mines to the dip ; that wall was pervious to a 
 certain extent ; the difficulty became very great to fill the whole waste, con- 
 taining from 10,000,000 to 12,000,000 of cubic feet with choke damp, with so 
 many points of escapage. To extinguish the fire with choke-damp required at 
 least an eighth part to the atmospheric air ; the experiments were made, and 
 in 20 hours the steam jet filled that tremendous waste with choke-damp. There 
 could be no better proof of its power than this ; at nearly 300 yards away 
 there was a gradual descent into the mine from the crop ; we found the choke- 
 damp coming out at that drift. When the jet ceased to play, the atmospheric 
 air pressed back again the choke-damp into the mine ; when the jet continued 
 to play, within an hour and a half afterwards, carbonic acid, the choke-damp, 
 appeared at that distance pouring out upon the surface, and if you took a lamp 
 and let it down even on the ground there, it was extinguished immediately. 
 The whole waste was pervaded by this simple jet. 
 
 200. The Committee are to understand that it was a coal field of 23 acres 
 which had been on fire underground for 25 years ? — Yes. 
 
 201. A subterranean fire? — A subterranean fire. 
 
 202. And if water had been turned in upon it to put the fire out, which 
 would have been the popular method of putting it out, the expense of putting 
 it out would have been more than the mine was worth, I presume ? — Yes ; 
 
 besides 
 
SELECT COMMITTEE ON COAL MINES. 17 
 
 "besides it would not have put it out, the water would only have drowned up the J. MatheY, Esq. 
 
 mines at the dip. 
 
 20-3. Then did Mr. Gurney suggest, as the best means of putting out the fire, 7 < Tune l8 5 2 ' 
 carbonic acid gas, the simplest means to put out the fire ; that the carbonic acid 
 gas should be driven by steam jets through the mine, and that was done for the 
 space of 20 hours, and the gas was driven through, and found an escapage 
 through the crevices on the surface, and in the process of going through the 
 various galleries and workings, in 20 hours it extinguished the flame ? — It filled 
 it, and was continued for several days.; it was thought better to continue 
 charging the mine in case of any recess escaping the extinguishing power. 
 
 204. Was the carbonic acid driven in a cold or hot state ? — Cold, to a certain 
 extent. We are indebted to Mr. Edward Cayley for an invention for that ; 
 the merit is due to him of suggesting the spray jet on that occasion, and a 
 most powerful application it proved. It was like a Scotch mist, it pervaded 
 everywhere ; it commingled with the 7,000 cubic feet of choke-damp about five 
 gallons of water per minute, which saturated the column ; and thus was carried 
 by mechanical force through the mine, an immense mass of water in thin 
 spray, so fine and penetrating, that we found it coming out in another part of 
 the field, and over all parts of the waste. I think it is perfectly possible to 
 spray out a moderate fire in a coal mine by itself alone. 
 
 205. Whatever it was it showed the power of a steam jet in forcing through 
 a large mine either spray or choke-damp, whatever it might be? — Most dis- 
 tinctly. 
 
 206. That was putting out the fire by choke-damp ; how was the mine 
 entered afterwards, being so full of choke-damp ? — Mr. Gurney turned the 
 mouth of the jet the other way ; instead of getting in choke -damp, he drew out 
 choke-damp ; he reversed it. 
 
 207. Mr. Child.'] He sucked out the damp? — Yes, to a certain extent, and 
 then drove in the fresh air. 
 
 208. Chairman.'] Having filled the mine with atmospheric air, it then 
 became easy and wholesome for people to go into the mine ? — Yes. 
 
 209. Did you go into the mine yourself? — Yes. I may give an instance of 
 its power. About 80 yards from where the jet was used we wished to sink a 
 new pit, and drive a drift from one shaft to another, to examine the waste en- 
 tirely. Well, the waste was still heated to a considerable degree, up to 100° 
 nearly. At the upper part of the new shaft, as it was to the rise, we found 
 plenty of choke still ; it put out the lamps, and at last it put us out also. I 
 immediately put the jet on the pit 80 yards off ; and through the confused 
 waste, it was not employed three minutes before we found it perfectly whole- 
 some to breathe, and the lights burning clear. 
 
 210. This is not the only case in which subterranean fire has been put out 
 by the application of a steam jet ? — Mr. Darlington's is another case. 
 
 21 1. And there are two or three instances in Scotland? — Yes; at Drumpel- 
 lier. The inspector of mines in the North showed me a letter from the pro- 
 prietor, in which it was stated the fire was out ; he said the temperature had 
 come out so low, that he had no doubt, as there was no heat in the air, that 
 the fire was entirely out. 
 
 212. If there be this power of forcibly impelling atmospheric air through the 
 mine, what is there to prevent the steam jet forcing continuously at all times 
 perfectly salubrious air into the pit, as good as you have it out of the pit ? — I 
 think to a great extent it might be so ; but when you consider the immense 
 quantities of gas— for instance, Mr. T. J. Taylor, the Duke of Northumber- 
 land's mine viewer, tells us that 12 millions and a half of carburetted hydro- 
 gen came off in a single mine in 68 hours — a proportion of the mine will be 
 vitiated. 
 
 213. Supposing such a system as this to be applied, if the steam jet was in 
 use ; supposing before the miners went in in the morning, the mine was swept 
 through with the steam jet, and there might be another period of the day when 
 the mine might be again swept perfectly through with this tornado of a power ; 
 supposing that to be the case, do you think that any of the explosive gas 
 that might incidentally escape, would increase in the course of the five or six 
 hours that would intervene between the one sweeping through by the steam 
 jet and the other, to a sufficient extent as to produce a danszerous explosion ? — 
 Not generally ; you might have small accidental explosions, but generally 
 
 0.62. C speaking 
 
18 MINUTES OF EVIDENCE TAKEN BEFORE THE 
 
 J. Mather, Es q. speaking, you would have a mine wholesome to a very great degree ; more so 
 ' ■ ; than at present, certainly. 
 7 unei85-2. 214 Mr Qfcij ^ You might suck the damp out before you introduced the 
 fresh air in ?— Yes ; it is so perfectly manageable that you could first draw the 
 fire-damp out. 
 
 215. That would be more efficacious ? —I think it would ; the fresh air would 
 supply its place. 
 
 216. Chairman.'] Is the steam jet ventilation going on at intervals, oris it 
 always in operation, so that there is a perpetual stream of pure air either thrown 
 down or sucked up ? — All the day and night long ; but if you apply it as you 
 suggested, it must be done with great force ; instead of applying 35 pounds to 
 an inch you might sweep it with a tornado ; instead of sending it along at 8 or 
 10 feet a second, I see no great objection to doubling it before the men go in 
 to work. 
 
 217. And after they come out at night ? — And after they come out at night. 
 2 1 8. Colonel Mure.~] It would, however, also require to be in operation in the 
 
 intermediate time ? — Yes, at all times. I may be allowed to mention the sudden 
 escapages of gas that have been made a great deal of in the employment of the 
 lamp, and if those suddenly burst off, though merely exceptions, yet are they 
 difficult to control even by the steam jet ; there is an instance on record of 
 above six tons of coal having been projected from the face of the solid 
 deposit by a gas blower. There is a thing 1 have no doubt of. The coal lies 
 of course, not on a level, not horizontal altogether, but with a dip from the 
 horizon in one direction or other. What I would urge is a gas drift, practised 
 sometimes, in a small degree, in Staffordshire and Warwickshire. To render 
 this plainer, I hand in a plan demonstrative of its position and nature. It is also 
 seen in an exploring drift, a narrow drift of two or three yards in width and 
 five or six feet high, run in advance of the workings, and that drains off the 
 gas to a certain extent. It is a suggestion which has been given before, and 
 the more I look at it the more beneficial I think it. Dr. Birkbeck recom- 
 mended a modification of it, as did Dr. Hancock : it has been practically tried. 
 There are backs or cleavages of coal through which the gas gradually ascends ; 
 just as water descends to the lowest pervious depth, you find gas ponded or 
 dammed back at any dyke or dislocation in the rise ; whenever you get at a 
 dislocation the gas is found in immense quantities. The suggestion then is to 
 run a drift along the highest parts of the coal, not where they are working ; to 
 surround it, if possible, and drain off the gas through the drift without allowing 
 it to mix at all in the workings. That would not be expensive ; you get the 
 coal for the labour, while you are working through this gas drift. The system 
 of draining off the gas and allowing it to ascend by its specific levity, and ven- 
 tilating the mine by steam jets, would keep the mine secure from accidents, 
 with very little extra labour or outlay. 
 
 219. This was recommended in the evidence before the House of Lords, I 
 think? — By myself to that Committee ; and the more I have examined it the 
 more I feel assured, if fully adopted, you would have hereafter few occasions 
 for Committees of this kind. It would tap the whole coal field at a very 
 trifling expense and drain off the gas, which would not then be poured in 
 amongst the men at the rate sometimes of 4,000 cubic feet a minute, first to 
 injure their health and then to kill them by explosion ; it would seek its natural 
 course higher up in the coal field, and would be drawn off through the gas 
 drift. 
 
 220. Would you leave to individual proprietors to adopt these precautions, 
 or would you have them enforced by some general system ? — I do not quite 
 understand the question. 
 
 221. A suggestion to this effect has been made in the South Shields 
 Report, which came out in 1843, nine years ago now ; the Committee would 
 wish to hear if you have any opinion as to how that suggestion might best 
 be put in operation ? — If they chose to do it they could do it. The practical 
 men naturally seek to get as much coal as they can, for which they trust to 
 their lamps and ventilation, and they take in most instances as great care of 
 the lives of the men as they can ; but errors are committed ; the system is 
 bad ; numerous deaths ensue ; I do not say they are by neglect ; but unfor- 
 tunately those accidents do take place, and justify that something more should 
 be done. I feel assured that those accidents might be thus prevented ; for 
 
 miles 
 
18 MINUTES OF EVIDENCE TAKEN BEFORE THE 
 
 J. Mather, Es q. speaking, you would have a mine wholesome to a very great degree ; more so 
 ~ ~ than at present, certainly. 
 
 7 une 1852. 214. Mr. Child.'] You might suck the damp out before you introduced the 
 fresh air in ?— Yes ; it is so perfectly manageable that you could first draw the 
 fire-damp out. 
 
 215. That would be more efficacious ? —I think it would ; the fresh air would 
 supply its place. 
 
 216. Chairman.'] Is the steam jet ventilation going on at intervals, oris it 
 always in operation, so that there is a perpetual stream of pure air either thrown 
 down or sucked up ? — All the day and night long ; but if you apply it as you 
 suggested, it must be done with great force ; instead of applying 35 pounds to 
 an inch you might sweep it with a tornado ; instead of sending it along at 8 or 
 10 feet a second, I see no great objection to doubling it before the men go in 
 to work. 
 
 217. And after they come out at night ? — And after they come out at night. 
 2 1 8. Colonel Mure.] It would, however, also require to be in operation in the 
 
 intermediate time ? — Yes, at all times. I may be allowed to mention the sudden 
 escapages of gas that have been made a great deal of in the employment of the 
 lamp, and if those suddenly burst off, though merely exceptions, yet are they 
 difficult to control even by the steam jet ; there is an instance on record of 
 above six tons of coal having been projected from the face of the solid 
 deposit by a gas blower. There is a thing I have no doubt of. The coal lies 
 of course, not on a level, not horizontal altogether, but with a dip from the 
 horizon in one direction or other. What I would urge is a gas drift, practised 
 sometimes, in a small degree, in Staffordshire and Warwickshire. To render 
 this plainer, I hand in a plan demonstrative of its position and nature. It is also 
 seen in an exploring drift, a narrow drift of two or three yards in width and 
 five or six feet high, run in advance of the workings, and that drains off the 
 gas to a certain extent. It is a suggestion which has been given before, and 
 the more I look at it the more beneficial I think it. Dr. Birkbeck recom- 
 mended a modification of it, as did Dr. Hancock ; it has been practically tried. 
 There are backs or cleavages of coal through which the gas gradually ascends ; 
 just as water descends to the lowest pervious depth, you find gas ponded or 
 dammed back at any dyke or dislocation in the rise ; whenever you get at a 
 dislocation the gas is found in immense quantities. The suggestion then is to 
 run a drift along the highest parts of the coal, not where they are working ; to 
 surround it, if possible, and drain off the gas through the drift without allowing 
 it to mix at all in the workings. That would not be expensive ; you get the 
 coal for the labour, while you are working through this gas drift. The system 
 of draining off the gas and allowing it to ascend by its specific levity, and ven- 
 tilating the mine by steam jets, would keep the mine secure from accidents, 
 with very little extra labour or outlay. 
 
 219. This was recommended in the evidence before the House of Lords, I 
 think? — By myself to that Committee ; and the more I have examined it the 
 more I feel assured, if fully adopted, you would have hereafter few occasions 
 for Committees of this kind. It would tap the whole coal field at a very 
 trifling expense and drain off the gas, which would not then be poured in 
 amongst the men at the rate sometimes of 4,000 cubic feet a minute, first to 
 injure their health and then to kill them by explosion ; it would seek its natural 
 course higher up in the coal field, and would be drawn off through the gas 
 drift. 
 
 220. Would you leave to individual proprietors to adopt these precautions, 
 or would you have them enforced by some general system ? — I do not quite 
 understand the question. 
 
 221. A suggestion to this effect has been made in the South Shields 
 Report, which came out in 1843, nine years ago now ; the Committee would 
 wish to hear if you have any opinion as to how that suggestion might best 
 be put in operation ? — If they chose to do it they could do it. The practical 
 men naturally seek to get as much coal as they can, for which they trust to 
 their lamps and ventilation, and they take in most instances as great care of 
 the lives of the men as they can ; but errors are committed ; the system is 
 bad ; numerous deaths ensue ; I do not say they are by neglect ; but unfor- 
 tunately those accidents do take place, and justify that something more should 
 be done. I feel assured that those accidents might be thus prevented; for 
 
 miles 
 
SELECT COMMITTEE ON COAL .VII5KS 
 
 IS) 
 
 G A S DRIFT 
 
 To Drai?L the- &yr?i£ Card?? -retteei Jfyr/roye?? /"ro?/v the- CoaZ 
 ?'n tike D/p i Vide of the ifr/zm-. 
 
 fjje/erred' &> ?>z- „MT JfettAer-b (?ues?i07i. JV <f ~J 
 
 Gtrs—Jiri/t—DratSl , on Jlis-e St*/* oftfe Cocr/. Seajn- to drain- tAe UyAt GariuretZeti' 7fya!r"j/en. Gas /mm. 
 cA& X>tp o/~ rAjr Seams. rArw/A cAe jBo f s:A*s, electrodes, /trsures, asitZ otAer afjertezres of tA' Seam. . eAroupA, 
 
 wA*.cA rjue Grrs trr6A*>rx6 ergr er'/eri??.y (Ae n-orrf-tttys . 1*7^7. ascend t/s nex&zro^. ttvrZy isifv tAe. Gas D7T/Z. a/en^f fAi^A. 
 os current- mZ7 3e ac^u-tx^s mwf no £0 tAe cficasfr-. 
 
 W 509. Ordered. by The House of Cunnnims, to belmrted, 22 Juno, 1852. 
 
SELECT COMMITTEE ON COAL MINES. iq 
 
 / 
 
 miles together the deadly gas will ascend, and be found at a great distance J. Mather, Esq. 
 
 from the workings in any particular coal field. It may be drawn off by a gas ■ 
 
 drift well placed. 7 June 1852. 
 
 222. You think it could be left to the individual discretion of the proprietors 
 of the separate collieries ? — Certainly, I think so ; I do not think the House of 
 Commons, perhaps, would wish to interfere by a stringent law on the subject. 
 
 223. I am not now speaking so much of the interference of Parliament as 
 whether it would be advantageous and expedient for a number of proprietors 
 to do this in combination,, or whether it would be best to leave it to the dis- 
 cretion of each individual proprietor? — I think it should be left to the discretion 
 of each individual proprietor. 
 
 224. Colonel Pennant. .] Would not there be some difficulty in making this 
 gas drift where there is great condensation of gas? — I think not ; you brattice, 
 as it is called, by putting up a wooden partition, and on one side you take in 
 the good air, and on the other drive out the bad ; or a double drift can be 
 driven in the usual way, which you can carry, if necessary, for miles. It is 
 shown in the plan I have given in. They do drive their exploring drifts in 
 advance frequently to a considerable extent ; it is only to place it to the rise of 
 the mine, selecting the place well, with reference to the scientific knowledge of 
 specific gravity, the nature of the district, and the deposit ; and then the gas 
 drift would drain to a very great extent much of the explosive gas. The drift 
 has been tried practically in Warwickshire and in Staffordshire. 
 
 225. Mr. Child.'] What part of Staffordshire; the south? — In some of Lord 
 Dudley and Ward's places, and in that district. 
 
 226. Mr. Booker.] Have you visited the mines of South Wales? — No. 
 
 227. You are aware that the seams of coal are separated from each other, and 
 do not lie in a solid mass, as in Staffordshire and the North of England, but lie 
 in veins or seams, from three feet to seven or eight feet thick, and they lie, as 
 you have described, either dipping in one direction, or rising in another direc- 
 tion, therefore they are obliged to have a separate drift ; are you aware that in 
 South Wales they pursue the system you rather recommend, of driving first a 
 driftway, which they call an air course there, and when they work the measure 
 they drive across and penetrate the measure they are working, as a means of 
 getting at the air, which goes through the separate drift ; you are not aware of 
 that ? — Our coal measures in the North of England are very similar; we have 
 them from less than three feet to seven feet; we do not work them when less 
 than 2 ^ to 3 feet, but these we do work sometimes, in conjunction with larger 
 seams ; the best are about 5 feet 10 and six feet thick down to 2| and 3 feet ; 
 we also there drive drifts in front. 
 
 228. You do not merely allude to those exploring drifts for carrying air, but 
 drifts in the upper part of the deposit along the margin of it, instead of 
 allowing the gas to come into this working ? — Yes. 
 
 229. There would be practical difficulties in the way of enforcing it ? — I 
 think there would be. 
 
 230. How is it that the atmosphere in the coal mines is so much more 
 explosive in spring and autumn than at other periods, these dreadful accidents 
 occurring at the first and fall of the leaf, as they say ?— It is an old observa- 
 tion, made in France about 1 00 years ago, by J\J . Jars and some others, that 
 there was less air in the mines when the peas were in bloom, and at the fall of 
 the leaf. 
 
 23 1 . They call it peas-bloom damp ? — Yes ; it happens in autumn and spring. 
 It originates perhaps in this, that many of those mines are left to what is called 
 natural ventilation ; that is, over the mine there is a deeper shaft at one place 
 than at another, and if the temperature of the earth be about 53 degrees, 
 which it is in this latitude, not far down, and if the atmosphere in spring and 
 in the autumn come to about 53 degrees also, or somewhere about that, which 
 it does, you have the air of the mine and the atmosphere of the same tempe- 
 rature and the same specific gravity, and there is no longer a break of aerial 
 balance. You have not the air, then, upon the surface at 30 to 40 degrees, 
 relatively heavier, as in winter, to displace the light air in the mines from 53 
 up to 81 degrees, as in Monkwearmouth, and ventilation then stops. In sum- 
 mer the air of the mine is heavier than the air of the atmosphere. An inter- 
 change of air then also goes on, but in the reverse way from that in winter. In 
 summer it goes in by the highest pit ; in winter it goes out by it. In autumn 
 
 0.62. c 2 and 
 
20 
 
 MINUTES OF EVIDENCE TAKEN BEFORE THE 
 
 J. Mather, Esq. and spring, in the mine and out of the mine it is equal. When it comes to be 
 " equal, you have no longer any ventilation. 
 
 7 June 1852. 232> Y ou attribute it to the specific gravity of the atmospheric air at those 
 particular periods ? — Yes. 
 
 233. Did I understand you to say that whenever there is a steam engine in 
 the pit there may be a steam jet with very little additional cost ?— With very 
 little additional cost. 
 
 234. It would not entail any additional cost, or at least a very trifling 
 additional cost would be entailed upon those collieries, where there is already 
 a boiler and steam engine, to produce a steam jet r — Very little. 
 
 235. Has your attention ever been directed to the decomposition or neutral- 
 izing of these gases ; I apprehend you have ascertained of what their several 
 properties are composed?— Of the explosive gases? 
 
 236. Yes, the explosive gases ? — I have not made any experiments upon that 
 subject ; I took the experiments of Davy, Thompson,- and others. 
 
 237. Have you ever given your attention to the question of the neutralization 
 of the explosive effects of those gases as they exude from the coal or the super- 
 incumbent stratification, that as they exude they should be decomposed and 
 neutralised, and their explosive effects destroyed ; are you of opinion that there 
 is anything which science has discovered that might be simply applied to that, 
 and prevent all the noxious effects now produced ? — 1 think in a laboratory you 
 could do certain experiments of that kind, but when you consider that from 
 every pore of the coal in every part of the mine that gas comes pouring forth 
 hissing and bubbling, and you can scarcely see it till it is gone, mixing itself 
 immediately with the mine atmosphere, there would be great difficulty found. 
 In three days we had at J arrow Pit 7,000,000 cubic feet of that gas evolved. 
 How you can bring any chemical substance to apply to that quantity it is 
 impossible to conceive. In St. Hilda Fit, I recollect there are about 60 to 70 
 miles of passages of different kinds. In from three to four days the wooden 
 part of the brattice shaft got burnt down and the air stopped ; the pit filled. 
 It was rilled to its mouth with this very gas ; it had upwards of 30,000,000 of 
 cubic feet of passages that were filled up in three or four days by this ex- 
 plosive gas. 
 
 23b. You say you were comparatively a short time in expelling that car- 
 buretted hydrogen by Mr. Gurney's steam jet ; if I have not mistaken you, the 
 fire was burning ; it had exploded, and you were comparatively a very short 
 time in expelling the enemy there ; could not he be attacked and conquered 
 in the prime of his explosive power? — I have not examined this point; 
 but I am afraid it is impossible ; I do not know what means you can bring 
 to bear upon it ; you can drive the enemy out ; the thing is to attack the 
 enemy in his stronghold. A plan was proposed some years ago to carry a 
 galvanic apparatus into the mine, and explode the gas as it presented itself. I 
 presume that is what is meant. 
 
 239. Mr. Child.] To decompose it? — To decompose it and burn it. 
 
 240. Supposing the atmospheric air was forced into the mine before the gas 
 was sucked or drained out, that would merely dilute the gas ? — Yes, it would 
 merely dilute the gas. 
 
 241. Chairman.] As far as you know, would not the most useful means of 
 not only controlling but neutralizing the effects of the explosive gas be, in the 
 first instance, the carbonic acid gas and the atmospheric air ; if you sent down 
 the carbonic acid gas to neutralize the explosive gas it would be destructive of 
 human life, and if you sent down the atmospheric air it is in fact insufficient 
 without the steam jet ; does the Committee understand that to be your opinion : 
 —Yes. 
 
 242. Colonel Pennant.'] You spoke of the practicability of driving the atmo- 
 spheric air down by means of the steam jet with increased velocity at different 
 times, when the mine was not working in the morning and after the men had 
 left at night ? — Yes. 
 
 243. Do they not work by gangs, in many of those collieries, succeeding each 
 other ? — Sometimes they do when they are employed very much ; when the 
 sales are very great ; generally speaking, those gangs go on in this way ; they 
 begin in the morning at three to four o'clock, and work perhaps six or seven 
 hours ; that is, those who arc called the hewers do ; they hew the coal down ; 
 
SELECT COMMITTEE ON COAL MINES. 
 
 21 
 
 the putters of course are detained three or four hours longer, sometimes more j. Mather, Esq. 
 than that; 12 to 14 hours they are employed. — 
 
 244. But about 12 to 14 hours is the limit of the time they are actually at 7 June 1852. 
 work in the mine ? — Yes, except when it is called double shifts, which has not 
 
 lately been the case in the North ; generally the work is as I have described. 
 
 245. Chairman.'] As allusion has been made to the possibility of decomposing 
 and neutralizing this gas, has not there been also a suggestion made that pipes 
 might be introduced to take down the atmospheric air to supply the galleries 
 and different workings of the mines with fresh air r — Professor Faraday made a 
 proposition of that kind. He was down visiting the Has well Mine, and looking 
 at it with his usual scientific and chemical knowledge, but, of course, without 
 practical knowledge of such works ; he proposed to take out the gas chiefly by 
 its specific gravity, not as I have suggested, by running a gas drift in the coal 
 seam, but to put in pipes to all the goaves : I forget the number. I believe 
 there were 10 or 12 goaves in that mine. If he had piped the whole he could 
 not have got inside, for the size of the pipes was such that the whole passages 
 of the pit would have been closed, and it was calculated at upwards of 7,000 I. 
 the piping of this pit. We could have sunk a shaft for the money. 
 
 246. Was not there, in point of fact, a similar opinion given by the late Mr. 
 George Stephenson, for it appears he says to this South Shields Committee, 
 '* It has frequently been proposed by people unacquainted with mining to carry 
 air into the workings by means of pipes, and also to get the fire-damp out by the 
 same means : such a scheme can only be proposed from ignorance." Is that 
 your opinion ? — It is distinctly my opinion. 
 
 247. Mr. Booker.'] Do you consider it is impossible, supposing, for instance, 
 that a large volume or body of this gas is found to exist in the morning, to 
 fire it simply by means of an electric wire and a battery ? — That has been pro- 
 posed. They used to fire it in Staffordshire before the men went in, they had 
 so little ventilation ; in the morning parties were employed with a long wire 
 and pole to light it as they stood back in some of the recesses and fired the 
 gas, and there was a considerable explosion. In some of the pits people were 
 frequently killed, and then in addition to that they got a more dangerous ele- 
 ment ; the after-damp. A gas which is half as heavy again as our atmospheric 
 air, the carbonic acid gas refuses to move without a very strong current, and it 
 poisons the people ; they can work to a certain extent in the fire-damp ; they 
 cannot work with a tenth part of carbonic acid in the mine. 
 
 248. Chairman.'] Sir Henry De la Beche, in his examination before the 
 House of Lords, I think, states that life is destroyed after those explosions even 
 more abundantly by the after-damp than it is by the fire-damp ; does it fall 
 within your experience to know that that is a pretty well ascertained fact ? — 
 In most instances ; I coincide with Sir Henry De la Beche to some extent, but 
 there are exceptions in which the explosion is so terrible that every man is 
 killed by it on the spot. 
 
 249. Would not it be possible, unless when the bodies were burned, to say 
 whether they were killed by the explosion or the after- damp ? — Yes; I have 
 gone down on more than one occasion after those explosions, and have seen all 
 the parties killed by the fire, and by the effects of the fire, by concussion. You 
 see them bruised, and sometimes burned so that you can scarcely distinguish 
 in them the features of a human being. Those who have died from after-damp 
 die placidly, they seem asleep ; I have sometimes made exertions to recover 
 perfectly healthy and strong men who have been laid prostrate by the after- 
 damp ; there is no appearance whatever of death about them ; there may be 
 a little swelling about the general structure, but their faces are as calm as in 
 sleep. 
 
 250. In fact, the after-damp is produced after an explosion, in consequence 
 of the new combination of gases, that is, the oxygen coming into combination 
 with the carbon and producing carbonic acid gas, which destroys life ? — Yes, 
 and nitrogen. 
 
 251. Supposing, then, the fact to be, that in those explosions half are de- 
 stroyed by the explosion in the first, instance, and half are destroyed afterwards 
 by the after-damp, would not any power which could be put into immediate and 
 very prompt requisition, such as a steam jet, be the most effectual means of 
 preventing the ill effects of after-damp ? — I think so ; but the directing doors 
 .and brattices being frequently blown down, the ventilation cannot proceed, 
 
 0.62. c 3 252. Supposing 
 
22 
 
 MINUTES OF EVIDENCE TAKEN BEFORE THE 
 
 J. Mather, Esq. 252. Supposing, for instance, when the explosion was heard, they could put 
 
 on a very largely increased power of steam jet, and drive it through the galle- 
 
 7 June 1852. r j es 0 f t ne mine, would not that furnish to the miners atmospheric air in so 
 short and prompt a time as to possihly prevent almost all the evils of the after- 
 damp arising after the explosion ? — To a great extent ; but, unfortunately, in 
 many cases they have frequently only a small number of passages ; the in- 
 going passage and the return passage, as it is called. There are doors some- 
 times between each ; and when a fall takes place, which it does after those 
 explosions and concussions every here and there, through those you could not 
 then apply any power of ventilation, because it is obstructed immediately by 
 the fall in the main air-way, or it takes some short course. If you had two 
 main ingoing passages and two outgoing, then the increased safety would be 
 very great ; one of the other passages would be possibly open to you, and it 
 would be very extraordinary if you did not find the means of getting out one 
 of the ways ; the double passages give you more than a double chance. 
 
 253. Are those made by means of brattices ? — No ; you have a thick barrier 
 of coal between them ; a wall of several yards, whatever width you please, and 
 you get your air safely in and out that way. Then again you may have horses 
 dead in the passage, or the corves overturned, and thrown all together in a 
 heap, and the passage scarcely permeable after the explosion if you have only 
 one passage ; with two you keep one for a pure air passage, and one for a 
 working passage. Air. Stephenson, with his great practical knowledge, has 
 pointed out the advantage of those double passages. 
 
 254. Would not that involve a very considerable expense ? — No, you get the 
 coal for your work. 
 
 255. Then with those double passages the steam jet would be a very powerful 
 agent in preventing the sad effects of the after-damp after the explosion ? — 
 Certainly, I think so. If the passages w r ere open at all, and you could by 
 any means reverse the steam jet, and instead of exhausting could propel, you 
 would speedily fill the mine with fresh air ; you are obliged now, after explo- 
 sions to put up stoppings that have been blown down ; if you had a propelling 
 power instead of an exhausting power, in such a case you could at once drive 
 in air. 
 
 256. Colonel Pennant.'] Could it be done in time to save human lives ? — 
 The number of deaths would decrease. I think it would not be difficult to 
 reverse the jet. 
 
 257. Chairman.'] Would not this be one of the advantages of having the jet 
 at the top of the downcast, that you would have a power, under such an emer- 
 gency, of driving with amazing velocity a current of air down, provided there 
 were two galleries, which would have the effect of mixing so much atmospheric 
 air with the carbonic acid gas as would give the means of life to those who 
 would not have it without the presence of that atmospheric air ? — Having it at 
 the top or the bottom would not much signify, if you have a shaft without a 
 brattice, and perfectly free from injury, you could find your way down easily 
 to the jet at the bottom. A little water thrown into the shaft through a pipe 
 of half an inch diameter, would make a downward current of air to the steam 
 jet without difficulty. 
 
 258. Colonel Mure.'] I understood you to say that the choke-damp in itself 
 was more difficult to get rid of by means of ventilation than fire-damp ; — Yes. 
 
 2,^9. Then supposing the ventilating power to be in operation, and not to be 
 sufficiently effective to prevent an explosion, or to remove the fire-damp, would 
 it be sufficiently effective to correct the choke-damp, the one being a more 
 easy and the other a more difficult matter to deal with ? — One is about one and 
 a half times heavier than atmospheric air, and the other lighter ; you bring 
 in a difficulty there ; but you have no other resource ; you are now obliged to 
 remove the after-damp by an inferior power, by furnace power ; or if the 
 furnace has been extinguished, and you cannot use it, you must work it by a 
 less power still, by a waterfall ; but if you have the power of the jet you can 
 at once force it to its utmost extent. 
 
 260. Chairman.] Will there not be this difficulty as to the steam jet at the 
 bottom of the upcast, that an explosion might destroy your steam jet apparatus, 
 as well as human beings? — It might be so, but you will not find an explosion 
 generally reach the shaft. 
 
 261. Did it not at Nitshill t — Yes, and also at Jarrow, in 1847, when there 
 
 was 
 
SELECT COMMITTEE ON COAL MINES. 
 
 23 
 
 was an explosion that killed 42 people ; the lower part of that bratticed shaft J. Mather, Esq. 
 was destroyed. But there is this advantage ; the boiler and fire for the jet may - 
 be placed in adrift, out of the range of the explosion; while the jet itself 7 June 1852. 
 would be scarcely affected. The furnace is always in its range. 
 
 262. Is there no danger, in furnace ventilation, of the furnace being the 
 exploding cause itself ? — I think it is scarcely likely, as there is a provision 
 against it by the dumb drifts. Instead of bringing the air from the interior of 
 the mine over the furnace itself, you take it from the worst parts of the mine, 
 eight or ten yards, sometimes more, above the furnace ; you get the return air 
 from the deep seated parts of the mine into the upcast without coming over the 
 surface at all. Neither is the air at the furnace likely to be explosive, for in 
 the interior, quantities of decomposed air are produced, and carbonic acid gas 
 is to be found in all mines, more or less ; that carbonic acid gas coming out, 
 and the nitrogen of the deoxygenated air coming out at the same time, and 
 mixing with the return air, the furnace will scarcely explode it; the air is not 
 explosive in fact. The worst description of explosions takes place not in old 
 air of old mines, but in fresh worked pits, where the air has run but a short 
 course ; as in the Wellington. St. Hilda, and other explosions. In the long 
 courses, from being mixed with a seventh part of nitrogen and one-eighth of 
 carbonic acid, it will become quite inexplosive. 
 
 263. Will you state what you consider to be the full amount of furnace venti- 
 lation, and then what you believe to be the full amount of the power of the 
 steam jet system ? — We never could get more than about two-inches water 
 pressure in our best mines ; but Mr. George Stephenson got at Killingworth 
 nearly three inches. 
 
 264. Wliat would that be equivalent to of cubic feet per minute?— In St. 
 Hilda, in a shaft about 30 feet area, that brought nearly 29,000 cubic feet ; 
 at Killingworth when the explosion took place the other day there, it was 
 nearly about the same quantity. 
 
 265. How much about ? — Thirty thousand cubic feet per minute. 
 
 266. In Seaton Delaval, before the steam jet, they had 53,000 cubic feet? — 
 Yes, because you have a greater area ; you have 50 feet area of shaft ; they have 
 only 30 feet area in the St. Hilda and in the Killingworth. 
 
 267. The current is at the same rate ? — The current is at the same rate, only 
 there is a larger space to pass it through in the one case than the other • and it 
 is a singular fact, but you scarcely get more in any regular instance than 1 ,000 
 cubic feet through one foot of sectional area. There are varieties ; Mr. Wood, 
 in Hetton Colliery, could get 168,000 out of 153 feet area; that was the 
 utmost quantity, after trying some additional experiments to overturn the 
 steam jet that he got : but the steam jet would have passed, if he had had it, 
 instead of 168,000 cubic feet in proportion to its power at Seaton Delaval, 
 upwards of 290,000 cubic feet a minute. 
 
 268. With regard to your plan upon an emergency of a sudden supply of 
 atmospheric air, such as has been indicated by the questions put to you in 
 reference to the after- damp, could the furnace, system be found to afford that? 
 — Not at all ; Mr. Wood tried it to the utmost extent at Hetton, and all he 
 could produce were 168,000 cubic feet ; and all his furnace at Killingworth 
 gave were 30,000 cubic feet. That pit was dangerous for many days, the over- 
 seer and viewer examined it and took the best means to prevent bad results, 
 they forced the supplies to the utmost limits, and all they could get were under 
 30,000 feet. 
 
 269. But that pit was unsafe? — It exploded and killed eight people. 
 
 270. If there had been a steam jet applied under the unsafe symptoms, I 
 apprehend, according to your belief, the explosion would have been prevented ? 
 —Yes. 
 
 271. You have spoken of the furnace limit ; will you describe what you mean 
 by the term " furnace limit" ? — 1 will refer to the scientific explanations that 
 were given by Mr. Gurney, Professor Hann, and Mr. Cowie ; and to this in 
 addition, that practically I have seen the mines in Northumberland and Durham, 
 having the same sectional area, with the furnace forced to its utmost limits, 
 produce similar results. We always gave notice when we were about visiting 
 the mines, in connexion with the Shields committee, and to do justice to the 
 mine owners and viewers, they were always most happy to see us, and to carry 
 out anything we wished, and aid us in our experiments. Then we found that 
 
 0.C2. c 4 they 
 
MINUTES OF EVIDENCE TAKEN BEFORE THE 
 
 j. Mutter, Esq. they drove their furnaces, and did their work to the utmost. They put as much 
 
 fuel on as they pleased, and were unable to get anything verging more or less, 
 
 7 June 1852. though frequently less than more, than 1,000 cubic feet per minute, for each 
 foot of sectional area of the shaft. The explanation of that is very clear, that 
 if they drove their furnace with greater force they did not get a supply of air 
 from the interior sufficiently rapid for the supply of the rarefaction over their 
 furnace ill the upcast. To supply that partial vacuum, the air will rapidly 
 come into the upcast unrarefied from the mine, or cold from the surface. 
 
 •272. Mr. Booker.] There are regulators in the adits to that furnace ? — To 
 all the furnaces I have seen there has been no regulator. 
 
 273. Regulators are very valuable adjuncts, are they not, for the admission 
 of the air ? — The passages were kept perpetually open. 
 
 274. That would be advantageous? — It admitted the air more frequently. 
 
 275. Then, if the air were subjected to a process of exhaustion too rapidly, 
 would not the state of heat, regulated by the regulators, have been the safer 
 plan ? — It would possibly have been the safer plan. 
 
 2t6. Those regulators were absent? — They were generally absent. 
 
 277. Colonel Mare.'} What length of time would it take for the choke-damp 
 to destroy life in a person who had escaped from the explosion of fire-damp ? — 
 I am afraid a very few minutes. On two occasions I have been affected by it. 
 Last November, for instance, Mr. Gurney was with me, in Lancashire ; I went 
 down to operate on a pit on fire. We got amongst the white-damp or pale- 
 fire mixed with carbonic acid, the Government Inspector and I amongst others, 
 and I was obliged to be taken out insensible in a very few minutes ; you are 
 struck down and you scarcely know how or why ; you naturally sink down 
 asleep. It took four or live minutes to do this. 
 
 278. The choke-damp being generated immediately subsequent to the explo- 
 sion, would it be possible under those circumstances to save the life of any one 
 who was left alone in the mine, and not killed b} r the explosion, if he was to be 
 destroyed in a minute or two afterwards by choke-damp ? — We had a corre- 
 spondence with Professor Christison on that subject. After they had fallen in 
 the choke-dam]) life, we found, could not be preserved ; a few inspirations, two 
 or three minutes passing, the concentrated choke-damp killed them. 
 
 27Q. It produces asphyxia ?— Asphyxia or apoplexy. When an explosion 
 occurs it may be said that immediately after the concussion there is a current 
 of atmospheric air rushes to the seat of the explosion ; the carbonic acid gas 
 sometimes falls to the lower part. At those explosions you have a portion of 
 atmospheric air, and you can scarcely tell what proportion may be there. There 
 is sometimes sufficient to bring the men a long way out on their course. 
 Upon one unfortunate occasion a fall from the roof took place, as there is 
 generally, within a couple of hundred yards of the mouth of the pit, and 
 we found 14 or 15 men all lying dead together. They had come up at fair 
 speed, nearly a mile, had passed through a portion of the after-damp, and had 
 got there, but being exhausted they failed and fell down. 
 
 280. Mr. Booker.] Is not it an ascertained fact that 75 per cent, of the 
 deaths that occur from explosions are positively not from the explosion by itself, 
 but by the after-damp ? — The largest proportion do not always so occur ; but 
 as a general rule, as far as we have been able to examine, I believe the after- 
 damp kills the greatest number. 
 
 2b 1. Colonel Pennant.'] But that after-damp is caused by the explosion ? — 
 Yes, it is caused by it ; if you got rid of the first you would get rid of the other. 
 
 282. Mr. Child.] It is the effect?— It is the effect. 
 
 283. Chairman.] Is not it the fact that we see in the accounts of those 
 various accidents that the men are found very often in a very different state of 
 vitality ; that of those who are supposed to be injured by choke-damp, some are 
 dead, some are dying, and some are very much exhausted; would not that 
 show that the poison of the choke-damp is not in an undiluted state, but that 
 it is partially diluted, and being partially diluted, the poison is not instantaneous ; 
 but if those persons were found one or two in an exhausted state, and not dead, 
 if the steam jet was put in with great vigour immediately, might not those 
 persons be saved ? — Such of them as had got into the diluted atmosphere might 
 be saved, perhaps, by its speedy application. 
 
 284. If a person at the time had swallowed undiluted carbonic acid gas he 
 would die in a minute or two, but if he got it in a diluted form, and were not 
 
 removed 
 
SELECT COMMITTEE ON COAL MINES. 
 
 25 
 
 removed for two or three hours, he would die say in two or three hours from the /. Mather, £sq. 
 
 diluted poison ; have you found that life has not been entirely destroyed where — 
 
 the party had been removed at the end of an hour or so ; — I remember a case 7 June 1852. 
 atJarrow. The men were all exhausted, except two or three. One of the over- 
 men went into a passage of the mine from which we had been driven ; he 
 came back and said, " Here is a man lying ; if he is brought out he might be 
 saved;" but the men were so exhausted they could not do it; however, we 
 brought out that man apparently dead, with no symptom of life about him ; we 
 had him drawn to the bank, and he afterwards recovered. 
 
 285. How long then had the explosion taken place ? — About two hours. 
 
 286. Then, if at the end of two hours a person was revived by being exposed 
 to atmospheric air, if that atmospheric air had been driven forcibly into the 
 pit, so that it could be supplied to all the parties in that state of exhaustion, 
 in the first instance, in all probability the fearful loss of life which followed 
 would have been prevented ? — If it had been a diluted atmosphere at the first. 
 
 287. Mr. Booker.] Is not it, to a great and important extent, a preventive 
 of choke-damp, wetting a cloth and passing it over the mouth and inhaling 
 air through it ? — A wet cloth alone would not, I think, be sufficient, but Pro- 
 fessor Playfair has advised Glauber salts and quick lime. 
 
 288. He could not have that ? — It would assist him if he could. 
 
 2S9. But it would not have the proper effect? — I am afraid not for a suffi- 
 cient length of time. 
 
 290. Chairman.'] If the current by the steam jet was greater than to a cer- 
 tain limit, it would have the effect of putting out the lights of the miners ? — 
 No, only exposed lights. I have seen the candles blown out where the air runs 
 eight or ten feet a second ; such air will put out any light if exposed to it. 
 
 291 . Colonel Pennant.] They could work with lamps ? — Perfectly well, with- 
 out that risk. 
 
 292. Chairman.'] I am speaking of this : supposing you are using those 
 lamps, would it put out Clanny's lamp, or the Davy lamp I — The Davy lamp it 
 would put out, but not the Clanny. 
 
 203. If the ventilation was kept pretty good by means of the steam jet, in all 
 probability some other form of lamp might be discovered ? — They could carry the 
 lamp perfectly well into the workings ; and when men have brattices, all they 
 have got to do is, to put a proper length in, short of the face, and a naked 
 candle might be perfectly well used in the face of the work, though a perfect 
 hurricane was blowing within eight or ten feet of it. 
 
 204. Colonel Pennant.] With regard to the extent of power of the steam jet, 
 you spoke of its being so very great ; does that apply equally to the alternative, 
 the power of propelling air and drawing it in to the pit ; does the extent of that 
 power apply equally to the one as well as to the other, to the propelling and the 
 exhausting ? — Yes, undoubtedly. 
 
 295. It is equally great ':■ — It is equally great. 
 
 296. Mr. Child.] A great deal of expense would be saved in trap-doors and 
 valves, and people keeping them shut and open ? — Yes ; the thing is on such a 
 nice balance ; it is a machinery always threatening to go wrong with those trap- 
 doors. In the last Hepburn explosion there were two trap-doors said to be the 
 predisposing cause of the explosion ; the men exploding their shots at the face 
 of the works, were the proximate cause. Those two trap-doors, one boy was 
 watching ; 15 yards the one from the other. To let the men pass freely 
 through he propped one of the doors open, the safety-valve to the whole work- 
 ing, while he ran and opened the other for some corves to pass. That was con- 
 tinued the greater portion of the day ; and it was supposed that at last the first 
 door being open had prevented the air sweeping out the board ; which being 30 
 yards up, and 15 feet wide was filled with gas like so much gunpowder, to its 
 very mouth. The boy having shut the door again, it blew all this gas round to 
 another board, and exploded there while the men were firing a shot. 
 
 297. It would not be necessary to have those doors and appliances, supposing 
 the mine ventilated by means of the steam jet ? — You would have to direct 
 it, to a certain extent, but so many is owing to want of air. If you have a 
 great quantity of air, you could dispose of it so easily, that this quantity of 
 machinery will not be required. 
 
 298. Colonel Mure.] The steam jet principle of Mr. Gurney is strongly 
 recommended, I observe, in your report of the South Shields Committee ; if I 
 
 0.62. D understand 
 
2b 
 
 MINUTES OF EVIDENCE TAKEN BEFORE THE 
 
 A Mather, Esq. understand you, it is only adopted in one colliery in the north country, described 
 
 — ■ as the Seaton Delaval Colliery ? — Yes ; only fully adopted there ; it has been 
 
 7 June 1852. tried in two others. 
 
 299. You mentioned that the gentleman who adopted it in the Seaton 
 Delaval Colliery, had his attention called to it by seeing some experiments at 
 the London Polytechnic Institution ; am I to understand that the recommen- 
 dation of the committee was not known to the coal viewers in the district, and 
 that they were obliged to go to the Polytechnic Institution to get a hint of 
 what was laid before them in the report? — They did us the honour to consult 
 our report ; but I have observed that practical men are not the best men to 
 adopt improvements in their own particular professions ; men are naturally 
 prejudiced in favour of the course they have been pursuing for years. They 
 had, however, examined it, and they thought it looked very well on paper ; it 
 was only a little experiment that Mr. Forster saw by accident, that more parti- 
 cularly drew his attention to it ; he said, I have seen it in the Shields Report ; 
 he took it, and adopted the principle laid down there. 
 
 300. You think there has been a disinclination, or at least no inclination, to 
 adopt this system of steam jet in that district ? — I am perfectly satisfied there 
 has been a decided disinclination ; there is no better proof of it than that Mr. 
 Wood, a very skilful man and eminent viewer, having come up apparently for 
 the express purpose of controverting the principle, before the Committee of the 
 House of Peers, in 1849 ; but unfortunately for the furnace, it was demonstrated 
 that its effects were much inferior. 
 
 30). Is it admitted in the district now, that the steam jet has been per- 
 fectly successful in the Seaton Delaval Colliery ? — It is, undoubtedly. 
 
 302. Is there no general inclination now to adopt it, where they are satisfied 
 of its efficacy ? — It is gaining ground. Mr. Wood, its strong opponent, informs 
 me he means to experiment with it in his mines ; and so states the director of 
 Lord Durham's mines. 
 
 303. Supposing this or any other method were proved to demonstration to 
 be perfectly successful, and you were asked a question how far it should be 
 enforced, is it desirable that some Government officers or Government com- 
 mission should be empowered to enforce such a security, for the preser- 
 vation^ human life ? — I think it is a most important thing to do so. The coal 
 interest is a very great interest in this country, from which much riches are 
 drawn, and it is also important in point of humanity. It has been left exceed- 
 ingly to chance, with occasional attentions from the Legislature. Something 
 more important is required, such as a minister of mines, or a commission com- 
 bining scientific and practical men. You have a school of mines, you should 
 have a minister or commission too, in London, to recommend, report, and, if 
 you choose to give them some limited power, so much the better, to direct ; you 
 would then bring the mines into a state that would do credit to the country, 
 instead of producing a large amount of misery and wasting its mineral wealth. 
 
 304. You think it should not be left to any combination or association of the 
 proprietors in the mining district, but be enforced by some higher power ; I 
 believe, on the Continent, in most of the mining districts, the Government do 
 exercise that power ? — Not in Belgium ; it recommends but does not enforce 
 except in extreme cases ; but in France it does in respect to anything that it 
 supposes is dangerous to life in the working of the mines or upon the surface ; 
 there were some laws of Napoleon Bonaparte prepared very stringently on the 
 matter. 
 
 305. Chairman.'] The system of Government inspection was instituted in 
 consequence of a recommendation of a Committee of the House of Lords, was 
 not it r — Yes. 
 
 306. And some other suggestions of the House of Lords were also brought 
 into operation ? — I believe, not particularly anything but the inspection. 
 
 307. The boys? — That was done some. years before; we had the pleasure of 
 helping it in our report. 
 
 30 S. Do you think that the present system of Government inspection is 
 . insufficient? — I am afraid it is. 
 
 309. In what way is it deficient, and how would you amend it ; by some such 
 suggestion as that just inade by Colonel Mure ?— Yes, and I think it would be 
 a very great advantage indeed if you had more inspectors ; there are certainly, 
 at present, infinitely too few for their purposes. If you had in addition a com- 
 mission 
 
SELECT COMMITTEE ON COAL MINES. 
 
 27 
 
 mission of men whose judgment could be relied upon, and whose knowledge j. Mather, Esq. 
 
 was fitted for such purposes, to whom those gentlemen could report and explain » 
 
 the condition of the mines they inspected, and receive instructions, it would be a 7 J" ne 1852. 
 most important (1 might almost call it) institution. It would be of incalculable 
 advantage ; you would collect every practical fact, and, at the same time, get the 
 scientific application of the best men of the country. 
 
 310. What class of men would you select? — I cannot presume to say. The 
 Government would, doubtless, select men of the highest scientific acquirements, 
 and also, I conceive, the first practical men to co-operate with them. 
 
 311. What do you mean by practical men ? — Men accustomed to the working 
 of mines. Though I have been stating to the Committee that I have not much 
 trust in the improvements of practical men, yet 1 think they are safe guides, so 
 far as they know upon the subject ; and if they brought their practical know- 
 ledge to bear upon the researches of a scientific commission, important results 
 would be produced. Even Professors Faraday and Lyell, than whom there are 
 no abler men in Europe as scientific men, have committed errors, not in 
 principle, but in its application, which practical men would not. 
 
 312. You would have a class of men who would steer half way between practice 
 and theory ? — I would have the two both together, the scientific man with the 
 scientific knowledge, and the man conversant with mining facts; the former to 
 suggest new modes of carrying on these valuable works with advantage and 
 safety, the latter to state what had been done, to put forward any opinion or 
 objection there might be to any new course that might be suggested, to 
 organise, arrange, and render practical. 
 
 313. Would you give this commission some power of prosecution in case the 
 proprietors appeared to have been very remiss in providing the best mode of 
 ventilation ? — Those men are amenable at present if proper means are not taken, 
 that is, if negligence exist where better means might have been applied and life 
 is lost ; I could, for instance, point out, though it would be invidious to do so, 
 where the workmen themselves in more than one case have warned the viewer 
 that the mine was not safe, and have left it, which warning was neglected and 
 explosion ensued. Such cases seem open to the operation of the law. 
 
 314. Colonel Pennant."] What power have the Government inspectors now 
 as to enforcing increased ventilation ? — None at all except recommendation. 
 In the North of England I once saw their power set at nought, and the Home 
 Secretary's too. In the mine of Jarrow, which is very dangerous, a suggestion 
 was made by the inspector that in a certain district they had not enough air, 
 and that the men having safety lamps, should not fire gunpowder to blast 
 the coal at the same time, as the viewer insisted they should do. They fired 
 the shots to bring down masses of three or four tons together, and exposed the 
 mine at that particular moment, from the want of ventilation and the quantity 
 of gas, to explosion. The inspector of the north, knowing the mine thoroughly, 
 having once had the management of it, refused his sanction to such a process, 
 and the men refused to work. The viewer, however, called in three other 
 viewers, and got their opinion that it was perfectly safe, though Sir George 
 Grey; I think, at that time considered it his duty to call the attention of the 
 inspector to it. The course was nevertheless persevered in, and the Home Secre- 
 tary, inspector, and men were all defeated. 
 
 315. Colonel Mure.] In pages 45 and 46 of the South Shields Report it is 
 stated that this very system of ventilation was objected to as being very trou- 
 blesome, and that it was apt to put out the lights ; is there any serious ground 
 for that objection ? — I think not, on this account, that in working in a cut de sac, 
 as the extremity of the workings are, there will be a calm close against the body 
 of coals ; they drive the air up there with wooden brattices ; they are put up in 
 about three-feet lengths - T then you have merely to take off a three-foot length 
 of the brattice and the air disappears down the return, while the men are work- 
 ing in a perfect calm, though you might have a perfect hurricane within 10 or 
 20 feet of those men and they be wholly untouched by it. 
 
 31 C. Has the steam jet been extensively adopted in any other mining dis- 
 trict in England ?— I believe in Lancashire. I have not had much opportunity 
 of seeing it except in extinguishing a fire. 
 
 31 7. Chairman.] Is that in the case of Mr. Darlington ?— No ; in the pit of 
 Lord Bradford. 
 
 318. Do you know- Mr. Forster ? — Perfectly. 
 
 0.62. d 2 319. And 
 
28 
 
 MINUTES OF EVIDENCE TAKEN BEFORE THE 
 
 J, Mather, Esq. 3 1 9. And Mr. Darlington ? — Yes. 
 
 320. Are the inspectors numerous enough ? — They are by no means numerous 
 
 7 June 1852. enough. In the north it would take an inspector five years to go through 
 all his mines properly. 
 
 321. Mr. Booker.} Do you mean in Scotland, or in the north of England? — 
 Northumberland, Durham, and Cumberland. 
 
 322. Chairman."] To revert to the question of the Commission; how would 
 that afford any security against accidents arising from gross carelessness on the 
 part of the proprietor of the mine, seeing that in the case of loss of life he would 
 be brought under Lord Campbell's Act ; is not that so ? — I presume it would 
 be so ; I hope it would. 
 
 323. Then should your commission, if a commission were appointed, have 
 some power of legal process in any case of negligence under that Act, or giving 
 damages, or bringing an action for damages? — L think if there was much cul- 
 pable neglect shown, and that commission had thoroughly inquired into the 
 subject, they might suggest to the Government the propriety of prosecuting. 
 
 324. Colonel Mure.] Are the present inspectors professional men, selected 
 from the class of mining or underground engineers, or practical men who have 
 been connected with collieries r — They are generally men that have been prac- 
 tically connected with collieries. 
 
 325. But they are not scientifically educated as professional engineers ? — 
 Without meaning at all to derogate from their scientific knowledge, I am afraid 
 not sufficiently so. 
 
 326. Chairman."] Taking into account the information given by the South 
 Shields Committee Report, and the evidence given before the House of Lords 
 in 1849, do you conceive that those two Reports practically embody all the 
 information that is known upon the subject of those casualties ? — As far as I 
 know there have been no new developments and no new facts which do not 
 confirm the truth of them. 
 
 327. There has been nothing entirely new transpired since the Reports of 
 the South Shields Committee and of the House of Lords Committee, except 
 inasmuch as may be inferred as a confirmation of the views taken particularly 
 by the South Shields Report ? — I think so entirely. 
 
 328. Mr. Booker.'] Have the explosions that have taken place, and the 
 investigations that have occurred consequent upon them, given any new 
 information beyond that contained in this Report of the House of Lords in 
 1849, three years ago? — I think nothing further than that we have had two 
 explosions occur under the Davy lamp since, and we have had explosions occur 
 from negligence since ; to my certain knowledge, from the misuse of that Davy 
 lamp, and also where there has been no accounting for the explosion under its 
 employment. Those are facts confirming the general scientific view in con- 
 nexion with that lamp, and in practice, showing that it is not so much to be 
 relied on. 
 
 329. As to the inspection, are }^ou of opinion that good has resulted from 
 Government inspection as far as it has gone ? — Certainly ; they make sugges- 
 tions, and sensible men will follow them when they are good, and have reason 
 to know they are good practical suggestions ; but, on the other hand, there is 
 also an evil, it engenders carelessness in some instances, because relying upon 
 the responsibility of inspectors, they go on in confidence and negligence. 
 
 330. On which side is the balance in favour of, the good or evil ? — Certainly 
 in favour of the. good. 
 
 331. I think I gather from your evidence that the system of Government 
 inspection is rather objected to in the north of England ? — Not now ; formerly 
 it was so ; in anticipating it there was an objection. 
 
 332. Have you ever known of an instance of any complaint of improper inter- 
 ference on the part of Government Inspectors in the working of mines ? — I know 
 of a collision of opinion on the Jarrow pit ; that is the only case that I know. 
 
 333. Do you not think by adequate remuneration and careful selection, a 
 class of individuals might be appointed who would very gladly assist the pro- 
 prietors of mines in the working and in the development of their property ? — 
 1 think exceedingly so, not only in respect to the security of life, but property 
 also, another important thing. One half of the coal in Scotland, sometimes 
 60 per cent, of most magnificent coal in a district I examined, is left and never 
 got, but lost entirely to the proprietors and the country. 
 
 334. Colonel 
 
SELECT COMMITTEE ON COAL MINES. 
 
 29 
 
 334. Colonel Pennant."] On what account ? — The imperfect mode of working. J. Mather, Esq. 
 
 335. And ignorance in the matter of engineering ? — Yes, and an objection ■ ^ ^ - 
 to the surface being disturbed; if properly worked it could be got perfectly 
 
 well, and without injury to the surface too. 
 
 336. Mr.. Child.] Will it not be desirable that all the inspectors should 
 undergo an examination previous to appointment, to ascertain if they are 
 capable of performing their duty? — No doubt, and it would be a proper matter 
 for the Commission which has been spoken of. 
 
 337. Colonel Pennant.] You have spoken of the power of ventilation ; I see 
 in this report you have said a great deal about the sinking of shafts in pits ; do 
 you think any means of ventilation is so efficient as that of sinking an addi- 
 tional number of shafts in the pits?— It is for the purpose of making more 
 ventilation. 
 
 338. Do you think any means of forcing the air through, and of forcing ven- 
 tilation by that means, is equal to sinking that additional number of shafts in 
 the pits ? — If you have a sufficient number of shafts to pass any current of air 
 you pleased, you would not require more ; if you had a sufficient, number to 
 pass all the air you could properly apply by the approved system of the steam 
 jet there would be no necessity for more, out if you go on with a less effective 
 means the necessity of more numerous shafts cannot be doubted. 
 
 339. It also seems to be the practice in Leicestershire and Derbyshire to 
 have a greater number of shafts than in the northern districts ? — It is so ; their 
 pits are less deep than those in the northern districts generally. The great 
 object is the getting of the coal ; they have not efficient means of ventilation ; 
 some of them have not any furnace at all; and Her Majesty's Government in 
 the Forest of Dean leave it to natural ventilation, which is no ventilation. 
 
 340. Mr. Booker.~] In the Forest of Dean the accidents have been very few 
 from explosion r — Because there is no explosive gas ; it is the carbonic acid gas 
 which poisons the people. 
 
 341. There have been very few accidents in the Forest of Dean ? — True, not 
 sudden, but gradual poisoning. We had Mr. Roberts in 1849 ; he came up for 
 the purpose, and I believe the Committee respected him exceedingly for it ; 
 he expressed his ignorance to the Committee ; he is one of the tenants of the 
 Government ; he came to say he had been in a state of nature for a great 
 length of time, and he wanted to know something better than natural ventila- 
 tion ; and added, " We cannot get into our pits tor two or three days together 
 in certain changes of the weather ; the carbonic acid gas comes out, and of 
 course the people are obliged to come to the surface to breathe." They wanted 
 more ventilation in the Forest of Dean ; there the mines were in that state of 
 confusion, as well as in Warwickshire and some other parts. 
 
 342. Chairman.] Where the seams are near the surface, as you represent in 
 Staffordshire and in the Forest of Dean, is it not the fact that there are different 
 crevices on the surface through whicli the noxious air would very often escape ? 
 — Yes, fire-damp ; but if you have no ventilation black damp fills the pit. 
 
 343. That would account for the fact in shallow mines of the explosions 
 being less frequent ? — Yes, no doubt. 
 
 344. Your only objection to inspection is that, as far as it goes, the inspec- 
 tors being somewhat more attached to what you consider an exploded system 
 than to the best system, you feel that their giving their sanction to that 
 exploded system, throws the responsibility of carrying it into operation from 
 the shoulders of the proprietor on to those of the inspectors ? — Yes. 
 
 34,5. And therefore the proprietor, instead of blaming himself or accepting 
 the blame from others, throws the blame upon the inspector ? — Yes ; at the last 
 explosion at Washington, I know one viewer who urged on the manager of the 
 mine that it was in a dangerous condition ; and said, " If I were you I would 
 get the inspector to look at it, and your responsibility will be shifted, and you 
 may get some advantageous information perhaps but it was not done. 
 
 346. Did you visit the Nitshill Colliery ? — No. 
 
 347. Has any case come within your knowledge where the ventilation has 
 been notoriously deficient, before the explosion, and where subsequently to or 
 at the coroner's inquest, it has been stated that the. explosions arose from mere 
 accident, and that the ventilation was sufficiently good ? — I never knew a mine 
 that exploded, where it was not said that the mine was in an exceedingly well 
 ventilated state. I suppose it is sympathy for misfortune, for whenever an 
 
 0.62. d 3 accident 
 
30 MINUTES OF EVIDENCE TAKEN BEFORE THE 
 
 J. Mather, Esq. accident of that kind has happened, I have always observed good practical evi- 
 " June 185" dence show that the mine has been well ventilated. I think in the unfortu- 
 nate Washington case, and in the Killingworth case, and at Haswell, and the 
 St. Hilda Pit, and at Jarrow, and indeed in all, the ventilation was always said 
 to be very good ; I do not remember an instance in which the mine was not said 
 to be in good condition. 
 
 348. If the opinion of the inspectors is given in favour of the ventilation 
 having been good ; how, in fact, can they be a judge of that circumstance if 
 they do not see the pit, and do not visit it before the explosion ? — Very gene- 
 rally that is the course, but I do not speak of the inspectors ; they seldom see 
 them before. I speak of the viewers, who examine the pit, and give evidence. 
 The inspector does so too, sometimes. They take it in this way, they examine 
 after the explosion, when the mine is said to have been put in the same condition 
 as it was previous to the explosion. They examine the quantity of the air 
 going into the pit and the interior of the colliery, and draw the conclusion, that 
 there must have been enough, and that some escapage of gas, or some un- 
 accountable circumstance— some " accident" has been the cause. 
 
 349. Mr. Booker.'] The Government inspector attends the inquest, and hears 
 the evidence given ? — Yes. 
 
 350. Colonel AlureP\ You mentioned goaves in the mines ; are they not a great 
 means of generating fire-damp ? — They are. 
 
 351. They are the great obstructions to the ventilation, are they not ? — They 
 are ; though you cannot ventilate them thoroughly, you can do so to remove 
 the danger. 
 
 352. They are made by taking away the pillars in those parts ? — Yes. 
 
 353. Would not it be desirable to put some restrictions upon the practice of 
 creating those goaves ; is there any necessity for them in the mines ? — If you 
 wish to get all the coal, you are obliged to have them, and prop them with 
 wooden pillars, that is, with timber, till the coal pillars are removed ; you then 
 draw the timber, and the roof naturally falls. 
 
 354. Is there any necessity of doing this so long as they have other coal in 
 the mine ; would not it be hetter to wait till all the other coal is got and the 
 mine abandoned ? — That used to be the practice, but it has been changed of 
 late years. They used to work to the extremity of their bounds and then come 
 back, taking away the pillars, and it was a much safer plan than that now pur- 
 sued. They work in a few hundred yards, and then take away the pillars im- 
 mediately, by which they get the coal that is rather richer in quality and saves 
 considerable expense in the working of the mine. 
 
 355. Do you think the additional expense it would be to the proprietors of 
 those collieries to resort to a safer system is such an object as to be a reason 
 for not adopting, even with the prospect of such loss, a measure which would 
 tend to the safety of those men's lives who are working in the mines ? — I think 
 if they have ventilating power enough I would scarcely wish to restrict them. 
 It can be provided against. It would be scarcely well to restrict them in any 
 mode they wished to pursue, provided they adopted the most efficient means of 
 ventilation. 
 
 356. That is, you are of opinion that a system of ventilation might be pro- 
 vided which would prevent the necessity of any such precaution in respect of 
 the goaves ? — Yes. 
 
 357. Chainnon.] Some tribute was paid to you, was not there, by the work- 
 ing miners ? — Yes, from Northumberland and Durham, where they were kind 
 enough to fancy that I had forwarded their interests for some years, and they 
 complimented the Shields committee through me. 
 
 358. Was not it a tribute from the working colliers of the Seaton Delaval 
 Pit, in consequence of the active exertions you had made in favour of the 
 steam jet which they have found so beneficial '! — They were the active pro- 
 moters ; but I am happy to say, for the sake of the South Shields Committee, 
 this tribute came from the two counties of Durham and Northumberland. 
 
 359. The miners themselves then feel very keenly and anxiously upon the 
 subject ? — They do. 
 
 360. Was it connected with your labours in this committee altogether, or in 
 reference to the steam jet? — Connected with our labours in the committee, 
 and such service, overvalued, as I had endeavoured to render them. 
 
SELECT COMMITTEE ON COAL MINES. 
 
 3i 
 
 Mercurii, 9° die Jnnii, ]852. 
 
 MEMBERS PRESENT. 
 
 Mr. E. S. Cavley. 
 Mr. Child. 
 Colonel Mure. 
 Mr. Charteris. 
 
 Mr. John Abel Smith. 
 Colonel Pennant. 
 Mr. Farrer. 
 Mr. Booker. 
 
 EDWARD STILLINGFLEET CAYLEY, Esq., in the Chair. 
 
 James Mather, Esq., called in and further Examined. 
 
 361. Chairman.] I think, in your examination the other day, you did not j. Mather, Esq. 
 
 refer particularly to any means of rendering the goaves more safe than they — 
 
 were ; have you any suggestion to make upon that point? — Yes, I have. 9 June l8 5 2 - 
 
 362. Sometimes there is an escape of gas from the goaves, which commu- 
 nicate with the galleries, and renders them liable to explode ? — Yes. 
 
 363. Can you suggest any method by which the goaves could be rendered 
 more secure, and have a better ventilation, or a better escape, for the workmen 
 in case of explosion ? — I would wish to put in a suggestion on that subject. 
 Those goaves are dangerous points in the mine, and form reservoirs of the car- 
 buretted hydrogen gas, which have already received very great attention from 
 Professors Faraday, Lyell, and others ; they made a suggestion of piping out 
 the light carburetted hydrogen from those goaves. The impossibility of doing 
 so, to a practical man, was quite evident as soon as it was suggested ; the 
 expense and the inconvenience of carrying those pipes through all the pas- 
 sages would have been so great that they would have absolutely laid the mine 
 off. Notwithstanding which, it is an excellent principle to get rid of fire- damp 
 without mixing in the mine atmosphere ; if it had been possible to adopt that 
 plan of Professor Faraday's, it would have made the mines much safer ; it 
 would have got rid of a quantity of gas, prepared, at any moment, to come over 
 and surcharge the passages. The explosion at Haswell occurred from one of 
 those reservoirs, where 95 people were killed ; a fall in this irregular chamber 
 of about 15 acres, like a piston in a cylinder, pressed out the gas upon the 
 lamps, and fired the whole explosive mixture ; therefore, to get rid of the gas 
 in the goaves would be very important. I had the honour of suggesting here, 
 on Monday, that to clear as much as possible the gas out of the mines, 
 without allowing it to descend into the workings, drifts should be run in the 
 rise part of the coal deposit ; in addition, I suggest to-day that bore-holes 
 should be sunk down to the goaves. It is reasonable to be done ; but there is 
 a practical objection to it. If it were a solid impervious structure all through 
 there would be no difficulty whatever, and you would penetrate your goaves 
 by single pipes of six or eight inches bore, which would let off the gas by 
 natural specific levity, or you might burn it at the surface, as at Wallsend for 
 many years, or extract it by the jet ; but in thus letting out the gas you let in, 
 unfortunately, the water. That is the great danger. In certain mines this 
 water strata yields 6,000 gallons a minute, which would inundate the mine. 
 This water frequently passing through the strata for great distances is under 
 enormous pressure. There is a possibility of sinking a bore on an improved 
 mode, and placing a sheath or shield in it, the water would be then prevented 
 going into the mine. It is perfectly possible, I conceive, while you make 
 a sufficient bore-hole, knowing where the water exists, to sheath it, and tub 
 back the water, and thus have a perfect aperture through which your gas 
 may be drawn off from the goaf. I wish to offer this suggestion to the 
 ingenuity of modern science. It is possible to extract the gas from the mines 
 in the reservoirs of the goaves, and at the same time prevent the water flowing 
 in. 
 
 0.C2. d 4 364. Mr. 
 
32 
 
 MINUTES OF EVIDENCE TAKEN BEFORE THE 
 
 /. Mather, Esq. 364. Mr. Child.'] They do something of that sort in the Artesian wells ? — 
 To a certain extent. 
 
 9 June 1852. 305. I think I have heard that they put a sheath down it to prevent the 
 water escaping from other strata? — That brings the point up to my view of 
 the matter, if it can be fully done. 
 
 36b". Whatever prevents water flowing away would prevent water flowins: in 3 
 —Yes. 
 
 367. Chairman.] Your proposition is to tap for deleterious gas, and you think 
 you can provide the means to prevent it being injurious by preventing the water 
 going in ? — Yes. 
 
 368. Colonel Pennant.] With what material would you propose to construct 
 that shield in the boring?— With metal. 
 
 369. Would that be attended with great expense r— It would be attended 
 with some expense, but the water-holding strata are not of great thickness, say 
 from one to five or six fathoms, more or less. It is not a very great quantity 
 of sheathing you would require. 
 
 370. Colonel Mure.] Is the quantity of water that would flow in from a small 
 bore of that kind so very large as to cause serious inconvenience to the mines? 
 — It is, in many instances. 
 
 37 ] . Chairman.] Would gutta-percha do ? — It would not be sufficiently strong 
 to resist the pressure, sometimes a large quantity descending from a great 
 distance. 
 
 372. Mr. Booker.] W 7 ould more water come in from a small bore of that kind 
 than from a shaft ? — It would be turned into a water pipe. 
 
 373. I thought you said it would collect such an amount of water as to inun- 
 date the pit? — If it was a tube passing down where there was a large supply 
 of water coming out, that pipe would immediately turn into a water-pipe, and 
 with a pressure of great weight the water would fill the pipe perfectly full, and 
 be discharged into the mine ; the quantity that would be conveyed by its gravity 
 would be enormous, and would tend to inundate the mine. 
 
 374. Then would more water come from that bore than an ordinary shaft; 
 suppose you put clown a shaft, would more water come from the bore you 
 propose than from an ordinary shaft ? — If the ordinary shaft was left exposed, and 
 the bore hole was left exposed, of course the greater area of the shaft would 
 admit more water. 
 
 375. Chairman.] You have given us some very valuable information, but we 
 omitted to ask you how it happened you picked up all this valuable information. 
 Were you connected originally with mines, or did you receive a scientific 
 education, which has contributed to your knowledge upon the subject r — I 
 originally studied medicine, as a philosophical subject of deep interest. In the 
 town with which I am at present connected, there is a coal mine, where, in. 
 August 1839, a fearful explosion took place, at our very feet. The works lie 
 under the town ; and the walls have sometimes cracked from the sinking of the 
 surface into the works. I was present immediately after that explosion. The 
 people were brought to the bank dead, and the medical men thought that a few 
 minutes' earlier application would be of value to those still left in the mine ; so 
 I went down for the purpose of applying the remedies, and came into inter- 
 course with mining at its most serious moment. From that hour I believed it 
 possible that some application of science (as mining seemed in a very rude 
 state) might produce a better and safer mode of working the mines ; and I have, 
 with several scientific and intelligent men, endeavoured to make a thorough, 
 investigation of the subject, which has resulted in the South Shields Report. 
 
 376. In consequence of that, in all probability, it was that you were led to 
 take the active part you did upon the South Shields Committee, which investi- 
 gation lasted three years, and ended in the valuable report before us ? — Yes. 
 
 377. Have your inquiries continued ever since that period into the causes of 
 mines exploding, and of preventing these fearful explosions ? — At intervals it 
 has. Every new phenomenon, and every new aspect of the mines that have 
 presented themselves, I have investigated to a certain extent. 
 
 578. Mr. Booker.] I understood you to say, in your former examination, 
 that when visiting the mines, you have examined and analysed the properties 
 of the explosive gas ; the carburetted hydrogen ? — I meant to say, we took for 
 granted, that the analyzations of Davy, Thompson, Henry, and others, were 
 
 sufficient 
 
SELECT COMMITTEE ON COAL MINES. 
 
 33 
 
 sufficient for us. We took, however, the pyrites in the mine ; we had scientific J. Mather, Esq. 
 chemists upon the committee, and analysed it, and found that at a certain tem- 
 perature and moisture sulphuretted hydrogen was evolved, which at a dull red 9 June l8 5 2 - 
 heat of the Davy lamp would ignite. 
 
 379. You did not yourself analyse the carburetted hydrogen gas as it was 
 floating in the mines you visited r — No. 
 
 380. Whose analysis did you take ? — In fact it is agreed upon on all hands ; 
 there is not the shadow of a doubt of the nature of it ; it is thoroughly known 
 what is the composition of light carburetted hydrogen. If the Committee wish 
 for further information on the subject of mine gases, in addition to the chemists 
 I have named, I might point them to certain experiments that were performed 
 by Sir Henry De La Beche and Professor Playfair. You will find them at page 4 
 of the " Report on the Gases and Explosions in Collieries, by Sir Henry De La 
 Beche and Dr. Lyon Playfair." 
 
 381. You can, by a chemical process, dilute or mix gases with atmospheric 
 air, cannot you ? — Certainly. 
 
 382. You have not given your attention to the possibility of decomposing 
 or neutralizing the effect of carburetted hydrogen gas by any other gas, or 
 other than by ventilation ? — Not other than by ventilation. 
 
 383. 1 asked you a similar question when you were examined before ; have 
 you given the subject any attention since ? — To a certain extent, I have thought 
 of it. 
 
 384. Do you think it practicable ?■ — T think it is not practicable in the quantity 
 required. 
 
 385. Colonel Mure.~\ Has an attempt been made by any scientific gentlemen 
 who have been consulted with reference to accidents in mines, to make the 
 analysis to which Mr. Booker alludes ? — I am not aware that it has. 
 
 386. What might be the result of such an analysis, if effected ? — If you 
 decompose the gas you get rid of the explosive power, but you have a still 
 more dangerous gas instead of it. You get a composition of oxygen and carbon, 
 which is the absolute poison of the mines. The fire-damp is not the poison ; 
 and until removed, of course you work in it to a certain extent. With one- 
 tenth of carbonic acid in the atmosphere, you are poisoned in a few minutes. 
 
 387. Mr. Booker.] If you have, by dilution or admixture, made it more 
 explosive by elements or properties you know, a fortiori is not it probable that, 
 by the application of science, some other elements or some other properties 
 may be discovered that may render it less explosive and less dangerous, and 
 perfectly innocuous? — I think it practically possible in a laboratory to do so; 
 but in every part of a mine, perhaps of 30 millions of superficial feet, where 
 from every pore in the strata there pours forth a quantity of light carburetted 
 hydrogen, which immediately disperses itself in the atmosphere, or rises by its 
 levity, how can you catch that gas ? 
 
 388. When there was first suggested the possibility of lighting our streets 
 with gas, that was laughed at, ridiculed, and scouted in society as being a mere 
 notion of an enthusiast ; you now see how largely and beautifully it is applied ; 
 do you not think science might discover a simple means of effecting so desirable 
 an object as rendering that gas, now so dangerous, innocuous ? See, again, 
 electricity resulting by the process of science in the telegraph. I press this 
 upon you from the great attention you have paid to the subject ; and as our 
 labours are with a view to practical usefulness and good, and as this is a philo- 
 sophical inquiry, I should like to get a mind like yours to apply itself to the 
 investigation ; and having ascertained the causes of them to endeavour to find 
 a means of prevention against those dreadful effects ? — I should be delighted to 
 see it done. 
 
 389. Chairman.] Do not the whole doctrines of chemistry, in point of fact, 
 resolve themselves into the system of chemical equivalents? — Yes. 
 
 390. And the difference virtually between a poison and a substance of 
 nutrition depends upon the slightest variation in the doses of those gases ? — 
 Yes. 
 
 391. And is it not the fact, that the explosive quality of the carburetted 
 hydrogen depends upon the admixture of a certain dose of oxygen? — It 
 does. 
 
 392. Then if the atmospheric air which contains a large supply of oxygen can 
 be driven forcibly into this noxious gas, that is, in a rapid manner, would not 
 
 0,62. E that 
 
34 
 
 MINUTES OF EVIDENCE TAKEN BEFORE THE 
 
 J. Mather, Esq. that dilution of the explosive gas be more effectual and more easy than any 
 
 ■*— — attempt to neutralize or decompose the explosive gas itself ? — As far as our 
 
 9 June 1852. present knowledge goes, I certainly think so. Whether it would be possible to 
 neutralize it I cannot say. Seeing the quantities that are generally found in 
 a mine, and seeing that no substance which we know can conveniently supply a 
 sufficient abundance of chemical neutralization for its qualities, and knowing 
 you have a reservoir behind you of the atmosphere which will answer to dilute 
 it. sweep it away, or render it innocuous, it seems the best of all. The oxygen 
 you get there keeps in life, and the quantity of air is so convenient that it is 
 found the most easy and best mode for dealing with this dangerous gas. 
 
 393. As your attention has now been drawn to the desirability of such a 
 thing, you would perhaps give your further attention to the subject ? — I shall 
 be happy to do so. It may be stated that 15 to 16 per cent, of nitrogen, which 
 forms about four-fifths of the atmospheric air, will render fire-damp inexplosive, 
 and in such proportions might not be injurious to life ; but yet getting rid of 
 the enemy is by far the best mode of dealing with it. 
 
 394. Mr. Booker.'] As a stimulus to inquiry, I may state, that a relative of 
 my own, a Member of the House of Commons, Mr. Blakemore, has offered 
 1,000/. as a premium, to be given through the Chemical College in Hanover- 
 square, to any one who will discover any means of decomposing and rendering 
 innocuous carburetted hydrogen gas in our coal mines ; and that 1,000/. will be 
 forthcoming when that means is discovered f — It does credit to his humanity. 
 
 39.5. Colonel Mure.] You consider that the ventilation itself, as affecting the 
 noxious air, is a species of dilution or decomposition r — It is a dilution sufficient 
 to render it innocuous. 
 
 396. Colonel Pennant^] You have stated, that though you consider such a 
 mixture of gases in the laboratory to be practicable, it is impracticable, you 
 think, to be carried out in a coal mine, in consequence of the continual variation, 
 and the explosive gases coming forth from the seams and goaves ? — I think so. 
 
 397. Colonel Mure.] Are the goaves in those mines numerous, and spread 
 over different parts of the mine, or only confined to some particular portions, 
 and lying much together ? — In the mines of the North they are exceedingly 
 numerous ; I know of 12 in one mine, ranging from 5 to 50 acres. 
 
 398. Chairman.] If I understand you rightly, you propose to make a bore 
 into each goave ? — Yes ; I venture to suggest it. 
 
 399. Then if a field extended over from 20 to 50 acres, if you had to make 
 a bore for each separate goave, it would become a very expensive process ? — 
 Not so very expensive, without the shield cost more than I anticipate. 
 
 400. Colonel Pennant.] You do not think it is necessary to carry this shield 
 down to any very great depth ? — No, only against the water feeders ; it should 
 impinge closely upon the solid structure. 
 
 401 . Do you think it is possible to construct a shield, in the process of boring, 
 to adhere so closely to the side of the bore-holes as to prevent water passing 
 down between the shield and the bore-holes ? — It is done; where you put. in 
 tubbing only, but it is built in separate parts. 
 
 402. There you have the whole area of the shafts to work in, and it is done 
 by manual labour ; in those instances it would be done by boring ? — There you 
 have touched the difficulty. I anticipate however, from the ingenuity of our 
 engineers, without sheathing the entire bore, it may be done. 
 
 403. Colonel Mure.] If the mines were worked from the first on such a plan 
 as to get the parts called the goaves to lie together, would it not in that way 
 be more easy to get rid of the noxious gas, than if the goaves were spread in 
 small portions throughout the mine ? — That was the former practice with us in 
 the north; to push the working, leaving the pillars standing, to the utmost extent 
 of their bounds ; then, having taken out the whole coal, begin to work back, 
 leaving the goaves at the extremity of the mine ; but that is disadvantageous in 
 a commercial point of view. As soon as they now work to a certain district, 
 they begin to form a goaf there ; they get out coals saturated with gas ; they 
 get a greater quantity of produce for their labour, there is thus a strong induce- 
 ment to form goaves as speedily as possible ; it is a commercial reason, and no 
 other. Commercial men perhaps must be permitted to take all those advan- 
 tages. I do not know whether the Committee would like to take into consi- 
 deration those points. The system does certainly produce great danger, and 
 reservoirs of gas of an explosive character, which, with the slightest derange- 
 ment, 
 
SELECT COMMITTEE ON COAL MINES. 
 
 35 
 
 ment, brings on an explosion. It can be better remedied by good ventilation J. Mather, Esq. 
 and other means. 
 
 404. Colonel Pennant.] Is that application of the system of working general ? 9 June 185s. 
 — I believe I may say in the best managed pits it is. I may instance the mines 
 
 of the Marquis of Londonderry, Lord Durham, and others in that district ; 
 which are some of the best and most valuable. 
 
 405. From your knowledge of the accidents that have taken place, do you 
 attribute at all the increase of accidents to that circumstance ? — I would 
 not say so. You have now more mines ; there is a great impulse given to the 
 coal trade of this country by different regulations and changes ; you had a high 
 duty formerly on coals ; now your exportation is greater ; there has been too a 
 great stimulus given to this trade by the convenience of railway transit from 
 every coal field of the country, and more mines have been opened ; the field is 
 now more extensive for mine operations than ever ; and the more extended 
 your works, the greater the exposure to danger. 
 
 406. Colonel Mure.'] There has been a great increase of accidents from 
 explosions in the last year ? — Yes. Here is a list of those accidents. 
 
 407. Have you any opinion as to the cause of that increase? — I could 
 not presume to say, for each particular explosion seems to have its own parti- 
 cular cause, to be arranged in a particular class ; but I find this year, up to this 
 moment, is the most fatal year the coalminers have ever seen. We have had 
 at the rate of 900 people lost for this year within 21 weeks. 
 
 408. Does it not strike you as a remarkable circumstance, that in the midst 
 of these inquiries, and of the great attention that has been paid by the public 
 and by Parliamentary Committees of late years to this subject, the case instead 
 of getting better, should be getting worse. Is there no general reason you can 
 assign for the increase ?■ — I have stated the extended working is one cause, 
 and another is (with all due respect to its scientific inventor), that the Davy 
 lamp, from its general employment, originates a great many. Taking the 
 three last accidents in Durham and Northumberland, they occurred, under the 
 use of the Davy lamp ; and other gentlemen will, I dare say, speak of many 
 instances in which the Davy lamp has originated explosions. You cannot 
 always trace it directly to the Davy lamp, but the explosion takes place under 
 its use, and there is no one left generally to give an account of how it hap- 
 pened. One occurred at Killingworth, where the Davy lamp was found 
 perfect, and eight people were killed. There was another at Hepburn, which 
 killed 22 people, where unfortunately the Davy lamp was ill managed ; that 
 was the cause of the explosion there. At Haswell the Davy lamp was under 
 employment when 95 people were killed. 
 
 409. Mr. Farrer.] I understand you to say that the number of fatal acci- 
 dents have increased this year 1 — Yes, they have. 
 
 410. Are there more collieries in course of working now than there were last 
 year ; I presume there are fresh collieries opened ? — 1 conceive that the number 
 of collieries opened this year are not to any great extent more than they were 
 last, but there has been a gradual increase of collieries of late years. 
 
 411. That would account for the gradual increase of accidents ? — It ought 
 to have done so, but there is some other cause in operation. 
 
 412. The increase is beyond the average ; the number of fatal accidents is 
 more than might have been calculated on, even from the increase of collieries 
 that were opened? — Certainly ; infinitely more than we ought to have had. 
 
 413. Colonel Pennant.] I understood you to say, with regard to the tempe- 
 rature of the air, that about 53° was the temperature generally considered the 
 most dangerous ':- — Yes. It is the temperature where the mine and the atmos- 
 phere approximates. 
 
 414. Have you kept any register of the temperature of last year to ascertain 
 whether that has had any effect, in regard to the ventilation of those mines ? — 
 I have not ; I have been a great deal from home. 
 
 415. You are aware that this year it has been a mild winter in this country ? 
 —Yes. 
 
 416. That there has been very little of that cold, keen weather we have 
 usually in the winter ? — Just so. 
 
 417. You have not kept any register to ascertain whether that had any 
 effect in this matter ? — No. 
 
 418. Mr. Booker.] You are aware that we had a shock of an earthquake in 
 South Wales last Monday ? — No, I had not heard of it. That is singular, and 
 
 u.62. e 2 shows 
 
36 
 
 MINUTES OF EVIDENCE TAKEN BEFORE THE 
 
 J. Mather, Esq. shows, I believe, a previously deranged state of the terrene electricity in these 
 
 _ , — latitudes. Now, in approaching dislocations and dykes in the coal measures, 
 
 9 June 1852. we find always greater evolutions of gas, and interrupted and more active 
 electricity, as far as I could ascertain it. Whether the unusual electrical con- 
 dition of the earth, as indicated in the earthquake, may have generated gaseous 
 derangement in the mines, and in those unprepared, have facilitated these late 
 evils, is, perhaps, deserving of reflection. 
 
 419. Chairman.] The Committee may understand from your evidence prin- 
 cipally, that you think a too great reliance upon the Davy lamp may have led to 
 the neglect of ventilation, which is what you consider the most effectual means 
 of safety? — Yes ; certainly. 
 
 420. And that the greater extent to which the workings have been carried in 
 various pits, require a more powerful agent to ventilate them than has hitherto 
 been generally used? — Certainly; that is my opinion. 
 
 Herbert Francis Mackworth, Esq., called in ; and Examined. 
 
 H. F. Mackworth, 42 1. Chairman.] YOU are an Inspector of Government Mines? — I am, for 
 
 Esq. the South-western district. 
 . — , ^ 22> j_f ow j on g } iave y 0U } ie ^ ^at appointment ? — Since November last. 
 
 423. What is the extent of the South-western district? — South Wales, Mon- 
 mouthshire, Gloucestershire, and Somersetshire. 
 
 424. In what situation of life were you, or what was your employment, 
 before you were appointed? — I received a scientific education at King's 
 College ; I have made several of the longest and most difficult railway tunnels 
 in England, and have been engaged for two years in superintending collieries. 
 
 425. Did you follow the profession of a civil engineer before your ap- 
 pointment ? — Yes ; those works were in the mill-stone grit formation and the 
 coal measures. 
 
 426. You have lately made a report upon the dreadful accident that has 
 happened at Aberdare ? — Yes I have. 
 
 427. There have occurred within a very few years, since 1845, 159 deaths, I 
 think, by explosion ? — In the Aberdare valley, in the same seam of coal, but 
 not in the same pit. 
 
 428. You made a report at the coroner's inquest upon that accident ? — 
 I did. 
 
 429. Perhaps you would not object to that report being put in as evidence ? 
 — I have no objection. 
 
 [The same was handed in, and is as folloxvs :] 
 
 " The explosion which occurred at the Middle Duffryn Colliery demands the most searching 
 inquiry, and I have on several occasions examined into the state of the workings, in oi'der 
 to arrive at the cause of the accident, and the conclusions to be deduced from it. The seam 
 of coal worked at this colliery is six feet in thickness, and is remarkable for the discharge of 
 gas which takes place from its fissures and roof, and which increases as the works extend to 
 greater depths. Since the year 1845, four very serious explosions have occurred in this seam, 
 by which 159 persons have lost their lives; and in each instance the cause is assigned to a 
 sudden discharge of gas. One of these explosions occurred at the Middle Duffryn Colliery 
 on the 14th of December 1850 ; at that time the works extended over one and a half acres, 
 and the ' brattice' not having been finished, the winding shaft served for the downcast, Avhile 
 a lamp in the pumping shaft converted this into the upcast. Mr. Blackwell, in his official 
 report on that occasion, gave several wise and salutary cautions, which decidedly condemned 
 the use of a ' brattice ' and all naked lights, and the necessity for which has been amply con- 
 firmed by the late catastrophe. Notwithstanding this, during the 17 months that have inter- 
 vened, the furnace and candles have been uniformly used, and the pumping shaft was shut off 
 by a door from the ventilation, and a wooden 'brattice' in the larger shaft converted the 
 winding side into the downcast, and the other, by the assistance of a furnace, into the upcast. 
 At 380 yards east of the winding shaft the main split of air took place, the one division 
 running back to the rise and west workings, being 5,000 yards in length, and was joined in 
 its return by a short split of air. The other main division, after airing the eastern end and 
 the stalls to the dip, united with the first near the furnace, and was 2,150 yards in length. 
 As far as an examination of the air courses and the evidence given on this point enabled me 
 to form an opinion, the quantity of air in circulation seems to have been ordinarily sufficient 
 to dilute the gas escaping from the face of the coal, but was inadequate to meet those sudden 
 discharges of gas which have before occasioned such fatal results, which have been most 
 forcibly predicted, and which the increased depth of the coal beneath the surface rendered 
 more imminent. The arrangement of the works and ventilation, as shown upon the plan, 
 is by no means satisfactory ; and by further dividing the air, and conducting it_ in proper 
 channels, a large additional quantity ought to have been introduced. I am of opinion, that 
 
SELECT COMMITTEE ON COAL MINES. 
 
 •■>»» 
 
 the explosion commenced by the sudden discharge of gas in a highly elastic state at that part H. F. Mackioorth, 
 of the No. 2 dip heading which had been very carefully examined by the overman and firemen Esq, 
 about two hours before. A fissure of about 18 inches in width has been rent down through 
 the e shale,' apparently from the 2-feet 9-inch coal ; and the force developed would be amply g j ur)e 1852. 
 sufficient to cause a concussion in the air much resembling a detonation of gas ; the gas then 
 mixing with the return air fired at the furnace, and an explosion by no means severe along 
 about 450 lineal yards of the airway followed. The marks of fire are scarcely perceptible, 
 and had the return aircourse been efficiently separated from the intake level, the fire would 
 have been almost confined to it. The fall of the barometer on the morning of the accident, 
 although probably not affecting this explosion, was a warning not neglected in many mines, 
 and it should at least; have been compensated for by increased ventilation. The printed rules 
 and regulations of the mine appear to have been duly conformed to by the foremen, and the 
 responsibility lies in the working with naked lights and furnace after the experience of former 
 accidents and the cautions given at the last inquest. It would be difficult to select from 
 the fearful history of explosions one in which the effects of after-damp "were more fatally 
 exhibited, or where less obstacles were opposed to its inroad than in the present instance. 
 And it is highly desireable that a separate verdict should be taken on those that have died 
 from the after-damp, in order to impress on managers of collieries the necessity for adopting 
 those precautions which practical science has devised, not only against the danger of explo- 
 sions, but the most fatal effects of after-damp. It has been long ascertained that the average 
 mortality from inhaling the carbonic acid gas and nitrogen resulting from an explosion 
 amounts to not less than 70 per cent, of the deaths ; and I am persuaded, that if the mana- 
 gers of all fiery mines will systematically arrange their works, and adopt precautions against 
 this greater danger, the mortality will greatly diminish. The same species of foresight 
 which provides boats of a certain capacity for the escape of seamen after a ship has 
 foundered, should at all times contemplate saving the sufferers by the after-damp, however 
 improbable in such mines an explosion of fire-damp might appear. The remedy consists in 
 forming the shafts and main channels of the in-take air so strong, that they shall resist the 
 explosion. By this means, even in such a contingency, the fresh air will reach to within a 
 reasonable distance of the end of the work in sufficient quantity to support life, and by the 
 assistance of a stream of water down the shaft, or a steam jet or other auxiliary in the 
 up-cast (provided for such emergencies) a current of fresh air will be established. Doors and 
 other weak points should be kept as far from the shaft as practicable, and assisted by dam 
 and swing doors, and the other means adopted in some collieries. The main stoppings should 
 be never less than 10 yards in length, and consist of strong double walls, close stowed 
 between. The great reaction which follows an explosion is accounted for by the fact, that 
 the gaseous products return to the same bulk, with the exception of that due to the increase 
 of temperature. From every volume of carburetted hydrogen there results one volume of 
 carbonic acid gas and eight volumes of nitrogen, requiring at least 24 volumes of atmos- 
 pheric air to render them at all respirable. The necessity is, therefore, manifest for intro- 
 ducing as much air as possible by the in-take channels. The remedies to which I have 
 referred are founded on these two properties, and need not in any way interfere with the 
 economical working of the colliery. It is unnecessary for me to enter into explanations 
 respecting the necessity for the division of the work into panels or districts, which Mr. 
 Blackwell has so ably illustrated, as in his remarks and recommendations I thoroughly con- 
 cur. I am further of opinion, that among the printed rules of a mine there should be stated 
 the course to be adopted by the colliers in the event of an explosion, and the points of escape 
 defined. The uncertainty how to act under such circumstances, doubtless, causes the loss of 
 many lives. The explosion at this colliery at once destroyed the doors and stopping between 
 the main level and the return air-course, so that an influx of after-damp cut off the retreat 
 of 48 men, and the change in the current of air produced by bringing the pumping pit 
 into operation appears to have thrown the after-damp out of the return air course into 
 the intake level. Without alluding further to the all-important time lost in effecting 
 any change, I would point out that it sets, if possible, in a stronger light the danger, 
 under any circumstances, of a bratticed shaft, and the necessity for an unalterable 
 in-take air-course In conclusion, I have to state that, although I do not consider the 
 foremen of the colliery to have neglected the duties assigned to them, I am compelled 
 emphatically to condemn the entire neglect of the safeguards insisted on at the former 
 inquest. The loss of 159 lives in the Aberdare Valley by explosions, all of them arising 
 from the peculiai'ly dangerous state of the firedamp in the four-feet* seam, and the overlying 
 strata, urgently demands the entire exclusion of naked lights and the ordinary furnace, and 
 the adoption of strictly enforced rulqs, and a larger ventilation." 
 
 430. I will ask you one or two questions upon that report. You state that, 
 u As far as an examination of the air courses, and the evidence given on this 
 point enabled me to form an opinion, the quantity of air in circulation seems to 
 have been ordinarily sufficient to dilute the gas escaping from the face of the 
 coal, but was inadequate to meet those sudden discharges of gas which have 
 before occasioned such fatal results." Now is that not a common circumstance 
 preceding those explosions ; is not it the fact, that those sudden escapages do 
 frequently take place ? — In some mines. 
 
 431. Do you consider the present system of ventilation affords a sufficient 
 means of overcoming, and sufficiently diluting that sudden escape of gas ? — In 
 almost every mine, good fiu^D ace-ventilation, accompanied by dumb-drifts for 
 
 0.62. S3 the 
 
38 MINUTES OF EVIDENCE TAKEN BEFORE THE 
 
 H. F. Mackworth, the passage of the foul or return air, is adequate to remove all those sudden 
 
 ■^ sc l' effusions of gas without danger, 
 ~tT~ 432. Do they use furnace-ventilation in the Aberdare valley? — Yes; there 
 
 g une 1 52. j s nQ 0 ^ er ^[ n ^ 0 f ventilation. 
 
 433. Do they use such ventilation in all those pits that have exploded? — Yes. 
 
 434. Can the furnace-ventilation be increased suddenly and rapidly, so as to 
 overcome one of those sudden escapages of gas ? — It can be increased to a slight 
 extent in almost every furnace. 
 
 435. I think you state in your report that the ventilation appears to have 
 been sufficient under ordinary circumstances ? — To dilute the gas below the 
 explosive point. 
 
 436. That was by means of furnace ventilation ? — By means of furnace ven- 
 tilation. That was the mode of ventilation adopted for several months pre- 
 viously to the accident, and there was a constant effusion of gas going forward 
 from the face of the small coal, that was exposed in the course of working. It 
 was not very subject to blowers, or those sudden discharges of gas, they only 
 occurred at remote intervals. 
 
 437. If the furnace ventilation only afforded sufficient for an ordinary 
 escapage of gas, would not it be expedient, if it were possible, to find some 
 means, whereby a more rapid communication of air through the shafts to the 
 galleries might be made ? — Although the usual furnace ventilation was tolerable 
 under ordinary circumstances, I think the ventilation was by no means equal to 
 what it ought to have been in that colliery, especially in consequence of the 
 peculiar nature of the discharges of gas. 
 
 438. Could it have been much increased with the furnace ? — With the same 
 furnace they had, and with a different distribution of the air, the quantity of 
 air passing through the mine could have been largely increased. 
 
 439. What amount of ventilation was going on immediately preceding the 
 accident ? — It is difficult to form an opinion as to the quantity that was passing' 
 through. At the inquest there was a quantity stated by the over-man, and I 
 have reason to think the quantity was not by any means so great as he stated. 
 
 440. Was it at the rate of 20,000, 30,000', or 40,000 cubic feet a minute ?— 
 The over-man stated it to be at the rate of nearly 30,000 cubic feet in a minute, 
 but I do not think that the quantity much exceeded 20,000 cubic feet in a 
 minute. 
 
 441 . What is the area of the shaft of the up-cast ? — About 90 square feet of 
 area. 
 
 442. Has it ever occurred to you to inquire, as to whether there is any 
 limit to the power of furnace ventilation ? — There is no doubt a limit to it, 
 provided that the whole effect of the furnaces is thrown into the same shaft. I 
 should rather attribute its inadequacy in certain circumstances, to the smallness 
 of the airways, as its limit has never yet been practically attained. 
 
 443. But if there is a larger area of shaft, that would of course give the mines 
 a larger supply of atmospheric air? — Yes, but increased area in the airways 
 is much more important. 
 
 444. If the ventilation of the collieries were perfectly complete and satisfac- 
 tory, would those explosions occur? — They would not ; a good ventilation makes 
 the chance of the accumulation of gas remote ; the adoption of the Davy lamp 
 in the same colliery reduces the chance of accident by the multiple of the other. 
 
 445. Has it ever occurred to you to observe that the amount of ventilation 
 by means of the furnace never exceeded 1,000 cubic feet per minute to the 
 foot area of the shaft ? — In some cases it very much exceeds that. 
 
 446. Did you ever observe an instance where, with 50 feet of area, more than 
 50,000 cubic feet of air per minute passed? — In one or two of the northern 
 collieries nearly 2,000 feet of air pass for every square foot of shaft area. 
 
 447. Where were those instances? — I think the Haswell Colliery was one 
 instance. 
 
 448. The Haswell appears to be 109 feet shaft, and it appears to pass 74,000 
 cubic feet per minute ? — I think in Professor Phillips's Report you will find 
 what I state. 
 
 449. If it should appear that there is an absolute limit to the furnace-venti- 
 lation, and if there be sudden escapages of gas which lead to those fearful 
 explosions, would not it be very desirable, if possible, to adopt a method not 
 only of more powerful ventilation, but also one that could be applied in a more 
 rapid manner whenever those more sudden escapages of gas were observed r — 
 
 I think 
 
SELECT COMMITTEE ON COAL MINES. 
 
 39 
 
 I think there is a defect in the furnace when an explosion occurs ; that it is H. F. Mackworth, 
 
 then an element of danger ; and I would recommend as a precautionary • Es< l* 
 
 measure the adoption of some other means, as the steam-jet for instance ; 
 
 some other auxiliary power which could be immediately set to work on the 9 J une ^S" 2 - 
 
 occurrence of an accident. It is most important after the occurrence of an 
 
 accident to maintain the exhausting power in the up-cast shaft. 
 
 450. Has your attention been turned to the question of the " natural 
 brattice " and the " furnace paradox " ? — I am aware of the views entertained 
 upon the subject. 
 
 451. What is your opinion upon it ? — I think in certain cases the former 
 exists ; but I attribute very little importance to it. Its importance is very 
 much exaggerated. 
 
 452. Can you say why ? — I think in all collieries it may very easily be pre- 
 vented. 
 
 453. When there is an attempt to increase the vividness of the furnace, is 
 not it sometimes found that there is some practical impediment to that in- 
 crease ? — It cannot be pushed beyond a certain point depending upon the 
 depth of the shaft. 
 
 454. When it is pushed beyond a certain point, does not it occur sometimes 
 that the ventilation is totally stopped ? — I think not, without the airways were 
 stopped off. 
 
 455. Has your attention been drawn to the circumstance of a natural brat- 
 tice being formed occasionally, and that in consequence of the stoppage of the 
 air from the down-cast, which should feed the furnace, there is a species of 
 vacuum formed in the centre of the up-cast shaft, down which the air descends 
 to the furnace, by which means the ventilation of the mine is practically 
 stopped ? — I think the defect is to be attributed to the want of size in the air- 
 ways ; an increased size in the airways, and additional furnaces, would effect a 
 larger ventilation. 
 
 456. You heard something said by Mr. Mather with regard to a change of 
 temperature producing some accidents ? — I did not catch his observations. 
 
 457. It is stated that, at a particular degree of temperature, say 53°, those 
 accidents appear to occur more frequently than otherwise ; would you attach so 
 much importance to that as to the changes in the weight of the atmosphere ? — No, 
 I do not attach much importance to that point of temperature, except that at a 
 high temperature of the atmosphere the ventilation would be necessarily less. 
 
 458. Was not there a fall in the barometer on the morning of the last acci- 
 dent in the Aberdare Valley ? — There was a considerable fall. 
 
 459. Was that, observed by the overlooker ? — No ; he had no barometer, and 
 no means of observing it. 
 
 460. Was there no barometer attached to the mine ? — No. 
 
 461. Did he fail to take the observations he should have done as to the fall 7 
 —Yes. 
 
 402. A change in the weight of the atmosphere, indicated by the fall of the 
 barometer, will allow of escapages of gas from the walls of the mine more than 
 when the atmosphere is in a heavier state ? — It is always increased when there 
 is a sudden fall in the barometer. I have the state of the barometer, and the 
 observations of the barometer one or two days previously and subsequently. 
 
 463. Will you put that in ? — Yes, I will. 
 
 \_The same was handed in, and is as follows :~\ 
 Range of Barometer and Thermometer at Swansea, registered by John Jenkins, f.r.a.s. 
 
 
 Barometei 
 
 
 External 
 Thermometers. 
 
 
 9 a.m. 
 
 3 p.m. 
 
 ^ 9 a.m. 3 p.m. 
 
 
 Inches. 
 
 
 
 8 May 1852 - 
 
 30-20 
 
 30-20 
 
 55 66 
 
 9 „ - - - - 
 
 3017 
 
 30-15 
 
 54 59 
 
 10 „ - - - - 
 
 29-95 
 
 29-95 
 
 53 60 
 
 11 „ - - - . 
 
 29-98 
 
 30-03 
 
 52 55 
 
 N.B.— Accident at Middle Duffiyn Colliery took place at 9 a. m. on 10th of May. 
 
 e 4 464. You 
 
MINUTES OF EVIDENCE TAKEN BEFORE THE 
 
 1L F. Mackworth, 464. You are acquainted with the anemometer ? — Yes, I use it constantly. 
 
 Es( J- 46,5. Did you ever have an anemometer that registers the currents of air? 
 
 There are none in use in my district. 
 0 June 1852. Would not it be one very useful means of the inspectors detecting what 
 
 was the constant amount of air going through a mine if there was a register 
 anemometer in each mine, by which he would be able to detect the degree of 
 ventilation that had been going on through the mine at every moment in the 
 interval since which he had been there before ? — I think it is very desirable. 
 
 467. You have no reason to suppose that there is not such a thing- as a 
 register anemometer ? — I believe they are in use in the northern districts. 
 
 468. There is, in fact, such an instrument, and you consider it would con- 
 duce very much to the inspectors doing their duty more efficiently, and pro- 
 viding for the safety of the people in the mines, if a register anemometer was 
 kept in each mine ? — Yes, I think it is desirable. 
 
 469. With regard to the after-damp, subsequent to an explosion of fire- 
 damp, is not it the fact that frequently there are more lives lost by the after- 
 damp than by fire-damp ? — About 70 per cent, of the whole number of deaths, 
 in the more serious explosions, are caused by the after-damp. In the accident 
 that happened lately in the Aberdare Valley, at the Middle Duffryn Colliery, 
 there were only two cases of burning from the explosion, and 58 cases of death 
 from after- dam p. 
 
 470. The cause of the explosion, in point of fact, is the oxygen of the atmos- 
 phere entering into combination with the carbon in the carburetted hydrogen,, 
 and so forming carbonic acid gas, which is fatal to life? — Yes; the carbonic 
 acid gas is a very fatal result ; but it does not exist in such large quantities as 
 the nitrogen. I think nitrogen is more generally fatal. The floating dust is 
 also a very destructive agent. 
 
 471. Is not it the fact, that nitrogen is comparatively an innocuous element, 
 that it does not support life, while the carbonic acid gas is a poison, and 
 destructive to life ? — Yes, but the proportion of carbonic acid gas, looking at 
 the result of the explosion, is less than the quantity of nitrogen in proportion. 
 When there is eight per cent, of carbonic acid gas in the atmosphere it 
 asphyxiates, and when the quantity of oxygen in the atmosphere is reduced 
 from 21 per cent, to 15 per cent, the nitrogen asphyxiates. I give those pro- 
 portions to show the relative power of the two to produce death. 
 
 472. Lnder the circumstances of this after-damp supervening subsequent to 
 an explosion, would not it be in that case even still more desirable to have 
 some more powerful agent than is at present in general use to give a rapid 
 supply of atmospheric air, in order to dilute the carbonic acid gas, which is 
 destroying life so rapidly below ? — It is a matter of the first importance to have 
 that power in the up-cast and down-cast shafts. 
 
 473. Would the furnace supply that r — I would not depend upon the furnace. 
 
 474. What would you depend upon ? — I would have a steam jet acting in the 
 up-cast shaft, and water escaping under great pressure in the down-cast shaft. 
 
 475. I think you state in a part of your report, that the explosion took 
 place in consequence of the explosive air coming in contact with the furnace; 
 is that so ? — It is. 
 
 476. Where was the furnace situated: — I have a plan of the colliery. 
 
 477. Mr. Child.'] The furnace must be a constant source of danger ? — Yes, 
 after an explosion. 
 
 478. Before an explosion, would it not? — In particular mines, where there 
 are any openings at all in the neighbourhood, and where the currents of air- 
 before reaching the furnace are not thoroughly mixed. 
 
 479. The furnace would itself rarefy the air, and cause a current to the 
 furnace ? — Yes. 
 
 480. And draw the gas towards it : — Yes ; but the system is to have a 
 sufficient body of air in the mine to mix with it, to dilute it sufficiently. 
 
 481. I am speaking of the furnace itself; would not that be a source of 
 accident ? — In mines liable to sudden outbursts of gas, the whole of the returns 
 should be sent through the dumb drift ; and none of the return air allowed to 
 pass over the furnace itself, but come up this inclined drift, into the shaft 10 
 to 20 yards above where the furnace is placed. 
 
 482. Colonel Pennant.'] You said you would recommend a steam jet as an 
 auxiliary to the furnace, for the purpose of an increase of exhausting power of 
 the up-cast shaft after an accident, to get rid of the after-damp ? — Certainly. 
 
 483. As. 
 
SELECT COMMITTEE ON COAL MINES. 
 
 4» 
 
 483. As an auxiliary power? — Yes, at the top of the shaft ; and it should be H. F. Mackwortk r 
 provided even when the steam jet is used ordinarily for ventilation at the Es( *- 
 bottom of the shaft. ~~ 
 
 484. And a superior power ? — To be used solely in emergencies. 9 ^ une 18520 
 
 485. Why, if that has this additional advantage over the furnace, would not 
 it be desirable to use it at all times to prevent an accident ? — I do not think the 
 use of the steam jet is so economical as that of the furnace ordinarily. 
 
 486. Chairman.] Have you seen it in operation ? — In several instances. 
 
 487. Where ? — In the collieries of South Wales. 
 
 4S8. Can you name the collieries ? — In this very one, Middle Duffryn 
 Colliery. 
 
 489. In what way was it erected ; by the parties themselves in consequence 
 of a communication with the inventor? — No, I believe not; in none of those 
 instances that I have seen were they so erected. 
 
 490. Have you reason to believe that they were properly erected? — I do not 
 consider that I have seen the most satisfactory experiments with the steam 
 jet ; my opinion is formed upon the evidence which I have read upon the 
 subject, and what I have seen myself. 
 
 491. Did you ever hear the circumstance of its being established in Seaton 
 Delaval Pit ?— I have. 
 
 492. And that the greatest amount of ventilation they could get in the 
 Seaton Delaval Pit, by means of the furnace, before the establishment of the 
 steam jet, was something like 54,000 cubic feet per minute, and that since that 
 they have obtained between 90,000 and 100,000 cubic feet per minute? — 
 I should like to know all the circumstances connected with the colliery ; that 
 is one instance, perhaps, of success, and there are a great many other 
 instances of what may be called partial failure. 
 
 493. Were those cases of partial failure done under the superintendence of 
 Mr. Gurney, who is the inventor? — I cannot say that they were. I do not 
 know any case where Mr. Gurney himself superintended the erection of a 
 steam jet. 
 
 494. Are you acquainted with Mr. Forster? — No. I judge also partially 
 from the reports of experiments made in Belgium. 
 
 495. Colonel Mure.] Were those made with Mr. Gurney's apparatus? — 
 They were made by a Belgian engineer in a different manner. 
 
 496. Do you not think that experiments with an instrument should be made 
 under the auspices of the gentleman who invented it, rather than of one who is 
 not so conversant with it? — I think it is highly desirable; I should be very 
 glad to see a complete series of experiments made with the steam jet ; though 
 that is my opinion, I do not feel perfectly satisfied in my own mind about it - r 
 as neither the limit of furnace ventilation or steam jet ventilation is yet known. 
 
 497. Chairman.] You know every steamboat that goes up the river, and 
 every engine that goes along a railway, has a steam jet applied to it only 
 because the furnace ventilation is not sufficient ? — The blast-pipe of the engine 
 produces that effect. The heat from the air is given off by the boiler to the 
 steam. 
 
 498. Which is in fact a steam jet ? — It is on the same principle. 
 
 499. Are you not aware that Mr. Gurney was the inventor of that steam jet 
 as applied to railways ? — I have heard some one attribute it to him. — {The 
 Witness produced and explained to the Committee the ■plan of the Middle Duff?yn 
 Colliery.) 
 
 500. Colonel Mure.] What is this shaft? — It is the principal shaft. 
 
 501. Is any part of it used solely for ventilation ? — The larger part which 
 serves as a down-cast is used also for winding the coal, and for the ascent 
 and descent of the men ; the up-cast is used solely for ventilation. 
 
 502. Colonel Pennant.] Was there in that case a dumb-drift there ? — No. 
 
 503. Mr. Child.] How far was it from the furnace to the place where the gas 
 was generated along Ihe passages ? — About 300 yards. 
 
 504. Allowing for the bends ? — Yes, allowing for the bends. 
 
 505. Colonel Pennant.] Had there been any remonstrance made by you 
 before, as inspector, with regard to there not being a dumb-drift to the owner or 
 manager of the mine ? — I had not examined that colliery ; Mr. Blackwell, my 
 predecessor, had made some suggestions. 
 
 506. Are you aware whether your predecessor has made any remonstrance 
 0.62. F in 
 
4 2 
 
 MINUTES OF EVIDENCE TAKEN BEFORE THE 
 
 H. F. Machwrth, j n regard to the absence of this dumb-drift that is recommended ? — He had not 
 S(J specifically mentioned the dumb-drift, because no furnace was used for ventila- 
 
 June 18 2 wnen ne examme d the colliery ; but he pointed out in strong terms the dan- 
 
 g une 1 52. g er 0 f taking naked lights underground. 
 
 507. Supposing you had inspected the mine, and found it your duty to recom- 
 mend a dumb-drift to the manager, should you have had any power of enforcing 
 that ? — No power. 
 
 508. You have no power, as the law exists at present, of enforcing those regu- 
 lations you think desirable ? — I can simply point out to the owner of the colliery 
 or the agent the danger and the defects that exist. 
 
 ,509. Chairman.] Would the families of the sufferers have any remedy at law 
 for any such neglect as that ? — Not that I am aware of. 
 
 , r > to. Such a remedy as the families of persons killed by a railway accident 
 would have under Lord Campbell's Act ? — I am not aware ; I have not heard 
 of any instances of similar accidents where damages have been obtained. 
 
 511. Within your knowledge no parties have appealed for redress; but do 
 you believe that parties are in that position in life that it would be easy for 
 them to apply for a remedy ? — It would be difficult for them to obtain redress. 
 I do not know any similar instances in which application has been made. 
 
 512. You are aware that damages have been obtained in consequence of 
 accidents arising from culpable neglect in railways ? — Yes ; the difference in 
 this case would, perhaps, be that the sufferers were the servants of the owners 
 of the mine ; it appears to be a legal point which I cannot presume to give an 
 opinion upon. 
 
 513. Would it, in your opinion, be a useful power in the hands of the in- 
 spector or in the hands of a commission, if one should be instituted, to have the 
 means of promoting this sort of legal remedy to the families of the sufferers 1 — 
 I think it is a point requiring very serious consideration, whether a penalty 
 should not be inflicted for such accidents as those in coal mines ; a penalty for 
 every death that occurs. I think it might be desirable to inflict a penalty for 
 every death that occurs in collieries, under certain conditions. 
 
 514. Would you have the penalty larger in proportion to their neglect of any 
 precautions suggested by the inspector? — I think it ought to be in proportion 
 to the criminality ; I believe that practice is adopted in France and Belgium. 
 
 515. And if there appears to be a system which is clearly more secure to 
 human life than another, would you attach culpability to their not adopting such 
 a system to their mine ? — The culpability would vary in degree according to 
 the opportunities they had of becoming acquainted with the system ; where it 
 had been clearly pointed out to them I should decidedly attach criminality 
 to them. 
 
 516. Mr. Child.'] The circumstance being- such as would render the applica- 
 tion of improvement available ? — Yes. 
 
 517. Supposing a penalty was inflicted, do you consider it better that that 
 penalty should be a penalty which should belong to the Crown, or be a means 
 of compensation to the sufferer? — Partly to the Crown and partly as a means 
 of compensation to the sufferer. 
 
 518. Mr, Booker.] In this particular instance, was the disaster met by the 
 proprietor of the colliery with liberality ; have all the costs of the burials of 
 the deceased, and the maintenance of their families up to the present time, been 
 thrown upon the parishes, or has he borne them ? — He, I believe, has borne 
 the whole cost himself. 
 
 519. How was it with the former accident? — In the former accident I believe 
 he behaved with liberality to the sufferers. 
 
 520. Are you aware whether he was pursuing any other means, by the sink- 
 ing of another pit, that would have increased the ventilation ? — It was given in 
 evidence by a witness that tlyose workings were being carried forward, to be 
 connected with some pits that were sinking. They were already almost sunk 
 down to the coal in a valley at a distance of about three quarters of a mile. 
 
 521. There would have been a communication between |the two collieries ? — 
 Yes, but I do not attach weight to the statement. 
 
 522. And the ventilation would have been very much improved? — A much 
 better system. 
 
 523. With two separate pits ? — Yes, but there is a second pit at this colliery 
 which has not been as yet properly applied. 
 
 524. How 
 
SELECT COMMITTEE ON COAL MINES. 
 
 43 
 
 524. How many collieries have you in your district ? — I think upwards of jr, Mackworth, 
 400 collieries. Esq, 
 
 525. What area, in acres or square miles, is comprised within your district ? ■ ■ — 
 
 — -I think about 1,300 square miles. 9 -Tune 1852. 
 
 526. At what interval would it |be possible for you to visit each of those 
 collieries, with all the diligence you could use ; how many in a day or week ? — 
 It would take me three or four years to go round all of them, at least. 
 
 .527. Colonel Pennant.'] To give them a sufficient inspection? — To give them 
 each a sufficient inspection. 
 
 528. Chairman.] The register anemometer would be a great check? — A 
 great check. The mines in my district do not register at all. 
 
 529. Mr. Booker.] Would you just tell us to whom do you report; have 
 you any power of complaining to the Court of Quarter Sessions, or is your 
 report to the Secretary of State ? — When I find dangers and defects in the 
 collieries, and the owners or agents refuse to remove them, I serve them with 
 a notice, stating simply that I consider them to be dangerous or defective. 
 
 530. That has no other legal effect than as evidence? — I transmit a copy to 
 the Home Office. 
 
 531. In the event of an accident occurring, what are the means adopted to 
 make you acquainted with the accident that has occurred ; should you hear of 
 it immediately ? — A notice is transmitted by law to the Home Office, and I 
 receive notice from the Home Office. 
 
 532. Therefore, you being in Somersetshire or South Wales, the information 
 goes up to the Home Office, and through the Home Office alone you receive 
 any information whatever ? — Yes, the only official information. 
 
 533. And have you no official authority to inspect until you have received 
 information from the Home Office ? — I have general instructions, whenever I 
 hear of an accident, to go and procure an explanation, just as if I had received 
 a notice. 
 
 534. How do you find the proprietors of collieries throughout your district 
 disposed towards Government inspection ; have you any difficulties, or are you 
 cordially received and assisted ? — I think generally they are willing to carry 
 out the suggestions which I make to remove the danger and defects. 
 
 535. Chairman.] Mr. Blackwall did make a suggestion, according to this 
 Report, T think? — Yes. 
 
 536. In reference to this last mine explosion, does not it appear that these 
 precautions were entirely neglected ? — Entirely neglected. 
 
 537. Mr. Booker.] Within your district, which comprises Glamorganshire 
 and South Wales, are there the largest iron-works and the largest copper- works 
 in the world ? — Yes, there are. 
 
 538. Do you find any difficulties among the large proprietors of iron-works 
 or copper- works thrown in your way as to the inspection of their collieries ? — 
 No ; I have perceived a general readiness to carry out suggestions. 
 
 539. Are accidents more frequent in those collieries attached to the smelting 
 establishments and manufacturing, or those collieries the produce of which is 
 exported for sale ? — I do not think they are so frequent in collieries attached to 
 large iron-works ; there is more discipline and more system carried out. 
 
 540. And, I suppose, a greater amount of capital applied ? — Yes. 
 
 541. And greater efficiency is produced ? — Yes. 
 
 ,542. Have you ever had any difficulties thrown in your way, or any com- 
 plaints of Government interference, after your inspection, or during your inspec- 
 tion ?— No ; I think, after some little correspondence, I have generally induced 
 the parties to carry out the cautions given by me. 
 
 543. Chairman.] I suppose the masters, generally speaking, are very tolerant 
 of the inspection, but that there is the same indisposition, and not more, on the 
 part of the coal-owners to reform, than there is in every case in people to 
 reform themselves ? — I perceive a general tendency and desire to improve, and 
 especially where the coal-owners are not in the habit of going into the collieries 
 themselves. They are rather glad to have some one go in and make an exami- 
 nation of the state of the works. 
 
 544. Mr. Booker.'] Are the workings of the coal mines stationary, or on the 
 increase or decrease i — Very largely on the increase. 
 
 545. Colonel Pennant.] Have you had many instances in which you have 
 0.62. F 2 found 
 
44 
 
 MINUTES OF EVIDENCE TAKEN BEFORE THE 
 
 H. F. Mackworth, found it necessary to make recommendations with regard to defects in the 
 £sq. mines you have seen ? — In the majority. 
 
 — 546. Have you ever visited the same mine again, to see whether those alter- 
 
 9 June 185-2^ ations have been made ? — I have, in a few instances. 
 
 547. But not in the majority ? — Not in the majority. 
 
 548. If you did so visit the mines, it would of course increase the number 
 of years over which it would be required for your inspection of the whole of the 
 mines in your district to extend ? — Yes. 
 
 549. Colonel Mure.] With this number of mines under your charge, 
 requiring four years to visit each one, on what principle do you distribute your 
 inspection; do you only go when sent for, on some suggestion that some- 
 thing is irregular, or how do you distribute your time ? — I ascertain in the first 
 place what parts of my district are most liable to fire-damp ; and which are the 
 most dangerous classes of collieries ; and I direct my attention principally to 
 them. With that view I have intended myself, and I thought I could manage 
 it, to go round the most fiery and most dangerous collieries once a year, and 
 devote the remainder of my time to the other collieries in which accidents are 
 not so frequent, nor so liable to occur. 
 
 550. Are you not sensible yourself that there must be a very great amount 
 of want of attention, and that it is impossible for you to do justice to the 
 collieries under your superintendence ? — I could do a great deal more if I had 
 more time at my disposal. 
 
 551. If you had fewer collieries to look after? — If I could have assistance in 
 certain portions of my duties. 
 
 552. Chairman.'] Your superintendence would be more efficient — Yes. 
 
 553. Mr. Booker.] Are you paid by salary? — Yes. 
 .554. What salary is it ? — It is 400 /. a year, nominally. 
 
 555. Have you any allowance for travelling expenses when you are from 
 home ? — My travelling expenses are paid. 
 
 556. Your actual expenses? — The actual expenses. 
 
 557. Have you any extra allowance paid, when from home, towards your 
 lodging ? — When absent from home on duty, the allowance is 12 s. a night. 
 
 558. Chairman.] Does that include, the day? — Yes, that includes the day. 
 
 559. It is 12.v. a day? — In addition to travelling expenses. 
 
 560. Mr. Booker.] Is any assistance allowed you ; suppose you wanted to 
 make a map of that sort, are you allowed to charge any actual assistance, such 
 as for carrying the chain or the theodolite ? — No, I do it myself. 
 
 561. Mr. Child.] W r hat do the expenses and salary in the year amount to? 
 —Between 700/. and 800/. 
 
 562. Mr. Boo her.] Is that as much as you made by your profession before 
 you had the Government appointment? — I was much better paid before. 
 
 563. You made more by your profession as a civil engineer ? — Yes, much 
 more. 
 
 564. Mr. Child.] Do you find the larger or smaller collieries usually better 
 ventilated ? — The larger collieries are usully better ventilated. 
 
 565. Do you attribute that to a want of intelligence in the proprietors of 
 small collieries, or want of capital ?— Want of capital principally, and there is 
 the largest amount of ignorance amongst the proprietors of small collieries in 
 my district. 
 
 r,66. Are the proprietors of small collieries less willing to facilitate your 
 inspection?— Generally ; I think I have never had the slightest objection made 
 to going in and examining the works. 
 
 * 5G7. Mr. Booker.] Will you give the Committee an idea of the extent of 
 ground covered by a single colliery in the considerable iron-works of your 
 districts ; would you state what quantity of ground of area is traversed in length 
 and breadth by a single colliery, the produce of which is brought out at 
 one pit or opening ; either pit or level ?— I have one upwards of a square 
 mile. 
 
 568. Have you not some considerably more, where the length of the level 
 course is more than that ? — Several with an area of a square mile. 
 
 569. As to the means of ventilation, I want it from the mouth of the pit or 
 the level to the extreme ends of the workings ; do you know what is the 
 greatest extent?—! think a mile and half in length; that is the longest 
 I have. . .-„ 
 
 570. Is 
 
SELECT COMMITTEE ON COAL MINES. 
 
 45 
 
 570. Is it not the fact, that you may heat a furnace to such a point as not 
 only to diminish the ventilation, but to cause ventilation to cease altogether ? — 
 I have not seen any example of that myself, nor do I understand how it is 
 possible. 
 
 571. Was the steam jet in operation at this colliery at the time this accident 
 occurred ? — No ; nor had been for several months. 
 
 572. You spoke of the furnace power and of the steam jet also; are there 
 any other means of ventilation that have come under your observation that are 
 to be classified or ranked ; do you know Struve's ventilator ? — I have seen it 
 in operation as a machine ; it is very simple. 
 
 573. Is the application of it simple or complicated ? — The application is very 
 simple. The liability to derangement is its being worked by the steam-engine. 
 
 574. It is necessary to have a steam-engine for that as well as the jet ? — 
 Simply the boiler in the latter case. In the case of the ventilator, there is a 
 steam-engine, and whenever it is applied, it ought always to be so connected 
 with another steam-engine (for instance, the winding engine of the colliery), 
 that if the former engine broke down it could be connected and carry on the 
 ventilation still. 
 
 575. Which is the most effective, Struve's ventilator or the steam jet ? — I 
 think there are cases in which Struve's ventilator would ventilate a mine, that 
 the steam jet would not be applicable to, economically. 
 
 576. Which is the most expensive in its original cost and in its application? 
 — The ventilator costs more at first, but is cheaper to work. 
 
 577. I see Mr. Brunton, another practical man, has produced another ven- 
 tilator ; have you seen it ? — Yes. 
 
 578. That is by a horizontal fan ? — Yes, it is a horizontal fan on the top of 
 the shaft. 
 
 579. What is your opinion of that h — The one I saw was not so perfect as 
 those in France and Belgium. 
 
 580. It pumps out by means of a fan, and drives the air and sends down a 
 fresh supply f — No, it only extracts the air. As it is applied in France and 
 Belgium, with curved arms, and working in water besides, to prevent the leakage 
 of air, it produces a ventilation nearly equal to Struve's ventilator. 
 
 581 . Is it as cheap ? — I think it is not quite so economical in working, though 
 less in the first cost. 
 
 582. To which of all the methods you are acquainted with, at least of those 
 four, namely, furnace heat, the steam jet, Struve's ventilator, or Brunton's ven- 
 tilator, do you give the preference practically, as applicable to the mines in 
 your district ? — 1 think the furnace is the most simple and most easily applied, 
 and that it can be made effective in nearly all instances at the least outlay. 
 
 583. Where it is generally in use, is it in use with or without a regulator? — 
 Regulators ought always to be used. 
 
 584. Regulators very much increase and simplify its effect r — They are 
 necessary to apportion the distribution of air. 
 
 585. Are they always used in your district ? — No, only in those collieries 
 where the air is subdivided. 
 
 5-86. Were they in use in that colliery ? — Yes, there are three splits, two 
 regulators. 
 
 587. Chairman.] Although you approve of the furnace system of ventila- 
 tion, you have stated, that you believe that there is a practical limit to the 
 power of the furnace itself? — Yes ; all other circumstances of depth and size of 
 the shaft and airways remaining the same. 
 
 .588. Now, do you so far apprehend the principle of the steam jet, as to have 
 come to any practical conclusion, whether there is any limit to the power of 
 the steam jet ? — From the peculiar nature of the application, I think it is mere 
 matter of experiment, and not having seen any complete experiments upon 
 it, I do not think any end could be gained by my giving a decided opinion 
 upon it. 
 
 589. Would you have any objection to describe what you understand to be 
 the principle of the steam jet, and how it acts ; how do you apprehend that 
 the steam jet acts ? — In the first place, there must be the steam under a certain 
 pressure in order to be effective ; the usual pressure of about 50 lbs. on the 
 square inch, where the apertures from which it escapes are the eighth of an 
 inch in diameter, and about one foot apart, is a favourable arrangement. 
 
 0.62. ^ F 3 590. Do 
 
 H. F. Mackworth, 
 Esq. 
 
 9 June 1852. 
 
46 
 
 MINUTES OF EVIDENCE TAKEN BEFORE THE 
 
 M. F. Mackworth, 590. Do you apprehend that it acts by rarefaction, or vis a tergo ? — I think 
 ■Esq. by both. 
 
 591. Is it by exhaustion or a push? — Partially by expansion, and partially 
 
 9 June 1852. by impulse, or vis a tergo. 
 
 592. Are you aware the air jet is equally efficient under the same pressure? 
 — I should think not quite so much. 
 
 593. Then does not that prove that it acts not from expansion, but by its 
 mere impulsive power ? — There would be not much difference in the expansion 
 of the escape of steam and the escape of air, so that the results would be nearly 
 the same ; not having tried the effect of the sudden expansion of air. I could 
 not give a positive opinion. 
 
 594. In point of fact, from what you understand of the steam jet, would 
 you not say it was an agent under greater control than the furnace ; that it 
 could be applied in a more or less quantity exactly as the occasion demanded r 
 — As long as there is a reserve of boilers more power could be applied. 
 
 ,595. In point of fact, you have never seen it in what you would consider 
 efficient operation, when the inventor has himself superintended its erection ? 
 — No. I have not seen its economy properly tested. 
 
 ,596. I think, in your Report, you state, that in consequence of the great 
 amount of carbonic acid gas generated after an explosion, there is a necessity 
 manifest for introducing as much air as possible into the intake channels 
 immediately afterwards ? — Certainly. 
 
 597. You have also stated, in reference to the same point, "that the loss of 
 159 lives in the Aberdare Valley by explosions, all of them arising from the 
 peculiarly dangerous state of the fire-damp in the four-feet seam and the over- 
 lying strata, urgently demands the entire exclusion of naked lights and the 
 ordinary furnace, and the adoption of strictly enforced rules, and a larger 
 ventilation" ? — Certainly. 
 
 598. And then you would be led, I presume, to the conclusion, that whatever 
 was found upon experiment to be the most powerful agent for ventilation, 
 would be that you would recommend as the best security for human life in 
 mines ? — Undoubtedly, due regard being had to economy. 
 
 599. Are you at all aware of the relative expense of the furnace and the 
 steam jet ? — I have examined into it, and have drawn up the accompanying 
 table, which shows the superior power and economy of the furnace. 
 
 NAME S. 
 of 
 
 COLLIERIES. 
 
 1. 
 
 Kind 
 of I'ower. 
 
 2. 
 
 Depth 
 
 of 
 Upcast 
 Shaft. 
 
 3. 
 
 Area 
 
 of 
 ['pcast 
 Shalt. 
 
 4. 
 
 Cubic Feet 
 
 of Air 
 Up-shaft 
 per Minute. 
 
 5. 
 
 Cubic Feet 
 of Air per 
 
 Square Foot 
 of Shaft 
 
 per Minute. 
 
 6. 
 
 Cubic Feet 
 
 of Air 
 per Pound 
 of Coal. 
 
 7. 
 
 Velocity 
 in Up-cast 
 per 
 Second. 
 
 8. ' 
 
 Number 
 of 
 
 Splits of Aii- 
 in 
 
 the Works. 
 
 9. 
 
 Average 
 Length 
 of 
 
 each Split. 
 
 10. 
 
 Total Area 
 of 
 Splits. 
 
 
 
 Yards. 
 
 Sq. Feet. 
 
 
 
 ! 
 
 Feet. 
 
 
 Miles. 
 
 Square Feet 
 
 Tyne Alain 
 
 s - 
 
 208 
 
 60 
 
 98,000 
 
 1,960 
 
 15,750 
 
 32-6 
 
 
 
 
 Masvvell - 
 
 
 312 
 
 58 
 
 100,917 
 
 1,740 
 
 15,107 
 
 29 
 
 10 
 
 
 420 
 
 
 
 
 
 44,800 
 
 
 19,239 
 
 
 
 
 
 Wallsend - - - 
 
 
 
 
 121,360 
 
 
 17,532 
 
 
 
 
 
 Helton 
 
 Furnace 
 
 300 
 
 153 
 
 190,000 
 
 1,241 
 
 13,568 
 
 20-7 
 
 16 
 
 ** 
 
 864 
 
 Castle Eden 
 
 1 ventila- < 
 
 
 
 42,326 
 
 
 12,071 
 
 
 
 
 
 Willington 
 
 lion 
 
 
 
 66,500 
 
 
 12,214 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 44,000 
 
 
 10,102 
 
 
 
 
 
 Blackboy - - - 
 
 
 
 
 34,000 
 
 
 10,929 
 
 
 
 
 
 Scaton Delaval - 
 
 
 179 
 
 50 -I 
 
 48,948 
 
 974 
 
 6,555 
 
 162 
 
 1 
 
 n 
 
 182 
 
 Beaton Delaval, in 1849 
 
 \ Steam f 
 
 179 
 
 50 £ 
 
 85,690 
 
 1,705 
 
 3,778 
 
 28-4 
 
 5 
 
 1 5 
 
 182 
 
 Ditto - - inl852 
 
 
 179 
 
 50 i 
 
 85,690 
 
 1,705 
 
 11,394 
 
 28-4 
 
 5 
 
 
 182 
 
 The 5th Column shows the comparative power of the furnace and the steam jet. 
 
 The 6th Column shows the comparative economical value of the furnace to the steam jet, as applied up to the present time, which is SOpercen 
 in favour of the furnace. 
 
 The first outlay is greater in the case of the steam jet -.is 3 to 1. 
 
 The cost of labour in feeding boiler fires is greater than in feeding the furnace. 
 
 600. The Committee, I think, have understood, in all cases where explosions 
 are likely to take place, you would find the steam jet a very valuable agent, 
 after the explosion has taken place, in order to force down a sufficient quantity 
 of atmospheric air into the pit in order to dilute the gas ?— In order to draw 
 out air as an exhausting power. 
 
 60 1 . That is supposing it only acts as an exhauster ? — Yes. 
 
 602. Suppose it acted equally well as a propeller, how then ?— If it were the 
 
 same it would produce the same effect. 
 
 1 603. If 
 
SELECT COMMITTEE ON COAL MINES. 
 
 47 
 
 603. If it were expedient in all dangerous collieries to have a steam jet as h. F. Muchwrtk, 
 well as a furnace, if the steam jet would serve all the ordinary purposes of ven- Esq. 
 
 tilation as well as extraordinary, can you give any sufficient reason why it 
 
 should not supersede the furnace ; if it can do all that the furnace can, and in 9 Jun,c l8 5*. 
 certain cases can do more than a furnace can, why should it not be the only 
 
 agent, if it be as economical as the furnace ? — In its application after the explo- 
 sion it would be arranged in the way I alluded to for emergencies ; it would 
 not produce anything like the effect the furnace produced before ; it would 
 simply establish an exhausting power sufficient to carry a supply of fresh air 
 into the intake channels, and relieve the men, who would otherwise suffer by 
 the after-damp. Neither the pumping engine, nor possibly the winding engine, 
 would then be in operation, and the steam from the boilers could be applied ' 
 for this temporary purpose. 
 
 604. Your answer refers always to the steam jet acting by means of exhaus- 
 tion ? — Exhaustion. 
 
 605. Have you ever heard or seen an account of what took place in Lord 
 Mansfield's colliery, the Sawkie Colliery, by the application of the steam jet in 
 extinguishing a fire in a coal mine that had been on fire 25 years ? — I have seen 
 an account of a steam jet being applied to force air into a colliery. 
 
 606. Was not it applied at the top of the down-cast shaft ? — I believe it has 
 been so applied. 
 
 607. And did not it, in fact, throw down sufficient carbonic acid gas to extin- 
 guish the fire in the course of a certain number of hours ? — I have seen it stated 
 that that was the effect. 
 
 608. If a steam jet can be applied instantaneously and equally well at the top 
 of the down-cast and the top of the up-cast, and if in such a large coal mine 
 as that of Seaton Delaval double the quantity of cubic feet per minute could 
 be forced by a steam jet than by a furnace, is there any sufficient reason why 
 the steam jet could not be made to answer every purpose of an ordinary furnace, 
 as well as the purpose of giving it extra power of ventilation which you want, 
 in order to dilute the after-damp subsequent to explosion ? — If a steam jet can 
 produce so much ventilation, and is equally economical with a furnace, and 
 having this advantage, of being particularly applicable to emergencies after 
 explosions, it would be no doubt a most desirable thing to recommend it. 
 
 609. There are some points upon which you wish to be examined ; what should 
 determine the quantity of air to be used in ventilation ? — In the first place, the 
 amount of exudation of fire-damp from the face of the coal ; secondly, the quan- 
 tity of coal worked in the 24 hours ; thirdly, the number of workmen ; fourthly, 
 the thickness and rise of the seam ; fifthly, the extent of the workings ; sixthly, 
 the extent of goaves ; and seventhly, there is the possible occurrence of such 
 casualties as blowers, and the neglect of the discipline of the mine while the 
 deputies are absent. Each of these requires an addition to the amount of 
 ventilation. 
 
 610. What is the degree of fire-damp present in the collieries in the south- 
 western district ? — In many of the fiery collieries, and in parts of them, 
 I find that the quantity of fire-damp is between l-30th and 1-1 5th part of the 
 air in circulation, so as to produce what is called the cap or halo of light ; the 
 workings are carried on between those two limits, 1-1 5th being the limit of 
 explosion, and the l-30th the limit of where any indication is seen of fire- 
 damp. 
 
 6 1 1 . Do you believe it possible to remove the traces of fire-damp from the 
 majority of fiery coal mines, and by the use of the Davy lamp to reduce the 
 chances of accident to a remote possibility ? — In nearly the whole of the 
 collieries in my district, if good ventilation was established, I think fire-damp 
 would hardly ever be seen ; that necessitates a good supply of air and brat- 
 ticing up to the face of the work, and having a better discipline and regulation ; 
 in other words, if the same degree of discipline and system is carried out there as 
 is carried on in many of the northern collieries, that result would be produced. 
 
 612. I observe in your report, you recommend that some means should be 
 provided for the escape of miners in case of explosion ; what means would you 
 suggest ? — In the first place, a strong intake air-course must be provided, 
 accompanied with a power to propel the fresh air through ; then it should be 
 understood in the mine by verbal or written rules, that in case an accident 
 occurs, the men shall make their way towards certain points ; (the men 
 
 0.62. f 4 naturally 
 
4 8 
 
 MINUTES OF EVIDENCE TAKEN BEFORE THE 
 
 H. F- Mackworth, naturally proceed towards the intake air-course and shaft, whence the 
 Esq. egress would be easy) ; the other points should be well denned. This would 
 
 necessitate the overman paying constant attention to those great elements of 
 9 June 1852. security. 
 
 6 1 3. What are the precautions to be adopted to provide against the igno- 
 rance, neglect, or wilfulness of colliers?- — I think there is a great want of 
 discipline in the majority of collieries, and that if the deputies looked after the 
 men more regularly and systematically than they do, accidents from these 
 causes would be very much avoided. 
 
 614. What are the principal defects in the workings in South Wales t. — 
 The system of splitting, is but partially adopted ; instead of the fresh air being 
 carried to the face of the work, it is allowed to leak through the doors and 
 stoppings, so that a sufficient supply does not reach the place where the men 
 are at work, and the gas is escaping from the coal ; the amount of ven- 
 tilation in the collieries falls very far short of that in the north of England ; 
 the system of driving exploring drifts, by which the gas may be tapped and 
 drained off from the coal, is very much neglected ; the collieries are not divided 
 into panels, which is not only the best means of arranging the ventilation, 
 but is the only means whereby the fearful results of after-damp can be averted. 
 I might mention in connexion with that, I think it is quite possible so to arrange 
 the ventilation in the panels, that the occurrence of an explosion would assist 
 rather than retard the current of the air. Supposing this book were a panel, 
 and there was one entrance to it for the intake air, and one exit on the other 
 side, and the air was coursed through this panel with the doors, shethings, 
 brattices, and the other ordinary means, and an explosion occurred in that 
 panel, the blowing down of those doors and stoppings would cause the air to 
 go straight through from the intake point to the outlet point ; and having "this 
 short course to take, a larger amount of air would be in circulation in that 
 panel, and within very easy reach for the men making their escape after an 
 explosion. 
 
 615. Mr. Child.] An explosion would naturally make a vacuum, which would 
 make a current ? — The effect is often to reverse the current of air. 
 
 616. It breaks the current somewhere ? — The first symptom of an explosion 
 is a drawing of the air together, then a violent expansion, and then a reaction 
 takes place ; the effect being sometimes to turn the current of air in the opposite 
 direction, or destroy it. 
 
 617. Chairman.] Are there any special checks or penalties in France and 
 Belgium beyond the mining inspection ? — There are fines imposed for certain 
 classes of accidents. In Mr. Tremenheere's Report the quotations are given 
 from the acts of those countries in which the fines are alluded to. 
 
 618. Do you remember the extent to which the fines go ? — From 21. to 24/., 
 in addition to imprisonment for a certain time. 
 
 619. Do those penalties attach to the owners or the superintendents? — They 
 may attach to either of the three parties who are involved in the culpability of 
 the accident, and it is exceedingly desirable in inquiries into accidents to class 
 them under three heads ; those for which the masters are responsible, those 
 where the foremen of the mine, and those where the men are responsible : this 
 gives a better insight into the causes of the deaths, and into the means of 
 prevention. 
 
 620. Colonel Mure.] It has been stated, in previous inquiries, that the coal 
 mines of Belgium and France are the property of the government ; is that the 
 case ? — Yes, in the first instance. 
 
 621. And the government imposes the penalty ? — Yes. 
 
 622. So that it virtually imposes the penalty upon itself, if it imposes it upon 
 the owners? — 'Yes, it imposes it on the owners, but the fine is levied from the 
 persons who take the mine from the government. 
 
 623. The government let their mines? — Yes; there is a certain royalty 
 paid, which is devoted by foreign governments to keeping up a system of 
 inspection and producing useful control in the mines. 
 
 624. Mr. Charteris.] Are accidents in those foreign mines of rarer occur- 
 rence than in England ? — I think about the same. I have not seen any returns 
 lately. 
 
 625. To the best of your knowledge ? — In Belgium, the deaths are 1 in 282 
 per annum; in Great Britain, 1 in 177 per annum. 
 
 62G. Their 
 
SELECT COMMITTEE ON COAL MINES. 
 
 49 
 
 62b. Their powers of inspection are great, and the rules of those foreign H. F. MaA-orth, 
 mines more stringent than those applicable to English mines ? — Yes. Esq. 
 
 627. Notwithstanding that, the accidents are not proportionately diminished ? 
 
 — I could not answer that question ; it would be necessary to go back many 9 1852. 
 years, and to take into consideration the very different nature of the mines 
 there ; they differ very materially in the inclination of the strata and geological 
 formation. 
 
 628. Colonel Mure.] The Government having the supreme power over the 
 mines as proprietors, has a power of enforcing inspection and penalties, which 
 our inspectors have not, and could not have under the present system ? — Tn 
 France and Belgium, I believe, no power of ordering works is given to the 
 inspector ; any alteration must be made through the prefect. 
 
 629. Chairman^ You said you thought it would be advisable to adopt a 
 system of penalties ? — I think it is worthy of consideration. 
 
 630. Which way does your opinion lie ? — There are two classes of accidents 
 which are exceedingly fatal, and which there appears to me to be great diffi- 
 culty in preventing. The one is from after-damp, and in the majority of col- 
 lieries I visit there are scarcely any precautions taken against the after-damp. 
 The other class of accidents, so very numerous, (if you exclude the effect of 
 explosions and the after-damp, which sweep so many away at a time.) is, 
 perhaps, the most serious of all ; it is, from falls of the roof. In some of the 
 well-regulated mines the deputies have the charge of propping up the roof, 
 but in the majority it is left to the colliers ; and unless there is proper super- 
 vision and proper care given to that, those accidents are continually occurring, 
 and the blame, at first sight, appears to rest upon the colliers. But in mines 
 there ought to be such a system that those props should be constantly inspected 
 by the deputies ; and they should be, to a certain extent, responsible for the 
 security of the roof. The only way of checking those two causes of accident 
 appears to be by the infliction of a penalty ; how far that would be judicious 
 in other respects I cannot say. 
 
 631. Colonel Pennant.'] The infliction of a penalty upon the owner, or upon 
 the collier who left his work badly executed, do you mean r — The infliction of a 
 penalty upon the owner. 
 
 632. Carrying out that system of discipline, do you not apprehend some 
 difficulty with the men in enforcing it r — It is the same as the owners adopt in 
 principle. In order to carry out regulations in a colliery, they find it essential 
 to have a system of fines. If this system be adopted with the owners, it would 
 prevent many totally inexperienced in colliery working from embarking in 
 collieries ; and if they did so, it would in all probability induce their having 
 experienced officers to manage the mines. 
 
 633. Mr. Booker^] How many fatal accidents were there in England, Wales 
 and Scotland in 1851 ? — I think about 820. 
 
 634. Of those, how may arose from fire-damp ? — About 350, I think, from 
 explosions, including after-damp. 
 
 635. How many from accidents in shafts t — About 150. 
 
 636. And the rest from casual sources ? — Yes. Those are round numbers, 
 and as nearly as I could give them from the sources of information I have had. 
 
 637. Have you made any calculation, or are ycu aware of the extent of the 
 population employed in our mines under ground in England, Wales and Scotland ? 
 —I think about 150,000. 
 
 638. Underground? — Yes. 
 
 639. Above ground ? — About 75,000. 
 
 640. They give employment to a great many others in our export, and inland 
 trade, and otherwise ; do you know to what extent ? — I think the other persons 
 employed would be about 200,000. 
 
 641 . Have you ascertained pretty nearly the quantity of coal worked annually 
 in the different districts ; England, Wales and Scotland are divided into six 
 districts, are they not? — Yes. 
 
 642. In Scotland, about what quantity is annually worked? — About 5^ 
 millions of tons. 
 
 643. Northumberland and Durham together ? — About 7 h millions. 
 
 644. In Lancashire, Cheshire and North Wales ? — I think about the same 
 •quantity. 
 
 645. Seven and a half millions ? — Seven and a half millions. 
 
 0.62. G 646. Shropshire 
 
50 MINUTES OF EVIDENCE TAKEN BEFORE THE 
 
 Macktuorth, 646. Shropshire, Staffordshire and Worcestershire ? — About 7\ millions. 
 Ks< ]« 647. Are Yorkshire and Derbyshire in the same district ? — Yes. 
 
 ' 648. What are they ? — About eight millions of tons. 
 9 June 1852* Then in Somersetshire, Gloucestershire, Monmouthshire and South 
 
 Wales ?— About 8,800,000. 
 
 650. What does that give a total of? — It gives a total of about 44| millions. 
 
 651. That is at the rate we are working our mines ? — Yes. 
 
 652. A nnually ? — Annually. 
 
 653. Colonel Mure.] In the evidence before the House of Lords in 1849, it 
 was said, that there were then only about 31,000,000, according to the best 
 calculations? — As far as I have had an opportunity of judging, it was then 
 understated, and the production has very largely increased since then. 
 
 654. You think there has been an increase amounting to the difference 
 between the 31 millions and the 44^ millions? — Yes. 
 
 655. You mentioned, that the number of persons destroyed, in accidents 
 from explosion by the after-damp, was as 70 per cent, of the whole ? — Yes. 
 
 656. And you mentioned that you formed that opinion upon the circum- 
 stance of so many bodies being found apparently unaffected by fire ? — Yes. 
 
 657. Might not the effect of the explosion be by concussion to destroy life, 
 without the immediate agency of fire or of after-damp ? — The 30 per cent, 
 remaining are made up from those causes, the actual burning and the violence. 
 
 658. You do not think there is any case where a body found not much 
 injured, and with no external marks of violence, could have been destroyed by 
 the concussion, without the fire of the explosion ? — It is more than 70 per cent, 
 on the accidents in the Aberdare Valley, where I examined the bodies them- 
 selves ; as there were 58 out of 65 who had scarcely any traces of injury or 
 burning at all, and who evidently died from suffocation. 
 
 659. The gas in the Aberdare Colliery was generated in the ordinary work- 
 ings, not in one of the goaves ? — In the ordinary workings ; they were driving 
 exploring drifts, but in a very incautious manner. 
 
 660. Are there any extensive goaves in that colliery ? — It is a new colliery, 
 and has been only at work about two years. 
 
 661. I understand that the quantity of noxious gas is generated in the 
 goaves largely, where there are goaves ? — There is au accumulation takes place 
 in the goaves after a certain time. There is not any large increase of gas in 
 the goaves generally speaking. 
 
 662. Are you not of opinion that the collieries might be commenced working, 
 if they were commenced from the first, and might be worked with a plan, so as 
 to avoid that number of goaves which we are told are dispersed about the 
 working, so as to generate noxious gases ; that the goave or the goaves could 
 be kept together in such a manner as to prevent the effect of that accumulation 
 of gas ? — In a good system they ought to be kept together, and ought to be 
 thoroughly ventilated. 
 
 663. You think it is quite practicable, if such a system was adopted and 
 enforced in a proper manner ? — No doubt quite practicable. 
 
 664. Colonel Pennant.] In the number you gave of persons killed in 1851 
 by explosions, did you include the persons w 7 ho suffered from the after-damp e 
 — Yes, 350 includes the sufferers by the after-damp. 
 
 Joseph Dickinson, Esq., of Higher Broughton, Manchester, called in ; 
 
 and Examined. 
 
 J. Dickinson, Esq. 665. Chairman.] YOU are a Government Inspector of Mines ? — I am. 
 666. How long have you been so ? — Since the first appointment of in- 
 spectors. 
 
 667. In what year w 7 as that ? — November 1850. 
 
 668. In what employment were you before? — For 11 years, I was constantly 
 engaged, either as an assistant, or as a manager of a colliery ; and for seven 
 years prior to that time I was a pupil of Mr. Sopwith, mining engineer and 
 surveyor, Newcastle-on-Tyne. I also attended the chemical class at the 
 
 • • Museum of Practical Geology. 
 
 669. Were you a viewer? — Yes. 
 
 670. In what part of England ?— In South Wales and Scotland.^ I was 
 assistant, and afterwards viewer, between seven and eight years in Sir John 
 
 Guest's 
 
SELECT COMMITTEE ON COAL MINES. 
 
 5i 
 
 Guest's colliery at the Dowlais iron works ; and for three years I was a viewer J- Dickinson, Esq. 
 in Scotland. " 
 
 671. What is the district you inspect? — At present, my district comprises 9 June 1852. 
 Lancashire, Cheshire and North Wales ; up to the end of last year it comprised 
 Lancashire, Cheshire, North Wales, Staffordshire, Shropshire and Worcestershire, 
 
 and for about four months of the year during the vacancy occasioned by Mr. 
 Black well's resignation, I had also the South Wales district entrusted to me. 
 
 672. You make a report half-yearly to the Secretary of State? — Yes; half- 
 yearly. 
 
 673. You made one on the 30th of June last? — I did; I have made one 
 since up to the end of the year. 
 
 674. That has not been printed' — I am not aware that it has. 
 
 675. You have, I presume, investigated several explosions that have taken 
 place ? — I have, a great number. 
 
 676. Do you recollect how many? — In my own district there were 31 fatal 
 explosions of fire-damp during the half year ending 31st of December 1851. 
 
 677. Did you investigate them ? — I did not investigate each of them; the 
 district was too large to enable me to investigate "one-half of the accidents that 
 took place. 
 
 678. Some you did investigate ? — All which appeared to be important ones. 
 
 679. Have you anything material to add to the Report you made on June 
 the 30th last ; does the Report which you have lately presented, but which is 
 not printed, contain anything very novel? — My report dated 30th of June, 
 sets forth my views generally as to the best means of preventing accidents in 
 coal mines, and I have nothing very material to add to it. The report lately 
 presented consists chiefly of observations upon the accidents which have taken 
 place, and in directing attention to means likely to prevent a recurrence of such 
 accidents. 
 
 680. Taking for granted that those explosions do occur very often, what do 
 you suggest, after the experience you have had, as the best means of preventing 
 them ? —As a general rule the air-ways should be much larger than they are at 
 present. 
 
 681 . Do you mean the area of the shafts is too small? — Not so much the 
 area of the shafts as the area of the air-way between the upcast and the down- 
 cast shafts. In some cases the airways are quite impassable ; that is one cause 
 of explosions ; then another is the want of a continuous ventilating power, 
 that is, the ventilation is left entirely to chance without the application of the 
 furnace or any other power. A large number of mines in this country are 
 left without any ventilating power whatever, and in some it is only applied at 
 intervals. 
 
 682. In the Midland district you superintended up to the end of the year 
 1851, and in the district you now superintend, what is the principal means of 
 ventilation ? — The principal ventilating power is the furnace. 
 
 683. Is that adequate to the purpose, do you conceive ? — I think it is. 
 
 684. Do you think it is adequate to meet the cases of sudden escapages of 
 fire-damp ? — Those sudden escapages are very rare, and occasion a very small 
 proportion of the explosions that take place. If you will allow me, I will 
 run over 20 or 30 of the explosions which have taken place, and show the cir- 
 cumstances under which they did occur. At the Whitehall Colliery, in Staf- 
 fordshire, an explosion took place on the Tuesday morning, when the ventilating 
 fire had not been lighted since the preceding Saturday ; the fireman whose duty 
 it was to make an examination of the workings before'the workmen entered, 
 had deputed that duty to another person ; and from the investigation I made 
 of the accident, I am satisfied that the deputy had not understood his duty, or 
 had not made a proper examination ; the lamp he appears to have had with him 
 was not closed; and he was seen going- into the workings closely followed by 
 some men and boys, each carrying a lighted candle in his hand. 
 
 685. Mr. Child.] When was this ?— The first of July. 
 
 686. Last year? — The next was at Donnington Wood Colliery, in Shrop- 
 shire, which was clearly ascertained to have occurred by the gas firing through 
 the gauze of the safety lamp ; the collier whose lamp it fired through, lived two 
 or three days, and explained how it took place ; he said that he had the lamp 
 near to a fault where there was a large discharge of gas, and having been there 
 for some minutes the gas fired through the gauze, 
 
 0.62. ' g 2 687. The 
 
MINUTES OF EVIDENCE TAKEN BEFORE THE 
 
 J. Dickinson, Esq. 687. The lamp was stationary ? — Yes ; the lamp was stationary, or nearly so ; 
 " ' I think it was in his hand. 
 
 9 June 1852. 688. Chairman.'] Then the lamp was not a secure one ? — He appears to have 
 kept it too long in the explosive mixture, and the lamp became red hot. 
 
 689. Was the explosive mixture passing the lamp at a great pace? — The 
 ventilation could not have been very strong at that point. 
 
 690. The current could not have been great? — 1 do not think so. 
 
 691. Therefore the Committee may understand that the Davy lamp, even 
 whilst stationary, and without a great current passing, did not prove a security 
 against explosion ? — It appears the gas was discharging rapidly from the fault; 
 and was coming with some velocity against the gauze ; the lamp had also been 
 kept in the explosive mixture for such a length of time that the gauze might be 
 red hot, before the gas fired through it. 
 
 692. The lamp was exposed to that casualty ? — Yes ; but if the man had been 
 a cautious collier, he would have retired when he found he was in an explosive 
 mixture. 
 
 693. Colonel Mure.] Was it a common Davy lamp ? — It was a common 
 Davy lamp. 
 
 694. Chairman.] Are they not in the habit of working for a long time 
 together in an explosive atmosphere ? — From what I recollect the man had left 
 some of his tools in the place, and was there getting those tools away. 
 
 69.5. Is not it the fact that they frequently work in an explosive atmosphere - r 
 that that is indicated by the lengthening of the flame of the lamp ; that that 
 increase of the flame of the lamp does make the wire red hot, and that that sets 
 fire to the explosive mixture and produces the casualty ? — There are cases of 
 the kind, but they ought not to occur; and in a well-regulated colliery they do 
 not take place. 
 
 696. They do actually continue to work with the Davy lamp red hot? — 
 Sometimes. I have met with such instances, but there is nothing in coal 
 mining to justify them. 
 
 607- Mr. Child.] You examined that lamp that caused the accident in the 
 Donnington Wood Colliery ? — I did; the man had dropped it out of his hand 
 as soon as the explosion took place, but it was afterwards recovered, and was 
 shown to me by the coroner. 
 
 698. Was it perfect ? — It appeared to have been perfect, but it was very much 
 rusted when shown to me. It had been left in the mine for some time. It 
 was sworn to at the inquest that the lamp had been examined a short time 
 before it was taken down the pit, and that it was clean, and in good order at the 
 time of the accident. 
 
 699. Colonel Pennant.] Do you imagine a lamp exposed to a current of gas,, 
 such as might be exuding then, that that would have the same effect on the 
 Davy lamp, in regard to the power of lighting it, as passing it rapidly through 
 a current of air ? — Precisely the same effect. I use the lamp constantly, for 
 testing the presence of fire-damp, and I have no fear of an explosion taking 
 place through the gauze. When I see the fire-damp burning within the gauze, 
 I quietly withdraw the lamp into fresh air ; a nervous man withdrawing it 
 suddenly might cause an explosion. 
 
 700. Any current beyond a certain current will occasion that risk? — Yes. I 
 believe so. 
 
 70 1 . Colonel Mure.'] Is it to be expected that labouring men, with such a 
 very delicate instrument, could take the necessary precautions to secure them 
 against danger under those circumstances? — All colliers are not competent to 
 test fire-damp with a lamp. There is generally a fireman for the purpose, and 
 if he finds gas to be present the workmen are not allowed to work until it has 
 been dislodged, 
 
 702. Were the part of the pit in which the men were allowed to work sud- 
 denly invaded by a stream of gas, would you consider the safety -lamps and their 
 own experience sufficient to guard them against the danger? — I donot think there 
 are any circumstances in coal-mining which render it necessary for men to work 
 in an explosive mixture. In all well-regulated collieries when safety lamps are 
 exclusively used, it is not because there is any accumulation of lire-damp in 
 the place where they are working, but is merely a precaution against a sudden 
 outburst of gas, or to guard against the consequences that might arise from 
 
 derangement of the ventilation. . 
 
 703. Chairman.] 
 
SELECT COMMITTEE ON COAL MINES. 
 
 53 
 
 703. Chairman.] It is precisely to that circumstance that the question put J. Dickinson, Esq. 
 by Colonel Mure applies : when there is that sudden outburst of gas, it being a — — 
 delicate instrument and requiring such great philosophical precaution, is it 9J"nei85a. 
 likely to be a safe instrument in the hands of a workman under such circum- 
 stances ?— Perhaps not in every instance, but there is no question that it would 
 
 be safer than a naked light ; and no careful manager ought to allow men and 
 boys to go into his coal pit until he has warned them of the danger to which 
 they are likely to be exposed, and instructed them how to act on meeting 
 with it. 
 
 704. I observe in your report, that you consider the Davy lamp, generally 
 speaking, a real security ? — If properly used I think it is perfectly safe. 
 
 705. Von also recommend, I observe, for the adoption of the owners or mana- 
 gers of mines, the rules and regulations which are in operation, I believe, in 
 the Ince Hall Coal and Cannel Company's pits ? — Yes ; they are very good 
 rules. 
 
 706. As part of those rules and regulations, I perceive that No. 15 speaks of 
 the Davy lamp as a source of danger if used in an unusual current, and that when- 
 ever any danger is apprehended from the Davy lamp the safety lamp shall not 
 be exposed to such a current, nor be suddenly removed from one place to another, 
 but quietly and properly extinguished in the manner provided in the last rule, 
 which is not by blowing it out, but by tubing the wick ? — Drawing the wick 
 into the tube, which extinguishes the light. 
 
 707. That is your opinion of its safe usage ? — Yes. 
 
 708. Do you know of any lamp better than the Davy ? — None. 
 
 709. Do you know the Clanny lamp? — I do, but I prefer the Davy lamp 
 for general purposes. It is much quicker in testing for fire-damp. You 
 ascertain the presence of fire-damp almost the instant the lamp is put into the 
 gas ; in a few seconds it shows it ; whereas both Clanny's and most of the other 
 lamps are much slower in their action ; the fireman having put the Davy lamp 
 into the explosive mixture, ascertains at once whether there is an explosive 
 mixture or not. But if he is using some of the other lamps, they are so slow in 
 showing the gas, that unless he allows the lamp to remain long enough in the 
 place, he might suppose there was no gas there, and allow men to go into it with 
 a naked light, and an explosion might ensue. 
 
 7 1 0. You spoke of it as an instrument in the hands of a fireman, who tests 
 the safety of the mine for the workman ? — Yes. 
 
 711. For the miner himself, do you think the Clanny lamp or the Davy 
 safest?- — None is safer than the Davy, but Stephenson's lamp is sometimes 
 preferred for the workmen. 
 
 712. Colonel Pennant.] You say the Davy tests more quickly than the 
 Clanny ? — Yes. 
 
 713. Does not that fact render it safer and freer from explosion ; that the very 
 slowness may in some proportion decrease the risk of ignition, when it is in an 
 atmosphere that is of an explosive nature ? — I think it does, but there is a 
 complication in other lamps which mars their safety ; a portion of Clanny's 
 and Cloins' is glass ; the single gauze at the top of Cloins' seems a. weak point ; 
 taking into consideration all circumstances, I prefer the Davy for testing, and 
 either the Davy or the Stephenson for working with. 
 
 714. Colonel Mure.] You have mentioned one instance of an explosion taking- 
 place where the Davy lamp was in use ; have you any others where the explosion 
 can be traced to the Davy lamp ? — Another took place in my district at the 
 Royal Colliery St. Helen's, in Lancashire. 
 
 715. That is in your own experience ? — Yes. 
 
 716. Have you any knowledge of other instances? — I have heard of others, 
 but those are the only two which 1 have personally investigated. 
 
 717. Chairman.] Could you give an account of the other instances ? — A man 
 and a boy were at work cutting through a fault in a drift a few yards in advance 
 of the air, where there was a very rapid discharge of fire-damp ; both had lamps, 
 and the boy had just placed his lamp on some small coal within a few inches of 
 the roof, when the flame passed through the gauze, and a slight explosion took 
 place ; they lived long enough to describe how the accident took place, but both 
 died in consequence of the burns which they r received. 
 
 7 1 8. Was the lamp red hot ? — The gauze had oil and coal dust upon it at 
 the time. 
 
 0.62. g 3 719. Colonel 
 
54 
 
 MINUTES OF EVIDENCE TAKEN BEFORE THE 
 
 /. Dickinson, ;Esq. jjq. Colonel Mure.] Have you ever heard of any instances of an explosion 
 " with the Clanny lamp ? — No, I have not. 
 9 June l8;52 ' 720. Do you consider the Clanny lamp, as an indicator, to afford a greater 
 security ? — Taking all the points of the Clanny lamp into consideration, I 
 think the Davy lamp is the superior. 
 
 721. Mr. Child.] You say in your report, that you consider the Davy lamp 
 gives perfect security ? — Speaking of safety lamps in general, I say, when they 
 are in good order and used with discretion they appear perfectly safe. 
 
 722. But the perfect security which I apprehend you now to mean, is not 
 that it would be safe to work with it, but that it is merely an index of the 
 presence of danger ? — Only as an index of the presence of danger, or to guard 
 against any unusual casualty, such as an outbreak of gas from the roof, or the 
 bottom of the mine, or from the goave, or any part of the workings where an 
 accumulation might have taken place. 
 
 723. The phrase " perfect security" might lead people to apprehend it would, 
 be perfectly safe to use the lamp to work with in the presence of danger ? — 
 I think it should be used with discretion. 
 
 724. Colonel Mure.] I understand you to mean that these lamps should be 
 merely used for testing the safety of particular places ; and if those places 
 appear unsafe, then the work-people should be removed, and means taken 
 to render the places safe ; that the danger of using those lamps is going on 
 working with them in an atmosphere that is in a dangerous state ? — Where 
 ventilation is properly attended to it is not necessary to carry on workings in 
 an explosive mixture ; 1 think the lamp should be confined to the purpose of 
 testing the presence of fire-damp, and to guard against any casualty that might 
 discharge gas into the plaee where men are at work. 
 
 725. Mr. Child.] Therefore its security merely consists in showing danger ? 
 — It should only be trusted to for showing danger, and for guarding against 
 emergencies. If the lamp were more generally used many explosions would be 
 avoided. 
 
 726. Chairman.] With regard to the Clanny lamp, would you consider that, 
 from its having a naked glass, the liability of that glass to crack would be a 
 source of danger ? — It would appear so. 
 
 727. Is it extensively used in your district ? — Not extensively. I do not know 
 a single mine where it is used by the workmen ; some of the managers have 
 one or two. 
 
 728. Mr. Child.] It gives a better light than the old Davy ? — Yes. 
 
 729. Colonel Mure.] Having regard to your last remarks as to testing the 
 gas in mines, where there is a small portion of noxious gas, but not enough 
 to produce danger, has it not been the custom to go on working those portions 
 of the mine with a Davy lamp for a considerable time, and without any blame 
 being imputed to the men on that account? — Yes ; I have known some cases 
 where workings have been regularly carried on in an explosive mixture, and 
 the safety of the mine hinged upon the safety lamp. 
 
 730. But not as a general practice ? — It is only in badly-managed mines that 
 that takes place. ' 
 
 731. On seeing a symptom of inflammable gas the men ought to withdraw 
 at once ? — Yes, and have the place ventilated. 
 
 732. Chairman.] The Davy lamp, to be safe, you would consider should be 
 used under strict attention to rules ? — Yes. 
 
 733. You would have it locked ? — Yes. I have known cases where the lamp 
 has been opened in the midst of danger, which would have been prevented by 
 a lock 
 
 734. In fact, you would apply as many precautions of that kind in the hands 
 of a common workman as you could ? — Certainly ; and I would also have 
 the viewers and overmen to take some trouble in instructing the workmen and 
 boys in the use of the lamp. 
 
 735. Would you think it right to have rules printed which should be com- 
 pulsory arid obligatory upon the collier ? — I think it ought to be made com- 
 pulsory to have printed rules at every colliery. I have recommended them over 
 and over again to the colliery owners, but have had great difficulty in getting 
 them to introduce them ; a few of them do introduce them spontaneously, 
 but many wait until a serious accident has happened, and then they resort to 
 them. 
 
 736. Would 
 
SELECT COMMITTEE ON COAL MINES. 
 
 55 
 
 736. Would you attach a penalty to the non-observance of those rules ? — J. Dickinson, Esq. 
 Ye* ; I do not see how you can enforce them without. 
 
 737. Are there any such penalties in operation now? — Most collieries have 9 June 1852. 
 fines. 
 
 73V. Self-imposed? — Yes, the majority. 
 
 739. It seldom appears before the coroner's inquest that takes place upon 
 these casualties what the real cause of the explosion was ; may not the explosion 
 of itself destroy all evidence of what was the cause of the accident ? — We can 
 generally trace the explosion to the part of the mine from which it has 
 radiated, and ascertain the cause of it. 
 
 740. Take the case of a lamp ; suppose it was caused by a lamp producing 
 the explosion, and supposing the explosion were to blow that lamp all to pieces, 
 what evidence would you have of that not having been the cause of the 
 explosion 1 have seen some lamps that have been twisted and torn to pieces 
 by the explosion ; but by examining the screw, I can generally say whether 
 he lamp has been open at the time or not ; the screw is torn asunder and the 
 
 threads injured, when the pans have been separated by the force of the blast. 
 
 741. It would not necessarily happen that the lamp was twisted in the way 
 you say, by its being the lamp that communicated the flame to the explosive 
 substance ? — It sometimes happens that the lamp which communicates the 
 explosion is not at all injured. 
 
 742. In many cases the Pav}^ lamp, in a perfect condition, might be the 
 cause of the explosion, and leave no evidence behind it, in consequence of the 
 death of the parties carrying it, and so leave no evidence of its having been the 
 cause of the explosion ? — It is possible ; but I believe cases of explosion through 
 the gauze to be very rare, and to form a very small proportion of the explosions 
 which take place. 
 
 743. When you speak of the system of ventilation, is it your opinion one of 
 the securest means of preventing those explosions would be the adoption of an 
 efficient system of ventilation ? — No doubt of it ; bad ventilation is the root of 
 the evil. 
 
 744. You think ventilation would be the sheet-anchor of the safety of mines? 
 — Yes, I am thoroughly of that opinion. 
 
 745. Do you believe that an efficient system of ventilation is generally adopted 
 in the district you superintend r — In a few instances the mines are well venti- 
 lated, but in the great bulk of the mines the ventilation is sadly deficient. 
 
 746. In what respect has it been deficient ? — Many of the air-ways are much 
 too small, and there is a want of ventilating power ; in some there is no fire- 
 man employed. Stricter discipline is also necessary in some cases ; the stop- 
 pings or gaugings should be more secure ; it is only in the best managed mines 
 where they are built of brick or stone and mortar. The practice of testing for 
 fire-damp with a naked candle or light is also tolerated in some collieries, and 
 has led to some accidents. 
 
 747. What is the rate of the current through a mine which you consider 
 sufficient for a proper ventilation ? — It depends upon the size of the air-ways ; 
 about four miles an hour is a good speed for the air to travel ; from about four 
 to six miles an hour. 
 
 748. Has it ever occurred to you to observe the furnace limit you spoke of 
 as being what you consider to be limited — as to what is the limit of its power ? 
 — I am aware that it is stated that there is a limit to the power of furnace ven- 
 tilation, but I have not been able to ascertain that point myself ; in practice, 
 I find the harder the furnace is driven, the quicker the ventilation goes on. 
 
 749. Have you never found that when it was hard-driven the ventilation 
 stopped ? — No ; I have never found that in practice, quite the contrary. 
 
 750. Have you had yourself much opportunity of examining into the nature 
 of the question of the furnace limit ? — I think I have ; 1 have examined several 
 hundred coal pits, and a very large number of furnaces. 
 
 75 1 . Have you ever observed the occurrence of a natural brattice ? — I have 
 seen something that approaches to it. In one case, in Lancashire, where the 
 steam jet was applied, about five yards from the top of the pit, I observed the 
 air going down the side, and the steam and air coming up in the middle ; it 
 was a large pit, and the workings through which the air had to be drawn were 
 extensive, but the air- ways were so small as to be impassable. The steam jet 
 was at work without appearing to produce the slightest effect upon the venti- 
 
 0.62. g 4 lation 
 
56 MINUTES OF EVIDENCE TAKEN BEFORE THE 
 
 J. Dickinson, Esq. lation below, and the whole of the mine was full of lire-damp, and the workmen 
 ■ - unable to work on that account. I have considerable doubt whether it would 
 
 9 June l8 52. be possible for such a thing as a natural brattice to take place if the air- ways 
 were open, and the ventilating power applied at the bottom of the pit. 
 
 752. Have you ever seen the steam jet properly applied? — I cannot say that 
 I have seen an instance that did not appear to admit of improvement. 
 
 753. I observe that you say, that in Lancashire, where it has been applied, it 
 has been applied in ignorance of the best method of applying it? — I have seen 
 many instances in Lancashire, but I do not think I have seen an instance where 
 its utmost resources were developed. 
 
 754. Mr. Child.] Have you seen it applied in Staffordshire at all ? — I do not 
 recollect any instance. 
 
 755. Chairman.'] Are you cognizant of the mode in which it acts ; whether 
 by means of rarefaction or as a propeller? — It certainly acts as a propeller, but 
 rarefaction must also assist. 
 
 756. Colonel Pennant.] You allude to its being used as a propelling power 
 in your report, in regard to extinguishing a fire by forcing carbonic acid gas 
 into the pit ? — That is as to the extinction of a fire in the seam of coal. 
 
 757. Chairman.] Would not it be done by means of propulsion, and not by 
 rarefaction ? — The propelling power would be an assistance, but I think they 
 must act conjointly. 
 
 758. In .that Alloa mine of Lord Mansfield's, was not it evident that the 
 steam jet propelled the carbonic acid through the fiery mine, and it actually 
 appeared afterwards through the crevices which accidentally existed at the 
 surface ?— I have seen Mr. Gurney's application of choke-damp for extinguishing 
 a fire in a mine, where the steam jet was applied as a propelling power, at the 
 down-cast and as an exhausting power at the up-cast shaft. 
 
 759. Was that in the case of Mr. Darlington r — It was at the Earl of Brad- 
 ford's Colliery, at Creat Lever, near Bolton. 
 
 760. Was the fire extinguished? — Not entirely; a considerable portion of 
 the fire was extinguished, but the remainder was put out with water. 
 
 761 . How long was it in operation r — Some weeks. 
 
 762. If it has the power of propelling carbonic acid gas into the bowels of 
 the earth against the power of the up-cast, would not it be certain that it 
 would force down atmospheric air just as well ? — I do not quite understand the 
 question. 
 
 763. In the one case you wish to supply the mine with pure atmospheric air, 
 which would have the effect of diluting the explosive gas, so as to make it inex- 
 plosive ; would there be any greater difficulty in forcing down that atmospheric 
 air down into the galleries of the pit than there was in the case of the Alloa mine 
 of forcing down carbonic acid gas in order to extinguish the flame ? — No, I do 
 not think there would ; but the steam would be very much in the way of the 
 workmen ; fresh air would be better than steam. 
 
 764. 1 am speaking of the power of the steam jet, and the mode in which it 
 operates ; it operates by means of rarefaction, or propulsion, or both ; and if it 
 can act as a propeller against the stream of the up -cast, is there any reason why 
 it should not propel pure atmospheric air down into the pit, where explosive gas 
 exists, equally well as it had the power of forcing carbonic acid gas down into the 
 fiery pit of Alloa and extinguishing the flame ; what do you want more than the 
 presence of atmospheric air, however it is produced?— I do not think the steam 
 jet applied to the down-cast shaft would force so large a quantity of air through 
 the workings as the steam jet applied to the up-cast shaft as an exhauster. 
 
 765. Is it quite certain it is a rarefier ? — 1 should think so. But propulsion 
 appears to be its principal power. 
 
 766. High-pressure steam is not? — High-pressure steam is recommended. 
 
 767. Is it so after its escape and expansion ? — When you find a steam jet at 
 work in the pits, there seems a degree of warmth, which you would not have 
 without the discharge of steam. 
 
 768. Mr. Child.] Have you not noticed that, if you put your hand before an 
 escape of low-pressure steam, it will scald you, and if before the high-pressure 
 that it will cause a sensation of coldness ? — Yes, I have ; but I fear if you kept 
 vour hand long enough in the high -pressure steam, until it had time to con- 
 dense upon your hand, it would scald then. 
 
 760. Chairman.] Have you seen much of the steam jet yourself? — I have 
 seen a number of applications where the steam has been discharged from 
 
 underground 
 
SELECT COMMITTEE ON COAL MINES. 
 
 57 
 
 underground engines, such applications being much more numerous than the j. Dickinson, Esq. 
 steam jet applied alone ; but I have also seen the jet applied alone. 
 
 770. Have you seen it in any extensive operation as a means of ventilating a 9 June 1852. 
 coal mine, the steam jet alone ? — I saw it at Mr. Powell's, Middle Duffryn 
 
 Colliery, near Aberdare, about a week ago. I have also seen it at a colliery in 
 North Wales, where it is applied for the ventilation of a sinking pit through a 
 very fiery seam of coal ; in the latter instance it was giving a steady ventilation 
 of about 4,000 cubic feet of air per minute. 
 
 771. Is that the whole of the stream? — About the whole of it ; between 
 3,000 and 4,000, as near as I could estimate it, and the whole of this was fouled 
 to the explosive point. 
 
 772. Do you know the mine, of which Mr. Forster is the viewer, Seaton 
 Delaval ? — 1 do not. 
 
 773. Do you know, there, the furnace would not ventilate more than 54,000 
 cubic feet a "minute, and subsequently by the steam jet they effected a current of 
 something like 94,000 cubic feet a minute, and he considers that that power is 
 capable of unlimited extension ? — I have heard and read of those views ; but 
 I cannot say whether Mr. Forster continues to carry them out. I think the 
 addition of the steam jet to the furnace creates a considerable increase of 
 the quantity of air passing through the workings. 
 
 774. You do not know of any instance where the steam jet has been tried 
 alone, as regards its efficiency, and also as compared with its power conjointly 
 with the furnace ; have you never seen the steam jet tried separately by itself ? 
 — I have also seen it tried in the Earl of Ellesmere's colliery without the fur- 
 nace. The case 1 have alluded to at Mr. Powell's, was without the furnace 
 when I examined it. 
 
 775. Did you see it also tried with a furnace, as a matter of comparison? — 
 I have never seen any careful comparison instituted ; at the Earl of Ellesmere's 
 collieries, they have an objection to a furnace at the bottom of a pit ; they are 
 afraid of setting the coal on fire ; and I am informed they have a clause inserted 
 in some of their leases which prevents colliery owners holding mines under 
 them, from having a furnace in the bottoms of their shafts. This has been 
 stated to me when 1 have been recommending the furnace. 
 
 776. From what you have seen of the furnace, and of the steam jet, should 
 you consider the furnace was as much under control or capable of a sudden 
 increase of power as the steam jet? — No, I should think the furnace is not 
 capable of a sudden increase or a sudden decrease ; and this appears to be the 
 great advantage of the furnace, it is so steady in its action and can always be 
 relied upon. Even if it is put out entirely, the place about it, and the shaft 
 continues warm for some time, and the ventilation is only partially diminished. 
 
 777. If you are able to regulate the steam jet at any pace you please, to pro 
 mote a continuous uniform ventilation, or raise it or diminish it at your will 
 and pleasure, would not there be a considerable advantage in the agency of 
 such an elastic power ? — Yes ; but a similar advantage may be obtained by 
 driving the furnace harder ; an increase of fire will in short time increase the 
 ventilation very considerably. 
 
 778. Suppose the ventilation was wanted under circumstances when nobody 
 could get into the mine in order to produce that effect upon the furnace, how 
 then ? — Then such a power as you speak of M ould be very useful under those 
 circumstances. Whenever water is at hand it is poured down the down-cast 
 under such circumstances. Water under pressure has a very beneficial effect. 
 
 779. You are not a believer in the fact that there is a practical limit to the 
 furnace ? — No, I am not. If there is a limit, I believe it is attained only in 
 extreme case, and does not apply generally. 
 
 780. Would not that power of suddenly increasing the amount of ventilation 
 be particularly useful after an explosion, in reference to the after-damp which 
 ensues ? — Very useful. 
 
 781. It might be the means of saving a great deal of life? — In some cases 
 it might. 
 
 782. After an explosion has taken place, and the after-damp ensued, which 
 causes 70 per cent, of the loss of human life that takes place, would not it tend 
 materially to preserve human life if at that moment you could put on a greater 
 amount of power by means of the steam jet, so as to introduce atmospheric air 
 to dilute the choke-damp? — In some instances it might be the means of saving 
 
 0.62. H life, 
 
58 MINUTES OF EVIDENCE TAKEN BEFORE THE 
 
 J. Dickinson, Esq. life, but if the stoppings are blown down, the air could not be carried into the 
 workings, so that the after damp might still be fatal. 
 
 9 June 1852. 783. I suppose, under the circumstances of those workings being blown down, 
 no system could probably get at the place except in very minute portions where 
 the miners were ? — The first thing that is done after an explosion is to pour 
 water down the down- cast shaft, and to set the steam jet, if there is one, to 
 exhaust at the up-cast shaft ; and to descend the down-cast shaft, following the 
 after-damp as closely as possible, making up stopping after stopping with 
 cloths or planks, or anything that is readiest for carrying in the air, until the 
 men are reached. 
 
 784. Would anything conduce to the chances of the prevention of those 
 explosions more than a thoroughly good system of ventilation ? — Nothing. 
 
 785. And is most to be relied upon i — Decidedly. With spacious shafts and 
 spacious air-ways, and adequate furnace power at the up-cast shaft, and proper 
 care taken in distributing the air throughout the workings, there is no difficulty 
 in preventing accumulation of fire-damp. When the ventilation is fairly 
 grappled with, there is no real difficulty in getting air through the workings. 
 
 786. Did you ever know furnace ventilation to give more than a certain 
 amount of cubic feet per minute through the sectional area ; did you ever 
 know it exceed 1,000 cubic feet a minute to one foot sectional area? — That 
 quantity is not generally exceeded. 
 
 787. That, in fact, points to the real practical furnace limit ? — Such may be 
 the case ; but I am sceptical upon that point. It does not agree with my own 
 observation. 
 
 788. If from the great extent of the workings it became necessary to send 
 2,000 feet or 3,000 feet per minute, if the steam jet had the power of sending 
 that increased quantity, would not it be a very useful instrument for ventilation 
 as compared with a furnace which has the limit of 1,000 ? — No doubt of it. 
 
 789. We have heard a great deal about the furnace and the steam jet ; 
 perhaps you will give us some information with regard to the fan system 
 which was suggested by Mr. Brunton ; what is your opinion of that ? — I think 
 of all the mechanical appliances which are before the public, that of Mr. Brunton 
 is the best. 
 
 790. Are you acquainted with the one suggested by Mr. Nasmyth ? — I went 
 to Patricroft to see Mr. Nasmyth's fan, but it had been sent away. I saw the 
 drawings of it, and understand its action. 
 
 791. Would you say that the complexity or such fans, and their liability to 
 derangement, operates very decidedly against their introduction ? — It does. 
 
 7 g 2. What is your opinion of Struve's pump as a means of ventilation ? — The 
 same objection applies to that as to the fans. The ventilation with this pump, 
 as I have seen it at Westminster Colliery, in North Wales, is unsteady for some 
 distance from the machine. 
 
 793. You think that the competition, if competition there be, is between the 
 furnace system and the steam-jet system? — For ventilating mines I know of no 
 power that is equal to the furnace. If it is necessary to increase the quantity 
 of air beyond what it is convenient to get with the furnace, then the steam jet 
 may be added. 
 
 794. How many inches of the water-gauge have ever been got by the fur- 
 nace ? — I am not prepared to answer that off-hand. 
 
 79.5. Do you know how many inches have been obtained by the steam jet? 
 — I am not prepared to answer questions of figures off-hand. What I wish you 
 to understand upon this point is tins : that where the air-ways are spacious, 
 and the furnace or the steam jet kept steadily at work, there is no difficulty in 
 conveying plenty of air into the extremities of the workings. 
 
 796. Into the goaves as well ? — Much may be done, provided you have a 
 proper air-way reserved for carrying the air to the extremities of them. The 
 difficulty and danger of the coai mine seems to lie more in the unexpected 
 manner in which the gas is sometimes met with, than in the want of knowledge 
 how to cope with it when it has been proved to exist ; and if I ran over and 
 informed you of the cause of a few of those accidents you would find that the 
 bulk of them have resulted, not from any real want of knowledge on the point, 
 but from want of application of that knowledge. 
 
 797. If you would state to us the fa ct that the knowledge does not appear to 
 be present, but that there is either an indisposition to adopt proper principles, 
 
 or 
 
SELECT COMMITTEE ON COAL MINES. 
 
 59 
 
 or a carelessness in observing them, and that those afford the principal causes J. Dickinson, Esq 
 
 of the accidents, that would be sufficient. The Committee understand your 
 
 view is, that there is not a want of sufficient knowledge upon the subject,* but 9 J»"e i%& 
 there is an indisposition to apply that knowledge, or a carelessness in observing 
 it ; is that so ? — In some cases the knowledge does not appear to be present ; 
 whilst, in others there is a neglect of the application of the knowledge which is 
 possessed. There are many competent and careful managers, who make the 
 mines under their management as safe as it is possible to make a coal mine ; 
 but I do not consider that the manager of every colliery is a competent man ; 
 many of them are very deficient. 
 
 798. Would you suggest a better means of education among the overlookers 
 and superintendents of collieries ? — It seems to be necessary that all should 
 come up to a certain standard. 
 
 799. Would that be in connexion with the Institution of Practical Geology 
 in Jermyn-street ? — Pactical geology is useful, in imparting general knowledge. 
 A miner must learn the practical part in the mine- 
 
 800. Before a person is eligible to the office of manager, would you have him 
 pass under examination, under any establishment of officers for that purpose 
 such as the Institution of Practical Geology ? — I think the Museum of Practical 
 Geology affords a nucleus for that purpose, and the passing of an examination 
 would tend to insure a certain standard of proficiency. With two practical 
 men at the Board, and such a man as Sir Henry De la Beche at their head, 
 much good might be done in this way. 
 
 80 1> To revert to the comparative power of the furnace and the steam jet, 
 under the furnace system of ventilation, there is the dangerous state of the 
 mine and the ordinary state of the mine ; under those circumstances of the 
 dangerous state of the mine, if the steam jet would have the power of forcing 
 more rapidly and more completely through the mine a stream of atmospheric 
 air, would not it, in that case, be a preferable agent to the furnace ? — Provided 
 the steam jet would force more air, it would be preferable to the furnace. 
 
 802. Your doubt is as to the fact? — Yes. 
 
 803. If the fact were proved that the steam jet were capable of sending 
 twice, or thrice, or quadruple more atmospheric air through a mine than the 
 furnace could by any possibility do, in that case you would think it a preferable 
 arrangement to use 1 — I should, supposing such to be the fact. 
 
 804. Colonel Mure.'] When you say you prefer the furnace to the jet or any 
 other system, do you say that with regard to the theoretical properties of each, 
 or from having given such a full examination to the practical effect of each as 
 would enable you to form a positive opinion upon the subject ? — I think I have 
 seen both systems applied sufficiently often to enable me to give an answer to 
 the question ; taking them separately, the furnace seems more efficacious than 
 the jet, but the jet is a very great addition to the furnace. 
 
 805. Chairman.] Would you describe the arrangement of the jet as applied 2 
 — There are different arrangements ; sometimes the steam is discharged out of 
 one pipe, out of an inch gas-pipe, i have seen it sometimes smaller. I have also 
 seen it applied from about 90 jets, each jet being of an area of about the 12th 
 of an inch. I have also seen where the jet has been the ordinary steam pipe 
 discharging from a high-pressure engine; that is, I think, the commonest form 
 in which it is applied. 
 
 806. What particular pits have you seen it applied at? — I saw it first at the 
 Dowlais Colliery, in South Wales. I have also seen it at the Middle Duffryn 
 Colliery, near Aberdare, also at the Worsley, Heys, Dukinfield, Black Brook, 
 Bent Grange, and Great Lever Collieries 
 
 807. Colonel Mure.] The Dowlais Colliery, that is Sir John Guest's? — Yes. 
 
 808. Colonel Pennant.] Where were those furnaces placed? — At the bottom 
 of the shaft. 
 
 809. Have you seen them in operation largely when placed at the bottom of 
 the shaft? — Yes, when the engine is under ground at the bottom of the shaft. 
 
 810. Mr. J. A. Smith.] In Northumberland are there not furnaces at the 
 bottom of the shaft ? — Yes, in the north they are almost invariably at the bottom 
 of the shaft. 
 
 811. Chairman.] To the best of your knowledge, was that steam-jet apparatus 
 erected in any one case under the superintendence of Mr. Gurney, the inventor ? 
 — In one instance it was, viz., at the Great Lever Colliery, near Bolton. 
 
 0.62. h 2 812. Y'ou 
 
6o 
 
 MINUTES OF EVIDENCE TAKEN BEFORE THE 
 
 J. Dickinson, Esq. 81 2. You state that in your belief it has been unsuccessfully applied in many 
 
 — - - cases where you have observed it ? — Yes ; I believe it might have been applied 
 9 June 1852. bettep than it wag 
 
 813. Colonel Pennant.'] Do you conceive, if a mine is ventilated by a furnace 
 placed at the bottom of the shaft, a dumb drift, secures it from all danger of 
 explosion ?— Yes, I think it does ; but where it is necessary to feed the furnace 
 with fresh air, you curtail the air which would otherwise go into the workings; 
 it is very seldom necessary in the working of the colliery to resort to a dumb 
 drift. 
 
 814. You do not think it is necessary r — In a very few cases ; I know very 
 fiery mines worked in this country where the return air is passed over the 
 furnace. 
 
 815. In your opinion, without the risk of explosion ?— Where there is good 
 ventilation it is generally considered safe to pass the whole of the air through 
 the furnace. 
 
 816. Colonel Mare.] You mentioned cases in which you had seen the steam 
 jet inefficiently applied ; have you ever seen any case where you felt satisfied 
 that it was efficiently applied ? — [ have not seen a single instance where the 
 whole of the resources of the steam jet appeared to be developed. 
 
 817. Mr. Booker.] Do you know the Hetton Colliery? — I do not. 
 
 818. It is said to be the best furnace-ventilated mine in the kingdom ; do you 
 know anything of the circumstances of it ? — I know it by report. 
 
 819. Do you know it sufficiently to institute any comparison between the 
 power and economy of the furnace system of ventilation and the steam-jet sys- 
 tem of ventilation ; that has the reputation of being the best managed and 
 ventilated colliery, has not it ? — It has. A larger quantity of air is represented 
 as circulating through the Hetton than any that I know of ; it is almost beyond 
 credence the quantity of air stated to be passing. 
 
 820. Would you just follow me in this comparison : When the two systems 
 are put into operation, it is said that at Hetton, " for the consumption of eight 
 tons of coal in 24 hours, a practical effect equal to 12 lbs. on the square foot 
 is obtained, which, although equal to 2^ of the water gauge, may be taken on the 
 safe side, and as equal to, the 2 inches of the steam jet." Can you follow that 
 sufficiently to give an opinion as to the results : " With this amount of exhaus- 
 tion, 168,000 cubic feet of air is obtained in a minute. Were the steam jets 
 substituted for the furnace, the area of the up-cast being 153 feet, it would 
 require 76 jets (as above), which, consuming 3* tons each, makes the requisite 
 quantity of coal 246 tons in 24 hours. " Then the result would be, that there 
 would be a quantity of coal required in 24 hours, for the circulation of 168,000 
 cubic feet, equal to 187 tons ; and the practical result is, that :c the difference 
 in the cost of the fuel is as 1 to 24 in favour of the furnace" ? — Although I give 
 the preference to the furnace, I am not disposed to think the proportion is so 
 great as that. 
 
 821. Here are 168,000 cubic feet of air said to be obtained in a minute ? — 
 It is a very large quantity. 
 
 822. I want to know whether it is by the system of regulators, or by the 
 system of currents, or working in panels, that this enormous amount is obtained 
 in this colliery? — The shafts and air-ways must be spacious, and there must be 
 a large amount of furnace power. The air is also probably in several splits. 
 The way in which air is measured sometimes gives a different result ; one way 
 is by powder smoke. In measuring by powder smoke, if you take a certain 
 length, say 20 yards, and then ascertain the area of the place, and the number 
 of seconds which the smoke takes in travelling along it, you can calculate the 
 quantity. Some people take the number of seconds which elapses between the 
 flash and the first arrival of the smoke ; other take the mean between the first 
 and the last of the smoke, which gives a smaller result, but seems the more 
 correct way of doing it. A good rough way of measuring the air is to ascertain 
 the rate of the current by walking with a candle, keeping the flame of the 
 candle upright. Then there is the anemometer, which is a very good instru- 
 ment, but liable to give different results, dependant upon the amount of 
 friction. 
 
 823. Chairman.] Is the sympiesometer better ?— I never saw the sympie- 
 someter. 
 
 824. Do you conceive no anemometer of any kind could be made to be de- 
 
 depended 
 
SELECT COMMITTEE ON COAL MINES. 
 
 61 
 
 pended upon ? — It might ; but it would require watching. The fact of oiling jr Dickinson, Esq. 
 it would make some little difference in the number of revolutions. 
 
 825. Did you hear the evidence given by Mr. Mackworth as to the desira- 9 June 1852. 
 bility of having a register anemometer, if possible, to enable the inspectors 
 
 to know at each visit the exact amount of current that had passed through the 
 mines in their absence ? — I did not hear that part of his evidence. 
 
 826. As to the register anemometer, if it could be supplied ; if such do not 
 exist, it is, at all events, desirable to have such a registered measure of the 
 currents passing through the mine? — Such a register, if it could be depended 
 upon, would be very desirable. 
 
 827. Would not the advantage of a register anemometer, if locked up by 
 the inspector, be, that nobody could practise any deception with regard to it ? 
 — Under certain circumstances it might possess that advantage. 
 
 828. Colonel Pennant.'] The two modes you have described of testing the 
 current of air could not be tested where there was any chance of danger ? — 
 No ; powder should not be used where naked lights are inadmissible. The 
 other way, with the flame, may be tried with the Davy lamp, but not so well as 
 with the candle. 
 
 829. They could only be tried by the candle and powder smoke in places 
 perfectly free from any explosive state of the atmosphere r — Yes. 
 
 830. Chairman.] Upon the subject of that 1 in 24, if that quantity of 
 fuel is all burnt, heat must be generated from that fuel in proportion to the 
 quantity ? — Yes. 
 
 831. And if it is generated at the bottom of the pit, what becomes of it r — It 
 would go up the up-cast shaft, and assist the jet in the ventilation. 
 
 832. How does it require that large amount ? — I do not think it would 
 require such a large amount. 
 
 ^33- Whether the heat is passed through the steam or is naked, the power 
 from the steam is the same ? — I should suppose so. 
 
 834. Mr. Booker.'] As to furnace- ventilation in that pit, it is calculated that 
 eight tons of coals in 24 hours will produce an amount of exhaustion of 168,000 
 cubic feet of air in a minute. Now, to produce that amount by the steam jet, the 
 area of the up -cast being 153 feet, it would require 76 jets, and those 76 jets 
 consuming 3 \ tons each, makes the requisite quantity of coal, after some de- 
 ductions, 18/ tons to produce the same circulation of 168,000 cubic feet in a 
 minute ; the difference, therefore, results is one to 24. Do you not think 
 the furnace heat may be pushed to so great an amount as to cease to have any 
 practical effect ? — No ; I am of opinion, that the harder you drive the furnace, 
 the more air you get through the workings ; 1 think this is the opinion of most 
 practical men ; many explosions take place in consequence of inattention to 
 the furnace, in either allowing it to go out, or by damping it with ashes. 
 
 '835. Chairman.'] Under the evidence which you have just given, the larger the 
 quantity of coal burnt, the larger the quantity of heat that would be liberated, 
 and the larger the quantity of ventilation that would result. Whether that 
 heat is applied through the jets or not, the power of it, as a rarefying agent, 
 would be the same ? — That is my view of it. I think you cannot increase the 
 combustion of coal at the bottom of the downcast shaft without increasing the 
 ventilation. 
 
 836. Mr. Booker.] Would not it be limited by the area of the down- cast, and 
 by the area of the admission of the air-course to the furnace ? — It is impossible 
 to have good ventilation unless there is sufficient room for the air to pass 
 through. The shafts and air-ways should be spacious. The air-ways are 
 generally too small. 
 
 — 837. Chairman.] The fact is, your opinion is not that the areas of the up 
 and down-cast are deficient, but the area of the air-ways r — Yes, that is the 
 common failing in a large proportion of the collieries which I have inspected. 
 
 838. Mr. Booker.] It would be like pouring water out of the neck of a 
 bottle and the top of a quart measure ? — Yes. 
 
 839. If there was any one place where the air-passage was narrow, there 
 would be a check ? —It is like inserting a small pipe to connect two large ones, 
 and expecting that the same quantity of water would pass through them as if 
 they were all large ones. As a scientific inquiry it is well to ascertain what is 
 the best ventilating power, but the great bulk of explosions that have taken 
 place in my district have not been in the most fiery collieries where anything 
 
 0.62. h 3 like 
 
6-2 MINUTES OF EVIDENCE TAKEN BEFORE THE 
 
 J. Dichnson,jEs q . ^fe e a f urnace limit had been attained. If you take the collieries throughout 
 Q^~T87a m y district y° u wil1 find man y instances where the air-ways are impassable, and 
 where instead of having 30,000, or 40,000, or 50,000, or 100,000 cubic feet 
 of air a minute there is not 1,000 feet per minute, and in some cases there is 
 no apparent current. 
 
 840. Chairman.'] Is it not the fact that at each of those coroners' inquests it 
 appears, from some person or another connected with the mines, that the 
 ventilation is in the most perfect state, and yet the explosion takes' place 
 No doubt they generally make the best of the case they can at the inquest. 
 At the last inquest which I attended, viz., at Coppull explosion, where 36 
 lives were lost, I informed the jury that the air-ways were too small, and that 
 the stoppings were made of rubbish instead of brick or stone and mortar, and 
 that there was not sufficient furnace power. 
 
 841. Have you any suggestion to make with regard to those coroners' in- 
 quests ? — I find a great deal of difference in the practice of the coroners. Some 
 are very particular and anxious that the inspector should attend every important 
 inquiry, and that the whole of the facts bearing upon the general management 
 of the mine should be brought before the jury. In such cases the inquest is 
 generally adjourned for about a week, to allow time for the inspector to go 
 through the mine and make his investigation. Then, other coroners preclude 
 all evidence excepting what bears immediately upon the accident ; they will 
 not allow evidence as to the general management and ventilation of the mine, 
 but merely so far as it bears upon the cause of death they are inquiring 
 into. They do not consider it part of their duty to ascertain the best means of 
 preventing accidents, but to ascertain the cause of death. 
 
 842. Colonel Mure.'] You mentioned that you had a note of the number 
 of cases where accidents had taken place, where you had means of ascer- 
 taining the causes of those accidents ; without going into the detail of 
 those cases, do you find in all those cases that the accidents have arisen from 
 improper conduct, the ventilation being in sufficient order, or that any of those 
 have arisen from the ventilation being in imperfect order? — If you can spare 
 so much time, I will run over the causes of a few of them. 
 
 843. I merely wish to have your general opinion whether in the great 
 majority of those instances, the accidents arose from an insufficient system of 
 ventilation and neglect of the usual precautions ? — A very large proportion 
 of the explosions which occur in the least fiery mines; of the 31 accidents I 
 alluded to as having taken place in my district during the half year ending 31 
 December 18.31, I can only point to one w hich took place in a very fiery mine. 
 
 844. The ventilation being in good order, or in bad order ? — Generally in 
 bad order ; not unfrequently there is no ventilating power whatever, and 
 a general want of precaution. Danger is not anticipated, and it comes unex- 
 pectedly. 
 
 845. Chairman.] What do you suggest to prevent that? — A higher standard 
 of colliery management. 
 
 846. We do not require a detailed account of each explosion you have 
 examined into, because that it is naturally a subject of communication to the 
 Secretary of State ; we want now to know your opinion of the best means of 
 preventing those things occurring ; what would you advise as to the best 
 means of preventing those fatal accidents that occur ; you have stated, that 
 you believe the discipline should be more rigorous, and that penalties should 
 be in many cases attached, and that the coroners should enter more into detail ? 
 — I know of nothing so likely to prevent a recurrence of accidents as improved 
 management and stricter discipline. And I think it important that the general 
 management of the colliery should be closely scrutinized at the inquest. 
 
 S47. Then the Committee understand you that the coroner should be im- 
 pressed with the necessity of not only ascertaining the proximate cause of 
 death, but the remoter causes that lead to the circumstances that produced 
 the death ? — It seems desirable that those causes should be inquired into. 
 If it is not the coroner's duty, the inquiry should be instituted by the inspector, 
 or by some one else, as it is important that the circumstances under which 
 accidents take place should be brought fully before the notice of all connected 
 with collieries. 
 
 848. Do you think the inspectors are at present deficient in power to compel 
 sufficient attention to the best precautionary means ? — In some cases I think 
 
 we 
 
SELECT COMMITTEE ON COAL MINES. 
 
 we are ; but I have only met with one case where, if I had had the power of J, Dickinson, Esq. 
 suspending operations, I should have used it. 
 
 849. You would have prevented the mine being worked? — In one case 9 June 1^52. 
 I should. 
 
 850. Have you no power to do that? — No. The answer which the colliery 
 owner gave me when I pointed out to him the extraordinary danger under 
 which he was carrying on his mine was, that he admitted there was con- 
 siderable danger, but that it would put him to such inconvenience to suspend 
 the operations, that he would risk it. 
 
 851. Do you think the number of inspectors should be increased; do you 
 think you are able satisfactorily to attend to the whole of your district? — 
 There is a very large number of collieries that go uninspected under the 
 present arrangement. 
 
 852. How many inspectors are there ? — Six. 
 
 853. For the whole of England and Scotland? — Yes. 
 
 S54. Do you know the districts? — Scotland is one district; Mr. William 
 Lancaster is the inspector, he resides at Stirling. Northumberland, Durham 
 and Cumberland is another district ; Mr. Matthias Dunn, of Newcastle-on- 
 Tyne, is the inspector. 
 
 855. Colonel Mure.] I observe in this report that other raining districts are 
 included in Mr. Matthias Dunn's report ? — Two additional inspectors have been 
 appointed, and the districts rearranged since that report was written. 
 
 856. Chairman.'] Go on, if you please ? — Lancashire, Cheshire and North 
 Wales is my district ; I reside at Higher Broughton, near Manchester. Derby- 
 shire, Warwickshire, Leicestershire, Nottinghamshire, and Yorkshire, is Mr. 
 Charles Morton's district: he resides at Wakefield. Staffordshire, Shropshire, 
 and Worcestershire is Mr. Thomas Wynne's district: and he resides at 
 Longton, in Staffordshire. South Wales, Monmouthshire, Gloucestershire and 
 Somersetshire ; that is Mr. Herbert F. Mackworth's district : he resides at 
 Cardiff. 
 
 857. Mr. /. A. Smiih.] Do you act under the directions of any superior in 
 any way ? — We have instructions from the Secretary of State, and we have an 
 Act of Parliament for our guidance. 
 
 85 S. Supposing, which 1 am very far from inferring to be the case, an 
 inspector was disposed to be neglectful, is there any check upon his work in 
 any way ?■ — In the record of our expenses, which we send in once a quarter, 
 the Secretary of State has there an opportunity of seeing what localities we 
 have visited, and keeping some check over what we are doing. 
 
 859. I may take it, then, there is none, or only a very slight check ? — 
 I do not know of any other check. 
 
 860. I perceive you have 740 collieries under your care ? — Since that report 
 was written, that district has been divided into two districts. 
 
 861. How many collieries have you now under your superintendence? — 
 About 400. 
 
 862. How often do you propose to visit them for yourself ? — I endeavour to 
 get all the information I can with reference to the state of those mines, and if 
 1 can learn there is any danger in any of them which can be removed, I at 
 once direct my attention to it with that view ; then, when accidents take place, 
 I generally take an early opportunity of inquiring into the cause of them, and 
 ascertain that proper means have been taken to prevent a recurrence. I have 
 already inspected about 200 collieries, and I think about 50 of them I have 
 been into more than once. It will take some years before I could examine 
 them all. 
 
 863. Mr. Child.'] In what space of time ? — Since my first appointment as 
 inspector. 
 
 864. Mr. J. A. Smith.] How long is that? — November 1850. 
 
 865. Do I understand you that you do not propose to yourself, as part of 
 your duty, to visit mines, except in cases of suspicion of something wrong ? — 
 When 1 have a suspicious ease on my book, I direct my first attention to it. 
 Then when the accidents are not very numerous, I visit collieries indiscrimi- 
 nately, and 1 have met with some bad cases in this way. 
 
 866. Would not it be a fair inference from that fact that all collieries ought, 
 at some time or other, to be visited ? — It. is very desirable that they should be 
 all visited. 
 
 0.62. h 4 867. But 
 
64 MINUTES OF EVIDENCE TAKEN BEFORE THE 
 
 J. Dickinson, Esq. 867,. But all are not now visited ? — No. Some time must elapse before it is 
 
 possible for the inspectors to visit them all. 
 
 9 June 1852. 868. And under the present system all are not visited? — They are not. 
 
 869. May I ask you whether, as a general principle, you attribute these 
 fatal accidents in mines more to the deficient ventilation, to the deficient 
 arrangements of the proprietor of the mine, or to the imprudence of the work- 
 men 1 — In some cases they are clearly attributable to penuriousness on the 
 part of the owners, or want of knowledge on the part of his manager ; but 
 there are other cases which are clearly traceable to the inexperience and fear- 
 lessness of the workmen. 
 
 870. May I ask you to reconsider my question; I asked you whether you 
 thought it was more attributable to the one cause or to the other? — I am not 
 prepared to state the proportion. The two causes are not unfrequently com- 
 bined, and it is difficult to draw a line between them. 
 
 871. Would it take a quantity of time that would be inconvenient to give a 
 direct answer to that question ? — I could go into the statistics of a number of 
 accidents, and give an answer to the question by to-morrow morning. There 
 are many cases where the line cannot be drawn with certainty. 
 
 872. Chairman.] You have already stated, I think, generally, it is your 
 opinion that the sheet-anchor upon which we must rely is a general improved 
 system of ventilation ? — It is. 
 
 873. Mr. J. A. Smith.'] The reason I asked that question is, in reference to 
 the mode of ventilation hereafter ; supposing it to be mainly attributable to 
 deficient arrangement in the mines, that one is to look for the causes of these 
 lamentable accidents, might it not be a direct and efficient means of prevent- 
 ing those accidents in future, as far as human arrangements can prevent them, 
 if the mine-owner was made responsible for the consequences of those accidents, 
 and if the families of the men who suffered death in this manner, had to look 
 to the mine for the means of provision ? — No doubt, if such were the case, 
 the managers would be very much stricter than they are now. 
 
 874. Would it not be a directly effectual conclusive means, so far as human 
 arrangements could go to, prevent accidents, and of ensuring those better 
 arrangements? — It would be a very excellent arrangement, and would, I believe, 
 reduce the number of accidents ; but coal-mining has a great deal of danger 
 connected with it which cannot be entirely removed. 
 
 87,3. I did use the word human arrangements ; it might be a question, might 
 not it, whether the cause of accidents might not be left to the decision of some 
 official person in case of an accident, but where the accident was attributable 
 to negligence, or to carelessness, or to want of proper arrangement, surely the 
 person who ought to pay for the consequences of that accident is the mine- 
 owner, is not he ? — Certainly. 
 
 8?6. Mr. J. A. Smith.'] (To Mr. Mackworth.) — I should like to ask, with 
 regard to that Aberdare mine, how often within the last three years there have 
 been accidents in that mine ? — The Middle Duffryn Colliery has only been in 
 work about two years, and there had been a previous accident, when 13 persons 
 were killed. 
 
 877. About a year ago ? — About 15 months. 
 
 878. Is not there a strong apprehension in that district that there is a great 
 want of care in that colliery ? — The colliers themselves all have good opinions 
 of this colliery as compared with the others in the neighbourhood ; the mines 
 in the Aberdare Valley are not at all well ventilated ; I believe that mine is 
 rather above the average. 
 
 879. Chairman.} (To Mr. Dickenson). Have you any suggestion to make as- 
 to any increased power that ought to be given to inspectors, or any additional 
 legislation that may be required in order to secure additional safety to the 
 people who work in mines r — There are certain matters upon which most 
 colliery managers are agreed, and I think these might be compulsory. There 
 should also be power to suspend operations in dangerous cases, and to enforce 
 the use of the Davy lamp under certain circumstances; but I am not an advo- 
 cate for entrusting that power to one inspector only. 
 
 880. Would not such a power entail the necessity of some kind of council 
 or board in London, which should have in some degree the control of the 
 operations of the inspectors ? — Yes ; 1 think any power of that kind should he 
 entrusted with very great caution to the inspectors. 
 
 881. Should 
 
SELECT COMMITTEE ON COAL MINES. 
 
 65 
 
 881. Should not there also be a periodical inspection of every mine? — It is J.Dickinson, Esq, 
 very desirable that there should be. — 
 
 882. Would you suggest the establishment of some other body as a particular 9 June 1852. 
 commission, to whom would be entrusted the power under such additional 
 legislation ? — It would require a commission, or the inspectors might form a 
 
 council, or if the inspectors had some assistance in the shape of assistant- 
 inspectors, as carried out in Belgium, the inspection would be much more 
 efficient than it is. Under the present arrangement, we have an immense mass 
 of writing to attend to ; and a very great deal of laborious work. 
 
 883. Mr. J. A. Smith.] Have you no assistant ?— No. 
 
 884. Colonel Pennant!] How long would it take to go through an inspection 
 of all your collieries ? — Several years. When I state that 1 have been through 
 those 200 collieries, I have not gone completely through each colliery. I gene- 
 rally go all through the small collieries, but in the larger ones I take two or 
 three of the pits, and if I find those in a good state, I consider them as samples 
 of the whole. 
 
 885. Could you have inspected the whole of the mines if you devoted your 
 whole time to the whole of the mines in your district within the time that has 
 elapsed since you were appointed ? — It would have been quite impossible to have 
 inspected a greater number than I have inspected. 
 
 880. Mr. J. A. Smith.] Giving you credit that you mean to do your work 
 properly and energetically, have you no holidays in the year at all?— I made 
 application to the Secretary of State last year for leave of absence to visit 
 the Exhibition, which was granted ; that was the only holiday I have asked for 
 or had. My whole time has been devoted to the duties of the office. 
 
 887. Since you have been appointed? — Yes; since I have been appointed. 
 
 888. It is occasionally very severe and hard work?— Very laborious, and 
 sometimes very dangerous work. 
 
 889. Mr. Child.] Do you find the smaller or larger collieries in the best state 
 as to ventilation ? — Some of the smaller collieries are very badly ventilated. 
 
 890. Speaking as a general rule ? — As a general rule the larger ones are 
 better managed than the smaller ones. 
 
 891. Do you think the defective arrangement in the smaller collieries arises 
 from deficiency of intelligence in the proprietors, or deficiency of pecuniary 
 means ? — It is not always from a deficiency of pecuniary means, but a wish to 
 get the coals as cheaply as possible. There are some very large and wealthy 
 colliery owners who are extremely careful in getting coals at a cheap rate. 
 
 892. Colonel Pennant.] If you had the power as inspector of enforcing those 
 alterations in the system of ventilation in the mines which you have inspected, 
 do you think, in the majority of cases, you would have prevented the accidents 
 that have happened ? — In some of the cases they would have been prevented. 
 
 893. Colonel Mure.] You said, in the course of your examination, that some 
 coal-owners were in the habit of prohibiting in their leases the construction of 
 furnaces at the foot of the shaft? — Yes. 
 
 894. On account of the danger of setting fire to the coal ? — Yes. 
 
 895. Do you think those apprehensions are well founded? — I do not. I 
 think if proper care is taken to insulate the furnace they are quite safe ; care is 
 also necessary to have the ashes cool before they are stowed away into the 
 workings. 
 
 S96. You do not think that any danger of that kind would be an objection to 
 the system of ventilation by furnaces ? — I think not. 
 
 897. Colonel Pennant.] We have it in evidence, that there is a certain 
 current of air at which the flame in the Davy lamp, in a dangerous atmosphere, 
 will ignite ; that it passes through the gauze at a certain current of air ; will 
 that current of air that will make the flame ignite in the Davy lamp, be suf- 
 ficient to dispel any fire-damp in the practical working of the mine ; 1 want 
 to know whether it is possible to produce a certain amount of current of ven- 
 tilation, which will increase the danger of the Davy lamp, by not having 
 dispelled the fire-damp, if introduced into a current capable of flame to pass 
 through the gauze? — Not unfrequently there are currents in the mines, which, 
 if they were an explosive mixture, it would be unsafe to hold the Davy lamp in 
 them. 
 
 898. From the current? — Yes. 
 
 899. Is there any danger by proceeding and working up to such a point, and 
 0.62. I producing 
 
66 
 
 MINUTES OF EVIDENCE TAKEN BEFORE THE 
 
 J. Dickinson, E sq. producing such a current as to set fire to the Davy lamp, and not dispel the 
 9 June 1852. nox i ous S as ?~ Very little ; it is generally, almost invariably, the want of a 
 good current of air that causes the mixture to become explosive. 
 
 One of Watson's (of Newcastle-on-Tyne) Registered Safety Lamps was 
 submitted to the Chairman. The novelty of the lamp consists chiefly in 
 the application of a safer lock to the Davy and Stephenson lamp 
 
 Jovis, 10° die Junii, 1852. 
 
 MEMBERS PRESENT. 
 
 Mr. E. S. Cayley. 
 Mr. Child. 
 Mr. Booker. 
 Mr. Farrar. 
 
 Colonel Mure. 
 Colonel Pennant. 
 Mr. J. Abel Smith. 
 
 EDWARD STILLI NGFLEET CAYLEY, Esq., in the Chair. 
 
 James Darlington, Esq., called in ; and Examined. 
 
 '. Darlington, E sq. 900. WHAT is your occupation ? — I am part Proprietor of several mines, 
 » . and principal Manager of Ince Hall Coal and Cannel Works, about the largest 
 0 colliery in Lancashire. 
 
 901. In what district are those collieries situated? — I am connected with 
 collieries in Lancashire, North Wales, and Warwickshire. 
 
 902. When did you first begin to pay attention to the management of coal 
 mines? — About 10 years ago. 
 
 903. In what capacity were you brought up ? — I was educated entirely with 
 a view to take the management of collieries and mining, as an engineer. 
 
 904. And viewer?— -For a proprietor and viewer. 
 
 90.5. Have you a diagram of the mine, or any plan that will explain to the 
 Committee the different manner of working the coal mines in these separate 
 districts ? — I have a diagram taken from Mr. Dickinson's report, which illustrates 
 the manner of working in the different districts ; from this I can simply explain 
 to the Committee the system adopted in Lancashire (the Witness explained the 
 Diagram to the Committee). 
 
 906. Chairman.'] After that description, would you be good enough to explain 
 to us what you consider to be the main means of preventing sudden explosions 
 in coal mines ? — I think in all fiery mines, when the goaves are at the extreme 
 point of the workings, that an air-course should be left in the solid coal at the 
 outside all round the goaves ; a great portion of the air should be carried 
 direct to the extreme point during the continuous working of the colliery, and 
 drawn through the goaves by means of an upcast shaft, so that they would 
 be continually ventilated, and the firemen, or men appointed for looking after 
 the condition of the mine, would be enabled to get to the extreme point of, 
 and all round the goaves, and examine at any time whether a certain quantity 
 of atmospheric air was passing into them ; and by going to the other extreme 
 point, would see it coming out bringing with it the explosive gas. 
 
 907. In other words, if the downcast and the upcast shafts were at the 
 southern extremity of any particular coal property, you would commence 
 working to drive the galleries to the northern extremity of the colliery, and to 
 work backwards instead of working forwards r — Certainly. 
 
 908. Colonel Pennant.'] How would you secure the galleries which you 
 propose to work off on the extreme end of the goaf from the risk of being 
 destroyed by the falling in of the roof of the goaf? — The air-courses would 
 be supported by a pillar of coal between them and the goaf. 
 
 909. Colonel Mure.] You would leave the old working entire at the extreme 
 of the goaf? — I have a rough sketch, from which you would understand it 
 
 better 
 
SELECT COMMITTEE ON COAL MINES. 
 
 67 
 
 better perhaps, showing the goaf, and the air-road round it {the Witness pro- j. Darlington, Esq. 
 
 duced the same, and explained it to the Committee). ~— 
 
 9 1 o. Have you seen it laid out in the plan ? — I adopt this system at the Astley 10 June 1852. 
 Colliery, and at Ince Hall. 
 
 911. Chairman.'] According to that system, would not the workings that are 
 left be liable occasionally to tumble in, and let out a quantity of gas as you 
 receded from the works which were at the opposite extremity to the shafts , 
 and as you receded from them in your working would not those goaves you have 
 left be liable still to fall in occasionally ? — They would be continually falling in 
 from day to day as we extracted more pillar working, but the great accumulation 
 of gas would be prevented by the continual current of atmospheric air passing 
 through. 
 
 912. What is the advantage you expect from such a change in the mode of 
 working ? — The advantage arises from a perfect air-course being left round the 
 extreme goaf ; the air-course being on the rise side of the goaf and open thereto, 
 the levity of the gas, assisted by the current, would carry it away. 
 
 913. The security being that you had exhausted all the coal tbat contained 
 the explosive gas ? — Certainly. 
 
 914. You stated in the course of your explanation, you had under those 
 circumstances mechanical power at hand to force a sufficient ventilation under 
 all circumstances 1 — Yes. 
 
 915. To what species of mechanical power did you refer ? — We have several 
 different principles at work : the most common is the furnace ; it is a very 
 excellent power, but it can be neglected with much impunity. 
 
 9 1 6. What do you mean by impunity ? — M any of the collieries to save expense 
 put wet slack on the furnace as soon as the men leave the pit ; no man is left 
 at the furnace during the night, but the wet slack is put upon the fire to prevent 
 the furnace burning itself out before morning ; as soon as the wet slack is put 
 upon it, the fire becomes very slow, and is left for eight or nine hours, or until 
 the fireman comes, about a couple of hours before the workpeople in the morning. 
 The first thing he does is to go to the furnace and make a good fire, by putting 
 some fresh coals upon it ; he then begins to examine the different places in the 
 pit. The furnace can be neglected with impunity on that account ; it can be 
 used as a mechanical means for ventilating collieries, and yet neglected to a 
 very great extent. 
 
 9 1 7. Colonel Pennant.'} They can destroy its effect in that way ? — Yes, in 
 very deep mines. 
 
 918. Chairman.'] Under these circumstances, during the night, would not it 
 be the fact that ventilation would be going on at a slower rate and to a less 
 perfect extent than during the day ? — Certainly. 
 
 919. Would not it be a great means of security to the miners if the ventilation 
 were going on during the night and day ? — It is more necessary to have the 
 furnace briskly at work during both the night in the absence of the miners, than 
 during the day ; there are so many men and horses in the pits during the day, 
 the heat from respiration causes the mine to be much warmer, and the men 
 can at once discover if anything is going wrong ; but in the morning, after the , 
 furnace has been slow during the night, this is not so, as a stoppage has been 
 put upon the ventilation for the sake of economy. In Lancashire a royalty is 
 paid for the coal used for ventilation ; so that it is for the sake of economy, to 
 save the coals. The royalty is about 8 d. a ton paid to the landlord or lessor of 
 the seam ; that is an inducement to the small collieries to do without a furnace 
 at night, and the wages of a man are saved. 
 
 920. Then, according to your account, you can neglect the furnace at your 
 discretion ; can you also increase its efficiency and intensity at your discretion ? — 
 We can, to a certain extent, but beyond a given point we find it is perfectly 
 powerless ; we can get a certain result, but further than that we cannot go. 
 
 921. According to your experience, there is a practical limit to the furnace 
 power of ventilation ? — I believe there is. 
 
 922 v Can you explain that upon scientific principles ? — I can scarcely go into 
 a scientific explanation ; I will give a general one. 
 
 923. Give us a practical illustration? — The furnace acts entirely by the 
 buoyancy or the levity of the air in the upcast shaft ; its power is equal to 
 the difference of weight between the upcast and the downcast. There is no 
 
 0.62. I 2 motive 
 
68 
 
 MINUTES OF EVIDENCE TAKEN BEFORE THE 
 
 J.Darnrigton,Esq. motive power whatever in the furnace; it acts entirely on account of the 
 buoyancy of the air. 
 
 10 Jane 1852. In other words, the temperature produced by the furnace occasions a 
 
 quasi vacuum, into which the posterior air rushes to take the place of the air ; it 
 rises by its increased buoyancy, and thus a current is produced that ventilates 
 the mine ? — Entirely by rarefaction. We find that the furnace, by the con- 
 sumption of coal, can be forced to a certain extent ; that according to the relative 
 area of the upcast shaft we can, by adding furnace power, or the consumption of 
 fuel, raise the temperature, but the more coals we consume the less relative 
 quantity of air is moved. The drag of the mine, or the water pressure increases 
 as we increase the temperature of the upcast shaft, and on that account we find 
 a very slow increase of ventilation from a great increase of furnace power, until 
 a balance is gained, and beyond that point we cannot go; we also frequently find 
 by passing a stream of cold air a few yards above the furnace, when we have 
 got near the extreme power, that we shall gain a little, by it. I have applied the 
 dumb drift for that purpose, and I find, under some conditions, an increased 
 ventilation from the furnace. 
 
 925. Then the Committee understand, that as you attempt to increase the 
 power of the furnace so as to produce increased ventilation, that attempt is met 
 by the obstruction which you call the drag ? — Yes, the drag or water pressure 
 in the mine. 
 
 926. Which means, that the resistance to that increased current is in a greater 
 proportion than the increased current itself? — The increased power of rare- 
 faction is in a less degree than the increase of the drag, therefore there is a 
 point, where the two meet, and then the furnace acts inversely. 
 
 927. Has it fallen within your knowledge to have ascertained that the 
 increase of the current by the increased intensity of the furnace is in the 
 arithmetical ratio, while the increase of the drag is in the geometrical ratio ? — 
 Certainly it has. 
 
 928. Whilst then there is an arithmetical increase of power by the increased 
 intensity of the furnace, that is counteracted by the increased drag on the other, 
 which is in the geometrical ratio ? — The furnace acting entirely by rarefaction, 
 there is only an increase of power in proportion to the difference between the 
 downcast and the upcast shafts, but the drag increases much more rapidly 
 than the effect produced by the furnace, and there is a point where the two 
 meet. 
 
 929. When that happens, if you can produce increased intensity of the 
 furnace, and the drag overcomes the increase of the current, would not there 
 be a natural law which made the furnace seek a supply of atmospheric air 
 from some source or another ?— Certainly there would. 
 
 930. Whence would that supply come ? — That supply can only come from 
 the surface, a natural brattice would then take place. 
 
 931. If instead of the furnace being supplied by the ordinary air-course, 
 the supply came down the shaft, would not it have the effect when it met the 
 other air, of producing a species of stagnation, and so stopping all ventilation 
 in the workings ? — A brattice may be formed and yet not reach the fire itself. 
 In proportion to the drag of the mine the brattice may descend ; it may go 
 only a few yards down or go to the fire. I have seen where a natural brattice 
 has been formed to such an extent that there has been a perfect, invisible 
 separation between the downcast and the upcast side of the pit ; the upcast side 
 of the pit has been throwing out hot air, steam, vapour, and the production of 
 combustion several yards high ; whereas on the other side of the same shaft, by 
 dropping a piece of paper into it, it was taken down like lead ; I pointed out 
 that to Mr. Dunn. 
 
 932. What you mean by a natural brattice I presume is that, for instance, 
 the current may be going up one side or both sides of the upcast shaft and a 
 current be coming down the other side or down the centre? — Yes, the centre 
 or the sides. 
 
 933. Therefore in calling it a natural brattice you merely speak of an imagin- 
 ary line or partition between the air coming up (say) the sides of the shaft, 
 there being at the same time a column of air coming up the centre ? — Certainly, 
 I think the practical point is principally with the furnace limit ; the natural 
 brattice will not ordinarily take place in the generality of mines, for this reason, 
 that they cic not work the furnace to that extent, but the furnace limit might 
 
 take 
 
SELECT COMMITTEE ON COAL MINES. 
 
 69 
 
 take place in those mines; the brattice will only take place where the drag of J- Darlington, Esq. 
 the mine overcomes the buoyancy of the upcast shaft, the furnace limit must 10 June 18^2 
 take place before the natural brattice begins to work, therefore the furnace J 
 limit is a practical objection to the furnace when fiercely driven, there being no 
 active motive power beyond the rarefaction. 
 
 934. There are circumstances when you would require a greater power of 
 ventilation than the furnace affords ? — Certainly, in the mine 1 have previously 
 spoken of, the roof is so strong it will bear up for a very considerable distance 
 from pillar to pillar ; when the roof falls down it brings out a large quantity of 
 gas in the different air courses ; we require under those circumstances an imme- 
 diate increase in the ventilation ; the ventilation up to that moment was pro- 
 bably more than was required to keep the mine safe ; the falling, of the super- 
 incumbent strata acts as a piston and brings down the gas ; then we want an 
 extraordinary power, but in those cases we cannot get beyond a certain power 
 in the furnace. 
 
 935. Supposing now those galleries which you have explained to the Com- 
 mittee to be very extensive, would they, in proportion to their extent, require a 
 a stronger power of ventilation ? — The more numerous the galleries the greater 
 the power. 
 
 036. Have you ever seen, within your experience, mines which require a 
 greater amount of ventilation than the furnace would afford ? — Within the last 
 month a mine under my own care required a very considerable increase of ven- 
 tilation ; I was unable to get it from the furnace, and numerous complaints 
 were made to me by the officers in the mine, stating that every exertion had 
 been made to increase the ventilation by the furnace, but it was scarcely suf- 
 ficient to meet the emergency ; at this time 1 was erecting underground boilers 
 for the purpose of working a small engine to draw coals from the deep ; I imme- 
 diately connected a pipe by way of experiment only, carried it up the shaft into 
 the mine (we were working two mines there), where the ventilation was required, 
 put out the furnace, applied the jets in the front of the furnace, without any 
 preparation, and suddenly got an increase in the ventilation which satisfied me 
 that by a proper arrangement in the jet, which we had not been able to make, 
 we could get a far greater increase of ventilating power. 
 
 937. Had you ever seen the steam jet in operation elsewhere ? — I had never 
 seen the steam jet in operation so extensively as I had applied it myself. 
 
 938. Had you in any of your pits a subterranean fire which was extinguished 
 by means of the steam jet ?— We had two fires, and both were extinguished by 
 means of the jet. 
 
 939. Were they extinguished by means of driving carbonic acid gas into 
 the pit, which had that effect of extinguishing the tire ? — The difficulty that 
 had occurred and gave rise to the application of the steam jet was this : the 
 mine filled with explosive gas, so much so, that it would ignite on the surface in 
 a safety lamp. I thought if we passed a stream of pure atmospheric air into the 
 mine it would immediately make an explosive mixture at the seat of the fire ; 
 therefore the steam jet was proposed by Mr. Gurney to force in a mixture that 
 would not explode ; we applied it for the purpose of propelling, and also for 
 exhausting ; we found that whether propelling or exhausting we had very great 
 power. 
 
 940. Could you measure that power? — We were propelling and exhausting 
 through single cylinders. The current passed whether the jet was exhausting 
 or propelling, and the quantity was ascertained by certain calculations made at 
 the time. 
 
 941. Have you ever measured the extreme amount of ventilation that you 
 can get by means of the furnace ? — I have measured it repeatedly, but I do not 
 think that we have scarcely forced the furnace to its extreme point in any of 
 those pits ; in one case we are passing about 55.000 feet per minute, by means 
 of two furnaces, and the exhaust steam from underground engines. I have 
 measured it repeatedly, and we have tried to force the furnaces, but the increase 
 has not been very great ; we have gained very little by the increase of power 
 applied. 
 
 942. Would that measure lead you to the furnace paradox? — The furnace 
 paradox is altogether a different thing to the furnace limit ; the paradox 
 has more to do with the heat of the column in the upcast shaft ; suppose 
 the upcast shaft is very hot, it does not follow that you have a great ventila- 
 
 0.62. 1-3 tion 
 
MINUTES OF EVIDENCE TAKEN BEFORE THE 
 
 J. Darlington, Esq. tion, that is, a great volume of air passing through the mine; the hotter the 
 
 upcast air the more I should be inclined to think the ventilation would be 
 
 10 June 1852. diminished, because the less quantity of cold air passed over the furnace, the 
 hotter the furnace makes it ; but as soon as we pass a large quantity of cold 
 air over the furnace, we immediately reduce the temperature in the upcast shaft. 
 Suppose a ventilation of 10,000 feet per minute passing over a furnace, with the 
 temperature in the upcast shaft 100°, and we require to pass 20,000 feet per 
 minute over the same furnace, we should find the temperature in the upcast 
 shaft considerably reduced by that extra quantity of air ; I believe that fact 
 is explained by the drag of the mine, or water gauge. 
 
 943. The power of ventilation, generally speaking, we may suppose would 
 depend upon the increase of temperature, that increase of temperature produ- 
 cing a greater vacuum, and therefore a greater rush of air to take its place ; 
 would not that be so ? — Generally speaking, we find that to be the case. 
 
 944. Generally speaking, temperature remaining the same, the length of the 
 upcast or chimney is the measure of the power of furnace ventilation r — Yes. 
 
 945. But it will sometimes occur that the heat of the upcast is no measure of 
 the degree of ventilation ? — Certainly. 
 
 946. Might not that be caused by such a circumstance as this, that the 
 power of the furnace to heat the air is in proportion to a given quantity ; if the 
 quantity of the air be diminished half the temperature will be increased, the 
 power of the furnace remaining the same ; hence the measure of temperature 
 is no absolute test of the quantity of air circulating through the pit ? — It would 
 be increased, but it does not follow in that ratio ; I believe that the increase 
 of temperature in the upcast shaft will not produce the same relative increase 
 in the ventilation ; but I conceive that you might so restrict the air passing 
 into the furnace that you would have an enormous temperature in the upcast 
 shaft, this would therefore explain the paradox ; take that restriction away and 
 pass a larger current of air, the temperature in the upcast shaft would be 
 materially reduced. 
 
 947. Mr. Booker, ,] The definition of the furnace paradox is this : the following 
 is the definition given in the Lords' Committee of 1849 ; Mr. Gurney says, 
 " The visible indication of the water gauge is no measure of ventilation, it is very 
 deceptive. The force of the upcast shaft is often an indication of the want of 
 ventilation, whereas to those who do not understand it, it appears to be a proof 
 of a powerful ventilation ; it is a seeming paradox ; great force of buoyancy 
 indicates a small quantity of air going to the upcast shaft. Suppose a furnace 
 is in action, giving out its full heat, enough to raise 30,000 cubic feet of air per 
 minute from 60° up to 120°, and producing an exhaustion equal to eight-tenths 
 in the pressure gauge ; now let us suppose the quantity of air to be increased 
 to 40,000 cubic feet per minute, the temperature will not rise to 120°, since the 
 heat can only raise 30,000 to 120°, consequently the temperature and the 
 force of buoyancy will be reduced. Let us take it the other way ; when a drag 
 or resistance from atmospheric changes, or any other cause producing a 
 hanging, requires more force to draw air through, a smaller quantity will 
 pass to the furnace, and the heat, being a constant quantity, and all commu- 
 
 . nicated to that smaller quantity of air, will raise it to a higher temperature ; 
 it would probably raise it, say to 130 s or 140°. It is self-evident the power of 
 buoyancy would be greater, so that whenever the pressure gauge is higher it 
 indicates a smaller quantity of air going to the upcast shaft. It is very decep- 
 tive, and I believe a variety of accidents, otherwise unaccountable, may be 
 referred to this cause ; the paradox of furnace ventilation is, that the more 
 power it appears to possess by the pressure gauge, the less ventilation is going 
 on, and vice versa ;" is that a true definition of the furnace paradox, according 
 to your experience ; and have you any further observations to make upon the 
 furnace paradox? — I would merely explain the practical effect that the paradox 
 has upon the working of the mines, which is perhaps more useful in this 
 inquiry. Before the idea was communicated by Mr. Gurney my attention was 
 not called to it ; it was very customary with us to take the gauge of the 
 temperature in the upcast shaft as a measure of the ventilation passing through 
 the mine ; from that moment I felt convinced that it was perfectly inconsistent 
 with the proper principles of ventilation, and went into a very calm inquiry as to 
 what effect the seeming paradox might have in the ventilation, and 1 satisfied 
 myself that it was no measure whatever of the quantity of air passing through 
 
 the 
 
SELECT COMMITTEE ON COAL MINES. 
 
 7i 
 
 the mine, but that miners in general were, up to that time, deceived as to the J - Darlington, E sq. 
 
 value to be placed on the heat of air in the upcast shaft; I consider it a very 10 June 18^2. 
 
 defective way of calculating the ventilation. It was customary to take registers 
 
 of the upcast ; but I disregard it altogether, for ascertaining the quantity of air 
 
 passed through the mine, because it is delusive ; when the thermometer 
 
 increases in the upcast some restriction generally takes place in the mine, 
 
 and not an increased ventilation ; and it is generally the case that there is 
 
 either an air-way stopped up, or some particular drag put upon the mine 
 
 that causes a greater increase in the temperature of the upcast column. 
 
 After I had satisfied myself on this ground, I gave instructions to the officers 
 
 in the mine that whenever they found a great increase in the temperature in 
 
 the upcast shaft, they must see if they could not find out the particular cause 
 
 of it, as a less quantity of air must be coming to the furnace ; the heat of the 
 
 upcast is not satisfactory in point of ventilation. 
 
 948. Chairman.'] Then instead of the extra height of the water gauge being 
 a true index of the increase of ventilation, in your opinion it is sometimes the 
 reverse? — Yes, the water gauge is generally the reverse. 
 
 949. What other test would you propose to institute of the sufficiency, or in- 
 sufficiency, of the ventilation going on in the mine?— The best practical test and 
 the most easily applied, is Mr. Biram's anemometer ; which is only an approxi- 
 mation, it is not actually correct, because the anemometer is placed in the centre 
 of the air-way ; the moving column of air is stronger at the centre than it is 
 at the sides. With the friction and irregularity of the roof, sides, and floor, 
 the air is continually baffled ; like the current of a river, it is quickest in 
 the centre ; owing to irregularities and interferences in the mine, the current is 
 not equal in every part of the area ; but the anemometer is the best approx- 
 imation. 
 
 950. Is that a register anemometer? — He has a register one ; I make use 
 of the ordinary one. 
 
 951. Is there any self-acting one that may be locked up by the inspectors, 
 that they might at each visit ascertain the amount of ventilation going on in 
 their absence ? — Not unless they pay more frequent visits ; it would require so 
 much complicated machinery ; the visits must be very frequent to enable them 
 to take any notice of such registers. 
 
 952. Do you find that the visits of the inspectors are not very frequent ? — It 
 is impossible for them to make frequent visits. 
 
 953. Why ? — They have such very large districts ; they are continually in- 
 quiring into accidents, there is no time left to inquire into the management of 
 the colliery before the accident takes place. They are not prohibited from 
 taking professional business, because I know some of them still do so. 
 
 954. Is there any particular extent of district that you would attach to one 
 inspector ? — The districts are sadly too large for them ; I think the present 
 inspectors, if they are to continue the districts they have, should have a staff of 
 more practical men under them at less remuneration ; they should have a staff 
 at command, as it were, and that staff, from the inspectors downwards, should 
 devote themselves entirely to their duty, and have no other occupation, no 
 interest whatever, except that they derive from the Government. 
 
 955. Mr. Child.'] As a general rule, do you mean that you never have an 
 inspection unless there is an accident? — As a general rule; but occasionally 
 they do come without accidents having occurred. 
 
 956. Generally they do not visit you unless accidents have occurred r — 
 No. 
 
 957. Chairman.] Is that because they have too many mines to visit ; or is 
 it within your knowledge that they do not visit so many mines as are within 
 their power ? — I think it arises from several causes : in some districts where 
 the accidents are numerous, and the inspectors have no professional business, 
 they devote themselves to inspection ; it might arise from the inspector being 
 absent from his district, or inquiring only into details of accidents that are daily 
 occurring within his district. 
 
 9,58. Do you think' the present system of inspection as instituted, has at all 
 tended to prevent accidents ? — It makes the manager and viewer a little more 
 cautious for the time being ; and if they are aware of the inspector coming 
 they will make a little exertion, clean the furnace, set the air-courses right, 
 and remove the roof that has fallen, for fear the inspector should find it. In 
 
 0.62. I 4 that 
 
72 
 
 MINUTES OF EVIDENCE TAKEN BEFORE THE 
 
 J. Darlington, Esq. that respect it is good ; but the visits are paid so seldom, that I am inclined to 
 
 — — think it is principally an assistance to the coroner in making inquiry. 
 
 10 June 1852. p 5 q. ]j oes the manager or owner of a colliery feel that the responsibility 
 of the management, and the ventilation of the mine, can now be thrown upon 
 the inspector rather than upon himself? — I think so far as this it does : that if 
 the inspector has gone down the mine, and through the workings, or through 
 one part of it, and expressed himself satisfied that the mine is in good work- 
 ing order, I think the manager and the officers of the mine are more satisfied ; 
 and consider that if an accident occurs the responsibility is taken from 
 them entirely, because the inspector is ready to prove that he examined that 
 mine, and therefore they are not personally to blame in the matter ; it is a 
 great relief to the manager of a mine, but not effective in the prevention of 
 accidents. 
 
 960. Do you object to the inspector visiting your mines ? — No ; we rather 
 invite him. 
 
 061. Is there a general feeling, on the part of the proprietors and managers, 
 objecting to their coming ? — It depends entirely upon the way in which the 
 mine is worked; in the case of some I know, the manager and proprietor object 
 to persons going down. I have applied when explosions have occurred, to 
 take with me careful men that I might explain to them the cause on the spot, 
 and point out how and where the accidents had arisen, so that we might 
 guard against them ourselves, and I have sometimes met with obstacles ; but 
 in good regulated collieries I never met with the least obstruction, and no 
 inspector would meet with the slightest difficulty whatever. 
 
 962. In reading the accounts of the inquests held in cases of explosions it 
 would appear from the statements, generally, that an explosion hardly ever 
 arises from deficient ventilation ; how do you account for that ? — I account for 
 that in this way, that the coroner sometimes neglects the advice of the in- 
 spector. I have read reports, and if those reports are to be received, the 
 coroners are not practical men, generally speaking. The inspectors have no 
 power whatever to aid in the decision further than by making a report. Then 
 in some cases there is as much interest as possible thrown into the jury, that 
 the precise bearings of the case are put under a cloak, as it were, and a lenient 
 verdict is come to. I believe that many explosions, whieh would have justified 
 the prosecution of the under-lookers and officers of the mine, have been passed 
 over and made accidental death. 
 
 963. Do you think there is a disposition on the part of the jury, or parties 
 connected with the inquest, to screen their neighbours from punishment or 
 blame ? — I think it arises in this way : when an explosion occurs it is a fearful 
 thing for the proprietor, as well as the workmen; there is a general feeling of 
 distress and sorrow in the district ; the proprietor uses every exertion to 
 make his colliery in a fit state for the time being; every possible exer- 
 tion is used, and all sorts of improvements are proposed to be made ; whether 
 they are made afterwards or not is another question ; but there is a general 
 feeling, on the part of proprietors, to make extraordinary exertions on those 
 occasions, and there is a feeling of sympathy, on the part of the jury, towards 
 the proprietor, who is at a great loss ; therefore, they are inclined to put the 
 most favourable construction upon the accidents. 
 
 964. After the personal investigation you have made, and the attention you 
 have given to this question, to what cause should you principally attribute the 
 explosions that occur so often ? — I think the explosions may be traced from 
 the beginning to the end as clearly as possible ; there is no possible difficulty ; 
 it may not be thought so ; but if you would allow me, I would begin and explain 
 the first causes, and show how they act upon the explosions that afterwards 
 occur ; in very fiery mines the ventilation has to be communicated to the extreme 
 point of working ; this ventilation is carried on entirely by means of air-doors, 
 stoppings between the levels, and galleries, and by means of air-crossings, and 
 brattice cloth, or timber ; the air has very frequently to be carried several miles 
 by means of these appliances, which I believe are in the first instances made 
 anything but secure. To begin with the most important point first, the air- 
 doors : in very few collieries double doors are used, except they are very exten- 
 sive. I am speaking of those collieries where accidents frequently happen ;- 
 I do not wish these observations to extend to the better regulated collieries. 
 The doors being single are liable to pass a very great quantity cf air every 
 
SELECT COMMITTEE ON COAL MINES. 
 
 73 
 
 time they are opened for the passage of a man, boy, or pony ; when they are J.Dailington,Esq. 
 
 double this is prevented, because one door is always shut ; then again, the — m 
 
 stoppings between the galleries, or between the air-courses, (the in-take and 10 June l8 5 2 - 
 
 the return), are made of loose rubbish, part of the roof that is broken down, 
 
 part of the side that has fallen off ; perhaps the mine is not of sufficient height 
 
 to enable a pony to travel, therefore they take up some of the soft metal below 
 
 or some of the hard roof above ; this is stowed away and made a partition 
 
 between the in-take and return air-courses ; very frequently it is put together 
 
 wet, and in a few days or weeks it dries and sinks, and not being more than 
 
 a few inches thick at the top point, and forming a pyramid down to the base, 
 
 there are many crevices through which the air percolates, so that at the first 
 
 opening from the pit the air is very strong, at the second a little weaker, and at 
 
 the third weaker still, and so on until at the most extreme point the current 
 
 is scarcely perceptible : if there be 10,000 feet a minute passing inwards from. 
 
 the pit, a hundredth part is open only to be found at the extreme workings ; 
 
 this arises from imperfect stoppings and imperfect doors ; then in extensive 
 
 workings air crossings are obliged to be used ; those are generally made of 
 
 three-inch deals or planks, strung across the level, and held together so as to 
 
 form a separation between the in-take, which is under, and the return air-course, 
 
 which is above, and upon which there will often be a water pressure of one to 
 
 two inches ; these air-crossings are very insecure, and sometimes the means of 
 
 passing a great quantity of air direct to the furnace without going into the 
 
 workings. In case of an explosion those stoppings, air-crossings and doors are 
 
 generally smashed or blown open, for we find that an explosion takes the fresh 
 
 air, or in other words, seeks to unite itself with the oxygen, and as the oxygen 
 
 is coming in from the downcast the explosion rushes to the downcast, and the 
 
 doors, which are never fastened, but held to the frame work by the pressure, 
 
 are opened by the sudden return of the current, or broken down altogether. 
 
 The pits are then in the condition of a brattice shaft when the brattice is broken 
 
 at the bottom, so that in this case collieries with two shafts are little better than 
 
 a brattice shaft, in point of security against the choke or after damp, except 
 
 that they have an up and down cast. The pits being only 50 yards from each 
 
 other, the two doors placed between the two are often set open or blown down 
 
 by the explosion, and all communication of fresh air to the extreme point of 
 
 the working is cut oft". 
 
 965. Would you suggest what you consider to be the best remedy for the 
 evils you have described ? — Before I go into that I would again observe, that 
 this system causes, at the extreme point of working from the shaft, very inferior 
 ventilation ; many proprietors resort to the use of the Davy lamp and other 
 means of preventing explosions, so that if stoppings, doors, air-crossings and 
 brattices were of a more substantial character, the Davy lamps would be to a 
 great extent done away with ; if the ventilation was better at the extreme 
 point of working very many of the accidents would be prevented, and the Davy 
 lamp would be set aside. 
 
 066. What do you consider to be the best remedy r — The first and most 
 important point about colliery ventilation, is the arrangement of the doors, 
 stoppings, air-crossings, and the brattices. I believe that is the first cause 
 of all explosions ; to prevent the injury arising from this the Davy lamp and 
 other appliances are used at the extreme points, and sometimes, as in the case 
 of the Coppull explosion, just referred to by the inspector, men are killed 
 through insecure mine arrangements. 
 
 967. You have stated that at the extremity of the working the ventilation 
 becomes extremely weak ? — Yes. 
 
 968. On what account is that ? — Because the air percolates through 
 stoppings placed at intervals of 10, 20 or 30 yards in the mine ; it percolates 
 through the imperfect doors or air- crossings, and consequently gets scaled off 
 direct to the furnace. 
 
 969. What system of ventilation are you referring to ? — The general system 
 of ventilation ; that which is the most common, because the most economical. 
 
 970. The furnace? — To every s} stein ; these are general observations, apply- 
 ing to any mechanical means that may be applied. 
 
 971. This applies to any system of ventilation? — They are the first points 
 about a colliery, and I think they are very imperfectly understood by the public, 
 and seldom carried out in colliery management. 
 
 o.6"2. K 972. To 
 
MINUTES OF EVIDENCE TAKEN BEFORE THE 
 
 r . Darlington, Esq. 972. To refer back to the amount of inspection ; what do you think would 
 
 ■ be a proper sized district for each inspector? — I think that an inspector could 
 
 10 June 1852. not possibly attend to more than about 50 collieries. 
 
 973. Could you not increase the ventilation by increasing the furnace system ; 
 that is, could you not increase the amount of ventilation by increasing the 
 number of furnaces ? — If you increase the number of furnaces you must at the 
 same time reduce the drag in the mine, or else they are of little or no power. 
 
 974. Then there is thus produced a natural limit to the furnace system? — 
 Yes, until the resistance caused by the passage of air through the air-courses 
 is removed. 
 
 975. In regard to the steam jet, as compared with the furnace, is it your 
 opinion that the steam jet is a more efficacious and powerful system than the 
 furnace ? — The steam jet as hitherto applied has in many cases failed ; some- 
 times they have not understood the principle upon which it acts ; the steam 
 jet is a motive power, and motive power ought to be combined with the 
 rarefying power ; if you put the furnace at the bottom of the pit I should 
 advise that the steam jet should be put at the bottom of the pit, but if you 
 compare the two, putting the steam jet at the top of the pit and the furnace 
 at the top, you have then a comparison in the power ; but we must not make 
 any comparison when the furnace is at the bottom and the steam jet at the top. 
 The furnace generates an immense heat, acting upon the brickwork and every- 
 thing that surrounds it, being thrown round in every direction ; if a boiler or 
 boilers were applied above the furnace, so constructed that the furnace Mould 
 generate steam without destroying the perfect combustion of the fuel, you 
 would then have a rarefying power by the furnace system, and a motive power 
 by the jets ; the steam jet will most certainly be an addition to the present 
 power of the furnace ; it is a self-evident fact that if the steam jet be applied, 
 every foot of air moved by the motive power would be a clear increase over the 
 amount of the furnace ; therefore the furnace giving 10,000 or 100,000 feet of air 
 per minute, the steam jet would give so much, plus the motive power of the jets. 
 
 976. Do you believe there is any practical limit to the power of the jet ? — 
 No, none ; it is a motive power, almost capable of producing a vacuum. 
 
 977. Is there any danger of the furnace being at the bottom of the upcast 
 shaft, for instance, and the explosive gas coming into contact with the furnace, 
 and so exploding it? — Yes, in very fiery mines, mines subject to sudden erup- 
 tions of gas, such as in the Aberdare Colliery, and other well-known mines. 
 I have had a mine where the furnace, applied under ordinary circumstances, 
 would be exceedingly dangerous at times ; and with that view, I am now apply- 
 ing a steam apparatus to remove the difficulty. 
 
 978. You propose to remove the danger by substituting for the furnace a 
 steam jet ? — The manner in which I am removing" the difficulty is this ; two 
 mines are worked in one shaft 
 
 979. But if you wanted to avoid the danger of a furnace at the bottom of the 
 upcast, might you not have had a furnace at the top of the upcast ? — Yes ; but 
 it would not be so economical. 
 
 980. If you were to remove the furnace from the bottom, to secure the ex- 
 plosive gas from coming into contact with it, would not that be the natural 
 means of removing the danger? — Practical men know that the furnace can be 
 placed at the bottom of most fiery mines without any risk. 
 
 981. Do you mean by a dumb drift? — By a dumb drift, and supplying the 
 furnace with a certain scale of air from the downcast. 
 
 982. There is, in fact, usually in a mine an air-course that feeds the furnace, 
 while the great amount of air that comes through the galleries, goes by the 
 dumb drift up the upcast? — I should think there is not one mine in a hundred 
 where the furnace is supplied with pure air ; the return air is generally passed 
 over the furnace, but on sudden emergencies, or in case of removing gas in 
 large quantities, the furnace is for that particular time supplied with a certain 
 scale of atmospheric air pure from the downcast, and its rarefying power is 
 applied to the removal of the gas by means of dumb drifts. 
 
 983. Supposing it was a necessary matter of precaution to remove the fur- 
 nace from below, would the furnace or the steam jet applied at the top of 
 the downcast or the upcast be a more powerful instrument ?— The steam would 
 be more powerful at the top than the furnace at top, supposing they were both 
 removed. 
 
 984. In 
 
SELECT COMMITTEE ON COAL MINES. 
 
 75 
 
 984. In fact, the furnace would be completely powerless at the top ? — I know J.Darlington, Esq. 
 
 the result of one or two I have had in operation at the top, and that of the . 
 
 steam jets. At a colliery in North Wales we tried die effect of it, aud found 10 June 1832, 
 that unless an extremely long ventilating shaft or chimney is built on the sur- 
 face the furnace is of little use. 
 
 985. Practically, you would recommend a steam jet to be applied at the 
 bottom of the upcast shaft, and take effectual means to prevent any contact 
 between the furnace employed to generate the steam and the explosive gas in 
 a fiery mine r— -The most economical and suitable way of applying it is, by 
 putting the jet in connexion with the furnace ; you require a fire to generate 
 the steam, therefore the same danger that applies to the furnace applies to the 
 generation of steam for the jets below, but if you place the steam jet and the 
 furnace below the danger is equal, with this difference, that you can feed 
 the furnace with pure air and convey the steam into the dumb drift, and not 
 only apply the rarefaction produced by the furnace to remove the gas, but also 
 the motive power of the jet to any particular drift or scale of air you wish, and 
 by that means secure the great power of the jet without any danger to the 
 mine. 
 
 986. Then we may understand that the steam jet is more under control for 
 instant emergency than the furnace would be ? — Certainly. 
 
 987. There has been a very important question raised in this Committee, as 
 to the comparative cost of those two systems ; in your opinion, would the steam 
 jet be a more or a less expensive means than the furnace ? — There is a very 
 great delusion, I believe, existing at the present moment as to this. Most of 
 the experiments hitherto made on the steam jet have been made without any 
 regard whatever to the manner in which the steam jet acts. I do not think, 
 speaking practically, being in contact with proprietors and managers of mines, 
 that there is one man in 50 connected with collieries who understands how the 
 jet acts, or which is the proper place to put it, or how to apply it, or in what 
 way it is most economical and serviceable to the colliery ; it has been tried in 
 various ways on the surface, the result has been attended with anything but 
 satisfactory results as to economy, the consumption of fuel has been enormous 
 in proportion to the ventilation produced, because it has been very improperly 
 applied, just in the same way that the consumption of coal in the furnace, if 
 applied at the surface, would be much greater than the consumption applied 
 below ; therefore I believe the jet, properly applied, in comparison with the 
 furnace, gives an advantage to the jet in point of fuel consumed. I am pre- 
 pared to prove from practical experience, that the fuel consumed under the 
 same circumstances is less than where the furnace is applied alone. 
 
 988. If it is applied at the bottom of the upcast shaft? — I have two boilers 
 situate at the depth of 200 yards, communicating with a working of a four feet 
 seam of coal. At 25 yards above that, is a five feet seam. I put out the fur- 
 nace in the five feet seam of coal and applied the jet, and I found that the 
 consumption of fuel, when the two furnaces were in operation, was about 
 96 cwt. of coal, or 4 ton 16 cwt. for 24 hours. When I extinguished the 
 furnace and applied the jet, only four tons of fuel were consumed. The effect 
 produced was, that 16 cwt. less of coal in that case produced a ventilation in 
 the upper seam of coal of 37 per cent, more than the furnace, the ventilation 
 in the lower seam being maintained. 
 
 989. Mr. Child.'] Did you use that engine for any other purpose, or only 
 apply it to the steam jet for that experiment ? — The boilers for the time being 
 were applied for the steam jet only ; they were erected, and in the day-time 
 worked, for the engine ; but those experiments and trials were conducted 
 during the night, and I had the most accurate means of comparing the two. 
 
 990. Could you have used the steam jet with those same boilers while 
 working the engine ? — Certainly not. I conceive that ventilation ought to be 
 quite separated from the working of the coals. If a fan or an air-pump were 
 applied to an engine lifting coals, the fan or the air-pump would be half its 
 time standing idle ; the engine would not be working ; therefore the ventila- 
 tion ought to be separated from the raising or banking of coals. 
 
 991. Mr. Booker. ,] Take any one of those divisions of working — (pointing to 
 the Diagram) — take it here, if you like, and suppose that there is an accumu- 
 lation of explosive gas — I assume that your steam jet is placed here— how 
 should you apply the jet of steam to expel the foul air from that particular 
 
 0.62. k 2 locality? 
 
7 6 
 
 MINUTES OF EVIDENCE TAKEN BEFORE THE 
 
 j. I)arlington,Esq, locality?— I should apply the power of the steam jet to that particular return 
 — ; air-course. 
 
 10 June 1852. o,c)2. Your steam jet is fixed and the boiler fixed ? — Yes. 
 
 993. And the accumulation of gas is at a distance from the boiler ; how 
 instantaneously and immediately, without any loss of time, should you apply 
 the steam jet to this particular part ? — Every division of the mine has an outlet 
 to the upcast shaft, by the return air-course. The steam jet applies the same 
 wherever placed. If you apply it where the gas is made at the extremity of the 
 mine, it would have the same motive power there as at the bottom of the up- 
 cast shaft ; it would have the same power upon the reservoir of gas, at any 
 point in the return air-courses. Wherever you apply it it must have the same 
 motive power as it would have if applied at the bottom of the upcast shaft ; 
 there are door arrangements, and other means, to act upon the particular 
 return air-course that it is required for. 
 
 994. Colonel Mure '] Would there be no danger in doing that of risking the 
 safety of the other parts of the mine, from which the air was excluded, for the 
 purpose of being brought to bear on that particular point ? — No, because there 
 are certain slides in the different air splittings, by which each district is 
 regulated. 
 
 995. They passing in each split at pleasure, the power of the jet is sufficient ? 
 — Yes, certainly, to remove the explosive gas, which does not require to be 
 withdrawn at a faster rate than if any other power were applied ; it would 
 remove it gradually and gently ; we should have an excess of power, not only 
 to ventilate the particular part of the mine where the gas lodged, but to give 
 ventilation to the other workings. 
 
 996. No such advantage would be produced by the furnace ? — The jet could 
 be used where it would not be safe to have the furnace in operation. 
 
 997. Chairman^] Independent of the possible danger of the explosive gas 
 coming into contact with the furnace below, in your opinion, would there be 
 no danger, when the explosion took place, of the whole machinery of the steam 
 jet or the furnace, and everything else, being blown away by the explosion 
 itself? — I do not anticipate the least effect would be produced; the jet is 
 merely a small strong pipe, made of iron, and so fixed that no explosion could 
 affect it, because the explosion would be an immense rush of air, acting like 
 a knife cutting the air ; it would not be a large area to resist the action of the 
 explosion; the explosion would leave the jets uninjured, the current being 
 merely stayed in the upcast ; the explosion taking the downcast or the in-take 
 air, would reverse the air between that and the upcast shaft ; but would not 
 cause a violent eruption at the jets. 
 
 998. Suppose after an explosion it were expedient for the safety of the miners, 
 from after damp, to send a much larger quantity of fresh air into the mine 
 than usual, would the consequence of the steam jet being at the bottom operate 
 as any impediment ? — I think not. 
 
 999. Is not the shaft occasionally destroyed by the explosion ? — When there 
 are two shafts the shaft is never destroyed. 
 
 1000. At the Nitshill Colliery, near Glasgow, was not all the head gear blown 
 down ? — I have seen an explosion where the flame came out at the mouth of 
 the downcast shaft ; in that case it has destroyed the ropes and every means 
 of getting down below. In the case of the Westminster Collery, in North 
 Wales, a hemp rope was in one shaft and a wire rope in the other ; the hemp 
 was consumed by the flame, and most of the gearing- ; it was a question of 
 time only, how soon the wire rope would be destroyed ; several men came up, 
 and were saved by that fortunate circumstance. 
 
 1001. The effect of explosion is to produce carbonic acid gas, which in a 
 pure state destroys life at once ; is not it of importance to have the means of 
 forcing pure air down to where the miners have been working as rapidly as 
 possible ? — Of the greatest possible consequence. There are other accidents 
 besides those arising from explosions. The accidents of fire or of anything of 
 that kind would make it a matter of great prudence on the part of managers 
 and proprietors generally to have at least the means of creating a current at 
 the surface, entirely independent of any machinery or appliance below ground ; 
 for instance, casualties arise where neither the managers nor the proprietors 
 would wish to descend or ask any other person to do so, the mine being in such 
 a dangerous condition ; the men know when they are on the surface that they 
 
 are 
 
SELECT COMMITTEE ON COAL MINES. 
 
 77 
 
 are perfectly safe, come what will 3 the steam jet at the surface would ventilate j. Darlington, Esq. 
 
 any colliery, and put it in a safe condition, without running the least risk to — 
 
 life, or injury to the workings. 10 June 1852. 
 
 1002. That is, at the top of the downcast ? — At the top of the upcast. 
 
 1003. Using it as a motive power? — Yes, as a motive power. 
 
 1004. You would drive the pure air bodily and pell-mell through the various 
 workings of the pit ? — I had one case with a mine, so fiery we could not ventilate 
 it with the furnace ; I could not get down to build a furnace to create a cur- 
 rent ; we could have built a furnace and constructed a dumb drift, but could 
 not get to the place to do it ; the mine had been abandoned for nearly two years s 
 on that account. A serious explosion had occurred by the gas igniting ; it had 
 killed several men in the same shaft ; others, who were standing near the mouth 
 of the pit, were carried 20 or 30 yards by the sudden explosion, and men are 
 now working for us who in that explosion were actually pitched into the trees 
 near the shaft. In this case a furnace at the top would not cause the ventila- 
 tion ; the steam jet was applied ; it enabled us to ventilate the mine, sink the 
 pit down to other seams, and put in pumps and other mechanical appliances 
 necessary for raising the water with perfect safety. 
 
 1005. Then, according to your last answer, you would seem to think that, in 
 addition to having a steam jet at the bottom of the upcast, you should also, for 
 an emergency, have a steam jet at the top of the downcast for an emergency? 
 — Were the steam jet or furnace used at the bottom of the pit, there are cir- 
 cumstances and occasions when the motive power is required at the surface ; 
 the steam jet is the best motive power that I would recommend. 
 
 1006. Would not it increase the expense very much? — It is very trifling 
 indeed ; an expense of 5 /. applied it in the case I spoke of in North Wales ; 
 it worked for several months without any cost whatever ; it did not get out of 
 order, it required no repairs ; it was connected with the boilers used for the 
 winding up of coals ; therefore it was of no expense for wages, or anything else 
 except the consumption of coal to generate the steam. I applied it at Astley 
 Colliery, in Lancashire, and I was able to ventilate the whole of that colliery by 
 one single steam jet at the top, and it cost about 8/. or 9/. 
 
 1007. Mr. J. A. Smith.] What was the diameter? — The diameter was 13 i 
 inches, representing an area of a square foot, with a jet of half an inch placed 
 in the centre of it ; the motive power gave 6,000 feet per minute. 
 
 1008. Colonel Pennant.'] Was it connected with the steam engine that lifted 
 the. coal ? — We had a pipe of one inch and a half diameter, we carried it from 
 the surface boilers 15 yards to the upcast shaft, over which we put a cylinder, 
 with a jet in the cjdinder, and the whole was complete. 
 
 1009. Chairman.'] Why would not the steam of the ordinary boiler which 
 works the. engine of the mine, be sufficient for every ordinary purpose of ven- 
 tilation, as well as for an extraordinary purpose under some great emergency ? 
 — Because it is not an economical way of applying it ; there is the cost of fuel ; 
 as it is required to work night and day, for ventilation ; it would require addi- 
 tional boilers putting down ; the boilers are generally arranged to generate 
 only the steam required for the working of the engines ; during the night, when 
 the engines are not employed, the boilers could be used for the steam jet ; but 
 in other cases, where you have not contemplated the use of the steam jet, and 
 have measured the boilers with the engine, you would not be prepared, for 
 continuing the steam jet from one year's end to another without additional 
 means ; before putting down the jet it is evident arrangements must be made 
 for supplying it. 
 
 1010. The most satisfactory method would be to have a steam jet at the bottom 
 of the upcast, as the ordinary means of ventilation ; and the expense of having 
 the steam jet at the top of the downcast would be so trifling, that every mine 
 proprietor ought to have such an arrangement ready at hand, in order to provide 
 for a sudden and rapid supply of atmospheric air, to prevent the ill effect of 
 choke-damp after an explosion ? — 1 would say in all cases the steam jet should 
 be applied at the bottom for general working ; but there are cases occurring, 
 sometimes, where a jet at the top would be extremely useful, and w T ould be the 
 means of preventing great risk to the lives of the miners. 
 
 1011. It would not supersede the ordinary use of the steam jet at the bottom ? 
 — Certainly, for the time being ; but I think 011 those extraordinary occasions 
 the same boilers, if they are high pressure, might be applied, without erecting 
 
 0.62. k 3 other 
 
7 8 
 
 MINUTES OF EVIDENCE TAKEN BEFORE THE 
 
 J. Darlington, Esq. other boilers, say for a few days, they might be driven faster, and generate more 
 ' steam, by using additional fuel ; this would be a trifling expense, merely a simple 
 
 jo June 1852. connexion between the ordinary surface boilers and the jets at the top. 
 
 1012. When you speak of the danger from fire below, and the security of 
 the steam-engine at the top of the downcast, do you mean to say there should 
 be a reservoir of carbonic acid gas in some place, or could it be speedily gene- 
 rated by combustion, in order to be impelled down the pit to extinguish the 
 fire ? — Your observations, I presume, extend to fire in coal mines. 
 
 1013. Yes ? — In those cases the sooner the carbonic acid gas could be applied 
 the more effectual would it be. If the carbonic acid gas is not at hand, as also 
 means of applying it, the fire gains rapidly, and extends along the air-courses 
 so fast, it brings down the roof, shale, and metal, and makes the fire in the mine 
 to rage to a. great extent before the carbonic acid gas can be applied. If it 
 could be applied instantly it would have the same effect as an extinguisher on 
 a candle. 
 
 1014. When you say the cost of the steam jet is less than of a furnace, do 
 you include in that the cost of erecting the apparatus for the steam jet, suppos- 
 ing you have to begin from the beginning ; just compare the entire expense 
 of the two processes ? — Supposing anew colliery, with neither furnace nor steam 
 jet, nor any appliance at work, I am satisfied that if 50,000 cubic feet of air 
 per minute were required for the ventilation of those works, I could produce 
 that effect at a less cost for fuel by means of the jet than the furnace, because 
 I should work the two conjointly ; it would be an amalgamation of the two ; 
 we cannot do without the furnace to produce the steam, but you can do without 
 the jet in the case of a furnace ; therefore some fuel must be saved, and that 
 would in some degree repay the first outlay in the erection of the boiler. 
 
 1015. What is the cost?— The boilers, complete, for a large mine would be 
 something like 300 /. 
 
 1016. The cost of erecting them? — Suppose the boilers 40 feet long each, the 
 expense of putting down those boilers, making the preparation and everything 
 of the kind, might be that sum. 
 
 1017. Including the original outlay, suppose you had to supply 50,000 cubic 
 feet per minute to the mine, how much per cent, would it take, do you think, 
 to ventilate at that rate by the furnace as compared with the steam jet ; what 
 would be the difference in the expense, including the original outlay ? — An 
 ordinary furnace costs about 100 therefore there would be the difference 
 between 300 /. and 100 that would be 200/. 
 
 1018. You think in consequence of the greater means of acquiring power 
 from the steam jet, that would more than compensate the increase of the 
 original outlay ? — I think the cost to obtain the advantages of the jet w r ould be 
 a very prudent outlay, and desirable in all collieries. 
 
 1019. Even in an economical point of view? — Yes; even in an economical 
 point of view. 
 
 1020. If you had to furnish, instead of 50,000 cubic feet a minute, for the 
 ventilation, in consequence of the very fiery state of the mine, 100,000 cubic 
 feet, would you have necessarily that power through the furnace ; could you 
 double the ventilating power through the furnace, if you so required it, in 
 consequence of the fiery state of the mine ? — If 100,000 feet were required to 
 pass through the mine, instead of 50,000, and the area of the shafts and 
 air-w 7 ays sufficient you might apply one, or two, or three furnaces, and in pro- 
 portion to the number of furnaces compared with the area of the shafts, and 
 the drag of the mine, you can to a certain limit increase the furnace, it 
 increases rapidly at the first, and afterwards more slowly, until it comes to a 
 gradual limit. 
 
 1021. Did you ever know the power of the furnace ventilation to exceed 
 1,000 cubic feet a minute, to every foot of sectional area of the shaft? — I 
 never met with a furnace that ever passed that quantity through, although 
 I have seen a very great number, and almost every variety of construction. 
 
 1022. Then if the area was 50 feet it would pass 50,000 cubic feet ? — I never 
 knew a 50 feet area to pass more than 50,000 feet. 
 
 1023. If you required in each pit 100,000 feet for the safety of the miners, 
 you could not produce it through 50 feet sectional area by the furnace system ? 
 — Yes ; but that would not be produced through a 50 feet area. 
 
 1024. Have you any reason to doubt that it could be produced by the steam 
 
 jet?— 
 
SELECT COMMITTEE ON COAL MINES. 
 
 79 
 
 jet ?•— I have no reason whatever ; it merely requires a difference in the arrange- j. Darlington, Es 
 
 ment of the jet and striking cylinders. . 
 
 102.5. I n a fi ei 7" mine, or in a mine of an average degree of fieriness, what is 10 June 1852. 
 the rate of the current you would consider safe ? — About five feet per second. 
 
 1026. Does the furnace upon the average produce that, do you think? — In 
 many cases we have a much greater current than that by the furnace. 
 
 1027. Is there any difference in the furnace and the steam jet as regards the 
 rate of the current that can be produced ? — Supposing the air-ways the same, 
 by applying the steam jet as a motive power to increase the ventilation, the 
 current must travel through the same air-ways at greater speed. 
 
 1028. Then if you can with a steam jet increase the quantity by the rate of 
 the current, you in a double measure, as it were, increase the chances of safety 
 to people working in the mine ? — Certainly. 
 
 1029. Mr. Child.] Do you think an outlay of 300 I. ought to thoroughly ven- 
 tilate a mine ? — It would produce 50,000 feet a minute of ventilation, and that 
 is more than an average ; I should say 10,000 is the average of the Lancashire 
 collieries, but much less than that in the North Wales and the Warwickshire 
 collieries. 
 
 1030. Suppose a severe explosion to take place in a large colliery, would not 
 the damage occasioned to the working of that colliery be probably as much, if 
 not more, than the cost occasioned by the putting up of a proper ventilating 
 apparatus ? — I know the case of the great Lever Bolton Colliery, belonging to 
 Lord Bradford, resulted in loss of life and great injury to the mine. 
 
 1031. And a great pecuniary loss ? — The pecuniary loss to that colliery must 
 be very great ; many thousand pounds; if 20.000 could be placed against some 
 such explosions, I should keep out the explosion rather than take the 20,000/. 
 
 1 032. That is an exceptional case ; I am speaking of a common case ? — I have 
 known a dozen collieries in the same position ; an explosion creates much damage 
 and mischief where it does not set fire to the coals, it deranges the whole work- 
 ings and will usually cost several hundred pounds. 
 
 1033. Then I apprehend there can be scarcely any explosion in a mine 
 without there being considerable pecuniary damage ? — Some explosions are so 
 peculiar in their action that they will do little or no damage, and others although 
 much more slight, will produce more pecuniary loss. 
 
 1034. Take the average, would they do damage to the workings? — The 
 average is decidedly in support of the opinion I have given, that explosions are 
 very disastrous indeed to the proprietor. 
 
 1035. Then as a matter of economy it is desirable that the best means of 
 working should be adopted ? — Yes, the greatest economy is the best venti- 
 lation. 
 
 1036. I infer the small collieries are the worst ventilated, from what you say ? 
 —Yes. 
 
 1037. That arises partly from want of means, and partly from want of incli- 
 nation ? — In Lancashire the small collieries are in the hands of private indivi- 
 duals who have raised themselves by industry, economy, and frugality, and got 
 connected with a small colliery ; they have not the same staff of persons in their 
 service for the selling of the coal as the larger collieries ; they go into the market 
 at a few pence per ton less, and by that means secure a trade ; a reduction of 
 price opens to them more easily the market ; to meet this the under-looker is 
 sometimes not only under-looker, but fireman, and not only fireman, but has to 
 build the stoppings, and not only to build the stoppings, but to keep the air- 
 courses right, so that one man is made in some small collieries to do the work 
 of half-a-dozen in a large colliery. 
 
 1038. You know pretty well the wages paid throughout the country ? — Yes. 
 
 1 039. Do you find the wages expected by the colliers is greater in proportion 
 to the amount of risk ? — Yes. I have had considerable experience as to this 
 point. I find in collieries where explosions have not occurred the wages are 
 much less ; as soon as an explosion occurs and a disaster takes place, the 
 miners will not work in those mines, however safe, without an increase of 
 wages. 
 
 1040. Then there is a simple economical reason for taking those precautions ? 
 — Yes, the miners will work for 3 s. a day in a safe mine where no accident 
 has arisen, and where they presume none will arise, whereas they can get 5 s. a 
 day in others. 1 have paid so great a difference in extreme cases of accidents. 
 
 0.62. k 4 1041. You 
 
8o 
 
 MINUTES OF EVIDENCE TAKEN BEFORE THE 
 
 J. Darlington, Esq. 1 °4 T • You yourself are paying larger wages in workings, that are comparatively 
 
 _ dangerous, and you are paying more where they are comparatively safe ? — At 
 
 10 June 1852. Wigan the colliers work in seams where no accidents have happened, and the 
 mine not fiery, for 3 s. 6 d. a day ; they seldom get more than about 3 s. 6 d. a 
 day ; in other mines at the same place, which are very fiery, and where accidents 
 have arisen the men get from 4 s. to 5 s. a day. 
 
 1042. You think this is a general rule ? — Yes, a general rule, unquestionably. 
 
 1043. Colonel Pennant ?\ Upon the subject of ventilation you were speaking 
 of just now, with regard to the proportional area of the downcast and upcast 
 shafts, I see Mr. Dickinson, in his report, makes use of these words : " With 
 adequate ventilating power, a larger area at the downcast, the draught appears 
 in a preponderance of cases less liable to be baffled by adverse circumstances." 
 Now in page 80 of this report of Mr. Morton, there is this expression : " The 
 united sectional areas of the air-courses should exceed that of the ' downcast ' 
 pit, and that of the upcast should be still greater ; but it is not uncommon to 
 find these conditions reversed." Still there seems to be some difference of 
 opinion as to those relative proportions of the downcast and upcast shafts ;. 
 which of those opinions do you think is the right opinion ? — When I read the 
 two reports, I was very sorry to find those opposite remarks. I think the 
 inspectors, placed in the position they are, ought not to give two opinions on 
 this point. It would have been very desirable, with respect to those opinions, 
 if the inspectors had the means of comparing their reports and speaking with, 
 each other as to the reasons which bring them to certain conclusions ; I believe 
 Mr. Dickinson's opinion is correct. I know it in practice that the lesser cast 
 is invariably the best ; always supposing an ample area in the upcast — I do not 
 mean to infer that it shall be too small — in one case I have two downcasts, 
 each 9 feet in diameter, and one upcast 9 feet in diameter. I find that two 
 downcasts to one upcast, the upcast being less gives a decided advantage, which 
 arises from the velocity of the upcast column ; there is less chance of a natural 
 brattice forming, and of any atmospheric action, such as, for instance, a change 
 of wind, or anything of that kind. It resists all atmospheric changes much 
 better ; besides which, it is generally more economical. 
 
 1044. Mr. Child.] Do you consider that in a case where an accident had 
 occurred, that was clearely traceable to negligence on the part of the proprietors 
 of the mine, and the family of the persons who had lost their lives from this 
 accident ought not to come upon the proprietors for damage or for some com- 
 pensation ? — I believe that where accident is attributable to negligence, it 
 may be ascribed either to the manager or proprietor, the officials or the work- 
 men ; supposing a general rule adopted making parties whose negligence caused 
 the accident, liable, you would in many instances not have any funds or 
 resources to fall back upon, therefore you could not establish it with any degree 
 of fairness. 
 
 104.5. Suppose, from the defective ventilation, which could be attributable to 
 neglect on the part of the proprietor of a mine, accidents should occur, do you 
 consider that the families of the persons who have lost their lives by such an 
 explosion ought to receive compensation from that owner or not, in consequence 
 of that accident ? — Two years and a half ago an accident from carelessness 
 occurred at Ince Hall. The company has supported the widows to this time. 
 
 1046. Do you consider it just and right only ? — Yes; where carelessness is 
 attributable to the proprietors. If representations were made by the inspector, 
 or by the collier, or the officer of the mines to the proprietor, saying, he must 
 put in brick stoppings and support them, so that they shall not be blown out,, 
 and the proprietor says, the dirt stoppings must do ; then I say, decidedly, he 
 ought to bear the consequences. 
 
 1047. I ask, suppose it is clearly attributable to negligence on the part of the 
 proprietor, he ought to pay ? — Yes. 
 
 1048. Suppose compensation was afforded to families or the individuals, for 
 loss of limbs, would not that operate in lowering the wages of the men work- 
 ing, would they not be satisfied with less wages ? — No, a collier does not care 
 for anybody but himself, he does not generally care to make a provision for hi& 
 children or wife. I tried six months ago to enforce upon the men, by all the 
 authority I had, a system of accidental assurance ; I put myself in communica- 
 tion with the Agent for the Accidental Death Company, I got the terms settled, 
 and they appeared very favourable. I went with these to the men, but the 
 
 result 
 
SELECT COMMITTEE ON COAL MINES. 
 
 8i 
 
 result was, they said, what would be the good of 50/. to them when they were » r> ?• , ^ 
 killed ? . ^ 
 
 1049. Colonel Mure.'] Have you ever known instances of actions for damages, 10 June 1S52, 
 brought by the parents or friends of persons who have lost their lives? — Not in 
 
 England 5 I have known cases in Scotland, where the law is different, in Belgium 
 it is different, but I do not know of that in England ; in Belgium the workmen 
 and the masters raise a levy to meet cases where accidents arise ; the workmen 
 and the master pay a certain contribution, to provide the widows and children 
 with funds. In Scotland as much as 400/. damages have been paid to one 
 individual. 
 
 1050. You understand the law is different in England, and that is the reason 
 why similar actions have not been brought, or if brought, had not succeeded ? 
 — Yes. 
 
 1051. Chairman.] Do you think the Belgian system would be a proper one 
 to introduce into this country? — In case of accident the negligent workman 
 should be as liable as the master. Accidents often arise from the men, and also 
 from the false economy of the master. 
 
 1052. Colonel Pennant] In many cases, would not it be difficult to know 
 whether the cause of explosion arose from the misconduct of the workmen or the 
 negligence of the owners ? — There would be the greatest possible difficulty. 
 
 1 053. Chairman.] Asa fact, do you happen to know what is about the average 
 state of a current of air passing through mines usually ; you have stated it 
 should be about five feet per second ? — I should think the speed of the current 
 depends entirely upon the size of the air-ways ; in the same mine there are 20 
 variations in the size of the air- way ; suppose an explosive mixture passing 
 through an air-way, at the rate of 5 feet a second, it may come into a more 
 restricted part, in a few yards, the same explosive mixture would travel too fast in 
 one part of the mine, and by the safety lamp explode there, whereas in another 
 part it would not explode, the area being larger and the current slower. 
 
 1054. Irrespective of any explosive gas, I am speaking as to the ordinary rate 
 of current of atmospheric air passing through the galleries ; you say it should 
 not be less than five feet a second on the average ; is it at that rate ? — In the 
 larger ones it is, in the smaller ones I believe you can scarcely determine what 
 is the speed, the ventilation is often so weak. 
 
 1055. You have spoken rather as if you thought that the ventilation might 
 be so efficacious as to supersede the necessity of the Davy lamp ; is that your 
 opinion ? — I believe if the first principles of colliery management referred to 
 by me in the former part of my evidence were thoroughly carried out, and 
 there was a perfectly reliable power for passing a large current of air, lamps 
 might be altogether dispensed with, except in cases where there are sudden 
 eruptions of gas, in which case every miner should work with the safety lamp, 
 whatever amount of ventilation there was. 
 
 3056. Have you had any experience of the inefficiency of the Davy lamps 
 as a protection against explosive gas? — I have had considerable experience, 
 and find that in the hands of careful men it may almost be considered a safe 
 lamp where the current is not great, but not to be a reliable instrument for 400 
 or 500 men in one mine. As a reliable means for giving safety, I think it can- 
 not be too strongly deprecated. 
 
 10.57. Would not that rather indicate your opinion to be, that the best pos- 
 sible precaution that could be taken against the frequent recurrence of those 
 fatal calamities would be, to look to an improved system of ventilation ? — 
 There can be no question whatever but that an improved syslem of mine 
 management, and then an improved current afterwards, would greatly reduce 
 the number of accidents ; it is no good having current without mine manage- 
 ment first, and that perfect. 
 
 1058. Colonel Pennant.] By management do you mean discipline in the 
 mine, in forcing regulation in the working of the mine? — An effectual plan 
 for making the mine substantial against casualties ; putting in strong brick instead 
 of dirt-stoppings, and good air-crossings and doors. 
 
 1059. Chairman.] By both appliances and regulations? — Yes. 
 
 1060. Are you the Mr. Darlington referred to in Mr. Dickinson's report to 
 the Government this year, as being the person who has established a set of 
 regulations which he considers one of the best he has met with ? — Yes, I 
 believe so. 
 
 0.62. L 1061. Have 
 
82 
 
 MINUTES OF EVIDENCE TAKEN BEFORE THE 
 
 j. Darlington, Esq. [ 06 1 . Have you been brought into connexion with the Association of Work- 
 
 ing Miners in Lancashire ? — I do not know that any such association exists. 
 
 so June 1852. 1062. A communication has been made to me by some parties, saying they 
 wished to make a communication to this Committee; have you been brought 
 into contact with them? — I know the miners had an organization a few years 
 ago ; several men were then employed as delegates or public speakers, and 
 managed the funds, and kept the society together ; they have been since 
 employed casually by the miners, and now represent the body of miners gene- 
 rally. Mr. David Swallow, examined before the Lords Committee of 1849, was 
 one ; but this union is now almost exploded. 
 
 1063. Have you been in communication with him ? — Not with a view to this 
 examination. 
 
 1064. Do you not know the state of feeling the miners have with respect to 
 these explosions ? — Some of the miners are much alarmed about them, and are 
 very anxious to secure a good system of ventilation, at the same time there are 
 so many careless men among them ; where we find a good man there is one just 
 as careless, and not one in 20 cares anything about the ventilation, or anjr 
 other colliery arrangements, providing he is kept safe, and does not suffer incon- 
 venience personally. 
 
 1065. Upon the whole there is a considerable feeling of interest on the part 
 of the working miner, as to a better system of ventilation ?— On the part of the 
 steady, sober miner, there is a feeling of alarm at the present time. 
 
 1066. Colonel Mure.] You have described your system of management in 
 regard to goaves, that great precaution is taken to prevent the generation of 
 noxious gases in the goaves ; do you consider that as an essential part of the mine 
 management ? — One of the most important. 
 
 1067. Are you aware in some parts of England no attention is paid to that, 
 but that the goaves, instead of being confined to one part of the mine, at e spread 
 up and down the mine ? — In the Newcastle district it is so generally. 
 
 1068. You think that is a source of great danger? — It should be avoided as 
 much as possible ; the goaves should be kept at the extremity of the workings : 
 the men should be coming towards the pit instead of going past the goaves to 
 get to their work. 
 
 1069. Is it equally practicable in other mines to carry on the system as you 
 do ? — It is a question of quantity in the Newcastle district ; they are sacrificing 
 everything to get a certain quantity of coal at one particular pit ; the mines are 
 so arranged, and the dislocations, faults and other ruptures occur so seldom, 
 that they extend their working to a great extent. In Lancashire we have belts 
 of coal between faults at intervals of 400 or 600 yards, running parallel to each 
 other, taking a north and south line ; those faults limit the districts ; the 
 minerals belong to many lessors : each party endeavours to bring his own mine 
 into market to realize a rental. The collieries are generally smaller than in 
 the north, arising from that circumstance, therefore the superficial extent of a 
 Lancashire colliery would not enable the miners in the north to carry out their 
 present system ; they raise an enormous quantity of coal, calculated in chal- 
 drons, in a given time ; their whole exertion seems to be to bring quantity up 
 their shafts ; they stand unrivalled in that respect ; but it necessitates a greater 
 number of men to produce that quantity ; they must have a great number of 
 goaves, for one goaf on each side coming- gradually back to the pit would not 
 suffice for the enormous get they have ; they would require more shafts and a 
 less extent of district to each : where they have not actual boundaries they 
 would require limited boundaries to be made for them ; where there are more 
 than 30 or 40 acres they would have to multiply the pits ; this would avoid the 
 system of having so many goaves scattered up and down in the workings. The 
 peculiar position of the seam, and not being interrupted so frequently by faults 
 as are in the Lancashire district, together with the fact of the pits being so much 
 more expensive to sink, on account of the water produced in the different sand- 
 stones, is a great inducement to continue the system of multiplying the goaves, 
 which, if abandoned, would altogether prevent so extensive a system of mining. 
 
 1070. In fact, you think an attempt to introduce or enforce in these mines 
 the same system you observed in others, would be so difficult as almost in fact 
 to obstruct the reasonable and profitable working of the mines ? — The expense 
 of sinking shafts would be so great that no adventurer would be found to invest 
 capital upon a limited quantity of coal ; they make one expenditure last for a 
 
 great 
 
SELECT COMMITTEE ON COAL MINES. 
 
 8.3 
 
 great number of years ; they make it permanent property, as it were, lasting 30 /. Darlington, Es<{. 
 or 50 years, instead of only six or twelve. 
 
 1071. The result would be, that those mines being exposed to a great influx 10 June l8 5 2 < 
 of noxious air, in consequence of the system pursued, the goafs would require 
 
 a much higher system of ventilation in that district than districts that are 
 equal in other respects would require ? — Certainly. 
 
 1072. Chairman.'] With regard to escapage after an explosion, has it ever 
 occurred to you to have any means of escape or refuge for the miners, so as to 
 prevent the fearful effects of the after-damp ?— I attribute the great loss of life 
 in collieries to the after-damp. 
 
 1073. Has it occurred to you to have suggested any means of refuge or escape 
 from the after damp for the miners ? — I have been fully alive to this fact ; the 
 reason why so many accidents arise from the after damp is due to want of the 
 precautions I have been detailing ; hydrogen gas is a negative poison : carbonic 
 acid gas is a positive poison ; a very few seconds in the carbonic acid gas or after- 
 damp poisons a man. 
 
 1074. You would not then suggest anything more than the improvement of 
 the general appliances of the mines ; there has no means suggested itself to 
 your mind as to any temporary means of refuge from the after-damp ? — 1 have 
 shown the cause why the after-damp is so fatal, arising from insecure mine 
 arrangements ; in every district these are generally deficient ; that is the cause ; 
 by making substantial stoppings, doors and crossings we remove the cause, and 
 to that extent prevent the occurrence of accidents. 
 
 1 07.5. Particularly if you had an opportunity of supplying rapidly, and in great 
 quantities, atmospheric air by the motive power of the sceam jet? — Certainly. 
 
 1076. Do you know the Seaton Delaval coal mine? — I have no personal 
 knowledge of it. 
 
 1077. How was the fire you have spoken of at the Westminster Colliery 
 extinguished ? — By means of the application of the choke-damp, on Mr. 
 Gurney's system. 
 
 1078. Was it driven down by the steam jet? — By the steam jet forcing in 
 choke-damp. They found the flame coming up one shaft and the cold air 
 rushing down the other, the apparatus for manufacturing the choke-damp being 
 in connexion with the downcast shaft, the hot flame in the upcast actually drew 
 in the choke-damp and thus the fire extinguished itself without the aid of any 
 appliance whatever ; the steam jet was first applied over the downcast ; they 
 connected the choke-damp furnace on the surface, with the downcast, and the 
 hot flame in the upcast drew down the very means that put out the fire. 
 
 1079. Mr. Child.'] I think you stated there was considerable alarm felt 
 among the steady men as to the prevalence of these accidents ? — Yes, certainly. 
 
 1080. Do you not think that the working in mines which are notoriously dan- 
 gerous is likely to be prejudicial to the moral character of the men, and produce 
 reckless and dissipated habits ? — The men working in very dangerous mines are 
 usually young unmarried men ; where the regulations and mine arrangements 
 are not good, there is generally the most reckless description of men. 
 
 1081. And that must spread itself and corrupt others probably ? — Yes; the 
 steady married men are fully alive to any danger that exists, and where they see it 
 they remove to a better ventilated colliery ; cautious men look at these things. 
 
 1082. In young men probably it would produce reckless habits ? — Yes, I 
 think it would certainly have that effect. J have prepared a list of all the 
 explosions that have taken place at the Ince Hall colliery under my own manage- 
 ment, which will explain thoroughly the cause of the accidents that have arisen 
 within the last two or three years in this particular colliery ; it employs about 
 1,300 hands; from the 31st of March 1850 to the 8th of June 1852, being a 
 period of two years and nearly three months, the total number of accidents at 
 these works are, six deaths and 39 smaller accidents ; these are distinguished 
 in the following way : by explosion, one death and three smaller accidents (that 
 was the case of a boy who was accidentally left in the mine by a collier to fill 
 some coals, and he was very incautious) ; three deaths, being crushed by tubs 
 of coal (this arises from the men's own neglect) ; 14 injured from the same 
 cause ; fall of roof, two deaths and 16 injured ; from shaft and cage accident no 
 deaths, though the people employed descend and ascend every night and 
 morning. 
 
 [The Return was delivered in, and is as follows :] 
 0.62. l 2 lxCE 
 
MINUTES OF EVIDENCE TAKEN BEFORE THE 
 
 Ince-Hael Coal and Cannel Works, Wigan. 
 A Return of Fatal and Non-Fatal Accidents from 31 March 1850 to 8 June 1852. 
 
 DATE. 
 
 NAME. 
 
 1850 : 
 17 April - 
 
 24 May - 
 
 ■'5 June - 
 17 „ - 
 " „ - 
 13 December 
 
 13 
 
 1851 : 
 27 January 
 
 13 February 
 
 6 March 
 10 „ - 
 
 1850 : 
 19 June - 
 
 1851 : 
 5 April - 
 
 15 May - 
 
 25 June - 
 
 26 „ - 
 29 „ - 
 31 July - 
 
 7 August 
 
 14 „ - 
 27 
 
 ii 
 
 3 2 September 
 
 13 October 
 
 14 „ 
 25 
 
 31 December 
 
 1852 : 
 19 February 
 20 
 
 March 
 
 4 
 
 18 
 
 9 A 
 
 ii 
 11 
 
 SJO „ 
 
 30 „ 
 16 April 
 16 „ 
 20 „ 
 24 „ 
 
 7 May 
 17 
 
 26 „ 
 
 27 „ 
 °7 
 
 William Pemberton 
 James Scholefield 
 Sanmel Smith - 
 James Williams 
 Name not known 
 William Hughes 
 John Occleshaw 
 Edward Morris 
 
 William Rigby 
 Samuel Walsh 
 John Biown - 
 John Disley - 
 Name not known 
 
 Name not known 
 
 James Sinethurst 
 Geoffry Atherton 
 William Stanley 
 Robert Blendstone 
 Edmund Hayes 
 George Dingsdale 
 Joseph Higby 
 William Lawly 
 George Evans 
 .lames M' Donald 
 James Stephen 
 James Rudd - 
 Thomas Disley 
 William Swift 
 
 Joseph Hallidaj' 
 William Wignall 
 James Meesham 
 Jarnes Bath am 
 Robert Anglesey 
 John Heaton - 
 Robert Melling 
 William Winstanley 
 Robert Barker 
 William Rowe 
 Richard Bannister - 
 Roger Green - 
 Ralph Valentine 
 James Donolly 
 Thomas Molyneux - 
 Isaac Leather - 
 John Swift 
 
 Total. 
 
 Accidents per Year 
 
 By Explosion. 
 
 Crushed 
 by a Tub of 
 Coals. 
 
 Fall of Roof 
 and Coals. 
 
 39 
 
 18- 
 
 Shaft 
 and Cage 
 Accidents. 
 
 Blasting 
 Coals. 
 
 1 — 
 
 1 ~ 
 1 
 
 i j — 
 
 1-4 
 
 14 
 
 1-4 
 
 6-4 
 
 0-9 
 
 16 
 
 74 
 
 1-4 
 
 1-4 
 
 Men employed 
 
 1,288. 
 
 James Darlington, 
 
 Mining Engineer to the Company. 
 
SELECT COMMITTEE ON COAL MINES. 
 
 85 
 
 1083. Then there has been only one death from explosion in those mines j, Darlington, Esq. 
 under your management 'I — Yes, and that a boy. 
 
 1084. Had there been any accidents shortly before the explosion? — No. 10 June 1852. 
 About six months prior to the time of this return, when under other manage- 
 ment, there were two explosions. 
 
 10^5. Do you bring forward those cases as some illustration of some of the 
 improved means of management ? — To show how the deaths arise in the case 
 mentioned by myself, that we have had only one death from explosion, and there- 
 fore that better ventilation in these particular mines employing so many people, 
 would not in any degree whatever prevent the accidents that have arisen. 
 
 1086-7. It arises from other sources ? — Yes. 
 
 1088. Mr. J. A. Smith.] Does what you have said apply to collieries equally 
 as dangerous as those you have referred to ? — Yes, particularly where the strata 
 generates gas after the coal is worked, as in Lancashire. The coal in North 
 Wales, or that in Warwickshire, is not liable to that. In those districts pyrites 
 and different deleterious ingredients are mixed with the coal, which is very 
 liable to decompose ; a little water aided by the action of the atmosphere, 
 decomposes and sets it on fire, just as a haystack will ignite. 
 
 1080. Would your remarks, as regards minute precautions and so on, apply 
 equally to a mine of that character of coal as to that coal you are working in 
 Lancashire r — The observations I have, made with regard to mine arrange- 
 ments apply to every colliery that is worked. I do not know any colliery that 
 would be exempt from the suggestions I have made in that respect. 
 
 logo. Would you carry that observation so far as to express a belief that 
 you could by ventilation render the safety lamps unnecessary, even for so 
 dangerous a mine as that? — Where it is a n;ine subject to sudden eruptions, 
 as in the Aberdare Colliery, I know nothing but using additional precaution, 
 the safety lamp really is a precaution against sudden eruptions ; nothing would 
 prevent naked candles from exploding the gas in those cases. 
 
 1091. Chairman. ~\ The explosion would be small in proportion to the dilu- 
 tion of explosive gas with pure air ? — Yes, it w r ould be ; in the Ince Hail 
 Colliery, the safety lamp is generally adopted against fire and sudden eruptions 
 of gas. The dryness and the peculiar quality of the cannel coal make it readily 
 ignite. The piece of candle the collier throws away, without putting out, 
 would be alone sufficient to ignite the dry cannel dust. I adopt safety lamps 
 as a precaution against setting fire to the coal, and sudden eruptions of gas. 
 
 1092. Mr. J. A. Smith.] You believe, even in a dangerous mine like that I 
 have alluded to, with the exception of the sudden outbursts of gas, you might 
 make the ventilation tolerably perfect ? — Where a mine is liberating a certain 
 regular quantity of explosive gas, safety lamps may be dispensed with by efficient 
 ventilation. 
 
 1093. Chairman.'] When the miners become aware of the sudden outbursts 
 of explosive gas, is there any means of immediate communication with the top 
 so that they might, in the case of the steam jet being erected at the top of the 
 downcast, signify the necessity of an immediately increased supply of atmo- 
 spheric air that way, in order to avert the danger ?— There are no precautions 
 taken against anything of that kind. I know a case in North Wales, where 
 the mine is subject to explosive gas, so much so, that Mr. Struve's air-pump 
 was applied to it, but that would not obviate the difficulty in the least ; as it 
 merely carries away a certain quantity, and does not meet an emergency of the 
 
 kind referred to. 
 
 1094. Do you consider Mr. Struve's air-pump efficacious? — Before it was 
 there applied they had nothing but the natural means of ventilation, and 
 depended chiefly upon the heat of the mine for creating ventilation. The 
 manager told me he did not understand furnace ventilation. They extinguished 
 a fire by Mr. Gurney's application, and they were so much afraid of having a 
 similar explosion from having a furnace in the mine, they put up an air-pump 
 to meet the difficulty. 
 
 1 095. In your belief, it is not so efficacious as the furnace or steam jet ? — 
 I have a decided objection to mechanical appliances. 
 
 1096. Would you wish to increase the power of the inspectors r — I think the 
 power of the inspectors should not be increased so as to destroy the responsi- 
 bility of the mine manager ; but I think they are almost useless in point of 
 inspection, with the power they have. 
 
 0.62. l 3 1097. Do 
 
86 
 
 MINUTES OF EVIDENCE TAKEN BEFORE THE 
 
 J. Darlington, Esq. 1097. Do you think they should have increased power, to compel the shut- 
 
 — ■ ting; of a mine that is unsafe, or the compelling certain regulations to be put 
 
 10 June 1852. m f OTee 7 — The inspectors ought to have some Board, or something of that 
 kind, to report to ; an inspector should not say, on his own account, vi I order 
 you to close this mine." But all their instructions should pass through a Board 
 of scientific and practical men, and I would have the examinations and evidence 
 of the party taken, to see why objections were taken to the course suggested 
 before any instructions were given. 
 
 1098. You would have no objection to be under the control of a Board of 
 scientific and practical men combined ; you object to be subjected to the possible 
 caprice of a single individual ? — I believe the inspectors themselves are not 
 agreed on some points. Thus, Mr. Dickinson advises a small cast, and Mr. 
 Morton a large one. I have a dislike to be under the particular direction of 
 one person. I might agree with the inspector, or i might not agree with him, 
 but 1 should feel myself compelled to obey the orders of a Board of scientific 
 and practical men, constituted, as I suggest, upon the broad principles of 
 justice ; a Board purely scientific would be practically useless, it would do no 
 good whatever. 
 
 1099. Mr. J. A. Smith.'] I understand it to be your opinion that to secure 
 good ventilation it is necessary to have an upcast small in diameter in relation 
 to the downcast ? — I think in practice it is generally found that where the upcast 
 is rather smaller than the downcast the best results are gained. 
 
 1 100. I understand you that by that means you get a larger current and a 
 more rapid current of air brought up by upcast ? — The current is moving at 
 such a rate in the upcast shaft it is not subject to atmospheric changes. 
 
 no 1. Any sudden derangement ? — It is not liable to the same extent. 
 
 1 102 I want to ask what experience on your part, or that of others, has not 
 determined the relation between the upcast and the downcast, which gives the 
 greatest quantity of movement in the upcast shaft ? — Little or no difficulty 
 would arise on that point provided the upcast did not exceed the downcast ; the 
 area of the workings ought always to exceed that of the upcast. 
 
 1103. My question is, whether experience has yet decided the relative sizes 
 of the shafts that give the greatest movement of the air in the upcast shaft? — 
 It is not decided at all ; many discussions have taken place in journals devoted 
 to the mining interest, but have never been thoroughly conclusive. There is 
 one other remark 1 wish to make, viz, that explosions are generally in rela- 
 tion to the days of the week ; explosions generally occur after play-days. 
 
 1 1 04. On Friday ? — Monday is the general one. Many collieries pay on 
 Saturday, and the furnace is put out or left in a state too ineffective to work the 
 mine. There is one observation with regard to preventing it. I think if it were 
 a settled point that the owners of the mine should not exact royalty for coals 
 consumed in the mine in the protection of life and property, that would be a 
 greater encouragement to certain proprietors to have good furnaces and fires. 
 The proprietors should also be compelled to have constant attendance upon the 
 furnace, i. e. a man day and night. 
 
 1105. Colonel Pennant.) You mentioned one of the objections to furnaces 
 was, that they were in the habit of damping the fire in order to save fuel during 
 the Sunday night ? — Yes. 
 
 1106. Would not the same objection apply equally to the furnace used for 
 heating the steam apparatus ? — They cannot leave the steam boiler, it will 
 explode if they leave it. I beg to hand in the following rules and general 
 instructions : — 
 
 [The same were delivered in, and are as follows ;] 
 
 1851. — Rules and General Instructions for the Use of the Underlookers and Officers, 
 at the Ince Hall Coal and Cannel Company's Works, near Wigani 
 
 It is the particular desire of the Manager that the Underlookers, and other responsible 
 officers employed at these works, should frequently peruse the Rules and Instructions 
 annexed, and carefully consider r.he responsibility of their situation, bearing m mind that 
 almost every accident can be traced either to the want of proper discipline in the mine, or 
 to negligence on the part of the officers or workmen. Good and efficient rules may be 
 to 5 1 established 
 
SELECT COMMITTEE ON COAL MINES. 
 
 87 
 
 established on the works ; but unless they are practically carried into the working details 10 June 18.52. 
 
 of the mine, they are only as so many dead letters. — Ince Hall Coal and Cannel Works, — 
 
 near Wigan, 24th September 1851. 
 
 Rule 1. That the underlooker shall have full power and authority over all the officers 
 and other workmen employed under ground, and shall be responsible for their efficiency, as 
 well as for the condition of the mine or mines under his care. 
 
 2. That the underlooker shall not have power or authority to order any officer or workman 
 to do anything contrary to what is set forth in the general rules of the company, which 
 rules are publicly read every fortnight before the wages are paid, without the express 
 sanction of the manager, but shall at all times strictly enforce the said rules, and never 
 suffer any infraction to pass with impunity. 
 
 3. That the underlooker shall descend into the mine or mines of which he has charge 
 not later than six o'clock in the morning, and therein spend not less than six hours daily 
 in the active and vigilant discharge of his duties, and shall not absent himself on any 
 week-day without having consent to do so. 
 
 4. That the underlooker shall, at least once a month, travel through all the distant and 
 otherwise unused intake and return air-courses, to see that there exists no impediment to 
 the free circulation of the air-currents, and that there are no sudden contractions of the 
 air-ways, but that the same are of ample and sufficient dimensions for the support of a 
 perfect state of ventilation, as it is always to be borne in mind that narrow and irregular 
 air-ways counteract the power of the furnace, and peril the safety of the mine. This 
 monthly inspection is not in any way to supersede the more frequent examinations by the 
 firemen, whose duty it is to pass through them daily, should occasion require it. 
 
 5. That the underlooker shall enter into and examine the condition of the mine every 
 week-day (accidents or sickness excepted), whether the miners are therein employed or not, 
 and shall satisfy himself that the furnace or other power on which he depends for ven- 
 tilation is not relaxed or allowed to rest in the absence of the miners during the night, and 
 on the Sunday, or days of geneial holiday, this kind of neglect having proved the frequent 
 cause of explosion when the men resume work. 
 
 6. That the underlooker, either by himself or his firemen, shall carefully inspect with a 
 safety lamp all the working places before the workmen enter the mine, and shall provide 
 a sufficient and intelligent staff of firemen for this important duty; and further, shall 
 satisfy himself that they descend the pits, and actively begin those duties a sufficient 
 length of lime to enable them carefully to complete the examination of the whole works 
 before the miners and workmen are allowed to descend. 
 
 It is the request of the manager that the underlooker shall from time to time accompany 
 the firemen in those inspections to test their suitability and carefulness, and to instruct 
 them in such matters as will be conducive to the safety of the workings ; as it is to be 
 feared, from recent accidents, that the firemen are often careless and incautious, and, in 
 many cases, unfit for the important situations they fill. 
 
 7. That the underlooker shall provide distinct signals for the use of the firemen, to warn 
 the miners and other workmen of the presence of danger, and shall see that the same are 
 never omitted to be used by the firemen, nor neglected by the men, for whose warning they 
 are intended. 
 
 8. That where locked safety lamps are used, the underlooker shall name a particular 
 place, and appoint a responsible man in each division of the mine to unlock and relight 
 such lamps as have been accidentally or otherwise extinguished, and shall not allow any 
 other person to have in his possession a key or other instrument for unlocking the 
 lamps. 
 
 9. That the underlooker shall make a daily report of all matters or things touching the 
 safety of life or property that transpire in the pits under his care, and shall from time to 
 time carefully read over the heading printed on such daily report papers, and truly, faith- 
 fully, and explicitly, without fear or favour, make such report in conformity with the in- 
 structions given thereon, so that nothing shall take place or come to his knowledge which 
 shall not be stated in such daily report; any neglect or omission in these particuiars will 
 be considered a breach of trust, and dealt with accordingly. 
 
 10. That the underlooker shall observe and note down in a book kept for this especial 
 purpose the atmospheric conditions, as shown by the barometer and thermometer, together 
 with the indication of the water-gauge ; stating also the direction and foice of the wind at 
 the time of observation ; and further, that he shall, at least once a week, ascertain, by 
 means of the anemometer, the volume and rate of the air-currents at such particular places 
 in the mines as shall be specified by the manager. The details of such observations to 
 appear on the face of the daily report. 
 
 11. That the underlooker shall note on the report for each Friday the work about to be 
 done by him, or his order, on each subsequent Sunday, and append the number of men to 
 be employed thereat, as well as the reasons that make the same a work of necessity, and 
 proper to be done. 
 
 0.62. l 4 12 - That 
 
88 MINUTES OF EVIDENCE TAKEN BEFORE THE 
 
 jo June 1852. 12. That the underlooker shall, once every month, examine all the safety lamps in use 
 
 at the pits under his care, and shall give particular attention to the state of the gau^e, the 
 
 main screw pricker, and lock, prohibiting from further use, until repaired, all such as are 
 either actually unsafe or may be expected in ordinary working to become so before the 
 next monthly day of examination. 
 
 13. That the underlooker shall, as soon after each pay-day as convenient, attend upon the. 
 surveyor at the planning office, and assist him in marking on the plan the number of 
 yards paid for to each miner, and in such a direction as to correspond as nearly as possible 
 with the actual survey afterwards to be made ; and shall also attend upon the manager 
 every fortnight with the plan so entered up. 
 
 14. That the attention of the underlooker shall be especially directed to the wastes, 
 goaves, and all partial excavations of the mine forming a receptacle for the carburetted 
 hydrogen, or explosive gas, and shall not permit a lodgment of the same to exist in any 
 part of the mine*, or to be made up, or built off; and that if such lodgment shall at any 
 time be found to exist, it shall be carefully ventilated by passing the explosive «as through 
 the dumb drift provided for all such casualties. 
 
 15. That. the underlooker shall not only provide a sufficient quantity of atmospheric air 
 to dilute and carry away the explosive gases, but shall cause such additional supply of 
 pure air to pass through the workings as shall, in a sanitary point of view, be necessary to 
 support the health and physical condition of the miners. This is a provision of great 
 moment to them, as well as to the economical working of the mines, it being evident that 
 a partial ventilation will not only debilitate the miners, but decay timber and brattice 
 cloths, and in this way increase the cost of working the coal. 
 
 16. That the openings or thrillings through which the intake air has to return shall be 
 of ample dimensions to prevents its restriction. That good and substantial stoppings shall 
 invariably be made as the works proceed, which shall from time to time be examined to 
 prevent or detect leakages. That strong substantial air-crossings shall at all times be 
 made, and, when practicable, be wrought and carried over in the solid strata above. For 
 want of this last-mentioned precaution, hundreds have perished by choke-damp arising 
 from explosions, who would otherwise have escaped unhurt. Lastly, that the main current 
 of air shall be split and subdivided as frequently as is really practicable ; the return air 
 being prevented, as much as possible, from passing through the working places of the 
 mine. 
 
 17. That the underlooker and officers under him shall strictly attend to the letter as. 
 well as the spirit of the general rules, and encourage the miners and workmen so to do by 
 their own example. 
 
 1851. — Rules to be observed at the Ince-hall Coal and Cannel Company's Works,, 
 near Wigan : 
 
 1. That the Manager of the Company has full control over the officers and workmen 
 employed on the works, and such officers shall receive their orders from him. 
 
 2. That the engineer shall have the sole control of his steam-engine whilst working, and 
 if from carelessness any person be injured in ascending and descending the pits, or shall 
 break, damage, and injure the engine, machinery, tackle, or other things belonging to the 
 said company, shall be liable to instant dismissal, or prosecution at law. 
 
 3. That the banksman shall have the sole control of the pit top, and have power to 
 refuse any person going down. 
 
 4. That the hookers-on shall have the sole control of the pit bottom, and have power 
 to stop any person from ascending the shaft. 
 
 5. That no miner or other person shall descend the pits contrary to the directions of the 
 banksman, nor ascend contrary to the directions of the hookers-on. 
 
 6. That no miner or other workman shall descend the pits after six o'clock in the morn- 
 ing, nor ascend before 12 at noon. 
 
 7. That the underlooker shall have authority over the officers and workmen employed 
 underground, and shall enforce the rules of the said company, but shall not have power to 
 order any miner or workman to do anything contrary to the said rules. 
 
 8. That the fireman shall inspect the working places of the mine every shift, before the 
 miners or workmen are allowed to enter, under a fine of 20s. for any neglect of duty, or 
 instant dismissal. 
 
 9. That the fireman shall put up in every working place containing fire-damp, a board 
 on which shall be painted the word " Fire," and no miner or workman shall pass into, or 
 work in any place in which such board is placed, but shall leave that particular part of the 
 mine until it has been found prudent to remove the board. 
 
 10. That where locked safety lamps are ordered to be used, no miner or workman shall, 
 descend the pits until he has first obtained a lamp from the lamp room, and examined the 
 same, to see that it is securely locked and in good and safe condition ; nor shall any error 
 
 or 
 
SELECT COMMITTEE ON COAL MINES. 
 
 89 
 
 or oversight on the part of the lampman be taken as an excuse for any workman having 10 June 1852. 
 
 in the mine an unlocked or insecure lamp. And, that no miner or other workman shail 
 
 unlock, injure, or open any safety lamp, or light or smoke tobacco in the mine, or blow the 
 flame through the gauge, or blast any coal, stone, or metal, without the express orders of 
 the underlooker. 
 
 11. That where locked safety lamps are ordered to be used, and blasting is permitted, it 
 shall not even then be done without the miner or workman having first carefully examined 
 the condition of that particular place in the mine in which it is to take place, and should 
 it appear in the least degree dangerous, no blasting shall take place until the cause of danger 
 has been completely removed. And no miner or workman shall strike any lucifer or other 
 match, or have any naked light whatever exposed in any part of the mine, whether it be 
 safe to use the same or not, and that such blasting shall only be accomplished either by 
 probewire (to be provided by the company), of less diameter than the gauze of the safety 
 lamp, or match paper. 
 
 12. That no miner or other workman shall try the workings for explosive gas with a 
 naked candle. 
 
 13. That the underlooker shall appoint a man in each division of the mine to unlock 
 and relight any safety lamp that may have been extinguished, either purposely at the 
 presence of danger, or accidentally ; and that no miner or workman, except so appointed, 
 shall have in his posseesion any key or instrument for unlocking the same. 
 
 14. That every crushed or injured safety lamp, or on which the oil has been spilt upon 
 the gauze, or rendered unsafe in any manner whatever, shall be carefully put out by having 
 its wick turned down, but on no account blown out, and then taken to the lampman. 
 
 15. That as the safety lamp is a source of danger, if used in a strong explosive current, 
 whenever any danger is apprehended from fire-damp the safety lamp shall not be exposed 
 to such a current ; neither shall it be suddenly removed in the presence of explosive gas, but 
 gently and prudently extinguished by turning down the wick. 
 
 16. That no miner or other workman shall injure any air-course, brattice, or stopping, or 
 leave open any door, or do anything whereby the ventilation of the mine shall be affected, 
 or the lives of the men and property of the company endangered. 
 
 17. That any miner or workman observing any stoppage or important change in the 
 ventilation, any accumulation of water, fire, or choke-damps, any weakness in the roof, any 
 want of proper timber, or brattice cloth, any insecurity of the pit ropes and shafts, or 
 accidental firing of the coal, shall forthwith inform the underlooker of it, and if not imme- 
 diately attended to by him, shall also inform the manager of it, that the risk attendant on 
 delays may be avoided. 
 
 18. That every miner shall work 11 fair days to each fortnight, and 12 in those pits 
 where it has been customary, unless prevented by sickness or accident ; and if any miner 
 sends up coal or cannel containing stone or dirt in it, or short of measure, he shall receive 
 no wages for the same. 
 
 19. That when day and night furnacemen are employed, the one shall not leave the 
 furnace until the other arrives, except to give information of the non-attendance of the other, 
 in which case he shall return again with all speed to the furnace, until relieved by some 
 one appointed by the underlooker for that purpose. 
 
 20. That the lampman shall in no case grant an uncleaned, or unlocked lamp, or one 
 that is injured or unsafe, nor allow any miner or workman to enter the lamp-room, and 
 shall carefully examine each lamp on being returned, noting down the number of the lamp 
 and name of workman who shall return one injured or unlocked. 
 
 21. That no woman, or child under 10 years of age, shall be allowed to descend any of 
 the pits belonging to this company. 
 
 22. That every miner, engineer, banksman, hooker-on, fireman, furnaceman, carpenter and 
 blacksmith, shall give 14 days' notice in writing before leaving his employment, and shall 
 receive the same notice before being discharged by the company, except in case of having 
 violated any of the rules of the company. 
 
 23. That in case a provident or relief club is established by the workmen, and approved of 
 by the company, the said company shall subscribe to the funds of such society at least 
 five per cent, of the amount subscribed by the members, and give such general encourage- 
 ment to it as will tend to make it acceptable and beneficial to the subscribers. 
 
 24. That in case any miner or other workman acts contrary to these rules, or knowingly 
 permits others so to do, without informing thereof, shall be fined in a sum not exceeding 5 s. 
 {unless particularly stated otherwise), to be deducted by the company from wages then due, 
 or that thereafter become due to him ; and the nett monies arising from such fines shall be 
 added to the funds of the provident society before referred to, or aid in defraying the 
 doctor's bills for the works. 
 
 25. That the rules of the company shall be read aloud, or a copy of the same given 
 to every miner or workman employed under ground, on application to the underlookers \ 
 
 O.62. M and 
 
90 MINUTES OF EVIDENCE TAKEN BEFORE THE 
 
 i© June J 852. and a copy sfell be placed in a conspicuous situaiiou near the mouth of every working 
 shaft. The said rules shall also be publicly read aloud every alternate Saturday after- 
 noon, to the assembled workmen immediately before the wages are paid, beainnine at 
 tour o clock ; which rules, together with the tines and penalties, shall be bindino- on the 
 part of the workmen employed, as well as on the part of the company by whom thev 
 are employed. J J J 
 
 26. That any person who shall inform of any violation or infringement of the com- 
 pany s rules, and prove the same, shall receive a sum equal to one-half of the fine 
 imposed for such misconduct. 
 
 27. That the manager has power to amend, alter, regulate, or relax the foreo-oine 
 rules, or any of them, in case of need or emergency. 0 s 
 
 Ince Hall Coal and Cannel Works, near Wigan, 24 September 1851. 
 
 Ince Hall Coal and Cannel Works, Wigan. 
 Daily Return. 
 
 Made by Underlooker of the Pit. 
 
 Of the state and condition of the pit workings as regards the air, air-courses, lodge- 
 ments of fire-damp ; increase or sudden appearance of fire-damp ; cutting through into 
 any old workings; discovery of any of the men unlocking or injuring the safety-lamps; 
 wilfully exploding any fire-damp, to save trouble or otherwise, or being seen with any 
 kind of naked light where the same is prohibited, stating the names of the men; also 
 of accidents to any of the men, stating the name, cause, and manner of injury received, 
 and whether proceeding from negligence or otherwise ; and also of any complaints made 
 by the men, or dissatisfaction expressed by any of them, concerning the insufficient state 
 of ventilation, ill condition of the pit ropes, scarcity of prop timber, or of any other 
 cause of danger connected with their working in the mines. 
 
 185 . 
 
 To the Manager, (signed) 
 Ja. Darlington. 
 
 Nicholas JVood, Esq., called in; and Examined. 
 N. Wood, Esq. 1 107. YOU are a Coal Viewer, or Manager? — Yes. 
 
 ■ 1 108. In the neighbourhood of Newcastle 1 — In the neighbourhood of New- 
 
 castle. 
 
 ] 109. A very extensive one ? — A very extensive one. 
 
 1110. You have been long engaged in that employment ? — Above 40 years. 
 
 1111. What are the particular pits you have the control over? — I have the 
 management of the Hetton Pit, and the pits that did belong to Lord Ravens- 
 worth and partners, now the Marley Hill Colliery, and I have some of my own. 
 
 1112. You have been examined before other Committees in the Houses of 
 Parliament ? — Yes. 
 
 1113. Were you examined in the Committee of the House of Lords in 
 1849 ? — Yes. 
 
 1 1 14. And before the Committee of the House of Commons in 1835 ? — Yes, 
 I was also examined in 1835. 
 
 i 1 1.5. Then we need not trouble you at great length on the subject of mines 
 in general ; 1 may ask you if you have heard Mr. Darlington's examination ? — 
 I have. 
 
 1116. May I ask you if, in general, you agree with the views he has favoured 
 the Committee with ? — No, I do not agree in many of them. 
 
 1117. Will you be kind enough to tell us in what respect you differ from him ? 
 — I differ very much from him in respect to the relative effects of the steam-jet 
 ventilation. 
 
 1118. Have you tried the steam-jet ventilation ? — Partially in some collieries. 
 
 1119. Under whose superintendence ? — Under my own. 
 
 1120. Are you quite sure you applied it as the inventor would have applied 
 it: — In those collieries I do not think the experiments were decisive as to the 
 question, but I have had means of knowing the result at another colliery, the 
 Seaton Delaval Colliery, where I believe it has been applied, not under the 
 superintendence of Mr. Gurney, but of Mr. Forster. 
 
 1121. Do you mean at Seaton Delaval ? — Yes. 
 
 1 1 22. Has the steam jet succeeded or not succeeded in the Seaton Delaval 
 
 Mine ? — 
 
SELECT COMMITTEE ON COAL MINES. 9 i 
 
 Mine ? — The Seaton Delaval Mine, I believe, is now better ventilated than it was jy. Wood, Esq. 
 
 originally ; but there are collieries under my management that are ventilated 
 
 by the furnace, which are much better ventilated than the Seaton Delaval 10 June 18.5-2. 
 Collieries. 
 
 1123. Do you recollect what was the state of the ventilation of the Seaton 
 Delaval Colliery, before the steam jet was applied? — No. 
 
 1 1 24 . You do not happen to have heard it stated that, at the Seaton Delaval 
 Colliery, the amount of cubic feet of air per minute going through the Seaton 
 Delaval Colliery was something like 54,000 before the application of the steam 
 jet, and that subsequently, after the application of the steam jet, it was something 
 like 94,000, with a 50 feet sectional area? — Yes, I have heard of that; but I 
 think the different circumstances have never been properly explained. I do not 
 know exactly the circumstances under which the 54,000 was obtained ; I believe 
 that it was before the erection of the steam engine ; a steam engine since that 
 time has been erected, and I think the quantity of coals burnt and of heat 
 produced by the steam engine goes a long way to account for the increase of 
 ventilating power ; and that the ventilation, apart from the operation of the 
 steam jet, is very much improved. In going into the question between the 
 furnace and the steam jet, the effect of the heat produced by the coals burnt 
 in the steam engine must be taken into account. 
 
 1 125. You think that increases the rarefaction very much, so as to produce 
 a greater amount of ventilation ? — I do; the principle of ventilation is the differ- 
 ence of weight of the column of the upcast and the downcast ; the weight of 
 column of the upcast is diminished in the ratio of the quantity of heat thrown 
 into it. It is immaterial whether the heat is thrown in by means of a common 
 furnace, or by means of a boiler furnace ; the effect is the same, provided the 
 same quantity of heat comes from both ; if you consume the same quantity of 
 coals in the common furnace as you do in the steam-engine fire, and the same 
 quantity conies from both, the same effect is produced. I find at the Seaton 
 Delaval Colliery the quantity of coal consumed is about 192 cwt. in the 24 
 hours ; that is, I believe, about 2 lbs. of coal and not quite one-third for every 
 thousand cubic feet of air. 
 
 1126. Can you speak of the Seaton Delaval experiment practically, or do 
 you speak of it only from hearsay ? — I have a return from Mr. Forster. 
 
 1127. Then Mr. Forster himself can speak to the actual facts ? — Yes ; except 
 that I meant to compare it with what I know myself. 
 
 1128. Will you state to the Committee any circumstances which you know 
 yourself, so that when Mr. Forster comes, compare the two ; but first let me 
 ask you one question with regard to the steam jet, how do you presume it to 
 act ? — At the bottom of the shaft. 
 
 1129. How does it act, as a rarefier only? — No, simply by the force of 
 steam. 
 
 1 1 30. As a motive power ? — As a motive power ; there can be no mystery in 
 it ; if you evaporate a certain quantity of water, and produce steam from it, 
 you cannot get more force from that steam than there is force in the steam 
 itself ; it acts as a mechanical power. You evaporate a certain quantity of 
 water, and that quantity of water raises a certain quantity of steam at a certain 
 pressure, and that acts as the pressure of the jet upon the air in the shaft. 
 
 1131. The same as on a piston ? — The same as on a piston ; you cannot get 
 more force than the steam operates with. 
 
 1 132. If you had all the heat of the furnace that you have to generate the 
 steam, and thus had its rarefaction in the first instance, and then added to 
 that rarefaction all the motive power in the steam jet, acting like a piston to 
 expel the air outwards, you could produce a great increase of ventilating 
 power ? — Yes ; you have all the effect of the coal consumed, and then you have 
 the addition of the steam jet ; but a larger current of air is produced by the 
 furnace in the same shaft, with a less quantity of coals, than by the steam- 
 engine furnace and the steam jet together. 
 
 1133. Have you ever seen the two tried by itself; say the furnace by itself, 
 and the steam jet under the same circumstances? — I have a return of Mr. 
 Forster ; the return he made to the Government officer, Professor Phillips, and 
 I have taken from that return the results of the steam jet at the Seaton Delaval 
 Colliery, and I have, from my own knowledge, the result of the furnace opera- 
 tions. I have considered the subject as so very important, and as I think the 
 
 0.62. m 2 experiments 
 
02 
 
 MINUTES OF EVIDENCE TAKEN BEFORE THE 
 
 A 7 . Wood, Esq. experiments up to this time are not very satisfactory, not decisively so ; I am 
 
 at this moment, and have been for some time past, putting up an apparatus at 
 
 10 June 1852. t ] ie Hetton Colliery, with a view of testing it completely. 
 1 134. The steam jet ? — The steam jet. 
 
 1 1 3,5. Under whose superintendence; with Mr. Forster's assistance ? — I propose 
 first of all to do it myself ; then I propose after that, when everything is com- 
 pleted, to ask Mr. Gurney and Mr. Forster if they can suggest any other mode 
 of trying it, so that the trial should be perfectly satisfactory. I think it is a 
 subject of such great importance to the trade, and I am so deeply interested in 
 the trade myself, that I think it ought to be tried in a manner that can leave no 
 doubt of its effect. 
 
 1 136. When do you propose to try that experiment? — It will take two or 
 three weeks yet. 1 have been very desirous to see the effect of it at Seaton 
 ] )elaval, and I have applied to Mr. Forster repeatedly, to be allowed to make 
 the experiments, but I have not had an opportunity up to this time to do so. 
 
 1 137. Are you well acquainted with Mr. Forster? — Perfectly. 
 
 1138. He having tried both systems in the Seaton Delaval Mine, is he satisfied 
 with the steam jet, or does he wish to return to the furnace system ? — I believe 
 he is satisfied with the steam jet. 
 
 1 1 39. Having tried both ? — Yes. 
 
 1140. Now with regard to the rarifying question: I presume that the com- 
 bustion of a certain quantity of coal will produce the same amount of heat, 
 whether it is burnt under a boiler or burnt in an open furnace ? — I have some 
 doubts about that. I think the combustion is more perfect in the furnace than 
 in the boiler ; there is more unconsumed heat goes off in the latter. The same 
 effect cannot be produced in the boiler and steam jet at Seaton Delaval as in 
 the furnace at Tyne Main with the same coals. 
 
 1 141. Is there more smoke going off ? — I can only account for it in that way ; 
 we know an immense deal of smoke goes off from the steam-engine chimney ; 
 I believe, from the mode in which the coals are burnt, the combustion is more 
 complete in the furnace than in the steam engine, 
 
 1142. Supposing the combustion to be effected as in the case of steam 
 engines consuming their own smoke, do you conceive that there could be any 
 loss than by using the jet ? — There is no advantage in it ; I admit that the jet, 
 as a mechanical power of steam, will produce an additional quantity of air in 
 the shaft, but then that is not the w r ay which that shaft should be completely 
 ventilated ; it is not the cheapest way ; if I wanted an increase of air in that 
 shaft I would apply more furnace power. 
 
 1143. If from a given quantity of coal you get the same amount of heat 
 from combustion, whether applied under a boiler or not, will you not get the 
 same power ? — No, you get an additional power at the expense of more fuel. 
 
 1 1 44. Then what becomes of the heat that is generated ? — It is not so per- 
 fectly consumed in the mode applied as by the furnace ; I can only account for 
 it in that way, because I find in all the experiments there is a larger quantity of 
 coals consumed in producing the same effect. If we take the Seaton Delaval 
 shaft, and the temperature produced by the coal used there, and the temperature 
 of a shaft of similar dimensions, and the quantity of coal used in that shaft by 
 the furnace, you will find a less heat produced in the Seaton Delaval shaft with 
 the jet. than you do in the shaft where the furnace is used. 
 
 1 145. May that be accounted for by the increased rapidity of the current ? — 
 No, the rapidity of the current is very nearly the same. 
 
 1 1 46. Two thousand cubic feet a minute ? — In the Tyne Main shaft, which 
 is little more than 50 feet area, the quantity of air is about 94,000, or some- 
 times as high as 98,000 ; that is not quite 2,000 cubic feet of air for one foot 
 of area of shaft. 
 
 1147. If there is a furnace at the bottom of the upcast, and that furnace, 
 besides producing rarefaction in the upcast, produces also a generation of 
 steam which creates a motive power ; how is it there is in such case any great 
 increase of expenditure in obtaining that additional motive power ? — I have 
 stated already there is an additional quantity of coal consumed in the one than 
 in the other. 
 
 i 148. I understood you to say the coal was less perfectly consumed in the 
 furnace ? — No ; in the steam jet. 
 
 1 149. The furnace fire is the same ? — No ; it is a different application. 
 
 1 1 50. I am 
 
SELECT COMMITTEE ON COAL MINES. 
 
 93 
 
 1150. I am asking* you where there is the same furnace ; my question is j\r. Wood, Esq. 
 
 where there is but one furnace ; the furnace which boils the pot that generates «=- 
 
 the steam, and which at the same time rarefies the air, the same furnace doing ic June 185^. 
 both ; in what way do you not get an increase of motive power from the steam 
 
 jet, and in what way do you increase the expense in getting that increase of 
 ventilation? — In the Seaton Delaval Colliery the steam jet is got from an 
 engine-boiler ; it is set in the ordinary way in which steam-engine boilers are 
 set, with a furnace of five or six feet wide and the usual length. In the 
 furnace ventilation the furnaces are generally nine feet wide ; there is, there- 
 fore, a much greater surface of bars in the furnace than there is in the way in 
 w 7 hich the steam jet has hitherto been applied. I do not know what the effect 
 may be if a boiler was placed over an ordinary furnace, and so raise the steam 
 and produce a jet ; that I do not know ; but supposing that the same quantity 
 of coal is burned, then the effect got by the steam jet is additional power. 
 I think that the jet is very much overrated ; I have estimated the effect of a 
 quantity of steam evaporated from a given size of boiler, and have reason to 
 think that the opinion I gave on the former occasion, in 1849, was correct, 
 that the utmost quantity of air that has yet been obtained by the jet, in addi- 
 tion to the rarefying power of the coal, is not more than 10,000 or 12,000 feet 
 a minute. 
 
 1151. You have used the furnace for 40 years ? — I have. 
 
 1 152. Were you the viewer of the Killingworth Pit? — I was. 
 
 1 1 j3- There w T as an explosion took place there last autumn ? —There was. 
 
 11.54. Has your attention been called to the question of the furnace limit; 
 that is, the limit of the power of ventilation by the furnace ? — Yes. 
 
 11.55. Did you hear what Mr. Darlington said upon that subject? — Yes. 
 
 1 156. Will you explain to the Committee in what way you think he was not 
 correct in his views ? — I heard a great deal about the furnace paradox. I think 
 there is no paradox in it at all ; no doubt the quantity of heat thrown into 
 the upcast shaft will produce a certain effect ; and if you increase that heat, 
 the ratio of effect will not be in proportion to the increase of heat, but in some 
 other proportion ; practically, we do not go beyond a certain degree of heat in 
 the shaft; and as we do not go beyond that limit, that is considered the limit 
 of the furnace. We do not go beyond that, because we find other circum- 
 stances, quite foreign to any question of steam jet, operating to prevent us from 
 doing so. 
 
 1157. Is not it the fact, that the temperature is an index, generally speaking, 
 of the degree of rarefaction? — Yes. 
 
 1158. Then according to that principle, the water gauge would be an index 
 of the force as the temperature increased ? — No ; the water gauge is an index 
 of the ventilating power of the shaft, but it is no index of the quantity of air 
 going through the workings, because the passages in the workings may be 
 obstructed. 
 
 1159. But is oris not the water gauge generally considered an index of 
 the amount of pull in ventilation ? — Not at all, of the amount of ventilation. 
 
 l itio. You think it is an insufficient test ? — It is not used as a test for that 
 purpose in the North. 
 
 1161. But it is of the temperature of the shaft ? — It is an index of the tem- 
 perature of the shaft, and therefore an index of the ventilating power of the 
 shaft ; but it is not an} r index of the quantity of air going round the workings ; 
 that may depend upon other causes. 
 
 1162. Is it not an index of there being less or more air going through the 
 extreme workings ? — It may or may not be, as circumstances arise ; if the 
 passages are obstructed, the same water gauge will not produce so large an 
 amount as if the passages were free, whereas the ventilating power of the shaft 
 is the same. 
 
 1 163. Is not it the practice that, generally speaking, the temperature of the 
 shaft is regarded as an index of the ventilating power ? — In the shaft. 
 
 1 1 64. If the rarefaction is increased the natural and the usual presumption 
 is, that the ventilation is increased ? — All the circumstances being the same, it 
 would be so. 
 
 1 165. If it appear that under certain circumstances the increase of the tem- 
 perature raising the water gauge, it would contradict the usual opinion upon 
 the subject ? — Not the least ; it is just the same as a locomotive engine going 
 
 0.63. m 3 upon 
 
94 
 
 MINUTES OF EVIDENCE TAKEN BEFORE THE 
 
 N. Wood, Esq. upon a railway with a certain power ; immediately it comes to an inclined 
 
 — — plane, then its motion is impeded ; and so with the furnace, the power in the 
 
 10 Jui.e 1852. shaft is the same, but there is a drag behind the air around the workings, 
 which prevents the free circulation of the air. 
 
 I 166. Is the temperature usually an indication of the amount of ventilation ; 
 that is, the temperature under ordinary circumstances, is not that an index of 
 the amount of ventilation? — Yes, of the ventilating power of the shaft. 
 
 1 167. Then the one contradicts the other ? — No ; the effect would be always 
 the same, universally the same, if the size of the air-courses were precisely the 
 same at all times in the pit ; but an obstruction occurs, and that prevents the 
 same effect ; the power in the shaft is the same, but the effect is less. 
 
 iitiS. Has your attention been called to the subject of the natural brattice? 
 — I have read a great deal about it, but I do not see it is of any practical use 
 troubling our heads about it; it only, I think, takes place, if it does take place 
 at all, in stagnant shafts, in cases which never ought to exist in a well-ventilated 
 colliery. 
 
 I I tit). What is your opinion upon the following : " The visible indication of the 
 water gauge is no measure of ventilation ; it is very deceptive ; the force of the 
 upcast shaft is often an indication of the want of ventilation ; whereas to those who 
 do not understand it. it appears to be a proof of a powerful ventilation ; it is a 
 seeming paradox : great force of buoyancy indicates a small quantity of air going 
 to the upcast shaft. Suppose a furnace is in full action, giving out its full heat, 
 enough to raise 30,000 cubic feet of air per minute from 60° up to 120°, and pro- 
 ducing an exhaustion equal to eight-tenths on the pressure gauge ; now let us 
 suppose the quantity of air to be increased to 40,000 cubic feet per minute ; the 
 temperature will not rise to 120°, since the heat can only raise 30,000 to 120°; 
 consequently, the temperature and the force of buoyancy will be reduced. Let us 
 take it the other way ; when a drag, or resistance, from atmospheric changes, 
 or any other cause producing a drag, and requires more force to draw air 
 through the working, a smaller quantity will pass to the furnace ; and the 
 heat being a constant quantity, and all communicated to that smaller quantity 
 of air, will raise it to a higher temperature ; it would probably raise it, say to 
 130° or 140°. It is self-evident the power of buoyancy would be greater; so that 
 whenever the pressure gauge is higher, it indicates a smaller quantity of air 
 going to the upcast shaft. The paradox of furnace ventilation is, that <: the 
 more power it appears to possess by the pressure gauge, the less ventilation is 
 going on, and vice versa.'''' What is your sentiment upon that opinion 1 — I think, 
 in the first place, there is no paradox at all; there can be no paradox in it ; 
 the heat must produce a certain effect in the shaft as well as it produces an 
 effect elsewhere, and this effect is deducible by the ordinary principles of 
 pneumatics. There is no doubt, if you are to suppose that the temperature of 
 the pits was an indication of the quantity of air in the mine, there would be a 
 paradox, but no practical miner considers it so. 
 
 1 170. What do you use the pressure gauge for? — We do not use it, except 
 for making experiments. 
 
 1171. What is it used for?— It is used to ascertain the ventilating power of 
 the furnace in the shaft, not as a means of ascertaining the quantity of air in 
 the mine, but as a means of ascertaining the power in the shaft. If I could so 
 explain myself as to distinctly separate the two, the cause and the effect, and 
 they are essentially different ; the power is in the shaft, and that power is in the 
 exact ratio of the difference between the heat of the two columns of the down- 
 cast and upcast shafts, supposing the heat applied to be the same. If there is 
 a less quantity of air going up the shaft, it is hotter ; if there is a larger quan- 
 tity going up the shaft, it is cooler ; it is the natural consequence of tire heating 
 a smaller or a larger quantity of air ; but if you say the temperature of the 
 shaft is to be considered an index, not an index of the power of ventilation of 
 the shaft, but of the quantity of air going round the mine, then it is a false 
 assumption. The difference of the weight of the two columns, or relative tem- 
 perature of the shafts is not an indication of the quantity of air going round 
 the mine, because the same power in the shaft, under different circumstances, 
 may produce a less or a greater quantity of air. We depend not upon the 
 water gauge for indicating the quantity of air in the mine, but upon the 
 anemometer constantly placed near the furnace ; and we regulate the quantity 
 of air in the mine by increasing or diminishing the power of the furnace, as the 
 
 anemometer 
 
SELECT COMMITTEE ON COAL MINES. 
 
 95 
 
 anemometer shows a diminution or a surplusage of air in the mine. We do not N. Wood, Esq 
 
 take the temperature of the shaft as an indication of the quantity of air going * 
 
 round the mine, and therefore there is no paradox. 10 June 1852. 
 
 1172. The power of the furnace, then, is no test of the amount of ventilation? 
 — The greater the power the greater will be the ventilation, if the circumstances 
 are the same. 
 
 1 173. It is no test of it, according to your opinion r — I only wish to explain 
 that it is only a test of the power in the shaft. 
 
 1 1 74. I presume the disturbance by the water gauge is regarded as the 
 measure of the pull of the upcast ? — Yes. 
 
 1175. And the force in the upcast is generally considered an indication of 
 the amount of ventilation i — Yes. 
 
 1176. Therefore if the water gauge rises higher it is generally supposed that 
 the ventilation ought to be more 1 — It ought to be more. 
 
 1177. But it may so happen, if there is anything to impede the supply, that 
 the quantity of air going up the upcast will be less, and that the pressure gaug° 
 will get higher, indicating a larger force, when the supply is, in fact, cut off? — 
 No, that is where you are wrong ; it indicates there ought to have been only. 
 
 1178. Indicating a higher amount of exhaustion ? — Yes. 
 
 1 179. And that the amount of ventilation should be in the direct ratio with 
 the quantity of exhaustion produced ; that the quantity of ventilation should 
 be in a direct ratio with the rate itself ? — So it would if obstruction did not 
 take place ; the power of the shaft then is obstructed ; it is like hanging a 
 great weight to the end of a rope ; you cannot get the air along ; the power in 
 the shaft is increased, but the resistance is increased more. 
 
 1 1 80. Mr. Booker.*] You exhaust first, and then you supply ? — It is a heavier 
 drag upon the power of the shaft. 
 
 1181. Chairman.} It has been already explained and stated in the Committee 
 to-day that the fact is this, that a person who looks at the water gauge and 
 supposes that the disturbance of the water gauge is the measure of exhaustion, 
 and that the amount of ventilation is quoad the disturbance of the water gauge, 
 may be deceived ? — It may be so. 
 
 1 1 82. Then it is not a fallacy, but a " seeming paradox,' 1 those are the words ? 
 
 — But then I say there is no paradox. 
 
 1183. Is it not a seeming contradiction to what would naturally be ex- 
 pected ?• — My opinion is it corroborates, but not contradicts it. It is the. 
 natural result ; you have the power the same, but the effect is diminished. 
 
 1 1 84. Surely if the increase of temperature increases the rarefaction, and 
 that rarefaction increases the ventilation, and the water gauge is the test of 
 the temperature, that according to all ordinary rules would be the test of the 
 ventilation ? — No doubt of it. 
 
 1185. If there be a rise in the w T ater gauge, when you find that it is not 
 accounted for by an increased ventilation, and you, on inquiry, find that there 
 is some obstruction, the appearance was a seeming paradox, which you 
 account for, according to your own statement, by an obstruction ? — It is the 
 natural result of things, but no paradox. 
 
 1 186. The water gauge is not a sufficient test of the amount of ventilation ? 
 
 — We never considered that it was. 
 
 1187. I wish to ask you whether the hygrometric or any other state of the 
 atmosphere does not affect the amount of the drag ; whether it does not 
 produce an increased drag through the galleries, and whether it does not raise 
 the water gauge ? — I think that effect is very much lessened before it comes to 
 the upcast shaft. I do not think there is very much difference at the bottom of 
 the shaft, from the state of the air going so many miles through the workings ; 
 the state of the air is very much the same when it comes to the bottom of the 
 shaft. I have never felt any sensible effect. 
 
 1188. The change in the atmosphere produces no effect: I wish to ask, is 
 there any draft produced from the steam jet in a locomotive engine ?— -No 
 doubt ; and its effect, the same as its application in the locomotive, is at the 
 bottom of the shaft. 
 
 1 189. Is it not the fact that a locomotive engine could only travel from eight 
 to nine miles an hour without the application of the steam jet, and that with 
 it it can travel 60 or 70? — No doubt there is an increased draught, and great 
 benefit from the steam jet, but the greater velocity of the locomotive is not 
 
 0.62. 114 entirely 
 
9 6 
 
 MINUTES OF EVIDENCE TAKEN BEFORE THE 
 
 N. Wood, Esq. entirely from the steam jet ; it was applied when they travelled only six or 
 
 — eight miles an hour ; the great improvement is the quantity of heating surface 
 
 10 June 1852. novv g 0t m t h e locomotive, compared with that previously got. I do not wish 
 to depreciate the steam jet ; no person is more interested than I am in it ; if it 
 is a useful invention or application, no person is more interested than I am in 
 endeavouring to carry it out ; I have given to it all the credit which I think is 
 due to it ; and that is, the total amount of mechanical force which the steam 
 accomplishes, that is evaporated from the boiler ; there can be no mystery in 
 the practical effect of a certain quantity of steam ; I give to the steam jet ali 
 the credit of that quantity of steam as a mechanical power. But I have a 
 shaft fitted up with a steam jet, and I place that in comparison against a shaft 
 of a similar size, with a furnace, and I find in the latter case that I get a larger 
 amount of ventilation with a very much less consumption of coal. If the object 
 is to get a large quantity of air, I say you can get that as completely in any 
 shaft by a furnace as with a steam jet ; for instance, suppose I have a shaft 
 which is at its utmost limit (for there is a limit to the steam jet — with a shaft, 
 the steam jet has never carried the ventilation greater than about 1,800 feet 
 for one foot of area ; I have had a shaft that has carried it greater than that : 
 therefore there is a limit to the steam jet as well as the furnace in the shaft), if 
 1 want to arrive at the limit, I can get it by the furnace at a less cost than I can 
 get at it by the steam jet. If the steam jet produce an unlimited power in the 
 shaft, a power greater than that shaft would yield, if the furnace were applied 
 to it, then there might be something in the steam jet. But then the limit of 
 the shaft is produced from other causes quite apart from the steam jet or the 
 furnace. 
 
 1 190. You have stated that there is little or no power from the steam jet ; are 
 you aware that the whole of the steam boats on the river use the steam jet to 
 increase power and speed, and that it has been in operation on railways for the 
 last 20 years ? — All that is within the limit I give to the steam jet. 
 
 1 1 0 1 . Did you ever know more than 1,000 cubic feet per minute to one foot 
 of sectional area of the shaft by means of the furnace ? — Yes. 
 
 1 ] 92. How much more ? — In the Tyne Main shaft, with an area of about 50- 
 feet, the quantity of air is about 94,000 cubic feet ; I have had it up to 98,000 
 cubic feet; 94,000 cubic feet is the average; that is about 1,900. 
 
 1 103. Which is equal to what you say can be obtained by the steam jet? — 
 Greater. 
 
 1 1 94. You said 1 ,800 ? — In Professor Phillips's report of the quantity of air 
 in the different shafts, the Tyne Main was 94,810 cubic feet of air a minute, 
 and the area of that shaft is under 50 feet ; if you go to the Seaton Delaval 
 Colliery you will find that the quantity there of the steam jet is 82.320; with 
 the same area. 
 
 1 195. That was at that time ? — That was at that time. 
 
 1 1 96. You said that the number of cubic feet per minute to one foot sectional- 
 area had never been yet ascertained to be more with the steam jet than 1,800 ? 
 — I think about that. 
 
 1 197. Did you hear Mr. Darlington say to-day he had known it amount to 
 0,000 cubic feet through one foot sectional area? — I did not. 
 
 7 1 9 S . Has that extraordinary increase you spoke of ever been obtained 
 before ? — We had better have it explained ; it is a very important thing to have 
 it correct ; I find Mr. Darlington states this 5,000 or 6,000 feet went through a 
 cylinder ; no doubt through the cylinder you can do it ; but it is up the shaft 
 and through the working that the inquiry is about. 
 
 1 1 99. What difference does it make ? — One is a short distance, and the other 
 has a tail of 30 or 40 miles hanging to the end of it ; the fact of that quantity 
 passing through the cylinder does not bear upon the point. 
 
 1200. (To Mr. Darlington.) You stated in your evidence, that by the steam 
 jet you had obtained 6,000 cubic feet per minute to one foot of sectional area of 
 shaft ? — Certainly. 
 
 1201. Will you tell us the circumstances under which that occurred; had 
 it the tail of the mine hanging to it ?— On the top of an upcast shaft a cylinder 
 of 13^ inches in diameter, equal to one foot area, was placed, and a jet of half 
 an inch in diameter placed inside, and the current of air moving at the bottom 
 in the galleries was measured, and we had in those galleries 6,000 feet a minute ; 
 if we wanted a further quantity we could have covered the top of the pit with 
 
 cvlinders; 
 
SELECT COMMITTEE ON COAL MINES. 
 
 97 
 
 cylinders ; the cylinder, in my opinion, has no connexion whatever ; it would n. Wood, Esq. 
 
 be no difference whether it were in the shaft or the cylinder, if the whole of the 
 
 shaft was filled with cylinders. 10 June 1852. 
 
 1202. If you wished to have had that 6,000, 12,000 cubic feet, could you 
 have done it? — By putting on more cylinders. 
 
 1203. Could you, by any means, have increased the furnace system of venti- 
 lation to that extent ? — We dare not apply the furnace. 
 
 1204. (To Mr. Wood.) Do you know any other instances than that particular 
 one, the Tyne Main where so large an amount has been obtained ? — Haswell is 
 about the same, and Hetton is not quite so much ; the shaft is much larger, 
 the velocity is not so great at Hetton as Haswell, and Tyne Main. 
 
 1205. In endeavouring to increase the intensity of the furnace, have you 
 ever found any practical limit, to which you come, of the power ? — We never 
 carry the heating power beyond 140° or 150° in the shaft; that is the limit to 
 which we confine ourselves in the use of the furnace. 
 
 1206. Why do you confine yourself to that limit? — Because we find it suffi- 
 cient for all our purposes. 
 
 1207. Have you never tried to get a greater amount ? — Not generally ; we 
 adapted the size of the furnaces to the size of the shaft, and the amount of 
 ventilation ; if we want to increase the ventilation we do as we have done at 
 Hetton, apply a larger shaft ; at Tyne Main, where the effect is greater, or as 
 great as at any colliery, there the quantity is 94,000 for a 50-feet shaft ; if we 
 want 190,000 we have a shaft of a larger diameter. 
 
 1208. Then the furnace system implies that you must have shafts in size and 
 quantity in proportion, and also size in the working air courses to the quantity 
 of ventilation you require ? — It does ; but it is the same in respect to steam 
 ventilation ; I consider the steam jet at Seaton Deleval is not yielding more 
 than 10,000 or 12,000 feet of air out of 94,000. 
 
 1209. Have you seen Seaton Deleval? — ! have not seen it at work. 
 
 1210. Not with the steam jet ? — Not with the steam jet at work ; I know the 
 size of the boiler and the quantity of water evaporated, and Mr. Thomas John 
 Taylor made a great many experiments with that, and from those experiments 
 and the return of Mr. Forster, I take my opinion. 
 
 1211. Mr. Booker.'] You are acquainted with the Belmont Colliery ? — Yes. 
 
 1212. And have paid great attention to the system of ventilation adopted 
 there ? — Yes. 
 
 1213. Is there an underground steam engine with two boilers ? — There was. 
 
 1214. Now do you recollect what the amount of air circulating through the 
 mine was ? — I gave it in my evidence in 1849. 
 
 1215. W as it 56,294 cubic feet a minute ? — I think it was ; I think I stated 
 that the quantity was 56,294. 
 
 1216. Was the whole of that due to the effect of heat communicated at the 
 upcast shaft from the tw r o boiler fires, in conjunction with the steam issuing ? — 
 That was, under the circumstance of the fires being in operation and the steam 
 going into the shaft without the application of the steam jet. 
 
 1217. Through what size pipe ? — I think a six-inch pipe. 
 
 1218. Then there was the radiation of the heat from the surface of the 
 boiler r — Yes ; but still it would be due to the consumption of the coals. 
 
 1219. All the other conditions remaining the same, was there any alteration 
 made in the application of the steam from that jet of six inches? — It was 
 increased ; the circumstances remaining the same, it was then 59,956. 
 
 1220. Then there was a considerable increase? — About 3,900, 1 think. 
 
 1221. Do you remember what the rarefying effect of the colliery furnace 
 acting alone was ; how many cubic feet of ventilation a minute ; was it 44,000 ? 
 —44,000. 
 
 1222. Do you remember what the two boilers alone were, of course including 
 the radiation from the boiler ? — 47,756. 
 
 1223. And of the colliery furnace two boilers and the steam in the 25 jets? 
 —71,895. 
 
 1224. Then the increase got was 56,294 by the combined influence of those 
 two ? — Yes ; that strictly is in accordance with the evidence I gave on a former 
 day, you get a positive effect there by the additional heat through the boiler and 
 by the steam jet ; my opinion is, that the application here was not judiciously 
 conducted ; its effect ought to have been more. 
 
 0.62. N 1225. More 
 
9 8 MINUTES OF EVIDENCE TAKEN BEFORE THE 
 
 JV. JfW,Esq. 122,5. More than 3,700 ? — The addition by the steam jet ; I think it ought 
 to have been more. I think at Seaton Deleval the effect is something like 
 
 10 June 1852. 10,000 or 12,000; then I say, again, if I wanted 10,000 or 12,000 feet addi- 
 tional, 1 would apply the additional heat to the furnace; indeed the small coals 
 applied would produce that effect. 
 
 1226. You are assuming, of course, that the galleries and their courses are 
 all in a state of perfect working ? — Yes. 
 
 1227. Chairman.] Has that application of the steam jet been made by any 
 person who has been accustomed to construct it? — It was done by Mr. Elliot, 
 who is a very excellent viewer, and a man who understands ventilation, and I 
 believe he would take it from the Seaton Deleval case. I think however if it 
 had been applied properly, the effect would have been greater. 
 
 1228. You are not aware that Mr- Mather, the secretary for the South Shields 
 Commission, in his evidence in 1849 said he inspected it, and condemned it, 
 as the principle was not carried out? — No. 
 
 1229. Do you not know that is given in evidence ? — No, I do not know. 
 
 1 230. Respecting the increased area of the upcast, would it not entail an 
 immense expense upon the collieries to double the area of the shafts? — No 
 doubt; but then the same thing would apply to the steam jet. I consider that 
 taking the maximum power of a shaft, regulated by all the circumstances of 
 the mine, you would attain that maximum power by the furnace system, the 
 same as you do with the steam jet ; you do not get a greater maximum power 
 in any shaft by the steam jet than by the furnace ; that is the point upon 
 which the whole question hinges ; if you can show me you get a greater maxi- 
 mum effect in the shaft by the application of the steam jet than is got by 
 the furnace, then I say it might be the means of increasing the ventilation, 
 and preventing the necessity of additional shafts. Comparing Seaton Delaval 
 under Mr. Forster's direction, with Tyne Main, shows that I acquire a greater 
 maximum with the furnace than he does with the steam jet. 
 
 1231. I presume the data you got, was not from your own knowledge, but 
 from report ?— From Professor Phillips's report. 
 
 1232. Then I think you stated 82,000 as the amount of ventilation? — This 
 is the return made by Professor Phillips. 
 
 1233. Are you aware it is given in the evidence of 1849 that it was 95,000, 
 and that the ventilation might be increased ? — This is dated March the 2d, 
 1850. 
 
 1234. Are you aware that it has been given in evidence that the amount of 
 ventilation is 95,000 feet, and it might be carried much further if required? — 
 Was it given in evidence ? 
 
 1235. Are you aware of that? — No, I am not aware of that. But at 95,000 
 the Tyne Maine is superior. I recollect in 1849 Mr. Forster stated he was 
 about making some alteration in the steam jet that would improve it very 
 much, and in a short time it would be tried. It was stated that the mode 
 of application of the steam jet was not then perfect, that it would soon be 
 perfected, but up to this time I believe it has not been done ; and certainly 
 the trade generally has been in great anxiety, waiting to see whether 
 anything more can be done with the steam jet ; and I am afraid, so far as the 
 reputation of the steam jet is concerned, it has had an injurious effect upon its 
 utility. 
 
 1236. If it had been shown in evidence that 6,000 feet was made to pass 
 through a foot area, could you get that quantity through a foot area by a fur- 
 nace ? — If you cover up a shaft with a furnace and force all the air through a 
 tube of one foot in diameter, you would get more than 6,000 feet through that 
 tube. 
 
 1237. By means of the furnace? — Yes; we have a rate of 1,900 feet per 
 minute going up the shaft, 50 feet area ; if you close that with a small tube, 
 one foot area, it would go with an immense force, more than 6,000 feet per 
 minute. 
 
 1238. To get an exhausting force equal to produce that rapid current, would 
 it not requite a very high temperature of heat ? — 146° or something of that 
 kind ; I would close the shaft at the top except an aperture of a tube a foot in 
 diameter, then the air will go through that tube with an immense velocity, more 
 than 6,000 feet per minute. 
 
 1 239. If the whole area of the shaft was filled with cylinders the air might 
 
 be 
 
SELECT COMMITTEE ON COAL MINES. 
 
 99 
 
 be driven practically up the upcast of a 50-foot area, at the same rate, in the N. Wood, Esq. 
 
 quantities, and at the rate indicated by Mr. Darlington ? — I suppose it 
 
 would. 10 June 1852. 
 
 1240. Is it possible that any furnace could be constructed to have so as 
 bring the temperature of the shaft up to the working force you require — 
 it appears from evidence produced to this Committee and the Committee of 
 1849, and the Committee of 1835, that every foot of air must be brought up 
 to the working temperature ; do you suppose the fire to heat that quantity of air 
 could be brought up to a working temperature through a supply of a foot area ? 
 — Yes, which 1 should say is perfectly impossible by the steam jet. 
 
 1 241 . If it has been shown to be possible by evidence, you would set your 
 opinion against that ? — If it had, I should have made that assertion with 
 great hesitation ; but it has not been asserted in evidence that you can get 6,000 
 feet per minute in a shaft ; it has only been asserted in evidence that you 
 produce a current of steam through a tube, I suppose of six feet in length, 
 and one foot in diameter. 
 
 1242. Do you doubt if there are 50 of those cylinders, the same amount of 
 current could not be made to pass through each of those cylinders with the 
 same amount of power ?— I think it would under similar circumstances. 
 
 1243. Then it would be, under those circumstances, 50 times as much? 
 —Yes. 
 
 ) 244. Do you suppose the furnace would bring up the temperature to pro- 
 duce an exhaustion to that effect r — I think the furnace would do as well as the 
 steam jet. 
 
 1 245. Do you think you could do that in a furnace in a shaft of 50 feet 
 area, namely 300,000 ? — We could do it at a heat of 190°, with a 14 feet shaft. 
 
 1246. We are speaking of a 50-feet shaft ; supposing a one foot cylinder to 
 pass 6,000 feet ; then suppose the cylinders increased to 50, would you not 
 have 300,000 cubic feet of air passing through the 50-feet area? — It would be 
 a case not at all applicable to the ventilating of a coal mine. 
 
 1247. The question is this, whether you think 300,000 feet of air could by 
 a furnace alone be raised to a temperature sufficiently high to produce an equi- 
 valent buoyancy, and to produce 300,000 cubic feet of air a minute through 
 the area of a 50-feet shaft ? — Yes, if I have a shatt passing 3,000,000 feet, and 
 I diminish the air to one-sixth for six feet in length, I could. 
 
 1248. I have given the shaft of 50 feet area ? — No, certainly not. 
 
 1249. If you could have 50 shafts of 50 feet area, you think you could do it ? 
 — I think it is a case, if 1 may be allowed to say, quite impossible in practice ; 
 if you carry those tubes down the shaft and carry them round the workings, 
 and you came to me and say that you have driven a current of air through 
 each of those tubes 6,000 feet a minute, I will say then that the steam jet is the 
 best thing you could adopt ; but until you say that you have done that, I must 
 doubt that it is possible to. do it ; it is no experiment to pass that quantity of 
 air through a tube six feet in length, one foot in diameter, and have a shaft at 
 the bottom of it 10 or 12 feet in diameter; it is a very different case if you have 
 this tube to go down the pit and round all the workings, and then do it ; I say 
 it is impossible. 
 
 1250. Suppose instead of having a cylinder going down the pit, and going 
 round the workings, you had them simply six feet long, closed in at the top of 
 the upcast would you under those circumstances be able to pass 300,000 cubic 
 feet a minute by the furnace below ? — If the shaft was large enough. 
 
 1251. The shaft is given as 50 feet area ? — Not 50 feet area, I think we could 
 not do it, nor could the steam jet do it. 
 
 1252. If 6,000 can be done with one, what is to prevent 300,000 being done 
 with 50 ? — If you will tell me the amount of your power required I would 
 endeavour to calculate it ; you are asking me to give an opinion upon an imprac- 
 ticable thing. 
 
 1253. Since it is in evidence that 6,000 has been done with one cylinder, I 
 ask you whether there is any difficulty in doing 300,000 with 50? — I say the 
 experiment, as I understand it, is this, the experiment is an application of the 
 steam jet to a tube six feet in length, and one foot in diameter, attached to a 
 shaft nine feet in diameter, and to the workings of the colliery ; you asked me 
 the question, if there were 50 tubes placed in that shaft, would you get 
 3,000,000 feet ; but that would not be a similar experiment, because in the expe- 
 
 0.62. N 2 riment 
 
100 
 
 MINUTES OF EVIDENCE TAKEN BEFORE THE 
 
 N. Wood, Esq. riment you have a nine-feet shaft all the way down with one tube ; if you have 
 50 tubes, you must have 50 shafts, to place it in the same circumstances. 
 
 io June 1852. i 2,54. Surely if 50 tubes are fixed into the shaft, and the area of the shaft is 
 equal to the area of all the tubes, it does not require them to be carried down 
 to the bottom ? — No ; I need not say there is an amazing difference between a 
 shaft nine feet in diameter and a tube one foot in diameter, and 50 tubes and 
 only one shaft. 
 
 1 25.5. Then we will presume the size of the shaft to be nine feet ? — Yes. 
 
 1256. The sectional area we presume 81 feet? — Yes. 
 
 1257. If you have 81 cylinders six feet long fixed at the top of that shaft, 
 would you not get 81 times as much power ? — Certainly not. 
 
 1258. What is to prevent it? — The power of the air; the drag of the air 
 within it. 
 
 1 259. You are supposing an increase of drag from the working. The ques- 
 tion supposes the resistance to be as the squares of the velocity through the 
 cylinders, and to be a constant quantity ? — Yes. 
 
 1 260. Then do you suppose it possible you could get a quantity of 486,000 by 
 the furnace ? — Yes, just the same by the furnace as you could get by the jet, 
 
 1261. You increase the shafts in proportion? — You would have to increase 
 the shafts with the jet. 
 
 1262. The question supposes a shaft with an 81-feet sectional area; it is 
 assumed you could work the steam to the extent of 81 jets ; what is there to pre- 
 vent, according to your knowledge, 81 steam jets being applied in a shaft of 
 81 feet area f — I think the case not at all compatible with the experiment ; the 
 experiment shows that with a tube of six feet in length and one foot in diameter, 
 and with a shaft nine feet diameter at the bottom of it, and plenty of space 
 round the working, you accomplished 6,000 cubic feet a minute ; there in no 
 furnace shaft in the trade in our district that dres not do five times as much as 
 that ; the experiment shows very great velocity, it is true, through a short tube, 
 and that has deceived a great many people ; you apply a steam jet to a short 
 tube, and you blow feathers through it and through the chimney, at a vast 
 velocity, but this has no similarity to the ventilation of a mine. 
 
 1263. Let the resistance behind be equal to three inches disturbance of the 
 water gauge ? — Yes, it is equal to that. 
 
 1264. You sav there is no objection to one ; is there any objection to two? 
 —No. 
 
 1265. What would be the effect of the two ? — If it is sufficiently short it will 
 do the same thing. 
 
 1 266. The shaft being closed, and the cylinders connected with the workings 
 below ? — Then I think it would be when you come to operate upon the work- 
 ings ; in this case you get, only 6,000 cubic feet, when you get 60,000 passing 
 round the workings ; it is a different case, the drag upon the 60,000 as ten 
 times as much as six. 
 
 1267. The resistance is supposed to be the same ? — Yes, the effect of the jet 
 would be just the same in comparison to the resistance. 
 
 1268. I am presuming the resistance in all cases equal to three inches of water 
 gauge ; the resistance to be a constant quantity ; I ask you whether if you 
 placed one jet, or two or three, it would make any difference ? — The one case 
 supposes the water gauge operating upon a tube of a foot in diameter ; your 
 water pressure is operating upon a tube one foot in diameter, and the shaft is 
 eight feet in diameter ; what is the pressure upon that shaft ? 
 
 1269. The pressure upon every foot area is the same? — In this case it would 
 not be three inches. 
 
 1270. I think you stated something with regard to the area of Haswell 
 Colliery ?— Yes. 
 
 1 271 . What do you state it to be ?— Fifty-eight feet. 
 
 1272. What do you say is the number of cubic feet of air? — I think about 
 100,000. 
 
 1273. I find in the evidence, given in the House of Lords, that the Haswell 
 is a 109-feet shaft ?— The area of the upcast is 58 feet. 
 
 1274. I find it was given here as 98?— I think that is the downcast. 
 
 1275. What is the area of Hetton? — One hundred and fifty-four. 
 
 1276. Then what is the ventilation there?— I believe about 190,000 now. 
 
 1277. It is 168,000 here ? — It has increased since then. 
 
 1278. Is 
 
SELECT COMMITTEE ON COAL MINES. 
 
 101 
 
 1 278. Is that by increasing the number of shafts ? — By putting two boilers at n. Wood, Ei 
 the bottom of the shaft. 
 
 1279. Which operates in some measure like a steam jet? — It operate by the 10 June 18-, 
 quantity of coal consumed, and by the heat of the steam the jet has not been 
 
 applied. 
 
 1 280. The steam is blown without the jet, it is blown up the shaft? — Yes. 
 
 1281. By that application you have an increase from 168,000 to 194,000 ? — 
 Yes ; but a much less quantity of coal in the furnace would have produced the 
 same effect. 
 
 1282. If you could, by a number of cylinders, according to the principle of 
 the steam jet, apply to a shaft of a given area a large increase of motive power, 
 and to acquire the same increase by the furnace it would require either in- 
 creasing the shafts very much or making new shafts ; would not the increase 
 through the steam jet be a cheaper mode of getting it than that of making 
 an additional shaft, or enlarging the shafts ? — No, I think not ; I go upon the 
 principle there is a maximum power of ventilation in a shaft of given area; 
 and you can get that maximum power by a furnace as well as you can by a 
 steam jet. 
 
 1283. Your opinion in favour of the furnace is founded upon your idea that 
 only a given quantity of air can go up an upcast of a certain area, and that the 
 furnace can heat all that could go up that shaft ? — It is. 
 
 1 284. Suppose it were proved that the furnace could be made to effect combus- 
 tion as perfectly under the boiler as in the furnace, would there be any greater 
 consumption of fuel in that case than there would be with the furnace alone ? 
 — No, I think not ; if you get as much heat out of the engine furnace as you 
 would out of an open furnace ; the application would be then the extra cost 
 of the additional power : you have in the steam jet the extra cost of wear and 
 tear of that boiler to be placed against a little more consumption of coal ; if 
 that you can acquire a maximum in the shafts in either case. 
 
 1285. You would get, under those circumstances, all the motive power of the 
 steam jet, added to all the rarefaction produced by the boiler ? — Yes ; speaking 
 practically, so far as I can judge from the experiments made — I intend how- 
 ever to go thoroughly into that to be quite satisfied — I think the experiments 
 that have been made show, that in a 50-feet shaft you can get up to about 
 100,000 cubic feet of air a minute, if you have two boilers down that shaft 
 and apply the steam as a jet, I think out of that 100,000 there would be only 
 10,000 or 12,000 due to the steam jet; and 1 think the same effect or that 
 10,000 or 12,000 increase might be acquired by the increased size of the fur- 
 nace, with a less consumption of coals. 
 
 1286. You are no believer in the opinion that there is a limit to the power 
 of ventilation by the furnace, but you believe that only as much air can go up 
 the shaft as can be heated by the furnace system ?— Yes; I think that 2,000 
 feet a minute in each foot area of shaft is somewhere about the ventilating 
 power of the shafts ; it has never reached 2,500. 
 
 1287. You consider what the furnace has reached in your case of the Tyne 
 Main is only 1,800 ?— It has reached 2,000. 
 
 1288. If Mr. Darlington has stated that he has got a very much larger 
 amount by one steam jet, and believing Mr. Darlington to be a credible wit- 
 ness, your opinion would be, in some degree, shaken ?— No ; my opinion 
 strictly accords with Mr. Darlington's experience ; that experience is not 6,000 
 feet a minute up the shaft and around the workings, but only 6,000 feet a 
 minute through a very short tube. 
 
 1289. Then I will recall Mr. Darlington? — Very good. 
 
 James Darlington, Esq., again called in ; and Examined. 
 
 1290. Chairman.'] IT has been stated by you, that you obtained in one case J. Darling/ on, Esq, 
 
 an amount of 6,000 feet per minute through a cylinder of one foot area ; — , 
 
 have you made an experiment with seven cylinders of a foot diameter, amount- 
 ing to little more than three-quarters of a square foot each ? — I made an ex- 
 periment at the Ince Pits, at Wigan, with seven cylinders, one foot diameter, 
 three-eighths jet, and passed 35,000 feet of air per minute through these seven 
 jets. 
 
 ttA«S N 3 1291. What 
 
102 MINUTES OF EVIDENCE TAKEN BEFORE THE 
 
 N. JVood, Esq. 1 291 . What was the area of each ? — The area would be short of a foot ; about 
 , _ ? nd £s eight-tenths of a foot. 
 
 artngton, sq. ^ 2 g 2 About five square feet area altogether ? — About six feet area. 
 
 1 293. And those cylinders were connected ? — Those cylinders were connected 
 10 June 1852. together; they were placed as nearly together as possible, side by side; the 
 furnace was afterwards taken away, and the shaft was allowed to cool, and the 
 seven jets still passed 20,000 feet a minute without any additional force what- 
 ever. — (Mr. Wood.) There is nothing in that ; the whole amount was 35,000 
 in the short tube. — (Mr. Darlington.) 35,000 in the mine that had to be venti- 
 lated, which would give 35,000 to 40,000 feet through the tubes, 
 
 1 294. Would that be so much in addition to that produced by the furnace in 
 the first instance ? — No ; the furnace was working about 30,000 feet a minute ; 
 the jets were put on the top, and the upcast was closed, so that the furnace had 
 no exhausting power whatever, except through the cylinders ; the jets took not 
 only all that the furnace could, but gave an a dditional quantity ; the furnace was 
 afterwards in a subsequent experiment allowed to fall out, and a sufficient time 
 allowed for cooling the shafts, and the ventilation went down a few thousand 
 feet a minute ; the jets were afterwards put on to try the effect without the 
 furnace, and we got 30,000 feet a minute through the seven jets. 
 
 129,5. How much do you think in that case the jets increased the ventilation 
 over the furnace ? — The jets were as nearly balanced as possible ; those jets 
 were just competent to move with the water pressure the same number of cubic 
 feet a minute through those cylinders ; if we had required a greater number of 
 feet passing owing to the resistance in the mines, we should have had a multi- 
 plication of the jets. The question of resistance is altogether another question : 
 I was referring to the question of resistance, which is another matter. We can 
 get almost a vacuum by any jet representing 30 inches of water ; we can get 
 aln ost any vacuum by reducing the cylinder ; in this case it was a proof to 
 see what number of feet a minute the cylinder could pass ; a cylinder with 
 that pressure. 
 
 1296. If you had found it increased beyond that the amount of ventilation, 
 you would have increased the number of jets r — They reduced the cylinders in 
 proportion to the drag of the mine. 
 
 1297. Would it have been a great expense? — No, very trivial ; a few shil- 
 lings. I find that by the increase of the cylinders, or by the increase in the 
 size of the jets, we get a greater or less water power. 
 
 ] 298. Colonel Mure.'] In this matter of the cylinder, did you do this for the 
 purpose of testing the power of the steam jet, or is it a method that could be 
 applied practically to the ventilation of a mine on a large scale ? — 1 wished to 
 repair the furnace shaft ; the shaft was in a dangerous condition ; the dry sides 
 of the pit had imbibed the moisture and fallen to the bottom of the shaft and 
 closed it up by the debris. 1 wished to repair the shaft without diverting the 
 current. I visited the jets at the surface, and I found the jets as a motive 
 power gave 20,000 feet, with water pressure of something like two to three 
 inches ; I forget exactly ; somewhere about two inches. 
 
 1*299. When the furnace was on before you commenced with the steam jet, 
 what quantity did the furnace produce ?— Thirty thousand feet a minute. 
 
 1 300. Then when you applied the steam jet what did it produce i — About 
 35,000 feet a minute. 
 
 1301. The effect due to the jet was 5,000 feet? — It was applied at the 
 surface. 
 
 1302. The experiment showed that? — Yes. 
 
 1 303. You let the furnace out and you applied the jet ? — Yes. 
 
 1304. Then what quantity had you ?— After a certain number of hours we 
 got 20,000 feet a minute. 
 
 1305. That is 10,000 feet less than the furnace? — That was owing to the 
 resistance. 
 
 130(3. What horse power did you occupy in doing that? — We had two 
 boilers about the united power of those, being 30-horse power. 
 
 1307. What was the length and diameter? — The length 18 or 20 feet, and 
 five feet diameter. 
 
 1308. As to this principle of which you speak, could the cylinder be applied 
 practically to the ventilation of the mines on a large scale ? — I was applying it 
 practically. 
 
 1309. Permanently 
 
SELECT COMMITTEE ON COAL MINES. 103 
 
 1309. Permanently also, I might say ? — Certainly; but I would not apply N.Wood, Esq. 
 the steam jet in that particular way, except in extraordinary cases. ,. and 
 
 1310. The expense would be greater?— The cost of fuel would be a great gtow, E&q - 
 
 objection 10 June 185*. 
 
 1311. You would keep it us a reserve r — As a reserve in case of necessity. 
 
 1312. Chairman.] (To Mr. Wood.) You are now very busy on the subject of 
 these experiments ; with regard to the jet when it is ready for examination, it is 
 your intention, I understand you to say, to invite Mr. Forster and Mr. Gurney 
 to see it, and you will have it fairly tested? — My object is to have it properly 
 and impartially tested ; there is a great doubt hanging over it, and 1 consider 
 that it ought to be set at rest. 
 
 Veneris, 11° die Junii, 1852. 
 
 MEMBERS PRESENT. 
 
 Mr. E. S. Cayley. 
 Mr. Booker. 
 Mr. J. A. Smith. 
 
 Mr. Child. 
 Cohmel Pennant. 
 Colonel Mure. 
 
 EDWARD STILLINGFLEET CAYLEY, Esq., in the Chair. 
 
 The Committee adjourned to the ROYAL POLYTECHNIC INSTITUTION. 
 
 Robert Stephenson, Esq., a Member of the House, George Henry Bachhoffner, 
 Esq., Ph. D., Edward Cayley, Esq., Goldsworfhy Gurney, Esq., George 
 Overton, Esq., J. H. Pepper, Esq., Joseph Dickinson. Esq., James Darlington, 
 Esq. ; Examined. 
 
 1313. Chairman.'] (To Dr. Bachhoffner.) WILL you be kind enough to show 
 us some experiments, on the safety lamp, and give us some information in regard 
 to the steam jet? — I will, if you please, take the lamps first: if I may be 
 allowed to offer an opinion, I consider the Davy lamp, as a philosophical instru- 
 ment, to be sound in principle, and if used with due caution in the mines, that 
 is in a state of rest, and in a still atmosphere, not over-loaded with fire-damp, 
 little, if any, danger of an explosion may be apprehended ; but if the lamp be 
 exposed to a blower, or if it be retained too long in an explosive atmosphere, so 
 that the gas burning within the cage causes a considerable elevation of the tem- 
 perature of the wire gauze, namely, a white heat, the flame may, and will, then 
 pass, and an explosion result. I have heard it reported that the Davy lamp is 
 insecure even when the wire gauze is quite cold, provided the explosive 
 mixture impinges with some force upon the meshes of the wire, or the lamp 
 brought suddenly in contact with the gas. In my experiments I have never 
 been able to produce such a result, and I have very considerable doubts of 
 the correctness of the statement if only light carburetted hydrogen (that 
 is, fire-damp) or coal-gas be employed ; but if either of these are mixed 
 with hydrogen in such proportion as to destroy the luminosity of the flame, 
 it is most readily ignited ; with pure hydrogen, it fires at once, but I 
 do not believe that that is ever found in mines unmixed with fire-damp ; the 
 bare probability, however, of such a result occurring, coupled with the former 
 fact that the flame will undoubtedly pass when the wire gauze becomes heated, 
 must at once convince the most sceptical that the Davy lamp is only safe under 
 certain conditions, a fact known, I believe, to Sir Humphry Davy himself ; and 
 these circumstances and conditions unfortunately are of a nature seldom to be 
 found practicable in the daily working of the mines. At the same time I firmly 
 believe that in many of those frightful explosions which have occurred, where 
 even the safety-lamp had been employed, had the miners only attended to the 
 infallible indications given by the instrument, the catastrophe would not, I think, 
 have taken place. The safety which the lamps offer under ordinary circum- 
 stances has, I fear, led to considerable neglect in the proper ventilation of the 
 
 0.62. n 4 mines. 
 
 R. Stephenson, 
 
 Esq., M. p. 
 Dr. Bachhoffner,, 
 E. Cayley, Esq. 
 G. Gurney, Esq. 
 G. Overton, Esq. 
 J. H. Pepper, Esq. 
 J. Dickinson, Esq. 
 J. Darlington, Esq. 
 
 11 June 1852. 
 
MINUTES OF EVIDENCE TAKEN BEFORE THE 
 
 Stephenson, 
 Esq., M.p. 
 Dr. Bachhoffner, 
 E. Cay ley, Esq. 
 G. Gurney, Esq. 
 G. Overton, Esq. 
 J. H. Pepper, Esq. 
 J. Dickinson, Esq. 
 J. Darlington, Esq. 
 
 1 1 June 1852. 
 
 mines, or at least that attention to those improvements which might be made in 
 the present system, more particularly in the accumulative quantity of fire-damp 
 in the goaves, wastes, and other old workings. The fancied security on the one 
 hand has led to inattention on the other. I should not, however, deem any mine 
 to be in a safe working" condition in which the goaves were allowed to accumulate 
 the fire-damp. I believe the only one ground of hope upon which reliance can 
 be placed for the prevention of those dreadful explosions, is to be looked for in an 
 improved system of ventilation. 
 
 1314. You have stated that if an ordinary degree of precaution be used by 
 the miner in the use of the lamp, that those explosions need never take place, 
 in consequence of his having a Davy lamp in his possession ? — I think so. 
 
 1315. Where 400 or 500 miners are at work in a mine, do you think it is pro- 
 bable that some one of them may not lose his presence of mind under the excite- 
 ment of danger, and cause imminent peril of explosion from the lamp ? — The 
 increase of the flame would allow a sufficient length of time for him to collect his 
 ideas, because, as I will show you presently, the exposing of this Davy lamp to 
 the influence of coal gas, and we have no means of applying the ordinary fire- 
 damp ; coal gas being tire-damp with an extra charge of carbon ; it takes some 
 little time in ordinary fire-damp before an explosion could ensue, and I think it 
 would be the duty of the miner, if it were pointed out to him, that he should 
 either remove his position immediately on observing its effect to one more remote 
 from danger, or apply a simple contrivance for the extinction of the lamp ; then 
 the accident would not occur. 
 
 1316. When he is under an impression of an actual sense of the danger 
 which surrounds him from explosion, would nut the natural impulse of the 
 miner be, seeing the fearful nature of the consequence of the presence of the 
 explosive gas, to run away or move more quickly than was safe for the Davy 
 lamp to be carried ? — I must admit that I have had but little experience in 
 mines, but from the experience I have had, I think the miners themselves are 
 utterly regardless of danger ; they never think about it. 
 
 J 31 7. One question about the point of ignition of coal gas, which you are 
 about to experiment upon, and the fire-damp, which is the exploding gas in coal- 
 pits ; what are their points of ignition ? — As to temperature? 
 
 1318. As to temperature? — There is some little difference. 
 
 13] q. What is the point of ignition of coal gas ? — At a dull red heat, scarcely 
 or not at all visible in the day-light. 
 
 1320. What is the point of ignition of the fire-damp ? — I have no means of 
 estimating it. 
 
 1321. Is it above 600 or under 600 ? — Above 600. 
 
 1322. You have no reason to suppose that coal gas ignites at a lower tempe- 
 rature than the carburetted hydrogen found in coal mines? — I have never tried 
 it by the test of experiment. 
 
 1323. I mean fire-damp? — It would be in favour of the fire-damp, as this is 
 said by Sir H. Davy to require a higher temperature for its ignition. 
 
 1324. Mr. Booker.'] Of what metal is the gauze composed? — Iron. 
 
 1325. At what temperature does the iron, of which that gauze is composed, 
 become a red heat? — 1 have no means of giving information upon that point. 
 
 1326. Do you think that iron is the best material for the composition of that 
 gauze ? — I think so. {The J Fitness produced an ordinary Davy -lamp burning oil, 
 to which he applied a stream of gas through a tube, the result being that in a few 
 seconds an explosion took place.) 
 
 1327. Chairman] Is the gas you are using the ordinary coal gas we burn? — 
 Yes ; I am afraid that in the day-time, we have so little pressure of gas from 
 the company, that there is some little difficulty in showing the experiment; it 
 is better carried out at night-time, when there is more pressure. 
 
 1328. Mr. /. A. Smith.] It is visible here?— It is visible ; jt is burning. 
 1320. Chairman.] The wire is not now red hot ?— Perhaps in a very very dark 
 
 room we might be able to detect the luminosity, but in the day-light it is a non- 
 visible result. This is ordinary coal gas ; I should observe that the explosive 
 mixture is now burning within the cage, and as soon as the combustion has 
 been carried to the extent sufficient to produce the elevation in_ temperature of 
 the wire cage, then the flame passes. I do not think however it would ignite 
 in a still atmosphere; it must be moving. 
 
 1330. Sometimes there is a sudden fall, that produces a rush of the explosive 
 
 mixture, 
 
SELECT COMMITTEE ON COAL MINES. 
 
 105 
 
 mixture, even when the miner is holding the lamp; that is, there is a sudden B. Stephenson, 
 
 rush of explosive mixture even when the miner is stationary ?— Frequently. Esq., u.v. 
 
 1531. Under those circumstances, the gas might explode through the lamp ? ^ B ac} ' hl iff'ner, 
 
 —Not unless the lamp had been previously consuming the explosive mixture ; q. gZSv eX 
 
 the lamp being perfectly cold it would not, I think, occur. I do not think a lamp G. Overton, Esq! 
 
 perfectly cold, burning as it is now with a blower directed against it, would J - H. -Pepper, Esq, 
 
 immediately ignite. I. now propose to show some other experiments with safetv {'® lc, ' mso "i Es q- 
 1 J J' lJorlinzton, Esq. 
 
 lamps. ° ' ' 
 
 1332. The Committee are anxious to have experiments with three or four of n j une ]852( 
 the lamps? — I have not seen them till this morning, and know nothing of the 
 
 principle of them. 
 
 1333. Have you seen the Clanny lamp ; do you know that lamp? — Only by 
 name. 
 
 1334. Perhaps you could examine them, and let us know at another meeting 
 of the Committee what the effect is upon them ? — I will do so. 
 
 1.335- Will y° u proceed with your experiments?— (The Witness proceeded to 
 exhibit the ordinary Davy lamp, upon which a jet qf hydrogen gas tvas projected.) 
 That is pure hydrogen ; it lights through the lamp directly, you observe. 
 
 1336. Do you not find in the fire-damp sometimes pure hydrogen? — I have 
 never myself been able to analyse any fire-damp ; but we have the analyses of 
 Professor Graham, in which no mention is made of hydrogen. My colleague, 
 Mr. Pepper, is here; perhaps he may be able to speak to it.— (Mr. Pepper.) I 
 have analysed the gases which have arisen from putrid matter, but not from the 
 coal mine. 
 
 1337. Do you not find also sulphuretted hydrogen in fire-damp ? — I believe 
 it is stated, but I have never seen it. 
 
 1338. Carbonic oxide? — I do not know. 
 
 1339. Suppose those gases that I have mentioned to be present as well as 
 carbwetted hydrogen, would they not explode at a lower temperature than the 
 fire-damp simply? — (Dr. Bachhoffner.) I think the quantity that would be pre- 
 sent would not much interfere with the point of ignition. 
 
 1340. From the great tendency of hydrogen to explode, would it in any large 
 quantity present with fire-damp explode at a much lower temperature? — I will 
 show an experiment. There is the coal-gas, and now we will put in as much of 
 this pure hydrogen as destroys its luminosity, which is 7 out of 10 I should 
 think. ( The Witness exhibited an experiment, in which a jet of coal gas mixed 
 in the above proportions was employed upon the Davy lamp).) We have now 
 destroyed the luminosity of the gas, and I will place it in the same position 
 where it will not light instantaneously ; it is now burning in the lamp ; the 
 wire gauze must be elevated in temperature before the explosion ensues. 
 
 1341. It is more rapid than with the fire-damp alone ? — Much more rapid 
 than by the fire-damp alone, but here we have a larger proportion of hydrogen 
 than could ever exist. In fact, Professor Graham's analysis, to which I have 
 referred, gives 93*2 per cent, of fire-damp, that is, of the light carburetted 
 hydrogen in the Gateshead mine, 5'5 nitrogen, 1*3 oxygen. 
 
 1342. Is it not the general practice for the miner to work with the lamp 
 behind him ? — I really have not the means of affording any information upon 
 that point. There is one other experiment which I wish to exhibit. I do not 
 think there is any probability of danger occurring from it, but I think it is an 
 experiment that we had better place at a distance from us. 
 
 1343. Chairman.^ (To Mr. Darlington.) Is it the fact that the miners work 
 with their lamp behind them ? — It is virtually so. 
 
 1344. (To Mr- Dickinson.) Is that so ? — Either a little behind him, or at a 
 side, and lie may not be watching it. 
 
 1345. (To Dr. Bachhoffner.) I learn from Mr. Darlington, and from Mr. 
 Dickinson, the inspector, that it is the fact that the miner works with the lamp 
 behind him. If that be the case he is not aware of the lengthening of the flame, 
 which indicates the presence of the explosive gas passing by. Would not that bo 
 the case? — There is another equally good indication, namely, the difference in 
 the quality of the light, which must be perceptibly evident, because the moment 
 the cage is filled with the explosive mixture there is an instant change in the 
 character of the light, which would be a sufficient indication to him if - he were 
 alive to those results, 
 
 1346. Then practically it amounts to this, that the explosive mixture has no 
 0.62. O difficulty 
 
MINUTES OF EVIDENCE TAKEN BEFORE THE 
 
 J¥. Stephenson, difficulty in entering through the meshes of the lamp, and it there ignites from 
 
 Esq., m.p. the presence of flame in the lamp ? — Precisely. 
 Dr. Bachhqfner. 1347. That tends to render the meshes of the lamp red hot, and even at a red 
 G Gun^' £ S «c ^ eat wnen ^ ^ s stationary you consider the lamp to be comparatively safe, but if 
 G. Overton, Esq. P asse d suddenly through the air it will then explode the fire-damp outsider — 
 J. H. Pepper, Esq. Unquestionably ; there is no doubt about that. In this experiment we shall have 
 J. Dickinson, Esq. the lamp placed in a still atmosphere, and have the meshes red hot. Iam under 
 J. Darlington, Esq. ^ e necessity of placing it in the background for fear of any explosion ensuing and 
 1 Ju 18 2 fracturing the glass. (The Witness illustrated. A Davy lamp ivas placed in a large 
 glass jar, into which a stream of coal-gas was permitted to flow '.) In the first experi- 
 ment the lamp will merely be surrounded by fire-damp as it were, or rather with 
 coal-gas, which is our equivalent for fire-damp. In the present arrangement the 
 quantity of oxygen which will be present is below the explosive character. We 
 will suppose the lamp is immersed in an atmosphere of fire-damp only. {The 
 Witness performed the experiment.) It is now expelling the atmospheric air from 
 the glass very speedily ; the whole of the vessel will be charged with fire-damp, 
 which is now burning within the lamp. If we continue the lamp in its position 
 until a white heat ensued then an explosion would follow. We will now esta- 
 blish a brattice, so that while the coal-gas and the rarefied air is passing up 
 the one side it shall encounter a downward draught of atmospheric air, so as 
 to produce a more explosive intermixture. {The Witness experimented. The 
 lamp was then exposed as above observed for some time, but no explosion ensued 
 from the atmosphere being comparatively quiescent, although the wire gauze must 
 have been red-hot from the very heated state of the surrounding glass jar.) 
 
 1348. Is it not the fact that the current in the glass jar now passes as the ex- 
 plosive gas does in the mine ; fresh air passes down the down-shaft, and up the 
 up-shaft, while the explosive gas in the galleries pass horizontally, and therefore 
 is more likely to explode ? — Yes. 
 
 1349. An explosive current passing upwards has a tendency to pass by the 
 meshes of the lamp, rather than to pass through them 1 — Yes. 
 
 1350. But if the lamp were left long enough there it would explode? — Yes. 
 
 1351. If the explosive gas was passing athwart the lamp, it would have a 
 much greater tendency to enter the meshes of the lamp, and would be more 
 likely to explode ? — It would be more likely to explode. (An experiment was 
 here exhibited of lighting a pipe of tobacco through the meshes of the safety-lamp.) 
 
 1352. Mr. Child.] Should you not consider it dangerous for the men to smoke 
 in the mine ? — Yes. 
 
 1353. It is very common ? — Yes. 
 
 1354. Chairman.] Will you say one word with reference to the rate of the cur- 
 rent at which the explosive mixture was going when it ignited upon the table ?— - 
 It must have been moving very slowly; perhaps Mr. Gurney could answer that. 
 
 1355. (To Mr. Gurney.) At what rate was that current passing? — Perhaps 
 about half a foot a second, from half a foot to a foot. 
 
 13.56. The proper rate of ventilation should not be less than five feet a second ? 
 — From four to six feet. 
 
 13.57. What is the pressure on the street gas you are using ? — (Dr. Bachhoff- 
 ner.) About five-tenths of water, 1 should think. 
 
 1358. Mr. Booker. .] I wish to ask you whether it is your opinion that there 
 is a probability of there being any discovery of some admixture of some 
 substance with the oil that feeds and produces the flame, which, during the 
 process of combustion, would give out or produce a decomposition or neutra- 
 lizing of the column of explosive gas within the tube or chimney of the lamp ; 
 that lamp is fed with oil; with what oil?— Common sperm oil. 
 
 13.59. Do you not think it practicable that with that oil there should be an 
 admixture of something that during the process of combustion and producing 
 that flame, that that flame, while burning, should be giving out something that 
 would neutralize the effect of the explosive gas which has got within the chimney 
 of the lamp ?— I am not prepared to say that anything of the kind will not be in- 
 vented, but our present views of chemical science are altogether incompatible 
 with any such result being obtained. 
 
 1360. Mr. Child.} Suppose the dust of the coal were to fall upon the wire 
 when heated, would not that inflame, and possibly explode the gas ? — I should 
 think it possible, but Mr. Buddie, who is a great authority, says it does not ; 
 I should have thought it likely the scintillations flying off would do so. 
 
 1361. Chairman.} 
 
SELECT COMMITTEE ON COAL MINES. 107 
 
 1361. Chairman.'] Have you an anemometer that would measure the current R. Stephenson, 
 of gas? — No. Esq., m.p. 
 
 1362. Mr. Stephenson has calculated that five-tenths would give a higher j'JP 8 ^ < ^ te '' 
 velocity than five feet a second ? — (Mr. Gurncy.) The question is whether it is g. Gurney, Esq. 
 the rate of the gas or the rate of the explosive mixture; if it is the rate of the G. Overton, Esq. 
 explosive mixture it is scarcely perceptible. (Dr. Bachhoffner handed over the jet & H - Pepper, Esq. 
 towards the Committee to show the velocity.) J Eilun&onlp' 
 
 1363. Chairman.~\ How can we test it accurately, as to the rate at which it is ' 
 moving? — (Dr. Bachhoffner.) We must have an anemometer for it. n June lg5 „ 
 
 1 364. (To Mr. Gurney.) If the gas is five-tenths you can calculate that ? — 
 The amount of rate of the explosive atmosphere in which the lamp is burning is 
 scarcely perceptible. 
 
 1365. The explosive mixture is said to be about one foot per second, I think ? 
 — If the comparison applies to the. force of a blower, there is no comparison. — 
 (Mr. Stephenson.) I estimated that the velocity with which the gas impinged 
 upon the wire gauze was considerably greater than Dr. Bachhoffner did ; the 
 question put was, with what amount of pressure was the gas impelled with; 
 from the pressure, it is an easy matter to ascertain the velocity, and putting my 
 hand at the end of that pipe, although it does not give anything like an approxi- 
 mation to accuracy, I estimated the velocity as certainly 10 feet per second; 
 about six miles an hour.— (Dr. Bachhoffner.) Rather more than six miles an 
 hour, and that is rather a briskish gale. — (Mr. Stephenson.) Therefore I felt 
 that the experiment was hardly fair as regards the lamp ; I would therefore 
 suggest what I consider a very important difference between the lamp as used 
 in the mine and the lamp as exposed to the gas here, because, as Dr. Bachhoffner 
 commenced his observations by stating that there was a very marked distinction 
 between the gas the lamp had to deal with in the coal mines and that he is 
 now experimenting with, the addition of an atom is highly important ; it is 
 well known to the chemists that the addition of an atom of carbon or hy- 
 drogen to any compound makes a very essential difference in all those qualities. 
 Here is a question of combustibility ; I believe the combustibility of the gas 
 in coal mines is by no means so great as the olefiant gas you are dealing 
 with ; therefore in the case you are dealing with, though it may be true 
 as regards the olefiant gas, it is not so as to the gas in the mines. — (Dr. Bach- 
 hoffner.) Your remark may be correct, but as we have no means of judging from 
 the absolute fire-damp, we have no alternative. — {Mr. Stephenson.) With regard 
 to the lamp being red-hot, 1 have myself been exposed for hours in an explosive 
 atmosphere, with the lamp at a dull red heat, and I never saw it come through ; 
 I do not know what the effect may be of blowing with a bellows, but I am 
 informed by Mr. Wood, who has had perhaps more experience than any man in 
 England, and under whom I began my early life as regards engineering, he 
 tells me he has made an experiment with the bellows upon the lamp when red- 
 hot, and yet he could not drive an explosion through the wire gauze ; that was 
 an experiment made with the bellows when the pressure would be even more 
 than that of the air; he did not succeed in making the Davy lamp unsafe, 
 though red hot ; I attach much importance to that experiment, made by 
 a gentleman of such great experience. As to the other fact, 1 can answer upon 
 my own responsibility, having been hours with the Davy lamp at a dull red 
 heat, so hot indeed that I was obliged to get a stick to carry it with. — (Dr. 
 Bachhoffner.) Sir Humphry Davy admitted that coal-gas was an equal test 
 with fire-damp for his lamp, and he made his lamp proof against it ; Sir 
 Humphry Davy, in his papers, has asserted that fact. 
 
 1366. (To Mr. Wood.) 1 think you stated in your examination yesterday that 
 you are the manager and the viewer of the Killingworth mine ? — Yes. 
 
 1367. That an explosion took place? — Yes. 
 
 1368. In which eight or ten men were killed ? — Yes. 
 
 1369. Is it or not the fact, that after the explosion the lamps were found to be 
 all in a perfectly sound condition ?■ — They were. 
 
 1370. Did anybody survive the accident to give an account of how it arose ? 
 ■ — There were none, in that immediate part of the pit, who survived. We traced 
 the circumstances up to a very short period before the explosion. 
 
 1371. But according to any apparent cause, was there any known reason 
 why the explosion should take place, except by the flame which existed inside of 
 those lamps which, after the explosion, were found in a sound and perfect con- 
 
 0.62. O 2 dition? — 
 
io8 MINUTES OF EVIDENCE TAKEN BEFORE THE 
 
 R. Stephenson, dition ? — I do not think it was clearly ascertained in what manner the accident 
 
 DrjS hh fF er to0 ^ P* ace ' ^ was Drou g nt out m evidence that candles were taken within a 
 
 E..Cuyley/Sq. snort distance of where the explosion took place. There was no evidence to 
 
 G. Gtimey, Esq. show the candles were taken into the part where the explosion did take place. 
 
 G. Overton, Esq. There was no positive evidence to prove, that the explosion had taken place from 
 
 J DiekTn'iP' thelam P' 
 
 j. Darlington, Esq. }37 2 - ( To Mr. Darlington.) Do you, as the practical manager of a mine, 
 
 , think it a reasonable conclusion to come to, that a person carrying a naked light 
 
 \ i June 1852. into the neighbourhood of explosive gas should not be killed, whilst those who 
 were carrying the Davy lamp should be killed ? — The man who carried the 
 candle was killed. 
 
 1373. Will you state whether you can give any instances of explosion being- 
 caused distinctly by the Davy lamp?— I can state from my own practical know- 
 ledge of the Davy lamp, and from the opinions of miners who have for years 
 worked with the Davy lamp, that it is not a safe instrument in an explosive 
 mixture, under a strong current; and for this reason, that the Davy lamp is 
 subject to many changes during the progress of a day's work. All the lamps in 
 a pit may net be equall}' well cleaned ; small pieces of dust, oil, carbon, sulphur, 
 or coal gather upon the lamp ; the miners, after working several hours, take very 
 little notice of it; and lads of 10, 12, or 14 years of age using the lamp for 
 hours together without accident, do not take notice of any existing danger ; in 
 short, the lamps are generallybrought up when the men have done their work 
 in such a state that no practical man would go into an explosive mixture with 
 them. 
 
 1374. Colonel MureJ] Assuming the lamp to be in its proper and effective 
 state, do you not think the action of any such current of air on the lamp would 
 produce the effect r— I have carried perfectly clean lamps, and never been able 
 to explode the gas, so long as the gauze has been perfectly cold ; but when I 
 have taken a filthy lamp and placed it under the same circumstance, I have 
 certainly found an explosion would take place, and this is corroborated by 
 practical men. 
 
 1375. Mr. Booker.'] I see the learned coroner who held an inquest on the 
 occasion of the late lamentable accident at Aberdare is present, and I should 
 like to ask him a question. Was there not a horse found, one or two days after 
 the explosion took place, alive and apparently unhurt. — (Mr. Overton.) Two days 
 afterwards. 
 
 1376. Could you give any account of the position it was in? — I apprehend he 
 was further in the work. The portion of the pit affected by the explosion was 
 some distance from where the horses were. Several men who were also engaged 
 in a further part of the works also escaped unhurt, because all the explosions are 
 generally confined to some particular part of the works, and in every case of 
 explosion I have had, there are portions of the work where the men would be 
 perfectly safe. 
 
 1377. Colonel Pennant.'] You spoke of the comparative security of the lamp 
 when cleaned, compared with the state of danger when the lamp was dirty 
 afterwards. I wish to ask whether, supposing the lamp to be thoroughly cleaned 
 when the miner went to work, at. the commencement of his shift of work, whether 
 the lamps could arrive at that dangerous state in the course of the day's work ? — 
 (Mr. Darlington.) In very deep mines the temperature is greater than in shallow 
 mines, and there is an immense quantity of very fine dust continually flying 
 about in such minute particles that you can scarcely detect it, but which gradu- 
 ally gathers about the lamp, and in the course of two or three hours' work I 
 have seen a lamp perfectly unfit to be used. 
 
 1378. Mr. Booker.~\ Is not it the fact, that that dust will fly off in sparks or 
 scintillas, and that one spark would create an explosion ? — There are very 
 numerous instances of accidents taking place that we could attribute to nothing 
 else. 
 
 1379. Colonel Mure.] I wish to ask you, not in your scientific judgment, but 
 in your actual experience, have you ever seen a Davy-lamp explode under the 
 influence of carburetted hydrogen gas in the mines, either clean or dirty? — 
 I have in a mine passed the explosive mixture, but not with a cool, clean lamp ; 
 it has been at a red heat. 
 
 1380. And has an explosion taken place ? — Yes, an explosion of the gas which 
 was limited has taken place, but not with a cool, clean lamp. I am perfectly 
 
 satisfied 
 
SELECT COMMITTEE ON COAL MINES. 
 
 109 
 
 satisfied Avith the safety of the Davy lamp under certain precautions, and when R. Stephenson, 
 fit to be used; but after half a dozen hours' work, taking 1 into consideration the Esq., M - p - 
 manner in which a current of air acts upon the lamp, it is unfit for use as a £^°^ l0 ^ er ' 
 reliable means of safety. G [ ^urnjy, Esq. 
 
 1381. Mr. J. A. Smith.] (To Mr. Garney.) Are there any observations you G. Overton, Esq. 
 wish to make upon the remarks that fell from Mr. Stephenson ? — I think the J - H - Peppo; Esq. 
 impression left on the minds of the Committee, or at least the impression is upon J- Dickinson. Esq. 
 
 • t i i_T%T cj. 1 i j. d • •! i J- -Darlington, iLsq. 
 
 my own mind, that Mr. btephenson supposed a current or six miles an hour to .. 
 
 be impinging upon the gauze of the lamp at the time the experiment was just u j U ne 1852. 
 now made. We will suppose that about six miles an hour was the rate of the 
 gas. Now since the atmosphere cannot become explosive until the admixture is 
 in the ratio of one in four, five, or six ; (the most explosive point being one in 
 seven,) presuming that the mixture of the atmosphere with the gas as it escapes 
 from the jet is in the proportion of one in six ; that mixture with the still atmos- 
 phere would reduce the current of the whole to six miles an hour ; namely, by 
 being mixed with the atmosphere at rest ; about 85 feet per second. Another 
 observation I would make is, as to the effect of a very strong current and velocity. 
 By mechanical force you may extinguish the flame altogether • that was shown 
 by me in 1822, and published in 1823 in my work upon the " Elements of Che- 
 mical Science." It was there shown distinctly that the flame of the most explo- 
 sive of all mixtures with which we are acquainted, namely, one proportion of 
 oxygen to two of hydrogen, was instantly extinguished by mechanical force ; 
 the mechanical force of current of the explosion of the gas put out the flame; 
 therefore, under those circumstances, it is very easy to see that a violent current 
 would extinguish the flame of gas in the lamp itself ; it is the moderate rate at 
 which the miner walks in the mine, or the rate that the gas passes the lamp, that 
 is the point of danger. 
 
 1382. Chairman.] At what rate is that ? — About four to five feet a second. 
 
 1383. How many miles per hour? — (Dr. Bachhoffner.) Five feet per second 
 is nearly four miles an hour. — (Mr. Gumey.) The current of the explosive 
 mixture was not one mile an hour ; the impression was that it was six miles an 
 hour. There is another fact I would mention. It is the common practice of the 
 miners to light what they call their fuse through the gauze of the lamp, and then 
 blast their gunpowder ; if Mr. Darlington is asked the question perhaps he would 
 answer it better, and no doubt he could confirm what I describe. 
 
 1384. (To Mr. Darlington.) Would you be so good to answer that question? 
 — In several pits under my own care we work exclusively with the safety lamp ; 
 in some instances we have to blast the coal, for doing which a light must be 
 obtained, or at all events a certain temperature, so as to ignite the powder ; the 
 colliers, generally speaking, use match paper, which they prepare themselves, 
 and invariably fire the powder without taking the lamp tops off; the lamps 
 being locked, a penalty is imposed for taking the lamp top oft', and I have seen 
 the miners explode gunpowder without taking the lamp top off. 
 
 1385. Mv. J. A. Smith.] Do they ignite the fuse ? —They ignite the match 
 paper, or heat the probe-wire to the required temperature. 
 
 1386. Mr. Booker.] You have given it as your decided opinion that iron was 
 the best material for the gauze ? — (Dr. Bachhoffner.) As far as my experience 
 goes. 
 
 1387. Do you think it possible that the iron of which the gauze is composed 
 could be saturated with anything else, either by annealing or by some other means, 
 that would prevent its acquiring that degree of red heat by the action of the 
 explosive gas within?— I know of no arrangement that would arrest it. 
 
 1388. Can you suggest anything that presents itself to your mind, from your 
 experience, whereby the Davy lamp might be made safe ? — Philosophically, it is a 
 perfect instrument, but in its practical application I think it is defective. 
 
 1389. Chairman.] Will you now proceed to show us some experiments with 
 the steam jet? — I should observe that I have no evidence to offer as to its 
 application ; it is a mere exhibition of experiments showing the capability of 
 the steam jet. 
 
 1 390. Proving the elasticity and the manageability of the power ? — Yes. 
 
 1391. Mr. Booker.] I hold in my hand a lamp; this does not seem to be 
 iron ? — It is iron silvered. 
 
 1392. What is that for ? — It is to prevent oxidation most likely. (The power 
 of the steam jet was here exhibited.) Allow me to call your attention to the fact, 
 
 0.62. O 3 " that 
 
110 
 
 MINUTES OF EVIDENCE TAKEN BEFORE THE 
 
 11. Stcphcmon, that the steam jet assumes the character of a cone or funnel coming straight up 
 Esq., m.p. from the orifice at the commencement, and gradually expanding, while there is 
 Buekhoffner, a i me j n a certain position in the cone, which we call the maximum action of the 
 r>'-ruOJ£'. steam iet; there seems to be here a decided rotatory action, somewhat analogous 
 
 G. Overton, Esq. to the curling ot the smoke from the firing or a gun ; it is at this point that the 
 J. H. Pepper, Esq. greatest effect is produced. Now the steam has a direction upwards, at the same 
 J jy 0 ^™^' ^e^ ^ me causes a rapid rush of atmospheric air, which seems to be drawn to the 
 ar mgon, sq. si:eam w h a t is called the friction of particles. As the steam passes up it carries 
 ii June 185" along with it the surrounding atmosphere, until eventually the steam is broken 
 up and the atmosphere is distributed with it; we have a very simple mode of 
 analysing the condition of the steam ; these torches will afford us the means 
 of so doiii£. {Experiments.) I can, perhaps, give you a better illustration by a 
 circle of flame, by which we shall be able clearlv to ascertain the maximum 
 point. ( The Witness produced a ring of flame, which was applied to the jet of 
 steam.) You will observe that when the flame is below the point of issue it 
 is curved inwards. {This the Witness illustrated by experiment.) When we 
 arrive at the maximum point the flame will assume a radial direction from the 
 circumference to the central point. (A series of experiments were then carried 
 out, exhibiting the mechanical properties of the steam jet.) — (Dr. Bachhoffner.) 
 I will now proceed to show you the amount of vacuum we have been able to 
 obtain, and this is in some degree a test of the capability of the steam jet. {An 
 experiment.) This, I believe, is Mr. Gurney's adaptation to it, by driving* the 
 steam through a kind of jacket or outer tube. 
 
 1393. Chairman.'] Are you now going to state the mode in which Mr. Gurney 
 applies the steam jet to ventilation ? — Yes, but in his case the steam would be 
 discharged vertically from the jet, which of course amounts to the same thing. 
 By driving the steam through that orifice of the jacket, we produce a rapid 
 current of air passing through with the jet, which I will now show you ; we 
 shall be able to ascertain the amount of vacuum power which under existing 
 circumstances we can obtain. {The Witness produced a barometer gauge, which 
 was attached to the steam jet by a branch pipe ; on the steam being discharged 
 the column of mercury rose to the height of 12 inches.) The height to which the 
 mercury will be elevated here is an indication of the amount of vacuum power 
 obtained. We have frequently obtained as much as 18 inches of mercury. 
 {Experiment) . 
 
 1394. What does that prove? — That there was a vacuum equal to 12 inches 
 of mercury; 30 inches of mercury being equal to 15 pounds on the square 
 inch. 
 
 139.5. How much is that on the water gauge? — (Mr. Gurney.) In round 
 numbers, one inch column of mercury is equal to about one foot of water. — (Dr. 
 Bachhoffner.) Twelve inches; it would be then 12 feet water gauge. — (Mr. 
 Gurney.) It may be interesting to the Committee to state that in the first expe- 
 riments that were made with the steam jet we only succeeded in getting 8 or 10 
 feet of the water gauge. The experiments were followed up by M. Arago, and 
 he got 15. I suggested a modification of the jet, and we obtained 24 inches of 
 mercury. 
 
 1396, What was the object of producing that rise of mercury in the barometer 
 tube? — It shows the amount of exhaustion. — (Dr. Bachhoffner.) By the vacuum 
 which will be produced in this pipe the atmospheric pressure will cause the 
 ascent of the water in this pipe. {The Witness proceeded to show that by leading 
 a pipe from the jet into a vessel of water placed a few feet below, the water by the 
 vacuum produced was carried with the steam and discharged into another vessel at a 
 higher level.) — (Mr. Gurney.) The action now is like the spray jet that has been 
 spoken of. 
 
 1307. Do you conceive that ventilation by the steam jet acts by rarefaction, 
 or by mechanical action ? — (Dr. Bachhoffner.) It is mechanical action, by the 
 friction of particles; the slight elevation of the temperature at the point 
 surrounding the cone of steam is not sufficient to account for anything like the 
 ventilating power of the steam jet. {The Witness produced and explained the 
 application of the steam jet to the ventilation of mines.) This (speaking of a large 
 model) may be supposed to represent the «allery or working of the mine; this 
 the up cast shaft, and that the down-cast shaft; though it would be better in 
 practice to have your jet placed higher than it is in the cylinder. 
 
 1 398. W 7 here is the jet now ? — It is immediately underneath. 
 
 1399. At 
 
SELECT COMMITTEE ON COAL MINES. 
 
 1 1 1 
 
 1390. At the bottom of the up-cast ? — Yes. r. stepkcnspft* 
 
 1400. Do you suppose there would be any difficulty whatever in getting" the Esq, m.p. 
 same rate of ventilation if the fire was to burn under the boiler, at the bottom of v'q^ 0 ^ "^ er * 
 the up-cast, that there would be if there was no boiler ? — At the bottom ? G. Gwney Esq* 
 
 1401. Yes. — I do not exactly understand the question. G. Ove/ton, Esq. 
 
 1402. It has been stated to us that a furnace alone would be used with less J- H. Pepper, Esq 
 expense, without any steam jet? — It may be so. J.&mmson, Esq. 
 
 1403. Is there anything in the boiler over the furnace preventing its being ' * H ' 
 as cheaply fed as compared with one without the boiler? — The question goes to u j une 1 g 52 
 this, which of the two modes of ventilation, whether by rarefaction or venti- 
 lation by the steam jet, is the more economical. 
 
 1404. In regard to the fuel? — I am not prepared to answer that. I am 
 rather inclined to consider the steam jet would require more fuel than the - 
 ordinary principle of rarefaction ; but I do not state that from any experience 
 
 I have had in the matter. 
 
 1405. Would there be anything in the boiler being placed over the furnace 
 to prevent its being fed as cheaply with coals as a furnace without a boiler ? — It 
 would much depend upon the quantity of steam you required to have from it. 
 
 1406. If you had a furnace at the bottom of the shaft, do you believe it would 
 generate as much heat, and that you would get as much rarefaction by applying 
 it to a boiler and then applying the steam, or to the furnace alone? — I under- 
 stand the question to be, that you make use of the fire at the up-cast shaft to 
 rarefy the air and generate steam for the jet ; then it would be minus the heat 
 to warm the water. 
 
 1407. Mr. Booker.] Do you then get a compensating effect for that? — Yes. 
 
 1408. Amply so? — Amply. 
 
 1409. Chairman.'] I understand you to state that the furnace under the 
 boiler would produce the rarefaction common to the furnace; and in addition 
 to that, if there was the jet you would have the motive power of the jet, plus the 
 rarefaction. What my question went to was this, as to the more or less perfect 
 combustion of the coal in the furnace under the boiler or in an open grate ? — 
 I think it is the same, if the grate and the boiler are properly arranged. 
 
 1410. That you might have as perfect combustion? — Yes. 
 
 1411. Mr. J. A. Smith.] (To Mr. E. Cay ley.) I understand perfectly well 
 that by that stearn jet you can throw the water forward ; that I understand, but 
 I do not understand how the air is saturated with the water to the extent it is 
 represented to be ? — In what case ? 
 
 1412. I see it has been given in evidence, by making that vacuum the water 
 rushes in and is projected ? — Yes. 
 
 1413. I understand that, but I have no evidence of what has been practically 
 done; that the air has been saturated; that it has been projected, and that it 
 has been got through the whole mine? — I could hardly explain it without 
 drawing a diagram. (The Witness illustrated his proposition by a diagram, 
 which he explained. ,) We have what we may call an iron bonnet ; two pipes at 
 right angles with about a foot diameter ; the furnace was here (pointing to the 
 diagram), as you see, connected with the bonnet by pigeon-holes in the brick- 
 work ; there was a small hole cut through the centre of the top of the bonnet 
 about 1| inch diameter (pointing to the diagram) ; we took a round vessel, it was 
 in fact a tin milk pail ; we then punched a hole through the bottom, and 
 inserted a little zinc cylinder to fit the hole in the top of the bonnet, in which it 
 was placed, and then placed the jet over it ; the jet passing through the little 
 cylinder, the water was kept up above the level of the top of the cylinder ; the 
 consequence was, we had a jet of high pressure steam passing this water, forming 
 a jet of spray down the foot pipe ; it was about six feet long, and all the air 
 thrown into the mine was drawn through it, and passing down this six feet 
 cylinder, was mixed with the spray. 
 
 1414. And absorbed it very rapidly? — Yet, as much as it. could carry. 
 
 1415. (To Mr. Gurneg.) Have you any further observations to make ? — None. 
 
 1416. Is this a satisfactory exposition of the way in which the steam jet is 
 applied to a mine ? — Yes. 
 
 1417. You would not confine yourself, I understand, to one cylinder; you 
 would have as many cylinders as the necessities of the mine required? — As 
 many as the requirements of the mine wanted to produce a safe quantity of 
 ventilation. 
 
 0.62. 0 4 1418. (To 
 
112 MINUTES OF EVIDENCE TAKEN BEFORE THE 
 
 li. Stephenson, 
 
 Esq., M.P. 
 Dr. Bachhoffner, 
 E Cay ley, Esq. 
 G. Gurney, Esq. 
 G. Overton, Esq. 
 J. H. Pepper, Esq. 
 J. Dickinson, Esq. 
 J. Darlington, Esq. 
 
 1 1 Jane 1852. 
 
 1418. (To Dr. Bachhoffner.) Have you any reason to suppose there is any 
 practical limit of this power of the steam jet in producing ventilation? — By 
 multiplying the series you may get any amount. 
 
 1419. Have you any means of showing us the comparative effect of the 
 furnace ventilation? — No, we have not; to do that we should require a very 
 large apparatus. 
 
 1420. Mr. Child.'] You are of opinion that you could not create a greater 
 draft by the furnace ?— No. 
 
 Luna, 14° die Junii, 1852. 
 
 MEMBERS PRESENT. 
 
 Mr. Cayley. 
 Colonel Pennant. 
 Colonel Mure. 
 
 Mr. Farrer. 
 Mr. Booker. 
 Mr. Child. 
 
 EDWARD STILLINGFLEET CAYLEY, Esq., in the Chair. 
 
 George Henry Bachhoffner, Esq., ph.d., called in; and Examined. 
 
 G.H. Bachhoffner, 1421. Chairman.'] AFTER the Committee left the Polytechnic Institution, on 
 E^q., ph. d. Friday morning, you were good enough to say that you would continue your 
 
 experiments upon the other safety-lamps which were left with you ; will you be 
 
 14 June 1852. kind enough to state the result of your experiments? — The lamp of Mr. Ste- 
 phenson gave us very negative results ; not having a glass we could not try it 
 with any degree of satisfaction. We used every exertion to obtain a proper lamp 
 of Stephenson's, but without success. We had also the Davy, Clanny's, Parish's, 
 and Eloin's lamps; all these ignited immediately; a jet of hydrogen gas projected 
 upon them. 
 
 1422. In a pure state ? — Yes; as it was passing from the jet, the moment it 
 was thrown upon the lamp, it ignited. 
 
 1423. Hydrogen gas is not the gas with which the miner has principally to 
 come into contact? — No, it is not. Coal gas was, by Mr. Stephenson's, of course 
 ignited, because, as we had it, it was a simple Davy without a glass. Clanny : s 
 lamp was ignited with the ordinary coal gas, but Parish's and Eloin's were not. 
 
 1424. At what rate was the current going? — With the ordinary pressure of 
 about five-tenths. I had no means of ascertaining the velocity, but certainly 
 nothing approaching the condition of a blower in a mine. I believe in all those 
 lamps, where the wire gauze is defended by a chimney or by a glass, it would be 
 impossible to ignite them by an ordinary jet of coal gas as we did Davy's and 
 Clanny's ; Clanny's was much more difficult to ignite than Davy's. In Clanny's 
 lamp, the gauze is placed above the flame, and that portion of the lamp becomes 
 filled with the products of combustion. With a mixture of hydrogen in the coal 
 gas, sufficient to destroy the luminosity of the coal gas, all the lamps, after an 
 interval of a very few seconds, ignited ihe jet of gas. In Clanny's, Parish's, and 
 Eloin's, the moment the atmosphere became purely explosive in its character, 
 they were extinguished, which is, I consider, a great advantage, though a source 
 of some inconvenience; because the moment a miner should pass into an explo- 
 sive atmosphere his lamp would bt extinguished, and he would be placed in 
 darkness and must go back to relight it. Then, again, Parish's lamp has this 
 disadvantage, that any sudden jerk readily puts it out. The men swinging it, as 
 they walk to and fro, would extinguish it; in other respects it seems a very good 
 instrument. The Davy lamp, of course, will burn in an explosive mixture, and the 
 meshes become red hot. If you will allow me, I have made an extract from a 
 paper written by Sir Humphry Davy, and published in the " Philosophical 
 Magazine," in which he states that, in adopting from 30 to 26 apertures to the 
 inch (which is 900 to 676), in the square inch, the wire being i-50th to 1.40th 
 of an inch; he describes that even single lamps are secure in all atmospheres of 
 fire-damp; and double cylinders (he adds) are perfectly safe under all circum- 
 stances, 
 
SELECT COMMITTEE ON COAL MINES. 
 
 stances, even in an atmosphere made explosive by coal gas. I must beg to G. H. Backhoffrier, 
 differ with Sir Humphry Davy, because Mr. Cayley, jun. filled up a double Esq., ph. d. 
 
 cylinder safety-lamp, or rather he surrounded a Davy lamp with a second gauze " 
 
 through which we passed coal gas; therefore this statement of Sir Humphry 14 June 1852. 
 Davy's is incorrect, where he says that double cylinders are perfectly safe under 
 all circumstances, even in an atmosphere made explosive by coal gas. Sir Hum- 
 phry then goes on to add, "When, indeed, a strong current of coal gas is driven 
 from a blow-pipe, so as to make the wire gauze of 676 apertures strongly red hot 
 * * the flame from the pipe may be passed through it." But he adds, and very 
 correctly, "but no such effect could be produced by genuine fire-damp." He 
 further adds, in the same volume, " Whenever workmen are exposed to highly 
 explosive mixtures, double gauze lamps should be used * * or a cylinder of 
 glass reaching as high as the double wire." And in another part he says, " The 
 wire gauze is impermeable to the flame of all currents of fire-damp as long as it 
 is not heated above redness." There is another quotation of some importance 
 from the celebrated Dr. Turner, formerly Professor to the London University 
 College, in which he states, after describing the lamp, " If the lamp, with its 
 gauze red hot, be exposed to a current of explosive mixture, the flame may 
 possibiy pass so rapidly as not to be cooled below the point of ignition. In that 
 case an accident might occur with a lamp which would be quite safe in a calm 
 atmosphere * * * and I am satisfied, from having witnessed the experi- 
 ments, that, this observation is correct." This is Dr. Turner's statement, pub- 
 lished in his work on chemistry. I am not aware that I have any other facts to 
 communicate to the Committee. 
 
 1425. Then probably you will be kind enough to state, as far as you can in one 
 answer, what is the practical conclusion to which you have come after the experi- 
 ments you have made ? — That the ordinary lamp, designated a safety-lamp, must 
 be in truth only regarded as an indicator of danger ; and 1 believe seriously, that 
 were that indication attended to on the part of the miners, many of those acci- 
 dents might have been prevented. But they continue, as the evidence seems to 
 show, working with the lamp in a red hot state, without paying the slightest 
 attention to it, and then they are liable to some sudden change in the atmosphere 
 by which an explosion ensues. 
 
 1426. Colonel Pennant.] Did you state the amount of pressure that the lamps 
 were exposed to at the time you experimented upon them ? — It was from an 
 ordinary jet from the street gas. 
 
 1427. Was the pressure greater or less than the previous day ? — The ordinary 
 day pressure, which is less than the night pressure. 
 
 1428. Colonel Mure.] None of these experiments were tried with the carbu- 
 retted hydrogen ? — No, we had not it. 
 
 1429. Are you satisfied that those experiments with the others gases are precise 
 enough in their nature to enable us to form a judgment as to what would be the 
 exact effect of a similar experiment with the ordinary explosive gas of the mine ? 
 — I think, taking Sir Humphry Davy's experiments, which were verified by other 
 chemists, that carburetted hydrogen requires a much higher temperature for its 
 ignition than defiant gas. The quantity of olefiant gas in coal gas is very small. 
 There is frequently 50 per cent, of hydrogen in coal gas. 
 
 1430. Chairman.] Does the explosive gas contain more of olefiant gas than of 
 common coal gas? — There is generally no olefiant gas in fire damp. 
 
 1431 . Does the olefiant gas make it more easy of ignition ? — Sir Humphry Davy 
 says so. He says that fire-damp cannot be ignited, even with red hot charcoal ; 
 that is his assertion. 
 
 1432. Then, according to that, we might infer that the experiments you have 
 been kind enough to make were scarcely a fair test of what would be the tendency 
 to explode of the fire-damp in a mine ? — I think they are sufficiently approximate 
 to enable you to form a very conclusive judgment, though it would have been 
 better to have experimented with the positive fire-damp, if we could have done 
 it ; and it would have been better for all purposes to have had the experiments 
 performed under the situation in which the miner is placed if they had been 
 capable of being so carried out ; but that was impossible. 
 
 J 433- Neither would it have been pleasant? — I should be sorry, even at the 
 command of the Honourable House, to do it. 
 
 1434. Has not Mr. Wood promised to send you something up? — He has 
 sent it. 
 
 0.62. p 1435- Would 
 
ii 4 MINUTES OF EVIDENCE TAKEN BEFORE THE 
 
 <&.H. Bachhoffner, 143.5- Would it be trenching too much upon your time to try experiments 
 Esq., ph. d. U p 0n t i ia t ; an d send the results to me ? — It depends" very much upon the quantity 
 
 how far such experiments could be carried. 
 14 June 1852. 1436. Perhaps you would make the attempt, and communicate to me the result : 
 Yes. 
 
 1437. Colonel Mure.] Are you of opinion, upon the whole, that the explosive 
 power of those gases you tried was less or more than that of carburetted hydrogen : 
 if the explosive power of those gases was less, the carburetted hydrogen would be 
 more dangerous ; if the reverse, otherwise? — The explosive character, I think, 
 was very much on a par. 
 
 1438. Mr. Booker.'] Have you turned your attention to the possibility, or the 
 probability, of any means being discovered of decomposing or neutralizing the gas 
 in coal mines ? — Chemistry may afford us modes of arriving at that result, but 
 they are by no means practicable, and would be too expensive ; we should so far 
 vitiate the atmosphere as to render it unsafe for respiration. 
 
 1439. Chairman.] Suppose a scheme should be propounded, in consequence of 
 the lighter character of the explosive gas, of exhausting it by any means ; what 
 would you think of that proposition ? — You could only do so by exhausting the 
 atmosphere with it, unless you were to resort to a system by which the goaves 
 and wastes would be detached from the mines, or boarded off. It is indispen- 
 sably necessary that, in all goaves and waste workings, ventilation should be 
 carried out, which is exceedingly easy to manage, but I will not say that it can 
 be economically done; and at what cost I cannot say. But if pipes were inserted 
 in the waste and goaves, and those were made to communicate with the upcast 
 shaft, those parts would be ventilated where now there are magazines of explosive 
 matter. 
 
 1440. Mr. Child.] Were the lamps you experimented upon in a perfectly clean 
 state ; that is, the wire round them r — Yes. 
 
 1441. If they were dirty with oil or coal dust, they would be much more 
 hazardous ? — I have no means of judging of that ; but from the evidence of 
 practical men it appears, that they are not injured by the application of coal 
 dust, for it appears that coal dust may, according to the account of Mr. Buddie 
 and Sir Humphry himself, in his paper, be thrown upon it. 
 
 1442. J am supposing the gauze to be soiled with oil and coal dust adhering to 
 it; would not it become hot sooner in consequence of that? — The carbon is a very 
 bad conductor of heat, and no combustion could go on through the meshes so as 
 to ignite the carbon, until the temperature of the wire became elevated enough to 
 make the lamp dangerous. 
 
 1443. Colonel Pennant.] You gave us when we were at the Polytechnic, the 
 pressure to which those lamps were subjected, I believe? — That was a calculation 
 of Mr. Stephenson's. 
 
 1444. I thought you gave us the amount of pressure ? — Five-tenths. 
 
 1445. Do you conceive, that the lamps you afterwards subjected to a stream 
 of gas, were subjected to the same pressure ; a greater or a less pressure? — It 
 was the same pressure ; the same pipe. 
 
 1446. The same pressure as what we saw ? — Yes. 
 
 1447. Mr. Booker.] Have you one of the lamps here?— No; they are all at 
 the institution. 
 
 1448. Do you think it would have any effect if, above the flame of the lamp, 
 and within the chamber or chimney, there was a small reservoir of water to be 
 heated by the flame of the lamp, and from which steam should arise, so that it 
 could be conveyed to the matter within the lamp ; would not that have any effect 
 in neutralizing the flame and heat within the lamp, so as to prevent the meshes 
 getting to a red heat. Do you not think that some simple means of that kind 
 might be devised ? — I should question it. 
 
 1449. Would the steam have the effect ? — It would have the effect. 
 
 1450. If you could prevent the wire attaining to a red heat, it w T ould then be a 
 safety lamp? — Yes, certainly; but in making that arrangement you would fill 
 the whole of the gauze with the steam, which would extinguish the combustion of 
 the lamp. 
 
 1451. Would not the steam exude ? — Not so readily, as not to fill the chamber 
 from it. 
 
 14.52. I wish you would try it? — I will. There is another inconvenience ; the 
 water would be liable to boil over and be exhausted, which would require the 
 
 !a;mp 
 
SELECT COMMITTEE ON COAL MINES. 
 
 lamp to be replenished. Tiie men are working with these lamps for hours G. H. Bachhofner. 
 together, therefore the reservoir of water would require to be considerable ; you Esq., ph. d. 
 
 must have the steam generated pretty rapidly through them, therefore you would ■ ~ 
 
 require a large reservoir, which would make the lamp very cumbersome ; and 14 June 1852 
 I question whether the heat from the flame of the lamp would keep the body of 
 the water at that temperature to elaborate steain for the purpose. 
 
 Professor James Hann, called in ; and Examined. 
 
 1453. Chairman.'] DO you lecture in one of the classes of King's College? — Professor J. Hann. 
 Yes, for Professor Cowper ; I am the first mathematical master in the school. 
 
 1454. In what departments have you lectured for Mr. Cowper? — On the steam- 
 engine. 
 
 1455. Are you a north countryman? — 'Yes; from near Newcastle-upon- 
 Tyne. 
 
 1456. Had you in early life any practical acquaintance with mines? — I was 
 brought up at the mines. 
 
 1457. In what capacity ? — Principally as breaksman ; drawing the coals out of 
 the pit with the steam-engine. 
 
 1458. I need hardly ask, therefore, whether a person of your intelligence and 
 activity of mind, has had his attention drawn to the comparative system of venti- 
 lation of those mines? — Yes, I have. I have considered the subject, I will not say 
 maturely, but as maturely as I could. 
 
 1459. The Committee would wish to draw your attention to one or two 
 points, not to the general subject so much as to those one or two points : first of 
 all, were you the editor of the last edition of Tredgold on the Steam Engine"? — 
 I was. 
 
 1460. Mr. Wood has given a theorem from Tredgold, for computing currents 
 of air in up-cast shafts, before the Committee of the House of Commons in 1835, 
 and the House of Lords in 1849: do you agree with that theorem and those 
 calculations? — 1 have had to go into those calculations in consequence of the 
 pitmen in the north requesting me to write upon the subject for them. I found 
 that Mr. Wood's theorem and calculations were quite wrong. 
 
 1461. Can you explain your reasons for so stating? — I will first of all show 
 where they are wrong, and give in this Paper, which is a corrected proof of a book 
 I am writing on the subject. I will show how far the results are out from the 
 truth, and which necessarily vitiate everything depending upon them. " In reply 
 to Question 1982 (Committee 1849), Mr. Wood states, that the theorem given 
 in his evidence before the Committee of 1835, viz., 
 
 450 + t ' 
 
 he believes to be substantially correct. Now this square root sign, which mathe- 
 maticians call the radical sign, should be over the whole quantity, except the 
 8 outside. If you look at Tredgold it is right, but under a different and more 
 correct form, it is wrong here : " The velocity which would be due to the air in 
 the Hetton Colliery up-cast shaft would be 37*6 feet per second, according to 
 Mr. Wood, the pits being 900 feet deep, and the up-cast having a temperature 
 of 140°, that of the down-cast being 6o° Fahrenheit, 
 
 Where v = velocity in feet per second of air, at t', 
 }i — depth of pit, in feet, 
 
 t'= temperature of up-cast pit, in degrees Fahrenheit, 
 and t = temperature of down-cast pit in degrees Fahrenheit." 
 
 1462. Do you give the figures ? — Yes, I give the formula, and the working out : 
 " Now the theorem in question is erroneously stated by Mr. Wood in his evidence 
 before both Committees ; yet he has not followed it in his calculations professedly 
 based upon it before the Committee of J 835, and hence his calculations before 
 that Committee are correct, notwithstanding his giving the formula erroneously. 
 However, his calculations before the Committee of 1849 are ma de in accordance 
 with the erroneous formula; in that instance both formula and calculations are 
 wrong." The radical sign placed over h in the formula ought to have embraced 
 
 0.62. p 2 the 
 
n6 MINUTES OF EVIDENCE TAKEN BEFORE THE 
 
 P rofessor J. M ann, the whole of that side of the equation, excepting the figure 8, as before stated, and 
 this makes the correct theorem, 
 
 14 June 1852. 
 
 V 450 + t 
 
 + 
 
 which is no doubt the form it was intended by Mr. Wood that it should have borne ; 
 and in this state, although not rigidly accurate, it is sufficiently so for all ordinary 
 purposes, and will therefore be adopted here for the purpose of pointing out the 
 erroneous conclusions arrived at in the evidence before the Committee of 1 849." 
 We will now come to the results. Adopting the theorem, after only placing the 
 radical sign in its correct position, without altering it otherwise, either in its 
 form or in the value of the constants, and applying it as it stands (a) to the 
 case of the Hetton Colliery ventilation, as stated by Mr. Wood in reply to 
 Question 1982 (Committee 1849), we obtain 
 
 „ _ Q V / *C- 0 _ l /900 (140° - 60°) 
 
 V 450 + t ~ 8 V 450 + 60° = 95 feet P er SeCOnd - 
 
 Now, Mr. Wood calculates 37*6 : he has got very little more than one-third, 
 by using the erroneous formula ; and the real velocity is 95 feet per second, 
 which is a very material thing indeed. In fact, Questions commencing 1982 
 and ending 2007 inclusive, are all quite erroneous in consequence of using the 
 formula as Mr. Wood has given it ; he therefore vitiates every part of his calcula- 
 tions based upon it ; supposing, as he does, that there were no friction or resistance 
 offered by the mine and shafts to its free circulation, giving a quantity, under 
 such circumstances, as to temperature and freedom from resistance (in the 
 Hetton Pit of 153*93 feet area) of 877,401 cubic feet per minute, instead of 
 cnly 347,266 cubic feet, as Mr. Wood concludes. You see, that is more than 
 double considerably. " And since, in practice in the collierv in. question, under 
 the temperatures named, there was found to be a circulation of only 168,850 
 cubic feet of air at 6o°, being equal to about 195,336 cubic feet at 140 0 , if calcu- 
 lated on the same data as are employed in constructing Mr. Wood's formula, 
 and on which the quantity 877,401 is calculated, or about 22^ per cent, of 
 the quantity due to the pressure arising from the temperature only, is put in 
 circulation, 772 per cent, being lost, owing to the existence of friction and re- 
 sistance in the mine and shafts ; only two parts out of nine being obtained, 
 instead of. as stated in evidence, 50 per cent, being obtained." 
 
 1463. Presuming from your mathematical distinction that all these calculations 
 are correct, would you be kind enough to translate into a little more popular 
 language, the practical results of the mistake you conceive Mr. Wood to have 
 made ? — He has given a great number of calculations; it is impossible to enter 
 into everything he has given in his evidence ; it is very extensive, and vitiates 
 everything that is founded upon it. 
 
 1464. In this particular instance he made his calculations, I presume, to prove 
 some particular point ; what was the point he was labouring to prove through 
 the process of those calculations ? — He w anted to show what the drag in the 
 mine in that case amounted to ; he is completely wrong in what the drag of the 
 mine was, what the friction and resistance were ; there he was completely wrong. 
 
 1465. Was that in reference to the furnace limit ? — No I think not. 
 
 1466. In reference to what was it? — He wished to show what the friction and 
 resistance of the mine were- 
 
 1467. The resistance to the current of ventilation? — Yes; I will explain to 
 you what I understand he meant, which was simply this : we will suppose that 
 we know the temperature of the up-cast shaft; we know also the temperature of 
 the down-cast shaft, and those things being given, we calculate what the theoreti- 
 cal velocity should be. We also calculate the theoretical discharge, viz., the 
 number of cubic feet discharged in a given time ; that being done, let some person 
 try what is really passing by an anemometer or other instrument, and subtract the 
 one from the other, and that would give the drag or resistance due to the mine. 
 
 1468. Did he over-calculate the rate of the resistance of the current? — He 
 gives 50 per cent, instead of 77 j for the resistance, &c. 
 
 1469. What practical effect would it have upon the security of the mine ? — 
 Over-rating currents and under-rating resistances are, in my opinion, dangerous. 
 
 1470. I presume he made his calculations in support and justification of the 
 system he prefers; that is, the furnace system of ventilation? — No, merely to try 
 
 the 
 
SELECT COMMITTEE ON COAL MINES. 
 
 the drag of the mine, which has a very great deal to do with the principle of Professor J. Hann. 
 ventilation. — 
 
 1471. In what way? — I think the natural brattice has been explained very 14 June 1852. 
 clearly by Mr. Gurney, and I will try to explain what my views are. I must 
 
 confess that I agree with Mr. Gurney on that subject, if you raise the heat from 
 one temperature to another. Suppose that we have a velocity of three feet per 
 second, and want to double that velocity, by increasing the ventilating power ; if 
 you suddenly increase that power, you cannot as suddenly put all that air into 
 motion in such large mines as are usually found in the North. There may be 
 some tons of air in the mine, and moving at the rate of three feet a second ; we 
 find that to increase the velocity to six feet a second to clear the pit, if a sudden 
 blower comes off, this weight of air cannot be moved from a velocity of three feet 
 to six feet without a lapse of time ; thus you require time to do it. Now this being 
 granted, we know very well that the shaft is open at the top, as the supply 
 cannot come from the down-cast shaft ; and as you cannot force all those tons of 
 air up to a velocity of six feet per second directly through the workings ; because 
 it can get more easily to the upcast shaft than the down-cast shaft, it will come 
 that way. 
 
 1472. Colonel Mure.~\ Does this remark apply to ventilation both under the 
 steam-jet system and the furnace system ?— No, I think not ; the steam-jets will 
 actually, with an impulse, keep pushing the air out, until the other can reach the 
 required velocity. 
 
 1473. Your remarks apply then to the motion of the air by rarefaction, not by 
 mechanical power? — By rarefaction, and the impulsive force of the jet. 
 
 1474. Chairman.^ You are now endeavouring to explain how the natural 
 brattice is produced, when you attempt to increase the current of ventilation from 
 a low point to a higher point ? — Yes, quite so. 
 
 1475. In the process of so doing, is the Committee to understand, that what 
 you have denominated as the drag of the mine, resists that attempt to introduce 
 an increased current, and in point of fact overcomes it, and impedes the ventila- 
 tion to such an extent, that in order to satisfy the equilibrium of air failing to go 
 down the down-cast shaft, it finds its way down the up-cast shaft? — Yes, that is 
 my view. 
 
 1476. Is that your explanation of the theory of the furnace limit r — It is. The 
 furnace limit first came out in the evidence of Mr. Mather, before the Lords' 
 Committee in 1849, and is of great importance. It is a well-known fact that, by 
 increasing the temperature, you do not equally increase the ventilating power. 
 Mr. Combes, the Government engineer of France, has given a Table upon that 
 subject, which I think I have here with me. 
 
 [The Witness produced the following paper :] 
 
 Temperature de l'air ascendant 
 en degree centigrades. 
 
 Nombres proportionnels a la 
 masse d'air qui sort dans l'unite 
 de temps ou a l'active de la 
 circulation. 
 
 Nombres proportionnels aux 
 quantites des combustibles brulees. 
 
 30 .... 
 
 43 
 
 43 
 
 40 - 
 
 51 
 
 102 
 
 50 - 
 
 58 
 
 174 • 
 
 60 .... 
 
 64 
 
 256 
 
 100 - 
 
 79 
 
 632 
 
 He (Mr. Combes) says, " Now we observe that the numbers in the second 
 column of the table increase slowly, and much more slowly as the temperature is 
 elevated, whilst the numbers in the third column increase very rapidly, following 
 a law much more rapid as the temperature is elevated. Thus, in progressing 
 from a temperature of 30 to 100 degrees, we do not double the mass of air which 
 0.62. p 3 flows 
 
n8 MINUTES OF EVIDENCE TAKEN BEFORE THE 
 
 Professor J. Hann. flows through in an unit of time, but it is necessary to augment the expense of 
 
 combustion in the ratio of 43 to 632, or 1 to 15 nearly. In working out the 
 
 14 June 1852. application of the formula to temperature above 100 degrees, we find that the 
 activity of the circulation progresses more slowly, whilst the expense of com- 
 bustion continues to increase much more rapidly than the temperature. It 
 follows from thence, first, that the air furnaces are so much more disadvantageous 
 with respect to economy, as the temperature that is necessary to be communi- 
 cated to the current of ascending air to allow of sufficient circulation is raised 
 higher ; secondly, that to augment in any considerable manner the activity of the 
 ventilation, it is necessary to carry the temperature of the column of warm air to 
 a very high degree, and beyond a limit sufficiently low ; every increase of tempe- 
 rature will only give place to an insignificant increase in the circulation." 
 
 1477. That is again his limit; that is in consequence of the drag which con- 
 tracts this effect? — Principally that. 
 
 1478. Is it true, in your opinion, that the tendency to an increase of the 
 current, when you intensify the furnace, is in the arithmetical ratio of the up-cast, 
 while the drag which resists it acts in the geometrical ratio ? — Nearly so ; but 
 not actually. 
 
 1479. Then, in fact, it is your opinion that under that attempt to increase the 
 current, the drag increases it so effectually, that when the drag and the current, as 
 it were, meet together, there is a practical stoppage of ventilation through the 
 various galleries of the pit during the operation of those circumstances? — Yes, 
 quite so ; the evidence of Mr. Woodhouse shows that very clearly indeed. 
 
 1480. When was that? — In 1849, before the Lords' Committee. This is 
 Mr. Woodhouse's evidence : " Have you ever made any observation," he is 
 asked, "upon the effect of a furnace in full operation upon the current of air 
 passing through it when it has been raised to a certain point of heat ?" " Yes ; the 
 observations which I have made are these, that in some cases where you warm 
 the air in the up-cast pit by firing to a certain point, you reach the maximum 
 current through the furnace ; but by turning a portion of the cold air into the 
 up-cast pit without passing through the furnace (cooling the up-cast), you simul- 
 taneously get an increased amount of current." Then Lord Wharncliffe 
 observed, "That is to say, that you may raise the heat of the furnace to such a 
 point as rather to diminish its power of ventilation." " To a point where the power 
 of ventilation ceases, provided the current be wholly taken through the furnace ; 
 but if you divide the current, and take a part of it through the up-cast pit without 
 going through the furnace, although the air in the shaft be cooled, the effect is 
 materially increased." He is then asked, " Have you ever considered what is the 
 explanation of that phenomenon ?" " No, I have not ; at least I am not sufficiently 
 conversant with the subject chemically to understand it, or to explain it ; I know 
 that that is the practical effect." I think that that bears upon the natural brattice 
 as given by Mr. Gurney. Now I will give you what I have already written in 
 this work, which will appear very soon, I hope. "This part of Mr. Woodhouse's 
 evidence is peculiarly valuable, for it not only shows clearly the uncertainty 
 of furnace ventilation, but also that it has a limit, and, that limit reached, 
 ventilation sometimes even ceases." The reason why ventilation ceases 
 has been explained by Gurney, Cowie, and myself. Mr. Gurney made an 
 experiment before the Lords, which was very conclusive on this point. 
 He had a glass cylinder with a candle at the bottom for the furnace; then, by 
 throttling the pipe which conveyed the air to the cylinder by a cock, he showed, 
 that on putting out a lighted paper, the smoke went down one side of the glass 
 and up the other, forming between those down and up currents a natural brattice. 
 This appears to be an experimental proof of the possibility of the natural brattice ; 
 that is my full view of the matter. I observe that " throttling the pipe by the cock, 
 is to represent the throttled state of the air in the workings," when the furnace 
 power is increased, " Mr. Woodhouse remarks, in Question 41 1 1, that as long- 
 as the air goes through the furnace this state of things exists ; but if, instead of 
 allowing the whole air to pass through the furnace, a part of it is sent into the 
 up-cast shaft independently, through the drift, as in the figure, then the ventila- 
 tion goes on again. He was asked if he could account for this phenomenon ; he 
 answered in the negative ; such a question required some consideration, and 
 therefore not to be answered in an instant. This phenomenon may be explained 
 in the following manner. The natural brattice is composed of a plate of air (if 
 I may be allowed the term) of the mean temperature and density of the ascending 
 
 and 
 
SELECT COMMITTEE ON COAL MINES. 
 
 n 9 
 
 and descending columns, and in a state of rest, or nearly so. An eddy on the Professor/. Harm. 
 
 side of a river is the same; the natural brattice may be said to be like the 
 
 quiescent particles of water, laying between the main current and the eddy. 14-June 1852. 
 
 Now if a current of cold air be passed along the drift into the up-cast shaft, as 
 
 in the figure, this cold air forces the heated air against the opposite side of the 
 
 shaft, and thereby breaks the natural brattice and restores the ventilation, which 
 
 goes on as represented in the figure." I have not the figure, but I can let you 
 
 see the block. (The Witness produced a woodcut block, which he explained.') 
 
 That was really a natural brattice which was going on ; instead of having all the 
 
 air to come over the furnace, he splits the air, and sends part of it into the drift, 
 
 which forces the air, coming up and down, against the opposite side, and by that 
 
 means breaks the natural brattice. 
 
 1481. What is the power which forces it up? — Only the air in the pit. 
 
 1482. Is that by means of the dumb drift? — Not the dumb drift; you may 
 make an opening in the brattice, to let part go in just so as to destroy the up 
 and down currents. Mr. Cowie, in 1840, gave a similar explanation : he is well 
 known to be one of the most eminent mathematicians this country has produced ; 
 he was senior wrangler at Cambridge, and took the highest honours, therefore 
 his opinion, to say the least, is entitled to respect. I will just read what he gave 
 upon the subject : — " Have you been made acquainted with the proposal of 
 Mr. Gurney for the application of a high pressure steam-jet for ventilation ? — 
 I have. Have you considered the statements that he has made with respect to 
 the relation between the power of a steam-jet so applied and the power of a 
 furnace ? — I have. Do you conceive that the circumstance which he states with 
 respect to the action of a furnace, indicating that there is a point beyond which 
 the power of the furnace cannot be carried, is correct on scientific principles? — I 
 believe it is ; the action of the furnace is by creating a vacuum, which will be 
 supplied by the surrounding air in the easiest way possible; if, therefore, the air 
 down the shaft will come more easily than the air through the galleries, it will 
 come that way. Now the resistance to the air moving in the galleries, will increase 
 with the velocity ; it will therefore increase up to a certain point, and after that 
 the vacuum will more easily be supplied from the top of the shaft than from 
 the galleries, and this will indicate the maximum of the furnace." That is Mr. 
 Cowie's evidence on the natural brattice. 
 
 1483. Has it at all fallen within your opportunities to ascertain what is the precise 
 amount of cubic feet per second of air that would pass through a foot of sectional 
 area? — 1 think it is i,ooo. 1 am not quite sure about it; it is given in the 
 Evidence of Mr. Gurney. I am sure he can tell you better than I can. 
 
 1484. You have not yourself given attention to it? — No, I have not. 
 
 1485. Could you state anything as to the practical uses of the water gauge at 
 the bottom of the up-cast? — No, I do not think I could. 1 think Mr. Forster is here, 
 and he would be better able to give information upon those subjects than I can, 
 he being a man of great experience, as well as a man of superior talent and 
 observation. No doubt he can give better evidence than I can upon that subject. 
 
 1486. Can you give us any information upon the subject of the virtues of the 
 anemometer ? — I cannot. Mr. Mather, who has used it in the northern mines, 
 and examined the ventilation at the House of Lords by it, knows more than I do 
 about it. 
 
 1487. Can you state anything with regard to any system of ventilation by 
 machines ? — I have considered the power of the steam jet, and 1 consider the 
 steam jet to be the simplest possible for the object in view ; and in the work I 
 am about to publish I have gone considerably into the subject, but it would take 
 up too much of your time to enter on the whole of it now. I believe I shall 
 show that the steam jet is more economical than the furnace ; at any rate, I, in 
 some degree, risk my reputation in asserting that it is so. But, as for economy, 
 I think it ought not to come into the question, especially in coal mines. We had, 
 at Hebburn Colliery, a large heap, to which the small coals were carried away, 
 and that was on fire, and burning to no use whatever. But to talk about economy 
 at a coal pit seems to be monstrously absurd. 
 
 1488. You mean economy as to coals ? — Certainly. 
 
 1489. Then you know as a fact, that in the North Country the practice there 
 is to burn as refuse an amazing quantity of coal, that would virtually feed and 
 heat the boiler for the steam jet ? — Certainly. 
 
 1490. Mr. Booker.] Did the working miners in the North of England ever wait 
 0,62. p 4 upon 
 
120 
 
 MINUTES OF EVIDENCE TAKEN BEFORE THE 
 
 Professor J. Hann, upon you by deputation, and direct your attention to the subject of furnace as ven- 
 tilation ? — They did. 
 
 14 June 1852. 1491. Did you give them your opinion regarding the natural brattice of which 
 we have been speaking? — I did. 
 
 1492. As well as such remedies you might propose ? — Yes. 
 
 1493. Did you write a letter in 1851 in the ''Times" and in the "Mining 
 Journal" descriptive of the natural brattice? — I wrote a letter in the "Times," 
 and a great deal of it was copied into the " Mining Journal." 
 
 1494. In that letter, which is dated the 21st of September 1851, you gave 
 your opinion as to the cause of the natural brattice, did you not? — I did. 
 
 1495. And you proposed high pressure steam as a remedy ? — I did. 
 
 1496. The result of your experiment and of your experience is that the high 
 pressure "team is an effectual remedy? — Not an effectual remedy. 
 
 1497. The most effectual remedy discovered ? — If you read my letter, you will 
 find my statement is that if this method does not do away with the accidents, it 
 will lessen the amount of them very considerably. I will not be so bold as to say 
 that any means will do that. I believe the steam jet is the very best on this 
 account; it is the most simple. I think no sort of machine should be allowed. 
 I know Mr. Barkley, in his evidence before the Lords' Committee in 1 849, stated 
 that he had seen a description of Struve?s machine, but that he should be exceed- 
 ingly reluctant to allow any mine under his charge to be dependent for ventilation 
 on the perfection of a machine, whatever might be the power or facility it could 
 afford. 
 
 1498. Have you seen it ? — No. 
 
 1499. Have you seen Brunton's plan : — No; I only know the principle of it. 
 It is a sort of fan, and which is much better than the pump in principle. 
 
 1500. Is it a double action ; does it exhaust and propel? — It is used to exhaust 
 by Mr. Brunton. 
 
 1501. Even as an auxiliary to the furnace? — I would not employ it even as an 
 auxiliary ; the furnace itself is, I think, as powerful and more simple. I would not 
 admit anything of that kind. 
 
 1502. Would you rely upon the ventilation of a mine from the application of 
 a steam jet alone, without the aid of a furnace ? — You cannot well, at the bottom 
 of a pit, have a steam jet without a furnace ; there you have the power of both. 
 In very shallow mines you can have a steam boiler at the top of the up-cast. 
 
 1503. With only such fire as it is necessary to place under the boiler? — Yes. 
 
 1504. Colonel Mure.] That being the only furnace employed? — Yes. 
 
 1505. Mr Booker.'] You must erect a boiler to produce the steam jet? — Yes. 
 
 1506. Colonel Mure.'] Are you of opinion that it would not be advisable to 
 enforce the steam jet in every mine, because there are mines so shallow, that 
 though subject to explosive gas, that the furnace system might be safely and 
 effectually employed to neutralise the gas in them without the application of the 
 steam jet ? — I say not ; wherever a furnace is applied you are always liable to 
 have this natural brattice formed, and therefore you should have an impulsive 
 force; it must be necessarily exercised. If you put a body in motion, it will 
 move for ever, unless something comes to stop it ; we know very well that the 
 steam jet will force the air away from it ; many experiments have been tried to 
 show the immense power of the steam jet. At the Institution of Civil Engineers, 
 there was a discussion upon Struve's principle, which I attended. Mr. Ansted 
 observed, he considered the furnace ventilation sufficient for all ordinary purposes. 
 But it is extraordinary occasions that we have to guard against ; it is not an ordi- 
 nary occurrence, for the same pit to fire every day, but the pits do fire, therefore 
 we must have some power to act at the very time. Suppose the barometer falls, 
 it is necessary to have some power ready at hand to generate a greater velocity so 
 as to drive the foul air from the mine ; the furnace will not do that. Professor 
 Lyon Playfair, in 1849, says the furnace, in his opinion, is not the proper means 
 of ventilation. You ought, he says, to have the means of ventilation at command ; 
 that is, if a blower comes away, you ought to have the means of increasing the 
 ventilation almost instantaneously. I believe some accidents have unfortunately 
 occurred by pushing the furnace very suddenly, rarefying the air so suddenly in the 
 up-cast shaft, that the air in the mine could not come with sufficient force to fill up 
 the empty space, then the equilibrium is restored from the top of the upcast. I 
 am quite confident that the steam jet is the most simple means, and the safest by 
 far for ventilating coal mines. Mr. Gurney superintended the erection of some 
 
SELECT COMMITTEE ON COAL MINES. 
 
 1 21 
 
 jets at Wigan; they had furnished him with a certain number; when he went a Professor J.Hann. 
 
 day or two afterwards, he found half the jets would produce all the ventilation 
 
 wanted in the pit. Now should the barometer fall, and a blower come off in con- H June 1852. 
 
 sequence, you have only to open the rest of the jets, and the place is cleared in an 
 
 instant. 
 
 1 507. Chairman."] Do you consider, looking at it for the purposes of ventila- 
 tion, that there is no limit to the power of the jet? — For ail practical purposes 
 there is no limit to the power of the jet. 
 
 1508. Did I understand you, in answering the question from Mr. Booker, to 
 state, if the steam jet is placed at the bottom of the up-cast shaft, it is expedient 
 and almost necessary to have it combined with a furnace; then, in one case, we 
 understand the power is produced by rarefaction, and also the impulsive power 
 of the steam jet ? — Yes. 
 
 ] 509. When you stated, that in the shallow mines you would prefer the steam 
 jet at the top of the up-cast, and that then a furnace would not be necessary, you 
 merely meant, as I understand, that the steam jet in that case would only want 
 sufficient fire to make the water boil ? — You must have something more than 
 that for high pressure steam ; water boils at 21 2°. 
 
 1510. To heat the boiler sufficiently ? — Yes. 
 
 1511. I understand you do not mean in any degree there to speak of the 
 furnace system of ventilation alone ; you are confining your observations to steam 
 jets alone ? — The steam jet alone. 
 
 1512. Is not it a fact, that the furnace system of ventilation is much less fitted 
 to a shallow mine than it is to a deep mine, because you have so much less draught 
 in a shallow mine ? — We have much greater in a deep mine. 
 
 1513. Therefore the furnace system is more applicable to a deep mine than a 
 shallow mine ? — Yes. 
 
 1514. When it is supposed the furnace may be power enough for a shallow 
 mine, and not enough for a deep mine, it is a mistake; an opinion given under 
 misapprehension ? — You can use the furnace in a deep mine better, because the 
 current of rarefied air in a deep mine is very great. 
 
 1515. Colonel Mure.] You said, however much you approve of the steam-jet 
 system, you do not think even it was a system that would be perfectly efficacious 
 in its application to all mines ? — You misunderstood me there ; I say I believe it 
 is the very best thing that can be employed ; what I wished to make you under- 
 stand was this, that 1 would not take upon me to say that no accident would occur 
 in consequence of the steam jet being employed ; that you would, I believe, have 
 fewer accidents ; that is, if it did not effectually destroy accidents, it would lessen 
 their number and their destructive effects. 
 
 1516. If the steam-jet system then were thoroughly applied, and in proper 
 order, in its application to any mine, it would, humanly speaking, remedy the risks 
 of explosion in that mine ? — I think so. 
 
 1517. Chairman.] You have stated that there is a great elasticity of power in 
 the steam jet, and that, if you have had a blower, you could increase the power to 
 impregnate the noxious air with atmospheric air ? — Yes ; it is as well in some 
 cases to have a reserve boiler, then you have nothing to do but if the blower 
 comes off to use the other boiler. That is recommended by Peclet, and also by 
 Mr. Gurney, quite independently of each other; they have the same views ; it is 
 reasonable to suppose that the steam should act on the whole column. He 
 (Peclet) says, otherwise, if it does not act upon the whole column, the air will 
 come down the sides which are not acted on ; Mr. Gurney observes the same. 
 That is the way Mr. Forster has his steam jets applied, I believe, and he has 
 doubled the quantity of air; that is, the number of cubic feet of air discharged. 
 
 1518. After the opinion you have expressed, I need hardly ask you whether, 
 especially with an additional boiler, the steam jet would not be a great means of 
 safety when the fire-damp has exploded, with a view of diluting the carbonic acid 
 gas that is caused? — No doubt. 
 
 1519. And you consider that the use of the barometer is a necessary precau- 
 tion in every mine ? — Yes ; but I think the common barometer is not sensible 
 enough. Mr. Gurney showed me a differential barometer, which is very sensible. 
 We know we have rain frequently before the barometer indicates anything ot the 
 kind. This being the case, it shows that the barometer is not sufficiently sen- 
 sible ; and if not sufficiently sensible to warn us against a wet coat, certainly it is 
 not sufficiently so to w-arn us against the danger of explosion in a coal mine. 
 
 % 0.62. Q ] 520. The 
 
122 
 
 MINUTES OF EVIDENCE TAKEN BEFORE THE 
 
 Professor J. Hann. 15 20 « The differential barometer is more sensible and less sluggish than the 
 
 mercury ? — Yes ; it shows the slightest atmospheric changes. 
 
 14 June 1852. 1521. The common barometer only shows one-sixth of an inch? — I cannot 
 keep numbers in my head. 
 
 1522. Colonel Mure]. What was the object of your analysis of Mr. Wood's 
 calculations, which you read ; did you mean by lhat to imply that the errors in 
 his calculations tended to vitiate his argument in favour of the furnace system, 
 as preferable to the steam-jet system ? — Yes ; it will vitiate that. I will 
 offer some remarks on that to show in what way he gets wrong. In reply to 
 Question 1829, the mistake of using 5,760 grains for a lb. is fallen into, the 
 number so used having reference to the lb. troy, whereas the number 7,000 
 should have been made use of in reference to the grains contained in a lb. avoir- 
 dupois, seeing that it is used for the purpose of calculating the horse's power of 
 33,000 lbs. avoirdupois raised one foot high per minute ; the consequence is, that 
 instead of the pressure per superficial foot in area of shaft being as stated, 12 lbs., 
 it is in reality only 9*202 lbs. avoirdupois ; and instead of the horse's power 
 being 71, it is in fact only 47*29, .and the coals consumed, instead of being as 
 stated 10^ lbs. per horse-power per hour, would be about 32 1 lbs. per horse- 
 power per hour. To show this, we will take the weight of 100 cubic inches of 
 air as given by Dr. Prout at 31*0117 grains at 6o° Fahrenheit, and 30 inches 
 barometrical pressure ; and following the experimental results of Magnus and 
 
 Regnault, consider the expansion of air in being heated from t to t' as 1 — 459 + j 
 
 459 + t> 
 
 expressed in volume at t, the original volume being taken as unity, we have 
 
 900 X 31*0117 X 1728 
 
 (l _ 459 + 60 \ 
 
 V 459 + 140 J 
 
 7000 X 100 
 
 = 9*202 lbs. 
 
 avoirdupois, the pressure per superficial area of shaft as producing ventilation. 
 The above deductions merely show the errors arising out of the troy lb. being 
 made use of instead of the avoirdupois lb., and by allowing for the increased 
 velocity due to expansion of air by heat ; but either the average temperature of the 
 up-cast pit is erroneously stated at 14O 0 , or the quantity of coals consumed is 
 much greater than 746 lbs. per hour, or 12^ lbs. per minute ; as, even were the 
 uhole of the heat generated to be retained to the point in the shaft where the 
 temperature of 140 0 was measured, it would be found that 12 \ lbs. of coals 
 could not heat 168,850 feet of air to such temperature, taking 60 0 as the 
 point from which such air is to be heated. An average sample of coal 
 requires about 150 cubic feet of air, from which to obtain oxygen for its com- 
 plete combustion, and all coals of an ordinary description require so nearly 
 the same quantity, that we may safely adopt that quantity as required by the 
 coals burnt in the Hetton furnaces. Depretz found the entire heat generated 
 by lib. of carbon, which requires 2 1 lbs. of oxygen for its complete combustion 
 and conversion into carbonic acid, to be capable of heating 78* 15 lbs. of water, 
 180 0 Fahrenheit; and his experiments, as well as those of Dulong and others, go 
 to prove that the heat given out in combustion by different substances is pro- 
 portional to the oxygen required, and therefore proportional to the air required 
 for its combustion. Now 13*06 cubic feet of air, at 60 weigh lib., and hence 
 
 152 cubic feet will weigh ~^ = ii*64lbs. ; and since air contains '232 of its 
 
 weight of oxygen, 11*64 x " 2 3 2 = 2*7 lbs. of oxygen will be furnished by 152 
 feet of air, and the water which l lb. of coal requiring such oxygen for combus- 
 tion, would heat i 8o°, would be as 1% : 78*15 : : 2*7 : 79*i27lbs., and since 
 the specific heat of air is only "2669, that of water being taken as unity, 1 lb. of 
 
 such coal would heat ~^== 296*47 lbs., or 296*47 x 13.06 =3872 cubic 
 
 feet of air 180°; and hence it would heat 3 872 l8 ° ~ 8,712 cubic feet 
 
 of air 8o°; whereas it is stated in evidence that it heats 13,600 cubic feet, to 
 that extent even at the point where the average temperature of the shaft is 
 taken, and where a considerable loss of heat must have occurred, which is 
 plainly impossible. Now since the loss of heat, in shafts is in general very great, 
 it is not too much to suppose, that in the Hetton shaft, 900 feet deep, there 
 may be a loss of 25 per cent, of the heat imparted by the fuel before 
 the air reaches the part of the shaft where the ' average temperature 
 
 of 
 
SELECT COMMITTEE ON COAL MINES. 
 
 123 
 
 of 140 0 was found to exist ; and hence 14 ° 75 6 0 = io6f, may have been the heat Professor J. Hann. 
 
 imparted, which would, by a loss of 25 per cent., be reduced to 8o°, giving . "' e 18 a 
 80 + 60 = 140 0 at the part of the shaft when the average temperature was found 14 u " 1 2 
 to exist. The coals required to impart 1062 0 10 168,850 feet of air would be 
 
 168,850 x iQ6f° _ ^ ] bs. of coals would appear to have been used in producing 
 -3872X 180° 0 11 r & 
 
 the heat of 140 0 in the Hetton shaft, when 168,850 cubic feet of air were passing 
 per minute; or, on the other hand, the average temperature would appear to be 
 less than is stated in evidence. But as there appears to have been an under- 
 ground engine in operation of perhaps 40 or 50 horse power, it is probable that 
 the coals consumed by it and imparting heat to the upcast current have been 
 omitted. When it is stated that 12^ lbs. of coal per minute (the quantity used 
 in the air furnaces only) produced the ventilation, we will here presume the shaft 
 temperature to be correctly stated in evidence, and that the coals burnt in the 
 engine produced heat equivalent to the burning of the additional 13*3 lbs. of 
 coal ; and on this, the most probable of the two conclusions, we will make the 
 comparisons between the furnace action and steam ventilation. The coals per 
 horse power, on either supposition or mode of calculation, will be about the same, 
 that is to say, 32*7 per horse-power per hour, or three times as much as given in 
 evidence, viz., 10 | lbs. per hour. As regards the pump : Mr. Combes, the Govern- 
 ment engineer, tried two pumps, one at Sacre-Madam, and the other at Mon- 
 ceau-Fontaine, and he found the ratio of the useful work to the motive work as 
 1 to 4 in the former, and only 1 to 5 in the latter. 
 
 1 523. Chairman.] Were those pumps placed in the down-cast or in the up-cast ? 
 — The up-cast. Mr. Combes says the principle is vicious, and I agree with him; 
 he said, such an enormous loss was not to be attributed to a bad construction of 
 the machines, on the contrary, they were well made ; nevertheless, he could only 
 get 1 to 4 in one case, and 1 to 5 in another. It is vicious in this way: you have 
 to stop and start the whole quantity of air that is in the pit at every stroke, which 
 necessarily absorbs a great deal of the motive power. 
 
 Thomas Emerson Forster, Esq., called in; and Examined. 
 
 1524. Chairman.] YOU are a Viewer and Manager of Mines ? — lam. T. E. Forstei ; Esq. 
 
 1525. Extensively? — Yes. 
 
 1526. To what extent? — I have the management of six or seven collieries now. 
 
 1527. How many men are there under your supervision? — Men and boys, 
 something like 4,000. 
 
 1528. What are the names of the pits? — The Seaton Delaval, South Hetton, 
 Kelloe, Triendon, Grainge, and Felling. 
 
 1529. Are those situated in Northumberland or Durham? — In both counties. 
 The Seaton Delaval is in the county of Northumberland, and the others are in 
 the county of Durham. 
 
 1530. May we presume you are one of the iargest coal viewers in the North? 
 — I think Mr. W~ood is a larger one than I am. 
 
 1 53 1 - Y° u and Mr. Wood are probably the two largest ? — I think we are. 
 
 1532. Will you tell us what you consider to be the principal causes which lead 
 to those fearful explosions in coal mines, whereby so many lives are lost ? — The 
 want of ventilation. 
 
 1533. That you consider to be the principal cause ? — Yes. 
 
 1534. Has your attention been given to what is the best system of ventilation r 
 —Yes. 
 
 l 535' Will you be kind enough to communicate to the Committee your 
 opinions upon that head ? — I tried both the furnace and the steam-jet methods, 
 and I certainly give the preference to the steam-jet. 
 
 1536. How long did you try the furnace? — I am trying it now at some col- 
 lieries. I have been trying the steam-jet nearly four years. 
 
 1 537. What is the greatest amount of ventilation you have ever been able to 
 produce by means of the furnace, per foot? — At one of the very large collieries 
 I have the management of just now, the South Hetton, I get, by the furnace 
 238.000 cubic feet a minute. 
 
 1538. What is the area of the shaft? — It is a very large area, about 150 feet, 
 the up-cast shaft. 
 
 0.62. q 2 1539- What 
 
124 
 
 MINUTES OF EVIDENCE TAKEN BEFORE THE 
 
 T. E. Forster, Esq. 1539. What is the greatest amount per foot of sectional area you have ever 
 
 got? — Ahout 1,600 feet. 
 
 14 June 1852. 1540. In which of your mines have you tried the steam-jet? — In the Seaton 
 Delaval. 
 
 1541. Alone? — Alone. 
 
 1542. Are you applying it to any other? — I am preparing to apply it to this 
 South Hetton, where I have a very large quantitv of air. 
 
 1543. Even where the area is so very large, and where your ventilation is so 
 much larger than common, you are still using and applying the steam-jet to that 
 colliery ? — Yes, because the workings are far more extensive. 
 
 1 544. What was the reason why you changed from the furnace to the steam- 
 jet ? — Because I got more by the steam-jet, at Seaton Delaval, than I could get 
 by the furnace. 
 
 1 545. What vvere you getting by the furnace, before you adopted the steam- 
 jet? — 53,000 cubic feet. 
 
 1546. What you have got by the steam-jet is 85,000? — Yes. 
 
 1547. Could you have got more than that if you had chosen? — If I had 
 applied more jets, I could; I have 25 jets now. If I applied 50, I should no 
 doubt double the quantity ; but it is not necessary. 
 
 1548. You consider that the ventilation of the Seaton Delaval pit is sufficiently 
 good without any more ? — We have never seen any gas since the jets were 
 applied. 
 
 1549. Before the institution of the steam jet, did you observe any escapages of 
 fiery gas from the walls of the shaft of the collieries? — From the edge of the 
 goaves we always, as soon as the glass fell, had a discharge of gas; since the 
 steam jet has been applied, we have never seen any gas at the edge of the goaves. 
 
 1550. Have you had no explosions, and no accidents from explosions, since 
 the establishment of the steam jet? — Never. 
 
 1551. How does it happen, that the mines you supervise being so well 
 known, and you yourself, as a viewer, having been so well known, and probably 
 your experiment with regard to the steam jet having been so well known, it has 
 not been adopted elsewhere ? — I think there is a prejudice against it. 
 
 1552. Arising from what? — I cannot exactly say. 
 
 1553. Do you think it is probably from the infirmity of human nature, such 
 prejudice exists ? — Yes; I think I should state, there is no comparison between 
 the Seaton Delaval and the South Hetton, where I am getting this large quantity 
 of air, because the up-cast of the Seaton Delaval is only 50 feet area; at the 
 South Hetton it is 150 feet area, and consequently the workings have been more 
 extensive, and we require a much larger quantity of air there. I am not indeed 
 satisfied with the 239,000 cubic feet of air lam getting there; there is one of the 
 districts I am not satisfied with. 
 
 1554. Is there any reason why the steam jet should not be applied in any 
 mine ? — None at all, that I see. 
 
 1555. ^ s there any reason why the furnace should be preferred in any wise to 
 the steam jet ? — None. 
 
 1556. Will you answer me a question upon rather an important point as affect- 
 ing the coal-ouners ; what is the comparative expense of the two systems ? — It is 
 more economical to use the steam jet than the furnace. 
 
 l 557- Would you explain that a little in detail? — I will; at Seaton Delaval, 
 the cost of erecting an underground furnace was 212/. 105. 6 d. ; the actual cost 
 of working that furnace per annum, is 267?. 105.; the cost of erecting one 
 boiler, sufficient to supply a pipe three inches in diameter, with high pressure 
 steam, is 172 /. 156-., with all the apparatus fitted up at the bottom of the shaft 
 complete for setting the jets to work. 
 
 1558. How many jets ? — Twenty-live. 
 
 1559. Mr. Booker.'] From a three-inch main? — From a three-inch main, the 
 cost of working a boiler to supply those jets, is 216/. 1J s. 11 d. 
 
 1560. Per annum? — Per annum. 
 
 1561. Chairman.] Then the Committee understand that the original cost of 
 the furnace was 212 /. \os. 6 d. ? — Erecting the furnace. 
 
 1562. And the original cost in erecting the steam-jet apparatus was 172/. 
 
 .' 15 Yes. 
 
 1563. And that the annual cost of working the furnace is 267 /. \os., and that 
 the annua! cost of working the steam jet is 216 /. 175. lie/. ? — That is it. 
 
 1564. Have 
 
SELECT COMMITTEE ON COAL MINES. 
 
 125 
 
 1564. Have you every reason to believe that would be the result in any other T. E. Forster, Esq. 
 mine ? — In all mines. 
 
 1565. In all mines, the comparative expense would be similar ? — Yes. M June ^5"- 
 
 1 566. Though you and Mr. Wood are opponents as to the system of ventila- 
 tion, I suppose you are good friends? — Yes. 
 
 1567. Can you at all account for Mr. Wood adhering so tenaciously to his 
 system, when such are the results you could show to him ? — I cannot account for 
 it; because when Mr. Gurney came clown to the North to give me a little assist- 
 ance about the jets, he gave the examples be states here, and all the viewers in 
 the district were invited, Mr. Wood, amongst the rest. He saw the experiment, 
 and at that time he was perfectly satisfied with it ; he in fact, complimented 
 Mr. Gurney very much, and thanked me for bringing it into operation at Seaton 
 Delaval. After that, he changed his opinion ; why, I cannot say. 
 
 1568. Have you heard that Mr. Nicholas Wood is about, to institute an expe- 
 riment at the Hetton mine he superintends ? — At Hetton. 
 
 1569. In your opinion, will that be a fair means of testing the value of the 
 steam jet as compared with the furnace? — No doubt, if it is properly done. I 
 told him I was going to do so at South Hetton, the adjoining colliery, and if he 
 did not do his correctly mine would check him. 
 
 1570. Did he invite you and Mr. Gurney to go and see it was rightly done? 
 —Yes. 
 
 1571. Have you any reason to doubt that he will test it fairly ? — I shall see for 
 myself, when it is done. 
 
 1572. Colonel Mure,'] Would not it be better that, some previous arrange- 
 ment should be entered into between you and Mr. Gurney and Mr. Wood, 
 as to the mode in which it should be done, before the experiment was made, 
 because you might come and find it had been made in some defective manner? 
 — Mr. Wood has my plan, which is Mr. Gurney's ; that is his working plan. 
 I will answer for it, that if he puts it up with the requisite number of jets, it will 
 give him a very great increase. 
 
 1573. Colonel Pennant.~\ Have you one or two boilers to the steam-engine? — 
 Two boilers to the steam-engine; but I only work one of them when I am work- 
 ing the jets at night ; during the day that engine draws 1 ,000 tons of coal up the 
 railway every day ; and at night, when it is done, the steam jets are going on. 
 
 1574. Is it not desirable to have two in all cases? — I fancy not; wl,e:e there 
 is an engine down the pit ; there must be two. 
 
 157,5. I 11 case °f accident happening to one boiler, and you relied upon that, 
 the ventilation would be stopped during the time of repairing it? — No doubt it is 
 an advantage ; I am attaching another boiler to my engine, because I am going 
 to extend the plane. 
 
 . 1570. In the case of having two boilers, you would increase the expense? — 
 If you have an engine to do your work, you do not increase the expense. 
 
 1577. Chairman^] Will you give us a general opinion upon the subject of the 
 danger that is to be apprehended from the falling in of the old workings and the 
 goaves ; whether the steam jet applies as a means of security to those as well as 
 the galleries? — As far as concerns the goaves, you can only sweep along the edge 
 of the goaves ; you cannot force the air into the goaves, but as soon as the gas 
 escapes Irom the goaves by the large current of air that is passing, it drives it 
 away, and you never allow it to accumulate ; you never can see it. 
 
 1578. You think this is a practical means of obviating the danger that arises 
 from the goaves ? — Yes. 
 
 1579. And that there is no danger from the goaves if the gas is swept away as 
 it exudes out of the <ioaves ? — Yes. 
 
 1580. You have stated, in the beginning of your evidence, that since you have 
 instituted the steam jets, the escapage of gas is not perceptible? — I have never 
 seen it. 
 
 1581. Suppose it were to happen that, from any breaking in or falling down of 
 the roof, or any other occurrence, there was a sudden escapage of gas in large 
 quantities, do you consider, if there was any means at that time of* communicating 
 with the steam jet, sufficient power could be put on to dilute that additional 
 quantity of gas, so as to prevent its being noxious ? — You might if you had time ; 
 if it came so suddenly as that, and got to the naked lights, the mischief would be 
 done before you could get to the jets. 
 
 1582. Do you believe that, under the system of effective ventilation produced by 
 0.62. q 3 the 
 
i2o MINUTES OF EVIDENCE TAKEN BEFORE THE 
 
 T. E. Forster, Esq. the steam jet, in your mine if there was to be a full in of the roof, and a sudden esca- 
 P a » e > there would not be a violent explosion produced by it: — There would if it 
 14 June 1852. wag vvrjere the naked lights were, if this gas came from the goaf. If I now saw 
 any gas making its appearance at the edge of the goaf, I should apply 10 or 15 
 jets more immediately to the boiler, and get a larger quantity of air. 
 
 1583. If the fireman or the overman, or whatever you call him, were suffi- 
 ciently vigilant, do you think that you could always have sufficient warning and 
 time, so as to apply the steam jet upon a sudden necessity arising r — Not always 
 sufficient warning; but if it was at the edge of the goaves, the men never come 
 with naked lights there, and an additional number of jets might be applied, and 
 sweep the gas away, and you would never see it. 
 
 1584. In case an explosion took place, do you believe that the steam jet would 
 be a powerful agent in forcing an immediate additional quantity of air, so as to 
 correct the ill effect of the after-damp that arises ? — Yes, for this reason, the steam 
 jet could be kept employed ; but when an accident happens, the furnace is 
 obliged to he put out for fear of gas coming out again and igniting at the furnace. 
 
 1585. Colonel Pennant.'] How would you keep the steam jet going, if the fur- 
 nace is necessary to he put out ; is not there a furnace necessary with the steam 
 jet? — 1 work my boilers with the fresh air; not the return air, but the first of 
 the air. 
 
 1.-586. Colonel Mure.'] There would be no danger of an interruption of the 
 steam jet? — Not the slightest. 
 
 1587. Chairman.] Is there any other means of escape from an explosion which 
 has suggested itself to you? — Nothing but pouring in the fresh air. 
 
 1588. With regard to the question of the furnace limit, are you a believer in 
 the doctrine that there is a furnace limit when you attempt to increase the ventila- 
 tion by identifying the furnace? — Practically, I do not know that; the great 
 point with both furnace and the steam jet is keeping large air passages ; if you do 
 not keep large returns you cannot obtain a sufficient quantity of air ; with a furnace 
 or a steam jet, there is such a friction, it retards the air very much. 
 
 1589. In addition to the shaft being large, the up-cast should be large too? — • 
 Yes ; those are my rules ; and you will observe the point is stated under the 
 head of " Master Wastemen." I never allow any of my air courses to be less 
 than 60 feet ; where there is one drift I have 60 feet. 
 
 [The If'itness delivered in a copy of the Rules, which are as follows:] 
 
 Caution and Instructions respecting the proper Use of the Safety Lamps, and the Duties 
 of various Officers, in the Seaton Delaval Colliery. 
 
 1. In every part of the said colliery, where the pillar working or broken is in operation, 
 stations will be fixed upon by the viewer, where each workman's safety lamp will be examined 
 and securely locked. 
 
 From those stations no workman is to take a safety lamp for use in the pillar working or 
 broken, without its having been examined and securely locked by the overman, inspectoi", 
 or deputy. 
 
 The overman and inspectors to have full power to direct the workmen how to use their 
 safety lamps during the time of working ; and it is particularly enjoined that every workman 
 strictly attend to such directions. No lamp to be used on which there is not a tin shield. 
 None but the overman, or similar officer in authority, to be allowed to carry a lamp key. 
 
 2. Should any accident happen to a lamp whilst in use, by which the oil is spilt upon the 
 gauze, or it be in any other way rendered unsafe, the light to be immediately extinguished, 
 by drawing the wick down within the tube with the picker ; such lamp to be directly taken 
 out to the station where the lamps are examined, and not to be again used until after having 
 been properly examined by the overman, or other responsible person, on the in-bye side of 
 which station, towards the broken workings, no candles are to be taken. 
 
 3. Should any workman using a safety lamp detect, by the usual indications, the appear- 
 ance or presence of fire-damp, he is first to pull down the wick with the picker, as before men- 
 tioned, and then to retreat to the lamp station, and give information of the same to the nearest 
 responsible person, it being strictly forbidden for any workman to continue to work in a place 
 where such indication has been observed by him ; and should the flame continue in the inte- 
 rior of the lamp after the wick has been drawn down, the lamp then to be cautiously removed, 
 and no attempt whatever to extinguish the flame by any other means to be adopted by the 
 ■workman. 
 
 4. Every hewer, putter, or other person, to whom a safety lamp is intrusted, is hereby 
 strictly prohibited from interfering in any way whatever with the lamp, beyond the necessary 
 trimming of the wick with the picker. The lamp in no case to be hung upon the row of 
 
 props 
 
SELECT COMMITTEE ON COAL MINES. 
 
 127 
 
 props next the goaf or old work, and not to be nearer the swing of the gear, on any occasion, T. E. Forster, Esq, 
 than two feet. 
 
 5. Should any hewer, putter, or any other person whatever, in charge of a safety lamp, in 14 June 1852. 
 any case lose his light, he is to take it himself to the station where the lamps are examined, 
 
 to be relighted, examined, and locked by the overman, or some other responsible person, before 
 being again used. 
 
 6. It is expressly directed that any person witnessing any improper treatment of the safety 
 lamps by any one, shall give immediate information to the overman in charge of the pit, so 
 that a recurrence of such conduct may be prevented, by the offending party being brought to 
 justice. 
 
 7. Any person found smoking tobacco in any part of the said colliery where the safety lamp 
 is used, or a tobacco-pipe found in their possession, will be liable to be fined or taken before a 
 magistrate, at the option of the owners or viewer of the said colliery. No matches, under any 
 pretence whatever, to be taken down the pit. 
 
 8. No putter, pony-driver, helper- up, or other person, is, under any pretext, to carry a 
 lamp during his work, except in special cases, where the parties have leave to do so from the 
 viewer. Lamps will be hung along the going-roads, to afford sufficient light for the perform- 
 ance of the work. 
 
 9. Every person using a safety lamp to receive the bottom part of the same himself from 
 the hands of the lamp-keeper, and when done work to return it, himself, to the lamp-keeper 
 then in the pit. The gauze to be taken home at the end of each shift, by the person using it, 
 for the purpose of having it properly cleaned before being again used. 
 
 10. Any person acting contraiy to the above instructions will be liable to a fine of not less 
 than 10 s., or to be taken before a magistrate, as the owners or viewer of the said colliery may 
 think proper, in order that the lives of the workmen employed therein may be duly protected. 
 And any person informing against any offending party or parties will, in every case, be hand- 
 somely rewarded. 
 
 11. The hewer that keeps his safety lamp in the best order for a quarter of a year, will be 
 entitled to a premium of 5 s. ; and, for the second best, 2 s. 6d. The putter to be entitled 
 to 2 s. Qd. for the same length of time. 
 
 Officers' Duties. 
 
 Overmen. — The fore overman to give all necessary instructions to the men and boys in the 
 pit respecting their work, and to see daily that due respect is paid by the same to the rules 
 and regulations in force upon the colliery. To visit every working place at least once a day, 
 commencing at the starting of the pit. To examine daily all the various air currents of the 
 colliery, also all stoppings and air brattice connected with the same ; and should any defi- 
 ciency in the main or separate air currents at any time be observed, notice of such deficiency 
 to be immediately given to the resident viewer. Also, in the event of any sudden discharge, 
 accumulation, or indication of inflammable gas in any part of the workings, the same to be 
 immediately reported to him, such workings to cease working until the said gas be removed. 
 
 The overman in the meantime, to the best of his judgment, to adopt such means as will 
 effect the same. To examine carefully each day, with the safety lamp, the edge of all the 
 goaves in the broken workings, and to see that due attention is paid to the lamps by the men 
 whilst at work, giving them at all times suitable directions respecting them, according to the 
 situation in which they are placed. 
 
 To see that a sufficient quantity of timber of all requisite sizes is daily supplied to the 
 workings, such being the earnest wish of the owners, so that every possible protection may 
 be afforded to the lives of their workmen ; it being at the same time their particular desire 
 that a proper care of all materials should be taken, and none whatever, on any occasion, 
 wilfully wasted. 
 
 To see that all tramways and rolleyways are kept in a safe and working state throughout 
 the colliery. 
 
 The safety lamp to be used whilst examining all workings ; also any old or suspended 
 workings. 
 
 To examine first thing every morning the state of the barometer, it being provided for 
 the purpose of showing when the presence of inflammable gas may, more or less, be expected, 
 and particularly at the edge of the goaves in the broken workings. 
 
 To see the resident viewer every night after the pit has ceased work, and report to him 
 the general state of the workings of the colliery, and to receive directions respecting the 
 same. 
 
 Back Overmen. — The back overman to have full charge of the pit in the absence of the 
 fore overman, exercising in everything the same authority and attention as the fore overman 
 whilst in the pit. 
 
 To report to the fore overman every night the state of the pit, and what may have trans- 
 pired through the day, whether of a usual or unusual nature. Not to leave the pit at night 
 till all the day-shift men and lads have ridden, and to examine the main air currents and the 
 barometer last thing every night before leaving the pit. 
 
 Deputies. — The deputies to go down the pit every morning two hours before the men, for 
 the purpose of examining the state of the workings previous to the men going in. To 
 
 O.62. Q4 examine 
 
128 
 
 MINUTES OF EVIDENCE TAKEN BEFORE THE 
 
 T. E. Forslcr, Esq. examine the state of the barometer, first tiling, at the bottom of the shaft. The face o£< 
 
 every working- place to be carefully examined, and on every occasion with the safety lamp. 
 
 14 June 1852. To have full charge of the workings ; also control over the men and lads in their respective 
 districts, in the absence of the overman. At all times to report to the overman in the pit 
 any deficiency that may be detected in the ventilation, also all appearances of danger from 
 any other cause. To examine frequently through the day the condition of the edge of the 
 goaves in the working juds, and should inflammable gas at any time be observed, the working 
 of the jud to be immediately stopped until the gas has been cleared away — giving notice of such 
 immediately to the overman in the pit. To put in, on all occasions, a sufficient quantity of 
 timber into every working place, putting in the same in the best possible manner, for 
 affording the greatest safety to the workmen therein employed. The safety lamps always 
 to be used whilst drawing props, both in the whole and in the broken workings. The 
 fore-shift deputies to see the fore overman the last thing every night, and the back-shift 
 deputies to see him every morning in the pit, both for the purpose of receiving instruc- 
 tions relative to the workings of their various districts. 
 
 Master Wastemen. — The master wasteman to go down the pit every morning two hours 
 before the hewers. To examine first thing the state of the barometer, and next the 
 principal intake air currents. To examine in the course of the day all the various return 
 air currents. 
 
 To see that all the working returns are kept properly open and of a sufficient size, 
 none of which is to be under 60 feet area where the whole pit's air is in a single cur- 
 rent, 70 feet ai'ea for two, and 80 feet where the current has three distinct air courses, 
 The safety lamps, on all occasions, to be used in the waste, all of Avhich must be examined 
 by the master wasteman before being used. 
 
 All doors separating the fresh and return air currents to be fit up with proper locks, which 
 must be kept constantly locked, and only opened by persons authorized by the resident 
 viewer. To see that proper attention is paid to the furnaces or steam-jets. To report daily 
 to the resident viewer the general state of the waste, also to give to the overmen any infor- 
 mation they may at any time require respecting the same. The overmen and the deputies 
 to travel with the master wasteman the Avhole of the air courses, at least once every three 
 months, in oi'der to make themselves thoroughly acquainted with the same. 
 
 Lamp-keepers. — The lamp-keepers to keep in a clean and orderly manner the bottom part 
 of each man's safety lamp, and to supply the same daily with a sufficient quantity of oil and 
 wick. To keep a correct account of who receives the lamps, and to report to the over- 
 man every man who in any way injures his lamp ; also, those who return their lamps by any 
 other person to the lamp cabin, after being done with the same. To see that no oil, wick, 
 or anything connected with the lamp is wasted. To allow no lamp bottom to go out for 
 use that is the least out of repair. Any man persisting to take it, to report him immediately 
 to the overman in the pit. 
 
 Onsctters. — The onsetters to allow no person to ride, during work hours, without having 
 sent to bank the token, as a signal for such, on the previous cage. Not to allow more than 
 eight men, or six men and four lads to ride at one time ; and on every occasion the tubs 
 to be taken out of the cage. To allow every person sufficient time for getting safely into 
 the cage, before rapping away. To have a stated number of raps, which must be three, 
 when men are going to ride. Two onsetters to remain at the bottom of the pit after the 
 pit has done work, to see all the men and lads are safely sent away. To work the rapper 
 themselves, and on no account to allow any other person to touch it. To assist in repairing 
 the shaft, taking charge of the rapper on every occasion — to pay the same every possible care 
 and attention. Having a clear and distinct understanding with the men employed in the 
 shaft and the banksmen, in order that accidents may be avoided. 
 
 Bavksmcn. — A banksman to attend at the top of the pit every morning, to see that the 
 men and lads are sent safely down the pit, and that not more than the specified number- 
 descend at one time in a cage. To give the directions to the brakesman when all is right, 
 and to tell him that men are in the cage, and to tell him also when men are going to ride. 
 To request the men when going down the pit, in the absence of the onsetters, to rap one 
 after having got safely out of the cage. To examine the pit ropes frequently through the 
 day, and last thing every night. To examine also the cage chains and cages, and on every 
 occasion, when any apparent deficiency in the ropes, chains, or cages is observed by them, to 
 report the same immediately to the colliery engineer. Never to allow during work hours, 
 or when men are going to ride, any man to take his picks, drills, or any other gear, down the 
 pit in the cage with him, but to see that such are sent down in the tubs. 
 
 Brakesmen. — A brakesman to be constantly in attendance at the machine, the good and 
 safe working order of which he must at all times attend to. Not to leave the handles when 
 men are riding in the shaft, or working in the shaft. 
 
 Not to lift the cage from the bottom when men are going to ride, without being told to- 
 do so by the banksman, being, at the same time, certain himself that the regular number of 
 raps for such have been given by the onsetters. 
 
 To report any deficiency of the machine immediately to the engineer, which, if considered 
 of a serious nature by him, to stand until repaired. On all occasions to let down and draw 
 the workmen with the greatest possible care. 
 
 Evr/incer. — The engineer to inspect first thing every morning, and occasionally through, 
 the day, with a view to its proper working state, all the machinery and its appendages in use 
 upon the colliery. To examine also, at least twice a day, the pit ropes and cages, also the 
 chains belonging to the same, the renewing and repairs of which at all times to be according 
 
 to 
 
SELECT COMMITTEE ON COAL MINES. 
 
 129 
 
 to his directions, and in every respect to his entire satisfaction, both in the joiner's and j> £ Forster E- 
 
 smith's department. To inspect and direct also, at all times, the repairs both of the engine ' ' W< €r> ^" 
 
 and coal shafts ; for which repairs on all occasions the best of materials to be used. The p 
 
 repairs of the coal waggons and coal tubs to be inspected by him, and done also to his entire 14 ** une 52 ' 
 
 satisfaction. A book to be kept by him, in which must be noted all particulars relative to 
 
 the repairs or improvement suggested by him in the aforesaid machinery, its appendages, 
 
 ropes, cages, chains, &c. ; and in the event of any deficiency in any parts of the said 
 
 machinery, ropes, &c, occurring at any time, the same to be by him immediately reported to 
 
 the colliery office, adopting at the earliest opportunity such means as will, to the best of his 
 
 judgment, remedy the said deficiency. To see that all chains connected with the pit ropes 
 
 and cages are annealed, or put through the fire, at least once a month. 
 
 General Remarks. — Any person observing any door standing open that ought to be shut, 
 or stoppings injured, or brattice knocked down or broken, or any other thing whereby the 
 ventilation of the mine may be deranged or obstructed, is immediately to inform the 
 overman, or deputy, or other officer then in charge of the pit, so that it may, with as little 
 delay as possible, be remedied. 
 
 No hewer to commence working in any place until it has first been inspected by the over- 
 man or deputy, or some other authorised person. 
 
 No workman to commence or continue to work in any place where he may consider the 
 timber insufficient to support the roof of the mine, or any other cause that may render the 
 place unsafe, until it is put right by the deputy or other person in charge. 
 
 Any person wilfully or negligently injuring any safety-lamp, or in any way obstructing or 
 deranging the ventilation of the pit, or breaking any of the regulations or rules, shall be 
 immediately discharged from his employment, or, at the option of the owners of the colliery, 
 be prosecuted according to law. 
 
 Lastly. — It is the particular desire of the owners and principal agents of the colliery that 
 the various officers whose duties have been enumerated, will at all times report to the 
 proper authorities every individual case of neglect or wilful disobeying of the rules and 
 cautions herein set forth, in order that the safe and proper working of the colliery may be 
 duly maintained. 
 
 Thomas E. Forsler, Viewer. 
 
 1590. Mr. Mooker.~] How long have those rules been in operation? — For 
 about two years. 
 
 1591. Do you find any difficulty in the overman and the workman in enforc- 
 ing attention to those orders ? — Not the least. 
 
 1592. Do you impose any fine? — If a man disobeys any of those rules, I dis- 
 miss him immediately. I keep up good discipline. 
 
 *593- There is nothing there but what ought to be and can be enforced? — 
 Yes. 
 
 1594. Chairman.] Do you consider the water-gauge an instrument of advan- 
 tage? — I think it would be; I have tried Mr. Brunton's ; I think it would be of 
 advantage. 
 
 1595. The water-gauge? — Yes. 
 
 1596. Is it to be at the bottom of the up-cast? — No; I tried it between the 
 downcast and the up-cast. T have also, at Seaton Delaval, and the whole of my 
 collieries, a register of the state of the barometer and the thermometer every day. 
 
 1597. The common barometer? — Yes, the common barometer. 
 
 1598. Have you ever seen the differential barometer? — No. 
 
 1599. Do you conceive, if there was a barometer of a more sensible nature, it 
 would be an advantage if it showed more delicately the different changes that 
 might be anticipated ? — I think it would be a great advantage. 
 
 1600. Do you think any mine can be safely worked without the use of th< , 
 barometer? — They are much better with it; the overman and the master wast e _ 
 man, and the deputies, all examine the barometer every morning when they o - 0 
 down, and examine it again when they return, and the man examining it 1 ^ uts 
 it down three times a day. 
 
 1601. Would not it tend to a greater security of ventilation under iiispf action, 
 
 if there was such a thing as a registered anemometer kept in each m' / ne ? 
 
 Perhaps it might ; but there is so much friction it would make only a c ompara- 
 tive quantity ; there is nothing so good as trying the quantity by ex- p'odino- a 
 little gunpowder, and seeing how long it is in passing over a given dista' Jce> 
 
 1602. Is there no danger in those experiments ? — Not the slightest. 
 
 1603. Your doubts as to the anemometer arise from doubts as to tb e perfection 
 of the instrument? — Wherever there are a great many wheels to g 0j there is 
 great friction. 
 
 1604. Do you know the differential anemometer? — No. 
 
 1605. The Committee may gather from your observations, y ou do not think 
 0.62. " R yo U 
 
 - 
 
130 
 
 MINUTES OF EVIDENCE TAKEN BEFORE THE 
 
 I.E. Forster, Esq. you could do without a lamp to work the mines with, generally speaking? — I 
 think not without the safety lamp. 
 14 June 1852. 1606. What do you think of the Davy lamp? — I have had a great deal of 
 experience ; I think it is a safe lamp in cautious hands, but lately I have got a 
 little nervous about it; it is not safe to be trusted to buys 10 or 12 or 14 years 
 old, which you are obliged to do and cannot help it. 
 
 1607. Mr. Booker.] It is safe then to a certain extent? — Yes; if used with 
 caution. 
 
 1608. Chairman.'] Do you know any other safer lamp ? — I prefer Stephenson's, 
 because as soon as it gets into the explosive mixture, it goes out, and then I am 
 certain that no damage can be done. 
 
 1609. Colonel Mure.] Have you substituted Stephenson's yet? — I have not 
 yet ; the great bulk are Davy's, but I have some at work. 
 
 1610. Chairman^ What is your opinion of the subject of inspection ; is the 
 present system of inspection efficient? — It has done no harm, but good. 
 
 161 1. You do not object to it? — I have no objection to it. 
 
 1612. Do you think, if the system is to be good, the number of inspectors is 
 sufficient ? — No. 
 
 1613. Do you think they ought to have any increased power, as compared 
 with what they have now? — It would not do to give them more power than they 
 have; it is sufficient to come and examine the mine, and give the owners or 
 managers their suggestions. 
 
 1614. That they have now ? — Yes. 
 
 3615. Supposing explosions were happening in a given district, or in a given 
 mine very much, and the inspector warned the owner or manager of such mine 
 that those explosions were only the natural consequence of neglect of proper pre- 
 caution, would you give the inspector no power to stop the workings ? — I think 
 the law would meet that. I think they would be culpable, and ought to be 
 punished. 
 
 1016. Under what law? — By the coroner's verdict. If the jury saw there was 
 neglect, they would bring it in manslaughter, ana the party would be tried. 
 
 1617. Colonel Mure.] Instead of punishing would it not be better, if the in- 
 spector found something wrong which vvas likely to produce loss of life, that he 
 should have the power of stepping in and preventing it by preventing the working of 
 the mine, or otherwise? — There would be a difference of opinion: the mine owner 
 might say, " I am not wrong ; you are wrong;" and who is to be the judge? 
 
 ifu8. Chairman-] Might not the same answer be given by any officer of a 
 railway when accidents happen ; might not he say he acted rightly when every 
 body else sai I he was wrong? — That is a different thing. Suppose an inspector 
 said, when he came to my colliery, " You are not acting rightly," and I said, s< I am 
 right ;" though I might be right, still, because he gave me warning, it would go 
 agfiinst me if an explosion took place. 
 
 1619. You think an accident might arise from some cause other than 
 that which the inspector supposed? — Yes: no inspector could give an opinion 
 beyond the day. 
 
 1620. You would not trust that power to any one else? — The inspector would 
 ;not like that. 
 
 1621. Suppose there vvere a commission of mixed scientific and practical men, 
 a ©d they sent out orders, and those orders were not complied with, and the 
 in. ^P e(; t° rs acting under those orders were to give a warning to the owner or the 
 ma Uager, would you not then allow them to stop the working of the mine ? — 
 Befc xre tue D °dy m London could he communicated with, the damage might be 
 all do XBe 5 if tnat was tne case 5 it would take time before the inspector could com- 
 munici ^ e w ' tn the society or the body in London, and get their instructions 
 about it • 
 
 1 62 r '. Have you any suggestions to offer as to any better mode of inspection 
 than we i» >ow have? — No ; I think the great thing is, that the coal-owners are so 
 much intd "ested in keeping their collieries right themselves, they would never 
 spare any e. *pense in the North of England to make the ventilation as perfect as 
 possible undv * the circumstances. 
 
 1623. And' y et those coal-owners, having seen before their eyes for some years 
 a much better .system than has hitherto prevailed, according to your opinion, have 
 failed to follow /in your philanthropic steps ? — I do not know that ; but following 
 
 up 
 
SELECT COMMITTEE ON COAL MINES. 131 
 
 up the question of inspection, I think that in Lancashire and Wales my opinion T.E.Forster, Esq. 
 
 is, there will be a great many more accidents than there have been yet. . 
 
 1624. Why? — Because previous to inspectors being appointed, there was not 14 June 185a. 
 sufficient atmospheric air in the mines to make the gas explosive; now the 
 
 inspectors are insisting" upon a little better ventilation, and upon their putting in 
 more, which makes it dangerous ; between the transition from bad to good a 
 great many lives will be lost. 
 
 1625. In fact the admixture of a certain portion of the atmospheric air with the 
 carburetted hydrogen makes it explosive, and by the admission of certain quantities 
 it is not explosive: in that predicament you think the mines now generally are; 
 but that with the admission of a still greater quantity of atmospheric air, you con- 
 sider, as in the case of the Seaton Delaval, the ventilation might be made efficient 
 and complete ? — I do not know that it could be ever made perfect, but it would 
 reduce the number of accidents materially. 
 
 1626. You rely upon ventilation as the main agent of getting rid of the fearful 
 accidents that occur from explosion ? — No doubt. 
 
 1627. Colonel Mure.'] Do I understand it to be your opinion, that part of 
 the great number of accidents that have taken place within the last year 
 may be owing to atmosphetic air having been introduced under the direc- 
 tion of the inspectors into mines, which would not have been so dangerous 
 without that additional introduction of atmospheric air ? — They would not have 
 been explosive. 
 
 1628. Colonel Pennant.] You think it is possible to produce a system of ven- 
 tilation which just goes so far as to make the gas explosive, but not sufficient to 
 drive out the deleterious gas ? — No doubt of it. 
 
 1629. With regard to the overseers of mines generally, do you think they are, 
 generally speaking, sufficiently acquainted with their business to conduct those 
 operations? — In the North of England they are; but in other parts they are not. 
 I can tell you a little anecdote of one. I had occasion to be in Lancashire about 
 two months ago, and on going down one of the mines, the overlooker told me, 
 a We work this mine entirely with safety-lamps." I said, "Very well, Jonathan. 
 I should like to see these lamps, and see that they are all right hefore I go in." 
 And the first lamp he put in my hand was Clanny's, and between the gauze I 
 could put my little finger in. I said, "This will not do ; I will take one of the 
 others." I examined one, and the gauze was perfect, but very dirty. We pro- 
 ceeded along the railway from the bottom of the shaft. I said, " I shall then see 
 how these men work this colliery entirely with lamps. In the face of the work- 
 ings every man had a Davy lamp, but every man had the gauge out, and it was a 
 naked light. I said, "If you are not more particular than this, you will have a 
 blow up." And next week they had it. 
 
 1630. Colonel Pennant.] Suppose there was such a Board as was alluded to 
 by the Chairman, in London, or elsewhere, what would your opinion be of that r 
 — It would do no harm. 
 
 1631. Would it do good ?- — Yes. 
 
 1632. Colonel Mure.] Have you any other cause to assign for the great increase 
 of accidents that has taken place last year? — Perhaps the mines in Lancashire 
 of this large class are getting deeper and deeper daily ; they will proceed further 
 from the crop, where they are deeper and deeper. 
 
 1633. Mr. Booker.] Do you think there should be any limit to the extent to 
 which a colliery ought to be worked, that is, to any given quantity brought out 
 from one pit ? — No, it is not necessary ; two miles, or rather more than that, I 
 believe, are the workings of the Seaton Delaval. 
 
 1634. How many tons a day do you bring out? — 1,000 tons a day out of two 
 shafts. 
 
 ^35. With one upcast and downcast shaft? — One upcast exclusively. 
 
 1636. Do you draw from both shafts ? — Not from the upcast. 
 
 1637. Colonel Mure.] Is not it the fact, that the goaves are the great genera- 
 tors of mischievous gas in the mines ? — No doubt of it ; a large quantity of gas is 
 generated there, and unless the pressure is taken off, and the barometer falls, it 
 does not show itself ; therefore it is comparatively harmless, and, until mixed with 
 atmospheric air, will not explode. 
 
 1638. Might not an improper mode of working the mines, in such a manner as 
 to leave the goaves irregularly and improperly distributed, be a great obstruction to 
 
 0-62 . r 2 a proper 
 
132 
 
 MINUTES OF EVIDENCE TAKEN BEFORE THE 
 
 T.E.Forster, Esq. a proper system of ventilation ? — No, I think not; a man would always keep his 
 
 air courses sufficient alongside of those goaves. 
 
 H June l8 5 e - 1639. Are you aware that in the Manchester district they work the mines in 
 such a manner as that the goaves shall be all in one place? — No. 
 
 1640. In your country they are distributed? — Yes, here and there and every 
 where. 
 
 1641. Is that not a defective system? — No. 
 
 1642. Are you not of opinion that, keeping the goaves in one place and work- 
 ing so that the pillars over one surface, instead of many, that that would be a 
 means; of preventing the generating of gas ? —I do not think it would ; because, in 
 all those districts, we subdivide the air. No air that has worked one district goes 
 into another. 
 
 1643. Chairman.] Would it be possible to insulate the goaves from the rest 
 of the mine, and have a separate air-course for them ? — I do not think the goaves 
 do any harm, if the current of air is allowed to sweep along the edge of it. 
 
 1644. At a sufficient rate of speed ? — Yes. 
 
 1645. Which rate and quantity the steam-jet would produce? — No ques- 
 tion of it. 
 
 1646. There is another point which is of considerable consequence in that 
 question, which is as to the state of the health of the miners : have you observed 
 that the health of your miners has improved since they have had a better ventila- 
 tion ? — I cannot say ; our men are all healthy. 
 
 1647. Are all miners generally healthy under the ordinary ventilation? — In 
 small collieries in Durham, where there is a great deal of carbonic acid, there 
 they are in a bad state. 
 
 1648. Will not the steam jet have the effect of producing a healthy atmosphere, 
 where the carbonic acid gas exists, as well as prevent danger where the 
 carburetted hydrogen is ? — No question about it ; but the owner of those little 
 collieries, because they have seen no danger, will not always take care to keep 
 the air courses open. 
 
 1649. You think that the steam jet is to be recommended, both from the 
 health of the miners, and to prevent all those dangerous explosions ? — No question 
 of it ; and I believe, by-and-bye it will be adopted generally, though it has met 
 with opposition. 
 
 1650. Colonel Mure.] Are your mines liable to sudden escapages of explo- 
 sive gas? — Some of them are. 
 
 1651. Have you found your ordinary system of ventilation by steam jet, when 
 it is in operation, quite sufficient to keep them clean ? — Yes ; I never see the 
 slightest indication of gas in the Seaton Delaval. 
 
 16,52. In regard to the table of rules, do you find that they are willingly and 
 cheerfully conformed to by the men ? — My men do so cheerfully both at the South 
 Hetton and Delaval collieries.. I have had occasion, when I had not been so 
 long viewer, to have several of the lads brought up for not taking sufficient care 
 of the lamps; the men I have not found any fault with ; the man who keeps his 
 lamp in the best order for three months, I give a small premium to. They come 
 occasionally to the office and show the lamps, and they are in a beautiful con- 
 dition. 
 
 1653. I asked the question, because there is an impression on the part of the 
 public, that those accidents are caused by carelessness and recklessness on the part 
 of workmen ; do you think that such carelessness and recklessness exist, as is sup- 
 posed ? — I have never had occasion to find fault with a man; but the boys, I 
 certainly have had occasion to have brought before me sometimes for breaking 
 a lamp and getting it injured, I cannot say whether from negligence or wilfulness. 
 Sometimes 1 have had occasion to dismiss them from the colliery, to show the 
 thing is taken notice of, and would not be allowed to go on ; in fact, I have had 
 occasion in one or two instances to send them to prison. 
 
 1654. It is your opinion that in a properly regulated colliery, where the owner 
 or manager is anxious to introduce and enforce useful regulations, no great diffi- 
 culty will be found, from the recklessness or inattention of the men ? — I have no 
 difficulty whatever, as far as my experience goes, with the men. 
 
 1655. Is it necessary to employ boys, assuming so great danger to arise from 
 carelessness on their part ? — You cannot do without them; they take the coals 
 from the men ; the men fill the coals into the tubs and baskets, and they take 
 them from them. 
 
 1656. Boys 
 
SELECT COMMITTEE ON COAL MINES. 
 
 *33 
 
 16.56. Boys are employed to watch the opening and shutting of the doors? — t. E. Forster, Esq. 
 
 The trap-door boys j we do not give lamps to them, but the boys going by the 
 
 trains have lights. 14 June 1852. 
 
 1657. Even without lights, is there not great danger of obstructing the ven- 
 tilation if they are not careful in opening and shutting the doors r — Of course the 
 current of air is diverted, but it might happen. 
 
 1658. In those cases, would not it be desirable to employ more experienced 
 persons ? — You could not get men to stand twelve hours at a door. 
 
 1659. Not if paid properly? — I think nor. 
 
 1660. Colonel Pennant.] It has been stated before this Committee, even sup- 
 posing the Davy lamp to be perfectly clean at the time a man went to his every- 
 day 's work, that before the expiration of that day's work that lamp might, under 
 ordinary circumstances, become so dirty as to produce a considerably more 
 dangerous state ? — I do not see how it could become dirtv ; the men are com- 
 pletely up to it now ; they will not put the light so high as to allow it to smoke ; 
 as soon as they see the flame gives off smoke they put it down with a picker they 
 have. 
 
 1661. In an ordinary day's work, there could be no great change in the con- 
 dition of the lamp, to make an alteration in the condition of its safety ? — Not if 
 he does not knock it about. 
 
 1662. Chairman'] Speaking generally ? — I saw when in Lancashire they were 
 in a very dirty state, oily and altogether dirty. 
 
 1663. From your character as a viewer, I presume you have taken pains to 
 imbue the miners with the necessary cautions for safety? — Yes. I always tell my 
 men, if there is not sufficient ventilation, to shout out. lam down there four 
 times a week, and I tell them, if they see anything improper, to cry out, and it 
 shall he attended to. Every man has a set of rules. 
 
 1664. Has it occurred to you whether there could be any other means than the 
 lengthening of the flame in their lamp whicli could test the presence of the explo- 
 sive gas ? — None at all. 
 
 1665. Could the men always be heard when they shout'? — Yes ; they would go 
 away to some man in authority. 
 
 1666. You would put on immediately some more jets, and increase the power? 
 — Ires, ot course. A workman, if he saw anything wrong, he uouid go to the 
 next man in authority, the deputy-overman, or the overman, and tell them he 
 was without air ; that he has no ventilation, and it would be attended to imme- 
 diately. 
 
 1667. Do not the men, in fact, furnish a sort of chain of communication through 
 the mine? — -Not exactly ; perhaps they are 40 or 50 yards apart. 
 
 1668. Could there be no signal to show danger? — It would be very difficult. 
 
 1669. I presume you have the lamps locked? — Every lamp is examined by the 
 overman or the deputy-overman, the man in charge of the district, and the lamps 
 are locked before they go down. 
 
 1670. Do you allow smoking in your mine? — Where they work with candles 
 they may smoke. 
 
 1671. Have you ever had occasion to complain of their lighting pipes through 
 the meshes of the Davy lamp ? — Never. 
 
 1672. Colonel Mure.] Has there been any explosion in your pits lately? — 
 Not for some time. 
 
 1673. How long is it since you have had an explosion in your pit? — About 
 eight years ago. 
 
 1674. Chairman.] Have you any further suggestions to make? — The great 
 thing to be attended to is the steam-jet and the air passages ; if they do not en- 
 large their air passages they cannot get a proper quantity ; the friction is so 
 great. 
 
 1675. Colonel Pennant.] In regard to the usual practice in the mines in the 
 districts with which you are acquainted in regard to the number of shafts, is it 
 the practice in the northern districts to have two shafts, an up-cast and a down- 
 cast ? — Generally speaking. In some instances they have only one, but that is 
 very seldom now. 
 
 1676. Is it desirable, in your opinion, that in all cases of a mine of any extent 
 there should be two shafts ? — I would not depend upon a brattice in a shaft. 
 I would have two distinct shafts, a down- cast and an up- cast shaft. 
 
 1677. According to your acquaintance with the other districts, not the northern 
 0.62. r 3 districts, 
 
MINUTES OF EVIDENCE TAKEN BEFORE THE 
 
 T.E. Forster, Esq. districts, is it the practice more usually to have two shafts? — In some cases; but 
 
 I think there are plenty of shafts in our district. 
 
 14 June 1852. 1678. Could you fix, in any way, supposing there to be only one shaft, could 
 you fix any limit as to the proper extent of the mine in proportion to the area 
 of that single shaft? — It would be rather difficult; much would depend upon the 
 discharge of gas and the height of the seam, and many other things ; it could not 
 be well defined. 
 
 1679. In rnany of the other districts you think there is a deficiency of shafts? 
 
 — Yes. 
 
 1680. Colonel Mure.~\ You never found any inconvenience in working your 
 system of ventilation, from columns of air affecting the candles? — No, not the 
 slightest ; sometimes the men complain a little of the quantity of air, but they 
 screen it by a little deal. 
 
 1681. Has not that been one of the reasons why other proprietors in your dis- 
 trict will not introduce the steam-jet system? — No, I have not heard of it. 
 
 1682. Colonel Pennant.] Suppose the steam-jet applied in a mine with a 
 single shaft, should you think that a secure mode of applying it? — I would not 
 recommend ii in all cases. I should prefer two shafts. 
 
 1683. Chairman.] There has been a suggestion as to gas drifts being a means 
 of security? — I think it would be perfectly useless, and it would be putting the 
 coal owners to an expense without any gain whatever. 
 
 1684. Mr. Farrer.] Have you been in Scotland, and seen the mines there? — 
 They are very great slovens there. 
 
 1685. Mr. Booker.']' You have been in the South Wales mines? — Yes; but I 
 have not been there of late. 
 
 1686. What is your opinion of them ? — I think they want a little sharpening up. 
 
 [The J fitness delivered in the following Statement :] 
 
 Estimated Cost of Erecting an Underground Furnace for Ventilating Coal Mines. 
 
 Excavations : £• s. d. 
 
 £. 
 
 s. 
 
 d. 
 
 20 yards, at 24s. - - - - - - -24-- 
 
 20 „ at 16s. 16-- 
 
 40 
 
 
 
 Materials : 
 
 
 
 47,000 common bricks, at 24s. - - - - - 56 8- 
 8,847 fire bricks, at 50 s. - - - - - - 22 26 
 
 78 
 20 
 4 
 
 10 
 
 6 
 
 Lime - - - - - ------ 
 
 Fire Bars ------------ 
 
 Labour : 
 
 
 
 
 40 yards, at 35 s. 
 
 70 
 
 
 
 Total - - - £. 
 
 212 
 
 10 
 
 6 
 
 This Estimate supposes the Dimensions as follows : 
 
 
 
 
 Distance of furnace from shaft, 46 yaids; main archway side walls, 
 4 feet high, and arch to be semicircular above; diameter of arch, 
 10 feet. 
 
 To keep the main archway cool, there are two side arches, each 3 feet 
 4 inches wide to continue from fire to shaft. 
 
 
 
 
 Actual cost of working a furnace of the above dimensions: 
 
 
 
 
 Coals, 1,693 tons, or 639 chaldrons, at 6s. - - £.191 14 - 
 Two firemen, each 52 weeks, at 14s. = 104 weeks. at 14s. 72 16 - 
 Upholding bars and archways - - - - - 3 - - 
 
 267 
 
 10 
 
 
 
 
 Total Cost per Annum - - - £. 
 
 267 
 
 10 
 
 
 Estimated 
 
SELECT COMMITTEE ON COAL MINES. 
 
 135 
 
 Estimated Cost of High-pressure Boilers and Steam A pparatus for the purpose of 
 
 Ventilating Coal Mines, 
 
 T. E. Forster, Esq. 
 14 June 1852. 
 
 One boiler, sufficient to supply a pipe 3 inches diameter with high-pres- 
 sure steam. Length 28 feet ; diameter 6 feet. Plates at top part of 
 boiler 3/8 inch thick, bottom, 7/16 inch: 
 Weight 85 cwt., at 15 s. 
 Rivets, 8 cwt., at 15s. - - - - 
 
 Slabs, bars, pipes, and door frames ------- 
 
 Pipes, valves, and taps for steam apparatus ------ 
 
 Excavations at bottom of upcast shaft for boiler, mason work, &c. - 
 Mason work, setting boiler, and materials ------ 
 
 Enginewright work, setting boiler, and erecting high-pressure apparatus - 
 
 Two boilers, sufficient to supply a pipe 4 inches diameter with high-pres- 
 
 sure steam. .Length 26 feet; diameter 6 feet each. Plates at top 
 3/8 inch, and at bottom 7/16 inch thick: 
 
 Weight together 150 cwt., at 15 s. - 
 Rivets, 15 cwt., at 15 s. - 
 Slabs, bars, pipes, and door frames _______ 
 
 Pipes, valves, and taps for steam apparatus ------ 
 
 Excavations at bottom of upcast shaft for boilers, and mason work - 
 Mason work, setting boilers, and materials - - - • - 
 
 Enginewright work, setting boiler, and fixing steam apparatus 
 
 £. 
 
 s. 
 
 d. 
 
 63 
 
 15 
 
 - 
 
 6 
 
 
 
 12 
 
 — 
 
 
 12 
 
 
 - 
 
 26 
 
 
 
 37 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 16 
 
 
 
 — 
 
 — 
 
 172 
 
 15 
 
 - 
 
 £. 
 
 Si 
 
 d. 
 
 112 
 
 10 
 
 
 11 
 
 5 
 
 
 30 
 
 
 
 15 
 
 
 
 40 
 
 
 
 54 
 
 
 
 26 
 
 
 
 288 
 
 15 
 
 
 Three boilers, sufficient to supply a pipe 4 inches diameter with high-pres- 
 sure steam. Length 26 feet x 6 feet. Plates at top 3/8 inch, ditto at 
 bottom, 7/16 thick: 
 
 Total weight 225 cwt., at 15 s. 
 Rivets, 23 cwt., at 15 s. - 
 Slabs, bars, pipes, and door frames 
 
 Pipes, valves, and taps for steam appai'atus ------ 
 
 Excavations at bottom of shaft for boilers, &c. 
 
 Mason work, setting boilers, and materials ------ 
 
 Enginewright work, setting boilers, and erecting steam apparatus 
 
 168 15 
 
 17 5 
 
 40 - 
 
 20 - 
 
 55 - 
 
 81 - 
 
 36 - 
 
 418 - - 
 
 Estimated Cost of Working and Upholding a High-pressure Boiler for the Ventilation of 
 Coal Mines (Length 28 feet; diameter 6 feet), sufficient to supply 25 Jets, \ inch 
 diameter each, with High-pressure Steam continuously. 
 
 Cost per Annum. 
 
 Consumption of Fuel : 
 1,095 tons of coals, at 2 s. 3 d. per ton - 
 
 Materials : 
 Plates for repairing boiler - 
 Slab plates, knees, &c. - - - - 
 Fire clay and bricks - - - - - 
 Emery, cement, &c. for pipes, valves, &c. 
 
 £. s. d. 
 
 10 - - 
 
 - 15 - 
 
 - 18 - 
 
 - 10 - 
 
 Labour : 
 
 Two men, for attending boiler fire, at 14 s. per week each, 28 s., and for 
 52 weeks - - - - - - - - - 72 16 - 
 
 Smith work, putting in plates, &c. - - - - - 5 - - 
 
 Enginewright work, repairing valves, &c. - - - - 3 5 2 
 
 Mason work - - - - - - - - - -10- 
 
 £. s. d. 
 123 3 9 
 
 12 3 - 
 
 81 11 2 
 
 Total Cost of working and upholding high-pressure Apparatus per annum 
 
 £.216 17 11 
 
 O.62. 
 
 R 4 
 
136 MINUTES OF EVIDENCE TAKEN BEFORE THE 
 
 George Fife, Esq., m.d., called in ; and Examined. 
 
 G Fife, Esq., m.d. 1687. Chairman.'] DO you reside in Newcastle ? — Yes, I do. 
 ■ 1688. You are a Doctor of Medicine? — I am. 
 
 14 June 1852. 1689. Have you resided long in that district ? — I was born in Newcastle, and 
 for a number of years past I have practised professionally ; I have lived nearly 
 all my life in the district. 
 
 1690. You were examined before the Committee of the House of Lords or 
 Commons? — Before the Commons in 1835. 
 
 1691. Upon the subject of those explosions? — The same. 
 
 1692. Your attention has been directed a great deal to the subject? — Consi- 
 derably ; both iu a professional point of view and being scientifically interesting 
 to me, I once having served the office of coroner, and having lectured for two 
 sessions on Medical Jurisprudence in the Newcastle School of Medicine. 
 
 1693. To what extent do you think the prevention of these fearful accidents is 
 possible? — I think, as far as my consideration of the subject enables me to speak, 
 that if those means with which science, whether physics! or chemical, provides 
 us, which are net rendered as available as they ought to be, were systematically 
 applied in practice, we should hear much less frequently of those accidents; and 
 also that those accidents would be much less fatal when they did occur; that is 
 my honest conviction. 
 
 1694. What are the agents upon which you would most rely for that end ? — 
 First, ventilation ,* I consider that is the sheet-anchor for the security of the miners 
 and the property of the owner. 
 
 1695. What sort of ventilation did you allude to when you spoke of an im- 
 proved ventilation r — I thought then, though I had not any experience of it, the 
 air-pump or the fan-blast; but that was an hypothetical opinion at the time. I 
 never then had been in the workings of a mine. 1 opposed the furnace then, 
 knowing that there had been explosions in the furnace, but that was altogether 
 an hypothetical affair. 
 
 1 696. Since then, have you been in the habit of visiting mines? — Twice I inspected 
 Seaton Delaval ; it is the only mine I have been in where the jet is applied. 
 
 1697. Have you been twice to visit the Seaton Delaval since the establishment 
 of the steam jet ? — Within the last 18 months I have been down twice. 
 
 if>98. What can you state as to the present efficiency of the ventilation of the 
 Seaton Delaval mine? — It has perfectly surprised me. I could not have be- 
 lieved it, if I had not seen it. 
 
 1699. In what respect did it surprise you ? — From the perfectly uniform cur- 
 rent of air passing through the mine. 
 
 1 700. Did it appear to you to he capable of being increased or diminished ? — 
 No doubt, from the nature of the apparatus, it must admit of that. 
 
 1701. Could you see that the power could be suddenly increased by additional 
 jets, or by putting on a stronger degree of pressure of steam ? — Yes. 
 
 1702. You can hardly compare that with a furnace, as you have not visited 
 mines where the furnace exists? — I do not think any compaiison can exist; so far 
 as I am competent to give an opinion ; practically, I cannot form an opinion. 
 I have not seen the furnace in operation. I know the principle, and cannot think 
 a comparison can exist. 
 
 i 703. You state that you have heard of the furnace itself being the cause of 
 explosions? — It was admitted by several practical men, on the inquiry in 1835, 
 that such had been the case ; both by Mr. Buddie and Mr. Stephenson ; and, I 
 think, Mr. Nicholas Wood also. 
 
 1704. As a physician, speaking of the state of health, would you consider that 
 the state of health of miners generally in Northumberland and Durham is satis- 
 factory ? — Taking it with the mass of the population, it is not worse. 
 
 1705. Therefore you cannot speak of it? — Not statistically. 
 
 1706. You cannot speak of the comparative state of the health of the miners in 
 Seaton Delaval, where the jet is applied, and in other mines, where it is not? — 
 I cannot make a decided distinction. But with regard to the question of the 
 health of the miners, after an inspection of the workings of the Seaton Delaval 
 mine, I remarked to the viewer, that it would be the best place that I knew of for 
 a sanitorium, from the uniform temperature, and so forth. 
 
 1707. Do you believe the barometer is sufficiently used in the different mines? 
 — From what I have heard, I do not. 
 
 1708. Do 
 
SELECT COMMITTEE ON COAL MINES. 
 
 1708. Do you think it would be a warning against those great calamities? — I 6r. Fife, Esq;, m. 
 
 think it would be a great safeguard against them ; I do not say that its neglect _ 
 
 is the absolute cause of them. I think if the barometer were attended to, even in 14 June 1852. 
 its present form, it is one of the most important means of ascertaining the presence 
 
 of danger in mines. 
 
 1 709. Under a fall of the barometer, you would pay additional attention to 
 the ventilation ? — Yes. 
 
 1710. Have you any facts or figures to give in proof of the advantage of the 
 steam jet ? — I have. 
 
 171 1. Have you anything in addition to what Mr. Forster lias given ? — Not in 
 addition, but perhaps a little modified. Previous to the introduction of jets there 
 were two furnaces and two up-casts, and the maximum of air obtained was 53,058 
 cubic feet a minute ; after the introduction of jets there was only one boiler, one 
 up-cast, and no furnace communicating with the general current of the pit, with 
 a pressure of 35 lbs. to the inch on the boiler; 79,359 cubic feet of air per minute 
 were obtained ; calculating then the difference between the quantity of air obtained 
 in the 24 hours, by the jet and furnace, in cubic feet, it amounted to 37,873,414 
 cubic feet in favour of the jets. Then, as to the details that have been given by 
 Mr. Forster, I ought to mention that there is also another fact, through which a 
 very material saving is made, that is, a shaft less is employed, the expense of which 
 would range from 1 2,000 1, to 15,000/. or 20,000/. Another advantage of the 
 steam jet is, that when the barometer is low, at which time the discharge of gas 
 from the goaves and pores of the coal is greatest, the power of the furnace is at its 
 minimum, whereas that of the jets is at its maximum, as is quite apparent from 
 the pressure upon the orifices of the jets being diminished, whilst the steam power 
 remains the same, with less resistance to encounter. 
 
 1712. Can you speak as to the duties of coroners in cases of accidents in the 
 mines ? — I conceive the duties of coroners to be not merely to ascertain the cause 
 of death, but also whether anything in the shape of carelessness or negligence 
 has existed, and through which the death has been produced ; and I think in many 
 cases that have come under my own knowledge as a commentator on such inquiries, 
 when I lectured on legal medicine, this scrutiny has not been conducted exactly 
 with the care and discrimination it ought to have been. 
 
 1713. Upon the subject of Government inspection, have you anything to say 
 upon the subject of increasing the benefit to be derived from that inspection? — 
 I think it should be previous to the occurrence, not after it; that it ought to be 
 universally adopted, and regular returns should be made of the results of such 
 inspection. 
 
 1714. In order to have it thoroughly inspected, would not it be necessary to 
 increase the number of inspectors? — I should think so. I know from our own 
 coal-held, without imputing anything to our inspector, Mr. Dunn, that if he 
 possessed the power of half a dozen men he could not do it by himself efficiently. 
 
 1715. What do you think of the qualification of the inspectors appointed, as 
 far as it has come within your knowledge ? — I am quite unprepared to form any 
 opinion upon that subject, but I have seen one or two of the reports; that is the 
 only means I have of forming an opinion ; I have not read them. 
 
 1716. You have not come into persona! contact with them ? -—No; but I know 
 Mr. Dunn very well as an ordinary acquaintance ; I met him at an inquest the 
 other day. 
 
 1717. Have you anything to say upon the subject of the safety lamp?— I tested 
 the safety lamps, and I performed, as nearly ns possible, the experiments of 
 Pereira. and with the same results that he mentions ; but that still would not 
 induce me to condemn the lamp as it has been condemned now. But I conceive 
 that experimenting in a laboratory you have a very different state of things to that 
 in a mine. Mr. W. Martin's lamp was subjected to the same tests, and did not 
 explode, but was at once extinguished without detonation. 
 
 1718. Any mine like that of Mr. Forster's, well regulated, and with proper 
 lamps, you think that the workmen might be led to use it as prudently as the 
 instrument seems to require ? — I think so. I do not think any man is justified in 
 working with a lamp in a situation until it becomes red hot, except by mere acci- 
 dent. I think the lamp will not produce an explosion, unless it is injured in some 
 way. 
 
 1719. Can you speak as to the feeling of the miners generally upon the subject 
 of those explosions? — I cannot. I know that very often a bad feeling exists. 
 
 0-62. S 1720. I mean 
 
138 
 
 MINUTES OF EVIDENCE TAKEN BEFORE THE 
 
 C. Fife, E«q.,M.D. 1720. I mean as to the cause of these explosions? — They generally ascribe 
 it to the want of ventilation ; in fact, I have not heard two opinions upon that 
 14 June 1852. subject. 
 
 1721. The Committee may gather from your experience that the sheet anchor 
 of safety to the miners is ventilation? — No doubt; and the safety lamp as a 
 mere auxiliary. 
 
 1722. Colonel Mure.] Do you think it would be desirable, admitting the steam 
 jet to be perfect for its purpose, to have that system enforced by Government 
 authority ? — Decidedly, if it were decided by competent authority that it is what 
 it is believed to be, and what I believe it to be. But I would be careful of making" 
 an enactment like that ; you must be perfectly satisfied of the grounds upon which 
 you proceed. 
 
 1723. Are you of opinion that there has been a sufficient case made out in 
 favour of any one system, to render it reasonable to have that system enforced by 
 Government authority r — As far as I am competent to speak, I should say there 
 was sufficient ground. 
 
 1724. In favour of the steam-jet system ? — Most decidedly ; it is a very proper 
 a nd safe means, and a more economical means than any other existing, 
 
 1725. Would there be any great difficulty on the part of proprietors and 
 viewers of coal mines in your districts in acquiescing in the establishment of such 
 a system? — I talked with one very intelligent coal owner on the subject, and 
 asked why it was not adopted ; and that gentleman said, " In fact, my only expla- 
 nation is, there is a sort of prejudice against it." He resides in the county of 
 Durham. 
 
 1726. That prejudice implies that those persons are not convinced of its 
 efficacy? — They are always disposed to question any thing that is new. lam 
 satisfied of this ; if any coal owner, to any extent, saw the operation of the jet in 
 Seaton Delaval, for his own sake and his own property he would adopt it. 
 
 1727. If any Board of Commission were appointed by the Government to 
 enforce this effective precaution, it would be necessary to have a more efficient 
 system of inspection than exists to carry into effect the regulations of the commis- 
 sion ? — Yes ; the present system is quite a farce ; at the same time I consider the 
 Act of Sir George Grey perfectly adequate to fulfil the object for which it was 
 passed. It is the manner of carrying it out that is defective ; the law is quite 
 sufficient if duly acted upon. 
 
 1728. But does that Act give any power to enforce the recommendations? — ■ 
 I think it does; but, if it does not, if a report were made to a competent party, 
 and the owner knew that his works would be suspended, no man would go on in 
 defiance of that. 
 
 1729. But there is no Board at present ?— There is the Secretary of State. If 
 I were an inspector of mines, I should write to the Secretary, as I should conceive 
 it my duty. If the owner of the mine would not attend to my suggestion, I would 
 then see the Home Secretary. 
 
 1730. You are of opinion, from your experience, that it would be desirable to 
 have such a system enforced by law? — It is my opinion; and I do not believe 
 that any improvement will be effected until there is a most stringent system of 
 legislation. 
 
 1731. What is your opinion with regard to the state of thegoaves in the mining 
 districts of Northumberland ; do you think, as receptacles of noxious gas, the 
 method in which they are now worked is in any way such as unnecessarily to 
 receive or generate gas ?— I believe that, in regard to goaves, which are wastes in 
 which the gas accumulates after the working of the pillars, that there is no means 
 of preventing it, except by carrying the gas from the face of the goaves through 
 the drifts now driven for that purpose. 
 
 1732. Are you aware that the collieries in some parts of England are worked 
 so that the goaves are all kept at the extremities of the workings? — Yes; I 
 have seen plans representing that. I did not know it was carried into practice. 
 
 1733. Do you think it would be practicable to carry any such system into effect 
 in the Northumberland mines ?— I am not competent to form an opinion upon 
 that, the stratification is so irregular; it may be adapted to some coilienes, I should 
 say ; but from the dips and troubles that you meet with in some fields, it is not 
 practicable. In such a mine as Seaton "Delaval, from the extreme dislocations 
 which exist, and the frequency of their occurrence, such a plan would be utterly 
 
 impracticable. 
 
SELECT COMMITTEE ON COAL MINES. 
 
 139 
 
 impracticable. I can hardly conceive how human ingenuity and perseverance Cf. Fife, Es^-., m &. 
 could ever overcome the natural difficulties which that mine presents. ~ 
 
 1734. You are not of opinion that there is anything in the management of H J une l8 o- 
 the goaves rendering it necessary to suggest an alteration in the system ? — I 
 
 think not. 
 
 George Michiels, Esq., called in ; and Examined. 
 
 1735. ARE you a native of the Netherlands ? — Yes. Gf. Michiels, Esq, 
 
 1736. You are a Civil Engineer? — Yes. - 
 
 1737. Were you employed by the Belgian Government, or by private companies? 
 • — By private companies. 
 
 1738. You have some suggestion to offer as to the means of getting rid of 
 the explosive gas that arises in mines? — The suggestion is the result of the im- 
 pressions I have received by living in the mines. I have experienced in them, 
 that no universal system of exhausting the foul air, by furnaces, steam jets, or 
 otherwise can efficiently prevent explosions in fiery mines, if the interior workings 
 be not conducted according to some fixed principles strictly adhered to. I would 
 enumerate these fundamental truths, bearing upon the out-going of the explosive 
 gas, as follows : 1st. That the foul air of a stall be never allowed to pass in front 
 of another stall, and be never driven downwards on its way to ths up-cast shaft. 
 2d. That all the return foul air courses have a rise not under ^ per cent, towards 
 the upcast shaft. 3d. That the pure air delivered by the downcast shaft be care- 
 fully prevented from reaching the upcast by leakage, through the stoppings, but be 
 allotted to the different workings proportionally to their extent. I consider these 
 principles to be of primary importance in the working of a coal field, to the effect 
 of obtaining security ; and I only allow the second rank, in the scale of impor- 
 tance, to the choice of apparatus to be resorted to for rarefying the upcast shaft. 
 The careful observance of these vital rules in the arrangements of a fiery colliery 
 of ordinary size, say producing 100 tons of coal per day, would allow to work it 
 in safety, without any means of mechanical exhaustion applied to the upcast shaft. 
 If in that same mine, the mine owner or director did not pay proper attention to 
 those general rules, no means of exhaustion, no Davy lamp, would prevent explo- 
 sions. 
 
 1739. H ave y° u lived some years in the mines ? — Twelve years in the mines. 
 
 1740. In what part of the country have you lived ? — Principally in the coal 
 formation of Seraing, near Liege, on the Meuse, where the mines are fiery to the 
 extreme. 
 
 1741. Have you visited the mines in this country? — Yes. 
 
 1742. In Northumberland and Durham ? — In Durham principally. 
 
 1743. In the West of England, in South Whales, and the Midland District? — 
 Not in South Wales. I have been in the Midland District, and I have been in 
 some of the mines. 
 
 1744. Do you find the seams of coal are of the same character? — Exactly of 
 the same character. I do not find those mines there to be so fiery as those to 
 which 1 alluded a moment ago; in that basin they call the basin of the Seraing, 
 near Liege, where you hear the gas pouring out of the coal. 
 
 1745. What is the system vou would suggest as the best means of preventing 
 accidents from the eseapages of this explosive gas? — A very simple system which 
 has often occurred to my mind since I have seen so many explosions, and inquired 
 into the real cause of them. Simply to oblige the proprietors of the coal mines 
 to continue the payment of the v\ages to the widows, orphans, <>r the next-of-kin 
 ot the men killed by explosions ; you would see explosions cease as by enchant- 
 ment. Such a law, bringing most rightly the blame and the punishment for 
 the catastrophes upon the only parties who have the means of preventing them, 
 would have an immediate practical bearing; but so would not any interference of 
 the Legislature in the mode of working the mines; tor instance, an injunction 
 to place a motive power tor ventilation upon the shaft. 
 
 1746. The upcast? — 'Yes, the upcast; the manager of the colliery could put 
 there some hundred jets of steam, or the most imperial steam-engine acting upon 
 a set of air-pumps ; he could have each of his men provided with a safety lamp ; 
 and notwithstanding all these apparent means of security, he could not prevent a 
 catastrophe, if the interior workings of his e< lliery were not carried out in con- 
 formity with the fundamental principles I have mentioned before. Now, the 
 
 0.62. s 2 serious 
 
140 MINUTES OF EVIDENCE TAKEN BEFORE THE 
 
 G. Michiels, Esq. serious and faithful observance of these rules require such constant and persevering 
 
 — — attention, leads to such intricate study of local difficulties, interferes so often with 
 
 14 June 1852. the amount of coal to be produced, and calls not seldom for such outlay in prepa- 
 ratory works, that no private industry, it is a melancholy truth, will always abstain 
 from slighting with these principles, if the pit proprietors do not bear the respon- 
 sibility of their management ; and considering that to convict them for man- 
 slaughter is against the public feeling, I say that the efficient and solely practical 
 prevention against these dreadful explosions, is to resort to the pecuniary com- 
 pensation I have recommended. Under the salutary pressure of such an impend- 
 ing dead-weight, all ignorance would be carefully set aside, well-informed persons 
 would be placed in charge of the mines, and the works would be carried out in 
 conformity with a well-digested plan. And in 60 cases out of 100, mechanical 
 power would be unnecessary for producing a current in the upcast shaft. 
 
 1 747. Is that the system in the Netherlands, that the owner of the mine is 
 obliged to take care of the survivors ; the family ? — Not by law, but generally 
 the pressure of public opinion has obliged them to continue part of the wages 
 during several years ; ana 1 so the survivors receive, under the form of charities, a 
 paltry assistance, when they ought to be entitled, under the protection of the law, 
 and as a matter of course, to a full and adequate compensation for the loss of 
 their natural supporters by the culpable mismanagement of a colliery. 
 
 1748. Presuming that your recommendation be right, and in order to get the 
 best system adopted by this sort of compulsion in every mine, they must know 
 what is the best system to be adopted ? — They would very soon master the sub- 
 ject ; they would quickly know, for instance, the difference between the absolute 
 weight of a cubic foot of gas and a cubic foot of air ; they would remember that 
 the man sitting in a drift, or in a return course, can very often enjoy good air, when 
 above their heads, along the roof of the same course, there is an accumulation of 
 gas. It has happened to every one of us connected with mining, to examine with 
 our lamp the state of the atmosphere above us, and to see immediately our lamps 
 full of fire. 
 
 1 749. To bring your observations to a focus, if you were the owner of a mine 
 under such a law as you have recommended, what would be the means you would 
 adopt to save yourself from the penalties you have recommended ? — I would have 
 good care to compose my staff of such men who would be able to carry out the 
 rules I have mentioned. I would have the survey of my mines taken every eight 
 days ; I would carefully look in the plans, sections, and profiles for ascertaining 
 in them, on account of the important fact of the difference of specific gravity I just 
 alluded to, if the rule concerning the rising of all the return air courses were 
 strictly adhered to, for it is obvious that such a systematic arrangement will cause 
 a regular ascending movement of the whole mass of heated air and gas in all the 
 drifts, stalls, and return courses, towards the upcast ; and it is also obvious that 
 this cause of motion will act in preference upon the gas, which, being lighter than 
 air, will egress before this body. During this weekly control of my mines, I would 
 not omit to examine how the stoppings are contrived to prevent leakage, which is 
 our great enemy ; and to the same effect I should intend to have such sections 
 given to my drifts and return courses that the air might find it more easy to pass 
 along them than to cut short through the stoppings. In a mine worked according 
 to the rules laid down, and controlled in the manner I have just described, there 
 would be no general slaughter by explosion. Such event is deeply humiliating to 
 the good sense, scientific information, and care of the engineers, surveyors, and 
 managers of collieries, and discreditable to the character of the proprietors. In 
 presence of their alarming increase, I feel justified in animadverting against the 
 expression "accident/' by which these catastrophes are often qualified. To use 
 that word on such an occasion indicates either a profound ignorance of mining or 
 a most inhuman inconsistency. An explosion is not an accident ; and there will 
 be accidents, but no catastrophes, in a colliery managed as I have explained. 
 
 1 7.50. Colonel Mure.'] You think, that with these precautions, it would not 
 matter what mode of ventilation you applied ? — Not at all. 
 
 1751. You would require some mode? — Certainly; but that cannot be a general 
 mode ; it will vary according to the importance of the mine. In one mine I could 
 very well do with an ordinary furnace, taking good care that the gas do not pass 
 upon my furnace ; or, if it did, I would place a certain number of diaphragms of 
 - gauze, that leave no return of flame. In other cases, I would apply steam jets, 
 but more generally I would employ an exhauster, as I call it, built according 
 
 to 
 
SELECT COMMITTEE ON COAL MINES. 
 
 141 
 
 to certain mechanical principles ; such a one as I have put up not very far from g. Michiels, Es< 
 here, at the London Gas Works. 
 
 1752. Chairman.'] Would you explain that? — The proper character of this 14 June 1852. 
 apparatus is to move large volumes of air or gas with the smallest adequate 
 
 expense of power.; which is not the case when you employ a furnace, and not even 
 steam jets ; for if the application of steam under the form of jets was a profitable 
 one, the locomotive engine would have been a long time suppressed, and the 
 trains would have been impelled by simple boilers furnished with jets, acting in 
 opposite direction to the motion of the train. My apparatus displaces any required 
 volume of an elastic fluid in a given time, with a positive and tangible certainty, 
 which is not the case with furnaces and steam jets ; it works constantly without 
 danger of stopping. These main results are obtained by constructing the appa- 
 ratus on the principle of the circular continued motion ; reducing the frictions, 
 consequently the wear and tear, to nearly nothing, by keeping on a regular slow 
 speed of less than half a foot per second for the principal parts of the apparatus j 
 controlling the inlet and outlet by water dips of infallible action, notwithstanding 
 that their resistance to the passage of the air or gas, be not more than to have 
 them bubbling through a column of water of a quarter of an inch. If I had to 
 construct an apparatus of this kind, for acting upon the shaft of a mine, I should 
 give to it such proportions as to draw continually out of that shaft a determined 
 volume of air per second, equal to the volume prescribed in the order given to me, 
 and I should not consider it a difficulty if requested to draw 10,000 cubic feet per 
 second. The apparatus would be in communication with the shaft by an under- 
 ground flue, and another flue would connect the shaft with a chimney of adequate 
 dimensions. This last flue would remain shut by a valve, as long as the machine 
 would be in action, but if a stoppage did happen, that valve would be removed 
 instantaneously by the action of the atmosphere and without any human attend- 
 ance, leaving the shaft in free communication with the chimney. Now let us 
 suppose this machine acting upon a colliery, worked in accordance wish the funda- 
 mental rules I have described, and let us remember that the explosive gas is lighter 
 than the air ; it will be obvious that the machine will constantly renew a vacuum 
 in the shaft, and that the gas, previous to the air, will rush to that vacuum along 
 the rising courses ; consequently all the gas might be drawn out of a fiery colliery 
 without there being absolute necessity to draw out of that mine such quantity of air 
 as would render the gas inexplosive by dilution. Hence the apparatus may con- 
 sistently be called a iras exhauster. 
 
 1753. Where would you place this exhauster? — At the top. 
 
 1754. Of the down-cast or the up-cast? — The up-cast; it would not touch the 
 down-cast. 
 
 1 755- That is a complete explanation? — Yes. 
 
 1756. Mr. Booker.'] What is the depth of the deepest shaft in the district you 
 are speaking of as being well acquainted with ? — 500 yards. 
 
 1757. What is the thickness of the coal ; is there more than one vein ? — The 
 seams lie one upon the other. 
 
 1758. What depth ; what thickness of coal have you; how many veins does 
 that shaft intersect ? — Twenty to 24. 
 
 1759. What is the thickest of them ? — Six feet. 
 
 1 760. The thinnest ? — The thinnest workable is two feet. 
 
 1761. What is about the distance between each seam? — It varies ; some in- 
 stances 10 yards, some 30, some five yards- 
 
 1762. What is the greatest amount of produce you get out of that shaft you 
 spoke of r — Two hundred tons a day per shaft. 
 
 1763. Of coal 'I — Of coal per shaft. 
 
 1 764. What description of lamp do you use in that working ? — The safety lamp. 
 
 1765. Is not that Davy's lamp? — Yes, with some little alteration in the con- 
 struction ; but it is always Davys lamp, after all ; the men are responsible for the 
 lamp ; and when they have to receive the wages, they cannot receive the wages 
 without going to the lamp department, and showing their lamp. No. 50, for 
 instance, is called ; No. 50 must come before the table where the foremen are, 
 and bis lamp is examined; and if it is not in perfect order he is not paid. 
 
 1 766. Have you much water in your ground ? — In some mines a greal deal of 
 water ; they pump it by the ordinary system. 
 
 1767. What is your greatest amount of ventilation in that pit you have spoken 
 of; how many feet per minute: — I would not estimate it at higher than 20,000 
 
 0.62. 9 3 to 
 
i 4 2 MINUTES OF EVIDENCE TAKEN BEFORE THE 
 
 tG. Mhhiels, Esq, to 2,5,000 cubic feet ; I do not rely upon those 50,000 cubic feet of which men- 
 
 tion has been made. I do not think that is exact, nor necessary. 
 
 14 June 1852. 1768. Do the measures lie horizontally, or is there a dip? — Inclined. 
 
 1769. Steeply ? — An angle of 15 degrees with the horizontal line. 
 
 1770. Mr. Farrer.] I suppose that an explosion will occasionally happen from 
 carelessness on the part of the workmen ? — Yes, after the carelessness of his 
 master. 
 
 1771. But do you believe, that any amount of expense that might be incurred 
 by the proprietors of the mine, could guard against the possibility of a fatal 
 accident occurring in consequence of the carelessness of the workmen in the 
 mines? — Decidedly not, in so far, that if a man goes on his own account to a 
 place that has been abandoned, and there occasions an explosion, he will be 
 killed ; but such an isolated event could have no dangerous effect upon the men 
 working at a distance, if the colliery is properly managed. Now these poor inno- 
 cent fellows are just those who are killed in large numbers by choke damp in col- 
 lieries where the arrangements are not well digested. I have been present at 
 several explosions, and have gone down immediately they have been felt. I have 
 been the first down, and have found very few bodies which had been killed by the 
 direct action of the explosion ; by far the larger number had been suffocated by 
 choke damp. Once I found 65 men killed, and I would not swear that of this 
 number more than five had been victims to the explosion by the immediate effect 
 of it ; the remainder had been struck at a distance by enormous quantities of coal 
 dust and choke damp. That would not have been the case if the colliery had 
 been worked properly. 
 
 1772. You think it would be possible to so improve the ventilation, that there 
 should be no danger to any of the parties employed in the mine, unless they go 
 to certain portions of the mine which are ascertained previously to be dangerous r 
 — Tli at is my decided opinion. 
 
 l 773- (To Mr. Forster, Mr. Dickinson, Mr. Mackworth, and Mr. Gurney.) 
 You have heard the evidence that has been given by this gentleman ; what 
 are the observations you have to offer upon the suggestions he has made? 
 (Mr. Forster.) If he spoke of 20,000 to 25,000 feet a minute, it would not do 
 anything for us in this neighbourhood ; when he speaks of a passage a man was 
 sitting in, and two feet from the floor the lamp would fire, that must be a most 
 critical situation indeed ; we would not for one moment suffer such a thing. 
 (Mr. Dickinson.) I would not infer from what the witness has said, that he has 
 visited the most fiery mines of this country ; and as to the fizzing noise he has 
 described in the mines, in some I have visited, the gas has passed in a stream 
 like the rattling noise of hailstones on a glass-house. As to the taking down the 
 cold air to the lowest pait of the mine, I perfectly agree with him, and it is fol- 
 lowed out in practice so far as it is practicable ; but to suppose, by merely taking- 
 it to the lowest point, and allowing it to gradually arise, until it got to the upcast 
 shaft, without having a good ventilating power to insure the set of the current, 
 vould be to reduce the amount of air very considerably that has been obtained 
 already bv means of furnace, steam jet, or any other power applied. 
 
 » 774. That does not take into consideration his exhausting process ? — A power 
 is necessary ; he also states that it is not any use applying either the steam jet or 
 the furnace, or other motive power, if there are not good air ways communicating 
 between the bottom of the down -cast shaft and the upcast shaft. I perfectly agree 
 with him in that ; where you have got small areas, and where the stoppings are so 
 loosely built, that the whole of the air is lost by leakage before it gets to the extremi- 
 ties of the workings, it matters not in cases of that kind what power you have 
 applied, or what quantity of air you have going down the down-cast and up the 
 up-cast, if you do not carry it to the points where it is wanted. In the Newcastle 
 districts this is particularly attended to ; and in the well-managed mines of 
 Lancashire it is particularly attended to. If we had the same care that is bestowed 
 in those collieries extended to the Midland Districts, and many in Durham and 
 Cumberland, South Wales and North Wales, the explosions would be very con- 
 siderably reduced. There is one more point in regard to the number of persons 
 who are burnt as compared to the number who die from suffocation by choke- 
 damp; it varies very considerably in some accidents. (Mr. Mac Invorth.) There 
 are one or two points to which Mr. Forster and Mr. Dickinson have not hitherto 
 alluded to. The first is, as to the ascension of the ventilation, as it is called, in 
 Belgium ; that is very highly thought of there, and no doubt it is desirable, and of 
 
 course 
 
SELECT COMMITTEE ON COAL MINES. 
 
 course, with the same attention, it ought to produce the same effect in this country. G. Michhk, Fsq. 
 
 By having a large power in the upcast-shaft a larger quantity of air is taken — 
 
 through the mine; and by proper divisions of the air, a sufficient quantity is able 14 June 185a. 
 to go up to the higher parts of the mine, and overcome the resistance of the 
 vis inertias to come down the up-cast ; of course the larger the amount of ventila- 
 tion you have the better. If you have an up-cast shaft in the higher measures, it 
 would require a very good system of ventilation and well arranged. There is 
 another point with regard to the best means of preventing accidents generally. 
 I think that there are some I have mentioned in my evidence, in relation to that 
 important class of accidents besides explosions. They have been alluded to 
 generally under the head of those that might be prevented by adopting some 
 payment or penalty. (Mr. Gurney.} I confess I do not understand the matter; 
 I do not know how the motive power is worked, or how the exhaustion is pro- 
 duced. (Mr. Michiels.) It would be hardly possible to give a description that 
 would be understood. 
 
 1775. Chairman.~\ Mr. Gurney is very cognizant of machinery? — To under- 
 stand it well, the only way is to have a diagram of it, which I would have pre- 
 pared, but I did not know that I was coming here ; or the better plan still would 
 be to see the machine itself. I would beg to send in a description of the machine 
 with the proper drawings ; that would be the best way of showing it. 
 
 1776. Would you give the address of the place where your machine is at work 
 when you give that description ? — It is at the London Gas Works, Vauxhall, in 
 London. That apparatus can exhaust 1,500,000 cubic feet in 24 hours; that is a 
 small quantity ; but I beg to observe that my order did not go beyond that figure, 
 such effect answering the purpose of that company. I add that all mine owners 
 will find me quite willing to give them personally material and satisfactory proofs 
 of the efficiency of such an apparatus. (Mr. Gurney.) As it is a question of the 
 relative value of a machine, we cannot judge of it without having the machine 
 before iu;. — Yes, that is just what I say. 
 
 1777. Is it the usual system practised in Belgium ? — No; in a mine where we 
 had the largest number of explosions in Belgium, the ordinary exhaustion com- 
 posed of a common air-pump of very large dimensions, I believe, has been erected 
 in the year 1833, and since that time there has been never any remarkable explo- 
 sion in that mine ; that is, never more than two men at a time have been killed. 
 
 1778. The general system of ventilating in Belgium is by means of a pump, 
 by which means they obtain about 15,000 and a few decimal cubic feet per 
 minute? — Some are larger than that. 
 
 Goldsworthy Gurney, Esq., called in ; and Examined. 
 
 ^779- Chairman.'] YOU reside in Cornwall? — I do. G. Gurney, Escj. 
 
 1780. You are a Magistrate for that county? — I am; I am also a Magistrate 
 
 for Devonshire. 
 
 1781. You were brought up as a medical man, I believe ? — I was educated as 
 a medical man. 
 
 1782. You were a public lecturer on chemistry in 1822 ? — Yes. 
 
 1783. You are now retired to the country, and I suppose practise agriculture 
 like other magistrates ? — I live in the country, and am a good deal engaged in 
 agriculture. 
 
 1784. Did you publish a work on chemistry in 1823, in which insecurity of the 
 Davy lamp was pointed out ? — Yes. 
 
 1785. Have you made extensive inquiries into the subject of fire-damp? — Yes; 
 for many years before that period, and since. 
 
 1786. Did you give evidence in the year 1S3.-3; first, on the subject of the 
 danger incident to mine property ; and secondly, on the steam-jet, by which you 
 proposed to improve the system of ventilation ? — I first gave evidence on the inse- 
 curity of the wire gauze lamp, in 1835. I published a series of experiments long 
 before on wire gauze connected with the safety lamp, in my work on " the Elements 
 of Chemical Science," in 1823. These experiments then made were considered 
 important by soaie, but of little value by others; the subject was passed almost 
 unnoticed by practical men, until a Committee sat in 1835 ; by this time, doubts 
 had arisen amongst the miners as to the safety and security of the lamp. Those 
 experiments, published in 1823, were then repeated by many scientific men, and 
 the security of the lamp was in, consequence doubted amongst them. I hold my 
 
 0.62. s 4 opinion 
 
144 
 
 MINUTES OF EVIDENCE TAKEN BEFORE THE 
 
 G. Gnrney, Esq. opinion unaltered since that period. I think now, as I thought then, that the 
 safety lamp is perfectly sate in a still atmosphere, but that it is not safe under 
 14 June 1852. a moving explosive atmosphere of three to four feet per second; whether the 
 atmosphere is passing the lamp, or the lamp passing through the atmosphere at 
 this rate. Those were the conditions I first pointed out ; and under those condi- 
 tions the experiments were repeated in many of the chemical schools in London : 
 they were repeated in Edinburgh ; and found to be correct. Those conditions, 
 unfortunately, which render the lamp insecure, are those connected inseparably 
 with the workings of a coal pit, and therefore unavoidable. The lamp is practi- 
 cally a lamp of danger, though under certain conditions it is safe ; it is beautiful 
 in principle. 
 
 1787. In the hands of a prudent and scientific examiner, or as an indicator, it 
 is a valuable instrument ? — I should say invaluable for examination ; but under 
 the conditions met with in a mine, the lamp is insecure. . 
 
 1788. Do you know of any lamp more safe than another for that purpose? — 
 Wire gauze is the principle of safety in all. Several, I think, are more safe when 
 made to prevent the direct influence of a current; by shielding them with glass, 
 talc, or something of that kind. If you can prevent the action of the current 
 upon the explosive flame, you render the lamp more secure ; it is a question of 
 degree ; it will only be comparatively safe. In practice these lamps with shields 
 go out : safety lamps give little light, and are objected to by the miners on that 
 account. The pitmen get out of temper, as their earnings depend on the amount 
 of coal they get ; as they dig more in good light, they will object to use them. 
 
 1789. You applied the steam-jet to locomotives many years before giving your 
 evidence as to the application of it to mines in 1835 ? — I applied the steam-jet to 
 locomotives on common roads in 1825. It was in consequence of my knowledge 
 of its power, and the experiments I then made,- that I suggested it, in 1835, for 
 ventilating coal mines. My publication of doubts, in respect to the safety-lamp, was 
 very painful to me. Sir Humphry Davy was a personal friend ; he came from 
 the same county : I felt, under the circumstances, bound to publish them ; I felt 
 I should be criminal if I did not. The remedy against the insecurity of the 
 lamp, and safety for the miners, which suggested itself to my mind was an in- 
 creased amount of ventilation ; and with this view I suggested the jet to the 
 Committee of 183,5. I gave the proposition to the public: I might have patented 
 it, but I did not, because I conceived it a question in which the lives of people 
 were concerned. I proposed this mode, after the experiments of 1823 ; I never 
 had any interest in it in a pecuniary point of view. 
 
 1790. So that you never had any reward except that of your own conscience? 
 — No, and I unfortunately lost a friend in Sir Humphrey Davy. 
 
 1791. Colonel Mure.] We have been told, in the course of the evidence, that 
 your method has been applied in various collieries in different parts of England 
 inefficiently; do you not think that, if you had taken out a patent, and had been 
 the person yourself to superintend the application of your own plan, that it might 
 have been more beneficial under those circumstances than it has been hitherto? — 
 I hardly know ; it was published in the Shields report, and the first application 
 of it was successful ; if I had been at the elbow of Mr. Forster I could not have 
 done it better ; that application was perfectly successful, and has gone on so for 
 four years ; you have heard his opinion after four years' experience upon it. This 
 was done without my personal superintendence. There is a jealousy, as in every 
 thing- else, existing on the part of certain parties ; and blunders seem almost 
 intentionally made. In one case I offered to go and inspect an experiment at my 
 own expense, and see whether it was properly done ; because in this case I was 
 told the trial was to be made to ascertain the comparative value of the steam-jet 
 as compared with the furnace ventilation ; but my offer was not accepted. I was 
 never consulted on the arrangements, nor was I showed any plan of the experi- 
 ments. I complain of this, because in evidence before the Committee of 1849 it 
 is stated that I was consulted upon the subject; I was not consulted in any way; 
 i never received any answer to my offer, which was in writing. The experiment 
 was made in total ignorance of the principle, and as a matter of course it failed ; 
 the jet was placed near the upcast, so that the natural brattice was produced ; 
 had the experimenter referred to the report of the South Shields Committee, such 
 a stupid experiment would never have been made. The air to fill the exhaustion, 
 instead of coming from the workings of the pit, was supplied down the sides of 
 the shaft ; consequently it could produce no ventilation below. 
 
 1792. Colonel 
 
SELECT COMMITTEE ON COAL MINES. 
 
 145 
 
 1792. Colonel Pennant.~\ Have you heard that the same party is going to try g. Gumey, Esq 
 
 the experiment again ? — Yes ; I suspect pretty much in the same way ; I feel 
 
 there is no need of an experiment now; every point is settled by a long and 14 June 1852. 
 practical application of it. I should be happy to go, and do all 1 can in assisting 
 
 any experiment having a legitimate object. Vexatious opposition makes me sick 
 of the subject. I have gone into it fairly and openly, wishing to do good, but I 
 have not been met in the same spirit ; the opposition I have met with is very 
 painful to me. It would be much better, if an experiment was thought requisite, 
 that it should be done by the Government. 
 
 1793. Chairman?\ Do you not think it would be a good thing, if Government 
 were also to appoint some person on their part to witness the experiment? — I 
 think it would ; decidedly. 
 
 1794. What class of men would be satisfactory for the Government to select 
 for that purpose? — I think one should be a person well acquainted with the laws 
 of pneumatics, and fully acquainted with natural philosophy, properly so called ; 
 he should know something of chemistry, and be assisted by some person perfectly 
 aware of the practical conditions of coal workings; having practical knowledge 
 of collieries. Another should be a good mathematician, and capable of deter- 
 mining by calculation certain facts ; and the proper correction to be made tor 
 different interferences which take place in a coal pit. For instance, I have 
 observed, during the whole of this inquiry ; during the whole of the inquiry of 
 1835 and the whole of the inquiry of 1 849, that no notice whatever has been 
 taken of the vena contracta ! ! a most fearful interference: it has never been taken 
 into account in any of the calculations respecting ventilation that I have seen. 
 Surely, some one who knows those things should assist in the experiment. You 
 ought to have in the conduct of such an experiment a person aware of every 
 interference, and capable of making the proper correction for it. 
 
 1795. Will you just mention some three or four of the sort of persons you 
 think you would like to have; I presume you would have a person who is well 
 acquainted with the discoveries of the day ? — One must be a person who is aware 
 of all that science has done; who can account for seeming fallacies; secondly, 
 a person who is capable of mathematically calculating the value and bearings of 
 the different facts; and another who is practically acquainted with the working 
 conditions of a coal pit. I do not think you can meet with all those qualifica- 
 tions in the same person. You ought to have three or four persons, one of which 
 should eminently possess each qualification. 
 
 1796. Some such man as Faraday ? — Mr. Faraday would be a most desirable 
 person ; he is by far the best person I know. 
 
 1797. Would Faraday know the whole of those branches? — He would, except 
 the workings ; he knows all the laws of pneumatics, all the laws of chemistry, all 
 the laws of natural philosophy ; and also all those interferences resulting from 
 meteoric changes. He is above suspicion, and has no prejudice. He should be 
 assisted by some persons practically acquainted with the condition of a coal pit, 
 and its working arrangements ; also by some one who has particularly studied 
 mathematics. 
 
 1798. Will you explain a little more the vena contractal — The vena contracta 
 may be explained, in popular language, by " reaction from an eddy," or " retro- 
 gade/' Let us take an instance : if you run w ater through pipes, you will find 
 that the quantity of water does not pass out which, by calculating the sectional 
 areas and forces, ought to do ; this loss is occasioned by what is called the vena 
 contracta. This acts again and again through the workings of a pit; it is repeated 
 at every point where the workings enlarge and contract. There is a series of them 
 in all pits; and their number will be in proportion to the imperfect state of the 
 workings: I have listened with great attention to the evidence for some allusion 
 to it; and looked for it in the published calculations on ventilation, and find this 
 important element has not been noticed. We all know that this resistance to the 
 motion of fluids is a law of nature, and must be always acting in the air courses 01 
 a coal mine : its retarding force is well known. The drag of the mine will always 
 be as the square of the velocity of the air, added to this resistance of the vena 
 contracta. It is very important : no good ventilation can be effected without 
 proper care and attention to this question. The water gauge will show the 
 amount, to some extent, of its interference. 
 
 1799. Is it an essential instrument for safety in the mines? — It is an essential 
 instrument ; without it the actual drag of the mine cannot be known, or to what 
 
 0.62. T extent 
 
146 
 
 MINUTES OF EVIDENCE TAKEN BEFORE THE 
 
 G. Gurnet/, Esq. extent ventilation is going on in the distance. If you admit air by a short passage, 
 
 say directly between the down-cast and the up-cast shafts, you will have an immense 
 
 14 June 1852. quantity of air passing between them ; but the extremity of the mine will not be 
 ventilated ; the water gauge will point this out. The late Mr. George Stephenson 
 has clearly shown, in his evidence in 1835, that ventilation will leak away through 
 different parts of the working. To compel a proper quantity to go to the extremity 
 of the workings, you require a certain force; this force will be evidence of a suffi- 
 cient ventilation passing there. The water gauge is the only instrument by which 
 you can detect it. You may send a man to measure the ventilation with an 
 anemometer at the extreme workings, but you cannot know whether there is any 
 air going there or not the moment after he has left. The water gauge will tell. 
 Again, when it is observed that the water gauge has risen above the working point, 
 the turnace-man immediately knows there is an obstruction somewhere in the 
 workings. If the water gauge has fallen, he is as certain, as man can be, that the 
 air is coming the wrong way. The extremities of the pits would, under such 
 indication, be known to be in danger; on those and many other accounts the 
 water gauge is essential. 
 
 1800. In addition to the water gauge as a means of precaution, would you 
 consider the anemometer was another means of safety ? — Yes ; the anemometer is 
 a measure of " quantity of ventilation, the water gauge of the " power " neces- 
 sary ; so that they should always be together. 
 
 iSoii As another means of increasing the sufficiency of the inspection? — Yes. 
 
 [802. Have you any reason to believe that an efficient anemometer could not be 
 constructed? — I think that one of Mr. Biram's self-registering anemometers is 
 sufficiently accurate for all practical purposes. 
 
 l 803. It would be a means of giving the inspector an opportunity of knowing, 
 when he visited the mine, the amount of ventilation that had been going on during 
 his absence? — If placed under certain conditions, it would show what amount of 
 ventilation had been going on during his absence, at different parts of the mine ; 
 it would show the proportionate quantities passing those parts. 
 
 1804- As to the hygrometer? — It is not necessary: when the atmosphere is 
 saturated, the drag increases on the mine ; the water gauge would point it out. 
 When the wind blows from the south, and south-east, there is generally more 
 water dissolved in the air, and held in solution. It is observed^ that under certain 
 winds mines " foul " rapidly. There are some mines near Newcastle where the 
 men will not go to work in them when the wind blows from the south-easterly 
 quarter, it is so stated in evidence in the Committee of 1835 and 1849. Men 
 belonging to some mines will get out of bed in the morning, and on opening the 
 window, finding the wind blowing south-east, they will go to bed again. 
 
 2805. As to the barometer; do you think it is safe to work a mine without a 
 barometer ? — A barometer is very desirable ; it is an index of the weight of the 
 atmosphere, and the amount of ventilation required to meet the change : if the 
 barometer falls, the ventilation should be increased. The differential barometer is 
 a better instrument than the common barometer, or the anneroid. 
 
 1 806. Therefore you reason that the water-gauge, the anemometer, and the 
 differential barometer, would be all essential instruments to be used in the working 
 of the mine? — Certainly, those instruments, or others to indicate the same thing. 
 
 1807. You pointed out the furnace paradox before the Committee of 1849, 
 which led to the doctrine of the furnace limit ; have you seen any occasion to 
 alter your opinion since then ? — No. On the contrary, I have seen much to con- 
 firm it. Inquiries have been made by men more competent than myself into this 
 question ; and by those inquiries my opinion has been strengthened. Some very 
 able mathematicians have investigated the matter ; some who have taken high 
 honours ; two were senior wranglers ; one called, the senior wrangler of senior 
 wranglers. Those men have looked closely into the subject, and have corro- 
 borated my view. Observation of it in some of the pits has satisfied many on the 
 question. 
 
 1808. You discovered the cause of stopping the ventilation by the descent of 
 air, which you named the natural brattice ; have you seen occasion to alter that 
 opinion ? — No. 
 
 1809. Have you observed the effect of atmospheric changes on ventilation, such 
 as the effect of the hygrometic state of the atmosphere, and the effect of the 
 change of the seasons ? — A strong wind will destroy the feather balance in which 
 a pit is frequently held ; many cases are on record, where explosions have occurred 
 
 in 
 
SELECT COMMITTEE ON COAL MINES. 
 
 147 
 
 in consequence. When the upcast is nearly in a state of balance — a balance q. Gurnet}, Esq. 
 
 between life and death — a slight change of wind will produce such a disturbance 
 
 as to break that balance, and occasion an explosion. A strong wind coming in i 4 j un e 1852. 
 a certain direction has been known to reverse the whole current of a pit. There 
 are many cases recorded where the wind has turned suddenly round, and ven- 
 tilation has become arrested ; and an explosion taken place. The meteororic 
 condition therefore, and changes of the weather, are very necessary to be attended 
 to. Viewers should be alive to the influence of all meteoric changes in the 
 atmosphere. 
 
 1810. Are there no other measures of those changes than such as you have 
 already referred to? — In the barometer you can foresee, sometimes, an impending 
 pit storm of fire-damp, by noticing whether the mercury is concave or convex ; 
 but more often the mischief occurs before you can observe it. The " differential 
 barometer " should be used. 
 
 1811. Supposing you were the viewer or the manager of a pit, and you 
 observed a change about to take place, what means of precaution would you 
 take '? — I would immediately increase the ventilation, if the barometer fell. 
 
 1812. You would put on more power of ventilation ? — Yes. 
 
 1813. Would you give us your view as to some better mode of ventilating 
 goaves ? — A goaf is a source of great danger ; it is often a magazine of explosive 
 matter, and if it could be removed it would be very desirable. A plan was pro- 
 posed by Mr. Faraday and Sir Charles Lyell of emptying the goaf by tubes ; but 
 it was found, on investigating the subject, that though perfectly true in principle, 
 in practice it could not be carried out ; the area of moderate sized tubes would 
 not allow any useful quantity to pass; and large ones entailed an expense that 
 could not be borne by the pit. Mr. Mather, a day or two since, proposed in this 
 Committee to bore holes into the goaf from the surface ; if a nine-inch hole, such 
 as I have seen, could be got down, under his plan of keeping back the water, into 
 the goaf, you might then certainly apply a steam jet at the top in a cylinder 
 connected with the hole, which would draw a very large quantity of explosive 
 gas away from the goaf. 
 
 1814. Did not he suggest a considerable number of holes? — I think he said 
 the number should be proportioned to the size and requirements of the goaf. 
 
 1815. To tap at various places? — Yes, I think so. I may observe, that at 
 Walls End Colliery there is a cylinder, at the top of a goaf, out of which the gas 
 has been burning for many years. That was placed there, I believe, by the late 
 Mr. Buddie ; it was connected to an old shaft going into the goaf. If you could 
 bore down a hole, the only objection to the passage of a profitable quantity of 
 gas would be the smallness of the area of the bore-hole ; I do not think it would 
 throw up of itself sufficient to ventilate a goaf, but a considerable quantity could 
 be extracted by applying the steam jet, or some other mechanical power. 
 
 1816. Colonel Penna?it.] In those bore-holes? — Yes; they would not do it 
 of themselves ; a large quantity might be drawn by the steam jet. I have data 
 to confirm this opinion; at a colliery in Scotland, Mr. MacMurtrie bored down 
 a nine inch hole to a great depth, and through this bore-hole he drove down 3,000 
 cubic feet of air per minute. If this quantity could be driven down that diameter 
 of hole, it could certainly be drawn up ; the steam jet is as effectual as an ex- 
 hausting power, as it is as a propelling power. 
 
 1817. Chairman.'] Would you have additional steam-jets applied, or could you 
 apply the original steam-boiler ? — You could supply many jets from the same 
 boiler. 
 
 1818. Would it be an expensive process? — No. 
 
 1819. Supposing Mr. Forster were to adapt them to his mines, would it be a 
 great additional cost? — No ; they need not be worked except in case of danger. 
 
 1 820. Where the goaves were in a dangerous state ? — Yes ; but 1 think the 
 better mode of security, when you can, is to sweep away the exudations, as they 
 come into the workings, by powerful ventilation. 
 
 1821. Which could be efficiently done by the steam-jet? — Which could be 
 efficiently done by the steam-jet, certainly. 
 
 1822. Colonel Pennant.] At what distance could you apply those steam-jets 
 from the boiler? — Your question applies to the boreholes. At any moderate 
 distance ; one boiler would be sufficient in the centre part of a large goaf for all. 
 
 1823. Chairman.'] I need not ask you whether you think, in cases of explosion, 
 the steam-jet would be a very considerable means of safety, if applied to prevent 
 
 O.62. T 2 the 
 
148 MINUTES OF EVIDENCE TAKEN BEFORE THE 
 
 G. Gwney, Esq. the effect of the after-damp ?— It would ; if it was at hand, fresh air could be 
 
 " driven down in large quantities by one, and the after-damp pulled cut by another. 
 
 14 June 1852. 1824. Has it occurred to you that it would be a security against the after- 
 damp, if some places of refuge where known to the miners when an explosion 
 took place ? — I think refuge stalls, something like those proposed by Mr. Barclay, 
 might be made close to the working places, without much expense, to contain 
 sufficient pure air to preserve life for a considerable time ; the men might go 
 into them, in case of explosion, instead of running, as they now do, into the 
 after damp; they might be made sufficiently safe against the power of explosion, 
 and be self-acting, so as to be always ready, and rilled with fresh air, and insulated 
 from after-damp. They could be formed at little expense as the works were 
 carried on. I think the men might remain in them for 24 hours without much 
 inconvenience, or until the main air-courses were freed. 
 
 1825. Will you explain more in detail how those refuge stalls might be made 
 to act? — The refuge stalls may be formed by closing the ends of an ordinary 
 stall working, or cul-de-sac, next the air courses, sufficiently strong to resist a 
 moderate force of explosion; the stopping to be made of strong boarding; at the 
 bottom, near the floor, a man-hole to be cut, through which a man might easily 
 pass, (say 18 inches diameter,) close to the floor of the stall; at the upper part 
 a small hole to be cut, of from four to six inches diameter, The object of these 
 holes at different levels is for the purpose of self-ventilation of the recess; so that 
 it shall be always ready and filled with air. On the inside two valves to be 
 suspended, ready to close in case of need, the under and upper communication 
 on the inside. This would be all that would be required. In case of explosion, 
 men, instead of running away to the main air courses, and generally into the 
 after-damp, might go into these stalls through the bottom opening, and, when 
 inside, drop the stop-valves prepared and hanging ready tor the purpose. Under 
 these circumstances, if the air course outside was to become filled with after- 
 damp, after the explosion, none of it vvould enter the refuge stall to do any 
 harm. It is manifest, unless air can go out of the stall, none would come in ; and 
 therefore, under an imperfect stopping, no sensible interchange would take place 
 for a long time. A man requires, to support life, a few pints only of air per 
 minute, and a moderate size bay, or recess, would contain enough to supply all 
 the men that were likely to be within reach of it for several hours ; say 24 hours 
 or more. Those stoppings would be little expense, and might be numerous; or 
 the stoppings, (the principal expense) might be moved forward as the workings 
 proceeded from one stall to another, so as to be at hand. At the end of 24 hours 
 the mine ought to be cleared of after- damp, when the men would come out. 
 Wherever the force of explosion was strong enough to blow in these stoppings, 
 it would most likely kill by its violence, and therefore, at this spot, refuge stalls, 
 nor anything else, would be of much use; but in a part where after-damp only 
 extends they would most probably be uninjured. In the late Aberdare explosion, 
 it was yesterday stated by the coroner to this Committee that a horse accidentally 
 left in a bay came out alive. 
 
 1826. Can you speak to some other better lamp than is now used, better 
 adapted to the purpose it is required for; something that would give a better light 
 than that now used; can you suggest any improvement of that kind? — The 
 complaint of want of light for the safety lamp is very great, which induced me to 
 suggest to the miners a reflecting lamp. The reflecting safety lamp is made by 
 substituting reflecting for absorbing wire for the gauze. The ordinary iron wire of 
 which the gauze is made, obstructs and absorbs a considerable quantity of light. 
 Polished plated wire gauze reflects the light back from the surface on which it 
 strikes, and passes it through the meshes on the opposite side ; by this arrange- 
 ment more than one-half the light now lost is saved, and turned to profitable 
 account. In the reflecting lamp there is also a polished cone, placed below the 
 flame; by which means all the light now cut off and lost by obstruction from the 
 " oilcan " (which is nearly one-quarter of the whole) is reflected in a profitable 
 direction. The light also which, by the obliquity of the gauze in the upper part 
 of the cylinder, (which in the ordinary lamp is lost,) by the reflecting gauze is 
 turned to profitable account ; it is reflected outwards in a horizontal direction. 
 The quantity of light thus saved, permits a second cylinder of gauze to be used, 
 suggested by Mr. E. Cay ley, the barrister ; it is placed round the first, thus offer- 
 ing a second security. He proposes that this outer cylinder should be placed at 
 a given distance from the inner one, so as to include the principle of safety by 
 
 mechanical 
 
SELECT COMMITTEE ON COAL MINES. 
 
 149 
 
 mechanical force of the explosion ; that portion of fire-damp lying between the G. Gurney, Esq. 
 
 two cylinders in case the flame passes, if sufficiently powerful, will extinguish its 
 
 flame. For exploring purposes, I consider this is a valuable lamp. If the lamp 14 June 1852. 
 be made with a single cage, and proper cone, it would give nearly three times 
 the quantity of light of the ordinary Davy, without the principle of safety being 
 interfered with ; and with double cage a better light, with a greater security, may 
 be obtained over the ordinary black wire gauze safety lamp. 
 
 1827. In addition to what you have now stated, have you any additional 
 remarks or recommendations to make since you gave evidence before? — Not 
 important ones. 
 
 1828. I would only ask you one more question ; if anything else occurs to you, 
 you can add it to your evidence : the steam jet, I understand, is the same power 
 as is applied to the locomotives, to steamboats, to decomposing furnaces and house 
 ventilation, and to coal mines r — Exactly the same. 
 
 1829. And of which you are the unpaid inventor? — Yes. I wish to observe 
 that 1 have before me an analysis of the evidence of 1835 on the safety lamp, if 
 the Committee desire to have it. 
 
 1830. Do you conceive that there is any more valuable information that can he 
 derived on this subject than from the Report of the South Shields Committee? — 
 The South Shields Committee's Report, I think, contains all the facts of value 
 given in the evidence of 1835 ; the evidence before the Committee of the Lords 
 in 1 849 was almost a repetition of the same. The only additions were, practical 
 evidence of the first application of the jet ; the furnace limit; the furnace para- 
 dox; the natural brattice; practical evidence of the application of Mr. Fourdrinier 
 to prevent accidents by breaking of ropes ; also on the plan of Mr. Struve's pump 
 for ventilation ; and of Mr. Brunton's fan: those were all the subjects, I think, 
 added in the Committee of 1844. 
 
 1831. Mr. Booker.] The practical application of both Mr. Brunton's and Mr. 
 Struve's principle were gone into before the House of Lords in 1849? — They 
 were. 
 
 1832. And the accounts were given of them by themselves? — Yes. 
 
 1833. And, of course, your application of the steam jet by yourself? — Yes. 
 
 1834. Chairman.] Is there not an objection from the stops and starts in the 
 current? — Certainly, in all reciprocating action. You heard what fell from Pro- 
 fessor Hann. 
 
 1835. Colonel Mure.] Having turned your attention so much to this whole 
 subject, have you any reason to assign for the great additional number of accidents 
 which have taken place during the last year, in spite of the improvements that we 
 have been led to understand have been made, and the additional precautions that 
 have been taken ? — I fear there is too much divided responsibility. Proprietors 
 are said to be more lax now that they can throw some responsibility on the 
 Government inspectors. The Chairman of the Committee of 1835, who is a 
 good authority, said, a few days since, that he feared the proprietors of mines 
 were disposed to throw too much responsibility on the inspectors ; that hitherto 
 the responsibility had lain on themselves alone ; now there was a divided respon- 
 sibility. I do not think this fair towards the inspectors, for in many cases they do 
 not see the mine until after an explosion has happened. At Killingworth explo- 
 sion, a short time since, for instance, the inspector, it is said, stated to the coroner's 
 jury, that if he had been called in the week before to look at the workings, he 
 would have prevented the explosion. Surely then this inspector ought not to take 
 part of the responsibility of a pit which he had never seen, or had been consulted. 
 Why did the authorities of the mine suffer the pit, after having had timely and 
 serious warning, first by a man having been sacrificed eight days before, and then 
 two or three successive explosions in the week, to be in that state of danger? 
 When, as was stated in evidence, in 1849, before the Lords, 168,000 feet of air 
 per minute for ventilation was produced in a pit a few miles off? Now, the ven- 
 tilation of this exploded pit was stated in evidence before the coroner to be under 
 30,000 ! How was this ? Surely the Government inspector had nothing to do 
 with it. 
 
 1836. You spoke of ventilating the goaves from above, as I understood you, 
 not by drawing up the noxious vapour trom the goaf, but by infusing fresh air 
 from above, would not that tend to obstruct the general course of the ventilation? 
 — That would drive the explosive mixture into the working. 
 
 0.62. T3 1837. I understood 
 
150 
 
 MINUTES OF EVIDENCE: -COAL MINES. 
 
 G. Gumey, Esq. 1837. I understood that was your plan? — No; to draw it up by exhaustion. 
 
 There is one fact I wish to mention before I withdraw; it is a practical one, which 
 
 14 June 1852. nas come out in my experiments since 1849, an< ^ possibly worth notice; — near 
 the surface of most of the pits, I find, by experiment, that the parieties of the 
 earth are so open, that if you attempt to draw out air by exhaustion near the sur- 
 face, it will leak in through the earth ; you cannot get the quantity through the 
 pit which you vush ; it will come the shorter way through the parieties of the sub- 
 stratum. So, also, if you attempt to push air down, there will be a large leakage 
 outwards through the parieties, or fissures of the earth. In the one case, not 
 half the quantity will be drawn through the working; and in the other, not half 
 will be forced through the working the other way : the air is drawn or forced out 
 at the top of the pit. Those are practical observations which seem of importance, 
 which have come out, in my experiments, incidentally. They are objections 
 against placing the power, whatever it may be, near the surface. It might have 
 been anticipated, for a surface that will pass water (rain), will pass air. 
 
 1838. Colonel Pennant.^ Suppose the bore-holes suggested by Mr. Mather 
 into the goaf were made, and no apparatus applied to the bore-holes, would not 
 the effect of the weight of the atmosphere be to drive the gas out of the face of 
 the goaves ? — It would have a natural tendency to go up ; the power would be 
 very slight ; if it was pure hydrogen it would go up rapidly ; still the quantity, 
 I think, would not be sufficient ; an assistant power would be required. In case 
 the goaf was open to the pull of the upcast, the bore-holes would be downcasts. 
 
 1839. The mere boring holes into the goaves would not be sufficient without 
 the addition of apparatus? — I think not. 
 
 LIST 
 
[ i5i ] 
 
 LIST OF APPENDIX. 
 
 Appendix, No. 1. 
 
 Letter from the Chairman to Sir H. De la Beche, dated 12 June 1852 - - - p. 152 
 Letter from Sir H. De la Beche to the Chairman, dated 15 June 1852 - - p. 152 
 
 Appendix, No. 2. 
 
 Resolutions agreed to at a Meeting of the Workmen of the Seaton Delaval Colliery, 
 10 June 1852 p. 154 
 
 Appendix, No, 3. 
 
 Resolutions agreed to at a Meeting of the "Workmen of Cramlington Colliery, 14 Juno 
 1832 p. 154 
 
 Appendix, No. 4. 
 
 Report of the South Shields Committee, appointed to investigate the Causes of Accidents in 
 Coal Mines; containing an Examination of Safety Lamps, Ventilation, Scientific Instru- 
 ments, Infant Labour in the Mines, Plans and Sections, Scientific Education of Officers of 
 Mines, Government Inspection, and Medical Treatment after Explosion ; with Plans and 
 Appendix - -- -- - p. 155 
 
 Plans after p. 226 
 
 0.62. T 4 
 
152 
 
 APPENDIX TO REPORT FROxM THE 
 
 APPENDIX. 
 
 Appendix, No. I. 
 
 LETTER from the Chairman to Sir //. De la Beche. 
 
 11, Dean's Yard, Westminster, 
 Dear Sir, 12 June 1852. 
 
 Appendix, No. l. 0 N the part of the Committee sitting on Coal-mine Explosions, I have to request you will 
 
 have the kindness to inform me by letter if you have anything material to add to your 
 
 evidence given before the Lords in 1849, especially as relates to inspection; the class, and 
 attainments of Inspectors, and an examination into their qualifications previous to their 
 appointment ; as to the size of their districts, and the sufficiency of their powers. I would 
 also ask your views as to the possibility and propriety of having a register anemometer kept 
 in every mine, which would acquaint the inspector at each visit with what had been the 
 amount of ventilation kept up during his absence. 
 
 I have, &c. 
 (signed) E. S. Cayley. 
 
 P. S. — The Committee propose to conclude the reception of evidence on Monday, in 
 consequence of the prospect of an immediate dissolution. 
 
 Sir H. De la Beche, 
 &c. &c. 
 
 LETTER from Sir H. De la Beche to the Chairman. 
 
 Museum of Practical Geology, 
 Dear Sir, 15 June 1852. 
 
 Absence from London has prevented me from replying earlier to your note of the 
 12th instant. With reference to any material additions that I might have to offer to my 
 evidence before the Lords' Committee, and to the Report made on the subject of Colliery 
 Explosions, in conjunction with my colleagues, Dr. Lyon Playfair and Mr. Waiington 
 Smyth,*' perhaps there is not much that would be considered as such. 1 may, however, 
 remark that the appointment of the Inspectors has appeared to me to have been productive 
 of effects in the right direction. Looking at the conditions under which they were appointed, 
 it was not to be expected that they could accomplish much likely to attract public attention 
 in so short a time as the present. Their influence would be gradual, chiefly dependent 
 upon the spread of useful information they might be enabled to accomplish, upon their 
 power of pointing out, even in their own districts, methods of working desirable for more 
 general adoption, and upon ihe prompt and disinterested attention they could give to the 
 causes of accidents in mines, when these should unfortunately occur, thus affording 
 evidence of a kind which ought to have a material influence on the verdicts of coroners' 
 juries. More attention would seem to have been lately given to proper ventilation in 
 quarters where, previously, it had occupied less than was desirable, and more general 
 anxiety appears to have been manifested to copy good methods of work. 
 
 The proper remuneration of the Inspectors would seem to require much attention. If this 
 be not fairly adequate, there is the risk of either not commanding the attention of effective 
 men, or, when getting them, of not retaining them. As the work proceeds, and it is very 
 heavy for the Inspectors, probably, also, further aid will be required, so that there may be 
 fitting persons under them, to assist in the general duties. 
 
 With regard to the powers that may be given to the Inspectors, great care would seem 
 needful, so that the burden of proper management be not shifted from those working the 
 collieries to the Inspectors, and so that the latter, and not the former, become responsible. 
 In countries where all the mineral property is held by the Governments, and mines are only 
 
 worked 
 
 Presented to Parliament in 1847. 
 
SELECT COMMITTEE ON COAL MINES. 
 
 worked under concessions granted under certain conditions, those conditions receiving the Appendix No l 
 
 complete and constant attention of well-organised corps of mining engineers, such mines are , 
 
 necessarily very differently situated from those, in our land. Under such an organisation, 
 certain responsibilities may easily rest with the mining engineers of the Government, the 
 more especially as the works, from their commencement, are more or less under their general 
 supervision, and the effectiveness of the corps is secured by proper instruction, and by a 
 sufficient number of officers of different classes. We have here to meet our existing 
 mining conditions according to English views as to the rights of mineral property, and to the 
 working of laws, for the public good, made with reference to them. 
 
 As to an examination of the qualifications of Inspectors, prior to their appointments, it 
 would certainly appear desirable. And it may be right here to add, that this seemed the 
 view taken at the Home Office upon the appointment of the last three Inspectors, who, prior 
 to such appointments, were required to come to London for the purpose of being questioned 
 upon various points connected with their acquirements. 
 
 With reference to a register anemometer to be kept at each colliery, certainly any con- 
 trivance which should register the amount of air introduced into a coal mine, even approxi- 
 mative^, in a given time, may be considered as important. At the same time, as is no doubt 
 well known to the Committee, correctly to ascertain the volume of air drawn into a colliery 
 requires nice adjustments and great care. It, however, by no means follows that, because 
 the volume of air drawn into a coal mine is fairly known, that, therefore, the ventilation of 
 that colliery is ascertained. It is not only required that a given amount of air should be 
 introduced," but also that it shall be properly distributed amid the workings. It would be 
 very easy to have a strong current of air passing through certain passages, while numerous 
 parts of the same colliery were ill-ventilated, some even in a dangerous state, and thus to 
 have, by means of a register anemometer, placed in the chief current, an erroneous view of 
 the general ventilation of that mine. Indeed, it might readily happen that with a given 
 power for creating the current, the less the air is distributed among the workings, the more 
 effective may the ventilation appear, a greater amount of air being drawn through certain 
 passages in a given time by that power, there being less " drag " or friction to contend 
 with. The real ventilation of a coal mine depends not only on the power to draw in the 
 needful air, but upon the skill by which it is employed in the mine. The former is but the 
 means to the end, not the end itself. Whether the current of air be produced by a furnace 
 in the upcast shaft, by steam jets, by fans, or by any other means, these constitute only 
 the power to be utilized for effective ventilation, and should not be confounded, as they too 
 often are, with effective ventilation itself. Very great progress has been made in the real 
 ventilation of coal mines in certain collieries, and it would be well if their methods were 
 wider spread. The " splitting," as it is termed, of the air introduced, has of late years 
 received very great attention, and is a subject of very great importance as regards effective 
 ventilation. 
 
 Without touching upon other points, of which there are many requiring attention, such, 
 for example, as the use of the barometer, by which to regulate currents of air in proportion 
 to the pressure of the atmosphere, and the like, perhaps 1 may be permitted to call attention 
 to the defective instruction, more especially in certain districts, of the working colliers, so 
 that persons are even placed in responsible situations, situations by which the lives of num- 
 bers of their fellow workmen may be risked, who cannot even read or write. This is a 
 crying evil, and one which the great colliery viewers, men distinguished for their talent and 
 their experience, appear so desirous to see removed. Although it may be perfectly true 
 that in all dangerous occupations men become familiar with, and careless about danger, surely 
 proper instruction tends to remove fool-hardiness, and produce more consideration for 
 general welfare and progress. Effective instruction, suited to the various wants of those 
 engaged in colliery work, would appear a needful addition to inspection, and it is to be 
 hoped that the growing feeling of its necessity will, at no distant date, find itself satisfied 
 by the foundation of well-appointed local mining schools, where the working man, whose 
 means confine him to his locality, may yet find information most useful and important to 
 him. 
 
 I have, &c. 
 (signed) H. T. Be la Beche. 
 
 O.62. u 
 
154 
 
 APPENDIX TO REPORT FROM THE 
 
 Appendix, No. 2. 
 
 Appendix, No. 2. RESOLUTIONS agreed to at a Meeting of the Workmen of the Seaton Delaval Coliit 
 
 10 June 1852. 
 
 To E. S. Cayley, Esq., m.p., for the Committee appointed to Inquire into the Causes 
 
 of Accidents in Mines, &c. 
 
 At a Meeting of the Workmen of Seaton Delaval Colliery, held 10 June 1852, the following 
 Resolutions were unanimously agreed to: — 
 
 1st. That to ensure the greatest possible safety to the lives of the miners, the owners of 
 collieries should be compelled to pass into, and through their pits, an ample quantity 
 of atmospheric air, so as to properly dilute and carry off the noxious gases given off 
 by the mine ; that the above mode is preferable to a dependence on any safety lamps, 
 seeing that more lives have been lost since their introduction than before. 
 
 2d. That to give due effect to the " Mines Inspection Bill," more inspectors ought to be 
 appointed, or an adequate number of sub-inspectors, so that the more dangerous pits 
 might have at least a monthly inspection, and thereby prevent the accumulations of 
 gas, by a timely pointing out of dangers ; and thus prevent the recurrence of such 
 dreadful accidents and extensive loss of life. 
 
 3d. That, in the opinion of this Meeting, the efforts made by the inspector of this district, 
 at the various inquests, have been of a partial and inadequate character, and have not 
 been calculated to elicit the truth, notwithstanding- the amount of evidence produced 
 by the miners themselves, before the late coroners' juries ; as in the case of Wash- 
 ington, Killingworth, and Hebburn. 
 
 Seaton Delaval Colliery,) 
 12 June 1852. J 
 
 Appendix, No. 3. 
 
 Appendix, No. 3. RESOLUTIONS agreed to at a Meeting of the Workmen of Cramlitigton Colliery, 
 14 June 1852. 
 
 To E. S. Cayley, Esq., m.p, pro the Committee appointed to inquire into the Causes of 
 
 Accidents in Coal Mines, &c. 
 
 At a Meeting of the Workmen of Cramlington Colliery, the following Resolutions were 
 
 unanimously agreed to : — 
 
 Resolved, 1st. That the best way to prevent explosions, is to have a continuous and 
 ample supply of atmospheric air carried into all the workings of each pit. 
 
 2nd. That to depend for safety upon any lamp is fallacious and unsound, inasmuch as 
 more disasters and loss of life has occurred since the introduction of the safety lamp than 
 before. 
 
 3rd. That a sufficient number of inspectors and sub-inspectors ought to be appointed to 
 visit and examine the " Mines," (especially those which make the most fire-damp), at 
 least once a month ; so that they might be enabled to point out the dangers which might 
 exist, and thus prevent the frequent loss of life, by a timely removal of the same. 
 
 4th. That in our opinion the efforts made by the " Inspector of Mines" in this district, 
 at the various inquests, have been of a partial and inadequate character, and ill-calculated 
 to elicit the truth, notwithstanding- the amount of evidence furnished by the miners before 
 the late coroners' juries, as in the case of Washington, Killingworth, and Hebburn 
 Collieries. 
 
 John Richardson, Chairman. 
 
 Cramlington Colliery, 14 June 1852. 
 
 Matthew Richardson, 
 
 President. 
 
SELECT COMMITTEE ON COAL MINES. 
 
 155 
 
 Appendix, No. 4. 
 
 THE REPORT of the South Shields Committee, appointed to investigate the Causes of Appendix, No. 4. 
 Accidents in Coal Mines ; containing an Examination of Safety Lamps, Ventilation, 
 Scientific Instruments, Infant Labour in the Mines, Plans and Sections, Scientific Edu- 
 cation of Officers of Mines, Government Inspection, and Medic il Treatment after Explo- 
 sion ; with Plans and Appendix. 
 
 Committee: Robert Ingham, Esq., President; Thomas M. W interbottom, m.d., &c; 
 Richard Shortridge, Esq., j.p. ; James Ward le Roxby, Esq., j.p : John Clay, Esq. ; Er- 
 rington Bell, Esq.; Robert Waiter Swinburne, Esq. ; William K. Eddowes, Esq. ; Anthony 
 Harrison, Esq. ; James Mather and Thomas Salmon, Esqrs., Honorary Secretaries. 
 
 PAGE 
 
 Dangers of a Pitman's occupation - - 155 
 Extent of British Coal Fields - - -156 
 
 Competition with the Coals of ForeignCountries 157 
 Accident in St. Hilda Pit, and the South Shields 
 
 Committee ------- 158 
 
 Immense abundance of Inflammable Gas in 
 
 Coal _ - - - 158 
 
 The terrible Force of Gas explosions - - 159 
 The description of Gases in Mines - - - 159 
 Light Carburetted Hydrogen - - - - 160 
 
 Olefiant Gas - - - - - - - 160 
 
 Sulphuretted Hydrogen ----- 161 
 
 Carbonic Acid Gas - ----- 161 
 
 First attempts at the construction of Safety 
 
 Lamps ------- 161 
 
 The Davy Lamp ------ 162 
 
 Stephenson's Lamp 165 
 Smith's improved ditto ----- 166 
 
 The Clanny Lamps ----- 166 
 
 Upton & Roberts' Lamp - 168 
 Mr. William Martin's Lamp - - - - 170 
 
 Mr. Richard Ayre's Lamp - 170 
 Belgian Lamps ------ 170 
 
 M. Mueseler's Lamp ----- 170 
 
 M. Lemielle's Lamp ----- 172 
 
 The Committee's conclusions on Safety Lamps 173 
 Ventilation - - - - - - -173 
 
 The effects of Imperfect Ventilation - - 174 
 Natural Ventilation - - - - - 174 
 
 PAGE 
 
 Furnace Ventilation ----- 174 
 
 Mr. Spedding — Coursing the Air - 174 
 Explosive Mixtures destroyed by Anti-Inflam- 
 mable Gas - - - - - - -174 
 
 Mr. Buddie's Improvements in Ventilation - 175 
 Tremendous extent of Galleries - 176 
 Average rate of Air Currents in Mines - - 176 
 Examples of ditto ------ 176 
 
 More Shafts and more Air - 179 
 Bratticed Shafts ------ 181 
 
 The Average Cost of Sinking Shafts - - 183 
 Number of Acres to a Shaft - - - - 183 
 
 Proportionate Area of Downcasts and Upcasts 183 
 High Pressure Steam Ventilation, by Mr. Gur- 
 | ney, with Plans ------ 184 
 
 i Gas Drifts ------- 188 
 
 1 Dykes accumulating Gas and exciting increased 
 
 Electrical Action - - - 190 
 
 j Scientific Instruments ----- - 192 
 
 Boys in Mines ------ 195 
 
 ! Registered Plans and Sections of Mines - 196 
 Scientific Education of Officers of Mines - 198 
 British Professorship of Practical Engineering 
 and Mining ------ 201 
 
 I Government Inspection ----- 202 
 
 1 Medical Treatment after Explosion - - 203 
 ! Analysis of After-damp ----- 203 
 
 French Government Instructions - - - 206 
 Summary of General Conclusions - - - 207 
 
 CONTENTS OF APPENDIX. 
 
 PAGE 
 
 Appendix (A.) — Mr. Martin's Paper, with 
 
 Plans - - - - 211 
 „ (B.) — Mr. Fourness, of Leeds, on 
 
 Fan Ventilation - - 213 
 „ (C.)— Mr. T. J. Taylor's Minutes, 
 
 with Plans - 215 
 ,, (D.) — Another Analysis of Iron 
 
 Pyrites - - - - 218 
 
 PAGE 
 
 Appendix (E.)— List of Accidents in the Nor- 
 thumberland and Durham 
 Mines, from 1658 to 1842 219 
 „ (F.) — Accidents in the Coal Mines 
 
 of Belgium - 221 
 „ fG.) — Translation of M. Jars' Me- 
 moir on Ventilation, with 
 Plans - - - - 222 
 
 REPORT. 
 
 Pit Coal, so necessary for the aits and prosperity of Britain, and, from her climate 
 essential to the comfort and enjoyment of her population, is produced by a severity of 
 labour, and risk of personal safety to the miner, which the workman of no other occupa- 
 tion is exposed to. 
 
 The pitman descends 200, 300, and in some instances more than 500 yards (a) into the . ttmtm , a ntum 
 
 i , . /• ,1 , t ' ' , , „ , J , A pitman s cccu- 
 
 Dowels or the eann, and there traverses subterranean passages, frequently from two or three p a ti 0n . 
 
 miles in extent, to his work ; where, by the glimmering of a small candle, or more imperfect 
 lamp, in a space seldom six feet high, and oftener three and four, he labours in a stooping 
 posture, sometimes lying on bis side for eight or ten hours together in an impure atmo- 
 sphere, to extract the mineral that above-ground is diffusing light, heat, riches, and enjoy- 
 ment. 
 
 In 
 
 (a) Monkwearmouth pit, in the county of Durham, is 528 yards deep. 
 0.62. U 2 
 
156 
 
 APPENDIX TO REPORT FROM THE 
 
 Appendix, No. 4. 
 
 Its dangers. 
 
 Importance of coal 
 mines to Britain. 
 
 Geological errors 
 in calculating the 
 supply of coal. 
 
 Extent of the coal 
 fields of Britain. 
 
 The supposed time 
 of their exhaustion 
 
 In such a situation, often without a moment's warning, he is overtaken by destruction. 
 The gases generated in such abundance in the mine, from some accident suddenly explode, 
 and fill the pit with death. In an instant, and in the most fearful manner, he is" scorched 
 and shrivelled to a blackened mass, or is literally shattered to pieces against the rugged 
 sides of the mine ; or, if out of the immediate range of this terrible piece of ordnance, in a 
 few seconds the after-clamp spreads itself in every direction, and poisons beyond recovery 
 all that it may reach. Humanity has too frequently to deplore these fearful accidents. 
 Within the last 20 years the coal district of the Tyne and Wear alone has had upwards of 
 680 miners so destroyed. 
 
 It is time that some comprehensive plan for their better security be adopted. The 
 country cannot intend to abandon this useful class of men for ever to such a fate. 
 
 These mines so worked and so exposed are becoming daily more important to society in 
 the advanced state of the arts. To Britain they are of more consequence than mines of 
 gold and silver; thev set her stupendous machinery in motion, raise her to a position the 
 highest in the scale of nations, and bring her vast dependent territories, scattered over the 
 globe, with all their valuable productions, within the easy access and jurisdiction of the 
 parent State. 
 
 Their exhaustion, or the cheaper extraction of coal in another country, would bring 
 wiih it serious injury, if not ruin : every principle of national superiority in her manu_ 
 facturing and commercial greatness, of which they are the spring of action, would be lost. 
 
 It is an erroneous basis of calculation to assume the entire geological coal disposable to 
 the country. Under the present system, in her finest description of coal of the northern 
 field, there is, even in the workable strata, a loss in its extraction of 36| per cent., or more 
 than one-third ; and in the thin seams, that will riot repay the expense of working, at least 
 30 per cent, of the entire stratified coal is left unattempted in the mine, (a) The views of 
 theoretical geologists, without making waste, unworkable seams, and relative cost of extrac- 
 tion, elements of their calculations, would tend, if acted on, to the most incorrect practical 
 conclusions, and national extravagance of the most disastrous kind. One geologist (Mr. 
 Conybeare, Introd. Geol.) believes the Yorkshire and Derbyshire coal field to rival or sur- 
 pass in importance that of the north, and which he conceives to be the re-emergence 
 of the latter from beneath the magnesian limestone. Another (Lardner's Cyclopaedia — 
 Fossil Fuel), makes the great northern coal field extend over 1,500 square miles, but omits 
 to state that on an average, even in the most productive measures, not more than 29 feet 
 of workable coal, by pits often 200 fathoms down, in which upwards of 3G per cent, of it 
 is left behind, can be procured ; that some of the most valuable seams crop out towards 
 the magnesian limestone, and that a vast proportion of this geological coal field is removed 
 by distance and other natural obstructions beyond the reach of remunerative employment 
 of capital and labour. Other geologists (Philosoph. Trans., vol. 96, and Bakewell's 
 Geology) make the. South Welsh basin about 1,000 square miles of 95 feet of coal, con- 
 taining 100,000 tons per acre, or 64,000,000 tons per square mile, or almost as much as 
 will supply the country, at its present rate of consumption, for 3,000 years. Here again 
 it has not been stated that there is nearly one-half waste, and that much of this Welsh coal 
 is inferior anthracite, only applicable for certain purposes, or requiring a proportionate 
 greater quantity for the same, although a portion of it is fine bituminous; and that the cost 
 of production, of even the finest description, has hitherto prevented, to any extent, its meet- 
 ing in successful competition, either in the home or foreign markets, the fine coal of the 
 Tyne and other districts; that this infers general inferiority of quality and greater relative 
 cost of working, which, should it become the sole source of supply, will make the coal of 
 foreign countries to counteract its extent, and will leave Britain no longer a superiority on 
 this point of great national importance. The same observations will apply to the less ex- 
 tensive and valuable coal fields of Scotland and Ireland. 
 
 On the other hand, Professor Sedgwick is "convinced that with the present increased 
 and increasing demand for coal, 400 years will, leave little more than the name of our best 
 seams ;" and so thinks Professor Buckland. And thus ends the 1,700 or 2,000 years' 
 supply assumed to exist on the Tyne and Wear. While Bakewell, in his Geology, ob- 
 serves—" We cannot but regard the exhaustion of our coal beds as involving the destruc- 
 tion of a great portion of our private comfort and national prosperity. Nor is the period 
 very remote when the coal districts which at present supply the metropolis with fuel will 
 cease to yield any more. The number and extent of the principal coal beds in Northum- 
 berland and Durham are known ; and from these data it has been calculated that the coal 
 in these counties will last 360 years. The only coal fields of any extent on the eastern side 
 of England, between London and Durham, are those of Derbyshire and the West Riding 
 of Yorkshire. The Derbyshire coal field is not of sufficient magnitude to supply, for any 
 long period, more than is requited for home consumption and that of the adjacent counties. 
 There are verv valuable beds of coal in the eastern parts of the West Riding of Yorkshire, 
 which are yetumvrought ; but the time is not very far distantwhen they mustbe put in requi- 
 sition to supply the vast demand of that manufacturing county, w hich at present consumes 
 nearly all the produce of its own coal mines. In die Midland Counties, Staffordshire 
 possesses the nearest coal district to the metropolis of any great extent ; but such is the 
 
 immense 
 
 W(a) See Evidence before Parliamentary Committee of 1835. Buddie, 2113, 2118, and 2156; Forrester, 
 2631 ; and Smith, 3153. 
 
SELECT COMMITTEE ON COAL MINES. 
 
 *57 
 
 immense daily consumption of coal in the iron furnaces and founderies, that it is generally Appendix, No. 4. 
 
 believed this will be the first of our own coalfields that will be exhausted. The 30 feet 
 
 bed of coal in the Dudley coal field is of limited extent, and in the present mode of work- 
 ing it, more than two thirds of the coal is wasted and left in the mine. If we look to 
 Whitehaven, or Lancashire, or to any of the minor coal fields in the West of England, we 
 can derive little hope of their being able to supply London and the southern counties with 
 coal after the import fails from Northumberland and Durham. We may thus anticipate a 
 period not very remote when all the English mines of coal and ironstone will be exhausted." 
 The following detail will corroborate these views : — Of 45 feet of coal in a. section of all 
 the coal strata in one of the best pits on the Tyne, not 30 feet are workable coal. In 
 the north, coal in the mine cannot be extracted to profit under two feet eight inches, as in 
 the yard coal seam; and in the western part of Wallsend the Bensham seam is considered 
 unworkable at two feet ten inches, although there are times when it is worked so low as at 
 20 inches, (a) But at Bingley, near Bolton, a seam 19 inches is wrought ; near Manchester 
 another seam of 15 inches; near Blackburn one of 13; and at Flockton, in Yorkshire, 
 another of 16 inches. The thinnest seam wrought in Yorkshire is about 13 inches; in The thickness of 
 North Lancashire 20 inches; and at Siiilbottle, in the Northumberland and Durham the workable seam 
 districts, two feet six inches; St. Lawrence, two feet nine inches ; Wylam, Walbottle, 
 Charlaw, &c, it is three feet two inches. Most of the thin seams above specified as in 
 operation, are chiefly wrought for local consumption, and cannot bear the expense of 
 transit and competition for manufacturing and commercial purposes. The northern mines, 
 it is thus seen, notwithstanding their facilities of market and carriage, prove geological coal 
 lost for mining purposes under the present cost of working whenever the seam falls to two 
 feet eight, or two feet ten inches; and coal even of a much greater thickness, unconnected 
 with other seams, would not repay the cost of deep pits and expensive works. Already the 
 Tyne portion of the northern coal field, hitherto considered the most valuable, begins to 
 experience the difficulties of exhaustion in the finer description of coal, and that of the 
 Wear and the Tees, less worked than it, has the advantage in commercial competition of 
 from nine to ten per cent, in price. For several years past, in the London market, the Wear 
 and Tees coal brings regulaily a higher price, by at least 2 s. per ton, than that of the 
 Tyne. 
 
 When the expense of working British coal mines leaves no remuneration to the capital Competition of the 
 and labour employed, when brought into competition with the mines of other countries, then coal of foreign 
 will they be as effectually lost to Britain, for purposes of ascendancy, and their produce, as count nes. 
 exports, as if no longer in physical existence ; and her superiority in the mechanic arts and 
 manufactures, ceteris paribus, it may well be feared, will be superseded. The more exten- 
 sive and easily accessible coal fields, both bituminous and anthracite, of the United States 
 of America, which are to the westward of the Alleghany mountains, 1,500 miles long and 
 600 broad ; and the fine anthracite combined with bituminous coal of Pennsylvania running 
 on the east of these mountains as far as Lake Ontario, afford supplies of the finest coal, that 
 time would almost seem incapable of exhausting. They are at present, only deterred from 
 coming into competition by the want of abundant capital and cheap labour. But as that 
 country increases her population, which she is doing at the rate of 33 per cent, every ten 
 years, and their industry at the same time, pari passu, accumulating capital, it is to be 
 feared that her mineral resources at no distant day may not continue the only exception to 
 her natural produce unexported. They are already turning their attention to ihem, and the 
 Legislature of Pennsylvania in 1838 voted 18,000 acres to public companies for the purpose 
 of working coal. This view is sustained by the landing (as at present) British coal at a 
 less cost than the mineral can there be wrought upon the coal fields of Pennsylvania. It 
 is not the want of coal, but of capital and of labour, that allows the more cheaply wrought 
 British mineral to seal up the American mines. It is within the range of possibility to 
 reverse it. 
 
 The north part of France and Belgium are rich in fine coal ; and the latter is geologi- 
 cally connected with Germany by a chain of carboniferous rocks. Saxony, Bohemia, and 
 Silesia have also abundance of coal. In France, the department of Aveyron is said to be 
 able, if properly developed, to supply all France. At St. Etienne, the heart of the French 
 mining district, coal can be extracied as low as in Wales, and the expense of it throughout 
 France is imputed to the absence of easy lines of carriage and communication, which enable 
 English coal lo be sold on the French coasts at a profit; but which again is met by the 
 competition of the coal of Belgium, that even at Marseilles can appear in the same market 
 with success. A prejudice in favour of wood fuel, and an insufficient national demand, have 
 prevented the French coal fields from developing their great resources. Russia, Syria, the 
 East Indies, China, Australia, and many other parts of the world abound with this valuable 
 mineral, and stand ready when favourable circumstances may present themselves, to reduce, 
 at the least, this important source of our national wealth, and add to their power of produc- 
 tion in the arts and manufactures. 
 
 Unceasing exertion, and the adoption of every scientific improvement adapted for the 
 extraction and economising of her mineral wealth, can alone enable Britain to continue at 
 the head of the competition of the world. 
 
 It is, then, important, not only for the sake of humanity, but for the continued prosperity 
 of Britain, that the hope of the future be not sacrificed to the interest of the. present, and 
 
 that 
 
 0.62. 
 
 (a) Parliamentary Evidence, 1835, 2237. 
 
 U3 ' 
 
158 
 
 APPENDIX TO REPORT FROM THE 
 
 Appendix, No. 4. 
 
 Appointment of 
 the South Shields 
 Committee. 
 
 that a safe, economical, and well- arranged system of working those mines be 
 established. Hitherto they have been left only to chance and the unassisted efforts of 
 individvals. 
 
 The Committee of South Shields for the Investigation of Accidents in Mines, responding to 
 their public appointment in 1839, after one of those devastating explosions that place a whole 
 district in mourning, (a) entered upon their important duties with a determination to leave 
 no exertion unspared for the accomplishment of their objects, and have laboured therein 
 industriously for the last three years, unaffected bv any influence, save humanity and the 
 interests of the country. In doins>' so, the Committee, at the same time, have been careful 
 to keep in view the great individual interests involved, and to contemplate the suggestion 
 of no system or arrangements by which to them, and so to the public, great increased 
 expense without ultimate remuneration might be produced; thus avoiding any augmentation 
 of the difficulty and cost, and perhaps eventual serious injury of that production which it 
 is the interest of all to render cheap and more abundant. 
 
 Jn resisting many of the humane and philanthropic suggestions laid before them, the 
 Committee have had no ordinary difficulty to contend with, from the warmth and enthu- 
 siastic feelings of their projectors, but which, in some instances, had it been possible to 
 enforce, would have annihilated several of the most productive mines of Britain. 
 
 Deeply impressed with the important objects of their investigation, and the difficulties 
 with which they are surrounded, the Committee have endeavoured, by visits and experiments 
 in the mines, by to accumulation of data, by examination of good practical pitmen, by 
 communication with some of the ablest viewers of the country, by correspondence with 
 distinguished scientific men, by a comparison of the different systems of mining, and by 
 investigation of the mining laws and regulations of foreign states, to come toafair andjust 
 conclusion on the various points bearing on their mission, and now submit the following 
 Report, dictated by a firm determination to support the truth, the interests of humanity 
 and the country, as the result of their labours, 
 
 The great leading subjects of the Committee's inquiry and consideration, as applicable to 
 the prevention or mitigation of accidents in mines, have been : — 
 
 Safety Lamps, 
 Ventilation, 
 Scientific Instruments, 
 Infant Labour in the Mines, 
 Plans and Sections, 
 
 Scientific Education of Officers of Mines, 
 Government Inspection, and 
 Medical Treatment after Explosion. 
 
 Fire-damp. 
 
 Its immense abun- 
 dance. 
 
 SAFETY LAMPS. 
 
 T he great element of destruction to miners is the dreadful fire-damp , (light carburetted 
 hydrogen gas,) which is evolved in the greatest profusion from every pore of the coal, as 
 well as from the roof and thill of the mine. 
 
 So abundant is it in some of the northern mines, that to procure a natural gas light, as 
 this Committee has more than once observed, a small hole a few inches deep has only to 
 be made in the coal, and a tube inserted, when the gas discharges through it so freely as to 
 enable it to be lighted at its end. (b) In the shot-holes made for blasting the coal, it is 
 very common also for the gas to ignite at their mouths. 
 
 At Wallsend colliery (C. pit) for many years there has been an incessant discharge of 
 gas, which burns at the pit mouth, with a bright light, that is visible for miles. It is con- 
 veyed in metal pipes from a single goaf, (ic) or reservoir, of not more than five acres, into 
 which it pours, 280 yards below the surface, and 2000 from the shaft. Day and night it 
 continues to discharge at the rate of b\ hogsheads per minute, (d) and six years ago 
 was more than double that amount, (e) 
 
 On the 14th of January 1841, the shaft brattice of St. Hilda pit, on the Tyne, was 
 burnt, and the ventilation thereby destroyed ; five days afterwards the underground work- 
 ings of the mine, full 70 miles in gallery extent, were so filled with partially diluted gas, 
 which ascended to the surface in such quantities, that around the pit mouth the fires had 
 to be extinguished, and operations were obliged to be carried on in the shaft with safety 
 lamps for precaution against the dormant earthquake below. 
 
 An accident from a sudden emission of gas having occurred on the 2d February 1841, 
 at J arrow colliery, part of the shaft brattice having been destroyed, and the ventilation 
 injured, before it could be restored fully 20 miles of passages, of upwards of 70 feet average 
 area, and more than 7,700,000 cubic feet were in three days charged with this dreadful 
 combustible. 
 
 At Earsdon pit (Northumberland), in the Bensham seam, 104 yards down, when the Com- 
 mittee 
 
 (a) That at St. Hilda Pit, near South Shields, on the 28th June 1839, in which 52 lives were lost. 
 (6) See also Parliamentary Evidence in 1835; 2094, 2095. 
 
 (c) Goaf, part of the mine whence the coal has been removed, and into which the roof has fallen in 
 immense masses, and the floor risen ; the whole appearing a chaotic confusion of rocks, 
 (cf) At this Committee's visit in October, 1839. 
 
 (e) Parliamentary Evidence, 2030 ; and Coroner's inque»t at Wallsend explosion, 1835. 
 
SELECT COMMITTEE ON COAL MINES. 
 
 159 
 
 mittee visited it on the 6th April 1840, a large staple (a pit within a mine) was being sunk Appendix, No. 4. 
 
 to the low main. About 50 feet below, the surface of the water in ihis siaple was agitated 
 
 briskly, as if boiling, by the escape of gas; a light with greal caution was lowered into it, 
 when the whole surface became a sheet of flame of nearly 30 feet area. It continued to 
 blaze brilliantly, catching the gas as it bubbled from below; now flickerin»ly, now again 
 in a bright glare in the most extraordinary manner; it seemed inexhaustible, and was at 
 length extinguished with some difficulty. 
 
 Tin's gas, by the observations of Mr. Witham and Mr. Hutton, (a) appears to be in a Condition in the 
 highly condensed, if not a liquid state, (J) and probably has been forming and accumulating coal, 
 since the earliest period of the coal depositions. 
 
 Though from its light specific gravity, this gas escapes into the atmosphere whenever 
 exposed, yet the coal still retains a large portion of it: a piece of coal in a pail of water 
 will emit it in abundance,(c) and instances are on record in ^hich ships laden with coal 
 have been nearly destroyed by its disengagement and explosion. On August the 5th, 1816, Explosion of gas 
 the ship "Flora," of London, having just taken a cargo of coals on board in Sunderland from coal on board 
 harbour, blew up with a terrible explosion; the deck beams were broken, and the decks of ship, 
 torn up. (d) On July 4th, 1817, the " Fly," of Ely, lying at Brand ling-staith, on the Tyne, 
 with a cargo of coals just taken in, the gas from it exploded, burnt the captain in the cabin, 
 tore up part of the deck, threw a boat from the hatches, and did other serious damage. 
 Upon the 21st July, 1839, the sloop " Enterprize," when at sea, with coals from Pembroke 
 to Newport, Isle of Wight, had an alarming explosion, which fortunately only frightened, 
 but did not injure the crew. And the schooner " Mermaid," of Guernsey, upon the 29ih 
 August, this year (1842), lying at South Shields, sustained an explosion: she had been 
 laden that day with Hilda coals, and the hatches immediately battened down; when six 
 hours after the gis from the coal exploded at the forecastle lamp, one man was knocked 
 down and much burnt in the face, another injured, the mate struck down in the cabin, and 
 a hatch started. A circumstance not undeserving of notice, lightning, in great abundance, 
 was playing in the atmosphere ail around the vessel at the time. 
 
 The Fire Damp so abundant in coal appears only to require the removal of pressure or 
 high temperature -to disengage it; hence whenever the pressure of the impervious superin- 
 cumbent strata is removed by the sinking of a pit, the »as pours out in the profusion 
 stated, varying according to the condition of the atmosphere. At such time, if mixed with 
 a certain proportion of atmospheric air, from 83 to 94 per cent.,(e) which is supplied by the 
 ventilation of the mine, and brought into contact with flame or heated metal, it explodes 
 with a force exceeding that of gunpowder. In mine explosions of this gas, men have been 
 projected from the shaft like balls from a cannon ; heads, legs, and arms have been found 
 at a great distance from the pit mouth. In the Killingwnrth explosion in 1806, so graphi- 
 cally described by the distinguished engineer, Stephenson, who was present : (f) he saw 
 " the discharge come out of the pit mouth like the discharge of a cannon — there was wood 
 come up, stones came up, and trusses of hay, that went into the air like balloons; the 
 ground all round the top of the pit was in a trembling state." And Mr. Buddie, in his able Tremendous force 
 evidence ai the coroner's inquest on the explosion at Wallsend, in 1835, declared that had of explosions, 
 the fire gone a little further it would have leached the magazine of about five acres of this 
 gas, and its effects would have been that of an earthquake, and the village of Wallsend on 
 the surface, with 280 yards of the structure of the solid earth between them, might have 
 been destroyed. He states, that in another explosion at the Row Pit, Hanalon, at which 
 he was present, that men were propelled from the mine up the shaft 160 yards deep. 
 " Every thing (he says) was blown away from its mouth." Near it *' there was a body cut 
 in two, the trunk and arms without the head were lying in one place, and the legs and 
 thighs lying at four or five yards from it. At about ! 2 yards from the pit, there was a 
 body lying without the head."(g) A boy, who had hold of his father's hand at the bottom 
 of the pit, while the father stood accidentally within a niche, was blown up the shaft torn 
 and mangled, while the father escaped. It was this little boy's first day in the pit, and he 
 had just come to his father probably to talk of the strangeness and the many anxieties of 
 his novel situation. 
 
 The following brief sketch of the scene within the mine, produced by an explosion of pit Effects within a 
 gas, was made by one of the secretaries of this Committee on descending the St. Hilda pit mine, 
 immediately after the dreadful accident in June, 1839. In nearly the same terms it was 
 written at the time, and appeared in the journals of the day : — " The deadly gas, the result- 
 ing 
 
 (a) "The Internal Structure of Fossil Vegetables," 8vo., by H. T. M. Witham, 1833 ; and a paper read to 
 the Literary and Philosophical Society, Newcastle, by Mr. Hutton in 1833; also the following note to 
 one of the Secretaries from Professor Hope of Edinburgh : " Sir, — After enjoying the fair prospect of 
 safety to the coal miner by the beautiful discovery of Sir H. Davy, it is most painful to find that the 
 safety lamp does not prove the safeguard which it promised, and was believed to he. I regret extremely 
 that I cannot offer any suggestions upon the interesting subject of your inquiries. I have not seen 
 the evidence taken by the Parliamentary Committee. With regard to the source of the destructive gas, I 
 incline to the opinion that it is coeval with the formation of the coal itself, and that it exists in a solidified state, 
 ready to assume the aeriform condition from some change of pressure, temperature, or other unknown cause. I 
 sincerely wish that the investigation of the Committee may be attended with the happy results of contri- 
 buting to the preservation of many valuable lives. I am, &c. Thos. Chas. Hope. Dunglass, 6 Aug. 1839." 
 
 (b) Parliamentary Committee, Dr. Pereira, 3982. 
 
 (c) Davy's Researches on Flame, pp. 21 and 22. (d) Sykes's Local Records. 
 
 (e) Davy's Researches on Flame, p. 10. (/) Parliamentary Evidence, 1514. 
 
 (g) Parliamentary Evidence, 2955 and 2957. 
 
 0.62. u 4 
 
i6o 
 
 APPENDIX TO REPORT FROM THE 
 
 Appendix, No. 4. ins; product, became stronger and stronger as we approached. We encountered in one 
 place the bodies of five men who had died from the effects of the gas, and had apparently- 
 died placidly, without one muscle of the face distorted. Then there were three more that 
 had been destroyed by the explosion ; clothes burnt and turn, the hair singed off, the skin 
 and flesh torn away in several places, with an expression as if the spirit had passed away in 
 agony. Going with a single guide, we encountered two men, one with a light, the other 
 bearing something on his shoulders; it was a blackened mass, a poor dead, burnt boy he 
 was taking out. A little further on we found waggons that had been loaded, overturned 
 bottom upwards, scattered in different directions; a horse lying dead, directly in the 
 passage., with his head turned over his shoulder, as if, in falling, he had made a last effort 
 to escape ; he was swollen in an extraordinary manner. 
 
 " Atone point in another passage, we suddenly came amongst J 2 or 15 men, who, striving 
 to reach the places where bodies or survivors might be found, had been driven back by the 
 surcharged atmosphere of this vast common grave ; their lamps were burning dim and 
 sicklv, with a dying red light, glimmering as if through a fog. 
 
 " All were fee'ing the effects of the poison. One poor man especially was sick and ill, 
 who had been brought out in a fainting condition, and after having given him something to 
 assist his recovery, be seemed still much affected. He was again asked where he felt most 
 oppressed ; he answered, in a broken v.'ice of suppressed agony, ' I am not well, Sir, I have 
 two sons in there.' The men who were exerting themselves for the recovery of their unfor- 
 tunate friends, acted with a solemn, high-wrought, steady courage, without bustle, scarcely" 
 with a remark, and what remarks were made were such as were necessary, brief, and 
 decided, and generally in a subdued tone, such as human nature assumes in its most 
 vigorous, perfect, and ennobling moments. We beheld there the deepest sympathies of the 
 heart combined with a courage that had never been surpassed. Their companions were 
 brought out insensible from the overcharged atmosphere, struck down at their feet almost 
 without life, yet it produced no fear, no flinching, no hesitation, but they stepped gallantly 
 forward to the same spot, with an almost certainty of suffering a like attack ; and when 
 returning to complete consciousness, with an absence of self and personal consideration 
 above all praise, the first wish frequently expressed was to return to their dangerous duty." 
 
 Light carbnretted This deadly gas is the light carburetted hydrogen of Davy, Henry, Thomson, Faraday, 
 hydrogen gas. an( j ^ p$ r j t j sri chemists, which the miners are always more or less amongst, and to whose 
 terrible effects they are hourly exposed. Flame of a lamp or candle, a vivid spark, heated 
 metal, or electricity, will produce its ignition, (a) Its weight (specific gravity, 0.5382) 
 being about half that of common air, it is found floating in the upper part of passages, 
 goaves, and galleries of mines. 
 
 But there "are other gases in the mines, one of which of much importance had never been 
 observed by those distinguished chemists, though suspected by Sir H. Davy to exist in fire 
 clamp, ib) Olefiant gas, (sp. gr. 0.9722). 
 
 Olefiant gas. The scientific Dr. Clanny also states, in his Parliamentary Evidence, 353 : — " He was of 
 
 opinion that in some of our mines we have heavy or curb. hyd. gas, or olefiant gas, as it is 
 generally called." ft was, however, reserved for Professor Bischof, of Bonn, in his acute 
 and ingenious analysis of the gases of the German mines, to detect this combination of. 
 hydrogen; in one instance more than If? per cent, of olefiant gas (hydrogene bicarbone) 
 having been discovered to form the gas of a particular blower in one of the mines, (c) 
 
 " II s'agit (he says) maintenant de decider la question, si les gaz des mines d'Angleterre, 
 analyses par les chimistes nommes plus haut, ne contiennent point d'hydrogene bicarbone, 
 on si ce dernier leur a echappe. Sans vouloirrevoquer en doute le moins du monde l'exacti- 
 lude de ces chimistes, je dois cependant rappeler que, depuis 25 ans, epoque a laquelle ces 
 analyses ont ete laites, la chimie analytique, surtout l'analyse des substances gazeuses, a fait 
 de grands progies. 
 
 " M. Davy dit, Ie gaz des mines n'agit pas sur le chlore a froid ; mais il ne dit pas si, 
 dans le volume, il n'a pas observe d'absorption. Puis il dit : une mesure du gaz des mines 
 exige, pour etie brulee par l'etincelle electrique, environ deux mesures d'oxygene ; il 
 resulte de cette combustion a peu pris une mesure d'acide carbonique. On voit par la que ni 
 la quantite d'oxygene qui a ete consommee, ni celle rie l'acide carbonique qui s'est produite, 
 n'ont ete determinees avec precision. II se peut done aisement qu'il y ait eu une consom- 
 matton d'oxygene depassant le volume double, et une production d'acide carbonique plus 
 grande que ie volume egal; que, par suite, le gaz des mines analyse -par Davy ait contenu un 
 peu d'hydrogene bicarbone. 
 
 " Dans mes analyses, il s'est presente une circonstance paniculiere que je tacherai 
 d'eclaircir par des experiences ulterieures, plutot dans Finteret theorique que pratique. 
 
 " Si j'evaluais l'hydrogene bicarbone au moyen de Fabsorptton par la detonation et de la 
 quantite de l'acide caibonique qui s'etait formee, j'en trouvais toujours une quantite plus 
 grande que celle qui etait fournie par la determination directe au moyen du chlore. Le 
 
 calcul 
 
 (a) Davy's Researches on Flame, p. 25. (b) Ditto, pp. 10, 11, and 14. 
 
 (c) The following is his analysis of this gas : — 
 
 Hydrogene protocarbone 0.7910 
 Hydrogene bicarbone ------- 0.1611 
 
 Gaz etranger - -- -- -- - 0.0479 
 
 Memoire sur 1'Aerage des Mines, par M. Gustave Bischof, Professeur ; ch. 11, pp. 254 and 5. See also 
 ch. 1, p. 218, ch. 11, p. 261, of this work in the Report published by the Academy of Sciences, Brussels, 
 in 1840. 
 
SELECT COMMITTEE ON COAL MINES. 
 
 I6i 
 
 calcul etait base sur la supposition connue que le gaz hydrogene protocarbone consomme, Appendix, No. 4. 
 
 par la detonation, son volume double d'oxygene, et produit un volume egal d'acide car- 
 
 bonique. La quantite plus grande d'oxygene qui fut consommee, et la quantiie plus grande 
 d'acide carbonique qui fut formee, durent necessairement provenir d'hydiogene bicarbone, 
 puisque ce gaz est le seul de tous les gaz inflammables qui, par sa detonation, consomme une 
 plus grande quantite d'oxygene et fournisse plus d'acide carbonique que le gaz hydrogene 
 protocarbone." 
 
 These experiments and arguments of Bischof seem clearly to show that the English mines 
 coniain this combination of hydrogen ; and indeed, a priori, the nature and disposition of the 
 two elements would indicate its probable existence. 
 
 The existence of this gas in the mine, now almost indubitable, is most important in the 
 use of the safety lamps, as it explodes at a lower temperature than the light carburetted 
 hydrogen: iron heated to redness will ignite it, the flame of which will again explode the fire 
 damp. («). The olefiant gas being nearly the weight of atmospheric air, will be found, wben 
 in motion, intermixed with it, but in the stagnant part of mines will probably take its place 
 for a time in their upper regions, below the light carburetted hydrogen. 
 
 Another destructive and inflammable gas — sulphuretted hydrogen, (sp. gr. 1.1805) — appears Sulphuretted 
 also in the mines, (b) to add'to the danger and death in which they are shrouded. The iron h y dr °g en ? as * 
 pyrites, it is probable, affords the sulphuretted hydrogen in large quantities in mines. This 
 pyrites is so plentiful in the coal of the Tyne as to enable the skilful manufacturers of alkali 
 in that district to extract sufficient sulphur from it (45 to 50 percent.) (c) as a substitute for 
 that of Sicily, and which, on being exposed to air and moisture, spontaneously ignites the 
 masses of small coal and refuse at the pit mouths. In experiments by this Committee, 
 moistened pyrites, in the ordinary temperature of the atmosphere, was found to give off the 
 sulphuretted hydrogen freely and in abundance, and of course, in a wet mine, at a tempera- 
 ture from 65° to 75", it will evolve it more rapidly. This gas, in addition to causing instan- 
 taneous death by inhalation, takes fire at the least visible heat of iron, and therefore at a 
 red-hot safety lamp would at once explode a whole mine. It has been supposed to have 
 been observed in the mine accompanied by gaseous oxide of carbon, but which has not 
 been found by Bischof in his careful and critical examination. 
 
 There is another gas, the produce of an explosion; often also in large quantities in old Carbonic acid gas. 
 workings ; and sometimes in such profusion in the Lancashire mines " that thousands of 
 yards of space are filled with it in a single hour :" (d) the carbonic acid gas, the stijthe and 
 choke damp of the north, and the black damp of Lancashire, (e) A single breath of which 
 pure is almost instant death; it is generally indicated to miners by a dim redness, and 
 then an extinction of their lights ; warning them to an immediate retreat. From its 
 sp. gr. 1.5277 it will be generally found in the low parts and on the floors of mines, as the 
 fire damp is commonly in the higher regions. 
 
 These are the dangerous and noxious exhalations of mines that are ever presenting them- 
 selves, to the injury or destruction of miners and the frequent interruption of their 
 operations. The first of which, the fearful^/ire damp, would form the chief proportion of the 
 atmosphere of mines, as in the goaves, but for the artificial introduction of atmospheric 
 air in a ventilating current, that sweeps away in its course the gas as it presents itself in 
 the passages. Notwithstanding which it finds recesses and imperfectly ventilated districts 
 and there accumulates, and then explodes, as we have seen, so fearfully, — the terror of 
 miners from the earliest working of the mines, and which for the last 50 years has employed 
 the ingenuity and science of humane men to obviate its effects. 
 
 Mr. Spedding early in the last century was stated to have invented the Steel Mill, by The Steel Mill, 
 which the dangerous parts of mines were believed to be safely lighted by the sparks from 
 it and flint, but which nevertheless sometimes exploded them, and brought on the danger 
 • it was intended to obviate, (e) Sometimes 100 of these dangerous instruments were in daily 
 use in an inflammable mine.(/) 
 
 Humboldt, so early as 1796, contrived a lamp that would burn in a foul atmosphere; it Humboldt's lamp, 
 was isolated not only from the explosive gas, but also from the atmospheric air, and would 
 consequently only burn while the air contained in it was unconsumed, which, of necessity, 
 being of small quantity, rendered it entirely inoperative. 
 
 Dr. Clanny, in this country, appears to have been the first man of science that conceived Dr. Clanny's first 
 it possible to enter into a contest with this destructive element, and, sustained by his lam P- 
 unwearied philanthropy, has never ceased, for 30 years, to devote his talents and exertions 
 to mitigate the horrors consequent upon its explosions. A life so spent, it is to be hoped, 
 will not be allowed to pass without some mark of respect from his country, or of gratitude 
 from those he has laboured so much to benefit. 
 
 In 1813, Dr. Clanny invented a lamp that burnt safely in a fiery atmosphere, which, like 
 Humboldt's, was also isolated, but was supplied with fresh air, as well as had that which 
 was 
 
 la) Davy's Researches on Flame, p. 25. (6) Parliamentary Evidence, 876 and 1853. 
 
 (e) One manufacturer states to the Committee that he gets some which regularly contains 50 per cent, 
 ot sulphur and 43 per cent, of iron. (d) Parliamentary Evidence, 3376. 
 
 (e) bo late as October 5, 1825, an explosion took place at the spark of a steel-mill in Hebburn pit, 
 by which four men were suffocated by the after-damp ; and on Nov. 27, 1830, two men met their death 
 from the same cause in the same place. 
 
 (/) At Hebburn Colliery, before the discovery of the safety lamp. 
 
 0.62. x 
 
i6a APPENDIX TO REPORT FROM THE 
 
 Appendix, No. 4. 
 
 Sir Humphrey 
 Davy's visit to the 
 north. 
 
 Mr. Stephenson's 
 first experiments 
 and lamp. 
 
 Davy's invention. 
 
 His mode of in- 
 creasing its safety. 
 
 A shield, and a dan- 
 gerous contingency. 
 
 was de-oxygenated withdrawn by tubes through water. Its inconvenience was the chief 
 obstacle to its regular employment. From this time the idea of a safety lamp seems to have 
 daily gained more strength in the mining districts. 
 
 Sir Humphrey Davy having come down to the North on a visit to the coal mines, by 
 invitation of the Rev. Dr. Gray, a member of the meritorious Society at Sunderland for 
 the Prevention of Accidents in Mines, saw and experimented on Dr. Clannv's lamp, at the 
 Rector of Bishopwearmouth's, in September 1 815 ; (a) and, after a visit to Wallsend colliery, 
 with Mr. Buddie, he returned to London. About the same period, Mr. George Stephenson, 
 by a series of ingenious mechanical experiments at Killingwoith colliery, had invented a 
 safety lamp ; and on the 21st October 1815, it was satisfactorily proved. The principle of 
 this lamp seems to have been that which has been since ingeniously adopted in that of 
 Upton and Roberts; destroying the explosive nature of the inflammable air by consuming 
 it before it passed from the lamp, which, in the original one of Stephenson's, was effected 
 by a chimney, with a tube at the bottom for the admission of the air. (b) About the 4th 
 November of the same year, he substituted perforated metal plates for the same purpose, 
 and it was then publicly tried at the Newcastle Philosophical Society. 
 
 While this was passing in the north, exactly at the same juncture, Sir H. Davy in 
 London, by a series of splendid scientific experiment, had arrived at the conclusion 
 that minute metallic apertures were impermeable to flame, and he superadded the dis- 
 covery that fine wire gauze was the best mode of their application, and the surest prison 
 for the flame in an explosive atmosphere, (c) In about three weeks from his visit to 
 Wallsend, Mr. Buddie received from him two safety lamps, with wire gauze cylinders, on 
 this principle, (d) 
 
 Since which time the Davy Lamp, as it is called, having been generally employed in 
 inflammable mines in Britain and abroad with a perfect confidence in its powers, as a 
 security against explosions, it becomes an important practical question to investigate its 
 absolute or comparative safety. 
 
 The Davy Lamp. 
 
 The lamps of Sir Humphrey Davy which he adopted were formed of wire gauze, one- 
 fortieth to one-sixtieth of an inch in diameter; 28 wires or 784 apertures to the square 
 inch, with a cylinder about six inches high, and 1^ inch diameter. 
 
 Sir H. Davy, in September 1816, at one of Lord Durham's mines, fixed a brass pipe 
 half-inch in diameter, at the mouth of a walled-off blower, which, when lighted, threw its 
 flame the length of five feet; at this blower his single gauze lamp, when the iron wire 
 began to burn with sparks, passed the flame, and ignited the external gas. (e) Sir 
 Humphrey states in page 102 of his work on flame, "where an explosive mixture is in 
 rapid motion, it produces, as has been slated in page 77, much more heat, and in this case the 
 radiating or cooling surfaces of the lamp must be increased, or the circulation of air 
 diminished and to prevent its effects, he recommends in the same page, " twilled gauze, 
 or a double or triple fold of wve gauze on one side of the lamp, or a screen of metal opposite 
 to the direction of the current or a semi cylinder of glass or of mica within." In Appendix 
 No. 4, in reference to the same effect, he says, " I should strongly recommend double 
 lamps, in cases where miners are obliged to work for any time in explosive mixtures, or 
 wherever currents are expected, or lamps with mica, or tin plates within the wire gauze, to 
 prevent too great a circulation of air. — See page 103." But this refers to the production 
 of intense heat when the " iron wire begins to burn with sparks." He goes on in the 
 appendix, " but it is much better, in all cases of danger, to use lamps which under no 
 circumstances can explode ; such as those described in page 77." This still refers to the 
 increase of heat, as will be seen in page 77, thus: "The same mesh which arrests the 
 flames of explosive mixtures at rest, will suffer them to pass when in rapid motion; but 
 by increasing the cooling surface, by diminishing the size or increasing the depth of the 
 aperture, all flames, however rapid their motion, may be arrested." This is the safety lamp: 
 a wire gauze, with diminished apertures, that he states "tinder no circumstances can 
 explode, owing to its "increased cooling surface." Yet Sir Humphrey adopts a lamp of 
 784 apertures to the square inch, though we shall aflerwards find one of 1,024 — a much 
 more pei feet gauze — to pass the flume with the greatest facility. 
 
 The indefinite mode, as quoted above, of expressing the absolute necessity of a shield for 
 the Davy lamp, in an explosive atmosphere in motion, seemed never to have been under- 
 stood, and created some sin prise 20 ytars afier, when it was stated to be aimost a principle 
 of the lamp. Sir Humphrey Davy evidently, in his recommendation, means it merely as a 
 precaution, as has been shown, not to the passing ot the flame in a cool lamp, but to the 
 heating of the gauze and ignition of ihe gas from the incapacity of the burning metal to 
 restrain the flame in that condition. Now Mr. Buddie, in his Parliamentary evidence 
 (2,226), slates, that Sir Humphiey Davy, on sending his lamp, warned him " that there 
 was no hazard except in exposing it to a strong current, by which the explosion would be 
 
 passed 
 
 (a) Parliamentary Evidence, 336 and2S5. 
 
 \b) Parliamentary Evidence, 1537. (c) Eesearches on Flame, pp. 18 and 4 °- 
 
 (d) Parliamentary Evidence, Buddie, 2226 ; and Philosophical Transactions of Royal Society for 1816, 
 in a paper read by Sir Humphrey Davy, November 9, 1815. 
 
 (e) Davy's Researches on Flame, Collected Works, vol. vi., p. 103. 
 
SELECT COMMITTEE ON COAL MINES. 
 
 passed through the gauze cylinder." On his visit some time afterwards to Wallsend, Mr. Appendix, No. 4. 
 
 Buddie further states (2,227): — "But lie pointed out a remedy at the same time for that 
 
 contingency, and which we have always used ; namely, by a tin screen which slides upon 
 the frame wires of* the lamp and encircles the circumference of the gauze cylinder to an 
 extent of about one-half to two-thirds of its circumference." 
 
 It is surprising that if Sir H. Davy was aware of this fearful contingency of the passage 
 of the flame in a strong current, when the lamp was not heated to redness so as " to burn 
 with sparks," which may well admit of doubt, that in his work on the Safety lamp, published 
 for " practical purposes,"(a) he should not have especially pointed this out, and warned 
 miners of its possibility and its remedy ; and not have confined himself to a private notifi- 
 cation of it to an individual, however distinguished, or a private party of which he was one, 
 who, after 20 years' employment or" the lamp, accidentally, in a Parliamentary inquiry, 
 announces, for the first time, this danger and precaution to the world. 
 
 It produced a strong sensation even amongst scientific miners ; and Mr. Smith, who had 
 been extensively employed as a mining engineer in England, Portugal, and British America, 
 in his valuable evidence before the same committee, thus expresses himself:— " Here I 
 must remark, that I never heard, until I came into this room, that Sir Humphrey Davy 
 had declared, or made it known, that with his lamp the miner was liable to explosion under 
 particular circumstances. I have been very much amongst mines, and I never heard it 
 until Mr. Buddie stated it in this room." 
 
 Scientific men and lecturers, as Pereira, Gurney, Birkbeck, Hemming, and Turner, {I) Discovery of the 
 had some time previous to this discovered and were beginning publicly to elucidate the dangerous nature of 
 important fact of this dangerous imperfection of the Davy lamp. the lam P- 
 
 Here then is an admitted danger which Mr. Buddie — the anxious practical defender of 
 his friend Davy's invention — (2,227), conceives to arise in explosive mixtures as in gas-pipe 
 drifts "when the current is moving with a velocity of from 3 to 4 feet per second." 
 
 Now the average rate of the current through the mines, according to Mr. Wood (P. E. 
 901 and 908), and Mr. Buddie (2,314), is about 3 feet per second, which, especially should 
 the miner be walking against the current at the same rate {two miles an hour) with his 
 lighted lamp in hand, hurrying to or from his work through an explosive mixture in a gas 
 drift, or anv other passage of the mine, will originate this contingency, and bring on the 
 risk of passing the flame through the gauze. Thus it will be seen, that the ordinary motion 
 of the miner, with his lamp, th rough a stagnant part of the mine, will, without any motion 
 of the air, produce of itself the danger that is now undeniable. 
 
 This, then, is an acknowledged risk in the employment of the Davy lamp in the ordinary 
 state of the mines, to be carefully and continually guarded against; and yet even in Few shields used in 
 Wallsend Colliery, under Mr. Buddie's own able jurisdiction, the precaution of a tin shield, the northern mines, 
 as was observed at the visit of this Committee on the 7th October 1839, four years after 
 his public declaration of such a danger, was very partially employed, the men generally 
 working with the naked Davy lamp ; and almost every other pit which the Committee have 
 visited being precisely, as refers to this point of the lamp, in a similar condition. 
 
 This cause of the production of danger is further supported by experiments demonstrated 
 and detailed, and facts related, a portion of which the Committee will take leave to adduce, 
 as it is a matter of much practical consequence. 
 
 The ingenious inventor of the Bude Light asserts : — "The results of those experiments Experiments of 
 proved that if an explosive mixture, such as is found in coal mines, was made to pass at the Gurney. 
 rate of about 300 feet a minute — not 3| miles an hour — through the meshes, that the flame 
 would pass the gauze and inflame an explosive mixture on the opposite side." (c) 
 
 George Stephenson, Esq., imagines that some of the accidents, in which none are left 
 to give account, may likely have occurred from the fall of the coal in working ; for " when 
 the coal comes down there is an immense gush of wind," he conceives, " sufficient to drive 
 ihe flame through the gauze and fire the external atmosphere." (d) 
 
 J. Murray, Esq., lecturer on chemistry, asserts: — " I have no doubt that many accidents Murray, 
 have occurred with Sir Humphrey Davy's lamp — that lamp not being absolutely safe — 
 igniting an explosive atmosphere." He thinks, in his experiments, when he passed the 
 flame through the Davy lamp, that the velocity of the explosive mixture was " less than 
 300 feet per minute." (e) 
 
 Dr. Birkbeck states: — Sir Humphrey Davy's lamp " protects against ignition when the Birkbeck. 
 explosive gas is quiescent, but it is totally defective when that gas is in motion, and can 
 reach the wire gauze in that state of condensation which a moving column of gas always 
 acquires; it then becomes no longer a safety lamp. In the usual mining operations, in 
 bringing down two or more cubic yards of coal at one fall, he conceives that by the com- 
 pression effected by it there will exist the same " facility of ignition that ihe motion of air 
 m a current produces."^/) 
 
 Dr. Pereira, 
 
 (a) See note to his Collected Works, vol. vi., p. 3. 
 
 (b) Parliamentary Evidence, Smith, 3828. See also Upton's, 3986 ; Mitcheson'e, 2562 ; Ryan's, 2940; 
 Embleton's, 4070 ; Pereira, 3960 ; Birkbeck, 3884 ; Hemming, 1926 ; and Turner, 1927. 
 
 (c) Parliamentary Evidence, 9. (d) Parliamentary Evidence^ 2941-2043. 
 : <e) Idem, 3217, 3218. (/) Idem, 3883, 8889. 
 
 0.62. X 2 
 
164 
 
 APPENDIX TO REPORT FROM THE 
 
 Appendix, No. 4. 
 Pereira. 
 
 Dr. Pereira, experimenting before the Parliamentary Committee with a lamp of meshes 
 of 1,024 apertures to the square inch, which is finer than any lamp ever used in mines, passed 
 the flame several times through the gauze of this Davy lamp ; he also forced it through with 
 an explosive mixture of street gas and air; (a) and then by exposing a red-hot Davy to a 
 jet of coal gas, it was instantly ignited, (b) He adds (4,202) : — " I presume, therefore, if I 
 can cause the flame to pass through the wire gauze cylinder by means of a small jet of gas 
 like this, that the passage of the flame will take place more readily in coal mines. If the 
 miner move his lamp the danger is increased." 
 
 This motion, at such a time, may almost to a certainty be calculated to occur. The 
 miner engaged at his work in a fiery mine, or in a. fiery district of a mine, has not his lamp 
 before him ; but turning, perhaps accidentally, or from some flickering or increased glare 
 reflected on his work, he sees his lamp on fire, perhaps in the upper part of the cylinder 
 red hot ; he immediately seizes it and instinctively hurries from the spot, giving rise to the 
 motion and coincidences that are known certainly to produce explosion. 
 
 The following observations of the Belgic Commission bear out this opinion : — "Con- 
 siderant d'ailleurs que, merae dans le gaz eclairant, Taction d'un courant d'air rapid e 
 peut enlever a cette lampe (the Davy) tous ces avantages; considerant que ce courant peut 
 etre le resultat, soit de la negligence avec laquelle on transporte habituellement les lampes, 
 soit de la frayeur qui porterait un ouvrier a se soustraire du danger par une fuite precipitee, 
 en soufflant sur sa lampe pour l'eteindre, ou en la jetant loin de lui, soit par une perturba- 
 
 pour signaler cet 
 
 ^ ^(s ^? 2j£ 
 
 Explosions of the 
 Davy lamp in the 
 mine. 
 
 Greendoek Pit ex- 
 plosion. 
 
 The flame passed in 
 a current. 
 
 Sal ton-Low Bottom 
 Pit. 
 
 Certificate of the 
 Davy lamp passing 
 the flame. 
 
 William Pit. 
 
 Wallsend Pit, 1835. 
 
 tion accidentelle dans l'aerage, ou par toute autre cause; 
 appareil comme laissant encore beaucoup a desirer." (c) 
 
 There are facts of absolute explosion from the Davy lamp in the mine that corroborate 
 these experiments and this reasoning. 
 
 Mr. Mitcheson, mine agent, in the Staffordshire Potteries, relates a case of the lamp 
 passing the flame in Greendoek Pit, and killing a man, at which he was present. 
 
 The pit was 314 yards deep ; it had been standing for a while. The agent and two men 
 went down with a Davy lamp. He afterwards came up, leaving the men to work. " When 
 he came up (says Mr. Mitcheson) a ringe of water was thrown down, with the idea of in- 
 creasing the ventilation of the pit, which it would do ultimately. As soon as ever that water 
 was thrown down, the pit fired, evidently proving that the water, making such a great pres- 
 sure in the downcast shaft, caused such an intense current of foul air into the lamp that the 
 flame passed through, and so fired all the sulphur." One surviving man, who was sadly 
 burnt, said, " that as soon as ever the great wind came (which was, in fact, sulphur to them, 
 they were at the bottom of the upcast shaft) the gas exploded immediately.'" (d) 
 
 William Forrester, Esq., an extensive viewer in Staffordshire, stated — " I have seen a 
 lamp fire the carburetted hydrogen gas in a current of air in a thirling." The current was 
 of considerable velocity: "it would blow a candle out;" and when this current struck the 
 lamp, it ignited at the gauze, and flew away with the air, and went out ; it seemed to fly close 
 from the gauze, (e) 
 
 In a Cumberland mine, Salton-Low Bottom, a father and son lost their lives by an ex- 
 plosion through the Davy lamp. In this pit it is the habit to agitate the air briskly when 
 there is much gas, and so to sweep or brush the place, which is done with their coats. 
 Every precaution, says the relater, " was taken by the father and son ; they went into the 
 workings in the dark, placed their two lamps in the air-course, and when they agitated the 
 inflammable air, it mixed with the atmosphere, and fired the lamps, and the lamps exploded, 
 and the fire traced up where the father and son were ; they were both burned to death." 
 Subsequently to the accident, " the lamps were carefully examined, and all the lamp tops were 
 found to be screwed on, so that it appeared that every precaution had been taken " (f) 
 
 Mr. Roberts, in his evidence, relates (3484, 5, and G) that three men were killed by ex- 
 plosion in a mine, in the gateway returning to the shaft, and their Davy lamps were found 
 perfect and uninjured. And the same gentleman presented a certificate to the Committee 
 of the House of Commons, signed by 18 persons of the Staffordshire mines, stating, on the 
 inflammable air being brought to act on the Davy lamp they witnessed, " that the flame 
 passed through the wire gauze and ignited the gas outside." (g) 
 
 At an explosion in the William Pit, Cumberland, thirty-three human beings, all that 
 were in the pit, were destroyed, though working under the protection of the Davy lamp. 
 " They all had safety lamps." (h) No evidence was produced to show that the Davy lamp 
 had not, in that instance, passed the flame, or ignited the gas from a heated gauze. 
 
 The explosion at Wallsend Pit, in June 1835, which killed 102 people at a blow, occurred 
 in the employment of the Davy lamp ; and no investigation that its able viewer, assist- 
 ants, or workmen were able to make, as deposed in their sworn evidence before the jury, 
 
 who 
 
 (a) Parliamentary Evidence, 4197, 4198. (b) Idem, 4200. 
 
 (c) P. 10, Report of the Belgic Commission, 25th April 1840. 
 
 (d) Parliamentary Evidence, 2558. (c) Idem, 2735, 6 and 7. (/) Idem, 3428 and 9. 
 (ff) Idem, 3503.J (A) Idem, 3402. 
 
SELECT COMMITTEE ON COAL MINES. 
 
 165 
 
 who for ten days had the case under their cognizance, was able to account for that accident Appendix, No. i, 
 unconnected with the Davy lamp, (a) — , — 
 
 The evidence is strongly corroborative of the now known liability of this lamp to kindle 
 explosive mixtures under the circumstances detailed. It is probably owing to the exten- 
 sive and destructive nature of these tremendous explosions of the north, where there is no 
 vestige of such an origin, except indirect circumstance, unlike the partial fires of the other 
 coal "districts, that all direct evidence, as at Wallsend, is put beyond human investi- 
 gation. 
 
 The circumstances at Wallsend are : — " That an extra discharge of gas had taken place 
 the previous day ;" (b) — " that the Davy lamp fired at the broken the day before" (c) — 
 that according to John Bell, hewer, " the day before the accident took place the pit was 
 in so dangerous a state that they were obliged to come away. They (himself and five men 
 working with him) extinguished their Davy lamps before leaving, except one man, who 
 reduced his light as small as possible, so as to give them light to find their clothes before 
 leaving. The lamps became red-hot, and they extinguished them as soon as possible." 
 On the morning of the explosion, before Bell left work at eleven o'clock in the forenoon, 
 " all the six Davys were on fire.'" Two of the lamps were produced at the inquest, and 
 appeared, says the coroner, " to have been subjected to intense heat." Bell warned Lawson, 
 the deputy, to be cautious. The explosion occurred about three hours and a half after 
 Bell left, these circumstances continuing to exist. 
 
 Rutherford, a hewer, says — " Buddie (another hewer) came to him before he had done 
 his work, and said his lamp had fired." When he left he " told the boy to be careful in 
 filling the coals ;" and " he never found the pit in so bad a state as she was after the fall 
 on the 17th." Swan, another hewer, states — "When he first commenced work on the 
 morning of the 18th, he placed his "Davy lamp near the roof, and she immediately fired; 
 he then took the lamp down, and cautioned the men to be careful with theirs." "After he 
 had worked for an hour, he put his Davy lamp up again, near the same place, and she 
 Jired again." This was ihe morning of the explosion. When he left his work, he did not 
 consider the pit safe. " He told Simpson, the back-overman, to caution the boys to be care- 
 ful," the boys and men s 1 ill employing only Davy lamps. 
 
 Here, then, is danger apparent, the men forewarned, anxious, alarmed ; here are two 
 days' warning, increased precaution, and nothing but Davy lamps; the lamps then on fire, 
 red-hot; these the last living accounts from the pit; then comes explosion, and all further 
 trace from its sweeping destruction lost. Knowing the contingency, the facility with which 
 flame may be passed through the gauze, and now, in addition, the existence of the gases 
 sulphuretted hydrogen and olefiant, (d) that at the dull red-heat of a burning Davy 
 would explode the whole mine, this dreadful catastrophe cannot properly be ascribed to 
 any insane conduct of any being, at such a time, but to the Davy lamp itself. 
 
 But even admitting the possibility of Wallsend explosion being produced, contrary to 
 this body of evidence, by some other cause, the irrefragable proof adduced of the Davy 
 lamp effecting explosion in the numerous instances stated, for ever sets the question of its 
 absolute safety at rest. 
 
 Considering, then, that the Davy lamp has been found by experiment, and in practice to The Davy lamp ab» 
 explode the external gas, by the passage of the flame through the gauze, and that a dan- solutely unsafe, 
 gerous contingency is produced when the lamp is hot, to which it is peculiarly liable, no 
 doubt can remain that it has been the cause of some of the hitherto unaccountable 
 accidents which have occurred ; that, therefore, its employment is far more uncertain and 
 dangerous than the friends of humanity and science at first anticipated, and that it has too 
 long possessed the unlimited confidence of miners in its protective powers. 
 
 Stephenson's Lamp. 
 
 Stephenson's Lamp consists of a wire gauze, about inches high and 2\ diameter, 
 with a glass cylinder inside. The air for combustion is supplied through a triple circle of 
 small perforations in the metal botiom, secured from external injury by the oil vessel which 
 screws over them, leaving, however, about one-eighth of an inch for the passage of the air to 
 the perforations. On the top of the glass cylinder, inside, is a sort of metal chimney, full 
 of small holes, like the top of a pepper-castor. 
 
 This lamp gives a steady light by being protected from the currents of the mine; but is 
 liable to have its supply of air diminished by the perforations becoming choked with the oil, 
 as well as small particles of dust and coal : from this cause its light frequently burns dim, 
 and sometimes nearly is extinguished, which renders it therefore less certain for continued 
 employment. This will be more fully shown when the Upton & Roberts' lamp is 
 treated of. 
 
 Stephenson's lamp, when tested before the House of Commons Committee with an 
 explosive mixture of four measures of hydrogen and one of coal gas, passed the flame 
 
 through 
 
 (a) Mr. Buddie stated at the coroner's inquest, " That he knew no more than a child where or how the 
 accident originated ;" and in his evidence to the Parliamentary Committee, he says, " I have never yet found 
 our fresh air returns in this unfortunate mine, in a dangerous state, that is to say, the ventilation in the candle 
 districlsor whole workings was always perfectly safe." — 2192. 
 
 (b) The overman, Mr. J. Atkinson,jun.'s evidence. 
 
 (c) The under viewer, Mr. Atkinson, sen.'s evidence. (d) Occasionally also free hydrogen. 
 
 0.62. x 3 
 
166 
 
 APPENDIX TO REPORT FROM THE 
 
 Appendix, No. 4. through the apertures in the bottom with more facility than through the Davy gauze; 
 
 indicating on this point inferior security. 
 
 And, as free hydrogen (a) has been found in mines with carburetted hydrogen, neither can 
 Stephenson's be denominated a safety lamp; but when such a contingency arises, it 
 appears will risk the explosion of a mine at least as easily as a Davy. In addition, this 
 lamp is also liable to have its gauze top sufficiently heated to originate explosion by the 
 ignition of olefiant and sulphuretted hydrogen gases ; another serious contingency which it 
 holds in common with the Davy lamp. Its chief advantage over the latter lamp appears to 
 be in securing, by means of a glass cylinder, the flame from passing by a lateral current of 
 air in an inflammable atmosphere. It also possesses a steadier light while the perforations 
 are kept peifectly free, but which it is very difficult to do; and it perhaps becomes sooner 
 extinguished in a foul mine than a Davy: although this Committee has seen it in an 
 experiment, continue to burn, with an elongated flame, sufficient, in a short time, to red- 
 heat the top. 
 
 Should the glass cylinder get fractured, it then becomes a common gauze lamp, with, 
 however, too large a capacity of gauze cylinder to be safe in an explosive mixture, its 
 internal diameter being not less than -1\ inches ; from the volume of gas it would contain, 
 it would be very liable to explode through the gauze, as well as expose its top sooner to a 
 red-heat : a large cylinder going into that state sooner than one of smaller diameter.(&) 
 The Davy lamps employed are not considered safe over \\ inch diameter. These contin- 
 gencies of the Stephenson lamp cannot be said to detract from the well-earned fame of its 
 distinguished inventor, who, sicle-by-side with the great British chemist, has, to the extent 
 it will permit, made and applied this beautiful discovery to most valuable purposes of 
 humanity. 
 
 Stephenson's lamp, with certain modifications, is in use at several collieries in the north. 
 An improvement of it, now before the Committee by Mr. Henry Smith, the director of 
 Mr. Watson's works at Newcastle, an extensive maker of safety lamps, is becoming gene- 
 rally employed instead of the old lamp in such collieries. 
 
 The improvement consists in passing the air through the wire gauze, as well as the perfo- 
 rations which are placed in this lamp on the under side of a shoulder or rim, which is 
 around the lamp near the bottom; its upper part the segment of a circle. The apertures 
 thus placed are free from exposure to dust or oil. The interior of the shoulder is a hollow 
 chamber, fully open interiorly, over which the gauze of the cylinder is stretched ; thus 
 affording, as in Upton & Roberis' lamp, the security of perforations and gauze at right angles 
 with each other against the passing of the flame. This is an exceedingly ingenious and 
 well-contrived lamp, infinitely preferable to the original Stephenson's, both for safety and 
 continuance of light. It has been in existence upwards of two years, and seems to have 
 preceded a something similar improvement of Monsieur Lemielle, of Belgium, whose 
 ingenious lamp the Belgic Commission so favourably reported on in 1840, and which this 
 Committee will, in its place, more fully examine. 
 
 Smith's lamp. 
 
 Preferable to the 
 original Stephen- 
 son's, 
 
 The Clanny Lamp. 
 
 The Clanny lamp, produced before the House of Commons' Committee in 1835, had for 
 its body a common Davy, to which is attached an apparatus for extinguishing the flame 
 from an explosive mixture, when it is of sufficient strength to extend itself high in the 
 lamp. 
 
 Br. Clanny's Shield This apparatus is an extinguisher covering externally the entire lamp when down except 
 lamp. about |ths of an inch at the top ; also leaving a small space at the bottom of the lamp 
 
 for admission of air, by having its circumference a little larger than the gauze. The extin- 
 guisher is composed of three brass cylindrical shields, sliding over each other like the 
 divisions of a telescope, exposing, when pushed up, about two-thirds of the gauze lamp ; a. 
 thin filament of brass wire is then passed transversely through the body of the lamp to 
 support the shield. Whenever the lamp is placed in an inflammable atmosphere, the exten- 
 sion of the flame up to the wire fuses it, and the shield drops down and extinguishes the 
 gas flame, leaving the oil lamp only with a very diminutive light, which enables the parly 
 to find his way from the place. 
 
 This ingenious contrivance of Dr. Clanny does not secure against the passage of the flame 
 through tlie gauze. In this point it acts in a similar way as a common Davy lamp : in an 
 experiment before the Committee of the House of Commons with four measures of hydrogen 
 and one coal gas, it was instantaneous. This description of lamp will not then guard 
 against sudden blowers of gas or strong currents. Therefore this invention of Dr. Clanny 
 is not a safety lamp, and can only be useful to indicate an inflammable atmosphere and 
 warn off the workman inattentive to his lamp. The nicety and delicacy required in the 
 management of the wire and apparatus, it is to be feared, can scarcely be expected at the 
 hands of the rude miner, who, in the habit of using the naked gauze lamp in all descrip- 
 tions of fiery atmosphere, would probably reduce Dr. Clanny's lamp to the same condition, 
 which can easily be done, whenever he might employ it in the mine. 
 
 Dr. Clanny 
 
 (a) Parliamentary Evidence, 5 and 4224. . c , „ . 0 - 
 
 (6) See a Paper of Sir H. Davy on the combustion of explosive mixtures, read before the Koyal bociety 
 *5th of January 1816. 
 
SELECT COMMITTEE ON COAL MINES. 167 
 
 Dr. Clanny has, since the Committee commenced their labours, placed in their hands a Appendix, No. 4. 
 
 much more ingenious lamp, on scientific principles, of a higher order and practically much - 
 
 safer than his last lamp or the common Davy. In a paper read 10 the Committee, expla- ^^^[^f^. 
 natory of his new invention, (on the 17th August 1839,) the Doctor assigns the following as ™J 0Ye & l am p. 
 part of the reasons that influenced its suggestion and construction : 
 
 " The diffusion of heat through gases is effected, in a great measure, by the motion of 
 their particles amongst each other. We are indebted to Dr. Priestley, Dr. Dalton, and 
 Professor Graham, of London, for much valuable information in respect to the diffusion of 
 gases; and from the valuable experiments of the last-mentioned philosopher, we are assured 
 that the same quantity of different gases escapes in times which are exceedingly unequal, but 
 have a relation to the specific gravity of the gas. The light gases diffuse most rapidly : 
 thus hydrogen escapes five times quicker than carbonic acid, which is 22 times heavier than 
 thai sras. In the case of an intimate mixture of two gases, the most diffusive gas separates 
 from the other and leaves the receiver in the greatest proportion. Volatile bodies rise into 
 the atmospheric air, as well as into a vacuum, and obviously according to the law by which 
 gases diffuse through each other. Heat is conducted by air in the same manner that it is 
 conduct* d by water and other fluids, namely, at low temperatures by communication only, 
 and at high temperatures by the effect of the diminution which the weight of heated mole- 
 cules or particles undergoes, and by the motion in ascent thereby imparted. It is a law 
 deduced from the physical properties of gaseous bodies that the velocities of gases, flowing 
 under like circumstances into a vacuum, is inversely as the square roots of their densities, 
 which is precisely the same law that regulates their flow into each other. Holding these 
 facts in view, I constructed my new safety lamp, and by experiment I found that just within 
 the glass and opposite the flame the temperature was 108° on Fahrenheit's scale ; and 
 between the top of the rim and of the wire gauze cylinder the thermometer indicated 302° of 
 temperature; I need scarcely remark that in all lamps the air is constantly changing, and 
 that in this safety lamp the operation of thehigh temperature causes the expansion and diffusion 
 of fire-damps, or of any other inflammable gas which may surround it ; whilst, at the same time, 
 a very small quantity of inflammable gas will find its way to the flame of the oil lamp, but will 
 ie diffused into the atmosphere." 
 
 To produce this result Dr. Clanny constructed his new lamp with an impervious metal T h e 8 nnplvofair 
 shield, having glass and lenses in its sides, only open at the highest part of the gauze from the top of tte 
 cylinder for about \\ inch from the top, and surrounding the lamp entirely to the oil vessel: lamp, 
 the shield being in diameter fully \ inch more than the lamp. There is, consequently, no 
 admission or egress of air but only over the top of the shield at the highest part of the lamp. 
 The Committee experimented at different times in the mine with this new construction of 
 Dr. Clanny. From the first lamps having had window glass in their sides several accidents 
 occurred, rendering them simple Davy lamps; the lamp with the lens burnt well, but was 
 deficient in light, owing to the rest of the shield being entirely metal. In an experiment at 
 Wallsend by the Committee, accompanied by Mr. Buddie, in a strong air course the Davy 
 lamp and Upton & Roberts' were extinguished by the force of the current, while this lamp 
 of Clanny retained, from its protecting shield, its light unaffected. When these three lamps 
 were tried at the same pit, in a feeder of gas, Upton & Roberts' first exploded itself out, 
 then the Davy with a slight audible explosion, whilst this Clanny lamp did not appear 
 much affected by the gas ; although the light was so imperfect as to show only a glimmer 
 through the lens. 
 
 In several trials it continued to operate in a similar manner, but the light was invariably 
 so small as to be inapplicable to the purposes of practical mining. 
 
 Dr. Clanny has, however, since the above period, made an alteration on that point which 
 obviates entirely the obstruction of light by the metal shield; he has substituted for that 
 part of it opposite the flame a thick globular shie ld of glass, which reflects the light in a 
 -very perfect manner, the metal shield being continued from it upwards, as before explained, 
 nearly to the lop of the gauze cylinder; receiving its supply of air to support combustion 
 exclusively from above, which, at the same part, emits the decomposed air. At first sight it 
 apptai s singular that the entire of the interior within the shield should not be filled with 
 nitrogen, carbonic acid gas, &c, and the light thereby extinguished, which invariably takes 
 place when an external shield is made of so small a diameter as closely to envelop the 
 gauze cylinder. It is thus demonstrated, that in a lamp of this construction the air for the 
 su| ply of flame parses down between the cylinder and shield, and returns up the middle of 
 the interior of the lamp, and is thrown off at its highest, part on the principle laid down by 
 Dr. Clanny ; and ilie air having to descend through a heated medium excludes much of the 
 light explosive gases, both from their specific gravity and their increased diffusibility Irom 
 the operation of heat. 
 
 _ r lhis perhaps nmy account, in some degree, for the steadiness and brightness with which, 
 m a moderately inflammable atmospheie, as well as in a current, this lamp continues to 
 burn. r 
 
 'J here is a just objection to the risk of fracture to the glass, which is exiernal and unpro- 
 tected, and which, though of great strength, an accidental blow, or a drop of water when 
 heated, might in an instant effect; but this, however, would then only render it a Davy 
 lamt>. A lamp winch the Doctor has placed before the Committee on this principle, but 
 vith a . ak< d projecting globe of strong glass, without any external wire gauze, is perfectly 
 lnadm^s ble for the reason just assigned,— the facility of fracture of the glass. Another 
 ob J^"'" ni!ide l) y iiiwrs to its employment is its great weight as compared wiih the Davy; ; 
 this difficulty, it is feared, would not be easily surmounted by the wascemen, who have to 
 
 0.02. x 4 trave l 
 
i68 
 
 APPENDIX TO REPORT FROM THE 
 
 Appendix, No. 4. travel many hours a day through narrow passages generally in a bent posture, and often on 
 
 hands and knees with their lamp in hand : and even to the common miner it is a matter of 
 
 strong objection amounting to dislike, but which experience would doubtless overcome. 
 
 superior lamp. The danger continues to exist, in some degree, in this as in other lamps, although to a 
 greatly diminished extent, — that in a highly explosive atmosphere the upper part of the 
 lamp becomes much heated, and thus tends to bring into operation the contingencies of 
 explosion by defiant, sulphuretted hydrogen, or hydrogen gas ; and, therefore, though a 
 vast improvement, neither is this most ingenious and scientific lamp the desideratum so 
 much sought after — in all points a perfect safety lamp ; yet in principle and operation it 
 is infinitely superior to any the Committee have yet examined. 
 
 Upton Sf Roberts' Lamp. 
 
 The Committee were surprised to find, notwithstanding the strong recommendation of the 
 lamp of Upton & Roberts by the Parliamentary Committee in 1835, (a) that not a single 
 mine of the north, five years afterwards, had adopted it. 
 
 In a letter to the Shields Committee of date London, 8th August 1839, Mr. Upton writes, 
 — " I beg to say, most unreservedly, that I consider the Davy lamp a most destructive 
 instrument, inasmuch as it is held out to be a safeguard under circumstances where it is 
 signally insecure. The trial before the Parliamentary Committee ought to have been quite 
 sufficient. It required unhappily, however, the sacrifice of hundreds more to expose one of 
 the greatest fallacies, if it be now exposed, that was perhaps ever practised on the credu- 
 lity of mankind." " In reference to our (Upton & Roberts') lamp, I beu; to say that I shall 
 take care one shall be sent. It might perhaps be expected that I should say something 
 as to the qualities of this lamp. I will do so with as much candour as I can. Its safety is 
 undoubted, and it is now in use in many of the Staffordshire mines, and, I believe, is 
 found a useful as well as a safe instrument. I am, however, willing to admit that I 
 think it might be improved in several minor respects, and I fully hope, possessing as it 
 does so estimable a quality as perfect safety, that it will not be long considered unworthy > 
 even in the northern districts, of having many improvements suggested by experienced 
 persons. The patent will be out next. May, when it will be open to the whole trade, and have, 
 
 I hope and trust, its capabilities turned to their proper account." 
 
 While the Committee of the British House of Commons declares this lamp so con- 
 structed as " to provide against all or nearly all the contingencies attending the Davy 
 lamp," (b) the Commission at Liege, for experimenting upon it and other lamps, instituted 
 by the Belgian Minister in 1836, in their last report, (the 23rd April 1840,) after four 
 years' enquiry, speak of the safety of the Upton & Roberts' lamp, if possible, in still higher 
 terms : — 
 
 " Qu'elle est de surete, en toutes circonstances, dans son etat normal, puis qu'elle 
 resiste a. 1'hydrogene pur, et que sa construction est telle que la toile metallique est com- 
 pletement garantie de faction des courants d'air, et que vu la difficulte de l'acces de 
 Pair ambiant, la combustion du gaz ou de la meche ne peut y devenir assez active pour 
 porter la toile metallique a. une temperature inquietante ; qu'elle serait encore de surete,. 
 au meme degre que celle de Davy, lorsq'un accident quelconque viendrait a la priver de 
 l'envelope de cristal qui entoure la partie inferieure de la cloche metallique," &c. &c. 
 
 Here at length it was hoped that humanity and science had triumphed completely, and 
 that the fate of the miner would, for the future, be secure in his own hands. This hope, 
 which sprang so brightly forth, has, it will be seen, been again for a time disappointed. 
 
 Description of the The Committee in placing on record, which is necessary here, the description of 
 lMn P* Upton & Roberts' lamp, will take that forwarded by Mr. Upton himself. It consists of 
 
 a cylinder or cage of wire gauze, as in the Davy lamp, 5i inches hi^h, and lj diameter, 
 over which, enveloping it externally, is a glass covering. The air is admitted through 
 horizontal apertures immediately over the oil vessel, and then is passed through a 
 double layer of horizontal gauze, two moveable disks, which forms the bottom of the 
 lamp, in the centre of which the wick rises; the whole of the air being turned on the flame 
 of the wick by means of a cone, the circumference of whose apex surrounds the lower 
 part of the flame. The gauze top is doubled, as in the Davy, by a cap ; and there is, in 
 addition, a metal chimney 2| inches high, If in its base, and contracting at its throat to 
 
 I I inch, with large perforations near the top to emit the smoke and decomposed air. 
 This chimney screws down closely upon the external glass covering, which is 4| inches 
 hie;h. 
 
 "When the lamp is lighted the air passes through the horizontal apertures, and then takes 
 a direction at right angles upwards, through the double gauze bottom directed by the cone 
 on the wick : and the air seems ruled in its admission to the lamp by the supply required 
 
 to 
 
 («) They report " that they are decidedly convinced that its (the Upton & Roberts' lamp) construction 
 possesses paramount merit," and that it appeared to them "to provide against all, or nearly all the contingencies 
 attending the Davy lamp." , . . 
 
 (b) Every lamp tested before that Committee passed the flame but Upton & Roberts'; it was tried with lour 
 measures hydrogen and one coal gas; with three parts 01' air and one coal gas; with six parts of air and one 
 coal gas; with four parts of air and one hydrogen; and with two-thirds air and one-third hydrogen, but passed 
 330 flame. 
 
SELECT COMMITTEE ON COAL MINES. 
 
 to feed the flame. In an explosive atmosphere, hy its restricted admission to the flame, Appendix, No. 4. 
 
 it is nearly all consumed as it presents itself, and it is scarcely possible to fill the lamp . 
 
 with it : whatever escapes without passing the flame is so vitiated and rendered incapable 
 of supporting combustion bv the nitrogen and carbonic acid gases rising in the lamp, that 
 no gas-flame ever readies high in the interior of the cylinder; if in a very fiery mixture, 
 slight explosions occur, and the light is speedily extinguished. Thus there is no cause to 
 apprehend, under any circumstances, the possibility of over-heating the gauze top : the 
 Committee have found it impossible to effect it in the most fiery mine, and there is no 
 explosive mixture that can be made to pass the flame upwards, while the glass secures it 
 against currents of air or of blowers ; extinction by inflammable mixtures, and not explosion, 
 being its principle. 
 
 The chimney, by being contracted, bears a proportion for the exit of the air after 
 combustion to the perforations, gauze, and cone, for its admittance; thus preventing 
 a rush through the apertures below on the flame, which would either extinguish it or 
 escape into the lamp unconsumed, and in an inflammable air burn to over-heat the lamp. 
 The contracted chimney also keeps an atmosphere of deoxygenated air, if it may be 
 thus called, over the weakest part of the top of the lamp, doubly securing it from over- 
 heating. 
 
 Whenever the Committee have tried this lamp in the fiery mines of the north, its delicacy jt s facility of ex- 
 was such that before the Davy lamp was much affected it usually exploded itself out : and tinction. 
 this occurred to other lamps as well as that sent by Mr. Upton. It was impossible to fill 
 it with flame : an indication and warning, it perpetually hinted danger. 
 
 In a goaf of St. Hilda Pit, it is stated in the minutes of the Committee, that when 
 tried, — " For an instant the flame burnt blue, extending up the interior nearly two inches, 
 and then with a slight explosion extinguished itself:" this was repeated, and it almost 
 instantly invariably did the same. In an experiment with lamps in Monkwearmouth Pit 
 (the deepest in England), " it extinguished itself even at a walking pace in the hand : the 
 glass and light were smoky and dim. At Wallsend it was tried with other lamps in a 
 feeder of gas, and " could scarcely be brought into operation from its facility of extinction." 
 At Jarrow Pit, when tried in a strong blower of gas, it was the first extinguished ; but such 
 way the force that both the Davy lamp and the original Clanny's were also blown out. At 
 Pensher Pit, on the Wear, the current of air in the furnace drift also extinguished it. 
 Indeed, in every instance this sensitiveness, on exposure to the slightest breath or explosive 
 mixture, regularly demonstrated itself. 
 
 It is this very delicacy of operation which renders it with practical miners so objec- 
 tionable for their daily employment in the mine. It obstructs instead of facilitating their 
 object. A sudden dropping of the hand with a lamp puts out the light; the slightest 
 increase of foul air bedims the glass, and then the flame gradually dies or explodes 
 out. The horizontal gauze placed below the level of the oil wick, receives from the 
 trimming or an accidental spark, little vesicles of oil which clog and impede the flow of 
 air; the light then soon becomes smoky and dull, and in this case eventually dies out, 
 or the lamp must be brought to a free part of the mine to be cleaned and re-arranged. 
 
 The Committee have frequently seen it blown out by a current of air in the gallery, and 
 it invariably required the nicest care to keep it burning for a few hours in the different 
 parts and states of the mines. Even a breath through the bottom perforations would at 
 once extinguish it. 
 
 'To ordinary workmen this difficulty is insurmountable. It would be impossible even A decided objection, 
 to compel its adoption in the northern mines: the result on their produce would be to its practical 
 seiiously injurious. In the hands of careful men of science it is a perfect lamp for ' l ' n " 
 occasional experiments. Secure from any contingency that may arise, its glass may be 
 acridently broken, and it, resolves itself into a Davy lamp; nothing but a ciushing blow 
 will lay bare any chance of danger. But in the bands of the mere miner, intent upon his 
 labour, and irritated from its imperfect and uncertain light, there is every probability that 
 the most hazardous expedients would be had recourse to, and that it would become more 
 dangerous than a common gauze lamp in his ill-judged attempts to increase or continue his 
 light for his necessary operations. 
 
 It appears that the Belgic Commission have also observed some of these incapacitating 
 points in their experiments upon the lamp. They state : — 
 
 " Que nonobstant sa complication, son poids, son volume, son prix eleve, (confectionnee 
 dans nos ateliers avec toute l'economie possible, elle couterait au moms le quadruple de nos 
 lampes de Davy,) et rneme la fragilite du cristal, cette lampe (Upton & Roberts) devrait 
 etre preferee a celle dt- Davy, dans toutes les mines dangereuses, si elle n'avait le grave 
 inconvenient de s'eteindre faute d'oxygene, aussitot qu'un peu d'huile s'est repandue 
 sur Its disques metalliques par lesquels fair est admis dans la lampe, ou qu'un peu de 
 poussiere est venue en obstruer les mailies ; orce detaut a ete constate successivement sur 
 trois lampes de cette espece recues des inventeurs, et il serait difficile qu'il en fut autre- 
 ment, car les trous de la galerie et les disques etablis an niveau de l'orifice du reservoir 
 d'huile, sont exposes a. s'encrasser au moindre epanchement. La commission a d'ailleurs 
 pu observer que, quand le gaz inflammable est melange en proportion notable a Pair, 
 i'huile du reservoir oudu moins du porte-meche entre en ebullition et eclabousse les toiles, 
 sans nieme que la lampe soit inclinee : ce dernier phenomene tient vraisemblablement a. ce 
 que le gaz brule depuis son entree par les disques jusqu'a. la meche, et produit une chaleur 
 considerable, dans toute cette partie de la lampe." " En resume, cette lampe devrait recevoir 
 
 0.62. Y encore 
 
170 
 
 APPENDIX TO REPORT FROM THE 
 
 Ippendix, No. 4. encore des perfectionnements importants, pour que la commission se crut autorisee a. en 
 proposer la substitution a celle qui est en usage dans nos mines a Grisou."(a) 
 
 The Committee cannot quit Upton & Roberts' lamp without the deepest regret that their 
 duty will not permit them, after their own practical experiments in the mine, sustained also 
 by the Belgic Commission, to recommend its general adoption; for it possesses all the 
 elements of perfect safety, but unfortunately from its deficiencies that have developed 
 themselves in the mine, as above demonstrated, it is impossible to avoid the conviction that 
 it is inapplicable to daily practical uses. Its ingenious and able authors, they trust, will, 
 by an application of the same powers that produced it, be able to remedy the defects which 
 the Committee have pointed out, and at length produce a lamp perfect as the present in 
 safety and more practical in employment. 
 
 Mr. William Martins Lamp. 
 
 This lamp is of a most ingenious construction, without wire gauze. The air is admitted 
 like Stephenson's, through perforations in an upper metal bottom to the wick : in this 
 instance by four circles of small apertures l-64th of an inch in diameter. The body of the 
 lamp is a glass cylinder, A\ inches long antl 2 inches diameter; and the top consists of a 
 copper chimney contracting gradually to a cone, something similar to Upton & Roberts'. 
 Dr. George Fife, of Newcastle, tested this lamp before the Medical School of Newcastle, 
 9th February, 1836. The following are the results; With carburetted hydrogen, or 
 coal gas diluted, so as to produce its most explosive combination, Mr. Martin's lamp was 
 tried : — 
 
 1st. By introducing the lamp into a glass jar containing the gas, the flame was imme- 
 diately extinguished, without evther explosion or inflammation of the gas within or external 
 to the lamp. 
 
 2d. By passing a current of the same gas upon the lamp, the same result followed. The 
 lamp was next tried with one of the most explosive combinations that can be formed, viz., 
 by the mixture of the coal gas, or carburetted hydrogen, with four volumes of pure hydrogen 
 gas. In the first trial, from Mr. Martin's lamp not being properly secured, the lamp, on 
 immersion in a glass jar, exploded. On a repetition of the experiment, and in a much more 
 concentrated manner, viz., by directing a strong current of the gas into the lamp, the flame 
 was almost immediately extinguished, and without the slightest detonation. 
 
 This lamp, like that of Upton & Roberts, is peculiarly delicate, and extinguishes itself 
 almost on the approach of carburetted hydrogen, as was found, on trial by the Committee, 
 in a foul part of the mine; and as the use of lamps is intended, under the present system 
 of working mines, for a fiery atmosphere, and not as a mere indication, this lamp would not 
 be operative for that purpose. There is also an insuperable objection, as remarked previ- 
 ously on one of Dr. Clanny's lamps, to a glass cylinder without gauze, as there is a risk of 
 fracture from several causes, that renders it inapplicable, or, at least, most exceptionable, 
 in a fiery mine. 
 
 Mr. Richard Ayres Lamps. 
 
 Mr. Richard Ayre, of Newcastle, has also constructed two ingenious varieties of the 
 Davy lamp; one to extinguish the light in any attempt to unscrew it; the other, what he 
 calls a barometer lamp, in which the air passes through a valve which shuts itself, as the 
 atmosphere becomes light or filled with foul ga<, and then extinguishes the lamp. There 
 are some other modifications of safety lamps, which, although ingenious, yet not being 
 conveniently practical, it is unnecessary at present to dwell on. 
 
 Its description and 
 principle. 
 
 Belgian Lamps. 
 
 Genius and humanity are exclusively of no country ; to the honour of man they are 
 inherent in his nature, they take up their abode wherever he is found, and only require 
 favourable opportunities and circumstances for their development. 
 
 The Belgic Government, inspired by the exertions and limited success of the friends of 
 humanity in England, as demonstrated by the Parliamentary inquiry — and deeply interested 
 in their own mines, a source to them of much national wealth — instituted a Commission 
 to inquire into safety lamps. The result has been the invention to two ingenious modifi- 
 cations of the Wire Gauze Safety Lamp, which by that Commission has been most favour- 
 ably reported of. M. Van de "Weyer, his Belgic Majesty's Ambassador in this country, 
 has done the Committee the honour to procure those lamps from Belgium for them to test 
 in the mines of England. 
 
 The Mueseler Lamp. 
 
 This lamp stands about 10 inches high, including its oil vessel ; and its external diameter 
 is, from 5 inches upwards, about 3j inches. This great diameter is owing to a sort of 
 shield, of eight ribs of iron, placed edgeways, vertically covering a very strong glass, J or' 
 an inch thick, formed like an ordinary drinking glass, without a bottom, which is 3| 
 inches high, and if internal diameter. This glass is placed around the flame of the lamp, 
 
 excluding 
 
 (a) Rapports adresses a M. Le Ministre des Travaux Publics, par la Commission institute a Liege pour 
 l'essai des lampes de miiffs, 1840. 
 
SELECT COMMITTEE ON COAL MINES. 171 
 
 excluding all air except over its top, which is covered with wire gauze, but without any Appendix, No. 4. 
 
 other gauze internal or external ; it is thus a naked glass except the eight vertical ribs of _ 
 
 iron, which are each an inch apart. Placed upon the glass, and as a continuation of it, is 
 a wire gauze cylinder, 4| inches high, and If internal diameter, having a brass top full 
 of minute perforations. The glass and wire gauze, closely united, make a continued 
 cylinder about 8 inches in height; having a piece of wire gauze stretched across the 
 internal area at the junction of the two substances, over the top of the glass, as above 
 stated. Through the centre of this piece of horizontal gauze there is a small metal chimney 
 to convey from the flame of the lamp the smoke and deoxygenated air ; it passes down 
 to within an inch of the wick; is 4 inches high, about 7-10ths in diameter below, and 
 4-10ths above, and rises to discharge the smoke, &c, about halfway into the interior of 
 the wire gauze cylinder. 
 
 The Committee have been thus particular in the description of the " Mueseler lamp," 
 because the Belgic Commission consider its superiority undoubted over the Davy, Upton 
 & Roberts', and every other lamp hitherto invented : and that its principle is new, its safety 
 perfect, and its light surpassing all others. 
 
 When this lamp is set in operation, the air to supply the flame passes from above down- 
 wards : first through the gauze sides of the cylinder above, and then through the transverse 
 gauze on the lop of the glass; and when it has performed its o thee, it ascends through the 
 chimney in the centre exactly over the wick. 
 
 The effects appear to be similar to those in the improved Clanny lamp, described a few 
 pages back, wherein the air enters at the upper part of the lamp. The air in the lamp is 
 kept freer than in the Davy or other lamps; its current stronger, and its light better. It, 
 however, more easily explodes itself out than the Clanny lamp when the inflammable mix- 
 ture is of considerable strength. The flame cannot pass by explosion, as, in addition to the its good qualities, 
 almost impossibility of surcharging a lighted lamp of this description with gas, there is no 
 egress but over the top of the glass through the transverse gauze, and then again through the 
 sides of the gauze cylinder, at right angles with it, thus completely guarding it against 
 this danger. But the flame can scarcely long exist from a certain delicacy which the 
 lamp possesses when immersed in an explosive mixture, for it speedily explodes itself out. 
 
 On trials with the Mueseler lamp in the month of July 1841, and since in one of our most 
 fiery mines, the Committee found the light very good, unaffected with currents; and when 
 placed in a recess of the "Z>/'o£e«," in which much gas existed, it gave slight audible ex- 
 plosions, and immediately extinguished. 
 
 The Belgic Commission thus speaks of this lamp — " Elle a soutenu les epreuves de la 
 maniere la plus satisfaisante, et a ete unanimement considered comme reunissant' a un plus 
 haut degre que toutes celles essayees jusqu'ici, les conditions essentielles d'une bonne 
 lampe de surete. La commission a vu un perfectionnement d'une grande portee dans la 
 disposition qui consiste a faire arriver, par le haut, et non par le bas, V air destine a la 
 combustion de la meche, et a. combiner les choses de telle sorte que, lorsque l'air contient 
 une quaniite de gaz inflammable capable de faire craindre une explosion, et par consequent 
 d'activer momentanement la combustion outre mesure, le premier effet de cette activite 
 extraordinaire soit d'alterer cette composition dangereuse de l'air entrant, en y melant dans 
 une proportion notable une partie des gaz brules ; ce qui non-seulement rend impos- 
 sible toute deflagration, mais contribue encore a la prompte extinction des parties en 
 ignition." (a) 
 
 The principle so much approved of by the Commission, in the above extract, of supply- Clanny's priority of 
 ing the wick of the Mueseler lamp by air from above, and not from below, it is but justice discovery over Mue- 
 to Dr. Clanny, and in accordance with truth, that this Committee repeat here, that, in se ' er - 
 a paper publicly read to them on the 11th August 1839, (b) already examined, in which 
 Dr. Clanny explained the construction of his new lamp, passing the air downwards to the 
 wick from the summit of a shield nearly covering the entire gauze, was the principle on 
 which it was based. It was tried by this Committee in the mines at the time, and pub- 
 lished in the journals of the day, and M. Mueseler, according to the Belgic Committee, 
 did not offer his lamp to their examination till they were about terminating their labours 
 in August 1840 ; (c) and the 18th of August in that year was the first time that the 
 Commission experimented with it. Consequently Dr. Clanny possesses the undivided 
 merit of the discovery and application of this principle, and had, upwards of a year, a 
 published priority of ic over its adoption and application by M. Mueseler. 
 
 The Belgic Commission, after trying the Mueseler lamp with various explosive mixtures, 
 terminate their report of it thus : — " 11 est aise de juger, par I'eloge qui precede, qui 
 si la commission devait se prononcer aujourdhui' a ce sujet, elle ne balancerait point 
 a donner la palme a la lampe Mueseler." 
 
 This preference of the Mueseler lamp, by a scientific commission employed upwards A naked glass cylin- 
 of four years investigating safety lamps, including the Upton & Roberts, ihe Davy, and der a strong objec- 
 all other meriting attention, deserves to be received with the utmost respect for examina- tl0n • 
 tion in England. This Committee have consequently given it most attentive consideration 
 and trial, and have already accorded it improved light and safety from explosive mixtures 
 passing the flame to the atmosphere around ; but most decidedly they object to its 
 general application with its naked glass unprotected by wire gauze. Already they have 
 
 refused 
 
 (a) Second Rapport par la Commission institue k Liege 1840. 
 
 (b) See preceding pages 166, 167 and 168, on Dr. Clanny's Safety Lamp. (c) Second Rapport, &c. Sec. 
 0.62. T 2 
 
172 
 
 APPENDIX TO REPORT FROM THE 
 
 Appendix, No. 4 . refused to admit even for consideration two most ingenious lamps — one of Dr. Clanny, and 
 
 _ another of Mr. Martin, on the same principle of glass, without gauze, forming the security 
 
 of the lamp. The facility with which glass may be fractured either by a blow, splinter of 
 coal, fall, or any other such accident, as well as by a single drop of water, when heated, 
 which the glass of the Mueseler lamp would be very liable 10, especially in a fiery wet 
 mine, renders a lamp of such construction in a most material point unsafe. A case quoted 
 by Sir H. Davy corroborates the certainty of this danger. 
 
 M. Gossan, President of the Chamber of Commerce of Mons, in his report on the safety 
 lamp, states — " That a director of the works having descended into the collierv of Tapa- 
 touts with a lamp, of which the base of the cylinder" like the Mueseler lamp, " was of 
 glass, a drop of water jell upon anal broke the glass, and detached a piece which would 
 have opened a communication for explosion : but the air fortunately at that moment was 
 not adulterated with fire-damp." A visit to a glass work will show at once how a drop of 
 water, or even the surface of cold steel, will instantaneously separate masses of hot glass 
 nearly an inch in thickness. To such a probable contingency as the fracture of a glass 
 cylinder, then, this committee are unwilling to commit the safety of a whole mine, and 
 must refuse the Mueseler lamp their sanction till in this point it is amended. There is 
 also another objectionable point to its regular employment. Should the flame, by holding 
 the lamp at an angle, not be immediately under the chimney, and the vitiated air escape into 
 the lower part or chamber of the lamp, it is at once extinguished ; this is an accident that 
 is likely to occur very frequently in the hands of workmen who are in the frequent habit of 
 carrying their lamps by their sides, and oil vessels, and not by the ring at the top. This 
 would originate attempts at re-lighting, if far from a naked light, in a dangerous part of the 
 mine, that, would probably lead to perpetual serious risks. 
 
 Another point of some importance is the great weight of the Mueseler lamp. Already 
 have strong objections been made to some of the improved lamps by viewers and others on 
 this ground, (a) 
 
 Weights of the dif- Where wastemen and other officers, for perhaps six hours a day, are obliged to be 
 ferent lamps, examining the most dangerous parts of the mine, lamp in hand, frequently in narrow 
 
 passages, in contorted postures, the weight of the Mueseler lamp, being twice that of the 
 Davy, gives a show of reason to such objection. The following are the respective weights 
 of the several lamps : — 
 
 Lb. Oz. 
 
 The Davy Lamp weighs - - - - 1 6 
 
 The Mueseler Lamp - - - - - 2 1 1 
 
 Dr. Clanny's Improved Lamp - - - 2 6 
 
 Upton & lloberts' last Lamp - - - - 2 0£ 
 
 Stephenson's Improved, in use at several mines - - 2 3| 
 
 The Lemielle Lamp - - - - -11 0§ 
 
 To the men stationary at their work this point is less important, nevertheless amongst 
 them all there is a strong disinclination to the employment of a heavy lamp. Hostile 
 opinions on such particulars, it is, however, possible to surmount; but a vital error on the 
 principle of safety it is impossible, nor would it be proper to attempt to overcome. The 
 Committee therefore regret that the insecurity of the Mueseler lamp, from naked glass 
 forming part of its cylinder, renders it impossible for them to recommend its employment, 
 as at present constructed, in the English mines. 
 
 The Lemielle Lamp. 
 
 The Lemielle lamp is a simple construction of much ingenuity : it is a Davy lamp, with 
 a olass inside, admitting the air at the bottom through a treble gauze, in an improved 
 mode. Its gauze cylinder is 6| inches high; l T V lls internal diameter, without any 
 double top or cap. There is a glass cylinder internally fitting the gauze very tight, 
 running upwards more than half way,— for 3f inches, very strong, and its internal 
 diameter is l^th inch: this glass is fixed within the gauze cylinder by a small 
 Its description and metal button. The botlom end of the gauze is reflected outwards all around, at 
 qualities. • j Jt an gl es> an d has, in this reflection, a treble gauze, which forms a broad rim or 
 
 bottom on which to support the cylinder, standing out from the latter, around its entire 
 circumference, about three-quarters of an inch. The oil vessel has the top of its circum- 
 ference elevated about three-tenths of an inch, on which the rim of the cylinder is placed, 
 and the wick then rises into the glass about half an inch, leaving only the brass top of the 
 oil vessel below to receive falling particles of oil. There is a strong frame, as in the Davy, 
 to sciew down and secure the several parts of the apparatus in their places. In this case, 
 however, the oauze rim is merely covered by a projecting piece of brass, without being close 
 to touch the sauze, that it may protect the former from the dust falling upon it, and at 
 the same time secure the passage of the air beneath it, which only has admittance through 
 the horizontal transverse gauze rim. The frame merely presses the extreme circumference 
 of 1 his oauze rim upon the circular elevation of the oil vessel about one-eighth of an inch 
 all around; it is thus fixed and kept in its place, and is free for the passage of the air. 
 The effect of this construction, when in full operation, is, that the air which in Stephenson's 
 improved lamp passes through vertical gauze to the wick; arid, in Upton & Roberts', 
 J through 
 
 (a) Parliamentary Evidence, 2284. 
 
SELECT COMMITTEE ON COAL MINES. 
 
 173 
 
 through a double gauze on the top of the oil vessel from below upwards, in the Lemielle Appendix, No. 4. 
 
 lamp passes downwards through the treble gauze rim into the space between the top of 
 
 the oil vessel and wick, then again up to the wick in the narrow glass cylinder. There is 
 here, in this Belgic lamp, a complete change of direction of the air supplying the wick, 
 amounting to reflection, and a security of the gauze through which it passes from dust or 
 oil, keeping it free, and the light generally, especially at the first, very good. The narrow- 
 ness of the glass cylinder probably induces a gi eater current and brighter light, and con- 
 sumes the fire-damp by bringing the whole air under the influence of the flame. On several 
 trials with this lamp the Committee found it burn well in a vitiated atmosphere, unaffected 
 by currents, and when brought into an explosive part of the mine it extinguished its flame 
 by a very trifling explosion. This is a lamp of very good properties, and is also much 
 recommended in the report of the Belgic Commission. Those prepossessed in favour of 
 the Davy lamp will be able to perceive very little difference in appearance, and it is only 
 about Ah oz. heavier. 
 
 The Commission, after they had suggested certain improvements, as the triple disk and 
 smaller space between it and the oil vessel, reports: — "Que la lampe de M. Lemielle, 
 munie des perfectionnements qu'd y a, apporles, a la suite des observations de la commission 
 et des epreuves auxquelles elle a ete soumise, doit etre de surete, dans toutes les circon- 
 stances ordinaires de Sexploitation des mines." They object, and justly, to the gauze 
 becoming choked with smoke depositions over the glass cylinder, obscuring its light, and 
 from obstructing the circulation of the air, they might have added, it will eventually 
 extinguish it. It, however, passed an explosive mixture of hydrogen and air; but this defect 
 they remedied by a triple disk of very fine wire gauze, through which the air was passed 
 into the bottom of the lamp to supply the flame. Another more fatal objection : the upper 
 portion cf the cylinder becomes strongly heated from an inflammable mixture when not 
 sufficiently strong to effect internal explosion and extinction, and this originates the contin- 
 gency of mine explosion by the gases, inflammable at red-heat of metals, as before 
 demonstrated. 
 
 This lamp then has, in addition to the dangers of exploding through the gauze bottom, Objections to its em- 
 if the disks are not sufficiently fine and numerous, a highly inflammable mixture and external ployment. 
 inflammation by a heated gauze cylinder, the obscuration of the lamp by depositions of 
 soot, that rapidly take place on the gauze above the glass, and on the glass itself, rendering 
 it, for ordinary employment, troublesome, inconvenient, and dangerous. Therefore the 
 Lemielle lamp, with all its ingenuity, cannot be well admitted as a safe substitute for the 
 other improved lamps already in use. And the Committee regret that neither of the two 
 Belgic lamps, with which they have been favoured, supplies the desideratum of a perfect 
 safety light under every contingency of a fiery mine. 
 
 And thus terminates the Committee's examination of the safety lamps, which have indi- 
 vidually received their most anxious and careful attention, as a matter of the first consequence 
 to the object of their inquiry. 
 
 The Committee have now to report, after the most minute investigation and experiment The Committee's ge- 
 whieh they have been able to devote to this branch of their subject, that in their opinion no liera ' conclusions on 
 mere safety lamp, however ingenious in its construction, is able to secure fiery mines from sa ^ et y lamps, 
 explosion ; and that a reliance on lamps alone is a fatal error, conducive to those dreadful 
 calamities which they are intended tu prevent. The Committee further report, that they 
 are of a decided conviction, according to the foregoing premises, that the naked Davy lamp 
 is, without a complete shield, a most dangerous instrument, and has indubitably been pro- 
 ductive of those accidents in mines against which it is still too confidently and generally 
 employed, at the daily imminent risk of producing a like calamity. 
 
 The Committee are further of opinion, which coincides with that of the Belgic Com- The principle of the 
 mission, that the best description of lamp to be employed is that on the principle of the Clanny and Mueseler 
 Improved Clanny sand the Mueseler lamps, the latter toith a continuous gauze cylinder; but lamp; the satest * 
 that the utmost attention must be paid always to their condition, and more particularly to 
 those of other descriptions: that the gauze must be examined daily, and every part of their 
 construction be ascertained to be perfect; that the workmen must be warned never to con- 
 tinue working in an inflammable atmosphere with their lamps over-heated by increased 
 flame ; and that instead of being impressed with the idea that they are absolutely safe 
 instruments, they should be convinced that they are only comparatively safe, and contin- 
 gencies may easily arise in which even the best constructed may be productive of danger 
 and explosion. 
 
 The Committee ivgret to observe, that from some erroneous conviction or other less 
 defensible cause, this mode of securing safety in mines has been beyond all reasonable bounds 
 relied on, while the far more important and safe system of ventilation has been comparatively 
 neglected. 
 
 VENTILATION. 
 
 Ventilation seems to be the only certain and secure means of safety in inflammable 
 mines. It is depended on more or less in every case; but since the discovery of safety 
 lamps it appears to have sunk to a certain extent into a secondary, instead of continuing 
 the great primary means of security against explosion. 
 
 O.62. y 3 To 
 
174 
 
 APPENDIX TO REPORT FROM THE 
 
 Appendix, No. 4. 
 
 Bad ventilation, and 
 its effects. 
 
 M. Triewald and M. 
 Jars on natural ven- 
 tilation. 
 
 Furnace ventilation 
 in 1760. 
 
 Mr. Spedding. 
 Coursing the air. 
 
 An anomaly in the 
 pit atmosphere. 
 
 Explosive mixtures 
 destroyed by anti- 
 inflammable gases. 
 
 To such an extent has this erroneous and mischievous neglect of ventilation proceeded, 
 that, as an instance, there is a mine, within three miles of Newcastle, that at one time was 
 worked with Jive shafts, about six feet diameter each, which, though now more extensive 
 and in the broken, is only worked with two. The consequence is, that the working being 
 of old standing, and the ventilation very small, carbonic acid gas pervades to a great 
 extent, and the men are unusually sickly, pale and emaciated for want of good air. This 
 is no solitary case, but an indication of the general system, which will be seen as this report 
 proceeds. 1 
 
 The first report of the Children's Employment Commission, 1842, pa<*e 50, says, on this 
 subject;— " In pits with a rapid circulation the men respire more freely, the road-ways 
 are kept dry and repaired at less expense, and the timber lasts longer by years, and there- 
 fore it is a matter of strict economy to ensure a good ventilation. In some mines the air can 
 scarcely be perceived to move at all, a thick mist or fog pervading the whole pit, which is 
 caused partly from fermentation in the wastes and old works, partly from the lights, and 
 partly from the heat and effluvia from the horses and men. This, with a large proportion of 
 carbonic acid gas, forms an atmosphere that none but colliers, who are accustomed to it, 
 could endure, but which has the effect of shortening their days." 
 
 M. Triewald, in Sweden, as early as 1740, and M. Jars, the French academician, in 1764, 
 endeavoured to elucidate the art of ventilation of mines; and the latter laid down principles, 
 and scientifically explained natural ventilation, which had hitherto been but little under- 
 stood. Nevertheless, he seemed not to comprehend the immense force of artificial ventilation 
 by Jire, and merely suggested (in his Fig. V.) as a means of producing circulation of air in 
 sprino and autumn, when the temperature of the mine and atmosphere approximated, a 
 small furnace and chimney at the top of one of the pits ; but in winter and summer, when 
 the equilibrium of the columns of air of the two pits were disturbed, (one being a longer 
 shaft than the other, naturally or artificially by a chimney erected over it,) then there was 
 no occasion, he seemed to consider, for the application of the furnace, (a) In the present 
 state of the mines of Europe, especially of England and Belgium, with their extensive 
 galleries and passages, extending, in some cases, upwards of 70 miles, it would be impossible 
 to effect safe ventilation in them by the simple means suggested by M. Jars. 
 
 Previous to 1760, in Britain, the Furnace had been introduced at the bottom of the upcast 
 pit ; but the practice was by pillar stoppings to course the air round the extremities of the 
 mine, were it even more than 50 acres, the whole interior workings lying " dead waste," 
 surcharged with inflammable gas ; which only required an incautious approach with a 
 naked light, or a sudden change in the atmospheric pressure, to expand it into the air course 
 and expose the mine to a " blast." 
 
 About the year 1760 Mr. Spedding, of Workington, invented and adopted a vast improve- 
 ment in the mode of ventilation, by coursing the air through all the workings of the mine. 
 He turned the different galleries and workings into an enormous air pipe, through which the 
 air was regulated by doors and stoppings, coursing it up and down each " slieth " or division 
 of work, sweeping and ventilating the dead waste in the interior, and so removing the 
 former accumulation of gas. One viewer slates, that on this system he has known the air 
 coursed from its ingress to its egress upwards of 30 miles, (b) From the immense length of 
 course, and the consequent friction and interruption from change of direction, the current 
 must necessarily have been very slow and sluggish ; and in the latter pari of its course must 
 have been surchaged with gas evolved from the whole surfaces of the mine, that would 
 render it, as it approached the furnace, in the highest degree explosive. This would 
 probably be its general condition whenever the mine was in a fiery state, or had abundant 
 discharges of gas : although it is not unusual, in long courses, to find the jirst of the air, or, 
 after it has run a short distance, the most explosive ; imputed generally by practical pitmen 
 to the inflammable gas being imperfectly mixed with the atmospheric air. This circumstance 
 also happens in new pits where the workings are of no great extent, when the explosions, 
 as in Wellington, in April 1841, are of the most violent nature. 
 
 The apparent anomaly can scarcely be imputed with correctness to the gas's imperfect 
 mixture with the air, as without the proper proportionate mixture there would be no explosion 
 at all ; and the dilution must be less than more in a long course, as the original air acquires 
 no accession in its progress, while the inflammable gas must be increasing more or less at 
 eveiy yard's advance. 
 
 The probable correct explanation of this phenomenon is, that a lengthened course, through 
 extended workings of an old mine, abounds not only with carburetted hydrogen, but also 
 with carbonic acid gas, (c) in addition to the nitrogen and carbonic acid gases from the 
 workmen's lights and the respired air of the horses and men, which vitiate the whole column 
 and frequently reduces it, especially towards its termination, below the explosive point. 
 
 When it is remembered that one part of carbonic acid gas will destroy the inflammability of 
 seven parts of a carburetted hydrogen explosive mixture, and one part of nitrogen six parts of 
 
 the 
 
 (a) See " Observations sur la Circulation de l'Air dans les Mines; Moyens qu'il faut employer pour l'y 
 maintenir," par M. G. Jars, &c. &c, printed in the volume of the French Academy of Sciences for 1768, and 
 translated by the Secretaries of this Committee, 1840. 
 
 (6) Parliamentary Evidence in 1835 ; 1997. 
 
 (c) Parliamentary Evidence, 860, 861, 1849, 3676, 3376. 
 
SELECT COMMITTEE ON COAL MINES. 
 
 175 
 
 the same mixture ;(«) and that in an extensive mine of 150 to 200 men, with 40 to 60 horses, Appendix, No. 4. 
 
 and a corresponding number of lights, each man alone, in respiration, giving off every minute 
 
 about 26 inches of carbonic acid gas, in addition to the free nitrogen, with a proportionate 
 
 increased quantity of both these products from horses and lights, besides the immense 
 
 amount of the natural carbonic acid gas of the mine, it is clearly evident that all these 
 
 anti-inflammable products will diminish considerably the explosive capacity of a lengthened 
 
 column. 
 
 But, should the carburetted hydrogen be abundant, or the vitiation on a small scale, 
 the mine containing little carbonic acid gas naturally, the column will rise to a dangerous 
 explosive condition — the worse the longer its course; without, indeed, it become so sur- 
 charged with the gas as to contain one-fourth, and rise above the explosive point. 
 
 These reasons will explain sufficiently, that in long courses it is a vitiation rather than a 
 dilution of the carburetted hydrogen in the air, that produces the less explosive capacity of 
 the column. Were it not so, the effects should be the contrary, for the gas has a greater 
 proportion of diluting fluid at the winning or commencement of the workings than when 
 miles of excavation have been added ; and, consequently, if the pit is at first more fiery, 
 it cannot be dilution, but some other counteracting agents that destroy the inflammability in 
 long courses. This will show why long courses are sometimes thus less explosive than short, 
 which also in newly-opened mines maybe further rendered still more so, by the greater 
 abundance of the pure light carburetted hydrogen, at first escaping in large quantities 
 without intermixture with carbonic acid gas or nitrogen, while the inflammable gas, as the 
 course is extended, at the same time gradually diminishes or exhausts itself, as demonstrated 
 in the case of Wallsend goaf, and every old working. 
 
 The easy destruction of explosive mixtures by anti-inflammable gases, abundant or easily 
 and inexpensively produced in the mines, might in many situations, as goaves, wastes, 
 and unfrequented passages, be effected, it is probable, by a proper application of skill 
 and ingenuity. 
 
 Mr. Buddie, of Wallsend, the able pitman and distinguished viewer, introduced a great Mr. Buddie's system 
 and beneficial change in ventilation previous to the year 1813.^6) Having observed the of ventilation, 
 frequent accidents and obstructions to mining, on Spedding's system, bypassing the whole 
 current that had swept the mine at its termination when surcharged with gas, over the 
 furnace, to the frequent danger of explosion, he invented a dumb furnace, or another passage 
 to the upcast, without the foul air coming in contact with the fire at all. He then continued 
 to further perfect his plan by splitting or dividing the air, not only in two ground columns, 
 but eventually into several, as the extent or nature of (he mine might require; till in 
 October 1839, when the Committee visited his colliery at Wallsend, its longest course was 
 not over four miles in length. To such extent now has the splitting of air columns obtained 
 in the Tyne and Wear collieries, that on a visit to Pensher, on the Wear, in April 1840, the 
 Committee found no course longer than two miles ; although, in some instances, courses are 
 in existence from 10 to 12 in extent. Dividing or splitting the air, and dumb furnaces, 
 Mr. Buddie has had in full operation since 1815, (c) and they are now generally adopted in 
 the north. 
 
 To demonstrate the principle by which the foul returns are made without passing over the 
 furnace by the mere rarefaction of the upcast column of air, and which strongly exemplies 
 ventilation by fire : Pensher Pit, at 246 yards down, has a six feet furnace in the lowest 
 (Hutton seam ; and this furnace not only ventilates the particular seam in which it is placed, 
 but by rarefying the air in the entire upcast (the Mill Pit) ventilates the three superincum- 
 bent coal strata with their mines, (the maudlin, the main, and the five quarters' seam,) whose 
 passages all terminate in it. 
 
 The upcast, 8 feet in diameter at 120 yards from the surface, had its air heated to 108° 
 Fahrenheit, although 126 yards higher in the shaft than the furnace, and about 40 yards 
 above the furnace the ascending column was at 135° Fahrenheit, while the thermometer at 
 the pit mouth, in the atmosphere, stood at 46°. 
 
 The difference of temperature between the heated air of the upcast and that in any of the 
 mines was in none of them less than 40°; in the Maudlin seam it was 72°, and nearer the 
 furnace at the Hutton seam the difference was 140°. The consequence was, that the colder 
 air from all the passages and galleries of the superjacent mines, as well as that in which 
 the furnace was placed, kept pressing into the heated and rarefied column of the upcast, 
 producing currents of ventilation of as great power as are to be found in other mines of the 
 north. 
 
 On the principle of rarefaction, and the difference in density and weight between the The dumb drift, and 
 column of air in the downcast and passages of the mine and that of the upcast, any opening its proper exit in the 
 made into the latier from any part of the works has immediately a current pressed through u P cast - 
 it. Of this principle Mr. Buddie ingeniously availed himself by collecting the foul returns 
 from the explosive parts of the mine and passing them by a drift (the dumb drift) over the 
 furnace, instead of through it, to the upcast, which thus prevented any possibility of explo- 
 sion at the furnace, sometimes accurring on the old system. The dumb drift, or drift for 
 the foul returns, is always now of this nature, and is carried into the shaft 10 to 20 fathoms 
 
 above 
 
 (a) Davy's Researches on Flame, p. 11. (fc) See Mr. Buddie's Letter to Sir It. Milbanke, 1813. 
 
 (c) See Parliamentary Evidence, 2002 to 2011. 
 
 0.62. Y 4 
 
176 
 
 APPENDIX TO REPORT FROM THE 
 
 The average velocity 
 of air currents. 
 
 Appendix, No. 4. above the furnace drift ; carrying it so high up in the shaft for securing against explosion 
 — — from the furnace seems not to be quite necessary, as, for the reasons adduced a page or two 
 
 back, were it even brought out only a few feet above the furnace drift, the vitiation of the 
 air from furnace combustion would, on its intermixture, render the foul returns sufficiently 
 inexplosive to prevent any chance of accident, even if heated matters reached it : and lower 
 in the shaft a greater current would be necessarily obtained. 
 
 The average velocity of the air through the passages of mines, on the present system in 
 the north, does not generally exceed three feet per second, (a) In many instances, where the 
 mine is most dangerous, it is much less. 
 
 Several mines that the Committee have visited show a rate of circulation alarmingly 
 small ; and which are fair examples of the system but too prevalent amongst them. 
 
 Three or four of these extensive and important collieries the Committee will evidence, in 
 condensed detail, to prove the condition in which they have found their ventilation: — 
 
 The First Example has from 70 to 75 miles (b) of passages, and has only one pit 13 £ feet 
 diameter for ventilation, drawing coals, pumping water, and every operation necessary between 
 the surface and the works. 
 
 This pit, 850 feet deep, is divided for 480 feet down into three portions : the downcast, 
 engine, and upcast shafts ; but at that depth the engine shaft air all passes into a high seam 
 of workings at present unemployed; and the pit to the bottom, 370 feet, is contracted in 
 its diameter to 10| feet, which is divided into two equal parts. One for a downcast, to 
 convey the air into the low mine, thrown down by a dyke or dislocation thus far from the 
 upper scam ; and the other an upcast to return it after it has swept the passages and been 
 vitiated by combustion, respiration, and the deleterious gases. 
 
 Superficial Feet. 
 
 The area of the pit, down to the high seam, is 143 
 But the partitions, called the main brattice (7 inches), and quarter 
 brattice (5 inches), with the pump, reduce this area more than - 12 
 
 Tremendous extent 
 of galleries to shaft 
 area. 
 
 Leaving 
 
 - 131 
 
 Of which considerably upwards of one-fourth forms the upcast, 
 and which by actual measurement at the settle boards was (for 
 upwards of 500 acres of pillar work) - - - - - 3fi 
 The engine shaft, supplying the high seam, is - - - - 21 
 At 480 feet down the diameter of the pit is reduced to 10^ feet (as 
 we have stated), which, being equally divided by a brattice, 6 feet 
 area, leaves the downcast for the whole supply of air to the lower 
 mine of 400 acres - -- -- -- --37 
 
 But for twelve hours a day, the most dangerous time, when the men and boys are with 
 lights in every recess of the workings, there is a further reduction of the areas of the 
 downcast and upcast, by the area of the corf which in a colliery of only one pit is generally 
 worked in both shafts. There are three corves at a time in each : three full coming up 
 and three light going down. In some collieries there are only two in each shaft. In others 
 cages and tubs are used — the latter about the same area as the corf, nearly eight feet ; and 
 with the slides and cages lake up more space than the corf. These corves take 1 \ minute 
 to ascend the 850 feet, and in about 20 seconds are in the shaft again : thus for twelve hours 
 a day, while the coals are drawing, they may be said to form a solid part of the shaft ; for 
 though when light, being strong baskets, they are partially pervious to air ; when full of 
 coals they present a resistance ot their entire upper and lower surfaces. In the downcast. 
 they are more injurious : for ascending the shaft against the descending column of air at a 
 rate of Qh feet per second ; the air having a velocity of only 8| ; were there not a more 
 powerful counteracting cause they would not only obstruct its entrance, but would propel 
 it outwards from the shaft. 
 
 Each corf is area - - - 
 
 Which will leave a total clear downcast of 
 
 And total clear upcast - - - - 
 
 8| feet 
 28i „ 
 27* „ 
 
 So that for this extensive mine of 400 acres, 850 feet below the surface, there is, it 
 appears, at the most dangerous periods, only a passage of less than 6 feet by 5 square to 
 supply the entire mine with fresh air for men, horses, lamps, and fire, as well as to reduce 
 the inflammable gases below the explosive point. 
 
 Down the shafts described the air took 1 minute 40 seconds to descend ; so that through 
 these areas the supply is not more than about 30,850 cubic feet per minute . This is corrobo- 
 rated by a trial of its velocity in the main air course below, which gives for those 400 acres 
 29,250 cubic feet per minute. The slight discrepancy of these two volumes may be accounted 
 for by the rate of the shaft column being taken when the corves were out of it, and the 
 main air course when they were passing and the pit at work. There is in the C Pit at 
 
 Wallsend 
 
 (a) Parliamentary Evidence, Wood 901; Buddie 2314. 
 
 (b) According to Mr. Wood, Killingworth Pit must have nearly 160 miles gallery excavations. — Parliamentary 
 Evidence, 845. 1239. 
 
SELECT COMMITTEE ON COAL MINES. 
 
 177 
 
 Wallsend a reduction of nearly one-seventh of the supply in its 8 ft. gin. diameter by the Appendix, No. 4, 
 
 working of the corf, which corroborates the foregoing- conclusions. 
 
 . , . Rate of current ours 
 
 This column of air, of 29,250 cubic feet per minute, supplies this mine of about 30 millions one-tenth feet per 
 cubic feet of excavated passages, which, if it travelled the entire course without being second, 
 divided, would at that rate take 16 hours at least to travel through the whole mine, accu- 
 mulating yas as it advanced. But the air is split, as it is called, into two great columns, 
 two-thirds going to a more distant working, and one-third clearing the passages in another 
 direction. The whole column of air, before it splits, after it first leaves the downcast, moves 
 with a velocity of about 435 feet per minute in an area of 64y feet ; but one-third of this air 
 being separated for a western section of the mine, the two-thirds is then carried down to the 
 principal and most extensive workings, leaving for it about 19,500 cubic feet. This air, 
 losing one-third of its volume in the same area, is decreased in velocity to nearly 300 feet 
 per minute : but as it passes into the sheiks, panels, or divisions of the workings, and is 
 coursed up and down the boards, it is split into three distinct columns, each of 90 feet area, 
 and there creeps sluggishly through them at a rate of about 66 feet per minute, or l^thfeet 
 per second through Jice-stvenlks of the entire mine. 
 
 When we have observed, as at the beginning of this report, that the carburetted Willi such yeiitila- 
 hydrogen is so abundant as in one instance to surcharge an atmosphere at a rate of more ^oidaljle 0S10 "* WT> ^ 
 than 4,000 cubic feet per minute; in another, about 1,799; and from a small goaf of five 
 acres, a supply of 52 cubic feet of pure gas per minute, it may be fairly predicated, if no 
 more or better ventilation exists in the two former instances than in the case just detailed, 
 or if this had so large a discharge of gas, that they must all frequently be on the very 
 verse of explosion, especially in some stagnant recess of the mine of 70 miles extent of 
 galleries. When to this it is considered that these explosions are always from a very 
 limited -portion of the mine, as at Wallsend, St. Hilda, Willington, &c, and that the air 
 dwindles to a state of almost imperceptible motion, as we have seen, of not more than 
 l^|th foot, or 3-4ths of a mile per hour in the greatest part of the mine, it is matter of 
 surprise that these lamentable occurrences, instead of being occasional, are not incessant 
 and overwhelming. Living thus always on the verge of destruction it has excited amongst 
 the officers and men of mines a continual watchfulness and knowledge of dangerous 
 symptoms that alone enable them to proceed with any degree of safety in such a situation; 
 but in which, on the smallest error, or a contingency unforeseen or incapable of being 
 prevented — as a boy asleep or at play — a heated lamp — a broken wire — a sudden eruption 
 of gas, or a change in the wind and pressure of the atmosphere — and the bounds of safety 
 can no longer be preserved ; but tremblingly alive to their danger, as at Wallsend, they 
 are plunged unresisting victims into the abyss. 
 
 The fault is in the system, not in the officers and men. The Committee have seen the most 
 incessant care and watchfulness amongst them in almost every instance ; such as the loss of 
 life (their own amongst the number) and serious destruction of property, may be supposed 
 always to induce. But the Committee are perfectly convinced that with such a small force 
 of ventilation as can be obtained by the present plan, and as in the north is commonly 
 pursued — which the instance just detailed demonstrates — no human foresight or skill in its 
 application can obviate these explosions. While this imperfect ventilation is allowed to 
 continue, the mining districts and the public must prepare themselves for the continual recur- 
 rence of these dreadful calamities. 
 
 Example Second is a pit 14 feet diameter, for all purposes of ventilation, drawing coals, 
 &.c, to a mine of even more extensive subterraneous workings than the last, some of them 
 beneath the Tyne into an adjoining county, and upwards of 1,000 feet below the surface. 
 
 This pit, deducting area of brattices, about - 15 feet. 
 
 And corves, when working, two areas - - - - 17 „ 
 
 153.9384—32 
 
 Will leave about 122 feet area for shafts to this tremendous subterraneous exca- 
 vation. 
 
 The consequence was, when the Committee tried the air in the main courses after it had Second Example: cur 
 been divided into its great trunks : — In the north way, with an area of 65 feet, they found ren ^ 1 ft)0t P er se " 
 its rate under 3 feet per second ; in the west way, area 60 feet, 5| feet per second ; and, C °" 
 in the south, area 60 feet, 3^,th feet per second. This again, when split in the boards, 
 each 90 feet area, and coursed down and up two, without taking into account the immense 
 waste from imperfect brattices, ivould leave the almost imperceptible motion of little more than 
 1 foot per second, or about 2-3rds of a mile per hour; and from the west way, at the most, 
 1'8 foot, or 1| miles the hour. Thus reducing the general ventilation considerably lower than 
 half of that stated in the evidence of Messrs. Buddie & Wood. The able viewer of this pit, 
 by a judicious mode of splitting his air, and pouring it directly on the distant faces of his work, 
 and where his men arc employed, makes the best possible use of his very limited means of 
 safety. That the air thus struggling through these extended passages, where oozes gas at 
 every pore, at a rate of 30 cubic feet per second, should become surcharged and explosive, 
 is a physical consequence as clear as a mathematical demonstration. In such a system 
 there is everything to encourage the production of an explosive mixture, just sufficient air 
 to prepare, in some neglected recess, the combusiible : not enough to dilute or sweep it 
 away. Perpetually ready, on the slightest derangement of any of its machinery, it falls 
 O.62. Z naturally 
 
178 
 
 APPENDIX TO REPORT FROM THE 
 
 5ppe ndix, No. 4. 
 
 Example Third: one 
 Tentilating furnace 
 for four mines. 
 
 Tentilation of a goaf 
 
 MsampleFourth: cur- 
 rent 66 feet per se- 
 
 A jume all pilisr- 
 ^working; impercepti- 
 ble ventilation. 
 
 naturally at once into a vast arena of subterraneous thunder, whose tenors a boy's finger 
 can unloose. 
 
 Example Third is a colliery with four mines, having a detached upcast for the whole of 
 8 feet diameter. These four mines, as in a colliery already described, are superjacent 
 strata of coal, which are ventilated by one furnace placed in the deepest seam, upwards of 
 700 feet from the surface. In the furnace drift, of about 45 feet area, the air travels only 
 about 4*3 feet per second, passing about 1 1,610 cubic feet per minute from that mine, which 
 by its greatest depth, and possessing the furnace, should enjoy the fullest circulation. This 
 is corroborated by the entire upcast of the four mines, which is about 50| feet area, passing 
 the expanded air at the time of the Committee's visit, at the rate of 50,064 cubic feet per 
 minute. In one of the leading air passages, of 28 feet area, they found the current about 
 6 feet per second, supplying 10,080 cubic feet per minute, which, on being coursed in the 
 usual way in the boards, would not allow a rate of one foot per second, or -2-Zrds of a mile per 
 hour, and which in the upper mines would, as a matter of course, he much reduced below that 
 very small rate, rather yielding a draining or scaling of air than a free current of circulation : 
 a dangerous condition of ventilation, which, but for a careful and steady attention to the 
 mine, aided by their very short courses, none of which extend much over two miles, would 
 easily lead to very serious results, and might at any time set at defiance their ablest calcu- 
 lations and arrangements. 
 
 In one of these mines the Committee observed a goaf ventilated, though, of course, from 
 its nature, but imperfectly. A pressure of air was kept upon one side of this walled-up 
 reservoir of gas with apertures for the admission of the air, and in the opposite side similar 
 passages for its exit into the return current; this perpetual flow of air through it, and 
 amongst its broken and confused masses, tended very considerably to prevent the accumu- 
 lation and dangerous encroachment of the gas. The air, as it entered, was 63° Fahrenheit, 
 and on its exit with the gas 64°. 
 
 This plan of pressing the air upon goaves is generally pursued when working in their 
 vicinity, which is, of course, done to windward, and commonly with lamps ; bur it was so 
 well arranged in this instance, that the flame of the lamp gave clear indications of a fair, 
 steady current, not too often found in such situations. This mine, with its low state of 
 ventilation, is considered in a good workable condition, not inferior to or more dangerous 
 than any other colliery of the northern district. 
 
 Example Fourth is a mine upwards of 1,580 feet beneath the surface, with a single shaft for 
 its ventilation. The Committee found the air travelling in this pit, in the chief air passage, 
 at seven feet per second in an area of 36 feet, giving 252 cubic feet per second; and the return 
 air, in a passage of 30 feet area, travelling at the same rate of 7 feet per second, having, 
 running parallel to it, a passage of 18 feet area through which part of the returns crept at the 
 rate .66/ h of a foot per second, or much under half a mile per hour. A very good rate for pre- 
 paring an explosive mixture had there been an ordinary disengagment of gas, which, from some 
 peculiarity, was fortunately far from abundant. Whether this was caused by the depth of the 
 mine producing a temperatuie seldom below 80° Fahrenheit, conjoined with great displace- 
 ment and confusion in the strata, which may have effected early evolutions of gas., and pre- 
 vent! d 11s accumulation in large quantities by the frequent faults dividing these strata into 
 small impervious enclosures, and so affording, on opening the mine, easy and natural facilities 
 m the heat and disruptions for its escape, or whether from some other cause, it is perhaps 
 difficult to say. The fact is, however, indubitable, and foitunate it is that it is so; for, had 
 the gas been in the same abundance, as in some of the mines already instanced, the very 
 trifling volume of air passed into this mine, on the usual principles of dilution acted on, 
 would, if not improved, in a short time have compelled its relinquishment, by the produc- 
 tion of a series of explosions which would have laid it waste, and deterred the boldest 
 from entering it; for the only and certain effect of such admixture of air would have been 
 the production of an explosive compound, which, like a slumbering evil spirit, would have 
 swollen in every vein of the mine, concentrated in strength by the increased pressure of the 
 atmosphere from its depth, that neither safety-lamp, candle, nor furnace, could have touched 
 without awaking its terrible power. Less dangerous would it be if the supply of air was 
 reduced to the minimum proportion, with more than one-fourth, or 25 per cent, of gas, 
 which wculd place it above the explosive point, for such imperfect ventilation as that only 
 affords the food 1 hat gives life to the dangerous preparation. 
 
 The following is an extract from the minutes of a visit by the Committee to another ex- 
 tensive colliery, that were written at the time. It displays the daily condition of the mine, 
 which is so much in accordance with the usual principles of operation in the great coal 
 district, that no means are taken to produce a change : — > 
 
 " The depth to the ' high main 7 is about 600 feet. This mine has two distinct pits— a 
 downcast, about J 1 feet diameter, and upcast, 8 feet diameter— placed from each other, 
 distant on the surface about 200 yards. Near the bottom of the downcast, within a few 
 yards, found a lamp-room, beyond which no one was allowed to pass with a na.ked light 
 (all Davy lamps) for which there is great necessity, as in the ' high main' it is now all 
 pillar-working, with goaves all around, right and left. We went straight to the working 
 parties, at a considerable distance, (passed in our course through a whinstone dyke running 
 nearly east and west, about 15 fathoms thick), the passage to which had a small velocity of air, 
 the rate of which could not, of course, be tried in this mine in the usual vyay, as neither 
 explosion of gunpowder, nor measure by candle, could be attempted in its surcharged 
 atmosphere ; but the air scarcely bent the flame of the lump from its perpendicular, or was 
 
 perceptible 
 
SELECT COMMITTEE ON COAL MINES. 
 
 J 79 
 
 perceptible to the senses. It scaled off (the deputy stated) into the imperfectly stopped Appendix, No. 4. 
 
 goaves on one side of the passage ; the goaves on the other side being more carefully stopped. 
 
 The object was to get a pressure of air upon the goaves from the men, that the gas might 
 be kept in its reservoirs, or gently expelled into the returns o\\ the other side of the goaves. 
 * * * But the day before, from negligence of some party to a door which had 
 been left open, such current as there was had been divened into another direction, and the 
 consequence was, that that very morning the workings then visited had been fouled, the gas 
 having come off the goaves backward. It was, however, observed, the workmen were kept 
 back till the current was set right, and the furnace increased for a stronger ventilation, when 
 this insidious foe returned to its lurking-place, and the men were then going on as usual. 
 
 It is unnecessary to accumulate statements of more proofs. Nothing can more clearly Insufficiency of the ' 
 show than the instances j ust adduced the insufficiency of the practice, mode, and extent of v e n «lation. 
 the general system of ventilation pursued in the northern mines, although occasionally, as 
 at Wallsend, it may be more skilfully applied, (a) Had there been a more perfect and 
 fuller system in operation in any, humanity and interest, to say nothing of public opinion, 
 would have influenced its adoption in these. Or, the workmen, among-t whom at the pre- 
 sent day are men of intelligence, would, in self-preservation, have compelled the improve- 
 ment, or sought for such security in safer mines. 
 
 The Committee are therefore obliged, from a strong sense of public duty, to record their An imperative neces- 
 conviction, derived from personal inspection of many mines, and the fullest official infor- sity for a change, 
 mation of many others, that the system and rate of ventilation of the mines in this extensive 
 coal district require a great and important change; for, if allowed to continue, there is 
 scarce a single mine amongst them, with one or two rare exceptions, that in a day or hour 
 may not be plunged by some easy contingency into a destructive explosion, and that this 
 state of things is produced by too few shafts to the extent of under-ground workings, and 
 the consequent slow rate of air which is produced to sweep the passages, rapidly to remove 
 or fully to dilute the gas. 
 
 More Shafts and more Air. 
 
 More shafts and more air are the only certain remedy, the Committee are persuaded, for More shafts and m«Ke 
 this unsafe condition of these mines. This opinion is sustained by practical men, some of air. 
 them of great eminence. 
 
 R. Smith, Esq., a mining engineer, employed extensively in the Staffordshire mines, and Smith, 
 formerly in those of Portugal, and who brought into operation the dangerous mines of 
 Nova Scotia and Cape Breton, states, on his examination by the Committee of the House 
 of Commons, to Question 3852 — u Did anything occur to you as a practical man on hearing 
 these examinations, with respect to the danger so imminently incurred by the miners of that 
 district ?" (the Northumberland and Durham). " There did. It must be what occurred to 
 me on hearing the examinations, for I have never been in that district. It did appear to 
 me when I saiv the plan which Mr. Buddie exhibited, that their works were carried to an 
 extent beyond the safety of ventilation, considering the high per-centage of gas they were 
 represented to produce. I have no wish whatever to interfere with other people's con- 
 cerns, except so far as relates to the safety of miners ; and if I saw anything wrong in that 
 respect, I think I should not discharge my duty and my conscience utiles^ I tried to 
 remove it." 
 
 3854. — "You said in the very dangerous works you superintended in North America, He always relied oa 
 you relied entirely on ventilation! Yes, always, wherever I went ; I think I should not be ventilation alone, 
 doing justice to the miners under my care if I left them entirely exposed to the use of an 
 implement (the safety lamp), which, itself being liable to accident, might destroy the whole 
 of them. If there had been such an explosion in the coal mines in Nova Scotia as there 
 was in the north of England the other day (at Wallsend), it would have swept away the 
 entire establishment of the company." * * * And " when I saw the plan pro- 
 duced by Mr. Buddie, but which I had not an opportunity of examining carefully, nor ex- 
 cept when under examination by different gentlemen, / was surprised to see the extent 
 at which those mines were opened compared with the limited means of ventilation in the 
 shaft." 
 
 Thus speaks Mr. Smith of about one of the best ventilated mines in the north, with 
 4 distinct pits for 130 acres. What would have been his surprise to have examined their 
 average condition, or to have seen one shaft for 3, 4, 5, and 600 acres and upwards ? 
 
 In Staffordshire u they never like to take their pits more than about 300 yards from each In Staffordshire- oa& 
 other. Each is supposed to get from 15 to 16 acres of coal, (b) The average depth is about shaft to 16 acres". 
 540 feet. This gentleman has been fortunate enough never to lose any lives by explosion 
 in the mines he has managed. He adds, (c)— " The true principle of working mines will 
 be that of efficient ventilation; and my opinion is, that you never can work coal seams 
 
 any 
 
 (a) Wallsend possesses at this time about 75,000 cubic feet of air per minute for about 130 acres excavation, 
 through three shafts : one 8 feet 9 inches, and two each 6 feet diameter, the whole being unequal in area to a 
 14 feet pit. In the main air course of the chief pit, 64 feet area, the air travels at the rate of 10-9 feet per 
 second, and no course is longer than four miles ; notwithstanding, in the boards, the rate will be found below 
 the amount stated by Messrs. Buddie & Wood. 
 
 (6) Parliamentary Evidence, 3027-3123. (c) 3189. 
 
 0.6'2. Z 2 
 
»8o APPENDIX TO REPORT FROM THE 
 
 Appendix, No. 4. any other way so properly and profitably as by keeping the men always in a safe and healthy 
 atmosphere." 
 
 Walker. C. J. S. Walker, Esq., a colliery proprietor, near Manchester, gives this opinion: — "I 
 
 believe from what I have heard and what I have seen, that the best method is by keeping up 
 a proper ventilation for preventing these accidents." («) 
 
 Miichesou. ilafst*- George Mitoheson, a mine agent in Staffordshire, states, that ventilation, even by 
 
 the workmen, is considered so important that they " are always under the necessity of 
 putting their mines in a good state of ventilation before they (the men) will go to work 
 again after an explosion." (b) 
 
 Wood " Mr. Nicholas Wood, of Killingworth, considers ventilation " of the very greatest import- 
 
 ance-^ to produce a good current is of the very greatest importance." (c) 
 
 Elliot. Ralph Elliot, of Pensher, says : — " I would make free just to name one thing, which 
 
 might be of some importance in the prevent ion of accidents in coal mines. I think, if public 
 attention was more particularly called to the subject, and something done to get the best 
 system of ventilation made known to the country ; something of the kind, it is my opinion, would 
 be of service, (d) 
 
 In the metallic mines of Cornwall, in which they have no explosive or deleterious gas to 
 encounter, and the depth of which are not inferior to the coal mines of the north, one of 
 them being upwards of 1,500 feet deep, and on an average they art- not less than GOO feet, 
 yet they sink shafts every 2 or 300 yards for the purpose of ventilation. 
 
 Taylors — Proportion John Taylor, Esq., a civil engineer, entirely connected with mining, states (Minutes of 
 h! Cornwall galleneS Evidence, 133):—" 1 am sorry I cannot state to the Committee the number of shafts at 
 the consolidated mines (in Cornwall), but I think they extend, including the winges 
 (the staples), to more than 12 miles of perpendicular depth, and I believe the horizontal 
 galleries to more than 40." To a coal mine in the north, with galleries to nearly double 
 the same extent, they have a single shaft, or scarcely two-thirds op a mile in perpen- 
 dicular depth. 
 
 Mr. Taylor is asked (136)—" But as intimately connected with mining, cannot you 
 suppose a case in which a considerable period must elapse after the completing of one shaft 
 before it becomes expedient on the part of the owner to sink a second ?" His answer is, 
 " Ceitainly ; but we consider it the great duty of the directors of mines to foresee all such 
 circumstances ; and ice consider it the worst management possible to delay the sinking of shafts 
 to a period that would become inconvenient. I look upon that kind of foresight to be the 
 great improvement in modem mining." 
 
 137. — " That is, according to modern practice, you would avail yourselves of the shafts 
 hereafter expected to be wanted for the purpose of immediate ventilation 1 — Certainly.'* 
 
 140. — "Then by immediately working tip to a certain extent on your ulterior plan you 
 obviate the necessity of perfecting the ventilation at one shaft? — Yes." 
 
 On the introduction of the Davy lamp, Mr. Taylor doubted its nature, because he feared 
 " that it would tend to make the owners of collieries not take the sa?ne pains for ventilation 
 that they otherwise would do : my opinion being, that the only safe thing for collieries is to 
 get rid of the gas if possible." 
 
 He concludes (280) : — " Without presuming to know so much of collieries as to dictate 
 to those that manage them, I have always thought it desirable to try a more perfect venti- 
 lation of collieries, either by introducing a system of more numerous shafts, or by some 
 mechanical power." 
 
 Garforrh;— Shafts in John Garforth, Esq., a proprietor and director of mines in Lancashire, is asked, amongst 
 Lancashire, and cost, other things, by the Commons' Committee (3G46): — " Do not you think it would be an act 
 of kindness to enforce the constant use of the lamps in your mine ? — I think there is a better 
 wau." He replies, * * # " Sink more shafts: there will nothing else do. I have 
 been acquainted with it all my life, from 10 years old, and 1 am now approaching 70." And 
 that is the conviction of his lengthened experience—" Sink more shafts." 
 
 He says, in another place (3747) : — " Only sink pits enough, and it will be preferable to 
 all lamps." 
 
 He is asked : — " Would not the frequent sinking of shafts render the expense of working 
 the colliery much greater ? " " I think (he answers) they would save it by the lamps." 
 3751. " How ? — They would get more coals for the same money." 3752. — " Do you mean 
 that by bringing the coals a shorter distance they would raise them so much cheaper as to pay 
 for the extra expense of sinking so many shafts ? — That is my opinion." 
 
 The depths of their shafts are from 750 to 1,000 feet; and the diameter from ten feet 
 six inches to eleven feet six inches: and they have quicksands and feeders of water to 
 contend with. Yet to sink a shaft eleven feet diameter for about 250 yards, would cost there, 
 when walled icith brick and lime, about hi. a yard. This is a very frequent depth and 
 condition of the northern mines, where owners are deterred, it is professed, from sinking 
 sufficient shafts, by the enormous expense of sinking and securing. 
 
 The eminent engineer, George Stephenson, Esq., says to the same Committee, " the ven- 
 tilation in collieiies is certainly very faulty." (e) 
 
 This 
 
 (a) Parliamentary Evidence, 4180. (t) Idem, 2574. (c) Idem, 
 
 (d) Idem, 760. (r) Idem, 1562. 
 
SELECT COMMITTEE ON COAL MINES. 
 
 Appendix, No. 4. 
 
 Want of ventilation, 
 alone the cause of 
 explosion. 
 
 Bratticed shafts, and 
 their bad conse- 
 quences. 
 
 This Committee feel satisfied that there remains now not a shadow of doubt, of the 
 northern coal mines owing their dangerous condition to the want of ventilation, and to 
 that alone. But there exists from this imperfection of their ventilating arrangements, other 
 mischiefs of a destructive nature. In a mine limited t<> one or two shaft*, these shafts are 
 obliged to be divided into two or three, sometimes four compartments, by partitions of 
 wood called brattices, for the purpose of having at least one ascending and one descending 
 column of air — the upcast and downcast, and a division for the pump, &c. The con- 
 sequence is, that the woodwork is perpetually getting worn and deranged, when the air 
 rushes, from difference of temperature, through every crevice from the downcast to the 
 upcast, wasting, in their limited ventilation, the stream at its source. And from its weak 
 construction, in case of explosion, the lower part of this brattice is sometimes blown down, 
 thus entirely arresting the ventilation of the mine, which would not have occurred had 
 there been two or three separate pits. This took place at Killingworth in 1806, and for 
 want of ventilation it was 23 or 24 weeks before they could reach the bottom of the shafts; 
 and on the explosion at Wallsend in 1835, about 30 fathoms of the brattice were blown 
 down, by which, out of the 102 lives lost, Mr. Buddie thinks 40 to 50 were destroyed that 
 might have been saved. 
 
 These divisions of shafts are most expensive to keep in repair; they have been known, 
 in some shafts, to cost 1,500 /. a year, (a) Water in the upcast is obliged to be kept running 
 down the bratt ce opposite the furnace drift to prevent its taking Hie, which being kept 
 moist at a high temperature speedily decays; and, in some instances, the pit is obliged to 
 be laid off, and the furnace put out every fortnight for the workmen to go into the shaft to 
 make repairs. 
 
 The expense in labour, wood, ropes, and time, the Committee believe, would, after a few 
 years, fully compensate for additional shafts; when the facilities of working and drawing 
 the coal, and ventilating the mine, are, in addition, taken into account. 
 
 Mr. Georsre Stephenson, in a communication to this Committee, expresses decidedly the Letter from George 
 same opinion; a large extract from which is heie given, as it contains his matured and Stephenson, Esc l- 
 experienced conviction on that and one or two other points : — 
 
 " It would give me the greatest pleasure," he says, " if I could throw out any hints to 
 you, whereby the accidents that are frequently occurring in coal mines could be prevented. 
 
 " The workings underground of a large colliery are so complicated that it is a difficult 
 task to improve the mode of ventilation: (A) there is always a number of doors required in 
 a large mine, and anyone of these doors being left open, by a boy fulling asleep, (c) may 
 cause some part of the mine to become charged with hydrogen gas, and an explosion from 
 that district may follow, although the safely-lump be in use, they may not always be in a 
 perfect state. There ought to be a person who thoroughly understands the lamps, to have a 
 cabin or house a certain distance from the downcast shaft, and in a situation where the 
 current of atmospheric air is so strong that no danger can be apprehended in that quarter. 
 No lamp ought to be made use of which has not passed through this man's hands, (d) But 
 after all this precaution a lamp may become fractured by a blow, and in a situation where 
 the ventilation is not perfect. 
 
 " Great care should be taken always to have a double current for the air-course in the old 
 workings, as falls are frequently taking place, obstructing the passage of the air; indeed, I 
 have known defects frequently take place from the cause here stated. 
 
 " I think the ventilation of coal mines would be much more certain if two pits were sunk His objection to 
 instead of one ; the system in the neighbourhood of Newcastle has been to sink one large shaft, fcrat dced shafts. 
 and to divide it into two, three, or four divisions, between the one and the other being only five 
 inches of wood. The air for ventilating the mine descends on one side, and after passing 
 through the workings ascends up the other; the partition is frequently wearing out of order, 
 and the air oozes through from the downcast to the upcast, there being a difference in the 
 weight of the atmosphere in the one shaft and the other, arising to the one beino- heated by 
 the furnace, while the other is not; and whatever air passes from the downcast to the upcast 
 through the partition will diminish the quantity passing through the workings. 
 
 " AW / consider that a much better, and, in the end, much cheaper ventilation, tvould be 
 carried on by having two pits instead of one. The Killingworth pit was 14 feet diameter, 
 divided into four shafts by wooden partitions, as above described. Now four seven-feet 
 shafts yield the same cubic contents as the one 14 feet, (e) It is true that the dressing of 
 the sides in walling in the small shaft is double that of the 14 ; but, then, all the wooden 
 partitions are saved, which will make up the difference of the cost. By this plan only one rope 
 would be required in each shaft, and the whole carried on with less ivear-and-teur, and much 
 safer for the men ascending and descending, and the ventilation up and down the shaft always 
 perfect. 
 
 " I have 
 
 (a) Parliamentary Evidence, 2127. 
 
 (b) This remark refers only to the extensive underground workings on the present system, where a compli- 
 cated series of passages, stoppings, (lours, and brattices, is required to force the air round the whole mine. 
 More numerous pits, or greater force of air, would remove considerably the difficulty and the risk, as is being, 
 shown. 
 
 (c) This is a proof of the necessity of not employing boys for that purpose, of 6, 7, 8, 9, and 10 years, as tou 
 commonly done. 
 
 (d) Such an arrangement in fiery mines is already very generally in existence. 
 
 (e) Each seven-feet pit area being .'38-4846 feet, will give for the four, 153 9384, the area of the 14 feet pit. 
 
 0.62. z 3 
 
182 
 
 APPENDIX TO REPORT FROM THE 
 
 Appendix, No. 4. 
 
 His plans in Leices- 
 tershire, Derbyshire, 
 and Lancashire. 
 
 Accidents generally 
 from faults in venti- 
 lation. 
 
 An Actof Parlia- 
 ment to regulate 
 ventilation. 
 
 " I have opened out a large colliery in Leicestershire on this plan ; shafts 222 yards deep, 
 and perhaps fewer accidents for the work done than any colliery in existence. I am likewise 
 opening out some in Derbyshire on the same plan, and likely to be as extensive as any on the 
 Tync or Wear, and the coal highly ©barged with fire-damp. I have adopted the same 
 principle in Lancashire, rohere the pits will be upwards of 500 yards deep ; and from all my 
 experience I am satisfied that it will be cheaper in the end than sinking the large shaft. 
 
 " It has frequently been proposed by people unacquainted with mining, to carry air into 
 the workings by means of pipes, and also to get the Jire-damp out by the same means : 
 such a scheme can only be proposed from ignorance. Archways may in many cases be 
 applied instead of doors in the walking — that is, one cunetit of air being carried over the 
 back of the other. There are always people employed underground, called wastemen, to 
 look after the air currents : the work that these men have to do cannot be overlooked by a 
 superior ; and these men, if not honest in doing their duty, may lie down and sleep instead of 
 working, and the air-course is then neglected. Now if a plan can be laid down to have a 
 commission formed by the various coal-owners to look after the men occasionally, by 
 examining the whole of the air-course under their charge; and if any part of the mine 
 should not give a certain number of cubic feet, some punishment to be put upon the waste- 
 men for such neglect, (a) I am quite aware there will be some difficulty in making such 
 arrangements, yet I think it might be done. The quantity of cubic feet of area required 
 for any mine can be found ; and, generally speaking, there has been some fault in the ventila- 
 tion of the mine when accidents have occurred. 
 
 " All doors ought to be hung that they will not remain open unless kept so by force. It does 
 appear to me that an Act of Parliament might be obtained to have power to cause certain regu- 
 lations to be attended to in the ventilation of mines. There will, however, be some difficulty 
 in obtaining the Act, as there are so many conflicting opinions respeciing the working of 
 mines. I am myself very deeply concerned in coal mines, and shall be ready at all times 
 to render you any assistance in my power." 
 
 It will be observed that Mr. Stephenson's communication enforces strongly the necessity 
 of having distinct and separate shafts, both from ultimate cheapness and indubitable supe- 
 rior advantages. Indeed, were the cost greater than it is, the absolute necessity of an entire 
 change in the present practice on this point is urgent and unavoidable. The Committee 
 are so satisfied of its future adoption, that they feel assured no new mining operation will 
 be attempted without having recourse to distinct ventilating shafts, discarding the old- 
 fashioned, unscientific, and dangerous single pit for ever. 
 Errorsof the Com- This Committee have observed with regret that the Commons' Committee of 1835 had 
 moans' Committee of been erroneously impressed, and endeavoured to extend that impression, that the enormous 
 sha't sinki'nf 0081 °^ cos * °^ shiking a single shaft precluded the possibility of attempting a second for the same 
 colliery ; that no proprietors, considering the nature of the speculation and profits, would be 
 induced to advance so large a capital as would in such case he required, and that conse- 
 quently should such a system be brought into operation, a number of valuable collieries 
 would thereby be thrown out of existence. 
 
 When Mr. Taylor is recommending to that Committee (280) more numerous shafts for 
 ventilation, they asked him " if he was aware that the cost of sinking a single shaft would 
 frequently, in the counties of Durham and Cumberland, exceed 100,000 1.V (b) and when 
 Mr. Garforth, of Lancashire, is telling them that though they have there feeders of water 
 and quicksands to contend with, yet they can sink a shaft of 11 feet diameter 250 yards, 
 and properly walled, for 1,200/. to 1,500/., a little more than 5 1, a yard, they astonish him 
 by stating, " that in many districts of the north a shaft of the same diameter, and to the same 
 depth, would cost 50,000/." (c) 
 
 These assertions of that Committee are entirely unsupported by the facts of the case, and 
 seem to be an extraordinary exception or two (such as Monkwearmonth, said to have cost 
 80,000/.), which they have entertained as the ordinary scale of sinking, instead of the usual 
 and average cost of such an operation. Mr. Buddie himself, in describing an instance of 
 the worst description, and reasoning against the sinking of more capital in the same mine by 
 more shafts, admits, that he cannot give the Committee an idea of the expense of sinking 
 difficult shafts, but "he believes there are some that have cost 40,000 1, and upwards to reach 
 the coal." (d) Now Mr. Buddie, with his very extensive experience in every description of 
 mine — and a man of his eminence would.be certain to be consulted in almost every difficult 
 case — cannot affirm that he knows of any shaft that has cost 40,000/. ; but " he believes 
 there are some." Although a gentleman experienced in all the difficulties of his pro- 
 fession, and acoalowner himself, he knows no case where a shaft cost that amount; yet the 
 Commons' Committee impress upon their evidence that there are some cost 50,000/., and in 
 several cases exceed 100,000/. On this point of such vast importance to the mines, it is 
 
 deeply 
 
 (a) This seems to be more peculiarly the duty of the viewer and officers of each particular mine, and not of a 
 general commission. Although these wastemen are not conveniently to be followed in their daily course through 
 the old passages, yet it is the bounden duty of a superior officer frequently and unexpectedly to appear amid 
 the scene of their operations, when so much depends upon their honest performance, and to demand a daily 
 account of their proceedings. He has also a check in the mine itself when obstructions cake place in ventilating 
 passages to any extent; the pressure and gorging of the other passages make the wind whistle and sound more 
 loudly through the doors and crevices, which intimate danger by "calling." 
 
 (b) Parliamentary Evidence, 281and 2. (c) Idem, 3755, 6', and 7. (d) Idem, 2150. 
 
SELECT COMMITTEE ON COAL MINES. 
 
 183 
 
 Appendix, No. 4. 
 
 Average cost of 
 shafts. 
 
 deeply to be regretted that the Committee had not instituted a series of inquiries that would 
 have elicited correctly the exact expense of shafts of different depths and diameters in 
 various localities in the several mining districts. They would thus have produced most 
 valuable informaiion for the future safety of mines, as well as their economical working, 
 and, this Committee feel assured, would have placed the above extraordinary sums in very 
 striking contrast with the real amounts of cost. 
 
 From the best information which this Committee has been able to obtain, shafts can be 
 sunk even in this difficult Coal District, on a regular average, at least from 70 to 80 
 per cent, less than stated by the Commons' Committee: the mere sinking of the shaft and 
 wallim: not amounting to much more than stated for Lancashire. A single 11 feet pit, 
 down for 300 yards, would not cost more, under ordinary circumstances, than 2,000 /. to 
 •2,300 I.: — nor would a 14 feet pit, for the same depth, require a greater sum than fiom 
 2,500 to 3,000. But as both for reducing such feeders of water (some of them 1,000 gallons 
 a minute, or, as at Haswell, upwards of 26,000 tons a day), which are probably to be met 
 with in the shaft, generally from 30 to 70 fathoms down, till the tubbing or caissons are 
 fixed, and also for keeping the mine afterwards clear, a large pumping engine of from 200 
 to 300 horse-power, is generally required : — For example, if of 250, there will be an addi- 
 tional expense of about 5,500/. for an engine with its ma>onry, &c, but which is as much 
 for the mine as the shaft ; and only one generally, besides winding engines, for the sinking of 
 two or more shafts, need be erected on a single colliery. 
 
 The Committee have data before them showing the expense of sinking some ventilating 
 and winding shafts eight feet diameter, nearly 200 yards down, that did not amount to 3 /. 
 per yard for sinking and walling; and one 11 feet engine pic that cost less than 5 I. per 
 yard. These shafts weie lately sunk in this district, and there was only one 250 horse 
 engine at the largest. On the same system, two shafts at least may be invariably put down 
 under the operation of one pumping engine, absolutely necessary to be afterwards employed. 
 After one shaft is sunk, or when it is being in progress, without there be some extraordinary 
 and unusual quicksand or feeder of water, a second is put down much more easily, as the 
 first serves to drain and keep the other dry, if placed within a reasonable distance. As 
 a proof of a better light dawning on this point, the Committee have the satisfaction of 
 observing that two 14 feet shafts for one mine are progressing simultaneously in a difficult 
 district, though they will have to be sunk nearly 400 yards before reaching coal. 
 
 A solitary instance at Datton-le-Dale, in the Durham district, of an almost impassable Datton-le-Dale 
 quicksand, which required many months' exertions, and a power of engines of 1,274 horses, sha f ts and engines, 
 never before employed at a colliery, must not be taken as a rule, but another striking excep- 
 tion to the facility of such operations. Yet even in this extreme case, so satisfied are the 
 intelligent owners and viewer of the necessity of abundance of shafts, that, though they 
 have two 14 feet pits within 45 yards of each other, they are expending this immense labour 
 and cost to add another of 16 feet diameter within a 55 yards' range of them. Perhaps 
 had they planted this pit at the limits of their intended ventilation, if not to be used 
 chiefly as an engine pit, it might, m addition to avoiding the quicksand, have been more 
 advantageous as an upcast, saving the waste of a return current and the friction of half its 
 extent. 
 
 The average rate, which should rule, is such as has been stated : and when it is considered 
 that the repairs cf a bratticed shaft not unfrequently amount to from 1,200 /. to 1,500 I. 
 annually, and that the cost of one or two small ventilating shaft;;, of six or ei^ht feet 
 diameter, will, in most instances, amount each to little more, it surely is both consistent with 
 humanity and economy invariably to adopt them. 
 
 It is difficult to form an exact opinion as to the number of shafts required for an extensive Number of acres to 
 mine, which vary somewhat according to circumstance ; but considering that in the metallic a shaft, 
 mines of Cornwall, as deep as the coal mines of the north, for the sake of healthy ventilation 
 alone, they have shafts not more than 300 yards from each other : — that in Staffordshire, 
 where gas and danger are not so abundant from their average depth being about 75 
 fathoms, they generally have their shafts for the same purpose not further apart than 300 
 yards, which ventilate not more than 15 to 16 acres each : — that in Lancashire, they almost 
 never sink less than two or three shafts together ; and that Mr. Buddie, the great improver 
 of ventilation in the noith, has for Wallsend, 140 fathoms down, four shafts for about 130 
 acres, two of them six feet diameter ; it appears reasonable to conclude, that in no case 
 ought there to be less than one ventilating shaft, however small in diameter, apportioned to, 
 -at the least, every 40 acres ; and that no " winning " should be allowed to be made, unless 
 two distinct shafts have been previously put down, which should be seemed by 
 Act of Parliament (a). 
 
 In the arrangement of the downcast and upcast shafts it is necessary to keep in view 
 that the latter, in furnace ventilation, should always be at least as large as the former, 
 
 because u P casls « 
 
 Proportionate area 
 of downcasts and 
 
 (a) George Stephenson, Esq., conceives ventilation is a clear subject of arithmetical calculation. He thinks 
 "if a certain current could be by law forced up to the neighbourhood of the mine in a certain area of space, it 
 would be a great certainty as to preventing explosions. He does not know whether such a law could be carried 
 into execution." When asked if there is a total ignorance of any theory as to the required extent and nature of 
 the supply of air, in answer, "he believes quite so." — Pari. Evid. 1802 and 3. He also thinks a code of laws 
 might be established to prevent accidents in mines, though he could not give a decided answer. — Pari. Evid. 
 1813 and 14. 
 
 0,62. 
 
184 
 
 APPENDIX TO REPORT FROM THE 
 
 Appendix, No. 4. because there is fully one-seventh more expansion in it,- taking the average difference of 
 temperature in the two shafts at 70°, which is low. If as much as in some particular pits 
 at certain periods, the proportion would be still greater. The unfortunate error exists of 
 almost invariably having ihe areas of the downcasts greater than those of the upcasts, some- 
 times in a proportion of nearly two to one, it not being observed that the expansion by heat, 
 after combustion of the products of the air, the nitrogen and carbonic acid gases, acts 
 directly as an obstruction, and consequently reduces the admittance of air through the 
 downcast by that amount, which is only paitially relieved by the increased velocity of ihe 
 upcast. Mr. N. Wood " thinks the area of the upcast pit ought to be larger than that of 
 the downcast pit." Mr. Smith is also of the same opinon ; or the velocity must be greatly 
 increased to remedy the defect («). 
 
 Even with the more abundant sources of ventilation, above detailed, it is necessary not to 
 neglect the improved advantages which modern science offers to set in motion the columns 
 of air that present themselves in these shafts. If the current be still allowed to creep 
 sluggishly through an eight or ten miles' course, at a rate in many parts of not more than one 
 foot per second, no great advantages will be derived from the proposed change. For if a 
 mine discharges gas at the rate shown at the commencement of this report, or approximates 
 even distantly to the proportion as instanced from five acres, there will be produced an 
 enormous body of gas in the 24 hours, which ought to be diluted and swept away, not by the 
 dangerous proportion of 25 or 30 times its own bulk, of air, but by a quantity infinitely 
 further removed from the chance of accident. 
 
 Gurney on high 
 pressure steam 
 ventilation. 
 
 Hiyh-pressure Steam Ventilation. 
 
 An admirable suggestion for t he procuring an increased force of ventilation has been 
 made by the discoverer of the Bude Light, the scientific and ingenious Gurney. It is the 
 application of high-pressure steam, which, the more the Committee have examined, has grown 
 the more valuable in their opinion ; they now feel assured it is fully adequate to every 
 condition of the mine, and will produce with more certainty and safety an increased rate of 
 ventilation than can be effected by any other means. 
 
 Mr. Guiney first made the suggestion before the Parliamentary Committee in 1835, 
 and since the organization of the South Shields Committee, at their request, he has more 
 fully detailed, in several communications, the power, safety, cheapness, and facility of its 
 application. The matter seems so impoitantin ihe eyes of the Committee that they give 
 these valuable documents almost entire : — 
 
 " Sir, " Bude, 27 September 1839. 
 
 " I have been absent on the Continent for the last six weeks, and your letter addressed 
 to me in London, respecting fire-damp, was sent, with others to this place to await my 
 return. I beg to answer it now, though I fear too late for your views. Since I gave 
 evidence before the Committee of the House of Commons in 1835, I have had occasion to 
 experiment extensively on the power and practical effect of ventilation by high-pressure 
 steam, and see no occasion to alter my opinion there given. In regard to lighting coal 
 mines by reflected light, within certain range and favourable position I believe it practi- 
 cable; in very extensive galleries it would be difficult, if not impossible, to do it from 
 external sources of artificial light; but I conceive the new light which I have introduced 
 at the lighthouses, and which has been called the ' Bude Light' may be insulated from 
 danger in the galleries of mines; and from sources so insulated many mines may be lighted 
 and worked with safety, using the luminaries as focal centres for parabolas or refractors, 
 with the dioptric or catoptric systems, as circumstances render most available. Any infor- 
 mation I can give, I shall have much pleasure in communicating," &c. &c. 
 
 " Sir, " London, 29 October 1839. 
 
 " In the downcast shaft, of 41 feet area, a current of air, of the rate of 20 miles per hour, 
 must be effected to quadruple the quantity of air now passed through the mine by the 
 furnace, (b) To do which, I should recommend the high pressure steam to be applied in 
 the upcast shaft, which, I presume, is about five feet six inches square. The power to 
 produce the above current and correspond ing velocity through the galleries, cannot be 
 accurately determined unless the diameters, Sec. were first ascertained, but for the end in 
 view sufficiently so for practice. 
 
 " Sixteen jets, of 5-lfith area, fed by steam of 40 lb. to the inch, placed not less than 
 30 feet deep in the upcast, and equally divided through its sectional area, would produce 
 this rate of current through the downcast shaft. They should point perpendicularly 
 upwards, and be supplied by one tube, or steam-pipe, equal to the sum of the area of all, 
 from a boiler placed in any convenient situation out of the mine. The principle of ventila- 
 tion by this means is positive, the only question is that of expense; and where coals are cheap, 
 it possibly is the cheapest. There is no maddnery to get out of order; and as one or two 
 spare boilers might always be fixed and ready, it seems to me as certain as any human 
 means can accomplish. It need not interfere with the furnace ventilation, and as they 
 would assist each other, the latter should be retained, in which case, if anything occasioned 
 
 the 
 
 (a) Parliamentary Evidence, 924-3859. 
 
 (b) This is in reference to a particular mine, the extent and area of its passages and rate of ventilation, 
 having been given him. 
 
SELECT COMMITTEE ON COAL MINES. 
 
 185 
 
 the steam ventilation 10 stop, the furnace wouhi go on. The boiler should not be less Appendix, Mo. 4 
 
 than 30 horse power. Some accuracy in adjustment and form of opening of jet is important 
 
 to full effect, whieh I will communicate 5 or, if you desire to try the experiment, I will, with 
 great pleasure, come down and give you all the practical information in my power." 
 
 " Dear Sir, " 8 February, 1840. 
 
 " From the boiler A, Fig. 1, let a gas-pipe, BB, one inch and a quarter diameter, be carrier! T) escr j pt j on of 
 down the upshafi to E ; say 20 or 30 feet deep. The pipe, BB, must be made to connect ratus. 
 with a series of pipes, cc, Fig. 2 (horizontal section at E), one. of which is shown, vide Plan, 
 No. I. A, C, in Fig. 1. Screwed into the series of pipes, small ? jets are to be placed about 
 a foot distance from each other, as shown at a, a, Fig. 1, and a, a, Fig. 2. A full size 
 drawing of one of these jets is shown Fig. 4; D, the branch tube; F, the jet tube, closed 
 at the end H to 3-16ths diameter. 
 
 " I have supposed the upcast to be about six feet square : the number of jets are pro- 
 posed to be 25: this number will, I conceive, be sufficient to produce the rate of draft 
 required ; a larger number, however, would increase the draft current. If the shaft be 
 round, the arrangements might be made, as shown at Fig. 3: a cylindrical shaft is prefer- 
 able to a square one. 
 
 " You will observe from these rough drawings that very small pipes are required, which 
 would be easily and inexpensively fitted: the rate of current of air produced will depend 
 entirely on the pressure of steam, as it escapes at the orifices of the jets a a a. The 
 pressure will be gov< rued by the boiler, and regulated through the jets by the stop-cock 
 K, Fig. 1. # # # # You will observe that the apparatus is very simple, 
 and not likely to become deranged, so as to interrupt ventilation; on experiment you will 
 find the rate of current to be at command. 
 
 " 1 should much like to know the quantity of coals burnt to produce ventilation by the 
 present mode ; (a) judging from the effects and consumption in the House of Commons, where 
 I had opportunities of measuring very accurately, and where ventil ition is carried on by a 
 fire in the upshaft, analogous to your ventilation in coal mines, I should think the expense by 
 the high pressure steam system would be considerably less than it now is." 
 
 '' Dear Sir, " Argyle-street, 12 February 1840. 
 
 " In my last letter, I think I forgot, in reference to the full size drawing, No. 4, after the 
 words 'reduced to 3-1 6th/ to add, capable of being worked to 5-16ths; this applies to 
 the size of the openings where the steam is to escape fiom the jets. On looking over your 
 last letter I observe you described a mine of 35 miles' galleries, and only a 14 feet shaft; 
 in such a mine the steam blower, if applied, should be pluced at the bottom: thus at A, Fig. 5. 
 It matters not where it is placed in practice, provided there be a sufficient column of air above 
 to keep the current uniform, and 10 or 12 feet are sufficient for this. I stated 20 to 30 in 
 the drawings, and that becuuse it is better to have more than less. One observation more: — 
 The application of the vis-a-tergo of steam is effective in the horizontal galleries or down- 
 wards in the descending shaft, therefore in some cases ii may be more convenient to venti- 
 late bu forcing air through the mine than by exhausting in the upshaft; possibly in some 
 cases a double action maybe desirable. Air mixed with high-pressure steam (which it Air may be forced 
 would be if the blower be placed in the down shaft), might possibly be more agreeable to tm " ou §' 1 a m ' ne - 
 the men than without. Steam is perfectly dissolved in the current, and tends to warm it, 
 and I believe is very healthy to breathe. I conceive you are now perfectly acquainted wiih 
 the principle of steam ventilation, the practice you will, with your acuteness, see capable 
 of much modification to suit circumstances," &c. &c. 
 
 The Committee, by their secretary, pointed out to Mr. Gurney that fixing the steam- The furnace drift the 
 blower wi h iis jets in either of the shafts, while they were used both as ventilating shafts best situation for the 
 and winding shafts, or pits of extraction, as called by the French, would be impossible, for steam ventilator, 
 that large circular baskets, in most cases upwards of three feet diameter each, or iron tubs 
 of nearly the same area, were perpetually passing up and down them, and that consequently 
 some other arrangement would be necessary ; and they suggested for that purpose the 
 Furnace Drift, where, on the present system, the spring of the existing ventilation was placed. 
 
 The chief reasons assigned were: — That it would be more in accordance with the 
 established usage of pitmen to have it so placed, and that merely adding the boiler and 
 pipes to the furnace, which would necessarily continue to exist for the production of the 
 steam, a combination of rarefaction with a propelling power would be produced; and that, 
 should accident interrupt the operation of the steam-blower, the furnace movement, exactly 
 as at present, would continue. By such an arrangement, also, in the furnace drift, devoted 
 entirely to ventilation, the blower would be fixed in the most favourable position, and every 
 particle of heat, both fiom steam and fire, directly employed, as well as the force ol steam, 
 in the production of the desired effect; and much of the steam that would have been con- 
 densed into water, by the colder air in the shaft, would then be thrown off in the furnace 
 drift, free from the men and shaft operations, and which in its descent would have tended, 
 in some degree, to retard the upward current. " The valve, or door," which Mr. Gurney 
 inquires about in his succeeding letter, is absolutely necessary, and is always in existence 
 in the present mode of ventilation, so that there appears no obstacle to the easy adoption 
 of the steam-blower in the furnace drift. 
 
 • ■ ■> f if*- An 
 
 (a) In a six-feet furnace about one ton and a-half of scieened coals are used in 24 hours. In a seven-feet 
 furnace nearly two tons of coals, inclusive of about 18 cwt. shuj't, or shakings from the corves in the shaft, in the 
 same tune. The latter sized furnace is commonly used as the only ventilating power in many extensive mines. 
 
 0.62. A A 
 
1 86 
 
 APPENDIX TO REPORT FROM THE 
 
 Appendix, No.~4. An objection is frequently made to mechanical means by some practical men, because it 
 
 necessarily is liable to be injured and broken, and on such an occurrence would expose the 
 
 No mechanical action whole mine to danger. But the combination suggested by the Committee would obviate 
 to get interrupted or entirely this difficulty, and there is no machinery here to break or get deranged. A strong 
 injured. boiler and pipes will not easily be affected, and when they get wrong they can soon be 
 
 repaired ; or even, at the worst, if the fire for one or two days is obliged to be put out, 
 should they not have another boiler, as suggested by Mr. Gurney, they can only do as 
 many of them now do for a day or two every fortnight when repairing brattices : put on a 
 small water-power in the downcast from a pipe an inch, or inch and a half diameter, which 
 will be quite sufficient for ventilation till all again is ready. The objection seems more 
 tenable against a fan apparatus, air pumps, or other mechanical means in which machinery 
 is in powerful and rapid motion, than against steam ventilation with the furnace, in which no 
 such action exists; and, indeed, to which it cannot in any manner fairly apply. 
 
 Mr. Gurney's answer to the communication alluded to above is as follows : — 
 
 " Dear Sir, " Argyle Street, 14 February 1040. 
 
 The necessity of the " Ii would be more favourable if the steam jets could be arranged as shown in the draw- 
 ventilator affecting j n g I sent you, but they will be sufficiently effective if the steam be passed through a less 
 cTiimu^ 1 ° f number, provided each has sufficient power to start a column of air of a diameter that 
 
 shall extend to and fall into the current produced by the next jet, Therefore as three feet 
 is required in the centre ot the shaft for the corf to pass up and down, the number of jets 
 must be reduced to ten. Fig. 6. The sum of their areas being equal to those of the large 
 number, it will require the steam to be kept a little higher. If the jets were placed in the 
 diagonal opening, as shown in your sketch A, Fig. 7, the exhaustion B would be almost 
 wholly filled by a return current from C. At C the plus pressure takes place, consequently 
 if there is a pressure from it to the expansion point (B) acted on by steam, it will return 
 rapidly, and a circle of air would only he moved at a great, rate of succession. The same 
 would happen in the upshaft, provided the influence of the jets did not affect every part of 
 the column. Thus a badly arranged blower, with a three feet opening, would affect the air 
 in the shaft as shown by the arrows, Fig. 8; therefore it will be essential in practice to take 
 care that the jets are so placed, and of a power sufficient to move the whole of the 
 air in the given direction. 
 
 " If a valve or door could be placed at about D, (a) the blower would act as well in the 
 diagonal gallery as in the vpshaft, but this, I conceive, would be inconvenient, and not 
 worth cons dermg, as an arrangement similar to the one on the other side would be effective. 
 A three feet basket lakes up a greater part of the area of the shaft. Could this not be 
 made, and be equally convenient in work, of a greater depth and less diameter ?" 
 
 The Committee, previous to commencing their Report last year, again communicated 
 
 with Mr. Gurney on one or tuo points, which are detailed very clearly in his reply, 
 
 dated Hou>e of Commons, Dec. 3, 1841 : — 
 
 #-**##*# 
 
 " I believe," he says, the cast of ventilation by high-pressure steam will not exceed 
 that of the rarefied column as produced by the furnace now in use for low velocities; for 
 high velocities it stands alone, and admits of no comparison. 
 No limit to the velo- "Its great value for the purpose of ventilating coal mines consists in the fact that there 
 pity hifth-pressure ? ; s m p rac iical limit to the velocity of the current of air it is capable of producing under 
 jte.tm can produce. p r0 p er arrangement, the cost of which, I have reason to believe, will be the quantity of the 
 current multiplied by the squares of its velocity. In addition to the current of extreme 
 velocity, that of its being regulated at will, and according to circumstances, render it pe- 
 culiarly applicable for the practical purposes of coal mine ventilation. 
 
 " When applied to produce exhaustion, I have in experiment carried it so far as to raise 
 a column of water four feet high ; and when applied on the converse principle, I have pro- 
 duced a plenum which rose a column of water rive feet : this was on a large scale. On a 
 small scale 1 have raised a column of mercury nine inches. From these data you can 
 calculate the immense velocity of current which may be produced in extreme cases, if such, 
 which is improbable, can ever be required for discharging fire-damp. 
 
 " Two inches of water pressure, I believe, is about that of a current of air travelling 86 
 miles per hour. I presume the pressure of rarefaction does not produce more than a 
 quarter to half an inch water pressure. Do you know what it is in practice ? {b) I have 
 given you extieme cases as data, by which possibly you may approximate to what you want, 
 and to show you the excess of velocity capable of being produced by high pressure steam 
 greater than can ever be required for the most foul or dangerous work." * # * 
 
 Viewing 
 
 (a) This is the. door alluded to by the Committee in the remarks preceding this letter, in which it is stated 
 that a door is usually so placed, and that no communication takes place between the bottom of the upcast and 
 furnace, anil consequently for that, and other reasons there assigned, the furnace drift is the best place for the 
 
 blower and boiler. '..«. <• i 
 
 (b) On tryin» an extensive colliery on the 16th February 1842, we found the difference of the mercurial 
 barometer, ;.t 246 yaids down, scarce two-tenths of an inch. The thermometer in the downcast being 56°, 
 and iii" the upcast 102°. At the same time, with a curved hollow glass tube, one inch internal diameter, two 
 feet long the stalks being one foot apart, when filled to about 20 inches with water, the difference of water 
 pressure was % inch. Mr. George Stephenson found Killingworth, by the mercurial barometer, indicate a dif- 
 ference between the two shafts of nearly £lb. the square inch; more than double that of the above experiment. 
 
SELECT COMMITTEE ON COAL MINES. 
 
 187 
 
 Peculiarly fitted for 
 ventilation of mines. 
 
 Viewing this question in all its bearings, its power, its safety, and economy, facility of Appendix, No. •* 
 execution and command, the Committee cannot hesitate to recommend ventilation by high- 
 pressure steam, as peculiarly tilted for the present condition of mines, and adapted lor them 
 in every slage of their operations. 
 
 Mr. Buddie objects to "too much ventilation as being troublesome;" and even the 
 hewers did the same at Wallsend, he says, because " it melted their candles too much" 
 and they frequently set the board-end doors open to slacken the current of air. (a) 
 
 Too much ventilation troublesome, and the only reason assigned that it melted their 
 candles too much ! So that for this trifling and easily remedied inconvenience the country 
 is to continue to have hecatombs of men perpetually sacrificed, and its mines every now 
 and then shattered to pieces ! The very proof of the objection at the same moment an- 
 nihilaies it. Setting the board-end doors open at once remedies the inconvenience, though 
 at a risk. Shortening the brattice ends, which may be done in a few minutes, and allowing 
 the air to take iis sweep within a few feet of the men, will equally and safely accomplish 
 this object. The air will, of course, take a shorter course in preference to a longer, and it 
 will not force itself with violence into a cul-de sac in which the men are generally working, 
 except it be so directed by the barrieis of the brattice. Were the men's opinions taken at 
 all in the matter, they would doubtless expiess their willingness to be subject to the incon- 
 venience of " melting candles" raiher than the risk of destructive explosion ; and while 
 the whole mine was being swept clear of gas and impurities and kept cool, they would bear 
 the inconvenience, or remedy it easily by a shorter brattice, a board-end door ajar, a small 
 wooden screen, or a good lantern, which trifling trouble would be amply compensated, in 
 addition to their safety, by a more healthy atmosphere, a reduction of temperature to an 
 average of 50° to 55°, instead of from 65° to 80°, by which to mitigate their severe 
 labour, and produce other important advantages. Were the ventilation such as an im- 
 proved system ought to produce, fixed and enlarged lamps might be adopted in most parts 
 of the mine; the naked light at many points, without hesitation, might be introduced, and 
 perhaps at length a free employment of gunpowder used, if necessary, in many excluded 
 and foul workings, and light and safety would exist where now stalk darkness and death. 
 And by a judiciously increased exertion of the tremendous steam power each morning 
 before the men commenced work, not only might all ihe foulness of the mine be exhausted, 
 but by the unusual rarefaction of the entire atmosphere below would the pressure against 
 the surcharged recesses of the mine be lessened to such a degree that the gas would escape 
 at every fissure, which, on the decreased action of the ventilator, would again be sealed up 
 by the more condensed colums of air. 
 
 Ventilation by steam has already engaged the attention of scientific men in Belgium. 
 In the Report of the Secretary to the Royal Academy of Sciences at Brussels, which ac- 
 companies some able memoirs on accidents in mines, and the Government Commissioners' 
 Report on Safety Lamps, he observes, that one of the authors, whose memoir is not pub- 
 lished, suggests steam for this purpose : — " Le troisietne moyen qu'il propose pour activer 
 i'aerage est connu depuis long-temps : c'est celui qui consiste a. injecter de la vapeur d'eau 
 dans la cheminee d'aerage." 
 
 M. Cauchy does not state how long the application of steam ventilation had been known M. Cauchy. 
 to him, but in page 19 of his report gives it, on the auihority of another gentleman, as the 
 suggestion of a Mons. Taylor. He says — " il etablit la ventilation par le procede qu'il 
 dit etre du a M. Taylor, et qui consiste a faire arriver, au fond du puits d'aerage, de la 
 vapeur a haute tension produite par deux chaudieres;" and in page 23, speaking of the able 
 memoir of M. J. Gonot, chief engineer of mines at Mons, he further states — " Examinant 
 et discutant ies divers moyens connus de chauffer ariificiellement l'air pour provoquer son 
 mouvement continuel et suffisamment rapide dans les mines, l'auteur se prononce for- 
 mellement en faveur de celui de M. Taylor, qui consiste a. introduire de la vapeur d'eau a M. Taylor, 
 une assez grande profundeur (200 met. par example) dans les puits d'expiration." 
 
 Daily exhaustion of 
 the gas by the steam 
 ventilator. 
 
 Ventilation by steam 
 recommended in 
 Belgium. 
 
 M. Gonot himself thus writes on this mode of ventilation, which he much approves of, 
 and recommends the following mode of its application : — " L'on etablirait a la surface 
 une ou deux chaudieres a vapeur, attxquelles viendrait s'adapter un tuyau en fonte de 
 0m. 20 de diametre, par example, que Ton placerait dans un des angles du puits de sortie, et 
 qui viendrait dcbouclier a peu pres au pied de ce puits, par son eztremite inferieure re- 
 courbee verticalement , de maniere a. donner a la vapeur, com me au courant d'air, une direc- 
 tion ascendante." (6) 
 
 M. Gonot, in recommending the steam to be brought from boilers at the surface in a pipe 
 to the bottom of the upcast, and there, with its mouth turned upwards, the whole volume to 
 be discharged into the entire column of air, does not appear to intend anything more than 
 its rarefaction, or, if he thought to aid it by the force of steam in such construction, he 
 seems not aware of the almost certainty of injuring the intended effects, as pointed out in 
 Mr. Gurney's lucid exposition, by producing a circular instead of a perpendicular ascending 
 movement, effected by the partial application of the steam acting only on a portion of the 
 column. M. Cauchy, the reporter, in detailing the recommendation of another memoir, 
 uses the term, vapeur a haute tension," as if an indistinct idea was entertained of employing 
 
 the 
 
 M. Gonot's sugges- 
 tion, rarifactipn and 
 not propulsion. 
 
 (a) Parliamentary Evidence, 2039. 
 
 (b) Memoire sur l'Aeiage ties Mines, par J. Gonot, Ingenieur en Chef des Mines a Mons, page 196. Des 
 Moyens de soustraire l'Exploitalion des Mines de Houille aux chances d'explosion, &c. &c. — Bruxelles, 1840. 
 
 0.62. A A 2 
 
i88 
 
 APPENDIX TO REPORT FROM THE 
 
 Appendix, No. 4. 
 
 Mr. Gurney, the ori- 
 ginal proposer ef 
 high-pressure steam 
 ventilation. 
 
 Double passages for 
 ventilation. 
 
 Tapping and draining 
 the gas. 
 
 Dr. Hancock's sug- 
 gestion. 
 
 Dr. Birkbeck to the 
 Committee. 
 
 the forcing action of steam at high pressure, as well as its rarefying power. The plan of 
 operation proposed by M. Gonot, and favourably introduced by M. Cauchy, would tend 
 only to disappointment, if any other motion was anticipated than that by rarefaction. 
 
 The following extract from a note of Mr. Gurney's, date June 3, 1842, will explain his 
 opinion of the Belgian views : 
 
 "In regard to M. Gonot's paper, you will observe, on a closer examination, that he 
 entirely overlooks the just principle in the action of steam for coal mine ventilation, and only 
 treats of a weak and ineffective modification for heating air, which has been proved over and 
 over again to possess little, if any, advantage over the ordinary mode of ventilation by the 
 furnace. This seems to me very extraordinary, and 1 think your report may be considered 
 more valuable if this, fact be pointed out, while attention is drawn to the importance which 
 has been attached to steam as an agent for ventilation by scientific foreigners, one of whom 
 has been rewarded by 2,000 francs, principally on account of proposing a comparatively 
 powerless application. 
 
 " I think it well to remark that the mode, as I have proposed it, may in case of danger, or 
 under local circumstances requiring it, be carried to any distant or obscure spot in the 
 galleries, and made to effect any intensity of ventilation there; and if at such distance as to 
 receive too much loss by condensation, compressed air maybe substituted for steam to 
 produce the same amount of current s of course, with increase of expense, which the nature 
 of the necessity must sanction." 
 
 As Mr. Gurney, so early as 1835, made to the Commons of England the suggestion of 
 high-pressure steam for ventilation, which was then recorded and published, it displays 
 considerable ignorance of this subject in M. Cauchy and the authors of the memoirs explaining 
 it, to adopt for recommendation a very impei feet mode of its application; and it can scarcely 
 be permitted, lour or five years afterwards in Belgium, that the suggestion of steam ventila- 
 tion should be asciibed to another. 
 
 This is one of those public errors which require only naming to be rectified. If the 
 mere hint of steam ventilation be sufficient to secure the merit of a discovery, then does it 
 really belong to Mr. Buddie, of Wallsend ; for so early as 1813, in his letter to Sir Ralph 
 Milbanke on the prevention of accidents in mines, he explains and gives a drawing of venti- 
 lation by steam, in which, from a boiler like M. Gonot's, on the surface, steam is conveyed 
 down a "pipe covered with wood a little distance into the upcast shaft, where, by its beat 
 counteracting its direction, it forms a sort of rarefied ventilation. But he does . ot himself 
 approve of it, and no wonder. The pipe at its extremity is not curved even to dpen upwards, 
 like M. Gonot's, so that the force of ihe steam's motion operates against that of its expan- 
 sion — one principle counteracting another; the former of which, the force, by a proper 
 apparatus on Mr. Gurney's plan, if required, is strong enough to propel, in its own direction, 
 the entire column with inconceivable velocity through the galleries, reversing Mr. Buddie's 
 motion by steam rarefaction into one in a contrary direction. The more such an apparatus 
 as Mr. Buddie's was exerted the less ventilation would probably, except in a wrong course, 
 be produced. It is even a worse arrangement than that of M. Gonot's; yet is deserving 
 the credit of an original attempt at a beneficial change. 
 
 In all the important and dangerous parts of the mine, there ought not only to be a sepa- 
 rate and distinct passage or drift for the surcharged return, but also for the intake or 
 •advancing column of fresh air; for when those passages are filled with rolleys, corves, and 
 horses, the obstruction is of a most serious nature. In improved pits, the Committee are 
 glad to know, this point is being more carefully attended to. 
 
 Gas Drifts. 
 
 While the Committee are anxious to express their strong conviction of the necessity of 
 an improved and freer system of ventilation, they cannot overlook ihe additional security to 
 be obtained by a better'attention to the nature of gas drifts; and they believe that by the 
 adoption of a scientific mode of tapping and draining the gas by these means, in con- 
 junction with complete ventilation, ihe coal mine may eventually be rendered almost as 
 healthy and safe as the field of any other laborious profession. 
 
 The Committee have had a very ingenious paper transmitted to them, with a strong 
 recommendation by the late lamented and scientific Dr. Birkbeck, from Dr. Hancock, of 
 London, which contains in it the principles of operation of a system proposed and effected 
 in Staffordshire by Mr. Ryan; but which, to the extent and in the manner laid down in 
 Dr. Hancock's ingenious essay, would be impracticable, inasmuch as the ponderous expense 
 would render it impossible to be undertaken. However, it is deserving of attention, as 
 containing the seed of a valuable principle clearly demonstrated. From which essay, and 
 from Dr. Birkbeck's communications, an extract or two are now given. 
 
 In a letter to the Secretary, dated 38, Finsburv Square, September 2, 1839, Dr. Birkbeck 
 writes :— " Never, since the investigation of tlie Parliamentary Committee to which you 
 refer, have I ceased to reflect upon the painful subject of explosions in coal mines. The 
 continued, often-repeated destruction of human life is too formidable ever to be forgotten 
 by me ; and I frequently feel deep disappointment and regret, that the immense mass of 
 valuable, practical, and scientific evidence obtained some years since, has been permitted to 
 remain completely unproductive, as regards the prevention of those dreadful accidents which 
 occasioned its accumulation. Why all' this information has happened to be thus disregarded, 
 I shall not at present attempt to determine. I will merely hint at one probable cause: 
 r the 
 
SELECT COMMITTEE ON COAL MINES. 
 
 189 
 
 the insolence of some persons calling themselves practical men. And this 1 shall do, not 
 for the purpose merely of complaining — although I eeitainly do complain of this conduct 
 
 but likewise to introduce you to the knowledge of a valuable speculation placed in my 
 
 hands about the beginning of the year, when I was an invalid, by a very ingenious and 
 benevolent physician. This speculation came to me in the form of an essay on the ventila- 
 tion of mines ; and it was the object of its author, Dr. John Hancock, to recommend a plan, 
 which I designated as most appropriate — self ventilation. It ivas founded on the acknowledged 
 difference of specific gravity of carburetted hydrogen gas and atmospheric air, and the possi- 
 bility of making the roof of ihe mine shelve upwards, so as to form a channel for the 
 uas, which instantly endeavouring to ascend might glide along the inclined passage until it 
 reached the shaft of the mine, or smaller openings or shafts sunk in such places as might be 
 most convenient for this species of aerial drainage. The plan was pretty well made out by 
 Dr. Hancock, and I give him a favourable opinion respecting it "(a). 
 
 Dr. Hancock states in his essay, that " little improvement indeed can be expecied whilst 
 the present methods are pursued; whilst freedom from the fire-damp depends on the con- 
 tinual coursing of the air, and expelling the gas by force; or whilst it is allowed to 
 accumulate under vaults or recesses, and to ! e ever purposely boxed in or confined by 
 walls, stoppings, trap-doors, &c. And passing strange to say, all this cost, all this trouble, 
 anxiety, and peril, are encountered to remedy an evil arising from the confinement of a 
 subtle fluid, ivhich is of itself ever seeking to escape, and to effect which no forcing is required; 
 no other assistance than a free pathway to be given it." * * * * * 
 
 ** One chief point seems not to have been adverted to by the miners, nor even by those 
 who have profV ssed to make it their study, namely, that it is the confinement of the gas only 
 which causes it to explode with destructive violence when fired : that it will not explode 
 with violence when free or unconfined, any more than loose gunpowder, which, ignited, flashes 
 without violent concussion or loud detonation. Yet it has been long known that conden- 
 sation is requisite for augmenting the explosive power of gases: in fact, that they can 
 scarcely be exploded without some degree of condensation, to procure which all elastic fluids 
 require confinement, (b) It should be considered ihat carburetted hydrogen is only half the 
 weight or specific gravity of the atmosphere at the surface of the earth ; and the greater 
 wilTbe the difference the lower we proceed." *-**##« Deep mines 
 are thought to be more infested with the fire-damp than more superficial ones. There are 
 two causes to be assigned for this : first, in those mines which lie near the surface, more of 
 the gas exhaks or finds its w;iy into the atmosphere than from deep mines; secondly, the 
 pressure of the superincumbent atmosphere, and the consequent condensation of the gas, 
 will evidently be greater in proportion to the depth of the mine. When, therefore, in a 
 deep mine the gas becomes confined and pressed up under an arch or vault, remaining long 
 therein, it forms an explosive mixture, and on being ignited detonates with great vio- 
 lence" (c) * * * * * " Taking these facts into consideration, why not, 
 I would ask, take advantage of the inherent property of carburetted hydrogen to ascend by 
 allowing, from the moment of its emission, a free and unobstructed escape out of the works ? 
 This requites no ventilation or forcing currents of air through the mine, but simply a 
 removal of all obstacles to its natural course, which is to be done by cutting away all 
 depressions in the roof, so as there to form a gas drift or channel, overhead, ascending out 
 towards the shaft, or to a perforation made by boring down from the surface, or by an 
 additional small shaft." 
 
 He goes on to say, that self-acting and free from the errors of human agency, and all 
 the machinery of trap-doors, stoppings, Sac, it will always be producing the desired result 
 " on the principle of the drainage of land reversed ; the water tending downwards by its 
 gravity, and the gas ascending from its levity or buoyancy. But the gas will move with 
 much greater velocity than water, the velocity of all fluids being proportionate to then- 
 levity." Thus acting, it will be free from the fearful contingencies of the unremitting care 
 and negligence of the ordinary attendants of the mine. And then, he adds in a note, to 
 show the necessity of this : — "When the Wallsend Colliery exploded, with the lo-s of 
 102 lives, it was said to be under the best ventilation, and a constant use of the safety 
 lamp; and the same was the case at the recent explosion of St. Hilda: the same too 
 was asserted of the explosion a short time ago at Harrington, in which all in the mine 
 
 (40 persons) 
 
 Appendix, No. 4. 
 
 Elastic fluids require 
 confinement or con- 
 densation for explo- 
 sion. 
 
 Ascending passages 
 for the escape of gas. 
 
 (a) This distinguished and enlightened philanthropist, Dr. Birkbeck, was himself devoting his scientific and 
 practical mind to the whole subjecr, as this Committee learnt from several interesting letters, when ill-health 
 interrupted, and death eventually forever terminated his humane endeavours. The Committee felt much satis- 
 faction in his anticipated suggestions and the approval he was pleased to express of the course of their proceed- 
 ings. He says, in one of his communications, " It is probable that I may have a few suggestions to offer 
 respecting preventative measures, and the mode of directing the attention of miners to the occurrences from 
 whence mischief afterwards arises. Whi thei useful or not, I shall venture to offer them when a little matured, 
 believing that the spirit by w hich your Committee is influenced, will lead to a fair and dispassionate apprecia- 
 tion of their quality." This Committee can only regret their loss, and in common with their country mourn for 
 one who has done so much to develupe the intellect of Britain, and who has erected a living monument in 
 every heart. 
 
 (b) It may he observed, that in all the explosions of mines, it is not in a confined space, but in the open 
 boards or galleries, into and from which the air has free passage, that they occur. And that there is no conden- 
 sation greater in those horizontal galleries than what the atmosphere somewhat rarefied at the exit of the mine, 
 may give to this elastic fluid ; but vet that it is considerable may he inferred from the rapidity with which a 
 balloon, when filled with it, ascends into the air. 
 
 (c) Carburetted hydrogen gas being retained in a confined situation, as in old closed workings, becomes anti- 
 explosive from the production and mixture of carbonic acid gas; but it is presumed Dr. Hancock means a 
 collection of gas only sufficiently long in such a situation to admit of its admixture with air to bring it to the 
 explosive point. 
 
 0.62. A A J 
 
190 
 
 APPENDIX TO REPORT FROM THE 
 
 Appendix, No. 4. 
 
 Objections to Dr. 
 Hancock's plan. 
 
 Single gas drifts. 
 
 Dykes dam back the 
 gas, and probably 
 produce more gas by 
 increased electrical 
 action. 
 
 Mr. Ryan's plan. 
 
 (40 persons) were destroyed. In all cases, although no survivor is left to tell the tale, gome 
 means are found out to account for the accident, as the carelessness of some overman or 
 other servant. The farce of a coroner's inquest ensues; the usu;il verdict of ;iccidental 
 death is returned ; the affair is then considered as settled most satisfactorily, and consigned 
 to oblivion." (a) 
 
 The extensive excavations in an inclined or sloping direction would be impracticable 
 from the enormous expense which would be required for their execution; for they would 
 be stone drifts, yielding not the slightest produce, and a costly outlay. Moreover, it would 
 only be the point oi contact at a low angle, which would be exposed in a flat mine, 
 generally the most dangerous, to the efflux of gas from the coal. They must foliow the 
 line of the seam to be of use to drain ihe entire working, and the dip of some mines, inter- 
 rupted by faults, sometimes ascending, sometimes descending, would render draining the 
 gas by such inclined drifts, as described by Dr. Hancock, impossible to be accomplisned. 
 This scheme, therefore, of Dr. Hancock's is not practicable. 
 
 But for draining the mine of its redundant gas, there is no necessity for such an extensive 
 series of subterraneous tubes : the simple proposition of a single gas drift, as suggested and 
 effected by Mr. Ryan, and adopted in Staffordshire and Worcestershire with great success, 
 seems to be sufficient in most cases, if judiciously executed. 
 
 The semi-elliptical basins of coal, with a dip from the horizon of from 6 to 15 degrees 
 which generally obtains in the British coal measures, from their inclined position, enable 
 the gas by its natural levity to rise towards the surface, along the interstices, cleavage, or 
 backs of the coal ; so that when, as in some parts of the country, the coal strata lie at no 
 great depth, or crop to the day, as it is called, the gas escapes into the atmosphere, and 
 consequently almost all shallow mines are comparatively free from gas. But should they 
 lie at any great depth, the pent-up gas, unable to escape, compressed and confined by the 
 superincumbent impervious strata, surcharges every crevice and pore, especially in the rich 
 coal of the north. Still, however, following the law of its nature, it seeks to ascend, and 
 is found dammed back by the faults, dykes, slips, troubles, and dislocations, beneath which 
 it is commonly found accumulated, and which not only intercept it, but it is probable 
 produce a different electric condition of the strata, and generate in their neighbourhood 
 a greater quantity of gas by the increased .action of a more concentrated electricity, although 
 tolerably free in oiher pans of the strata. 
 
 Mr. Smith says, in his Parliamentary Evidence, 3816 : — "Gas has appeared approachirg 
 a dyke where none was ever observed before." Mr. Buddie states, 2161: — Atjairow, 
 " it is a fault, a slip-dyke, which makes a line of decarmation between the fo d part, of the 
 mine and the compai atively clean part." And Mr. Forrester relates, 2763: — That in a 
 cettain pit they were working, they "came to a dyke or fault where a sudden stream of 
 hydrogen came out, flowing from the slip or dyke." 
 
 There are often fissures in the slip-dykes which are formed by the latter, chiefly when 
 sandstone abuts against sandstone, according to Mr. Wood, (b) extending: to great distances 
 in the coalfield, receiving and collecting the gas, and carrying it as along natural a'as 
 drifts of small size, which, when entered, discharge their contents with great force as 
 blowers that sometimes continue for years. Here then are natural operations : i he passage 
 of gas through the longitudinal divisions of the coal till stopped by the dyke; its discharge 
 by a pipe intersecting its course, and the drainage of the other parts of the coal stratum, 
 which ail afford strong prima facie evidence of toe eligibility of Mr. Ryan's p an of gas 
 drifts along the face of the dykes, from the adoption of which in Staffordshire and 
 Worcestershire so much benefit has already been derived, that its principle seems only to 
 require to be correctly understood to be more generally practised. 
 
 > early as 1808 Mr. Ryan tried his plan in Staffordshire with success, previous to which, 
 e same mines, the " firing line," that is, exploding the gas from a. secure recess, with a 
 wire and candle several limes in the day, was practised to the injury of the works and the 
 health of the miners. Theie is the most unexceptionable evidence of its important advantage 
 and almost general adoption in the mining districts of Staffordshire and Woicester-hire up 
 to the period of 1818 ; and the London Society of Aits, satisfied of the correctness of the 
 principle, in 1816 by the hands of its President, the Duke (if Sussex, presented Mr. llyan 
 with 100 guineas and its gold medal. Time and experience, the destroyers of error and the 
 supporters of truth, have strengthened this conviction ; and in 1835, we find the enlightened 
 mine engineer, Mr. Smith, thus supporting it before the Parliamentary Commntee. (c) " He 
 (Mr. Ryan) certainly threw some light on the pi inciple of ventilation. He made use of 
 some air-pipes, which he carried from the mouth of the small head up to the upper uork- 
 jngs 
 
 («) Dr. Birkbeck thus writes to Dr. Hancock on his plan : — Yon have spoken of your plan in the papsr before 
 alluded to, as being proofs of draining; with the drains, on account of the nature of the fluid, ascending towards 
 their termination instead of descending, as when water is to be conveyed by them. We may now consequently 
 speak of draining coal fields, as we have been accustomed to speak of draining fields for growing grass or corn. 
 1 he gas drainage will, however, be more easy than the latter, because we need only make a constantly and 
 regularly ascending path along the roof of.al! the passages within the mine, until we arrive at the common shaft, 
 where all the streams will at once rush upward ; or when the chambers are too extensive, a sufficient number of 
 smaller shafts or perforations must be made to admit of the escape upwards of the currents of gas poured into 
 each of them from their respective branches. Even under the most unfavourable circamstances, when, for 
 instance, by perforating the walls of a cavity containing the carburetted hydrogen in a state of compression, a 
 blower may be foimed, mischief cannot arise. * * * Under this most judicious arrangement, for the escape 
 of the explosive gas, it is probable that the use of the safety lamp would lie rendered unnecessary." 
 
 (6) Parliamentary Evidence, 847. (c) Idem, 3021. 
 
 So 
 in th 
 
SELECT COMMITTEE ON COAL MINES. 
 
 ings of the thick coal ; and by converting the head into an upcast, instead of a downcast Appendix, No. 4 
 
 head, he bv that means took out the inflammable gas that was hanging overhead, 
 
 and thus drained the aide of work completely. This led to the introduction of making 
 top-heads generally. By this means all top-heads in future were put into the upcast shaft 
 instead of the downcast ; and I believe ever since that time this system of ventilation has been 
 found quite sufficient for the Staffordshire mines." * * * " I always considered there 
 was a great deal of merit due to Mr. Kyan for that suggestion." 
 
 Draining a side of work of a 30 feet seam, with the gas-drift running along its upper The cleavages in the 
 edge, may be said to be different from draining a six feet seam where the gas, except by the coal permit flow of 
 gradual ascent of the stratum, is not impelled to its more distant ga>-drift. The great law gas to the dykes, 
 of specific gravity still, however, operates as strongly in the latter case as in the former, and 
 it will find a passage through the longitudinal cleavage, or ooze 'through the pervious frac- 
 tures of the coal, as water would descend, but with mure certainty and force. Besides, the 
 pressure of the gas perpetually increasing, will overcome more than slight obstructions, till 
 a passage is obtained, and will facilitate its ascent to the common drain. In some instances 
 this pressure is very great, forcing off sections of the coal with the strength of gunpowder; 
 and in an instance detailed to the Committee by Mr. T. J. Taylor, of Earsdon, whose 
 scientific research into the phenomena that present themselves in mining is of great value, 
 it is stated to have assumed that <>f 4£th atmospheres, or the full power of steam employed 
 in a high-pressure engine. This occurred at a water-blast in Percy Main Colliery in 1840, 
 and Mr. Taylor calculated it discharged 12,686,000 cubic feet of gas in 68 hours, (a) A Gas capable of as- 
 pressure such as it is capable of assuming will aid in forcing passages up towards a dyke, suming high pres- 
 where it will gorge, but on the intersection of the termini of the cleavage will freely discharge sure, will force itself 
 itself and flow off by the gas drift, to which could steam be applied to form a partial vacuum P a! >s»ges to a dyke, 
 or great rarefaction, as before suggested, it would extract the gas as a cupping glass does 
 the fluid from the veins. 
 
 Mr. Ryan thus describes his plan : — " When these faults occur they merely act as dams 
 for their whole lengih, and the ends of the coal that lie against them should be separated 
 by making a road along: simply make a passage for the gas, and when you can once get 
 in a portion of the gas, another portion will come in in proportion as you rarefy, and the 
 gas will flow then in creaier quantities." * * * "I would say if the gas course above, 
 or at a mile or two miles distant, did not cut the blower off — taking the ends of it — if it did 
 not cut off the blower, I would then consider there was some additional fault that had come 
 in between that. For instance, some blowers will yield 700 or 800 barrels of gas per 
 minute. In proportion to the extent or quantity that the blower discharges, I conceive that 
 the extent of the fault may be measured ; the effect of the fault should be further removed; 
 for when the faults come in very clo-e together, the blowers will then yield but very 1 it i le 
 gas; they have not space to work upon, the tube is so much shorter." * * * " It ap- 
 peared to me from a palent I had for draining faults and draining mines, and bringing up 
 part of the strata or coal of the earth, that I found when I was far from a fault, or when 
 there was no fault behind me, the quantity of tvater was immense that was raised. In some 
 places where I bored I found there ivas no water ; go down what depth I would no water 
 would come. It was that at first led me to the idea that mines might be drained on the 
 same pi inciple." (b) T he e observations are sustained by the well-known effects of those 
 dykes or faults already remarked on. 
 
 Professor Buckland states in his inaugural lecture, after pointing out the great advantage Other effects of 
 of faults, in elevating conveniently nearer the surface strata that had a continual tendency dykes besides dam- 
 to biiry themselves out of leac h, that " a still more important benefit results fro n the occur- "U'^back the gas. 
 rence of faults or fractures, without which the contents of no deep coal mine would be 
 accessible. Had the strata ol shale and gritstone that alternate with the beds of coal been 
 continuously united with« ut fractuie, the quantity of water that would have penetrated 
 from tiie surrounding country into any considerable excavations that might have been made 
 in the porous grit-beds would have been in-uperable by the most improved machinery ; 
 whereas, by the simple arrangement of a system of faults, the water is admiited onlv in 
 such quantises as are within control." The same principle (the relative specific gravity of 
 fluids), that admits water, only within the space of an elevated fault, to flow down into a 
 mine that has its excavations below the level of such fault, will also admit carburetted 
 hydrogen gas to ascend through the strata, or rather the backs, slines, or clearayes of the 
 coal, till stopped by the impenetrable dyke. The lowest pervious depth being the natural 
 barrier of the water, the highest pervious ascent that of the gas ; and where water can pene- 
 trate downwards, the more subtle gas can easily ascend upwards. 
 
 Gosfoith Pit was sunk cn the above principle on the south side of the great dyke, and 
 penetrated through it to the coal on the north of it, which enabled them to reach the coal 
 without much interruption from water. 
 
 By the down-throw dykes, ;is observed by Mr. Conybeare, " valuable beds of coal are 
 preserved within the field which would otheivvise have cropped out and been lost alto- 
 gether." 
 
 The great 90 fathom dyke of this district, varying from 15 to 20 yards broad, throws 
 down the stiata to the north more than 500 feet, and the great south dyke in Clackman- 
 nanshire, 
 
 (a) See Mr. Taylor's Minutes in Appendix. 
 
 (b) Parliamentary Evidence 2397-2916; and Mr. Ryan's Pamphlet, "Appeal to the Proprietors of 
 Collieiies, &c." It is satisfactory lo know that an able and ingenious director of mines in Belgium, 
 M. A. A. M. Boisse, in a " Memoire sur les explosions dans les mines de Houille," 1840, speaks of the " avan- 
 tages inomuestables" of such a plan as Mr. Ryan's. 
 
 0.62. A A 4 
 
192 
 
 APPENDIX TO REPORT FROM THE 
 
 Appendix, No. 4. 
 
 Detached gas drifts 
 in the northern 
 
 The great advantage 
 of ga3 drifts scien- 
 tifically applied. 
 
 nansliite throws them down upwards of 1,200 feet, but it is from the less extensive dislo- 
 cations that the advantages above described are chiefly derivable. 
 
 Detached drifts are already in operation in the northern mines; but without considera- 
 tion to the faults or the natural cleavage of the coal, they are merely pushed on before the 
 working part of the mine to explore its condition, and serve to a certain extent to tap and 
 diain the gas in their immediate locality. The same expense judiciously applied to form 
 a drift along the fact 1 of a fault intersecting "backs," and opening into it lines of 
 " blowers," would drain to an incalculable extent the whole underlying coal. Mr. Nicholas 
 Wood states : — " Leading drifts, in some cases, are driven to tap, as it were, the mine be- 
 fore the general workings approach that part, and, as it were, to explore the danger ; and 
 in snme degree these leading diifts draw off the gas, keeping the main body of the workings 
 more fn e from such casualties." (a) 
 
 From the support wh'uh the natural position of coal seams, their structure, and their in- 
 terception by faults or dykes, gives to the suggestion of draining by gas drifts, scientifically- 
 applied, borne out by extensive practical demonstration of its advantage, the Committee 
 cannot conclude their report on this part of the subject without expressing a strong; and 
 decided opinion in its favour, urgently recommending its early adoption in every "mine 
 where gas is expected or known to exist. And as no interruption of the slightest kind to 
 the present mode of operating in mines will occur by its introduction, and the expense will 
 be comparatively trifling, they trust and believe that ere long it will be generally 
 adopted, (b) 
 
 SCIENTIFIC INSTRUMENTS. 
 
 The barometer and 
 sympiesometer. 
 
 Certain indicators 
 of the state oi the 
 mine as it relates 
 
 to gas 
 
 The combined indi- 
 cation of the baro- 
 meter, thermometer, 
 and wind. 
 
 M. Dove's obser- 
 vations. 
 
 In addition to the safety-lamp, there are two or three other scientific instruments also 
 valuable indicators of the state of the mime, which, if commonly employed and correctly 
 observed, would uive such clear and unerring intimation of coming danger from discharges 
 of gas, that nothing but the most criminal neglect could bring on these fearful catas- 
 trophes. 
 
 The barometer, sympiesometer, thermometer, anemometer, and eudiometer, if properly em- 
 ployed, add a new sense to the miner, and enable him in his darkness to penetrate with 
 certainty into physical changes on which will depend, in a few hours, the existence of 
 himself and friends. At present, without them, he is ignorant of these operations, till, de- 
 veloped and advanced, he finds himself involved in them almost beyond remedy, or, too late, 
 knows of their completion by the dreadful result. 
 
 The slightest change in the pressure of the atmosphere is immediately indicated by the 
 gas tubes of the coal. Every pore, crevice, and blower, is a natural sympiesometer that is 
 immediately affected by it. When the pressure is decreased, say one inch by the ba- 
 rometer, or nearly half a pound pressure taken from every square inch, it enables the gas 
 which is surcharged in every space of the coal to pour out in great quantities. But should 
 the atmosphere fall to a very low range, and remove the weight of upwards of one pound 
 from each square inch, then the elastic gas which has been generating under that pressure 
 rushes into the mine, sometimes in such force and quantities as to fcul every passage up to 
 the vers shafts in a few hours. When the atmosphere returns to its former condition, the 
 gas is once more pressed back, and is condensed in its recesses; and if be change occur 
 rapidly, a perceptible rush and sound of the air into them on its return may be observed. 
 The barometer is an infallible indication of the gaseous state of the mine ; yet, with one 
 honourable exception, that of Wallsend, no mine that the Committee have visited had for 
 the use of its officers such an instrument. 
 
 The effects of the fall of the atmosphere, as described, are much increased by an increase 
 of the temperature, and certain directions of the winds; and what is extraordinary, in the 
 northern hemisphere, these favourable meteorological circumstances for the escape of gas 
 are frequent coincidences. 
 
 When the barometer indicates a fall, the thermometer a rise, and the wind blows fiom 
 the E., S.E., or S., an ordinary fiery mine will be certain to pass rapidly into a state of great 
 danger. It has, indeed, been commonly observed by the miners that their pits are always 
 most dangerous in S.E. and S. winds; but the winds are only natural indicators of the statf 
 of the barometer and thermometer, although not always ; the instruments most frequently 
 preindicate the winds, for it is then the thermometer anticipates them, and rises by the in- 
 creasing temperature, and the barometer falls by the decreasing pressure. 
 
 M. Dove, of Berlin, from a long seues of observations, has been led to conclude that the 
 barometer fulls during E., S.E., and S. winds; passes from falling to rising during S.W. ; 
 rises with W., N.W., and N., and has its maximum rise with N.E. winds, (c) He observes 
 
 also 
 
 (a) Parliamentary Evidence, 1097. 
 
 (b) The Committee beg to refer to an ingenious Paper by Martin, the celebrated artist ; and letters on Fan 
 Ventilation by Mr. Foumess, ot Leeds, in the Appendix, for further illustrations of Ventilation, &c. 
 
 (cj Mr. Snow Harris stated, at the British Associatiou in 1839, on the Progress of the Meteorological Obser- 
 vations at Plymouth, with the barometer and thermometer, "that the hours of the greatest pressure were 
 10 a.m. and 9 p.m. The hours of least pressure were 5 a.m. and 3 p.m. Of the monthly pressures, October 
 and December were the greatest ; November and February the least; January and Sepiember the two nearest 
 the mean. The pressure was least at the new moon, and increased up to the last quarter when it was greatest." 
 At Inverness the maximum pressure is 4 o'clock a.m. and 3. 30 p.m. The maximum and minimum are regular 
 in time as relate to each other ^varying only with the latitude. 
 
SELECT COMMITTEE ON COAL MINES. 
 
 193 
 
 also that the thermometer rises with E., S.E., and S. winds, has its maximum with S.W., Appendix, No. 4 
 
 falls with W., N.W., and N., and is at minimum at N.E. M. Dove has also observed that 
 
 the elasticity of vapour increases with E., S.E., arid S. winds, has its maximum at S.W., 
 and diminishes during the wind's progress by W, and N.W. to N.; at N.E. it is as its 
 minimum. The law of the elasticity of vapour applied to the elasticity of gas, in conjunction 
 with expansion by heat and lessened pressure of the atmosphere, clearly accounts for the cer- 
 tain, invariable, and rapid flow of gas into the mine; while, from the increased temperature 
 and decreased weight of the air, the downcast and upcast columns approach nearer to an equi- 
 poise, and consequently a more sluggish ventilation is produced, which all coincide to bring 
 the mine into its most dangerous condition. A little foresight, an observation of the ba- 
 rometer, thermometer, and wind, an hour or two before, will give ample time to remove the 
 men, and prepare for the threatened mining storm. 
 
 Miners, as before remarked, have observed the connection between the pressure of the 
 atmosphere and direction of the wind, and the effects upon the condition of the pit. 
 Anthony Winship says (Parliamentary Evidence, 421) — " We generally think when the 
 wind is from the south that the hydrogen gas is more quick and severe than at any other 
 times ;" that is, when the barometer is low and the thermometer high. In a south wind, 
 increased brilliancy of the flame from the gas-pipe at Wallsend by an increased flow of 
 gas is often observed. Mr. Wood says — "A fall in the barometer occasions a considerable 
 change in the quantity of this gas (the carbonic acid) discharged ; if the barometer rises, 
 the gas then withdraws to the old workings*" Mr. Stephenson states, that " it was a 
 common obsetvation of the wastemen that the explosion was caused by the south wind." 
 (Parliamentary Evidence, 863, 1685). And " I believe it very rarely happens that acci- 
 dents have taken place to any great extent but only at the time when the barometer stood 
 low. Now if a good large barometer was kept at the bottom of each mine which the 
 overlooker, the wasteman, or those that have any charge, should have an opportunity of 
 seeing, it would put him on his guard in some measure to look out for danger." It is not 
 quite clear what is meant here by a large barometer; probably a good one, in a conspicu- 
 ous situation. When Dr. Paris was completing the Life of Davy, Mr. Fenwick wrote 
 to him that the mine became suddenly charged with gas when any atmospheric change 
 caused the mercury in the barometer to sink to 28 g inches or thereabouts. In a letter 
 to a member of the Committee, T. Drevvett Brown, Esq., the proprietor of Jarrow Colliery, 
 writes : — 
 
 "Dear Sir, "Jarrow Colliery Office, September 24, 1839. T. D. Brown, Esq. : 
 
 "On the 1st of September, I find the barometer stood at 28-81 inches. The master barometer" 5 °an he 
 
 wasteman's account of the state of the air in Jarrow Pit on that day is, that it was so bad indjcato/of gas" 
 
 the gas came to the shaft. 
 
 " On the day of the great storm (the 7th January), my barometer was down to 27'48 
 
 inches; and the wasteman's account is, that he seldom, if ever, knew a pit to be in such 
 
 a state. The gas came to the shaft in the Bensham, and having made its appearance in 
 
 the Bensham engine chimney, it was found necessary to extinguish the fire. 
 
 "The wasteman says, that ' the glass does not fall two degrees without a change being 
 
 perceptible below.'' 
 
 " I have ever impressed on the officers to pay attention to the fall and rise of the mercury ; 
 and I am often told it is a good guide. 
 
 " I remain, &c. &c, 
 
 " T. Drewett Brown." 
 
 In this enlightened coal-owner's communication, the evidence of the great utility of 
 a barometer is strong and decisive ; yet, in or about Jarrow Colliery, there is no instru- 
 ment of the kind officially attached to the mine, but accidental possession of one by the 
 officer enabled him to make these observations. The attention to the subject is highly 
 creditable to this gentleman, and its non-adoption openly in the mine, or at its surface, 
 merely indicates the disinclination of practical men to adopt even a recognized improve- 
 ment, and the necessity of a formal and powerful recommendation to produce its general 
 introduction. 
 
 The sympiesometer, from its delicacy and susceptibility to changes in the atmospheric The sympiesometer,, 
 pressure — preceding the barometer commonly from four to five hours in its indications — 
 and having an elastic fluid similar to that of the mine for its source of action, seems 
 peculiarly fitted for the purpose of an indicator of danger in the mine. It is, besides, less 
 easily injured, and may, if required, be removed from place to place without chance of 
 derangement.: and the mercurial barometer, less sensitive than the gas, only demonstrates 
 the escape of the carburetted hydrogen a short time previous to, or at the moment when the 
 mine has fouled and the danger arrived, perhaps, in some instances, too late to adopt the 
 necessary precautions. 
 
 The Committee therefore recommend that a sympiesometer and thermometer be placed in A sympiesometer 
 every pit, in a convenient room, as an improved lamp-room, under the care of an intelligent an( * t nermom eter lti 
 and responsible person, with a few simple instructions, and that every officer of the mine everj raine ' 
 have an opportunity of observing them at all times, and should their keeper perceive any 
 material change in their indications, then immediately to give notice to the proper 
 authority. 
 
 0.62. B B 
 
m 
 
 APPENDIX TO REPORT FROM THE 
 
 Appendix, No. 4. 
 
 Present modes of 
 measuring velocities 
 of air. 
 
 Their errors. 
 
 The anemometers of 
 Professor Whewell 
 and Mr. Osier. 
 
 Mr. Elliott's anemo- 
 snaeter. 
 
 The eudiometer. 
 
 Anemometer. 
 
 The mode of measuring the rates of currents of air in mines is very imperfect, and in little 
 accordance with the improved condition of science; for there is at present no instrument 
 of any description, scientific or otherwise, for this purpose in actual operation. 
 
 In practice the velocity of air is ascertained by the smoke from gunpowder, or from 
 tobacco, by the candle or soap bubbles. A certain distance (say 20 yards) is measured in 
 the air passage, and then, by exploding a small quantity of gunpowder at the commencing 
 point of this distance, the exact time the current conveys the smoke the 20 yards is observed 
 by a stop-watch, the party keeping time noting its arrival at the extreme point. In a 
 similar way the rate is found by floating soap bubbles, which may be used in an explosive 
 current; while gunpowder, as well as tobacco smoke, can only be safely employed in a clean 
 passage. 
 
 By these modes it is probable, from the greater density of smoke and soap bubbles than 
 that of the air, that the exact rate will not be procured. When the candle is used, a man 
 with it lighted in his hand, held aside so as to receive the full current of air upon it, walks 
 along the gallery for 30 seconds or a minute, at such a rate as will allow the flame to rise 
 exactly perpendicular ; for if he walks faster than the current the flame will incline back- 
 wards, if slower, forwards. In this case, in addition to the difficulty of the steadiness off 
 pace to be regulated by an extraordinary quickness of eye, there is probably another source 
 of error, and a greater velocity is indicated than that of the real current, by the man's bodv 
 narrowing the area of the passage, which will increase the rate immediately around the 
 flame. From these practices of measuring the ventilation of mines great errors naturally 
 arise; and a correct instrument for that purpose would be a valuable acquisition. 
 
 The anemometer of Professor Whewell, as described at the British Association of 
 Dublin, 1835, seems to be too complex; and that of Mr. Osier, invented in 1837, appears 
 too delicate, and both perform unnecessary operations, as the indications of the direction of 
 the wind and its successive changes, to be quite fitted for the purposes of indicating the rate 
 of air-currents of mines. It is probable that a more simple application of the principles 
 of these ingenious instruments would efficiently supply the want of a mine anemometer. 
 
 An anemometer constructed by Mr. Thomas Elliott in 1835, when an overman at Pensher 
 Colliery met so strongly with the approval of the co d-owners, that in that year, at tlieir 
 meeting in Newcastle, they presented him with 10 guineas for his invention, but did not 
 adopt it in one of their mines. The Committee are now in possession of the original, which 
 has never been copied, although its utility is undoubted. They have tried it in the mines 
 with satisfactory results, and can recommend it as a sure instrument, well adapted for its 
 useful object. 
 
 The inventor thus describes it: — "The works are enclosed within a case 12 inches high, 
 12 inches broad, and 4^ inches thick, with an oval top, and a ring to carry it by from one 
 part of the pit to another; on the dial of this instrument, which is moved by the air 
 acting on four wands, similar to a windmill, two concentric circles are described. The 
 inner cirle is divided into 48, and the outer into 00 equal parts. It has two indices or 
 pointers, whose axes of motion are the centre of their circles, exactly like the hands of a 
 clock ; the one A points to the outer circle, and the other B points to the inner circle. The 
 angular velocity of A to that of B is as 2,880 to 1. Hence, for every complete revolution of 
 B, A makes 2,880 revolutions, and for every 60 revolutions of A, B passes over one of the 
 equal parts into which the inner circle is divided. I have constructed a table (from 
 some hundreds of experiments), by means of which, and the instrument, the velocity of air in 
 a mine may be found with the greatest ease and dispatch, and also the progress the slow 
 or registering pointer will make in any given time, and at any rate at which the air may 
 travel." — A table is then given. 
 
 An advantage this instrument possesses is, registering the rate in the absence of 
 the viewer, for one or two days, as well as indicating the velocity of the then present 
 current. 
 
 It would be desirable to have an anemometer of this description under the continual 
 inspection of the furnace-keeper, instead of the barbarous substitute of a piece of wood or 
 thin hoop suspended by a string, whose increased or diminished inclination from the perpen- 
 dicular denotes the rate of current to guide the furnace; which, or some other equally, rude 
 attempt at an anemometer, the Committee have frequently observed. In addition to an 
 instrument of that kind in the furnace-drift, another in one of the main air passages under 
 the eye of the keeper of the other instruments and lamps, and open to the general inspec- 
 tion, would be a useful add valuable check to errors of ventilation, or neglect of overmen in 
 the waste producing interrupted circulation. 
 
 Another instrument capable of valuable application in the mines is the eudiometer, for 
 asceitaining the purity of the air. It would not only enable the officer to discover in any 
 part of the workings, at any time, the quantity of oxygen, but also the par-centage of 
 carburetted hydrogen or other gases, without which their proportion and slate of dilution 
 by atmospheric air from ventilation, and the consequent safety of the mine, is mere guess 
 work, except from the uncertain hint at the flame of a light. 
 
 The above instruments seem indispensable to every well-regulated colliery; to which a 
 scientific officer would, of his own accord, probably add a nelectroscope, to satisfy himself 
 
 what 
 
SELECT COMMITTEE ON COAL MINES. 
 
 195 
 
 ■what effect, if any, fluctuations of electricity, atmospherical or terrene, might have upon Appendix, No. 4- 
 
 the production of gases and the general condition of the mine. 
 
 The necessity then of adding the anemometer and eudiometer to the sympiesometer and The scientific instru 
 
 thermometer, as scientific instruments for mines, the Committee consider too clearly evident ments necessary for 
 
 to require further elucidation. mines. 
 
 BOYS IN MINES. 
 
 A great source of danger in mines, in addition to the inhumanity of the practice, is the 
 employment of boys of a very early age, frequently much under 10 years, whence have 
 arisen explosions and accidents of a very serious nature. 
 
 An explosion of carburetted hydrogen on January 17, 1826, in Jarrow Pit, which killed Instances of acci- 
 34 persons at a blow, was produced by a boy eight years of age, called Norman, who bad dents produced by 
 left a " trap-door" open that had been entrusted to his charge, by which the ventilation was k°y s - 
 interrupted, and the gas accumulated and exploded. 
 
 Last year (April 19, 1841), when Willington Pit "fired'' and destroyed 32 human 
 beings, it was given in evidence, at the coroner's inquest, that it was caused by a boy nine 
 years old, a " trapper," named Richard Cooper, who had left his door open to go and play 
 with another little boy who had charge of the adjoining door. 
 
 Also when Thornley Pit exploded, 5th August 1841, and killed nine persons, Robert 
 Gardener, a boy nine years old, who had left school only 10 days before, was stated in the 
 evidence of the viewer to have been the cause, by neglecting his "trap-door," by which 
 the current of air was turned and destroyed, the gas thereby was allowed to accumulate, 
 and on the approach of flame fired. 
 
 In addition to these and other grave accidents, there can be no doubt that slight explo- 
 sions, which burn and injure individuals, are continually occurring from placing children 
 of such an age in charge of those " trap-doors :' : they are the directing valves of the viial 
 fluid lhat keeps the whole mine in life and action, and the slightest neglect of which brings 
 on such terrible results. 
 
 The fault cannot reasonably be imputed to the poor children, ignorant of the conse- 
 quences of their acts, cooped up alone in the dismal silent darkness of the pit, sitting for 
 12 hours unrelieved from the monotony of their solitary employment. In such a situation 
 it is not wonderful that the natural thoughtlessness and activity of their years should 
 prevail, and that they should seek relief a little distance off with another imprisoned child, 
 and leave their district exposed to all the consequences that now and then occur. The 
 wonder rather is, that these accidents do not more frequently take place. 
 
 A party or this Committee was once placed in a favourable position to view how easily 
 such results are effected. On a visit to a very important mine of the northern district, 
 abounding in the explosive gas, they passed through a board-end door to thence of the 
 coal, which door had been propped open to admit" the putters" and their corves freely in 
 and out; when, on reaching the face, as the gas was perceived bubbling and hissing 
 from its pores, a member bearing a naked light applied it close to the coal, and imme- 
 diately a sheet of flame flashed all around and covered the roof of the board (the passage 
 they were in), an alarm not only to them but to the viewer and men took place; and the 
 flame was with some trouble extinguished by the men hastily " dashing " it with their 
 jackets and by the door being again set right. It was quite evident, had it continued open 
 previously a little longer, that the increased quantity of gas would have been sufficient to 
 have seriously injured, if not destroyed, most of the party. 
 
 For the chief air-veins of mines, "crossings" are becoming more frequently employed. ^' ross ' n g s 
 An arch air-duct, thrown over another passage at any angle required to convey the current 
 in another direction, prevents the so frequent employment of boys, and adds consequently 
 to the safety of the mine. These air-ducts, instead of being built of mason-work, however 
 strong, would be much safer, when not used as water levels or for coal drawing, if inclined 
 drifts were cut in the solid stone, eilher above or below the level of the transverse passage, 
 which would form so much stronger "crossings" that, should a fatal explosion occur, they 
 would not be blown out, as too commonly happens, and which, in that of St. Hilda, 
 in 1839, was the cause of at least 30 deaths by u after -damp." This mode of crossing 
 currents of air over air is deserving of a more extended application, as it would secure a 
 greater exemption from human agency, especially of so uncertain a kind as children, in 
 those dangerous points of mines. Careful, steady, and experienced old men, unfitted for Old men in charge 
 active labour, and not boys, should invariably be employed in charge of important doors, ot im P 0Ita,u doors, 
 wherever they exist ; the difference of expense of 3s. or 4s. per week being too trifling to 
 admit as a countervailing objection where so much is at stake. Numerous lives and much 
 misery would have been saved to families, as well as the little victims themselves, had such 
 an arrangement been always in existence. 
 
 As far as relates to the boys' employment in an unhealthy and unnatural situation and 
 attitude, and the injurious effects upon their physical development, the report and evidence 
 of the Children's Employment Commission have given too clear and ample, though some- 
 what exaggerated details, to require anything from this Committee upon those points, and 
 which, moreover, do not exactly fall within the sphere of their duties particularly to 
 examine. 
 
 The North of England mining district, it is gratifying to the Committee to testify, 
 has not, in addition to the misfortunes of its almost periodical calamities, to sustain the 
 O.62. B B 2 atrocious 
 
ig6 
 
 APPENDIX TO REPORT FROM THE 
 
 Appendix, No. 4. 
 
 Boys to work in 
 mines at a certain 
 age. 
 
 If the age too late, 
 It will restrict the 
 supply of labour. 
 
 The age boys shouid 
 be admitted to work 
 in mines. 
 
 atrocious charge of accumulating permanent miseries upon innocent and unoffending 
 children, so prevalent in the minor districts ; nor is the disgrace of employing women or 
 girls in any of its mines known in a single instance. And considering the nature and 
 duration of boys' and young men's employment in the Northumberland and Durham 
 district — too early commenced, and of too long continuance, yet of which their fathers are 
 witness, and by whose desire they are so employed — it is surprising that physical injury so 
 small should be the result. It is, nevertheless, most desirable for the better physical, moral, 
 and intellectual development of this portion of the people, that their early youth in 
 this, as well as in other mining districts, should be spent widely different from what it is 
 at present. 
 
 While this Committee, therefore, sincerely hope that the Legislature will, at an early 
 day, be induced to pass an Act to remedy this state of things, by restricting the employ- 
 ment of boys till a more advanced age, and for a more limited time each day, and preventing 
 women and girls altogether from descending mines, yet they cannot refrain from observing, 
 that if this period for commencing a pitman's life be too extended, there will he every 
 probability of placing the mines in serious difficultie s, by restricting the supply of pitmen. 
 After every consideration which the Committee have been able to give to this very important 
 subject, they are satisfied that extending the period of restriction beyond the age of 11 or 
 12 at the latest, would conduce to throw such obstructions in the way of free working of 
 the mines, that some of them would be entirely extinguished, while all would be worked at 
 a vastly increased expense, which would fall eventually on the public and the manufactures 
 and 9rts of this country, to the advantage of foreign competition. Already the fine coal 
 of Belgium, at 1 franc 10 cents, per hectolitre, or about 11 s. per ton at Ghent, is con- 
 fronting with success the finest British in the markets of R,ouen and Marseilles: and 
 if to one port of the Mediterranean, then it is to be feared that eventually to more, or to 
 ail, and to other countries, it will find its way to the displacement of this important British 
 export. 
 
 At the age above specified a workman's son has had ample time, with his own future 
 exertions, to acquire such education as his situation will permit or his patents can afford. 
 To continue even to support his boys up to that period, with increasing expenses, is as 
 much as may well be expected ; and if prevented going to their father's employment, 
 partially to relieve him from the charge, they will with his approval seek another where the 
 re striction does not apply. And if pitmen's sons turn their backs upon the mines, it will 
 be almost impossible to induce the grown up children of other sections of the community 
 to attempt so irksome an employment, or even their parents to sanction it, with their popular 
 terror of iis nature and its danger. The instances are very rare exceptions in which a boy 
 not originally connected with the mines ventures upon such an undertaking. Besides, after 
 the age of 12, habits are beginning to be formed, and tastes acquired, much more in accord- 
 ance with the ordinary employments on the surface; and it is probable that then even a 
 pitman's son may have grown into a repugnance to exchange the light of day, and the 
 companionship of his fellows, which most other trades afford, for the solitary darkness of 
 the mine, and iis confined and severe labour. 
 
 This matter, about 30 years ago, was legislated on in France by Napoleon. In an 
 imperial decree of the 3d January 1813, containing police regulations on the working of 
 mines, several of them very excellent and humane, (a) it is ordained that no child under ten 
 yeais can be permitted to descend or work in the mines, which still continues the French, 
 Belgian, and Italian law. 
 
 For the reasons, however, above assigned, and for humanity's sake, and facilitating the 
 better education of pit-children, the Committee feel it their incumbent duty to express 
 their opinion that the earliest period for the admission of boys to work in the mines of 
 this country should be 11, or, at the latest, 12 years of age, but that the restriction 
 should not extend beyond the latter age, so as not to prevent the mines being adequately 
 supplied at all times with skilful and experienced labour. 
 
 REGISTERED PLANS AND SECTIONS OF MINES. 
 
 The want of plans A serious omission in British mining, which has led to more than one fatal accident, 
 productive of serious j s t] le W ant of a regular registration of the plans of mines. Twice in the Tyne district, 
 injuries. within a few years, have the workings of an old mine been penetrated, and upwards of 
 
 80 lives sacrificed by inundation ; (6) and at Workington, in 1833, the Lady and Isabella 
 Pits were similarly inundated, and four lives out of 30 so destroyed. Besides, the escape 
 of gas from them, when too nearly approached, and the expense of boring and exploring 
 drilts, when suspected to be in their vicinity, render the advantage, and, indeed necessity, 
 of correct registered plans so imperative, that nothing but the absence of some superin- 
 tending authority could so long have excused their omission. 
 
 In addition, as mines have been partially exhausted, or the best of the coal, or the most 
 valuable seams only worked by parties holding merely a lease of them, they are shut 
 up, the remainder of the coal lost to the country and proprietors, till increased demand, 
 or facilities in mining present themselves, such as the Davy lamp, when they are again 
 sought for and re-opened ; or more probably their precise locality is forgotten, and serious 
 
 expense 
 
 (a) Decret contenant ties Dispositions de Police relatives a l'Exploitation des Mines, Titre IV., sc. ix, cl. xxix 
 (6) In 1815, May 3, there were 75 lives destroyed at one inundation by the bursting in from old workings. 
 
SELECT COMMITTEE ON COAL MINES. 
 
 197 
 
 expense is incurred, and mischief produced in the attempt, which might all have been pre- Appendix, No. 4. 
 vented by an easy access to an official registered plan. 
 
 It seems also proper that the mineral wealth of the kingdom should he correctly known ; 
 what expended, what remaining rendered more accessible, and how best it may be pre- 
 served or economized for society and future generations. It is not like the soil on the 
 surface, which exhausted may be renewed ; or manufactures and commerce, which de- 
 cayed mav be restored by wise and energetic laws ; but the mineral riches of England 
 once exhausted, destroyed by superior competition, or rendered nationally unavailable 
 -by extravagance and waste, can never be renewed, and will bring with it a fatal termina- 
 tion to her prospects and pre-eminence. 
 
 During the time of the French Empire, they considered this subject of much import- R e gi stere d plans and 
 ance, not only for the security of the rights of their Government, to whom the power of sections of Foreign 
 granting permission (concessions) to work their mines belonged, but also for the safety coal countries, 
 of the men and the works. 
 
 It is well expressed by the Minister of the Interior, Count Montalivet, in his instruc- France, 
 tion, 3d August 1810, relative to a decree of Napoleon, which, with some other mining 
 laws, the Government of the present King of the French has most liberally supplied to the 
 Committee, who can only regret their inability to reciprocate from England the civilized 
 act, owing to our statute book containing no law on the regulation of mines. He says, 
 (Sect. IX.) : — " Une obligation essentielle qui doit aussi etre enoncee aux actes de con- 
 cession et permission, et dont les exploitans eclaires sentiront bien toute l'importance, 
 c'est celle d'avoir des plans et coupes des travaux a. mesure de leurs progres. Sans cette 
 pratique indispensable, on est expose a, chaqne instant, dans l'interieur des mines, a toute 
 sorle d'accidens desastreux. La confection des plans dans les travaux des mines est une 
 mesure de surete publique, et de la plus grande utilite pour 1'interet de l'exploitant." 
 
 He then goes on to state that the proprietor or adventurer (exploitant) shall address a 
 plan of the workings of the previous year every January to the Prefect of his department, 
 upon a scale of a millemetre to a metre, (a) which is to be joined to the previous plans, and 
 sent to be certified and preserved in its archives by the chief engineer of the arixndisse- 
 ment. Napoleon again, in his decree of the 3d January 1813, reiterates their necessity 
 with additional particulars, as a daily register of their progress, and any important circum- 
 stance of which it may be useful to preserve a record. 
 
 These laws containing such regulations extended over the Netherlands and Italy, as well Italy, 
 as France, and have continued, amidst all the vicissitudes of empires, to retain their force. 
 King William, of the Netherlands, in 1818, sustained them with certain modifications ; and 
 the province of Hainaut published a decree in 1823, based on that of 1810, especially Hainaut. 
 ordering all plans, sections, and vertical projections of mines to be regularly prepared and 
 preserved by the proper officers, and they still continue to be the guide of ail the mining 
 operations in Belgium ; so that every great mining country of Europe possesses a means Belgium, 
 of ascertaining the condition, extent, and progress of its mines and mineral resources, ex- 
 cept Great Britain, the most important of them all. 
 
 John Taylor, Esq., in his evidence before the Parliamentary Committee, (b) strongly re- 
 commends the advantage of maps. He says — " Perhaps I may explain that I consider it 
 more important to the public in collieries than in our mines. Collieries being worked upon 
 a horizontal plane, differ very much from our mines, which are worked upon a vertical plane. 
 The beds of coal lie flat in a colliery, but mineral veins are either vertical or nearly so. 
 N^ow it concerns future times very much indeed to know how far horizontal workings may 
 be extended ; and if the map is lost, great danger may ensue to a colliery ; but ours, being 
 vertical, do not interfere with one another so much ; there is not the same probability of 
 breaking into old workings as in the other case ; but in both cases, correct sections and 
 maps are, I think, most important things, and I believe the value of them is now very much 
 appreciated, though it was not formerly." 
 
 Such is their appreciation in the north, that Mr. Wood states — " I believe in many cases 
 the old workings are not correctly mapped but where they are suspected, " in all cases 
 the practice is to carry leading drifts in the direction of those workings, and to bore as they 
 are approached." (c) They were practising these exploring drifts and borings in 1815, 
 when the water from an old working that had been relinquished in 1745 burst into Heaton 
 Pit, and drowned 75 people. 
 
 The advantages of possessing correct plans and sections of mines are so very obvious, Plans and sections 
 that the Committee will merely confine themselves to urgently recommend their adoption at each mine, regis- 
 at each mine in every district in Great Britain; and consider that their official registration teredineach d lstncC 
 and arrangement could be easily and conveniently effected in the records of the Gustos, or 
 some similar officer, of each county, to whom the chief officer of each mine should be bound ^ d 0 ffi c j a ] C o ies 
 to transmit them, with all their additional workings, periodically, and which should be open an ' d returns made to 
 at all reasonable times for the inspection or copy of the proprietors, or other interested Government, 
 parties ; and official returns of which should be regularly made to the proper department of 
 the Government. An organized system of mining will evidently, in many material points, 
 be very imperfect; indeed, will never be able to be accomplished without such an official 
 registration. 
 
 (a) That is on a reduced scale of 1000; the metre heing 39-37079 English inches; the millemetre 03937 
 English inches. 
 
 (6) Parliamentary Evidence, 178. (c) Idem. 1092. 
 
 0.62. B B 3 
 
10 
 
 APPENDIX TO REPORT FROM THE 
 
 Appendix, No. 4. 
 
 SCIENTIFIC EDUCATION OF OFFICERS OF MINES. 
 
 The mines, a vast 
 field for the opera- 
 tions of science. 
 
 The immense results 
 of science even par- 
 tially applied. 
 
 French council of 
 mines. 
 
 School of mines. 
 
 The professions, the arts, the manufactures and every interest of Britain possess the great 
 advantage of science in daily and intimate connection with all their branches and details, 
 except those paramount to her prosperity, the mining interest; which seems almost beyond 
 the reach of her investigations, placed in the hands of those whose early years, spent in the 
 darkness of the mine, afford small opportunity of acquiring her enlightening and advancing 
 principles. Consequently the system of mining in this country opens a vast field, nation- 
 ally and individually, for the beneficial application of science, and requires only to be 
 brought int.) familiar intercourse with her to elicit the most valuable results. 
 
 The Committee are deeply impressed with the great advantages derivable both to 
 humanity and the mineral wealth of the kingdom, from bringing to bear the lights of 
 science upon this subject yet so imperfectly developed. This may be stated without dero- 
 gation to the great practical talent of the men that are the present guides and directors of 
 the mines, several of whom, it is gratifying to know, are convinced of the necessity of the 
 introduction amongst their officers of a more liberal system of scientific education. Turning 
 a stream of science into the British mines, the Committee are aware, also militates against 
 the prejudices of some other practical miners, who conceive it might prove injurious, by 
 destroying a class of most meritorious men, whose experience from almost infancy is indis- 
 pensable to their advantageous working, and for whom the substitution of even scientific 
 and learned theorists, they conceive, would be a very unbeneficial compensation. The 
 object is not to deprive the mines of such experience, but to add to experience, knowledge; 
 to sustain or correct it by the enlightened principles of science. 
 
 The occasional visits that science has already paid to the mines have been productive of 
 the most striking effects. 
 
 M, Jars, the French academician, so early as 1768, after a few visits to the mines, in a 
 memoir read to the Royal Academy of Paris, laid down the principles for their correct 
 ventdation, that are at this day the great guides of British miners. Sir Humphrey Davy, 
 by one examination of a single mine, was led into a course of experiment that terminated 
 in the safety lamp; and Professor Bischof, of Bonn, by his minute analysis of the inflam- 
 mable gases of the German mines, has been able to detect in them a considerable quantity 
 of bicarburetted hydrogen (olefiant gas), which, from its explostbility at a low temperature, 
 is of vast practical importance in the employment of safety lamps. 
 
 How little the mines have the benefit of such knowledge at the present time, with the 
 exception of a very few honourable instances amongst their directors, any one acquainted 
 with their practical working must at once admit. 
 
 In their daily application of the great modern-discovered power with the most gigantic 
 engines of Britain, they are ignorant of steam, mechanics, and mathematics ; opposed and 
 sometimes defeated by the pressure and force of water, they know nothing of hydrostatics 
 or hydraulics; their profession consisting of the extraction of minerals, they are unac- 
 quainted with mineralogy, metallurgy, or geology; existing by the correct operation of 
 currents of air, they scarce have heard of pneumatics ; and standing continually within the 
 range of a vast laboratory of nature, whose operations are daily producing death, they still 
 continue ignorant of chemistry. 
 
 Greatly to the honour of France, she has preceded Britain upwards of half a century in 
 an enlarged education for her officers of mines. Even during the disturbed times of her 
 Revolution, she called into existence a Council of Mines, at the recommendation of the 
 distinguished chemist, Fourcroy, which has been stated by the French Government to have 
 had the happiest effect on their mines, (a) 
 
 M. Sage, a most distinguished member of this Council, first founded the School of 
 Mines, (b) And Napoleon, in 1810, by the instruction of Count Montalivet, his Minister of 
 the Interior, directed that the pupils of the Polytechnic School should also be instructed in 
 the theory and practice of mines, by experienced and practical professors. 
 
 '* L'administration dirige, sous l'aulorite du Ministre de l'lnterieur, des ecoles etablies en 
 vertu des decrets imperiaux. La des eleves sortis de 1'Ecole Poly technique, et deja. forts 
 dans diverses parties de sciences, sont instruits dans la theorie et dans la pratique de l'art 
 des mines sous des professeurs habiles et des praticiens experimentes. 
 
 " Les eleves ne sont admis au grade d'in°enieur qu'apies des examens severes et la 
 certitude acquise qu'ils ont les connoissances necessaires ; ils sont alors employes sous les 
 ordresdes inspecteurs generaux etdesingenieursen chef,d'abord aux etablissemens rationaux 
 dependans des ecoles ; ensune ils sont repanis dans les divisions departementales, pour le 
 service cle l'administration generale." — Sect. xiii. De la Surveillance administrative. 
 
 Every successive French government, since the period of their Revolution, seems to have 
 been more and more strongly impressed w ith similar views. In 1816 a Mining College was 
 instituted in the heart of their coal district at St. Etienne, near Lyons; and the present 
 King of the French, in 1831, reinforced it by new and salutary regulations which, while most 
 
 humiliating 
 
 (a) Motifs du Projet de Loi sur les Mines, adopte par le Corps L6gislatif de France en seance du Avril, 1810, 
 Premiere paitie. 
 
 (i>) Motifs dq Projet du Loi, 21 Apiil 1810. 
 
SELECT COMMITTEE ON COAL MINES. 
 
 *99 
 
 humiliating from the disgraceful contrast, afford useful hints for the establishment of an Appendix, No. 4. 
 improved British institution, (a) 
 
 The French School of Mines is properly established in their chief coal district, that the 
 pupils who are taught at the expense of the Government, while they continue their studies, 
 mny practically apply them to their profession. 
 
 In that school is "taught geology and mineralogy, with the knowledge of essaying the 
 different minerals; mathematics, mechanics, plan drawing, &c. 
 
 Pupils cannot be admitted under 15, or over 25 years of age : an examination takes place 
 annually of their progress, and certificates are given of proficiency and good conduct on 
 leaving the school. 
 
 By Article VI. of the same ordinance, a class is created for working miners, or for those 
 destined for that profession. Certificates also to be delivered to them at the termination of 
 their studies. 
 
 In Egypt there is a minister and council of public instruction ; and the Pacha established Egypt, 
 a Polytechnic School in 1834, which in 1838 had 235 pupils. In this school there is a 
 mining:; department, in which the following courses are followed by the pupils: — 
 
 1st. Industrial chemistry , applied to the manufactures, raw material, and to useful objects 
 found in or imported into Egypt; the pupils to manipulate and personally visit the manu- 
 factures. 2d. Mineralogical and geological courses, travelling to the mountains and taking 
 other journies. 3d. Machines and management of mines, 4th. Drawing of machines, fur- 
 naces, quarries, construction of models, fyc. 5th. Manufacturing of tools and turnery . One 
 year after finishing these courses, to be employed in travel, work in the manufactures, 
 examination of mines, &c. (b) 
 
 All this at the cost of the government. And that is barbarous Egypt in the nineteenth 
 century, under the government of a Turkish soldier ; while Christian England, at the head 
 of the civilization of the world, her material interests bound up in her scientific knowledge, 
 cannot boast of a single institution competent for such objects, or, in the most distant 
 manner to be compared to that of Eypt. 
 
 Highly to the honour of Sir Charles Lemon, he was the first in Britain, about two years Sir Charles Lemons, 
 
 ago (1840), to attempt to institute such a school for the metallic mines of Cornwall; and attempt to found a 
 
 proposed to endow it in the most munificent manner, with a site for a building, 500 /. building n'rnwall ' 
 fund, and not less than 10,000/. at his death. In a communication from him, dated 
 October 9, 1840, to the Committee, he states : — 
 
 " The Government have not yet been applied to for any pecuniary assistance ; their His communication 
 sanction being given only to the form of education, and the Duchy having consented to t0 . tne Shields Com- 
 the tax on the produce of the mines. It is not intended to restrict the school or college to mlttee ° 
 natives of the country; but 10 require of strangers a contribution proportional to the share 
 of each pupil in the benefit of the tax derived from the mines of Cornwall. The nature of 
 the education will be on the plan already experimentally in practice. That is, mathematical, 
 mechanical, and chemical; with a course of mineralogy and geology, and practical surveying. 
 We have lately had an examination on the two former subjects, and I enclose an examina- 
 tion paper. The result has been highly satisfactory. The position in which the matter 
 now stands is, that my proposal is before the county, and I shall collect their decision at 
 the mining meetings about the middle of November. In the mean time I shall publish my 
 plan for the government and conduct of the school, which will be somewhat in the following 
 form : — That 20 persons shall be elected as governors, by 20 mines contributing the largest 
 sums to the maintenance of the Vice-Warden's Court. That they shall elect a rector. 
 That, they shall appoint a council of five to prepare plans for the establishment of the 
 school, and receive proposals for the buildings; and that after the school is established 
 they shall form a council of advice, to whom the professor may refer in the absence of the 
 general assembly of the governors. That for each 10/. contributed by each mine, such 
 mine shall have one nomination to the school, and so on: and that smaller mines may 
 combine to make up the sum of 10 I. That those pupils appointed by the governors, or by 
 any other mode than the nomination of the mines, shall pay a certain sum in addition to 
 the fees paid by the students from the mines. That the salaries, &c. shall be provided for 
 by a tax of one half-farthing in the pound sterling of value in all metallic minerals ; and 
 that the duration of the Act shall be 12 years. A mere outline, but more particularly 
 described, is all that I intend to submit to the county at present; and to act by means of 
 the governing body in the preparation of detail^. I shall be happy to communicate with 
 you when we are in a more forward state ; and your offer of the French laws, if more than 
 I now possess, will be very acceptable." 
 
 " An absolute majority," however, of the mining adventurers of the county having shown 
 themselves indisposed to accept the proposition of Sir C. Lemon, in December of that year, 
 he announced their determination and his regret at the necessary frustration of his magni- 
 ficent 
 
 (a) The unceasing attention of the French Government to the advancement of their mining interest, may be 
 seen in the following note from Sir Charles Lemon, Bart., to the Secretary of the Shields Committee: — 
 
 " Sir, — I return your paper and am very much obliged to you for having given me the use or it," (it was the 
 ordinance of 1831 of Louis Philippe). "I have made a translation of it, and should the school proceed, many 
 of its provisions will be applicable to our purpose. It so happens that I had with me, yesterday, a young man who 
 was educated at the school of St. Etienne, and who has been sent over by the French Government to visit the mining 
 districts of' (his country, and study our system of machinery. I have the honour to be, &c. &c, 
 
 " 30 October 1840." " Charles Lemon." 
 
 (b) See Dr. Bowring's Report on Egypt, pp. 127-129, &c. 
 O.62. B B 4 
 
200 
 
 APPENDIX TO REPORT FROM THE 
 
 Appendix, No. 4. 
 
 The course of educa- 
 tion necessary for 
 officers of mines. 
 
 University of 
 Durham. 
 
 Professor Chavalier 
 on the education of 
 officers of mines. 
 
 ficent project: and so Great Britain, the country of splendid national institutions, still 
 continues to leave her mines, her most important interest, the exception to her fostering 
 care. 
 
 This is the more to be regretted as it is a matter so easily, so economically accom- 
 plished, and which the Committee are willing to believe has hitherto only been neglected 
 from the want of a just and correct estimate of its value. 
 
 The Committee are strongly impressed with the conviction that every viewer and under- 
 viewer (or the chief directing and superintending officers of mines, by whatever name they 
 are known), before they can be legally employed in such onerous and responsible situations, 
 where lives and property are so extensively concerned, like medical men and navy officers, 
 should be specially educated for their profession. In fulfilment of which, the Committee 
 conceive that a competent knowledge of the following branches of study, as a preliminary 
 to any official charge, is indispensable :— 
 
 Mathematics and Practical Surveying, 
 Mechanics, 
 
 Hydrostatics and Hydraulics, 
 
 Pneumatics, 
 
 Chemistry, 
 
 Mineralogy, 
 
 Metallurgy, 
 
 and 
 Geology. 
 
 To complete this professional education by a course of practical engineering and 
 mining in some fitting institution in the heart of the mining district. 
 
 Certificates, not of examination, unless the student, himself may desire it, but of having 
 creditably attended complete and proper courses of such studies at one or more of the Royal 
 Colleges or legal Universities of England, Scotland, or Ireland, to be held by each aspirant, 
 and to be deemed sufficient. 
 
 It is fortunate for the coal mines that a valuable institution already exists in the north, 
 with machinery in operation, which, by being somewhat extended, and a practical engi- 
 neering and mining professor appointed, would fully accomplish, if legally sustained, this 
 great desideratum. 
 
 The University of Durham, situate in the very centre of the great coal mining district, 
 and easily accessible from ail directions, is already adapting itself to its position, and 
 encouraging, by affording facilities to, a better system of education amongst the directors 
 of mines. 
 
 Impressed with the advantages it possessed, the Committee held by appointment a 
 conference with Warden Thorpe and the Senate of the University upon the 24th February, 
 1841, to ascertain its adaptation for the purposes of a mining school, and what modification 
 or extension, if any, might be required ; the result of that interview was in the highest 
 degree satisfactory. An extract of a letter from Professor Chavalier, will clearly explain 
 the University's position in those respects : — 
 
 " In consequence of the wish which you expressed at your late conference with the 
 Warden and Senate, to be informed how far the course of education for students in civil 
 engineering and mining in the University of Durham, is capable of being extended, so as 
 to be available for the objects which you have in view, I have the honour to send you a 
 brief statement of that course of study. The class of students in civil engineering and 
 mining was opened in January 1838. The full course of study occupies three years; but 
 certificates of competency , in particular subjects, may be obtained after a shorter time. The 
 following are the subjects included in the course of study : — 
 
 Arithmetic, 
 Algebra, 
 Euclid, 
 Logarit'nms, 
 Plain Trigonometry , 
 Solid Geometry, 
 Analytical Geometry, 
 Theoretical and Practical Mechanics, 
 Differential and Integral Calculus, 
 Dynamics, 
 
 Hydrostatics and Hydraulics, 
 Spherical Trigonometry and Astronomy, 
 Surveying, Levelling, and the Use of 
 Instruments, 
 
 Pneumatics, 
 
 Practical Mapping and Architectural 
 
 Drawing, 
 Theory of Perspective and Projection, 
 Hydrostatical and Hydraulic Instruments in 
 
 general, 
 The Steam Engine, 
 Optical Instruments, 
 Theoretical and Practical Chemistry, 
 Theory of Heat, 
 Mineralogy, 
 Metallurgy, 
 Geology, 
 
 The French, Italian, and Spanish Languages. 
 
 The progress of the students is tested by annual public examinations; and the extent to 
 which the several studies are pursued will be best understood by a reference to the exami- 
 nation papers set at the final examination of 1840, printed in the Appendix to the Durham 
 University Calendar for 1841. By the regulations of the University, Title vii, persons who 
 are not members of the University are admissible, with the approbation of the Warden, to 
 attend any course of public lectures. In addition to the theoretical instruction, the students 
 are constantly engaged in the practical drawing of plans and machinery, and in levelling 
 and surveying, under the superintendence of a competent instructor. They avail them- 
 selves 
 
SELECT COMMITTEE ON COAL MINES. 
 
 201 
 
 selves of the facilities afforded by their neighbourhood, to obtain an insight into the modes of Appendix, No. 4, 
 working coal-pits, and to conduct under-ground surveying. They visit also, under proper inspec- 
 tion, the principal public: works, manufactures of machinery, iron works, &c. in the vicinity, j 
 and are required on such occasions to deliver written reports. Proficiency in those branches 
 of practical work is encouraged by prizes devoted to that particular purpose. It will thus 
 be seen that the course of study already established for students in civil engineering and 
 mining, requires but little modification and extension in order to meet the views of the 
 Committee for the investigation of accidents in mines. The principal addition required 
 appears to be a professorship of practical engineering and mining, with an endowment sufficient 
 to ensure the services of a person of experience and high scientific character. * * * 
 The University of Durham, by having been the first academical body to establish a class of 
 civil engineering and tinning, has given full proof of its anxiety to supply an acknowledged 
 deficiency in the system of general education, and it is still willing to co-operate further 
 in order to effect an extension of its plans." 
 
 With the addition of a chair of practical engineering and mining, and unrestricted per- Professorship of prac- 
 mission on the usual terms, for young officers of mines, having already commenced their tI( r a ! engineering and 
 profession, to attend the lectures of this and any other of the requisite scientific courses, °' 
 the Committee consider that the University of Durham would offer great and peculiar 
 facilities for the attainment of this important object. 
 
 For practising the profession of an engineer of mines, the Committee then deem it 
 necessary that a sufficient course of mathematics and practical surveying, mechanics, hydro- 
 statics and hydraulics, pneumatics, chemistry, mineralogy, metallurgy, and geology, should be 
 received at any of the Universities, from which should be obtained certificates thereof, 
 before the admittance of the aspirant lor the completion of his professional education, by 
 a course of practical engineering and mining at the University of Durham, whose certificate 
 should be imperative before permission to assume this responsible situation be accorded ; 
 at which latter institution, the student now entering his profession, or having entered it, 
 and been practising it from boyhood, from which he had snatched a season or two for his 
 studies, could, at the same time, still pursuing it, be instructed in the right application of 
 his previous scientific acquirements, by a scientific practical teacher; who, in addition to 
 such knowledge with the history of mines, would be capable of expounding to him the 
 numerous plans of mining in all their various branches previously and now in existence, 
 riot only in Britain, but in other countries, and visiting occasionally with his students the 
 neighbouring mines to illustrate his views and enforce his objects. Thus would mining be 
 elevated to a certain, scientific profession, with all the appliances of the existing knowledge 
 and experience of the day, instead of the rude, uncertain, unsystematic, and dangerous art 
 which now it is. 
 
 For the metallic mines, of course, some other more convenient locality would have to be 
 selected for the seat of their practical mining professor; and probably the situation of the 
 lately contemplated institution in Cornwall would afford a favourable position for that 
 department of raining. 
 
 In the contemplation of such an important change, it would, of course, be proper and 
 most conducive to its beneficial operation, that the present officers of mines should in no 
 manner be affected by it. 
 
 In recommending the establishment of a proper scientific education for the officers of 
 mines, the Committee deem its evident advantage, and indeed necessity, so apparent, that 
 they have thought it quite supererogatory to adduce any lengthened argument in its 
 support. They have endeavoured briefly to point out and facilitate what they consider the 
 simplest, easiest, and most economical mode of effecting it, consistent with the existing 
 learned institutions and their machinery now in operation, which only require a les^al 
 enforcement, and a very trifling additional expense in a single college, to produce the full 
 result now so anxiously contemplated. 
 
 Upon the Government of the country properly devolves the regulation and enforcement 
 of this beneficial change; and the Committee feel satisfied, that as far as they may be 
 permitted to judge, no measure which could be adopted relating to the mines, would be 
 so advantageous to humanity or the mineral wealth of the kingdom. 
 
 When several learned and scientific societies, whose national value is not greater or 
 more apparent than that of the institution now proposed to be established, have funds 
 annually placed at their disposal by the Government, the Committee would willingly 
 persuade themselves that the same liberal and enlightened spirit will be extended to 
 this. («) 
 
 A few legislative regulations, disturbing no existing interest, but benefiting many, and The facility with 
 a vote of 2,000 /. or 3,000 I. a year from a great civilized and humane country like Britain, which a proper insti- 
 can never be deemed too much lor the development and economizing of her mining tution for mines may 
 resources, and the probable protection from fearful disasters of a large and usef ul section beeffecte<1 - 
 of her people. It is an object too consistent with her character, her interest, and her 
 humanity, for an instant to doubt her disposition to accomplish it. 
 
 («) Voted by the House of Commons for the years 1840 and 1341 
 
 Universities of Oxford and Cambridge - £ 2,000 
 
 „ St. Andrews - - - 1,009 
 
 „ Aberdeen - 1,974 
 
 Glasgow - 1,360 
 
 „ Edinburgh - 2,580 
 0.62. 
 
 13 4 
 0 8 
 
 Royal Society of Edinburgh 
 Royal Society of Dublin 
 Hibernian Academy - 
 Belfast Academical Institution - 
 Maynooth College - 
 C 
 
 £. 300 
 5,300 
 300 
 1,950 
 8,000 
 
202 
 
 APPENDIX TO REPORT FROM THE 
 
 GOVERNMENT INSPECTION. 
 
 It is surprising that the coal mines of Britain, so vital to her strength and prosperity, 
 should be left entirely to the unassisted efforts of individuals without organization, or even 
 the supervision of the State; while those of other countries, from the earliest periods, have 
 received the particular attention of their respective governments. 
 
 The Prince Bishop of Liege, so early as the 15th century,(a) issued a commission on 
 mines, which found that there had been established, from the most remote times, a court 
 or jury of four persons, afterwards increased to seven, called " La cour des voir Jures du 
 Charbonnage," for the investigation and direction of the affairs of the mines, and that two 
 of its members were obliged to descend, periodically (every 15 days), to examine them : — 
 " Lesquels font ensuite leur rapport, qui est enregistre, ajin que la posterite puisse voir d 
 quelles couches ou veines les maitres des fosses out travaille, et quelle a ete Vetendue de leurs 
 ouvrage."(d). 
 
 King Philip, in the beginning of the 17th century (1635), passed an ordinance touching 
 the mines of Namur, recognizing the rights and jurisdiction of their " Cour des Fevons," 
 relating to their iron mines, &c. 
 
 Charles, King of Spain, as Duke of Limbourg, &c, in the year 1694, issued an edict of 
 56 articles, on the coal mines of that duchy. 
 
 And more than a century ago (1741), Adolphus Frederick, of Sweden, in a mining 
 ordinance, refers in Article XIII., to the existence of a Mining College that extended its 
 jurisdiction over the Swedish mines; and in 1757, in another ordinance, Article VII., he 
 proclaims : — " Nous avons ordonne au College des Mines, qu'il ait a faire les dispositions 
 neeessaires pour la recherche et decouverte des mineraux, pour l'ecoulement des eaux, pour 
 la communication des mines, and pour l'extraction des matieres," &c. — a most important 
 series of duties for the encouragement of their mines; which has resulted in their unsur- 
 passed production of iron. 
 
 France has also distinguished herself as a state by a careful attention to her mining 
 interest. In a decree of 1810, Titre v., sc. 50, it is ordained: — u Si Sexploitation cora- 
 promet la suiete publique, la conservation des puits, la solidite des travaux, la suiete des 
 ouvriers mineurs ou des habitations de la surface, il y sera pourvu par le Prefet ainsi qu'il 
 est pratique en matiere de gr.mde voirie et selon les lois." This perpetual watchfulness 
 of the public interest, the security of the mines, and the safety of the workmen and the 
 community, is highly creditable to that country ; although it may be presumed that the 
 stringency of such supervision may occasionally have raised obstructions instead of ren- 
 dering facilities to their freedom of Working. 
 
 King William of the Netherlands, in 1817, issued a law for a central depot of geology 
 and mineralogy, each mine to be obliged to forward a series of specimens; and, in 1825, 
 he ordered a geological and mineralogical survey of a great part of Belgium, with plans on 
 a scale of ■ :[ 00 1 000 . The State Deputies of Hainaut, in 1823, officially, in a law for the 
 internal regulation of the mines, ordered the introduction and use of the Davy lamp in 
 them, whic h has never been done for those of Britain, although here invented and believed, 
 but erroneously, for years, to have been a perfect security against the danger of explosion ; 
 and, in 1827, they commanded registered plans to be kept of their mines. 
 
 The present King (Leopold) of" Belgium, in 1837, instituted a Council of Mines, con- 
 sisting of a president and four councillors, with a registrar. " Le conseil pourra reclamer 
 le concouis des ingenieurs des mines lorsqu'il le jugera convenable." He also formed 
 a Royal Commission in 1836, for examining into the comparative and absolute safety of 
 the Upton & Roberts' lamp ; they went into a general examination of safety lamps, and only 
 reported, which they did very ably, in 1840, after persevering in their investigation for 
 upwards of four years. 
 
 The following opinions of practical men and others with respect to a Scientific Com- 
 mission in Britain have been expressed to the Parliamentary Committee in 1835 ; but a 
 commission so constituted, without power to enforce their recommendations, the whole 
 history of mines declares to be useless. 
 
 Mr. George Johnson, viewer, thinks " an investigation by scientific men in the coal 
 district would be of much more importance than it can possibly be in a distant place, or at 
 their own homes."— (1383.) 
 
 Mr. Buddie also thinks that men of science visiting the mines would be useful, for he 
 does not conceive much is to be expected from pitmen. " He does not think that they are 
 the persons likely to discover any new light; he would rather look to some person of genius 
 or science, who is not an immediate collier; and he thinks it is more likely that something 
 might be elicited in that way than by those going on daily in the workings of the mine ; the 
 greatest improvements, he says, have been made in most businesses by people not imme- 
 diately connected with them." — (2509-2510.) 
 
 When 
 
 (a) Anno 1487. 
 
 (/>) Nulice de la Jurisprudence da Pays de Liege concernant les Mines de Charbon de terre ou Houille. — 
 Appendix to Voyages Metallurgiques, par M. Jars, 1774. 
 
SELECT COMMITTEE ON COAL MINES. 
 
 203 
 
 When Mr. R. Smith is asked if he would approve of a Government Commission of Appendix, No. 4, 
 
 chemists, geologists, and mechanics? He answers, " Most highly; and he thinks nothing 
 
 is wanted in this great mining country more than that is. He hopes another year will not 
 pass without its taking place. The mines now give the great return of the kingdom — it 
 is a mineral country from one end to the other." — (3836.) 
 
 Dr. Pereira also concludes that a Government Commission would be desirable : — " 1st, 
 for the sake of humanity ; 2d, for the interests of the coal-owners ; and, 3d, for the advance- 
 ment of science."— (3976.) 4 
 
 The appointment of such a scientific Government Commission might perhaps prove useful 
 inlaying down the bases of operation of a future permanent legislative jurisdiction and 
 government inspection, but it is to be feared would be entirely inoperative for producing 
 any direct material change in the system of the mines. The valuable information of the 
 Parliamentary Committee of 1835 has remained entirely, as far as the Committee can 
 ascertain, unemployed and unadopted to this hour. Practical men of any profession, 
 prejudiced by habit and education, in their existing systems, will not, without the 
 strongest influence, adopt even acknowledged advantageous change. Even the learned 
 and enlightened in all ages have been known to oppose violently the advance of 
 discoveries of science, although touching no interest of theirs and inducing no expense to 
 them, but simply because they implicated previous error or affected foregone conclusions. 
 How much more then are the less educated and the more interested likely to oppose every 
 change ? 
 
 While the Committee recognize with respect the full enjoyment of private rights and 
 mercantile freedom, the springs and sources of the vast commercial operations that so pre- 
 eminently distinguish Britain, yet they cannot but observe that a modified supervision of 
 the State to secure the public interest, is perfectly compatible with them, which will facilitate 
 at the same time the extension of individual advantage. 
 
 From the difficulty with which in general officers of mines adopt improvements, and the 
 habitual disinclination of practical men to advantageous change, it appears only a legitimate 
 duty of the State, considering her relative position, to take the initiative without obstruc- 
 tively interfering, to press every amelioration and useful improvement upon their full and 
 fair consideration, for the advancement of the interests of society and the preservation of 
 life, so deeply involved in the question. 
 
 Influenced by such considerations, the Legislature has already been induced to authorize 
 a continued Government inspection of railways, and has interfered for the benefit of society 
 with the principles of individual rights and freedom of trade, in the practice of medicine, 
 law, innkeeping, &c. Therefore this Committee cannot but feel assured that, on similar 
 principles, a modified public supervision and controul over mining operations, which impli- 
 cate so largely the prosperity of the country, and the safety of many of the people, are 
 equally just and reasonable. 
 
 For the effecting of a proper Government supervision, all that would seem necessary are Scientific practical 
 two or three qualified practical inspectors, to pay frequent visits to the different mining inspectors, 
 districts, and descending the mines to examine them and make such suggestions as they 
 may deem important or essential; and the directors of the colliery failing or refusing their 
 adoption, then the whole matter to be referred to the Government, or other competent 
 authority or court, who, on hearing the merits of the question, should have power to order, 
 under a penalty, their complete or modified execution. 
 
 Such inspecting officers would aid greatly in bringing the whole mining system, with the 
 co-operation of the better education of the young mining officers, into the best condition 
 that the peculiarities of the various districts are capable of receiving; and so the country 
 and humanity would be largely benefited by the results. 
 
 MEDICAL TREATMENT AFTER EXPLOSION. 
 
 If, notwithstanding the measures recommended, or others that may be suggested, which 
 are likely to prevent the recurrence of explosions, they be not speedily or only partially 
 adopted, and such an explosion should unfortunately occur, the Committee deem it proper 
 to explain the condition in whicli more than three-fourths of the men meet their deaths, so 
 that, if possible, some more effective medical treatment than that now practised, in which 
 scarcely even a single case has been successful, may be discovered and established. 
 
 There have been considerable misapprehensions as to the exact nature of explosions in Errors on the nature 
 mines, the proportionate quantity of gas which creates them, and the products after ex- of after-damp, 
 plosion. A brief explanation of these points, supported by scientific evidence, will be of 
 some importance, as bearing on such medical measures as may be attempted to obviate 
 the miserable consequences. 
 
 The explosive atmosphere of mines then consists most generally of the light carburetted 
 hydrogen gas, which can only go into that state when a proportion, according to Davy and 
 others, of from 7 to 25 per cent, of the gas is mixed with atmospheric air, which also con 
 tains usually at such a time a small portion of carbonic acid gas and free nitrogen. 
 
 If a greater quantity than 25 per cent, of the light carburetted hydrogen is contained in Its analysis, 
 the mixture, then it will not explode, owing to the air not affording sufficient oxygen for 
 combination with so large a proportion; and when less than seven per cent, of gas, it is too 
 
 O.62. C c 2 diluted 
 
204 
 
 APPENDIX TO REPORT FROM THE 
 
 Appendix, No. 4. 
 
 diluted and diffused to enter into instantaneous combustion and explosion. About 12i per 
 cent, of the gas, or, according to Sir Humphrey Davy, 
 
 1 vol. light carburetied hydrogen, and"! A . ^ ,,,, , , . 
 
 7 vols, atmospheric air, jAre a mixture of the most explosive power. 
 
 Light carburetted hydrogen being composed of] 
 
 2 vols, of hydrogen, and {.When mixed with 7 vols, atmospheric air, 
 1 vol. vapour of carbon, j 
 
 Composed of 
 
 4 vols, nitrogen, and 
 1 vol. oxygen, 
 
 and exploded, as we have seen in mines, by the flame of a lamp, candle, gunpowder, a 
 vivid spark or strongly heated wire, expands probably at least three and a half times its 
 original bulk, and forms water, or watery vapour, by the two vols, of hydrogen, of the 
 light carburetted hydrogen entering into combination with one vol. of oxygen of the air, 
 and much of the remainder of the vols, oxygen forming carbonic acid gas with the vapour 
 of carbon, leaving a large proportion of the nitrogen free. 
 
 This explosion will then leave as its results, which are the after-damp, more than two- 
 thirds nitrogen, and under no circumstances more than one-tenth carbonic acid gas, from the 
 incapacity of the air to supply a larger proportion of oxygen to form it. There will be also 
 a portion of aqueous vapour, and perhaps, from the explosion and its motion, a small 
 quantity of atmospheric air, or other unexploded air of the mine. 
 
 This after-damp is then formed of 
 
 8 vols, of nitrogen, 
 
 2 vols, of aqueous vapour, and 
 
 1 vol. of carbonic acid gas ; 
 
 The relative position 
 tof the products. 
 
 Practical infer- 
 ences. 
 
 'he diffusibility of gases, these different products are 
 the mines, still affected by their particular specific 
 
 and notwithstanding the doctrine of tt 
 in their positions in the passages of 
 
 gravities, and, in those gigantic laboratories, will be found existing in the lower or higher 
 regions, according to their relative weights. Whether the absence of the sun's rays, the 
 operation of a sufficient body of the atmospheric air, or the want of successively applied 
 .surfaces of the latter, as in its action on the earth, be the cause of this apparent exception 
 to the law, it is perhaps without further investigation difficult to say ; but there is no doubt 
 that the light carburetted hydrogen is always found floating in masses in the higher parts 
 of the mines, and the carbonic acid gas in the lower, as their specific gravities would 
 indicate. 
 
 JNovv the two-thirds nitrogen, forming so large a proportion of the after-damp, from its 
 specific gravity (0-9722), will be found filling the upper and middle regions of this mine 
 atmosphere; while the carbonic acid gas, forming about one-tenth of it, will, from its specific 
 gravity (1-5277), take its place at or towards the bottom of the passages, and probably in 
 great strength will extend upwards little more than six inches. Hence it may be inferred 
 that when the men, alter explosion, if not struck down at once by it, attempt to leave the 
 mine through an atmosphere of after-damp, they are at first rendered partially insensible by 
 the nitrogen which has been substituted for atmospheric air, and then fall into a si ill more 
 deleterious region, in which they meet with a large portion of a positive poison (the carbonic 
 acid gas), and it having been inhaled to a small extent, they pass rapidly into a state of 
 asphyxia, owing to the state to which their systems have been previously reduced. 
 
 Whether it may not then be doubted that the carbonic acid gas, which is invariably 
 looked upon as the sole cause of destruction in after-damp, has not an extensive co-opeia- 
 tion in the uncombined nitrogen in aid of such results, seems a question that properly 
 arises from the foregoing analysis and statement. 
 
 And if the destructive effects are considered as the combined action of the nitrogen and 
 carbonic acid gas, or rather the previous effect of the first, producing incipient insensibility 
 and incapacity of voluntary action, followed actively to their completion by the latter, it 
 will probably aid in leading to precise and correct medical views on this subject, which the 
 uncertainty of the cause has hitherto somewhat prevented, (a) 
 
 Two practical results are thus plainly indicated : — 1st, That as the lamps are instanta- 
 neously extinguished where carbonic acid gas is abundant, and burn with a dull red flame 
 as they approach its confines ; then, on these indications, the miner is reamed immediately 
 to retire, as flame is here extinguished before life; but when there is a large admixture of 
 nitrogen, the lamp continues to burn as in sulphuretted hydrogen, even when the miner is 
 
 struck 
 
 (a) Davy found an animal live, though only for a short time, with 100 parts azote, 14 carbonic acid gas, and 
 7 oxygen. — (Researches on Flame, p 37.) Bischof conceives air inespirable if it contains more than hall' of 
 the carbonic acid gas to oxygen ; and that atmospheric air, with one-tenth carbonic acid gas, will, with diffi- 
 culty, for a time support respiration. — (Memoires sur Taerage des mines, Ch. V.) Professor Graham, of 
 London, after an explosion with certain supposed proportions of gas and atmospheric air, conceives, after the 
 expansion, a fresh intermixture of the latter, and infers it may possess this composition: — 
 Oxygen - -...---14 vols. 
 Carbonic Acid - -- -- -- 7„ 
 
 Nitrogen - - - - - - - - 79 „ 
 
 "Yet such an atmosphere, he adds, would be powerfully narcotic, and soon prove fatal to persons immersed 
 i:i it."— (Extract from a communication of Professor Graham to the Committee, Nov. 14, 1840.) 
 
SELECT COMMITTEE ON COAL MINES. 
 
 205 
 
 Dr. Pereira to the 
 Committee. 
 
 Professor Graham. 
 
 Professor Christison 
 to the Committee. 
 
 struck down, life being in the latter case extinguished before flame. This was fully verified Appendix, No. 4. 
 
 in the St. Hilda Pit explosion in 1839 ; but in every case any alteration in appearance of 
 
 the flame ought instantly to be attended to. 
 
 This was strongly sustained, as has just been staled, in the appearance presented in Sr. 
 Hilda Pit explosion, when, in less than two hours after it occurred, the Secretary of the 
 Committee beheld the men in the passages fall down insensible, while their lamps con- 
 tinued to burn in the same place with a steady, though imperfect light, indicating nitrogen ; 
 and a sort of instinct led the few men around to sit down for relief, asserting that the 
 higher region ofthc passages was most destructive, and which, on following their example, 
 was found to be the fact, the change soon affording relief from sickness and intense head- 
 ache. Sitting; in these vitiated passages, which are about six feet high, would bring them to 
 inhale the middle atmosphere, which would probably contain less of nitrogen or carbonic 
 acid gas than the upper or lower portions, thus sustaining the foregoing reasoning in all 
 its parts. 
 
 2d, That asphyxia, arising from nitrogen, and completed by carbonic acid gas, might 
 probably indicate a different system of medical treatment. 
 
 Dr. Pereira, in a letter to the Committee, of the 10th November 1840, agrees with the 
 above stated products of explosion of the re-acting proportions in those quantities specified, 
 though he adds, " he suspects that we were disposed lo underrate the injurious effect of 
 the carbonic acid gas of the after-damp." Professor Graham, of London, also states — 
 " The representation which you have given of the composition of the explosive atmosphere 
 of coal mines, and of the products after an explosion, are, I believe, substantially correct;" 
 and Professor Hope, of Edinburgh, supports the views of the Committee, by his remark to Professor Hope, 
 them, that "the opinion is certainly an erroneous one that the deleterious nature of the 
 after-damp arises from the presence of the carbonic acid gas alone." 
 
 It is gratifying to the Committee to be able to give the following communication from 
 the eminent modern writer on poisons, Prolessor Christison, of Edinburgh, upon this ques- 
 tion. It is addressed to one of the Secretaries of the Committee, and well developes the 
 professional nature of the subject : — 
 
 "Sir, " Edinburgh, 24th June 1842. 
 
 I regret very much the delay which has taken place in my reply to your letters respecting 
 the accidents occasioned to workmen in mines from explosions and choke-damp. Your 
 letter of the 8th May, reminding me of my promise to communicate my views to you on 
 this subject arrived while I was in London, whither it was not despatched for some time, 
 as my stay was at first expected to be short. Business having detained me much longer 
 than I anticipated, your letter was at length forwarded to me. But while in London, I 
 could not have access to your previous letter, containing the facts connected with the sub- 
 ject, nor to the sources of information I wished to consult. * * * I am afraid 
 my answer to yours may arrive too late for your purpose; but 1 trust you will believe 
 I have done what 1 could to comply with your wishes. I understand your queries to re- 
 late to those cases only in which mines are exposed to the noxious gases which take the 
 place of atmospheric air after the explosion of carburetted hydrogen, and not to those in 
 which carbonic acid is breathed without previous explosion. If I am right in so thinking, 
 and in assuming that the remarkable instances where a peculiar odour, sudden swelling of 
 the body, and very early decay are observed, occur in the former circumstances only, 
 then it appears to me that the peculiarities in such cases may be accounted for by reference 
 to other causes besides the nature of the gases that are breathed. All the investigations 
 hitherto made into the action of the irrespiiable gases seem to prove that nitrogen gas is 
 merely a negative substance in respect to respiration, and that its effects, when breathed, 
 are undistinguishable from those of simple obstruction of the breathing, especially when 
 that obstruction is gradual, not complete. Consequently it is not probable that the nitrogen 
 in the toul air breathed by the miners has anything to do with the peculiar phenomena you 
 describe as characterising the cases of the miners who die after explosions of fire-damp. 
 The carbonic acid is well known on the other hand to be a positive poison of the narcotic 
 kind, as, indeed, you must be well aware ; and it has been fully ascertained that a less pro- 
 portion than that stated by you (one-tenth) will speedily prove fatal, even when mixed with 
 atmospheric air. The question is, whether it will cause the appearances after death you 
 have described in your letter to me. I do not find these appearances mentioned in any 
 of the numerous cases I have hitherto had occasion to consult of death from the inhala- 
 tion of carbonic acid in various forms. Consequently the idea entertained by yourself and 
 your friends, as to there being something peculiar in the nature and causes of the death of 
 miners after explosions, is probably correct. In cases of death, by slow obstruction of 
 the breathing, rapid decay is sometimes observed, but not so rapid as you describe in re- 
 gard to the cases of miners. The phenomena approach nearer those which characterize 
 death by lightning than any other mode of death. It occurs to me as possible, that the 
 peculiarity adverted to may be owing to the effect of the explosion in causing concussion. 
 I do not see how otherwise the circumstances of the cases can be accounted for. It 
 is possible, however, that you may be in possession of information which is at variance 
 with this supposition, (a) A more precise acquaintance with the nature and causes of such 
 
 accidents 
 
 (a) Men in a distant part of the workings, to whom even a knowledge of the explosion has not extended, till 
 its effects have been felt in the vitiated air or interrupted ventilation, or men fresh from day, have undergone 
 nearly similar symptoms and effects without exposure to the influence of the concussion. 
 
 0.62. c c 3 
 
206 
 
 APPENDIX TO REPORT FROM THE 
 
 Appendix, No. 4. accidents would, without doubt, be of service in directing medical men to a judicious 
 mode of treatment. At the same time, I cannot help surmising that the cases you describe 
 are of a kind in which no treatment is likely to be of material service. The phenomena 
 you mention, viz., the indications of premature putrefaction, show that most serious dis- 
 turbance is caused to the functions of the body generally, and that the properties of the 
 blood are in all probability irretrievably altered. A more minute and professional account 
 of the progress of matters until dissection, and of the appearances found within the body 
 on anatomical examination, would throw light upon this question. Meanwhile it is difficult 
 to say what line of treatment is most likely to prove serviceable. Were the accidents 
 merely cases of poisoning with carbonic acid, the treatment would be more frequently suc- 
 cessful than it appears to be. At all events, this treatment is so well understood now that 
 I need scarcely mention it. Dashing cold water over the head and neck ; the application 
 of the ordinary internal and external stimulants; occasionally moderate depletion of blood; 
 artificial inflation of the lungs ; and sometimes galvanism, constitute the leading remedies 
 in such cases. Until I have a more minute professional description of the cases of miners 
 after explosions, however, I cannot venture to say that similar treatment is equally ap- 
 plicable to them ; and, on the whole, I repeat that the particulars you have already related 
 to me would lead me to form a very unfavourable opinion as to the probability of any treat- 
 ment proving successful. I ought to have observed, that it is not quite clear to me, from 
 your description, whether the individuals, whose cases you describe, show any signs of 
 lingering vitality after they are found ; but I take it for granted that they do. On this and 
 other medical points, it would be obliging if you could furnish me with detailed professional 
 information, for I have nowhere seen a precise and minute account of the effects of ex- 
 plosions in mines on the body. 
 
 " I am, &c, 
 
 " R. Christison." 
 
 Here at present the Committee may leave the question of medical treatment after explo- 
 sion, until an opportunity is afforded of minute professional investigation ; with, however, the 
 addition of a few simple rules, translaced from an instruction of the French Government of 
 1813, procured from their highest medical authorities, and which were to be the mode of 
 procedure of the professional men, who, according to a decree of the same year, were to be 
 provided by the owners for the service of their workmen, (a) 
 
 It will be altogether unnecessary, and would be foreign to the proper duties of the Com- 
 mittee, to say a word on the medical treatment of the ordinary and well understood acci- 
 dents of the mines, as burns, wounds, and bruises, which have already the first professional 
 knowledge regularly applied to their relief, and which can only be expected to be reduced 
 in number and extent bu the application of such improved modes of mining as have been 
 suggested, and which may be secured by the better education of the mining officers by 
 Government inspection, and the adoption of a system sanctioned by the unerring dic- 
 tates of science and experience. 
 
 French " Instruction." 
 
 " Upon the character of the accidents to which the working miners are exposed, and 
 upon the nature of the aid which ought to be administered to them when these accidents 
 take place. 
 
 " The numerous accidents to which the miners, and the workmen in the metallic mines 
 ate exposed, render necessary the publication of a short and clear instruction upon the 
 nature of these accidents, and the remedies which they require. 
 
 ''Asphyxia. — The miners are exposed to asphyxia when the circulation of the air is not 
 made with sufficient activity, when the substance which they extract exhales a great 
 quantity of deleterious gas, when they imprudently penetrate into ancient and abandoned 
 works, and when the combustion of hydrogen gas is made too rapidly; and, they might 
 have added, the air thereby deprived of its oxygen. 
 
 " The symptoms of asphyxia, always easy to be known, are the sudden cessation of 
 respiration, of the pulsations of the heart, of the action of all the sensitive functions ; the 
 countenance swollen and marked with reddish spots, the eyes become protruded, the 
 features are decomposed, and the face is often livid. * * * * It is necessary 
 to succour an asphyxied person with the greatest promptitude, and to continue the 
 remedies with perseverance as long as there is not a certainty that life is completely ex- 
 tinguished. 
 
 " The best and the first remedy to employ, that in which the greatest confidence ought 
 to be placed, is the renewal of the air so necessary to respiration. In succession : — 
 
 " 1st. You will promptly withdraw the asphyxied person from the deleterious place, and 
 expose him to a good and pure air. 
 
 " 2d. Undress him, and throw on the body effusions of cold water. 
 
 " 3d. Endeavour to make him swallow, if it be possible, cold water slightly acidulated 
 
 with vinegar. 
 
 " 4th. "Clysters should be given, two-thirds of cold water and one-third vinegar; after- 
 wards to be followed up by the administration of others with a strong solution of common 
 salt, or of senna and Epsom salts. 
 
 French medical, 
 iv struct ion. 
 
 (a) Decree of Napoleon, January 1813. Titre III., Art. XV. 
 
SELECT COMMITTEE ON COAL MINES. 
 
 -207 
 
 " 5th. Attempts should be made to irritate the pituitary membrane with the feather end of Appendix, No. 4. 
 
 a quiil, which should be gently moved in the nostrils of the insensible person, or stimulated 
 
 with a bottle of volatile alkali put under the nose. 
 
 " 6th. Introduce air into the lungs, by blowing with the nozzle of a bellows into one of 
 the nostrils, and compressing the other with the fingers. 
 
 " 7. If these means do not sufficiently produce the effects which are expected, the body 
 of the asphyxied person preserving its heat, as that generally occurs for a long time, it will 
 be necessary to have recourse to blood-letting, of which the necessity will be clearly 
 indicated if the face be red, the lips swollen, and the eyes protruding. Blood-letting from 
 the jugular vein will produce the speediest effect: in default of drawing it from that place, 
 it should be made from the foot. 
 
 " 8th. For the last resort, an opening should be made in the trachea, and a smali pipe 
 introduced through which the air should be pressed by the aid of a little bellows. 
 
 " It is necessary to apply these various remedies with the greatest promptness ; the later 
 they are in being employed, the more there is to fear that they will not be efficacious ; and 
 as death does not certainly appear for a long time, they ought not to be discontinued, but 
 when it is clearly confirmed. The absence of beatings of the pulse is not a certain sign of 
 death. The want of respiration is not sufficient to constitute it. Neither ought to be 
 regarded as dead persons, those whose breath or pulmonary transpiration does not bedim 
 the brightness of a glass; nor those of whom the members are stiff and which appear 
 insensible." 
 
 The Committee have given these brief instructions that some of them may be judiciously 
 practised, instead of the injurious plans sometimes adopted, (such as placing the face of 
 an asphyxied person in a hole of the earth), until the arrival of a medical practitioner, who 
 will then find the patient prepared uninjured for his professional skill, and his object facilitated, 
 not obstructed, by the previous treatment which has been applied. 
 
 SUMMARY OF GENERAL CONCLUSIONS. 
 
 The Committee deem it proper to collect and concentrate the conclusions which they have Summary of "er^-mE 
 deduced in the course of their investigations; and refer to the proper heads of the Report conclusions, 
 for the detail and premises by which they are supported and have been elicited. 
 
 1st. — Safety Lamps. 
 
 The Committee find, after the most minute investigation, and careful attention and expe- 
 riment which they have been able to devote to this branch of their subject, that no mere 
 safety lamp, however ingenious its construction, is able to secure fiery mines from explosion, 
 and that a reliance upon it is a fatal error, conducive to those dreadful calamities which it 
 is intended to prevent. 
 
 The Committee further find, that the naked Davy lamp, w ithout a complete shield of glass 
 or other material, is a rao4 dangerous instrument, and has indubitably been productive of 
 those accidents in mines against which it is too confidently and generally employed, at the 
 daily imminent risk of producing such calamity. 
 
 The Committee also turther find, that the best description of lamp to be employed in 
 fiery mines, is one on a perfectly new principle, that of an improved British and Belgic 
 lamp, in which the supply of air is derived entirely through the upper part of the construc- 
 tion, over the glass shield, which, from the greater diffusibility of the explosive gases, 
 operated on by the temperature of the lamp, down whose heated interior they have to 
 descend, chiefly enables the atmospheric air to visit the flame; but, that notwithstanding 
 this improvement, the utmost attention must be continually paid to the condition of even 
 these lamps, and still more to those of other descriptions ; that the gauze must be examined 
 daily, and every part of the apparatus be ascertained to be perfect ; that the workmen must 
 be warned never to continue in an inflammable atmosphere with their lamps overheated by 
 the increased flame; and that instead of being impressed with the idea that these lamps are 
 absolutely safe instruments, they should be convinced that they are only comparatively safe, 
 and that contingencies may easily arise in which even the best constructed may be produc- 
 tive of danger and explosion. 
 
 "2d. — Ventilation. 
 
 The Committee find, that from erroneous conviction, or other less defensible cause, 
 securing safety in mines by lamps has been beyond all reasonable bounds relied on ; while 
 the far more important and safer system of ventilation has been comparatively nesjlecced. 
 
 That the condition of the ventilation of the northern mines, which abound above all 
 others with explosive gas, is of the most dangerous description, sometimes at a rate in the 
 galleries not exceeding two feet ; and in some of the most extensive mines it is reduced 
 so low as l^g, 1 foot, and even "66 of a foot, as the average velocity of the air current, 
 which is produced by the limited proportion of pit and shaft area to the enormous extent of 
 the subterraneous excavations sometimes extending beyond 70 miles, where nearly 400 acres 
 are supplied with atmospheric air by a single pit. 
 
 That this imperfect state of the ventilation in the northern mines is caused by too few 
 shaftsin proportion to the extentof underground workings ; that the cosiof sinking those shafts 
 has been unduly exaggerated ; and that the saving of expense from destruction of brattices, 
 waste of ropes, injury from explosion, Sec, eventually compensate for the increased first 
 O.62. C C 4 outlay 
 
208 
 
 APPENDIX TO REPORT FROM THE 
 
 .Appendix, No. 4. outlay on the necessary additional shafts; that only increased velocity, and diminished 
 
 length of air currents, can secure against the recurrence of explosions, and that, for this 
 
 purpose, one shaft ought to be apportioned to at the most 40 acres, which is much more 
 than the proportion in the metallic mines of Cornwall, or in the coal mines of Staffordshire, 
 often more than in those of Lancashire, and sometimes in those of the northern coal-field ; 
 and that no " winning" or extraction of coal in a new mine should be allowed to be made, 
 unless two distinct and separate shafts have been previously put down, which should be 
 secured by Act of Parliament. 
 
 That for facilitating the easy passage of air without obstruction, the areas of the upcast 
 shafts should invariably equal, if not exceed, ihe areas of the downcast, instead of bearing, 
 as they now do, in many instances, a proportion of two to one. This is clearly evident, 
 when it is considered that the heated products of the air, after combustion, as nitrogen, 
 carbonic acid, &.C, in ascending the upcast, are expended nearly one-seventh by the 
 increased temperature of the furnace, from the time of their descent through the downcast 
 and passage in the works. 
 
 That the plan and mode of ventilation by high-pressure steam, recommended by Mr. 
 Goldsworthy Gurney, the distinguished inventor of the Bude Light, as developed in his 
 communications to the Committee, fully detailed in the Report, seem peculiarly adapted 
 for accomplishing, at small expense, and without derangement to the present system of 
 working, a vast, increased, and manageable rate of current. That this power, although 
 manageable, is almost illimitable, and can be applied to sweep the galleries with the almost 
 irresistible force of a hurricane, guided only by the safety of the works when the men may 
 be absent from the pit, rendering it, before their descent, pure, healthy, and safe. 
 
 That considering its power, safety, and economy, facility of execution and command, 
 ventilation by high-pressure steam is peculiarly fitted for the present condition of mines, 
 and adapted for them in every stage of their operations. Tnat it appears one of the most 
 important and valuable suggestions, and if fully and properly applied, preferable, as far as 
 relates to its effects on the safety and healthiness of the mine, to any invention of modern 
 times. 
 
 That in addition to these improvements in ventilation, the plan of exhausting the gas by 
 drifts driven along the face of dykes which are found to dam back and accumulate the gas 
 in great abundance, and perhaps aid in creating it, and which has flowed up through the 
 natural divisions of the coal, backs, slines, or cleavages, is deserving of extensive application. 
 That the support which the natural position and dip of coal-seams, their structure, and their 
 interruption ny faults or dykes, give to the suggestion of draining by gas-drifts, scientifi- 
 cally applied, borne out by extensive practical demonstration of its great utility in War- 
 wickshire and Staffordshire, and partially, in some instances, in the Northumberland and 
 Durham districts, leaves no doubt of the important advantages derivable from them, and 
 which are the more valuable as no interruption of the slightest kind to the present mode 
 of operating in mines, and but small increased expense will arise from their introduction ; 
 and thus there exists no real obstruction to their general and immediate adoption. 
 
 3c?. — Scientific Instruments. 
 
 The Committee find that the variation of the pressure and temperature of the atmosphere 
 influence the evolution of gas in a very striking manner, and that a few degree^ fali of the 
 barometer, and increase of atmospheric temperature indicated by the thermometer, are 
 certain to be followed in fiery mines by a corresponding increase of danger, by the removal 
 of the pressure from the pores, cleavages, and blowers in the coal, admitting a more easy 
 ingress of gas into the galleries of the mine, and by tending to equalize the weight of the 
 two columns of air of the downcast and upcast shafts, reducing the rate of circulation, all 
 which co-operate to effect an increased flow of gas and a decreased ventilation, causing the 
 mine at such time rapidly to assume a most dangerous condition. 
 
 That the necessity of those instruments is thus strongly indicated for every mine, espe- 
 cially the barometer; or better, as more delicate, more convenient, and more anticipatory, 
 the sympiesometer, whose indicating fluid is marly similar to that to be guarded against, the 
 gas of the surcharged crevices of the mine, which are so many natural sympiesometers 
 acted on by every material change of the atmosphere. 
 
 That the sympiesometer, or barometer and thermometer, are essentially necessary for 
 every well regulated mine, and should be placed under the care of a skilful person, who 
 ought, at the same time, in a convenient room, to have charge of the safety lamps, and that 
 they should be open at all times to the inspection of the officers, who, by a proper attention 
 to their indications, will be able to anticipate with certainty for hours a threatened mining 
 storm, to make provision against its insidious approach, and render innocuous the develop- 
 ment of its dangerous elements. 
 
 That the rude and barbarous mode of measuring the velocity of the air-currents by the - 
 smoke of gunpowder or tobacco, or the regulated pace of a person by the flame of a candle, 
 acted on by a current contracted and disturbed at the point of operation by bis body, are 
 incorrect modes to acquire a knowledge of the true velocity of the columns of air through 
 the passages of the mines, on which their safety entirely depends; that a correct anemo- 
 meter, on scientific principles, would be a great acquisition to every mine, one of which 
 might be entrusted with much advantage to the care of the lamp and instrument-keeper, 
 and placed in one of the main air-currents, and another to the furnace-keeper for his 
 guidance. A mere inspection of either would enable, in an instant, an officer to ascertain 
 die exact condition of the mine, without having recourse to a troublesome experiment, not 
 
 always 
 
SELECT COMMITTEE ON COAL MINES. 
 
 209 
 
 always practicable or safe, and he would perceive whether the passages were fiee, the Appendix, No. 4, 
 
 furnace or other motive power properly worked, and what the present and past velocity in 
 
 his absence, of the ventilation; also, at the same time, indicating atmospheric changes, 
 conjointly with the sympiesorneter and thermometer. 
 
 That, also, were officers of mines properly educated for their profession, an eudiometer 
 would be a valuable instrument for occasional employment, to discover, not only the com- 
 parative purity of the air in the mine, but also the exact per-centage of carbuietted hydrogen, 
 flowing, under certain circumstances, into the exposed passages, thus enabling a mathe- 
 matical calculation to be made of the quantity and velocity of air required to keep the pit 
 atmosphere below the explosive point. That, therefore, the eudiometer ought not to be 
 omitted, in every well-regulated mine, as an instrument essential to its safety, in conjunction 
 with the sympiesorneter, thermometer, and anemometer. 
 
 4th. — Infant Labour in Mines. 
 
 The Committee refer to this subject in their Heport, which was written previous to the 
 introduction of Lord Ashley's Bill, restricting the employment of boys till their arrival at a 
 certain age. The Committee have assigned reasons for the opinion that admitting children 
 as trappers, their first employment, at too early an age, is prejudicial to the safety of the 
 mine, and have given recent instances where so many as 30 deaths at a blow have been 
 caused by the negligence of a boy of nine years of age, while they consider it proper for the 
 increased safety of mines, as well as to secure a better education and physical health to the 
 little sufferers, to restrict the period of their descent into the mine. They have also endea- 
 voured to show that extending the term for commencing a pitman's life beyond 11, or at 
 furthest twelve years of age, will be detrimental to the supply of good pitmen, and conse- 
 quently will prove injurious to the amount of produce, with an increase of expense, which 
 will fall upon the public, and on the arts and manufactures, by an increase of price, to the 
 advantage of the foreign competitor. The Committee, notwithstanding certain arrange- 
 ments of the New Act, continue to retain their matured conviction expressed on this subject 
 in their Report. 
 
 5th. — Registered Plans and Sections. 
 
 The Committee consider that the advantage of registered plans and sections of mines, 
 especially the horizontal workings of coal mines, is clearly obvious, inasmuch as from 
 ignorance of the exact position of workings, old mines are not unfrequently approached by 
 new, and have been several times penetrated by the latter, and the accumulated water with 
 which they have been inundated, has burst forth, severely injuring or overwhelming the more 
 recent works, and destroying a large amount of life, on one instance so many as 75 human 
 beings. 
 
 That a regular and correct registration of the plans and sections of every mine in the 
 several districts, with the progress of the works, and such particulars as may be of conse- 
 quence to the public or future proprietors to know, are important to estimate the present 
 capability of a continued increasing supply of the national minerals, and the best organiza- 
 tion of which they are capable, for securing, as far as possible, their advantages to 
 posterity. 
 
 That practical men seem perfectly satisfied of their value, and are willing to facilitate the 
 operation of a well arranged registration, whenever the Government may deem it their duty 
 to adopt the necessary measures : and that for such purpose the office of Gustos, or some 
 similar office, of each county affords peculiar facilities for a district registration, and which, 
 at specified periods, should be transmitted to the Secretary for the Home Department, or 
 some other proper officer of Government, to be arranged in the general mining plan and 
 records of the kingdom. 
 
 That the attention paid to this subject by the Governments of foreign states, as shown in 
 the Report, is an additional cause of stimulus to the adoption of a similar procedure in this 
 country ; and that, from their well digested arrangements, useful suggestions may be obtained 
 for the execution of a good organization in Britain. 
 
 6th. — Scientific Education of Officers of Mines. 
 
 The Committee find that the mining interests of Britain, those paramount to her pros- 
 perity, are placed beyond the habitual investigations of science, being practically and almost 
 entirely in the hands of those whose early years, spent in the darkness of the mine, have 
 been beyond the reach or acquirement of her enlightening principles. That consequently 
 the scientific attainments of the chief officers of mines, the viewers or directors, and under - 
 viewers, with a few honourable exceptions, are generally far inferior to the high responsi- 
 bility of their office. 
 
 That whenever science has been brought to bear on the mines, the most beneficial 
 results have been the consequence. That M. Jars, the French academician, from a few 
 visits to the mines in 1764, explained the principles of ventilation, that practical miners, 
 though so deeply interested in, never could discover; that Sir Humphrey Davy, by one visit 
 to a single mine, was led into a series of brilliant experiments that terminated in the safety 
 lamp ; that Professor Bischof has detected, in examination of minal gases, a new element 
 of danger in the employment of that lamp ; and that Pereira, Gurney, Murray, Turner, 
 Hemming, and other scientific men, by correct experiments, have demonstrated the certain 
 O.62. D d explosion 
 
210 
 
 APPENDIX TO REPORT FROM THE 
 
 Appendix, No. 4. explosion of inflammable gases, by similar lamps, under particular conditions, in mines 
 — - — which, although valuable works and thousands of lives were daily exposed to destruction by 
 
 their use, were, till now, relied on by practical men with a fatal confidence ; all which, had 
 the officer of mines been sufficiently educated for his profession, might probably have 'been 
 long ago anticipated; besides other dormant advantages lying hid in the mines which 
 require only the proper application of science to be called into existence. That as the 
 Legislature and Government have recognised and required, in the learned professions as well 
 as in the navy and army, a systematic professional education, before admittance to their 
 responsibilities and duties, it seems also necessary and proper that the same principle should 
 be extended to a profession which is so important to the best interests of the country, and 
 involves the lives of so many of her people. 
 
 The Committee deem essential for the professional education of an officer of mines a 
 sufficient knowledge of 
 
 Mathematics and Practical Surveying, 
 Mechanics, 
 
 Hydrostatics and Hydraulics, 
 
 Pneumatics, 
 
 Chemistry, 
 
 Mineralogy, 
 
 Metallurgy, and 
 
 Geology ; 
 
 which branches of science are so easily accessible at any of the learned institutions of the 
 kingdom, and may be acquired at proper seasons by the young officer of mines simul- 
 taneously with the practice of his profession. 
 
 That at the termination of such a course of study, an opportunity should be afforded him 
 of attending a Professor of Practical Engineering and Mining, in an institution of a fitting 
 locality in a mining district, who, with the systems, modes, and practices of mining, ancient 
 and modern, in all their various branches, would expound to the young aspirant the right 
 application of his previous scientific acquirements. 
 
 That the Committee have found, in the liberal arrangements and disposition of the Warden 
 and Senate of the University of Durham, situated in the heart of the great coal district of 
 the north, every prepared facility for the attainment of this latter important object, as far as 
 relates to coal mining; the metallic mines requiring, of course, another locality, and the 
 Senate have expressed to the Committee their further willingness to co-operate in a Legis- 
 lative and Governmental plan, by the appointment of a Professor of Practical Engineering 
 and Mining. That the learned institutions of the country, and their machinery already in 
 operation, are then amply sufficient for this national object, so creditable to the character of 
 the country and so advantageous to her interests ; and that it only requires an authorized 
 arrangement by the Legislature, and a small monied grant for one additional professor in 
 a single college, to complete the important organization. 
 
 When it is considered that by a scientific education of the officers of mines, the great 
 objects sought to be obtained are, to enable our mineral resources to be better developed 
 and economized, and a large and useful class of our people better secured from the fearful 
 disasters of the mine, the Committee cannot anticipate a shadow of a just or reasonable 
 objection to its early adoption. 
 
 1th. — Government Inspection and Jurisdiction. 
 
 That considering the importance to Britain of the lives and interests involved in mining, 
 whose field of operation is placed far beyond the reach of public vigilance and ordinary- 
 investigation, and that practical men, wedded to the early practices of their professions, 
 have a decided repugnance to change, and the introduction of new modes or suggestions in 
 any department of their works, even though sustained by the discoveries of science or 
 improvements in the arts, the advantages derivable from an enlightened public jurisdiction, 
 in a well organized system of Government inspection, are clear and indubitable. 
 
 That such inspection and jurisdiction for securing the fullest protection to the public 
 interests, are perfectly compatible with the private rights of property and the freedom of 
 trade ; and that the principle has already been acknowledged and acted upon by the Legis- 
 lature with regard to railways, the professions, the manufactories, and some of the trades, 
 and is peculiarly applicable to mining, unlike the former, far removed from an enlightened 
 public investigation. 
 
 That in Sweden, Hainaut, Belgium, France, and other countries, the recognized rights of 
 legislation and supervision of mines by the State having been productive of great advan- 
 tages, afford encouragement for the admission of a similar application of the principle to 
 Britain. 
 
 Therefore the Committee find that for facilitating the introduction of sound principles ot 
 mining, both productive and economical, and for the protection of the workmen, it is neces- 
 sary to employ well-informed scientific and practical inspectors to pay frequent periodical 
 visits to the mines, registering official suggestions and recommendations, and on their non- 
 adoption, fully or partially, by an appeal to an authorized tribunal, such as a court of mines, 
 or some other competent authority, which could entertain the whole question judicially, to 
 enforce, if necessary, under certain penalties, their execution and operation : and thus would 
 mining receive the full benefit of the advancing knowledge of the times. 
 
SELECT COMMITTEE ON COAL MINES. 
 
 211 
 
 8^. — Medical Treatment after Explosion. 
 
 The Committee deem this department of the subject so important, new, and complicated, 
 that they beg to refer to it -in full in the body of the Report, in which will be found an 
 examination of the nature of the deleterious gases of mines, a valuable communication from 
 Professor Christison on the subject, and the official medical rules of treatment in France 
 after explosion, which the Committee trust will aid in extending correct views on a point 
 requiring still further professional investigation ; and which, at the same time, will also 
 prevent the rude and unskilful practices too frequently adopted after explosion, to the great, 
 and sometimes fatal, injury of the unfortunate sufferers. 
 
 Appendix, No. 4. 
 
 APPENDICES. 
 
 Appendix (A.) 
 
 PLAN for Ventilating Coal Mines, by John Martin, Esq., London. (A. 
 
 Since the sitting of the Committee of the House of Commons upon Accidents in Coal Mr. Martin'.' 
 Mines, so many great explosions have taken place, and lives been lost, that it must have 
 become obvious to all how constantly similar accidents will recur whilst the present imper- 
 fect mode of ventilating and working mines is pursued ; and the evidence of Mr. Buddie 
 himself fully confirms the opinion that a complete system of ventilation and drainage is 
 essential to preserve the security of the mines. I will, therefore, as succinctly as possible, 
 proceed to explain my method of ventilation, previously, however, making a few observa- 
 tions respecting the " Davy lamp," which still continues in such general use. From 
 various experiments, indeed, from Sir Humphry Davy's own acknowledgment, this lamp 
 is found only to be safe under particular circumstances, and I have myself seen it exploded 
 with hydrogen gas, for amusement, at the rate of sixty times in a minute. It is not, how- 
 ever, my intention to speak of the insecurity of the "Davy lamp" only, as I know that 
 the safest lamps hitherto invented may be exploded under circumstances to which all mines 
 are liable. The lamp which I invented some time since was considered the nearest to safety, 
 on principle, and has never been exploded in carburetted hydrogen, although it has been 
 so with pure hydrogen. The experiments with my brother William Martin's lamp, have 
 had the same results; and Messrs. Upton & Roberts, must prove the same, as their lamp 
 is a palpable copy of my brother's. In order to account for our lamps not exploding in 
 carburetted hydrogen, it has been said that this gas is actually only to be found in the pit ; 
 but this can scarcely be the case, and, even if it were so, the lamps were all submitted to 
 the same test. But there is one point which does not seem hitherto to have been noticed ; 
 it is, that the same gas will explode more freely where the air is purer, and this change 
 from one state to another may at any place occur in a few minutes. I arrive at this con- 
 clusion from observing on one occasion, when I was trying the " Davy lamp" with my 
 brother's and my own, that the former exploded when neither of the others did so ; but 
 on trying the same lamps with the same gas, at the same place, but on another day, the 
 whole three exploded. I then made some observations, and found that the atmosphere 
 was much clearer, and consequently more favourable to combustion than on the former 
 occasion; and inferring that the same principle holds good in the mines, the gas there being 
 more or less explosive according to the state of the surrounding atmosphere, I conclude 
 that safety lamps should be expelled altogether ; for even granting it possible to obtain a 
 lamp safe against hydrogen, where would be the security against the ten times more deadly 
 choke-damp? The result of all my experiments and inquiries only establishes my first 
 proposition, that such a thorough system of ventilation is requisite as would render it safe to 
 use common candles to light the workmen. 
 
 I will now, without further preface, enter upon my plan for ventilating coal mines. I 
 first propose to form a square of any size, say half a mile on each side, or two miles 
 round the whole mine, as follows : — From the bottom of the downcast shaft, two ways 
 should be formed running close by each other, the one to go, and the other to return, till the 
 first half mile is attained; these ways should then turn at a right angle to the left for 
 another half mile to the upcast shaft ; the same to be done on the left hand of the down- 
 cast shaft, thus completing the square, and obtaining a free current round the whole mine, 
 from the downcast to the upcast shafts on the right, and the same on the left ; the lowest 
 end of the strata or beds of coal should then be ascertained, and a proper drain be formed. 
 To facilitate the working of this mine, the two shafts should be commenced at the same 
 time, and the ways would thus meet each other at the intermediate angles. The men should 
 proceed to cut away the coal at these two corners between the shafts, and to convey it to 
 that shaft which is nearest. Gunpowder might safely be used with this plan, as the current 
 of fresh air would continue to sweep the face of the works where the miners are extracting 
 0.62. DD2 the 
 
•21-2 
 
 APPENDIX TO REPORT FROM THE 
 
 Appendix, No. l. the coal, and as fast as the gas comes out, it will be carried away by the ventilator at the 
 
 upshaft. One set of men should be blasting and hurling the coal down, and another set be 
 
 (A.) forming pillars, but no more pillars should be allowed to remain than would be sufficient to 
 
 Mr. Martin's Plan. protect the two ways. The whole of the coal should ultimately be taken away, excepting 
 the row of pillar next to the surrounding gallery, or outside way, which will be of value in 
 protecting the drain, and likewise in working the next square mine when the old one is 
 exhausted. As the open space behind the works becomes wider, the support being re- 
 moved, the roof will fall in, and close up the void; but it would be of no consequence if 
 this were not entirely closed up, since the higher end of the goaf would always be nearest to 
 the ventilating gallery, the hydrogen gas escaping by a short and straight line to the up- 
 shaft, and the lower end being nearest the downshaft, would allow the water and carbonic 
 acid gas to run off by means of the great drain to the well, and be thence pumped out {see 
 
 Plan, No. 4. diagram). Thus would be obtained the shortest and straightest way to ventilate, drain, and 
 
 carry off' the coal, without danger to life from explosion, or choke-damp, or chance of de- 
 struction to property; without trap-doors or men to watch them ; without the necessity of 
 inducing men to work by means of a pretended safety lamp ; and last, though not least, to 
 the coal-owners, without viewers paid a heavy centage for working dangerous parts of the 
 mine. Wherever a new mine is to be opened, it should be upon this principle, as cheaper, 
 easier, and certainly safe ; and I would suggest that, whatever the expenses of the first 
 experiments, it is but just and fair that they be borne by all the coal-owners in proportion 
 to the extent of their coal property, as the result would be to the advantage of the whole. 
 It is not, however, absolutely necessary to form an entirely new mine to test the correct- 
 ness of my views, as my principle can be applied at once to any old one; and I propose 
 to mark out, on the working plan of the Wallsend Colliery, which shows the highest and 
 lowest beds of coal, the method of applying my plan, and am willing afterwards to submit 
 it to the severe and close scrutiny of men of science and judgment, and to abide by their 
 decision, provided there is no biassed party allowed to interfere on either side. I earnestly 
 entreat the coal-owners themselves to carefully examine the details of the plans, and com- 
 pare them with those now in use, for it is their bounden and solemn duty to consider and 
 adopt whatever measures are in their power to preserve the lives and limbs of their la- 
 bourers; and if not for humanity, yet for their own sakes they should do so, as the whole 
 onus will rest with them, and not with the viewers, who are understood to be mere tools in 
 the hands of their employers. I am aware that the coal-owners, in common with most who 
 are not " practical men," are doubtful as to their competency to pass judgment on plans 
 which may be submitted to them ; and this strengthens my opinion, elsewhere expressed, 
 as to the necessity of making drawing (especially ground plans, elevations, and perspective) 
 a principal branch of education in our colleges and other schools, in order that our legis- 
 lators may be enabled to understand and judge for themselves, without being obliged to 
 rely on the dicta of practical men who may be incapable of judging, either from want of 
 talent, or want of principle, the worst evil of the two; for this last too often condemns that 
 measure which would clash with his own interest, and does not hesitate privately to adopt 
 ideas which may be adapted to his own purposes. When I first laid my plan before the 
 Committee upon Accidents in Coal Mines, the honourable Members requested me to ex- 
 plain my views to Mr. Stephenson, the engineer and practical man to whom they referred 
 the various plans. I therefore began by showing a drawing of Air. Buddie's plan of Jarrow 
 Colliery, with my explanation of the working of the system; but when I mentioned the 
 accumulation of foul gases in the various recesses where the pure air did not enter, he 
 flatly contradicted me, and declared that all parts of the mine were equally ventilated. I 
 contended that the plan was correctly drawn from that of Mr. Buddie's, the principal coal 
 viewer in the kingdom, and appealed to the Chairman; but no answer was returned, and I 
 was allowed to be put down. However, when Mr. Buddie came before the Committee rela- 
 tive to the explosion of Wallsend Colliery, I took an opportunity to show him my plans. 
 The first drawing we looked over was a copy of the plan which Mr. Stephenson had con- 
 demned, but with very different results; for, upon explaining to him the same points which 
 I had previously explained to Mr. Stephenson, I proved to be so correct that Mr. Buddie 
 complimented me by saying, that I was the best amaieur coal-viewer he had met with, 
 &c. After M r. Stephenson's unceremonious non-admission of my plans, I sat down to ob- 
 serve the progress of the inquiry, and gained a variety of useful information and practical 
 knowledge during six weeks' close attention to the evidence of numerous scientific men, 
 whose views I was gratified to find fully confirmed my own, and enabled me to mature and 
 perfect my plan. [Mr. Martin here makes some severe remarks on an error that had been 
 detected in a plan of a gentleman connected with the northern mines, but as it does not 
 appear necessary to the elucidation of his own plan, it has been at present omitted.] 
 
 It has been repeatedly asked why this simple and efficient plan has not been adopted, or 
 at least tried, since it is applicable with perfect safety to the present mines in their half 
 unfinished state, as it is obviously cheaper, being without the drawback of expensive trap- 
 duois, stoppings, destruction of horses, or allowance to widows and orphans? My answer 
 is, that the coal-owners do not trust to their own judgment, but apply to interested or 
 prejudiced viewers and practical men of their own choice, in the supposition that Mr. 
 Martin, not being a " practical man," can know nothing about it; but I have first-rate 
 practical men, and men of the highest distinction in science (Mr. Smith and Dr. Birkbeck, 
 lor instance) decidedly in favour of my proposition. 
 
 There are, however, reasons for persisting in the use of the Davy lamp instead of ventila- 
 tion. It appears that before the introduction of this lamp each man used to have 20 
 guineas bounty for the year for working in a mine considered dangerous ; but when the 
 
 lamp 
 
SELECT COMMITTEE ON COAL MINES. 
 
 213 
 
 lamp was invented, if. was placed in the hands of miners, and the bounty withheld, thus* Appendix, No. 4. 
 effecting a saving to the owner of 20,000 /. in premiums to 1,000 men. Another reason is, ^.) 
 that before the introduction of the lamp, the men refused to work many parts of the pits, Mr Martin's Plan, 
 and a large and important proportion of the coal was thus absolutely lost to the owners. 
 Thus has this horrible system been maintained, for the viewer himself has no small share 
 of the profits, as I am informed he receives as much as 15 per cent, for working dan- 
 gerous parts ; and it seems to me to be the worst part of the system to give this species 
 of premium on danger. 
 
 It may appear singular that I have so long delayed bringing this plan forward ; and I 
 should have done so long since, had I not expected something to be done to improve 
 the mines, and ameliorate the condition of the poor suffering workmen; but I can no 
 longer let any consideration of the unpleasant task of exposing and inflicting pain on 
 individuals interfere with my more public duty, but openly come forward, at all risks, 
 in the earnest hope of drawing some effectual attention to the subject. 
 
 Appendix (B.) 
 
 Letters from Mr. Fourness, Leeds, on Fan Ventilation. 
 
 (B.) 
 
 Sir, Leeds, 5th August 1839. Mr. Foumes's first 
 
 Your kind letter of inquiry duly came to hand, and my being from home has prevented letter on FanVenti- 
 me from addressing you sooner. In answer, the limits of a letter prevent me giving you a ^ aUon ' 
 full detail of my ideas on the subject, however I will endeavour in part to illustrate it: — 
 
 First, — A furnace is not calculated to answer the purpose (effectually) for which it is 
 intended. 
 
 Secondly, — It is too weak an agent, and not to be depended upon ; and if made suffi- 
 ciently powerful, it would be an impossibility for the workmen to ascend and descend the 
 shaft ; the intense heat near the bottom, in connection with the sulphur from the fire, would 
 smother them, and eventually set fire, to the sides of the upcast shafts. 
 
 Thirdly, — If some other method or methods are not adopted, accidents of a serious or 
 a minor nature must ever be taking place. As fire and water are two opposite elements, the 
 furnace at the bottom, and the greater or less quantity of water behind the sheeting boards 
 of the upcast shaft, and each acting in its own capacity, are struggling to the utmost; but 
 which is to be superior, however, in the shape of hot or cold bodies, the effect of the heat 
 must give way to the colder bodies which surrounds it ; indeed, it is not any thing else but a 
 perfect refrigeratory of the first order. 
 
 I find from experience the uniform temperature of the upcast shaft to be G2° Fahrenheit, 
 whilst those of the working are at 60° ; the upcast being at 62°, and the working at 60°, 
 shows an increased temperature of 2° (a). Now air or gases expand for every additional 
 degree of temperature Fahrenheit, ^ part, consequently 2° must be ^| 0 . To find the quan- 
 tity of air passing through the workings, the following simple rule will give it; — Upcast 
 shaft or lifting power 2°, or ^fg, find the area and contents in cubic feet contained in any 
 given length, allowing air at 60° to weigh loz. 2grs. to the square foot ; deduct from the 
 whole weight of column or product ^th, which will be the difference in weigh»t caused by 
 the furnace. Then say, the area of the windpath 21 feet, divide the ^fgth by 21, which will 
 immediately show the pressure on each square foot; and by looking into Smeaton's table 
 on the velocity and perpendicular force of the wind, you will get the answer ; I find it 
 about 7*25 feet per second. This is someihing like one-half of what it should be ; and if 
 doubled, the same effect must be produced as I have noted at the commencement of this 
 letter. It would require more than as much more fuel to be consumed ; if I say four times 
 the quantity, I should not be very far wrong, to course a current of air through the area of 
 15 feet at 14| feet per second. The quantity certainly seems to be out of reason, but when 
 we consider the upcast shaft so complete a condenser, and the great affinity hot bodies have 
 to coldness, and the celerity in cooling being according to, or in a ratio with the increased 
 temperature, we need not wonder at the quantity required. If the furnace is kept regular, 
 the current passing through the pits will always be the same. I think I can show you, if 
 kept regular, it will not answer the purpose. Suppose this morning the barometer stands 
 as high as 30, and in the evening falls to 29, one pound on the square inch is taken off the 
 blowers, fissures, &c, where the gas is generated, consequently ^th more of carburetted 
 hydrogen is permitted to come into the works, and thereby renders them dangerous to work 
 in. If it could be so contrived to raise the temperature of the shaft ^th more, perhaps all 
 would be right, but this is impossible ; also the support of the roof is considerably 
 diminished, equal to 144lbs. on each square foot. Hence arises, in part, the cause of falls 
 from the roof when the pits are most dangerous; and those falls, adding at the same time an 
 additional body of destructive matter, make the thing then unavoidably complete, and 
 wherever flame comes in contact with it, combustion immediately takes place. Hence arises 
 the necessity of three furnaces for two downcast shafts at Russells' Wallsend, which is not 
 a safe mine, the air having to he split, cannot be depended upon; one furnace might get 
 the ascendancy over the other by the least neglect, and I need not tell you the result. 
 
 (a) This is quite an error in Mr. Fourness : there is not unfrequently a difference of 50°, 60°, 70°, and 80° 
 between the temperature of the upcast and the workings. 
 0.62. D D 3 
 
214 
 
 APPENDIX TO REPORT FROM THE 
 
 My plan is a rotatory fan, of rather novel construction ; the inlets on each side are the 
 same area as the fan ; round about the extreme diameter is 61 apertures for the egress of 
 air, equal to an area of 17 feet, which is delivered into the atmosphere. The fan is placed 
 on the pit hill ; a gone-by pit will do ; has no pipes ; requires a four-horse engine to work 
 it ; consumes 14 cwt. of best coal per 24 hours, and causes a current of air to travel through 
 the workings at seven to 21 feet per second, as necessity may require, how much fuel would 
 the furnaces consume to cause a current equal to this ? (a) I should say about eight tons per 
 day of 24 hours. If ^th of the atmosphere is taken off", this apparatus increases its velocity 
 exactly -^th more per minute, therefore in all cases the pit is the same. If you would hear 
 more from me, it must be by person, the limits of a letter are too small. I have not half 
 explained myself. 
 
 I have not room to say more ; only if you consider it necessary I will produce for you the 
 signatures of approval of the most eminent, philosophical, and chemical gentlemen we have 
 in this neighbourhood. I should be glad to hear from you as early as possible. 
 
 1 remain, &c, 
 (signed) W. Fourness. 
 
 Sir, Leeds, 20th August 1839. 
 
 Mr. Fourness' second In your letter of the 13th inst., you stated you would be glad to receive any further 
 letter on Fan Venti- communication from me on the subject of coal mine ventilation, I therefore hereby again 
 * at * on- take the liberty of addressing you. My last was principally on the causes of explo- 
 
 sion ; this, on the prevention of those fatal and dreadful occurrences which are highly 
 calculated to desolate the domestic hearth, to carry the voice of mourning and visitations of 
 bereavements into families, which never can be erased from the memory of the oldest inha- 
 bitant, and especially from the minds of those who are more immediately connected with the 
 sufferers. Sir, you will readily allow that the cause of those accidents is the want of a better 
 ventilation, or a larger quantity of atmospheric air passing through the works. 
 
 If a sufficient quantity of atmospheric air was introduced, not any individual would 
 surely say an explosion would sooner take place in the mine, than it would where not any 
 explosive matter existed. I will allow that all systems have been adopted for the safety 
 of the miner, or at least all which at the time seem to be practicable. I have seen excellent 
 methods adopted; as also I have heard of very absurd ones. A very eminent viewer, 
 who has the management of an extensive colliery on the banks of the Tees, conceived he 
 could improve the current of air passing through the workings, by an expensive and non- 
 philosophical method which he indulged in, and set it in full work, but it was a failure. 
 This eminent viewer's plan was to fix an iron rim or tubbing round the mouth of the 
 upcast shaft, and by means of a fire caused it to be red hot, the flues of the fire being 
 behind the same ; and he supposed the rarefaction would increase the velocity of the current, 
 but it would not answer, ami was immediately dispensed with. I do not say, if it had been 
 properly placed, it would not have answered every purpose intended ; that is, 40 or 50 yards 
 down the shaft; this certainly would have been more expensive and not so convenient; the 
 column of rarefied air caused by this red-hot rim or tubbing was immediately delivered into 
 the atmosphere on the pit hill, therefoie its exhausting power was driven to the winds. 
 Another eminent gentleman, who figured high in a Newcastle paper, stated that the 
 invention was an old one — had it not, a certain " eagle-eyed viewer " would have imme- 
 diately recognised it. * # * * # * * 
 The method which has been adopted for upwards of 100 years, is as follows (alluding to the 
 use of fans) : — The fan is fixed on the brow of the pit, and from it pipes are carried to the 
 place requiring ventilation ; by forcing air down, of course a partial relief is experienced. 
 Now, this plan, I consider, places the cart before the horse. For instance, supposing in 
 sinking a single shaft, the sinkers are 170 yards from the top, this pipe must reach the 
 place where they are at work; on driving the air down the pipe, there is a tremendous 
 column of air to lift in the shaft, of such a weight as to prevent the machine from acting 
 up to its power, also many escapes may be calculated on at the joints, &c. ; all this 
 arises from the resisting weight and power of the perpendicular column of air in the 
 shaft. It would be much better to exhaust the air; supposing the machine to be at 
 rest, the air in the pipe and the shaft are at par, all the lifting power required is the 
 height of the delivering point above the level of the shaft, and a trifling allowance for 
 friction. I will now endeavour to explain my apparatus, and you must judge for yourself 
 whether the plan is an old one or not. Mine consists of a rotatory fan, with inlets the size 
 of the fan, let its diameter be what it may ; at its extreme diameter is a shield composed of 
 iron to the amount of 61 pieces, each overlapping another all the way round. An opening is 
 left between each, of one inch broad, and two feet nine inches long, which is the breadth 
 of the fan. The advantages held out are simply those: — 1st. The air which the fan has 
 to contend with is delivered as it receives it. 2nd. The inlet being the same size as the fan, 
 saves an immense power, because the air has not to be wiredrawn as in other fans ; and 
 3rdly. Its real power of exhaustion is nearly equal to four times the amount of any other 
 fan in existence. A common fan has a great deal of compressed air to carry round to the 
 delivering point, therefore the receiving point cannot be allowed to be larger than what 
 is at present used, and making a most dreadful humming noise; on my plan there is not 
 anything of the kind, because I have not any compressed air. My plan resembles the old- 
 fashioned fan for cleaning corn, which is merely four pieces of sacking nailed on to wood ; 
 and when set in motion, throws its air off on every side. If one of those old-fashioned 
 
 machines 
 
 Appendix, No. 4. 
 (B.) 
 
 Mr. Fourness' first 
 letter on Fan Venti- 
 lation, i 
 
 (a) The size is 5 feet diameter, by 2 feet 9 inches wide ; travels from 1 to 300 revolutions per minute. 
 
SELECT COMMITTEE ON COAL MINES. 
 
 215 
 
 machines were turned the same number of revolutions per minute as those winnowing Appendix, No. 4. 
 machines now in use, they would make four times the quantity of wind, though uncollected. 
 You understand I don't want my air from my apparatus to be collected after delivery, but Mr. Fourness' second 
 to mix with the atmosphere and get away to where the wind will take it to. letter on Fan Vend- 
 
 The following table will give the effect produced by different experiments ; at the time they lation. 
 were tried there was 4j miles of wind-road, and four downcast shafts of the following depths, 
 namely, 76 yards, 73, 56, 44; the air was exhausted up a staple pit, to which a cupola 
 was fixed for ventilating the 73 yards' pit; this, of course, was cut off by means of a door, 
 which was shut when the machine was working, or left open at pleasure : when left open, 
 fire and smoke were delivered off the cupola fire ; the experiments were made with the door 
 shut : — 
 
 At 240 revolutions per minute, with close case, the perpendicular force was 3lbs. on the 
 square foot. 
 
 At 240 revolutions per minute, without case, and the fan open to the atmosphere, the 
 perpendicular force was 5lbs. 12oz. on the square foot. 
 
 At 240 revolutions, with shield on, as described above, and ventilated in 61 openings, the 
 perpendicular force was 6lbs. 4oz. on the square foot. 
 
 This apparatus had narrow inlets, which, I find, is very detrimental to the power of the 
 machine. I made a model of one of five feet diameter, on a scale of two inches to the 
 foot, with inlets as large as the fan. I left passages for air to rise to those inlets, five feet by 
 two feet; at 130 revolutions per minute, in any part of those passages, it would take a 
 piece of paper from my fingers. I then reduced it to 14 inches by 18 inches ; on turning 
 the machine 130 revolutions per minute, I found the current of air not any stronger than it 
 was on any part of the passage when entirely open ; therefore, you will perceive under what 
 disadvantages my experiments were made, a summary of which is described above. Suffice 
 it to say, when two pits were on only, the water in the wind-road leading from an adjoining 
 pit was thrown from the bottom and over the men passing through it, this has been always 
 the case in that part of the pit: this was only half the air, the other half going round the 
 workings of the ether pit. I have been in one of those pits immediately after the men have 
 come out for fire-damp; the apparatus has been set on, and I have soon found it perfectly 
 " sweet." Another instance of its superiority is, a level is driven between two shafts at 
 Osmond thorpe Colliery, and about 18 months before my experiments were made at this 
 place, the carburetted hydrogen gas fired, and set the coal on fire in this level ; every 
 exertion was made to get the foul air away after it was opened into, but without effect 
 until my apparatus was applied, which cleared it in a few minutes, delivering heat, smoke, 
 and other noxious vapour, which I cannot name; and although mixed with the air from 
 the working of another pit, the heat, when delivered to the day, was sufficient to burn your 
 hand. Let me induce you to give this invention a fair trial, feeling assured it must give 
 universal satisfaction wherever it is applied. The cost will not exceed 320/., which will 
 soon be saved by economy in fuel, saving pit sides, ropes, &c. &c. The air from the mine 
 is turned into the engine chimney (should anything happen the machine) at a sufficient 
 height above the flue from the boiler, that combustion cannot take place; this rarefied 
 column of air, in connection with the steam, being turned into the flue for the purpose of 
 increasing the temperature, a very good ventilation will be kept up. It is not liable very 
 soon to be out of repair : were you to see the strength of the materials it is composed 
 of, you would also say so. J have one compleie, and another nearly so, trusting the 
 Committee will give it their most serious consideration: the ai rangements, &c, shall be 
 fixed on the most equitable terms. The names of the individuals who understand the 
 merits of my mode of ventilation, 1 have not yet got, as I have not had an opportunity of 
 seeing all of them, but am making arrangements to send you their testimonials shortly. 
 
 I remain, &c. 
 (signed) W. Fourness. 
 
 Appendix (C.) 
 
 MINUTES on some Circumstances connected with Explosions of Fire-Damp in Coal 
 Mines. March 1842. By T. J. Tar/lor, Esq., of Earsdon. 
 
 I. Tension of the Fire-Damp of Mines. 
 
 We are accustomed to refer the issue of gas in mines to the state of the barometer, and Mr.Taylor'slninutes. 
 no doubt this has considerable influence; but I am persuaded that an increase of issue, I. Tension of Fire- 
 due simply to the fall of the barometer, would seldom be sufficient to mix the air current D amp- 
 to the firing point, provided the ventilation were of the average degree of efficiency. I 
 mean such as we actually have it, and as it has been proved to exist in mines where heavy 
 explosions have, nevertheless, taken place. I have long leant to the belief, that the majority 
 of great explosions is due to sudden issues of gas pent up in a high state of tension, and 
 against which, therefore, no system of ventilation (or dilution) now in practice can adequately 
 guard. That there are exceptions to this cause of explosion I am aware, because it is 
 clear, that if no air current, or an extremely feeble one, is moving through a mine, then 
 the slow issue of even a small quantity of gas is sufficient to foul it ; but the exceptions 
 O.62. sf) >d 4 to 
 
2l6 
 
 APPENDIX TO REPORT FROM THE 
 
 Appendix, No. 4. to which I allude were much more numerous formerly than they are at present under im- 
 proved systems of ventilation. I will mention a few facts in illustration of the sudden and 
 (*?•) violent discharge of fire-damp. 
 
 Mr Taylor's minutes At Haswell Colliery, two years ago, an eruption of this kind took place at the face 
 I.* Tension of Fire- a (Fig. 1.) of a coal drift, the sectional area of which is 37 square feet; the 
 Damp. quantity of air circulating in the drifts (as tried a few days previously) was 9,760 cubic feet 
 
 Fide Plan, No. II. per minute, whence the velocity of the current was 4'39 feet per second, a velocity mucli 
 greater than that of the average of the air currents of a coal mine. The point of issue was 
 at a, where the hewer was at work as usual, when he heard a noise, like that of a 
 water-fall. Fortunately these drifts were being worked with the safety lamp, and therefore 
 no explosion ensued upon this violent discharge of gas. An officer was in the other drift, 
 b, at the time, and on examining the return air channel found it was foul as far as x, 310 
 yards back from the face. In half an hour the air current had swept away all traces of 
 this discharge, and things went on as usual. 
 
 It is probable that the diift was fouled beyond a; : but without any allowance for this, there 
 would be not less a quantity than about 4,000 cubic feet of gas discharged at this eruption 
 (being about one-tenth of the space known to be foul), and yet no traces of it were to be 
 found after the lapse of half an hour. 
 
 This account helps to explain the obscurity which may, and so often does, hang over the 
 immediate causes of pit explosions. Had the fire-damp been ignited, evidence would have 
 been given (and correctly) that the places were free from it in the morning when the over- 
 man made his inspection: it would have been found, on examination, after the removal of 
 the after-damp, that no fire-damp continued to be given out; while, with regard to the 
 intermediate stage, being the only one capable of furnishing a true explanation, no tes- 
 timony would have been obtained. It is more than probable that many explosions 
 are to be accounted for in a similar way, and it will be observed, that on this basis, some 
 apparent anomalies in the evidence of witnesses on an inquest are explained away, espe- 
 cially those which relate to the pre-existing efficiency of the ventilation and general safety 
 of the mine. 
 
 I shall now relate another example of the sudden discharge of fire-damp in mines. 
 Though not so easily traceable as the former one, it is interesting, as having occurred in 
 the Bigge Pit Bensham, Wellington Colliery, where an explosion, attended by the loss of 
 32 lives, took place in April last ; and, if I am not mistaken, as furnishing a key to the direct 
 cause of that explosion. 
 
 On the 30th September last, the master wasteman, John Harrison, was at work in the 
 return air course, where the current was travelling towards the upcast shaft, after circula- 
 ting through the whole of the workings. There were no people in the pit at the time except 
 himself, a boy who was with him, and some masons and their assistants, who were employed 
 in building a ventilating furnace, and who were in another air current, distinct from the one 
 which had tiavelled round the workings. Harrison had two lamps with him, a Davy 
 lamp and a Stephenson's lamp, both of which were hung upon props near him. After 
 working a short time, he observed that Stephenson's lamp went out, and this having 
 drawn his attention, he then saw that the Davy lamp was filled with flame, showing that 
 he was in the midst of an atmosphere mixed to the firing point, and that it had sud- 
 denly become so ; for there was no such thing when he came there. Harrison quitted the 
 place, and after making some arrangements for the safety of the other persons in the 
 mine, he returned in about twenty minutes, and found that the air current was then free 
 from admixture with fire-damp. He also forthwith went round the whole of the workings, 
 and found no trace of tire-damp in any part of them. At the time this discharge of gas 
 took place, no change had been made in the ventilating arrangements: everything being in 
 statu quo. 
 
 I examined this mine soon after the explosion of the 19th April last, and though the 
 ventilation was then imperfect, (not having been adequately restored after the wreck of the 
 explosion,) I found only one place in the mine which fired in the lamp, and this was at 
 the highest nook of a working place. Reasoning a fortiori, there should have been still 
 less, if less could well be, when the ventilation was perfect: and being struck with the 
 extremely small quantity of fire-damp found in this mine under circumstances much more 
 favourable to its existence than those which existed immediately previous to the explo- 
 sion, (a) I was at the time of opinion, that the explosion had been owing to a sudden 
 discharge of fire-damp. I need not say, that my views had been confirmed by the circum- 
 stance observed by Harrison. Had the discharge of the 30th September been ignited, 
 the explosion would, in all probability, have been much more violent than that of the 
 19th April ; because, in the latter, the explosion did not extend along the return, which 
 it would have done on the 30th of September. 
 
 Attempts were made to trace this discharge of gas to its origin, but they were unsuc- 
 cessful. Neither could the Haswell discharge be traced to crack or cavity, though it was 
 seen coming off: there was some disintegrated coal where the issue took place, and nothing- 
 more. There is this distinction between the two cases, that the Haswell issue occurred 
 when the workmen were in the act of removing the coal : while the Willington one took 
 place at a time when coal work was suspended, and consequently when no new surface was 
 being exposed. 
 
 It 
 
 (a) Amongst those circumstances, I must not omit one: the barometer was much lower on the day of mv 
 visit than on that of the explosion. 
 
SELECT COMMITTEE ON COAL MINES. 
 
 217 
 
 It is quite clear, that in both the cases described, the discharge of gas was quite uncon- Appen dix, N o, 4. 
 nected with the state of the barometer. It is also obvious, that in one of them (the Haswell 
 case) the tension of the issuing gas was very great; and though we cannot positively declare Mr. Taylors minutes 
 the same of the other, since it was not observed at the point of issue, yet it is evident that 1. Tension ofFire- 
 the quantity discharged was also in this case very great in a short time, and this is sufficient Damp, 
 to establish a parity of reasoning. 
 
 These examples (I might mention others) will serve to show that of the two direct causes 
 of pit explosions — one to the gradual fouling of the air current by a slow discharge of gas — 
 the other to sudden and violent issues — the first is, or may be brought under our control, by 
 dilution with air; while the second cannot be so managed, but must be averted either by 
 preventing the contact of unprotected lights, or by some other means yet unknown. 
 
 There has not been any gauge of the tension of fire-damp issuing under the circumstances 
 described ; but we know something of the tension it is capable of assuming where it forces 
 its way through water in drowned upshafts; for in doing so, it must overcome the pressure 
 of the vertical column of water opposed to its issue; and just before eruption takes place, 
 there is an exact balance between the forces, the column of water on one side, and the 
 confined gas on the other. I have had an opportunity of examining very closely the pro- 
 gress of one of these " water-blasts," being that from the Percy Main Bensham in March 
 1840, which discharged, according to my calculation, 12,686,000 cubic feet of gas in 
 68 hours : the gas being considered as expanded from its confined proportions to the 
 volume it would assume at the ordinary pressure of the atmosphere. From the details of 
 this water-blast, I select such as are calculated to show the tension at which it issued. 
 The principle of a water-blast is shown in the diagram (Fig. 2): a c is the shaft, Vide Plan, No. II. 
 ctia profile view of the workings, rising gradually as they recede from the shaft. The 
 confined air was drawn off from the workings during the process of filling with water by 
 pipes along dc, which were carried up the shaft, so that both ends of the pipes were free, 
 while the intermediate portion was immersed : the pipes were not carried quite so far as 
 d, and therefore a portion of common air remained in the workings at the highest point 
 of them. The water rose to a, and stood there for some months, flowing ofT at this level 
 into an upper seam. 
 
 When the water was taken out it lowered rapidly to b, but beyond b more slowly; at b 
 the water may be conceived to have stood at the level e in the workings, d e being filled 
 with compressed gas: still continuing to take out the water, it fell very slowly to/, for at 
 this time the forces were approaching an equilibrium, and therefore as fast as the water 
 was lifted out of bf, another portion of water was forced into it by the pressure of the 
 confined gas; this continued until the water stood at c in the workings, and at fin the 
 shaft, when the eruption of confined gas took plate. At this time there were 19 fathoms 
 of effective water pressure in the shaft, being about 3^ atmospheres, and adding the natural 
 atmosphere, we have the tension of the confined gas equal to 4| atmospheres. 
 
 Now, we have here a tension adequate to cause the sudden and violent discharges of gas 
 of which I have given examples ; a tension, whose excess over that of the atmosphere, is just 
 above equal to that of the high-pressure steam with which locomotive engines are worked. 
 And, so far as the case under consideration carries us, this would appear to be a maximum 
 tension ; for, as has been observed, there was a small quantity of compressed common air 
 left in the mine, and this, under the full pressure of the water, would have a tension of five 
 atmospheres in one part of the mine, and 7J atmospheres in another. It appears, then, 
 that the gas was not able to maintain this original degree of tension, since it fell from 7^ 
 and 5 to 4£; and it is remarkable, that after reaching the latter degree, it continued steadily 
 at it, being never lower than A\ atmospheres : this is the proper measure of the tension it 
 is capable of assuming. 
 
 The cases I have mentioned suggest many points of inquiry into circumstances of which 
 very little is at present known. Suc h are the following : — 
 
 1. Looking to the fact that fire-damp is either existent in, or capable of assuming, a 
 high degree of tension, why do we not meet with it invariably in this state, instead of 
 finding it most commonly otherwise, insomuch that the discharge is governed by slight 
 differences of barometric level, bearing a very small ratio to its inherent force? 
 
 2. Must we not assume from this circumstance that the great body of fire-damp in mines 
 does not exist, in situ, in the aeriform state, but only passes into that state; for, if it were 
 in the aeriform state, it should, by the laws of fluids, immediately communicate all the 
 pressure of which it is capable, whereas the reverse is the fact, except in the cases where 
 sudden gusts of gas are discharged. These latter, from their rarity, (a) must be regarded as 
 exceptions, and how have we to explain them as such ? 
 
 3. If the great body of gas is not in the aeriform state, but only some extravasated 
 portions of it, in what state does the gas exist? In the case of the water-blast, we have 
 seen that it requires time to develope the full elasticity of the gas, and this seems to indicate 
 some cause of resistance to the expansive force, as if the gas were imbibed by, or entangled 
 with, the solid substances of the mine, in such a way as to prevent its escape except with 
 slowness. I am not sure that a solid or liquid form of the gas, arising from great pressure, 
 is the state that will explain all the phenomena; for, in such case, we should expect it to 
 
 dash 
 
 (a) I speak relatively as regards the existence of fire-damp in different states, and not as regards the cause 
 of explosion. On the contrary, I believe that the greatest number of destructive explosions is due to the issue 
 of sudden discharges of pent-up gas. 
 
 0.62. E E 
 
218 
 
 APPENDIX TO REPORT FROM THE 
 
 Appendix, No. 4. 
 
 CC) 
 
 Mr.Taylor's minutes 
 I. Tension of Fire- 
 Damp. 
 
 II. Law of the Diffu 
 sion of Gases. 
 
 dash out, as it were, into gas, the instant the pressure is removed : yet this is not the case, 
 except in rare instances, if then ; for we should expect a still higher tension to be exhibited 
 if a transition were made from the solid or liquid state. 
 
 4. It would appear from the Percy Main experiment (for such it may be called), that a 
 pressure of between four and five atmospheres prevents the gas from developing itself in the 
 aeriform state ; for we find that it remained constant at this rate of tension. It is not to be 
 supposed that the feeders were exhausted ; on the contrary, more gas must have continued 
 to be given off in order to maintain it at this tension as the space expanded ; and, besides, 
 gas in abundance has ever since continued to be given off, and is now, after the lapse of 
 nearly two years. It issues, at present, under the ordinary atmospheric pressure. 
 
 What, then, is the nature of the influence that a pressure of from four to five atmo- 
 spheres exercises upon fire-damp, so as to hinder its development in the gaseous state? 
 
 II. Law of the Diffusion of Gases, as illustrated in Mines. 
 
 So far as my own observation goes, no practical data of value can be deduced from the 
 law of the diffusion of gases, when applied to what occurs in mines. It is very usual to 
 find the upper stratum of air in a gallery explosive, while the lower one is not so ; and I 
 have had an opportunity of examining the confined air of a district of some acres in extent, 
 Vide Plan, No. II. where the workings had an inclination in the manner shown by the profile A B. — (Fig. 3.) 
 
 At B, the highest point, I found a very explosive mixture, and no trace of carbonic acid 
 gas could be detected by lime water; at A, the lowest point, the mixture was not explo- 
 sive, and there was a good deal of carbonic acid. It may be said that the mixture at A 
 might be explosive, but that this property was destroyed by admixture with carbonic acid. 
 Still there remains the circumstance that carbonic acid was not found at B. This district 
 had been barred off by tight stone walls from the rest of the mine for six weeks when I 
 examined the issuing air. 
 
 It appears, then, that we cannot surely calculate upon the results of the diffusion of gases 
 in mines, but that there are practical qualifications of such moment as to render the law of 
 little or no use. In drawing attention to this circumstance, and seeking an explanation, I 
 am unwilling to offer any suggestions of my own. 
 
 III. Intermittent Nature of Pit Explosions. 
 It has been observed that great explosions in mines are not always simultaneous, but 
 generally (perhaps always) intermittent; say, two or three in number, succeeding each 
 other at intervals of some seconds, and with a period of repose between them. One is 
 disposed to ascribe this result to a communication with different reservoirs, which are fired 
 in succession; yet I do not think this is the sole cause. Were it so, theie would be a 
 greater number of these intermittent blasts, commensuiate with the numerous galleries into 
 which the fiery district is divided, w hereas we do not find more than two or three occurring. 
 What is the cause of the cessation, and then of the renewal of the explosion ? 
 
 IV. Nature of After-Damp. 
 
 It would seem that nitrogen is a main agent of destruction in afier-damp, since the deadly 
 atmosphere of a mine, after explosion, must contain a much greater quantity of this gas 
 than of carbonic acid. In attempting to recover persons from the effects of after-damp, 
 what influence ought this circumstance to exercise upon the mode of treatment? What is 
 the cause of the peculiar odour of after-damp, an odour not unpleasant, and resembling a 
 faint smell of ripe apples? The air forced from the lungs of a man alter death had this 
 odour, though he lived many days after being burnt. 
 
 III. Intermittent Na- 
 ture of Pit Explo- 
 sions, 
 
 IV. Nature of After- 
 Damp. 
 
 Appendix (D.) 
 
 (D.) 
 
 Analysis oflron Another Analysis of Iron Pyrites found in the Tyne and Wear Coal Mines. 
 
 Pyrites. 
 
 The following analysis of the iron pyrites, found so abundantly in the coal-mines of the 
 Tyne and Wear districts, was received too late for its place in the text. It is from a 
 gentleman, an excellent chemist, the most extensively engaged in the kingdom in alkali 
 manufactures. It differs in a small degree, varying from three to eight per cent, of sulphur 
 from that aheady given, which of course does not affect the result as stated in the 
 production of the sulphuretted hydrogen gas in coal-mines. This analysis is, however, 
 appended, as the Committee are anxious to secure the most correct data on every pointy 
 even indirectly bearing on the subject of their inquiry. 
 
 He states: — 
 
 " I give you the analysis of a piece of coal pyrites, a part of which I enclose you. 
 
 100 grains contain — 
 Iron - 51-00 
 Sulphur - 42' 
 Insoluble coal, &c. 7- 
 
 100-00 
 
 a \y e have received pyrites under 30 per cent., but the note where I state 30 to 45 per 
 cent., will be found correctly given as to the general average of pyrites used in the manu- 
 facture of sulphuric acid." — 15th September 1842. 
 
SELECT COMMITTEE ON COAL MINES. 
 
 219 
 
 Appendix (E.) 
 
 LIST of E 
 
 Appendix, No. 4. 
 
 (E.) 
 
 xplosions and Acc. dents in Coal Mines, in the Northumberland and Durham District. L; st 0 f Explo 
 
 from 1658 to 1842. :1 „d AmH^ni. 
 
 sums 
 and Accidents. 
 
 In this list are 10 accidents, containing- 23 deaths, not included in Sykes' list, and since he published 
 in 18.35, 21 accidents, with 192 deaths. This, though the most correct and full list of accidents in 
 the Coal Mines that has been published, yet there is good reason to believe, contains, not nearly the 
 'whole that have occurred in the period it embraces. For the future, the books of the Registrar- 
 general will supply a perfect account of accidents and their causes ; but it is deemed proper to 
 preserve this account, obtained by individual research, imperfect as it may be, until the period of 
 the legalized registration. The Committee have resumed their list and remarks, from the period of 
 17S9, to August 1841, of which they gave a copy to Sub-Commissioner Leifchild, for the Report of 
 the Children's Employment Commission. During- 20 years previous to the adoption of the safety 
 lamp, when steel mills, &c, were in use, 679 lives were lost; since 1820, in the succeeding 20 
 years, when it may be said to have been in general use, 744 lives were lost, leaving a balance against 
 the safety lamp of 65 lives, but which, perhaps, may be partly accounted for by increased extent of 
 works and greater number of mines. 
 
 Date. 
 
 1658. May 
 
 About 
 
 1743. 
 
 1756. 
 
 1757. 
 
 1760. 
 
 1761. 
 
 1765. 
 
 1766. 
 
 1766. 
 
 1766. 
 
 1767. 
 
 1773. 
 
 1776. 
 
 1710 
 Jan. 18 
 August 11 
 June 10 
 June 15 
 Dec. 1 - 
 April 2 - 
 March 18 
 April 16 
 August 22 
 March 27 
 Dec. 6 - 
 October 7 
 
 1778. Dec. 8 - 
 1780. August 21 
 1782. May 17- 
 
 1782. Oct. 11 - 
 
 1783. May 
 
 These occurred 
 between the 1 
 years 1783-94 
 
 1784. 
 1784. 
 1785. 
 1785. 
 1786. 
 1790. 
 1793. 
 1794. 
 1794. 
 1794. 
 1794. 
 1795. 
 
 1796. 
 1796. 
 1796. 
 1798. 
 1798. 
 1799. 
 1799. 
 1799. 
 1803. 
 1803. 
 1805. 
 1805. 
 1805. 
 1806. 
 1808. 
 1808. 
 
 Nov. 6 - 
 Dec. 1 2 - 
 June 9 - 
 Dec. 4 - 
 April 9 - 
 Oct. 4 - 
 Dec. 27 - 
 June 9 - 
 June 11 
 November 
 Dec. 21 - 
 April 24 
 
 Feb. 12 - 
 April 
 Sept. 8 - 
 Feb. 27 - 
 
 May 22 
 
 August 13 
 Oct. 11 - 
 
 Sept. 25 
 April 
 Oct. 21 - 
 Nov. 29 
 March 28 
 
 August 31 
 
 0.62. 
 
 Collieries. 
 
 Gallow Flat, near Elswick 
 
 Bensham - 
 North Biddick 
 Chaytor's Haugh 
 Ravensworth - 
 Long Benton - 
 Hartley - - - - 
 Walker .... 
 Ditto - - - - 
 South Biddick 
 Lambton - 
 Fatfield 
 
 A Colliery, near the Wear 
 Ovington's Pit, East Rain- 
 ton - 
 Dolly Pit, Chaytor's Haugh 
 Birtley North Side 
 The Fauld Pit, Gateshead 
 Wallsend 
 Washington - 
 Washington - 
 Ditto - 
 
 Lambton's A Pit, Bourn 
 
 Moor - 
 Ditto B Pit, ditto - 
 Ditto Lady Ann Pit, Mor- 
 ton - 
 Wallsend - - - 
 Ditto - - - - 
 Ditto - - - - 
 Ditto --- - 
 Ditto - - - _ 
 Ditto - 
 
 Hope Pit, Sheriff Hill - 
 Rickleton Pit, near Picktree 
 Harraton 
 
 Glebe Pit, Oxclose - 
 Hope Pit, Sheriff Hill 
 Paradise, or West Pit, Ben 
 
 well - - - 
 New Washington - 
 B Pit, Washington - 
 Slatyford 
 
 B Pit, Washington - 
 Glebe Pit, Oxclose - 
 Jane Pit, Newbottle 
 A Pit, Oxclose 
 Lumley - - - 
 Morton Pit, Lambton 
 Wallsend 
 A Pit, Oxclose 
 Hebburn 
 
 Oxclose - - - 
 Killingworth - 
 New Pit, Shiney Row 
 Hall Pit, Fatfield - 
 
 Lives lost 
 
 Causes. 
 
 Number 
 
 Inundated from an 
 
 unknown. 
 
 old waste 
 
 70 to80 
 
 Exploded. 
 
 17 
 
 Ditto. 
 
 4 
 
 Ditto. 
 
 16 
 
 Ditto. 
 
 1 
 
 Ditto. 
 
 5 
 
 Ditto. 
 
 8 
 
 Ditto. 
 
 10 
 
 Ditto. 
 
 Several 
 
 Ditto. 
 
 6 
 
 Ditto. 
 
 39 
 
 Ditto. 
 
 Several 
 
 Ditto. 
 
 0 
 
 Ditto. 
 
 24 
 
 Ditto. 
 
 3 
 
 Ditto. 
 
 4 
 
 Ditto. 
 
 1 
 
 Ditto* 
 
 2 
 
 Ditto. 
 
 2 
 
 Ditto. 
 
 2 
 
 Ditto. 
 
 1 
 
 Ditto. 
 
 Several 
 
 Ditto. 
 
 2 
 
 Ditto. 
 
 3 
 
 Ditto. 
 
 2 
 
 Ditto. 
 
 1 
 
 Ditto - 
 
 2 
 
 Ditto. 
 
 6 
 
 Ditto. 
 
 7 
 
 Ditto, 
 
 14 
 
 Ditto. 
 
 30 
 
 Ditto. 
 
 28 
 
 Ditto. 
 
 2 
 
 Ditto. 
 
 Several 
 
 Ditto. 
 
 11 
 
 Ditto. 
 
 7 
 
 Ditto. 
 
 2 
 
 Ditto. 
 
 6 
 
 Inundated. 
 
 1 7 i * 
 
 Exploded. 
 
 4 
 
 Ditto. 
 
 1 
 
 Ditto. 
 
 
 Ditto. 
 
 39 
 
 Ditto. 
 
 2 
 
 Ditto. 
 
 13 
 
 Ditto. 
 
 2 
 
 Ditto. 
 
 35 
 
 Ditto. 
 
 38 
 
 Ditto. 
 
 10 
 
 Ditto. 
 
 2 
 
 Ditto. 
 
 3 
 
 Ditto. 
 
 F F 
 
 
 Remarks. 
 
 - - Two bodies, near- 
 ly 37 years after the 
 inundation, were re- 
 covered almost entire, 
 scarcely affected by 
 the water in all that 
 time. 
 
 - - At the Steel Mill. 
 Up to this period, the 
 Steel Mill was con- 
 sidered a safe instru- 
 ment, when John 
 Selkirk,who survived 
 this explosion, and 
 was " playing " it at 
 the time, proved it to 
 have occurred by a 
 spark from his mill. 
 
 (continued) 
 
220 
 
 APPENDIX TO REPORT FROM THE 
 
 Appendix, No. 4. 
 
 List of Explosions 
 and Accidents. 
 
 Date. 
 
 1808. Nov. 29 
 
 1808. Nov. 30 
 1808. 
 
 1808. 
 1808. 
 
 1809. Sept, 14 
 1812. May 25- 
 1812. Oct. 10 - 
 
 1813. 
 1813. 
 1813. 
 1814. 
 1814. 
 1814. 
 1814. 
 1814. 
 1815. 
 1815. 
 1815. 
 1815. 
 1815, 
 
 1815. 
 1815. 
 1817. 
 1817. 
 1817. 
 1817. 
 1817. 
 1817. 
 1818. 
 1819. 
 1819. 
 1819„ 
 1820. 
 1820. 
 1821. 
 1821. 
 1821. 
 1821. 
 1821. 
 1821. 
 1822. 
 1823. 
 1823. 
 1823. 
 1824. 
 1824. 
 1825. 
 1825. 
 1826. 
 1826. 
 1826. 
 1826. 
 1827. 
 1827. 
 1828. 
 1828. 
 
 1828. 
 1828. 
 1829. 
 1829. 
 1829. 
 1830. 
 1830. 
 1831. 
 1831. 
 1831. 
 1832. 
 1832. 
 1832. 
 1832. 
 1832. 
 
 July 17 - 
 Sept. 28 
 Dec. 24- 
 April 5 - 
 August 12 
 Sept. 9 - 
 Dec. 24 - 
 Dec. 31 - 
 March 8 
 May 3 - 
 June 2 - 
 June 27 - 
 July 31 - 
 
 Dec. 11 - 
 Dec. 18 - 
 June 30 - 
 July 2 - 
 July 21 - 
 Sept. 25 
 Nov. 3 - 
 Dec. 18 - 
 August 5 
 July 19 - 
 Oct. 9 - 
 Dec. 18 - 
 April 28 
 Oct. 1 - 
 June 
 July 9 - 
 
 Oct. 19 - 
 Oct. 23 - 
 Oct. 
 
 May 6 - 
 Oct. 21 - 
 June 19 
 Nov. 3 - 
 Nov. 19 
 Oct. 25 - 
 July 3 - 
 Oct. 5 - 
 Jan. 17 - 
 May 30 - 
 Sept. 5 - 
 Oct. 27 - 
 July 20 - 
 Sept. 5 - 
 March 15 
 Sept. 1 - 
 
 Nov. 20, 
 Dec. 1 - 
 May 13 - 
 June 26 - 
 Dec. 3 - 
 August 3 
 Nov. 27 - 
 July 9 - 
 Sept. 20 
 Dec. 6 - 
 March 7 
 June 15 - 
 
 Oct. 
 
 Nov. 10- 
 
 Collie 
 
 Harraton - 
 Hall Pit, Fatfield - 
 Collin's Pit, Rainton 
 B Pit, Oxclose 
 Houghton Gate Pit, Lamb- 
 ton - 
 Killingworth - 
 Felling - 
 
 Harrington Mill Pit, Pen- 
 sher - - - 
 
 Collingwood Main - 
 Hall Pit, Fatfield - 
 Felling - 
 
 Howden Pit, Percy Main 
 Hebburn - 
 Leafield - - - - 
 Shilbottle - 
 Mountmoor - 
 Pensher - 
 Heaton Main - 
 Success Pit, Newbottle 
 Sheriff Hill - 
 Newbottle - - - 
 
 Sheriff Hill - 
 
 Townley - 
 
 Row Pit, Harraton - 
 
 Nova Scotia, Harraton 
 
 Sheriff Hill - 
 
 J arrow - - - - 
 
 Ouston - 
 
 Plain Pit, Rainton - 
 
 Wallsend - 
 
 Sheriff Hill - 
 
 George Pit. Lambton 
 
 East Rainton - 
 
 Jarrow - - - - 
 
 Backworth - 
 
 Elswick - - - - 
 
 Rainton North Pit - 
 
 Coxlodge - - - 
 
 Nesham's Newbottle 
 
 Wallsend (Russell's) 
 
 Felling' - 
 
 Ditto - 
 
 Ouston - 
 
 Walker - 
 
 Plain Pit, Rainton - 
 Dolly Pit, Newbottle 
 George Pit. Lumley 
 Judeth Pit, Fatfield - 
 Hebburn - 
 Jarrow - 
 
 Townley - - - 
 
 He worth - 
 
 Benwell - - - 
 
 Charles Pit, Lumley 
 
 Fawdon - 
 
 Jarrow - - - - 
 
 New Pit, Houghton-le- 
 
 Spring - 
 I Pit, Washington - 
 Townley - - - 
 Killingworth West Moor - 
 Dorothea Pit, Newbottle - 
 Willing-ton - 
 Jarrow - - - - 
 Hebburn - 
 King Pit, Wreckington - 
 Willington - 
 Middle Rainton 
 Beamish - - - 
 Newbottle - 
 M onkwearmouth 
 Wallsend - 
 New Pit, Gosforth - 
 
 Lives lost, 
 
 4 
 3 
 2 
 1 
 
 2 
 12 
 92 
 
 24 
 8 
 32 
 22 
 4 
 11 
 4 
 4 
 4 
 3 
 75 
 57 
 11 
 18 
 
 5 
 1 
 38 
 8 
 1 
 6 
 1 
 27 
 4 
 35 
 13 
 1 
 2 
 1 
 4 
 1 
 1 
 6 
 52 
 6 
 1 
 4 
 7 
 59 
 11 
 14 
 11 
 4 
 34 
 38 
 5 
 2 
 1 
 2 
 8 
 
 7 
 14 
 1 
 1 
 1 
 4 
 42 
 2 
 3 
 7 
 1 
 2 
 
 12 
 1 
 1 
 
 9 
 
 Exploded. 
 Ditto. 
 Ditto. 
 Ditto. 
 
 Ditto. 
 Ditto. 
 Ditto. 
 
 Ditto. 
 Ditto. 
 Ditto. 
 Ditto. 
 Ditto. 
 Ditto. 
 Ditto. 
 
 Choke-damp. 
 Chain broke. 
 Choke-damp. 
 Inundated - - 
 Exploded. 
 Ditto. 
 
 Bursting of the boiler 
 of a hig h-pressure 
 locomotive engine. 
 
 Shaft brattice firing. 
 
 Exploded. 
 
 Ditto. 
 
 After-damp. 
 
 Exploded. 
 
 Ditto. 
 
 Ditto. 
 
 Ditto. 
 
 Ditto. 
 
 Ditto. 
 
 Ditto. 
 
 Ditto. 
 
 Ditto. 
 
 After-damp 
 
 Crushed by fall. 
 
 Exploded. 
 
 Ditto. 
 
 Ditto. 
 
 Ditto. 
 
 Ditto. 
 
 Ditto. 
 
 Ditto. 
 
 Falling in of earth. 
 
 Exploded. 
 
 Ditto. 
 
 Ditto. 
 
 Ditto. 
 
 Ditto, 
 
 Ditto ». « 
 
 Ditto. 
 
 Ditto. 
 
 Ditto. 
 
 Ditto. 
 
 Ditto. 
 
 Ditto. 
 
 Ditto. 
 
 Ditto. 
 
 Inundated. 
 
 Exploded. 
 
 Ditto. 
 
 Ditto. 
 
 Ditto. 
 
 Suffocation. 
 
 Exploded. 
 
 Ditto. 
 
 Fall down the shaft. 
 Inundated. 
 Boiler exploded. 
 Fall of stone. 
 Exploded. 
 Falling down the 
 shaft. 
 
 Remarks. 
 
 - - Penetrated old 
 workings of another 
 colliery, showing the 
 necessity of a regular 
 registered plan, as in 
 France and Belgium, 
 of the workings of 
 every colliery. 
 
 - - Said to be pro- 
 duced by a boy, 
 called Norman, eight 
 years of age,who leit 
 a trap-door open. 
 
SELECT COMMITTEE ON COAL MINES. 
 
 221 
 
 Date. 
 
 1832. Nov. 13- 
 1832. 
 
 1832. Dec. 
 
 1833. May 9 - 
 1833. May 24- 
 1833. August 2 
 
 Nov. 8 - 
 Nov. 26- 
 Feb. 25 - 
 March 28 
 
 1833. 
 1833. 
 1834. 
 1834. 
 
 Collieries. 
 
 Lives lost, 
 
 1834. Sept. 17 
 1834. Oct. 4 - 
 
 1834. Nov. 24- 
 
 1834. Nov. 24- 
 
 1835. Feb. 3 - 
 1835. May 1 - 
 
 1835. 
 1835. 
 1835. 
 1836. 
 1836. 
 1836. 
 1836. 
 1836. 
 1837. 
 1837. 
 1837. 
 1838. 
 1838. 
 1839. 
 
 June 18- 
 June 30- 
 Nov. 19 
 Jan. 27 - 
 Feb. 12 - 
 July 19 - 
 Sept. 29 
 Nov. 
 
 March 24 
 April 
 Dec. 6 - 
 Jan. 24 - 
 Dec. 19 - 
 June 28- 
 
 1840. Oct 23 - 
 
 1840. Dec. 19 - 
 4841. April 13 
 
 1841. April 19 
 
 Heaton - 
 Sheriff Hill - 
 
 Monkwearmouth 
 Spring-well 
 Great Lumley - 
 Fatfield - 
 Blackfell 
 Wideopen 
 
 Fanny Pit, Gosforth 
 Buddie Pit, Pittington 
 
 Elemore Pit, Hetton 
 Springwell 
 
 Hartley - 
 
 St. Lawrence - 
 Downs Pit, Hetton - 
 Whitley 
 
 Wallsend 
 
 Backworth 
 
 Burdon Main - 
 
 High Heworth 
 
 M ushroom 
 
 B Pit, Hebburn 
 
 Lumley Pit 
 
 J arrow - - - 
 
 Norwood 
 
 Monkwearmouth 
 
 Springwell 
 
 Stewart Pit - 
 
 Wallsend 
 
 St. Hilda 
 
 Farnacres 
 
 Shincliffe 
 Whitley 
 
 Bigge Pit, Willington 
 
 1841. August 5 
 1841. August 9 
 1841. August 17 
 1841. August 28 
 1841. Oct. 29 
 
 Thornley Pit 
 Cramlington 
 Haswell - 
 Radcliffe Pit 
 Cramlington 
 
 1 
 
 2 
 
 1 
 
 47 
 2 
 1 
 3 
 1 
 4 
 2 
 
 1 
 
 2 
 
 3 
 22 
 6 
 
 102 
 2 
 
 11 
 4 
 1 
 3 
 1 
 2 
 2 
 3 
 
 30 
 2 
 
 11 
 
 51 
 
 Remarks. 
 
 4 
 1 
 
 32 
 
 Exploded. 
 
 Fall of stone from 
 
 roof. 
 Ditto. 
 Exploded 
 Ditto. 
 
 Fall of stone. 
 Exploded. 
 Boiler bursting. 
 Corf unhooking. 
 Corf blown down the 
 
 shaft. 
 Boiler bursting. 
 Timber falling down 
 
 the shaft. 
 Breaking of the shaft 
 
 rope. 
 Exploded. 
 Ditto. 
 
 Corf improperly 
 
 hooked. 
 Exploded 
 Fall of stone. 
 Exploded. 
 Ditto. 
 
 Fall down the pit. 
 
 Exploded 
 
 Fall of stone. 
 
 Exploded. 
 
 Chain broke. 
 
 Ditto. 
 
 Exploded. 
 
 Fall of stone. 
 
 Exploded. 
 
 Diito - 
 
 Drowned from old 
 workings. 
 
 Exploded. 
 Ditto. 
 Ditto - 
 
 Appendix, No. 4. 
 (E.) 
 
 List of Explosions 
 and Accidents. 
 
 - - Davy lamps em- 
 ployed. 
 
 Ditto - 
 
 Ditto. 
 
 Ditto. 
 
 Fall down pit. 
 Stone fall. 
 
 - - Davy lamps em- 
 ployed. Nine boys, 
 under 12 years of 
 age, destroyed in this 
 explosion. 
 
 - - Six boys, under 
 12 years, lost their 
 lives in this explo- 
 sion. 
 
 - - This inundation 
 shows the necessity 
 of registered plans. 
 
 - - Produced by a 
 boy, named Richard 
 Cooper, nine years 
 of age, who had 
 left bis door to play 
 with two other 
 boys. — Four boys, 
 under nine years, 
 killed at this ex- 
 plosion. 
 
 - - Caused by a trap- 
 per, Robert Gardener, 
 under nine years of 
 age, who had neg- 
 lected his trap-door. 
 
 Appendix (F.) 
 
 -ACCIDENTS in the Coal Mines of Belgium, from the Report of the Minister of Public 
 
 Works for 1841. 
 
 (*•) „ 
 
 From 1821 to 1840 inclusive, the number of accidents in the Belgic mines, including Accidents™ the Coal 
 the provinces of Hainaut, Liege, and Namur, with Luxemburg, were 1,456; producing Mines ot egium. 
 deaths, 2,148 ; of which 438 were by explosions of carburetted hydrogen gas, in addition 
 to 380 severely wounded by the same cause. The number of men employed on an 
 average in those mines during the above period were about 28,000. They now amount to 
 nearly 38,000. 
 
 0.62. 
 
 F F 2 
 
 For 
 
222 
 
 APPENDIX TO REPORT FROM THE 
 
 Appendix, No. 4. For the relief of the families and sufferers from such accidents, there are Provident 
 
 " Institutions which are supported : — 
 
 Accidents in the Coal lst ' — Half P ei ' cent -, or ' ess than five farthings in the pound of the wages of the work- 
 Mines of Belgium. men. 
 
 2d. — The proprietors make up an amount equal to that subscribed by the men. 
 3d. — Grants from ihe Government ; (a) and 
 4th. — Donations from private individuals. 
 
 Appendix (G.) 
 
 (G.) 
 
 Memoir of M. Jars. The following able Memoir of M.Jars, on the Ventilation of Mines, has been deemed of 
 sufficient importance to be translated and appended to this Report ; and though con- 
 taining errors discovered by the more advanced state of science and a better practical 
 acquaintance with the subject of mines, yet it possesses great merit in its lucid exposition 
 of many correct principles of ventilation, and, to this day, is frequently consulted by such 
 of the well-informed viewers of Britain as are in possession of so scarce a work. A practical 
 Report, such as the South Shields Committee is engaged in, would scarcely be complete 
 without an Essay so valuable as M. Jars' being rendered, as far as possible, accessible to 
 every officer of mines, treating, as it does, on one of the most important branches of their 
 subject. 
 
 OBSERVATIONS on the Circulation of Air in Mines: the Means which it is necessary 
 to employ for maintaining it. (b) [Year 1764.] By M. Jars: Member of the Royal 
 Academy of Sciences of Paris ; the London Society for the Encouragement of Arts ; and 
 Associate of the Academy of Science, Belles Lettres, and Arts, of Lvons. Translated 
 by Mr. James Mather, one of the Secretaries of the South Shields Committee for the 
 investigation of the causes of Accidents in Mines. 
 
 The perplexity in which I have seen many Owners and Directors of Mines, both in 
 France and Germany, to introduce air into the works which they managed, the useless 
 works which they undertook to obtain this object, have induced a strong desire in me to 
 know how the circulation of air was effected within the subterraneous passages, for the 
 purpose of arriving at a sure method to introduce it there, thus avoiding those fruitless labours 
 which in mines are always very expensive, and expelling the bad air, which greatly exhausts 
 the miners, and somewhat shortens their lives. 
 
 Full of my object, 1 have spoken about it with whomever I knew well-informed in 
 geometry and subterraneous physics; I have had many conversations on the subject witii 
 the savans of Freyberg, in Saxony ; but, however instructive those conversations were, they 
 always left me something to desire ; therefore it is that I have continued to observe, and 
 have sought at the same time the reason why air took one route in preference to another. I 
 believe ii to be attained. 
 
 This memoir might be susceptible of a very great extension, by the application which one 
 could be able to make from the inferences that I have drawn from all my remarks, to pre- 
 vent apartments from smoking, and to renew the air in hospitals and other places, &c. ; 
 but my engagements, and the journey (c) which I am on the point of taking, prevent me 
 doing anything more just now, than making these observations. I believe it a duty to the 
 Academy to make known the principal that I have made up to this time, and the advantages 
 derivable from them. 
 
 It will be sufficient for every intelligent director and viewer of mines to understand the 
 following observations, and the applications that I make of them, to serve to guide him in 
 every case. 
 
 I have observed in winter, on visiting mines, with pits of 10, 12, to 20 fathoms (toises) (d) 
 perpendicular depth, in which all the water that filtered through the rock and timber work 
 froze and became ice in all their height. 
 
 I have likewise observed that the thermometer of M. de Reaumur placed in a mine at 
 45 paces from the mouth (e) of one of its galleries, (/) continued at zero (32° Fahrenheit) : in 
 the interval of that distance I have found ice, but in advancing into the mine, the fluid 
 of the thermometer rose gradually to 11° and 12° Reaumur (about 57" and 59° Fahr.) 
 — that is to say, one or two degrees Reaumur above the temperature of the vaults of the 
 observatory, which is the same within the mines. I have attributed the two degrees above 
 the temperature (nearly 5° Fahr.) to the air being heated by the workmen, and the flame 
 of their lamps. 
 
 There are, again, in certain mines, some accidents which often occasion a very strong 
 heat, as in works where are found a sort of pyrites, which, decomposing by the action of 
 
 air 
 
 (a) Last year, 1841, the Legislature humanely voted 42,000 francs, or 1,760/., for this purpose. 
 (6) This memoir was read to the Academy of Sciences in the year 1768, and printed in the volume of its 
 memoirs for the same year; page '218 and 220. 
 
 (c) M. Jars was preparing to visit England, which he did in 1765. 
 (tf) The toise is 6 feet 6 inches. 
 
 (e) They name mouth of a gallery or of a pit, its exterior opening. 
 
 (/) They name gallery, the horizontal subterranean excavations, which end in other excavations that are 
 made to extract the mineral of a seam, which, whenever the mine is considerable, have commonly many 
 exterior openings, which are perpendicular, horizontal, or oblique. 
 
SELECT COMMITTEE ON COAL MINES. 
 
 223 
 
 air, heats them up to such a point, that the workmen are obliged lo labour without their Appendix r No. 4. 
 shiits, and are only able to bear it a very short time. - — 
 
 The same mines where I have observed pits and galleries in which ice is found, had other . ( G ) 
 
 openings where one felt on entering a heated air. I saw pass out by these same openings era01r of M ' JarSi * 
 the smoke of gunpowder, which had been produced in one or more explosions in the mine, 
 whence I have concluded lhat the air entered by the works where I have seen the ice, and 
 passed out by those where was inspired a heated air. 
 
 I have remarked, at the same time, that all the works by which the air entered into the 
 mine were inferior or lower than those by which it went out, which persuaded me that 
 they would have so much more air where the works of the superior or upper communication 
 were more elevated above the horizontal, or the level of those placed at the foot of the 
 mountain. 
 
 These observations explained to me why they constructed stalks or funnels of chimneys 
 upon ceriain pits of coal mines which were sunk in a flat country. 
 
 I had olten inquired of them the reason, and they always replied that it was to introduce 
 air into the mine; but I was ignorant why the air entered by the inferior or lower works 
 rather than the higher. 
 
 Not content with having made during the winter the observations that I have related, 
 I wished to examine if the circulation of the air was the same in all seasons; I was not able 
 to establish anything during the spring, of which we shall afterwards see the reason. 
 
 As my first observations had been made when it froze, 1 chose some hot days of summer 
 to go through the different passages of the mine of Chessy, near Lyons. 1 have also made 
 the same remarks in other mines- 
 
 I enteied at first into the mine by the same inferior, or lower gallery, in which the ther- 
 mometer had been in winter at zero (32° Fahr.), as far as 45 paces from the mouth ; I felt 
 the cold on entering ; I placed my thermometer, of which the fluid was 20 degrees above 
 zero (77° Fahr.), at one fathom (toise) interiorly from the mouth of the said gallery; after 
 having left it there for half an hour, the fluid descended to 11 degrees (57° Fahr.); I felt 
 the same coolness in all the mine : I directed my course to the side of a work ascending 
 upwards (montant) (a) by which they go out of the mine ; it was then the highest opening. 
 I remarked w ith surprise that in proportion as 1 approached the mouth the air grew warmer. 
 I placed my thermometer at four fathoms (toises) within the said mouth, it rose to 18 
 degrees (73° Fahr.). 
 
 These observations, oftimes repeated in different mines, have proved tome that the air, 
 which in winter enters into the mines by the inferior works, to go out by the superior, 
 takes the contrary route during summer. 
 
 It was not sufficient for me to know clearly the mode in which the air circulates in the 
 mines ; I wished yet to know what was the reason, and that which caused the air for a 
 season to take one route prefeiable to another. 
 
 Let us see the reasoning which I have drawn from it, and in what way I prove it. 
 
 I suppose A B (Fig. l) a gallery, at the extremity of which there is a pit C B of Vide Plan, No. IIJ, 
 10 fathoms (toises) deep ; its mouth C is then 10 fathoms more elevated than that of A of 
 the gallery. A, B, C is a subterraneous work of which the air ought to be temperate, that 
 is to say, at 10 degrees (55° Fahr.; ; but the air of the atmosphere in winter is at zero 
 (32° Fahr.), and even below it, that is to say, 10 degrees (55° Fahr.) less dilated or expanded 
 than lhat enclosed in the subterraneous works ; I ought then to consider above the pit C B 
 a column of all the height of the atmosphere, which would have the opening of the said pit 
 for a base, and of which the degree of heat is equal to zero (32° Fahr.) as far as the hori- 
 zontal line, C D more than the column C B, which is at 10 degrees (55 Fahr.). I con- 
 sider further upon the point A, a column, likewise of all the height of the atmosphere, 
 consequently equal to that which is over the pit C B, with the difference that its degree of 
 heat is equal tozeio (32° Fahr.) over its entire height, whilst the former has a part of (he 10 
 fathoms (toises) C B at 10 degrees (55" Fahr.), then the column of the atmosphere which 
 follows the line D A, is heavier than that whic h follows the line C B, because it contains 
 much more air in the same volume ; therefore as it presses upon the points, it will oblige 
 t lie air contained in the subterraneous works A, B, C, to pass out by the point C, which 
 will establish the current of air in the mine. 
 
 Jf I consider that which aciually occurs in summer, in supposing the air of the atmo- 
 sphere at 20 (77° Fahr.) decrees of heat as far as C D, which is the horizontal line, but 
 C B is only at 10 degrees (55° Fahr.) which constitutes a part of all the column of the 
 height of the atmosphere, then thatcolumn upon C B is heavier than that on point A, since 
 the latter is in all its height at 20 degrees (77° Fahr.) of heat, whilst the former has 
 a portion of the 10 fathoms (toises) of air less dilated, and, consequently, more weighty ; 
 whence it results that during summer the column of air upon the pit (J B ou^ht, by its 
 own weight, to force the interior air out by the opening A, and thus to produce the circu- 
 lation in it. 
 
 I have remarked for a very long time, and have heard it said by all miners, that the 
 air circulated with difficulty in the mines at the budding and at the fall of the leaf, 
 that is to say, during spring and autumn; it even happens that some works are suspended 
 at that time for want of air, the candles and lamps could not hum but with difficuliy. 
 I had sought, unsuccessfully, to know the cause of it ; but tiie problem is actually 
 
 solved 
 
 (a) Ouvrage en montant, orechellon montant, is an irregular excavation, which is made from below upwards, in 
 following the stratum to extract the mineral. 
 
 0.62. F F 3 
 
224 
 
 APPENDIX TO REPORT FROM THE 
 
 Appendix, No. 4. so lved when we k now thai in the spring and autumn the external air approaches more 
 G) of a temperature to that which is inclosed in the mines, consequently it makes, thus to 
 
 Memoir of M. Jars. s P^*k> an equilibrium. 
 
 One may readily perceive all the difficulty which the air has to establish for itself a 
 current in these season*, when it is sometimes above, sometimes below the 10 degrees 
 (55° Fahr.), particularly in those works of considerable extent, where the air has some 
 distance to travel. As the degree of heat varies many times in the same day, the columns 
 of air of the atmosphere press alternately upon the different openings of the mines, which 
 renders the circulation in them very difficult. 
 
 There is a practice in many mines, when the air fails, to lower into them grates of fire ; 
 that method is very good, and ought certainly to be had recourse to in the spring- and 
 autumn in the works which have been finished, according to the principles which 1 am about 
 to establish ; for if all the openings of a mine were made at the same horizontal height, the 
 fire that they would lower to the bottom of the mine would extinguish itself there, as well 
 as all the lamps and candles, unless the grates of fire were suspended at one-third part, or 
 at the middle of one of the pits ; it would produce, then, the effect of the furnace 
 described by the translator of Lehmann, on ihe Art of the Mines, page 50, plate 3. 
 
 I have seen this furnace employed with success in a lead mine in the neighbourhood of 
 Freybere;, in Saxony. 
 
 This refers itself always to that which has been said above, which is, to have the air more 
 dilated in one place than another. 
 
 I will give below the least expensive means to procure a supply of air in the principle 
 cases that present themselves in the working of mines. 
 
 Many persons are persuaded that it is only by greatly multiplying shafts to mines that 
 they are able to introduce air into them. This is a dangerous error in a viewer who is at the 
 head of a mining operation (a). They ought to know that were they to make even ten shafts 
 upon the same subterraneous work, if their mouths are at the same horizontal height, they 
 will not have much more air than if they had but one, because then all the columns of air of 
 the atmosphere being of equal weight with each other, it is impossible that they will be able 
 to establish a current amongst themselves (b). 
 
 This multiplicity of openings is very expensive, especially if the works are very deep; 
 besides the more openings in a mountain are made, the more the filtrations of water are 
 augmented, and consequently the expense of the operations. It is the same for horizontal 
 works. 
 
 Here is an example that I have been witness to: — Having made a gallery which was 20 
 fathoms (toises) long from its mouth ; they dug upon the stratum a pit about 10 or 12 
 fathoms; the air then failed them. It was advised to make a second gallery on the same 
 level as the first, and which ended in the same pit, expecting by that to establish a current of 
 air ; but when it was finished they had no more air than at first. It was now determined to 
 make an outer pit, which would lead into the subterraneous pit ; it was then that they had in 
 it air sufficient to continue the projected works. This fact which 1 have just stated happened 
 in Fiance. 
 
 Here is another of much greater consequence that I have seen in the mines of Schemithz, 
 in Hungary, in the year 1758 : — 'They continued the works of a gallery for draining, which, 
 when completed, would be 2359 toises (2555 fathoms) in length ; they had not more than 782 
 toises to make to finish it. As they worked in it from both sides, they hoped that the boring 
 would be brought to a close in seven years. So that, according to every appearance, this 
 gallery would be finished in the next year. 
 
 As the mountain is of prodigious height, it was impossible to make many pits of respiration. 
 They had made for it one only in a valley. When it was at the depth where the gallery 
 ought to be, they put workmen both on the right and left to accelerate the work. Then, 
 as soon as they had made the opening with the part of the gallery which came from the side 
 of the entrance, and that which was directed from the side of the mountain was a little 
 advanced, they introduced into it some air by the assistance of a machine, a little resembling 
 that of which I have had the honour to read the description to the Royal Academy of Sciences,, 
 and which serves to raise the water in the same mines. They '.would be able to substitute for it 
 a pair of bellows, a trompe, which would have the same effect, and which would not cost the 
 twentieth part of the expense of that machine; but they would have the power to pass it 
 from one to the other, as we shall see afterwards. 
 
 Independently of that machine, they thought to commence, from the pit of the valley, a 
 gallery parallel and on the same level as the great one, with the intention of making drifts 
 from distance to distance, with the principal gallery to communicate the air to it; which 
 
 they 
 
 (a) The dangerous error is in M. Jars' view. It is now nearly universally admitted as an almost mining 
 axiom, supported by greater experience and more advanced science, that the more numerous and larger the 
 openings to the day, the safer and better for the rv.en and the mine, which has been shown on a previous 
 occasion. 
 
 (b) This, of course, only applies to a system of natural ventilation, where the equipoise is affected by natural 
 causes, as the rarefaction of the atmosphere by the summer's sun, the air of the mine retaining the medium, 
 and more moderate temperature of spring and autumn; or the condensed air of the atmosphere in winter, from 
 the abnegation of the sun's heat, leaving the air of the mine warmed by the temperature of the earth at a much 
 higher degree, and having an unequal column of air over each pit, but if the pits are equal in altitude, then altered 
 by a chimney over one or more, as in the case stated by M. Triewald, whose observation appears to be more 
 correet than the reasoning of M. Jars. But these principles do not apply where the equipoise is disturbed by 
 the rarefaction of artificial heat or the force of powerful machinery, when the air cannot have too many, or too 
 capacious pits and passages for the facility of its ingress and egress. 
 
SELECT COMMITTEE ON COAL MINES. 
 
 225 
 
 they have used, and continued in all probability to do. It is, in the meantime, an expense, Appeudi^No. 4. 
 
 that every calculation makes more than 200,000 livres (8,300 I), and winch is very useless, ^ 
 
 as I shall prove. ■ , , , • ,11^1 Memoir of M. Jars. 
 
 If we notice that these galleries are at the same level, it is easy to conclude that the 
 columns of air are at equilibrium amongst them, consequently the air is not able to change 
 itself- but in order that it may be able to effect this, there is a door constructed, which 
 separates the communication of the mouth of the second gallery with the pit of the 
 valley • by that mode the air enters in winter by a second gallery, passes into the grand one, 
 and proceeds to issue out by the pit. The contrary happens in summer. Tins second 
 gallery represents simply a pipe or conduit, which could be prolonged to the same extent 
 that the gallery might be advanced. This they would be able to do into the last principal 
 o-allery by giving; to it a sufficient capacity for the passage of the required air. That was 
 very ea'sv, since that gallery is nine feet high by five feet broad, at the lowest part. 
 
 There' are also some persons who think that they cannot have the air in a gallery com- 
 menced from the day, unless that they have a pit of respiration every 50 fathoms (toises). 
 The multiplicity of those pits is useful only so much as it is wished to accelerate the work 
 of thai gallery, by working in many places at the same time, which, however, is only prac- 
 ticable when the mountain is not too high, and the sinking is neither too deep nor too 
 costlv. 
 
 There has been communicated to me the translation of a memoir of M. Triewaid, in- 
 serted amongst those of the Academy of Sweden, in the year 1740, page 444, in which he 
 
 sa y S "That he has observed in all the mines which he has seen that the air descends by 
 
 the pit the most profound or deep, and that it re-ascends by that which is less so. That 
 truth (says he) is the same as the experiment of water in a bent syphon with two unequal 
 feet." 
 
 To demonstrate it, he gives for example Fig. 2. V,de Plan, No. III. 
 
 " Let us suppose (says he) a pit A D, of the depth of 35 fathoms (brasse), and the other 
 B C of the depth of 45. It is incontestible (says M. Triewaid) that the column of air 
 B C « ill be heavier than that of A D. Now, as the lightest will not counterbalance the 
 heaviest, it follows that in yielding to the latter there is effected a continual change of air, 
 so that the communication C D once established, the air will always circulate from B to 
 C, from C to JD, and from D to A ." 
 
 I cannot persuade myself that M. Triewaid has himself observed the example that 1 
 have just given ; for if 1 consider the mouths A and B of the pits, A D, B C, which I sup- 
 pose at the same level, I say that the columns of air of the atmosphere which press on the 
 point A and the point B, are in equilibrium, since they are of the same height, and have 
 the same degree of heat. Neither one nor the other are able then to force the air contained 
 within the subterraneous passage, or work B C D A to pass out of it, because it is itself 
 in equilibrium, (a) But it is probable that M. Triewaid has made his observations in a mine 
 when there was an erection over the mouth of one of the pits. This erection changes the 
 density of air of the columns, and is easily able to destroy the equilibrium. 
 
 He was, without doubt, persuaded that the air took the same route in all seasons. The 
 artificial circulation of which he speaks in the same memoir will be found comprised in 
 the examples which I will give upon the application that may be made of the principles 
 that I have just established. 
 
 A gallery is commenced at a point A, Fig. 3, directed under a mountain. I say that Vide Plan, No. IH- 
 that gallery may be continued without making a pit of respiration, until the pillar F I of 
 the galleiy A B, which is above the horizontal line A G, be made equal to the height 
 K L of the gallery, or rather that the point F, forming the ground of the gallery at its ex- 
 tremity, would be at the same level as the point K, which is highest at its mouth. For 
 this object I divide the gallery into two parts by a flooring E M, impervious in all its length, 
 that the air may have no passage through it. This flooring, which the Germans call trep- 
 penwerck, is necessary to enable the wheelbarrow to travel over, and is not incommoded by 
 the water which passes by the canal or conduit made upon the thill of the gallery. It re- 
 quires, in this case, to be constructed with more care than when it does not serve such a 
 purpose. It is constructed as the gallery is advanced. 
 
 By the aid of that partition, there are two columns of air, of which the w r eight is differ- 
 ent, because they are unequal in height and density; lor example, the air in winter will 
 enter the gallery by the canal A E, and will renew the air to the* point E, proceeding to 
 pa^s out by the mouth M of the gallery ; the contrary will take place during summer. 
 
 Upon this principle, one is able to calculate of what length a gallery may be made 
 without a pit of respiration. For instance, let us suppose the gallery K L of six feet, and 
 which it is wished to give 18 inches declivity in the 100 fathoms (toises), it is evident that 
 it would be but 400 fathoms, when the floor of the gallery at its mouth would be at the 
 same level as the superior part at its extremity; that then the columns of air would be 
 in equilibrium, and there would be no more circu lation in it. This is good in theory, but I 
 strongly doubt that it holds good in practice to that point. The reasons will be perceived 
 
 sufficiently 
 
 (a) M. Jars does not seem aware of the fact that the deepest pit of M. Triewaid would have its air rarefied 
 by nearly cue degree of temperature more than the shallow pit, disturbing the equilibrium and setting the air in 
 motion. There is an increase of temperature in some of the deep mines of Britain from the surface of more 
 than 25 degrees. It may be also stated, in support of M. Triewald's observation, that the gallery commu- 
 nicating between his two pits would, as well as 10 fathoms of the deepest pit, have its air rarefied, and, conse- 
 quently, would produce a circulation by disturbing the equilibrium of the columns. 
 0.62. F F 4 
 
226 
 
 APPENDIX 
 
 —SELECT COMMITTEE ON COAL MINES. 
 
 Appendix, No. 4. sufficiently without there being a necessity for detailing them. But there is a remedy 
 
 which is not expensive ; it is to make the pit C D, and to put a door at the place N of the 
 
 (G.) gallery ; for then, by a simple inspection of the figure, it may be seen that it will make a 
 
 Memoir of M. Jars, difference in the weight of the column of air of the whole height of the pit. If the moun- 
 tain is not very high, this pit would be at least as useful to facilitate the extraction of 
 the mineral, as for the circulation of air ; but if, on the contrary, the mountain be very high, 
 and that, the calculation made, the expense of the shaft would not compensate by the ad- 
 vantages which would result from it in extracting the mineral, it. will suffice to establish 
 the current of air to make the pit O Q and the dour P near to the mouth of the gallery ; 
 for the little that this pit has of depth, one may see that it will be easy to push the gallery 
 far into the mountain. 
 
 But in case the air should still fail in a long continuation of the said gallery, they would 
 be able to increase the height of the pit in constructing upon the point O a chimney of so 
 much greater height as the gallery may be prolonged inwards. 
 
 If in the same gallery A B, it is wished to deepen the pit R S, it will be easy to intro- 
 duce the air into it, by putting a pipe or tunnel into the inferior canal of the gallery. It is 
 necessary that it be quite tight, to prevent the passage of air, which will be carried to the 
 extent that they will sink the shaft as I have represented it by R T. At the view alone of 
 the figure, every one will be able to observe the demonstration. 
 Vide Plan, No. III. I suppose the pit C D, Fig. 4, in a flat country, from the point D, they push the 
 gallery D F; arrived at the point F the air fails in a manner to prevent the continuance 
 of that work. 
 
 I will state, in the following example, wiiat I think ought then to be done. But the 
 course which is ordinarily taken is to sink the pit .27 F upon the point F; it is n>t doubted 
 but that they then have a little air for the same reason that they have it by the pit C D 
 at the point D, and in the gallery D F (we know that in a perpendicular pit they have 
 the air to a certain depth, but which cannot be determined) ; but there is not a sufficient 
 renewal of air procured by the pit E F, because the two mouths C E of the two pits are 
 upon the same horizontal line A B ; consequently the columns of air make an equilibrium 
 between themselves. The gallery F H is continued ; the air fails again when they reach 
 the point H ; in this case there are places where they make use of a chimney E G upon 
 the mouth E of the pit E F; there is no doubt but by that they render the weight of the 
 columns of air unequal, and by it establish the circulation. Those who are unacquainted 
 with such chimnies make a new pit upon the point H. With the aid of the chimney, they 
 are able to continue the gallery F H for a certain distance ; but we may render it very 
 considerable by pursuing what follows. I would make a flooring K L upon the gallery 
 F H, similar to that of the first example ; I would continue this ceiling with the gallery, 
 and would make a door at the point /; for then I oblige the air which would enter by the 
 mouth C to pass at the point H, that it may escape by G; the same that would enter by 
 G would be obliged always in passing to the point J I to <ro out by C. In following the 
 same plan, I would sink a shaft at the point H, or in another place, and to such a depth as 
 would be necessary, without other aid than that of a pipe or tunnel L M, which I will con- 
 duct to the extent that I shall deepen the pit, which pipe ought to have no communication 
 but only with the canal which occupies the bottom of the gallery F H. 
 
 I ought to observe that it is not necessary that the chimney be made in a truncated 
 cone; it would be even an inconvenience if the opening in it was too small : this would be 
 easily perceived in summer, when the air is obliged to enter into the mine by the said 
 opening. 
 
 Vide Plan, No. III. I suppose a pit A B, Fig. 5., at the bottom of which I am obliged to make the gallery 
 JB C to follow the seam; B is the place where the air has begun to fail ; to renew it I 
 construct the furnace E, described by the translator of Lehmann, at the side of the mouth 
 of the pit, with a chimney, E F, which is raised as much as it is wished to procure more 
 air; I place a tunnel or canal well closed all along one of the an<j;les of the pit, which, 
 by one of its extremities G, enters the furnace ; the other extremity of the tunnel is 
 carried to the extent that the works advance, as from G to H, and from H to /. 
 
 One will easily conceive that in winter and summer there will be a natural circulation of 
 air; but in the spring and autumn it will be necessary to make a fire in the furnace E, 
 by the aid of which the air will be dilated from E to jF, which will render the column 
 lighter; then that which is upon the point A will press strongly from A to B to enter 
 into the canal I H G, and will thus procure a renewal of air at the extremity C of the 
 gallery. If it is wished to follow the seam on the other side of the pit, as from B to D, 
 it will be easy to make another tunnel from K to H, which will divide the current of air 
 into two branches; it would be necessary then that the tunnel G H be a. little larger than 
 when the air had to circulate in a single gallery. 
 
 After all the examples which I have given to procure a good and sufficient change of 
 air in mines, it only remains for me to state, that in works rather extensive, it is often 
 sufficient to know where to place doors properly in certain places to procure a good cir- 
 culation of air. Sometimes they are even necessary also to hinder too great a current, 
 which would extinguish the candles and lamps. Every person who will make himself 
 master of all that has been said above will easily find means in all cases that present 
 themselves. 
 
 Br** 
 
 PLANS 
 
? 509. Ordered, by The ±Lo"use 01 votnmuus.uj uun uu rn,22 1 " i . June. 105° 
 
226 
 
 APPENDIX 
 
 —SELECT COMMITTEE ON COAL MINES. 
 
 Appendix, No. 4. sufficiently without there being a necessity for detailing them. But there is a remedy 
 
 which is not expensive ; it is to make the pit C D, and to put a door at the place N of the 
 
 (G.) gallery ; for then, by a simple inspection of the figure, it may be seen that it will make a 
 
 Memoir of M. Jars, difference in the weight of the column of air of the whole height of the pit. If the moun- 
 tain is not very high, this pit would be at least as useful to facilitate the extraction of 
 the mineral, as for the circulation of air ; but if, on the contrary, the mountain be very high, 
 and that, the calculation made, the expense of the shaft would not compensate by the ad- 
 vantages which would result from it in extracting the mineral, it will suffice to establish 
 the current of air to make the pit O Q and the dour P near to the mouth of the gallery ; 
 for the little that this pit has of depth, one may see that it will be easy to push the gallery 
 far into the mountain. 
 
 But in case the air should still fail in a long continuation of the said gallery, they would 
 be able to increase the height of the pit in constructing upon the point O a chimney of so 
 much greater height as the gallery may be prolonged inwards. 
 
 If in the same gallery A B, it is wished to deepen the pit R S, it will be easy to intro- 
 duce the air into it, by putting a pipe or tunnel into the inferior canal of the gallerv. It is 
 necessary that it be quite tight, to prevent the passage of air, which will be carried to the 
 extent that they will sink the shaft as I have represented it by R T. At the view alone of 
 the figure, every one will be able to observe the demonstration. 
 Vide Plan, No.III. I suppose the pit C JJ, Fig. 4, in a flat country, from the point D, they push the 
 gallery D F; arrived at the point F the air fails in a manner to prevent the continuance 
 of that work. 
 
 I will state, in the following example, wiiat I think ought then to be done. But the 
 course which is ordinarily taken is to sink the p\tF F upon the point F; it is n it doubted 
 but that they then have a little air for the same reason that they have it by the pit C D 
 at the point D, and in the gallery D F (we know that in a perpendicular pit they have 
 the air to a certain depth, but which cannot be determined) ; but there is not a sufficient 
 renewal of air procured by the pit E F, because the two mouths C E of the two pits are 
 upon the same horizontal line A B ; consequently the columns of air make an equilibrium 
 between themselves. The gallery F H is continued ; the air fails again when they reach 
 the point H ; in this case there are places where they make use of a chimney E G upon 
 the mouth E of the pit E F; there is no doubt but by that they render the weight of the 
 columns of air unequal, and by it establish the circulation. Those who are unacquainted 
 with such chimnies make a new pit upon the point //. With the aid of the chimney, they 
 are able to continue the gallery F H for a certain distance ; but we may render it very 
 considerable by pursuing what follows. I would make a flooring K L upon the gallery 
 F H, similar to that of the first example ; I would continue this ceiling with the gallery, 
 and would make a door at the point /; for then I oblige the air which would enter by the 
 mouth C to pass at the point H, that it may escape by G ; the same that would enter by 
 G would he obliged always in passing to the point 11 to «;o out by C. In following the 
 same plan, 1 would sink a shaft at the point //, or in another place, and to such a depth as 
 would be necessary, without other aid than that of a pipe or tunnel L M, which I will con- 
 duct to the extent that I shall deepen the pit, which pipe ought to have no communication 
 but only with the canal which occupies the bottom of the gallery F H. 
 
 I ought to observe that it is not necessary that the chimney be made in a truncated 
 cone; it would be even an inconvenience if the opening in it was too small : this would be 
 easily perceived in summer, uhen the air is obliged to enter into the mine by the said 
 opening. 
 
 Vide Plan, No. III. I suppose a pit A B, Fig. 5., at the bottom of which I am obliged to make the gallery 
 B C to follow the seam; B is the place where the air has begun to fail ; to renew it I 
 construct the furnace E, described by the translator of Lehmann, at the side of the mouth 
 of the pit, with a chimney, E F, which is raised as much as it is wished to procure more 
 air; I place a tunnel or canal well closed all along one of the ambles of the pit, which, 
 by one of its extremities G, enters the furnace ; the other extremity of the tunnel is 
 carried to the extent that the works advance, as from G to H, and from H to /. 
 
 One will easily conceive that in winter and summer there will be a natural circulation of 
 air; but in the spring and autumn it will be necessary to make a fire in the furnace E, 
 by the aid of which the air will be dilated from E to F, which will render the column 
 lighter; then that which is upon the point A will press strongly from A to B to enter 
 into the canal I H G, and will thus procure a renewal of air at the extremity C of the 
 gallery. If it is wished to follow the seam on the other side of the pit, as from B to D, 
 it will be easy to make another tunnel from K to H, which will divide the current of air 
 into two branches; it would be necessary then that the tunnel G H be a little larger than 
 when the air had to circulate in a single gallery. 
 
 After all the examples which I have given to procure a good and sufficient change of 
 air in mines, it only remains for me to state, that in works rather extensive, it is often 
 sufficient to know where to place doors properly in certain places to procure a good cir- 
 culation of air. Sometimes they are even necessary also to hinder too great a current, 
 which would extinguish the candles and lamps. Every person who will make himself 
 master of all that has been said above will easily find means in all cases that present 
 themselves. 
 
 PLANS 
 
APPENDIX - SEIF.CT COMMITTEE ON COAL MIXF.S 
 
 PLAN N; I . 
 
 Jirlical Scctimt ef Upcast Shaft 
 
 A * 
 
 Fl C. I 
 
 IUUULU 
 
 c 
 
 GURNEYS HIGH PRESSURE APPARATUS 
 
 FOR THE 
 
 VENTILATION OF MINES. 
 
 FIG. 2 . 
 
 F I C. 3. 
 
 Uorix-vrUal ■Section at E 
 
 Fl C. 6 . 
 
 FIC. 7. 
 
 TuH sine Drawtna />/' Branch Pipe and' Jet. 
 
 H 
 
 Fl C . 8 . 
 
 ! !i <\ \\\ / !! 
 
 N^SOfl. (Mere! the House of Cammans.tolieBTUted.K^JniiclSS 
 
APPENDIX S E I .E C T COM M I T T E K ON COAL M INKS. 
 
 PLA*T N9 JI. 
 
 F I C. 
 
 Eruterithg ctvrr&nt pf Air 
 
 or 
 
 Ttetumv current/ of Air 
 
 L&r&l Jjinr> 
 
 Level/ Zi-nr 
 
 PLAN of JOHN MARTIN, ESQ*? LONDON, 
 FOR WORKING 4 VENTILATING COALMINES. 
 
 r If? oe. 
 H.T6/!. ££ska& \ Ira/Axed 
 
 /feasfrrays frorry (Ae fa/o 
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 TKTmrri/? by tAe sioAer axs/- 
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 t*-Aole- oftAe fha_Z> Aas 7>e&v 
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 S. ft ryr'Ar/'s/'y re^L^i'ZocfAr 
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 Jtoppisips to segarafe /As /soar /roms cAe> fPorA<i\ 
 
 ?ay £ Son,, I,it}„ ? tt> tJtv i/u 
 
 ^T? 509. Ordered,l3y Tie House of Commous.to be Printed, 22 ni J\uifi. 1852. 
 
APPENDIX _ S EXEC T COMMITTEE ON COAL MINES. 
 
 PLATES ILLUSTRATIVE OF JARS' MEMOIR ON VENTILATION. 
 
 T PXAN NT? Ill 
 
 Eg. I. 
 
 D 
 
 M 
 
 Eg.T. 
 
 3»EK 
 
 1^509. Ordered By The House of Commons to i>e Etinted. 22 June 1852. 
 
f 227 ] 
 
 ANALYSIS OF. INDEX. 
 
 Alphabetical and Classified LIST of the Principal Headings in the following INDEX, 
 with the Paging at which they will be respectively found. 
 
 ACCIDENTS - 
 
 Compensation to sufferers - 
 
 Damages at law 
 
 Daxy lamp, 2 - - 
 
 Escapages of gas 
 
 Fines - - - - 
 
 Goaves - - - - 
 
 Ince Hall Colliery - 
 
 Middle Dujfryn Colliery 
 
 Small collieries 
 
 After-damp - 
 
 Choke-damp - 
 
 Anemometer - - - - 
 
 Atmospheric air - 
 
 Carburetted hydrogen 
 
 Barometer - 
 
 Differential barometer 
 
 Belgium - 
 Fines - 
 
 Inspection of mines - 
 Mueseler lamp 
 Serai ng mines 
 
 Board of Inspection 
 W orking of mines 
 
 Carburetted hydrogen 
 
 Carelessness of m iners 
 Miners - 
 Safety lamps - 
 
 Changes of temperature ■■ 
 
 Choke-damp - - - - 
 After-damp - 
 Fire-damp - - 
 
 Clunny's lamp - 
 Currents of air • 
 Stephenson's lamp 
 
 Compensation to sufferers 
 Damages at laxv 
 
 Currents of air - - 
 Anemometer - 
 Davy lamp, 3 - 
 Furnace ventilation, 1 
 Shafts - - - - 
 Tyne Main Collie? y 
 Ventilation - 
 W ater gauge - 
 
 Damages at lava - 
 
 Uompensation to sufferers - 
 
 Davy Lamp: 
 
 PAGE. 
 22g 
 231 
 232 
 233 
 235 
 235 
 237 
 238 
 242 
 
 244 
 
 229 
 
 231 
 
 229 
 
 229 
 23O 
 
 23O 
 234 
 230 
 
 235 
 238 
 242 
 
 • 243 
 
 230 
 ' 247 
 230 
 
 23O 
 
 • 242 
 
 ■ 243 
 231 
 
 • 231 
 
 • 229 
 ' 235 
 
 ■ 231 
 
 • 231 
 " 245 
 
 • 231 
 
 ■ 2 32 
 
 ■ 231 
 
 ■ 229 
 
 - 233 
 " 236 
 
 ■ 243 
 
 • 246 
 
 - 246 
 
 - 246 
 
 ■ 232 
 
 ■ 23! 
 
 1. Approval generally of the Davy 
 
 lamp as a security against 
 
 danger - 
 '2. Objections to the use of the 
 
 Daiy lamp - - - 
 3. Opinions that the Davy lamp 
 
 is not a safe instrument under 
 
 a strong current 
 
 233 
 233 
 
 233 
 
 Davy Lamp — continued. 
 
 Belgium - 
 
 Clanny's lamp - - - - 
 
 Currents of air - 
 Furnace ventilation - 
 Safety lamps - - - - - 
 
 Shafts ------ 
 
 Stephenson's lamp - 
 
 Decomposition of gases - 
 
 Atmospheric air - - - ' • - 
 
 Differential barometer - 
 
 Exhausting machine - 
 
 Expense of ventilation - - - - 
 
 Steam-jet ventilation, 1.3 
 Explosions ------ 
 
 Abe r dare Colliery - - - - 
 
 Accidents - - - 
 
 After-damp - - - - - 
 
 Carelessness of miners - 
 
 Changes of temperature - - - 
 
 Clanny's lamp - 
 
 Davy lamp - - - - - 
 
 Furnace Ventilation, 2 
 
 Lever Bolton Colliery - 
 
 Miners - - 
 
 Safety lamps - - - - - 
 
 Shafts 
 
 South Shields committee - . - 
 Ventilation - 
 
 Fire-damp - - - - - 
 
 After-damp - 
 Choke-damp - 
 
 Goaves ------ 
 
 Furnace Ventilation : 
 
 1. Opinions in favour of the fur- 
 
 nace system of ventilation - 
 
 2. Objections thereto - - - 
 
 Currents of air - 
 
 Phillipps, Professor - - - - 
 
 Seaton Delaval Mine - 
 
 Steam-jet ventilation 
 
 Tyne Main Colliery - 
 
 Ventilation - - - - - 
 
 Gas-drifts ------ 
 
 Goaves - - - - - ■ 
 Carburetted hydrogen - 
 Gas-drifts - 
 
 Noxious gases - - - - 
 
 Health of miners - 
 
 Helton Colliery - - - - - 
 
 Ince Hall Coal and Canal Works 
 
 Indications of danger - 
 
 Inspection of mines - 
 
 Board of inspection - - 
 
 Management of mines - 
 Overseers of mines - - - - 
 Qualification of inspectors 
 South Shields committee - 
 
 PAGE. 
 
 ■ 230 
 
 • 231 
 
 • 231 
 
 • 236 
 " 243 
 
 • 243 
 
 ■ 245 
 
 - 234 
 
 • 229 
 
 - 234 
 " 235 
 
 " 235 
 
 - 244 
 " 235 
 " 229 
 
 - 229 
 
 - 229 
 " 230 
 
 - 231 
 
 - 231 
 " 233 
 
 - 236 
 
 - 239 
 
 - 242 
 " 243 
 " 243 
 " 244 
 
 - 246 
 
 " 235 
 
 - 229 
 " 231 
 " 237 
 
 236 
 236 
 231 
 243 
 243 
 244 
 246 
 246 
 
 237 
 
 237 
 23O 
 
 237 
 242 
 
 238 
 
 238 
 
 238 
 
 238 
 
 238 
 23O 
 24O 
 242 
 243 
 
 •-'44 
 
 O.62! 
 
 G G 
 
228 
 
 ANALYSIS OF INDEX. 
 
 PAGE. 
 
 Lancashire mines ----- 239 
 
 Working of mines - - 2 47 
 
 Machinery ------ 239 
 
 Managers of mines ----- 240 
 
 Middle Duffryn Colliery - - - 242 
 
 Miners - - - - " " 2 4 2 
 
 Association of working miners - - 229 
 
 Carelessness of miners - - - 230 
 
 Health of miners - 2 3& 
 
 Wages of miners - - - - 246 
 
 Natural brattice ----- 242 
 
 Currents of air - - - - 231 
 
 Natural Ventilation - 2 4 2 
 
 Penalties ------ 242 
 
 Rules and Regidations - - • 2 43 
 
 Qualification of Inspectors - - - 2 43 
 
 Reflecting lamp 2 43 
 
 Refuge stalls 2 43 
 
 Rules and Regulations - - - - 2 43 
 
 Penalties 2 4 2 
 
 Safety lamps 2 43 
 
 Clannys lamp - - - - -231 
 
 Davys lamp ----- 233 
 
 Indications of danger - - - 238 
 
 Iron gauze - - - " - 2 39 
 
 Mueseler lamp ... - 242 
 
 Pereira, Dr. 242 
 
 Reflecting lamp - - - - 2 43 
 
 South Shields committee - 244 
 
 Stephenson's lamp - - - - 245 
 
 Upton $ Roberts' lamp . - - 246 
 
 Seaton Delaval Colliery - - - - 2 43 
 
 Seraing mines ... - 243 
 
 Shafts - - - r - ~ " 243 
 
 Air channels ----- 229 
 
 Cylinders - - - ~ - 231 
 
 Small collieries - _ - - - " 2 44 
 
 Furnace ventilation, 2 236 
 
 South Shields committee - - - - 244 
 
 Steam Jet Ventilation : 
 
 1. Generally - 244 
 
 2. Approval of the steam-jet as a 
 
 means of effecting a proper 
 
 ventilation - - - - 244 
 
 3. Greater economy in the use of 
 
 the steam-jet than in the use 
 
 qf the furnace - 2 45 
 
 PAGE. 
 
 Steam Jet Ventilation — continued. 
 
 4. Illimitable power qf the steam- 
 
 jet 245 
 
 After- damp - - - - - 2ig 
 
 Currents of air - - - - 231 
 
 Cylinders ----- 231 
 
 Furnace ventilation, 1 236 
 Hepburn Colliery - - - - 238 
 
 Hetton Colliery - - - - 238 
 
 Phillips, Professor - - - - 243 
 
 Seaton Delaval Mine - - - 243 
 Struve's system of ventilation - - 246 
 Ventilation - - - - - 246 
 
 Stephenson's lamp ----- 245 
 
 Struve's system of ventilation - - - 246 
 Machinery - - - - - 239 
 
 Tyne Main Colliery - - - - 246 
 
 Upton and Roberts' lamp - - - 246 
 Ventilation ------ 246 
 
 Air channels - - - - 229 
 
 Anemometer - - - - 229 
 
 Belgium - . - - - - 230 
 
 Belmont Colliery - - - - 230 
 
 Brunton's system ■ - - - - 230 
 
 Changes qf temperature - - - 231 
 Coroner s inquests - - - - 231 
 
 Davy lamp, 2 - -• - - 233 
 
 Exhausting machine ... 235 
 Expense of ventilation - - - 235 
 Explosions - - - - -235 
 
 Furnace ventilation - 23G 
 Goaves - - - - - - 237 
 
 Hasivell Colliery - - - - 238 
 
 Health ef miners - 2 3^ 
 Hetton Colliery - 2 3 8 
 Machinery - - - - - 2 39 
 
 Natural ventilation - 242 
 
 Seaton Delaval Mine - 2 43 
 Seraing mines - 2 43 
 Shafts ------ 243 
 
 Small collieries ... - 244 
 South Shields committee - - - 244 
 Steam-jet ventilation - , - - 2 44 
 Struve's system qf ventilation - - 246 
 
 Water gauge ' 2 4§ 
 
 W ater gauge - - - " " 2 4^* 
 
 Working qf mines - - - - - 2 47 
 
 Belgium - - - - - 2 3° 
 
 Lancashire mines - - - 2 39 
 
 Miners ------ 242 
 
 Newcastle mines - 2 4 2 
 
 INDEX. 
 
[ 229 ] 
 
 I N D E X. 
 
 [N.B. — In this Index the Numerals following Rep. refer to the page of the Report; the Figures 
 following the Names of the Witnesses rpfer to the Questions of the Evidence ; and those 
 following App. refer to the paging of the Appendix.] 
 
 A. 
 
 ABERDARE COLLIERY. Report upon the dreadful explosions atAberdare, by which, 
 since 1845, there have been 159 deaths, Mackworth 426-429 Origin of these acci- 
 dents attributed in this report to the sudden escapages of gas, ib. 430. 
 
 See also Furnace Ventilation, 1. 
 
 Accidents. Increasing fatality in the coal mines ; causes to which attributable, Mather 
 
 405-420 Statistical account for 1851 of the accidents, the number of miners, and the 
 
 tonnage of minerals produced, in England, Wales and Scotland, Mackworth 633-658. 
 
 664 Cause assigned for the increase of accidents in the Lancashire mines, Forster 1632 
 
 ■ Reasons assigned for the great number of accidents in mines last year, Gurney 
 
 1835. 
 
 See also Compensation to Sufferers. Damages at Law. Davy Lamp, 2. Escapages 
 of Gas. Fines. Goaves. Ince Hall Colliery. Middle Duffryn Colliery. 
 Small Collieries. 
 
 After Damp. Observations of the Committee on the large per-centage of deaths from ex- 
 plosions, occasioned by the after damp, which succeeds the explosion, Rep. v Benefi- 
 cial effects of the steam-jet system of ventilation in removing the after-damp from 
 
 mines, the furnace is inapplicable, and incapable of being used for the purpose, ib. 
 
 Greater loss of life is occasioned by the after-damp than by the fire-damp, Mather 248, 
 249. 277-280 Cause of what is called the after-damp ; recommendation of the steam- 
 jet as the best means of counteracting its effects, ib. 250-261. 270. 281-286 Evidence 
 
 showing that about 70 per cent, of the whole number of deaths from explosion are caused 
 
 by the after-damp, Mackworth 469. 634. 655-658. 664 Great loss of life attributed to 
 
 the after-damp; suggestions for counteracting this danger, Darlington 1072-1075. 
 
 See also Choke Damp. 
 
 Air Channels. One of the principal causes of explosions attributable to the fact of the air 
 way between the downcast and upcast shaft being too small, Dickinson 680, 681. 746. 
 
 785. 836-839 Check sometimes given to the ventilation issuing from the shaft by 
 
 obstructions in the air passages, Wood 1161, 1162. 1167. 1179. 
 
 Anemometer. Observations of the Committee on the importance of the self-regulating 
 anemometer; recommendation that three at least should be kept in every mine, Rep. vii 
 Definition and tecnichal explanation as to the use of the anemometer in coal mines, ib. 13 
 
 Desirability of a registering anemometer for ascertaiping the exact amount of the 
 
 cui rents, Mackworth 464-468. 528 ; Dickinson 824-828; Gurney 1800-1803 Reference 
 
 given to Byron's anemometer, as the best practical test of the ventilation, Darlington 949, 
 950' Objection to the anemometer, Forster 1601-1603. 
 
 Approach of Danger. Means of ascertaining the approach of danger, Micheils 1748. 
 
 Association of Working Miners. Evidence relative to the association of working miners in 
 Lancashire, Darlington 1061-1063. 
 
 Atmosphere of Mines. Reason why the atmosphere in coal mines is more explosive in 
 spring and autumn, than at other periods of the year, Mather 230-232. 
 
 Atmospheric Air. Suggestions for periodically pumping atmospheric air through the mine, 
 so that it should always be free from damp and obnoxious gases, Mather 212-216. 240. 
 242. 244 Explanation of this method for dispelling the gas, ib. 218 et seq. Imprac- 
 ticability of carrying out Professor Faraday's proposal to take down the atmospheric air 
 
 in pipes, as a means of effecting decomposition, ib. 245, 246 Great importance of an 
 
 immediate supply of pure air, as the only means of counteracting the carbonic acid gas 
 resulting from explosions, Darlington 1001. 1004, 1005. 
 
 See also Carburetted Hydrogen, 
 
 0.62. 
 
 G G 2 
 
230 BAG OAR [dual 
 
 Report, 1852 — continued. 
 
 B. 
 
 Bachhoffner, George Henry, Ph. D. (Analysis of his Evidence.) — Negative results of the 
 
 trial of Stephenson's lamp, 1 42 1 Easy ignition of the Davy lamp by a jet of hydrogen 
 
 gas projected upon it, 1421, 1422 Similar ignition of Clanny's, Parish's, and Elvin's 
 
 lamp, 1421, 1422 Stephenson's lamp and Clanny's lamp ignite with the ordinary 
 
 coal gas, 1423 Advantage of the Clanny lamp, 1424 Difference of opinion 
 
 between witness and Sir Humphrey Davy as to the security of the Davy lamp, 1424-1431 
 
 Experiments made by witness in reference to the ignition of fire-damp, 1432-1437 
 
 Impracticability of decomposing the explosive gases in mines on account of the great 
 
 expense, as well as the great danger attending such operation, 1438, 1439 Explana- 
 tion of the state of the lamps experimented upon by witness, and the amount of pressure 
 
 to which they were subjected, 1440 et seq. Evidence on a suggestion for rendering 
 
 the lamp more safe by means of a supply of steam generated from water within the lamp, 
 1 448-1452. See also Stephenson, Robert, m.p., and others. 
 
 Barometer. Observations of the Committee on the indications of danger by means of the 
 
 barometer, Rep. vii Technical explanation as to the use of the barometer in mines, ib. 
 
 xiii — - — Recommendation of the barometer as a warning against danger, Forster 1596- 
 1600 ; Fife 1707-1709. See also Differential Barometer. 
 
 Belgium. Attention given by the Belgian Government to the safety of mines; they dis- 
 approve of the Davy lamp, Mather 75, 76. 83 There is a Royal Commission estab- 
 lished for the purpose of giving information, through a corps of engineers, as to the 
 
 working of mines, ib. 105 Questionable propriety of introducing the Belgian system 
 
 into this country, Darlington 1051 The pump is the chief means of ventilation in 
 
 Belgium, Michiels 1777, 1778. 
 
 See also Fines. Inspection of Mines. Meuseler Lamp. Seraing Mines. 
 
 Belmont Colliery. System of ventilation adopted at the Belmont Colliery, Wood 12H- 
 1225. 
 
 Board of Inspection. Recommendation of the Committee for the establishment of a Board 
 
 compost d of scientific and practical men, for the inspection of mines, Rep. ix Powers 
 
 which should be given to the Boaid, ib. The Board might be regarded as a species 
 
 of public prosecutor in cases of loss of life from neglect of proper precautions, ib. 
 
 See also Working of Mines. 
 
 Boys. Frequency of responsible duties in mines being entrusted to boys; objectionable 
 nature of the practice, Rep. viii Recommendation of the Committee that no respon- 
 sible duties, the neglect of which would involve serious risk of life, should be en- 
 tiusted to boys, or any other class of inexperienced persons, ib. 
 
 See also South Shields Committee. 
 Brattices. See Natural Brattices. 
 
 Brunt on 's System of Ventilation . System of ventilation invented by Mr. Brunton, consisting 
 
 o fa horizontal fan, &c. Machworth 577-581 Approval of Mr. Brunton's fan system as 
 
 a mechanical appliance, Dickinson 789. See also Machinery. 
 
 C. 
 
 Carbonic Acid Gas. A supply of carbonic acid gas is very desirable as an extinguisher in 
 case of fire in the pit, Darlington 1012, 1013. 
 
 See also Atmospheric Air. Steam-jet Ventilation, 2. 
 
 Carburetted Hi/drogen. Necessity for the existence of flame to cause explosion of car- 
 
 buretted hydrogen, Mather 102, 103 The most violent explosions occur through 
 
 a mixture of seven parts of atmospheric air with one part of carburetted hydrogen, 
 
 ib. 106 et seq. Air- charged with carburetted hydrogen is respirable when it is not 
 
 fatal, ib. 132 Difference of opinion as to the proportion of atmospheric air required 
 
 for every volume of carburetted hydrogen to make it respirable ; experiments on the 
 subject, ib. 133, 134 Impracticability of carrying out the proposal of Professors Far- 
 aday and Phillipps for piping out the carburetted hydrogen from the goaves, ib. 363 
 
 Evidence on the analyses of carburetted hydrogen by Davy, Thompson, De la 
 
 Beche and others ; opinion that it is not possible to decompose or neutralize this gas 
 by means of any other gas, or otherwise than by ventilation, ib. 378-396. 
 
 Carelessness of Miners. Witness attributes the ma jority of the 31 accidents in his district 
 to the want of proper precautions; stricter discipline recommended as a remedy for this, 
 Dickinson 842-850 Great difficulty of ascertaining from whose negligence explo- 
 sions occur, Darlington 1052 Occasional carelessness of the boys in using the lamps, 
 
 &c, Forster 1652-1657 Precautions impressed by witness on his men in case of the 
 
 approach of danger, ib. 1663-1669 >See also Miners. Safety Lamps. 
 
 Cayley } 
 
Mine*.] CAY 
 
 C YL 
 
 231 
 
 Report, 1 852 — continued. 
 
 Cayley, Edward. See Stephenson, Robert, m.p. and others. 
 
 Changes of Temperature. Evidence with respect to a change of temperature producing 
 explosions ; considerable fall in the barometer on the morning of the last accident at 
 
 Middle Duffryn Colliery on the 10th May, Mackworth 456-463 A sudden transition 
 
 from one state of ventilation to another, as often insisted on by the inspectors, is a 
 
 great source of danger, Foster 1623-1625. 1627, 1628 Effect of atmospheric changes 
 
 on ventilation, and measures of precaution susgestecl a»ainst such changes, Gurney 1809- 
 1812. 
 
 Children. See Boys. 
 
 Choke Damp. Respiration through a wet cloth, or the application of Glauber salts, is some 
 preventive against choke damp, Mather 287-289 Extinction of the fire in the West- 
 minster Colliery by the choke damp on Mr. Gurney 's plan, Darlington 1077, 1078. 
 
 See also After Damp. Fire Damp. 
 
 Clanny's Lamp. Specimens of Dr. Clanny's lamp, and of Davy's lamp produced ; explana- 
 tions as to the mode of action of the Clanny lamp, and the great success attained by it 
 
 as proved by experiments, Mather 51 et seq. Preference given to Clanny's original 
 
 lamp rather than to what he considered an improvement of it; danger of the improved 
 
 lamp defined, ib. 61-70. 86-90 Principle of the first lamp invented by Dr. Clanny, 
 
 and explanation as to the causes of its failure, ib. 95-98 Witness does not know of 
 
 any explosion where a Clanny lamp has been used, Mather 119 ; Dickinson 719. 
 
 If some other transparent substance could be substituted for glass, the Clanny lamp 
 
 would be a safe and effective instrument, Mather 120-122 Evidence relative to the 
 
 Clanny lamp; it is more slow in showing the gas, and is more complicated than the Davy 
 
 lamp, and the glass is liable to crack, Dickinson 709-713. 720. 726-728 Advantages 
 
 of the Clanny lamp, Bachhoffner 1424. 
 
 See also Currents of Air. Stephenson's Lamp. 
 
 Compensation to Sufferers. Opinion of the Committee that injustice might be done, pro- 
 vided it was made compulsory on the proprietors of mines to support the families of 
 
 those who perish in the event of an explosion, Rep. ix Support generally given by the 
 
 proprietor to the miner or his family in cases where accidents occur from negligence on 
 the part of the manager ; this support is justly due, Darlington 1044-1047 Sugges- 
 tion for making it compulsory for the proprietors to compensate the families of the 
 sufferers as the best of all means for preventing explosions, Michiels 1745-1747. 
 
 See also Damages at Law. 
 
 Coroners' Inquests. Observations of the Committee on the present unsatisfactory nature of 
 inquests held in cases of explosions in mines ; recommendation that a special coroner be 
 
 appointed for these investigations, Rep. viii, ix Different courses pursued by coroners 
 
 with regard to their inquiries at inquests, Dickinson 841 Explanation of the fact that 
 
 on coroners' inquests the accidents are seldom attributed by the jury to deficient ven- 
 tilation, Darlington 962, 963 Duties of the coroners, Fife 1712. 
 
 Crarnlington Colliery. Resolutions agreed to at a meeting of the workmen of Cramlington 
 Colliery, 14 June 1832, App. 154. 
 
 Currents of Air. Observations of the committee on the currents of air through the courses ; 
 the lowest rate of current considered safe, Rep. vi- The currents produced by the steam- 
 jet will extinguish naked lights or the Davy lamp, but not the Clanny lamp, Mather 
 
 290-292 Through means of a brattice a naked candle will remain alight, no matter 
 
 how strong the current around, ib. 293. 315 Quantity of cubic feet of air per minute 
 
 that was passing immediately before the accidents at Aberdare; quantity that passes in 
 the Haswell colliery, Mackworth 439, 440. 446-448 Variations in the speed of cur- 
 rents of air passing through mines, Darlington 1053, 1054 Effect of a certain intensity 
 
 of the furnace upon the currents of air passing through it; evidence of Mr. Woodhouse 
 in 1849 quoted, Harm, 1478-1480. 
 
 See also Anemometer. Davy Lamp, 3. Furnace Ventilation, 1. Shafts. Tyne 
 Main Colliery. Ventilation. Water Gauge. 
 
 Cylinders. Evidence on the subject of the cylinder and the shaft, Wood 1198, 1199. 
 
 1236 et seq. Instance of 6,000 cubic feet of air per minute to one foot of sectional 
 
 area of cylinder being obtained by means of the steam-jet; facility of increasing this 
 amount by using more cylinders ; impracticability of arriving at this result by employing 
 the furnace, Darlington 1200-1203. 
 
 0.62. 
 
 G G 3 
 
232 
 
 DAM 
 
 PAR 
 
 Report, 1852 — continued. 
 
 D. 
 
 Damages at Law. Remarks on the subject of damages at law to be claimed by the families 
 of those who have suffered in cases of" neglect; recommendation that for every death a 
 
 penalty be inflicted, Mackioorth 508-517. 629-632 Instances of actions lor damages 
 
 that have been brought in Scotland by the friends of those suffering from accidents, 
 
 Darlington 1049 The fact of no such actions arising in England is attributable to 
 
 the different state of the law, ib. 1050. See also Compensation to Sufferers. 
 
 Darlington, James. (Analysis of his Evidence.) — Part proprietor of several mines and 
 manager of the largest colliery in Lancashire; also connected with others in Lancashire, 
 
 North Wales, and Warwickshire, 900, 901 Diagram produced explaining the working 
 
 system of the Lancashire mines, 905 Suggestions for preventing the occurrence of 
 
 sudden explosions in coal mines, 905, et seq. Continuous ventilation of the goaves 
 
 recommended as a principal remedy, 906-913. 1066-1071 Evidence upon the cha- 
 racter of the furnace system and the ventilation acquired by it, 914-936. 941-947. 973- 
 
 975. 977-989. 1014. 1020. 1026 Practical limit to furnace power of ventilation, 
 
 920-936. 941-949. 973-975- 983. 9 8 4- 99 6 ; 100 4, 1005. 1020-1023 Definition of a 
 
 natural brattice, 932, 933 Efficiency of the ventilation acquired by means of the 
 
 steam-jet, 936-940. 975, 976. 983-989. 991-995- 997> 99 8 - 1001-1008. 1010-1013. 1018. 
 
 1024. 1027, 1028. 1075. 1077,1078 Explanations!' the furnace paradox, 942. 947. 
 
 Incorrectness of the water gauge as an index of the increase of ventilation, 947, 
 948 Preference given to Byron's anemometer as the best practical test of the venti- 
 lation, 949, 950 Impossibility of the inspectors' visits being frequent in consequence 
 
 of the districts being very much too large for them, 951-957 —Effect of the present 
 
 system of inspection upon the exertions of the manager and officers of the mine, 
 
 9o8, 959- 1096-1098 General willingness shown by proprietors and managers to 
 
 receive the visits of the inspectors, 960, 961 Explanation of the fact that at coroners' 
 
 inquests, the accidents are seldom attiibuted by the jury to deficient ventilation, 962, 
 
 963 Manner in which witness traces the causes of the explosions from beginning to 
 
 end, 964, 965 Imperfect air-doors and air-crossings are sources of great danger, 964- 
 
 971 Employment of the Davy lamp as a safeguard against this danger, 965, 966. 
 
 1055, 1056 Comparison between the steam-jet and the furnace systems, 975 Cost 
 
 of the two systems compared ; greater economy of the steam-jet, 987-990. 1006. 1009. 
 1014-1019, et seq. Reference to the destruction of head gear, ropes, &c. by explo- 
 sions ; case of the Westminster Colliery in North Wales cited, 1000. 
 
 Great importance of an immediate supply of pure air, as the only means of counteract- 
 ing the carbonic acid gas resulting from explosions, 1001. 1004, 1005 A supply of 
 
 carbonic acid gas is very desirable as an extinguisher in case of fire in the pit, 1012, 1013 
 Expense of thoroughly ventilating amine, 1029, 1030 Great pecuniary loss occa- 
 sioned to the proprietors by explosions ; case of the Lever Bolton Colliery cited, 1030-1035 
 
 The greatest economy is the best ventilation, 1035 Cause of the small collieries 
 
 being the worst ventilated, 1036, 1037 Wages of the miners proportionate to the 
 
 danger of the mine, 1038-1042 Opinion upon the best relative proportions of the 
 
 down-cast and up-cast shafts, 1043. 1098-1103 Coincidence between witness and 
 
 Mr. Dickinson on this point, 1043 Opinion that Mr. Morton is mistaken in saying 
 
 that the area of the up-cast should be greater than that of the downcast, 1043 > 
 
 Support generally given by the proprietor to the miner or his family in cases where acci- 
 dents occur from negligence on the part of the manager ; this support is justly due, 1044- 
 
 1047 Selfishness of the colliers; their indifference about providing for their families 
 
 by insurance against accidents, 1048. 
 
 Instances of actions for damages that have been brought, in Scotland, by the friends 
 
 of those suffering from accidents, 1049 The fact of no such actions arising in 
 
 England attributed to the different state of the English law, 1050 Questionable 
 
 propriety of introducing the Belgian system into this country, 1051 Great difficulty 
 
 of ascertaining from whose negligence explosions occur, 1052 Variations in the speed 
 
 of currents of air passing through mines, 1053, 1°54 An improved system of ventila- 
 tion and better regulations and appliances chiefly wanted, 1057-1059 Reference to the 
 
 association of working miners of Lancashire, 1061-1063 Feeling of the miners 
 
 generally in regard to the explosions, 1064, 1065. 1079-1082 The system of 
 
 working the Newcastle mines entirely a question of quantity, 1069 Explanation of 
 
 the Lancashire system, 1069-1071 Great loss of life attributed to the after-damp ; sug- 
 gestions for counteracting this danger 1072-1075 Extinction of the fire in the West- 
 minster Colliery by the choke-damp, on Mr. Gurney's plan, 1077, 1078 Character of 
 
 the miners affected by the amount of danger incurred, 1080-1082. 
 
 Statistical account of the causes of accidents in the Ince Hall Coal and Cannel Works, 
 
 Wigan, under the management of witness (return thereofdelivered in), 1 082 -Occurrence 
 
 of only one death in this mine in two years from explosion, 1083-1085 Improved 
 
 management and precautions as to details a great source of safety, 1085-1087. 1089, 1090 
 
 Tendency of the Lancashire coal to generate gas, after it is worked, 1088 -The 
 
 safety lamp a great safeguard against sudden explosions, 1090, 1091 When mines are 
 
 subject 
 
IHittea.] DAR 
 
 D A V 
 
 233 
 
 Report, 1852 — continued. 
 
 Darlington, James (Analysis of his Evidence) — continued. 
 
 subject to sudden explosions ventilation is the main remedy, 1092, 1093 Struve's air 
 
 pump not sufficient to meet emergencies; general objection to all mechanical appliances, 
 
 1093-1095 Opinion as to increased power being givan to the inspectors, 1096-1098 
 
 Occurrence of explosions generally after pay-days; suggestion for providing against 
 
 the imperfect heating of the furnace, 1103-1105 Copy of the " Rules and general 
 
 instructions for the use of the underlookers and officers at the Ince Hall Coal and Cannel 
 Company's Works near Wigan," delivered in, 1106. 
 
 See also Stephenson, Robert, m.p. and others. Wood, Nicholas. 
 
 Davy' Lamp : 
 
 1. Approval generally of the Davy Lamp as a security against danger : 
 
 2. Objections to the use of the Davy Lamp. 
 
 3. Opinions that the Davy Lamp is not a safe instrument under a strong current. 
 
 1. Approval generally of the Davy Lamp as a security against danger. 
 
 The value of the lamp as a warning against danger would be greaily enhanced if it 
 
 were possible to increase the light wiih safety, Lngham 25-28 General evidence on 
 
 the subject of the Davy lamp ; superiority of that lamp to any other, Dickinson 686-704. 
 
 706-718. 720-725. 729-734. 742-828. 879. 897-899 Employment of the Davy lamp 
 
 as a safeguard against danger, Darlington 965, 966. 1055, 1056 Witness exhibits 
 
 several experiments with the Davy lamp ; explanations of these various experiments, 
 showing tliat if only an ordinary degree of precaution be used by the miner in the 
 use of the lamp, explosions need never take place in consequence of his having a Davy 
 
 lamp in his possession, Bachhoffner 1313, et seq Strong opinion in favour of the safety 
 
 of the Davy lamp, Stephenson 1365 Philosophically the Davy lamp is a perfect instru- 
 ment, but in its practical application it is defective, Bachhoffner 1388 Necessity of 
 
 a lamp as a safeguard in working mines ; security of the Davy lamp if used with caution, 
 Forster 1605-1607. 1660--1662. 
 
 2. Objections to the use of the Davy Lamp : 
 
 The Committee of the House of Commons in ] 835 called public attention to the undue 
 confidence that hitherto had been placed in the Davy lamp, and suggested that reliance 
 should chiefly be placed for security on increased ventilation; it is to be regretted that 
 so little attention has been paid to those beneficial suggestions, Rep. iii, iv Observa- 
 tions of the Committee on the Daw lamp, ib. vii One of t lie principal objections to the 
 
 Davy lamp, on the part of the workmen, has been the insufficient light which it affords, 
 
 ib. Too entire a reliance on the safety of the Davy lamp appears to have led, in not 
 
 a few instances, to the neglect of ventilation, ib. 
 
 Danger incurred by the use of the Davy lamp as exemplified by several accidents 
 which have taken place when it has been employed, Mather 37 et seq.; 191-194.408 
 
 The quality of the safely lamp consists in the cooling property of the gauze, ib. 77 
 
 The reliances generally placed upon the Davy lamp is great bar to a proper system 
 
 of ventilation, ib. 114, 115. 408-419 Great danger in the use of the Davy lamp when 
 
 dirty; shoit period of time in which it gets foul from the coal dust, Darlington 1373. 
 1377-1380. 1384, 1385. 
 
 3. Opinions that the Davy Lamp is not a safe Instrument under a strong current : 
 The insecurity of the Davy lamp under particular circumstances was implied in the 
 
 Report of the Committee of the House of Lords in 1849, Rep. iv The lamp may be 
 
 considered practically secure in a still atmosphere, and in the hands of a cautious over- 
 man an admirable instrument for exploring, or as an indicator of danger, ib. vii Where 
 
 currents exist, the Davy lamp is unsafe, ib. 
 
 Explosions chiefly occur from the increase of heat produced by the draught when the 
 lamp is moved, but when stationary the danger is not so great, and the lamp is then a 
 
 capital index of the state of the mine, Mather 78-82 Remarks on the subject of fixing 
 
 the lamps, so as to avoid the influence of currents of air; it is not practicable to keep the 
 
 lamps stationary, ib. 122, 123 Experiments made by Dr. Pereira and Sir Humphrey 
 
 Davy as to explosions occurring when the gauze becomes red hot, ib. 125 Opinion 
 
 that without any current of air the red hot wire gauze has sufficient inflammable power 
 to create an explosion, ib. 127-131. 
 
 Opinion that under certain circumstances the wire gauze of the lamp may become red 
 hot, and that in such a case there may be some danger ; this would be the case if the lamp 
 weie exposed to a blower, or to a strong current, or if it be retained too long in an 
 
 explosive atmosphere, Bachhoffner 1313-1331. 1432 et seq. Grounds for forming the 
 
 opinion that the Davy lamp is not a safe instrument under a strong current, Darlington 
 
 1372-1374 Easy ignition of the Davy lamp by a jet of hydrogen gas projected upon 
 
 it, Bachhoffner 1421, 1422 Similar ignition of Clanny's, Parish's, and Elvin's lamp, 
 
 ib. 1421, 1422. 
 
 See also Belgium. Clanny's Lamp. Currents of Air. Furnace Ventilation. 
 Safety Lamps. Shafts. Stephenson's Lamp. 
 
 0.62. 
 
 G G 4 
 
 Dean 
 
E L E [eonl 
 
 Report, 1852 — continued. 
 
 Dean Forest. Circumstance to which the paucity of accidents in the Forest of Dean coal 
 mines may be attributed, Mather 340-343. 
 
 Decomposition of Gases. Remarks of the Committee on the scientific and practical means 
 of decomposing; or neutralizing the explosive gases as they exude from the coal and 
 goaves ; it does not appear that science has discovered any practical means for producing 
 
 this desirable effect, Rep. vi Offer of a premium of 1,000/. for the discovery of some 
 
 simple practical means for the attainment of this important object, ib. Evidence 
 
 generally as to the most effectual means for decomposing or neutralizing the explosive 
 
 gases, Mather 235. 242. 245 et seq. Doubts as to the probability of any discovery of 
 
 the admixture of some substance with the oil burnt in the lamps which would give out 
 or produce a decomposition of the explosive gas within the tube of the chimney of 
 
 the lamp, Bachhoffner 1358, 1359 Impracticability of decomposing the explosive 
 
 gases in mines, on account of the great expense, as well as the great danger attendi no- 
 such an operation, ib. 1438, 1439 -Evidence on a suggestion for rendering the lamp more 
 
 safe by means of a supply of steam generated from water within the lamp, ib. 1448- 
 1452. See also Atmospheric Air. 
 
 De la JBeche, Sir H. Letter from the chairman to Sir H. De la Beclie, dated 12 June 1852, 
 
 App. 152 Letter from Sir H. de la Beche to the chairman, dated 15 June 1852, in 
 
 reply, ib. 
 
 Dickinson, Joseph. (Analysis of his Evidence). — Government inspector of mines for the 
 
 district of Lancashire, Cheshire, and North Wales, 665. 671 Investigation by witness 
 
 of most of the explosions (31 in all) which have occurred in his district, 675 et seq. ; 842 
 
 et 5^.870,871 One of the principal causes of explosions attributable to the fact of the 
 
 air-way between the down-cast and up-cast shaft being too small, 680, 681. 746. 785. 836- 
 
 839 The main thing wanted is a good system of ventilation, 681. 743, 744. 784, 785. 
 
 872 Superiority of the furnace as the best means of supplying this want, 682, 683. 
 
 748-750. 776, 777. 779. 793. 802-804. 813-815. 819-822. 834. 894, 895 Paucity of 
 
 accidents f rom sudden escapage of gas, 684 Instances of explosions occurring from 
 
 neglect in the use of the lamp, 684-686. 714-717 General evidence on the subject of 
 
 the Davy lamp; superiority of that lamp to any other 686-704. 706-718. 720-725. 
 
 729-734. 742. 828. 879, 897-899 The Clanny lamp is more slow in showing the gas, 
 
 and is more complicated than the Davy lamp, and the glass is liable to crack, 709-713. 
 720. 726-728 — —Witness never heard of an explosion with the Clanny lamp, 719. 
 
 Recommendation of printed rules for the guidance of miners, and to attach penalties to 
 
 the non-observance of them, 735-738 Occasional difficulty in ascertaining the cause 
 
 of explosions, 739-742 Remarks on the application of the steam-jet, 751-774. 777. 
 
 782. 788. 793. 7957797- 801-807. 811, 812. 816. 819, 820. 834-836 Objection of the 
 
 mine owners to a furnace at the bottom of the hhafi from fear of setting the coal on fire, 
 
 775. 810. 893-896 Practical limit to the power of the furnace, 786, 787 Reference 
 
 given to Mr. Brunton's fan sy>tern, as a mechanical appliance, 789 Preference to- 
 
 Nasmyth's invention; objection to the complicated nature of these fans, 790, 791 — ■ 
 
 Objections to Struve's pump as a means of ventilation, 792 Deficiency of knowledge 
 
 among many of the mine managers; an acquaintance with practical geology is desirable, 
 
 797-801. 869 Analysis of ventilation operations in the Hetton Colliery, 817-822. 
 
 Desirability of a registering anemometer for ascertaining the exact amount of the 
 
 currents, 824-828 Reference to other modes of testing the currents of air, 828-833 
 
 Different courses pursued by coroner's with regard to their inquiries at inquests, 841 
 
 Majority of the 31 accidents in witness's district attributed to want of proper precautions ; 
 
 stricter discipline recommended as a remedy for this, 842-850 General evidence as to 
 
 the authority and laborious duties of the inspectors, 847 etseq. 879-882. 886-888. 892 
 
 Enumeration of the six districts ; impossibility of all the mines therein being visited by 
 
 the inspectors, 854-856. 862-868. 884, 885 Slight check upon the inspectors in case 
 
 of negligence, 858, 859 Reference to the accidents in the Middle Duffryn Colliery ; 
 
 state of the mines in the Aberdare valley, 876-878 Inferior state of the ventilation in 
 
 the smaller collieries, as compared with the laige ones, 889-891. 
 
 See also Stephenson, Robert, M.p., and others. 
 
 Differential Barometer. Opinion of the Committee that a differential barometer is much 
 more sensitive than a common one, and should be used in all mines; trifling cost, Rep. vit 
 
 Definition and technical explanation as to the use of the differential barometer, ib. 
 
 xiii Opinion that the differential barometer is a very desirable instrument in working 
 
 mine;-, Hann 1519-1522; Gurney 1805, 1806. 1810. 
 
 E. 
 
 .Education. Observations of the Committee as to the importance of education as a pre- 
 cautionary means ; the qualification o inspectors should be rigidly tested previous to 
 their appointment, Rep. viii. x. See also South Shields Committee. 
 
 Ekctricity. Objections to firing the gas by means of an electric wire and battery, blather 
 
 247. 
 
 Escapages 
 
 ^34 
 
 D E A 
 
Mine*.] ESC 
 
 FOR 
 
 235 
 
 Report, 1852 — continued. 
 
 Escapages of Gas. Paucity of accidents arising from sudden escapage of gas, Dickinson 
 684. See also Aberdare Colliery. 
 
 Escape of Miners. Provision to be made for the escape of miners in case of explosions, 
 and precautions to be used against the neglect of the colliers, Mackworth 612, 613. 
 
 Exhausting Machine. Recommendation of witness's exhauster, as the best agent for mine 
 
 ventilation; explanation of its construction and action, Michie/s 1751-1755. 1776 
 
 Witness does not understand how the motive power of Mr. Michiels' machine is worked, 
 or how the exhaustion is produced, Gurney 1774. 
 
 Expense of Ventilation. Observations of the committee on the comparative cost of the 
 
 steam-jet and furnace systems of ventilation, Rep. v Opinion of the committee that 
 
 the steam-jet is the least expensive method, ib. Expense of thoroughly ventilating a 
 
 mine, Darlington 1029. 1030. 1035 Greater economy of the steam-jet than the 
 
 furnace; relative expense of the two systems, Forster 1556-1565. 
 
 See also Steam-jet Ventilation, 1. 3. 
 
 Experiments. Experiment of Mr. Gurney before the House of Lords on the subject of 
 
 the furnace limit, Harm, 1480. 1482 Opinion that Government should undertake and 
 
 determine the question of the steam-jet by experiments scientifically conducted, Gurney 
 
 1792-1797 Selection of Mr. Faraday as the most fit of all persons to superintend 
 
 such experiments, ib. 1796, 1797. 
 
 Explosions. Opinion of the Committee that the steam-jet system of ventilation is the best 
 
 mode of preventing explosions in coal-mines, Rep. vi Remarks of the Committee as 
 
 to the cause of the increased number of explosions, ib. Occasional difficulty in 
 
 ascertaining the cause of the explosion in mines, Dickinson 739-742 Suggestions for 
 
 preventing the occurrence of sudden explosions in coal-mines, Darlington 905, et seq. 
 
 See also Aberdare Colliery. Accidents. After-damp. Carelessness of Miners. 
 Changes of Temperature. Clanny's Lamp. Davy Lamp. Furnace Ventilation, 2. 
 Lever Bo/ton Colliery. Miners. Safety -lamps. Shafts. South Shields 
 Committee. Ventilation. 
 
 Explosive Gases. See Atmosphere of Mines. Decomposition of Gases. Furnace Ven- 
 tilation, 1. Gases. 
 
 F. 
 
 Faraday, Professor. See Atmospheric Air. 
 
 Fife, George, m.d. (Analysis of his Evidence.) — Doctor of medicine at Newcastle, 1687, 
 
 1688 Opportunities witness has had of understanding the subject of mine explosions, 
 
 1689- 1692. 1712 Efficient ventilation the sheet anchor for security in mines, 1693, 
 
 1694. 1720, 1721 Reference to the Sea ton Delaval mine and the excellent ventilation 
 
 existing there, 1696-1702. 1706 Explosions attrihuted to the use of the furnace, 
 
 1695. 1793 Average health of the miners in Northumberland and Durham, 1704- 
 
 1706 Recommendation of the barometer as a warning against danger, 1707-1709. 
 
 Advocacy of the steam-jet as the most efficient and cheapest system of venti- 
 lation, 1710, 1711. 1722-1730 Reference to the duties of the coroners, 1712 Evi- 
 dence on the efficiency of Government inspection ; limited power of the inspectors, 
 
 1713-1716. 1727-1730 Opinion of the useful nature of the safety-lamp, 1717, 1718: 
 
 1721 Suggestion that the steam-jet system should be enforced by Government 
 
 authority, 1722, 1723. 1727-1730 Means ol dispelling the noxious gases generated 
 
 in the goaves; general management of working the goaves, 1731-1734. 
 
 Fines. Imposition of fines in cases of accidents in France and Belgium, and definition of" 
 the system practised there, Mackworth 617-628. 
 
 Fire-damp. Amount of fire-damp in the South-western Collieries; means adopted for its 
 
 removal, Mackworth 610, 611 How far pure hydrogen exists in fire-damp ; result of 
 
 analysis of fire-damp by Professor Gramham, Bachhoffner and Pepper, 1336-1341 
 
 Result of experiments made by witness in reference to the ignition of fire-damp, Bach- 
 hoffner 1432-1437 Great majority of death* ascribed to the fire-damp, Michiels, 
 
 1771 Efficiency of the steam-jet to counteract the effects of the fire-damp alter 
 
 explosions, Gurney 1823. See also After-damp. Choke-damp. Goaves. 
 
 Forster, Thomas Emerson. (Analysis of his Evidence.) — Viewer and manager of mines 
 
 in Northuir.berland and Durham, 1524.-1531 The want of ventilation the main 
 
 cause of explosions, 1532, 1533. 162b Preference given to the steam-jet over the 
 
 furnace as the best means of ventilation, iffi^etseq. 1674 Amount of ventilation 
 
 obtained thiough the furnace at the South Hetton Colherv, 1537-1539. 1553 Relative 
 
 amounts of ventilation acquired at the Seaton Delaval Mine, through means of the fur- 
 nace and the steam-jet, 1544-1547 Absence of all discharges of gas, and of explosions 
 
 at Seaton Delaval since the introduction of the steam-jet, 1548-1550. 1580. 1672, 1673 
 
 ■ Prejudice existing against the steam-jet system of ventilation, 1551-1553. 1567 
 
 O.62. H h Greater 
 
236 
 
 FOR 
 
 FUR 
 
 [mm 
 
 Report, 1 852 — continued. 
 
 Forster, Thomas Emerson. (Analysis of his Evidence) — continued. 
 
 Greater economy of the steam-jet than the furnace; relative expense of the two systems, 
 
 1 556-i565 Satisfaction expressed by Mr. Wood with Mr. Gurney's experiment with 
 
 the steam-jet at Seaton Delaval Mine, 1567- Reference to the test of the steam-jet about 
 
 to be instituted by Mr. Wood at the Hetton Colliery, 1568-1572 Practical means of 
 
 obviating the danger arising from the gas in goaves, 1577-1583 Advocacy of the 
 
 steam-jet as a means of correcting the ill effects of the carbonic acid gas after explosions, 
 
 1584-1587. 1648 Re ference to the question of a furnace limit, 1588 Size of the 
 
 air-courses at Seaton Delaval Colliery ; copy of the rules in operation there delivered in 
 
 and read, 1589 Attention to witness's rules easily enforced by a strict system of 
 
 discipline, 1591-1593. 1652-1654. 
 
 Advantage derivable from Brunton's water-gauge ; manner of its application by witness, 
 
 1594-1596 Considerable security attributed to the use of the barometer 1596-1600 
 
 Objection to the anemometer, 1601-1603 Necessity of a lamp as a safeguard 
 
 in working mines; security of the Davy lamp, if used with caution, 1605-1607.1660- 
 
 1662 Reason of witness's preference for Stephenson's lamp over the Davy lamp, 
 
 1608 Good effects of the Government inspection; the number of the inspectors 
 
 is too small, 1610-1612 Sufficient power in the hands of the inspectors under the 
 
 present system, 1613-1622 A sudden transition from one state of ventilation to 
 
 another, as often insisted on by the inspectors, is a great cause of danger, 1623-1625. 
 1627, 1628. 
 
 Reference to the establishment of a board of scientific and practical men for regulating 
 
 the working of mines, 1621. 1630, 1631 Instance of the occasional inefficiency of 
 
 the overseers of mines, 1629 Cause assigned for the increase of accidents in the 
 
 Lancashire mines, 1632 Extent of the workings in the Seaton Delaval Mine, 1633- 
 
 1636 Further evidence on the subject of the danger arising from the goaves, 1637- 
 
 1645 State of the miners' health proportionate to the amount of ventilation 1646- 
 
 1651 Occasional carelessness of the boys in using the lamps, &c, 1652-1 657 
 
 Precautions impressed by witness on his men in case of the approach of danger, 1663- 
 
 1669 Two shafts very desirable in all mines, 1675-1679. 1682 Uselessness of 
 
 gas drifts as a means of security, 1683 Slovenliness of the working system in the 
 
 mines of Scotland and South Wales, 1684-1686 Statements of the estimated costs of 
 
 the furnace and steam-jet delivered in and read, 1686. 
 
 France. See Fines. Inspection of Mines. 
 
 Furnace Ventilation : 
 
 1. Opinions in favour of the Furnace System of Ventilation. 
 
 2. Objections thereto. 
 
 1. Opinions in favour of the Furnace System of Ventilation: 
 
 Opinion of the Committee that the two systems of ventilation which alone can be 
 
 considered as rival powers are the furnace and the steam-jet, Rep. iv Observations of 
 
 the Committee on the furnace system of ventilation, ib. The furnace system, under 
 
 favourable circumstances with strict attention, appears to be capable of producing a 
 
 current of an that will afford reasonable security from explosion, ib. Definitions and 
 
 technical explanations upon the subject of furnace ventilation, and the furnace paradox, 
 ib. xi, xii. 
 
 Efficiency of furnace ventilation as a means of counteracting the effects of the explo- 
 sive gases, Mackworth 431. 434-438. 442-455. 582-587. 603 Furnace ventilation is 
 
 used in all the mines in Aberdare, ib. 432, 433 A combination of furnace ventilation 
 
 and the Davy lamp in the same colliery reduces the chances of an accident to 10,000 
 
 to 1, ib. 444 Preference given to the furnace over all other systems of ventilation; 
 
 regulations simplify this system very much, ib. 567-571. 582-586 Superiority of the 
 
 furnace system of ventilation, Dickinson 682 et seq. ; 802 et seq. 
 
 Evidence upon the nature of the furnace system, and the amount of ventilation 
 
 acquired by it, Darlington 914 et seq. ; 973 et seq. ; 1014. 1020-1026 Explanation of 
 
 the furnace paradox, ib. 942. 947 Larger current of air produced in the same shaft, 
 
 and with less coals, by the furnace than by the steam jet, Wood 1132 et seq.; 1193 
 
 et seq.; 1230 et seq.; 1281-1288 More perfect combustion of the coals in the 
 
 furnace than in the steam-jet, ib. 1140-1142. 1144. 1148-1150.1218 Examination 
 
 on the " furnace paradox;" opinion that great misapprehension prevails on this subject, 
 
 ib. 1 154 et seq. Sufficiency of the power of the furnace for all practical purposes, ib. 
 
 1205-1208. 1230. 1236-1238. 1245 et seq. 
 
 2. Objections thereto : 
 
 Limited amount of ventilation obtained on the furnace principle, Mather 157 -1 59- 2D> 3- 
 268. 271.; Dickinson 786-787; Forster 1588; Gurney 1807, 1808; Darlington 920 et seq.; 
 
 983, 984. 996. 1004 et seq. Sources of danger in furnace ventilation, Mather 262. 
 
 272-276; Mackworth 475-481. 570 Objection of the mine owners to a furnace at the 
 
 bottom of the shaft, from fear of setting the coal on fire, Dickinson 775. 810. 893-896. 
 
 Statement 
 
m*ti$0«] 
 
 FUR 
 
 HAN 
 
 237 
 
 Report, 1852 — continued. 
 
 Furnace Ventilation — continued. 
 
 2. Objections thereto— continued. 
 Statement on the subject of the furnace limit; tabular form drawn by Mr. Coombes, 
 the Government engineer of furnaces, quoted in proof of witness's opinion, Hann 1475- 
 
 Objection to the furnace altogether in shallow mines ; it is more applicable in 
 
 deep mines on account of the greater draught, ib. 1506. 1512-1514 Erroneous calcu- 
 lations of Mr. Wood in favour of the furnace system of ventilation, ib. 1522, 1523 
 
 Explosions attributed to ihe use of the furnace, Fife 1695. 1703. 
 
 See also Currents of Air. Phillipps, Professor. Seat on Delaval Mine. Steam- 
 jet- Ventilation. Tyne Main Colliery. V entilation. 
 
 G. 
 
 Gas Drifts. Observations of the Committee on the suggestion which has been made for 
 
 draining the explosive gases from the goaves by means of gas-drifts, Rep. vii, viii 
 
 Definitions and technical explanations upon the subject of gas-drifts, ib. xii Uselessness 
 
 of gas-drifts as a means of security, Forster 1683. 
 
 Gases. Explosive nature of the gases in coal mines, Mather 71 et seq. 
 
 See aho Carbonic Acid Gas. Carburetted Hydrogen. Decomposition of Gases. 
 Goaves. Lancashire Mines. Noxious Gases. 
 
 Germany. See Inspection of Mines. 
 
 Goaves. The goaves (old workings) in extensive mines are a principal source of danger ; 
 observations of the Committee on the suggestions for draining the explosive gases from 
 these goaves, Rep. vii, viii The practice of creating goaves in mines is a means of gene- 
 rating fire-damp, and obstructs ventilation; remarks on the danger arising from the^e 
 
 goaves, Mather 350-356 Suggestions for rendering the goaves more safe by sinking 
 
 a boring, as an escape for gas, by placing a sheath or shield to keep back the water, 
 
 Mather 361-367. 374. 398-402; Gurney 1813-1822. 1836-1839 Number of the 
 
 goaves and system of forcing them in the mines of the North of England, Mather 397. 
 
 403,404 Continuous ventilation of the goaves recommended, Darlington 906. 913. 
 
 1066-1071 Danger arising from the gas in goaves; practical means of obviating this 
 
 danger, Forster 1577-1583. 1637-1645; Fife 1731-1734- 
 
 See also Carburetted Hydrogen. Gas Drifts. Noxious Gases. 
 
 Government Inspection. See Board of Inspection. Inspection of Mines. 
 
 Gurney, Goldsivorthy. (Analysis of his Evidence). — Opinion as to the insecurity of the 
 lamp for all practical purposes, 1786-1789 Invention of the steam-jet by witness, 
 
 ■ 1 789 Successful application of the steam-jet by Mr. Forster, 1791, 1792 Opinion 
 
 that Government should undertake and determine the question of the steam-jet by expe- 
 riments scientifically conducted, 1792-1797 Selection of Mr. Faraday, as the most 
 
 fit of all persons to superintend such experiments, 1796, 1797 Explanation of the 
 
 vena contracta, 1798 Recommendation of the water gauge as a very essential instru- 
 ment, 1799-1801. 1804. 1806 Advantage to be derived from the use of the anemometer 
 
 1800-1803 Opinion that the differential barometer is a very desirable instrument in 
 
 working mines, 1805, 1806. 1810 Witness's views as to the fact o the furnace limit 
 
 confirmed by experience, 1807, 1808 Effect of atmospheric changes on ventilation 
 
 and measures of precaution against such changes, 1809-1812 Recommendation of 
 
 Mr. Mather's suggestion for ventilating goaves by boring holes; evidence generally on 
 
 this subject, 1813-1822. 1836-1839 Efficacy of the steam-jet to counteract the 
 
 effects of the fire-damp after explosions, 1823 Suggestion for the formation of 
 
 refuge-stalls as a retreat for the miners when an explosion occurs, 1824, 1825 Recom- 
 mendation of a lamp constructed so as to give a better light with greater security than the 
 
 Davy lamp, 1826 Reasons assigned for the great number of accidents in mines last 
 
 year, 1835. 
 
 Gurney, Mr. See Michiels, George. Steam-jet Ventilation. Stephenson, Robert, m. p., 
 and others. 
 
 H. 
 
 Hann, James. (Analysis of his Evidence.) — Lecturer on the steam-engine, and first mathe- 
 matical master at King's College, 1453, 1454 Opportunities witness has had of forming 
 
 a practical acquaintance with the ventilation of mines, 1455-1458 Incorrectness of 
 
 Mr. Wood's theorem on competing currents of air in the upcast shaft; mathematical 
 calculations from witness's " Tredgold on the Steam-engine," in corroboration of his views 
 
 on the subject, 1460-1470 Explanation of the natural brattice, 1471 et seq. ; 1491- 
 
 M97 Statement on the subject of the furnace limit; tabular form, drawn up by 
 
 0.62. h h 2 Mr. 
 
238 
 
 HAN 
 
 INS 
 
 [Coal 
 
 Report, 1 852 — continued. 
 
 Hann, James. (Analysis of his Evidence) —continued. 
 
 Mr. Coombes, the Government engineer of furnaces, quoted in proof of witness's opinion, 
 
 1475-1477 Effect of a certain intensity of the furnace upon the currents of air passing 
 
 through it; Mr. Woodhouse's evidence in 1849 quoted, 1478-1480 Experiment of Mr. 
 
 Gurney before the House of Lords, on the subject of the furnace limit, 1480 Evidence 
 
 of Mr. Cowie, in 1849, on the same suhject ; coincidence of opinion between him and Mr. 
 
 Gurney as to the fact of the furnace limit, 1480-1482 Simple character of the steam-jet 
 
 system of ventilation, 1487. 1497 Assertion that the steain-jet is in reality more econo- 
 mical than (he furnace, 1487-1489. 
 Objection to all sorts of machines as a means of ventilation ; preference given to 
 
 Brunton's fan over Struve's pump 1497-1500 Impossibility of using the steam-jet 
 
 at the bottom of a pit without the aid of the furnace, 1502. 1508 Necessity for a 
 
 boiler io supply steam when the jet is placed at the top of the up-cast shaft, 1502- 
 
 1 505« 1509, 1510 Objection 10 the furnace altogelhei in fallow mines ; it is more 
 
 applicable in deep mines, on account of the greater draught, 1506. 1512-1514 
 
 Evidence in favour of the steam-jet on account of its immense power, 1506. 1517, 
 
 1518 Opinion of Lyon Playfair to the same effect, 1506 For all practical 
 
 purposes there is no limit to the power of the- steam-jet, 1507 Great exemption 
 
 from accidents to be obtained from the use of the jet. instead of the furnace, 1515, 
 
 1516 Preference given to the differential barometer as a neater precaution than 
 
 the common barometer, 1519-1522 Further evidence in proof of the erroneous 
 
 calculations of Mr. Wood, in favour of the furnace, 1522, 1523. 
 
 Harwell Colliery. Statement as to the area and ventilation of the Has well Colliery, Wood 
 1270-1274. 
 
 Health of Miners. The state of the miners' health is proportionate to the amount of ventila- 
 tion, Forster 1646-1651 Average health of the miners in Northumberland and 
 
 Durham, Fife 1704-1706. 
 
 Hepburn Colliery. Trap-doors the supposed origin of the last Hepburn explosion ; the 
 steam jet dispenses wnh the use of this machinery, Mather 296, 297. 
 
 J Jetton Colliery. Analysis of ventilation operation in the Hetton Colliery, Dickinson 817- 
 
 822 Area of the Hetton Collery, and -ystem of ventilation in operation there, Wood 
 
 1275-1281 Amount of veiiiilation obtained through the furnace at the South Hetton 
 
 Colliery, Forster 1537-1539. 1553 Test of the steam jet about to be instituted by 
 
 Mr. Wood at the Hetton Colliery, ib. 1568-1572. 
 
 Hilda, St., Colliery. See South Shields Committee. 
 
 Hydrogen. See Carburetted Hydrogen. Fire-damp. 
 
 I. 
 
 Ince Hall Coal and Cannel Works. Statistical account of the causes of accidents in the 
 Ince Hail Coal and Cannel Woiks, Wigan, under the management of witness; return 
 
 thereof delivered in, Darlington 1082 Occurrence of one death only from explosion 
 
 in this mine in two years, ib. 1083. 1085 Copy of the "Rules and General Instruc- 
 tions for 1 he use of underlookers and officers at the Ince Hall Coal and Cannel Coin- 
 p.mv's works, near Wigan" delivered in and read, ib. 1106. 
 
 ications of Danger. If the miners work with the lamp behind them, they would not 
 be ^ware of the lengthening of the flame which takes place in the lump, and which indicates 
 
 the presence of the explosive gas passing by, Bachhoffner 1342-1347 Still there is 
 
 another equally good indication, namely, the difference in the quality of the light which 
 must be very perceptibly evident, ib. 1345- 1 347« 
 
 Ingham, Robert. (Analysis of his Evidence) — Chairman of a Committee appointed in 
 South Shields in 1839 to inquire into the causes of the frequent explosions in coal mines 
 
 with a view to their prevention, 3 Origin of this Committee in the explosion of the 
 
 St. Hilda Colliery, by which 50 people were killed 3-6 Evidence generally as to the 
 
 composition of the Committee, and the data on which their Report was drawn up, 9 
 ct seq. Insufficient ventilation is chiefly the cause of explosions in coal mines ; recom- 
 mendation of the steam jet as a means of effecting a proper ventilation, 19, 20 Pre- 
 cautions taken to avoid these explosions ; the confidence formerly placed in the Davy 
 lamp has lately given way to a desire for more perfect ventilation which can be attained 
 
 most securely by multiplying the shafts, 22-24 The value of the lamp as a warning 
 
 against danger would be greatly enhanced if it were possible to increase the light with 
 safety, 25-28. 
 
 Inquests. See Coroner's Inquests. 
 
 Inspection of Mines. From the Committee of the House of Lords, in 1849, emanated a 
 recommendation for a Government inspection of mines which has since been adopted, 
 
 Rep, iv Remarks of the Committee on the total inadequacy of the present system of 
 
 inspection ; 
 
Mine*.] INS 
 
 M A C 
 
 239 
 
 Report, 1852 — continued. 
 
 Inspection of Mines — continued. 
 
 inspection; insufficiency of the number of inspectors, Hep. viii., ix. Recommendation 
 
 that the number of inspectors should be increased, and that sub-inspectors should be 
 
 appointed, ib. Insufficiency of the salaries of inspectors, ib. ix. Suggestion that 
 
 increased powers should be given to inspectors in certain cases, ib. ix., x. Superiority 
 
 in the inspection of the mines of France, Germany, and Belgium over that of this 
 country, ib. ix. 
 
 Evidence on the subject of Government inspection of coal mines, Mather, 320-325. 
 
 329-336. 344, 345. 348, 349 400 Collieries and an area of 1.300 square miles are 
 
 comprised in witness's district (1 he South-western district); manner in which his duties 
 are performed, and amount of his remuneration, Mackworth 524. 527.529, et seq.; 542-563 
 
 General readiness among the proprietors of mines to receive the suggestions of the 
 
 inspector, ib. 534, 535.538. 542, 543 Evidence as to the authority and laborious duties 
 
 of the inspectors, Dickinson 847 et seq.; 879-882. 886-888. 892. 
 
 Impossibility of the inspectors' visits being frequent in consequence of the disi ricts 
 
 being very much too large for them, Dickinson 854. et seq.; Darlington 951-957 
 
 Slight check upon the inspectors in case of negligence, Dickinson, 858, 859 How 
 
 lar any inci eased power should be given to inspectors, Darlington 1096-1098 
 
 Good effects of the Government inspection ; the number of the inspectors is too small, 
 
 Foister, 1612 Sufficient power in the hands of the inspectors under the present 
 
 sys em, ib. 1613-1622 Efficiency of Government inspection; limited power of the 
 
 inspectors, Fife 1713-1716. 1727-1730. 
 
 See also Board of Inspection. Management of Mines. Overseers of Mines. 
 Qualification of Inspectors. South Shields Committee. 
 
 Iron Gauze. Opinion that iron is the best material for the gauze of the safety-lamp, 
 Bachhoffner 1386, 1387. See also Davy Lamp, 3. 
 
 K. 
 
 Killingworth Colliery. Remarks of the Committee on the explosion which took place at 
 the Killingworth Colliery last autumn under the furnace system of ventilation, Rep. v. 
 
 L. 
 
 Lancashire Mines. Explanation of the Lancashire system of working and ventilating 
 
 mines, Darlington 1069-1071 Tendency of the Lancashire coal to generate gas after 
 
 it is worked, ib. 1088 See also Working of Mines. 
 
 Lever Bolton Colliery. Great pecuniary loss occasioned to the proprietors by explosions ; 
 case of the Lever Bolton Colliery cited, Darlington 1030-1035. 
 
 M. 
 
 Machinery. Opinion of the Committee that any system of ventilation depending on com- 
 plicated machinery is unadvisable, since under any disarrangement or fracture of its parts, 
 
 the ventilation is stopped or becomes less efficient, Rep. iv. Struve's air pump is not 
 
 sufficient to meet emergencies ; general objection to all mechanical appliances, Darling- 
 ton 1093-1095 Genera! objection to all sorts of machinery as a means of ventilation ; 
 
 preference given to Brunton's fan over Struve's pump, Harm 1497-1500. 
 
 .Mackworth, Herbert Francis. (Analysis of his Evidence.) — Inspector of Government mines 
 
 for the South-western district; extent of this district, 421. 423 Report upon the 
 
 dreadful explosions at Aberdare by which, since 1845, there have been 159 deaths, 
 
 delivered in and read, 426-429 Origin of these accidents attributed in this report to 
 
 the sudden escapage of gas, 430 Efficiency of furnace ventilation as a means of counter- 
 acting the effects of the explosive gases, 431. 434-438. 442-455. 582. 587. 603 Furnace 
 
 ventilation is used in all the mines in Aberdare. 432, 433 Quantity of cubic feet of air 
 
 per minute that was passing immediately before the accidents at Aberdare, and that passes 
 
 iii the Haswell Colliery, 439, 440. 446-448 A combination of furnace ventilation and 
 
 the Davy lamp in the same colliery materially reduces the chances of an accident, 444 
 
 Recommendation of the steam jet as an auxiliary to the furnace, 449. 472-474. 
 
 482-485. 497-499. 600-604 Evidence with respect to a change of temperature pro- 
 ducing explosions; considerable fall in the barometer on the morning of the last accident 
 at Middle Duffryn Colliery on the 10th May (range of the barometer and thermometer about 
 that time delivered in and read), 456-463 Reference to the anemometer ; efficient ser- 
 vice to be rendered by one that registers the currents of air, 464-468. 528 Evidence 
 
 showing that about 70 per cent, of the whole number of deaths from explosion are caused 
 
 by the after-damp; evidence to that effect, 469. 634. 655-658. 664 Combination of 
 
 .atmospheric gases in producing explosions, 470, 471 Dangers arising from the furnace, 
 
 0.62. H H 3 475-481. 
 
240 
 
 M A C 
 
 M A T 
 
 Report, 1852 — continued. 
 
 Mackworth, Herbert Francis. (Analysis of his Evidence) — continued. 
 
 475-4^ • 57° General evidence on the steam jet system of ventilation, 482-499. 575. 
 
 576. 588-608 Plan of the Middle Duffryn Colliery produced and explained by 
 
 witness; remarks upon the absence of a dumb-drift in this colliery, 502. 505-507 
 
 Reference to the subject of damages at law to be claimed by the families of those who 
 have suffered in cases of neglect; recommendation that for every death a penalty be 
 
 inflicted, 508-517. 629-632 Increased ventilation about to be provided just when 
 
 the accident at Middle Duffryn occurred, 520-523 400 collieries and an area of 
 
 1,300 square mi!,es .are comprised in witness's district; manner in which his duties are 
 
 performed, and amount of his remuneration, 524-527. 529 et seq. 542-563 General 
 
 readiness among the proprietors of mines to receive the suggestions of the inspector, 534, 
 535- 53$- 54 2 > 543- 
 
 Accidents are less frequent in large collieries where there is more discipline and more 
 
 capital to carry out a system than in smaller mines, 539-541. 563-566 Extent of 
 
 ground sometimes covered by a colliery ; further reference to the furnace and the steam 
 
 jet, 567-571 Simple application of the Struve ventilator; comparison between it and 
 
 the steam jet, 572-576 System of ventilation invented by Mr. Brunton, consisting of 
 
 a horizontal fan, &c, 577-581 Preference given to the furnace over all other systems 
 
 of ventilation ; regulators simplify this system very much, 582-586 How the quantity 
 
 of air to be used in ventilation may be determined, 609 Amount of fire-damp in the 
 
 South-western collieries; means for its removal, 610, 611. 
 
 Provision to be made for the escape of miners in case of explosions, and precautions 
 
 to be used against the neglect of the colliers, 612,613 Defects in the workings of 
 
 South Wales, 614 Imposition of fines in cases of accidents in France and Belgium, 
 
 and definition of the system practised there, 617-628 Statistical account for 1851 of 
 
 the accidents, the number of miners, and the tonnage of minerals produced in England, 
 
 Wales, and Scotland, 633-658. 664 Necessity for keeping the goaves close together, 
 
 so as to prevent the generation of noxious gases, 661-663. See also Michiels, George. 
 
 Management of Mines. Improved management and precautions as to details, a great source 
 of safety, Darlington 1085-1087. 1089, logo. 
 
 Managers of Mines. Deficiency of knowledge among many of the mine managers ; an 
 
 acquaintance with practical geology desirable, Dickinson 797-801. 869 Effect of 
 
 the present system of inspection upon the exertions of the manager and officers of mines, 
 
 Darlington 958, 959. 1096-1098 General willingness shown by proprietors and 
 
 managers to receive the visits of the inspectors, ib. 960, 961. 
 
 Mather, James. (Analysis of his Evidence.) — Secretary of the South Shields Committee, 
 appointed to investigate the causes of accidents in coal mines, 29-33 The Com- 
 mittee sat about three years, during which time it visited the mines frequently, and con- 
 sulted some of the most practical viewers, and several of the most scientific men of the 
 day ; tbey also made experiments in the mines with lamps and other instruments, 33-36. 
 
 37 et seq.; 73, 74 Evidence in reference to the insecure character of the Davy lamp, 
 
 37 et seq.; 42-49. 73, 74. 76 et seq.; 191-194 A very safe lamp was invented by 
 
 Upton and Roberts in 1845, but from its delicate construction it is not practical, 50 
 
 Specimens of Dr. Clanny's lamp and of Davy's lamp produced ; explanations as to the 
 mode of action of the Clanny lamp, and the great success attained by it as proved by expe- 
 riments, 51 et seq. Prelerence given to Clanny's original lamp rather than to what he 
 
 considered an improvement of it ; danger of the improved lamp defined, 61-70. 86-90 
 
 Explosive nature of the gases in coal mines, 71 etseq. 
 
 Attention given by the Belgian government to the safety of mines ; they disapprove of 
 
 the Davy lamp, 75, 76. 83 The quality of the safety lamp consists in the cooling 
 
 properties of the gauze, 77 Explosions chiefly occur from the increase of heat pro- 
 duced by the draught when the lamp is moved, but when stationary the danger is not so 
 
 great, and the lamp is then a capital index of the state of the mine, 78-82 Similarity 
 
 of the Mueseler lamp used by 1 he Belgian government to the last lamp invented by 
 
 Dr. Clanny, 85. 99 Dr. Pereira demonstrated in 1835 that no lamp is a real security 
 
 against explosion, except Upton and Roberts' lamp, which is not a practical one, 91-94 
 
 Principle of the first lamp invented by Dr. Clanny, and explanation as to the cause 
 
 of its failure, 95-98 Reference to the lamp as an experimental lamp and as a working- 
 lamp, loo, 101 — — Necessity for the existence of flame to cause an explosion of car 
 buietted hydrogen, 102, 103. 
 
 In Belgium there is a Royal Commission established for the purpose of giving infor- 
 mation through a corps of engineers, as to the working of the mines, 105 The mosi 
 
 violent explosions occur through a mixture pi seven parts of atmospheric air with one part 
 
 of carburetted hydrogen, 106 etseq. The reliance generally placed upon the Davy lamp 
 
 is a great bar to a proper system of ventilation, 114, 115. Witness does not know 
 
 of any explosion where a Clanny lamp was used, 119 If some other transparent 
 
 substance could be substituted for glass, the Clanny lamp would be a safe and effec- 
 tive instrument, 120-122 Remarks as to fixing the lamps so as to avoid the influence 
 
 of currents of air; it is not practicable to keep the lamps stationary, 122, 123 
 
 Experiments made by Dr. Pereira and Sir Humphrey Davy, as to explosions occur- 
 ring 
 
Mine*.] M A T 
 
 M 1 C 
 
 Report, 1852 — continued. 
 
 Mather, James. (Analysis of his Evidence) — continued. 
 
 ring when the gauze becomes red hot, 125 Opinion that without any current of 
 
 air the red hot wire gauze has sufficient inflammable power to create an explo- 
 sion, 127-131 Air charged with carburetted hydrogen is respirable when it is 
 
 not fatal, 132 Difference of opinion as to the proportion of atmospheric air required 
 
 for every volume of carburetted hydrogen to make it respirable ; experiments on the 
 subject, 133, 134. 
 
 Opinion that the steam-jet is the most efficient mode of ventilation, 13$ et seq. ; 
 
 184-188 The steam-jet as invented by Mr. Gurney has been successfully employed 
 
 in the Seaton Delaval Mine by Mr. Forster, the manager, 146-149. 155 Circum- 
 stances which led to the experiment, 150 The result was an increase of from 
 
 53,000 to 95,000 cubic feet of air, 150, 151. 266 Dangerous state of the Seaton 
 
 Delavai Mine previous to the introduction of the steam-jet, 152-154 It is not 
 
 possible by increased expense to improve the ventilation on the furnace principle, 157- 
 
 159. 263 The power of the steam-jet is illimitable, 160. 294, 295 Evidence 
 
 generally relative to the application of the steam-jet to the Seaton Delaval Colliery, 162- 
 
 171. 196. 298-302 The steam-jet is cheaper than t he furnace, 166. 172 Reference 
 
 to a Report of Professor Phillipps on experiments with the steam-jet and furnace, 173, 
 
 et seq. Evidence elucidating the power of the steam-jet; account of a coal field of 
 
 23 acres belonging to Lord Mansfield, which had been burning for 25 years, being filled 
 with carbonic acid gas at the rate of 7,000 cubic feet per minute, whereby in 20 hours 
 the fire was completely extinguished, 197, et seq. 
 
 Suggestion for periodically pumping atmospheric air through the mine, so that it should 
 
 be always free from damp and obnoxious gases, 212-216. 218, et seq.; 240. 242-244 
 
 Reason why the atmosphere in coal mines is more explosive in spring and autumn than 
 
 at other periods of the year, 230-232 Slight expense of the steam-jet when there is 
 
 already a steam-engine in the pit, 233, 234 Evidence generally as to the most effective 
 
 means for decomposing or neutralizing the explosive gases, 235-242. 245, et seq. ■ 
 
 Impracticability of Professor Faraday's proposal to take down the atmospheric air in 
 
 pipes as a means of effecting decomposition, 245-246 Objections to firing' the gas by 
 
 means of an electric wire and battery, 247 Greater loss of life is occasioned by the 
 
 after-damp than by the fire-clamp, 248, 249. 277-280 Nature and cause of the after- 
 damp; recommendation of the steam-jet as the best means of counteracting its effects, 
 250-261. 270. 281-286. 
 
 Sources of danger in furnace ventilation, 262 Limited amount of ventilation obtained 
 
 on the furnace principle, 263-268. 271 Absence of regulators in the adits to the 
 
 furnaces, 272-276 Respiration through a wet cloth, or the application of Glauber salts, 
 
 is some preventive against choke-damp, 287-289 The currents produced by the steam- 
 jet will extinguish naked lights or the Davy lamp, but not the Clanny lamp, 290-292 
 
 Through means of a brattice a naked candle will remain alight, no matter how 
 
 strong the current around, 293. 315 Trap-doors the supposed origin of the last 
 
 Hepburn explosion ; the steam-jet dispenses with the use of this machinery, 296, 297 
 
 General evidence on the subject of Government inspection, 303-314. 320-325. 329- 
 
 336. 344. 345- 348, 349- 
 
 Opinion that the South Shields Committee Report, and the evidence before the House 
 of Lords in 1849, comprise all that is known upon the subject of explosions in mines, 
 
 326-328 Good ventilation may be acquired through a sufficient number of shafts, 
 
 337-339 Cause of the paucity of accidents in the Forest of Dean, 340-343 
 
 General desire to attribute the cause of explosions to some accident or escapage instead 
 of to the state of the ventilation, 347, 348 The practice of goaves is a means of gene- 
 rating fire-damp and obstructs ventilation ; remarks on the danger of these goaves, &c, 
 
 35°~356 Tribute paid to witness by the working miners in Northumberland and 
 
 Durham, chiefly on account of the beneficial application of the steam-jet as advocated 
 by him, 357-360. 
 
 [Second Examination.] — Suggestion for rendering the goaves more safe by sinking a 
 boring as an escape for gas, and by placing a sheath or shield to keep back the water, 
 
 361-363. 367-374. 398-402 Impracticability of the proposal of Professors Faraday 
 
 and Phillipps for piping out the light carburetted hydrogen from the goaves, 363 — — 
 
 The suggestion of witness is on the principle of the Artesian wells, 364-366 Evidence 
 
 on the analyses of carburetted hydrogen by Davy, Thompson, De la Beche, and others; 
 opinion that it is not possible to decompose or neutralize this gas by means of any other 
 
 gas, or otherwise than by ventilation, 378-396 Number of the goaves, and system of 
 
 forming them in the mines of the north of England, 397. 403, 404 Increasing fatality 
 
 in the coal mines; causes to which this may be attributed, 405-420 Further opinion 
 
 that the Davy lamp has originated several explosions, and is a great bar to ventilation, 
 408. 419. 
 
 Medical Treatment. See South Shields Committee. 
 
 Michiels, George. (Analysis of his Evidence.) — Civil engineer in the Netherlands, 1735, 
 
 J 736 Suggestions for the prevention of explosions by a regular ascension of the 
 
 ventilation to the outlet shaft, and by a proper connexion between the outlet and inlet 
 
 shafts, 1738. 1749 Explosive nature of the mines in the basin of the Seraing, 1 740. 
 
 1 744 Suggestion to make it compulsory for the proprietors to compensate the families 
 
 0.62. H H 4 Of 
 
242 MIC PEN [Coal 
 
 Report, 1852 — continued. 
 
 Mic/tiels, George. (Analysis of his Evidence) — continued. 
 
 of the sufferers as the best of all means for preventing explosions, 1745-1747 Means 
 
 of ascertaining; the approach of danger, 1748 Recommendation of witness's exhauster 
 
 as the best agent for mine ventilation ; explanation of its construction and action, 1751- 
 
 1755. 1776 Description of the seams of coals, and the amount produced daily through 
 
 each shaft in the Seraing Mines, 1757-1763. 1768, 1769 Reference to the Davy lamp 
 
 as used by witness, 1765 Greatest amount of ventilation obtained in the Seraing 
 
 Mine, 1767 Great majority of deaths to be ascribed to the fire-damp, 1771 
 
 (Mr. Forster ) Opinion that the defective ventilation spoken of by Mr. Michiels would 
 
 never be suffered in this country, 1773 (Mr. Dickinson.) Differs with Mr. Michiels as 
 
 to good ventilation being obtainable without the use of the furnace or steam-jet, 1773, 
 
 1774 {Mr. Machworth.) Opinion as to the ascension of the ventilation, and the 
 
 desirability of producing this effect, 1774 (Mr. Gurnet/.) Does not understand how 
 
 the motive power of Mr. Michiels' machine is worked, or how the exhaustion is produced, 
 
 1774 (Mr. Michiels.) The pump is the chief means of ventilation in Belgium, 
 
 1777, 1778. 
 
 Middle Duffryn Colliery. Plan of the Middle Duffryn Colliery produced and explained 
 by witness; remarks upon the absence of a dumb drift in this colliery, Mackworth 
 
 502. 505-507 Increased ventilation about to be provided just when the accident at 
 
 Middle Duffryn occurred, ib. 520-523 Reference to the accidents in the Middle 
 
 Duffryn Colliery ; state of the mines in the Aberdare Valley, Dickinson 876-878. 
 
 Miners. The miners of the North of England, and other districts, notwithstanding their 
 character for recklessness, are keenly alive to the dangers of their employment; petition 
 
 presented to The House numerously signed by miners, Rep. viii Selfishness of the 
 
 colliers; indifference about providing for their families by insurance against accidents, 
 
 Darlington 1048 Feeling of the miners generally in regard to the explosions, ib. 
 
 1064, 1065. 1079-1082 Opinion that the character of the miners is affected by the 
 
 amount of danger incurred, ££.1080-1082. 
 
 See also Association of Working Miners. Carelessness of Miners. Health of 
 Miners. Wages of Miners. 
 
 Mueseler Lamp. Similarity of the Mueseler lamp used by the Belgian government to the 
 lamp invented by Dr. Clanny, Mather 85. 99. 
 
 N. 
 
 Naked Lights. See Currents of Air. 
 
 Nasmyth's System of Ventilation. Reference to Nasmyth's invention ; objection to the 
 complicated nature of these fans, Dickinson 790, 791. 
 
 Natural Brattice. Definitions and technical explanations upon the subject of what is 
 termed a natural brattice, Rep. xii ; Darlington 932, 933; Hann 1471 et seq. 1491 — 
 1497. See also Currents of Air. 
 
 Natural Ventilation. Observations of the Committee on the great danger of leaving coal 
 mines to their natural state of ventilation, Rep. vi Definitions and technical expla- 
 nations upon this subject, ib. xi. 
 
 Newcastle Mines. The system of working the Newcastle mines is entirely a question of 
 quantity, Darlington 1069. 
 
 Noxious Gases. Necessity for keeping the goaves close together, so as to prevent the gene- 
 ration of noxious gases, Mackworth 661-663. 
 
 O. 
 
 Overseers of Mines. Instance of the occasional inefficiency of the overseers of mines,. 
 Forster 1629. 
 
 Overton, George. See Stephenson, Robert, m.p., and others. 
 
 Oicners of Mines. See Compensation to Sufferers. Inspection of Mines. 
 
 P. 
 
 Pay Days. Occurrence of explosions generally after pay days ; suggestions for providing 
 against the imperfect heating of the furnace, Darlington 1 103-1105. 
 
 Penalties. Recommendation of printed rules for the guidance of miners, and to attach 
 penalties to the non-observance of them, Dickinson 735-738. 
 
 Pepper, J. H. See Stephenson, Robert, m.p., and others. 
 
 Pereira, Dr. Dr. Pereira demonstrated in 1835 that no lamp is a real security against 
 explosion, Mather 91-94. 
 
 See also Rules and Regulations. ^ 
 
 Phillipps, 
 
Ittin^.] P H I 
 
 SH A 
 
 243 
 
 Report, 1852 — continued. 
 
 Phillipps, Professor. Reference to a Report of Professor Phillipps on experiments with 
 steam-jet and furnace, Mather 173, et seq. 
 
 Proceedings of the Committee, Resume of the proceedings of the Committee de die in diem. 
 Rep. xiv, xv. 
 
 Q. 
 
 Qualification of Inspectors. Observations of the Committee on the importance of the 
 proper qualification of inspectors for their office ; recommendation that their qualifi- 
 cations should be rigidly tested previous to their appointment, Rep, viii, ix. 
 
 R. 
 
 Reflecting Lamp. Remarks on the suggestion for a lamp of greater reflecting power than 
 the Davy lamp, which would at the same time admit of a double gauze protection, Rep. vii 
 Technical explanation upon the subject of the reflecting safety-lamp, ib. xii. 
 
 Refuge Stalls. Observations of the Committee on the suggestion of Mr. Gurney for the 
 
 construction of refuge stalls in mines, Rep. viii Definition and technical explanation 
 
 upon the subject of refuge stalls, ib. xii, xiii Suggestion for the formation of refuge 
 
 stalls as a retreat for the miners when an explosion occurs, Gurney 1824, 1825. 
 
 Rules and Regulations. Opinion of the Committee that great advantage would result from 
 the circulation among the colliers of such rules and regulations as are adopted in the 
 pits of Mr. Forster and Mr. Darlington, Rep. x. See also Penalties. 
 
 S. 
 
 Safety Lamps. Instances of explosions occurring from neglect in the use of the lamp, 
 
 Dickinson 684-686. 714-717 Opinion of the useful nature of the safety lamp, 
 
 Darlington 1090, 1091 ; Fife 1717, 1718. 1721 ; Gurney 1786-1789 Recommenda- 
 tion as to the adoption of a lamp constructed, so as to give better light, with greater 
 security, than the Davy lamp, Gurney 1826. 
 
 See also Clan ny's Lamp. Davy's Lamp. Indications of Danger. Iron Gauze. 
 Mueseler Lump. Pereira, Dr. Reflecting Lamp. South Shields Committee. 
 Stephenson s Lamp,, Upton and Roberts' Lamp. 
 
 Scientific Education. See Education. South Shields Committee. 
 
 Scotland. See Working of Mines. 
 
 Seaton Delaval Colliery. Observations of the Committee on the great sucoess which has 
 attended the introduction of the steam-jet into the Seaton Delaval Mine by Mr. Forster, 
 
 Rep. v Dangerous state of the Seaton Delaval Mine previous to the introduction of 
 
 the steam-jet, Mather 152-154 Evidence generally relative to the Seaton Delaval 
 
 Colliery, and the application of the steam-jet, ib. 162-171. 196. 298-302 Evidence as 
 
 to the apparent success of the steam-jet, as applied to the Seaton Delaval Colliery, Wood 
 1120-1127. 1133. 1140-1150. 1208-1210. 1225. 1227. 
 
 Relative amounts of ventilation acquired at the Seaton Delaval Mine, through means 
 
 of the furnace and the steam-jet, Forster 1544-1547 Absence of all discharges of gas 
 
 and of explosions since the introduction of the steam-jet, ib. 1548-1550, 1580. 1672, 
 
 1673 Satisfaction expressed by Mr. Wood with Mr. Gurney's experiment with 
 
 the steam-jet, ib. 1567 Size of the air courses, ib, 1589 Extent of the workings, 
 
 ib. 1633-1636 Excellent ventilation existing at the Seaton Delaval Mine, Fife 
 
 1696-1702. 1706 Resolutions agreed to at a meeting of the workmen of the Seaton 
 
 Delaval Colliery, 10 June 1852, App. 154. 
 
 Seraing Mines. Explosive nature of the mines in the basin of the Seraing in Belgium, 
 
 Michie/s 1740. 1744 Description of the seams of coals, and the amount produced 
 
 daily through each shaft in the Seraing Mines, ib. 1757-1763. 1768, 1769 Great 
 
 amount of ventilation obtained in the mines, ib. 1767. 
 
 Shafts. Precautions taken in the St. Hilda Colliery to avoid explosions ; the confidence 
 formerly placed in the Davy lamp has lately given way to a desire for more perfect 
 ventilation, which can be attained most securely oy multiplying the shafts, Ingham 22-24 
 
 Good ventilation may be acquired through a sufficient number of shafts, Mather 
 
 337-339 Opinion upon the best relative proportions of the down-cast and the up-cast 
 
 shafts, Darlington 1043. 1098-1103 Opinion that Mr. Morton is mistaken, in saying 
 
 that the area of the up-cast should be greater than that of the down-cast, ib. 1043. 
 
 0.62. 
 
 The 
 
244 SHA S T E [©oal 
 
 Report, 1852 — continued. 
 
 Shafts — continued. 
 
 The temperature of the shaft is no indication of the rarefaction going on throughout 
 
 the mine, W ood 1 1 58. 1 1 61 -1 169. 1 1 7 1-1 1 73 1 1 79. 1 1 87 Incorrectness of Mr. Wood's 
 
 theorem on competing currents of air in the up-cast shaft ; mathematical calculations 
 from witness's " Tredgold on the Steam-engine," in corroboration of his views on the 
 
 subject, Hann 1460-1470 Two shafts very desirable in all mines, Forster 1675-1679. 
 
 1682 Suggestions for the prevention of explosions by a regular ascension of the 
 
 ventilation to the outlet shaft, and by a proper connexion between the outlet and inlet 
 shafts, Michiels 1738-1749. See also Air Channels. Cylinders. 
 
 Small Collieries. Accidents are less frequent in large collieries where there is more dis- 
 cipline and more capital to carry out a system of ventilation, than in smaller ones, Mack- 
 worth 539-541. 563-566 Inferior state of the ventilation in the small collieries as 
 
 compared with the large ones, Dickinson 889-891 ; Darlington 1036, 1037. 
 See also Furnace Ventilation, 2. 
 
 South Hetton Colliery. See Hetton Colliery. 
 
 South Shields Committee. Observations of the Committee on the Report from the South 
 Shields Committee, appointed to investigate the causes of accidents in coal mines, 
 Rep. iii Extensive, important, and accurate information contained in the Report ; con- 
 stant labours of that committee, ib. Witness was chairman of a committee appointed 
 
 in South Shields, in 1839, to inquire into the causes of the frequent explosions in coal mines, 
 
 Ingham 3 Origin of this committee in the explosion of the St. Hilda Colliery, by 
 
 which 50 people were killed, ib. 3-6 -Evidence generally as to the composition of the 
 
 committee, and the data on which their report was drawn up, ib. 9 et seq. 
 
 The committee sat about three years, during which time it visited the mines frequently, 
 and consulted some of the most practical viewers, and with several of the most 
 scientific men of the day ; they also made experiments in the mines with lamps and 
 
 other instruments, Mather 33-36 Opinion that the South Shields Committee Report, 
 
 and the evidence before the House of Lords in 1849, comprise all that is known upon the 
 
 subject of explosions in mines, ib. 326-328 Report of the South Shields Committee, 
 
 appointed to investigate the causes of accidents in coal mines, containing an examination 
 of safety-lamps, ventilation, scientific instruments, infant labour in the mines, plans and 
 sections, scientific education of officers of mines, Government inspection, and medical 
 treatment after explosions ; with plans and appendix, App. 155. 
 
 South Wales. See Working of Mines. 
 
 Splitting the Air. Definitions and technical explanations upon this subject, Rep. xi. 
 
 Steam-Jet Ventilation : 
 
 1 . Generally. 
 
 2. Approval of the Steam-jet as a means of effecting a proper Ventilation. 
 
 3. Greater Economy in the Use of the Steam-jet than in the Use of the 
 
 Furnace. 
 
 4. Illimitable power of the Steam-jet. 
 
 1 . Generally : 
 
 General observations of the Committee on the steam-jet system of ventilation, 
 
 Rep. iv et seq. Definitions and technical explanations upon the subject of the steam - 
 
 jet svstem of ventilation, ib. xi Efficiency of the ventilation acquired by means of 
 
 the steam-jet, Darlington 936, et seq.; 983-998.1001-1018. 1024. 1027, 1028. 1075- 
 
 1078 Difference of opinion between witness and Mr. Darlington on many points, as 
 
 regards the ventilation of coal mines; more especially as to the steam-jet, Wood 11 15. 
 
 j 117, et seq. Indecisive result of witness's trials of the steam-jet system of ventilation, 
 
 ib. 1118-1120 Lengthened explanations of the action and power of the steam-jet, 
 
 ib. 1128-1150. 1189-1199. 1208-1210. 1219. et seq.; 1282-1286. 1288 Intention of 
 
 witness to test the power of the steam-jet by applying it to the Hetton Colliery, under the 
 direction of Mr. Gurney and Mr. Forster, ib, 1133-1139- 1230-1233. 1312 Addi- 
 tional power is acquired through the use of the steam-jet, though accompanied by great 
 
 additional expense, ib. 1143. 1147. 1281. 1284 Invention of the steam-jet by witness, 
 
 Gurney 1789 — -Successful application of it by Mr. Forster, ib. 1791, 1792. 
 
 2. Approval of the Steam-jet as a means of effecting a proper Ventilation. 
 Unanimous opinion of the Committee that the steam-jet is the most powerful and at the 
 
 same time least expensive method for the ventilation of mines, Rep. v Recom- 
 mendation of the steam-jet as a means of effecting proper ventilation, Ingham 19,20; 
 
 Mather 138, et seq.; 184-188; Mackworth 449. 472-474. 482-499. 600. 604 The 
 
 steam-jet, as invented by Mr. Gurney, has been successfully employed in the Seaton 
 
 Delaval Mine by Mr. Forster, the manager, Mather 146-151.155.266 Modes of 
 
 applying the jet ; account of a coal field of 23 acres, belonging to Lord Mansfield, which 
 had been burning for 25 years, being filled with carbonic acid gas at the rate of 7,000 
 
 cubic 
 
ST E 
 
 S TE 
 
 245 
 
 Report, 1 852 — continued. 
 
 Steam-jet Ventilation — continued. 
 
 2. Approval of a Steam-jet as a means of effecting a proper Ventilation — continued. 
 
 cubic feet per minute, whereby in 20 hours the fire was completely extinguished, Mather 
 
 197, et seq. Tribute paid to witness by the working miners in Northumberland and 
 
 Durham, chiefly on account of the beneficial application of the steam-jet as advocated 
 by him, ib. 357-360. 
 
 General evidence on the steam-jet system of ventilation, Mackworth 482-499. 575, 
 576. 588-608; Dickinson 751-774. 778. et seq.; 801, et seq.; Darlington 986, et seq. 
 - Experiments exhibited with the steam-jet showing its elasticity and the manage- 
 ability of the power, Bachhoffner and Gurney, 1389-1420— — Simple character of the 
 
 steam-jet system of ventilation, Harm 1487. 1497 Great exemption from accidents to 
 
 be obtained from the use of the jet instead of the furnace, ib. 1515, 1516. 
 
 Preference given to the steam-jet over the furnace as the best means of ventilation, 
 Forster 1535 et seq. 1674 Prejudice existing against the steam-jet system of ventila- 
 tion, ib. 1551-1553- 1567 Advocacy of the steam-jet as a means of correcting the ill 
 
 effects of the carbonic acid gas after explosion, ib. 1584-1587. 1648 Suggestion that 
 
 the steam-jet system should be enforced by Government authority, Fife 1722, 1723. 
 1727-1730. 
 
 3. Greater Economy in the use of the Steam-jet, than in the use of the Furnace: 
 
 The steam-jet is cheaper than the furnace system of ventilation, Mather 166-172; 
 
 Harm 1487-1489 Slight expense of the steam-jet when there is already a steam 
 
 engine in the pit, Mather 166-172. 233, 234 Comparison between the steam-jet and 
 
 the furnace systems, Darlington 975 Cost of the two systems compared ; greater 
 
 economy of the steam-jet, ib. 987-990. 1006. 1009. 1014 et seq. Advocacy of the 
 
 steam-jet as the most efficient and cheapest system of ventilation, Fife 1710, 1711. 1722- 
 1730. 
 
 4. Illimitable power of the Steam-jet : 
 
 Opinion of the Committee that there appears to be no practical limit to the powers of 
 
 the steam-jet, Rep. iv The power of the steam-jet is illimitable, Mather 160. 294, 295; 
 
 Hann 1507 Evidence as to the immense power of the steam-jet; exemplification of 
 
 this in the experiment at the Ince Hall Pits, Wigan, Darlington 1 290-131 1 Opinion in 
 
 favour of the steam-jet on account of its immense power, Hann 1506. 1517, 1518 
 
 Opinion of Lyon Playfair to the same effect, ib. 1506. 
 
 See also After-damp. Cut rents of Air. Cylinders. Furnace Ventilation, I. 
 Hepburn Colliery. Hetton Colliery. Fhillipps, Professor. Seaton Delaval 
 Mine. Struve's system of Ventilation. Ventilation. 
 
 Stephenson, Robert, u. p.; George H. Bachhoffner ; Edward Cayley ; Goldsworthy Gurney ; 
 George Overton ; J. H. Pepper ; Joseph Dickinson ; James Darlington. (Analysis of 
 their Evidence.) — Committee adjourned to the Royal Polytechnic Institution. (Dr. 
 Bachhoffner). Exhibits several experiments with the Davy lamp ; explanation of those 
 various experiments, showing that if only an ordinary degree of precaution be used by 
 the miner in the use of the lamp, these explosions need never take place, in consequence 
 
 of his having a Davy lamp in his possession, 1313, et seq. Opinion that under certain 
 
 circumstances the wire gauze of the lamp may become red hot, and ihat in such a case 
 there may be some danger; this would be the case if the lamp were exposed to a blower 
 or to a strong current, or if it be retained too long in an explosive atmosphere, 1313-1331. 
 
 1342 et seq. (Dr. Bachhoffner ami Mr. Pepper). How far pure hydrogen exists in 
 
 fire-damp ; result of an analysis of fire-damp by Professor Gramham, 1336-1341. 
 
 (Dr. Bachhoffner). If the miners work with the lamp behind them they would not be 
 aware of the lengthening of the flame which takes place in the lamp, and which indicates 
 
 the presence of the explosive gas passing by, 1342-1347 Still there is another equally 
 
 good indication ; namely, the difference in the quality of the light, which must be very 
 
 perceptibly evident, 1345-1347 Doubts as to the probability of any discovery of some 
 
 admixture of some substance with the oil burn) in the lamps which would give out or 
 produce a decomposition of the explosive gas within the tube of the chimney of the lamp, 
 
 1358, 1359 (Mr. Stephenson.) Strong opinion in favour of the safety of the Davy 
 
 lamp, 1365 (Mr. Darlington). Grounds for forming the opinion that the Davy lamp 
 
 is not a safe instrument under a strong current, 1372-1374 Great danger in the use 
 
 of the Davy lamp when dirty ; short period of time in which it gets foul from the coal 
 
 dust, 1373. 1377-1380. 1384, 1385 (Dr. Bachhoffner). Opinion that iron is the best 
 
 material for the gauze of the lamp, 1386, 1387 Philosophically, the Davy lamp is 
 
 a perfect instrument but in its practical application it is delective, 1388 (Dr. Bach- 
 hoffner and Mr. Gurney). Experiments exhibited with the steam jet, showing its elasti- 
 city and the manageability of the power, 1389-1420. 
 
 Stephenson's Lamp. Negative results of the trial of Stephenson's lamp, Bachhoffner 1424 
 
 Stephenson's lamp and Clanny's lamp ignite with the ordinary coal gas, ib. 1423 > 
 
 Reason of witness's preference for Stephenson's lamp over the Davy lamp, Forster 1608. 
 0,62. K k Struve's 
 
246 
 
 S T R 
 
 WOO 
 
 Report, 1852 — continued. 
 
 Struve's System of Ventilation. Simple application of the Struve ventilator; comparison 
 
 between it and the steam jet, Machworth .572-576 Opinion on Struve's pump as a 
 
 means of ventilation, Dickenson, 792. See also Machinery. 
 
 T. 
 
 Thermometer. Observations of the Committee with regard to the indication of the tempe- 
 rature by means of the thermometer, Rep. vii. 
 
 Trap-doors. See Hepburn Colliery. 
 
 Tyne Main Colliery. The Tyne Main Colliery cited as an instance of the great current 
 produced in the shaft by the furnace system of ventilation, Wood 1146. 1 191-1194. 1205. 
 1207. 1287. 
 
 U. 
 
 Upton and Roberts' Lamp. A very safe lamp was invented by Upton and Roberts in 1845, 
 but from its delicate construction it is not practical, Mather 5a. 
 
 V. 
 
 Vena Conlracta. Explanation of the vena contractu, Gurney 1798. 
 
 Ventilation. Suggestion of the House of Commons in 1835, that reliance should chiefly be 
 
 placed for security on increased ventilation, Rep. iii, iv Opinion of the Committee that 
 
 the two systems of ventilation, which alone can be considered as rival powers, are the 
 furnace and steam jet, ib. iv Unwillingness of the Committee to recommend a com- 
 pulsory enforcement of any particular system of ventilation ; ihey would rather point to 
 the conditions under which alone they consider any mine to be safe, and leave it to some 
 improved system of inspection or control to secure those conditions, being universally 
 
 adopted, ib. vi Remarks of the Committee on the economy of improved ventilation, ib. 
 
 Insufficient ventilation is chiefly the cause of explosions in coal mines, Ingham 19, 20 ; 
 
 Forster 1532, 1533. 1626 General desire to attribute the cause of explosions to some 
 
 accident or escapage instead of the ventilation, Mather 347, 348- How the quantity 
 
 of air to be used in ventilation may be determined, Machworth 609 The main thing 
 
 wanted is a good system of ventilation, Dickinson 681. 743, 744. 784, 785. 872 ; Darling- 
 ton 10,57-1059; Fife 1693, 1694. 1720, 1721 Superiority of the furnace for supply- 
 ing this want, Dickinson 682, 683. 748-750. 776, 777. 779. 793. 802. 804. 813-815. 
 
 819-822.834. 894, 895 When mines are subject to sudden explosions ventilation is 
 
 the main remedy, Darlington 1092, 1093 Witness differs with Mr. Michiels as to 
 
 good ventilation being attainable without the use of the furnace or steam jet, Dickinson 
 1773, 1774. 
 
 See also Air Channels. Anemometer. Belgium. Belmont Colliery. Bran- 
 tori's System. Changes of Temperature. Coroner's Inquests. Davy Lamp, 2. 
 Exhausting Machine. Expense of Ventilation. Explosions. Furnace Ventila- 
 tion. Goaves. Haswell Colliery. Health of Miners. Hetton Colliery. 
 Machinery. Natural Ventilation. Seaton Delaval Mine. Seraing Mines. 
 Shafts. Small Collieries. South Shields Committee. Steam Jet Ventilation. 
 Struve's System of Ventilation. Water Gauge. 
 
 W. 
 
 Wages of Miners. The wages of the miners are proportionate to the danger of the mine, 
 Darlington 1 038-1042. 
 
 Water Gauge. Remarks of the Committee on the importance of the water-gauge as a test 
 of the drag of the mine which produces the furnace limit under the furnace system of venti- 
 lation, Rep. iv. vii Definition and technical explanations upon the subject of the water- 
 
 gaa«e,ib. xii Incorrectness of the water-gauge as an index of the increase of ventilation, 
 
 Darlington 947, 948 The water-gauge is an index of the ventilating power of the 
 
 shaft, but no index of the current in the workings, Wood 1158-1162. 1170, 1171. 1174- 
 1 187 Some advantage derivable from Brunton's water-gauge ; manner of its applica- 
 tion by witness, Forster 1594-1596 Recommendation of the water-gauge as a very 
 
 essential instrument, Gurney 1799-1801. 1804. 1806. 
 
 Westminster Colliery. Reference to the destruction of head-gear, rope, &c, by explosions ; 
 case of the Westminster Colliery in North Wales cited, Darlington 1000. 
 
 Wood, Nicholas. (Analysis of his Evidence.) — Extensive coal viewer or manager in the 
 
 neighbourhood of .Newcastle, 1107-1111 -Difference of opinion between witness 
 
 and Mr. Darlington on many points, more especially as to the steam-jet, 1115. 1117 
 
 et seq. 
 
Jttiite**] WOO 
 
 W O 11 
 
 247 
 
 Report, 1852 — continued. 
 
 Wood, Nicholas. (Analysis of his Evidence) — continued. 
 
 et seq. Indecisive result of witness's trials of the steam-jet system of ventilation, 
 
 1118-1120 Reference to the Seaton Delaval Colliery, and evidence on the apparent 
 
 success of the steam-jet as applied there, 1120-1127. 1133. 1140, 1144, 1145. 1150. 
 
 1208-1210. 1225. 1227 Lengthened explanations of the action and power of the 
 
 steam-jet, 1128-1132. 1140-1 145. 1150. 1189, 1190. 1193-1199. 1208-1210. 1219, 1220. 
 
 1223-1225. 1227-1235. 1239-1244. 1246-1269. 1282-1286. 1288' Larger current of 
 
 air produced in the same shaft, and with less coals, by the furnace than by the steam-jet, 
 
 1132. 1140-1145. 1149, 1150. 1193-1199. 1208. 1210. 1230 et seq.; 1281-1288 
 
 Intention of witness to test the power of the steam-jet, by applying it to the Hetton 
 
 Colliery, under the directions of Mr. Gurney and Mr. Forster, 1 133-1 136. 1312 
 
 Reference to Mr. Forster's approval of the steam-jet after having tried both it and the 
 
 furnace, 1137-1139. 1230-1233. 1235 More perfect combustion of the coals in the 
 
 furnace than the steam-jet, 1140-1142. 1144. 1148-11 50. 1218. 
 
 Additional power through the steam-jet, accompanied by great additional expense, 1 143. 
 
 1147. 1281. 1284 The Tyne Main Colliery cited as an instance of the great current 
 
 produced in the shaft by the furnace system of ventilation, 1146. 1191-1194. 1205. 1207. 
 
 1287 Examination on the "furnace paradox;" opinion that great misapprehension 
 
 prevails on this subject, 1154, et seq. The water-gauge an index of the ventilating 
 
 power of the shaft, but no index of the current in the workings, 1158-1162. 11 70, 1171. 
 
 1174-1187 The temperature of the shaft no indication of the rarefaction going on 
 
 throughout the mine, 1158. 1161—1 169. 1171-1173. 1179. 1187 Check sometimes given 
 
 to the ventilation issuing from the shaft by obstructions in the air passages, 1161,1162. 
 
 1167. 1179 Evidence on the subject of the cylinder and the shaft, 1198, 1199. 1236; 
 
 et seq. 
 
 (Mr. Darlington). Instance of 6,000 cubic feet of air per minute to one foot of 
 sectional area of cylinder being obtained by means of the jet; facility of increasing this 
 amount by using more cylinders; impracticability of arriving at this result by employing the 
 
 furnace, 1200-1203 (Mr. Wood.) Sufficiency of the power of the furnace fur all 
 
 practical purposes, 1205-1208. 1230. 1236-1238, 1245 et seq. System of ventilation 
 
 adopted at the Belmont Colliery, 1211-1225 Area and ventilation of the Haswell 
 
 Colliery, 1270-1274 Area of the Hetton Colliery, and system of ventilation in operation 
 
 there, 1275-1281 (Mr. Darlington.) Further evidence in support of the opinion as 
 
 to the immense power of the steam-jet ; exemplification of this iu the experiment at the 
 Ince Hall Pits, Wigan, 1290-1311. 
 
 Working of Mines. Defects in the working of mines in South Wales, Machcorth 614 
 
 Diagram produced explaining the working system ot the Lancashire mines, Darling- 
 ton 905 Remarks as to the establishment of a board of scientific and practical men 
 
 for regulating the working of mines, Forster 1621. 1630, 1631 Slovenliness of the 
 
 working system in the mines of Scotland and South Wales, ib. 1684-1686. 
 
 See also Belgium. Lancashire Mines. Miners. Newcastle Mines. 
 
 I 
 
FIRST REPORT 
 
 FROM THE 
 
 SELECT COMMITTEE 
 
 ON 
 
 ACCIDENTS IN COAL MINES ; 
 
 WITH THE 
 
 MINUTES OF EVIDENCE, 
 
 AND APPENDIX. 
 
 [Communicated from the Commons to the Lords.] 
 Ordered to be printed 15th August 1853. 
 
 (423. — I.) 
 
[ « ] 
 
 Martis, 31° die Maii, 1853. 
 
 Ordered, That a Select Committee be appointed to inquire into the Causes of the 
 numerous Accidents in Coal .Mines, with a view of suggesting the best Means for their 
 Prevention. 
 
 Jovis, 2° die Junii, 1853. 
 
 Committee nominated of, — 
 
 Mr. Hutchins. 
 Mr. Fitzroy. 
 Mr. Ingham. 
 Mr. Bussey Vivian. 
 Mr. Baird. 
 
 Mr. Gumming Bruce. 
 Mr. Cayley. 
 Colonel Pennant. 
 
 Mr. Stephenson. 
 Mr. Mostyn. 
 Viscount Goderich. 
 Mr. Farrer. 
 Mr. Child. 
 
 Mr. Henry Austin Bruce. 
 Mr. Cobbett. 
 
 Ordered, That the Committee have power to send for Persons, Papers, and Records. 
 Ordered, That Five be the Quorum of the Committee. 
 
 Jovis, 9° die Junii, 1853. 
 
 Ordered, That Viscount Goderich be discharged from further attendance on the Com- 
 mittee, and that Mr. Locke be added thereto. 
 
 LuncB, 27° die Junii, 1853. 
 
 Ordered, That the Committee have power to Report the Minutes of Evidence taken 
 before them from time to time to The House. 
 
 REPORT - - - p. iii 
 
 MINUTES OF EVIDENCE - - - - - - p. 1 
 
 APPENDIX - p. 133 
 
[ iii ] 
 
 FIRST REPORT. 
 
 THE SELECT COMMITTEE appointed to inquire into the Cause of 
 the numerous Accidents in Coal Mines, with a view of suggesting the 
 best Means for their Prevention, and who were empowered to Report 
 from time to time to The House,— 
 
 • . *■ 
 
 AVE made progress in the Matters to them referred, and have agreed 
 to Report the Minutes of Evidence taken before them. 
 
 30 June 1853. 
 
 (423.— I.) 
 
 LIST 
 
[ iv J 
 
 LIST OF WITNESSES. 
 
 Lunce, 13° die Junii, 1853. 
 Joseph Dickinson, Esq. - - - - - p. 1 
 
 Jovis, 16° die Junii, 1853. 
 Herbert Francis Mackworth, Esq. - - - p. 32 
 
 Martis, 21° die Junii, 1853. 
 Herbert Francis Mackworth, Esq. - - - p. 56 
 
 Joseph Dickinson, Esq. ' - - - - p. 56 
 
 Jovis, 23° die Junii, 1853. 
 
 Joseph Dickinson, Esq. - - - - p. 91 
 
 Herbert Francis Mackworth, Esq. - - - p. 103 
 
 Edward Cayley, Esq. - * - - -p. Ill 
 
 Lunce, 27° die Junii, 1 853. 
 Herbert Francis Mackworth, Esq. - - - p. 113 
 
 Martin Jude - - - - - p. 125 
 
[ 1 ] 
 
 MINUTES OF EVIDENCE. 
 
 Luna, 13° die Junii, 1853. 
 
 MEMBERS PRESENT. 
 
 Mr. Hutchins. 
 Mr. Fitzroy. 
 Mr. Hussey Vivian. 
 Mr. Baird. 
 Mr. Cayley. 
 Mr. Stephenson. 
 
 Mr. Mostyn. 
 Mr. Farrer. 
 Mr. Child. 
 Mr. Cobbett. 
 Mr. Locke. 
 
 EDWARD J. HUTCHINS, Esq., in the Chair. 
 
 Joseph Dickinson, Esq., of Manchester, called in ; and Examined. 
 
 i . Chairman^] YOU are a Government Inspector of Mines ? — Yes. J. Dickinson, Esq, 
 
 ■2. Have you been so since the first appointment of inspectors after the 
 
 passing of the Act? — Yes. 13 «J" n e l8 53> 
 
 3. For what district are you inspector ? — My present district is Lancashire, 
 Cheshire and North Wales. 
 
 4. Is that the district of which you were inspector when you were examined 
 before the Committee in 1852? — It is the same district, but the Staffordshire 
 district was formerly a portion of my district. The South Wales district was 
 also entrusted to my care for about four months, during the vacancy occasioned 
 by the resignation of Mr. Black well. 
 
 5. Have you been recently engaged, with Mr. Mackworth, on a mission of 
 inspection ? — Yes. 
 
 6. By whom were you sent?— Lord Palmerston. 
 
 7. What countries were you instructed to visit? — Belgium, France, and 
 Germany. , 
 
 8. You visited those countries ? — We did. 
 
 9. What is the common system of working in Belgium ? — The common 
 system of working is long work ; the seams are very much contorted and twisted 
 about ; so much so, that the working in the same seam sometimes overlaps ; 
 but whether the seam lies perpendicular or horizontal, the same system is 
 adhered to. 
 
 10. Will you describe the system of long work ? — Long work is carried on in 
 Belgium ; and it is done by the ordinary system practised in this country, of 
 taking all the coal away at first, and keeping up the waggon roads through 
 the gob. There is scarcely an instance in Belgium where the levels are driven 
 out to the extremity, and the coal worked backward ; they get a better quality 
 of coal by working the coal forward, and it is done at a cheaper rate. 
 
 11. Is it difficult to carry on ventilation under that system ? — There is difficulty 
 in carrying it on unless the gob is packed very tightly, and the sides of it 
 clayed to prevent leakage through the gob ; but where the run is short this is 
 not found insuperable in practice. In fire-damp mines, in my opinion, the 
 proper way is, to drive out the galleries to the extremity of the mine, and to 
 work the coal backward, as this ensures a permanent air-way at all times ; but 
 where the run is short, there is seldom much difficulty in getting sufficient air 
 to the face of work ; the roof settles down on the gob, and presses it tight. 
 
 12. Asa practical system, the way to work long work would be to carry the 
 air- ways through the gob ? — That is the system generally resorted to. I do 
 not consider it the best in fire-damp mines. 
 
 13. Is there any difficulty in keeping the gob free from leakage ? — Where 
 0.76. A the 
 
2 
 
 MINUTES OF EVIDENCE TAKEN BEFORE THE 
 
 Ji Dickinson, Esq. the run is short, and the sides are well clayed, the difficulty is seldom found 
 insuperable in practice. 
 
 jg June 1853. 14> Supposing a seam should be perpendicular, is the same system pursued ? 
 — Yes. 
 
 15. Is there much difficulty in that case ? — Not any difficulty. 
 
 16. Mr. Stephenson.'] When the inclination of the seam is very great, you 
 would not recommend the system of driving out to your boundary, and work- 
 ing backwards? — In a fire-damp mine I should recommend it, whether the 
 seam was perpendicular or horizontal. 
 
 1 7. How would you confine the gob in a perpendicular seam, where it would 
 be above your head r— You timber the level, and put brushwood on the top of 
 it, and lay the gob on the top of the timber and brushwood. 
 
 18. You say that in Belgium the system of working backways is not 
 adopted ; is that system adopted when the seam is nearly perpendicular r — With 
 very few exceptions, they drive all the coal before them in Belgium, and leave 
 the gob behind, supporting the gob by timber and brushwood. 
 
 19. When a seam is nearly horizontal, in your opinion, the better way would 
 be to drive out to the boundary and work backwards ? — Yes. 
 
 20. But in Belgium, they work forwards towards the boundary, taking away 
 the coal ? — Yes. 
 
 21. What is the length of face which is taken ? — It depends on the inclina- 
 tion, to some extent ; about 30 yards is the average. 
 
 22. Not more? — Not more ; that is the average depth. 
 
 23. When the inclination is very great, supposing fire-damp to exist in a 
 mine in great abundance, do you prefer the plan of going to the boundary, in 
 consequence of the lightness of carburetted hydrogen, which will always ascend 
 from the working face into the gob, and there remain at rest ? — I see no greater 
 difficulty in ventilating a mine with air-ways in the solid coal than with air- 
 ways maintained by gobbing. You have no liability to leakage, if you have 
 the air- ways in the solid coal ; but if the air-ways depend on gobbing, there is 
 a liability to leakage through the gobbing, which is avoided by driving out the 
 level to the extremities, and working the coal backward. 
 
 24. You overcome the difficulty by keeping them tight ? — Yes. 
 
 25. Chairman.] Is not the roof falling attended with great danger ? — No ; 
 it is not attended with unusual danger. 
 
 26. Supposing there is not enough rubbish to fill the gob, how do they pro- 
 ceed ? — In the thin mines, there is generally sufficient rubbish. 
 
 27. Have you seen the work in thick mines ? — I have seen it in every descrip- 
 tion of mine ; all the mines in Belgium are thin. 
 
 28. Supposing it should happen that there be not sufficient rubbish to fill 
 the gob, how would you proceed ? — In the south of France the thick coal, 
 which varies in thickness up to 65 feet, is worked by long work. The usual 
 system is, to work eight feet on the bottom in the ordinary way ; and as the 
 mine seldom makes sufficient rubbish to fill up the whole of these workings, 
 the rubbish is brought from the surface. After the first working of eight feet, 
 there is another working a few yards behind ; and these successive workings, 
 one above the other, are filled up with rubbish, either from the mines, or brought 
 down the pits from the surface. The thick coal of Staffordshire, also, is worked 
 long work. It has been worked long work in two ranges, of about five yards 
 each, for between 20 and 30 years, at Mr. Forster's works at Shut End, near 
 Dudley ; and also for some years in Mr. Gibbon's colliery, at Shut End ; and it 
 has recently been introduced into the colliery of the New British Iron Com- 
 pany, at Corngreaves. It seems to be a great improvement on the old system 
 of working the thick coal in Staffordshire ; and it is worthy of remark, that in 
 no instance that I have heard of, where long work has been introduced, has that 
 system been abandoned, and the old system resorted to. I have examined the 
 working in the thick coal mines of a great number of the principal establish- 
 ments in Staffordshire, and I think that a more unminer-like system of getting 
 this ten-yard coal than the old systems, which are still commonly practised, it is 
 impossible to see. It is working in a series of unsightly caverns ; the men are 
 perched high on scaffolding and ladders, and they are at work underneath the 
 sides, which are overhung many yards beneath the roof, which is liable to fall, 
 and cannot be supported. Indeed the workmen are brought up to it from their 
 childhood, and they may be compared to soldiers in a campaign, for sudden 
 deaths are perhaps as common in the case of the one as in the other. If all 
 
 the 
 
SELECT COMMITTEE ON ACCIDENTS IN COAL MINES. 
 
 the casualties in thick coal collieries were enumerated, I believe that the annual J. Dickinson, E&q 
 list would outnumber the killed and wounded in a general engagement. — 
 
 29. Chairman.'] As a general rule, do you think the system of long work is 13 June 
 efficacious ? — There is generally no system so efficacious as long work. 
 
 30. Is more coal got by it? — All the coal is obtained by it, and the ventila- 
 tion is much simplified. 
 
 31. Mr. H. Vivian.'] Has not a modified system of long work been adopted 
 in the north of England ? — Long work is common in the Midland counties, as 
 far west as Shropshire. 
 
 32. Has not a modified system of long work been recently adopted in the 
 north of England, with great success ? — In some collieries it has. 
 
 33- Will you describe the system of long work ? — Long work consists in 
 breasting away extensive ranges of the seam in one working. 
 
 34. Chairman^ On that system you cannot go down to the dip ? — The great 
 secret of success is to keep the packing well built, and close up to the face of 
 work, and not attempt to breast down to the dip, which would throw the weight 
 of the superincumbent strata upon the face of the work, and make it dangerous 
 for the men, and would also crush the coal. 
 
 35. In beginning the system of long work, is not the first weight that comes on 
 attended with very considerable danger? — The first weight is generally a dan- 
 gerous weight ; in the course of a few days after the first subsidence has taken 
 place, the roof subsides regularly behind, and there is no more difficulty. 
 
 36. Are the men aware of their danger at first ? — Yes. 
 
 37. Do they work when the roof is settling down? — They sometimes abandon 
 that portion of the work, until the first subsidence has taken place ; and where 
 long work has been attempted to be introduced into new collieries, by persons 
 who did not understand it, when this first weight has been coming on, which 
 is the critical weight, the system of long work has frequently been abandoned ; 
 had they waited until the subsidence had taken place, their efforts might have 
 been successful. 
 
 38. In your district, is the coal worked by long work at all? — We have 
 isolated cases of it in Lancashire and Cheshire, and it is very common in North 
 Wales. 
 
 39. And in Shropshire? — In Shropshire it is common, and also in Staffordshire. 
 
 40. In South Wales ? — In South Wales it is met with in rare cases. 
 
 41. Is it as well done, in the districts in England in which you have seen it, 
 as it is in Belgium ? — Quite. 
 
 42. And the ventilation is sufficiently carried on ? — Yes. 
 
 43. Is it applicable to South Wales ? — It is applicable to the South Wales 
 coal field, as a general rule ; its introduction there, I believe, would be the 
 means of reducing the cost of getting the coal, and it would save the immense 
 loss which takes place in pillars under the present system. It is peculiarly 
 applicable to the ironstone mines. 
 
 44. Supposing you were working in a seam of 30 feet, how would you 
 proceed? — The system of working the Staffordshire thick coal is, by first 
 working the top half of the seam. 
 
 45. How much of the first lift is removed? — They work about eight feet 
 long work, and they breast backward over the gobbing, in getting the main 
 portion of the seven feet. 
 
 46. In your opinion, is long work the cheapest and best, and applicable to 
 thick and thin seams of coal? — It is. 
 
 47. Is it also better for the carrying on of ventilation ? — Yes. 
 
 48. In all cases ? — There may be exceptional cases ; but, as a general rule, 
 it is so. 
 
 49. Mr. Cayley7\ Could the system of long work be applied to mines which 
 are already established ? — In most cases it might be applied to the present 
 mines ; but perhaps not in all. 
 
 50. Would it entail great expense, if it were applied to old mines ? — In some 
 cases ; but the great difficulty is with the workmen ; they are not accustomed 
 to the system, and they are very loath to begin it in their old age. 
 
 .51. Is it more applicable to deep or to shallow shafts ? — 1 do not think it 
 makes any difference. It is equally applicable to the one as to the other. 
 
 52. Is the system of long work universal in the north? — It is not so uni- 
 versal in the north, except .in Scotland. 
 
 53. You say it is better for ventilation ; in what respect is it better ?— In 
 0.76. A 2 working 
 
4 
 
 MINUTES OF EVIDENCE TAKEN BEFORE THE 
 
 J. Dickinson, Esq. working pillar and stall work, you leave a great number of galleries open, and » 
 all those galleries require to be ventilated. With long work you have simply 
 13 June 1853. the working face open; you leave an in-take gallery for the air to go in ; it 
 then passes up the face of work, and returns by the return drift ; whilst in 
 pillar and stall work you have a number of galleries, which require to be 
 ventilated. 
 
 ,54. You have no splitting of air ? — Yes; you may split the air at different 
 faces of work ; you may have one or you may have "ten faces of work going on 
 in the same pit ; and you can split the air, if it is desirable, in proportion to 
 each face of work. 
 
 55. Mr. Locke.'] Is there any difficulty in splitting the air r — None. 
 
 56. Do you find any inconvenience at all ? — None. 
 
 57. Then where is the difference in pillar and stall work, as to its more 
 efficient means of ventilation, if there is no difficulty in splitting the air ? — You 
 have a greater number of galleries to ventilate in the one case than in the 
 other. 
 
 58. You do not think the splitting of air is an objection to the mere trans- 
 mission of air ? — It is impossible to ventilate a large colliery properly without 
 splitting the air. 
 
 59. Where is the increased difficulty in ventilation by pillar and stall work, 
 as compared with long work ? — In the one case you have a larger number of 
 galleries to ventilate than you have in the other. 
 
 60. Still the area would probably be the same ? — The distance over which 
 air travels in long work is shorter than that which it travels with pillar and 
 stall work, because you have only the in-take gallery and the face of work, 
 and the return air course to ventilate ; there is no intricate working in the 
 midst of the colliery to be ventilated, as there is in pillar and stall work ; 
 consequently the air has not to be coursed through. . 
 
 61. Does your objection apply to the increased distance which the air has to 
 travel, or to the intricacy of the course ?- — It applies to both. 
 
 62. Chairman.] Do you keep the gas penned up, or do you clear it out ? — As 
 a general rule, the gob is not ventilated. 
 
 63. Mr. Stephenson.] In explanation of an answer which you gave just now, 
 respecting the comparison between the ventilation of long work and the ven- 
 tilation of pillar and stall work, in splitting the air in pillar and stall work 
 have you not. a number of doors to employ ? — Yes. 
 
 64. Those doors being left open, may leave any one or more of the stalls 
 foul ?— Yes. 
 
 65. In long work there is simply a current of air going from the down-cast 
 shaft to the face of the work, running along the face of the work, which is only 
 a channel about six or seven feet wide, perhaps, and returns (as you have said) 
 by a drift to the up-cast; that is the simple mode of ventilating long work ? — It is. 
 
 66. With the pillar and stall work, if you have 20 stalls, you may split the 
 air into four parts, each current of air, or each one-fourth, having to course 
 through four stalls, with a door between each four stalls ; is not that the usual 
 mode ? — It is. 
 
 67. Independent of splitting the air, you have to course up and down the 
 stalls, and therefore each current of air has to pass up one half of the stall and 
 down the other? — Yes. 
 
 68. In that case, is not the resistance to ventilation materially increased ? — 
 No doubt of it. 
 
 69. Must not a greater force be applied to secure good ventilation on the 
 stall system, as compared with the long work system r — Undoubtedly. 
 
 70. Is there not also the risk of doors being left open ? — Certainly. 
 
 71. In the other case there is no risk of that kind ? — No ; because there are 
 no doors, except there be main doors, to leave open. 
 
 72. 1 am speaking now of the face of the work; I am quite aware there are 
 doors required in other parts of the mine, but they would equally be required 
 on the stall system : — Yes. 
 
 73. And, therefore, where the face of the coal has usually given vent to an 
 enormous quantity of gas, there are no contingencies arising out of doors r — 
 Such contingencies are very much fewer than in pillar and stall-work : the air 
 is all passing up in the particular places where it is required. 
 
 74. Chairman.'] Therefore it sweeps the face of the coal, and all behind it is 
 so tightly packed up, that the air cannot get into it at all ? — Generally it is. 
 
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SELECT COMMITTEE OS ACCIDENTS IN COAL MINES 
 
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 75. Therefore the whole current sweeps up where the men are at work out J. Dickinson, Esq~ 
 of the main level. Is that so ? — Yes. — 
 
 76. Mr. Stephenson.'] You have stated that the long work system is, in all 13 June 1853. 
 cases, more economical and safe than the pillar and stall system. Are you 
 
 aware that the success of the long work system depends very much upon the 
 character of the roof ? — It is frequently stated to depend on the character of 
 the roof ; but I think I have seen coal, with almost every kind of roof, worked 
 successfully by long work ; and many persons work long work with both ^ood 
 and bad roofs. In the case of working the thick coal of Staffordshire, where 
 the top part of the seam is worked first, and there is nothing but the old gcb for 
 the roof of the second working, Mr. Gibbons, who is an authority on these 
 matters, having worked the coal for several years under the system, says he 
 prefers a bad roof to a good one. 
 
 77. If the roof be a very good one, is it according to your experience, a very 
 bad plan to introduce the long work system * — If you have a hard, solid rock 
 for a roof, which will not break, it is very apt to crush your coal ; and it 
 would be attended, perhaps, with more danger than would otherwise be met 
 with, if you had a tender root. 
 
 78. Have you ever seen a roof in a coal mine, consisting of what is called in the 
 north, post roof or white sandstone, which is almost peculiar to the coal fields of 
 Durham and Northumberland, and is sometimes eight or ten fathoms in thick- 
 ness? — Yes ; there is also a much harder rock which is called quor, in South Wales. 
 
 79. Under such a post roof, have you seen the long work system practised 
 successfully ? — I have seen a modified system of long work practised very suc- 
 cessfully under a quor roof. It is not the ordinary system of long work, but it 
 is called long work in South Wales ; it is by driving a stall, eight yards wide, 
 and bringing back the same width of pillar. All the coal is obtained in that 
 working, and perhaps it is the only successful working of coal which there is 
 in South Wales. All the rest, under the bad roofs, is attended with a very con- 
 siderable sacrifice of pillars. 
 
 80. Mr. H. Vivian.] Under a roof of that kind, do you conceive that the 
 ordinary long wall system of working could not be carried out ? — I do not 
 think that it is so desirable to introduce long work under such a roof, and 
 perhaps it is not in every case practicable. Under good roofs there is seldom 
 any loss of coal by the pillar and stall system, so that no improvement could be 
 effected in economy, or in the clean working of the coal. 
 
 81. Do your remarks apply especially to the cleanness of working out the 
 coal, rather than to the ventilation of the mine ? — My last remarks apply especi- 
 ally to the cleanness of working, but generally they apply equally to the ventilation. 
 
 82. In a 12-feet seam of coal, where the roof falls up to a certain point and 
 arches itself, and does not fall so that the bottom meets the top, how would you 
 support the roof ? — You are speaking of pillar and stall working. 
 
 83. I am speaking of long wall working ? — I have got a drawing of a system 
 which I examined in the South of France, showing the mode of working in a 
 thicker seam than you have described. 
 
 \_The Witness delivered in the annexed Drawing.] 
 
 84. In a 12-feet seam of coal, where the roof does not fall to a sufficient 
 extent to support the superincumbent strata, in what way would you deal with 
 long wall work ? — I know the South Wales seams very well, having been en- 
 gaged upwards of seven years in the largest colliery there ; but I do not know 
 one where, if you took away the whole of the coal, the roof would not come 
 down behind on your packs. 
 
 85. I am now working a colliery to a large extent in South Wales, where the 
 roof will stand for months without falling completely. If it were necessary to 
 support the ground behind the workmen, which is necessary in long wall work, 
 the men would be for months exposed to falls of roof ; in that case, could long 
 wall work be carried out except in a modified degree ? — Can you describe the 
 sort of roof? 
 
 86. It is for some distance a plate roof?— That would work very well long work. 
 
 87. I have gone over the goaf myself when the coal has been worked for 
 months,and the roof has not fallen, up where the pillars have all been taken out?— 
 It is a general rule that the plate is one of the best roofs for working long work. 
 
 88. It bends rather than breaks at first ? — 1 think that long wall work would 
 be quite applicable to such a roof as you describe. 
 
 0.76. a 3 89. Would 
 
6 
 
 MINUTES OF EVIDENCE TAKEN BEFORE THE 
 
 J. Dickinson, Esq. 89. Would you work the upper or the lower portion first in long wall -work ? 
 
 — — In Staffordshire the usual way is to work the upper portion, but I think the 
 
 13 June 1853. foggt wa y j s to W ork the lower part first, taking care to pack the gob very tight 
 with rubbish. 
 
 90. How would you commence the long work system? — I should keep the 
 lower levels in advance of the upper ; for you generally find that if you attempt 
 to keep the upper levels in advance of the lower, there is a tendency to throw 
 the weight of the roof on the face of the work, which makes it more dangerous 
 for the men, and also has a tendency to crush your coal. 
 
 91. Assume that your pit is sunk to the bottom of the seam, and that you 
 have to consider how you will commence your work ; where would you start 
 your drifts ? — As the weight always tends to the dip, I would start them so 
 as to keep the lowest drifts rather in advance of the upper, and throw the 
 weight of work on the gob, and not on the face of the work. 
 
 92. "Would you start two drifts on the level course and two to the rise ? — 
 After opening the pit, and getting the ventilation connected between the down- 
 cast and the up-cast, if it were not a fiery mine, I should breast all the coal for- 
 ward, carrying the airing along the deepest level, and bringing it back along 
 the upper level. 
 
 93. You would work it straight before you ? — -Yes. 
 
 94. In that case, you would not, as in the first instance you recommended, 
 drive out to the extent of your boundary r — If it were a very fiery mine I should 
 recommend driving out the galleries to the extremity, and work backward 
 instead of forward. 
 
 95. Chairman.'] So that all the gas would be left behind you ? — Yes; and 
 you would be always sure of maintaining the ventilation by having the galleries 
 in solid coal, and not subject to leakage through the gob.> 
 
 96. Mr. H. Vivian.'] You would take the breast of coal forward ? — Yes. 
 
 97. Then you would leave the gob behind you? — Exactly. 
 
 98. Are not goaves very dangerous things, from the gas constantly oozing 
 in enormous quantities from the roof? — An imperfectly ventilated goaf is about 
 the most dangerous thing you can have in a colliery, that is, where the fire- 
 damp is mixed with enough fresh air to bring it to the explosive point ; when 
 the goaves are not at all ventilated the fire-damp in them is generally too pure 
 to be explosive, and I have known cases where a goaf which has been full of 
 fire-damp has fired along the edge, where it has been mixed with fresh air ; 
 but there not being sufficient air with the fire-damp in the goaf, it has merely 
 been an explosion for the width of a yard or two along the edge ; a goaf of 
 that kind is less dangerous than a goaf partially ventilated, until it has arrived 
 at an explosive state. Most goaves admit of being entirely ventilated, but if 
 this cannot be done, the ventilation of them should not be attempted. 
 
 99. On your principle of working, you would, after you had sunk your pit to 
 the seam of coal, work your breast of coal right forward, leaving the goaf 
 between you and the pit ? — That is the ordinary system. . 
 
 100. That is the system you recommend? — Yes, where there is not fire- 
 damp, and where the run is short. 
 
 101. Chairman.] You consider, with regard to the ventilation of the goaves, 
 that it is necessary either to ventilate them thoroughly, so as to clear out t!ie 
 whole of the fire-damp, or not do it at all ? — Yes. 
 
 102. Mr. Cayley.] Is it not true of the whole of the mines generally, that 
 before the system of ventilation was improved, as it has been of late years, in 
 consequence of there not being a sufficient admixture of atmospheric air, 
 explosions did not take place ? — Badly as some of our coal mines are ventilated, 
 there are very few which are in such a state as that. 
 
 103. When a mine is in a very foul state, it may not be explosive, from the 
 non-admixture of a sufficient quantity of atmospheric air ? — In all the coal 
 mines I was ever in, I never, except after an accident, met with a case of that 
 kind, where, in the working galleries of the mine, there was sufficient gas to 
 become explosive if more air were admitted. 
 
 104. As a scientific principle, is it true equally as regards the mine as the 
 face of the gob ? — Yes. 
 
 105. The air may be so foul that it is not inflammable? — No doubt of it. 
 
 106. In that state, is it capable of respiration? — No ; when you get into a 
 strong admixture of fire-clamp you cannot respire it. I had a case, in my 
 district, of two men being suffocated by inhaling a strong admixture of fire- 
 damp. 
 
SELECT COMMITTEE ON ACCIDENTS IN COAL MINES. 
 
 7 
 
 damp. The effect on the pulse is to quicken the pulse ; I have tried my own j. Dickinson, Esq, 
 
 pulse before going in : it was at 78 on entering this admixture of fire-damp, — . 
 
 and after being in for a few minutes, it ran up to 84 ; I tried a manager's pulse, 13 June 1853. 
 and it ran up from 80 to 84 ; I tried the fireman's pulse, and it was at the very 
 unusual height of 120, and it ran up to 126. A person is only enabled to 
 remain in the gas a few minutes, otherwise he must have fallen down, and his 
 breathing would soon stop. 
 
 107. Was that gas explosive? — At the edges it was explosive. 
 
 108. Was it intermixed with atmospheric air t — Yes. 
 
 109. In order to be explosive, what proportion of admixture is required? — 
 I should think that, generally, an explosive mixture is one part of gas and 
 seven of air. 
 
 I 10. When does it cease to be explosive ? — 1 think at about 15. 
 111. Fifteen parts of atmospheric air to one of fire-damp ? — Yes. 
 
 I I 2. When there are only three or four parts of atmospheric air to one of 
 foul gas, does it cease to be explosive ? — There is not sufficient air for it to 
 become explosive. 
 
 113. At what point does it become explosive ? — I think it is about one part 
 of gas to three or four of air. 
 
 1 14. Then so far as explosions are concerned, a mine is in the safest con- 
 dition, when it is so full of a deleterious gas that there is not air enough to 
 explode ; or when the amount of ventilation is so great that even when the foul 
 air is mixed with it, it ceases to be explosive ? — I should only apply that, with 
 the reservations which I have stated, to the goaves ; as to the mine being in such 
 a state as to have the galleries filled with a larger proportion of gas to atmos- 
 pheric air than would be explosive, as 1 have said, I do not think there is such 
 a thing to be met with in the country ; and I do not recollect ever having met 
 with such a badly ventilated colliery as that. 
 
 115. Mr. Fitzroy.'] Would it be possible for a man to exist under such cir- 
 cumstances ? — No ; besides, there must be a point where the air, coming down 
 the down-cast pit, and travelling along the workings, and intermixing with this 
 gas in the galleries, it must be explosive. 
 
 116. Mr. Cayley.] With respect to goaves, where there is any change in the 
 pressure of the atmosphere, is it not the fact that at that time the gas will 
 ooze out of the goaves, when it does not under an ordinary state of the atmos- 
 phere ? — There is no doubt that with a falling barometer there is a greater 
 liability to explosion than with a rising barometer. I think it is more a subject 
 of interest than of importance. According to Brande, 966 of atmospheric 
 air expands to 100 cubic inches, on the barometer falling from 30 to 29 inches. 
 A fall of the barometer, therefore, of only one inch, would have the effect of 
 increasing the volume of the air to the extent of between three and four per 
 cent. ; and in addition to this diminution in the density of the air, which is tanta- 
 mount to a diminution in the quantity, the fire-damp would be liberated more 
 freely from every pore of the strata ; and whatever fire-damp existed in. the 
 goaves, or in any other part of the workings, it would become expanded iu the 
 same ratio as atmospheric air, and the surplus would be discharged into the 
 workings. 
 
 117. Is it not a fact, that the only way in which you can account for some 
 of those explosions, which are attended with such fearful calamities, is, that 
 they are occasioned by some change in the barometric pressure ? — Taking the 
 number of explosions which have happened in my district, there is, perhaps, a 
 larger proportion to be noticed as having occurred in the summer months, with 
 the increase of temperature from winter to summer ; but this is by no means a 
 very great difference ; and even with the falls of the barometer, it is very 
 difficult to trace out any connexion with the explosion. I have gone over the 
 whole of the accidents which have happened in my district during the last year, 
 which was a very peculiar year for atmospheric changes ; there were very great 
 variations in the barometer and in the thermometer ; we had an earthquake in 
 South Wales in the spring, and we had an earthquake in North Wales and 
 Lancashire in the autumn ; the fall of rain was great, and there was much 
 thunder ; and with all these peculiarities it is very difficult to say that there 
 is any connexion between explosions and atmospheric changes. I have a 
 Diagram, which I beg to hand in, of every explosion which has taken place in 
 my district during the year 1 852. It shows the days on which the explosions 
 took place, the variations of the barometer, taken three times per day, the 
 
 0.76. a 4 variations 
 
8 
 
 MINUTES OF EVIDENCE TAKEN BEFORE THE 
 
 j. Dickinson, Esq. variations of temperature, and the difference between the wet and dry bulb of a 
 
 thermometer, and the daily fall of rain. The first explosion, at Norley Hall 
 
 13 June 1853. colliery, took place when the barometer was rising ; the second took place when 
 the barometer was at its summit ; the third took place when the barometer was 
 rising. (The Witness delivered in the same.) 
 
 118. As a general rule, is it not the weight of the atmospheric air, which is 
 going down the gallery, which keeps the foul air back in the goaves ? — As 
 I have stated, a fall of an inch in the barometer would make a difference of 
 between three and four per cent, in the quality of the air transmitted through 
 the workings. 
 
 119. If it is the weight of the atmospheric air which passes by the face of 
 these goaves which keeps back the foul air, if there is any alteration in the 
 weight of the air, would it not allow the foul air to escape from the goaves 
 naturally ? — The foul air, and any other gas, under a diminished pressure, would 
 become expanded in the same ratio as atmospheric air, and would consequently 
 be liberated into the ventilation. 
 
 1 20. It becomes explosive, unless the ventilation be sufficient to produce a 
 sufficient admixture of atmospheric air? — No doubt of it, unless the ventilation 
 is sufficient to render it non-explosive. 
 
 121. Chairman.'] You were understood to state, that the great point in suc- 
 cessfully working the long work, is to have the gob so closely packed that no 
 foul air can escape from it ? — You cannot always do that ; but with a properly 
 ventilated colliery, the ventilation ought always to be such as to sweep away 
 any discharge of fire-damp from the goaves. The temperature of the atmos- 
 phere, which has not received the same attention in regard to its connexion 
 with explosions in coal mines, appears to have as important an effect on 
 explosions as atmospheric pressure. According to Brande, air dilates at the 
 rate of of the volume which it occupied at 32° for every degree of Fahren- 
 heit's scale, and all other aeriform bodies expand in the same ratio. A varia- 
 tion of temperature, therefore, of only 10°, from 60° to 70°, would have the 
 effect of expanding the air, and of making a difference of about two per cent, 
 in the diluent quality of the air through the workings ; and if there be fire- 
 damp in the mines, either in goaves or other accumulations, and they be 
 increased in temperature, the fire-damp which they contained would also be 
 expanded in the same ratio, and the surplus would be discharged into the 
 working ; but a daily variation of 20° or more degrees are common, and they 
 would make a difference of five per cent, in the virtual quantity of air circulated 
 through the working. 
 
 122. Mr. Cayley.] Will you explain on what principle that occurs? — It is 
 the principle of expansion ; all bodies expand by heat ; air expands by heat. 
 
 123. Fire-damp and atmospheric air both expand by temperature increased; 
 why is the change likely to be a cause of danger in the mine ? — Supposing 
 you had a ventilation of 100,000 cubic feet of air per minute running through 
 your working, at a temperature of 60 degrees, and the external temperature 
 increased from GO to 70, and you still had 100,000 cubic feet of air per 
 minute running through the workings, that air, by the expansion which had 
 taken place in the increase of temperature, would be expanded at the rate 
 of two per cent., which would reduce the virtual quantity of air to 98,000 
 cubic feet, although you had the same number of cubic feet per minute 
 running through the workings. 98,000 cubic feet of air at a temperature of 
 60° w 7 ould neutralise as much fire-damp as 100,000 cubic feet of air at 70°. 
 
 124. Mr. Stephenson. ~] That is, assuming the velocity to remain the same ? 
 —Yes. 
 
 1 25. Mr. Caj/lei/.] Then the increase in the temperature diminishes the. amount 
 of the ventilation ? — Yes, as I have described ; and with increased external tem- 
 perature, if the ventilating power be rarefaction, as by the common furnace, 
 or if there be no ventilating power at all (as is too common), a further diminution 
 in the quantity of air circulating through the workings might be looked for, con- 
 sequent upon external temperature approximating to the temperature of the 
 rarefied column of the up-cast shaft, and thus lessen the balance of power 
 which gives motion to the whole current. 
 
 126. You have stated that in the spring time there is a tendency to an 
 increase in the number of accidents ? — I said there was a tendency to accidents ; 
 it is perhaps perceptible, but it is barely perceptible, if there is an increased 
 number. 
 
 127. Does 
 
8 MINUTES OF EVIDENCE TAKEN BEFORE THE 
 
 j. Dickinson, Esq. variations of temperature, and the difference between the wet and dry bulb of a 
 
 — thermometer, and the daily fall of rain. The first explosion, at Norley Hall 
 
 13 June 1853. colliery, took place when the barometer was rising ; the second took place when 
 the barometer was at its summit ; the third took place when the barometer was 
 rising. ( The Witness delivered in the same.) 
 
 118. As a general rule, is it not the weight of the atmospheric air, which is 
 going down the gallery, which keeps the foul air back in the goaves r — As 
 I have stated, a fall of an inch in the barometer would make a difference of 
 between three and four per cent, in the quality of the air transmitted through 
 the workings. 
 
 119. If it is the weight of the atmospheric air which passes by the face of 
 these goaves which keeps back the foul air, if there is any alteration in the 
 weight of the air, would it not allow the foul air to escape from the goaves 
 naturally ? — The foul air, and any other gas, under a diminished pressure, would 
 become expanded in the same ratio as atmospheric air, and would consequently 
 be liberated into the ventilation. 
 
 120. It becomes explosive, unless the ventilation be sufficient to produce a 
 sufficient admixture of atmospheric air? — No doubt of it, unless the ventilation 
 is sufficient to render it non-explosive. 
 
 121. Chairman.] You were understood to state, that the great point in suc- 
 cessfully working the long work, is to have the gob so closely packed that no 
 foul air can escape from it ? — You cannot always do that ; but with a properly 
 ventilated colliery, the ventilation ought always to be such as to sweep away 
 any discharge of fire-damp from the goaves. The temperature of the atmos- 
 phere, which has not received the same attention in regard to its connexion 
 with explosions in coal mines, appears to have as important an effect on 
 explosions as atmospheric pressure. According to Brande, air dilates at the 
 rate of ~ ,h of the volume which it occupied at 32°. for every degree of Fahren- 
 heit's scale, and all other aeriform bodies expand in the same ratio. A varia- 
 tion of temperature, therefore, of only 10°, from 60° to 70°, would have the 
 effect of expanding the air, and of making a difference of about two per cent, 
 in the diluent quality of the air through the workings ; and if there be fire- 
 damp in the mines, either in goaves or other accumulations, and they be 
 increased in temperature, the fire-damp which they contained would also be 
 expanded in the same ratio, and the surplus would be discharged into the 
 working ; but a daily variation of 20° or more degrees are common, and they 
 would make a difference of five per cent, in the virtual quantity of air circulated 
 through the working. 
 
 122. Mr. Cai/leg.] Will you explain on what principle that occurs? — It is 
 the principle of expansion ; all bodies expand by heat ; air expands by heat. 
 
 123. Fire-damp and atmospheric air both expand by temperature increased; 
 why is the change likely to be a cause of danger in the mine ? — Supposing 
 you had a ventilation of 100,000 cubic feet of air per minute running through 
 your working, at a temperature of 60 degrees, and the external temperature 
 increased from 60 to 70, and you still had 100,000 cubic feet of air per 
 minute running through the workings, that air, by the expansion which had 
 taken place in the increase of temperature, would be expanded at the rate 
 of two per cent., which would reduce the virtual quantity of air to 98,000 
 cubic feet, although you had the same number of cubic feet per minute 
 running through the workings. 98,000 cubic feet of air at a temperature of 
 60° would neutralise as much fire-damp as 100,000 cubic feet of air at 70°. 
 
 124. Mr. Stephenson.'] That is, assuming the velocity to remain the same ? 
 —Yes. 
 
 125. Mr. Cayley.~\ Then the increase in the temperature diminishes the amount 
 of the ventilation ? — Yes, as I have described ; and with increased external tem- 
 perature, if the ventilating power be rarefaction, as by the common furnace, 
 or if there be no ventilating power at all (as is too common), a further diminution 
 in the quantity of air circulating through the workings might be looked for, con- 
 sequent upon external temperature approximating to the temperature of the 
 rarefied column of the up-cast shaft, and thus lessen the balance of power 
 which gives motion to the whole current. 
 
 120. You have stated that in the spring time there is a tendency to an 
 increase in the number of accidents ? — I said there was a tendency to accidents ; 
 it is perhaps perceptible, but it is barely perceptible, if there is an increased 
 number. 
 
 127. Does 
 
nxTxTTTHrua r\v winuMnu tatt^n BEFORE THE 
 
 it is pernaps percepuuie, uul n is uswcy ^iv^wviv,, « — 
 number. 
 
 127. 
 
SELECT COMMITTEE (MST ACCIDEOTS JN COAX MIKE S 
 
 [TofaM.Tage,9.] 
 
 SKETCH OF LONG WORK IN THE STEEP COAL SEAMS IN BELGIUM. 
 
 3T?1. 
 
 Plan of "Wbr kings in a S e am 18 inches thick and dipping 1 inl. 
 
 The fara of Work i s divided -into 12 small faces, each SO feefrin length, cod ucuh of which m One mans 
 jdace, of work The men, work horizontally, and the Coals am rolled down To Dte WaggtmHoad . 
 through ojoemngs iro tJie goo, called Chimneys . 
 
 M2 
 
 Section of Workings ma Seam dipping perpendicular. 
 
 The, juerpMuhcvilccr Seams are worked of f platforms recfh.no/ upon stays fioced, into the, sides 
 of Qiue, Seam,. The men,-work Twrvzontalfy on faces dbouutSy cords nigh ,d fJw Coals are drotyoed 
 
 down to Ike, Wagc/cn Roobd . 
 
 Old Wortoa&s 
 
 - - 
 
 rm | 
 
 GO BBS N G 
 
 ZJ t 
 
 •J8"! 
 
 l?r |jrli C O'B"BiiN'G' 
 
 fn^^c^- <*y( 6k~adf ^fain&t 
 • Jo -n t, d853 . 
 
 Day d Son, LiOx ^iX Tfu Quean 
 
 (423.1) 
 
SELECT COMMITTEE ON ACCIDENTS IN COAL MINES. y 
 
 • 127. Does the liability to that state of things apply equally to natural ven- J. Dickinson, Esq. 
 
 tilation, and to any artificial ventilation arising from rarefaction? — Undoubt- ~ — 
 
 v ^ — j j Line i q " o 1 
 
 edly ; the latter objection applies to all artificial ventilation arising from rare • 0 
 
 faction. It does not apply to mechanical ventilation. 
 
 . 128. Mr. Locke .] If the volume of air passing through the mine remained 
 the same, would your objection still be applicable ? — Yes, as regards expansion ; 
 but I was speaking of the effect which it would have upon the approximation 
 of external temperature to that of the rarefied column in an up-cast shaft. 
 
 1 29. Chairman.] Can you, by the next meeting of the Committee, prepare 
 a drawing of the system of long work as practised in Belgium ? — Yes. 
 
 130. Mr. Locke.] Will all the evidence you have given this morning on the 
 question of long work be applicable to the diagram you are going to furnish 
 to the Committee ? — I will endeavour to make the drawing apply to it all. 
 
 131. What are the means of ventilating in Belgium ? — Mechanical appliances 
 are very common in Belgium, and they appear to be on the increase. In 1845 
 there were 35 ventilators at work, and in 1849 they had increased to 64, and 
 others have been erected since. The average steam power to each in 1849 was 
 nine horses. 
 
 132. Are there any other means ? — Yes; the furnace is sometimes resorted 
 to. A great number of mines in Belgium, France and Germany are carried on 
 by natural ventilation only. 
 
 133. Mr. Fitzroy^] Describe some of those mechanical processes to which 
 you refer r — There are seven different varieties. The first is that of Mr. Fabrey : 
 it is a mechanical arrangement, and has two shafts revolving in contrary direc- 
 tions, with three vanes fitted to each shaft, with the effect of isolating the 
 return air, and discharging it. The second is Mr. Letoret's, which is the 
 common fan. 
 
 134. Mr. Locke.'] For exhausting air? — Yes, they are all exhausters; to Mr. 
 Letoret's there are four arms ; the arms are not carried out at right angles to 
 the full distance ; at about half the diameter they are bent back at an angle of 
 110°. The third is Mr. Pasquet's ; it is on the principle of the revolving 
 chimney top ; it has hitherto been made with three vanes, but a large one is 
 being now constructed with six vanes. Mr. Pasquet has also a ventilator similar 
 to Mr. Fabrey's. The fourth is Mr. Lessoine's, which is similar to Mr. Pas- 
 quet's, but has more vanes. The fifth is Mr. Motte's, on the principle of the 
 Archimedean screw. The sixth is the piston ; this is similar to Mr. Struve's, in 
 this country. 
 
 135. Mr. Sturve's drawing was before the Committee of 1849?— Y r es ; the 
 piston differs from Mr. Struve's in being single-acting, and in having the valves 
 horizontal instead of nearly vertical. Mr. Struve's also works in water, which 
 prevents leakage. A ventilator of this kind has been at work near Liege 
 for 18 years, without a break down. 
 
 136. Mr. Cayky.] Do you mean without any failure in the machinery? — 
 Without any important failure. The seventh is Mr. Lamieile's; this is a new 
 ventilator ; there is only one of the kind at work. It consists of a revolving- 
 hexagonal cylinder, the sides of which are opened and shut by an excentric, and 
 by which means the air is isolated and thrown out. 
 
 137. Are any of these like Byram's? — Mr. Pasquet's and Mr. Lessoine's are 
 similar in construction to Byram's. 
 
 138. Those are on the principle of the windmill? — Yes; and Mr. Nasmith's 
 fan resembles Mr. Letoret's, with the exception of the angle in the vanes, and it 
 is apparently not so good as the original. 
 
 139. Chairman.] Which of these ventilators is considered the best in 
 Belgium ? — Mr. Fabrey's. 
 
 1 40. Is that most commonly used ? — Yes. 
 
 141. Do you agree that Mr. Fabrey's is the best ? — Yes ; I think Mr. 
 Fabrey's is the best. None of these ventilators appear to be adequate to give 
 what would be considered a large amount of ventilation in this country. The 
 average amount of ventilation they are giving, is about 20,000 cubic feet of 
 air per minute; and in few, if any, cases do they reach 40,000. 1 have a list of 
 experiments which have been made in certain mines. 
 
 [The Witness delivjred in the List, which is as follows :] 
 
 O.76. 
 
 B 
 
 BELGIUM. — 
 
MINUTES OF EVIDENCE TAKEN BEFORE THE 
 
 BELGIUM.— COAL MINES. 
 
 EXPERIMENTS with Ven tilating Machines. (The Volumes of Air were measured by Powder Smoke.) 
 
 NAME 
 
 
 NAME 
 of the 
 
 
 REVOLUTIONS 
 per Minute. 
 
 Water 
 
 Cubic Feet 
 
 of Air 
 extracted 
 per Minute. 
 
 DIMENSIONS 
 of 
 
 VENTILATOR. 
 
 of the 
 VENTILATOR. 
 
 COLLIERY 
 
 where the 
 Experiment was made. 
 
 
 Strokes 
 
 of 
 Steam 
 Engine. 
 
 Revolutions 
 of 
 
 Ventilator. 
 
 Gauge, 
 in Inches. 
 
 Diameter 
 across the 
 Fans, 
 in Feet 
 and Inches. 
 
 Breadth, 
 in 
 Feet 
 and Inches. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Ft. In. 
 
 Ft. In. 
 
 Mr. Fabrey's - 
 
 1 
 
 - - Grand Puisson atf 
 Hornu 
 
 Maximum 
 Minimum 
 
 
 30 
 
 '23 
 
 2-16 
 1-02 
 
 21,213 
 1 1,655 
 
 — 
 
 — 
 
 Ditto 
 
 o 
 
 - - Bonne Esperance f 
 at Montegnies - -\ 
 
 Maximum 
 Minimum 
 
 44 
 30 
 
 - ■ 
 
 2-36 
 1M0 
 
 20,157 
 17,271 
 
 — 
 
 — 
 
 Ditto 
 
 3 
 
 Gouffre - - - 
 
 Maximum 
 
 39 
 
 31 
 
 1-65 
 
 17,165 
 
 — 
 
 — 
 
 Mr. Letoret's - 
 
 4 
 
 - - Capatout, No. 8,f 
 Belle Vue - -1 
 
 Maximum 
 
 l\\ 1 1"> i m 1 1 m _ 
 
 iTJ. Ill 1 111 LI III 
 
 70 
 
 30 
 
 210 
 90 
 
 1-77 
 
 a on 
 u oy 
 
 27,125 
 
 }■ y io 
 j 
 
 4 11 
 
 Ditto 
 
 5 
 
 - - (-rmffflp Vpinp f 
 
 Y J '( illi' t C111C 1 
 
 d'Elouges - 
 
 IVl fi v i m 1 1 m — 
 
 1» 1 <l A J IJ 1 U 11 1 
 
 Minimum 
 
 CO 
 30 
 
 240 
 120 
 
 Z J D 
 
 0-90 
 
 1 C\ A A ~\ 
 
 19,441 
 10,939 
 
 j. q o 
 
 3 10 
 
 Ditto 
 
 6 
 
 - - Escouffiau, No. 1,1 
 at Hornu - -J 
 
 Maximum 
 
 75 
 
 337| 
 
 1-77 
 
 16,741 
 
 6 6 
 
 3 3 
 
 Ditto 
 
 7 
 
 Long-terne - -| 
 
 Maximum 
 Minimum 
 
 87| 
 45 
 
 325 
 168| 
 
 1-81 
 1-37 
 
 10,939 
 8,476 
 
 }s. 
 
 3 3 
 
 Ditto 
 
 8 
 
 Agrappe, No. 2 
 
 Maximum 
 
 70 
 
 200 
 
 1-37 
 
 38,145 
 
 9 10 
 
 4 11 
 
 Ditto 
 
 9 
 
 St. Antoine, Nord - / 
 
 Maximum 
 Ordinary 
 
 65 
 43 
 
 217 
 143 
 
 2-36 
 1-18 
 
 23,946 
 20,026 
 
 | 9 10 
 
 4 11 
 
 Ditto 
 
 10 
 
 Vidette, Nord - 
 
 Maximum 
 
 38 
 
 152 
 
 1-53 
 
 16,618 
 
 9 10 
 
 4 11 
 
 Ditto 
 
 11 
 
 Sentinelle, Nord 
 
 Maximum 
 
 41 
 
 164 
 
 1-47 
 
 21,685 
 
 9 10 
 
 4 11 
 
 Mr. Fabrey's - 
 
 12 
 
 Enbas - 
 
 IVlaximum 
 
 21 
 
 21 
 
 1-47 
 
 23,692 
 
 6 6 
 
 9 10 
 
 No. 9. — The pits are 209 yards deep. Two seams are being worked. The air is in three splits, 1,200 yards each; 
 airway, 28 feet area; downcast pit, 26 feet area; upcast pit, 58 feet area. 
 
 No. 10.— Pits 298 yards deep. One current, 2,500 yards long. Downcast, 58 feet area ; upcast, 53 square feet; 
 area of airway, 26 feet. 
 
 No. 11. — Pits 360 yards deep. One current, 1,330 yards long. Downcast, 55 feet area; upcast, 44 feet. 
 
 No. 12. — Pits 283 yards deep. Five currents; 1st, 1,100 yards; 2d, 450 yards ; 3d, 450 yards; 4th, 1,200 yards; 
 oth, 1,200 yards. Two downcasts, 95 feet area ; one upcast, 74 feet area. 
 
 Taking the maximum results of the experiments with Nos. 9, 10, 11 and 12 ventilators, which were worked by steam- 
 engines of 12, 15, 15 and 18 horses power, the quantity of air obtained by each machine was at the rate of 21,485 cubic 
 feet per minute ; and allowing 12 lbs. of coals per horse-power per hour, 7 .162 cubic feet of air was obtained per lb. of 
 coals consumed in the boiler fires. 
 
 COST of Nos. 9, 10, 11 and 12 Ventilators, together with the Steam Engines and Erections, 
 
 No. 
 
 Horse Power 
 of 
 
 Steam Engine. 
 
 ENGINE 
 and 
 
 VENTILATOR. 
 
 BOILERS. 
 
 ACCESSORIES. 
 
 BUILDINGS. 
 
 TOTAL COST. 
 
 
 
 £. s. d. 
 
 £. s. d. 
 
 £. s. d. 
 
 £. s. d. 
 
 £. s. d. 
 
 9 
 
 12 
 
 152 - - 
 
 146 - - 
 
 16 - - 
 
 188 - - 
 
 502 - - 
 
 10 
 
 15 
 
 190 - - 
 
 147 - - 
 
 
 168 - - 
 
 505 - -r 
 
 11 
 
 15 
 
 190 - - 
 
 148 - - 
 
 
 155 - - 
 
 493 - - 
 
 12 
 
 18 
 
 364 - - 
 
 147 - - 
 
 
 180 - - 
 
 691 - - 
 
 142. Do 
 
SELECT COMMITTEE ON ACCIDENTS IN COAL MINES. 11 
 
 142. Do you think either of them is as good as Mr. Struve's, as a mechanical j. Dickinson, Eso 
 
 apparatus ? — Perhaps, if there is a line to be drawn, I should be disposed to - 
 
 think Mr. Struve's plan preferable to any of them. 73 June 1853. 
 
 143. Do you mean with reference to cost? — With reference to economical 
 working. 
 
 144. What is the depth of the shaft in the Belgian mines? — Many of them 
 are very deep ; they are upwards of 500 yards deep. 
 
 145. Mr. Locke.] To what extent do they work from the shaft? — In many 
 cases nearly a mile. As a general rule, they are much shorter, with a number 
 of levels at work in different seams. 
 
 146. Is that the description of mine where they only supply 20,000 cubic 
 feet? — That is the whole amount of the ventilation for the whole working of a 
 mine of that kind. 
 
 147. Can you state the number of men who are generally employed in a mine 
 of that description in Belgium ? — About 250. 
 
 148. Chairman. ~\ Do you consider that this mechanical system of ventilation 
 is a satisfactory system, and is it such a system as you would recommend to be 
 adopted in this country ? — No ; I am not an advocate of it. 
 
 149. Will you state your reasons for that opinion ?■— It is not generally so 
 steady in its action as the furnace ; with a furnace at work you are not liable 
 to very sudden interruption, which is a very important objection. 
 
 150. Can you furnish some information to the Committee as to the cost of 
 putting up these machines ; does it vary from 500 /. to 700 1.1 — Yes. 
 
 151. Is there a large quantity of fire-damp in Belgian coal mines? — Asa 
 general rule, there is not a large quantity of fire-damp in any of the Continental 
 mines. There is most at Liege ; and it appears to decrease westward, until in 
 the same basin, at Valenciennes, in France, in mines 500 yards deep there is 
 scarcely any. 
 
 152. Should you rank the most fiery mines of Belgium with the moderately 
 fiery ones of this country ?— I should rank the most fiery mines of the Con- 
 tinent with the moderately fiery mines of this country, from personal observation, 
 and from all I could learn with reference to the amount of fire-damp. 
 
 153. You would not compare them with the fiery mines of the North of 
 England? — They do not appear to yield as much fire-damp. 
 
 ] 54. Is the furnace used at all in Belgium ? — Yes, to some extent. 
 
 155. Is the system of steam jet used in Belgium ? — No ; there is an opinion 
 that steam jet is not a sufficient ventilating power. 
 
 156. Do they admit the furnace in mines where fire-damp is found? — No; 
 it is inadmissible in mines which are called fire-damp mines. 
 
 157. When you say " inadmissible," do you mean that the inspectors do not 
 allow it ? — It is inadmissible by law, unless fed by a scale of fresh air ; and the 
 amount of fresh air which is supplied to the furnace in Belgium is generally 
 very small, and the temperature of the up-cast shaft is disproportionately low, 
 and the amount of air passing through the working is small accordingly. 
 
 158. You mean to say that there is not enough air passing over the furnace 
 to create a brisk circulation of air, and make the furnace burn sufficiently 
 strong ? — There is not. I think that if they gave the furnace a larger amount o 
 fresh air, they would increase the combustion of coal; they would raise the 
 temperature of the up-cast, and materially increase the quantity of air circulating 
 through the workings. 
 
 159. Do they build high chimnies in Belgium ? — They do. 
 
 1 60. Where do they put them ? — They build them at the top of the up-cast 
 shaft, for the purpose of assisting the furnace, or for the purpose of carrying 
 on the mine by natural ventilation. Some of those chimnies near Liege are 
 220 feet high by 9 feet diameter, diameter inside. 
 
 161. Mr. H. Vivia)i.~\ Have you taken the temperature of any of the up-cast 
 shafts in Belgium ?-- -We did not ; but in going down them it is very easy to 
 ascertain whether it is a high temperature or a low temperature. 
 
 16*2. Did you go down without the slightest inconvenience ? — Yes. 
 
 163. Are they devoted entirely to the up-cast, or do they draw through 
 them ? — They sometimes draw through them. 
 
 164. Generally ? — Generally speaking, they have a separate shaft for the up- 
 cast. 
 
 0.76. b 2 165. Are 
 
12 
 
 MINUTES OF EVIDENCE TAKEN BEFORE THE 
 
 J. Dickinson, Esq. 1 65. Are they bricked shafts? — No; the Belgian pits are even worse 
 secured than our own. 
 
 13 June 1853. 166. You are aware that the efficiency of a furnace depends a good deal 
 upon the state of the shaft ? — Yes. 
 
 167. If a shaft is not bricked you cannot raise the temperature so much as 
 you can if the shaft is bricked ; and consequently, you may state, as a general 
 rule, that a furnace not working into a bricked shaft is not in a condition to 
 produce the best effect ? — There is no doubt that an up-cast shaft is better for 
 being bricked up from top to bottom ; I think that all shafts should be bricked 
 up from top to bottom. It is not common, either in Belgium or in France, or 
 Prussia. In all the collieries that we visited, we only met with one colliery (and 
 that was a very large one, and managed in a superior manner) where the shafts 
 were bricked throughout. 
 
 it)8. Chairman.'] Where was that ? — At Mariemont. 
 
 169. Do you confine that observation to the up -cast shaft ? — It applies to all 
 the pits. 
 
 170. Mr. H. Vivian.~\ Then it may be assumed that the furnace, as applied 
 in Belgium, is not well applied ? — It is not applied in the efficient manner in 
 wnir.h it is applied in this country. 
 
 171. W hat is the highest amount of ventilation that you have seen obtained 
 by the furnace in Belgium ? — I have stated that it is very small. I do not 
 know that we saw any case where the furnace ventilation exceeded 20,000 
 cubic feet per minute. 
 
 172. And the diameter of the shaft?— Some of the old up-cast shafts are 
 very small in Belgium. I have stated the size of several of the shafts in the 
 table which I have put in. 
 
 175. Then, as a whole, the system of ventilation by furnace is very imper- 
 fectly carried out in Belgium ; the shafts not being bricked, and being small in 
 diameter? — Yes, and owing to the other causes which I have stated. 
 
 174. Mr. Cayleij.] Can you account for their having applied themselves to 
 mechanical power, rather than to the furnace ? — The principal object is to avoid 
 explosions at the furnace. 
 
 175. Did they pursue the furnace system before they applied the mechanical 
 system? — I do not know whether they did or not ; but an immense quantity 
 of ventilation, on the Continent, is carried on by natural ventilation. 
 
 176. Mr. Mtzroy!] What do you call "natural ventilation?" — Where no 
 ventilating power is applied. 
 
 177. Mr. Cay ley.] Did you make any inquiry as to the extent to which the 
 furnace system had been tried in Belgium ? — Yes ; we made a general inquiry 
 as to the mode of carrying on the mines, both by mechanical means and by 
 furnace. 
 
 178. Have you any well- ascertained experiments as to the comparison be- 
 tween the furnace system and Mr. Fabrey's fan ? — There is no case where the 
 furnace is at work at the same time as Mr. Fabrey's ventilator. 
 
 1 70. Have they ever tried one first and the other afterwards ? — There are 
 cases where these mechanical appliances are at work occasionally, and where 
 the top of the shaft is thrown open, and the mine carried on by natural venti- 
 lation, the mechanical appliances being stopped. 
 
 1 80. Has the furnace been tried first, and then the mechanical system ; and 
 can you state which produced the greatest amount of ventilation ? — If any ex- 
 periments of the kind have been made, I have not obtained them. 
 
 181. Is it at the Government instigation that these mechanical means are 
 used ? — 1 am not aware that there is any law to compel them to resort to any 
 particular system of ventilation ; but, in the police of mines, it is necessary to 
 have some current of air in all parts of the working, and that every part of the 
 working shall be well ventilated, and not in an explosive state ; if any part of 
 the mine becomes explosive, or if gas is apparent on the flame of the lamp, 
 the workmen must retire. 
 
 182. Does the police act under the inspectors ?— Yes ; the inspectors carry 
 out the Police Act, which is a part of the code of mining laws. 
 
 1 83. Are there any instruments in the mine to test whether there is a sufficient 
 amount of ventilation going on? — Nothing of the kind; indeed instruments 
 seem to be very little used in any of the continental mines ; we saw two of 
 Mr. Combe's anemometers. 
 
 184. Do 
 
SELECT COMMITTEE ON ACCIDENTS IN COAL MINES. 13 
 
 i 84. Do they insist on any particular rate of current going on through the J. Dickinson, Esq. 
 mine ? — No ; there is no such regulation. 
 
 l 85. What test of safety do they apply ? — The only test of safety is, as I have 13 June 1853. 
 described, that the mine must be well ventilated in all its parts ; it must not be 
 explosive ; and if the flame indicates the presence of gas without being explo- 
 sive, the workmen must retire. In cases of very great danger, I think they are 
 bound to report it to the inspectors, 
 
 186. Mr. Fitzroy.] Is the proprietor of the mine responsible for the safety of 
 his men r — Certainly. 
 
 187. Are there any regulations laid down by the Government inspectors 
 for the purpose of introducing any particular system ? — No ; I am not aware 
 of any law. 
 
 188. Mr. Locked] Nor any stipulation for the use of the furnace, or fan, or 
 jet, or anything else ? — No. 
 
 1 89. Is the actual state of the mine the index by which the inspector would 
 judge of the necessity for any change of system ? — It is. 
 
 190. Mr. Fitzroy.] Are there no regulations whatever laid down by the 
 Government inspectors ? — There are certain regulations ; for instance, one is 
 with regard to the furnace. If admitted into a mine which gives off fire -damp, 
 it must be fed with fresh air exclusively. 
 
 1-9.1. Mr. Locke.'] Is that so ? — In all the furnaces that I saw it was so. 
 
 102. Mr. Fttzroi/.~] Is there any penalty for the infraction of the regulations ? 
 — A book is kept at each mine, in which an inspector on visiting the mine, 
 and finding danger, writes it down, and directs attention to the danger ; and 
 in the event of his recommendation not being carried out a punishment is 
 awarded, according to a scale which is laid down. 
 
 ] 93. Is the control which is exercised by the Government inspectors in 
 Belgium, more stringent than that which is exercised by the Government 
 inspectors in this country ?■ — Much more. 
 
 1 94. Are their powers more extensive r — They are. 
 
 195. In what way? — They can enforce the use of the safety-lamp in the 
 Belgian mines, which we cannot do here. There are only four lamps which 
 were approved of by the Belgian Government. Any current of air which may 
 have become mixed with fire-damp must continue to ascend until it reaches 
 the out-cast shaft. It is an essential principle of ventilation, in Belgium, and 
 no departure from it can be allowed, unless it is formally sanctioned by the 
 inspectors ; a consent which is seldom given. Restrictions of that kind are in 
 force in the Belgian mines. 
 
 196. Have the Government inspectors power to stop the working of any ill- 
 ventilated or dangerous mine? — When they find any danger, as I have said, 
 they make a note of it in a book, which is kept for that purpose at the col- 
 liery ; and in the event of their notice of its being disregarded, and an acci- 
 dent ensuing, and life being lost, a degree of punishment is awarded for that 
 neglect. When the danger is imminent they can order the men out. 
 
 197. Can they stop the working of the mine ? — Yes. 
 
 1 98. Under what penalties are these regulations enforced ? — There is a scale 
 of penalties, but I am not prepared to state them. 
 
 1 99. Pecuniary ? — Both pecuniary and otherwise. 
 
 200. Do the proprietors become liable, in any case, for the maintenance 
 of the families of workmen who are injured in the mines ? — I am not aware 
 of it. 
 
 201. Mr. Cat/ley.} In Belgium, are they very strict as to the size of the air 
 courses ? — The size of the air courses is not defined. The only regulation with 
 regard to the air courses is, that the gobbing must be packed as tightly as 
 possible, and the air-ways must be accessible in all parts, and must be travelled 
 at certain intervals of time, which are specified. 
 
 202. Then there are no other means of testing the safety or danger of the 
 mine, except the length of the flame in a safety-lamp ? — That is the plan 
 adopted. 
 
 203. Have you ever heard of Chuard's gasescope ? — I have heard of it. 
 
 204. Are you aware whether it is of value ? — 1 am not. 
 
 205. Mr. hi. Vivian.'] Is the lamp a very accurate test ? — Yes. 
 
 206. Mr. Cuyky.] Are the lamps first used by the overmen at the commence- 
 ment of each day, or at particular periods of the day, to test by the lamp the 
 
 0.76. b 3 state 
 
14 
 
 MINUTES OF EVIDENCE TAKEN BEFORE THE 
 
 J. Dickinson, Esq. state of the air in the mine ? — There is a fireman, as in this country, who 
 
 must examine every working place before the men enter in the morning ; in 
 
 i ; 3 June 1853. fire-damp mines only safety-lamps are admitted. 
 
 207. That is compulsory? — Yes; and if powder is permitted to be used in 
 a fire-damp mine, the shot? must be fired by an experienced person, appointed 
 for that purpose ; the men who fire the shots are like the firemen in this 
 country ; on no account must the mine be left without one of these firemen or 
 overmen being in the mine during the time the men are at work ; it is also a 
 part of their duty to report breaches of discipline to the manager of the colliery. 
 
 208. Mr. Child.] in point of fact, there is a Government inspector ? — He 
 belongs to the colliery. 
 
 209. Chairman.] 'Ihe inspector has two duties, one with reference to the 
 safety of the mine, and another as collector of the tax for the Government ; is 
 that so ?— Yes. 
 
 210. Mr. Cay ley.] How often do the inspectors visit the mine ? — It depends 
 very much upon circumstances ; some mines they visit oftener than others. 
 
 211. Chairman] You have been asked whether any experiments had been 
 tried as to the furnace, and what was the reason of the failure of the furnace, 
 and j^ou were understood to state that the furnaces were improperly worked, 
 inasmuch as there was not sufficient atmospheric air passed over the furnace ; 
 is that so ? — Yes. 
 
 212. If any experiments had been tried with furnaces and mechanical venti- 
 lation, those improvements would have been in vain, because the power of the 
 furnace would not be brought out ? — Exactly so. 
 
 213. Do you conceive there would be any danger in carrying more fresh air 
 over the furnace, provided the same quantity of foul air were brought over the 
 furnace with it ? — In this country we generally consider it safe to work the 
 return air over the furnace ; and the furnace works most economically when all 
 the return air is worked over it. 
 
 214. Mr. H. Vivian.] In many instances, wh^re the returns are very much 
 loaded, you have a dumb drift? — In mines where there is any chance of the 
 return air being highly loaded with gas, or where the mine is liable to sudden 
 eruptions of gas, the proper way is to have the dumb drift ; but it is only in 
 exceptional cases where dumb drifts are to be met with. 
 
 2 1 5. In that case, is all danger from the furnace avoided ? — It is. 
 
 216. Mr. Child.] What is the longest level you saw in Belgium? — A mile 
 from the shaft. 
 
 217. Was that an explosive mine? — 1 think there was a little fire-damp 
 in it. 
 
 218. Was it adequately ventilated by means of mechanical power ?— It would 
 be considered adequately ventilated in Belgium ; but in this country we should 
 give it a much larger supply of air. 
 
 219. Mr. Cat/ley.] Y r ou have stated that, in Belgium, the steam jet has not 
 been favourably received ? — It has not been approved of. 
 
 220. Has that arisen from trial or from prejudice? — Experiments have been 
 made with it, and it has been condemned for some time in Belgium. 
 
 221 . Have you reason to believe that it was properly tried, or that it was tried 
 by those who "understood it? — I should think that, with such a number of 
 scientific men as the Belgian mining engineers, it is scarcely to be supposed 
 that they would come to a unanimous opinion upon the point without a fair trial. 
 
 222. Do you know of any particular instance in which it was tried, and under 
 what auspices ? — There were some experiments tried ; and I think Mr. 
 Mackworth will put them in. 
 
 223. Notwithstanding the scientific attainments of the mining engineers in 
 Belgium, you have stated that they have not tried the furnace system properly ? 
 — In my opinion the furnace is not carried out so well as it is carried out in this 
 country. 
 
 224. Chairman.] With regard to inspection : will you describe the system of 
 inspection, and the number of inspectors, in Belgium ? — In Belgium there is 
 one inspector-general at Brussels, three engineers-in chief (only two of whom 
 are at present on duty), 10 sub-inspectors, and 40 aspirant engineers; this is 
 for the coal and other mines, and for the manufactories of raw materials ; 
 there being other inspectors for the railways. The engineers and sub-engineers 
 are selected as experienced men ; the aspirants are scientific men, and must 
 
SELECT COMMITTEE ON ACCIDENTS IN COAL MINES. j| 
 
 be 23 years of age, and must have previously studied two years at a preparatory /• Dickinson, Esq. 
 school, and three years at college, with occasional visits to the mines ; the sub- 
 engineers are sometimes elected from the aspirants, but not always. 13 June 1853. 
 
 225. Mr. Fitzroy.~] How many sub-engineers are there? — There are 10 sub- 
 engineers ; I called them sub-inspectors, which is the same thing. 
 
 226. Mr. Cayley.] There are 54 of them altogether? — Yes, 
 
 227. Chairman.'] Are the 40 aspirants paid? — Yes. 
 
 228. Mr. Fitzroy.] Is it their duty to inspect mines, and to report upon 
 them ? — The duty of the aspirant engineers is to inspect the mines, and to 
 report to the officers above them. 
 
 229. In point of fact, to carry out the police of the mine? — Yes. 
 
 230. Chairman ] The aspirant engineers do not always become sub-inspectors, 
 but very often become managers of mines, and take any other employment 
 they think fit ? — That is so. 
 
 231. .Mr. Fitzroy.] What are the duties of the three engineers-in-chief r — 
 They visit mines occasionally, and see to the working of the corps over 
 which they preside. The aspirant engineers' duty is to be constantly visiting 
 mines; the sub engineers, above them, visit mines when their attention is 
 directed to any danger which the aspirant engineers think is capable of being 
 removed ; and if anything particular takes place, one of the engineers-in- 
 chief is called in. They have also to make up the statistics of the number of 
 accidents which take place in the districts ; and they have also to check and 
 verify the plans of the colliery, and to look after the per-centage which is pay- 
 able to the government ; a duty which is performed in this country by the 
 check-viewers, who are employed and paid by the lessors. 
 
 2 i2. Are the Committee to understand, that in point of fact the inspection 
 of the mines is performed chiefly by the aspirants, and that the sub-inspectors 
 only visit the mines when representations are made of some danger being likely 
 to happen ? — I think they direct their attention, first, to a point which has been 
 drawn to their attention ; but I believe it is a part of their duty to visit the 
 wines also. 
 
 233. What other duties do the sub-inspectors perform, besides that of 
 inspecting any particular mine to which their attention is drawn by the 
 aspirants ? — They perforin the very important duty of looking after the per- 
 centage on the profits of the colliery, which is payable to the Government. 
 In Belgium, 2 \ per cent, of the profits is payable to the Government. 
 
 234. Chairman.] In every case ? — Yes. 
 
 23.5. Mr. Fitzroy] Then in the event of any danger being likely to arise in 
 a mine, is it necessary that the aspirant should report to the sub-inspector, 
 and the sub -inspector to the superior authority, before any steps are taken to 
 check the danger ? — An aspirant engineer can only act according to the instruc- 
 tions which he has received from the administration. 
 
 236. He can only report ? — In case of any great danger, I believe he has 
 the power of stopping the mine. 
 
 237. Then, in point of fact, he is the judge of the danger, and of the neces- 
 sity of taking immediate steps ? — Yes. 
 
 238. in point of fact, the aspirant fulfils all the duties which now devolve 
 upon a mine inspector in England? — With this difference, that he has superior 
 officers who have had experience in the mines to consult, and we have no 
 superior officer, except the Secretary of State ; we must act on our own judg- 
 ment in such matters in all cases. 
 
 239. Is the duty of the aspirant only to represent danger, or to take measures 
 to avert danger ? — Partly to avert danger, and also to look after the interest of 
 the Government, which is tantamount to a lessor of coal in this country. It is 
 the duty of all the corps to look after the interest of the Government. 
 
 240. Can the aspirant act independently to preserve the safety of the mines ? 
 — I think he can; I)ut no doubt, in a critical case, he would immediately 
 consult his superior ; he might, in a case of urgent danger, stop the mine ; but 
 such a thing very rarely happens, and it is almost unknown for a mine to be 
 stopped. 
 
 241. You have stated, in a former part of your evidence, that mines are 
 stopped in cases of danger; upon whom would that duty fall? — In the first 
 place, upon the aspirant engineer ; no doubt he would consult his superior 
 officer ; and the superior officer would visit the mine as early as possible. 
 
 0.76. b 4 242. Chairman.] 
 
i6 
 
 MINUTES OF EVIDENCE TAKEN BEFORE THE 
 
 J. Dickimon, Esq. 242. Chairman.'] Have the inspectors in England that power? — We have no 
 such power. 
 
 13 June 185:5. jyj r> £oc/?e.] Will you turn to the rules of the police in Belgium, and 
 
 state what is the power which the aspirants have of stopping the mine ? —Mr. 
 Mackworth and myself have arranged the evidence between us, and we have an 
 interpretation of the police rules, which Mr. Mackworth will give in his evidence. 
 
 244. Chairman.'] You say that the Government receives 2| per cent, of the 
 profits. Of course the profits would depend very much upon the success of 
 the undertaking, and the success of the undertaking would depend very much 
 upon whether the mine was worked properly or improperly. Is it the duty of 
 any of these officers to see that the mine is worked in a proper way, so that the 
 Government are not damnified by improper working ? — It is an important part 
 of their duty, in addition to looking after the safety and health of the workmen, 
 to look after the interest of the Government. 
 
 245. If, therefore, a mine was worked in such a way that the Government 
 received less profit than they ought to receive, and had the opportunity of 
 stopping the mine and getting it worked in a proper manner, is that a part of 
 their duty ? — I do not know that it is put forward as a part of their duty, but 
 practically they have an interest in seeing the mine properly worked. 
 
 246. Mr. F>tzroy.~] What is the duty of the three engineers-in-chief ? —They 
 go down the mines occasionally ; some of the engineers take the charge of 
 iron-works and other manufactories as well as of coal mines ; one of the 
 engineers at Liege, Mr. Gernaert, looks after the interest of the Government 
 in the management of the Seraing Jron-works. 
 
 247. Mr. Locke.] Do you know of an instance in which the extreme step of 
 stopping a mine has been taken, without special reference having been made to 
 the engineer-in-chief ? — I do not know of any case where a mine has been 
 stopped : if such cases have occurred they are very rare. 
 
 24$. Do you think, from youv knowledge of the management of the mining 
 system in Belgium, that if such a course were decided upon it would be decided 
 on without the consent of the engineer-in-chief '? — I think that before an aspi- 
 rant engineer, who is generally young anfl. although of great scientific attain- 
 ments, they arc not always experienced colliers ; before they would take such 
 a step as to stop the working of a mine, I think he would point out the danger, 
 and request that the working of the mine should be stopped until the opinion 
 of his superior officer had been taken ; and, upon the superior oiiicer visiting 
 the mine, if he considered, with the aspirant engineer, that the danger was 
 imminent, and the proprietor of the mine thought that it was not imminent, 
 steps might then be taken, but not until the superior officer had been called in. 
 
 249. Mr. Fitsroy.~\ Has an aspirant engineer the power of stopping a miner 
 — I believe he has that power. 
 
 250. Of that you are certain ? — The duties of all the corps are laid down in 
 the code of mining laws, and as my time for visiting the mines was limited, I 
 devoted myself more to the practical part of the subject than to the laws which 
 may be read at any time. 
 
 251 . Mr. Cay ley.] With what particular object were you sent to Belgium ? — 
 The principal object was to ascertain the best system of ventilating mines, 
 there has been so much difference of opinion 011 the subject, and since the 
 appearance of the Report of the "last Committee 011 coal mines there has been 
 such a ferment created among the collieiy managers, that our object was to 
 ascertain the opinion of Belgian engineers ; also to ascertain, by actual inspec- 
 tion, whether they had any better system of ventilation than we have in this 
 country, and if so, to introduce it for the purpose of improving the manage- 
 ment of mines here ; and also to ascertain generally, whether on any other 
 points the mines were better managed than they are in this country, so that 
 improvements might be introduced here. 
 
 2", 2. Was not one of the principal objects with which you were sent, to 
 examine into the system of inspection of mines in Belgium and other coun- 
 tries r— It was no part of my instructions to inquire into the inspection. 
 
 253. Mr. Fitsroy.] Your instructions referred to the general management of 
 the mines ? — Yes ; the subject of inspection having been reported on by Mr. 
 Tremenheeve, who has given the general outlines of the system which is 
 adopted, it was only important to inquire into it so far as it bore upon the 
 practical operations of the mines. 
 
 254. Of 
 
SELECT COMMITTEE ON ACCIDENTS IN COAL MINES. 17 
 
 254. Of course the inspection of mines would form a very material part of J. Dickinson, Esq, 
 the management of mines ? — No doubt, 
 
 255. Chairman.'] Both going together, and having a great deal to do in a 13 June 1853. 
 short time, it was natural that you should have applied yourself to one branch 
 
 of the subject, and that Mr. Mackworth should have applied himself to 
 another ? —My attention was chiefly directed to the system which was adopted 
 of working and ventilating the mines, and to any management which tended 
 to preserve life. 
 
 256. Mr. Cayley.\ Is it to be understood, that in that division of labour 
 Mr. Mackworth attended more to the Government system of inspection, and 
 that you examined more into the system of ventilation ?— No. 
 
 257. With regard to the size of the districts; how large is the district of 
 each aspirant engineer ? — I may answer that question by adverting to the 
 quantity of coal which is raised, or to the number of persons who are 
 employed 
 
 258. How often do the aspirant engineers visit the mines? — In the best 
 managed collieries, where every precaution is taken by the managers, I believe 
 they do not visit them more than once a year, or more than once in two years, 
 or merely for the purpose of verifying the plans when a working is being 
 finished ; but mines which are considered unusually dangerous are visited very 
 frequently, I believe sometimes once a month. 
 
 259. Do the 40 aspirant engineers indiscriminately visit the mines, or is one 
 district assigned to one aspirant engineer, or to a given number of aspirant 
 engineers ? — A certain district is assigned. 
 
 260. What is the size of that district? — 1 can give the quantity of coal raised 
 in the whole of Belgium ; and you have the number of engineers. 
 
 261. How many mines does he superintend? — I cannot state the exact 
 number ; there is no given number. 
 
 262. Is the number of mines in Belgium very large? — No ; it is about one- 
 eighth part of the number we have in this country. 
 
 263. You state that in very fiery mines, the visits of the inspectors are on 
 an average monthly ?— Not in the very fiery mines, but in the badly managed 
 mines. In mines which are well managed, even although there be a large 
 quantity of fire-damp, the inspectors' visits are few and far between ; but in 
 mines which are badly managed, their visits are much more frequent. 
 
 264. Are the visits of the inspectors in Belgium more frequent than they are 
 in this country ? — Of course. 
 
 265. For what reason ? — There are only six inspectors for this country ; and 
 if we have eight times the number of collieries apportioned among six, of course 
 the visits must be very much fewer here. 
 
 206. How long would it take you to visit the whole of your district? — 
 Several years. 
 
 267. How many years ? — I do not think that I could visit each colliery under 
 four or five years. 
 
 268. You could not go through your district under four or five years? — I 
 do not think J could. 
 
 269. What salaries do the engineers receive in Belgium? — I cannot answer 
 the question. 
 
 270. Can you compare the sub-engineers to any class in this country ? — 
 They are men of good education, and are supposed to have had experience in 
 mines, and to understand the working of mines practically. 
 
 271. Where do the aspirant engineers reside? — In the districts which they 
 overlook. 
 
 272. Where do the sub-engineers reside ? — They reside also in the districts 
 which are assigned to them. 
 
 273. Where do the three engineers-in-chief reside ? — They reside also in the 
 districts which are assigned to them. 
 
 274. Then they are not a council of three, but they are three engineers-in- 
 chief, occupying three different districts ? — Yes. 
 
 275. What is the office of the inspector-general ? — He is a person who takes 
 charge of the general working of the corps. 
 
 276. He is a sort of Government Commissioner of Mines residing in the 
 metropolis ? — Yes ; and who rarely, if ever, goes into the mines ; but who is, 
 I believe, always an experienced man. 
 
 0.76. C 277. In 
 
i8 
 
 MINUTES OF EVIDENCE TAKEN BEFORE THE 
 
 J. Dickinson, Esq. 277. In what case is reference made to him ? — I think reference is very 
 
 * — — rarely made to him ; but either in an extremely critical case, or perhaps on the 
 
 13 June 1853. occasion of anything novel being introduced into the mine, he might go for 
 the purpose of seeing it. 
 
 278. Is he the medium of communication with the Government ? — Yes. 
 
 279. Chairman.'] Is there a book kept at each mine for the engineers to 
 write remarks in ? — Yes 
 
 280. If there is danger, do they so remark? — If there is any danger which 
 they think can be removed, they make a note of it in the book ; and if steps 
 are not taken to remove the danger, and an accident happens, the colliery 
 proprietors are made responsible, and they are fined or punished accordingly. 
 
 281 . Who levies the fine ? — -It is done through the magistrates. 
 
 282. Upon the information of the sub-inspectors, or of the engineers-in- 
 chief? — It depends on which of the inspectors have seen the danger. 
 
 283. Suppose it is an aspirant engineer? — He would give the evidence. 
 
 284. He would go before the magistrate and give information, and the fine 
 would be levied if his orders were not obeyed, and an accident took placer — 
 Yes. 
 
 285. Mr. FitzroyJ] Are you aware of a class of workmen who are charged with 
 the inspection of a mine, and have power to stop a mine in case of danger, and 
 whose duty it is to ascertain that a mine is safe before the workmen go in ? — 
 They are a class of men who are employed by the proprietors of the mines ; 
 they are similar to our overmen and firemen in this country ; they are not 
 paid by the Government. 
 
 286. The number of them is fixed by the inspector of mines according to 
 the extent of the works, the nature and abundance of the gases, and the. degree 
 of security which the system of ventilation provides ? — Yes. 
 
 287. Are they Government officers or not? — No. 
 
 288. Are they appointed by Government officers? — No. 
 
 •289. Mr. Cay ley.] Do they undergo any examination r — Yes, the Govern- 
 ment engineers have all to pass examinations ; if an aspirant engineer, on being 
 appointed an aspirant engineer, passes a very excellent examination, he may 
 be at once admitted a sub-engineer, without going through the degree of 
 aspirant engineer. 
 
 290. Do the aspirant engineers, or whoever has the control over the over- 
 men, insist with the proprietors of mines, that the overmen, on whom the 
 safety of the mine depends, shall pass an examination, or have any particular 
 qualification for their office ? — I do not know that they do. 
 
 291. Chairman.] The aspirants themselves must be of a certain age ?— Yes. 
 
 292. Mr. Cayley.] The object of my question is to ascertain whether the 
 Government so far interferes, that although it does not absolutely appoint the 
 overmen to watch over the safety of the men, yet it exacts that they shall be of any 
 particular class, or possess some particular qualifications ? — They must be 
 experienced men, and competent to carry on the work ; I do not know of any 
 examination, and I believe there is none. 
 
 293. Chairman.^ Are naked candles ever used in the mines in Belgium ? — 
 Yes ; in mines which do not contain fire-damp ; but in fire-damp mines lamps 
 are used exclusively. 
 
 294. How are they used in the waggon roads ? — In many of the mines the 
 waggon roads are lighted by lamps hung from the roof, as we sometimes find 
 in this country. 
 
 295. Mr. Locke.] What kind of lamps ?— Safety-lamps. 
 
 296. Chairman.'] Near the up-cast pit do they use naked candles? — No; 
 they are very careful to have no naked candles on the surface near the mouth 
 of the up-cast pit, and safety-lamps hung up in the engine-house, where a venti- 
 lator is at work. 
 
 297. Are there any descriptions of safety-lamps which are exclusively used ? 
 —There are only four lamps which are approved of by the Government; 
 namely, Davy's, Museleer's, lioty's, and Eloin's. 
 
 298. All those which are used are glass, except Davy's ? — Yes. 
 
 299. Which is most commonly used ? — The Museleer lamp is the lamp which 
 is commonly used. Very great confidence is placed in it in Belgium. 
 
 300. Do the glasses often break in those lamps t — It depends on circum- 
 stances. The proportion, as stated to us at some of the large collieries, where 
 
 there 
 
SELECT COMMITTEE ON ACCIDENTS IN COAL MINES. 19 
 
 there were between 300 and 400 lamps in use, was at the rate of one glass per J. Dickinson, Esq, 
 week for every 200 lamps in use. — 
 
 301. Mr. H. Vivian.] Would that be cracks of the glasses, or fractures? — *3 June 1853. 
 That is the proportion of new glasses required. 
 
 302. From a simple crack no danger could occur, and from an actual fracture 
 of a lamp danger might occur ? — It is better not to use cracked glasses, as flame 
 passes through a smaller hole in glass than in iron ; all the lamps which are 
 approved of, except Davy's, are self- extinguishing lamps, in Belgium ; so that 
 there is not a continual flame kept up in the inside of the lamp, which might 
 break the glass. . 
 
 303. Chairman.] Can you state the difference in the cost of these lamps ? — 
 Each mine generally makes its own lamps in Belgium. 
 
 304. The whole of the lamps ? — Yes; they are generally very rough as com- 
 pared with our lamps. This Davy lamp (pointing to a lamp on the table) would 
 not be considered a good lamp here ; it has no cap to it ; it has no ring at the 
 bottom to prevent the gauze from bulging out; it is sold at 3.?. 4d. The 
 Museleer lamp is sold at 5 s., and if it is made with copper wire, for dialling 
 with, it is sold at 7 s. 6d. The Eloin lamp is sold at 8 s, 4d. if it is made of 
 brass, and 5*. if it is made of iron. 
 
 305. What is the price of an ordinarily constructed Davy lamp in England ? 
 — About 5 s. 6d. for a good lamp. 
 
 306 Is there any difference in the weight of them ? — The Museleer is the 
 heaviest. 
 
 307. Is there any difference in the quantity of light ? — The Eloin lamp gives 
 the best light ; the supply of air all comes from the bottom, and it is thrown 
 upon the flame by an argand burner. 
 
 308. Which do the men prefer?— The Museleer is generally preferred. 
 The Lloin lamp is a new lamp, and we did not see it in use in any mine in 
 Belgium ; it was only recently introduced. 
 
 309. Mr. H. Vivian.] Is the expense an objection? — No; that does not 
 appear to be made an objection. The Museleer lamp is about the same price, 
 and it is in common use. 
 
 310. Chairman.] Do the proprietors of the mines provide the lamps r— Yes. 
 
 311. Mr. Cayley.] Are they compelled to keep them locked ? — Yes; the lamps 
 are always locked ; and they must not be opened in the mine, unless at the 
 bottom of the downcast pit, where there is a place set apart for the purpose. 
 
 312. Is it not the habit of the workmen in this country to unscrew the top 
 of the lamp and work with the flame ? — Sometimes ; but they can be punished 
 for doing so. 
 
 313. In this country ? --Yes. The magistrates do not appear to be unani- 
 mous in their opinion upon that point, for in some cases they convict and in 
 others they do not. At Wigan there is no difficulty in convicting the miners ; 
 they proceed under the 4th of George the 4th, chapter 34, section 3. 
 
 314. What is the method pursued in Belgium, to prevent that habit which 
 exists among the colliers in this country, of unscrewing the tops of their lamps 
 and burning the naked flame r — I know of no other precaution except locking 
 the lamps, and they are very strict in punishing. In fact, discipline is kept up 
 in the Belgium mines rather better than in our mines ; the men are in ex- 
 cellent discipline, and for a man to open a lamp, I think, is a thing hardly ever 
 heard of. 
 
 315. Do you attribute that better discipline to a better system of inspection ? 
 — 1 think it pervades the miners generally. 
 
 316. Are the men better educated ?— As a general ride, I think they are. 
 
 317. Are the overmen better educated? — No; I do not think they are a 
 better class of men than ours. 
 
 318. Chairman.] Do you think the men themselves are more sensible of the 
 danger of unscrewing their lamps in Belgium than they are in England ? — I 
 think they are ; some of our men in certain parts of England are very careful, 
 and would not on any account think of opening their lamps. Other men are 
 very reckless ; and unless they are well looked after they will do it. 
 
 319. Mr. Fitzroy.] What is the penalty in Belgium for opening a lamp r — it 
 is a thing which is almost unknown. An order is given that the lamps shall 
 not be opened, and the order which is given is carried out. They would be 
 taken before a magistrate, and punished for an infringement of the order. 
 
 0.7b. G 2 320. You 
 
20 
 
 MINUTES OF EVIDENCE TAKEN BEFORE THE 
 
 J. Dickinson, E*q. 320. You do not know of any penalty ?— I do not know of any specific penalty. 
 
 . _ 321. Mr. H. Vivian.} What penalty has been inflicted at Wigan r— Three 
 
 13 June 1853. months' imprisonment. 
 
 322. Mr. Cay ley. ~\ What is the object of the miners in this country in taking 
 off the top of the lamp ?— With a view of getting a better light, and sometimes 
 for the purpose of trimming the wick, and sometimes without any apparent 
 motive. 
 
 323. Does the gauze obstruct the light very much? — Yes. 
 
 324. Is it a fact that they generally work with the lamps behind them? — 
 Partly behind them, and partly at their side. 
 
 325. When they are working with the lamps behind them, they do not see 
 the flame lengthening, so as to indicate the presence of foul air ? — No. 
 
 326. Do you consider that the meshes are sufficient to prevent the flame 
 coming through ?— The large size of the mesh appears to be a weak point in 
 Eloin's lamp ; but being at the top of the chimney, nothing but consumed air 
 passes through it. I have never myself been able to pass gas through the gauze. 
 
 327. Is the Eloin lamp a lighter lamp for a miner than the Davy lamp? — 
 No ; it is rather heavier than the Davy. 
 
 328. Does it give more light? — Yes ; there is an argand burner applied to 
 the Eloin lamp, which draws the air on the flame, and creates a very perfect 
 combustion. 
 
 329. Would it not add much to the light which is given out from the Davy 
 lamp if it were made of polished wire gauze, instead of black iron wire ? — The 
 lamps are made of wire, which, on being brushed with a little Bath brick, or 
 ashes, become perfectly bright. Since the recommendation of the last Com- 
 mittee, I have ordered what are called reflecting lamps, and this is one of them 
 (pointing to a lamp on the table). The wire gauze is coated with tin, and 
 immediately on becoming exposed to an explosive atmosphere the tin melts 
 and runs down in globules. It becomes much discoloured, and the meshes of 
 the gauze get filled up with the globules of tin. It is by no means so good as 
 the ordinary wire. 
 
 330. Chairman.'] Supposing it be an advantage to have the wires polished 
 and perfectly bright, how long will they keep clean after being down the 
 mine ? — They must be brushed every night. 
 
 33 1 . Would they keep clean a whole day ? — In a dry mine, if you tap the 
 lamp the dust falls off. 
 
 332. There is no great quantity of smoke? — If the flame is too large the 
 smoke will blacken it ; but if the flame is kept small, you may avoid the 
 soot. 
 
 333. Mr. Cayley.} Does not the safety and sufficiency of the lamp depend 
 altogether upon its being kept clean ? — Yes. 
 
 334. What system is pursued in Belgium to ensure the cleaning of the 
 lamps ? — They are cleaned every night. There is a lamp-house at the door of 
 the pit, where the lamps are left as the men go out, the same as we have in 
 many of our best managed mines in this country. The lamps are cleaned, and 
 are given to the men as they go to work in the morning. 
 
 335. Mr. Fitzroy.] How many hours will a common Davy lamp burn ? — It is 
 always made to burn 12 hours, so that a man may not have an excuse for leaving 
 his work. 
 
 336. Mr. Cayley?] Will you describe the objection which you have stated 
 with regard to the melting of the reflector? — The coating of tin which is put 
 on the wire gauze melts. 
 
 337. Was not the proposition that they should be electro-plated with silver ? 
 — I ordered those lamps of one of the first makers in the country, Mr. Watson, 
 of Newcastle-on-Tyne ; and upon making an experiment with them, I found 
 that instead of possessing any advantage, as polished wire-gauze lamps, they 
 possessed the very great disadvantage which we are cautioned against by Sir 
 Humfrey Davy himself. 
 
 338. Would they have melted if they had been silver plated instead of tin 
 plated ? — I should think silver would melt. It would not melt at so low a tem- 
 perature as tin. If you pay proper attention to the wire gauze, and brush it 
 every night with a little Bath brick, or fine ashes, or a little chalk, or anything, 
 it will throw a polish on the wires and make them as bright as silver ; and in 
 some cases, where the gauze is properly brushed, you have it as bright as silver. 
 
 339. Chairman.] 
 
SELECT COMMITTEE ON ACCIDENTS IN COAL MINES. 21 
 
 339. Chairman.] You stated that you had not paid any attention to there- /. Dickinson, Esq. 
 commendation of the Committee as to coating them with silver ; and, therefore, ^ j g 
 you cannot state what the expense would be if they were coated with silver? — 13 n 1 53 ' 
 I cannot ; I ordered the polished wire gauze. 
 
 340. Mr. Caylcy.] If there is a constant habit, among miners in this country, 
 in order to obtain a better light, to unscrew the tops of their lamps, is it not a 
 matter of very great importance to have a lamp of some kind which will give 
 them that better light, without unscrewing the top ? — Yes ; it is very desirable. 
 
 341. Is it ;i fact, that in visiting the mines in your district, you found the 
 lamps in the polished state which you have described ? —In some cases ; but I 
 think, in the majority of cases, they are not properly brushed. 
 
 342. In point of facl, do the lamps now tend to absorb the light ? — A great 
 proportion. 
 
 343. If the silver-plated lamp would have the effect of reflecting a greater 
 light, it would not be liable to melt at the heat which is in the lamp ; would 
 not that be a desideratum? — I think the same object would be attained by 
 polishing the gauze ; it is necessary, I consider, to have the lamp clean to 
 ensure safety, and in cleaning the lamp you polish it, so that you attain the 
 same object at a cheaper rate. 
 
 344. In point of fact, practically, the lamp is not in that state of polish on 
 the average ? — That is, where the lamps are not clean. 
 
 345. You stated that practically lamps were not in that polished state in which 
 you think they should be in order to gain that greater light which you consider 
 a great desideratum ? — Yes. 
 
 346. You are aware that silver does not melt except at white heat ? — I do not 
 recollect the temperature at which it melts ; but I am aware it is considerably 
 higher than the atmosphere at which tin melts ; if we were to have the wire 
 coated with silver, very great care would be required to prevent tin being 
 substituted. 
 
 347. Mr. Fitzroy.~\ You were understood to state, that there were some mines 
 in which the lamps were properly looked after ? — Yes. 
 
 348. Whose business is it to look after the lamps? — There is sometimes a 
 person appointed for the purpose, and sometimes the men take them home and 
 clean them themselves. 
 
 349. Each man looks after his own lamp ? — Yes. 
 
 3.50. Is there any person whose business it is to see that the regulations of 
 which you have spoken are carried out ? — There ought to be always either a 
 fireman or an overman in a mine, or more than one if the mine is a large one, 
 to look after these matters and see that the regulations are properly carried out. 
 
 351. In the average number of mines is it so ? — In some cases it is not so ; 
 and the mines are left without any proper officer being present, and the men 
 may then do as they think fit without detection. 
 
 352. Mr. Child.'] What is the usual course ? — In the best managed mines 
 there is always a person left in the pit, and in the worst managed mines there 
 is no person. 
 
 353. Mr. FitzroyA What proportion do the well-managed mines bear to the 
 whole number of mines within your district ? — The best managed mines are the 
 smaller proportion ; as a general rule, the majority of mines in this country 
 admit of improvement. 
 
 354. Then in point of fact, in the great majority of mines within your dis- 
 trict, there is no practical check upon the miner opening his lamp whenever 
 he feels so disposed ? — I think there is some check ; for although in the worst 
 managed mines, the overman or fireman may not be constantly in the pit, he 
 may at all events visit the working once a day ; it is very bad indeed where 
 it is not visited once a day, and when he is going his rounds, he would pro- 
 bably at one time or other meet with any person who had his lamp open ; and 
 he ought at once to take steps to punish that man. 
 
 355. Do the workmen act at all as a check upon each other? — No; you 
 must rely upon your own observation. 
 
 356. Are the proprietors of mines aware when your visits of inspection 
 are likely to take place ? — As a general rule, I do not give them information 
 when I intend to pay a visit ; I believe some of the inspectors do. 
 
 357. Are your visits of such a nature, and so made, as to enable you to 
 ascertain whether such a practice is carried on in mines or not? — I have met 
 now and then with a lamp open. 
 
 0.76. c 3 358. Then 
 
22 
 
 MINUTES OF EVIDENCE TAKEN BEFORE THE 
 
 J. Dickinson, Esq. 358. Then you can hardly form any idea of the extent to which the practice 
 13 June 1853. prevails? — When an accident happens the fact comes out; and it very fre- 
 quently appears that the men have had their lamps open, contrary to their 
 instructions. 
 
 3,59. Then is it your impression that that practice does prevail to a great 
 extent ? — I have no doubt of it. 
 
 360. Cha/rvian.~] Do you think it desirable that in any case where a safety 
 lamp is required to be used, the miner should take it home and clean it him- 
 self? — You generally find that the gauze of the lamp is better cleaned and the 
 gauze much brighter when a man is allowed to take it home. 
 
 361. Suppose there was any defect in the lamp? — The gauze ought to be * 
 examined every morning at the pit head, before it is taken into the pit. At 
 many mines, they leave the oil can in the lamp room ; and the man is allowed 
 
 to take the gauze home and clean it himself ; and, in some cases, a premium is 
 given to the person who keeps the cleanest gauze ; and in these cases the 
 lamps are very well cleaned. 
 
 3(12. On bringing the lamp back, it is always necessary, before the man 
 enters the pit, that some proper person should inspect the lamp, and see that 
 there is no defect in the gauze ? — When the oil can is screwed to the gauze, it 
 ought to be the duty of the lamp-man to examine the gauze, and see that it is 
 all right. 
 
 363. Is that always done in every colliery? — It is generally professed to be 
 done. 
 
 364. Supposing it were not done, and an overman in going round the pit were 
 to see a man burning a lamp, he could not tell from his own observation, with- 
 out an examination of the lamp, whether there was a flaw in the gauze or not ? 
 ■ — It is quite possible that an overman might overlook such a lamp in going his 
 rounds ; '. have met with defective gauzes when I have been inspecting. A 
 person should be appointed to the duty of inspecting the lamps every morning 
 before thej are used, and the collier should also be held responsible for the 
 efficiency of his lamp. 
 
 36.5. Mr. Fitzroy.~] Could an overman doing his duty overlook the fact of a 
 miner's lamp being open f — No. 
 
 366. Has an overman any other duties to perforin except to superintend the 
 workmen? — He has to look after the ventilation and general working of the 
 mine ; and he or the viewer measures the narrow work, which is paid for by 
 measure. 
 
 367. Do you think that the safety of workmen would be much assisted by 
 appointing either an additional overman, or by limiting the duties of the over- 
 man simply to the superintendence of the workmen ? — I do not think you 
 could make such a division of labour in a mine ; the overman is also respon- 
 sible for the carrying on of the mine. 
 
 368. If that part of his duty were devolved upon some one else, would he 
 not have more time and more opportunity of securing the safety of the work- 
 men, by preventing their opening their lamps, and exposing themselves to 
 danger ? — In some collieries there are a number of overmen and firemen 
 employed. 
 
 369. In those collieries do accidents occur as frequently from the careless- 
 ness of workmen, as in collieries where a smaller number are employed ? — 
 Where the men are more looked after there are generally less accidents than 
 where they are allowed to commit breaches of discipline with impunity. 
 
 370. Then, in point of fact, one element which you would recommend, as 
 contributing to the safety of mines, would be a more careful superintendence ? 
 — No doubt that is a most important point. 
 
 371. Mr. H. Vivian.] Do you consider that the law, as it exists at present, 
 is sufficiently stringent in punishing men who are guilty of an infraction of 
 regulations ? If the Act of George the Fourth were generally administered, it 
 seems to be quite sufficient to meet the case. Three months' imprisonment is 
 a long term for opening a lamp ; but the magistrates are not unanimous in 
 their administration of the law on that point. If the law were properly ad- 
 ministered I think it would be sufficient. 
 
 372. You say that in some cases the magistrates convict, and in others they 
 do not convict ; do you consider that the law is sufficient to punish men who 
 are guilty of such offences ? — I apprehend it must be sufficient, otherwise 
 those magistrates who convict must be exceeding their duties. 
 
 373. Mr. 
 
SELECT COMMITTEE ON ACCIDENTS IN COAL MINES. 23 
 
 373. Mr. Child.] Have there been any appeals against decisions ? — I am not j. Dickinson, Esq. 
 aware ; a conviction took place very recently in Lancashire. 
 
 374. Mr. Cobbett.] Uave you attended before magistrates when such com- i3 June i 8 53- 
 plaints have been made ? — Yes. 
 
 375. Do you know the reason that magistrates have refused to convict? — I 
 have not attended when magistrates have refused to convict. 
 
 376. Mr. Fitzroy.] Does not the carelessness on the part of the miners arise 
 very much from a recklessness of danger ? — By constant exposure to danger 
 they become hardened to it, and do not take proper precautions. 
 
 377. Do you think that a man who is so reckless of his own life and the 
 lives of those who are working with him as to expose the flame of a lamp, will 
 not be equally reckless at the risk of three months' imprisonment ? — I think if 
 there were an apprehension of punishment by imprisonment it would act as a 
 greater check, because no man, on going into a mine, expects that he is going 
 to be killed ; although they do not take proper precautions, they expect that no 
 accidents will happen ; but if they knew that upon their being found with an 
 open lamp, they would be liable to imprisonment for three months, 1 believe it 
 would have a very salutary effect. 
 
 378. Mr. Farrer.~] Are the men generally aware of the risk which they run ? 
 — I do not think they consider they are running any risk. 
 
 379. Are any special instructions given to them, on first going to work in 
 mines? — In some cases. 
 
 380. Not generally ? — Not so generally as they ought to be. 
 
 381. They begin frequently very young? — Yes, as boys. 
 
 382. As they advance in years, and find that no accidents occur, do they 
 suppose that no accidents will occur ? — I think that is the ground on which a 
 great many of them act. 
 
 383. Mr. H. Vivian.] With regard to smoking in mines, does it occur that 
 men draw the flame through the wire gauze in order to light their pipes ? — Yes. 
 
 3S4. Do you think that any power could be given, either to inspectors or 
 owners of mines, to insist upon smoking not being carried on in mines, and 
 that upon an infraction of the regulation a fine should be imposed ? — There is 
 no difficulty in preventing smoking, if the manager will take proper precautions ; 
 but if the manager and the overman wink at men when they are smoking, it 
 becomes a common custom among them. In a Newcastle pit, no man dare 
 take a pipe underground with him ; he is at once either fined a sovereign, or 
 discharged if he refuses to pay the fine. If you keep up discipline among the 
 men you may easily prevent smoking ; but if the overman finds a man smoking, 
 and he does not at once notice it, it creeps into a custom. 
 
 385. Mr. Cay ley.] Is the fact of men lighting their pipes through the gauze, 
 any very particular test that the flame will not come through the gauze ? — I 
 think it is possible to light tobacco without drawing the flame through the 
 gauze. 
 
 386 You think that tobacco will light without the flame coming through 
 the gauze? — Yes. 
 
 387. Mr. H. Vivian?] In placing a pipe to the lamp do you not create a very 
 strong draught? — It cannot be very strong, when you consider the small tube 
 through which you draw it, and the very large surface that is exposed. 
 
 388. You are aware that it was pointed out by Sir Humfrey Davy, that a 
 strong current of flame would pass through the gauze ? — Yes. 
 
 389. Mr. Cay ley.] Then the lamp is not to be considered an absolute 
 security, under all circumstances ? — Not under all circumstances. 
 
 390. At what rate of current would you say there was a chance of explosion 
 through the meshes of the lamp ? — Eight miles per hour ; I do not know T that 
 that might cause an explosion through the gauze ; but I think that no prudent 
 person would expose a lamp in an explosive atmosphere to a current running at 
 that velocity. 
 
 391. Supposing the flame was lengthening, and the man apprehended danger, 
 and were to run away, would not the current be so much increased as to 
 produce an explosion? — No; not if we suppose that the flame is merely 
 indicating fire-damp, and has not arrived at the explosive mixture. 
 
 392. Suppose he was carrying a lamp with him? — You assume a case where 
 you have not arrived at an explosive mixture, but merely a case between an 
 explosive mixture and one which is non- explosive. 
 
 0.76. c 4 393. Suppose 
 
24 
 
 MINUTES OF EVIDENCE TAKEN BEFORE THE 
 
 J, Dickinson, Esq. 393. Suppose the atmosphere were such as to indicate danger by the length- 
 
 ening of the flame, and an explosion not to have occurred ? — Such atmospheres 
 
 1 3 J une l8 53- are very common, without being explosive. 
 
 394. Chairman^ Is there not a mode of putting out the lamp? — Yes ; you 
 can draw the wick down into the tube. 
 
 305. Supposing a man were properly instructed, is it likely that he would 
 run away when he has got his lamp in an explosive state, and would he not be 
 much more likely to put the lamp out ?— If he got into such an atmosphere as 
 is spoken of : an atmosphere which was not explosive, but merely indicated the 
 presence of gas, he would at once put his lamp out by drawing the wick down 
 into the tube ; but supposing he got into an atmosphere which was explosive, 
 and he had a common Davy lamp with him, and the gauze became full of fire- 
 damp, he might draw the wick into the tube, but so long as the flame was fed 
 with gas it would still continue burning in the Cylinder ; and as long as that 
 flame continued to burn it would be impossible to put it out without retiring 
 from the explosive mixture. 
 
 396. Mr. II. Vivian. "\ Then, in that case, by shielding his lamp, he would 
 prevent any current of air passing through it ? — He might put it under his 
 coat and retire. The Museleer lamp becomes extinguished immediately that 
 an explosion takes place in it, and so does the Eloin and the Stephenson lamp. 
 
 397. And the Clanny lamp also ?— I think it is possible in an explosive mix- 
 ture to keep up flame in the top of the wire-gauze tube. 
 
 398. Mr. Cayley.\ If the air was in an explosive state, and the man should 
 not have that presence of mind, which is not very common in danger, would 
 his running or stumbling, or any accident of that kind, produce the very explo- 
 sion which the lamp is intended to prevent? — It might; but we are now 
 imagining cases which ought never to happen, and which do very rarely 
 happen. 
 
 399. Have you not attributed some of the explosions to the fact of the miners 
 being indiscreet in opening the top of their lamps ? — That is another thing. 
 
 400. Is it not possible that an explosion, when no evidence has been given 
 on the subject, may have taken place from these circumstances ? — In the course 
 of my experience I have only met with two cases where the gas appeared to 
 have fired through the gauze. 
 
 401. If an explosion took place twice under the circumstances you men- 
 tioned, what reason is there to prevent its occuring a greater number of times ? 
 — No reason ; only that the ventilation of the mine ought to be better attended 
 to ; the mine ought not to be allowed to get into such a defective state. 
 
 402. You think that greater dependence should be placed on the ventilation, 
 than upon anything else ?— I would use the safety-lamp as a precaution against 
 outbursts of gas, either from some sudden irruptions from the roof, or floor 
 of the mine, or from the seam itself, and also against sudden irruptions from 
 goaves or other accumulations. 
 
 403. As a general principle, may it be assumed that you consider the best 
 source of safety to consist in improved ventilation r — Y^es ; but even with good 
 ventilation a mine might be liable to the circumstances which i have men- 
 tioned. 
 
 404. But the better the ventilation the less liable it would be to those 
 circumstances ? — No doubt. 
 
 405. Mr. Farrer.] Do you see any objection to having the lamps locked, so 
 that they cannot be opened in the mines r — I think all lamps should be locked. 
 
 406. Are they in general locked? — In some cases they are locked. 
 
 407. You see no reason why they should not be locked in all mines ? — I think 
 they ought to be locked in all mines. 
 
 408. If that were done, a great number of accidents would be prevented? — 
 It would often prevent the men opening their lamps who now open them, but it 
 would not in all cases prevent them ; the men get keys occasionally. 
 
 409. Supposing the overman kept the key, and some person were appointed 
 to lock all the lamps in the morning before the men came to work, would the 
 difficulty be overcome r — Not if a man had a key in his pocket. 
 
 410. If he had a key in his pocket how could he open the lamp? — He could 
 open his own lamp. 
 
 411. How could he do that without the connivance of the overman ? — If 
 strict discipline is carried out, and the overman, on finding a lamp open, makes 
 
 a point 
 
SELECT COMMITTEE ON ACCIDENTS IN COAL MINES. 25 
 
 a point of having the man dismissed, there is no difficulty in keeping the lamps J> Dickinson, Esq. 
 
 locked ; it is only where these matters are overlooked that lamps are opened. 
 
 41 2. Mr. H. Vivian.'] If there were a specific enactment for punishing men, 13 June l853 ' 
 in case of their endangering the lives of their fellow-workmen by opening their 
 lamps, or smoking, do not you think a great moral effect would be produced ? 
 — No doubt. 
 
 413. Mr. Cayley.] Do you think that the system of inspection in Belgium 
 at all diminishes the sense of responsibility on the part of the owners of mines ? 
 — No, they are still left responsible. 
 
 414. Chairman.'] In Belgium, is the system of splitting the air understood ?— 
 Yes ; the air is very well split. 
 
 415. Is there any peculiarity with regard to the system of ventilation as to 
 return air ? — That is particularly attended to in Belgium. Every vitiated current 
 must continue to rise until it reaches the up-cast shaft. 
 
 416. The air is not allowed to go up one way and down another ? — No ; not 
 without the formal consent of the inspector, which is rarely given. 
 
 41 7. Do you consider that is an important principle in ventilation ? — Yes, very 
 important. 
 
 418. Is it a principle which you would recommend for adoption in this 
 country ? — I am afraid you could not make it imperative in this country. In 
 working fire-damp mines in Belgium, where the seams are very steep, it is one 
 of the Government regulations that, in the first place, the upper range must be 
 worked, and so on in descending ranges of about 30 yards each, leaving the 
 upper range for the return air-course ; so that as the pit is sunk to a new level 
 at each 30 yards, that which was the deep level of the former working becomes 
 the level for the return air of the deeper working. In our flat seams of this 
 country, or where the dip is one in 20, or in 12, or one in 6, it would add very 
 much to the expense of getting the coal, to render it illegal to bring the air- 
 current down again. 
 
 419. Mr. H. Vivian.'] Assuming that you have a 50 fathom pit to your rise, 
 and a 250 fathom pit to the dip, and that that deep pit is heated to a very great 
 extent, would you not gain enormously by taking your air down to that pit, 
 and taking it up in a highly rarefied state rather than allowing it to go up the 
 50 fathom pit ? — Under such circumstances you would gain by the rarefaction, 
 but it would not be acting in accordance with nature. 
 
 420. Chairman.] And therefore you think that adherence to this principle in 
 Belgium is not always beneficial ? — I think it ought to be attended to in every 
 case where it is practicable ; indeed, in this country, where it is practicable 
 it is generally attended to ; but it is not practicable in every case. I do not 
 think it should be made compulsory. 
 
 421. Can you state the number of persons who have lost their lives in coal 
 and other mines in Belgium during a period of five years ending 1849 t — During 
 the five years ending 1849, in Belgium, 724 persons lost their lives in the coal 
 and other mines, being an average of 144£ lives per annum. They took place 
 as follows : — 
 
 
 TOTAL LIVES 
 LOST. 
 
 In Shafts : 
 
 
 
 
 
 84 
 20 
 94 
 198 
 
 Falls of roof and sides of workings 
 Explosions of fire-damp - 
 Inundations - 
 Explosions of gunpowder 
 Miscellaneous - 
 
 
 240 
 138 
 6 
 13 
 129 
 
 
 Total - - - 
 
 724 
 
 The average number of persons employed at the mines during the above period 
 was 51,352. The loss of life was consequently at the rate of 2 § lives per annum 
 0.76. D per 
 
20 
 
 MINUTES OF EVIDENCE TAKEN BEFORE THE 
 
 per 1,000 persons employed. Most of the accidents happened at the coal mines. 
 The quantity of coal raised during this period averaged 5,055,196 English tons per 
 annum. During the years 1851 and 1852 about 54,000 persons were employed, 
 and the loss of life averaged 194 ^ per annum; there having been two great 
 accidents by explosions of fire-damp in 1852, in one of which, at Longterne 
 Ferrans, 69 lives were lost ; and in the other, at Longterne Trischer, 35 lives 
 were lost. The loss of life for 1851 and 1852 is as follows : 
 
 
 1851. 
 
 1852. 
 
 In Shafts : 
 
 
 
 By ropes and chains ------- 
 
 By ladders - -- -- -- - 
 
 By miscellaneous ------- 
 
 9 
 1 
 16 
 26 
 
 26 
 8 
 25 
 59 
 
 Falls of roof and sides of workings - - - - - 
 Explosions of fire-damp ------- 
 
 Explosions of gunpowder ------ 
 
 56 
 17 
 
 2 
 20 
 
 57 
 106 
 16 
 2 
 28 
 
 Total - - - 
 
 121 
 
 268 
 
 The loss of life in all the Belgian mines for 1851 and 1852 was at the rate of 
 3 T % lives per annum per 1,000 persons employed. : In all the Prussian mines, 
 during the years 1847, 1848, 1849, 1851, and 1852, the accidents were at the 
 rate of 1 ^± lives lost per annum for every 1,000 persons employed. Taking 
 tne coal mines alone, the average is two lives per 1,000 persons per annum. 
 
 [The Witness delivered in the following List:] 
 
 LIST of Accidents in Coal and other Mines in Prussia during the Years 1847, 1848, 1849, 1851 and 1852, 
 
 furnished by Mr. Von Carnall. 
 
 NAME 
 of 
 
 DISTRICT. 
 
 Number 
 
 of 
 Persons 
 Employed. 
 
 NUMBER OF LIVES LOST. 
 
 Rate 
 per 1,000 
 Persons 
 Employed. 
 
 Falls 
 of 
 
 Roof, &c. 
 
 By ' 
 Gunpowder. 
 
 Ropes 
 and Chains. 
 
 Man- 
 Engine. 
 
 Ladders. 
 
 In Shafts. 
 
 Mis- 
 cellaneous. 
 
 Total. 
 
 1847: 
 Silesia - 
 Saxony - 
 Westphalia 
 Rhine - 
 Riier - 
 
 13,428 
 4,653 
 11,619 
 22,044 
 502 
 
 17 
 
 3 
 17 
 26 
 
 1 
 
 
 1 
 
 
 1 
 
 1 
 
 2 
 
 3 
 5 
 7 
 6 
 1 
 
 5 
 1 
 
 26 
 8 
 
 25 
 36 
 2 
 
 1-93 
 1-72 
 215 
 1-63 
 3-98 
 
 52,246 
 
 64 
 
 
 1 
 
 
 4 
 
 22 
 
 6 
 
 97 
 
 1-86 
 
 1848: 
 Silesia - 
 Saxony 
 Westphalia - 
 Rhine - 
 Riier - 
 
 12,147 
 £,010 
 10,648 
 19,101 
 
 550 
 
 15 
 
 6 
 13 
 16 
 
 3 
 
 2 
 
 
 
 
 4 
 1 
 
 7 
 
 8 
 
 6 
 
 25 
 7 
 20 
 26 
 3 
 
 2*06 
 1-40 
 1-88 
 1-36 
 5-45 
 
 47,456 
 
 53 
 
 2 
 
 
 
 
 20 
 
 6 
 
 81 
 
 1-71 
 
 1849 : 
 Silesia - - - 
 Saxony - 
 Westphalia 
 Rhine - 
 
 Riier ... 
 
 11,550 
 5,061 
 12,122 
 18,846 
 637 
 
 6 
 1 
 17 
 
 9 
 
 2 
 
 1 
 
 1 
 
 1 
 
 
 1 
 1 
 
 1 
 
 11 
 
 2 
 3 
 7 
 
 2 
 
 21 
 4 
 21 
 18 
 
 2 
 
 1-82 
 
 0- 79 
 
 1- 73 
 0-95 
 3-14 
 
 48,216 
 
 35 
 
 2 
 
 1 
 
 
 3 
 
 23 
 
 2 
 
 66 
 
 1-39 
 
 J. Dickinson, Esq. 
 
 13 June 1853. 
 
SELECT COMMITTEE ON ACCIDENTS IN COAL MINES. 27 
 
 NAME 
 
 Number 
 
 
 
 NUMBER OF 
 
 T T V 17 Q 
 i-t i V Hi O 
 
 
 
 
 Ratio 
 
 of 
 
 D I8TKICT. 
 
 of 
 Persons 
 Employed. 
 
 Falls 
 of 
 
 Roof, &c. 
 
 By 
 
 Gunpowder. 
 
 Ropes 
 and Chains. 
 
 Man- 
 Engine. 
 
 Ladders. 
 
 In Shafts. 
 
 Mis- 
 cellaneous. 
 
 Total. 
 
 per 1,000 
 Persons 
 Employed. 
 
 1851 : 
 
 Silesia - 
 Saxony - 
 Westphalia 
 Rhine - 
 Riier - - 
 
 14,216 
 
 6,829 
 12,316 
 20,000 
 746 
 
 7 
 5 
 1 z 
 27 
 3 
 
 - 
 
 1 
 
 I 
 
 0 
 
 
 1 
 1 
 
 2 
 
 6 
 4 
 
 § 
 
 6 
 1 
 
 " * 
 
 15 
 10 
 
 00 
 
 38 
 4 
 
 — 
 
 
 54,107 
 
 54 
 
 1 
 
 3 
 
 — , - 
 
 6 
 
 25 
 
 
 89 
 
 1-62 
 
 1852 : 
 
 Silesia - 
 Saxony - 
 Westphalia 
 Rhine - 
 Riier - 
 
 14,956 
 7,384 
 14,086 
 24,000 
 875 
 
 18 
 15 
 15 
 21 
 1 
 
 1 
 1 
 
 
 
 1 
 
 
 2 
 5 
 
 6 
 3 
 3 
 5 
 
 1 
 
 24 
 18 
 23 
 32 
 1 
 
 = 
 
 
 61,301 
 
 70 
 
 2 
 
 1 
 
 
 7 
 
 17 
 
 1 
 
 98 
 
 1-60 
 
 LIST of Accidents in Prussia in Coal Mines only, 1847 to 1851. 
 
 
 1 8 4 7. 
 
 1 8 48. 
 
 1 8 49. 
 
 1 8 5 0. 
 
 18 5 1. 
 
 
 Number 
 
 Number 
 
 Number 
 
 Number 
 
 Number 
 
 Number 
 
 Number 
 
 Number 
 
 Number 
 
 Numrjer 
 
 
 of 
 
 of 
 
 of 
 
 of 
 
 of 
 
 of 
 
 of 
 
 of 
 
 of 
 
 of 
 
 
 Persons 
 
 Lives 
 
 - Persons 
 
 Lives 
 
 Persons 
 
 Lives 
 
 Persons 
 
 Lives 
 
 Persons 
 
 Lives 
 
 
 Employed. 
 
 Lost. 
 
 Employed. 
 
 Lost. 
 
 Employed. 
 
 Lost. 
 
 Employed. 
 
 Lost. 
 
 Employed. 
 
 Lost. 
 
 Silesia - 
 
 Saxony - 
 
 Westphalia 
 
 t-, . . [ Saarbriick - 
 Rhine < r\ 
 
 ^Uuren 
 
 8,672 
 331 
 11,61.9 
 5,494 
 3,400 
 
 26 
 
 18 
 
 8 
 7 
 
 8,550 
 338 
 10,648 
 4,580 
 3,309 
 
 25 
 
 25 
 4 
 9 
 
 8,309 
 360 
 12,122 
 3,865 
 3,126 
 
 21 
 
 20 
 1 
 6 
 
 8,269 
 327 
 13,110 
 3,374 
 3,177 
 
 18 
 
 21 
 5 
 13 
 
 9,096 
 365 
 12,316 
 3,961 
 3,247 
 
 16 
 
 22 
 6 
 13 
 
 Beimr an average of two lives lost per annum for every 1,000 persons employed. 
 
 422. Belgian mines being more dangerous than Prussian mines ? — The Bel- 
 gian mines are much more fiery than the Prussian mines or the French mines. 
 " 423. Mr. Locke.] Of the 724 persons who lost their lives during the five 
 years you have mentioned, only 138 were from explosions of fire damp? — Yes, 
 and in 1851, there were 17 from explosions of fire-damp, and in 1852 there 
 were 106 lives lost by explosions of fire-damp, there having been two great 
 explosions. 
 
 424. As against 121, the total number of deaths from all accidents in 1851 ; 
 and as against 268, the total of 1852 ? — Yes. 
 
 425. Mr. Fitzroy.~] Is the proportion of deaths in Belgium from explosions 
 of fire-damp, as compared with deaths from other accidents, greater or less than 
 in England, with respect to the same classes ? — In England, the number of 
 lives lost by explosions of fire-damp in 1851, was 321. 
 
 426. And how many in consequence of other accidents ? —Six hundred and 
 sixty-three ; the total loss of life being 984. In 1852, there were only 261 lives 
 lost by explosions of fire-damp in England, being a reduction of 60. 
 
 427. How many from other accidents ? —Seven hundred and twenty-five; 
 the total being 986. 
 
 428. Chairman.'] According to the return you have given, 198 lives were lost 
 in going down shafts ; will you state whether the mode which is adopted of 
 sending men up and down shafts, is better or worse than the system which is 
 adopted in England? — In some cases the ascent and descent of mines by ropes 
 is forbidden ; and ladders, which are considered safer, are resorted to. In some 
 cases, the men must descend by ladders, but are allowed to ascend by a rope ; 
 in other cases, both the ascent and descent by a rope is forbidden. The ladders 
 are considered safer than the rope; but 1 think we should have very great 
 
 0.76. D2 difficulty 
 
28 
 
 MINUTES OF EVIDENCE TAKEN BEFORE THE 
 
 J. Dickinson, Esq. difficulty to get men to ascend or descend our deep pits by ladders, and it must 
 
 be very unhealthy, the work being so very laborious. The following is a list of 
 
 13 June 1853. t i ie i oss 0 f life by co ni er y accidents in England, Wales and Scotland during the 
 years 1851 and 1852, as reported by the inspectors of coal mines. 
 
 1851. 1852. 
 
 Accidents. 
 
 Total, 
 
 197 
 149 
 117 
 
 9 C 
 
 112 
 
 In Staffordshire, Shropshire, 
 and Worcestershire - 
 
 In Lancashire, Cheshire, and 
 North Wales - 
 
 In Northumberland, Durham, 
 and Cumberland 
 
 In Yorkshire, Derbyshire, Not- 
 tinghamshire, Warwickshire, 
 and Leicestershire 
 
 In South Wales, Monmouth- 
 shire, Gloucestershire, and' 
 Somersetshire ... 
 
 In Scotland - 
 
 18 
 24 
 39 
 
 20 
 8 
 
 117 
 
 185 1. 
 
 Lives Lost. 
 
 23 
 
 41 
 
 28 
 
 221 
 
 75 111 
 
 39 j 48 
 15 ; 32 
 
 28 
 
 54 
 52 
 
 325 
 
 41 
 70 
 57 
 
 76 
 
 15 
 
 62 
 
 321 
 
 Total. 
 
 245 
 181 
 143 
 
 135 
 
 130 
 150 
 
 984 
 
 1 852. 
 
 Lives Lost. 
 
 14 
 
 43 
 
 20 
 
 55 
 13 
 
 170 
 
 Taking the 
 of coal. 
 
 46 
 57 
 28 
 
 30 
 
 26 
 20 
 
 207 
 
 134 
 56 
 44 
 
 34 
 
 57 
 
 23 
 
 a a. 
 
 a. a> 
 
 x .a 
 
 25 
 91 
 38 
 
 78 
 
 5 
 
 324 261 
 
 Total. 
 
 219 
 
 229 
 153 
 
 108 
 
 216 
 61 
 
 986 
 
 annual output of coals at 47 million tons per annum, the loss of life is at the rate of one life per 47,715 tons 
 
 429. Mr. Locke.] How does it happen that so large a proportion of persons 
 are killed in the shafts in Belgium, if ascending and descending by ropes is 
 prohibited ? — Many shafts are not walled. A stone may fall from the side of 
 the shaft. 
 
 430. Do you think it is a principal stipulation on the part of the Belgian 
 authorities, to restrict the men from ascending and descending by means of 
 ropes ? — Their new pits are fitted with guides, and in those cases I do not 
 think it is a prudent stipulation ; but in the great majority of cases, the winding 
 is by large buckets slung, in chains; these buckets are liable to catch each 
 other in passing, which may throw the men out ; under the latter circum- 
 stances I think it is judicious. I should not go down such a pit myself unless 
 I had business to take me there. 
 
 431. Mr. Cayley.~\ Would you consent to go down a deep pit with a chain 
 and no rope ? — I do not object to go down deep pits with fiat chains, where 
 there are three links, if the machinery is strong; but with a single link chain 
 I do strongly object to go down. I am obliged to do it sometimes, but I do it 
 with great reluctance. Where the manager is a competent man, and goes down 
 the pit himself, you seldom have a single link chain. 
 
 432. Is Mr. Fomdrinier's patent in operation at all? — Yes; it is used in 
 isolated cases. 
 
 433. Do you consider that is a great protection from accidents ? — I have 
 more faith in good tackle and in good winding arrangements than in Mr. 
 Fourdrinier's arrangement. I think that, with proper attention to the rope, an 
 accident by the breakage of the rope need very rarely occur. 
 
 434. You think the rope is safer than any other material ? — Yes ; either 
 hemp or wire. For deep pits a wire rope seems to be peculiarly applicable. It 
 is lighter than a hemp rope. 
 
 435. Chairman.'] Do many accidents occur in Belgium, from people walking 
 down pits ? — A great number of such accidents happen in this country ; but 
 such a thing on the Continent is almost unknown. An unfenced pit is almost 
 unknown. Almost every winding pit in Prussia is secured by a railing round 
 all parts of it, except where the trams pass to and from the cage, and even this 
 part is generally secured by having a gate which slides up and down, being 
 balanced by a pulley and weight. 
 
 436. Is 
 
SELECT COMMITTEE ON ACCIDENTS IN COAL MINES. 29 
 
 436. Is it not perfectly possible to have a cage to drop down on the pit, so /. Dickinson, Esq. 
 that when the machinery is in motion there will be no danger of a man losing — June lg53< 
 his footing and falling down the pit ? — It is quite practicable, and is occasionally 
 
 resorted to in this country, to have a loose frame which the cage lifts up when 
 it comes out of the pit, and drops when it descends ; that is an effective pre- 
 caution against loss of life by falling down pits, which is very common. 
 
 437. Mr. H. Vivian^] Is there not great danger of the rope jamming?— No ; 
 it is merely a loose railing. With regard to my inspection of the continental 
 mines, and also my inspection of mines in this country, there are certain points 
 which I think might be laid down as fundamental rules, and which would be 
 agreed to by the majority of our experienced managers, and which may be carried 
 out in practice ; they are as follows : First, every old pit should be properly 
 fenced to prevent persons falling into them, some lives being lost from this 
 cause every year ; the unfenced old pits in Staffordshire, Shropshire, Worcester • 
 shire, and Denbighshire are a disgrace to this country, and the apathy with 
 which they are viewed is almost incredible. Second, the mouths of working pits 
 should also be fenced as far as practicable ; this may be effectually done by a 
 light railing, to be lifted by the cage as it ascends, and dropped as it descends ; 
 an arrangement of this kind would also save a number of lives annually. Third, 
 pits should be all walled or cased from the top to the bottom ; this adds little to 
 the expense of a pit when being sunk, and lives are now annually thrown away 
 by falls from the sides of shafts. Fourth, the use of guides should be enjoined, 
 as far as practicable, when men ascend and descend ; and every cage or skip 
 should have a cover over it to ward off falling materials. Fifth, machinery with 
 broken cogs should be at once replaced by new wheels, some serious accidents 
 having arisen from false teeth becoming loose. Sixth, the ropes should always 
 be once run up and down the pit in mornings to see that all is right before men 
 descend, and the weight of men should never exceed more than half the ordi- 
 nary weight of coals drawn. Seventh, boys ought not to ascend or descend unless 
 accompanied by a man. Eighth, no one should be allowed to come up on full tubs, 
 or to descend by an engine which is drawing full tubs up either the same or any 
 other pit. Ninth, single link chains, except a few feet at the end of the rope, 
 ought also to be forbidden for the ascent and descent of men, and the rope used 
 for winding up the shaft ought not to be used for winding with from the dip, or 
 along the galleries of the mine. Tenth, the shaft-ropes should be constantly 
 watched by the banksman, or some appointed person at the pit-head; with 
 ordinary care in this respect, accidents by breakage of ropes may almost in- 
 variably be prevented. Eleventh, an adequate supply of pitwood to be pro- 
 vided, and the overmen enjoined to see that sufficient of it is fixed. Twelfth, 
 every winding-engine should have an indicator to give warning by a bell, 
 when the cage is near the top and bottom of the pit. The boilers, also, in 
 addition to one open safety-valve, should be provided with one safety-valve 
 under cover, accessible to the principal engineer, or manager only. There 
 should also be a whistle to indicate the height of the water, and the pressure of 
 steam when in excess ; also a float, to show the height of the water, and a steam- 
 gauge to show the pressure of steam. Thirteenth, with regard to ventilation, 
 adequate ventilating power should be provided ; and spacious air-ways, so as 
 not to force the current beyond 500 or at the utmost 1,000 feet per minute. 
 Good brick, or stone and mortar stoppings, for preventing leakage. Good air- 
 doors, and to have at least two doors where the arteries of ventilation are 
 crossed ; to have the air bratticed close up to the face of the workings ; and 
 if a place has to be left standing, it should always be first cut through and 
 permanently ventilated to the face. In critical cases, where there are accumu- 
 lations of fire-damp in goaves, or other parts of the mine, which might ignite 
 at the furnace, the furnace should be fed with fresh air ; and in very fiery 
 mines, liable to give sudden discharges of gas, the furnace should be fed with 
 fresh air, until the workings had advanced a sufficient distance from the up- 
 cast shaft. Safety-lamps ought also to be used exclusively under such cir- 
 cumstances, and no one but a competent person allowed to fire shots. Four- 
 teenth, the regulations of every mine should be laid down in a good code of 
 printed rules ; and there should be a competent manager, good overmen, and 
 firemen, whose duty it should be to see each place safe before a workman 
 entered it ; and one or more of whom should be always present in the mine to 
 keep all right during working-hours, and whose duty it should be to see that 
 the mine continues safe, and to report breaches of discipline to the manager. 
 
 0.76. d 3 438. Mr. 
 
30 
 
 MINUTES OF EVIDENCE TAKEN BEFORE THE 
 
 J. Dickinson, Esq. 43& Mr. Cay lei/.] Is it your opinion, upon the whole, that the Belgian system 
 
 — can teach us more on the subject of inspection than on the subject of ventila- 
 
 13 June i8j3. tion ? — As a general rule, I think our best managed mines are better managed 
 in this country than the mines in Belgium, or any of the continental mines. 
 
 439. What is your opinion with regard to inspection? — I do not think the 
 mines of this country require the number of inspectors which the continental 
 Governments have for their mines, for the reason 1 have stated ; namely, that 
 they have other matters to look after, and that in this country we have a more 
 experienced class of managers in our collieries. 
 
 440. With regard to the size of the districts, and the number of inspectors, 
 and the powers which are given to the inspectors, do you think that any im- 
 provement could be introduced from Belgium ?— I have given an outline of 
 regulations which I think will be agreed to by experienced men. I think if 
 those regulations were made compulsory, and upon an accident happening from 
 the want of such provisions a punishment was inflicted, either by fine or 
 imprisonment, the present number of inspectors, or a very moderate increase 
 of the number, would be quite sufficient for all the wants of this country, and 
 would tend very muoh to diminish the number of accidents which take place. 
 
 441. Mr. Locke.] Does the Table you have put in specify the accidents which 
 arose, in Prussia, from fire-damp ? — There is very little fire-damp in Prussia, 
 and the few accidents which have occurred from fire-damp are included under 
 "Miscellaneous." 
 
 442. The accidents which are given in the Table you have put in, arose 
 chiefly in the shafts, from the use of ladders, and by the falling of roofs ? — 
 Taking the year 1852, there were 70 lives lost, in Prussia, from falls of roofs; 
 by explosion of gunpowder, two lives were lost ; by ropes and chains in the 
 shaft one life was lost ; accidents by ladders in the pits, 7 ; other accidents in 
 shafts, 1 7 ; miscellaneous, 1 . 
 
 443. So that, during that year, there being only one " miscellaneous" life 
 lost, the loss of life arising from fire-damp may be said to have been nil ? — 
 In the return which was furnished by the principal minister, it is not clear 
 whether the explosions come under the falls of roof, &c, so that there may be 
 more than one, but he stated to me in a letter that the number was so small as 
 not to be worth separating. 
 
 444. Mr. Fitzroy.] In your opinion, does that arise from greater precautions 
 with respect to fire-damp, or from the absence of fire-damp itself? — From the 
 absence of fire-damp. The precautions in Prussia, with regard to ventilation, are 
 very slight indeed; the majority of the mines are carried on by natural ventilation. 
 
 445. Chairman.] Is there anything in the Prussian system which you can 
 recommend this Committee to adopt, as preferable to the system which is 
 adopted in England? — Nothing except the fencing of the pits, which I have 
 alluded to. In other respects, I think we are very far in advance of them. 
 
 446. With regard to the system of Prussian inspection ; can you state the 
 system of inspection in Prussia ? — There is one inspector-general, who resides 
 in Berlin ; four principal directors ; 12 local directors ; about 35 burgmasters ; 
 and a large number of officers who are called sworn miners. This staff is re- 
 cruited from a class who at 18 years of age work a year in the mines ; they 
 then go to college for three years, which is succeeded by another three years 
 work in surveying, &c, in the mines ; and then, at about 26 years of age, on 
 passing the several examinations, they are eligible for the lowest offices, or they 
 may go into other occupations ; they may rise and become directors ; but it is 
 necessary to pass another examination before they can do so. In Prussia, also, 
 the inspectors are not solely engaged in looking after the safety of the mines 
 and the welfare of the workmen. An important part of their duty consists in 
 looking after the per-centage payable to their Governments, and in verifying 
 the plans. 
 
 447. Are the inspectors generally a well educated and scientific class of men ? 
 ■ — Yes ; their previous education ensures that. 
 
 448. Mr. Locke.] With that staff, the Government are the owners of the 
 mines ? — They stand in a similar position to a lessor in this country. 
 
 449. They lease the mine ? — They do not exactly lease it ; the minerals are 
 at the disposition of the Government. 
 
 4, r )0. Will you state in what relation the Government stand to the proprietors 
 of the mines ? — The law of Belgium recognises the right of proprietors of 
 minerals, and in Prussia also, in certain cases. 
 
 451. Subject 
 
SELECT COMMITTEE ON ACCIDENTS IN COAL MINES. 31 
 
 451. Subject to any payment? — In Belgium about 1\d. per acre is in all /. Dickinson, Esq. 
 
 cases paid to the proprietor of the minerals. In Prussia, the Government re- — ■ 
 
 ceives 5 per cent, of the profits from one portion of the kingdom, and 5 per 13 June 1853. 
 cent, of the produce from another portion of the kingdom. There are pro- 
 perties in Prussia which belong to private individuals ; and, in these cases, 
 
 the mines are subject to Government inspection ; but the Government receive 
 no portion of the profits. Very few mines of this description belong to private 
 individuals, compared with those where the profits are at the disposition of the 
 Government. 
 
 452. The great bulk of the mines are held in that way by the Government? 
 — In Belgium they are all at the disposition of the Government, and they 
 receive 2k per cent, of the profits. Surface damages are in all cases paid to the 
 proprietor of the surface, and in some cases he is paid double damage. 
 
 453. Chairman-'] Did you visit also any mines in France ? — Yes. 
 
 454. Did you visit mines in the Valenciennes district ? — Yes. 
 
 455. How did you find the mines in those districts carried on ? — The mines 
 are worked very well ; the seams are thin and the accidents very few. During 
 the five years ending 1851, there were only 49 deaths in an average of 9,375 
 persons employed, being an average of 9 r %- deaths per annum, which is 1 
 lives per annum per 1,000 persons employed. 
 
 456. Are they fiery ? — They are not fiery. 
 
 457. Did you visit the large coal fields at St. Etienne and Rive de Gier ? — 
 Yes. 
 
 4,58. Did you find the mines in those districts also well carried on ? — With 
 regard to the working of a thick coal by the system of long work, I think it is 
 an admirable system ; but, in other respects, such as the winding arrangement 
 and the ventilation, it is very rough. 
 
 459. Is the loss of life very great? — Very great; in 1852, the total number 
 of persons employed at the coal mines in this basin, the Loire basin, was 6,703, 
 of whom 4,780 were employed under ground. The loss of life during the year 
 was 42, being at the rate of 6 fg 5 lives per 1,000 persons employed ; 22 of the 
 lives were by falls of roof ; 19 by shaft accidents, and one by gunpowder. The 
 quantity of coal raised in this basin during this year, 1852, was 1,534,588 
 English tons ; the loss of life was therefore at the rate of one life per 36,538 
 tons of coal raised. 
 
 460. Do you think there is anything in the system of working mines in 
 France, which this Committee ought to recommend as an improvement in 
 working mines in England? — I think the long work system of working thick 
 coal at St. Etienne might be introduced into Staffordshire in the working 
 of the thick coal. 
 
 461. Mr. Child.] South Staffordshire ? — Yes. 
 
 462. Chairman.] Is there any particular system of inspection in France ? — 
 Yes ; they have a system similar to that which is adopted in Belgium and 
 Prussia. 
 
 463. The Government having an interest? — The Government having five per 
 cent, of the profits. 
 
 464. Mr. Locke.] Is there any other place in France, besides St. Etienne, 
 where thick seams of coal are worked ? — Yes ; in the South of France there are 
 several. 
 
 465. Do they work in the same manner in those places as they do at St. 
 Etienne ? — Not always ; it is worked different ways at St. Etienne. 
 
 466. Can you state the reason why they do not work in the improved mode 
 which is adopted at St. Etienne r — The other way is considered an improved 
 mode also. I have prepared a drawing of this mode of working, and Mr. 
 Mackworth has prepared a drawing of the other system of working. 
 
 467. Can you form an individual opinion as to which is the best ? — I prefer 
 the system of long work which is adopted at St. Etienne. 
 
 468. Can you give the Committee any reason why the French authorities 
 have not insisted on one uniform plan of working similar coal? — No. 
 
 469. Mr. H. Vivian.] Would not the peculiar character of the seam of coal 
 regulate the mode in which it was desirable to work it ; that is to say, is there 
 not a soft part in every coal which it is always desirable to work ? — One portion 
 of this seam which I examined was 65 feet thick, and there was no holeing in 
 it ; there were solid partings here aud there an inch in thickness, but nothing 
 which could be called a soft holeing. 
 
 0.76. d 4 470. In 
 
32 MINUTES OF EVIDENCE TAKEN BEFORE THE 
 
 J. Dickinson, Esq. 470> j n t h e case 0 f ^ e Staffordshire thick coal, it is desirable to work certain 
 portion s first, owing to the easy nature of the cutting ? — There is nothing in 
 13 June 1S53. t j ie Staffordshire thick coal, so far as the holeing goes, to render it desirable to 
 continue the old system. 
 
 471. Then, in your judgment, that system is applicable to Staffordshire thick 
 coal ? — I think it is. 
 
 472. Mr. Locke.} Do you think the system which is adopted at St. Etienne 
 is applicable also to other parts of France where thick coal is worked ? — I think 
 it is. 
 
 473. Do you think it would be an advantage if this system were adopted 
 there ? — I think it would. 
 
 Jovis, 16° die Junii, 1853. 
 
 MEMBERS PRESENT: 
 
 Mr. Hutchins. 
 Mr. Hussey Vivian. 
 Mr. Mostyn. 
 Mr. Stephenson. 
 Mr. Fitzroy, 
 Mr. Baird. 
 
 Mr. Locke. 
 Mr. Cayley. 
 Mr. Cobbett. 
 Mr. Farrer. 
 
 Mr. Henry Austin Bruce. 
 
 EDWARD J. HUTCHINS, Esq., in the Chair. 
 
 Herbert Francis Mackworth, Esq., called in ; and Examined. 
 
 H. F. Mackvoorth, 474. Chairman^} YOU are a Government Inspector of Mines ?— I am. 
 Es( J- 475. How long have you held the appointment ? — About 18 months. 
 
 16 June 18 47 were examm ed before the Committee of 1852 ? — Yes. 
 
 1 une 1 5, • ^jj^ Y ou were at that time government inspector of the south-western 
 district ? — Yes ; and I hold the same district at the present time. 
 
 478. In the month of May did you receive instructions by letter that you 
 would be called before this Committee ? — I did. 
 
 479. Is the paper now handed to you the letter which you received (hand- 
 ing a paper to the witness) ? — Yes. [ The witness delivered in the same.} 
 
 480. Have you got a tabular statement of the accidents which occurred in 
 the coal mines of Great Britain in the years 1851 and 1852? — I have. [The 
 witness delivered in the same.} Taking the number of lives lost in the coal 
 mines of my district in 1851 and 1852, I find that there is a considerable 
 diminution in accidents in shafts ; accidents in shafts, and accidents from 
 explosions of fire-damp, being those on which inspection would naturally 
 have the most effect. In accidents from explosions there is a considerable 
 increase in the number of deaths, owing to 65 lives being lost by one explosion 
 at Middle Dyffryn. 
 
 481. When did that explosion take place ?— On the 10th May 1852. The 
 considerable increase in the number of deaths from " miscellaneous" accidents, is 
 owing to irruption of water at the Gwendreath Colliery, by which 26 lives were 
 lost, and this accident occurred on the same day ; an accident of the kind had 
 not occurred in the district for a long time previously. I find in the total 
 number of accidents in Great Britain, there is a considerable diminution of the 
 deaths in shafts in the year 1852, as compared with the year 1851, and also in 
 the number of deaths from explosions of fire-damp. 
 
 482. How do you account for the decrease in the number of shaft accidents? 
 — I think that, to some extent, it must be due to the inspection, because during 
 this time there has been a considerable increase in the quantity of coal pro- 
 duced ; and if you take the falls of roof (a class of accident upon which we are 
 not able to produce so much effect), and the increased deaths which have 
 occurred from that cause, I think the diminution of those accidents upon 
 which the inspection can have most effect will appear in a more decided light. 
 
 483. Mr. Fitzroy.} How many different collieries did you inspect in the year 
 
 1852, 
 
SELECT COMMITTEE ON ACCIDENTS IN COAL MINES. 33 
 
 1852, when, as you state, there was a great decrease in the number of shaft u i F. MacliK'orth, 
 accidents? — I inspected from 90 to 100 different collieries, as near as I re- Esq. 
 member, and to some of these I went several times. — 
 
 484. Chairman.] During that period, has there been an increase in the pro- 16 June 1853. 
 duction of coal ? — A considerable increase. 
 
 485. Can you state the difference of production? — As near as I am able to 
 form an opinion, the increase may be taken at five per cent. 
 
 486. Then of course a greater number of workmen were employed to raise 
 that quantity of coal ? — Yes. 
 
 4S7. Can you give the Committee any idea of the number of extra men who 
 were employed during that period ? — You may take the ratio of increase at five 
 per cent , and there is a diminution of six per cent, in accidents from explo- 
 sions and in shafts. 
 
 48 S. You attribute a good deal of the result to the present system of inspec- 
 tion ? — I think it is due to it. 
 
 4S9. Mr. Locke.] Are you aware that any orders have been issued by the 
 inspectors, which justify that conclusion? — 1 judge from the improvement that 
 I have seen in a great many collieries, where I have made suggestions which 
 have been carried out. 
 
 490. Is there any order in existence which was issued by an inspector, in 
 reference to accidents in the shafts themselves? — We have not the power to 
 give an order. 
 
 491. Have you seen any defects in any of the collieries that you have visited, 
 with reference to the shafts ? — A great many. 
 
 492. Will you name one? — The Soundwell Colliery. 
 
 493. Chairman.] Where is that? — Near Bristol. 
 
 494. In that colliery what did you find objectionable ? — I found the ropes hi 
 a bad state ; parts of the pits insecure, not properly walled, and I found the 
 men descending in tubs without any cover. 
 
 495. Mr Fitrzojj.] Had there been many shaft accidents in that colliery, 
 before you visited it, and made these discoveries? — There had not been any 
 shaft accidents during the 12 months previously to the time that I was 
 appointed an inspector, and up to the time of my inspection. 
 
 496. Mr. Locke.] Will you mention any other case in which there has been 
 an accident in shafts, where you have made a suggestion, which has been 
 attended with the benefit which you say you think has arisen from inspection 't 
 — I can enumerate many cases : at the Dowlais Colliery, the cage, in ascend- 
 ing, struck against the side of the shaft, and the chain guides were removed, so 
 as to allow it to run clear, and the part of the shaft which was narrowest and 
 got out of shape was rewalled. 
 
 497. Were those alterations made by the agents of the collieries themselves, 
 or from your suggestion ? — They were made by the agents of the collieries upon 
 my suggestion. 
 
 498. To whom did you make the suggestion ? — To the manager. 
 
 499. Of the Dowlais Company ? — Yes. 
 
 500. Do you recollect his name ? — Mr. Evans. 
 
 501. Can you give the number of accidents in that particular mine, during 
 the preceding year, and during the last years ? — There had not been any fatal 
 accident there before, during the time of the inspection. 
 
 502. Has there been any accident since? — No. 
 
 503. Mr. Fitzroy.] You state that there has been a great diminution of shaft 
 accidents, owing to the inspection of the Government inspectors : will you give 
 one case where shaft accidents did occur, in which, owing to your suggestions, 
 they have been put an end to ? — The two cases I have mentioned I think apply 
 to that, as near as any that I can mention. 
 
 504. Mr. Locke.] Can you mention any other case ? — In numberless instances 
 I have pointed out defects in shafts. 
 
 505. Chairman.] Can you state to the Committee any case where an accident 
 has happened, and you have gone to the mine and suggested some improvement 
 which h.vs been followed out, and where, in consequence of that improvement, 
 no further accidents have happened ? — That is the case in the two collieries I 
 have mentioned. 
 
 506. You were understood to state, that in the case of the Dowlais Company, 
 no accident had happened before?— An accident happened at the Dowlais 
 
 0.76. E Colliery. 
 
34 MINUTES OF EVIDENCE TAKEN BEFORE THE 
 
 H. F. Macbxorth, Colliery. I examined the colliery at the time of the accident, and made the 
 Es q- suggestion which I have described. 
 
 " 507. Mr. Fitzroy.~\ Can you mention any collieries in which you have found 
 
 16 June 1853. s h a ft arrangements deficient, and where, in consequence of your suggestion, 
 
 an alteration has been made in those arrangements, and loss of life has been 
 checked ? — I do not recollect, at the present moment, any shaft in my district, 
 where there have been two accidents during the two years. 
 
 508. You were understood to state that the number of shaft accidents was 
 very materially decreased, and that you attributed that decrease to Government 
 inspection. To what period do you refer as abounding in accidents, which 
 have been diminished by Government inspection ?— I should state, in explana- 
 tion of my meaning, that the number of lives which been have lost in England, 
 from accidents which occurred from men descending by the ropes, is from four 
 to five in 10,000 persons per year ; consequently you will see that the proba- 
 bility is, that an accident might not again happen in the same shaft for many 
 years, on the average. It is very seldom that the shaft is in such a state that 
 accident after accident occurs in it. The inspection has improved some of the 
 more dangerous. 
 
 509. Mr. Stephenson. ~\ How long have you been an inspector ?— A year and 
 a half. 
 
 510. Would your experience in that time justify you in drawing any general 
 conclusion with regard to these accidents and the benefit of inspection ? — I judge 
 of it in this way ; that I have found many shafts in a dangerous state ; I 
 pointed it out, and the proprietors have either remedied them or promised 
 to remedy them. 
 
 511. Mr. FitzroyJ] With what period are you comparing the year 1852, when 
 you say that there was a great decrease in the year 1852 in the number of shaft 
 accidents? — With the year 1851 ; and at that time the inspection was in ex- 
 istence ; but I was only inspector during one month at the end of 1851. 
 
 512. Chairman.'] In your visits round the mines, do you meet with any 
 opposition from coal owners in carrying out your suggestions ? — I have not 
 experienced any difficulty in visiting the collieries ; and they or the managers 
 have almost invariably promised to carry out my suggestions. 
 
 ,513. Have you found a general willingness to meet your views as much as 
 possible ? — Yes. 
 
 514. Mr. Locked] How long had you been connected with the management 
 of mines before your appointment as an inspector ? — Two years. 
 
 515. Where were you employed ? — In South Wales. 
 
 516. Can you name the colliery ? — Mr. Powell's collieries. 
 
 ,517. Mr. Cayley."] You have alluded to the loss of life, from explosion, in 
 the Middle Dyffryn Colliery; was that the Aberdare case? — Yes. 
 
 518. Since 1845, how many deaths have occurred from explosions in that 
 mine ? — I think about 78. 
 
 519. How is it ventilated? — The Middle Dyffryn Colliery has a furnace and 
 steam jet to produce the ventilation. 
 
 520. How was it ventilated during the time of these explosions? — The 
 furnace was at work ; the explosions occurred from the gas igniting the furnace. 
 
 521. Mr. H. Vivian.'] To what do you attribute the great loss of life from 
 explosions in the Middle Dyffryn Colliery ? — To the bratticed shaft, and the 
 number of doors and weak points in the colliery. 
 
 .522. Were there upwards of 20 main doors in the Middle Dyffryn Colliery ? 
 — If you include the cross headings, there were. 
 
 523. Were all those doors destroyed by the explosion ? — Yes, there were 
 that number destroyed. 
 
 524. The result of that was, that the distant workings were entirely cut off 
 from any supply of fresh air ? — The miners af the bottom of the shaft were cut 
 off from the current of air ; it went down one side of the brattice, and returned 
 up the other, passing through the aperture caused by the explosion. With 
 regard to the Middle Dyffryn accident, an important point, which has not been 
 given in evidence before, is the precise manner in which the accident occurred. 
 There was a great discharge of gas, which came off about 300 yards from the 
 furnace. On coming to a point 1 00 yards from the furnace, there was a regu- 
 lator, with an aperture about two feet square at the bottom ; so that the 
 discharge of light gas, sweeping along the top of the air-way, met this ob- 
 struction, 
 
SELECT COMMITTEE ON ACCIDENTS IN COAL MINES. 3.5 
 
 struction, accumulated stratum after stratum (if I may so explain it), and H. F. Mackworth 
 10,000 cubic feet of air per minute were pressing behind ; and when the lower Esq. 
 
 level of this light gas came down to the aperture, hardly anything, naturally, 
 
 but pure or highly explosive gas would be forced through that aperture — that 16 June l853 ' 
 
 gas, immediately rising up, would fill the whole of the heading beyond. At 
 
 a distance of 30 yards only from the front of the furnace, it met the rather 
 
 larger quantity of air coming from the ventilation of the rest of the mine, and 
 
 there was not sufficient interval for these to mix, and the stratum of gas reached 
 
 the surface of the fire. 
 
 525. Mr. Cayley.] And the furnace was the cause of the explosion? — Yes; 
 it occurred under very peculiar circumstances. 
 
 526. There was no dumb drift ? — No. 
 
 527. Mr. Baird.] Mas the aperture through which the air passed altered ? 
 — It was removed. 
 
 52S. Mr. Locke.] When did that accident happen?— On the 10th of May 
 last year. 
 
 .529. Were you a Government inspector at the time? — Yes. 
 
 530. Had you been a Government inspector before that period ? — I had. 
 
 531. Chairman.'] When you gave your evidence on the 9th of June 1852, 
 you put in a statement with regard to the accident ? — Yes. 
 
 532. The evidence which you have now given is in addition to the statement 
 which you gave at that timer — Yes. 
 
 533. Mr. Cayley.] Did you point out or advise them before the accident of 
 the imperfect state of the ventilation ? — My predecessor had pointed out, upon 
 a previous explosion which occurred there, that it was dangerous to work with 
 anything but safety-lamps in the colliery. 
 
 .534. Chairman.] Who was your predecessor ? — Mr. Kenyon Blackwell. 
 
 535. Do you agree with him in that recommendation ? — Perfectly. 
 
 536. Mr. Locke.] Would the use of locked safety-lamps in that colliery have 
 prevented that particular accident ? — The expression Mr. Blackwell made use 
 of was, that they were not to use naked lights. At the time Mr. Blackwell 
 inspected the colliery, they were using candles, and a lamp in the up-cast 
 shaft, for the purpose of ventilation ; at the time the previous accident occurred ; 
 he then told them they must not use naked lights in the colliery. 
 
 537. Mr. Stephenson.] The question has reference to the last explosion which 
 took place ?- -Yes. 
 
 538. Would the adoption of Mr. Blackwell' s recommendation have tended in 
 any way to have prevented the accident ? — 1 think if the recommendation of 
 Mr. Blackwell, that naked lights should not be used, had been followed strictly, 
 the accident would have been prevented. 
 
 539. The accident took place at the furnace, and not at the lamp? — Yes; 
 the question is, whether a furnace is a naked light or not. 
 
 540. Mr. Locke.] Did you or Mr. Blackwell ever give any order or make 
 any suggestion against the use of the furnace in that mine before the accident ? 
 — No. At the time Mr. Blackwell inspected it, the furnace was not used. 
 
 54 J. During the time of y our inspection, were they using the furnace ? — 'Yes. 
 
 542. Did you ever object to it? — I had not inspected the colliery ; the acci- 
 dent occurred about four or five months after I had been appointed inspector, 
 and I had not been into that colliery. 
 
 543. Mr. Cayley.] Is it the fact, that before one of the explosions there was 
 a great fall of the barometer?- — -There was a fall in the barometer on the 
 morning of the explosion. 
 
 544. Would not that tend to allow of the escape of the fire-damp from the 
 goaf ? — I do not think, taking the appearance of the orifice through which the 
 gas escaped, the thickness of the measures it had burst through, that the baro- 
 meter had any effect iu producing that accident. 
 
 545. As a general rule, is it not the fact that a fall in the barometer would 
 indicate the necessity for greater vigilance on the part of the persons having 
 charge of the ventilation ?— Theoretically, the fall of the barometer would have 
 an effect in making the gas, if there was an accumulation in the mine, approach 
 more nearly to the working parts. 
 
 .546. If there was a barometer kept at the bottom of either shaft, and there 
 was a great fall in the barometer in the down -cast, would it not be an indica- 
 tion of danger?— A slight fall in the barometer, at the bottom of the up-cast, 
 shaft, might indicate an increase in ventilation, or an increase of fire-damp at 
 the edges of goaves. 
 
 0.76. e 2 547- Mr. 
 
36 
 
 MINUTES OF EVIDENCE TAKEN BEFORE THE 
 
 H. F. Mackmorth, 547- Mr. Fitzroy.'] Was this mine supposed to be peculiarly fiery ? — There 
 Esq. was not a large constant discharge of fire-damp ; its peculiar and very great 
 
 danger arose from the irregularity of the discharges ; a seam of coal several 
 
 16 June 1853. yards above gives off gas from time to time, and I consider it one of the most 
 dangerous class of collieries. 
 
 548. It is one of the most dangerous in your district ? — Yes. 
 
 549. Do you select, for more careful inspection, those mines which are 
 supposed to be more dangerous than others? — As near as I can determine. 
 
 550. Which of the mines in your district had you reason to imagine to be 
 more dangerous than that in which this explosion took place ? — I think it was. 
 about as dangerous as any. 
 
 551. How many months had you been appointed a Government inspector 
 before this took place ? — Four or five months. 
 
 552. Had you visited many mines during that time ? — Yes. 
 
 553. Is it your custom to select those mines which are most dangerous for 
 your more careful inspection ? — Yes. 
 
 554. Then how came you to overlook this mine, which you have described as 
 one of the most dangerous, if not the most dangerous in your district ? — 
 Because when the previous explosion occurred, my predecessor (Mr. Blackwell) 
 made a very strong report upon the danger of the mine, and the necessity of 
 avoiding the use of naked lights, which was confirmed by the verdict of the 
 jury ; and 1 considered that, under those circumstances, pursuing the course 
 which I have mentioned, this mine did not run so great a chance of accident 
 as other fiery mines in the district. 
 
 55,5. Chairman.] With regard to naked lights, you have alluded to Mr. 
 Blackwell's official report, in which he condemned the use of all naked lights ; 
 from your present explanation of the way in which the accident occurred in 
 the Middle Dyffryn pits, whether naked lights were used, or whether safety- 
 lamps were used, the accident might still have occurred ? — I consider that a 
 furnace is a naked light, and that Mr. Blackwell's caution extended to that ; 
 there is a difference of opinion, I admit, amongst engineers on that point. 
 
 556. How would you obviate the recurrence of such an accident ? — By a 
 dumb drift, or by some other means of ventilation than the furnace. 
 
 557. There was no dumb drift in this mine at all ? — No. 
 
 558. All the foul and pure air came over the furnace ? — Yes. 
 
 559. Mr. Locke.'] You consider a furnace to be a naked light ? — Yes. 
 
 560. Have you made an)^ suggestion against the use of the furnace in any 
 other colliery since that accident ? — I have given several cautions. 
 
 561. Have you given any suggestion against the use of it? — Yes. 
 
 562. Will you name the collieries ? — Cwmamman, Tillerey, Risca and others. 
 
 563. Any others ? — I do not recollect them at the present moment, but I 
 know I have given them to others. 
 
 564. Do you consider the use of the furnace in those two mines a dangerous 
 means of producing ventilation ? — Yes, if unprotected. 
 
 ,565. Chairman.'] You mean the furnace without a dumb drift? — Yes. 
 
 566. Mr. Locke.] In those two mines were dumb drifts applied, or not ? -No. 
 
 567. With the use of the dumb drift, does your objection to the use of the 
 furnace entirely cease? — Not entirely ; with the use of the dumb drift, and 
 with proper precautions, I think it is perfectly safe. 
 
 568. Mr. Cat/ley. ] Reverting to the ultimate cause of the accident (which 
 was the oozing of the gas out of the fissures of the walls), rather than to the 
 proximate cause (which was the ignition of the fire-damp at the furnace), sup- 
 posing a barometer had been kept outside the mine, and a great fall in the 
 barometer had been observed, would not that have been an indication of dan- 
 ger ? — My opinion is formed upon a list of the great accidents in the north of 
 England, which was given by Air. Thomas John Taylor, before the Committee 
 of 1849, in which he showed that as many accidents occurred with a rising 
 barometer as with a falling barometer ; if 1 were the overman of a colliery 1 
 would consider it a caution, because there is theoretically an increased danger ; 
 and I have understood that some persons have observed gases come, more out 
 of the goaves on a fall of the barometer. A far more serious danger, and one 
 requiring constant attention, is the falling off in the amount of ventilation, 
 arising from the change of temperature of the downcast shaft, or the neglect or 
 want of skill of the fluernan. 
 
 569. Chairman?] But whether the barometer stands high or low, should 
 
 ■ there' 
 
SELECT COMMITTEE ON ACCIDENTS IN COAL MINES. 
 
 37 
 
 there not be, at all times, sufficient ventilation to prevent danger of any kind? H. F. Mackwortk, 
 — Undoubtedly. The cause of the numerous fire-damp accidents in this coun- Esc i- 
 try is, that the margin between safety and explosion is so exceedingly small — _ 
 hardly more than one-fiftieth. 16 June l853 * 
 
 570. Mr. CayleyJ] Your opinion is, that the safety of the mine depends 
 upon increasing the amount of ventilation ? — That is one of the precautions. I 
 consider the distribution of the air to be far more important.. 
 
 571. An increase of the quantity of air properly distributed? — Yes. 
 
 572. Chairman.] Mr. Blackwell, in his official report, condemned the use of 
 brattices and all naked lights. Were his recommendations attended to ? — They 
 were not, in any shape. 
 
 573. Do you believe this accident occurred in consequence of those recom- 
 mendations not being attended to ? — If his recommendations had been attended 
 to, in respect of the brattice, the accident would have been attended with a com- 
 paratively small loss of life. 
 
 574. Mr. Fitzroy.] Were you aware before the accident took place, that his 
 instructions had not been followed ? — I was not. 
 
 575. You agreed with him in opinion as to the necessity of those precau- 
 tions ? — I did. 
 
 ,576. If you had had an opportunity of inspecting that mine, and- had been 
 aware that his instructions had not been followed, would you have again urged 
 upon the proprietor the adoption of his suggestions ? — Certainly. 
 
 577. Do you think that the adoption of those suggestions w T ould probably 
 have been attended with a great saving of life, if not an entire avoidance of the 
 accident ? — I have not a doubt of it. 
 
 578. Chairman.] Is thatcolliery at work at present ? — Yes. 
 
 579. Have those suggestions been adopted since the accident? — They have. 
 The colliery is worked with safety lamps, and the ventilation is caused by a 
 furnace (the air in the mine passing by a dumb drift), and by the assistance of 
 steam jets, near the top of the pit. I believe, within the last few days, the mode 
 of ventilation has been changed, and that one of Struve's ventilators has been 
 substituted. 
 
 580. Was there not sufficient air obtained by the furnace ? — No ; there was 
 not a sufficient quantity of air. 
 
 581. Is it a bratticed shaft? — Yes ; and one object of putting up the venti- 
 lator was to take the currents of air through separate shafts ; to take the down- 
 cast air down the present winding shaft, and inside the brattice, where the 
 up -cast air has hitherto ascended, and to exhaust the up-cast air by the pump- 
 ing pit. 
 
 .582. Then, in point of fact, it is one pit having pumps on one side of it, and 
 winding apparatus on the other, with a brattice between ? — There is a large 
 shaft, which is divided by a brattice ; on one side they wind, and the air goes 
 down into the mine ; on the other side, when the furnace and dumb-drift are 
 in action, the up-cast air comes up. 
 
 ,583. Mr. Cay ley.] On the other side of the brattice? — Yes. 
 
 ,584. There is only one shaft? — There is another shaft which was not made 
 use of ; at the present moment, I believe this ; which is the pumping-pit, is made 
 the up-cast shaft. 
 
 585. Mr. Locke.] Which is the pumping-pit? — It is a second shaft, which 
 is now put into communication with the ventilator, and the air descends on 
 both sides of the brattice of the first shaft, which hitherto has divided the 
 up cast from the down-cast air. 
 
 586. Can you state what is the relative area of the up-cast shaft, as employed 
 at present, and the portion of the first shaft, which was bratticed off at the time 
 of the accident ? — In the former case, the area of the up-cast part of the shaft 
 was 82 square feet, and the present up-cast shaft has a diameter of nine feet 
 six, and an area of 70 square feet. 
 
 587-8. In your investigations, did you find, at the time the accident occurred, 
 that the instructions respecting the use of naked lights in the pit had been 
 attended to, or that naked lights or safety-lamps w-ere used ? — They were using 
 naked lights at the time the accident happened. 
 
 589. Mr. Steplienson.] In spite of the instructions they had received from the 
 
 inspector ? — Yes. * 
 
 590. Mr. Cay ley.] Was that fact brought out at the coroner's inquest? — 
 Clearly. 
 
 0.76. e 3 591. Did 
 
38 
 
 MINUTES OF EVIDENCE TAKEN BEFORE THE 
 
 H. F. Macktuorth, 591. Did that wilful neglect cause any additional penalty to be levied? — 
 Esq. There was a verdict of accidental death. 
 
 -Tj lSr ^9 2 ' Under the circumstances, do you consider that was a satisfactory ver- 
 
 une 1 1 53. jjjpj. 5 — There were several colliery engineers there, who were not examined on 
 oath, but whose opinions were taken ; and with the exception of one person, who 
 had been consulted about the continuation of the use of naked lights, they all 
 stated that safety-lamps ought to have been used. 
 
 593. Mr. Locke.] Will you state whether, at that investigation, the explanation 
 you have given in reference to the stopping and the use of the aperture, was 
 brought before the jury ? — It was not. i visited the colliery several times 
 afterwards ; and it was not until the colliery was again in working order, that I 
 received the explanation about the stopping - . It was blown out at the time I 
 went through it. 
 
 594. As I understand your former answer, you are of opinion that that 
 accident arose from the fact of an accumulation of gas, owing to the aperture 
 being placed at the lower part of the stopping, upon which that accumulation 
 rushed on to the furnace, and explo.led. Is that the opinion which you have 
 formed with reference to the cause of that accident ? — -Yes ; that is the opinion 
 I now hold ; 70 yards of the heading became filled with gas, so that the explo- 
 sion took place at the furnace. It is just possible that the gas might have gone 
 over the furnace without exploding, if the aperture had not been in that position. 
 
 ,595. If that aperture had been at the top of the stopping, instead of the 
 bottom, are you of opinion that the gas would have passed over the furnace 
 without an explosion r — I think that the explosion would have occurred, if the 
 aperture had been wholly at the top. The aperture ought to have extended up 
 on one side. If the aperture had been at the top, the nearly pure gas would 
 have gone through, nearly in the same way. 
 
 596. Without accumulation ? — Without quite so much accumulation. 
 
 597. What effect do you attribute to the accumulation of the gas before it 
 reached the furnace, ir. stead of allowiiag it to pass, as it was generated in the 
 goaf, over the furnace ? — The accumulation brought the gas down to the level 
 of the fire as it passed over. 
 
 598. Chairman.] If there had been a dumb drift, which would have taken 
 that quantity of foul air at a sufficient distance above the furnace, in your 
 opinion would the accident have taken place ? — I do not think there would 
 have been a chance of the accident occurring. 
 
 ,599. Mr. Stephenson.'] Then, in point of fact, the accident arose from an im- 
 proper application of the furnace ? — Yes. 
 
 600. And it does not form, in your mind, any objection to the furnace 
 system of ventilation ? — Not as long as the furnace is used with the dumb drift. 
 
 601. Mr. Cay ley.'] You have stated that the safety of the mine depends 
 very much upon the ventilation ; how often can you visit the mines in your 
 district ? — It would take me four or five years to go round them once. 
 
 602. What test can you have between each visit of the state of the venti- 
 lation in your absence ? — No test whatever. 
 
 (103. Can you suggest no means of ascertaining what amount of ventilation 
 there has been during your absence ?— I cannot suggest any test which 1 could 
 rely upon. 
 
 604. Then you consider that an inspector must remain in entire ignorance of 
 the state of the ventilation during his absence r— Yes. 
 
 605. If inspection is to be of any use, do you consider that there are a 
 sufficient number of inspector's ? — 1 seldom give notice before going to inspect 
 a colliery ; and that is a certain check, although it does not amount to a test. 
 I am now pretty well acquainted with the most dangerous collieries in my 
 district, and to those 1 direct most attention. I require assistants to carry out 
 the inspection effectually. 
 
 606. If you hear of a dangerous pit, and upon visiting that pit you find there 
 is anything deficient, do you make recommendations ? — Yes. 
 
 607. After making those recommendations, do you repeat your visit at some 
 sudden and uncertain time, in order to see whether your recommendations are 
 carried out? — Occasionally I do. 
 
 608. Do you consider the anemometer to be of no use ? —I test the ventila- 
 te tion in every colliery by it, where there is a current of air sufficient to move the 
 
 anemometer with the instrument ; but there are many cases where the current 
 of ventilation is not sufficient to give any indication on the anemometer. 
 
 609, If 
 
SELECT COMMITTEE ON ACCIDENTS IN COAL MINES. 
 
 609. If the current of air was insufficient to move the anemometer, would h. F. Mackworth, 
 it be sufficient to dilute the gas, or would it be healthy for the miner r — Esq. 
 It would not. 
 
 (ho. Then if the current was not great enough to affect the anemometer, 16 June 1853. 
 that would be an indication that the ventilation was insufficient ? — Yes ; I have 
 always represented it as being very insufficient. 
 
 61 1 . Have you any reason to believe that an anemometer could not be made to 
 be self-registering ; so that during your absence there might be a register of the 
 amount daily? — I believe such an instrument has been made. I have not seen 
 it in action ; but 1 could hardly depend on the indication of the anemometer, 
 because the air-ways are either altered, or may be altered from time to time, so 
 as to affect very materially the results indicated by it. 
 
 612. If the owner of a mine, or the overlooker of a mine, wished to deceive 
 an inspector, he would split the air in the galleries, so as to create a greater 
 current past the anemometer ? — It might be done. 
 
 613. lint if it was the interest of the working miner that there should be a 
 sufficient amount of ventilation, and a handsome penalty was leviable upon the 
 owner for such a transaction, do you think the owner would dare to resort to 
 such a proceeding ? — 1 think he might without the miner's giving information. 
 
 614. Chairman.] Do you think there are not means by which the manager of 
 a mine could deceive an inspector, provided the anemometer were in the most 
 perfect state that ingenuity could invent ? — There are means. 
 
 615. Mr. Locke.'] You would not be disposed to rely entirely upon an instru- 
 ment of that kind ? — No. 
 
 616. That is, yourself, as an inspector? — I should not rely upon it. 
 
 6 1 7. I presume you would not be an advocate for the introduction of an instru- 
 ment which might, at all events, weaken the vigilance of the overlooker of the 
 mine, on the part of the owner ? — No, i f that were the effect. 
 
 618. Chairman.] Is it not often the case that the overlooker will deceive the 
 owner himself? — Yes. 
 
 01 g. If you had an overlooker who was not an honest man, is it not possible 
 that, contrary to the express order and wish of the owner, he might endeavour 
 to deceive the inspector ? — Yes. 
 
 620. If he did endeavour to deceive the inspector would there be any possi- 
 bility of preventing him? — In some respects he might deceive the inspector. 
 
 621. Mr. Cayley.] Has not the working collier himself a strong interest in the 
 safety of the mine ? — Yes, but I believe colliers are bad judges of ventilation. 
 
 622. Is it or not the fact, that the working collier himself has a strong interest 
 in the efficient ventilation of the mine ? — Yes, but he is seldom sufficiently 
 attentive to it. 
 
 623. Supposing it were understood that a self-registering anemometer was 
 intended to be the test of the state of the ventilation during the absence of the 
 inspector, if the working colliers saw T that any tricks were played with that 
 anemometer, in creating an artificial increase of current past the anemometer 
 with a view of deceiving the inspector, would it not be the interest of the working 
 colliers, or of some of them, to give intimation of such a circumstance ? — I can 
 only judge of that by the fact, that in much more important cases, where the 
 safety of the mine is concerned, the working colliers do not come forward and 
 give us any information. 
 
 624. If there was a punishment on such a transaction, and the working 
 collier had a large reward for giving information, would not that be the pro- 
 bable protection for the use of and a test as an anemometer r — I think that 
 not one in a hundred of the working colliers would understand anything about 
 it ; and I think that even a large reward would not induce them to give 
 information to inspectors. 
 
 625. Then, at the present moment, you have no indication of the state of the 
 ventilation during your absence ? — None. 
 
 626. Would not you rather have an instrument which gave you some indi- 
 cation of the ventilation than have no means of ascertaining the state of the 
 ventilation during your absence ? — There would be some advantage in having 
 an instrument of that sort ; I should be glad to see some instrument of the 
 kind, because it would show me that some attention, at least, was paid to the 
 amount of ventilation in a colliery, which, I regret to say, is not often the case. 
 
 627. Mr. Stephenson.'] The volume of air is by no means a criterion of its 
 perfect utility ? — The point in which the collieries in England are most deficient 
 
 0.76. e 4 is 
 
4° 
 
 MINUTES OF EVIDENCE TAKEN BEFORE TFIE 
 
 H. F. MackiLorth, * s in the distribution of the air; and there might be a large amount of air at 
 Esq. the bottom of a shaft, which would give a false indication of security. 
 
 628. Mr. Loc/te.~} What would be the use of an instrument of the kind that 
 
 iG June 1853. ] ias Deen a ll lK l ec l to ? — 1 do not think there would be much use in an instru- 
 ment of the kind. 
 
 629. Mr. Cuyley.~\ If there were not a sufficient amount of air going into 
 the mine, what would be the use of any method of distribution ? — It is im- 
 portant to get a considerable quantity of air into a mine, because then it can 
 be distributed comparatively easy. 
 
 630. The fact being, that the first essential of ventilation is to get a sufficient 
 amount of air, and that the next is to distribute it properly through the various 
 workings of the mine ? — The first step is to get the air, and the next, is to 
 distribute it. 
 
 631. Mr. //. Vivian.'] Do you find that the ventilation in each particular 
 mine in your district varies materially, from visit to* visit ? — As much as one- 
 fifth in some instances. 
 
 632. May not that depend on the state of the thermometer and barometer, 
 and upon accidental causes ? — I think the difference of the temperature of the 
 atmosphere between the morning and the middle of the day, when there often 
 occurs a considerable variation, will produce an alteration of one-sixth in the 
 amount of ventilation in collieries, if it is not provided for. 
 
 633. Mr. Locke.] You mean the volume of air passing? — Yes. 
 
 (134. Air. H. Vivian.} Practically speaking, has not every colliery in your 
 district a nearly constant quantity of air passing through it ? — In those col- 
 lieries which I have inspected a second time, I have found generally that the 
 volume has been considerably increased ; the one-fifth of which I have spoken 
 was a deficiency occurring under occasional circumstances. A large deficiency 
 sometimes occurs from the clinkers on the furnace, or want of skill in the 
 flueman. 
 
 635. Is it not largely to the interest of the proprietor of a mine to have his 
 colliery well ventilated'' — Undoubtedly ; I do not think there is a more import- 
 ant point, with regard to the economical and proper working of a colliery. 
 
 636. Are you aware of the expense which falls upon the proprietor of a coal 
 mine, when an accident does occur ? — The expense is enormous ; it is several 
 thousand pounds in the more serious explosions. 
 
 637. Then, is it not immensely to his advantage to do everything in his 
 power to avoid accidents ? — To his real and true advantage, I believe it is. 
 
 638. Do you conceive that working miners generally know anything of the 
 ventilation of a colliery ? — Nothing ; they generally object, when there is any 
 increase in the ventilation ; but in instances where the ventilation has been 
 largely increased, and they have had considerable experience of its benefits, they 
 have stated that they could do one fourth more work in the course of the day. 
 
 630. A working miner is in the habit of going down his pit and straight to 
 his stall ? — Yes. 
 
 G40. He neither turns to the right nor to the left ? — No. 
 
 641 . He is not aware of anything that goes on in the working of an extensive 
 colliery ? — No. 
 
 642. Consequently, he cannot be. at all a judge of the general state of the 
 ventilation in the colliery ? — Fie has only a local knowledge. 
 
 643. Would it be possible, by any mechanical mean*, to measure the distri- 
 bution of the air in a colliery, the splits being numerous ? — You can measure 
 each split separately. 
 
 644. Do those splits constantly vary ?— According to the requirements of 
 each district, the split is increased or diminished in amount. 
 
 645. So that, during your absence, it might be absolutely necessary to cause 
 more air to pass into one portion of the colliery, and less into another portion 1'. 
 —Yes. 
 
 646. If by placing anemometers in the various splits, you compelled, to a 
 certain extent, the proprietor of a coal mine to pass a certain quantity of air 
 in certain directions at all times, might not that really endanger the proper 
 distribution of air in the colliery ? — Yes ; he would be changing it from time to 
 time ; if he kept it the same, it might occur that a portion of the colliery had 
 not a sufficiency of air for the safety of the men. 
 
 647. Would he not be obliged at all times to explain why he had changed the 
 ventilation of his colliery ?— Yes, if that was the regulation. 
 
 O48. Might 
 
SELECT COMMITTEE ON ACCIDENTS IN COAL MINES. 41 
 
 648. Might that occur from week to week, from day to day, and from hour H. F. Machwrth, 
 to hour ? — Yes. Esq. 
 
 649. Chairman.] The anemometer being an instrument simply for measuring ■ 
 
 the velocity of the air ?— Yes. 16 June 1853. 
 
 650. Mr. Cayley.] With the sectional area of the gallery it shows the amount 
 of air which passes ? — If you multiply the velocity by the area of the gallery it 
 gives the cubical amount of air that passes. 
 
 651. Chairman.'] You were understood to state, that if any appliance were 
 made to contract the area, the velocity of the anemometer would be increased, 
 inasmuch as a certain quantity of air would travel through a smaller space at 
 an increased rate ? — Yes. 
 
 652. Is it not, therefore, always in the power of the overman of the mine to 
 deceive the inspector, if he chooses so to do ? — Yes. The velocity which is 
 indicated by the anemometer is to be multiplied by the area of the point at 
 which the anemometer is placed ; if this point were contracted by a plank or 
 anything else being alongside of it, and that was removed before the inspector 
 came, the inspector would not know what was the correct area to be employed ; 
 and consequently the anemometer would give a very incorrect indication of the 
 quantity of air. 
 
 653. Mr. Stephenson.] Suppose a bord eight yards wide is being driven, and 
 it is a very foul one, you take the air up to the face of the work by a brattice ; 
 is not that the mode of doing it ? — Yes. 
 
 654. Supposing that you place in the in-gate an anemometer, and ascertain 
 that there is a large quantity of air going up, is not the safety of that bord entirely 
 dependent upon how near the brattice is carried to the face of the work ? — The 
 air returns by the shortest course, round the end of the brattice ; and if the 
 brattice is not carried sufficiently far on, a body of gas may be left there without 
 its mixing with the air. 
 
 655. And the bord would become dangerous ? — Yes. 
 
 656. Therefore the volume of air going up the bord is no criterion of the 
 safety of that bord, unless the brattice is carried sufficiently near the face to 
 sweep the face of all gas ? — No. 
 
 657. Therefore it depends rather on the care with which the workmen really 
 carry on the brattice towards the face ? — Yes ; I consider this distribution of air 
 to be a most important consideration in every fiery colliery. 
 
 658. Would the velocity or the volume of the air, without other detailed know- 
 ledge, give you any means of judging of the proper distribution of the ven- 
 tilation of the mine ? — No. 
 
 659. Mr. Cayley.] The extent of the brattice is no test without a proper 
 quantity of air ? — The first point to determine is the quantity of air that is 
 required, and next, the proximity to which it must come to the face. 
 
 660. Do you think that in every part of amine there should be a certain 
 minimum amount of air for the safety and health of the miners ? — In every 
 fire-damp mine, the minimum quantity of air required for the safety of the 
 mine is different, and it varies in different parts of the same mine. 
 
 661. Varying how many feet per second ? — From 200 cubic feet per minute 
 to 600 feet per minute, per man. 
 
 662. Mr. Stephenson.] Does not that depend upon the extent of the work- 
 ings of the mine ? — It ought never to be less than 200 cubic feet per minute, 
 per man, under any circumstances, in a mine containing fire-damp. 
 
 663. Mr. H. Vivian.] You are now speaking of the air brought to the work- 
 men, and not of the air sweeping the goaves ? — I am taking the whole quantity 
 of air which comes into the mine. 
 
 664. Chairman.] Unless you have a sufficient quantity of ventilation going 
 down the mine, and distributed over all parts of the mine, the ventilation is 
 defective ? — Yes ; there must be an active current everywhere. 
 
 665. You must have a sufficient quantity to fill the whole mine, and to sweep 
 it from danger ? — Yes. 
 
 666. Mr- Locke.] Whatever may be the quantity of air which you may force 
 down a mine and throw out of it, unless it is properly distributed, is it of any 
 use ? — No ; that is the great point. 
 
 667. Mr. H. Vivian.] And no instrument can test the distribution of the air ? 
 — No one instrument. The water-gauge affords some indication of the distri- 
 bution. 
 
 0.76. F 668. Mr.' 
 
4 2 
 
 MINUTES OF EVIDENCE TAKEN BEFORE THE 
 
 11. F.Machworth, 668. Mr. Cayley.] Would not an anemometer be a test, if placed in the drift, 
 Esq. whether the air goes or does not go through it ? — Unless you put an anemo- 
 
 meter in every working point, you cannot tell that the air is thoroughly dis- 
 
 iG June 1053. tributed. 
 
 669. Mr. Locke. 1 Are you of opinion that an anemometer could give a cer- 
 tain indication of the proper distribution of air throughout the entire mine ? — 
 One anemometer certainly could not. 
 
 670. Keeping in mind the question which has been put to you in reference 
 to the extension of brattices, will you state whether an anemometer, or any 
 number of anemometers, would indicate with certainty that the air had been 
 thoroughly and perfectly distributed throughout the mine ?— If you were to 
 place an anemometer at the end of every heading, such as Mr. Stephenson has 
 described, in every place where a man works, and multiply the number, it 
 would give you an indication of the quantity of air that was passing ; but it 
 would be no criterion whether that quantity of air would be sufficient to dilute 
 the gas to the extent required by safety. 
 
 671. Would it at all times secure the sweeping of the face, so as to make the 
 face where the workman is engaged perfectly safe ? — No ; I do not think the 
 placing of these anemometers would secure that, and it would be impossible 
 to carry it out in practice.. 
 
 672. Mr. Cay ley.] You state that it would be a test of the quantity going 
 into any part of a mine, but not of the purity of the air passing ? — Yes ; if you 
 take the simple case Mr. Stephenson has put at the end of a heading ; if you 
 put it at the extreme end it would tell you the quantity of air that was passing. 
 
 673. But not the purity? — No; the proper quantity of air would depend 
 upon the discharge of gas which there might be, from time to time, at the end 
 of that heading. 
 
 674. The greater the amount of air which was passing, the greater proba- 
 bility there would be that the deleterious gas would be diluted ? — Certainly. 
 
 67.5. Chairman.] And always providing that the anemometer is not tampered 
 with ? — Yes. I think it is a plan that could not be practically carried out. 
 
 676. Mr. Locke.] Supposing the anemometer to be placed at the end of the 
 brattice, and a constant supply of air to be passing through that brattice, 
 would not the increase of the working, by every foot the miner went, increase 
 his danger, notwithstanding the quantity of air remained the same? — If the 
 anemometer was close to the end of the brattice, and the brattice was not 
 lengthened as the heading advanced, the danger to the workmen would be 
 increasing, whilst the indications of the instrument remained the same. 
 
 677. Mr. Cay ley.'] You have now no test whatever of the amount of air 
 going into a mine ? — Not during my absence. 
 
 678. When you go there, how do you test its ventilation? — I try the quan- 
 tity of air passing in each split by an anemometer, and I judge by a candle 
 whether that quantity is sufficiently carried round the mine where the men work. 
 
 679. Mr. 11. Vivian.] You do not find, practically, that they vary from visit 
 to visit ? — In almost all cases I have found it considerably increased. 
 
 680. Chairman.] Will you furnish the Committee with a tabular statement 
 of the number of accidents which have happened in Hainault, and state the 
 number of workmen and the quantity of coal raised, and the average number 
 killed and wounded in 10 years ? — Yes. This is a Table of the number of acci- 
 dents which have occurred in the coal mines in Hainault in 1849, in 1850, in 
 
 Vide Appendix. 1851, and 1852. {The Witness delivered in the same.] 
 
 681. Is the greatest excess of deaths in England, France, or Belgium? — The 
 average is taken in 1851 and 1852 in Great Britain, over 460,000 persons 
 employed; in Belgium, from 1846 to 1850 (as given in the last-published 
 Returns), the number of workmen upon which the average is taken is 256,760 ; 
 the number of workmen on which the averages are taken in Westphalia is 
 73,275. The deaths from falls of roofs in Great Britain were 14*4 in 10,000 
 persons; the average is taken on 10,000 persons employed for one year. In 
 Westphalia there were 10 persons; in Belgium 9*4 persons killed from the 
 above cause. The deaths from explosions of fire-damp in Great Britain, 12'4 ; 
 in Westphalia, 1 ; in Belgium, 5*4 ; accidents in shafts of all kinds in Great 
 Britain, 9 - 0 ; Westphalia, 4 - 0. In Belgium they are divided under breakage of 
 ropes and chains, 3 2 —ladders, 0*8 ; other accidents in shafts, 3*6, making a total 
 of 7'6 from accidents in shafts in Belgium. In Great Britain the miscellaneous 
 
 accidents 
 
SELECT COMMITTEE ON ACCIDENTS IN COAL MINES. 43 
 
 accidents amounted to 6'1 ; in Westphalia, TO ; in Belgium, from blastings, H. F. Mackworth, 
 
 0'6 ; from inundations, 0'2 ; miscellaneous, 50 ; the sum total of all being, 41*9 Es 'l- 
 
 deaths in England; 28 - 2 in Belgium; and 16*0 in Westphalia, out of 10,000 ~ ~ 
 
 1 j " 16 June 1853. 
 
 persons employed one year. 00 
 
 682. Then it appears, by your comparative statement, that the excess of 
 deaths is more in England ? — Considerably more in England. 
 
 683. Can you account for the cause of the great excess of deaths from 
 explosions, falls of roofs, and other causes, in England ? — The difference arises, 
 I think, from the very perfect system of management in Belgium. Mines are, 
 first of all, laid out under the supervision of very competent men ; there is a 
 sufficient number of men appointed in the colliery, by the proprietor, to insure 
 its safety ; and there are frequent inspections made by the Government engineer, 
 to see that the regulations are carried out. 
 
 684. As to falls in shafts, is not the relative proportion very much in favour 
 of Belgium ? — They are a great deal more than in Westphalia, and rather more 
 than in Belgium. 
 
 685. How do you account for that ? — That arises from the use of ladders being 
 compulsory in Belgium, for the men to descend to the shafts; and in many cases, 
 they are obliged to ascend also by the ladders. 
 
 686. Do not a great many men fall down shafts in England, from the pits 
 being exposed without any fence round them ? — Yes, it is a disgrace to the 
 country. 
 
 687. In your opinion, would it be proper to enact a law to prevent pits being 
 left in an exposed state? — I think it is a most important point for legislation. 
 
 688. Are there not cages adopted in some parts of England, by which no 
 accident can occur when a pit is at work? — When guides and cages are employed, 
 the accidents in shafts are much fewer. 
 
 689. Are there not coverings on the tops of the pits adopted in some parts of 
 England, to prevent men walking into the pit, when the pit is in motion? — Yes ; 
 or the top of the pit should be fenced off, with the exception of the place where 
 the coal is taken in or out; and the top of the pit may be entirely protected, 
 without inconvenience. 
 
 690. Mr. H. Vivian.'] Would it not be more destructive to life, if men were 
 compelled to ascend by ladders in this country ? — In the deep pits, it would be 
 more injurious. 
 
 691. Chairman.'] You state that mines are better laid out in Belgium, and 
 that the Government inspectors are more efficient and have more power to carry 
 their regulations into effect. Will you describe to the Committee the number of 
 the inspectors, and their power, in Belgium? — There are two mining districts 
 in Belgium ; the district of Mons and the district of Liege ; an engineer-in- 
 chief resides at each of these districts ; and the remaining staff are six engineers 
 of the first and second class, eight sub-engineers, and 30 aspirants. 
 
 692. Will you describe the duties of the engineer-in-chief r — The engineer- 
 in-chief receives the reports of the aspirants, investigates all important cases, 
 and communicates directly with the Director-general at Brussels, and with the 
 Minister of Public Works. 
 
 693. What are the duties of the Director-general ? — He is in constant com- 
 munication with the Minister of Public Works ; and he exercises a surveillance 
 over the whole of the staff, who are dispersed in different parts of the country. 
 
 . 694. Under him are there three inspectors-general ? — No, only one, and two 
 engineers-in-chief. The three districts have been lately made into two ; one 
 has been suppressed. 
 
 695. One of the three engineers has been suppressed ? — Yes- 
 
 696. How many sub-inspectors are there ? — There are six engineers of the 
 first and second class, eight sub-engineers, and 30 aspirants. 
 
 697. Were there at any time 40 ? — That number would probably include 
 another class employed in the public works. 
 
 698. Then the number you have given is for the collieries, and all other 
 mines and manufactories? — For mines, quarries, foundries, and stationary 
 steam engines. 
 
 699. Will you describe to the Committee the duties of the eight sub-inspec- 
 tors ? — They are sub- engineers. The engineers of the first and second class 
 are under the orders of the engineer-in-chief ; he gives them the charge of a 
 portion of a district. The eight sub-engineers are distributed in the same 
 
 0.76. f 2 way, 
 
44 MINUTES OF EVIDENCE, TAKEN BEFORE THE 
 
 //. F. Mack-worth, way, sometimes having an independent charge under an engineer-in-chief, and 
 ■ Est l- sometimes under one of the engineers of the first and second class. The other 
 
 16 June 1853 aspirants are under the direction of those who are in superior offices. The 
 aspirants are those who more particularly inspect the collieries. The sub- 
 engineers are called in, or they come of their own accord, when there is any- 
 thing very important. 
 
 700. Mr. Fitzroy.] What are the powers of the aspirants ? — The aspirant 
 engineers in their visits direct their attention to that which concerns the con- 
 ducting of the works, the preservation of the mines, the safety of the workmen, 
 the means of lighting, ventilation, support of the roof, use of gunpowder, pro- 
 tection from water, and the safety of the surface. They verify the plans of the 
 progress of the works ; they certify the regular keeping of the registers of 
 progress, and examine into the control of the workmen, their registers, &c. 
 They watch over the execution of the laws of steam engines ; they inquire by 
 proces verbal into accidents, and all contraventions of the laws and rules ; they 
 obtain all the necessary elements for fixing the proportionate dues, and collect 
 all the documents for detailed statistics of mines, quarries, foundries, and steam 
 engines. They assist in drawing up the preliminary information in case of a dis- 
 pute between the proprietors, in verifying plans of the surface, and demands for 
 concessions of mines, and the plans for establishing or removing foundries. 
 
 701. Chairman.'] Do the mines in Belgium belong to the Government ? — 
 By the French law of 1791, modified in 1810, which they have adopted, the 
 mines are the property of the Government. 
 
 702. Your account of the duties of the aspirants seems to do away with the 
 use of overlookers ; are there overlookers besides ? — Yes ; in the same propor- 
 tion as in England. Each aspirant inspects 30 or 40 mines. 
 
 703. Have they the power of stopping mines or of giving directions, or what 
 sort of directions have they the power of giving ; how far, in point of fact, does 
 their power go, and where does it cease i — There is a very excellent collection 
 of rules for collieries, which are part of the laws of Belgium. Each province 
 had distinct regulations made by its own Council, with the assistance of the 
 engineers ; and these were altered into a general law. Before this law was 
 adopted a Council was formed, which was composed partly of colliery managers, 
 and partly of Government engineers, and, having been agreed on by them, it 
 was passed as a law. It is so well drawn up, and the precautions are so 
 plainly stated, and are so applicable to our English mines, that, if you will 
 
 Vide Appendix. a n ow mGj 1 p U t it in. [The Witness delivered in the same.] 
 
 704. Can you state up to what point their power goes, and where it ceases ? 
 — They interfere as little as they can with the working of the mine. Their 
 principal duty is to see that these regulations are strictly adhered to. In an 
 extreme case, if they find that a mine is exceedingly dangerous, as they in- 
 formed me, they have the power to order the men out. I have looked care- 
 fully over the laws, and I do not find that very distinctly mentioned. The 
 clause which bears most upon it is this : " When an engineer, in visiting an 
 exploitation, shall perceive an imminent cause of danger, he shall give, on his 
 own responsibility, all the necessary directions to the local authorities, in order 
 that it may be provided for on the spot, according to the arrangement which 
 he judges to be convenient ; he shall, without delay, inform the prefect of every- 
 thing." I may explain, that the way in which he is able to order the men out, 
 is because any danger must be a contravention of those rules which are dis- 
 tinctly laid down. 
 
 705. Has he the power of stopping the mine ? — He can order the men out of 
 the part that is dangerous, at least such is the practical working of the law. 
 
 706. If the men are ordered out, is it not virtually stopping the mine ?— It 
 is the practical working of the law ; I am not prepared to say, that there is any- 
 thing which will apply more nearly to it than this ; but at Hons and at Liege, 
 I was told distinctly that they had the power to order the men out. 
 
 707. Are there any penalties leviable on proprietors who refuse or neglect 
 to obey the orders of the aspirants? — If any fatal accident occurs, the pro- 
 prietor of the mine is fined, and to that is attached imprisonment. The fine for a 
 breach of the regulations is under 8 I., and a week's imprisonment. That 
 applies to the workmen as well as to the masters. 
 
 708. Mr. Stephenson.] Although the workmen may know nothing of the art 
 of ventilation ? — There are rules for the workmen, as well as for the masters. 
 
 709. Chairman.] 
 
SELECT COMMITTEE ON ACCIDENTS IN COAL MINES. 45 
 
 709. Chairman.'] In point of fact, it is their duty to see that a regular II. F. Machoorth, 
 system of regulation is carried out in the mines ? — Yes. Es( l- 
 
 710. Independent of those duties, have the aspirants anything to do with — 
 
 the collection of the revenues of the Government? — Yes ; a royalty of 2 § per 16 June l8 53- 
 cent, on the profits is paid to the Government ; and the aspirants, and the other 
 engineers, have to determine what those dues amount to in each mine. 
 
 711. If, therefore, a mine were not properly worked, the aspirant would 
 complain that they were not worked in a satisfactory manner, and that they 
 were not yielding as much profit as they would produce if they were worked 
 in a better way ? — He returns the actual profit, as near as he can ascertain it, 
 which the owner has made during the preceding year ; and upon that amount 
 2g per cent is charged. He cannot prescribe the mode of work. 
 
 71-2. You were understood to state that the mines were better laid out in 
 Belgium than they are in England? — I think they are. With regard to the 
 distribution of air, which is an important point, they form a marked contrast 
 to the mines in England ; and although there is not so large a quantity of gas 
 probably in Belgium as there is in England, on the average, and the quantity of 
 air is a good deal less than in some of our well-managed mines, yet the perfect 
 distribution of air, and the thorough discipline and management, prevents so 
 large a proportion of accidents arising from explosions. 
 
 713. Comparing the management of mines in Belgium with the manage- 
 ment of mines in England, are you prepared to offer any suggestions for the 
 improvement of our system ? — I think that the best managed collieries in 
 England are often nearly as well managed as collieries can be managed; 
 but the distribution of air is, I believe, very generally neglected. I know that 
 the opinion of many eminent viewers is, that they should have a current of 
 air of a certain velocity, from three to five lineal feet per second ; but I believe 
 there is hardly a mine in the country where that is carried throughout the 
 working faces, as far as my own observation has gone. 
 
 7 1 4. Are the mines in Belgium as fiery as the mines in England ? — The seams 
 in Belgium lie very peculiarly ; they are exceedingly steep and turned over 
 several times ; the discharges of gas are rather unequal ; more gas is found in 
 strata which have been interrupted by faults ; and, therefore, in some points, 
 they are more dangerous than the average of the English collieries. And it is 
 possible they may contain a good deal more gas than I was able to see ; for the 
 works being, by law, always carried on in a descending direction, the gas filters 
 out from the coal, and immediately passes off. The great principle of the 
 ventilation of mines in Belgium is that of ascensional ventilation, and throughout 
 the Continent the greatest stress in laid on that point. By keeping all the air 
 courses in a mine gradually inclined upwards to the up-cast shaft, even a blower 
 of gas which comes off finds its own way to the surface. 
 
 7 1 5. Taking the average of the English mines and the average of the Belgian 
 mines, you think the Belgian mines are as dangerous and as fiery as those in 
 England? — I think there is not more gas in the Belgian mines, on an average, 
 as far as I could see ; but still it was difficult to form an opinion, in conse- 
 quence of the coal being worked in such manner, as to get rid of the gas before 
 it was perceptible. 
 
 716. Are there any mines in Belgium of as fiery and dangerous a nature as 
 the most fiery mines in England ? — The most fiery mines in England are more 
 fiery than any coal mines in France, Belgium or Prussia. 
 
 717. According to your experience, do you find that mines are better managed 
 in England, where the danger is greater, or in districts where there is not so 
 much fire-damp to contend with ? — Where there is a great deal of fire-damp, 
 they are generally better managed. 
 
 718. Taking a comparison between Northumberland and Durham, where the 
 mines are managed on the best principle, do you find they are as well managed 
 in Belgium as they are in England? — I think there are no mines in England 
 which, as regards discipline, surpass the Belgian mines. 
 
 719- That is, in police discipline? — Yes. I am speaking not of the control 
 of the Government engineers, but of the discipline of the persons employed by 
 the proprietors of the collieries. I believe it is not surpassed even by the best 
 managed English mines. 
 
 720. Can you state with regard to what department of the management of 
 the best regulated English mines in England the discipline is better in Belgium, 
 
 0-76. F 3 and 
 
4 6 
 
 MINUTES OF EVIDENCE TAKEN BEFORE THE 
 
 .//. F. Mackworth, where you think that improvement could be effected ? — The first point is, 
 Esq, that each workman in a colliery has what is called a livret, which is a register 
 
 of his character from the day of his birth, and a certificate from each employer 
 
 16 June 1853. he has been with ; and without having that book he cannot be employed in a 
 mine. The consequence is, that an engineer knows the character of the men 
 whom he employs in fiery workings. The next point is, that a book is kept at 
 the colliery, in which the names of the men are entered (for the inspection of the 
 engineers), who are responsible for any important duties of the colliery. A 
 number of supervisors are appointed, whose duty is to go through the mine 
 several times during the working hours, inspect the state of the lamps, the 
 conduct of the men, and the state of the mine. If any dangerous circumstances 
 arise they are obliged immediately to report them to the Government engineer, 
 so that in addition to the ordinary manager of the colliery, the highest engineering 
 talent they have is immediately brought to bear in the solution of any difficulty, 
 and introducing more safety by removing the cause of danger in a mine. 
 
 721. Do you consider that sub-engineers or aspirants are a superior class of 
 men to the class of men who are called head viewers in the north of England ? 
 — The aspirants are the most highly-educated men in Belgium. Only the head 
 student in each year of the first Mathematical College in Belgium is admitted 
 into the mining service. In France it is the same. 
 
 722. At what age are they admitted ? — Before they can enter the mining 
 school at Liege they are examined in the higher mathematics (spherical 
 trigonometry, geometry of three dimensions, integral and differential calculus), 
 elements of mechanics, and descriptive geometry ; they remain at the school 
 three years, and they have to pass five strict examinations before they can 
 become aspirants. 
 
 723. Mr. Ste2)henson.~\ At what age do they enter the school? — They must 
 be at least 18, and remain until they are 21 years of age before they become 
 aspirants. They undergo another examination before they become sub- 
 engineers. 
 
 724. Mr. H. Vivian^] During the time they are at school, do they visit the 
 collieries in the neighbourhood of Liege ? — Yes. 
 
 725. Mr. Locked] Have they any official position until they become aspirant 
 engineers ?— No. 
 
 726. Do they obtain that official position at the age of 21 ? — That is the 
 minimum age ; they are about 23 years of age on the average, when they enter 
 the service. 
 
 727. Chairman.'] Comparing the management of mines in Belgium and 
 France, your opinion is, that even in the best regulated mines in England some 
 improvements might be effected ? — I will not go so far as that ; I have stated 
 that the best managed mines in England do not surpass the mines in Belgium. 
 
 728. In ordinary managed mines in Belgium, the system is infinitely superior 
 to the system in England? — Yes, the superiority is remarkable. 
 
 729. Do you attribute that superiority solely to the system of inspection ? — 
 I attribute it, primarily, to that admirable code of regulations, which must be 
 admitted by every experienced colliery manager to be very important ; and next, 
 to the manner in which the engineers see that those regulation are carried out. 
 
 730. Is it your opinion that such a system of laws could be enforced in 
 England? — Not at all to the same extent. 
 
 731. You stated, in your evidence in 1852, that there were about 400 col- 
 lieries in your district, and that you could not visit them more than once in 
 every four or five years? — Yes. 
 
 732. What improvements can you suggest in the inspection of mines in this 
 country, not for the purpose of making it as rigid as in Belgium, but in order 
 to make it as effectual as the circumstances of England will allow ? — I think 
 there ought to be, in the first place, a certain number of the most important regu- 
 lations to form the law; because that practically removes the responsibility from 
 the inspector which might otherwise attach, if he had the power to order those 
 things only when he found them deficient. In order to carry out these regu- 
 lations, I think there might be an increase in the inspection, with very satisfac- 
 tory results. 
 
 733. Mr. Fitzroy.] By an increase of inspection, do you mean an increase in 
 the number of inspectors ? — I think there ought to be a second class of 
 inspectors ; I do not think it is desirable to decrease the extent of the districts, 
 
 1 because 
 
SELECT COMMITTEE ON ACCIDENTS IN COAL MINES. 47 
 
 because it is very important to have a variety of mines to compare, and to see H. F. Mackworth, 
 the application of rules and improvements ; and, besides, the system would be Es( l- 
 better organised ; bat I think that something of the same system which is 
 adopted in Belgium (and I am not disposed to recommend any particular 16 June l853 * 
 course) might be adopted with success in this country. 
 
 734. Chairman.'] Do you think the system in Belgium tends in any way to 
 take out of the hands of coalowners the proper responsibility which ought to 
 devolve upon them ? — No, quite the contrary. 
 
 735. Is it your opinion that any step which would take out of the hands of 
 the coalowner the proper responsibility which should devolve upon him, would 
 be injurious ? — Undoubtedly. 
 
 736. Mr. Fitzroy'] Do you think that even if the powers of the inspectors 
 were not increased, an increase in the number of inspectors would alone tend 
 to promote greater safety in the mine ? — I think so. 
 
 737. Supposing no alterations were made in the powers of inspectors, do 
 you imagine that the establishment of such a class of men as you propose, 
 subordinate to the inspectors, would tend to increase the safety of the mines ? — 
 I have no doubt that an increase in the number of the inspectors would diminish 
 the number of accidents. 
 
 738. Even supposing their powers not to be extended ? — Yes. 
 
 739. Chairman.] You stated, in a former part of your evidence, that every 
 suggestion you had made had been willingly carried out by the coal owners and 
 the overlookers ? — I said that they generally promised to carry out the sug- 
 gestions, and that in some instances 1 had found them carried out. 
 
 740. Do you think they would pay the same attention to an inferior class of 
 men as they would pay to the inspector himself ? — No ; they would not pay so 
 much attention, unless there were a code of regulations. 
 
 741. Taking that fact into consideration, do not you think that, instead of 
 having an inferior class of men, subordinate to the present inspectors, it would 
 be better to increase the number of inspectors and to give them higher salaries ? 
 — I think that the sub-inspectors might report to the superior inspector in im- 
 portant cases ; but it would require a great deal of consideration, the class of 
 men whom it would be safe to intrust with the position of sub-inspectors. 
 
 742. Mr. Fiizroy.] You are of opinion that it would not be desirable to 
 diminish the area of the district of an inspector ? — Yes. 
 
 743. That is, on the ground of the variety which exists in the mines, which 
 it is important for him to have under his eye, that he may be enabled to adapt 
 his regulations to each?— Yes; in collieries there are constant improvements 
 going on, and by having large districts he will be able to communicate those 
 improvements from one point to another ; and experience gained in this way 
 would be valuable. 
 
 744. Do you think it is desirable that the districts should be of such an area 
 as to admit of the visits of an inspector only once in four or five years ? — I think 
 that the visits ought to be more frequent than once in four or five years. 
 
 745. You have stated that it would be impossible for you to go over your 
 district and inspect each mine in less than three or four years ? — Yes ; I think 
 the number of inspectors should be increased in some way, after the system 
 which is pursued in Belgium, so as to allow of inspection once a year. 
 
 746. You think it is desirable that an inspector should visit each mine in 
 his district once a year ? — On an average. 
 
 747. The inspector himself ? — Yes, or the sub-inspector. 
 
 748. Do you think it would be satisfactory, that the inspection of the 
 mines should chiefly rest on the new class of men, whom you propose to 
 establish? — Yes, but it is essential that they should be highly educated men. 
 
 749. Do you think it would be sufficient for the public safety, if the inspection 
 was principally made by them, and the reports only made to the inspectors ? — 
 Yes, if you had a proper class of men. 
 
 750. Are you in a position to propose to the Committee any extension of 
 the powers of the inspectors, at the same time that you propose to establish 
 this new class of men ? — I am not prepared to make any proposal of that kind; 
 I think it would be much more satisfactory to have simple regulations which 
 were generally applicable ; for by giving increased powers to the inspectors, to 
 some extent, you might remove the responsibility of the proprietors of the mines. 
 
 751. Mr. Locke.] Would you make those regulations universal, or would you 
 0.76. f 4 limit 
 
4 8 
 
 MINUTES OF EVIDENCE TAKEN BEFORE THE 
 
 H. F. Mackworth, limit them to particular districts ? — They ought to be so simple, as to be gene- 
 Es q- rally applicable to collieries. 
 
 " 752. Do you think that a code of regulations could be adopted, which might 
 
 ib June 1853. k e a pp}j e d universally throughout this country ? — Yes. 
 
 753. Do you think that you could yourself draw up a code of regulations for 
 that purpose, which would include all classes of collieries ? — Yes ; I think there 
 is no difficulty in it. I should extract some of the printed rules of the New- 
 castle collieries. 
 
 754. Mr. Cohbett.~\ Perhaps you have framed something of the kind? — No. 
 
 755. Mr. Fitzroy.] Is it your opinion, that the majority of the accidents 
 which now occur arise from the neglect or contravention of regulations which 
 have been laid down for the management of collieries ? — There have been no 
 regulations laid down ; I do not exactly understand the question. 
 
 756. Is it your opinion, that the majority of accidents which now takes 
 place in English collieries, arise from the neglect or disobedience of regulations 
 which have been laid down with respect to their management ? — I think that 
 the majority of them occur from the neglect of regulations which are laid 
 down in well-managed collieries as essential for safety. 
 
 757- By the proprietors themselves ? — Yes, or by the managers. 
 
 758. Not by the Government inspectors ? — The Government inspectors have 
 laid down no regulations. 
 
 759. In what way will the safety of a colliery be increased by the presence 
 of the class of men whom you propose to establish, if they are to lay down no 
 regulations for its management ? — There would be the same influence exerted 
 as there is now ; when an inspector visits a mine, he will point out the dangers 
 and defects which exist in it ; and if an accident occurs, by stating this at the 
 inquest there will be a greater degree of responsibility thrown on the proprietor 
 of the mine, or the persons employed in it. 
 
 760. Then the only additional safety to the public would arise from more 
 frequent inspection ? — I have recommended a simple code of laws, as well as 
 an increased number of inspectors ; it would materially assist the decisions of 
 coroners' juries. 
 
 76 1 . Would you propose to delegate to these sub-inspectors the same authority 
 during the time of their inspection as you now yourself enjoy, with regard to 
 pointing out dangers and so on ? — Yes. 
 
 762. Do you think you would be able to secure the services of a class of 
 men of sufficient engineering and general scientific acquirements to enable 
 them to perform these duties satisfactorily, on the scale of salary which probably 
 you would propose if they were to be subordinate to the present inspectors ? — 
 No, I do not think we should. 
 
 763. Do you think that the services of men of sufficient acquirements could 
 be obtained upon the terms which would probably be offered to them as sub- 
 inspectors ? — I do not think they could be found permanently at the present 
 salary of an inspector ; they ought to be a class who would be promoted, and 
 there ought to be always an opportunity of rising ; I think that would tend to 
 get their services, and to keep their services when obtained. 
 
 764. Do you propose that they should perfect their education in a manner 
 to fit themselves for the duties of inspectors, by the experience which they 
 would obtain in the mines ? — Yes, after a thorough scientific education. 
 
 765. You do not propose to find men who are already fully acquainted with 
 the working of mines, and of great scientific acquirements, to commence this 
 career ? — I do not think you will find them ; and I do not think you will be able 
 keep them, if they were appointed. The department must be increased very 
 gradually. 
 
 766. Do you think it would be a satisfactory arrangement for the public to 
 take men at a very reduced salary to undertake these duties nominally, but 
 really in order to go through a course of study to fit them for the situation of 
 inspectors afterwards ? — I know that no other class of men would be so likely 
 to remain in the service, as men who have been selected in the same way that 
 they select the engineers of mines in Belgium. 
 
 767. Do you think it would be a beneficial arrangement for the public ? — 
 I think it would be the best arrangement. There would be less danger than in 
 having inspectors of the other class that has been proposed, who would be 
 wanting in tact and gentlemanly conduct. 
 
 768. Mr. 
 
SELECT COMMITTEE ON ACCIDENTS IN COAL MINES. 49 
 
 768. Mr. Locke.] Are the persons who now have the management of col- h.F. Mack-worth, 
 lieries in your district intelligent or otherwise ? — I think that, on the average, Esq. 
 
 the overmen are not very intelligent. 
 
 769. Do you extend that answer to the general managers, as well as to what 16 June l8 53« 
 are called overmen or wastemen ? — In my district they are generally overmen. 
 
 Where there are engineers employed, they are very superior men. 
 
 770. Are there any superior men employed in that district as in the north of 
 England ; viewers of considerable note ? — Yes ; there are some viewers em- 
 ployed. 
 
 771. But you think that the class of persons who have the daily superin- 
 tendence of the mines are not persons of a very considerable amount ot in- 
 telligence ? — No ; there is a great deficiency of information among the over- 
 men on many important points of safety. 
 
 772. Is it your opinion that they are not well calculated to conduct the under 
 ground operations of the mines ? — Generally speaking, I think they are want- 
 ing in every essential information for that purpose, especially with regard to 
 ventilation. 
 
 773. You have stated that you are able to arrange a code of regulations 
 which would be universally applicable to all mines. Would you in that code 
 stipulate any fixed quantity of air for the supply of a mine or not ? — No. 
 
 774. Would you stipulate for any fixed velocity of air through the mine? — 
 Not further than this : that speaking simply of non-fiery collieries, I think there 
 ought to be artificial means of ventilation, and that the current of air in every 
 part of the mine should be just perceptible by the ordinary test of the candle. 
 
 775. Then would your code admit of two or three different classes of mines, 
 namely, those which were fiery and those which were non-fiery ? — There would 
 be some rules which would not apply to non-fiery collieries at all, and there 
 would be some rules introduced specially for them. 
 
 776. Do not you think there might be a difficulty, in case a jury were in- 
 quiring into the cause of death, in ascertaining whether a colliery should be 
 designated fiery, or non-fiery, or moderately fiery ? — If a jury were investigat- 
 ing a death by explosion, there would be no doubt in their minds that it was a 
 fiery colliery ; and unless they were investigating such a case, they would not 
 go into the matter. 
 
 777. Would you consider that every colliery in which an accident might 
 arise of any kind, was really what you would call a fiery colliery, and designate 
 it as such, as distinguished from other collieries which had not much fire in 
 them r — Yes ; I can hardly conceive it possible that the presence of fire-damp 
 should not be recognised in a colliery long before any accident occurred from it. 
 
 778. In whatever degree, therefore, that air should exist in volume in the 
 mine, you would designate it, and apply your rules and regulations to it, as if 
 it were a fiery mine to any extent ? — The rules would be so simple, that they 
 would apply to all mines in which there was fire-damp. 
 
 779. Do you think that those simple rules would be entirely efficacious in 
 preventing an accident in any mine : — They would reduce the number of acci- 
 dents. 
 
 780. If rules were laid down with reference to a very fiery mine, would the 
 same rules, in your opinion, be proper rules to apply to a mine which was not 
 so fiery, but was subject to a moderate amount of foul air ? — Some of the rules 
 would certainly apply to both. It is difficult to speak generally. In order to 
 make the case more clear, I will take a special case. My own opinion is, after 
 1 ong consideration and inquiry, that the use of locked safety-lamps should be 
 compulsory in every colliery where there is any fire-damp at all ; that is an 
 important rule, which, I think, ought to be generally applied. 
 
 781. Chairman.'] Do you mean that the rules which you suggest are so 
 general, that they might be applied to any mine, whether it was fiery or other- 
 wise ? — Not having framed the rules, I am not prepared to say there should 
 not be some which would be specially applicable ; but there are two or three of 
 that simple kind that they would apply generally. I have given one as regards 
 a non-fiery colliery. 
 
 782. Whether a mine is fiery or not fiery, looking at the health of the men, 
 do you think it would, or would not be proper for the Legislature to forbid any 
 colliery being worked at all without artificial appliances ?— I think it is most 
 desirable that artificial ventilation should be made compulsory. 1 believe that 
 
 0.76. G more 
 
50 MINUTES OF EVIDENCE TAKEN BEFORE THE 
 
 M. F. Mach»orth> more injury is caused to life and health by the want of ventilation in non-fiery 
 • bs ^- collieries, than by all the accidents by explosions. 
 
 i6 June 18 7^$- ^' ^ v ' ian '~\ Are there any collieries in your district which are ven- 
 
 tilated by natural ventilation, with a sufficient current of air passing through 
 them? — In the depth of winter, in many well laid out collieries, where there 
 was no fire-damp, you could have a sufficient current of air by natural ventila- 
 tion. I am giving you the most favourable circumstances. In an extreme 
 case, you may get a sufficient current of air by natural ventilation. 
 
 784. Mr. Locked] You have stated, that you think a better mode of distri- 
 buting air in a mine is pursued in Belgium than in England. Will you 
 explain to the Committee the difference which you have observed between the 
 mode which is adopted for distributing air in mines in Belgium, as compared 
 with that which you have seen in this country ? — By law, in Belgium, when the 
 air has once descended into the mine, it must always ascend ; the air must never 
 re-descend without the express permission of the Government engineer; a 
 permission which is very seldom granted. The next point is, that the gobbing, 
 as will be seen by those laws which I have put in, is very carefully attended to ; 
 the whole space between the air-ways is filled up, and it has, by law, to be 
 carried on to within a very short distance of the face, so that the air is carried 
 along the bottom level, until it reaches the working face ; it passes right up the 
 working face ; it is kept close to it by the gob, and the gas which escapes is 
 swept off along the return air-ways, without obstruction to make it accumulate. 
 
 785. Can you state the distance to which they are obliged to carry the gob 
 to the face, by the Belgian regulations ? — The distance is not specifically 
 mentioned ; it varies in different seams, but it is generally carried from four to 
 ten feet from the face. 
 
 786. There is no regulation as to the distance to which it shall be carried ? — 
 No. 
 
 787. Mr. H. Vivian,] Can you state the thickness of the largest seam of coal 
 in Belgium, where that rule applies? — About four feet. 
 
 788. Mr. Locke, ,] Are there not thicker seams of coal than four feet in 
 Belgium ? — No ; I think that is the thickest seam. 
 
 789. Mr. H. Vivian.'] Do you conceive that such a principle can be carried 
 out in larger seams of coal ? — The same principle ; that is, filling the stopping 
 well up is applicable everywhere. 
 
 790. But not the gob? — They work in long work in Belgium. 
 
 791. You work with stall and pillar? — Yes; and the stoppings are generally 
 very much neglected. 
 
 792. Mr. Locke.] Are the mines in England generally inclined or flat ? — 
 Generally flat, some are highly inclined. 
 
 793. Would the principle which you say is so beneficial be appliable to a 
 mine which is less inclined, or to a mine which lies flat ? — The ascensional 
 ventilation cannot be carried out in some of the English mines throughout; 
 there is one point in flat-lying seams, where the air would have to descend if 
 the up-cast shaft is not altogether to the rise, but it is a dangerous practice. 
 
 794. Then you have contemplated cases, where in England it would be 
 impossible to carry out that principle which is adopted in Belgium? — I think 
 the safety could be attained with great care, and the arrangement of the air 
 courses. 
 
 795. Then it would not be one of your regulations which you would propose 
 similar to that which is now adopted in Belgium ? — No ; I should not make it 
 so exclusive a law as in Belgium. 
 
 796. Then that advantage which you say you have observed in Belgium, is 
 not one of the advantages which you think would be universally applicable in 
 this country ? — No ; I should not think it would be as universally applicable in 
 this country as it is in Belgium. 
 
 797. Are you prepared to state to the Committee, from your knowledge of 
 the management of mines in your district, that one cause of defective ventila- 
 tion is a defective distribution of air ? — Yes ; it is one of the most common 
 causes. To be set in comparison with the gobbing which is made use of in 
 Belgium (carrying the air to the face), I should mention that there is, generally 
 speaking, in English collieries an enormous leakage. A quantity of air comes 
 down the shaft which does not penetrate to the working face. 
 
 798. Mr. H. Vivian.] Through stoppings ? — Yes, besides doors and brattices. 
 
 799. Mr. 
 
SELECT COMMITTEE ON ACCIDENTS IN COAL MINES. 51 
 
 799. Mr. Locke.] What is the distance between the gob and the face of the H. F. Macktvorih, 
 workings which is usually adopted in long wall work in the districts which you Es q- 
 superintend t — The gob walls are not ordinarily sufficient to carry the air suffi- " 
 ciently along the face of work. I have frequently found neglect in that point. lG June l8 53- 
 
 800. Can you state, in feet or yards, of what that neglect consists f — I find 
 it is very commonly the rule, under those circumstances, not to carry forward 
 the gob, or the brattice, as the case may be, until there is some indication of 
 fire-damp in the lamp. 
 
 801. Then you think that until they see danger they do not make them- 
 selves secure ? — Until there is 3 § per cent, of fire-damp in the air of the mine, 
 they do not adopt the precaution of carrying forward the gob walls. 
 
 802. Mr. H- Vivian.'] Do you consider the system of gobbing applicable to 
 a larger vein than a four feet vein ? — In thick veins you would build gob walls 
 to carry your air forward. 
 
 803. I assume gobbing to apply to long wall work ? — Yes. 
 
 804. You may define a gob as that which is mechanically done ? — Y'es. 
 
 805. While a goaf falls entirely ? — Yes. 
 
 806. The gob will apply altogether to long wall work ? — Not altogether. 
 
 807. Is long wall work applicable to a larger vein than a four feet vein? — 
 Yes. 
 
 808. Is it applicable to a five feet vein? — It is more favourable in thin 
 seams 5 but you may work a very thick seam by it, under favourable circum- 
 stances. 
 
 809. Must it not also depend, in a great measure, on the roof? — Somewhat. 
 
 810. If the roof will not fall readily, you can scarcely work long wall work ? 
 — It is more difficult. You may have a modification of long wall work. 
 
 811. You must work the coal first by stall and pillar, and then by long wall 
 work ? — Y es ; that is a convenient way. There are two great divisions in long 
 wall working, namely, working from the shaft and to the shaft. When you 
 cannot work from the shaft you can almost invariably work to the shaft. 
 
 812. Is it not the fact, that it would be impossible to stow large veins? — > 
 It is sometimes impossible. 
 
 813. Those veins you would work by stall and pillar work ?— No ; I think 
 in all veins you could build gob walls of some kind. I can imagine a case 
 where you would have to leave a pillar of coal in order to carry the air in. 
 
 814. Chairman.] Would you recommend the Legislature of this country to 
 enforce either the system of long wall work or stall and pillar work ? — No. 
 
 815. If that were done in Belgium it would be because the Government, 
 having a certain per-centage on the profits of the mine, might think it a more 
 advantageous mode of working, and therefore they would themselves, in order 
 to secure their own profits, recommend it ; but in England, the system being- 
 different, each proprietor working a mine must be left to work his mine 
 according to the system which he deems most profitable ? — It would be im- 
 possible to say that a proprietor should work his coal in this or that manner. 
 In Belgium it is not done. 
 
 816. Mr. Locke.] Are you prepared to recommend gobbing on any fixed rule 
 to be carried on? — I should recommend that the stoppings, and everything 
 which conducts the air to the face of work, should be made perfectly tight, so as 
 to carry a sufficient quantity of air into the working faces. 
 
 817. Would you be prepared to say that the gobbing should be carried up 
 to within a certain distance of the face ? — No ; 1 should not be prepared to say 
 that ; I should not recommend the adoption of gobbing as one of my rules 
 at all. 
 
 818. With reference to the improved distribution of air, which you state 
 exists in Belgium, are you prepared by any rule to enforce that system in 
 England ? — I should not concern myself at all with the air that came down the 
 shaft ; if there was any regulation, it should be that a certain rate of current, 
 which I explained by saying it would indicate on the flame of the candle, 
 should be maintained in the working parts of a colliery where there was no 
 fire-damp at all. 
 
 819. Can you measure the velocity in feet ? — It is 30 lineal feet per minute, 
 half a foot per second. 
 
 820. Ought the velocity to be increased according to the amount of foul air 
 which was met with in a mine ? — Yes. 
 
 0.76. G 2 821. That 
 
52 MINUTES OF EVIDENCE TAKEN BEFORE THE 
 
 ti. F. Mackworili, 821. That of course would render it very difficult to lay down any general 
 Esq- rule, which would be applicable universally throughout this country, where 
 
 there are so many different classes of mines ? — I think you may arrive at a rule 
 16 June 1853. m a ver y simple way, namely, to say that there shall be a sufficient quantity of 
 air to prevent any indication of fire-damp on a safety-lamp. 
 
 822. You do not mean to measure it by any fixed quantity, but that there 
 shall always be a sufficient quantity of air to prevent fire-damp being shown 
 either by a naked candle or by a lamp ? — By the most delicate tests that we 
 have, that fire-damp shall never be visible in the working face. 
 
 823. Whatever quantity of air might be necessary for that purpose, without 
 fixing it in your rule, you would render it imperative upon any person who 
 owned a mine to have that quantity supplied? — I am not prepared to say that. 
 
 824. I want to ascertain if we can get into some fixed regulation r — There is 
 no doubt they ought to have that quantity. 
 
 825. Then, if they ought to have it, are you prepared to recommend this 
 Committee to enforce it ? — There are some peculiar circumstances in which it 
 might be impossible to have that quantity ; and there might be some excep- 
 tions, such as are provided for in Belgium, where the engineer may allow the 
 air to descend. I cannot give a decided answer off-hand. 
 
 826. Then, in point of fact, you would not recommend a system of rules 
 without making exceptions to them ? — There might be an exception. It re- 
 quires consideration. 
 
 827. Mr. Stephenson.] With regard to inspection, are there not a great 
 number of circumstances almost daily occurring in an extensive colliery, which 
 alter the relation between the supply of air and the demand for it. supposing 
 the demand to be regulated by the principle you now lay down, that the safety- 
 lamp is not to show more than a given indication of gas at the face of the 
 working ? — I think, that as a rule, there ought never to be the slightest indi- 
 cation of gas in the face of the work. 
 
 828. Are there not every day, in an extensive mine, various casualties which 
 involve a great disparity between the supply of and the demand for air ? — A 
 variation to the amount, as I have explained, of one-fifth or one-sixth. 
 
 829. It is in evidence before all the Committees which have sat on this sub- 
 ject, that the discharge ot fire-damp from coal is exceedingly irregular, and can 
 only be detected by the men who are constantly in the pit, and that occurs 
 almost every day. In order to make the mine safe at different times of the same 
 day, do you not want a different supply of air to keep the ventilation in a good 
 state ? — Yes. 
 
 830. With such an inspection as you give to collieries, on your visits once in 
 two or three years, what kind of regulation could you apply ?— There is a point 
 which it is necessary for me to explain in order to answer that question ; that is, 
 to point out that when you begin to see a halo, or indication of fire-damp on 
 the flame of a naked light, there is already Si per cent, of gas, according to Sir 
 Humfrey Davy's experiments, and that when there is seven per cent, the gas 
 explodes. That 3£ per cent, under the most favourable circumstances, such 
 as when a man is engaged in examining it, and it is almost pure carburetted 
 hydrogen, is a very small margin indeed to interpose between safety and 
 explosion ; and every manager who wishes to put his colliery into a proper 
 state, ought to increase that margin by doubling the amount of ventilation. If 
 I was managing a colliery, upon seeing such an indication, I should double the 
 amount of ventilation, so that I should make the chance of seeing any indica- 
 tion of fire-damp from a blower, or extra discharge of fire-damp, exceedingly 
 improbable. W ith the safety-lamp the margin is only 2 per cent. ; the true 
 cause of the numerous explosions. 
 
 831. That is the act of the manager of the mine at the moment when he 
 sees the casualty occurring ? — No ; he ought to have his colliery worked with 
 so large a margin of safety, that even supposing there was a considerable 
 alteration in the discharge of gas, it should give no visible indication by the 
 rough test we now have. 
 
 832. Do you think an occasional inspection by yourself, or any other Govern- 
 ment inspection, once a year, or once in two or three years, would meet a 
 casualty of the kind I have alluded to ? — No ; and that is the reason wiry I 
 think that simple rules of that sort would materially assist the inspection. 
 
 833. Does not the safety of a large colliery essentially depend upon tne 
 
 vigilance 
 
SELECT COMMITTEE ON ACCIDENTS IN COAL MINES. 53 
 
 vigilance of the manager ? — A good deal ; but still if such regulations were H. F. MackwortJi, 
 enforced, many collieries, which I am not perhaps able to visit, would pay Esc l' 
 attention to so distinct a law, and it would everywhere have a constant degree 
 of operation, even although I was not able to visit the colliery more than once 16 June l8 < r >3- 
 in several years. 
 
 834. Supposing the quantity of gas was never to be allowed to exceed 3£ 
 per cent., when it does exceed it, how are you to know whether a manager has 
 really taken those pains which are necessary for diluting it, or keeping it at 
 that amount of dilution. If he neglects it, supposing that the quantity of gas 
 is very large, and is liberated in one day, scarcely any power he could bring 
 into play would maintain that dilution ; how could you blame that man t — I 
 should be able to get a good deal of evidence from the colliers, as to the indica- 
 tions of gas which they had previously seen ; and besides this, to guard against 
 any idea that the colliery might be rendered insecure, I think it is indispensable 
 there should be a locked safety-lamp. 
 
 835. I want to ascertain how the occaional inspection of mines would essen- 
 tially operate to reduce the number of accidents ? — As I have stated before, the 
 collieries are worked at present in a very dangerous manner ; they are worked 
 generally so as just to see the halo on the flame. I think that the quantity of 
 air in those collieries should be doubled, and then it could very seldom occur 
 that so extensive a blower would come off as to make the halo visible. 
 
 836. Do not you think that, before a man is allowed to undertake the manage- 
 ment of a coal mine, he should be called upon to undergo an examination which 
 should really test his ability ? — I think it is a matter of great importance 
 that the manager should go through an examination of that kind, if it were only 
 a simple one, in order that he should know the principles of ventilation, of 
 which many of them in my district are ignorant ; but still, from what I have 
 stated before of the improvements which are often carried out on the recom- 
 mendations which I made to the managers, I think that inspection does and 
 must do much good. 
 
 837. I am not disposed to question the utility altogether of inspection ; 
 but I rather put that question to ascertain your opinion as to the mode of 
 investigation into the qualifications of the party to whose management a mine 
 is submitted. Would not that be a more direct mode of remedying the evil we 
 are now considering, or would it not be a very admirable auxiliary ? — I do not 
 think it would be possible to do it universally. 
 
 838. Mr. Cay ley .] You think that inspectors may suddenly visit a mine, and 
 keep the manager of the mine in proper order r — Yes. I would much rather 
 you would take evidence as to what inspection has done ; I think there are 
 engineers coming who can tell you whether an amendment in ventilation and 
 other things in collieries has taken place. 
 
 839. Do you think that no mine should be worked in which it would not 
 be ordinarily safe to introduce a naked light r — I think that any mine can be 
 worked, however great the discharge of fire-damp ; for I am perfectly sure 
 that, with the ventilating powers we possess, it could be adequately ventilated. 
 
 840. You think that however fiery a mine is, there exists a possibility of a 
 sufficient ventilating power ? — Undoubtedly. 
 
 841. The recommendations that you have given seem to imply rather the 
 means of knowing how an accident has happened after it has happened, than the 
 means of prevention before it takes place : is not that so ? — No. In working a 
 colliery you must have some test of the amount of discharge of fire-damp. 
 
 842. You have stated that a certain amount of ventilation is necessary? — I 
 only spoke of where there is no fire-damp at all. I think that the air should 
 be in motion in every working part of a colliery. 
 
 843. And you are not willing to give any particular amount ? — Not less than 
 30 lineal feet per minute. 
 
 844. That is only half a foot per second ? — Yes ; where there is no fire-damp. 
 
 845. Are there many mines in which there is no fire-damp ? — I should 
 think two thirds of the mines in my own district have no fire-damp in them. 
 
 846. But where there is an average amount of fire-damp, what is the cur- 
 rent which you would recommend r — Where there is any fire-damp there 
 should never be less than 200 cubic feet, per man, per minute. 
 
 847. "What rate of current would produce that in an ordinary sized mine r 
 —Supposing you had 300 men, that would be 60,000 cubic feet per minute. 
 
 0.76. g 3 848. What 
 
54 
 
 MINUTES OF EVIDENCE TAKEN BEFORE THE 
 
 II. F. Mnchamth, 848. What rate of current? — Where there is a tendency to fire-damp in a 
 ^Esq. working face, the current of air ought to be travelling at something like three 
 
 iG j lineal feet in a second. 
 
 1 une 1853. 849. Would you not, in all such cases, establish a minimum, which should 
 be essential to safety r — That is a very difficult point to determine. I should 
 mention, that taking it roughly at so much per man, is not an accurate mea- 
 sure of the quantity of air which is wanted in a colliery. It is a unit of 
 measure which is most generally applicable, and accordingly I put in that form, 
 making the quantity of air depend on the number of men. 
 
 850. What should be the supply, per minute, to each man ?— There should 
 be from 200 to 600 cubic feet, per man, per minute, or even more than that, 
 
 851. Could you not establish that test ?— I think it would be exceedingly 
 difficult to define what the limit is, consistent with safety in a colliery, where 
 there is very little fire-damp. 
 
 85 2. I want to ascertain something a little more definite than that it is a 
 test of danger, when the flame begins to lengthen, which appears to me to be 
 the result of the answers you have given in the latter part of your examina- 
 tion ? — if in a working face you find a slight indication on the flame of* the 
 lamp. 
 
 853- Who finds ? — The manager of the colliery. 
 
 854. The manager is not there ? —The fireman informs the manager ; the 
 manager is the person to decide what quantity of air ought to go through the 
 colliery. The manager will measure the quantity of air which is then going 
 through the colliery, and he ought to have, at least, double that quantity of 
 air. 
 
 855. If he could double that quantity of air, would the air be sufficiently 
 foul to lengthen the flame? — 1 take the quantity of air at which I just see the 
 halo, and I think the quantity ought to be doubled. 
 
 856". When the state of the atmosphere is such as to produce only that halo, 
 you think that the quantity of the air should be doubled ? — Yes ; to interpose 
 a sufficiently wide margin, in the same way that you make a boiler three times 
 as strong as to resist the pressure which it has ordinarily to bear. 
 
 857. Do you think that amount would be sufficient in case of any sudden 
 outburst of gas ? — Outbursts of gas might occur which would overcome that in 
 some cases. But such large discharges hardly ever occur in any mine. 
 
 858. Supposing there was a mine where these occasional outbursts did take 
 place, would you recommend an additional amount of air ? — Wherever a mine 
 is subject to occasional outbursts of gas there ought to be a much larger ratio 
 of air than where the discharge is perfectly uniform. 
 
 8.59. What would be the amount that you would recommend? — Somewhere 
 between 200 and 600 cubic feet per man, per minute. 
 
 860.. The test you had arrived at was, that when there was a halo round the 
 flame you would recommend double the amount of air to the atmosphere pro- 
 ducing it ? — Yes ; even this halo is often disregarded, or submitted only to the 
 roughest observations. 
 
 8b" 1. Supposing it is a mine which is liable to these explosions, would you 
 treble or quadruple the amount of air ? — That would depend upon the amount 
 of discharged gas. 1 have given in all cases a minimum in my evidence. 
 
 862. In case of an explosion taking place, have you any means of ascertaining 
 the cause of the explosion? — Supposing that such a rule, as it is imagined I 
 might recommend, was carried out, it would be more difficult to say that the 
 overman or the manager was to blame where a colliery was subject to 
 occasional discharges. 
 
 863. You would endeavour to get information at the coroner's inquest of 
 what had been the amount of ventilation ? — Yes. 
 
 864. How would you propose to obtain that knowledge? — I should inquire 
 from the colliers, and firemen more particularly, how often they had seen a halo 
 on their lamps, and in what parts of the mine, and what was about the amount 
 of discharge of gas which had taken place. 
 
 865. Is not the fireman generally the offending party? — There are several 
 firemen; I understand you to ask how I should ascertain how far the manager 
 was to blame. We are speaking now of the quantity of air which is going 
 through the colliery, and the manager is the judge of that, in the first instance. 
 Jf he has not sent a sufficient quantity through the mine, and an explosion 
 
 happens, 
 
SELECT COMMITTEE ON ACCIDENTS IN COAL MINES. 55 
 
 happens, I take evidence as to whether he has done his duty or not, from the H. F. Mackworth, 
 fii enien or from the colliers, and any other information I can obtain. *" sc *' 
 
 866. You have no means of obtaining information or of testing the mine 16 June 1853. 
 except from the very parties who appear to have neglected their duty? — An 
 
 explosion could not occur in a mine where all parties were to blame, because 
 their duties are divided in different parts of the mine ; and, besides, the collier 
 is not responsible for the amount of air. 
 
 867. You have stated, with regard to the anemometer (as is perfectly well 
 known), that where you are lengthening the workings you must extend the 
 brattice, and so alter the place of the anemometer ; so that the anemometer 
 must be movable. In your opinion, would not a self-registering anemometer, 
 at the bottom of the down- cast and at the bottom of the up-cast, be a test of 
 the amount of air entering the mine ? — It would measure the velocity of the 
 air which passed it. 
 
 868. And that, multiplied by the area, would give the amount? — It would 
 then measure the quantity of air which passed. 
 
 869. Although a self-registering anemometer at the bottom of the up-cast 
 and at the bottom of the down-cast would be no test of distribution, yet it 
 would be a test of the amount of air entering the mine to be distributed ? — 
 Y es, provided it was not tampered with. 
 
 870. Would it be so likely to be tampered with, or tampered with in the 
 same way as has been suggested, at the bottom of the down-cast or at the 
 bottom of the up-cast, as it would be in the galleries ? — Yes ; I do not think 
 there would be more difficulty in tampering with it there. 
 
 871. Do you think it would be no additional means of testing the ventilation 
 during your absence ? — I should be very glad if such a thing were practicable ; 
 but I do not think you would get the managers of collieries to adopt it, or get 
 such a machine to work a month without cleaning. 
 
 872. All the other means that you have suggested appear to be very much 
 on the principle of locking the stable door after the horse is gone ? — I lock the 
 safety-lamp before the explosion happens. 
 
 873. Chairman.'] You have stated, in one part of your evidence, that there 
 are cases in which you would enforce the compulsory use of the safety-lamp ? — 
 Yes. 
 
 874. You have stated, with regard to inspectors, that the only mode you 
 have of improving the inspection of mines, would be to appoint an inferior class 
 of men, to be called sub-inspectors ? — Yes, but to be promoted as vacancies 
 occur. 
 
 875. You can suggest no other mode of improving the system of inspection 
 in this country ? — It ought to be combined with a code of regulations, which 
 they should see enforced. 
 
 876. You stated that you could frame such a code of regulations; can you, 
 by the next sitting of the Committee, prepare a code of regulations which you 
 think would be applicable to the case, and submit them to the Committee ? — 
 I can easily give you the heads. 
 
 877. Perhaps you will be kind enough to do so ? — Yes. 
 
 878. You have heard Mr. Dickinson s evidence as to the mode of ventilation 
 which is adopted in Belgium ? — Yes. 
 
 879. Is there any part of Mr. Dickinson's evidence with which you dis- 
 agree ? — I do not agree with him as regards mechanical ventilation ; I do not 
 think he has seen the results of the experiments. Comparing the effective work 
 with the consumption of coal, it will bear comparison with the best furnace 
 ventilation in the north of England. 
 
 0.76. 
 
56 
 
 MINUTES OF EVIDENCE TAKEN BEFORE THE 
 
 Martis, 21° die Junii, 1853. 
 
 MEMBERS PRESENT. 
 
 Mr. Hutchins. 
 Mr. Stephenson. 
 Mr. Fitzroy. 
 Mr. Baird. 
 Mr. Locke. 
 
 Mr. Cayley. 
 Mr. Cobbett. 
 Mr. Farrer. 
 
 Mr. Henry Austin Bruce. 
 
 EDWARD J. HUTCHINS, Esq., in the Chair. 
 
 Herbert Francis Mackworth, Esq., called in ; and further Examined. 
 
 H.F. Mackworth, 8So. Mr. H. A. Bruce.'] IN your former examination, at Question 517, you 
 Esq - are asked by Mr. Cayley, " You have alluded to the loss of life from explosion, 
 
 21 June 18^ in the Micldle Dyffryn Colliery ; was that the Aberdare case?— Yes." Then 
 11 e 53 * the next question is, "Since 1845, how many deaths have occurred from 
 explosions in that mine ?— I think about 165." Upon reconsideration, do you 
 believe that to be inaccurate ?— I intended to say 65 deaths from the last explo- 
 sion in Middle Dyffryn Colliery ; there was a previous explosion, which occurred 
 before I had charge of the district. 
 
 881. Do you know how many were killed by that explosion? — Thirteen. 
 
 882. Chairman.'] To what did that number, 165, refer? — I intended it to be 
 65 ; it is put down 165 by mistake. 
 
 883. Mr. H. A. Bruce.] With respect to that accident at the Middle Dyffryn 
 Colliery, in your former examination, at Question .573, you were asked, " Do 
 you believe this accident occurred in consequence of those recommendations 
 not being attended to ?" that is, the recommendations of Mr. Blackwell ; and 
 your answer is, " If his recommendations had been attended to in respect of 
 the brattice, the accident would have been attended with a comparatively small 
 loss of life?" Are we to gather from your evidence that you attribute the 
 accident to the gas having come in contact with the furnace ? — Yes. 
 
 884. That being the case, the whole question resolves itself into this : whether 
 the furnace was or was not to be considered a naked light ? — Yes ; I have given 
 that as my opinion, but I have stated that there is a difference of opinion, 
 among mining engineers. 
 
 885. Did Mr. Blackwell, in his report, call special attention to the furnace, 
 apart from the naked lights ? — No, he did not ; the furnace was not in at the 
 time the previous accident occurred. 
 
 886. How was it ventilated ? — It was ventilated by a lamp. 
 
 887. Mr. Stephenson.] A large coal lamp ? — Yes. 
 
 88S. Which was, in fact, a furnace, not of a large character ?— Of the same 
 kind ; it produced ventilation in the same way, but was indisputably a naked 
 light. I think I ought to mention that the opinion of the overman of the 
 colliery is, that the gas was exploded by a workman entering a part of the 
 mine where the gas was passing with a naked light, which would be clearly a 
 violation of Mr. BlackwelPs recommendation, and that of the jury in .December 
 1850. 
 
 Joseph Dickinson, Esq., called in ; and further Examined. 
 
 J.DicMnsm, Esq, 889. Chairman.] WERE you present in the Committee-room when Mr. 
 
 """" Mackworth gave his evidence on Friday last relative to the inspection in 
 
 Belgium r — I was. 
 
 890. Were you also present when he stated what measures he thought ought 
 to be adopted to make the inspection of England perfect ? — I was. 
 
 891. D 0 
 
SELECT COMMITTEE ON ACCIDENTS IN COAL MINES. 
 
 57 
 
 891. Do you agree with that statement? Mr. Mackworth stated that he did J. Dickinson, Esq. 
 
 *iot wish to increase the number of inspectors, but that he wished to have a 
 
 number of sub-inspectors to act under the inspectors, who should be men of 21 June 1653. 
 some scientific acquirements as well as practical knowledge • and they should 
 
 be distributed over England ; that there should be a sufficient number, so that 
 they could periodically visit the mines and report to the inspectors. Do you 
 think that would be a proper way of improving the inspection which now 
 exists? — I agree with Mr. Mackworth that the appointment of sub-inspectors 
 would relieve the inspector of the most laborious part of his duties, but I think 
 that the appointment of sub-inspectors would be very strongly opposed by the 
 colliery owners, especially in my district, where they have expressed themselves 
 to me as being very much opposed to such appointments. I could give you 
 the names of some of the largest proprietors in Lancashire : Messrs. Knowles 
 are probably the largest colliery proprietors in England. They raise about 
 2,400 tons per day at the whole of their collieries. They are decidedly opposed 
 to the appointment of any class of men lower than the present standing of 
 inspectors. 
 
 892. Did they state their reasons why they object to these sub-inspectors ? 
 — They have different reasons ; one of which is, that if a lower class of men 
 were appointed, rising engineers, who wished to obtain a knowledge of the 
 district, might accept the appointments, and merely hold them for a time until 
 they became possessed of a knowledge of the collieries and the neighbourhood, 
 and then might retire into private practice as mining engineers ; that was one 
 objection. 
 
 893. Did those gentlemen at the same time complain of the insufficiency of 
 the present inspection ? — No, I have not heard any such complaints. 
 
 894. From this evidence in 1852, it is notorious that the present number of 
 inspectors are too little ; you stated, as well as Mr. Mackworth, that each 
 inspector had about 400 collieries under his own superintendence, and that it 
 was impossible to go round and visit those more than once in four or five years ; 
 now, if you think that appointing sub-inspectors is not the proper way of 
 improving this inspection, what plan would you suggest in order to make 
 the present mode of inspection perfect ? — I think, if I recollect rightly, 
 I qualified that recommendation in 1852, by stating, that if it was intended 
 that each of the collieries should be inspected, a very considerable increase 
 in the numbers of the inspectors was imperatively necessary ; to make a 
 thorough inspection of all the collieries in this country, such as would be 
 adequate to insure a sufficient control over the management of them, would 
 require a corps as large as the present staff of colliery managers. Even at the 
 present time, under the present arrangements, the manager of the largest 
 colliery in my district, Mr. Peace, of the Haigh colliery, belonging to the Earl of 
 Crawford and Balcarres, publicly stated at an inquest, that his duties as 
 manager of that colliery were so numerous that into some of the pits, where 
 there was not imminent danger, he was only enabled to visit such pits once a 
 year. If the manager of a large colliery can only visit the pits where he 
 thinks there is not imminent danger once a year, it would require a force of 
 inspectors quite as large as the present colliery managers, which I apprehend 
 will never be appointed. I may state that the working of the Act appears to 
 me to have a moral effect, as well as a coercive effect ; that improvement 
 introduced into one colliery, at the suggestion of an inspector, is not the less 
 likely to be introduced into a neighbouring colliery, if done apparently at the 
 instigation of the manager of the colliery. 
 
 895. Do we gather from your answer that you consider that the present 
 number of inspectors is sufficient ? — I think a very moderate increase in the 
 present number would be quite sufficient for all the requirements of this 
 country. If the colliery managers were held responsible for the management 
 of their collieries, and if certain fundamental rules, such as I have stated in 
 answer to Question 744, were laid down for the management of collieries, and 
 an accident happening when those rules have been neglected, if punishment 
 were awarded in those cases, I think that the present staff, or a very small 
 addition to it, would be quite sufficient to carry out what is required. 
 
 896. Then you think that, instead of increasing the number of inspectors, that 
 the better plan would be to increase their power ? — I do. 
 
 897. Will you state in what respect you think their power ought to be 
 0.76. H increased. 
 
MINUTES OF EVIDENCE TAKEN BEFORE THE 
 
 J» Dickinson, Esq. increased. In your evidence of 1852 you say in some cases the powers are 
 
 deficient, and you have not the power of suspending operations ; you can refer 
 
 21 June 1853. to your own evidence on that point in Question 1848 in the year 1852 ? — In my 
 evidence of Monday last I have given a list of rules and regulations which, I 
 think, might be laid down as fundamental rules for the management of every 
 colliery in the country. In addition to these there are one or two points in 
 which I think the present Act for the inspection of coal mines might be amended. 
 The first point is, that I think iron-stone mines should be included in the Act. 
 They are very intimately connected with the coal mines ; so much so that the 
 air which is used for the ventilation of the colliery is sometimes used for the 
 ventilation of the iron mine. 
 
 898. But suppose iron mines were included in the Act, would not that increase 
 the duties of the inspector and give him greater labour? — It would. 
 
 899. Would not that be a reason why more inspectors should be appointed ? 
 — I think if these rules, which I have named, were laid down, that a very small 
 addition to the number of the inspectors would be all that would be required. 
 
 900. Can you state what would be sufficient to embrace a proper inspection, 
 and to include iron mines ? — I am not prepared, without consideration, to make 
 such a statement. 
 
 901. What is the next thing you would suggest? — Where great danger 
 evidently exists, and the proprietor refuses to resort to the most approved means 
 of increasing its safety, I think the inspector should have the power to order the 
 working of the mine to cease, until such time as its condition be improved, or 
 an arbitration shall have been held on the case ; one of the arbitrators to be the 
 inspector himself, and the other to be appointed by the colliery owner; an 
 umpire to be appointed in the usual way, or, failing to agree, an umpire to be 
 appointed by the Secretary of State. I should enforce that by a penalty of 10/. 
 per day, or not exceeding 20/. 
 
 902. Of course, giving the colliery proprietor reasonable time to effect those 
 improvements before these penalties were to come into force ? — In the imminent 
 cases ; I am speaking now of a case where imminent danger exists, such as the 
 mine being carried on in an explosive state throughout, where the men ought to 
 be ordered at once out of the mine. Such cases are very rare, and in the whole 
 course of my inspection I think I have only met with three cases which I con- 
 sidered imminent ; in two of them I succeeded in stopping the mine merely by 
 my representations ; in the other case the proprietor went on, and said he would 
 risk it. 
 
 903. Not materially increasing the number of inspectors, each inspector 
 having such number of collieries to look after as he at present has, such cases 
 might exist in a great many collieries, and be in existence for a very consider- 
 able time before the inspector could find it out ; is that not so ? — They might ; 
 we use the best endeavours we can to get information of such cases, and when 
 we obtain it we at once direct our attention to it. 
 
 904. What means have you of procuring this information ? — I get such in- 
 formation from a variety of sources, which I should prefer not particularising. 
 
 905. Do the men ever give you information, or persons appointed by the 
 workmen ? — Very seldom. I rather object to receiving information from the 
 workmen direct, as it might interfere with the good feeling which should exist 
 between master and man ; I generally prefer having it through their repre- 
 sentative. 
 
 906. The question applied to their representative, or anybody appointed by 
 * them r — I have from their representatives received information of one or two 
 
 very bad cases, in that way. 
 
 907. And then you immediately go and visit the mine r — I do. 
 
 908. Having visited the mine on their representations, have you generally 
 found their representations to be correct or not ? — In some cases they were, and 
 in some other cases they were not. 
 
 909. Mr. Baird.~\ In the event of the men being turned out of the mine, in 
 a mine of imminent danger, have you considered how the men are to get 
 employed afterwards during that time ? — In a large concern you have no dif- 
 ficulty in transferring a few men from one pit to another ; considering the great 
 number of pits you have yourself at work you would find no difficulty. 
 
 910. Suppose there is only one pit? — I will give a ease, where a short time 
 ago, I was enabled to stop the mine. It was a colliery close to Manchester. 
 
 On 
 
SELECT COMMITTEE ON ACCIDENTS IN COAL MINES. 59 
 
 On visiting it, I found the shaft in a ver) r bad state ; there were loose stones and J. Dickinson, Esq, 
 
 loose bricks almost the whole way down it. I pointed this out to the underlooker 
 
 who went down with roe, and I asked if he was not afraid to go down such a 21 June l8 53- 
 shaft ; he said no, he was not. On coming out, I informed the proprietor 
 what I had seen ; I said it was not fit to send a dog down. He said, " What 
 must I do ? " I said, " I should recommend your stopping the pit at once, and 
 walling it throughout, and putting in guides." " But," he said, " they are work- 
 ing now night and day ; the only time we can have for repairing is the hour at 
 dinner time, and during that time the underlooker goes down to fettle it." I said, 
 " That will do nothing, for the shaft is in such a radically bad state, that it 
 requires a thorough repair." He said, " I cannot, without consulting my part- 
 ners." I said, " I do not wish to press you beyond what you have the power to 
 do. I will give you till Saturday to consider what you will do ; and if you do 
 not by that time determine to have it thoroughly repaired, I shall serve you 
 with formal notice in the matter." On Saturday morning I received a letter 
 from him, informing me that, on considering the matter over with his partners, 
 they had determined to stop the pit and repair it thoroughly. What they would 
 do with the men I cannot tell ; they had another pit, and probably they would 
 put them into that. At all events, a dangerous circumstance like that would 
 not justify the pit being carried on, although they had no place to put the 
 men. 
 
 911. Chairman.'] Provided they had no place to put the men in, do you think 
 it would be better to order them out, although they might lose a day or two's 
 wages, than to run the risk of sacrificing their lives with the pit in a dangerous 
 state ? — No doubt it would ; indeed, with proper care no pit should get into 
 such a state. If the pit I have alluded to had been properly repaired, as it 
 ought to have been long before I visited it, it would never have gone into such 
 a dilapidated state. 
 
 912. State what other powers you require that the inspectors should have 
 given to them, to enable them satisfactorily to perform the duties that they are 
 called on to perform ? — I should ask for no extra powers excepting what I have 
 named. 
 
 913. That is, the power to stop the pit? — Yes, and under the reservation 
 which I have named. But with respect to plans, the Act should be more 
 stringent than it is at present. The inspector has the power to order proper 
 plans to be made when he finds them wanting ; but I have met with cases in 
 my district where plans have been entirely wanting, and on pointing this out 
 to the proprietor he has undertaken to get them made, which was all the assur- 
 ance the inspector could demand. But on going back to these collieries about 
 a year after, I have found that plans have not been made, although there was 
 an undertaking that they should be. I stated that we had the power to order 
 plans to be made ; but I apprehend that if the inspector ordered plans to be 
 made, he would be responsible for the payment of the bill for them, in the event 
 of the owner of the colliery failing to pay for them. The plans are not, in 
 many cases, kept up in accordance with the Act, therefore, I think that the 
 penalty should attach in every case where the plans are found not kept in 
 accordance with the Act, and that no time should be afterwards allowed to the 
 colliery owners to get the plans made. After the passing of the Act, I should 
 allow six months for proper plans to made in all cases, and after that time I 
 should enforce a penalty of 1 /. per day in every case where they were not found 
 to be in accordance with the Act, until such time as they were made so. 
 
 914. Have you not the power to demand the inspection of the plans? — Yes, 
 we have that power under the present Act. 
 
 915. Do you often do so ? — Yes. 
 
 916. In what character of collieries do you find the plans are wanting? — 
 There was one of the largest collieries in North Staffordshire, belonging to Mr. 
 Sparrow, a very large iron master ; he had no plan of it. In another case, in 
 Lancashire, only very recently, I found one proprietor of mountain mines, 
 some small outlying mines, where there were no plans of 11 collieries. In 
 another case, in the Bristol field, when I had the charge of that district, I found 
 several cases about Bristol where there were no plans ; they all undertook to get 
 plans made, but, about 1 6 months afterwards, it was proved that one of them had 
 f 0.76. h 2 done 
 
6o MINUTES OF EVIDENCE TAKEN BEFORE THE 
 
 J. Dickinson, Esq. done nothing whatever in the matter, and he had holed into some old working 
 
 and drowned some men, in consequence of the absence of plans. 
 
 ai June 1853. 917. There being a large stock of water in those old workings which they 
 were not aware of? — They might or not be aware of it ; Mr. Mack worth was 
 the inspector for the district when the accident happened. 
 
 918. There was a large stock of water there which they struck without taking 
 proper precaution, and by so doing a number of lives were sacrificed ? — Yes. 
 In the whole of the Cheadle district, also, in North Staffordshire, I think I only 
 found one colliery where there were plans. 
 
 919. Are those large or small collieries? — They were small collieries, but 
 large tracks of coal had been worked away ; and there was no record at all of 
 the old workings. I was informed that three of the lessors had plans of their 
 own property, but they formed a very small portion of the district. 
 
 920. Mr. R. Stephenson. ~\ Generally speaking, you found plans wanting ia 
 smaller collieries ; did you find them more frequently wanting in small than 
 large ? — More frequently in small out-lying collieries. There is a large colliery 
 in North Wales, the Coed Talon and Leeswood Colliery, where I found the 
 plan of one seam was wanting, and the manager undertook to get a proper 
 plan made ; but on re-visiting the colliery about a year afterwards, J found he 
 had done nothing whatever in the matter. 
 
 921. Chairman.'] Then we are to take your answer as being that you find ia 
 your districts that there is such a deficiency of plans as would suggest to you 
 that an Act of Parliament should be passed, requiring plans in all cases to be 
 made of collieries, and to be enforced by penalties ? — That is my opinion. 
 
 922. Or immediate stoppage ? — Any adequate penalty. 
 
 923. Suppose you went into a large colliery where a very large number of 
 men were employed, and you found no plans made of that colliery ; if you were 
 at once to order the plans to be made, it would take three or four months to 
 complete these plans in a satisfactory manner ; would you on that have ordered 
 the colliery to be stopped ? — No. I think the penalty of 1 I. per day till the 
 Act was complied with would be quite sufficient ; but some provision ought to 
 be made to meet cases where the colliery was nearly done, when it might suit 
 the purpose of the colliery proprietor better to pay the penalty than to be at 
 the expense of making plans. 
 
 ^24. But that would not obviate such an accident as you have just described 
 to the Committee, as to the stock of water, if no plan existed, and that 
 stock remained in the colliery ; by proceeding, and making the plans at once, 
 they could not get at this stock of water to see where it was, and they might 
 not be aware of its being in existence ; therefore these plans would only show 
 the exact state of the workings which were open to view ? — I think the 
 colliery owners had the knowledge of these workings ; but as Mr. Mackworth 
 was the inspector for the district at the time of the accident, he will be able to 
 give you details. Admitting that they could not have got any plan of these 
 old workings, to go on without plans is only perpetuating the mischief ; and as 
 colliery workings become more extensive, you will have an increase in the 
 number of accidents by inundation, and perhaps by explosion of fiedamp or 
 suffocation, consequent upon holing into old workings. 
 
 925. Now, in this case that you have described to us, were the owners of 
 the colliery or overmen not aware that water was in some part of the mine r 
 ■ — I believe they were. 
 
 926. Are there not some means of preventing such accidents as these 
 independent of plans ; for instance, is it not possible to keep what they call 
 boring rods at. a certain distance before them, so keeping pillars between the 
 water and the working ; so that if ordinary care is taken the water never could 
 break into the mine and drown the men ? — If you have not got plans, boring 
 is the only precaution you can resort to. But to show how easily an accident 
 may occur in a colliery when it is expected that boring is going on, I will 
 quote a case which happened in my district in Cheshire not very long ago. 
 On visiting this colliery, and seeing everything with regard to the ventilation, 
 I put a question to the assistant underlooker (the underlooker himself was from 
 home) as to whether he had any water to tap ; he said, " Yes, we are about to 
 tap some water now in the top of our rise workings." " Are you keeping 
 proper bore holes in advance ?" " Yes," he said, " we are keeping one." " Are 
 
 you 
 
SELECT COMMITTEE ON ACCIDENTS IN COAL MINES. 61 
 
 you not keeping three," I said ; " you ought to have one in the middle and two J. Dickinson, Esq. 
 
 on each side ?" He said, " We have only got one." I said, "We will go and see 
 
 it." He said, "You may rely on its being all right." I said, " I have met with so 21 June l8 53- 
 
 many cases where boring is neglected, that we will see in what state we find the 
 
 boring in this case." The mine was a very steep one, dipping at an angle of 
 
 45 ; and on climbing up to the top, I found the man had no bore hole whatever, 
 
 and that he had just driven through a fault and upthrow of about three or four 
 
 feet, which was a likely place for the old working, to have been stopped at, 
 
 and he had no bore hole there at all. The proprietor was in the pit with me, 
 
 and I abked him what he thought of it, and what he considered I must 
 
 think of the management of the colliery. He said, he could only assure me 
 
 that he was paying for boring, and that his underlooker being from home his 
 
 assistant did not appear to be looking properly to the matter, and the men 
 
 were receiving wages for boring which they were not doing. 
 
 927. Mr. Locke.] Were there any plans of the mine which you have just 
 been alluding to ?— In that case they had plans. 
 
 928. Were you able, then, to suggest some further bore holes to be made as 
 a matter of precaution ? — I had nothing to add to the suggestion I had made 
 that there should be two bore holes, one on each side, in addition to the one 
 going on in the centre of the drift. 
 
 929. You said you thought it desirable to be in possession of the plans, in 
 order to judge better of what accumulation of water might take place ? — I did. 
 
 930. In all cases the plan of a mine is of very great importance, to enable 
 persons to judge where water might not accumulate ? — I think it is most 
 important ; no one can carry on a mine properly without the assistance of a 
 plan, and every one could carry it on better if he had the plan of the workings 
 to guide him. 
 
 931. And would be able to judge of the safety and security of the mine, if 
 he had a plan of what had been done in previous years ? — That is my opinion. 
 
 932. Chairman.'] Without plans it would be impossible for any owner of a 
 colliery to know whether he was confining himself to his own limits or not ; he 
 might work over his own boundary ; if he had no plans he could not tell 
 whether he was in his own ground or not ? — There are cases of that kind, 
 although they are very rare ; they generally dial it, and peg it out upon the 
 surface. The pegs are soon pulled up ; and when two or more seams are being 
 worked in the same field, the complication is increased. 
 
 933- Mr. Locke.] Are you aware of a law with reference to one person ab- 
 stracting or taking the coal of another ; is it not penal ? — It is felony. 
 
 934. In order to enable parties to avoid those penalties, the plan of the col- 
 liery would be almost an essential thing ? — Yes ; it is surprising what a number 
 of cases we meet where encroachments have been made on other properties. 
 
 935. Mr. H. A. Bruce.] Have you ever heard of a man being tried for felony 
 for encroaching on his neighbour's coal ? — Yes ; there was a colliery owner in 
 Lancashire, who was tried and sentenced to transportation for seven years. 
 I believe he was not sent out of the country. 
 
 936. Chairman.] Are you aware under what Act he was tried ? — I cannot 
 state the Act, but I have no doubt of the fact. I am not sure whether he was 
 sent out of the country ; but if he was he has returned, and has a colliery, 
 which I was through very recently. 
 
 937. Mr. Stephenson.] There must have been something peculiar in this 
 case which made the thing felony ? — I think it is felony if the encroachment 
 has been made wilfully. 
 
 958. Mr. Baird.] Was it a case of letting off water? — I do not think it was 
 a case of letting off water ; if I am correctly informed as to the case, he 
 worked under Wigan Churchyard. 
 
 939. Chairman.] (To Mr. Lancaster.) Is Mr. Dickinson substantially correct ? 
 — I heard the case tried, and the colliery owner was sentenced to transportation 
 for seven years. 
 
 940. Mr. Locke.] Were there any peculiar circumstances connected with 
 that case? — I believe he had been under 21 different properties, and got coal 
 from them without paying. 
 
 941. Mr. Cay ley.] It was made out that he had not been accidentally tres- 
 passing, but knowingly stealing coal? — He had been stealing; and 1 happened 
 to make the remark when he spoke to me afterwards, before he was tried, 
 
 0.76. h 3 " How 
 
MINUTES OF EVIDENCE TAKEN BEFORE THE 
 
 J. Dickinson, Esq. " How could you do such a thing ? " and he said, " I did not think I was 
 
 stealing ; I intended to pay for it at some time." 
 
 »i June 1853. 942. Chairman.] (To Mr. Dickinson.) You have stated the two points yoix 
 would insist on as to the mode of inspection, the giving the inspector the power 
 of stopping the mine in cases of extreme danger, and to enforce proper penalties j 
 is there any other point to which you wish to call the attention of the Com- 
 mittee ? — There is another ; the present Act for the inspection of coal mines 
 refers only to persons employed in or about collieries, and does not apply to 
 the public, A colliery which is worked out, or which is standing, may have 
 many of the shafts belonging to it unfenced, and in a very dangerous state, 
 so far as the public are concerned, and also so far as the workmen of other 
 collieries are concerned, who have to pass over that colliery to get to their work. 
 Cases of that kind are common enough in Staffordshire ; and the inspector 
 is not authorised under the present Act to interfere in such a case, he has no 
 more power than another person. 
 
 943. You would give the inspector power to order these pits to be properly 
 fenced round, that the public should be protected from accident, and also give 
 him the power of enforcing a penalty if his orders were not provided for ? — 
 Yes, the fencing of the pits is one of the regulations which I have laid down 
 in the code which I think ought to be carried out in every case ; and I think 
 that in cases of that kind the Act ought to apply to the public, as well as to 
 the persons employed in and about a colliery. 
 
 944. Mr. Locke.] Would you limit that to pits only, or extend it to stone 
 quarries and various other things that exist, equally dangerous in all parts of 
 the country ? — It would be desirable to extend it to pits of all descriptions ; 
 as we were speaking now of coal mines only, I have limited it to that. 
 
 94,5. Suppose a limit were given to coal mines, do you see why the coal pit 
 should be fenced off, and other things, such as stone quarries, should not be 
 fenced on 7 ? — I think they should all be fenced. If you have seen the Stafford- 
 shire pits, you will know that there are many footpaths passing close to an open 
 pit without any fencing about it, and every person who tumbles into these old 
 pits is not known. There was one case, when I had the charge of the Stafford- 
 shire district, of a skeleton being pulled out of a pit, and there was great 
 uncertainty as to whose remains it was. 
 
 946. Chairman.'] Pits are much more dangerous than quarries ? — Pits are 
 much more dangerous. 
 
 947. Grass could grow over a pit so that a man could not see what it was ? 
 — Yes ; unfenced pits are the greatest evils in Denbighshire ; I succeeded in 
 getting 84 pits filled up or fenced in one colliery alone. 
 
 948. When accidents occur, the proprietor of the mine, by the present Act 
 of Parliament, is obliged to send notice of that accident to the Secretary of 
 State ? — Yes ; every life which is lost must be so reported within 24 hours 
 after the occurrence of the death. 
 
 949. Then the Secretary of State communicates with the inspector of the 
 district ? — That is the way in which we receive information of it. 
 
 950. Would it be an improvement or not if the notice were sent direct to 
 the inspector, at the same time as the one was sent to the Secretary of State ? 
 < — It would save time if such an arrangement were come to, and would add 
 very little trouble to the colliery proprietors. It is very desirable it should be 
 done. 
 
 951. Would the time thus saved be of material importance? — In some cases 
 it would ; it would enable us to attend some inquests, which now there is not 
 
 me to attend. 
 
 952. Mr. Locke.] Give a case where you have not been able to attend an 
 inquest, in consequence of the delay arising from the transmission of orders 
 from the Secretary of State ? — In one instance the coroner administered a 
 lecture on my absence, and also attributed neglect to the Government in not 
 having sent down an inspector, when that inquest was being held, before it 
 was possible for me to have received notice of the accident ; and the inquest 
 was finished before I received any notice whatever of it. 
 
 953. Mr. Fitzroy.] Is not the inquest usually adjourned, for the purpose of 
 your attendance, if you are not present at the first commencement of it ? — As 
 a general rule it is ; but if 48 hours have elapsed, the coroner is not bound to 
 adjourn it, and in some cases he does not* 
 
 954. Mr.. 
 
SELECT COMMITTEE ON ACCIDENTS IN COAL MINES. 63 
 
 954. Mr. Locked] In a case of so much importance, is it not desirable that it J. Dickinson, Esq. 
 should be adjourned ? — It is very desirable it should. 
 
 955. Do you not think that would be a better mode of eliciting the truth, 21 June 1853. 
 giving sufficient time for the inquiry, rather than it should be hurriedly pro- 
 ceeded with ; and that instructions should be sent directly from the owner of the 
 
 pit to the inspector ? — It very often is a very great advantage to the inspector 
 to be early at the scene of the accident, as he is able to see the circumstances 
 exactly as they were at the time of the accident ; whereas, if two or three days 
 elapse (which do elapse under the present system) the circumstances under 
 which the accident happened may have been very much altered. 
 
 956. That is one of the circumstances which would justify you in giving that 
 recommendation, whatever other inconveniences there may be, in the order not 
 passing through the Secretary of State's Office ? — It is ; but I would still have a 
 notice to pass through the Secretary of State's Office, in the usual way. 
 
 957. Chairman.'] Can you conceive any inconvenience from adopting such a 
 plan ? — Not any ; indeed in some cases it is done now. 
 
 958. You, in conjunction with Mr. Dunn, Mr. Mackworth, and Mr. Wynne, 
 made some experiments with reference to the steam-jet and furnace power, at 
 Seaton Delaval Colliery?— I did. 
 
 959. When was that ? — On the 15th and 16th December last. 
 
 960. Did you go in consequence of any order by the Secretary of State ? — 
 No, we had no order from the Secretary of State ; but Mr. Wood was at that 
 time making some very extensive experiments at Hetton and Killingworth ; 
 those experiments which he undertook to make in his evidence of 1852 ; and 
 we went down with the view of seeing them, and. also with a view of seeing the 
 experiments which Mr. Forster also undertook to make at South Hetton, as a 
 check upon Mr. Wood's ; and being in the neighbourhood, we were naturally 
 anxious to see Seaton Delaval, which had been put forward in two Parlia- 
 mentary Committees as the chef-d'oeuvre of steam-jet ventilation. 
 
 961. Mr. Forster is the manager of Seaton Delaval? — The manager and 
 viewer. 
 
 962. Did you apprise Mr. Forster of your intention of going there ? — We did. 
 Mr. Dunn wished us to write a general letter ; we said, " You are the inspector 
 of the, district, and the letter had better go in your name." The letter was 
 accordingly sent, requesting permission to visit Seaton Delaval and South 
 Hetton. We were informed in reply that the arrangements at South Hetton 
 were not completed ; and it was stated that as there was such a prejudice against 
 the steam-jet, Mr. Forster would very much prefer if we would postpone our 
 visit to Seaton Delaval Colliery until he was able to accompany us himself, 
 being laid up at the time from an accident. 
 
 963. Did you in consequence postpone your visit ? — We discussed his answer 
 over ; and we thought as we were all then present, and it would not be convenient 
 for us all to meet there again without very great loss of time, and as in these 
 northern collieries there is always an intelligent resident viewer as well as a 
 principal viewer, and as we went there without any bias whatever, but simply 
 with the intention of testing the facts with respect to the ventilation, therefore 
 we wrote a second letter to him. 
 
 964. When you visited Seaton Delaval Mr. Forster was not present ? — No. 
 
 965. You were accompanied by the resident viewer? — Yes, and also by the 
 overman, and also the predecessor of either Mr. Forster or Mr. Lamb. 
 
 966. Did you make any experiments on the ventilation of the steam-jet ? — 
 We did. 
 
 967. State the results of those experiments ? — This is the report which we 
 made on it. 
 
 968. Mr. Fitzroy.] Was this the first experiment you had ever been present 
 at of the steam-jet ? — No, it was not ; I had been present at other experiments 
 of the steam-jet in other collieries. 
 
 969. Mr. Cayley.] Where had you seen it? — At the Wardley pits, in the 
 W T orsley Colliery, in Lancashire, where 90 steam -jets were tried first at five 
 yards from the top, and afterwards lower down. I had also seen it in operation 
 at the Duffryn Colliery, and at other places ; I think the first application I had 
 ever seen of it was at the Dowlais Colliery. 
 
 970. Chairman.] At Seaton Delaval it was applied in a superior manner, and 
 in an improved manner to the others you had seen ? — It was. 
 
 0.76. h 4 971 . State 
 
6 4 MINUTES OF EVIDENCE* TAKEN BEFORE THE 
 
 J. Dickinson, Esq. 97 1. State to the Committee the result of your experiments ? — I may state 
 
 this : that the Seaton Delaval application of the steam-jet is not one of the best 
 
 ai June 1853. I have seen ; I think the jets, as recently applied by Mr. Darlington, at Ince 
 Hall, are done in a superior manner to Seaton Delaval. 
 
 972. Have you in your hand the report of those experiments? — This is the 
 report of the Seaton Delaval experiments. 
 
 973. Which way was the steam-jet applied at Seaton Delaval ? — It is all set 
 forth in the report. 
 
 974. Mr. Locke.] What was the depth of the main shaft at Seaton Delaval ? 
 — The colliery is ventilated by four down-cast shafts and one up-cast shaft, each 
 eight feet in diameter, and 212 yards in depth. 
 
 975. What is the average distance from the four down-cast shafts to the up- 
 cast shaft ? — They are all in a group together. 
 
 976. Chairman.'] How many splits of air are there ? — Three main splits. 
 
 977. Mr. Locke.] What is the distance that the air has to travel under- 
 ground from the down-cast shaft to the up-cast ? — The longest split is seven 
 thousand six hundred and fifty yards. 
 
 978. I should still like to know what the distance was between the two 
 shafts ; you have given us the course of the air ; what is the absolute distance 
 between the two shafts ? — We did not measure it, but I should think about 100 
 yards. 
 
 979. Chairman.] What is the ventilating power at Seaton Delaval? — Four 
 boiler-fires, 33 steam-jets, and the discharged steam from an underground 
 engine, and a gas apparatus, of which five retorts are kept at work, all placed 
 near the bottom of the up-cast shaft. 
 
 980. In addition to the steam-jet, these boiler fires tend to the rarefaction of 
 the air in the shaft?— No doubt of it. 
 
 981. Describe the operation of the steam-jet ? — I think it acts partly by 
 propulsion, and partly by rarefaction. 
 
 982. Where is the steam-jet placed at Seaton Delaval ?— Close to the bottom 
 of the up-cast pit. 
 
 983. Mr. //. A. Bruce.] There are a great number of steam-jets ; are they 
 all in the same place ? — They are placed on radial arms. 
 
 984. All at the bottom of the pit ? — All at the bottom of the pit. 
 
 985. Mr. Locke.] When you said, placed at the bottom of the pit, how far 
 from the floor of the mine, or from the roof of the mine ? — It may be about 
 20 feet above the roof. I did not measure that, but I should suppose about 20 
 feet. 
 
 986. Chairman.] In the pit? — Yes. 
 
 987. State to the Committee the experiments that you made, and the 
 greatest velocity of air you obtained? — I may state that we took our measure- 
 ments twice. Finding those of the first day differ so very materially from those 
 which had been put forward by Mr. Forster and others, we determined to repeat 
 them the following day. We did so, and with numerous checks. We measured 
 the air twice in the up-cast pit, both which measurements correspond very 
 nearly together. We also measured the air twice over in the different splits, 
 and all these different measurements agreed very closely together- The 
 following is an abstract : " Total air going into the workings, with the 33 
 steam -jets, 4 boiler fires, and gas apparatus at work : temperature of up- 
 cast, 130°; temperature of down-cast, 42°; difference of temperature be- 
 tween down-cast and up-cast, 88°. Water-gauge, 1^ inches. Barometer, 
 28 1 inches; 33,626 cubic feet of air per minute— Total air going into the 
 workings without the jets ; temperature of the up-cast shaft 120°; temperature 
 of down-cast, 45°; difference of temperature of up-cast and down-cast, 75°; 
 29,999 cubic feet of air per minute— Increase by jets and an increase of 13° 
 of temperature between the up-cast and down-cast on the 16th of December, 
 3,627 cubic feet of air per minute.— Increase by jets on the 15th of December, 
 3,4/4 cubic feet of air per minute.— Increase of water gauge by jets and tern- 
 perature 16th of December, I.**, — 1 & =,'^ inch. Amount of air obtained 
 per lb. of coals consumed by the boiler fires and gas apparatus, 1,3/2 cubic feet." 
 
 988. At what part of the up-cast was the temperature measured ?— At 30 
 yards. 
 
 989. Mr. Stephenson.'] From the surface ? — Yes.- 
 
 990. Did you not take the temperature down at the bottom also ? — W T e did 
 
 not ; 
 
SELECT COMMITTEE ON ACCIDENTS IN COAL MINES. 65 
 
 not ; we could not well get it ; in the middle of the shaft is the proper place to j. Dickinson, Esq. 
 
 take the temperature. You cannot do that without a registering thermometer ; . 
 
 and they are all so liable to get out of order, that we preferred taking it near 21 June 1853. 
 the top. 
 
 991. Have you based any calculation of the quantity of air that would be 
 discharged by the up-cast on that data ? — We have not. 
 
 992. You have made no use of them, but merely as the records of the fact? 
 — Merely as a comparison of temperatures ; all the temperatures being taken 
 at the same depth in the shaft. 
 
 993. Chairman.] Is that the report that you have in your hand? — It is. 
 
 [The Witness delivered in the following Report :] 
 
 The colliery is ventilated by four down-cast shafts and one up-cast shaft, each eight feet 
 in diameter and 212 yards in depth. 
 There are three main splits of air. 
 
 The engine plane split is 7,650 yards in length ; average of smallest area, 80 square feet, 
 at one point, through a whin dyke, the area being 45 feet. It is subdivided at the furthest 
 part of the course, and before reaching a fall of roof, which had taken place about the 22d 
 of November, and which was examined at the time of the experiments, and found to offer 
 no appreciable obstruction to the free passage of air : a result which also appears by the 
 measurement of air on the 11th of December, as taken by the master wasteman, and 
 entered in the colliery book, which shows a partial increase. 
 
 The Victoria split is 4,400 yards in length ; average area, 80 square feet, and it passes 
 through regulators. 
 
 The boiler-fires split is J 00 yards in length, and passes through a regulator 2 J square 
 feet area. 
 
 The ventilating power consists of four boiler fires, 33 steam-jets, the discharged steam 
 from an engine, and a gas apparatus, of which five retorts are kept at work, all placed near 
 the bottom of the up-cast shaft. 
 
 Two of the boilers are each 25 feet long, six feet diameter, spherical ends, wheel flues ; 
 the other two are each 32 feet long by five feet diameter, spherical ends ; fire surface, five 
 feet by four feet, wheel flues. 
 
 The boiler bottoms are about four feet above the fire-bars. 
 
 The four boilers are connected, and work an underground engine of 27-inch cylinder and 
 five feet stroke ; nominal power, of 60 horses. 
 
 Two drifts of 80 square feet area discharge the products of combustion and the return air 
 into the shaft, in one of which is the exhaust-pipe, seven inches in diameter. 
 
 When the engine is not at work, the boiler-fires split is partially closed, and the fires 
 slacked. The jets are at work night and day. 
 
 The stated consumption of fuel for the four boiler-fires and five gas retorts is at the rate 
 of 42 tubs of 7 J cwt. each per day; pressure of steam, 35 lbs. per square inch. Besides 
 the engineer, one man and two boys are employed at the boiler-fires in the day, and one 
 man at night. There are 33 steam-jets, without tubes or cylinders, placed in eight radial 
 arms, four in each arm, and one in the centre ; they are ^ inch in diameter, and 205 yards 
 from the top of the shaft. 
 
 Abstract of the Amount of Ventilation as taken from the Colliery Book. 
 
 
 Engine Plane. 
 
 Victoria. 
 
 Engines. 
 
 Total. 
 
 1851 : 
 
 Cubic Feet. 
 
 Cubic Feet. 
 
 Cubic Feet. 
 
 Cubic Feet. 
 
 25 November 
 
 38,571 
 
 15,428 
 
 18,000 
 
 71,999 
 
 30 November - 
 
 38,571 
 
 16,615 
 
 18,000 
 
 73,186 
 
 1852: 
 
 
 
 
 
 15 April - 
 
 44,274 
 
 7,290 
 
 18,000 
 
 69,564 
 
 29 June - 
 
 45,818 
 
 9,317 
 
 18,000 
 
 73,135 
 
 30 October 
 
 45,818 
 
 12,480 
 
 19,636 
 
 77,934 
 
 11 December 
 
 45,818 
 
 14,400 
 
 20,000 
 
 80,218 
 
 The fourth boiler has been at work for about five weeks. 
 
 O.76. 
 
 i 
 
 First 
 
66 
 
 MINUTES OF EVIDENCE TAKEN BEFORE THE 
 
 J. Dickinson, Esq. First Experiment, 15th of December. 
 
 21 June 1853. Present, Messrs. Dunn, Dickinson, Mackworth, Wynne (inspectors); Lamb, resident 
 viewer ; Robinson, master wasteman ; and overmen, &c. ; with steam-jets, four boiler fires, 
 and five retorts at work. 
 
 Amount of Ventilation taken in the Three Splits, with Three 
 Anemometers, simultaneously. 
 
 Velocity, . Cubic Feet 
 
 per Minute, Area ' of Air 
 
 in Feet. in Feet. per Minute. 
 
 Engine Plane Split - - 196 x 72 = 14,112 
 
 Victoria - ditto ----- 150 x 54 = 8,100 
 
 Total Air going into the Workings - - 22,212 
 
 The above measurements corrected for the friction of the anemometers : 
 
 Velocity. Area. 
 
 Cubic Feet 
 of Air 
 
 in Feet. ' per Minute. 
 
 Engine Plane Split - - - (196 + 38) x 72 = 16,848 
 Victoria - ditto - - - (150 + 98) x 54 = 13,392 
 
 Total Air going into the workings - - 30,240 
 Velocity. Area, in Feet. 
 Boiler Fires Split - 3,721 X 2 J = 8,682 
 
 Total Air going through the Shafts - - 38,922 
 
 Water-gauge in drift, 880 yards long ; between bottom of up-cast and down-cast shafts, 
 
 1 inches. 
 
 Second Experiment, 15th of December, without the Steam-jets. 
 
 The Jets were shut off at 12 h. 49 m. Experiment at 2 p. m. Correcting as before for 
 the friction of the anemometers. 
 
 Cubic Feet 
 
 Velocity. Friction. Area. 
 
 of Air 
 per Minute. 
 
 Engine Plane Split - - - (172 + 34) x 72 = 14,832 
 Victoria - ditto - - - (125 + 96) x 54 = 11,934 
 
 Total Air going into the Workings - - 26,766 
 Boiler Fires Split - - - (H6 + 95) x 58 = 12,238 
 
 Total Air going through the Shafts - - 39,004 
 
 Cubic Feet 
 
 of Air 
 per Minute. 
 
 Total Air going through the Woikingsl _ 30 
 with the Steam-jets at work - -J ' 
 
 Total Air going through the Workings! _ 2g 
 without the Jets -J ' 
 
 Increase by the Jets - - - 3,474 
 
 Water-gauge 
 
SELECT COMMITTEE ON ACCIDENTS IN COAL MINES. 67 
 
 Water-gauge at 2 h. 0 m., 1$, inches ; increase of water-gauge by the jets, Iffo — l$ a j. Dickinson, Esq. 
 
 = iijo 8 inch- • 
 
 Temperature of down-cast air, 47°. 31 June l8 53« 
 Mean temperature of the air in the mine, where the experiments were taken, 55". 
 Simpiesometer, 29 I 2 0 ° 3 inches. 
 
 The thermometer in the up-cast fell down the shaft before any observations were taken. 
 
 16th of December. — Present, the same persons as on the 15th. 
 
 First Experiment. 
 
 Air measured with one anemometer in the up-cast shaft, at 10 yards from the top. 
 Velocity, 1,008 J feet per minute, x 50 1 square feet area, = 50,669 cubic feet per 
 minute. 
 
 Barometer at 28 § inches. 
 
 Temperature of downcast air - 42° 
 
 Ditto - of up-cast shaft, at 30 yards below the top - 
 Average temperature of the air in the mine when the experiments were taken 
 
 Difference of temperature ------ 
 
 130° 
 50° 
 
 80° 
 
 Allowing ^ for expansion of air, for a degree of heat at 32° gives 130° — 32° = 98°, and 
 50° — 32° = 18°; then 480 + 98°: 480 + 18° = 50,669 cubic feet: 43,656 cubic feet. 
 
 43,656 cubic feet is the volume of air in the mine, at a temperature of 50°, obtained 
 from the measurement in the up-cast shaft, no allowance being made for the friction of the 
 anemometer. 
 
 Second Experiment, 16th of December. 
 
 With steam-jets, 4 boiler fires, and 5 gas retorts at work. 
 
 Taken simultaneously in the 3 splits, with 3 anemometers, at 12 h. 30 m., p. m., and 
 corrected, as before, for the friction of the anemometers. 
 
 Feet, 
 
 Velocity. Friction. 
 
 Engine Plane Split - - (297 + 5) x 67 = 20,234 
 Victoria ditto - - - (150 + 98) x 54 = 13,392 
 
 Total Air going into the Workings - - 33,626 
 
 Boiler fires split, 207 x 58, taken by the colliery anemometer, 
 which shows too high a velocity for air 12,006 
 
 Total Air going through the Shafts - - 45,632 
 
 Temperature of upicasfc 139° 
 Ditto - of downcast ------ 42° 
 
 Difference - - 88° 
 
 Water-gauge, 1^ inch, at 12 h. 30 m, p. m. 
 
 Cubic Feet. 
 
 Total air, in 3 splits, as above, at 50° - - - - 45,632 
 
 Air in up-cast, corrected to 50°, as per preceding experiment - 43,656 
 
 Difference between this measurement and the preceding one - 1,976 
 
 °«76- I 2 Third 
 
68 MINUTES OF EVIDENCE TAKEN BEFORE THE 
 
 J, Dickinson, Esq. 
 
 _ Third Experiment, 16th of December. 
 
 21 June 1853. "With steam jets, 4 boiler fires, and 5 gas retorts at work. 
 
 Measurements taken by the agents of the colliery, in the presence of the inspectors, with 
 powder smoke, on walled headings, 60 feet long, at 3 p. m. 
 
 Feet, Area 
 per Minute. in Feet. Cubic Feet. 
 
 Engine Plane Split ----- 400 x 67 = 26,800 
 Victoria ditto - - - - - 257 x 52 = 13,364 
 
 Total Air going into the Workings - - 40,164 
 
 Measurements taken at the same time with the anemometer gave- 
 
 Velocity. 
 
 Friction 
 in Feet. 
 
 Engine Plane Split 
 Victoria - ditto 
 
 (390 + 5) x 67 == 26,465 
 (245 + 5) X 52 = 13,000 
 
 Total Air going into the Workings - - - 39,465 
 
 The trial by powder smoke gave therefore a higher result by 699 cubic feet per minute. 
 
 The measurements by powder smoke were taken at separate times, and the boiler-fires 
 split did not admit of being measured with powder smoke. It is evident that at the times 
 these measurements were taken the air was distributed in a different manner. The mea- 
 surements afford, however, a means of calculating the ventilation which would have been 
 indicated by powder smoke if it had been applied at the several splits simultaneously. 
 
 Engine Plane 
 Victoria 
 
 Amount of Air 
 by 
 
 Anemometer. 
 
 26,465 
 13,000 
 
 Amount of Air 
 
 by 
 
 Powder Smoke. 
 
 26,800 
 13,364 
 
 Amount by 
 Anemometers. 
 Simultaneous 
 Observation. 
 
 : 20,234 
 : 13,392 
 
 Amount of Air which 
 would havebeenshown 
 
 by Powder Smoke, 
 had the splits beenmea. 
 sured simultaneously. 
 
 : 20,490 
 : 13,766 
 
 Total Air going into the Workings, if taken "\ 
 simultaneously by powder smoke - - J 
 
 Boiler Fire Split, adding"! 3g 
 the first two ratios -J ' 
 
 465 
 
 40,164 = 12,006 
 
 : 12,210 
 
 Total Air passing through the shafts, if taken 1 
 simultaneously by powder smoke - - J 
 
 Fourth Experiment, 16tb of December. 
 
 Without the steam-jets. The jets were stopped at 4h. 30m. p.m., the opening for the 
 split to the boiler fires being nearly closed, the engine stopped working, and the boiler fires 
 checked. The measurements were taken simultaneously with three anemometers at 
 6h. 30m. p.m., corrected for the friction of the anemometers as before. 
 
 Velocity. 
 
 Friction, 
 Feet. 
 
 Engine Plane Split 
 Victoria - ditto 
 
 (261 + 5) 
 
 Total Air going into the Workings 
 Boiler fires split ----- 51 x 
 
 Total Air passing through the Shafts 
 
 Area in 
 
 Cubic Feet 
 
 Feet. 
 
 per Minute. 
 
 67 = 
 
 17,822 
 
 54 = 
 
 12,177 
 
 
 29,999 
 
 58 = 
 
 2,958 
 
 
 32,957 
 
 jft inches. 
 
 Water-gauge, 1 
 Temperature of Up-cast Shaft - 
 Ditto - - Downcast 
 
 Difference 
 
 75° 
 
 Coals 
 
SELECT COMMITTEE ON ACCIDENTS IN COAL MINES. 6 9 
 
 J. Dickinson, Esq. 
 
 Coals Used. 
 
 Quantity stated by the resident viewer at 35 tubs in 24 hours for 3 boilers and the gas 
 retorts, the coke from the retorts being used in the boiler fires, and one-fifth more for 
 the fourth boiler, viz., 42 tubs : 
 
 42 tubs each 7 J cwt. = 35,280 lbs. per 24 hours, or 24^ lbs. per minute. 
 
 With the Jets on, 
 Cubic Feet of Air passing through Lbs. of Coals, 
 
 the Shafts per Minute. 
 
 45,632 24 £ = 1,862 cubic feet of air per lb. of coals. 
 
 With the Jets on, 
 Cubic Feet of Air going into the Lbs. of Coals. 
 
 Workings per Minute. 
 
 33,626 -f 24 | = 1,372 cubic feet of air per lb. of coals. 
 
 But as the consumption of coals is much above the average when the jets are on, and the 
 engine working, the actual economy of ventilation is much below this. 
 
 Allowing 300 cubic feet of air as the quantity usually employed for the combustion of 
 1 lb. of coals, 24 I lbs. x 300 cubic feet — 7,350 cubic feet, the quantity taken from the 
 boiler flies split to feed the fires. It is evident that in the last experiment made without 
 the jets that the boiler fires, with a split of only 2,958 cubic feet of air must have been 
 very low. 
 
 Assuming each boiler at 30-horse power, 3,400 cubic feet of steam must have been given 
 off per minute at atmospheric pressure. 
 
 In conclusion, we beg to present the following summary of the ventilation of the Seaton 
 Delaval Colliery : 
 
 Cubic Feet of Air 
 per Minute. 
 
 Total air going into the workings with the 33 steam jets, 4 boiler fires, 
 and gas apparatus at work. Temperature of up-cast, 130°; temperature 
 of down-cast, 42" ; difference of temperature between down-cast and 
 up-cast, 88°. Water gauge, 1 ^ inches. Barometer, 28 \ inches - 33,626 
 
 Total air going into the workings without the jets ; temperature of the up- 
 cast shaft, 120° ; temperature of down-cast, 45°; difference of temperature 
 of up-cast and down-cast, 75° ------ 29,909 
 
 Increase by jets and an increase of 13° of temperature between the up-1 
 cast and down-cast on the 16th of December - - - - -J ' 
 
 Increase by jets on the 15th of December ------ 3,474 
 
 Increase of water gauge by jets and temperature 16th of Decem- 
 ber 1 5' — 1 21 — 30. inrh 
 Der > 1 loo 1 loo — Too moii. 
 
 Cubic Feet. 
 
 Amount of air obtained per lb. of coals consumed by the boiler fires and 
 
 gas apparatus ---------- - 1,372 
 
 994. Mr. Locke.] What was the amount of air passing through the mine ?- 
 33,626 cubic feet per minute. 
 
 995. Chairman.'] Under what circumstances ? — That was with the jets, with 
 the boiler fires, and the gas apparatus at work. 
 
 996. Mr. Locke.'] At what temperature was air admitted into the down-cast 
 shafts ? — At 42 degrees. 
 
 997. And you have not the temperature of the air as it passed over the jets, 
 but you have it within 30 yards of the top of the pit? — It was there 130 
 degrees. 
 
 998. Where did you measure the current of air, in order to ascertain that 
 quantity ? — In the workings. I measured the large intake as the air was going 
 into the mine, about half a mile from the shaft. 
 
 999. "What do you mean by the large intake ? — The principal split of air 
 before it is distributed. We took the temperature of the different splits as 
 measured. 
 
 1000. In this mine- way you would have the combined quantities of the four 
 down-cast shafts ? — Yes ; four down-casts. 
 
 1001. All concentrated in that mine drift-way ? — Yes ; but there were other 
 0.76. I 3 two 
 
 21 June 1853. 
 
70 
 
 MINUTES OF EVIDENCE TAKEN BEFORE THE 
 
 J. Dickinson, Esq. two splits, in addition to this one, all of which received a portion of the air 
 from those down-cast pits. 
 21 June 1853. 1002. This way you speak of was not the only one ? — No, it was not the 
 only one ; it was the main split. 
 
 1003. You took the velocity in that air- way and in the other air-ways coming 
 from the four down-cast pits ? — Yes. 
 
 1 004. Was there any material variation in the temperature of the air in that 
 distance ? — There was no material variation. 
 
 1005. Did you take the temperature there when you took the velocity? — 
 Yes ; we took the temperatures there also. 
 
 1006. You took the temperature, from which you made your calculation, at 
 the spot ? — Yes. 
 
 1007. Shall we find in that report the mean of all these three drift-ways, and 
 the velocities from which you deduced the quantity of air passing through the 
 mine? — Yes; all these particulars are given, and the friction of the anemo- 
 meters is also shown. 
 
 1008. Flow do they work the mine at Seaton Delaval, is it pillar and stall, or 
 long work ? — It is pillar and stall ; the ordinary work of the north of England. 
 
 1009. Are there many stoppings or traps in that mine; in 7,000 yards, for 
 instance ? — There are a large number of stoppings. 
 
 1010. Is it one of those pits where you will find, on an average, that there 
 is as much friction and resistance to the passage of air as in ordinary cases ? — 
 Yes ; I should consider it an ordinary sample. 
 
 1011. Mr. Stephenson.] Of the pillar and stall ? — Yes. 
 
 1012. Is there more friction in the pillar and stall way of working, than in 
 the long way of working 1 — Yes ; I stated that fully at the commencement of 
 my evidence ; I am now speaking of pillar and stall collieries. 
 
 1013. Mr. Locke.'] In drawing a comparison with any other system of ventila- 
 tion, it should be borne in mind that the friction and resistance, being the matter 
 to be overcome, is the question to be taken into consideration in estimating the 
 value of the means employed ? — No doubt of it. 
 
 1014. Chairman.'] How did you ascertain the exact value of the steam-jet in 
 your experiments, because in your report you seem to have had the steam-jet, 
 four boiler fires, and five retorts at work at the same time ? — We next stopped 
 the jets to ascertain what amount there was without them. 
 
 1015. Mr. Locke.] Before you leave the jets, what was the elasticity of the 
 steam as applied to the jets during the operation ; during the time you were 
 measuring the quantity of air, what was the pressure on the valve ? — These are 
 all set forth fully in the report ; 35 lbs. to the inch. 
 
 1016. Was all the steam passing off into the steam-jets that was generated 
 in those four boilers ?— The four boilers were used to work the under-ground 
 engine. 
 
 1017. Were the four boilers connected simply with the steam-jet, or was the 
 steam from them used for any other purpose r —It was used for working an 
 under-ground engine also. 
 
 1018. Could you give any notion as to what quantity of the steam was ab- 
 stracted from the boilers for the use of the engine, and that which passed off to 
 the jet ? — I have not gone into the question to separate it. 
 
 1019. Chairman.] The discharged steam from the engine passes up the pit? 
 — The discharged steam did ; it was discharged into the returned air drift, and 
 went up the pit with the returned air. 
 
 1020. Mr. Locke.] Was there any steam passing into jets other than that 
 coming from the engine ? — The jets were fed from the boilers direct. 
 
 1021. As well as from the issues of steam coming from the engine ? — The jets 
 were not at all fed by the steam from the engine. 
 
 1022. Have you made any dissection of the quantity of air that has passed 
 up, to see what was due to the steam-jet, and what was due to other causes, 
 namely, furnaces, and the issuing of steam from the engine ? — In the second 
 day's experiments the increase with the jets and 13° of temperature was 3,627 
 cubic feet per minute. On the former day the increase was 3,474 cubic feet, 
 but in consequence of the thermometer being dropped down the pit the tem- 
 perature was not ascertained. 
 
 1023. Mr. 
 
SELECT COMMITTEE ON ACCIDENTS IN COAL MINES. 
 
 1023. Mr. Stephenson.'] Under the same circumstances ? — The measurements J- Dickinson, Efq. 
 were taken under the same circumstances. 
 
 1024. Chairman.'] Did you try any experiment of putting out the retorts, 21 June 1853. 
 stopping the engine, and applying only the boilers to supply the steam -jet ? — ■ 
 
 We did not ; it would have been impossible to have worked the steam-jet with- 
 out having the fire under the boilers. 
 
 1025. Having the fires under the boilers and stopping the engine, and 
 putting out the gas retorts ? — We did not. 
 
 1026. Mr. Locke.] In point of fact, so far as a simple steam-jet is concerned, 
 you did not try that experiment ? — We did not try that experiment. 
 
 1027. Chairman.^ Do you not think, having all these powers at work, this 
 engine pumping steam up the up-cast shaft, the rarefaction of the air caused by the 
 boiler fires and the retorts would not create a certain current of air, that would 
 prevent the power of the steam-jet in aid of it being fairly tested? — The first 
 quantity of air we ascertained, is the quantity of air with the steam-jet and these 
 united powers at work ; the second quantity is with these united powers at work, 
 without the steam-jet ; and the difference between the two is the increase 
 which is due to the steam-jet. 
 
 1028. Mr. Locke.] From your figures, what was that? — In one case it was 
 3,627 cubic feet, and in the other 3,474 cubic feet, per minute. 
 
 1029. Upon an aggregate of upwards of 30,000? — Yes. 
 
 1030. You make the deduction from that experiment, that the jets were, in 
 the proportion to the others, as 1 to 10 in ventilating power? — That was about 
 the increase that the jets gave to the ventilation ; but there was a material dif- 
 ference in the temperature of the up-cast also, which in itself might account 
 for a considerable proportion of the increase. 
 
 1031. Might not that have arisen from the steam-jets themselves? — Partly 
 from the steam-jets, and partly from a larger supply of fresh air being sent to 
 the boiler fires when the jets were in work, which caused a more perfect com- 
 bustion of the fuel, and raised the temperature of the up-cast shaft. 
 
 1032. When there was a large quantity of air passing to the furnace fires, 
 was it in consequence of the steam-jet ? — Partly in consequence of the steam- 
 jets, and partly in consequence of more steam being required when the engine 
 was at work. With the engine standing, it was necessary to shut the dampers. 
 
 1033. Do you know any other cause for raising the temperature in the up- 
 cast shaft excepting the use of the steam-jets in the experiments you tried ? — 
 Yes ; I think, in addition to the temperature which would be obtained from the 
 steam coming out of the jets, that there would be a larger quantity of air 
 passing through the boiler fires, which would have the effect of creating a more 
 perfect combustion of coal, and of increasing the temperature of the up-cast 
 shaft. 
 
 1034. You do not think that that increased quantity of air passing through 
 the fires was due to the abstraction of steam by the use of the jet ? — Not to that 
 alone. 
 
 1035. Was it to any part ? — Yes. 
 
 1036. Was it to a chief part, or to a small part, in your opinion ?— I should 
 not like to venture an opinion as to what proportion, I think it partly due to 
 both. 
 
 1037. Mr. Stephenson.] When you have no steam-jet working, you shut the 
 dampers of the boilers, do you not ? — Yes ; the dampers or the slide that regu- 
 lates the supply of air to the boiler was closed, or partly so, when a large supply 
 of steam was not required. 
 
 1038. When you put on the steam-jet you then had an increase of ventila- 
 tion as a consequence ? — Yes. 
 
 1039. But, in order to put on the steam-jet, you must consume two or three 
 times the quantity of fuel under the boiler that you were consuming previously 
 to putting the steam-jet on ? — No doubt, with more air to the boiler fires, the 
 consumption of coal is going on more rapidly and more perfectly. 
 
 1 040. The increase of ventilation that took place when you put the steam- 
 jet on, was the joint effort of the steam-jet, plus the coal consumed under the 
 boilers ? — Yes ; and also the more perfect combustion of the coal, which is most 
 important. In the Seaton Delaval up-cast the cloud of black smoke that rolls 
 out of the top is only half consumed. 
 
 1041. In your report, the increase of ventilation which took place when the 
 0,76. 1 4 steam- 
 
72 
 
 MINUTES OF EVIDENCE TAKEN BEFORE THE 
 
 J. Dickinson, Esq. steam-jet was turned on, would not be really the true representation of the 
 
 • increase due to the steam-jet ? — No, it was due to the steam-jet, and to the 
 
 21 June 1853. increased temperature of 13 degrees. 
 
 1 042. And to the large additional consumption of fuel under the boiler ? — Yes. 
 
 1043. Therefore it was a joint effort ; the increased size of the furnaces and 
 the steam-jet ? — Yes ; it was due to the steam-jet, and also to an increased con- 
 sumption of coal, and also to a more perfect combustion of coal. 
 
 1044. That would still leave the effect of the steam-jet less than apparently 
 the report ? — Yes. 
 
 104,5. Did you measure the quantity of fuel that was being consumed under 
 the boilers with the steam-jet at work, and without the steam-jet being at work ? 
 — We did not measure it. 
 
 1 046. Mr. Baird. ] You say you got 3,400 feet of additional current by the 
 steam-jet, do you think any of that was carried by the propelling power of the 
 steam, or was it entirely owing to the increased temperature of the up-shaft ? — 
 I think some of it was due to propulsion. 
 
 1047. Even so far down as that? — Yes. 
 
 1048. What portion ? — I should not like to venture to separate those quanti- 
 ties ; I should prefer not giving an opinion on it. The amount is so small as 
 to be scarcely worth separating. 
 
 1049. Mr. Locke. ~\ Have you formed any opinion as to what quantity of air 
 would have passed up that shaft if you had employed the four boilers and the 
 steam-jets only ? — There are only the gas retorts in addition. 
 
 1050. And occasionally the steam-engine? — Yes ; occasionally the discharged 
 steam from the steam-engine. I think that, with one of these boiler fires, and 
 a liberal supply of fresh air to it, and no steam whatever, I would undertake to 
 send as much air up the pit as is now going by the entire powers that were at 
 work. 
 
 1051. You were understood to have formed this opinion, that you could by 
 means of those boilers, and by the rarefaction of the air passing from them, 
 send more air up that pit than is now being sent up by those means, even with 
 the additional use of the steam-jets ? — I think I could ; with those four boiler 
 fires, and with a more liberal supply of fresh air to the boiler fires, I would mate- 
 rially increase the temperature in the up-cast pit, and draw more air through 
 the workings. 
 
 1052. That you say, notwithstanding the experiments you have made, which 
 show an increase of 10 per cent, by the use of the jets in the shaft ? — 
 Yes ; but I should not recommend doing that with boiler fires, because by 
 sending so much air to the fires you would burn your grates and boilers out. 
 
 1053. You think the proper mode of doing it would be to use the steam-jet 
 as an auxiliary ? — No ; the proper way would be to put one eight-foot furnace 
 at the bottom of the up-cast shaft, which would give more air than the whole 
 of the powers now at work. I think one eight-foot furnace, properly con- 
 structed at the bottom of the up- cast shaft, would give more air than the 
 whole of the powers now at work, and with a very much smaller consumption 
 of fuel. 
 
 1054. Mr. Stephenson^] How far is the steam-engine from the bottom of the 
 shaft ? — It is not very far. 
 
 1055. Is it 50 yards ? — Perhaps 50 yards. 
 
 1056. Then the steam is delivered from the engine after having performed 
 its duties there, and does not come into the shaft ? — It comes into the drift, and 
 then into the shaft. 
 
 1057. Therefore, there is no additional power obtained from the exhausted 
 steam of the engine ? — 1 do not think there is much, if any additional power 
 obtained from the exhausted steam of the engine, because in the split of air 
 which I measured several times when the engine was running, and several 
 times when it was standing, there was scarcely a perceptible difference in the 
 quantities. 
 
 1058. Chairman.'] Is there no additional velocity due to the waste steam 
 from the engine ? — Very little. There is a long train of about 100 waggons, 
 which might retard or assist the current much more than the discharged steam. 
 
 1059. Locke] In your report it is stated that there was a pressure of 
 steam of 35 lbs. to the inch, at the boiler ; during the time these experiments 
 were made, was the engine at work or not ? — Yes, the engine was at work ; it 
 
 was 
 
SELECT COMMITTEE ON ACCIDENTS IN COAL MINES. 73 
 
 was at work at intervals, and standing at intervals ; but it made no material J. Dickinson. E 
 difference in the quantities of air circulating through the different splits. ■= 
 
 1060. Did it make any material difference in the pressure of the steam 21 June 18-,; 
 itself, and the boilers, as applied to the jets ? — I think not, with four large 
 
 boilers at work. 
 
 1061. Would the same quantity of steam be passing to the jets whether the 
 engine was at work or not? — I should think the four boiler fires are adequate 
 to the jets and the engine. 
 
 1062. And therefore you give it as your opinion that the pressure on the 
 valve would be the same, and the elastic force of the jet would be the same, 
 whether the engine was at work or not r — Yes ; I think there would not be any 
 material difference with such a supply of boiler power, and considering that the 
 supply of air to the boiler fires was regulated to the quantity of steam required. 
 
 1063. Mr. Cay ley.'] Is it your opinion that high pressure steam would pro- 
 duce a power proportionate to the height compression, or elastic force of the 
 steam ? — In the experiments which I have made with steam-jets, it appears to 
 me, the higher the pressure of the steam the greater the amount of propulsion 
 obtained by it. 
 
 1 064. You have stated, in this case at Seaton Delaval, there was only a pres- 
 sure of 35 pounds to the inch ? — Yes ; all these things are stated in the report. 
 
 1065. Could you not have used a greater pressure if it was necessary: — 
 1 do not know whether we could or not. It was not stated to me whether it 
 could be done or not ; we took the usual pressure. 
 
 1 066. Are not cylinders often worked with 100 pounds pressure to the inch ? 
 — We made our experiments under the ordinary circumstances in which the 
 colliery was worked ; we asked for no alteration ; and I am not aware that any 
 was made. 
 
 1067. In what way did the men connected with the mine assist you in your 
 experiments ? — There was one of the under-managers with each of us at the 
 different splits where we took the measurements. 
 
 1068. Were they cognisant of all the instruments you used, and the mode 
 in which you tested those experiments ? — No, they were not ; but we explained 
 the use of them to them. They had an anemometer at the colliery, but did 
 not know how to use it. They were not in the habit of measuring the air 
 with the anemometer. I believe the air had never been measured before by 
 the anemometer ; it had always been measured by powder smoke, which is a 
 very rough way, and liable to lead to very erroneous conclusions. 
 
 1069. Mr. Eorster, last year, in his evidence, stated that he preferred the 
 powder smoke to the anemometer r — I think he did ; but the master-wasteman, 
 Mr. Robinson, informed us during these experiments that he had been in the 
 habit of taking all the measurements formerly. He also stated that he had 
 supplied those measurements to Mr. Mather and Dr. Fife, when they visited 
 the colliery. 
 
 1070. At what time of day did you make the experiments ? — The hours are 
 stated in the report, and all the measurements were taken simultaneously ; 
 therefore if one split had an increase of air, the other might have a decrease. 
 
 1071 . When did you test these ; did you make your experiments in the morn- 
 ing and your calculations in the evening? — We each of us measured one split, 
 and made our own calculations in the morning, and in the evening we put all 
 the calculations together into one total. 
 
 1072. Did you compare the materials on which you formed your conclusions 
 before the men connected with the mine, before you drew your conclusions? — 
 What materials ? 
 
 1073. Whatever you formed your opinion on; the results of your experiments, 
 the facts ? — The underlookers and the resident agents were not with us at the 
 time we made up the total result ; but we furnished each of them with the quan- 
 tities of the respective splits, as they were measured, and they had an oppor- 
 tunity of putting them together, and forming a total. Mr. Lamb, the resident 
 viewer, was with me in the split which I was measuring, and he was taking down 
 the quantities at the same time as I was taking them down myself. 
 
 1074. Did he assent to the truth of the facts you assumed, that the measure- 
 ment was correct ? — He did ; and he also informed me that he had never before 
 measured the Seaton Delaval air himself. 
 
 1075. You stated that you had two calculations ; the calculations you made 
 0.76. . K in 
 
76 MINUTES OF EVIDENCE TAKEN BEFORE THE 
 
 £ Dkhmon, Esq. the steam-jet, is no criterion at all ? — So far as my experiments have gone, 
 they have led me to that conclusion. 
 
 2j June 1853. 1106. But you think the water-gauge is a fair criterion of the ventilating 
 power of a shaft when heated by a furnace ? — It seems a more certain criterion 
 when heated by a furnace, but I am not quite clear whether the water-gauge is 
 an accurate indication even for rarefaction alone. 
 
 1107. You preferred the anemometer rather than depend on the theoretical 
 calculation of the water-gauge ?— Yes. 
 
 1 108. Chairman^] Did you make any other experiments in conjunction with 
 any other inspector, with respect to the ventilation by steam-jet ?— I have, at 
 Ince Hall ; Mr. Wynne assisted me throughout. 
 
 1109. Will you put in the result of those experiments? — Yes; I have two 
 series of experiments made at the cannel coal pits of the Ince Hall Coal and 
 Cannel Company : — " First, with regard to the experiments at the cannel pits. 
 The ordinary ventilating arrangements consist of a furnace six feet across the 
 bars ; also two boiler fires, and the discharged steam from an underground 
 engine. The boilers are each 40 feet long by 5 feet diameter, spherical ends ; 
 and together with the furnace are placed in the seam at the bottom of the up- 
 cast shaft. There are three shafts about 200 yards deep ; two being down-casts, 
 the conjoint area of which is about 140 feet, and one up-cast 71 feet area. 
 The air is coursed round the workings in three main splits of about 6,000, 
 6,000, and 3,000 yards in length. In addition to this ordinary ventilating 
 power, the steam-jet was added in September 1852. It consisted of 14 jets, 
 each ;] inch diameter, striking into cylinders six feet long by one foot diameter, 
 and placed 15 inches in front of the jets; and it was with this arrangement 
 my first experiments were made on the 2d of December 1852. The jets have 
 since been increased by the addition of four jets each T 5 ff inch diameter, as shown 
 
 Vide annexed 011 the Sketch. The experiments on the 13th of January 1853 were made with 
 Sketch. this latter arrangement. 
 
 Ventilation of the Cannel Pits, 
 Ince Hall Colliery. 
 First Series of Experiments, with 
 Boiler Fires, Steam-Jets, and Furnace, 
 •id of December 1852. 
 
 Temperature 
 of 
 
 Up-cast Shaft, 
 eight yards 
 from Top. 
 
 Temperature 
 of 
 
 Down-east. 
 
 Water-gauge 
 in 
 Inches. 
 
 Cubic Feet 
 of Air passed 
 
 through 
 the \V orkings 
 
 per Minute. 
 
 Fresh Air 
 to 
 
 Boiler Fires. 
 
 Total 
 Air 
 
 passed through 
 the Shafts. 
 
 1st. With two boiler fires, and 
 steam blowing- off at 50-lbs. 
 pressure. Boilers each 40 feet 
 long- by five feet diameter 
 
 115o 
 
 48° 
 
 9 
 T5 
 
 25,991 
 
 2,701 
 
 28,692 
 
 2nd. With 14 steam jets each # 
 inch diameter, in addition to the 
 boiler tires, and steam blowing- 
 off at 50dbs., as in No. 1 
 
 Increase with the 14 jets at 
 
 106° 
 
 48° 
 
 
 33,031 
 8,040 
 
 2,553 
 
 35,584 
 
 3rd. With a six feet furnace and 
 the boiler fires, and steam 
 blowing off as in No. 1, but 
 w ithout the jets - 
 
 Increase by furnace - 
 
 191° 
 
 45° 
 
 2 
 
 45,114 
 19,123 
 
 2,590 
 
 47,704 
 
 4th. With the furnace and 14 
 steam-jets, and the boiler fires, 
 iind steam blowing oft at 
 yOlbs. .... 
 
 145" 
 
 45° 
 
 
 37,876 
 
 2,590 
 
 40,466 
 
 " In these experiments the united power of the furnace, steam-jets, and boiler 
 fires, produced less effect than the furnace alone, the two powers seeming to 
 baffle each other. This led to a series of experiments by which it was ascer- 
 tained that by feeding the boiler fires with an abundant supply of fresh air, and 
 with fresh air only, this anomaly could be obviated, and the powers of the 
 jets and furnace worked harmoniously together. 
 
 On 
 
SELECT COMMITTEE ON ACCIDENTS IN COAL MINES. 
 
 Skel^/v of t/i& Sleam Jet Apparcolws as applied 
 ed> the- Carm &l Pits, Jnco JfaZl , Wigon,. 
 
 [To feuv page, 76 .] 
 
 Plan of the 
 arid Cylinders 
 
 14 of the Jets are % Inele diameter 
 4^D" 2)"_ */„_ D" D" 
 
 Jet>s One- Teat apart . Cylinders 
 One- Foot Doamster, and the 
 znierstic&s between^ iAe- Cylinders 
 are all 7/iade- cfosa 
 
 k 
 k 
 
 k 
 k 
 
 F?M€- 
 
 for 
 Jjoile^r 
 Fires 
 
 (423. 
 
SELECT COMMITTEE ON ACCIDENTS IN COAL MINES. 
 
 77 
 
 " On the 13th of January 1853, some improvement having been made in the J ' Dlcfcmson > E s 9- 
 air- ways, and the number of jets increased to 18, as shown on the annexed ~7 7J 
 Sketch, the experiments were resumed with the following result : — 21 une 1 53 * 
 
 Ventilation of the Cannel Pits, 
 Ince Hall Colliery. 
 
 Second Series of Experiments 
 with Boiler Fires, and 18 Steam-Jets. 
 13th January 1853. 
 
 Temperature 
 of 
 Up-cast, 
 eight yards from 
 Top. 
 
 Temp eratu ro 
 of 
 
 Down-cast. 
 
 Difference 
 of 
 
 Temperature 
 
 between 
 Up-cast and 
 Down-cast. 
 
 cudic reet 
 of Air passed 
 
 through 
 the Workings 
 
 per Minute. 
 
 Fresh Air 
 to 
 
 Boiler Fires. 
 
 Total 
 Cubic feet of Air 
 passed through 
 Shafts per 
 Minute. 
 
 1 st. With boiler fires low, and no 
 steam blowing- off, taken at 
 12 a.m. This measurement was 
 taken by anemometers in the 
 down-cast shaft; the others 
 were taken in the workings 
 
 102° 
 
 40° 
 
 56° 
 
 25,703 
 
 1,400 
 
 27,103 
 
 2d. With good fires under the 
 boilers, and the steam blowing- 
 off at the valves at 55 lbs, At 
 1 h. 30 m. p.m. - 
 
 112° 
 
 43° 
 
 69° 
 
 41,041 
 
 34,000 
 
 75,041 
 
 Increase by 13 degrees of 
 temperature, and the steam 
 blowing- off at 55 lbs. 
 
 
 
 
 15,338 
 
 
 
 3d. With 18 steam-jets as per 
 sketch, in addition to the boiler 
 fires, and the steam blowing- off 
 at 00 lbs. At 2 n. 30 m. p.m. 
 
 
 44° 
 
 so 
 
 OU,o / I 
 
 
 
 Increase by the jets and 5 
 lbs. higher pressure of 
 steam, and 17 degrees of 
 increased temperature as 
 compared with No. 2 ex- 
 
 
 
 
 9,831 
 
 — 
 
 — 
 
 4th. Same as No. 3, but with less 
 fresh air sent to boiler fires. 
 At 3 p.m. - 
 
 128° 
 
 45° 
 
 83° 
 
 50,794 
 
 28,400 
 
 79,194 
 
 Increase by the jets, and 14 
 degrees of increased tern- 
 
 T\01*fl I'll VC* €\Q i~* (1 T>"1 T\fi FClfl «f 1 f n 
 IH IdllilL «P> cum (J a I ell Willi 
 
 
 
 
 9,753 
 
 
 
 5th. Same as No. 4, but with still 
 less fresh air supplied to boiler 
 fires. At 3.30 p.m. 
 
 121° 
 
 44° 
 
 77° 
 
 41,138 
 
 15,200 
 
 
 Increase by the jets, &c. and 
 eight degrees of increased 
 temperature, as compared 
 
 
 
 
 97 
 
 
 
 " On completing No. 5 experiment, at 3. 30 p. m., when the temperature of the 
 up-cast was 121°, the boiler fires were slacked, and in a quarter of an hour the 
 furnace was lighted, and at 3 h. 50 m. the temperature of the up-cast had fallen to 
 1 1 0°. The heat of the furnace then began to act, in addition to the boiler fires, 
 and at 4 h. 30 m. the temperature was 178*. The boiler fires then began to get 
 very low, and at 5 h. the temperature had declined to 1/4°, and at 5 h. 30 m., 
 when the boiler fires, with the exception of a shovel full of fire which was reserved 
 on the charging plate for relighting them, were entirely out, the temperature of 
 the up-cast had further declined to 160°. From that time the furnace rapidly 
 rose to its full power, and at 6 h. the temperature had increased to 180", which 
 was its maximum height. The furnace experiments were commenced at 
 5 h. 15 m., as follows : 
 
 O.76. K 3 
 
7§ 
 
 MINUTES OF EVIDENCE TAKEN BEFORE THE 
 
 Ventilation of the Cannel Pits, 
 Ince Hall Colliery. 
 
 Second Series of Experiments : 
 
 The Furnace. 
 13th January 1853 — continued. 
 
 6th. With one furnace, six feet 
 across the bars, the boiler fires 
 being out; and allowing a large 
 scale of fresh air, viz., 44,200 
 cubic feet, to pass through the 
 boiler grates as a dumb drift, at 
 5. 15 p. m. - 
 
 Increase by furnace with 76° 
 of additional temperature, 
 as compared with No. I 
 experiment - 
 
 7th. With furnace as in No. 6, 
 but with the doors open to 
 allow the furnace also to draw 
 fresh air, at 5. 35 p. m. - 
 
 Increase, with 62° additional 
 temperature, as compared 
 with No. 1 - - - 
 
 8th. Same as No. 6, but with 
 only 15,600 feet of fresh air 
 admitted through boiler drifts, 
 at 6 p. m. - 
 
 Increase, with 82° additional 
 temperature - 
 
 9th. Same as No. 7, but with 
 only 30,600 feet of fresh air 
 admitted to furnace, and 
 through the boiler drifts, at 
 6. 10 
 
 10th. Same as No. 6, but with 
 all the air passing through the 
 workings in the way the fur- 
 nace is ordinarily worked, at 
 6. 30 p. m. - - - - 
 
 Increase, with 81° of ad- 
 ditional temperature, as 
 compared with No. 1. 
 
 Temperature 
 of 
 Up-cast. 
 
 174° 
 
 160' 
 
 180" 
 
 Temperature 
 of 
 
 Down-cast. 
 
 42' 
 
 42" 
 
 42' 
 
 Not taken 
 
 180' 
 
 43' 
 
 Difference 
 of 
 
 Temperature 
 
 between 
 Up-cast and 
 Down-cast Shafts 
 
 132° 
 
 118 ' 
 
 138° 
 
 137 
 
 Cubic Feet 
 of Air 
 passed through 
 the 
 Workings 
 per Minute. 
 
 48,311 
 
 14,763 
 
 46,781 
 21,078 
 
 44,534 
 
 51,466 
 25,763 
 
 Cubic Feet 
 of Fresh Air 
 to 
 
 Furnace, 
 and through 
 Boiler Grates. 
 
 Total 
 Cubic Feet of Air 
 passed 
 through the 
 Shafts. 
 
 44,200 
 
 92,511 
 
 48,080 
 
 88,546 
 
 15,600 
 
 62,381 
 
 30,600 
 
 75,134 
 
 " At 6. 45 p. m. the boilers were re-lighted, when the increase of temperature 
 was soon sensibly felt at the top of the up-cast, and the thermometer by which 
 the temperature was being taken burst ; another thermometer was substituted, 
 and it also burst ; one of the thermometers indicated up to 220°, and the other to 
 235° ; the temperature of the up-cast would therefore appear to have been above 
 235°, when the following experiments with the united powers of the furnace, 
 boiler fires, and steam- jets were taken : — 
 
 Ventilation of the Cannel Pits, 
 Ince Hall Colliery. 
 
 Second Series of Experiments, 
 Furnace, Boiler Fires, and Steam-Jets. 
 13 January 1853 — continued. 
 
 Cubic Feet 
 of Air 
 passed through the 
 Workings 
 per Minute. 
 
 Cubic Feet 
 of Fresh Air to 
 Boiler Fires. 
 
 Total 
 Cubic Feet of Air 
 passed through 
 the Shaft. 
 
 12th. With furnace, two boiler fires, 
 18 steam-jets, and steam blowing off at 
 60 lbs. per square inch ; at 7. 15 p.m. 
 
 61,746 
 
 33,930 
 
 95,676 
 
 13th. Same as No. 12, but with less 
 fresh air admitted to the boiler fires ; 
 at 7. 45 p.m. ----- 
 
 58,762 
 
 21,600 
 
 80,362 
 
 Abstract 
 
SELECT COMMITTEE ON ACCIDENTS IN COAL MINE S . 
 
 Vpcitst Shu ft 10 Fe&l Duimtter 
 
 [To fue-C' pige- 79 .] 
 
 <5b 
 
 <- 7. 
 
 i i i i 1 
 
 Y 
 
 V 
 
 fo o o___2J \ 
 
 3 Inch 
 
 PIPE 
 
 i/ BcLivr'e-iJLztfv 
 
 (423.—I.) 
 
SELECT COMMITTEE ON ACCIDENTS IN COAL MINES. 
 
 79 
 
 J. Dickinson, Esq. 
 
 Abstract of Experiments at the Cannel Pits, Ince Hall Colliery, 13 January 1853. 
 
 J '21 June 1853. 
 
 
 Cubic Feet per Minute. 
 
 Maximum effect produced with one furnace, 6 feet across the bars, as 
 in No. 10 experiment; total air passed through the workings 
 
 51,466 
 
 Maximum effect produced with 18 steam-jets, 2 boiler fires, and the 
 steam blowing of at 60 lbs. ; boilers, each 40 feet long by 5 feet 
 diameter; total air passed through the workings, as in No. 3 
 experiment - -- -- -- -- - 
 
 50,872 
 
 Difference in favour of one 6-feet furnace, as compared with 2 boiler 
 fires, 18 steam-jets, and steam blowing oft at the valves at 60 lbs., 
 the boilers each 40 feet long by 5 feet diameter - 
 
 594 
 
 Maximum effect produced by tlie united powers of the furnace and 
 2 boiler fires, 18 steam-jets, and steam blowing off at 60 lbs ; total 
 air passed through the workings ------- 
 
 61,746 
 
 The barometer at 8 a.m., was 29*10 inches. 
 
 
 Ditto - 10. 20 p.m., was 29-20. inches. 
 
 
 " In the experiments at the Cannel Pits it will be observed that a liberal supply 
 of fresh air to the boiler fires had the effect of materially increasing the tem- 
 perature of the up-cast, and that the current of air passed through the work- 
 ings was greatest when the largest amount of fresh air was supplied to the 
 boiler fires. With 36,000 cubic feet of fresh air per minute the difference of 
 temperature between the up-cast and the down-cast was 86°, and the amount 
 of air passed throtigh the workings 50,8/2 cubic feet per minute. With 
 28,400 feet of fresh air the difference of temperature was 83°, and the amount 
 of air passed through the workings 50,794 ; and with the still smaller amount of 
 15,200 feet of fresh air the difference of temperature was reduced to 77°, and 
 the amount of air through the workings to 41,138 cubic feet. 
 
 " The greatest velocity attained in the up-cast shaft with the furnace alone, 
 and without allowing for expansion by rarefaction, was 1,303 feet per minute. 
 With the addition of the expansion due to an increase of temperature from 
 62°, at about which the air was measured to 174°, the temperature of the up- 
 cast, the actual velocity attained was 1,590 feet per minute ; or, in other 
 words, 1,590 cubic feet per minute was passed through each square foot of the 
 up-cast shaft. 
 
 "Steam-Jet and Furnace Ventilation, at the Pemberton Pits, Ince Hall 
 
 Colliery, near Wigan. 
 
 " In these pits, two seams of coal are worked with a pair of shafts, one seam 
 lies at 214, and the other at 18/ yards from the surface ; the shafts are each 10 
 feet diameter, one being the up-cast and the other the downcast. The ordinary 
 ventilating power consists of two boiler fires, placed in the lower seam, called 
 the Pemberton five-feet seam, and a small furnace, together with an arrange- 
 ment of 10 steam -jets (as shown on Sketch) placed in the upper or Pemberton annexed 
 four-feet seam, the jets being fed with steam from the boilers in the lower 
 seam. The jets were added in September last, and they are only intended to be 
 used when the furnace is out, or at nights when the engine is not at work ; the 
 boilers are each 20 feet long, by five feet diameter, with direct or flash flues 
 underneath. There are three main splits of air in the four-feet seam, two of the 
 splits being about 2,000 yards each, and the other about 1,000 yards in length ; 
 in the five-feet seam there are also three main splits, of the respective lengths 
 of about 2,000, 1,000, and 600 yards. The first series of experiments was made 
 on the 9th December 1852 ; the second series on the 20th January 1853, some 
 improvements having in the mean time been made in the arrangements : — 
 
 0.76. k 4 
 
8o MINUTES OF EVIDENCE TAKEN BEFORE THE 
 
 Peiuberton Pits, 
 Ii:ce Hall Colliery. 
 
 First Series of Experiment ts, 
 with 
 
 Boiler Fires, Steam-Jets and Furnace. 
 9 December 1852. 
 
 Temperature 
 of 
 
 Up-east Shaft, 
 Eight Yards 
 from Surface. 
 
 Temperature 
 of 
 
 Down-cast. 
 
 Difference 
 between 
 Temperature 
 of Up-cast and 
 and 
 Down-cast. 
 
 Cubic Feet 
 of Air 
 passed through 
 
 Five Feet 
 Workings per 
 Minute. 
 
 Cubic Feet 
 of Air 
 passed through 
 
 Four Feet 
 Workings per 
 Minute. 
 
 X Old! 
 
 Cubic Feet 
 of 
 
 Air per Minute 
 
 passed 
 through both 
 Working's. 
 
 1st. With two boiler fires, and 
 the steam blowing- off at 50 lbs.; 
 average of two experiments - 
 
 135" 
 
 46° 
 
 89° 
 
 13,380 
 
 17,100 
 
 30,480 
 
 2d. With nine of the steam-jets 
 at work, in addition to the 
 boiler fires, and the steam 
 blowing off at 50 lbs. ; average 
 of two experiments 
 
 148° 
 
 48° 
 
 100° 
 
 20,700 
 
 18,540 
 
 39,240 
 
 Increase by the nine jets, 
 and by an increase of 11 
 degrees of temperature - 
 
 
 
 
 7,320 
 
 1,440 
 
 • 
 
 20,160 
 
 8,760 
 
 3d. With furnace five feet across 
 the bars, in addition to boiler 
 fires, and steam blowing* oft, 
 but without the jets ; average 
 of two experiments 
 
 190° 
 
 44° 
 
 146 c 
 
 17,625 
 
 37,785 
 
 Increase by the furnace 
 
 
 
 
 4,245 
 
 3,060 
 
 7,305 
 
 " In these experiments, a large scale of fresh air which was not measured was 
 passed through the engine house, in the four-feet seam. The arrangements of 
 the pit did not admit of more than about 12,000 cubic feet of air per minute 
 being passed through the furnace. 
 
 Peiuberton Pits, 
 Ince Hall Colliery. 
 Second Series of Experiments, 
 with 
 
 Boiler Fires, Steam-Jets, and Furnace. 
 20 January 1853. 
 
 Temperature 
 of 
 Up-cast. 
 
 Temperature 
 of 
 
 Down-cast. 
 
 Difference 
 of 
 
 Temperature 
 between 
 Up-cast 
 and Down-cast. 
 
 Air 
 
 passed through 
 Five Feet 
 Workings, 
 per Minute. 
 
 Air 
 
 passed through 
 Four Feet 
 Workings 
 per Minute. 
 
 Total 
 Cubic Feet of Air 
 passed through 
 both 
 Workings, 
 per Minute. 
 
 1st. With the two boiler fires 
 low, and no steam blowing- off 
 
 122"> 
 
 50° 
 
 72° 
 
 1 2,990 
 
 20,472 
 
 33,462 
 
 2d. With good fires under boilers, 
 and steam blowing- off at the 
 safety-valves, at 50 lbs. 
 
 150° 
 
 50° 
 
 100° 
 
 17,760 
 
 24,840 
 
 42,600- 
 
 Increase by the steam blow- 
 ing off, and 28 degrees of 
 temperature - 
 
 
 
 
 4,770 
 
 4,368 
 
 9,138 
 
 3d. With 10 sieam-jets in addi- 
 tion to the boiler fires, and the 
 steam blowing off at 50 lbs. - 
 
 151° 
 
 49° 
 
 102° 
 
 21,015 
 
 23,400 
 
 44,415 
 
 Increase by the propulsive 
 force of the steam, and 
 two degrees of tempera- 
 ture - - 
 
 1th. With 10 jets, as in No. 3, 
 but with air-splits differently 
 arranged - 
 
 160° 
 
 49" 
 
 111" 
 
 3,255 
 22,800 
 
 f decrease ~l 
 not taken. 
 
 1,815 
 
 Increase by the propulsive 
 force of the jets, and 1 1 
 degrees of temperature, as 
 compared with No. 2 
 
 
 
 
 5,040 
 
 not taken. 
 
 
 5th. With 10 jets, as in No. 3. 
 and 4 experiments, but with in- 
 creased area for the air in the 
 4 feet to pass into the shaft - 
 
 152° 
 
 48° 
 
 104" 
 
 21,960 
 
 24,840 
 
 46,800 
 
 Increase by the propulsive 
 force of the jets, and four 
 degrees of temperature, as 
 compared with No. 2 
 
 
 
 
 4,200 
 
 equal 
 
 4, -200 
 
 Oa 
 
SELECT COMMITTEE ON ACCIDENTS IN COAL MINES. 81 
 
 On the completion of the above experiments at 2 h. 10 m., the boiler fires J. Dickinson., Esq. 
 
 were slacked. The steam had been got down, and the jets stopped at 2 h. 40 m. 
 
 At 2 h. 50 m. the furnace, which, since the first series of experiments in Decern- 21 June 1353. 
 
 ber, had been increased to 5 ft. 5 in. across the bars, was lighted. It should be 
 
 stated, that in consequence of the proximity of the furnace to the shaft, in 
 
 which were wooden guides, it was found unsafe to drive the furnace hard, and 
 
 only a small quantity of air was consequently passed through it. At 6 p.m. 
 
 the following experiment was taken : 
 
 Pemberton Pits, 
 Ince Hall Colliery. 
 
 t»o/*rtnfl Qoi*ioa nf r Ynprlmpirf fit 
 O cL OtiLl Ocl lt.3 <-'l IjAIILI 1 111c I J LOf 
 
 with 
 
 Boiler Fires, Steam-Jet9, and Furnace. 
 •20 January 1853. 
 
 Temperature 
 of 
 Up-cast. 
 
 Temperature 
 of 
 
 Down-cast. 
 
 Difference 
 of 
 
 Tern perature 
 between 
 U p-cast 
 and Down-cast. 
 
 Air 
 
 passed through 
 Five Feet 
 Workings, 
 per Minute. 
 
 Air 
 
 passed through 
 Four Feet 
 Workings, 
 per Minute. 
 
 Total 
 Cubic Feet of Air 
 
 nccofl A +lj i*aii rrti 
 JJaSScU LlilUUgll. 
 
 both 
 Workings, 
 per Minute. 
 
 6th. With 5 ft. 5 in. furnace, 
 small fire, the boiler fires being- 
 entirely out - 
 
 143° 
 
 43° 
 
 10O° 
 
 17,670 
 
 24,960 
 
 42,630 
 
 As compared with No. 2 
 experiment, the difference 
 between the temperatures 
 of the up-cast and down- 
 cast, is in each case 100*, 
 and the amount of air ob- 
 tained almost identically 
 the same. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 7th. With the furnace, as in No. 6, 
 but with less air passed through 
 the furnace - - - - 
 
 143° 
 
 41" 
 
 102" 
 
 17,010 
 
 24,360 
 
 41,370 
 
 The barometer, during these 
 experiments, was at 29"20 
 at 8 a. m., and at 29*45 
 at 1 1 p. m. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 " It appears that throughout these Ince Hall experiments, both with the 
 furnace, boiler fires, and steam, increased temperature in the up-cast has been 
 followed very closely by an increased amount of air. There appears, however, 
 to be a small amount gained by propulsion. The largest increase on the appli- 
 cation of the jets, as in No. 3 experiment in the second series at the Cannel 
 Pits was 9,83 1 cubic feet per minute ; this was due to an increased temperature 
 between the up-cast and down-cast of 17 degrees, and, to some extent, to 
 propulsion also. That some amount is due to propulsion is however perhaps 
 more apparent in a comparison of Nos. 2 and 6 with Nos. 3 and 5 in the second 
 series of experiments at the Pemberton Pits. In No. 2, the boiler fires, with 
 steam blowing off at the valves at 50 lbs. per square inch, but not propulsively 
 applied, gave 42,600 cubic feet of air per minute ; and No. 6, with a like 
 difference of 100° of temperature, with the furnace, gave 42,630 cubic feet, 
 being a difference in the two experiments of only 30 feet. Comparing these 
 results, which, with the exception of the lighter gravity of the steam, are due 
 exclusively to temperature, with Nos. 3 and 5 experiments, with the steam ap- 
 plied propulsively through the jets, it will be seen that an increase of only two 
 degrees of additional temperature in the one case gave an increase of l,/85 
 cubic feet of air per minute, and of 4° in the other gave an increase of 4,1/9 
 cubic feet per minute ; being a ratio of increase in the quantity of air obtained 
 at the rate of about 1,000 cubic feet for one degree of temperature, which 
 exceeds the ratio due to temperature alone as compared with the other experi- 
 ments. No. 3 experiment, with two boiler fires, steam and steam blowing off 
 at the valves, with a temperature of 102°, gave 44,415 cubic feet, whilst No. 7, 
 with the same temperature, by the furnace, produced 41,3/0 cubic feet, leaving 
 a balance of 3,045 cubic feet due to propulsion, which is the utmost amount 
 assignable to propulsion in these experiments, a comparison with No. 6 and 
 other experiments giving a less amount. 
 
 " The quantity of coals used in the boiler fires at the Pemberton Pits is stated 
 at 4 tons 16cwt. per 24 hours, which, at the rate of 46,800 cubic feet of 
 
 0.76. L air 
 
82 
 
 MINUTES OF EVIDENCE TAKEN BEFORE THE 
 
 J. Dickinson, Esq. air per minute, as obtained by the jets and boiler fires, gives 6,268 cubic feet 
 - — of air per lb. of coals. 
 
 21 June 1853. « The furnace at the Pemberton Pits is a new one, 5 feet 5 inches across the 
 bars, and the quantity of coals which it consumes had not been ascertained 
 when I made these experiments ; but it stands on the site of an old furnace which 
 was 5 feet across the bars, and as it stands within 12 yards of the shaft in 
 which are wooden guides, which are liable to catch fire, the furnace could not 
 be safely driven hard ; the consumption of coals therefore would probably be 
 much the same as in the old one. This amount is stated at two tons per 
 24 hours, but allowing 10 cwt. extra as an ample margin for the slight increase 
 in the size of the furnace, say 50 cwt. per 24 hours. This, at the rate of 
 42,630 cubic feet of air per minute, as in No. 6 experiment, gives 10,962 cubic 
 feet of air per lb. of coals as the result of furnace ventilation. 
 
 " In the Cannel Pits the quantity of coals used in the boiler-fires is stated at 
 6 cwt. per hour, or 7 tons 4 cwt. per 24 hours, to keep the steam at 50 lbs. 
 pressure per square inch, which is the usual pressure. The second series of 
 experiments which gave the best results were taken with a pressure of 60 lbs., 
 to obtain which the consumption of coals would be increased in a proportion. 
 As this increase was not ascertained, the balance may be thrown to the favour 
 of the jets, and the coal estimated as for 50 lbs. pressure, which gives 4,542 
 cubic feet of air passed through the workings per lb. of coals consumed in the 
 boiler-fires. The furnace is stated to consume about 6 tons per 24 hours, 
 which gives 5,514 cubic feet of air per lb. of coals. The united powers of the 
 furnace, boiler-fires, and steam-jets gives 3,007 cubic feet of air per lb. of 
 coals." 
 
 1110. In that case was the same proportion of fresh air blowing over the 
 boiler fires ? — The quantity of fresh air sent over the boiler fires had a material 
 effect in increasing and diminishing the quantity of air through the workings ; 
 but this amount which I have stated as being due to the steam-jets is the 
 maximum effect of all the experiments. 
 
 1111. Mr. Stephenso?i.~\ Did you compare the consumption of fuel in that 
 small furnace as compared with that consumed with the two boilers ? — The 
 quantity used by the boiler fires in the Cannel Pits is stated as six hundred 
 weight per hour, or seven tons four hundred weight in 24 hours, to keep the 
 steam at 50 pounds pressure per square inch, which is the usual pressure. 
 
 1112. Have you given the consumption of coal per hour upon the furnace, or 
 the boilers ? — Upon the boilers. 
 
 1113. What is the consumption per hour upon the furnace ? — I should also 
 explain that the quantity of coal stated for the boiler fires is to keep the steam 
 at 50 lbs. pressure, but the experiments with the jets were taken with the 
 steam at 60 lbs. pressure. 
 
 1114. Give that 50 lbs. then? — The coal estimated as for 50 lbs. pressure, 
 gives 4,542 cubic feet of air passed through the workings per pound of coals 
 consumed in the boiler fires. The furnace is stated to consume about 6 tons 
 per 24 hours, which gives 5,514 cubic feet of air per pound of coals; the 
 united powers of the furnace, boiler fires, and steam-jets, gave 3,007 cubic feet 
 of air per pound of coals. 
 
 1115. You say the united power of the furnace, the steam-jet, and the boilers ; 
 had you ever them united ? — Yes, we tried all the powers together. 
 
 1116. Had you not the consumption per hour, of fuel, under the boilers for 
 driving the steam-jet only? — I have not. The pressure was raised to 60 lbs. 
 at Mr. Darlington's request, and the consumption of coals was not taken ; the 
 quantity given is for working the boilers at the ordinary pressure, 50 lbs. 
 
 1117. You have given me the consumption of the furnace alone at seven tons 
 a day?— That is for the boilers' fires, 7 tons 4 cwt. 
 
 ii 18. How much does the single furnace consume, the open furnace? — 
 About six tons. 
 
 1119. They are about equal ; that is not a very great disparity /—Taking the 
 quantity, the two boiler fires and steam-jets give 4,542 cubic feet of air per 
 pound of coals. The single furnace gave 5,514 ; and the united power of the 
 furnace and the boiler fires, and the steam-jets, gave 3,007 cubic feet per 
 pound of coals. 
 
 1120. You do not appear to me now to have separated the effect of the 
 
 steam- 
 
SELECT COMMITTEE ON ACCIDENTS IN COAL MINES. 
 
 steam-jet from other influences, because you have stopped the steam-jet and J. Dickinson, Esq, 
 
 compared it with the furnaces ; but you omit to take away the effect due upon — 
 
 the ventilation from the steam-boiler furnaces, because when the steam-jet is 21 June 1853, 
 at work the steam-boiler furnaces are assisting in the ventilation ? — The boiler 
 fires are in addition. 
 
 13 2 1. Is the effect that you state to be produced by the steam-jet alone, 
 really, in point of fact, the effect of the steam-jet plus the coal consumed under 
 the steam-boilers ? — Yes ; and with the exception of the first day's experiments 
 at the Cannel pits, when anomalous results were obtained, every increase of air 
 has been simultaneous with increased temperature. 
 
 1 122. Does the heated air which passes through the steam-boiler furnaces go 
 into the up-cast shaft or not? — It does. 
 
 j 123. Let us suppose for a moment the steam -jet could be taken out of the 
 shaft, and put into some other place where it would have no influence on the 
 ventilation, what effect would the furnaces under the boiler have in producing 
 ventilation ; consuming as much fuel as they do, would they not nearly produce 
 as much as a simple furnace of six foot square ? — Yes, they would produce 
 nearly the same result as we have obtained by the steam-jets with these fires, 
 the only difference would be a trifling amount by propulsion. 
 
 1 1 24. Chairman.'] Did you ever try the steam-jet, worked with the boilers 
 being on the surface, the steam carried down to the bottom of the pit, and the 
 jet at the bottom of the pit ? — Yes ; 1 have seen different applications in that 
 way. In one instance I saw it so applied at the Bentgrange Colliery, at Old- 
 ham, where the effects upon the ventilation were trifling indeed ; and at the 
 time this jet was at work the whole of the pit continued in an explosive state. 
 
 1125. Mr. Stephenson.] The ventilating power was small? — Very small; it 
 is a case that I have alluded to in my report to the Secretary of State. 
 
 1126. Chairman.] Then, taking the whole of these experiments into con- 
 sideration, your opinion appears to be that the mechanical power of the steam- 
 jet, without any rarefaction whatever, is a very small aid in ventilating a pit ? — 
 Yes, that is my opinion ; I was formerly disposed to attribute more power to 
 propulsion, but I now believe it to be very small. 
 
 1 1 27. Mr. Cayley.] According to the evidence you have given, you consider 
 the steam-jet is a retardation rather than an assistance to ventilation ? — No, 
 that is not my opinion ; I think that some amount of power is due to pro- 
 pulsion, but that the amount is small. 
 
 1 1 28. The furnace, you stated, consumed six tons of coal per day ? — Yes. 
 
 ] 129. That gives 50,000 cubic feet of air per minute ? — It gave 51,466 cubic 
 feet of air per minute. 
 
 1130. And the boilers use seven tons per day? — Six hundred weight per 
 hour, that is 7 tons 4 cwt., to work the boilers at 50 lbs. pressure ; with the 
 boilers at 60 lbs. pressure the maximum effect produced with 18 steam-jets, 
 two boiler fires, and the steam blowing off at the valves was 50,8/2 cubic feet 
 of air per minute. 
 
 1131. Is it your opinion that the same quantity of coal would give more 
 ventilation burned in a furnace than under a boiler ? — It is my opinion. 
 
 1132. Is it your opinion, then, that the furnace alone gives the greater power 
 of ventilation, and is greater than the same quantity of fire plus the steam jet ? 
 — Yes ; I think the furnace more economical ; the combustion is much more 
 perfect in the furnace than it is under the boiler fires, that is, in a properly 
 constructed furnace ; and there is no dense cloud of black smoke rolling up 
 the pit ; the heat is not taken up by the water and flues, and the upcast is 
 easier raised to a high temperature. 
 
 1133. Then you consider the steam-jet to be a retardation to the ventilation? 
 — No ; I think the same amount of coal applied through the furnace would 
 give you a greater amount of air than that quantity of coal burnt under the 
 boiler fires, however the steam generated in these boilers might be applied. 
 
 1 1 34. Is not that a question very much of the depth of the mine ? — I am 
 speaking now of experiments made under similar circumstances in the same 
 pit. 
 
 1135. The deeper the pit, in point of fact, the more economical does the 
 furnace system of ventilation become ? — No doubt of it. 
 
 1 136. Do you think the furnaces would equally apply to shallow as to deep 
 pits ? — The furnace is not so peculiarly applicable to shallow pits as to deep ones. 
 
 0.76. l 2 11 37. Was 
 
84 MINUTES OF EVIDENCE TAKEN BEFORE THE 
 
 /. Dickinson, Esq. 1137. Was Mr. Darlington with you when you made your experiments ? — 
 He was, and took all the figures down. 
 
 •21 June 1853. 1138. Was he satisfied with the propriety of your mode of carrying on the 
 experiments ? — Yes ; he made no objection to it. 
 
 1 139. Was he satisfied with the results you came to, that they were correct ? 
 — I cannot say whether he was satisfied or not ; we took the measurements 
 with the utmost fairness ; there was no partiality to either one side or the other ; 
 my sole object was to develope the utmost resources of the jet and the furnaces, 
 and I believe Mr. Darlington was actuated by the same desire ; the underlooker 
 of the pit was also there. 
 
 1140. Chairman.'] With regard to the steam-jet, although your opinion is 
 that the furnace is infinitely superior as a ventilator to the steam-jet, can you, 
 or not, conceive circumstances in which the steam-jet may be useful, in cases 
 of mines being on fire ; we have evidence in 1852 that the steam-jet was there 
 applied to force carbonic acid gas down into the mine to put the fire out ; do 
 you conceive the steam-jet may be made useful in a case of that kind ? — 
 I think we know it to be very useful in cases of that kind. The case which 
 I have given (question 1095), as an illustration of the peculiar power of the 
 jet, had reference to one of these experiments of Mr. Gurney's, where he was 
 forcing the choke-damp into the mine. It was this choke-damp, although it 
 had undergone the cooling process, which had heated the down-cast shaft to 
 103 degrees above the temperature of the up-cast; and yet the jet was able, 
 by acting through a confined tube, to resist that balance of temperature. I do 
 not know any other power that could have been applied so well adapted to an 
 experiment of that kind. But for the transmission of large quantities of air 
 through coal mines, it does not appear to be sufficiently powerful unless 
 applied in conjunction with temperature. 
 
 1141. Mr. Locke.] Was that application of the jet in any way similar to the 
 application to the mine in Seaton Delaval r — No ; that was a peculiar appli- 
 cation, applied for the purpose of forcing choke-damp into the mine, with a 
 view to extinguishing the fire that was in the same. 
 
 1 1 42. I want to know whether the use of the tube was applicable solely for 
 the purpose of forcing choke-damp, or might it not be employed, as in the case 
 of Seaton Delaval, if necessary ? — A series of cylinders might be applied at 
 Seaton Delaval ; and I think, by a series of cylinders, that is, one cylinder to 
 each jet, the propulsive power would be increased to some extent. In those 
 experiments which I have put in, all the jets were acting through cylinders. 
 
 1143. Chairman.'] In explosions very often, or generally, are more lives lost 
 by the after-damp than by the actual explosions themselves ; is that so ? — It 
 varies. In my district the greater proportion of lives have been lost by burns 
 and violence ; and few by suffocation. 
 
 1144. Where it is so, do you think that the steam-jet could be successfully 
 applied from the top of the pit to force down atmospheric air to combine with 
 the choke-damp, so as to prevent the men from losing their lives ? — Any power 
 that you can apply readily is the best in cases of that kind. Perhaps, if a steam- 
 jet were kept in reserve at the top of the pit, it might be an addition in such 
 circumstances. 
 
 1145. In that case, the furnace at the bottom of the up-cast shaft would be 
 totally ineffective ? — The furnace is sometimes blown to pieces by the explosion. 
 
 1146. Therefore, although you give us your opinion that the steam-jet is not 
 so good a ventilator as the furnace, still you think it would be advantageous, in 
 pits where a great quantity of fire-damp existed, to have in reserve a steam-jet 
 at the top of the pit, which could always be ready if cases of that kind should 
 occur in the pit ? — Although I am not an advocate for the steam-jet; or mechan- 
 ical appliances in preference to the furnace for ventilating coal mines, there 
 are circumstances under which economy should not be considered : for in- 
 stance, with a very shallow up-cast, or where large bodies of gas have to be 
 moved, in newly tapping a very fiery seam, where the gas is given off so 
 rapidly that you cannot put the furnaces into it ; in cases of this description, 
 mechanical appliances are and may be resorted to successfully. 
 
 1147. The steam-jet might always be put at the top of the pit, with scarcely 
 any expense to the coal proprietor, inasmuch as there is always an engine at 
 the top of the pit, and the steam from its boilers could be turned into the steam- 
 jet 
 
SELECT COMMITTEE ON ACCIDENTS IN COAL MINES. 85 
 
 jet at any time when it was needed ; is that so ? — Yes ; the expense would not j t Dickinson, Es 
 be very great. 
 
 1148. Mr. Locke.~\ Do you consider that that would be the best mode of 21 Jane 1853, 
 applying the steam-jet? — No, I do not ; [ think if you applied it at the top of 
 
 a pit, without enclosing it into a tube, its effect would be very trifling indeed. 
 
 1 149. Chairman.'] Whatever your opinion may be as to the ventilating power 
 either of the furnace or the steam-jet, unless the capacity and size of the air- 
 ways is attended to, either of those powers may be very much deteriorated ? — 
 It is impossible to transmit a large amount of air through a colliery unless you 
 have spacious air-ways. 
 
 1150. Then the actual forcing or throwing a current of air into the pit 
 would have no effect at all, unless great and proper attention was paid to the. 
 size of the air- ways ? — It is a most important point to have spacious air-ways ; 
 in fact, the ventilating power may be said to be almost useless if you have not 
 proper space for the air to be passed through. 
 
 1151. Is it your opinion that the goaf should be cleared of foul air or not? 
 — It is very desirable that it should be thoroughly cleared. 1 have stated, in a 
 former part of my evidence, that where the goaf is foul, if there is any insur- 
 mountable difficulty in the way of thoroughly ventilating it, I think it is better 
 not to attempt to do it. 
 
 1.152. Can you give the Committee any idea of the areas of air- ways you 
 would require ? It would depend on a certain number of men working in the 
 pit : how much air would you require for each man working in the pit ? — It de- 
 pends very much on the quantity of gas you have to contend with in the mine. 
 
 1153. Supposing the air- ways were sufficiently large, and supposing there 
 was a sufficiently ventilating power in the pit, would there not then be very 
 considerable skill required in order to force that air to every part of the pit, so 
 as to give each workman his necessary proportion of air t — Yes, there is very 
 great skill required. There is nothing in which the judgment of a colliery 
 manager is more shown than in the proper distribution of air. 
 
 1 1 54. Do you find that properly attended to in your district ? — In the best 
 managed collieries it is ; in the majority of cases it is not. 
 
 1155. The air is not split ? — Both in the splitting and in the proper distribu- 
 tion of the air to the different parts of the workings it might be improved. 
 
 1156. The consequence is, that the air passes from one part of the workings 
 to the other, and of course the last man who breathes it, breathes air very con- 
 siderably loaded with foul air, with carbonic and other deleterious gases ? — He 
 does, and what is more frequently neglected is the leakage through the stoppings ; 
 many of the stoppings, instead of being built with bricks or stone and mortar, 
 are built with rubbish, which subsides and leaves an opening at the top, and air 
 leaks over that ; and it is not unusual to find a large quantity of air going down 
 the down-cast and up the up-cast, but by leakage at doors and stoppings, only 
 a very small portion of it reaches the extremities of the workings, where it is 
 most required. 
 
 1 157. Can you state what quantity of air is necessary for the supply of each 
 man ? — In the ventilation of a fiery mine, I look more to what will thoroughly 
 ventilate the mine than to the requirement of the men per man ; because what 
 is sufficient for the thorough ventilation of a fiery mine is always more than 
 adequate for health. 
 
 1158. But in cases where men are breathing deleterious gases, or a body of 
 gas breathed by other men, do you not conceive that would be very injurious 
 to their health ? — No doubt it would. 
 
 1159. Mr. Locke.] That does not often arise in collieries, air that is already 
 respired ; have you found in mines that any deaths arising from respired air 
 have occurred ? — Yes, a few deaths have taken place from such causes, but the 
 amount of sudden deaths from that cause is trifling compared with the injury 
 it causes to health. I have a table here of the ventilation of a number of col 
 lieries in my district, and the amount of air in some of these is so small that it 
 would not support a single lighted candle in the mine ; it was necessary to 
 have two or three candles put together to maintain a light ; others are very 
 large ; in the smallest cases there was no ventilating power applied. 
 
 [The J Fitness handed in the following Table ;] 
 
 0.7C. L 3 
 
86 
 
 MINUTES OF EVIDENCE TAKEN BEFORE THE 
 
 D A T E. 
 
 1852: 
 
 12 July 
 
 13 „ 
 
 29 „ 
 
 30 „ 
 
 4 August 
 12 
 21 
 31 
 
 2 September 
 9 » 
 
 17 „ 
 
 2 Dec. 
 
 7 „ 
 
 18-53 : 
 13 January - 
 
 13 „ 
 13 „ 
 
 1852: 
 
 8 October - 
 
 9 „ 
 9 „ 
 
 12 „ 
 
 20 „ 
 
 20 ,. 
 
 23 „ 
 
 29 „ 
 
 7 November 
 
 1853: 
 April 
 
 1852: 
 
 3 November 
 
 J 9 
 
 *•* n 
 24 
 
 9 October - 
 
 9 
 
 1853 : 
 20 January - 
 20 
 
 NAME OF COLLIERY. 
 
 South Mostyn, Flintshire 
 
 Ditto, 24th January 1853 
 Mostyn New Pits, Flintshire - 
 Coleshill - - - ditto 
 Bath .... ditto 
 
 Norley Hall, Lancashire - 
 Laffak - - ditto 
 Westminster, Denbighshire 
 
 Blackley Hurst, Lancashire, 
 
 Seneley Green Pit. 
 Blacklev-hurst,Lancashire,Little 
 
 Delf Pits. 
 Bredbury Black Mine, Cheshire 
 
 Ince Hall Cannel Pits, Lan- 
 cashire. 
 
 Ditto - ditto 
 Ditto - - - ditto - 
 
 Ditto - - - ditto 
 
 VENTILATING POWER. 
 
 Ditto - 
 Ditto - 
 
 ditto 
 ditto 
 
 Stoneclough, Lancashire, Pad- 
 dock Pit. 
 Ditto - - Starkie Pit 
 
 Clifton, Lancashire, Manor Pit 
 
 Giodwick, Lancashire, 250 yards 
 deep. 
 
 Bank, Lancashire (A. Gibbon's 
 2 feet air pit). 
 
 New Water-gate, Lancashire, 
 two pipes 2 feet area. 
 
 Worsley, Lancashire, Sander- 
 son's Pits. 
 
 Kirkless Hall, Lancashire, Arley 
 Pits. 
 
 Haigh, Lancashire, Bridge Pits 
 
 Ditto 
 
 Ditto 
 
 ditto 
 
 Patch croft Pits 
 
 Winstanley, Lancashire, 4 feet 
 mine. 
 
 Broadfield, Lancashire, through 
 a pipe 1 § feet area. 
 
 Ince Hall Pcmberton Pits 
 Ditto - - - ditto - 
 
 Ditto - - - ditto 
 Ditto - - - ditto 
 Orrel, Lancashire - 
 
 - - Furnace on surface ; air-way 
 impassable. 
 
 Large fan ; airway improved - 
 Temporary furnace - 
 Small furnace - - - 
 None ; air-way impassable 
 
 Draft furnace - 
 Large furnace on surface 
 Struve's air-pump - 
 Furnace - - - 
 
 ditto - ■ - 
 
 - - Underground boiler ; fire 
 and steam. 
 
 - - Two boiler fires and steam, 
 and 6 feet furnace. 
 
 ditto - ditto, air-ways improved 
 
 Two boilers and jets 
 
 - - Six feet furnace only; air- 
 ways further improved. 
 Two boilers, fires, and jets 
 
 Furnace, 2 boiler fires, and jets 
 
 Fire grate - 
 
 Two ditto - 
 Furnace - 
 
 None - - - - 
 
 ditto 
 
 ditto - - - - 
 
 Furnace - - - 
 
 Two small furnaces 
 
 Temporary furnace - 
 
 Large furnace - - - 
 
 Two furnaces - 
 Small furnace - 
 
 - - Pipe inserted into engine 
 chimney, into which the steam 
 was discharged. 
 
 Two boiler fires and steam jets - 
 Five feet furnace »' 
 
 Two boiler fires and steam jets - 
 5 ft. 5 in. furnace - 
 
 - - Eight feet furnace and one 
 boiler fire. 
 
 Water 
 Guage in 
 Inches. 
 
 2 
 2 
 
 1 tV 
 
 8 
 
 To- 
 
 Total Cubic Feet 
 
 of Air 
 passing through 
 the Workings. 
 
 665 
 
 5,170 
 5,580 
 2,640 
 44 
 
 25,600 
 17,500 
 23,608 
 8,652 
 
 4,763 
 
 4,266 
 
 35,329 
 
 47,704 
 35,584 
 
 51,466 
 
 50,872 
 61,746 
 
 60,000 
 
 18,391 
 5,400 
 
 850 
 
 39,240 
 37,785 
 
 46,800 
 42,630 
 47,200 
 
 Number of 
 Cubic Feet of Air 
 
 obtained 
 per lb. of Coals 
 
 Consumed. 
 
 1,956 
 
 5,233 
 7,413 
 
 10,206 
 
 2,576 
 
 2,809 
 
 5,514 
 
 4,542 
 3,007 
 
 8,600 
 
 18,000 
 
 13,360 
 
 13,213 
 
 18,900 
 
 12,150 
 
 6,360 
 
 
 1,000 
 
 
 560 
 
 
 2,835 
 
 6,156 
 
 59,145 
 
 38,021 
 
 24,335 
 
 17,380 
 
 17,357 
 
 6,268 
 10,962 
 
 1 160, 
 
 Chairman.] 
 
SELECT COMMITTEE ON ACCIDENTS IN COAL MINES. 
 
 87 
 
 1 1 60. Chairman.'] In such cases as we have been alluding to, in bad col- j. Dickinson, Esq. 
 
 lieries, or collieries where there is no gas, men breathe worse air than in what : — 
 
 you call fiery mines ? — Yes, very much so ; the fiery mines are generally much 21 June 1853. 
 more healthy than the choke-damp mines. 
 
 1161. The reason of that is, that it is necessary to split the air, so as to 
 throw a large proportion of air through the mine, so as to clear the mine of 
 foul air ? — Yes, better ventilation is the cause of it. 
 
 1 162. Do you think that any stated quantity of air to be given to a man 
 could be enforced by legislation ? — It would be very desirable if you could 
 ensure all these mines being ventilated in some way, so, at all events, that the 
 man should have a respirable atmosphere to breathe ; whether that may be the 
 best test or not, I am not prepared to offer an opinion ; it is a very complicated 
 question, and if enforced by law may lead to great hardships in some cases. 
 In no case ought the men to be allowed to work, where there is not sufficient 
 air to support a candle burning freely. 
 
 1163. Mr. Bruce.] That would be different in different places; either the 
 Legislature would have to fix the minimum, or the inspectors would have to fix 
 the minimum in each particular pit ? — As a minimum, I would not go below the 
 quantity which would freely support the combustion of an ordinary-sized candle. 
 
 1 1 64. Mr. Stephenson.] If it ever reaches that point, or nearly that point, 
 the men would not obtain light to work with ? — They would not, and you 
 would be surprised at the number of places where I hear, " This drift was holed 
 in the dark ; we had such a man who worked there ; he is a capital fellow for 
 such work." 
 
 1 165. Chairman.'] That is a system that ought not to be tolerated? — It ought 
 not. 
 
 1166. Should not the inspector have the power to see that a proper propor- 
 tion of fresh air is carried into the mine ? — If any minimum amount could be 
 fixed it would be very desirable to do so. In coal mines men generally receive 
 higher wages for doing work of that kind. 
 
 1167. Mr. Stephenson.] Is it not inevitable that, when a man is holeing in 
 the stall system, is it not necessary that he must work for some time in bad air ; 
 how is it possible to avoid that? — In the most fiery fire-damp mines, in 
 Lancashire, it is necessary to have the air bratticed up to within two or three 
 yards of the face of the works. - 
 
 1 168. Of the holeings ? — Yes ; I mean in the fast ends. 
 
 1 169. Do you know many collieries worked where they have to brattice up 
 the holeings to within two yards of the face ? — In several of the new openings, 
 in what is called the Arley or the Little Delf seam, it is necessary to brattice 
 within two or three yards of the faces. 
 
 1170. In the stalls or the holeings? — In cases where the narrow work is 
 driven to the extremities, and no stalls worked until the levels have reached 
 their extremities ; when the stalls are driven, and the pillars following after 
 them towards the pit ; in winning out these narrow levels it is necessary to 
 brattice the air close up to the face, but after they have been driven for a 
 time the gas pines off. 
 
 1171. Chairman.] These are peculiar cases, are they not ; in ordinary cases, 
 with proper attention, it is quite easy to split the air, and carry it to different 
 parts of the workings ; also to give each man his proper quota of fresh air ? — 
 Yes ; these are cases that apply to the most fiery mines, which bear a small 
 proportion to the moderately fiery and unfiery mines, where there is no diffi- 
 culty in splitting the air and carrying on the ventilation. 
 
 l 1 72. In addition to supplying the mine with fresh air, is it not easier to get 
 the air through the mine with less power if it is properly split ?-— In a large 
 colliery it is indispensably necessary to split the air. 
 
 1 1 73. If it were not so split, it would have to travel through so many miles 
 in the working ; and the friction would be so great, and the drag of the mine 
 would almost counteract the power of the furnaces altogether ; — It would. It is 
 very well understood by almost every manager of a large colliery ; but many of 
 the managers of small collieries, where the amount of air is small, prefer carrying 
 the air round in one body, and they are very much prejudiced against splitting 
 the air ; but it is only among the managers who have not had the experience 
 of a large colliery, and who do not know the difficulty of getting a large quantity 
 of air through the workings. 
 
 0.76. l 4 1 174. When 
 
88 MINUTES OF EVIDENCE TAKEN BEFORE THE 
 
 J. Dickinson, Esq. 1 1 74. When the air is properly split, the usual plan adopted is to turn the 
 
 air by doors ? — Yes ; where you wish to carry the traffic across the ventilation,, 
 
 21 June 1853. doors are used. Crossings may be sometimes substituted. 
 
 1 175. In case of explosion in one part of the mine, these doors are apt to be 
 blown away, and the consequence is, the whole of the ventilation of the mine 
 ceases t — Yes ; it is so after a severe explosion. 
 
 1176. Do you think it would be well to have such stoppings as would be 
 strong enough to resist the power of the severest explosions that take place in 
 the mine ? — Yes ; all the principal stoppings which carry the air into the mines 
 should be made as strong as possible, with the view of preventing their being, 
 blown down by the blast. 
 
 1177. Mr. Stephenson.] They are very often made with brick masonry? — 
 Yes, in the best-managed mines ; but too often with rubbish. 
 
 1178. Chairman.'] In the report of the Committee of 1852, it recommends 
 that bore-holes should be sunk down from the surface into the goafs, so as ta 
 allow holes for the pent-up gas to escape ; is it practicable to keep those holes 
 open ? — Yes ; I think it would be practicable to keep them open, but I do not 
 think you would introduce it into practice ; you would not get any colliery 
 manager to do such a thing. 
 
 1 1 79. Mr. Stephenson.'] Did you ever see a bore-hole under such circum- 
 stances ? — I have seen a bore-hole put down to ventilate the level. 
 
 1180. What did you get, air or water ? — Both ; but that was the whole of 
 the ventilation in the mine ; that was done as the up-cast pit. 
 
 1181. If a bore-hole was put down to the goaf with a view of taking away 
 the hydrogen gas, would it not be a down-cast instantly ; it would fail 
 altogether in the object in view ; it would be full of water, and there would be 
 no current of fresh air coming in at the top ? — It is highly probable, if you had 
 a ventilating power applied at the up-cast, that the bore-hole would be a 
 down-cast, not an up-cast. 
 
 1182. Mr. Cayley.] Suppose a steam-jet applied to the top of the borer — 
 I think you would make it an up-cast by putting the steam-jet to it. 
 
 1 1 83. Mr. Stephenson.] Do you think that a hole put down into the goaf of 
 a mine is at all likely to carry away one item of the foul air of the men ; would 
 you put a steam-jet into it, or not ? — I think if you put a hole down the mine, 
 if there is any ventilation going on, it would have the tendency to carry away 
 some of the gas. 
 
 1 1 84. In sinking coal mines, in nine times out of ten, or probably ninety- 
 nine out of a hundred, they have water to contend with, have they not ? — 
 Very frequently. 
 
 1185. Therefore, in boring a small hole down into the goaf of a coal mine r 
 would the sides of that hole not yield a very large quantity of water ? — It pro- 
 bably might ; but I have stated already that the objection to putting these bore- 
 holes down u ould be so great in practice, that you would not get any colliery 
 manager to adopt them. 
 
 1186. Mr. Cayley.] Is there any means whereby you know ventilation is. 
 going on during your absence, between your visits of inspection ? — No ; we have 
 no means of knowing. 
 
 1187. Could you suggest any means whereby you might know what amount 
 of ventilation had been going on in your absence ? — With the great number of 
 pits we have at work in this country, it would be impossible to keep such a 
 control over the management of collieries as that, unless you have as many 
 inspectors as you have got managers of collieries. The great point that should 
 be looked to, in my opinion, is to get competent managers, and merely to have 
 the inspectors to find out, if possible, where incompetent men are employed, 
 and also to make very diligent inquiry into every cause of accident that has 
 taken place ; and with such a code of regulations as I have stated, I think very 
 beneficial results might be produced. 
 
 1 1 88. There is no instrument that would practically measure the amount of 
 ventilation going on ? — None- Byram's anemometer will measure about a 
 fortnight, but it would take an inspector to each large colliery to read off the 
 numerous measurements that would be necessary. 
 
 11S9. Chairman.] Do you not think that it would be impossible for the over- 
 man of the pit, if he were so inclined, to contract the current where the anemo- 
 meter is placed, so as to make the air rush past it with greater force, and so 
 
 deceive 
 
SELECT COMMITTEE ON ACCIDENTS IN COAL MINES. 89 
 
 deceive the inspector, if he was to make a periodical visit of Once a week .' — It J, Dickinson, Esq. 
 
 would be quite possible for the overlooker to do so. That is not the worst 
 
 effect I am afraid it would have on the managers of the collieries ; by shortening 21 June 1853. 
 the currents, and not carrying the air to the extremities of the workings where 
 it is most required, he would increase the quantity of air passing over the 
 anemometer, therefore, unless you had such an endless number of anemometers, 
 probably a hundred in a large colliery, so as to measure each of those currents 
 in its subdivided form, the result would be very defective. 
 
 1 1 90. Supposing you had these hundred anemometers that you speak of, 
 could not the overman deceive the inspector at each of those anemometers by 
 contracting the current at each of these anemometers, and making it rush by 
 them faster than the actual speed at which air travels through the mine ? — He 
 could, by placing a plank or any temporary material in the air-way, so as to 
 contract it, deceive the inspector. 
 
 1191. Chairmati.] However good or excellent the anemometer is, it has 
 always that effect, that if it is in the hands of a man who would play tricks with 
 it, the inspector could always be deceived? — He could ; and besides that, it is 
 necessary to have anemometers made so delicate, with a view of getting rid of 
 friction, that I do not think that the anemometer in its present form, or in a 
 form which would work with any reasonable amount of friction, would last above 
 six months, if so long, if kept continually going. 
 
 l 1Q2. .Mr. Cayley.} What is your principal objection, your scepticism as to 
 the perfection of the instrument, or as to the power of preventing its being tam- 
 pered with, supposing it to be perfect for its purpose ? — My principal objection 
 is neither of these two ; my principal objection is, that it would induce, or have 
 a tendency to induce, the colliery manager to shorten his currents, and conse- 
 quently to reduce the quantity in the long splits, and to send a larger quantity 
 of air over the anemometer, and not to take the air to the extremities of the 
 workings, where it was most required. 
 
 1193. That would be one mode of tampering with the anemometer? — It 
 would be tampering with the ventilation. 
 
 1194. Supposing you had an anemometer placed in a down-cast, or at the 
 bottom of a down-cast, or in the air-way between the down-cast and the up-cast, 
 and also, in addition to that, an anemometer at the extreme working, would 
 not this be a test of the current, and of the amount of ventilation going on 
 in the extreme working, as well as in the more direct air-way ? — Before you 
 get the air to the extremity of the works, it is generally subdivided into a cer- 
 tain number of large currents, and then again into a larger number of smaller 
 currents. To ascertain what quantity of air is going to the extremities of the 
 working it is necessary to have an innumerable number of anemometers. 
 
 1 195. Would it not be some test of the circulation of the mine, supposing 
 the instrument to be perfect for the purpose, of the amount of circulation going 
 on at the extremity of the mine, if there was an anemometer placed there ? — It 
 is a test that I should not rely on. Indeed the current of air at the extremi- 
 ties of the collieries, where the air is so subdivided into so many small splits, 
 the velocity is so slow that it would not move Byram's anemometer. Many of 
 Byram's anemometers will not move under a velocity of 120 feet per minute ; 
 it is a very delicate one indeed that will move at 50 or 60, and that current is 
 seldom obtained in the extremities of the workings ; therefore your anemometer, 
 in a drift that was sufficiently ventilated, you might remain stationary. 
 
 1 196. Would that amount be sufficient for health ; would there be a sufficient 
 ventilation if the current did not move the anemometer ? — In many cases it 
 would, supposing the drift near the extremities of the working, 50 feet area, 
 and you have a velocity of, say, 70 feet per minute ; that would be 3,500 feet 
 of air per minute for the ventilation of that working alone, which is very 
 much more than is generally sent to each separate working at the extremity of 
 a colliery. 
 
 1197. I thought you said that Byram's anemometer was a very delicate 
 instrument 1 — I stated that it was necessary to have it made as delicate as possible, 
 with a view to getting over friction ; but with all this care which has been be- 
 stowed upon it, I know of no instrument where the friction is less than 50 feet 
 per minute, and in some cases it is more than 120 ; that is, that it requires a 
 current of more than 1 20 feet per minute before the instrument will begin to 
 move. 
 
 0.76. M 1198. Do 
 
9 o 
 
 MINUTES OF EVIDENCE TAKEN BEFORE THE 
 
 ichnson, Esq. 1 1 98. Do you ever use the anemometer yourself? — I do. 
 
 June 1 199. When you visit the mines ? — Yes. 
 
 une 1853. 1200. If you trust yourself to an anemometer, when you are inspecting a 
 mine, to know the actual ventilation, if there could be an anemometer devised 
 which registered the amount of the current, why should not that tell its own 
 tale on your next visit if it could not be tampered with ? — For the reasons I 
 have stated at such great length. 
 
 1 201 . A registering anemometer, in point of fact, is, in other words, the same 
 instrument which you use to test the amount of ventilation when you visit a 
 mine, with a registering apparatus attached, which denotes at your next visit 
 the amount of ventilation going on in your absence ? — Yes. 
 
 1202. Then if it could not be tampered with, why should it not speak the 
 same truth in your absence as in your presence ? — I think it could be tampered 
 with ; and if you make it register beyond a fortnight you would multiply the 
 number of wheels to such an extent as to increase the friction considerably 
 more. 
 
 1203. You are now expressing a doubt as to the anemometer doing the work 
 which it professes to do ? — That is only one doubt ; but I have expressed my 
 objection to such a system of check being kept over the managers, and the 
 most important reason was not to any defect or any want of reliance upon the 
 instrument, but that it would have a tendency to induce the manager to send 
 a larger quantity of air through the short splits, and to diminish the quantity 
 in the long ones, which would increase the total quantity as registered by the 
 anemometer. 
 
 1 204. Supposing there were scientific means devised by which those attempts 
 to tamper with truth could be defeated, would your objection to some extent 
 cease r — You might have a large amount of air going down the down-cast, and 
 up the up-cast, and over your anemometer ; but there might still be a number 
 of places in your mine which would be quite sufficient to blow the whole mine 
 „ up ; therefore, as a practical man, I should place no reliance whatever on these 
 records of the anememoter. 
 
 1 205. You would prefer to have no test at all to having a test of a certain 
 definite value ? — I think if your test cannot be in having the managers to take 
 an interest in ventilating the extreme points of the mines, you had better have 
 no test at all ; you would make it then their interest to neglect the points which 
 require most attention, and by too much attention to matters of secondary im- 
 portance you direct attention from the main point, and conduce to the very 
 thing you are endeavouring to avoid. 
 
 1 206. What is the objection to having one anemometer at the very extreme 
 point of the working of the mine ? — It would be merely a record of the air at 
 that one place ; that is, provided there were sufficient air to move it ; but it 
 w r ould not be a record of the other places which are of equal importance, and 
 which are very numerous. 
 
 1 207. It would not be a record of the distribution of the air near the extreme 
 workings ? — No ; and you might have a large quantity of air circulating along 
 this drift where the anemometer was placed, but there might be a fast end 
 going out of that drift up which no air was passing, and which might be suffi- 
 cient to contain enough fire-damp to blow all the men up in the place. 
 
 1 208. It would tend materially to the proper supply of air in all the extreme 
 workings, if there was an ample supply of air at the very extreme working ? — 
 I think if you made it a colliery manager's interest to throw a large amount of 
 air over his anemometer, you would, from the circumstances I have pointed out, 
 tend to diminish the supply of air to the extreme points where it is most 
 required. I do not think any practical man would place any reliance on such 
 a test as your question appears to propose. 
 
 1209. Mr. Bairdr\ Do you consider the best test of a well-managed colliery 
 to be the absence of accidents ? — Not invariably ; as a general rule, it is so ; 
 but a colliery under strict discipline may go on being very badly ventilated for 
 some time, until at last the evil day comes, and there is an explosion. As a 
 general rule, it is the very best test in the absence of inspection. 
 
SELECT COMMITTEE ON ACCIDENTS IN COAL MINES. 91 
 
 Jovis, 23° die Junii, 1853. 
 
 MEMBERS PRESENT. 
 
 Mr. Hutchins. 
 Mr. Cayley. 
 Mr. Ingham. 
 Mr. Hussey Vivian. 
 Mr. H. A. Bruce. 
 
 Mr. Baird. 
 Mr. Fitzroy. 
 Mr. Locke. 
 Mr. Fairer. 
 Mr. Mostvn. 
 
 E. J. HUTCHINS, Esq., in the Chair. 
 
 Joseph Dickinson, Esq., called in ; and further Examined. 
 
 1210. Chairman.'] YOD stated in your evidence that every old pit should be J. Dickinson, Esq. 
 property fenced off to prevent persons falling into it ; are there not nearly as — — — — — 
 many accidents occurring in winding persons up and down the pits ? — Yes, 2 3 June 1853. 
 a great number of accidents take place in winding people up and down pits. 
 
 1211. From what cause do those accidents principally arise ? — From a variety 
 of causes ; in some cases from boys or men tumbling off the cage, or more 
 frequently from the skip ; sometimes from a man incautiously putting his head 
 out, and getting it crushed against the cross trees. 
 
 1212. Do accidents of that character arise from their own carelessness ? — 
 Where there are guides in the pit they generally arise from want of caution on 
 the part of the men ; but in pits where there are no guides, and only a loose 
 skip, the men are sometimes thrown off by the two skips coming in collision, by 
 the ascending skip coming in collision with the descending one, and throwing 
 the men off, or by its striking against the side, and throwing the men off. 
 
 1213. Do you think, therefore, it should be enforced by legislation that every 
 pit should have guides to it ? — As far as practicable to enforce it. There are 
 some cases in Staffordshire and Denbighshire, where the portion of coal which 
 has to be worked is so small, that there is not sufficient coal to be left for a 
 proper shaft pillar ; indeed the whole portion of coal to be worked is only the 
 size of an ordinary shaft pillar. In that case, you cannot prevent the shatt 
 squeezing and bulging out of shape. Wooden conductors, under such circum- 
 stances might be displaced, and be unsafe for the cage to run upon ; but wire 
 ropes might be applied to meet these cases, which would obviate the evil. 
 
 1214. As guides ? — Yes. 
 
 1215. My question did not allude to wooden guides ; but to guides of any 
 kind or sort ; your answer alluded to pits which were entirely without guides ? 
 — I think guides should be enjoined as far as possible ; I do not know of any 
 case where they could not be introduced. The Staffordshire people make an 
 objection to the introduction of guides, for the reason I have stated. I also 
 know of a case in Staffordshire where the landlord of the property has objected 
 to the introduction of guides, when the tenant has introduced them. 
 
 1216. What reason did the landlord assign for objecting to the introduction 
 of guides ? — He said the use of guides had a tendency to lead the colliers to 
 break the coal smaller, to put it into the trains, and produce a larger propor- 
 tion of small coal. 
 
 1217. Mr. Farrer.] Why should that be? — I think it is only a prejudice; I 
 see no reason for it whatever. The tub, in this case, where it has been intro- 
 duced, carries about 30 hundred weight of coal, and there is ample space for 
 putting in any ordinary lump of coal, such as one or two men could lift. 
 
 1218. Chairman.] In the case you have described just now, where the shaft 
 has got into a dangerous condition, and such a condition that they could not 
 use guides, do you think such a pit is safe for men to be wound up and down ? 
 
 0.76. m 2 — Very 
 
92 
 
 MINUTES OF EVIDENCE TAKEN BEFORE THE 
 
 J. Dkrdnton, Esq. — Very unsafe ; they are called crooked pits, and they are not fit for men to be 
 
 — — drawn up and down ; it is only in the Staffordshire district and Denbighshire 
 
 2 3 June 1853. where such a thing is known. 
 
 1210. In your opinion, then, should not the pit be kept in such a condition 
 at all times that men could be wound up and down with perfect safety by legis- 
 lative enactment ? — At the present moment there is no practical objection that 
 occurs to me to prevent the use of guides being compulsory in every case where 
 men are drawn up and down ; in the sinking of pits it is seldom desirable to 
 have guides ; they are only used in working pits, except in very rare cases, 
 where they are used in sinking deep pits. 
 
 1 220. During the process of sinking ? — I should certainly not make them com- 
 pulsory in that case. 
 
 1221. Mr. Farrer.~\ Would the use of guides secure the men against acci- 
 dental collision when the skips are one ascending and the other descending r — 
 They would. 
 
 1222. Mr. haird.~\ Would not a brattice have the same effect ? — Certainly, 
 not so good ; it is possible to make a brattice in such a shape that it acts as a 
 sort of guide for the skips ; the addition of a rod on the brattice would be a very 
 slight expense indeed. 
 
 ] 223. Chairman^] But the use of guides in pits would not necessarily render 
 the pits so safe that the men would be free from danger from the falling of the 
 sides of the pit ? — Certainly not. 
 
 1224. Could you recommend any plan by which the pits could be rendered 
 perfectly safe ? — In the code of regulations I have put in, I have stated what 
 precautions I would take for guarding against such accidents. 
 
 1225. Do you consider that casing the pit from the top to the bottom 
 would be an effectual remedy against parts of the pit falling down and killing 
 men in their descent ?■ — It is an effectual remedy, and one that has been taken 
 in my district in the best managed collieries. The manager of the largest col- 
 liery in the district was very strongly opposed to walling his pits throughout. 
 After a number of recommendations, and along correspondence with him on the 
 subject, he has at last assured me that every new pit should be walled. He 
 represents the largest colliery in Lancashire, where 1,500 men are employed. 
 
 1226. Would this increase the expense of sinking the miner — It is a very 
 trifling addition to the expense of sinking. I think in the long run it would be 
 a saving ; there is generally time lost in the repair of sides of shafts, and which 
 has to be done at a busy time, when the use of the shaft cannot be spared for 
 such a purpose. 
 
 1227. Does it not happen that accidents frequently occur by which men are 
 killed by pieces of coal falling from one ascending bucket, while the men are 
 descending in the empty one ? — It does sometimes happen, and also by materials 
 falling from the top of the pit. 
 
 1228. Do you think that the Legislature should interfere to prevent the 
 men being let down the pit while the materials are coming up ? — Yes ; I think 
 it is a regulation which would meet with the approval of the majority of expe- 
 rienced mining engineers in my district. 
 
 122Q. Would that cause a very great hinderance in the pits where a very 
 large amount of coal was brought up every day?— No, I do not see that it 
 would. 
 
 1 230. Could accidents be obviated by any apparatus that has yet been brought 
 out, such as Fourdrinier's ? — 1 have already stated my opinion to be, that I place 
 much more reliance on having good tackle and good winding arrangements, 
 han I do upon any arrangement for arresting the cage in the event of a break- 
 age taking place. I think if we had all our pits fitted up with Fourdrinier's 
 apparatus, or an apparatus which is an improvement of Fourdrinier's apparatus, 
 bv White and Grant, it would be better. If that apparatus were attached to every 
 working pit in our country, we should have the ropes worked very much closer 
 than they are now, and instead of a decrease of accidents, we should have a 
 positive increase by the breakage of rope, and a new source of accident would 
 be introduced in the complication of the apparatus. 
 
 123.1.. Is it not the duty of an inspector now to see that the machinery and 
 apparatus connected with the pit are in proper order t — It is a. part of his duty. 
 
 1232. In the course of your inspection, have you ever represented to the 
 
 owner 
 
SELECT COMMITTEE ON ACCIDENTS IN COAL MINES. 
 
 93 
 
 owner of a colliery that any part of the machinery of his pit or ropes were in /. Dickinson, Esq. 
 improper order : — Yes, I have, in several cases. 
 
 1233. In consequence of your representations, has he taken any means to 23 June 1853. 
 obviate the danger that existed ? — Yes ; in a great number of cases ; I could 
 
 quote one which took place. 
 
 1234. Did you ever find any case of their non-compliance, or refusing to 
 comply with your suggestions ? — We have sometimes a difficulty in persuading 
 them that we are correct in our views, but I have generally succeeded in the 
 end. 
 
 1235. Provided they did not comply, and any accident was to take place, 
 there would be no remedy at law against those parties so neglecting their duty ? 
 — If we had an opportunity of attending at the inquest we should attend, and 
 state to the coroner and jury that we had pointed these dangers out to the 
 colliery manager, and he did not appear to have taken the precautions which 
 we stated to be necessary. We have not always an opportunity of attending 
 at the inquests ; many of the inquests are held before we hear of the 
 accident. 
 
 l 236. But in cases of that kind, would you feel it your duty, if possible, so 
 to attend, and to represent to the coroner those facts which you have stated ? 
 —Yes. 
 
 1237. What time do you think ought to elapse under ordinary circumstances 
 before the coroner's inquest sits over the body ; in order to give you time to 
 attend the inquest in all cases, what would be the average necessary time ? — 
 In answering that question we have to consider that the body cannot be kept 
 above a certain time, and that the coroner and jury must assemble for the 
 purpose of viewing it ; 48 hours is the time allowed now, and I believe that 
 could not be extended. 
 
 1 238. Has not the coroner now the power to adjourn the inquest ; could not 
 he assemble the jury and view the body, and adjourn the inquest to a future 
 day, when you could attend and give evidence as to the cause of the accident ? 
 — He has that power ; but it gives rise to a great number of complaints on the 
 part of the jurors, that they are obliged to meet twice and receive no pay for 
 their services. The coroner in some districts is allowed double expenses for 
 holding an adjourned inquest ; in other cases he is only allowed the expenses 
 of a single inquest. In the majority of cases the jurors receive no pay whatever. 
 
 1239. Do you consider that the law, as regards coroners' inquests in that 
 respect, is not in a proper state ? — I think it admits of improvements. 
 
 1 240. Do you know the practice of Scotland with regard to accidental deaths 
 in mines ? — Yes. 
 
 1 24 1 . When an accident occurs, the owner of a mine is immediately obliged 
 to write to the Lord Advocate, apprising him of the accident ; he then sends 
 to the inspector, desiring him to report on that accident to the procurator- 
 fiscel ?— Yes. 
 
 1242. And the procurator-fiscal, after receiving the report, lays it before the 
 Crown counsel, who decides whether a prosecution shall take place or not ; is 
 that the state of the law ? — Yes, that is an outline of it ; the police also make 
 their own inquiries with respect to the accident ; they have a sort of secret 
 system at work, and they ferret out information from sources which they know. 
 This is also laid before the procurator-fiscal ; and if on this evidence, which has 
 been furnished by the police and others, if they think there is a case to pro- 
 secute, they prosecute. Having been a manager of a colliery in Scotland, 
 I know what is the feeling of the managers on the subject. Fortunately, I never 
 had a fatal accident during the time I was there, therefore I have not experienced 
 it personally ; but my own'feeling on the subject is so strong, that I would rather 
 manage a colliery for 100 I. a year less in England than in Scotland ; the rather 
 than have to undergo the excitement which the manager is placed under at the 
 time the secret inquiry is taking place with regard to the accident. 
 
 1 243. You say the police are the parties who make this secret inquiry r — It 
 is part of their duty. 
 
 1 244. What police do you allude to ; is it the county police r — The con- 
 stables of the district. 
 
 1245. Do you think that the system pursued in collieries in Scotland renders 
 the owners and managers of collieries more careful ? — I have no doubt it has that 
 
 0.76. m 3 effect, 
 
94 
 
 MINUTES OF EVIDENCE TAKEN BEFORE THE 
 
 J. Dickinson, Esq, effect, but I tbink it is carried to an extreme in Scotland ; men become really 
 nervous under it. 
 
 ■23 June 1853. 1246. Do you not think that improvements might be made in the law of 
 Scotland and England, so as to assimilate them, and put them both on a better 
 footing ? — Yes, I do not know of any objection to it. 
 
 1247. Mr. Ingham.'] Supposing an inquest is held before you have an oppor- 
 tunity of attending, and you are aware that in the colliery where the death had 
 occurred you had previously given directions to have greater precautions used, 
 would you think it your duty to communicate with the Home Office ? — If I had 
 served a colliery owner with a formal notice, 1 should consider it my duty to do so. 
 
 1248. Whether you had been at the inquest or not i — Yes ; a case occurred 
 in my district, where I had a colliery owner, not exactly under formal notice, 
 but he had undertaken to carry out certain suggestions which I had made to 
 him, which obviated the necessity of serving a formal notice on him. An ex- 
 plosion of fire-damp took place in the colliery afterwards, and immediately 
 on receiving information of that accident, I posted off to the inquest. That 
 was before I received any official information of the accident, but I found I was 
 too late, for I met the coroner coming away. In that case I had a long inter- 
 view with the manager, and told him it was my intention to bring it before the 
 magistrates ; but his promises of amendment were so strong that I did not do so. 
 
 1 249. Mr. Baird.] Are you aware now that all the expenses in England, of 
 prosecutions at the assizes, are defrayed by the Treasury and not by the county ? 
 — 1 am not aware of that. 
 
 1250. That being the case, would there be any difficulty in the proper autho- 
 rities of the Government, if they thought it right, directing that a Crown 
 prosecution should take place on your report, although the coroner's inquest 
 had not returned a verdict justifying such a course ? — 1 very much doubt 
 whether the Home Office would have authorised a prosecution in the case. 
 We generally find, where loss of life is brought in as manslaughter, and that is 
 sent to the assizes, in nine cases out of ten the Case is thrown out, by the judge 
 stating that it is a case that falls within the proper degree of caution and 
 culpable neglect. Two such cases of that kind have occurred in my district 
 in this present year, but both were thrown out by the judge and jury upon that 
 ground. 
 
 1251. Mr. Ingham.'] Are you aware that in either of those cases there had 
 been specific directions given by the inspector which had been neglected or 
 contravened by the proprietor ? — They were both cases which appeared to be 
 combined with considerable neglect. I was present at both of the inauests. 
 I had previously examined the colliery in one case ; but they were neither of 
 them cases that the inspector could have any control over. One was the case 
 of an engineer drawing the cage up to the pulley ; the other was the case of a 
 collier not setting sufficient pit wood to support the roof of the workings, and 
 sending his drawer under it to fill the coal. 
 
 1252. Chairman.] What was the coroner's verdict in the first case? — Man- 
 slaughter. 
 
 1253. Mr. higham.~\ Had you, before that, observed anything in the conduct 
 of this engineer to make you think he was an improper person to be placed in 
 a situation of trust ? — I had not seen the engineer before. 
 
 1 254. You had not at all represented to the proprietor of the mine that this 
 particular man, in his employment, was unworthy of his situation? — I had never 
 seen him before, and knew nothing of him ; therefore I could not make such a 
 representation. 
 
 1255. It is not such a case as I mentioned, where the act by which the party 
 came to his death was committed by the owner, after directions to the contrary 
 from the inspector ? — It was a case which no Act could meet. 
 
 1256. That was a case in which it was the personal default of the engineer, 
 and in no way attributable to any misconduct on the part of the proprietor ? — 
 It was, and he was severely reprimanded ; the colliery proprietor stated at the 
 inquest that the man had committed a breach of duty in having done so. 
 
 1257. Was that indictment preferred against the engineer or proprietors? — 
 Against the engineer. 
 
 1258. Chairman.] And the bill was ignored? — 1 believe in both cases they 
 were thrown out by the grand jury. 
 
 1259. Mr. 
 
SELECT COMMITTEE ON ACCIDENTS IN COAL MINES. 95 
 
 1 259. Mr. Vivian.] You stated that you would recommend that men and J- Dickinson, Esq. 
 materials should not be wound up together in the same pit ? — Yes, I did. 
 
 1260. Does your objection apply to such pits as are not properly fitted with 2 3 June 1853. 
 guides and cages ? — It applies to all cases where there is a brattice partition 
 
 between the two cages, and it also applies to the winding of the coal up any other 
 pit than the one the men may be going down. In some districts it is common 
 to have one engine to wind from three or four pits, so that if men were going 
 down in one pit, you would have a loaded skip coming up the other pit. You 
 would then have the maximum strain on the machinery when materials only 
 were being raised, which those regulations which I have proposed would avoid. 
 
 1 261. That might apply to that particular case, but such a case is not com- 
 mon in the coal trade? — No, it is only common in the Staffordshire district. 
 
 1262. Chairman.] The cases you would apply that to are only in ill-regulated 
 collieries ? — I should not make any exception in any case. 
 
 1203. Mr. Vivian.'] Have you ever known accidents occur in properly fitted 
 pits, from materials falling down while men were being wound up ? — Yes ; it 
 is a very common cause of accident, and the regulation alluded to is a regu- 
 lation at many pits at the present time. In my district it is a common regu- 
 lation ; you may not have it in South Wales, where the regulations are much 
 more lax. 
 
 1264. I did not know that such a regulation existed in the northern pits ? — 
 In some it may not ; it is much more common in Lancashire. 
 
 126,5. Mr. Locke.] Does it not extensively prevail, both in the counties of 
 Durham and Northumberland, that they do not wind up coals at the same time 
 that men are ascending and descending where the shafts are not bratticed ; 
 is it not a general rule that men are not permitted to go up and down the 
 shafts while they are pulling coals in pits that are not bratticed ? — As a 
 general rule, men do not go up and down against loaded tubs ; and where I meet 
 with it in practice, I always make a representation as to the danger attending 
 it, and in no case have I not succeeded in receiving an assurance that it should 
 not be continued for the future. 
 
 1266. Mr. Vivian.] Do you conceive the danger to arise from the unequal 
 strain on the machinery, or the falling of the material ? — Partly from the one 
 and partly from the other ; when the winding engines are very powerful and in 
 good order, there is comparatively little if any danger from the breakage of 
 machinery ; but in the Staffordshire district, where heavy three-linked chains 
 are used, and the machinery much weaker, there is very great danger. 
 
 1267. That I can easily conceive ; but in collieries fitted up in the best style 
 would it be desirable to apply such a regulation ? — I think it would : it would 
 inflict no hardships upon them, as the men all go down together in the morning. 
 It does not apply to the coming up, where only two pits are used, as the empty 
 tub would be coming down. It is only in the case where the pit is in full 
 work during the day, that it could be considered a hardship, and at such times 
 it is only overmen or the viewer who is going - down. 
 
 1268. Chairman.] The falling of these materials does not depend on the 
 excellence of the machinery of the pit ; supposing the coal was improperly 
 loaded by the collier, or supposing the collier had properly loaded the coal, and 
 that the roads at the bottom of the pit were in bad order, and however excel- 
 lent the machinery was in the pit, might not the coal be shaken out by the 
 slightest movement, and fall on the heads of the men ? — A piece of coal might 
 fall from a tub that was not well filled. 
 
 1269. Mr. Locke ] I understand your objection to go even to the use of the; 
 men descending in the mines where there are two pits ; where a loaded tub is 
 coming up one of the pits, you object to the men descending in the other pit 
 where there can be nothing to fall ? — The only objection in that case is as con- 
 cerns the machinery. 
 
 1270. In what respect do you consider the descent of the men, going down 
 one shaft, whilst the loaded tub was coming up the other, as putting any more 
 strain on that machinery than the ordinary balance of the first loading, and 
 then unloading the skips going up and down those shafts? — I should think the 
 weight of a man is an addition. 
 
 1271. Is the weight of a man larger than the weight of the tub coming up 
 0.76. m 4 when 
 
9 6 
 
 MINUTES OF EVIDENCE TAKEN BEFORE THE 
 
 > Esc i- when it is in the act of ascending e — The weight of the man is in addition to 
 ~ that of the full tub. 
 
 53 " 1272. Would not the weight of the man descending in that tub have the 
 effect of balancing the two ? — I think the engineer would have more control 
 over his engine if the cages were empty. 
 
 1273. Do you see any extra strain on the machinery in the case put? — Do 
 not you think that the weight of the descending man would rather tend to 
 balance the two loads, and give the engineer a more perfect command over his 
 engine, than if he had a training ensrine pulling at one tub ? — Yes, I think the 
 engine would be better balanced ; but a weak engine would be more likely to 
 break, having the additional weight of the man in addition to the weight of the 
 coal. 
 
 1274. You think a weak engine would be more likely to break, having less 
 work to do ? — Having the addition of the man to the coal. 
 
 1275. I am supposing a descending man against an ascending tub ; I wish 
 you to answer that question ? — Suppose the drum-shaft to be weak, and both 
 drums fixed on one shaft, I cannot give any other opinion than the one I have 
 given. I think there would be a greater strain on the drum-shaft. 
 
 1276. You think there is more strain on the drum-shaft by the man descend- 
 ing than if they were not descending? — Yes. 
 
 1277. And y° ur objection, therefore, is to the use of two pits; to the permitting 
 the men to descend the one, while the loaded tub is ascending the other ? — 
 Where there are only two pits, and good machinery, my objection to descending 
 the other pit is very slight. 
 
 1 278. Is that one of the cases that you would insist on absolutely prohibiting, 
 or would you make that an exception to the rule ? — If that was the only cause, 
 I should not think it necessary to prohibit. 
 
 1279. ^ re y° u °f opinion that that ought to be one of the exceptions to the 
 rule ? — I think it might be an exceptional case. 
 
 1280. What would you propose to do if you had to frame a code of regu- 
 lations ; would you propose a positive prohibition in a case like that ? — I should 
 make the regulations as simple as possible, and with a view to avoid exceptions 
 I should include that in the rule. 
 
 1281. Mr. Vivian.] Then the rule would not apply to men ascending; only 
 to men descending? — Only to men descending. 
 
 1282. Mr. Mostyn.~\ Would you recommend the attendance of the inspector 
 on all coroners' inquests relating to those mines under his inspection? — 
 Certainly not, unless you made the inspector the coroner. In this country the 
 coroner's duty is to inquire into every case of sudden death ; on the Continent 
 they have no coroners, and it is part of the inspector's duty to inquire into 
 every colliery accident. 
 
 1283. Chairman.] Do you find the workmen commit reckless acts, so as to. 
 endanger the safety of other men ? — Sometimes. 
 
 1 284. As the law exists at present, has the magistrate the power of inflicting 
 fines upon those workmen who so transgress ? — I have stated that on that 
 point a difference of opinion appears to prevail among the magistrates ; some 
 consider that they have power, others consider that they have not. 
 
 1285. Do you think that the law should be made clear on that subject? — 
 I think it is very important that it should be. 
 
 i 286. In what district is it that these magistrates have refused ?— Mr. Vivian 
 stated that he knew of a case where they refused to convict. 
 
 1287. Where was that?— I think it would be in South Wales. 
 
 1288. Did they refuse to hear the case, or refuse to convict because they 
 considered that they had no power to convict; that the Act of Parliament did 
 not give them power ? — I cannot state the particulars of those cases Mr. Vivian 
 alluded to ; but in my district, a few months ago, I received a letter from one 
 of the colliery owners, telling me he had made application to the stipendiary 
 magistrate for the district for the purpose of prosecuting a man for leaving an 
 air-door open, by which a serious explosion might have taken place. It is a 
 similar misdemeanor to opening a safety-lamp. The magistrate refused to act 
 in the case. The colliery owner asked me what he should do under the cir- 
 cumstances. I undertook to see the magistrate, who assured me that, if any 
 future application of the kind were made to him, he would give it his best 
 
 attention, 
 
SELECT COMMITTEE ON ACCIDENTS IN COAL MINES. 97 
 
 attention, and that he would see what the law was upon the point. He was not J. Dic&imon, E»q. 
 aware of the Act. — 
 
 1289. When workmen do commit these reckless acts, so as to endanger the 23 June 18.53. 
 lives of their fellow-workmen, and those acts are discovered by any of their 
 fellow-workmen, do they usually inform the overlooker ? — Such cases do take 
 
 place sometimes, but they are very rare. 
 
 1290. Do you mean that cases of carelessness are very rare ?— No ; where 
 one. man informs against the other is very rare indeed. 
 
 1291. Do you think a workman would be more likely to screen a man ? — 
 Yes ; as a general rule, they are more likely to hide each other's faults than bring 
 them forward. 
 
 1292. Have you read the Report of the Committee of 1852 with regard to 
 safety lamps ? — I have. 
 
 1293. Do you agree in this portion of the Report : " Your Committee would 
 now refer to some more incidental means of security against explosion ; first, 
 stating their concurrence in the opinion expressed, directly or indirectly, by 
 the Committees of 1835 and 1849; and also with that so strongly expressed 
 by the South Shields Committee, that where a proper degree of ventilation 
 does not exist in a mine, the Davy lamp, or any modification of it, must be 
 considered rather as a lure to danger than as a perfect security. Practically 
 secure in a still atmosphere it may be considered ; and in the hands of a 
 cautious over-man an admirable instrument for exploring, or as an indicator 
 of danger ; but in a current, as admitted by the illustrious inventor himself, it 
 is not a security ; and in the hands of an ordinary workman, under circum- 
 stances of excitement, when danger is threatened, it is not improbably, far 
 oftener than imagined, the very cause of the explosion which it was intended 
 to prevent ? " — I agree with that generally ; but at the latter end, I think it is 
 not so frequent as they suppose it to be ; I think cases where explosions have 
 taken place through the gauze of the safety-lamp are exceedingly rare, and 
 only two cases have come to my knowledge where such accidents have taken 
 place. 
 
 ] 204. Is it your opinion that in fiery mines the use of the safety-lamp should 
 be enforced or not ? — In some mines I think it should be used. 
 
 1295. However good the ventilation? — I think that is a point that might to 
 some extent be left to the discretion of the manager. The difficulty is in 
 drawing the line between a fiery mine and a very fiery one ; what some 
 persons would call a very fiery one another person would call a moderately 
 fiery one. 
 
 1 296. Would you give power to the inspector to determine when the safety 
 lamp should be used, and when it should not be used ? — Yes, I think the 
 inspector might be entrusted with that power. 
 
 1297. What are the sort of safety-lamps now in ordinary use in this country? 
 — The common Davy lamp is the lamp generally used. Two of the North of 
 England managers give the preference to Mr. Clanny's lamp : Mr. George Elliott 
 and Mr. Easton. The Stephenson lamp is also becoming now much more 
 generally used than it was ; it has the property of becoming extinguished 
 immediately on an explosion taking place, which puts it out of the power of 
 a workman to remain in an explosive atmosphere with a light. 
 
 1298. The Stephenson lamp has glass within the wire gauze ?— It has, and 
 is fed with air from the bottom. 
 
 1299. ^ ne Clanny lamp has glass at the bottom of the lamp quite unpro- 
 tected • — It has. 
 
 1300. Is it safe to use a lamp with glass so unprotected? — It is not con- 
 sidered safe by nearly all our mining engineers in this country, but on the 
 Continent they consider them perfectly safe ; and they place every confidence 
 in them, and I am not aware of any accident having taken place in consequence 
 of the glass abroad, where they are very extensively used. 
 
 1301. The glass is made very thick, is it not? — It is generally made very 
 thick, and well annealed. 
 
 1 302. However thick it might be, if the glass was to get very hot, and a drop 
 of water was to come on it, would it not have a tendency to break that glass ? 
 • — Yes. 
 
 1303. If such an occurrence were to take place to a man, and the glass were 
 0.76. N so 
 
98 
 
 MINUTES OF EVIDENCE TAKEN BEFORE THE 
 
 J. Dickinson, Esq. so to break, it would cause an explosion in the mine ? — That is one of the 
 great objections that our engineers had to them. 
 
 23 June 1853. 1304. If the lamp was in an explosive atmosphere it would go out? — Most 
 of the glass lamps have that property. 
 
 1305. The Clanny lamp has that property? — Yes, as a general rule, the 
 Clanny will ; but it is possible to keep up an explosion in the top of the tube of 
 the Clanny. 
 
 1306. Chairman.'] Would the Clanny burn in an atmosphere in which, if 
 a naked light were used, it would explode ? — No ; as a general rule, it would go 
 out. 
 
 1 307. Have you seen the lamp invented by Mr. Henderson? — I have not. 
 
 1 308. Have you seen Dr. Glover's ? — I have that here. 
 
 1309. Do you approve of the principle of Dr. Glover's lamp ? — It avoids the 
 objection to the glass lamp so far as the breakage by water goes, inasmuch as 
 the air passing down between the two glasses has the effect of keeping the 
 outer glass quite cool. 
 
 1310. What kind of lamp gives the best light ? — The Eloin lamp. 
 
 1311. Is one of the objections by the men to the use of safety-lamps the 
 small quantity of light that lamp gives? — Yes, that is the objection to the 
 Davy lamp. 
 
 1312. Is it not, therefore, material to have a safety-lamp in which could be 
 combined the most perfect security and the greatest amount of light ? — It is 
 very desirable to have such a lamp. 
 
 1313. Have you seen Dr. Fyfe's lamp ?— I have ; I have not had an oppor- 
 tunity of making any experiments with it. I heard the Doctor deliver a lecture 
 on it ; it seems to me much the same as the Clanny, with the addition of a 
 double gauze to the top of it instead of a single gauze. 
 
 1314. Have there been any improvements made in the safety-lamp since the 
 report of the Committee in 1852 ? — I think Dr. Glover's lamp has been patented 
 since that Committee, and Dr. Fyfe's lamp has also come out since that Com- 
 mittee. 
 
 1315. Is Dr. Fyfe's lamp here? — It is so nearly like the Clanny, that I did 
 not think it necessary to bring it. 
 
 1316. Do you think the improvement made by Dr. Glover renders his lamp 
 the most safe of any lamp hitherto invented, and combining with that quality 
 the giving the greatest amount of light ? — I do not think it is more safe than 
 the Davy or the Stephenson. 
 
 1317. Mr. Locke.] What in your opinion, having reference to the object of 
 the safety-lamp, namely, the security of the mines, is the best lamp according 
 to your knowledge ? — Considering all the circumstances with reference to 
 lamps, I am disposed to give the preference to the Davy. 
 
 1318. The Davy stands first in your estimation? — Yes. 
 
 1319. Which do you think is the next best? — The Stephenson is a good 
 lamp for the workmen. 
 
 1320. Do you think the Stephenson better than the Clanny? — So far as 
 avoiding the glass goes, the Stephenson has the advantage. 
 
 1321. If you were called upon to order a lamp for a particular colliery, what 
 lamp would you order ? — I should leave it to the option of the manager of the 
 colliery, for I believe with proper care they are all safe. 
 
 1322. Then the answer you have given with respect to the Davy, is that 
 there is no material difference between that and any of the rest ? — No, a very 
 slight difference indeed ; for testing fire-damp there is no lamp so good as the 
 Davy. 
 
 1323. Chairman.] Why? — You can judge of the presence of gas so much 
 more accurately by it, and also the quantity of gas. 
 
 1324. For the purpose of working in a fiery mine, where no naked lights are 
 allowed to be used, to which lamp would you then give the preference? — 
 I believe them all to be safe, but I think one of the lamps which becomes 
 extinguished on coming into an explosive atmosphere best for the working 
 men, but the Davy for the firemen. 
 
 1325. Mr. Farrer.] If you could render it impossible for the miner to open 
 
 his 
 
SELECT COMMITTEE ON ACCIDENTS IN COAL MINES. 99 
 
 his lamp, which would you prefer then as a locked lamp ? — The best locked /. Dickinson, Esq. 
 lamp is the recently registered lamp of Watson's, of Newcastle-on-Tyne. ■ 
 
 1326. Chairman.] What is the principle of that lamp ? — It has a very long 23 June 1853. 
 key about two inches long, and you cannot open it with a nail. 
 
 1327. Is it a common Davy lamp, with a key to it ? — It is both the common 
 Davy and the common Stephenson. 
 
 1328. With Watsons improved lock to it? — Yes, and also a different 
 arrangement as to the opening of it. 
 
 1329. Your answer applies only to the lock? — Yes. 
 
 1330. Mr. Farrer.~\ Has the miner, when in the mine, at present, a key for 
 opening the lamp ? — Where locked lamps are used, the miner is supposed not 
 to be in possession of a key. 
 
 1331. Chairman.'] But your opinion decidedly is, that the inspector should 
 at all times have power to order the use of safety-lamps in a fiery mine, if he 
 should think proper so to do $ — I think he might be entrusted with that power, 
 and that power would come under the regulation I suggested, in one of the 
 clauses of the Act, to the effect that the inspector should be entrusted with 
 power, in cases where imminent danger existed ; where the manager refused 
 to adopt proper measures for increasing its safety, he should have the power to 
 order the working of the mine to cease ; that is, under the restrictions which I 
 specified. 
 
 1332. Of course you think that attention to ventilation is a primary course 
 to pursue, in order to make a mine safe ? — It is. 
 
 1333. Therefore, whether the inspector orders a safety-lamp or not, he would 
 not pay less attention to see that the ventilation of the mine was properly 
 carried on ? — Certainly not. 
 
 1 334. You would not use the lamps in order to screen the colliery proprietor 
 from having proper ventilation, but you would rather use the safety-lamps to 
 increase the security with the proper ventilation ? — Merely for the purpose of 
 guarding against an emergency such as an outburst of gas, or a discharge of 
 gas. No workings should be systematically carried on in an explosive atmos- 
 phere. 
 
 1335. Therefore, you agree with the report of the Committee of 1852, that 
 the primary mode of rendering mines secure is attention to the best mode of 
 ventilation ? — I do. 
 
 1336. Mr. Ingham] You gave your opinion as to the comparative merits of 
 lamps with respect to their safety ; now, as to their illuminating power, which 
 lamp are you inclined to prefer ? — The Eloin lamp gives the best light, but it is 
 generally attended with the disadvantage of going out in a brisk current 
 of air. 
 
 1 337. Which do you prefer of the English lamps? — The glass lamps come next ; 
 all the glass lamps, without exception, are equal. There is the Glover lamp, 
 and the Clanny lamp, and all the glass lamps. 
 
 1338. Which of the glass lamps combine the most safety with the most 
 illuminating power ? — The addition of the chimney to Dr. Glover's lamp, as in 
 Musileer's lamp, appears to make it safer than an ordinary Clanny. 
 
 1339. Then, as a combination, you give the preference to the Glover lamp? 
 — For certain purposes I would, but for other purposes 1 would not. If you 
 are travelling in old wastes, and a little choke-damp happens to be coming off 
 from the waste, the Glover lamp will go out when a Clanny lamp will burn, 
 and when a Davy lamp will burn ; so that, in a case of that kind, I should prefer 
 a Clannv. 
 
 1 340. But for ordinary working purposes, where the men were hewing, you 
 would prefer the Glover ? — I think I stated that I place all these glass lamps on 
 a par ; I make no distinction between one and the other. 
 
 1341. You were understood to say that there was more safety in the Glover 
 as a glass lamp ? — It has some advantages which some of the others have not. 
 Clanny's has not the Museleer chimney, and has only a single glass. 
 
 1342. It is not added to the Clanny now ; of the actual lamps in use which 
 do you prefer ?— For a workman, I think that the Glover has that additional 
 safety which the Clanny has not. 
 
 1343. Are you aware of the Glover lamp being in actual use in anyone 
 of the collieries in the north ? — No, I am not ; it has only recently come out. 
 
 1 344. Do you not know the fact that it is in use at Wingate Grange and 
 0.76". n 2 Pelton ? — 
 
too 
 
 MINUTES OF EVIDENCE TAKEN BEFORE THE 
 
 /. Dickinson, Esq. Pelton ? — I know that experiments have been made by Mr. Reid, the viewer 
 
 at Pelton. I believe he is satisfied with the lamp, but I am not aware that he 
 
 23 June 3 853. has introduced it for the use of the mine. 
 
 1345. Are you aware that it is not a more speculative lamp, but that practical 
 men have given consideration to it ? — Experiments have been made by practical 
 men ; I am not aware whether they have introduced it for their workmen or 
 not ; I believe it is not in use anywhere in my district. 
 
 1346. Mr. Mostyn.~] Are you acquainted with Coed Talon, in Flintshire? — 
 I am. 
 
 1347. Is it a well-managed colliery ? — No, I do not think it is, it is very 
 roughly managed ; indeed, one of the roughest in my district. 
 
 1 348. When did you visit it ? — I have been there two or three times. 
 
 1349. Have you been there within the last twelve months ? — I have; at the 
 time when I went down into the workings one of the pits had a flat chain in 
 it. Since that time, there has been nothing but single link chains at the colliery. 
 I go into no colliery where there is a single link chain, unless I have urgent 
 business to take me there ; I do not think it is safe. 
 
 1350. Were any plans shown you? — Yes, plans of all the seams excepting 
 one. 
 
 1351. In the course of your experience you have seldom seen a worse-con- 
 ducted colliery, have you? — It is very rough. 
 
 1352. And highly dangerous, as compared with your general knowledge of 
 collieries? — I have objected to the use of single link chains there, and I have 
 pointed out the want of plans to Mr. Harrison, the manager. He undertook 
 to get these plans made. On going back, as I stated previously, a year after- 
 wards, although he had undertook to have the plans made, he had not carried 
 out that undertaking. I afterwards directed Mr. Oakley, the proprietor's 
 attention to it. I received a letter from Mr. Oakley, informing me that he 
 would see to it, and that it should be attended to. 
 
 *353- I understand that those instructions you gave to Mr. Harrison and 
 Mr. Oakley, a year ago, have not been attended to ? — Mr. Oakley has since 
 promised me that he would attend to them himself, and see it was carried out. 
 I hope he has attended to it, I have not been there since. 
 
 1 354. Are you aware of the number of accidents that have taken place 
 there ? — There are a larger number than usual at that colliery, considering 
 that it was in North Wales. The men of North Wales take great care of them- 
 selves, more than they do in other parts of my district. The mining in North 
 Wales generally is very rough, and but for the great care the men take, the 
 number of accidents would be very great ; as it is, they are very few. 
 
 l 355- Still, in the Coed Talon Colliery there have been more than the ordi- 
 nary proportion of accidents ? — Yes, I have taken that view of it but recently. 
 I should not apply it. I think greater care has been exercised for some 
 time past ; and of late there has been no accident there. The last accident 
 was by the breakage of a rope, which occurred under unfavourable circum- 
 stances. 
 
 1356. Is the Davy lamp used there generally? — No, there is not much fire- 
 damp in the mine, 
 
 1357. Then are we to understand that the accidents which have taken place 
 have not been in consequence of explosions, but general mismanagement of 
 the working ? — Chiefly by falling in of the roof, want of care in the timbering, 
 and tumbling down pits, the winding arrangements being very rough indeed. 
 
 1358. ChairmanJ] Is it your opinion that any scheme could be adopted for the 
 establishment of schools for the children of the workmen in collieries ? — I think 
 there might be such a system without inflicting any great hardship on the 
 colliery proprietors. I believe several of the colliery proprietors have expressed 
 themselves favourable to such a system. 
 
 1359. Do you think any system could be enforced by legislative enactment ? 
 — I think it might be ; it is so in the case of the print-works ; I think it might 
 be applied to coal mines. 
 
 1360. How would you provide funds for such schools? — I think they might 
 be made self-supporting, by deductions from the workmen's wages, as adopted 
 with the Dowlas Colliery, with which you are conversant. 
 
 1361. That could only be done with the consent of the workmen themselves ? 
 —Yes. 
 
 1362. In 
 
SELECT COMMITTEE ON ACCIDENTS IN COAL MINES. 101 
 
 1362. In almost every case, would the workman consent to a small deduc- j. Dickinson, Esc 
 
 tion towards the establishment of schools for the education of his family ? — 
 
 No ; I think in many cases they would object to it. There are some parts of 23 June 1853. 
 my district where the men are very ignorant indeed ; where they attach very 
 
 little importance to education. 
 
 1363. Taking that as your opinion, that a great many would object, would 
 it be wise in the Legislature to pass an enactment enforcing the establishment 
 of schools at all collieries ? — It would be very desirable if such a thing could 
 be done ; you could not get all the boys to go to school without there is such 
 an enactment. 
 
 1364. But provided you had such an enactment, could you then force the 
 boys to go to school? — They do it in the case of the print-works now. 
 
 1 365. Will you describe the system ? — I cannot give the details of the print- 
 works system. 
 
 1366. Are you prepared to recommend any plan? — I am not. 
 
 1367. Mr. Vivian.] Would it be possible to prohibit the employment of any 
 boy who could neither read nor write ? — I think it would be very much opposed 
 if such an Act were passed. 
 
 1368. Mr. Farrer.] Do you think it would be advisable ?— I think it would 
 not be advisable. 
 
 1369. Chairman.] In most of the collieries in your district, are there not 
 funds provided for the relief of the workmen in case of sickness ? — There are 
 not in my district ; there is scarcely a sick fund in connexion with any colliery ; 
 the men have benefit societies of their own. 
 
 1370. Mr. //. A. Bruce.^\ The men belong to clubs ? — Many of them do. 
 
 1371. Almost universally ?— Generally. 
 
 1372. Mr. Farrer.] Are you speaking throughout the country, or of your 
 own district ? — My own district. 
 
 1373. Mr. Locke.] Has it come to your knowledge, that the miners in all 
 parts of the country belong to benefit societies or sick clubs ? — As a general rule, 
 the workmen throughout the country belong to one or more sick funds. 
 
 1 374. Is it necessary or desirable that any legislative interference with the 
 workmen, with reference to these establishments, should be made in addition 
 to that which exists ? — It is desirable that some provision should be made for the 
 widows and orphans. I do not see how it could be done in the case of collieries 
 alone, without having the colliery owner to pay the larger portion of poor 
 rates than another employer in another trade. If any enactment is made with 
 reference to coal mines, it should be general with respect to builders and rail- 
 way contractors, and all classes of workmen. 
 
 1375. Are we to understand that, in your opinion, the benefit societies 
 and sick clubs which exist at present are not sufficient to meet the case ? — I do 
 not think they are sufficient to meet the case. 
 
 1376. Do you know the extent to which they are carried? — I know they are 
 very general. 
 
 1377. Do you know the extent of payment which the family would receive on 
 the death of any member of it ? — I do not know the utmost amount paid in such 
 a case. I know in some cases, where a man belongs to several funds, during the 
 time of sickness he is in receipt of more money than whilst he is at work. 
 
 1378. You know a case of that kind? — There are many such cases repre- 
 sented. 
 
 1379. Is that a desirable state of things ? — Certainly not. 
 
 1380. Would you propose to remedy that defect in any way? — I have not 
 considered the question sufficiently. 
 
 1381. You were understood to say that the present system was inefficient ; 
 to what extent do you consider it inefficient ? — I have stated with respect to 
 widows and children, it is very desirable that some provision should be made for 
 them, and also in the case of an accident happening to a workman ; but if such 
 provision were made compulsoiy by law, the Act should apply to all trades, and 
 not to coal mining only. Respectable workmen have a great objection to 
 receiving parish relief. 
 
 1382. Do you know whether the present system of the benefit societies, as 
 they now exist, does not meet those cases ? — To a great extent it does. 
 
 1383. Are you prepared to say it is so far deficient that it is necessary to 
 make any other enactment whatever ; and if so, to what extent ?—l think an 
 
 0.76. n 3 enactment 
 
102 
 
 MINUTES OF EVIDENCE TAKEN BEFORE THE 
 
 J. Dickinson, Esq. enactment might be made upon the point, but that it should include all trades? 
 
 ■ and that coal-mining should be merely one of them all. To make an enactment 
 
 23 June 1853. f or coal-miners alone would come into collision with the poor rates to a great 
 extent. If any enactment should take place, it should apply to trades generally. 
 
 1384. Still you do not know to what extent those casualties are not met by 
 the present system of benefit clubs and sick clubs ? — I know in cases of acci- 
 dent, and in cases of death, that many of the relatives, and the sufferer himself, 
 is sometimes left in a state of very great distress, and he is thrown on the parish 
 or the sympathy of his friends. 
 
 1385. You also said you have known cases where persons have belonged to 
 so many institutions of that kind that they have been in receipt of more wages 
 than when at work t — Yes. 
 
 1386. Those two opinions being given to this Committee, what is the best 
 mode of obviating those two extreme cases ; are there not cases that lie within 
 those two extremes ? — No doubt, a very large number. 
 
 1387. Does not the general number of cases attending those institutions lie 
 between those two extremes ? — A great number ; perhaps the majority. 
 
 1388. Mr. Cayley.'] What are the payments to the benefit clubs in the col- 
 liery districts, as compared with the payments in agricultural districts ; what 
 higher premiums do they pay ? — I can tell you what the payments are in the 
 colliery districts. I do not know what they are in the agricultural districts ; 
 fourpence in the pound is a deduction which is sometimes made from workmen's 
 wages at the collieries ; that includes a penny halfpenny for doctor, a halfpenny 
 for schools, and twopence for sick fund. 
 
 1389. Is that per week ? — That is per pound of the workman's earnings. 
 
 1390. Chairman.'] Then the doctor attends him while he is sick, and he pays 
 to the doctor only when he is well and at work ; is that so ? — It is ; and for 
 that he is entitled to medical relief ; in many cases the wife and family are not 
 attended for that payment but in the best organised cases the wife and family, 
 or any one dependent upon the man is attended. 
 
 1391. Where do the first cases exist? — I should think they are the majority. 
 
 1392. Where the man alone is attended, and the wife and family are not 
 attended ? — Yes, I think they form the majority. 
 
 1393. Mr. Cayley.] Taking the case of the support of a man after the age of 
 60, under the circumstances of the possibility of his being cut off before that time, 
 the insurance for him would be very small ; but supposing it affected his wife 
 and the support of his children, is there any instance where benefit societies 
 would have to contribute to the support of the wife and children that you re- 
 member the rate of contribution to ? — 1 do not recollect a case of the kind to 
 give you. 
 
 1 394. In reference to the support of the widow and family after death, you do 
 not recollect any case r — I do not ; that is one of the cases where I say there is 
 great suffering. 
 
 1395. The benefit societies do not extend to such cases ? — No. 
 
 1396. Mr. Baird.] There is no annual payment after the decease of the hus- 
 band ? — No. 
 
 1397. Mr. Cayley .] Do you consider that it is material to the safety of the 
 workmen working in various pits that the traps should be carefully attended 
 to ? — No doubt of it. 
 
 1398. Would that be as safely confided to the care of a boy as to the care 
 of a man ? — There is a difficulty in getting- men to do such work as that ; it is 
 not thought to be men's work. Some viewers state they more frequently find 
 an old man asleep, than they find a boy neglecting his duty. 
 
 1399. What is your own experience ? — The cases where men are put to doors 
 are so few that I can scarcely offer an opinion upon the question ; I have, in a 
 critical case, where there has been a very important door to keep, put a man to 
 attend to it. 
 
 1400. Have you experience of an accident having been produced by the 
 carelessness of the person to whom the care of a trap has been confided ? — 
 The recent explosion in the Arley Pits, at Ince Hall, was supposed to have 
 arisen from the fact of a door having been left wide open, but there was no 
 evidence to show that such was the case ; and all the evidence that bore on 
 the subject showed that the doors had been shut up to a very short period 
 before the accident. 
 
 1401. Mr. 
 
SELECT COMMITTEE ON ACCIDENTS IN COAL MINES. 103 
 
 1 40 1 . Mr. Locke.'] Are you prepared to recommend that boys should not be Dickinson, Esq. 
 
 employed? — I am not prepared to make such a recommendation. I think 
 
 unless you get boys into pits when young, you would never be able to keep up 2 3 June 1853. 
 a proper staff of colliers. It is dirty laborious work, which no man of mature 
 
 years would think of commencing. 
 
 1402. Chairman.] In Scotland, it is constantly the practice for the widows 
 and orphans of men who have been killed in collieries to bring actions against 
 the owners of mines where the husbands or fathers have been killed by gross 
 carelessness, and damages are constantly given by juries ; do you think such 
 a law would be applicable to England, and, in your opinion, should such a law 
 be enacted ? — I believe the same law does apply to England. 
 
 1403. Mr. H. A. Bruce.] Can you point out the superior facilities in Scot- 
 land for the widows and orphans of colliers killed by accident recovering da- 
 mages from the owners or managers of collieries ? — I am not aware that there 
 are any peculiar facilities in that respect in Scotland. There is a procurator 
 fiscal, but in a civil action I think the party would have to proceed himself. 
 They proceed, I believe, under Lord Campbell's A ct ; and I know no other 
 reason for our men here not entering such actions, but that they are not 
 generally so well informed as to the law ; and I think a better feeling exists 
 between the master and the men. In the case of a serious accident there is 
 generally some relief, and a subscription is got up, and the parties are relieved 
 to some extent, which keeps up a good feeling. Then the children or relatives 
 of the deceased might imagine that their interests would be affected to some 
 extent, if proceedings were taken by them to recover damages against the 
 colliery owner. 
 
 1404. Mr. Fitzroy.] Has any instance occurred of an action being brought 
 against the colliery owner, or the manager of a mine ? — I have heard of one at 
 Wakefield, but I cannot give the particulars. 
 
 1405. Mr. Ingham^] Are your answers as to the provisions made for the 
 families of the deceased confined to your present district, or are you speaking 
 generally ? — Generally. 
 
 1406. Is it not the practice in Northumberland and Durham, that the widow 
 is permitted to have a free house and coal free for the rest of her life ? — In 
 some cases it is. 
 
 1407. Is not that the general practice ? — I cannot say it is general. 
 
 1408. Do you know any colliery where it does not prevail that, when a man 
 has lost his life by accident, the widow is not allowed to continue in his house 
 and have her coals free during her life ? — I cannot give you a case in North- 
 umberland or Durham, but I can in other parts of the country. 
 
 1409. Do you know enough of the district to give an opinion upon the 
 subject ? — Yes, I know the district very well. 
 
 1410. Is it not, as far as you know, the universal practice ? — I am not pre- 
 pared to say whether it is universal or not. 
 
 1411. Chairman.] Could you give the Committee any estimate of the amount 
 of expense that a colliery owner would be put to in cases of severe accidents or 
 severe explosions ? — They are very various. 
 
 141 2. Are they not put to very great expense, in cases of serious accidents 
 by explosions ? — Almost invariably. 
 
 1413. Looking at that fact, is it not the interest of the coal owner to keep 
 his mines in as good a state as he possibly can ? — It is his interest to keep them 
 in the best state possible, but they not unfrequently take a short-sighted view 
 of the matter, and in endeavouring to economise and get the coal cheaply, 
 proper precaution is not taken, and an accident takes place. 
 
 Herbert Francis Mackworth, Esq., called in ; and further Examined. 
 
 1414. Chairman.] YOU have heard Mr. Dickinson describe the ventilation H. F. Macfi^ertA, 
 in Belgium ? — I can describe to you the ventilation in several collieries there. Es 9- 
 
 1415. Perhaps you will do so? — The general system of ventilating collieries 
 
 in Belgium is to allow the air to descend the winding-pit to the lowest part of 
 
 the seams then in work. These seams are almost invariably highly inclined. 
 The air on entering the seam is divided into two parts, which pass right and 
 left ; the currents pass to the extremity of the work up the face, and return 
 again by the level which has served for extracting the coal in the working on 
 0,76. n 4 the 
 
104 MINUTES OF EVIDENCE TAKEN BEFORE THE 
 
 H.F.Mackworth, the next higher level. The air is then conducted by a cross-measure drift, 
 Es( l« ordinarily into the shaft, which is used for the men to ascend and descend by 
 
 — ladders. As an example, in the Grand Bac Pit, near Liege, the air is split 
 
 23 June 1853. jq ft meSj eao h p ass i n g one f ace 0 f work. The average length of the current in 
 the mine is 2,200 yards ; each division of the air averages 2,000 cubic feet per 
 minute. The ventilation was carried on by a chimney 220 feet high, and nine 
 feet in diameter, without any furnace. When the weather becomes warm in the 
 spring a ventilator of Lesoinne's construction is set in motion, which produces 
 a ventilation of 19,000 cubic feet of air at a water gauge of one half-inch. 
 
 1416. Under ordinary circumstances is there no artificial power? — During 
 the winter months the ventilation is carried on by this chimney without artificial 
 power. 
 
 1417. You heard Mr. Dickinson's evidence as to the mode of ventilation in 
 Belgium being principally conducted by mechanical means ? — Yes. 
 
 1418. Do you agree with him as to the one machine which he named being 
 the best ? — Fabrey's pneumatic wheels, that is the best ventilating machine they 
 have in Belgium. 
 
 1419. Is that as good as Mr. Struve's machine? — It gives about the same 
 economical result as the first machine of Mr. Struve, which was erected at the 
 Eagle Bush Colliery, and which of course possesses many imperfections since 
 remedied. 
 
 1420. Mechanical ventilation of that kind is not practised in England? — No, 
 there is an unfounded prejudice existing against it, on account of its imagined 
 liability of derangement, and possibly causing an explosion. 
 
 1421. Are you in favour of a mechanical ventilation, comparing it with the 
 furnace and the steam-jet? — Ordinarily speaking, I recommend the adoption 
 of a furnace in mines, principally on account of its convenience, and because it 
 is in the majority of cases sufficiently effective in producing ventilation. But 
 there are numerous collieries in my district which cannot have a sufficient 
 amount of air passed through them by furnace ventilation ; and in other 
 instances on account of the condition of the shafts, the employment of furnace 
 ventilation would be comparatively far more expensive. 
 
 1422. Have you seen anything in Belgium with respect to ventilation that 
 is better than it is in England, that you would recommend to be adopted ? — - 
 Many things. 
 
 1423. What are they ? — There are a number of ventilating powers employed 
 there, nearly every one of which possesses a peculiar merit, and I think the know- 
 ledge of the performance of these ventilators would be very useful in this 
 country, because they might be adopted with advantage in many of the English 
 Collieries which now require such powers to ventilate them. 
 
 1424. State what they are? — Motte's pneumatic screw; Letoret's inclined 
 vane fan ; Lesoinne's windwill ventilator ; Pasquet's spiral ventilator, Fabrey's 
 pneumatic wheels, the cylinder and piston pumping engine constructed of wood ; 
 Lemielle's feathering fan, and others. 
 
 1425. Mr. Locke.] These are all the machines which you think are useful., 
 and that you would recommend in this country r— There are certain cases in 
 which one or other of them would be more applicable than the other. 
 
 1426. Chairman. .] Are they all applicable to ventilation? — Yes, they are all 
 applied to ventilation in Belgium, and the best are considered more certain, 
 powerful, and economical than the furnace. 
 
 1427. Mr. FitzrovJ] In addition to the furnace, or alone? — Alone; the 
 furnace is considered to be less economical, and is forbidden by law in fire-damp 
 collieries, and even associated with dumb-drifts, is being abandoned in order to 
 be replaced by ventilators. Some of the first engineers on the continent have 
 devoted themselves to this subject ; the opinion in Belgium is unanimous, and 
 in a country where the slightest danger is carefully avoided, not the slightest 
 fear is entertained of a ventilator breaking down or danger arising from it. 
 
 1428. Are some of these more applicable to some places than others, or are 
 they generally applicable to the English mines ? — Some are applicable to a large 
 ventilation with a small drag, others to a smaller ventilation with a heavier drag. 
 
 1420. But all capable of being adopted in this country? — Yes. 
 
 1430. Can you recommend them all equally, or have you any preference for 
 any particular system ? — I have experiments on each which will point out their 
 peculiarities. 
 
 1431. Chairman.] 
 
SELECT COMMITTEE ON ACCIDENTS IN COAL MINES. 105 
 
 V 
 
 1431. Chairman.} You will put in those experiments ? — Yes.* H.F.MacJtwortt; 
 
 1432. Mr. H. A. Bruce.'] Are any of those plans adopted in England ? — E «q- 
 Some modifications of them ; there are several kinds of fans used, and Struve's — - "~ 
 
 entilator is a great improvement on the plunging bell ventilator used in 23 ' une 1 
 Belgium. * FiVfc Appendix 
 
 1433. Mr. Locke.] What do you mean by the same kind of ventilator used 
 in Belgium? — Struve's ventilator is an airometer similar to the gas-meter, 
 moving up and down in water ; the form in Belgium is only single acting, the 
 air is admitted underneath, and passes out underneath; whereas Struve's 
 performs the same office above as well as below the airometer, by four sets of 
 valves. 
 
 1434. Chairman.] You have a table of the experiments of the relative value 
 of these machines ? — I have. 
 
 1435. Put that in ? — Yes. Vide Appendix 
 
 1436. Looking at the whole question of ventilation, is it your opinion that 
 ventilation is carried on better in England than in Belgium ? — The amounts of 
 ventilation are larger in the well-managed collieries in England than they are 
 in Belgium, but the means by which the amount of ventilation is obtained in 
 Belgium are, in some cases, better than in England. 
 
 1437. You do not agree with the Report of the Committee of 1852 with 
 respect to mechanical powers generally ? — No, I think mechanical ventilation 
 is very much overlooked in this country, and I think it is one of the most 
 economical powers there is ; its economy and its effects have been well ascer- 
 tained, and I think it ought to be introduced into many collieries. 
 
 1438. Do you think it preferable to the system of ventilation by rarefaction ? 
 — J am prepared to compare one of the best ventilated collieries in the north 
 of England, in an economical point of view, with the first of Struve's ventilators 
 which was erected. 
 
 1439. Mr. H. A. Bruce.] Can the same amount of ventilation be procured 
 by the invention you have mentioned as by the system now practised in 
 England ? — Yes, I believe so, by one or other of the Belgian ventilators ; and 
 by Struve's ventilation, I believe, the largest amount of ventilation can be 
 obtained that circulates through any colliery in England. I will give you a few 
 details with respect to one of the largest collieries in the North of England 
 ventilated by the furnace, to form an economical comparison between the venti- 
 lation of that and of the Eagle's Bush Colliery, where the first of Struve's ven- 
 tilators was erected ; the Tyne Main Colliery was lately experimented upon by 
 Mr. Nicholas Wood in the most careful maner, and it is from his data that I 
 give the economical position of the ventilation of the colliery. 
 
 1440. How is that ventilated, by furnaces? — Ventilated by two furnaces, each 
 six feet four inches wide ; the consumption of fuel was 16 - 76 pounds per 
 minute. 
 
 1441. Mr. LocTce.] Give us the quantity of air extracted ? — The quantity of 
 air was 101,876 cubic feet per minute at a water-gauge of 0925 inches; the 
 amount of horse-power expended in that ventilation was 14'88. 
 
 1442. Chairman.] You consider that a very good result ? — Yes; each pound 
 of coal consumed on the furnace therefore produced a useful effect of 0'88 
 horse-power. 
 
 1443. What was the depth of the shaft? — 672 feet ; 8 feet in diameter, and 
 a portion of it 7 £ feet in diameter. 
 
 1444. What is the cost? — I have taken the consumption of coal, 3,942 tons 
 at 3*. a ton, which gives 591 /. 6 s. per annum. Four firemen at 14 s. a week, 
 each would give 145 I. 12. s. ; maintenance 6 I. ; total 742 I 18 s. The annual 
 cost, therefore, per horse-power of effective ventilation was 50 /. The first cost 
 of the two furnaces was about 350 I. The upcast shaft, 1,344 /. 
 
 1445. Does that include the sinking ?— Yes ; I have put it at the lowest 
 estimate, for which any such shaft could be sunk, less than the real cost. 
 
 1 446. A brick shaft ? — Yes ; and they had to pass through water, but I was 
 desirous of putting it in the most favourable light, the total first cost was 1,694 
 The first cost, therefore, per horse-power of effective ventilation is 1 1 4 /. I 
 might mention that the natural ventilation of the Tyne Main Colliery, before 
 the furnaces were set to work, was 34,955 cubic feet per minute. 
 
 1447- Of natural ventilation? — Yes ; but I give that entirely in to the effect 
 of the furnaces, because there was no natural ventilation at the Eagle's Bush 
 076. 0 . Colliery. 
 
io6 MINUTES OF EVIDENCE TAKEN BEFORE THE 
 
 H. F. Mad-worth, Colliery. The temperature of the external air being high, and the upcast shaft 
 £sc l- only 16 feet deep. 
 
 ~"° 1448. Mr. Locke.'} Was there any chimney producing that natural ventilation 
 
 23 June 1 53. - n cage p — ^Xhe shaft was the chimney; that was the natural ventilation 
 through the colliery. At the Eagle's Bush Colliery the ventilation is produced 
 by two airometers, each of 113 square feet area. The speed of the airometers 
 was 75 lineal feet per minute. The engine had a 2 feet 9 inch stroke, and 
 8 inch cylinder. The boiler 9 feet long, 4 feet diameter ; cylindrical, round 
 ends, and steam at a pressure of 40 pounds. The consumption of coal 93 
 pounds per hour. The amount of ventilation 16,950 cubic feet per minute. 
 
 1449. That is against the 101,000 before? — Yes ; the water-gauge was 155 
 inches, the horse-power expended in effective ventilation was therefore 4' 14, or 
 26/ effective horse-power per pound of coals. That is the point to which I 
 have brought the calculations to form the economical comparison. The result 
 of Tyne Main Colliery was 0*88 horse-power to a pound of coals, and at Eagle's 
 Bush Colliery it was 2 '6/. 
 
 1450. Air. H. A. Bruce.} Three times as great ? — Yes; the cost of airome- 
 ters, masonry, and connexion with the mine was 300 I. ; the cost of the boiler, 
 engine, and engine-house was 200 /. The consumption of coal 310 tons, at 3 s., 
 461. \0s. per annum. The wages of two boys 52/. Grease and oil 6 1. 12 s. 
 I have taken interest on capital and repairs there at 10 per cent., 50 /. Total 
 annual cost 155 2 s. 
 
 1451. Mr. Locke.} In the capital account you have no shaft sinking ? — The 
 shaft is only 1 6 feet deep, that is included in the cost of the connecting with 
 the mine. 
 
 1452. What mine is this ; is it the Eagle's Bush ? — Yes ; similar to many 
 other collieries in South Wales, the coal is worked very near to the surface. 
 
 1453. Chairman.} You gave us the cost per horse-power in the first case; 
 what is the cost in this case per horse-power ? — £. 25 8 s. is the annual cost 
 of working per effective horse-power, and 120/. 16,?. is the first cost per 
 effective horse-power. 
 
 Vide Appendix. ] 454- You will put tables of these two experiments in? — Yes. 
 
 14.55. Mr. Vivian.} In instituting this comparison, you included the cost of 
 the shaft in one case, and not in the other? — The cost is included in both. At 
 Eagle's Bush it is included in the connecting with the colliery. 
 
 1456. Assuming that you had to ventilate the Tyne Main Colliery by Struve's 
 ventilator, would it not be necessary to expend the same sum in sinking a 
 shaft?— I think that at the Tyne Main Colliery I might have made use or 
 a pumping shaft for the ventilation, if I made use of Struve's areometer, and 
 consequently should not have sunk another shaft. 
 
 1457. Mr. Locked] Are you aware that at the Tyne Main the shaft was 
 sunk purposely for ventilation ? — I am not aware of that. If mechanical ven- 
 tilation were adopted, it might be converted into a winding shaft. 
 
 1458. In instituting a comparison of this kind, where you are testing two 
 machines, do you or not think it fair to consider the working-up shaft as an 
 element fixed in both cases ? — No ; because where there is a deep, large and 
 walled shaft disposable for ventilation, I think that the furnace is the best 
 power to employ. Where there is no shaft so disposable, except a pumping 
 shaft, then the mechanical ventilator is the best power to employ, and in that 
 case it is not right to include the first cost of the shaft in the cost of the venti- 
 lator, as no additional shaft is required for ventilation. 
 
 1459. In tnis case y° u nave instituted a comparison wherein you have made 
 use of a pumping shaft in the one system, and you have charged to the other 
 system the entire cost of the up-cast shaft? — Yes, in the first cost ; because the 
 expense is actually saved to the owner; the first cost is not so important as the 
 annual cost. 
 
 1 460. Chairman.} In your tour in Belgium, have you seen any ventilating 
 machinery, or any process of ventilation, which would induce you to recom- 
 mend to the Legislature by enactment to enforce any particular system ? — I 
 think that the ascending ventilation should not be made altogether compulsory 
 in collieries in England, because there are many in which there would be great 
 difficulty, and it might be impossible to produce it. But I think that air ought 
 never to be allowed to descend a second time in a fire-damp colliery without the 
 exercise of very great caution, and should only be permitted by the manager 
 
 or 
 
SELECT COMMITTEE ON ACCIDENTS IN COAL MINES. 107 
 
 or the proprietor of the colliery by express directions, and under his personal H. F. Mackworth, 
 
 ,. Esq. 
 inspection. M 
 
 1461. Looking at all these different modes of ventilation by mechanical 2< .j unel8 r 3 
 power, and looking at the modes adopted in England, did you see anything 3 une 
 
 so superior in Belgium, as would induce you to recommend to the Legislature 
 by legislative enactment, to enforce any particular system adopted in Belgium ? 
 — No, I think the kind of ventilating power must be left entirely to the pro- 
 prietor ; these ventilating powers, one or the other of them, are amply sufficient 
 to get a proper supply of air to any colliery. 
 
 1462. This pit at Eagle's Bush; it would have been possible to put up a 
 furnace to ventilate there?— No; before this ventilator was erected, a culvert 
 up the slope with a chimney on the top of the hill was erected at great expense, 
 but without producing adequate ventilation. 
 
 1463. In your opinion, the ventilation by rarefaction does depend on the 
 depth of the up-cast shaft ? — Yes, it varies as the square root of the height of 
 the heated column, and as the square root of the difference of temperature of 
 the up- cast and down-cast column. 
 
 1464. Mr. Cay ley.'] Would you indicate, as far as you can, the particular 
 conditions under which you think mechanical power is preferable to furnaces 
 in ventilating mines ? — The majority of the pits in Somersetshire and Glou- 
 cestershire are of so small a diameter, averaging four or five feet, and are so 
 nearly filled by the tub when it ascends and descends, that I think it would be 
 imprudent often to adopt furnace ventilation. That is a case in which the 
 mechanical ventilation is particularly applicable. When the drag of a colliery 
 is very considerable, when it amounts to half an inch of water for shallow mines, 
 and above an inch for deep mines ; when the workings are carried on by means 
 of levels or an inclined drift, so that but a very short up-cast column could be 
 obtained ; when a pumping shaft is available for the up-cast air when a shaft 
 would otherwise have to be sunk for the purpose of ventilation. In up-cast 
 shafts, which are used for winding, and where a high temperature is an objec- 
 tion ; also in shafts which are not walled, where the expense of repairs amounts 
 not unfrequently to 7 /. or 10/. per month. 
 
 1465. Would you say, generally speaking, that the machine was preferable 
 in proportion to the shallowness of the mine and the amount of the drag ? — 
 Principally. 
 
 1466. How did you test the relative value of these several ventilators in 
 Belgium ? — By the amount of ventilation, and the drag of the colliery. 
 
 1467. How did you test the amount of ventilation? — By the anemometer. 
 
 1468. Did you test it at all in the up-cast by the water-gauge? — I take 
 the water gauge as well as the amount of ventilation. 
 
 1469. What effect was ever produced on the water-gauge by these machines? 
 — I think about three inches is the maximum I have given in my tables ; four 
 inches has been reached with Fabrey's. 
 
 1470. If these machines were to get out of order, would not the effect be 
 that the ventilation would be practically stopped? — With some machines it 
 would. 
 
 1471. In any machine, would not the effect be, that if the machine were to 
 get out of order, there would be an immediate stoppage to the ventilation? — 
 Some machines are so applied, that the ventilation would pass through to a 
 certain extent. Others, such as Struve's areometer, would stop the ventilation 
 altogether, unless the valves were removed, which can easily be arranged. 
 
 1472. W 7 hat power was generally applied to these ventilators ? — The amount 
 of horse-powtr applied to the ventilators has hardly been carried beyond 
 12-horse power, that is generally sufficient to ventilate Belgian mines, which 
 are small. 
 
 1473. Was steam the power used ? — By means of a steam-engine. 
 
 1474. If the machine was to get out of order, the power would then become 
 wholly deficient? — The ventilator would stop; at Mynyddbachyglo one engine 
 works a large ventilator, winds and pumps, so that if it breaks down the whole 
 works must stop. 
 
 1475. And the ventilation in the mine would cease? — It would. 
 
 1476. Is there not a certain amount of friction to be overcome in all these 
 machines % — Yes, it varies in different machines; 
 
 1477. Is that a loss of power? — A very considerable loss of power. 
 
 0.76. O 2 1478. If 
 
io8 
 
 MINUTES OF EVIDENCE TAKEN BEFORE THE 
 
 JH. F. Machvorth, If you could apply the whole power of the steam to the air to be 
 
 Es q- moved without the friction of machinery, would not that be a more economical 
 
 *~ — application of power than by machinery? — The application of the steam-jet 
 $3 une 1853. di rec tly to the air, to set it in motion, would be a much more expensive appli- 
 cation of it than applying it by means of the steam-engine. 
 
 1.479. In whac wa y ; is not the high-pressure jet applied to the atmosphere? 
 — The steam-jet is applied directly to the air, but rotatory engines, where it is 
 so applied, have been always notoriously failures. 
 
 1480. Is it not one of the first laws of motion, that a body in motion con- 
 tinues to move until it is stopped by means of some body stopping it ? Theo- 
 retically, it is. 
 
 1481. How is the steam stopped ? — By the reaction on all sides, as well as 
 the line of motion, by its own weight, by its condensation. 
 
 1482. Does not the steam-jet communicate the whole of its power to the 
 atmosphere with which it comes in contact? — I imagine that it expends a greater 
 portion of its power on the jet through which it passes, and in forming a partial 
 vacuum above it. 
 
 1483. Would not the power be indicated by the tendency to vacuum which 
 it produced? — No ; the water-gauge will give you a certain indication of the 
 amount of resistance to the force applied by the steam to the air, by the ex- 
 pansion in the air of the mine which this force and resistance, pulling against 
 one another, cause. 
 
 1484. If the effect of the water-guage amounted to 15 feet by the steam-jet, 
 and the effect of the water-guage by one of these machines which you say 
 amounted to three inches, would not show a greater power applied to the 
 atmosphere by the steam-jet ? — I think there have been most serious mistakes 
 made in stating that the water-gauge is an indication of power ; water-gauge 
 simply indicates a resistance ; what I call power is resistance multiplied by 
 velocity ; another name for it is work. 
 
 1485. Mr. Locke.] Do you think it would be an advantage that the steam 
 should pass directly to the paddles of a steam-boat, instead of going through 
 the cylinder and having its force expended through machinery in order to 
 produce a result, or do you not ? — I think it would be an enormous squandering 
 of power. 
 
 1486. If you passed the steam directly to the paddle? — Yes, there would be 
 an enormous loss of power if you applied the steam-jet directly. In order to 
 determine the power of a jet of steam or any other means of moving air, it is 
 necessary to take into consideration both the resistance, as indicated by the 
 water-gauge, and the velocity. Although you may obtain 1 5 feet possibly of water- 
 gauge by a jet, the quantity of air that passes is little or nothing at all ; and to 
 put it in the strongest light, I believe, without any difficulty, I could suck up the 
 same amount of water-gauge with my mouth. I believe that is precisely the 
 same action which the steam exercises ; w T ater-gauge is no indication of power 
 at all, without it is associated with velocity. 
 
 1487. Mr. Cayley.~\ You saw the experiment in the Polytechnic Institution 
 last year ; how do you account for the force which appeared to be applied there ? 
 - — There was the force applied, but there was not the power developed. 
 
 1488. The water-gauge was affected to the extent of 15 feet? — Yes, I have 
 understood that it was, the common pump will do 30 feet. 
 
 1489. If the water-gauge was affected to the extent of 15 feet close, or nearly 
 close to the jet, can you assign any reason why a water-gauge, placed half w r ay 
 up the shaft, would not be equally affected, the conditions remaining the same ? 
 — It depends entirely on the air passing, it is impossible for me to form an idea 
 of what the power produced was when those 15 feet of water were raised by the 
 steam-jet, without knowing the quantity of air passed through by that steam. 
 In practice the steam-jet falls much below the furnace, and far below other 
 powers in the water-gauge it will produce, and the resistance it will overcome. 
 I have given a table of the cost of getting up three inches of water-gauge with 
 a steam -jet. 
 
 1490. Mr. Locke.'] Are we to understand that the objection to the use of 
 mechanical means was, that it was subject to derangement ; if that machine got 
 out of order the ventilation of the mine would be entirely stopped: now apply 
 that to the destruction of a machine by explosion, would it be as easy to re- 
 adjust or re-apply that fixed machinery for the purpose of ventilation, as it would 
 
SELECT COMMITTEE ON ACCIDENTS IN COAL MINES. 109 
 
 be to fix the furnace ? — Your question divides itself into two parts, which I h. F. Maeltwortk, 
 will answer consecutively. I made particular inquiries in Belgium as to their Esq. 
 
 experience of these machines, and they were surprised at the idea that there — 
 
 should be any danger connected with the use of them, either from their breaking 2 3 J "ne 1853. 
 
 down, or causing explosion when they did break down. One, which had been 
 
 longest in use, was a wooden cylinder and piston ventilator, a kind most liable 
 
 to derangement, at the pit Hainchamp's, which had been at work for 18 years 
 
 -without a break down. An explosion had occurred during that time without 
 
 affecting the machine. Whenever a ventilating machine is employed, in order 
 
 to use every possible precaution, I think that the air-way between the ventilator 
 
 and the shaft may be covered with planks, so that an explosion would blow 
 
 those out without affecting the ventilator, and in that case they could be 
 
 replaced more rapidly, and brought to work much more safely than a furnace. 
 
 1491. Mr. Vivian.'] You would attach a description of safety-valve to the 
 machine in case of explosion? — Yes. 
 
 1492. Have not the force of explosions been known to blow the whole shaft 
 head off ? — Yes. 
 
 1493. Mr. Locke.] In that case would your safety-valve be effectual? — Per- 
 fectly. 
 
 1494. Then with this precaution, in your judgment do you think that you 
 would be perfectly secure from derangement by the adoption of these mecha- 
 nical means, and that there would be no chance whatever of their being 
 destroyed ? — I speak simply on the information I received in Belgium, and the 
 unanimous opinion there as to their superior safety. 
 
 1495. Supposing these mechanical means were employed in England, and 
 liable to explosions such as we have here, do you think the application of such 
 a machine to a mine would be perfectly secure against explosions if they arose? 
 — I think they might be made perfectly safe. The precautions that I should 
 adopt in a colliery where they were used in case a break down of a machine 
 occurred, would be a strict rule that all the men should leave their work as 
 soon as there was a stoppage in the air current. The use of a ventilator affords 
 additional security for having a uniform current of air ; for there are three 
 very simple kinds of danger signals adapted to the ventilators in Belgium, 
 which act through the medium of the water-gauge. As soon as the water- 
 gauge falls a little, it sounds a whistle, and the engine-man is immediately 
 aware that there is a slight diminution in the amount of ventilation. The 
 water-gauge is a delicate test, because it vanes as the square of the amount of 
 Tentilation. 
 
 1496. Mr. Locke.] Would it be difficult to apply it to furnace ventilation? — 
 It would be necessary to have a boiler to the whistle. 
 
 1497. Would it be difficult to apply that for the purpose of giving warning? 
 — No, it would be nearly as easy, putting out the cost of the steam-pipe, to 
 apply it to a furnace as the ventilator. 
 
 1498. Mr. Vivian.] But a signal line passing from a water-guage, placed 
 under ground, up the shaft to a whistle on any boiler at the surface, would 
 equally indicate the fall of the water-gauge ? — In that case it would have to 
 be observed by a man ; whereas, in cases to which I have been alluding they 
 would be self-acting. 
 
 1499. Mr. Locke.] In either case could it not be made self-acting f —Yes, by 
 putting up a small boiler, or other means of sounding the whistle. 
 
 1500. It being as easy in one case as the other to apply the security which 
 you suggest as one of the peculiar advantages of the mechanical means of ven- 
 tilation, do you still attach as much importance to the mechanical means as you 
 attached previously ? — Yes, I think it is a safer appliance to the ventilator, be- 
 cause the water-gauge in this is very much greater than the water-gauge of the 
 furnaces, and there is a great fall for a small diminution in the ventilation. 
 
 1501. Might not they be of the same size? — Yes; the water-gauge of the 
 furnace and the ventilator might be the same. 
 
 1 502. Chairman.] You stated in a former part of your evidence that the mines 
 in Belgium were by no means so fiery as the most fiery mines in the north of 
 England ? — No, they are nol so fiery as the most fiery mines in the north of 
 England. 
 
 1503. In any mines in Belgium did you find the same amount of ventilation 
 0.76. O 3 going 
 
no MINUTES OF EVIDENCE TAKEN BEFORE THE 
 
 H. F. Machvorth, going through them as you found in some of the mines in the north of England, 
 Esq. in Durham. Take the South Hetton, for instance ? — No ; the quantities of ven- 
 
 — ■ tilation in the north of England in the larger collieries is three times as much 
 
 23 June 1853. as in the largest collieries in Belgium. The collieries in Belgium are not so 
 large as those in England, owing very much to the direction in which the 
 seams lie, being highly inclined. With strictly ascensional ventilation much 
 smaller quantities of air are necessary for safety. 
 
 \ 504. To procure such an amount of ventilation as they have in some of the 
 best managed collieries in the north of England, do you think any of these 
 mechanical apparatus could be applied economically ? — There is a mechanical 
 apparatus (Struve's) now erected, and a portion of it (one airometer) is at 
 work at the Middle Dyffryn Colliery in South Wales ; and I believe when the 
 air- ways are opened out to anything like the same extent in size as the air- 
 ways of the collieries in the north of England, that it will produce a ventila- 
 tion quite as large, and more economically. 
 
 1505. Can you state what is that apparatus? — There are two 20 feet dia- 
 meter airometers of the same kind which I have described, and each stroke 
 will produce a ventilation of 1 0,000 cubic feet. 
 
 1506. Is that Mr. Struve's apparatus? — Yes. 
 
 1 507. Can you tell the Committee what horse-power steam-engine it takes to 
 work those airometers? — The steam-engine at Eagle's Bush is about 8-horse 
 power. 
 
 1508. What is this one at Dyffryn^ — I have not seen it since it was put up ; 
 I think it is an 18-inch cylinder. Mr. Powell has gone to great expense to 
 have his colliery ventilated in the best way. 
 
 1 509. Is it your opinion that that machine will be worked more economically 
 than the furnaces to produce the same amount of ventilation ? — I think so. 
 
 1510. What is the depth of the mine? — The depth of the shaft is 165 yards; 
 at present there is a furnace at the bottom, and a steam -jet on the surface ; 
 and I have no doubt of the economy being far greater than that of these motive 
 powers, separately or combined. 
 
 1511. Mr. Caylcy.~] Is there not a point of depth at which the furnace 
 becomes the most economical mode of ventilating? — There is a point, but I 
 am not aware that it is yet attained by the deepest shaft we have in England. 
 
 1512. Chairman.] You have stated, that in your excursion through Belgium, 
 you have found nothing which you can recommend to be adopted as an 
 improvement in the working of the best regulated mines in England ; with 
 respect to the management, have you seen anything in Belgium that you can 
 recommend as being a decided improvement on the best managed mines in 
 England ? — I think the discipline of the Belgian collieries is as nearly perfect as 
 discipline can be. 
 
 1513. Has the number of deaths decreased in Belgium in the last 15 years? 
 — Dividing the last 15 years into three periods of five, and taking the average 
 number of deaths on 10,000 persons employed in the mines, in the first five 
 years there were 208 ; in the second five years 170 ; in the third and last five 
 years, up to 1850, 120. 
 
 1514. Have you seen experiments made on the steam-jet in Belgium? — 
 I have an account of them. 
 
 1515. Mr. Ingham.'] Were you present at the experiments? — No. 
 
 1516. Chairman.'] From whom did you receive them? — From Mr. Glepin, 
 who was appointed by a large colliery proprietor to compare the various known 
 ventilating powers, with the view of introducing the most economical in his 
 very extensive works at Grand Hornu ; he is the engineer of those collieries. 
 
 1517. Mr. Locke.] Not a Government engineer ? — No. 
 
 1518. A civil engineer ? — Yes. 
 
 1519. Are his experiments published? — They are printed only for private 
 circulation. 
 
 1,520. Chairman.] Did you see anything in Belgium that you can recom- 
 mend to be enforced by legislative enactment in England, further than what 
 you have already stated to the Committee?— I think that it should be enacted 
 that ventilation should be produced and conducted by perfectly safe and efficient 
 means, and there are other recommendations which I am prepared to lay before 
 you. 
 
 Edward 
 
SELECT COMMITTEE ON ACCIDENTS IN COAL MINES. m 
 
 Edward Cayley, Esq., called in, and Examined. 
 
 1521. Mr. Cay ley.] ARE you practically acquainted with coal mines? — No, E. Cay ley, Esq. 
 I am not. — 
 
 1522. Have you given scientific attention to the question of ventilation ? — 2 3 June 1853. 
 To a certain extent. 
 
 1523. Have you ever been at any practical experiments in regard to the use 
 of the steam-jet? — Yes ; I have seen it applied practically in one case, particu- 
 larly in putting out a fire. 
 
 1524. What was that case? — It was in Scotland. 
 
 1525. Upon what occasion? — It was at Alloa, about three years ago. 
 1.526. What was that experiment ? — It was the putting out of a fire in a coal- 
 pit in Alloa, about three years ago. 
 
 1527. What was the size of the coal-field? — We had to fill about 25 acres 
 with choke-damp. 
 
 1528. Was the mine on fire ? — The mine was on fire at the time. 
 
 1529. How long had it been on fire? — It had been on fire about 30 years. 
 
 1530. Had they been able to extinguish the fire by any other means? — They 
 had walled the fiery part of it round, and, in fact, there had been two or three 
 walls made, so that the place was divided into three or four different compart- 
 ments. They had been beaten over by the fire, but they had got it enclosed 
 within a large mud wall inside. There was about 25 acres. 
 
 1531. But practically the fire remained smouldering ? — In spite of the wall. 
 
 1532. Had the injection of carbonic acid gas the effect of extinguishing the 
 fire ? — Yes j it appeared to have extinguished the greater portion of it ; but 
 some doubt remains as to whether one portion was not still smouldering. At 
 the east end it had been arched over, in consequence of* some of the walls built 
 in the first instance giving way. We could not get in to see. 
 
 1 533. Chairman.] Can you state whether the fire is now out ? — There is some 
 doubt as to one corner of the pit. There is no doubt we extinguished the fire 
 in the part we got the gas into ; but there was some doubt as to whether some 
 of the residue had been got at. We had no means of ascertaining. 
 
 1534. What was the depth of the pit? — I think it was something like 20 
 yards deep, it was very shallow. 
 
 153,5. Mr. Cay ley.] The jet was propelled down the pit and other workings; 
 and did the carbonic acid gas come out at any place ? — Yes ; it passed down, 
 and we found it coming out. We tested it with lights at a sort of level driven 
 in at the crop. It rolled out there. When we had been blowing the gas in 
 some hours, we found the carbonic acid gas passing out there sufficient to extin- 
 guish lights. 
 
 1 536. The carbonic acid gas was injected by means of a steam-jet? — Yes. 
 1 537- You have heard the evidence of the last witness on the subject of 
 machine ventilation ? — Yes. 
 
 1538. Do you consider that there is any loss of power in ventilation by a 
 machine ? — There is the loss of the friction, of course. 
 
 1539. I n what respect does that argument not apply to the steam-jet? — 
 I apprehend there is no loss of power on the steam-jet, for this reason ; I believe 
 it is the first law of motion, that a body in motion continues to move for ever, 
 unless it is stopped by something to which it communicates its force. Now the 
 steam in passing out at the jet is going with the full force which the steam is 
 capable of exerting, therefore I apprehend that unless it was stopped by some 
 body through which it passed, and against which it impinged, you w^ould have 
 a perpetual motion produced (not in the sense that it is sometimes used), but 
 the thing would continue to move until it was stopped by some other body. 
 Now that body is the atmospheric air, against which it strikes and through 
 which it passes, and therefore it appears to me there is no loss. The steam- 
 jet is not necessarily a steam -jet, but a jet of air answers the purpose exactly 
 in the same way. That air or gaseous substance would continue to move for 
 ever, unless and until it was stopped by some other substance, and whatever 
 other substance stopped it, it must communicate its force to. 
 
 1540. Mr. Locke.] You are of opinion then, that the application of steam in 
 an ordinary steam-engine, directly puffing against the paddle-wheel, would be 
 more effectual than in its present application by machinery ? — No, certainly - 
 not ; there is no necessary connexion between the two positions. The difference 
 
 0.76. O 4 is 
 
112 
 
 MINUTES OF EVIDENCE TAKEN BEFORE THE 
 
 E. Caijley, Esq. i s this, you obtain the full power of the steam or of the jet, whatever substance 
 ~~~ it is. in moving the air ; but you cannot obtain the full power of the air in 
 23 June 1 53. moving the machinery. It would be a misapplication rather than a loss of 
 power. In this case, your object is to move air and not machinery. If your 
 object is to move machinery, you would have a loss in applying it to air, from 
 which it is impossible to obtain its full force. 
 
 1541 • Do you take any account or attach any importance to the different 
 degrees of density of the two substances used, water and air or steam ? — 
 Water you could scarcely use in the same way, although to a certain extent a 
 fall of water does produce the same effect ; but the colder the substance, the 
 colder the air, if you are using the jet of air, I believe it has been found 
 by experiments the greater the effect, but it is a very trifling difference. I 
 conceive it to act entirely mechanically, and upon that ground, upon the first 
 law of motion, that it would continue to move for ever unless it was stopped, 
 and to the bodies that stop it it communicates the full energy of its force ; 
 that body is the air which you wish to accelerate. I am not practically 
 acquainted with machinery sufficiently to give an opinion, not being a mechanic. 
 
 1542. Mr. Ingham.'] You were present some time during the experiment at 
 the colliery at Alloa r — Yes. 
 
 1.543. How long i — I was there a fortnight or three weeks. 
 
 1.544. Mr. Cay ley. ~\ In what way do you consider the steam -jet is the more 
 powerful agent of ventilation than the furnace? — I consider it to be more 
 powerful, inasmuch as you produce a greater vacuum ; you obtain a greater 
 force by it. I consider that it ought to be more economical, because I do not 
 know that it is a necessary part, the burning coal under a boiler, that it is less 
 perfectly burnt than in a furnace ; I do not know that that is a necessary part 
 of the arrangement of a boiler. Therefore, I apprehend you must under a 
 boiler get the heat which is applied through the steam, so that you ought to 
 get, if the steam was perfectly applied without loss, the heat of the coal plus 
 the propulsion of the steam, therefore, theoretically I should imagine it ought 
 to be more economical. 
 
 1545. Theoretically, do you believe there is a limit to the furnace power of 
 ventilation ? — There is a limit, because it is impossible to get beyond a certain 
 heat; if you push your furnace too far, you get a pull of air down one of the 
 sides of the pit, as you do in a smoky chimney occasionally. 
 
 1546. Chairman.^ Would that be so if the air-ways were sufficiently large to 
 bring sufficient air to fill the up-cast shaft ? — No ; then we should have plenty of 
 ventilation, but if you have a throttle, it of course produces it. With the jet 
 you cannot produce it. 
 
 1547. Mr. Cayiey.'] Is it the fact then, that the steam-jet operating not in 
 the way supposed, but in the way you have described, is a much more powerful 
 agent in ventilation than the furnace ? — I conceive it more powerful in the way 
 described, but I do not say it is an agent more universally available than the 
 furnace. I think the furnace is a perfectly efficient agent in many cases, but I 
 think the jet, in difficult cases, gives you a command of a much greater power ; 
 and, for particular instances, for clearing a mine of choke-damp after an 
 explosion, is perhaps the only means you have. 
 
 1,548. For these reasons you think the steam-jet, among the mechanical 
 powers, if it may be so called, is a more economical agent than the machines 
 you have heard described to-day ? — Yes, I should be inclined to think so ; and 
 less liable to danger from explosion. 
 
 1 549. Have you ever known machinery deranged by explosion ? — I saw 
 some at Nit's Hill Colliery ; I was there a day or two after the explosion. All 
 the head gear of the pit was blown to pieces. The jet is a very small arrange- 
 ment of pipes, and if it was blown off it could be put up again in the course of 
 half an hour, and small steam pipes would not be liable to be blown away. At 
 Nit's Hill I saw all the head gearing blown to shivers. 
 
 1 550. Were you at the Nit's Hill pit shortly after the explosion ? — Yes. 
 
 i ,55 1 . Did you -hear what means of ventilation they had ?— They trusted it to 
 the winds of Heaven ; there was no artificial system. They had not had the 
 furnace in for three months ; at least, so I was told at the time. 
 
SELECT COMMITTEE ON ACCIDENTS IN COAL MINES. 113 
 
 Luna, '27° die Junii, 1853. 
 
 MEMBERS 
 
 Mr. Hulchins. 
 
 Mr. Gumming Bruce. 
 
 Mr. Baird. 
 
 Mr. Ingham. 
 
 Mr. Cobbett. 
 
 PRESENT. 
 
 Mr. Stephenson. 
 Mr. Fitzroy. 
 Mr. Locke. 
 Mr. Cayley. 
 
 EDWARD J. HUTCH1NS, Esq., in the Chair. 
 
 Herbert Francis Mackworth, Esq., called in ; and further Examined. 
 
 1552. ChairmanJ] YOU stated, at the last meeting of the Committee, that H. F. Mackworth, 
 you would put in experiments of the different ventilators in Belgium ? — Yes ; Es( l- 
 
 I hand in a description of them (the Witness delivered in the same).* 
 
 1553. Do you consider that bad ventilation is injurious to the health of the 2 7 June l8 53- 
 men, as well as uneconomical to the proprietors ? — That subject is the most • Vide Appendix, 
 important which affects the workmen in mines and collieries. I believe it pro- 
 duces very great and quite unnecessary injury to the lives and the health of the 
 
 men ; miners are proverbially short-lived ; and as they enter the works at an 
 early age, it is at that time it produces the most serious effects, carrying off 
 those of weak constitution, and only leaving the most hardy. In the summer 
 time, as the temperature of the air increases, the ventilation in a mine stag- 
 nates ; the men are sometimes, for days or weeks, unable to carry on the work, 
 as candles will not burn. The oxygen in the air is quite as essential, or more 
 essential, as support to life, than proper food. The condition of many mines 
 may be easily imagined, by supposing a room containing a number of persons 
 to be hermetically closed until the atmosphere was raised many degrees higher 
 in temperature, and candles would scarcely burn. It is evident that the amount 
 of work to be performed by the men must fall far short of that which would be 
 executed if the supply of air was adequate for their health and vigour. In 
 some mines, where the ventilation has been increased, the men have admitted 
 that they are able to do one-fourth more work in the course of the day. 
 According to an analysis of the air, in some mines in Cornwall, where four men 
 were at work in a dead end, and the candles would hardly burn, the pro- 
 portions of air were 85 per cent, of nitrogen, 14*7 per cent, of oxygen, and 0*3 
 per cent, of carbonic acid gas. The average of 18 samples of air gave 1707 
 per cent, of oxygen, 82*85 per cent, of nitrogen, and 0"08 per cent, of carbon. 
 When the amount of oxygen is reduced from 21 per cent, to 16 per cent, 
 candles will hardly burn; and when it is reduced to below 14 per cent, it 
 produces suffocation. This deficiency of oxygen, or, which is the same thing, 
 excess of nitrogen, produces a pressure on the chest, a strange fatigue, and 
 feebleness ; the breathing becomes quick and heavy ; the work is performed 
 with great labour and thirst ; and drowsiness, vertigo, and convulsions eventually 
 succeed. The carbonic acid gas, which produces injurious effects on the men, 
 and occasionally death, is an active poison ; whereas nitrogen simply acts from 
 the deficiency of the vital oxygen. When the amount of carbonic acid gas is 
 above 10 per cent, it produces death. In consequence of these two deficiencies, 
 in coal and other mines, pulmonary diseases, black phthisis, asthmas of various 
 kinds, and a disease called anemie, are more or less prevalent. Dr. Barham, in his 
 Report to Lord Ashley's Committee, states : " Hence it is that almost every 
 miner in the deeper mines is at all times exposed to what he himself designates 
 * poor air/ by which he means air so impure as to affect him in a noxious way, 
 distinctly perceived by him at the time. Of the less marked degrees of impurity 
 he takes no account. Of the deficiency of oxygen, and the excess of carbonic 
 acid, the presence of a sulphureous acid, or sulphuretted hydrogen, he is not 
 aware ; and of smoke, however dense, he seldom takes any notice." By 
 Mr. Lanyon's Table the average age of 2,145 miners was 30 years and four 
 0.76. P months; 
 
n 4 MINUTES OF EVIDENCE TAKEN BEFORE THE 
 
 F. H. Mackwortk, months ; and of 1 ,033 labourers above ground the average duration of life was 
 Esq. 40 years and four months. 
 
 J 554- Those are ordinary labourers? — Yes; but from the miners leaving 
 
 27 June 1853. wov k when they are incapacitated from breathing this noxious atmosphere, and 
 finding employment on the surface, he thinks that the shortening of life 
 amounts to nearer 20 years than 10. In the Report of Lord Ashley's Com- 
 mittee it is stated that the average duration of life of old colliers in Pembroke- 
 shire is 40 years ; a surgeon at Narbeth, and another at Coleford, state 
 that they rarely attain the age of 45 years. Mr. Franks says, in the same 
 report, that labour in the collieries of Glamorgan, Pembroke, and Monmouth, 
 is unwholesome, and productive of diseases which have a tendency either to 
 shorten life, or reduce the number of years of successsful labour. The diseases 
 in South Wales and Somerset are principally chronic diseases of the respiratory 
 organs, asthma and bronchitis. It would appear that coal in mines is in a 
 state of decomposition : the gases which are found in different mines are an 
 Indication of the state of decomposition in which it is : the coal by the absorp- 
 tion of oxygen, forms carbonic acid gas, and this oxygen being taken away 
 from the air, a double deterioration is produced, and a difference in the per 
 centage of oxygen of only one-half the amount I have stated, under those 
 circumstances would produce a similar effect. The fire-damp collieries have 
 usually sufficient air for the health and vigour of the men. I find on a large 
 average that a man does one- fifth more work in the fire-damp than in the 
 choke-damp collieries. Dr. Hanot could distinguish the men working in each 
 by the lividity of complexion arising from the want of oxygen, which acts as 
 the colouring matter of the blood. 
 
 1555. Are you the engineer of the Standedge tunnel ? — I was ; during the 
 time I was the engineer I had an opportunity of seeing the effects of impure 
 air very strongly exemplified. 
 
 1.556. Where is Standedge? — Between Manchester and Leeds. It is the 
 longest railway tunnel hitherto made. I had occasion to spend nearly a fort- 
 night uninterruptedly under ground, and myself experienced the effects. 
 
 1 5.57. Will you state those effects? — Soon after the works were opened, a 
 large proportion of the men, amounting sometimes to one-fourth, were laid up 
 from illness ; the average amount of medical and surgical cases were from 
 200 to 300 per quarter ; the average was two-fifths surgical cases, and three- 
 fifths medical cases ; the principal ones were diarrhoea, fever of a low type, and 
 inflammatory affections of the chest and windpipe ; in some cases complete loss 
 of voice, which remained for some time ; the smoke from the boats which 
 passed through the tunnel was productive of very much mischief, the expectora- 
 tion in many instances being loaded with carbonaceous matter. The cases were 
 more of an asthenic than of a sthenic form ; the men who worked inside were 
 pale, and did not possess strong restorative powers ; the treatment generally 
 was tonic ; there was very little disease when the ventilation became good ; the 
 recoveries were tedious ; but certainly the pure mountain air did wonders for 
 the men, many cases recovering which, in a less pure temperature, would have 
 died. I feel satisfied that noxious gases, and the want of ventilation, aggravated 
 by the smoke from the boats, increased in a very considerable degree the 
 disease amongst the workmen at the Standedge tunnel. This information is 
 mainly obtained from the medical man, H. H. Broughton, Esq., m.d. 
 
 15.58. Do you consider that natural ventilation is ever applicable to mines ? 
 — Only under extremely favourable circumstances. In the winter months, 
 when there is a difference of temperature of 25 degrees at least, between the 
 down-cast and the up-cast shaft, and the air-ways of the mine are large and 
 laid out in the best manner, under those circumstances alone would the quan- 
 tity of air be adequate for the men in a colliery where no explosive gases were 
 present. 
 
 1 559. Does the quantity of air depend on the number of splits and the area 
 of the air-courses ? — The division of the air into a number of currents, and the 
 enlargement of the air-courses, is the best method of taking a large quantity of 
 air through a mine ; and when an air-course of the same length and area as the 
 first one which there might be in a mine, is added for the purpose of ventila- 
 tion, the amount of air is nearly doubled. It is called splitting the air, and is 
 the same thing as making two channels for a river instead of one. 
 
 1560. Is 
 
SELECT COMMITTEE ON ACCIDENTS IN COAL MINES. 115 
 
 1560. Is it the difference of pressure at the bottom of the shaft which causes F. II. Mactovortk^ 
 ventilation, in your opinion ? — It is not precisely correct to say that it is the Ls( l- 
 height of the heated column of air which produces ventilation. It depends 2? j une jg 
 upon the relative weight of two columns of air, reaching from the highest limits 
 
 of the atmosphere down to the bottoms of the down-cast and up-cast shafts, and 
 the rise and fall of the air-ways in the mine. That which primarily produces 
 ventilation by rarefaction, is the difference of pressure at the bottom of the 
 up-cast shaft, and a point at the same level in the down-cast shaft. It may be 
 best illustrated by taking a barometer to the top of the down-cast shaft, and 
 then to the bottom of the down-cast shaft ; it will be found that the difference 
 of pressure at those two points is less than a calculation taking in the depth of 
 the shaft and the temperature of the air would afford ; the difference being very 
 nearly the amount of expansion which the air has undergone in the down-casr, 
 shaft, from being dragged through it. As I pass round the mine, following the 
 air current with the barometer, it is constantly falling, until near the bottom of 
 the up-cast shaft, where it stands at the lowest point which it will reach in the 
 mine ; the difference between the point at which it stands, and the point at 
 which it should stand by calculation, represents the amount of expansion or 
 resistance which the air has undergone in being drawn through the mine. 
 
 1561. You have invented an air-pressure gauge? — Yes. In making the 
 experiments which I have described, I made use of a barometer invented by 
 Descartes, which has a scale six times as open as the ordinary barometer ; that 
 was not sufficiently delicate for the purpose, and I contrived an instrument 
 something on the principle of the sympiesometer, but containing a thermo- 
 meter in the air-vessel', which afforded me a scale fourteen times as open as 
 that of the ordinary barometer. It is only eight inches high, and very portable. 
 
 1562. How would you measure the power of ventilation ? — By ascertaining 
 the total expansion which the air undergoes in being drawn through the mine, 
 converting that into so many pounds of pressure per square foot, and multi- 
 plying it by the velocity at which the air moves. 
 
 1503. Is that an accurate mode, in your opinion, of measuring the power of 
 ventilation ? — That is the only accurate mode of measuring the effective venti 
 lation in a colliery. 
 
 1564. What is the mode which has been hitherto adopted? — In measuring 
 the economy of the ventilation of a colliery, it is generally stated that so many 
 cubic feet of air have been passed through that colliery by the consumption 
 of one pound of coals ; whereas, the resistance, in many cases, is double what 
 it is in others. 
 
 1565. Mr. StephensonP\ Do you consider that, in estimating the efficiency of 
 any system of ventilation, you ought to take into account the amount of drag 
 of the air ? — I think it is equally important to take the drag into account with 
 the amount of air which is passed through ; otherwise it would be like esti- 
 mating the economy of a steam-engine without knowing the pressure on the 
 piston, or of a locomotive without the weight or resistance of a train. 
 
 1 566. In comparing two systems of ventilation, would you not endeavour, 
 in determining upon the best of the two, to make the experiment with the 
 same amount of drag in each case ? — Undoubtedly, if it were possible ; but in 
 order to compare the ventilation obtained under different circumstances of 
 drag, those drags must be taken into account. 
 
 1567. Do you consider that some eminent viewers, who have compared the 
 efficiency of the steam-jet with the furnace, have come to various results, in 
 consequence of having neglected the amount of drag ? — I believe this neglect 
 is at the bottom of the serious errors which have been made respecting the 
 steam-jet. In many other cases the drag has been taken into account, to a 
 certain extent, although the economical result has been stated in the way which 
 I have described. This 1 regret, as it is calculated to mislead the simply prac- 
 tical man, and shuts the door to a strict comparison of the merits of the various 
 ventilating powers. 
 
 1568. If you compare two plans of ventilation in the same mine, under 
 similar circumstances, not altering the air-courses at all, nor lengthening them, 
 and consequently not affecting the drag, would the comparative merits, under 
 those circumstances, not be ascertained fairly ? — I think it would be. a most 
 favourable manner of comparing the two systems of ventilation, to work them 
 
 0.76. p 2 under 
 
 1 
 
n6 MINUTES OF EVIDENCE TAKEN BEFORE THE 
 
 H. F. Machuoorth, under the same drag, and up to the same velocity ; but fully to understand the 
 Esq. merits and applicability of a ventilating power, it is necessary to vary the ven- 
 tilation with the same drag, and vary the drag with the same ventilation. 
 27 June 1853. 1560. Have not many experiments been already made by eminent men in 
 the coal trade, under such circumstances? — The experiments have, in many 
 instances, been satisfactory. 
 
 1570. What do you mean by "satisfactory"? — They have afforded the 
 means of comparing the two systems of ventilation correctly, by the great scale 
 and elaborate care with which they were conducted. 
 
 1571. Therefore the experiments of that kind which have been made do not 
 tend to any delusion ? — No ; they have been made, I feel convinced, with the 
 most honourable desire to arrive at truth, and increase the safety of the mines. 
 
 1572. They give broad and approximately correct results? — Many of the 
 results are so approximate as adequately, for ordinary purposes, to compare the 
 furnace and steam-jet. 
 
 1573. Chairman^] Do you agree with the Committee of 1852 as to the 
 existence of a natural brattice ? — In consequence of so much stress being laid 
 in that report upon a matter which I had previously thought of no importance, 
 I have directed my attention to discover the existence of a natural brattice ; 
 but although I have visited a large number of collieries I have not been able 
 to find one. The ground on which the natural brattice was put forward does 
 not at all exist in mines. The proportion between the diameter and the height 
 of the shaft has not been taken into consideration. When the shaft or the tube 
 become 100 times the height of its diameter, it appears on the face of it to be 
 impossible that the air can descend at the sides when it is ascending at all 
 rapidly in the middle. In point of fact, if the bottom of that column were 
 closed, no fire would be able to burn. 
 
 1574. Supposing the air -ways are so large that the amount of air passing 
 them would entirely fill the up-cast shaft, do you think it is possible that a 
 natural brattice could exist ? — I think that a natural brattice from such a 
 cause as has been put forward is impossible, except when the velocity of the air 
 is hardly, if at all, perceptible. 
 
 1575. D° y ou agree with the Report of the Committee of 1842, with respect 
 to the existence of a furnace paradox ? — I totally disagree with the conclusion 
 which was come to upon that; and I think it is right to point out, that that 
 conclusion was put forward by Mr. Hann and several other witnesses, in total 
 misconception of the evidence which was given by Mr. Woodhouse in 1849. 
 Mr. Woodhouse is made to state, that when the furnace is pushed beyond a 
 certain point, the current of ventilation stops altogether. It is very clear upon 
 a careful reading of Mr. Woodhouse's evidence, that he merely means that the 
 power of increasing the ventilation stops ; and the true explanation of that, 
 which has not yet been given, is that the power required to ventilate a colliery 
 increases at least as the cube of the amount of ventilation. It is easy to 
 demonstrate this mathematically, but I have proved it on the furnace and 
 mechanical ventilators by measuring the power and the quantity of coal con- 
 sumed. 
 
 1576. You stated in your evidence, the last time you were examined, that 
 you were inclined to prefer mechanical ventilation to any other system. Do 
 you consider that it would be desirable for the Legislature to enforce any par- 
 ticular system of ventilation ? — Under the majority of circumstances, I think 
 the furnace is the most convenient, and possibly the most economical to use; 
 but there are many cases in which mechanical ventilation is preferable and can 
 alone be effectual. I think it must be left to the option of coalowners, with a 
 proviso that there shall be sufficient quantity of air passing through the mine. 
 
 1577. Should the power of ventilation always be capable of being increased, 
 to meet such an emergency as an escape of gas from a blower ?— I think it is 
 a point of great importance ; and it appears to me, that in that point of view, 
 mechanical ventilation offers superior advantages to any other system of venti- 
 lation. It has a more expansive action, accompanied by greater uniformity and 
 safety, as 1 have before shown, and it is capable, in an emergency, of passing a 
 much larger quantity of air than any other means. The speed of machines can 
 be readily increased. 
 
 1578. Do you think that accumulations of gas should be removed while the 
 
 men 
 
SELECT COMMITTEE ON ACCIDENTS IN COAL MINES. 117 
 
 men are in the mine?— I think that accumulations of gas should only be re- H.F. Macktvon/t, 
 moved, and with the greatest care, when the colliers are out of the mine. Es q- 
 
 They ought never to be allowed to occur, and every goaf should be thoroughly * 
 
 ventilated. ' 27 June 1853. 
 
 1579. Have you any suggestion to make as to the capacity and size of the 
 air-ways, and the best mode of carrying the air through the workings to the 
 up-cast shaft? — I think that the working of a colliery ought to be divided into 
 panels ; that the air should enter by an unalterable intake air-course, enter the 
 various panels without doors, and be coursed through the panels by doors and 
 stoppings ; that there should be only one inlet and one outlet formed by a 
 regulator, constructed in the most solid manner, at the higher side of the panel, 
 next to the return air-course, and so as to resist any explosion. 
 
 1580. In speaking of panels, do you mean the solid pillars of coal which 
 are left to separate one part of the workings from another ? — A square room 
 of work, divided from the other rooms or panels by barriers of coal ; so that 
 if an explosion occurs, it is confined almost entirely to that panel. If all the 
 doors and stoppings in the panel are blown down, a larger quantity of air 
 passes through that panel than before the explosion, but by a straight course 
 through it, and within a sufficient distance of the working face to allow the. 
 men to make their escape without being overcome by the after damp. 
 
 1581. Mr. Fitzroy.~] Has that plan been introduced into any colliery ? — Yes; 
 into some collieries in England. 
 
 1582. Chairman.'] Do you agree with the Committee of 1852, as to the 
 utility of refuge stalls ? — No ; I think they could not be carried out practically. 
 If an explosion occurred and injured them partly, as would probably be the 
 case, they might become filled with suffocating gas. 
 
 1583. Where crossings are made, should not great care be taken that they 
 are made of sufficient strength ? — Crossings are very weak points in a mine ; 
 and in order to build them in the strongest manner, they ought either to be 
 constructed of whole timbers crossed, resting on arching, and supporting an 
 invert above ; or they should be constructed of boiler plate, and supported by 
 masonry. 
 
 1584. Mr. Stephenson.'] Are they not usually constructed of strong brick- 
 work now ? — Many of them are constructed of brick-work in the manner 
 which I have described. 
 
 1.585. Chamnan.] Do nut you think that strict attention ought to be paid to 
 the discipline of the mines, in all cases ? — I think that is essential to the safety 
 of every fire-damp colliery ; and that the only mode to insure it is by the 
 careful superintendence of the viewer, or of the proprietor himself. 
 
 1.586. Do you think that education of the colliers and overmen would be 
 the means of insuring better discipline ? — I think that the education of both is 
 of very great importance. No doubt the education of overmen is of the most 
 importance. In the case of a collier, he becomes more careful and attentive ; 
 and by adopting a system of reward or promotion for education and intelligence, 
 I think that the best system of discipline maybe introduced into the mines. 
 Of this, some of the best conducted mines in the north of England afford 
 good examples. Education is an instrument of great power for good which 
 position has placed in the hands of the master, if he will use it aright. 
 
 1587. Can you suggest to the Committee any means of improving the education 
 of the colliers and the overmen ? — In some of the larger collieries in my district 
 the schools are well conducted ; they are supported, to a certain extent, by the 
 proprietors ; and they reach a perfection which is almost as great as one can ex- 
 pect at first to attain. With regard to the education of the overmen, in some parts 
 of the country they are of a much superior class than in other parts. Many 
 of the Newcastle overmen, who manage collieries in my district, are well skilled 
 and good men, and show how much may be done by introducing a system of 
 education generally amongst that class. I am not prepared to recommend any 
 specific system of education for the overmen. It is a wide field, requiring much 
 consideration. 
 
 1588. Is practical mining taught in those schools to which you have alluded ? 
 — In the schools for the colliers, they learn usually reading, writing, and 
 arithmetic. Some of the overmen read and educate themselves. There is no 
 school and no book which will give them precisely the information they most 
 want. 
 
 0.7G. p 3 1589, Do 
 
MINUTES OF EVIDENCE TAKEN BEFORE THE 
 
 H. F. Mackworth, 1.589. Do you agree with the Report of the Committee of 1S52, as to the 
 Esq. use of safety-lamps ? — I have not met with any well substantiated case of an 
 
 " explosion having occurred from the use of the common Davy lamp ; and I 
 
 27 June 1853. think that, with proper usage, it is a safe lamp ; still, the glass lamp, by Mue~ 
 seler (8,000 of which are employed in Belgium, and are much approved of), 
 could be very advantageously introduced into the English collieries. 
 
 1 590. You would not use the safety-lamp as the means of rendering less 
 attention to ventilation necessary, but rather as an increased security in 
 addition to good ventilation ? — Undoubtedly. There is nothing contradictory 
 in the two. The lamps should always be locked. 
 
 1,591. Are there any circumstances in which you would recommend that the 
 use of the safety- lamp in mines should be rendered compulsory by legislative 
 enactment ? — I think it ought to be compulsory in every fire-damp colliery. 
 With the increased light and safety from the Mueseler lamp, no objection can 
 hold its ground. Watson's method of locking is the best I have seen, as the 
 men cannot pick it. 
 
 1592. Mr. Fitzroy?\ Has any improvement lately been made in safety-lamps ? 
 — There is one by Dr. Glover, at Newcastle, which is a very safe and very 
 ingenious lamp ; but I am afraid that, on account of its weight and price, it is 
 not very likely to be introduced into mines. 
 
 1593. Mr. Ingham.'] What is the price ? — Twelve shillings. 
 
 1594. Chairman.'] Do you consider that is the best lamp which has hitherto 
 been invented ? — It is one of the most ingenious. I think the Davy is the best 
 lamp for some purposes ; and it is the one I always use myself. I have added 
 a second gauze and glass chimney to it, which very much increases the light, 
 prevents the men lighting their pipes, and renders it less affected by currents of air. 
 
 1595. Can you suggest to the Committee any precautions which should be 
 enforced by the Legislature as to winding the men up the shafts, so as to 
 prevent a great number of accidents by the breakage of ropes, chains, or any 
 other part of the standing machinery ; and also from the falls of coal, or any 
 substance, on the heads of the workmen when they are being wound up the 
 pit ? — I think there should be a shaft indicator in every engine-house ; that 
 guides ought to be used in shafts ; that shafts ought to be walled, and the 
 shaft tops protected ; that there should be a cover or bonnet for the men, in 
 ascending and descending ; that cages should be employed as far as possible ; 
 and that any imperfections in the machinery which might tend to endanger 
 the men should be at once repaired. With regard to precautions against falls 
 of roof, the system which is adopted in the north of England of making the 
 deputies set the props, tends to a considerable saving of life, and is almost 
 universally employed on the Continent. 
 
 1506. You mean that if the men are allowed to set their own props they do 
 not pay sufficient attention to putting up a sufficient number of props to ensure 
 their own safety, and consequently lose their lives by their own carelessness ? — 
 Yes ; and in addition, the props are more regularly supplied into the pit, the 
 deputies are able to watch over the men, and see that they conduct themselves 
 with a proper regard to safety in other respects. 
 
 J 597. Do you agree with Mr. Dickinson in the evidence which he gave, that 
 the inspectors should, under any circumstances, have the power to stop a 
 mine ? — I am not prepared to recommend that they should have that power 
 individually. 
 
 1,598. Do you agree with him as to the arbitration which he suggested? — 
 I think that some plan of that sort would be very desirable. 
 
 1599. Do you agree with him as to the necessity of the Government inspector 
 enforcing a regulation that proper plans of all collieries should be kept ? — 
 I think that it is essential. It is provided for in the present Act, but there are no 
 means of carrying it out. A very serious accident occurred in my district a 
 short time ago, in consequence of the inspector's cautions in two instances 
 having been completely neglected. The plans have been subsequently made ; 
 and it is now from them perfectly clear, as I stated to the jury at the inquest, 
 that if those plans had been in existence at that time, the accident would not 
 have occurred. 
 
 1600. Mr. Fitzroy.] When you state that "there are no means of carrying 
 it out," do you mean that there are no means of enforcing it ? — Yes ; I have 
 taken the opinion of an eminent solicitor on the Act. 
 
 1601. Chairman,] 
 
SELECT COMMITTEE ON ACCIDENTS IN COAL MINES. 119 
 
 1601. Chairman.'] Was that accident from an inundation ? — Yes have the H. F. Mackworth, 
 plan of the colliery here, if you wish to see it. Es( l- 
 
 1602. Mr. Stephenson.] Are the lamps generally, as regards cleaning, under ~ 
 the management of the miner himself, or are they under the management of 27 June l853 ' 
 an inspector to each colliery, whose duty is solely confined to seeing that the 
 
 lamps are kept in good order? — It is only in the best managed mines that there 
 is a person appointed to that very important post. 
 
 1603. Do you think it is important that there should be an inspector in all 
 mines where lamps are used, to look after the lamps solely ? — I think there 
 should always be a lampman. 
 
 1604. L)o not you think that the Davy lamp may occasionally be made in- 
 secure by unskilful or rude cleaning ? — Yes ; I find that where there is not a 
 proper person to look after the lamps, they are often not cleaned more than 
 once a week ; and they get into a foul and dangerous state. 
 
 1 605. May not the miner in brushing his lamp, or in cleaning it, increase the 
 size of some of the meshes ? — Yes. 
 
 1606. And by increasing the size of the meshes, may he render a lamp 
 which was safe one day unsafe the next ? — Yes, it is often done. 
 
 1607. Mr. Locke.] That objection would apply to any lamp, and it depends 
 on the gauze? — Yes, more or less; most lamps, when they get out of order, 
 become dangerous. The overman should have all suspicious lamps set aside, 
 and shown to him. 
 
 1608. Mr. Fitzroy.] Have you found great practical inconvenience from the 
 extent of your district? — It is quite impossible to inspect my district satisfac- 
 torily without an increased number of inspectors. 
 
 1609. You were understood to state that you have not been able to visit all 
 the collieries within your district ? — Not half of them. 
 
 1610. Do you think it would be possible to lay down any code of regulations 
 which would meet the requirements of all the collieries within your district, or 
 would it not be requisite almost to adopt particular regulations for each par- 
 ticular mine ? — I think it could be effected in this way : 1 would recommend a 
 simple code of regulations, generally applicable, to be carried out for the whole 
 of England ; one of those regulations should be, that at each mine there should 
 be printed rules embracing those points of safety which were to be particularly 
 attended to in the mine. 
 
 161 i. Are not the particular circumstances of each mine so different from 
 others that it is impossible to lay down satisfactorily any code of regulations 
 for the government of the whole, when you have not an opportunity of visiting 
 them and ascertaining their circumstances ? — Without having visited them, I 
 am so well aware of the general characteristics of coal mines, that I believe there 
 are a dozen or 1 5 regulations which would apply to the whole of the collieries 
 in England. I am able to speak, not only from my own information, which I 
 think is quite sufficient for the purpose, but from conversations with the 
 managers of other mines which I have not visited. 
 
 1 6i 2. Then, when you propose an increase in the number of inspectors, it is 
 not with a view of making particular regulations for each particular mine, but 
 simply for the purpose of enforcing the regulations, or of seeing that the regu- 
 lations which are already made, are carried out? — Yes ; it is with the object of 
 seeing that the regulations are carried out which I propose ; and also, even 
 supposing these regulations are not carried out, of becoming acquainted with 
 the general condition, as regards safety, of the whole of the mines in each 
 district. 
 
 7613. Then would you propose greater facilities for enforcing the observance 
 of those regulations by penalties ? — Yes ; I think there should be penalties 
 attached to non-compliance with those regulations. 
 
 1614. Do you think it would be possible to obtain such information as to 
 the enforcement of those regulations, as to enable a penalty to be enforced, in 
 the event of an accident arising ? — If it were considered that the penalty should 
 be enforced, it would in all cases be necessary to make a visit specially, unless 
 the evidence at the inquest sufficed. 
 
 1615. Would you be enabled, after the occurrence of an accident, satisfac- 
 torily to ascertain whether it had arisen from an infraction of the regulations, 
 or not ? — The coroner's inquest affords me that opportunity, provided I have 
 time to attend the investigation. 
 
 o-76. P4 1616. You 
 
120 MINUTES OF EVIDENCE TAKEN BEFORE THE 
 
 II. F. Maclworth, 1616. You think that the coroner's jury would be enabled to test the fact, 
 Esq. whether the accident had arisen from an infraction of regulations ? — I think if 
 
 I was present at the coroner's inquest, it would afford me the best opportunity 
 
 27 June 1853. 1 could have of examining into the circumstances of the accident, and of ascer- 
 taining whether it occurred from an infraction of the regulations. 
 
 1617. What penalty, pecuniary or personal, would you propose to affix for 
 the breach of those regulations ? — I think it should include both, at the option 
 of the magistrate, or whoever had to inflict the penalty. 
 
 1618. What amount of additional inspection do you imagine would be neces- 
 sary within your district, in order to guard against any accident from careless- 
 ness ? — I do not think that any amount of inspection can prevent accidents, it 
 will only prevent a certain proportion of the accidents. The comparison which 
 I have given between the number of accidents in England and in other 
 countries, affords an opportunity of judging of the extent ; but I think if the 
 average amount of inspection was such as to enable an inspector to visit a 
 mine once a year, there would be a great diminution in the number of 
 accidents. 
 
 1619. How many mines are you enabled to visit within your district every 
 week ? — Three or four. 
 
 1620. Do you think that the presence of an inspector once a year in a mine 
 would be sufficient ? — Yes, on the average ; some mines he would not visit 
 more than once in two years, others he would visit every six months, or more 
 frequently if it were necessary. 
 
 1621. Would it not be necessary to have sub-inspectors, who were practi- 
 cally conversant with mines of all descriptions ? — I think that an arrangement 
 might be made to have persons of superior acquirements, who would very soon 
 become sufficiently acquainted with the dangers of coal mines to be able to 
 point out when a mine was safe, and when it was dangerous. I think that 
 young men of the highest scientific education, such as the first pupil each year at 
 the Museum of Economic Geology, should be gradually introduced into the corps. 
 
 1622. Do you think that a large proportion of the accidents which now occur 
 in mines arise from recklessness, or from ignorance on the part of the proprie- 
 tors ? — There are but few accidents which arise directly from neglect or 
 ignorance on the part of the proprietors ; the manager of the mine is, I believe, 
 in the majority of instances, more or less in fault when an accident occurs. 
 
 1633. Do you think that an improved system of education for the miners, or 
 any means by which they might become acquainted with the result of careless- 
 ness on their part, would tend more to the security of the mine than an in- 
 creased number of Government inspectors ? — If the mines could be as well 
 managed, and have as good managers as some of the best mines in the north of 
 England, such a result might be arrived at ; but I think it is impossible to have 
 the managers so well educated. It would be at least 10 years before any per- 
 ceptible effect would be produced in the safety of mines by the education of the 
 managers. It would be uncertain whether men so educated would become mana- 
 gers of coal mines, and I believe that the most direct effect is produced by 
 inspection, and that in the long run it is most effectual. By communicating 
 information to the managers, visiting mines, and pointing out sources of addi- 
 tional information, I believe that a good deal of information of a most useful 
 kind is given, accompanied with a certain pressure of responsibility, that they 
 shall carry out the recommendations which are put before them. I do not, 
 however, the less advocate such education. 
 
 1624. You were understood to state that a great proportion of the accidents 
 arise from carelessness on the part of the managers. Supposing a heavy 
 penalty were imposed upon the proprietor of amine in cases of proved careless- 
 ness on the part of the managers, do not you believe that the enforcement of 
 such a system would tend better to the security of life and the prevention of 
 accidents than even an increased number of Government inspectors ? — That is 
 not the way in which I think it should be remedied ; I believe it would not 
 have great effect. 
 
 1625. You have not answered the question with respect to the number of 
 inspectors who would be requisite in your district to put the whole system of 
 mines upon a satisfactory footing ? — I think that in my district there ought to 
 be about five inspectors. 
 
 1626. Five in addition to yourself ? — Yes. 
 
 1627. And 
 
SELECT COMMITTEE ON ACCIDENTS IN COAL MINES. 121 
 
 1627. And it is your opinion that the presence of the inspectors, on an h. F. Mackwortk, 
 average, once a year in a mine, would be as beneficial as the enforcement of Esq. 
 greater precautions, by visiting the proprietor with a penalty, and consequently 
 
 making it imperative on him to enforce greater regularity and care on the part of 2 7 June 1853, 
 his manager ?— I think that the adoption of such a system as you propose would 
 induce the proprietor to look on that penalty as simply something to be added 
 to the capital of the mine ; and I think that the most effective system of 
 diminishing the number of accidents, is to associate an increased inspection 
 with the adoption of a code of regulations such as I have described. 
 
 1628. Enforced by a penalty ? — Yes; to enforce a penalty for an infraction 
 of the rules, and not for the inefficiency of the manager, because an owner is 
 not always able to judge of the competency of the manager whom he ap- 
 points to a mine. 
 
 1629. Mr. Cayley.~\ Do you see any objection to combining the two systems 
 which have been suggested ; that is to say, increasing the number of inspectors, 
 and attaching penalties where great carlessness is proved ? — In the regulations 
 which I have thrown out, a portion of Mr. Fitzroy's proposal is embraced. I 
 think there should be some kind of regulation that the manager should be a 
 competent person to discharge his duties ; and in case an accident occurred, 
 the owner should show how far he had endeavoured to procure a suitable and 
 efficient manager ; but to say that the owner should be fined whenever an 
 accident occurred from the carelessness of his manager, would not, I think, 
 work practically, as the most difficult point after a colliery accident is to fix the 
 responsibility. 
 
 1 630. Mr. C. B?'uce.] You would throw the responsibility very much on the 
 manager ? — Yes ; it is „to them almost alone that the dangerous condition of 
 many collieries is attributable. 
 
 1631. Would you exempt the workmen? — By no means; the penalties to 
 which I have referred should be levied upon workmen in cases where they had 
 broken through the rules. The miners' regulations in each colliery which I 
 have alluded to, would apply more particularly to them, and by being specially 
 
 » mentioned in such a code as I have alluded to, they would, to a certain extent, 
 
 take the force of law and become, as it were, bye-laws in the mine. 
 
 1032. Mr. Fitzroy.] Do you think it would be desirable to make it impera- 
 tive upon mine owners, to employ as managers only men who could undergo 
 some examination as to their practical knowledge in the working of mines ? — • 
 There is no doubt that course would be desirable ; but I am not able to see how 
 that could be carried out in this country at the present time ; it is a point at 
 which we may gradually arrive. 
 
 1633. Chairman.'] How would you propose to arrive at that point ? — There 
 must, first of all, be the means of education before you can expect the men to 
 be educated ; there must be a certain time allowed for men to qualify them- 
 selves, and there should be persons appointed to examine them. 
 
 « 1634- Can you suggest any means for educating men in the manner you 
 
 propose ? — I am not prepared to suggest any means. 
 
 1635. Mr. Fitzroy ^\ What salary do the overmen receive? — A good over- 
 man gets 100 /. a year. 
 
 1636. Mr. Locke.'] In your judgment, is it possible, for that amount of salary, 
 to obtain a good practical man for the management of a colliery ? — You may 
 obtain a good overman for a colliery, but I think that all collieries ought to be 
 superintended by viewers, according to the system which has been found so 
 effectual in the north of England. 
 
 1637. Whom would you appoint to examine a new candidate as a manager 
 of a colliery ? — I am not prepared to answer the question, not having considered 
 sufficiently minutely the best mode of educating the overmen. 
 
 1638. Whom would you appoint to examine whether a man was or not fit to 
 be a viewer in your district, or in any other district in the kingdom ? — I am 
 not prepared to suggest any board of examination. 
 
 1(139. Do you think that a Committee of Parliament would be fit to do it ? — 
 I think they should be well acquainted, scientifically and practically, with the 
 working of coal mines. The best persons to make the test would be the 
 persons who had to teach. 
 
 1640. Mr. Ingham.] Would the general body of inspectors form a good body 
 0.76. Q. for 
 
322 MINUTES OF EVIDENCE TAKEN BEFORE THE 
 
 H. F. Mackwqrtk, the purpose r — Yes ; if there was a sufficient number qualified by the highly 
 Esq. scientific education I have mentioned, and long practical study. 
 
 1641 . You have spoken of having the number of inspectors increased in the 
 
 37 June 1853. proportion of five to one; do you think that the united body of inspectors 
 would form a good Board for the purpose of examining candidates for the 
 situations of managers ? — I think they would be quite competent eventually to 
 do it, but I never contemplated submitting the viewers to an examination. 
 
 1642. Mr. C. Brace.] Do you think that if certain qualifications were neces- 
 sary for an overman, such an appointment might be left to competition ? — 
 I think that a greatdeal might be done in that way ; I am not prepared to say 
 that would be sufficient. 
 
 1643. ^ ou liave stated that you could not suggest any machinery for the 
 education of overmen which you would think it desirable to give, and therefore 
 I asked whether you thought that by laying down a certain amount of quali- 
 fication as requisite for employment in this situation, the natural competition 
 for such employment would not induce a sufficient number of persons to qualify 
 themselves for such situations ? — I think that would be the best course to adopt 
 at the present time, until more complete machinery could be carried out, 
 
 164^. Mr. Cayky.] The questions refer, not so much to the mode in which 
 the education is obtained, as the test of the qualification ; what body would you 
 recommend for that purpose ? — The body of inspectors seems to be the first that 
 presents itself. 
 
 1645. Supposing it were necessary to bring the body of inspectors themselves 
 under some central body, do you conceive that a Board of three gentlemen 
 might be instituted, with the power of testing the qualifications of a candidate ? 
 —They are persons who would be able to test the scientific qualifications of an 
 inspector ; but I am not aware of any Board that would be able to test their 
 practical qualifications. 
 
 i 646. Supposing there is no such Board already existing, do you think it is 
 impossible to institute such a Board ? — Such a thing is possible ; but I do not 
 see how it can be carried out. 
 
 1647. Can you imagine no Board or Commission which could by possibility 
 be instituted, which should have the capacity of judging whether an inspector 
 was a proper appointment, or a viewer was a proper appointment, or an over- 
 man was a proper appointment ? — I think there is a Board now which might be 
 made use of for that purpose ; that is the Board of Inspectors ; they would be 
 qualified to judge on any future appointments of inspectors, whether they were 
 sufficiently well informed, or they would be able to judge of the qualifications 
 of overmen and managers, if there were no other means of providing for it. 
 
 1648. Who should judge of the appointment of inspectors themselves?-- 
 The inspectors themselves. 
 
 1649. Then you would have them a self-elected body ? — No ; those who had 
 already the acquirements, and who were well qualified for their office, would 
 be the most competent persons to judge of the qualifications of any persons 
 who were to be taken into that body. This is approving, not appointing. 
 
 1650. Have not the last inspectors been subject to some kind of examina- 
 tion ? — I am not aware that they have. 
 
 1651. Has there not been a different mode of selecting the last one or two 
 inspectors, as distinguished from the mode in which the others were 
 appointed ? — No ; but I think a strict examination highly desirable. 
 
 1652. Mr. Fitzroy.'] You would propose that competent parties should test 
 the qualifications of the sub-inspectors whom you propose to appoint ? — Yes, 
 I think it is desirable ; without the highest qualifications they will do more harm 
 than good. 
 
 1653. Whatever body would have been competent to test the qualifications 
 of the sub-inspectors, would be equally competent to test the qualifications of 
 overmen, whose examination it was wished should be taken r — -Undoubtedly. 
 
 1 654. Y T ou have stated that you think all collieries should be inspected by 
 viewers ; do you propose that there should be viewers for so many collieries, or 
 do you contemplate one viewer for each colliery ? — The plan that I proposed 
 is the one which has been found to work best, after very long experience in the 
 north of England, both in economical and other points of view ; that is, for one 
 
 viewer 
 
SELECT COMMITTEE ON ACCIDENTS IN COAL MINES. 123 
 
 viewer to look after a number of collieries, according as his time allowed him to //. f. Mackivorih, 
 do it. Es, i- 
 
 165,5. Then that viewer would exercise the same powers as the sub-irispec- 
 
 tors whom you propose to appoint ? — No ; the viewer has a power to control 27 June 1853, 
 everything in the colliery ; he is employed by the proprietor. The sub- 
 inspector would have no other power than to point out the regulations had not 
 been carried out, or that other regulations for safety were desirable in a parti- 
 cular colliery. He would come but once a year ; the view 7 er every week. 
 
 1656. Would he be appointed by the coaiowners themselves ? — The viewers 
 are appointed by the coaiowners. I find great improvements in collieries when 
 viewers are appointed ; it is the wisest course a proprietor can take, and I am 
 only surprised it is not more generally done. 
 
 1657. Mr. Cayky.^ Would not a viewer stand in the capacity of the steward 
 of an estate, and a sub-inspector in the position of an auditor of an estate r — 
 No ; the sub-inspector would have no right to interfere in the works. I do 
 not propose that the sub-inspectors should have more virtual power than the 
 present inspectors possess. 
 
 1658. Chairman.'] You do not propose to make it incumbent upon a coal- 
 owner to adopt any particular plan for managing his own coal mines, but you 
 would leave him to conduct them in the way he thought proper ? — No ; I would 
 only recommend that course which I have suggested to many coaiowners, as 
 being the most economical means for themselves of managing a colliery; and 
 it is being every day more and more adopted. 
 
 l 659. Mr. Fitzroy.] Would you propose to give to anyone the power to stop 
 a mine, under any circumstances ? — After it had been decided, upon an arbitra- 
 tion, that a mine was unsafe, I think that a magistrate should have the power 
 to stop the mine. 
 
 1660. Chairman.] Supposing that a mine were in a highly dangerous state, 
 and you were to proceed to an arbitration, would it not be possible that an 
 explosion might take place, and a great many lives be sacrificed during the 
 progress of the arbitration ? — I think that practically it would amount to the 
 inspector stopping the mine ; the first caution would be one of the strongest 
 kind. 
 
 1661. Mr. Cayley.] Do you see any objection to that? — No other objection 
 than that 1 am reluctant to take the responsibility out of the coaiowners' hands. 
 
 1662. If a mine is extremely dangerous, according to your opinion, would 
 not the responsibility be quite as heavy in allowing a number of men to be hur- 
 ried into eternity ? — I should try all that persuasion could do. My difficulty is, 
 that it is possible for an inspector to go through a mine, and for circumstances 
 to arise immediately alter his inspection, such as leaving open a door, or the 
 giving off or a blower of gas, which may cause an explosion ; end then the 
 question immediately would be, why did not the inspector stop the mine. I 
 believe it is taking the responsibility out of the hands of the coalowner or 
 manager, and putting it on the inspector, when the inspector has not the means 
 of judging whether he is performing his duty with a full knowledge of all the 
 facts. 
 
 1663. Mr. Stephenson.'] Does not that imply, that inspection really will not tend 
 to prevent accidents? — Quite the contrary. It will prevent a great many acci- 
 dents, but I do not recommend it as preventing all, or nearly all ; and I must 
 point out once for all, that it is impossible for an inspector to ascertain every 
 liability to accident in any mine which he visits, the manager himself cannot 
 always do it ; and no reasonable man would suppose that because an inspector 
 had visited his mine, and found no fault, that his mine was perfectly safe. 
 
 1664. Mr. C. Bruce.] You stated that you would look principally to the 
 managers for preventing accidents in mines ; would you give to the inspectors 
 any power of objecting to a particular manager continuing to hold a mine, 
 from a want of fitness for his duties ? — I do not think that an inspector should 
 have the power of dismissing a manager. 
 
 1665. What power would you give the inspectors uith regard to that? — The 
 coaiowners should employ competent managers ; and the inspector would then 
 point it out, if in his opinion that regulation was very glaringly not complied 
 with. 
 
 1666. Chairman.] Who would be the judge of whether a manager was com- 
 0.76. q 2 petent 
 
124 
 
 MINUTES OF EVIDENCE TAKEN BEFORE THE 
 
 H. F. Machuorth, petent or not ? — The matter would be decided by some accident occurring, or- 
 Esq. by some act which proved it. 
 
 1667. Would not that be locking the stable after the horse was stolen, if 
 
 27 June 1853. y OU are on iy t0 decide upon the competency of a manager, after some serious 
 accident has occurred ? — It is a similar case to the other. I think the respon- 
 sibility should rest on the coalowner. The manager would be responsible for 
 the safety of the mine, and the coalowner would be responsible for the manager. 
 
 1668. Mr. C. Bruce.} In case of his failing to act under that responsibility, 
 would you give any pow 7 er to the inspector to enforce his so acting, by the 
 discharge of a person who w T as considered by the inspector to be incompetent 
 for his duties ? — No. 
 
 i 669. Chairman.'] Do you think it would be better, in all cases, to leave it 
 to the discretion of the coalowner, to employ men whom he thought were 
 most competent, and would carry on the workings in the most satisfactory 
 manner, leaving only to the inspectors the power of enforcing fines in particular 
 cases, such as you have stated ? — Yes, I think it is necessary to be very careful 
 indeed, in not shifting the responsibility from the manager to the inspector, 
 because the inspector is not in a position to judge fully. 
 
 1670. Mr. Cobbelf] You were understood to state, that you could frame 14 
 or 15 regulations which would be applicable to all the collieries in your 
 district ? — Yes. 
 
 1671. Did you not also say that you had prepared them ? — Yes ; I will read the 
 more important of them. " 1st. An artificial means of ventilation shall be em- 
 ployed at every coal mine, so as to produce a constant and active current of pure 
 air throughout the working parts of the mine, as well as to dilute and render 
 imperceptible all noxious gases. 2d. The ventilation shall be produced and con- 
 ducted by perfectly safe and efficient means. 3rd. The descent of air, supposed 
 to be more or less impregnated with fire-damp in a mine, being attended with 
 great danger, it shall, as far as possible, be avoided, and can only be permitted 
 by the express authority of the manager or proprietor ; and when accompanied 
 by constant vigilance and precautions against the dangerous accumulation of 
 fire-damp. 4th. All dangerous or defective places shall be fenced off, or clearly 
 indicated. 5th. Every accessible part of a coal mine shall be carefully ex- 
 amined, and its safety assured by a deputy or fireman, before the workmen are 
 allowed to enter. 6th. Locked safety-lamps shall be exclusively employed in 
 every coal mine, or part of a coal mine, where the presence of fire-damp or other 
 explosive gases has been ascertained ; they shall be opened only at such stations as 
 maybe determined on by the manager, and by men selected for that purpose. 7th. 
 No blasting with gunpowder shall occur where safety-lamps are exclusively used, 
 until the vicinity of the place has been ascertained to be free from 'fire-damp by 
 deputies specially selected. No substance capable of emitting flame shall be em- 
 ployed to ignite the gunpowder. 8th. The safety of all and every part of a colliery, 
 its works, ropes, machinery, shafts, &c, shall be entrusted to competent and 
 specified persons, who shall exercise a vigilant supervision. 9th. The tops of 
 and openings into all shatts v w hether in work or abandoned, shall be made safe. 
 1 Oth. When men descend any shaft by a tub, skip, or cage, they shall be protected 
 by a bonnet or cover. 1 1th. Whenever an engine is employed to raise or lower 
 men into a coal mine, an indicator, showing the position of the load, shall be 
 placed conveniently in front of the engine-man. 12th. Two safety-valves of 
 adequate area, with weights and levers marked to indicate the pressure of the 
 steam, or an open feed-pipe shall be used for every boiler. 13th. A sufficiency 
 of props shall be supplied wdierever required in a coal mine, and the deputies 
 shall satisfy themselves of the efficient setting, and of the safety of the roof. 
 14th. Printed rules, setting forth in detail the special precautions to be adopted 
 in all respects of discipline and safety, whether herein generally described or 
 not, shall be affixed and made known at each colliery. 15th. Fines, with or 
 without imprisonment, should be inflicted by a magistrate for non-compliance 
 with these rules ; which should be doubled after the neglect had been pointed 
 out by an inspector. 16th. Power should be given to carry out the 3d Clause 
 of the inspection Act, Vict. 13 and 14, chap. 100, respecting the making of 
 plans, by a fine, increasing for every day which may be allowed to elapse after 
 a reasonable period for their completion. 17th. Facility should be given to 
 the families ol those who are killed, to recover damages at the County Courts, 
 
 under 
 
SELECT COMMITTEE ON ACCIDENTS IN COAL MJNES. 125 
 
 under the Act 9 and 10 Vict., chap. 93, commonly called 'Lord Campbell's H. F. Maclcworth, 
 Act.' 18th. A 11 pits should be walled, and guides, as far as possible, be adopted. Esq- 
 19th. All important defects in the ropes or machinery, which may increase the 
 danger to the men using the pit, shall be immediately remedied. 20th. No 2 7 June l8 -53« 
 persons shall be allowed to use tbe shaft or incline whilst a full tub or tram is 
 ascending or descending ; and the number of men, or boys, ascending or 
 descending at one time, shall not exceed one-half the usual load of coals. 
 21st. Iron mines should be included in the Inspection Act, and the same regu- 
 lations should be adopted as in coal mines, as far as they are applicable." 
 
 1672. Mr. Cayley.~\ When you state that you would not interfere at all with 
 the practical management of a mine, what would you have an inspector do, in 
 case your suggestions were carried out by legislation, if one of the vigilant 
 supervisors, whom you have recommended, were not appointed by a coal pro- 
 prietor ? — In case it was an urgent matter which came before the attention of 
 an inspector, it might be competent to him to take the case before a magistrate, 
 and have it argued, and the penalty inflicted. 
 
 1673. Supposing your suggestions were carried out by legislation, would you 
 not make them imperative ? — Yes. 
 
 1674. Then the magistrate would merely have to decide whether the fine 
 was leviable ? — It would be necessary to decide whether there was a sufficient 
 person in that position or not. 
 
 1675. Chairman.] Would you not think it necessary to add to those rules, 
 that in every case where safety-lamps are used they should be cleaned and 
 examined daily by one single man, and if necessary, repaired by him r — Yes ; 
 I think it would be desirable. 
 
 1676. Mr. Caijlcy.] Would you add to that list of rules, supposing the mine 
 was, in your opinion, in an extremely dangerous state, and such as to endanger 
 human life, and the manager refused to adopt your suggestion as to improving 
 the ventilation, that the inspector should have the power of stopping the work- 
 ing of the mine ? — Not until after an arbitration. I should be able to enforce 
 locked safety-lamps at once, and the remedy of most of the serious defects. 
 
 1677. Mr. Ingham.'] You have mentioned that in the north of England, in 
 some of the better managed mines which are under your inspection, the rule is 
 to have a viewer of superior attainments, who has charge of several collieries ? 
 —Yes. 
 
 1678. W f ho is the officer next in authority to him ; is it the overman, whom 
 you have mentioned at a salary of 100 /. a year, or is there an intermediate 
 officer between the overman and the chief viewer ? — At the large collieries 
 in the north of England, there is frequently an under-viewer. 
 
 1 679. A local viewer? — A local viewer. 
 
 1680. Are you aware of any case of a colliery in the north of England 
 being left in the charge of an overman, and with no person above him except 
 the principal viewer, who has several other collieries under his superintendence ? 
 — Yes ; there are many in that position ; and some of the collieries in the north 
 of England are without a viewer at all. 
 
 1 681 . And in the charge of an overman only r — Yes. 
 
 1682. Mr. Cobbett.] Is it not practicable to lock up the lamps, when the 
 men take them down into the pits? — It is the common practice in some mines. 
 It is practicable. 
 
 1683. And it is the practice abroad ? — Yes ; it is the law in Belgium. 
 
 1684. Is that one of your regulations ? — Yes. 
 
 1685. Chairman^] And that the key should be kept by the man who has to 
 clean the lamps every day ? — Yes ; that they should be locked and unlocked in 
 special places appointed at the bottom. There must be two or three men who 
 have keys. 
 
 1 686. But no man, except those who were specially appointed, should have 
 keys which would open the lamps ? — No. 
 
 Martin Jude, called in ; and Examined. 
 
 1687. Chairman.] YOU were examined before the Committee of the House Martin Jade. 
 of Lords in 1849?— Yes. ■ 
 
 1688. You then stated that you had been 34 years engaged in working in 
 collieries ? — Yes. 
 
 0.76. q 3 1689. Have 
 
1 26 
 
 MINUTES OF EVIDENCE TAKEN BEFORE THE 
 
 Martin Jude. 1 689. Have you been working in collieries since your examination in 1849 ? 
 — No ; I have not. 
 
 27 June 1853. 1 690. What is your present occupation ? — I am keeping an inn at Newcastle, 
 
 1691. You are the secretary of the Miners' Association? — Yes. 
 
 1692. Did you receive a circular which was sent down ? — I did. 
 
 1693. In your opinion, from what you have heard from workmen, are the 
 mines in a better condition in the Northumberland and Durham districts, as to 
 ventilation, than they were in 1849 ? — I think they are not improved at all, 
 
 1694. Do you think there is no improvement in splitting the air? — The air- 
 splitting was in operation at that time. 
 
 1695. Is it not carried out more extensively and with greater success now 
 than it was in 1849 ? — Not that I am aware of. 
 
 1696. Have the sizes of air-ways been improved since 1849 ? — There has 
 not been any increase in the area of the air-ways, as far as I know. 
 
 1697. Are the workmen anxious to recommend any particular mode of ven- 
 tilation ? — No ; we wish to confine ourselves to this, that there shall be a 
 sufficient quantity of air, the owners being responsible for that sufficient 
 quantity. 
 
 1698. Y'ou are in constant communication with the working people of that 
 district ? — Yes. 
 
 1699. What are the particular grievances that the working people complain 
 of ? — They complain very much of the five-quarter seam in the county of 
 Durham, that the heavy gas is so much, that sometimes they are obliged to work 
 where their candles will not burn, within several feet of the face. 
 
 i 700. The heavy gas that you allude to being the choke-damp ? — Yes. 
 
 1701. The reason of that is, that there is not sufficient ventilation in the 
 mines ? — There is in many cases a sufficient amount of air, if it were properly 
 conducted, but there is a want of brattice to convey it to the working face ; 
 there is a want of doors and proper stoppings. 
 
 1702. How would you enforce the conveyance of air, in an efficient manner, 
 up to the face of the workings ? — Simply by inspection, I think. 
 
 1 703. Do you think that an inspector should be empowered to order brattices 
 to be carried up properly to the face, and that a sufficient quantity of air should 
 be carried round the brattice, so that a man might breathe a sufficient quantity 
 of pure air ? — Yes. 
 
 1 704. Can you state what quantity of air should be allotted to each man ? — 
 I cannot say. 
 
 170,5. Have you ever seen the steam-jet in operation? — I have been down 
 the Seaton belaval pit lately, and have seen it in operation there. 
 
 1706. Did you find the ventilation in the Seaton Delaval pit better than in 
 any other pits ? — It is much superior to any pit I ever was in before. 
 
 1707. Have you ever been down the principal pits which are under the 
 superintendence of Mr. Wood ? — No ; I never worked for Mr. Wood, except at 
 Tyne Main Colliery, several years ago. 
 
 1708. Is Seaton Delaval Colliery under the superintendence of Mr. Forster ? 
 —It is. 
 
 1 709. Do you attribute the better state of ventilation entirely to the steam- 
 jet ? — There was a larger amount of air, generally speaking, than ever I felt in 
 a pit ; and when I went through the workings 1 went into most parts of the 
 workings where the return air came from ; I found an entire absence of all gas, 
 and the workmen working in a cool atmosphere. 
 
 1710. Is Seaton Delaval a very fiery pit?— The overman informed me that 
 there were some places where gas was given off much more than in the part I 
 was in, but additional means are employed to carry it off. 
 
 1711. In any part of Seaton Delaval pit, were the men working with safety- 
 lamps ? — They were working with safety-lamps in the broken or pillar working 
 which I visited. 
 
 1712. Are the air- ways in Seaton Delaval pit larger than the air-ways in any 
 other pits that you have been in ? — A great deal larger. 
 
 1713. Do not you think that the size of the air-ways has something to do 
 with the increase of the quantity of air passing through the workings? — I 
 should think it would be so. 
 
 1714. Mr. Cayley.~] You do not know what the state of the Seaton Delaval 
 pit was before they commenced working with the steam-jet ? — I have heard 
 
 the 
 
SELECT COMMITTEE ON ACCIDENTS IN COAL MINES. 127 
 
 the workmen state that previously to the steam-jet being put in operation, Martin Jude. 
 there was always the presence of gas at the edge of the goaves. 2~~Jun~ 18-^ 
 
 1715. Mr. Ingham. J You say that you have not worked under Mr. Wood in 7 une 1 j2 * 
 any colliery : what are the principal collieries you have visited where furnace 
 ventilation was not carried on ? — I w T orked in Walker Colliery a long time ; 
 
 but furnace ventilation was the only mode then employed. 
 
 1716. Have you visited any other collieries since }^ou ceased to be a work- 
 man ? —Not the interior. 
 
 1717. Have you seen the South Hetton Colliery? — No ; not the workings. 
 
 171S. Have you not been recently at Seaham, and seen some collieries 
 there ? — I was at the colliery, but not down the pit. 
 
 1719. Supposing that some regulations were issued, to be observed in the 
 mines, do you think that if the pitmen in the colliery saw that they had been 
 broken, they would take the trouble of giving information, or that they w T ould 
 be indifferent to it? — If they knew it, they would take the trouble to give 
 information. 
 
 1720. It has been stated, as a matter of opinion, that they are so careless 
 about those things, that if there were regulations they would allow them to be 
 broken without taking any notice ? — It would not be carelessness on their 
 part. It would be intimidation or fear that would produce that effect. 
 
 1721. If they knew there was a Government inspector coming round, whose 
 duty it was to give encouragement to the making of honest complaints, do you 
 think there would be backwardness on the part of the men in giving him 
 materials to act upon ? — I do not think there would. 
 
 1722. Chairman.] Do you think that on the size of the air-ways for the 
 in-take and the return air depends the safety of the pit, more than anything ? 
 I think that is the principal thing. 
 
 1723. Do you think it is the opinion of persons in the neighbourhood of 
 Northumberland, that the air-ways are sufficient to prevent explosions ? — Not 
 generally ; they are very deficient. 
 
 1724. Do you think there should be distinct air-ways to convey leading 
 currents of air, through which there should be no passing ? — I think it should 
 be essential not to have any air-way obstructed by the passage of corves and 
 tub^. 
 
 l 725. Do you think the goaves should be ventilated — As far as it is possible. 
 I perceived that at Seaton Delaval it is so to a great extent. 
 
 1726. At Seaton Delaval is all the gas taken out of the goaves? — I cannot 
 say that ; but for the great distance I travelled I found none. 
 
 1727. You went into the goaves yourself? — Yes. 
 
 1728. You found the goaves free from gas ? — Yes. 
 
 1729. And air circulating through the goaves ? — Yes. 
 
 1730. Mr, Fitzroy.] Have you known any accident occur from carelessness 
 in the use of the safety-lamp ?— No. 
 
 1731. You have never known miners open their lamps in a fire-damp mine ? 
 — Not one. 
 
 1732. Mr. Cay ley.] Do you remember an explosion taking place at Killing- 
 worth Colliery ? — Yes. 
 
 1733. Do you know what was the cause of that explosion ?-- -I cannot ex- 
 actly say : but the general opinion of the workmen was that it was at the Davy 
 lamp. 
 
 1734. Have the men worked with the Davy lamp since that explosion? — 
 No ; they refused, at that explosion, to work any longer with it, and Mr. 
 Wood conceded their request to work with the Stephenson lamp. 
 
 1 73.5. Chairman.'] They do not work with naked lamps ? — Not much ; there 
 are some naked lights worked with. 
 
 1736. Do the men generally prefer the Stephenson lamp to the Davy lamp ? 
 —At that colliery they generally do. 
 
 1737. Mr. Cay ley.] Yo\x wrote to me for some copies of the Report of last 
 Session ? — Yes. 
 
 i 738. What was the opinion of the colliers, generally speaking, upon that 
 Report ? — They highly approved of the recommendations in it, and were satis- 
 fied that if legislation commenced on that Report, it was all that they wanted. 
 
 1739. Has there been any excitement in the colliery districts, with regard to 
 0.76. q 4 the 
 
128 
 
 MINUTES OF EVIDENCE TAKEN BEFORE THE 
 
 Martin Jude. the furnaces, since that Report came out ?— I think there has not been any great 
 excitement. 
 
 27 June 1^53. 1740. Do the furnaces burn any brighter, or produce any more ventilation, 
 than they did before that Report ? — There have been some attempts to improve 
 them and to increase their power. 
 
 1 741. Mr. Fitzroy.~] Have those attempts failed ? — Not all. 
 
 1742. Then the ventilation in the mines »has been improved since last year ? 
 — In some particular collieries, but not generally. 
 
 1743. You were understood to state, that in your opinion there had been 
 no improvement since you gave evidence before the Committee of the House 
 of Lords in 1849 ? — No improvement in the principles of ventilation. 
 
 1 744. Mr. Stephenson^] You have stated that generally the system of venti- 
 lation, in the north country mines, has not been improved since you gave 
 evidence in 1849 ? — No. 
 
 1745. In some few cases you think there has been improvement ?— Yes ; 
 I have learned that there have been great improvements at Great Hetton 
 Colliery, by additional power being added. 
 
 1746. When you speak of additional power, do you mean by an enlarged 
 furnace, or by the application of the steam-jet to aid the furnace ? — By an 
 enlarged furnace, an increased size of air-ways, and other necessary ap- 
 pendages. 
 
 1747. Chairman^] Are there more shafts? — No. 
 
 1748. Mr. Cayley.~\ Are there, more furnaces ? — There is more furnace-power. 
 
 1749. Does not Mr. Wood burn three furnaces? — So I understand. 
 
 1750. Chairman^] All the heat from those furnaces goes up the same shaft ? 
 —Yes. 
 
 1751. Is it your opinion that the present mode of sinking two shafts along- 
 side each other is defective ? — I think it is very defective. 
 
 1752. How would you propose to remedy it? — I should, at least, have two 
 shafts sunk at the dip of the colliery, and one or two of equal area at the rise 
 of the colliery. 
 
 175-3. Would it not be sufficient to have one shaft, provided the one shaft 
 had as great an area as the two ? — There is always great danger in having a 
 brattice in a shaft, and they would always require a brattice-shaft, if there was 
 only one, until they got the whole pits sunk and ventilated. 
 
 1754. Would you propose that the shaft to the rise should be made useful 
 for conveying coals up the pit ? —No, simply as an air-shaft. 
 
 175.5. If it De an up-cast shaft, why need it be bratticed ? — The down-cast 
 shaft is alluded to, at the dip. 
 
 1756. I was speaking of the up-cast? — One large shaft will do there. 
 
 i 757. Provided the area of that shaft was as large as the two ? — Yes. 
 
 1758. Therefore you would have one large shaft at the rise of the colliery, 
 and you would have two shafts to wind the coals up and dowm the pit, whioh 
 would serve as down cast shafts ? — Yes. 
 
 1 759. To what depths have the proprietors to sink in order to reach the coal, 
 as an average, through the district to which you belong ? — I think about 120 or 
 140 fathoms. 
 
 1760. Can you state the expense of sinking a shaft? — The physical labour 
 of sinking a shaft is from 61. to 8 I. per fathom; or about 1/. per fathom per 
 foot diameter of shaft. 
 
 1761. In some districts do you not suffer from a great in-rush of water? — 
 Yes ; that is an additional expense. 
 
 1762. Does not that make the sinking of a shaft very expensive ? — Yes. 
 
 1763. Do you know Monkwearmouth Colliery, at Sunderland ?— Yes. 
 
 1764. In such a colliery would it be possible to sink as many shafts as you 
 allude to ? — 1 may state, that at Seaton Delaval Colliery there are six shafts; 
 already sunk, so that there would be less expense in sinking three than in 
 sinking six ; in almost all the collieries there are three or four shafts sunk, but 
 they are sunk at a certain place in the colliery, and the air has to travel all the 
 distance round the colliery to return to the up-cast shaft. 
 
 176.5. Can you give any idea of what number of acres should be worked by 
 one shaft ? — I could not say particularly ; it might be 50 acres for one shaft. 
 
 1766. Do you think, taking the district to which you belong, that there are 
 not enough shafts sunk in reference to the number of acres which are worked 
 
 by 
 
SELECT COMMITTEE ON ACCIDENTS IN COAL MINES. 129 
 
 by each shaft ? — I believe there are not so many shafts as there should be to Martin Judr. 
 ensure safe ventilation. 
 
 1 767. Mr. Ingham.] You do not express a very decided opinion as to the 2 7 June l8 53- 
 area of acres which may be worked by one shaft ? — No. 
 
 176S. Mr. Stephenson.'] Why do you prefer two shafts being sunk, one at the 
 dip and the other at the extreme rise of the royalty ? — My chief reason is, 
 that if an explosion takes place, instead of the air-stoppings being all blown 
 out, and rendering the passages all blank, there will be a continuous stream of 
 air going over the pit, not subject to any stoppings. 
 
 176Q. But it would be only going from the lower shaft to the upper shaft? 
 — It can be conducted through the whole of the workings, and then made to 
 ascend the up-cast shaft. 
 
 1770. The parts of the mine which have to be ventilated by the air being 
 split, if an explosion takes place, would equally be left in a stagnant state, 
 whether you had the air going direct from the lower shaft to the upper shaft, 
 or whether you had to bring it back to the lower shaft again ? — There would 
 be a certain portion of excavation liable to that. 
 
 1771. Supposing you have a drift direct from the lower shaft to the upper 
 shaft, and the bords are worked away from each side of that drift, when an ex- 
 plosion takes place, will not the air ventilating through the mine be entirely 
 confined to that single drift between the one shaft and the other ? — No ; it 
 could be conveyed out of the drift to all the workings, in the same manner as 
 it is now. 
 
 1772. I am supposing an explosion to take place, and blow down the 
 stoppings, which is an assumption you made yourself ; suppose the air is 
 divided, in ventilating three or four sheths or bords, when the stopping is 
 knocked down of course the air will go from the down-cast shaft to the up- 
 cast shaft in the shortest possible way ? — Yes. 
 
 1773. If it does go between the one shaft and the other in the shortest 
 direction, will not the sheths of bords on each side of that air course be left 
 in a perfectly stagnant condition ? — Yes. 
 
 1774. Therefore there is no advantage derived from having the one shaft at 
 a lower level, and the other shaft at a higher level, as regards the position of 
 the works after an explosion has taken place ? — There is no difference ; but 
 there is this advantage, that the workmen, if they are able to get out at 
 all, having a continuous stream of air passing between the shafts, can reach 
 that sooner than they can the bottom of the up-cast shaft, or the down-cast 
 shaft. 
 
 1775. In a large royalty, extending perhaps over an area of two miles, have 
 you ever known an instance, where you would recommend, as the manager of a 
 colliery, the sinking of two shafts, and the working of a mine in that way ? — I 
 would recommend it, in the largest royalty. 
 
 1776. Take a large royalty with two shafts sunk down, and that they are a 
 mile apart ; how long would it take you to drive a double headway between 
 these two shafts ? — That would depend on the height of the seam and other 
 contingencies. I should say six or 12 months. 
 
 1777. That is, half a mile each way ? — Yes. 
 
 1778. Did you ever know a drift of that kind driven at that rate ? — I have 
 not known it, because it has never been put in practice. 
 
 ] 779. What do you think a good hewer ought to drive in a double headway 
 per day ? — Six feet for two men in one day. 
 
 1 780. Half a mile at two yards a day, will be upwards of 12 months ? — Several 
 men can be employed in one day. 
 
 1 781. Chairman.] Do you mean two yards in 24 hours ? — One man six hours, 
 and another man succeeding him for six hours again. 
 
 1782. How many yards could be driven in the 24 hours? — Seven or eight 
 yards. All depends upon the nature of the seam of coal and the number of 
 men employed. I wish also to state that I think that plan would be advan- 
 tageous when they came to work the pillars, and more so than in the previous 
 excavation of the workings, because in working the pillars back from the shaft 
 they drive the air necessarily through the goaf. 
 
 1783. Mr. St^henson.'] You have stated that you walked through a goaf 
 some time ago ? — Yes. 
 
 1784. What colliery was that ? — Seaton Delaval. 
 
 0.76. R 1785. What 
 
130 
 
 MINUTES OF EVIDENCE TAKEN BEFORE THE 
 
 i 785. What was the extent of the goaf when you walked through it ? — The 
 goaf was several acres in extent, but I went in but a few yards. 
 
 1786. The seven or eight yards of goaf in which you walked might be 
 affected by the air-courses adjoining it ? — Just so. 
 
 1787. Would any air-course which you ever saw affect a goaf extending 
 over eight or ten acres? — I think not under the present system. 
 
 1788. The goaf through which you walked through must have had a good 
 roof ? — A part of the roof had fallen. 
 
 1789. And the other admitted of your walking through it? — We climbed 
 over the falls, and on to the top thereof. 
 
 1790. What were the means of guiding the air through that goaf? — They 
 fetched it from the whole workings, right down to the up-cast shaft, through that 
 edge of the goaf. 
 
 1791. "Would not the ventilation of the goaf rather be accidental than 
 scientific or practical ? — I think there is a great deal of accident about it ; but 
 they bring the air down that way purposely, and carry off the gas as made. 
 
 1792. With a large goaf, do you think that anything like certainty can be 
 obtained in ventilation ? — Not a moral certainty. 
 
 1793. Chairman.} You have stated that when you went down Seaton Delaval 
 mine, you did not go into the worst part of the workings, and that you were 
 told there were worse parts than those parts which you visited ; why did you 
 not go into the other parts I — From the distance I had travelled, I felt so 
 fatigued that I could not go further ; I went several miles. 
 
 1 794. Do you think you could form an accurate judgment of the ventilation 
 of that pit unless you visited the parts which were said to be the worst 
 ventilated 1 — Those other parts were better ventilated ; but there was more 
 danger in that part, and of course they put more brattices in, and paid more 
 attention to it, than they did to the part which I visited. 
 
 179,5. Mr. Stephenson.] You have stated that you thought that by a vigilant 
 system of inspection you would get better air up to the face where the workmen 
 were employed? — Yes. 
 
 1796. What kind of inspection would you propose to secure that? — A system 
 of Government inspection, as at present laid down. 
 
 1797. How often would you have the Government inspector go down for the 
 purpose of examining each bord and ascertaining whether the brattices are 
 sufficiently extended towards the face ? — I think that he should not be absent 
 more than a month. 
 
 1798. Supposing that he was absent for a month, might not the men be 
 suffering three weeks of that month from want of bratticing? — I should hope 
 that monthly inspection would ensure safety. 
 
 1 79Q. As the bords advance every day they require fresh bratticing to be put 
 up, and the ventilation of any one bord depends to-day on the amount of brat- 
 ticing put up this very morning ? — Yes. 
 
 1800. Therefore what security would you have for having the brattice carried 
 up within a certain distance on the face of the work, by a person coming there 
 once a month ? — In my opinion there would be a sufficient stock of brattices in 
 every colliery in that way, whereas the reason they are not put up now is, that 
 they have not a stock at the collieries, and they will not be at the expense of 
 making that stock ; but when that stock is made and kept up, they will make 
 use of it. 
 
 i 80 1 . Have you been a hewer? — Yes. 
 
 1802. Have you never in your life had brattices lying in your bord when 
 you felt uncomfortable in the face of your work, and did not take the trouble 
 of putting up the brattice ? — I would always take the trouble to put it up, if it 
 
 was necessary. 
 
 1803. Do not you remember, that sometimes you did not take the trouble 
 to put up the very material which had been supplied to you ? — No, I have no 
 remembrance of anything of that kind ; I recollect very well being nearly 
 killed by an explosion from the want of brattice ; 1 came out about three or four 
 minutes before the explosive point was arrived at, and complained to the deputy, 
 and when more brattice was put in and a door set at the bord end, the whole 
 of the gas was cleared away in two hours, which had accumulated in about half 
 an hour from first perceiving it, to fill the seam two feet high from the floor, 
 and 10 yards from the face. 
 
 1804. Did 
 
SELECT COMMITTEE ON ACCIDENTS IN COAL MINES. 131 
 
 1804. Did you ever hear workmen complain of having too much air? — They Martin Jude. 
 
 will sometimes complain of the air being driven too heavily upon them when . . 
 
 the place is first holed. 37 June 1853. 
 
 1805. Mr. Stephenson.'] Although in some mines the amount of bratticing 
 may be scanty, would you say there was a deficiency of bratticing, generally 
 speaking, in the Newcastle or Durham coal fields ? — Yes ; I think they are all 
 deficient, from what I have learned from the colliers. 
 
 1 806. Did you experience a deficiency yourself when you were a workman ? 
 — A great deal. 
 
 ] 807. Chairman ] If an accident occurs, independent of the unfortunate 
 circumstance of a great number of lives being sacrificed, is not the coalowner 
 put to great expense ? — Yes. 
 
 i 808. Do not you think it would be some inducement to the coalowner to 
 find sufficient materials for carrying on the workings properly, and avoiding 
 danger? — It ought to do so, but it is not done. 
 
 1809. You have stated that you have heard complaints of having too much 
 air. Is the reason of that because the candles sweal? — Yes. 
 
 1810. Do not you think that if a safety-lamp could be invented, which was 
 secure in itself, and gave as much light or more light than a candle, that would 
 obviate the difficulty ; and that the workman could work in a better current 
 of air than he could with a naked light ? — Yes ; a lamp of that kind would 
 effect the purpose. 
 
 1811. Have you seen no lamps of that kind at present ? — Yes ; I have seen 
 one or two. 
 
 1812. What lamp have you seen which has effected that object? — Dr. 
 Clanny's lamp. 
 
 ] 813. Have you seen Dr. Glover's lamp also ? — I have not seen it lighted. 
 
 1814. Have you seen a lamp which has been invented by Mr. Henderson, a 
 workman ? — Yes. 
 
 1815. Is that a good lamp? — I think it is as good as Dr. Clanny's, because 
 it removes one objection which was made at the Committee of 1849, that a 
 drop of water falling on Dr. Clanny's lamp glass would break it. 
 
 1816. Is not the weight an objection both to that lamp and to the lamp 
 invented by Dr. Clanny ? — I asked several workmen if they preferred the 
 Clanny lamp. 
 
 1817. Which lamp, in your opinion, do the workmen prefer ? — As far as they 
 have a choice of employing different lamps, they prefer the Clanny lamp to the 
 Davy. 
 
 1818. Mr. Cayley.'] Have you seen Dr. Fife's lamp ? — Yes. 
 
 1819. What do you think of his lamp ? — I think it is a very good lamp. 
 
 1820. Do you think it is superior to any of the others? — By having a talc 
 surrounding the glass, it removes the objection of the drop of water. 
 
 1821. Is it made of a finer gauze? — I think it is not ; I have not examined 
 it closely. 
 
 1822. Chairman.'] Taking every precaution which could possibly be used 
 to secure full and efficient ventilation of a mine, do you think that circum- 
 stances may exist in which it would be necessary to enforce the imperative use 
 of the safety-lamp ? — Yes. 
 
 1823. You think that an inspector should be empowered by the Legislature 
 to enforce the use of safety-lamps ? — Yes ; I think he should have the power, 
 where he sees danger, of enforcing the use of the safety-lamp. 
 
 1 824. And therefore you think, that in addition to good ventilation, the use 
 of the safety-lamp should sometimes be enforced by legislation ? — Yes. 
 
 1825. Mr. Cayley.'] What you want in reality is, sufficient ventilation? — 
 Quite so. 
 
 1826. How do the workmen test the amount of ventilation? — They have no 
 means of testing it, except by feeling its want. 
 
 1827. In what way do they feel it ? — They want air to breathe when they 
 are working. 
 
 1828. That comes from the heavy gas? — Yes. 
 
 1829. But the heavy gas is not the gas which would explode ? — No. 
 
 1830. How do they test the presence of fiery gas? — They generally have a 
 notion of its presence, if it is strong, by the smell. 
 
 0.76. R 2 1831. They 
 
132 
 
 MINUTES —ACCIDENTS IN COAL MINES. 
 
 Martin Jude. 1831. They can smell the fiery gas ? — Yes. 
 
 — — - 1832. Is not another test the lengthening of the flame of the lamp ? — Yes; 
 
 27 June 1853. if they are employing a safety-lamp, or a candle, they can test it by that mode. 
 
 1833. Supposing the colliers found there was a large amount of gas con- 
 stantly present when they were working, and that no steps were taken by the 
 overmen or the viewers to diminish the quantity, do you think it would be 
 desirable that the workmen should have some means of confidential communi- 
 cation with an inspector, so as to give him notice of the danger ? — It is neces- 
 sary that it should be so. 
 
 1834. How could you carry that out? — I believe it is not practicable to 
 carry it out, inasmuch as the workmen feel alarmed by having their names 
 exposed ; and they hardly dare complain, lest they should lose their employment. 
 
 ] 835. Chairman.] Could not the workmen complain, through an authorised 
 agent like yourself, and could not you, on receiving such a complaint, speak 
 to the inspector, and by that means would it be known who was the man who 
 had first made the complaint ? — That has been done up to this time on frequent 
 occasions. 
 
 1 836. Has it been done with any good effect ? — It has been done with very 
 good effect at one colliery; but I will show you the way in which the employers 
 attempted to learn the men's names who signed the document, and sent it to 
 Sir George Grey, complaining of the colliery being in an unsafe state; six 
 of the men's names were signed to it, and the master wished to find them out ; 
 he requested the inspector to give up the document, which he refused; to 
 make sure work of it, he wrote this heading on a large sheet of paper, " We, 
 the undersigned, are not the persons who sent our names to Sir George Grey 
 complaining of the dangerous state of the colliery," and he asked every man, 
 as he came in to get his money, to read it and sign it. It was only on account 
 of the first men not being the actual parties, coming to prepare the others for 
 it, that they went in and signed it, although they were actually the senders. 
 
 1837. Suppose the men had complained to you, and you had complained to 
 the inspector, and the inspector in consequence of that complaint had gone to 
 the colliery to observe whether it was in a dangerous state, how could the 
 master of the colliery possibly know that any complaint had been sent to the 
 inspector, unless the inspector had told him ? — It depends on the confidence of 
 the inspector. 
 
 1838. What is the general opinion of the workmen as to the verdicts of 
 coroners' juries, when accidents occur in a mine ? — They think them nearly a 
 farce. 
 
 1 839. Do they think that juries give wrong verdicts, or that the coroners do 
 not perform their duties ? — I believe their opinion is, that the coroners are 
 anxious to do their duty, but that they have not competent jurymen. 
 
 1840. Chairman.] Do not you think it would be desirable that the Govern- 
 ment inspectors, when they paid visits of inspection, should examine into the 
 slate of the lamps ? — Yes. 
 
 1841. Do not you think that where safety-lamps are used, it should be im- 
 perative on the owner of a colliery to have one man always to clean the lamps, 
 and if they are out of repair, to repair them r — I do. 
 
 1842. Do not you think that were safety-lamps are used, they should be 
 locked ? — Yes. 
 
 1 843. Do you think the keys should never be entrusted to the workmen, but 
 always to parties appointed by the overman of the mine, who should open the 
 lamp when it w 7 as necessary ? — Yes. 
 
[ >33 ] 
 
 APPENDIX. 
 
 0.76. 
 
 R 3 
 
[ 134 ] 
 
 LIST OF APPENDIX. 
 
 Appendix, No. 1. 
 
 Paper delivered in by H. F. Mackworth, Esq., and referred to in his Evidence, 16 June 1853 : 
 
 Instructions and Questions relative to the Parliamentary Committee, now sitting to inquire into 
 the Causes of Accidents in Coal Mines - -- -- -- -p. 135 
 
 Tabular View of the Number of Accidents causing Death in the Coal Mines of Great Britain, in 
 1851 and 1852 p. 136 
 
 Tabular View of the Lives Lost in the Coal Mines of Great Britain, in the Years 1851 and 
 18,52 - - P-136 
 
 Hainault, Belgium, List of Accidents. Province of Hainault, comprising the Two Districts of 
 Mons and Charleroi - - - - - - - - - - - p. 137 
 
 Comparative Loss of Life in Coal Mines, per 10,000 Persons employed in and on the Mines per 
 Annum on 460,000 Persons in England, 256,760 in Belgium, 73,275 in Westphalia - p. 137 
 
 General Law concerning the Ventilation, Lighting, and employment of Gunpowder, in the opera- 
 tions of Mining, especially in Coal Mines subject to Fire Damp - - - - p. 138 
 
 Appendix, No. 2. 
 
 Paper delivered in by Mr. Herbert Francis Mackworth : 
 
 Comparative Abstract of Experiments on die Economy of Four Kinds of Fans, by Mr. Jochams, 
 
 p. 141 
 
 Abstract of Five Experiments on Fabry's Pneumatic Wheels, by Monsieur Jochams, Engineer 
 of Mines p. 142 
 
 Comparative Table of Cost of Eight Kinds of Ventiiating Machines, according to Monsieur 
 Ponson - - - - - - _ P- 142 
 
 Appendix, No. 3. 
 
 Paper delivered in by Mr. Herbert Francis Mackworth : 
 
 Experiments on Ventilators ----p. 143 
 
 Comparative Economy of Furnace (underground and above), Steam Jet Ventilators, according 
 10 Mr. Glepin - - p. 146 
 
 Comparative first Cost of Establishment of various Machines, at per Horse Power - p. 147 
 
 Comparative Cost of Working, at per Horse Power of Useful Effect, per Annum - - p. 147 
 
[ 135 ] 
 
 APPENDIX. 
 
 Appendix, No. 1. 
 
 PAPER delivered in by H. F. Mackworth, Esq., and referred to in his Evidence, 
 
 16 June 1853. 
 
 Instructions and Questions relative to the Parliamentary Committee, now sitting to Appendix, No. 
 
 inquire into the Causes of Accidents in Coal Mines. 
 
 (Copy.) 
 
 Sir, 
 
 You are no doubt aware that I have given notice to revive the Committee on Accidents 
 in Coal Mines. The Government has consented to its revival, but wish it deferred until 
 the return of two of the Inspectors, who are now inquiring into the system of inspection 
 adopted in foreign countries, and other matters connected with the working of mines. 
 I think, it right to inform you, that you will be required to give evidence before the Com- 
 mittee. 
 
 The subjects to which I beg leave to direct your attention, as being those on which in- 
 formation is required, will be ventilation by furnace, steam jet, or any other mode either in 
 use or which may be suggested as an improvement to those now generally adopted. 
 
 The capacity and size of the air-wavs, and the best modes of carrying the air through 
 the workings to the upcast shaft, so as either entirely to clear the goaves of foul air, or to 
 leave as little in them as possible, and to prevent what may remain from escaping into the 
 workings, so as to cause accidents by explosions. The methods of supporting the roof and 
 sides, so as to prevent as much as possible the recurrence of accidents from falling masses 
 of materials. The best mode of winding the men up shafts, so as to lessen their risk by 
 the breakage of ropes, chains, or parts of the winding machinery, and any other precau- 
 tions you may think necessary, to lessen the number of accidents which occur. 
 
 Your attention is also directed to the safety lamp ; and your opinion is also solicited as to 
 whether you agree with the Report of the Committee of 1852 on that subject; and whether, 
 since that, any new discovery has been made which will tend to the improvement of the 
 safety lamp. 
 
 Your opinion will also be required as to the system of inspection; whether or not you 
 approve of having Government Inspectors ; and if you do, whether or not you think the 
 present number are sufficient, and if not, what increase you would suggest. 
 
 You will observe that in coroners' verdicts, in at least 99 cases out of 100, a verdict of 
 " accidental death " is returned. This may be accounted for by the state of the law, which 
 gives no discretion to coroners' juries, who are either obliged to return a verdict of acci- 
 dental death, or manslaughter. 
 
 Your opinion is requested as to whether some law should not be made enabling a jury to 
 assess damages in case of carelessness, or to assimilate the law to that of Scotland. 
 
 Your opinion is also desired as to whether power should not be given to magistrates or 
 to the Secretary of State, on the representation of the Inspectors, to levy fines on the owners 
 of collieries, where necessary precautions are not taken to prevent accidents ; and also upon 
 the workmen who uncover their safety lamps in dangerous situations, or commit any other 
 reckless act, so as to endanger the lives of their fellow-workmen. 
 
 You will also probably be invited to give an opinion as to what system can be adopted, 
 which would work best, for the establishment of schools for the children of workmen, and 
 funds for the relief of themselves in case of sickness, and of the widows and orphans of 
 those who may meet their death through accidents. 
 
 Any other information you may feel disposed to tender, that may enable the Committee 
 to come to a conclusion on the several subjects connected with their inquiry, will be 
 acceptable. 
 
 The Committee will probably assemble about the end of May ; but due notice will of 
 course be given to you as to the day on which your attendance is required. I shall be glad 
 if, before that time, you will furnish me with a draft of the evidence that you may wish to 
 tender, that I may have no difficulty in proceeding with your examination when you are 
 called upon. 
 
 I am, &c. 
 
 25, Eaton-square, London, (signed) E. J. Hutchins. 
 
 3 May 1853. 
 
 O.76. 
 
 Tabular 
 
i 3 6 
 
 APPENDIX TO REPORT FROM THE 
 
 ppendix, No. I. Tabular View of the Number of Accidents causing Death in the Coal Mines of Great 
 - Britain, in 1851 and 1852. 
 
 Counties comprised in Districts. 
 
 In Shafts. 
 
 From 
 Falls of 
 Roof. 
 
 From 
 Ex plosions 
 of 
 
 Fire Damp. 
 
 TVTi cpp 1 1 a m 
 J.VA i aC v J i & 
 
 neous. 
 
 Totals. 
 
 Years. 
 
 Lancashire Chpsliirp Nrivrli Wn1f>« 
 
 Stafford, Worcester, Shropshire - 
 Ditto 
 
 101 
 
 87 
 
 152 
 177 
 
 55 
 51 
 
 37 
 31 
 
 345 
 346 
 
 1851 
 1852 
 
 Scotland - 
 
 Ditto ^ . . 
 
 28 
 19 
 
 45 
 23 
 
 2 
 5 
 
 9 
 10 
 
 84 
 57 
 
 1851 
 1852 
 
 Wnrthnm hprland Durham. Cumber- 
 land - 
 
 Unto ------ 
 
 15 
 
 23 
 
 31 
 
 A A 
 
 44 
 
 10 
 1U 
 
 39 
 39 
 
 95 
 116 
 
 1851 
 1852 
 
 York, Derby, Nottingham, Warwick 
 Ditto 
 
 19 
 
 26 
 
 29 
 33 
 
 17 
 11 
 
 10 
 
 20 
 
 75 
 90 
 
 1851 
 1852 
 
 Monmouth, Gloucester, Somerset, 
 
 and South Wales - 
 Ditto ------ 
 
 22 
 20 
 
 50 
 56 
 
 14 
 14 
 
 13 
 
 22 
 
 99 
 112 
 
 1S51 
 1852 
 
 Total in Great Britain 
 
 185 
 
 307 
 
 9S 
 
 108 
 
 698 
 
 1851 
 
 Ditto 
 
 175 
 
 333 
 
 91 
 
 1 22 
 
 721 
 
 1852 
 
 Tabular View of the Lives Lost in the Coal Mines of Great Britain, in the Years 
 
 1851 and 1852. 
 
 Counties comprised in Districts. 
 
 In Shaft.-. 
 
 From 
 Falls of 
 Roof. 
 
 From 
 Explosions 
 of 
 
 Fire Damp. 
 
 Miscella- 
 neous. 
 
 Totals. 
 
 Years. 
 
 Lancashire, Cheshire, North Wales, 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Stafford, Worcester, Shropshire - 
 
 114 
 
 159 
 
 Ill 
 
 42 
 
 426 
 
 1851 
 
 Ditto - ■ 
 
 103 
 
 190 
 
 116 
 
 39 
 
 448 
 
 1852 
 
 Scotland - 
 
 28 
 
 52 
 
 62 
 
 8 
 
 150 
 
 1851 
 
 Ditto 
 
 20 
 
 23 
 
 5 
 
 13 
 
 61 
 
 1852 
 
 Northumberland, Durham, Cumber- 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 land ------ 
 
 15 
 
 32 
 
 57 
 
 39 
 
 143 
 
 1851 
 
 Ditto 
 
 28 
 
 44 
 
 38 
 
 43 
 
 153 
 
 1852 
 
 Yorkshire, Derbyshire, Nottingham, 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Warwick - 
 
 19 
 
 30 
 
 76 
 
 10 
 
 135 
 
 1851 
 
 Ditto 
 
 28 
 
 35 
 
 22 
 
 23 
 
 108 
 
 1852 
 
 Monmouth, Gloucester, Somerset, 
 and South Wales ... 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 41 
 
 54 
 
 15 
 
 20 
 
 130 
 
 1851 
 
 Ditto ------ 
 
 26 
 
 57 
 
 83 
 
 50 
 
 216 
 
 1852 
 
 Total in Great Britain 
 
 217 
 
 327 
 
 321 
 
 119 
 
 984 
 
 1851 
 
 Ditto 
 
 205 
 
 349 
 
 264 
 
 168 
 
 986 
 
 1852 
 
 Note. — The serious explosions in 1851, were: 
 
 15 March 
 
 20 December - 
 
 22 
 
 Nitshill - 
 Warren Vale 
 Ince - 
 
 Total 
 
 The serious explosions in 1852, were : 
 
 24 April 
 6 May - 
 10 „ - 
 20 „ - 
 22 December 
 
 Norley Hall 
 Hebburn - 
 Dyffryn 
 Coppull 
 Elsecar 
 
 Total 
 
 
 61 
 
 
 52 
 
 
 13 
 
 
 126 
 
 
 12 
 
 
 22 
 
 
 65 
 
 
 36 
 
 
 10 
 
 
 145 
 
 Killed. 
 Killed. 
 
 Killed. 
 »> 
 ?» 
 
 Killed. 
 
SELECT COMMITTEE ON ACCIDENTS IN COAL MINES. 
 
 137 
 
 Hainault, Belgium. — List of Accidents. 
 
 Appendix, No. I, 
 
 Province of Hainault, comprising the Two Districts of Mons and Charleroi. 
 
 Descending by ropes or 
 
 chains - - - - 
 Descending by ladders 
 In the shafts from other 
 
 causes - 
 Falls of roof and coal 
 Explosions of fire damp - 
 Inundations - 
 Explosions of powder in 
 
 blasting - 
 Suffocated 
 Accidents 
 
 planes - 
 Accidents 
 
 causes - 
 
 on inclined 
 from divers 
 
 1849. 
 
 Accidents. 
 
 9 
 7 
 
 8 
 31 
 
 2 
 o 
 
 14 
 10 
 
 92 
 
 Killed. 
 
 12 
 4 
 
 9 
 19 
 6 
 
 61 
 
 1850. 
 
 Accidents. Killed 
 
 14 
 
 49 
 3 
 
 1 
 1 
 
 16 
 
 14 
 
 109 
 
 21(a) 
 o 
 
 9 
 32 
 83(6) 
 
 1 
 
 8 
 4 
 
 160 
 
 18-51. 
 
 Accidents. 
 
 / 
 4 
 
 12 
 46 
 2 
 1 
 
 Killed. 
 
 6 
 1 
 
 10 
 
 40 
 
 5 
 
 68 
 
 1852. 
 
 Accidents. 
 
 14 
 6 
 
 18 
 41 
 7 
 1 
 
 26 
 
 116 
 
 Killed. 
 
 22 
 5 
 
 16 
 33 
 106(c) 
 
 21 
 
 205 
 
 Accidents. Killed. Wounded. 
 
 The average Number of accidents for the 10 years 
 
 before 1850 were - - 114 71 93 
 
 (a) Includes 12 men killed by the breakage of a wire rope at the colliery Masse St. Francois. 
 
 (b) Includes 76 men killed at Quaregnon. 
 
 (c) Includes 69 men killed at Long Tcrnc Ferrand, near Elouge, and 35 at Longterne- 
 Trischer. 
 
 Number of winding pits at work - 
 Number of workmen employed 
 Quantity of coal - - - - 
 
 1850. 
 
 244 
 34,800 
 4,420^761 
 
 1851. 
 
 228 
 35,468 
 4,753,186 
 
 Tons. 
 
 Average number of deaths in 1851 and 1852,1 „ „„ , 
 which is much above the average - -J 3 ' 88 P er aunum P er ^ 00 ° workmen. 
 
 Average in whole of Belgium in 1851, is 2'2 per 1,000 ; in 1852, is 46 per 1,000; from 1845 
 to 1850, 2-82 per 1,000. 
 
 Comparative Loss of Life in Coal Mines per 10,000 Persons employed in and on the Mines 
 per Annum on 460,000 Persons in England, 256,760 in Belgium, 73,275 in Westphalia. 
 
 
 
 
 K 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 B 
 "co 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 0 
 
 0 
 
 -C 
 
 u- CJ 
 
 
 
 
 
 3 
 
 
 
 
 a p 
 ■° 1 
 
 0 "3 
 OJ c 
 00 to 
 
 
 
 
 a 
 
 aj 
 
 
 
 0 
 
 J Q 
 
 cu » 
 
 5 »> 
 ~z " 
 
 £ 0 
 
 O 
 "3 
 TJ 
 
 1 Shaf 
 
 op 
 
 ca 
 T3 
 
 a 
 
 iscelle 
 
 E1VX0 
 
 
 fa 
 
 w E 
 
 CQPh 
 
 
 B 
 
 pa 
 
 t— < 
 
 
 E- 
 
 Great Britain : 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 1851 and 1852 
 
 14-4 
 
 12'4 
 
 
 9-0 
 
 
 
 6-1 
 
 
 41 9 
 
 Westphalia (Grafshaft Mark) : 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Years 1841 to 1852 - 
 
 10-0 
 
 10 
 
 
 4-0 
 
 
 
 10 
 
 
 160 
 
 Belgium : 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 1846 to 1850 - 
 
 9-4 
 
 5-4 
 
 3-2 
 
 0*8 
 
 3*'6 
 
 0-6 
 
 0-2 
 
 50 
 
 28-2 
 
 S Genebau 
 
APPENDIX TO REPORT FROM THE 
 
 Appendix. No. l. General Law concerning the Ventilation, Lighting, and employment of Gunpowder, in 
 the operations of Mining, especially in Coal Mines subject to Fire Damp. 
 
 [Report to the King. 
 Sire, 1 March I860. 
 
 The presence of carbu retted hydrogen gas (fiie damp) in coal-mines has hitherto pro- 
 duced the most lamentable effects on the mortality of the workmen. The statistical tables 
 show that the majority of these great catasirophes in our mines must be attributed to the 
 ignition of this dangerous g as . The determining cause of these explosions is to be found 
 principally in vicious methods of ventilation, in the imperfection of the means for lighting, 
 and on the careless or ignorant use of powder in blasting mineral substances. It is there 
 that the evil exists ; it is there that the remedy must be applied. To prevent the recurrence 
 of fresh calamities, the provincial councils, in unison with the Government, have sanctioned 
 several rules of special police. But these arrangements not emanating f rom a single source, 
 have not that similarity and general character which are required to render the application 
 equally useful in all our coal basins ; in other respects they are also wanting. In order to 
 introduce uniformity of action in the administration, and better to caution the workmen 
 against the perils by which they are menaced in their occupations, my department has 
 charged a special commission to lay down a project for a public law concerning ventilation, 
 lighting, and using powder in mining works, especially in fire damp mines. 
 
 This commission, composed of Government engineers and the directors of important 
 collieries, offers every guarantee for the defence of the various interests engaged in the 
 working of mines. The project which 1 have the honour to submit to your Majesty is the 
 work of the commission. Most of the arrangements it encloses are in operation in the pro- 
 vincial regulations; their salutary effects have been already confirmed by practice; the 
 rules hereby added are with the. object of extending the application to all the coal basins. 
 Several new arrangements guaranteed by experience and science, are intended to increase 
 the safety of the workmen, in neutralising or removing the causes of danger. Finally, this 
 law, in the manner in which it has been constructed, as well as by the protective measure 
 which it holds sacred, and the similarity and unity of purpose which it presents, appears to 
 me to respond entirely to the intentions of Government. The Article 67 of the Constitution 
 confers on the chief of the Siate the power to make laws and bye-laws, when necessary, for 
 the execution of the fundamental laws. The project hereto annexed being but the develop- 
 ment and the putting in operation of the arrangements of police authorised by the law of 
 21 April 1810, and the decree of the 3d January 1813, the right of sanctioning it and ren- 
 dering it obligatory, belongs essentially to the exercise of the constitutional prerogative of 
 your Majesty. I venture to think, Sire, that if my proposals receive your Majesty's appro- 
 bation, working miners and all persons who are interested in their welfare, will receive this 
 law as a new evidence of the anxiety of the Government for the amelioration of the labouring 
 class.] 
 
 Leopold, &c, 
 
 Having seen the law of the 21st April 1810, and the Imperial decree of the 3d January 
 1813, on mines : 
 
 Having reviewed our orders of 11th May 1840, 11th August 1841, and 29th June 1844, 
 approving of the bye-laws concerning ventilation, lighting, and the use of powder in the 
 mines of Liege and of Hainault, and particularly in the fire damp mines : 
 
 Having seen Article 67 of the Constitution, and Article 85 of the Provincial Law of the 
 30th April 1836 : 
 
 Considering that it is useful to generalise certain measures, and to introduce into the 
 administrative action unity of purpose, and every uniformity compatible with the particular 
 circumstances of mining in various localities : 
 
 On the proposal of our Minister of Public Works, we have commanded, and do com- 
 mand : 
 
 Chapter I. — Exploitations in General. 
 
 Article 1. In every subterranean exploitation all the points of works to which the work- 
 men can gain access to, shall be rendered healthy and safe by an active and regular current 
 of pure air. 
 
 The velocity and abundance of this current, as well as the size of the galleries, which 
 must be easily accessible in all their parts, shall be everywhere regulated according to the 
 number of the workmen, the extent of the works, and the natural emanations from the 
 mines. 
 
 2. The ventilation shall be effected and uniformly sustained by efficacious means, exempt 
 from all danger. 
 
 3. Every current of air seriously vitiated by an admixture of inflammable or deleterious 
 gas, shall be carefully separated from every working place and frequented road. The extent 
 of the working faces shall be so from time to time limited, as to protect the workmen placed 
 in the return current from the hurtful effects of too great a deterioration in the air. 
 
 4. The 
 
SELECT COMMITTEE ON ACCIDENTS IN COAL MINES. 
 
 139 
 
 4. The stoppings or gobbings established, either to support the rocks or to separate the Appendix, No. u 
 tramways from the corresponding ventilation galleries, shall be everywhere rendered as firm, 
 
 as well-maintained, and as impermeable as possible. 
 
 5. These p-obbing-s shall advance to within a short distance of the working faces, so as to 
 hinder, towards those points, the slackening of the current and the stagnation of huriful 
 gases. 
 
 6. The works shall be so disposed as to avoid the use of many doors to direct or divide 
 the current of air. 
 
 Every door intended to divide the ventilation shall be furnished with a trap, the opening 
 of which can be regulated as required. The use of double or treble doois, conveniently 
 placed, is imperative in roads where they have to be frequently opened for the service of 
 the mine. 
 
 Chapter II. — Fire Damp Mines. 
 Ventilation. 
 
 7. In fire damp mines the mining shall proceed, as far as possible, by successive stages, 
 worked in descending order. 
 
 With the exception of cases authorised by the administration, the whole and every part 
 of the works shall be so disposed as never to cause the descent of air more or less charged 
 with inflammable gases. 
 
 8. The air shall escape by one pit, appointed for this purpose, and isolated from the other 
 pits by a sufficient thickness of rock. 
 
 The exhaustion of the air shall be produced either by mechanical means, or by heating, 
 to the exclusion of lamps or furnaces fed by the air returning from the mine. At the 
 surface, every precaution shall be taken to protect every furnace from the gas which issues 
 from the mine. 
 
 9. The intake and return air passages shall be separated by ribs, sufficiently thick to 
 preclude damage being caused by an explosion. 
 
 10. 
 
 Lighting;. 
 
 11. The use of safety lamps, of the kind admitted by the Administration of Mines, is com- 
 pulsory in fire damp mines. 
 
 12. Safety lamps shall be locked ; they shall be kept at the office, where special work- 
 men shall be employed to examine, clean, and maintain them every day in good condi- 
 tion. 
 
 13. At the time of descending, the lamp is to be given to each workman, and he is 
 required to assure himself that it is locked. 
 
 14. He is expressly forbidden to open the lamps in the works. Those which go out shall 
 be sent back either to the surface, or to some appointed place in the mine, where they shall 
 be inspected, re-lighted, and locked, by men specially appointed to this charge. 
 
 15. When fire damp may appear in a working place or gallery, in sufficient quantity to 
 produce a continued lengthening of the flame of ihe lamps, the work shall be immediately 
 stopped, until this danger has ceased. 
 
 Use of Gunpowder. 
 
 16. The use of gunpowder lor blasting coal in fire damp seams is forbidden, with those 
 exceptions which are peimitted by the Administraiion. 
 
 17. The employment of this aid is only allowed for works in the rock, under the reserve 
 expressed in the following conditions : — 
 
 1st. No substance is to be employed for lighting the match, which is capable of burning 
 with flame. 
 
 2d. Not to fire the shot, until by inspection of the flame of" the lamp it has been carefully 
 ascertained that there is no inflammable gas in that pari of the works. 
 
 3d. To appoint for tiie performance of this duty, and that of lighting the charge, master 
 workmen, or experienced miners previously exercised in this duiy. 
 
 Chapter III. 
 
 18. There shall be in every exploitation, especially in fire damp mines, besides the over- 
 men, a certain number of miners (overlookers) specially entrusted with the details of the 
 daily supervision of the means of ventilation and lighting. 
 
 The number of overlookers shall be fixed by the engineer of mines, according to the 
 extent of the works, the nature and abundance of the gases, and the degree of security 
 which the system of ventilation presents. ' 
 
 0.76. 
 
 10. These 
 
140 
 
 APPENDIX TO REPORT FROM THE 
 
 Appendix, No. i. These miners, as well as the blast lighter, shall be designated by the director on the 
 
 . , register of the control of the workmen. 
 
 20. These miners in their capacity of overlookers, each in his appointed district 
 shall — 
 
 A. Visit with care the air courses, and cause them to be maintained in good condition ; not 
 allow the whole or part of a gang of workmen to enter the works until he has ascertained 
 that the air there is pure, that the ventilation is sufficiently active, that all things are in 
 order, and that there exists no kind of danger for the workman which is capable of being 
 removed. 
 
 B. Maintain during ail working hours a strict supervision in the working faces and most 
 frequented roads in all that concerns the management of lamps, in the getting and removal 
 of materials, in the opening of doors, in a word, in everything essentially connected with the 
 efficiency of the ventilation, and the security of lights. 
 
 C. Inform against the authors of every breach of the rules of prudence and discipline, in 
 order that they may be punished ; and denounce in a similar manner every workman who may 
 carry a pipe, matches, or any materials for striking a light in works where the employ- 
 ment of safety lamps is compulsory. 
 
 D. Stop the work in every part where fire damp is seen, and direct with prudence the 
 retreat of the workmen. 
 
 21. The engineers of mines shall exercise a strict control over the preceding arrangements; 
 they shall assist, when required, the managers with their advice; they shall inscribe in 
 such a case their recommendations in a register specially kept for this purpose in the office of 
 the works, and which shall be substituted, in this instance, for the register of progress men- 
 tioned in the Article 6, of the decree of 3d January 1813. At each visit they shall inscribe 
 on this register the result of their observations. 
 
 22. When they are called upon the permanent deputations of the Provincial Council can 
 grant delays or conditional dispensations to secure the rigorous fulfilment of the preceding 
 arrangements. 
 
 23. Any breach of the above regulations shall be prosecuted and tried conformably to 
 the 10th Title of the Law 21st April 1810, on Mines and Quarries. 
 
 24. Our Minister of Public Works is charged with the carrying out of the present regu- 
 lations of general administration. 
 
SELECT COMMITTEE ON ACCIDENTS IN COAL MINES. 
 
 141 
 
 Appendix, No. 2. 
 
 PAPER delivered in by Mr. Herbert Francis Mackworth. 
 
 COMPARATIVE ABSTRACT of Experiments on the Economy of Four Kinds of Fans, by Mr. Jochams. 
 
 NATURE OF THE RESULTS OF 
 
 KIND OF VENTILATING FAN EMPLOYED. 
 
 
 IHh. xjA rriKIMEji\ Is. 
 
 Fabry's. 
 
 Letoret's. 
 
 Pasquel's. 
 
 Motte's. 
 
 
 Velocity of pistons, in feet per minute - 
 
 161 
 
 236 
 
 207 
 
 195 
 
 
 Depression of w3.ter-gQ.uge, in inches - 
 
 1-96 
 
 1-65 
 
 1-37 
 
 0-94 
 
 
 Quantity of air extracted, in cubic feet per minute 
 
 19,758 
 
 13,540 
 
 16,002 
 
 10,9.32 
 
 
 Motive power transmitted to the ventilator, in~| 
 horse-power - -/ 
 
 10-37 
 
 11-37 
 
 9-56 
 
 6-50 
 
 
 TTo^Tiil f\rrnft nnftii nAM ill illitri m — — — 
 USeiUl CilCLl UUlalllGU, 111 LlilHJ - 
 
 6-22 
 
 3-58 
 
 3-52 
 
 165 
 
 
 ■Proportion of useful effect to power transmitted - 
 
 0-60 
 
 0-32 
 
 0-37 
 
 0-25 
 
 
 Coal consumed, per horse-power per hour, in lbs. - 
 
 12 - 2 
 
 12-87 
 
 15-9 
 
 17-4 
 
 
 Water evaporated, per horse-power expended, per"] 
 hour, in lbs. ----- -J 
 
 73-4 
 
 772 
 
 95-4 
 
 104 7 
 
 
 Coal consumed, per horse-power utilized, perhour/\ 
 in lbs. J 
 
 21*5 
 
 43-9 
 
 45-1 
 
 73-0 
 
 
 Water evaporated, per horse-power utilized, per^ 
 hour, in lbs. ------ -J 
 
 1 QQ 
 
 Z\}0 O 
 
 270*5 
 
 441-4 
 
 
 Cost of first establishment complete, in £. - 
 
 f 403/.13S.1 
 \355/.13s.J 
 
 252/. 
 
 195/. 
 
 164/. 9s. 
 
 Without boilers. 
 
 Cost of first establishment, per horse-power of\ 
 useful effect, in £. - - - - J 
 
 r 48/. 1 
 
 \ 42s. 8s. J 
 
 45/. 2 s. 
 
 50/. 7 s. 
 
 74/. 13s. 
 
 
 Cost of the ventilator alone, in £. - 
 
 f 220/. \ 
 t 176/. J 
 
 24/. 
 
 43/. 16s. 
 
 42/. 17s. 
 
 
 Cost of the ventilator, per horse-power of useful! 
 effect, in £. - - - - - -J 
 
 f 26/. 5*. \ 
 \20/. 19s. / 
 
 4/. 6 s. 
 
 11/. 7s. 
 
 19/. 4 s. 
 
 
 Cost of working, per year, in £. - - - - 
 
 129/. 17 s. 
 
 203/. 3 s. 
 
 143/. 
 
 128/. 3s. 
 
 
 Cost of working, per horse-power of useful effect,\ 
 in £. per year ------ J 
 
 26/. 10s. 
 
 56/. 8 s. 
 
 58/. 17s. 
 
 57/. 10s. 
 
 
 Maximum quantity of air extracted, in cubic feet - 
 Corresponding depression of water-gauge, in inches 
 
 25,590 
 V81 
 
 26,256 * 
 1-34 
 
 21,982 
 1-10 
 
 15,397 
 0-90 
 
 * The ventilator 
 not exhausting 
 from the rr; : iie. 
 
 Maximum depression, in inches - - - - 
 
 338 
 
 2-04 
 
 1-77 
 
 no 
 
 
 Maximum useful effect, in horse -power 
 
 8-39 
 
 5-61 
 
 3-87 
 
 2'23 
 
 
 Proportion of maximum useful effect to power\ 
 expended ----- -J 
 
 0 06 
 
 0-60 
 
 0'41 
 
 0-37 
 
 
 0.76. 
 
 table 
 
1 4 2 
 
 APPENDIX TO REPORT FROM THE 
 
 ABSTRACT of Five Experiments on Fabry's Pneumatic Wheels, by Monsieur Jochams, Engineer of Mines. 
 
 
 Velocity of Piston of 
 Steam-engine, in Feel, 
 per Minute. 
 
 Water-gauge, near the 
 Ventilator, in Inches. 
 
 Cubic Feet of Air Ex- 
 hausted per Minute. 
 
 Moving Force trans- 
 mitted to the Venti- 
 lator, in Ilorse-power. 
 
 Work Utilized, in 
 Horse-power. 
 
 1 Proportion of Useful 
 Effect to Power ex- 
 pended. 
 
 Coal Consumed (per 
 Hour, per Horse- 
 power Expended), in 
 Lbs. 
 
 Coal Consumed (per 
 Hour, per Horse- 
 power Utilized), in 
 Lbs. 
 
 Weight of Water Eva- 
 porated (per Horse- 
 power Expended per 
 Houi), in Lbs. 
 
 Weight of Water Eva- 
 porated (per Horse- 
 power, Utilized, per 
 Hour), in Lbs.' 
 
 Fabry's Ventilator - 
 
 128 
 
 0-88 
 
 20,330 
 
 5-37 
 
 2-81 
 
 •52 
 
 14-43 
 
 27-6 
 
 86-6 
 
 165-7 
 
 Ditto 
 
 173 
 
 1*6 
 
 21,500 
 
 10-37 
 
 5-41 
 
 •52 
 
 12-10 
 
 23-2 
 
 72-6 
 
 139-2 
 
 Ditto 
 
 149-5 
 
 2-4 
 
 15,817 
 
 8-95 
 
 5-97 
 
 •67 
 
 11-4 
 
 17-2 
 
 68-9 
 
 120-6 
 
 Ditto 
 
 142 
 
 3-0 
 
 14,776 
 
 11-21 
 
 6-97 
 
 •62 
 
 11-20 
 
 18-04 
 
 67-19 
 
 108*24 
 
 Ditto 
 
 112 
 
 3-44 
 
 8,912 
 
 8-46 
 
 4-82 
 
 •57 
 
 11-28 
 
 19-82 
 
 67-71 
 
 118-93 
 
 Note. — They are quite new, fitted up in the best manner, with horizontal cylinders and direct action. 
 
 1 
 
 f 
 
 Struve's Ventilator") 
 at Eajjlesbush 
 
 204 
 
 1-55 
 
 16,950 
 
 4-14 
 
 •70 
 
 15-90 
 
 22-46 
 
 89-9 
 
 Note. — The engine is second-hand, the steam passages contracted, and the ventilator beam is attached to the engine 
 by single link chains, 60 feet long. 
 
 COMPARATIVE TABLE of Cost of Eight Kinds of Ventilating Machines, according to Monsieur Ponson. 
 
 KIND OF VENTILATOR. 
 
 Cost of 
 Ventilator, 
 Engine, 
 &c. 
 
 Cost of 
 the same per 
 Horse-power, 
 Utilized. 
 
 Cost of 
 the Ventilator 
 alone. 
 
 Cost of 
 same, per 
 t Horse-power, 
 Utilized. 
 
 Working 
 Expenses, 
 Annual. 
 
 Cost of 
 Working, per 
 Horse-power, 
 per Year. 
 
 
 £. 
 
 £. 
 
 £. 
 
 £. 
 
 £. 
 
 £. 
 
 Cylinder and piston machines - 
 
 1,020 
 
 •210 
 
 140 
 
 29 
 
 263 
 
 54 
 
 Sinnle-actino- airometers - 
 
 514 
 
 138 
 
 195 
 
 53 
 
 193 
 
 40 
 
 Curved vane fans - 
 
 198 
 
 184 
 
 45 
 
 42 
 
 136 
 
 126 
 
 Straight vane fans - 
 
 254 
 
 65 
 
 24 
 
 6 
 
 203 
 
 53 
 
 Motte's screw - - - 
 
 166 
 
 180 
 
 43 
 
 46 
 
 128 
 
 136 
 
 1'asquet's spiral ------ 
 
 195 
 
 59 
 
 44 
 
 13 
 
 143 
 
 43 
 
 "V\indmill ventilator (Lesoinne's) - 
 
 192 
 
 218 
 
 50 
 
 57 
 
 141 
 
 161 
 
 Fabry's pneumatic wheels - 
 
 355 
 
 54 
 
 136 
 
 27 
 
 130 
 
 20 
 
SELECT COMMITTEE ON ACCIDENTS IN COAL MINES. 143 
 
 Appendix, No. 3. 
 
 PAPER delivered in by Mr. Herbert Francis Mackworth. 
 
 EXPERIMENTS ON VENTILATORS. 
 
 1. Motte's Pneumatic Screw. — The first kind applied to the ventilation of mines in 1839 Appendix, No. <■■ 
 at Monceau Fontaine, near Charleroi, was awarded a premium by the Academy of Sciences. 
 
 It is a double-blade Archimedian screw, 7 ft. 4 | in. in diameter, 3 It. 7 in. in length, which vide Plan (A.) 
 
 is half the pitch ol" the blades. It revolves in a horizontal cylinder cased with masonry, 
 
 and it is set in motion by a strap, which multiplies the velocity 7*2 times. At the outer 
 
 end of the screw is an iron disc 5 ft. 7 in. in diameter, to prevent any reaction of air in the 
 
 central part of the screw- The annular space for the escape of the air is therefore 11 inches 
 
 wide. 
 
 The downcast shaft of the mine is 315 }ards deep, area 61 square feet; the upcast shaft 
 is 238 yards deep, and 22 square feet in area. There are three main currents or splits of 
 air in the workings, and one sub-division. The sum of the length of the four splits is 8,660 
 yards ; the average area 14 h square feet. When the pressure of the steam in the boiler 
 was 38 lbs. the number of revolutions of the screw was 274 per minute, the water-gauge 
 •92 inch, the quantity of air exhausted 15,396 cubic feet per minute. The work utilised on 
 the. air was therefore 2*23 horse power. The work expended on the strap was 5*98 horse 
 power, the ratio between these, being that of useful effect to power expended, is 37 per 
 cent. 
 
 With the same power applied and the same number of revolutions, the resistance was 
 increased to 1*12 inch water-gauge, the ventilation fell to 9,030 cubic feet per minute, and 
 the ratio of useful effect to 27 per cent. 
 
 It has worked up to 18 inch water-gauge. 
 
 2. Lesoinne's Windmill Ventilator. — Similar in construction to Biram's Anemometer, was Vide Plan (B.) 
 first constructed on a large scale in 1845. 
 
 At the Grand Bac Colliery, near Liege, the ventilator is 8 ft. 8 in. in diameter, and nine 
 inches wide in the direction of the axis. Smeaton's angles for die direction of the sails of 
 windmills have been adopted, and the vanes at the circumference are inclined at an angle 
 of seven degrees to the diameter, and near the centre at angle of 19°. It is set in motion 
 by a strap which multiplies four times. The steam-engine has a cylinder 7 2 in. diameter, 
 and a stroke of 22 \ inches. 
 
 The downcast shaft is 273 yards deep, 70 square feet area; the upcast 35 square feet in 
 area. The average length of the air-courses 2,200 yards, and area 30 square feet. 
 
 When the sieani was at 30 lbs. in the boiler, there were 162 revolutions ; the quantity of 
 air 15,900 cubic feet per minute; the water-gauge \ inch. 
 
 Another of these ventilators, of nearly the same dimensions, with 201 revolutions, gave 
 19,300 cubic feet per minute, with -52 inch water-gauge, and the highest water-gauge ever 
 obtained by Lesoinne's ventilator is "56 inch. 
 
 3. Parquet's Spiral Ventilator consists of a screw with six threads of sheet iron vide Plans (B.) 
 wrapped round a cylinder 5 feet 7 inches diameter, which is closed by a disc ; the external & (C.) 
 diameter of the spirals is 8 feet 2 inches; the breadth of each thread or vane is therefore 
 
 15 § inches in the direction of the radius. Each vane passes one-sixth round the circle, 
 and the amount of pitch, or the breadih of ventilator in direction of radius is 8 inches. 
 Each aperture is 8 inches by 15 3 inches, and the sum of the apertures for the escape of 
 the air 5*16 square feet in area. 
 
 The diameter of the cylinder of the steam engine is 12 I inches, stroke 2 feet. By wheel 
 gearing, the velocity is multiplied 6*8 times. 
 
 At Moulin a Vent Pit, La Reunion Colliery, at Montigny-sur-Sambre, the downcast pit 
 is 68 square feet in area, the upcast 26 square feet in art a, and the deptli of each is 317 
 yards. 
 
 There are three main splits, two of which are again subdivided ; the total length of all 
 the splits is 1,346 yards, and the average area 25 square feet. When the steam in the 
 boiler was at 31 lbs., and the engine making 50 strokes, the spiral 330 revolutions per 
 -minute, the water-gauge indicated ] - 8 inch; the quantity of air was 12,720 cubic feet; 
 
 0.76. s 4 the 
 
3 44 
 
 APPENDIX TO REPORT FROM THE 
 
 Appendix. No. 3. the work utilised 3 60 horse power; the work communicated to the axis of the machine 
 
 10*87 horse power ; therefore the ratio of useful effect to power was 33 per cent. 
 
 When no air was allowed to pass through the ventilator, with a pressure of 32 lbs. in 
 the boiler, there were 306 revolutions per minute, and the exhaustion upon the air measured 
 by 2 - 4 inches water-gauge. The best effect is at about one inch of water-gauge. 
 
 Vide Plan (A.) 4. Letorefs Inclined Vane Fan has four flat vanes fixed at an angle of from 110° to 
 i30° to radial arms. The air enters on eacli side at 1 he centre, and passes out either 
 at one square apeiture, or the whole circumference is left open. 
 
 At Grande Veine, at Elouge, near Mons, the outside diameter of the vanes is 9 feet 
 
 2 inches; of the inner, and of the circular aperture for the entrance of the air, 4 feet 
 6 inches ; the inclination of vanes to radius 120° ; the vanes are 3 feet 3 inches high, and 
 
 3 feet 11 inches wide. The motion is given by a strap, which multiplies four times. The 
 horizontal cylinder is 12 \ inches diameter, the stroke 2 feet 0| inch, and the steam is 
 cut off at 4/5. 
 
 The downcast pit is 308 yards deep, 9 feet in diameter. The upcast (ladder) pit 279 
 yards deep, 5 feet 9 inches diameter. 
 
 There are two main splits of air, and four minor; the total length of all the splits is 
 1,083 yards; average section 30 square feet. The two seams worked are 30 inches and 
 48 inches thick. The quantity of air extracted was 14,350 cubic feet, at 1 7 6 0 - inch water- 
 gauge, at 240 revolutions per minute of the fan. The useful effect was 28 per cent. 
 
 When one of the galleries vvas closed the fan made 228 revolutions; the air exhausted 
 was 7,650 cubic feet per minute, at 2 inches water-gauge : the useful effect was 2 46 horse 
 power; the moving force 12*18 horse power; the useful effect 20 per cent. 
 
 It has worked up to 2'32 inches water-gauge. 
 
 The ventilator and engine, without boiler, cost 160/. ; the building, 68/. ; the culvert and 
 connexion with pit, 54/. ; total, 280/. 
 
 Vide Plan (C.) 5- Combes Curved Vane Fan. — The air < nters on one or both sides of the centre, and is 
 expelled from the, circumference by from three to six curved vanes. 
 
 At Grand Hornu, near Mons, the diameter of the outer ends of the vanes was four feet 
 eight inches of the inner, and of the aperture for the entrance of the air, three feet seven 
 inches. The vanes, which were three in number, formed an angle of 15 degiees with the 
 inner circle, and ended as tangents to the outer circumference. The axis was vertical, the 
 upper side closed by a disc, the centre of the lower side was open to the shaft, and a ring 
 or collar ol sheet iron, five inches in depth, dipped into water to prevent the lo*s of air. 
 
 At 570 revolutions per minute, 5,870 cubic feet of air were exhausted at -86 water-gauge, 
 and 0-78 horse-power were utilised ; 4"96 horse-power were transmitted to the fan, and 
 therefore the ratio of useful effect was 16 per cent. 
 
 With an improved fan of this kind, and with apertures on each side, as much as 26 to 
 29 per cent, of useful effect have been obtained by Monsieur Glepin. With 516 revolutions 
 8,460 cubic feet of air were obtained at a drag of - 84 inch water-guage. 
 
 Vide Plan (D.) 6. Lemielle's Feathering Fan.— It is on a horizontal axis, the exterior being closed with 
 masonry, except the bottom, which is in connexion with the mine, and the top, which is- 
 open for the escape of the air. 
 
 That at Pit St. Henri, at Hair mont, has been erected three months, and is the only one in 
 Belgium. It consists of ;i central six-sided prism, each side four feet six inches wide, and 
 ten feet two inches long (which is the width of the fan); to the angles are attached flaps, 
 four feet six inches wide, working on hinges. The flaps are opened and shut by connecting; 
 rods, working on an axis which is 18 inches excentric to the first-mentioned. The fan is 
 constructed of sheet-iron. 
 
 The steam-engine, which is in bad order, has 12-inch cylinder, and 38-inch stioke; the 
 motion is communicated bv gearing, but not multiplied. Steam in boiler at 30 lbs. Revo- 
 lutions, 17 per minute. Water-gauge, 1*32 inches, said to give 20,000 cubic feet or' air per 
 minute. At 24 revolutions the water-gauge is said to rise to two-and-a-half inches. One 
 which was worked at Seraing, at from 40 to 80 revolutions, gave a water-gauge of four 
 inches. 
 
 The experiments on this machine are not as yet sufficient to determine its advantages, 
 bat like that of Fabry, it has a slow motion, in which it will possess a great advantage over 
 the other fans, although its friction will be greater in the working parts. 
 
 Vide Plan (D.) 7. Fabry's Pneumatic Wheels.— First erected in 1S45, at Mambourg ; were exhibited at 
 the Great Exhibition in 1851. They consist of two wheels, each with three projections or 
 co«s, the surfaces of which so work together, that little or no air can descend between 
 them; and each wheel, in the upward portion of its revolution, drives out the air from the- 
 mine.' The centres of the wheels are six feet six inches apart; they are six feet six inches 
 long, measuring; along the axis. The length of each tooth or cog from the centre is five feet 
 seven inches. Th ey are made either of sheet iron or of wood. The steam-engine has a 
 12-inch cylinder, and two feet stroke. 
 
 The downcast pit is 440 yards deep, and 67 square feet area. The upcast 330 yards- 
 deep, and 27 square feet area. 
 
SELECT COMMITTEE ON ACCIDENTS IN COAL MINES. 145 
 
 There are three main splits of air, one of which is divided into six minor splits ; the Appendix, No. 3. 
 
 average length of each split is 560 yards ; average area, 26 square feet. When the pressure 
 
 in the boiler was 41 lbs., the number of strokes and revolutions 48 per minute ; the water- 
 gauge 1 '8 inch. The quantity of air was 24,400 cubic feet; the power utilised, 6 '92 horse- 
 power. The horse-power expended on the machine, 12*45. The ratio of useful effect was 
 therefore 55i per cent. 
 
 First Cost : . £ 
 12-horse engine, boiler and ventilator - - 420 
 Erecting engine-house, chimney, culvert and ma- 
 chinery - - - - - 197 
 
 617 
 
 Working Expenses: 
 Working and repairs, per annum - 
 Coal - 
 
 £ s. d. 
 
 47 16 - 
 
 61 16 - 
 
 109 12 - 
 
 It is the intention of Mr. Fabry to simplify and reduce the cosfof his machine, by sub- 
 stituting two teeth for three, and five ventilators of this kind are already ordered. This is 
 of a similar kind to that patented by Mr. George Jones, of Lionel Foundry, Birmingham, 
 but which as yet has only been applied to blowing cupolas and forges. 
 
 8. Cylinder and Piston Ventilator. — That at Hainchamps Pit, near Liege, has been at Vide Plan (E.) 
 work for 18 years. It is composed of two wooden cylinders, open at the top, the bottom 
 
 fitted with valves; they are 11 feet 7 inches in diameter. The pistons are suspended to 
 the opposite extremity of a beam; they are fitted with valves which open upwards; the 
 length of stroke is six feet two inches, and soap and water are used to lubricate the cylinder. 
 
 There are 20 valves in each piston and cylinder bottom. The steam cylinder is fixed over 
 dne end of the beam; the stroke, six feet two inches; diameter, 13 inches. With steam in 
 boiler at 411bs., the number of strokes was 14, the quantity of air 17,000 cubic feet per 
 minute; the water-gauge indicated 4' 2 inches area, 1*8 inch maximum expansion and 
 compression respectively, and a mean resistance represented by three inches of water. The 
 work utilised on' the air was, therefore, 7 '98 horse-power, and taking 50 per cent, off the 
 power of the engine transmitted to the beam, the ratio of useful effect is 56 per cent. 
 
 9. Plunging Bells, or Single-acting Airometers. — The original and rude form of thia Vide Plans (E.) 
 machine has been very long known in Cornwall, under the name of the Duck Machine, as & (F.) 
 
 well as in the Hartz and other mining districts. It was improved by Mr. A. de Vaux, and 
 erected in 1842 at Mairhaies, near Seraing, It consists of two airometers (similar to 
 gasometers), 11 feet 6 in. in diameter, dipping into water, and having an alternative move- 
 ment of 5 feet. 
 
 With 12^ strokes per minute, the volume of air due to the motion of the machine was 
 12,890 cubic feet; but the quantity actually passed was only 11,500 cubic feet, owing to 
 leakage and injurious space, &c. The water-gauge varied from 1'96 expansion to '6 com- 
 pression. The mean was I '28 inches. 
 
 The work utilised on the air was 2 '32 horse-power, and the useful effect was 45 per cent, 
 of the power transmitted. 
 
 General Remarks. — The ventilators of Combes, Lesoinne, and Motte are not suited 
 to overcome a resistance of more than 5 lbs. per square foot (the second one not half so 
 much) ; but they exhaust a certain quantity of air at a small cost of outlay and maintenance. 
 Letoret's and Pasquet's ventilators have the additional advantage of working advantageously 
 up to a drag of 10 lbs. per square foot; but the high velocities, as well as certain peculi- 
 arities in the use of all the above machines, causes a very considerable loss of power. In 
 this last respect, Lemielle and Fabry's machine possesses a superiority, as well as in their 
 capability of overcoming a resistance amounting to 15 lbs. per square foot. Although 
 in the cylinder and piston machine an almost unlimited drag can be overcome, it is liable 
 to many objections, amongst which are friction, resistance in valves, inadequacy for large 
 ventilations. The single acting airometers, with the same advantage, present fewer defects. 
 The air, however, enters and passes out only below the airometers. When made according 
 to the patent of Mr. W. P. Struve, of Swansea, with a casing over the airometer, so that 
 the air passes in and out both above and below, it becomes double acting, and a great 
 advantage is obtained. By the use of large valve-areas, each of the four sets of valves 
 being equal to half the area of an airometer, and by working at a slow motion, a power, 
 effect, and economy, exceeding that of all the other machines which I have named, can be 
 obtained. With either two machines, or four, it is competent to produce the largest 
 ventilation required in any mine in England, and to overcome, with economy, at least 
 double the resistance which the ventilation of any mine at present offers. It is capable of 
 (423.— I.) T more 
 
146 
 
 APPENDIX TO REPORT FROM THE 
 
 Appendix, No. 3. more expansive action to meet emergencies, and more regulated control, than ventilation 
 by rarefaction. 
 
 According to Monsieur Ponson, the ratio of useful effect to transmitted power of eight of 
 the ventilating machines, is as follows : — 
 
 Fabry's pneumatic wheels 
 Single-acting airometers 
 Pasquet's spiral 
 Lesoinne's windmill ventilator 
 Letoret's fan 
 
 Cylinder exhausting machine 
 Motte's pneumatic screw 
 Curved vane fan 
 
 53 per cent. 
 48 
 26 
 25 
 24 
 23 
 19 
 15 
 
 55 
 55 
 5J 
 )> 
 55 
 5» 
 55 
 
 To do the same amount of work as the Esperance cylinder ventilator, viz., 17,000 cubic 
 feet of air exhausted at 3 in. water-gauge, would require ]38 jets on Mehu's plan £ in. 
 diameter, tubes or cylinders 8 in. diameter, and 3 ft. 3 in. long, and 150-horse boiler power, 
 with a steam pressure of 75 lbs. 
 
 Cost. 
 
 Six boilers, each 30 horse-power (one being a reserve) 
 138 Wrought iron tubes - - - - 
 
 138 Copper pipes, ^ inch diameter, with cock to each 
 Cast iron tubes to convey the steam 
 
 Steam-engine of seven or eight horse-power, for feeding b 
 Earthwork and masonry of ventilating gallery 
 Construction of furnaces and a brick chimney, 43 yards in 
 
 and two yai'ds internal diameter - 
 Erecting engine and contingencies 
 
 Working Expenses. 
 
 Salaries : six firemen, two enginemen, per year 
 
 8,758 tons of coal - - - - 
 
 158 lbs. of neatsfoot oil - 
 
 106 lbs. of purified oil 
 
 106 lbs. of grease - 
 
 185 lbs. of waste and hemp 
 
 Maintenance and repairs - 
 
 
 £ 
 
 s. 
 
 d 
 
 
 922 
 
 
 
 
 30 
 
 
 
 
 50 
 
 
 
 
 33 
 
 
 
 'S - 
 
 224 
 
 
 
 
 5 
 
 10 
 
 0 
 
 rh"t 
 
 
 
 
 
 1,124 
 
 
 
 
 80 
 
 
 
 £ 
 
 2.468 
 
 
 
 
 £ 
 
 s. 
 
 d. 
 
 
 233 
 
 10 
 
 
 
 2,070 
 
 
 
 
 3 
 
 10 
 
 
 
 o 
 
 10 
 
 
 
 2 
 
 
 
 
 4 
 
 
 
 
 24 
 
 
 
 £ 
 
 2,339 
 
 
 
 According to the experiments of Mr. Glepin. 
 
 Comparative Economy of Furnace (underground and above), Steam Jet Ventilators, 
 
 according to Mr. Glepin. 
 
 NAME OF APPAKATUS. 
 
 Moving Power 
 transmitted. 
 
 Moving Power. 
 Useful Effect. 
 
 Exhausting engines, reciprocating motion (Mairhaies) - 
 Ventilator of Mr. Combes - - 
 
 Screw of Mr. Motte - 
 Ventilator with straight vanes of M. Letoret 
 Ventilator of M. Pasquet - 
 Steam jet in ventilating shaft - 
 Steam jet of M. Pelletan - - - 
 
 Ventilator with straight vanes in sheet iron 
 Furnace at the surface, with a chimney 45 to 55 yards 
 high ------ 
 
 Apparatus of M. Mehu (steam jet) - - 
 
 Steam-pipe in the ventilating shaft (exhausting) 
 Ventilating chimney, the furnace working a high- 
 pressure engine - - - - - 
 
 Ditto - - ditto ordinary steam-engine 
 
 100 
 
 25 to 40 
 
 100 
 
 27 to 29 
 
 100 
 
 20 to 24 
 
 100 
 
 16 to 20 
 
 100 
 
 10 and 24 
 
 100 
 
 6'8 
 
 100 
 
 6 and 7 
 
 100 
 
 5 
 
 100 
 
 4 to 5 ' 5 
 
 100 
 
 ra to 5'5 
 
 190 
 
 35 
 
 100 
 
 0'8 
 
 100 
 
 0"5 
 
APPENDIX SELECT COMMITTEE ON ACCIDENTS IN COAL MINES. 
 
 Plan (a.) 
 
APPENDIX SELECT COMMITTEE ON ACCIDENTS IS COAL MINES. 
 
 Plan (B.) 
 
APPENDIX SELECT COMMITTEE ON" ACCIDENTS IN COAL MINES. 
 
.Ar.FE.NDIX SEEE« 1 LOJlJlUlTKi; ON Ai.CJJJt.iN 1 r> J.JM I UAL J IN E 5> . 
 
t 
 
APPENDIX SELECT COMMITTEE ON ACCIDENTS IN COAL MINES 
 
APPENDIX SELECT COMMITTEE ON ACCIDENTS IN COAL MINES. 
 
 Plan (G.) 
 
 V&riliUitor Danger Signal/, 
 
 (423._1.) 
 
APPENDIX SELECT COMMITTEE OK ACCIDENTS IN COAL MINES. 
 
 J-Btwire-jAlk,. 
 
 (423. 
 
SELECT COMMITTEE ON ACCIDENTS IN COAL MINES. 
 
 147 
 
 Comparative First Cost of Establishment of various Machines at per Horse- Power. Appendix, No. 
 
 Underground furnace, utilising 0*8 of the total heat developed 
 
 Furnaces of Anzin, - ditto •■ ditto 
 
 Furnace in the mine - - 
 
 Furnaces of Anzin _„_-■-. 
 
 Ventilator of M. Combes - - 
 
 Ventilator of M. Pasquet - 
 
 Screw of M. Motte 
 
 Ventilator of M. Letoret 
 
 Steam jets of M. Pelletan - 
 
 Cylinder pumping engine 
 
 Single acting aerometer 
 
 Apparatus of M. Mehu (steam jets) 
 Ventilator with straight vanes in sheet iron 
 Furnace at the surface 
 
 £ 
 6 
 17 
 27 
 70 
 180 
 201 
 201 
 244 
 247 
 267 
 286 
 314 
 617 
 823 
 
 s. 
 10 
 10 
 
 Comparative Cost of Working, at per Horse-Power of Useful Effect, per Annum. 
 
 Underground furnace, utilised 0'8 of the heat developed 
 Reciprocating blowing engines - ■ 
 
 Ventilator of M. Combes - 
 
 „ M. Motte - 
 
 „ M. Pasquet 
 
 „ M. Letoret - 
 
 Underground furnace, utilising 0"25 of the heat developed 
 Jet of M. Pelletan - 
 Apparatus of M. Mehu - 
 Ventilator with straight vanes - 
 Furnace near the surface 
 
 49/. 
 52/. to 56/. 
 
 60/. 
 
 70/. 
 
 70/. 
 92/. 105. 
 150/. 
 225/. 
 286/. 
 330/. 
 616/. 
 
FIRST REPORT 
 
 FROM THE 
 
 SELECT COMMITTEE 
 
 ON 
 
 ACCIDENTS IN COAL MINES; 
 
 WITH THE 
 
 MINUTES OF EVIDENCE, 
 
 AND 
 
 APPENDIX. 
 
 [Communicated from the Commons to the Lords.] 
 
 (423. — I.) 
 
 Ordered to be printed 15th August 1853. 
 
SECOND REPORT 
 
 FROM THE 
 
 SELECT COMMITTEE 
 
 ON 
 
 WITH THE 
 
 MINUTES OF EVIDENCE, 
 AND APPENDIX. 
 
 [Communicated from the Commons to the Lords.] 
 
 Ordered to be printed 15th August 1853. 
 
 (423.— II.) 
 
[ ii ] 
 
 Martis, 31° die Maii, 1853. 
 
 Ordered, That a Select Committee be appointed to inquire into the Causes of the 
 numerous Accidents in Coal Mines, with a view of suggesting the best Means for their 
 Prevention. 
 
 Jovis, 2° die Junii, 1853. 
 
 Committee nominated of, — 
 
 Mr. Hutchins. 
 Mr. Fitzroy. 
 Mr. Ingham. 
 Mr. Hussey Vivian. 
 Mr. Baird. 
 
 Mr. Cumming Bruce. 
 Mr. Cayley. 
 Colonel Pennant. 
 
 Mr. Stephenson. 
 Mr. Mostyn. 
 Viscount Goderich. 
 Mr. Farrer. 
 Mr. Child. 
 
 Mr. Henry Austin Bruce. 
 Mr. Cobbett. 
 
 Ordered, That the Committee have power to send for Persons, Papers, and Records. 
 Ordered, That Five be the Quorum of the Committee. 
 
 Jovis, 9° die Junii, 1853. 
 
 Ordered, That Viscount Goderich be discharged from further attendance on the Com- 
 mittee, and that Mr. Locke be added thereto. 
 
 LuncE, 27° die Junii, 1853. 
 
 Ordered, That the Committee have power to Report the Minutes of Evidence taken 
 before them from time to time to The House. 
 
 REPORT 
 
 MINUTES OF EVIDENCE 
 APPENDIX 
 
 - p. ui 
 
 - P- 1 
 
 - p. 82 
 
[ a ] 
 
 SECOND REPORT. 
 
 THE SELECT COMMITTEE appointed to inquire into the Causes of 
 the numerous Accidents in Coal Mines, with a view of suggesting the 
 best Means for their Prevention, and who were empowered to Report 
 from time to time to The House, — 
 
 AVE made further progress in the Matters to them referred, and have 
 agreed to Report the Minutes of Evidence taken before them. 
 
 11 July 1853. 
 
 (423.— II.) 
 
 LIST 
 
[ iv J 
 
 LIST OF WITNESSES. 
 
 Jovis, 30° die Junii, 1853. 
 
 Mr. Martin Jude 
 Mr. Robert Henderson 
 
 Luna, 4° die Julii, 1 853. 
 Mr. David Swallow - - - p. 28 
 
 Mr. William Gray - - - - - p. 51 
 
 Jovis, 7° die Julii, 1853. 
 Mr. Allan Tetlow - • - - - p. 60 
 
 Nicholas Wood, Esq. - - - - - p. 73 
 
 - p I 
 
 - p. 19 
 
[ 1 ] 
 
 MINUTES OF EVIDENCE. 
 
 Joins, 30° die Junii, 1853. 
 
 MEMBERS PRESENT. 
 
 Mr. Hutchins. 
 Mr. Cayley. 
 Mr. Co'bbett, 
 Mr. Child. 
 Mr. Locke. 
 
 Mr. Stephenson. 
 Mr. Mostyn. 
 Mr. Fitzroy. 
 Mr. Hussey Vivian. 
 
 E. J. HUTCHINS, Esq., in the Chair. 
 
 Mr. Martin Jude, called in; and further Examined 
 
 l 844. Mr. Cobbett.~] WHO is the principal man, or manager in a mine ; Mr. M. Jtide, 
 what do you call him in your part of the country ? — Head viewer. — ~ 
 
 184.5. How many are there in a mine? — After the head viewer, there is an 30 June 1853, 
 under viewer. 
 
 1 846. And the next man is an overman ? — Yes. 
 
 1847. How many overmen are there in a mine generally? — One fore over- 
 man, and one back overman. 
 
 1 848. What are the next people ? — The deputies come in next, deputy 
 overmen. 
 
 1849. How many of those are there '/' — The number ranges according to the 
 size of the pit, three or four, five or six sometimes. 
 
 1 850. What are the next men ? — Those are all the officers that carry on the 
 works of a colliery. 
 
 1 851 . Are there any waste men ? — Yes. 
 
 1 852. What are the waste men ? — They attend to the ventilation part. 
 
 1 853. Those are the persons then who have to manage the ventilation ? — 
 Chiefly. 
 
 1 854. How many of those are generally in a mine ? — They have been very 
 much reduced lately ; there are very few collieries that have more than two or 
 three in each pit. 
 
 1855. A re they in number according to the size of the pit? — I think that 
 would be so, and the nature of the seam of coal. 
 
 1856. Do you know how many there are according to the quantity of coal 
 raised in a pit r — I cannot say whether there is any principle of that kind acted 
 on or not ; I think it will be according to the fiery nature of the seam. 
 
 1857. Are there men called firemen? — They are known by that term in 
 Lancashire and other counties, but not in Northumberland and Durham. 
 
 1 858. Have you described the principal men in the pit 1 — Yes. 
 1 859. What are the next, the working people ? — Coal hewers. 
 1 860. Those are the people who get the coal ? — Yes. 
 i 861 . What are the next ?• — The putters. 
 
 1862. The hewers and putters are working people?- -Yes. 
 
 1863. Are there others to take care of the road? — Yes, there are some 
 parties appointed for that purpose ; one or two in each pit, according to the 
 size and dimensions. 
 
 i 864. You said the last time the Committee met, that what was wanted prin- 
 cipally was ventilation, and that every man should have a certain quantity of 
 air supplied to him ? — Yes ; I should have said a sufficient quantity. 
 
 1865. You did not say how much? — No, I could not mention that 
 exactly. 
 
 0.76. A 1866. Your 
 
2 
 
 MINUTES OF EVIDENCE TAKEN BEFORE THE 
 
 lde - 1 866. Your opinion is, that inspection is the principal mode by which the 
 working men could be seen to have the sufficient quantity of air that you speak 
 
 53- of? — Yes, I am fully persuaded that a proper system of inspection will ensure 
 that. 
 
 1867. You spoke of an inspector visiting the men once a month? — Yes. 
 
 1 868. By visiting once a month, could the inspector ascertain how far the 
 men had been supplied, between the time he visited the mine and his last visit, 
 with a sufficient quantity of air ?— No, he could not ascertain as to any parti- 
 cular deficiency that might ensue in that period. 
 
 1869. Must it not be known then by inquiry of the persons who had been 
 working during that time ? — Quite so. 
 
 1 870. So that the inspector would be the person to whom the working miner 
 would have to complain, if he had complaints to make? — Yes. 
 
 1871. You said something in your last examination about the miners being 
 afraid to make complaints, did you not? — Yes. 
 
 1872. Of whom would he be afraid ?— He is afraid of losing his employment 
 from that colliery. 
 
 1873. From what person? — The head viewer. 
 
 1 874. In point of fact, do you consider inspection a matter of great impor- 
 tance as an appeal for the working men ? — Yes ; but I consider it of greater 
 importance that working men should be attended to without those appeals 
 being made. Intimidation still hangs over him, as the inspector would generally 
 be accompanied by the overman or the under-viewer when making his visits, 
 consequently he durst not speak in their presence what he ought to have said 
 to the inspector individually. 
 
 1875. Mr. Locke.] Then I understand you rather to suggest, that it would be 
 better to have this inspection made by the owners of the collieries than by a 
 Government inspector? — No. 
 
 1 876. How would you remedy the present defect, namely, of intimidation and 
 fear, if the inspector continues to go with the overman through the pit ? — I 
 can hardly prescribe any remedy for that ; it always will get out, some way or 
 other, the fact of his having communicated to the inspector. 
 
 1877. If you want to have good ventilation in a mine, and you want to have 
 the workmen protected, could that be done by any means by the owners of the 
 collieries themselves, so as to prevent a man being subject to the suspicion of 
 having communicated to the inspector ? — I cannot see how he can escape being 
 suspected, for 1 know a case or two which illustrate that very strongly. At one 
 colliery in the county of Durham, near Newcastle, I was informed by one per- 
 son that his district of the pit was very badly ventilated, and dangerous. He in- 
 formed the inspector, and the inspector communicated to the head viewer, a 
 few days afterwards, that he would be there to visit it on a certain day some 
 days hence. He went, but previous to his going, eight or ten men were set to 
 work to remedy this defect in the ventilation, and the man who gave the infor- 
 mation to me informed me afterwards, that all the brattices were taken from the 
 district he worked in to another part of the pit, and efficiently ventilated that 
 part, and that man had to leave the colliery subsequently, although no names 
 were ever given up. 
 
 1878. Do you attribute that entirely to the fact of his having made that 
 communication to you ? — I think they had got a suspicion that he was the man. 
 They did not send him away from the colliery ; they take another plan ; they 
 give a man less wages for working ; they have many means at their command if 
 they have a strong suspicion of a man. 
 
 i 879. Is it your opinion that that man was discharged for communicating 
 that fact ? — I would not like to say that. 
 
 i 880. What do you mean by giving that evidence to this Committee, if you do 
 not mean it to have some effect ; you gave it as an illustration of intimidation ? 
 — The man himself gave it to me as his opinion, that he was suspected of giving 
 that information to me. 
 
 1881. Had the man himself any means of ascertaining the truth of that sus- 
 picion of his own, from the facts which came to his knowledge ? — Only by the 
 behaviour of the overmen and the under agents towards him. 
 
 1882. Are you aware whether he was ever charged with having made such a 
 communication to the inspector ? — Never. 
 
 1883. Mr. 
 
SELECT COMMITTEE ON ACCIDENTS IN COAL MINES. 
 
 3 
 
 1883. Mr. H. Vivian.'] How long had he been at work in the pit ? — I think Mr. Af . JW«. 
 three or four years in that colliery. 
 
 1884. Mr. Locke.] How long did he continue to work afterwards? — A few 3oJ" n ei8s3< 
 months. 
 
 1885. Mr. H. Vivian.] What aged man was he ? — About 30 to 35. 
 
 1 88b. Are you aware how many collieries he had been in before ? — I cannot 
 say precisely, but several I know of. 
 
 1887. He might have been considered, perhaps, as rather a wandering man 
 than a steady workman attached to the colliery ? — He does not come under that 
 term ; generally speaking, in the north, he comes under the term of a steady 
 hard-working man, anxious to get on, and well liked by the generality of his 
 masters. 
 
 1888. It is generally well known to viewers what men in each pit are inclined 
 to raise difficulties, and what men are not ? — Yes. 
 
 1889. And when they find difficulties of various kinds arise they are very 
 apt to pick out those men who they think have been at the bottom of these 
 disturbances, or these combinations of men, and so forth ?— Yes. 
 
 1 890. Were there other men at the same time that were offered less wages 
 than they might consider they were fairly entitled to ? — At that colliery there 
 was no combination existing. 
 
 1891. I am not asking that ; I am asking whether there were other men who 
 might not have been placed in the same position as regards wages at that col- 
 liery ? — No. 
 
 i 892. You are positive that in that colliery there were no other men who 
 were placed in the same position ? — No other men. 
 
 1893. How many men were there? — One hundred and twenty, or there- 
 abouts. 
 
 1 894. You can undertake to say that no other man was called on to do any 
 different description of work from that which he had been hitherto doing ? 
 —No. 
 
 i 895. You can say out of 150 men no other man was changed?— No other 
 man. 
 
 1896. Mr. Locke.] Where was that? — I would not like to specify, unless it 
 was necessary. There are several cases continually occurring of the same 
 description. 
 
 1897. Chairman.] Have you any objection to give the name of the colliery ? 
 — No particular objection. 
 
 1898. Then give the name ? — Unsworth. 
 
 1899. Mr. Locke.] How long ago is it ? — Verging on two years. 
 
 1 900. Mr. Child.] Was this man directly discharged, or did he leave in con- 
 sequence of his wages being lowered ? — No, he left ; he was not discharged. 
 
 1901. Mr. H. Vivian.'] Were his wages lowered, or was it required of him to 
 work in a district where he would not get so much wages ? — That was just it. 
 
 1902. You are quite certain no other man out of the 150 was placed in the 
 same condition ? — No. 
 
 1903. Mr. Child.] Were no men working in the same department that he 
 was working in changed at the same time ? — None. 
 
 ] 904. Mr. Locke.] I understand you to say, that you think that, as one of 
 the means of increasing the security of mines, there should be increased super- 
 intendence ? — Yes. 
 
 1 905. I understand you also to say, that that superintendence should be on 
 the part of Government ? — Yes. 
 
 1906. And I understand you also to say, that you did not think that extra 
 Government superintendence would remove the difficulty which you have just 
 now expressed about intimidation and fear of the workmen ? — I think it would 
 not. 
 
 1 907. Then how would you lessen that difficulty of intimidation and fear on 
 the part of the workmen ; supposing you wanted to satisfy the mind of the 
 workman that everything was done for him that could be done, what means 
 would you suggest for the purpose of satisfying that large body of men ? — I 
 think that an efficient inspection would prevent the men from having to make 
 any complaints whatever, and frequent visits of the inspectors would insure 
 that the master must keep these pits in tolerable good order, or be visited by 
 certain pains and penalties which the inspector should be empowered to inflict, 
 
 0.76. A 2 and 
 
4 
 
 MINUTES OF EVIDENCE TAKEN BEFORE THE 
 
 Mt.M.JuJe. and that would prevent the men having to make any appeals, and remove 
 ■ — the cause of intimidation. 
 
 30 June 3853, 1908. That answer is rather different to a former one ; I understood you to 
 say, that increased inspection would not get rid of the intimidation and fear of 
 the workmen ; now I understand you to say, that you think that increased 
 inspection would be so beneficial in its operation, as to render any complaints on 
 the part of the workmen unnecessary ? — I do think so. 
 
 1909. You think that increased inspection would so infuse energy into the 
 viewers and persons connected with the ventilation as would ensure effective ven- 
 tilation ? — Yes. 
 
 1910. And render the complaints of the workmen less numerous, and per- 
 haps destroy them altogether ? — Yes. 
 
 191 1. Now you said that the number of waste men had been considerably 
 reduced of late ? — Yes. 
 
 1912. Why have they been reduced of late? — I think it is owing to the in- 
 troduction of the Davy lamp, or safety-lamps. 
 
 1913. That has been a long time introduced; when you said there had been 
 a reduction in the number of waste men, during what number of years do you 
 speak ? — Previous to the introduction of the Davy lamp. 
 
 1914. Had you any experience in mines before the introduction of the Davy 
 lamp ? — I was just a boy, working at playing the steel mills, when the Davy lamp 
 was introduced. 
 
 191.5. When you said that the number of workmen had been reduced, you 
 meant that they had been reduced since the introduction of the Davy lamp ? — 
 Yes. 
 
 1916. Do you suppose they have been reduced during the last five years? — 
 I think not 
 
 1917. Chairman.] You stated in your examination of the other day, that it 
 was possible, provided you could have confidence in the inspector, that the 
 workmen should communicate to you, and you should communicate to the in- 
 spector, that the works were in a dangerous state ? — Yes. 
 
 1918. Do you adhere to that opinion ? — Yes. 
 
 1919. Do you not think that the workmen would have greater confidence in an 
 inspector than if a set of sub-inspectors were appointed r —The higher in standing 
 and the higher in life the gentleman was who was appointed to inspect the mines, 
 the greater confidence the workmen and yourself would have in him, that he 
 would not betray any confidence you might impose on him ? — I believe the 
 workmen would have less confidence in a man who was not of their own class ; 
 a practical mining engineer. 
 
 1920. Suppose practical mining engineers could be found of the grade of the 
 present inspectors, do you think an increased number of them would satisfy the 
 workmen ?— It would depend entirely upon their conduct. 
 
 192s. Do the present inspectors satisfy the workman ? — The inspector for the 
 north district does not. 
 
 1922. What is his name ? — Matthias Dunn. 
 
 1923. In what respect does he fail to satisfy the workmen? — The principal 
 reason they have is, that he sends word or gives notice to the owners when 
 there is any complaint made, a few days before he comes to pay the visit. 
 
 1924. Does he at the same time name the parties who made the complaint? 
 No, 1 think not. 
 
 1925. Your objection is, that the owner of the coal mine has sufficient time 
 to put the mine in order before the inspector's visit ? — Yes. 
 
 1926. Not that the confidence that the workmen repose in the inspector is 
 betrayed ? — No ; it is rather the mode in which it is done. 
 
 1927. You are now alluding to a different subject ; the point on which I wished 
 to have your opinion was this, what description of inspectors would satisfy the 
 workmen, and give them confidence in making the complaints to you, and you 
 to the inspector, that their confidence should not be betrayed by the inspector ? 
 — I could not specify any particular description of persons who would give the 
 most confidence, excepting that I think the workmen would much rather that 
 they should be practical mining engineers. 
 
 1928. Do the workmen think Mr. Matthias Dunn a competent person to 
 inspect mines ? — Quite competent. 
 
 1929. They think him a scientific and practical mining engineer ?— Yes. 
 
 1930. Mr. 
 
SELECT COMMITTEE ON ACCIDENTS IN COAL MINES. 
 
 .5 
 
 1930. Mr. Locke.'] That meets the vieAv you expressed before, as to the quali- Mr. M. Judt. 
 fications that the miners would be satisfied with ? — Yes. 
 
 1931. Your objeetion to Mr. Matthias Dunn is simply that he communicates 30 June 1853. 
 with the master of the colliery before he makes his inspection ? — Quite so. 
 
 1932. In any other respect do the miners in the north of England raise any 
 objections to Mr. Matthias Dunn's qualifications ? — None at all. 
 
 1933. Chairman.] Do they not believe that Mr. Dunn's visits have always 
 been beneficial, and that the mines have been put in good order after he has 
 inspected, or in better order ?-- They have generally been so; they have ex- 
 pressed an opinion that there has been much good done by the inspector's 
 visits, but they are so few and far between, that the pit lapses into the original 
 condition before long. 
 
 1934. Do you think the workmen would rather have the number of the 
 inspectors of the present kind increased than have a class of men under them, 
 and, of course, inferior to them? — I think they would prefer having sub- 
 inspectors. They have expressed so in their petition to the House several 
 times. 
 
 1 935. Have you ever heard men state their reasons for coming to that opinion 
 — The principal reason that I have noticed is, that the sub-inspector being a 
 young man, would be able to travel round into all the nooks and crevices, and 
 find gas out if it was possible to be found. 
 
 1936. You state that you wish that a sub-inspector should visit each mine in 
 the north of England, in your district, once a month ? — Yes. 
 
 1937. Can you give the Committee any idea how many sub-inspectors it 
 would take to perform that duty under the inspector i — About seven or eight. 
 
 1938. Are you speaking of the whole district over which Mr. Dunn presides r 
 — Northumberland and Durham ; eight sub-inspectors would be sufficient, under 
 the control of Mr. Matthias Dunn, or any other chief inspector. 
 
 1939. Mr. Locke.'] Are you now giving your own individual opinion, or your 
 opinion as gathered from the wishes of the workmen ? — My individual opinion 
 is so, and many of the workmen have expressed themselves to me to that 
 purport. 
 
 1940. At the same time, have any of those workmen expressed to you what 
 their notion would be of the qualifications of the sub-inspectors ? — Yes, they 
 have done so frequently. 
 
 1941. Now, what is their notion of the qualifications of a sub -inspector ? — 
 Some of the most intelligent of the miners themselves. 
 
 1942. Then the miners think that the sub-inspectors should be taken from 
 the class of practical miners ? — Yes. 
 
 1943. Young intelligent men who have been working in the collieries them- 
 selves ? — Yes. 
 
 1944. And consequently would know where those nooks and crevices were 
 best to be met with ? — Just that. 
 
 194,5. Are you of opinion that the miners in the north would greatly prefer a 
 sub-inspector from that class, than from the class of young men brought from 
 school or college, who had no previous knowledge of mining ?- — They would very 
 much prefer the former. 
 
 1946. Chairman.] Is it your own opinion that the owners and proprietors, 
 and head viewers of coal mines, would have equal confidence in such a sub- 
 inspector as the men you have described the workmen to prefer ? — I believe 
 young intelligent men could be found in the collieries who would have both the 
 respect and confidence of the owners and workmen. 
 
 1947. Mr. Cobbett.] The Act which created the inspectors was passed hi 
 1850?— Yes. 
 
 1 948. You had no inspectors before ? — No. 
 
 1 949. Are the working people, so far as you know them, better satisfied with 
 their state since the inspectors were created, or before ; has it done good ? — It has 
 not given general satisfaction. 
 
 1950. The inspectors have not ? — No. 
 
 1951. Have they done no good ? — The good is so small, that it has not given 
 general satisfaction. 
 
 1952. Still you are in favour of Government inspection ? — Yes. 
 
 J 953- Your only complaint is, that the inspection at present in existence is 
 not perfect enough ?— Not sufficiently extensive. 
 
 0.76. A3 '954- Chairman.] 
 
6 
 
 MINUTES OF EVIDENCE TAKEN BEFORE THE 
 
 Mr. M. Jvde. 1 954. Chairman.'] The number is not adequate ? — No. 
 
 1 95 5. Mr. Cobbett.~\ Does that arise from the fact that the number of inspec- 
 
 30 June 1853. tors is not large enough ? — Entirely. 
 
 1956. So far as those inspectors have been able to inspect mines, they have 
 given satisfaction ? — Yes, at each of the different severe explosions ; Washington, 
 Killingworth, Hepburn, since the inspectors were appointed ; the inspector's 
 report states that there was an inadequate supply of air. 
 
 1957. And other mismanagement which led to those misfortunes and loss of 
 life ? — The men were perfectly satisfied with these reports ; and there was an 
 improvement immediately, after these lives were lost, in the conditions of these 
 pits, but the inspectors cannot go back again for a length of time ; the pits are 
 worked on to the verge of danger, from want of proper and frequent inspection. 
 
 1958. Now, in saying what you have just said, do you consider that you are 
 speaking the sentiments of the body of the working people in mines ? — Yes. 
 
 19.^9. What means have you of knowing their sentiments? — We have a 
 general communication ; I am secretary of the Mining Association. 
 
 1960. How long have you been their secretary ? — About ten years. 
 
 1961. Before that time you were a working miner? — Yes. 
 
 1962. Chairman.'] Are their meetings connected with the association? — 
 Yes. 
 
 1963. How often do they meet ? — They meet once a month, by delegates. 
 
 1 964. How many delegates are appointed for each number of men ? — One 
 from each colliery, principally. 
 
 19G). Those are selected by the miners themselves? — Yes. 
 
 1966. Are they generally the most intelligent of that class of men? — In- 
 variably so. 
 
 1967. Mr. Locke.] Do you think that the working men would contribute any- 
 thing towards the expense of these sub-inspectors if they had some little power 
 in the nomination of them ? — I think they would. 
 
 iq68. Did it ever enter your mind to consider any proposition of that kind, 
 namely, that the men should have some power in the nomination of the sub- 
 inspectors, and that they should also contribute a part of the expense ? — As 
 regards the expense, that never did enter my mind, but the other has frequently 
 passed through nry mind. 
 
 1969. That is, the question of appointment ? — Yes, and we have more than 
 once got several parties to give adherence that Mr. Matthias Dunn should be 
 the inspector of the whole district. 
 
 1 970. Chairman^] You stated, in the commencement of your evidence, that the 
 miners wished this Report of the Select Committee of 1852 to be carried out; 
 do you mean that they wished every part of the Report to be carried out ? — I 
 believe they specify so in their petition. 
 
 1971. Do they agree about w r hat are called refuge-stalls? — They do not 
 understand that particularly. 
 
 1972. In your evidence, as on the notes, it says that the miners and yourself 
 wish the whole of the Report of 1852 to be carried out ; first of all, with regard 
 to refuge stalls, do you think these refuge-stalls would be of any use to the miner 
 to guard him from after-damp in the case of explosion? — I have not had an 
 opportunity of examining that practically, or otherwise. 
 
 1973. Can you conceive it possible to carry air to these refuge-stalls in any 
 way, so as to make them available to the workmen to stay in for any length of 
 time, provided the pit was to become full of foul air ? — There is a possibility. 
 
 1 974. Describe how it could be done ? — By placing proper valves, and making 
 them air-tight. 
 
 1975. How would you get the air to the stall at all when the communication 
 was cut off by the stoppings and doors, or other things being blown away ? — 
 The air is already supposed to be in the stall, and the miner enters there and 
 breathes this as long as it lasts, till fresh air is brought to him. 
 
 1976. You would merely have these refuge-stalls filled with air, and closed 
 with a valve that would render it air-tight, and the miner entering there would 
 merely have to breathe the air that is in the stall at the time he entered it ? — 
 
 » Yes. M&tot 
 
 1977. When that was exhausted, he would be deficient of air, and die? — 
 
 Yes. 
 
 1978. What 
 
SELECT COMMITTEE ON ACCIDENTS IN COAL MINES. 
 
 1978. What size should these stalls be, supposing there were 30 or 40 men Mr. M. Judc. 
 in them ? — It would take an immense size for that number of men. 
 
 1979. You would keep the refuge-stall open at all times, so that a current of 30 June 1853. 
 air could go through it at all times, except in case of explosion, when the valve 
 
 would be shut down, and make it air-tight ? — Yes. 
 
 1980. Looking at the question as a practical man, and a man acquainted with 
 collieries, do you think it feasible or practicable that a number of men could 
 support life for any length of time in these refuge-stalls ? — It would depend 
 entirely on the number of men, and the largeness of the stall, and the stall being 
 filled with a sufficient quantity of air. 
 
 1981. You cannot state to the Committee what area of air would support a 
 man for any given length of time h — No, I cannot. 
 
 1982. You have not looked into that ? — No. 
 
 1983. Nor the miners themselves ? — No. 
 
 1984. With regard to bore-holes of goaves, do you think it feasible, in your 
 Northumberland pits, to bore down on a goaf, and clear the air beyond these 
 bore-holes ? — I think it is practicable to bore holes into the goaf. 
 
 1985. Do you think they would not be downcasts ? — I cannot tell that. 
 
 1 986. Do you not think, if you were to bore a hole down into the pit, and the 
 furnace was drawing into the pit, they would be down-casts ? — It is more than 
 probable it would be so. 
 
 1987. Would not water go down with them ? — It is probable it would. 
 
 1988. Would not there be a difficulty in keeping them open? — A great 
 difficulty. 
 
 1989. Are these bore-holes a plan that you, as a practical man, would recom- 
 mend for clearing these goaves of foul air ? — No, I would not recommend 
 them. 
 
 1 990. Then I suppose we may take your answer, with regard to this Report of 
 1852, to be that the workmen merely mean the general principles recommended 
 by the Committee to be carried out ? — Entirely so ; I think they embodied the 
 chief of them in the petition. 
 
 1991. Mr. Locke.] There is one in this petition, in which they, pray that the 
 qualifications of the managers and officers of mines shall be inquired into by 
 some proper tribunal ? — Yes. 
 
 1992. That, I see, is made a strong point of in this petition ? — Yes. 
 
 l 993- Can you suggest to this Committee who you would appoint for the 
 purpose of making the examination as to the fitness of the officers of mines ? — 
 I think a Board might be formed of three or four of the principal mining 
 engineers of the country. 
 
 1 994. From your experience, how would you propose or recommend to this 
 Committee that a Board should be formed for the purpose of examining into 
 the qualifications of the officers for managing collieries ? — Three or four of these 
 principal mining engineers might form such a Board for examining them ; a 
 proper tribunal for examining them should be established. 
 
 1 !)95- Would that be satisfactory to the miners ? — I think it would. 
 
 1996. Chairman.'] Would they prefer a Board of that kind to any Govern- 
 ment Board ? — Yes. 
 
 1997. Would you have all the officers of a collier y so appointed ? — Y^es. 
 
 1998. Generally speaking, from your own experience, do you think that the 
 officers of a colliery now in the management of mines are deficient of the qua- 
 lifications that are requisite ? — Generally so. 
 
 ■999- Taking the principal viewer, what you call the chief viewer, are 
 they not generally a superior class of men in the north of England ? — They are 
 indeed. 
 
 2000. Perhaps superior to almost any viewers in any other part of the king- 
 dom ? — I cannot state that. 
 
 2001. You do not know of your own knowledge any class of men in mining, 
 in any other parts of the country, superior to them in intelligence and expe- 
 rience ? — I do not. 
 
 2002. What you call the under viewer, or the managing viewer, are they 
 generally of the same class, or are they deficient in the proper qualifications ? 
 — They are of a different class, because the head viewers all serve their time or 
 apprenticeship to the trade, and none are allowed to be head viewers except 
 they go through this process. The under viewers are taken from the most intel- 
 
 0.76. a 4 ligent 
 
8 
 
 MINUTES OF EVIDENCE TAKEN BEFORE THE 
 
 Mr. 31. Jude, ligent of the workmen ; probably those who have gone through all the stages 
 from a deputy and overman to an under viewer. 
 
 30 June 1853. 2003. From your own experience as connected with the workmen, what is 
 your opinion generally, without specifying individuals, of the qualifications and 
 fitness of the general class of under viewers ?— Many of them are very good and 
 well qualified ; others are not so. 
 
 2004. You said, if I understood your answer to a former question, that you 
 should prefer these sub-inspectors to be taken from young men in the mines 
 who have had some previous knowledge of mining operations ? — Yes ; ten years 
 at least. 
 
 2005. Supposing that that be a good qualification for a sub-inspector, one 
 may reasonably conclude that it is a good qualification, or a good experience for 
 an under viewer ? — So it is. 
 
 2006. Still I understand you to say that, notwithstanding that previous ex- 
 perience, you do not find the under viewers are so intelligent and fit as you think 
 they should be ? — Not generally so. 
 
 2007. You say there are some, in your judgment, unfit for it? — Quite unfit. 
 
 2008. Can you give the Committee any means of judging how that unfitness 
 arises ; if they have had the experience, in what way are they unfit for this 
 position? — Many of them do not attend to their duties; they drink with the 
 overmen and deputies, and, when the under viewer drinks, all the others must 
 follow, as a matter of course. 
 
 2009. It is a sort of moral unfitness?- — Yes. 
 
 2010. Is that extensive in the north of England r — Not very. 
 
 201 1. Has it decreased or increased of late years? — Decreased very much. 
 201 2. Is it decreasing still ? — I think so. 
 
 2013. Now, going from the under viewers to the overmen, are the overmen, 
 in your opinion, a well qualified class of men ? — Not generally so. 
 
 2014. How are they; what school are they taken from? — Generally in the 
 stage of pr ogress as deputies. 
 
 2015. From the mining body i — Yes. 
 
 2016. The most intelligent miners ? — Not the most intelligent. 
 
 20 1 7. They are taken from miners ? — Yes. 
 
 2018. Perhaps your complaint is, that they are not taken from the most 
 intelligent class ? — Yes. 
 
 2019. Do you think that is a school from which overmen should be taken ; 
 namely, from the most intelligent of the workmen themselves ? — Yes. 
 
 2020. Can you point out any mode by which that system of inspection and 
 promotion could be best promoted ? — The only mode I can point out is, by 
 schools for teaching mining theoretically ; through schools, in addition to their 
 own practical information. 
 
 2021. In the north of England, at this moment, are there schools generally 
 established at collieries : — Yes, generally there are. 
 
 •2022. Are there any principal collieries, in point of fact, without schools: — I 
 think not. 
 
 2023. What do they teach generally at those schools? — Reading, writing 
 and arithmetic. 
 
 2024. Anything more? — Not much more, generally ; there are some which 
 teach mensuration, and the higher branches of mathematics. 
 
 2025. Are there any other subjects which you think it would be desirable to 
 teach in those schools ; I mean in educating men fit to manage collieries ? — I 
 think part of the education should consist in making them understand how to- 
 manage collieries, the nature of the gases and airways, and plans of collieiy 
 workings, and all such things, that appertain to the safe management of a pit. 
 
 2026. It would not be a very difficult thing to ingraft that extra teaching on 
 the schools which are now established ?— They would perhaps be too small 
 for that purpose. 
 
 2027. Do you see any difficulty, in reference to the teachers themselves? — 
 Many of the teachers, or all of them, have not been practical miners, nor do they 
 understand mining at all generally. 
 
 2028. Then you think it would require an entirely new teacher from those 
 who are now employed? — Yes. 
 
 202Q. How are those schools now supported t— By the miners themselves. 
 
 2030. Are- 
 
SELECT COMMITTEE ON ACCIDENTS IN COAL MINES. 9 
 
 2030. Are they, in your opinion, sufficient for the objects sought; namely, Mr. M. Jude. 
 the education they profess to give ? — Not by a great deal. 
 
 203 1 . You think there is a deficiency in the means of education among the 3° June 1853. 
 mining classes ? — A great deficiency. 
 
 2032. And you would wish it to be extended to practical mining operations? 
 —Yes. 
 
 20 33- Chairman.] Looking at the last five or six years, is it your opinion that 
 the children of miners are improved in their education or not ? — I think they 
 have, on the whole. 
 
 2034. At each colliery in Northumberland and Durham is there a school ? — 
 I believe at every one, or nearly so ; I cannot say for one particular exception or 
 two. 
 
 2035. When you say that the men support the schools themselves, do you 
 mean that they pay so much in the pound from their earnings, or that they pay 
 so much a week to the master of the school themselves ? — No ; they pay to the 
 master themselves. 
 
 2036. By voluntary contributions ? — So much per child. 
 
 2037. Do you think the miners would agree to a rate, to paying so much in 
 the pound, which should be stopped from their earnings, for the purpose of edu- 
 cation ? — They would, if they had some power attached., to see if it was rightly 
 distributed. 
 
 2038. Provided they had a committee appointed to see that the master was a 
 proper and efficient man, you conceive they would have no objection to schools 
 being established on that principle? — I think not. 
 
 2039. And to teach mining? — To teach mining. 
 
 2040. If it was an increased expense to teach the children practical mining, 
 you do not think they would object to pay a little more increased cost for that 
 purpose ? — I believe they would not. 
 
 2041. When you say practical mining, let the Committee understand what 
 you mean ; by teaching them practical mining, do you mean the science of 
 mining? — Yes. 
 
 2042. You do not mean the practice of mining, but the science of mining : — 
 Yes. 
 
 2043. Therefore a master could be found, who was not a working man, who 
 would be efficiently competent to teach them the principles of mining and ven- 
 tilation, and everything connected with the science of mining; is that so ? — Yes. 
 
 2044. What rate could such a master be obtained at ? — I think he should 
 have eighty or one hundred pounds a year. 
 
 2045. Would you recommend it to be embodied in the Act of Parliament, that 
 it should be compulsory on each colliery to have a school, and that those schools 
 should be paid for in the manner they have now designated r — I think it would 
 take very well with the colliers. 
 
 2046. Do you think there would be no objection to allowing a certain per- 
 centage of their earnings to be stopped from them, for the purpose of edu- 
 cation ? — They would be quite willing, under the circumstances I have de- 
 scribed. 
 
 2047. Tliose circumstances being, that they should have some control in the 
 management themselves ? — Yes. 
 
 2048. Mr. Locke.] Would it be a desirable thing, that at each of those colleries 
 there should be a map of the colliery placed in the school-room ? — No ; but a 
 general map, showing the principles of ventilation, might be adopted. 
 
 2049. A general map would be better than a map of the particular colliery ? — 
 Yes. 
 
 2050. Are maps essential in carrying on a colliery ? — Quite so. 
 
 2051. Do you see any objection in its being placed in the school-room for 
 examination ? — I could only conceive that the owners would object to it. 
 
 2052. The workmen would not? — No. 
 
 2053. Mr. Stephenson.] At the schools which you now have amongst the col- 
 lieries in the north of England, you say they generally teach reading, writing 
 and arithmetic? — Yes. 
 
 2054. At what age do the boys generally leave the schools ? — About nine or 
 ten at present. 
 
 2055. Do you think that if the master was a scientific miner, that he could 
 convey to a boy's mind at eight or nine years of age any important information 
 
 0.76. B respecting 
 
10 
 
 MINUTES OF EVIDENCE TAKEN BEFORE THE 
 
 Mr. M. Jude. respecting mining r— I think a good impression would be made at that time on 
 their minds before they went to work. 
 
 30 June 1853. 2056. Do you think that would be a better preparation at that school, than 
 having a school of mining at which they could attend whilst they were working 
 under ground, and gaining practical information ? — I think it would be necessary 
 to continue it by night schools. 
 
 2057. Would you not rather leave the schools as they are now for the boys, 
 to add to the present system a mining school, which might be accessible either 
 by night or by day, for those who are workmen in the mines ? — I think the other 
 might be employed to induce a notion on the part of the boys to go to these 
 night schools, for without that they would not have that notion. 
 
 2058. Chairman.] How many hours do the boys work now in the pit? — 
 Twelve hours. 
 
 20,59. Do you think that is too much ? — Rather too much. 
 
 2060. Can you state the earliest age a boy ought to go to a pit at all ? — Not 
 before 14. 
 
 2061. How long do you think he ought to work at the pit, provided he goes 
 at 14 years of age ? — About eight hours. 
 
 2062. Is your evidence now with reference to his physical powers, or with 
 reference to the means he should have, after he leaves employment, of educating 
 himself by these night schools ? — -I think both of them are enjoined. 
 
 2063. Is it your opinion that a law should be enacted prohibiting boys of 
 certain ages working more than a certain number of hours : — Yes, I should like 
 that law very much. 
 
 2064. Just explain to the Committee what you think would be the right law ? 
 — I think that there should be two shifts of boys instead of one. They are 
 12 hours at work, and, before they get home and get washed, two more are 
 consumed, which necessarily keeps them 14 hours from home. If there were 
 two shifts of boys employed, they might work six or eight hours each, from 10 
 years of age to 14, for the law at present is that they must be 10 before they 
 can go down to the pit. 
 
 2065. Do you not think that a law of that kind would have the effect of 
 diminishing their wages ; do you think the coal proprietor would be willing to 
 pay the same sum for working eight hours as for 12 hours: — No. 
 
 2066. Do you think it beneficial to the boy that his wages should be dimi- 
 nished, and that he should only be allowed to work a certain number of hours ? 
 — Yes, in order that, after he had done his work, he should have his energies 
 and faculties in full force to imbibe any education that might be offered to 
 him. 
 
 2067. Mr. Child.'] Would the parents be satisfied that their children should 
 only be allowed to work a short period and have their wages diminished ? — 
 Many would not, but the great body would be satisfied with it. 
 
 2068. Mr. H. Vivian.'] Assuming that an efficient school was attached to 
 each colliery, do you think that any regulation could be made that boys should 
 not be employed who had not attended that school, in order to produce a strong 
 moral effect as to the necessity of educating the children ? — Yes ; it would have 
 a great effect in keeping them at school. 
 
 2069. Mr. Locke.) In point of fact, you would require, in that case, a certi- 
 ficate that he had been at school before he was permitted to go to the mine at 
 all? --Yes. 
 
 2070. Did I understand your opinion as to the employment of boys to be, 
 that you would by law enact that between the ages of 10 and 14 no boy em- 
 ployed at the colliery should be permitted to work more than eight hours a day ? 
 — Just so. 
 
 2071. After 14, you would not have any restriction ; you would leave that 
 as a matter of arrangement between the boys, the parents, and the owners ?— 
 Yes. 
 
 2072. Your restriction would be limited from 10 to 14 ? — Yes. 
 
 2073. Up to 10, you would not allow any boy to be employed at all ? — No. 
 
 2074. Up to 14, your own opinion is, that they should not be allowed to go 
 into the pit ?— As the present law is 10, they should work half shifts, from 10 to 
 14, and thus insure a better education among them. 
 
 2075. Mr. H. Vivian.] The purport of your evidence has rather been, that 
 
 neglect 
 
SELECT COMMITTEE ON ACCIDENTS IN COAL MINES. 
 
 neglect occurs on the part of the owners of collieries? — Or their managers, Mr. M.Jude. 
 chiefly. 
 
 2076. Are you aware of the expense which an explosion puts the colliery 30 June 1853. 
 owner to ? — I am aware it is very great. 
 
 2077. What should you conceive the expense of such an explosion as the 
 Killingworth or Hepburn : — Three or four hundred pounds. 
 
 2078. Does it not happen that when an explosion takes place, the stoppings, 
 main doors, brattices, and frequently the guides in the pits, are all shattered 
 and broken to atoms? — Yes. 
 
 2079. Do you conceive they could be replaced for two or three hundred 
 pounds ? — In those collieries you speak of that was not the case. It was only 
 in one district of the pit, and that a very limited one, where an explosion took 
 place, and a few doors and brattices were broken ; and thus little expense incurred. 
 
 2080. As a general rule, we may assume that an explosion is an exceedingly 
 expensive thing to the proprietor of the pit ? — Yes. 
 
 2081. It is also very true, is it not, that great distrust arises in the minds of 
 workmen, and the effective working of the colliery is stopped for some time after 
 the explosion ? — Very frequently so. 
 
 2082. So that great loss arises from the non-production of coal ? — Yes. 
 
 2083. Therefore is it not vastly to the interest of the proprietor of the mine 
 that the mine should be kept in an efficiently ventilated state ? — Yes, it is en- 
 tirely to his advantage. 
 
 2084. Then to what do you attribute the neglected state of the mines in the 
 north of England? — I think it is from false economy. 
 
 2085. Mr. Child.'] Would not workmen be disposed to work for less wages in 
 mines which are notoriously well ventilated, than in mines that are the contrary : 
 
 -Yes. 
 
 2086. Mr. H. Vivian.'] Do you conceive it possible to put a fiery pit in such 
 a condition that it should be absolutely safe ? — Yes. 
 
 2087. As regards wilful neglect on the part of men, do you conceive that it 
 would be desirable that specific enactments should be made against wilful neglect 
 on the part of men r — Yes. 
 
 2088. Have you ever known cases in which men have been guilty of smoking 
 in fiery mines r — Not where it was prohibited. 
 
 2089. Yon have never known a case, where smoking was prohibited, where 
 smoking took place in the pit?— Never. 
 
 2090. Have you ever known a case of a man unscrewing his lamp ? — Not 
 where it was prohibited. 
 
 209 } . Do you think it would be very desirable that specific enactments should 
 be made against wilful neglect on the part of the men ? — Quite so. 
 
 2092. Chairman.! In your opinion, it is as highly important to guard the mine 
 from accidents arising from the carelessness of the workmen, as it is from in- 
 efficient ventilation, and want of attention on the part of the viewers ? — 
 Most certainly. 
 
 2093. Mr. Stephenson.] You just now, in reply to a question, stated that you 
 thought that all fiery pits might be easily made safe by careful ventilation? — 
 Yes. 
 
 2094. Is it not a prevailing opinion among the best informed miners as well 
 as viewers in the north of England, that sometimes a discharge of gas is very 
 large and sudden ? — Yes, there have been such cases reported, and undoubtedly 
 they were so. 
 
 209,5. In those cases, ventilation might prove inefficient for a time ? — Yes ; if 
 the ventilation was weak, and only sufficient to keep the mine at a safe point, 
 then any extra amount of gas coming out would ensure an explosion, or make 
 the pit dangerous. 
 
 2096. You have heard of some instances, in the north of England, where it 
 is supposed that a large quantity of gas was emitted by the coal in a moment ? 
 — Yes. 
 
 2097. Then a fiery pit, although it might have abundant ventilation just 
 previous to that, might become dangerous under those circumstances ?— 
 Quite so. 
 
 2098. Therefore, your answer must be received with some little limitation, that is, 
 that by careful ventilation you could not prevent accidents altogether ? — I would 
 like my answer to convey this, that in an ordinary discharge of gas, a mine 
 
 0.76. b 2 could 
 
1 2 
 
 MINUTES OF EVIDENCE TAKEN BEFORE THE 
 
 Mr. 31. Jude. could be rendered safe. These extra outrushes of gas might render us still 
 
 liable to a loss of life which we could not avoid. 
 30 June 1853. 20.99. Mr - H. Vivian.'] It is not always possible to explain how an explosion 
 
 has taken place ? — Frequently very difficult indeed. 
 
 2100. In the case of Hepburn, that is conceived to be a well ventilated pit? 
 —Yes. 
 
 2101. The cause of the explosion was supposed to have arisen from the 
 gas lodging in certain undulations of the roof? — Not the last explosion, the 
 previous one. 
 
 2102. So the current of air swept along, and allowed the gas to remain in 
 those undulations in the roof? — Yes. 
 
 2103. Could any human foresight have prevented such an occurrence? — 
 Yes ; if the gas was known to have been there, it could have been removed. 
 
 2 1 04. But it was not known to have been there ? — Then a proper inspection 
 would have proved it to have been there. 
 
 2105. Then an inspector would have been required to test the fact, whether 
 gas existed in each particular undulation of the roof of a large colliery ? — 
 Yes. 
 
 2 1 06. Would that be practicable ? — Quite so. 
 
 2107. With eight inspectors for the Northumberland and Durham districts? 
 ■ — Yes. 
 
 2108. To prove the fact of the existence of the gas in the undulations of the 
 roof of a large colliery ?- — -Yes. 
 
 2 ! 09. What is the area of a large colliery, such as Hepburn Colliery, in square 
 miles ? — I am sure I cannot speak to that. 
 
 2 J 1 0. Chairman.] When an inspector goes to a pit, do you think that the 
 viewer would not take him, if he could, to the best parts of the pit, and avoid 
 the worst ? — -That is generally complained of. 
 
 2ui. If the inspector knew his business, he would be pretty well up to that ? 
 — Yes. 
 
 2112. If he saw a disposition on the part of the viewer to avoid any part of 
 the pit, he should naturally go there first ? — Yes. 
 
 2113. And ask to see if there was anything the matter there? — Yes. 
 
 2114. With respect to these eight sub-inspectors you have spoken of, you 
 would not like the inspectors' visits to be so frequent as to remove the respon- 
 sibility from the coalowner in anyway, or from the viewer ? — Not in the least to 
 remove the responsibility from the viewers. 
 
 2115. Nor would you like to interfere with the coalowner in any way, as to 
 carrying on the works in the way he thought best for his own economy and 
 profit, provided he did so with a due regard to the safety of the lives of the 
 people ? — I would not interfere at all with the mode of working. 
 
 2 i 16. In point of fact, in your opinion, as little interference should be made 
 with the proprietors of collieries as possible ? — Just so. 
 
 2117. Bearing in mind that due regard should be paid to the safety of the 
 lives of the workmen ? — That is all. 
 
 21 i 8. I see, by the returns of accidents, that a great many of the accidents 
 occur from the falls of the roof ; in your opinion, is there generally in the mines 
 of the north of England sufficient pit-props supplied at all times to the work- 
 men ? — There is, generally so. 
 
 2119. Do you think that anything could be done to avoid this loss of life from 
 the falling of the roof ?— Yes. 
 
 21 20. What ? — There should be more hands employed as deputies. 
 
 2121. Is it the deputies' particular duty to see that sufficient pit-props are 
 placed, that the roof should be made as safe as possible ? — Yes. 
 
 2122. Who applies the props ? — He does. 
 
 21 23. In the north of England, is it not the custom for the miner to place his 
 own props ? — He is not expected to do so, but from the want of sufficient hands 
 or deputies he frequently has to do so. 
 
 2 1 24. Generally, in the mines in the north of England, are there not sufficient 
 hands kept to put up the props, so as to make the mines as secure as possible ? 
 — Not generally. 
 
 2125. If more of these deputies were employed, less loss of life would occur 
 from the falling of the roof? — I feel confident of that ; 
 
 2126. However careful the deputy might be, or the number of men em- 
 
 ployed, 
 
SELECT COMMITTEE ON ACCIDENTS IN COAL MINES. 13 
 
 ployed, it would be impossible to avoid accidents at all times from the fall of Mr. M. Jude. 
 the roof? — Yes. I think there are some cases where it would not be possible to . , 
 avoid it ; some roofs are very slippery and very deceitful, and require more care ; 30 June 1853. 
 the falls are unavoidable in some instances. 
 
 2127. In some districts it is the custom in collieries to pay the hewer so much 
 for standing his own timber ; do you think that would be a better plan than to 
 employ deputies ? — No, I think not. 
 
 2128. Would not the collier, from a due regard to his own life, put as many 
 props as he could to make the roof safe '( — I think he should do so. 
 
 2129. Then bearing in mind that he was the man who would suffer if the roof 
 was to fall, is it or not your opinion that it would be a better system if, instead 
 of employing deputies to put props, that each man should in his own void stand 
 his own timber, and be allowed so much for each timber he stands ? — I think it 
 would not be so sound and safe a way as the present mode. 
 
 2130. Then you think that the collier would not have a proper regard to his 
 own life, and in his anxiety to earn more wages, would push on and hew coal, 
 and he would not stand sufficient timber? — It is not owing to that cause that I 
 think so ; it is his want of practice in the knowledge of the roof and the nature 
 of it. The deputy acquires a good knowledge of the kind of roof that is in his 
 district, and he knows almost to a nicety how many props are wanted through 
 the day there. 
 
 2131. At the same time you do not state that the collier is not in many cases 
 reckless of his own life ? — He is sometimes regardless of danger. 
 
 2132. You have known cases of colliers going into places where they were 
 actually forbidden ? — I have not indeed. 
 
 2133. You do not know of any other means of preventing the fall of the roof 
 except proper support and timber ; those are the only means you can suggest to 
 remedy these accidents ? — Yes, and the employment of good deputies. 
 
 2134. With all the attention which you have paid, you do consider that 
 accidents of that kind can be altogether avoided ? — No, they cannot be entirely 
 avoided. 
 
 2135. With regard to winding the men up the shafts, nearly one-third of the 
 accidents all over England occur [from accidents at shafts ; in the north of 
 England, when the pit is done with, is it walled round or left open ? — Walled 
 round. 
 
 2136. In all cases ? — Yes. 
 
 2137. Is that the custom of the district? — Yes. 
 
 2138. Suppose a pit was left open and un walled, would there be complaints ? 
 — I think it is likely. 
 
 2139. Who would be the parties to raise them? — Some of the overseers or 
 constables of the parish. 
 
 2140. Is the use of cages common in the north of England ? — Quite general, 
 I think, now. 
 
 2141. And guides? — Yes. 
 
 2142. Do you think there has been less loss of life since the cages have come 
 into use ? — I think there has been. 
 
 2143. What cages are now in use ? — Large iron cages, with guides on. 
 
 2 1 44. Are they safety cages ; are they Mr. Fourdrinier's, or upon that plan ? 
 — None have those of Mr. Fourdrinier's but one or two collieries. 
 
 2145. Where those patent cages are applied, have any accidents occurred 
 there ? — Not that I know of. 
 
 2146. Are you quite sure they are employed in any collieries in the north 
 now ? — I only know that they were employed at Monk Wearmouth and 
 Unsworth. 
 
 2147. Have you ever seen them yourself? — I saw them at Unsworth. 
 
 2148. Have you sufficient experience to know whether they are beneficial or 
 otherwise ? — I think they are quite sufficient to save life when the rope breaks, 
 or a chain. 
 
 2149. Have they not a tendency to make the manager of the pit more neg- 
 lectful, and to keep his ropes and his machinery in worse order ? — I think not. 
 
 2150. You are speaking of what exists now at this moment ; there are pits 
 working with these patent cages ? — It is a few months since I saw it at 
 Unsworth. 
 
 2151. When were you at Unsworth ? — Eight or ten months ago. 
 
 0.76. b 3 2152. Whose 
 
MINUTES OF EVIDENCE TAKEN BEFORE THE 
 
 Mi* M Jude 2152. Whose apparatus was at work there then ? — Fourdrinier's. 
 ~ ~~ 2153. Mr. H. Vivian.] Have they not been abandoned at many other col- 
 
 30 June 1853. lierieg P_Not that I know of. 
 
 21.54. Chairman.'] Since these cages, whether patent or otherwise, have been 
 employed, you say a greater number of accidents have occurred than before 9 
 —Yes. 
 
 2 155. Can you account for that ? — I think it is owing to the great speed with 
 which they wind the men up, and also obliging them to come to bank on the 
 top of the full tubs, drawing coals and men up at the same time in the same 
 cage. 
 
 2 ! 56. When the men go to their work in the morning, is the full coal coming 
 up when they are let down ? — Not at that time. 
 
 21 57. They always have an empty carriage to themselves ? — Yes. 
 _• 158. But on coming up they come up on a full cage ?— Yes. 
 
 2159. Then their increased weight makes a greater strain on the machinery, 
 and or course the rope has a greater tendency to break ? — The more frequent of 
 the accidents in the shaft happen, not from the rope breaking, but from the 
 cage catching some of the joints of the guides, and breaking all up together. 
 
 2160. Are the ropes and the machinery in the north of England generally 
 kept in good order ? — Yes 
 
 •2161. Sufficient attention is paid to that? — Yes, generally so. 
 
 2,162. Would it not be possible then to avoid these catchings that you allude 
 to, and to have the slides in such order that the cages never would be liable to 
 catch in their ascent?— That proper attention should be paid to them, is 
 necessary, and that they should wind the men at less speed, and without drawing 
 coals at the same time. 
 
 2163. Would you enforce those regulations by Act of Parliament? — I think 
 they should be attended to by Act of Parliament. 
 
 2164. Mr. H. Vivian.] When you say drawing coals at the same time, do 
 you allude to drawing coals in the same cage with the men ? — Yes. 
 
 2165. Have you any objection to the men descending while coals are being 
 wound by the other rope ? — Not if there be a partition between the ropes. 
 
 2i6(i. Chairman. J If the speed were to be reduced, and anything was to 
 happen in the pit to catch, as you have described, it would be easier for the 
 engineer to stop the engine ? — Yes. 
 
 2167. In your opinion, it is the great speed the engine is going at which 
 prevents the facility of stopping the engine, and consequently the life of the 
 workman is sure to be sacrificed ? — Entirely. 
 
 2i 68, Mr. Locke.] What is the present speed at which they pull coals ? — I 
 cannot ascertain that. 
 
 2169. How many minutes to 120 fathoms ? — Probably about three minutes. 
 
 2170. As much as that? — Yes. 
 
 2171. C/iairma^.] You do not know that they pull a great deal faster than 
 that ?■ — I never ascertained exactly ; so I merely give that opinion from my 
 present thoughts. 
 
 2172. You say they go a good deal too fast ; have you formed any opinion in 
 your own mind what speed would be a safe one ? — No, I have not. 
 
 2173. You have already stated that you think if they went slower, the man 
 at the engine would be able to stop his engine, and thus prevent the destruction 
 of the guide rods / — Yes. 
 
 2 1 74. Is it possible, at any reasonable speed, that the engine-man should know 
 that something had caught, so as to be able to prevent the total destruction of 
 the rods ? — Yes, a man drawing at moderate speed ; should a slight interruption 
 take place, there is generally a signal rope down by the side of the guides, and 
 the men would then have time to pull this before any destruction of life took 
 place. 
 
 2175. You think the catching of a tub or guide on the rods is so slow in its 
 operation that a man pulling at the rapper rope might then inform the engine- 
 man at the top, and thus prevent the accident ? — Yes, if the speed was moderate. 
 
 2176. Mr. H. Vivian.] Is it not customary now in the collieries in the north 
 of England to give a signal when the men are coming up ? — Yes. 
 
 2177. Do they not always wind at half speed ? — They wind at a reduced speed ; 
 not so much as that, I think. 
 
 2178. Do you think it possible, as you have stated, for a man to put his arm 
 
 out 
 
SELECT COMMITTEE ON ACCIDENTS IX COAL MINES. 
 
 out of a cage to pull a rapper rope? — Yes, the momentary suspension of the Mr. M. Jude. 
 speed by the obstruction would enable a man of sufficient presence of mind to 
 touch that wrapper rope, and if the cage was on that side of the shaft to give a 3® June ^in- 
 sufficient pull. 
 
 2 1 79. Mr. Locke.] Supposing the cage were on the other side of the shaft ? — 
 Then he would not have so ready an access to it. 
 
 2 1 (So. Can you not suggest some better remedy, than that a man should put 
 his arm out of the cage and ring a bell to the engine-man, in order to tell him 
 there was something wrong in the shaft ? — I can only suggest that a more 
 moderate speed would ensure fewer chances of the cage coming in contact with 
 obstructions. 
 
 2 1 8 1 . You think if the speed was slower, there would be less chance of the 
 obstructions having the effect of destroying the whole guide rods ? — Yes. 
 
 2182. Would it not be better that you should regulate the speed, and inspect 
 the guide rods and keep them in such perfect order, as that any little obstruction 
 you should have to check should not cause the breaking up of the rods ? — 
 Yes. 
 
 2 1 83. Mr. Stephenson.'] How many accidents arising from the slides being out 
 of order in the north of England have come within your knowledge ? — Very 
 few. 
 
 2184. Can you name any r — I could not particularise, at the present time ; the 
 complaints of the men to me are that they draw them at too great a speed, 
 and thus endanger their lives ; they say if anything was to happen, or should 
 happen, we should be all killed. This letter I might read as a letter from a 
 collier in Northumberland: — "March 7, 1853, Bedlington Colliery, — Dear 
 friend, I write these lines to you for to let the Government inspector of the 
 mines know that Bedlington Colliery is in a very bad state. At present there 
 is two pits drawing coals ; one is a upcast, and the other is a downcast pit, and 
 the air from the downcast pit goes about 150 yards in, and returns to the 
 furnace, and you will find my words true when you come to Bedlington Colliery; 
 and when a man fires a shot the reek (powder smoke) stands there, no air to carry 
 it away ; and a man can hardly see the candle that he is working with, and it is 
 very unhealthy for any man or beast ; it should not be allowed ; a man is half 
 poisoned every day he goes to work, and the Government inspector must come 
 as soon as he has an opportunity to come to Bedlington Colliery. And there is 
 another thing that I must state to you, down in Bedlington Colliery ; there is 
 seven men had to come up the pit together with two full tubs below them, each 
 tub holds seven hundredweight and a half, that is, 15 hundredweight of coals ; 
 and each tub weighs four hundredweight a piece, and the weight of the cage 
 one ton and a half ; one of the men that made the cage told me that ; that is 
 two ton 1 3 hundredweight without a man being in the cage ; and average of seven 
 men, 10 stone a piece, that will be eight hundredweight, six stone ; three ton, 
 one hundredweight, six stone. What a shame it is that a man has no more pro- 
 tection for his life." 
 
 2185. Mr. Fitzroy.] When did you receive that letter ?— March 7, 1853. 
 21 86. Did you forward that to the Government inspector ?- -I did. 
 2187. Did he visit that mine in consequence ?— He did. 
 
 2i 88. Was any alteration made at his suggestion in either of the particulars, 
 as to want of air, or as to the weight carried up the shaft ? — In respect to the 
 air, there was some difference made, an improvement. 
 
 2189. What improvement did he suggest, or what improvement has been 
 made ? — He suggested the alteration of some stoppings being put up, or doors 
 hung to improve ventilation. 
 
 2190. Have you visited that mine since the inspector visited it?- No. 
 
 2191. Have you heard from any one of the workmen employed in that mine 
 that there is an improvement in the ventilation ? — I heard from one of the work- 
 men that there was an improvement in the ventilation. 
 
 2 1 92. Has there been any alteration in the weight taken up ?— There was not 
 then, when I had the other information. 
 
 2193. Are you aware whether there was any suggestion made by the Govern- 
 ment inspector on the latter point ?— Not on that point. 
 
 2194. In whose district is this coal mine? — Mr. Matthias Dunn's. 
 
 219,5. How can you be aware whether or not the inspector suggested anything 
 with respect to the weight taken up the shaft ? — The inspector called on me, and 
 0.76. b 4 told 
 
if) 
 
 MINUTES OF EVIDENCE TAKEN BEFORE THE 
 
 Mr. M. Jude. told me he had made some suggestion as to the mode of ventilation. I asked 
 
 my informant, the next time I saw him, whether that was so or not. He said 
 
 jo June 1853. it was ; but he said there was no alteration with respect to drawing the coals 
 and the men. 
 
 2196. Are you aware, of your own knowledge, whether or not the inspector 
 made any representation to the proprietor of the mine, as to the danger pointed 
 out in that letter? — No. 
 
 2197. Are you aware how long a time had elapsed since the previous visit of 
 the inspector to that mine ? — I cannot tell. 
 
 2198. Are you aware whether that mine had ever been visited by the Govern- 
 ment inspector ? — No, I am not aware of it. 
 
 2199. Chairman.] You do not know whether it has or not ? — No. 
 
 2200. Mr. H. Vivian.'] Is Bedlington a fiery mine ? — Not very. 
 
 2201. Chairman.] In your opinion, provided proper regulations were made, 
 and the inspector had the power to see that the pits, machinery, and ropes were 
 kept in good order, and that the slides which you have alluded to were always 
 kept in sufficient order, do you think it would not almost entirely do away with 
 the chance of accidents in winding up and down the people ?— I think it would. 
 
 2202. In your opinion, would you wish that such regulations should be en- 
 forced by Act of Parliament, and that the inspector should have the power to see 
 all the pits and the machinery, and everything connected with them, should be 
 kept in proper order ? — Yes. 
 
 2203. Mr. Locke.] Would that satisfy you if that were done, without any re- 
 striction as to the speed of pulling the coals ? — Yes ; I think the inspector's own 
 opinion and judgment might be a sufficient guide to protect the men in that 
 respect. 
 
 2204. You were asked about putting up props ; is it the habit in the north of 
 England that the miners should put up the props, or is it left to independent 
 parties ? — The practice is, that the independent parties have to put them up, but 
 frequently the miners themselves put them up. 
 
 220,5. That is, when the proper parties, those employed by the owner, fail to 
 perform their duty, the miners, in their own defence, for their own security, are 
 obliged to put up those props of wood ? — Not from an inability to perform their 
 duty, but having too many men to wait upon, the miners are obliged to do it or 
 be idle. 
 
 2206. In your judgment the defect arises from the deficiency in the number 
 of persons employed to put up the props ? — Yes ; I may say that I have, many 
 a time, myself put up all the timber I have used in my place, for a week toge- 
 ther, and I have seen many others do the same. 
 
 2207. Are the miners allowed anything for putting up these props ? — Nothing 
 whatever. 
 
 2208. The system in the north being, that the putting up the timber is 
 entirely excluded from their labours ? — Quite so. 
 
 2209. In your judgment, if the miners were permitted or ordered to put up 
 their own timber, and had the management of the propping themselves, do you 
 think that that would lessen the number of accidents arising from the roofs 
 falling in, or increase them ? — I am afraid it would not lessen them at all at the 
 present time. 
 
 2210. Therefore, I may understand from you, that although there be this 
 insufficiency in the number of men employed, you do not think, if the miner 
 had the timbering in his own hands, the number of accidents would be dimi- 
 nished? — I think not. 
 
 221 1„ Can you tell the number of accidents that arise from the falling of 
 roofs, in proportion to the number of accidents in the colliery ? — I cannot say. 
 2212. Are they of very frequent occurrence ? — Yes. 
 
 2*13. Chairman.] You stated yesterday, that the workmen were not satisfied 
 with the coroners' juries ; have you ever heard them express any opinion how 
 they would like to remedy the law, and make it satisfactory to themselves ? — 
 Their general opinion is, they wish a better class of juries. 
 
 2214. Is it possible to obtain a better class of juries from the places where 
 the accidents occur ? — Not in the localities. 
 
 2215. Have you ever heard the miners themselves express an opinion as to 
 any alteration in the law that would be satisfactory to them ? — There has not 
 been any decided opinion expressed as to what should be substituted ; but they 
 
 complain 
 
SELECT COMMITTEE ON ACCIDENTS IN COAL MINES. 
 
 complain very much that the master blacksmith, or master joiner, and a colliery Mr. M. Judc 
 viewer from another place, are on the jury. 
 
 2216. Would it meet their views, provided it was enacted that no person 30 June 1853. 
 engaged in the working of a colliery should be on the jury ? — I think that is 
 necessary. 
 
 2217. Would that meet the views of the colliers, and satisfy them as to the 
 jury ? — Yes. 
 
 • 221 8. Do you think the practice and power of the coroner only being able to 
 return a verdict of accidental death, or, in cases of gross misconduct, of man- 
 slaughter, is not an improper one ? — Yes, I think so ; he ought to have some 
 intermediate power. 
 
 2219. Mr. Cobbet t.] You say he ought to have some intermediate power? — Yes . 
 
 2220. What power? — Some power to assess damages or penalties. 
 
 2221 . You would give the coroner power to assess damages ? — Yes. 
 
 2222. Or to impose penalties ? — Yes. 
 
 2223. Chairman.'] Is there anything else you desire to state to the Com- 
 mittee ? — I cannot say that there is. 
 
 2224. You came here to represent the association; it is by their desire that 
 you are here giving evidence to-day ? — Yes. 
 
 2225. Therefore of course they must be aware of the existence of this Com- 
 mittee ? — Yes. 
 
 2226. You have nothing else to state to the Committee? — There was one 
 other thing, with respect to schools : they are anxious that the Government 
 should contribute 201. per annum for every 100/. contributed by the coal 
 hewers in the colliery. 
 
 2227. Out of the Consolidated Fund ? — Out of some fund, and that the owner 
 should allow all fines and forfeitures on the workmen's wages to go to such fund, 
 for the purpose of establishing reading-rooms, libraries, and getting lectures 
 upon any scientific subjects. 
 
 2228. Mr. Fitzroy.~\ Do the hewers propose to contribute anything themselves 
 to these purposes ? — That is in addition to the 2 d. per week, or 4 d. a fortnight, 
 which they would contribute. 
 
 2229. Each man? — Yes. 
 
 2230. Chairman.'] You mean 2 d. a week every man ? —Yes. 
 
 2231 . Mr. H. Vivian.'] The fines and penalties levied in a mine are frequently 
 now applied to a sick fund, where a sick fund exists ? — Not frequently ; only in a 
 few isolated cases. 
 
 2232. Should you consider that it would be equally to the colliers' advantage 
 to apply fines and penalties to a sick fund as to a school ?— Equally so ; though 
 the latter is preferable. 
 
 2233. Chairman.] Is there anything else you desire to state ? — Not particu- 
 larly. I have this paper, containing an account of the experiments at Seaton Vide Appendii 
 Delaval. 
 
 2234. What is this paper? — The experiments at Seaton Delaval, made on 
 the 1 5th of June. 
 
 2235. Last year or this year? — This year. 
 
 2236. Who was with you? — Mr. Foster and Mr. Lamb. 
 
 2237. Those are the viewers of the pit ? — Yes. 
 
 2238. Was anybody else with you ? — The waste man, the overman, and 
 others. 
 
 2239. Was there any Government inspector with you? — No. 
 
 2240. Did you measure the air by the anemometer, or by the powder smoke ? 
 > — By the powder smoke. 
 
 2241. Ffave you ever seen the anemometer used? — Yes. 
 
 2242. You heard the evidence given with respect to the anemometer the 
 other day ; in your opinion do you think that the Government inspector could 
 rely on the anemometer as a test for what quantity of air was passing through 
 the mine, provided his visits were only once a month ? — No. 
 
 2243. Do you not think that a badly- conducted overman could tamper with 
 the anemometer, and render it not a sufficient test for the inspector to rely 
 upon ? — That is quite possible. 
 
 2244. Mr. Locke.] Did you take those measurements yourself, with Mr. 
 Foster and the other person who was with you ? — Yes. 
 
 2 245. Did you agree in all your dimensions ? — Yes. 
 
 0.76. C 2246. Has 
 
iS 
 
 MINUTES OF EVIDENCE TAKEN BEFORE THE 
 
 Mr. M. Jude. 2246. Has Mr. Foster seen that paper, or any of the other persons with you > 
 — The under viewer has. 
 
 30 June 1853, 2247. Do you know whether the conclusions or statements contained in that 
 paper are admitted by the under viewer who has seen them ? — Yes ; I took 
 each data down, and the powder was ignited and the smoke followed. I, with a 
 watch, noted tl time that was taken in passing the stated distance down, and 
 the process of summing up the rate of current was done by the under viewer 
 from these data. 
 
 2248. And from these data you have arrived at the quantity of air passing 
 through the mine ? — Yes. 
 
 2249. But whether it was properly distributed or not, is not on that paper? 
 — No. 
 
 2250. It only accounts for the quantity of air passing down the down-cast or 
 up the up-cast shaft ? — Yes, and along the three chief passages into the workings. 
 
 22.51 . Does it contain anything else ? — No. 
 
 2,252. It is merely to show the extent of Seaton Delaval? — Yes. 
 
 2253. Mr. Stephenson.] Looking at this paper, which contains the statement 
 of your experiments at Seaton Delaval, I observe a remark made here at the 
 end of the calculations, giving an increase by the doors being opened of 9,345 
 cubic feet ; now let me understand under what conditions the experiment was 
 made in the first instance, before the doors were opened ? — That door referred to 
 is the door that leads to the boiler fires, and the boiler fires are fed by a scale at 
 that door ; one part of the experiments was made with that scale only and the 
 door shut, and the other part of the experiment was taken with the door opened, 
 and to show the increase. 
 
 2254. Mr. Locke.] Showing the increase of the furnace pow r er ? — Of the 
 current. 
 
 2255. Mr. Stephenson*] This door was opened, and gave a free communica- 
 tion between the intake air and the engine furnace ? — Yes. 
 
 2256. Where did you measure the velocity of the air by the powder smoke ; 
 what part of the mine ? — In three distinct parts. 
 
 2257. At a considerable distance from the shaft? — Yes. 
 
 2258. Mr. Locke.] Where was the other part? — They were a good distance ; 
 in particular, the engine plane was a great distance from the shaft. 
 
 2259. What conclusion do you draw from this statement that you make here, 
 giving the increase, with the door being opened, of 9,345 cubic feet? — I have no 
 conclusion to come to from that ; it was the result of a thought that simply 
 struck Mr. Lamb the under viewer at the time, that there might be an increase 
 by opening the door. 
 
 2260. You only increased the ventilation in this way by taking so much more 
 air from the intake, and thus rendering the other parts of the mine less effec- 
 tually ventilated ? — It was done to prove whether that was the case or not. 
 
 2261. What was the object of the experiment ? — It was to prove whether it 
 would lessen the air current into the workings or not. 
 
 2262. If that was the object of the experiment, it was not necessary for you 
 to take the increase of air 9,345 cubic feet at that door ; ought you not to have 
 taken the speed of the air by powder smoke, at the interior of the workings, 
 away from the shaft ? — They were taken at a great distance from the door, at 
 the three separate places stated in the paper, and showed the increased amount 
 of air going into the workings by the door being open. 
 
 2263. Therefore there was this increase through the working, notwithstanding 
 that so much air had been abstracted from the intake by the opening of the 
 door ? — Yes. 
 
 2264. Chairman.] Did you make any experiment with the steam-jet alone 
 without any boiler fires, merely by the motive power of the steam ? — Just as 
 it was. 
 
 2265. Then there was the furnace and the other heat going up the chimney, 
 to rarefy the air, as well as the steam-jet ? — Yes, the heat of the boiler fires, not 
 the furnace. 
 
 2266. Mr. Stephenson.] When you opened the door to allow more air to be 
 taken from the intake, although you robbed the intake of so much air, the 
 furnace then burnt more vigorously, and heated the up-cast shaft to a higher 
 temperature, and therefore although you borrowed some air from the intake to 
 increase the intensity of the furnace, that increased intensity was more effective 
 
 upon 
 
SELECT COMMITTEE ON ACCIDENTS IN COAL MINES. 19 
 
 upon the distant workings ? — Yes, it caused a greater amount to go through all 
 the workings. 
 
 2267. Mr. Locke.] As I understand, you fancied you gained greater power of 
 ventilation by that means to the extent of 9,000 square feet ? — Yes. 
 
 2268. And under a proper system of distribution, do you think it might be 
 made use of as an increased means of ventilating the colliery? — Quite so. 
 
 2269. You had both the furnace and jet employed in that colliery ? — No fur- 
 naces, only boiler fires, gas retorts, and the jets. 
 
 Mr. Robert Henderson, called in; and Examined. 
 
 2270. Chairman.] WHAT are you ? — I work as a practical miner at Monk- Mr. R. Uenieno 
 wearmouth Colliery, and carry on business as a brass- finisher. 
 
 2271. How long have you been employed as a practical miner? — Twenty- 
 eight years. 
 
 2272. Constantly hewing coal in the pits ? — I have been out of the pits 
 about three years of the time at intervals, working various works. 
 
 2273. Are you a hewer of coal r — No, I work at stone-work, by contract 
 for it. 
 
 2274. Mr. H. Vivian.] Chiefly in driving stone-drifts? — Yes, and other work. 
 
 2275. Chairman ] "Were you selected as part of a deputation from Mr. Dunn's 
 district to come here and give evidence ? — Yes. 
 
 2276. When did you receive information? — About three days before I came 
 here. 
 
 2277. Did you ever work in any other colliery than Monkwearmouth ? — Yes. 
 
 2278. State where ? — I commenced my first operations at Kenton, I removed 
 from there to Cramlington, then to Seghill, from there to Tyne-Main, then to 
 Fawdon, and from there to Felling, and then to Killingworth. 
 
 2279. ^ n point of fact, you have worked at a great many mines, and have 
 a pretty extensive practical experience ? — Yes. 
 
 2280. You said you were a worker in brass ? — I carry on the business of a 
 brass-finisher at the same time. 
 
 2281 . You have invented a safety lamp ? — Yes. 
 
 2282. Has that been in use at all ? — It has. 
 
 2283. Have you got one here ? — Yes. 
 
 2284. Hand it in ? — Yes {the Witness handed the lamp to the Committee). 
 
 2285. The safety-lamp on the table is the one that you have invented? — 
 Yes. 
 
 2286. And it differs from the Clanny lamp, inasmuch as it has a double 
 glass, and the space between the two glasses is filled up with distilled water ? — 
 Yes. 
 
 2287. What is the object of having it so constructed ? — My object was to 
 remove the objections of the colliery viewers in 1849 to the Clanny lamp, 
 although they are not grounded on sound principles with regard to the cracking 
 of the lamp. 
 
 2288. Is it not something similar to the lamp invented by Dr. Glover ? — It 
 was previous to Dr. Glover's ; the only difference is, that Dr. Glover's takes air 
 down between the two cylinders, and separates them. 
 
 2289. And yours is one cylinder ? — Yes, united top and bottom. 
 
 2290. With merely holes to let the water in ? — -Yes. 
 
 2291. What is the weight of that lamp ? — Three pounds and a half. 
 
 2292. Has that been used extensively in coal mines ? — That lamp has been 
 used 10 months in Monkwearmouth colliery by young Laing. 
 
 2293. What kind of light does it give? — A good light. 
 2294 Better than the Davy ? — Considerably. 
 
 2295. Mr. H. Vivian^] What is the object of the water between the glasses? 
 — To equalize the temperature of the glasses. 
 
 2296. Do glasses frequently crack from heat? — No, they do not frequently 
 crack. 
 
 2297. Chairman.] Have you ever known one of your lamps crack ? — I have 
 not known any lamp crack. 
 
 229S. Constructed on your principle ? — I have not. 
 
 2299. Not any lamp ? — Not by fair burning. 
 
 2300. Mr. Locke.] Does it generate any steam above the surface of the 
 water? — It does not. 
 
 0.76. c 2 2301. Have 
 
 Mr M. Jude. 
 
 30 June 1 853, 
 
20 
 
 MINUTES OF EVIDENCE TAKEN BEFORE THE 
 
 Mr. R. Henderson. 2301. Have you seen that yourself? — The first glass that I had made cost 
 
 me 9*. ; I connected it with brass fittings and continued to burn the lamp 
 
 30 June 1853. between two hot walls for one week, but no steam appeared whatever ; I then 
 took at intervals a pint of cold water and threw it on the glass to try to break 
 it, but did not ; J then reduced the glass to the present size. 
 
 2302. Have you ever known any of them broken by heat ? — No. 
 
 2303. Broken by any other means ? — Yes. 
 
 2304. By what means ? — By a fall of the lamp. 
 
 2305. And you can answer for its giving a superior light to the Davy? — 
 I can. 
 
 2306. Does it give a superior light to the Clanny lamp ? — There is not much 
 difference ; the opinion of some is that it is much superior, and the opinion of 
 others is that it is not. 
 
 2307. In your opinion, it is a safer lamp, the light being equal, because it 
 prevents that cracking of the glass, arising from its getting heated if water 
 comes in contact with it ? — I do not think it is much superior to any glass lamp ; 
 I have implicit confidence in the Clanny lamp. 
 
 2308. Chairman^] And have you implicit confidence in Dr. Glover's lamp ? — 
 I have most confidence in all lamps that have glass round the flame, inasmuch 
 as I have seen them extensively used at Monkwearmouth Colliery. 
 
 230U. Then you do not agree with the Report of the Committee of 1852, 
 which says that no lamps are safe ? — I do not. 
 
 2310. Your opinion is, that they are safe, and ought to be enforced in fiery 
 collieries ? — My opinion is, that all lamps constructed on the principle of 
 Dr. Clanny's are perfectly safe. 
 
 2311. In those you include the lamps invented by Dr. Fife and Dr. Glover 
 and yourself, and all lamps which have glasses to protect the lamp from the 
 rushes or blowers of gas blowing through them ? — I have not made any experi- 
 ments with Dr. Glover's lamp or with Dr. Fife's. I have my doubts with respect 
 to the principle of Dr. Glover's. I had the same idea, and made experiments, 
 but on account of the difficulty of uniting the gauze properly at top and below, 
 I entertained a doubt with respect to its being sufficient to prevent the passage 
 of flame, seeing that the flame will pass with a very little injury to the gauze ; 
 I therefore gave up the idea, and adopted the present one. 
 
 2312. Suppose in Dr. Glover's lamp the gauze was properly united, your 
 objection would be removed (handing Dr. Glovers lamp to the Witness) ? — 
 Decidedly so. 
 
 2313. And Dr. Glover's lamp is very considerably lighter and more portable 
 than yours ? — It is lighter, but my lamp can be made lighter ; I make the 
 lamps of this strength because they are more approved of by the workmen 
 generally. 
 
 23 1 4. The Committee take your answer to be, that these glass lamps being 
 properly constructed are, in your opinion, perfectly safe ? — Yes. 
 
 2315. Therefore, you think that in all cases where fire exists in any quantity 
 in mines, that the Legislature ought to enforce the use of properly constructed 
 safety lamps ? — Yes. 
 
 2316. You do not say that with reference to having the ventilation worse, 
 but as an adjunct to good ventilation? — Yes. 
 
 2317. Mr. Locke.] What was the temperature of the two walls when you 
 burnt your lamps ? — I had no instrument to take the temperature ; but judging 
 from the state of the place in which it was confined, it was not much below 
 that at the Monkwearmouth Colliery, which I consider a good test for any 
 lamp whatever. 
 
 231 8. Is that about 78 or 80 degrees ? — I have been informed, in some parts 
 where I have made inquiries by the overmen, that it was as high as 86. It is 
 so hot, that the perspiration from you runs down from your body into your 
 shoes in some parts, although it is not generally so. 
 
 '2319. Chairman.] You do not come here to represent your lamp as better 
 than others, your evidence merely is, that all lamps made with glass, in your 
 opinion, are perfectly safe ? — Yes. 
 
 2320. Supposing them to be properly and carefully constructed ? — Yes, and 
 under the care of proper men. 
 
 2321. You stated, that in all fiery mines, you think the Government should 
 have the power imperatively to enforce the use of the safety lamp ?— Yes. 
 
 2322. Supposing 
 
SELECT COMMITTEE ON ACCIDENTS IN COAL MINES. 21 
 
 2322. Supposing the use of the safety-lamp was so enforced, do you think it Mr. R. Hendersn. 
 ought to be secured by a lock and key at all times ? — Yes. 
 
 2323. Should the workman have any key to open that lock ? — No. 30 June 1853. 
 
 2324. You think then, that the key should be in the hands of proper persons 
 so employed to take care of the safety-lamps down the pit ? — They are in the 
 north of England ; it is a rule for the deputy in that district, that his work 
 lies to examine all the lamps at a certain station, and to lock all these lamps 
 properly ; it is also expected that the workman is satisfied that that lamp is 
 locked, and no man whatever is allowed either to take keys or any other 
 instruments to open the lamp ; if it is known, he is subjected to a penalty. 
 
 2325. Do you think that that law should be rigidly enforced in all cases ? — 
 The rules are sufficient, in my opinion, to enforce such regulations. 
 
 2326. Do you think, with respect to cleaning the lamps and repairing them, 
 that one man should be employed at the top of the pit, whose constant duty it 
 should be to fill the lamps with oil and clean them, and see if they are in 
 repair, and if they are out of repair, to repair them ? — A proper person should 
 be appointed for that generally. 
 
 2327. And that no other person but that person so appointed should be 
 allowed to clean the lamps, or fill them with oil, or repair them if necessary ? — 
 It would almost be impracticable in any extensive colliery in the north of 
 England so to do. 
 
 2328. Supposing one man would not be sufficient, then you would have two, 
 or a sufficient number, whose constant duty it should be, at the top of the pit, 
 to fill the lamps and clean them ? — I have no objection whatever to the work- 
 men taking their own tops home, and cleaning their own gauze ; but in my 
 opinion, it is very desirable that there should be more pains taken in instruct- 
 ing the men generally on the merits of those lamps ; I have known a lamp pass 
 all the officers in charge, and be in a very dangerous state. 
 
 2329. If the man who had the care of the lamps, and who had to repair 
 them, had them through his hand every day, do you not think that he would 
 be the better judge whether the gauze was in repair or out of repair? — He 
 could not do it, on account of the number he would have through his hand. 
 
 2330. Suppose there were a sufficient number of men, whose constant duty 
 it was to repair these lamps, from habit of observation, would they not be better 
 able to see whether any part of the gauze was out of repair than the common 
 working man ? — If he was sufficiently awake to the merits of the lamp he might ; 
 but in no such case should I say that a lamp should go into a pit without being 
 examined by the deputy of that district. 
 
 2331. Mr. H. Vivian.'] Supposing a man took his lamp-top home with him to 
 clean, it would be necessary that that lamp-top should pass through the hands 
 of a competent man before the man could take his lamp down the pit ? — Yes. 
 
 2332. Chairman.'] Do you think that the working men in your district agree 
 with the Report of 1852, as regards the safety -lamp, or do you think they place 
 confidence in the safety-lamp? — There is much difference in the opinions of the 
 men on the use of the safety-lamp ; I can only speak from what I have expe- 
 rienced, and what instructions I have from other parties. The men at Monk- 
 wearmouth will not work with a common Davy lamp if they can get a glass 
 lamp ; they generally buy a Clanny lamp themselves when the company has 
 none in store. I have sold upwards of two dozen to workmen, which cost 
 i 1 s. each. 
 
 2333. In your opinion, has the ventilation improved within the last few years 
 at the collieries in your district ? — I could not speak generally to that ; the col- 
 liery that I am in is a very difficult colliery to judge of ; it has such extensive 
 bounds, that no man can form any idea of what is going on in another part of 
 it ; but I am fully convinced that it is quite possible to carry a sufficient amount 
 of ventilation through any mine, provided there is sufficient attention paid to 
 the return airways. 
 
 2 334- You have had no expereience of the steam-jet ? — No ; none whatever. 
 
 2 335- You are in constant communication with the men in your own mine at 
 Monkwearmouth ? — No, not constantly in communication. 
 
 2 336. Do you know their opinion as to the way in which the ventilation is 
 carried on in the pit where you work? — The opinions are various; they work 
 on two systems, the long wall and the bord and wall system. 
 
 2 337- How do they ventilate at Monkwearmouth ? — By furnace. 
 
 0.76. c 3 2338. Mr. 
 
22 MINUTES OF EVIDENCE TAKEN BEFORE THE 
 
 Mr. R. Henderson. 2338. Mr. H. Vivian.'] Is there a furnace at Monkwearmouth ?— Yes. 
 
 2339- How lon g has it been erected ? — I should think ever since it has been 
 
 30 June 1853 a colliery. 
 
 2340. Chairman.'] Monkwearmouth is the deepest pit in the kingdom ? The 
 
 part 1 am working in is 307 fathoms to the bed. 
 
 2341. Mr. H. Vivian.] Is that down the stone drift ?— In the A pit. 
 
 2342. Chairman.] Is it your opinion, that when a sufficient ventilation is 
 brought into a pit, by furnace or otherwise, great attention should be paid to 
 carrying it all over the works by splitting the air ? — Yes. 
 
 ■^343- Yes ; and that the airways should be sufficiently large ? — I cannot see 
 how any mine whatever can be ventilated unless there 'is a sufficient amount of 
 passage for the air to travel ; I know, for a fact, in more places than one that 
 I have seen, both in England and Scotland, that it is not possible for a man of 
 my size, which is only a moderate one, to squeeze himself through the return 
 main channels in parts. 
 
 2344. In the returns of the loss of life, it appears a great many lives are lost 
 by the falling of the roofs ; in your opinion is sufficient timber furnished to a 
 colliery ? — In some cases there is an abundance of timber, and in others there is 
 a .deficiency. 
 
 234.5. Are there, generally, sufficient deputies to stand the timber? — The 
 deputies, generally speaking, have more work than they can perform ; at least I 
 had when I was u deputy. 
 
 2346. You have been a deputy yourself : — Yes. 
 
 2347. Do you think it would be a better plan to entrust to a collier the 
 standing of his own timber, rather than leaving it to the deputy? — I think not; 
 the deputy is the most suitable person. 
 
 2348. Why not ? — Because it is the duty of the deputy to examine and 
 take the sense of the district he is occupied in ; he is a man that has a very 
 important office, inasmuch as he has to report to the overman the full state of 
 his district with regard to gas, and that sort of thing. 
 
 2349. You heard Mr. Jude s evidence with regard to the winding up and down 
 the pits ; do you generally concur in what he has said r — I differ from Mr. Jude 
 in some things. 
 
 2350. State in what respect ?— I differ from Mr. Jude with respect to the 
 man putting his hand out and pulling the bell-rope ; I think it is quite imprac- 
 ticable. 
 
 2351. Do you agree that the inspector, by legislation, should be given a 
 power to enforce the machinery and the ropes being kept in good order, and 
 that the guides should be kept in good order also ? — I am of opinion that 
 the inspectors ought to have power to see that everything about a pit is kept 
 in proper order, for the safety of the workmen generally. 
 
 2352. In your opinion, if that was more sufficiently attended to, do you think 
 that the accidents would be a great deal diminished ? — I think so. 
 
 2353. Have you to complain of the guides being out of order in the pit in 
 which ycu are at work ? —Nor generally. 
 
 2354. Do you think the men are wound up the pit too fast? — I do. 
 
 2355. Do you think, that if sufficient attention was paid to the machinery, 
 the guides being in perfect order, that any danger would arise from winding 
 men up at the speed at which they are wound up now r — I think it would not be 
 safe to wind them up at that speed, inasmuch as the engine-man would not have 
 the same control over the engine that he would have if going at a slower 
 speed. 
 
 2356. Mr. //. Vivian.] The winding-engine has a heavy fly-wheel attached to 
 it ? — Yes, generally. 
 
 2357. Chairman.] Then, in addition to giving the inspector the power to see 
 that the machinery and ropes and guides were in good order, you would also 
 give him a power by law to regulate the speed, so that the men should not be 
 wound up faster than they thought consistent with safety ? — It is desirable. 
 
 2358. Mr. Stephenson.] Do you know how many accidents of that kind have 
 occurred in the neighbourhood where you work ? — I do not. 
 
 2359. Are they not very rare ? — I cannot speak to the fact. 
 
 2360. Do you know of any accident that has happened from great speed in 
 your neighbourhood ? — I cannot speak to the fact generally. 
 
 2361. Mr, 
 
SELECT COMMITTEE ON ACCIDENTS IN COAL MINES. 
 
 2361. Mr. If. Vivian.] Is Fourdrinier's cage now employed at Monkwear- Mr. R. Hendertt 
 mouth ? — They have taken the wedges off lately. 
 
 2362. Then, practically speaking, the cage is not now employed at Monk- 30 June 1853. 
 wearmouth ? — The wedge is not used at present ; at least it was not when I was 
 
 there. 
 
 2363. And the wedge is the safety portion of the cage t — That is Fourdrinier's 
 invention ; but I am informed from good authority that the owner pays Mr. 
 Fourdrinier still for the use of that, if they think proper to apply it. 
 
 2364. They have abandoned the use of it, as far as I understand at present ? 
 — It is not used at present. 
 
 2365. Are you aware why they have discontinued the use of it? — The reason 
 why, as far as my information goes, is, that there was some difficulty connected 
 with the wedge being entangled with the sides of the pit. 
 
 2366. So that the danger in using such a machine is, in truth, greater than 
 that of using an ordinary cage ? — Not if everything is in accordance with it. 
 
 2367. Is not the danger greater, inasmuch as the machine is liable to get 
 out of order and get jammed in the pit ? — The objection, I think, that is gene- 
 rally raised against the use of either Fourdrinier's or Bell & Grant's, is, that 
 the small chain which adjusts the eccentric or the spring, is apt to break and 
 cause the wedge to come into action, or the eccentric to come into action; and 
 for this reason there are some objections to them. 
 
 2368. The result of that would be, that the cage would stop in the shaft? — 
 It would if the chain was to give way. 
 
 2369. And the result of this stopping in the shaft would be, that the rope 
 would coil on it ? — It would rest down upon it, but the engine-man could not 
 but know that such a thing had taken place. 
 
 2370. Still, with an engine going at that speed he could not instantly arrest 
 his engine ? — He could not. 
 
 2371. And the result would be, that the cage would give way and surge? — 
 I cannot say that the cage would give way, because I have seen it hang. 
 
 2372. Have you ever seen Bell & Grant's ? — It is the one I am speaking of ; 
 they use them at Monkwearmouth also. 
 
 2 373- It h as been found that the complication of the machinery is so great, 
 that the use of them has been attended with more danger than the use of the 
 ordinary cage?— I cannot say that; I have not sufficient experience to say 
 that. 
 
 2374. They are not at present used ? — Not when I left. 
 
 2375. The system of lon^-wall work has lately been introduced into Monk- 
 wearmouth colliery ? — About three years in practice. 
 
 2376. Have explosions been more or less frequent since the introduction of 
 the long-wall system ? — There have been many partial fires, but with regard to 
 being more extensive or less, I cannot say. But where the long wall is kept 
 in proper order the ventilation is much better. The men work with a great 
 deal more freedom with regard to ventilation. 
 
 2377. Have any serious explosions taken place in Monkwearmouth by which 
 lives have been lost ? — There have been lives lost, but not to such an extent as 
 in other parts. 
 
 2378. Have those accidents occurred under the long-wall system?— Some 
 have, and some have not. 
 
 2379. In your judgment, is the liability to explosion greater under the long- 
 wall system as applied at Monkwearmouth, or under the ordinary board and 
 wall system ? — 1 prefer the long wall. 
 
 2380. Chairman.'] Why ? — It is easier to ventilate. 
 
 2381. Mr. H. Vivian.] What is the thickness of the seam at Monkwear- 
 mouth? — It varies from three to five feet. 
 
 2382. And falls readily ? — In some parts of the seam it does not. 
 
 2383. Where it does not fall, can the long-wall system be carried out ? — Yes, 
 where the seam does not exceed that thickness. 
 
 2384. In that case it would be necessary to bring in materials in order to 
 stow ? — There is always abundance to be had in Monkwearmouth Colliery from 
 the various movements of the mine. 
 
 2385. Chairman.'] You heard Mr. Jude's evidence with respect to inspectors ; 
 he said, that in his opinion an inspector should be appointed, and eight sub- 
 inspectors would be sufficient for that district ; do you coincide in that ? — I am 
 
 0.76. c 4 of 
 
24 
 
 MINUTES OF EVIDENCE TAKEN BEFORE THE 
 
 Alt'. R. Henderson, of opinion that sub-inspectors would be a great improvement, or would be the 
 
 cause of much improvement in the ventilation of mines, inasmuch as the coal 
 
 30 June 1853. proprietors and viewers generally would pay more attention to keeping open the 
 airways ; it is very defective now. 
 
 2386. What class of men would you recommend as sub -inspectors ? — Prac- 
 tical miners ; a man that has been brought up to it, and could turn his attention 
 to it, and not be easily deceived, who would search into every hole and corner.. 
 I would also impose on him the duty of travelling the whole area of the mine in 
 his visits, which I think it is not reasonable to request the head inspector 
 to do. 
 
 2387. But you would give him no power, you would give him solely the 
 authority to report to the head inspector ? — To report to the head inspector, and 
 a proper ledger to be kept for reference. 
 
 2388. Do you think that the owners of collieries would have equal confidence 
 in such a man as you describe the workmen would have ? — I think so. 
 
 2389. Do you think that eight would be sufficient ; how often would those 
 eight be able to go through each colliery in their district ? — It would be a very- 
 difficult question to determine the number ; but eight would be an abundance.. 
 
 2390. For the district you speak of? — Yes. 
 
 2391. And admitting there were eight appointed, how often would they be- 
 able to visit each colliery in their district ? — I have not made a calculation. 
 
 2392. How often do you think they should visit ? — I think their visits should 
 not be longer than two months, and not less than one. 
 
 2393. You would appoint no inspection that should take the responsibility 
 out of the hands of the coal proprietor or the head viewer ? — By no means to- 
 interfere with the management of the colliery. 
 
 2394. You would not think it advisable to enact any law that would interfere 
 materially with the operations of the coalowner or the viewer further than what 
 was actually necessary for the preservation of the lives of the workmen ? — No. 
 
 2395. Mr. Stephenson.'] The present system in the north of England is, that 
 a set of men called the waste men should travel the workings either wholly or 
 in part every day ? — The master wasteman is expected to travel, as far as my 
 information <zoes. part of it daily. 
 
 2396. In the course of the week he has to go through the whole? — Yes. 
 
 2397. Chairman.'] There are men always employed solely for the purpose of 
 walking through the whole of the air courses of the colliery from week to week ? 
 — It is so at Monkwearmouth. 
 
 2398. For sub-inspectors, whose duty it would be to walk the waste, would 
 you have that class of men from the present workmen? — They ought to be 
 taken from the most intelligent and practical men, such as overmen. 
 
 2399. What would be the process, supposing a sub-inspector found the air- 
 ways insufficient, to whom would you have him address himself? — He ought to 
 inform the head inspector, and also at the same time the colliery viewer. 
 
 2400. The duty of the wasteman at present is, to inform the colliery viewer 
 when the airways are not in good order ? — He informs the overman or over- 
 viewer, and there it rests. 
 
 2401. That is your objection ? — My objection to the present system is, that 
 there is nothing to enforce, and the colliery overman and viewer lives in hopes 
 for the better. There appears to be a slavish fear in the minds of overmen 
 generally, with regard to the impression that is made upon his mind on the day 
 when he takes in his bill, with regard to the expenses of the colliery not being, 
 reduced ; and by this means, he passes things for the sake of a few shillings 
 which would considerably improve the ventilation. Sub-inspection would 
 remedy this, because those evils would have to be removed if Government 
 enforced it. 
 
 2402. Chairman.] You said, that you thought the inspectors should not visit 
 a mine less than once in two months, and not oftener than once a month ? — I 
 think that would be sufficient. 
 
 2403. Once a month, or once in two months, which would be sufficient ? — 
 He should be there once a month, but there are cases in which it is necessary 
 that he might visit oftener than once in two months. 
 
 2404. Mr. Stephenson.'] In fact, his visits ought to be regulated by the 
 character of the colliery, whether it was dangerous or not ? — Of course. 
 
 2405. There are many parts of the north of England coal-field, where the 
 
 mines 
 
SELECT COMMITTEE ON ACCIDENTS IN COAL MINES. 25 
 
 mines are free from gas, and the roof is good, you would say there that monthly Mr « R - Hendemi 
 
 inspection is not so necessary as it is in the larger mines ? — But notwithstand- 
 
 ing that, these are places at which accidents have frequently occurred. Wash- 30 June 18531 
 ington, for instance, is a seam which might be easily kept, but by placing 
 implicit confidence there appears to have been some neglect, and an accident 
 did occur. 
 
 2406. Chairman.] Are there any pits in Northumberland ventilated by natural 
 ventilation, without any furnace at all ? — Not that I am aware of. 
 
 2407. You heard what Mr. Jude said with regard to the coroners' juries ; do 
 you concur with Mr. Jude in his opinions as to the coroners 1 juries; do you 
 think the present system of coroners' juries is satisfactory ? — I think not. 
 
 2408. State in what respect you think it not satisfactory ? — There appears to 
 be no power whatever vested in the hands of the coroners' juries to inflict 
 such penalties as are necessary for the relief of the distressed, and to enforce 
 more regulations. 
 
 2409. When men are killed by accidents in coal mines, do not the owners 
 come forward and do all they can for the support of the widows and children 
 in your district ? — Perhaps, as to the last explosion, that has been the case; 
 such as Washington and Usworth, and some others, there has been a kind of 
 circular or notice to the workmen generally, soliciting their aid, and they have 
 given a shilling or sixpence, according to their circumstances, 
 
 2410. Do the proprietors of the mine contribute ? — It is expected so. 
 
 241 1. They generally do ? — Yes, I think so. 
 
 2412. Mr. FitzroT/.] Do you think it would be an improvement if legis- 
 lation should provide a forced contribution on the part of the proprietors of 
 the mines in support of the wives and children of miners killed by accident, 
 instead of leaving it to their voluntary contribution ? — I think that there ought 
 to be power in the hands of the coroner and jury to levy such fines as they 
 thought the case deserved, in case of neglect ; but I am of opinion that a fund 
 ought to be established, to be supported by workmen, and the fines that are 
 taken from the earnings, such as " laid out" and " set," and other forfeitures* 
 should go to that fund. 
 
 2413. Do you think it desirable to make it compulsory on the proprietors of 
 mines to provide for the maintenance of the wives and families of those who 
 have been killed by accidents in their mines ? — If there be power vested in the 
 hands of the coroner and juries. 
 
 24.14. No matter in whose hands it is vested, do you think it is desirable by 
 law to make such a provision ? — Yes, if caused by culpable neglect. 
 
 2415. Mr. Cobbett.} You heard Mr. Jude's evidence with regard to the juries 
 who were summoned by the coroner ; do you agree with him that persons who 
 are connected with these mines, viewers and overlookers and so on, should not 
 be summoned on the coroner's juries ? — There is a fear of intimidation by 
 summoning such as a master-blacksmith, master-joiner, and shopkeepers that 
 have a sort of interest indirectly. My opinion is, that the juries ought to be 
 made out with something like three or four, or five or six practical men, and 
 the rest tradesmen generally. 
 
 2416. That is, there should be jurors taken not connected, directly or indi 
 rectly, with the coal mines ? — No ; I am of opinion that there should be prac- 
 tical men in all cases, either viewers or practical workmen, with a sufficient 
 amount of knowledge to put such questions as are calculated to elicit the truth 
 from the witnesses, with the aid of the inspector ; by that mode I think the 
 truth of many accidents might be come at, and more just decision come to. 
 
 2417. Mr. Fitzroy.~\ Have the verdicts given by coroner's juries in your 
 district generally given dissatisfaction? — I am not prepared to say. 
 
 241 8. Does not the answer you have just given assume, that the verdicts given 
 by coroner's juries have not been consistent with the facts, and have given dis- 
 satisfaction ? — The answer I have given intimates that the truth had not been 
 fully elicited, and that there is a danger of tampering with evidence ; I know 
 of cases, at least I have been informed of cases, where men, when an accident 
 has taken place, who have been witnesses, have been examined at the colliery 
 office by the viewer, with reference to their opinion before they went there. 
 
 2419. How do you propose to remedy that evil; by altering the constitution 
 of the jury? — If there be power vested in the hands of the coroner's jury to 
 inflict fines as previously referred to, the men, such as sub-inspectors and 
 
 0.76. D practical 
 
26 MINUTES OF EVIDENCE TAKEN BEFORE THE 
 
 Mr, ij Henderson, practical men sitting on that jury, would be better calculated to put questions, 
 
 — and to find out the cause of these things. 
 
 30 June 1853, 2420. Chairman.] Do you think the workmen generally are satisfied with 
 the coroner's juries at present ? — The universal opinion, as far as I have gathered 
 it, is, that one verdict is universally come to, that is accidental death ; it is quite 
 a common proverb. 
 
 2421. That may depend upon the state of the law, because, by the present 
 state of the law, the jury has no discretion between accidental death and man- 
 slaughter ; unless it was a case of very gross and wilful carelessness the jury 
 would net be justified in giving a verdict for manslaughter ; is that not so r — Of 
 course they would not be justified. 
 
 2422. Then the jury have no power to give any other verdict than accidental 
 death ? — But the manner of summoning the juries is not, in my opinion, sufficient 
 to elicit the truth in these cases. 
 
 2423. Mr. Fitzroy.] Do you think it would be an improvement if a certain 
 number of practical miners were summoned on every coroner's inquest? — 
 I think that it would have a tendency to elicit the truth, with the aid of the 
 inspectors, more fully. 
 
 2424. Chairman.] You heard Mr. Jude's evidence with respect to schools ; is 
 it your opinion that the workmen would consent to the Legislature enforcing 
 them to pay a certain sum out of their earnings in all cases for the support of 
 schools ? — They may in some cases differ, but I think, generally, they would 
 coincide. 
 
 2425. With the same provision that Mr. Jude made, that is, that the workmen 
 should have a certain share in the management of the schools, and in the 
 appointment of the schoolmasters ? — Yes. 
 
 2426. Do you concur in his opinion with respect to mechanics' institutions 
 and reading-rooms that he spoke of? — I think that if there was an institution 
 established, or some extension made in the colliery districts, in the way of 
 establishing libraries, and a room of sufficient dimensions for lectures to be 
 given on chemistry and the various branches of science, it would be calculated 
 to do much good ; but I should not depend on them for the education or the 
 examination of officers. 
 
 2427. Mr. Fitzroy.] Is there a great want of schools amongst either the 
 colliers or labourers in the district with which you are immediately connected ? 
 
 — I think all the colliers are provided with a school-room of some kind, more 
 or less, large or small. 
 
 2428. Is the school accommodation generally sufficient to accommodate the 
 number of children belonging to the different colliers 1— I think not. 
 
 2429. Are most of the children of the colliers sent to school ? — There is a 
 great number sent, but there appears to be a defect with regard to the teachers; 
 they do not appear to possess the same amount of attraction that there is in 
 national schools, or in schools in large towns. 
 
 2430. In cases where parents abstain from sending their children to school, 
 does it arise from a want of confidence in the schoolmaster or from want of 
 means on the part of the parents ? — Generally from want of means. 
 
 2431. What is the average rate of wages now paid to workers in coal-mines ? 
 
 — It is a very difficult question to answer. 
 
 2432. Mr. H. Vivian.] What does an efficient cutter or hewer get ? — They 
 vary very much, from 15.?. to 255. a week ; it is very rare where they reach 
 to 25 s. 
 
 2433. How many days do they work to earn that money ? — They will have to 
 work 11 or 12 days a fortnight. 
 
 2434. Chairman.] They generally lose the Monday ; they do not work much 
 on the Monday ? — Not in the district in any part of my experience. 
 
 2435. Mr. H. Vivian.] On what day are wages paid in the north of England ? 
 — On Friday generally. 
 
 2436. Mr. Fitzroy.] In the case of those colliers it is not from want of means 
 that they fail to provide for the education of their children ? — In some cases. 
 
 2437. In the case of men earning betwen 15 s. and 25 s. a week, it is not 
 the want of means that presents him from sending his child to school ? — 
 It is in some cases the want of means. 
 
 2438. What is the average charge made for schooling for children of that 
 description in your neighbourhood ?— The child at first going to school pays 
 
 3 d. 
 
SELECT COMMITTEE ON ACCIDENTS IN COAL MINES. 27 
 
 3d. per week to learn plain reading, and as he advances, if he comes to write, Mr. R. Hcndeist 
 
 6d. a week, and when it comes that he can do arithmetic, he advances to about 
 
 "jd. a week. 3° J» ne 1853, 
 
 2439. Do you think that 3d. a week or 6rf. a week would be too much for a 
 man who was in the receipt of wages averaging from 15 s. to 25 s. a week to pay 
 for his child? — T think it is more than he can afford generally. 
 
 2440. But you think that he would not object, notwithstanding the 3d. is 
 more than he can afford, to pay the 7 d. if facilities were given in other quar- 
 ters to the formation of a school ? — Not at all. 
 
 2441. Mr. H. Vivian.] Would you recommend the assessment being made on 
 the child or the man, or on the earnings of the man ? — I would recommend it 
 on the man weekly, to be detained at the colliery office ; but I apprehended that 
 this would not raise sufficient funds for the education of the mining population 
 generally. 
 
 2442. Mr. Fitzroy.'] You contemplate then that all persons employed in 
 labour in mines, whether married or single, should pay this weekly contribu- 
 tion ? — Yes. 
 
 2443. Mr. H. Vivian.~\ And then have the benefit when they have children ? 
 — Yes; I may also add that at Killingworth colliery the owners built very 
 extensive schools, and employed three teachers, a female teacher and a female 
 for infant school teaching, and a master. The workmen there paid 6d. a fort- 
 night, or 3d. a week, for a number of years, but after the colliery changed hands 
 it was done away with, and they pay on the system I have just described of 
 3d. per week per child. 
 
 2444. Chairman.] Have you anything to say as to the establishment of a 
 fund? — In my opinion, I think it is desirable that a national fund ought to be 
 provided for the support of the widows and orphans of parties who meet with 
 their deaths by accident, and the aged. 
 
 2445. How would you provide that fund ; by contributions from the workmen ? 
 — By contributions from the workmen. 
 
 2446. When they were in health ? — In health, and working. 
 
 2447. Similar to the present system of benefit societies ? — Similar. 
 
 2448. Do benefit societies exist pretty extensively in your district now ? — 
 They do. 
 
 2449. Are ^ey pretty generally joined by the workmen ?— They are. 
 
 2450. Can you give the Committee any idea of the amount paid to a man who 
 has been injured by the work, and out of employment ; how much the fund 
 would allow him ? — The fund I am connected with allows 6 s. per week. 
 
 245 1 . What contribution would the men pay in order to gain 6 s. per week ? — 
 One shilling and sixpence per month up to 2 s. 
 
 2452. How long would he have to subscribe before he would commence to 
 receive this 6 s. a week from the fund, in case he was sick or met with an 
 accident ? — Only one contribution, one month. 
 
 2453. ^ e would immediately become a full member ? — Yes ; but there are 
 cases of what is called life boxes, that a man entering has to pay a premium of 
 something like 10 s. or 15s. or 20s.; but, generally speaking, the yearly funds 
 are dissolved and are recommenced at Christmas. 
 
 2454. When they are dissolved the funds are divided among the members ? — 
 Yes. 
 
 245,5. Are the Committee to understand from you that, although the system 
 of funds is pretty general in your district, you do not consider it sufficient, and 
 you would as well, in addition to those funds, recommend that a fund should be 
 established by Act of Parliament, which the miners should be compelled to 
 support, and that they should be allowed a certain sum in case of accident or in 
 case of sickness? — I omit sickness, but provide for the aged and worn-out miners. 
 
 2456. Merely in case of accident ? — In case of accident or death, for the pro- 
 vision of their orphans and widows. 
 
 2457. You consider that the present funds apply sufficiently to sickness ; this 
 fund would be solely and exclusively for the provision of widows and orphans of 
 men killed in the works, as well as those who meet with accidents ? — I do. I 
 do not wish to take the burthen off the parish ; by no means. Though the allow- 
 ance in such cases is only a starvation allowance, I wish this fund to be applied 
 generally, that is, in all cases of accident and old age in the coal mine. Suppo- 
 sing 33,000 miners in the counties of Northumberland and Durham, at 1 d. 
 
 0.76. d 2 per 
 
28 
 
 MINUTES OF EVIDENCE TAKEN BEFORE THE 
 
 per week, it will give 13//.; and taking the average offtakes at 3d., it will 
 give 26,5/2 I. per annum, which I think will be sufficient to meet all cases, with 
 the decrease of accidents by a more rigid inspection. 
 
 2458. Have you any further evidence to offer to the Committee? — No, I 
 think not. 
 
 Luna, 4° die Julii, 1853. 
 
 MEMBERS PRESENT. 
 
 Mr. Hutchins. 
 Mr. Fitzroy. 
 Mr. Hussey Vivian. 
 Mr. Baird. 
 Mr. Cay ley. 
 
 Mr. Stephenson. 
 Mr. Mostyn. 
 Mr. Cobbett. 
 Mr. Locke. 
 
 EDWARD J. HUTCHINS, Esq., in the Chair. 
 
 Mr. David Swallow, called in ; and Examined. 
 
 x. D. Shallow. 2459< Chairman.] WHERE do you live ?— At Rain ford, near St. Helen's. 
 
 2460. Are you now employed as the agent of the workmen in that district? — 
 4 July 1853. At present I am corresponding secretary ; when I was examined in 1849, I was 
 
 agent. 
 
 2461. There is an association there ? — Yes. 
 
 2462. Will you describe the district? — It is called the Lancashire and Cheshire 
 Branch of the Miners' Association. 
 
 2463. Is it connected with the Miners' Association of the North of England ? 
 ■ — On\y by correspondence. 
 
 2464. You are the corresponding secretary? — Yes. 
 
 2465. Will you describe your duties? — My duties are to attend to all the 
 correspondence of the society ; to direct my attention to the subject of accidents 
 in coal mines, to attend coroners' inquests, and watch the proceedings on behalf 
 of the men, and generally to promote their interests. 
 
 2466. How long have you been connected with that society? — I was first 
 appointed agent on the 7th November 1842, and I held the office of agent 
 until February 1852; since that time I have held the office of corresponding 
 secretary. 
 
 2467. For many years have you been acquainted with the views of the 
 working people ? — For 11 years my attention has been entirely devoted to that 
 subject. 
 
 2468. Have you been practically engaged in mining ?— I worked 16 years in 
 coal mines. 
 
 2469. How long have you ceased to v/ork ? — The last time 1 worked was on 
 the 7th September 1842. 
 
 2470. Is that the time you first began to be their agent? — It was some few 
 weeks previously ; but I was engaged by men in collieries which I worked at 
 locally, so that I have been engaged ever since the 7th September, but not in 
 the capacity of agent. 
 
 247 1 . Is your practical knowledge of the workmen confined to one colliery, 
 or have you worked at a good many ? — I have worked at a good many. 
 
 2472. Have you ever worked out of your own district? — Yes, I have worked 
 in some parts of Lancashire, and I have worked at Bradford, in Yorkshire, and 
 Wakefield ; principally about Wakefield. 
 
 2473. Have you worked in the Northumberland and Durham districts? — No. 
 
 2474. You are not practically acquainted with those districts? — No. 
 
 2475. You gave evidence before the Committee of the House of Lords in 
 1849 ?— I did. 
 
 2476. You then went very fully into the question of inspection ?— Yes. 
 
 2477. You were a great advocate for inspection at that time ? — Yes. 
 
 2478. Were you party to a Bill which was brought in by Mr. Duncombe and 
 others ? — Yes. 
 
 2479. Was 
 
SELECT COMMITTEE ON ACCIDENTS IN COAL MINES. 29 
 
 2479. Was that Bill rejected? — It was not pressed to a second reading ; it Mr. D. Swallow. 
 
 was withdrawn upon a promise from the then Home Secretary that if we would 
 
 not press the Bill to a second reading - , the Government would take the subject 4 July 1853. 
 in hand, and they did so, and the present system of inspection is the result. 
 
 2480. Your opinion then was, that the inspectors should have more power 
 than the Act gave them ? — Yes. 
 
 2481. Since that time inspectors have been appointed ? — Yes. 
 
 2482. Is it your opinion that their appointment has been beneficial in the 
 prevention of accidents? — I believe it has. 
 
 2483. Do you think that the working people themselves are satisfied with the 
 present svstem of inspection ? — It is far from satisfactory. 
 
 2484. Can you state why they are not satisfied, and the points on which they 
 express their dissatisfaction ? — They are not dissatisfied with the present inspec- 
 tion, so far as it goes ; but, in the first place, they think that the number of 4 
 inspectors is not sufficient. 
 
 2485. They wish the number to be increased ? — They wish the number to be 
 greatly increased, and their powers to be extended. 
 
 2486. In what way do they wish for an extension of their powers ? — For 
 instance, the inspectors have no real power ; they have only power just to inspect, 
 and report, and suggest. 
 
 2487. What power do the workmen wish to give them ? — The workmen wish 
 to give the inspector a power, where he finds anything which is really dangerous 
 and wrong-, to point, it out to the managers and proprietors of mines, and tell 
 them there is an evil which must be remedied by some means or another. We 
 do not wish the inspector to direct the particular method or way in which it 
 should be done, but that he should give a reasonable time to remove the evil ; 
 and that if when he goes round again, he finds it is not removed, he should have 
 the power of laying an information before the magistrates, and of calling upon 
 the managers or proprietors to answer for the neglect. 
 
 2488. For that purpose, would it be necessary to give the magistrates more 
 power than they possess at present ? — Yes; the magistrates have no jurisdiction 
 ■at the present moment. 
 
 2489. Would you, at any time, give the inspectors a power to stop a mine, if 
 it was in very bad order? — Yes, if it was very dangerous indeed; but I imagine 
 that a case of that sort would seldom happen ; I think it is a power which must 
 be used with very great caution. I would not give one inspector the power of 
 doing it. 
 
 2490. One or two of the inspectors have suggested, that they should give 
 notice to the proprietor if a mine was in very bad order, and desire him to alter 
 it in the way they might suggest ; and that if he refused to do so, an arbitration 
 should be appointed. Do you agree that that would be a good plan ? — I believe 
 it would ; 1 would not recommend that one inspector should have the power of 
 stopping a mine. We suggested that there should be a number of sub-inspectors, 
 whom the inspector should have the privilege of calling together, and that he 
 should take counsel with them ; and that he should, at the same time, have the 
 ^power of calling some of the inspectors from another district, to take counsel 
 with him also ; and that if, after mature deliberation, they found that the mine 
 was really dangerous, he should have the power of stopping it until the danger 
 was removed ; but I apprehend that a circumstance like that would seldom happen. 
 
 2491. In answer to question 1,062 of the Minutes of Evidence taken before 
 the Committee of 1852, Mr. Darlington says, that your union is almost exploded ; 
 is that true ? — No ; the explosion has been at his colliery. On our present 
 books we have better than 3,000 members. 
 
 2492. Your union is not established for the purpose of dictating to the 
 masters any course that they should pursue ? — No. 
 
 2 493- "Will you state shortly the purposes of your union ? — One of the prin- 
 cipal objects is, to get Government inspection of mines; and another is, to 
 ^protect their wages. 
 
 2494. Have you got. the printed rules of the union?— No. 
 
 2495. Mr. H. Vivian.] Are there printed rules?— Yes. 
 
 2496. Chairman.'] Can you furnish the Committee with a copy of them ?— 
 ^ es, I will send for a copy of the rules, and hand it in. 
 
 2497. Do you approve of the mode of increasing the number of inspectors, 
 which has been suggested by Mr. Jude and Mr. Henderson ?— Yes. 
 
 0-?6. D 3 2498. That 
 
30 
 
 MINUTES OF EVIDENCE TAKEN BEFORE THE 
 
 Mr, D. Swallow. 2498. That is to say, you approve of the appointing sub-inspectors? — Yes. 
 
 2499. From what class of men do you think the sub-inspectors should be 
 
 4 July 1853. selected ? — I think that the sub-inspectors should be selected from the most intel- 
 ligent practical miners. 
 
 2500. Do you think that men could be selected from amongst the working 
 men, sufficiently intelligent and sufficiently expert for the office of sub-inspec- 
 tors ? — I believe so. I believe that a great number of miners are directing their 
 attention to that subject at the present time, and are doing a great deal to qualify 
 themselves for such offices. 
 
 2501. Do you think that sub inspectors should have a certain amount of 
 scientific education ? — I do not think that would be required for the sub- 
 inspectors. 
 
 •2502. You think that their being good practical men, and steady men, would 
 * be quite sufficient?— Yes. 
 
 2503. Do you think that such a class of men could be found, who would 
 satisfy the owners of the colleries, as well as satisfy the workmen r — I believe 
 so. I know that when the inspection was first appointed, there was great com- 
 plaint among many of the masters in Lancashire. They were frightened, that the 
 persons who were going to be appointed would not be practical men. The general 
 complaint was, " We do not want chemists, or doctors, or railway engineers, 
 lawyers, or anybody who knows nothing of pits ; let us have somebody who 
 understands the pits, and who will examine them ; and then we do not care." 
 
 2504. Do you think that such a class of men as you have described would 
 be rather more liable to be tampered with by the viewers or deputy-viewers of 
 a colliery ?— No ; not if they were paid a liberal salary. 
 
 2505. What do you think is a liberal salary ? — 1 think that if they had 250/. 
 a year, it would be a liberal salary. 
 
 2506. Who is the inspector in your district? — Mr. Dickinson. 
 
 2507. Does he give satisfaction ? — He gives great satisfaction to all parties, I 
 believe. 
 
 2508. Have the working men confidence in him? — Perfect. 
 
 2509. And the owners of mines also ? — Yes, for anything I know to the con- 
 trary ; I know that a great many have, and I never heard any person say any- 
 thing to the contrary. We have the greatest confidence in him. 
 
 2510. Having that confidence in him, you think it would be better to appoint 
 a class of sub-inspectors under the inspectors, than to appoint a class of men of 
 the same calibre and character as Mr. Dickinson ? — Yes. 
 
 2511. You would not give the sub-inspectors the power of doing anything 
 themselves ? — No, I would limit their power. 
 
 2512. If they saw anything wrong, you suggest that they should report to the 
 inspector, and that the inspector should himself visit the mine, and that if he 
 had any doubt on his mind he should call in another inspector, and consult with, 
 him ; and that if those two gentlemen agreed in the plan that ought to be 
 adopted for improving the ventilation, or for the safety of the mine, the inspector 
 should have full power to carry that into effect? — Yes. 
 
 2513. Mr. Baird^] You do not think it desirable that he should point out 
 any particular method of doing it? — No; I have already said that he should only 
 have the power of saying that a certain thing was required to be done, and 
 leave the manager to adopt his own system of remedying the evil, only it must 
 be done. 
 
 2514. Chairman^ You do not wish to take any responsibility out of the 
 hands of the coalowner, or to interfere with him in any way further than is 
 actually necessary for ventilating the mine, and keeping it in a state of safety ? — 
 We wish to fix the responsibility more closely on the master or manager; it sits 
 very light! v on them at the present time. 
 
 2515. You do not wish to interfere with them in the mode which they may 
 think is the best for carrying on their workings in the most economical and 
 proper manner, provided they pay due regard to the safety of the men?— Not 
 at all. 
 
 2516. How many sub-inspectors do you think would be necessary in your 
 district ? — We are perfectly satisfied that not less than five would be an efficient 
 
 inspection. 
 
 2517. Do you think it is necessary that every colliery should be visited within 
 a certain period ?— The collieries in Lancashire and Cheshire vary. We have 
 
 seams 
 
SELECT COMMITTEE ON ACCIDENTS IN COAL MINES. 31 
 
 seams of coal from 13 feet to one foot or 16 inches in thickness; and some of Mr. D. Swallow. 
 
 our mines are very fiery, and a great number have no fire at all in them. We - 
 
 have a great many where there are no shafts, and where they drive out of the 4 July 1853. 
 hill-sides. Our mines vary so much, that I would leave the inspectors and sub- 
 inspectors to determine which mines it was most necessary to visit. 
 
 2518. Do not you think that every colliery should be visited within a certain 
 time? — No, it would take a great number of inspectors to do that. 
 
 2519. Would you limit their visits to collieries which they considered to be 
 dangerous? — I would leave it to their own judgment, and they would soon find 
 out where it was necessary to visit. 
 
 2.520. Do you think it is equally important for them to visit collieries where 
 the ventilation is bad, and where no other danger exists than danger to the health 
 of the men ? — Yes, it is quite necessary they should visit all ; but I do not think 
 it is necessary to visit those collieries as often as the others. 
 
 2521. In your district, are there cases of natural ventilation ? — I know one 
 such colliery, where there are nearly two hundred men employed, unless there 
 has been a furnace put up since February 1852 ; there is no artificial ventilation 
 at all. 
 
 2522. Is that colliery in a healthy state ? —It is in a very unhealthy state. 
 
 2523. You think that, although no fire-damp existed, it was unhealthy for the 
 men? — Very unhealthy ; in fact, the black-damp is more fatal than the fire- 
 damp. 
 
 2524. Are you of opinion that, by a legislative enactment, some system of 
 artificial ventilation should be adopted in every mine?— In all mines, whether 
 fiery or not. 
 
 2525. Since you gave your evidence in 1849, have you found that there have 
 been any improvements in the management of collieries? — More attention 
 has been paid to the air-ways and to the furnaces ; and in some places, where 
 there was no furnace, furnaces or fire-grates have been introduced. In mines 
 with which I am acquainted, there has been some apparatus or another put up, 
 for artificial ventilation, where there was none previously. The stoppings and 
 doors have also been better attended to. 
 
 2526. Do you attribute that improvement to the inspectors? — Yes; I know 
 that as soon as the Act was passed a great many of the overlookers received in- 
 structions to put the pits into repair, and attend to what was necessary ; because 
 it was said, " We shall- be having these gentlemen among us very quickly, and 
 you must get things into order immediately, for we cannot tell how soon they 
 may come. 
 
 2527. You stated, in 1849, that you would not in any case enforce any par- 
 ticular mode of ventilation, but that you would rather require that sufficient 
 ventilation should be afforded ; is that still your opinion ? — Yes. 
 
 2528. Supposing that by natural ventilation it was found that sufficient ven- 
 tilation existed in a pit, and that a pit was perfectly safe and healthy, you would 
 not by legislation enforce any further ventilation ?— No ; but natural ventila- 
 tion is impossible, if a pit is worked to any extent ; if it is only a small pit 
 with ten men in it, no ventilation that I am acquainted with, supposing there is 
 no fire-damp, can make it anything like healthy. 1 have left pits where the 
 work suited me, with that exception, and where the air was so bad that my 
 health was so injured that I was compelled to leave the colliery, and work in 
 pits where there was better air. 
 
 2529. Mr. H. Vivian.] Assume that the air was not bad ? — I am not ac- 
 quainted with any pits in Lancashire, where we have not either fire-damp or 
 black-damp. 
 
 2530. Assuming that was not the case, you would not bind people down to 
 any particular mode of artificial ventilation ? — That is a thing witli which I 
 think we are not acquainted ; at least I am not acquainted with it, and there- 
 fore I cannot speak to it. In all mines that I am acquainted with, there is 
 damp of one sort or another. 
 
 2531. Chairman.] Is there better ventilation at the present time than there 
 was in 1849? — There is a general improvement. More care and attention is 
 paid to the stopping, but not sufficient care and attention. 
 
 2532. Mr. Cobbett.] Do you attribute that improvement to the inspection ? — 
 Entirely. 
 
 0.76. D 4 533. Chairman.'] 
 
32 
 
 MINUTES OF EVIDENCE TAKEN BEFORE THE 
 
 Mr. D. Szcallotv. 2.533. Chairman.] You stated in 1849 that you did not believe too much air 
 ~ " could pass through a mine? — I believe that also, now. 
 4 July 1853. 2534. Then you do not believe that (as some of the witnesses stated to the 
 Committee of 1852), there could be too much air passing through a mine? 
 — No. 
 
 3535- You never heard a collier complain of having too much air? No. 
 
 2536. Did you ever hear him complain of the candle svvealing? — Yes; but 
 we can easily protect ourselves with a tin or wooden case. 
 
 2537. Mr. Cobbelt.] How much air ought each man to have ? — I perfectlv 
 coincide with Mr. Blackwell's Report of 25th March 1850, in which he says 
 that each person ought to have 250 cubic feet per minute, supplied to him in 
 mines which are not fiery, and up to 500 cubic feet per minute in mines which 
 are very fiery. I believe that any less quantity than that is not sufficient to 
 protect the health and lives of miners generally. I think that may be taken as 
 something like a safe standard. 
 
 2 53^- Chairman.] Do you mean per man? — Yes. 
 
 2539. Mr. Cobbeit.] Do you conceive that it should be made compulsory on 
 the part of managers of mines to supply that quantity ? — Y*es. 
 
 2540. By legislative enactment?— Yes, I think it ought to be so. 
 
 2541. Chairman.'] Do the colliers agree with the Report of the Committee of 
 1852?-«-They do generally, but there are some little things that we do not 
 understand. 
 
 2542. Will you explain in what points you disagree with them ? — We agree 
 with them generally as regards the safety-lamp not being exactly the safe thing 
 it is represented ; we believe it is a very dangerous instrument, and that it has 
 allured a great many people to danger and to death. 
 
 2543- Do not you believe, that if proper care were taken of the safet} --lamp,, 
 it is safe, except under very peculiar circumstances? — I believe it is safe if 
 proper care is taken; but there arc so many " peculiar circumstances " con- 
 nected with it, and there are so many ways in which it may become disarranged, 
 that it is almost impossible it can be kept in a proper manner, for a man to work 
 with it regularly without some of those peculiar circumstances happening to it. 
 
 2 544- Mr. Jude and Mr. Henderson, in their evidence with regard to the 
 safety-lamp, stated that in certain cases where the pits were very fiery, 
 safety-lamps should be compulsorily used ; they also stated that, provided it 
 was necessary to use safety-lamps, it should be incumbent on the owner of the 
 mine to have a sufficient number of men to take care of those safety-lamps, and 
 keep them in order; and that it should be also incumbent upon them to have 
 as many men as were required, whose special duty it should be to clean the 
 safety-lamps, put them in repair, put oil in them, look after them, and keep the 
 keys under their own care : with all these precautions, do you think that the 
 safety-lamp is unsafe? — I quite agree with them in their remarks ; but I believe 
 that a safety-lamp is a very dangerous instrument to be trusted in the hands of 
 workmen and boys. I do not consider it is any real protection, as the circum- 
 stances under which it may and does become disarranged are common, and not 
 "peculiar." 
 
 2545. Have you seen the glass safety-lamp? — Yes; but I have not had expe- 
 rience of it. 
 
 2546. Do you consider it answers as well as the Davy lamp ? — Yes ; to the 
 common Davy lamp. 
 
 2547. Is your great objection to the Davy lamp, that it is liable to explode, 
 if a blower or a current of air passes through it? — Yes. 
 
 2548. Provided a lamp were invented which prevented a blower or any air 
 passing through it, and gave sufficient light to the workmen, would your objec- 
 tion be removed ? — I believe that, generally, the safety-lamp has a tendency to 
 give confidence to the men and the masters that it is a safe instrument, and that 
 they have neglected a great deal of precaution which otherwise would have been 
 taken. 
 
 2549. Mr. H. Vivian.'] Assuming that the colliery is well ventilated, do not 
 } 7 ou consider that the use of the safety-lamp would make that colliery more safe 
 than the use of naked lights ? — In case of a sudden outburst of gas, or any 
 sudden irruption of that sort, it would make the colliery more safe. 
 
 2550. Ave there not always points in a colliery, however \\ ell ventilated it 
 may be, at which a naked light would cause an explosion ? — I believe that mav 
 
 be 
 
SELECT COMMITTEE ON ACCIDENTS IN COAL MINES. 33 
 
 be the case in some collieries ; but I do not know that if a colliery was properly Mr. D. Smallotn. 
 
 ventilated it could be the case. I believe all parts of a mine, except the goaves, — 
 
 can be sufficiently ventilated without there being- real danger. 4 July 1853. 
 
 2,551. Mr. Stephenson.'] If a fall should take place in the goaf, would not the 
 fire-damp be expelled into the working parts of the mine ; and if candles were 
 used, would not an explosion inevitably take place? — Undoubtedly. 
 
 2552. In such mines, would you not take the precaution of working with 
 safety-lamps? — Yes; in the immediate neighbourhood of the goaf. 
 
 255.3. Chairman.'] Provided every care were taken to ventilate a colliery in 
 the most efficient manner, does your answer apply to the safety-lamp, or is your 
 answer confined to the opinion that the use of the safety-lamp encourages the 
 owner of a mine to pay less attention to ventilation than he otherwise would ? — 
 I believe that if a mine is properly ventilated, a safety-lamp is not required, 
 except in the neighbourhood of the goaves. 
 
 2554. Mr. H. Vivian.] May nor. certain irregularities, which it is utterly 
 impossible for any human foresight to provide against, render a portion of the 
 mine explosive ? — We have read of that in the north of England, but I never 
 heard of an instance in Lancashire and Cheshire. 
 
 25/55. Your remarks apply to your own district ? — Yes. 
 
 2556. You have no experience in large fiery mines in the north of England ? 
 Not at all. 
 
 -551 • What is the largest production of coal from any mine with which you 
 are intimately acquainted ? — I should think that the Ince Hall collieries are 
 producing as much coal as any mine in Lancashire ; there are firms which produce 
 more, but they have more shafts. 
 
 2558. What does the Ince Hall colliery produce ? — I cannot say exactly. 
 
 2 559- Two hundred tons a day ? — More than that a great deal, from one 
 shaft; but I u ould rather not speak on that subject, because although 1 have 
 often been at the Ince Hall colliery, it is no portion of my business to inquire 
 into that subject. 
 
 2560. Chairman.] Do you think it is possible to put down bore holes, and 
 maintain bore holes on the goaves? — I think it is possible to put down bore 
 holes, but I do not think it would be wise to do so. 
 
 2561. It is not a system you would recommend ? — No. 
 
 25t)2. Then in that respect you do not agree with the Report of the Com- 
 mittee of 1852? — No. 
 
 2563. Do you agree with the Report of the Committee of 1852 as to refuge 
 stalls? — I think it is very good if it could be carried out. 
 
 2564. How would, you get the air to the refuge stalls, provided the brattice 
 or the doorway were blown away by an explosion ? — Although I am not going 
 to advocate it, or say anything against it, the way in which I understand it is, 
 that refuge stalls would be made something like a room at each side of the main 
 air road, and that there would be some sort of door, the same as the valve of a 
 pump, and that when an explosion took place it would bear on the valve, and 
 the men would only have to open it and go through, and, as a matter of course, 
 the room or stall would be full of atmospheric air, and that as soon as they got 
 in the door would immediately shut, and keep the choke-damp out. If the 
 room were large enough to supply the men with pure atmospheric air until 
 they were rescued, it would be safe ; but if it was not large enough, so that by 
 continual breathing the air became impure, it would be no better than being in 
 the other place. 
 
 2565. Have you ever calculated what space or area would support a man for 
 a certain number of hours ? — No ; the refuge stall is a thing we have taken 
 little notice of. 
 
 2566. Looking at the question in a practical light, do you think it, would be 
 possible to have refuge stalls? — It is a subject I do not understand. 
 
 2567. Mr. Stephenson.] Did you ever go into a colliery after an explosion had 
 taken place ? — Yes. 
 
 2568. Immediately? — Not immediately ; I have assisted in making repairs 
 after an explosion. 
 
 2569. Did you take air into the pit where the explosion had taken place, in 
 order to extricate the men ? — The rule generally, when the stoppings are blown 
 down, is to get them up again as fast, as you can, and take the air with you. 
 
 2570. When you came to the unfortunate men who were killed by the after- 
 0.76. E damp, 
 
34 
 
 MINUTES OF EVIDENCE TAKEN BEFORE THE 
 
 Mr. D. Shallow, damp, did you find them very far from the place where they had heen working? 
 
 . -. —In that case they were not far from the place where they had been working, 
 
 4 July 1853. because the explosion was a very serious one. 
 
 2571. Were the men burnt? — Yes. 
 
 2572. Chairman.'] Do you think that more efficient means than refuge stalls 
 could be adopted in mines ? — I am not aware of any ; if the refuge stall is made 
 sufficiently large, it is quite possible that it may be of use ; but as it is a subject 
 which has never come before the men, and I have not paid attention to it, I 
 would rather say nothing about it. 
 
 2573. Mr. Locke.'] Supposing that refuge stalls were found to be efficacious, 
 in your judgment how far ought they to be from the place where the men are 
 working ? — In many cases we have found that the men have got a long way 
 from the place where they have been working; for instance, at the Ardsley 
 Maine, near Barnsley, I was sent over by the men from Lancashire to attend an 
 inquest, and I made full inquiries into the matter, and 1 attended the coroner's 
 inquest with an attorney on behalf of working men, and I found in that case a 
 great number of the men had got a long way to -.yards the pit shaft ; in fact, 
 many of them were very near at the shaft. 
 
 2574. Were those men killed by the after-damp? — Yes, and they were not 
 burnt at all. 
 
 2575. Is it your opinion that, if refuge stalls had been made, those men might 
 have been saved? — I cannot offer an opinion upon whether they might or not 
 have been saved. 
 
 2576. If any refuge stall had been placed near where the men were working, 
 do you think that they would have been as likely to be destroyed ? — There might 
 have been a probability that if there had been a sufficient space to hold anv 
 quantity of atmospheric air, some of the men might have been recovered. 
 
 3577. Do you know how many men were destroyed in finding their way 
 towards the shaft? — Seventy-three were killed in the whole ; I think that some- 
 thing like nineteen were found altogether, but very few of them were found in 
 the boards ; in fact, they had no boards there ; they were found in the workings ; 
 there were very ft;w of them who could not have got into the air-passages, if 
 there had been any. 
 
 •2578. Mr. Stephenson,] Were they on the up-cast side, or the down-cast side? 
 — The up-cast, and the down-oast were both together; I cannot say whether they 
 were in the return air-way or the intake. 
 
 2579. Chairman.] How long was it before any fresh air was brought into the 
 working r — The pits were so near together, that the partition between them was 
 blown down. 
 
 2580. Mr. H. Vivian.] That was a brattice shaft? — There were two shafts; 
 they were verv near each other; and when the explosion took place it blew a 
 hole right through. 
 
 2581. It blew a hole between the two pits? — Yes. 
 
 2582. Where no hole existed previously? — Yes. 
 
 2583. Then it. blew the rock down ? — I think it was soft metal. 
 
 2584. It blew the metal down between the two pits? — Yes. 
 
 2.585. Assuming that explosion had taken place, and that the ventilation 
 had continued round the mine and air-ways, although the bratticing in the stalls 
 might have been blown down, would those men haye been destroyed ? — The great 
 majority of the men would have been saved at that time. 
 
 2586! Then in your opinion, the main point is, to prevent the possibility of 
 the main current of air being stopped in a colliery ? — Yes. 
 
 2587. In the majority of explosions, does the great loss of life occur from 
 main doors or other stoppings, between the intake and the return current being 
 destroyed, whereby the passage of the fresh air round the remote workings is 
 prevented ? — I believe that is the case. 
 
 2588. So that it is desirable, as far as possible, to avoid such weak places in 
 a colliery as main doors ? — Yes. 
 
 2589. May that be done by a wall carried out to stop the working r - 1 hat 
 might be done by having a shaft at the extremity of the working. 
 
 2.590. Or by coursing in the stone ?— Many of the heavy explosions, unless 
 they went a good way above or a good way below, would find their road to the 
 
 weakest places. m 
 
 2,591. They 
 
SELECT COMMITTEE ON ACCIDENTS IN COAL MINES. 35 
 
 2591. They might be 10 yards or 15 yards? — Yes; I believe that less than Mr. D. Swallow 
 that would be sufficient to protect them from being blown down. 
 
 2592. Chairman.'] Another point in the Report of the Committee of 1852 is, j uJ j8 ' 
 that by an instrument called a self-registering anemometer, the inspector would 
 
 know at each visit the rate at which the current of air had been passing through 
 a mine in his absence. Have you any knowledge of the anemometer ? — 1 know 
 something about it. It appears that it cannot be moved sufficiently to give any 
 certainty. There is a great deal of difference in them ; and they have not suffi- 
 cient delicacy in them to be a test of the real quantity of air passing along. 
 
 2593. Supposing an anemometer were made with the greatest delicacy, do 
 you think that a dishonest viewer could, if he pleased, deceive the inspector by 
 passing the air through a smaller place, and making the anemometer go faster 
 than the ordinary rate of the current of the mine? — Yes, that could be done ; 
 but I do not apprehend that would be generally done. 
 
 2594. In that case you would not make a self-registering anemometer a test 
 of the ventilation, and a register for the inspector ? — No ; in fact I do not think, 
 with the experience I have had of it, that it can be made any test at all. 
 
 2595. You stated in 1849, that you did not perceive any use in splitting the 
 air into different currents ; have you altered your opinion in that respect ? — My 
 opinion has undergone some little modification ; I should wish to have a good 
 current of air all round the working, and at the same time I should wish to 
 limit the extent of working- in each shaft. 
 
 2596. Did your answer apply to having more shafts, more intakes, and more 
 up-cast shafts ? — Yes. 
 
 2597. Provided it was not possible to have more than a certain number of 
 down-cast shafts and up-cast shafts, in your opinion would it not be better to 
 split the air into different currents, so as to give every man in the mine as much 
 as possible a current of fresh air for him to breathe, and that had not been 
 used by the other men ? — I think that each man ought to have his own propor- 
 tion or share of fresh air. 
 
 2598. That answer involves splitting? — Yes; but not exactly splitting in the 
 way it is generally carried on. 
 
 2 599- Will you explain why it does not involve splitting in the way it is 
 generally carried on? — The way in which air is split generally in Lancashire is, 
 that as soon as it gets down to the bottom of the down-cast shaft, it goes along 
 a principal road, and then it branches off lo one portion of the district and ven- 
 tilales it, and then returns ; and so it is in all the various districts. 
 
 2600. And the same current ventilates the whole district? — Yes. 
 
 2601. In that case the air is not split at all? — Yes, there may be ten splits; 
 there may be ten districts in a pit. 
 
 2602. Mr. Locke.] If that is the practice in Lancashire, how do you accom- 
 modate all those ten districts without splitting the air? — In one pit in Lan- 
 cashire with which I am acquainted, there are ten splits. It is quite possible 
 that there may be in one district 10 or 40 men, and it goes the round of the 
 whole of the men ; so that, when it comes to the Inst, the air is loaded with the 
 gas which is taken along with it, and is almost unfit for the men to live in. 
 
 2603. You have been understood to state, that you thought all the men ought 
 to have an equal share of fresh air? — Yes. 
 
 2604. Would that state of things enable the last man to get his fair share of 
 fresh air ? — Yes. 
 
 2605. You stated that the air was scarcely fit for him to breathe ?— -I mean in 
 the way it is practised now. 
 
 2606. How would you avoid that danger, without splitting the air? — Sup- 
 posing there is a district where there are 40 men ; the way we work in Lancashire 
 is best laid out in Mr. Blackwell's plans; that is, the air is coming up the main 
 air-way, and, provided there are ten men working up one set of bays, I would 
 take one portion of the air to those men, and let it ventilate the place in which 
 those ten men were working, and immediately return back; and when it gets 
 to the next set of bays, one portion taken off to them, and immediately let it go 
 back to the up-cast ; and so on with the third and the fourth. 
 
 2607. What is the difference between that mode and the present mode of 
 splitting the air? — The present mode is, that it begins with one and goes the 
 whole round of the district. 
 
 2608. In those cases there are several districts ? — Yes. 
 
 0.76. e 2 2609. Supposing 
 
3<5 
 
 MINUTES OF EVIDENCE TAKEN BEFORE THE 
 
 Mr. D. S-wulUw. 2609. Supposing that those who advocate the splitting of air were to have 
 
 ten men in a district, you would then be under precisely the same circurn stances? 
 
 4 July 1853. — Yes. 
 
 2610. Then, in point of fact, your mode of dividing the 40 men into com- 
 panies of 10 each, and giving to each a portion of air, is splitting it into four 
 portions ? — Yes ; bat it is not taking the whole to every one of the men. 
 
 261 1. Mr. H. Vivian.'] It is not coursing the air? — No. 
 
 2612. Mr. Stephenson.] Do you mean that in some of the Lancashire col- 
 lieries the air first passes into one bay, then into the second, and the third, and the 
 fourth, and so on to any amount, before it returns to the up-cast shaft? — Yes. 
 
 2613. Are there any large collieries in Lancashire so worked? — There are 
 some, if we must rely on the maps and plans ; and the men tell me that it is 
 the fact. 
 
 2614. You do not know it of your own knowledge? — No. 
 
 2615. Have you ever worked in a mine, where the air passed out of one bay 
 into the other, and so on through the whole mine ? — Yes. 
 
 2616. In a large mine? — A mine with 30 or 40 men. 
 
 2G17. Is it not very important to draw a distinction between a system which 
 is applicable to a large mine, and one which is applicable to a small mine? — 
 Yes. 
 
 2618. With 30 or 40 men in a pit, what quantity of coals would be raised 
 per day ? — On an average, a man would get from three to four tons a day. 
 
 2619. Chairman^] In order to carry the air well through the workings, is it 
 your opinion that great care should be taken to have sufficient air-ways? — Yes 5 
 I think that is a very important point. 
 
 2620. Have you formed any judgment upon what should be the area of the 
 air-ways ? — I believe that the area of the air- ways in no place ought to be less 
 than either of the shafts. 
 
 2621. Mr. Hi Vivian:] Some of the air-ways? — All the air-ways included. Of 
 course the first intake air, previously to the air being split, ought not to be of less 
 area than the down-cast or the up-cast. Of course they are not compelled to take 
 them in one road ; they may have two or three, if they please ; but it ought to 
 be compulsory that they have sufficient when it is split, they should still have the 
 same air as before ; if it w T as split in ten different parts, they might have a split 
 one-tenth less than the first intake. 
 
 2622. Should the addition of the areas of the whole intakes be at least equal 
 to the area of the shaft? — Yes. 
 
 2623. Chairman.] Do you think there is at present sufficient care to keep the 
 diameter of the air-ways sufficiently large 1 — I believe they are too small generally. 
 
 2624. Do you think that the air should pass through the goaves, or that the 
 goaves should be kept closely stopped ? — I think that the air should pass through 
 the goaves, if it is possible; but 1 do not see how it is possible at all times, and 
 under all circumstances. 
 
 2625. Do you think that the goaves should be tightly stopped, and sufficient 
 air go round them to drive away any foul air which might escape out of the 
 goaves ? — I do not agree with trying to keep the gas in the goaves at all ; I think 
 it ought to be got out as soon as possible, 
 
 2626. Did not you state that it was impossible to ventilate the goaves ? — I am 
 not aware of any means at present of ventilating them properly; but there are 
 means whereby it may drained off to a considerable extent. 
 
 2627. Are you not aware that a certain quantity of air admitted into the 
 goaves, which would not properly ventilate them, would have a tendency to 
 render them much more highly explosive than they would be if no air went 
 into them? — I am aware that coal-pit gas will not explode, unless it is mixed 
 with a certain quantity at atmospheric air. 
 
 2628. Admitting, as you do, that it is impossible to clear the goaves of gas, 
 is it not your opinion* that it would be less dangerous to stop the goaves as 
 tightly as possible, to prevent any atmospheric air passing, than to let an insuffi- 
 cient quantity of air in to clear the goaves entirely ? — Yes, if there were any 
 means whereby they could be stopped up ; but I do not know how that could be 
 done, because when the men are getting the pillars, or anything of that sort, 
 they are compelled to have the goaves open. When a district was worked out, 
 they might make it clean off, and then I should have no objection to its being- 
 made clean off; but so long as the men are working on the edge it cannot be done. 
 
 2629. As 
 
SETECT COMMITTEE ON ACCIDENTS IN COAL MINES. 37 
 
 2629. As you say that it is impossible to ventilate the goaves thoroughly, do Mr. D. Swallow. 
 
 not you think it is better to endeavour as much as possible to keep the gas in ? 
 
 Ko. 4 July 1853. 
 
 2630. Would you allow a certain portion of fresh air to go in and mix with 
 the gas in the goaf? — The best mode of ventilating a goaf with which I am 
 acquainted is, that previously to the pillars being worked out there should be 
 ample air road all round, and that a sufficient quantity of coal should be left to 
 the rise of the return air road, and cut through it every 20 yards all the way 
 round ; and when the men are bringing the pillars back, if we drive a good air 
 into the place where the men are working, itwiil naturally have a pressure upon 
 the goaf, and have a tendency to work the gas out ; in fact, the gas will rise of 
 itself according to its own gravity, and will have a tendency to make its escape 
 at the top, and the air pressing behind will have a tendency to assist it. 
 
 2631. Mr. Locke.] What is the extent of a goaf, generally speaking, in the 
 Lancashire collieries? — We are getting some very extensive now. 
 
 2632. How large in width? — I can hardly speak to the exact size of them ; 
 but some of the pits embrace a great number of acres. 
 
 2633. How far are they working their mines in Lancashire away from the 
 pits? — The very extensive mines they are generally working now on the north 
 country plan, and therefore they may make them any size; there is no regular 
 rule what size a goaf should be. 
 
 2634. On the Lancashire plan ? — The pits are generally not very extensive, 
 and the Lancashire plan is quite different from the north country plan. 
 
 2635. W here the goaves are extensive, and where they work on the Lanca- 
 shire plan, are the pits a quarter of a mile or half a mile apart?— A great deal 
 more than that. 
 
 2636. A mile ? — I do not know. They are getting a vast quantity of acres to 
 each pit. 
 
 2637. What is the distance that the air is carried through the working under 
 ground, where it is half a mile from the pit ? — I have asked that question at 
 some of the inquests, and the managers themselves generally do not know; they 
 say that some of them are at a great distance. 
 
 2638. Have you any a mile long ? — I believe there are some more than that. 
 
 2639. You do not know the width of the goaf? — No, I have often tried to 
 get the length of air passages at coroners' inquests from the managers, but they 
 seldom knew anything about it. 
 
 2640. Would not the plans of the colliery show it ? — I do not know that they 
 would, because many of them have no scale to them. 
 
 2641. Are not all colliery plans drawn to a scale ? — I do not know that they 
 are. 
 
 2642. Chairman. ~] How could they be plans at all, if they were not drawn to 
 a scale ? — I have seen some plans which had no scale to them. 
 
 2643. Mr. Locke.'] Are they not drawn to a scale from which any person 
 knowing the scale could measure for himself? — I do not know how they were 
 drawn ; I did not ask that ; I know the scale was not on them. 
 
 2644. Mr. Stephenson.] Are you familiar with the mode of laying down plans 
 of mines ? — I am not familiar with making plans, but I understand a plan ; 
 and if I see a plan and see the scale, I can soon tell the distance, and so on. 
 
 2645. If you saw on a plan a series of bays, as you call them in Lancashire, 
 would you be able, knowing the width of a bay, generally speaking, to get a 
 scale, supposing you were a perfect stranger to the mine? — Yes, if I knew they 
 were in the habit of having them 10 yards wide, and so on. 
 
 2646. Would not that be a very good standard for you to go upon, supposing, 
 as you state, there was no scale put on the plan ? — Yes. 
 
 2647. Chairman.] Do you think that the principal air-ways should be inde- 
 pendent, and not used for drawing coals ? — Yes; I think that the principal air- 
 ways ought not to be interfered with for drawing coals. 
 
 2648. How many air-ways do you think there should be in a pit ? — That is 
 one of the things which ought to be left to the manager. I think that we oup;ht 
 not to say how many air- ways there should be, but that we ought only to say 
 they should be of sufficient size. 
 
 2649. You would have the intake air-way, and the air-way for the return air, 
 totally independent of the roads which are used to waggon the coals along ? — 
 Yes. 
 
 0.76. e 3 2650. Mr. 
 
38 
 
 MINUTES OF EVIDENCE TAKEN BEFORE THE 
 
 Mr. D Swallow. 2650. Mr. Cobbett.] When you say that the air-ways ought to be of sufficient 
 ' size, is the rule that you go by the size of the shaft ? — Yes. 
 
 4 July 1853. 2651. Chairman.] What ought to be the size of the shaft?— That depends on 
 the quantity of men in the interior of the mine. Supposing that I was going to 
 sink a pit and employ 200 men, I should have my shafts accordingly. 
 
 2652. Would that answer also refer to the number of shafts ? — Yes. 
 
 2653. Mr. Stephenson.] Does not the quantity of air going down a shaft 
 depend very much on the temperature of the up-cast ? — Yes. 
 
 2654. Then if you are going to sink a shaft for a given number of men, must 
 you first of all determine what furnace power you will make use of? — That is a 
 principal consideration ; but it is generally understood that there is a limited 
 power to the furnace, and that we can get very little more than 1,000 feet per 
 minute, per foot area. It is exceeded occasionally, but we take that as a standard 
 rule. 
 
 265.',. Would not that depend on the extent or the length of the course of 
 air through the mine ? —Of course ; and upon the efficiency of the furnace ; but 
 where there is one pit which gets more than 1,000 feet per minute per foot of 
 area, I think we may take it for granted that there are 100 which do no;, come 
 up to that point by a great deal. 
 
 2656. Chairman.] Do you think there should be ever less than two shafts in 
 a mine ? — No. 
 
 2657. You think it should be compulsory on a coalowner to sink two shafts 
 in his colliery ? — In all cases. 
 
 2658. What number of acres do you think should be allowed for a shaft? — I 
 think that something like 40 statute acres is quite enough to one shaft. 
 
 2659. Would not that depend, in some measure, on the nature of the seam ? 
 — Certainly. 
 
 2660. Mr. Locke.] Would the depth of the mine alter the circumstances at 
 all ? — Certainly, it would cost more to sink another shaft where the mine was 
 deeper. 
 
 2661. Do you know, in the north of England, what distance or what area 
 they generally work from a mine 300 yards deep ? — They work great quantities, 
 and far more than is safe. 
 
 2662. Do you think that one of the disadvantages of the north country 
 system is, that they work too far from the first shaft ? — Yes. 
 
 2663. Would you limit them to 40 acres in a pit of that kind? — Not in a 
 very deep pit like the Monkwearmouth, but generally speaking, for all useful 
 purposes, and particularly in the Lancashire coal-field and the Yorkshire coal- 
 field, they will not come to anything like 200 yards; and on the average, in 
 coal pits in Lancashire, second shafts are sunk very cheap. 
 
 2664. What do you mean by "second shafts" ? — We should have two shafts 
 to the dip ; after we had worked nearly our quantity, we could hollow the other, 
 and supposing there was any water troubling- us, we could bore it down; we 
 should have a pumping-engine at the dip. Sinking a second shaft is altogether 
 different from sinking a new pumping pit. 
 
 2665. Do you know what is the expense of sinking a second shaft ? — I would 
 say 1,500 I. for a shaft 200 or 220 yards deep. 
 
 2666. Chairman.] Your evidence is confined exclusively to your own district? 
 - Yes. 
 
 2667. Mr. Locke.] The pit at Monkwearmouth is 500 or 600 yards deep ? — 
 Yes. 
 
 2668. To what extent, in such a mine, would you permit men to work in the 
 same shaft? — In a mine like that, I can hardly state. There is a great deal con- 
 nected with that mine; but the sinking of another shaft, supposing that any 
 great quantity of coal is got, would be better. 
 
 2669. You have considered this question ? — Yes. 
 
 2670. What distance would it be necessary to work from the shaft in any one 
 direction, in order to get 40 acres for a pit standing in the middle of it ? — That 
 would depend entirely on the shape of the coal. 
 
 2671. Supposing that all things were favourable, do you recollect what must 
 be the length and breadth of a colliery, to enable you to work 40 acres?— Sup- 
 posing that the coal laid all to the rise, and spread out on each side, sinking the 
 pits on each side of it would be no great distance to go across it. 
 
 2672. How far? — It is quite possible it. may not be above 500 yards in a case 
 
 like 
 
SELECT COMMITTEE ON ACCIDENTS IN COAL MINES. 
 
 39 
 
 like, that ; at the same time, it is quite possible that if the royalty was narrow, Mr. D. Swallow. 
 and extended out as some do, it might be more than a mile in some cases. — — — — 
 
 2673. Can vou state how much it would take in width to make up 40 acres, 4 J ul y i%53- 
 with only 500 yards away from the shaft? — No, not at the present moment. 
 
 2674. Are you aware that the coal would be more than 100 yards wide? — 
 Yes ; I should fancy that it would be a great deal more. 
 
 2675. Perhaps it would be 200 yards wide ? — More than that, a great deal. 
 
 2676. How much do vou think it would be? — I cannot say just now, but it 
 would be somewhere near 400 yards. 
 
 2677. What would be the width of a working in a colliery 500 yards long, in 
 order to make 40 acres ? — I have said that 1 do not recollect just now ; it may 
 be easily calculated. 
 
 2678. According to your notion, a colliery which is working 500 yards long, 
 might be worked with safety ; and you think that a colliery of that kind might 
 be worked with equal safety 200 or 300 yards in width ? — Yes. 
 
 267Q. And you think there are cases where, with perfect safety, a colliery 
 might be extended more than 500 yards from the pit ? — I do not think it would 
 be safe ; nor is it the interest of proprietors to do so. 
 
 2680. Are you prepared to state, that you would limit all coal proprietors from 
 going more than 500 yards? — I do not know that I would limit them, because 
 it would depend on the width of the coal. 
 
 2681. Supposing it was a very large coal-field, and you were not restricted, 
 what distance ought a colliery proprietor to be entitled to work from one shaft, 
 before he was obliged to sink another? — I do not know that we could say exactly 
 the distance. 
 
 2682. I put the question to you before in reference to the 500 yards f — I 
 think that 500 yards would not be the average, taking all the coal-fields. 
 
 2683. Chairman.] Each side of the shaft ? — Yes; straightforward. 
 
 2684. Supposing that 500 yards long by 200 yards wide, instead of repre- 
 senting 40 acres., represented 150 acres, you would not find the same objection ? 
 — No, but it does not represent anything of the sort. 
 
 2685. Then your answer as to 40 acres may be taken as qualified ? — -Yes, so 
 far as 500 yards straight ahead goes. 
 
 2686. Mr. Stephenson.] Do you know- the Ravenhead colliery in Lancashire ? — 
 Yes. 
 
 2687. Is it an extensive colliery ? — I cannot speak to that ; it is a colliery 
 which has been working a long time, and there are a good many men employed 
 in it. 
 
 2688. Do you know that in that colliery they are now working coal at a 
 distance of 2,600 yards from the shaft?— No; none of the men ever told me 
 that. 
 
 2689. Have you ever made any inquiry about that?— No. 
 
 2690. Do you think it would have been useful information for you to have 
 known before you gave your opinion as to 500 yards from the shaft being the 
 limit of safety : that there are mines in your own district in Lancashire where 
 the coal is worked 2,600 yards from the shaft without any great danger ? — I do 
 not know that they are working there without any great danger ; I c;m tell you 
 something about the Ravenhead mine. 
 
 2691 . Would the knowledge of that fact at all modify your opinion respecting 
 the distance at which coal might be worked from the shaft ? — No. 
 
 2692. Do you remember any accident at that colliery within the last few 
 years? — No. 
 
 2693. Would not that fact rather tend to modify your opinion about the test 
 of safety? — No, it would not. 
 
 2694- Would not the fact that the colliery has been worked for several years 
 without any serious accident, and that coal is now got at a distance of 2,600 
 yards from the shaft, modify your opinion ? — No ; there is one thing which I 
 wish to state about the Ravenhead mine. The men have often complained to 
 me about the ventilation in many parts of the Ravenhead mine ; they never told 
 me the extent of the mine, but I have heard of a great number of complaints. 
 In some parts of that mine the old goaf was on fire, and a good deal of nauseous 
 gas was given off, and they had not sufficient air to make it, anything like healthy 
 for the men to work in it. 
 
 2695. Is there any fire-damp in that mine r — I think there is. 
 
 O.76. E 4 2696. If 
 
4 o 
 
 MINUTES OF EVIDENCE TAKEN BEFORE THE 
 
 Mr. D. SwaMoic'. 2696. It that mine has been worked for several years without accident, in 
 
 spite of fire-damp, would not that fact rather influence your opinion about the 
 
 4 July 1853. extent of safety? — No. 
 
 2697. The fact of the existence of fire-damp in that mine, and its having been 
 worked for some years without accident, would not influence your opinion about 
 the distance at which coal may be got from the shaft ? — It is possible that it 
 may have been free from accidents, and yet have been on the verge of them 
 every moment ; my plan is rather to prevent the occurrence of accidents. 
 
 260,8. In this particular colliery, as you state, accidents may have been very 
 near, but they may also have been far off ; you do not know the condition of 
 the colliery, and, therefore, you must not make the assumption that it has for 
 years been on the verge of an accident? — I have stated one condition of 
 that colliery ; that is, that it is in a very unhealthy state. 
 
 2699. Have you been in the colliery ? —No, but the men tell me whether the 
 mines are healthy ; and therefore in my official capacity they have told me 
 that the mine was not healthy, and have complained to me personally about it. 
 
 2700. Mr. Cayley.] What is its effect upon them?— On account of the black- 
 damp and the burning of the old goaf, there is not sufficient air to carry it 
 off; and the men complain very much indeed. 
 
 2701. This mine seems to be full of choke-damp and fire-damp? — The men 
 have complained very much of it. 
 
 2702. The choke-damp is that which affects their health ? — Yes. 
 
 2703. Have you ever heard them say whether it was very fiery ? — No. 
 
 2704. May it be more or less fiery? — Yes. 
 
 2705. If it were less fiery, would there be less chance of an explosion taking 
 place ? — As a matter of course. 
 
 2706. And still it would be verv unwholesome for the men 10 live in it? — 
 Yes. 
 
 2707. Chairman.'] You have stated that in your opinion a second shaft, from 
 100 to 150 fathoms in depth, could be sunk for 1,500/.? — Yes. 
 
 2708. To what district were you s. lluding? — The Lancashire and Yorkshire 
 districts. 
 
 2709. Have you been practically acquainted with the sinking of shafts? — A 
 little; I once worked for six months in sinking shafts. 
 
 2710. Mr. H. Vivian.'] Did you ever see an owner's account of the cost of a 
 100 fathom shaft, made up ? — 1 know what the workmen receive, and I have a 
 good notion of what the other labour and material costs. 
 
 2711. To what size shaft are you alluding ? — Ten or eleven feet diameter. 
 
 2712. Do you know, of your own knowledge, of any shaft having been sunk at 
 the price of 10 /. a fathom ? — Yes ; 10/. a fathom would sink a second shaft, on an 
 average, including all materials. 
 
 2713. Mr. Stephuison.] You have stated that you attach very little importance 
 to the Davy lamp? — Yes. 
 
 2714. Do you know any well authenticated instance where an explosion has 
 been traced, to the Davy lamp ? — 1 know a case where a fireman was in the pit 
 by himself, and an explosion took place ; he said he was travelling the air-roads 
 with the safety-lamp. 
 
 2715. Did he escape ? — He was very badly burnt, and he is a cripple, and will 
 be so all the days of his life. 
 
 2716. Mr. Cayley.] No one else was in the mine? — No one else was in the 
 mine. 
 
 2717. Was the lamp locked or shut? — Firemen always have keys, so that if 
 they are locked they can unlock them ; we have only his own word that the lamp 
 top was on. 
 
 2718. Mr. Locke.] Was the man badly burnt ?— He was badly burnt. 
 
 2719. Was he afterwards discovered in the mine? — He was able to get out 
 himself. 
 
 2620. Did he bring his lamp with him? — Yes. 
 
 2721. Did he ever tell you that his lamp burst, or exploded, or was injured? 
 — No ; it was neither burst nor exploded. 
 
 2722. Then, in point of fact, according to the appearance of the lamp, there 
 was nothing the matter with it? — According to the appearance of the lamp, it 
 was all perfect. 
 
 2723. And 
 
SELECT COMMITTEE ON ACCIDENTS IN COAL MINES. 41 
 
 2723. And you believe that the explosion arose from the lamp ? — I have only Mr. D. Swallow. 
 his statement for it. 
 
 2724. You state that the lamp was in a perfect state when it was filled ? — It 4 July l8 53- 
 appeared to be perfect, and I believe that the explosion did take place witli 
 
 the lamp ; 1 have no reason to doubt the man's veracity. 
 
 2725. You have given this as an illustration of an explosion which actually 
 took place from the lamp; and you do it from the fact, that there was no other 
 person in the pit than the man who was carrying the safety-lamp ?— -Yes. 
 
 2726. You assume there was no other light in the pit than that sat'ety-lamp ? 
 —Yes. 
 
 2727. Do you believe that explosion took place from the lamp, the lamp being 
 in a perfect state ? — I believe it took place with the lamp, but whether the lamp 
 was in a perfect state or not I cannot say. 
 
 2728. You were understood to say that when the man brought his lamp out 
 of the pit it was in a perfect state ? — To all appearance, it was in a perfect state. 
 
 2729. Mr. Cobbett.~\ Did you examine it? — No. 
 
 2730. Mr. Locke.'] Did anybody examine it? — Yes; the man said that he 
 believed his lamp was perfect, and he says so now ; I know nothing to the con- 
 trary. 
 
 2731. Did the man believe himself that it took place with his own lamp ? — 
 Yes. 
 
 2732. Chairman.'] Did he say that he had not taken off the top of the lamp ? 
 —Yes. 
 
 27 33. Do you think that he would be afraid to tell you if he had taken off the 
 top of the lamp ? — He could have no interest in trying to deceive me, because 
 all these things are generally told me in confidence. 
 
 2734. Would not the other workmen, if they knew he had taken off the top 
 of the lamp, be very much annoyed? — They would have been very much 
 alarmed. 
 
 2735. Mr. Locke.] Do you know of any other case? — No. 
 
 2736. Then from that one case you think the Davy lamp is unsafe? — I believe 
 it from demonstrations which I have seen ; for instance, if we take the Davy 
 lamp at the common gas, if it is on at a high pressure it will explode; 1 have 
 seen it exploded a hundred times with a common gas burner. 
 
 2737. Mr. H. Vivian.] At a very high pressure? — Supposing there is a com- 
 mon gas burner, you can explode the Davy lamp. 
 
 2738. Would there not be a strong current of gas rushing through tlie lamp ? 
 —Yes. 
 
 2739. Are you aware that the inventor of the Davy lamp stated, when he 
 brought the lamp out, that such was the case ?— I have seen that, and the first 
 time I saw it, it alarmed me a great deal; I had perfect confidence in the Davy 
 lamp previously to that; and when I saw it in a private dwelling experimented 
 on a hundred times in that sort of way, my confidence in the Davy lamp was 
 entirely shaken, and is so to this day. 
 
 2740. Is such a condition likely to occur in the ordinary practical working of 
 collieries ? — Yes. 
 
 2741. Do you think that in collieries gas will issue at the velocity at which 
 it issues from a gas burner? — Supposing that gas does not issue at that velocity, 
 there are other circumstances which may arise. 
 
 2742. What are those circumstances? — Supposing that a man was working in 
 a straight place, and he was not aware that the lamp was full of fire, and 
 when he turned round he saw that his lamp was full of fire, and he incautiously 
 took his lamp and pulled it quickly to him at a quicker pressure than the lamp 
 was able to bear, an explosion might take place. 
 
 2743. Chairman.] Supposing a man had been in that place with a naked 
 candle, what would have been the result ? — The man would have been burnt. 
 
 2744. Then, in that case, would he not have had more chanca of being safe 
 with the Davy lamp than with a naked candle? — Yes ; supposing there is a sud- 
 den fall from the roof, which causes the gas to travel above a certain rate, the 
 lamp will explode. It is quite possible that the most careful man, when he is 
 cleaning his lamp, may just disturb one of the wires ; and if one of the wires is 
 knocked a little out of its place, and the lamp fills, it is perfectly insecure. 
 
 2745. You were asked, in the early part of your evidence, whether you did 
 not think it necessary, if safety-lamps were used, that one man should be employed 
 
 0.76. F at 
 
4 2 
 
 MINUTES OF EVIDENCE TAKEN BEFORE THE 
 
 Mr. D. Swallow, at the top of the pit ; or if one man was not sufficient, that a sufficient number 
 
 of men should be employed, whose exclusive duty should be to clean the lamps, 
 
 4 July 1853. examine whether they were in proper repair, and to repair them if they were 
 not in proper repair; you were understood to state that that was necessarv? — 
 Yes. 
 
 2746. And being necessary, would it not be likely to obviate the objection you 
 state, as to the wires being out of order? — No; because a little bit of coal 
 or anything else might disturb one of the wires; and then, again, safety-lamps 
 are generally put into the hands of young boys. Supposing I was a collier, and 
 had a boy, I would take him into a pit, and the safety-lamp would be put in the 
 boy's hands, and the boy would know nothing about it; labourers come over 
 from Ireland, or any one else, and the lamp is put into their hands; they know 
 nothing at all about it. The lamp is a very delicate instrument, and ought to be 
 used with great caution. 
 
 2747. Are the Committee to understand that if you could not work a pit 
 with candles, that you would stop the pit — No. 
 
 2748. Supposing you could go into a pit, and work it with safety-lamps until 
 sufficient air was got to make the pit pretty free, would you recommend working 
 with safety-lamps, or a cessation of working altogether? — I would recommend 
 working with safety-lamps, but with very great caution. 
 
 2749. Then are the Committee to take your evidence merely to the extent, 
 that safety-lamps are advisable only with the greatest caution? — Yes, with the 
 very greatest caution. 
 
 2750. Mr. H. Vivian.} And that they are not to be relied on? — No. 
 
 27,51. And that the best ventilation is to be kept up, which it is possible to 
 keep up, but that as an additional means of safety, it is your opinion that the 
 safety-lamp ought also to be used in fiery mines ? — Yes, near the goaves. 
 
 2752. Mr. Cayley.~\ Was the man whose lamp ignited, a fireman? — Yes. 
 
 2753. Is it not the business of a fireman to precede the workmen in a pit, in 
 order to test its safety? — Yes, he was doing that. 
 
 2754. Would a fireman have any object whatever in taking off the top of his 
 lamp, if he was going on an exploring expedition, merely to test the safety of 
 the mine ? — I know of none. 
 
 2755. And therefore you are still of the opinion which you have gathered from 
 the man, that there being no other light in the mine the Davy lamp did not 
 prove a sufficient security against explosion ? — Yes. 
 
 2756. Chairman.'] Did the man state that he was walking very fast ? — No. 
 
 2757. Did he state that he met with any extraordinary current, or any blower ? 
 — He was walking against the current at a moderate rate. 
 
 2758. Mr. H. Vivian.] You have stated that the derangement of a single wire 
 in a lamp would cause an explosion ? — Yes. 
 
 2759. If, instead of having a Davy lamp, he had had a candle, would there 
 have been an explosion? — Undoubtedly, unless he had examined the mine; 
 but if he had been going with a candle, he would have tried it here and there. 
 
 2760. Chairman.] Is it not the fireman's business to try with the Davy lamp 
 whether the fire ignites or not?— It is seldom they do so in the main air-pas- 
 sages. 
 
 2761. If you were an over-man or manager, would you keep a man to go 
 into and examine the mine, who did not try whether there was fire in the main 
 air- passages ? — No, I should think he ought not to be kept there. 
 
 2762. Mr. Stephenson.] In what particular colliery did this take place? — It 
 took place in one of the collieries near to Bolton. 
 
 2763. Mr. Locke.] How long ago? — I can hardly state exactly; it is a few 
 years since. 
 
 2764. Mr. Stephenson You have stated, in the course of your evidence, that 
 there has been a great change in the management of collieries in Lancashire, 
 since the appointment of inspectors; and you also added, that at the time when 
 the inspectors were appointed, a great stir was made among the proprietors, 
 and that they used the expression " We must now get things into better order, 
 for these men are coming down." Can you name any one who said that? — Yes, 
 I can name several ; but it is not necessary to do so. 
 
 2765. You heard them yourself? — Some; the underlookers told me what 
 instructions had been given to them ; and I know that some of the masters are 
 now getting boys and young men educated ; and I know one master in particu- 
 lar, 
 
SELECT COMMITTEE ON ACCIDENTS IN COAL MINES. 43 
 
 lar, who has two or three boys who go along with the overlooker ; so that they Mr - J% Swallow. 
 are being brought up to the business. — — — 
 
 2766. Mr. Locke.] In the mines? — Yes; and all that has been occasioned by 4 July 185s* 
 the present inspection being appointed. 
 
 2767. Mr. Stephenson.'] You have also stated, that the responsibility sits very 
 lightly upon the proprietors of collieries ? — Yes, it does. 
 
 2768. When any serious accident occurs, are you not aware that the expense 
 is very great to the proprietors? — It is very great, I believe; but, however, a 
 man's life is more valuable than all the expense that they are put to. 
 
 2769. Would not the fact of a proprietor feeling that he had the lives of so 
 many men in his hands induce him to be very careful? — We fancy it ought to 
 do so ; but in many cases it does not do so. 
 
 2770. Mr. Locke.] Then, in point of fact, the proprietor does not look to his 
 own interest? — That is my opinion. 
 
 2771. Mr. Cobbett.] Has there been a difference, in that respect, ever since 
 the inspector was appointed ? — There has been considerably more care, but not 
 so much as there ought to be. There is a considerable improvement for the 
 better. 
 
 2772. Are the miners themselves satisfied of the fact which you have just 
 stated ? — They are. 
 
 2773. Are they satisfied that there has been greater caution since the inspector 
 was appointed? — Yes. 
 
 2774. With reference to your own district, are there many mines which have 
 but one shaft ? — There is only one shaft in Mostyn Colliery. 
 
 2775. Mr. Mostyn.] Which colliery is that ? — A colliery near Manchester. 
 
 2776. Chairman.] Upon looking at the returns, it is found that many accidents 
 arise from falls of roofs and sides ; in your district, is it usual for the collier to 
 support his own roof, or are there men to do it, as there are in the Northumber- 
 land district ? — Both plans are practised. 
 
 2777. Which plan is found to be the most efficacious? — The men setting their 
 own props, and, as a matter of course, being paid for it. If the masters set the 
 props, they take so much off each man. We generally had threepence a dozen 
 in Yorkshire for propping; and it was considered better, and the men preferred 
 to be paid for setting their own props ; they considered that their lives were 
 much safer. 
 
 2778. In general, in your district is sufficient timber furnished to the men by 
 the proprietors of mines ? — Yes, at the great majority of the collieries; but at 
 some collieries there is not. 
 
 2779. In all the best managed collieries a sufficient quantity of timber is 
 furnished to the men by the proprietors ? — Yes ; generally speaking it is the case, 
 but there are exceptions. 
 
 2780. Do you think that the inspector should have the power of seeing that 
 sufficient timber was furnished to the men? — I think that should be one of his 
 duties. 
 
 2781. Did you hear the evidence which was given by Mr. Jude as to acci- 
 dents in shafts? — Y"es. 
 
 2782. Are yon much liable in your district to accidents in shafts? — There 
 have been several. 
 
 2783. Have all your shafts guides in them ? — Not all, but principally. 
 
 2784. Do they go at a great speed t— We are not much troubled with great 
 speeds in Lancashire, except at some few collieries. 
 
 2785. In point of fact, do you see anything defective in the general state of 
 the shafts in your district, or do the workmen complain that they are defective ? 
 — 1 have often heard complaints of that kind. 
 
 2786. What do they complain of? — About the shafts not being properly 
 walled. In many places they sink a shaft, and brick it at the top until they get 
 to a solid foundation, and then they never put in any sheeting-board or anything, 
 unless it is a mine which will not stand, until they get it to the bottom ; in 
 many cases they think that they are all right, if they can only reach the 
 bottom. 
 
 2787. Is there any other complaint, except of the insecurity of the shaft itself : 
 ■ — We think that the enginemen ought to undergo some examination, and that 
 they ought to be men who are qualified, and are really careful and cautious 
 
 O.76. F 2 men 
 
44 
 
 MINUTES OF EVIDENCE TAKEN BEFORE THE 
 
 11 r. D. Su-allozi: men, to wind men up and doAvn collieries. Several men have been killed, as 
 consider, through the negligence of the engine-tenters. 
 
 4 July 3853. 2788. Is it not the practice of the owners of collieries in your district to employ 
 proper men to wind the men up and down the shafts? — They imagine they are 
 proper men, but sometimes it turns out that they are not proper men. 
 
 2789. If a coalowner discovered that they were not proper men, would he 
 not immediately dismiss them r — I cannot speak, to that. 
 
 2790. Have you seen for any length of time, at any particular colliery, a man 
 who was an improper man to be employed to wind men up and down shafts? — 
 The men have often complained to me about young persons being employed, and 
 that they did not feel that their lives were safe in their hands. 
 
 2791. Having received that complaint, what steps would you take? — We 
 have no power of taking' any steps, and the inspector has no power at the pre- 
 sent time. 
 
 2792. Would you not report that to the inspector? — I do not know that I 
 have had complaints about that since he was appointed ; but there have been 
 persons killed in Lancashire from the negligence of the engine-tenters. 
 
 2793. Since the inspectors have been appointed, what complaints have you 
 received from the men? — As regards the engine-tenters, I have not received any 
 complaint. 
 
 2794. You have only received complaints of the insecurity of the shafts them- 
 selves? — No; but still they are very desirous that the engine-tenters should 
 undergo some examination. There have been many instances of men who were 
 colliers, when they had done their work in the evening, going to an engineer 
 and giving him a trifle to learn them to tent an engine ; and in six months they 
 would know how to handle an engine very nicely; and if they had a friend at 
 court, they would be put to the winding engine. 
 
 2795. If accidents occur to the rope or machinery, is not the owner put to 
 great expense? — Sometimes; if the guides are in good condition, a full tub may 
 fall through to the bottom, without doing much damage. 
 
 2796. Do you think it is one of the duties of an inspector to see that proper 
 engine-men are appointed, and also that the pits are walled, and in a safe con- 
 dition ?-— Yes. 
 
 2797. Is it the custom in your district to let a man down while a full waggon 
 of coai is going up the pit ?— Yes, generally. 
 
 2798. Do you think that is safe? — No ; it ought to be abolished. 
 
 2799. You think that ought to be prohibited by legislation ? — Yes, under all 
 circumstances. 
 
 2800. Mr. Locke.'] Do you recollect any instance of death arising from stones 
 falling out. of the side of a pit? — Yes. 
 
 2801. Where? — I recollect a man being killed at Ardsley, near Wakefield. 
 
 2802. From a stone falling from the side of a pit? — Yes; his name was 
 Taylor. 
 
 2803. What was he?— He was a hanger-on. 
 
 2804. Do you know of any accidents which have arisen in Lancashire ? — Not 
 where anybody has been killed, but I have known several men to be wounded. 
 
 2805. You were understood to state in an early part of your examination, 
 that there were not many accidents of that kind ? — There may be accidents, and 
 yet not fatal. 
 
 2806. The question is not confined to fatal accidents, but it applies to accidents 
 where men have been struck by stones falling; can you name any others? — I 
 know that a man not long ago had his hand on a tub, and a piece fell down and 
 disabled his hand. 
 
 2807. Was that a stone from the side? — Yes. 
 
 2808. It did not come from the top ? — No, it came from the side; many of 
 the sides of the shafts are very bad. 
 
 2809. Do you recollect in what pit that happened ?— I cannot think of the 
 name just now ; I have known of several instances of people falling down 
 ladders as well. 
 
 28 io. You recollect one case where a man was killed at Ardsley, and another 
 case of a man having his hand hurt by the fall of a stone ?— Yes. 
 
 2811. And you know of other cases, but you cannot mention them?— Yes; 
 the man had his second finger split in two. 
 
 2812. Chairman.} 
 
SELECT COMMITTEE ON ACCIDENTS IN COAL MINES. 45 
 
 2812. Chairman.'] Are you aware, that by Act of Parliament boys are not Mr. D. Stvaltotv. 
 
 allowed to wind men up and down pits ? — I am aware of that; and I think the 
 
 a«e out to be extended. 4 July 1850, 
 
 2813. What is the present age ? — Fifteen years ; I think that no person ought 
 to be permitted to wind up and down shafts, who is under 18 years of age. 
 
 2814. Mr. Stephenson.] Do you think that inspectors ought to have the power 
 of determining whether a sufficient quantity of timbering was used in collieries? 
 — I do indeed. 
 
 2815. Does your answer refer to permanent timbering - , or to temporary tim- 
 bering?' — It refers to all kinds of timbering; but more especially to temporary 
 timbering. 
 
 2816. Does not the temporary timbering vary from time to time ? — Yes. 
 
 2817. How is the inspector therefore, unless he is constantly in the mine, to 
 give an opinion about the sufficiency or insufficiency? — When he does go in, he 
 can give an opinion upGn it. 
 
 2818. Do you think that inspectors when they are there, ought to have the 
 power of condemning the existing timbering, and of ordering it to be replaced 
 by sufficient timbering ? — That is not exactly what I mean. 
 
 2819. Do you think it is possible, unless an inspector were there from day to 
 day, that he could be of any real use as an inspector of the timbering ? — If an 
 inspector goes round the place, he will very easily see whether the men have 
 sufficient timber set in their places, and whether they have timber laid by them, 
 ready ; and when he gets to the top of the pit, he would just go to the place 
 where the timber for props was kept, and he would observe whether there was a 
 proper supply of timber or not. 
 
 2820. Chairman.] Is it your opinion that if shafts were walled, such accidents 
 as you have described would not occur ? — They could not occur. 
 
 2821. Do you think it should be compulsory on the owner of a mine to wall 
 the shafts? — Unless it was very good rock, which would not give way to the 
 moisture of the pit or the heat of the pit. 
 
 2822. Mr. H. Vivian.] Do you include the walling of the pit in the 1,500/., 
 which you have stated as the cost of a second shaft ? — Yes, on the average ; 
 because in many pits where there is rock, they would not be required ; I do not 
 mean to wall them from top to bottom. 
 
 2823. Chairman.] Do you think it should be in the power of an inspector to 
 order pits to be walled, if necessary ? — Yes. 
 
 2824. Are the men generally satisfied with the system of inquests, as they are 
 at present conducted ? — They are very much dissatisfied. 
 
 2825. Have they petitioned against them ? — Yes ; the principal objection of 
 the men to the present system of holding coroners' inquests, is that the coroners 
 are generally either doctors or lawyers, or persons who know nothing at all about 
 the management of collieries ; neither do they understand the technical words and 
 terms which are made use of by the witnesses when they are giving their 
 evidence ; and they cannot comprehend what the witnesses are talking about. 
 
 2826. Are not the inspectors generally present? — The inspectors cannot 
 always be present ; they are sometimes present in urgent cases, and they are of 
 great service. 
 
 2827. When they are present, do not the coroners generally pay great atten- 
 tion to what the inspectors tell them ? — Sometimes. 
 
 2828. Have you known an instance of the contrary ? — I have not known them 
 to show any disrespect, bat I have seen instances where I fancied they have not 
 been particularly anxious that the inspectors should he very forward in putting 
 questions. 
 
 2829. Have you ever been upon a jury at an inquest? — Yes, I have been at 
 several inquests as a juryman ; and I have also been at a great number to watch 
 the proceedings on behalf of friends of the deceased. 
 
 2830. Mr. Jude stated that the objections of men in his district was, that 
 persons connected with the mines, such as a master-blacksmith, a master-mason, 
 and persons of that kind, were on the juries ; and that the workmen thought 
 they had a bias in favour of the coal proprietors, and did not perform their duty 
 efficiently? — We have the same objection. 
 
 2831. Provided the jury were selected from men who were independent of in- 
 fluences of that kind, would the same objection exist ? — No. 
 
 0.76. f 3 2832. Do 
 
4<b 
 
 MINUTES OF EVIDENCE TAKEN BEFORE THE 
 
 Mr. D. 6<wallow. 2832. Do you think that the law as it at present stands, which only enables a 
 
 jury to return a verdict either of accidental death or manslaughter, is defective? 
 
 4 July 1853. — j t i s ver y defective. 
 
 2833. In what does its defect consist? — The verdict must either be accidental 
 death or manslaughter, as the law is at present; and juries generally have a 
 great aversion to finding a verdict of manslaughter. Many of the juries at the 
 present time, supposing it is an agricultural district, are farmers and others who 
 
 . pay rates; and if they send a man to the assizes, they have not the least doubt 
 but that he will be acquitted, and that it will be the means of entailing on the 
 county a great expense, a portion of which they have to bear ; and it is con- 
 stantly said, " What is the use of sending a man to the assizes to be acquitted, 
 and for us to get a blowing up from the judge for so doing ? " 
 
 2834. Are the Committee to understand that you have attended coroners' 
 inquests in your official capacity? — Yes, and as a juryman also. 
 
 2835 Mr. Locke.] In the petition to which you have alluded, the objection 
 which is stated, is not so much to the informality of the verdict as to the non- 
 qualification of the persons who compose the jury; are you of opinion that the 
 juries are ill composed?- — Yes. 
 
 2836. You think that farmers, and petty tradesmen aud others, are totally 
 ignorant of the practical working of coal mines ? — Yes. 
 
 2837. Do you think that the jury should be composed of persons who are 
 practically conversant with coal mines ? — Yes. 
 
 2838. How would you compose a jury to try a question of the kind ? — I 
 would have as a special coroner for all colliery accidents, a man who had been 
 brought up in the mines, who had served his apprenticeship to a viewer or 
 colliery manager, and who had received the very best education, and was a 
 responsible man. 
 
 2839. Do you think that a Government inspector would be a proper person to 
 be coroner ? — -I would not say a Government inspector, but a man of similar 
 standing in society. I think that a Government inspector, so long as he held 
 the inspectorship, as he might be a witness, should not be a judge. 
 
 284 Do you think that a knowledge of practical mining is essential to the 
 position of coroner? — I think that the one we have in Lancashire is the very sort 
 of man who would do for the office, Mr. Dickinson ; I think a man of his 
 standing ought to be at the head of those inquests. 
 
 2841. Chairman.] Do you mean Mr. Dickinson the inspector? — Yes; but so 
 long as they remain inspectors I would not recommend them. 
 
 2842. Would it not be necessary for him to have some knowledge of the 
 law ? — I think the law would be plain and simple, and that he would not have 
 any doubt about it. 
 
 2843. However plain and simple, would it not be necessary for him to have 
 a perfect knowledge of the state of the law? — He could devote some attention to 
 that subject. 
 
 2844. Mr. Locke.] Do you think that if he had a knowledge of mining, he 
 would be a great deal more useful ?— A great deal- We have had too much 
 law ; we now want some justice. 
 
 2845. Mr. Cobbett.] You stated that you would have an inspector appointed 
 as a coroner? — Men of similar qualifications. 
 
 2846. Mr. Locke.] Are you aware that all inspectors are not practical miners? 
 — I am not aware of that fact. I have heard something about one inspector not 
 being a practical miner, but as regards the truth of it, I have no certainty 
 
 2847. At all events, whether an inspector was a practical miner or not, you 
 would insist that men who held the position of coroners should be practical 
 miners ? — Yes ; I believe that all the inspectors, with the exception of one, are 
 practical miners. 
 
 2848. Mr. Cobbett.] Are you aware that usually, at the present time, a coroner 
 is elected by freeholders? — Yes. 
 
 2849. Would you have the coroner for the coal mines elected by freeholders, 
 or would you have him appointed by the Government ? — I would have him 
 appointed by the Government. 
 
 2850. Would you dispense with the jury altogether ?— No ; I would have one 
 portion of the jury composed of persons practically acquainted with mines, and 
 the other portion of independent parties. 
 
 2851. Then, 
 
SELECT COMMITTEE ON ACCIDENTS IN COAL MINES. 47 
 
 2851. Then, in point of fact, you would alter the present mode of summon- Mr. D. Swallow. 
 ing the jury? — Yes. 1 
 
 2852. Is the jury at present summoned by the constable of the parish ?— Yes. 4 J«^y 1853. 
 
 2853. Are the jury taken from one parish, or from a number of parishes? — 
 The general rule is with us, that supposing an accident occurs in our township, 
 four gentlemen are summoned from each of the neighbouring townships on each 
 side of us. 
 
 2854. Then hereafter would you have the jury summoned from the mines 
 themselves, and from persons who were otherwise engaged ? — Half the jury 
 should be miners. 
 
 2855. Would you have any of the jury summoned out of the very mine in 
 which the accident took place ? — No. 
 
 2856. Do not you think that if you summoned persons from neighbouring 
 mines, it is possible there might be some influence exercised over them by 
 viewers or overlookers, such as has been stated with regard to accidents? — It is 
 quite possible ; but I do not think it would often happen. 
 
 2857. Do you think that the coroner should be a person acquainted with 
 mining, and that half the jury should be acquainted with mining ? — Yes. 
 
 2858. Do you propose to give that court the power to assess damages? — Yes. 
 
 2859. You propose to extend the power of the coroner to award damages in 
 cases of accidents ? — Yes, through gross neglect. 
 
 2860. Not merely to find whether the death arose from accident or from 
 culpable negligence, and there stop, but to find what damage should be 
 awarded to the survivors? — Yes, in case of death. 
 
 2861. Would you repeal the present law, by which the survivors can bring an 
 action and recover damages, before one of the judges of the superior courts at 
 Nisi Prius? — I think it ought to be enacted that the inspectors shall have the 
 power of instituting proceedings for the recovery of damages in the case you are 
 speaking of. 
 
 2862. Would you give them the power to institute the proceeding before a 
 coroner which you propose they shall have the power to institute in one of the 
 courts of law? — I should prefer the coroner's jury having the power of assessing 
 damages, in addition to the present law. 
 
 2863. Chairman.^ Is it your opinion that the magistrates or the inspectors 
 should have the power of levying fines upon the owners of colleries who fail to 
 perform their duty ? — I think the magistrates ought to have the power. 
 
 2864. Do you think it would be better that the power should be given to the 
 magistrates, or to the Secretary of State only ?— I think it ought to be given to 
 the magistrates. I do not see how the Secretary of State could be a judge upon 
 the matter, because the master would have no chance of being heard. 
 
 2865. At present, is there a power to prosecute workmen who uncover their 
 lamps in dangerous situations, or who commit any other reckless act ? — Yes. 
 
 2866. Is it often the case that workmen are reckless? — There are a great 
 number who are reckless, but they are persons who have been introduced into 
 the mines; they are not persons who have been brought up to mining under the 
 tuition of their father or relatives, or persons who have generally been taught the 
 responsibility ; they are generally persons who have been introduced inio the 
 mines as other kinds of labourers. 
 
 2867. If a man was found committing a reckless act, so that he endangered 
 the lives of his fellow-workmen, would the workmen object to work with him ? — 
 Many of the men would complain of him. 
 
 2868. To whom would they complain ? — They would complain to the manager. 
 
 2869. Have you known instances of such complaints being made r — Not 
 specially to the manager ; but I have often heard them talking among themselves 
 that such a man had taken his lamp-top off. 
 
 2870. Did the men at the same time state that they had made complaints to 
 the overman ? — No. 
 
 2871. Is it your opinion, that provided such a complaint were made to the 
 overman, the overman would take notice of it, and immediately send the man 
 out of the pit ? — I believe he would. 
 
 2872. Do you think it is desirable that there should be a specific enactment 
 with reference to the carelessness of workmen ? — I think the law is severe enough 
 a present. 
 
 2873. Mr. H. Vivian^] Is the law sufficiently special at present? — If it can 
 0.76. f 4 be 
 
4 8 
 
 MINUTES OF EVIDENCE TAKEN BEFORE THE 
 
 Mr. D. Swallow, be proved that a man has been guilty of the act, he is generally committed. I 
 
 - — ■ am not aware that they have much difficulty at the present time. There 'was 
 
 4 Ju'y 18.53. considerable difficulty a few years ago; but the decisions have become very general, 
 although the law is not very pointed upon it. 
 
 2874. Would not a material effect be produced on the men if there were a 
 specific enactment against that description of carelessness ?— Yes ; supposing that 
 the present law, which is rather doubtful, were denned, I think that the present 
 law is quite sufficient. 
 
 2875. You mean that where the penalty is inflicted it is sufficient ? —Yes. 
 
 2876. But that the law is not perhaps sufficiently definite? — Yes. 
 
 2877. Mr. Locke.] Are you well acquainted with the Lancashire and Cheshire 
 mines?— I generally go amongst them, but I am not acquainted with their 
 interior. 
 
 2878. What is your opinion of the qualification of the managers of the various 
 collieries in Lancashire and Cheshire ? — Very low, generallv. 
 
 2879. Do you include Yorkshire? — Yes. 
 
 2880. Then you think that in Lancashire, Yorkshire, and Cheshire the quali- 
 fication of the superintendents of mines is generally very low ? — It is very low 
 indeed, generally. 
 
 2881. Do you find a want of education among the superintendents, or do you 
 allude to any moral defect ? — There are both to a great extent. 
 
 2882. What kind of education have these men received? — A great many of 
 them have had no education at all, except going to a school to learn to read and 
 write, and cast a little, so that they can handle a pen nimbly and make a few 
 figures, and work out a sum middling straight ; but they have no really useful 
 knowledge for mining purposes. 
 
 2883. Then those persons who have been so taught at school have no prac- 
 tical experience in mines before their appointment as managers ? — Generally 
 not ; there are exceptions, but they are few and far between. 
 
 2884. Do those few cases of exception come up to your notion of the proper 
 qualifications of a superintendent? — No. 
 
 2885. In your opinion, what qualification should an inspector or a superin- 
 tendent of a mine possess? — I think that a manager of a mine ought to serve 
 his apprenticeship, as they do in the North of England. I think that no man 
 ought to be entrusted with the charge of a mine unless he has worked practi- 
 cally in a mine, and received a first-rate education, or served an apprenticeship 
 to practical mining. 
 
 2886. Supposing that a man had been educated theoretically at a high-class 
 school or college, and possessed all the theoretical information which could 
 qualify him for accurately judging of any question relating to mining, would 
 you admit him to the management of a mine, unless he had had some practical 
 experience of a mine ? — No. 
 
 2887. Then are you of opinion that theoretical education must always be 
 coupled with a practical knowledge of the mode of working a mine, as well as 
 of the principles of ventilation? — Yes. 
 
 2888. is it your opinion that a man who has had a good thorough practical 
 education, or rather experience in a mine, is sufficiently qualified, without having 
 had a superior education, to manage a colliery ? — No ; I would sooner trust the 
 practical man than the theoretical man ; but I would rather have both. 
 
 2889. You have stated that you would prefer a workman who had some prac- 
 tical knowledge in the management of collieries? — Yes. 
 
 2890. Would you therefore make it imperative upon every person who was 
 entrusted with a mine that he should have served an apprenticeship, or have 
 obtained some practical knowledge in a proper and legitimate way of the work- 
 ing of a mine before he was entrusted with it ? — The general notion is, that he 
 ought either to have served seven years' apprenticeship, or to have held some 
 inferior office, or worked in a mine in some way, at least 10 years. 
 
 2891. Are you now speaking of a person who is to take the charge of a 
 mine ? — Yes ; the head manager. 
 
 2892. In some cases, where a man had been serving as an overman, or an 
 underground steward, if he had long experience, do you think that he might 
 be qualified to take a higher situation if he had been 10 years in the pit ? — 
 Yes. 
 
 2893. Then you are turning your attention to the qualifications for mining 
 
 superintendence 
 
SELECT COMMITTEE ON ACCIDENTS IN COAL MINES. 49 
 
 superintendence by a practical man, rather than to high scholastic attainments? JMr. D. Swalfow. 
 
 — Yes; but we would, as I say, rather have an educated manager and a prac- 
 
 tical manager as well. Supposing we must choose between the theoretical 4-J ul y»853. 
 manager and the practical manager, we would select the practical manager. 
 
 2894. Chairman^] If a man in the course of his experience has educated him- 
 self, would he meet your views entirely ? — Those are the very best of men. 
 
 2895. With regard to your answer as to the overmen in your district not 
 being the right sort of men, are there not overmen in your district who are as 
 good as the overmen in any part of England ? —Yes ; I said there were ex- 
 ceptions. 
 
 2896. In your district are schools general ? — They are nut. 
 
 2897. Are there nor. schools attached to a proportion of tlie collieries in your 
 district ? — Some of the largest collieries have no schools. I am not aware t hat 
 Messrs. Knowles, who employ something like 1,500 men, have any school at 
 all of their own building. 
 
 2898. You have heard Mr. Jude state that, provided the men had some share 
 in the appointment of the schoolmaster, and a control over the schools, they 
 would have no objection to a rate being made compulsory by Act of Parliament, 
 to which they should contribute a certain amount of their earnings towards the 
 support of a school; do you agree with that statement? — I believe that some 
 would object to it, but that the greater part would approve of it. 
 
 2899. In your opinion, "would that be a beneficial enactment? — I believe it 
 would ; I highly approve of it. 
 
 2900. Do you think that educating the colliers would make them less reck- 
 less, and more observant of danger: — I do. 
 
 2901. Do }'Ou consider that educating them would not only increase their 
 moral culture, but be a means of preventing accidents r — 1 believe it would have 
 a great tendency to it. 
 
 2902. With regard to funds; are they pretty general in your district? — We 
 have Odd Fellows' and Foresters' Societies ; but not much else. 
 
 2903. Did you hear Mr. Henderson's statement with regard to a national 
 fund being raised ? — Yes; but I hardly comprehend what he meant ; because 
 it would be rather difficult to manage a national fund. 
 
 2904. He stated that, he would not have contributions from the Government, 
 but that he meant a fund to which the whole of the colliers should contribute a 
 certain amount in the pound from their earnings, which should be exclusively 
 devoted to accidents, and the support of widows and orphan children ; do von 
 think that such a plan is practicable ? — I believe that the miners of Lanc ashire 
 and Cheshire would object to it. 
 
 2905. On what principle ? — They appear to have a great notion of self- 
 control. 
 
 2906. Supposing a deputation were appointed to manage the funds, do 
 you think their objection would be removed? — They have no notion of money 
 going out of their own county. 
 
 2907. Provided the fund was confined to their own district, do you think they 
 would agree to it? — I think they would. Every fortnight they have meetings, 
 and each colliery sends a deputation ; of course they do not always send the 
 same deputation; and they would have a perfect control over it in that case, 
 and perhaps they would not raise objections to it. I am not advocating it; and 
 anything' beyond that, I am perfectly satisfied they would object to. 
 
 2908. Is there anything else you wish to state? — I think that if it is necessary 
 to use safety-lamps, blasting ought to be prohibited. 
 
 2909. Does your answer apply to the use of tobacco pipes, under the same 
 circumstances ? — Yes. 
 
 2910. Mr. Cai/lei/.'] Who do you think should appoint the special coroner? — 
 The Government. 
 
 2911. Ghaivman.~\ Are the workmen anxious for the Report of the Committee 
 of last year to be carried out ? — Generally, with very slight exceptions. 
 
 2912. Do you think they are satisfied with the attention Parliament is paying 
 to the subject? — They are very thankful to the Legislature for the attention they 
 have paid to the subject; but they are frightened at the Committee's being- 
 appointed, apparently^ for the discussion of the jet and the furnace. 
 
 2913. And they hope they will not be sacrificed, in the contest between the 
 0.76. G steam -jet 
 
50 
 
 MINUTES OF EVIDENCE TAKEN BEFORE THE 
 
 Mr. D. SwaB om. steam -jet and the furnace ?— Aye ; they do not want to be sacrificed between 
 Jul 18 steam "j et an( ^ tne furnace. 
 
 4 uyi 53- 2914. Mr. Cay ley.) Have you any notion that Committees are sometimes 
 appointed with a view to delay legislation? — I am not aware of it. 
 
 2915. Chairman.'] Do you think that the working- men have the slightest idea 
 
 that this Committee has been appointed with a view of delaying legislation ? 
 
 We have bits of notions about it ; because they say, f< We have had inquiry 
 enough, and sufficient has been said, and we all know that mines can be venti- 
 lated ; the jet is good, and the furnace is good, either of them will do; we do 
 not care which it is, only let us have air ; we do not see that there is any further 
 need of inquiry, because while they are inquiring we are being sacrificed." 
 
 2916. Mr. Locke.] You have stated that some change has taken place for the 
 better ?— - Yes. 
 
 2917. Do not you think that a continued discussion would be rather useful 
 in acting on the mining proprietors, to keep them a little up to the mark ? — It 
 was the Act of Parliament which made them attentive, and not the discussion. 
 
 291 8. Do you think that Acts of Parliament would be passed, without preli- 
 minary discussion ? — There has been discussion on this subject. In 1835 there 
 was a Select Committee, and again in 1849, and again last year. 
 
 2919. Mr. H. Vivian.] Are you aware that the Act of Parliament arose out 
 of the Committee of 1849?— Yes. 
 
 2920. That was a Committee of the House of Lords? — Yes. 
 
 2921. Chairman.] Are you aware how long the Committee sat last year ? — 
 No; I think about a month. 
 
 2922. Mr. Locke.] You ask for some amendment in the present law? — Yes. 
 
 2923. You mean that the amendment should take place after a proper inquiry 
 had been instituted r — Yes, if there lias not been sufficient inquiry ; but we 
 think there lias been inquiry enough. 
 
 2924. Chairman.] You say that the Committee of last year sat a month ; 
 supposing that only five days' evidence were taken, do you think that was 
 enough ?• — The Report was very good. 
 
 2925. Have \ou read the evidence? — I have read most of it; I cannot say 
 that 1 have read it all. The Report is very good. 
 
 2926. Is it your opinion, that this inquiry will do good? — I think it will. 
 
 2927. Mr. Mostyn.] Are you aware that the last Committee only sat five 
 days ? — I am not. 
 
 2928. Chairman.] You have stated that great good has been done by inspectors 
 in the ventilation of mines. Since the inspection, have you found a visible im- 
 provement in the health of the working miners? — Yes; and not only do I 
 observe an improvement in the appearance of the men, but each man's name is 
 registered in a registry- book, with his contribution each fortnight ; so that by 
 comparing the collieries, I can see that there is a visible improvement. 
 
 2929. And you attribute that to the attention which the present inspector has 
 paid to the ventilation of mines in his district? — I believe it has arisen entirely 
 from the inspector being appointed. 
 
 2930. And you believe that the present, inspector generally gives satisfaction, 
 both to the men and the masters? — Yes. 
 
 2931. Mr. Cayley.] The Committee of 1852 gave satisfaction to the working 
 miners, although no working miners were examined ? — Yes. 
 
 2932. Mr. Mostyn.] Are the instructions of Mr. Dickinson usually attended 
 to in your district ? — They are. 
 
 2933. You know of no instance to the contrary? — None; and whenever I 
 see him, he asks me if I know of any mine which is dangerous; he is always 
 anxious to get information of dangerous mines. 
 
 2934. Is attention paid to his instructions by the proprietors of mines? — Yes, 
 generally ; but there are some cases where, unfortunately, they have not been 
 attended to. 
 
 2935. Mr. Cohbett.] You attribute the better appearance of the working 
 people to the circumstance of Mr. Dickinson's recommendations having been 
 attended to? — I cannot say that; I attribute it to the Act of Parliament being 
 passed, because if the Act of Parliament had not passed, and the inspectors had 
 not been appointed, they would never have improved their ventilation. 
 
 2936. Chairman.] 
 
SELECT COMMITTEE ON ACCIDENTS IN COAL MINES. 51 
 
 2936. Chairman.] Then, from the appointment of the inspectors, and the Mr. D. Sivalivw. 
 
 attention that the inspectors have paid, the ventilation has been improved?— 
 
 y es 4 July 1853. 
 
 Mr. William Gray, called in; and Examined. 
 
 2937. Chairman.] WHERE do you reside? — At Margam. Mr. W. Gray. 
 2038. Have you been long acquainted with the working of cbllei'ies? — All 
 
 my life. 
 
 2939. Have you been a workman in collieries ? —Yes. 
 
 2940. Did you begin early in life to work in collieries ? — Yes. 
 
 2941. At what age did you go into a colliery ? — About 10 years of age. 
 
 2942. What was your occupation f — Keeping a door. 
 
 2943. Did you then become a cutter? — Yes. 
 
 2944. Were you long employed in hewing coal ? — Not long ; I should think 
 not longer than two years. 
 
 294.5. Were you advanced ? — Yes. 
 
 2946. What did you become? — A deputy. 
 
 2947. Your duties then were the superintending and standing of timber ? — 
 Yes ; and bratticing. 
 
 21)48. How long were you engaged in that occupation? — Not very long; 
 perhaps a year, or a year and a half. 
 
 2949. Dili you then become an overman? — No; I then followed the occu- 
 pation of sinking. 
 
 29.50. Did you sink many shafts ? — Yes. 
 
 2951. In what districts ? — Chiefly in the Monkwearmouth district, and 
 Unsworth. 
 
 29.52. Had you anything to do with sinking the Monkwearmouth pits? — Yes. 
 
 2953. How long did you continue a sinker? — I should think that I was 
 employed four or five years as a regular working man at sinking; the last four 
 or five years of my servitude in sinking was as a master sinker. 
 
 2954. Did you continue to rise until you became an overman f — Yes ; the 
 last colliery was Unsworth colliery, where I had any connexion with sinking in 
 the north of England; and I became overman of a colliery after the pits were 
 sunk. 
 
 2955. Were you the overman who was engaged in opening the Unsworth col- 
 liery ? — Yes ; 1 sunk it, and opened it out. 
 
 2956. How long did you remain overman of Unsworth colliery? — About a year 
 and a half. 
 
 2957. Where did you go? — I was engaged by Mr. Vivian, through the 
 recommendation of Mr. Elliott, my former master. 
 
 2958. Have you been ever since w 7 ith Mr. Vivian? — Yes. 
 
 2959. How long have you been with Mr. Vivian ? — Nearly five years, 
 
 5960. Have you opened collieries since you have been with Mr. Vivian ?— 
 The colliery I came to was about 30 fathom standing when I came. 
 
 2961. Did you put a pit 30 fathoms down ? — Yes; my first duty was to sink 
 two pits down to the coal and working ; and I have since had the chief manage- 
 ment of that colliery. 
 
 2962. In point of fact, you have been all your life engaged in collieries ? — 
 Yes. 
 
 2963. Can you state the extent of working that you now superintend ? — 
 From one of the collieries that I manage there are about 100,000 tons raised 
 annually. 
 
 2964. Can you describe the winnings of those pits ? — Yes ; they are sunk on 
 a marsh, or a sea deposit; and no strata are met with, nothing hut peat, and 
 shells, and gravel, and stone, until we get dow r n about 70 feet, and then we get 
 the coal formations. We then generally sink until we find a place to form 
 foundations for tubbing. Wales has a peculiar lime which stands water. 
 
 296,5. Do you mean the lias limestone? — Yes. 
 
 2966. Are you much troubled with water in that district? — There is a very 
 large quantity of water to contend with till after the tubbing is in. 
 
 2967. Have you directed your attention very much to ventilation? — Very 
 much indeed. 
 
 2968. Have you directed your attention to any particular method of veniila- 
 0.76. g 2 tion, 
 
52 MINUTES OF EVIDENCE TAKEN BEFORE THE 
 
 Mr. Jl'. Gray. tion, or to ventilation generally ? — Not to any particular method of ventilation, 
 
 but to ventilation generally. 
 4 July 1883. 2969. Have you ever used the steam-jet ? — Yes. 
 
 2970. And also the furnace ? — Yes. 
 
 2971. Have you ever made; any experiments with regard to the steam-jet? — 
 Yes. 
 
 2972. Under what circumstances have you used the steam -jet ? — The nearest 
 road we have got between our pits is 500 yards, and it is a very awkward thing to 
 form a holing between two pits which are sunk a great distance from each other; 
 and some easy mode of ventilation lias to be contrived in some way, until a 
 perfect one is got. In the first pit we sunk we put a brattice, and ventilated it 
 on the high pressure system through the brattice. 
 
 2973. As a temporary remedy ? — Yes. 
 
 2974. Did you find the steam-jet answer the purpose for which you adopted 
 it?— Yes. 
 
 2975. Did you continue to use it after the pit was worn out ? — No. 
 
 297G. Why did you abandon it? — I should not like to work it on a large 
 scale. 
 
 2977. Why not? — I think it is a very slippy practice of ventilation. 
 
 2978. What do you mean by a " slippy practice ?" — Easily slipped out of ma- 
 nagement altogether; it is not good to keep held of. 
 
 2979. How ? — So many things will go wrong about it. 
 
 2980. W r hen you applied the steam-jet, had you the fires and the boilers which 
 raised the steam at the bottom of the pit or the top? — The top. 
 
 2981. You took the pipes to the bottom? — No. 
 
 2982. How did you proceed? — I will read some of the experiments which I 
 made. " The Morfa colliery was worked in 1849 with only one pit, divided by 
 three-inch plank brattice into win ding-shaft on one side and pumping-shaft on 
 the other side. Winding-shaft was the down-cast of 50 feet area ; pumping-shaft 
 the up-cast of 25 feet area. Making an allowance for pumps, rods, beams, &c, 
 the up-cast would not exceed 18 feet area. The ventilation was worked by high 
 pressure steam, a culvert leading from the up-cast to a stack 60 feet high, w T ith 
 1(3 feet area at the top, with the jet-pipes 8 feet from the bottom of the stack; 
 75 jets of i inch square, worked by tw r o Cornish boilers, 30 feet long by 6 feet 
 diameter, burning three tons of coal per 24 hours ; steam worked up 50 lbs. per 
 inch pressure ; and, according to Biram's anemometer, measured — 
 
 On December 19, 1849, 11,600 feet per minute. 
 
 On December 30, 1849, 13,104 
 
 On February 17, 1850, 14,300 „ 
 
 Averaging about 13,000 feet per minute. This plan of applying the steam was 
 abandoned. To apply the blast-pipes, a chamber was built 10 feet high, with 
 sufficient area for 35 blast-pipes of 10 feet long, 5 inches diameter, the bottom 
 part coned out to 10 inches diameter at the bottom, or receiving end, 35 jet 
 tubes, 12 inches long, screwed perpendicular into the horizontal branch pipe, and 
 each jet reaching 12 inches up the blast-pipes, and about 2 inches above the 
 cone, or 2 inches into the parallel part of the blast-pipe; 18 of these jet-tubes 
 were {. t inch area, and 17 tubes i inch area, worked from the same boilers, at 
 50 lbs. pressure per square inch, and burning three tons of coal per 24 hours, 
 and measuring, according to Biram's anemometer — 
 
 On the 20th June 1850, 19,000 feet per minute. 
 On the 1st July 1850, 18,000 „ 
 On the 14th Sept. 1850, 21,300 
 
 Averaging about 19,000 feet per minute. This gave us an increase of 6,000 feet 
 per minute over the jets merely going into the stack. The air was split into four 
 divisions ; average length of air-course 1,300 yards, of about 36 feet area each, 
 which is about 4,077 feet of air per minute for one pound of coal consumed. 
 
 2983. Mr. H. Vivian.'] Was the general result of the use of the blast-pipe 
 system that you obtained an increased ventilation ? — Yes; it increased on an 
 average from 13,000 feet per minute to 19,000 feet per minute with the same 
 boilers. 
 
 2984. Chairman.'] Was that with the steam-jet alone, without any adjunct 
 
 from 
 
SELECT COMMITTEE ON ACCIDENTS IN COAL MINES. 53 
 
 from rarefaction of any kind *? — Yes, and at the top of the pit ; and the jets Mr. W. Gruy. 
 
 were in the up-cast pit, covered down by three-inch plank doors. ■ — 
 
 298.5. Mr. H. Vivian.'] Was the utmost amount of ventilation you could obtain 4 Jui y i*53- 
 by the system you have described, from two Cornish boilers issuing into blast- 
 pipes, similar to the blast-pipes of a locomotive engine at the top of the pit, 
 20,000 cubic feet per minute ? — Yes ; but, under better circumstances, we could 
 have got more from the same boiler power. 
 
 2986. Chairman.'] State the best circumstances, and the greatest power which 
 you have obtained in your experiments ? — We got a difference of from 13,000 to 
 19,000 cubic feet per minute. 
 
 2987. Are the Committee to understand that 19,000 cubic feet per minute is 
 the greatest quantity you have obtained under the most beneficial circumstances ? 
 — We acted under very awkward circumstances. 
 
 2988. Acting under the best method that you have adopted, what is the 
 greatest amount of ventilation you obtained ? — 1 had not the power of adapting 
 it to a better method, for the size of my pit confined me. 
 
 2989. You have stated, that with the means which were within your reach 
 you raised the ventilation from 13,000 to 19,000 cubic feet per minute? — Yes. 
 
 2990. Mr. H. Vivian.] Have you since abandoned the steam-jet system of 
 ventilation ? — Yes. 
 
 2991. On what account? — Its being so liable to get out of order. 
 
 2992. When the two pits were connected, did you erect a furnace in the 
 up<cast shaft?— Yes. 
 
 2993. What results did you obtain from that furnace? — We now get about 
 70,000 cubic feet of air per minute. 
 
 2994. By what consumption of coal ? — Two tons and a half per 24 hours. 
 
 2995. Chairman.] That is a larger shaft than the one you have been speaking 
 of? — Very much. 
 
 2996. Did you ever apply the steam-jet to the same shaft? — No. 
 
 2997. Then you have not made any comparison between the power of the 
 furnace, and the power of the steam-jet in that shaft ? — No. 
 
 2998. Mr. H. Vivian.] Was it a temporary arrangement? — Yes, until we got 
 the other pit sunk. 
 
 2999. Chairman.] Is this a very fiery colliery ? — Yes. 
 
 3000. Is it as fiery at the collieries in the north of England ? — Yes. 
 
 3001. Is it necessary to pay great attention to the size of the air-ways? — Yes. 
 
 3002. Do you adopt the Newcastle mode of splitting the air ? — Yes, to a great 
 extent. 
 
 3003. How many men have you working in the colliery? — We have about 
 220 lights going; and I suppose 180 of them are men, and the others are boys. 
 
 3004. Do you make your splits with reference to the number of men in each 
 department ? — Yes ; that must be attended to, to a certain extent. 
 
 3005. At the same time, in your opinion, is it not absolutely necessary that 
 every man should breathe a certain portion of fresh air, which has not been im- 
 pregnated by gas or by the breath of other men? — A pair of exploring drifts 
 might be going into solid coal with only two men, and require more air to keep 
 them sale than another district with 20 men. 
 
 3006. In ycur opinion, is it essential that each man should have a certain 
 amount of air which has not been breathed by other men ? — Yes, that is what 
 we attend to. 
 
 3007. Do you conceive that any colliery can be judiciously carried on, how- 
 ever great may be the amount of ventilation, or whether the ventilation is raised 
 by steam -jet or furnace, or whatever quantity of air may be taken down the 
 shaft, unless particular care is paid to the distribution of the air, that each part 
 of the colliery may have a sufficient quantity of fresh air? — That is one of the 
 most important points. 
 
 3008. Have you paid great attention to that ? — Yes ; I have made it my chief 
 study. 
 
 3009. You have stated, that in your colliery you have as much fire-damp to 
 contend with as there is in the most fiery collieries in Northumberland ; have 
 you ever had an accident in your mine? — Yes. 
 
 301 0. Of what nature ? — We had an accident from fire-damp three years ago. 
 
 3011. How many men were burnt? — None were burnt to death at the time, 
 but seven died afterwards. 
 
 0.76. g 3 3012. What 
 
54 MINUTES OF EVIDENCE TAKEN BEFORE THE 
 
 Mr. W Gray. 3°' 2. What was the cause of the accident ? — An explosion of fire-damp. 
 
 3 0, 3- Was it investigated by the inspector ?— Yes. 
 
 4 July 1853; 3 01 4- Did he make a report "upon it?— Yes. 
 
 _ 3015. Wh<it did he state to be the immediate cause of the explosion ? — That 
 it was not safe to work so explosive a mine with open lights ; it was a new vein 
 of coal, and we had no extent of working open. 
 
 3016. Mr. H. Vivian.] Did the accident happen very shortly after the mine 
 was first opened ? — Yes. 
 
 3017. Chairman,] In consequence of his report did you report to your 
 employers his opinion, and did they act upon his opinion ? —Yes. 
 
 3018. Since that time have lamps been used ? — All the coal lias been cut with 
 safety-lamps ever since. 
 
 3019. Has any naked light been used at all? — Yes. 
 
 3020. Where ? —We have appointed the district where the naked light goes 
 up to, on the main road. 
 
 3021. Do the men invariably cut the coal and perform their work with safety- 
 lamps?- Yes. 
 
 3022. Since the use of safety-lamps have you had any accident ? — Not one. 
 302 ■>. Have you had the inside of the lamps on five ? — Yes. 
 
 3024. What safety-lamps have you used?— The common Davy. 
 
 3025. Do the men ever complain of a want of light from the Davy lamp? — 
 No. 
 
 3026. Do you think men are satisfied to work with the Davy lamp ? — 
 Quite so. 
 
 3027. Do you think they prefer it to a candle ? — 1 do not think they like it 
 better than a candle. 
 
 3028 Mr. Mostyn.] Do you prefer the Davy lamp to the Clanny lamp ? — 
 Yes, for the working men. 
 
 3029. Chairman.] Why? — I think the Clanny lamp is a dangerous lamp for 
 any person except the officers. 
 
 3030. lu consequence of the glass being liable to be broken by the water? — 
 No ; I have seen a glass split out of the side by its being badly annealed. 
 
 3031. Have you seen the lamp which has been invented by Dr. Glover ? — 
 Yes. 
 
 3032. What is your opinion of that lamp ? — It is a double security to the 
 other. 
 
 3033. Do you think that lamp would not give greater light, and afford as 
 much security, as the Davy lamp? — I think there is quite enough light by the 
 Davy lamp. 
 
 3034. Is it the practice in your pit, using (as you say you always do) the 
 Davy lamp, to have one or two men to repair the lamps and to clean them, and 
 fill them with oil ? — Yes. 
 
 3035. You never allow the men to do that ? — Never. 
 
 3036. Do you also have men under ground to keep the keys of these lamps ? — 
 Every deputy and overman has a key. 
 
 3037. Did you ever know an instance of a lamp being unlocked by a work- 
 man ? — Yes. 
 
 303S. How did he manage to unlock the lamp? — We have had the keys 
 taken out of the lamp-house. 
 
 3039. And you have had workmen working with the lamps unlocked t — 
 Frequently. 
 
 3040. What do you do under those circumstances? — We fine the man as 
 
 severely as we can. 
 
 3041. Do you ever get that reported to you by the other workmen ?- Yes, it 
 has been done. 
 
 3042. Do you think that workmen would at all times report to you if they 
 found a man committing a dangerous act of that kind? — I think that generally 
 they would. 
 
 3043. Have you ever endeavoured to obtain a summons against a man for 
 opening his Davy lamp ?— Yes ; I have tried that. 
 
 3044. Did you fail ? — Yes. 
 
 3045. On what ground did the magistrates refuse to grant you a summons ? 
 — They refused to grant a summons on the ground that the man had merely 
 
 broken 
 
SELECT COMMITTEE ON ACCIDENTS IN COAL MINES. 55 
 
 broken the rules of the colliery, and that in their court they had nothing to do 
 with the rules of our colliery ; that we might make such rules and levy such 
 fines as we pleased ; and that unless the man had done anything to injure a 
 person, we could not bring him up. 
 
 3046. Do you think it would be desirable to make it an offence against the 
 law for a workman to take off the top of his lamp ? — I think it would be a very 
 good thing, and it would be very easily understood. 
 
 3047. Mr. H. Vivian.'] Would it produce a great moral effect ? — It would. 
 
 3048. Mr. Fiizroy.] By your own bye-laws, do you fine a man for taking off 
 the top of his lamp? — Yes. 
 
 3049. Have you any difficulty in enforcing the fine ? — I have never had any 
 difficulty. 
 
 3050. Has it produced the result of checking the practice ?— Some men who 
 are working in the colliery have been fined 21 s. twice, for smoking tobacco in 
 the colliery. 
 
 305 j. Has the infliction of a fine had the effect of checking the practice of 
 uncovering the light? — To a certain extent, but it has not done away with it 
 entirely. 
 
 3052. To what extent can you fine by the regulations of your colliery? — 
 Twenty-one shillings is our highest fine. 
 
 3053. Mr. Cobhett.~] Do you stop it out of the wages? — Yes. 
 
 3054. Mr. Fitzroy.} Why do you imagine that if th^ fine was inflicted by a 
 magistrate it would have a greater effect than if it was inflicted in pursuance of 
 the regulations of your colliery ? — I think it would act more upon the mind of a 
 working man if he was brought before a bench of magistrates, and he felt that 
 his name would probably appear in the press in the next week. 
 
 3055. You think that circumstance would have a greater moral effect than 
 the infliction of a pecuniary fine by the owner of the colliery ? — I think a very 
 great deal. 
 
 3056. Chairman.] You have stated that you now altogether work with safety- 
 lamps ; can you state to the Committee whether you pay men more for working 
 with safety-lamps than you paid them when they worked with candles? — We 
 pay the same price per ton as we paid before. 
 
 3057. Can you state the cost of the safety-lamps? — Yes. 
 
 3058. Do you find the oil for the men r — We find all the oil, and all the 
 lamps. 
 
 3059. Did you find the men candles before? — No; they found their own 
 lights before. 
 
 3060. And now you find them the oil with the safety-lamps ? — They pay so 
 much per day for the lamps and oil ; but we supply them with light cheaper 
 than they could supply themselves. 
 
 3061. Can you give the Committee any idea of the difference in the expense? 
 — I find that I can maintain 220 safety-lamps for 220 /. per annum. 
 
 3062. Including repairs, wear and tear, and everything ? — Yes. 
 
 3063. What do you allow for wear and tear ? — I have made it out thus : — 
 
 Mr. W. Gray. 
 4 July 1B53. 
 
 " 1,050 gallons of oil, at an average of 2*. 10 d. per gallon 
 60 new lamps, per annum, at 6 s. 3 d. 
 70 lbs. of fine cotton, at 1 s. 4 d. per lb. - 
 Wire -gauze, wire for poles, solder, tools, &c. - 
 Wages to oiling, trimming, and keeping the same in good repair, 
 at 12 s. per week ------- 
 
 Locking lamps under ground ; 300 days at 6 d. 
 
 £. 
 
 £. 
 
 s. 
 
 d. 
 
 148 
 
 5 
 
 
 18 
 
 15 
 
 
 4 
 
 13 
 
 4 
 
 10 
 
 
 
 31 
 
 4 
 
 
 7 
 
 10 
 
 
 220 
 
 7 
 
 4 
 
 " Cost of each light, per day, 0*80 d." 
 
 3064. Have you compared that estimate with the cost of candles ? — I have 
 drawn out a comparative statement of the cost of burning candles daily. 
 
 3065. Mr. H. Vivian.] Have you contracted for a supply of candles? — Yes; 
 I have been an overman, where 1 have supplied the colliery with candles. 
 
 0.76. g 4 3066. Chairman. ] 
 
56 
 
 MINUTES OF EVIDENCE TAKEN BEFORE THE 
 
 Mr. W. Gray. 306*0. Chairman.'] Therefore you are able to arrive at an accurate estimate of 
 tlie cost ? — Yes. 
 
 4 July 1853. 
 
 " To maintain 220 lights per day: 180 workmen, averaging 10 
 hours per day, using six candles each, of 30 to the pound ; 40 
 boys, averaging 12 hours per day, using seven candles each, £. s. d. 
 of 30 to the pound, equal to 451 per day, at 6 d. per pound ; 
 by allowing 300 working days per annum - 340 - - 
 
 " Wages to one man for taking charge of these candles, and serv- 
 ing them out, at 12 s. per week - - - - - 31 4 - 
 
 £. 371 4 - 
 
 " Cost of each light per day - 1*34 d." 
 
 3 c 6 7 . In point of fact, is it 50 per cent, cheaper to work with safety-lamps 
 than with candles? — Yes. It is a halfpenny per day cheaper to work with 
 safety-lamps. The one costs about l~d., and the other costs rather better 
 than I d. 
 
 3068. Have you read the Report of the Committee of 1852, with regard to 
 safety-lamps ? — Yes ; I cannot hear the whole of it in mind. 
 
 3069. That Report states, that under particular circumstances the Davy lamp 
 is not safe, and that the Committee do not recommend its use. In your experi- 
 ence, have you known any accident occur from the use of the Davy lamp ?— ■ 
 Yes ; I have known a lamp get damaged, and an explosion to take place. 
 
 3070. Suppose the lamps were kept in proper repair ? — I never saw a perfect 
 lamp explode. 
 
 3071. Do you think it would be proper to enforce by legislation the use of 
 safety-lamps in fiery collieries ? — Yes, I think it would be advisable. 
 
 3072. Mr. H. Vivian.'] Would you lessen the ventilation because you used 
 safety-lamps ? — No. 
 
 3073. Chairman.] You would use the safety-lamp as an adjunct to ventilation ? 
 -Yes. 
 
 3074. How long have you been working with safety-lamps ? — Three years. 
 
 3075. You have never had any explosion or accident since you used them ? 
 —No. 
 
 3076. Your workings have been carried on from day to day to a greater 
 extent, and you have had more fire-damp to encounter, than you had when you 
 were using the candles ? — Very much. 
 
 3077. Do you ever find the lamp get red-hot? — No; we do not allow any 
 person to work with his lamp on fire. 
 
 3078. Do you use brattices? — Yes. 
 
 3079. Do you pay particular attention to carrying the brattice up to the face 
 of the shaft? — We could not work in a stall for a day without brattice, because 
 the vein lies at an angle of 18 inches to the yard. » 
 
 3080. Have you any printed regulations in your colliery ? — Yes. 
 
 3081. Will you hand them in? — Yes. 
 
 [The Witness delivered in the following Statement .-] 
 
 Rules and Regulations to be observed by the Workmen employed at the 
 
 Morfa Colliery. 
 
 JV1 ore than six men are in no case to ride at one time, and the engineman is to lessen 
 the speed of the engine to one ball". 
 
 The firemen are to enter the colliery every morning" at a sufficiently early hour to 
 enable them to try each stall where a man is required to work, and having done so, to re- 
 port to the overman the state of the colliery, before the arrival of the men. As an ad- 
 ditional precaution, should they find any stall dangerous, they are required to fix a signal 
 board, with the words " No person to enter this stall." 
 
 MThe cutter is required to see either the overman or fireman before proceeding to his 
 work. Should the cutter at any time consider that his stall is in a dangerous state, he is at 
 once to leave it, and report the same to the overman. 
 
 The onsetter must send all the men and boys up the pit before he leaves the pit 
 
 bottom. 
 
 The bankman must not leave the top of the pit, until the onsetter has come to bank. 
 
 No 
 
SELECT COMMITTEE ON ACCIDENTS IN COAL MINES. 57 
 
 No cutter or trammer is allowed to use a safety-lamp, without its first being examined Mr. W. Gray 
 by the lamp inspector, and then locked, and again re-examined by the overman or fireman, 
 
 Should any accident happen to a lamp while in use, by which the oil may be spilt upon 4 j u iy 1853. 
 the gauze, or by which it might in any other way be rendered unsafe, it is immediately to 
 be taken out to the station fixed upon by the overman, and not again used until after having 
 been properly examined by the overman or fireman. 
 
 Any cutter, trammer, or workman, on the appearance of fire-damp, is to retreat to a 
 pure atmosphere. 
 
 All persons to whom the safety-lamp is entrusted are strictly prohibited from inter- 
 fering in any way whatever with the lamp, beyond the necessary trimming of the wick 
 with the picker ; and the lamp is not to be placed within three feet of the side of the goaf, 
 and not nearer the face of the coal than five feet. 
 
 Should any cutter, trammer, or other person, when in charge of a safety-lamp, lose his 
 light, he is to take it to the station fixed upon by the overman, to be re-lighted ; and when 
 re-lighted it is to be examined and locked by the fireman before being again used. 
 
 It is particularly requested that any person witnessing improper treatment of the safety- 
 lamp will give immediate information to the overman in charge of the pit, in order that 
 proper steps may be taken to guard the lives of the workmen employed in the mine. 
 
 Smoking is not allowed in any part of the mine, and persons found so offending will be 
 liable to a fine of 10 s., or be taken before a magistrate, and the fine to be paid to the 
 informer. 
 
 No candle to be taken nearer to the pillar working than the station fixed upon by the 
 overman ; and any one found with a lighted candle within that distance will be fined 10 s.; 
 the fine to be paid to the informer. 
 
 On no account is any person to keep a gun or dog of any kind. 
 
 No person is to have any description of gins, traps, or nets used for snaring <jame; 
 and if found with any, he will be fined 15 s. 
 
 No one not connected with the coliiery will be allowed to remain about it; and the 
 timekeeper will be fined 2 s. 6 d. for each person so offending. 
 
 The v\orkmen that are employed at the colliery are required to keep the direct road, 
 and in nowise to trespass on the land by coming to, or going from their work ; and if 
 found so trespassing will be either discharged or fined. 
 
 3082. Do you prohibit smoking where safety-lamps are used ? — Yes. 
 
 3083. Do you make any regulations with regard to the use of gunpowder?— 
 Yes. 
 
 3084. Is the coal altogether hewn without gunpowder ? — We use gunpowder. 
 
 3085. What are your regulations with regard to the use of gunpowder? — 
 " To all that are working in the pits at the Morfa Colliery : — First, any person 
 found smoking tobacco, or has in his possession pipes, tubes, cigars, or lucifer 
 matches within these pits, will be fined one guinea. Second, all blast powder 
 to he discharged by the overman or deputies. Third, any other person in the 
 coal-working district of the colliery discharging blasting powder will be heavily 
 fined." That is printed in large letters, both English and Welsh, at the lamp 
 cabin. 
 
 3086. Mr. H. Vivian.~] Have you found it almost impossible to prevent 
 smoking? — One man has been fined twice for smoking. 
 
 3087. Chairnian.] Before you employ the men, do you read the rules to them ? 
 — Yes. 
 
 3088. Do you employ them on condition that thev submit to those rules 3 — 
 Yes. 
 
 3089. Have the rules ever been disputed by the men, and have you ever been 
 taken before a magistrate for fining a man? — Never; but I have often been • • 
 threatened to be taken before a magistrate. 
 
 3090. Do you find that the generality of the men cheerfully submit to the 
 infliction of a fine if they break any rule? — Yes. 
 
 3091. Do you think that the safety of your mine is very much enhanced by 
 these regulations ? — Yes, very much indeed ; I think that we should not be able 
 to go on unless we observed the rules. 
 
 3092. Are there any regulations with regard to lowering the men down the 
 pit? — We confine ourselves to a certain number in going down and corning up. 
 
 3093. Do you limit the engineman to a certain speed? — Yes; he has a 
 printed board in the engine-house. 
 
 3094. What is the ordinary speed at which you wind the men up and down ?' 
 — We draw up coals at the rate of about 80 fathoms in half a minute. 
 
 3095. At what speed do you wind the men up ? — In about three quarters of a 
 minute. 
 
 3096. In winding up that pit have you had many accidents ? —Only one. 
 
 0 76. H 3097. How 
 
58 MINUTES OF EVIDENCE TAKEN BEFORE THE 
 
 Mr. W. Gray. 3097. How much coal is raised from that pit? — About 100,000 tons per 
 ~ annum. 
 
 -4 July 1853. 3098. In the course of* four years you have had only one accident in the pit? 
 
 — Yes ; and this was caused by a person disobeying the order of the onsetter at 
 the bottom ; the carriage was lifting from the bottom ; there were six men in 
 it, and he leaped into it, and was caught at the first beam, and his neck was 
 broken. 
 
 3099. Do you ever let men down when a full carriage of coals is comma- ud'> 
 —Yes. 0 F ' 
 
 3 ! 00. Your carriages are so made that none of the coal is above the top of the 
 carriage ? — There is a very strong plank cover fitted to the top rim of the car- 
 riage, a three-inch oak plank ; so that no coal can possibly fall through and injure 
 the men. If a piece of the ground in the shaft was to fall, it would not at all 
 injure a man on the inside, because he has got a three-inch plank cover over his 
 head, and there are three bolts through that cover ; so that if the plank were 
 broken the bolts would prevent the man from being injured. 
 
 3101. You have never, in any case, had any accident from substances falling 
 on the men ? — None. 
 
 3102. Mr. H. Vivian.] Have you known substances fall on the ca<r e ? I 
 
 have known a castiron tram-plate to fall from the top of the pit to the bottom 
 and only smash the cover in such a way that if a person had been inside the 
 carriage he would not have been hurt. 
 
 3103. Chairman.'] Is your pit walled from top to bottom? — The up-cast is 
 walled. 
 
 3104. Do the men come up the up-cast? — No, the down-cast ; it is all finished 
 with tubbing to the feeder, and after that with inch and a half plank. 
 
 3105. All the way down? — Yes. 
 
 3iu6. So that it is impossible for material to fall out and injure the men f 
 
 Yes. 
 
 3107. Is it your opinion that the inspector should have the power, in your 
 particular district, to see that the pits are properly walled or made safe, and that 
 he should be allowed to enforce proper regulations for winding the men up and 
 down the pits? — I would not object to his having the power of getting the pits 
 walled ; but I think that the manager of the colliery ought to know, as well as 
 any other person, how to get the men up and down the pit. 
 
 3108. On looking at the returns, it appears that nearly 300 lives are e very- 
 year sacrificed by accidents in winding men up and down the pits. In your 
 colliery, where these regulations are in force, you say that during four years you 
 have only had one accident. Is it your opinion that considerable accidents arise 
 in consequence of carelessness ? — Yes ; in the three particular collieries that I 
 have been connected with during the last 11 or 12 years, I cannot bring to ray 
 memory more than one man being killed. 
 
 3109. Is it not your opinion that these accidents arose from carelessness? — 
 Yes. 
 
 3110. If an inspector had the power to see that care was taken, and that 
 proper rules were adopted, do you think it would affect the owners of mines, who 
 do take care of the safety of their workmen, as you seem to have done in the 
 pits with which you are connected ? — No. 
 
 3111. Do you see any objection to giving the inspectors the power to see that 
 the pits are properly walled or made safe, and also to give them power to enforce 
 proper regulation, so as to ensure the safety of the men ? — No. 
 
 3112. In your own district, is it the custom for each collier to set his own 
 props ? — Yes. 
 
 3113. Have you ever tried Mr. Fourdrinier's cage? — Yes. 
 
 3114. Do you work it now ? — No. 
 31 1 5. Did you ever work it? — Yes. 
 
 3116. How long did you work it? — I should think for a year. 
 31 {7. What is the reason you abandoned it? — It is subject to get out of order, 
 and is more dangerous than valuable; it catches in the pit. 
 
 31 18. Supposing it did catch in the pit, what would be the consequence? — 
 Half a ton of rope would go down on the cage, and perhaps force the guides out. 
 Mr. Fourdrinier's apparatus has only power to hold on the guides; and if the 
 guides are forced away, all goes together. 
 
 3119. Have 
 
SELECT COMMITTEE ON ACCIDENTS IX COAL MINES. 59 
 
 3119. Have you seen White and Grant's apparatus? — Yes; I have seen a Mr. W. Gntr? 
 model of it. * 
 
 3120. Would the same observation apply to that apparatus ? — Yes. 4 July 1855 
 
 3121. Have you had an accident in your pit, in consequence of the Four- 
 drinier apparatus catching? — Yes; 1 have known a catch hang ten fathoms off 
 the bottom, and the rope all come on it. 
 
 3122. Without damage? — Without damage ; because there was not a suffi- 
 cient weight of rope to carry the whole concern away. If it had been in mid- 
 pit, where a large quantity of rope might have been on it, the consequence would 
 have been, that it would have forced it away. 
 
 3123. In your district is it the custom for the men to set their own props ? — 
 It is very much the custom for the men to set their own props. 
 
 3124. Have you deputies in your pit? — Yes ; we are obliged to have them in 
 our colliery, which is rather an exception to the general rule in Wales. 
 
 31 25. Do you approve of the principle of having deputies ? — Yes. 
 
 31 26. State your reasons? — The deputies in our pit have the charge of 
 putting in all brattices and brattice posts, and firing all the blasting powder, 
 and they have little districts allotted to them, of which they have the super- 
 intendence under the overmen. That is their daily occupation, and they remain 
 in the district ; and if anything goes wrong with any of the brattices they are 
 there to put them in order, and they have the overman to apply to, which they 
 can always do in a quarter of an hour or twenty minutes, finding him in an- 
 other part, for assistance. 
 
 3127. Have you had accidents from falls of roof in your pit? — Only one man 
 has been killed from a fall of coal. 
 
 3128. To what do you attribute so small a number of accidents? — I think it 
 may be attributed to the strict attention which has been paid, to having the roof 
 of the pit properly timbered, and inducing every officer to feel a responsibility 
 resting upon him in the work which he has to perform. 
 
 3129. Is it your opinion that if greater care were taken, the number of acci- 
 dents from those causes would be greatly diminished ? — Yes. 
 
 3130. Has the inspector ever visited your pits since you have been there? — 
 Yes, several times. 
 
 3131. In your opinion does the system of inspection work well? — I like it 
 very well. 
 
 3132. Does the present inspector, Mr. Mackworth, give great satisfaction in 
 the district ? — Yes ; I have never heard any person state the contrary. 
 
 3133. Is there a general disposition in the district, as far as you are acquainted 
 with it, to follow reasonable suggestions of the inspector? — Yes. 
 
 3134. How often has Mr. Mackworth visited your pit? — I cannot say exactly; 
 I think half a dozen times. He came twice on purpose to try the natural 
 brattice. 
 
 3135. Do you believe that there is such a thing as a natural brattice t — No, 
 not in a colliery, 
 
 3136. Do you think that if the air- ways were kept sufficiently large, it would 
 be possible there might be such a thing as a natural brattice? — I think that if 
 they were shut off altogether, it would not take place. 
 
 3137. Supposing the air-ways were sufficiently large to fill the up-cast shaft 
 with air, could a natural brattice by any possibility exist? — It would not have 
 any chance, if there was not a furnace. 
 
 3138. Mr. H. Viv\an~\ Have you taken the temperature of the shaft at various 
 parts r — Yes. 
 
 3139. Have you any figures showing the temperature of the shaft? — I took 
 the temperature of ours on Friday night. 
 
 3140. Will you state the temperature? — I found that we had 68,500 feet of 
 air per minute through the colliery, which was rarefied from 62 degrees, before 
 going on to the furnace, to 163 degrees, 20 feet from the top of the up-cast pit. 
 Three-fourths of the air was carried over the furnace, and one -fourth taken into 
 the up-cast by a separate drift, generally called the dumb drift. The tempe- 
 rature of the air at the top of the furnace arch, before entering the shaft, was 
 230 degrees. The temperature at the middle shaft, 40 fathoms, was 195 degrees. 
 The temperature at the top of the up-cast shaft was 163 degrees. The tempe- 
 rature at the bottom of the down-cast shaft was 58 degrees. 
 
 0.70. h 2 3H 1 - Chairman.] 
 
60 MINUTES OF EVIDENCE TAKEN BEFORE THE 
 
 Mr. W.Grmj. 3H«- Chairman.'] Do you think it is possible that a natural brattice could 
 exist if you had plenty of air-ways ? — No. 
 
 4 July 1853, 3142. With regard to the furnace paradox, is it your opinion that heating the 
 shaft and heating the furnace to an enormous extent would not increase the ven- 
 tilation ? — It is sure to increase it. 
 
 3143. Then the more rarefied you can make the air, in your opinion, there 
 must be an increased ventilation, if sufficient attention were paid to air-ways ? — 
 Yes. 
 
 3144. Did you ever hear the men complain of having too much air in a 
 Colliery ? — Not in the stalls. The men would have, perhaps, some difficulty in 
 turning out with a light in the main roads. That would not be an inconvenience ; 
 it would merely be a little annoyance to put them in the dark ; but the men 
 would not find fault at all with it. 
 
 3145. You do not think there is any fear from having too much air in a 
 colliery ? — No ; I think it is the right side to get wrong upon, at all events. 
 
 3146. Have you ever worked your colliery by long work ? — Not the Mofar 
 Colliery. 
 
 3147. Mr. H. Vivian.] Practically speaking, do you find that gas invariably 
 rises from those portions of the colliery which have been worked ? — Yes. 
 
 3148. Consequently is it your practice to keep the air current sweeping along 
 the upper face of the workings ? — Yes. 
 
 3149. In doing so, have you ever found that any accumulation of gas takes 
 place in the goaf or former working ? — As long as the air- way is maintained and 
 kept open at the high part of the goaf, I have never seen any accumulation of gas 
 in the goaf. 
 
 3150. You are in the habit of making a deduction of l%d. per week from each 
 man for school, the same for the surgeon, and the same for the sick fund ? — 
 Yes. 
 
 3151. Have vou ever found the men object to that deduction being made ? — 
 No. * 
 
 3152. Have they always expressed themselves well contented with it? — 
 Yes. 
 
 3153. Chairman.] Is there anything else you wish to state to the Committee? 
 —No. 
 
 Jovis, 7 die Julii, 18.53. 
 
 MEMBERS PRESENT. 
 
 Mr. Hulchins. 
 Mr. Ingham. 
 Mr. Baud. 
 Mr. Cay ley. 
 Mr. Stephenson. 
 
 Mr. Mostyn. 
 Mi. H. A. Bruce. 
 Mr. Cobbett. 
 Mr. Locke. 
 
 EDWARD J. HUTCHINS, Esq., in the Chair. 
 
 Mr. Allan Tettoiv, called in; and Examined. 
 
 3154. Chairman.] WHERE do you reside ? — At Hurst Carrs, near Ashton- 
 Mr. A. Tetlow. under-Lyne. 
 
 <— — 3155- Have you been deputed by the Miners' Association to give evidence 
 
 7 July 1853. before this Committee ? — Yes. 
 
 31,56. What is your branch of the Miners' Association ? — In Lancashire. 
 
 3157. What place? — The different towns and districts of the coal fields; 
 namely, St. Helen's, Wigan, Bolton, and Oldham. 
 
 3158. Is it the same district which is represented by Mr. Swallow ? — Yes. 
 
 3159. Mr. Baird.] Are you the secretary ? — I am an agent employed by the 
 Miners* Association ; I have been about 12 months an agent. 
 
 3160. Chairman.'] 
 
SELECT COMMITTEE ON ACCIDENTS IN COAL MINES. 61 
 
 Mr. A. Tetlnuo. 
 
 3160. Chairman.'] What is your trade? — I have been brought up in mines - 
 for about 30 years; I commenced at 10 years of age. 7 Ju, . v l8 53« 
 
 3161. What has been your principal occupation ? — Cutting coal. I have gone 
 through all the various processes which are gone through by coalers in our dis- 
 trict, from a waggoner to a pickman. 
 
 3162. Have you ceased working"?— I have not been working in a pit for 
 rather more than a year. 
 
 3163. Are you now exclusively employed as an agent for the Miners' Asso- 
 ciation, having no other occupation ? — I carry on a little business as a shop- 
 keeper. 
 
 3164. Are you acquainted with the feelings of the men in your district ? — As 
 far as 12 months' experience will give it me, 1 have a general view of the feelings 
 and views of the country. 
 
 3165. Do the men complain that ventilation is deficient? — In some collieries. 
 Small collieries, in our district, are worse than large collieries. 
 
 3 i 66. Do they complain that sufficient attention is not paid to accidents ? — Yes. 
 
 3167. What are their complaints in general? — Their general complaints are 
 a want of more air, and that better attention should be paid to the air being cir- 
 culated properly through the workings of the mine. The men not unfrequently 
 complain of being wound up and let down too fast. In point of fact, I have 
 seen myself accidents occur, thrown too many men being let down a mine ; 
 and when they had got to the ba*tj,ii not having suffici en t light to see their way 
 out ; they have sometimes been pulled up again with one leg out. and I have 
 seen instances where men have been pulled to the top, and have not. had an 
 opportunity of getting out. That evil might be remedied, if it were insisted 
 that the hooker-on should be at his post in the morning, and have a light to 
 enable the men to see their way to get out ; but when they are let down in great 
 numbers, and have with them their picks and other things which they work 
 with, and have not sufficient time given to them, these accidents occur. 
 
 3168. Do you attribute those accidents to improper men being employed to 
 take care of the engine, or to what cause do you attribute them ? — Not exactly 
 to improper men being employed. The man had good abilities to manage the 
 engine ; but the men being ready in four different places to get in at the top, and 
 having no light at the bottom to see their u ay out, they were not able to get out 
 with the same advantage as they get in at the top. 
 
 3169. Does not the man who has the charge of the bottom of the pit go 
 down before any of the men ? — No. 
 
 3170. Mr. Locke.] Does the engine-man start his engine back again, unless 
 he gets a signal from the bottom ? — Yes. 
 
 3171. Then, in point of fact, the accidents of which you have now been giving 
 -an account, might be prevented, if the engine-man was not permitted to start 
 the engine until he got a signal from the bottom of the shaft? — Yes. 
 
 3172. You have stated that you have known accidents arise from the speed 
 at which men are drawn up and let down ? — That has occurred when they have 
 been let down so quickly ; and it has had such an effect on their mind or body 
 as to prevent their having proper recollection how to act under such circum- 
 stances. 
 
 3173. In those cases, do the men ride in a tub or on the rope? — In the dis- 
 trict in which I live, four men and a lad generally come up in a box ; but there 
 are places in Lancashire where six or seven are allowed to go down, and as 
 many as 14 or 15 in a gang; this increases the difficult}'. I have frequently 
 heard the men complain of that, and they think they ought not to be allowed, 
 however good the machinery may be, to go down in such great numbers. 
 
 3174. Why do the men go down in those great numbers? — I suppose the 
 reason simply is that there are so many to go down, and there is only a certain 
 amount of time allowed to let them down. That is a rule established on the 
 ground by the master. 
 
 317.5. What rule does the master establish ? — For so many men to go down. 
 
 3176. Is there such a rule at the collieries in Lancashire ?- — In the colliery 
 in which I worked four were allowed to go down together. 
 
 3177. Do you consider that four is unsafe? — I consider four to be sufficient 
 where they wind six cwt. of coals at once, and where the engine will pull a tub 
 from the bottom, 250 yards, in a minute. We think that three men and a lad 
 is sufficient. 
 
 0.76. h 3 3178. Do 
 
62 
 
 MINUTES OF EVIDENCE TAKEN BEFORE THE 
 
 7 July 185; 
 
 Mr. A. Tttimu. 3178. Do you know whether at collieries where seven or eight men are 
 allowed to go down at one time, there is any rule hy the proprietors, fixing the 
 number to seven or eight? — I do not know that the proprietors have a printed 
 rule that this shall be the case. 
 
 3179. Can you tell the Committee whether, in point of fact, it arises from 
 any rule at all, or from the will of the men themselves ?— I cannot state whether 
 they have a printed rule as to the course that shall be pursued ; but when pro- 
 prietors or agents observe men taking unwise and rash steps of that description, 
 they ought to interfere, and not allow them to go down in such great numbers, 
 for fear an accident should happen. 
 
 3180. Do you think that the mischief arises from the proprietors not prevent- 
 ing the men putting themselves into dangerous positions '.'—In some cases. I do 
 not know that there is any law or rule to compel men to go down on that 
 principle. 
 
 3181. You only know that the fact is that the men do put themselves in that 
 position ? — Yes. 
 
 3182. ChmirmanJ] Is there a rule that the man at the bottom of the pit shall 
 go down before any of the men ? — Not at any colliery that I am aware of. 
 
 3183.. Is the proprietor of the pit aware that the men go down before the man 
 who has the charge of the bottom of the pit, and that there is no one at the 
 bottom of the pit with a light to direct the men? — They are perfectly aware of 
 it, from the complaints of the men ; and I know that at one place, where two or 
 three accidents have happened, upon complaints being made to the master the 
 evil has been remedied ; and he does not allow the engineer to start the engine 
 until there is a knock from the bottom. 
 
 3184. Mr. Locke.] What is the usual signal in the pit to the engineman to 
 start the engine ? — When the men are going down in the morning, under that 
 regulation, they ring once ; then supposing they begin to work, and send up 
 coals, they ring once ; and they understand when the engine begins to perform 
 its daily labour. 
 
 3185. Then, in point of fact, the regulation is, that when men descend a pit; 
 the engineman is not to start his engine until they ring once? — Not at that 
 colliery now. 
 
 3 i 86. Can you mention any colliery where that regulation is not in operation ? 
 — Yes ; it is not in operation at some collieries. 
 
 3187. Can you mention any colliery where the engine is permitted, without 
 having the bell rung once, or without having a signal from the bottom ? — I can 
 mention places ; I have worked at the concern of Lees, Jones., and Booth for 
 20 years. 
 
 3188. Where is that ? — In Lancashire. 
 
 31 8(). What parr of Lancashire? — It is just bordering on Yorkshire; it is 
 near Ashton-under-Lyne. 
 
 31 go. Near Oldham? — Yes. They have concerns in both towms. 
 
 3101. Was that the practice in that colliery ? — It was the practice there, bat 
 I never knew an accident occur at that colliery through a neglect of that 
 description. 
 
 3192. Can you mention any other collieries where the engineman starts the 
 engine without having a signal given to him?— It was the general practice 
 throughout that part of Lancashire. 
 
 3193. Do you mean that it is the general practice that the engineman starts 
 the engine without any signal ? — Yes. When the men get into the tub at the 
 top, and shout out " Go on." he does not know whether the men are out of the 
 tub at the bottom or not. 
 
 3194. M?% Baird.} Is that system still in operation ?— I do not know any 
 colliery but the one that I have mentioned, where the engineman is forbidden 
 to go on until the bell is rung once at the bottom. 
 
 3105. That is the instance you have stated ? — Yes. 
 
 31 96. Mr. Locke.'] Do you know whether there was such a regulation at the 
 colliery of Lees, Jones and Booth ? — I am not aware. The discipline was very 
 strict at the colliery of Lees, Jones and Booth. 
 
 3 1 Q7. You cannot state whether this «as prohibited by their rules? — I do 
 not know that they have any rule in the office that it shall not be the case. 
 
 3198. You cannot positively state whether they have or not ? — I cannot. 
 
 3199. You 
 
SELECT COMMITTEE ON ACCIDENTS IN COAL MINES. 63 
 
 3199. You speak only of the practice? — Yes ; and the custom. Mr. A. Tetlow. 
 
 3200. Do you think that, if any suggestion had been made by any of the work- 
 
 men themselves to the owner of the colliery, about this dangerous practice, he 7 Jul y 1853. 
 would have had any objection to prohibiting the men starting from the bottom 
 
 without a propei- signal ? — I do not think he would, if the difficulty to which 
 the men were exposed had been properly explained to him. At this place, as 
 soon as the matter was properly laid before the master, he at once gave orders 
 that the engine should not start until the bell rang at the bottom. 
 
 3207. Chairman.] Have you never known the workmen incur danger, con- 
 trary to the express orders of the overlooker or the master? — Yes; I know one 
 man who took his lamp-top off, contrary to the orders of the overlooker. 
 
 3202. Do you think that if there was a rule that not more than six, or any 
 given number of men, should go down a pit, and the men were in a hurry, they 
 would not break it if they thought they could do so with impunity ? — I think 
 that the engineer ought to have the power, when he sees a number of men 
 getting into a tub, to prevent, any more from descending. 
 
 3203. Mr. Locke.'] How can the engineer prevent that which he cannot see ? 
 — To the best of my knowledge, there are no engines fixed which the engineer 
 cannot see, at the top of the pit. 
 
 3204. Do the men ever descend in the dark? — Not unfrequently. 
 
 3205. How would the engineman be able to judge if it were in the dark? — 
 If it were in the dark, and he could not see, he would not be able to ascertain 
 the number. 
 
 3206. Then the engineman himself would not have the best means of prevent- 
 ing such an improper practice ? — I do not think that the custom of not having 
 lights at the top ought to be allowed in small collieries or large collieries. I 
 think that all caution ought to be attended to. 
 
 3207. Chairman.'] In your district are the pits properly walled, or do acci- 
 dents occur from stone or other things falling on the heads of the men ? — We 
 have an improved system to what we had formerly ; formerly we used to get 
 our coals, and rob the pit's back, without building cross walls. 
 
 3208. Mr. Cobbett.] You have spoken of a rule as to the number of men 
 going down in a tub ; at what time do they go down in the morning? — At the 
 colliery at which I last served for 10 years, the system which was pursued was 
 the best system that I ever observed in Lancashire. We commenced descending 
 the pit at six o'clock in the morning, and we were allowed, generally speaking, 
 half-an-hour to let the men clown. 
 
 3209. Was that done by a rule? — By a rule; the engineer had from six 
 o'clock to half-past six to let the men down, and from half-past six to seven 
 o'clock to arrange the machinery, and get all ready for pulling coals out. 
 
 3210. Then the men begin to go down the pit at six o'clock ? — Yes. 
 
 3211. Do they assemble in any number at the mouth of the pit, and stand 
 waiting to be let down? — Generally, they begin to come from five o'clock to 
 six o'clock. 
 
 3212. At six o'clock are there a large number -waiting to be letdown? — 
 Sometimes a score, and sometimes there may be thirty ; it is according to the 
 number of men who are employed in the pit. 
 
 3213. Is there always half an hour allowed for the purpose of letting the men 
 down ? — Yes. 
 
 3214. Have all the men who assemble at the pit to be let down in that half 
 hour ? — Yes. 
 
 3215. How many men would the tub in which they are let down, hold if it 
 were filled ? — The boxes will hold six cwt. of coal ; and generally three men 
 and a boy go down in a box. 
 
 3216. Is there any rule, either printed or given out by the manager, 
 as to the number to be let down in every box ? — If the ropes are in good 
 order, they have no objection to four; if they happen to see a place giving w T ay, 
 they prohibit so many going down for a week or two. 
 
 3217. Do you mean to say, that if they saw that a rope was giving way, 
 they would let anybody down ? — Yes; I have seen instances where it has been 
 worked for weeks, when they have seen that it has been giving way. 
 
 3218. Do not you consider that is an evil which ought to be remedied ? — 
 They generally consider that the banksman, the engineer, and the carpenter 
 
 0.76. h 4 are 
 
64 MINUTES OF EVIDENCE TAKEN BEFORE THE 
 
 Mr. A. Teflon. are able to judge whether the rope is going fast enough or not, or whether it is 
 liable to break. 
 
 7 July 1853. 321 g you have stated that you have known instances in which 13 or 14 men 
 went down in a box?— Yes; a man told me, about five or six weeks since, that 
 14 or 15 were allowed to descend at once. 
 
 3220. Did he tell you where that was allowed ? - Yes ; at Mr. Knowles' 
 colliery. 
 
 3221. At what place ?— I think he called it Yates Croft. 
 
 3222. Do you know where it is ? — No; I do not exactly know the particular 
 spot. 
 
 3223. Of your own knowledge, can you say that as many as 12 or 13 men 
 have ever been let down in a box at one time? — I never saw it myself. I heard 
 a man once state that he worked at a colliery, and that the only objection he 
 had against working there was, that so many men went down together. I 
 asked him how many went down together, and he said that he had seen as many 
 as 19 or 20. I asked him how they got down into the boxes or skips ; and he 
 said they were one above another, and that when they got to the bottom they 
 were liable to be lamed. I have never seen that number myself. 
 
 3224. Did you ever see more than four men go down together in a box? — 
 \es ; I have seen five and six. 
 
 3225. Where? — I have seen five and six at the colliery where I worked. 
 
 3226. At Lees, Jones, and Booth's? — Yes ; at both places. 
 
 3227. Chairman?^ Do you conceive that there is any danger in five or six 
 men going down a pit, if the engine goes at a fair rate ? —Yes ; and for this reason ; 
 pits are not always examined every fortnight, as I think thev ought to be. 
 There is a liability of the rods getting loose, and on that account allow the skip 
 to have more play than it ought to have, and by that means getting what we 
 call out of gear. If there are so many thrust up together in a tub, they have not 
 that opportunity to arrange themselves which they ought to have. On that 
 account 1 think it ought to be prohibited. 
 
 3228. You are speaking of pits where there are guides? — Yes. 
 
 3229. Are there any pits, in your district, which are worked without guides? 
 — I am not aware of any at present ; there have been some. 
 
 3230. Mr. Stephenson.^ Do you think it is possible, if anything goes wrong 
 when men are descending, to give a signal to the engineman, in order to avert 
 the danger? — If the engine is not winding too quickly, there is a possibility of 
 doing that. If it is going fast, there is not an opportunity of seeing the ropes 
 swag. 
 
 3231. Did you ever give a signal of that kind while you were descending ? — 
 Scores of times. 
 
 3232. You have rung the bell when you were descending? — Yes; and in 
 ascending also. I have known the gearing to be off", and the bell-line broken ; 
 and, if the engine had been going fast, the probability is that we should all have 
 been thrown down the pit; but as the engine was going slowly, we had an 
 opportunity of ringing the bell, and by that means of informing the engineman 
 that something was wrong, and conduct themselves safely to the top. 
 
 3233. Chairman.] Do you think it is desirable that regulations should be 
 enforced by the Legislature for the safety of men going down the pit, or would 
 you rather leave it to the discretion of the masters themselves ? — I think that 
 there should be a law that such regulations should exist in small collieries and 
 large ones. 
 
 3234. In order to establish those regulations, would you recommend that the 
 coal owners should consult together with the men, in order to adopt certain 
 regulations which might become general in the country, and which would be 
 both advantageous, and generally adopted by all parties r — I should have no 
 objection to the coal owners, the engineer, and the workmen consulting together. 
 I think that the best plan of preserving men from being hurt should be adopted. 
 I do not think there would be any objection, on the part of coal proprietors/ to 
 carrying out the best plan. 
 
 3 2 35- You would not make any regulations which would interfere with the 
 coal owners, more than you could possibly help, to prevent accidents and loss of 
 life ? — If I had the law to make, according to the knowledge that I have, I 
 would not make a law which would in the least infringe upon the rights of any 
 
 individual. 
 
SELECT COMMITTEE ON ACCIDENTS IN COAL MINES. 65 
 
 individual, further than that I would establish laws, rules, and regulations Mr. A. Tetlow ■ 
 which would prevent, as far as possible, accidents and loss of life. That being ~~ 
 done, I think it would be as much as is essentially needful; and I think that 7 Juy l8r,3 ~ 
 the men generally would be satisfied. 
 
 3236. From your knowledge of the men, do you think that a code of laws 
 could be adopted which would satisfy the men, and also satisfy the coal pro- 
 prietors and the head-viewers? — Perhaps we could not strike out a law which 
 would satisfy all parties at present ; but I think that if a law were established, 
 we might gather such information from time to time as would both satisfy the 
 employers and employed. I do not think at present we should be able to satisfy 
 all parties. I think it wants a beginning. 
 
 3237. Mr. Ingham.'] You think that as your information enlarged you might 
 devise terms which would be agreeable to both parties ? — Yes. 
 
 3238. Chairman.] Did you hear Mr. Swallow's evidence with regard to the 
 inspectors ? — Yes. 
 
 3239. Do you agree with him, that the men are satisfied with the present 
 system of inspection ? — I believe the men are generally satisfied with the present 
 system of inspection, but they think it does not go far enough. The general 
 view of the men of Cheshire and Lancashire is, that there ought to be more 
 inspectors- There are six who are now regularly looking at the evils which arise 
 in the coal field ; but we think that number is not sufficient. 
 
 3240. You wish their number to be increased ? — Yes. 
 
 3241. Do you wish the number to be increased by having more inspectors, or 
 by having the same number of inspectors, and a certain number of sub-inspec- 
 tors, as Mr. Swallow suggested ? — 1 think the general view of the men, as well 
 as my own opinion, is, that we ought to have sub-inspectors ; that is, practical 
 men who are acquainted with the workings of the coal field, and are able to 
 discover where the evils exist, and point them out to parties who have the power 
 of remedying them ; and that if they are not remedied at the proper time, and 
 after due notice has been given proper measures are not carried out, then of 
 course there ought to be some other law to which they might appeal to get the 
 thing done. 
 
 3242. Would you give the sub-inspectors the power to make any alterations 
 themselves, without applying to the inspectors? — I would give the sub-inspectors 
 no further power, than that they should be able travel the workings through, and 
 to take the size of the air-ways; I think that men might be found who would be 
 able to tell the speed of the air ; and they should also have power to report to the 
 head inspectors where evils existed which they thought ought to be remedied, but 
 that in the first place they should report to the manager or master of the concern. 
 
 3243. Who is the inspector of your district r — Mr. Dickinson. 
 
 3244. Do you agree with Mr. Swallow, that Mr. Dickinson gives general 
 satisfaction ? — Mr. Dickinson, as far as I am aw are (and I happened to work at 
 a colliery which he visited), has given great satisfaction, and the men were gene- 
 rally well satisfied with the things that he pointed out. A great number of 
 evils existed at tire time Mr. Dickinson visited the work, and I feel great 
 pleasure in saying that there was no objection, on the part of the employers, to 
 carry out any measures which he thought might tend to improve the working of 
 the concern ; thev were speedily attended to, and were carried out as soon as 
 proper arrangements could be made. 
 
 3245. Mr. Cobbett.] Do you mean that Mr. Dickinson suggested things, 
 which were carried out in accordance with his suggestions ? — Yes ; we had four 
 or five different places which had been driven in, built up, standing full of 
 sulphur ; and he suggested that those places should be opened, and that the 
 sulphur which was lodging there, and liable to be exploded, should be properly 
 carried off, and the air properly circulated through those places. According to 
 his suggestion, the master carried out the plan, and all the places which were 
 full of sulphur previously to his visit were entirely cleared out, and were much 
 more safe. 
 
 3246. Mr. Cayley.] Do yon think the master did not know that before Mr. 
 Dickinson told him f — I can hardly say whether the master knew all these par- 
 ticulars or not ; I do not think that masters generally know when there are evils 
 existing in a mine, and the men are exposed to danger. 
 
 3247. Chairman.] Did not the viewer know it? — The viewer knew it per- 
 fectly well. 
 
 0.76. I 3248. H e 
 
66 MINUTES OF EVIDENCE TAKEN BEFORE THE 
 
 Mr. A. Tetlow. 3248. He did not take proper care to effect the improvements 'before Mr. 
 
 Dickinson visited the colliery ? — They were built up previously to his coming ; 
 
 7 July 1853. an d> after his suggestion, they were opened, and the sulphur cleared out. 
 
 3249. Believing, as you do, that the workmen, the masters, and the viewers 
 are perfectly satisfied with Mr. Dickinson, do you still think it would be better 
 to employ sub-inspectors under him, than to increase the inspectors, and have 
 the same class of men as Mr. Dickinson ? — It would not do to have the same 
 class of men to attend to the work as Mr. Dickinson, unless there were a suf- 
 ficient number to traverse the workings through. If there were a sufficient 
 number of the same class as Mr. Dickinson, who would be able to visit the 
 extreme parts of the workings, where the evils arise, as well as just visiting the 
 collieries, of course the men would have no objection to that. A great number 
 of evils exist at the extreme parts of the workings, and, if they were nut properly 
 gone into, whatever might be the number of inspectors, those evils would not be 
 lessened. 
 
 3250. Would you give the sub-inspectors more power than to report to the 
 inspector ? — I would give them no further power than just to point out the evils. 
 
 3251. You would give them power to point out the evils; and, if the evils 
 were not remedied, they should report the circumstances to the inspector? — Yes. 
 
 3252. What power would you give the inspector ? — If, after it had been made 
 plain by a sub-inspector that an evil existed, it was not remedied, the inspector 
 should visit and give timely notice ; and if it was not attended to, after such 
 notice as lie should think in his judgment was sufficient, I would give him power 
 to stop the concern until some other authority had been consulted. 
 
 3253. Mr. Swallow stated that the sub-inspectors should report to the in- 
 spector, and that the inspector should visit the mine; and that if the inspector 
 had any doubt, he should call in another inspector and consult with him, and 
 that if those two gentlemen agreed on a plan, they should have full power to 
 carry it into effect. Would you give the power to one inspector, or do you think 
 the inspector should call in another inspector, and that those two inspectors, if 
 they agreed on consultation, should have the power of stopping a mine ? — I 
 would not give to one individual the power to stop a mine. 
 
 32,54. Under what circumstances, and to whom would you give the power, to 
 stop the mine? — I would have a Central Board in London, and that Board should 
 have the power to consult with the inspectors in extreme cases ; and they should 
 at once have the power to carry out measures for accomplishing the end which 
 they had in view, whatever it might be. 
 
 3255. You are of opinion that if the sub-inspector's suggestion was not 
 carried out, he should report to the inspector, and that the inspector should 
 again fairly recommend the coal owner to carry out whatever he thought was 
 necessary ; and if it was not done, you would merely give to the inspector the 
 power to report to the Central Board in London, and give the Central Board in 
 London full power to stop the mine, or of doing anything else they thought 
 proper? — I think that, after proper methods of that description had been taken, 
 the inspector should have power to stop the mine. 
 
 3256. Without reference to the Central Board ? — I am taking into consider- 
 ation that they would consult the Central Board. 
 
 3257. What duties would the Central Board perform, according to your view ? 
 — They would simply act according to the evidence which was presented before 
 them, as to the evils which existed. 
 
 32.58. If there was a difference of opinion, between a head viewer and one of 
 the inspectors, the head viewer being an eminent man, you would give to the 
 Central Board power to call the parties before them, and hear the case on both 
 sides, and then judge for themselves ? — When a point of that description arose, 
 and there came a dispute between persons of the highest abilities, I think it ought 
 to go to arbitration. 
 
 32.59. What mode of arbitration would you suggest? — I am not able to 
 answer that question. 
 
 3260. You have not considered the question ? — No. 
 
 3261. It is merely a floating idea in your mind, that there ought to be a Cen- 
 tral Board in London ? — Yes ; it is an idea in the minds of the people generally. 
 
 3262. Had they that idea before they read the Report of the Committee of 
 1852, or have they adopted that view since they received the evidence? — Pre- 
 viously to that report, the men had ideas and views on the subject ; but from 
 
 want 
 
SELECT COMMITTEE ON ACCIDENTS IN COAL MINES. 67 
 
 want of ability, they were not able to put them into anything like form. We A Tethw 
 
 lack greatly in that respect. From want of proper tuition or cultivation of the 
 mind, and proper learning, we are not able to put our ideas into such a form as ^ j u j y l8g3 
 we like. 
 
 3263. Mr. Cobbett.] What do the miners think of the Report of the Com- 
 mittee of 1852? — The miners were highly pleased at the conclusion to which 
 the Committee came ; and I fancied, in my own mind, that what would be 
 most cheering to them was, that they pointed out that there ought to be a 
 number of sub-inspectors; and we looked upon it in this light, that we should 
 have more men looking at the evils which exist, and we should be able to point 
 them out; and we were looking at that, as being the means by which our evils 
 would be ultimately remedied. 
 
 3264. Mr. Mostyn.] By whom would you have the sub-inspectors appointed? 
 — By the Government. 
 
 3265. Mr. Cayley.~\ Do you think that one use of the Central Board would 
 be to appoint the inspectors and the sub-inspectors ? — Yes ; and that Board 
 would have so much knowledge that it would be able to ascertain from a 
 practical working man, whether his capabilities were such as would give a 
 guarantee in-employing him as a sub-inspector; and I think they would be able 
 to inquire from him whether his practical knowledge was such as to guarantee 
 them in appointing him. 
 
 3266. Do you think that another use of that Central Board would be, to see 
 that all the inspectors and sub-inspectors acted on one uniform system ? — Yes. 
 
 3267. Chairman.'] Do you think it is possible to find a class of men for sub- 
 inspectors who would give satisfaction to the workmen, the owners of mines, and 
 the viewers ? — Yes. 
 
 3268. Can you give the Committee an idea of the class of men you would 
 appoint as sub-inspectors ? — I think they should be working colliers. I would 
 take them from the best practical men that we have in the coal field, and who 
 properly understand, as far as practical knowledge is concerned, how a colliery 
 ought to be carried on. 
 
 3269. Do not you think it is very difficult to find a working collier who has 
 much knowledge of the mode of ventilating a colliery ? — I think there are a great 
 number of practical colliers, who have a better knowledge than a great many 
 under-lookers who are now employed. 
 
 3270. The duty of a working collier is, to go into his work and remain in his 
 stall, and cut coal all day long? — That is the duty they wish to enjoin upon 
 them ; but we live in times when they take other things upon them. 
 
 3271. What other things do they take upon them ?— They study how things 
 ought to be conducted, and that is the reason they are able to point out the 
 evils which exist. 
 
 3272. You think that, in point of fact, there are plenty of colliers to be found, 
 who are capable cf instructing the viewers in the best mode in which a colliery 
 may be carried on ? — A viewer you may, perhaps, take in a different light than 
 we do. I think there are plenty of working colliers who have a better prac- 
 tical knowledge than some under-lookers. 
 
 3273. Take an under-looker. An under-looker is a man who is constantly in 
 the colliery, and the viewer is a man who makes periodical visits. Is that the 
 practice in Lancashire ? — Yes. I would not say there are practical men who 
 liad as much knowledge as any under-looker ; but I say that some of them 
 have more knowledge. Of course, if they did not improve and prepare them- 
 selves, they would never be able to become under-lookers. 
 
 3274. Is it your opinion that there are a sufficient number of working 
 colliers to be found, in whom the masters or head viewers of collieries would have 
 confidence to be appointed sub-inspectors, and come down into the place for 
 the purpose of making suggestions as to ventilation and other parts of the 
 workings ? — Yes. 
 
 3275. Mr. Ingham.'] What have the under-lookers generally been before they 
 got their appointment ? — All the under-lookers whom I know have generally gone 
 through the regular process, from a drawer-up to a pickman. 
 
 3276. Does the under-looker come from the same body of clever miners from 
 whom you would select the sub-inspectors ? — Yes. 
 
 3277. Chairman^] Do you think it is necessary they should receive any edu- 
 cation ?— I would take them as they stand ; I would commence the system as it 
 
 0.76. I 2 is, 
 
68 
 
 MINUTES OF EVIDENCE TAKEN BEFORE THE 
 
 Vn. A. Tetlow. ls > vv ' tn tne best materials I have ; and then at a future period this duty should 
 
 be instilled into rising colliers and sub-inspectors, and on managers and under- 
 
 7 July 1853. lookers also. 
 
 3278. Mr. Locke.'] Supposing that the Central Board in London entertained 
 a different opinion to you, and thought that young men educated in some 
 central establishment in London would make better under-lookers, what would 
 the workmen think of appointments of that kind? — I think they would be dis- 
 satisfied. I think that the workmen have an opinion, that no one is so well qualified 
 to answer their end, or so well able to point out the evils that exist, and get them 
 remedied, as a man who has been practically trained to it from his youth. 
 
 3279. And therefore you think that any appointments of that kind which were 
 made by the Central Board in London would not give satisfaction? — -I think it 
 would not give general satisfaction unless the sub-inspectors were taken from 
 the class of workmen. 
 
 3280. How would you appoint the Central Board in London for the purpose 
 of making it satisfactory to the general body of workmen ? — If the Central 
 Board in London should have power to examine the head inspectors and the 
 sub-inspectors, they ought of course to have superior abilities to either of those 
 two separate classes. In that respect, not being properly educated, I am hardly 
 able to speak as to the class. 
 
 3281. Then, in point of fact, you speak of the Central Board as something 
 upon which you have not made up your mind of whom it is to consist f — We look 
 at it in this light, that if the Government appointed a Central Board, we have 
 faith that they would appoint men who were qualified to look into the evils that 
 exist, and to point out the remedies for those evils. 
 
 3282. Whether they should appoint such persons from the working miners to 
 take the sub-inspectors' position, or whether they should appoint young men who 
 had been educated in a central school in London, you cannot state ? — No. 
 
 3283. But you hope they will appoint the working miners? — Yes, we hope 
 so ; and we think that unless that were done it would not give sreneral 
 satisfaction. 
 
 3284. The Board which is to appoint these persons ought, in your opinion, to 
 have a practical knowledge of mining? — If it were driven into that kind of 
 argument it would destroy the Board, because men who are brought up in a mine 
 have not the opportunity of getting those abilities which would be required. 
 
 3285. Do you think it would be an advantage that the persons composing 
 the Central Board should have any practical knowledge of mining? — It might 
 be an advantage. 
 
 3286. Do you think they would be competent to appoint or to examine proper 
 persons without having a practical knowledge of mining ? — I hardly think they 
 would. 
 
 3287. Mr. Cayley.] Do you think that if the Government were to determine 
 to put an end to the evils which now exist in mines, they would have, for any 
 longtime together, any difficulty in finding men equal to the duty? — No; I 
 believe that if the Government came to such a conclusion, they have already 
 obtained such an amount of information that they might come at such as would 
 be able to remedy all the evils which the colliers generally complain of. 
 
 3288. Supposing there were some difficulty at first in finding proper men to 
 fill the office of sub-inspectors, did you ever know, in your experience, of a 
 demand for an article in this country, without a supply very soon growing up, 
 which was equal to the demand ? — No. 
 
 3289. Chairman.'] In order to get good men, would it be necessary to pay 
 them well ? — Yes, they ought to be paid well, in order that they might be out of 
 the reach of what we call temptation, or inducement to do things which they 
 ought not to do. 
 
 3290. Mr. Cayley.] Do you believe that all that is wanted for the purpose of 
 securing an improvement in the present state of the mines, for the safety of the 
 working men, is a thorough determination on the part of the Government to 
 secure that object? — Yes. I believe that now, if the Government said, on behalf 
 of the mining population generally, " We will commence with the means we 
 shave, and we will remedy the evil as far as we can," they would be able to do it, 
 and they would be able to obtain information which would point out evils of 
 which at present they are not aware. 
 
 3291. Mr. Cobbeit.~\ Supposing the Government appointed a set of sub- 
 
 inspectors, 
 
SELECT COMMITTEE ON ACCIDENTS IN COAL MINES. 
 
 inspectors, equal in capacity to the present inspectors, would not those sub- Mr. A. Tetlax. 
 
 inspectors satisfy the miners ? — They might satisfy the miners, but I do not 
 
 think they would. As far as I am individually concerned, I would have men 7 J% 1853. 
 who had been properly trained from their childhood to be familiar with the evil* 
 of which colliers generally complain. 
 
 3292. Chairman.'] You would rather prefer that they should be practical 
 men, than men having scientific knowledge ?— If 1 could not meet with men who 
 had scientific know led lie, and practical knowledge also, I would commence with 
 the thing as it is. If I could meet with men who had a scientific knowledge, 
 and also a practical acquaintance with mining, those are the parties to whom I 
 should give the preference'. 
 
 3293. In your opinion, has the present system of inspection been beneficial, as 
 far as it lias gone ? — I think it has. 
 
 3294. Do you think that the ventilation is better now than it was before the 
 inspectors were appointed ? — Yes. 
 
 2205. Do you consider that that improvement is to be attributed to the 
 inspection? — Yes. I am perfectly aware of one concern, where no less than 15 
 lives were lost in less than two years, with the ability to have ventilated the 
 mine ; and that, under their suggestion, the evil has been remedied, and they are 
 not exposed to anything like it now. 
 
 3296. Do the men wish this Committee to recommend any particular system 
 of ventilation. ? — No. We are perfectly satisfied that there are means at hand, 
 which are capable of answering all the ends we want in that respect. 
 
 3297. What they want is, a sufficient supply of fresh air to preserve their health, 
 and to keep the mines free from explosion? — Yes; and the air to be properly 
 •circulated. 
 
 3298. Would it be possible to keep a mine free from explosion, however much 
 air was carried into the pit, unless it was properly circulated through that pit? 
 —No. 
 
 3299. Is it the custom in your district to split the air? — I do not see how a 
 mine can be ventilated without splitting the air. 
 
 3300. Is the system of splitting the air generally adopted in your district ? 
 —Yes. 
 
 3301. Is it more adopted now than it was before the appointment of the 
 inspectors ?— I cannot speak to that. 
 
 3302. In your district, is sufficient care taken to keep the airways in proper 
 order and to keep them of sufficient size ? — At some places ; and at others it is 
 not so. Some places are very well ventilated ; I have worked 20 years at one 
 -concern ; they have a very extensive coal field; and they have never had what 
 we call a serious explosion. 
 
 3303. Is that a very fiery seam ? — Yes ; it is what we call the Black Mine, and 
 «it is four feet thick. 
 
 3304. Did you ever hear the colliers complain of having too much air ? — No ; 
 I do not remember hearing anything of that description, in its proper circula- 
 tion. I may have heard a man, when he has been close to the shaft where all 
 the power of ventilation has been on, say that it was very cold ; but when it has 
 been properly distributed, I do not recollect an instance. 
 
 3305. Do the workmen agree with the Report of the Committee of 1852 ? — 
 ^Generally speaking, I think they do. 
 
 3306. You do not mean to state that they agree to every paragraph of the 
 •report? — No; I think what they rested on most is, that the Committee sug- 
 gested that a sufficient number of sub-inspectors should be appointed, and that 
 they would be able to point out the evils which exist. 
 
 3307. Do the colliers object to the use of the safety lamp? — Not generally. 
 
 3308. Do you agree with the Report of the Committee of 1852, with respect 
 to the safety lamp ? — I have never read the opinion of the Committee on that 
 point. 
 
 3309. Is it your opinion, that the use of the safety-lamp in very fiery mines 
 ought to be made compulsory? -Yes. 
 
 3310. You do not say that with a view of making the ventilation worse? — 
 Not in the least. 
 
 331 1. You think that the first care should be, to see that as much ventilation 
 was brought into the mine as possible ; but that, as an extra safeguard in fiery 
 :rnint'S, the safety-lamp should be used also? — Yes. 
 
 0.76. I 3 3312. Would 
 
70 
 
 MINUTES OF EVIDENCE TAKEN BEFORE THE 
 
 Mr. A. Tetlow. 3312. Would you confine the use of the safety lamp to the neighbourhood of 
 
 the goaves, or to any particular district of the mine? — I think that, as far as 
 
 7 July 1853. possible, there ought to be attention paid to clearing the goaves of the foul air. 
 
 3313. Do you think it is possible to clear a very large goaf? — We have a firm 
 who are working out on one side of the pit close to 2,000 yards, and about 600 
 yards on the other side ; and the system they adopt is, to build what we call 
 cross walls ; they put a three-yard wall in every eight yards. They keep as much 
 as possible their top air road safe and clear, and up these wall ends they have 
 now a system of what they call rambling the air ; that is, after they have taken 
 the air through all the various splittings, to circulate it through each mine ; 
 they have a system which they call turning it out and allowing it to go up these 
 different stalls or wall ends, and find its way out at the top airways ; and that 
 is a good system of clearing the goaves. We can sometimes go as far as 200 
 yards back ; and then the surface coming down gently, and the floor heaving 
 up, these goaves come together without those serious falls, and driving the sulphur 
 back on the workmen. When they kre going to leave off 100 yards at the 
 further end, they so make their preparations as to have a fresh preparation made 
 to carry the air into the back air road. These are means of preventing accidents 
 by driving the sulphur on the top of the men, and that is a good system. 
 
 3314. Where is that system adopted ? — Lees, Jones, & Booth carry on that 
 system extensively ; they have another plan, which has been worked advan- 
 tageously both for the men and for themselves. When they are opening a new 
 coal field, they will, as soon as possible, get a road round the boundary of the 
 coal field ; it drains the sulphur out of the body of coal which has to be worked. 
 They can work the body of coal at rather less expense, and with more safety to 
 the men. 
 
 3315. In that case, would it be necessary to open out the pit a long time 
 before you wanted to raise any coal ? — Formerly, when we were getting what we 
 call the crop coal, we had not the same evil to contend with ; we are now 
 getting more on the dip, 600 or 700 yards down ; so that these preparations are 
 made regularly as they go on, and perhaps commence a twelvemonth previously 
 to its being required to be worked out. 
 
 33 1 6. Have you considered the question of refuge stalls ? — That is a subject 
 to which I have not paid attention. 
 
 3317. Do you prefer ventilating the goaf to stopping up the goaf? — From 
 my practical observation of stopping up the goaves or walling them off, the men 
 are of opinion that it is an impossibility to wall the sulphur off ; it will break 
 out. We would rather have the goaves cleared, if it is possible to do it. 
 
 3318. If it were not possible to clear the goaves, in your opinion could the 
 goaves be closely walled up, so that as little gas as possible should escape ? — 
 Yes. 
 
 3319. Do you think that a good current of air should at all times pass round 
 the goaves, whether they were stopped up closely or not ? — Yes, close up to the 
 face of the goaves. 
 
 3320. With regard to accidents from falls of roof, Mr. Swallow stated that two 
 modes were adopted in your district ; namely, having a deputy to stand the 
 timber, or the men standing the timber themselves. In your opinion, which 
 plan is most safe ? — Being a practical man myself, I should prefer setting my 
 own timber. I think there is less danger, when a man comes to draw what we 
 call a set of posts. After he has cleared it out, he is the best judge on which 
 post lies the greatest weight; and it is not always the case that a master wishes 
 you to draw that post. When you know on which post the greatest weight 
 lies, you may sometimes get half a dozen round that post, while, if you took that 
 post it would bring all in together. 
 
 3321. Then you do not agree with the evidence of some of the Northumber- 
 land people, who stated to this Committee that the deputies, being constantly 
 employed in sounding the roof and in standing timber, would be much more 
 likely to put the timber in a safe position, than if the collier was obliged to 
 stand his own timber? — If in Lancashire it was the rule that we had to wait 
 until a deputy came, we should not unfrequently be lamed ; so that I think it 
 is the duty of every workman to set his own posts. 
 
 3322. Throughout your district in general, is sufficient timber given to the 
 men for the purpose of standing? — Generally speaking, they have to go through 
 the proper process, but there is generally timber at their command. 
 
 3323. Have 
 
SELECT COMMITTEE ON ACCIDENTS IN COAL MINES. 71 
 
 3323. Have you heard any complaints in that respect from the men?— No. Mr. A. Tetlow. 
 
 3324. With regard to verdicts, do you agree with the evidence of Mr. 
 
 Swallow, that the present system of coroners' juries is not satisfactory ? — I think 7 July '853. 
 that, generally speaking, juries are composed of men who do not understand 
 
 the system of the coal field ; and that being the case, they are not able to 
 glean that amount of information which they ought to possess on those subjects. 
 We should like the system to be altered, if it were possible to alter it advan- 
 tageously. 
 
 3325. Mr. Ingham.'] You would wish to have a body who were more com- 
 petent to examine into the origin of accidents ? — Yes ■ I think that at least some 
 of the jury ought to understand the nature of a coal pit, that they might be 
 able to get information of parties who gave evidence of the circumstances which 
 transpired. 
 
 3326. Mr. Cay ley.] Have you ever known a case where a verdict has been given, 
 as you considered, contrary to the evidence? — I have known cases in which the 
 public have complained of the evidence which had been brought forward, and 
 thought that the parties who were concerned ought to have been punished one 
 way or another. 
 
 3327. Have you ever known deaths to take place, where the evidence seemed 
 to implicate the mode in which the parties had been destroyed, and the verdict 
 of the jury given contrary to the evidence? — I do not know it from my own 
 observation ; I have heard complaints of that description ; I heard a person 
 state that he was once on an inquest of that sort, and had to give opposite 
 evidence, as Mr. Swallow stated the other day. 
 
 3328. Mr. Locke.] Have you often heard, in other cases as well as mine 
 accidents, that the verdicts of juries have not been consistent with the evidence ? 
 — I have heard such complaints made. 
 
 3329. Mr. Baird.] Did you ever attend a coroner's inquest? — Never. 
 
 3330. Chairman.] Is there any other point, connected with this inquiry, upon 
 which you wish to give evidence? — I think, if the Legislature do legislate upon 
 this subject, there ought to be a law that all collieries should have a system of 
 ventilation, either by the furnace or the steam-jet. 
 
 3331. That is, that a colliery ought not, under any circumstances, to be car- 
 ried on by natural ventilation ?--No ; I think that a great deal of evil exists in 
 small collieries, from black-rlamp and such things, which are never noticed, and 
 which are detrimental to health. 
 
 3332. Mr. Ingham.~\ You state that, in almost all collieries, you think there 
 could be discovered some able practical miners who would be competent to fill 
 the situation of sub-inspectors? — I think they might be found in the country ; 1 
 do not say they w T ould be found in every colliery. 
 
 3333. In every coal field ? — I should think so. 
 
 3334. From your knowledge of this class of men, do you find a disposition on 
 their part to avail themselves of opportunities of getting information from books? 
 — On the part of several there is such a disposition ; but it is not so general as I 
 should like to see it. 
 
 3335. Do you think that the best practical miners have a desire of improving 
 themselves by reading and learning? — Yes; I think that if schools were 
 established, in which miners' children received an education for so many years, 
 similar to that which is received by factory children, we should in a few years 
 have a superior class of miners than we have at present. 
 
 3336. You said that it was very likely that, at first starting, the men who 
 would be chosen as sub-inspectors might not have so much information as you 
 would wish. If local mining schools were established, do you think this class 
 of men would be willing to give some of their spare time, if they have any spare 
 time, to improve themselves by study and learning? — Yes; I think every well- 
 disposed man would avail himself of every opportunity which was calculated to 
 elevate him in society. 
 
 3337- Do you think that is the disposition of these men? — I think there ar. j 
 colliers who are disposed to do so. 
 
 3338. If they had some accessible mining schools, do not you think, although 
 they might not at first be adequate in every respect, yet that after practice for a 
 year or two they would be competent as sub-inspectors, boih from their scientific 
 knowledge as well as their practical knowledge ? — Perfectly. 
 
 3339. Would it be very desirable to establish, in the neighbourhood of all 
 O.76. I 4 great 
 
MINUTES OF EVIDENCE TAKEN BEFORE THE 
 
 Mr. A. Tallow. g rea t coal fields, some kind of mining schools, where men, if they were so 
 
 disposed, might obtain the requisite scientific information ? — Yes; and I think 
 
 7 July 1853. also, that as far as the Government has control, or as far as the Board in London 
 has control over the present class of schoolmasters which exist in the district of 
 cotton manufactories, if their attention was turned to training young men up to 
 the study of these things, and showing them the importance of them, at a future 
 time we should see fruits springing up which we never expected. 
 
 3340. Mr. Cayley.] From what you have stated with regard to ventilation,, 
 are the Committee to understand that, although no explosion may have taken 
 place, yet that the state of the ventilation is very insufficient? — Yes. 
 
 3341. And that although the destruction to life may not be so immediate from 
 fire-damp, yet that, from the existence of black-damp, the health of the miners is 
 so prejudiced, it is equally sure in the end? — Yes. 1 have seen instances of that 
 description. I have seen what we call a waggoner, who for three or four days 
 together never could have a light, except at certain places. When we have been 
 getting coal in certain places, we have had to stick our candle a few yards off. 
 Scores of times I have put my hand, as if I thought it would have prohibited our 
 light going out. Since then, I have thought about the subject, and I was 
 absorbing the air which kept the candle alive, although it was useless to do so ; 
 but being out of breath, and having little air to breathe, these are the difficul- 
 ties ; and the sufferings of the men in this respect are almost incredible. 
 
 3342. How did the candle burn under those circumstances ? — We had to 
 burn three candles generally, where we ought to have burned only one. Then 
 there is an additional difficulty with the partly-burnt tallow ; and there is the 
 smell of the wick, which hangs down sometimes three inches long, not all burnt. 
 This arises from the want of proper ventilation. 
 
 3343. W T hy did you hold the candle downwards instead of upwards ?— Simply 
 that if it is held straight upwards, the air is so light that the blaze would go off'. 
 If we held it horizontally, it gets partly fed, and it keeps a clearer blaze ; sc- 
 that it keeps the candle burning on that principle, which it would not do if it 
 were held straight up. 
 
 3344. You mean to say that the amount of fresh air was so small, that the 
 candle would not burn in an upright position ? — Yes ; I have seen that hundreds 
 of times. 
 
 3345- Do you think the working men would be satisfied with less wages if 
 the ventilation was better? — I think that if the ventilation was better a concern 
 would be worked for less money ; but all these difficulties make the collier's 
 wages less. He has these difficulties to encounter for the same amount of money 
 as he would receive for work in pure air. 
 
 3346. Chairman.'] Do they generally cut coal by the ton? — Yes. 
 
 3347. Therefore, if the ventilation was better they would cut more coal in a 
 day, and possibly for a less price per ton, which would be cheaper to the coal- 
 owner ? — Yes. 
 
 3348. Mr. Cayley.] Has it come within your experience that the miners have 
 said they would be willing to work for less wages if the atmosphere was more 
 healthy to work in ? — To the best of my knowledge I have never heard them say 
 so with reference to black-damp; but, with reference to fire-damp, I have 
 frequently heard the colliers state that they would rather work for three-pence 
 a day less, where there was no sulphur, than they would where there was 
 sulphur. 
 
 3349. Chairman.] Is there anything else you wish to state? — I should like to 
 see the day come when the Government stated that there should be a law 
 passed that miners' children should have a proper and good education. 
 
 3350. Would you make it incumbent on the miner to contribute so much in 
 the pound of his earnings towards educating his own children?— I think they 
 would need no compulsion ; 1 think they would feel disposed to pay the same 
 amount towards the school that the factory people pay. 
 
 3351. Mr. Locke.] Can you state why they do not do that now?— I think 
 that all families who have the opportunity of sending their children to school are 
 willing to do it now, but the law is different. I could take my child into a 
 coal field at 10 years of age, and I could work it any number of hours I thought 
 proper; but if 1 wanted to take my child to a factory at 10 years of age, the 
 law says that he must only go six hours the day. 
 
 33,52. Chairman.] Do ycu think that a law preventing a man from sending 
 
 his- 
 
SELECT COMMITTEE ON ACCIDENTS IN COAL xAIINES. 
 
 his child into a coal-pit before he was 14 years of age would be generally satis- 
 factory to the workmen ? — Yes. 
 
 3353. Mr. Locke.] Do you think that, if that were done, the workmen them- 
 selves would take up the question of education, and properly educate their own 
 children ? — I think that there would be no general objection to paying the same 
 amount per week that the factory folks pay for their children. 
 
 3354. They would not ask the Government to contribute anything towards 
 the support, of their school? — 1 think they might be disposed to say, that the 
 same privilege which is granted to schools for the education of factory children 
 ought to be granted to them. 
 
 335.5. And no more?— I do not think they would ask for more. 
 3350'. Mr. Cayley.] At what age. do they enter a mine now ? — Ten years. 
 
 3357. Is there a general opinion that fourteen years should be the age ? — I 
 do not think it, has been taken up generally amongst the miners to ascertain the 
 general opinion. I have heard individuals state, that fourteen years of age is 
 quite soon enough for a child to go into a pit. 
 
 3358. Chairman.'] Take the case of a man having a very large young family, 
 the eldest of whom is ten years of age, and the whole of the children entirely de- 
 pendent upon him for support ; do not you think he would complain, if by law 
 he was obliged to maintain his child without putting him to work until he was 
 fourteen years of age? — I think that if you were to say twelve years of age it 
 would perhaps give more general satisfaction. There would be instances in 
 which men would complain ; for instance, if a person wished to get from his 
 children all he could in their infancy, he might use it, and give them no educa- 
 tion at all. 
 
 335U. Your opinion is, that the right-thinking body of the working people 
 would be satisfied with such a law as you have now stated, limiting the age to 
 twelve years ? — Yes ; I think there would be no general objection to it. 
 
 3360. Is there anything further you wish to state? — No. 
 
 Nicliolas Wood, Esq., called in ; and Examined. 
 
 3361. Chairman.] ARE you still as extensively engaged as a coal viewer and WW, Esq. 
 manager as you were when you gave your evidence before the Committee of 
 
 1852? — Yes. 
 
 3362. The last question put to you by that Committee was this: "You are 
 now very busy on the subject of these experiments with regard to the jet; when 
 it is ready for examination, it is your intention, I understand you to say, to invite 
 Mr. Forster and Mr. Gurney to see it, and you will have it fairly tested." Have 
 you had the steam-jet fairly tested ? — I have. Soon after the termination of the 
 Committee in 1852, I made preparations to have it tested with the utmost 
 fairness. 
 
 3363. Did you invite Mr. Forster and Mr. Gurney to witness those experi- 
 ments ? — We have a mining institute in Newcastle, of which I am president ; 
 and the secretary of the institute was desired to write to Mr. Gurney officially, 
 to ask him to be present at the experiments ; and he also wrote to Mr. Forster. 
 I had myself seen Mr. Forster several times, and invited him to be present at 
 the experiments. 
 
 3364. Were they present? — No. Mr. Gurney wrote to the secretary, to state 
 that it was inconvenient to him to come down to witness the experiments ; and 
 Mr. Forster, when the day came, stated that he was not able to attend. 
 
 3365. Will you give the Committee, in detail, some of the experiments which 
 you made ? — The three principal collieries at which I tried the experiments, 
 were Hetton, Killing-worth, and Tyne Main. The Hetton Colliery is 900 feet in 
 depth, and the jets were placed at the bottom of the pit ; the boilers, and conse- 
 quently the fires of the boilers, being also at the bottom of the pit, the heat of 
 the fires from the boilers passed into the upcast shaft, and added to the ventila- 
 ting power of the shaft, as well as to the mechanical power of the jets. The 
 upcast is 153 feet in area ; and there are two downcasts which are respectively 
 98 feet and 58 feet area, together 156 feet. The ventilating power at the Hetton 
 Colliery generally is by three furnaces, one being nine feet in width, and the 
 
 other two eight feet each. Figures 3 and 4, Plate I., is a section of the Hetton Vide Experiments, 
 shaft, showing the application of the three furnaces, B, B, and C, and of the " n Furnace and 
 boilers A, A, from which the steam was obtained to supply the steam-jets. The ^J^'J; 
 O.76. K pipe Third Report. 
 
 Mr. A. Tethva* 
 
 7 JuJy 1853. 
 
74 
 
 MINUTES OF EVIDENCE TAKEN BEFORE THE 
 
 N. Wood, Esq. pipe leading- to the steam-jets, is shown at D, Figure 8, in the same plate, shows 
 
 — the disposition of the jets placed in the shaft at G. Figures 6 and 7 show eleva- 
 
 7 July 1853. tions of the furnaces. The diameter of the steam-pipe D, was six inches; and in 
 the experiments three sets of jets were used at different times, being respectively 
 f'gths, ffchs, and |ths of an inch in diameter, for the purpose of snowing which 
 size was the most effective. 
 
 3366. At all times were there the same number of jets, but of different 
 diameters? — Yes ; the number being 37 in each case. 
 
 336;. What is the extent of the workings of the Hetton Colliery? — The 
 workings of the Hetton Colliery are spread over an extent of upwards of 2,000 
 acres, comprising coal partly worked, and coal standing in pillars and goaves. 
 
 3368. How many shafts are there in that colliery? — Five. 
 
 3369. How many upcasts ? — Two upcasts and three downcasts; but at that 
 part of the colliery which was the subject of the experiments, there were only 
 two downcasts and one upcast, and, as I before stated, the two downcasts com 
 prised 156 feet in area, and the one upcast comprised 153 feet in area. 
 
 3370. Mr. Locke.] Was there any connection between the other parts of the 
 mine at the time of that experiment? — No; except a small portion of air, which 
 was brought from the other colliery to the upcast, which is mentioned in the 
 experiments. Table No. I, in the Appendix to the Experiments, shows the extent 
 of the ventilation. The total quantity of air sent down the downcast shafts, 
 amounted to 210,000 cubic feet per minute, And the synopsis shows the distri- 
 bution of that air round the workings of the mine, and the length of run of each 
 current of air. It will be found, on summing it up, that the total distance which 
 the different currents of air travel, is 97 miles 1 furlong, and 100 yards. At 
 some period of traversing the workings that is split into 33 divisions. 
 
 3371. The 210,000 cubic feet per minute refers to the whole colliery ? — Only 
 to the colliery which was the subject of the experiments. 
 
 3372. Mr. Stephenson.] That quantity went down the two downcasts, and 
 came up the upcast ? — Yes ; I have set aside that part of the colliery which com- 
 prises the other two downcasts and one upcast. I will go on with that division 
 of the colliery which comprises two downcasts and one upcast, the extent of run 
 of air that I have stated, and the subject of the experiments. 
 
 3373. Mr. Locked] Have you taken that extent into your computation ? — I 
 have, in all the experiments with the jet and the furnace; they were subjected 
 to a drag of air equal in the aggregate to 97 miles, and sub-divided as shown in 
 the synopsis. I found it necessary, in carrying out the experiments, to divide 
 the power of ventilation under the different, heads of, — natural ventilation; — • 
 engine fires alone ; — engine fires and steam; — and then of engine fires, steam 
 and jets. Then the furnaces; — the furnace engine fires and steam ; — and the 
 furnace, engine fires, steam and jets. I found it necessary that that should be 
 done, in consequence of the evidence which was given in 1852, attributing to 
 the jets that which did not. belong to the jets as a mechanical force, but that part 
 also of the ventilation which was attributable to the heat of the engine fires, and 
 to the heat of the steam when the jets were placed at the bottom of the shaft. 
 The natural ventilation, and the boiler fires, and the steam, independently of the 
 mechanical force of the jets, produces a certain amount of ventilation, and then 
 we have the mechanical force of the jets. I found that unless they were so 
 divided, I could not arrive at a correct measure of the force of the jets. 
 
 3374. Chairman.] You had no opportunity of trying the jets without the aid 
 of artificial heat? — Not when the jets were placed at the bottom of the pit ; but 
 I will give afterwards, at Tyne Main, experiments with the jets placed at the 
 top of the pit, acting without the artificial aid of the boiler fires and the steam. 
 There being a difference of opinion also as to the effect of the jets placed at the 
 bottom and at the top of the pit, it was necessary to go into them in both modes. 
 
 Vide Experiment?, Table I. shows the experiments made at the Hetton Colliery, on the 12th 
 Appendix to Third October and the 3d November ; Table II. shows the experiments made on the 
 Ke P ort ° 29th October, 30th October, and 31st October; Table III. shows the experiments 
 
 made on the 13th November; Table IV. shows experiments made on December 
 11th; Table VI. shows experiments which were made on 3d January 1853 ; 
 Table VII. shows experiments which were made on 8th January 1853. I will take 
 one of those experiments, as an example of the whole, to illustrate the mode in 
 which they were done, I will take the experiments which were made on 29th, 
 30th, and 31st October, which are contained in Table II. On looking at that 
 
 table, 
 
SELECT COMMITTEE ON ACCIDENTS IN COAL MINE.S 75 
 
 table, it will be seen that the first experiment was made with the three furnaces Wood, Esq. 
 
 and the boiler fires, the steam blowing into the shaft, just as it had been when 
 
 the pit was working ; so that in that experiment we had, the natural ventilation, - July 1853. 
 the boiler fires, and the steam ; and it will be seen that that gave a ventilation at 
 6h. 30m. p.m. of 205,615 cubic feet per minute ; and at 7h. 30m. p.m. it gave a 
 ventilation of 201,274 cubic feet per minute. When these were in operation, viz., 
 the boiler fires, the furnaces, and the steam, we applied the jets ; so that the 
 next experiment was, the jets in addition to the boiler fires, the three furnaces and 
 the steam ; and in that application it would be an auxiliary to the furnace system, 
 the steam being at 40 lbs. to the square inch. The next experiment therefore 
 was, the mechanical force of the jet over the three furnaces, the engine fires, 
 and the steam, and the result was 205,636 cubic feet per minute, making for 
 the mechanical force of the steam-jets 4,362 cubic feet of air per minute. The 
 experiment then ceased, so far as regarded the test of the power of the jets ; and 
 the furnaces were put out, the engine fires were damped, and they remained 
 out until 6. 30 a.m. the next morning; that is, from 40 minutes past 10 p.m. on 
 the 29th until 6. 30 a.m. on the 30th, there were no furnaces and no artificial 
 ventilation at all. The temperature of the shaft cooled down from 170° or 173° 
 to 83° or 85° at ten fathoms down, and midway from 180° to 85°. We then had 
 nothing but the natural ventilation, or the heat of the shaft alone, without any 
 extraneous power. This must not however be considered to be the natural tempe- 
 rature of the mine ; the shaft was not quite cooled down to the temperature of the 
 mine, because the temperature of the mine, as will be seen by the experiment, was 
 64° ; so that there still remained in the shaft 21° above the natural temperature 
 of the mine. That being the case, the boiler fires were lighted and the steam 
 got up and made to blow into the shaft ; and then, in addition to the natural heat 
 of the shaft, we had the power of the steam in the shaft without being in the 
 shape of a jet ; it was blown off quietly into the shaft, and not in the shape of a jet. 
 
 3375. At the same pressure r — At 50 lbs. The quantity of air which was 
 then obtained was 139,176 cubic feet per minute. That gives an amount of 
 rarefying power to the steam of 8,286. The jets were then set on, the steam 
 being at 50 lbs. to the square inch ; 37 jets, each three-sixteenths of an inch 
 diameter, were set on; and the quantity of air at 12. 30 p.m., two hours after 
 the jets had been set on, was 149,284 cubic feet per minute, making an increase 
 due to the jets of 10,108 cubic feet per minute. At 2. 30 p.m., the quantity 
 was 150,873 cubic feet per minute, making a difference of 11,697 cubic feet 
 per minute. 1 should observe, on observing the temperatures in the upcast 
 shaft, one effect of the jets, it will be seen, .was to increase the quantity of 
 air, and. the quantity of air being increased, consequently increased the 
 intensity of the boiler fires ; and there was, therefore, a higher temperature in 
 the shaft. The temperature in the shaft had increased from 98° to 105°. In 
 estimating the increased quantity of air derived from the mechanical force of 
 the jets, you must deduct the effect of the increased temperature of the shaft, 
 by the more vigorous boiler fires. I will afterwards separate that, when I go into 
 the general experiments; because I did not like to depend on one experiment 
 to determine any particular question. Things being in that state, the boiler 
 fires and jets being at work, at 2. 50 p.m., (that is, 20 minutes after the previous 
 experiment was made,) the furnaces were lighted ; and at six o'clock, that is, 
 three hours and ten minutes after the furnaces were lighted, the quantity of air 
 was 207,093 cubic feet per minute, which is 56,220 cubic feet per minute over 
 the power of the boiler fires and steam-jets, the temperature in the shaft being 
 now raised by the furnace? up to 164° from 105°. The furnaces were then put 
 out, and the boiler fires damped ; and they remained so until six o'clock the next 
 morning, when the shaft was again cooled down to about the same temperature 
 as it was on the previous morning ; viz., 85°. This was done with a view of 
 comparing the result of the two mornings ; one with the boiler fires and jets 
 over the natural temperature ; and the other with the furnaces over the natural 
 temperature ; both being under precisely the same circumstances. The shaft, 
 on the 31st October, was cooled lower than on the previous morning; 
 because at ten fathoms from the top of the upcast, on the 30t!i, it was 83°, 
 and on the 31st it was 79°, midway being the same. The quantity of air 
 on the 31st, by the natural temperature of the shaft, was 104,414 cubic feet 
 per minute, at 6. 30 p.m. ; and, at nine o'clock, p.m., the furnace being lighted 
 for two hours and twenty minutes, the quantity of air was 201,960 cubic feet per 
 0.76. K 2 minute, 
 
76 
 
 MINUTES OF EVIDENCE TAKEN BEFORE THE 
 
 N. Wood, Esq. minute, being 97,546 cubic feet of air per minute over the natural ventilation, 
 « and 51,087 above the boiler fires and jets. 
 
 7 3nYv i853« 3376. Will you explain why, on the 13th of October, the temperature in the 
 pit being at 85°, and the quantity of air 130,890 cubic feet per minute, while 
 on the 31st October, under similar circumstances, the same temperature being 
 in the pit at 85°, there were only 104,414 cubic feet per minute ? —That arose 
 partly from the upcast shaft not being quite so hot as on the previous morning; 
 and it arose from the temperature of the downcast being higher on the 31st than 
 it was on the 30th. The temperature of the downcast shaft at bank was 45° on 
 the morning of the 30th, and on the 31st it was 52°. Of course there was not 
 the same weight of column in the downcast shaft on the second day which there 
 was on the first. 
 
 3377. Mr. Stephenson.'] I observe that the barometer, on the 30th October, 
 stood at 29*93, and that on the 31st October it stood at 29'75 ; so that there 
 was some difference arising from the barometer? — Yes; it was at 28*9 in the 
 morning of the 31st ; and the barometer being lower, would give a leis venti- 
 lating power. 
 
 3378. Therefore that is quite consistent with the result? — Yes. The next 
 experiment, on November 13th, was made in the presence of several of the 
 Government inspectors : Mr. Mackworth, Mr. Dickinson, Mr. Wynne, Mr. Dunn, 
 and about 20 or 30 mining engineers, who also witnessed the experiments from 
 their commencement, to their termination. 
 
 3379. Chairman.] Were there any viewers present who were connected with 
 the steam-jet system belonging to Mr. Forster? — Mr. Forster was not there, but 
 his engineer was present; and I asked him to attend to the temperature and 
 pressures of steam in the boilers, along with the Hetton Colliery engineer. 
 Mr. Forster had promised that we should see the steam-jet experiments at 
 South Hetton ; and I thought it was very desirable that there should be no 
 doubt as to the accuracy of both, and therefore I asked Mr. Forster to allow his 
 engineer to test the accuracy of the experiments at Hetton, and that my engineer 
 should test the accuracy of the experiments at South Hetton. Mr. Forster's 
 engineer was consequently present during the whole of those experiments on the 
 13th November. The experiments on the 13th November were very full, and I 
 
 Vide Experiments, would call the attention of the Committee to the diagram in Plate VII. 
 
 P ort dlX t0 T1Urd Mr< ^ oche -^ Were tne circumstances just the same under which the 
 
 second experiment was made 1 — The mode of conducting the experiment was 
 precisely the same. The jets, in that case, were quarter of an inch jets, instead 
 of three-sixteenths of an inch on the previous days. 
 
 3381. Were the boilers the same? — Every thing remained the same except 
 the jets. The three-sixteenths of an inch jets were taken off, and quarter of an 
 inch jets were put in their place ; everything else remained the same. 
 
 3382. Did the second experiment, tried on the 13th November, confirm 
 substantially the previous experiments? — It did. 
 
 3383. You found no considerable discrepancy in the result ? — No. I must, 
 however, observe, in reference to those experiments, that it is very difficult to 
 keep the temperature of the shaft at precisely the same amount ; there is con- 
 sequently a slight variation in the different experiments ; but the general result 
 is as nearly the same as possible under such circumstances. 
 
 3384. There is no striking discrepancy ? — No. 
 
 3385. Whatever discrepancies there are, will they be seen by comparing the 
 results of the tables? — Yes. 
 
 3386. Chairma??.] You found no great difference between the action of the 
 size of the jets ? — No, except that the jets were more powerful in the second 
 experiment. The ultimate quantity of air obtained in the second experiment 
 was 234,118 cubic feet per minute ; the largest quantity in the first being 207,093 
 
 Vide Experiments cu ' nc f' eet P er minute. The diagram in Plate VII. will show the result. 
 \ppendix to Third 3387. Mr. Cayley.] Was the arrangement of the jets the same substantially in 
 Report. both these experiments? — Precisely the same. 
 
 3388. And generally speaking throughout your mines? — No, except the Hetton 
 ride Experiments, experiments. Figure 8, Plate 1., shows the distribution of the jets over the shaft. 
 Appendix to Third 33S9. In these two experiments the arrangement of the jets was substantially 
 ep ' the same, and the results were the same ? — The arrangement was generally the 
 
 same, and the results were precisely the same, except in one case the jets were 
 three-sixteenths, and in the other four-sixteenths of an inch diameter. 
 
 3390. Chairman.] 
 
SELECT COMMITTEE ON ACCIDENTS IN COAL MINES. 77 
 
 3390. Chairman.'] There was more power in the last experiment? — Yes; N. Wood, Eo$, 
 those experiments were made with a view of ascertaining the comparative effect 
 
 with the natural ventilation, the boiler fires, the steam, and the steam-jets, and 7 July 1853. 
 necessarily occupied a short time. They were continued a sufficient time, 1 
 believe, however, to satisfy every gentleman who was present of their accuracy. 
 
 3391. Mr. Stephe?7sm.\ Had the amount of ventilation, before you brought 
 eacli experiment to a close, become as nearly as possible uniform? — Yes. Pro- 
 bably it may be as well to allude to a fact which we discovered, which certainly, 
 at first, rather surprised me, notwithstanding I had made a great many experi- 
 ments on air ; that is, the very great rapidity with which the air currents in the 
 mine was increased in velocity. 
 
 3392. And therefore it attained its maximum velocity very shortly after the 
 commencement of the experiments? — It did. This was done with a view of test- 
 ing the accuracy of a statement which was made by Mr. Gurney, in his evidence 
 before the House of Lords Committee in 1849 ; wherein he stated, in answer to 
 some experiments which had been made by Mr. Thomas John Taylor, that it re- 
 quired a considerable period of time to put the air into motion. In this experi- 
 ment, (which was witnessed by all the inspectors ; in fact, being one of the 
 experiments made on the 13th November, at the same time the other experiments 
 were made,) the temperature of the upcast shaft was reduced to 74°, and the 
 quantity of air passing through the workings was reduced to 80,182 cubic feet per 
 minute. In that state of things the furnaces were lighted, and they were lighted 
 as rapidly as possible, with the view of ascertaining this fact. There were some 
 tar barrels and other substances put on the furnaces, in order to light them as 
 quickly as possible, so as to ascertain the shortest possible time in which the air 
 could be put in motion. It was a very interesting experiment, because it shows 
 within what time you may increase the quantity of air in any mine. The 
 velocity of the air was ascertained by one of Biram's anemometers, placed in the 
 
 current of air passing towards the furnace C, in Plate L, the anemometer being Fide Experiments 
 placed within 50 yards of the furnace. The experiment was commenced by Appendix to Thai 
 ascertaining the time within which the air passed 1,000 feet. The experiment ltJ P ort - 
 commenced at 3 h. 48 m. 47 s. At 3 h. 50 m, the anemometer showed that the 
 air had travelled 1,000 feet, viz., in two minutes and three seconds. It was 
 continued up to 3 h. 56 m. 55 s., the anemometer making four revolutions, equal 
 to 4,000 feet, which the air travered in eight minutes three seconds. That was 
 before the furnaces were lighted. Fire was applied to the furnaces at 4 h. 3 in . , 
 and at 4h. 12 m. 58 s. the air traversed 4,000 feet in 4 m. and 3 s.; so that in 
 10 m. 55 s. after the furnace had been lighted the velocity of the air had been 
 nearly doubled ; viz., 4,000 feet in 4 m. 3 s. instead of 8 m. 3 s. The experi- 
 ment was continued. At 4 h. 16 m. 46 s. the velocity described 4,000 feet in 
 
 3 m. 48 s. ; and at 4 h. 20 m. 30£ s. it described 4,000 feet in 3 m. and 34 s.; 
 so that in 17 5 minutes after the fire was applied to the furnaces (because the 
 furnaces did not get into full operation immediately), the air had increased from 
 a velocity of 4,000 feet in 8 m. 3 s. to 4,000 feet in 3 m. and 34 s. That shows 
 the very great facility with which the air can be increased in a mine. The 
 
 number of currents, and the distance they had to travel, is shown in No. 1, vide Append! es» 
 Experiments; and the experiment also showed the very great velocity with Third 'Report 
 the water-gauge increased in power. At four o'clock, before the furnaces were 
 lighted, the water-gauge was 0"45 of an inch ; at 4 h. 3 m., when the fire had 
 just been applied to the furnaces, there was an increase of water-gauge ; and at 
 
 4 h. 23 m. (that is, 20 minutes after the fire had been applied to the furnace) the 
 water-gauge was increased from 0 45 of an inch to 1*75 of an inch ; that is, from 
 half an inch, to an inch and three quarters ; showing with what very great rapidity, 
 in case of an emergency, the increase of heat in a shaft will more than double 
 the quantity of air, and quadruple the power. 
 
 3393. Mr. Cayley\ That is, the ventilation being natural in the first instance, 
 and furnace ventilation being in operation afterwards ? — Yes. 
 
 3394. Supposing the power of the furnace was insufficient, how would you 
 proceed to increase its power? — The working power of the Hetton furnaces, by 
 
 the experiments in Table VI., is equal to 1*20 water-gauge; and you will observe, vide Experiments 
 that this was acquired in four minutes after the furnaces were lighted. That is Appendix to Third 
 the ordinary working power of the Hetton furnaces. By continuing the intensity ^ e P ort - 
 of fil ing, in 16 minutes more we increased the power of the water-gauge, and of 
 0.7G. k 3 forcing 
 
 > 
 
78 MINUTES OF EVIDENCE TAKEN BEFORE THE 
 
 N. Wood, Esq. forcing the air round the workings, to 1*75 ; so that if I wanted to increase the 
 
 power of the Hetton furnaces from their ordinary working condition of 1*20 
 
 7 July 1853. water-gauge, I had only to increase the intensity of the furnace, and I could 
 bring it up to 1'75 water-gauge. 
 
 339,5. Suppose you wanted to increase it to three inches ? — That is a water- 
 gauge which is not attainable in practice. 
 
 3396. Can you obtain that heat by the furnace system? — I did, in one experi- 
 ment at Wellington, obtain a water-gauge of three inches, but that was not the 
 working power. 
 
 3397. Is that about the extent of the power of the furnace ? — -It is much beyond 
 the extent. I think it would be very wrong for any furnace to be kept in a 
 working state at more than about 12 inch. The ordinary working condition of 
 the furnace should be very much below the power to which you could, in case 
 of an emergency, bring it up » therefore, I say, that the regular working of the 
 furnace should never be more than about 1 inch or 1*20 inch; and then, in 
 case of any emergency, when you require an additional quantity of air, you have 
 a power within yourself of increasing that quantity by a very simple and very 
 rapid process • viz., by raising the rarefying power of the furnace. 
 
 3398. Simply by intensifying the furnace ? — Simply by increasing the inten- 
 sity of the furnace. 
 
 3399. Is that the only reason why you would work up to two or three inches ? 
 -Yes. 
 
 3400. You wish to have the power at your disposal, in case of an emergency ? 
 — Certainly ; at least I think it is a judicious mode of working a furnace. The 
 rapidity with which the air could be moved, viz., within 20 minutes of the 
 time the furnace was lighted, the quantity of air being increased from 127,145 
 cubic feet per minute, to 211,193 cubic feet per minute, shows that in the experi- 
 ments I have detailed, where two hours were suffered to elapse between one 
 experiment and another, the maximum effect had been acquired in one experi- 
 ment before it was changed to another. But that there should be no doubt as 
 to the practical test of the two systems, I had the two applied at Hetton Colliery 
 
 Vide Experiments, for 12 hours continuously. In Table VI., it will be observed that the jets were 
 Appendix to Third applied at six o'clock on the 3d July 1853. This experiment was made with a view 
 eport of testing what the jets could do for 12 hours ; so that there should be no doubt as 
 
 to the working power of those jets at Hetton Colliery. The jets were applied at 
 six o'clock, and remained until seven o'clock in the evening on the same day. 
 Table VI. in the Appendix shows the results, viz. the total quantity of air obtained 
 by the boiler fires, and the 37 jets, a quarter of an inch diameter, was 159,913 
 cubic feet per minute, measured as going down the downcast shafts ; the water- 
 gauge being 0'8 of an inch, and the pressure of steam 40 lbs. per square inch; 
 the temperature of the shaft being 86° 10 fathoms down,* and 90° 65 fathoms 
 down. The quantity of coals consumed during the 12 hours was 18,200 lbs., 
 which is 25'28 lbs. per minute, and 6,400 cubic feet of air for each pound of 
 coals consumed, including the air for the boiler fires. 
 
 3401. What is the sectional area of each jet? — There were 37 jets, of an 
 aggregate area of 1,816 inches ; the area of the shaft 153 feet. 
 
 3402. That will make about four feet of sectional area to each jet? — A little 
 more than four feet. 
 
 3403. Mr. Stephenson.'] Previously to this experiment, had you ascertained 
 what amount of ventilation would be due to the boiler furnaces alone, when the 
 steam was already blown into the shaft ? — Yes, 1 had for a short period. 
 
 3404. Would the difference between the former result and this result give 
 you the amount actually carried round the mine by the force of the jet ? — It 
 would. 
 
 3405. In Table III., which contains the experiment on 13th November, the 
 boiler fires and steam jet blowing into the shaft, the ventilation due to the fires 
 appears to have been 139,847 cubic feet per minute ? — Yes. 
 
 3406. In the other experiments where you had the jets, you obtained 159,913 
 cubic feet per minute ? — Yes. 
 
 3407. The difference between the two is 20,000 ? — Yes; but in the former 
 case it will be observed that the boiler fires, and the temperature in the upcast 
 shaft, was only 81° sixty-five fathoms down ; whereas in the other it was 86° 
 and 90°. 
 
 3408. Does 
 
SELECT COMMITTEE ON ACCIDENTS IN COAL MINUS. 79 
 
 340S. Dots the difference between those two numbers rather exaggerate the n. Wood, Esq. 
 effect due to the agency of the steam-jet ? — No doubt. 
 
 3409. By the amount due to the difference of temperature? — Exactly. 7 l8 53- 
 
 3410. Chairman.] At eight o'clock, in the experiments at Table VI., you had 
 only 152,000 cubic inches per minute, and the next hour you rose up to 165,000 
 cubic feet per minute, and you did not go down again ; do you think it is fair to 
 include that experiment at eight o'clock, before the whole power had been 
 developed ? — I take the whole as being from eight o'clock. 
 
 3411. Mr. Locke.] Is it not a remarkable circumstance in that experiment, 
 that the temperature of the upcasts was the same, although the amount of air 
 passing was very different? — Yes, but the result must be taken generally. 
 
 3412. At eight o'clock it is the same? — Yes ; it is very difficult to ascertain 
 the precise quantity of air at any moment having to be measured in these places. 
 
 3413. Mr. Cayley7\ Were the arrangements of the jets the same in all these 
 experiments ? — Yes. 
 
 341 4. Chairman.] Will you give the result of the counter-experiments by the fur- 
 nace? — As I stated before, the Hetton Colliery is ventilated by three furnaces, one 
 nine feet and two eight feet ; and I made an experiment 24 hours with those three 
 furnaces; taking the consumption of coal and the quantity of air in precisely the 
 same way as was done with the steam jets. That will be found in Table V. The 
 average effect of the three furnaces at Hetton was 208,466 cubic feet of air per 
 minute for 24 hours, the water-gauge being 1*2, aud the temperature 130° fifty- 
 five fathoms down the shaft. In 24 hours the quantity of coal consumed, was 
 15,960 lbs. in B, B, furnaces, 11,200 lbs. in C, altogether 27,160 lbs., which is 
 equal to 18*86 lbs. of coal per minute, and 11,066 cubic feet of air per minute for 
 each pound of coal consumed. In this case the velocity of the current was very 
 much greater than the velocity of the current by the steam-jets ; and of course 
 the resistance being increased, the consumption of coals is much greater. The 
 water-gauge in this case was at 1*20, and in the other 0*80; therefore the last 
 experiment was against the furnace, as to the quantity of coal for each cubic 
 foot of air. The two furnaces were put out, and one furnace only kept at work, 
 with a view of getting, as nearly as I could, the same circumstances with the 
 furnace as with the jets. 
 
 3415. Mr. Stephenson.] You mean the same velocity of the current? — The 
 same velocity of the current, and the same quantity of air. 
 
 3416. Chairman.] And the same pressure, and the same water-gauge ? — Yes, 
 as nearly as I could. It is very difficult to obtain precisely the same circum- 
 stances ; but the experiments in Table VII. and Table VI. are as near as pos- 
 sible similar in all respects. The result of one furnace nine feet wide was 164,750 
 cubic feet of air per minute, and with the jets 159,913 ; the water-gauge higher 
 with the furnace. The quantity of coals consumed by the furnace was 7,280 lbs., 
 which is 10"11 lbs. per minute; and 16,320 cubic feet of air per minute for 
 each pound of coal consumed; as against 18,200 lbs. of coal consumed by the 
 jets, 2,528 lbs. per minute, and 6,400 cubic feet of air for each pound of coal ; 
 the circumstances being, as nearly as possible, the same during the experiments 
 with the jets as with the furnace, and continued twelve hours. It is rather 
 against the furnace, as the quantity of air with the furnace is greater than the 
 steam jet ; and therefore, if there is any balance, it is against the furnace. That 
 is the general result of the experiments at Hetton. 
 
 3417. My. Stephenson.] Will you explain Plate VII.? — It is to show the 
 different resistances of the drag of the air in the mine, and of the resistance in 
 the shaft and over the furnace. The drag of the air was measured by the water- 
 gauge placed at the doors between the upcast and downcast ; it is described in 
 Plate II., figure 1. 
 
 3418. Mr. Locke.] You have explained that the water-gauge only shows a 
 difference in the resistance of the air, in passing through the mine, and before 
 it reaches the furnace or jet ? — Yes, the drag of the air around the mine. 
 
 3419. Is there any other resistance to the air above the drag of the air, which, 
 in your opinion, is material to be taken into consideration in these experiments? 
 — There is also the resistance of the air in passing over the furnace when the 
 furnace is used, and through the boiler fires when the jets are used, the air being 
 compressed in passing over the furnaces with a view of increasing the intensity of 
 the fire ; and then there is also the resistance of the air up the shaft. 
 
 0.76. k 4 3420. Chairman.] 
 
So MINUTES OF EVIDENCE TAKEN BEFORE THE 
 
 M Wood, Esq. 3420. Chairman.~] Have these been taken into calculation in former experi- 
 
 ~~ ments ? — I think not sufficiently. The resistance over the furnaces depends on 
 
 3. July 1853- f] ie contraction which is given to the air, to increase the intensity' of the fur- 
 naces, and upon the contraction through the boiler fires ; but the resistance up 
 the shaft depends on the velocity of the air up the shaft after it is heated by 
 the furnace, and of course will be regulated by the area of the shaft. Hence 
 shafts of smaller area have a greater resistance than shafts of a larger area. I 
 have not gone into any estimate of the difference; and it has not yet been prac- 
 tically ascertained, what diameter of shaft is the best for ventilation. It is rather 
 a complicated question, and probably it is not necessary to go into it now; but 
 it will be found by these experiments that the resistance up the shaft has a very 
 great effect on the aggregate resistance to the ventilating power. 
 
 3421. Mr. Cayley.~] Is the resistance in the ratio of the size of the air-ways ? — 
 I suppose the resistance will be in the ratio of the area of the shaft. 
 
 3422. Would the resistance be greater as the area was larger or smaller?— 
 Less, as the area is greater; but another element requires consideration. If you 
 have a large shaft, the velocity of the air in that shaft is less than the velocity of 
 the air in a smaller shaft, the quantity being the same, and therefore in a larger 
 shaft the temperature is comparatively less than in a smaller shaft; and therefore 
 you have to balance between the benefit which is gained by the increase of shaft, 
 and the loss which is occasioned by the diminution of temperature. 
 
 3423. Mr. Loche?\ Have you considered the question as to the relative value 
 of the two ? — I have not sufficiently considered it to enable me to speak with any 
 certainty upon it; but I have found a shaft of a smaller area has produced a 
 better comparative effect than a larger one. 
 
 3424. VVould you therefore assume that the diminution of temperature was 
 rather a serious evil in a large shaft? — It is. There will, of course, be an area 
 of shaft which is the best, under all the circumstances ; but that I have not ascer- 
 tained. The velocity of air up the Tyne main shaft was 2,000 feet per minute. 
 That would operate very seriously in the application of machinery for pumping 
 air up a shaft, looking at the immense velocity at which the air is travelling 
 up the up-cast shaft. 
 
 3425. That velocity would be at something like the rate of 2,000 feet per 
 minute ? — Yes ; and in the application of the steam-jet to the top of the shaft, 
 you are obliged to put cylinders on the steam-jets; and if you put cylinders 
 you lessen the area of the shaft ; that very much diminishes the effect of the 
 steam-jets, the velocity being increased to 3,868 feet per minute. 
 
 3426. To what experiments do you allude now? — Experiments at Tyne 
 Main. 
 
 3427. Experiments which you mean to give the Committee? — Yes; where 
 the jets were placed at the top of the pit. 
 
 3428. Chairman. Have you anything else to state upon your experiments 
 atHetton? — I have given a diagram on Plate VII., showing the effect of the 
 resistance of the shaft, and the resistance of the drag of the air round the mine, 
 and by that diagram will be seen the comparative effect of the natural venti- 
 lation, of the furnaces, and the steam-jets. Speaking of the drag of air around 
 the workings I would refer to Plate IV., which shows the power required to force 
 certain quantities of air round the mine. It will be seen that at a water-gauge 
 of 0-5 of an inch, 123,463 cubic feet of air per minute were forced round the 
 shaft by natural ventilation; and when the water-gauge was raised to two inches, 
 which was four times the water-gauge, 229,918 cubic feet per minute only was 
 obtained, which is not quite twice the quantity of air for four times the moving 
 power. 
 
 3429. Mr. Stephenson, .] Ought the quantity of air to be as the square root of 
 the water-gauge? — Yes. These were practical experiments which were made to 
 ascertain how far it corresponds with what has been the theory of the resistance 
 of air. 
 
 3430. In point of fact you draw the conclusion that the quantity of air forced 
 round ought to be as the square root of the water-gauge ? — Yes ; and it also 
 shows the necessity of not pressing the velocity of the air to too great an effect, 
 and bears out what I have before stated, that you ought always to keep the 
 furnace at as low a water-gauge as you possibly can, otherwise there is a very 
 great diminution of effect. 
 
 3431. Mr. 
 
SELECT COMMITTEE ON ACCIDENTS IN COAL MINES. 
 
 81 
 
 3431. Mr. Cayley.] There comes in a resisting power? — Yes; the resisting n. Wood, Esq, 
 power of the air being as the square of the velocity. 
 
 3432. Does not that show that there is a tendency to limit the power? — There 7 Ju, y l8 53- 
 is no limit to the power of the furnace more than to any other mechanical 
 
 power. 
 
 3433. If the power of increase can be measured only arithmetically, and the 
 power of resistance is increased geometrically, does not the drag overcome the 
 power? — That depends on the power you use. If you assume a fixed quantity of 
 power, that power increasing, of course, arithmetically, and the resistance in- 
 creasing geometrically, you come to a balance ; but then the stop is in the 
 resistance. You may increase the power in the same ratio as you increase 
 the resistance, and then they go on pari passu. 
 
 3434. You have never been able to produce more than an effect of two to three 
 inches ? — No more. 
 
 3435. Mr. Locke.^ Does your objection to forcing the air beyond a certain 
 height of the water-gauge, apply to all systems of ventilation ? — Yes ; the objec- 
 tion applies equally to all systems of ventilating power. 
 
 3436. Whether it is the steam-jet or the furnace ? — Yes. 
 
 3437. And the more you increase it, the greater you increase the expense of 
 effecting the ventilation, whatever system may be employed ? — Yes ; the re- 
 sistance increasing, the expense of acquiring that velocity is correspondingly 
 increased. 
 
 3438. Would you suggest some other mode of increasing ventilation than the 
 means now suggested, if you found that you were arriving at a point at which 
 the ventilation became so expensive as to be almost at its maximum point? — I 
 think that the ventilation by furnace, or by steam-jet, or by mechanical power, 
 should always be kept within certain limits. There is a working limit to the 
 power. If you want to double the quantity of air, it must be obtained by other 
 means, and not by increasing the velocity of the air around the mine. There 
 ought to be a standard of velocity. If you increase the velocity beyond that, you 
 increase it at the expenditure of power and increase of cost. 
 
 3439. Do you think it would be better to increase the airways themselves, 
 or to increase the number of shafts ? —Either to increase the area of the airways, 
 or the number of shafts, or to split the air so as to diminish the resistance. 
 
 3440. In that case, would you also require a larger shaft, in whatever way 
 you split the air ? — Probably ; but at the Hetton Colliery we have a ventilation 
 of 210,000 cubic feet per minute. We do that at a water-gauge of 1*20. We 
 have in many collieries only 40,000 cubic feet of air per minute, and yet we 
 have the same height of water-gauge. 
 
 3441. Does that lead you to suppose that you could, by applying the same 
 means which you have at Hetton, raise the quantity of air to almost any extent, 
 if you adapt your shafts to suit it ? — Yes, by an increase of shafts and by a 
 proper arrangement of air courses, and the power applied ; but I would not, in 
 any case, use a water-gauge to force the air rouud the workings more than 
 about l - 20 inch. 
 
 3442. You stated that, in your former experiments, the airways travelled at See Summary t& 
 Hetton Colliery amounted to 97 miles ? — Yes. Hetton Ventilate 
 
 3443. Mr. Baird.] In measuring the quantity of air in a mine, do you measure Reportf* l ° ^ 
 the quantity of cold air going down, or the quantity of heated air coming up ? — 
 
 In those experiments the quantity of air going down the downcast shaft has been 
 given. 
 
 0.76. 
 
 LIST 
 
[ 82 ] 
 
 LIST OF APPENDIX. 
 
 Appendix, No. I. 
 
 Experiments at Seaton Delaval, by Jude and Others - - - - - - - p. 83 
 
 Appendix, No. 2. 
 
 Papers delivered in by Mr. David Swallow: 
 
 Rules and Regulations of the Lancashire and Cheshire Branch of the Miners' Association, p. 85 
 
 Appendix, No. 3. 
 
 Paper delivered in by Mr. W. Gray : 
 
 Steam Jet Ventilation - - - - - - - - - - -p. 92 
 
 Rules and Regulations to be observed by the Workmen employed at the Morfa Colliery, p. 92 
 
[ «3 ] 
 
 APPENDIX. 
 
 Appendix, No. 1. 
 
 Appendix, No. 1, 
 
 EXPERIMENTS AT S EATON DEL AVAL. By Jude and Others. 
 
 SEATON DELAVAL COLLIERY. 
 
 15 June 1853. 
 
 Memoranda relative to Underground Ventilation. Only ventilating power, "Steam 
 Jets," of which there are 33, each jet being 3 3 g of an inch diameter at orifice. Pressure of 
 steam in boiler 35 lbs. per square inch. 
 
 Number of Boilers in use 3. 
 
 Then 1 
 
 First Experiment: 
 
 Engine Scale or Fire Drift. 
 
 ft. in. ft. in. 
 
 Section 9 6 by 5 8 
 
 9 7 „ 5 6 
 
 9 8 „ 5 6 
 Distance, 30 feet. 
 
 . sec. 
 
 Velocity + ^ + J + 3 = 5.3 Meat) Velocity. 
 
 ft in. ft. in. ft. in. ft. in. ft. in. ft. in. inches. 
 9 6 + 9 7 + 9 8 = 28 9 and — =9 7 = 115 
 
 5 8 + 5 6 + 5 6 = 16 8 and — - — = 5 7 = 67 
 
 115 X 67 , 53.5 x 30 X 60 
 
 = 53.5 and — = 18,169 cubic feet per minute. 
 
 144 5.3 sec. ' 1 
 
 Then, by setting open the door, and letting the air have free access to the engine-fires, 
 we have the velocities thus— 3 £ seconds (mean). 
 
 „, . 53.5 X 30 x 60 
 
 Hien again = 27,514. 
 
 Giving an increase, by the door being open, of 9,345 cubic feet. 
 
 Second Experiment: 
 Victoria Way. 
 
 ft. in. ft. in. 
 
 Sections 8 7 by 6 4 
 
 Velocity ^ 
 
 9 0 „ 
 
 6 
 
 2 
 
 , 30 feet. 
 
 
 
 sec- \ 
 + 4i / : 
 
 
 sec. 
 
 - 4 = 
 
 4.75 
 
 ft. in. 
 
 , 17 7 
 
 and 
 
 ft. 
 
 in. 
 10 
 
 = 8 
 
 . 12 6 
 
 and 
 
 = 6 
 
 3 < 
 
 2 
 
 in- in. feet cub. ft. per minute. 
 
 rp, 106 x 75 55.20 X 30 x 60 
 
 Then — = 55 20 aml — 3 = 20,917. 
 
 144 4.75 seconds. 
 
 0.76. l 2 Then 
 
8 4 APPENDIX TO REPORT FROM THE 
 
 ix, No. 1. '^ en a § a i n > ^ setting open the boiler drift-door as before, we have : — 
 
 55.20 X 30 x 60 
 
 3.8 seconds. = 26 ' 147 Cubic feet ' 
 
 Giving an increase, by the doors being open, of 5,230. 
 
 Third Experiment. 
 Big Arch in Engine Plane. 
 Section. 
 
 Distance, 30 feet ; mean velocity, 2 seconds. 
 
 Here 3 feet = 36 inches. 
 
 10 feet 2 inches = 122 inches. 
 
 „, 36 x 122 
 
 Then =r 30.5 
 
 144 
 
 And 10 X 10 39.27 
 
 feet. 
 
 = 69.77 mean area. 
 
 ,,,, 69.77 X 30 x 00 e ~ „„„ , • c x • , 
 
 Ihus — ■ = 62,793 cubic feet per minute. 
 
 2 sec. 
 
 Then, by setting open the boiler fire-door?, the velocities were — 
 
 /sec. sec. sec sec. sec. \ seconds. 
 
 ( 2 + i| + li + 2 + U ) + " = 1 - 85 mean velocity. 
 
 TT 69.77 x 30 X 60 a „ OOA , • e 
 
 Here — — = 67,884 cubic feet per minute. 
 
 1.85 sec. ' 
 
 Giving an increase, by doors being open, of 5,091. 
 
 Recapitulation. 
 Doors Open. 
 
 1. Engine Scale at Fire Drift 27.514 cubic ft. per min. 
 
 2. Victoria Way- - - 26,147 „ 
 
 3. Enoine Plane - - 67,884 „ „ 
 
 Doors Shut. Increase. 
 
 - 18,169 = 9,345 
 
 - 20,917 - 5,230 
 
 - 62,793 - 5,091 
 
 121,545 
 
 — 101,879 
 
 19,666 
 
 Showing an increase, by the fire-drift door being open, of 19,666 cubic feet per minute, or 
 nearly 20 per cent. 
 
 Appendix, 
 
SELECT COMMITTEE ON ACCIDENTS IN COAL MINES. 
 
 85 
 
 Appendix, No. 2. 
 
 PAPERS delivered in by Mr. David Swallow. 
 
 Rules and Regulations of the Lancashire and Cheshire Branch of the Miners' Appendix, No. 2. 
 
 Association. 
 
 Established 7 November 1842. 
 
 Revised and Adopted at a County Delegate Meeting, held at the Oddfellows' Arms, 
 Hurstbrook, Ashton-under-Lyne, 29th March 1852. 
 
 Preface. 
 
 The objects of this society, in conjunction with those of other counties, and in accord- 
 ance with the General Rules of the Association, shall be to unite all miners of the United 
 Kingdom, with a view to equalise and diminish the hours of labour; to obtain, by strictly 
 legal and peaceable means, the highest possible amount of wages ; and to raise from 
 time to time, by subscriptions amongst the members thereof, various stocks or funds for the 
 mutual support of each other in time of need, as there is no security that the members of 
 any society shall receive the benefits set forth in the rules of such society, unless the society 
 is in possession of sufficient funds. Therefore, it is highly desirable that, in accordance 
 with the following rules, each district commence to accumulate funds as speedily as possible. 
 The objects are, furthermore, to improve and elevate the condition of the working miners 
 and their families; to procure for the miners a more healthful atmosphere to work in; to 
 obtain a sufficient number of sub-inspectors to assist the present inspectors, such sub- 
 inspectors to be practical miners of not less than 30 years of age, and to have worked in 
 coal mines at least 15 years; to obtain an Eight Hours' Bili ; to have all coals worked by 
 weight and not by measure, and to secure to our children a proper system of education. 
 To effect such purposes we agree to be governed by the following rules and regulations, 
 and such other improvements and additions as may be made from time to time, legally and 
 constitutionally, by properly authorised parties, and according to the rule, as is hereafter 
 made and provided for. This society shall be called and known by the title of " The 
 Lancashire and Cheshire Branch of the Miners' Association of the United Kingdom;" and 
 for the benefit of its members, it shall be divided into districts and lodges, in such numbers 
 as may be deemed necessary and advisable, and in conformity with the mles provided for 
 that purpose. Every district and lodge of this society shall appoint its own officers, and 
 conduct its own business in the manner set forth in the following rules. 
 
 All grades of miners are eligible to become members of this society. 
 
 Whilst all classes are experiencing the necessity of extended organisation, some indivi- 
 duals are still retaining their old prejudices and narrow-mindedness of sectional unions, 
 and creating prejudice amongst miners whose interests are identical; if one suffers the 
 others must feel it. Not only are the most enlightened trades' unions experiencing the 
 necessity of general union, but Odd Fellows and other benevolent societies have seen the 
 great and urgent necessity of extended organisation. Alas! how frequently does it happen 
 that a man has paid a great number of years into societies, in the fond hope that he would 
 be relieved by its funds in time of sickness and distress; but, when he applies for the 
 amount set forth in the rules, he discovers to his great dismay that sick pay is either greatly 
 reduced, or stopped altogether, whilst other lodges in the same district have no sick at all, 
 and are accumulating funds daily. Yet all are members of one society ; all are called by 
 one name; and the rules of the society require that they should call each other brother; 
 but we must confess we can see no brotherly love in it, one starving; and the other adding; 
 to his funds. It is impossible to enter into this subject in detail here ; but, on referring to 
 a table published by the board of management of the sick union of the Preston district of 
 Odd Fellows, Manchester Unity, 1 find that there two lodges, ending the two years on 
 Dth April 1850 and 1851, have no sick members at all, whilst others have expended 
 49 s. 10 \ d. a member, and the funeral fund besides; whilst each man only paid into the 
 funds of the society in two years 34 s. Sd., leaving the fends minus 15 s. 2 | d. in two 
 years, besides the money paid for funerals, which varied in different lodges for the year 
 
 0.76. l 3 ending 
 
86 
 
 APPENDIX TO REPORT FROM THE 
 
 Appendix, No. 2. ending 9th April 1851, from 155. 9 c?. to nothing at all ; but on the whole district it only 
 
 cost for funerals 4 s. per member, and 12 s. 8 \ d. for sickness. Although some lodges 
 
 were so very heavily pressed upon, the whole district added to its funds l\d. a member. 
 If we had room for the tables referred to, they would amply illustrate the folly of sectional 
 unions.* The individuals who are most opposed to a general union acknowledge that the 
 broader basis of any society the betier; also that sectional unions cannot do any lastino- 
 and permanent good. They will then turn round and say, We know that a general union 
 would be the best if it were honestly carried out and fairly dealt with; and they will ask 
 Was the last fairly dealt with? To this we reply, No, it was not, it was scandalouslv 
 abused; but by whom was it abused ? The answer is, By the very parties who are now 
 the advocates of sectional unions. Who advocated the crying abuses of the law fund, the 
 travelling committee, &c, with all their abuses; Who were they, do you ask? Why, the 
 sharers of the plunder and partakers of the spoil, and the parties in question. Are there 
 any men who have laboured and done their best to remove those evils? So have we. Are 
 there any parties who intend to keep a sharp look out and see that the same practices are 
 not permitted to occur again? So do we. We are determined to prevent the evils of 
 1844-5, 6, 7, &c. The s;,me parties, when they see they cannot be permitted to play -the 
 old games, are like the old fox in the fable; when he could not get the grapes he turned 
 round and said he would not have them because they were sour. 
 
 It is not our wish to impose on either the good sense or the prejudices of any one ; at the 
 same time we are in justice bound to remark that many who, through ignorance, were 
 opposed to our views, are now members of our society, and are its most, zealous advocates 
 and constant supporters; many, since the establishment of our society, having both seen 
 and experienced the beneficial results of our system, have acknowledged its superiority over 
 any other previous society of miners with which they had been connected. 
 
 We hope no prejudices will arise in the breast of any one from the many unsuccessful 
 attempts to establish a permanent society amongst miners, since those failures only tend to 
 point out the errors that have thwarted the good intentions of their founders and supporters. 
 
 That a society ought to exist amongst miners we think few will deny, and for this pur- 
 pose we fondly hope that every miner will see it his duty and interest to come forward and 
 join us. 
 
 A few there may be whose contracted hearts refuse to expand with benevolence towards 
 a brother miner in distress, who consider themselves in permanent situations, and think that 
 they will never stand in need of the helping- hand of others. We would only call upon 
 such to bring to their recollections how many instances have come within the sphere of their 
 own observation of individuals, lodges, and districts who have thought themselves secure, 
 and yet have fallen when there was no one to help. We have no other end in view than a 
 wish to see a permanent society established, and funds raised adequate to withstand the 
 inclement blasts of adversity and oppression, and that its members may outvie those of 
 similar institutions, and their children have occasion to bless the exertions of their fore- 
 fathers. 
 
 Rules. 
 
 How County Meeting to he held. 
 
 First Rule. That the county meeting be held at such stated times and periods as may 
 be deemed necessary and agreed upon by the delegates, and each county meeting shall 
 have the power of fixing where it shall next be held; but no meeting shall have the power 
 of fixing more than the next succeeding meeting. 
 
 Duties of Delegates. 
 
 2. That each district shall appoint one or two delegates to attend each county meeting, 
 whose business shall be to transact all the general business of the society in connexion with 
 the two counties, in the name of and for the districts they represent ; such as electing 
 officers and agents, fixing the rate of wages, appointing the routes of the agents, taking an 
 account of their labours, fixing the levy for each member to pay at the next county meeting, 
 according; to the 14th rule, making such rules from time to time as may be deemed neces- 
 sary, according to the provisions of the last rule, and in accordance with the spirit and 
 meaning of these rules; to inquire into the state of the markets and stocks of coal in each 
 district, average wages of each collieiy in each district, the state of ventilation in each mine ; 
 to order petitions to Parliament for the appointment of sub-inspectors of mines, for an eight 
 hours' Bill, for all coals to be vvoiked by weight and not by measure, to get a proper system 
 of education for the miners' children, or any other matter connected with the welfare of the 
 miners ; to take cognizance of any proposed alteration of wages in any district, to devise 
 
 plans 
 
 * See Lectures on Friendly Societies, their History, Progress, Prospects, and Utility, 1851, by 
 Mr. Charles Hardwick. Sold by all booksellers. 
 
SELECT COMMITTEE ON ACCIDENTS IN COAL MINES. 87 
 
 plans and means of preventing reductions of wages, if possible; to have power to order 
 statements to be sent to the masters in those districts where this society extends, soliciting 
 an advance of wages at proper times and seasons, and to do such other matter or thing as 
 may be deemed necessary to promote the interests of the miners generally. 
 
 Duties of President. 
 
 3. That the county meeting shall be governed by a president (and vice-president if neces- 
 sary). The president shall be elected either from the delegates then present or from among 
 the officials, at the discretion of the delegates, to retain office three months. The duty of 
 the president shall be to preside over the meeting to preserve order, and to see that the dis- 
 cussions are conducted according to the usual rules of debate. The proposer of any motion 
 to be allowed to speak 10 minutes upon his proposition, if lie requires to do so ; and each 
 delegate five minutes. The officials to be allowed to speak upon any motion, and to give 
 their advice freely upon any subject ; to be governed by the same rules of debate as the dele- 
 gates, but not to vote, move, or second any resolution. No one to be allowed to speak 
 twice until every one present has had an opportunity of speaking once on the subject, if 
 they choose. The order of speaking to go the sun way about. Any one being out of order 
 and disobeying the chairman, when called to order, shall be fined id. for each offence. 
 
 Appendix, No. '2. 
 
 Duties of Financial Secretary. 
 
 4. There shall be a financial secretary elected by the delegates at the county meeting, 
 who shall be retained in office so long as he gives general satisfaction. He shall furnish 
 quarterly, and oftener, if necessary, and ordered to do so by the county meeting, an account 
 clearly and accurately setting forth the income and expenditure of both the expense-fund 
 and victim-fund separately. He shall keep his books and papers in such form and manner 
 as the delegates may order. He shall receive the sum of 10s. per fortnight for his wages ; 
 if the county meeting lasts two days, he shall be paid one day's wages extra. He is to be 
 paid his coach fare to the county meeting and home again, over and above his wages. 
 
 Duties of the Treasurer. 
 
 5. The treasurer to have 55. per fortnight; if more than one day at the county meeting, 
 he shall be paid extra, and also be paid extra for any other work that he may do besides 
 his office of treasurership, at the same rate that other people are paid; to be paid coach 
 fare same as secretary, and to be governed by the same rules. The duties of the treasurer 
 shall be to receive all the moneys of this society, and shall pay them according to the orders 
 of the county meeting, and not otherwise. All moneys paid without the sanction of the 
 county meeting shall be refunded. He shall give such security for the moneys in his hands 
 as the society may deem proper. 
 
 Duties of Corresponding Secretary. 
 
 6. The corresponding secretary shall be elected as the other officers are, and subject to 
 the same rules. His duties shall be to keep up a correspondence with Members of Par- 
 liament and other parties on the subject of a short-time Bill, getting coals by weight, 
 appointing sub-inspectors of mines, education for miners' children ; to correspond with 
 other counties, to write letters in newspapers, and answer all letters on the business of the 
 society. Either the financial secretary, treasurer, or registrar may be elected to this office 
 if the majority think proper; or any other individual may, not holding any other office, at 
 the discretion of the delegates. He shall be paid such sum for his labour as a majority of 
 delegates may deem proper. 
 
 Duties of Registrar. 
 
 7. That a registrar be appointed, to be governed by the same rules and conditions as the 
 other officers, whose duties shall be to register every member's name and contributions in a 
 book kept for that purpose Every lodge secretary shall forward, once per month, in a book 
 or* paper provided for that purpose, the amount of subscriptions paid by each individual 
 for county fund and victim fund separately, which sum shall be correctly entered in the 
 book, so that the delegates at the county Board can tell when an individual who is proposed 
 at the county Board is entitled to victim pay, and whether he is a legal member or not, as 
 a great number of persons have received victim pay on former occasions who were not 
 entitled to it. Any of the officers named in the three last rules either may or may not be 
 elected to act as registrar, at the discretion of the delegates ; to be paid for his labour 
 according to his work, the delegates to fix the rate of wages for such work. 
 
 County Fund and Victim Fund to be kept Separate. 
 
 8. That the general-fund money and victim-fund money shall be entered in the secretary's 
 and registrar's books distinctly and separately; the income and expenditure shall also be 
 published separately iu the balance-sheet, and the secretarv shall i>ive to each delegate a 
 receipt for the moneys paid into the hands of the treasurer, such Receipt to set forth how 
 much money has been paid to each fund. The county-fund levy at no time to exceed one 
 penny per week. 
 
 0> ' 6 ' l 4 Election. 
 
88 
 
 APPENDIX TO REPORT FROM THE 
 
 Election of Agents, Sfc. 
 
 9. The county meeting shall elect such number of agents from time to time as to them 
 shall seem needful, for the purpose of advocating the interests of the society ; and they, like 
 the other officers, shall be entirely under the control of the county meeting, and shall visit 
 such districts as they are ordered and appointed to, and hold meetings, and attend to such 
 other matters as may be needful. That no person shall for the future be elected as agent, 
 or to any other office in this society, unless he has had at least 10 years practical expe- 
 rience as a miner, so as to be able to illustrate and explain the grievances in a proper and 
 intelligible manner. 
 
 Slander. 
 
 10. That any member slandering or impugning the character of any agent or other 
 officer of this society, without just cause, shall be fined two shillings for each offence. 
 Officers or agents proved guilty of the above-named offence shall be liable to the above- 
 named penalty. 
 
 Time before entitled to Benefits. 
 
 11. That no person be entitled to any support from the funds of this society until he has 
 been a member of the same not less than eight weeks, and must have paid up all dues and 
 demands to the lodge, district, and general fund, except those who may be discharged for 
 becoming members of this society, going on any deputation, delegation, or advocating the 
 principles of the society, or aitending as delegate at any meeting ; provided that the person 
 so getting discharged for any of the above-named offences has been authorised by anv 
 properly authorised parties to perform such acts. N.B. — No person will be entitled to the 
 benefits of this rule who has not paid at least once before he gets discharged, or notice of 
 his discbarge. Men will not be supported under the provisions of this rule for frivolous - 
 things of any sort; if they leave their work under any other conditions than according to 
 the 12th and 13th rules, they must take the responsibility upon themselves. 
 
 Strikes. 
 
 12. That no colliery or pit set of men, or any portion of a pit set of men, shall be per- 
 mitted to stop work or turn out without the consent of five-sixths of such pit or colliery. 
 When five-sixths of the members at any pit or colliery shall have come to a decision that 
 they have a just cause to cease work, they must call, or else cause the district secretary to 
 call, a special general meeting of the district, if the matter should be of urgent importance 
 that it cannot -lay over until the regular district meeting, to submit the grievance of such 
 pit or colliery, along with the decision the men have come to upon the matter; the district 
 meeting to enter fully into the subject, and, if it be thought desirable to have arbitration to 
 appoint the same from some members working in the same mine at any colliery either in 
 their own or neighbouring districts ; also to make what inquiry and investigation they think 
 proper and advisable; and if after a full and fair investigation the district be of opinion 
 that it is a fair case to send to the county meeting, then they must forward it there, with 
 a full explanation, so that the delegates may take it back to the districts, and bring a 
 decision to the next county met ting whether the men must cease work or not. If after it 
 has been before all the districts, the majority are of opinion that it is a just case in which 
 to cease woik, then the men so stopped according to the orders of the board, shall be 
 supported at the same rate as other victims, from the general victim fund, levied and paid 
 for such purposes, in the same manner and on the same terms and conditions as other 
 victims are paid as set forth in the rules. But if after a full, fair, and impartial investigation, 
 the judgment of the county meeting should be against the decision of the men in the 
 matter in question, and the men should stop or cease work in opposition to such decision, 
 then they shall not receive any support from the general victim fund, and must take the 
 responsibility on themselves. No pit set, or any portion of a pit set of men, nor colliery, 
 will be allowed to turn out by this board until they have got 10*. per man in their fluids^ 
 and boys in proportion. 
 
 Instructions and Rules for Persons becoming Victims. 
 
 13. That members who have paid not less than eight weeks' contributions, and are clear 
 on the book, shall receive an equal share of victim pay along with the other victims, from 
 the general victim fund, in accordance with the following regulations: If a man's life be 
 in positive danger, either from explosions, black-damp, want of props, sudden inundations 
 of water, or bnd ropes, he shall be permitted to cease work immediately, if he thinks 
 proper; but be it therefore clearly and distinctly understood, that no man will be permitted 
 to leave his work on account of bad place, alteration of system of working, or any of the 
 thousand-and-one frivolous things that have been urged on former occasions, until he has 
 complied with the following orders: as soon as a free member has a real grievance to 
 complain of, before he leaves his work he shall go to the secretary of his colliery or pit 
 and lay the case before him, who shall call a meeting of the members of such pit or lodge, 
 and they shall have full power to make a proper and searching inquiry into the whole 
 affair; and if the lodge, or as many members as can be got together after proper notice, 
 
 think 
 
 Appendix, No. 2. 
 
SELECT COMMITTEE ON ACCIDENTS IN COAL MINES. 
 
 89 
 
 think that it is a fit case to go before the district, then the delegate to the next district Appendix, No. 2. 
 
 meeting must take it there: and if the districts think that it is a fit case for the county 
 
 board, they must send it in a proper manner, and all particulars along with it; and if the 
 county board sanction it, then the person shall be permitted to cease work and have 
 support at the same rate as other victims. If either the lodge, district, or the county are 
 of opinion that the matter can be settled by arbitration, they are hereby empowered and 
 instructed to appoint the same, on the same terms and conditions as are set forth in the 
 12th rule, in regard to strikes. 
 
 Amount of Contributions, and how used. 
 
 14. That it is highly desirable that each district should begin to accumulate funds as 
 soon as possible, as there is no guarantee nor security for any member of any society 
 without adequate funds ; therefore it is deemed advisable that the members of this society 
 should pay 6d. per week, or Is. per fortnight, during the present year, to be disposed of 
 as follows : — To be added to the funds at home, 5c?. ; general fund, not to exceed 2d. ; 
 victim fund, at county board, 2d.; lodge and district expenses, Id. If 2d. per fortnight 
 more than meets the demands of the general fund, the delegates shall have power of 
 reducing the levy to a proper amount. The delegates at the county meeting shall not have 
 the power of raising the levy at such meeting, until the second county meeting, after a 
 motion has been made to that effect. When a motion is made at the county meeting for 
 an advance in the levies, it shall go back to all the districts and lodges ; general meetings 
 must be called to consider the propriety of granting it or not ; and all votes for raising the 
 levy at county board must be taken by proxy, 28 days after the motion is made, so that all 
 parties can have the whole matter laid before them, and, if they choose, have a voice and 
 vote in it. N.B. — All money for ale and liquors must be paid over and above the Is. per 
 fortnight. 
 
 Entrance Money, Sfc. 
 
 15. That any person becoming a member of this society must pay the same amount for 
 entrance money as the members have in the funds per man, one fortnight's contributions, 
 and 2d. for a copy of these rules ; the above law to be in operation only during the year 
 1852. All persons entering after the close of the present year must pay a premium of 3d. 
 per shilling, besides the sums named above; each district to charge as much more than 
 the above-named sums as they may deem wise and prudent, to be added to their own funds 
 at home, which funds are to be deposited in some safe and secure bank, in the names of 
 three trustees, to be chosen by the men themselves. It is very desirable that one of the 
 officers of the society should be chosen as one of the trustees, so as to prevent the money 
 from being drawn out for any other purpose than that for which it was contributed ; the 
 district to have the full control of the funds, where they shall be deposited, and how dis- 
 posed of, at all times. When any money is wanted out of the bank, the three trustees 
 shall sign a proper cheque for the amount, and at least one of them shall accompany to the 
 bank the person who is authorised by the district to receive the money, so that he may be a 
 witness to what is transacted. 
 
 Victims, how paid. 
 
 16. That victims of every district shall be paid in such form and manner as the delegates 
 at the county board may deem proper. They shall send the victims' pay either by the delegate 
 from the district, or by one of the officers, or by any other delegate or member from any other 
 district, or by post-office order, as to the delegates may seem wise and prudent ; but the 
 victims shall be paid at least once in 12 weeks by some other person than by their own dis- 
 trict officers. Every victim's name shall be sent to the county board every fortnight, and 
 shall be published once every eight weeks, with the whole time they have been victims, the 
 amount of money received during the eight weeks, and the whole amount since they became 
 a victim, from both county and districts. All victims, residing within three miles of the 
 place where the county meeting is held, shall fetch their own money from that meeting, 
 which money shall be paid by the financial secretary or treasurer, either in the presence of 
 one of the other officers or a delegate or other person from a neighbouring district. Each 
 victim to draw his own money, except in the case of boys who are members' sons, when the 
 father will be permitted to draw for the whole family. If a person be away from home in 
 search of work, he must send a letter, or else leave a written statement, authorizing either his 
 wife or other member of his family to draw his pay; any person going away from home 
 and wanting his pay forwarded to him, must send a note to the county meeting, signed by 
 some district lodge secretary, to certify that he is not working. That no victim receive more 
 than 13 weeks' pay in succession, except in the case of a strike ; if any one is victimized 
 at the termination of a strike, the 13 weeks to commence from the termination of such 
 strike. 
 
 Victims' Contributions when Sick, §*c. 
 
 17. That members who during the time they are victims may become sick or lame, or be 
 playing them, shall only pay general fund and district money. 
 
 (423.— II.) M Arrears 
 
 I 
 
90 
 
 APPENDIX TO REPORT FROM THE 
 
 Arrears and Re-entrance. 
 
 Appendix, No. 2. 18. Any member allowing his arrears to exceed eight weeks' contributions shall not be 
 
 entitled to any support from the funds of this society until he has paid his arrears and four 
 
 weeks have expired from the time of clearing himself on the books; anyone in arrear 
 may, at their own option, either pay up their arrears according to this rule, or re-enter as 
 new members, according to rule 15. 
 
 Restriction. 
 
 19. That as far as it may be practicable the system of restriction shall be acted upon ; and 
 all officers of this society shall at the various public district, or other meetings of the society, 
 urge upon the men generally the necessity of acting in accordance therewith, by showing 
 them the good that will necessarily follow from their not sending too many coals into the 
 market. 
 
 Boasting about Work, telling Tales, fyc. 
 
 20. That if any member of this society shall, in a boasting or swaggering manner, tell 
 other people how much money he has earned in a short time (which has too often been the 
 case, and proved very injurious to the coal miners), on just proof before his lodge, he shall 
 be fined 2s., which, if not paid within one month, shall be added to his contributions, and 
 put down as arrears. 
 
 Victims to meet every other Day. 
 
 21. That every member receiving support from the funds of this society shall attend at 
 a certain place every other day (with the exception of Sunday) to enter his name in a 
 book kept for that purpose ; the districts to have power of fixing the place and time of meet- 
 ing. Any victim not attending at the proper time without a lawful reason, shall forfeit one 
 day's pay. Every victim shall, when ordered by any of the recognised officers of this 
 society, do any work that they may require them to do, providing they are qualified to do 
 such work, such as posting bills, warning meetings, getting petitions signed, &c. Any 
 victim refusing to obey such orders shall be fined Is. 8d. ; but the officer shall sign him a 
 certificate that he has done such work, and he shall receive Id. per mile to defray his travelling 
 expenses, from the county board. Lodges and districts to have the same power as officers 
 over victims. 
 
 Frauds. 
 
 22. That any member who may fraudulently draw or misapply any money belonging to 
 this society, shall either refund the same, or be prosecuted by the parties so defrauded; the 
 lodge, or district, or county, if they agree to let him refund it, shall determine what sum he 
 shall refund per fortnight. 
 
 Ballot. 
 
 23. That all votes be taken by a show of hands at the county or district meetings, unless 
 someone delegate desire the ballot; and if any delegate desires the ballot he shall have 
 the power of claiming it; and when it is taken upon any subject of importance, the votes 
 must be recorded, so that each district may see if their representative voted according to 
 their instructions. 
 
 Clearances. 
 
 24. That clearances be provided by the county board, and supplied to the districts ; 
 so that when a member is necessitated to remove from one county to another, or from 
 one district to another, or from one lodge to another, he shall draw a clearance from the 
 lodge he belongs to, and must pay all dues and demands up to such lodge for his clearance, 
 and present the same to the lodge belonging to the colliery he goes to work at, within 
 one month after commencing work, or be fined 2s. to the lodge for such neglect. All 
 clearances to be duly stamped with the district seal, and none others to be considered 
 genuine. 
 
 Appeal. 
 
 25. Any member being dissatisfied with the decision of his lodge or district, may appeal 
 to the county board, the decision of which shall be final. 
 
 To be divided into Districts and Lodges. 
 
 26. That the two counties shall remain as at present, divided into sub-districts ; each 
 district to elect a sub-secretary and sub-treasurer, whose business shall be to keep the 
 accounts of the district to which they may belong, and to transmit the county levy to each 
 county meeting, for delivery to the county treasurer, and the items to the county secretary, 
 for insertion in the county books. All district officers to be paid in such a manner as the 
 districts may think proper. 
 
 Government of Districts and Lodges. 
 
 27. That districts shall have power to elect their own officers for their own government, 
 and to make their own bye-laws; but all bye-laws to be strictly in accordance with these 
 general laws, 
 
 Propositions 
 
SELECT COMMITTEE ON ACCIDENTS IN COAL MINES. 
 
 91 
 
 Appendix, No. 2. 
 
 Propositions for County Meeting. 
 
 28. That no business be entertained by the county delegate meeting, unless a propo- 
 sition in writing, signed by the district secretary, and stamped with the district seal or stamp, 
 be given to the chairman, certifying that such business has been duly investigated by the 
 district from which it emanated, and a majority of the members of such district record their 
 opinions that such business should be decided at the county meeting. 
 
 Lodges leaving one District to join another. 
 
 29. That districts shall be composed of two or more lodges, as most convenient. Any 
 lodge desirous of leaving one district to join another must give six weeks' notice to the 
 district they belong to of their intention to do so, and must pay up all dues and demands to 
 the said district, according to rule; then the district secretary shall sign them a certificate 
 of their having paid up all dues and demands to the district they are leaving; but if, after 
 obtaining a certificate, the district they intend to join should refuse to have them, the dis- 
 trict from which ihey receive their certificate shall take them back again. 
 
 Dividing of Funds. 
 
 30. That no lodge or district belonging to this branch of the Miners' Association shall be 
 broken up so long as there are three members true to each other in such lodge or district. 
 
 Arrears. 
 
 31. That any member being eight weeks in arrears shall not be allowed to vote upon any 
 subject connected with this society. 
 
 Violation of Laws of Land. 
 
 32. That this association will not defend or support any member who shall in any way 
 violate the laws of the country. 
 
 Victims not to receive support if they refuse to Work at a lawful Place. 
 
 33. That if any brother miner can find any victim or victims work, and they refuse to 
 work, such victim or victims shall not receive any more victim pay. 
 
 Contributions of Members not in full Work. 
 
 34. That those who only work six days in the fortnight shall pay one penny for general 
 fund, and half of the regular fortnightly levy to the lodge, district, county, and victim funds 
 besides ; but if they work eight days, they shall pay a full fortnight's levy ; if they play the 
 whole fortnight they shall only pay the district and county levy. 
 
 Alteration of Laws. 
 
 35. That these laws shall not be altered or rescinded, or new ones made, without giving 
 one month's notice to the county secretary, who shall inform all the districts of the proposed 
 change, so that each district and lodge may have time to consider such alteration or new 
 law, give their calm and deliberate opinion thereon, and vote accordingly. 
 
 (423.— II.) 
 
 M2 
 
 Appendix, 
 
92 
 
 APPENDIX TO REPORT FROM THE 
 
 Appendix, No. 3. 
 
 PAPER delivered in by Mr. W. Gray. 
 
 Steam Jet Ventilation. 
 
 Appendix, No. 3. The Morfa was worked in 1849 with only one pit, divided by 3-inch plank brattice, into 
 
 winding shaft on one side and pumping shaft on the other side ; winding shaft was the down 
 
 cast of 50 feet area; pumping shaft the upcast of 25 feet area: making an allowance for 
 pumps, rods, beams, &c, the upcast would not exceed 18 feet area. The ventilation was 
 worked by high-pressure steam, a culvert leading from the upcast to a stack 60 feet high, 
 with 16 feet area at the top, with the jet pipes 8 feet from the bottom of the stack, 75 jets 
 of i-inch square, worked by two Cornish boilers 30 feet long by 6 feet diameter, burning 
 three tons of coal per 24 hours, steam worked up 50 lbs. per inch pressure; and according 
 to Biram's anemometer, measured — 
 
 19 December 1849 - 11,600 feet per minute. 
 30 December 1849 - 13,104 feet per minute. 
 17 February 1850 - 14,300 feet per minute. 
 
 Averaging about 13,000 feet per minute ; this plan of applying the steam was abandoned. 
 
 To apply the blast pipes, a chamber was built 10 feet high, with sufficient area for 35 
 blast pipes 10 feet long, 5 inches diameter, the bottom part coned out to 10 inches diameter 
 at the bottom or receiving end, 35 jet tubes 12 inches long served perpendicular into the 
 horizontal branch pipes, and each jet reaching 12 inches up the blast pipes, and about two 
 inches above the cone, or two inches into the parallel part of the blast pipe ; 18 of these jet 
 tubes were -j^-inch area and 17 tubes ^-incli area, worked from the same boilers at 50 lbs. 
 pressure per square inch, and burning three tons of coal per 24 hours, and measuring 
 according to Biram's anemometer — t 
 
 20 June 1850 - - 19,000 feet per minute. 
 1 July 1850 - 18,000 feet per minute. 
 14 September 1850 ... 21,300 feet per minute. 
 
 Averaging about 19,000 feet per minute, this gave us an increase of 6,000 feet per minute 
 over the jets merely going into the stack. The air was split into four divisions; average 
 length of air course 1,300 yards of about 36 feet area each, which is about 4,077 feet of air 
 per minute for one lb. of coal consumed. 
 
 Rules and Regulations to be observed by the Workmen employed at the 
 
 Morfa Colliery. 
 
 More than six men are in no case to ride at one time, and the engine-man is to lessen 
 the speed of the engine to one-half. 
 
 The firemen are to enter the colliery every morning at a sufficiently early hour to enable 
 them to try each stall where a man is required to work ; and, having done so, to report to 
 the overman the state of the colliery before the arrival of the men. As an additional pre- 
 caution, should they find any stall dangerous, they are required to fix a signal board, with 
 the words " No person to enter this stall." 
 
 The cutter is required to see either the overman or fireman before proceeding to his 
 work. Should the cutter at any time consider that his stall is in a dangerous state, he is at 
 once to leave it, and report the same to the overman. 
 
 The onsetter must send all the men and boys up the pit before he leaves the pit bottom. 
 
 The bankman must not leave the top of the pit until the onsetter has come to bank. 
 
 No cutter or trammer is allowed to use a safety-lamp without its being first examined by 
 the lamp inspector, and then locked, and again re-examined by the overman or fireman. 
 
 Should any accident happen to a lamp while in use, by which the oil may be spilt upon 
 
 the 
 
SELECT COMMITTEE ON ACCIDENTS IN COAL MINES. 
 
 93 
 
 the gauze, or by which it might in any other way be rendered unsafe, it is immediately to Appendix, No. 3. 
 
 be taken out to the station fixed upon by the overman, and not again used until after having 
 
 been properly examined by the overman or fireman. 
 
 Any cutter, trammer, or workman, on the appearance of fire-damp, is to retreat to a pure 
 atmosphere. 
 
 All persons to whom the safety-lamp is entrusted are strictly prohibited from interfering 
 in any way whatever with the lamp, beyond the necessary trimming of the wick with the 
 picker ; and the lamp is not to be placed within three feet of the side of the goaf, and not 
 nearer the face of the coal than five feet. 
 
 Should any cutter, trammer, or other person, when in charge of a safety-lamp, lose his 
 light, he is to take it to the station fixed upon by the overman, to be relighted ; and, when 
 relighted, it is to be examined and locked by the fireman before being again used. 
 
 It is particularly requested that any person witnessing improper treatment of the safety- 
 lamp, will give immediate information to the overman in charge of the pit, in order that 
 proper steps may be taken to guard the lives of the workmen employed in the mine. 
 
 Smoking is not allowed in any part of the mine; and persons found so offending will be 
 liable to a fine of 10s., or be taken before a magistrate, and the fine to be paid to the 
 informer. 
 
 No candle to be taken nearer to the pillar working than the station fixed upon by the 
 overman ; and any one found with a lighted candle within that distance will be fined 10s., 
 the fine to be paid to the informer. 
 
 On no account is any person to keep a gun or dog of any kind. 
 
 No person is to have any description of gins, traps, or nets used for snaring game ; and, 
 if found with any, he will be fined 1 5s. 
 
 No one not connected with the colliery will be allowed to remain about it, and the time- 
 keeper will be fined 2s. 6d. for each person so offending. 
 
 The workmen that are employed at the colliery are required to keep the direct road, 
 and in nowise to trespass on the land by coming to or going from their work; and if found 
 so trespassing will be either discharged or fined. 
 
 Caution to all that are Working in the Pits at the Morfa Colliery. 
 
 1. Any person found smoking tobacco, or has in his possession pipes, tubes, cigars, or 
 lucifer matches within these pits will be fined one guinea. 
 
 2. All blasting powder to be discharged by the overman or deputies. 
 
 3. Any other person in the coal-working district of the colliery discharging blasting 
 powder will be heavily fined. 
 
 The plans and section represent the working veins of coal. The principal vein is called 
 the Nine Feet Vein, but generally 11 feet thick, being with a very strong bottom; the top 
 is black shale, two feet thick, which is very soft loose stuff. Upon strata, is a very strong 
 cliff, with lines of rock. This vein generally runs 11 feet thick; seven feet of coal is taken 
 away in the stall until holed at the top, and the top coal brought back. 
 
 Average run of air about 3,000 yards. 
 
 South Fawr Vein has a very soft bottom; puck very much. Shaley coal mixed 
 
 through the thill. Pretty good top. 
 
 North Fawr Vein has a very fair bottom and top. 
 
 The ventilation is carried on by the splitting system. 
 
 The air is divided at the pit bottom ; one part goes west and ventilates a vein not at 
 work, known as the Four Feet Vein ; the next is a main split, one part going north to air 
 South and North Fawr Veins; it there splits again, one part to the South Fawr, and the 
 other part to the North Fawr, both returns are brought into a return drift, and joins the 
 Four Feet return, and keeps the course to the furnace. The other part is taken 300 
 yards through a stone drift, 70 feet area, and splits east and west. The air has a double run 
 east, or two intakes, and two returns at the highest part of the work by two returns left 
 near the crop with the first pillar left below to support the return, so that any gas flowing 
 from the edge of the goaf as the angle of the vein is generally 20 degrees. No gas can 
 remain in the excavated part, but this support pillar must be taken out eventually, and the 
 whole laid down after no district is left behind. 
 
 Three years ago we had an explosion, in which seven men lost their lives. One man 
 since killed by a falL of coal. One with not getting properly into the cage or carriage 
 coming up the pit. 
 
 Three at different times on the surface railway. One of these, a stoker on the locomotive ; 
 another was run over by the locomotive at night, he being very deaf. The other trying to 
 get on to the train when in motion, and fell under the wagon. 
 
 (423.— II.) M 3 Description 
 
94 
 
 APPENDIX : — ACCIDENTS IN COAL MINES. 
 
 Appendix, No. 3. 
 
 Description of Furnace. 
 
 The ventilation is by furnace. 
 
 The height of the furnace 10 feet under the fire arch, and one foot between fire arch and 
 protection arch, to prevent the upper strata from taking fire. 
 
 Breadth of furnace, eight feet ; about six inches of masonry on each side of the fire bars, 
 to prevent burning the main arch ; reducing the breadth of the fire to seven feet. Length 
 of bars 9 feet 6 inches, making 66^ feet superficial. All the surface cannot be covered 
 with fire, say 60 feet of working space, burning about 2^ tons of coal per 24 hours, pro- 
 ducing 68,500 per minute, which is rarefied from 62°, before going on to the furnace, to 
 163°, 20 feet from the top of the upcast pit. Three-fourths of the air is carried over the 
 furnace, and one-fourth taken into the upcast by a separate drift, generally called the dumb 
 drift. This air joins the hot steam from the underground engine. 
 
 Temperature of air before getting into the furnace, 62 degrees. 
 
 Temperature of air at the top of furnace, before entering the shaft, 230 degrees. 
 
 Temperature at middle shaft, 40 fathoms, 195 degrees. 
 
 Temperature at top of upcast shaft, 163 degrees. 
 
 Temperature at the bottom of downcast shaft, 58 degrees. 
 
 Water-gauge, nine-tenths of an inch, equal to 5 lbs. per foot. 
 
 17,655 feet of air per minute, heated from 62 degrees up to 163 degrees, at the top of the 
 pit, by one lb. of coal. 
 
 Steam to work an underground engine is brought down the upcast pit from a boiler at 
 surface ; this steam to some extent heats the air, and adds to the ventilation. 
 
 Section of Pit. 
 
 Upcast pit is sunk at a distance of 300 yards, full rise of the measures from the down- 
 cast, bearing S. 39 VV. Distance under ground is much more by bearing level course 
 100 yards, and 300 yards full rise, and 100 yards back to the pit, which makes the distance 
 500 yards to travel from pit to pit. As the vein lies at an angle of from 20 to 30 degrees, 
 the vein at the bottom of downcast pit crops at the gravel before reaching the upcast. 
 The upcast pit cuts the present working Nine Feet Vein between 60 and 70 fathoms from 
 the surface, as shown on section. 
 
 The furnace is placed at the depth of about 80 fathoms from the surface ; in this vein 
 of coal, about 70 yards from the ingate of upcast pit. 
 
 The upcast pit is tubbed off at the depth of 30 fathoms, by fire-bricks and lias lime ; the 
 other part is walled up to the tubbing, making the whole distance walled from the furnace 
 area of upcast, 90 feet. Downcast is tubbed off at 20 fathoms from the surface, divided 
 into winding and pumping pits, making 70 feet area in both. 
 
 Expenses on Safety Lamps. 
 
 To Maintain and keep in Good Repair a sufficient number of Safety Lamps, to work 
 
 100,000 tons per Annum. 
 
 220 lamps in daily use on 300 working days per annum, 1,050 gallons £ s, d. 
 
 of oil, at an average of 2s. lOd. per gallon - - - 148 5 - 
 
 60 new lamps per annum, at 6s. Sd. - - - - 18 15 — 
 
 70 lbs. of fine cotton, at Is. 4d. per lb. - - - - 4 13 4 
 
 Wire-gauze, wire for poles, solder, tools, &c. - - - 10 - - 
 Wages : to oiling, trimming, and keeping the same in good repair, at 12s. 
 
 per week - - - - - - - - 314- 
 
 To locking lamps under ground, 300 at 6d. - - - 7 10 - 
 
 220 7 4 
 
 Cost of each light per day, 80' d. 
 
 Expenses on Candles. £ s. d. 
 
 To maintain 220 lights per day: — 180 workmen, averaging 10 hours per 
 day, using six candles each, of 30 to the pound; 40 boys averaging 
 12 hours per day, using seven candles each, of 30 to the pound, equal [> 340 - - 
 to 454- per day, at 6d. per pound, by allowing 300 working days per 
 annum ________ 
 
 Wages to one man for taking charge of these candles, and serving them 
 
 out, at 12s. per week - - - - - - 314- 
 
 £ 371 4 - 
 
 Cost of each light per day, 1 '34c?. 
 
SECOND REPORT 
 
 FROM THE 
 
 SELECT COMMITTEE 
 
 ON 
 
 ACCIDENTS IN COAL MINES; 
 
 WITH THE 
 
 MINUTES OF EVIDENCE, 
 
 AND 
 
 APPENDIX. 
 
 [Communicated from the Commons to the Lords.] 
 
 (423.— II.) 
 
 Ordered to be printed 15th August 1853. 
 
THIRD REPORT 
 
 FROM THE 
 
 SELECT COMMITTEE 
 
 ON 
 
 ACCIDENTS IN COAL MINES; 
 
 TOGETHER WITH THE 
 
 PROCEEDINGS OF THE COMMITTEE, 
 
 MINUTES OF EVIDENCE, 
 
 APPENDIX AND INDEX. 
 
 [Communicated from the Commons to the Lords.] 
 
 Ordered to be printed 15th August 1853. 
 
 (423,— III.) 
 
[ ii ] 
 
 Martis, 31° die Mail, 1853. 
 
 Ordered, That a Select Committee be appointed to inquire into the Causes of the 
 numerous Accidents in Coal Mines, with a view of suggesting the best Means for their 
 Prevention. 
 
 Jovis, 2° die Junii, 1853. 
 
 Committee nominated of, — 
 
 Mr. Hutchins. 
 Mr. Fitzroy. 
 Mr. Ingham. 
 Mr. Hussey Vivian. 
 Mr. Baird. 
 
 Mr. Cumming Bruce. 
 Mr. Cayley. 
 Colonel Pennant. 
 
 Mr. Mostyn. 
 Mr. Stephenson. 
 Viscount Goderich. 
 Mr. Farrer. 
 Mr. Child. 
 Mr. H. A. Bruce. 
 Mr. Cobbett. 
 
 Ordered, That the Committee have power to send for Persons, Papers, and Records. 
 Ordered, That Five be the Quorum of the Committee. 
 
 Jovis, 9° die Junii, 1853. 
 
 Ordered, That Viscount Goderich be discharged from further attendance on the Com- 
 mittee, and that Mr. Locke be added thereto. 
 
 Lunce, 27° die Junii, 1853. 
 
 Ordered, That the Committee have power to Report the Minutes of Evidence taken 
 before them from time to time to The House. 
 
 REPORT - 
 
 PROCEEDINGS OF THE COMMITTEE 
 MINUTES OF EVIDENCE 
 APPENDIX - 
 INDEX - 
 
 P- 
 P- 
 P- 
 
 ni 
 iv 
 1 
 
 - p. 114 
 
 - p. 185 
 
[ iH ] 
 
 THIRD REPORT. 
 
 THE SELECT COMMITTEE appointed to inquire into the Causes of 
 the numerous Accidents in Coal Mines, with a view of suggesting the 
 best Means for their Prevention, and Avho were empowered to send for 
 Persons, Papers, and Records, and to Report the Evidence taken before 
 them from time to time to The House, — 
 
 FT 
 
 JLJL 
 
 AVE made further progress in the Matters to them referred, and have 
 agreed to Report the Minutes of Evidence taken before them. 
 
 26 July 1853. 
 
 (423.— III.) a 2 
 
vi 
 
 PROCEEDINGS OF THE SELECT COMMITTEE 
 
 PROCEEDINGS OF THE COMMITTEE. 
 
 Lunce, 13° die Junii, 1853. 
 
 MEMBERS PRESENT : 
 
 Mr. Hutchins, in the Chair. 
 
 Mr. Fitzroy. 
 Mr. Hussey Vivian. 
 Mr. Baird. 
 Mr. Cayley. 
 Mr. Stephenson. 
 
 Joseph Dickinson, Esq., examined. 
 
 [Adjourned until Thursday, at Twelve o'clock. 
 
 Mr. iViostyn. 
 Mr. Farrer. 
 Mr. Child. 
 Mr. Cobhett. 
 Mr. Locke. 
 
 Jovis, 16° die Junii, 1853. 
 
 MEMBERS PRESENT : 
 
 Mr. Hutchins, in the Chair. 
 
 Mr. Hussey Vivian. 
 Mr. Mostyn. 
 Mr. Stephenson. 
 Mr. Fitzrov. 
 Mr. Baird." 
 
 Herbert Francis Mackworth, Esq., examined. 
 
 Mr. Locke. 
 Mr. Cayley. 
 Mr. Cobbett. 
 Mr. Farrer. 
 Mr. H. A. Bruce. 
 
 [Adjourned until Tuesday, at Two o'clock. 
 
 Martis, 21° die Junii, 1853. 
 
 MEMBERS PRESENT : 
 
 Mr. Hutchins, in the Chair. 
 
 Mr. Stephenson. Mr. Cayley. 
 
 Mr. Fitzroy. Mr. Cobbett. 
 
 Mr. Baird. Mr. Farrer. 
 
 Mr. Locke. Mr. H. A. Bruce. 
 
 Herbert Francis Machvorth, Esq., examined. 
 
 Joseph Dickinson, Esq., examined. 
 
 [Adjourned until Thursday, at Twelve o'clock. 
 
ON ACCIDENTS IN COAL MINES. 
 
 V 
 
 Jovis, 23° die Junii, 1853. 
 
 MEMBERS PRESENT : 
 
 Mr. Hutchins, in the Chair. 
 
 Mr. Cayley. 
 Mr. Ingham. 
 Mr. Hussey Vivian. 
 Mr. H. A. Bruce. 
 Mr. Baird. 
 
 Mr. Fitzroy. 
 Mr. Locke. 
 Mr. Farrer. 
 Mr. Mostyn. 
 
 Joseph Dickinson, Esq., examined. 
 
 Herbert Francis Mackworth, Esq., examined. 
 
 Edward Cayley, Esq., examined. 
 
 [Adjourned until Monday, at Twelve o'clock. 
 
 Lunce, 27° die Junii, 1853. 
 
 MEMBERS PRESENT : 
 
 Mr. Hutchins, in the Chair. 
 
 Mr. C. Bruce, 
 Mr. Baird. 
 Mr. Ingham. 
 
 Mr. Stephenson. 
 Mr. Fitzroy. 
 Mr. Locke. 
 Mr. Cayley. 
 
 Mr. .Cobbett. 
 Herbert Francis Mackworth, Esq., examined. 
 Mr. Martin Jude, examined. 
 
 [Adjourned until Thursday, at Twelve o'clock. 
 
 Jovis, 30° die Junii, 1853. 
 
 MEMBERS PRESENT : 
 
 Mr. Hutchins, in the Chair. 
 
 Mr. Cayley. 
 Mr. Cobbett. 
 Mr. Child. 
 Mr. Locke. 
 
 Mr. Martin Jude, examined. 
 
 Mr. Robert Henderson, examined. 
 
 Mr. Stephenson. 
 Mr. Mostyn. 
 Mr. Fitzroy. 
 Mr. Hussey Vivian. 
 
 Ordered, That the Minutes of Evidence, up to the 27 th instant inclusive, be reported to 
 The House. 
 
 [Adjourned until Monday, at Twelve o'clock. 
 
 (423.— III.) a 3 
 
VI 
 
 PROCEEDINGS OF THE SELECT COMMITTEE 
 
 Lunce, 4° die Julii, 1853. 
 
 MEMBERS PRESENT : 
 
 Mr. Hutchins, in the Chair. 
 
 Mr. Fitzroy. 
 Mr. Hussey Vivian. 
 Mr. Baird. 
 Mr. Cayley. 
 
 Mr. David Swallow, examined. 
 Mr. William Gray, examined. 
 
 Mr. Stephenson. 
 Mr. Mostyn. 
 Mr. Cobbett. 
 Mr. Locke. 
 
 [Adjourned until Thursday, at Twelve o'clock. 
 
 Jovis, 7° di e Julii, 1853. 
 
 MEMBERS PRESENT : 
 
 Mr. Hutchins, in the Chair. 
 
 Mr. Ingham. 
 Mr. Baird. 
 Mr. Cayley. 
 Mr. Stephenson. 
 
 Mr. Allan Tettlow, examined. 
 
 Nicholas Wood, Esq., examined. 
 
 Mr. Mostyn. 
 Mr. H. A. Bruce. 
 Mr. Cobbett. 
 Mr. Locke. 
 
 [Adjourned until Monday, at Twelve o'clock. 
 
 Lunce, 11° die Julii, 1853. 
 
 MEMBERS PRESENT: 
 
 Mr. Hutchins, in the Chair. 
 
 Mr. H. A. Bruce. 
 Mr. Cobbett. 
 Mr. Mostyn. 
 Mr. Locke. 
 
 Mr. Ingham. 
 Mr. Baird. 
 Mr. Cayley. 
 Mr. Stephenson. 
 
 Nicholas Wood, Esq., examined. 
 
 Ordered, That the Minutes of Evidence, up to the 10th instant inclusive, be reported t< 
 The House. 
 
 [Adjourned until Thursday, at Twelve o'clock. 
 
ON ACCIDENTS IN COAL MINES. 
 
 vii 
 
 Jovis, 13° die Julii, 1853. 
 
 MEMBERS PRESENT : 
 
 Mr. Hutchins, in the Chair. 
 
 Mr. Child. 
 Mr. Mostyn. 
 Mr. Cayley. 
 Mr. Baird. 
 
 Mr. Locke. 
 Mr. Ingham. 
 Mr. H. A. Bruce. 
 Mr. Cobbett. 
 
 Nicholas Wood, Esq., examined. 
 
 [Adjourned until Monday, at Twelve o'clock. 
 
 Jovis, 21° die Julii, 1853. 
 
 MEMBERS PRESENT: 
 
 Mr. Hutchins, in the Chair. 
 
 Mr. Child. 
 Mr. Cobbett. 
 Mr. Locke. 
 
 Mr. Ingham. 
 Mr. Baird. 
 Mr. Cayley. 
 
 J.Kenyon Blackwell, Esq., examined. 
 
 Goldsworthy Gurney, Esq., examined. 
 
 [Adjourned until Monday, at Twelve o'clock. 
 
 Lunce, 25° die Julii, 1853. 
 
 MEMBERS PRESENT : 
 
 Mr. Hutchins, in the Chair. 
 
 Mr. Cayley. 
 Mr. Cobbett. 
 Mr. Ingham. 
 
 Mr. Locke. 
 Mr. Baird. 
 Mr. H. A. Bruce. 
 
 Goldsworthy Gurney, Esq., examined. 
 Thomas Emerson Forster, Esq., examined. 
 
 [Adjourned until To-morrow, at Half-past Twelve o'clock. 
 
 Martis, 26° die Julii, 1853. 
 
 MEMBERS PRESENT: 
 
 Mr. Hutchins, in the Chair. 
 
 Mr. Ingham. 
 Mr. Cayley. 
 Mr. Mostyn. 
 
 Mr. H. A. Bruce. 
 Mr. Cobbett. 
 Mr. Locke. 
 
 Thomas Emerson Forster, Esq., examined. 
 
 up to this date, inclus 
 
 [Adjourned sine die. 
 
 Ordered, That the Minutes of Evidence up to this date, inclusive, be reported to The 
 House. 
 
 (423.— III.) a 4 
 
[ vii i ] 
 
 EXPENSES OF WITNESSES. 
 
 Swallow, D. 
 Jude, M. 
 Henderson, R. 
 Swallow, D. (additional) 
 Henderson, R. (ditto) 
 Tettlow, A. 
 Forster, T. E. 
 
 £ s. d. 
 
 15 0 0 
 
 11 2 0 
 
 10 17 0 
 
 3 15 0 
 
 3 2 0 
 
 19 10 0 
 
 20 0 6 
 
 LIST OF WITNESSES. 
 
 Lunce, 11° die Julii, 1853. 
 Nicholas Wood, Esq. - - - - - p. 1 
 
 Jovis, 14° die Junii, 1853. 
 Nicholas Wood, Esq. - - - - - p. 24 
 
 Jovis, 21° die Julii, 1853. 
 
 J. Kenyon Blackwell, Esq. - - - - - p. 48 
 
 Goldsworthy Gurney, Esq. - - - - - p. 72 
 
 Lunce, 25° die Julii, 1853. 
 
 Goldsworthy Gurney, Esq. - - - - -p. 81 
 
 Thomas Emerson Forster, Esq. - - - - p. 89 
 
 Martis, 26° die Julii, 1853. 
 Thomas Emerson Forster, Esq. - - - - p. 95 
 
[ 1 ] 
 
 MINUTES OF EVIDENCE. 
 
 Lunce, 11° die Julii, 1853. 
 
 MEMBERS PRESENT. 
 
 Mr. Hutchins. 
 Mr. Ingham. 
 Mr. Baird. 
 Mr. Cay ley. 
 Mr. Stephenson. 
 
 Mr. H. A. Bruce. 
 Mr. Cobbett. 
 Mr. Mostyn. 
 Mr. Locke, 
 
 EDWARD J. HUTCHINS, Esq., in the Chair. 
 
 Nicholas Wood, Esq., called in ; and further Examined. 
 
 3444. Chairman.'] AT the last meeting of the Committee, you concluded the Wood, Esq. 
 
 statement of your experiments at Hetton Colliery, and were going- to detail some ~~ 
 
 experiments at Tyne Main Colliery with the steam jet, without the aid of any 11 Ju,v 1 Sm- 
 other kind of heat? — Yes. I wish, before entering upon that subject, to direct 
 
 the attention of the Committee to some general results of the Hetton experiments, 
 which are given in Tables 22, 25, and 31. With reference to natural ventila- 
 tion, I would refer to Tables A and B of the experiments in the Appendix; and 
 with reference to furnace ventilation, to the Tables V. and VIE 1 have y^ e Experiments, 
 stated in my evidence, that the result of the experiments upon the consumption Appendix, 
 of coal at Hetton Colliery with three furnaces, was 11,066 cubic feet per minute 
 for each pound of coal, and with one furnace, 16,320 cubic feet per minute for 
 each pound of coal. I have likewise obtained an account of the practical working 
 of the furnace at 17 collieries in the neighbourhood of Newcastle, being the 
 result of an inquiry by Professor Phillips. I have tabulated them in Table C, 
 and the average of the furnaces of 17 collieries is 13,076 cubic feet of air per 
 
 minute for each pound of coal. — (The Witness delivered in the same, and also v -i 0 v „ • 
 
 r v > vide iixpenments, 
 
 lables A. ana r>.) Appendix. 
 
 3445. Mr. Locke.] Do the results of those experiments confirm the evidence 
 which you gave before this Committee on the last day of its sitting ? — They do. 
 
 3446. The 13,076 cubic feet per minute, is very nearly the average that had 
 heen produced by the experiments which you yourself had made ? — Yes, the 
 average was 13,693 ; and the average of 17 furnaces, ascertained by returns 
 from the different collieries by Professor Phillips, gives 13,076 cubic feet per 
 
 minute. I would refer also to Table III. of the experiments, giving the power Vide Experiments, 
 of ventilation of furnaces with different depths of shafts, and at temperatures Appendix, 
 ranging from 32° to 212°; by which Table, knowing the temperature in, and the 
 depth of the shaft, you may ascertain the power of ventilation of a shaft of any 
 depth, ranging from 120 to 1,200 feet. 
 
 3447. Will you state what is the meaning of the first column, " Tempera- 
 ture " ? — Taking the depth of the shaft at 120 feet, at a temperature of 32° for the 
 down-cast weight of air in that shaft, will be 9,710 lbs. ; and if the tempe- 
 rature of the up-cast be 150°, the weight of the column is 7,829 lbs. ; therefore 
 the difference between the two, is the power of the furnace in that shaft, which 
 will be about 2 lbs. to the square foot ; and then taking the area of the shaft, 
 you have a ventilating power of 2 lbs. per square foot, multiplied by the area ; 
 and so with any other depth. If you go, in the same line, to a depth of 1,200 
 feet, you have 97,104 lbs. as the weight of the column of the down-cast, and you 
 have 78,289 lbs. as the weight of the column of the up-cast ; the difference 
 being about 19 lbs. per square foot ; therefore, for every square foot of area of 
 shaft, the Table gives the ventilating power of a shaft of that depth. I will now 
 state the consumption of coal by furnaces, with a view of showing the practical 
 
 0.76. A working, 
 
MINUTES OF EVIDENCE TAKEN BEFORE THE 
 
 N. Wood, Esq. working of Table III. Table V., page 47, shows that with a width of furnaces of 
 25 feet, the consumption of coal is 18-86 lbs. per minute, or in round numbers, 
 
 n July 1853. three- quarters of a pound for each foot of width in furnace ; the quantity of coal 
 consumed, being of course in the ratio of the width of the furnace. In the expe- 
 riments, Table VII., one furnace consumed 7,280 lbs. per minute, which is equal to 
 0*8 lb. for each foot of width of furnace ; and I find that as a general rule, with 
 well constructed furnaces, it may be taken as a standard, that a good furnace will 
 consume three-quarters of a pound of coal per minute for each foot of width. 
 I 344$. Mr. Baird.~] Irrespective of the length r — No; the length being about 
 four feet. The length of open grate is generally the same. 
 
 3449. At all widths ?— Yes. With reference to the working power of that 
 quantity uf coal, you will find, on referring to Table V., page 47, that the whole 
 quantity of air was 208,466 cubic feet per minute, and that this was heated from 
 69° to 130°, or 61°. Multiplying the quantity of air heated by 61°, and dividing- 
 it by 18-86 lbs. per minute, gives the cubic feet of air heated one degree with each 
 pound of coal; and that you will find is 674,260 cubic feet of air heated 1° with 
 each pound of coal. In Experiment Table VII., we have 164,750 cubic feet heated 
 29]° with 10-11 lbs. of coal per minute, which gives 480,724 cubic feet of air 
 heated 1° with each pound of coal, which is less than the former one ; but iii this 
 experiment the temperature was affected by water falling on the thermometer. In 
 Table C, which I have quoted as the result of 17 furnaces, you will find that the 
 average of the whole was 13,076 cubic feet of air per minute heated from 66° to 
 108° with each pound of coal ; and that gives as the result 547,680 cubic feet of 
 air heated 1° with each pound of coal. 1 have therefore taken, as a general result, 
 550,000 cubic feet of air heated 1° with each pound of coal, and that each foot 
 in width of a furnace would consume three-quarters of a pound of coal per 
 minute. 
 
 3450. In speaking of a foot of furnace, you mean a furnace four feet long? — 
 Yes. 
 
 3451. That would give an area of four feet? — Yes. 
 
 34.52. Mr. Baird.~\ Did you find that four feet was the best length ? — Yes. If it 
 is made longer than four feet, it is very apt to become uncovered with fire on, 
 in the back of the grate, and then the air gets through the bars without heating. 
 I give the above as a practical standard for furnace ventilation. I should observe, 
 that this is only accomplished w hen the air is made to pass over the furnace, so 
 that all the smoke is consumed; and it is very important in furnace ventilation, 
 that this should be attended to. When a furnace is properly worked, the whole of 
 the coal is entirely consumed, and no smoke whatever goes into the shaft. This 
 is very important ; because any unconsumed 'coal or smoke going into the shaft 
 adds to the weight of the column of air; and in well-worked furnaces, we con- 
 sequently find that we can get out of the coal the entire heat that it produces ; 
 550,000 cubic feet of air heated 1° with each pcund of coal, being a very great 
 practical result. I mention this more particularly, inasmuch as when we have 
 to judge of jet ventilation, where the coal is consumed not by a furnace in this 
 manner, by the air passing over the top of it, but where the air passes underneath 
 the bars, throwing oft' a great part of the smoke unconsumed, there is a very 
 great loss of fuel between the consumption of coal in a boiler fire and in a well- 
 regulated furnace ; I shall afterwards give the result of this. Before leaving the 
 subject of furnace ventilation, I may observe, and the Committee will see, that 
 the power of the furnace depends upon the depth of the shaft ; and that a shaft of 
 600 feet is double the power of one of 300 feet ; but in applying the furnace to 
 ventilate deep mines or shafts, we require a higher water-gauge. Taking the 
 example of the Hetton shaft, we find that a water-gauge of two inches is acquired, 
 which the depth of that shaft enables you to do ; the quantity of air in Table XX. 
 is 229,918 cubic feet per minute. In a shaft of a fourth of that depth, you would 
 acquire a water-guage of half an inch or one fourth ; and that water-guage of half 
 an inch gives by the Table a quantity of air of 123,463 cubic feet per minute ; and 
 as the facility of sinking shafts at small depths is greater than at very great 
 depths, we see that with shafts of small depths, even of 50 or 60 fathoms, we get 
 a lower water-gauge, corresponding with the power of the shaft, but amply suffi- 
 cient for any ventilation required in mines or shafts of smaller depths. The Table 
 XX. on the height of water-gauge, which is given in the Appendix, will show 
 what quantity of air is obtained with the different heights of water-gauge. I 
 find that in several of the shafts in my charge, at small depths, varying from 40 
 
 to 
 
SELECT COMMITTEE ON ACCIDENTS IN COAL MINES. 
 
 3 
 
 to 60 fathoms, the water-gauge is as low as one-third of an inch, and not N. Wood, lisq. 
 
 higher than half an inch ; and that with a water-gauge of that magnitude, which 
 
 a shaft of 40 or 50, or 60 fathoms will easily acquire by a furnace, we get quan- 1 1 July 1853. 
 
 tities of air varying from 30,000 to 60,000 cubic feet per minute, which is 
 
 quite sufficient for the ventilation of collieries of that magnitude. 
 
 3453. Chairman.] When you speak of collieries of that magnitude, you mean 
 with reference to the depth, because of the facility of putting down other shafts, 
 and that it is not impossible that a colliery at 60 yards depth may be of as great 
 a magnitude as a colliery at a depth of 300 fathoms ? — If it is, then we must, have 
 a comparatively larger area of shaft, or a greater number of them, to produce the 
 same result. In each individual shaft you cannot get the same power as you 
 have in a deeper shaft; but you obtain the same result by a greater number of 
 shafts. 
 
 3454. Mr. Ingham.] How many acres of working could you ventilate by 
 50,000 or 60,000 cubic feet of air per minute r — I think you may ventilate a 
 colliery of 1,000 acres, with 50,000 or 60,000 cubic feet of air per minute; 
 and a quantity of coal worked of about 120,000 tons a year. 
 
 3455. Mr. Locke. I Does not that depend on the thickness of the miner — 
 Partly, and partly on the quantity of gas. 
 
 3456. Chairman."] Would that amount of air be sufficient for such an extent 
 of working in the most fiery mines, and under the most unfavourable circum- 
 stances ? — No, I think not. The most powerfully ventilated colliery under my 
 charge was Tyne Main. There was an immense discharge of gas from the low- 
 main coal ; so much so, that on applying a candle at any of the working Lords, 
 there was immediately produced a mass of flame throughout the whole of the 
 face of the bord ; and with that discharge of gas the mine was ventilated witli 
 perfect safety, working with candles, by having a quantity of atmospheric 
 air very much more than sufficient to dilute the quantity of gas. There were 
 two divisions in that colliery: one had 46,000 cubic feet of air per minute, and 
 the other had 54,000 cubic feet of air per minute; and these currents were 
 taken through an extent of about 40 working places. The dilution was so 
 complete, that without any dumb drift to the furnace, and although the working 
 places were not 400 yards from the furnace, the air came to the furnace so diluted 
 that it was perfectly safe, and we never had an accident or explosion. 
 
 3457. Mr. Locke.] Can you give the Committee an idea of the number of 
 bords ? — I think 50. 
 
 3458. What is the width of a bord ? — Between four and five yards. 
 
 3459. And the height ? — Six feet. 
 
 3460. Mr. Baird.~\ Did you make any calculation as to the quantity of air 
 that was supplied to each man ? — I think there would be about 80 hewers in the 
 mine, and probably 50 other people. That gives about 800 cubic feet per minute 
 for each person. 
 
 346 1. Mr. Locke.] In giving the dimensions, you were understood to state that 
 there would be an area equal to about 4,000 or 5,000 feet of what you call open 
 face, at which the men work ?— No ; about 1,500 square feet of face. 
 
 3462. If a greater number of men were at work, or a greater number of bords 
 were opened, would you think it desirable to increase the quantity of air sup- 
 plied, namely, 100,000 feet? — That quantity was more than sufficient for the 
 purpose. 
 
 3463. Does not the safe ventilation of a mine depend, to a great extent, upon 
 the open face of working of coal ; and would you not ascertain that fact before 
 you determined upon the quantity of air which ought to be supplied to a mine? 
 — Yes ; it depends upon the extent of face which is opened day after day, and 
 that face yielding the gas. After the face is driven forward, there is generally 
 no very great discharge of gas from the pillars. 
 
 3464. In point of fact, is not the constant supply of noxious air in a mine very 
 much influenced by the amount of open face where the men are at work ? — It is. 
 Except in case of sudden discharges of blowers, it is precisely in the ratio of the 
 quantity of face opened daily. 
 
 3465. Therefore that being so, would the deduction you have given the Com- 
 mitlee form this result : that a face of work equivalent to about 1,500 square 
 feet of area of fresh working, would be well maintained by a supply of 50,000 
 or 60,000 cubic feet of air per minute ; as, for instance, at Tyne Main ? — The 
 quantity at Tyne Main was about 100,000 cubic feet for that area of face. 
 
 0.76. A 2 3466. Mr. 
 
4 
 
 MINUTES OF EVIDENCE TAKEN BEFORE THE 
 
 JSf. Wood, Esq. 3466. Mr. Baird.] That was more than sufficient ?— It was certainly more 
 i8<-< than ( ' ou \^ e - I* was sufficient in this case, and it certainly would have been much 
 11 my 1 So- m0 re sufficient in any other case of which I have had any experience. It was 
 the greatest discharge of gas of any colliery that has come under my experience. 
 
 3467. Mr. Locke i] You think that in that case, one-half the quantity of air 
 would have ventilated the 50 bords ? — I think it would with safety. 
 
 3468. Can you state the number of men working in that mine ? — About 130, 
 including the workmen and putters. 
 
 3469. Chairman.] Will you now proceed to the experiments at Killingworth 
 Colliery ? — At Killingworth the boilers were placed upon the surface. You will 
 
 Vide Experiments, find the description in page 49 ; plate II., figures 2 and 3, show the mode of 
 Appendix. applying it. 
 
 3470. Mr. Cayley.~\ Does it state the striking distances ? — The boilers were 
 placed on the surface ; the steam was carried down the shaft to the bottom of the pit. 
 
 3471. Without any cylinders? — In a steam pipe. 
 
 3472. One pipe ? — One pipe; then it was carried into a receiver at the bottom 
 of the shaft, shown at C, and from that receiver it was carried to the jets. The 
 steam was carried by a pipe ten inches in diameter to a receiver, which is shown 
 in figure 2, plate II., and was then carried in a pipe up the shaft about 30 feet, 
 and so applied as jets, as shown in figure 6. The diameter of the shaft was 14 feet, 
 divided into four divisions, and the jets were applied in one of those divisions, as 
 shown in figure 6, plate II. The experiments that were made are given in Tables 
 IX., X., XI., XII., XIII., and XIV. Table XXI. shows the results as regards the 
 water-gauge, or drag of the air at different velocities. Tables XXIII. and 
 XXVII. show the general result. I should state that part of the experiments 
 which I have mentioned was the application of the jets at the top of the pit. 
 I had the same jets removed to the top of the pit, the boilers and everything 
 being retained as before. That was done with a vieAV of ascertaining the relative 
 effect of jets placed at the bottom of the pit, and jets placed at the top of the pit. 
 
 3473. Chairman.] Did you take the pressure of steam at the point where it 
 went into the jet in the receiver? — Yes; in the experiment of the jets at the 
 bottom of the pit, the pressure of steam was taken at the boiler on the surface, 
 and at the receiver at the bottom of the pit ; and the steam passed into the jets 
 between the boiler and the receiver; so that the pressure of the steam was ascer- 
 tained correctly. 
 
 3474. Mr. Cayley.] What was the pressure ? — The pressure varied. It was 
 generally 40 lbs. 
 
 347,5. Mr. Locke.] Can you state to the Committee, the amount of air that 
 was extracted, per pound of coal used, in the same way that you gave it in 
 Tables V., VI., and VII., in your former evidence, as the result of the operations 
 of the furnace? — In these experiments, the quantity of coal consumed by the 
 furnace was not ascertained ; but it was ascertained by the boilers producing the 
 steam. My object in making those experiments, was not so much with reference 
 to the quantity of coal consumed, as the actual comparative power applied in the 
 two cases. I relied on the consumption of coal upon the experiments which were 
 made at Hetton and at Tyne Main, and not upon the experiments which were 
 made at Killingworth, which could not be very well made satisfactorily. Table 
 XXIII. shows the comparative power of the different modes of ventilation, without 
 reference to the quantity of coal. The natural ventilation produced 12,040 cubic 
 feet per minute, the natural ventilation in this case not being affected by any fur- 
 nace at all. There had been no furnace in operation in that shaft for more than 20* 
 years, so that the natural ventilation was precisely what the return air made it, 
 when I applied the steam, without the jets in the shaft; and here the steam was 
 entirely free from any smoke or effect of the boiler fires, as it was in the case of 
 Hetton. 
 
 3476. What do you mean by applying steam? — The steam was allowed to- 
 issue out of the steam-pipe, without passing through jets. 
 
 3477. Can you state the dimensions of that steam-pipe? — The pipe going- 
 down the shaft was 10 inches in diameter, and the steam issued out of a pipe 6- 
 inches in diameter into the shaft. 
 
 3478. Then in point of fact, it was a steam jet of a large size, and the velocity 
 consequently decreased on issuing from that pipe ? — Yes. 
 
 3479. Chairman-] W 7 here was that ? — At the bottom of the shaft. 
 
 3480. Mr. Locke.] Can you state at what speed that steam would issue ? — 
 
 No ; 
 
SELECT COMMITTEE ON ACCIDENTS IN COAL MINES. 5 
 
 No ; I have not ascertained it there. I have ascertained the velocity with which N. Wood, Esq. 
 
 the steam issued from the jets out of the boiler, but not from the large pipe. 
 
 3 4) 8 1 . Then the column showing 30,472 cubic feet of air per minute, is the 11 July 1853. 
 column arising from issuing the steam out of a 10-inch pipe contracted into a 
 6-inch pipe ? — Yes ; I consider that the ventilation there was accomplished by 
 the heating power of the steam alone in the shaft, and not by any force at all. The 
 natural ventilation was 68°, and the steam raised the temperature of the shaft to 
 100" ; and it was the difference between 68° and 100°, which formed the increased 
 quantity of air, and that gave the quantity of 30,472 cubic feet per minute. 
 Things being in that state, a cock was turned which threw the steam through 
 the jets, instead of going quietly into the shaft; and in that way I expect that 
 I got the mechanical power of the jets correctly; the quantity of steam issuing 
 into the shaft in both experiments being precisely the same. The quantity of 
 air was increased from 30,472 cubic feet per minute to34,456 cubic feet per minute. 
 
 3482. And the temperature was raised 4°? — The temperature was raised 
 4°, so that the jets in that case, as a mechanical force, gave about 4,000 cubic 
 feet per minute. 
 
 3483. Pursuing that experiment further, what is meant by the column which 
 is called " Furnace" alone? — After that, was done, I had a furnace (which as 
 I have said had not been lighted for 20 years) lighted, and then applied to the 
 shaft. The furnace was seven feet in width. 
 
 3484. That will represent an area of 28 feet ? — Yes ; and the result of that 
 was, a quantity of air equal to 38,050 cubic feet per minute. I then applied 
 the jets and the steam in addition to the furnace, to show the effect of the jets 
 as an auxiliary to the furnace. The experiment between 34,456 cubic feet per 
 minute and 38,050 cubic feet per minute, was the jets as a substitute for the 
 furnace ; and this experiment was the jets acting as an auxiliary to the fur- 
 nace ; and that gave a quantity of 44,630 cubic feet of air per minute, the 
 temperature being raised from 153° to 173°. This result was attained by the 
 effect of the jets producing a more vigorous furnace ; the additional 4,000 feet 
 of air going up the shaft, produced a greater draught on the furnace, and raised 
 the temperature from 153° to 173° ; so that, the 6,000 cubic feet is not entirely 
 attributable to the mechanical force of the jets, but partly to the additional 
 temperature in the shaft. 
 
 3485. It appears that the temperature in that case was only rai.-ed from 153° 
 to 173°, and that there was an increase in the quantity of air passing of about 
 6,000 feet; whereas in the preceding experiment, namely, between the jets of 
 steam and the use of the furnace, it appears that it was necessary almost to 
 increase the temperature of the shaft about 50°, namely, from 104° to 153°, and 
 that there was only an increase of 4,000 feet in the use of the furnace, by that 
 large increase of temperature ; can you explain how that apparent discrepancy 
 arises ? — That is partly owing to the increased water-gauge at the higher velo- 
 city ; if you look at Plate V., you will see the increase, in one experiment, of 
 the water-gauge. You will observe the effect of the steam acts on a water- 
 gauge 0'55 of an inch and the jets on a water-gauge of 0*70 of an inch, and 
 then the furnace, on a water-gauge of 095 ; but when you come to apply the 
 furnace and jets, it is operating on a water-gauge of an inch and a quarter ; so 
 that the quantity of air is diminished in proportion to the increase in the resisting 
 medium ; the resisting medium being in the one case at 0*70, and in the other 
 at 1*25. 
 
 3486. Would not the water-gauge rise in the last experiment, where you put 
 on the steam jets along with the furnace, by which a great quantity of air was 
 extracted from the mine, and the temperature raised ? — The water-gauge rose 
 0*3 of an inch ; and therefore the effect or the furnace and the jets upon the 
 increased water-gauge was less than upon a lower gauge. The resisting power 
 in one case was 1*25, and in the other it was only 0*70. There is, therefore, a 
 correspondingly less increase of effect ; and that shows the necessity of keeping 
 the ventilation at a low water-gauge. If you work at a high gauge, the mechanical 
 power has a correspondingly less effect. 
 
 3487. According to Table XX III., the useful effect was increased to the extent 
 of 6,000 feet, by the addition of the jets to the furnace ? — Yes. 
 
 3488. That increase of 6,000 feet was the result of raising the temperature 
 from 153 u to 173°, whilst, according to the preceding column, the increased 
 effect was only 4,000 feet, and the temperature had been raised nearly 50°? — 
 
 0.76. a 3 Yes, 
 
6 
 
 MINUTES OF EVIDENCE TAKEN BEFORE THE 
 
 if. Wood, Esq. Yes. When the furnace was applied, in addition to the jets and steam, the 
 water-gauge was lower than when the jets and steam was applied in addition to 
 
 3i July 1853. the furnace ; and although the increase of temperature was less with the jets and 
 the steam, yet the column in the shaft was lighter rilled with steam than with 
 heated air and smoke; so that the same comparative effect does not result. 
 
 3489. Do you attribute that discrepancy to the lighter column arising from 
 steam, as compared with that of air ? — There is some difference to be attributed 
 to that, and also to the resistance by the increased velocity of the air. 
 
 3490. Did you take precautions, in this furnace experiment, to consume the 
 air as thoroughly as you stated it was desirable to do, in the former part of your 
 evidence ? — The same precautions, but not so effectually. 
 
 3491. Then you think, probably, that in that case, the combustion of the air 
 passing over the furnace was not quite so good as it might have been ? — I think 
 it was not quite, although there would not be very much difference. It was an 
 old pit, and the air was brought round a short distance with a view of performing 
 the experiment, the general ventilation of the colliery being at a considerable 
 distance. I do not, how r ever, attribute very much to that effect. 
 
 3492. Mr. CayleyT^ Is it your opinion that the water-gauge is a measure of 
 the power of ventilation ? — The water-gauge I think is a correct measure of the 
 drag of the air from the door on which it is placed, until the air returns to the 
 other side of the door. 
 
 3493. That is, you state that the water-gauge is a measure of the power of 
 ventilation ? — No ; it is only the indicator of the resistance of the air around 
 the workings of the mine, trom the bottom of the down-shaft to the bottom of the 
 up-cast. 
 
 3494. Is not the resistance in some measure proportioned to the pull? — There 
 is another species of resistance, which I explained on the last day; there is a 
 resistance over the furnace, or through the cylinders of the jets, as they may be 
 applied, in addition to the drag of the air. 
 
 3495. Of what do you consider the water-gauge to be the measure? — The 
 drag of the air around the workings of the mine ; but there is another resist- 
 ance, which is the resistance of the same air going over the furnace, or through 
 the cylinders of the jets, and up the shaft ; and if you speak of the general power 
 of ventilation, you must take into account both those resistances. 
 
 3496. What is the greatest disturbance of the water-gauge by the jet in any 
 of your experiments? — That is shown in Tables XX., XXL, and XXII. ; and the 
 greatest water-gauge was l'l inch ; that is shown in Table XXI. 
 
 3497. Why was it not greater ? — Because the jets had not power to make it 
 greater. 
 
 3498. Is it your opinion, that no greater effect can be produced by the jet on 
 the water-gauge than was attained in your experiments? — Not by the jet of the 
 dimensions shown there upon an area of shaft equal to that given. 
 
 3409. If any other size could produce a greater effect, why was not that used? 
 — In that case there were three boilers used to produce it. 
 
 3500. Then your opinion is, that you obtained the maximum of the steam jet 
 in the way you applied it ? — With three boilers as applied. 
 
 3501. Mr. Locke.} Give the dimension of those boilers? — I think they were 
 34 feet long, and five feet in diameter. 
 
 3502. Can you give the area of the grates in those boilers? — They are what 
 are called flash flues ; I give in the experiment the quantity of water evaporated 
 per minute, when the jets were in operation. 
 
 3503. Can you state the area of the grates ? — The area of the grates was five 
 feet by four feet for each boiler. 
 
 3504. Mr. Cayley.~] You have described various modes of ventilation, natural, 
 furnace, and steam jet ; the two former act through the means of the difference 
 in the up-cast and the down-cast? — They do. 
 
 3505. Is it a necessary part of the efficiency of the steam jet, that the tempera- 
 ture should lie much considered ? — Certainly ; because if you have a power act- 
 ing before you apply the jets, you must know what that power amounts to, 
 before you can ascertain what power the jets will give you in addition. 
 
 350b. Is it not the province of natural ventilation, or of furnace ventilation, 
 to act through the principle of rarefaction ? — Yes. 
 
 3507. Is it not the main province of the steam jet to act mechanically ? — If 
 the steam jet is placed at the top of the pit, then it acts entirely mechanically ; 
 
 but 
 
SELECT COMMITTEE ON ACCIDENTS IN COAL MINES. 
 
 but. if is placed at the bottom of the pit, then the boiler fires and steam act by jv". Wood, Esq* 
 rareiaction, in addition to the mechanical force of the jet. — _ 
 
 3508. If you produce ventilation by the heat of the boilers or by a furnace, H July 1853, 
 at the same time that you are using the steam jet, and that heat produces a suffi- 
 cient rarefaction to produce, say, an effect on the water-gauge of two inches, and 
 
 if you then apply the jet with an insufficient pressure, so as to produce a power 
 beneath that which you have previously obtained, will not the power of the 
 steam jet be a nullity ; or in other words, if you apply the steam jet, so as to 
 produce a less power than you are previously applying by the furnace, may you 
 then make it appear that the steam jet is producing no effect under those cir- 
 cumstances? — In all my experience, supposing that a certain amount of ventila- 
 tion is acquired by the furnace and by the heat of the boiler fires, and then you 
 apply the steam jet, you get a certain amount of mechanical power by that jet ; 
 and that is given in the experiments. 
 
 3509. Is it not a condition of the steam-jet ventilation that the whole of the 
 column of air, within the shaft, should be lifted? — Yes; the whole depth of the 
 shaft. 
 
 3510. And that, in point of fact, instead of rarefaction driving up the air, as 
 it were, through the mine by its lightness from increased rarefaction, the 
 steam jet acts mechanically, by driving the whole column of air before it up 
 the shaft? — Yes; but I beg to refer to Plates X. and XL, No. 3, which will 
 show the action of the jet and the column of air lifted up within the shaft, 
 when the jets were applied at Killingworth. The jets were applied at the 
 bottom of the shaft ; and the diagram, No. 3, shows the effect of those jets 
 acting on the column of air in the shaft ; and it will be observed that the effect 
 of the jets is to push, as it were, the column of air at a more rapid rate imme- 
 diately above the jets, and to produce an increased vacuum for a short distance, 
 and then the effect of the jets ceases. Where that diagram is expanded, it shows 
 the effect of the jets acting on the column of air, and that the effect is simply 
 to push the column of air upwards rapidly, immediately above the jets, and 
 above that to increase the density of that column. The effect of the mechanical 
 force of the jets is therefore counteracted by the increased density of the column 
 above ; and if you compare No. 2 and No. 3 in those diagrams (the one being 
 the effect of the steam in the shaft before the jets were applied, and the other 
 being the effect after the jets were applied), you will see that the density, being 
 shown by the increased area of those diagrams respectively, is less in the entire 
 column of No. 2 than it is in the entire column of No. 3 ; therefore the effect of 
 the jets, as I have before stated, is to operate on the air immediately above 
 them, so as to put the air in motion, but in the column above, it increases the 
 density of that column, and so diminishes the effect. 
 
 351 1. Then you do not believe that the column of the shaft was lifted by the 
 arrangement you made? — The diagram, being the result of experiments, shows 
 the precise amount of lift which was given to the column by the jets. 
 
 3512. Was not the pneumatic flower-pot, as it is called, established ; that is, 
 that the jet being so disposed, the air was drawn up through the middle, and 
 that there was a retrograde current down on each side ? — There was no such thing. 
 
 3513. How do you know that? — Because I looked at it ; I stood opposite 
 the jets, and I could see the effect of the jets for a certain height above. 
 
 3514. There was no retrograde current? — No, not when the velocity of the 
 air in the shaft was considerable. 
 
 351,5. Do you believe that the steam jet can be made by a proper arrange- 
 ment, to give a greater amount of disturbance of the water-gauge than you pro- 
 duced ? — I think not; I tried it in every way; [ tried it with cylinders and 
 without cylinders around it, and I could not devise any other mode of giving it 
 more effective power. 
 
 3516. You produced the greatest result you possibly could ? — 1 think I did ; 
 and I think that no other person has produced any greater effect. 
 
 3517. Did you see the experiments which were tried at the Polytechnic last 
 year ? — Yes. 
 
 3518. Did you see there that the water-gauge was disturbed to the extent of 
 15 feet?— Yes; and I think that was strictly in accordance with my experiments. 
 
 3519. You have stated that the only effect produced on the water-gauge was 
 1*1 inch ? — Yes ; but if you take the comparative area of the shaft, and of the tube 
 which was operated on at the Polytechnic, you will find that the effect of the 
 
 0.76. a 4 steam 
 
8 MINUTES OF EVIDENCE TAKEN BEFORE THE 
 
 N. Wood, Esq. steam power was comparatively the same in both cases. In the one case vou 
 
 have to operate on a shaft 153 feet in area, as at Hetton Colliery, and in "the 
 
 11 JaJy 3853. other you operate on a tube, I think, half an inch in area; and of course the 
 
 effect on the small area must be to increase the water-gauge, the effect being 
 
 as the relative areas. 
 
 3520. Suppose the jets are increased in proportion to the area ? — I do not 
 think it is possible to do it practically. If you are to produce the effect of 15 
 feet of water, you must have the same comparative amount of power as you had 
 in the tube ; and if you apply that to 130 feet area, you will find that you would 
 require an immense number of boilers to produce the same relative power. 
 
 3521. That is your view?— It is the common sense view, and it is in accord- 
 ance with every principle of mechanics. 
 
 352 2. Yuu will admit that there is a correct way and an incorrect way of trying 
 the experiment ? — Yes. 
 
 3523. Have you the slightest idea that the jets as you arranged them would 
 produce a pull sufficient to overcome the drag of the mine ? — They did to a 
 certain extent, as shown by the experiments. 
 
 3524. But barely ? — To the extent which is shown by the experiments. In 
 the case of Tyne Main, where the jets were placed at the top of the pit without 
 any extraneous power, the effect is shown in Table XVIII. 
 
 3525. In what respect did your experiments in the year 1852 differ from your 
 experiments in the year 1849 ? — I had made no experiments in 1849. 
 
 3526. Did not you state in your evidence in 1849 that you had made some 
 experiments ? — I stated in my evidence the result of some experiments which 
 had been made at different collieries, but I did not superintend those experiments. 
 I do not think the experiments that I have since made at all militate against 
 those experiments. 
 
 3527. Were they made in the same manner? — In 1849, and before the expe- 
 riments of 1852 were made, there were no experiments dividing the different 
 powers; the others were the aggregate of all the different powers; so that y r ou 
 could not, by the previous experiments, ascertain what was due to the mechanical 
 force of the jet. 
 
 3,528. To whose experiments did you refer ? — Mr. Elliott made some experi- 
 ments, and some at North Hetton Colliery. 
 
 3529. Did you see those experiments ?■ — No ; I saw the jets at work, but they 
 were abandoned. 
 
 3,530. Are all your experiments contained in your pamphlet? — No; I have 
 since made some others; I rather wish to speak of one that uas made at South 
 Shields, because, I think, it is interesting and useful. 
 
 3531. Was that experiment made at the St. Hilda and Harton Pits? — Yes. 
 
 3,532. With regard to the experiments which you have stated in your 
 pamphlet, are the data, the principles, and the conclusions correctly stated? — I 
 think so, generally. 
 
 3533- &° y° u abide by the data, principles, and conclusions, as stated in that 
 pamphlet? — Generally ; some errors have crept in ; I was very much occupied, 
 and they took a vast deal of time; I believe there are some trifling errors, but I 
 believe they do not militate against the principle, or substantially against the result. 
 
 3534. Were vou able, in the experiments at South Shields, to produce by the 
 jet, the effect which you were unable to produce by the furnace ? — The jet was 
 inferior to the furnace. By the jet the quantity of air was 10,500, the natural 
 ventilation 0,750, and by the furnace and jet it was 17,611 cubic feet per minute. 
 
 3535. Mr. Locke.'] What are \ ou quoting from ? — From experiments at South 
 Shields, which are contained in Paper (D.), Appendix. 
 
 3536. Chairman.'] When you say that 10,500 cubic feet of air per minute were 
 produced by the steam jet, do you mean the steam jet. alone working at the 
 bottom of the pit, without the aid of any rarefaction whatever, under the same 
 circumstances? — The jets, in that case, were placed at the top of the pit. 
 
 3537. Mr. Cayley.] Is il, true that the St. Hilda Pit was in such a fiery state, 
 that between the St. Hilda and the Harton Pit the mine became in a very in- 
 flammable siate, and that you could not get rid of that noxious state of the mine 
 until the steam jet was applied ?-- The St. Hilda Pit was under repair in the shaft, 
 and the ventilation had been suspended in that pit for several months ; it was 
 necessary to take the tubbing out of the pit ; and the ventilation was suspended 
 to prepare for a permanent up-cast shaft. During that time it filled with gas. 
 
 The 
 
SELECT COMMITTEE ON ACCIDENTS IN COAL MINES. 9 
 
 The Harton Pit was always in a perfect state of ventilation, being independent N ; Jf ood > Ea 1° 
 
 of Hilda. After the tubbing and the shaft had been put right in the Hilda 
 
 Pit, it was necessary to resume the ventilation; and I applied the steam jet 11 y l853 ' 
 
 with a view of clearing the pit of fire-damp, finding it dangerous to apply a 
 
 furnace at the bottom of the shaft. The jets were applied, and were the same as 
 
 shown in figure 2, plate II. ; and those jets produced 10,500 cubic feet of air 
 
 per minute. Finding that the jets were incapable of ventilating the whole of 
 
 that colliery, I applied fire to the engine-boilers which were down the pit, at a 
 
 distance of 528 yards from the bottom of the pit. 
 
 3538. Why did you resort to the steam jet on that occasion ? — Because I could 
 not get to the bottom of the pit to put a fire in ; I thought it was not safe to 
 do so. 
 
 3539. If the furnace had been lighted, it would have been lighted with gas ? — 
 No ; not with the requisite care. I brought the fresh air from the Harton Pit to 
 work the furnace, and so made it safe ; and the furnace ultimately has been 
 obliged to be resorted to, to clear the pit of the foul air. I could not have 
 applied the furnace, without bringing the fresh air from Harton Pit, which I did 
 not at that time think it advisable to do. I think that the application of the 
 steam jet there was useful and proper; and that to the extent to which it went, 
 it was useful. 
 
 3540. Mr. Locke.'] In any of these experiments, did you make use of the steam 
 jet, after finding that the furnace was insufficient? — The steam jet was applied 
 before the furnace was put in operation. 
 
 3541. And that was because you found it was inconvenient to apply the 
 furnace ? — Yes. 
 
 3542. After you had used the steam jet, did you resort to the furnace? — I did; 
 and I found that the jet was of a power which was useful to a certain extent, but 
 insufficient to clear the pit entirely of bad air. 
 
 3543. Then you mean to sa\', that by the use of the jet, you got 10,500 cubic 
 feet per minute? — Yes. 
 
 3544. Can you inform the Committee what amount you afterwards obtained 
 by the use of the furnace, in the same place ? — With the furnace and jet 17,611 
 cubic feet per minute. 
 
 3545. Therefore, instead of having applied the jet, because the furnace was 
 inefficient, you used the jet for a certain period, producing the result of 10,500 
 cubic feet per minute ; and afterwards, when you could use the furnace, you 
 obtained the result of 17,611 cubic feet per minute? — I did. 
 
 3546. Mr. Cayley?\ As it was applied by you, you could not obtain a greater 
 power by the steam jet, than you did obtain ? — No. Two boilers were applied, 
 and that was as much as the two boilers would do. 
 
 3547. Mr. jLocfre.] What is the effect of a jet of steam in a locomotive engine 
 chimney ? — It acts entirely mechanically. 
 
 3548. Do you know whether altering the condition of the locomotive engine 
 in reference to the size of the chimney, its width, and length, would materially 
 alter the jet of steam so acting? — I believe that the proportions between the 
 area of the jet and the dimensions and length of the chimney have been varied 
 much, and I believe that engineers have now come to some proportion which 
 is the best. I believe that the proportion which I adopted in my experiments, 
 was something like about what is considered to be the best proportion. 
 
 3549. Are you also aware, that a large increase of the generative power of 
 engines, would in some measure necessitate an alteration in the size and length 
 of the locomotive chimney ? — No doubt. 
 
 3550. Do you think that the depth of the shaft bears materially or imma- 
 terially on the useful effect of steam used as a jet in a shaft? — It does, very 
 much ; I have gone very carefully into the power of the jet in locomotive chim- 
 neys ; and I think that powtr, and the effect of it, corresponds precisely with 
 the experiments that I have made in deep shafts, taking into account the resist- 
 ance of the shafts, and drag of air as compared with the chimney. 
 
 3551. You were understood to state, that in the experiments which were made 
 with the jet, you did move the entire body of air in the shaft ? — Yes. 
 
 3552. And that up to a certain extent, it appeared as if the expansion and the 
 whole body of air was moved ? — Yes, the expansion partly, and the effect of the 
 jet partly. 
 
 3553. And that its useful effect was diminished, either by the weight of the 
 0.76. B column, 
 
10 
 
 MINUTES OF EVIDENCE TAKEN BEFORE THE 
 
 A 7 . Wood, Esq. column, or by the friction of the air passing the shaft? — Yes, by the elasticity 
 of the column. 
 
 u July 1853. 3554- Supposing the shaft to have been only so deep as the point at which 
 the whole column was lifted, and then ceased to have that useful effect, if the 
 issue had taken place at that particular point, would the effect of the steam jet 
 have been much more considerable ? — It would, in the proportion of the amount 
 of resistance of the weight of the superior column. In applying it at the top 
 of the pit, no such weight of column is opposed to the power of the jet. The 
 jets were placed in cylinders six feet long, and the whole effect of the mechanical 
 force of the jet was there obtained, without the counteracting resistance of the 
 column above it. 
 
 3555- I n those cases, at what distance below the mouth of the shaft were the 
 cylinders placed ? — Near the top of it. 
 35,56. Ten or 20 feet ?— About 20 feet. 
 
 3557. Were they placed sufficiently low to allow the column of air to have 
 the full mechanical effect from the steam before it arrived at the top of the 
 shaft? — The mechanical effect of the jet there, was all expended within the 
 cylinders. 
 
 3558. Then in your judgment, after escaping through the cylinders, the sooner 
 it escaped into the air at the top of the shaft, the better? — Yes; it. acted 
 precisely in the same way as in a locomotive chimney, the jet being at the bottom 
 of the chimney in the one case, and at the bottom of the cylinder in the other. 
 
 3559. In the experiments that you have made on the jet, and those which you 
 know to have been made, do you think the application of the jet, whether at 
 the bottom of the shaft, or at the top of the shaft, has been made in a proper and 
 scientific manner ?— I think that the experiments I have made, have been so 
 conducted. It was my anxious wish, that the experiments should be made as 
 complete and effectual as possible, and I consulted with every one who 1 thought 
 knew anything on the subject, as to the mode in which they ought to be con- 
 ducted. I invited Mr. Gurney to come down to the north, to see the experi- 
 ments conducted ; and I should have been very glad if he had come to make 
 suggestions to me, as to any variation in the mode of conducting them ; and if 
 Mr. Gurney will now suggest any different mode of applying the jets, I shall 
 be very glad within the next week or two, to resume the experiments in anv 
 way he may think proper. 
 
 3560. When the cylinders are used at the top of the shaft, is it one cylinder 
 only, or two or three? — Sixty-one cylinders, six feet iong and 11 inches in 
 diameter. 
 
 3561. Do those cylinders entirely nil the shaft? — Yes; and all the insterstices 
 around the cylinders were closed, so that the air could only go through the cylin- 
 ders. Fig. 11, Plate II., shows the mode in which the cylinders were disposed in 
 the shaft. 
 
 3562. Do you know that any steam jet experiments have been made by any 
 other parties on a large scale, which have given better results than those which 
 you have yourself obtained ? — From all I can learn, the result of experiments 
 which have been made by others corroborates the experiments that I have made. 
 
 3563. Have any other persons instituted more extensive experiments than 
 yourself on this subject? — No. I believe Mr. Elliott has made a considerable 
 number of experiments, which he is prepared to give to the Committee. I have 
 not seen an account of those experiments. 
 
 3564. Do you know where those experiments were made? — They were made 
 at Lord Londonderry's collieries. 
 
 3565. From the answers you have given, are the Committee to take it for 
 granted that although in experiments made in small machines like a locomotive 
 chimney, or a tube at the Polytechnic, or Perkiu's steam-gun, you may have 
 obtained great results mechanically, yet that when you apply steam for the 
 purpose of ventilating a coal mine, you do not find that the mechanical effect is 
 at all commensurate to the mechanical effect produced by those small machines ? 
 — The comparative effect I consider to be precisely the same. If the result of 
 my experiments at Tyne Main, with 61 cylinders 11 inches in diameter, were 
 compressed into that of one tube, you would find the aggregate result that I 
 obtained, viz., 0*4 inch water-gauge, for 40,258 feet area, brought into an area 
 of half an inch, would produce a higher result than was obtained at the Poly- 
 technic, viz., 32 feet of water-gauge instead of 15 feet. 
 
 3566. Chairman.] 
 
SELECT COMMITTEE ON ACCIDENTS IN COAL MINES. 11 
 
 3566. Chairman.'] If you were to try an experiment of that kind, the steam jy. Wood, Esc 
 
 would pass through the small cylinder, and there would be no room for air at 
 
 all, because the steam would fill the cylinder? — Certainly. It would be of no 11 July 1853 
 use as a ventilating power. It is a mode of displaying the power of the jet 
 popularly ; but when you go into the calculation, you will find that it gives 
 
 just the "same aggregate result as if it was disposed into a water-gauge of 0'4 
 of an inch. 
 
 3567. Mr. Locke.'] You think that the sum of all the cylinders put together, 
 even on a low water-gauge, would give you a mechanical effect similar to that 
 which you find from the locomotive ? — I do say so. It is merely taking the area 
 of all the tubes, and the pressure per inch upon them, and resolving that into a 
 tube of half an inch area, and instead of a water-gauge of 0'4 inch on the 
 aggregate <irea of the tubes, you get a water-gauge of 32 feet on the single tube 
 0 - 5 inch area. 
 
 3568. Chairman.] Then the general result of all these experiments in your 
 opinion is, that the steam jet is inferior to the furnace ventilation? — It is 
 considered as a substitute for the furnace. It is an expensive and uncertain 
 mode of ventilation. 
 
 3569. Mr. Ingham.] Do you know in how many collieries in the north it 
 is used as the only mode of ventilation ? — I believe it is only used at Seaton 
 Delaval. 
 
 3570. Is it not used at South Hetton ? — It has been applied at South Hetton, 
 but I do not think it is in use at South Hetton. 
 
 3571. At Seaton Delaval, in what portion of the shaft are the jets placed? — 
 At the bottom. 
 
 3572. Chairman.] In Seaton Delaval there is rarefaction in the boiler fires 
 being below, as well as gas retorts? — I believe so; I have not myself seen it at 
 Seaton Delaval; but the accounts I have read so represent it. 
 
 3573. Although it is your opinion that the steam jet is inferior to furnace 
 ventilation, can you conceive circumstances in which the steam jet may be made 
 very useful? — I think that in some cases it may be made useful. It is made 
 extremely useful in the locomotive engine, and it may be made useful in certain 
 cases in collieries. The objection that I have urged was the attempt which 
 was made to induce the mining interests of the kingdom to rely too mucli upon 
 it, which I think might have produced very serious consequences. It was with 
 that view that I thought it was incumbent upon me to make those experiments. 
 The result of those expeiiments is, that it may be useful to a certain extent, but 
 that as a substitute for the furnace, or as an auxiliary to the furnace in general 
 mining ventilation, it is both less efficient and more expensive. 
 
 3574. Whatever may be your opinion as to the merits of any system of ventilation, 
 either steam jet, or furnace, or mechanical ventilation, you would not recommend 
 this Committee to report to the House, that any particular system of ventilation 
 should be adopted in collieries? — I think that the Committee would do right in 
 leaving the different coal-owners to adopt such a system of ventilation as they 
 may deem advisable. It may be necessary that this Committee should say that 
 mines should be properly and efficiently ventilated ; that probably may be a very 
 useful measure; but if this Committee were to lay down any rule, or any recom- 
 mendation, that the coal-owners should adopt either one or the other of the 
 different methods of ventilation, I think it might have a very injurious effect. 
 It would be best to leave the coal-owners themselves to judge of that. I think 
 that this inquiry, bringing out all the experiments that have been made on the 
 different modes of ventilation, and circulated in the mining districts, will be of very 
 great use, as bringing together a body of facts; but I think that the coal-owners 
 are the proper persons to act upon that information, so as to adopt that system of 
 ventilation, which under all the variety of circumstances may be most useful. 
 
 3575. The Legislature merely taking care, through the inspectors, that there 
 is sufficient ventilation to render the collieries as safe as possible: — Yes; I 
 think so. 
 
 3576. Supposing that a sufficient quantity of air was by any mode brought 
 into a colliery, do you think that the system has attained its full perfection ; or 
 do you think that it is necessary to pay great attention to the capacity and size 
 of the airways ? — I think that sufficient attention has not hitherto been paid to 
 the mode of circulating air around the workings ; I find that in several districts 
 of the country, the managers of mines are quite ignorant of the principles of 
 
 0.76. b 2 ventilation, 
 
12 MINUTES OF EVIDENCE TAKEN BEFORE THE 
 
 N. Wood, Esq. ventilation, and are acting on principles which my experiments show are not 
 correct. 
 
 u July 1853. 3,577. Have you, before going into this part of the subject, any other observa- 
 tions on the power of the furnace or steam jet? — I will refer to those parts of 
 the experiments where the general results are given. At page 34 (vide experi- 
 ments, Appendix) of my pamphlet, you see the mode of applying the jets at 
 Tyne Main ; and at page 77, the particulars of the area of the shaft ; and in 
 page 57 the length of air courses. Tables XV. and XVI. show the result of 
 those experiments; and Tables XVII. and XVIII. show the consumption of 
 coals. The result of the latter is shown at Table XXII.; and the general 
 results are shown in Tables XIV. and XXVIII. Then I applied the jets at Nor- 
 wood, near Ravensworth. The experiments which I had previously made were 
 in deep shafts ; I made the experiments at Norwood Colliery in a shaft of mode- 
 rate depth ; the mode of application of these jets is shown in page 61, and the 
 result is shown in page 72. In page 79 you will find the results of the jets 
 placed at the top, and at the bottom of the pit; and in pages 51 and 53, you 
 will find the comparative effect of the jets applied with and without cylinders. 
 At page 90, you will find the comparative results of the jets and furnace as to 
 consumption of coal; in page 91, the result of the jets as a substitution for the 
 furnace; and in page 92, the result as an auxiliary to the furnace. I will put 
 in a paper of the experiments made at Hilda, to show the effect of clearing the 
 
 Vide Appendix, pit of gas by the jets and by the furnace. (The Witness delivered in the same.) 
 Paper D. 3.578. Mr. Locke.'] What is the maximum result that you have attained by 
 
 the use of the steam jet in any of the experiments you have made? — The maxi- 
 mum result at Hetton was 15,099 cubic feet per minute; and at Killing-worth, 
 10,490 cubic feet per minute, the jets being placed at the bottom of the pit ; 
 and at Tyne Main 12,400 cubic feet per minute, the jets being placed at the top 
 of the pit. 
 
 3579. Were the steam-boilers in all these cases at the top of the pit? — At 
 Hetton at the bottom, and at Killingworth and Tyne Main at the top of the pit. 
 
 3580. Is there anything to be deducted from these results, for what may be 
 called the natural ventilation : — There is at Hetton and at Killing-worth, the 
 increased heat produced by the boiler fires and steam acting on the air in 
 the shaft. At Tyne Main there was not ; I have come to the conclusion, that 
 about 12,000 cubic feet per minute is the maximum effect with the jets; the 
 evaporation of water being as given in the experiments, or with two boilers. 
 
 3581. Were the sizes of the boilers which were used in these three collieries 
 much the same, or were they different ? — At Hetton there were two boilers; at 
 Killingworth there were three boilers; at Tyne Main there were two boilers ; 
 the dimensions were much the same ; they were generally 30 feet long, and five 
 feet in diameter. 
 
 3582. Chairman.] You have been comparing the effect of the steam jet through 
 locomotive tubes with furnace ventilation ; in the one case you raise the steam 
 to about 100 lbs. to the inch, while in the other experiment you only got the 
 steam to a pressure of about 50 lbs. to the inch. Supposing you had had boilers 
 which would have enabled you to have raised the steam up to the pressure 
 of 100 lbs. to the inch, do not you think that, the mechanical power of 
 the steam jet would have been greatly increased ? — The mechanical power of the 
 jets would depend on the velocity with which the steam issued from the jets and 
 the quantity. At page 28 of my pamphlet, you will find the view I have taken of 
 it, which I believe is correct: viz., " The velocity with which elastic fluids rush 
 into a vacuum, is that which a heavy body will acquire by falling through a homo- 
 geneous column, equal to the height due to the pressure or elasticity of the fluid ; 
 and the velocity with which a fluid of one degree of elasticity will rush into an 
 atmosphere of a different degree of elasticity, is that which a heavy body will 
 acquire by falling through a homogeneous column equal to the height due to the 
 pressure, or difference of degrees of elasticities of the two fluids." That would 
 give the same velocity at a pressure of 50 lbs. and 100 lbs. into a vacuum. I 
 give, a little further on, a formula of the application of that principle to the case 
 in question, where the steam does not issue into the vacuum, but where it issues 
 into the atmosphere; and it will be seen (page 29, line 26), that with a pressure 
 of 40 lbs., it issues about 1080.6 feet per second; and at a pressure of 50 lbs., it 
 issues 1088.4 feet per second, being not eight feet per second more than for 
 steam at 50 lbs., than at 40 lbs. pressure per square inch. 
 
 3583- Mr. 
 
SELECT COMMITTEE ON ACCIDENTS IN COAL MINES. 
 
 13 
 
 3583. Mr. Stephenson.'] In point of fact, is not the only alteration which is N. Wood, Esq. 
 
 produced, the density of the steam, and not the velocity of the jet ? — The differ- — — . 
 
 ence is in the density or quantity of the steam, and not the velocity of the jet. 11 July 1853. 
 
 3584. Mr. Locke.] Do you mean to state that the velocity of steam issuing 
 from the jet at 100 lbs. pressure, is the same as the velocity at which it issues at 
 50 lbs. pressure ? — Yes, if it issues into a vacuum. If you can double the density, 
 you get double the quantity of steam issuing through the jet in the same time ; 
 but it only issues with the same velocity ; and therefore, the initial mechanical 
 effect of the jet will not be increased by an increase of density. The velocity 
 being the same, the density is doubled ; but the initial effect of the jet being that 
 with which the velocity of the steam impinges on the air, the initial mechanical 
 effect will be the same, whatever may be the pressure of steam. But you have 
 steam of double the density ; hence the aggregate effect by the greater density, 
 but not by the velocity. 
 
 3585. Mr. Ingham.] In deciding the question of the expediency of ventilating 
 a colliery by steam jet, why should you look at the result, deducting the effect 
 of the boiler in increasing the expansion of the air? — The question in that case 
 is, whether by the same consumption of coal, you get the same effect. The effect 
 of the consumption of coal in the two cases cannot be ascertained, unless you 
 separate the power which is devoted to heating the air in the shaft, and the 
 mechanical force of the jet. If the consumption of coal in a steam-engine boiler 
 was as complete as it was in the furnace, you may assume that the mechanical 
 power of the jet would be ultra the ventilating heat in the shaft; but then we 
 know as a fact (and those experiments, and the result I have given of several 
 collieries prove it), that you do not get the same result out of coal applied to a 
 boiler, as you do from a furnace. If so, then, the increased power of jet does 
 not compensate for the loss, and you produce a greater result with the furnace 
 alone, than you do with the boiler fires and jet. 
 
 3586. Mr. Stephenson.] By addinp; the coal consumed under the boiler to the 
 coal consumed under the other, the one being better than the other, does it make 
 the jet really almost useless ? — It does ; and any person who has seen a good 
 furnace burning, compared with that of the boiler, will at once be able to judge 
 of it without experiment. It can easily be seen whether the up-cast shaft is ven- 
 tilated by a boiler or by a furnace. The volume of smoke which comes up the 
 shaft from a boiler fire, as it comes up the chimneys of engines in towns, adds 
 to the weight of the column. In a well- ventilated furnace you see no smoke at 
 all ; and there it is that the superiority of the furnace, in the consumption of 
 coal over boiler fires, becomes apparent. 
 
 3587. You have alluded to the comparative effect which is produced by the 
 steam jet in the locomotive engine and that which is produced at the bottom of 
 ^.n up-cast shaft in a column ; are not the circumstances widely different ? — 
 Certainly ; they are different in this respect, that the one is probably at the 
 bottom of a 1.200-feet tube and the other of a six-feet tube ; but the mechanical 
 action of the steam jet is the same in both cases. 
 
 3588. Supposing that the locomotive engine chimney were increased to 600 
 feet in height, would the steam jet then operate as efficiently as it does now in a 
 very short chimney? — Certainly not; because you have the effect of the jet 
 acting upon a confined elastic body ; and, as I explained before, and which is 
 
 shown in the diagrams (Plates X. and XL), its action upon the elastic body is Vide Experiments, 
 to push it up so far ; the effect diminishing as the length of column is increased. Appendix. 
 
 3589. Is it within your knowledge, that recently the effect of the steam jet 
 upon a locomotive engine, even in the short chimnevs which originally^ were 
 used, has been very much improved by diminishing the length of the chimneys? 
 — I believe it is. I believe that the greatest effective power of the jet is 
 immediately after the steam has expanded, so as to fill the entire chimney 7 . 
 Any increase of length of chimney after that becomes an increase to the friction, 
 and therefore is injurious. 
 
 3590. Chairman.] Have you anything else to state on this part of the subject ? 
 — 1 think not. 
 
 3591. You view collieries in a good many districts? — I do. 
 
 3592. You have stated, that in some districts the mode of carrying the air 
 through the workings to the up-cast shaft is very ill attended to ; will you state 
 in what districts it is not well attended to ? — I believe that up to a very recent 
 period, and even at this moment, it is the opinion in some districts that the 
 
 0.76. b 3 splitting 
 
s 4 MINUTES OF EVIDENCE TAKEN BEFORE THE 
 
 N. Wocd, Esq. splitting of air is a very bad thing, and is not consistent with the true principles 
 of ventilation. That is extremely erroneous, as may be seen by examining the 
 
 n July 1853. synopsis of the Hetton ventilation. That ventilation, as I have before stated, 
 extends over a run of 97 miles, divided into above 30 splits ; if that principle 
 had been applied to that ventilation, it would have been correspondingly dimi- 
 nished ; and instead of getting 210,000 cubic feet per minute, we should have 
 had much under 20,000 cubic feet per minute. I think that the greatest modern 
 improvement in conducting the air around the workings is in the splitting of it 
 judiciously. No doubt the correct principles of ventilation require to be known 
 before this can be practised ; I have myself gone into several pits where the 
 splitting of the air has been very clumsily done, principally by doors instead of 
 regulators. In a properly ventilated pit it is not necessary, if you have 20 splits 
 of air, to have 20 doors. That is done now without any doors at all, doors 
 being extremely objectionable on account of being neglected ; it is now done by 
 regulators. 
 
 Vide Experiments, 3593- What is a regulator ? — If you look at figure 12, plate II., you will find 
 Appendix. a representation of a pit of moderate ventilation ; you will find that there are 
 
 five divisions in that diagram. Taking No. II., you will see that the distance 
 which the air has to travel from the down-cast A. to the up-cast B., is only 
 6,400 feet; whereas, in No. 1, it travels 19,470 feet. The whole of the air 
 would of course take the shorter distance ; and if it was not prevented, no air 
 would go into No. 1. That is done by placing at A. an obstruction, which is 
 called a regulator, to prevent the air from going round No. II., and to interpose 
 as great a resistance to the air in passing round the 6,400 feet as there is in 
 passing round the 19,470 feet. It is the same in the other cases. This is 
 extremely important in conducting the air round the workings of a mine ; 
 because, in all the shorter runs, you are obliged to throw as artificially as great 
 a resistance on those short runs as there is on the long runs ; and hence it is 
 extremely injurious to have one long run of air in a pit ; they should be divided 
 as equally as possible. 
 
 3594. Mi\ Locke.] Do you employ the regulator for the purpose of making 
 the resistance equal in all the various lengths ? — You do. Instead of allowing 
 the air to pass through a six-feet square passage, you block that up and make 
 the air pass through probably a two-feet square orifice. 
 
 3595. Then, in point of fact, it is an opening commensurate with the distance 
 and the quantity of air you want? — It is so closing the passage as to increase 
 the friction in passing through the regulator, and to throw on No. II. the same 
 resistance in travelling 6,400 feet as if it travelled 19,470 feet. There are 
 five divisions in that pit ; when you come to ascertain the resistance of the 
 aggregate air-courses in that pit, each of them must be assumed to have a resist- 
 ance equal to 19,400 feet. If the 19,400 feet could be reduced to 9,400 feet, 
 then you would have only half the resistance of the air in that pit. 
 
 3596. Then do you simply make a stopping at the point A, and make the 
 door or opening smaller than the ordinary air-ways in that particular district? 
 — The regulator is generally placed where there is no passage through, so that 
 it may not be disturbed. 
 
 3597. Mr. H. A. Bruce.'] There is nothing to overlook: — No; and therefore 
 the whole of such a pit as that could be ventilated without a single door, except 
 the two between the up-cast and the clown-cast. So that no dependence is to 
 be placed upon the opening and shutting doors ; that is now the principle 
 adopted of splitting the air. 
 
 359'8. Mr. Locke.] Then, in point of fact, the regulator is nothing more or 
 less, than an opening to regulate the quantity of air passing through ? — Exactly ; 
 the resistance of air being in the proportion of the square of the velocity ; the 
 smaller the aperture it is made to pass through, the greater is the resistance put 
 on it. 
 
 3599. Mr. H. A. Bruce.] Would not one advantage of that be freedom from 
 accidents in case of an explosion ?— The regulators are less liable to be blown 
 out than doors. 
 
 3600. Mr. Locked] Is it thick stopping, or a mere door?— It is generally a thick 
 stopping with a hole through it. 
 
 3601. What width of stopping? — It varies very much. In some cases, it is 
 a stopping four or five feet in width, and an opening made on the top of it. It is 
 very desirable that those regulators should be so made, that in case of an 
 
 explosion 
 
SELECT COMMITTEE ON ACCIDENTS IN COAL MINES. 15 
 
 explosion they will not be disturbed ; and then, so far as that goes, the air would N. Wood, Esq. 
 resume its original state. ~ 
 
 3602. So that if the stopping was a thick one, and even the door-way 11 July 1853. 
 admitting the passage of air were blown out and destroyed by an explosion, still 
 
 the general principle would remain, the stopping itself being left there? — 
 Exactly. 
 
 3603. And, upon the whole, only slightly altered by the explosion? — Just so; 
 the object being so to arrange the air-courses, as that the distribution of the air 
 shall not depend on doors. 
 
 3604. Chairman.'] Having two doors so closely placed between the up-cast and 
 the down -cast shafts, if an explosion were to take place, would there not be a very 
 great liability of those doors being blown away ? — You must have a passage 
 between the down-cast and the up-cast ; and there is no way of obtaining that 
 passage, except by the use of doors. If you narrow 7 the risk to the compass of 
 two doors, you may by falling doors, in case those are blown out, or by other 
 means, contrive that the opening shall shut of itself, in case of an explosion. 
 
 3605. Supposing those two doors were blown out, would not the ventilation 
 around the pit cease, inasmuch as the air would merely go down the down-cast 
 shaft and up the up-cast shaft ? — Yes. 
 
 3606. You say, that modes can be suggested of having a sort of trap-door 
 which, if the ordinary door were blown away, would fall down and keep the 
 ventilation in a perfect ! 'state ? — Yes. Mr. Buddie had a form of swing door, 
 which he explained in his evidence before the Committee of 1835, supported 
 by a prop ; and in case of that prop being thrown out, then the door swung down 
 and so restored the ventilation. 
 
 3607. Mr. H. A. Bruce.] A sort of portcullis? — Yes. 
 
 3608. Mr. Locke.] In point of fact, might it not be made to work in any way ? 
 — Yes, several modes might be suggested 
 
 3609. Mr. Stephenson.] It is hung on a hinge? — Yes. 
 
 3610. Chairman.] Is that system now used extensively in the north of Eng- 
 land ? — The system of distributing the air, by means of regulators instead of 
 doors, is now used. 
 
 3611. Where the doors are placed between the two furnaces, are the trap 
 doors of which you have spoken, also placed there generally ? — No ; they are not. 
 Those doors being close to the down-cast, in case of an explosion, they are 
 easily accessible and it may be that the pit B, instead of being placed imme- 
 diately opposite the down-cast, may be at the'extremity of the workings; and in 
 that case there will be no door at all. 
 
 3612. Supposing the pits are placed in the position you have described in 
 figure 12 of plate II., do you think that it is not necessary, at all times, to have 
 the trap doors to which you have alluded, because you have been understood to 
 state, that the down-cast pit should be easily accessible ; and might not an 
 explosion occur of so great a magnitude that the machinery would be blown 
 up the pit, and there would be no means of letting the men down ? — It would 
 be very desirable to adopt some door which would close the aperture, in case 
 of an explosion; but it must be a very heavy explosion indeed to blow 7 away the 
 doors near the shaft. 
 
 3613. Provided those doors were blown away and the machinery of the pit 
 injured by an explosion, there being no trap doors, your mode of ventilation 
 would be of no service, inasmuch as the air would not travel round, but would 
 get directly from the down-cast to the up-cast pit? — It would be entirely 
 destroyed. 
 
 36 j 4. Therefore, in order to complete the ventilation, and make it perfectly 
 safe, with the regulators of which you have spoken, would it not be necessary 
 to adopt some system at these two doors by which, in case of an explosion, the 
 air should be shut off, so that it must travel all round the workings? — It would 
 be desirable to do so. 
 
 361 5. Do not you think that is necessary in order to complete your system ? 
 — I think so. 
 
 3616. Mr. Stephenson.] Would it not be feasible to have such a door as has 
 just been described as a sort of portcullis, with which a communication might 
 be made to the surface ? — There are various modes in which it might be 
 done. 
 
 3617. Chairman^] You have no doubt, in point of fact, in your own mind, 
 0.76. b 4 that 
 
ib MINUTES OF EVIDENCE TAKEN BEFORE THE 
 
 If. Wood, Esq. that something might be suggested which would take the place of these doors, 
 in case they were blown away, so as to render the ventilation safe ? — I think so. 
 
 u July 1853, 3618. Mr. H. A. Bruce. ~\ That danger being guarded against, would there be 
 considerable security in this system as compared with the usual system of 
 ventilation? — Yes; so far as the doors are concerned. What we have to con- 
 tend with, in case of an explosion, is the explosion blowing out the stoppings. 
 
 3619. Are they much less likely to be removed than ordinary doors? — Yes. 
 
 3620. Chairman.~\ Do you think there would be any difficulty in making 
 tljose stoppings or regulators sufficiently strong, that no explosion you have ever 
 known to take place would blow them out? — The regulators could be made 
 sufficiently strong that they would not be blown out in case of accident, but it 
 is more difficult with the stoppings. 
 
 3621. What are those stoppings ? — Those are the stoppings in the passages 
 which have been made in working the colliery. 
 
 3622. Are those the stoppings through which the men and the tram carriages 
 have to travel ? — In some cases they are ; but the roads are now so disposed, 
 and the air is conducted in such a way, that there is in large pits very few 
 doors indeed. I think that in Hetton Colliery there are not three doors in each 
 pit throughout the whole of the workings, unless it is where the bords are 
 necessary 10 be ventilated by brattices, and doors are required at the end of the 
 brattices ; and, in that case, those doors are made swing doors. 
 
 3623. Are those doors in such a position, that if an explosion were to take 
 place, and they were blown down or carried away, it would injure the whole of 
 the ventilation, and a great many men be killed by the after-damp? — No ; they 
 would not disturb the general ventilation of the colliery, but only the particular 
 part in which the explosion occurred. 
 
 3624. Therefore, supposing an explosion were to take place in one particular 
 point of a colliery, would the men have any difficulty in getting into a place 
 where they would get fresh air, and be removed from the effect of the after- 
 damp?- — If the general currents of the pit could be so arranged as to be undis- 
 turbed in case of an explosion, then the destruction of the swing-doors in the 
 different districts would be less disastrous. 
 
 362,5. Could such an arrangement be made w ithout any great difficult} 7 ? — I 
 think so, without any increase of cost, by a proper arrangement, and distribution 
 of the air through the workings. 
 
 3626. Are such arrangements made in the best ventilated pits in the north of 
 England ? — They are, generally : the main currents of the air are now carried 
 round the pits, without the use of doors at all. 
 
 3627. Therefore, if an explosion were to take place in some of the most fiery 
 mines in the North of England, the probability is, that there would not be such 
 an enormous sacrifice of human life as occurred some years ago in the Wallsend 
 and other pits ? — I cannot say that accidents would be done away with, but 
 they would be rendered less disastrous by such a mode. 
 
 3628. Will you explain to the Committee the formula to which you allude at 
 page 35 of your pamphlet ? — It is Mr. Hawksley's formula, founded on the 
 resistance of air in the gaspipes. Mr. Greenwell, at my suggestion, made an 
 experiment on the resistance of air in Crookbank Colliery, which is corrobora- 
 tive of the formula of Mr. Hawksley. The particulars of that experiment I 
 
 Vide Appendix, deliver in. (The Witness delivered in the same.) 
 
 3629. Is the mode of splitting the air very much neglected in some of the 
 districts which you have visited ? — I have found it neglected. 
 
 3630. In the district of South Wales is it attended to ? — Partly, but not suffi- 
 ciently. 
 
 3631. Do you think that at Hetton, or any other large colliery, any amount 
 of air would be sufficient, if you did not pay proper attention to splitting the air, 
 and carrying it to every part of the workings ? — I think, generally, that the 
 safety of the mine depends more perhaps on the proper distribution of the air, 
 than on the quantity which is got into it. 
 
 3632. Do you think that it is necessary that each workman should have, as far 
 as possible, a "proper proportion of fresh air unimpregnated with gaseous matter? 
 —I think that in all well ventilated collieries, there is always a superabundance 
 of air for the workmen. The mine itself, to be properly ventilated, requires 
 more air than is necessary for the workmen. 
 
 3633. Is it your opinion, that in every district there are collieries which are 
 
 very 
 
SELECT COMMITTEE ON ACCIDENTS IN COAL MINES. 17 
 
 very ill ventilated, and into which sufficient air is not brought, either for keep- n. Wood, Esq. 
 
 ing the colliery in a safe state, or if there should be explosive gas, for keeping 
 
 it in such a state as not to be injurious to the health of the workmen ? — I think n July 1853. 
 there are a vast number of collieries in the country where the ventilation is such, 
 that there is not sufficient air to carry on a proper ventilation, or sufficient for 
 the health of the workmen. 
 
 3634. Do not you think that one of the chief duties of the Government 
 inspectors should be, to see that sufficient air was brought into a colliery, not 
 only to render it safe, but also that the workmen might breathe a sufficient 
 quantity of fresh air to keep them in a healthy state ? — I think it should be the 
 duty of the inspectors to see that there was a proper quantity of air, and also 
 that it was properly distributed. I think, in addition, there should be some means 
 either of inducing or compelling the owners to adopt those measures. 
 
 3635. Do you think that any colliery ought to be carried on with what is 
 called natural ventilation ? — Certainly not. 
 
 3636. Do you think it would be wise in the Legislature to make it imperative 
 by law, that every colliery owner should use some system of ventilation, to in- 
 crease the ventilation in the colliery r — 1 think there should be some legal 
 measure which would compel mines to be properly ventilated. 
 
 3637. You think that cannot be done by what is called natural ventilation ; 
 that is, the difference between the temperature of the up-cast and the down-cast 
 shaft ? — I think not, because the temperature of the return air from the work- 
 ings, is as nearly as possible the same throughout all periods of the year ; and 
 the temperature of the down-cast shaft is varying almost daily, so that at one 
 period of the year, the temperature of the air going down the shaft, is almost 
 equal to the temperature of the air going round the workings. 
 
 3638. In that case, would the ventilation almost cease? — Yes; or become so 
 weak as to be useless. 
 
 3639. Have you ever had an instance of its entirely ceasing ? — I have known 
 instances where you could not tell which was the up-cast and which was the 
 down -cast. 
 
 3640. Do you think it is practicable to clear the goaves of foul air?— I think 
 it is not practicable to act on the principle of clearing the goaves of foul air. 
 I have some doubt whether that is the principle which ought to be acted on; 
 some goaves being safer filled with inflammable air, than they would be under cir- 
 cumstances of a partial ventilation. I think the partial ventilation of a goaf is 
 extremely dangerous, and that unless you can completely ventilate it, it is better 
 that it should not be ventilated at all. 
 
 3641. Unless the goaf could be effectually ventilated, so that the whole of the 
 inflammable air could be got out, you think it would be more dangerous to allow 
 the atmospheric air to go into the goaf at all than to keep it tightly stopped, so 
 that no atmospheric air could enter it at all ? — Yes. 
 
 3642. Your reason for that is, because the atmospheric air entering and com- 
 bining with the inflammable air, would render it explosive; whereas, if no atmo- 
 spheric air entered, it would be in an inexplosive state ? — Yes. If the goaf is 
 kept filled with pure inflammable air, and the pressure of that air always outward 
 from the goaf into the air passages, so that if there is any air coming out of the 
 goaf, it is carried away, The air should be so regulated around the goaf as that 
 there should be no pressure of air into the goaf. If you have the tendency of 
 the air to press outwards from the goaf, although it is filled with inflammable 
 air, it is perfectly safe ; but it depends upon the arrangement of the air currents 
 being such that the pressure is always outward into the air currents, and not out 
 of the air currents into the goaf. You cannot insulate a goaf to render it safe, 
 unless you bring about those circumstances. 
 
 3643. Do you think it is not possible to stop up the goaf so tightly that no 
 atmospheric air can enter it, or no foul air come out oi it ? — I think it would 
 be unsafe, unless you could so arrange the air-courses as that the pressure of 
 the goaf air was out of, and not from the air-courses into, the goaf. No plastering 
 up of the goaf, in my opinion, would be safe unless you had the air-courses so 
 arranged. 
 
 3644. Is it necessary that a good current of air should play round the goaf at 
 all times? — 1 think it is necessary that a good current of air should be taken 
 around the goaf at all times : but if a goaf is to be insulated, that current should 
 not go round the goaf. If you take a current of air round a goaf, there is a ten- 
 
 0.76. C dency 
 
18 MINUTES OF EVIDENCE TAKEN BEFORE THE 
 
 N. Wood, Esq. dency in the up-going current to go into the goaf towards the down-going cur- 
 
 rent; and la that case, you cannot insulate the goaf properly. 
 
 11 July 1853. 3C45. Supposing the goaf is square, what would be the safe way of carrying 
 the air round the goaf? — It should go up the two sides, and along the face/ and 
 not go up one side and down the other, the general principle in the insulation 
 of goaves being, that any particle of air coming out of it travels the shortest 
 distance to the up-cast shaft. 
 
 3646. Mr. Stephenson.'] Suppose the goaf to be in the form of a foolscap sheet 
 of paper, and the air entering the goaf at the lower angle, and being driven 
 away from the upper angle, the distance which the air will have to traverse 
 along two sides would be precisely the same as the distance which the air would 
 have to travel along the other two sides ? — Yes. 
 
 3647. Therefore, there will always be, as it were, a partial vacuum in the air- 
 course ? — Yes ; a tendency of any air exuding from the goaf to go away from 
 the goaf into the air-courses, and not to press from the air-courses into the 
 goaf. 
 
 3648. If you attempted to circulate the same current of air round the whole 
 circumference of the goaf, would the tendency be for the air to pass in on one 
 side, and to run across into the opposite side ? — Yes ; because it will always follow 
 the shorter course. The tendency of the air would be to go into the goaf, and 
 cross the goaf to get to the other side of it. Under such circumstances, the 
 insulation of the goaf would not be safe, although you plastered it, because 
 plastering would be liable to crack, the air would get into the goaf; it would 
 be partially ventilated, and it would be explosive; whereas, if the tendency of 
 the air is outward, then no atmospheric air would get into the goaf; and if the 
 goaf were filled with pure firedamp, it would be safe. 
 
 3649. Chairman.] Ventilated in the way you have described it is possible to 
 ventilate, would a goaf of any extent be quite safe? — I think so; and 1 doubt 
 the attempt to make goaves safe by ventilation. I think the difficulties of doing 
 so are so great, that it is more safe to act on the principle of insulating them, 
 and of carrying the air-courses around the goaf, as to carry off any exudation of 
 fire-damp from the sides of the goaves, than to act on the principle of ventilating 
 them. 
 
 3650. What is your opinion of the Report of the Committee of 1 852, as to 
 putting bore-holes down on the goaves ? — I think it would be perfectly inoperative. 
 I think that the effect of bore-holes on the goaves would be probably to send air 
 down into the goaves, and certainly not to take air out of them. 
 
 3651. Mr. Stephens on.] And most likely water? — Most likely water. 
 
 3652. Chairman.] As a practical man, do you think that such a system could 
 be carried out; or that, if it could be carried out, it would have any beneficial 
 result ? — I think it would be quite ridiculous to attempt it ; and I think, if it were 
 carried out, it would be perfectly useless. 
 
 3653. Mr. Stcphe7ison.] If it were a down-cast, bringing fresh air into the goaf, 
 would it not be the very tiling which you do not wish to have done : — Yes ; if 
 you put a bore-hole, the possibility, in fact, the almost certainty is, that the air 
 would go down through that bore-hole into the goaf ; and if o, it would be a 
 partial ventilation of that goaf. 
 
 3654. Chairman.] The Report of the Committee of 1852, is also, that the 
 steam jet should be put on the top, so that the bore-hole should, under all cir- 
 cumstances, by the steam jet, be made the up-cast ; what is your opinion of 
 that? — My experience leads me to the conclusion, that no steam jet placed on 
 the top of the bore-hole would make it an up-cast. 
 
 3655. In your opinion, should naked lights at any time be carried round the 
 goaves, or in the vicinity of the goaves ?— I think that, as a general rule, if 
 goaves are liable to be filled with inflammable air, it is not safe to carry naked 
 lights round them, or to allow the use of naked lights round the edges of the 
 goaves. If the goaves are filled with carbonic acid gas, then 1 do not see any 
 objection to it. 
 
 3656. In your evidence in 1852, you stated that you did not believe in the 
 natural brattice. Have you modified your opinion in any way in that respect? 
 — Not the least ; I have never been able to see an instance of natural brattice 
 in my experience in a shaft. Certainly, so far as regards ventilation, it is per- 
 fectly absurd, because no state of ventilation, which can be called ventilation, 
 will admit of a natural brattice. 
 
 3657- If 
 
SELECT COMMITTEE ON ACCIDENTS IN COAL MINES. 19 
 
 3657. If the air- ways are sufficiently large to fill up the up-cast shaft with. N. Wood, Lsq. 
 air, is it possible that such a thing can exist as a natural brattice ? — Certainly 
 
 not; and that is still further shown to be inconsistent with practice, inasmuch u July 1853. 
 as, in sinking a shaft, you are obliged to carry a real brattice down the shaft, 
 for the purpose of inducing the air to go down. In sinking a pit, you can only 
 go a certain distance below that brattice, otherwise the air is stagnant, although 
 in that case the effect of the brattice is, to throw the air down the shaft 
 
 3658. May not the steam jet, or any other system of ventilation, make a sort 
 of a vacuum below, which may induce the air to go down, if the airways are not 
 sufficiently large; and in that case may you possibly have a natural braitice, 
 but under no other circumstances ? — I cannot very well conceive the case of air 
 going down one part of a shaft, and coming up the other to any extent; I do 
 not say that it would not to some extent do so. In the Monkwearmouth Col- 
 liery, which is a very deep one, we have the fact of fresh air going in along the 
 bottom of the seam, and the heated air returning along the top; and that acts 
 to such an extent as even to carry air into the face of the workings to a certain 
 extent, but that acts horizontally, or nearly so. 
 
 3650. It was recommended in the evidence given before the Committee of 
 1852, that in cases of violent explosions there should be large openings called 
 " Refuge Stalls" left, with a sort of valve propped open, which prop would be 
 blown out, and that into the refuge stalls the men might go, and retain life for a 
 certain time, and escape the effects of the after-damp, until fresh air could be 
 got to them ; is it your opinion that refuge stalls are practicable ? — I think they 
 are impracticable; I have considered that matter very carefully since that Report 
 was made. I have had occasion to attend to a great number of explosions, and 
 I have, been myself the subject of explosions, and I cannot see that in any one 
 of those cases such a thing could have been useful or practicable. If there is 
 any respirable air left in the pit after an explosion, it is generally in the face of 
 the workings ; and if there is any place of refuge by which life may be prolonged, 
 it would be by the man remaining in the face of his bord, rather than going into 
 the after-damp to get to a refuge stall. 
 
 3660. Do you think that the men in their fright, forcing their way to the 
 mouth of the pit, generally rush into danger rather than avoid it? — In the case 
 of an explosion men are very much confused ; but I do not see the possibility 
 of keeping a refuge stall filled with respirable air, unless it is hermetically 
 sealed ; and a man going into it (that is supposing he could get into it at all), 
 would take the vitiated air with him. 
 
 3661. But he would only take as much air as would go in while he was 
 entering, and the door would be dropped behind him ? — In an explosion the 
 pressure of air is enormous. I was myself in a pit when it exploded ; I was 
 anxious to throw myself down on the floor of the mine, and I could not do it ; 
 the air was so dense, that I floated on the top of the air next the roof, the density 
 being greater than water ; and if you conceive any opening into a refuge stall, 
 the pressure of air into that stall would be so great, as to compress the air and 
 drive it out; unless, therefore, it was perfectly air-tight, I do not see how the 
 respirable air could be kept in ; and then supposing the explosion over so as to 
 allow the men to travel to it, still in that case you have the bad air surrounding 
 the place. 
 
 366,2. Supposing that the refuge stall could be made perfectly air-tight, do 
 you think it could be made to hold 30 or 40 men, and enable them to reiain life 
 for any time ? — Certainly not. How were the 30 or 40 men to get to it? 
 
 3663. Mr. H. A. Bruce.^ Is it not after the explosion that the air is dan- 
 gerous ? — Immediately after the explosion you cannot breathe it. 
 
 3664. If the explosion is the signal of danger, would you not have to traverse 
 the exploded air in its most dangerous state, in order to get to the refuge stalls ? 
 — Yes. The only safe place in a pit, in an explosion, is in the face of the bords 
 where the air is pent up to a certain extent. The danger would he in travelling 
 to the place of refuge. 
 
 3665. Chairman.} You think that the face of the pit is the best refuge-stall 
 that can be made r — Until the explosion has passed, and as much atmospheric 
 air is mixed with the vitiated air as will enable a person to turn out. Applying 
 it to cases of explosion which I have studied, I could not see in what part of a 
 pit such refuge stalls could be placed, to be useful in an explosion. 
 
 3666. It was a recommendation in the Report of the Committee of 1852, that an 
 0.76. c 2 anemometer 
 
20 MINUTES OF EVIDENCE TAKEN BEFORE THE 
 
 N. Wood, Esq. anemometer placed in a pit should be a self-registering anemometer; and that, 
 with reference to the periodical visits of the inspector, it should be so placed that 
 
 11 July 1853. he would know at each visit the rate at which the current of air had been passing 
 through the mine in his absence ; in your opinion would such a self-registering 
 anemometer be a safe guide, under any circumstances ? — I think that, applied in 
 the way the Committee recommended, it would not be a guide on which confi- 
 dence could be placed. It is possible to have a self-registering anemometer, 
 which would register the rate at which the air travelled for a certain period ; 
 but I think not for so long a period as the interval between the visits of an 
 inspector. 
 
 3667. Supposing the visits of the inspector w r ere weekly or monthly, do you 
 think that the anemometer could be so constructed that it could not be tampered 
 with by an overman, who had a wish to make the air appear to have been going 
 faster through the pit than it actually had gone? — I think the object might be 
 defeated, by removing the anemometer, and placing it in another place; or 
 by so contracting the air as to make it run round very rapidly. 
 
 3668. By contracting the space where the anemometer is placed ? — Yes ; and 
 I think that is a difficult and erroneous principle of relying on the prevention of 
 accidents, or for ascertaining the velocity of the current. The best detector is 
 an anemometer placed near the furnace of the pit ; and that the record of that 
 anemometer should be reported to the manager of the mine, from time to time, 
 and examined by the overlookers at uncertain periods. At most of our furnaces 
 we now have an anemometer of that kind, by which the overman, or the viewer, 
 or any one who goes there unexpectedly, can ascertain the rate at which it has 
 been moving. 
 
 3669. Still you, as the head viewer, as well as the inspector, would always be 
 dependent upon the honesty of your under-viewer, who is constantly in the pit? 
 — Certainly. But more than one person having the surveillance of a registry of 
 that kind, there must be a combination in cheating before any tricks can take 
 place ; and then I do not see the object of such trickery. 
 
 3670. Would you consider your pit safe if you were to place your whole depen- 
 dence on a self-registering anemometer, provided you did not think the over- 
 man was an honest man, and a man who would not, under any circumstances, 
 tamper with the anemometer? — 1 should not consider it safe to rely upon an 
 anemometer to be watched by the inspector. The correct principle of safety is 
 to have honest and efficient managers. 
 
 3^71. Or by yourself? — Or by myself; I think the mine should be inspected 
 from time to time by competent and honest overlookers. 
 
 3672. And therefore it would be infinitely better to have honest people in a 
 mine, than to depend upon any scientific instrument? — Certainly ; it is the only 
 safe mode of conducting a mine. 
 
 3673. At the same time, you do not mean to undervalue the use of the 
 anemometer? — Not the least; on the contrary, we have used the anemo- 
 meter for years, and I have always stated in my evidence on these occasions, 
 that 1 thought an anemometer placed near the furnace was the best mode of 
 testing the quantity of air going into the pit, and better than the water-gauge. 
 
 3674. Mr. Ingham.'] If the anemometer were fairly dealt with, would it give the 
 inspector the amount of the ventilation in his absence ? — At the particular point 
 at which the anemometer was placed ; but that would be no indication of the 
 air going round all the workings. For instance, looking at the diagram (Fig. 
 12, Plate II.), supposing I set those shaft doors open, the anemometer, being 
 placed near the furnace, would go at a tremendous rate, and not a particle of 
 air would be going round the pit. 
 
 3675. Supposing the place was originally chosen with the knowledge of the 
 inspector, so as to place the anemometer where it would give a good record of 
 the ventilation in the pit, if that were fairly dealt with during his absence, 
 would it not denote the amount of ventilation during his absence, supposing he 
 came back within a month? — Yes, if it recorded it so long. 
 
 3676. Then is it not an act which would be obnoxious to the workmen to 
 tamper with the anemometer, because they would know it woidd put the venti- 
 lation in jeopardy on which their safety depended ; and do not you think that 
 information would be given to the inspector, if, during his absence, the anemo- 
 meter had been removed, or the process had been fraudulently interfered with ? 
 — I do not think there would be any objection, on the part of the coal-owners, to 
 
 such 
 
SELECT COMMITTEE ON ACCIDENTS IN COAL MINES. 
 
 21 
 
 such an anemometer being placed in the pit ; but I think that it would be a false N. Wood, Esq. 
 
 security to rely on one anemometer for any degree of safety. If, as at Hetton, 
 
 you have 33 "splits of air, you must have an anemometer in each split; and n July 1853. 
 then you must have them in many other places, because those splits are again 
 split into other portions, and at those extremities where the greatest danger 
 exists. 
 
 3677. Chairman.'] You might have an anemometer in every current at the 
 same time, and the workmen might inform if an overman tampered with the 
 anemometer ; but at night the. workmen are not in the mine ? — No. 
 
 3678. Therefore at night, if a man were inclined to tamper with any one of 
 the anemometers (and the more anemometers there were, the more readily he 
 could tamper with them), it would be necessary to have a man every night, and 
 all night, to watch each particular anemometer, and guard against the anemo- 
 meter being tampered with ? — Yes ; the more you increase the number of 
 anemometers, the greater is the difficulty of inspecting them. I do not mean to 
 say that the coal-owner would object to anemometers being placed in any part of 
 the pit ; because the coal-owner, being of course responsible for the safety of the 
 mine, would be as much interested as the inspector, in seeing that they were 
 right ; but I mean to say that it would be a very troublesome and difficult mode, 
 and not an efficacious mode, of testing the safety of a pit. I think it must be 
 done by other modes to be effective or of any utility. 
 
 3679. In a serious case of explosion, is the proprietor of the pit put to consider- 
 able expense? — To very great expense generally. 
 
 3680. In any pit of which you have had the management, where a very large 
 explosion has taken place, to what expense was the proprietor put? — It depends 
 very much on the circumstances. I have known an explosion cost a coal-owner 
 many hundred pounds ; and in some cases the pits have been shut up. In two or 
 three cases within my experience the pits had to be shut up two or three months. 
 
 3681. Mr. Stephenson.'] So that it is not merely having to repair the damage, 
 but it is the loss of business during that time ? — It is the loss of trade during the 
 interval. 
 
 3682. Chairman.] It appears by returns that nearly one-fourth of the acci- 
 dents in England have happened from falls of the roof and sides on the heads of 
 the men ; can you suggest any plan by which those accidents could be pre- 
 vented ? — I do not think I can suggest any other plan than care and attention ; 
 and the plan which is at present pursued, of propping the roof and sides. The 
 process is very simple, by either props, or blocks of wood placed transversely, 
 which we call "chocks." Recently the use of square pieces of wood or chocks 
 has been very much extended in the north of England, and I think they are safer 
 than the ordinary props ; they cover a space of something like four square feet, 
 and they are consequently a better support to the roof than a single prop. 
 Single props, however numerous, are liable to be broken down, and falls of stone 
 take place. In all those cases care and attention are the only precautions that 
 can be adopted. 
 
 3683. It has been stated, that in the Northumberland andDurhatn districts, there 
 are men who are called "deputies," who stand the props; and that in the districts of 
 Lancashire and Yorkshire, the working men are generally in the habit of standing 
 the props themselves : in your opinion, which is the best system ? — I think that 
 the system of employing men exclusively for that purpose is better than employ- 
 ing workmen generally. I am well aware that, in the Midland counties, a contrary 
 opinion is prevalent ; but 1 still think on principle that the deputies, being men 
 of a superior class to the general class of workmen, and being constantly 
 employed in that duty, and of course having great experience in it, are a class 
 of men more safe to be employed than the ordinary workmen. 
 
 3684. Do you think their superior ability, and superior practical knowledge of 
 the state of a roof, would more than counterbalance the care which the working 
 men may be supposed to take, to insure the safety of their own lives? — I think 
 that a great many of those accidents occur from the carelessness or inadvertence 
 of the workmen, and I think that the deputies would take more care of the work- 
 men than the workmen could take of themselves. The workmen are generally 
 absorbed in their work, and consequently unable to see the danger. 
 
 3685. In your experience have you generally found that sufficient supports 
 are always furnished to the deputies or to the workmen ? — Yes, and for this very 
 obvious reason, that a fall of stone is a great expense to the coal-owner in clearing 
 
 0.76. c 3 it 
 
MINUTES OF EVIDENCE TAKEN BEFORE THE 
 
 N. Wood, Esq. it away ; and that, even in a mercenary point of view, the coal-owner is inte- 
 rested in having as few falls as possible. 
 
 11 July 18,^3. 3686. At the same time, is it not the fact, that the coal-owner sometimes does 
 not know his own interest ; for you will probably think that coal could be worked 
 cheaper with sufficient ventilation than with a system of natural ventilation, 
 and that the coal-owner, in many cases, will not lay out his capital to work his 
 coal properly, and is therefore working at a more expensive rate ? — I think that a 
 well ventilated colliex'y ma}^ be worked cheaper than a colliery which is not well 
 ventilated ; but I doubt very much whether the coal-owner in a district where a 
 colliery is badly ventilated, thinks so. I apprehend it is because he thinks he 
 may save something by the want of ventilation, that he keeps his pits in that state. 
 
 3687. On the same principle, may not the coal-owner think he will save 
 something by not providing a sufficiency of props ? — Probably he may ; but in 
 that case I am sure that the saving in the want of props would be less than the 
 expense of removing the falls when the falls take place. 
 
 3688. In both cases your opinion is, that if the coal-owners think so, they take 
 a very improper view? — Yes; and 1 think they take a very erroneous view. 
 
 3689. With regard to the method of winding men up and down the shafts, it 
 appears, on looking over the returns, that more than 200 men lose their lives 
 annually from accidents in and about shafts. In the district with which you 
 are more particularly acquainted, after the pits are abandoned, are they gene- 
 rally walled up ? — The pits are always secured when they are abandoned". The 
 number of abandoned pits in Northumberland and Durham are very few. I do 
 not know any case in that district in which accidents have happened by men 
 falling down the old pits. 
 
 3690. Have you seen pits totally insecure in other districts ? — Yes; where 
 the pits are numerous. 
 
 3691. In your opinion, should it be enacted by the Legislature that every 
 abandoned pit should be walled round or properly secured, so as to prevent 
 accidents? — I think it would be a very proper measure. 
 
 3692. Is it not very possible that the grass might grow over the top of a small 
 pit, so as to render it almost impossible for a man to see that he was walking 
 into a pit, and would fall clown it and be killed ? — It is so, in many cases that I 
 am acquainted with, in the outlying districts, where the pits are numerous, and 
 of no great depth. I have known accidents happen ; and I think it would be a 
 good measure to insist upon their being walled around. 
 
 3693. In your opinion, is sufficient care taken to keep the pit or the shaft in a 
 proper state, so that no stone or rock can fall on the heads of the men? — I think, 
 in the Northumberland and Durham districts, that is very particularly attended 
 to. In deep shafts, very great care is taken either to wall them, or to see that 
 the rock which is not walled is sufficiently firm to stand without walling. 
 
 3694. Mr. H. A. Bruce.] Do accidents happen more frequently during; the 
 sinking of a pit than afterwards ?— I have not known many accidents happen 
 in sinking. I sunk two shafts 280 fathoms in depth not long ago, and no 
 accident occurred. 
 
 3695. Chairman.^ It has been stated that in some districts the shafts are left 
 in a very unsafe state, and that men constantly lose their lives from stones and 
 other things tailing from the shafts. In your opinion, should it be one of the 
 duties of the inspector to see that the shafts were in a proper state, and, if 
 necessary, were walled up, so that nothing of that kind could occur to kill the 
 men ? — 1 think it is peculiarly the province of the inspectors to see that the pits 
 are saftly walled oft' or secured. That is just where, I think, the inspector 
 would be useful. 
 
 3696. It has been stated to this Committee by some of the workmen, that a 
 great many accidents occur from too many men being wound up and down the 
 pit at the same time, and also by men being let down the pit when full coals are 
 coming up, and also by the great speed at which the men are wound up the pit ; 
 do you think that anything could be done to render these accidents less fre- 
 quent? — 1 think that in all well-regulated collieries there is a rule laid down, 
 as to the number of persons who are to ascend or descend the pits, and, of 
 course, the mode in which that is to be done. I find, in my experience, very 
 often that extreme difficulty exists in preventing more men getting on the rope 
 than is laid down by the rule ; the rule in every case being, of course, the safe 
 number. The dangers and the accidents almost always arise from more men 
 
 getting 
 
SELECT COMMITTEE ON ACCIDENTS IN COAL MINES. 
 
 23 
 
 getting on the rope than the rule prescribes. I do not think that many accidents N. Wood, Esq 
 
 happen from the velocity with which the men ascend or descend ; because, with 
 
 a properly constructed apparatus in the shaft, you go as smoothly at 10 miles an ii July 1853. 
 hour as at five ; and I do not fancy that there is much in the velocity if the shafts 
 are properly arranged. 
 
 3697. Do you think that the engineer has the same power over the engine, if 
 it is going at an increased rate of velocity, as he would have if it were going- 
 much slower ? — In all well regulated machines there is a bell, which is rung at 
 a particular point of the ascent, and then the engine-man reduces the speed and 
 ultimately stops the engine. 
 
 3698. The engine works with a fly-wheel r— Yes. 
 
 3699. Is it not more difficult to stop an engine, when it is going very quickly, 
 than when it is going slowly? — No doubt; but the brake gives great power over 
 the rope- wheel of the engine. 
 
 3700. Is there not a point of speed beyond which you would not recommend 
 men to be wound up ? — Yes. 
 
 3701. Can you give the Committee an idea as to the average rate of speed, 
 and as to the rate of speed which you think would be more safe to wind men 
 up and down ? — I think, in a pit of about 600 feet, the time of drawing coals is 
 about a minute ; and I think, as a general rule, it is laid down, that the men 
 ought not to come up at more than half the rate at which you are drawing- 
 coals. 
 
 3702. Do you think they could be wound up, with perfect safety, at the rate 
 of 600 feet in two minutes ? — Yes. 
 
 3703. Mr. Stephenson.] What is the comparative safety between 600 feet in 
 two minutes, and 300 feet in two minutes ? — The comparative safety is in relation 
 to the velocity. 
 
 3704. If an accident took place in the slides, do you think it would be pos- 
 sible for a man to ring the bell in a shaft at slow speed, and to prevent any evil 
 consequences by that arrangement ? — I think not. When I spoke of the bell, I 
 did not mean that the men should ring the bell, I meant that there was a bell 
 placed on each engine, and that bell was rung in the machine-house at a certain 
 period of the ascent, and that this gave the man notice to check the velocity, so 
 that when it came to the top it would be at a slow rate. 
 
 370,5. It has been stated in evidence, that it is possible at a slow speed, when 
 men are being drawn up, to get access to a small auxiliary rope hung down the 
 shaft, by which means they might ring the bell themselves, if anything went 
 wrong. Do you believe, that upon any accident occurring to the slides, the men 
 could take advantage of such a mode of communication with the engine-man at 
 the top of the pit? — Practically, I do not think it would be a safe thing to rely 
 on. The only accidents by velocity, are those where men are taken up over the 
 pulley-wheel. In one of the pits, of which 1 have the charge, I believe there are 
 only eight feet between the top of the pit and the bottom to play upon } in drawing 
 the coals, and the men cannot see the pit ; and yet we have never had an accident 
 happen in that shaft in drawing coals. It proves the facility with which they 
 stop the machine. 
 
 3706. Chairman.'] Have you ever used Fourdrinier's or White and Grant's 
 cages? — I have used Fourdrinier's, and a modification of it. 
 
 3707. What is your opinion of it ? — Generally, I think they have not been 
 practically useful ; they are very liable to get out of order ; and I have, in several 
 pits, abandoned the use of them. In some of the pits they are still at work ; but 
 generally, I have great doubt whet her they are a saving of life. I have known 
 accidents happen in consequence of the use of them ; and certainly the liability 
 to get out of order is very objectionable ; and the feeling of the trade is, that 
 they are not so efficacious as they were at first thought to be. 
 
 3708. At the same time, might not a cover be placed at the top, so that if 
 anything fell out of the pit, or on the top, it would fail on the piece of board, or 
 whatever Was above, and the men's lives be saved ?— I think that in all cases 
 there ought to be a cover on the cages in which men descend. Fourdrinier's is 
 a mode of stopping the cage in case the rope breaks. There may be too great a 
 tendency to rely on the apparatus, and so allow the rope to wear nearer a 
 breaking condition than previously; therefore, I have great doubt whether they 
 practically operate to prevent accidents. 
 
 3709. Is it not quite possible also to have a sort of cover at the top of the pit, 
 0.76. c 4 which 
 
24 
 
 MINUTES OF EVIDENCE TAKEN BEFORE THE 
 
 N. Wood, Esq. which might be lifted up as the bucket came up to the top, and when the bucket 
 
 went down, that cover be left on the top of the pit, so that both sides of the pit 
 
 11 July 1853. would be safe, and a man could not walk into it? — I do not think that manv 
 accidents happen by men walking into a pit. 
 
 3710. It might easily be avoided? — I think it would be attended with some 
 inconvenience in practice. If it was a down-cast or an up-cast shaft, it would 
 be an obstruction to the air. 
 
 3711. It might be made of iron bars, placed across one another, so that there 
 would be but a slight space through which the air could not travel ? — I have 
 heard of no accidents by that mode. I think the expense and inconvenience 
 would be far more than any benefit which could be derived. 
 
 3712. You have not seen it done at the Dowlas colliery ? — Yes, I have. 
 
 3713. Do you think that is a good mode? — I do not think it is necessary. 
 
 3714. Do you think that any rate of speed could be enacted by the Legis- 
 lature ; or do you think it should be in the power of the inspectors to see that 
 sufficient care was taken as to the goodness of the rope and the machinery, and 
 also that proper engine-men were employed, so that men's lives might not be in 
 danger ? — I do not think the Legislature could lay down any particular rate of 
 speed ; because, in my mind, the only danger in the rate of speed is at the top 
 of the pit ; and with a very deep pit, you have a longer distance to travel before 
 you come to the top, than in a shallower one. The same rate of speed would 
 not be safe in both cases. I think it should be left to the inspectors and the 
 coal- owners. I think that certain rules should be laid down upon which the 
 inspectors should act. 
 
 3715. Are there any particular rules laid down in your collieries? — Yes, in 
 all the collieries. 
 
 3716. Dave you any particular rules connected with any collieries over 
 which you have the charge? — Yes. 
 
 3717. Have you any objection to put in a copy of those rules? — I will go into 
 that question when I speak of the inspection, as I purpose saying something 
 about such rules ; and probably that will be the best time to do it. 
 
 Jouis, 14° die Julii, 1853. 
 
 MEMBERS PRESENT. 
 
 Mr. Hutchins. 
 Mr. Child. 
 Mr. Mostyn. 
 Mr. Baird. 
 Mr. Locke. 
 
 Mr. Ingram. 
 
 Mr. Henry Austin Bruce. 
 Mr. Cayley. 
 Mr. Cobbett. 
 
 EDWARD JOHN HUTCHINS, Esq., in the Chair. 
 
 Nicholas Wood, Esq., called in ; and further Examined. 
 
 N.Wood, Esq. 37 1 8. Chairman^ DO you agree with the Report of the Committee of 1852, 
 
 as to there being what they call the " furnace limit"? — The limit of the furnace 
 
 14 July 185,3. i s the same limit which there is to all mechanical power ; there is a limit to every 
 thing. But the power of the furnace is sufficient, I think, in every case of mine 
 ventilation, and 1 have not yet seen any other mechanical power superior to the 
 furnace in power for that purpose ; there is just the same limit to any engine, any 
 machinery, either in the shape of* a fan, or a pumping-maehine, or steam-engine ; 
 there is the same limit to any of those powers as there is to the furnace. 
 
 3719. Do you not allude to the furnace as a mechanical power ? — Yes; the 
 heat acting- upon the air in the shaft is a mechanical power, in the same way as 
 Mr. Ericsson is now endeavouring to get by means of heated air a greater and 
 more economical power than steam in steam boats. It is exactly the same prin- 
 ciple whh the furnace acts in the application of the heated air in a shaft. 
 
 3720. Have 
 
SELECT COMMITTEE ON ACCIDENTS IN COAL MINES. 25 
 
 3720. Have you ever practically experienced what is called the furnace limit, y. Wood, Esq. 
 
 ^0 that the increased heat would create no greater effect in ventilation ? — At the 
 
 Hetton Colliery we have one furnace, and we get a certain amount of mechanical 14 July 1853. 
 power by that one furnace. When we add two more furnaces we get about 
 
 double the power by the additional furnaces which we have in the single one. If 
 we were to add more furnaces and increase the area, or deepen the shaft, we 
 would increase the power. 
 
 3721. Mr. Child.] In what proportion do you get additional ventilation by 
 additional heat ? — A reference to the table of my experiments shows the increase 
 of power in a column of air between 120 feet and 1,200 feet. That is the increase 
 of power by the increase of depth. The table also shows the increase of power 
 by the increase of temperature. 
 
 3722. You mentioned that you got double the ventilation by increasing the 
 furnaces ; did you increase those furnaces double, or less than double ? — With a 
 -nine-feet furnace we got down 164,000 feet of air, and with two eight-feet fur- 
 naces, in addition to the nine-feet, we got 234,000. 
 
 3723. Mr. H. A. Bruce.~\ Where were those other furnaces applied? — They 
 were applied to the other side of the pit. 
 
 3724. In the other shaft ? — No; in the same shaft. The application is shown 
 
 in Plate I. Vide Experiments, 
 
 3725. Chairman.'] The Committee understand you to say that whatever limit A PP e,,dlx ' 
 •there may be to furnace ventilation, the same resistance that would cause that 
 
 limit would equally apply to any mechanical power, or to the steam jet ? — The 
 furnace, the steam jet, and Stuve's machine, are all mechanical powers, and there 
 is no limit that has been attempted to be applied to the furnace, which does not 
 -equally apply to the whole of those powers. If you have one boiler it will produce 
 .a certain amount of steam, whether that steam is made to apply to ventilation by a 
 jet, or by pumping ; that is the limit w 7 ith one boiler. Then you add another boiler, 
 and then you get a similar limit. Then you may go on adding another boiler and 
 another boiler, but there is a limit with each boiler, and so it is with the furnace. 
 You may apply one furnace, and you may fire that furnace at different rates of 
 intensity, and then firing it with the maximum intensity there is a limit to that fur- 
 nace. Then you add another furnace, and another, and so on, and there is a 
 limit to each furnace ; so there is a limit to the boiler power, or any other 
 mechanical force employed. 
 
 3726. Mr. Cayley.~] Is it not true that the pull which you get from the furnace 
 ■increases in an arithmetical ration, whilst the drag increases in a geometrical ratio ? 
 — It is so ; the mechanical effect produced by the furnace, or by any machine, is 
 exactly the same ; all those are in arithmetical proportion to the power employed ; 
 the drag of the air is in the geometrical ratio of the velocity of the air. 
 
 3727. Using all the power you have from the furnace, and the drag increases 
 in that additional proportion, is it not the fact that you soon come to what is 
 called the furnace limit, by that means ? — No doubt ; just in the same way as you 
 come to the limit of any other mechanical power. 
 
 3728. Supposing the case of the power of the jets being greater than in your 
 experiments, although the drag may increase in that ratio, still may not there be in 
 the jet a power in reserve which would still go on multiplying the power of ven- 
 tilation, in spite of that tendency ?— -The jet acts precisely the same as the furnace : 
 if you have a steam -jet of a certain quantity of steam per minute at 20 lbs. per 
 square inch, which produces a certain effect ; and you have another steam-jet of 
 40 lbs. to an inch, that produces a certain greater effect, but each of them has a 
 limit ; they can only produce a certain amount of drag in the pit, the same as the 
 furnace. 
 
 3729. Then the result will depend upon whether there is more or less power in 
 reserve in the case of a furnace, or in the case of a jet ? — It would, abstractedly 
 •speaking, whether there is more power in the jet to spare than there is in the 
 furnace. 
 
 3730. The mode in which the furnace limit-would be indicated would be by 
 the tendency of the column of air to descend from the top when the furnace limit 
 had arrived I — By a uniform velocity in the current. 
 
 3731. That would tend to obstruct the ventilation? — If the air did descend it 
 would obstruct the ventilation. 
 
 3732. Down the up-cast ? — The tendency to descend the up-cast. 
 
 3733. When the drag and the pull meet at a certain point, as the furnace limit, 
 0.76. D the 
 
26 MINUTES OF EVIDENCE TAKEN BEFORE THE 
 
 N. Wood, Estr. the tendency would be, would it not, for nature to vindicate herself ; the 
 m ■ tendency of the air which would not come through the galleries of the pit 
 
 H July 1853. would be to descend down the uj>cast ? — Certainly not, if there is any velo- 
 city, I should almost say perceptible velocity of air, in the shaft. The up-cast 
 shaft you may suppose to be a portion of the rope, which, if continued, would con- 
 stitute the drag of the air; and the upper portion being that part which is pulling; 
 so long as there is any motion, every particle of the air of that shaft will pull ; and 
 there is no tendency of the air to descend, because it is inconsistent with the 
 principles of elastic fluids when heated. 
 
 3734. The question assumes that the furnace limit has been reached, and that 
 the current was not very perceptible, if at all ; would there not be a tendency for 
 the furnace to be fed by air from some source, and if it failed to be fed from below, 
 would not the air have a tendency to rush down the up-cast to feed the furnace, 
 and so obstruct the ventilation of the mine -Speaking as a matter of fact, I 
 have seen hundreds of furnace shafts, and I never saw any furnace where there was 
 a perceptible current in the air going down a shaft. I believe the fact to be, that 
 every particle of air in the shaft is heated above the temperature of the down-cast 
 shaft by the operation of the furnace, and that must be the case when there is even 
 a very moderate quantity of air passing over the furnace ; then, if you admit that 
 every particle in the shaft is heated, all the particles must ascend, and none will 
 descend. 
 
 3735. Under the circumstances of the shaft, you do not. believe in the possible 
 formation of what is called the natural brattice ? — The strongest case of a natural 
 brattice would be in sinking a pit, where there is no drag of the air at all. In 
 sinking a pit, we find that we require a real brattice to be placed in that pit, so 
 that the air should go down one side,, and come up the other. If there was any 
 natural brattice, (which is more imaginary than real), it would be in a still shaft 
 where gunpowder is used, and the heat of the men in the shaft has a tendency to 
 heat the air at the bottom of the shaft ; this heated air would have a tendency to 
 ascend, and it would of course cause some air to descend ; and I do not mean to 
 say that it does not ; I believe it does in fact. But then the quantity that descends 
 is so trifling, that in sinking a pit you are obliged to have a brattice within some- 
 thing like 10 or 12 feet of the bottom of that shaft, in order that air should be 
 obtained. 
 
 3736. Will you explain to us the philosophy of a smoky chimney r — I think 
 it is entirely the want of power in the ascending column of heated air to coun 
 teract the effect of the wind on the top of the chimney, or of a counter current 
 below, or both. 
 
 3737. Does not a part of the smoke go up one side, and a part of the smoke 
 descend on the other side, and come into the room ? — Yes ; if the wind acts on 
 the top of the chimney, and forces the column of heated air down the chimney ; 
 or if it comes into the room otherwise, I think you will find that is from a coun- 
 teracting effect in some other part of the house of a greater power than the column 
 of heated air in the chimney. 
 
 3738. Is it not the fact that you see the smoke going out at the top of the 
 chimney and coining down into the room ? — No doubt you do. All this in 
 theory is well enough, but I humbly submit that it would be a fallacy, tending to 
 destroy all practical, utility of such an inquiry as this if any weight whatever was 
 placed on the natural brattice. It can only take place under extraordinary cir- 
 cumstances, and to an extent which is perfectly inapplicable to anything in the 
 shape of ventilation. 
 
 3739. But is it a matter of theory if you cannot obtain a sufficient amount of 
 ventilation by means of a furnace, in consequence of the furnace limit ? — The 
 natural brattice is immeasurably behind the power of the furnace ; it ceases when 
 the furnace begins to operate ; any power of that kind which is immeasurably 
 below the power of the furnace, cannot have any practical operation. In 40 
 years' practice I have never experienced anything like a natural brattice in 
 ventilation. 
 
 3740. Chairman.] Since the Report of the Committee of 1852, have you 
 turned your attention more particularly to the subject of safety-lamps ? — I have ; 
 I found considerable doubts existed as to the safety of the Davy lamp. 
 
 3741. In consequence of that did you make some experiments to ascertain at 
 what point of velocity all the lamps that you knew of would explode ? — I did ; 
 I had before on previous occasions, along with the late Mr. George Stephenson, 
 
 and 
 
SELECT COMMITTEE ON ACCIDENTS IN COAL MINES 27 
 
 and subsequently by myself, made a great many experiments to ascertain if it were jy. Wood, Esq. 
 
 practicable to pass the flame of fire- clamp through the wire gauze. I was never — 
 
 able to do so. In those experiments the air was made to act on the lamp either 14 July 1853. 
 
 by blowing the air upon it with a bellows, or by moving the lamp in a rectilinear 
 
 motion ; and although we got the heat of the M'ire gauze of the lamp to much 
 
 beyond a red heat, still we were not able to pass the flame. I have thrown coal 
 
 dust upon it in that state, and still was not able to pass the flame ; and I have 
 
 also thrown oil upon it, in a state a little above red heat, and I never was able to 
 
 pass the flame through the meshes of the lamp. I then had an apparatus made, 
 
 shown and described in Figs. 1 and 2, Appendix, Plate G. Fig. 1 is a box 2 feet 
 
 9 inches square, and 1 foot 4 inches deep, with an upright spindle a, on which 
 
 is fixed the arm b. On the spindle outside the box is a handle c, and on the 
 
 arm b the lamp is fixed as shown. Fig. 2 is a gasometer which is filled with gas 
 
 by the pipe B from the blower, the pipe A conveying the gas from the gasometer 
 
 into the box Fig. I . D is a cock for letting water into or out of the cistern in 
 
 which the gasometer is placed. When the cistern is filled with water up to e f, 
 
 the cock D is opened, the water is emptied out of the gasometer, and it is filled 
 
 with fire-damp, receiving the pure gas by the pipe B, and the atmospheric air by 
 
 the pipe A ; when filled with gas of the proper mixture, the cock is turned, the 
 
 water rises in the gasometer, and forces the gas into the box by the pipe A, and 
 
 the lamp is turned round with such a velocity as may be required, being immersed 
 
 in the inflammable mixture. This was placed near a blower in the Killing-worth 
 
 Pit, a blower that had been discharging gas for about 12 years, and different 
 
 descriptions of lamps, to the number of 12, were placed upon the arm within 
 
 the box, and turned round at different velocities until they either went out, or 
 
 until the gauze of the lamps attained a white heat, and they exploded through the 
 
 gauze. 
 
 3742. Was the gas in the box in as highly explosive a state as any gas that you 
 would find in a coal mine, that would cause any serious explosion ? — The mixture 
 was kept as nearly as possible to that of one of fire-damp to seven or eight of 
 atmospheric air. 
 
 3743. That being the most dangerous mixture ? — That being the most ex- 
 plosive mixture, according to the experiments of Sir Humphry Davy. Before 
 giving the details of the experiments, 1 should state that the lamps experimented 
 upon were of two principles of construction. One, the safety of which depends 
 entirely upon the wire gauze, such as the Davy lamp, and other lamps, the cooliug 
 property of the wire gauze being the principle of safety ; the other principle being 
 that of the admission of a limited quantity of atmospheric air within the lamp, 
 the security and insulation of the lamp being attained by glass or talc. Taking 
 the Davy lamp as the test of lamps, the safety of Mhich depends entirely upon 
 the cooling power of the gauze, I found that, when subjected to an explosive 
 mixture, so long as the wire gauze of that lamp was below that of a white heat, 
 even although if was subjected to a velocity of 12 feet a second, it did not 
 explode. But when the heat reaches a brilliant Avhite heat, and with a velocity 
 of about 15 feet per second, the lamp exploded. 
 
 3744. Mr. C((7jley.~] What pace is 15 feet per second? — About 1.0 miles an 
 hour. When the lamp was placed in an inflammable mixture, it soon became of 
 a dull red heat, and I found that the heat w hen the lamp was stationary did not 
 increase. When the lamp was moved, being in that state, at a sudden or rapid 
 velocity of about eight or ten feet per second it went out ; and it Avas only when 
 it was put into motion with a very gradually accelerating velocity that the heat 
 could be raised above that of a red heat without putting the flame out. 
 
 3745. Accelerated from what ? — From rest up to the required velocity. If the 
 velocity was sudden it put the lamp out ; but if the increasing motion was gradual, 
 so as to gradually increase the heat of the wires, then a white heat was acquired ; 
 but it was with extreme difficulty that in any of the lamps the wire could be got 
 above a red heat without the lamp being extinguished. I will presently give the 
 effect of experiments of the lamp being moved horizontally, and not in a circular 
 motion. 
 
 3746. Chairman.'] You made experiments, you say, on the two kinds of lamp ; 
 did you get the glass lamps to explode as well as the common wire gauze lamps? 
 — The glass lamps, being on the principle of an admission of a diminished quantity 
 of air to feed the flame of the wick, all these lamps were put out when inserted 
 in an inflammable mixture and when put into motion. In the Davy lamp, when 
 
 0.76. ( d 2 the 
 
28 
 
 MINUTES OF EVIDENCE TAKEN BEFORE THE 
 
 N. Wood, Es«j. the flame leaves the wick, (which is always the case when the lamp is placed in 
 
 a pure inflammable mixture,) there is a sufficient quantity of inflammable gas to' 
 
 14 July 1853. continue combustion, independently of the flame of the wick of the lamp; but 
 in all the lamps with a diminished quantity of air admitted, when the gas becomes 
 so pure as to burn itself without the aid of the flame of the wick, then it 
 leaves the flame of the wick, and it goes out immediately. Directly the gas is 
 admitted into this lamp (producing a glass lamp), the flame elongates, and so 
 burns with a very great length of top. Then, when the inflammable mixture is- 
 increased in purity, and the quantity of oxygen diminished, it assumes a state of 
 combustion of gas alone ; without the aid of the wick, and directly it acquires 
 that state, the lamps admitting a diminished quantity of air go out. But in 
 the Davy lamps, and those glass lamps having a wire gauze top, there is a suffi- 
 cient bulk of inflammable mixture admitted within the gauze, independently of 
 the flame of the wick, to support combustion ; and therefore the Davy lamp, and 
 all those lamps with wire gauze, do not go out ; and therein consists the danger 
 of explosion in case of velocity. We have a cylinder full of gas in a state of 
 combustion, and by giving the lamp the motion described previously, the gauze 
 is gradually heated, the cooling powers diminish, and, when the wires are in a 
 state of white heat, the flame passes. 
 
 3747. Did you try any lamps with copper wire gauze? — I tried the Clanny 
 lamp with a copper wire top. T 
 
 3748. Did you find that the coppei wire would melt before the gas would 
 explode? — 1 found that when the copper wire was subjected to the same heat as- 
 the iron wire, that the wire melted and broke through, and formed a hole in the 
 side of the lamp. I could not ascertain the temperature of the flame within the 
 cylinder when the copper wire melted ; but it melted at a heat below that at 
 which the Avire gauze did not pass the flame. 
 
 3749. That being your opinion, do you not think that the use of copper gauze 
 should be altogether done away with ? — I think the use of copper gauze very 
 dangerous, inasmuch as the copper has not so great a cooling property as iron 
 wire. This was distinctly pointed out by Sir Humphry Davy in his experiments ; 
 but still I find some lamps made use of with copper gauze. 
 
 3750. I believe you tried the Eloin lamps, as well as the lamps having glass- 
 and gauze too ? — I did. 
 
 3751. Did you explode the Eloin lamp? — The Eloin lamp did not explode. 
 We could not explode the Eloin lamp or the Stephenson lamp when the glass was 
 within and covered the gauze. 
 
 3752. The Stephenson lamp having a glass from the top to- the bottom of the 
 tube ? — Having glass from the top to the bottom of the cylinder of gauze, the 
 air admitted in a diminished quantity at the bottom goes out. All those lamps 
 with a glass insulation and with a copper top, or where the glass covered the 
 gauze, did not explode; and the lamps where the glass is used which did explode, 
 was the Clanny and such lamps having wire gauze tops. 
 
 3753. Any lamp so constructed, such as the Glover lamp, or Boty lamp, or 
 any lamp having a glass below as a shield to the wick, and a gauze above, 
 unprotected by glass, you could explode ? — Any lamp with a cylinder of wire gauze 
 above, unprotected or partially protected, exploded. 
 
 3754. Therefore, in lamps so constructed, you have two causes of danger: you 
 have, first of all, a danger of the glass cracking, and leaving the lamp unprotected 
 around the wick ; and you also have the danger of explosion, in consequence of 
 the unprotected gauze ? — Yes ; 1 made some experiments as to the size of wire 
 gauze that would explode. The Clanny lamp has five inches of wire gauze upon 
 the top of it, and it exploded more readily than the Davy lamp. 
 
 375,5. You mean a height of five inches ? — A height of five inches; and the 
 cylinder being larger than the Davy lamp it exploded sooner than the Davy lamp. 
 Then, as to the Stephenson lamp, the glass being removed, and it being also about 
 seven inches long and of a larger diameter, the cylinder of gauze there also 
 exploded sooner than the Davy lamp ; the tendency to explode being in the 
 proportion of the quantity of gas contained within the cylinder of gauze. Then,. 
 I exploded the Boty lamp, which is a Belgian lamp, very extensively used I believe in 
 Belgium, The cylinder of gauze in it is about four inches long and about an inch 
 and a half diameter. Although that lamp is on the principle of a diminished 
 quantity of air with a glass light, yet the quantity of wire gauze used at the top 
 exploded in the fame way as the Davy lamp. 
 
 3756. Did 
 
SELECT COMMITTEE ON ACCIDENTS IN COAL MINES. 
 
 3756. Did that explode at a lower or higher velocity than the Davy lamp ? — N. Wood, Esq. 
 About the same. 
 
 3757. The diameter of the wire top being the same ? — It being shorter than H -h'ty l8 o'i- 
 the Davy, the diameter a little more, but in the aggregate containing a less 
 
 quantity of gas in the inside. Then I exploded a lamp called the Jack lamp, 
 which is a Davy lamp with a glass shield upon it ; a cylinder of glass put upon 
 it, as a glass shield. 
 
 3758. The lamp you now produce to the Committee is the Jack lamp ? — Yes. 
 
 3759. Having a shield of glass from the bottom, of how many inches high ? — 
 Three inches, and leaving about three inches and a half of gauze exposed ; and that 
 lamp also exploded. It is necessary to observe that the shield ordinarily used in a 
 Davy lamp is no protection against explosion, under the circumstances which I 
 have shown ; it is a protection to the flame of the Avick, but it is no preventive 
 against explosion. 
 
 3760. The reason being, that the whole lamp becomes filled with inflammable 
 gas, and explodes above the protective shield of glass ? — Yes. 
 
 3761. Mr. H. A. Bruce. ~\ Does the Davy lamp, partially shielded, explode as 
 soon as when not so protected ? — Not quite so soon, the quantity of gas being, to a 
 certain extent, diminished ; but the shield on the Davy lamp is placed near the 
 bottom of the lamp ; and on observing the appearance of the lamps which ex- 
 ploded, the greatest heat is apparently near the top, or about two-thirds of the 
 height of the lamp, the shield being at the botton, does not, therefore, protect the 
 lamp in that part where it acquires the greatest heat. 
 
 3762. How long was the Davy lamp exposed to the velocity to which you 
 subjected it before it exploded ? — The first experiment was after the lamp became 
 red hot, and was moved round until it got into a higher degree of heat than could 
 be possibly acquired in practice, up to 10 feet velocity per second; it was then 
 subjected to 160 revolutions of 7 feet 4 inches each, and continued for 116 seconds, 
 and it did not pass the flame ; in the next experiment it was moved 1 ,460 feet in 
 114 seconds, with a velocity averaging 11 feet per second, and it did not pass 
 the flame, although it was got up to a very great degree of heat. 
 
 37(13. Chairman.^ The lamp at that time being only red hot? — The lamp in 
 those cases getting up to a white heat, and being moved by the operator at as 
 great a velocity as he could produce. Then by first of all getting the lamp up 
 to a state of white heat, and then applying the velocity at the rate of 15 feet 
 per second, it required 60 revolutions, or 440 feet, at that rate, of 15 feet per 
 second, before it passed the flame. The next experiment did not pass the flame 
 until it acquired a velocity of 19 feet per second. The Stephenson lamp, without 
 the glass, passed the flame at 14 feet per second ; the Clanny lamp, with the 
 copper gauze, passed it at 12 £ feet per second; and the Clanny lamp, with the 
 iron-wire gauze, at 1 6 feet per second. Then I tried a lamp with a shorter gauze, of 
 only 2 3 inches in height, and it exploded; and also the Eloin lamp, with a wire 
 gauze substituted instead of the glass, of only two inches in length, and two inches 
 diameter, and that quantity of wire gauze, when at a white heat, exploded. 
 
 3764. Did you try Dr. Fife's lamp also ? — No, we did not on the second day. 
 
 3765. Had you any reason for not trying it ? — We tried it the first day, but it 
 went out when placed in the inflammable mixture, and we could not raise the 
 temperature so as to produce a white heat ; and I could not get a lamp the 
 second day with which to make the experiment. I tried Dr. Glover's lamp, which 
 is a lamp with a double glass, the air being admitted between the glasses, and so 
 passing into the interior of the lamp; this lamp has a wire gauze top four inches 
 in length, with a short chimney in the inside of it. I subjected that lamp to 
 a considerable velocity ; we could not produce a white heat, and the flame did 
 not therefore pass ; it went out, although the wire gauze was much longer and of 
 larger size than that of some other lamps which I had exploded ; but I attribute 
 this to the chimney in the inside of it diminishing the area of wire gauze and 
 burnt air for the wick, cooling down the explosive mixture within the gauze. I 
 am, however, of opinion that the construction of this lamp may be improved, as 
 I see no reason why the insecure gauze should be placed on the top. I think 
 those experiments all show that, with lamps having a diminished quantity of air 
 passing into the inside and so feeding the Avick, and with the use of glass, there is 
 no occasion to have the insecurity of the wire gauze upon the top of the lamp. 
 
 3766 In point of fact, in that case you have a double insecurity; you have the 
 risk of the glass breaking, and you have also the insecurity of the wire gauze at 
 0.76. d 3 the 
 
30 
 
 MINUTES OF EVIDENCE TAKEN BEFORE THE 
 
 A. Wood, Esq. the top ? — You have two insecurities. Now the Eloin lamp is not so constructed • 
 
 it is constructed with a copper chimney, and hence only the insecurity of the 
 
 H July 1853. glass. I believe the objection to the use of a copper chimney is, that the flame 
 heats the chimney very much, and Dr. Glover informs me that he had made use 
 of a copper chimney at first to his lamp, and it was objected to as being heated 
 too much ; and he therefore substituted the wire gauze. I think, in the case of 
 Dr. Glover's lamp, if the wire gauze were made of a smaller diameter, and if his 
 chimney of copper was carried nearer the top, it would then be extremely difficult 
 to pass the flame through the wire gauze, and it would be a safer lamp. Probably 
 it may be necessary that, in the chimneys of such lamps, a radiating chimney better 
 than a cylinder of copper should be used, a double wire gauze would be better 
 and more safe than a single one, and would radiate the internal heat. Dr. Fife's 
 lamp has a double wire gauze, and his lamp is on that account safer than a single 
 wire gauze top; he uses talc instead of the outer glass of Dr. Glover. I think, 
 so far as regards the comparative security of glass and talc, with double cylinders, 
 there is not very much difference in them. 
 
 3767. Practically speaking, is talc a good substitute for glass? — Not for a single 
 glass ; I think not ; but as a protection to an inner glass I think it is ; although 
 the objection against it is, that it is opaque. 
 
 3768. Mr. Cayley.~\ You spoke of the apertures being insufficient, as I under- 
 stood you ; that the gauze was too coarse in Dr. Glover's lamp ? — -No, my objection 
 was to the single gauze, which is, like all cylinders of single gauze, liable, under 
 certain circumstances, to pass the flame. 
 
 3769. What is the number of meshes? — I think the whole of the gauze lamps 
 are 784 to the square inch. 
 
 3770. Chairman.] Is that the number most approved of by Sir Humphry 
 Davy ? — That was most approved of by Sir Humphry Davy. I believe in some 
 lamps the number is rather less, the wire being made a little stronger ; but the 
 size of the apertures is the same. 
 
 3771. Is that beneficial or otherwise? — I believe in practice it has been rather 
 considered to be beneficial, inasmuch as it makes a stronger gauze, care being 
 taken that the apertures are not enlarged in consequence. 
 
 3772. Have those experiments brought you to any result as to the superior 
 excellence of any one lamp over all others ?— I think, as a wire gauze lamp, the 
 Davy lamp is the most secure, as being the most simple, the objection to it being 
 the great length of gauze exposed to the current of air in case of motion. I think 
 a lamp with a shorter gauze a little larger in diameter, to obtain a better light, and 
 protected by a cylinder the whole height of the gauze, might be a safe lamp. The 
 great objection of the colliers against the Davy lamp is the want of light, and 
 consequently the attention of inventors of lamps has been directed to getting a 
 lamp of a larger diameter with a larger light, and, like Eloin's lamp, with an 
 Arganct burner. 
 
 3773. Mr. Caylei/.] What do you mean by larger diameter? — You cannot get 
 a larger light in the inside of a lamp unless you increase the diameter of the lamp. 
 
 3774. You mean the diameter of the lamp, not the diameter of the gauze ? — 
 The diameter of the lamp where the light is placed. All those lamps are enlarged 
 at the bottom, to obtain a better light than the Davy. 
 
 3775. Chairman.] That lamp in your hand is an Eloin lamp with a wire gauze 
 and shield to it ? — Yes, this lamp is the lamp I tried, an Eloin lamp, substituting 
 gauze instead of glass, and protecting that gauze by a shield of talc. 
 
 3776. Did you try to explode it? — No; we did not try it. It would be 
 impossible with a lamp of this kind for the air to strike upon it so as to increase 
 the intensity of the flame so as to produce a white heat, the entire height of the 
 gauze being protected. 
 
 3777. Looking to the question of light as well as to the question of safety, 
 have you come to any conclusion as to any lamp being superior to all the others ; 
 or can you suggest any improvement which would combine the two, and so make 
 a lamp that would be superior to all? — Mr. Hall, of Newcastle, is at present 
 engaged in making a lamp which we tried, and which did not explode. It has a 
 double gauze top and is constructed in a very ingenious way with reference to the 
 admission of air ; he has not perfected it yet, but I think it may probably be a 
 very good lamp. In my opinion, Dr. Glovers lamp is likely to be a very useful 
 one. The objection to all glass lamps is of course the brittle nature of the glass. 
 Stephenson's lamp is the safest of all glass lamps, having the security of the gauze 
 
 when 
 
SELECT COMMITTEE ON ACCIDENTS IN COAL MINES. 31 
 
 when the glass is broken. The double glass of Dr. Glover also adds to its safety, n. Wood, Esq. 
 
 When this lamp was subjected to an inflammable mixture, I had the apparatus so — 
 
 constructed that I could throw water against the glass, and that cracked the inside 14 July 1853, 
 glass of the lamp of Dr. Glover. 
 
 3778. Throwing water on the outside glass of Dr. Glover cracked the inside 
 glass ? — Cracked the inside glass. I do not know how the water operated, but 
 certainly the glass came out cracked from the experiment. 
 
 3779. From the rapid decrease of the temperature by the water ? — From the 
 rapid decrease of the temperature by the water, I presume ; the outer glass is also 
 cracked, but I think it had been done by other means than by the water. 
 
 3780. Mr. Child.] Would it not be probably the contraction of the metal that 
 cracked the inner glass ? — It might be ; I believe they find in the C'anny lamp 
 that when the glass fits very tightly, and it is subjected to a great heat, the glass 
 cracks from the increased temperature, and they have substituted a little ring of 
 India rubber upon the top and bottom of the glass to allow for the expansion ; and 
 it may be that Dr. Glover's lamp had been cracked by the expansion of the glass, 
 and not by the effect of the water. 
 
 3781. Chairman.] Did you try Mr. Henderson's lamp which was protected by 
 water?— No, I did not try Mr. Henderson's lamp. 
 
 3782. That is of the same formation as Dr. Glover's, except that distilled 
 water, or water of some kind, is kept always between the two glasses ; in your 
 opinion, would that increase the safety of the lamp ? — I could hardly say what 
 effect the great heat would have upon the water in the inside of the two glasses, 
 not having tried it ; but I see that this lamp has the same objection that all those 
 other lamps have, namely, having an unprotected cylinder of gauze upon the top, 
 and without any chimney. This is a Clanny lamp (showing a lamp), which was 
 subjected to intense heat; it had passed the flame and was afterwards put in the 
 inside and subjected to the experiment of water thrown upon it ; the effect of the 
 water upon the glass was to crack it very much, but it did not throw off any 
 part of the glass ; it was afterwards subjected to a very high degree of heat, and 
 moved at the rate of something like 12 feet a second, and it did not explode 
 notwithstanding those cracks. 
 
 3783. Dr. Fife's lamp, being protected by talc, would probably not crack under 
 those circumstances? — Probably not; the outer talc cylinder being a protection 
 to the inner one. 
 
 3784. Mr. Child.] Did you try it ? — We tried it the first day, in the same man- 
 ner as the other lamps, but we could not succeed in getting the gauze up to 
 that degree of heat to explode. It has a top the same as Dr. Glover's, and the 
 same as the others which have exploded ; but it has a double cylinder of gauze, 
 and certainly in the experiment we could not succeed in passing the flame through 
 the gauze ; the wire was never up to that degree of temperature that would pass 
 the flame. Whether it was from the double gauze upon the top or not, I do not 
 know ; but I am decidedly of opinion, that if a top of wire gauze is to be used at 
 all, it should be a double wire gauze. 
 
 3785. Did you try Dr. Fife's lamp with water, to see whether the glass would 
 crack ? — No. 
 
 3786. Chairman^] But you have not come to any determination in your own 
 mind, whether a metal top of some kind should not be substituted for the wire 
 gauze, whether single or double ? — I think that, in all glass lamps, the top should 
 be made, either of some metal of great radiating power, so as to rapidly diminish 
 the temperature and so to render it inexplosive, or with a double wire gauze top ; 
 we have in the glass lamps the insecurity of the glass, and no doubt the lamp with 
 two cylinders is safer than with one. Therefore a lamp with a properly constructed 
 top, upon the principles 1 have explained, with two cylinders of glass, is the 
 safest lamp. 
 
 3787. At present your opinion is, that Dr. Glover's combines the two prin- 
 ciples of giving the greatest quantity of light, and the greatest safety, more than 
 any other lamp that you have seen ? — I think Dr. Glover's is the best lamp 
 of that construction I have seen. 
 
 3788. Mr. Cay leg.] With two cylinders of glass? — I think two cylinders of 
 glass are better than one cylinder. The substitution of talc instead of glass 
 secures you the light, but there is no greater security in talc than in glass. 
 
 3789. Chairman.] Have you seen the lamp sent by Mr. Thornton this morning, 
 stated to be an improvement upon the Eloin lamp? — It is an improvement, so far 
 
 0.76. d 4 as 
 
3^ 
 
 MINUTES OF EVIDENCE TAKEN BEFORE THE 
 
 as the addition of a cylinder of talc around the glass goes; but then there is the 
 disadvantage by the diminution of the light occasioned in consequence of it. 
 
 3790. All those experiments were made by moving the lamp round in a circle 
 with a very rapid, motion, were they not ? — They were. 
 
 3791. You stated that you would give the Committee an account of some ex- 
 periments made on a lamp moved in a backward and forward horizontal direction ; 
 will you be kind enough to do so r — I will give in the Appendix the whole ex- 
 periment. 
 
 3792. Will you state shortly the results ? — The mode of conducting the experi- 
 ment was by a box 12 feet long and 18 inches square, with a groove within, on 
 which a slide was placed. The lamp was put upon the slide, then a cord was at- 
 tached to the slide working round, a roller at each end of the box ; one end of 
 the cord coming out on the outside. The box was filled with inflammable gas 
 from the gas issuing out of the Wallsend Pit, and the lamp being placed upon 
 the slide it was kept in that state until it was red hot ; it was then moved 
 by the cord and the slide at a rapid motion from one end of the box to the other, 
 alternately backwards and forwards, and the result of the experiment was this : 
 I should observe that these experiments were made by Mr. Thomas John Taylor, 
 assisted by Mr. Clark, of Wallsend, and the engineer, and wasteman, and others. 
 The first lamp used was the common Davy lamp. It was moved backward and 
 forward, after being red hot, at the rate of from 10 to 12 feet per second, and 
 the flame did not pass. A greater speed than that was tried, and the lamp was 
 extinguished by the inequality, I presume, of the motion.. 
 
 3793. The lamps being then only in a state of red heat? — The rapid motion 
 produced more than a red heat, but still not to that degree of heat which my 
 experiments proved that the flame passed. Then the experiment was repeated 
 two or three times, and it was found impracticable to pass the flame through the 
 lamp, the velocity acquired being about 12 feet per second, and then the lamp was 
 jerked backwards and forwards with great violence, as much as could be done, and 
 they found it quite impossible to pass the flame. The .Stephenson lamp was 
 experimented upon with the glass in it, and it was extinguished. Museller's lamp 
 was tried with the same result. Then the Clanny lamp was tried, but it was ex- 
 tinguished at a lower velocity than Davy's ; Glover's lamp was also tried and went 
 out, and the Eloin lamp was also experimented upon, and also Upton and 
 Roberts's lamps. 
 
 3794. Mr. Ingham.'] Did Upton and Roberts's and the Eloin lamps go out ? — 
 They went out. 
 
 3795. Chairman.'] Did any of them explode? — No, they did not explode. 
 Those trials corroborate the previous experiments I had made on rectilinear 
 motion. (Mr. Martin Roberts' 's lamp was handed to the IVitness.) I have 
 examined this lamp, which is a very ingenious construction. The way in which 
 it differs from the other lamps, is by its having an apparatus to extinguish the 
 light in case of the glass being broken. There are two glasses, the space between 
 which is filled with water ; and that water presses against an India rubber spring 
 or disc, which sustains an extinguisher within the lamp. If by any accident the 
 glass is broken the water escapes ; and the pressure being removed the disc 
 expands and throws the extinguisher down on the wick, and so puts out the lamp. 
 
 3796. Do you apprehend that the size of that would be any objection to it ? — 
 I think the size of it might be very much diminished. I presume the size might 
 be made something like the same as the other lamps. You have in this lamp 
 the security of the flame being put out in case of such an accident, and against 
 that a little complication of machinery. 
 
 3797. Will you proceed with the explanation of your experiments r- -The 
 experiments of Mr. Taylor corroborate all the experiments I had previously made, 
 viz., that I think it is quite impracticable to produce that state of white heat in 
 either the Davy or any other of those lamps in practice, by rectilinear motion, that 
 would pass the flame. 
 
 3798. You stated that in order to bring the lamp up from a red heat to a 
 white heat, it was necessary to move it round very gradually; will you tell the 
 Committee whether any circumstances likely to occur, in any mine, would operate 
 in that way ; for instance, first of all take the circumstance of a lamp being filled 
 with inflammable gas and being red hot in a state of rest ; would the constant 
 burning of the gas in that lamp ever bring it to a white heat ? — I think not ; the 
 practical operation of that is this, that it attains the maximum degree of heat 
 
 in 
 
SELECT COMMITTEE ON ACCIDENTS IN COAL MINES. 33 
 
 in a very short time ; as it is continued in the inflammable mixture, the conibus- N. Wood, Esq, 
 
 tion of the gases and smoke dulls the lamp ; and there is not so large a quantity — 
 
 of gas admitted within the lamp, which rather diminishes the heat than otherwise H Ju ty 1B53- 
 while remaining still. I do not think, therefore, by allowing the lamp to remain 
 in an inflammable mixture at rest, it could by possibility pass the flame. 
 
 3799. But at the same time you do not approve of working- with a lamp full of 
 gas for a long time ? — Certainly not ; the orders in all the collieries are, or should 
 be, that immediately the workmen see the presence of gas in the lamp they are to 
 withdraw it, and that they should not by any means allow it to become in a state 
 of red heat ; I think it is very necessary that those orders should be given in all 
 collieries that use the lamp, and that those orders should be enforced, because 
 it is always necessary that you should keep very far within the limits of danger. 
 Certainly it should be made imperative to remove the lamp, in case it becomes 
 red hot. 
 
 3800. It has been stated by one of the witnesses before this Committee, that 
 there might be danger arising from a man getting alarmed, and losing his presence 
 of mind on rinding the lamp full of fire-damp, and becoming red hot, and from then 
 taking his lamp into a current of air, and moving very quickly ; is that your 
 opinion ? — I think the experiments show that a rectilinear motion, if that motion 
 is not extended beyond 10 or 12 feet a second, after the lamp is completely red 
 hot, does not pass the flame ; but keeping in view that practice which is most safe, 
 certainly the instructions to the workmen should be, that they should move the 
 lamp as quietly as possible. 
 
 3801. And cover it, if possible, with their jackets ? — That is rather a dangerous 
 process. It is done in some cases, but it ought to be deprecated ; because, if the 
 lamp is in a state of red heat, and you cover it with a cotton or woollen or 
 any such substance, it may fire the threads of the cotton or woollen on the 
 outside ; therefore it is dangerous. It is less dangerous to remove the lamp 
 quietly, than to endeavour to put it out. 
 
 3802. But at the same time the man should carry it before him, so that his 
 body should act to prevent the current crossing the lamp at a rapid rate ? — If he 
 carries it before him, as he generally does, then he would in some degree shelter 
 the lamp ; but I think after those experiments attention should be directed to 
 sheltering the gauze more effectually than h?s hitherto been done. It seems 
 quite clear that the Davy lamp is unnecessarily long, and that that lamp may be 
 constructed of a less length of gauze, and shielded so as, in case of becoming red 
 hot, the velocity of the motion of the man or of the current would not make it 
 dangerous. 
 
 3803. Have you any doubt that a lamp might be constructed that would 
 combine as near as possible perfect safety, and the giving at the same time abun- 
 dant light to the workman, at a reasonable cost ? — I have not. 1 am not an advo- 
 cate for the Davy lamp being increased in diameter, so as to give additional light ; 
 as you cannot with the common Davy lamp give additional light by an increased 
 diameter, and have the requisite security. But if you use glass lamps to give 
 the necessary light, then I think the construction of those lamps should not be 
 such as to add, in addition to the insecurity of the glass, the insecurity of single 
 wire gauze upon the top ; and it would be very well if some substance could be 
 employed that is not liable to break when subjected to water. Though, in the 
 case of all those lamps with glass, when subjected to water, and at the highest 
 degree of heat that I could possibly acquire in the experiment, the water being 
 thrown upon them in that state of heat only cracked the glass, but they were 
 still safe. 
 
 3804. Is it the fact that the Davy lamp is the quickest test, and shows the 
 presence of fire much more quickly than any of the other lamps ? — It shows it 
 more apparently, a larger quantity of gas going into it ; but a very nice observer 
 may see the appearance of the gas upon all those lamps almost at the same time : 
 I had them all placed within the box (Fig. 1, Plate G., Appendix), and let in the 
 gas gradually, so as to ascertain which of them shows the gas first : 1 think it was 
 seen in the Davy lamp first, the Stephenson next, and so in proportion with those 
 lamps which admitted the largest quantity of air. And the lamps went out ac- 
 cording to the same principle ; those lamps which admitted the largest quantity 
 of gas were longest in going out. 
 
 3805. Looking at those experiments you have made, do you agree with the 
 Report of the Committee of 1852, that where a proper degree of ventilation does 
 
 0.7G. E not 
 
34 MINUTES OF EVIDENCE TAKEN BEFORE THE 
 
 iV. Wood, Esq. not exist in a mine, the Davy lamp, or any modification of it, must be considered 
 ■ rather as a lure to danger than as a perfect security ? — Those experiments have 
 
 14 July 1853. increased my confidence in the use of the Davy and those other lamps, inasmuch 
 as I know now the circumstances under which they become unsafe, which I did 
 not before ; and having heard from even practical men that, under certain circum- 
 stances, the lamps were unsafe, and finding now that, under those circumstances, 
 they were perfectly safe, I have more confidence in the use of them than I had 
 previously bad ; and also, seeing that those circumstances are such as ought never 
 to occur, and which I think scarcely can ever occur in a coal mine, under any cir- 
 cumstances, I have now very great confidence in their security. 
 
 3806. Those being your opinions, would you make it imperative by legislative 
 enactments that in all fiery mines the safety-lamp should be used ? — I think it 
 would be desirable that some rule should be laid down by which the use of safety- 
 lamps should be regulated ; but I could not go so far as to say that in all circum- 
 stances a lamp should be used in a fiery mine, because in some mines producing 
 gas, candles may be used with perfect safety. 
 
 3807. Would you then give the inspector of the district a discretionary power 
 to order safety-lamps to be used in mines, if he thought it necessary '? — I would 
 wish hereafter to suggest to the Committee that a code of rules or regulations 
 should be adopted, which should act as the instructions of the inspectors, and 
 one of those rules certainly should be that there should be a discretion with the 
 inspectors to order the use of safety-lamps under certain circumstances. But then 
 I think those circumstances which cannot be made general, or comprised under 
 any general rule, would necessarily vary, and ought to be left to the discretion 
 of the inspector under certain conditions. 
 
 3808. However highly you estimate the safety-lamp, your opinion is that the 
 first and most material point to attend to in the safety of the mine is ventilation ? 
 — The first thing is, to adopt that system of ventilation which gives the 
 largest quantity of air; and then, having got the air, that you should distribute it in 
 the mine in the most judicious manner, and so, as a general principle, that every 
 mine should be made as safe as it is practicable to make it. Then, if that is not 
 sufficient, to dilute and discharge the gas with perfect safety, and the mine con- 
 tinues in a state of insecurity, I think it should then be imperative that the 
 safety-lamp should be used. Before I leave the subject, I have omitted to mention 
 two very important experiments we made in the progress of this inquiry, which 
 were with reference to throwing coal dust upon the lamp when it was in a state 
 of red heat ; one of the experiments we made upon the Davy lamp, and the 
 Clauny lamp, and some others, was to put the wires of the lamp into the greatest 
 possible heat that we could get them into. When in that state, with a pair of 
 bellows Vi e blew in coal dust upon it ; the appearances of the lamp within the box 
 was such as almost to induce us to believe that it had exploded, but the explosions 
 were confined within the wire gauze and did not pass outwards. We blew in dry 
 coal dust upon the lamp in a state of white heat, and it did not pass the flame ; we 
 then rubbed the wires so covered with dust with oil, and also during the time the 
 lamp was turning round in that state, poured oil upon the lamp, and we did not 
 succeed in passing the flame. 
 
 3809. When you say the lamp exploded, do you mean that it exploded the 
 whole of the gas within the box? — Yes; when I say it passed the flame, I mean 
 it exploded the gas within the box ; and the top of the lid being loose the ex- 
 plosion blew the lid off the box. 
 
 3810. Supposing such a state of things should exist as to make it necessary to 
 enforce the use of safety-lamps in a mine, is it your opinion that those lamps 
 should be inspected, cleaned, and repaired by one man at the top of the pit 
 every day ? — I think, as we have in the north stations near the bottom of the pit, 
 or at such a distance from it as that candles can be used with safety, there should 
 be a station beyond which the candles are not allowed to pass ; a man should be 
 placed there to examine all the lamps, and no lamp should be taken beyond that 
 station without having been thoroughly inspected. The workmen should have 
 orders, in case the lamp goes out, to return to the station to have it relighted 
 and re-examined ; but the orders in all the collieries in which lamps are used, 
 should be that no lamp is to be passed beyond the lamp station without being 
 thoroughly examined. 
 
 38 1:1,4 Would you allow the colliers to take their lamps home at night to clean 
 them ? — The general practice is for the collier to take the top of his lamp home 
 
 to 
 
SELECT COMMITTEE ON ACCIDENTS IN COAL MINES. 35 
 
 to clean it, but then he has to return it in the morning to the person at the N. Wood, Csq. 
 station, who keeps the bottom of his lamp there. 
 
 3812. That person is capable of examining it to see that none of the meshes of N Jul >' 1 8 53- 
 the Avires are defective ? — He is a person that is considered capable of examining 
 
 the wires, and detecting anything that is wrong in them. 
 
 3813. Would you give the collier the key to open his lamp, or would you keep 
 the lamp locked ?— Certainly not ; the collier should not be entrusted with the 
 key at all. 
 
 3814. Have you ever known any instances of accidents happening from the 
 carelessness of workmen taking the tops off their lamps? — I have known instances 
 of explosions from colliers taking the tops of their lamps off ; I believe they do so 
 generally, from a conviction that there is no danger to be apprehended," and 
 though the workmen are generally careless they would not I think do it, except 
 that they think there is no danger in doing so. 
 
 381.5. The reason of their so doing would be that they could not get suffi- 
 cient light from the lamps? — I think not much for that object; it is generally 
 from wanting to take it off to smoke, or thinking that the mine does not require 
 lamps. 
 
 3816. Where safety lamps are used would you allow the collier to smoke? — 
 No, certainly not; smoking is prohibited in mines where lamps are used. 
 
 3817. Would you allow him to use gunpowder at his own discretion? — No, 
 certainly not ; I think where lamps are used no gunpowder should be used, except 
 by the direct strict authority of the over-man, or some accredited person, and 
 then it should only be used in cases where the mine is generally considered to be 
 perfectly safe without the use of safety lamps, and where lamps are used only as a 
 security against sudden outbreaks of gas. 1 think, in a mine that is doubtfully 
 safe, safety lamps should be used, and gunpowder should be prohibited ; lamps 
 should be used where the mines are liable to become unsafe by any sudden out- 
 break of gas. 
 
 3818. In those regulations you have alluded to, I dare say we shall find this 
 point touched upon ? — Yes, it will be particularly noticed. 
 
 3819. Mr. H. A. Bruce.'] You mentioned that the increased confidence you 
 derived from the result of your experiments arose from two circumstances : one 
 was, that the lamp could not be made under ordinary practical circumstances to 
 attain the same amount of heat : and the other was that it could not under 
 ordinary circumstances be made to move at the same velocity as that to which 
 you subjected the lamp In the experiment ? — I found that no velocity, unless it 
 was kept up for a considerable period, and was likewise an accelerating velocity, 
 would bring up the lamp to that state of heat which would pass the flame ; 
 and I think that it would be extremely difficult in practice to produce the cir- 
 cumstances requisite to get it to that state of heat. The miner would have to 
 put it very gradually into motion, and would have to keep it at a gradually in- 
 creasing velocity, and then to acquire an ultimate velocity of at least 15 feet per 
 second ; all of which could only be done wilfully. 
 
 3820. The velocity you mention as having been reached when the Davy lamp 
 exploded was 15 feet a second in 60 revolutions? — In 60 revolutions of 15 feet 
 per second, after being in a state of white heat. 
 
 3821. That speed could hardly be reached by a person running under the cir- 
 cumstances suggested by a former question ? — 1 think not. 
 
 3822. Mr. Cohbett.] With respect to taking the tops off, I suppose you agree 
 with the rest of the witnesses that the miners ought not to be allowed to take the 
 tops off their lamps? — Certainly; they ought to be locked with a very secure 
 lock; there has been a great improvement made in locking lamps lately, in a 
 way in which the miners have very great difficulty indeed in opening them. 
 
 3823. Will you be so good as to explain what you mean by taking the top 
 off? — The whole cylinder (describing the same), that is, the top of the lamp, is 
 unscrewed from the bottom, and so exposing the light. 
 
 3824. Mr. Locke.] You have had, of course, a great number of years' experience 
 in these lamps ; have you ever arrived at the notion yourself that they were 
 unsafe ? — 1 stated in my evidence, in 1852, that I had never experienced a case 
 in which 1 knew a lamp explode. 
 
 3825. A question was put by the Chairman just now, with reference to the 
 report of the Committee last year. You say since you have made certain ex- 
 periments, your confidence in the lamps has been increased. What 1 wish to 
 
 0.76. e 2 . know 
 
36 
 
 MINUTES OF EVIDENCE TAKEN BEFORE THE 
 
 N. Wood, Esq. know is, whether, before those experiments were made, you had ever entertained 
 any very serious doubts of the fair security of these lamps ? — Never ; I never had 
 
 14 July 1853. any doubts of their security. I have gone myself into places very frequently which 
 were dangerous, and the use of them by thousands of workmen has been to me a 
 proof of the security of them ; and certainly there have never come under my notice 
 any well-authenticated cases where lamps have exploded. 
 
 3826. Then I collect that it is your opinion that the fair use of those lamps, 
 instead of being a source, or rather a lure to danger, might lead, and would lead, 
 the workmen to avoid situations of danger? — I think it is very necessary that the 
 workmen should be instructed as to when the lamp does really become dangerous. 
 Keeping the rules far within the limits of danger, I think, would rather have a 
 tendency to induce security than to add to danger. 
 
 3827. Chairman.'] Do you know of any instances of explosions from naked 
 lights, which could not have taken place if attention had been paid to the use of 
 the Davy lamp ? — Yes. 
 
 3828. Do you know of many? — Yes. 
 
 3829. Will you state to the Committee whether you approve of the present 
 system of Government inspection ? — I think that the present system of inspection 
 is not conducted upon a proper basis with regard to the object in view. 
 
 3830. Do you approve of the employment of Government inspectors '( — I think 
 it is necessary now that Government inspectors should be appointed. With 
 reference to the mode in which that should be carried out, I would begin, in the 
 first instance, by going into the state of the management of the mines before going 
 into the system of inspection ; that is, we should know the evil before we attempt 
 the cure. 
 
 3831. Perhaps you will describe to the Committee the system and schemes of 
 management in the best-conducted collieries in Northumberland and Durham ? — 
 I think the present state of the management of the coal mines in this country, 
 which I presume it is the object of the Committee to grapple with, is shortly this : 
 Brought about by having to deal with mines of a very fiery nature for a long period 
 of time, probably the management of the mines in the counties of Northumber- 
 land and Durham is the most perfect of any other district in the country. The 
 mining engineers have had to deal with extremely fiery mines, and the mines 
 being of a very great extent, they have had to meet all the different contin- 
 gencies arising from fire, and all the other sources of danger and ventilation ; and 
 I would shortly state what is, I think, the general system that is practised in those 
 counties, taking a large colliery or number of collieries superintended by persons 
 of extensive experience. The superior person is what is called the superintending 
 viewer ; he generally looks after two or three or more collieries. At each of those 
 collieries, if distant from the place at which he resides, he has under him what is 
 called a resident viewer ; a person of great practical experience, and generally 
 capable of managing a mine without the assistance of the superintending viewer. 
 The utility of the superintendent viewer being principally in having experience in 
 several collieries, and bringing that experience to bear upon a particular one, 
 and so assisting the resident viewers in the management of the mines. But the 
 resident viewer, in all cases, is presumed to be a person who, apart from tho 
 superintending viewer, would, of himself, be able to manage a colliery. Where 
 the superintending viewer resides at the colliery himself, he has not generally 
 under him a person precisely of a similar capacity to a resident viewer of a 
 distant colliery. The practice generally is to have an under viewer, who is a person 
 going down the pit regularly every day and superintending the works, being a 
 little inferior in standing to a resident viewer, but still a thoroughly practical man, 
 and a man of education and character. 
 
 3832. Then these under viewers are capable of mapping and planning ? — They 
 are ; they have a thorough knowledge of the system of ventilation, and everything 
 connected with the management of mines. Then under these resident or under- 
 viewers, as the case may be, is what is called an overman, whose duty it is to go 
 down the pit every day and to inspect the state of the whole of the mine and the 
 workmen employed in it ; he has under him an assistant, who is called a back 
 overman, who when he leaves the pit takes charge of it, so that it should not bo 
 left without a superintending person at any time within it. Then come what are 
 called deputies, who arc working men to keep the air-ways of the workings right, 
 and put in the props and such things as those ; there are generally five or six 
 of them in proportion to the size of the pits; in some pits more than that, even 
 
 as 
 
SELECT COMMITTEE ON ACCIDENTS IN COAL MINES. 37 
 
 as many in large pits as 12 of those men. Those men do everything relative to _\ T . Wood, Esq 
 
 the working of the coal, the inspection of the working- of the coal, and the putting — 
 
 the props in the workings, superintended by the back overman in the after part of 14 July 1853. 
 the day, and by the overman in the former part of the day. 
 
 3833. Mr. Locke.'] Are all those men well instructed in the use of the safety- 
 lamp? — All those men are well instructed in the use of the safety lamp ; they are 
 men selected from the workmen from their superior knowledge and abilities, and 
 are most generally men who have gone through all the different grades in working 
 the coal; these all refer to the current working of the pit. In addition to those 
 we have a set of men to look after the old workings and the old air-ways, and the 
 air- ways not within the operation of working the coal at the current time. 
 
 3834. Chairman.] What do you call those men ? — Those are wastemen who 
 have charge of all the air-courses and everything in the pit : at each of the col- 
 lieries there is what is called a head wasteman, who superintends the whole, and 
 he has under him a foreman wasteman in each pit, and then this foreman waste- 
 man has with him four or five, or whatever number is required of working ivaste- 
 men, to keep the air-courses in proper order ; so that at any moment of time the 
 system of inspection is such that there is always in the pit some persons who have 
 charge of what is going on, and who are compelled to see that everything is going 
 on right. Now it may assist in determining upon the nature and amount of 
 inspection required, to give a short epitome of the number of those people in the 
 district of Northumberland and Durham. 
 
 3835. Mr. Ingham.] Do the wastemen attend to the air-courses in those parts 
 of the collieries where the working is going on, as well as in the waste part ? — No ; 
 the wastemen are for the purpose of looking after the air-courses that are not in 
 current working ; the deputies and the back overmen look after the air-courses in 
 the current working part of the pit ; I think generally there may be stated to be 
 about 150 collieries and 300 pits. 
 
 3836. Mr. Locke.] Do you mean working pits ? — In daily working ; where coal 
 is got. 
 
 3837. Chairman.] Quite irrespective of up-casts ? — Unless the up-casts are not 
 working pits ; I mean in the pits at which coals are drawn. There are about 20 
 •superintending viewers; about 120 resident viewers; about 100 under viewers ; 
 there will be 300 overmen, and 500 back overmen, because there is in some pits 
 more than one back overman. 
 
 3838. The back overman is the same as the deputy? — No ; he takes the duty 
 of the overman in the after-part of the day; about 1,500 deputies, 150 head 
 wastemen, and 150 foremen wastemen, and 1,200 wastemen ; I merely state these 
 numbers generally. 
 
 3839. What is the difference between the head wasteman and the foreman 
 wasteman ? — The head wasteman may have charge of three or four pits, but in each 
 pit there is the foreman wasteman ; the former is a superior class of person. Then 
 the foreman wasteman goes along with the wastemen and works with them ; 
 altogether about 4,000 persons are employed in the superintendence of the opera- 
 tions of these collieries. 
 
 3840. That gives about 13 as an average to each pit? — Yes; the average will 
 vary very much, but that is something like what is to be grappled with in case of 
 inspection. 
 
 3841. Mr. Locked] None of those men work coal? — None of those men work 
 coal. 
 
 3842. They are all engaged, in point, of fact, in the supervision and in the mode 
 of ventilation ? — The supervision of the working of the coal, the ventilation, and 
 the security of the working. 
 
 3843. Chairman.} All of them have, more or less, according to their positions, 
 superior knowledge of the working of the colliery ? — All of them have a superior 
 knowledge of the working of the colliery. 
 
 3844. Mr. Locke.] Is this irrespective of banksmen, of hangers-on, and of 
 persons who have charge of the machinery? — Entirely; in addition there would, 
 probably, be 800 banksmen in the whole of the collieries. 
 
 3845. Chairman,] In the midland and in the other mining districts, is pretty 
 much the same scale adopted as to superintendents and other matters ? — In some 
 districts, within my knowledge, the superintendence is somewhat of the same nature, 
 but that is, I think, extremely limited ; I believe there is a very great number of 
 collieries where the inspection is very much inferior, both in point of number 
 
 0.76. e 3 and 
 
3'8 
 
 MINUTES OF EVIDENCE TAKEN BEFORE THE 
 
 N. Wood, Esq. an( ] 0 f intelligence, to the persons superintending the mines in the districts of 
 
 Northumberland and Durham. 
 14 July 1853. 3846. In the well-regulated mines is that so ? — No; I think in the well-regu- 
 lated mines of those districts the system is something like what I have stated ; a 
 little varied, not quite so many persons, but not much varied from the system that 
 is adopted in Northumberland and Durham. I presume you will have other 
 witnesses who are more acquainted with those districts than I am, and therefore I 
 shall leave that for them to explain ; but I know that, in a very great mass of the 
 collieries, in the small collieries especially in the different districts of England, and 
 Scotland and Wales, the management is very much inferior to that in Northum- 
 berland and Durham, and it is in those districts where I think the system of 
 inspection is most required ; and it is most required on this account, that those 
 districts now are becoming what we were several years ago. When the mines in 
 Northumberland and Durham were worked near the crops of the coal they were 
 then comparatively free from danger to what they are now; they have been 
 increasing in danger ever since, as the depth of the mines became greater, 
 and the quantity of inflammable gas to contend with becomes also greater ; the 
 power of the machinery is increasing, everything being necessarily upon a much 
 larger scale than formerly ; that is in some degree now becoming the case with 
 the other districts. There the crop is partly working out, and the mines are now 
 being worked deeper ; they are becoming more dangerous, and that is the state of 
 things which is coming into operation with a class of managers not exactly of the 
 calibre to meet those difficulties ; consequently I suspect that a considerable 
 number of accidents is attributable to such causes in those districts that I men- 
 tioned. I think, generally, in Northumberland and Durham, the number of 
 accidents is diminishing. One of the coroners, Mr. Maynard, of the Durham 
 district, has taken a great deal of pains to ascertain the comparative number of 
 accidents now to what there were some years ago within his district, taken from 
 his experience ; and his conclusion is, that the number of accidents compared 
 with the number of men employed is diminishing. If you go into the midland 
 and other districts in Yorkshire, &c, you will find the number of accidents 
 increasing, and I attribute that very much to the increasing difficulties and 
 danger in the working and ventilation of the mines, and that the managers of 
 those mines are not exactly competent to meet such difficulties ; they were fully 
 competent, probably, to manage the mines in their former state, but not quite so 
 in their present state. I think there is a want of knowledge, and a want of 
 intelligence in that respect, in a great number of the districts of the country. In 
 several of them, I believe, the collieries are managed by the owner, having under 
 him a bailiff, or under viewer ; and where they are carried on by contractors, or 
 butties, there is between the owner and the buttie in some cases only one person 
 to look after the safety and the management of the mine. In tfome cases this person 
 has in the larger collieries an assistant, an under bailiff ; but generally in small 
 collieries there is only, between the owner and the buttie or contractor, a bailiff 
 or under viewer and an assistant. Now if you go to ascertain what class of 
 persons those bailiffs are, I do not speak, of course, of the larger and better 
 managed mines in those districts, but in a very great many mines you will find 
 the bailiff very little, if anything, above the class of our back overmen, and they 
 certainly do not come up to the overmen in our own district. 
 
 3847. Those men holding the same position as your under- viewers, not being of 
 a better class of men than the back overmen ? — They hold, in fact, the position 
 of our superintending viewer, our resident viewer, our under viewer, and overman; 
 there is not between the owner and the working man any person representing 
 our superintending viewer, our resident viewer, our under viewer, or our overmen; 
 all those classes of persons are wanting in the management of a great many mines 
 in this country. Such being the case, it is a matter of very serious consideration 
 in what way you can by any system of inspection lessen the number of accidents. 
 I have already stated that 1 think several of the accidents that have happened 
 have been occasioned by the persons in charge of the collieries not being com- 
 petent for the management of them in their increasing danger and risk. I think 
 all the information that we have derived from the observations made by the 
 inspectors, and by the results of the coroners' inquests, tend to show that that is 
 something- like the correct state of things. Now I must very candidly state, that 
 I think the system of inspection, as at present going on, is not what will under 
 such circumstances bring about a diminution of the number of accidents ; neither 
 
SELECT COMMITTEE ON ACCIDENTS IN COAL MINES. 
 
 39 
 
 do I think that, if they were assisted by sub-inspectors, it would have any N. Wood, Esq. 
 effect. 
 
 3848. We have heard the evidence of persons who were deputed by the : 4J» ] y l8 53» 
 colliers to come up here, stating that the colliers wished a set of sub-inspectors to 
 
 be appointed under the present inspectors, which sub-inspectors should be practical 
 colliers, taken out of the pits : in your opinion, would that be a system which 
 would work beneficially or otherwise ? — I think it would not work beneficially, 
 and I will give my reasons for it. I think that the only thing that will diminish 
 the number of accidents is, to bring to bear upon the management of the mines 
 I have alluded to superior knowledge ; even in the Northumberland and Durham 
 districts I think a little increase of knowledge would not be a very bad thing ; 
 but I am quite sure it is absolutely necessary in other districts ; and in my mind 
 the only way in which accidents can be prevented is to bring about an increased 
 knowledge, and a greater capacity and capability in the persons in the manage- 
 ment of mines. I think the responsibility of the management of the mines must 
 rest exclusively with the managers of them ; I think inspection must be based 
 upon other principles than that of interfering with, or even of seeing carried out, 
 the working operations of the managers of mines ; looking at the class of persons 
 proposed to be appointed, such as the sub -inspectors are proposed to be, I think 
 that they, having only to see that the under agents do their duty, is not the way 
 in which the inspectors should be employed. I think it would take from the 
 managers of the mines a considerable degree of responsibility, and I think it 
 would lead to a great deal of cavilling between them and the persons they had to 
 look after ; because, if you consider the class of persons out of which those sub- 
 inspectors are to be taken, out of the hewers or workmen, out of persons below 
 the grade of the lowest of our managers, that is, below the grade of the deputies, 
 I am sure it would not work well. I cannot think that sub-inspectors, beSow the 
 grade of the lowest of our managers, can be of any service as inspectors, to give 
 information to or instruct persons who ought to be much superior to them in 
 knowledge and experience. 
 
 3849. Supposing those sub-inspectors were taken from a higher class, from the 
 class of over-men or back over-men or under-viewers, would your objection cease 
 in that case ? — It would not. I will propose, with great deference, the system 
 which, to the best of my ability, I think, would work best in bringing about a 
 state of things to diminish accidents. T will now state the system I propose to 
 adopt. In the first place, I have stated that I think the mines cannot be pro- 
 perly managed, or accidents prevented, unless you raise the class of managers to 
 a higher state of intelligence. Now I think that requires the very serious consi- 
 deration of the Legislature. I do not think at present there are opportunities 
 requisite to acquire that sort of instruction which those persons want. There 
 are no schools adapted to give mining instruction, not even in the districts of 
 Northumberland and Durham, and still less in the other districts. i think 
 that the requisite knowledge cannot be acquired without some general system 
 of instruction proper for the mining managers ; and I therefore, with great 
 deference, submit to the Committee that their attention should be first of 
 all directed to what system or course of instruction should be adopted or 
 sanctioned or promoted by the Legislature, and how such a system could be carried 
 out. I have paid very great attention to this for some years, and still more lately, 
 with reference to the establishment of a mining school In Newcastle. I have come 
 to the conclusion that all this cannot be brought about unless schools for the in- 
 struction of miners be established in different districts. I had last year pointed 
 this out to the mining interests of Newcastle, and delivered a lecture upon that 
 subject, which is of course too long to submit to you; but I feel quite certain that 
 the time has arrived when some system of schools for mines must be established. 
 I have likewise directed the attention of the Institution of Mining Engineers to 
 this subject, which is stated in an inaugural address to that institution. I think 
 that it would be of immense importance to the mining interests of this country, 
 not only as regards the object which this Committee has in view, but generally to 
 the commercial interests of the country, if schools of mines could be established 
 in different districts of the kingdom, i will take that at Newcastle first, as bringing 
 to your notice a practical mode of dealing with it. As president of the Institution 
 of Mining Engineers, I put myself in communication with the University of 
 Durham and with the managers of the Museum of Economic Geology in Loudon ; 
 -and some progress has been made towards the establishment of a school of mines in 
 
 0.76. e 4 "Newcastle 
 
4 o 
 
 MINUTES OF EVIDENCE TAKEN BEFORE THE 
 
 N- Wood, Esq. Newcastle patronised by the University of Durham, and connected with the 
 Museum of Practical Geology in London. 
 
 14. July 1853. 3850. How is it to be supported? — It is proposed to support it by subscriptions 
 from the coal-owners ; we hope to get some assistance from the University of 
 Durham and also from the Government, and the pupils will assist. The Museum 
 of Practical Geology here in connexion with the Board of Trade and Industrial 
 Arts Institution would also assist. They propose to assist us with models, and 
 plans, and implements, apparatus, &c, requisite for establishing a school of mines. 
 They would do that at an extremely low cost, and that is one part of the advan- 
 tage which we shall gain by a connexion with the institutions here. Dr. Playfair 
 also stated, that the Government would in all probability guarantee a certain sum 
 annually towards the payment of the professors, on the assumption that subscrip- 
 tions should be got up in the local places to a certain amount ; that the Govern- 
 ment would in the first instance guarantee the professors' salaries for three years, 
 if the subscriptions did not amount to what was requisite. That would assist to a 
 certain extent ; and we hope that the University of Durham, who are very anxious 
 to support an institution [of this kind, will also assist us; and these, added to the 
 subscriptions of the coal-owners and mining proprietors of the district, leave 
 no doubt that in a short time we shall be able to establish a school of mines in 
 Newcastle. 
 
 3851. Have you had communications with the coal-owners of the district upon 
 that subject ? — We have. 
 
 38,52. Do you find any difficulty in inducing them to come forward in aid of 
 the school ? — At a meeting of the coal-owners they came to a resolution unani- 
 mously to support the Institution of Mining Engineers, and I have no doubt they 
 w r ould equally readily support a school of mines. 
 
 3853. Will they support it by a tax upon themselves, or by voluntary subscrip- 
 tions ? — By voluntary subscriptions. We hope, however, it may be self-supporting- 
 after it comes to be established ; but in the meantime, the importance of such an 
 institution is so great, that I trust it will also be supported by the Government, 
 as well as the persons locally interested in the trade. On the Continent there 
 are schools of mines of a similar nature ; in Belgium and France ; and certainly it 
 is not very creditable to this country, possessing the most extensive mines in the 
 world, that no such institution is in existence. 
 
 38.54. But if the Government were to support schools of that kind, would it 
 not be their duty to see that the owners of collieries only employed such men as 
 had passed examinations in those schools ? — It was proposed that, in connexion 
 with this institution, there should be local schools, sort of preparatory schools for 
 pupils entering the institution ; that there should be a difference in the tuition in 
 the institution ; that there should be a class for the under viewers, and for those 
 persons who arc to be the practical operators in the mines, who, it was supposed, - 
 might acquire their education in 12 months in the institution after coming out of 
 the local schools, and that those persons should have an opportunity of seeing the 
 practical working of mines. Then the superior class of under viewers or viewers 
 would go through a longer and superior course of education, and might receive 
 honours which would entitle them to admission to the Government School of Mines 
 in London on advantageous terms. It has been stated to us, that they would be 
 at liberty to go there for 12 months without the pnyment of any fees; that the 
 Government School of Mines would admit them into the institution merely on the 
 payment of a very small sum sufficient for their board, and that then ihe course of 
 education Avould be gratis ; we presume it would be the superior class of pupils 
 which would come to that school, where they would receive certificates of merit. 
 Now connected with this, on the same principle, I think that schools of mines 
 might be established in other districts of the country, also in connexion with the 
 school of mines in London, and if advisable, they may be in connexion also with 
 the school of mines in Newcastle. Persons from various districts entering the 
 school of mines in Newcastle, would have an opportunity of seeing what is done 
 in the mines there, and of course it would be advantageous to them to be enabled 
 to do so. I have no doubt, therefore, that if some general system of instruction 
 were deemed advisable, a course of education might be brought about which would 
 raise the intelligence and knowledge of the class of managers I have pointed out, 
 which would be extremely beneficial to the mining interest generally, and to the 
 managers of mines ; and would, in my opinion, much more than any system of 
 inspection which is practicable, accomplish a diminution in the accidents in mines. 
 
 1 think 
 
SELECT COMMITTEE ON ACCIDENTS IN COAL MINES. 41 
 
 I think the basis of the whole should be a genei-al system of education to bring - a. (f ood, 
 
 up such class of persons in sound practical and in such theoretical knowledge as 
 
 is necessary for the management of mines, now becoming every day more dangerous. 14 July 1853, 
 
 385.5. In order to give them practical knowledge, it would be necessary that 
 they should visit the mines at the time they were seeking scientific knowledge, 
 would it not ? — It would. 
 
 3856. How would you accomplish that? — I think it would be necessary that 
 they should be enabled to visit the mines occasionally, and I think, by arrange- 
 ment, this is quite practicable ; I think there could be no difficulty connected 
 with the school of mines at Newcastle, in arranging that the pupils of that insti- 
 tution should acquire practical knowledge, at some period or other, while going 
 through their studies at that institution ; that they should, some period or other, 
 be instructed in such practical knowledge of the mode in which the mines are 
 conducted in the neighbourhood of Newcastle as would be extremely advan- 
 tageous to them ; and in the other districts they might have access to those mines 
 which are conducted upon the same improved system of management ; I think r 
 connected with the whole of this system, it may be that certificates ought to 
 be given by those schools of mines in the same manner as certificates of merit 
 or efficiency are given to the pupils of the schools of mines on the continent. 
 In my opinion, those certificates would be a very great inducement to pupils wish- 
 ing to put themselves forward in acquiring information, ' and would certainly be a 
 stepping-stone towards their employment in the mines as scientific and practical 
 miners. 
 
 3857. Supposing this school were established, and were to accomplish all the 
 objects you wish to attain, would you not make it compulsory upon the coal- 
 owners to employ only such persons as had passed such necessary examinations as 
 would be suitable to the situations they were intended to hold ? — I think it might 
 be advisable to make some such arrangement, though not compulsory; I find that 
 the practical working of that system on the continent is, that pupils having ob- 
 tained those certificates of efficiency, the mining interests, manufacturers and 
 others are exceedingly anxious to get hold of them ; that there is a demand for 
 those pupils who have acquired that degree of proficiency, and I think that the 
 coal-owners' own interest, in being able to obtain pupils of that superior know- 
 ledge, would induce them to employ them in preference Avithout any compulsory 
 means ; if it was made a necessary part of the management of a colliery that 
 persons of a particular grade of management should require a certificate, I do not 
 see any objection to it, upon the same principle that the master of a vessel is 
 required to have a certificate as to his proficiency in navigation. 
 
 3858. Do you not think it would be an improvement, inasmuch as although 
 there are a number of coal-owners in this country, who, no doubt, Avould employ 
 only scientific men, there are a number of small coal-owners, who, with an 
 economic view, would endeavour to get a man at a small salary, who had not such 
 an education as was necessary to enable him properly to conduct the mine ? — I 
 think, paying due attention to the variety of circumstances with which the mining 
 interests of the country are surrounded, it might at some period hereafter be 
 made compulsory that the managers of mines should have certificates of pro- 
 ficiency before they undertake the management of them. 
 
 3859. Mr. Ingham.} Might not this be the practical result, that as under- 
 writers require, frequently, that the captain of the ship which they underwrite 
 should be a certificated captain, so the lessors or mortgagees of mines, in order to 
 ensure the security of that property in which they are interested, should make 
 that stipulation ? — The lessors of the mines have a specific class of persons to look 
 after their interests. 
 
 3860. But might not they make it a stijmlation, because any great injury to 
 the property would damage their reversion ? — No doubt ; but I am not prepared 
 to say that the coal-owners would object to any system compulsory upon them, 
 that they should only employ in certain capacities persons having the requisite 
 certificates of knowledge. Supposing all this could be carried out, I am quite 
 sure it would be the means of raising up a class of managers very superior in 
 knowledge to what now exists. Then I think the system of inspection should be 
 based, not upon having anything to do with seeing that the under managers do- 
 their duty, but upon seeing that there is a proper system, or an efficient manage- 
 ment adopted in the collieries, and that the system and rules are such as are 
 adequate for the purpose. 
 
 0.7(7. F 3861. Chairman.\ 
 
42 
 
 MINUTES OF EVIDENCE TAKEN BEFORE THE 
 
 JC- Wood, Esq. 3861. Chairman.'] In all the evidence given by the men who have been 
 
 deputed to come here by the workmen, they have stated that they by no means 
 
 14 July 1853. wish to interfere with the coal-owner in any system of management he may think 
 proper to adopt ; all they would require would be that the inspectors should see 
 that the mines were carried on in a proper manner, to ensure the safety of the 
 men's lives; to such an inspection as that, I presume, the coal-owners would 
 have no objection ? — Certainly not ; provided it did not interfere with their 
 responsibility. Now, looking at the present system of inspection, it is quite clear 
 that the number of persons that are now employed is insufficient lor the purpose, 
 if they are to undertake all the duties which they appear to consider necessary 
 in their office of inspectors. 
 
 3862. With reference to the present inspectors, have you found them interfere 
 in any improper way with the collieries under your management ?- — No, I cannot 
 say that I have ; but they go upon a system of making suggestions, which are 
 in fact orders. Those suggestions apply to the mode of distributing the air, and 
 doing a great many things which, although sheltered under the name of sugges- 
 tions, are really orders, and as such the responsibility is adopted by the inspectors, 
 whether such orders are proper or not. 
 
 3863. But do they do so without consulting the head viewer or manager of the 
 colliery ?— Yes, I think they do ; I think when the inspectors visit a colliery they 
 look around them, and make up their minds whether everything is right or not, 
 and then they go and make suggestions, sometimes in accordance with the views 
 of the coal-owners, and sometimes not in accordance with them. 
 
 3864. Are the present inspectors, in your opinion, generally practically and 
 scientifically capable of fulfilling the duties which are imposed upon them ? — 
 I think they are, generally ; probably some of them would have been no worse 
 with a little more practical knowledge, but I think, generally, they are a class 
 of persons very capable of undertaking the duties of inspectors. I will state the 
 system of inspection which some of the coal-owners I have consulted think would 
 be most efficacious, supposing there were a proper staff of inspectors. 
 
 3865. Will you state what you would call a proper staff ? — I think inspection 
 ought to be conducted on a mode something like what the inspection of railways 
 is ; that it should become a separate department under the control of the Board 
 of Trade. 
 
 3866. Do not you think it would be better under the management of the Board 
 of Trade, or under the mines department, inasmuch as the Government School of 
 Mines is under the Board of Trade, and the inspection of railways is under the 
 Board of Trade ; would you not think it more desirable to place it under that 
 Board than under the Secretary of State for the Home Deparment ? — I think the 
 Board of Trade is the proper head for the purpose, because besides having the in- 
 spection of railways, they have under their management the school of mines ; I 
 think at present the system is very defective in that respect ; each of the inspec- 
 tors acts upon his own responsibility, without any efficient co-operation ; and, again, 
 if anything occurs between the inspector and the coal-owner, there is no head 
 that the coal -owner can properly go to; I think if the management of the in- 
 spectors was under the Board of Trade as a system, and certainly the importance 
 of the coal-mining interests is quite as great as the inspection of railways, and 
 therefore demanding quite as much a separate department as the railway depart- 
 ment ; if it was in connexion with the Board of Trade, then, through the school of 
 mines, the coal-owner might have some tribunal to which to apply in cases of 
 dispute between the inspector and himself, which at present he has not ; sup- 
 posing a system of inspection should be established in this way, then I think it 
 would not be necessary that the inspectors should be of a lower grade than they 
 are at present. I think if we look at the system of inspection in Belgium, 
 which has been very much brought out in inquiries of this kind, you will find that 
 the system there is certainly not the employment of a lower grade than that of the 
 present inspectors; the system there is very much what appears to me to be 
 advisable here ; the head of the system of inspection in Belgium is that of a 
 director-general, who would be equivalent to the head of the Board of Trade here ; 
 he has under him an engineer-in-chief in each of the districts, who has under them 
 engineers and sub-engineers ; but it must be observed, that in Belgium the 
 inspection extends to quarries, foundries, steam-engines, and are therefore more 
 extensive than here. 
 
 3867. In Belgium those inspectors have not merely to inspect the working of 
 
 the 
 
SELECT COMMITTEE ON ACCIDENTS IN COAL MINES. 43 
 
 the mines, but they are the agents of the Government, which itself works the N. Wood, Esq. 
 
 mines ? — They are ; the mines are in the hands of Government, and besides having 
 
 to look after the inspection of the mines, with reference to accidents, they act in 14 July 1853. 
 the same way as our check viewers do here, which is another class of persons 
 beyond those I have given you in the management of our mines.. 
 
 3868. Those check viewers being agents for the lessors? — Those check viewers 
 being agents for the lessors ; and those are in addition to all the superintending 
 viewers and persons I gave you before ; they amount to a very considerable number, 
 probably to 1 50. INow the state of things in Belgium is, that the inspectors undertake 
 those duties as Avell as the duties of inspection, and therefore, the engineers and 
 sub-engineers, under the engineer in chief, attend to the foundries, the steam 
 engines, and all that, and only act occasionally in the inspection of mines. Then 
 comes the assistant engineers ; now those are the class of persons that are equivalent 
 to our inspectors ; those persons are employed solely in the mines, and are of a 
 higher grade, or of an equal grade at least, with our present inspectors, certainly not 
 below ; they are, I should say, parallel with our resident viewers ; they seem to 
 me to be a class above that of the under viewers. Now the mines of Belgium 
 being in the hands of the Government, the Government is interested in having- 
 those mines inspected in the most efficient manner, and they have a staff of in- 
 spectors or directors of superior knowledge, because those engineers in chief and 
 the other engineers are men who have gone through the scientific colleges, and 
 have very superior knowledge, and I think if the Government had been of opinion 
 that a class of insj^ectors below that grade would bo beneficial, they would have 
 employed it there. They have certainly had more experience of inspection in 
 Belgium than we have had, and I think it is a very strong case, that as they 
 have not found it advantageous to employ persons of a lower grade than our 
 inspectors here, it has not been deemed to be beneficial, and therefore, that is a 
 proof to me of its not being advisable to resort to a lower grade of inspection here. 
 
 3869. Mr. Ingham.~\ Are you aware at all of what the feeling of the workmen 
 and colliers is in Belgium as to the inspectors ?— I am not. 
 
 3870. Chairman.^ Are the Committee to understand you to recommend some 
 such system of inspection as is carried on in Belgium ? — I think there should be a 
 staff of inspectors somewhat similar, to make the inspection efficient. 
 
 387 1 . Would you have a board in London, and under them inspectors, or would 
 you have any intermediate person betw r een the head of the Board of Trade in 
 London and the inspectors themselves t — No ; I think that if it were made a 
 separate department, as the railway department of the Board of Trade, the head 
 of which is the President of the Board of Trade, the inspectors without any 
 intermediate class of persons would be sufficient, because the head of the Board 
 of Trade, or his deputy, would, of course, consult with the professors of the School 
 of Mines in case of any difficulty; I think it would not therefore be necessary 
 to have any intermediate person between them. 
 
 3872. How many inspectors do you think would be necessary ? — I cannot very 
 well say how many until the system is determined upon. 
 
 3873. They should visit every mine in their districts at certain periods ? — 
 I think so. 
 
 3874. Plow often should they visit each mine? — Before going into that I should 
 beg to point out to the Committee how I think the inspection should be carried 
 out, supposing we had a staff of inspectors such as I have stated. 
 
 3875. What power would you give to those inspectors? — I think we should do 
 as they have done in Belgium ; that there should be a system of rules and regu- 
 lations drawn out, which might be made a code of laws, and which should be the 
 basis of a system of inspection. In Belgium, Mr. Mackworth in his evidence 
 says, " There is a very excellent collection of rules for collieries, which are part of 
 the laws of Belgium ; each province had district regulations made by its own 
 council, with the assistance of the engineers, and these were altered into a general 
 law ; before this law was adopted a council was formed, which was composed 
 partly of colliery managers and partly of Government engineers, and having been 
 agreed on, it was passed as a law." Now I think if a similar system were pursued 
 here ; if the colliery managers of the different districts could meet together, and 
 meet the Government inspectors, and could agree amongst themselves upon a code 
 of rules and regulations applicable to each of the different districts, (because they 
 would vary according to the mines of the different districts) ; if they could agree 
 upon a system of rules and regulations, which should not only go to the mode in 
 
 0.76. f 2 which 
 
44 
 
 MINUTES OF EVIDENCE TAKEN BEFORE THE 
 
 i\\ Wood, Esq. which the mines are to be ventilated, but also into the system of management on 
 which the different mines should be conducted, and if those were agreed upon and 
 
 H July 1853. made a code of rules, then those should form the basis of what the inspectors 
 ought to act upon. And I think every rule which would ensure safety in a mine, 
 or prevent accidents, might be included in those rules and regulations, and I think 
 the inspectors should not go beyond that. 
 
 3876. If you were to insert in those rules anything with reference to manage- 
 ment, would not that be giving the inspectors a higher authority than you wish 
 to confer upon them ? — I do not mean to say that they should have anything to 
 do with the management more than that they should see that the managers were 
 persons competent to do what was requisite. Supposing, for instance, it were 
 agreed upon by the coal-owners that the persons in the management of the mines' 
 should have a certain certificate of character, it Mould be necessary that the 
 inspectors should see that that has been acquired by the person in the management 
 of the mines. The manager of course must act at all times independent of the 
 inspector, because he is to have the responsibility of the management of the mine ; 
 but whatever system the coal -owners may think right to adopt in the management 
 of mines, should be incorporated into those rules, and then I think the inspector 
 should see that those are carried out, and that that should be his duty. If it is 
 necessary that in certain mines there should be a certain quantity of air, then the 
 inspector should see that into those mines that quantity of air is introduced ; but 
 then I think that the mode of doing that should be left to the responsibility of 
 the coal-owner. 
 
 3877. That would equally apply to the distribution of air? — And to the dis- 
 tribution also ; I think those rules and regulations might be so made that the 
 system of inspection Mould be more complete, and M ould less interfere with the 
 responsibility of the management, and ensure greater efficiency than without any 
 definite mode. 
 
 3878. Mr. Ingham.] AYould not you have the inspector make it his business, 
 not only to ascertain whether, at the time he was there, all those regulations had 
 been complied with, but whether, during his absence, there had been any breach 
 of those regulations? — I think not; practically he could not go into that, if he- 
 did it Mould require a number of inspectors far beyond what it is possible to 
 •keep up. I think you must throw the responsibility of the pits being always in 
 the state in which they are when the inspector visits them, upon the coal-owner, 
 and not upon the inspector, beyond looking after them at particular periods. 
 
 3879. From the evidence you have heard given by the workmen deputed by 
 the different collieries, do you not find that they wish to have an increased number 
 of sub-inspectors of a rather less elevated character, in order that they may with 
 confidence communicate to them instances which have come to their own know- 
 ledge where those regulations have been violated ? — 1 am well aware that the 
 workmen are of that opinion ; but I must beg to differ from them as to 
 the utility of such a system of inspection. If we are to have a grade of persons 
 not higher than the workmen themselves, to see that everything is kept right, 
 I do not see why the workman himself, being at all times able to know 
 whether he has the same quantity of air that he had when the inspector was there, 
 should not himself give notice to the inspector when he finds anything wrong. 
 
 3880. The apprehension of the workmen is, that if they gave notice to the 
 inspector, that would be more notorious than if they gave notice to the sub- 
 inspector, who is more frequently among them, and that they might draw upon 
 themselves the displeasure of their employers? — That is upon the assumption that 
 the coal-owner is not desirous of carrying out what the inspector advises. Now I 
 cannot think that such ought to be the conclusion ; I think the coal-owner is the 
 man above all others interested in carrying out what is proper. 
 
 3881. Does the workman come in immediate connexion with the coal-owner ; 
 is not the person who makes his situation comfortable, or the contrary, the over- 
 man, or deputy, or some officer in the mine, just a little above himself? — He 
 generally comes to the under viewer ; but then it is not necessary he should do so ; 
 it may be communicated to the inspector without the knowledge of the viewer ; 
 but I think if the system I propose were pursued, the coal-owners would not object. 
 It may be made one of the rules to which the coal-owner should give his assent, 
 and it should not be made a fault in the workman if he gave such information. 
 
 3882. I fully believe that the coal-owner would desire him to do so ; but the 
 question is, whether the workman himself would venture to act upon that impres- 
 sion, 
 
SELECT COMMITTEE ON ACCIDENTS IN COAL MINES. 45 
 
 sion, knowing- he is immediately under the control of a man who possibly might N. Wood, Esq. 
 
 feel himself censured by the information he gave ? — I am quite aware that there is 
 
 lhat sort of feeling; I think that arises from ignorance, and if you were to raise H July 1853. 
 the intelligence of the persons conducting the mines, you would find a great deal 
 of that feeling done away with ; you find more of that sort of jealousy in mines 
 managed by persons of inferior intelligence than you do in others. 
 
 3883. But as the gradual education and improvement of the working collier 
 must be a matter of time, should you not think it desirable to consult what he 
 himself felt would add to his own security, unless at the same time it should be 
 found to be detrimental to the interest of the coal-owners? — I am myself per- 
 suaded that it is not the best system, and that it would not add to his security ; I 
 am quite sure, from my experience, though I have every desire to pay due 
 deference to what the workmen wish, that it would lead to confusion of manage- 
 ment, and not accomplish what they desire. I should say, that in following out 
 the system I propose, it would be quite necessary that the inspectors should have 
 diplomas of competency as well as the managers of mines. 
 
 3884. Chairman.] Have you seen the rules proposed by the inspectors who 
 have been examined ? — I have. 1 
 
 388,5. Do you approve of those rules ? — I think they are very much short of 
 what is required in this country. 
 
 3886. They wish to ask additional powers ; do you think those powers which 
 they wish would be onerous to the coal-owners ? — 1 think to several of them there 
 is not the least objection ; generally, I should say, they are not objectionable ; but 
 some are, and I think they do not go far enough in some respects to ensure the pre- 
 vention of accidents. The code of rules that I propose would go to a very much 
 greater extent than those propositions, and then, after the rules are once laid 
 down, I M ould not make it discretionary in the inspector to interfere beyond them ; 
 if he finds the rides insufficient let them be increased by co-operation between the 
 coal-owner and the inspector, with an appeal to the Board of Trade, to the 
 institution in London, or to some practical tribunal. 
 
 3887. Have you drawn out a code of rules? — No, I have not. You will find 
 in the proceedings in 1845, in Professor Phillips' report and in the proceedings of 
 last year, rules at the different collieries which are very complete. I have no 
 further rules to suggest, but those refer to the working of mines as well as to the 
 ventilation of them ; they are carried beyond what are necessary for the powers of 
 the inspectors, and therefore they are not strictly applicable to them. 
 
 3888. But you would suggest that all those rules laid down which do not 
 actually apply to the working of the mines should be made applicable to the in- 
 spectors ? — Just so. I think the viewers of the different districts should meet 
 together. I know no other mode of so effectually obtaining a class of rules or a 
 code of laws, as by such a principle of dealing with them. 
 
 3889. Then you. suggest that a code of rules should be determined upon by 
 consultation between the inspectors and the principal viewers and coal-owners of 
 the whole country, and that those rules should be made the law of the land ? — 
 I do. 
 
 3890. Supposing those rules were made the law of the land, you would suggest 
 that there should be contained in those rules no interference in the least in the 
 management of the mines? — Certainly there should not; I should wish them to 
 be as efficient and complete as possible for a system of inspection that would best 
 attain the objects in view, and then if at any time afterwards they were found 
 defective, then I think additional rales or bye- laws might be adopted in concur- 
 rence between the coal-owners and the inspectors, which might be added to 
 them. 
 
 3891. But suppose the coal-owners and inspectors could not agree, would you 
 give the Board of Trade, or the head authority in London, power to make any 
 rules which he thought fit? — I think so ; calling into his council proper practical 
 persons for assisting him in doing so. 
 
 3892. Mr. Inqham.~] You said that the check viewers would form a body 
 of 150 additional men to the number of officers you named? — I think they 
 would. 
 
 3893. No doubt the system of check viewing would assist very much the in- 
 spection of particular mines, and multiply the instances of inspecting visits ?— 
 Yes 
 
 3894. But, in point of fact, it would not make any addition to the body of 
 0.76. . f 3 viewers ; 
 
4 6 MINUTES OF EVIDENCE TAKEN BEFORE THE 
 
 N. Wood, Esq. viewers ; are not the check viewers the same body of individuals whom you have 
 already mentioned as head viewers, superintending viewers, or resident viewers ? 
 14 July.i853. — They are included within the number of persons I have named. 
 
 385)5. They form part of the number you have given ? — Yes. 
 
 3896. Can you give any idea of the number of workmen employed in the 
 collieries, so that we may know what the proportion of officers is to the actual 
 workmen?— 1 think there are between 20,000 and 30,000. 
 
 3897. In that same district of Northumberland and Durham ? — In the same 
 district; I think somewhere thereabouts; I do not recollect whether the whole 
 numbers are correct. 
 
 3898. But you are only speaking of that one district? — I mean the entire mines 
 in the counties of Durham and Northumberland yielding about 10,000,000 tons 
 of coals per year. 
 
 3899. Chairman.'] You stated just now that you did not consider the number 
 of inspectors sufficient ; will you state to the Committee what number of inspectors 
 you think would be sufficient r — I could not very well state that until the system 
 of inspection is determined upon ; I think, if the system 1 propose is determined 
 upon, it will be very easy to fix upon the requisite number of inspectors. 
 
 3900. Have you anything else to say upon this branch of the subject ? — Nothing- 
 more occurs to me at present. 
 
 3901. As to coroners' inquests, do you think the present system of coroners' in- 
 quests is a good one ? — I do not see what other mode can be adopted better than 
 the present system. I think it would add very much to the efficiency of the system 
 of inspection if the proceedings at coroners' inquests could be recorded in some 
 way or other, and also the proceedings of the inspectors, and the system that I 
 propose would accomplish that object, because, in the office in London all those 
 could be deposited, and it would aid very much in the prevention of accidents to 
 know how the accidents do occur ; therefore I think it ought to be made com- 
 pulsory as to coroners' inquests, that an official account of the proceedings should 
 be recorded. 
 
 3902. Now the coroner has only power to return a verdict of accidental death 
 or manslaughter ; can you suggest any intermediate course ? — No, I cannot. 
 
 3903. W ith regard to a system of schools for children, in your opinion is it 
 incumbent upon the owners of collieries to provide schools for the education of 
 their workmen's children ? — It is not incumbent, although it is a practice which is 
 almost universal, and certainly a practice which is very necessary. I believe Mr. 
 Tremenheere is now reporting to Government, with a view of making it compul- 
 sory that boys within a certain age should attend at schools so many hours a week. 
 
 31)04. Some of the witnesses have stated that boys should not be allowed to go 
 into collieries until they are 12 years of age, instead of 10; would you approve of 
 such a regulation ? — I think not ; I think it would be a great hardship upon some 
 of the parents to do so ; if an arrangement could be made by which the children 
 could go to school a certain number hours a week, I think that would accomplish 
 their education, without keeping them out of the mine. 
 
 3905. Mr. H. A. Bruce.] Up to what age does Mr. Tremenheere propose tO' 
 keep them at school? — I believe it is up to 13; and in that case, supposing that 
 to be done, it certainly would be necessary to have schools in each colliery district. 
 
 3906. Chairman.] Some of the persons deputed by the colliers have told the 
 Committee that the colliers themselves would not have an objection to a rate being 
 levied upon them, to be stopped out of their earnings, for the support of schools 
 connected with the collieries in which they work, provided they had some voice 
 in the selection of the schoolmaster, and in the management of the schools ; do 
 you approve of that suggestion ? — I do not. When the late Lord WharnclifFe 
 was alive, at his suggestion I adopted that system at Killing-worth, but I found 
 it worked very badly. 
 
 3907. Mr. H. A. Bruce.] Did it work badly in consequence of difference be- 
 tween the men and the masters ? — The workmen differed amongst themselves, 
 about it, and it was obliged to be abandoned. 
 
 3908. With reference to the first part of the question, do you think that 
 generally the men would be inclined to tax themselves or to allow T a certain 
 portion of their wages to be deducted, in order to support the school ? — Yes; I 
 never found any difficulty with the men in subscribing towards the school ; but I 
 think, if a system making it compulsory upon the men that their children should 
 go so many days a week to school, was carried out, it would accomplish the object. 
 
 3909. Are 
 
SELECT COMMITTEE ON ACCIDENTS IN COAL MINES. 
 
 3909. Are they generally negligent upon that point in the north of England? N. Wood, Esq. 
 
 — No, I think not ; I think there is a very good disposition in the workmen to 
 
 have their children educated. We have schools attached to each colliery, and we 14 July 1853. 
 find them very well attended. 
 
 3910. Chairman.'] How are those schools supported ? — Generally by subscrip- 
 tion from the coal-owners and by a small payment from the men for their children. 
 
 3911. Mr. H. A. Bruce.'] Who practically superintends the schools? — The 
 coal-owners, and sometimes the clergymen of the district ; it depends upon what 
 educational system the schools are on, under what institution, or connected with 
 what sect. 
 
 3912. Chairman.] Is it your opinion that the men should provide a fund by 
 contribution, for relief in cases of accident, and also for the assistance of the 
 widows and orphans of those who meet their deaths by accidents in the mines ? 
 — The coal-owners in the districts of Northumberland and Durham pay a certain 
 amount a week to persons maimed in the pits, and they generally make a sub- 
 scription to the widows in all cases of death ; the men very generally subscribe 
 to the surgeon for cases of sickness, there being in addition at every colliery a 
 surgeon paid by the coal-owner to attend to them in case of accident. 
 
 3913. Then in Northumberland the men do not contribute so much a week of 
 their earnings to the surgeon ? — Except in cases of sickness. 
 
 3914. In South Wales the men pay a certain proportion per month of their 
 earnings all the year towards the surgeon when they are well ; of course when 
 they are ill they do not earn anything, and the surgeon is obliged to attend them 
 and their families as long as they may require his assistance ? — That is so in Nor- 
 thumberland and Durham ; the coal-owner in addition paying the surgeon in case 
 of accident. 
 
 391.5: Is it your opinion that the colliers themselves should provide a fund for 
 relief, in case of accident, and should contribute towards a fund for the support 
 of the widows and orphans ? — I think it would be a very good thing for them if 
 they did ; it would be beneficial for them, but I do not find that that is the case ; 
 they often contribute to a fund for provision in cases of being off work in con- 
 sequence of being lame, or in cases of sickness. 
 
 3916. Mr. H. A. Bruce.] Do you think they would object to paying to a sort 
 of insurance fund? — I think they would; I think they would object to anything 
 compulsory for such a purpose. 
 
 3917. Chairman.] Do you think the class of colliers is improving, in the north 
 of England, in education? — They certainly are a more intelligent class than they 
 were when I first knew the trade ; and I am firmly convinced that their improve- 
 ment is beneficial to the coal-owner as well as to the workmen themselves, and 
 it is with that view that I am so strongly inclined to promote a general system of 
 education. 
 
 3918. Mr. H. A. Bruce.] Is the mining population of the north of England 
 tolerably stationary, or is it largely recruited from the agricultural districts? — 
 They are generally stationary in the coalmines and iron mines; there has not 
 been very much emigration from the counties of Northumberlnd and Durham 
 until recently. 
 
 3919. But has there been immigration; is the population fed and sustained 
 principally from the agricultural districts?— I think not; they keep very much 
 within themselves. 
 
 3920. Mr. Ingham.] You mentioned that you think the workmen are gradually 
 becoming better educated?— I think so. 
 
 3921. Is it not the case that, in the unfortunate strikes that have sometimes 
 occurred, each succeeding strike has exhibited fewer instances of violence and 
 outrage ? — I think so ; 1 think, as the intelligence of the pitmen is increased, it 
 makes them better workmen, and less inclined to violence ; that has always been 
 my experience in all those collieries ; where they are best educated they are the 
 least mischievous. 
 
 3922. Mr. H. A. Bruce.] Is it the fact that the mining population of England, 
 both in Northumberland and Durham in the north, and Cornwall in the south, 
 are the most innocent population in Great Britain; that the smallest per-ceniage 
 of crime is found to exist in the whole mining population ? — That is certainly my 
 belief; I consider the class of coal-miners in Northumberland and Durham is an 
 exceedingly peaceable and well-inclined class. 
 
 3923-4. Whereas the population attached to iron-works are, next to the inetro- 
 0.76. f 4 politan 
 
48 MINUTES OF EVIDENCE TAKEN BEFORE THE 
 
 N. Wood, Esq. politan population, the most criminal? — That, I think, will depend very much 
 
 upon liow they are situated ; the mining population of Northumberland and Dur- 
 
 14 July 1853. ham is very much under the eye of the masters, and unconnected with the towns ; 
 
 and in that, I think, it is that they have an advantage, by being looked after and 
 their comfort promoted by their masters, and you find them a very superior class 
 of men the further they are removed from the towns. 
 
 3925. Chairman, .] Is there anything else you wish to state to the Com- 
 mittee ? — No, nothing further occurs to my mind at present. 
 
 Jovis, 21° die J alii, 1853. 
 
 /. K. B/advoell, 
 Esq. 
 
 21 July 1853. 
 
 Mr. Hutchins. 
 Mr. Ingham. 
 Mr. Band. 
 Mr. Cayley. 
 
 EDWARD 
 
 MEMBERS PRESENT. 
 
 Mr. Child. 
 Mr. Cobbett. 
 Mr. Locke. 
 
 J. HUTCHINS, Esq. in the Chair. 
 
 ./. Kenyan Blackwell, Esq., called in ; and Examined. 
 
 I have been engaged 
 hich 
 
 w 
 
 3926. Chairman.'] YOU are a Mining Engineer ?— Yes 
 during the greater part of my life as a managing partner in iron works, 
 has entailed, of necessity, the direction of mines. 
 
 3927. Mr. Baird.] Where? — In South Staffordshire and South Wales. 
 
 3928. Chairman.] In 1849, were you desired by the Government to report 
 upon the state of the mining districts, with a view to the prevention of accidents? 
 —Yes. 
 
 3929. You made a report, which isprinted,and is dated 25th March 1850? — Yes. 
 
 3930. Were the principal recommendations of that report, that in all fiery mines 
 the Davy lamp should be compulsorily used, and that mining schools should be 
 established ? — The principles upon which ventilation ought to be conducted were 
 explained ; a more extended use of the Davy lamp was recommended ; and the 
 education of the mining population. 
 
 3931. To what district did you pay particular attention? — To the state of 
 mining throughout England. My commission extended directly to the southern 
 counties ; but I accompanied my colleague, Professor Phillips, of York, in some 
 of his visits to the north of England, with which I was previously well acquainted, 
 from my general attention to the subject. 
 
 3932. Have you had extensive experience in almost every district in England ? 
 — I have. 
 
 3933. Have you also had experience in Scotland ? — No ; I have some general 
 knowledge with regard to the slate of the Scotch miues. 
 
 3934. Do you consider that any particular law could be made applicable gene- 
 rally to all the districts of this country, for the prevention of accidents in coal 
 mines ? — I do not think that any general law could be framed which would have 
 that tendency, beyond one or two special enactments. I think that a few enact- 
 ments might be desirable. 
 
 3935. Have you come to that conclusion in consequence of the different 
 characters of the coal mines in different districts? — I have. 
 
 3936. Will you describe the different characters of some of the coal mines, 
 which have induced you to come to the conclusion that no such law would be 
 available ? — The modes of working coal vary greatly, from the differences in 
 character of the coal seams themselves, and of the coal fields in which they occur.. 
 It is difficult to make any comparison between the immense collieries of the north 
 of England, where the regularity of the strata and the depth of the mines occa- 
 sion the working of one or two square miles of coal from a single winning', and 
 collieries in such districts as South Staffordshire, where the faulty nature of the 
 ground, and the shallowness of the seams worked, cause them to be limited on 
 an average to five or ten acres. I am putting the two extreme cases in this 
 instance. The mines are on the largest icale in the north of England, and on the 
 smallest scale in South Staffordshire. 
 
 3937. Looking 
 
SELECT COMMITTEE ON ACCIDENTS IN COAL MINES. 
 
 49 
 
 3937. Looking at these differences, would you be disposed to recommend this J. K. Biackwell^ 
 Committee to report to The House any particular method of ventilation? — No; £s q- 
 
 I think that is a question which must be left entirely in the hands of the mining 
 
 engineer, who has the direction of the mine itself. I do not think it is possible 21 y l853 ' 
 
 to lay down any general mode of ventilation, the differences of the mines being 
 
 in themselves so great, and their exigencies so various. 
 
 3938. In the districts in the north of England, and in other parts where the 
 mine is deep, and large quantities of coal are worked at one winning, is it more 
 necessary to have greater ventilating power than in such a place as South Staf- 
 fordshire, Avhere the mines are easily worked, and very little coal is got from one 
 pit ?— Yes. 
 
 3939. Are you aware of instances in which you could recommend pits to be 
 worked upon what is called natural ventilation • that is, without any artificial 
 ventilation whatever? — I think, that with the exception of during the summer 
 period in South Staffordshire, where there are a pair of pits in almost every field, 
 natural ventilation is quite sufficient to supply the requirements of the mines, if 
 proper air-ways are opened to allow the air to pass from one pit to the other. In 
 the summer time, perhaps, a small moveable lamp may be requisite. 
 
 3940. In case of storms, however small the ventilation may be, might it not 
 happen that the barometer might be so affected, that the ordinary up-cast shaft 
 would be rendered a down-cast shaft, even in winter, or the air in the two shafts 
 rendered immoveable, and the ventilation thereby stopped ? — That is very rarelv 
 the case, I think, where proper air-ways are opened, even under such circum- 
 stances ; because the heat of the mine, resulting from the natural elevation in 
 temperature of the strata, and the heat communicated by the lights, the men, and 
 horses in the pit, nearly always elevate the temperature of the air to a sufficient 
 degree to maintain the ventilation. 
 
 3941. Mr. Baird.~] In your experience, did you ever see the air in the up-cast 
 and down-cast shaft motionless ?— I cannot say, that under any circumstances 
 in which I was satisfied that proper air-ways had been opened between the two 
 pits, I have ever seen the air motionless ; but if the temperature in the mine 
 were below that of the atmosphere, it might be so. 
 
 3942. Chairman.'] In the district of Northumberland, and other districts where 
 the pits are deep, and the quantity of coal to be worked out of each pit is large, 
 your opinion is, that some artificial ventilation is absolutely necessary ? — I think 
 it is absolutely necessary. 
 
 3943. At the same time, you would not prescribe any particular mode of ven- 
 tilation, but would rather leave that to the coal-owners themselves, desiring that 
 the inspectors should simply see that a sufficient quantity of air was carried 
 down into the pit and properly distributed ? — That is the course which I should 
 recommend. 
 
 3944. Of course there is a great variation in the quantity of air required ; and 
 that would depend, no doubt, upon the extent of working and the number of 
 men in the pit; can you give the Committee any idea of what, in your opinion, is 
 the relative quantity of air to the size of the working in operation, and the number 
 of men who are employed ? — I consider the number of men who are employed to 
 be in some degree a measure of the extent of the surface of coal exposed ; and 
 therefore I think that may fairly be taken as the standard, to which some definite 
 scale may be affixed. 
 
 3945. Can you give the Committee any idea of the quantity of air that is 
 required for each mine, according to the standard you now suggest? — I think it 
 would be difficult to state a standard which should extend to all the mines in 
 this country. I think I stated, in my report to Sir George Grey, that in many of 
 the most fiery mines as much as 500 cubic feet per minute is given. 
 
 3946. Is that quantity found to be sufficient in those fiery mines ? — I think it 
 is, under ordinary circumstances of a regular discharge of gas; but even that 
 quantity is not sufficient under extraordinary circumstances; that quantity, how- 
 ever, far exceeds what is requisite in a large number of the mines of this country ; 
 and I should say that it is from twice to four times the amount which is neces- 
 sary. 
 
 30,47. "When you speak of large quantities of gas, you mean in cases of 
 blowers, or accumulations of gas which suddenly escape ? — I allude to the accu- 
 mulations of gas which suddenly escape from the coal itself, or from the strata 
 above and below the coal ; and I also allude to the quantities which may overflow 
 out of large goaves, when the barometer falls suddenly. 
 
 0.76. G 3948. Is 
 
50 MINUTES OF EVIDENCE TAKEN BEFORE THE 
 
 /. K. Blade-well, 3948. Is it 'your opinion, that natural ventilation may be allowed, if great care 
 Esct ' is taken to keep the air-ways sufficiently capacious to pass the air without too 
 
 July 1853. mucn friction through the workings, in certain cases ? — Perhaps you will allow 
 me to make a qualification of my last answer, before I answer that Question ; that 
 is, that some coal seams are liable to spontaneous combustion, and it is necessary 
 in such seams, where they are not completely cleared out of the ground, that the 
 quantities of air circulating in them should be restricted ; even the lowest quan- 
 tity which ] have mentioned would be inconvenient, and productive of damage 
 in some of the Thick coal workings, for instance, in South Staffordshire, which 
 are worked by the old system of stall-working, and not worked by long work. 
 Where the seam is worked by the old system, a large quantity of slack is left 
 underground ; large ribs and pillars are left which are crushed; and the whole 
 of the abandoned workings are liable to burst into flame if they are not sufficiently 
 excluded from the air. 
 
 3949. Mr. Ingham.'] What is the quality of that coal ? — It is a very pure 
 coal. 
 
 3950. Chairman.'] Is the spontaneous combustion caused by the iron pyrites? 
 — That is a question which has not been fully determined ; it has generally been 
 supposed that it was caused by the iron pyrites in the coal ; but this is very pure 
 coal ; still sulphuret of iron may be disseminated in the bands of shale which 
 separate the beds without being visible to the eye. 
 
 3951. Or mixing with the coal ? — Yes. 
 
 3952. How can the working of coal of such a quality be carried on with due 
 regard to the health of the men ; because, unless sufficient air is carried through 
 the working, which quantity would make the coal ignite, the men would not 
 breathe a healthy atmosphere ? — The atmosphere in such pits is commonly in- 
 jurious to health ; and such a state of ventilation might be obviated by a better 
 mode of working that seam. 
 
 3953. You are alluding now to long work? — I am alluding to the ordinary 
 mode of working the Thick coal seam in South Staffordshire, as compared with 
 working that seam by long work. 
 
 3954. Is that mode practised in South Staffordshire principally? — That seam 
 is worked by long work in Staffordshire, in some collieries ; for instance, in the 
 very extensive collieries of the late Mr. James Foster, at Shut End, in the 
 collieries of Mr. Gibbons, adjoining, and now, I believe, by the British Iron 
 Company at Corngreaves. 
 
 39,5,5. In your opinion, is that system better for ventilation ? — It enables a much 
 more perfect ventilation to be obtained, because the seam is entirely worked out 
 and taken out of the mine, and no spontaneous combustion can occur. 
 
 395(1. Although the seam is taken entirely out of the mine, are not great 
 quantities of refuse coal and rubbish left to fill up the vacant space ? — The roof 
 fills up the vacant space ; the whole of the coal and slack is taken out of the 
 mine. 
 
 3957. Do you mean that the whole of the coal is taken out, and that nothing is 
 left in, and that the roof is allowed to fall and to touch the bottom ? — That is 
 what I mean ; but it is done by working the coal by successive operations ; it is 
 not all done at once. There has been an opinion in South Staffordshire that that 
 mode of working coal caused the seam to be brought out of the mine in smaller 
 lumps, and that has been the source of the objection to it ; but, on the other hand, 
 the quantity of coal obtained from the seam is so much greater, that I do not think 
 it is a sufficient objection. 
 
 3958. In the great coal fields of Northumberland and Durham, the system of 
 long work is not adopted ? — It is rarely practised ; I think it is adopted in some 
 of the mines. 
 
 39,59. Do you know the reason why it is not practised ? — The mode of working 
 in this district is almost exclusively on the pillar and stall system, the coals being 
 found too tender and jointy to allow them to be wrought generally by long work. 
 
 3960. Has it been the practice to reduce very large tracts of this coal to a state 
 of pillar or waste before working them out? — It has been the practice to reduce 
 very large tracts of coal in this district to the state of pillar or waste, before finally 
 working out these pillars. These wastes sometimes extending over one or two 
 square miles in the larger collieries, require ventilation, as well as those parts of 
 the workings progressing in the whole coal. 
 
 3961. Do those great wastes weaken or strengthen the ventilation? — They 
 admit of considerable leakage by the numerous passages which are open in every 
 
 direction. 
 
SELECT COMMITTEE ON ACCIDENTS IN COAL MINES. 51 
 
 direction through these wastes. Although they permit the circulation of very J- K. Blackvoel' 
 large bodies of air, by its division into separate currents, yet the imperfect nature Esq. 
 of the stoppings employed to close the openings, everywhere entering the wastes 21 Jul lg 
 from the main roads, in. order to force the ingoing air-currents up to the more 
 distant workings, frequently allows much of the air to leak back to the up-cast 
 shaft, and leaves the ventilation weak in those distant workings in which the 
 largest supply is required. 
 
 3962. Are these stoppings in general made sufficiently strong for cases of 
 explosion ? — They are not. The collieries are usually divided into a number of 
 separate districts, which would produce a very important result if the stability" 
 of these stoppings were properly attended to. 
 
 3963. The circulation being destroyed generally in explosions by the stoppings 
 being blown away? — The circulation is generally destroyed, in explosions, by all 
 the stoppings and doors being blown away. 
 
 3964. Can you describe any mode of reducing these wastes, so as not to leave 
 such great deposits of gaseous gunpowder in the mine?— It is now, in some 
 cases, the practice to diminish the extent of coal left in the state of waste, by 
 working out the pillars closely following the workings on the whole coal. This 
 change tends to shorten the air-currents, and to reduce the quantity of air required 
 for ventilation. 
 
 3965. In your opinion, should such a change become general ? — It appears 
 desirable that this change should become general ; that the division of the mine 
 into districts should be so fortified as to effect a secure separation between the 
 ingoing and outcoming air-currents, and that those air-currents should be so 
 directed as to prevent the fire-damp yielded by the goaves from entering the 
 working districts. I have endeavoured to show the mode in which the ventilation 
 might be so arranged in a plan which is annexed to my Report to Sir George 
 Grey in 1850. With these precautions, accompanied by good ventilation, 
 explosions would probably not occur, or when occurring, would not be attended 
 by a large loss of life, 
 
 3966. It has been stated by Mr. Wood, that in the best regulated and best 
 managed collieries of Northumberland and Durham the use of doors is altogether 
 abolished ; have you seen collieries worked on that system ? — I have seen that 
 system most completely carried out in those collieries of Mr. Wood's which I 
 have visited. 
 
 3967. In your opinion, has the number of explosions diminished in Northum- 
 berland and Durham ? — In my opinion it has, when compared with the extent 
 of coal which is worked. 
 
 396S. Do you believe that diminution has arisen principally from better 
 ventilation ? — I think so. The greatest attention has been paid of late years by 
 the mining engineers of that district to the subject, and their knowledge and 
 skill as miners, as well as their general attainments, are very great. 
 
 3969. Besides the diminution in the number of explosions, upon the occurrence 
 of an explosion in that district is there now a less sacrifice of human life than 
 formerly ? — I do not think that any explosions have taken place in collieries 
 which have been managed so as to allow doors to be done away with. I do not 
 think we have had any means of testing that, except theoretically, in that district 
 at present. Explosions have not occurred in such collieries, probably from the 
 superior skill which has been displayed in their management. 
 
 3970. Mr. Ingham.'] Do you know how that was in Hebburn Colliery ? — I 
 have not seen a plan of that colliery. 
 
 3971 . Chairman,'] Is it not obvious, that if an explosion took place in a colliery 
 that had no doors, or scarcely any doors, there would be a much greater chance 
 of escape for the men from the after-damp, provided the explosion took place 
 from an escape of gas ? — I am fully convinced that the doing away with doors in 
 collieries would be attended with a great saving of life in cases of explosions ; 
 and I have strongly recommended it on every occasion that I have had to report 
 upon an accident, and in my general report of 1850. 
 
 3972. Have improvements taken place in the ventilation of collieries since you 
 sent your Report in 1850 to the Home Office? — The period is so short, that 
 I think it is scarcely possible to form a correct opinion on that subject ; but 
 I know that at the present time the greatest interest is felt by the mining- 
 engineers of the north of England on the subject of accidents, and that they are 
 sparing no labour, and are entering into most extensive investigations, for the 
 purpose of determining their causes, and of preventing them if they can. 
 
 0.76. G 2 3973. In 
 
MINUTES OF EVIDENCE TAKEN BEFORE THE 
 
 A K. Blackwell, 3973. In your opinion, is the system in the north of England better and more 
 -^ s q- calculated to prevent accidents than any other ? — I cannot compare the system 
 
 2 Jul 18 °^ nortn °^ England with that of other districts, because the nature of the 
 mines is so different. I think, upon the whole, it is better. I should say decidedly 
 that the management is more skilful and more scientific in that district. 
 
 3974. Will you describe the coal fields and collieries of Lancashire, in order 
 that the Committee may form an idea of the difference ? — In Lancashire the coal 
 meesures are more intersected by faults than in the north of England. The in- 
 clination of the measures is greater. They frequently lie at very steep angles. 
 Tiie depth and cost of the winnings is ordinarily much less, and also, from these 
 circumstances, the extent of ground worked from each winning. From the steep- 
 ness of the measures, the main roads are usually those driven on the level course 
 of the seam from the shaft, which produces a concentration of the working of one 
 main road or rolley way; but in the more extensive collieries, a series of level 
 roads are driven at suitable distances on the rise and to the dip, which are con- 
 nected together by inclines at right angles to the level course. These are worked 
 by machinery, on account of their steep inclination. 
 
 397,5. Will you describe the mode of working? — The coal is usually partially 
 worked as the level roads are driven from the shafts to the boundary on each 
 side ; the district between the shafts and the workings, which are pushed forward 
 in the whole coal as the levels are driven, being left behind in the state of pillar or 
 waste, to be worked out in returning. The consequence of that system is, that 
 the air circulating in these mines is commonly restricted to a single current, or 
 occasionally , where there are workings on both sides of the shafts, the down-cast 
 air is split into two currents. The ingoing air is, in most cases, only divided 
 from the outgoing current, returning through the waste in a contrary direction 
 towards the up-cast shaft from the extreme workings, by imperfect and insecure 
 stoppings. 
 
 3976. Is that what is called coursing the air ? — No ; it is not, properly speaking, 
 coursing the air; the system is generally what may be called ventilation by 
 sheathing ; that is, the old system of carrying one current all round the works, 
 leaving the interior waste unventilated ; but the air might be coursed on that 
 system ; the system of coursing the air is carrying one current throughout the 
 mine, and carrying it into every part. 
 
 3977. Do these insecure stoppages of which you have spoken weaken the 
 ventilation? — They generally allow much leakage to take place ; the current in the 
 extreme workings is therefore weak, being less than the total quantity introduced. 
 
 3978. Is that occasioned by the leakage in the stoppings ? — It is occasioned in 
 part by the leakage in the stoppings, and in part by the inadequate sectional area 
 of the air-ways. 
 
 3979. Is not proper attention paid in Lancashire to keeping the air-ways of 
 sufficient size? — The air-ways, by which the outcoming air has to find its way in 
 returning through the wastes to the up-cast shaft are usually very small, and 
 partly filled with rubbish, the falls not being cleared out; it is thus impossible for 
 any large body of air to circulate, the sectional area of these passages being in no 
 way proportional with that of the shafts. The air circulating being, moreover, 
 confined to a single current, a large volume, even if the air-ways were of a size to 
 permit its circulation, would be very inconvenient to the workmen, when the air 
 is carried all round the works in one column, in that manner. 
 
 39S0. Is that because the air would travel too rapidly, or that it would become 
 impregnated with deleterious gases? — From both causes; but it is felt by the 
 men, from the circumstance of its travelling too rapidly. 
 
 3981. Might not the air thus carried become explosive? — It frequently does 
 become explosive; it is rarely the case that proper air-ways have been provided 
 to carry off the fire-damp, which is discharged from the rise end of the goaves so 
 formed; and the air current, after it has swept along the edge of these goaves, is 
 frequently explosive, while its course brings it on the lights of the men. 
 
 3982. Supposing that an explosion should take place with this system, would 
 not these imperfect separations be blown out, and the ventilation cease ? — That is 
 commonly the result when an explosion happens in such a colliery; the ventila- 
 tion cannot be re-established by any means until the stoppings are restored in a 
 temporary manner. 
 
 3983. Then the Committee are to understand that, in your opinion, in the 
 Lancashire district, sufficient attention is not paid to what is called splitting the 
 air? — In my opinion, in the Lancashire districts, sufficient attention is not paid to 
 
 dividing 
 
SELECT COMMITTEE ON ACCIDENTS IN COAL MINES. 
 
 dividing the mine into districts, and spreading the working over a sufficient area, J. K. Blackwell, 
 and splitting the air. Esq. 
 
 3984. You have not yourself had any experience in Scotland ? — No. T~ 
 
 3985. Was there not an explosion, a short time ago, at a place called Nitshill ? 21 July 53 " 
 — There was ; and in that case the ventilation was confined to a single air current, 
 
 which passed from one district to another, around large unventilated wastes, 
 which was proved by the result in that case to be extremely dangerous. 
 
 3986. Did you examine that mine ? — 1 have not examined the mine, but it is 
 evidently the condition of the mine, from the plan which has been published in 
 the report of the Government inspector. 
 
 3987. Mr. Cat/ley.] Do you know when the Government inspector visited that 
 mine ? —I do not know anything of the circumstances attending that explosion, 
 except what is stated by the Government inspector in his report. 
 
 3988. You do not know whether the Government inspector was there before 
 the accident or after the accident? — I cannot tell at the present moment, without 
 referring to his report, but I presume that the plan which is given in his report is 
 the plan which was produced at the judicial inquiry which took place on the 
 subject, and I presume that we may consider it to be an authenticated plan. 
 
 3989= Mr. Child.] You are aware that Mr. Dunn gave an opinion after the 
 ■explosion that the ventilation in the mine was very good ? — I am aware that he 
 gave that opinion, but I must on mature consideration beg to dissent from it; 
 I consider that no pit could be well ventilated which was ventilated upon the 
 system described by Mr. Dunn in his report, and shown by the plan which is 
 annexed to that report. 
 
 3990. Mr. Cay leg. ~\ Is it not the fact, that when an explosion has taken place 
 there must naturally be a great increase of ventilation in the down-cast pit ? — I 
 conceive there could not have been a great increase in that mine immediately after 
 the explosion, because all the stoppings were evidently blown out, and no possible 
 circulation could take place except from shaft to shaft. If the heat caused by 
 the explosion remained in the mine, it would increase the ventilation. 
 
 3991. The effect of the expansion of the heat would be to produce a rarefaction 
 of the air in the up-cast shaft, and if there was a direct gallery between the down- 
 cast shaft and the up-cast shaft, the effect would be that the heat caused by the 
 expansion would produce an increase of ventilation ? — I think it would be only 
 temporary. 
 
 3992. Supposing that Mr. Dunn visited the mine during that temporary acces- 
 sion of ventilation, might it not be an erroneous conclusion if he stated that the 
 ventilation was sufficient? — I do not think it is possible that the accession of 
 temperature caused by the explosion could have lasted long enough to have con- 
 tinued till he visited it ; and, moreover, he could not visit it until some consider- 
 able period had elapsed after the explosion, because the mine must have been 
 inaccessible until the stoppings could be restored. 
 
 3993. Are you aware, practically, whether there was any artificial ventilation 
 or not in the Nitshill Colliery three months previously to the explosion taking 
 place ? — 1 believe it is stated in Mr. Dunn's report that there was no artificial 
 ventilation. 
 
 3994. Chairman.] Are you personally acquainted with the coal field of South 
 Wales? -Yes. 
 
 3995. For a long period of years, was the coal field of South Wales worked 
 near the crop ? — It was. 
 
 3996. And now the mines are getting deeper, are the deep mines found to be 
 very fiery ? — The deep mines in the valleys, where the basset edges of the strata 
 are not exposed, are very fiery. 
 
 3997. Is the principal mode of working which has been adopted there, long- 
 work or pillar and stall work ? — The mode of working has been by pillar and 
 stall almost exclusively ; the stronger defined cleavage in the seams not allowing 
 long work to be generally adopted. 
 
 3998. Are any of these collieries as large as the collieries in Northumberland 
 and Durham ? — The extent of none of these collieries is at present so large as 
 the collieries of Northumberland and Durham. 
 
 3909. Is it considerable? — It is considerable; and as the winnings extend to 
 the deep, they must, from the nature of the surface, become of great magnitude. 
 
 4000. From the inclination of the strata, do you consider that the collieries of 
 Souch AVales are difficult or easy to ventilate? — The inclination of the strata has 
 
 0,76, g 3 caused 
 
MINUTES OF EVIDENCE TAKEN BEFORE THE 
 
 K. Blackwell, caused extensive workings to be crowded frequently on one level course, and that 
 Esq. results in a number of lateral openings, forming passages for the escape of the 
 
 ' 7~ T~ ingoing air into the return air currents, and creates a difficulty in ventilation. 
 
 4001. Is proper attention paid, in your opinion, in South Wales to carrying in 
 the air-ways, and to driving proper air-ways in advance in the solid coal ? — I do 
 not think that sufficient attempts are made there to form a complete system of 
 air-ways before working the coal ; that systematic arrangement of the workings 
 which is necessary, and ultimately most economical in extensive and fiery mines, 
 has been neglected; the ordinary practice has been to work the coal in stalls, 
 as the levels progress from the shafts, conducting the outcoming currents of air 
 returning from the face of the levels, and from the workings in the whole coal 
 near their face, back to the up-cast shaft through the abandoned stalls; proper 
 air- ways ought to be driven out in the solid coal in advance of the workings, 
 parallel to each level, at a suitable distance to its rise, when not provided by the 
 existence of previously exhausted levels in this position ; these air-ways ought to be 
 connected with the levels by cross-headings driven through from one to the other 
 before the working of the coal is commenced ; the want of such a system of 
 air-ways compels all the air entering each level to be confined to a single current 
 in the workings, and further restricts the quantity circulating in that current by 
 the contracted passages through which it must pass ; in that district the stalls 
 are carried too wide, and the pillars between them are left greatly too thin ; the 
 roof thereof breaks down in the stalls before the pillars that are necessarily left to 
 support these imperfect air-w r ays can be extracted ; the pillars are thus crushed 
 and lost, causing a great waste of mineral, which might be avoided if the general 
 plan of the workings and of the ventilation were better devised. 
 
 4.002. Does that system, in addition to the great quantity of coal that is left, 
 crushing the air-ways, tend to weaken the ventilation and render the pit dan- 
 gerous ? — It does; and the system of ventilation is generally insecure, by the 
 want of proper separation between the ingoing and outcoming currents. 
 
 4003. In the districts of Lancashire and South Wales, do you consider that 
 the class of underlookers are equal to those in Northumberland 1 — They are not, 
 if they are taken as a class. In many of the large iron works, unquestionably, 
 men of considerable skill and knowledge of their profession are employed ; but 
 taking the collieries throughout that country generally, the managers are generally 
 very deficient in their attainments. 
 
 4004. Is the same system adopted in Derbyshire and Yorkshire as is adopted 
 in South Wales. The system is not similar in those districts ; coal is worked 
 generally by modified forms of long work in Yorkshire and Derbyshire, and the 
 ventilation is often in a very dangerous state, I am acquainted with a good 
 many of the Yorkshire mines in that district where great explosions have oc- 
 curred, and I know that the ventilation is very imperfect. 
 
 4005. What class of men are the underlookers and viewers in that district ? — 
 Taken as a class, they are not generally so highly educated as they are in the 
 north of England, although there are, unquestionably, viewers in that district 
 of great attainments. 
 
 4006. In South Staffordshire, have the explosions been numerous and fatal ?■-- 
 They have been very numerous, compared with the very small quantity of fire- 
 damp which is evolved in the mines there. 
 
 4007. Have they been confined usually to any particular district? — They have 
 been confined almost exclusively to the thick coal. 
 
 4008. To what cause do you attribute those accidents ? — Generally to a total 
 absence of ventilation in the mines in which they have occurred. 
 
 4009. Mr. Child.] Have they been most frequent in large collieries or in small 
 collieries, in South Staffordshire ?— I think that the explosions in South Staf- 
 fordshire have occurred in collieries which I should call collieries of the second 
 class, and not of the first class. 
 
 4010. Chairman.] Did they arise at all from the objection to introduce too 
 much air into the workings, in consequence of the tendency to spontaneous com- 
 bustion? — Partly, and partly from the want of proper air-ways, which causes the 
 current to be almost stagnant, if not quite stagnant, at many periods of the 
 vear. 
 
 4011. Mr. Child.] Were the collieries in South Staffordshire, in which the 
 accidents occurred, without any means of artificial ventilation ? — They generally- 
 only use occasionally what is called a lamp or fire-pan for that purpose ; but I must 
 
 be 
 
SELECT COMMITTEE ON ACCIDENTS IN COAL MINES. 55 
 
 be permitted to observe, that they have commonly occurred from a want of vigi- j. k. Blachwell 
 lance on the part of the man who is employed Jto examine the colliery in the Esq. 
 morning ; men have gone straight down into the pit, where gas has been found, ~ 
 without any examination with the lamp. 21 JuIy l8 53- 
 
 40 1 2. Do you know anything of the collieries in North Staffordshire ? — I have 
 visited the greater part of them. 
 
 4013. How did you find those collieries ventilated? — The ventilation there is 
 ordinarily imperfect. 
 
 4014. Chairman.] Do you think that explosions might be easily avoided in this 
 district? — The country is very faulty, and the faulty nature of the ground interposes 
 difficulties to ventilation. One of the worst ventilated collieries which I ever saw 
 was in North Staffordshire, in which an explosion has subsequently occurred. It 
 was an extremely faulty colliery. 
 
 401,5. Mr. Child.'] Where was that ? — At Ubberley. 
 
 4016. That is one of the worst ventilated collieries you ever saw ? — It was when 
 I was in it. 
 
 4017. When did you see it? — In the year 1850. 
 
 4018. How soon after you saw it did the explosion take place? — I think from 
 one to two years. 
 
 4019. Do you know the circumstances under which that explosion took place? 
 — I know that when I was in the mine, the air was nearly explosive in almost 
 every part of it. 
 
 4020. Were any artificial means of ventilating the mine employed ? — Yes ; 
 there was a furnace there. 
 
 4021. To what cause was the deficiency of ventilation attributable? — It was 
 confined to one current, and carried through small air-ways, in which there was 
 not sufficient sectional area ; it was carried from one seam to another ; and it 
 would have been explosive throughout the mine, if it had not been for the large 
 quantity of carbonic acid which was in the current, as well as the hydrogen 
 gas. 
 
 4022. Chairman.] In a thick seam, is it the practice to carry the air-ways at 
 the top of the seam ? — It is not invariably the case ; it is only occasionally so ; 
 in point of fact, in some parts the thick seam in South Staffordshire yields so 
 little fire-damp that it is not necessary. There are pits in that country where 
 fire-damp is never seen, from their being so near the surface, and surrounded by 
 old workings. 
 
 4023. Mr. Child.] Is there much fire-damp evolved from the mines in North 
 Staffordshire, generally speaking ? — Some of them are rather fiery. 
 
 4024. Taking the general character of the district, is it not the fact that there 
 is not much fire-damp evolved from the mines? — The workings there are not yet 
 very deep, and the seams are, for the most part, considerably inclined, which always 
 facilitates drainage. On the whole, I should say that it is not a very fiery district ; 
 but as the mines increase in depth, I have no doubt they will be found to increase 
 in their fiery nature. 
 
 4025. Chairman.] In general, in Staffordshire, is sufficient care taken to keep 
 the air-ways sufficiently large ? — I think not. 
 
 4026. Do you think that, in Staffordshire, the class of overlookers and under- 
 lookers is inferior to the class in other districts or equal to other districts, except 
 Northumberland and Durham? — I think they are very inferior in South Stafford- 
 shire, and also in North Staffordshire. 
 
 4027. Do you think that a want of sufficient air-ways and defective ventilation 
 exist generally in small collieries or in large collieries? — I think that the best 
 ventilation is ordinarily in the largest collieries, because they are managed by men 
 of a superior class. 
 
 4028. In South Staffordshire, are there generally two shafts, a down-cast shaft 
 and up-cast shaft? — Almost invariably. 
 
 4029. Mr. Child.] Is that the case in North Staffordshire ? — I think it is almost 
 invariably, if not invariably. 
 
 4030. Chairman.] In your opinion, ought the air-ways in the mines in North 
 and South Staffordshire to be equal to the sectional area of the pits? — I think 
 that they ought to be larger than the sectional area, where a large quantity of air 
 is required. The size of the air- ways must be according to the quantity of air 
 which is required in the mine; but I do not think that the largest quantities o f 
 
 0.76. g 4 air 
 
56 MINUTES OF EVIDENCE TAKEN BEFORE THE 
 
 J. k.Blackweil, air can be obtained in mines, unless the aggregate sectional area of those air-ways> 
 Es( I' is greatly larger than that of the shafts, because their length is so much greater. 
 
 21 July 1853 4°3'- 1° a ^ tne districts of Staffordshire, instead of being larger, are they 
 generally much smaller ?— Yes. The amount of ventilation obtained in coal 
 mines is usually limited more by want of proper capacity in the air-ways opened 
 in them, than by inadequacy in the motive power employed. This would be 
 found to be the greatest defect in all ill-ventilated collieries, if their statistics were 
 separately examined and compared with those of the other class; collieries of 
 small size, relying chiefly on natural ventilation for a supply of air, are, perhaps, 
 those in which this impediment to its circulation exists to the greatest extent. 
 In such districts as South Staffordshire, where there are a pair of shafts in every 
 field, this means of ventilation would generally be sufficient ; but in coal pits in 
 this district it will frequently tie found, that while the sectional area of the shafts 
 is about 40 square feet for each shaft, the area of the air-ways in the pit does 
 not exceed five or six square feet, or from one-sixth to one-eighth of the area of 
 each shaft. 
 
 4032. In cases of that kind, would it not be immaterial what power of ventila- 
 tion there was in the shaft, inasmuch as it would be impossible to travel through 
 air-ways of that capacity ? — It would be impossible for an adequate amount of 
 air to travel through air-ways of that capacity. 
 
 4°33- Can you institute a comparison between the relative proportions of cases 
 of this kind and well-ventilated collieries ? — If the relative proportions, which are 
 shown in a case of this nature, be compared with those existing in any well-ven- 
 tilated colliery, the defect will be clearer. For example, if we take the propor- 
 tions to be found in the Fletton Colliery, between the aggregate sectional area of 
 the ingoing air-currents and the sectional area of the up-cast shaft, the Blossom 
 Pit, by which all those currents return to the surface, ue shall find that the aggre- 
 gate sectional area of the air-ways in the mine is to the sectional area of the up- 
 cast as rather more than eight to one, being that of about 1,200 square feet to 150. 
 
 4034. The air-u ays being eight times larger than the shaft ? — Yes. In the former 
 case the proportions were one to five or eight, in the latter they are eight to one. 
 
 403,5. In your opinion, are the capacities of the air-w r ays in mines generally 
 the root of all imperfect ventilation ? — I think that the want of sufficient capacity 
 in the air-ways of mines is at the root of all imperfect ventilation. 
 
 4036. Mr. Child.'] Are the Committee to understand you to state, that you 
 consider that in the mode of working small collieries artificial ventilation is even 
 more required in them than it is in larger collieries? — It depends on the extent 
 of ground which is worked from a pair of shafts. I do not think that artificial 
 ventilation is always needed in the mines of South Staffordshire ; for instance, 
 where proper air-ways are opened, I think it is quite sufficient if the manager, 
 at his discretion, puts a little fire in a grate at the bottom from time to time, 
 as he may find to be necessary. Although the explosions which have taken place 
 there have certainly occurred from the stagnation of the air current, yet they have, 
 generally occurred in mines where there were really no air-ways to keep up a 
 proper circulation throughout all parts of the mine. The explosions have occurred 
 in consequence of the men entering the mines in the morning ordinarily with 
 naked lights, and without any preliminary examination. I think that a little 
 better police would have prevented those explosions in every case of late years. 
 
 4037. Did you find the use of the safety-lamp general, or otherwise, in North 
 and South Staffordshire r — It is scarcely used in South Staffordshire, except for 
 the preliminary examination in the morning. It is used in some of the mines of 
 North Staffordshire. In point of fact, the Thick coal is perhaps the only seam 
 in which the Davy lamp proves inefficient where that seam is worked by the 
 present mode of getting the coal, in chambers 30 feet high. The Davy lamp 
 will not light up high enough in those mines. 
 
 Before concluding the subject of ventilation I may state, that last year I recom- 
 mended the erection of machinery in South Wales, in a case in which special diffi- 
 culty existed to the use of the furnace ; and I have heard, within the last few days, 
 from the viewer of the colliery, that he has found it answer the purpose, and 
 that he is satisfied it will be a great saving, and give much better and larger 
 ventilation than the furnace could have done, if it had been applied in that 
 colliery ; but it is a special case. 
 
 4038. Chairman.'] That is Mr. Struve's ? — Yes. 
 
 4039. Mr. Ingham.] You have stated that in seams 30 feet in thickness you 
 
 think 
 
SELECT COMMITTEE ON ACCIDENTS IN COAL MINES. 
 
 57 
 
 think the Davy lamp is inefficient, because it cannot cast the light high enough; j, k. Blackwell, 
 do not the men work in successive stages? — I should recommend the working of Esq. 
 that seam by lone work in separate stages, and then the Davy lamp would be 
 sufficient. } 8 2 . July ,853. 
 
 4040. Mr. Child.] What is the present mode? — The present mode is, working 
 it in chambers 10 yards wide, 10 yards high, and 60 or 70 yards long, with pillars 
 of coal standing between ranges of those chambers. The coal is usually worked in 
 what are called two stalls abreast; that is, there are two openings 10 yards wide, 
 separated by about three pillars 10 yards square, and the whole of the coal is cut 
 up to the roof in those chambers, rendering it impossible to examine the roof, and 
 ascertain whether it is safe, and causing very great loss of life from falls of 
 coal. 
 
 4041. Chairman.] Is the use of machinery in Belgium very extensive? — It is 
 extensive, which is caused perhaps in some degree by the use of wood in their 
 shafts ; their shafts are frequently lined with wood. 
 
 4042. And therefore it would be dangerous to use the furnace, for fear of 
 setting the wood on fire ? — Yes. The ventilation is usually weak in Belgium, 
 but it is very carefully conducted; the currents alwavs ascend; they are never 
 conducted down again; the mine is divided into a good many districts; the 
 currents are separate ; they do not pass from one part of the mine into the other, 
 and glass lamps are chiefly used. 
 
 4043. You have in your hand a list of the reports of different explosions 
 which have taken place at various times ? — Yes. 
 
 4044. Do those recorded facts furnish good data for conclusions as to the 
 prevention of accidents ? — I think they furnish the best data. 
 
 404.5. Have you traced up those accidents, or have you merely read the reports 
 of different inspectors? — I have visited nearly all the collieries myself; I have 
 reported on several of the explosions myself; and I have examined with care, in 
 other cases, the plans connected with the Reports published by Government, and 
 presented to Parliament. 
 
 4046. Mr. Child.] Have you ascertained, either by your own inquiries or from 
 the statements of others, the causes of those particular explosions ? — I have. 
 
 4047. Chairman] You will put in these reports which you have in your hand, 
 and if you desire to call the attention of the Committee to any points in them,, 
 you may do so now? — In the Haswell Colliery explosion, which is a colliery I 
 have examined myself, I consider that the separation of the ingoing from the out- 
 going air was insufficient, and that the want of secure separation was the cause 
 of the great loss of life which occurred from the after-damp in that pit ; seven- 
 eighths of the loss of life occurred from the after-damp. 
 
 4048. Mr. Child.] Is it not usually the case, that the loss of life is caused by 
 the after-damp rather than by the explosion? — Always in a large explosion. 
 
 404Q. Chairman.] There being two shafts ? — Yes. 
 
 40, r ,o. Mr. Child.] Does not the explosion generate the after-damp ? — The 
 explosion generates carbonic acid to some extent, but the after-damp consists 
 chiefly of nitrogen, with thick coal dust in the mine, which produces great difficulty 
 to respiration. The after-damp is a compound of carbonic acid, nitrogen and 
 aqueous vapour in an atmosphere of black dust. 
 
 4051. Chairman.] Nine-tenths of it being nitrogen, and nitrogen being of 
 less specific gravity than the atmospheric air, would it principally lie at the top 
 of the level instead of at the bottom ? — I think that the oxygen of the atmos- 
 phere in that district of the pit is entirely absorbed by the explosion. 
 
 4052. Mr. Child.] Does a combination of these various gases then take place r • 
 — A combination of these various gases then rills the mine. 
 
 4053. Chairman?] At Jarrow there is only one pit? — Yes. 
 
 4054. A brattice shaft ? — Yes ; that is a species of insecurity of the same 
 nature as the ineffectual separation between the air ways in the pit. 
 
 4055. In your opinion, should a mine at any time be worked by a brattice 
 shaft? — I think it is a very objectionable practice; and I reported, I think, to Sir 
 George Grey, that in no case uncovered flame should be allowed below the surface 
 where such a circumstance occurs. 
 
 4056. You reported at Risca and Jarrow ? — At Risca on one occasion, but 
 not at Jarrow. I have visited the Risca Colliery several times, and Jarrow once. 
 
 4057. And also the Eaglesbush? — I have visited Eaglesbush. 
 
 4058. Aberdare? — Yes. 
 
 0.76. H 4059. Middle- 
 
58 MINUTES OF EVIDENCE TAKEN BEFORE THE 
 
 J. K. Blackwdl, 40.59. Middle Dyffryn ?— Yes. 
 
 Esq. 4060. In all these cases, do you think that the evil of great loss of life was 
 
 ~ ~ aggravated by the want of a sufficient separation of the air-current and the doors, 
 y b6 ' and from the want of proper stoppings ? — I think that in all these cases the loss 
 of life was greatly aggravated by an imperfect division of the mine into districts, 
 and by the connexion of all the ventilation of the mine together ; so that any 
 accident occurring in any part of the current, destroyed the continuity of the 
 air-ways, and prevented the circulation from being continued. 
 
 4061. Is there anything else, with regard to these reports, to which you wish 
 to direct the attention of the Committee? — I wish to direct the attention of the 
 Committee principally to the dangerous mode of w orking coal which is practised 
 in the Barusley district, where the air-currents are carried unbroken throughout 
 the mine from bank to bunk, and from one goaf to the other, to the rise of that 
 goaf, and where the men are in the habit of working in that current, which may 
 be at any point explosive, with naked lights. The seam in which the explosions 
 have occurred is generally inclined, and the fire-damp pours itself out at the 
 upper edge of the goaf which is contiguous to the working bank, so that if there 
 is any overflow from any goaf, it comes out immediately on the candles of the 
 men. 
 
 4062. Mr. Bawd.] Are explosions very frequent there? — Very frequent. 
 
 4063. Chairman.] Is there any other point in the reports to which you wish to 
 allude ? — There is no special point to which I wish to allude in those reports. I think 
 that the manner in which the circumstances connected with each of them range 
 themselves under certain invariable classes is very important in the inquiry. 
 
 4064. Taking the reports generally, to what do you attribute the accidents 
 which have occurred in the particular cases? — In the first place, when seams of 
 coal charged with fire-damp are worked, there is a constant discharge of that gas 
 into the atmosphere of the mine from the whole surface of the coal exposed by 
 working. This permanent yield of tire-damp may be diluted and carried off 
 before it reaches the explosive point, by adequate ventilation. The quantity of 
 fire-clamp thus yielded is found to diminish as extended workings permit its 
 escape and drainage. In the second place, when deep mines are first opened, 
 this gas is found to exist in the seams of coal, and in the strata contiguous to 
 them, under great pressure. The fissures and joints of the coal, and the planes 
 of the strata, when exposed by working, present channels for its escape. In such 
 mines, the condensed and imprisoned fire-damp overcomes at times the pressure 
 upon it, and bursts suddenly in large volumes into the atmosphere of the mine. 
 The only safeguard against the consequences of these sudden discharges, which 
 overpower the most abundant ventilation, is to be found in the use of the Davy 
 lamp, and in the general seclusion of the air currents of the mine from ail contact 
 with naked flame. In the third place, the exhausted workings of coal mines, 
 in which the roof of the seam has broken down to a height corresponding to the 
 quantity of coal extracted, form reservoirs from w hich the fire-damp can be only 
 partially removed by ventilation. Unless air courses be provided to receive the 
 overflow of this gas from these goaves, and to conduct it away to the upcast 
 shaft without its mingling with the atmosphere of the mine, and unless the Davy 
 lamp be employed, and naked lights excluded from those districts of the mine 
 which are in contact with these goaves, they become a source of great danger. 
 The frightful explosions which have occurred during the last few years in the 
 Barnsley district of the Yorkshire coal field, have all been the result of a system 
 of mining which produces a goaf of this nature, in contact with and at a lower 
 level than the workings where the men are employed ; whilst the employment of 
 the Davy lamp, to guard against the irregularities of the overflow of fire-damp 
 from the goaves so situated, has been neglected. In the fourth place, isolated 
 parts of a mine, in which the distribution of the air currents is imperfect, may 
 become rilled with an explosive atmosphere ; and, further, the quantity of fire- 
 damp yielded at some points in a mine may be above the general average. The 
 distribution of these currents must, therefore, be regular and general, and 
 the quantity of air in each current adequate. It is highly important to 
 restrict the extent of workings open at one time, as far as is consistent with the 
 output of coal required. This will permit the ventilating currents, thus prevented 
 from being dispersed over wide areas, to be distributed with regularity, and suf- 
 ficient volumes of air will be available where they are needed. The general 
 system of the mine ought to be so arranged as to provide for all changes in the 
 
 ventilation 
 
SELECT COMMITTEE ON ACCIDENTS IN COAL MINES. 59 
 
 ventilation which may be required in any particular part. It appears from the J. K. MaakuaB, 
 foregoing considerations, that the security of collieries from explosion will not Esc l- 
 result in all cases from a large ventilation. From the manner in which fire-damp . ~ 
 often exists in coal seams, and by derivation from those seams in the associated 
 measure (namely, capable of great and sudden expansion when the pressure on 
 it is removed), it sometimes bursts into coal mines in quantities which the 
 amount of atmospheric air circulating in them cannot dilute below the explosive 
 point, though that supply may be large, and amply sufficient under ordinary cir- 
 cumstances to render them safe. When a coal seam is found to be in this state, 
 although by a proper arrangement of the workings and of the air-ways, the con- 
 sequences of an explosion may be diminished and controlled, that occurrence 
 can only be absolutely prevented by excluding the currents of the mine from all 
 contact with flame, and by the exclusive use of the Davy lamp. The destruction 
 of life, however, which results from an explosion, is usually far less from the 
 burning and concussion of the actual blast, than from the after-damp which fills 
 the mine when the explosion has passed ; and this is unquestionably the conse- 
 quence of defective arrangements in all those mines where this great loss of life 
 from after-damp occurs. It appears, also, that the destructive effects of these 
 accidents may be controlled and limited by arranging the workings of a colliery 
 in such a manner as to divide those workings into separate districts, each district 
 being isolated from the rest of the mine, and connected with the main ingoing 
 and outcoming currents at two points only. The results of such an arrangement 
 would be, first, to limit the extent of an explosion; and, secondly, to secure the 
 ingoing currents to as great a distance as possible from the shafts, and to prevent 
 the circulation being destroyed by the effects of the blast, so that the survivors, 
 after the explosion, may be able to reach the unvitiated ingoing air. To carry 
 out this system, and to attain these objects, the main passages of a coal mine, by 
 which the currents of ingoing air are conducted to the workings where the men 
 are employed, must be secured against the consequences of an explosion by 
 substantial stoppings or barriers throughout their extent, up to the points were 
 those currents enter the workings, wherever, in the progress of the operations, 
 openings have been formed between them and the parallel exhausted workings, 
 or the outgoing air channels. If, in consequence of the extent of the workings 
 to be ventilated, it be found necessary to divide these air currents (technically, to 
 split them) before they reach the extreme workings, that part of the current 
 which is not thus abstracted, and is conducted to a more distant point, may be so 
 conducted by means not liable, like doors, to immediate destruction by an 
 explosion. 
 
 4065. Mr. Child.'] You attribute that not to the door itself, but to the liability 
 of the door to be broken or deranged by the explosion ? — I do not attribute it 
 further to the door, than inasmuch as the door is liable to be left open or to be 
 destroyed. 
 
 4066. Chairman.] In your report of 1850, and also in a pamphlet published 
 by yo\x in 1853, you seem to place great confidence in the safety lamp ; do you 
 still retain your confidence in the safety lamp ? — 1 feel the greatest confidence 
 in the protection which a well-constructed safety lamp affords, but I do not wish 
 to advocate the use of the Davy lamp to supersede ventilation ; I wish that idea 
 to be guarded against most fully. I have never been able, throughout my ex- 
 perience, to find any authenticated instance in which gas has exploded or ignited 
 by the Davy lamp. In all the cases which I have investigated, it has arisen from 
 the improper use of that lamp, or from the use of an imperfect lamp ; for instance, 
 in some districts of England, it is the practice to make those lamps with the 
 gauze much too wide in the mesh. A gentleman exhibited to me the other day 
 a lamp which he stated was the common lamp made at Wakefield, in which the 
 gauze was evidently too wide; and it is in that district that several miners' 
 accidents have recently been attributed to the Davy lamp. I have no doubt, 
 having seen that lamp within the last few days, and heard that it was the Wake- 
 field lamp, that the cause of those explosions is evident, and that they have 
 occurred from an improperly constructed lamp. 
 
 4067. Mr. Ingham.'] You have stated that explosions have arisen from an 
 inipioper use of the Davy; what do you mean by "improper use"? — The 
 continuing the use of the lamp when it is filled with flame, and becomes red-hot. 
 
 4068. Chairman.] Have you read the experiments of Mr. Nicholas Wood in 
 the evidence which he has given before this Committee ? — I have, 
 
 0.76. h 2 4069. Do 
 
6o 
 
 MINUTES OF EVIDENCE TAKEN BEFORE THE 
 
 /. K. Mlackwll, 4069. Do those experiments confirm your confidence in the safety lamp ? — 
 £s q- _ Most strongly. 
 
 § j , _ 4070. Looking at the results of the experiments of Mr. Nicholas Wood, is it 
 
 your opinion that any kind of safety lamp which underwent the trial that he 
 made is perfectly safe, and cannot be exploded under ordinary circumstances ? — 
 Yes. 
 
 4071. Mr. Nicholas Wood stated in his evidence, that it is necessary to reach 
 a speed of 15 feet per second before the lamp will explode, and that the lamp 
 must then be at a white heat ; do you think those two things could possibly 
 occur in ordinary practice? — I do not think that a clean lamp, with a gauze of 
 sufficient fineness of iron wire, will explode gas under ordinary circumstances, 
 provided that the cylinder of gauze be sufficiently small. 
 
 4072. Mr. Child.] You suppose that the miner would withdraw when he saw 
 it full of flame ? — He ought to be taught to do so. 
 
 4073. If he continued to use the lamp after it became full of flame, which you 
 call an improper use of it, would it not be dangerous? — I consider that it would 
 be improper, and unadvisable. Mr. Nicholas Wood's experiments tend to show 
 that the lamp does not explode under such circumstances ; but still he admits, 
 that such a practice ought not to occur, and it is not what I should recommend. 
 
 4074. It is your opinion, that when such indications occur, the miner ought to 
 withdraw ? — It is my opinion that the miner ought to withdraw when such 
 indications occur. 
 
 4075. Chairman.] Is it your opinion, that as an additional security to perfect 
 ventilation in fiery mines, the use of the safety lamp ought to be enforced by 
 law ? — It is my opinion that in fiery mines the use of the safety lamp ought to be 
 enforced by law ; but I must be permitted to say also, that if I had the power, I 
 should prohibit the mine to continue working when the lamp was ordinarily 
 filled with flame. I should certainly prohibit such use of the lamp, as to permit 
 the men to continue working when the lamp became rilled with flame. 
 
 4076. Mr. Child.] You would prohibit working when the state of the lamp 
 represented a very dangerous state of the mine ? — Yes ; 1 think that no colliery 
 ought to be in that state. 
 
 4077. It ought to be sufficiently ventilated to prevent such an occurrence? — 
 Yes. 
 
 4078. Chairman.] Have you read Mr. Nicholas Wood's opinions as to the 
 mode of educating the officers of mines ? — I have. I do not fully accord with 
 them. 
 
 4079. Will you state in what particulars you differ? — I do not think that a 
 certificate of education from a purely scientific institution, such as the School of 
 Mines, is sufficient to prove that a man is competent to conduct a colliery. I 
 cannot, recommend the exacting a certificate of education in all cases, because 
 I think the education may be obtained without it, and that it would be very in- 
 convenient to miners in charge of mines to leave their work to come up to London, 
 or to attend even a school in the provinces in all cases, in order to be permitted to 
 conduct mines; such a difficulty would not exist in the case of young viewers of 
 some property and possessing a certain station as is usually the case in Northum- 
 berland and Durham, but it would exist in all the other districts to a very 
 great extent ; there they are ordinarily of a class who cannot leave their work. 
 I have a very strong opinion with regard to the necessity of education among the 
 mining classes; in fact, in my report of 1850, I suggested to Sir George Grey 
 that the same provisions might be applied to the mining population as were 
 applied to the factory population, namely, that a certain amount of school at- 
 tendance might be required on the part of all children under a certain age, and 
 that opinion I adhere to fully. 
 
 4080. Whatever system of that kind might be recommended, it would only be 
 prospective, and the improvement could not lake place under a certain number of 
 years ? — Exactly ; a generation must nearly pass away before the improvement 
 could take place. 
 
 408}. And therefore, however excellent may be the system which has been re- 
 commended by Mr. Nicholas "Wood, it would require a considerable time to 
 develope itself fully, so that the improvement which he anticipates might be 
 gained ? — I think so. 
 
 4082. In the meantime, what would you recommend ? — I would recommend the 
 use of the Davy lamp in all fiery mines ; but I think I should leave it in a 
 
 great 
 
SELECT COMMITTEE ON ACCIDENTS IN COAL MINES. 
 
 61 
 
 great measure to the proprietor to determine whether his mine was fiery ; I should J. k. Blachxell, 
 leave him responsible for that determination. m Esq. 
 
 4083. You would not give the inspector that power ? — I would not give the 
 
 inspector that power, if the present system of isolated and irresponsible inspection 21 July l853 * 
 were continued. 
 
 4084. Do you approve of the present system of inspection ? — I think it is quite 
 irresponsible. 
 
 4085. In what way would you improve it? — I am fully aware that it is impos- 
 sible, in the press of public business, that the reports of the inspectors should be 
 dulv considered by the ojfice to which they are sent in London ; and I think that 
 the inspection of mines should have some central head, either by an association 
 of the inspectors, and a chairman of the inspectors, or a constituted head, bv a 
 separate Board controlling the whole of the inspection. I do not think it can be 
 effectual without that, and devoted exclusively to that object. 
 
 4086. Do not you think that if the inspection of mines were placed under the 
 management of the Board of Trade, as railway inspection is at present, it would 
 be an improvement ? — I think that probably it would be an improvement; but it 
 appears to me that, the suggestions which Mr. Wood has made, with regard to 
 the controlling power of the inspection, vested in such a scientific institution as 
 the School of Mines, are not desirable. The organization of that school is too 
 purely of a scientific character. 
 
 4087. Mr. Nicholas Wood stated in his evidence, in answer to Question 3,871, 
 that he would put the inspection of mines under the same department as the rail- 
 way inspection, that is, the Board of Trade ; but that he would have a deputy or 
 a chief inspector, who should consult with the professors of the School of Mines 
 in case of any difficulty? — Mr. Wood stated, " The head of the Board of Trade, 
 or his deputy, would, of course, consult with the professors of the School of 
 Mines, in case of any difficulty ." I do not think that the School of Mines, as at 
 present organised, possesses that element of practical experience in mining which 
 would enable it properly to judge in those matters; and, in support of that re- 
 mark, I would refer to the well-known report which was made on the case of the 
 Haswell explosion, some years ago, by scientific men of the highest eminence ; 
 and the impracticable nature of the suggestions which it contains, I think proves 
 that the elements of practical experience and practical knowledge must be present 
 in any body which is qualified to advise in the last resort upon the subject. That 
 Report was made by Sir Charles Lyell, and Professor Faraday. 
 
 4088. The Committee understand that you differ from Mr. Nicholas Wood in 
 having any reference whatever to the School of Mines ? — I do not say that the 
 School of Mines may not become such a body, but 1 mean to say that at the pre- 
 sent time its organisation is of too purely a scientific character, and too devoid of 
 the elements of practical experience and practical knowledge, to render it in my 
 opinion an advisable body to be consulted in the last resort, notwithstanding the 
 distinguished attainments of many of its professors. 
 
 4089. Will you state what, in your opinion, is the best way to improve the 
 system of inspection ? — I think that the inspection of coal mines would be most 
 fittingly directed solely to the recording at stated times the condition of 
 mines, to the investigation of particular cases of accidents, and to the offering of 
 general advice ; I think it would be very objectionable that any acts on the part 
 of a member of the Government inspection should be such as to lessen or remove 
 the responsibility of the proprietors themselves ; I think it is important that that 
 responsibility should be maintained to its fullest extent. 
 
 4090. Mr. Child.'] You have been understood to state, that you would have the 
 owners of mines the sole judges of the condition of the mines, and whether they 
 were fiery or not? — I think I should leave them to judge of that, fixing a 
 certain penalty if they disregarded the indications ; I think it is desirable that 
 there should be some power to prosecute the proprietor of a mine which is in an 
 improperly ventilated condition, and that an action, as for nuisance, should be 
 capable of being brought ; and then it must be, brought at the suggestion and 
 recommendation of the inspector of the district, by the permission of the Board 
 of Trade, or whatever body might be at the head of the inspection ; I think that 
 the most feasible plan would be to allow prosecutions, as in cases of nuisances, 
 where a mine is in an improperly ventilated state ; I think that, under a differently 
 organised inspection, it might be perhaps advisable, after amine has been reported 
 for a certain time to be in a fiery state, to permit an order to go out from the 
 
 0.76. h 3 Board 
 
62 
 
 MINUTES OF EVIDENCE TAKEN BEFORE THE 
 
 J. K. Blnchvell) 
 Esq. 
 
 21 July 1853. 
 
 'ide Appendix. 
 
 in 
 
 depth and 
 more particularly 
 
 the danger conse- 
 
 necessary 
 
 Board of Trade that nothing but Davy lamps should be used in that mine ; but I 
 do not think that such an order ought to be solely entrusted to the discretion of 
 the inspector ; I think it should be made upon report to the head of the inspec- 
 tion. 
 
 409 1. If an inspector were to visit a mine, and report that he had found that 
 mine in a fiery state, and that the Davy lamp was not used, you would recommend 
 that the Board of Trade or some other tribunal should issue an order for the use 
 of the Davy lamp 1 — Yes. 
 
 4092. Would not that involve a considerable loss of time 1 — It certainly would 
 involve a considerable loss of time in the first instance ; butj am only recommending 
 it, under a differently organised system of inspection, in which all the coal mines 
 of this country, or those above a certain size, could be visited and reported on at 
 fixed intervals; and then the Board of Trade would have a document always 
 before it, to guide its judgment on that subject; I do not think that power could 
 be advisedly placed anywhere, further than by a general enactment, which should 
 leave the responsibility with the proprietors until that inspection was made sys- 
 tematic and complete, and until the results of that inspection were duly recorded 
 at fixed intervals. I beg to call the attention of the Committee to the list of 
 explosions which I have prepared, and which I think is very important (The 
 Witness delivered in the same.) 
 
 4093. Chairman.'] Did those explosions, of which you have put in a list, in- 
 volve the loss of about 1,100 lives? — Yes. 
 
 4094. In your opinion did the whole of the fatal accidents which have occurred, 
 with a few exceptions, arise from the use of naked lights? — Yes; I have pre- 
 pared the list which I have handed in with very great care, from all the documents 
 to which I could gain access. 
 
 409,5. Then the Committee are to understand that it is your opinion that in alt 
 cases where there is any danger of fire-damp, the use of the safety lamp ought to 
 be -imperatively enforced by law ? — I think so. 
 
 4096. In your opinion, as the mines increase 
 quently increases, is the use of safety lamps 
 1 think so. 
 
 4097. Is there any other suggestion that you wish to make ? — I think I have 
 touched on all the main points to which I wish to bring the attention of the Com- 
 mittee. The chief reason for adopting the form which I have done in reporting 
 the explosions, has been the opinion that when cases of accidents were examined 
 carefully, they would all be found to range themselves under a few clearly defined 
 causes; and, therefore, I thought it was important to place a consecutive list of 
 explosions of that nature before the Committee. 
 
 4098. Although you have not determined upon any particular plan of inspection, 
 your strong impression is, that nothing should be enacted which would interfere 
 with the responsibility under which the coalowner ought to lie, and under which 
 he does now lie ? — I think not. 
 
 4099. You recommend that the inspection should go no further than a due 
 regard to the safety of the men. leaving to the coal proprietor the power of work- 
 ing his colliery in the way he thinks best for his own profit 1 — I think that the 
 action of the inspection should be limited to examinations, to reporting this 
 examination, and to offering opinions and suggestions, which the coal proprietor 
 may either adopt or disregard, in order that the responsibility may lie entirely 
 upon him. I do not think that the appointment of sub-inspectors, according to 
 a suggestion which has been made, would introduce an advisable element into 
 the inspection. I think that the inspectors, in order to have weight and influence 
 in the country, must be men of at. least equal practical experience, and equal 
 standing and position, with the proprietors whose mines they are intended to 
 examine and to report upon. I think that a lowering of the character of inspec- 
 tion would be very injudicious and very unwise. I think that the greatest prac- 
 tical experience and the greatest weight of character ought to be a necessary 
 qualification in all inspectors, or else their recommendations cannot be attended 
 to, and the opinions they offer cannot be of value to practical men. 
 
 4100. Do you think that the present inspectors are men of the calibre to which 
 you have alluded ? — I observe that Mr. Nicholas Wood says, that probably some 
 wouid be better for a little more practical knowledge. 
 
 4101. What is your own opinion? — I must subscribe, I think, to that opinion. 
 
 4102. Generally speaking, are the inspectors such men as you think are fitted 
 
 to 
 
SELECT COMMITTEE ON ACCIDENTS IN COAL MINES. 63 
 
 to fulfil the duties which are imposed upon them ? — I am not personally acquainted J. K. Blucluudl, 
 with all the inspectors. „ Es( l- 
 
 4103. Mr. Ingham.] Do not you think that the very elevation of character and 0J Ju| 
 position which you have recommended in the inspectors, might rather indispose " V V" 
 a working man to come to them with the same freedom to make representations 
 with which he would come to a person who was more equal in condition to him- 
 self? — I think not. 
 
 410a.. Mr. Locke. 1 You think it is desirable that the inspectors should be of 
 such a class of persons that they would be beyond all temptation or influence, 
 either on the part of the coalowner or any other person ?- — Yes. . 
 
 410,5. You give that as the reason why you think that sub-inspectors would be 
 unnecessary, and (as has been suggested to the Committee) a class undesirable to 
 place in such a situation ? — That is one of my reasons. 
 
 4106. Do you think it is better that, the superintendence should be less in 
 detail, and more general, with a higher class of persons to perform the duties, 
 than to extend it to deputies or sub-inspectors f — I think so. 
 
 4107. Do you know whether the present system, as it is carried out with the 
 present number of inspectors, looking at iis perfections and irs imperfections, upon 
 the whole works tolerably well, or would you like to see any change in the present 
 system of inspection ? — The number of inspectors is not adequate to visiting once 
 a year all the coal mines in this country, or all the coal mines above a certain size ; 
 for 1 think it would be impossible to extend the inspection to every mine in the 
 country. 
 
 4108. Have you formed an opinion as to the number of inspectors, that would 
 be necessary, according to your view of proper inspection ?— 1 think that the 
 number required would be from two to three times the present number; some 
 districts would require three, and others two. 
 
 4109. Mr. Child.] You state that you think it is impossible to visit every 
 mine ? — I do not think it would be possible to visit every mine, including small 
 mines, where perhaps five or 10 men are working. 
 
 4110. Can any inspection be adequate which does not visit all mines, inasmuch 
 as the small mines are those which most require ventilation, generally speaking? — 
 It is not in small mines that the most fatal accidents occur. 
 
 41 1 1. Is it not generally found that small collieries are in the worst condition? 
 They are not ordinarily the most dangerous, in so far as being fiery. The large 
 mines are generally the most fiery. The small mines are imperfectly ventilated, 
 and they have carbonic acid gas in them. 
 
 41 12. You have stated that the greater majority of accidents occurred, not in 
 the larger coal mines, but in second-rate mines? — I think in collieries occupying 
 somewhat of a medium class ; that is, they are usually large collieries, but not of 
 the largest class, nor are they of the smallest class. If we take the principal 
 explosions of late years, for instance, in the explosions in South Wales, those 
 collieries are not equal in extent to some of the openings of the Dcwlais Iron 
 Company but they are large collieries. 
 
 4113. Mr. Locke.] Are the Committee to understand you to state, that according 
 to your notion of inspection, every colliery, except some of the smaller ones, 
 should be visited by an inspector at least once a year? — I think so, to form an 
 efficient system. 
 
 4114. It has been stated that the inspection which is given by the present 
 inspectors over the collieries of this country is once in four or five years ; would 
 it take that period to examine them all ? — In some parts, perhaps it might; not 
 in all. 
 
 4115. Do you consider that is an imperfect mode of inspection? — Certainly. 
 Of course it is a matter to be ascertained, whether the system would not be too 
 cumbrous, if it were made perfect. 
 
 4116. Are you acquainted with the views and dispositions of the coal pro- 
 prietors, in reference to the inspectors? — I have aiwavs received the greatest 
 attention; and especially when I was engaged in the preliminary Inquiry, I have 
 always been treated with the utmost civility, except in a few isolated eases. 
 
 4117. Are you of opinion that the present inspection is likely to produce a state 
 . of feeling amongst coal proprietors which might eventually lead to less necessitv 
 
 for an extension of the inspection? — 1 do not know whether it is to be attributed 
 to the inspection, but I think that such a feeling has in many cases been produced 
 by the result of inquiries of late years. The inquiries before Parliament, and 
 O.76. H 4 the 
 
6 4 
 
 • MINUTES OF EVIDENCE TAKEN BEFORE THE 
 
 J. K. Blackwellj the general visits of the inspectors, have probably conduced to that result. On 
 Esq, the other hand, in some districts I have unquestionably found the coal proprietors 
 
 21 Julv i to ^ e n u ' te immoveable in their adherence to their old plans, and not to pay any 
 attention to the representations which have been made to them. 
 
 4118. Is that an exception to the general rule, or does it apply to any large 
 part of the coal proprietors ? — I think it forms quite so large a part as to have a 
 serious influence on the benefits derived from inspection. 
 
 4119. Is that one of the reasons which induce you to think that further 
 inspection is necessary? — It is, if the system of inspection be continued. 
 
 4120. Do you think that the present system of inspection, if it. were continued, 
 would lead to that general acceptation on the part of proprietors which would 
 render inspection almost unnecessary, by their participating the views of the 
 inspectors ? — I do net. 
 
 4121. For that reason, do you think that an extension of the inspection should 
 take place ? — Yes ; but to produce that general attention, on the part of pro- 
 prietors, I look more, I must confess, to the results of clearly defined responsibility 
 in all cases of accidents, than to the action of any inspection, however it may be 
 framed . 
 
 4122. Might not that responsibility exist now, under the present system of 
 inspection? — It might. 
 
 4123. Do you think that considerable improvement has taken place generally 
 in the management of mines, since the inspectors have been appointed ? — No ; 
 I do not think that any improvement can be traced. 
 
 4124. Do you think that notwithstanding the proprietors of mines have, as a 
 general rule, followed the recommendations of the inspectors, that has been 
 attended with no great advantage ? — I do not think they have generally followed 
 the recommendations of the inspectors. 
 
 4125. You have been understood to state, that with the exception of some 
 persons in some districts, you thought that proprietors had very generally listened 
 to the representations, and had conformed to the recommendations of the 
 inspectors? — That is not what I inteuded to convey by my answer; I misunder- 
 stood the question which was put to me ; I understood it merely to refer to the 
 common terms of intercourse between the proprietors and inspectors, and whether 
 the inspectors were received with the ordinary courtesy. 
 
 4126. The question had reference not only to the courtesy of intercourse, but 
 also to the adoption of any responsible recommendations on the part of the 
 inspectors? — I do not think that has been the case. 
 
 4127. Will you state on what ground you expect any very great improvement 
 from an increased inspection ?— Merely from its being evident, in all cases of 
 accidents, what was the state of the mine, from the recorded visit of the 
 inspector at a certain time, the state of the mine from time to time, and the 
 additional responsibility which the knowledge of that evidence being in existence 
 would carry to the mind of the proprieior. 
 
 4128. Do you think that means of information are not at present to be derived, 
 in consequence of the deficient number of inspectors ? — I think it is not. My 
 recommendation tends more to an improvement in the state of mines, which may 
 be expected from adding to the responsibility of the proprietors, than to any 
 improvement which would be derived from inspection. The increased regularity 
 of inspection which I recommend, has reference chiefly to the effect it would have 
 in fixing the responsibility of the proprietor, by showing the state in which his 
 mine was at a certain period. 
 
 4129. Do you think that a further inspection would enable the Government, 
 or the body whose duty it might be to prosecute a proprietor in case of an 
 accident, the better to carry on that prosecution by having more information as 
 to the state of the mine at the time of the accident ? — It has been proposed that 
 the use of the Davy lamp should be made compulsory in fiery mines. The 
 recording the state of mines, would have reference, in the first place, to the 
 enforcement of that precaution ; and, in the second place, it would have reference 
 to any prosecution which might be instituted against a proprietor, for not eflectuaihy 
 ventilating his mines, for not using proper care, and tor not employing competent 
 agents ; and those circumstances would all be stated by the inspector, in the 
 record of his periodical visit. 
 
 4130. You would make that Report evidence upon such a prosecution ?— • I 
 should certainly allow it to be brought forward. 
 
 4131. Chairman.] 
 
SELECT COMMITTEE ON ACCIDENTS IN COAL MINES. 65 
 
 4131. Chairman.] Have you anything further to state ?— No. J. A'. Bhckmlt, 
 [ The Witness delivered in the following Statement :] ai July 1853, 
 
 Haswell Colliery. Haswell. 
 April 1845 (Report, 1845), 14 killed by fire; 81 suffocated. 
 
 The in-going air was separated in this pit along the line of its course (coloured blue on The ventilatioa 
 the plan), Prom the out-going current returning in a contrary direction to the upcast shaft, insecure, 
 by brick stoppings only, the stability of which was entirely inadequate to resist the shock 
 ot an explosion. 
 
 These stoppings were, doubtless, all blown out along the line of the main rolley-way in Was destroyed by 
 the north-eastern districts, where the explosion took place. This destruction of the the explosion, 
 stoppings lef t all that part of the pit without ventilation after the explosion, to some distance 
 to the "south-west of letter A in the main rolley-way. It was at this point that the first 
 dead bodies of the men suffocated by the after-damp were found, none ot the victims 
 having- been burnt, except in the district surrounding letter M. 
 
 Tins fact proves the great loss of life to have occurred from the destruction of the venti- Seven-eighths 
 lation throughout this part cf the pit, and that it must be attributed to the want of penshed [by the 
 effectual separation between the air currents and the different divisions of the mine. atter damp. 
 
 Jarrow Colliery. J arrow. 
 
 August 1845 (Reports, 1847), 41 killed. 
 
 This explosion occurred in one of the seams (the Low Main), worked by a single One bratticed shaft 
 
 bratticed shaft, serving both for the downcast and the upcast. on 'y- 
 
 It was violent in its character, and destroyed the lower 40 yards of the brattice in the The brattice de- 
 shaft. Only one individual survived the explosion in the Low Main workings. stroyed. 
 
 The seam in which it occurred was fiery; one of the witnesses stated that the "pit had ^ or ^g^ ^j*™ na kca 
 
 been making a great deal of gas." Naked lights, however, were used in it. lights 
 
 The insecurity arising from the use of a bratticed shaft, is of the same nature as that Want of stability m 
 
 which results from the want of effectual separation between the other air-ways of mines. t ^ ie se p3 ratl °" " e " 
 
 Unless this separation be secure throughout the entire extent of the air-ways, great loss of tween . tie 311 c £ r V 
 
 life from after-damp will always be liable to occur. ^JjJ JJSg^oL 
 
 Risca Black Vein Pit. Rise a Black 
 
 Vein Pit. 
 
 January 1846 (Reports, 1847), 35 killed. (These were the men working in the western 
 
 part of the pit.) 
 
 In this pit the ventilation was entirely dependent on the separation in the currents, The separation he- 
 maintained by a great number of doors. The doors marked A, near the shafts, if left open tween , 
 or destroyed, permitted the downcast air to return immediately to the upcast shaft without * 
 entering the mine. Six other doors were to be found along the course of the west level, 
 situated in the mouths of the various cross headings, about 100 yards from each other. 
 The leaving open or destruction of any of these doors, caused the ventilation to be entirely 
 intercepted beyond the point where it occurred. 
 
 The ventilation of each cross heading was dependent on numerous stall doors ; if any of T^ e Vent ^ t ^ n °' g 
 these were left open, the circulation of air in the cross heading would be intercepted in a 1 e Cl0ss lea 
 corresponding manner. 
 
 The upper ends, being the more elevated parts of these cross headings, always contained J^e ventilation 
 fire-damp. A. Gething, page 36, says that the place where he was working, the Monday im ? e \ mc j 
 previous to the explosion, was so full of fire-damp that he failed to get out after two or na e '° s s 
 three hours' brushing. Although some lamps were used, the men worked chiefly with 
 candles. 
 
 The fire-damp is supposed to have isnited from a candle in either No. 4 or No. 5 cross- r ! ie ex p\ osiOT '. 
 heading. where originating: 
 
 All the doors on which the ventilation was dependent were blown out, including those The c ] r ^ 
 marked A., near the shafts. The circulation of air therefore ceased entirely throughout j 68 ^ tion^f^be" 
 i'ne western side of the pit immediately after the explosion; very few of the men who ^ 0 rj 
 perished were killed by the explosion; they were suffocated by the after-damp, which 
 
 O.76. I they 
 
66 
 
 MINUTES OF EVIDENCE TAKEN BEFORE THE 
 
 I. K. Blachtvell, 
 Esq. 
 
 21 July 1853. 
 
 The ventilation 
 night not to be 
 dependent on doors 
 or its maintenance. 
 
 Naked lights 
 mgl.t not to be 
 employed in such 
 1 mine. 
 
 Numerous lateral 
 apetiings render an 
 n-going air-current 
 nsecure. 
 
 Hie workings 
 hould be so ar- 
 anged as to re- 
 trict their number, 
 s connected with 
 ach in-going air 
 urrent. 
 
 h means adopted 
 ) guard against 
 he danger from 
 lis cause. 
 
 he form of the 
 irwaj s opposed 
 luch resistance to 
 le motion of the 
 ir. 
 
 Hher explosions in 
 lis pit. 
 
 they had to pass through on their way to the shafts. The cessation of the ventilation, 
 consequent on the destruction of the doors, prevented these men from reaching the shafts, 
 or from being rescued, as it was impossible to pass through or to enter into the stagnant 
 after-damp which filled the pit. 
 
 There is no necessity whatever that the ventilation of a pit should be dependent 
 on doors for its security ; they are costly, and imperfect substitutes for a properly 
 arranged system of air-ways. The absence of proper air-ways renders an insecure 
 system necessary, prevents the introduction of sufficient volumes of air, and also compels 
 the use of that air after it becomes loaded with fire-damp. The probabilities of explosion 
 are thus increased, and at the same time the fatal results which attend it. 
 
 The employment of naked lights in a pit in the state in which this was proved to be 
 at the period of this explosion, was highly objectionable. 
 
 When a large number of cross-headings forming lateral channels for the passage of the 
 intake air into the return air-ways, are crowded together along the course of the main level 
 or in-going air channel, great danger results from the liability of the circulation to intercep- 
 tion at so many distant points. 
 
 It is always desirable, in a pit from which the out-put of coal is required to be large, 
 that there should be several level ranges in simultaneous operation, so that as few lateral 
 openings as possible may be connected with one main air-course at the same time ; by 
 this arrangement, the intake air may be carried securely up to the workings where the 
 men are employed, and the pure in-going air reached without difficulty, after an explosion 
 by the men endeavouring to escape. 
 
 When this cannot be effected, and where all the workings in progress must be situated 
 011 one level, it is advisable to provide for the security of the greater portion of the 
 intake air, by conducting it through a separate air-way, parallel to the main level, the 
 level itself being ventilated by a split from the main body of air conducted into it by a 
 securely gauged opening. This was necessary in such a pit, not only in order to form a 
 secure air-channel, but also to conduct air in sufficient volume to the extreme workings, 
 without its being obstructed by the numerous trams and horses constantly filling the main 
 level. 
 
 The air circulating in the western division of this pit was everywhere confined in one 
 single current to a tortuitous and insecure air-course, which ascended to a considerable 
 height in the seam, and was then forced to descend again in each of the seven cross- 
 headings situated on this side of the pit. 
 
 There have been other explosions in this colliery, in 1842, 1847, 1848, 1849, 1853. 
 Naked lights are still used it. 
 
 Eaglf.sbush. 
 
 Eaglesbush Colliery, Neath. 
 
 March 1848—20 killed. 
 
 lie difficulties in 
 ne ventilation of 
 his coliiery. 
 
 fiery mine, in 
 faich naked lights 
 ere used. 
 
 entilation is now 
 ffeeted by 
 lachinery. 
 
 .nd with advan- 
 ce. 
 
 This colliery presented difficulties in ventilation from the mode in which the seam of 
 coal was reached. This was not by shaft, but by an inclined drift following the seam 
 of coal downwards on the dip, the nature of the surface not permitting the sinking of shafts 
 in that direction. 
 
 The seam of coal worked in this colliery was fiery. The quantity of air introduced into 
 the mine was small, and liable to be irregular in quantity, as the ascending or return air- 
 current, was only rarified by passing it over a furnace situated on the surface, near the 
 out-crop of the seam. Naked lights were employed in this colliery. 
 
 Since the explosion a pair of Struve's air-pumps have been erected. A larger and more 
 regular supply of air is obtained by their action. 
 
 This mine presented circumstances under which ventilation by machinery has been 
 effected with decided advantage. 
 
 LETTY SlIENKIN. 
 
 *R& district is 
 eiy. 
 
 Lletty Shenkin Colliery, near Aberdare. 
 August 1849. — 52 killed. 
 
 This colliery is situated between the Old Dyffryn and the Middle Dyftryn collieries, 
 in which 10? lives have also been lost by explosions in May 1845, December 1850, 
 May 1852. 
 
 I he 
 
SELECT COMMITTEE ON ACCIDENTS IN COAL MINES. 
 
 67 
 
 The plan of this colliery, published with my general Report of 1850, accompanied a 
 report to Sir G. Grey on this explosion. Those parts of the main levels coloured dark blue 
 in that plan denote the limits of the explosion. It occurred in the main in-going air-current 
 in one of the levels. It destroyed the doors, forming on each side of these levels the 
 separation between the intake and the return air. The effect of this was to cause the 
 whole of the in-going air to return to the upcast shaft, through the deep cross heading 
 marked D. C. H. 2, on the plan. 
 
 Those parts of the workings where the men were employed are coloured yellow in the 
 plan referred to. It will be seen, on reference to it, that the whole of the districts where 
 they were engaged were connected in their ventilation, and affected by the explosion. 
 
 After the explosion, the men who endeavoured to escape from the workings had to pass 
 for a distance of about a quarter of a mile through a stagnant atmosphere of after-damp. 
 Very few were killed by the explosion; nearly all perished from suffocation. 
 
 The fire-damp which caused the explosion entered the in-lake air in the north level 
 from some abandoned workings, lying between it and the deeper level to the south. It was 
 known that these abandoned workings were full of fire-damp, but no means had been 
 taken to seclude them from the intake air currents. On the contrary, a portion of the 
 air in-going by the south level, was directed to sweep this fire-damp out of these workings 
 into the main current in the north level, in which the explosion occurred. 
 
 The conclusions presented to Sir G. Grey in this report were the following: "That the The conclusions of 
 principles which ought first of all to be observed in arranging the air-ways of every mine the report on this 
 had been overlooked, namely, the protection of the intake currents from any possibility accident, 
 of their being rendered explosive until they reached the workings where the men are 
 employed ; the isolation of each district of the workings, along with the system of air- 
 courses belonging to it, so that an explosion may be only partial in its effects ; and the 
 ventilating of exhausted portions of the mine by such parts of the return air as are 
 never traversed by naked lights. Naked lights were used in this pit." 
 
 ./. K. RlickwcZl, 
 Esq. 
 
 21 July 1853. 
 
 The ventilation 
 was destroyed by 
 the explosion. 
 
 The whole of the 
 men were involved! 
 in its consequences* ' 
 
 The after-damp 
 the cause of the 
 great loss of life. 
 
 The ingoing air- 
 current exploded 
 in the main leveL 
 
 Middle Dyffryn Colliery, near Aberdare, Glamorganshire. 
 
 December 1850. — 13 killed. 
 
 Middle 
 Dtffkyn. 
 
 This pit is the next in the Aberdare valley to the deep of Lletty Shenkin. The workings The workings had. 
 had been recently commenced at the period of this explosion. They were in progress near recently com- 
 to the shafts. No preliminary drivage had been made, although required to establish a menced at the time 
 large and secure ventilation, and to reduce in some degree by drainage, the pressure under of the explosion iu> 
 which the fire-damp existed in a seam known to be highly charged with this gas. December 1850. 
 
 In consequence of this neglect to open out adequate and secure air-ways in advance of The ventilation 
 the workings, the ventilation was dependent for its maintenance on the numerous doors was restricted frona 
 which formed, throughout the pit, the only separation between the intake and return air- the want of proper 
 currents. It was also exposed to sudden and complete stoppage by falls of the roof airways, 
 constantly liable to occur, through a large extent of the single and insecure airway to 
 which it was confined. 
 
 The explosion appears to have taken place in consequence of a sudden discharge of fire- 
 damp from the roof of the coal in one of the stalls, at the period of the first weight and 
 extensive rupture of the strata above the coal which occurred in the pit. 
 
 The whole of the strata in this pit were highly charged with fire-damp under great 
 pressure ; the exposure of the air-currents in such a mine to any contact with flame was 
 therefore highly objectionable, and was the cause not only of the explosion just spoken of, 
 but also of a second in May 1852, by which 65 persons were killed. 
 
 It is important in this inquiry to observe what were the conditions of this pit in which 
 these consecutive explosions occurred. It was the deepest in the Aberdare Valley, the 
 three deepest pits being this and the contiguous collieries already mentioned, the old 
 DyfFryn and the Lletty Shenkin. To the deep, and on both sides of it, there is an unbroken 
 tract of coal measures of immense extent, which have never been drained of any portion of 
 the fire-damp with which these measures are highly charged. 
 
 The period at which these explosions have taken place successively in the Old Dyffryn, 
 Lletty Shenkin, and the Middle Dyffryn Collieries, has been the period at which each o.' 
 them was the deepest winning, or the deepest extensively worked winning in the Aberdare 
 valley; it therefore occupied the position where the fire-damp pervading these deep un- 
 broken coal measures was subjected to the greatest pressure, and found the only channel 
 for escape. 
 
 Corresponding circumstances with reference to the surrounding district, exist in the Black 
 Vein at Risca, and in the Eaglesbush Colliery. 
 
 O.jC. I 2 Between 
 
 This explosion, 
 how originating. 
 
 A fiery mine, in 
 which naked lights 
 were used. 
 
 At the time of the 
 explosion it was the 
 deepest winning 
 in a maiden coun- 
 try. 
 
 This also was the 
 case at the con- 
 tiguous collieries 
 at the periods 
 when the explo- 
 sions in them oc- 
 curred. 
 
 Also at Risca ani 
 Eaglesbush. 
 
68 
 
 MINUTES OF EVIDENCE TAKEN BEFORE THE 
 
 J. K. Blackwell, 
 
 21 July 1853. 
 
 change had 
 been made in the 
 system of ventila- 
 tion between the 
 period of the first 
 and the second 
 explosion in May 
 
 The ventilation 
 dependent on a 
 large number of 
 doors. 
 
 The airways of a 
 pit may be so 
 arranged as to re- 
 move that source 
 of danger. 
 
 And the effects of 
 an explosion limited 
 in their extent. 
 
 The explosion, 
 where originating. 
 
 The ventilation of 
 that part of the pit. 
 
 The explosion, how 
 originating. 
 
 From a sudden out- 
 break of fire-damp. 
 
 Naked lights were 
 still used, and all 
 the returns carried 
 over the furnace at 
 ifae period of the 
 second explosion. 
 The air-currents 
 ought to be se- 
 cluded from all 
 contact with flame 
 in, mines of this 
 character. 
 The ventilation of 
 pit. Plan, No. 1. 
 
 The effect of the 
 implosion. 
 
 "She stnte after th< 
 explosion. 
 Plan, N.o. 2. 
 
 Between the period of the explosion of 1850 and 1852 no change had been made in the 
 ventilation of the Middle Dyffryn Pit, except that of shutting out the pumping-shaft from 
 its former connexion with the system. At the time of the explosion of 1852, the winding- 
 shaft, divided into two pans by a timber-brattice, formed both the upcast and the down- 
 cast. The same neglect to drive out a connected system of airways to form permanent and 
 secure channels for the ventilation, which has been remarked upon in the case of the first 
 explosion, is to be observed on examination of the extended workings at the period of the 
 second : the same imperfect and insecure separations by the interposition of doors between 
 the ingoing and the oulcoming air-currents existed every where throughout the pit. 
 
 The doors situated on the main levels, which formed the intake air-channels, amounting 
 to 23 in number, in addition to fully an equal number of stall-doors; the insecurity of a 
 system dependent on such arrangements, will be seen when the consequences of the explosion 
 are examined. 
 
 If return airways to receive the air ingoing by each level in its passage out of the mine 
 had been driven out parallel to each level, at suitable distances from it, and if the cross- 
 headings, from which the coal is worked, had been driven through from the levels to these 
 airways, the air passing from the ingoing into the outcoming air currents through the 
 workings connected with each cross-heading, might have been securely apportioned by 
 gauging the mouth of every cross-heading where it entered the return airway. 
 
 Under such a system as that now described, an explosion could not have extended 
 beyond the cross-heading in which it occurred, and the ventilation would not have been 
 disturbed by it beyond these limits ; within them it would have been restored immediately 
 by the air resuming its usual course, and carrying the after-damp away from the survivors. 
 
 At the period of the second explosion, a drift termed, No. 2, Deep Cross Heading, 
 situated near the shaft of the pit, was in progress towards the south, in. which direction it 
 was entering the deep unworked coal-measures by which the colliery was bounded. The 
 roof of this headway was weakened by a number of stalls driven out of it for the purpose 
 of working temporarily some coal on both sides. 
 
 This headway was ventilated by a small split of air, which was returned from the face 
 of the east level after receiving the fire-damp, which was discharged in considerable quan- 
 tity in that level, and in some stalls near that point to the deep of the level. This current, 
 after passing through this drift, was carried from it after a run of not more than 150 yards 
 over the furnace situated near the upcast part of the winding shaft. 
 
 The explosion appears to have originated from a violent and large discharge of fire-damp, 
 which occurred coincidently with extensive falls of the roof of the seam near the deep 
 extremity of this dip heading, the position of which has just been described. 
 
 The amount of pressure on the fire-damp which discharged itself at the period of the 
 explosion, is shown by the fact, that the roof was torn down suddenly with great violence, 
 by it, to the height of about six yards, for a distance of many yards in length along the 
 course of a joint traversing the measures. 
 
 Notwithstanding the former explosion, which had also been occasioned by a sudden 
 discharge of fire-damp, and the probability, from the known condition of the coal-seam, 
 that other similar discharges would take place, this pit was working when it occurred with 
 naked lights, the ventilation was weak, the air-currents were much loaded with fire-damp 
 and the whole carried over the furnace. 
 
 Coal mines presenting the conditions described in this case, are always liable to out- 
 breaks of fire-damp of this character as the excavation of the coal proceeds ; no practical 
 amount of ventilation will render such mines secure against explosion. This security can 
 only be obtained by the use of the Davy lamp, and the seclusion of all the currents passing 
 through the mine from contact with flame. 
 
 The plan, which I now produce, marked No. 1, shows the system of ventilation in the 
 Middle Dyffryn Pit at the time of this second explosion. The blue colour shows the course 
 of the ingoing air-current. Nearly the whole of this air was conducted to the face of the 
 east level, from which it travelled back in a contrary direction through the workings. The 
 air traversing the workings, and returning to the upcast shaft, is coloured red. The pump- 
 ing shaft, and the roads leading to it, which were shut out. from the circulation, are coloured 
 with Indian ink. The course of the air-currents is denoted by the direction of the arrows. 
 The stalls where the men were working are coloured yellow. 
 
 The point marked A in the plans, is that were the discharge of gas is supposed to have 
 taken place; the explosion which ensued destroyed all the doors situated in or adjoining to 
 the main levels, including those which shutout the pumping-shaft from any connexion with 
 the ventilation. At the same time, the lower part of the brattice which divided the large 
 winding shaft into downcast and upcast portions, was blown out, and it became the upcast 
 on both sides, while the pumping shaft became the downcast. 
 
 The other plan which I also produce, marked No. 2, shows the state of the pit imme- 
 diately after the explosion. 
 
 The 
 
THUITTEE OR ACCEDEiJTS m COAL METES . 
 
 MIDIDILIE WW] 
 
 intended tv represent the s^)losion,May 1852 
 
 The ingeinc/ Au- t'c Cbl< 
 Ovtyevrui 
 
 I 
 
 (42 
 
 ^ • 
 
68 
 
 MINUTES OF EVIDENCE TAKEN BEFORE THE 
 
 J. K. Bhtckiwll, 
 
 21 July 18,53. 
 
 No change had 
 been made in the 
 system of ventila- 
 tion between the 
 period of the first 
 and the second 
 explosion in May 
 185a. 
 
 The ventilation 
 dependent on a 
 large number of 
 doors. 
 
 The airways of a 
 pit may be so 
 arranged as to re- 
 move that source 
 of danger. 
 
 And the effeets of 
 an explosion limited 
 in their extent. 
 
 The explosion, 
 where originating. 
 
 The ventilation of 
 that part of the pit. 
 
 The explosion, how 
 originating. 
 
 From a sudden out- 
 break of fire-damp. 
 
 Between the period of the explosion of 1850 and 1852 no change had been made in the 
 ventilation of the Middle Dyffryn Pit, except that of shutting out the pumping-shaft from 
 its former connexion with the system. At the time of the explosion of 1852, the winding- 
 shaft, divided into two pans by a timber-brattice, formed both the upcast and the down- 
 cast. The same neglect to drive out a connected system of airways to form permanent and 
 secure channels for the ventilation, which has been remarked upon in the case of the first 
 explosion, is to be observed on examination of the extended workings at the period of the 
 second : the same imperfect and insecure separations by the interposition of doors between 
 the ingoing and the outcoming air-currents existed every where throughout the pit. 
 
 The doors situated on the main levels, which formed the intake air-channels, amounting 
 to 23 in number, in addition to fully an equal number of stall-doors; the insecurity of a 
 system dependent on such arrangements, will be seen when the consequences of the explosion 
 are examined. 
 
 If return airways to receive the air ingoing by each level in its passage out of the mine 
 had been driven out parallel to each level, at suitable distances from it, and if the cross- 
 headings, from which the coal is worked, had been driven through from the levels to these 
 airways, the air passing from the ingoing into the outcoming air currents through the 
 workings connected with each cross-heading, might have been securely apportioned by 
 gauging the mouth of every cross-heading where it entered the return airway. 
 
 Under such a system as that now described, an explosion could not have extended 
 beyond the cross-heading in which it occurred, and the ventilation would not have been 
 disturbed by it beyond these limits; within them it would have been restored immediately 
 by the air resuming its usual course, and carrying the after-damp away from the survivors. 
 
 At the period of the second explosion, a drift termed, No. 2, Deep Cross Heading, 
 situated near the shaft of the pit, was in progress towards the south, in which direction it 
 was entering the deep unworked coal-measures by which the colliery was bounded. The 
 roof of this headway was weakened by a number of stalls driven out of it for the purpose 
 of working temporarily some coal on both sides. 
 
 This headway was ventilated by a small split of air, which was returned from the face 
 of the east level after receiving the fire-damp, which was discharged in considerable quan- 
 tity in that level, and in some stalls near that point to the deep of the level. This current, 
 after passing through this drift, was carried from it after a run of not more than 150 yards 
 over the furnace situated near the upcast part of t he winding shaft. 
 
 The explosion appears to have originated from a violent and large discharge of fire-damp, 
 which occurred coincidently with extensive falls of the roof of the seam near the deep 
 extremity of this dip heading, the position of which has just been described. 
 
 The amount of pressure on the fire-damp which discharged itself at the period of the 
 explosion, is shown by the fact, that the roof was torn down suddenly with great violence, 
 by it, to the height of about six yards, for a distance of many yards in length along the 
 course of a joint traversing the measures. 
 
 Notwithstanding the former explosion, which had also been occasioned by a sudden 
 discharge of fire-damp, and the probability, from the known condition of the coal-seam, 
 that other similar discharges would take place, this pit was working when it occurred with 
 
 Naked lights were 
 still used, and all 
 she returns carried 
 
 over the furnace at naked lights, the ventilation was weak, the air-currents were much loaded with fire-damp 
 ihe period of the and the whole carried over the furnace, 
 second explosion. 
 The air-currents 
 ought to be se- 
 cluded from all 
 contact with flame 
 Amines of this 
 character. 
 The ventilation of 
 pit. Plan, No. 1. 
 
 The effect of the 
 v:: plosion. 
 
 !he stnte after the 
 «*\plofion. 
 i»ian, N.o. 2. 
 
 Coal mines presenting the conditions described in this case, are always liable to out- 
 breaks of fire-damp of this character as the excavation of the coal proceeds ; no practical 
 amount of ventilation will render such mines secure against explosion. This security can 
 only be obtained by the use of the Davy lamp, and the seclusion of all the currents passing 
 through the mine from contact with flame. 
 
 The plan, which I now produce, marked No. 1, shows the system of ventilation in the 
 Middle Dyffryn Pit at the time of this second explosion. The blue colour shows the course 
 of the ingoing air-current. Nearly the whole of this air was conducted to the face of the 
 east level, from which it travelled back in a contrary direction through the workings. The 
 air traversing the workings, and returning to the upcast shaft, is coloured red. The pump- 
 ing shaft, and the roads leading to it, which were shut out from the circulation, are coloured 
 with Indian ink. The course of the air-currents is denoted by the direction of the arrows. 
 The stalls where the men were working are coloured yellow. 
 
 The point marked A in the plans, is that were the discharge of gas is supposed to have 
 taken place ; the explosion which ensued destroyed all the doors situated in or adjoining to 
 the main levels, including those which shutout the pumping-shaft from any connexion, with 
 the ventilation. At the same time, the lower part of the brattice which divided the large 
 winding shaft into downcast and upcast portions, was blown out, and it became the upcast 
 on both sides, while the pumping shaft became the downcast. 
 
 The other plan which 1 also produce, marked No. 2, shows the state of the pit imme- 
 diately after the explosion. 
 
 The 
 
-Mr 
 
 COMMITTEE ON ACCIDENTS IN COAL MINES 
 
 lb fiur page 68J> 
 
 Intended bo r{ 1 ^ EaplosioruMay 1852 
 
 The 
 
 jj^ J<amp, after ths Ejcpls>sion, 
 
 arc i 
 
 Dot Jt Sen , r .u/V' u> 
 
4 
 
TH IK I' BKHnnr .. SiXECT COMMITTEE ON ACCIDENTS IN COA1, MUSES 
 
 To fair payr 
 
 Plan N°2. 
 
 Intended to represent the slnle el' the Pit after the Explosion,, \ln\ lH5'i . 
 
 /'he ingoing Azr u (b'tored- Blue . 
 
 The districts suppose// to be f'i/is*t witfi Aft*r r tbunp, a/to- leu; EjpLosioru, 
 ure slladet/ wi/lt IruJtun InJi 
 
 (423. 111.1 
 
SELECT COMMITTEE ON ACCIDENTS IN COAL MINES. 69 
 
 The maintenance of the circulation of air in this pit was entirely dependent on the security j, K. Ittaclcwell, 
 
 •of the doors, which, amounting to 23 in number, were fixed 1 in the levels and in the lateral Esq. 
 
 openings leading into these levels. The air circulating in the pit was liable to be intercepted 
 
 at any of the points where these doors were situated, since the ingoing air-current might 21 July 1853. 
 
 pass directly into the current returning to the upcast shaft, at any one of these points, The venlilat j on 
 
 leaving the district beyond that point without ventilation. liable tQ beinter . 
 
 cepted at each of the lateral openings closed by doors. 
 
 These doors were all swept away by the explosion, as shown in Plan No. 2, and the The doors all swept 
 whole of that part of the pit, shaded with Indian ink in that Plan, appears to have been away by the ex- 
 . immediately filled by an atmosphere of after-damp, the circulation of air being restricted to plosion, 
 the narrow limits, coloured blue, around the shafts. 
 
 It will be seen from an inspection of the Plan No. 2, how the men, endeavouring to escape The continuity of 
 from the working districts to the shafts, were intercepted in every direction by the atmos- the airways being 
 phere of after-damp which filled the levels, the only roads which they could traverse, destroyed, the 
 Those only who came from the north-western districts were able to reach that part of the a ft ei '-damp could 
 pit around the shafts containing air fitted to support life. All those who came from the nut be removec '. 
 east and from the north-east perished from suffocation in the east level. 
 
 It is important to observe how entirely unavailing- any amount of ventilating power must In such circum- 
 be to convey air into any mine in which the doors or other barriers conducting that air, and stances the venii- 
 forming the security for its circulation, are swept away, as in this case. lation must cease. 
 
 The ventilation of mines can only be maintained, or speedily restored in the event of The mode in which 
 
 explosion, in so far as the air-courses are of a permanent nature, and so arranged as to force this may be 
 
 the air to split itself, and to take a determinate course, without the intervention of doors or guarded against, 
 other easily destructible barriers. 
 
 Washington Colliery, Durham, Washington 
 
 COLLIEUY. 
 
 19 August 1851— -35 killed. 
 
 A Plan of the workings in the colliery where this explosion took place, is annexed to the Plan in Keport, 
 report rendered by the Government inspector on this accident in 1851. 1851. 
 
 This Plan shows the workings in this colliery to have been carried on without system, Ventilation imper- 
 and without arrangements for adequate and secure ventilation. The evidence taken at the feet and dangerous, 
 inquest from men who had just quitted the pit, or who were quitting it at the time of the 
 explosion, on account of the evidently explosive state of the air, shows the imperfect nature 
 of the ventilation. 
 
 The district in this pit in which the explosion took place will be seen on reference to the Also liable toin- 
 Plan now mentioned. It will also be seen that the intake air entering this district, com- terruption or total 
 prising the soutii and east workings, progressing in the whole coal, was only divided from destruction., 
 the out-going or return air at important points, namely, at the junction of the main roads 
 or rolley-ways leading to these workings, by a single row of brick stoppings; that the intake 
 air was forced into the east workings, which it was the tendency of that current to leave 
 unventilated by two single bearing doors placed separately in the east and south rolley- 
 ways ; and that generally, throughout the workings shown by this Plan, the ventilation was 
 insecure and liable to interruption or total destruction. 
 
 The above report states that six persons only were burned out of 35 who perished by the Five-sixths pe- 
 
 explosion. It would appear from the evidence adduced at the inquest, that all perished rished by attcr- 
 
 who were in that part of the workings where the explosion occurred. This might have been damp, 
 anticipated from the insecurity of the ventilation. 
 
 Naked lights were used in this colliery, notwithstanding the dangerous state of the Naked lights used, 
 ventilation. 
 
 Nitshill Colliery, near Glasgow. Nitshill. 
 March 1851—61 killed. 
 
 The Plan of the workings in this colliery, at the time of the explosion, will be found in Plan in above 
 
 the above report for 1851. Keport. 
 
 The system on which the workings in this pit were conducted exhibits great defects, and The ventilation bad 
 
 was the obvious cause of the terrific explosion which occurred in it. in system. 
 
 The downcast air was carried in one unbroken current round all the workings ; while the Confined to one 
 
 interior waste, amounting to 75 acres in extent, remained entirely unventilated. Fire-damp curr ent. 
 was liable to accumulate from falls of the roof in every part of this waste, but more espe- 
 
 O.76. I 3 cially 
 
70 
 
 MINUTES OF EVIDENCE TAKEN BEFORE THE 
 
 J. K. Blackwell, 
 Esq. 
 
 21 July 1853. 
 Liable to be en- 
 tirely destroyed. 
 
 No means adopted 
 to limit the effect 
 of an explosion. 
 
 cially iu the faulty abandoned workings forming- its boundary to the rise, on the north-east 
 through which the single current of air traversing the pit was carried on its passage to the 
 north-west workings. 
 
 The unbroken current of air by which the pit was ventilated, was kept in its course by a 
 single line of brick or board stoppings, liable to constant leakage, and to entire destruction 
 in the event of an explosion. The unventilated condition of the large interior waste 
 rendered the extension of such an explosion, throughout the whole of the pit, in a high 
 degree probable. ' 
 
 The workings of this pit were in no way subdivided, so as to restrict or control an ex- 
 plosion ; nor were they so arranged as to reduce the extent of waste to be ventilated to its 
 narrowest limits. 
 
 Naked lights used This pit furnishes an example of the consequences of the highly dangerous error corn- 
 in a current liable mitted in it, by carrying the pinole current of air circulating in it into the north-west work- 
 to become explo- ings, in which naked ligMs only were used, after that current had received the fire- 
 slvt- damp yielded by the whole interior unventilated waste, including the faulty abandoned 
 
 district to the north-east. 
 
 The system re- 
 stricted the venti- 
 lation. 
 
 It was inevitable that the ventilation of a pit conducted on this system, should be re- 
 stricted in its volume ; for not only was this restriction produced by the air circulating in 
 it being confined to one single unbroken current, but it was not possible that the men 
 engaged in the working districts could bear a large circulation of air when directed 'on 
 them in one current. 
 
 Danger of this sys- The danger of this antiquated system was ably illustrated by Mr. Buddie, in his evidence 
 F, oi ^ d ° Ut by befol ' e the Commons' Committee of 1835 (Vide 1994, and Flan No. 8, annexed to that 
 Report). 
 
 Mr. Buddie. 
 
 Ahdsley Main. 
 
 The system of 
 working has been 
 attended by many 
 explosions. 
 
 The ventilation 
 con(ined to one 
 current. 
 
 The explosion, 
 where originating. 
 
 The explosion de- 
 stroyed the venti- 
 lation. 
 
 The after-damp the 
 cause of the great 
 loss of life. 
 
 'i he confining the 
 ventilation to one 
 current produced 
 an erroneous opi- 
 nion of its suffi- 
 ciency. 
 
 Naked lights used 
 in an air-cur- • 
 rent passing 
 through dangerous 
 districts. 
 
 Oaks or Ardsley Main Colliery, near Barnsley. 
 March 1847—73 killed (Reports Z847). 
 
 The system adopted in this pit in working the eight feet Barnsley Main coal, re- 
 sembles in its general features that followed in working the same bed in the other col- 
 lieries of that district, where so many fatal accidents have occurred, including those in 
 Darley Main, Warren Vale, and oher minor adjoining collieries. 
 
 The workings in this pit were scattered in various directions, but the whole were connected 
 together in respect to ventilation. The air which circulated in this pit was carried in one 
 unbroken current from one working district to another, until it was returned to the upcast 
 shaft. The ingoing air, from the downcast shaft, was first conducted into the north 
 workings, circulating round the goaf formed in the progress of these workings, and thence 
 passed successively into each of the other working places, receiving the fire-damp yielded 
 by the goaves in connexion with each of them, until it reached the extreme face of the south 
 level, whence it returned to the upcast shaft. 
 
 The explosion appears to have originated on the north-west or rise side of the large south 
 goaf, situated on the edge of the fault which passed through the middle of the main level, 
 directed towards the south-west from the shafts. 
 
 The force of the explosion extended on the north-west of this goaf, up to and around the 
 shafts. It destroyed, throughout this district, all the stoppings which directed the 
 circulation of the air, and made a breach in the walling between the upcast and downcast 
 shafts, so that the whole of the ventilation ceased. This was the result of the want of 
 sufficient strength in the separation between the shafts, and between the various air- 
 channels. 
 
 It was in this district surrounding the shafts that the great loss of life occurred, from the 
 effects of the stagnant atmosphere of after-damp which, after the explosion, intercepted on 
 every side, the men endeavouring to escape from the distant parts of the pit. 
 
 The evidence taken at the inquest shows, that although it appeared to the men them- 
 selves that the air circulating in this pit was sufficient in quantity, yet, since this opinion 
 was only founded on the effect produced by the whole of the air being confined in one 
 current, and thus directed in considerable volume on them, and on their lights, it is evident 
 that such an opinion w*s erroneous. 
 
 Notwithstanding the prevalence of this erroneous opinion, which has frequently been 
 expressed in similar cases, on equally false grounds, it is clear, from the evidence recorded 
 at the inquest, that the air in the working places of the men was frequently found to be in 
 an explosive state, and that part of the south goaf where the explosion occurred was, at 
 that time, known to be in this state. ( Vide examination of J. Littlewood, page 63, Reports 
 1847.) The men were, however, allowed to use naked lights at their own discretion. 
 
 Darlet 
 
SELECT COMMITTEE ON ACCIDENTS IN COAL MINES. 
 
 7i 
 
 Darley Main Colliery, near Barnsley.— Report 1849. J ' R - Ww k ™ eli > 
 
 February 1847, 6 killed— January 1849, 75 killed. 21 July 1853. 
 
 Darley Main. 
 
 The Barnsley thick or main coal was worked in this pit. The workings in it, although Working thesame 
 varying in form and arrangement from those in this seam in the Ardsley Main Pit, were seam in the same 
 similar in the principle on which they were conducted, and in the character of their venti- system as Ardsley 
 laiion. Main. 
 
 No subdivision or separation was attempted in the arrangement of these workings, for No means adopted 
 the purpose of controlling or limiting the effects of an explosion, by the effectual isolation of to limit the effects 
 one part of them from another. The arrangement to secure the maintenance of the circu- of an explosion, 
 lation were so inadequate to resist the effects of an explosion, that the occurrence of such 
 an accident in any part became inevitably fatal to a great number of the men employed in 
 these dangerous and ill arranged workings. 
 
 The same dangerous practice in the use of naked lights in air-currents, everywhere in Naked iights used 
 
 immediate contact with numerous constantly enlarging goaves, from which fire-damp was in air-currents 
 
 discharging itself at all points, is to be remarked in connexion both with this and with the hable to become 
 
 Ardsley Main Pit explosion. explosive. 
 
 The ventilation of this pit could not have been ordinarily above 7,000 or 8,000 cubic feet 
 in volume per minute, because the velocity necessary to pass a larger quantity would have 
 rendered the current highly inconvenient to the men. That quantity was totally inadequate 
 for the ventilation of workings of the extent of those in this pit, in which 100 men were 
 employed. 
 
 The explosion originated in that part of the air-current which passed through the work- The explosion, 
 ing places, and along and through the goaf, forming by their progress in the deep north- where originating, 
 east angle of the mine, situated between the east boundary and the down-throw fault to and its effects, 
 the north. The movement of air caused by the ignition at this point, is supposed to have 
 brought more fire-damp into the air-current from the goaves situated at the opposite or 
 south-west extremity of this tract of workings ; this fire-damp also exploded. The after- 
 damp produced by this fire in a district near the downcast shaft, which would necessarily 
 intercept the men endeavouring to escape from the more distant explosion, must have 
 greatly increased the loss of life which occurred. 
 
 The Report on this explosion does not give the relative numbers of the sufferers who The loss of life 
 perished by burning, and of those who in escaping fell victims to suffocation ; nor does it from the after- 
 show to what distance each individual who survived the blast had been able to escape damp not known, 
 before sinking under the effect of the after-damp. From the great length of that part of but evidently large, 
 the current of the ingoing air which was affected by these explosions, and from the distance 
 which each individual escaping the fire must have been compelled to pass through the 
 after-damp before reaching the pure air near the downcast shaft, it is evident that u great 
 part of the large loss of life which occurred must have- resulted from suffocation. 
 
 Warren Vale Colliery, near Barnsley. , 1T X7 
 
 J Warren Vale. 
 
 December 1851.— 50 killed. 
 
 Elscar, Colliery, near Barnsley. 
 January 1853. — 10 killed. 
 
 Elscar. 
 
 The explosions in these collierie s, and those which have taken place in other minor col- Causes analogous 
 lieries of the Barnsley district, are analogous cases with similar results to those of which to those of the two 
 Ardsley and Darley Main Collieries furnish examples. preceding cases. 
 
 The conditions under which all these explosions have occurred may be stated to be, in limited and inse- 
 
 the first place, limited ventilation confined to single air currents, insecure throughout their cure system of 
 
 course, because circulating in contact with goaves yielding fire-damp; and, in the second, ventilation, 
 the use of naked lights in such air currents. 
 
 Among the serious cases of Eexplosion in Lancashire, the following: are the most known : Explosions in 
 
 1 0 Lancashire, 
 
 Coppull Colliery, near Chorley. Coppull. 
 November 1846, 8 killed, (Reports 1847.)— May 1852, 32 killed. 
 
 This Colliery, working the Arley Mine, a fiery seam of coal, was very imperfectly Ventilation very 
 
 ventilated, both when examined by Mr. W. W. Smith in 1846, and by the writer in 1840 ; limited and dan- 
 
 at this latter period the air in the deep downcast pit, filled the lamp with flame in several gerous. 
 
 1 .76. I 4 places ; 
 
72 
 
 MINUTES OF EVIDENCE TAKEN BEFORE THE 
 
 J. K. BliackkaeR, 
 
 21 July 1853. 
 Naked lights used- 
 
 places ; this air united to another portion which had not passed through the deep pit 
 workings, was then carried to the workings connected with the upcast pit; the whole 
 passed into this pit by a drift through a fault separating these pits, the area of which was 
 only six square feet. 
 
 In this pit naked lights were everywhere used, in many places within five or six yards 
 of an explosive atmosphere occupying the goaves forming by the working back of the 
 pillars ; the men were compelled to purchase their own lamps, or to work with candles. 
 
 Inck Hall. 
 
 Ince Hall Collieky, Arley Mine Pit. 
 
 A new and deep 
 winning on a fiery 
 seam. 
 
 These conditions 
 required the seclu- 
 sion of the air-cur- 
 rents from contact 
 with flame. 
 
 February 1850, 4 killed. — March 1853, 50 killed. 
 
 This is an instance of a new winning on a fiery seam, at the considerable depth of 400 
 yards. This winning is much deeper than any previously made on this seam. 
 
 This seam, when I visited it in 1849, soon after the commencement of workings upon it, 
 was so highly charged with fire-damp, as evidently to render the employment of naked 
 lights, or exposure of the air currents of the mine to contact with flame, highly dangerous. 
 
 South 
 Staffordshire. 
 
 Principal recent 
 cases. 
 
 Naked lights and 
 very imperfect 
 ventilation. 
 
 Explosions in South Staffordshire. 
 
 The causes of these have been already attended to. The principal cases given in my list 
 of these accidents from 1846 to 1852, are 
 
 Rounds Green Colliery, November 1846, 19 killed : Heathfield Colliery, February 1848, 
 12 killed; Friary Field Colliery, June 1849, 15 killed; Whitehall Colliery, July 1851, 9 
 killed. 
 
 These cases have all resulted from the use of naked lights, with little or no ventilation 
 in the mine ; the plan of the Rounds Green Colliery (Reports 1847) may be taken as an 
 example of this class of collieries. 
 
 Goldswurthy Gurney, Esq., called in ; and Examined. 
 
 G. Gurnet/, Esq. 4132. Chairman.] YOU are the inventor of the Steam Jet ? — I am the in- 
 ventor of the steam jet as applied to locomotion, and to coal mines ; the prin- 
 ciple of the oelipile is very old. 
 
 4133. Mr. Locke.'] When was it first introduced? — Privately in 1816; it was 
 publicly introduced in 1824-25. 
 
 4134. When did you first introduce it ? — In 1825. 
 
 4 J 35- Where did you introduce it? — At the Regent's Park. At the late 
 Opthalmic Hospital, which was converted into a steam engine factory, experiments 
 were made. It was introduced on the public roads in 1825 and 1826. 
 
 4136. Was it introduced anywhere prior to that time? — Yes. 
 
 4137. Where? — It was used in a locomotive engine in and about the Regent's 
 Park, Edgeware, Stanmore ; and in that direction. 
 
 4138. Are you aware that, prior to that time, the jet was used in a locomotive 
 in the north of England ?— No ; Mr. Trevethick, and Mr. Davis Gilbert with 
 myself introduced it into a chimney of a locomotive to get rid of the steam, but 
 not to act as a jet ; in that way it may have been introduced into the north of 
 England in the year 1816. 
 
 4139. You do not know that the steam jet was employed in the north of 
 England prior to that time ? — I believe it was not. 
 
 4140. Are you aware that persons have asserted that it was so employed: — I 
 have not heard so. 
 
 4141. Chairman.'] Have you read the evidence of the experiments which have 
 been made by Mr. Nicholas Wood, upon the relative value of the furnace and the 
 steam jet? — I have read some part of it. 
 
 4142. In your opinion, were those experiments conducted in the mode best 
 calculated to de\ elope the power of the steam jet? — No; the experiments were 
 altogether incapable of producing any power from the steam jet. 
 
 4143. Will you describe in what respect you consider them deficient ? — They 
 are deficient in consequence of an imperfection in the arrangements ; by which 
 
 means 
 
SELECT COMMITTEE ON ACCIDENTS IN COAL MINES. 73 
 
 means the displacement of the air or exhaustion produced by the steam jet is g. Gurncy, Esq, 
 
 supplied from above the jet, instead of being drawn through the galleries of the 
 
 mine. The same error was made in 1849 ; it was then pointed out to Mr. Wood, 21 July 185:3. 
 and he was referred to the South Shields Report upon it; he acknowledged that 
 if he ,had seen that report he should have been aware of his error, and not have 
 committed it; but he appears to have committed exactly the same error again ; 
 as a proof of it, if you look at his tables, you will find that the steam jet in no 
 case does not produce more than 0*2 or 3*5ihs ; neither do I think it possible 
 it could. I believe that the principle of steam jet was not brought into action 
 at all in any of the experiments I have seen recorded. 
 
 4144. In w hat way, different from the way in which Mr. Nicholas "Wood applied 
 it, would you apply it, in order to develop its full power ? — The application at 
 the jet, must be so arranged to produce a pull or lift of the column to meet the 
 requirements of the pit. If the drag of the mine is very considerable, the steam 
 jet must then be differently applied ; the area of the jet, or the area of column 
 acted upon, must be changed. 
 
 4145. Mr. Cayley.'] Will you explain in what the difference consists between 
 the power obtained in ventilation by the steam jet and by the furnace? — The 
 furnace acts by rarefying the column of air in the upcast shaft, by which the 
 weight of that column is lightened, as compared to the weight of the downcast, 
 and the difference between the weight of these columns produces the power; 
 consequently the higher the degree of temperature in the upcast shaft, and the 
 longer the column, the greater will be the power. The steam jet, on the contrary, 
 acts by its mechanical action alorte ; it displaces the air in the front of it, thus 
 producing an exhaustion behind, which exhaustion is filled by the air rushing to 
 fill it; if it comes in easily from the sides or from above, it will not draw from 
 the bottom ; but if it is prevented from coming in from above or from the sides, 
 it will pull from below. The amount of pull or power of the jet in producing an 
 exhaustion below, depends on the size of the jet ; the height or pressure of the 
 steam; and the comparative area of the column on which the jet acts. The latter 
 is most important ; this condition has been overlooked in all the experiments 
 which have been made by Mr. Wood; and so also in most of the experiments 1 
 have heard described in this room, with one exception, I think ; an experiment 
 which was made in Wales ; where the jets were first applied to a certain amount 
 of area, and only produced a certain amount of exhaustion ; they w ere afterwards 
 applied to a different sized column, which effected a ventilation, I think, of about 
 14,000 feet more. 
 
 4146. Chairman.] Where was that? — At Mr. Vivian's colliery; the areas of 
 the upcast were reduced, by cylinders of five inches diameter ; the jet and steam 
 being the same, the increase of ventilation was raised from 14,000 to 21,000 
 cubic feet per minute, which shows a power of increase of three times, because 
 the resistance of this quantity would be as the one quarter of its velocity. In 
 that experiment, it will be observed that three times the power was produced 
 from the same quantity of steam ; and that is due entirely to the more perfect 
 manner in which the steam was applied. This is the only experiment that really 
 deserves the name of an experiment upon the jet ; for although the others are 
 called experiments, yet they really were no experiments on the principle of the jet. 
 
 4147. Mr. Cayley.] Do you conceive that Mr. Vivian, in trying his second 
 experiment in a different form from his first experiment, began to appreciate the 
 proper conditions to be observed ? — Clearly ; he saw the principle. 
 
 4148. And that he obtained a proportionate increase in power? — He produced 
 three times the power ; the jets were now not applied to produce their most 
 power; because, if I rightly understood, the jets in some of the cylinders were 
 * 5 ths of an inch, and in others only ith of an inch in diameter ; and they were 
 square, I think. The large jet would overpower the small one, and reduce the 
 actual pull to the minimum jet ; the rest was thrown away. If he had applied 
 jets of the same size they would not have acted against each other ; they would 
 have acted in unison, and the amount of ventilation would have been considerably 
 higher. If you look at these numbers, seeing that the resistance is as the square 
 of the velocity, supposing that the conditions are precisely the same, and taking 
 the height by the water-gauge as a measure of power, if it stood at an inch in 
 one case, it would stand at three inches in the other. I call attention particularly 
 to this experiment, because it is the only one which bears upon the true principle 
 of the steam jet. 
 
 0.76. K 4' 49- These 
 
1 
 
 74 MINUTES OF EVIDENCE TAKEN BEFORE THE 
 
 G.Gumey, Esq. 4 1 49. These are experiments which have been given to this Committee by Mr. 
 — Gray ? — Yes. 
 
 21 July 1853. 4150. Have you seen his evidence ? — No. 
 
 4151. Do yon believe that if those experiments which have been deposed to 
 by Mr. Gray, as having taken place in Mr. Vivian's pit, had been more properly 
 applied than they were in the second experiment, a much greater power would 
 have been obtained than was produced ? — Certainly ; by reducing the areas, he 
 might obtain any power. 
 
 4152. Chairman^ The areas of the cylinders? — Vary inversely the areas of 
 the jets and cylinders, and by that means you arrive at any power you please ; 
 you may rise the water gauge to the extent of 15 or 16 feet of water. 
 
 4153. Would it not be possible to reduce the areas of the cylinders so much, 
 that the jet of steam would fill the whole of the cylinders, and that there would 
 be no vacuum to allow the air to go up? — If the test cylinder was as small as 
 the jet. 
 
 4154. Would you make no allowance for the expansion of the steam ? — Not 
 the slightest; the expansion of the steam has nothing to do with the question; 
 the exhaustion is effected behind it. The steam that is driven up by the jet, 
 mixed with air, becomes a more perfect piston, and therefore becomes more 
 effective for the jet to act on. If the cylinders be too large, the air and steam 
 mixed in them will come back again, and act like the leaky piston of an air- 
 pump, and destroy the vacuum; to attempt to produce a power by the steam jet 
 without a proper proportion of area in front, you might as well attempt to work 
 a high-pressure engine without a piston ; it is absurd. 
 
 4155. Mr. Cayley.~j What is the greatest degree of effect on the water-gauge 
 you have ever kno^n produced by the furnace system? — -By the furnace system, 
 I think, from 2 to 2 \ inches is the greatest extent. 
 
 4156. If Mr. Wood has stated that about three inches is the greatest effect on 
 the water-gauge by the furnace system, do you conceive that is the truth? — Yes; 
 I am bound to think so ; it would be very difficult to keep up three inches, because 
 the pull increasing to such an extent, would have a very strong tendency, even in 
 the furnace, to pull the air partially backward into this partial vacuum created by 
 the rarefaction. 
 
 4157. Do you mean that there would be a retrograde motion of the air? — The 
 air could not come on very readily through the mine, consequently it would find 
 its way by any easier passages, if any existed ; air in all heated columns produces 
 what are called " retrograde series ;" it passes a certain distance, and then coils 
 back again, by which an eddy is formed from point to point, leaving a portion of 
 the current running from the bottom to the top of the upcast, just as you see in 
 a river; the eddy becomes more or less as the sides are unequal, and the bed of 
 the river more or less level. If you look along the Thames when the tide is 
 going down, you will see a black mark, which indicates an eddy on boih sides, 
 running up, of different widths ; and, if you look closely into it, you will see these 
 different rates and intensities are governed by the width of the river, its level, 
 and the rate of run. Every boatman knows the value of an eddy. 
 
 4158. In obtaining an accession of power by means of the furnace, does the 
 ventilation meet with any resistance in the drag of the air? — The drag will be as 
 the square of the velocity at the minimum. Some say it is as the cubes ; but I 
 believe that the squares of the velocities is nearer the true increase of resistance. 
 To that, however, must be added the vena contractu, which occurs more or less 
 in all workings ; so that the squares of the velocities may be taken as the 
 minimum proportion of increase. 
 
 4159. Will you explain what you mean by the vena contractu} — It is the 
 retrograde at the end of a narrow opening ; for instance, at the end of a water- 
 pipe the vena contractu acts very powerfully; and if that pipe were of different 
 areas in its length, the vena contracta would act at every increase. 
 
 4160. If, by means of the furnace system, you obtain an increased effect, on the 
 water-gauge, say from one to two inches, that is obtained at a very considerable 
 increase of the resistance to the ventilation of what is called the drag? — The drag 
 would be indicated by a proportionate disturbance of the water-level. If the 
 water-level is two inches in one case, and one inch in the other, it simply shows 
 that the drag is double. 
 
 4161. Would the increased power of ventilation, from increasing the intensity 
 of the furnace, be in the arithmetical ratio, and the drag be increased at the 
 
 same 
 
SELECT COMMITTEE ON ACCIDENTS IN COAL MINES. 
 
 7.5 
 
 same time in the geometrical ratio? — The drag of the pit increases as the square G. Gunny, Esq. 
 of the velocity, the exhaustion of the furnace directly as the temperature. 
 
 4162. If the drag increases in so much greater a ratio than the puil, must it not 21 July i8s3 ' 
 result that, there is a limit to the furnace system of ventilation ? — Certainly. 
 
 4163. Explain why that would not apply in an equal degree, or with similar 
 power, to obstructions in the case of the steam jet? — The drag increases in the 
 same ratio, but as the pull of the jet may be made to overcome it, no matter what 
 its amount may be, there is virtually no limit. The jet acts not on the great 
 column which with the furnace is essential, but on a special column fitted for the 
 occasion ; like the cylinder or cylinders spoken of by Mr. Gray. 
 
 4164. Inasmuch as you state that the limit to the furnace appears to be at 
 three inches of the water-gauge, do you believe that the same limit applies to the 
 
 - steam jet ? — No ; this limit of the furnace is occasioned by the size of the upcast 
 shaft; this size shaft is a condition necessary to the working of the furnace, 
 which cannot be changed ; if it could be changed at pleasure, the pull of the 
 furnace could be increased ; but as you cannot reduce the area of a coal-mine 
 upcast shaft to such a size as would prevent after a certain amount of exhaustion, 
 it being rilled from above instead of from below, the furnace stops. There is 
 another cause of limit to the furnace, which perhaps I need not now only mention, 
 namely, that the quantity of air passing must be heated to a given temperature, 
 by a given fire; these we will suppose to be constant quantities; now, the tem- 
 perature of the air must be increased if it be made to pull more in a direct ratio 
 with its power of buoyancy ; this cannot be, because the fire is a constant quan- 
 tity; to obtain double the temperature, you must have double the fire, or one-half 
 the air, and by that means the quantity of ventilation necessary goes backward, 
 so as at last to come to its limit. Supposing you have 20,000 cubic feet of 
 air to be raised to 100° of temperature, and supposing your fire is just sufficient 
 to do it, it is self-evident that you cannot raise the same quantity of air to 200° 
 of temperature ; you can only raise half the quantity, to the same degree of 
 temperature ; it is true half the quantity will produce a greater disturbance 
 of the water-gauge, but the quantity of air coming through the pit will be 
 reduced 50 per cent. 
 
 4165. Will you explain to the Committee in what way that tendency to the 
 limit of ventilation by the drag can be overcome by the steam jet? — You can 
 reduce the column lifted to such a size that the steam jet will drive it, no matter 
 what its pull backwards, or resistance, may be. I believe it is stated in the evidence 
 of Mr. Covvie (a senior wrangler at Cambridge), before the Committee of the 
 House of Lords in 1849, that it might be carried to any practical extent. 
 
 4166. In what way have the previous experiments failed to produce such a 
 power, and in what way, practically, would you adapt the steam jet so as to obtain 
 that power, if you had the conduct of the experiments ?— It has failed in conse- 
 quence of not attending to a very simple condition published in the South Shields 
 Committee, where it was first proposed ; namely, that " The whole column must 
 be lifted f and prevented from returning. 
 
 4167. How would you overcome that practical want of adaptation of the steam 
 jet? — By a disc, or cylinder, or " Necking the shaft" as it is called, so as to 
 lesson the column and prevent the return. 
 
 4168. Would you fill the area of the upcast, say with plates, and then pierce it 
 in various places, for the jets to go through? — No; but by reducing the area 
 of the shaft, as shown in a diagram published in the Report of the Lords, allowing 
 the opening to be of such size that the power of the jet shall lift it so as to 
 overcome the drag of the pit whatever it be ; if it does not overcome the drag 
 of the pit, it can be of no use. 
 
 4169. Is the object of the water-gauge to ascertain what degree of vacuum is 
 formed in the upcast? — Yes. 
 
 4170. If the water-gauge can be affected by the rarefaction under the furnace 
 system only to the extent of two or three inches, showing approximation towards 
 a vacuum, the vacuum being probably represented by the figures 33, does it 
 appear to you, from all you have heard, that the nearest approximation to a 
 vacuum produced by the furnace is three inches out of 33 feet? — I never heard 
 of so much as that being produced in practice. 
 
 4171. Properly applied, what effect on the water gauge, that is, how near an ap- 
 proximation towards the 33 feet, which represents the vacuum, could be produced 
 
 0.7b. k 2 by 
 
76 
 
 MINUTES OF EVIDENCE TAKEN BEFORE THE 
 
 G. Garney, Esq. by the steam jet? — As much as SOO or 400 inches ; there is no practical limit. 
 
 Possibly this assertion may be considered speculative, but it is practically true. 
 
 2] July 1853. 4172. You believe in practice, you could obtain 300 or 400 inches of the 
 water gauge, by means of the steam jet, if you applied it properly ? — Certainly, 
 if it was wanted. 
 
 4173. How many feet does that represent? — I think 25 feet to 33. 
 
 4174. Mr. Locke.] What amount of vacuum could be obtained? — Practically, 
 25 feet of water. 
 
 4175. Do you mean practically or experimentally? — I do not mean in a coal 
 pit. In practice, for a particular purpose, 24 inches of mercury disturbance, 
 which is equal to about 24 feet of water, has been obtained. 
 
 4176. Will you state the purpose for which this experiment was made? — This 
 experiment was made for the purpose of dry-cupping. It was done in a case 
 of serious illness, to produce an exhaustion similar to the cupping glass, and to 
 draw the blood to a particular part of the system. Practically, they have produced 
 about eight inches of water gauge in a coal shaft, and 24 feet for refining silver. 
 
 4177. Mr. Cay ley. \ Do you remember the experiments with the steam jet last 
 year at the Polytechnic ? — I do. 
 
 4178. What was the effect on the water gauge produced by the steam jet there? 
 — I think, to the best of my recollection, it was 18 inches of mercury, which is 
 equal to about 18 feet of water. 
 
 4179. That being the experimental power of the steam jet on the water gauge, 
 how much of that approximation towards a vacuum do you think may be obtained 
 in a coal pit ? — You could easily obtain an exhaustion of six, or eight, or 10 inches 
 of water gauge disturbance ; but as it is more than likely that you would never 
 require that amount of pull through a pit, in practice [ should fix the jets in 
 large workings and long galleries to produce a power of about four or six inches 
 of water, and work it up to the drag required, whatever it might be. You would 
 then always have a power in reserve ; you would have a power of six to eight inches 
 of water gauge, when possibly the drag of the mine might not amount to more 
 than two or three inches ; and in such a case you would be certain to command 
 ventilation against all practical contingencies; and interference from atmospheric 
 changes. 
 
 4180. Do you believe that one of the beneficial effects of the steam jet, as com- 
 pared with the furnace, is that it has a power in excess of that which is required for 
 practical purposes, which under extraordinary circumstances could b<i suddenly 
 brought into play, and might materially diminish the danger which suddenly 
 arises in mines? — There is no doubt of it. 
 
 4181. Do you think that one of the beneficial effects of the steam jet is indicated 
 by your last answer ? — Yes ; it is capable of producing a power which cannot be 
 produced from the ordinary furnaces as they are now constructed ; which power, 
 you might possibly want under peculiar circumstances. 
 
 4182. Is it not often the case that there are sudden outbursts of gas in a mine 
 by the falling in of a roof ? — Yes. 
 
 4183. Under those circumstance^ do not explosions often occur ? — Frequently. 
 
 4184. Would it not, in your opinion, be a great advantage to produce, at such 
 a critical moment, a great temporary accession to the ventilating power ? — Yes ; 
 and you would have this power at command, provided you had the steam jet 
 placed to produce six or eight inches of disturbance of the water gauge. 
 
 4185. Would it not also, in your opinion, be a great additional safety, if the 
 steam jet apparatus were placed at the top of the downcast shaft, for occasional 
 use, in case of an explosion ? — I think it would ; but it is more than likely, that 
 being unprepared for an explosion, the steam might not be ready. 
 
 4186. Is it not the fact, that in the dreadful explosions which have occurred, 
 more persons have suffered by the after-damp than by the fire-damp? — Yes. 
 
 41 87. Is not. the after-damp simply the absence of fresh air ? — The after-damp 
 is a mixture of carbonic acid and nitrogen; the want of oxygen is fatal to life. 
 
 4188. Is it not often the case that it is not immediately fatal to life? — It 
 depends upon its degree of perfect formation ; if it is imperfectly formed, and 
 there is a portion of oxygen remaining free, life may be supported for some time ; 
 but if it is perfectly formed, and the wholeof the oxygen is combined, it kills instantly. 
 
 4189. When they have been able to penetrate into the mine within three or 
 four hours after the explosion, have they not often found bodies in a senseless 
 state, but not actually dead ? — Yes ; cases have been known, I believe, where 
 
 persons 
 
SELECT COMMITTEE ON ACCIDENTS IN COAL MINES. 
 
 77 
 
 persons have lived for some hours, and sometimes for days, before the fire-damp (J. Gumey, Esq. 
 
 has reached them ; for the fire-damp does not go, all over the mine at once; it 
 
 finds its way, under the laws of diffusion of gases, after a time, into the extreme 21 July 1853. 
 working", provided there is no ventilation. Unfortunately, when those explosions 
 happen, the ventilation is destroyed by the breaking down the doors and brattices. 
 
 4190. Even where the fire-damp has been evidently the cause of death, have 
 there not been strewn about the galleries bodies not actually dead, but merely 
 senseless, and subsequently recovered ? — Yes ; cases have been known where men 
 have gone into a cul de sac, where the fire-damp has not reached them, and they 
 have recovered after some days. 
 
 41 1) 1 . Have some been found in various degrees of approximation towards 
 death ? — Yes. 
 
 4192. If they had not been discovered within three or four hours, would they 
 not have died '( — Yes, some cases. 
 
 4193. Then would it not be a great security to life, if there were a power, like 
 the steam jet, at the top of the downcast, which would drive down mechanically 
 fresh air into the pit, to enable those persons to recover, when other persons could 
 not get down into the pit to rescue them? — Certainly ; if a jet at the upcast 
 were made to pull the fire-damp out, fresh air would find its way through. 
 
 4194. Under the circumstances of those explosions, would not the same thing 
 apply to the steam jet by its being blown to pieces? — No; the doors and stop- 
 pings would most likely be blown down ; and in that case, the air would run 
 directly through those stoppings from the downcast to the upcast ; that difficulty 
 would not be overcome by blowing air down the downcast. 
 
 4195. In case of an explosion, would you place the steam jet at the top of 
 the upcast or at the bottom of the upcast ? — At the top of the downcast, if you 
 wanted to blow fresh air down ; but the doubt is whether fresh air would reach 
 the spot of danger. That would depend on the condition of the pit. The pit 
 should be so formed as to prevent as little disturbance as possible of doors and 
 stoppings in case of an explosion. 
 
 4196. You have been understood to state that the steam jet acts mechanically 
 by driving the whole column of air up the upcast as nearly as possible ; and that 
 the more it does that the nearer is the approach to a vacuum, and the nearer the 
 approach to a vacuum the greater tendency there is in the air in the mine to 
 follow that ? — Clearly. 
 
 4197. You think that the increased ventilation which you would attribute to the 
 steam jet, could be achieved by the steam jet, if it were properly applied? — 
 Certainly ; 1 have no doubt of it. 
 
 4198. You have stated that the power of the furnace depends upon the condi- 
 tion of the area of the shaft with its depth ? — Yes. 
 
 4199. At a given depth does the furnace system become very powerful ? — The 
 deeper the pit, the more powerful it becomes. 
 
 4200. If you compare the expense of the two systems, does the furnace system at a 
 very great depth, become the cheaper system of the two ? — I think so ; at a certain 
 depth you could get no available power from the furnace. 
 
 4201. What do you mean by " a certain depth" ? — Low shallow pits. 
 
 4202. Chairman^ State what you mean by " low shallow pits" ? — 200 feet is 
 a shallow pit. 
 
 4203. Mr. Caylaj.] When a pit is so deep as to go beyond 200 feet, and 
 approximate to 1,000 feet, the nearer it approaches to 1,000 feet the greater will 
 the power of the furnace become? — Certainly. 
 
 4204. If you wanted only a given amount of ventilation, in a deep pit, might 
 the furnace system be the cheapest of the two, and perhaps be perfectly efficient? 
 — Certainly. 
 
 4205. But in shallow pits, of 200 feet, or under 200 feet in depth, do you 
 think that the steam jet is a more secure power to rely upon than the furnace 
 system? — Certainly. The steam jet, acting independent of depth of column, 
 would possess the same power in a shallow pit as in a deep one. I refer 
 to some experiments which were given in 1849, where the furnace had little or 
 no power at 10 fathoms ; but the jet produced considerable power. 
 
 4206. In deep mines, may not the working be so extensive that, notwith- 
 standing the depth of the mine, and the draught of chimney, the health of the 
 miners requires even a more powerful system of ventilation than that which is 
 given by the furnace? — It may require a stronger pull to overcome the drag than 
 
 0.76. k 3 the 
 
78 
 
 MINUTES OF EVIDENCE TAKEN BEFORE THE 
 
 G. Gwney, Esq. the furnace could produce ; any increase of ventilation increases very rapidly the 
 
 drag', which could not be overcome by the furnace, as now applied. 
 
 21 July 1853. 4207. What is your opinion as to the comparative expense of the two systems 
 of ventilation ? — To a certain depth the steam jet is the most economical, as a 
 matter of expense ; but below that depth the furnace is the cheapest up to a 
 certain point. I may observe that I have the highest respect for the furnace. 
 I think it is a beautiful application for ventilation, and it is one well calculated for 
 coal mines generally; but there is a limit to it, and beyond that limit it cannot 
 be carried in case it is wanted ; very frequently that limit is dangerous, and you 
 then require a power beyond it; and in such a case you must either have a 
 mechanical power, such as the air-pump, the fan, the steam jet, or some similar 
 power so as to produce a greater pull or disturbance of the water-gauge. 
 
 4208. In very extensive workings, even in the deepest pits, do you think it is 
 possible, although the furnace is the cheaper system, that the steam jet may occa- 
 sionally be required for the purpose of furnishing a greater power? — .1 think it 
 would be very useful, and in some cases essentially beneficial, if applied in con- 
 junction to assist the furnace ; it must be differently applied than ever as yet been. 
 
 4209. Have you examined the calculations which Mr. Wood has given in his 
 book ? — I have looked through some of the tables. 
 
 4210. What have you to say to those calculations? — There is not a single 
 table in which you cannot find discrepancies. 
 
 421 1. Can you point out some of those discrepancies ? — I have no doubt I can 
 do so. I will show — first permit me by reference to them — that there has been no 
 available disturbance produced on the water-gauge by the steam jet; because it 
 will corroborate my previous statement, that there really was no such power. The 
 table which was pointed out to me when 1 attended this Committee a few days 
 since, is No. 21, page 64. The disturbance by the steam jet at 10 minutes after 
 eight, was stated by Mr. Wood, to be eleven-tenths. It will be observed that 
 the furnace was on at the time and produced ten-tenths of this disturbance ; so 
 that there was only one-tenth due to the jet. In the next line you find there is 
 half a tenth less when the jets are taken off, so that half a temh was only due to 
 the jets. The greatest disturbance I have found in the tables, I have looked at,, 
 is about three-tenths by the jets. I think that three-tenths is very likely, partly 
 due to boiler fires, if you will look at the table to which my attention is called by 
 the Committee, you will find that out of the eleven-tenths there given to the jet 
 one-tenth only due to the jet. 
 
 4212. What conclusion do you draw from that? — That there was no action of 
 the principle of the jet. Unless the jet produced a greater power than the furnace, 
 when they were together, it could not assist the ventilation. If both were producing 
 eleven-tenths separate, and both in action that would have produced no more 
 ventilation ; but the jet alone only producing only a tenth, could do nothing ; it 
 was producing no disturbance. If we take the size of the jets, and the areas to 
 be lifted, we shall find, that a power equal to one or two tenths was the extreme 
 that could be expected from it ; the jets may be said to have done nothing in this 
 table. In Table 16, page 59, the jets alone, it is said, produced 0*4, and the 
 quantity of ventilation was 49,254 cubic feet per minute. At one o'clock the fur- 
 nace alone was put on, and that produced a disturbance of from 0*8 to 09 of the 
 water gauge. That is just double what it was before. If- you take the quantity 
 of air (the condition of the pit, I presume, remained the same) to be as the square 
 root of the water gauge, it ought to give you a very different quantity than 
 that shown in the table ; 94,000 is nearly double 49,000. Here the increase is 
 arithmetical with the pressure gauge, it should be as the square root ! If you go 
 on with the same table, you find that the temperature at one o'clock in the 
 upcast was 180°, and that at three o'clock it was 272° by the same furnace; and. 
 yet the disturbance of the water gauge, only rises j^ths or y§ths. I think there 
 must be some mistake in the numbers. 
 
 4213. Mr. Locke.~\ In speaking of the temperature of 272°, you are speaking 
 of the upcast at 65 fathoms r — Yes ; I presume the temperature of the shaft 
 is a measure of its power on the w r ater gauge. 
 
 4214. Do you observe that it is only 210° at a depth of 10 fathoms? — Yes; 
 but you will find it 188° in the other line. 
 
 4215. Is the difference between 188° and 210°, so disproportionate as the 
 figures which you have already stated to the Committee ? — 1 take them as I find 
 them. 
 
 4216. Are 
 
SELECT COMMITTEE ON ACCIDENTS IN COAL MINES. 79 
 
 4216. Are you not taking the temperature at one particular depth from the G. Gumey, Esq. 
 
 shaft, and omitting the temperature at another depth from the shaft? — I have not 
 
 taken the second line, because I consider this the temperature of the shaft. 21 Ju'y 1853. 
 
 4217. Is there not much less discrepancy at one depth of the shaft than that 
 which you have pointed out ? — Yes ; but not a great deal. 
 
 4218. Is not the difference between 210° and 272° very considerable? — 
 Sixty-two degrees is the difference ; the temperature of air was heated at one part 
 of the upcast to 210°, and at another pare of the upcast to 272° ; and to 188° in 
 one part, and to 180° in the other. The mean should be taken. 
 
 4219. Would you not rather take the lowest temperature as being the measure 
 of increase? — No; I take the temperature in the way it is expressed here. 
 
 4220. In estimating the quantity of air passing up the shaft, would you not 
 take the lowest temperature rather than the highest ? — I take it as it is recorded. 
 
 4221 . Chairman.] Would you, or not, take it at the lowest ? — No. 
 
 4222. Mr. Locke.] Do you think that the lower temperature, w hich is a throttle 
 valve to the air passing in a shaft, is not the point at which you ought to take 
 the quantity of air which is passing ? — The temperature of the shaft is the 
 measure of the weight of its column of air. 
 
 4223. When you find that the temperature is so materially different as 272° and 
 210°, do you mean to state that you have assumed the increase in the quantity of 
 air in the discrepancies in Mr. Wood's figures, by insisting on taking the higher 
 temperature, and not the lower temperature ? — I take the temperature as registered 
 at the depth of 65 fathoms. 
 
 4224. Do you think it is fair w uo that without taking the temperature at 10 
 fathoms? — Without an explanation I would. 
 
 4225. Do you think it is necessary to have any explanation, judging fairly of a 
 table of this kind ? — There is a discrepancy in the temperature, which shows that 
 the numbers are not very accurate. 
 
 4226. Is there any discrepancy, or any difficulty, in adjusting the quantities of 
 air from the temperature of 10 fathoms ? — Yes; and I know how it happened. 
 
 4227. Do you think that the difference between 188° and 210° is so great that 
 there ought to have been a larger increase in the quantity of air than appears in 
 the table from 94,000 to 105,000 feet?— Certainly. " The reduction of the 
 temperature is owing to that which I explained in a former part of my evidence. 
 The temperature is frequently reduced to a considerable depth by a series of eddies 
 passing down; and hence the temperature of 272° in the one case, and 210° in the 
 other. The 272° is the temperature of the air passing the furnace ; the 21.0° is the 
 temperature of the air after it has been reduced by mixture from above by a series 
 of eddies forming from the external air in the upcast, and extending so far down. 
 There is no doubt about that ; it is well known to men acquainted with the sub- 
 ject. The 272° is the temperature of air, a certain distance up the upcast, above 
 the furnace, and it is the measure to which the whole of the air ought to have 
 been raised. According to Table 14, the jets only produced a disturbance of G'3, 
 and the furnace produced a disturbance of 0*9 ; so that the furnace represents a 
 power of 0*9, and the jets 0"3 ; consequently the jets in the experiment of which 
 this table is a record, could be of no use. 
 
 4228. You are aware that Mr. Wood stated, in his evidence before the Com- 
 mittee, that they did act, and you are aware that these tables show that the result 
 was produced ? — Yes. 
 
 4229. Have you any other means of judging that they did not act than your 
 opinion? — Yes ; from the tables themselves; 1 do not think they acted at all ; I 
 think Mr. Wood is mistaken in giving the power of the jet ; I do not think the 
 jet had any available power in those experiments. 
 
 4230. Then yon think that, in point of fact, the increase of the quantity from 
 32,000 cubic feet to 37,000 cubic feet, was not owing to the application of the 
 jets at all ? — No. 
 
 4231. You do not attribute the increase of 5,000 feet to the influence of the 
 jet '? — No. 
 
 4232-3. To what is it owing ? — To the temperature. 
 
 4234. You think it is owing to the temperature? — Yes; the temperature is 
 161° in the one case, and only 77° in the other; consequently the increase of 
 temperature, which is very nearly 100°, accounts for the increase of pull. 
 
 4235. What is the difference in temperature? — Eighty-four degrees. 
 
 4236. With what are you comparing the 161°? — Seventy-seven degrees. 
 0,76. k 4 4237- That 
 
So MINUTES OF EVIDENCE TAKEN BEFORE THE 
 
 G. Gurney, Esq. 4-37- That is where the jets were employed ? — Yes. 
 
 — 4238. Ought you not rather to compare it with the temperature where the 
 
 21 July 1853. furnace was employed ? — No ; you are speaking of the comparative power of the 
 jet alone ; you say that the ventilation increases to 77,000 cubic feet ; and I say 
 the increase is due to the temperature. 
 
 4239. You are aware that the temperature was 132° and not 77° when the 
 furnace only was employed, and that the temperature was increased from 132° to 
 161° when the steam jets were employed ; is not that the statement in the 
 table ? — Yes; at 21 minutes after 9, 161° is the temperature. 
 
 4240. Are you comparing the furnace only with the jets and furnace ? — I am 
 answering- your question, whether the increase of temperature was due to the 
 jets ; and I say that it was not due to the jets ; but that it was due to the increase 
 of temperature. 
 
 4241. You have stated that where the furnace was employed, in your opinion, 
 no result whatever arose from the application of the jets. In Table 14, you 
 will find that where the temperature v\as 132°, and the furnace only was employed, 
 the quantity of air passed was 33,000 and odd cubic feet per minute ; and I want 
 you to compare that result w ith the result which follows where the jet was put on to 
 the furnace, and where the temperature was 161°, and the increase in the quantity 
 of air passed was from 33,000 cubic feet to 37,000 cubic feet. Will you state 
 whether those temperatures and those quantities are accurately represented in the 
 table, and whether you think that result was due to the jet or not? — It was due 
 to the temperature. 
 
 4242. That temperature being the difference between 132° and 161°? — Yes. 
 
 4243. And not as between 77° and 161°, as you formerly stated? — I took the 
 time of experiment as expressed, at half-past six o'clock in the morning. 
 
 4244. I am calling your attention to the temperature at the time the furnace 
 only Avas in work ? — Unless you give me the time, I cannot tell to which line you 
 are referring. 
 
 4245. Does not the temperature of 132° fix the line ? — Yes, at another hour. 
 
 4246. Is not that the time when the furnace only was employed ? — Yes. 
 
 4247. Then that is the line to which your attention is directed? — Then I now 
 draw your attention to the same points, and to the state of the water-gauge ; if 
 you look at the water-gauge, you find that there is a disturbance of only 0*1. 
 
 4248. Is that inconsistent with the temperature? — It is due to increased 
 temperature. 
 
 4249. Is it inconsistent w 7 ith the quantity of air passed ? — I cannot tell off-hand, 
 without going into it carefully ; it requires calculation ; you are drawing my atten- 
 tion to the conditions under which 33,428 cubic feet per minute were produced ;. 
 before answering that, and while looking at this, you call my attention to the con- 
 ditions under which 37,704 cubic feet per minute were produced ; then to the 
 temperature line ; in one I find a difference of temperature between 132° and l6l°, 
 and in the next I find a disturbance of the water-gauge of ten-tenths. 
 
 4250. Then these being two facts stated on the table, what objection have you 
 to raise to those facts ? — I have no objection to raise to the facts ; I take them as 
 I find them stated; I say the increase from 33,000 cubic feet to 37,000 cubic feet 
 was not clue to the jets, but to temperature. 
 
 4251. You say it is due to the temperature? — I do. 
 
 4252. Y^ou first gave the temperature as the difference between 77° and 1C]° - r 
 are you now satisfied that the difference should have been between 132° and 161*? 
 — Yes, the jet was not in action. 
 
 4253. That is your opinion? — That is my opinion, and I think the facts 
 support it. 
 
 4254. Mr. Ingham.] Have you any observations to make on the other tables V 
 —Yes. 
 
SELECT COMMITTEE ON ACCIDENTS IN COAL MINES. 81 
 
 Luna, 25° die Julii, 1853. 
 
 MEMBERS PRESENT. 
 
 Mr. Hutch ins. 
 Mr. Cayley. 
 Mr. Cobbett. 
 Mr. Ingham. 
 
 Mr. Locke. 
 Mr. Baird. 
 Mr. H. A. Bruce. 
 
 EDWARD J. HUTCHINS, Esq., in the Chair. 
 
 Goldsworthy Gurney, Esq., called in ; and further Examined. 
 
 4255. Chairman.'] HAVE you any further observations to make upon the q, Gumey, Es<|, 
 tables which have been delivered in by Mr. Nicholas Wood ? — I presume the 1 1 
 question applies to the tables of Mr. Nicholas Wood, in this pamphlet entitled 25 July 1853 
 "Experiments on the Relative Value of the Furnace and the Steam -jet, in the 
 Ventilation of Coal Mines, communicated to the North of England Institute of 
 
 Mining Engineers, on Monday, 13th December 1852, and Friday 4th February 
 1853." I stated, in my former evidence, that I believed, from the manner in 
 which the experiments were made with the steam -jet by Mr. Nicholas Wood, 
 that there was no available power produced by the jets. I do not know 
 whether I fully explained the reasons why I came to that opinion that no 
 available power could have been produced. I may now state, before going 
 further into the subject, that in the experiments at Lletton l-8th of an inch 
 steam-jet was made to lift a 4-feet sectional column of air. It is physically im- 
 possible that a steam-jet of l-8th of an inch and 40 lbs. pressure could lift that 
 column to produce a force of more than 1 or 2-10ths of an inch of water 
 gauge. That I am borne out in that opinion I think will be shown by reference 
 to the tables in the pamphlet just referred to. In the first table, page 43, the 
 power of the jets is not registered alone in any particular part. In the first line 
 of figures it will be seen that the three furnaces, with the waste steam, produced 
 a disturbance of the water gauge of 1*4, and in the second line that the three 
 furnaces produced a disturbance of the water gauge of L3 ; without the waste, 
 thus showing that the engine fires, together with the waste steam, by its rare- 
 faction, made a difference only of 0 1. 
 
 4256. What is the difference of temperature in the two cases? — The tempe- 
 rature is 104°. I take the number of the water gauge as being the measure 
 of power; the disturbance is 1*3 by three furnaces, the engine fires being damped 
 down. It appears by the third line the three furnaces, and the engine fires 
 rather low, that the disturbance was LI. It appears by the fourth line that, 
 with the three furnaces in good order, the disturbance was ] '4. In the fifth line 
 the jets were put on, but neither the water gauge, nor the quantity, is recorded. 
 It appears by the sixth line that the jets and furnaces together produced a dis- 
 turbance of L5. Thus it appears that only 0" 1 of this amount of disturbance 
 is due to the jet. In short, it possibly may be due to the boiler fires and the 
 rarefying power of the waste steam after all, and not due to the jet ; but, at 
 all events, supposing it to be given as the tables state, only O'l can be said to 
 be due to the jet. 
 
 4257. Mr. Locke.] Have you any experiments to show that the result which 
 is given in the table is unfounded and unfair?— My experience tells me that it 
 is impossible to produce a greater disturbance of the water-gauge than was pro- 
 duced under the arrangements. 
 
 4258. Then you think, in point of fact, that the statements in the table are 
 not true ? — I do not say so. 
 
 4259. W T hat do you mean to say? — That the disturbance of the water-gauge 
 by the steam-jet appears to be not more than O'l of an inch, as shown in the 
 table. 
 
 4260. That is shown by the table ? — Yes ; and I want to show that the table 
 bears out the opinion which I gave in my evidence, and the opinion which I am 
 
 0.76. L now 
 
82 
 
 MINUTES OF EVIDENCE TAKEN BEFORE THE 
 
 G. Gumey, Esq. now giving, that there has been no available power produced by the steam- 
 
 jet in the experiments recorded in that table. 
 
 25 July 18.53. 4261. The table shows that? — I think so: if you admit it I need not go any- 
 further. I think it due to the subject, inasmuch as great mistakes have been 
 made, to show that this power is due to rarefaction of the boiler fires, and to 
 the waste steam, and that the jet should have fair play. 
 
 4262. Do you mean to say that the statement in the table is not true ?— 
 I mean to say, that the statement in the table bears out the opinion I have 
 given ; and 1 wish to support my opinion by the evidence of the table, and do 
 not wish the Committee to take my opinion gratuitously. 
 
 4263. Then you think the statement is right ? — Certainly. I would add that, 
 according to the experiments that I have made on the steam-jet with different 
 sized jets acting on different columns, no such power as IT, or even 0*3, could 
 have been produced by the experiments in the Hetton Colliery. 
 
 4264. Do you therefore think that, if in Table 21, page 64, of Mr. Wood's 
 book, the water-gauge is represented at 1*1, as being due to the jet, it is an 
 error ? — I do ; because I do not think it was possible under the arrangement. 
 
 4265. Chairman.] Do you come to that conclusion because you think that 
 the jets have been applied in an improper way, and not in such a way as to 
 develop the whole power of the jets ? — Yes. If the Committee will refer to 
 the evidence and drawings given before the House of Lords' Committee in 1849, 
 they will see it explained. The diagram in the South Shields Report shows the 
 plan. 
 
 4266. Your objection to these experiments is, that although Mr. Nicholas 
 Wood seems to have tilled his pits with tubes, through which the steam-jets were 
 working, yet that in consequence of the size of the shaft not being reduced, the 
 steam-jet had not its proper force given to it? — Yes. 
 
 4267. Mr. Locke.'] To what circumstance do you attribute the want of effect 
 in the experiments which Mr. Nicholas Wood tried ? — In consequence of having 
 the column to be lifted too large for the jet; it could not lift it with sufficient 
 power to overcome the drag of the pit; consequently the air passed back easily 
 through the large area, and filled the partial vacuum which was formed by the 
 mechanical power of the jet. 
 
 4268. In point of fact, do you think that the application of the jets in the shaft 
 was so arranged by Mr. Nicholas Wood that the air, instead of being carried up, 
 literally came down again between the jets ? — Around them. 
 
 4269. Are you aware whether, in the experiments made by Mr. Nicholas 
 Wood, the spaces between the jets were actually filled up ? — Not in the first 
 experiment. At Tyne Main cylinders were used. 
 
 4270. In the book of Mr. Nicholas Wood, from which you have quoted, you will 
 find, in plate 1, a diagram of the cylinders which were used ; and Mr. Nicholas 
 Wood has stated in his evidence that the spaces between the tubes were filled in, 
 so that no air could escape up or down ? — Mr. Nicholas Wood, in answer to a 
 question, stated that the sectional area apportioned to each jet at Hetton was 
 four square feet ; the diameters of the spaces were two feet; consequently, the 
 area of column was four feet. 
 
 4271. You have formed that opinion upon a notion that the spaces between 
 the tubes were not filled up ?— They were not filled up in the experiment at the 
 bottom of the pit at Hetton, to which these tables apply. 
 
 4272. Your observation applies to the experiment at Hetton?— Yes. 
 
 4273. Do you apply the same observation to the experiments at Tyne Main? 
 —No. 
 
 4274. Were the spaces at Tyne Main filled up ?— In the experiments at Tyne 
 Main it is stated cylinders were used and interstices filled ; the cylinders were 
 so large, that although 0-3 to (M water gauge might have been produced, more 
 could not have been produced, acted upon as they were by jets of 3-16ths, and 
 in some of the cylinders less ; consequently, the 3-16ths of an inch jet, producing 
 a stronger pull "than the second jet, the air drew clown through the cylinder, 
 and supplied the exhaustion produced by the larger jets. 
 
 4275. That is your opinion? — Yes; that would be the case; from known 
 pneumatic laws, and from my experiments, I think it would be so ; but the 
 minimum power was produced by the jet, as a matter of course, and that 
 acted on the shaft below, and produced a certain quantity of ventilation ; but 
 that ventilation was very limited, the disturbance of the water gauge in those 
 
 experiments 
 
SELECT COMMITTEE ON ACCIDENTS IN COAL MINES. 
 
 83 
 
 experiments could not have been, according to the experiments I have made, or Q t Gutney, Es< 
 
 according to known laws, more than 0*3 ; that 'disturbance would not overcome 
 
 the drag of the pit, so as to produce any greater amount of ventilation. 25 July 1853. 
 
 4276. Do you attribute the want of success in the Tyne Main experiments to 
 the small size of the jet, as compared with the size of the cylinder? — The same 
 principle in a different form. The column to be lifted was not proportioned to 
 the size of the jet. 
 
 4277. If the spaces between the cylinders had been filled in, and the jets had 
 been properly proportioned to the size of the cylinders, do you think that a dif- 
 ferent result would have been obtained ? — The interstices between the cylinders 
 were filled in ; but I apply my observation to the cylinders. The cylinder itself 
 was so large, and the jet was so small for the pressure of steam, that the column 
 could not be lifted. 
 
 4278. What was the size of the jet in the experiments to which you take ex- 
 ception ? — I think there were two jets in the same pit of different sizes; conse- 
 quently, one jet overpowered the other. 
 
 4279. Are you aware whether those were tried in the same cylinder? — It ap- 
 pears to have been so. 
 
 4280. In your opinion, what would be the proper size cylinder for a jet 
 3-16ths of an inch in diameter? — It depends on the drag- of the pit; the power 
 which is required to be produced, must of course be practically obtained. 
 
 4281. Have you considered what size cylinder should be employed? — For 
 1-Sth of an inch, or 3-16ths of an inch jet, a cylinder of five inches would 
 be sufficiently large ; but the size would depend on the pressure with which 
 the steam acted on the jets, and its free escape from its point. If the steam be 
 doubled in pressure, then the larger cylinder would do ; but at 40 lbs. to the inch, 
 which I think is the amount w T hich was used, it would not have produced a dis- 
 turbance of 02 of the water gauge. 
 
 4282. Are you aware that experiments have recently been made in the north 
 of England, to determine the maximum effect of jets of steam passing through 
 tubes? — Mo. I had sent to me a paper by Mr. Longridge ; on opening it, 
 I turned to a passage which showed me that the parties had mistaken the 
 principle, and I did not read the rest of it. 
 
 428.3. In point of fact, you believed that the principle of the steam jet had 
 been mistaken, and you did not follow out the experiments, with the view of 
 seeing what was the maximum practical effect resulting from those experiments ? 
 — Not knowing what the experiments were, I cannot say ; I have tried the 
 jet under different pressures, and with different size cylinders. In one case, where a 
 3-8ths of an inch jet was used, and a 9-inch cylinder, we obtained 7,000 cubic 
 feet per minute against a drag of three inches of water. 
 
 4284. Cliairman.~\ You are now giving your evidence on the steam-jet without 
 reference to economy ? — The question of economy depends upon the conditions 
 and circumstances in which it is placed. 
 
 428,5. Is it not obvious that if you diminish the size of the cylinders, raise the 
 pressure of the steam, and increase the area of the jets, you require more steam, 
 and consequently must burn a greater quantity of coals b — Not so much as may 
 be supposed. The air runs with such rapidity through a short cylinder, almost 
 amounting to a disc, there being little or no distance for friction, that it makes 
 up in velocity what it looses in area. In support of this opinion, X may state 
 that a gas pipe of two inches diameter, will be well supplied by a governor 
 through a disc of half an inch to 5-8ths of an inch. The gas goes through the 
 disc with great rapidity; whereas through the pipes, it is dragged by friction on 
 the sides. The same thing happens with regard to the steam-jet when it is 
 applied either to a short cylinder or to a disc. In some cases, the steam is 
 applied neither to a disc nor to a tube, but to a cone ; and in that case very con- 
 siderable power is produced; so much so, as. to powerfully ventilate and con- 
 dense heavy muriatic vapours, and other gaseous products. The same also has » 
 been produced in many places. The power of the jet, through a small cylinder 
 of three inches, is applied for producing a partial exhaustion, in sugar refining. 
 The quantity of air passing is sufficient to blow off the vapour which rose from 
 the sugar in evaporation, and carry it away effectually, and at the same time 
 produce an exhaustion sufficient for rapid evaporation at a low temperature. It 
 will produce the same exhaustion as had previously been obtained by the' air- 
 
 0.76, U pump ; 
 
84 
 
 MINUTES OF EVIDENCE TAKEN BEFORE THE 
 
 G. Gwney, Esq. pump ; a partial vacuum only. The jet also has been used in that way, so as 
 — — — - to produce a very strong power, proportioned to the requirements of the case, 
 25 Ju 'y 3 <\53- f or blowing off litherage in the refinement of silver ; in that case a large quantity 
 of air passes through a very small opening ; and the reason why it passes so 
 freely is, that there is no length of sides or tubes to resist it by friction or 
 other obstruction. So that, in the case of a coal pit, if the area of "the shaft be 
 reduced or " necked," the reduction in the amount of air will not be so great 
 as is generally supposed. I refer the Committee to the experiments of Mr. 
 Faraday on the steam-jet. 
 
 4286. Mr. Locke.'] Your objections to the experiments which were made at 
 fletton are, that no cylinders were used, and that the air actually came down 
 between the spaces ? — Yes, it played round and round ; in the other" case it curled 
 back by the sides of the cylinders. 
 
 4287. Are you aware whether cylinders were used at Killingworth ? — It does 
 not appear that cylinders were used. The steam was let down from the surface ; 
 I think the jets were placed in the naked shaft. 
 
 4288. Chairman.] The Committee understand you to say, thafc you believe 
 more force and more power is attributed to the jet in these tables, than is actually 
 its due, in consequence of the improper way in which the application of the steam- 
 jet was made ? — I do. 
 
 4289. That is your opinion? — It is. 
 
 4290. And the reason you have come to that conclusion is, because the 
 diameters of the cylinders were so much greater in proportion than they ought to 
 have been to the diameters of the steam jets, and therefore that scarcely any per- 
 ceptible power was given to the steam jets?— Clearly, under the pressure of 
 steam used. 
 
 4291. Mr. Locke.] What do you say would be the natural result of the steam- 
 jet, as it was applied by Mr. Nicholas Wood ? — That the air driven up in front of 
 the jet would go round and back again by the sides, to supply the exhaustion 
 below ; forming what is called the "pneumatic flower pot." 
 
 4292. Chairman.] Therefore part of the air would go back again through the 
 cylinders 7 — It would curl round, and go back inside the cylinders.. 
 
 4293. Is there any other branch of the subject to which you desire to call the 
 attention of the Committee ? — Yes ; in regard to the power which is said to have 
 been given to the heat of the boiler fires, and the heat of the waste steam. These 
 forces have been thought to be very considerable, and it is said that the power 
 of the impulse of the jet is very little. That is a great mistake, as I think the 
 tables of Mr. Wood very clearly show. I give Mr. Wood credit for the spirit in 
 which the experiments have been conducted ; and I believe his intention was to 
 arrive at the truth. In making these extensive experiments, Mr. Wood must have 
 had a great many persons under him, all zealous to effect a certain object ; 
 and those men in their zeal, I think, may have interfered unknown to him. In 
 many cases, you will find, upon looking at the tables, that a larger amount of 
 ventilation is produced by a lower level of the water-gauge. That must 
 evidently be a mistake. In regard to the heat of the boiler fires, it will be 
 observed, on looking at the tables, that the disturbance of the water-gauge, pro- 
 duced by the heat of the boiler fires and the steam, amounts to little ; and the 
 experiments show what is really due to the heat when the steam-jets are used at 
 the bottom of the pit. Each table, upon being looked at carefully, shows that 
 the power obtained from the boiler fires, and from the heat alone of the steam, 
 amounted practically to little, and bears out the position that I have always 
 taken, that except as a matter of trifling expense, it matters not whether the jets 
 are placed at the bottom of the pit, or at the top. No doubt they are more 
 economical at the top as far as regards expense ; in the case of life and death, I 
 do not think the difference in the consumption of coals, whether it be more or 
 less, should be considered. 
 
 4294. You think, that with the furnaces at work, and the boiler fires, almost 
 the whole of the quantity of air, and the disturbance of the water-gauge, would 
 be due to the furnaces alone ? — No. My observation applies to where boilers are 
 used below, for the purpose of raising steam to supply the jets. The heat pro- 
 duced by the boilers and the waste steam is said to produce the power in the 
 experiments which have been made. That this was not the case is shown by the 
 result of the experiments made by Mr. Nicholas Wood. The word "furnace," 
 I take to mean the furnace which is expressly used for rarefying the column ; but 
 
SELECT COMMITTEE ON ACCIDENTS IN COAL MINES. 85 
 
 the boiler fire which supplies the jets with steam does not come under the term 
 " fdrnace." This is an important point settled. It certainly has not been brought 
 out clearly before, otherwise I think the mistake would not still exist. 
 
 42Q.5. Mr. Locke.'] Have you studied these tables? — Since Saturday only. 
 
 4296. Have you found that the increase in temperature arising from the 
 putting on of the jets and the boiler fires, is equal to what you expected ? — The 
 temperature produced in the up-cast shaft by the boiler fires necessary to pro- 
 duce the steam for the jets and the waste steam itself amounts very nearly to 
 what 1 supposed, which is very considerably less than is generally believed. 
 
 4297. And it is also considerably less than the other system of ventilation by 
 the furnace ? — Of course. By furnace ventilation, the temperature must be raised 
 high for the purpose of obtaining the buoyancy of the column ; and I should 
 observe now, as I have already observed, that the whole of the air which passes 
 through the pit and up the shaft, must be raised to that temperature, whatever it 
 may be: so that if the quantity of air coming through the pit is double, the 
 quantity of heat must be doubled to bring it up to the temperature. There is a 
 limit to the quantity and power of ventilation on that account. It does not go 
 on ad infinitum. The steam-jet, on the contrary, runs nearly to a vacuum ; but 
 the furnace, from the physical construction and condition of the pit, must be 
 limited both to the quantity of heat it can give out, and the quantity of air it can 
 heat. 
 
 4298. Chairman.'] When you obtained that limit, it w 7 ould be necessary to 
 limit the heat and ventilation of one furnace, either to put up another furnace, 
 or if it was not sufficient, to sink another pit, and put a furnace into another pit ? 
 By another pit you may reduce the drag of the pit, by passing the air through 
 shorter passages ; and so you w 7 ould effect, by the power of another pit and 
 another furnace possibly, all the ventilation you required; if the requirements of 
 the pit is more than you could get by the furnace, some other means must be had 
 recourse to. 
 
 4299. Is there anything else you would wish to state? — I wish to say a few 
 words with regard to a self-registering anemometer. It is said to be practically 
 difficult, if not impossible, to prevent the interference of any person who might 
 be disposed to tamper with it. 
 
 4300. You are of opinion that an anemometer might be placed out of the reach 
 of persons, so that it could not be tampered with ? — It might be so placed as to 
 be out of the reach of all parties, except those who had locks and keys to get at 
 it. The means of doing it, I think, are very simple. 
 
 4301. Describe the means you would suggest in order to effect that object ? — 
 The mode of effecting it w r ould be, to cut a special passage from the spot in 
 which the anemometer register was fixed, round from a point taken before the ane- 
 mometer, and terminating beyond the anemometer; and let the area of that passage 
 be the same as the area of the gallery, so that, by stopping the direct course, the 
 wdiole of the air would go round the loop that short distance. The entrance into 
 that loop might be railed off by iron grating, and locked ; so that no one could 
 get in except the inspector, or a person deputed to open it. When the direct 
 door was shut the whole of the air must go through the loop on the anemometer 
 and when the direct door was open of course it would go directly through, and 
 the anemometer would not be affected ; it would be the interest of all the people 
 in the pit to have the anemometer at work ; they would take great care when- 
 ever they passed to shut the door, placed in the direct passage between the loop 
 ends, after them. The air would then pass through this special passage, which 
 could not be interfered with. An anemometer placed there, I think, would be 
 perfectly safe from interference in any way. 
 
 4302. It would show 7 the amount of air passing in the particular spot where 
 it was placed, but it would not show the amount of ventilation at the faces of the 
 bords where the men w 7 ere working? — No. If it was necessary to do that, the 
 same plan might be adopted ; but I am supposing that the register anemometer, 
 which the Committee of 1852 thought desirable, to be placed in the extreme 
 workings. 
 
 4303. Would it be possible to cut such a passage as you have alluded to round 
 the bords? — They would be necessary only in the permanent air-courses. 
 
 4304. Your opinion is, that it is necessary to rely on the skill and experience 
 of the overman in addition to the anemometer, and not to rely simply on the ane- 
 mometer as a test? — I should only rely on the anemometer as a test in the great 
 
 0.76. l 3 air-courses. 
 
86 
 
 MINUTES OF EVIDENCE TAKEN BEFORE THE 
 
 G, Gumeij, Esq. air-courses. All the splits and divisions must depend on the air going through 
 the great workings. The quantity of air going into a pit, and the quantity going 
 
 25 July 1853, OU £ 0 f m ight be measured by an anemometer so placed, without the 
 
 possible interference of any designing person ; one placed at the extreme working 
 would show what portion was carried round the extreme working. 
 
 4305. Its distribution through the mine must depend on the skill of the over- 
 man? — Yes ; but by an anemometer so placed, you obtain the proportion going 
 round the extreme workings; and if a certain quantity passed the extreme 
 workings, taken with the others, would be a measure of the amount of ventilation 
 going on. 
 
 4306. Is there anything else you wish to state? — I may, perhaps, be allowed 
 to state, that it has been stated in evidence before this Committee that I was 
 invited, with Mr. Forster, to witness the experiments made by Mr. Wood, and 
 therefore somewhat responsible. The understanding in the Committee of 1852 
 was, that if Mr. Wood made experiments, I should be invited to superintend 
 their arrangement, and see that they were made fairly and properly. 1 received 
 no invitation whatever from Mr. Wood for this purpose ; I received from a 
 stranger a lithograph circular, stating that certain experiments w r ere to be made, 
 and that my company was earnestly requested, or something to that effect. I 
 answered it by saying that I could not attend at that time ; I did not see the use 
 of attending to witness experiments, after they had been got up by another 
 person, on which I had not been consulted. The spirit of the engagement was, 
 that I should be invited to superintend and adjust the experiments with Mr. 
 Forster. 
 
 4307. Mr. Locke.] Of what " engagement" are you speaking ? — I should rather 
 say invitation. 
 
 4308. Of what "invitation" are you speaking? — The engagement of Mr. 
 Wood, in the Committee of 1852, to invite me to the experiments that he was 
 about to make. 
 
 4309. Did Mr. Wood invite you or not? — He did not. 
 
 4310. You received a circular ; did you know whether it came from him ? — 
 The circular was signed by a stranger ; whether it came from Mr. Wood or no 
 I did not know. 
 
 431 1. Mr. Wood has stated before this Committee that you received a circular, 
 which probably was lithographed, and similar to those which were sent to other 
 parties? — That was after the experiments were made. I complain that I was 
 not invited to superintend the experiments, or to see that they were fairly made. 
 
 4312. W ould not Mr. Wood, in conducting a series of experiments, wish to 
 conduct them himself? — The understanding in 1852 was, that Mr. Forster and 
 myself were to be invited. There was a promise, on the part of Mr. Wood, that 
 he would invite me and Mr. Forster to superintend and assist the making of the 
 experiments. 
 
 4313. How was that promise given? — In w T orcls, by Mr. Wood. The same 
 occurred in the House of Lords. 
 
 4314. Chairman.] Is it in Mr. Nicholas Wood's evidence before the Com- 
 mittee of 1852, that you find this engagement ? — Yes ; my impression is that it 
 is there stated. 
 
 4315. In Question 1312, Mr. W T ood is asked, " You are now very busy on the 
 subject of these experiments ; with regard to the jet, when it is ready for exa- 
 mination, it is your intention, I understand you to say, to invite Mr. Forster 
 and Mr. Gurney to see it, and you will have it fairly tested ?" The answer is, 
 " My object is to have it pioperly and impartially tested; there is a great doubt 
 hanging over it, and I consider that it ought to be set at rest " ? — I consider that 
 the spirit of what is implied there is, that I should see that the jets were pro- 
 perly arranged. 
 
 4316. You say that you had a lithographed letter from a stranger; did you 
 know, when you received that lithographed letter that it came from Mr. Nicholas 
 Wood ? — No ; I received this lithographed letter at a time when I was very 
 busy ; I saw it was a circular invitation from Durham ; I desired my young man 
 to answer it, and say that I could not attend. 
 
 4317. Did you or not know that the lithographed letter came from Mr. 
 Nicholas Wood, although it was signed by a person with whose name you were- 
 not acquainted ? — My impression was, that it was not Mr. Nicholas Wood's 
 i nvitation 
 
 4318. Mr. 
 
SELECT COMMITTEE ON ACCIDENTS IN COAL MINES. 87 
 
 431 8. Mr. Locke.] The letter purported to be an invitation to you to be present G. Gurney, Esq. 
 
 at some experiments to be conducted by Mr. Nicholas Wood? — It seemed a cir- — 
 
 cular letter of invitation. 25 July 1853. 
 
 4319. The letter invited you to witness some experiments to be conducted by 
 Mr. Nicholas Wood ? — Yes, to the best of my recollection. 
 
 4320. Mr. Ingham.'] The answer which you sent, declining to attend, did not 
 allege as your reason that you were not satisfied that the letter came from Mr. 
 Nicholas Wood, but that you were much engaged ? — I considered that every letter 
 required an answer, and my answer to that letter was, that I could not attend. 
 I could not see the use of going 400 miles to see a set of experiments, which 
 I knew from private information from other quarters, were of no value. 
 
 4321. It was not from any doubt whether or not the invitation came from 
 Mr. Wood ?— It did not enter into my consideration. Possibly, I might have 
 thought that the invitation should have come personally from Mr. Wood, if he 
 had wished me to be present. I certainly was not invited by Mr. Wood to 
 superintend the experiments, or to see that they were properly made, and am 
 therefore in no way accountable for them. 
 
 43' 2 ' 2 - Chairman.^] You received private information that the experiments 
 would not be conducted in a way which you thought would bring out the full 
 power of the steam-jet, and therefore you declined to be present? — I felt no 
 interest in it ; I had no motive in putting myself to the inconvenience and 
 expense of going 400 miles ; my time is of value to me. 
 
 4323. Mr. Caylty '.] Have you anything to correct in reference to your evi- 
 dence given at the last meeting of the Committee, with regard to the effect of 
 the steam-jet fixed at the upper end of the down-cast, in case of an explosion *? — 
 Yes; I neglected to state that the great advantage of the application of the 
 steam-jet at the top of the clown-cast, in case of an explosion, would be to 
 enable men to follow the fresh air driven down, and to restore the stoppings as 
 they went along, so that the air might be driven round to displace the after-damp 
 which may have. been collected in other parts of the pit. The stoppings in case 
 of explosion,, I stated, were generally blown away; and if the steam-jet, the 
 furnace, or any other ventilating power, was applied to the up-cast, the air would 
 run the short course from the down-cast to the up-cast, without going through 
 the workings to where the mischief existed. I stated, that if a steam-jet was 
 applied to the down-cast, and made to force the air in, it would drive the air 
 down the down-cast, and it would pass direct into the up-cast. I neglected to 
 state, that men might, with safety follow the fresh current, and restore the 
 stoppings, and by that means drive fresh air round the workings, expel the after 
 or choke damp, and, arrive in time to save life. 
 
 4324. Will you explain the difference between high and low pressure steam, 
 with regard to the rate at which they severally move the jet ? — There is a great 
 mistake existing which has appeared in evidence on that point ; whether steam 
 be four or five atmospheres, or whether it be water, provided it be a given 
 quantity, say a cubic foot, and has to pass out in a given time, through a given 
 size cylinder or pipe, it would go at the same rate ; but if high elastic steam, 
 namely, steam of high pressure, when it came nearer the end of the cylinder or 
 pipe, it would expand, and go on with an increasing velocity, and escape into the 
 air, at a far greater rate than if it was low pressure ; consequently the escape of 
 the steam into the air, which produces the jet, is far greater from high pressure 
 than from low pressure ; but the rate at which the steam passes through the 
 feed-pipe is the same. 
 
 4325. Will you explain how the principle of the steam-jet is connected with 
 the laws of motion ?-— The action of the steam-jet is founded on the first law of 
 motion, namely, that bodies in motion go on for ever, unless they are stopped by 
 something-. The air is set in motion by the steam-jet, and it would go on under 
 this law at the same rate until it was stopped by some opposing force. The only 
 opposing force when it is so started, it meets with, is the surrounding atmos- 
 phere at rest; the surrounding atmosphere is set in motion, it receives a portion 
 of its momentum and falls into the stream ; this stream like the first, continues 
 to meet with air at rest, to set it in motion, and so on, until the first force is 
 stopped <_>r balanced. By this means the full motive power of the steam is 
 obtained ; if properly applied, there can be no doubt it is the most simple and the 
 most perfect mechanical pouer for producing ventilation. If improperly applied, 
 
 0.7O. l 4 as 
 
88 
 
 MINUTES OF EVIDENCE TAKEN BEFORE THE 
 
 G. Gurttey, Esq. as I have stated in a previous part of my evidence, for certain purposes, it would 
 
 '. fail under this imperfection, but not under the laws of its motion. 
 
 25 July j 853. 4326. Is the steam jet now applied to boats as well as locomotives ? — The 
 steam jet is applied to almost every steam boat on the river. It was first applied, 
 as stated in evidence in the Lords, on the Garonne, in France, to increase the 
 power of the steam-engine to stem the torrent. It has only been so applied 
 generally here within the last few years. It is applied to the boat of the river, 
 as a means of competition between different rival boats, for the purpose of gaining 
 speed, obtaining quick fire, and other advantages. It is being extended, I believe, 
 to the navy. It has been introduced in four French war steam vessels, and I " 
 have no doubt will shortly be introduced in ours. 
 
 4327. You have stated that a high disturbance of the water gauge has been 
 practically obtained. Have you anything further to state on that point ? — I have 
 stated, in my former evidence, a case which may be considered frivolous, namely, 
 that of cupping ; it was to show the height of mercury ; as the word "practically" 
 was somewhat misunderstood, I should explain that it has been applied for the 
 purpose of refining silver, and for the purpose of forming the Salts of Crome, 
 to the blast furnaces and various other purposes ; the power has been got up in 
 these cases, to about eight or ten inches of the water gauge. 
 
 4328. Have you any further opinion to give on the subject of the safety lamp? 
 — My opinion of the safety lamp has not been changed. I have the same opinion 
 now that I had in 1835. 
 
 4329. Chairman.'] Are you practically acquainted with the safety lamp in coal 
 mines ? — I am not practically acquainted with coal mines so far. 
 
 4330. Have you ever entered into any series of experiments with safety lamps 
 from the gas generated in coal mines ? — I have. 
 
 4331. In a coal mine? — Not in the mine, but with gas taken out of a mine, 
 which I have taken out myself. I should observe, in answer to that question, 
 that it has been lately found that the fire-damp in coal-pits often contains olifiant 
 or bi-carburetted hydrogen gas, and that olifiant or bi-carburetted hydrogen gas 
 is more inflammable than the common carburetted hydrogen gas ; it is pos- 
 sible, practically, the safety lamp may be less safe on that account. The experi- 
 ments which 1 heard described by Mr. Wood, do not apply to the working 
 condition of a pit. The current which he used was a uniformly increasing 
 current, whereas it is found the sudden change of the current, that found in an 
 eddy, which produces the greatest danger. 
 
 4332. Mr. H ood distinctly stated that he could not get up a heat sufficient to 
 explode the lamp under any circumstances, except by gradually increasing the 
 current ? — If he had jerked, or changed the current, it would have exploded. It 
 explodes at four feet rate of current, at a red heat. The known conditions 
 under which the lamp explodes are not new. They have been repeated over 
 and over again by the first men of the age, before 1835 up to the present time. 
 In the evidence of 1835, at least 20 scientific men, including Dr. Birkbeck, 
 Dr. Murray, and Dr. Pereira, and others, went through the experiments and 
 showed them to the Committee. 
 
 4333. Where?— At the University. 
 
 4334. Not in a coal mine ? — No ; they were better made than they could 
 have been in a coal mine. 
 
 43fi5- Mr. Locke.'] Are you aware that it has been alleged, since these experi- 
 ments were made, that the Davy lamp is unsafe? — Yes ; I am aware of it from 
 the evidence of 1852, and also from the reports that I have seen. 
 
 4336. Have you any opinion to give as to the security or otherwise of the 
 Davy lamp? — 1 think that the lamp is perfectly secure in a still atmosphere, and 
 that it is perfectly secure in motion when the fire-damp has not arrived at the 
 most inflammable point, and the wire gauze to a red heat, but that it is not safe 
 when the fire-damp has arrived at the explosive mixture, or four to one. 
 
 4337. Have you read the evidence of Mr. Wood on that subject? — I heard 
 his evidence. 
 
 4338. Are you of opinion that it is a safe lamp to be used under the circum- 
 stances, and within the limits recommended by Mr. Wood ? — No ; I think the 
 experiments of Mr. Wood were made under a uniformly increasing current, 
 never found in a coal pit, whereas the great danger is from the retrograde. It 
 was by the retrograde that the lamp exploded in the hands of Sir Humphry 
 
 Davy. 
 
SELECT COMMITTEE ON ACCIDENTS IN COAL MINES. 
 
 Davy. It was also under those circumstances and conditions that it exploded G. Gmney, Esq. 
 
 at the Westminster Gas Works; and 1 think there is evidence in 1835, 1849, — 
 
 and 1852, to show that it must have exploded under those circumstances in 25 July 1853. 
 
 coal-pits. 
 
 4339. Chairman.'] Did you hear Mr. Wood state that a series of experiments 
 had been made by Mr. Johnson, by moving the lamp backward and forward, 
 and so performing the retrograde movement to which you allude ? — 1 did not. 
 
 4340. If Mr. Wood so stated, and that under no circumstances the lamp 
 would explode with retrograde motion, would it alter your opinion? — No; 
 because I have seen it done, and I would rather believe what I see than what 
 I hear. You are treading on dangerous ground. 
 
 4341. If Mr. Wood stated that this gentleman instituted a series of experi- 
 ments, moving the lamp backward and forward, and performing the retrograde 
 motion, which you state is the motion from which the danger accrues, and that 
 under no circumstances whatever could he get any of the lamps to explode, 
 that would not alter your opinion? — -Not the slightest ; I have made more expe- 
 riments on this subject, perhaps, than any man living, and because I have seen 
 the experiment repeated by three or four different parties ; when one person 
 succeeded another did not. 
 
 4342. Did you ever see experiments of that kind made in a mine? — No; 
 and I think no man would dare to try such experiments in a mine. 
 
 Tiiomas Emerson Forster, Esq., called in ; and Examined. 
 
 4343. Chairman.'] YOU are Viewer and Manager of Coal Mines?— I am. T.E. Forster, Esq. 
 
 4344. You are very extensively employed? — I am. 1 
 434,3. With the exception of Mr. Nicholas Wood, you are more extensively 
 
 employed than any other person in the profession? — Probably I may be. 
 
 4346. You are extensively employed in the counties of Durham and Northum- 
 berland ? — Yes. 
 
 4347. You have had great experience in the direction of colliery operations? 
 — Yes. 
 
 4.348. Has your attention been particularly called to the ventilation of mines? 
 —Yes. 
 
 4349. What is your opinion as to ventilation by furnace and steam-jet? — 
 I have both systems employed at my collieries. At Seaton Delaval, the steam- 
 jet is employed. 
 
 43.50. In how many pits have you employed the furnace, and in how many 
 pits have you employed the steam-jet? — I have only employed the steam-jet in 
 Seaton Delaval Colliery. 
 
 43.=)]. In how many collieries have you employed the furnace? — Six. 
 
 43,52. To which do you give the. preference in ventilation ? — At Seaton Dalaval 
 I like the steam-jet. 
 
 4353- Why do you prefer the steam-jet at Seaton Delaval, and not use it at 
 other pits ? — Because at. Seaton Delaval I had an engine placed under ground, 
 to which I could easily attach the steam-jet, whereas at some of the other collieries 
 I have not. 
 
 43 54. Did you ever ventilate Seaton Delaval Colliery by the furnace ? — Yes. 
 
 43,5,5. Did you find that you could not obtain sufficient ventilation to supply 
 the requirements of the pit by the furnace ? — With two furnaces I only got 
 53,000 cubic feet per minute ; whilst according to the last measurement, on the 
 18th of May, the steam-jet, which I employ at present, was 88,363 cubic feet 
 per minute. 
 
 43,56. In ventilation with the furnaces, how many up-casts had you ? — I had 
 two up casts at that time, whereas with the steam-jet I have only one at present. 
 4357. How many down-casts ? — Four. 
 
 43.58. Of what size are your furnaces? — The furnaces I think were eight or 
 nine feet furnaces. 
 
 43.59. What length? — Six feet. 
 
 4360. What is the amount of ventilation by the furnaces ? — Fifty-three thou- 
 sand cubic feet per minute. 
 
 436 1 . Is that the highest amount of ventilation which ever was gained by the 
 furnace in a particular pit ? — That is the highest amount of ventilation I could 
 get at Seaton Delaval Colliery. 
 
 0.76. M 4362. Can 
 
90 
 
 MINUTES OF EVIDENCE TAKEN BEFORE THE 
 
 T. E. Forster, Esq. 4362. Can you state why you could not obtain a higher amount of ventila- 
 
 tion by the furnace at Seaton Delaval? — I do not know; there were two fur- 
 
 25 July 1853. naces and two up-casts. After I had seen the experiments at the Polytechnic 
 that year with the steam-jet, I thought it was desirable to place it at Seaton 
 Delaval, where I could do it at comparatively a trifling expense • I did so ; and 
 I get this large amount of ventilation. 
 
 4363. In any other of your collieries, have you a larger amount of ventilation 
 passing b}^ the furnace, than you obtained at Seaton Delaval ? — Yes. 
 
 4364. Therefore there is something in the Seaton Delaval pit which pre- 
 vented the application of the furnace being successful ? — The other pits to which 
 1 allude, as having a greater amount of ventilation by the furnace, are differently 
 circumstanced altogether; there is a much larger up-cast shaft. 
 
 4365. What is the size of the up-cast shaft at Seaton Delaval? — Eight feet. 
 
 4366. If you had increased the size of the up-cast shaft in Seaton Delaval 
 Colliery, do you think you would have obtained a greater amount of ventilation ? 
 — Probably I might have got more ventilation by the furnace. 
 
 4367. "Would that have been attended with great risk and expense? — Yes. 
 
 4368. In consequence of difficulty from water breaking into the pit ? — No ; we 
 have no tubbing in at Seaton Delaval. 
 
 4369. What was the state of the ventilation at Seaton Delaval Colliery, when 
 you ventilated by furnaces alone ? — It was not sufficient to clear the mine 
 of gas. 
 
 4370. Were your collieries not in a safe state r — I did not consider them to be 
 in a safe state. 
 
 4371. Had you any accidents? — I think we had none, with the exception of 
 a man getting burnt j but I was working with a safety lamp in an explosive 
 mixture, which I did not like at all. 
 
 4372. A mixture in which you would not have dared to work with a naked 
 light ; — By no means. 
 
 4373. How long have you had the steam-jet in operation ? — Since December 
 1848. 
 
 4374. In your evidence before the Committee of 1852, you stated that you 
 had had the steam-jet in operation four or five years; have you applied more 
 jets since that time, or do you still continue the same form of steam-jet as you 
 then had ? — I have a few more now than I had at that time. 
 
 4375. You stated in your evidence of 1852, that you had applied 25 jets? — 
 Yes! 
 
 4376. How many jets have you now applied ?— Thirty-three. 
 
 4377. Are the diameters the same as those to which you alluded in 1852 ? — 
 They are 3-16ths of an inch. 
 
 4378. Were they 3-16ths of an inch in 1852? — No; I think not quite; they 
 failed, and I was obliged to get new ones. 
 
 4379. Is every other condition of the pit similar to what it was in 1852, 
 except that you have increased the number of jets ? — Except that the workings 
 have extended much further. 
 
 4380. Have they extended greatly ? — There have been 12 months' working, 
 and we take out 200,000 tons each year. 
 
 4381. What is the thickness of your seam ? — About five feet. 
 
 4382. Over how many acres does it extend ? — I fancy we take out about 40 
 acres in a year. 
 
 4383. Consequently you would have a greater number of goaves ?— Yes. 
 
 4384. How far on from the shaft have you got? — We are spreading in all 
 directions. Perhaps the most northern part of the colliery has not gone further 
 than it was last year, but we have gone further east and west. 
 
 4385. Is east and west the level course ?— No. 
 
 4386. Mr. Locke.] Can you state the aggregate length of the airways? — At 
 Seaton Delaval, 14 miles. . 
 
 4387. Chairman.] In your evidence in 1852, you stated that you obtained by 
 the steam-jet 85,000 cubic feet of air per minute?— Yes ; and I am now getting 
 nearly 90,000. 
 
 4358. In consequence of increasing the number of jets from 25 to S3 t — Xes. 
 
 4359. Mr. Cayley.] Is there any material increase in the cost ?— No. 
 
 4390. Mr. Locke.] You burn more coal ?— The engine is obliged to be there, 
 
 whether the jets are on or not. . 
 
 4391. Chairman.] 
 
SELECT COMMITTEE ON ACCIDENTS IN COAL MINES. 
 
 4391. Chairman.'] Is the steam which is used in the jets that which has been T. E. Fonder, Esq. 
 
 used by the working of the engine?- -No; it goes direct from the boiler to the 
 
 jets. 25 July 1853. 
 
 4392. If you use steam separately for the jets, must you not burn more coal 
 to produce that steam ? — Yes ; there must be more coal used to raise that 
 steam. 
 
 4393. And therefore, of course, there is some increase of cost? - Yes. 
 
 4394. In a coal pit you do not take coals as being of great value, and you give 
 your evidence with reference to the value put on coal at the bottom of a pit ? — 
 We burn nothing but small coal. 
 
 4395. You do not consider small coal of any value ? — It is of value, certainly ; 
 but not of so much value as the round coal. 
 
 4396. You stated in 1852 that you had had no explosion or accident since the 
 establishment of the steam-jet ; since that period have you had any explosion or 
 accident ? — None. 
 
 4397. Is Seaton Delaval Colliery in a satisfactory state as regards ventilation ? 
 — Perfectly. 
 
 4398. Can you institute a comparison of the ventilation between Seaton 
 Delaval Colliery and any of the collieries in the neighbourhood of a similar 
 extent?— Yes; I should like to compare Seaton Delaval Colliery with Mr. 
 Wood's colliery at Killingworth. 
 
 4.-,99. Are they of the same extent? — I should think the Seaton Delaval 
 Colliery is of greater extent than Killingworth ; they are about four miles and 
 a half apart, and perhaps Mr. Wood's seam is a foot thicker. 
 
 4400. What is the depth of each from the surface ?— Seaton Delaval is 106 
 fathoms, and I think Killingworth is 175 or 180 fathoms. 
 
 4401. There would therefore be more gas in all probability in Killingworth 
 than in Seaton Delaval ? — Yes ; but I am not comparing it as to the gas, but as 
 to the quantity of air. 
 
 4402. iVi r. Locke.'] The quantity of air which is drawn through Killingworth 
 Colliery is not so great as the quantity which is drawn through Seaton Delaval 
 Colliery ? — No ; they have the furnace with a ventilation of 33,000 cubic feet 
 per minute ; and I have the steam-jet at Seaton Delaval with a ventilation of 
 88,000, or 90.000 cubic feet per minute. That shows that my mode of ventilation 
 at Seaton Delaval is superior to Mr. Wood's at Killingworth, with the furnace, 
 inasmuch as I have 88,000 or 90,000 cubic feet per minute, which is more ex- 
 tensive than that which Mr. Wood obtains at Killingworth, with his furnaces, 
 where he only gets about 33,000 cubic feet per minute. 
 
 4403. Chairman] At Great Hetton, is not the quantity of air passing through 
 the mine nearly 210,000 cubic feet per minute : — Yes. 
 
 4404. Do you attribute the greater amount of air passing through Seaton 
 Delaval than that which passes through Killingworth, entirely to the operation 
 of the steam -jets ? — I do not know that I would ; I think probably that some- 
 thing may be due to the size of the air passages. 
 
 4405. Then you do not draw the attention of the Committee to this compa- 
 rison, in order to illustrate the superior power of the steam-jet ? — I think that 
 Mr. Wood, with his furnaces, ought to have as large a ventilation at Killing- 
 worth as I have at Seaton Delaval. 
 
 4406. Mr. Locke.] Does the depth of the shafts, in your judgment, make a 
 difference ? — The greater the depth of the shafts, the greater will be the venti- 
 lating power. 
 
 4407. Do you think that Mr. Wood, by his mode of ventilation, ought to 
 have passed more air through Killingworth than you passed through Seaton 
 Delaval ? — Yes. 
 
 4408. You obtained 53,000 cubic feet ? — Yes, by the furnace ; but now I 
 obtain nearly 90,000 cubic feet per minute by the steam-jet. 
 
 4409. Do you recollect the depth of the Hetton Mine ? — The Hetton old pit 
 is about 150 fathoms. 
 
 4410. That is a medium depth between Hetton and Seaton Delaval? — Yes. 
 
 4411. Do you know how many furnaces Mr. Wood uses at Killingworth? — 
 One, I believe, but I am not sure. 
 
 4412. Do you know what number he employs at Hetton ? — Three. 
 
 4413. Do you suppose, that if he employed three furnaces at Killingworth, 
 he would obtain an increase of ventilating power ? — Probably he might ; but 
 
 0.76. m 2 while. 
 
I' 
 
 92 MINUTES OF EVIDENCE TAKEN BEFORE THE 
 
 T. E. I'orskr, Esq. while he has three furnaces at Hetton, I do not consider that his ventilation is 
 . good at the extremities. 
 
 25 July 1853. 4414. You say it is 200,000 cubic feet per minute?— Yes ; still that does not 
 show that his pit is in a good state ; and I say it is not. 
 
 4415. In your judgment, would the application of the same furnaces at 
 Killingworth which Mr. Wood has employed at Hetton have increased his venti- 
 lating power? — 1 fancy that they would. 
 
 4416. At Seaton Delaval you obtained 53,000 cubic feet of air per minute by 
 your two furnaces r — Yes. 
 
 4417. Did you ever apply three furnaces? — No. 
 
 4418. In your opinion, what would have been the effect of employing three 
 furnaces ? — I think that in all probability I might have obtained an increased 
 quantit} r . 
 
 44 1 9. What quantity do you suppose you might have got by another furnace ? 
 — 1 cannot tell; perhaps 10,000 or 15,000 cubic feet per minute. 
 
 4420. You say that you had two up-cast shafts at Seaton Delaval r — I had at 
 that time. 
 
 4421. Did you employ both your furnaces at one shaft 1 — No. 
 
 4422. At Killingworth there is only one up-cast? — There is a very large up- 
 cast shaft. 
 
 4423. At Seaton Delaval, is there a large up-cast? — No; it is only eight 
 feet. 
 
 4424. What was the object of doing away with your second up-cast ? — Because 
 the steam-engine was used at the bottom of the other up-cast ; I could not applv 
 the steam-jets in the other from that boiler. 
 
 4425. Did you close up the other up-cast entirely ?— Yes. 
 
 4426. At Seaton Delaval are the jets placed at the bottom of the pit or at the 
 top ? — At the bottom. 
 
 4427. You have 33 jets? — Yes. 
 
 4428. They are 3-16ths of an inch in diameter* — Yes. 
 
 4429. /\re they placed in cylinders ? — No. 
 
 4430. They are in an open shaft ? — Yes. 
 
 4431 . Has the air in the steam-jet free access to pass between them ? — Yes. 
 
 4432. Do you think that is an advantageous mode of applying the steam-jet? 
 — No ; I think that if there were cylinders they would be much better ; and 1 do 
 not think we have arrived at the true mode of applying the jets correctly. 
 
 4433. Have you any apprehension that the air passes down the pit instead of 
 going up? — It could not, at the bottom of the pit. If the jets had been placed at 
 the top of the pit, it would have done so, because I have tried it. 
 
 4434. Have you tried it with the same arrangement of the jets? — Yes; and 
 I have also tried it at the top of the pit with cylinders ; and when any of the jets 
 did not act, the air descended immediately down the cylinder. 
 
 443.5. What is the space between your jets, as they are arranged in your 
 present workings? — Eight feet in diameter; and there are 33 jets. 
 
 4436. Eight of your jets, taking the outer circle of the shaft, must be nearly 
 three feet asunder ? — Yes. 
 
 4437. You have no apprehension that any air passes down between those jets? 
 — It could not, at the bottom of the pit. 
 
 4438. You think that without cylinders, or anything else, this is as good a 
 mode of applying the steam-jet as any that you have seen ? — I do not think that 
 we have arrived at the true mode of applying the jets. My opinion is, that if 
 cylinders were placed on the jets, it would be still better. 
 
 4439. ^ re y° u aw are that Mr. Wood, in his recent experiments, employed 
 cylinders? — No; I have not read his book. 
 
 4440. Have you heard that he tried cylinders at Hetton? — No; I cannot state 
 that of my own knowledge. 
 
 4441. At all events, you are satisfied with the practice you have acquired 
 during the last four years ; and although you may not think it is the very best 
 mode which may hereafter be adopted, yet it is the best mode you know at pre- 
 sent of applying it ? — Yes. 
 
 4442. You say you have 14 miles of air courses ; do you recollect what is 
 your water gauge at Seaton Delaval ?— One inch and a half, which is equal to 
 8 lbs. per square foot. 
 
 4443. Do 
 
SELECT COMMITTEE ON ACCIDENTS IN COAL MINES. 93 
 
 4443. Do you generally work at one inch and a half water gauge at Seaton t.E. Forster,~E&: 
 Del aval ? — Yes. * 
 
 4444. Have you the means of trying that experiment during several times in 2 5 Jul y 1853. 
 the clay ? — You may try it the whole day, because (he water gauge might remain 
 
 in the separation door between the down cast air and the return air. 
 
 4445. Is the one inch and a half water gauge the result of one observation, or 
 of many observations? — It was in the door during the time I was making those 
 experiments, and it never altered. 
 
 4446. What experiments are you alluding to? — I mean on the day that I mea- 
 sured the air, namely, the 18th of May. 
 
 4447. Have you got those experiments in a tabulated form, which you can hand 
 
 in? — Yes. {The Witness delivered in the same.) Vide Appendix. 
 
 4448. Chairman.'] The amount or air that you have spoken of, namely, 88,000 
 cubic feet, is due to the jets and the rarefaction of the boiler fires ? — No doubt of it. 
 
 4449. Is there any gas apparatus in your pit ? — Yes ; but I think there was 
 only one retort on the day the experiment was tried. 
 
 4450. That would add to the heat ? — Yes. 
 
 4451. Have you instituted any experiments in Seaton Delaval Colliery, with 
 the steam-jet, without the aid of the rarefaction caused by the boiler fires ? — 
 I could not do that, because the engine is constantly at work. 
 
 4452. Mr. Locke. ~] Did you ever try the contrary, namely, by keeping the fires 
 burning and not issuing the steam-jets? — Yes. 
 
 44.53. What did you get by that ? —Considerably less. 
 
 4454. Mr. H. A. Bruce.] Less than you got by the furnaces ? — No. 
 
 4455. Mr. Locke.] Do you still get as much by your boiler fires as you 
 originally obtained by your two furnaces ? — Yes; but I cannot speak correctly to it. 
 
 44,56. Does not that go to show that there is considerable effect from the 
 boiler fires ? — There is no question of it. 
 
 4457. Are they large boiler fires? — No. 
 
 4458. What is the size of the boilers ? — Two of them are 26 feet long by six 
 feet in diameter, and two of them are 30 feet long by five feet in diameter ; and 
 three of those boilers are daily at work, loaded 35 lbs. to the inch. 
 
 4459. What is the work the engine has to do ? — The engine has to draw 
 about 900 tons per day, along a plane 2,200 yards long. 
 
 4460. Is it inclined? — There are only 12 feet difference between the shaft and 
 the extremity. 
 
 4461. The boilers would not require to be of that size, except for ventilating 
 purposes ?— I should not like to depend on less boilers than three for the work- 
 ing of the engine, because if anything occurred to a boiler the work would be 
 entirely stopped, the great bulk of the colliery work coming from that direction. 
 
 4462. Chairman.] Js it a high-pressure engine? — Yes. 
 
 4463. Does the whole of the exhausted steam go up the pit ? — Yes. 
 
 4464. Mr. Locke.'] So that, in point of fact, you have one boiler extra only for 
 the steam-jet ? — Yes. 
 
 4465. Mr. Cay ley.] Were these boiler fires as well adapted for ventilating 
 purposes as the original furnaces which you had there ? — No ; when they were 
 erected they were not intended for ventilating power. 
 
 4466. Have you reason to believe that you have the same ventilating power 
 as you obtained from the furnaces? — I think a long way on. 
 
 4467. Of the 90,000 and odd cubic feet of air per minute, which you now 
 obtain, how much do you attribute to the steam-jet, and how much do you attri- 
 bute to the boiler fires ? — 
 
 446 S. You have stated that 53,000 cubic feet of air per minute was the utmost 
 you could obtain by means of the furnaces ? — Yes. 
 
 4469. Were your air-courses good ? — Yes. 
 
 4470. Are they better now than they were before i — I think they are much 
 about the same. They may be, perhaps, a little more now. 
 
 4471. If you applied more jets to the Seaton Delaval shafts, do you consider 
 you could increase the 90,000 cubic feet with your new jets ? — Yes ; I believe 
 that if the number of jets were increased, we should get a greater quantity of air. 
 
 4472. What limit would attach to the increase that you could get by increas- 
 ing the number of jets ? — That I cannot state. 
 
 4473. What ma^p« you fancy that you do not now apply the jet in the best 
 0.76. m 3 manner ? — 
 
94 
 
 MINUTES OF EVIDENCE TAKEN BEFORE THE 
 
 T. J£. Forster, Esq. manner? — My opinion is that, as I stated before, if the jets were placed in 
 cylinders, we should get a greater power. 
 July 1853. 4474. Does the effect depend on the mode in which the jets are applied to 
 the cylinders, or upon the striking distances ? — Yes. 
 
 4475. Do you think that the jets might be so applied, even when cylinders 
 were used, that there might be a loss of power?- Yes ; but I think that by the 
 cylinders we should get an increased power. 
 
 4476. Have you ever consulted Mr. Gurney upon the best mode of using the 
 steam-jet ? — Yes. 
 
 4477. Do you consider Mr. Gurney a good authority? — Yes. The use of 
 cylinders was Mr. Gurney 's suggestion. I believe they have been applied at 
 some alkali works at Shields, where, I have been told, an immense quantity of 
 air has been obtained. 
 
 4478. Do you allude to some alkali works which were a great nuisance from 
 an offensive smell? — Yes ; but 1 am not sufficiently acquainted with the subject 
 to give any information upon it. I have had an invitation from Mr. Bell, of 
 South Shields, to go down and see it, and he says that he is quite satisfied, that 
 if we applied the jets in the way they are applied at his alkali works, we should 
 get four or five times the power which we now obtain. 
 
 4479. Mr. Ingham.'] You allude to Mr. Bell, at the Don Alkali Works ? — Yes. 
 
 4480. Mr. Cayley.] Having got this increased ventilation by means of the jet, 
 at Seaton Delaval Mine, why did you not apply it to other mines ? -- Because all 
 the other mines, with the exception of South Hetton, do not require any more 
 ventilation than they have. 
 
 4481. Are the shafts deep : —Not very deep, but the quantity of gas is not 
 very great ; for instance, at Netherton there is nothing but carbonic acid gas. 
 
 4482. Is Seaton Delaval your most fiery mine ? — Yes ; it makes a great deal 
 of gas. 
 
 4483. If the Seaton Delaval shaft was as large as that of Hetton, what amount 
 of ventilation could you get by the steam-jet, as at present applied? — I should 
 think we might very easily double it. 
 
 4484. Do you know the Hetton Pits ? — Yes ; and 1 know also that the Hetton 
 Company are about to sink another pit, because they are not satisfied with the 
 ventilation in one of their pits which is worked by furnaces. 
 
 4485. Notwithstanding the evidence that Mr. Wood has given as to the 
 satisfactory state of the ventilation in the Hetton Pits, the proprietors are not 
 satisfied? — It was Mr. Wood's own suggestion that another pit should be sunk. 
 
 4486. Did Mr. Wood try any experiments at Seaton Delaval mine? — No. 
 
 4487. Mr. Ingham.'] Do you know the cause of the pit being sunk at Hetton ? 
 —Yes. 
 
 4488. Chairman.] Do you know, of your own knowledge, that Mr. Wood has 
 recommended the sinking of another shaft at Hetton, in consequence of the 
 ventilation being defective ?— Yes ; because I represent the Hon. Mrs. Cochrane, 
 one of the owners of the colliery ; and I am one of the committee to manage the 
 colliery. 
 
 4489. Mr. Cayley.] Is one inch and a half all the effect that you have ever 
 produced on the water gauge by the steam-jet ? — Yes, at Seaton Delaval. 
 
 4490. Do you believe that you could increase that effect? — The air passages 
 are pretty clear, or else we should probably raise it more ; the greater the drag, 
 the higher the water gauge would go. 
 
 4491. Mr. Locke.] Is not the 88,363 cubic feet of air per minute, taken 
 through Seaton Delaval Colliery, derived from two or three sources, namely, 
 that which is brought along the engine plane, and that which is brought along 
 the Victoria drift?— Yes. 
 
 4492. Is there also a quantity of 17,250 cubic feet for boiler fires ? — Yes. 
 
 4493. What does that mean?— That feeds the boiler fires. 
 
 4404. Where was it estimated? — It was measured between the bottom of the 
 down-cast, and where it goes to the engine fires. 
 
 4495. There are three drifts?— The up-cast pit, where the engine is placed, is 
 about 60 yards from the down cast shaft; and it was measured between the 
 down -cast shaft and the doors leading to. the boiler fires. 
 
 4496. Then, in point of fact, that which is taken from the boiler fires has gone 
 directly from the down-cast to the up-cast ?— Yes. It does not go into the 
 workings at all. That is the quantity which is going down the down -cast pits- 
 
 4497. And 
 
SELECT COMMITTEE ON ACCIDENTS IN COAL MINES. 
 
 95 
 
 4497. And therefore, the quantity of air going through the mine by the T. E. Fortter, Esq. 
 engine plane and the Victoria drift would be about 70,000 feet? — Yes. 
 
 44yS. You have stated that Hetton Colliery was not in a satisfactory state of 25 July 1853. 
 ventilation ; does the satisfactory state of the ventilation of a pit depend on 
 the quantity of air passing down the pit ? — No. If it is not carried to the 
 extreme of the workings, the pit cannot be well ventilated. 
 
 4499. Mr. Cay ley.] Do you think that Mr. Wood does not know how to 
 distribute the air when he gets it ? — I think he knows that very well. 
 
 Martis, 26° die Julii, 1853. 
 
 Mr. Hutchins. 
 Mr. Ingham. 
 Mr. Cay ley. 
 Mr. Mostyn. 
 
 MEMBERS PRESENT. 
 
 Mr. H. A. Bruce. 
 Mr. Cobbett. 
 Mr. Locke. 
 
 EDWARD J. HUTCHINS, Esq., in the Chair. 
 
 Thomas Emerson Forster, Esq., called in; and further Examined. 
 
 4500. Chairman.] YOU stated yesterday, that you had not read Mr. Nicholas r. E. Forster, E«q. 
 Wood's pamphlet? — No. 
 
 4501. You have heard of the experiments of Mr. Nicholas Wood ? — Yes. 36 July 1853. 
 
 4502. Have you any doubt that those experiments were conducted by Mr. 
 Nicholas Wood, to the best of his judgment, to arrive at the most satisfactory 
 results that could be obtained, and to give himself a fair knowledge of the best 
 system of ventilation ? — I have no doubt that he took every pains for that pur- 
 pose, and we are much indebted to him for the great labour he has bestowed 
 upon the subject. 
 
 4503. Whether the steam-jet is the best system of ventilation, or whether the 
 furnace is the best mode of ventilation, have all these experiments and inquiries 
 done great good, as tending to improve ventilation generally in collieries in the 
 north of England? — I have no doubt they will do a great deal of good. 
 
 4504. Mr. Locke.] It appears by the paper which you delivered in yesterday, 
 wherein you put down 88,363 feet of air as being carried through Seaton Delaval 
 mine, that 17,250 feet of the 88,363 feet pass directly from the downcast shaft to 
 the boiler fires? — No doubt of it. 
 
 4505. Then thai quantity, in point of fact, performs no service in the ventila- 
 tion of the mine ? — Except feeding the boiler fires. 
 
 4506. And, in point of fact, instead of 88,363 feet passing through the mine, 
 there are only 71,000 feet passing through the mine, beneficially speaking ? — 
 Exactly so. 
 
 4507. 1 )o you think it is an advantage to take the air which supplies the 
 boiler fires directly from the downcast shaft, without letting it intermix with 
 the impure gas of the mine ? — Yes ; we could not raise the steam with the 
 return air. 
 
 4508. When you had the furnace at the mine wherein you produced 53,000 
 feet, as you stated yesterday, did you use the pure air along the drift, or did 
 you take it from the mine ? — The return air went over the furnace at that time. 
 
 4509. Then, in point of fact, you never instituted a comparison in reference 
 to the furnace and the jet, by using the pure air in the one case as well as in 
 the other? — Never; but my opinion is, that even with the furnace, if the first 
 of the air was applied to the furnace, and the return air went into the shaft 
 without going over the furnace, a greater quantity of air would be obtained 
 through the workings of the mine. 
 
 4510. Then you think there is an advantage in keeping the impure air of the 
 mine away from the boiler fires for the use of the steam-jet, and from the fur- 
 naces, for the purpose of raising the ventilation by that means ? — Yes, for two 
 reasons : first, there is a greater pressure on the fires, and consequently the fires 
 would burn better; and, secondly, in case of the pit getting foul, if the furnaces 
 were fed by the fresh air, no accident could happen. 
 
 0.76. m 4 451 1. Do 
 
96 MINUTES OF EVIDENCE TAKEN BEFORE THE 
 
 T. E. F order, Est*. 45 I I. Do you think it is better to give up that proportion of air which the 
 fires consume, in order to obtain the greater advantage of having more oxygen 
 26 July 1853. in the air to begin with, to escape the danger arising from the chance of 
 accident? — Yes ; but I believe that a greater quantity of air would be obtained 
 down the pir. 
 
 4552. You think that the free combustion would compensate for any loss of 
 that kind ? — Yes. 
 
 4513. It appears from a calculation that you have made in the paper that 
 you have delivered in, that you consider that the heat arising from the fires 
 under your boilers is the same amount as the steam-jet? — Nearly so. 
 
 4514. The effect, according to your opinion, of the heat producing the venti- 
 lation in Seaton Delaval colliery, was in the proportion of about 51 i per cent., 
 while the mechanical action of the jet, according to your opinion, was about 
 48| per cent.? — Yes ; according to the measurement that I made at the time. 
 
 4515. Was. that ascertained by shutting off the steam-jets, and then measur- 
 ing the air with the boilers at work ? — Yes. 
 
 4516. Was there any steam blowing off* into the pit at the time? — No, I think 
 not. 
 
 4517. Then, in point of fact, the difference would be, in your judgment, the 
 mechanical effect of the steam-jets? — Yes ; about 48 per cent., according to the 
 experiment at Seaton Delaval. 
 
 4518. Are you aware whether the temperature was increased in the shaft at 
 the time the jets were in use, as compared with the temperature when the jets 
 were not in use? — I believe there would be very little difference; it was 136° in 
 the shaft. 
 
 4519. At the time the steam-jets were on? — Yes. 
 
 4520. Did you ascertain the temperature when the jets were not on? — No ; an 
 accident happened to the thermometer, and we could not get it. 
 
 4521. The paper you have delivered in, does not give the temperature of the 
 shaft during that part of the experiment in which the jets were not used? — No. 
 
 4522. You have beard it stated that, in the use either of steam-jets when they 
 are placed too far apart, or of steam-jets used in cylinders when they are of too 
 great a diameter, there is the return air down the inside of the tubes, which is 
 called the pneumatic flower-pot? — Yes. 
 
 ■ 4523. Do you believe in that state of things? — 1 believe that if the steam-jets 
 
 were placed at the top of the pit, that would be the case, but with the jets 
 placed at the bottom, it is impossible, in my judgment, that it can be the case. 
 
 4524. You think that at the top of the pit it might occur, either in an open 
 shaft, or in tubes of too large a diameter? — Yes. 
 
 4525. Taking a jet of 3-16ths of an inch, and a tube 10 inches in diameter, 
 can you form any judgment whether that would take place even at the top of 
 the shaft ? — At the top of the shaft it would take place; if there was the slightest 
 defect in any of the jets, the air would be drawn down by the other jets. 
 
 4526. Is your opinion formed from the supposition of a defect in the arrange- 
 ment of the jet, or, that as a scientific question it must be so, even when the jet 
 is properly arranged ? — I should not like to say that, if the whole of the jets were 
 equally effective, it would be the case at the top of the pit; but in the experi- 
 ments which were made at Seaton Delaval, when some of the jets were not so 
 good as the others, the air went down. 
 
 4527. Chairman.] The air would go down one tube, and up the other tube? 
 — Yes. 
 
 4528. Mr. Locke.'] Supposing there was only one tube, and the jet was pro- 
 perly arranged at the top of the pit, 10 inches in diameter, and the size of the 
 jet 3-16ths of an inch, do you think there would be any return air down the tube ? 
 — I think there would not. 
 
 4529. Your suggestion has been, that where there are defects in the steam-jets, 
 as arranged in the cylinders, if one was defective the air would go down, and feed 
 the force created by the other jets? — Yes. 
 
 4530. Supposing there were no other jets but that one, would the air return 
 down that tube to feed itself? — My opinion is, that it would not. 
 
 4531. Chairman.'] At the bottom of the pit, you conceive that it would be 
 impossible ? — Yes. 
 
 4532. Mr. Ingham.] How close are the jets placed to the floor of the pit? — 
 I think perhaps about 12 feet. 
 
 4533. You 
 
SELECT COMMITTEE ON ACCIDENTS IN COAL MINES. 97 
 
 4533. You do not think the air could descend so far as to get into the 12 feet T.E. Forder,E^. 
 and feed them ? — It is quite impossible. - 
 
 4534. Mr. Locke.'] Can you state the velocity' of the air going up the pit at 26 July 1853. 
 Seaton Delaval producing the 88,000 feet ? — The actual velocity in the upcast 
 
 pit is 34 feet per second. 
 
 4.535- Chairman.'] The only case in which such circumstances might occur, 
 would be the case of the airways being so small that they would not bring air 
 enough to supply the intensity of the fires ? — Yes. 
 
 4536. Supposing- that the airways were sufficiently large, do you think it is 
 impossible? — I think so. 
 
 4537- Did Mr. Wood, in his experiments, fail to develop the power of the 
 steam-jet in consequence of the size of the tubes? — -No, I should think not; 
 because, I think Mr. Wood tried them with tubes and without tubes. 
 
 4538. In your opinion, is there any difference as to the direction of the steam- 
 jets, in the way they are placed, as to the effect they will produce? — If they were 
 placed together, the jets should be so placed as to go to the most ■ effective point. 
 I have looked at Mr. Wood's book this morning ; and I think that in Table 15, 
 page 58, there must be a mistake. The quantity of air per minute at 2 o'clock 
 by the furnace, was 87,919 cubic feet, and the water-gauge at the west-door was 
 1.0. In the second experiment, the water-gauge is the same, and the quantity 
 of air is increased, 30 minutes past 2 o'clock, to 101,137 cubic feet per minute. 
 At 3 o'clock the water-gauge is the same, and the quantity of air is increased to 
 102,500 cubic feet per minute. 
 
 4539- You think that is a discrepancy which requires some explanation? — I 
 cannot understand how the quantity of air at 2 o'clock and 3 o'clock should 
 be 14,581 cubic feet per minute more, while the water-gauge is the same. 
 
 4540. Do you observe that, at one of the doors, at 30 minutes past 2, the water- 
 gauge had increased ? — Yes; but the west door ought to have increased in the 
 same way. 
 
 4541. Directing your attention to the temperatures in those two experiments, 
 you will find that the temperatures in both cases, at two different places, taken in 
 the upcast shaft, is in one case from 144° to 158°, and in the other case from 
 138° to 155°? — Yes ; but if you look below that, you will find it is down to 144°, 
 where the greatest quantity of air is. 
 
 4542. The temperature in the one case is 144°, 158°, 160°, taken at 10 fathoms 
 depth of shaft, and in the other case it is 138°, 155°, and 144°?— Yes ; and then 
 the 144° is lower, where he has got the largest quantity. 
 
 4543- You will observe, that making a comparison between the two experi- 
 ments which you first gave, where the increase was from 87,000 cubic feet to 
 101,000 cubic feet, which is a large increase, there was a slight rise in the water- 
 gauge, and a considerable rise in the temperature ? — At one door, but not at the 
 other. 
 
 4544. But there was a considerable rise in the temperature at both places of 
 the shaft ?— There was 14° at 10 fathoms up ; and at 65 there is 17°. 
 
 4545. In the next experiment, where the increase was only from 101,000 
 cubic feet to 102,000 cubic feet, may not that slight discrepancy have been the 
 result of calculation, or the want of accurate observation ? — Certainly. 
 
 4546. Is a discrepancy of 1,000 feet in 100,000 feet, a verv large difference? 
 —No. 
 
 4547- Upon the whole, looking at these tables fairly, are the discrepancies 
 such as would invalidate the general truth of the tables ? — No. 
 
 4548. You h ave stated that the difference in the water-gauge between the 
 experiment at two o'clock and at half-past three o'clock, is not sufficient to 
 account for the difference between 87,000 and 101,000? — Yes. 
 
 4549. Mr. Ingham.] There is no difference in the water-gauge ? — Not at. one 
 door. 
 
 4550. Mr. Locke.] Do you invariably find that, with an increased quantity of 
 air, there is an increase in the water-gauge? — There ought to be. 
 
 4551. Do you find practically that it is so r — I have not paid much attention 
 to the water-gauge ; my object has always been to get a sufficient quantity of 
 air. 
 
 4552. If you found that the water-gauge did not rise, even although you were 
 getting a larger quantity of air, you would rely upon your quantity of air, and 
 not so much on the water-gauge ? — No doubt of it. 
 
 0.76. ~ N 4553. Is 
 
gS MINUTES OF EVIDENCE TAKEN BEFORE THE 
 
 T. E.Forster, Esq. 4553- Is not the fairest way, in tables of this kind, to take rather the general 
 ; results and general averages, than one particular experiment? — Yes. 
 
 26 July 1853. 4554. Are discrepancies often found, because, from the fire not being thoroughly 
 burnt up at the time the experiment was commenced, or when an observation 
 was made, an accurate result is not obtained? — Perhaps it may be so. 
 
 4555. And perhaps, upon a general average of the whole series of experiments, 
 a tolerably safe result may be arrived at? — 1 do not find fault with the experi- 
 ment; I only wanted to try if I could reconcile it. 
 
 4/556. Chairman.] From your long acquaintance with Mr. Wood, have you 
 any doubt in your own mind that he would take every means in his power to 
 get the tables registered in the most correct way that he possibly could ? — I have 
 no doubt that he has taken every pains to do so, and that if there is any discre- 
 pancy it is accidental. 
 
 4557. Have you anything further to state with regard to yonr comparison 
 between the ventilation of the Seaton Delaval colliery, and any other colliery in 
 the district ? — I think I made a mistake yesterday, in saying that the Hetton 
 shaft was double that of Seaton Delaval; it is treble; it is 153 feet area, and 
 ours is only 50 feet area. 
 
 4.558. You consider that, if your shaft was as large as the shaft in Hetton 
 colliery, you would get a greatly increased quantity of air? — Yes. 
 
 4559. Increasing the jets in the same proportion }■ — Yes. 
 
 4560. Mr. Locke.] Is there any peculiarity either in the workings, or in 
 Seaton Delaval pit, making it different from other pits, that you have been 
 obliged to abandon the furnace system, and apply the steam-jet? — I abandoned 
 the furnace system, because I had the engine there ; and I believed that the jets 
 would be more effective, after trying the experiment, and after seeing it at the 
 Polytechnic. 
 
 4561. Since that period, have you extended the use of the furnace to any other 
 of your pits? — No; I have the furnace at the other pit. I am busy now with 
 some experiments at South Hetton with the jets. But last year, when I was up 
 before the Committee, we had not got the boilers up. We have put them in 
 lately, and we have some steam-jets ; but they are not exactly accurately set. 
 
 4562. You were understood to state yesterday, that you have only applied 
 them at Seaton Delaval ? — Only at Seaton Delaval. 
 
 4563. Since the experiments on the steam-jet have been made, have you 
 turned your attention to improving the furnace system at the other collieries of 
 which you have the superintendence? — I have furnaces at the other collieries. 
 
 4564. Do they work to your satisfaction ? — Yes ; we get a sufficient quantity 
 of air to keep the mines safe. 
 
 4565. In proportion to the furnaces you use, and the area of grate you have, 
 do you get as great a proportion of air through those pits, as you obtained at 
 Seaton Delaval before you employed the steam-jet ? — About the same. 
 
 4566. Not more ? — Not more. 
 
 4567. Do you think that you have arrived at the maximum, in reference to the 
 area of grate, in the experiment which was made at Seaton Delaval ? — That I 
 cannot say exactly. 
 
 4568. You did not, at that time, use the pure air of the downcast shaft? — 
 No; I think much more depends upon the capacity of the air passages, than 
 upon the furnaces or the steam-jet. 
 
 4569. That would apply to either system ? — Yes ; unless you have large air 
 passages, you must not expect to get a very large quantity of air, 
 
 4570. Are the air passages at Seaton Delaval remarkably large for the extent 
 of the workings ? — Yes ; unless they had been very large, we could not have got 
 the quantity of air in. 
 
 4571. Have you enlarged them since you have used the steam-jet? — No. 
 
 4572. Is not the drift from the downcast to the boiler furnace something new? 
 —No. 
 
 4573. Did any air pass through that drift, at the time the furnaces were at 
 work ? — Yes ; the boilers were fed with the fresh air, when the furnaces were 
 at work. 
 
 4574. In the same manner as now? — Yes. 
 
 4575. And the circumstances are all the same ?— Yes ; I think that the greatest 
 attention ought to be paid to the air passages. 
 
 4576. Are you aware that Mr. Wood has not, in any of his experiments, been 
 
 * able 
 
SELECT COMMITTEE ON ACCIDENTS IN COAL MINES. 
 
 99 
 
 able to obtain such great results from the use of the steam-jet, as you have ob- T. E. Forstcr, Esq. 
 taintd at Seaton Delaval?— I do rot know that. — 
 
 4577. Can you assign any reason why the result of his experimenrs has not 26 July 1853. 
 been so great as your own ?- —No ; I do not know the size of his airways, or 
 how he made the experiments. 
 
 4575. You think that, in order to make a fair comparison of experiments of 
 that kind, you ought to know the size of the airways, and have all the other 
 circumstances before you ? —Yes ; Mr. Wood had a greater distance, and his air- 
 way passages were much longer than the air passages in Seaton Delaval. There 
 is no doubt that would have an effect against the steam-jet. I understand that 
 his air passages amounted to 96 miles, whereas in Seaton Delaval they amounted 
 only to 14 miles. 
 
 4579. Chairman.'] In your opinion, for the purpose of ventilation, is the steam- 
 jet more economical than the furnace ? — We find it so at Seaton Delaval. 
 
 4580. At Seaton Delaval you had an engine which was working before? 
 —Yes. 
 
 4581. Supposing you had to provide boilers entirely for the steam-jet ; in 
 your opinion, winch system would be the most economical? — I think the boilers 
 would be as cheap as the furnaces ; our two boilers at Seaton Delaval have only 
 cost 45 I. in repairs, during nine years. No part of the machinery of the engine 
 has anything to do with the steain-jet ; it is merely the boilers; but, again, that 
 depends on the state of the water with which the boilers are fed ; if you have 
 bad water, the boilers will require more repairing. 
 
 4582. Mr. Locked] Have you good water at Seaton Delaval? — Yes. 
 
 4583. Chairman.] In your opinion, is sufficient attention paid to the capacity 
 and the size of the airways generally? — I think not, generally speaking; I 
 think that the airways are far too small. 
 
 4584. Do you think that sufficient care is taken to keep the airways open, 
 and to clear them from falls ? — In the north of England, I believe that every 
 attention is paid to keeping them open; but still I think tiny are not large 
 enough. 
 
 4585. Whatever power you put on, either by furnace or steam-jet, you could 
 not arrive at the extreme power that the furnace or steam-jet was capable of 
 producing, unless the airways were sufficiently large ? — No. 
 
 4586. In your opinion, is it not the threshold of ventilation, so to speak, to 
 produce a great current down the pit ; and ought not much more attention to 
 be paid to splitting the air r— Yes ; there is no question that the distribution of 
 the air is a very material point indeed. 
 
 4587. Is that sufficiently attended to in the north of England ? — I think so. 
 
 4588. Have you acquaintance with any other districts ? — Yes ; I have been in 
 Lancashire, in Scotland, and in Wales. 
 
 4589. Is the system of splitting the air understood in those other districts ? — 
 I think they are getting more into it than formerly. 
 
 4,590. Is it as easy to split the air in those districts as it is in the north of 
 England ? — Yes ; the point is to observe where it ought to be split ; otherwise, 
 instead of doing good, you might do harm, by splitting it at an improper place. 
 
 4591. Is the object of splitting the air to shorten the current, and give each 
 man his proper proportion of fresh air ? — To give each of the working districts 
 fresh air ; it you were to let the whole current, in Seaton Delaval or Hetton, go 
 round the whole of the workings, you would not have so considerable a quantity. 
 
 4592. Nor would the men be in such a healthy state ? — No. 
 
 4593. With respect to the goaves, would you clear them entirely from foul 
 air, or would you block them up ? — I would deal with them as they are dealt 
 with in the north of England ; namely, to allow the return air to sweep past the 
 edge of the goaves, so that if any gas escapes from the falling barometer, it is 
 swept away by the return air. 
 
 4594.. Would you keep the goaves entirely open ? — I would not recommend 
 them to be blocked up. If gas comes into the return passages, it is swept away 
 by the current of air, and is not allowed to accumulate. While the gas is in the 
 goaf, and not mixed with atmospheric air, it is harmless ; but when it comes out 
 of the goaf, and is mixed with atmospheric air, it becomes dangerous ; conse- 
 quently, it ought to be swept away immediately. 
 
 4595. Is that generally attended to in the north of England? — Yes; as far as 
 I have seen. 
 
 0.76. n 2 4596. Mr. 
 
ioo MINUTES OF EVIDENCE TAKEN BEFORE THE 
 
 T. E. Fonter, Esq. 4596. Mr. LocJce.~] You have been understood to state that it was much better 
 
 that the gas should not be permitted to accumulate in the goaf, and that you 
 
 26 July 3853. W ould not. close it up? — It should not be allowed to accumulate in the air pas- 
 sages ; it will be in the goaves ; if the glass rises, it disappears, but if the glass 
 falls, it comes down ; the pressure is taken off, and the gas escapes. 
 
 4597. As a matter of precaution, would you close up the goaves, and keep the 
 gas from the surrounding current? — No. 
 
 4598. Do you think it is better to permit it to be swept away by the ordinary 
 currents on the edges of the goaves ? — No doubt of it. 
 
 4599. Chairman.] In all cases of explosions, where large numbers of lives 
 have been lost, in your opinion, have those lives been sacrificed from the force 
 of the explosion, or from the after-damp ? — The great bulk of them from the 
 after-damp. 
 
 4600. Has that arisen from the blowing away of the stoppings and doors ? — 
 Yes, and completely deranging the ventilation. 
 
 4601. In your opinion, is it a proper arrangement to have doors to return 
 the air ? — You cannot do without doors, but the fewer doors that are used the 
 better. 
 
 4602. Mr. Wood, in describing the ventilation of one of his collieries, stated 
 that he had no doors except between the two pits, and that all the air was 
 turned bv small openings, by leaving the openings proportioned to the size of 
 the airways? — That is, by what we call a regulators. 
 
 4603. In your opinion, would that system decrease the danger in cases of 
 explosion ? — No doubt of it ; but still you cannot do without doors, in some 
 cases. 
 
 4604. Could not an extra door be always placed alongside the ordinary door, 
 which could be propped up; so that if the ordinary door were blown away by an 
 explosion, the prop might be blown away, and the door (which would be a 
 species of trap-door) might fall down and keep up the ventilation ? — The^prop, 
 and door, and everything, would be blown away. In all the main ways, where 
 there is one door required, there are always two set ; so that in case the boy 
 should fall asleep and neglect it, there is the other door to rely upon. 
 
 4605. In cases of explosion, do the men generally lose their lives by endea- 
 vouring to find their way out of the shaft? — Yes ; it is very natural that they 
 should endeavour to make their way to the bottom of the shaft as quickly as pos- 
 sible. First of all, they get into a sort of nitrogen gas when they hold their 
 heads up, and then they fall down into a more dangerous gas, namely, carbonic 
 acid, and they are soon destroyed. I have seen a man, after an explosion, when 
 he got among the choke-damp, had taken his cap off his head, and put it in 
 his mouth, and not a hair of head was injured, but he was quite dead. 
 
 4606. What is the best course for a man to pursue in case of an explosion ? — 
 It is quite impossible to say ; if the stoppings and all those things are blown out, 
 there is very little chance for him, if he has an? distance to travel. 
 
 4607. Mr. Locke.'] Would not his best plan be, to make his way as fast as 
 he could to the downcast pit ? — He always does that. 1 know an instance of an 
 explosion at Houghton-le-Spring, by the blowing out of the air crossing, where 
 nearly the whole of the men were saved in that way. The explosion happened 
 to be on the outside of the air crossing which was blown down ; and the men 
 beyond that point, when they came up to it, found there was bad air, and they 
 stopped. If they had come on, they would have been all lost by the choke-damp. 
 So that it tells both ways. That air crossing saved the great bulk of the men. 
 
 4608. Those men would not have been able to gain the air course from the 
 blowing out of the stoppings r — They stopped where the air was good. There 
 was sufficient air to maintain them until assistance was brought to them, and 
 means found to give them fresh air. 
 
 4609. Chairman.'] Do you think that refuge stalls would be any advantage ? — 
 None. 
 
 4610. Mr. Locke.] Why? — Because the refuge stalls would soon be filled 
 with choke-damp. 
 
 461 1. You think they would not be practically useful ? — Never. 
 
 4612. Chairman.] It appears, by the returns which have been laid before the 
 House of Commons, that a great number of lives are lost by falls from the roof; 
 can you suggest any means of obviating those accidents ? — I can suggest nothing 
 but setting timbers to support the roof, and even then accidents will happen. 
 
 I had 
 
SELECT COMMITTEE ON ACCIDENTS IN COAL MINES. 101 
 
 I hud an accident from a falling of roof last December. I had passed through t. E. Forster, Esq. 
 
 the place, and I saw nothing amiss ; the stone seemed to be all good, the width 
 
 was only four feet, and on returning it came down upon me 8 yards long, 26 July 1853. 
 31 feet wide, and 10 inches thick ; and there I was under it for eight minutes. 
 
 4613. Were you much injured ? — I was injured in my leg, arm, and shoulder; 
 I was confined to my house for six weeks. 
 
 4614. In the north of England you have deputies, whose particular duty it is 
 to set the timbers ? — Yes. 
 
 4615. In some parts of England do the workmen set their own timbers? — Yes. 
 
 4616. In your opinion, which is the best system? — I think it is much better 
 to employ people purposely to set the timbers, than to allow the workmen to set 
 them. 
 
 4617. Do not you think the workmen would have sufficient regard to their 
 own lives to take proper care that sufficient timber was set, if they were paid 
 for setting the timber themselves ? — Some of them would run the risk rather 
 than set a prop. It is much better to employ men to set the timber, because 
 they are responsible in case of any neglect. 
 
 4618. In general in the north of England is sufficient timber furnished in all 
 the collieries? — Yes, there is no want of timber; at least, I think no viewer in 
 the north of England would continue in office if he was not supplied with 
 sufficient timber to keep everybody safe ; at any rate, I would not ; I must have 
 my men kept as safe as possible. Accidents will occur, after you have taken all 
 the precautions in your power. 
 
 4619. Do not you think that a head viewer incurs immense responsibility, 
 and is liable to great blame, if he does not take every precaution to preserve the 
 lives of his men ?■ — Yes, I think it is a very great responsibility. 
 
 4620. Do you feel that responsibility yourself? — I do. 
 
 4621. It appears also by the returns which have been furnished, that about 
 200 lives a year throughout England are lost in winding persons up the shafts, 
 from accidents from engines and machinery, breakage of ropes, and other things ? 
 — I think that only a small portion of that will be due to the north of England. 
 
 4622. In the north of England are the men wound up at more rapid rates 
 than in any other part of England ? — Yes ; but we always have good ropes, good 
 machinery, and good cages for the men to stand in. 
 
 4623. In the north of England is it the invariable custom to cover the men, 
 so that, if anything should fall from the sides of the pit, it will not fall on the 
 heads of the men ? — Not always. 
 
 4624. In your opinion, should that system be universally adopted ? — I do not 
 think it is so necessary in the north of England as it is in other parts, for great 
 pains are taken with the shafts, to ensure that nothing shall fall out; there is no 
 rubbing against the sides of the shaft. The cage is run on slides ; so that there 
 is no wear and tear of the shaft at all. 
 
 4625. Mr. Locke.'] Are the slides of iron, or of wood? — Wood generally. 
 
 4626. Chairman.'] At the same time, however good the pit may be, and how- 
 ever good the slides may be, is it not possible, that from a jerk of the engine, or 
 from some other cause, a piece of coal may fall out of a waggon in coming up 
 the pit when the men are going down ? — I never allow the men to ride when 
 coals are coming up. 
 
 4627. Is that a regulation which should be universally adopted ? — No doubt 
 of it. I think it is not right that men should go dowu while coals are 
 eoming up. 
 
 4628. Is that a regulation which should be enforced by law ? — Yes. 
 
 4629. Supposing a pit was in bad repair, although you had cages might not 
 some pieces of the pit fall out, and fall on the heads of the men ? — In that case 
 it would be better to have the cages covered over. 
 
 4630. That would not be much expense ? — No. 
 
 4631. Looking at the extra security, and at the slight expense to which the 
 coalowners would be put, do you recommend that the top of the cage should be 
 covered over, so as to prevent accidents? — Yes ; I think it might be the means 
 of saving the lives of some of the men ; and I think it ought to be done. 
 
 4632. Mr. Locke.] Do you think that a cage is necessary, where coal is not 
 pulled up a pit at the time the men are going up or down ? — Yes. 
 
 4633. You suggest that as a remedy against a piece of stone which might be 
 liable to fall out from the sides of the shaft? — Yes. 
 
 0.76. n 3 4634. Do 
 
102 MINUTES OF EVIDENCE TAKEN BEFORE THE 
 
 T. E. Forder, Esq. 4634. Do not you think it would be better to legislate against the actual con- 
 
 clition of such a shaft, than to legislate for something which is to admit such a 
 
 26 July 1853. dangerous position in a shaft ? — The best remedy would be, to make the shaft 
 secure. 
 
 4635. Yon have been understood to state, that in the north of England the 
 shafts are in such a state that such accidents rarely or never occur? — Very 
 seldom. 
 
 4636. Do not you think it is much better, if there is to be any stipulation at 
 all, to make the stipulation on the shaft, rather than on the cage, which is virtu- 
 ally admitting the necessity of a bad shaft? —Yes; but I would not only have 
 the shafts put right, but also secure the cage, because a little bit of stone might 
 come out. 
 
 4637. At all events you would make it the first condition, that the shaft 
 should be in good order?— No doubt of it. 
 
 4638. Chairman.] It is possible that a piece of material of some kind might 
 come from the top of the pit ? — Yes. In an upcast shaft the sides are more 
 liable to waste than in a downcast shaft- 
 
 4639. Provided a shaft be in the most perfect state, there is still danger that a 
 piece of material, or something or other might fall from the top of the pit ; and, 
 if there was no cage, it would fall on the heads of the men, if the men were per- 
 pendicularly under it? — Yes. 
 
 4640. Do not you think it would be a good regulation to enforce, that covers 
 should be placed on the tops of the cages? — No doubt of it. 
 
 4641. In your opinion, is sufficient care taken to keep the machinery and ropes 
 in good order, generally, in England ? — In the north of England I think that 
 every care is taken. 
 
 4642. In other districts, do you think that sufficient care is not taken ? — I 
 think it is very objectionable in some districts, where they have engines on the 
 second motion, and where they can put them out of gear ; they sometimes get 
 out of gear, and the rope runs amain. I think something of that sort happened 
 in the neighbourhood of Bristol, where some people were killed. 
 
 4643. Should it be one of the duties of the inspectors to see that the machinery 
 and the ropes were in good order ? — No doubt of it. 
 
 4644. It has been stated in evidence before this Committee, that the limit of 
 age of persons who are employed as engineers, to wind men up and down a pit, 
 is 15 ? — We do not have such a thing in the north of England ; they are always 
 upwards of 20. 
 
 4645. In your opinion, should any person under 18 years of age be employed 
 as an engineer, to wind men up and down pits ? — No. I think that 18 is as 
 young as they ought to be employed in winding men up and down. 
 
 4046. Do you see any objection to the Legislature enforcing such a regulation? 
 — None. 
 
 4047. Mr. Locke.] Would you apply that to all pits?— Yes. Where men's 
 lives are in the hands of the engine-man, he ought not to be under 18 years 
 of age. 
 
 4648. Mr. Ingham.] That is, what you call the breaksman ? — Yes. 
 
 4649. Mr. Mostyn.] Do the inspectors in the north of England always direct 
 their attention to the state of the ropes and machinery ? — I suppose they look at 
 them. More pains are perhaps taken with tfto machinery and ropes in the north 
 of England than in any other district. In some places we use Fourdrinier's 
 safety apparatus on the cages. 
 
 46.50. Chairman.) Where have you used Fourdrinier's safety apparatus? — At 
 South Hetton. We have a shaft purposely for sending down the men, and for 
 bringing them up. 
 
 465, 1 . Have you used Bell and Grant's apparatus ? — Tint is on the same 
 principle. 
 
 4652. It has been represented to the Committee, that there has been no 
 decrease of accidents in consequence of using such apparatus, because if any- 
 thing gets out of order they get fast in the slides r — In a shaft where there is 
 nothing but men going up and down, they are not liable to get wrong ; but in 
 the coal working shafts sometimes they are liable to get wrong ; and the con- 
 sequence is, at present, that where they are not used the ropes are particularly 
 watched ; but where they are used, the ropes are perhaps used longer than they 
 ought to be, and hence some of the accidents. 
 
 4653. Is 
 
SELECT COMMITTEE ON ACCIDENTS IN COAL MINES. 103 
 
 4653. Is it your opinion that, however excellent Fourdrinier's apparatus may T. E. Forster, Esq. 
 
 be, it engenders carelessness as to the condition of the rope and machinery? — 
 
 Yes ; and it is also liable to get out of order. 2G July 1853. 
 
 4654. You have spoken of winding the men up a separate shaft. Is that the 
 custom? — No; it is not by any means the custom; but we have a spare shaft, 
 and it being a very deep pit, we use that shaft for sending the men down, and 
 bring them up. 
 
 4655. That is the exception, rather than the rule ? — Yes. 
 
 46.56. The general rule is, that men are wound up and down the same shaft 
 that the coal is wound up and down ? — Yes. 
 
 46.57. That being the case, what is you opinion as to the utility of Fourdrinier's 
 and Bell and Grant's apparatus ? — I would rather prefer watching the ropes, 
 than having those things. 
 
 4658. Taking such precautions as you have already mentioned ? — Yes. The 
 ropes are particularly attended to in the north of England ; they are always put 
 in the charge of the engineer of the colliery, whose duty it is to watch them 
 daily ; we never have such a thing as a broken rope in the north of England. 
 
 46,59. Do you make the man whose duty it is to watch them personally 
 responsible, if an accident happens through his carelessness? — Yes. 
 
 4660. Mr. Itigham.~] Are the ropes of hemp or wire? — I use nothing but wire 
 rope. 
 
 4661. Chairman.^ Is it your opinion that, in very fiery mines, the use of the 
 safety lamp should be enforced by the Legislature? — It ought to be enforced 
 where it is really necessary to be used ; but where there is bla.-ting by gun- 
 powder it is very difficult to use it entirely. 
 
 4662. Do you think that, safety lamps are a lure to danger, or that they are an 
 extra safeguard ? — I think they are a safeguard. 
 
 4663. Have you any doubt in your own mind of the success of the safetv 
 lamp in guarding men from being burnt? — I think there is no doubt that the 
 lamp is a very great safeguard ; but I should like to have a better lamp, if we 
 could get it. 
 
 4664. You do not give these answers with reference to paying less attention to 
 ventilation ? — No. 
 
 466.5. Your opinion is, that the first thing to attend to is to have proper and 
 sufficient ventilation through the pit ? — Yes. 
 
 4666. As an extra security, you would recommend the use of the safety lamp, 
 where a great quantity of gas is generated fiom the coal ?• — Yes; I would never 
 allow the men to work with the safety lamp, where the gas explodes in the 
 cylinder of the lamp. 
 
 4667. Would you stop the working until you had obtained abetter ventilation? 
 — Yes ; I would withdraw the workmen, and every one, as soon as that was 
 seen. 
 
 4668. In the neighbourhood of goaves, where you are constantly liable to 
 variations of temperature, do you think it is safe at any time to use naked lights? 
 — No ; we never do. 
 
 4669. Would not that apply, in a fiery colliery, to cases of blowers and accu- 
 mulations of gas escaping from the stratification also? — If there is a good 
 ventilation in the whole mine, there is not much chance of any accumlation of 
 gas, if it is properlv attended to. In the neighbourhood of goaves, and taking 
 away the pillars, in all fiery mines the safety lamp is used. 
 
 4670. Have you known the safety lamp explode, and a serious accident occur, 
 from that cause ? — I do not know it of my own knowledge ; but we had an acci- 
 dent at Haswell nine years ago. When an explosion occurs, there is no one left 
 to tell how it happened. 
 
 4671. Has anything occurred to shake your confidence in the safety lamp ? — 
 I think the safety lamp ought not to be trusted in the hands of men in an 
 explosive mixture. I have been in gas where the lamp has been red hot, and 
 still I had full confidence ; but I would not like to trust it, in such a mixture, in 
 the hands of working men. 
 
 4672. With ordinary care and attention, you have no doubt of the advantage 
 and utility of the safety lamp? — No ; but in such a mixture, a man in working 
 might, by accident, put his pick through the lamp. 
 
 4673. Mr. Locked] You have been understood to state, that you would not 
 0.76. n 4 allow 
 
MINUTES OF EVIDENCE TAKEN BEFORE THE 
 
 T. E. Forster, Esq. allow the working men to remain after a certain time, namely, when the gas 
 — — filled the inside of the lamp with flame ? — I never do. 
 
 26 July 1853. 4674. You would not allow a man to continue to work, if the lamp was red 
 hot ? — Certainly not. 
 
 4675. And therefore that danger you would not fall into, because you would 
 never allow them to work so long that the lamp should get red hot? — No. 
 
 4676. Was there anything in the accident which you have mentioned as 
 having occurred at Haswell, which bears on this question? — The explosion 
 occurred where the safety-lamp was used. At the moment the accident hap- 
 pened the deputy was drawing the timber out of the mine, where the coal had 
 been taken away, and the lamp had either been defective or the fall of the roof 
 had driven the flame out of the lamp. 
 
 4677. All these suppositions arose at the time? — Yes. 
 
 4678. Do you recollect whether any exploded lamp was found, or in what 
 state the lamp of the overmen was found ? — The lamps were found, but they 
 were very much knocked about ; and we could not make out whether they had 
 been defective before the accident occurred. 
 
 4679. Was the gauze bulged? — Yes. 
 
 4680. Whether that arose from the effect of the explosion or not, you were 
 not able to tell ? — No. 
 
 4681. Mr. Ingham.'] How many survivors were there? — None in that pit; 
 they were all lost. 
 
 4682. Mr. Locke.] How many were lost ? — Ninety-five. 
 
 4683. Chairman.] Have you read Mr. Wood's experiments on the safety- 
 lamp ? — Yes. 
 
 4684. Do those experiments tend to increase you faith in the safety-lamp ? — 
 No ; I have the same opinion. I think that the flame might be driven through 
 the gauze of the lamp by a fall of stone. 
 
 4685. Mr. Locke.] That is, the fall of stone producing an action on the air? 
 —Yes. 
 
 4686. Chairman.] Provided safety-lamps are used in the neighbourhood of 
 goaves, in your opinion, should the collier be able to open the top of his lamp ? 
 — No ; and in the north of England they are never allowed to open them. 
 
 4687. A case occurred the other day, at a place called Bent Grange, in which 
 the overman saw a man working with the top off" his lamp, and virtually con- 
 nived at it, by neglecting to order him not to do it ; do you think that is a 
 system which should be tolerated ? — Not for one moment. 
 
 4688. In your opinion, should there be one man appointed in the pit to have the 
 superintendence of the safety-lamps, cleaning, repairing, and putting the cil into 
 them ? — Yes; in the north of England there is a man who has the charge of all 
 the bottoms of the lamps ; the men take the gauze home and clean it themselves ; 
 but he cleans the bottoms, and puts in the fresh wick and oil. The men, as they 
 come down the pit in the morning, get their lamp-bottoms, and then the}' go 
 to their respective districts and places appointed by the overmen ; the deputy- 
 overman of each district examines the gauze properly to see that it is all right ; 
 he then screws on the top and locks it, and the man goes to his work. One 
 man could not examine the whole of the lamps in a pit; but each man, in his 
 respective district, examines them and locks them ; and nobody in that district 
 can open a lamp but the deputy. 
 
 4689. Are the locks so constructed that they cannot be opened without great 
 force? — They would have to injure the lamp before they could take them off. 
 
 4690. Mr. Ingham.'] You said that you would like to see a better lamp? — 
 Yes.. I should like to see a lamp that could not be injured by the blow of a 
 pick ; or a lamp that would go out as soon as it got into an explosive mixture. 
 
 4691. Chairman.] Have you ever seen Eloin's lamp? — Yes. 
 
 4692. Does that lamp go out in an explosive mixture? — It is too delicate ; if 
 you take a false step it goes out. 
 
 4693. Mr. Wood, in his experiments, objected to glass lamps having gauze, 
 because there is a danger arising from water breaking the glass, and an addi- 
 tional danger of the force of the current driving the explosive mixture through 
 the gauze ; is that your opinion ? — Yes. Still I think that Dr. Glover's lamp is 
 the best lamp ; it has two glasses, and the air goes down between them, and feeds 
 the light. 
 
 4694. Provided that Dr. Glover's lamp had a double gauze all the way down, 
 
 do 
 
SELECT COMMITTEE ON ACCIDENTS IN COAL MINES. 105 
 
 do not you think that would be a great improvement? — Yes. I have one objec- T.E. Forster, Esq, 
 
 tion lo it, namely, that it is rather too complicated ; there are too many little 
 
 things to attend to, which sometimes get lost. The Davy lamp is very simple. 26 Julv l8 53- 
 
 4695. Do you think that less accidents have occurred in collieries since the 
 present mode of inspection than before ? — I think not much in the north of 
 England. 
 
 4696. Are you satisfied with the present mode of inspection ? — If there is to 
 be inspection at all, I think there ought to be more inspectors. 
 
 4697. What is your opinion of the class of gentlemen who are now the 
 inspectors of mines? — I think that most of them want a little more experience. 
 
 4698. You said, " If there is to be inspection at all." Is it your opinion that 
 it would be better to have no inspection of any kind ? — I do not think it has 
 done much good in the north of England, and perhaps in other districts it has 
 done harm. 
 
 4699. How ? — Because, before the inspectors were appointed, they had not as 
 much atmospheric air in the mine as to make the gas explosive; and now they 
 are getting them to put in a little more air, which makes it dangerous, supposing 
 there is not enough air in the pit to render the gas explosive. 
 
 4700. Would not such a state be highly detrimental to the health of the men ? 
 — No question of it; but they ought to get a larger quantity of air put into the 
 mine, to place it beyond the dangerous point. 
 
 4701. Supposing an additional improvement were to take place; now that so 
 much air is carried into the mines, as to render them dangerous from explosion, 
 if it was the duty of the inspector to see that an additional quantity was carried 
 in, so as to free the mine from danger, do not you think that would be a great 
 improvement ? — Yes ; but the inspector ought to see that the air passages were 
 enlarged. 
 
 4702. Is it your opinion that each inspector has at present a great deal too 
 much to do, and therefore cannot pay sufficient attention ? — They have too many 
 pits to attend to, and I do not think they go down the pits as often as they ought. 
 
 4703. In the north of England in general the pits are very well managed, and 
 much better than in other districts ? — Yes. 
 
 4704. Therefore, in the north of England you would have less fear of an 
 inspector than would be felt where the pits are badly managed ? — Yes ; still, if 
 inspectors are appointed, they ought to go down a certain number of pits in a 
 week. I think it would not be too much to ask them to go down three pits in a 
 week. 
 
 4705. How many times in a year should an inspector visit each particular pit ? 
 — At least once a quarter. 
 
 4706. One pit every quarter? — Yes. 
 
 4707. How many pits ought he to have under his superintendence ? — He 
 could visit about 50 pits. 
 
 4708. In your opinion, 50 pits would be ample? — Yes. 
 
 4709. At present each inspector has something like 400 pits under his charge ? 
 — Yes. 
 
 4710. Therefore, whatever may be his industry and energy, it is impossible for 
 him to perform the duty of inspection satisfactorily ? — Still he ought to go down 
 the pits. 
 
 4711. Do not the inspectors go down the pits now ? — Very little. I have 
 been a pitman 36 years, and I have averaged, during that time, four days a week ; 
 and I do not see why they should not go down three times a week. 
 
 4712. Mr. Locked] Can you state to the Committee how frequently they go 
 down ? — I should think that the inspector in the north of England has not been 
 down 30 pits in three years. 
 
 4713. How does the inspector get his information? — He goes to the colliery 
 and applies to the resident viewer, and asks him the state of the mine, and makes 
 minutes. 
 
 4714. Do you suppose that that is the general mode in which inspectors 
 derive their information for making their reports ? — Generally speaking, it is. 
 
 4715. You think that that is not a desirable mode?— I think it is better that 
 an inspector should go down a pit and see it before an accident happens, than to 
 go down after an accident, and give evidence before a coroner's inquest. 
 
 4716. Do you think it would be fair to the proprietors of collieries, that they 
 should be subject to orders, rules, and regulations laid down by a body of 
 
 0.76. O inspectors, 
 
lob MINUTES OF EVIDENCE TAKEN BEFORE THE 
 
 T, E. Forster, Esq. inspectors, who did not themselves go down the mines? — Certainly not; and I 
 ~— — think the inspectors should not be allowed, as I understand from the' Act of 
 26 July 1853. Parliament they were not to be allowed, to take any other work. 
 
 4717. Is not that provision of the Act carried out ? — No ; I am aware that, at 
 the time the accident happened at Killingworth two years ago, Mr. Dunn, the 
 inspector, was surveying a pit in Lancashire, and was not in the neighbour- 
 hood. 
 
 4718. Do you mean that he was surveying for other parties, and not for the 
 Government ? — Yes. 
 
 4719. Then, in point of fact, you think that the regulations which it was in- 
 tended should be carried out have not been enforced? — No. I have heard of another 
 instance, although I do not know it of my own knowledge ; I have heard that 
 Mr. Wynne attends arbitration cases. I think that he would be much better 
 employed as an inspector, ana looking after the mines under his charge. 
 
 4720. Are the Committee to understand that the inspectors, some of whom 
 have given evidence here, are not in the habit of going down the mines very 
 frequently ? — T can only speak with reference to the north of England ; 1 hnow 
 that Mr. Dunn has not gone down frequently. 
 
 47-21. You think that it is too much to expect, that coal proprietors would 
 desire to be bound by any regulations from parties who do not make a personal 
 examination of the mines? — They ought not only to go down the mines, but, in 
 my opinion, it is their duty to go down and see that the air passages are suffi- 
 ciently large for the ventilation of the colliery. 
 
 4722. For that purpose, you would require, of course, a good practical man, 
 who was competent to judge of the largeness of the air courses ? — No doubt of 
 it. If a code of rules were laid down for the guidance of the inspectors, they 
 would see what size the airways ought to be. 
 
 4723. What do you think about the appointment of sub-inspectors? — I do 
 not think it would answer in our district, because the sub-inspectors and the 
 overmen would be constantly quarrelling. 
 
 4724. Do you think that the superintendence of your mines is sufficient by 
 the overmen, sub-viewers, and others, and that it is unnecessary to have any 
 further superintendence? — That is my opinion. 
 
 4725. It is your opinion, that if there is to be inspection at all, you require a 
 man who is thoroughly competent to judge of all the practical requisites of 
 working a mine, and to see with his own eyes, before he gives an order, the 
 necessity for such an order? — No doubt of it. 
 
 4726. Do you think it would be fair towards the coal proprietors that Govern- 
 ment should institute any orders or any rules, to be enforced by men who do not 
 go down the mines themselves ? — Certainly not. 
 
 4727. Mr. Ingham.] Should they have authority, after they had observed that 
 an alteration ought to be made, to direct it to be executed ? — 'No ; I think they 
 ought to make, as they do at present, suggestions, and that beyond that they 
 ought not to go ; for this reason, that if they have power to order them, they 
 must lake the responsibility. 
 
 4728. Chairman.] Would you give no power to any higher authority than the 
 inspectors ? — Yes ; I should have no objection to its being placed in the hands 
 of the Board of Trade, in a similar way to railways. 
 
 4729. Mr. Ingham,] Then if the suggestion was not acted upon, would you 
 give coercive power ? — If an accident occurred, the proprietor of the colliery 
 or the manager would be liable to be dealt with according to Lord Campbell's 
 Act. 
 
 4 730. Chairman.] In your opinion, the Board of Trade would be the proper 
 tribunal to have the superintendence of mines ? — Yes ; all orders should emanate 
 from them, and also the appointment of inspectors. 
 
 4731. As the President of the Board of Trade would not have time to look 
 into these matters himself, would it be desirable to appoint a gentleman of great 
 practical knowledge and scientific experience, to have the control of all the 
 inspectors ?— -No doubt of it. 
 
 4732. In case of his having any difficulty, do you think that he should consult 
 with the directors of the School of Mines in London? — I am afraid that they 
 are not sufficiently up to the practical working of a colliery, to give much 
 assistance. 
 
 4733. Mr. Locke.] Do you suppose that the professors in the School of 
 
 Mines 
 
SELECT COMMITTEE ON ACCIDENTS IN COAL MINES. 107 
 
 Mines would understand anything about the practical working of a colliery? T.E.Forsttr Esq 
 —No. , — 
 
 4734. You put your faith in men who thoroughly understand the under-ground 26 July 1853. 
 working ? — Yes. 
 
 4735. You are of opinion that the complicated nature of air-ways, the mode of 
 ventilating and distributing the air, setting the props, and attending to all the 
 details of the mine, are such as to justify you in thinking that only from a prac- 
 tical man could you have perfect security ? — A practical man should be the indi- 
 vidual to examine the mines ; but I should have no objection to their management 
 being vested in the Board of Trade, under the superintendence of a gentleman 
 to be appointed by Government ; and that all the reports of inspectors, and any 
 observations which the coalowners wished to make, or any complaints against 
 the inspectors, should go direct to the gentleman at the head of the Board of 
 Trade. 
 
 4736. You think that where there is power there should be responsibility ? 
 — As far as I am concerned, if the responsibility were taken off my shoulders, I 
 should be very glad. 
 
 4737. Supposing that an order which had emanated from the Board of 
 Trade, or from the gentleman who was appointed by the Board of Trade, should 
 miscarry in any manner (and you know, perhaps, as a practical man, that they 
 do sometimes miscarry in their execution), would it be fair on the proprietor 
 that lie should be made answerable for the consequences of that order of the 
 Board of Trade, or should the Board of Trade take the responsibility? — The 
 proprietor of the colliery should not be answerable for any order tiiat miscarried, 
 which had been issued from the Board of Trade. 
 
 4738. Supposing the Board of Trade ordered the distribution of air in a parti- 
 cular way, and that resulted in an accident, and a practical man gave evidence 
 before the coroner's jury that that was a bad arrangement for the distribution of 
 the air, do you think it would be fair, under those circumstances, that the pro- 
 prietor of the colliery should have claim on the Board of Trade for their misdi- 
 rection ? — I think he ought. 
 
 4739. Chairman.] Would you give a power to the superintendent or io the 
 inspector to stop a mine under any circumstances? — I think not. 
 
 4740. Take a case which happened the other day at Bent Grange, at Oldham. 
 It appears that the inspector had two or three times warned the proprietor of the 
 mine that it was in a dangerous state, and recommended him to put up a 
 furnace and improve the ventilation, and also to prevent the men from taking 
 the tops off the safety-lamps ; that the overman had promised a short time before 
 that he would put up a furnace, and that he neglected to do it; and that in con- 
 sequence of the top being off a lamp the mine exploded, and killed 20 men. 
 In a case of danger of that kind, where the proprietor of the mine has refused 
 or neglected to put his mine into a safe condition, do not you think it would be 
 well that there should be some person to step in and stop the mine? — I think 
 that the Government of the country should institute proceedings against the 
 proprietor. 
 
 4741. Mr. Locke.] Do you see any objection to placing such an absolute 
 power in the hands of persons who are perfectly competent to judge upon such a 
 question ? — I certainly should object to give the inspectors such a power. 
 
 4742. You have been understood to stare, that in your own practice, you 
 positively forbid any man to work from the moment the lamp becomes filled in 
 the gauze by the flame ? — Yes. 
 
 4743. As a practical man, you think it unsafe then to work the mine ? — 
 Yes. 
 
 4744. If you were a Government inspector, and you gave that order, and that 
 order was not attended to, and an accident occurred, would you think that the 
 parties disobeying the order were liable to punishment of some kind ? — No 
 doubt of it. 
 
 4745. Then if the Government were to appoint a person, as competent as 
 yourself, to see that no man in the kingdom was permitted to work mines, 
 except under certain rules and regulations, such as those which you have laid 
 down, do you see any harm in the Government enforcing such regulations ? — 
 If rules are laid down beyond which inspectors have no power to go, then I 
 should have no objection to it. 
 
 4746. Do you think it is possible to lay down a certain number of simple 
 0.76. O 2 rules 
 
ioS MINUTES OF EVIDENCE TAKEN BEFORE THE 
 
 T.E. Forster, Esq. rules for the guidance of all persons who are entrusted with the superintendence 
 
 — — of collieries ? — Yes. 
 
 26 July 1853. 4747. Do you think it would be a good preliminary to the establishment of 
 any inspection, that there should be some sound general rules with which 
 practical men like yourself should be made acquainted and approve of? — Yes. 
 
 4748. Do you think there would be any difficulty in framing such a set of 
 rules as have been alluded to, which would give satisfaction to the coal-owners 
 and the men ? — I think there would be no difficulty in it. 
 
 4749. ^ ou have been understood to state that the inspectors, who were intended 
 to devote their whole time to the duties of inspection, have, to your knowledge, 
 been employed in other business than that of inspecting collieries for the 
 Government ? — Yes. 
 
 4750. Do you think that, while this Committee is discussing the question of 
 the propriety of appointing more inspectors, it is desirable that whatever in- 
 spectors are appointed, their attention should be devoted exclusively to the duties 
 of inspection ? — There is no question of it. 
 
 4751. Chairman.'] In appointing the inspectors, it was not contemplated that 
 they should transact any other business ? — They have gone out of the course. 
 
 47.52. Mr. Mostyn.] You have stated that the inspector of the North Wales 
 district, Mr. Wynne, has been engaged in arbitration cases ? — I heard a gentleman 
 say so. 
 
 4753. You are of opinion that an inspector cannot properly inspect more than 
 50 collieries per annum? — No ; if he has to go down them every quarter. 
 
 4754. That is the number you recommend ? — I think that if his inspection is 
 to be useful, he ought to make those periodical visits, and examine a pit 
 thoroughly when he goes down. 
 
 4755. You have also been understood to state, that you think the inspectors 
 ought to be exclusively emplo} r ed in the duty of inspection ? — Yes. 
 
 4756. Chairman.] Do not you think that this Committee would be rather 
 wasting their time in recommending the Government to appoint extra inspectors, 
 if the present inspectors are doing other work besides that for which they were 
 appointed ? — Yes ; still, with the present number of inspectors, there is no chance 
 of their visiting the collieries as often as they ought to be visited. 
 
 4757. Mr. Locked] It has been stated before this Committee, that every pit 
 ought to be examined at least once a year; you have formed your opinion upon 
 the necessity of its being visited once a quarter ? — Yes. 
 
 4758. Suppose it is visited once in six months? — In that case half the number 
 of inspectors would be sufficient. 
 
 47,59. Do you think that, for a practical and sufficient inspection of mines, 
 once in every six months, good practical men could be obtained in this country? 
 — I think they could. 
 
 4760. You think that good men so appointed, having nothing else to do, 
 might probably make a very efficient inspection of the mines in this country, by 
 visiting them once in six months? — Yes. 
 
 4761. And that every superintendent would be enabled to examine 100 pits? 
 -Yes. 
 
 4762. You think that would form a very fair basis for estimating the number 
 of men to be appointed? — It must depend upon the power they are to possess. 
 If they are to have the power of ordering, then they must go down oftener than 
 once in six months. With proper regulations, once in six months would be 
 sufficient. 
 
 4763. You have stated that you do not apprehend any difficulty in framing 
 regulations? — 1 think that there would be no difficulty. 
 
 4764. You think it would be the easiest and most satisfactory mode to have 
 those rules in the first instance, and that the inspection should not be quite so 
 frequent as three months, but once in six months? — I think it would be more 
 satisfactory to the proprietors, and to the inspectors themselves, to have those 
 rules laid down. 
 
 476,5. Chairman. You think that, those rules being laid down, there would be 
 no difficulty in getting proper inspectors appointed, who would give satisfaction 
 to the coal proprietors and to the workmen ? — I think not. 
 
 47(16. Mr. Mostyn.'] And that they would undertake to inspect 100 collieries 
 annually ? — That should be a stipulation of their engagement. 
 
 4767. Chairman.] You are of opinion that the workmen themselves should 
 see the rules which were made, in order that they might be satisfied that the 
 
 rules 
 
SELECT COMMITTEE ON ACCIDENTS IN COAL MINES. 109 
 
 rules were framed with a due regard to the safety of their lives? — No doubt. T. E, Forster, Esq. 
 
 I think that the men, whose lives are at stake, should be satisfied that a mine is 
 
 in a proper state. 26 J ul y 1853. 
 
 4708. Mr. Locke.] The rules would be put up, and the workmen would 
 know what they were, and would always have an opportunity of suggesting; 
 alterations or additions to them, if they thought proper ? — No doubt of it. 
 
 4769. In your experience, have you always found that the managers of col- 
 lieries have attended to any suggestion which was made by a workman, if it was 
 at all calculated to diminish the risk to life or to accident in a mine ? — I always 
 encourage my men to speak, if anything is amiss; because I tell them that, if 
 there is anything wrong, the sooner it is rectified the better; and, instead of 
 dismissing them, 1 thank them for telling me. 
 
 4770. Mr. Ingham.] Are you aware that that is not the universal practice? 
 — Perhaps it is not the universal practice; but it ought to be. 
 
 4771. Do you think that there are means by which an inspector can place 
 himself in that relation with the men, in which you place yourself with your 
 men, and encourage such representations to be made? — I think he might. I 
 should tell my men, in the presence of the inspector, that if they saw anything 
 wrong, and did not like to speak to me, to speak to the inspector, and that I 
 should be obliged to them to do so. 
 
 4772. Might that be made part of the general regulations? — Yes. 
 
 4773. Mr. Locke.] Have you generally found that a very strong feeling exists 
 against workmen who make representations of that kind ? — Sometimes ; but I 
 hope it is not generally so. 
 
 4774. Do you think it is the general rule? — No, I think it would be the 
 exception. 
 
 477,-j. Mr Ingham.] It is not alleged that that has been the feeling, but that 
 some of the men, whose default possibly is the matter complained of, and who fill 
 a subordinate position in a colliery, come immediately in contact with the men, 
 and can make their situation unpleasant, without perhaps the head viewer or 
 proprietor knowing anything of it? — When a man complained at the office, he 
 should be heard ; and the man who annoyed him for so doing ought to be 
 discharged. 
 
 477*). Mr. Locke.'] According to your experience, he would be dismissed? — 
 He would be dismissed by me. 
 
 4777. Chairman.] Personally, you would not keep a deputy or under viewer, 
 who pursued the course which has been alluded to ? — Certainly not. I think 
 that the men have a right to be heard, that their complaints ought to be 
 examined, and that if anything is wrong it ought to be put right. 
 
 4778. Do the men ever come to you with complaints? — Yes; and their com- 
 plaints are always investigated. 
 
 4779. You have published a set of rules for the use of your collieries ? — Yes. 
 
 4780. Those rules have been published in the evidence given before the 
 Committee of 1852? — Yes. 
 
 4781 . Have you since altered those rules ? — I have made one alteration, but it 
 is not of any consequent 
 
 4782. Then those rules may virtually be considered in force? — Yes. 
 
 4783. Have you found any difficulty in enforcing them? — None. I have had 
 only one infringement of those rules during the last 12 months; and that was 
 the case of a man at Seaton Delaval colliery smoking his pipe while he was 
 using the lamp. 
 
 4784. Mr. Locke.] Did he light his pipe at the lamp ? — No; he went into the 
 place smoking his pipe, and I detected him myself. 
 
 4785. Chairman.] Do you think the workmen often commit acts of careleness 
 of that kind? — No. I have always found my men very attentive to the rules, and 
 very obedient and anxious about the safety lamps. Not a man whom I employ 
 would go past the place where his lamp has to be examined, without its being- 
 looked at and locked. 
 
 4786. Mr. Trig ham.] From what class of men do you generally select your 
 overmen? — They are first of all hewers; from hewers they become deputies; 
 from deputies they become back-overmen, and from back over-men they become 
 overmen. 
 
 4787. They are not merely persons of manual skill, but of general know- 
 ledge ? — Yes, of general intelligence and good education ; they can read and 
 figure well. 
 
 0.76. O3 4788. Do 
 
no MINUTES OF EVIDENCE TAKEN BEFORE THE 
 
 2. E. Forster, E sq. 4788. Do not you think they possess sufficient self-control not to quarrel with 
 
 ~~ the sub-engineer ?— It might be that the sub-inspector would quarrel with 
 2 0 July 1853. them> r ^ 
 
 4789. Would not the class of men who are selected as overmen form a good 
 class to be translated into sub-engineers ? — No. They might take their instruc- 
 tions very quietly from the under-viewer who had charge of them, but they would 
 not, perhaps, like to take them from a sub-inspector who had nothing to do with 
 them. 
 
 4790. Chairman.'] In IV lonkwear mouth an accident occurred, by which four 
 men were killed, in consequence of a shot of gunpowder being let off in a pit 
 where there was a great accumulation of fire-damp : in your opinion, is that a 
 dangerous practice ? — I think, in that instance, the men being at work by the 
 long wall system, and the goaf being constantly within six feet of the face of the 
 working, it was not safe or prudent to fire shots. 
 
 4791. You think it was not safte or prudent even under the superintendence 
 of the deputy ? — No. 
 
 4792. Mr. Locke.] On what system did they work? — The long wall system; 
 and of course the goaf was always within six feet of the face of the working. 
 
 4793. Was the shot let off on the face of the coal ? — Yes. 
 
 4794. Within six feet of the goaf? — Yes. Perhaps for for a long time they 
 had not seen much gas. When we registered the barometer that day, we found 
 between the Wednesday night and the Thursday morning, that it had fallen 
 three-quarters of an inch ; and before the Thursday night it had fallen upwards 
 of an inch, and a quarter of an inch more from Wednesday night. 
 
 4795. Chairman.] Who is the viewer of Monku earmouth ? — Mr. Elliott. 
 
 4796. Is he a man of great experience ? — Yes. 
 
 4797. Have you seen Mr. Nicholas Wood's evidence with regard to the 
 education of viewers, and persons who have the superintendence of collieries ? — 
 I have glanced at it. 
 
 4798. In your opinion, should steps be taken to establish mining schools in 
 districts ? — 1 think it is very desirable, for the more education we have among 
 us the better. 
 
 4799. Even supposing the system which Mr. Nicholas Wood recommends 
 were fullv carried out, it would only be a prospective remedy, and would only 
 be useful in time to come? Yes. 
 
 4800. As an immediate remedy, it would not have any great effect? — No. 
 
 s 80 1 . As a prospective remedy, you think nothing is better than the esta- 
 blishment of schools to improve the education of the viewers? — I think that is 
 very desirable indeed. 
 
 4802. Have you turned your attention to the question of coroners' juries ? — 
 I have thought of it, but I do not see that, in England, it could be materially 
 altered. 
 
 4803. Ave you of opinion that the persons who are now generally summoned 
 to serve on coroners' juries are proper persons ? — Sometimes they are not. You 
 cannot always get good men to serve on coroners' juries, because, in a pit village, 
 perhaps, there is no one besides the working class. 
 
 4804. It has been stated to this Committee that it is not proper to summon 
 on juries the head blacksmith and people who are connected with the working 
 of the pit; is that your opinion?— I think that no one who is connected with a 
 colliery where an accident occurs ought to be on the jury. 
 
 4805. Mr. Locke.] Is it always very difficult, in other cases than accidents in 
 coal mines, to obtain the best men as jurors to try such cases? — Yes, it is very 
 difficult. 
 
 4806. Chairman.] You have stated that, in your experience, you do not find 
 that the workmen in mines commit acts of great carelessness, so as to endanger 
 their lives, and the lives of their fellow- workmen ? — No; I think that, with very 
 few exceptions, my men are exceedingly attentive and obedient. 
 
 4807. Is the law ever enforced in your district to punish men ?— Yes ; they 
 are fined, and sometimes sent to prison. 
 
 4808. There is no difficulty in enforcing the law? — No. 
 
 4809. On that head you think there need be no improvement? — No. 
 
 4810. In your opinion, should fines be levied on the owners of collieries, if 
 thev neglect to put their mines in a safe state, and thereby endanger the lives of 
 
 J & r the 
 
SELECT COMMITTEE ON ACCIDENTS IN COAL MINES, m 
 
 the workmen ? — If the parties find there has been neglect, they can fall back T. E, Fortter, Esq. 
 on Lord Campbell's Act, and bring their action against the proprietor. 
 
 4811. Does not Lord Campbell's Act apply only to parties whose friends have 26 July 1853. 
 either been killed, or who have themselves been injured or maimed by accidents 
 
 which have occurred from acts of carelessness? — Yes. 
 
 4812. Mr. Locke.] You have been understood to state, that the proprietors 
 of collieries would have no objection to be bound by rules and regulations 
 which were laid down by practical men ? — Certainly, they would not. 
 
 4813. They would object to be bound by compulsory powers put over them, 
 and those powers placed in the hands of persons who, in their judgment, were 
 not competent to carry them out? — Exactly. I can state a case which I think 
 will show the hardship on the coalowner from such a state of things ; for 
 instance, at South Hetton, the Morton pit cost about 300,000 I. ; and if the 
 Inspector of Mines made an order that another pit should be sunk, it would 
 cost in all probability 100,000/. That would be a great hardship upon the 
 owner of that colliery. 
 
 4814. It has been stated that, when a pit is sunk, the water having been got rid 
 of, another pit could be sunk for a very small sum of money, and an estimate as 
 low as 10/. per fathom has been given as the price of sinking a pit? — That 
 would not pay for the labour. 
 
 4815. In the case to which you have alluded, do you think that a pit of that 
 kind could be sunk for anything like that price ? — By no means ; it would not 
 pay for the labour of sinking ; and, besides, there is all the tubbing, which costs 
 perhaps 60 1, or 70 1, per fathom. 
 
 4816. Do you think that the case which the person who gave that testimonv 
 had in view, was perhaps a smaller colliery, where tubbing was not required, 
 and where the ground was extremely favourable ? — Yes ; where no difficulty was 
 contemplated. 
 
 4817. In the mines generally, in the north of England, you think that sum 
 would be very inadequate to sink a shaft for any purpose ? — It w r ould not do a 
 tenth part of it. 
 
 4818. Chairman.^ Do you use the anemometer, and other scientific instru- 
 ments, in your pits? — I have got an anemometer; but I always prefer, in mea- 
 suring the quantity of air, to use the gunpowder. 
 
 4819. Why? — Because it is the simplest, and without any friction. In the 
 anemometer, with so many wheels to be turned, there is a great deal of friction ; 
 and the full quantity of air which is going into the mine is not given. 
 
 4820. Do you approve of the use of scientific instruments ? — Yes ; I have a 
 barometer placed at the bottom of my shaft, at Seaton Delaval, and also at South 
 Hetton and Morton ; it is registered three times a day, and the overmen, depu- 
 ties, back overmen, and wastemen, examine them every day when they first go 
 down the pit. 
 
 4821. Have you faith in the anemometer? — 1 think it is pretty correct; I 
 have tried it several times with the gunpowder smoke ; it entirely depends on 
 the quantity of air ; if there is a large quantity, it is more correct. 
 
 4822. Mr. Locke.~\ Did you ever make a comparative experiment in the same 
 airways by the two systems, namely, the smoke and the anemometer ? — Yes. 
 
 4823. Which gave the greatest result ? — The smoke. 
 
 4824. Proving, therefore, the friction of the anemometer? — Yes. 
 
 4825. Chairman.] However excellent the anemometer may be, do you think 
 it is a sufficient guide to an inspector who visits a mine once a month, or once a 
 quarter, of the quantity of air which has been passing through the pit during 
 time ? — No ; only at t : ie time he is there. 
 
 4826. Do you think that an under viewer could tamper with such an instru- 
 ment as the anemometer, and make it go faster than the actual ventilation justi- 
 fied ? — He might make it go slower. 
 
 4827. Could he not, by contracting the space, make it go faster? — No; if he 
 contracted the space, the inspector would take the size of the space where the 
 anemometer was set, and get the quantity. 
 
 4828. Could he not contract the space when the inspector was away ; and 
 when the inspector came, might he not fancy that the air was travelling through 
 a larger space where the anemometer was placed, than it actually did ? — He might 
 do that, but that would be the fault of the viewer. 
 
 4829. Mr. Ingham.] The smoke does not test the actual velocity of the air? — 
 0.76. O 4 No. 
 
112 MINUTES OF EVIDENCE TAKEN BEFORE THE 
 
 T.E.Forster, Esq. No. There is something- in the smoke that I cannot make out; I think that 
 some of it is destroyed before it gets to the end of the distance. 
 26 July 1853. 4830. Chairman.'] Rather than put too much faith in scientific instruments, it 
 would be better to pay more attention to the character, the responsibility, and 
 attainments of your managers, viewers, under-viewers, and persons of that "kind ? 
 — Yes; but I would also keep an eye on the increased size of the air passages. 
 That is one of the great points. 
 
 4831. In your district are schools pretty general ? — Yes ; in all my places we 
 have schools. 
 
 4832. How are your schools supported ? — The coalowner finds the master and 
 mistress, and gives them a certain salary, and the children pay 1 d. or 1 \d. a 
 week. 
 
 4833. It has been stated before this Committee, that if the colliers themselves 
 had some concern in the management of the schools, and had some control over 
 the appointment of the master and mistress, they would have no objection to have 
 a fixed amount stopped from their earnings; the stopping of that amount being- 
 enforced by law. In your opinion would that be a good system ? — I think it 
 would be a good thing; and, in corroboration of my opinion, I may state that 
 every man at Seaton Delaval signed a paper, and presented it to me, that it 
 might be done. 
 
 4834. Mr. Ingham.'] What did they wish to have done? — That a good master 
 and mistress should be appointed ; that they should have their say in their ap- 
 pointment; and that they were quite willing that a certain sum per fortnight 
 should be taken from their earnings to pay the master and mistress. 
 
 4835. Mr. Mostyn.] Does that feeling exist generally in the north ?— I think 
 perhaps not altogether, but I am only speaking of this as a case which has come 
 under my own notice at Seaton Delaval. 
 
 4836. Mr. Locke.] Do you think that feeling is general in the north of 
 England? — I think that no objection would be made to such a system ; but I 
 never knew an instance of it before. 
 
 4837. It was universal in your case ?— Yes. 
 
 4838. May the Committee fairly assume, that as it was universal in your case, 
 it would be generally acceptable in the neighbouring country ? — I do not think 
 the men would object to it. 
 
 4839. Mr. Mbstyn.] Even if it were made compulsory ? — Even if it were 
 made compulsory. 
 
 4840. Chairman^] Do you think that the attention of colliers is now more 
 directed, than it used to be, to the subject of educating their children ? — Yes, 
 considerably. 
 
 4841. You think they are more aware of the importance of it ? — Yes. 
 
 4842. Is their general character greatly improved ? — It has very much im- 
 proved since I first knew them. 
 
 4843. Did you ever have any communication with Mr. Jude, the secretary of 
 the Miners' Association, at Newcastle? — I have seen him. He was down the 
 Seaton Delaval pit, with me, about five weeks ago. 
 
 4844. Has he ever had occasion to represent to you any complaints from 
 workmen ? — No. 
 
 4845. If he did so, should you have any hesitation in ascertaining whether 
 those complaints were well founded, and in correcting them if they were well 
 founded ? — They should be fully investigated, and if anything was wrong it 
 should be put right. 
 
 4846. Would you take care, if you knew the names of the workmen lodging 
 such complaints, that they should not be punished by a deputy or an inferior 
 officer? — They should be protected ; but I would rather prefer my men making 
 complaints to myself. 
 
 4847. You have never found difficulty in your men making complaints to 
 you ? — No. 
 
 4848. You think it is possible that in all cases a really good and proper 
 understanding may be kept up between the manager of a colliery and the work- 
 men ? — It ought to be so ; and I think there is no difficulty in it, in any case. 
 
 4849. Mr. Ingham.] What number of men are employed in the Seaton 
 Delaval colliery? — We have about 300 coal hewers, and there are the deputies 
 and wastemen. 
 
 4850. How many altogether, on the surface and down the pit? — I think, men 
 and boys, about 1,000. 
 
 4851. Chai?ma?i.] 
 
SELECT COMMITTEE ON ACCIDENTS IN COAL MINES. 113 
 
 4851. Chairman.'] The Committee would suggest that Mr. Wood, yourself, T.E , Fomer, Esq. 
 
 and others of the principal viewers in the north of England, should meet together 
 
 during the recess to consider what rules could be made generally applicable, to 3 6 July 1853. 
 be enforced by law, for the inspectors ? — I should be very happy to render my 
 
 assistance. 
 
 4852. In framing such rules, it would be well to consult the workmen, or the 
 secretaries of associations, to see the rules satisfied as much as possible the 
 requirements of the workmen and of the owners of collieries ? — Yes ; and the 
 inspectors ought also to be present. 
 
 4853. You would have no difficulty in getting the inspectors to attend? — 
 I should think not. 
 
 4854. Will you direct your attention to that subject ? — I will. 
 
 4855. Have you anything else to state to the Committee ? — I have not. 
 
 P 
 
 LIST 
 
[ "4 1 
 
 LIST OF APPENDIX. 
 
 Appendix, No. 1. 
 
 Papers deliver? d in by N. Wood, Esq. 
 
 North of England Institute of Mining Engineers. — Experiments on the relative Value of the 
 Furnace and the Steam Jet, in the Ventilation of Coal Mines, communicated to the North or' 
 England Institute of Mining Engineers, on Monday, 13th December 1852, and Friday, 4th 
 February 18^,3. By Nicholas Wood, f. g. s., President of the Society - - - p. 115 
 
 Summary of Ventilation of Hetton Colliery - -..-.-.p. 168 
 
 Table (A.) — Table of Natural Ventilation p. 170 
 
 Table (B.) — Temperature of Return Air - - - - - - - - - p. 170 
 
 Table (C.) — Consumption of Coal by Furnaces - - - - - - - p. 171 
 
 Paper (D.) — Experiments made at St. Hilda Colliery, in resuming the Ventilation of that 
 Colliery, after having been suspended to put in Tubbing, the Workings being entirely filled 
 with Fire-damp - - - - - - - - - - - - - p. 171 
 
 Paper (E.) — Experiments with Safety Lamps, to test at what Velocity in an explosive Mixture 
 of Fire-damp and Atmospheiic Air the Flame may be passed through the Wire Gauze. — 
 Killingvvorth, 6 June 1853 ----------- p> 173 
 
 Paper (F.)— Experiments to test various Safety Lamps, tried at Walisend Colliery, 28 June 
 
 1853 P- >75 
 
 Plates I. to XI., and Plate G. io follow p. 17G 
 
 Appendix, No. 2. 
 
 Paper delivered in by J. K. Blackwell, Esq. : 
 
 List of the principal Colliery Explosions during Seven Years ending 1852, with the ascertained 
 Cause o! Ignition - - - - - - - - - - - - p. 177 
 
 Appendix, No. 3. 
 
 Paper delivered in by T. E. Forster, lisq., 15 July 18,53 : 
 
 Series of Experiments at Seaton Delaval Colliery, 18 May 1853 - - - - p. 180 
 Sundry Memorandums relating to Ventilation.— Seaton Delaval Colliery, May 1853 - p. 183 
 
[ H5 ] 
 
 APPENDIX. 
 
 Appendix, No. ] . 
 
 PAPERS delivered in by N. Wood, Esq. 
 
 NORTH OF ENGLAND INSTITUTE OF MINING ENGINEERS. 
 
 Experiments on the relative Value of the Fuknace and the Steam Jet, in the Appendix, No. 
 Ventilation of Coal Mines, communicated to the North of England Institute of 
 Mining Engineers, on Monday, 13th December 1852, and Friday, 4th February 1853. 
 By Nicholas H'ood, f.g.s., President of the Society. 
 
 The comparative Merits of Furnace and Steam Ventilation in Coal Mines. 
 
 The subject of the ventilation of coal mines has recently taken a great hold of public 
 attention. According to the statements of the Government Inspectors of Coal Mines, the 
 number of individuals who have lost their lives by explosions in coal mines since November 
 1850, amounted to the awful average of 250 persons annually. , 
 
 The very statement of such a fearful fact sufficiently accounts for the excitement of the 
 public, justifies the inquiries which Parliament has thought proper at various times to 
 institute, for the purpose of ascertaining if it is practicable to devise any means to obviate, 
 alleviate, or prevent the occurrence of such dreadful calamities, and calls loudly upon all 
 those who are interested, either in the management of mines, in the success of mining 
 operations, or from feelings of humanity, to exert the utmost of their endeavours and 
 means in the promotion of such measures as may most effectually accomplish so desirable 
 an object. 
 
 It would, however, be misleading the public if it is expected that an improved mode, or 
 any improved modes of ventilation could alone accomplish such a desideratum, or could 
 ensure perfect safety. It might lead to a false security, the dependence on which alone 
 might produce the very evil which it is intended to remedy. Still the public have had it 
 represented to them so assiduously, so strongly, and apparently so conclusively, that most 
 if not all the explosions which occur are attributable to defective ventilation ; that the time 
 has arrived when the whole question must be gone into, in such a manner as to present to 
 the public some conclusive data as to the causes of such accidents, the means which have 
 been taken, or which are now in operation to afford security or safety, and also to investigate, 
 in a sound, practical, and scientific manner, whether any and what measures can be devised 
 to prevent the recurrence of such lamentable calamities. 
 
 I need not point out to my professional brethren, but I may be allowed to point out to 
 those associated with us in promoting all that can in any way tend to the prevention of 
 such accidents, and to the public in general, that the improvement of ventilation, or 
 increasing the ventilating powers of a mine, is only one of the many requisites in the 
 practice of coal mining which are necessary to ensure safety or security from explosions. 
 There are a great many other operations, of almost, if not quite, of equal importance to a 
 good ventilation to be attended to or carried into effect, to render a mine even comparatively 
 safe ; and therefore the entire subject is a most complicated one, and one which requires 
 the utmost care and caution in its investigation and adoption. 
 
 There is no doubt that all those other requisites have been well considered, and have 
 become the subject of investigation, research, and practical adoption by individual members 
 of the institute, and we may hope that those researches, and the result of their practical 
 experience, will be brought before ihe institution in such a manner as that the united 
 practical knowledge of the institute will be made to bear upon their consideration and 
 investigation, and that no exertions which are within the powers and capacity of the 
 institution will be wanting to arrive at measures which may best accomplish the object it is 
 so desirable should be attained. 
 
 Without, however, depreciating the importance of the other requisites necessary to com- 
 plete the security of a coal mine, it is no doubt a first and important step to attain as 
 
 °-7 6 - P2 powerful 
 
n6 
 
 APPENDIX TO REPORT FROM THE 
 
 Appendix, No. 1. powerful a ventilation as possible. And as I have already stated, so very important has 
 
 this been considered by the public in general, and by almost all the non-professional writers 
 
 on the subject, that an almost universal concurrence has been established, that the only 
 panacea for the prevention of accidents in mines is ventilation. 
 
 This has been much fostered by the results of the labours of the several Committees 
 of the Houses of Lords and Commons, who have invariably laid great and predominant 
 stress on better and complete ventilation of the mines. And this feeling has been recently 
 more intensely excited by the Report of the Committee of the House of Commons, which 
 sat in the spring of 1852. That Committee stated, in allusion to the labours of all those 
 who preceded them (viz. to the several Reports of the Lords and Commons, to the reports 
 of the inspectors and others), that all their reports leaned to the conclusion, that " increased 
 ventilation was the only true and secure means for the prevention of accidents." And 
 the Committee themselves state, as their conclusion, " that a generally increased ventilation 
 is the truest security against explosions." 
 
 The Committee further state, as their opinion, "that any system of ventilation depending 
 on complicated machinery is unadvisable, since, under any disarrangement or fracture of its 
 parts the ventilation is stopped, or becomes less efficient." 
 
 And this Committee, having received such evidence as appeared to them conclusive, 
 reported as follows: "Your Committee are unanimously of opinion that the steam jet is 
 the most powerful, and at the same time the least expensive method for the ventilation of 
 mines." And (after alluding to the destruction of life by the "after-damp," in cases of 
 explosion) they add, " Your Committee are unanimously of opinion, that the primary 
 object should be to prevent the explosions themselves ; and that if human means (as far as 
 is known) can avail to prevent them, it is by the steam jet system, as applied by Mr. Foster; 
 although even in such case it might be prudent, in a mine especially fiery, to add an 
 inexpensive steam jet apparatus at the top of the downcast, as a means in reserve in case 
 of explosion from neglect or otherwise." 
 
 Having been examined before that Committee, and having given evidence, and expressed 
 an opinion that the relative merits of the powers of the furnace and of the steam jet, as 
 producing ventilation of coal mines, had not been sufficiently tested, I stated to the Com- 
 mittee that I was then engaged in making preparations for testing their comparative merits, 
 and that it was my intention to institute a set of experiments, to determine, if possible, their 
 relative merits. 
 
 Considering that it was a proper subject of inquiry, or indeed, an inquiry incumbent 
 upon some member of the profession, to conduct such a set of experiments as would, in a 
 practical manner, determine the relative merits of what the Committee call the " rival 
 powers," and having made such a pledge to the Committee, I have at the Hetton, Killing- 
 worth, and Tyne Main Collieries made a series of experiments to develope their relative 
 powers, which I now have the honour to lay before the institution. 
 
 I may here, however, premise, that it is not altogether a question of rivalry between 
 furnace power and the power of the steam jet; the question extends itself to whether the 
 steam jet can be beneficially applied to the ventilation of coal mines, either as a substitute 
 for the furnace, as an auxiliary to the furnace, or, if it can in any way be adopted to prevent 
 or assist in preventing the recurrence of explosions in coal mines, or to render the mines 
 more safe. It is in this point of view that I have placed the subject before me for investigation, 
 and not as an advocate for or opponent of one system or the other ; and I must leave to 
 the institution and to the public in general to determine whether the investigation has 
 been conducted in such a manner as to fairly, impartially, satisfactorily and conclusively 
 test the relative merits of the two systems, both separately and in connexion with each 
 other, and whether I am justified in the conclusions to which I have arrived. I can only 
 add, that if I have failed, it has not arisen from a want of inclination or determination to 
 conduct the investigation impartially and conclusively, but from a want of ability to do so. 
 
 With these observations, I shall now proceed to lay before you the result of my investi- 
 gation. In the first place, however, it is necessary to state, that 1 found in the course of 
 such investigation, and in the prosecution of the requisite experiments, that it was 
 necessary, in order to test in a practical manner the relative merits of the two systems, to 
 enter in the first place into the principles of each system in all their bearings, then to 
 ascertain their relative practical effect of producing ventilation in mines. And to arrive at 
 a satisfactory conclusion, I have found it also necessary to investigate and determine the 
 resistance opposed to the moving power of each system in the practical operation of mine 
 ventilation. 
 
 I shall therefore, first of all, enter upon a short investigation of the principles and laws which 
 govern the moving power of the furnace, as a ventilating force ; next, a similar investigation 
 of the principles and moving power and laws which govern the action of the steam jet. I 
 shall then enter into an investigation of the laws which govern, and the amount of the 
 various resistances opposed to such moving forces, and which it is requisite to overcome in 
 order to produce a certain standard of ventilation. I shall then give in detail the numerous 
 experiments which 1 have found it necessary to make, in order to ascertain the practical 
 effect of each system ; and lastly, determine the practical result and efficiency of each 
 system in the ventilation of coal mines. 
 
 The experiments have been made on mines almost as extensive as any in the kingdom, 
 and in a manner and of a magnitude to test the practical effect of the two systems, as 
 applied to ventilation on a large scale. I have, hov\ever, found the subject branch off 
 into so many ramifications, which all required investigation, that I found my professional 
 
 engagements 
 
SELECT COMMITTEE ON ACCIDENTS IN COAL MINES. 
 
 117 
 
 engagements would not allow me that time to pursue them, to such an extent, at least, as I Appendix, No. 1. 
 
 could have wished. I shall, however, take the liberty of presenting to you what I have 
 
 done and which, 1 trust, will not be found without interest, if not conclusive on the subject. 
 Other gentlemen, I find, are also engaged in similar investigations, and are making experi- 
 ments in other collieries, on the comparative merits of the two systems, which will also be 
 laid before the institution. 
 
 When all these, and probably others which may arise out of the further investigation of 
 this important subject, shall have been laid before, you, I trust that the institute will be 
 possessed of a mass of information on a subject of inquiry of infinite importance to the 
 mining interest of the district, and, indeed, to the nation at large, out of which we may trust 
 that something may be elicited which may alleviate, if not avert, some of those dreadful 
 calamities which have so often produced such distress in the coal mining districts of the 
 kingdom. 
 
 With these further observations, I shall now proceed to the investigation of the principles 
 and powers of the furnace, as a means of producing ventilation of coal mines. 
 
 Description of Furnaces used in Ventilation. 
 
 The period when the furnace was first used as a means of ventilation of coal mines 
 cannot be correctly traced. It is stated that Mr. Niewald, of Sweden, in the year 1740, 
 and Mr. Jars, in 1760, both endeavoured to elucidate the art of ventilating <>f mines; the 
 latter laying down principles and explaining natural ventilation (which it is said was then 
 little understood), and suggested a small furnace at the top of the pit, with a chimney, to 
 aid the natural ventilation. 
 
 This appears to have been the first mode adopted of producing artificial ventilation. 
 The top of the upcast shaft was closed up, a chimney, hollow shaft, or tube (as it was 
 called) was built at a little distance from the pit, to a height varying from 30 to 60 feet or 
 upwards, according as a more or less powerful ventilation was required, with a covered 
 passage between the top of the pit and the bottom of the tube. A large fire or lnrnace was 
 placed in this drift or passage near the bottom of the tube, the rarifying power of which, 
 together with the effect of the heated air in the shaft, produced the ventilation. A side 
 drift, or covered passage, was also required for the purpose of obtaining access to the 
 furnace, and into which were placed two doors, so that in passing to the furnace one of 
 these should be constantly shut, in order to prevent the intrusion of the outer air to the 
 heated air of the shaft. 
 
 Fig. 1, Plate T. represents a sketch of this mode of furnace ventilation. A the pit or shaft, vide Plates,p. 176. 
 B the covered way or drift, C the chimney or tube, and F the fire or furnace. 
 
 This description of furnace appears to have been used for a long period, as we find at 
 some of the old collieries remains of the chimneys standing to this day. The last used in 
 the neighbourhood of Newcastle was at the Felling Colliery, and which was in use when an 
 explosion took place on the 26th of May 1812, by which 92 men and boys were killed. 
 
 It will be observed that this mode of ventilation could only be used where the upcast 
 shaft was closed up, thus rendering it inapplicable for the drawing of coals. 
 
 This mode gave way to the application of the fire or furnace being placed at the bottom, 
 or near the bottom of the upcast shaft, which, operating on the air in the entire length 
 of the shaft, was so much the more efficient, as the depth of the shaft was greater than the 
 height of the chimney or tube. 
 
 Figs. 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7, Plate I., represent modern furnaces, being a representation of the 
 furnaces of Hetton Colliery, where the experiments hereinafter described were made, and 
 which will, be more particularly described when the experiments are given. 
 
 This description of furnace or furnaces are generally placed at a distance of 30 or 40 
 yards from the bottom of the pit, so that the flashes of flame, when fresh coals are put on, 
 should not teach the shaft, or that the flame should be distributed or mixed with the air 
 before it reaches the shaft. The drift for the passage of the air from the furnace to the 
 shaft is always, especially in deep shafts, made to rise at an angle of 30 to 45 degrees. 
 In more shallow shafts, it may be more advisable, if it can be done, to place the furnace 
 as near the bottom of the shaft as possible, so that the greatest length of column of heated 
 air should be obtained. 
 
 The above may be taken as the general form of furnace used in furnace ventilation ; they 
 may be varied in width, the form of the arch, and in some other respects, but the mode in 
 which the furnace is made to operate is in all the same, viz., to pass the air of the mine over 
 the fire, and so to raise it to as high a temperature as possible. 
 
 Principles of Action of the Furnace. 
 
 The mode of application of the furnace is therefore very apparent, but as I shall have, in 
 order to compare its relative merits with the steam jet, to go very minutely into, not only 
 its principle of action, butiis practical effect in producing ventilation, it will be requisite that 
 I should explain in detail the manner in which the furnace acts in the production of a 
 current of air around the workings of a coal mine. 
 
 O.76. p 3 Supposing 
 
n8 
 
 APPENDIX TO REPORT FROM THE 
 
 Appendix, No. l. Supposing two shafts, A and B, Fig. 2, Plate I., of equal depth, with a communication 
 
 , between them at the bottom, by a drift or passage C. If these two shafts and the drift C 
 
 were filled with air of precisely the same temperature and density, the air would remain 
 stagnant, there would be no current. But suppose by any means heat is imparted to the 
 air in one of them, say in B, then the equilibrium will be destroyed ; the effect of the heat 
 in B will be to expand the air in that shaft, to render it specifically lighter than the column 
 in A, and consequently, if there is an open passage at C, ihe heavier column of A pressing 
 upon the lighter column of B will force it upwards, and produce a current of air along the 
 passage C, in the direction of the arrow. 
 
 And if the heat imparted to the air in the shaft B be continuously kept up by, for instance, 
 a fire or furnace placed at F, over which the air from A should pass, then a continuous 
 current of air will be kept up, down the downcast A, along the passage C, and up the 
 upcast B. 
 
 And, if we suppose, instead of the drift or passage C being a drift simply between the 
 bottom of the two shafts, that it is extended so as to form a variety of drifts, or, in fact to 
 comprise the workings of a colliery, then we have an illustration or representation of the 
 whole action of the furnace in producing the ventilation of a coal mine. 
 
 This, then, is the entire principle of action of " furnace ventilation ;" a fire or furnace, or 
 in some cases two or three furnaces, are placed at or near the bottom of the upcast shaft, 
 over which the air that passes down the downcast shaft and around the workings is con- 
 veyed, and which, being heated by such furnace or furnaces, passes into the upcast shaft, 
 and thus constitutes a column of air of less density than the column in the downcast shaft; 
 and the column of heavy air in the downcast pressing, through the medium of the column 
 of air, around the workings upon the lighter column of the upcast, so produces a continuous 
 current of air through the mine, of greater or less velocity, as the column of air in the shaft 
 B is of less or greater specific weight than the column of air in the shaft A. 
 
 It is the same thing, and is, I daresay, a more popular definition to say, that the heat of 
 the furnace F acting upon the air passing over it into the shaft B, renders such air speci- 
 fically lighter; and that the tendency in columns of air heated above that with which it is 
 in contact, to ri-e, creates an upward current of air in the shaft jB; and that the current of 
 more dense air passing to the furnace rushes in to fill the vacuum which would otherwise 
 be created by the upward motion of the heated air, and thus a continuous current is produced 
 around the workings and down the shaft A. Whatever language, however, we make use 
 of to describe the mode of action, it is quite clear that the motion of the current of air 
 around the workings is produced by the difference of weight between the two columns A and 
 B, and that in the ratio in which we increase this disparity, or make the one heavier than 
 the other, so much the more power do we obtain to produce ventilation. 
 
 Before proceeding further into the principles of furnace ventilation, it may be useful to 
 allude to natural ventilation, as it bears to an important extent, in some cases, upon the 
 subject of our investigations. It is well known that as we descend into the earth by a shaft 
 or pit the temperature increases, and it increases in some ratio with the depth, and many 
 experiments have been made in deep mines to determine the rate of increase. We also 
 know that the superficies of a mine in which workings have been made also give out heat, 
 and that the air, after it has passed through a mine, is of a higher temperature than when 
 it entered. Such heat acting upon the air of the mine rat ifies it, and passing into the upcast 
 shaft, presents a column of air specifically lighter than that in the downcast shaft, and thus 
 a continual current of air is produced down the downcast, around the workings, and up 
 the upcast shaft, without the aid of artificial heat or of a furnace, and this constitutes what 
 is correctly called natural ventilation. 
 
 Natural Ventilation. 
 
 I shall give two cases of this kind, which have come under my observation, and which 
 it may be useful to communicate ; the first, a case where the workings were very limited, 
 and the other where the workings were more extensive. The first is that of the deep 
 winning at Seaton, near Seaham. The shaft is 260 fathoms, or 1,560 feet in depth to the 
 Hutton Seam. 
 
 The shaft is 14 feet in diameter, with an air-tight brattice dividing it into two equal divi- 
 sions from the top to the bottom. After the pit had been sunk, and a communication in the 
 coal made around the walls or pillars left for the support of the shaft, the pit was not 
 w r orked for upwards of two years, and during that time only two men were in the mine 
 for about eight hours in each day. There was, therefore, no artificial heat, especially when 
 the men where out of the pit. I made an experiment at this pit, the details of which are 
 given in the following Table, No. 1, by which it will be seen that a quantity of heat evolved 
 in the drift, along which the air passed, raised the temperature of a current of air of 7,000 
 cubic feet per minute 3|°. The distance which the current of air traversed from the bottom 
 of the downcast to the bottom of the upcast was 3,o:}6 feet. The superficies of surface 
 to which air was exposed, and which gave out the heat, cannot be correctly ascertained, 
 from the irregularities in the area of the passages, but it may be taken at about an average 
 of 20 feet in each foot of drift, or in the aggregate of 60,720 square feet. 
 
 TABLE 
 
SELECT COMMITTEE ON ACCIDENTS IN COAL MINES. 
 
 TABLE No. I. Appendix, No. *. 
 
 EXPERIMENTS made at the Seaton Pit on Natural Ventilation ; Depth of Pit, 
 260 fathoms, or 1,560 feet ; Diameter of Pit, 14 feet, divided equally by a Timber 
 Brattice, air-tight from Top to Bottom. 
 
 Depth 
 irom Top of 
 Pit. 
 
 TEMPERATURE. 
 
 Difference 
 of 
 
 Temperature. 
 
 Downcast. 
 
 Upcast. 
 
 Feet. 
 
 Degs, Far. 
 
 Degs. Far. 
 
 Degs. Far. 
 
 Bank 
 
 44' 
 
 46* 
 
 2* 
 
 120 
 
 44' 
 
 47*5 
 
 3*5 
 
 240 
 
 43*75 
 
 48* 
 
 4'25 
 
 360 
 
 44-25 
 
 48- 
 
 3-75 
 
 480 
 
 4425 
 
 48- 
 
 3'75 
 
 
 A A .*7 < 
 
 44 70 
 
 4o Zo 
 
 3*5 
 
 720 
 
 45-25 
 
 49- 
 
 3-75 
 
 840 
 
 45-25 
 
 49- 
 
 3*75 
 
 960 
 
 45-5 
 
 49- 
 
 3-5 
 
 1,080 
 
 46-5 
 
 49-25 
 
 2-75 
 
 1,200 
 
 47-75 
 
 51- 
 
 3-25 
 
 1,320 
 
 48-5 
 
 51-75 
 
 3-25 
 
 1,440 
 
 49' 
 
 52- 
 
 3- 
 
 1,560 
 
 49-5 
 
 625 
 
 3- 
 
 Average 
 
 46- 
 
 49*5 
 
 3*5 
 
 Quantity of air, 7,002 cubic feet per minute. Length of air courses, 3,036 feet, the air 
 being split on each side of the shaft. Average area of air courses, 24 square feet, with 
 some small contractions. 
 
 The next case of natural ventilation is shown in the experiments at Tyne Main Colliery. 
 To obtain as accurately as possible the power of the steam-jet apart from the aid of any 
 artificial ventilation the furnaces were put out, and they were kept out until the tempera- 
 ture of air in the upcast shaft was precisely the same as that of the air entering the bottom 
 of the shaft, after passing through the mine. 
 
 On referring to Tables XV. and XVI.,it will be seen that in both the experiments on the 
 14th and 15th January respectively, the temperature in the return air, or air passing to ihe 
 bottom of the upcast shaft, after having passed through all the workings, was 63°, and that 
 in the upcast shaft at 10 fathoms from the surface, the temperature was 62° in the first, and 
 63°, 64°, 65°, in the second experiment. The temperature of the air at the bottom of the 
 downcast, or before entering the workings, was in the former case 42°, and in the latter 
 43°, so that the heat communicated to the air in its passage through the workings of the 
 mine was respectively 20° and 21°, upon a quantity of air equal to upwards of 36,000 cubic 
 feet per minute. 
 
 The following Table will show the results of these experiments. 
 
 TABLE No. II. 
 
 Date 
 of 
 
 Experiment. 
 
 Depth 
 of Shaft 
 in Feet. 
 
 TEMPERATURES. 
 
 Quantity 
 of 
 Air in 
 Cubic Feet 
 per 
 Minute. 
 
 Bank. 
 
 Bottom 
 of 
 
 Downcast. 
 
 Return 
 Air. 
 
 From Surface in 
 Upcast Shaft. 
 
 60 Feet, j 390 Feet. 
 
 1853: 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Jan. 14th - 
 
 672 
 
 36° 
 
 42° 
 
 63° 
 
 62° 
 
 61° 
 
 34-965 
 
 „ 15th - 
 
 
 43° 
 
 45° 
 
 63° 
 
 64° 
 
 62° 
 
 36-564 
 
 
 
 43° 
 
 45° 
 
 63° 
 
 65° 
 
 61° 
 
 37-182 
 
 1 
 
 0.76. p 4 It 
 
120 
 
 APPENDIX TO REPORT FROM THE 
 
 Appendix, No. i. It is extremely difficult to ascertain the precise extent of the superficies which produced 
 
 the above result. The entire workings of the colliery embrace an extent, of about 288 
 
 acres. In about 50 acres, the whole of the coal is exhausted, and comprises what is called 
 goaf; the current of air only sweeping around its edges, and receiving in its passage the 
 heat emanating from the goaf. The remainder of the workings has been worked in the 
 pillar and stall method, the excavated portion comprising about 56 acres, the remainder, 
 102 acres, comprising the coal left. There is, therefore, excavated 106 acres, and standing 
 in pillars 102 acres, each pillar being generally about 30 yards by 11 yards, and the seam 
 is 5 feet 6 inches in height on the average. 
 
 The heat thus given out and communicated to the air in its passage through a coal mine 
 is necessary to be taken into account in this investigation, as of itself it produces ventila- 
 tion of a certain amount, independently of any artificial means, but which it certainly 
 materially assists. The quantity of heat evolved in so small an extent of workings as that 
 of the first experiment we find to be considerable, and, in that of the second, very much 
 more so. In mines of greater extent it is, of course, still greater, in proportion indeed to 
 the extent; and when we also take into consideration the heat produced by the number of 
 men, boys, horses and ponies, and by the gases given out in an extensive pit, we shall find 
 that this amount of heat is considerable, and that it has a material effect in aiding artificial 
 ventilation, especially in deep mines. 
 
 It is, however, necessary to state, that this result arises only when the temperature of the 
 atmosphere is very low, and when, consequently, the temperature of the air entering the 
 workings of the mine is also very low ; in summer the result is different. We find from 
 experience, that the temperature of the return air, after it has passed through all the work- 
 ings of the mine, is nearly the same in summer and winter, though the temperature of the 
 air entering the workings varies more than 20°, absorbing almost, if not quite, the whole of 
 the temperature producing " natural ventilation." In winter therefore, we have the assistance 
 of say 20° to assist the artificial ventilating power of the mine, and in summer nothing at 
 all ; and so in proportion as the temperature of the atmosphere varies. 
 
 We are thus enabled to account for the sluggish ventilation of the mines in hot and 
 sultry weather, and this also shows the necessity at such periods of increasing the artificial 
 ventilating powers of the mines. The increased power required, as exhibited in the above 
 case, is that of heating 36,000 cubic feet of air 20°, or 720,000 cubic feet of air 1° per 
 minute. In furnace power, we find by the experiment, Table XII., that lib. of coal consumed 
 per minute heated 11,066 cubic feet per minute of air 62°, or 686,092 cubic feet 1°; we 
 therefore require about lib. of coal per minute extra to compensate for the loss of natural 
 ventilation, when the temperature of the air in the downcast, and in the return from the 
 workings, is the same. But in the case of the steam jet, we find the increase over the 
 natural ventilation only about 12,500 cubic feet per minute, little more than one-third of the 
 amount of natural ventilation, though such a result was produced by the evaporation of 
 1*82 cubic feet of water per minute into steam of 40 lbs. pressure per square inch, and 
 applied at the top of the pit in 61 jets T | ths of an inch in diameter. 
 
 Before entering upon the ventilating powers of the furnace, 1 may also premise that I. 
 have in the course of my investigations endeavoured to conduct them in as purely a prac- 
 tical manner as possible, so that the results should exhibit the practical working effect of 
 the two systems on collieries of sufficient magnitude to set the matter at rest, or leave no 
 doubt upon the subject ; 1 have therefore abstained from theoretical disquisitions almost 
 entirely ; only so far, certainly, as I have found it necessary to elucidate the subject and 
 assist in arriving at a correct conclusion. 
 
 I shall now endeavour to determine and lay down some practical data of the power of 
 the furnace in producing ventilation. 
 
 We have seen that the power of the furnace consists in the difference of density of the 
 two shafts, the downcast A, and the upcast B. It' the temperaiure of A is known, then 
 we can correctly ascertain the weight of its column, the depth being known ; and in the 
 same manner the temperature and depth of B being also known, we can ascertain the weight 
 of its column, and we can take the weight of each in lbs. avoirdupois per square foot of area 
 of the shaft. 
 
 I have adopted this mode of investigating the powers of the furnace in lbs. pressure per 
 square foot of area of shaft, as I shall in like manner investigate the powers of the steam 
 jet in lbs. pressure per square foot of area ; and having done so in both cases, I shall then 
 from the same data determine their relative practical effect. 
 
 Reverting back to the furnace, having the weight of the column A and the weight of 
 the column B, then the power to produce motion is well known, being the same as that of 
 two weights of different magnitudes, viz., of the weight A (represented by the weight in 
 lbs. of the column A), and the weight B (represented by the weight in lbs. of the column 
 B), passing over a pulley, the theoretic expression of which is well known, the weight 
 A being the moving power, and the weight B being the resistance opposed to the free 
 motion of A • friction, resistance of the opposing medium of air, &c, being set aside in 
 the theoretic investigation of the effect of two such forces. We may, however, include 
 these even in the theoretic consideration of the subject. We can represent the friction, re- 
 sistance of the air, and any other opposing medium, by an additional weight C, to be added 
 to B ; and hence we have A = the moving power, and B + C = the resistance. And then, 
 by the well-known principles of dynamics, having the laws which govern the weight and 
 
 motion 
 
SELECT COMMITTEE ON ACCIDENTS IN COAL MINES. 121 
 
 motion of B and C, we can determine the expression of power requisite to produce a given Appendix, No. 1. 
 effect. 
 
 It is precisely in this way I propose to deal with the practical investigation of the furnace 
 and steam jet. I take the weight of the column of air in the downcast shaft A in lbs. per 
 square foot of area of the shaft or pit, as the moving power of the furnace ; and in like 
 manner, the force or pressure per square foot of area of the shaft, as the moving power A ' 
 of the steam jet. Then I take the weight of the column B of the upcast as one part of the 
 resistance, and the friction resistance, or drag of the air in its passage around the workings 
 of the mine, as the other part of C ; being together the resistances opposed to the power 
 A of the furnace, in the one case, and to the power A 1 of the jet in the other. 
 
 If the respective values of A A 1 and B C were known, we could have determined theo- 
 retically the merits of the two systems without having recourse to expensive and tedious 
 experiments ; but it is precisely that we have not those values, and that we cannot obtain 
 the practical operative effect of them, without a series of experiments, on a sufficiently 
 extensive scale and magnitude to obtain correct practical data of their values, that the 
 matter has remained so long in doubt, and that I have found it necessary to pursue the 
 subject so minutely, and to carry out such extensive experiments. 
 
 I trust, however, that the experiments which I shall lay before you, will not only determine 
 the requisite data, but that they will furnish data going far towards establishing practical 
 results in other branches of coal mine ventilation. 
 
 I shall now therefore proceed, in the first place, to determine the power A and the resist- 
 ance B of furnace ventilation, which we find represented by the weight of the air of the 
 two columns A and B. These, of course, are determined by the ascertained weight of air 
 at the different degrees of temperature in the respective shafts. 
 
 The weight of air at different degrees of temperature, as determined by Dr. Dalton and 
 Gay Lussac, was long considered as correct. They found that atmospheric air, the barometer 
 being at 30 inches of mercury, expanded ^th part of its volume, for each degree of tem- 
 perature (Fahrenheit) from 32° upwards, or ^th from unity. 
 
 The more recent and extensive experiments of Magnus and Regnault has, however, deter- 
 mined the rate of expansion to be the ^th part from 32°, or the ^th part from unity. And 
 they found, which is of great importance in this investigation (as indeed did Dr. Dalton 
 also), that the degree of expansion was in the direct ratio of the degree of heat imparted. 
 
 The volume at 1° being 459, the volume at any other temperature, t, will be 459 + t. 
 Hence, to find the volume of any column of air at any given degree of temperature, we 
 have only to take the volume at unity at 459, and add the number of degrees of temperature 
 of any column of air ; the sum will be the volume of that column of air. Thus, the volume 
 at 60° will be 459 + 60 = 519, and the volume at 180° will be 459 + 180 = 639. There- 
 fore, if the air in the columns A and B are respectively 60° and 180°, then the volume of 
 the columns will be respectively 519 and 639. 
 
 Dr. Dalton has given a Table of the expansion of air, from 32° to 212°, of which the 
 following is a copy : — 
 
 TABLE of the Expansion of Air by Heat, by Dr. Dalton. 
 
 FA.HR. 
 
 VOLUME. 
 
 FAHR, 
 
 VOLUME. 
 
 32° 
 
 1,000 
 
 130° 
 
 1,215 
 
 40 
 
 1,021 
 
 140 
 
 1,235 
 
 50 
 
 1,043 
 
 150 
 
 1,255 
 
 60 
 
 1,066 
 
 160 
 
 1,275 
 
 70 
 
 1,089 
 
 170 
 
 1,295 
 
 80 
 
 1.110 
 
 180 
 
 1,315 
 
 90 
 
 1,132 
 
 190 
 
 1,334 
 
 100 
 
 1,152 
 
 200 
 
 1,354 
 
 110 
 
 1,173 
 
 210 
 
 1,372 
 
 120 
 
 1,194 
 
 212 
 
 1,376 
 
 And the volume for any other temperature, t, will be 1000 x |gfxf^ 
 
 0-7 6 - Q Professor 
 
1'22 
 
 APPENDIX TO REPORT FROM THE 
 
 Appendix, No. i. Professor Hann, in his evidence before the Committee of the House of Commons 1852 
 
 says, " the experimental results of Magnus and Regnault consider the expansion of air in 
 
 being heated from t to V as 1 - expressed in volume t, the original volume being 
 
 taken as unity." 
 
 This expression makes the degree of expansion in the direct ratio of the temperature 
 and the following Table will show the expansion of air at the different decrees of 
 temperature : — 8 
 
 TABLE of the Expansion of Air by Heat, by Magnus and Regnault. 
 
 FAHR. 
 
 VOLUME. 
 
 PAHR. 
 
 VOLUME. 
 
 32° 
 
 10,000 
 
 130 
 
 
 
 11,996 
 
 Af\ 
 
 *tu 
 
 10,164 
 
 140 
 
 12,199 
 
 50 
 
 10,366 
 
 150 
 
 12,403 
 
 60 
 
 10,570 
 
 160 
 
 12,606 
 
 70 
 
 10,773 
 
 170 
 
 12,810 
 
 80 
 
 10,977 
 
 180 
 
 13,014 
 
 90 
 
 11,181 
 
 190 
 
 13,218 
 
 100 
 
 11,385 
 
 200 
 
 13,421 
 
 110 
 
 11,588 
 
 210 
 
 13,625 
 
 120 
 
 11,792 
 
 212 
 
 13,666 
 
 And the volume of any other temperature, t, will be 1000 + 
 
 The difference between the two tables, it will be seen, is not of much consequence, in a 
 practical point of view ; but they both show, what is very important in the matter under 
 consideration, that the expansion of air is in the direct ratio of the degree of heat imparted 
 to it. And Mr. Tredgold, in his work on Warming and Ventilating Buildings adopts the 
 same result. He says, p. 26, " If you would ascertain the quantity of fuel that would heat 
 a cubic foot of air 1°, then the specific heat of water being 1, that of an equal bulk of air 
 is 0*00035, or (see Art. 217, Table II.) ; and if the quantity of fuel that will heat a 
 cubic foot of water 1° be multiplied by 0*00035, the product will be the quantity of fuel 
 that will heat a cubic foot of air 1°, and 20 times that quantity will heat it 20°, 30 times 
 will heat 30°, and so on for any other temperature." 
 
 I shall now ascertain the relative weights of the two columns A and B. Mr. Tredgold, 
 in the work above alluded to, assumes the weight of a cubic foot of air at the tempera- 
 ture of 60°, barometer 30 inches, at 527 grains troy, taken from Dr. Thompson's Specific 
 Gravity of Gases, System of Chemistry, Vol. III. But the more recent experiments of 
 Dr. Prout makes the weight of 100 cubic inches 31*0117 grains, at the same temperature 
 and barometrical pressure. 
 
 As Professor Hann has adopted this latter standard, I shall do the same, and conse- 
 quently we have only to find the number of cubic inches of air in any shaft, and the tem-^ 
 perature, and we have the weight in grains troy in any column of air ; the weight of 
 air being, as above stated, inversely as its bulk. 
 
 As it will, however, be more convenient in our further investigations, to take as a 
 standard the weight or pressure in lbs. avoirdupois for each foot of surface, it is easy to 
 convert troy into avoidupois weight. We have, therefore, 31*01 17 x 1728^- 7000 x 100 
 = '096376 lbs. avoirdupois, as the weight of a cubic foot of air at 60°, and 30 inches 
 barometric pressure. And the following Table will show the weight of different columns of 
 air in lbs. avoirdupois, at different degress of temperature, in shafts of different depths. 
 
 TABLE 
 
SELECT COMMITTEE ON ACCIDENTS IN COAL MINES. 
 
 123 
 
 M 
 H 
 Ph 
 
 CO 
 Ph 
 
 w 
 
 en 
 
 fa 
 O 
 
 w 
 
 fa 
 fa 
 P 
 
 o 
 o 
 
 o 
 
 © 
 
 00 
 o 
 
 o 
 o 
 
 o 
 
 CO 
 OS 
 
 © 
 O 
 05 
 
 o 
 
 00 
 
 o 
 
 
 CO 
 
 O 
 
 US 
 
 05 
 
 
 US 
 
 CM 
 
 co 
 
 CD 
 
 CO 
 
 CO 
 
 05 
 
 fa 
 
 0 
 
 fa 
 
 fa 
 
 OS 
 
 00 
 
 US 
 
 O 
 
 
 
 CD 
 
 CM 
 
 US 
 
 
 05 
 
 05 
 
 
 ■* 
 
 OS 
 
 00 
 
 
 0 
 
 
 CO 
 
 
 CD 
 
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124 
 
 APPENDIX TO REPORT FROM THE 
 
 Appendix, No. i. The foregoing Table shows the pressure per square foot of area of the shaft, but the 
 
 amount of ventilating power depends upon the area of the shaft, a shaft of 100 feet area 
 
 being double the power of that of a shaft of 50 feet area, and a shaft of 150 feet area 
 treble that of a shaft of 50 feet area. Having the mean temperatures of the upcast and 
 downcast shafts, we have only to multiply the difference between the respective pressures 
 per square foot of the two shafts, as shown in the preceding Table, by the area of the 
 shaft, to ascertain the total amount of power, in lbs. avoirdupois, of any shaft. And if we 
 require that to be expressed by horses' power, we have only to multiply that by the 
 velocity of the air in feet per minute, and divide the sum by 33,000 feet, and we have the 
 number of horses' power of ventilating force. 
 
 The above Table likewise shows the weight or pressure per square foot of area of shafts 
 of different depths and different degrees of temperature, and enables us to ascertain the 
 motive power A in shafts of the depths shown in the Table, when the mean temperature of 
 the air in the downcast shaft i3 given. And it also shows the resistance or weight B of 
 the air in the upcast shaft, opposed to the motion or moving power A of the air in the 
 downcast, when the mean temperature of the air in the upcast is given. 
 
 Thus, suppose the mean temperature of air in a downcast pit 900 feet in depth to 
 be 50°, then the motive power A is 70-252 lbs. per square foot of area of shaft. And 
 if the mean temperature of the upcast B be 180°, then the resistance B of the weight of 
 the column is 55'96 lbs. per square foot of area. Consequently the difference, 21*262 lbs. 
 per square foot of area of shaft, represents the power applicable to overcome the resistance 
 or drag of the air of the mine C, and produce a current of air which will fill up, or produce 
 the dynamical equilibrium of the system, and which we have denoted by C. 
 
 We shall afterwards go into an investigation of the amount, and principles which 
 govern the resistance or variety of resistances, which represent C, and this we shall find to 
 be the most difficult part of the undertaking, comprising, as it does, all the complication 
 of the obstructions opposed to the moving or ventilating power of the mine, whether that 
 power be the furnace or the steam jet. Previously, however, to entering upon this part of 
 the subject, it is requisite to notice a qualification in the power of the furnace in the venti- 
 lation of mines, which was raised during the investigation before the Committee of the 
 House of Commons, in 1852, and which has been termed the " furnace limit." 
 
 It is rather inexplicable how this outcry should have been raised as against the furnace, 
 without applying the same limit to the steam jet ; as in the list of definitions and technical 
 explanations in the Report of the Committee, the principles of action of the furnace and 
 the resistance or drag of« the air are correctly stated, except only as regards the " vena 
 contracta," which is scarcely separable from the drag or resistance of the air. 
 
 It is there stated, as has been demonstrated by the preceding inquiries, that the power 
 of the furnace is in the direct ratio, or arithmetical ratio, of the heat employed ; no limit is 
 pretended to be assigned to this power. Professor Hann himself gives the expansion of 
 
 air, and consequently the power of the furnace, as equal to 1 — 459 ^77 * being the tempe- 
 rature of the downcast, and V the temperature of the upcast ; no limit is there given ; 
 and the experiments of Magnus and Regnault, though carried beyond the temperature 
 practically in use in coal mine ventilation, showed that the ratio of the expansion of the 
 air, and consequently the power of the furnace, was in the direct ratio of the increase of 
 temperature. 
 
 It is true, as stated by Professor Hann, and adopted in the Report, that the resistance or 
 drag of the air increases in a geometrical ratio, and that consequently there is, if not a 
 theoretical, a practical limit to the ventilating power. But it ought to have been stated 
 that this limit was equally applicable to whatever power was employed, unless that power 
 increased, or is made to increase, in any other than a direct or arithmetical ratio ; that it 
 was equally applicable to the steam jet and the furnace ; and that, in fact, it is the resistance, 
 and not the power, which presents a practical limit to the amount of ventilation ; and that 
 it operates, as will hereafter be shown, to produce a practical limit to the power of the 
 steam jet, as well as to that of the furnace. 
 
 Steam Jet. 
 
 The steam jet was first proposed as a ventilating power by Mr. Goldsworthy Gurney, in 
 1835, to a " Committee of the House of Commons on Accidents in Coal Mines." 
 
 His proposition to the Committee was, " a common boiler, furnished with a small tube, 
 leading to the shaft, and pointing either up or down, as you desire the current to be driven, 
 placed in a cylinder, the size of which must be governed by the quantity of steam used, 
 or the quantity of current you intend to make. A very small jet of steam, at 60 lbs. to 
 the inch, of about the size of a goose quill, will dislodge 350,000 cubic feet of air in an 
 hour." 
 
 Again, in 1839, Mr. Gurney proposed to the South Shields Committee steam jets as a 
 ventilating power, and sent drawings of the mode of applying the jets, which may be seen 
 in their Transactions. Mr. Gurney then proposed that the boiler should be placed at the 
 top of the pit, and the jets placed within it, about 20 or 30 feet down. And he says. 
 "16 jets of j^ths area, fed by steam of 40 lbs. per square inch, placed not less than 30 feet 
 deep in the upcast, and equally divided through its sectional area, would produce a 
 
 current 
 
SELECT COMMITTEE ON ACCIDENTS IN COAL MINES. 
 
 125 
 
 current of air, at the rate of 20 miles per hour, in a shaft 41 feet] area, or 72,160 cubic Appendix, No. 1. 
 feet per minute." " mmm 
 
 In 1849, Mr. Gurney again brought forward, before a Committee of the House of Lords, 
 the steam jet ; and lastly, in 1 852, before a Committee of the House of Commons. With 
 regard to the mode of applying the jet, Mr. Gurney, in answer to Question 433, Lords' 
 Committee, 1849, " Is it desirable to place them near the surface, or near the bottom? " 
 said, " Save the rarefaction, and the little power given out by the heat of the steam, in 
 the shape of heat, and lightening the column, it does not matter where it is placed ; it is 
 not worth consideration." And in answer to Question 434, says, " It is not worth calcu- 
 lation." And he mentions an experiment at Seaton Delaval, making the quantity of air 
 due to the rarefaction of the steam only 6,000 cubic feet per minute, the quantity of the 
 steam jet being 33,000. He therefore assumes the ratio to be as 6 is to 33. 
 
 Notwithstanding the very flattering estimate of the powers of the steam jet, it does not 
 appear that it was used at any of the collieries in this district until Mr. Forster adopted 
 it, at the Seaton Delaval Colliery, in 1849, and, since then, it has been tried in some other 
 collieries. 
 
 It has always appeared to me, that great part of the difference of opinion which has 
 arisen as to the utility and efficiency of the steam jet has been occasioned from a clear 
 distinction not having been made between the effect arising from the rarefaction of the air 
 in the upcast shaft, by the heat of the engine fires, and by the heat given out by the steam 
 (when the boilers are placed at the bottom of the pit), and the mechanical effect, or 
 propulsive power, of the steam jet, as a moving force, in producing ventilation. It is true, 
 Mr. Gurney attributes little or no effect to these aids, which, as previously noticed, he says 
 are " not worth consideration," but attributes almost the entire power to the steam jet, as 
 a propulsive force. 
 
 We shall not, however, be able thoroughly to estimate the power and efficiency of the 
 steam jet unless we separate and determine by experiment, or in some other conclusive 
 manner, what is due to each of the mechanical forces which contribute to form the entire 
 power of the jet as a means of ventilation, in the different modes in which it has been or 
 may be applied. 
 
 In order to accomplish these we shall have to consider separately, and subject to 
 experiment : — 
 
 1st. The effect of the engine fires as regards rarefaction in the upcast shaft, when the 
 boilers and jets are placed at the bottom of the pit. 
 
 2d. The effect of the rarefaction, and of the column of steam in the upcast shaft, when 
 the jets are placed at the bottom of the pit, whether the steam is obtained from boilers at 
 the bottom of the pit or is conveyed by pipes from boilers placed on the surface. 
 
 3d. The mechanical effect of the jets alone, as a propulsive force, to produce ventilation. 
 
 In the consideration of the first of these little explanation is required. If a fire is 
 employed to pass underneath and around a boiler, to convert water into steam (apart from 
 the consideration of the effect of that portion of the heat communicated to the steam, and 
 again given out in its passage up the shaft, which comes under the second head of the 
 inquiries), the surplus heat, passing into the shaft, acts upon the air in the upcast shaft in 
 precisely the same manner, so far as regards the quantity of heat so communicated, as if 
 such heat proceeded from a furnace ; viz., by rarefying the air in the shaft, and producing 
 an amount of ventilation corresponding with the quantity of heat so passing off. 
 
 It is, however, worthy of remark, and it is a circumstance of some importance in this 
 inquiry, that a considerable diminution of effect is sustained if such tires are of the ordi- 
 nary description ; the combustion of the coal in the engine fires is not near so perfect as 
 when the coal is consumed by a furnace. In the former case, the air is made to pass 
 entirely through the grate bars, and through the fire, driving off a good deal of the volatile 
 and combustible matter of the fire unconsumed ; whereas, in the furnace, the air passes 
 over the fire with great velocity, and the combustible matter is thus again thrown upon the 
 fire, and is almost entirely consumed ; indeed, in a well-worked furnace, the combustion is 
 almost perfect. 
 
 This is well known to the profession, in upcast shafts, with engine-fires at the bottom, 
 volumes of smoke are almost continually issuing ; whereas, in furnace ventilation alone, 
 there is little or no smoke emitted. This is not a simple question of comparative consump- 
 tion of coal to produce the same effect, as the smoke from the engine fires adds to the 
 weight of the column of air in the shaft, and so tends also to diminish the effect of the 
 rarefaction. The experiments which will hereafter be given will prove this in a very con- 
 clusive manner. 
 
 In the consideration of the second set of inquiries, that of the effect of the steam passing 
 up the shaft, also requires consideration. It operates, first of all, in increasing the tempera- 
 ture, and by the rarefaction of such heat, adds to the ventilating power. We have likewise 
 to take into consideration the weight of the column of steam, compared with the weight of 
 a column of air of the same temperature. And we have to take into consideration that 
 property of steam and air, in contact with each other, to combine mechanically, and present 
 a united bulk different from that of the simple addition of the two volumes. I have how- 
 ever previously stated, that it was my intention in this paper to deal with this investigation 
 in a purely practical manner. 1 shall therefore simply confine myself to a statement of the 
 
 O.76. q 3 theoretical 
 
126 
 
 APPENDIX TO REPORT FROM THE 
 
 Appewdix, No. i. theoretical result of the above questions, as deduced by the most modern inquirers, without 
 — — g°i n g more into detail than is absolutely necessary to illustrate the subject. 
 
 The effect of the heat of the steam upon the column of air in the shaft will be the same 
 as that of a similar quantity of heat communicated in any other way, except only as modi- 
 fied by the weight of the column of steam, in the first instance, and still further modified by 
 the properties of air and steam when mixed. 
 
 According to the specific gravity of steam, as given by Dr. Thompson, it appears that a 
 cubic foot of steam at 60° weighs 329'4 grains, when the barometrical pressure is 30 inches, 
 
 and if f be any other pressure, we have — as 30 32 |L = 10*98 f — the weight of a 
 
 cubic foot of steam, at the force /, and temperature of 60°. Let t be the temperature at the 
 force /, and let t = 60°. Then, as previously shown, ^ ^ ^ = the bulk at the tempera- 
 ture t, supposing the bulk at 60° to be one cubic foot. Now, the densities being inversely 
 as the spaces which the vapour occupies, we have ^ ~ | : 1 : : 10'98 f : = the 
 
 weight of a cubic foot of vapour in grains, at the temperature t, and force/. 
 
 It has been ascertained that gaseous fluids, which do not chemically combine, mix toge- 
 ther without condensation when the pressure is unaltered ; and that, when they are 
 saturated, a cubic foot of air absorbs exactly a cubic foot of steam, as it would exist in a 
 vacuum at the same temperature. (See Gen. Roy's Experiments, Quarterly Journal of 
 Science, vol. xiii., p. 82 ; or Daniell's Meteorological Essays, p. 174. 
 
 If the bulk of ai? be a, at the temperature t, and f the force of the vapour at the same 
 temperature, and p the pressure of the atmosphere, then, since the bulk a of the air mixes 
 with an equal bulk a of the steam at the pressure/, the bulk of the steam at the pressure 
 
 p will be — as p : f : : a : "£p And the bulk of the whole, after mixture, will be — 
 
 fa _ a (It +/) 
 P P 
 
 (See Tredgold on Warming and Ventilating Buildings, p. 291). 
 
 These will be useful when we shall have to estimate what practical results can be 
 obtained in other cases from the data resulting from the present experiments. 
 
 The next consideration is the mechanical effect of the jet of steam as a propulsive force. 
 
 1 have already noticed the mode in which Mr. Gurney proposed to apply the jet, either at 
 the bottom or the top of the upcast shaft ; the steam from a boiler, or more than one 
 boiler, being made to pass through small apertures, and so produce a jet of steam issuing 
 out of each of such apertures at a very rapid velocity, and acting on the air " by impulse, or 
 vis a tergo," as Mr. Gurney expresses it, " driving the whole column of air up the shaft 
 before it." 
 
 Mr. Longridge, in a paper read before the Institute of Mining Engineers, explains the 
 action of the jet as "that of the friction of the steam rushing through the air with great 
 velocity, and carrying it along with it." Whether it be the one or the other, or a combination 
 of both, or a partial vacuum, created by the rapid expansion of the steam, into which the 
 air rushes, and in which manner it is carried along with it, and also, probably, that property 
 of steam to mix with the air, I shall not here or at this time enter further upon, but 
 shall proceed to the investigation of the mechanica Ipower given out or produced by such 
 jets. 
 
 It will be necessary, as in the case of the furnace, to ascertain the amount of mechanical 
 force exerted by jets of steam of given dimensions, and number in lbs. pressure per square 
 foot of area of shaft, or horses' power, which we shall first of all do by ascertaining the 
 evaporating power of a boiler, or a certain number of boilers, such as are used in the 
 collieries where the steam jet has been applied. 
 
 The form of boiler ordinarily employed is cylindrical, with hemispherical ends, generally 
 30 feet long by 5 feet, to 5 feet 6 inches diameter ; high pressure, of course. The evapo- 
 rating power of such a boiler we may take at about 50 cubic feet of water per hour ; and 
 as the evaporation of one cubic foot of water per hour is generally taken to represent a 
 horse's power, or 33,000 lbs. lifted one foot in height in a minute, we may take one of such 
 boilers, used as a mechanical force, or as made to act as a jet of steam, as representing 
 50 horses' power, and so on for any greater number. 
 
 We shall now inquire what number of jets such a boiler will supply with steam, say at 
 40 lbs. per square inch. 
 
 Mr. Vivian quotes, in his evidence in 1849, "a Cornish boiler, 30 I feet long, 6 feet 
 
 2 inches diameter, as supplying a steam jet with an opening of § inch square, the safety- 
 valve lifting at 50 lbs. per square inch;" thus making one jet, of an area of *5625 square 
 inches, pass all the steam of such a boiler at 50 lbs. per square inch. 
 
 In an experiment which I made at Hetton Colliery with two boilers, each 26 feet long 
 and 5 feet 4 inches diameter, the evaporation was 93 cubic feet of water per hour, into 
 steam at 40 lbs. per square inch ; and this quantity of steam was barely sufficient for the 
 supply of 37 jets |-inch diameter, or 1-8133 inches area. But this evaporation was more 
 than would supply the same number of jets 3-16ths inch diameter, or r0216 inch area. 
 
 At Killingworth, I found the evaporation of three boilers, each 34 feet long and 5 feet 
 1 inch diameter, equal to 170 cubic feet of water into steam at 40 lbs. per square inch per 
 hour ; and this quantity of steam was also barely sufficient to fully keep up 29 jets 3-8ths 
 
 of 
 
SELECT COMMITTEE ON ACCIDENTS IN COAL MINES. 
 
 127 
 
 of an inch diameter each, or 3*203 inches area, the boilers being, in this case, very vigor- Appendix, No. 
 
 ously fired. 
 
 At Tyne Main Colliery two experiments were made, the^ jets being placed at tbe top of 
 the pit, a short distance from the boilers, and, consequently, little or no condensation. In 
 one experiment there were 33 jets 3-16ths inch diameter each, and 28 jets 3-8ths inch dia- 
 meter each, the total area being 4-0003 inches. There were two boilers, each 30 feet long, 
 and 6 feet diameter, with hemispherical ends; the evaporation was 115 cubic feet of water 
 per hour, and the pressure of steam 22*5 per square inch. The boilers were very hard 
 fired, and the steam kept up with great difficulty. The other experiment was with the 
 same boilers, steam at 40 lbs. per square inch ; 61 jets 3-16ths inch diameter each; area 
 of jets, 1*684 inches; and the evaporation was 109 cubic feet of water per hour, but the 
 steam was blowing off strong all the time, the evaporation being more than the jets could 
 pass. 
 
 The velocity with which elastic fluids rush into a vacuum is that which a heavy body will 
 acquire by falling through a homogeneous column equal to the height due to the pressure 
 or elasticity of the fluid ; and the velocity with which a fluid of one degree of elasticity will 
 rush into an atmosphere of a different degree of elasticity, is that which a heavy body will 
 acquire by falling through a homogeneous column equal to the height due to the pressure, 
 or difference of degrees of elasticities of the two fluids. 
 
 If we have, therefore, the degree of elasticity or density of steam, we shall know at what 
 velocity such steam will rush into the atmosphere, through a jet or aperture, out of a pipe 
 containing a continuous supply of steam at such a density. This theorem is well known, 
 
 and is — 
 
 V — 8 V 86-5 (459 + t' 
 
 V being the temperature of the steam above the pressure of the atmosphere. (See Tredgold 
 on the Steam Engine, p. 89). 
 
 This expression of velocity is, however, correct only when the motion is free from 
 friction, or unretarded. Mr. Tredgold states, " that the velocity through a tube, from two 
 to three diameters in length, should be 6-5 instead of 8." 
 
 In the case of the steam jet, however, the jets are necessarily at some distance from the 
 boilers, and the steam will be conveyed from thence by steam pipes of different diameters, 
 and, consequently, we may assume that the velocity will be further diminished. The 
 velocity of steam at 40 lbs. pressure per square inch, or 288 , 4° temperature, will be — 
 
 ■v 6*5^86*5 (459 + 288*4) = 1652*7 feet per second, the velocity with which the steam 
 would issue from the jets. 
 
 The quantity of water evaporated at Hetton was 93 cubic feet per hour; we then have, 
 
 = "as feet per second, 
 
 the velocity with which 93 cubic feet of water converted into steam of 40 lbs. pressure per 
 square inch, 506 bulk per minute, would pass through an aperture of 1*8133 inches in 
 
 area. And at Killingworth 1 ^e^fxa-ao r ~ 1074 ^ eet * ^ n( * at Tyne Main, No. 1 experi- 
 
 ment ' ^uuS^oT = 1102 feet 5 and No ' 2 experiment, =1311 feet per 
 
 second, the velocity of the steam out of the jets. The theoretical expression of these 
 experiments being about 4*25 on the average (the last experiment net passing all the steam), 
 instead of 6*5, as given by Tredgold ; which is probably the more correct expression, as 
 Tredgold gives 5* as the expression when the steam issues through a thin plate, and 5*45 
 through a tube of two or three diameters in length, projecting inwards. 
 
 Assuming 4*25 as the expression, we would have the velocity with steam at 40 lbs. = 
 1080*6 feet per second ; and at 50 lbs. = 1088*4 feet per second. 
 
 Having thus the number of boilers, or area of surface of evaporation, and reckoning in 
 round numbers, 3 square feet of surface of evaporation for each cubic foot of water 
 evaporated, we shall know the mechanical power employed in any steam jet apparatus, 
 and resolving the quantity of water into steam of the elasticity intended to be used, and 
 adopting the theorem 
 
 V = 4*25 ^86*5 (459 + f 
 
 V being the temperature of the steam equivalent to the elasticity intended to be used, we 
 can also determine the number of jets to be used. 
 
 And if we wish to know the number of horses' power of the steam employed in the jets, 
 or the pressure per square foot of area of shaft, we can also determine these. 
 
 Thus, suppose the pressure of steam employed in the jets to be 40 lbs. per square 
 inch = 288°4 Fah. Then 4*25 ./86°5 (459 + 288*4) = 1080 feet per second, the velocity 
 with which the steam will issue from the jets. 
 
 Take the case of Tyne Main. 61 jets 3-16ths of an inch in diameter each = 1*6843 
 inch area: we have, as above, 1*6843 inches of steam, at 40 lbs. pressure, with a velocity 
 
 of 1080*6 feet per second. Then 1080 6x ^ s43x6Q __ 753-37 cubic feet of steam per minute, 
 
 758*37 
 
 and as the bulk of steam as compared with water is as 506 : 1, we have —^r = 1*5 cubic 
 
 feet of water per minute, or 90 cubic feet per hour required to be evaporated to supply jets 
 of the area of 1*6843 inches, with steam at 40 lbs. pressure per square inch. 
 0.76. Q 4 And 
 
128 
 
 APPENDIX TO REPORT FROM THE 
 
 Appendix, No. 1. And if we require to know the pressure per square foot of area of shaft, in the same 
 
 terms as Table III. of furnace ventilation, we have 758*37 cubic feet of steam, to act upon 
 
 an area through the cylinders, of 40-25 feet, with steam at 40 lbs. per square inch pressure, 
 
 n ° w io-25 = 18 ' 84 feet P er minute, the quantity of steam supplied at 40 lbs. But the 
 
 velocity of the air is 1231*6 feet per minute (viz., 49*574 cubic feet of air per minute 
 passing up the shaft, the area of which is 40*25 feet), therefore, as 18*84 feet : 1231*6 
 feet : : 40 lbs. : *6118lbs. pressure per square inch, or *6118 x 144 = 88*10 lbs. per square 
 foot of area of shaft. 
 
 * , 88-11 X40-25X 1231 -6 , „„ , , 
 
 -find gg^jj = 132 horses power. 
 
 Resistance of the Air in Mines. 
 
 I shall now proceed to the consideration of the resistance of the air in mines, or to C, 
 and, as previously noticed, this is a most important and a most difficult undertaking' 
 requiring a much more elaborate and extensive investigation than I can pretend to bestow 
 upon it on such an occasion as the present. I have found it necessary to enter upon it on 
 a somewhat extensive scale, however, in order to obtain data whereby to compare the 
 effective performances of the different systems of ventilating power; and I trust such 
 researches, and the data which I have obtained from the experiments I have found it 
 necessary to make in illustration thereof, will not be without their value, in the considera- 
 tion of the ventilation of mines generally. 
 
 The mode by which mines are ventilated is by conveying the atmospheric air through 
 all the passages, drifts, and openings, which have been made in the excavation of the coal, 
 so far as it is practicable to do so. In what is called the goaf, or goaves, viz., large 
 spaces where the coal has been entirely taken away or excavated, and where the roof has 
 been allowed to fall, or where the upheaving of the bottom of the mine has closed, entirely 
 or partially, the space out of which the coal has been excavated, the atmospheric air cannot 
 be made to traverse ; and in those cases it is carried along the edges of those spaces, or 
 along the edges of the goaves. But in all other parts of the mine the atmospheric air is 
 made to traverse, to sweep away, mix with, or dilute the noxious gases which are evolved, 
 either in the operation of working the coal, or in the old workings of the colliery, and so 
 convey them to the surface harmlessly. 
 
 Jn collieries which have been a long period in working, and in some of the deep mines, 
 where the expense of sinking is very great, the extent of the workings and of the air 
 passages are very extensive, extending to many miles, through which it is necessary that 
 the air should be made to traverse. 
 
 It has been generally understood that Mr. Spedding, of Whitehaven, was the first who 
 attempted anything like a system of what is called " coursing the air," or carrying the 
 air through the workings of a colliery, by a system of stoppings or brick walls, closing up 
 some of the passages, and forcing the air along others, and so causing it to circulate 
 through all the old or left-off workings. Previously to this being done, it would appear 
 that the air was only made to circulate around those parts of the mine where the men were 
 at work. 
 
 According to Mr. Spedding's system, the air was taken from the downcast shaft, and 
 circulated in one unbroken current through the whole of the workings and waste. Mr. 
 Buddie, finding this difficult to do in the extensive collieries of Northumberland and 
 Durham, adopted the system of what is called *' splitting the air," or, instead of carrying 
 the air in one unbroken current from the downcast, around all the workings, to the up- 
 cast shaft, to split such current into subdivisions, and which also shortened the length 
 which each current had to traverse. 
 
 The advantage of this is very obvious, the resistance of a current of air being directly as 
 the length of the current, and the square of the velocity of the air, the current being 
 shortened, the resistance in that respect is diminished, in the ratio of the diminution of the 
 length of run ; and the current being divided, the initial velocity is also reduced, and this 
 diminishes the resistance in the ratio of the square of the velocity of the current, before 
 and after being split. This has been carried to a great extent in some of the extensive 
 collieries, even as many as 20 to 30 splits or separate currents existing in some of the 
 mines. 
 
 It would have been extremely useful if, in an inquiry of this kind, we could have ascer- 
 tained and laid down some practical rules by which the resistances of the air in one 
 colliery could be correctly compared with that of another; we should then have been able, 
 by comparing the practical effect of the jets in one colliery with the furnace in another, to. 
 have more readily determined their relative merits. 
 
 In the present state of our information this, however, cannot be done with any degree of 
 accuracy. I have obtained the length of the air courses of several collieries, their area, 
 the quantity of air traversing each split, and as much information as I could obtain, but 
 the results are not such as I can present with confidence. There are so many elements 
 requisite to determine with sufficient accuracy, in a practical point of view, the power 
 required to produce a given velocity of current, or a determined amount of ventilation, 
 that I find it would take more time than has been allowed me to make the requisite experi- 
 ments and investigations to determine this most important question. 
 
SELECT COMMITTEE ON ACCIDENTS IN COAL MINES. 
 
 In comparing two collieries, one with furnace and the other with steam jtt ventilation, 
 we should have to take into consideration, in a conclusively practical manner, all the com- 
 parative effects as regards the length of the air courses, their area, and the superficies of 
 the drifts, the velocity with which the air in each of these splits travel. We should also 
 have to take into account the manner in which the splits are taken off from the main 
 currents. Whether they are independent splits passing from one shaft to the other, with- 
 out interference with any other current, or whether they are currents detached from the 
 main current, made to travel certain workings, and again join the main current, and pro- 
 bably even some of those splits or detached currents are again subdivided, and either 
 made to join the original main current, the detached current, or probably some other 
 current. 
 
 I would simply direct the attention of the inquirer to the system of the Hetton Colliery 
 ventilation, Appendix, No. I. There are in that colliery five main currents of air; these 
 are subdivided into 35 splits, and, as will be seen by the statement, some of these splits 
 proceed for a certain distance united, are then subdivided, and in some cases are mixed 
 with other splits, and in all these peregrinations the area of the air courses vary every 
 yard, and consequently the velocity of the current, which form so important an element 
 in the resistance, varies likewise. After great labour and consideration, I have despaired 
 in deducing, even from a variety of cases, anything like correct data whereby to compare 
 dissimilar cases with each other. The conclusion I have therefore come to is, that the 
 only correct mode of comparing the two systems of ventilation is to ascertain their com- 
 parative powers at the same colliery, and under as precisely the same circumstances as 
 possible. 
 
 In the investigation, however, of this subject, it will be necessary to determine the pre- 
 dominant principles which govern the passage of the currents of air through coal mines, 
 without which we cannot correctly ascertain the comparative merits even at the same 
 colliery. 
 
 In the investigation of the resistance of the currents of air in a mine, we must take 
 into consideration the lengths of the different currents ; there will be in every mine what 
 may be termed the main or ruling current, similar to what is termed the ruling gradient of 
 a railway, viz., the current or currents which are the longest, and which present the 
 greatest resistance, and by which the several minor currents are ruled or regulated. 
 
 In determining the resistance of the currents of a mine, it is not enough that we should 
 take the number of splits, their respective lengths, their areas, and either obtain an aggre- 
 gate length and mean area, or yet an average length and a mean area. These would not 
 give accurate representations of the aggregate resistances. And as in the course of this 
 investigation we shall have to advert to this, and to compare the amount of the resistance 
 of the ventilation of one colliery with another, it is necessary that this should be 
 thoroughly understood, though it may appear tedious and prolix. 
 
 1 shall take a case which may be tabulated as follows, and which is shown on sketch in 
 Fig. 12, Plate II., where A represents the downcast, B the upcast shaft, and Nos. 1, 2, 3, 
 4, and 5, the different currents of air. 
 
 TABLE showing the Ventilation of a Colliery. 
 
 
 
 Quantity of Air, 
 
 Distance in Feet 
 
 
 Number of Currents. 
 
 in Cubic Feet, 
 
 each 
 
 
 
 per Minute. 
 
 Current of Air travels. 
 
 
 
 
 Feet. 
 
 No. I. - 
 
 
 38,000 
 
 19,470 
 
 II. - 
 
 
 4,400 
 
 6,400 
 
 III. - 
 
 
 13,020 
 
 1518+ 1650+7768 = 10,836 
 
 IV. - 
 
 
 5,400 
 
 1518+ 1650 + 4470 = 7,638 
 
 V. - 
 
 
 7,500 
 
 - 1518+ 3300 - 4,818 
 
 VI. - 
 
 
 14,000 
 
 210 
 
 
 Total - - - 
 
 82,320 
 
 Average distance - - 8,229 
 
 The ruling current here is No. 1, that of 38,000 cubic feet per minute, traversing a 
 distance of 19,470 feet. Supposing the velocity of the air to be the same in all the 
 currents, then, the resistance being as the length of the current, the natural tendency 
 of the air would be to take the nearest route to the upcast, and so abstract a quan- 
 tity of air from the longest route, 05 from No. 1 ; a regulator is therefore put into 
 the air course, No. 2, at A ; another into No. 3, at B ; into No. 4, at C ; and into No. 5, 
 at D. 
 
 All those regulators contract the area of the passages, produce a corresponding increase 
 of velocity in the current, and as the resistance is as the square of the velocity of the 
 current, the area is so contracted until the resistance of the air through the regulator of 
 the minor currents is equal to that of the long current, and then there is an uniform 
 resistance produced, and each current then retains the quantity of air allotted to it. 
 
 0.76. R It 
 
J30 
 
 APPENDIX TO REPORT FROM THE 
 
 Appendix, No.i. It will be seen, however, that each minor current of air, though the distance it travels is 
 
 much less than that of the longest current, is made to have the same resistance, and that 
 
 therefore, the aggregate resistance will be represented by the total quantity of air 
 multiplied into the length of run of the longest current, or by 83,000X19,470. This has 
 an important bearing upon the ventilation of extensive coal mines, and on the subject under 
 consideration. 
 
 Assuming this to be the correct view of the case, then the difficulty is considerably 
 diminished in estimating the amount of resistance or drag of the air in any coal mine ; as, 
 having once obtained the amount of resistance, by experiment or otherwise, of any defined 
 length of current and area of air passage, we have only to take the length of the longest 
 current, its area and superficies, by which to ascertain the resistance of all the other 
 currents, and so obtain the aggregate resistance, or C. 
 
 To determine the value of G, even with this limitation, is, however, attended wiih con- 
 siderable difficulty : the variation in the dimensions of the air courses, passages, ooaves, 
 and route which the one main current has to take is so great, that it can only be determined 
 by experiment ; and when determined in one case, it is no rule for another, the main 
 current of one pit differing in all these circumstances very much from another. 
 
 Mr. Hawksley, of Liverpool, has given a theorem, which is the result of a great many 
 experiments on gas conveyed in pipes of many miles in extent, which is generally con- 
 sidered to be the most accurate that has been put forth, and which having been deduced 
 from pipes of a uniform area, is likely to be much more accurate than any theorem deduced 
 from the variable area and superficies of a current of air in a coal mine. 
 
 Let v = 
 
 Velocity of air in feet per second. 
 
 T = 
 
 Temperature of the upcast shaft. 
 
 B = 
 
 Depth of shaft in feet: 
 
 t = 
 
 Temperature of the downcast shaft. 
 
 s = 
 
 Sectional area of the air courses in feet. 
 
 m = 
 
 Corresponding margin, or superficial area of dimensions of air courses in feet. 
 
 I = 
 
 Length traversed by air in feet. 
 
 I give this theorem, as I believe it has not hitherto been published, and because it has 
 been found to be extremely correct in passages, or through pipes with smooth superficies ; 
 the co-efficient will require to be altered in its application to coal mines, but it may probably 
 be of utility, in the further elucidation of the subject, when a general co-efficient deduced 
 from numerous experiments has been obtained. 
 
 An attentive consideration of this part of the subject shows of what importance it is to 
 attend to the most judicious and proper distribution of the air in a coal mine of even 
 moderate extent. It is in vain to indulge in improved systems, or applications of powerful 
 ventilating powers, if a proper distribution of the air is not carried out in the mine when it 
 is obtained. It may be all thrown away by increased resistances arising from an improper 
 system, or distribution of the air through the passages of the mine ; and we shall see 
 afterwards that the same ventilating power in different cases produces very different 
 results. 
 
 This is obvious when we keep before us that the resistance of the air through a mine is 
 directly as the length of the main or ruling current, and as the square of the velocity with 
 which the air is made to travel, not through all the length of the air passages, but through 
 even an inconsiderable distance. Mr. Gurney speaks of the "vena contracta" as a 
 powerful obstacle in the ventilation ot coal mines. Every regulator is a vena contracta; 
 every obstruction or diminution in the area of the air passages beiow the proper dimensions 
 is a vena contracta, all operating in a geometrical ratio to obstruct and diminish the 
 quantity of air, and to increase the resistance to the ventilating power. 
 
 Let L = the length of the air courses, A — the area representing the velocity of the 
 air, and P = the ventilating power, then P = L x A'- Thus, taking the case before us, 
 the average length of the six currents is 8,229 feet, the entire length is 49-372 feet, L in 
 the one case being 1, and in the other 6. Supposing the air is equally divided amongst six 
 drifts in the one case, and a single continuous current in the other, the difference of ventilat- 
 ing power required will be 6 x l 2 = 6 ; and 6 x 6 2 = 216, or 36 times the power in the one 
 case as in the other ; and taking the No. 1 current as the ruling one, and supposing the 
 other minor currents to be obstructed by regulators, or area of drifts, so as to equalise the 
 
 (19470 82*320 \ 
 6 X 8529" X 38^000 = ) GQ ' 6 ' 2 ' ° r neai 'l v double 
 
 the power. Too much attention cannot, therefore, be paid to the proper distribution of the 
 air, so as to have the shortest possible air currents and the largest area of air courses 
 consistently with having the requisite quantity of air in each current, and with economy 
 and the practicability of obtaining spacious air courses. 
 
SELECT COMMITTEE ON ACCIDENTS IN COAL MINES. 
 
 Water Gauge. 
 
 We have now practically to ascertain the value of C, and for this purpose I have made 
 use of the water gauge. This is a very simple, but very effective instrument. It is in the 
 form of a bent glass tube, open at both ends, shown in Fig. 1, Plate II., and the mode of 
 application is thus : 
 
 A, has been made to represent the pressure or weight of column of the air in the down- 
 cast shaft of a mine, B, the weight of the column of air in the upcast shaft ; and we have 
 seen, or it is indeed apparent, that if there was a free communication between them along 
 the drift or passage C, Fig. 1, Plate I., a current of air would, in furnace ventilation, be 
 produced continuously, so long as the temperature of the column B was greater than that 
 of A : and if any other system of ventilation is adopted, either to force the air down the 
 shaft A, or to pump or force the air up the shaft B, or if a compound system is adopted, to 
 force the air down the shaft A, and at the same time pump or force air up the shaft B, so 
 long as these mechanical forces act, so long will a current of air be produced down the shaft 
 A, along the passage C, and up the shaft B. 
 
 When we employ all or any of the mechanical powers to ventilate a coal mine, we close 
 the passage C, and so cause the air to pass around the workings, as explained in Fig. IV, and 
 which is generally done by placing a door at A, in the passage C. It is now quite clear that 
 the difference of pressure between one side of this door and the other is a correct measure 
 of the force or power required to propel the current of air around the workings of the mine ; 
 and a water gauge placed in this door, one end being open to the upcast, and the other end 
 open to the downcast, the difference of height of water in the two columns will exhibit a 
 correct admeasurement of the pressure or force required to produce the different currents of 
 air. It has been in this manner that the force, or the resistance of air at the different 
 velocities, in these experiments was obtained. This will be more clearly shown by a 
 reference to the diagram, Fig. 12, Plate II., where a represents the door (one being opened) on 
 which the water gauge was applied. 
 
 The " water gauge," therefore, placed in these doors, indicates the force or pressure 
 which is required to compel the air to traverse the workings, or, in other words, indicates 
 the measure of force required to overcome the drag of the air around these workings or 
 around the mine, and being a correct indicator of the power or force required to cause the 
 current to traverse the workings of a coal mine (such as represented in the diagram), is the 
 best instrument to measure, not only the actual amount of such force, but also the power 
 required to produce currents of different velocities, and can also be made use of to ascertain 
 the relative power of different ventilating forces. 
 
 The water gauge, however, it is necessary to remark, does not represent the entire amount 
 of the ventilating power. It is an indication of the difference of pressure between one 
 side of the door and the other, and indicates correctly the resistance and power required to 
 keep in motion the different currents of air traversing the mine after passing one side of 
 the doors until they return to the other, but it does not indicate or measure the force 
 requiied to propel the air over the furnace and up the shaft. 
 
 In estimating, therefore, the relative amount of power employed in the different systems 
 of ventilation, we must take these into consideration, and we shall see hereafter that this 
 is important. In our investigations we shall therefore endeavour to ascertain the power 
 required to propel the air around the workings, and also that which is required to propel 
 it up the shaft, or, the resistance opposed to the ventilating power in propelling the air 
 around the workings, and the resistance opposed by the furnace and column of heated air 
 in the shaft, in furnace ventilation, in the one case, and by the column of heated air and 
 steam in the shaft, in the case of steam jet ventilation, in the other. 
 
 The water gauge placed at the doors a in the passage, shown in the diagram, will not, as 
 before stated, indicate the resistance in the upcast shaft, or the power required to force the 
 air over the furnace, or through the jet apparatus; but, if we know the total amount of 
 ventilating power employed (whatever that power may be), and if we can with the water 
 gauge measure the amount of power required to force the air around the workings of the 
 mine, or what may be called the effective ventilating power, we can then obtain the remain- 
 ing resistance or loss of power by the different modes of ventilation, from whatever cause 
 such loss may arise. The water gauge, therefore, we shall find to be a most useful 
 instrument in ascertaining the practical or effective amount of ventilating power, or of the 
 resistance to ventilation, and consequently of the value of C. 
 
 Appendix, No. I. 
 
 EXPERIMENTS made to Determine the actual as well as the relative Powers of the 
 Furnace and Steam Jets as Ventilating Powers. 
 
 The collieries at which these experiments were made were the Helton, Killingworth, and 
 Tyne Main Collieries. They are what may be called deep collieries, being respectively 
 900, 690, and G72 feet in depth, and an experiment at the Norwood Colliery, 252 feet in 
 depth. 
 
 0.76. r 2 At 
 
132 
 
 APPENDIX TO REPORT FROM THE 
 
 Appendix, No. i. ¥ At Hetton Colliery the jets were placed at the bottom of the pit, the boilers, and con- 
 
 sequently the fires, being also at the bottom of the pit; consequently the experiments at 
 
 the Hetton Colliery embrace the ventilating power by— 
 
 1. Natural ventilation - 
 
 2. Engine fires alone - 
 
 3. Engine fires and steam - 
 
 4. Engine fires, steam, and jets - 
 
 5. Furnace - - - - - 
 
 6. Furnace, engine fires, and steam 
 
 7. Furnace, engine fires, steam, and jets 
 
 At the bottom of the pit. 
 
 At Killing worth the jets were placed at the bottom, and likewise at the top of the pit, 
 but the boilers being placed on the surface, the steam was taken down the shaft in pipes ; 
 and, therefore, an opportunity presented itself of ascertaining by experiment 
 
 At the bottom of the pit. 
 
 Natural ventilation - - - - 
 
 Steam ------ 
 
 Steam and jets - 
 
 Furnace ------ 
 
 Furnace and jets - 
 Jets - - - - - - - - At the top of the pit. 
 
 Furnace at bottom and jets - - - ditto. 
 
 These experiments would have been sufficient to test the comparative powers of furnace 
 and steam jet ventilation, in almost all the varieties in which they can be applied, and like- 
 wise the actual amount of their ventilating powers in the several modes of application ; but 
 in the experiments on the power of the jets as a propulsive force alone, unaided by the 
 rarefaction of the air in the shaft, I did not consider the experiments at Killing-worth quite 
 conclusive. It is only by placing the jets at the top of the pit that the propulsive force 
 can correctly be ascertained. The Killingworth shaft is of an uniform area, and only 30'08 
 square feet. When the jets and cylinders were placed in the shaft, and all the openings, 
 except through the cylinders, closed up, the area was reduced to 19"14 square feet, which 
 I considered too small an area to test the actual powers, though the experiment was good, 
 comparatively, the obstruction applying equally to the jet and the furnace, as the air from 
 both passed through the cylinders. 
 
 The Tyne Main Pit is eight feet diameter, or 50'265 feet area, except about 34 yards, 
 commencing 84 yards from the surface, where the tubbing is lined with fire-brick, and where 
 the diameter is only 7 \ feet, or 44*178 feet area. For about 70 feet at the top of the pit 
 the diameter is however 9 feet, and this presented an opportunity of placing within this 
 increased area a larger number of jets, and also to obtain a larger area for the air to pass 
 through the cylinders, viz., 40*257 square feet, which may be considered a sufficient area 
 to test the impulsive force of the jets placed at the top of the pits. 
 
 The experiment at Norwood Colliery was made to test the comparative merits of furnace 
 and jet ventilation in pits of small depths, the jets being placed 180 feet from the surface, 
 and the furnace 252 feet from the surface. 
 
 I shall now^describe the mode in which the experiments were conducted. 
 
 Hetton Colliery Experiments. 
 
 The Hetton Colliery, or that part of it at which the experiments were made, comprises 
 one upcast shaft, called the Blossom Pit, and two downcast shafts, the Minor and 
 Eppleton shafts. The two former shafts are 900 feet in depth, and the latter 1,080 feet. 
 A small portion of air passing up the upcast shaft proceeds from another downcast shaft, 
 called the Elemore, but the great bulk of the air of that shaft passes up a separate 
 upcast, which was not made the subject of experiment. The upcast, or Blossom shaft, 
 is 153 feet in area, and the two downcasts are respectively 98 and 58 feet area — 15G feet. 
 
 The ventilating power of the Hetton Colliery is obtained from three furnaces, one 9 feet 
 in width, and the other two 8 feet each. 
 
 Fig. 3, Plate I., is a section of the Hetton shaft, near the bottom of the pit, showing the 
 furnaces. A being the shaft or pit, B B the two furnaces, over which the air from the 
 
 Minor 
 
SELECT COMMITTEE ON ACCIDENTS IN COAL MINES. 
 
 133 
 
 Minor Pit and Elemore passes, and C the furnace over which the air from the Eppleton Pit Appendix, No. 
 
 passes, — D D being; the two sloping; drifts up which the heated air from the furnaces pass 
 
 into the shaft. B B, Fig. 6, is an elevation of the two Minor Pit furnaces, and C, Fig. 7, 
 that of the Eppleton Pit furnace. 
 
 E, Fig. 3, shows the two boilers, a a, placed at the bottom of the pit for working two 
 underground engines, and which were used in supplying steam for the jets, the heated air 
 and steam from the boilers passing up a staple F into the sloping drift D, and so into the 
 shaft A. G showing the position in which the jets were placed in the shaft, the steam 
 being conveyed along the pipes e e. The diameter of the steam pipes were six inches. 
 Fig. 8 is a plan showing the distribution of the jets in the shaft at G. Three sets of jets 
 were used, viz., f 5 , §, and |th of an inch diameter each respectively, 37 jets being the num- 
 ber in each case. 
 
 The workings of the Hetton Colliery, ventilated by the aforesaid shafts, are very extensive, 
 spreading over an extent, in the Hutton seam, of upwards of 2,000 acres; comprising coal 
 partially worked or standing in pillars, and coal entirely worked away or goaf. Table I., 
 Appendix, is a synopsis of the ventilation, showing the distances which the different currents 
 of air traverse, either together or separate, and which also shows the extent of the venti- 
 lation, and the manner in which the air is split and distributed throughout the workings. 
 
 It must be observed that there are three seams or beds of coal in working at Hetton 
 Colliery : the Hutton seam, 900 feet; the Low Main coal, 780 feet ; and the Main coal, 660 
 feet from the surface. The furnaces are 900 feet from the surface, and in the Hutton seam, 
 and though these furnaces embrace the ventilation of the entire workings in all the seams, 
 the air from the low main and main coal seam do not pass over them, but pass into the 
 upcast shaft at their respective depths from the surface ; and, as will be seen by the 
 synopsis of the ventilation, the quantity of air passing around the workings of the Low 
 Main coal seam is 29*200 cubic feet per minute, and in the Main coal 29'950 cubic feet 
 per minute. 
 
 Tables I., II., III., and IV., are the experiments made to ascertain the actual as well as 
 the comparative performances of the furnace and steam jet in producing ventilation. 
 Tables V., VI., and VII., are those made to ascertain the consumption of coal, and power 
 expended in the two systems, and to ensure accuracy, were carried on for a period of 12 
 and 24 hours respectively. Table VIII. being a summary, or general result, of the three 
 latter experiments. 
 
 In the prosecution of these experiments, every care was taken to ensure accuracy. The 
 temperatures in the upcast shaft were generally taken by two thermometers, suspended in 
 the shaft at the different depths at the same time ; self-registering were used at first, but 
 after having had several broken, I was obliged to abandon the use of them, and to use 
 common thermometers with the bulbs wrapped with cotton, to prevent them cooling down 
 in taking them out of the shaft, but keeping them a sufficient time in the shaft to register 
 the temperature. The dampness of the shaft, and the unavoidable variation in the tem- 
 perature, as the furnaces or engine fires were more or less urged, produced some discrepan- 
 cies in this result ; which, however, though it would have been more satisfactory in a 
 scientific point of view if a strictly accurate result could have been obtained, will be found 
 not to have affected the general result, and were as accurate as I believe they could be 
 under the circumstances obtained. The quantity of air was measured with gunpowder 
 within the downcast shaft ; the difference of specific gravity between the gunpowder smoke 
 and the air passing down the shaft will slightly affect the actual quantity, making the 
 recorded quantities rather less than the actual ; but the comparative result will not be 
 affected thereby in any appreciable degree. However, it may be made the subject of 
 calculation if requisite. Every care was taken to ascertain the amount of water gauge 
 and the quantity of coal consumed, and also the quantity of water evaporated, and the 
 elasticity of the steam employed in the steam jet experiments. The boilers have what is 
 called "flash" flues, and consequently the great quantity of coals used in the evaporation 
 of a cubic foot of water is rather high ; this can, however, also be made the subject of 
 calculation if required. 
 
 0.76. 
 
 TABLE 
 
*34 
 
 APPENDIX TO REPORT FROM THE 
 
 TABLE I. 
 
 SYNOPSIS of Experiments on Furnace and Steam Jet Ventilation at Hetton Colliery, 12 October and 
 
 3 November 1852. 
 
 TIME. 
 
 DESCRIPTION 
 
 OF 
 
 EXPERIMENT. 
 
 BAROMETER. 
 
 TEMPERATURE. 
 
 Water 
 Gauge in 
 Inches. 
 
 Quantity 
 of Air 
 in 
 
 Cubic Feet 
 per 
 Minute. 
 
 Surface. 
 
 Bottom of 
 Downcast. 
 
 Bottom of 
 Upcast. 
 
 Surface. 
 
 Bottom of 
 Downcast. 
 
 | In Return 
 | Air. 
 
 Upcast at 
 10 Fathoms. 
 
 Upcast at 
 55 Fathoms. 
 
 12 October : 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 7-0 p.m. 
 
 Three furnaces and engine fires 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 on, the steam blowing into 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 upcast at 45 lbs. ; pit just done 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 working - - - - 
 
 30-091 
 
 31-051 
 
 30-976 
 
 48° 
 
 50° 
 
 66°75 
 
 120°-2 
 
 148°-7 
 
 1-4 
 
 198,261 
 
 9-0 „ - - 
 
 Three furnaces only ; engine 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 tires damped - - - 
 
 30-101 
 
 
 
 46 
 
 48 
 
 67 
 
 104-3 
 
 126-6 
 
 1-3 
 
 187,580 
 
 3 November : 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 7-15 p.m. 
 
 Three furnaces and engine fires, 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 the furnaces rather low 
 
 29-252 
 
 
 
 47 
 
 49 
 
 66-5 
 
 
 
 1-1 
 
 
 7-30 „ 
 
 Three furnaces in good order - 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 155 
 
 150 
 
 1-4 
 
 208,443 
 
 31 jets, J-inch diameter, set on 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 at 7 - 52 p.m.; steam 35 lbs. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 153 
 
 168 
 
 
 
 
 Jets taken off at 8 - 19 p. m., and 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 set on again at 8'43 p. m. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 9-0 „ 
 
 Jets and three furnaces - 
 
 29-271 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 169 
 
 180 
 
 1-5 
 
 212,907 
 
 TABLE II. 
 
 SYNOPSIS of Experiments upon Steam Jet and Furnace Ventilation at Hetton Colliery, 29th, 30th, and 
 
 31st October 1852. 
 
 
 DESCRIPTION 
 
 BAROMETER. 
 
 TEMPERATURE. 
 
 Water 
 
 Quantity 
 of Air 
 in 
 
 Cubic Feet 
 per 
 Minute. 
 
 TIME. 
 
 OF 
 
 EXPERIMENT. 
 
 Bank. 
 
 Bottom of 
 Downcast. 
 
 Bottom of 
 Upcast. 
 
 Bank. 
 
 Bottom of 
 j Upcast. 
 
 In Return 
 Air. 
 
 1 Upcast at 
 | 10 Fathoms. 
 
 Upcast at 
 55 Fathoms. 
 
 Gauge in 
 Inches. 
 
 . 
 
 29 October : 
 6-0 p.m. - 
 
 6- 30 „ - 
 
 7- 30 „ - 
 9-00 „ - 
 
 Three furnaces and engine fires 
 Ditto - - and steam just 
 blowing off into shaft ; pit 
 
 Ditto 
 
 Three furnaces, engine fires, 
 and 37 steam jets, -^ths 
 diameter; steam 40 lbs. per 
 square inch - 
 
 29-120 
 29-1 
 
 
 29-93 
 
 51°-5 
 48-5 
 
 50°-5 
 
 64°-5 
 
 170° 
 
 173 
 
 171 
 
 180° 
 180 
 
 180 
 
 1-5 
 1-55 
 
 205,615 
 201,274 
 
 205,636 
 
 30 October : 
 
 6-30 A. m. - 
 9-30 „ 
 
 12-30 „ 
 2-30 p. si, - 
 
 6-0 » 
 
 31 October: 
 C'30 r. M. 
 
 9-0 „ - 
 
 Furnaces put out, and engine 
 fires damped at 10-40 p. M. 
 on 29th October, and re- 
 mained out until 6-30 A. m. 
 on 30th October. 
 
 At 6-30, engine fires lighted. 
 
 Steam blowing off into shaft - 
 
 At 10-30, 37 jets, $ths dia- 
 meter, put on steam, at 
 50 lbs. per square inch. 
 
 Engine fires and jets 
 
 At 2-50, furnaces lighted, jets 
 on as well as furnaces. 
 
 At 7 o'clock p.m., furnaces put 
 out and engine fires damped, 
 and remained so until 6 o'clock 
 a.m., 31st October. 
 
 Natural temperature 
 
 Furnaces lighted at 6-40 A. M. 
 Furnaces aloae on - 
 
 29-03 
 28-9 
 
 
 30-06 
 3006 
 
 29-75 
 
 45 
 52 
 
 47° 
 
 64 
 64 
 
 69 
 
 83 
 92 
 
 99 
 98 
 
 155 
 
 79 
 150 
 
 85 
 98 
 
 105 
 
 164 
 
 85 
 172 
 
 •4 
 
 •6 
 
 1-5 
 
 •35 
 1-35 
 
 130,890 
 139,176 
 
 149,284 
 150,873 
 
 207,093 
 
 104,414 
 201,960 
 
SELECT COMMITTEE ON ACCIDENTS IN COAL MINES. 
 
 135 
 
 TABLE III. 
 
 4 
 
 SYNOPSIS of Experiments upon Steam Jet and Furnace Ventilation at Hetton Colliery, 13 November 1852. 
 
 
 DESCRIPTION 
 
 BAROMETER. 
 
 TEMPERATURE. 
 
 Water 
 
 Quantity 
 of Air 
 in 
 
 Cubic Feet 
 per 
 Minute. 
 
 TIME. 
 
 OF 
 
 EXPERIMENT. 
 
 a 
 
 a 
 
 ittom of 
 wncast. 
 
 )ttom of 
 pcast. 
 
 a 
 
 >ttom of 
 )wncast. 
 
 a 
 
 V 
 
 S 
 
 0 
 
 *° 5 
 
 09 r °S 
 
 icast 
 
 Fathoms. 
 
 Gauge, 
 
 in 
 Inches. 
 
 
 
 
 PP Q 
 
 
 cj 
 
 pq 
 
 pq ft 
 
 £^ 
 
 £2 
 
 C3 co 
 
 
 12 November: 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 6 0 p. M. - 
 
 13 November: 
 
 The furnaces put out, and engine fires 
 damped, and remained so until 8 - 30 A. m., 
 November 13th - - - - - 
 
 29-527 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 8-30 A. m. 
 10-30 „ 
 
 11-30 „ 
 
 Natural temperature - - - - - 
 Engine fires only, steam just blowing off; 
 
 at 10-40, engine fires set away 
 Engine fires, and steam blowiug into shaft - 
 
 37 jets, ^-inch diameter, set on at 11-56; 
 steam, 40 lbs. per square inch ; evaporation 
 of water, l - 55 cubic feet per minute. 
 
 29-395 
 
 30-25 
 
 - - 
 
 29,325 
 
 39° 
 
 47° 
 
 67° 30 
 
 87° 
 
 80° 
 
 89 
 81 
 
 0-50 
 
 0-60 
 060 
 
 123,463 
 
 132,053 
 139,847 
 
 12-30 p.m. 
 1-30 „ 
 
 Engine fires and jet9 - - - - - 
 At 1-39, jets taken off. 
 
 29-30 
 
 
 
 41-25 
 
 
 - - 
 
 68-5 
 
 88 
 97 
 
 94 
 97 
 
 0-8625 
 0-855 
 
 164,376 
 103,614 
 
 3-48 „ 
 
 Jets still off, and engine fires damped - - 
 At 4-3, lighted the three furnaces. 
 
 29-293 
 
 
 
 
 47 
 
 
 
 75 
 
 0-55 
 
 127,145 
 
 4- 30 „ 
 
 5- 30 „ 
 
 At 5-40, boiler fires put away; furnaces 
 on also. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 68 
 
 163 
 179 
 
 178 
 211 
 
 1-75 
 1-95 
 
 211,193 
 225,176 
 
 -€•6 „ 
 
 At 6-10, the jets set on; evaporation, 1-55 
 cubic feet per minute of water. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 194 
 
 226 
 
 2-00 
 
 229,918 
 
 6-26 „ 
 
 Three furnaces, engine fires, and jets - 
 
 29-287 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 200 
 
 
 205 
 
 234,118 
 
 TABLE IV. 
 
 SYNOPSIS of the Experiments on Furnace and Steam Jets at Hetton Colliery, 11 December 1852. 
 
 
 DESCRIPTION 
 
 BAROMETER. 
 
 TEMPERATURE. 
 
 Water 
 
 Quantity 
 of Air 
 in 
 
 Cubic Feet 
 per 
 Minute. 
 
 T I M E. 
 
 OF 
 
 EXPERIMENT. 
 
 a 
 
 cd 
 
 pq 
 
 Bottom of 
 Downcast. 
 
 Bottom of 
 Upcast. 
 
 a 
 
 C3 
 
 pq 
 
 Bottom of 
 j Downcast. 
 
 In Return 
 Air. 
 
 Upcast at 
 55 Fathoms. 
 
 ' Upcast at 
 65 Fathoms. 
 
 Gauge, 
 
 in 
 Inches. 
 
 11 December: 
 
 Furnaces put out, as well as engine fires, at 
 8 p. m., December 10, and remained out 
 until 8 a. m., December 11. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 8-0 a.m. 
 
 Natural ventilation - 
 
 Engine fires put away, and water in boiler 
 raised to 45 lbs. per square inch, and kept 
 at that pressure. 
 
 29-189 
 
 
 
 54° 
 
 
 
 73° 
 
 
 
 117,908 
 
 11- 30 „ 
 
 12- 30 p. m. 
 
 1-30 „ 
 
 Steam just blowing off - - - 
 Boiler fires put away, and steam blowing into 
 shaft, same as when jets were on ; two 
 boilers, each 26 feet long, 5 feet 4 inches 
 
 Jets set on at 12-40 ; 37 jets, 5-inch diameter ; 
 Cleaning fires from 1-40 to 3-20. 
 
 
 29-85 
 
 29-8 
 
 53 
 
 55 
 55 
 
 
 68° 
 
 81 
 
 82 
 
 89 
 87 
 
 85° 
 93 
 
 eo 
 
 • 0-4 
 
 0-55 
 0-67 
 
 121,464 
 
 129,569 
 
 149,401 
 140,923 
 
 3- 30 „ 
 
 4- 16 „ 
 
 5- 30 „ 
 5-35 „ 
 
 Jets on; steam, 45 lbs. - 
 
 One furnace lighted at 3-40 ; Eppleton fur- 
 nace, only, 9 feet broad, and bars 6 feet ; 
 only 4 feet of fire grate - - - - 
 
 Jets set on in addition to furnace ; steam, 
 
 The other two furnaces lighted ; jets on 
 
 29-107 
 29-187 
 
 29-8 
 
 
 56 
 
 55 
 56 
 
 
 
 90 
 
 95 
 
 124 
 166 
 
 94 
 97 
 
 128 
 170 
 
 0-70 
 
 0- 80 
 
 117 
 
 1- 45 
 
 147,707 
 
 166,826 
 194,075 
 
 0.76. 
 
 R 
 
 4 
 
 TABLE 
 
136 
 
 APPENDIX TO REPORT FROM THE 
 
 TABLE V. 
 
 SYNOPSIS of Experiments made at Hetton Colliery, with Three Furnaces, during Friday Night and Saturday, 
 
 the 26th and 27th November 1852. 
 
 TIME. 
 
 Temperatures. 
 
 Minor Pit. 
 
 Eppleton 
 
 .Tflnp 
 
 From 
 Isabella Pit, 
 
 TVnrt Ti wfiv 
 
 Total 
 Quantity 
 
 Water 
 
 Bank. 
 
 55 
 Fathoms. 
 
 Area, 
 98 Feet. 
 
 Area, 
 58 Feet. 
 
 through 
 Lyons Waste 
 to Blossom 
 Upcast. 
 
 passing down 
 the 
 Downcast 
 Shafts. 
 
 Gauge, 
 in Inches. 
 
 
 
 
 
 Cubic Feet 
 per Min. 
 
 Cubic Ft. 
 per Min. 
 
 Cubic Feet 
 per Min. 
 
 Cubic Feet 
 per Min. 
 
 
 At 8 
 
 o'clock, P. M. 
 
 48° 
 
 130° 
 
 141,120 
 
 65,936 
 
 8,743 
 
 215,799 
 
 1-25 
 
 9 
 
 
 48 
 
 140 
 
 135,692 
 
 67,719 
 
 10,200 
 
 213,611 
 
 1-20 
 
 10 
 
 55 
 
 46 
 
 135 
 
 135,692 
 
 67,719 
 
 9,415 
 
 212,826 
 
 1-20 
 
 11 
 
 55 
 
 48 
 
 128 
 
 135,692 
 
 65,936 
 
 8,743 
 
 210,371 
 
 1-20 
 
 12 
 
 55 
 
 46 
 
 130 
 
 135,692 
 
 65,936 
 
 8,743 
 
 210,371 
 
 1-20 
 
 1 o'clock, A, M, 
 
 45 
 
 138 
 
 130,666 
 
 65,936 
 
 9,415 
 
 206,017 
 
 1-20 
 
 2 
 
 55 
 
 47 
 
 144 
 
 135,692 
 
 65,936 
 
 8,743 
 
 210,371 
 
 1-20 
 
 3 
 
 55 
 
 46 
 
 125 
 
 135,692 
 
 67,719 
 
 10,200 
 
 213,611 
 
 1-20 
 
 4 
 
 55 
 
 44 
 
 135 
 
 135,692 
 
 65,936 
 
 10,200 
 
 211,828 
 
 1-20 
 
 5 
 
 55 
 
 45 
 
 135 
 
 135,692 
 
 65,936 
 
 8,743 
 
 210,371 
 
 1-20 
 
 6 
 
 55 
 
 46 
 
 138 
 
 130,666 
 
 65,936 
 
 8,160 
 
 204,762 
 
 MO 
 
 7 
 
 55 
 
 42 
 
 137 
 
 135,692 
 
 65,936 
 
 9,415 
 
 211,043 
 
 1-05 
 
 8 
 
 55 
 
 44 
 
 138 
 
 130,666 
 
 65,936 
 
 8,743 
 
 205,345 
 
 1-15 
 
 9 
 
 55 
 
 45 
 
 130 
 
 133,132 
 
 62,640 
 
 8,743 
 
 204,515 
 
 1-20 
 
 10 
 
 » 
 
 47 
 
 128 
 
 130,666 
 
 65,936 
 
 8,743 
 
 205,345 
 
 1-05 
 
 11 
 
 55 
 
 49 
 
 129 
 
 130,666 
 
 64,246 
 
 8,743 
 
 203,655 
 
 1-15 
 
 12 
 
 55 
 
 50 
 
 120 
 
 130,666 
 
 65,936 
 
 8,743 
 
 205,345 
 
 MO 
 
 1 o'clock, p. M. 
 
 54 
 
 128 
 
 130,666 
 
 65,936 
 
 8,743 
 
 205,345 
 
 MO 
 
 2 
 
 J> 
 
 55 
 
 125 
 
 130,666 
 
 65,936 
 
 8,743 
 
 205,345 
 
 MO 
 
 3 
 
 55 
 
 55 
 
 125 
 
 130,666 
 
 65,936 
 
 9,415 
 
 206,017 
 
 1-20 
 
 4 
 
 55 
 
 52 
 
 120 
 
 130,666 
 
 65,936 
 
 8,160 
 
 204,762 
 
 1-20 
 
 5 
 
 55 
 
 48 
 
 120 
 
 135,692 
 
 67,719 
 
 8,743 
 
 212,154 
 
 1-15 
 
 6 
 
 55 
 
 48 
 
 120 
 
 135,692 
 
 65,936 
 
 8,743 
 
 210,371 
 
 ris 
 
 7 
 
 55 
 
 51 
 
 124 
 
 130,666 
 
 65,936 
 
 8,743 
 
 205,345 
 
 1-05 
 
 8 
 
 55 
 
 50 
 
 128 
 
 130,666 
 
 67,719 
 
 8,743 
 
 207,128 
 
 MO 
 
 Average - - 
 
 44° 
 
 130° 
 
 133,394 
 
 66,094 
 
 8,978 
 
 208,466 
 
 1-20 
 
 Consumption of 
 Coals, &c. 
 
 In the 24 hours, the 
 two furnaces, B B, con- 
 sumed 15,960 lbs. of 
 coals, and the furnace 
 C, 11,200 lbs. of coals,- 
 altogether in the 24 
 hours, 27, 160 lbs., which 
 is equal to 18-86 lbs. 
 per minute, and 11,066 
 cubic feet of air for each, 
 lb. of coal consumed. 
 
SELECT COMMITTEE ON ACCIDENTS IN COAL MINES. 
 
 137 
 
 TABLE VI. 
 / 
 
 SYNOPSIS cf Experiment made at Hetton Colliery with the Steam Jets, 37 in Number, Quarter of an Inch 
 
 in Diameter, 3 January 1853. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Temperatures. 
 
 
 Minor 
 
 Eppleton 
 
 Elemore 
 
 Total 
 Quantity of 
 Air 
 passing 
 down the 
 Downcast 
 Shaft. 
 
 
 a 
 
 01 
 01 
 
 
 TIME. 
 
 Bank. 
 
 Bottom of 
 Downcast. 
 
 c 
 
 i 
 
 o 
 
 "3 
 o 
 
 03 
 
 a 
 
 o 
 
 « 
 Ph 
 US 
 CO 
 
 Pits. 
 Area, 
 98 Feet. 
 
 Lane Pit. 
 
 Area, 
 58 Feet. 
 
 Portion of 
 Air 
 through 
 Lyons 
 Waste. 
 
 Water 
 Gauge. 
 
 cc 
 o 
 
 <D 
 
 3 
 09 
 CO 
 0) 
 M 
 
 PU 
 
 Consumption of 
 Coals. 
 
 At 6 o'clock, a.m. 
 7 „ - 
 
 
 
 
 75° 
 85 
 
 85° 
 90 
 
 Cub. Ft. 
 per Min. 
 
 88,200 
 98,000 
 
 Cub. Ft. 
 per Min. 
 41,760 
 
 50,112 
 
 48,185 
 
 Cubic Feet 
 per Min. 
 6,800 
 
 6,800 
 
 6,800 
 
 Cubic Feet 
 per Min. 
 
 145,112 
 
 1 "CO QQ-". 
 
 Inch. 
 •65 
 
 Lb. per 
 S.In. 
 
 35 
 
 Two boilers, each 26 feet 
 long, 5 feet 6 inches dia- 
 meter, with hemispherical 
 ends. 
 
 9 „ - 
 
 10 „ - 
 
 11 „ 
 12 
 
 1 o'clock, P.M. 
 
 45° 
 
 45 
 
 45 
 
 47° 
 46 
 
 68 
 68 
 
 85 
 90 
 88 
 90 
 90 
 
 90 
 90 
 89 
 90 
 90 
 
 100,800 
 99,380 
 99,380 
 100,800 
 100,800 
 
 56,946 
 56,946 
 59,657 
 56,946 
 59,657 
 
 7,650 
 7,650 
 7,650 
 7,650 
 7,650 
 
 165,396 
 163,976 
 166,687 
 165,396 
 168,107 
 
 •80 
 •80 
 •80 
 •80 
 •80 
 
 35 
 40 
 40 
 40 
 40 
 
 JOjZUDJos. ot coals con- 
 sumed in 12 hours is 25*28 
 lbs. per minute, and conse- 
 quently 6,400 cubic feet of 
 air per minute for each lb. 
 of coal consumed. 
 
 2 
 3 
 
 » 
 
 »> 
 
 44 
 
 45 
 
 46 
 46 
 
 70 
 
 86 
 86 
 86 
 86 
 86 
 
 89 
 88 
 90 
 90 
 90 
 
 99,380 
 98,000 
 99 ,380 
 98,000 
 98,000 
 
 54,470 
 56,946 
 54,470 
 54,470 
 54,470 
 
 7,650 
 7,650 
 7,650 
 7,650 
 6,800 
 
 161,500 
 162,596 
 161,500 
 160,120 
 159,270 
 
 •80 
 •80 
 •80 
 •80 
 •75 
 
 40 
 40 
 40 
 35 
 40 
 
 1498-25 cubic feet o£ 
 water evaporated in 12 
 hours, is 117-35 cubic feet 
 per hour, or 58 - 67 cubic 
 feet for each boiler, the 
 evaporating surface being- 
 394 square feet. 
 
 7 ,, - 
 
 
 
 
 87 
 
 90 
 
 98,000 
 
 54,470 
 
 6,800 
 
 159,270 
 
 •75 
 
 40 
 
 
 Average - - 
 
 45° 
 
 46° 
 
 68° 
 
 86° 
 
 90° 
 
 98,317 
 
 54,250 
 
 7,346 
 
 159,913 
 
 •80 
 
 40 
 
 
 TABLE VII. 
 
 SYNOPSIS of Experiment made on Saturday 8th January 1853, at Hetton Colliery, 
 with the Furnace C, Nine Feet wide. 
 
 
 Temperatures. 
 
 Minor 
 
 Eppleton 
 
 Portion of 
 Air 
 
 Total 
 Quantity o 
 Air 
 passing 
 down the 
 Downcast 
 Shafts. 
 
 Water 
 
 F 
 
 i 
 
 TIME. 
 
 At Bank. 
 
 Bottom of 
 Downcast. 
 
 i 
 
 In Return 
 Air. 
 
 10 Fathoms. 
 
 j 65 Fathoms. 
 
 Pits. 
 Area, 
 98 Feet. 
 
 Lane Pit. 
 
 Area, 
 58 Feet. 
 
 through 
 Lyons 
 Waste to 
 Blossom 
 Upcast. 
 
 Gauge, 
 
 in 
 Inches. 
 
 Consumption of 
 Coals. 
 
 At 6 o'clock, a.m. 
 7 
 
 8 „ 
 
 9 „ 
 
 40° 
 42 
 40 
 40 
 
 45° 
 45 
 45 
 45 
 
 69° 
 69 
 69 
 69 
 
 110° 
 102 
 103 
 111 
 
 115° 
 
 no 
 
 112 
 116 
 
 Cubic Feet, 
 per Min. 
 
 112,000 
 110,250 
 113,806 
 112,000 
 
 Cubic Feet, 
 per Min. 
 
 59,657 
 62,640 
 52,200 
 50,112 
 
 Cubic Feet 
 per Min. 
 
 8,743 
 8,743 
 8,743 
 10,200 
 
 Cubic Feet 
 per Min. 
 
 180,400 
 181,633 
 174,749 
 172,312 
 
 1-25 
 110 
 1-10 
 1-15 
 
 In 12 hours, the furnace 
 consumed 7-280 lbs. of coals, 
 which is equal to 10-11 lb. 
 per minute; and 16,320 
 cubic feet of air per minute 
 for each lb. of coal coa- 
 sumed. 
 
 10 
 11 
 
 40 
 43 
 
 45 
 45 
 
 69 
 69 
 
 95 
 96 
 
 98 
 99 
 
 110,250 
 110,250 
 
 48,185 
 48,185 
 
 7,650 
 7,650 
 
 166,085 
 166,085 
 
 1-05 
 1-10 
 
 Area of fire-grate of fur- 
 nace, 9 X 4 = 36 square 
 feet. 
 
 12 
 
 44 
 
 44 
 
 69 
 
 85 
 
 86 
 
 103,765 
 
 46,400 
 
 7,650 
 
 157,815 
 
 1-00 
 
 
 1 o'clock, p.m. 
 
 50 
 
 45 
 
 69 
 
 85 
 
 90 
 
 103,765 
 
 46,400 
 
 7,650 
 
 157,815 
 
 1-00 
 
 
 2 
 
 48 
 
 45 
 
 69 
 
 85 
 
 86* 
 
 103,765 
 
 44,743 
 
 7,650 
 
 156,158 
 
 1-00 
 
 
 3 
 
 50 
 
 45 
 
 69 
 
 80 
 
 78 
 
 103,765 
 
 44,743 
 
 8,160 
 
 156,668 
 
 1-05 
 
 
 4 
 
 45 
 
 45 
 
 69 
 
 95 
 
 90 
 
 103,765 
 
 44,743 
 
 8,743 
 
 157,251 
 
 • 1-00 
 
 
 
 47 
 
 45 
 
 69 
 
 93 
 
 88 
 
 103,765 
 
 '46,400 
 
 7,650 
 
 157,815 
 
 1-00 
 
 
 6 
 
 47 
 
 45 
 
 69 
 
 85 
 
 80 
 
 103,765 
 
 46,400 
 
 6,800 
 
 156,965 
 
 1-00 
 
 
 Average - - j 
 
 44° 
 
 45° 
 
 69° 
 
 94° 
 
 98-5 
 
 107,300 
 
 49,296 
 
 8,154 
 
 164,750 
 
 1-00 
 
 
 * After this period, at the 65 fathoms, water dropped upon the thermometer, which affected the register. 
 
 0.76. S T4BLE 
 
138 
 
 APPENDIX TO REPORT FROM THE 
 
 TABLE VIII. 
 
 RESULT of Experiments at Hetton Colliery Consumption of Coal. 
 
 
 Description 
 of 
 
 Experiment. 
 
 Temperatures. 
 
 Cubic Feet of Air per Minute passing 
 down the Downcast Shaft. 
 
 Water 
 
 Consumption of 
 Coals. 
 
 TIME. 
 
 
 
 
 Upcast. 
 
 Minor 
 Pit. 
 
 • 
 
 Eppleton 
 Jane 
 Pit. 
 
 Portion 
 from 
 
 Elemore 
 Pit. 
 
 I 
 
 Gauge, 
 
 Lbs. per 
 Minute. 
 
 Cubic Feet 
 of Air 
 for each 
 Lb. of Coal. 
 
 
 1 
 
 At Bank. 
 
 1 
 
 In Retun 
 Air. 
 
 Bottom o1 
 Down-cas 
 
 10 Fath. 
 
 | 65 Fath. 
 
 Total. 
 
 in 
 Inches. 
 
 1852: 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 26 and 27 4 
 November J 
 
 3 furnaces - 
 
 44° 
 
 68° 
 
 45° 
 
 
 130° 
 
 133,394 
 
 66,094 
 
 8,978 
 
 208,466 
 
 1-20 
 
 18-86 
 
 11-066 
 
 1853: 
 3 January - 
 
 f37 jets, i "J 
 < inch dia- > 
 IOmeter each J 
 
 45 
 
 68 
 
 46 
 
 86° 
 
 90 
 
 98,317 
 
 54,250 
 
 7,346 
 
 159,913 
 
 •80 
 
 25-28 
 
 6-400 
 
 8 January - 
 
 1 1 furnace,"! 
 \ 9 feet -/ 
 
 44 
 
 69 
 
 45 
 
 94 
 
 98-5 
 
 107,300 
 
 49,206 
 
 8,154 
 
 164,750 
 
 1-00 
 
 10-11 
 
 16-320 
 
 Experiments at Killingworth Colliery. 
 
 Killingworth Colliery presented a different mode of testing the comparative powers 
 of the steam jet and furnace than Hetton ; the boilers being at the top of the pit, and the 
 steam being conveyed down the pit in pipes, gave an opportunity of comparing the furnace 
 with the jet, having nothing but the rarefaction of the steam in the shaft to effect the 
 experiments. And in this case the same jets were removed from the bottom of the pit to 
 the top, to test the relative effect at the top and bottom of the pit, and so that, in the former 
 case, no force but the impulsive force of the jets were employed. 
 
 Figs. 2 and 3, Plate II., are elevations of the mode in which the furnace and jets were 
 applied at Killingworth, A A being the shaft, B the furnace, and D the sloping drift into 
 the shaft. The boilers are placed about 40 yards from the pit, and the steam is conveyed 
 down the shaft, as shown on the sketch, in pipes 10 inches in diameter, to a receiver C, at 
 the bottom of the pit ; e f representing the level of the surface. Fig. 4, is a plan of the 
 furnace and shaft, and Fig. 5, an elevation. 
 
 In the record of the experiments, it is stated that the experiments were tried sometimes 
 with the furnace doors shut, and sometimes with them open. In Fig. 4, it will be seen 
 that there is a horizontal passage, parallel with the sloping drift D, in which two doors at 
 a b are placed ; these are the doors alluded to ; when the doors were shut all the air passed 
 over the furnace, but when open part of this air passed along the horizontal drift into the 
 shaft, diminishing the intensity of the furnace in the latter case, and increasing it in the 
 former, though adding to the resistance of the air over the furnace. 
 
 The Killingworth Pit is 14 feet diameter, but it is divided, by air-tight timber brattices or 
 partitions, into 4 compartments, two of them being used as downcast shafts, one as an 
 engine shaft, and the other that in which the experiments were made. Fig. 6, shows the 
 distribution of the jets, 29 in number, when placed at the bottom of the pit ; the same 
 jets as used at Hetton. The Killingworth shaft is 690 feet in depth. 
 
 The same care was taken in the prosecution of those experiments as with those at 
 Hetton Colliery. 
 
 The distance which the air travels at Killingworth is very different from that at Hetton ; 
 the division of the shaft at Killingworth used in the experiments not being in use for 
 ventilating the colliery at all. The ventilating shaft being entirely an upcast pit, 12 feet 
 diameter, with, two furnaces, a small portion only of the workings around the shaft was 
 used for the experiments, and regulators were put in to counteract the effect of the short 
 run. The total distance which the air travelled was only 1,213 yards, the distance which 
 the several currents travelled being as follows: — in a single current 160 yards; in two 
 currents 333 yards ; in three currents 533 yards, and in four currents 187 yards. The 
 dimensions of the regulators are given in the experiments. 
 
SELECT COMMITTEE ON ACCIDENTS IN COAL MINES. 
 
 139 
 
 TABLE IX. 
 
 * 
 
 SYNOPSIS of Experiments on Furnace and Steam Ventilation at Killingworth Colliery, 15 November 1852. 
 
 
 
 BAROMETER. 
 
 
 TEMPERATURE. 
 
 
 
 Quantity 
 of Air 
 
 
 DESCRIPTION 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 water 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 TIME. 
 
 OF 
 
 <3* 
 
 a 
 
 ra of 
 icast. 
 
 © 
 
 <u 
 
 m of 
 cast. 
 
 turn 
 
 to 
 
 a 
 0 
 
 OB 
 
 g 
 0 
 
 *j -a 
 
 Gauge in 
 
 in 
 
 Cubic Feet 
 
 
 EXPERIMENT. 
 
 Surfa 
 
 | Botto 
 j Dowr 
 
 Botto 
 Upcai 
 
 Surfa> 
 
 | Botto 
 I Down 
 
 In Rc 
 Air. 
 
 Upcai 
 lOFai 
 
 CO <3 
 8 
 
 P 10 
 
 Inches. 
 
 per 
 Minute. 
 
 15 Nov. : 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 8*0 r.M. 
 
 Natural ventilation - 
 
 28-85 
 
 29-53 
 
 
 50° 
 
 55° 
 
 60° 
 
 
 
 0-15 
 
 0,000 
 
 
 16 jets, 3-8ths diameter, set on 
 at 8-14 p.m. ; steam at 40 lbs. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 per square inch. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 8-28 „ 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 90° 
 
 
 
 15,605 
 
 8*52 „ 
 
 At 9 p.m. lighted furnace, 7 feet 
 wide, bars 6 feet in length, 
 about 4 feet of fire. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 93° 
 
 
 16,570 
 
 9'9 
 
 Furnace only - - - 
 
 28-858 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 18,903 
 
 9-16 „ - 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 20,334 
 
 9-46 „ 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 92 
 
 
 1-00 
 
 24,625 
 
 In these experiments the area of the regulator was 3 ft. 10 £ in. x 5 ft. 6 in., and regulators also placed at the splits of air. 
 
 TABLE X. 
 
 SYNOPSIS of Experiments on Furnace and Steam Jet Ventilation at Killingworth Colliery, 19 November 1852. 
 
 
 
 BAROMETER. 
 
 
 TEMPERATURE. 
 
 
 
 Quantity 
 of Air 
 
 
 DESCRIPTION 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Water 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 TIME. 
 
 OF 
 
 EXPERIMENT. 
 
 jrface. 
 
 ottom of 
 owncast. 
 
 ottom of 
 pcast. 
 
 n-face. 
 
 ottom of 
 owncast. 
 
 1 Return 
 ir. 
 
 pcast 
 ) Fathomi 
 
 pcast 
 > Fathomi 
 
 Gauge in 
 Inches. 
 
 in 
 
 Cubic Feet 
 per 
 Minute. 
 
 
 
 
 « p. 
 
 m p 
 
 w 
 
 
 
 P~ 
 
 P 10 
 
 
 
 19 Nov.: 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 5-40 p.m. 
 
 Natural ventilation 
 
 29-325 
 
 30-08 
 
 3003 
 
 45° 
 
 55° 
 
 
 
 73° 
 
 •15 
 
 
 5*55 ? j - 
 
 The air all passing through a 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 regulator, 5 feet 6 inches by 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 95° 
 
 97 
 
 •55 
 
 8,494 
 
 6-10 „ - 
 
 Steam blowing off into shaft ; 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 regulator opened to 5 feet 
 Set on jets at 6-25 p.m. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 98 
 
 98 
 
 •66 
 
 16,134 
 
 7-23 „ 
 
 Jets 29 in number, jjths inch 
 diameter each, 660 feet from 
 bank ; steam at 40 lbs. per 
 square inch ; furnace doors 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 99 
 
 96 
 
 •62 
 
 15,783 
 
 7-26 „ - 
 
 Ditto, with furnace doors shut 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 •67 
 
 14,984 
 
 7-44 „ 
 
 Regulator opened 5 feet 6 inches 
 by 4 feet, doors still shut 
 
 Opened steam valve further, so 
 as to allow as much steam to 
 pass as the boiler, with hard 
 firing, could supply ; furnace 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 102 
 
 
 1-10 
 
 16,259 
 25,164 
 
 8-32 „ - 
 
 With furnace doors opened 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 99 
 
 1-05 
 
 24,164 
 
 
 jjth jets taken off at 8-50, and 
 T |th jets put on; steam ap- 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 plied at 9-20 p.m. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 9-57 „ - 
 
 With 29 jets, 7 |ths diameter; 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Ditto - ditto, with doors open 
 Jets taken off and steam made 
 to blow into shaft without 
 force (5 inches diameter 
 
 Lighted furnace at 10-50 p.m. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 92 
 
 99 
 99 
 
 0-80 
 0-70 
 
 23,168 
 24,143 
 
 20,708 
 
 11-21 „ - 
 
 Furnace, 7 feet by 4 feet, with 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 61° 
 
 100 
 
 142 
 
 J. -00 
 
 25,328 
 
 12 „ - 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 133 
 
 
 
 26,774 
 
 124 „ 
 
 
 
 
 
 48 
 
 
 
 
 150 
 
 0-85 
 
 25,794 
 
 0.76. 
 
 S 2 
 
APPENDIX TO REPORT FROM THE 
 TABLE XI. 
 
 SYNOPSIS of Experiments on Furnace and Steam Jet Ventilation at Killingworth Colliery, 19 and 29 November 1852. 
 
 
 
 BAROMETER. 
 
 
 TEMPERATURE. 
 
 
 
 Quantity 
 of Air 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Water 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 m 
 
 eft 
 
 TIME. 
 
 OF 
 
 
 Cm *1 
 
 O 
 
 
 
 c 
 
 s 
 
 s 
 
 Gauge in 
 Inches. 
 
 in 
 
 
 EXPERIMENT. 
 
 rface, 
 
 ttom 
 wnca 
 
 ttom 
 cast. 
 
 rface 
 
 ttom 
 wnca 
 
 3 
 
 03 
 
 C£ . 
 
 cast 
 Fatln 
 
 cast 
 Fatln 
 
 Cubic Feet 
 per 
 
 
 
 CO 
 
 0 2. 
 cq a 
 
 0 p, 
 
 r p 
 
 3 
 
 CO 
 
 0 £ 
 R P 
 
 u 
 
 s< 
 
 p2 
 
 P US 
 
 Minute. 
 
 20 November : 
 
 Furnace on all night from 12*4 
 a.m., last experiment 19tli 
 November, to 8-35,20tli No- 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 vember - - - 
 
 4iJ I/O 
 
 
 
 4o 
 
 
 
 
 141 
 
 
 — 
 
 »5 a.m. - 
 
 Ditto - - - - - 
 
 
 29-83 
 
 29-84 
 
 
 55° 
 
 - 
 
 
 
 •78 
 
 
 9-15 „ 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 125° 
 
 - 
 
 •85 
 
 
 9-30 „ 
 
 Furnace on, blazer down, and 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 9-56 „ 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 00 O 
 
 
 145 
 
 •80 
 
 24,220 
 
 9-59 „ - 
 
 Jets set on at 10-25 a.m. 
 29 jets ^th inch diameter each, 
 with furnace doors shut 
 
 i#ltLO, WILll 1 Ul 11 (ICC uuuia uptjn 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 122 
 
 152 
 
 1-30 
 1 ■ 10 
 
 23,359 
 — 
 
 10-35 „ 
 
 Doors partially opened, so as to 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 keep the intensity of fire 
 about the same as when the 
 furnace above was on with 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 1-15 
 
 29,752 
 
 0-58 „ 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 144 
 
 155 
 
 
 
 1-49 „ 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 154 
 
 
 31,070 
 
 20 „ 
 
 Jets taken off at 12-15 a.m. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 151 
 
 
 1-2 
 
 31,661 
 
 2'25 
 
 
 
 
 - 
 
 
 
 
 
 150 
 
 •85 
 
 
 239 " 
 
 Furnace only ; doors closed 
 
 29-215 
 
 I 
 
 
 " "1 
 
 431 
 
 58 
 
 
 130 
 
 
 
 24,588 
 
 TABLE XII. 
 
 SYNOPSIS of Experiments made on Furnace and Steam Jet Ventilation at Killingworth Colliery, 2 December 1852. 
 
 
 
 BAROMETER. 
 
 
 TEMPERATURE. 
 
 
 
 Quantity 
 of Air 
 
 
 DESCRIPTION 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Water 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 TIME. 
 
 OF 
 
 V 
 
 m of 
 cast. 
 
 Q 
 
 6 £ 
 
 
 m of 
 icast. 
 
 c 
 3 
 
 E 
 
 0 
 
 eft ~ 
 
 g 
 
 0 
 
 Gauge in 
 
 in 
 
 Cubic Feet 
 
 
 EXPERIMENT. 
 
 
 C p. 
 
 ts & 
 
 S a 
 — ~ 
 
 
 0 a 
 
 S tt 
 
 
 0 h 
 
 cti a 
 
 Inches. 
 
 per 
 Minute. 
 
 
 
 3 
 
 0 0 
 
 0 0. 
 
 
 0 0 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 CO 
 
 ca Q 
 
 R P 
 
 CO 
 
 R Q 
 
 £< 
 
 p"2 
 
 P US 
 
 
 '2 ! December : 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 6-45 p.m. 
 
 Shaft cooled down, natural 
 ventilation, with furnace 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 doors shut - - - - 
 
 29429 
 
 
 
 40° 
 
 52° 25' 
 
 60° 
 
 71° 
 
 72° 
 
 •26 
 
 13,527 
 
 75 „ - 
 
 Ditto, furnace doors open 
 Steam set on to blow into shaft 
 at 8 p.m. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 71 
 
 
 25 
 
 14,904 
 
 8-2G ,, 
 
 Steam only ; furnace doors open 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 103 
 
 112 
 
 •60 
 
 32,055 
 
 831 „ 
 
 Ditto, furnace door shut 
 Jets set on at 9-40 p.m. 
 29 Jets, §-inch diameter each, 
 blowing through cylinders 
 6 feet long and 1 1 inches 
 
 
 
 
 
 53 
 
 * 
 
 105 
 
 112 
 
 "58 
 
 29,250 
 
 
 diameter - 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 0-40 „ 
 
 29 jets, jj-inch diameter each - 
 
 29-455 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 100 
 
 109 
 
 
 
 959 „ 
 
 Jets, furnace doors open, steam 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 103 
 
 104 
 
 •61 
 
 34,314 
 
 70-48 „ - 
 
 Jets in cylinders, doors open - 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 104 
 
 106 
 
 •65 
 
 35,523 
 
 Cylinders taken oft jets at 11-50 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 10S 
 
 109 
 
 
 
 12-7 A.M. 
 
 Jets without cylinders, doors at 
 furnace open ... 
 Lighted furnace at 1 a.m. 
 
 29528 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 100 
 
 108 
 
 
 35,347 
 
 17 „ - 
 
 Furnace only, furnac doors 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 125 
 
 •6 
 
 
 V38 „ - 
 
 Ditto - with furnace doors 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 160 
 
 108 
 
 1 1 
 
 36,732 
 
 229 „ - 
 
 Ditto - blazer down (doors 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 partially opened ) 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 154 
 
 162 
 
 
 38,360 
 
 2--32 „ 
 
 Ditto - ditto - doors 1 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 134 
 
 
 
 38,677 
 
 •2 35 „ 
 
 Ditto - doors wide open - 
 Jets set on with furnace. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 145 
 
 
 38,360 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 155 
 
 162 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 44,150 
 
 3-23 „ - 
 
 Furnace doors open - -I 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 195 
 
 205 
 
 
 
SELECT COMMITTEE ON ACCIDENTS IN COAL MINES. 
 
 141 
 
 TABLE XIII. 
 
 SYNOPSIS of Experiments on Furnace and Steam Jet Ventilation at Killingworth Colliery, 4 December 1852. 
 
 
 DESCRIPTION 
 
 BAROMETER. 
 
 TEMPERATURE. 
 
 Water 
 
 Quantity 
 of Air 
 in 
 
 Cubic Feet 
 per 
 Minute. 
 
 TIME. 
 
 OP 
 
 EXPERIMENT. 
 
 Surface. 
 
 | Bottom of 
 | Downcast. 
 
 | Bottom of 
 j Upcast. 
 
 Surface. 
 
 0 « 
 
 — CO 
 
 - a 
 
 0 a 
 
 a it 
 
 0 0 
 « P 
 
 In Return 
 Air. 
 
 | Upcast 
 
 j 10 Fathoms. 
 
 Upcast 
 
 55 Fathoms. 
 
 Gauge in 
 Inches. 
 
 4 DecGTnb6r • 
 
 11-8 A.M. - 
 
 Shaft cooled down - 
 
 Steam set on to blow into shaft 
 at 11-20 a.m. 
 
 29-505 
 
 -' - 
 
 - 
 
 44° 
 
 54° 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 65° 
 
 •25 
 
 9,176 
 
 11-50 „ 
 
 Steam only ; furnace doors shut 
 
 Set on jets at 12 a.m. : 40 lbs. 
 per square inch. 
 
 29 jets, §-inch diameter each; 
 2"83 cubic feet of water 
 evaporated per minute. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 G0° 
 
 
 88 
 
 •55 
 
 e\c* fin A 
 
 28,888 
 
 12-18 „ 
 
 Jets only ; with furnace doors 
 
 Jets taken off, and furnace 
 lighted 12-40 p.m. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 101 
 
 •70 
 
 32,500 
 
 12-54 „ - 
 
 Furnace only ; with blazer up 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 36,392 
 
 1-21 „ - 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 •95 
 
 37,741 
 
 1-51 „ - 
 
 Jets and furnace ; doors open - 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 104 
 
 1-25 
 
 44,570 
 
 TABLE XIV. 
 
 SYNOPSIS of Experiments on the Furnace and Steam Jet at Killingworth Colliery, 10 December 1852. 
 
 
 DESCRIPTION 
 
 BAROMETER. 
 
 TEMPERATURE. 
 
 
 Quantity 
 
 TIME. 
 
 OP 
 
 EX PERI M EN T. 
 
 Bank. 
 
 | Bottom of 
 | Downcast. 
 
 Bottom of 
 Upcast. 
 
 Bank. 
 
 | Bottom of 
 Downcast. 
 
 In Return 
 Air. 
 
 1 Upcast 
 j Shaft at 
 j 55 Fathoms. 
 
 Water 
 Gauge. 
 
 of Air 
 in 
 
 Cubic Feet 
 per 
 Minute. 
 
 10 December : 
 4-30 p.m. 
 
 Natural ventilation ; furnace 
 doors opened - 
 
 Jets set on at bank at5 - 40 p.m. ; 
 29 jets §th inch diameter 
 each; steam at 40 lb. per 
 square inch. Evaporation of 
 water 2-83 cubic foot per 
 minute. 
 
 
 
 
 49°-25 
 
 53°-75 
 
 62°25 
 
 
 •10 
 
 11,249 
 
 €.30 „ 
 
 Jets only ; furnace doors open 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 60 
 
 77° 
 
 •35 
 
 23,018 
 
 6-47 „ 
 
 Ditto ; furnace doors shut 
 
 Furnace lighted at 7-40 p.m., 
 and jets shut off. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 78 
 
 
 21,467 
 
 ■8-1 „ - 
 
 Furnace only; furnace doors 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 138 
 
 
 33,281 
 
 8-15 ., 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 132 
 
 •90 
 
 33,428 
 
 8-25 „ 
 
 Jets set on, in addition to 
 furnace, at 8-30 p.m. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 32,880 
 
 9-21 „ 
 
 Jets and furnace; furnace doors 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 101 
 
 1-025 
 
 37,707 
 
 930 „ 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 152 
 
 
 
 0.76. 
 
 Tyne 
 
H 2 APPENDIX TO REPORT FROM THE 
 
 Tyne Main Colliery Experiments. 
 
 Appendix, No. l. The experiments at Tyne Main were made with the furnace, and with the steam jets at 
 
 the top of the pit. I have previously stated the reasons why these experiments were made, 
 
 viz., that the increased area of the shaft, near the top, f.d.mtted of the jets being placed 
 within the pit, the area within the cylinders (when the interstices were closed up) being 
 nearly equal to the area of the shaft generally. 
 
 Fig. 7, Plate Ii, shows the mode in which the furnaces were applied at this colliery ; 
 A being the shaft, B B the furnaces, and D the sloping drift to the shaft. Fig. 9 is an 
 elevation of the two furnaces, and Fig. 10 a plan of the same. Fig. 8 shows the jets placed 
 at the top of the pit, ef being the level of the surface. The boilers in this case being about 
 30 yards from the top of the pit, and the steam conveyed from thence to the jets with a 
 pipe 6 inches in diameter. Fig. 11 shows the disposition of the jets within the area of the 
 shaft, 61 in number, the same jets as were applied at Hetton and Killingworth, ^gths and 
 gths of an inch in diameter. 
 
 The workings of this colliery are not very extensive. There has been about 50 acres of 
 coal entirely taken away, the space forming the goaf of the colliery. 158 acres of coal has 
 been partially worked, about one-third excavated, and two-thirds remaining in pillars. 
 There is, therefore, a space of 56 acres of excavation, and 50 acres of goaf to ventilate, 
 5| feet in height. 
 
 The total length of air courses is as follows : 
 
 No. 1 Split, 40,000 Cubic Feet per Minute. 
 
 No. 2 Split, 66,000 Cubic Feet per Minute. 
 
 Number 
 of Currents. 
 
 Distance 
 Travelled in Feet. 
 
 Quantity 
 of Air in Cubic Feet 
 per Minute. j 
 
 Number 
 of Currents. 
 
 Distance 
 Travelled in Feet. 
 
 Quantity of 
 Air iu Cubic Feet 
 per Minute. 
 
 1, 2, 3 - 
 
 3 - - - 
 
 1, 2 - 
 
 1 - - - 
 
 2 
 
 1, 2, - 
 1, 2, 3 
 
 396 
 1,782 
 7,392 
 1,716 
 3,498 
 2,112 
 
 396 
 
 40,000 
 15,000 
 25,000 
 12,500 
 12,500 
 25,000 
 40,000 
 
 4,5,6 
 
 6 
 
 4, 5 - 
 
 4 
 
 5 
 
 4,5,6 
 
 792 
 5,950 
 1,716 
 2,442 
 1,980 
 
 792 
 
 66,000 
 26,000 
 40,000 
 20,000 
 20,000 
 66,000 
 
 The following Tables are the Experiments made : 
 
 TABLE XV. 
 
 SYNOPSIS of Experiments on the Furnace and Steam Jet at Tyne Main Colliery, 14 January 1853, there being- 
 Two Boilers, each 30 feet long, and 6 feet diameter, with 61 Jets, 28 of which were |th inch diameter, and 33 yj, th inch 
 diameter ; Cylinders 6 feet long, 1 1 inches diameter. 
 
 
 DESCRIPTION 
 
 OF 
 
 EXPERIMENT. 
 
 TEMPERATURE. 
 
 Pressure 
 
 of 
 Steam, 
 Lb. per 
 Square 
 Inch. 
 
 Water Gauge. 
 
 Air, 
 per 
 
 
 TIME. 
 
 Bank. 
 
 Bottom of 
 Downcast. 
 
 In Return 
 Air. 
 
 Upcast 10 
 Fathoms. 
 
 Upcast 65 
 fathoms. 
 
 East Door. 
 
 | West Door. 
 
 Quantity of 
 Cubic Feet 
 Minute. 
 
 REMARKS. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Inch. 
 
 Inch. 
 
 
 
 11- 23 A.M. - 
 
 12- 30 „ 
 1-15 P.M. 
 
 1- 30 „ 
 
 2- „ 
 
 y-30 „ 
 
 3- „ 
 
 Natural ventilation - 
 Jets set on at 11-40, 
 with cylinders 6 
 feet long, 11 inches 
 
 Ditto - 
 
 Jets taken off; furnace 
 lighted at 1-20 p.m. 
 
 Furnace only - 
 Ditto 
 Ditto 
 Ditto 
 
 iii iii 
 
 03 03 
 00 Gi 
 III ill o 
 
 42 0 
 
 42 
 
 42 
 
 63 ° 
 
 63 
 63 
 
 62° 
 
 62 
 62 
 
 102 
 144 
 158 
 160 
 
 61° 
 
 60' 
 60 
 
 105 
 138 
 155 
 144. 
 
 >• 
 
 35 
 
 22-5 
 
 22-5 
 
 •2 
 
 •3 
 
 •775 
 •876 
 
 •9 
 
 ■9 
 
 •2 
 
 ■325 
 
 •9 
 1- 
 1- 
 1- 
 
 34,955 
 
 47,407 
 46,834 
 
 84,280 
 87,919 
 101,137 
 102,500 
 
 Furnace put out 10 
 p. m., January 13th, 
 and remained out 
 until 1-20 p. M. Ja- 
 nuary 14th. 
 
 Jets on 1 n. 40 m., con- 
 sumed 3,548 lbs. of 
 coal to evaporate 
 192-5 cubic feet of 
 water, is P92 cubic 
 feet of water, and 
 
 35'8-i lbs . of coal per 
 
 minute. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Upcast 
 35 Fas. 
 
 Upcast 
 75 Fas. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 3-30 „ 
 
 Ditto - 
 
 Jet set on with furnace 
 at 3-30 p. m. 
 
 
 42 
 
 
 195 
 
 193 
 
 
 
 
 
 99,805 
 
 
 4 
 
 Jets and furnace 
 
 40 
 
 
 63 
 
 198 
 
 260 
 
 
 30 
 
 1-2 
 
 1-3 
 
 108,300 
 
 Jets on 30 M., evapo^ 
 rated 1)9 cubic feet 
 of water = 3-96 
 cubic fe et per minute, 
 water being low in 
 the boilers, and no 
 feed. 
 
 * Water falling on the thermometers. 
 
SELECT COMMITTEE ON ACCIDENTS IN COAL MINES. 
 
 143 
 
 * 
 
 TABLE XVI. 
 
 SYNOPSIS of Experiments on the Furnace and Steam Jet at Tyne Main Colliery, 15th January 1853, there being 
 two Boilers, each 30 feet long and 6 feet in diameter, with 61 Jets, each T 3 g-th of an inch in diameter; Area, 1*6843 
 inches ; within Cylinders, 6 feet long- and 1 1 inches diameter ; Area = 40*258 feet. 
 
 TIME. 
 
 DESCRIPTION 
 
 OF 
 
 EXPERIMENTS. 
 
 TEMPERATURE. 
 
 O m 
 
 ii 
 
 o o 
 
 HQ 
 
 fa Ph 
 
 rp rH 
 
 Pressure 
 
 of 
 Steam, 
 Lb. per 
 Square 
 Inch. 
 
 Water Gauge. 
 
 <5 P. 
 o i> 
 
 a .2 "3 
 3 3 2 
 
 REMARKS. 
 
 10-20 A. M. 
 U- „ 
 
 n-30 „ 
 
 32" „ 
 12-30 P. M. 
 
 I- 
 
 1- 30 
 2* 
 
 2- 30 
 
 3* 
 
 3-30 
 
 Inch. 
 
 Jets set on at 8 - 45 a.m 
 
 Jets alone 
 Ditto - 
 Ditto - 
 
 43 1 
 
 45° 
 
 Jets taken off at 11*40 
 
 A. M. 
 
 Natural ventilation - 
 Ditto - 
 
 Furnace lighted at 
 12-40 p. m. 
 
 Furnace alone - 
 Ditto - 
 Ditto - 
 Ditto - 
 
 Jets set on with fur- 
 nace at 2-40 p. m. 
 
 Furnace and jets 
 Ditto - 
 
 63° 
 
 63 
 
 43 
 
 45 
 
 64 c 
 63 
 
 64 
 
 65 
 
 188 
 189 
 207 
 
 63' 
 61 
 
 62 
 62 
 
 180 
 
 223 
 262 
 
 40 
 40 
 40 
 
 45 
 
 63 
 
 43 
 
 210 
 
 272 
 
 40 
 40 
 
 1-05 
 1-05 
 1-1 
 
 1*15 
 1*15 
 
 Inch. 
 
 •4 
 •4 
 
 •375 
 
 •9 
 1*15 
 1-18 
 1*2 
 
 1*25 
 1-25 
 
 49,254 
 49,574 
 49,574 
 
 36,564 
 37,182 
 
 94,815 
 94,815 
 99,805 
 102,503 
 
 105,350 
 106,830 
 
 Furnace put out at 8 
 p.m., January 14th, 
 and remained out 
 until 12*40 A. M., 
 January 15th. 
 
 Jets on 2 h. 55 m. ; 
 coals consumed, 
 3,548 lbs., =20*48 
 lbs. per minute ; 
 water evaporated, 
 318*5 cubic feet, = 
 1*82 cubic feet per 
 minute, is 11*2 lbs. 
 for each cubic foot 
 of water evaporated, 
 and 2,420 cubic feet 
 of air for eacli lb. of 
 coal consumed. 
 
 Jets on 1 H. ; ct-als 
 consumed, 1,792 
 lbs. ; water evapo- 
 rated, 133 cubic feet, 
 or 2*21 per minute. 
 
 TABLE XVII. 
 
 SYNOPSIS of Experiment on the Furnace at Tyne Main Colliery, 20th January 1853. 
 
 
 
 TEMPERATURE. 
 
 
 Water Gauge. 
 
 Quantity 
 of Air 
 in 
 
 Cubic Feet 
 per 
 Minute. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 TIME. 
 
 C 
 
 ni 
 
 PQ 
 
 Bottom of 
 Downcast. 
 
 a 
 u 
 3 
 
 CD 
 
 & c 
 
 Upcast 10 
 fathoms. 
 
 Upcast 65 
 fathoms. 
 
 5 
 0 
 Q 
 
 & 
 3 
 W 
 
 u 
 
 0 
 0 
 
 Q 
 
 CO 
 Qi 
 
 & 
 
 REMARKS. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Inch. 
 
 Inch. 
 
 
 
 C o'clock, a.m. 
 
 49° 
 
 
 
 105° 
 
 95° 
 
 6 
 
 •65 
 
 68,956 
 
 
 7 „ - - 
 
 8 h - - 
 
 9 - - 
 
 10 „ 
 
 11 '» - - 
 
 12 „ - - 
 
 50 
 50 
 
 52° 
 52 
 
 63° 
 63 
 
 130 
 175 
 103 
 176 
 170 
 174 
 
 100 
 
 •75 
 •95 
 •95 
 •95 
 •90 
 •90 
 
 •80 
 1* 
 1- 
 1* 
 
 ■95 
 •90 
 
 88,200 
 99,805 
 99,805 
 99,805 
 99,805 
 102,500 
 
 The quantity of coals con- 
 sumed by the two furnaces in 
 12 hours was 12,070 lbs , which 
 is equal to 16 76 lbs. per minute, 
 and 6,080 cubic feet per minute 
 for each pound of coal consumed. 
 
 1 o'clock, P.M. 
 
 2 „ - - 
 
 3 - „ - - 
 3*30 „ - - 
 
 4 „ - • - 
 4*30 „ 
 
 5 
 
 <5*30 „ 
 
 -6 » - . " 
 
 49-5 
 49-5 
 
 50 
 50 
 
 63 
 63 
 
 161 
 
 162 
 149 
 
 165 
 
 159 
 
 157 
 
 159 
 160 
 151 
 
 ■90 
 •90 
 •90 
 
 ■95 
 
 •90 
 
 •90 
 
 •90 
 •90 
 •90 
 
 •95 
 
 •90 
 
 •90 
 
 103,907 
 105,350 
 103,907 
 
 109,933 
 
 101,113 
 
 108,360 
 
 
 Average - - 
 
 49°- 75 
 
 51° 
 
 63° 
 
 161°-75 
 
 145°*5 
 
 •904 
 
 •925 
 
 101,876 
 
 
 0.76. 
 
 s 4 
 
 TABLE 
 
144 
 
 APPENDIX TO REPORT FROM THE 
 
 TABLE XVIII. 
 
 SYNOPSIS of Experiment at Tyne Main Colliery on the Steam Jets, 61 in number, x 3 ? ths diameter each without 
 
 the Cylinders, 28th January 1853. 
 
 
 DESCRIPTION 
 
 TEMPERATURE. 
 
 Quantity 
 of Air, 
 
 Water Gauge. 
 
 team, 
 ■e Inch. 
 
 CONSUMPTION- 
 
 TIME. 
 
 OF 
 
 
 
 a 
 
 Upcast 30 
 j Fathoms. 
 
 Cubic Feet 
 
 Q 
 
 3 
 
 Pressure of S 
 Lb. per Squai 
 
 OF 
 
 
 EXPERIMENT. 
 
 Bank. 
 
 Bottom ' 
 Downca: 
 
 In Retm 
 Air. 
 
 per 
 iUiDute. 
 
 East Do 
 
 West D( 
 
 COALS, &cc. 
 
 10 30 A. M. - 
 
 11 
 
 Natural ventilation - 
 Ditto - ditto 
 
 32° 
 
 40° 
 
 62°-5 
 62-5 
 
 6.5° 
 65 
 
 39,506 
 34,506 
 
 •3 
 •3 
 
 cp CO 
 
 
 Furnace put out at 4 p.m., 
 January 27th, and remained 
 out until the experiments were 
 finished. 
 
 2,558 lbs. of coals consumed 
 in two hours, and 24S"5 cubic 
 feet of water evaporated, which, 
 in two hours, is 2-07 cubic feet, 
 per minute = 10-2 lbs. of coal 
 to a cubic foot of water, and 
 2,223 cubic feet of air for each, 
 pound of coal consumed. 
 
 11-30 „ 
 
 Jets set on at 11 '15 
 
 A. M. - 
 
 Jets alone 
 
 35 
 
 
 62-5 
 
 68 
 
 47,407 
 
 •38 
 
 •38 
 
 40 
 
 12 
 
 
 
 40 
 
 
 63 
 
 47,407 
 
 •38 
 
 •38 
 
 40 
 
 
 12-30 P. M. 
 
 Ditto ... 
 
 36 
 
 
 62-5 
 
 62 
 
 47,407 
 
 •38 
 
 •38 
 
 40 
 
 
 1 
 
 Ditto - 
 
 
 40 
 
 62-5 
 
 62 
 
 47,407 
 
 •38 
 
 •38 
 
 40 
 
 
 
 Average - - - 
 
 35°-5 
 
 40 
 
 62°-5 
 
 63°.75 
 
 47,407 
 
 •38 
 
 •38 
 
 40 
 
 
 Norwood Colliery Experiments. 
 
 The experiments at Norwood Colliery were made by Mr. Greenwell, for the purpose of 
 testing the comparative powers of the furnace and steam jet, the area of the furnace bars 
 being precisely the same as the area of the fire bars of the boiler; and likewise, for the 
 purpose of testing their comparative merits in shafts of small depths. 
 
 Figs. 1 and 2, Plate III. show the manner in which the jets were applied, A A bein^ 
 the shaft. The shaft was divided by an air-tight timber partition or brattice, shown at c d, 
 Fig. 1, and d d, Fig. 2, the air passing down the side A, and returning up the opposite 
 side, a a a, Fig. 1, shows the steam pipe leading from the boiler to the jets, which were 
 placed at b, 180 feet from the top of the pit ; and e e e, Fig. 2, shows the distribution of 
 the jets in the shaft. The furnace is shown at g, Fig. 1, at the bottom of the pit, and 252 
 feet from the surface, B, Fig. 3, being an elevation. 
 
 The shaft is 11 feet diameter, the area of the downcast being 73,766 feet, and the upcast 
 18,323 feet; the brattice occupying the remainder of the area. The steam pipe a a a was 
 3 inches diameter, the boiler with which it was connected being 28 feet long, and 6| feet 
 diameter; the number of jets were 26, f 5 ths of an inch diameter each. The steam was 
 kept at 33'8lbs. per square inch during the experiments. The area of fire grates of furnace 
 and engine fire was 5 feet by 4 feet each. 
 
 The following Table will show the result of the experiments: — 
 
 TABLE 
 
SELECT COMMITTEE ON ACCIDENTS IN COAL MINES. 
 
 TABLE XIX. , 
 
 SYNOPSIS of Experiments on Furnace and Steam Jet Ventilation at Norwood Colliery, August 1862. 
 
 TIME. 
 
 August 10 
 „ 12 
 
 13 
 
 
 
 TEMPERATURE. 
 
 
 
 DESCRIPTION 
 
 Barometer 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 OF 
 
 a I 
 
 
 Bottom 
 
 From 
 
 Coals 
 
 <o 
 bo 
 3 
 
 
 
 Bank. 
 
 of 
 
 Surface of Upcast. 
 
 consumed 
 
 03 
 
 EXPERIMENTS. 
 
 Bank. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 in 
 
 fe s 
 
 
 
 
 Downcast. 
 
 21 Fathoms. 
 
 15 Fathoms. 
 
 24 Hours. 
 
 Wat 
 Inch 
 
 Jets alone, bord end 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Lbs. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 6955'2 
 
 
 Jets alone, bord end 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 doors closed - 
 
 29 16 
 
 59° 
 
 64° 
 
 
 98° 
 
 6955-2 
 
 •26 
 
 Steam alone, ditto 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Furnace alone, ditto - 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Jets alone, bord end 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 64 
 
 
 98 
 
 7324-8 
 
 •20 
 
 Furnace alone, ditto - 
 
 
 
 64 
 
 94° 
 
 
 
 •30 
 
 Furnace and jets, ditto 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 •40 
 
 Furnace alone, bord 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 end doors closed - 
 
 
 
 64 
 
 100 
 
 " "I 
 
 
 •30 
 
 Furnace alone, bord 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 967-68 | 
 
 
 end doors open 
 
 
 
 64 
 
 100 
 
 - -J 
 
 
 •40 
 
 Furnace and jets, bord 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 end doors open 
 
 
 
 64 
 
 
 112 
 
 
 •50 
 
 Cubic Feet 
 
 of Air 
 per minute. 
 
 9,690 
 
 6,000 
 2,880 
 7,200 
 
 8,000 
 8,472 
 9,000 
 
 8,000 
 9,600 
 •50 11,064 
 
 We shall now investigate the practical results of the foregoing experiments. In the first 
 place, however, it wil aoe necessary to determine the resistances opposed to the moving 
 powers of the furnace and steam jet, in order to compare their efficient performances in 
 producing ventilation. 
 
 I have previously stated, that I employed the water gauge to measure the power required 
 to force the current of air around the workings of the mine, and I have described the mode 
 in which this was taken. In the prosecution of these experiments, the amount of water 
 gauge exhibited, when the current was moved at different rates of velocity, was accurately 
 taken ; and the foregoing Tables will show the water gauge in a great variety of cases, and 
 at very various velocities of current. 
 
 The following Tables are the result of these Experiments : — 
 
 Si 
 
 TABLE XX. 
 
 EXPERIMENTS made to determine the Power required to produce different Velocities of Currents of Air in Coal 
 
 Mines, ascertained by the Height of Water Gauge. 
 
 Hetton Colliery. 
 
 DESCRIPTION 
 of 
 
 POWER. 
 
 Date of 
 Experiments. 
 
 Time of 
 Experiments. 
 
 Water Gauge, 
 Inches. 
 
 Quantity of 
 Air 
 
 in Cubic Feet 
 per Minute. 
 
 Observations. 
 
 
 
 1852: 
 
 
 
 
 
 Three boiler fires and three 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 furnaces - 
 
 12 October - 
 
 7* 0 P. M. 
 
 1-4 
 
 198,261 
 
 
 Three furnaces - 
 
 12 
 
 >f 
 
 9- 0 „ 
 
 1-3 
 
 187,000 
 
 
 Three boiler fires and three 
 
 
 
 
 furnaces - - - 
 
 29 
 
 
 7-50 „ 
 
 1-5 
 
 201,274 
 
 
 Three furnaces - 
 
 29 
 
 n 
 
 8-15 „ 
 
 1-55 
 
 205,636 
 
 
 Natural ventilation - 
 
 30 
 
 » 
 
 6*30 a.m. 
 
 •6 
 
 130,890 
 
 
 Two boiler fires 
 
 30 
 
 
 9- 0 „ 
 
 •6 
 
 139,176 
 
 
 Two boiler fires, jets and 
 
 
 
 
 
 three furnaces 
 
 30 
 
 
 6- 0 „ 
 
 1-5 
 
 207,093 
 
 
 Natural ventilation - 
 
 31 
 
 
 6-15 „ 
 
 •35 
 
 99,414 
 
 
 Furnaces - 
 
 31 
 
 
 9' 0 „ 
 
 i*35 
 
 201,960 
 
 
 Three boiler fires and three 
 
 
 
 
 
 furnaces - - - 
 
 3 November - 
 
 7'15 P.M. 
 
 1-4 
 
 208,443 
 
 
 Three boiler fires and three 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 furnaces - 
 
 3 
 
 
 9- 0 „ 
 
 1-5 
 
 2.12,907 
 
 
 O.76. T {continued) 
 
146 APPENDIX TO REPORT FROM THE 
 
 DESCRIPTION, 
 of 
 
 POWER. 
 
 Date of 
 Experiments. 
 
 Time of 
 Experiments. 
 
 Inches. 
 
 Quantity of 
 Air 
 
 in Cubic Feet 
 per Minute. 
 
 Observations. 
 
 
 
 1852 : 
 
 
 
 
 
 Natural ventilation - 
 
 13 
 
 November - 
 
 8*30 A.M. 
 
 •5 
 
 123,463 
 
 
 
 Two boiler fires 
 
 13 
 
 » 
 
 10-30 „ 
 
 •6 
 
 132,053 
 
 
 
 Ditto - - and steam - 
 
 13 
 
 
 11-30 „ 
 
 •6 
 
 139,847 
 
 
 
 Two boilers fires and jets - 
 
 13 
 
 )> 
 
 12-30 „ 
 
 •8625 
 
 164,376 
 
 
 
 Ditto --- - 
 
 13 
 
 >> 
 
 1-30 p.m. 
 
 •855 
 
 163,614 
 
 
 
 Natural ventilation - 
 
 13 
 
 »j 
 
 3-30 „ 
 
 •55 
 
 127,145 
 
 
 
 Three furnaces - 
 
 13 
 
 >» 
 
 4-30 „ 
 
 1-75 
 
 211,193 
 
 
 
 Ditto - 
 
 13 
 
 77 
 
 5-30 „ 
 
 1-95 
 
 225,176 
 
 
 
 Three furnaces and two 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 boiler fires - - - 
 
 13 
 
 » 
 
 6' 0 „ 
 
 2-0 
 
 229,918 
 
 
 
 Three furnaces and two 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 boiler fires and jets 
 
 13 
 
 >» 
 
 6-26 „ 
 
 2-05 
 
 234,118 
 
 
 
 Natural ventilation - 
 
 11 
 
 December • 
 
 8- 0 A.M. 
 
 
 117,908 
 
 
 1 WU U\Jli.\jl 111 Co 
 
 11 
 
 » 
 
 11" 0 
 
 •4 
 
 101 AAA 
 
 1 At I j^iO^fc 
 
 
 Two boiler fires and steam - 
 
 11 
 
 ?» 
 
 12- 0 „ 
 
 -55 
 
 129,369 
 
 
 Two ditto and jets 
 
 11 
 
 ?> 
 
 3-30 „ 
 
 •7 
 
 146,010 
 
 
 One furnace - 
 
 11 
 
 »j 
 
 4-16 „ 
 
 •8 
 
 166,826 
 
 
 Two boiler fires, jets and one 
 
 
 
 
 
 furnace - - 
 
 11 
 
 » 
 
 5'55 ,, 
 
 1-17 
 
 194,075 
 
 
 TABLE XXI. 
 
 Experiments on Water Gauge — continued. 
 
 Killing worth Colliery. 
 
 DESCRIPTION 
 
 
 Date of 
 
 
 
 Water Gauge, 
 in Inches. 
 
 Quantity of 
 
 
 
 Time of 
 
 Air 
 
 Observations. 
 
 of 
 
 POWER. 
 
 Experiments. 
 
 Experiments. 
 
 in Cubic Feet 
 per Minute. 
 
 Natural ventilation - 
 
 15 
 
 November - 
 
 8- 0 
 
 P.M. 
 
 •15 
 
 8,8S8 
 
 ^Regulators, 3 ft. 11 in. x 
 
 Furnace - - - - 
 
 15 
 
 n 
 
 9- 0 
 
 77 
 
 i- 
 
 24,625 
 
 J 5 ft 6 in. 
 
 Natural ventilation - 
 
 19 
 
 77 
 
 5-40 
 
 A.M. 
 
 •15 
 
 8,494 
 
 Regulator, 5 ft. 6 in. x 2 ft. 
 
 Steam only - 
 Jets, jjths - 
 
 19 
 19 
 
 77 
 it 
 
 6- 14 
 
 7- 17 
 
 7) 
 77 
 
 •66 
 
 •62 
 
 16,134 
 15,778 
 
 j-Doors opened. 
 
 Ditto - - - - 
 
 19 
 
 77 
 
 7-30 
 
 77 
 
 •67 
 
 14,984 
 
 Doors shut. 
 
 Ditto - - - - 
 
 19 
 
 
 7-40 
 
 77 
 
 
 16,259 
 
 [Doors shut ; regulator 
 
 77 
 
 
 
 \ opened to 5 ft. 6 in. x 4 ft. 
 
 Ditto --- - 
 
 19 
 
 77 
 
 8-10 
 
 77 
 
 M0 
 
 24,164 
 
 1 Steam valve opened ; doors 
 \ still shut. 
 
 Jets taken off - 
 
 19 
 
 >7 
 
 8-30 
 
 77 
 
 1-05 
 
 24,164 
 
 Furnace doors open. 
 
 Jets, lb. 
 
 19 
 
 77 
 
 9-50 
 
 77 
 
 •80 
 
 14,917 
 
 - ditto - - shut. 
 
 Ditto - 
 
 19 
 
 77 
 
 10- 2 
 
 77 
 
 
 15,390 
 
 - ditto - - open. 
 
 Steam only - 
 
 19 
 
 ;> 
 
 10-17 
 
 77 
 
 •70 
 
 13,706 
 
 - ditto - - open. 
 
 Furnace - 
 
 19 
 
 >? 
 
 11-21 
 
 77 
 
 1- 
 
 25,328 
 
 - ditto - - shut. 
 
 Ditto - - - 
 
 19 
 
 » 
 
 12- 0 
 
 77 
 
 
 26,775 
 
 - ditto - - shut. 
 
 Ditto 
 
 19 
 
 » 
 
 12- 5 
 
 79 
 
 •85 
 
 25,794 
 
 Doors opened. 
 
 Ditto - 
 
 20 
 
 
 9-46 
 
 A. M. 
 
 •80 
 
 24,220 
 
 Regulator, 5 ft. 6 in. X 4 ft. 
 
 Furnace and jets 
 
 20 
 
 5» 
 
 11-49 
 
 77 
 
 1-15 
 
 31,070 
 
 - ditto. 
 
 Furnace - - - - 
 
 20 
 
 j> 
 
 12-39 
 
 77 
 
 •85 
 
 24,588 
 
 - ditto. 
 
 Natural ventilation - 
 
 2 
 
 December - 
 
 640 
 
 A.M. 
 
 •26 
 
 13,526 
 
 - ditto. 
 
 Steam only - 
 
 2 
 
 >> 
 
 8-26 
 
 j> 
 
 •60 
 
 32,055 
 
 - ditto. 
 
 Jets, cylinders on 
 Ditto - - off 
 
 2 
 
 
 9-59 
 
 77 
 
 •65 
 
 35,454 
 
 - ditto. 
 
 2 
 
 » 
 
 12- 3 
 
 P. M. 
 
 
 35,454 
 
 - ditto. 
 
 Furnace - - - 
 
 2 
 
 » 
 
 1-35 
 
 77 
 
 1-1 
 
 36,731 
 
 - ditto. 
 
 Ditto - 
 
 o 
 
 
 2-26 
 
 77 
 
 
 38,677 
 
 - ditto. 
 
 Furnace and Jets 
 
 2 
 
 
 3-23 
 
 77 
 
 •96 
 
 44,150 
 
 - ditto. 
 
 Natural ventilation - 
 
 4 
 
 17 
 
 10-45 
 
 77 
 
 •25 
 
 9,176 
 
 
 Steam - - - - 
 
 4 
 
 » 
 
 11 -50 
 
 77 
 
 •55 
 
 28,888 
 
 
 Jets .... 
 
 4 
 
 77 
 
 12-15 
 
 77 
 
 •70 
 
 32,500 
 
 j - ditto. 
 
 Furnace - - - 
 
 4 
 
 77 
 
 12-50 
 
 77 
 
 •87 
 
 36,392 
 
 Ditto - - - 
 
 4 
 
 77 
 
 1-20 
 
 A.M. 
 
 •95 
 
 37,741 
 
 
 Furnace and jets 
 
 4 
 
 77 
 
 1-50 
 
 " 
 
 1-25 
 
 44,570 
 
 
SELECT COMMITTEE ON ACCIDENTS IN COAL MINES. 
 
 H7 
 
 TABLE XXII. , 
 
 Experiments on Water Gauge — continue'/. 
 
 Tyne Main Colliery. 
 
 DESCRIPTION 
 
 of 
 
 POWER. 
 
 Date of 
 Experiments. 
 
 Time of 
 Experiments. 
 
 Water Gauge, 
 in Inches. 
 
 Quantity of 
 Air 
 
 in Cubic Feet 
 per Minute. 
 
 Observations. 
 
 
 1853 : 
 
 
 
 
 
 Natural ventilation - 
 
 1 4 January - 
 
 11-23 A. M. 
 
 •2 
 
 34,955 
 
 
 Jets - 
 
 14 
 
 1*15 P. M. 
 
 •325 
 
 47,407 
 
 
 Two furnaces - 
 
 14 
 
 3- 0 „ 
 
 I: 
 
 102,500 
 
 
 Two furnaces and jets 
 
 14 „ 
 
 4- 0 „ 
 
 1-3 
 
 108,300 
 
 
 Jets - - - 
 
 15 
 
 11-30 A.M. 
 
 •4 
 
 49,574 
 
 
 Natural ventilation - 
 
 15 
 
 12-30 p.m. 
 
 •2 
 
 36,873 
 
 
 Two furnaces - 
 
 15 
 
 2-30 „ 
 
 1-2 
 
 102,503 
 
 1 
 
 Two furnaces and jets 
 
 15 
 
 3-30 „ 
 
 1-25 
 
 106,830 
 
 
 I shall take the experiments in Table XIX., made on the 13th November 1852, as an 
 example at Helton Colliery ; and in order to more clearly show the quantities of air pro- 
 duced with the different heights of water gauge, 1 have made a diagram, showing the curve 
 of such increase, corresponding with the different heights of water gau^e, which is shown 
 in Plate IV. I have taken the experiments at Killing-worth on the 4th December as an 
 illustration of the effect of the water gauge at that colliery, the iength of the current being- 
 very small compared with that of Hetton, and where the velocity of the air was obstructed, 
 by having to pass through a regulator 22 feet area. The diagram, exhibiting the curve 
 of the different heights of water gauge, is shown in Plate V ; and I have taken the experi- 
 ment of 15 January 1853 as the result of the water gauge in Tyne Main Colliery for the 
 same object, Plate VI. showing the curve. 
 
 On an examination of these diagrams, it will be seen that the quantities of air produced 
 does not materially vary from the square roots of the height of water gauge, or power 
 employed to produce those quantities ; the dotted lines showing the line according to the 
 square roots, and the black line the curve of the quantities actually produced. 
 
 The power required to force the air around the workings is not, however, the only motive 
 power required in the ventilation of a coal mine. The water gauge in these experiments is 
 the power which is required to force the current from the one side of the doors a, Fig. 12, 
 Plate II., from the downcast shaft A, around the workings to the other side of the doors 
 in its return to the Furnace F. We have, in addition to this, the power required to force 
 the current over the furnace F, and up the upcast shaft B. 
 
 This would appear of little moment, looking at the distance which the air has to travel 
 from the side ot the doors at a„ Fig. 12, to the shaft B, and so to the surface, compared 
 with the extent of air courses, as shown on the sketch in the Plate. But we shall see 
 that this distance absorbs a considerable portion of the ventilating power, and presents an 
 important element in the theory and practice of mine ventilation. 
 
 The air has first of all to pass over the furnace ; and in order to produce the requisite 
 vigour or intensity of combustion, and to consume the fuel as completely as practicable, the 
 air is thrown upon the fire with great force, the passage over the furnace being contracted 
 for that purpose ; this presents considerable resistance to the free motion of the current. 
 The air is now heated and expanded in bulk, its velocity is correspondingly increased, and 
 as has already been demonstrated, the resistance being as the square of the velocity, the 
 increased velocity presents increased resistance. It may be, that in practice the shaft may 
 be made of a correspondingly increased area, so that the additional resistance due to the 
 increased velocity of the current by its expansion is counteracted; but our intention being 
 to ascertain the relative resistances at different rates of velocities induced by the increased 
 temperature of the air, the experiments have of course been made in shafts of the same- 
 areas. 
 
 In order to show the curve resulting from the resistances over the furnace and up the 
 shaft at the different velocities, I have made diagrams similar to those exhibiting the power 
 required to force the air around the workings, which diagrams are shown in Plates VII., VIII., 
 and IX. 
 
 The first column in these diagrams shows the temperature of the air passing down the 
 downcast shaft; the weight of which per square foot of area of shaft will be seen in Table 
 III.; the second column is the mean temperature of the air passing up the upcast shaft, 
 the weight or pressure of which per square foot area can be similarly ascertained ; the third 
 column is the velocity of the air in passing down the downcast ; the fourth column showing 
 
 0.76. t 2 the 
 
148 
 
 APPENDIX TO REPORT FROM THE 
 
 Appendix, No. 1. the increased velocity in the upcast by the increased temperatures; the fifth column is the 
 
 • quantity of air passing round the mine in cubic feet per minute, measured by powder smoke 
 
 in the downcast shaft; the sixth column is the amount of water gauge, or power required, 
 in lbs per square foot of area of shaft, to force the air around the workings ; and the seventh 
 column shows the power required to force the air over the furnace and up the upcast shaft; 
 being obtained by deducting the amount of water gauge in the sixth column from the 
 difference between the weight of the column of air in the downcast and upcast shafts; 
 thus, A being the moving power or weight of column of air in the downcast, B the weight 
 of column in upcast, C the water gauge, and C the power required to force the air over the 
 furnace and up the upcast. 
 
 Then, A = BC C and C =A — BC. 
 
 An examination of these diagrams will show the comparative increase of power required 
 to force the air up the shaft, and that required to force the air around the workings, especially 
 in the case of Tyne Main, where the velocity of the air through the cylinders of the steam 
 jet was excessively great, nearly 64*5 feet per second, or 3,870 feet per minute. The power 
 expended in forcing the air over the furnace and up the shaft being in this case greater 
 than what was required to force the air around the workings, as will be seen on diagram, 
 Plate IX. 
 
 I shall not pursue this part of the inquiry further at present, as the experiments, when 
 closely examined, will, I trust, give all the information requisite for the object of this paper. 
 This part of the subject is, however, of such great importance in the theory, practice, economy, 
 and efficiency of mine ventilation, that I presume the Institute will not rest satisfied until 
 it has made itself master of all the information requisite to a complete solution of the entire 
 subject. 
 
 It is now necessary, before proceeding further, to notice an impression of some conse- 
 quence, which was strongly urged before the Committee of the Lords in 1849, and which, 
 if it had not been made the subject of investigation in this inquiry, might have received 
 confirmation, and if so, would have produced an erroneous conclusion of the facts as regards 
 coal mine ventilation. I aliude to the supposition that the current of air in a mine requires 
 some considerable period of time to be put in motion, or to be made to acquire its maxi- 
 mum velocity ; and when in motion, that its momentum causes it to retain its velocity some 
 considerable time after the impulsive power is withdrawn. 
 
 The following is one of many experiments made to determine this. In the experiment of 
 November 13th, at Hetton Colliery, the furnaces were put out, the engine fires were damped, 
 and the temperature of the air in the upcast reduced to 74", and the quantity of air passing 
 through the workings reduced to 80*182 cubic feet per minute. The furnaces were then 
 lighted. The velocity of the current of air passing towards the furnace C, Fig. 3, Plate I, 
 was measured by one of Biram's most improved 12-inch anemometers, within 50 yards of 
 the furnace. 
 
 The time during which the vernier of the anemometer marked 1,000 feet was correctly 
 noted, and the following was the result : — 
 
 Natural Ventilation. 
 
 TIME. 
 
 H. 
 
 M. 
 
 S. 
 
 3 
 
 48 
 
 47 
 
 3 
 
 50 
 
 50 
 
 3 
 
 52 
 
 53 
 
 3 
 
 54 
 
 52 
 
 3 
 
 56 
 
 55 
 
 4 
 
 8 
 
 55 
 
 4 
 
 9 
 
 57 
 
 4 
 
 10 
 
 57 
 
 4 
 
 11 
 
 58 
 
 4 
 
 12 
 
 58 
 
 4 
 
 13 
 
 55 
 
 4 
 
 14 
 
 52 
 
 4 
 
 15 
 
 50 
 
 4 
 
 16 
 
 46 
 
 4 
 
 17 
 
 42 
 
 4 
 
 18 
 
 39 
 
 4 
 
 19 
 
 34 
 
 4 
 
 20 
 
 30 
 
 Commenced experiment, temperature 75°. 
 
 Four revolutions of anemometer = 4,000 feet, in 
 
 Applied the fire to the furnaces at 4 h. 3 min. 
 Commenced experiment. 
 
 Four revolutions = 4,000 feet, in - 
 
 Four revolutions = 4,000 feet, in 
 
 Four revolutions = 4,000 feet, in 
 
 TIME. 
 
 h. m. s. 
 
 0 8 3 
 
 0 4 3 
 
 0 3 48 
 
 0 3 34 £ 
 
 The 
 
SELECT COMMITTEE ON ACCIDENTS IN COAL MINES. 
 
 M9 
 
 The water gauge also showed how rapidly the current increased in velocity :— 
 
 H. m. s. Inches. 
 
 4 0 0 - - '45 
 
 4 3 0 '70 
 
 450 *90 
 
 460 - - - - - - - J - 1" 
 
 470 1*30 
 
 480 - " " 1*40 
 
 490 - - - -.- - - - - 1'45 
 4 10 0- - - - - - - - - 1*50 
 
 4 110 - - - 16 
 
 4 23 0- - - - - - - - - 1"75 
 
 These results took place, the measurement of the air being taken near the furnace, C, 
 Plate I. and the water gauge applied at the doors between the downcast, or air entering the 
 workings, and the air returning from the workings, as at the doors, a, Fig. 1, Plate II. The 
 quantity of air entering the mine was, however, measured every half hour at tlie respective 
 downcast shafts, and the following was the result: — 
 
 Appendix, No* j. 
 
 Time. 
 
 East and West Minor. 
 
 Eppleton. 
 
 Elemore. 
 
 Total. 
 
 H M. 
 
 Cubic Feet per Minute. 
 
 Cubic Feet per Minute. 
 
 Cubic Feet per Minute. 
 
 Cubic Feet per Minute. 
 
 3 30 
 
 80-182 
 
 46-400 
 
 5563 
 
 127-145 
 
 4 30 
 
 138 353 
 
 62-640 
 
 10-200 
 
 211-193 
 
 The distance which the currents of air had to traverse between the respective downcast 
 and upcast shafts, will be seen by an inspection of the table of the Hetton ventilation, 
 Table I., Appendix. 
 
 The same comparative result took place on the application of the steam jets, 37 in number' 
 \ inch diameter ; steam 40 lbs. per square inch. 
 
 Steam blowing into Furnace Drifts. 
 
 H. M. S. 
 
 11 50 25 Commenced experiment. 
 
 11 52 25^j 
 
 11 54 30 I Three revolutions in 6 min., nearly 1,000 feet in 2 min. 
 
 11 56 24 J Jets set on. 
 
 11 58 r 
 
 11 59 35 
 
 12 1 11 
 12 2 45 
 12 4 33 
 
 Four revolutions in 6 min. 32 sec, or 1,000 feet in 1 min. 38 sec. 
 
 The effect, as shown by these experiments, and which was corroborated by several others, 
 -which it is not necessary to give here, shows, that it requires only a very short time indeed 
 to put the entire current of a coal mine into its maximum velocity. 
 
 I shall now proceed to ascertain the relative power and efficiency of the different modes 
 of ventilation, as elicited by the preceding experiments. 
 
 The following Tables show the general result of the experiments at Hetton, Kjllingworth> 
 Tyne Main, and Norwood Collieries. 
 
 O.76. 
 
 TABLE 
 
150 
 
 APPENDIX TO REPORT FROM THE 
 
 TABLE XXII. 
 
 General Result of the Experiments at Hetton Colliery. 
 
 
 Natural 
 Ventilation. 
 
 Engine Fires. 
 
 Engine Fires, 
 and Steam. 
 
 Engine Fires 
 Steam, 
 and Jets. 
 
 Three 
 Furnaces. 
 
 Three Furnaces, 
 Engine Fires, 
 and Steam. 
 
 Three Furnaces, 
 Engine Fires, 
 Steam, and Jets. 
 
 DATE. 
 
 QJ 
 3 
 03 
 
 tH 
 
 QJ 
 P. 
 p. 
 
 3 
 
 OJ 
 
 Eh 
 
 -U QJ 
 QJ 
 
 CJ 3 
 
 Ph _a 
 O %, 
 
 c> 
 
 3 
 
 a 
 m 
 
 c 
 p 
 
 Eh 
 
 O 
 
 £n a 
 •Si S 
 
 6 S. 
 
 oj 
 
 3 
 
 OS 
 f-i 
 QJ 
 
 p. 
 H 
 
 43 QJ 
 CJ 43 
 O; 3 
 
 p4 a 
 
 .2 S 
 
 II 
 
 CO 
 N 
 3 
 
 i 
 
 QJ 
 
 p. 
 c 
 fa 
 
 QJ 
 
 H 
 
 4j QJ 
 
 QJ 3 
 
 Ph s 
 jjS 
 ■§ t - 
 tj p. 
 
 oj 
 
 3 
 
 C3 
 F* 
 QJ 
 P. 
 
 S 
 
 QJ 
 
 E-< 
 
 QJ ■£ 
 
 &> 2 
 Ph .S 
 
 .SS 
 
 3 ^ 
 
 OJ 
 
 5 
 
 C3 
 u 
 
 QJ 
 P< 
 3 
 3 
 
 QJ 
 
 EH 
 
 43 o5 
 
 QJ 43 
 q, S 
 
 Ph a 
 ■S k 
 
 3 QJ 
 
 CJ 
 
 3 
 +» 
 
 C3 
 t~, 
 
 OJ 
 Pi 
 
 a 
 
 CJ 
 
 EH 
 
 *> -S 
 
 S 3 
 CJ 3 
 PM .3 
 
 a a 
 
 — m 
 
 U p. 
 
 1852: 
 
 29 „ - - - 
 
 30 „ - - - 
 
 30 „ - - - 
 
 31 „ - - - 
 
 13 „ - - - 
 13 » - - - 
 
 85° 
 
 85 
 
 80 
 68 
 
 130,890 
 
 123,463 
 127,145 
 
 89° 
 
 132,053 
 
 98° 
 91 
 
 139,176 
 139,847 
 
 105° 
 105 
 
 94 
 
 149,284 
 150,873 
 
 164,376 
 
 167 
 
 178 
 211 
 
 187,580 
 
 201,960 
 
 211,193 
 225,176 
 
 148°7' 
 
 180 
 
 180 
 
 168 
 226 
 
 198,261 
 205,615 
 201,274 
 
 208,443 
 229,918 
 
 180° 
 164 
 180 
 229 
 
 205,636 
 207,093 
 212,907 
 234,118 
 
 
 80° 
 
 121,478 
 
 89° 
 
 132,053 
 
 94°5' 
 
 139,5)2 
 
 101°5' 
 
 166,133 
 
 170»6' 
 
 206,477 
 
 180°5' 
 
 208,702 
 
 188° 
 
 214,938 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 One Furnace. 
 
 
 
 One Furnace 
 and Jets. 
 
 11 December 
 
 73° 
 
 117,908 
 
 81° 
 
 121,464 
 
 82° 
 
 129,569 
 
 88°7' 
 
 146,010 
 
 95° 
 
 166,826 
 
 
 
 124° 
 
 194,075 
 
 TABLE XXIII. 
 
 General Result of the Experiments at Killingworth Colliery. 
 
 
 Natural 
 Ventilation. 
 
 Steam alone. 
 
 Jets and Steam. 
 
 Furnace alone. 
 
 Furnace, Jets, 
 and Steam. 
 
 
 DATE. 
 
 QJ 
 
 3 
 
 ■£ oj 
 
 CJ 43 
 
 CJ 
 
 u 
 
 43 CJ 
 
 QJ 43 
 
 CJ 
 f~, 
 3 
 
 QJ 43 
 
 QJ 
 9 
 
 43 CJ 
 QJ 43 
 
 QJ 
 
 5 
 
 43 OJ 
 
 0 "£ 
 
 
 
 c3 
 IH 
 
 QJ 3 
 
 Pw a 
 .2 § 
 
 » QJ 
 
 a p. 
 
 a 
 u 
 
 OJ 
 
 s 
 
 CJ 
 
 Eh 
 
 QJ 3 
 Ph .3 
 
 •3 ^ 
 
 3 ^ 
 
 /r qj 
 O P, 
 
 ci 
 P. 
 
 CJ 
 
 Eh 
 
 Qj 3 
 
 Ph H 
 o ^ 
 
 3 sj 
 O p. 
 
 oj 
 
 M 
 QJ 
 P, 
 
 a 
 
 o 
 Eh 
 
 qj 3 
 Ph C 
 
 O P. 
 
 C3 
 
 OJ 
 
 p. 
 g 
 
 aj 
 Eh 
 
 CJ 3 
 Ph C 
 
 .Ǥ 
 
 3 * 
 
 O p. 
 
 
 1852: 
 15 November - 
 
 19 „ 
 
 19 „ 
 
 20 , 
 
 2 December - 
 2 „ 
 4 „ 
 
 95° 
 
 71 
 
 65 
 
 8,888 
 8,494 
 
 14,904 
 9,176 
 
 98° 
 102 
 
 112 
 
 88 
 
 16,134 
 20,708 
 
 32,056 
 28,888 
 
 90° 
 
 90 
 
 102 
 
 144 
 107 
 
 101 
 
 16,570 
 
 16,259 
 
 24,164- 
 29,752 
 
 35,347 
 32,500 
 
 92° 
 
 133 
 122 
 
 160 
 147 
 
 24,625 
 
 26,774 
 24,220 
 
 38,360 
 37,741 
 
 151° 
 
 183 
 164 
 
 31,661 
 
 44,150 
 44,570 
 
 Jets at bottom of Pit : 
 
 (■Regulator, 3ft. 10 fin. x 
 < 5ft. 6 in. also other rega- 
 le lators in. 
 
 ("Regulator 1ft. 2 fin. X 
 \ 5 ft. 6 in. other regula. out. 
 /Regulator 4ft. Oin. X5ft. 6in. 
 \ other regula. out. 
 
 Ditto - ditto - ditto. 
 
 Cylinders in ditto - ditto. 
 
 Cylinders out ditto - ditto. 
 
 Ditto - ditto - ditto. 
 
 10 „ 
 
 
 11,249 
 
 
 
 77 
 
 23,018 
 
 132 
 
 33,428* 
 
 161 
 
 37,707 
 
 J ets at top of pit, cylinders in. 
 
 Result : 
 2 & 4 December 
 
 08° 
 
 12,040 
 
 100° 
 
 30,472 
 
 104° 
 
 34,456 
 
 153°5' 
 
 38,050 
 
 173°5' 
 
 44,360 
 
 Jets at bottom of pit. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Jets only. 
 
 
 
 Furnace and Jets. 
 
 
 10 December - 
 
 05° 
 
 11,249 
 
 
 
 77° 
 
 23,018 
 
 132° 
 
 33,428 
 
 161° 
 
 37,707 
 
 Jets at top of pit. 
 
SELECT COMMITTEE ON ACCIDENTS IN COAL MINES. 
 
 151 
 
 TABLE XXIV. 
 
 General Result of the Experiments at Tyne Main Colliery. 
 
 
 Natural Ventilation. 
 
 Jets alone. 
 
 Furnace alone. 
 
 Furnace and Jets. 
 
 
 
 H 
 
 a 
 "S 
 
 H 
 
 <a 
 P. 
 
 S 
 
 03 
 
 *> £ 
 
 Si 3 
 
 si 
 
 U P. 
 
 <u 
 t~. 
 
 3 
 
 a 
 
 01 
 
 p, 
 
 a 
 
 a 
 
 a> 
 H 
 
 CD S 
 <D -J 
 
 & a 
 .2 « 
 ■3 M 
 
 O p. 
 
 oS 
 
 to 
 
 3 
 
 ta 
 
 0) 
 
 p, 
 
 3 
 
 a 
 
 CD 
 
 H 
 
 .2 3 
 
 <d 
 ca 
 
 h 
 0) 
 P< 
 
 Eh 
 
 0) 
 
 £ .g 
 .2 S 
 
 6 p, 
 
 REM ARKS. 
 
 1853: 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 14 January 
 
 15 „ 
 
 62° 
 62 
 
 34,955 
 36,873 
 
 62° 
 62 
 
 47,120 
 49,576 
 
 160° 
 262 
 
 91,495 
 102,503 
 
 198° 
 
 272 
 
 104,052 
 106,830 
 
 1 Jets at top of pit, with 
 J" cylinders. 
 
 28 „ 
 
 62°5 
 
 39,576 
 
 62<> 
 
 47,417 
 
 
 
 
 
 J* Jets at top of pit, with- 
 in out cylinders. 
 
 Average - - 
 
 62° 
 
 35,914 
 
 62° 
 
 48,348 
 
 211 
 
 97,000 
 
 235° 
 
 105,441 
 
 f Jets at top of pit, with 
 \ cylinders. 
 
 Norwood Colliery 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 1852: 
 
 12 „ - 
 
 13 „ - 
 
 98° 
 
 2,880 
 
 98° 
 98 
 
 9,690 
 6,000 
 8,000 
 
 98° 
 94 
 100 
 
 7,200 
 8,472 
 9,600 
 
 98° 
 112 
 
 9,000 
 11,064 
 
 Uets 180 feet below 
 j surface. 
 
 Average - - 
 
 98° 
 
 2,880 
 
 98° 
 
 7,896 
 
 97°2' 
 
 8,424 
 
 105° 
 
 10,032 
 
 
 The following Table is the Mean Result of the Experiments made at Hetton Colliery: — 
 
 TABLE XXV. 
 
 
 Mean 
 
 Cubic Feet 
 
 Increase. 
 
 DESCRIPTION OF POWER. 
 
 Temperature 
 
 of Air 
 
 
 Cubie Feet 
 
 
 of Upcast. 
 
 per Minute. 
 
 Temperature. 
 
 of Air 
 per Minute. 
 
 Natural ventilation - - 
 
 80° 
 
 121,478 
 
 
 
 Engine fires - 
 
 89 
 
 132,053 
 
 9° 
 
 10,575 
 
 Ditto - and steam - 
 
 94°5 
 
 139,512 
 
 5°5 
 
 7,459 
 
 Ditto - - ditto - and jets 
 
 101°5 
 
 166,133 
 
 7 
 
 26,621 
 
 Three furnaces - - - - 
 
 170°5 
 
 206,477 
 
 69 
 
 40,344 
 
 Ditto - - engine fires and steam 
 
 180°5 
 
 208,702 
 
 10 
 
 2,225 
 
 Ditto - - ditto - - and jets 
 
 188 
 
 214,938 
 
 7°5 
 
 6,236 
 
 The following Table are the Experiments made with One Furnace, 11 December 1852:— 
 
 TABLE XXVI. 
 
 
 Mean 
 
 Cubic Feet 
 
 Increase. 
 
 DESCRIPTION OF POWER. 
 
 Temperature 
 
 of Air 
 
 
 Cubic Feet 
 
 
 of Upcast. 
 
 per Minute. 
 
 Temperature. 
 
 of Air 
 per Minute. 
 
 Natural ventilation - - 
 
 80° 
 
 117,908 
 
 
 
 Engine fires ----- 
 
 81 
 
 121,464 
 
 1° 
 
 3,556 
 
 Ditto - and steam - 
 
 82 
 
 129,569 
 
 1 
 
 8,105 
 
 Ditto - ditto - and jets 
 
 88°7 
 
 146,010 
 
 ■ 6°7 
 
 16,441 
 
 One furnace - - - - 
 
 95 
 
 166,826 
 
 6°3 
 
 20,816 
 
 One furnace and jets - - - - 
 
 121 
 
 194,075 
 
 29 
 
 27,249 
 
 0,76. 
 
 T 4 
 
 
 
 The 
 
152 
 
 APPENDIX TO REPORT FROM THE 
 
 Appendix, No. i. 
 
 ; The following Table is the Mean Result of the Killingworth Experiments :— 
 
 TABLE XXVII. 
 
 JJJi&L.rUt'lJ.OJN Or POWER. 
 
 Mean 
 
 Cubic Feet 
 
 Increase. 
 
 Temperature 
 of Upcast. 
 
 of Air 
 per Minute. 
 
 Temperature. 
 
 Cubic Feet 
 
 of Air 
 per Minute. 
 
 Natural ventilation - 
 
 68° 
 
 12,040 
 
 
 
 Steam alone - 
 
 100 
 
 30,472 
 
 32° 
 
 18,432 
 
 Jets and steam ----- 
 
 104 
 
 34,456 
 
 4 
 
 3,984 
 
 Furnace ------ 
 
 153°5 
 
 38,050 
 
 49°5 
 
 3,594 
 
 Furnace, steam, and jets - - - 
 
 173°5 
 
 44,360 
 
 20 
 
 6,310 
 
 And the following Table is the Mean Result of the Experiments at Tyne Main : 
 
 TABLE XXVIII. 
 
 
 Mean 
 
 Cubic Feet 
 
 Increase. 
 
 DESCRIPTION OF POWER. 
 
 Temperature 
 of Upcast. 
 
 of Air 
 per Minute. 
 
 Temperature. 
 
 Cubic Feet 
 
 of Air 
 per Minute. 
 
 Natural ventilation - 
 
 62° 
 
 35,914 
 
 
 
 Jets - - - - - - 
 
 62 
 
 48,348 
 
 
 12,434 
 
 Furnace ------ 
 
 211 
 
 97,000 
 
 149° 
 
 48,652 
 
 Furnace and jets - 
 
 * 
 
 235 
 
 105,441 
 
 24 
 
 8,441 
 
 I shall now endeavour to elucidate the practical results exhibited by these experiments ; 
 and, first of all — 
 
 Natural Ventilation. 
 
 On an examination of the tables and diagrams, it will be seen that the amount of natural 
 ventilation is very considerable, amounting, in the case of Hetton, to one-half of the most 
 vigorous ventilation produced ; at Killingworth to nearly one-third ; and at Tyne Main 
 Colliery to fully one-third. The general temperature of the return air at Hetton is 69°, so 
 that the mean temperature was 11° above that which the natural ventilation would produce 
 in the shaft, leaving 104,775 cubic feet per minute due to a temperature of 69°. At Kil- 
 lingworth the mean temperature of the return air was 60°, showing 8° less than the tem- 
 perature in the shaft, and leaving 10,623 cubic feet per minute for natural ventilation. 
 Hetton, arising from the upcast not being cooled down sufficiently, and Killingworth from, 
 the heat given out by the steam pipes passing down the shaft. Tyne Main, the temperature 
 in the shaft and of the return air was precisely the same ; and, therefore, it was an accu- 
 rate experiment of the amount of natural ventilation on the day the experiment was made, 
 amounting to nearly 36,000 cubic feet per minute. 
 
 I have, however, previously remarked, that natural ventilation is not to be depended 
 upon ; that the amount will vary as the temperature on the surface varies, the temperature 
 in the mine not varying very materially in the different seasons of the year. It is necessary, 
 therefore, that this should be attended to in the practical ventilation of the mine, and, if 
 furnaces are used, that a more vigorous combustion should be urged in summer, to make 
 up for the diminution of weight of the downcast air by its increased temperature ; and that 
 if the steam jet or mechanical power is applied, that they should be made to act more 
 powerfully in summer than in winter. 
 
 The next description of power to be considered is, the 
 
 Boiler Fires, or Engine Fires. 
 
 The only place where this was experimented upon was at Hetton, where the boilers are 
 placed at the bottom of the pit ; at Killingworth and Tyne Main the boilers were on the 
 surface. The heat of the boiler fires, as measured by the temperature of the air in the 
 shaft, acts precisely in the same manner as the furnace, by increasing the temperature, and 
 so diminishing the weight of the column of the upcast shaft. I shall afterwards go into 
 the question of the comparative consumption of coals between the engine fires and the 
 furnace, in producing the same temperature in the shaft ; the question at present being as 
 to the comparative efficiency of ventilation of the column of air in the upcast shaft, heated 
 by natural heat, and by the heat from the engine fires, or the additional amount of venti- 
 lating power by the engine fires over ihe natural ventilation. We have, in Table XXV., 
 an addition of 10,575 cubic feet per minute by the boiler fires over natural ventilation, 
 and we have 121,478 cubic feet of air produced by a temperature of 80°, or 1,518 cubic 
 
 feet 
 
SELECT COMMITTEE ON ACCIDENTS IN COAL MINES. 
 
 feet for each degree, with natural ventilation ; and with the engine fires, 132,053 with 89°, Appendix J. 
 
 equal to 1,483 cubic feet for each 1°; the additional quantity of air, in this latter case, 
 
 showing an increased resistance. If we, however, take the latter case, then 9° should have 
 produced 9 0 x 1,483 — 13,355 cubic feet of air, whereas it only produced 10,575 cubic 
 feet, or 1,175 cubic feet for each degree of temperature; the conclusion being, that the 
 smoke from the engine fires adds to the density ot the column in the upcast shaft beyond 
 that of a column of equal temperature heated by the natural heat of the mine. 
 
 We have next, 
 
 Engine Fires and Steam. 
 
 In the Hetton Experiments, Table XXV., the increase by 5°* 5 of temperature over the 
 engine fires was 7,459 cubic feet of air, or 1,356 cubic feet of air for 1°, which is 
 greater than the quantity for each degree produced by the engine fires, though a still 
 further increased resistance has to be overcome, by the increased velocity of the air. But 
 in this case the steam is mixed up with the smoke from the engine fires, and it is difficult 
 to determine what is due to each, although this experiment is sufficient to show that the 
 steam, by presenting a column of less specific gravity than the engine fires, produces an 
 increased effect. 
 
 The experiments at Killing-worth, Table XXVIL, are, however, more decisive. In this 
 case, the steam was applied, in addition to the natural heat, without any smoke, the boilers 
 being at bank, and the steam conveyed to the bottom of the pit in pipes. 
 
 The natural heat of 68° gave 12,040 cubic feet per minute, or 177 cubic feet of air for one 
 degree; and the steam, with a temperature ol 100°, produced 30,472 cubic feet of air, or 
 304 cubic feet of air for each degree of temperature, though the increased quantity of air 
 increased the resistance, the water-gauge being in the former case 1*50 lbs. per square foot, 
 and in the latter 3 - 30 lbs. 
 
 This will also be seen on a reference to the experiment on December 4th, and to Diagrams 
 V. and VIII., representing that experiment. It will be seen, also, that the resistance ia 
 the shaft is less with the steam than by natural ventilation, in the proportion of -38 to 
 1-0-2. We thus see, what an important element of ventilation steam is, applied at the 
 bottom of the pit, and how likely we are to be deceived in the power of the steam jet by 
 not taking that element into consideration. 
 
 The value of steam as a ventilating power, independently of being used as jets, is shown 
 by a careful examination of these experiments. In the Killing-worth Experiments, Table 
 XXVIL, the steam heated 30-472 cubic feet of air 32°, or, 975-104 cubic feet of air 1°; 
 we can thus, ascertain the economy of employing- steam in this manner. The quantity of 
 steam used could not, in this experiment, be correctly ascertained, but three boilers were 
 at use in the manner described in Plate II., evaporating upwards of 2 \ cubic feet of water 
 per minute, the steam being conveyed down the pit by a pipe 10 inches diameter, and the 
 steam being kept blowing off into the shaft at 40 lbs. pressure per square inch during the 
 experiment; the quantity was sufficient to keep 29 jets §th inch diameter, or an area of 
 1,423 inches, supplied with steam, as shown in Plate 1L, Figs. 2 and 3, at 40 lbs. per 
 square inch. 
 
 We now come to the application and performance of the steam jet as a propulsive 
 power, above that due to the rarefaction by the heat of the boiler fires, and of the steam 
 in the upcast shaft. 
 
 Steam Jets. 
 
 I shall take the case of the application of the jets at Tyne Main Colliery first, as being 
 applied at the top of the pit, and as acting solely as a propulsive force, and not being 
 affected by the heat of the engine fires, or of the. steam in the shaft. In this case, the 
 temperature of the air in the upcast shaft was precisely the same, when the current of air 
 was produced by the natural heat of the mine, and during the application of the steam jet ; 
 so that, on this account also, the jets were not affected by the heat of the shaft. Fig. 8, 
 Plate II., shows the mode of application at the top of the pit, 60 feet from the top of the 
 shaft A, and level with the surface. Fig. 11 shows the jets, 61 in number, §th inch 
 diameter each, = 1,684 inches area ; cylinders being placed over the jets, and the interstices 
 between the cylinders made quite air-tight, so that the whole of the air and steam had to 
 pass through the cylinders; and this was the case with the natural ventilation, and also 
 when the furnace was applied, the area through the cylinders being 40,258 square feet. 
 The area of the shaft itself for 102 feet midway down being 44-18 square feet, and above 
 and below that 50-257 square feet; so that we had 6 feet 40 258 ; 102 feet, 44*18; and 
 564 feet, 50*257 square feet area. 
 
 Table XXVIII. shows the natural ventilation 35*914 cubic feet per minute, and the jets 
 48 - 348, leaving "12-434 cubic feet as the propulsive force of the jets ; the temperature of the 
 air in the upcast shaft remaining the same during the experiment. No more conclusive expe- 
 riment could be made than this to determine the impulsive power of the jets when placed 
 at the top of the pit. The water gauge, showing the force required to propel the air through 
 the workings, was 2-4 lbs. per square foot. 
 
 Tab'le XXIII. shows the result at Killing-worth, when the jets were placed at the top of the 
 pit. The natural ventilation was 11*249 cubic feet per minute. With the jets the quantity 
 was 23-118, leaving 11-769 cubic feet for the jets only, although the temperature was raised 
 in the shaft from 65° to 77°, which ought to have given 2,280 cubic feet; the jets in this 
 case realising, therefore, only 9-489 cubic feet per minute. The water gauge in this case 
 was 2-1 lbs per square foot, the area of the jets being 1-423 inches. 
 
 Table XXV. gives the result at Hetton, and shows an increase of ventilation by the jets of 
 0.76. U 26*621 
 
154 
 
 APPENDIX TO REPORT FROM THE 
 
 Apgendix, No. 1. 26-621 cubic feet per minute ; but the increase of temperature being 7°, which would give 
 
 . l66 ' la ?. 7° — n-522, and which, deducted from 26*621, leaves 15-099 cubic feet per minute 
 
 as the effective impulsive power of the jets ; the water gauge in this case being about 
 5-13 lbs. per square foot, and the area of the jets 1-816 inches. 
 
 It must be observed, with reference to a comparison of these results, that the resistance 
 of the air in the shaft, or through the jets, in each case must ba taken into consideration. 
 In the experiment at Tyne Main, the velocity through the cylinders was 21-11 feet per 
 second, and at Killingworth 19*96 feet per second. At Tyne Main, the area of jets was 
 1*684 square inches, and at Killingworth 1*423 square inches. Taking all these into 
 consideration, the correspondence between these experiments will be seen to be very near; 
 and therefore we may take the Tyne Main experiment as a standard for the propulsive 
 power of jets, placed at the top of the pit ; viz., that steam of 40 lbs. per square inch 
 pressure, applied to jets, of an aggregate area of 1*684 square inches, at the top of the 
 upcast shaft, will produce an amount of ventilation equal to 12*400 cubic feet of air per 
 minute, the water gauge being 2-4 lbs per square foot, and the resistance up the shaft 2 lb. 
 per square foot, when the velocity through the cylinders is not greater than 21 feet per 
 second. And we may add, that this result will require an evaporation of about J "8 cubic 
 feet of water per minute without waste, reckoning the velocity of the steam through the 
 jets at 1,080 feet per second, or, as per experiment, 1-83 cubic feet per minute, allowing 
 for waste. 
 
 It has been stated recently, by the advocates for the steam-jet, that the top of the pit is 
 not the proper place to apply it, and that it should be applied at the bottom of the pit. 
 No doubt, when placed at the bottom of the pit, we have the advantage of the rarefaction 
 of the boiler-fires and steam. But the question before us at present is, do the jets realise 
 a greater impulsive force when placed at the bottom, or when placed at the top of the pit? 
 
 The experiment, given in Table XX III., at Killingworth, was made to determine this. From 
 this table it will be seen that the effect of the jets over the natural ventilation was 22,416 ; 
 viz., 34,416 — 12,040 cubic feet per minute, when the jets were placed at the bottom of the 
 
 pit. The increased temperature, however, was from 68° to 104°. Then x 36°== 11,926 
 
 cubic feet of air due to temperature ; and, therefore, 34,456 — 12,040 -1- 11,926 — 10,490 
 cubic feet per minute due to the impulsive power of the jets, when placed at the bottom of 
 the pit. Then, December 10th, 23,018 — 11,249 = 11,769 cubic feet over natural ventila- 
 
 tion ; but the temperature was increased from 65° to 77°, therefore ~ ^ a x 12° = 3,576 ; 
 
 and 11,769 — 3,576 = 8,193 cubic feet per minute, the impulsive power of the jet, when, 
 placed at the top of the pit. It must, however, be taken into account, that when the jets 
 were placed at the bottom of the pit, the openings around the jets or cylinders were not 
 closed, and that the area of the space through which the air and steam had to pass was 
 about 30 feet ; whereas, when the jets were placed at the top of the pit, the air and steam 
 had to pass through the cylinders of an area of little more than 19 square feet. Unless, 
 therefore, the jets could be applied so that the resistance should be the same in both cases, 
 the experiments would not be parallel. It is evident, however, that the bottom of the pit 
 is the proper place to apply the jets, as in that case the effect of the boiler fires and the 
 steam will likewise be made available. There does not, however, appear to be any great 
 difference in the mechanical effect, whether the jets are placed at the top or bottom of 
 the pit. If we take the case of Hetton and Killingworth at the bottom of the pit, and 
 Tyne Main at the top, the following will be the comparative results : — 
 
 COLLIERIES 
 at which 
 Experiments were made. 
 
 Velocity 
 of Air through 
 
 Cylinders 
 or Upcast Shaft. 
 
 Pressure 
 of Steam 
 per 
 Square Inch. 
 
 Area of 
 Steam Jets 
 in 
 Inches. 
 
 Cubic Feet 
 per Minute 
 of Air. 
 
 Position of Jets. 
 
 
 Ft. per min. 
 
 
 
 
 
 Hetton - 
 
 1,061 
 
 40 
 
 1,816 
 
 15,099 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 ^Bottom of pit. 
 
 Killingworth 
 
 1,083 
 
 40 
 
 1,423 
 
 10,490 
 
 Tyne Main 
 
 1,239 
 
 40 
 
 1,684 
 
 12,400 
 
 Top of pit. 
 
 We see, therefore, that there is no great difference, if any at all, in the impulsive force of 
 the jets, whether placed at the top or bottom of the pit, and that the result of the experi- 
 ment at Tyne Main Colliery, as given above, and the average of Hetton and Killingworth, 
 may be taken as a standard of the impulsive force of the jets, which is about 12,500 cubic 
 feet per minute ; area of jets, 1*64 inches ; steam at 40 lbs. pressure per square inch ; * water 
 gauge about 4lbs. per square foot. Let us now see the power applied, and the effective 
 performance. The evaporation of water at Tyne Main was 1*82 cubic feet per minute, 
 x 506 = 921 cubic feet of steam at 40 lbs. pressure per square inch. Area of shaft, 40,258 
 
 square feet. Then 4( ^g 8 = 22*77 cubic feet of steam per minute for each foot area of shaft, 
 
 49*574 
 
 at 40ibs. pressure per square inch. But the velocity of the air in the shaft is 40 . 25 g = 1231*4 
 
 feet 
 
SELECT COMMITTEE ON ACCIDENTS IN COAL MINES. 
 
 155 
 
 feet per minute. Then as 22-77 : 1231*4 : : 40 : : -7396 lbs. per square inch on each foot of Appendix No. % 
 surface of the shaft, moving at the rate of 1231-4 feet per minute, or -739 6 x 144 = 106-dlbs. — 
 
 per square foot, moving at the rate of 1231-4 per minute. Then 106 ' 5 * 4 ^ 8 x 1231-4 
 — 160 horses' power, the power employed. 
 
 It is difficult to ascertain the precise effective performance ; we have the water gauge 
 equal to 2 -4 lbs per square foot, but we have no measure of the resistance of the air in the 
 shaft and through the cylinders; supposing, however the dotted line, Plate IX.. to repre- 
 sent these, being what would be the resistance if the furnace had been employed, it would 
 
 be 2 lbs. per square foot, and this would represent 4 4 X ~!jj^|jp 1231 4 = 6-6 horses' power, 
 effective performance. 
 
 This very enormous loss of power seemed quite unaccountable, and I therefore instituted 
 a set of experiments, with a view of endeavouring, if possible, to ascertain the cause. I 
 have previously stated that the Killingworth Pit is divided into four compartments, by air- 
 tight timber brattices or partitions; one of those partitions formed the downcast, and the 
 adjoining one the upcast, in the experiments at that colliery, shown in Fig. 6, Plate II. 
 It occurred to me, if I could ascertain the density or degree of rarefaction of the air in the 
 upcast at all the different depths, as compared with that of the downcast at the same 
 depths, when the different modes of ventilation were in operation, it might throw some lisjht 
 upon the matter. For this purpose I had holes bored through the brattice or partition 
 between the downcast and upcast divisions of the shaft, at every 60 feet in depth from 
 the surface to 600 feet, and then at every three feet from 600 feet to the bottom of the pit, 
 into which I inserted the water gauge, in the same manner as shown in Fig. 1, Plate II. 
 (the door in this case representing the division between the two columns of air), and in 
 this manner I obtained the comparative density of the two columns of the downcast and 
 upcast shafts, at the various depths, when the different modes of ventilation were in opera- 
 tion. 
 
 The following Table will show the result : — 
 
 TABLE XXIX. 
 
 EXPERIMENTS on the Density of the Air in the Upcast Shaft at Killingworth. 
 
 
 
 Height of Water Gauge, in Inches. 
 
 
 Depth of Shaft, 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 in Feet. 
 
 Natural 
 
 Steam. 
 
 Jets, 
 
 Furnace. 
 
 Jets, 
 
 
 Ventilation. 
 
 Bottom of Pit. 
 
 Top of Pit. 
 
 60 
 
 •025 
 
 •07 
 
 •05 
 
 •10 
 
 •10 
 
 120 
 
 •025 
 
 •10 
 
 •08 
 
 115 
 
 •20 
 
 180 
 
 •075 
 
 •12 
 
 ■12 
 
 •13 
 
 •275 
 
 240 
 
 •15 
 
 •20 
 
 •18 
 
 •20 
 
 •3 
 
 300 
 
 •25 
 
 •26 
 
 •25 
 
 •25 
 
 •35 
 
 360 
 
 •25 
 
 •28 
 
 •28 
 
 •35 
 
 •325 
 
 420 
 
 •25 
 
 •34 
 
 •30 
 
 •45 
 
 •3 
 
 480 
 
 •25 
 
 •45 
 
 •34 
 
 •57 
 
 •325 
 
 540 
 
 •25 
 
 •50 
 
 •375 
 
 •70 
 
 •35 
 
 600 
 
 •25 
 
 •60 
 
 •40 
 
 •78 
 
 •35 
 
 603 
 
 •25 
 
 •60 
 
 •42 
 
 •76 
 
 •35 
 
 606 
 
 •25 
 
 •62 
 
 •50 
 
 •78 
 
 •375 
 
 609 
 
 •25 
 
 •60 
 
 •45 
 
 •76 
 
 •375 
 
 612 
 
 •25 
 
 •60 
 
 •45 
 
 •80 
 
 •375 
 
 615 
 
 •25 
 
 •62 
 
 •45 
 
 •78 
 
 •375 
 
 618 
 
 •25 
 
 '62 
 
 •475 
 
 •77 
 
 •40 
 
 621 
 
 •25 
 
 •63 
 
 •45 
 
 •77 
 
 •4 
 
 624 
 
 •25 
 
 •63 
 
 •50 
 
 •70 
 
 •375 
 
 627 
 
 •25 
 
 •63 
 
 •50 
 
 •73 
 
 •375 
 
 630 
 
 •25 
 
 •65 
 
 •50 
 
 •70 
 
 •375 
 
 633 
 
 •225 
 
 •62 
 
 •55 
 
 •67 
 
 •35 
 
 636 
 
 •225 
 
 •64 
 
 •55 
 
 •68 
 
 •35 
 
 639 
 
 •20 
 
 •61 
 
 •60 
 
 •70 
 
 •35 
 
 642 
 
 •20 
 
 •63 
 
 •75 
 
 •70 
 
 •35 
 
 645 
 
 •20 
 
 •60 
 
 •70 
 
 •70 
 
 •325 
 
 648 
 
 •225 
 
 •60 
 
 •72 
 
 •75 
 
 •3 
 
 651 
 
 •225 
 
 •50 
 
 •70 
 
 •77 
 
 •35 
 
 654 
 
 •20 
 
 •58 
 
 •675 
 
 •76 
 
 •3 
 
 657 
 
 •20 
 
 •60 
 
 •675 
 
 •70 
 
 •325 
 
 660 
 
 •20 
 
 •60 
 
 •55 
 
 •74 
 
 •3 
 
 663 
 
 •20 
 
 •60 
 
 •50 
 
 •78 
 
 •3 
 
 666 
 
 •20 
 
 •60 
 
 •55 
 
 •80 
 
 •325 
 
 0.76. u 2 For 
 
156 
 
 APPENDIX TO REPORT FROM THE 
 
 Appendix, No. j. p or the more clearly exhibiting the effect of the different moving powers, I have made 
 •7 — two diagrams, Plates X. and XL It will be seen that below 600 feet the water o-auo-e 
 
 was taken every three feet; this was done to show more clearly the effect in the immediate 
 vicinity of where the jets and furnace were applied, and the result will be found interesting'. 
 
 It must, however, be observed, that these diagrams do not exhibit the actual degrees of 
 rarefaction in the upcast shaft, but the comparative densities only between the air in the 
 downcast and the upcast shafts, at the various depths; the comparative areas of these 
 diagrams, however, show generally the comparative ventilating powers of the different modes. 
 
 On a careful examination of these diagrams, it will be seen that the natural ventilation 
 presents a column of nearly uniform density throughout ; near the top of the pit the rela- 
 tive densities may be discarded. The steam is the same, especially in Plate XI., only 
 showing by its increased bulk the comparative elasticity of the column. The furnace 
 diagram shows an increased rarefaction in Plate XL, where the heated air enters the shaft 
 and for a considerable distance up the shaft in Plate X., when it gradually diminishes as 
 the depth from the surface becomes less. The steam jets at the bottom of the pit exhibit 
 a considerable increase of effect a little below and immediately above the jets, as much as 
 the furnace, but in a short distance it falls off, and the column gradually diminishes like the 
 ■others ; but it is to be remarked, that though the quantity of steam issuing from the jets 
 was the same, the column No. 3 of the steam jet is much more dense above 600 feet from 
 the surface than the steam No. 2, showing an increase of effect at and near the jets, but 
 a loss of effect in the upper part of the column. I had supposed, seeing that the effect 
 both of the furnace and the jets diminished towards the upper part of the column, that the 
 application of the jets at the top of the pit would have compensated for this, and bv 
 exhausting the upper end of the column we should have had a much greater combined 
 effect, when we had the jets at the top drawing out the air at one end of the column, and 
 the rarefying power of the furnace acting at the other end ; and the result showed that 
 -such an effect did to a certain effect take place. It will be seen that in No. 5, with thejets 
 at the top of the pit, an increase of effect is obtained for at least half-way down the shaft, 
 when the effect falls off, and diminishes much below that of the steam alone, but still 
 -nearly equal to the jets placed at the bottom of the pit, except in their immediate vicinity, 
 and within the operation of their impulsive power. 
 
 The diagram of the jets shows pretty clearly the operation of the application of this 
 power. Immediately below where the jets are applied an increase of effect takes place, 
 shown by the increased rarefaction of the column, and produced, of course, by the pro- 
 pulsive force of the jets acting on the column above, and creating a partial vacuum or 
 rarefaction, into which the air from below rushes. [This was shown also by some experi- 
 ments at Tyne Main Colliery, by placing the water gauge with one end of the tube within 
 the upcast, and the other end communicating with the outer air. The water gauge 
 immediately below the jets was *24 to -275 of an inch, and immediately above the jets -18 
 to -2 of an inch. The water gauge at the furnace doors -2 natural ventilation, and -325 
 to -4 when the jets were applied.] Immediately above the jets an increased effect is 
 likewise seen; but this only takes place for a comparatively short distance above the 
 jets, when such effect of, in fact, pushing up the column, appears to have the tendency to 
 compress the column above, and thus to exhaust its power, and so produce a compara- 
 tively feeble effect. 
 
 When the jets are placed at the top of the pit, it has also been deemed necessary to 
 apply cylinders, and to close all the openings or interstices around the cylinders, to prevent 
 eddies or any air from being drawn down the shaft, and so to repass through the cylinder, 
 to the exclusion of the air up the shaft. On examining the experiments made at Killino worth, 
 Tables IX., X., and XL, it will be seen that no such action takes place, and that no 
 sensible advantage is obtained by having the jets placed within cylinders, whether thejets 
 are placed at the top or at the bottom of the pit; the shaft itself forming, indeed, the 
 cylinder or chimney for the aggregate number of jets, in place of one cylinder for each jet. 
 This will also be seen by an inspection of Tables XXIII and XXIV. 
 
 Having thus shown the particular action of the jet, I shall now again revert to its mechanical 
 effect in producing ventilation. 1 have given a standard of its power when employed 
 solely as a ventilating force ; another mode of application is that of its being employed 
 as an auxiliary to the furnace, and on an examination of the experiments, it will be seen 
 that its power has been tested in this respect in a variety of cases, the results of which 
 are given in the different tables, and are likewise shown in the diagrams. 
 
 When employed alone, or solely as a ventilating power, with two or three boilers, the 
 power is much below that of the furnace, the water gauge not reaching beyond 4 lbs per 
 square foot, or, in extreme cases, 6 lbs. per inch ; while with the furnace, a water o-auge of 
 12 lbs. per square foot has been reached. When the jets are therefore to be applied as an 
 auxiliary to the furnace, they will have to operate upon an increase of resisting medium, 
 of, in fact, a water gauge of double the amount of that which they are capable of reaching 
 when applied alone. 
 
 If therelore we find the jets, applied alone, to produce a water gauo;e of 4 lbs. pet- 
 square foot, or 12,000 cubic feet of air, and they are to be applied as an auxiliary to the 
 furnace, they have then to encounter a water gauge of 12 lbs. per square foot ; and then the 
 same power, which at a water gauge of 4 lbs. per square foot produced 12,000 cubic feet of 
 air, will, with 12 lbs. of water gauge, only produce 4,000 cubic feet of air, — and in this 
 case the jets have to encounter another disadvantage, in the increased velocity of the air 
 on which they have to impinge. 
 
 Previously, however, to arriving at any conclusion as to the effect of the jets as an 
 
 auxiliary 
 
SELECT COMMITTEE ON ACCIDENTS IN COAL MINES. 
 
 '67 
 
 auxiliary to the furnace, it will be necessary, first of all, to investigate the power of the Appendix, No. i, 
 furnace as a ventilating force. — 
 
 Furnace Ventilation. 
 
 The experiments with the furnace, in its full vigour of action, as a ventilating power, 
 were made at Hetton and Tyne Main ; the experiments at Killing-worth and Norwood, 
 and also some of the experiments at Hetton, were made to compare the relative powers of 
 the jets and of the furnace, by an application of the latter in a diminished power, or as 
 nearly equal to the power of the jets as possible. 
 
 Taking the experiments at Hetton, and referring to the general result, Tables XXV. and 
 XXVI I. we find the furnaces producing an increased ventilation of nearly 80,000 cubic feet 
 of air per minute over that of the natural ventilation, and 40,344 cubic feet above that of the 
 natural, engine fires, steam, and jet ventilating powers. And at Tyne Main Colliery 61,000 
 cubic feet above the natural ventilation, and 48,652 above that of the jet ventilation. It 
 is unnecessary to do more than to refer to these experiments (authenticated as some of 
 them were by the presence of several of the Government Inspectors of Coal Mines, and 
 also by a great many of the viewers and mining engineers of the trade), to show, that 
 when furnace ventilation is pushed to its maximum working effect, no application of steam 
 jet yet applied has reached within a considerable distance of the effective performance of 
 its powers. 
 
 The highest water gauge reached by the jets at Hetton Colliery was 5*13 lbs. per square 
 foot, while the furnaces produced 12 lbs per square foot; more than double the power. 
 At Tyne Main the water gauge by the jets was 2*4 lbs. per square foot, and that by the 
 furnace 7*2 lbs., three times the power. 
 
 So far, therefore, as regards the application of the steam jet as a substitution of the 
 furnace, and considered with reference to their comparative powers, in producing the largest 
 amount of ventilation, and, consequently, as having a tendency in that respect to prevent 
 accidents in coal mines, these experiments show, in the most conclusive manner, that the 
 steam jet, as hitherto employed, is far inferior to the furnace in producing the largest amount 
 of ventilation in deep mines; and the experiments at Norwood Colliery show, that with 
 equal areas of fire grate, the furnace is also superior to the steam jets in shallow mines. 
 
 I shall now consider the steam jet as an auxiliary to the furnace, and it is in this capacity 
 that it would appear, at first sight, to be available, if available at all. In the above remarks, 
 I have confined myself to their comparative powers solely as mechanical forces in producing 
 ventilation. I shall afterwards go into their relative economy, and in the investigation of 
 the application of the steam jet as an auxiliary to the furnace. I shall confine myself to 
 the result deduced by these experiments, without indulging in any speculation, or probable 
 increase of powers or improvements, to be hereafter realised, whether it may apply to the 
 one power or to the other. 
 
 In arriving at a practical conclusion, as to the power of the jets as an auxiliary to the 
 furnace, it will be necessary, first of all, to consider more particularly the power and 
 efficiency of the furnace, as deduced from these experiments. 
 
 In the case of the Hetton Colliery, the aggregate result of these experiments, Table XXV., 
 shows the " natural ventilation " as equal to 121,478 cubic feet per minute, the temperature 
 in the upcast shaft being 80°. And when the furnaces were applied, and the temperature 
 raised to 170°5, the ventilation was 206,477 cubic feet per minute, or 40,344 cubic feet per 
 minute above the effective performance of the jet, although, in the latter case, the jet had 
 the advantage of the rarefaction of the heat from the boiler fires, and from the steam issuing 
 from the jets. At Tyne Main, Table XXVIII. , the effect was 97,000, or an increase above 
 the jets of 48,652 cubic feet per minute. 
 
 The experiments represented in diagrams, Plates IV. and VI., and Plates VII. and IX., 
 also show the comparative power of the furnace and steam jets in the most conclusive manner. 
 
 In the Hetton experiments, Plate VII., the effective performance of the furnace is 225,176 
 
 cubic feet of air per minute, or 11-70 + 6,518 = 18,218 lbs. pressure per square foot area of the 
 
 , ft , , ■. r 225,176 , f . • • . , 18,218X1,475X153 
 shaft, at a velocity of , ' = 1,475 feet the minute ; and consequently — = — — ~— = 
 
 J 153 ' 33,000 
 
 124*6 horses' power. 
 
 The effective performance of the jets was 164,000 cubic feet of air per minute, or 
 5-13 + 4 - 7 == 9-83 lbs. pressure per square foot area of shaft, at a velocity of 1 tf^° — 1,072 
 
 • 0*83 y 107^ x 153 
 
 feet per minute ; and consequently - — ^^ L —-= 48 ' 86 horses' power. But to obtain 
 
 the performance of the jets as a mechanical or propulsive force, we must deduct the effect 
 of the engine fires and steam, which was 3-6+2,675 = 6-275 lbs. per square foot of shaft. 
 
 Then ^y§F ~ 9141 ^ eet P er minute, and ^^^o^* 153 — G horses' power deducted 
 
 from 48-86, leaves 22-26 horses' power as the effective performance of the jet, though the 
 increased temperature above that of the engine fires ought also to be deducted. This gives 
 the relative performances as 124-6 : 26-6 for the furnace and jets, the water gauge being 
 ■5-13 lbs. per square foot. And this result, as will hereafter be seen, is that of three furnaces 
 consuming under 20 lbs. of coal per minute, the jets requiring 25 lbs. per minute ; and the 
 latter with an evaporation of 155" cubic feet of water per minute, applied in 37 jets, fths of 
 an inch diameter, or an area of 1-816 inches, with steam at 40 lbs. per square inch, applied 
 at the bottom of the pit. 
 
 0.76. u 3 The 
 
i 5 8 
 
 APPENDIX TO REPORT FROM THE 
 
 Appendix, No. l. The experiment at Tyne Main, represented in Plate IX., will show that the furnace ventila- 
 tion was 7-2+3-477 = 15,677 lbs. pressure per square foot area of shaft, at a velocity of 
 
 102-503 _ „ . , 15,677x2039-1x50,257 , 
 
 = 2039 8 feet per minute — and — aannf v — = 48-7 horse power. 
 
 50-257 
 
 The steam-jet performance was 2-4+2 
 
 33,000 
 
 4-4 lbs. pressure per square foot area of shaft, at 
 
 , - „ 49-574 
 a velocity of — 
 
 986'4 feet per minute — and 
 
 44x986-4x50,257 
 
 50-257 r.- — -.— 33) ooo 6-6 horses' power. 
 
 Consequently the relative effective performance at Tyne Main Colliery is as 48-7: 6*6 for 
 the furnace and jets; the furnace consuming about 16 lbs. of coal per minute, and the jets 
 21 lbs., with 61 jets f g ths of an inch diameter, or 1,G84 inches area. Steam 40 lbs. per 
 square inch, applied at the top of the pit, and with an evaporation of 1*82 cubic foot of 
 water per minute. 
 
 On comparing these results, it will be seen that the experiment at Tyne Main Colliery 
 shows a greater comparative result, as regards the furnace, than Hetton. It must, however, 
 be taken into consideration, that the furaaces at Tyne Main were urged with more vigour 
 than Hetton, the temperature of the air in the upcast with the former being 262% and in the 
 latter 211°, though the evaporation of water at Hetton, with the. jets, was 1-55, while at 
 Tyne Mam it was 1-82 cubic feet per minute. 
 
 These experiments were made to test the absolute comparative power of the two systems, 
 Those at Killingworth, and with one furnace at Hetton and at Norwood, were made to test 
 their comparative economy when the powers were as nearly equal as possible, and which 
 I shall go into hereafter. 
 
 The object, in this stage of the inquiry, being to ascertain if the steam jet is capable of a 
 greater performance than the furnace, and if it can be applied as a substitution of the furnace, 
 so as to produce a more powerful ventilating force, and so render the mines more safe. 
 
 The result at Hetton would show, that in order to produce an equal effect with the jets 
 as with the furnaces, the power of the jets would require to be increased in the ratio of 
 124'6 : 26-6 exclusive of the effect of the heat of the engine fires and steam ; and at Tyne 
 Main in the ratio of 48 7 ; 66, supposing no loss of power takes place with the jets when 
 the velocity of the air which they have to propel is increased. The velocity of the air 
 propelled by the jets at Hetton was 914 feet per minute, while it was 1,072 feet per minute 
 when the furnace was applied ; and at Tyne Main, with the jets 986, and with the furnace 
 2,039 feet per minute. 
 
 Sufficient, therefore, appears to be shown by these experiments, that as a substitution for 
 the furnace there would require to be a very great increase in the consumption of coals, in 
 the application of the jets, to reach the same ventilating power as the furnace; that as a 
 substitution its application is inadmissible ; and that the only mode in which the jet can 
 be applied, if applied at all, is as an auxiliary to the furnace, and in this capacity we shall 
 now proceed to investigate its efficiency. 
 
 Furnace and Steam Jets. 
 
 Diagram, Plate VII., shows the increase of ventilation of the steam jets in addition to the 
 furnaces, and which is 7,249 cubic feet per minute; but, it will be observed, that the tem- 
 perature was increased from 226° to 229°, or 3°. This must therefore betaken into account. 
 The lurnace and engine fires gave 229,918 cubic feet per minute, the temperature being 
 226 o . Suppose the same effect to take place by an increase of 3° beyond 226°, we have 
 
 2 -^~^-^ = 3,052, which, deducted from 7,249, leaves 4,197 cubic feet per minute due to 
 
 the propulsive power of the jets, the velocity of the air on which they impinged being 
 2,094 feet per minute. 
 
 Again at Killingworth, diagram, Plate VIII., the increase was 0,859 cubic feet per minute, 
 
 37 741x17° 
 
 the increase of temperature being 17". Then — ' * — =4,364, which, deducted from 6,859, 
 
 leaves 2,495 cubic feet per minute due to the impulsive power of the jets, the velocity of 
 the air on which the jets acted being 1,815 feet per minute. 
 
 The jets in both of these cases were applied at the bottom of the pit. We have no 
 means, as before stated, of ascertaining the precise resistance of the air in the shaft when 
 the jets are applied; but, taking the water gauge, as a measure of the efficient practical 
 effect of the jets in the different modes of application, we have, as the impulsive powers 
 of the jets, — 
 
 
 JETS ALONE. 
 
 FURNACE 
 
 AND JETS. 
 
 
 Cubic Feet of Air 
 per Minute. 
 
 Water Gauge in Lbs. 
 per Square Foot. • 
 
 Cubic Feet of Air 
 per Minute. 
 
 1 
 
 Water Guage in Lbs. 
 per Square Foot. 
 
 Hetton Colliery - 
 
 15,099 
 
 513 
 
 4,197 
 
 1238 
 
 Killingworth Colliery - 
 
 9,489 
 
 2-1 
 
 2,495 
 
 7 5 
 
 Showing: 
 
SELECT COMMITTEE ON ACCIDENTS IN COAL MINES. 
 
 159 
 
 Showing a diminution of effect, when the velocity of the air on which the jets act is Appendix, No. 1 
 
 increased, and certainly a very small effect in addition to the furnace, considering that a 
 
 quantity of steam issuing out of an aggregate area of l-8i**3 -nches at 40 lbs. pressure per 
 square inch, and an evaporation of T55 cubic feet of water per minute, was employed a 
 Hetton, and steam at 40 lbs. pressure per square inch, with an area of jets of 1-423 inches, 
 was employed at Killingvvorth. 
 
 There are also several other allowances to make, if these expeiiments were strictly con- 
 strued, which would diminish the comparative result of the jets; but, as before stated, my 
 object being to show the result in a practical manner, I have abstained from going into the 
 subject in a close, theoretical, or abstruse character ; the experiments, however, are fur- 
 nished in such a manner, that this can be gone into by any one, and on a future occasion, 
 and the details will, of themselves, be found to be sufficiently interesting and useful. 
 
 I shall now give the result of the experiments made to ascertain the comparative economy 
 of the two systems, as regards the consumption of coals or power employed, and the cor- 
 responding effective performance produced. 
 
 Eor this purpose, the entire furnace ventilation power of Hetton Colliery was made the 
 subject of experiment for 24 hours consecutively, the jet ventilation at Hetton was made 
 the subject of experiment for 12 consecutive hours ; and, that the comparison between the 
 furnace and jets should be made the subject of experiment, under as precisely the same 
 circumstances, or as nearly equal power as possible, two of the Hetton furnaces were 
 extinguished, and an experiment for 12 hours was made on the ventilating power of one 
 furnace to compare with the jets. 
 
 Similar experiments were made at Tyne Main Colliery, to ascertain the relative economi- 
 cal performances of the furnace and steam jets. 
 
 The details of the Hetton experiments are given in Tables V., VI., VII. and VIII. ; 
 and the experiments at Tyne Main, in Tables XII. and XVIII. ; and the following Table 
 shows the general results : — 
 
 TABLE XXX. 
 
 RESULT of Experiments at Hetton and Tyne Main Collieries on the Consumption of Coal. 
 
 
 Description 
 
 TEMPERATURE. 
 
 
 Cubic Feet 
 of Air 
 
 
 Consumption of 
 Coals. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 passing 
 down the 
 Downcast 
 Shafts 
 
 per 
 Minute. 
 
 
 
 
 T I M E. 
 
 of 
 
 Experiments. 
 
 At 
 Bank. 
 
 In 
 Return 
 Air. 
 
 Bottom 
 
 of 
 Down- 
 cast. 
 
 Upcast 
 Fathoms, 
 10. 
 
 Upcast 
 Fathoms, 
 65. 
 
 
 Water 
 Gauge. 
 
 Lbs. 
 per 
 Minute. 
 
 Cubic Feet 
 of Air 
 for each 
 
 Lb. 
 of Coal. 
 
 1852: 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Inch. 
 
 
 
 Not. - 26 & 27 
 
 3 furnaces 
 
 44° 
 
 68° 
 
 45° 
 
 
 130° 
 
 
 
 
 208,466 
 
 1-20 
 
 18-86 
 
 11-060 
 
 1853: 
 January - 3 
 
 37 jets, £ inch diame- 
 ter each. 
 
 45 
 
 68 
 
 46 
 
 86° 
 
 90 
 
 
 , Hetton Colliery 
 
 
 159,913 
 
 •80 
 
 25-28 
 
 6-400 
 
 - 8 
 
 1 furnace, 9 feet 
 
 44 
 
 68 
 
 45 
 
 94 
 
 98 -5 
 
 > 
 
 
 
 164,750 
 
 1-00 
 
 10-11 
 
 16-320 
 
 - 20 
 
 2 furnaces 
 
 49-75 
 
 63 
 
 51 
 
 161-75 
 
 145 -5 
 
 - 
 
 
 f 
 
 101,876 
 
 ■925 
 
 16-76 
 
 6-080 
 
 -28 
 
 61 jets, f B ineh diame- 
 ter. 
 
 35 5 
 
 62 5 
 
 40 
 
 30fms. 
 63 -75 
 
 
 J 
 
 Tyne Main Colliery 
 
 L 
 
 47,467 
 
 •38 
 
 21-32 
 
 2-223 
 
 The result of the experiments at Hetton is, that with one furnace, and when the furnace 
 ventilation of the colliery was reduced so as to be as nearly as possible equal to that of the 
 jets, the consumption of coals with the furnace was 1011 lbs. per minute; the consumption 
 with the jets 25-28 lbs. ; the quantity of air produced by each lb. of coal being, with the 
 furnace 16,320 cubic feet per minute, and with the jets only 6,400 cubic feet per minute. 
 So far, therefore, as regards their comparative economy, when the powers are nearly alike, 
 the economy is in favour of the furnace as 2'55 : 1, when the jets are placed at the bottom 
 of the pit, and having the aid of the heat from the boiler fires and the steam, as assistant 
 ventilating powers. 
 
 As a substitute for the furnace, the steam jets are, therefore, decidedly deficient, when 
 the powers are equal, and when the only motive for substitution is economy; and this, it 
 will be seen, holds good, or is increased in favour of the furnace, when working at a higher 
 water gauge, and within the limits in which substitution is practicable, and this we shall 
 now consider. 
 
 0.76. u 4 The 
 
 1 
 
i6o 
 
 APPENDIX TO REPORT FROM THE 
 
 Appendix, No. l. The experiment on the 26th and 27th November, Table XXX., shows the furnace power of 
 
 the every-day working of the Hetton Colliery, three furnaces B B and C, Figs. 4 and 5 
 
 Plate I., unaided by the engine fires JS ; the amount of this ventilation is 208 , 466 cubic 
 feet per minute ; supposing the steam jet ventilation increased by additional boilers and 
 jets to this extent, and that the consumption of coals is not comparatively greater. Com- 
 paring, then, the experiments with the single, and with three furnaces, we find the increase 
 of the consumption of coal for each cubic foot of air as 16,320 : 11,06 6, the increase by the 
 jets will be, from the preceding investigations, in a greater ratio ; suppose, however, it is 
 the same, then we have as 16,320 : 11,066 : : 6,400 : 4,340 cubic feet of air for each lb. of 
 coal by the jets. When the jet ventilation is, therefore, carried to the standard of the 
 three furnaces, the quantity of air for each lb. of coal by the furnaces being 11,066, the 
 relative consumption of coals, by the substitution of steam jet for the furnace ventilation at 
 Hetton Colliery, will be as 11,066 : 4,340, or nearly three times the quantity with the steam 
 jets as with the furnace, at the every-day working of the furnace power of Hetton Colliery 
 
 At Tyne Main Colliery the result is nearly the same, as will be seen by Table XXX., the 
 relative quantity of air per each lb. of coal being as 6-080 : 2*223, and this is the result, 
 the water gauge of the jets being "38, and the furnace '925 inches. 
 
 It will be seen from the experiments at Hetton (Table XXX.) that the impulsive force of 
 the jets is about the. same as that which resulted from the previous experiments. The quan- 
 tity of air by the single furnace was 164*750 cubic feet per minute, with a mean tempera- 
 ture of 98°5 = 1,672 cubic feet of air per minute for each degree of heat ; the mean tem- 
 perature of the heat from the engine fires and steam was 90° ; therefore 90° x 1,672 = 150*480, 
 deducted from 159*913, leaves 8*573 cubic feet per minute due to the impulsive force of 
 the jets, the mean of 12 hours' experiment, with a water gauge of 4*8lbs. per square foot, 
 the jefs at the bottom of the pit. 
 
 And at Tyne 47,407 cubic feet per minute (Table XXX.) less 35*914 (the natural venti- 
 lation as per Table XXVIII.) = 1 1,493 cubic feet per minute, with a water gauge of 2*28 lbs. 
 per square foot, the jets being at the top of the pit. 
 
 The practical conclusions, resulting from these experiments, may be tabulated as follows : — 
 
 STEAM JETS AS A SUBSTITUTION OF THE FURNACE. 
 
 Hetton Colliery — Jets at Bottom of Pit. 
 
 
 Due to Temperature 
 of Upcast Shaft. 
 
 Impulsive Force 
 of Jets. 
 
 Total. 
 
 Consumption 
 of Coal. 
 
 
 Cubic Feet of Air 
 per Minute. 
 
 Cubic Feet of Air 
 per Minute. 
 
 Cubic Feet of Air 
 per Minute. 
 
 Lbs. per 
 Minute. 
 
 Furnace - - -J 
 
 208*466 
 164*750 
 
 
 208*466 
 164*750 
 
 18*86 
 1011 
 
 Jets - 
 
 151340 
 
 8,573 
 
 159*913 
 
 25*28 
 
 Tyne Main Colliery — Jets at Top of Pit. 
 
 
 Due to Temperature 
 of Upcast Shaft. 
 
 Impulsive Power 
 of Jets. 
 
 Total. 
 
 Consumption 
 of Coal. 
 
 
 Cubic Feet- of Air 
 per Minute. 
 
 Cubic Feet of Air 
 per Minute. 
 
 Cubic Feet of Air 
 per Minute. 
 
 Lbs. per 
 Minute. 
 
 Furnace - - - 
 
 101*876 
 
 i 
 
 101*876 
 
 16*76 
 
 Jets - - 
 
 35*914 
 
 11-493 
 
 47-407 
 
 21-32 
 
SELECT COMMITTEE ON ACCIDENTS IN COAL MINES. 
 
 Appendix, No. 1- 
 
 STEAM JETS AS AN AUXILIARY TO THE FURNACE. 
 
 Hetton Colliery. — Jets at Bottom of Pit. 
 
 
 Due to Temperature 
 of Upcast Shaft. 
 
 Impulsive Power 
 of Jets. 
 
 Total. 
 
 Consumption 
 of Coal. 
 
 
 Cubic Feet of Air 
 per Minute. 
 
 Cubic Feet of Air 
 per Minute. 
 
 Cubic Feet of Air 
 per Minute. 
 
 Lbs. per 
 Minute. 
 
 Furnace - 
 
 Jets - - - - 
 
 203*466 
 208-466 
 
 4,917 
 
 208-466 
 213-383 
 
 18-86 
 47-97 
 
 In these investigations, I have not taken into account the quantity of air required to work 
 the engine fires, when the jets are placed at ihe bottom of the pit, a quantity more than 
 the impulsive power of the jets, as it may be said this air might be obtained from the return 
 air after passing through the workings. I have great doubts that this can be beneficially 
 accomplished, but as I could not ascertain this by experiment, I have not made any allowance 
 for the increased loss of power in the jets by such air passing up the shaft, which I our>ht 
 otherwise to have done. 
 
 In conclusion, .the practical re«ult of all these experiments is, that within the limits or 
 range of furnace ventilation, the steam jet acting as a substitute is attended with an increase 
 in the expenditure of fuel of nearly 3 : 1, without any corresponding advantage either in the 
 steadiness, security, or efficiency of ventilation ; on the contrary, from its simplicity of 
 construction, the steadiness of its action, its less liability to derangement, its economy, and 
 its efficiency in cases of emergency, the furnace is a more secure, more safe and more eligible 
 mode of ventilation than the steam jet. 
 
 And, with respect to the steam jet as an auxiliary to the furnace, the conclusion is 
 that the increase of effect of the jets over the furnace is quite inconsiderable ; that such 
 increase is extremely unsteady, in some cases nothing at all, when the furnace is urged 
 to its maximum effect; and, in the ordinary working state of the furnace (supposing 
 the furnace kept within its limit, so as to have adequate spare power in cases of emergency ), 
 amounting to only about 2 or 2^ per cent. That such increase is, however, attended with 
 a loss of power, or increase in the consumption of coal, as compared with the furnace, of 
 nearly 3 : 1. And, taking into account the uncertainty of its action, and that the increase 
 of 2 to 2^ per cent, is only obtained when the furnace is about 10 percent, within its maximum 
 power {see Experiment, Plate VII., and Experiment, Table V.), and seeing, likewise 
 that when the furnace is urged to its maximum power, in cases of emergency, an increase of 
 10 per cent, can be immediately obtained by the furnaee (see Experiment, pp. 148, 149), it 
 is quite clear that the steam jet is equally ineligible and inefficient as an auxiliary, as when 
 applied as a substitute for the furnace in the ventilation of coal mines. 
 
 And, setting aside all considerations of loss of power or of economy, and looking only 
 to the two ventilating powers, with reference to their comparative efficiency of producing 
 increased ventilation, and so adding to the security and safety of the mine (fur I ao-ree 
 with the Committee of the Commons of 1852, "That a generally increased ventilation is 
 the truest security against explosions"), it is quite clear that it would neither be advisable 
 nor safe to depend upon any increased quantity of air as a security from explosions which 
 might be obtained by the steam jet above that which can be obtained from the furnace, 
 and that the only safe and secure dependence, so far as regards vigorous ventilation, us a 
 security against explosions, is upon a well-constructed furnace or furnaces, proper 
 adaptation and arrangement of shaft power, capacious air passages, and upon a well- 
 regulated distribution of the air currents, and not upon the complicated and uncertain 
 action of the steam jet. 
 
 And, lastly, I must beg permission to point out the deep obligations which the Institute 
 and mining interests generally are under to the Hetton, the Marley Hill, and the Tyne 
 Main Coal Companies, lor their liberality in placing their pits at my disposal, and for the 
 expense and inconvenience which they have been put to in the prosecution of these 
 experiments; and I have also to express the obligations I am personally under to them, una 
 to Messrs. Johnson, Greenweli, Liddell, and Wales, the viewers at these collieries, and to 
 the other gentlemen from whom I have received aid and assistance in this arduous 
 undertaking. 
 
 Nicholas Wood. 
 
 0.76. 
 
 X 
 
 APPENDIX, 
 
102 
 
 APPENDIX TO REPORT FROM THE 
 
 \ppendix, No. 1. 
 
 1 1 1 APPENDIX, No. l. 
 
 SYNOPSIS of the Ventilation of Hetton Colliery, with the respective 
 Distances which each Current of Air travels, and the Quantity of Air in each Split. 
 —October 28t.h, 1853. 
 
 MAIN CURRENTS. 
 
 Minor East Downcast Pit; Hutton Seam. 
 
 Cubic Feet per 
 Minute. 
 
 Area of 
 Air Courses. 
 
 1. Through the West Stables - - - - - 
 
 2. First West Incline ------ 
 
 3. Stone Drift Incline - - 
 
 4. Middle North Way ----- 
 
 5. North-east X Cut ------ 
 
 6. First East Way, Engine Plane - 
 
 7. South-east X Cut ------- 
 
 1. From the Eppleton West Drifts, through Lyons Waste 
 
 2. From - - - ditto ----- ditto - 
 
 Total - - - 
 
 2,000 
 11,500 
 6,200 
 5,800 
 7,150 
 6,500 
 6,200 
 
 45,350 
 
 36 
 40 
 49 
 49 
 50 
 50 
 50 
 
 Minor West Downcast Pit; Hutton Seam. 
 
 1 . Middle South Way 
 
 2. Low South Way - 
 
 3. South X Cut Way 
 
 4. East Engine Plane 
 
 5. Third North Way - 
 
 6. Through Elemore 
 
 through the Minor 
 
 Isabella Pit, 
 Pit Waste 
 
 North Way, 
 
 Total - 
 
 and"! 
 
 4 
 
 Cubic Feet per 
 Minute. 
 
 7,500 
 8,300 
 7,600 
 8,400 
 7,700 
 
 10,300 
 
 49,800 
 
 Area of 
 Air Courses. 
 
 30 
 30 
 40 
 40 
 30 
 
 40 
 
 Eppleton Jane Downcast Pit; Hutton Seam. 
 
 Cubic Feet per 
 Minute. 
 
 Area of 
 Air Courses. 
 
 1. ' High West Drift Way - 
 
 2. ' Fourth North-west Drift Way 
 North beyond the Engine (west) - 
 
 Ditto - - - ditto - (east) - 
 Second South Way, down the Engine Plane 
 
 9. 
 10. 
 11. 
 
 Second North Way - - ditto - 
 
 Third South Way - - ditto - 
 
 Fourth North Way - - ditto - 
 
 Fourth South Way - - ditto - 
 
 Fifth North Way - - ditto - 
 
 East Drift Way - - - ditto - 
 
 Total - - - 
 
 5,600 
 
 49 
 
 6,000 • 
 
 30 
 
 3,200 
 
 25 
 
 3,500 
 
 25 
 
 5,500 
 
 42 
 
 5,400 
 
 36 
 
 5,100 
 
 36 
 
 5,400 
 
 40 
 
 5,000 
 
 40 
 
 5,700 
 
 40 
 
 5,300 
 
 40 
 
 55,700 
 
 
SELECT COMMITTEE ON ACCIDENTS IN COAL MINES. 
 
 163 
 
 Appendix, No. I— continued. Appendix, No. 1. 
 
 Minor Ea3t Downcast Pit; Low Main Seam. 
 
 
 Cubic Feet per 
 Minute. 
 
 Area of 
 Air Courses. 
 
 1. First North-east Way ------ 
 
 2. Second North-east Way 
 
 4. First West Way, south side - - - - - 
 
 5. First West Way, north side - - - - - 
 
 Total - - - 
 
 7,500 
 6,400 
 5,100 
 5,000 
 5,200 
 
 36 
 36 
 25 
 25 
 25 
 
 29,200 
 
 
 Minor West Downcast Pit; Main Coal Seam. 
 
 
 
 Cubic Feet per 
 Minute. 
 
 Area of 
 Air Courses. 
 
 1. South District ------- 
 
 2. West District ------- 
 
 3. North District ------- 
 
 4. From the Eppleton Shaft, west ; and north to Blos-1 
 
 Total - - - 
 
 7,000 
 5,500 
 7,450 
 
 10,000 
 
 50 
 30 
 50 
 
 30 
 
 29,950 
 
 
 Total Main Currents. 
 
 Cubic Feet per Minute. 
 
 East Minor Pit 45,350 
 
 West Minor Pit 49,800 
 
 Eppleton Pit - 55,700 
 
 Low Main Seam - - 29,200 
 
 Main Coal Seam - 29,950 
 
 Total - - - 210,000 
 
 The area of the air courses, as above given, are those of the splits, or the " ingoing" and 
 "outcoming" single currents; when the split, or single currents are united, the area of the 
 air courses are proportionably increased. 
 
 0.76. 
 
 STATEMENT 
 
164 
 
 APPENDIX TO REPORT FROM THE 
 
 Appendix, No. 1 — continued. 
 
 STATEMENT of the Distances travelled by the various Currents of Air. in the Minor East Pit, Hutton Seam, at 
 Hetton Colliery, through the Workings and Returns to the Blossom Pit Upcast, 28 October 1852. 
 
 
 " In-going," or " Fresh Air Currents." 
 
 See Account of 
 Eppleton. 
 
 SPLITS - 
 
 
 1. 
 
 2. 
 
 3. 
 
 4. 
 
 5. 
 
 6. 
 
 7. 
 
 
 2'. 
 
 3, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7 
 
 Yds. 
 
 88 
 
 Yds. 
 88 
 
 Yds. 
 88 
 
 Yds. 
 88 
 
 Yds. 
 88 
 
 Yds. 
 88 
 
 Yds. 
 88 
 
 Yds. 
 
 88 
 
 Yds. 
 — 
 
 Yds. 
 — 
 
 3 - - 
 
 44 
 
 44 
 
 — 
 
 — 
 
 — 
 
 — 
 
 — 
 
 — 
 
 — 
 
 — 
 
 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7 - 
 
 407 
 
 - 
 
 407 
 
 407 
 
 407 
 
 407 
 
 407 
 
 407 
 
 — 
 
 — 
 
 2 - 
 
 594 
 
 - 
 
 594 
 
 
 — 
 
 
 — 
 
 1 — 
 
 — 
 
 — 
 
 3, 4, 5, G and 7 
 
 1S2 
 
 
 
 132 
 
 132 
 
 132 
 
 132 
 
 132 
 
 
 
 3 and 4 - 
 
 440 
 
 
 
 440 
 
 440 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 3 - 
 
 880 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 880 
 
 
 
 
 — 
 
 — 
 
 — 
 
 4 - 
 
 880 
 
 
 
 
 880 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 5, 6 and 7 
 
 638 
 
 
 
 
 
 638 
 
 638 
 
 638 
 
 — 
 
 — 
 
 5 - 
 
 110 
 
 
 
 
 
 110 
 
 
 
 
 
 6 and 7 - 
 
 4G2 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 4G2 
 
 462 
 
 
 
 6 ^ \ - - 
 
 286 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 286 
 
 
 
 
 7 - 
 
 462 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 462 
 
 
 
 
 
 132 
 
 1,089 
 
 1,947 
 
 1,947 
 
 1,375 
 
 2,013 
 
 2,189 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 it 
 
 Out-coming-," or " Return Air Currents. 
 
 
 
 
 SPLITS - 
 
 
 1. 
 
 o_ 
 
 3. 
 
 4. 
 
 5. j 
 
 1 
 
 6. 
 
 7. 
 
 1'. 
 
 2'. 
 
 % x 
 
 I, 2, 3,4,5, 6, 7, and"! 
 1' and 2' - -J 
 
 2 - 
 
 3 - 
 
 3 and 4 - 
 
 3, 4, 5, 0, 7, and l'~| 
 and 2' - -J 
 
 5. - 
 
 ©; - t - ( 
 7 . 
 
 6 and 7 - 
 
 1' and 2,' 
 
 Yds. 
 44 
 
 143 
 
 1,078 
 1,144 
 1,452 
 352 
 
 913 
 
 484 
 1,100 
 
 957 
 704 
 880 
 
 Yds. 
 44 
 
 143 
 
 - 
 
 Yds. 
 
 143 
 1,078 
 
 - 
 
 Yds. 
 143 
 
 1,144 
 
 352 
 913 
 
 Yds. 
 143 
 
 1,452 
 352 
 
 913 
 
 Yds. 
 143 
 
 913 
 484 
 
 Yds. 
 143 
 
 913 
 
 1,100 
 704 
 
 Yds. 
 1 43 
 
 — 
 
 913 
 
 957 
 704 
 
 Yds. 
 143 
 
 — 
 
 913 
 
 Yds. 
 143 
 
 — 
 
 £)13 
 
 880 
 
 Brought dowr 
 
 1 - 
 
 187 
 132 
 
 1,221 
 1,089 
 
 2,552 
 1,947 
 
 2,860 
 1,947 
 
 2,540 
 1,375 
 
 2,860 
 2,013 
 
 2.717 
 2,189 
 
 1,930 S: 
 2,684 
 
 3,936* 
 2,508 
 
 Total Distances - 
 
 319 
 
 2,310 
 
 4,499 | 
 
 4,807 
 
 2,915 
 
 4,S73 
 
 4,906 
 
 4,620 1 
 
 4,444 
 
 * See Eppleton Account. 
 
SELECT COMMITTEE ON ACCIDENTS IN COAL MINES. 
 
 165 
 
 Appendix, No. 1 — continued. 
 
 t 
 
 STATEMENT of the Distances travelled by the various Currents of Air in the Minor "West Pit, Hutton Seam, at 
 Hetton Colliery, through the Workings and Returns to the Blossom Pit Upcast, 28 October 1852. 
 
 
 - 
 
 CI 
 
 In-going," or " Fresh Air Currents." 
 
 
 
 SPLITS - 
 
 - 
 
 1. 
 
 2. 
 
 3. 
 
 4, 
 
 5. 
 
 6. 
 
 
 Yds. 
 
 Yds. 
 
 Yds. 
 
 Yds. 
 
 Yds. 
 
 Yds. 
 
 Yds. 
 
 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 - - 
 
 737 
 
 737 
 
 737 
 
 737 
 
 737 
 
 737 
 
 
 1 and 2 - 
 
 462 
 
 462 
 
 462 
 
 
 
 — 
 
 
 1 
 
 671 
 
 671 
 
 
 
 
 — 
 
 
 2 
 
 792 
 
 - 
 
 792 
 
 
 
 — 
 
 
 3, 4 and 5 - - - 
 
 308 
 
 
 
 308 
 
 308 
 
 308 
 
 [ From 
 Elemore. 
 
 3 
 
 330 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 330 
 
 
 
 
 4 and 5 - - - - 
 
 737 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 
 737 
 
 737 
 
 
 4 
 
 286 
 
 
 - - 
 
 
 286 
 
 
 
 5 - * 
 
 341 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 
 
 341 
 
 1 
 
 ; 
 
 
 
 1,870 
 
 1,991 
 
 1,375 
 
 2,068 
 
 2,123 
 
 2,816 
 
 
 
 u 
 
 Out-coming, 
 
 " or " Return Air Currents." 
 
 
 SPT ITS 
 
 
 1 
 
 1 . 
 
 2. 
 
 3. 
 
 4. 
 
 5. 
 
 D. 
 
 
 Yds. 
 
 Yds. 
 
 Yds. 
 
 Yds. 
 
 Yds. 
 
 Yds. 
 
 Yds. 
 
 1 ----- - 
 
 1,199 
 
 1,199 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 2 
 
 1,276 
 
 - 
 
 1,276 
 
 
 
 
 
 3 
 
 638 
 
 - 
 
 
 638 
 
 
 
 From 
 
 4 
 
 286 
 
 - 
 
 
 
 286 
 
 
 J-»It IliUl c 
 
 , through 
 Minor 
 
 5 ----- - 
 
 330 
 
 
 
 
 
 330 
 
 ! 
 
 Waste. 
 
 4 and 5 
 
 968 
 
 
 
 
 968 
 
 90S 
 
 
 3, 2, 3, 4 and 5 - 
 
 1,562 
 
 1 ,502 
 
 1,562 
 
 1,562 
 
 1,562 
 
 1,562 
 
 
 
 
 2,761 
 
 2,838 
 
 2,200 
 
 2,816 
 
 2,860 
 
 4,604 
 
 Brought down - 
 
 
 1,870 
 
 1,991 
 
 1,375 
 
 2,068 
 
 2,123 
 
 2,816 
 
 Total Distances - 
 
 
 4,631 
 
 4,829 
 
 3,575 
 
 4,884 
 
 4,9S3 
 
 7,480 
 
 0.76. x 3 STATEMENT 
 
i66 
 
 APPENDIX TO REPORT FROM THE 
 
 Appendix, No. 1 — continued. 
 
 STATEMENT of the Distances travelled by the various Currents of Air in the Jane Pit, Hetton Seam, at Eppleton 
 Colliery, through the Workings and Returns to the Blossom Pit Upcast at Lyons, 28 October 1852. 
 
 
 " In-going," or " Fresh-Air Currents." 
 
 SPLITS- 
 
 - - 
 
 l'. 
 
 2'. 
 
 3. 
 
 4. 
 
 5. 
 
 6. 
 
 7. 
 
 8. 
 
 9. 
 
 10. 
 
 11. 
 
 
 Yds. 
 
 Yds. 
 
 Yds. 
 
 Yds. 
 
 Yds. 
 
 Yds. 
 
 Yds. 
 
 Yds. 
 
 Yds. 
 
 Yds. 
 
 Yds. 
 
 Yds. 
 
 l , 54 , «$, 4, o, o, 8, 9, 10 and. 1 1 
 1' and 2' 
 
 110 
 1,122 
 
 110 
 1,122 
 
 110 
 1,122 
 
 110 
 
 110 
 
 110 
 
 110 
 
 110 
 
 110 
 
 110 
 
 110 
 
 110 
 
 2' ' - 
 
 594 
 572 
 
 594 
 
 572 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 d, 4, o, o, 7, 8, 9, 10 and 11 - 
 3 and 4 
 
 209 
 396 
 
 - - 
 
 - - 
 
 209 
 396 
 
 209 
 396 
 
 209 
 
 209 
 
 209 
 
 209 
 
 209 
 
 209 
 
 209 
 
 _ 
 
 4 
 
 396 
 330 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 396 
 
 330 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 and 11 - 
 
 5 
 
 880 
 935 
 
 
 
 
 
 880 
 935 
 
 880 
 
 880 
 
 880 
 
 880 
 
 880 
 
 880 
 
 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 and 11 - 
 6 - 
 
 15 
 1,353 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 15 
 1,353 
 
 15 
 
 15 
 
 15 
 
 15 
 
 15 
 
 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 . - 
 
 297 
 
 - - 
 
 - - 
 
 - - 
 
 
 
 
 297 
 825 
 
 297 
 
 297 
 
 297 
 
 297 
 
 8, 9, 10 and 11 - 
 
 8 ----- 
 
 143 
 792 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 143 
 792 
 
 143 
 
 143 
 
 143 
 
 y, 10 and 11 
 
 9 - - - - - 
 
 348 
 1,441 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 348 
 1,441 
 
 348 
 
 348; 
 
 10 
 
 561 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 561 
 
 1,628 
 
 
 
 1,826 
 
 1,804 
 
 1,111 
 
 1,045 
 
 2,134 
 
 2,567 
 
 2,336 
 
 2,446 
 
 3,443 
 
 2,563 
 
 3,630 
 
 
 
 
 
 " Out- 
 
 coming," or " Return Air Currents." 
 
 
 
 
 SPLITS- 
 
 - 
 
 1'. 
 
 2'. 
 
 3. 
 
 4. 
 
 5. 
 
 6. 
 
 7. 
 
 8. 
 
 9. 
 
 10. 
 
 11. 
 
 
 Yds. 
 
 Yds. 
 
 Yds. 
 
 Yds. 
 
 Yds. 
 
 Yds. 
 
 Yd*. 
 
 Yds. 
 
 Yds. 
 
 Yds. 
 
 Yds. 
 
 Yds. 
 
 1' 
 
 Ml - - - - 
 
 748 
 594 
 
 748 
 
 594 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 1' and 2' 
 
 3 
 
 110 
 
 847 
 
 110 
 
 - 
 
 110 
 
 ~ * 
 
 847 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 3 and 4 
 
 5 - - - - - 
 
 2,178 
 1,287 
 
 
 
 2,178 
 
 2,178 
 
 1,287 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 6 
 
 8 
 
 1,496 
 1,903 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 1,496 
 
 
 1,903 
 
 — 
 
 — 
 
 — 
 
 1U ----- 
 
 8 and 10 
 
 891 
 242 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 242 
 
 
 891 
 242 
 
 
 6, 8 and 10 - 
 
 352 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 352 
 
 
 352 
 
 
 352 
 
 
 9 
 
 11 
 
 1,419 
 737 
 
 
 
 
 - - 
 
 
 
 
 
 1,419 
 
 
 737 
 
 9 and 11 - 
 7, 9 and 11 - 
 
 660 
 352 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 352 
 
 
 660 
 
 352 
 
 
 660 
 
 352 
 
 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 and 11 - 
 
 3.509 
 
 
 
 3,509 
 
 3,509 
 
 3,509 
 
 3,509 
 
 3,509 
 
 3,509 
 
 3,509 
 
 3,509 
 
 3,509 
 
 
 
 858 
 
 704 
 
 6,534 
 
 5,687 
 
 4,796 
 
 5,357 
 
 4,587 
 
 6,016 
 
 5,940 
 
 4,994 
 
 5,258 
 
 Brought down 
 
 
 1,826 
 
 1,804 
 
 1,111 
 
 1,045 
 
 2,134 
 
 2,567 
 
 2,336 
 
 2,446 
 
 3,443 
 
 2,563 
 
 3,630 
 
 Total Distances 
 
 
 2,684 
 
 2,508 
 
 7,645 
 
 6,732 
 
 6,930 
 
 7,924 
 
 6,923 
 
 8,462 
 
 9,383 
 
 7,557 
 
 8,888 
 
SELECT COMMITTEE ON ACCIDENTS IN COAL MINES. 
 
 167 
 
 Appendix, No. 1 — continued. 
 
 STATEMENT of the Distances travelled by the various Currents of Air in the Minor East Pit, Low Main Seam, 
 at Hetton Colliery, through the Workings and Returns to the Blossom Pit Upcast. 
 
 
 
 " In 
 
 -going," or " Fresh Air Currents." 
 
 
 SPLITS - 
 
 
 1. 
 
 2. 
 
 3. 
 
 4. 
 
 5. 
 
 
 
 Yds. 
 
 Yds. 
 
 Yds. 
 
 Yds. 
 
 Yds. 
 
 Yds. 
 
 1, 2 and 3 
 
 
 120 
 
 120 
 
 120 
 
 120 
 
 
 
 1 - 
 
 
 940 
 
 940 
 
 
 
 
 
 2 and 3 - 
 
 
 290 
 
 
 290 
 
 290 
 
 
 
 2 - 
 
 
 230 
 
 
 230 
 
 
 
 — 
 
 3 - 
 
 
 200 
 
 
 - 
 
 200 
 
 
 
 4 and 5 - 
 
 
 725 
 
 
 
 
 725 
 
 725 
 
 4 - 
 
 
 200 
 
 
 
 
 200 
 
 
 5 - 
 
 
 315 
 
 
 
 
 
 315 
 
 
 See below for T 
 
 otals - 
 
 1,060 
 
 640 
 
 610 
 
 925 
 
 1,040 
 
 
 
 " Out- 
 
 •coming," or " 
 
 Return Air Currents." 
 
 
 SPLITS - 
 
 
 1. 
 
 2. 
 
 3. 
 
 4. 
 
 5. 
 
 
 
 Yds. 
 
 Yds. 
 
 Yds. 
 
 Yds. 
 
 Yds. 
 
 V/Yc 
 X (IS. 
 
 1 - 
 
 
 220 
 
 220 
 
 
 
 
 
 0 
 
 
 220 
 
 
 220 
 
 
 
 
 1 and 2 - 
 
 
 185 
 
 loo 
 
 185 
 
 
 
 
 3 - 
 
 
 670 
 
 
 
 670 
 
 
 
 1, 2 and 3 
 
 
 100 
 
 100 
 
 100 
 
 100 
 
 
 
 #' - 
 
 
 460 
 
 
 
 
 460 
 
 
 5 - 
 
 
 360 
 
 
 
 
 
 360 
 
 4 and 5 - 
 
 
 1,595 
 
 
 
 
 1,595 
 
 1,595 
 
 
 
 
 505 
 
 505 
 
 770 
 
 2,055 
 
 1,955 
 
 
 Brought down - 
 
 1,060 
 
 640 
 
 610 
 
 925 
 
 1,040 
 
 
 Total Distances - 
 
 1,565 
 
 1,145 
 
 1,380 
 
 2,980 
 
 2,995 
 
 STATEMENT of the Distances travelled by the various Currents of Air in the Main Coal Seam at Hetton Colliery, 
 through the Workings and Returns to the Blossom Pit Upcast Shaft. 
 
 
 " In-going," or " Fresh Air Currents." 
 
 SPLITS - 
 
 
 1. 
 
 0. 
 
 Q 
 
 4. 
 
 2 ----- - 
 
 3 
 
 See below foi 
 
 Yds. 
 1,165 
 560 
 1,080 
 2,360 
 
 Totals - 
 
 Yds. 
 1,165 
 
 Yds. 
 560 
 
 Yds, 
 1,080 
 
 Yds. 
 2,360 
 
 1,165 
 
 560 
 
 1,080 
 
 2,360 
 
 
 " Out-coming," or " Return Air Currents." 
 
 SPLITS - 
 
 
 1. 
 
 2. 
 
 3. 
 
 4. 
 
 2 ----- - 
 
 Broug 
 
 Yds. 
 
 7,010 
 
 1.220 
 
 1,620 
 
 6,460 
 
 ht down - 
 
 Yds. 
 7,010 
 
 Yds. 
 
 1,220 
 
 Ydsl 
 1,620 
 
 Yds. 
 6,460 
 
 7,010 
 1,165 
 
 1,220 
 560 
 
 1,620 
 1,080 
 
 6,460 
 2,360 
 
 Total Distances - 
 
 8,175 
 
 1,780 
 
 2,700 
 
 8,820 
 
 0.76. 
 
 SUMMARY 
 
i68 
 
 APPENDIX TO REPORT FROM THE 
 
 SUMMARY of VENTILATION of HETTON COLLIERY. 
 
 Minor East Downcast Pit; Hutton Seam. 
 
 
 Distances. 
 
 Cubic Feet 
 
 of Air 
 per Minute. 
 
 Area of 
 Air Courses. 
 
 Velocity in 
 
 Feet 
 per Second. 
 
 1. Through West Stables 
 
 2. First West Incline - - - - 
 
 3. Stone-drift Incline ------ 
 
 4. Middle North Way 
 
 5. North-East X Cut 
 
 6. First East Way, Engine Plane - 
 
 7. South-east X Cut .... - 
 1 '. From Eppleton West Drifts, through Lyons Waste 
 2'. Ditto ditto 
 
 M. F. Yards. 
 
 0 1 99 
 
 1 2 110 
 
 2 4 99 
 2 5 187 
 
 1 5 55 
 
 2 6 33 
 2 6 66 
 2 5 0 
 2 4 44 
 
 2,000 
 11,500 
 6,200 
 5,800 
 7,150 
 6,500 
 6,200 
 
 36 
 40 
 49 
 49 
 50 
 50 
 50 
 
 0- 92 
 4-79 
 2-08 
 
 1- 97 
 
 2- 38 
 2-16 
 2-06 
 
 19 1 33 45,350 
 
 324 
 
 2-34 
 Average. 
 
 Minor West Downcast Pit ; Hutton Seam. 
 
 Average, 
 46-28 
 
 
 Distances. 
 
 Cubic Feet 
 
 of Air 
 per Minute. 
 
 Area of 
 Air Courses. 
 
 Velocity in 
 
 Feet 
 per Second. 
 
 1. Middle South Way 
 
 2. Low South Way ------ 
 
 3. South X Cut Way ------ 
 
 4. East Engine Plane ------ 
 
 5. Third North Way 
 
 G. Through Elemore Isabella Pit, &c. - 
 
 M. Y. Yards. 
 2 5 11 
 2 5 209 
 2 0 55 
 2 6 44 
 2 6 143 
 4 2 0 
 
 7,500 
 8,300 
 7,600 
 8,400 
 7,700 
 10,300 
 
 30 
 30 
 40 
 40 
 30 
 40 
 
 4-16 
 4-61 
 3-16 
 
 3- 50 
 
 4- 27 
 4-29 
 
 17 1 22 
 
 49,800 
 
 - 210 
 
 4-00 
 Average. 
 
 
 Average, 
 35 
 
 Eppleton Jane Downcast Pit ; Hutton Seam. 
 
 
 Distances. 
 
 Cubic Feet 
 
 of Air 
 per Minute. 
 
 Area of 
 Air Courses. 
 
 Velocity in 
 
 Feet 
 per Second. 
 
 
 
 M. 
 
 F. 
 
 Yards. 
 
 
 
 
 1'. 
 
 High West Drift Way 
 
 1 
 
 4 
 
 44 
 
 5,600 
 
 49 
 
 1-90 
 
 2', 
 
 Fourth North-west Drift Way - - - - 
 
 1 
 
 Q 
 O 
 
 88 
 
 6,000 
 
 30 
 
 3-33 
 
 o. 
 
 North, beyond the Engine (West) - 
 
 4 
 
 o 
 
 174 
 
 3,200 
 
 25 
 
 2' 12 
 
 ^ 
 
 Ditto - - ditto - - (East) ... 
 
 3 
 
 6 
 
 132 
 
 3,500 
 
 25 
 
 2-32 
 
 5. 
 
 Second South Way, down the Engine Plane 
 
 3 
 
 7 
 
 110 
 
 5,500 
 
 42 
 
 2-18 
 
 6. 
 
 Second North Way - - - ditto - . 
 
 4 
 
 4 
 
 4 
 
 5,400 
 
 36 
 
 2-50 
 
 7. 
 
 Third South Way - - - - ditto - 
 
 3 
 
 7 
 
 103 
 
 5,100 
 
 3G 
 
 2-36 
 
 8. 
 
 Fourth North Way - - - ditto - - - 
 
 4 
 
 6 
 
 102 
 
 5,400 
 
 40 
 
 2'58 
 
 9. 
 
 Fourth South Way - - - ditto - 
 
 5 
 
 o 
 
 143 
 
 5,000 
 
 40 
 
 2-08 
 
 10. 
 
 Fifth North Way - - - - ditto - 
 
 4 
 
 o 
 
 77 
 
 5,700 
 
 40 
 
 2*37 
 
 11. 
 
 East Drift Way - - - - ditto - 
 
 5 
 
 0 
 
 88 
 
 5,300 
 
 40 
 
 221 
 
 
 
 42 
 
 7 
 
 185 
 
 55,700 
 
 403 
 
 2-23 
 Average. 
 
 Average, 
 36-63 
 
SELECT COMMITTEE ON ACCIDENTS IN COAL MINES. 
 
 Minor East Downcast Pit; Low Main Seam. 
 
 
 
 
 
 Cubic l*'eet 
 
 Area ot 
 
 Velocity in 
 
 
 Distances. 
 
 of Air 
 
 
 Feec 
 
 
 
 
 
 npr iVlimitp 
 
 pel llLlllULCi 
 
 Air Courses. 
 
 per second. 
 
 
 BI. 
 
 F. 
 
 Yards. 
 
 
 
 
 1. lirst JNorth-east Way - 
 
 0 
 
 7 
 
 25 
 
 T r \OA 
 
 OO 
 
 o 4 / 
 
 2. Second - ditto ------ 
 
 0 
 
 5 
 
 45 
 
 6,400 
 
 36 
 
 2-06 
 
 3. South-east Way ------- 
 
 0 
 
 6 
 
 60 
 
 5,100 
 
 25 
 
 3-46 
 
 4. First West Way, South Side - 
 
 1 
 
 5 
 
 120 
 
 5,000 
 
 25 
 
 3-25 
 
 5. Ditto - - - North Side - - - 
 
 1 
 
 5 
 
 135 
 
 5,200 
 
 25 
 
 3-46 
 
 
 5 
 
 5 
 
 165 
 
 29,200 
 
 147 
 
 3-32 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Average. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Average, 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 29-40 
 
 
 Minor West Downcast Pit; Main Coal Seam. 
 
 
 Dbtanccs. 
 
 Cubic Feet 
 
 of Air 
 per Minute. 
 
 Area of 
 Air Courses. 
 
 Velocity in 
 
 Feet 
 per Second 1 , 
 
 
 
 M. 
 
 F. 
 
 Yards. 
 
 
 
 
 1. 
 
 South District ------- 
 
 4 
 
 5 
 
 35 
 
 7,000 
 
 50 
 
 2 33 
 
 2. 
 
 West District - 
 
 1 
 
 0 
 
 20 
 
 5,500 
 
 30 
 
 3-05 
 
 3. 
 
 North District 
 
 1 
 
 4 
 
 60 
 
 7,450 
 
 50 
 
 2-48' 
 
 4. 
 
 From the Eppleton Shaft, West ; and North, to"l 
 Blossom Shaft - -J 
 
 5 
 
 0 
 
 20 
 
 10,000 
 
 30 
 
 5-55' 
 
 
 
 12 
 
 .1 
 
 135 
 
 29,950 
 
 160 
 
 3 35 
 Average. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Average, 
 40 
 
 
 RECAPITULATION. 
 
 
 Cubic Feet 
 
 of Air 
 per Minute. 
 
 Distances. 
 
 Areas. 
 
 Velocity. 
 Average. 
 
 
 Average. 
 
 Total. 
 
 
 
 
 M. 
 
 F. 
 
 Yards. 
 
 
 
 
 East Minor Pit 
 
 
 45,350 
 
 19 
 
 1 
 
 33 
 
 46-28 
 
 324 
 
 2 ; 34> 
 
 West Minor Pit 
 
 
 49,800 
 
 17 
 
 1 
 
 22 
 
 35-00 
 
 210 
 
 4-0O i 
 
 Eppleton Pit - 
 
 
 55,700 
 
 42 
 
 7 
 
 185 
 
 36-63 
 
 403 
 
 2-33 
 
 Low Main Seam 
 
 
 29,200 
 
 5 
 
 5 
 
 165 
 
 29-40 
 
 147 
 
 3-32 
 
 Main Coal Seam 
 
 
 29,950 
 
 12 
 
 1 
 
 35 
 
 4000 
 
 160 
 
 335 
 
 »wmg 
 
 
 Total - - - 
 
 210,000 
 
 97 
 
 1 
 
 100 
 
 37-46 
 
 1,244 
 
 3-11 
 
 0.76. 
 
 Y 
 
 TAB LB 
 
170 
 
 APPENDIX TO REPORT FROM THE 
 
 , No. 1. 
 
 _ TABLE (A). 
 
 TABLE of NATURAL VENTILATION. 
 
 COLLIERY. 
 
 Depth 
 of Shaft, in 
 Feet. 
 
 TEMPERATURES. 
 
 Quantity 
 of Air, 
 in 
 
 Cubic Feet, 
 per 
 Minute. 
 
 Water 
 Gauge, in 
 Inches. 
 
 Downcast Shaft. 
 
 Upcast Shaft. 
 
 Bank. 
 
 Bottom 
 of 
 
 Downcast 
 Shaft. 
 
 Mean. 
 
 Return 
 A.ir. 
 
 60 Feet 
 from Top 
 of Upcast 
 Shaft. 
 
 Mean. 
 
 
 
 0 
 
 O 
 
 0 
 
 0 
 
 0 
 
 0 
 
 
 
 Tyne Main - 
 
 672 
 
 36 
 
 42 
 
 39 
 
 63 
 
 62 
 
 62-5 
 
 34,955 
 
 •2 
 
 
 » 
 
 43 
 
 45 
 
 44 
 
 63 
 
 64 
 
 63-5 
 
 36,564 
 
 •2 
 
 
 
 43 
 
 45 
 
 44 
 
 63 
 
 65 
 
 64 
 
 37,182 
 
 •2 
 
 Hetton 
 
 900 
 
 45 
 
 47 
 
 46 
 
 64 
 
 83 
 
 83 
 
 130,890 
 
 •4 
 
 
 5> 
 
 39 
 
 47 
 
 43 
 
 67'3 
 
 80 
 
 80 
 
 123,463 
 
 •5 
 
 
 
 41*25 
 
 47 
 
 44 
 
 68-5 
 
 75 
 
 75 
 
 127,145 
 
 •55 
 
 
 » 
 
 54 
 
 
 54 
 
 68 
 
 73 
 
 73 
 
 117,908 
 
 •4 
 
 TABLE (B). 
 
 TEMPERATURE of RETURN AIR. 
 
 NAME OF COLLIERY. 
 
 Depth of Pit, 
 in Feet. 
 
 Quantity 
 of Air 
 in Cubic Feet, 
 per Minute. 
 
 Distance 
 Air travels, 
 in Feet. 
 
 Temperature 
 
 in Return, 
 100 Feet from 
 Furnace. 
 
 Temperature 
 at Bottom 
 of Downcast 
 Shaft. 
 
 Seatou Delaval - 
 
 636 
 
 83,320 
 
 14,912 
 
 0 
 
 61 
 
 0 
 
 48 
 
 Haswell - - - - - 
 
 936 
 
 100,917 
 
 76,512 
 
 64 
 
 56 
 
 Hetton - 
 
 810 
 
 190,000 
 
 87,934 
 
 68 
 
 46 
 
 Willington - 
 
 840 
 
 66,500 
 
 14,234 
 
 64 
 
 47 
 
 Felling 
 
 696 
 
 63,000 
 
 5,016 
 
 66 
 
 53 
 
 Wearmouth - 
 
 1,800 
 
 70,500 
 
 24,160 
 
 75 
 
 52 
 
 fHutton Seam 
 Thomley < 
 
 [5/4 Seam - 
 
 868 
 556 
 
 26,574 
 45,756 
 
 | 59,228 | 
 
 65 
 69 
 
 41 
 
 42 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 69 
 
 46 
 
 „ B Pit - 
 
 
 > 900 
 
 120,360 
 
 31,521 
 
 69 
 
 49 
 
 „ C Pit - 
 
 
 
 
 
 70 
 
 49 
 
 Walker - - - - 
 
 960 
 
 44,800 
 
 13,780 
 
 72 
 
 49-5 
 
 Castle Eden - 
 
 1,038 
 
 42,326 
 
 66,102 
 
 64 
 
 62 
 
 South Hetton - 
 
 1,212 
 
 132,895 
 
 37,272 
 
 71 
 
 52 
 
SELECT COMMITTEE ON ACCIDENTS IN COAL MINES. 
 
 171 
 
 Appendix, No. 
 
 TABLE (C.) ' 
 
 CONSUMPTION OF COAL BY FURNACES. 
 
 COLLIERY. 
 
 Coals 
 in 
 
 24 Hours. 
 
 Cubic Feet 
 
 of Air 
 per Minute. 
 
 Mean 
 Temperature 
 Midway. 
 
 Temperature 
 
 100 Feet 
 from Furnace. 
 
 
 Cwts. 
 
 qrs. 
 
 lbs. 
 
 
 0 
 
 0 
 
 Seghill ------ 
 
 60 
 
 0 
 
 0 
 
 42,708 
 
 122 
 
 62 
 
 "Wellington - - - - 
 
 70 
 
 0 
 
 0 
 
 66,500 
 
 138 
 
 64 
 
 Felling 
 
 72 
 
 0 
 
 0 
 
 63,000 
 
 128 
 
 66 
 
 Thornley, Hutton Seam 
 
 48 
 
 0 
 
 0 
 
 26,574 
 
 79 
 
 65 
 
 5/4 „ --- 
 
 48 
 
 0 
 
 0 
 
 45,756 
 
 94 
 
 69 
 
 Wingate Grange - - - - 
 
 56 
 
 0 
 
 0 
 
 45,000 
 
 120 
 
 69 
 
 Wallsend A Pit - 
 
 28 
 
 2 
 
 0 
 
 27,000 
 
 135 
 
 69 
 
 „ B Pit - 
 
 28 
 
 2 
 
 0 
 
 45,100 
 
 130 
 
 69 
 
 „ t fit - 
 
 32 
 
 0 
 
 0 
 
 4o,52oU 
 
 110 
 
 70 
 
 Walker - 
 
 29 
 
 3 
 
 0 
 
 44,800 
 
 98 
 
 72 
 
 Castle Eden - 
 
 45 
 
 0 
 
 0 
 
 42,326 
 
 103 
 
 63 
 
 Wearmouth - - - - - 
 
 30 
 
 0 
 
 0 
 
 70,500 
 
 84 
 
 75 
 
 South Hetton - 
 
 110 
 
 0 
 
 0 
 
 132,895 
 
 90 
 
 72 
 
 Percy Main, H. Main - - - 
 
 24 
 
 0 
 
 0 
 
 18,805 
 
 94 
 
 65 
 
 „ Bensham - 
 
 45 
 
 0 
 
 0 
 
 35,893 
 
 116 
 
 66 
 
 West Auckland - - - 
 
 18 
 
 0 
 
 0 
 
 14,478 
 
 120 
 
 54 
 
 Mickley 
 
 18 
 
 0 
 
 0 
 
 15,000 
 
 77 
 
 56 
 
 Average per Minute\ 
 with 1 lb. of Coal J " 
 
 762 
 
 3 
 
 0 
 
 784,595 
 
 1,838 
 
 1,126 
 
 
 13,076 
 
 108 
 
 66 
 
 PAPER (D.) 
 
 EXPERIMENTS made at St. Hilda Colliery, in resuming the Ventilation of that 
 Colliery, after having been suspended to put in Tubbing, the Workings being entirely 
 filled with Fire-damp. 
 
 No. 1. — With Jets alone, placed at Top of Pit. 20 May 1853. 
 
 Harton Pit to Bensham Seam (downcast) - - - - 210 fathoms. 
 
 ,, surface above Hilda 8 fathoma. 
 
 Hilda Pit shaft (upcast) - - - - 139 „ 
 
 147 „ 
 
 Hilda Pit bottom, above Harton ------ 63 „ 
 
 There are two boilers employed, each 30 feet x 7 feet. 
 
 16 steam jets, J-inch diameter, == -78 feet area. 
 
 Cylinders on jets, 11 inches diameter, = 10-5 feet area, 6 feet long. 
 
 Pressure on boilers, 30 lbs. on the square inch. 
 
 Diameter of steam-pipe, 6 f inches. 
 
 Diameter of jet-pipes, 3 inches. 
 
 Water evaporated = -88 cubic feet per minute. 
 
 Coals burnt, 9 - 8 lbs. per minute. 
 
 ILO lbs. of coal per cubic foot of water. 
 Distance from centre of boiler to centre of jets, 66 feet. 
 Area of Hilda upcast, 98 feet, top part. 
 
 ,, „ 82 „ lower part. 
 
 „ Harton downcast, 58 square feet. 
 0.76. y 2 Temperature 
 
172 APPENDIX TO REPORT FROM THE 
 
 Appendix, No. 1. Temperature at surface, Harton Pit ------- 54° 
 
 ■ „ at bottom of downcast - - - - - 58 
 
 „ midway between the Hilda and Harton Pits - 72 
 
 „ Hilda return air at furnace doors ----- 72 
 
 Increase for natural ventilation - - 18 
 
 Barometer at surface ------ 30-20 
 
 „ at bottom of Harton - 31-56 
 
 Difference - - 1-36 
 
 Air measured in barrier-holing between Hilda and Harton Pits, with 16 1-inch jets at 
 work ; steam, 30 lbs. Total, 10,500 cubic feet per minute. 
 
 Also measured the quantity with jets off. 
 
 6,750 cubic feet per minute. 
 
 No. 2. — Steam Jets at work (20 of them), and without the Cylinders on; the Pressure of 
 the Steam, &c. &c, the same as in No. 1 ; and one Engine Fire at work under-ground, in 
 addition. 23 June 1853. 
 
 Temperature, Harton Pit, bank, shade ------ 56° 
 
 „ bottom of pit, downcast ------ 60 
 
 „ midway between Hilda and Harton Pit, in Bensham Seam 72 
 
 ,, Hilda return air at furnace doors - - - - - 72 
 
 „ furnace drift at bottom of Hilda Pit - - - - 80 
 
 Barometer, surface, Harton Pit ----- 30*03 
 „ bottom of ditto _____ 31-45 
 
 Size of boiler fire, 5 ft. x 4 ft. (fire-door kept open ; air sent over fire ; size of this door, 
 28 in. x 14 in.) 
 
 Dimensions of boiler, 18 ft. x 6 ft. ; quantity of water evaporated, 3 \ in. in 4 hours; and 
 c oals consumed, 6 | cwt. in 4 hours, 3-15 lbs. per minute. 
 
 Dimensions of flue, 9 in x 18 in. ; the distance of the fire from the bottom of pit, 528 
 yards. 
 
 Quantity of air in barrier-holing between Harton and Hilda Pits, 14,658 cubic feet per 
 minute. 
 
 This quantity obtained by the engine fire and the steam jets; but 3,600 goes to work 
 eno-ine fire, leaving 11,058 cubic feet going into the workings. 
 
 No. 3. — Experiment with Jets on same, as in No. 2 Experiment, with Engine Fire put 
 out and Furnace lighted ; 20 Jets. 5 July 1853. 
 
 The furnace having been lighted three days ; 
 The engine fire put out on lighting the furnace. 
 
 The furnace fed by a scale of fresh air, the return air going up staple into dumb drift, and 
 so into shaft. 
 
 Temperature, Harton Pit bank, shade 64° 
 
 „ bottom of pit, downcast ------ 64 
 
 „ midway between Hilda and Harton Pits, in Bensham 
 
 Seam - - - - - - - - 72 
 
 „ Hilda return at furnace doors ----- 72 
 
 M „ shaft, 10 fathoms down - - - - 74 
 
 „ ,, midway down ----- 78 
 
 „ furnace drift, 120 fathoms down - - - 96 (in shaft). 
 
 Barometer, surface, Harton - 30-06 
 „ bottom, „ - - - - - 31-3/ 
 
 The quantity of coals burnt at furnace in 12 hours, 12 cwt. ; 2 lbs. per minute. 
 
 Total air passing through barrier-holing, 17,611 cubic feet per minute- 
 
 Furnace is 220 yards from shaft, and is an 8 ft. in width furnace ; bars 11 ft. in length. 
 
SELECT COMMITTEE ON ACCIDENTS IN COAL MINES. 
 
 173 
 
 PAPER (E.). 
 Killingwokth, 6 June 1853. 
 
 EXPERIMENTS with Safety Lamps, to test at what Velocity in an explosive Mixture 
 of Fire-Damp and Atmospheric Air the Flame may be passed through the Wire 
 Gauze. 
 
 The experiments were made in a box (shown in Fig. 1, Plate G, Appendix), 2 ft. 2 in. 
 long, 2 ft. 9 in. broad, and 1 ft. 4 in. deep, having plate-glass windows in one side for obser- 
 vation, and the box was fitted with a spindle with arms, to which were attached rings with 
 screws for fixing the lamps at the end of the arms. On the under side of the box was placed 
 a handle for turning the axle, so as to enable the number of revolutions to be ascertained. 
 The gas, after being mixed with air in a gasometer (shown in Fig. 2, Plate G), was by water 
 pressure forced into the box, and the lamps, after attaining a red heat, set in motion. Dia- 
 meter of circle the lamps made was 28 ins. = 88 in circumference. 
 
 Appendix, No. l. 
 
 Name of Lamp. 
 
 Davy 
 Ditto - 
 
 Davy - - - 
 
 Ditto - 
 Jack lamp 
 
 Stephenson, without a 
 
 glass - 
 Clanny, with copper 
 
 gauze - 
 Clanny, with iron wire 
 
 gauze - - - 
 Ditto 
 
 Number of 
 Involutions 
 after 
 Red Heat. 
 
 Time, 
 in Seconds 
 
 Velocity, 
 in Feet, 
 per Second. 
 
 160 
 200 
 
 116 | 
 114 
 
 Number of 
 Revolutiuus 
 
 after 
 White Heat. 
 
 60 
 
 26 
 
 29 
 10 
 
 10 
 11 
 
 15 
 19 
 
 28 
 
 12 
 
 96 
 20 
 
 142 
 
 44 
 10 
 
 14 
 
 122 
 
 16 
 15 
 
 Result. 
 
 Did not pass flame, 
 - ditto. 
 
 Passed flame. 
 - ditto. 
 
 In this experiment the velocity not - ditto, 
 taken. 
 
 - ditto. 
 
 - ditto. 
 
 Did not pass. 
 
 - ditto. 
 
 Killingworth Colliery, 29 June 1853. 
 Resumed Experiments. 
 
 1. Davy Lamp.— 1st Experiment. In this experiment the lamp, after arriving at a dull 
 red heat, was put in motion at a velocity of 15 ft. a second without passing the flame, liavino- 
 made 248 revolutions in 121 seconds, the temperature in the box durin°- the experiment 
 varying from 69° to 94° Fahr. 
 
 2. Davy Lamp.— 2d Experiment. The lamp, after heated to nearly a white heat, was 
 moved at a velocity of 13 ft. a second, having made 52 revolutions in 29 seconds, and the 
 flame passed. Temperature in box varied from 69° to 82° Fahr. 
 
 A Davy lamp was afterwards heated to a red heat, and whilst being moved at a consider- 
 able velocity very fine coal-dust was thrown upon it by means of a pair of bellows, the pipe 
 of which was inserted in the side of the box. On this being done, a portion of the' coal-dust 
 rebounded from the lamp, whilst the dust appeared to produce bright luminous explosions 
 within the lamp, so much so as to lead an observer to imagine that the flame had actually 
 passed through the gauze. Oil was then poured upon the gauze, together with coal dust 
 blown upon it, so as to put the lamp in a condition, as nearly as might be, to that which it 
 would be in when in the hands of a careless workman. It was then put in quick motion; a 
 white heat was obtained, and continued for some time without the flame being passed. 
 
 3. CLanny's Lamp was tested in the same manner as the Davy lamp, in the first and second 
 experiments. The flame passed on attaining a high velocity, and the glass cracked. 
 
 Clan-ay's Lump.— 2d Experiment. The same lamp, in its damaged state, was again tried, 
 and moved at a velocity of 17 ft. per second (68 revolutions in 29 seconds), but without the 
 flame being passed, the lamp having become extinguished. 
 
 °-7 6 - Y 3 , 4. Boty 
 
i 7 4 
 
 APPENDIX TO REPORT FROM THE 
 
 Appendix, No. l. 4. Boty Lamp, used in Belgium, being authorised by the Government inspectors. This lamp, 
 
 after acquiring a white heat, and making 12 revolutions in six seconds, which is equal to a 
 
 velocity of nearly 15 ft. per second, passed the flame and cracked the glass. Temperature in 
 the box during the experiment varied from 70° to 88° Fahr. 
 
 5. Another lamp with a short gauze was also tried, and the flame passed, but the velocity 
 was not ascertained. 
 
 6. Eloin's Lamp, with wire gauze, in substitution of the glass. In this experiment, which 
 was conducted in a manner similar to the others, the velocity was not ascertained, but the 
 flame passed Avhen the lamp was moving at considerable velocity, and at a white heat. 
 
 7. Hall's Lamp. Tested in the same manner; did not pass the flame, the velocity in this 
 case having been 13 ft. per second. 
 
 8. Cail and Glover's Lamp was also tested, and the flame did not pass, but the inner glass 
 cracked. 
 
 Crookbank Colliery, 27 April 1850. 
 
 Experiment made with a view to ascertain the Friction of Air Currents in Mines, or the 
 Factor by which to multiply the Theoretical Velocity, as obtained by calculation, in order 
 to obtain the actual Velocity. By G. C. Greenwell. 
 
 Depth of downcast shaft - - - - - 228 feet 
 
 Diameter of ditto - -- -- - 9„ 
 
 Set of pumps, 19 inches outside of flange. 
 
 Cage buntons, 8 feet long x 6 inches broad. 
 
 Depth of upcast ------- 219 ,, 
 
 Diameter of ditto - -- -- -6„ 
 
 Length and dimensions of a single passage between the pits, the same being completely 
 separated by stoppings along its side from the rest of the workings. 
 
 At 1 chain from shaft 
 
 2 „ 
 
 o 
 
 3 „ 
 
 4 „ 
 
 5 „ 
 
 6 „ 
 
 7 „ 
 
 9 „ 
 
 10 „ 
 
 11 „ 
 
 12 „ 
 
 13 chains from furnace 
 and 13 77 chains to shaft 
 
 Average - 
 
 Ft. 
 
 in. 
 
 
 Ft. 
 
 in. 
 
 6 
 
 3 
 
 X 
 
 8 
 
 4 
 
 6 
 
 1 
 
 X 
 
 5 
 
 8 
 
 6 
 
 3 
 
 X 
 
 5 
 
 8 
 
 5 
 
 10 
 
 X 
 
 5 
 
 10 
 
 6 
 
 3 
 
 X 
 
 5 
 
 4 
 
 6 
 
 0 
 
 X 
 
 6 
 
 0 
 
 5 
 
 3 
 
 X 
 
 8 
 
 0 
 
 5 
 
 9 
 
 X 
 
 5 
 
 4 
 
 6 
 
 0 
 
 X 
 
 5 
 
 5 
 
 5 
 
 8 
 
 X 
 
 5 
 
 1 
 
 4 
 
 6 
 
 X 
 
 5 
 
 1 
 
 5 
 
 2 
 
 X 
 
 5 
 
 3 
 
 5 
 
 0 
 
 X 
 
 5 
 
 0 
 
 5 
 
 0 
 
 X 
 
 5 
 
 0 
 
 5 
 
 7| 
 
 X 
 
 6 
 
 3 
 
 At 10-72 chains is a door to the furnace (size of door, 3 ft. 4 in. X 3 ft. 6 in.), through 
 which the whole of the air passed at the time of the experiment. 
 
 Dimensions of Drift where Velocity of Air was tried. 
 
 Ft. in. Ft. in. 
 
 4 6x51 
 
 5 3x46 
 5 3x46 
 5 2x53 
 
 Average - -50 x 4 10 = 24"366 square feet. 
 
 Time of air travelling 60 feet - - - - 5 A seconds. _ 
 Quantity of air - - - - 15,948'65 cubic ft. per mm. 
 
 Temperature of upcast 175° Fahr. 
 
 „ downcast - - " - 4/ ,, 
 
 Diff. - - 128 „ 
 
 Length 
 
SELECT COMMITTEE ON ACCIDENTS IN COAL MINES. 175 
 
 Length of air-course from top of downcast to top of upcast - 1,353 feet. Appendix, No. 1 . 
 Mean area of whole course ------- 36*31 „ 
 
 Theoretical velocity = V 
 
 V = 8 V 48^+7^32 = 53 * 6656 feGt per SeCOnd - 
 
 Where h = length of upcast. 
 
 „ t' = temperature of hot column. 
 „ t = „ cold „ 
 
 The actual velocity v — 7-1885 feet per second. 
 Then, since according to Peclet, 
 
 If we substitute the above values for v, V, L, and 6, or </ 36-31 for D, and x for 2-06, we 
 have 
 
 v = V x 2-0295 
 
 / £ ... 
 V L + 4 D 
 
 or, in other words, the factor resulting from the above experiment accords almost exactly 
 with that deduced by M. Peclet. 
 
 Where the above experiment was made the coal seam is four feet in thickness, perfectly 
 free from fire-damp, but contains a considerable quantity of carbonic acid. The surface is 
 here (at the pit) 593-42 feet above high-water mark. 
 
 PAPER (F.) 
 
 EXPERIMENTS to test various Safety Lamps, tried at Wallsend Colliery, 
 
 28 June 1853. 
 
 Present : Thomas John Taylor, George Clark, Thomas Irving, Engineer of Colliery, the 
 
 Master Wasteman, and others. 
 
 The gas made use of is direct from the mine, being conveyed in a four-inch pipe, from 
 a barred-up space of about 50 acres at the depth of 140 fathoms, and tlience up the C. pit 
 shaft. It was received, by means of a small pipe and stop-cock, into a horizontal wooden 
 box 12 feet long, and 18 inches square inside, with windows at each end ; and two windows 
 on the top. 
 
 A double groove was made at three inches from the bottom of the box, with a sliding 
 platform which moved in it, and on which the lamps were firmly fixed by wedge pieces. 
 
 A horizontal wheel was placed outside at each end of the box, the two wheels^being 
 connected by a cord which passed round the periphery of both, one cord being outside, 
 and the other inside the box. The inside cord was attached to each end of the moveable 
 platform. A check string was also attached, which allowed a movement in either direction 
 of 11 feet, and prevented the lamps from coming in contact with the ends of the box. 
 
 An upright shaft with a handle was attached to one of the wheels, by turning which 
 various rates of velocity might be communicated at pleasure to the moveable platform, and 
 the lamp upon it in the interior. The indications of foulness were at once apparent from 
 the effect on the lamp. 
 
 The box was kept cool by admitting fresh air in the intervals of, and sometimes during 
 the experiments, the ends being moveable. 
 
 The temperature of the external air was 64°. 
 
 The temperature of the gas was 65 
 
 The time was measured by a watch with a large second hand pointer, capable of deter- 
 mining accurately a quarter of a second. 
 
 Experiment 1. With the common Davy lamp. The lamp, immersed in an inflammable 
 atmosphere, and rilled with flame, was moved backwards and forwards, always completing 
 the distance of 11 feet within the second. Taking into account the slightly diminished 
 velocity at the commencement and termination of the movement, and the greater velocity 
 in the middle of it, the lamp moved at rates of from 10 to 12 feet per second during the 
 experiment. 
 
 This rapid movement increased the brightness of the gas combustion in the interior of 
 the lamp, but had no other effect, until by a still greater speed the lamp was extinguished. 
 
 0.76. y 4 2. Repeated 
 
176 APPENDIX :— ACCIDENTS IN COAL MINES. 
 
 Appendix, No. 1. 2. Repeated the same experiment, after relighting the lamp, and preparing a new 
 ■ inflammable atmosphere in the box. 
 
 The results were as in experiment 1. 
 
 3. Repealed the same experiment, in a similar way, with similar results. 
 
 4. Allowed the Davy lamp to remain in the inflammable atmosphere until the gauze 
 was red hot, and then moved it as before with a velocity of 10 lo 12 feet per second. The 
 lamp in motion presented a column of light brighter than in experiments J, 2, and 3, and 
 by increasing the velocity was extinguished. 
 
 5. Jerked the Davy lamp backwards and forwards in the inflammable atmosphere 
 witli great velocity, while the gauze was red hot; at each reversal of the jerk a flash took 
 place in the interior of the lamp, but no other effect followed, until the lamp was extin- 
 guished by the violence of the motion. 
 
 In all these experiments the entire lamp was filled with gas, but the flame of the wick 
 continued visible. There can be no question as to the clear character of the experiments. 
 
 6. Stephenson' 's Lamp. — Was extinguished at a much lower velocity than that to which 
 the Davy admitted of being subjected. 
 
 7. Muslers Lamp. — With copper chimney inside, was extinguished as in No. 6. 
 
 8. Clanney's Lamp. — First moved backwards and forwards without passing any explosion j. 
 but was extinguished before being submkted to as high a velocity as that of the Davy. 
 
 9. Clannexjs, Second trial. — Went out after being moved backwards and forwards several 
 times, though kept full of flame for some time without the glass becoming so heated as 
 might have been expected. 
 
 Velocity of movement much less than that of the Davy. 
 
 10. Glover s Lamp. — First went out at third movement. 
 
 11. Glover's, Second Trial. — Went out (less velocity than with Davy.) 
 
 12. Elaine Lamp. — A German lamp (Thornton & Co.) 1st. Went out on moving a few times- 
 with less velocity than Davy. 
 
 13. Eloinc, Second Trial. — Went out as soon as it filled. 
 
 14. Upton and Robert's Lamp. — Went out at once in inflammable atmosphere.. 
 
 PLATES. 
 
176 APPENDIX .-—ACCIDENTS IN COAL MINES. 
 
 Appendix, No. 1. 2. Repeated the same experiment, after relighting the lamp, and preparing a new 
 inflammable atmosphere in the box. 
 
 The results were as in experiment 1. 
 
 3. Repeated the same experiment, in a similar way, with similar results. 
 
 4. Allowed the Davy lamp to remain in the inflammable atmosphere until the oauze 
 was red hot, and then moved it as before with a velocity of 10 to 12 feet per second. The 
 lamp in motion presented a column of light blighter than in experiments 1, 2, and 3, and 
 by increasing the velocity was extinguished. 
 
 5. Jerked the Davy lamp backwards and forwards in the inflammable atmosphere 
 with great velocity, while the gauze was red hot; at each reversal of the jerk a flash cook 
 place in the interior of the lamp, but no other effect followed, until the lamp was extin- 
 guished by the violence of the motion. 
 
 In all these experiments the entire lamp was filled with gas, but the flame of the wick 
 continued visible. There can be no question as to the clear character of the experiments. 
 
 6. Stephenson's Lump. — Was extinguished at a much lower velocity than that to which 
 the Davy admitted of being subjected. 
 
 7. Mnslers Lamp. — With copper chimney inside, was extinguished as in No. 6. 
 
 8. Clanneys Lamp. — First moved backwards and forwards without passing any explosion ; 
 but was extinguished before being submitted to as high a velocity as that of the Davy. 
 
 9. Clanneys, Second trial. — Went out after being moved backwards and forwards several 
 times, though kept full of flame for some time without the glass becoming so heated as 
 might have been expected. 
 
 Velocity of movement much less than that of the Davy. 
 
 10. Glover s Lump. — First went out at third movement. 
 
 11. Glover's, Second Trial. — Went out (less velocity than with Davy.) 
 
 12. Eloine Lamp. — A German lamp (Thornton & Co.) 1st. Went out on moving a few times- 
 with less velocity than Davy. 
 
 13. Eloine, Second Trial. — Went out as soon as it filled. 
 
 14. Upton and Robert's Lamp. — Went out at once in inflammable atmosphere.. 
 
 PLATES. 
 
E ON ACCIDENTS 1JV COAL JMINES. 
 
 JJSaMrerJjith/. 
 
E ON ACCIDENTS IN COAL JUNES. 
 
 PL A TE III. 
 
 )LLIEBY. 
 
 Fig.l. 
 
 i 7u 
 
 Fiy.Z. 
 
 'ilat>'ar)y. 
 
 ires 
 
 res k Stearns. 
 
 SCALE. OF FEET. 
 I Z 3 It P 6 7 8 
 
 Fur?iac€/. 
 
 . Furnax-e 
 
 \ Furnace kErajcrw, Fire* . 
 .V ..-.Fur/wee- 'h 'Jets. 
 
 3_ 
 
E ON ACCIDENTS IN COAL MINES. 
 
 PLATE V. 
 
 KILLWGWORTH COLL COLLIERY. 
 
APPEND UL 
 
 SELECT COMMITTEE ON ACCIDENTS TN COAT MINES 
 
 PLA TE VII. 
 
 HETTON COLL1EKT 
 
 23' -4,5 
 
 21, 8 
 25 23 
 
 27 86 
 
 Z3 00 
 
 Zlr-5 
 
 2500 
 255 
 
 It,- {,2. 
 
 16/7 
 76 80 
 
 123^63 &-<LQ-..—\..£.282-.\ jVafural VenMcubUm 
 
 19 66 
 
 2916 
 
 32-57 
 
 31,08 
 31,91 
 
 * S 
 
 1 ^ 
 
 135-950 
 739-81+7 
 
 161, OOO 
 
 W 193 
 
 225176 
 
 Z29-9J8 
 231, 118 
 
 J?i Wsj>eT Sq r e fooly 
 
 I. 4 
 
 c 
 
 V 
 
 i i 
 
 3.i_6_ \ _ 8r286_ \ jtrufine J< It -en 
 
 ..•3 V-iL67£..\ Uridine Fired 8c Steam 
 
 5 13 \ .._.4;7. 
 
 ._\ Jets SjBn^tne^JFu •&& 
 
 A. AA£E \Mrna&!/ 
 
 27; 70 ... _\ _ Gj51J_ _ _\tttrnac& / 
 
 12 00_--_ _ .". \ 7 329 Ijar?uue^>^ 
 
 22 30 _.\ .7:2*9 
 
 J^zrnace &>Je£s 
 
 Son. ZUPi/v to the Qu&en, 
 
 i*23. in.,) 
 
SELECT COMMITTEE os ACCIDENTS m COAL MINES. 
 
 KILLINGS 
 
 PLATE IX 
 
 TYNE MAIN COLLIERY 
 
 Mean 
 
 Temp Fah 
 
 ft 
 
 ■!§ | 
 ^ a. 
 
 66° 5 1 
 
 88 
 
 101 
 
 747' 
 
 164 
 
 76-00' 
 
 181 
 
 ■i(>9 
 
 24 76 
 
 6 26 
 
 so .K 
 
 ft. 
 
 9 176 
 
 77-26 
 
 19 96 
 
 i4-9S 
 
 W%6 
 
 i8.S88 
 
 SZ-600 
 
 37-741 
 
 44-StO 
 
 vnWper j 
 Sq Te foot i 
 
 36-873 
 
 49671 
 
 WZ5Q3 
 W6880 
 
 "604- - Natural VenHlatzorv 
 
 Ticm/ice andJels 
 
 San , 1 itK r6 w The* Queen 
 
 6 
 
f 
 
jECT COMMITTEE on ACCIDENTS in COAL MINKS 
 
 PLATE X/. 
 
 VG WORTH COLLIERY. 
 
 ILE OF INCHES OF tTATEH CAUCE. 
 
 - r— J \ 3 
 
 * & « S"on. Lith V s to rhe> Queen 
 
 7 
 
PLATE JT. 
 
 /{/L UNO WON Tff COLLIERY 
 
 APPENDIX 
 
 SELECT COMMITTEE on ACCIDENTS in COAL MIN 
 
 PLATE X/. 
 
 KILLING WORTH COLLIE LtY. 
 
 SCALE OF IKCHtS OF WATER CAUCE 
 
 r-rl — 1 
 
 ( 1-23. Ill) 
 
APPENDIX 
 
 SELECT COMMITTEE ON ACCIDENTS IN COAL MINES . 
 
 f-42-3 lll.'i 
 
APPENDIX :— ACCIDENTS IN COAL MINES. 
 
 177 
 
 Appendix, No. 2. 
 
 PAPER delivered in by J. K. Blackwell, Esq. 
 
 A LIST of the Principal Colliery Explosions during Seven Years ending 1852, with the ascertained Cause of Ignition. 
 
 Date 
 
 J 
 
 Name of Pit or Colliery. 
 
 Where situated. 
 
 Proprietors. 
 
 Number 
 Killed. 
 
 Gas, how 
 Ignited. 
 
 1846: 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 January 
 
 Toftshaw Pit - 
 Black Vein Pit 
 
 Hensworth, Yorkshire 
 Risca, Monmouthshire 
 
 Bowling Iron Company - 
 J. Russell & Co. - 
 
 5 
 35 
 
 naked light, 
 ditto 
 
 April - 
 
 Deepfields ... 
 
 Bilston, Staffordshire 
 
 Pemberton & Co. - 
 
 5 
 
 ditto 
 
 May - 
 September - 
 
 Mynyddnewydd 
 Bogle Hole Pit 
 
 Swansea ... 
 - - Clyde Iron Works, Glas- 
 
 Swansea Coal Company - 
 
 4 
 6 
 
 ditto, 
 ditto. 
 
 October 
 
 Littleton Hall Colliery - 
 
 gow. 
 
 — Westbromwich, Stafford- 
 shire. 
 
 Executors, late J. Hortou 
 
 3 
 
 ditto 
 
 " 
 
 Rainton - 
 
 Near Durham 
 
 Marquis Londonderry 
 
 I 
 
 vent furnace 
 
 November - 
 
 Rounds Green Colliery - 
 Burgh Pit Coppul - 
 
 Oldbuiy, near Birmingham 
 Near Chorley 
 
 G. Parker - 
 
 J. Hargreaves, jun. - 
 
 19 
 
 8 
 
 naked light, 
 ditto 
 
 December - 
 1847: 
 
 Trubshaw Colliery - 
 
 - -Church Lawton, Stafford- 
 shire. 
 
 J. Sutton & Co. 
 
 3 
 
 ditto. 
 
 January 
 
 Parr Colliery - 
 
 St. Helen's, Lancashire - 
 
 Bourne & Robinson 
 
 5 
 
 ditto 
 
 February 
 
 Darley Main Colliery 
 
 Barnsley, Yorkshire 
 
 
 6 
 
 ditto 
 
 March 
 
 Ardsley Main Colliery 
 Piatt Bridge Colliery 
 Yew Tree Colliery - 
 
 Wigau, Lancashire - 
 Kingswinford, Staffordshire 
 
 Price & Co. - 
 
 B. Gibbons - - - 
 
 73 
 3 
 5 
 
 ditto, 
 ditto, 
 ditto 
 
 May - 
 June - 
 
 June - 
 
 New Hall Colliery 
 Gerard's Bridge 
 Croft Pit - 
 Felling Main Colliery 
 
 Beeston, near Leeds 
 St. Helen's Lancashire 
 
 Newcastle-on-Tyne 
 
 Speakman Caldwell 
 
 9 
 8 
 4 
 6 
 
 ditto, 
 ditto, 
 ditto. 
 
 engine fire 
 
 July - 
 
 No. 4 Pit, Drumpellar 
 Klrkless Hall Colliery - 
 
 Airdrie, near Glasgow 
 Wigan, Lancashire 
 
 Kirkless Hall Company - 
 
 3 
 9 
 
 naked light, 
 ditto - 1 
 
 November - 
 
 Abercanaid Pit 
 Black Vein Pit 
 
 Plymouth, near Merthyr - 
 Risca, Monmouthshire 
 
 Hill & Co. - 
 
 J. Russell & Co. - 
 
 3 
 1 
 
 ditto, 
 ditto 
 
 0.76. 
 
 Rt MARKS. 
 
 Candles generally 
 used ; lamps, if em- 
 ployed, not locked ; 
 other explosions ia 
 1842, 184 f, 1847, 
 1848, 1849, 1853. 
 
 A second explosion 
 week following, 
 which burnt three per- 
 sons severely. 
 
 - - Several seriously 
 injured. 
 
 - - 17 horses killed; 
 occurred between Satur- 
 day night and Monday 
 morning, only the fur- 
 nace man in the pit. 
 
 - -32 killed, May 1852; 
 naked lights in use ia 
 both explosions ; men 
 obliged to find their 
 own lamps ; a fiery and 
 ill-ventilated pit. 
 
 - - several severely 
 injured. 
 
 - - 75 killed, Januarr 
 1849. 
 
 -- By gas drawn out 
 of the workings on .a 
 naked light left in au. 
 air course by a collies 
 who had quitted the 
 pit. 
 
 Stated at inquest to 
 have been occasioned 
 by kindling one of the 
 engine fires where gat 
 hud accumulated. 
 
 - - Several severely in- 
 jured. 
 
 - - Several severely in- 
 jured. 
 
 {continued) 
 
178 
 
 APPENDIX TO REPORT FROM THE 
 
 Li^t of the Principal Colliery Explosions during Seven Years ending 1852, with the ascertained Cause, of Ignition — continued. 
 
 Date. 
 
 Name of Pit or Colliery. 
 
 Where situated. 
 
 Proprietors. 
 
 Number 
 Killed. 
 
 Gas, how 
 Ignited. 
 
 Remarks. 
 
 1847 — continued. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 November - 
 1848 : 
 
 Nant-y-glo 
 
 -- NearAbergavenny, Mon- 
 mouthshire. 
 
 J. & C. Bailey 
 
 7 
 
 naked light. 
 
 
 February 
 >j 
 
 Heathfield Colliery - 
 Victoria Pit ... 
 
 -- Westbromwicb, Stafford- 
 shire. 
 
 - - Duckingfield, Ashton- 
 under-Ly ne. 
 
 Salter & Raybould 
 Duckingfield Coal Company 
 
 12 
 
 7 
 
 ditto, 
 ditto 
 
 - - Explosions, Novem- 
 1846, September 1S48, 
 February 1849. 
 
 March 
 Aptii 
 
 Eaglesbush Colliery 
 
 V If 1 IiArl Wnrtc 
 
 V tliLUl Id X.U11 iV UIKo 
 
 Neath, Glamorganshire - 
 
 Penrose & Evans - 
 
 20 
 7 
 
 ditto 
 ditto. 
 
 - - There have been 
 several explosions in 
 this colliery. 
 
 May - 
 
 Black ,"ein Pit 
 
 Risca, Monmouthshire 
 
 J. Russell & Co. - 
 
 3 
 
 ditto 
 
 Severs! i nj urcd 
 
 August 
 
 Strandhill's Colliery 
 
 Kingswinl'ord, Staffordshire 
 
 Jones & Oakes 
 
 4 
 
 ditto 
 
 Several injured. 
 
 >> 
 
 Polka Pit, Murton Colliery 
 
 Near Durham 
 
 
 
 15 
 
 ditto. 
 
 
 '■> 
 
 September - 
 October 
 
 Albion Colliery 
 
 Victoria Pit - 
 Sencle Green Coliiery 
 
 Hindley-green, Wigan 
 
 - - Duckingfield, Ashton- 
 under-Lyne. 
 
 St. Helen's, Lancashire - 
 
 J. F. Wood - 
 
 Duckingfield Coal Company 
 S. Stock ... 
 
 6 
 
 2 
 5 
 
 ditto 
 
 ditto, 
 ditto. 
 
 • - Lives lost by an 
 explosion, April 1849, 
 and a^ain 1 1th March 
 1852." 
 
 *> 
 
 Cieator Moor Colliery 
 
 Whitehaven • 
 
 Hcematite Iron Company - 
 
 30 
 
 ditto. 
 
 
 1S49- 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 January 
 
 Darley Main Colliery 
 
 Barnsiey, Yorkshire 
 
 
 75 
 
 ditto. 
 
 
 February 
 March 
 
 Victoria Pit - 
 Bird-in-Hand Colliery 
 
 - - Duckingfield, Ashton- 
 under-Lyne. 
 
 Eccleston, Lancashire 
 
 
 5 
 7 
 
 ditto 
 ditto. 
 
 - - See note, February 
 1848, and above. 
 
 
 Inn Hall Colliery - 
 
 Wigan, Lancashire - 
 
 Inn Hall Coal Company - 
 
 12 
 
 ditto. 
 
 
 May - 
 
 Werfa Colliery 
 
 Aberdare, Glamorganshire 
 
 
 5 
 
 ditto. 
 
 
 June - 
 
 » 
 
 Hebburn Colliery - 
 Laffuk Colliery 
 
 Newcastle-on-Tyne - 
 
 St. Helen's, Lancashire - 
 
 Easton & Co - 
 J. & T. JohnsoQ 
 
 32 
 7 
 
 ditto 
 ditto. 
 
 — 22 killed by an ex- 
 plosion, May 1S52, 
 being the third large 
 explosion in this col- 
 liery. 
 
 July 
 
 Friary Field Colliery 
 Minera Colliery 
 
 \j i ca iui luge, j_/uuitry 
 
 1 TvT n rr l <; .V" Sr» n — 
 
 i * A*X UII IS H. kJ" 1 11 ~ 
 
 15 
 9 
 
 ditto. 
 
 - - Several severely in- 
 jured. 
 
 August 
 ,, 
 
 Cwm-Nant-Du Colliery - 
 Lletty Shenkin Colliery - 
 
 - - Near Pontypool, Mon^ 
 mouthsliire. 
 
 Aberdare, Glamorganshire 
 
 Pentwyn Iron Company - 
 W. Thomas & Co. - 
 
 5 
 52 
 
 ditto, 
 ditto. 
 
 
 1850 : 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 February 
 
 Dudley Wood Colliery 
 
 Near Dudley - 
 
 Pargeter & Darby - 
 
 5 
 
 ditto 
 
 - 11 killed by a former 
 explosion in this pit. 
 
 » 
 
 Gib Field Colliery - 
 
 Chowbent, Lancashire 
 
 R. Fletcher & Co. - 
 
 5 
 
 ditto 
 
 - - Gas driven out on a 
 candle, placed too near ; 
 several others injured. 
 
 }> 
 
 Alley Mine Pit 
 
 Ince Hall Colliery, Wigan 
 
 
 4 
 
 ditto 
 
 - - 50 killed in this pit, 
 by explosion, March 
 1853. 
 
 March 
 April - 
 
 Rock Pit Hay dock Colliery 
 i'own House Colliery 
 
 St. Helen's, Lancashire - 
 Burnley, Lancashire 
 
 Turner and Evans - 
 - 
 
 13 
 
 6 
 
 ditto 
 ditto. 
 
 — See note on explosion 
 November 1S50. 
 
 
 Usworth Colliery 
 
 
 
 13 
 
 ditto. 
 
 
 July - - 
 
 Common Head Pit - 
 
 Airdrie, near Glasgow 
 
 
 18 
 
 ditto. 
 
 
 September - 
 
 Heys Colliery - 
 
 Ashton-under-Line - 
 
 
 3 
 
 ditto 
 
 - - Six killed by an ex- 
 plosion, March 1851, 
 There has been great 
 loss of life in this col- 
 liery. 
 
 October 
 
 Ber.t Grange Colliery 
 
 Oldham, Lancashire 
 
 J. Butterworth 
 
 17 
 
 Fall of roof 
 on Davy 
 lamp. 
 
 - - 17 killed in this col- 
 liery by an explosion, 
 caused bva naked light, 
 1 July 1853. 
 
 No\er)iler 
 
 No. 13 Pit, Haydock 
 
 St. Helen's Lancashire 
 
 Turner & Evans 
 
 9 
 
 naked light 
 
 - - 13 killed in this pit, 
 Nov. 1845. An explo- 
 sion in the colliery ia 
 March 1850. 
 
 
 Houghton Pit - 
 
 Newbottle, Durham 
 
 Earl of Durham 
 
 17 
 
 - Evidence 
 not fully 
 conclusive. 
 
 --It is not doubted that 
 this was caused by a. 
 naked light. 
 
SELECT COMMITTEE ON ACCIDENTS IN COAL MINES. 
 
 179 
 
 List of the Principal Colliery Explosions during Seven Years ending 1852, with the ascertained Cause of Ignition — continued. 
 
 -J- 
 
 Date. 
 
 Name of Pit or Colliery. 
 
 Where situated. 
 
 Proprietors. 
 
 Number 
 Killed. 
 
 Gas, how 
 Ignited. 
 
 Remarks. 
 
 1850— cot 
 
 itinued. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 November - 
 
 Emroyd Colliery 
 
 Wakefield, Yorkshire 
 
 Stansfield 6c Co. 
 
 2 
 
 
 
 - - Mr. Morton says, 
 " with the Davy lamp," 
 but 110 evidence being 
 givenof this, its correct- 
 ness must be doubted. 
 
 December - 
 
 Victoria Colliery 
 Middle Dyffrin 
 
 Wakefield, Yorkshire 
 Aberdare, Glamorganshire 
 
 Hudson & Co. 
 T. Powell 
 
 1 
 13 
 
 naked light. 
 
 - - The above remark 
 applies also to this case. 
 
 >» 
 
 1851 : 
 
 Morfa Colliery 
 
 --Port Talbot, Glamorgan- 
 shire. 
 
 Vivian & Sons 
 
 3 
 
 ditto. 
 
 
 
 February 
 
 Fulledge Colliery 
 
 Burnley, Lancashire 
 
 Hollgate & Cardwell 
 
 4 
 
 ditto. 
 
 
 
 March 
 
 Victoria Pit - 
 
 Nitshill, near Glasgow 
 
 Coals & Co. --- 
 
 61 
 
 ditto. 
 
 
 
 >> 
 
 April - 
 
 Heys Colliery - 
 Bottom Boat Colliery 
 
 A shton-under-Lyne 
 Wakefield, Yorkshire 
 
 J. Kenworth Sc Brothers - 
 Charlesworlh & Co. 
 
 6 
 4 
 
 ditto 
 ditto. 
 
 - 
 
 - - See note on explo- 
 sion in Sept. 1S50. 
 
 
 Gidlow and Swinley Colliery 
 
 Wigan, Lancashire - 
 
 Executors, late J. Rylands 
 
 3 
 
 dilto. 
 
 
 
 June - 
 July - - 
 
 Ardsley Main Colliery 
 Whitehall Colliery - 
 
 Barnsley, Yorkshire 
 
 Cradley, near Stourbridge 
 Chorley, Lancashire - 
 
 Firth, Barber & Co. 
 
 G. Dudley - 
 
 J. Blundell & Sons - 
 
 3 
 
 9 
 4 
 
 naked 
 ditto. 
 
 ight. 
 
 - - The above note on 
 Mr. Morton's state- 
 ment, with legard to 
 the' explosion at Em- 
 royd Colliery, applies 
 to a similar one in this 
 case. 
 
 August 
 
 Washington Colliery 
 
 
 
 38 
 
 ditto. 
 
 
 
 September - 
 
 Ubberley Colliery - 
 ooutn feea Colliery - 
 
 Stoke, Staffordshire - 
 Wrexham, Denbighshire - 
 
 J. Ridgway - 
 
 7 
 4 
 
 ditto 
 ditto. 
 
 - 
 
 - - Highly dangerous 
 in 1850. 
 
 October 
 ?' 
 
 Donniu^ton Wood - 
 
 Newport, Shropshire - 
 
 Lilleshall Iron Company - 
 
 a 
 a 
 
 10 
 
 naked 
 
 light. 
 
 - - Mr. Dickenson says, 
 by the Davy lamp, 
 stating at the same time 
 the tacts of the case, 
 which show tli.it the 
 lamp was not used with 
 care. 
 
 November 
 
 (-.rodf 1 ol/t>r PnliiAra a 
 \J leal LjCVt 1 VyUlllc IV 
 
 Rnltnn T.ftnpfl^hirp — - 
 
 ! 'IM ll.'ll , .1 1 ilSll Ao 1 1 1 1 
 
 Earl of Bradford 
 
 3 
 
 ditto. 
 
 
 
 December - 
 
 Bardsley Colliery 
 
 Ashton-under-Lyne 
 
 J. Harrop - 
 
 4 
 
 ditto. 
 
 
 
 » 
 
 Woodthorpe Colliery 
 
 Sheffield 
 
 J. Rhodes ... 
 
 4 
 
 ditto. 
 
 
 
 »> 
 '? 
 
 Warren Vale Colliery 
 Ince Colliery - 
 
 - - Near Wakefield, York- 
 shire. 
 
 Wigan, Lancashire - 
 
 Charlesworth & Co. 
 A. F. Halliburton - 
 
 52 
 13 
 
 ditto, 
 ditto. 
 
 
 
 1852 : 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 January 
 
 Norley Hall Colliery 
 
 Stoneclough Colliery 
 Frimdon Colliery 
 
 Pemberton, Wigan - 
 
 Near Bolton, Lancashire - 
 Durham - - - - 
 
 Executors, J. Daglish 
 Knovvles & Scott 
 
 6 
 
 5 
 3 
 
 ditto 
 
 ditto 
 ditto. 
 
 
 --12 killed by another 
 explosion in March 
 1852. 
 
 - - Several severely 
 injured. 
 
 Inarch - 
 April - - 
 
 Albion Colliery 
 Norlev Hall Colliery 
 
 Hindley Green, Wigan - 
 Pemberton, Wigan - 
 
 J. F. Wood - 
 Executors, T. Daglish 
 
 4 
 12 
 
 ditto 
 ditto 
 
 
 -- See note on explosion 
 in August 1848. 
 
 - - Second explosion in 
 18a 2. 
 
 - - An explosion in this 
 pit in December 1850. 
 
 - See note on explosion 
 in this Dit June 1849. 
 
 - - An explosion 111 this 
 colliery in November 
 1S46. 
 
 May - 
 May - 
 
 June - 
 
 Middle DyfTryn Colliery - 
 Hebburn Colliery 
 Cojipul Colliery 
 Seaton Colliery 
 
 Aberdare, Glamorganshire 
 Newcastleon-Tyne - 
 Chorley, Lancashire 
 
 T. Powell 
 
 Easton & Co. - 
 
 J, Hargreaves, jun. - 
 
 65 
 22 
 36 
 6 
 
 ditto 
 ditto 
 ditto 
 ditto. 
 
 
 November - 
 
 Bryndu Colliery 
 
 Pyle, Glamorganshire 
 
 J. Ford & Son - 
 
 4 
 
 ditto. 
 
 
 
 December - 
 
 Elsecar Colliery 
 
 Barnsley, Yorkshire 
 
 Earl Fitzvvillim 
 
 10 
 
 ditto. 
 
 
 
 The foregoing List contains all the principal accidents during seven years; the number of fatal cases to which it extends is 1,099. The 
 minoi accidents, and cases not terminating fatally (both of which are numerous), have been omitted in the investigation. It has been compiled 
 from personal investigations, printed reports, and special inquiries, in all doubtful cases. 
 
 J. Keniinn Blackwell, 
 
 O.76. 
 
i8o APPENDIX TO REPORT FROM THE 
 
 Appendix, No. 3. 
 
 PAPER delivered in by T. E. Forster, Esq. ; 25 July 1853. 
 
 Beaton Delaval Colliery, 18 May 1853. 
 
 Sppendix, No. 3, First Series of Experiments made whilst Steam Jets were in full operation, and the 
 
 . only Ventilating Power (save that due to heat of boiler fires) 33 Jets, each 3 ft. 16 in., 
 
 and three Boilers. 
 
 Temperature at surface, 62 degrees Fahrenheit. 
 State of weather, fine, cloudless; wind, E.S.E. 
 Temperature at bottom of downcast, 51 1 degrees. 
 Depth of downcast, 636 feet ; upcast, the same. 
 Barometer at bottom of downcast, 30' 16. 
 
 First Experiment made upon Engine Plane, about 1,000 yards from shaft, and at same 
 level : 
 
 Temperature of air at this point, 55 degrees. 
 Mean sect, area of drift (arching), 70 square feet. 
 
 (a) With a distance of 30 feet, the velocity of gunpowder smoke gave, as a mean of 
 
 three trials - - 2| seconds. 
 
 (b) With a distance of 60 feet, same area, velocity - 5f „ 
 
 (c) ^With a distance of 90 feet, same area, velocity - 9 „ 
 
 Cubic feet of air per minute due tu each : 
 
 For 30 feet 47,250 
 
 For 60 feet - - - - - 43,200 
 For 90 feet - - - - - - 42,000 
 
 Second Experiment, made in Victoria Drift, about 60 yards from downcast; same level 
 
 (a) With a distance of 30 feet, mean sect, area - - 58 square feet. 
 Velocity, mean of four trials - - - 4jj seconds. 
 
 Cubic feet of air per minute - 
 
 (i)~With a distance of 60 feet, mean area - 
 Velocity; mean of three trials 
 Cubic feet of air per minute - 
 
 (e) With a distance of 120 feet and sect, area of 57 square feet — 
 
 Mean velocity ------ 24 seconds. 
 
 Cubic feet of air per minute - 17,100. 
 
 23,863. 
 
 56 ^ square feet. 
 10 J seconds. 
 19,683. 
 
 Third Experiment, being measurement of Air consumed by Boiler Fires : 
 
 Mean sectional area ----- 57£ square feet. 
 
 Distance - -- -- --30 feet. 
 
 Velocity; mean of three trials - 0 seconds. 
 
 Cubic feet of air per minute - 17,250. 
 Temperature of air ----- 51 h degrees. 
 
SELECT COMMITTEE ON ACCIDENTS IN COAL MINES. 181 
 
 Engine plane 
 Victoria 
 Boiler fires 
 
 30 ft. (list. 
 47,250 
 23,863 
 17,250 
 
 88,363 
 
 Summary. 
 
 60 ft. 
 
 - 43,200 
 
 - 19,683 
 
 Appendix, No. 3. 
 
 90 ft. 
 42,000 
 
 120 ft. 
 - 17,100 
 
 The Second Series of Experiments made in the Return Air Drifts, to test the accuracy 
 of the above. 
 
 Fourth Experiment, being measurement of Air in one of North Pit returns ; part of Engine 
 Plane Column : 
 
 {Mean sect, area of drift 
 Distance - - - - 
 Mean velocity - 
 Cubic feet of air per minute - 
 
 rMean sect, area of drift 
 . ] Distance - - - - 
 { - 1 Mean velocity - 
 
 Idibic feet of air per minute - 
 
 57 square feet. 
 30 feet. 
 
 seconds. 
 41,040. 
 
 56| square feet. 
 60 feet. 
 5 1 seconds. 
 35,373. 
 
 Fifth Experiment, being measurement of Air in second Return Drift for North Pit Engine 
 Plane Column : 
 
 Mean sect, area of drift ------ 32J square feet. 
 
 Temperature, 60|° - Distance - - - - 30 feet. 
 
 Mean velocity ------- 7 seconds. 
 
 Cubic feet of air per minute ----- 8,356. 
 
 Sixth Experiment, being measurement of Air in Victoria Return Drift: 
 
 Mean sect, area ------- 35J feet. 
 
 Distance - -- -- -- - 60 „ 
 
 Mean velocity 5 seconds. 
 
 Cubic feet of air per minute ----- 25,440. 
 
 The temperature at this point is raised to 65° by the smoke from a small engine used to 
 pump water. 
 
 Comparison of Intake and Return Measurements : 
 
 Cub. ft. Temp. 
 
 Engine plane ------- 47,250 - - 55 
 
 1st Return from same _ - - 41,040 
 2d Ditto ----- 8,356 
 
 49,396 - - 60 
 
 Difference - - - 2,146 - - 5 J 
 
 As air expands for every degree of heat ^ 5 °th part of the bulk it would occupy at 32°; 
 47,250 at 32° would occupy a space represented by 
 
 47,250 ( 4 8o+ 8 (5f»-2) ) = 45,085 cubic feet, volume at 32°, and from 32° to 60i° is 28|° ; 
 
 therefore 4S0O 28 2 = -> 676 increase, which added to the volume at 32° or 45,085 = 47,761, 
 the volume to which the quantity measured on the engine plane should expand by the time 
 it reached the point where measured in the return ; but the actual quantity measured in said 
 return is 49,396, making a difference of 1,635 cubic feet. Now, if we consider that gas is 
 given off, not only by the coal, but also by the men and horses working in the mine, this 
 small quantity of 1,635 cubic feet will necessarily be still further reduced, and thus leave 
 a remarkable coincidence between the two measurements, and is certainly a most satisfac- 
 tory verification of the accuracy of both series of experiments. 
 
 By making a similar comparison of Victoria, we have 
 
 Cub. ft. Temp. 
 Intake - - - - - 23,863 - - 51 £ 
 Return ----- 25,440 - - 65 
 
 Difference - - 1,577 - - 13± 
 0-76. z 3 
 
18-2 
 
 APPENDIX TO REPORT FROM THE 
 
 Appendix No. 3. 23,863( 480+ 4 (5i i_ 32 )) = 22,9 32, volume at 32°, and 
 
 /•2'2 932\ 
 
 V 480"/ (65—32) = - 1,577 increase from 32° to 65°; 
 
 wherefore 22,932 + 1,577 = 24,509 by calculation, 
 
 and 25,440 by measurement. 
 
 Making a difference of - 931 cubic feet only. 
 
 Seventh Experiment, made to ascertain the effect produced upon the Mine Currents, by 
 opening 1 he separation doors leading to boiler fires, and allowing the said fires to consume 
 fresh air, ad libitum : 
 
 Biram's Patent Anemometer used. 
 
 Doors shut and fires fed by a scale, being the method hitherto employed ; 100 feet on 
 dial passed over in - - - - - 24 seconds. 
 Doors full open, same distance passed over in 19 seconds. 
 
 Showing a gain to the workings of the mine by keeping the doors open in the ratio of 
 24 to 19. 
 
 These last experiments made in Victoria Drift. 
 
 During all the foregoing experiments the steam jets were kept at work, and the water- 
 gauge indicated a difference o; pressure amounting to 1 i inches = 8 lbs. per square foot. 
 
 Three boilers were used for the engine and jets together: 
 
 Consumption of coal - Daytime - - 210 cwt. 
 
 „ - Night - - - 52 h 
 
 Engine draws 2,200 yards down a declivity of 12 feet in all; nearly the whole of which 
 fall is upon the first 600 yards, the remaining 1,600 yards being about water level. 
 
 Eighth Experiment, made without the jets, at 6 \ p.m.; the jets having been quiescent 
 since 5 p.m. At 6 \ the water-gauge was examined, and found to indicate a pressure 
 of 1 inch only = 5 J lbs. per square foot : 
 
 70 square feet. 
 30 feet. 
 5| seconds. 
 21,913. 
 
 70 square feet. 
 60 feet. 
 11 1 seconds. 
 22,235. 
 
 58 square feet. 
 30 feet. 
 7 seconds. 
 14,914. 
 
 56 1 square feet. 
 60 feet. 
 14 seconds. 
 14,528. 
 
 Comparison of the Two Series : 
 
 Available air passed through the mine, with jets at 
 
 Engine Plane. Victoiia. Total. 
 
 Work - - - - 47,250 - - 23,863 - 71,113. 
 
 Without jets - 21,913 - - 14,914 == 36,827. 
 
 Th. n, as 71,113 : 36,827 :: 100 : 51§; that is to say, by using 33 jets of steam at a 
 pi ensure oi 35 lbs. per square inch in the Seaton Delaval Mine, the additional quantity of 
 
 air 
 
 First measurement made on engine plane. 
 
 {Mean sect, area - 
 Distance - - - - 
 Mean velocity - 
 Cubic feet of air per minute 
 
 rMean sect, area - 
 . J Distance - 
 ( &'| Mean velocity - 
 
 I Cubic feet of air per minute - 
 
 Ninth Experiment made in Victoria, at 7| p.m. No jets: 
 
 1 Mean sect, area ------ 
 
 , J Disiance ------ 
 
 W Mean velocity ------ 
 
 ICubic feet of air per minute - - - - 
 
 /-Mean sect, area ------ 
 
 J Distance ------- 
 
 W M^an velocity - 
 
 L Cubic feet of air per minute - 
 
SELECT COMMITTEE ON ACCIDENTS IN COAL MINES. 18s 
 
 air so obtained amounts to 34,286 cubic feet per minute, being 48£ per cent, of the whole, Appendix, No. 3. 
 
 or an increase of 93 per cent, upon the quantity obtained without the jets; and —1 
 
 By the present system of steam-jet ventilation' upon the 
 available quantity of 71,113 cubic feet, there is due 
 to heat - - - - - - - 51| per cent. 
 
 Ditto to mechanical action of jets - 48^ 
 
 100 
 
 Seaton Delaval Colliery, May 1853. 
 Sunday Memorandums relating to Ventilation. 
 
 Upcast and Downcast, each 8 feet diameter, and 636 feet deep. 
 
 Cubic content of each, in feet, 31,959. 
 
 Temperature, top of downcast. 62° \ M _, 0 0 
 Ditto bottom diito 51|°J Mean ' 5b * , say 5 / . 
 
 Mean temperature of upcast, 136°. 
 
 Barometer at bottom of downcast, 30'16. 
 
 Weight of a cubic foot of air at 60°, 536 grains, of 7,000 to the pound avoirdupois. 
 Weight of descending column, 31,9 7 °^ 0 ° 3 - = 2,447 lbs. 
 
 To rind the weight of ascending column, we must first find the increase in volume due to 
 a rise in temperature from 57° to 136°; viz., 79°. 
 
 Thus, by the known formula, we know that — 
 31,959 at 57° = 30,377 at 32 d ; and 
 
 (^TsT") 79 = 5 > 000 > which added to 31,959 gives 36,959 volume at 136°. 
 Then, 3 19 36 ^ k<f~ — 2,11(5 lbs. weight of ascending column. 
 
 2,447 — 2,116 lbs. = 331 lbs., which divided by sectional area of shaft, or 50 J 
 square feet, Liives 6*58 lbs. per square foot for the rarefying power ; and this, 
 again, is equal to 1*20 inches water-gauge. 
 
 By comparing this with No. 8 Experiment, of May 18, we find that the actual 
 water-gauge was TOO inch, or 5 45 lbs. per square foot without the jets. 
 
 To find the ventilating column due to the effect of heat alone — 
 
 31,959 : 636 :: 36,959 : 735; and 
 
 735 — 636 = 99 feet for ventilating column. 
 
 Total Quantity of air driven up the upcast by the united efforts of jets and boiler fires. 
 Is 88,363 cubic feet per minute. 
 
 The weight of this will be ^^000^° = 6 > 766 l° s< P er minute, 
 
 Or 3"02 tons = 181 ton- per hour = 2,172 tons in 12 hours; which is more than 
 double the weight of coals drawn by two 60-horse engines in the same time. 
 
 Coals consumed, 210 cwt. in 12 hours = 33 lbs. per minute. 
 
 88,363 cubic feet will expand, in the upcast, at a mean of 136° to 102,862 cubic 
 feet per minute; and this quantity divided by the area of shaft, gives a velo- 
 city of — 
 
 2,047 feet per minute ; or, 
 34 feet per second ; or, 
 23J miles per hour. 
 
 N, 13. — Deduct one-third from feet per second, and the result is miles per hour, very 
 nearly. 
 
 0.76 z 4 To 
 
184 APPENDIX :— ACCIDENTS IN COAL MINES. 
 
 To find the " drag" of the air : 
 
 Actual velocity in upcast = 34 feet per second, of which quantity 51| per cent, is due to 
 rarefaction ; viz. 17*59 feet per second. 
 
 The theoretical velocity in the upcast is expressed by 
 
 v = 8 / Jh t' - t>) 
 
 J 450+* 
 
 where v — velocity in feet per second of air at V 
 h = depth of shaft in feet. 
 V =tenip. of upcast. 
 t = temp, of downcast. 
 Applying this formula to our case, we have 
 
 /636 (136°- 57) . 
 
 v = 8 <J — 45 0+57 — = 79'G feet per second ; 
 
 i.e. if there were no resistance, we should have in the upcast a velocity of 79*6 feet per 
 second ; whereas the actual velocity obtained from rarefaction is only 17'59 feet per second ; 
 or, in other words, the 
 
 Velocity realised is 22 per cent. 
 
 Velocity absorbed by resistance - 78 per cent. 
 
 ANALYSIS 
 
[ i8 5 3 
 
 ANALYSIS OF INDEX. 
 
 Alphabetical and Classified LIST of the Principal Headings in the following INDEX, 
 with the Paging at which they will be respectively found. 
 
 PAGE. 
 
 Accidents - - - - - -189 
 
 Ascent and descent of mines - - 191 
 
 Belgium - - - - - 192 
 
 Explosions - - - - - 205 
 
 France ------ 208 
 
 Inspection of mines, I. 1 - - 213 
 
 Naked lights 224 
 
 Prussia ------ 2j6 
 
 Scotland - - - . - - 230 
 
 Air-ways - - - - - -189 
 
 Distribution of air - - - - 203 
 
 Shafts 231 
 
 Anemometers ----- 190 
 
 Water-gauge ----- 208 
 
 Artificial ventilation - - - - 190 
 
 Furnace ventilation - - - - 208 
 
 Mechanical ventilators - 223 
 
 Natural ventilation - - - 225 
 
 Steam-jet ventilation - - - 232 
 
 Ascent and Descent of Mines : 
 
 1. Generally - - - - igi 
 
 2. Frequency of accidents occur- 
 
 ring during the winding of 
 the men up and down the 
 pits - - - - - 191 
 
 3. Suggestions for the prevention 
 
 of these accidents - - 191 
 
 Fourdrinier's apparatus - - - 208 
 
 Machinery » - - - - 218 
 
 Shafts 231 
 
 Barometer - - - - - -192 
 
 Explosions - - - - - 205 
 
 Belgium - - - - - -192 
 
 Accidents - - - - - 189 
 
 Air ways - - - - - 189 
 
 Ascensional ventilation - - - 190 
 
 Ascent and descent of mines - - 191 
 
 Closing of mines - - - - 1 96 
 
 Dickinson, Mr. ... - 203 
 
 Discipline ----- 203 
 
 Distribution of air - - - - 203 
 
 Fire-damp ----- 205 
 
 Furnace ventilation, 4 209 
 
 Hainault - - - - - 211 
 
 Inspection of mines, II. 1 - - 214 
 
 Long-iiork system - - - -218 
 
 Management of collieries - - ill 
 
 Mechanical ventilators - - - 223 
 
 Mueseler's lamp - - - - 224 
 
 Naked lights - - - - -224 
 
 Rules and regulations - - - 227 
 
 Safety lamps, 3. 5. - - - - 229 
 
 Steam-jet ventilation, 3 233 
 
 Ventilation - - - - - 237 
 
 0.76. 
 
 PAGE. 
 
 Board of Trade 194 
 
 Bore-holes - - - - - - 195 
 
 Boys 195 
 
 Employment of children - - - 204 
 
 Schools, 1 - - - - - 230 
 
 Brattices - - - - - 195 
 
 Anemometers - - - - - 190 
 
 Natural brattice - - - - 225 
 
 Carelessness of miners - - - 195 
 
 Punishment - - - - - 226 
 
 Safety lamps, 3, 4 - - - - 229 
 
 Central Board 195 
 
 Board of Trade - - - - 194 
 
 Closing of mines - - - - 1 96 
 
 Sub-inspector - - - - - 233 
 
 Closing of mines - - - - - 196 
 
 Coroners' inquests ----- 196 
 
 Currents of air - - - - 197 
 
 Distribution of air - - - - 203 
 
 Coaxes ------ 209 
 
 Splitting the air - 232 
 
 Velocity of currents - - - - 237 
 
 Danger signals - - - - 197 
 
 Approach of danger - - - 1 90 
 
 Davy lamp - - - - - 197 
 
 Clanny lamp - - - - - 19b' 
 
 Safety lamps, 2. 5 - - - - 228 
 
 Wire-gauze lamps - - - - 239 
 
 Dickinson, Mr. - - - - - 203 
 
 Distribution of air - - - - - 203 
 
 Air ways - - - - - 189 
 
 Anemometers - - - - - lgo 
 
 Shafts ------ 231 
 
 Splitting the air ... - 232 
 
 Doors ------- 203 
 
 Boys 195 
 
 Explosions - - - - - 205 
 
 Education - - - - - - 204 
 
 Discipline - - - - 203 
 
 Miners ------ 224 
 
 National scientific ins titutions - - 225 
 
 Schools - - ' - - - 230 
 
 Employment of children - - - - 204 
 
 Boys 195 
 
 Experiments - - - - - - 204 
 
 Consumption of coal - - - 1 96 
 
 Hetton colliery, 2 - - - - 212 
 
 Hilda, St., colliery - - - - 213 
 
 Ince Hall colliery - - - - 213 
 
 A A 
 
i86 
 
 ANALYSIS OF INDEX. 
 
 Experiments — continued. 
 
 Killingworth colliery 
 
 Seaton Delaval colliery, 2 
 
 Steam-jet ventilation ... 
 
 Tyne Main colliery - 
 
 Wood, Mr. 
 
 Explosions ------ 
 
 After-damp - - - - - 
 
 Artificial ventilation • 
 
 Fire-damp - 
 
 Mechanical ventilators, 2 
 
 Naked lights - - - - - 
 
 Owners of collieries - 
 
 Refuge stalls • 
 
 Staffordshire - - - - - 
 
 Fencing of pits - 
 
 Prussia ------ 
 
 Fire-damp ------ 
 
 Prussia ------ 
 
 Temperature of air - 
 Ventilation - 
 
 Fourdrinier's apparatus - 
 
 France ------- 
 
 Accidents - - - - 
 
 Etienne, St., colliery . - 
 
 Firedamp - - - 
 
 Inspection of mines, II. 2 
 
 Furnace Ventilation : 
 
 1. Generally - - - - 
 
 2. Opinion in favour of the fur- 
 
 nace system of ventilation - 
 
 3. iforo ^/ar- ffore w a«2/ fo'mii 
 
 furnace ventilation 
 
 4. Remarks as to the adoption of 
 
 the system in Belgium 
 
 5. Papers laid before the Com- 
 
 mittee - 
 
 Belgium - - - - - 
 
 Consumption of coal - - - - 
 
 Experiments - - - - - 
 Helton colliery, 2 
 
 Hilda, St., colliery - - - - 
 
 Killingworth colliery - 
 
 Mechanical ventilators, 2 - 
 
 Monkwearmouth colliery - 
 
 Naked lights - - - - - 
 
 Natural brattice - - - - 
 
 Return air - - 
 
 Seat en Delaval colliery - 
 
 Steam-jet ventilation 
 
 Water-gauge 
 
 WW, Mr. ----- 
 
 Glover s lamp - - - - 
 
 Z)«i2/ /am/) - 
 
 Safety lamps - 
 Goaves ------- 
 
 .Bore /io/es - - - - - 
 
 Naked lights - - - - - 
 
 Gobbing ------ 
 
 Air-ways - - - ... 
 Z,OHg wor& system - - - 
 
 Haswell colliery . - - - - 
 
 Health of miners - - - - - 
 
 Black damp - - - - - 
 
 Distribution of air - 
 Hetton Colliery : 
 
 1. Generally - - - - 
 
 2. Particulars as to experiments 
 
 made at the colliery, with the 
 steam-jet and furnace, 2 
 Shafts ------ 
 
 Steam-jet ventilation) 2 - - - 
 
 1>AGE. 
 
 • 217 
 
 ■ 231 
 
 ■ 232 
 
 • 237 
 242 
 
 205 
 189 
 190 
 205 
 223 
 224 
 225 
 227 
 232 
 
 205 
 226 
 
 205 
 
 226 
 235 
 237 
 
 •208 
 
 208 
 189 
 204 
 205 
 215 
 
 208 
 208 
 208 
 209 
 
 209 
 
 192 
 196 
 204 
 212 
 213 
 217 
 223 
 224 
 224 
 225 
 227 
 230 
 
 233 
 238 
 242 
 
 209 
 
 197 
 228 
 
 207 
 
 195 
 224 
 
 209 
 1S9 
 218 
 
 211 
 
 212 
 192 
 203 
 
 212 
 
 212 
 
 231 
 
 233 
 
 Hilda, St., colliery - 
 
 //?ce colliery - 
 
 Pemberton pits, Wigan 
 Seaton Delaval colliery 
 
 PAGE. 
 
 ■ 213 
 
 ■ 205 
 
 ■ 213 
 - 226 
 
 ■ 230 
 
 Inspection of Mines ; 
 
 I. Evidence relative to the inspection of 
 collieries in England 
 
 1. Generally - 
 
 2. Remarks as to the insuffi- 
 ciency of the present num- 
 ber of inspectors; sug- 
 gestions on the subject - 
 
 3. Observations relative to the 
 duties and powers of the 
 inspectors - 
 
 II. Particulars as to the inspection of 
 mines on the Continent 
 
 1. Belgium - 
 
 2. France - 
 
 3. Prussia - 
 Accidents - 
 
 Board of Trade - - - - 
 
 Brattices - - - - 
 
 Closing of mines - 
 
 Coroners' inquests - 
 
 Ironstone mines - - - 
 
 Machinery - - - - - 
 
 Management of collieries - - - 
 
 Owners of collieries - 
 
 Plans of collieries - 
 
 Rules and regulations - 
 
 Safety lamps, 4 
 
 Shafts - - - - 
 
 Sub-inspectors - 
 
 Supply of air - - - - - 
 
 Testa q/" ventilation - 
 
 Ventilation - 
 
 Killingworth colliery 
 Density of air 
 Safety lamps, 3 
 Seaton Delaval colliery 
 
 Legislation - - - - 
 
 Long-work system - 
 Escapes of gas 
 Ironstone mines 
 Pillar-and-scall system 
 Roofs - - - - 
 
 Working of mines - 
 
 Machinery - - - - 
 Ascent and descent of mines 
 Mechanical ventilators 
 
 Management of collieries 
 
 Belgium - 
 Large collieries 
 Overmen - 
 Rules and regulations 
 Working of mines - 
 
 Managers of collieries - 
 
 Management of collieries 
 Miners - - - - 
 National scientific institutions 
 Overmen - 
 Qualification of officers - 
 Safety lamps, 1 - - 
 Supply of air - 
 Viewers - 
 
 213 
 213 
 
 214 
 
 214 
 
 214 
 214 
 215 
 215 
 189 
 194 
 l 9 5 
 196 
 196 
 
 215 
 218 
 222 
 
 225 
 226 
 227 
 229 
 231 
 233 
 23+ 
 236 
 
 237 
 
 217 
 
 197 
 
 229 
 230 
 
 - 217 
 
 - 218 
 
 - 204 
 
 - 215 
 
 - 226 
 
 - 227 
 
 - 232 
 
 - 243 
 
 - 218 
 
 - 191 
 
 - 223 
 
 - 222 
 
 - 192 
 217 
 
 - 225 
 
 - 227 
 
 - 243 
 
 - 222 
 
 - 222 
 
 - 224 
 
 - 225 
 
 - 225 
 
 - 226 
 
 - 228 
 
 - 234 
 
 - 238 
 
ANALYSIS OF INDEX. 
 
 187 
 
 Mechanical Ventila tors : 
 
 PAGE. 
 
 3. 
 
 Particulars as to the mechanical 
 apparatus adopted in the ven- 
 tilation of the Belgian mines 
 
 Advantages which would re- 
 sult from the introduction of 
 the Belgian system into this 
 country - 
 
 Objections to the adoption of the 
 mechanical system of venti- 
 lation - 
 
 Belgium 
 
 Cost of ventilators - 
 Currents of air 
 Distribution if air 
 Expense of ventilation 
 Fans - 
 
 Furnace ventilation - 
 Steam-jet ventilation 
 
 Miners - - ' 
 Carelessness of miners 
 Coroners' inquests - 
 Crime - - - - 
 Discipline - 
 Education - 
 health of miners - 
 Intimidation of miners 
 Punishment - 
 Roofs - 
 Safety lamps - 
 Schools - - - - 
 Smoking - 
 Supply of air - 
 Wages - - - - 
 
 Monkwearmouth colliery - 
 
 Fourdrinier's apparatus - 
 
 Naked lights - - - - 
 Middle Dyffryn colliery - 
 Safety lamps, 3 
 Ventilation - 
 
 National scientific institutions - 
 Board of Trade 
 
 Natural ventilation 
 
 Prussia ------ 
 
 Overmen - 
 
 Discipline - 
 Sub-inspectors 
 
 Owners of collieries 
 Explosions - 
 Magistrates - 
 Rules and regulations 
 Ventilation - 
 Working of mines 
 
 Pillar-and-stall system 
 Escapes of gas 
 Long-work system - 
 South Wales - - - 
 Working of mines 
 
 Plans of collieries - 
 
 Prussia - 
 
 Fire-damp - 
 Inspection of mines, II. 3 - 
 
 Punishment - 
 
 Carelessness of miners 
 
 Qualification of officers 
 
 Managers of collieries 
 National scientific institution 
 Overmen - 
 Under viewers 
 
 Refuge stalls - 
 
 223 
 
 223 
 
 223 
 192 
 197 
 197 
 203 
 204 
 205 
 208 
 232 
 
 Middle Dyffryn colliery, Aberdarc - - 223 
 
 Roofs - > - 
 Long-work 
 
 - 224 
 
 - 195 
 
 - i9 6 
 
 - 197 
 
 - 203 
 
 - 204 
 
 - 212 
 
 - 215 
 
 - 226 
 
 - 227 
 
 - 228 
 
 - 230 
 
 - 232 
 
 - 234 
 
 - 238 
 
 - 224 
 
 - co8 
 
 - 224 
 
 - 2'23 
 
 - 229 
 
 - 237 
 
 - 825 
 
 - 194 
 
 - 225 
 
 - 226 
 
 - 225 
 
 - 203 
 
 - 233 
 
 - 225 
 
 - 205 
 
 - 222 
 
 - 227 
 " 237 
 " 243 
 
 - 226 
 
 - 204 
 
 - 218 
 
 - 232 
 " 243 
 
 - 226 
 
 - 226 
 
 - 205 
 
 - 215 
 
 - 226 
 " 195 
 
 - 226 
 " 225 
 " 225 
 
 - 225 
 " 237 
 
 • 227 
 
 system - 
 
 Rules and regulations - - - 
 
 Miners ------ 
 
 Punishment - 
 Safety lamps, 2 - - 
 Supply of air - 
 
 Safety Lamps : 
 
 1. Generally - 
 
 2. Evidence as to the relative 
 
 merits of several descrip- 
 tions of lamps - 
 
 3. Great carelessness of the miners 
 
 with the lamps ; importance 
 of their being kept locked 
 
 4. Necessity for the lamps being 
 
 placed under the care of some 
 person specially appointed 
 for the purpose - 
 
 5. Remarks as to the safety-lamps 
 
 in use in Belgium 
 
 Barnsley district - - - - 
 
 PAGE. 
 
 ■ 227 
 . 218 
 
 ■ 227 
 
 ■ 224 
 
 ■ 226 
 . 228 
 • 234 
 
 228 
 
 22t 
 
 229 
 
 Clanny lamp 
 
 Davy lamp 
 
 Eloin lamp 
 
 Fifes lamp 
 
 Glover's lamp - 
 
 HalVs lamp 
 
 Mueselers lamp 
 
 Naked lights - 
 
 Punishment 
 
 Reflecting lamps 
 
 Roberts's lamp 
 Velocity of currents 
 Wire-gauze lamps 
 
 - 229 
 
 229 
 
 192 
 196 
 
 197 
 204 
 205 
 209 
 21X 
 224 
 224 
 226 
 227 
 111 
 237 
 239 
 
 Schools ; 
 
 1. Recommendations for the esta- 
 
 blishment of mining schools; 
 education to be provided 
 
 therein - - - 230 
 
 2. Manner in which the fund for 
 
 the support of these schools is 
 
 to be obtained - - - 230 
 
 Education ..... 204 
 
 Employment of children - 204 
 
 National scientific institutions - - 225 
 
 S eaton Del aval Colliery: 
 
 1. Evidence generally with respect 
 
 to the ventilation of this col- 
 liery - - - - 230 
 
 2. Particulars as to certain ex- 
 
 periments with the steamjet 
 
 and furnace - - - 231 
 
 B oiler f res - - - - -194 
 
 Furnace ventilation, 2 - - - 208 
 
 Pillar and stall system - 226 
 
 Shafts 231 
 
 Steam-jet, 1, 2. - - - - 232 
 
 Velocity if currents - - - - 237 
 
 Water gauge ----- 238 
 
 Shafts - 231 
 
 Air-ways - - - - - 189 
 
 Belgium - - - - - 192 
 Brattices - - - - -195 
 
 Pressure of air - - - - 226 
 
 Up-cast shaft - - - - - 237 
 
 South Wales ------ 232 
 
 Managers of collieries - - - 222 
 
 Splitting the air - - - 232 
 
 Air-ways - - - - 1 89 
 
 Distribution of air - - - - 203 
 
 Lancashire collieries - - - 217 
 
 O.76, 
 
1 88 
 
 ANALYSIS OF INDEX. 
 
 Staffordshire - 
 
 Long-work system 
 Natural ventilation 
 
 PAGE. 
 
 - 232 
 
 - 2l8 
 ■ 225 
 
 Steam Jet 
 1. 
 
 Ventilation : 
 
 Great advantage of the steam 
 jet as a means of effecting a 
 proper ventilation 
 
 Opinion that the steam jet is 
 not so efficacious or economi- 
 cal as the furnace 
 
 How far the steam jet has 
 been used in Belgium - 
 
 Papers laid before the Com- 
 mittee - 
 
 Alloa colliery - 
 Boiler fires 
 Consumption of coal 
 Experiments - 
 Furnace ventilation - 
 Heiton colliery, 2 
 Hilda, St., colliery 
 Killingxuorth colliery 
 Pneumatic fiower-pot 
 Seaton Delaval colliery 
 Water-gauge - 
 Wood, Mr. 
 
 Sub-inspectors 
 
 Supply of air 
 
 Distribution of air - 
 Mechanical ventilators, 3 
 Shafts - - - 
 
 Temperature of air 
 Atmosphere 
 
 Tyne Main colliery 
 
 U rider-viewers 
 Viewers 
 
 Up -cast shaft 
 
 Ascensional ventilation 
 Furnace ventilation, 1 
 
 Velocity of currents 
 
 Ventilation - 
 Air -ways 
 Anemometers - 
 Artificial ventilation 
 
 232 
 
 233 
 
 - 233 
 
 233 
 190 
 
 194 
 196 
 204 
 208 
 212 
 213 
 217 
 226 
 230 
 238 
 242 
 
 233 
 
 234 
 203 
 223 
 231 
 
 235 
 192 
 
 237 
 
 237 
 238 
 
 237 
 190 
 208 
 
 237 
 
 237 
 189 
 
 190 
 190 
 
 Ventilation — continued. 
 
 Ascensional ventilation 
 Atmosphere 
 Brattices 
 Crossings 
 Currents of air 
 Distribution of air - 
 Doors - 
 Escapes of gas 
 Expense of ventilation 
 Experiments - 
 Furnace ventilation - 
 G oaves - 
 Health of miners 
 Hettqn colliery 
 Inspection of mines 
 Legislation 
 
 Mechanical ventilators 
 Miners - 
 Natural brattice 
 Seaton Delaval colliery 
 Shafts - 
 
 Steam jet ventilation 
 Supply of air 
 Tests of ventilation - 
 Wages - - - 
 Water-gauge - 
 Wood, Mr. - 
 W orking of mines 
 
 Viewers ... 
 Managers of collieries 
 Rules and regulations 
 U nder-viewers 
 
 Wages - 
 
 Education 
 Schools, 2 
 
 Water-gauge - 
 
 Widows and orphans 
 
 Benefit societies - 
 Damages at luu> 
 
 Wood, Mr. - 
 
 W orking of mines - 
 Belgium 
 Closing of mines 
 Long-xvork system 
 Pillar-and-stall system 
 Seaton Delaval colliery, 1 
 
 PAGE 
 
 - 190 
 
 - 19'^ 
 
 - 195 
 
 - 197 
 
 - 197 
 
 - 203 
 
 - 203 
 
 - 204 
 
 - 204 
 
 - 204 
 
 - 208 
 
 - 209 
 
 - 212 
 
 - 212 
 
 - 213 
 
 - 217 
 " 223 
 
 - 224 
 
 - 225 
 
 - 230 
 r 231 
 
 - 232 
 
 - 234 
 " 236 
 
 - 238 
 
 - 238 
 
 - 242 
 
 - 243 
 
 - 238 
 
 - 222 
 
 - 227 
 
 - 237 
 
 - 238 
 
 - 204 
 
 - 23O 
 
 - 238 
 
 * 239 
 " 192 
 " 197 
 
 - 242 
 
 " 243 
 
 - 192 
 
 - ig6 
 
 - 218 
 
 - 226 
 
 • 230 
 
 INDEX. 
 
[ 189 ] 
 
 INDEX. 
 
 [In this Index the Figures following the Names of the Witnesses refer to the Questions of the 
 Evidence ; and those following Rep. i. App., Rep. ii. App., and Rep. id. App., to the page of the 
 Appendices of the several Reports.] 
 
 A. 
 
 ACCIDENTS. Reference to the enormous annual loss of life among the workmen in 
 
 thick coal collieries, worked under the old systems, Dickinson 28 Statement of the 
 
 number of accidents which have occurred in coal and 01 her mines in Belgium, in the five 
 years ending 1849, and also in the years 1851 and 1 8.52, showing the number of lives lost, 
 
 ib. 421 Tabular statement of the accidents in coal mines in England in 1851 and 
 
 1852; comparison between the loss of life in Belgium and England, ib. 423-427 
 
 Return of the loss of life by colliery accidents in England, Wales, and Scotland, during 
 the years 1851 and 1852, as reported by the inspectors of coal mines, ib. 428 State- 
 ment of the accidents which occurred in the coal mines of Great Britain in 1851 and 
 
 1852 ; observations thereon, Machworth 480,481 Comparative statement with respect 
 
 to the number of men employed, and the number of accidents, in England, France, and 
 Belgium, showing that the excess of deaths is considerably more in England than in the 
 other countries, ib. 681-683. 
 
 When accidents occur, the proprietor of the mine is obliged to send notice to the 
 Secretary of State ; it would be very advantageous if notice was at the same time sent 
 to the inspector, as it would enable him to be early at the scene of accident, Dickinson 
 948-957 The absence of accidents, as a general rule, is the best test of a well- 
 managed and ventilated colliery, though not invariably the case, ib. 1209 Abetter 
 
 knowledge of the cause of accidents would aid much towards their prevention, Wood 
 
 3901 Evidence relative to reports by witness and others on explosions in several 
 
 mines, showing the cause of the accidents and the state of the ventilation in those 
 mines ; suggestions for improving the ventilation, Blackwell 4043-4077. 4092 et seq. 
 
 Instructions and questions relative to the Parliamentary Committee, now sitting, to 
 
 inquire into the causes of accidents in coal mines, Hep. i. App. 135 Tabular view of 
 
 the number of accidents causing death in the coal mines of Great Britain in 1851 and 
 
 1852, ib. 136 Tabular statement of the lives lost in the coal mines of Great Britain 
 
 in the years 1851 and 1852, ib. Comparative loss of life in coal mines per 10,000 
 
 persons employed in and on the mines per annum on 460,000 persons in England, 
 256,760 in Belgium, and 73,275 in Westphalia, ib. 137. 
 
 See also Ascent and Descent of Mines. Belgium. Explosions. France. Inspec- 
 tion of Mines, I. 1. Naked Lights. Prussia. Scotland. 
 
 After-damp. In all cases of explosions, where large numbers of lives have been lost, the 
 bulk of those deaths have resulted from the after-damp, Blackwell 4047-4052 ; Forster 
 4599> 46oo. 
 
 Air-pressure Gauge. Witness has invented an air-pressure gauge ; description thereof, 
 and mode in which applied, Mackworth 1560, 1561. 
 
 Air-ways. Witness sees no greater difficulty in ventilating a mine with air-ways in the 
 
 solid coal than with air-ways maintained by gobbing, Dickinson 23 Regulation with 
 
 respect to the air-courses in mines in Belgium, ib. 201 Observations relative to the 
 
 necessity of air-ways being of a sufficient size ; the want of proper capacity in the air-ways 
 is the root of all imperfect ventilation, Dickinson 1149-1152 ; Jude 1722-1724 ; Swallow 
 
 2619-2628.2647-2652; Blackwell 4030-4036 ; Forster 4830 Suggestions as to the 
 
 capacity and size of the air-ways, and the best mode of carrying the air through the work- 
 ings to the up-cast shaft, Mackworth 1579-1581 A sufficient amount of ventilation 
 
 can be afforded to every mine, provided proper attention is paid to the return air ways, 
 Henderson 2333. 2342, 2343. 
 0.76. B b The 
 
190 AIR ASC [fSccttoitt* in 
 
 Reports, 1852-53 — continued. 
 
 A ir-ways — contin ued . 
 
 The obstruction of the air-passages round the remote workings is the main cause of the 
 Joss of life in collieries; mode suggested for remedying this evil, Sivallow 2577-2591. 
 
 2619-2624 It is very necessary to pay great attention to the size of the air-ways, for 
 
 the purposes of ventilation, and to distribute the air by a system of splitting in sufficient 
 
 quantities throughout the pit, Gray 3001-3008 Due care should betaken to keep the 
 
 air-ways in proper order, and of a sufficient size ; there cannot be too much air in a mine, 
 
 Tetlow 3302-3304 Generally speaking, sufficient attention is not paid to the capacity 
 
 and the size of the air-ways; they are far too small, Forsler 4583-4585. 
 
 See also Distribution of Air. Shafts. 
 
 Airometers. Plan and section of single-acting airometers, Rep. i. App. Plan (F.) 
 
 Alloa Colliery. Remarks relative to the fire in the mine at Alloa, Scotland, being extin- 
 guished by the injection of carbonic acid gas into the mine by means of the steam-jet, 
 after all other means had failed, Cayley 1523-1536. 1542. 
 
 Anemometers. Witness does not consider that the self-registering anemometer could be 
 depended on as indicating the state of the ventilation, because the air-ways may be altered 
 from time to time so as to affect very materially the results indicated by it, Mackwortk 
 
 608-628. 643-652 No one instrument can test the distribution of the air; unless 
 
 there is an anemometer in every working point, it cannot be ascertained that the air is 
 
 thoroughly distributed, ib. 667-676 Supposing the anenometer 10 be placed close to 
 
 the end of the brattice, and the brattice was not lengthened as the heading advanced, the 
 danger to the workmen would be increasing whilst the indications of the instrument 
 
 remained the same, ib. 671-676 Although a self-registering anemometer at the bottom 
 
 of the up-cast and at the bottom of the down-cast would be no test of distribution, yet 
 it would be a test of the amount of air entering the mine to be distributed, ib. 867-871 
 
 Opinion that the Government inspector could not rely on the anemometer as a test 
 
 for what quantity of air was passing through the mine, provided his visits were only once 
 a month ; a badly conducted overman could tamper with the anemometer, and render it 
 an insufficient test to be relied on, Dickinson 1188-1208; Jude 2242,2243; Forster 
 
 4825-4828 Byram's anemometer will measure about a fortnight, but it would take an 
 
 inspector to each large colliery to read off the numerous measurements that would be 
 necessary, Dickinson 1188-1208. 
 
 Opinion that the self-adjusting anemometer is not a proper test of the ventilation, 
 
 Swallow 2592-2594 Objections to a recommendation of the Committee of 1852, that 
 
 there should be a self-regisiering anemometer in every pit, and that it should be so placed 
 that the inspector on his periodical visits might know the rate at which the current of air 
 had been passing through the mine in his absence, Wood 3666-3678 The best regu- 
 lator is an anemometer placed near the furnace of the pit; a record of its state should be 
 
 reported at short intervals to the manager of the mine, ib. 3668-3673 A registering 
 
 anemometer might be placed in every mine out of the reach of all parties disposed to 
 
 tamper with it; mode by which this object should be attained, Gumey 4299-4305 
 
 Witness prefers the use of gunpowder smoke to the anemometer in measuring the quan- 
 tity of air in a mine, Forster 4818-4829. See also Water-gauge. 
 
 Approach of Danger. Instruments seem to be very little used in any of the continental 
 mines as a means of indicating danger, Dickinson 183. 
 
 See also Danger Signals. Water-gauge. 
 
 Ardsley Main Colliery. Reference to an explosion in the Ardsley Main Colliery, near 
 Barnsley, by which seventy-three men were killed ; most of these men could have got 
 
 into the air-passages if there had been any unobstructed, Swallow 2573-2585 -Remarks 
 
 on the subject of an explosion in March 1847 at Ardsley Main Colliery, by which 
 seventy-three peisons were killed; systems of working and of ventilation pursued; 
 the after-damp was the great cause of death, Blackwell, 4131. 
 
 Artificial Ventilation. Opinion that it is most desirable that artificial ventilation should 
 be made compulsory in all collieries ; more injury is caused to life and health by the want 
 of ventilation in non-fiery mines than by all the accidents by explosions, Mackworth 
 
 782, 783 Artificial ventilation should be enforced in every colliery, but no particular 
 
 system should be specified, Swallow 2521-2531 In Northumberland and other dis- 
 tricts where the pits are very deep, artificial ventilation is absolutely necessary, Blackwell 
 3942. 
 
 See also Furnace Ventilation. Mechanical Ventilators. Natural Ventilation. 
 
 Steam-jet Ventilation. 
 
 Ascensional Ventilation. The great principle of the ventilation of the mines in Belgium is 
 that of ascensional ventilation, and throughout the Continent the greatest stress is laid 
 on that point; by keeping all the air-courses in a mine gradually inclined upwards to the 
 up-cast shaft, even a blower of gas which comes off finds its own way to the surface, 
 
 Mackworth 714 The distribution of air is very defective in the mines in England; 
 
 how 
 
Coal aUttiW**] A s c 
 
 A S C 
 
 191 
 
 Reports, 1852-53 — continued. 
 
 Ascensional Ventilation — continued. 
 
 how far it would be possible to introduce the ascensional ventilation as adopted in Bel- 
 gium, Machworth 784-798 Opinion that the ascending ventilation in use in Belgium 
 
 should not be made altogether compulsory in collieries in England, ib. 1460, 1461 
 
 With strictly ascensional ventilation much smaller quantities of air are necessary for safetv 
 ib. 1503. 
 
 Ascent and Descent of Mines: 
 
 1. Generally. 
 
 2. Frequency of Accidents occurring during the winding of the Men up and 
 
 down the Pits. 
 
 3. Suggestions for the Prevention of these Accidents. 
 
 1. Generally: 
 
 Remarks relative to the ascent and descent of mines ; in Belgium ropes are forbidden, 
 
 and ladders, which are considered safer, are resorted to, Dickinson 428-430 There 
 
 would be great difficulty in getting the miners in England to ascend or descend the deep 
 
 pits by ladders ; it must be very unhealthy, the work being so very laborious, ib. 428 
 
 It would be more destructive to life if the men were compelled to ascend and descend the 
 
 pits by ladders in this country, Machworth 690 Very few accidents have arisen from 
 
 the slides being out of order in the north of England, Jude 2183, 2184. 
 
 2. Frequency of Accidents occurring during the winding of the Men up and clown 
 
 the Pits : 
 
 Accidents frequently occur, by which men are killed by pieces of coal falling from one 
 ascending bucket while the men are descending in the empty one ; the Legislature should 
 interfere to prevent the men being let down the pit while the materials are coming up, 
 
 Dickinson 1227-1230. 1259-1281 Evidence generally with respect to the accidents 
 
 which occur to the men in ascending and descending the pits, but might be somewhat 
 
 prevented by decreasing the speed at which the men are drawn up, Jude 2134-2182 
 
 Many accidents arise from the employment of persons not properly qualified in winding 
 
 the miners up and down the shafts, Swallow 2787-2795 Evidence on the subject of 
 
 winding the men up and down the shafts; there has been only one accident during this 
 process at the Morfa colliery ; the loss of life on this point is entirely attributable to 
 carelessness, Gray 3092-31 12 Probability of accidents occurring through careless- 
 ness or defective regulations in winding the men up and down the pits; suggestions on 
 
 this point, Tetlow 3167-3237 Remarks as to the occurrence of accidents during the 
 
 process of winding the men up and down the shaft; they could be wound up with perfect 
 
 safety at a speed of 300 feet per minute, Wood 3696-3705 But very few accidents 
 
 occur in the north of England in winding persons up the shafts, Forster 4621, 4622. 
 
 3. Suggestion for the Prevention of these Accidents : 
 
 It is quite practicable to have a cage to drop down on the pit as an effective precau- 
 tion against loss of life by falling down pits, which is very common, Dickinson 430, 
 
 431- Opinion that wiih proper attention accidents would not occur from the use of 
 
 ropes as a means of ascent and descent ; witness- has more faith in good tackle and in 
 good winding arrangements than in Mr. Fourdrinier's patent, ib> 431-434 Great num- 
 ber of accidents which occur in winding persons up and down the pits ; the use of guides 
 
 of some sort should be made compulsory in all working pits, ib. 1210-1223 Precautions 
 
 which should be enforced to prevent accidents in ascending and descending mines, Mack- 
 worth 1595' Remarks as to the employment of patent cages, with guides on for 
 
 ascending' and descending the pits in the north of England; there has been less loss of 
 
 life since the cages have been in use, Jude 2140-2154 As regards the winding up 
 
 and down the pit, the suggestion that the men should pull the bell-rope is quite imprac- 
 ticable ; opinion that the men are generally wound up too fast, Henderson 2349-2360. 
 
 The custom of letting a man down the shaft while a full waggon of coals is sjoing up 
 
 is very dangerous, and should be prohibited, Swallow 2797-2799 ; Forster 4626-4628 
 
 Accidents have arisen through the men not being allowed sufficient time to get out of the 
 box when let down ; it should be imperative that the engine-man receive some signal 
 
 from the bottom before he starts the engine back again, Tetlow 3167-31 72. 3182-3200 
 
 Too many men are frequently let down the pit at the same time ; the number should be 
 
 limited to four, 3173-3181. 3202-3215. 3219-3229 In the event of any danger 
 
 arising during the ascent or descent of the men, it is quite practicable to give a signal to 
 
 the engine-man if the engine is not winding too quickly, ib. 3230-3232 With respect 
 
 to the process generally of winding up and down the pit, certain rules should be estab- 
 lished on which the inspectors and coalowners should act, fFooc? 3714-371 7 Sug- 
 gestion that covers should be placed on the tops of the cages used by the men in ascend- 
 ing and descending the pits, Forster 4621-4640 No persons shotdd be employed as 
 
 engineers in winding men up and down a pit under eighteen years of age; in the north 
 of England they are always upwards of twenty, ib. 4644-4648. 
 
 See also Fourdrinier's Apparatus. Machinery. Shafts. 
 
 0.76. b b 2 Atmosphere. 
 
192 
 
 ATM 
 
 B L A [acriHrut* m 
 
 Reports, 1852-53 — continued. 
 
 Atmosphere. Observations generally with respect to the effects of changes in the pressure 
 of the atmosphere upon the ventilation of mines ; the increase in the temperature dimi- 
 nishes the amount of the ventilation, Dickinson 116-128 In all cases where the 
 
 state of the atmosphere is such as to produce a halo round the candle, the quantity of 
 air should be doubled to prevent the danger of an explosion, Mackworth 852-861. 
 
 B. 
 
 Barnsley District, Yorkshire. Dangerous mode of working coal in the Barnsley district, 
 Yorkshire, where explosions are very frequent, and are to be attributed to sudden dis- 
 charges of gas from the goaves ; papers on these explosions delivered in, Blackwell, 
 4061-4065.4131 The use of the Davy lamp should be rendered compulsory through- 
 out the Barnsley district, and naked lights should be abolished altogether, ib. 4064. 
 See also Ardsley Main Colliery. Elscar Colliery. 
 
 Barometer. Remarks as to the barometer as a means of indicating danger ; the fall of the 
 barometer would indicate the necessity for greater vigilance on the part of the persons 
 having charge of the ventilation, Mackworth, 544-546. 568. 
 
 See also Explosions. 
 
 Bedlington Colliery. Letter received by witness from the workmen in the Bedlington 
 Colliery, dated 7 March 1853, complaining of the bad state of the mine; this letter 
 witness forwarded to the inspector, who visited the colliery, and suggested various im- 
 provements, which have since been carried out, Jude 2184-2200. 
 
 Belgium. Sketch of the system of long work in the steep coal seams in Belgium ; section 
 
 of workings in a seam dipping perpendicular, Dickinson 129, 130 Remarks relative 
 
 to the depth of shaft in some of the Belgian mines ; extent of the workings, and number 
 
 of men employed, ib, 144-147 In Belgium 2| per cent, of the profits arising from the 
 
 coal mines is payable to the Government ; it is an important part of the duty of the 
 inspectors to look after the interests of the Government, Dickinson 233, 234. 244, 
 
 245; Mackworth, 701. 710, 711 In Belgium the Government stand in a position 
 
 similar to the lessors of mines in this country, Dickinson 448-452 Perfect system of 
 
 management in the Belgian mines, Mackwortk 683 The mines are better laid out than 
 
 they are in England, ib. 712 Decrease in the number of deaths from accidents in the 
 
 mines in the last fifteen years, ib. 1513 The use of machinery is very extensive in the 
 
 mines of Belgium ; the furnace would be dangerous, as the shafts are commonly lined 
 
 with wood, which might be ignited by the furnace, Blackwell 4041, 4042 List of 
 
 accidents in coal mines in the province of Hainault, comprising the two districts of 
 
 Mons and Charleroi, Rep. i., App. 137. Plan of the colliery of Boussu and St. Croix 
 
 St. Clare, near Mons, ib. 141. 
 
 See also Accidents. Air-ways. Ascentional Ventilation. Ascent and Descent 
 of Mines. Closing of Mines. Dickinson, Mr. Discipline. Distribution of 
 Air. Fire-damp. Furnace Ventilation, 4. Hainault. Inspection of 
 Mines, II. 1. Long-work System. Management of Collieries. Mechanical 
 Ventilators. Mueseler's Lamp. Naked Lights. Rules and Regulations. 
 
 Safety Lamps, 3. 5. Steam-jet Ventilation, 3. Ventilation. 
 
 Benefit Societies. Remarks relative to the benefit societies and sick clubs existing among 
 the workmen in coal mines ; insufficiency of these societies to meet the case ; it is very 
 desirable that some provision should be made for the widows and orphans, which is not 
 
 the case at present, Dickinson 1369-1396 Subscriptions are paid by the men towards 
 
 a fund in the event of sickness, &c, but they would object to provide any funds for the 
 support of their widows and orphans in case of their own accidental deaths, Wood 3912- 
 
 Bentgrange Colliery. Remarks relative to the steam-jet system of ventilation, as adopted 
 at the Bentgrange Colliery, at Oldham, Dickinson 1124, 1125. 
 
 Black-damp. Reference to the inefficiency of the ventilation in some mines ; the health 
 of the miners is very prejudicially affected by the existence of black-clamp, Tetlow 3340- 
 
 3344- 
 
 Blackwell, J. Kenyon. (Analysis of his Evidence.)— Mining engineer ; has had consider- 
 able experience in the direction of mines, 3926, 3927. 3932, 3933 In 1849, witness 
 
 was commissioned by Government to report upon the state of the mining districts, with 
 a view to the prevention of accidents, 3928-3931 One of the principal recommenda- 
 tions in that report was that in all fiery mines the Davy lamp should be compulsorily 
 
 used, 3930. 4066-4077. 4082, 4083. 4090-4096 Another recommendation was, that 
 
 mining schools should be established, 3930 In consequence of the different charac- 
 ters of coal mines, and the different systems of working, no general law can be made 
 
 applicable to the entire country, 3934-3938 Natural ventilation is sufficient for the 
 
 mines in South Staffordshire, except in the summer months, 3939-394 1 * 403^ 
 
Coal Mine**] 
 
 BLACKWELL. 
 
 193 
 
 Reports, 1852-53 — continued. 
 
 Blackwell, J. Kenyon. (Analysis of his Evidence) — continued. 
 
 In Northumberland and other districts, where the pits are very deep, artificial venti- 
 lation is absolutely necessary, 3942 The particular mode of ventilation should be 
 
 left to the coalowneis, the inspectors seeing that sufficient air was provided and properly 
 
 distributed, 3943 Remarks as to the quantity of air required' by each miner; five 
 
 hundred cubic feet per minute is more than sufficient under ordinary circumstances, 
 
 3943-3948 Sudden escapes of accumulated gas frequently take place under the old 
 
 system of stall-working ; objections to this mode of working, and preference given to the 
 
 long-work system, 3946-3905 In cases of explosions, the stoppings and doors are 
 
 generally blown away ; they should be rendered much stronger and more secure, 3961- 
 3966. 
 
 Mode suggested for reducing the wastes under the pillar-and-stall system, so as not 
 
 to leave large deposits of gaseous matter in the mine, 3964, 3965 Opinion that doing 
 
 away with doors altogether would be attended with a great saving of life in cases of 
 
 explosions, 3966. 3969-3971 In Northumberland and Durham generally, and in the 
 
 collieries under Mr. Wood, there is great freedom from accidents ; this is attributable to 
 the practical and scientific attainments of the engineers of that district, 3966-3969. 3972, 
 
 3973 Description of the Lancashire collieries, and mode of working pursued therein; 
 
 sufficient attention is not paid to dividing the mine into districts, and to splitting the 
 air, 3974-3983- 
 
 Reference to an explosion at Nitshill Colliery, in Scotland; opinion that this mine 
 could not have been properly ventilated, as stated in the report of Mr. Dunn, the Govern- 
 ment inspector ; paper on the subject delivered in, detailing the system of ventilation 
 
 adopted, &c. ; sixty-one persons were killed by this explosion, 3984-3993. 4131 
 
 With respect to the coal fields of South Wales, they are almost exclusively worked on 
 the pillar-and-stall system ; defective stale of the air-ways in these collieries, and conse- 
 quent occurrence of accidents, especially in the thick coal seams, 3994-4002.4006-4008 
 The managers of the South Wales mines are as a class very deficient in their attain- 
 ments, 4003 Imperfect state of the ventilation in the Yorkshire mines, 4004 The 
 
 viewers in Yorkshire are less educated than those in the north of England, 4005 The 
 
 explosions in South Staffordshire are attributable to a want of proper air-ways, and of due 
 precautions on the part of the workmen, 4009-4011. 4028-4036. 
 
 Rematks on the North Staffordshire mines; the ventilation is ordinarily imperfect, 
 
 4012-4031 This was especially the case at the Ubberley Colliery, where an explosion 
 
 occurred some few years since, 4014-4021 The largest collieries are the best venti- 
 lated, because they are managed by men of a superior class, 4027 Observations 
 
 relative to the necessity of air-ways being of a sufficient size; the want of proper capacity 
 
 in the air-ways is the root of all imperfect ventilation, 4030-4036 How far the Davy 
 
 lamp is used in the Staffordshire mines ; it is inefficient in the working of seams thirty 
 feet in thickness, as it cannot cast the light high enough ; suggestion for the working 
 of these seams by long work in separate stages, in lieu of the present pillar-and-stall 
 system, 4037. 4039, 4040. 
 
 Reference to the ventilation of a colliery in South Wales by M. Struve's machinery, 
 as recommended by witness, in lieu of the furnace ; success of this recommendation, 4037, 
 
 4038- The use of machinery is very extensive in the mines of' Belgium ; the furnace 
 
 would be dangerous, as the shafts are commonly lined with wood, which might be ignited 
 
 by the furnace, 4041, 4042 Evidence relative to reports by witness and others on 
 
 explosions in several mines, showing the cause of the accidents, and the state of the 
 ventilation in those mines; suggestions for improving the ventilation, 8cc, 4043-4077. 
 
 4092 et ?eq. The explosion at the Haswell Colliery in 1845 was occasioned by the 
 
 insufficient separation of the ingoing from the outgoing air; seven-eighths of the loss of 
 life occurred from the after-damp; report on the subject delivered in, 4047-4052. 4131 
 In all large explosions the after-damp is the main cause of death, 4047-4052. 
 
 Remarks on the explosion in 1845 at the Jarrow Colliery ; a bratticed shaft, as used 
 
 there, is extremely insecure ; reports on this explosion handed in, 4053-4056. 4131 
 
 Reference to several other collieries where explosions have occurred, which are mainly 
 attributable to the insufficient separation of the air-currents from the doors, and from the 
 
 want of proper stoppings, 4056-4060. 4064, 4065 Dangerous mode of working coal 
 
 in the Barnsiey district, Yorkshire, where explosions are very frequent, and are to be 
 attributed to sudden discharges of gas from the goaves ; papers on these explosions 
 delivered in, 4061-4065. 4131 The use of the Davy lamp should be rendered com- 
 pulsory throughout the Barnsiey district, and naked lights should be abolished alto- 
 gether, 4064 Considerable security is afforded in all mines by the use of the Davy 
 
 lamp; concurrence with the views of Mr. N. Wood on this subject; when the lamp 
 becomes filled with flame, the miner should consider it a warning to cease working, 
 4066-4077. 4082, 4083. 
 
 Objections to Mr. Wood's suggestions for educating the officers of mines by means of 
 
 a national scientific institution, 4078-4081 A certain amount of school attendance 
 
 should be required on the part of all miners' children under a certain age, 4079, 4080 
 
 0.76. b b 3 Evidence 
 
B 0 I [UrctiJente in 
 
 Reports, 1852-53 — continued. 
 
 Blackwell, J. Kenyon. (Analysis of his Evidence) — continued. 
 
 Evidence on the present system of Government inspection ; the want of clearly 
 
 defined responsibility is very objectionable, 4084-4130 How far witness agrees with 
 
 Mr. Wood's suggestion, that the inspection should be immediately under the Board of 
 Trade, and that in cases of difficulty the school of mines proposed by him should be 
 
 consulted, 4085-4088 The responsibility should rest on the coal proprietors, and they 
 
 should be subject to prosecution in the event of accidents occurring through their neglect 
 of proper precautions, 4089-4092. 4098. 4121, 4122. 4127-4130. 
 
 Witness delivers in a list of explosions, involving altogether the loss of about 1,100 
 lives; with a few exceptions, these explosions arose from the use of naked lights, 4092- 
 
 4094 The action of the inspectors should be limited to examinations, reports, and to 
 
 offering opinions and suggestions for adoption by the coalowner, 4098, 4099. 4127-4130 
 
 The appointment of sub-inspectors from practical miners is not advisable, 4099. 
 
 4105, 4106 The inspectors should be men of great practical experience, and also of 
 
 great weight of character; a little more practical knowledge would be an improvement 
 
 to some of the present inspectors, 4099-4106 Grounds for the opinion that ihe present 
 
 number of inspectors is not sufficient; from two to three times the number are required 
 for a yearly inspection of all the mines, except some of the smaller ones, 4107-41 15. 
 
 Remarks to the effect that no improvement in the management of mines can be traced 
 to the Government inspection ; the suggestions of the inspectors have not been generally 
 
 adopted by the coalowners, 4116-4126 Extracts from reports on the subject of an 
 
 explosion in 1846 in the Risca Black Vein Pit, by which thirty-five lives were lost; 
 
 state of the ventilation, and suggestions for its improvement, 4131 • Paper delivered 
 
 in relative to an accident in March 1848 at Eaglesbush Colliery, whereby twenty persons 
 
 were killed, 4131 Remarks on the subject of an explosion in August 1849 at Lletty 
 
 Shenkin Colliery, near Aberdare ; fifty-two lives were lost on this occasion, chiefly by 
 
 suffocation from after-damp, 4131 Observations relative to explosions in December 
 
 1850, and May 1852, at Middle Dyffryn Collier v, Aberdare, by which respectively 
 thirteen and sixty-five persons were killed; character of this mine, and of the ventilation 
 adopted therein, &c, 4131. 
 
 Paper delivered in with respect to an accident at Washington Colliery, Durham, in 
 August 1851, by which thirty-five lives were lost; five-sixths of these perished from 
 
 after-damp, 4131 Remarks on the subject of an explosion in March 1847 at Ardsley 
 
 Main Colliery, near Barnsley, by which seventy-three persons were killed ; systems of 
 working and of ventilation pursued ; the after-damp was the great cause of death, 4131 
 
 Paper relative to explosions in February 1847, and January 1849, at Darley Main 
 
 Colliery, near Barnsley, by which respectively six and seventy-five lives were lost; 
 
 deficiency of the ventilation afforded, 4131 Reference to an accident in December 
 
 1851 at Warren Vale Colliery, Barnsley, by which fifty persons were killed, 4131 
 
 Remarks with respect to an explosion in January 1853 at Elscar Colliery, near Barnsley, 
 whereby ten lives were lost; limited and insecure system of the ventilation, 4131. 
 
 Observations relative to accidents at Coppull Colliery, near Chorley, in November 
 1846 and May 1852, by which respectively eight and thirty-two persons were killtd, 
 
 4131 Remarks on the subject of explosions at Ince Hall Colliery, in February 1850 
 
 and March 1853, by which respectively four and fifty lives were lost, 4131 Paper 
 
 delivered in with respect to explosions in the South Staffordshire mines; these explosions 
 arose from very imperfect ventilation, and the use of naked lights; the collieries were 
 those of Rounds Green, Heathfield, Friary Field, and Whitehall, 4131. 
 
 Blasting. Regulations with respect to the use of gunpowder in blasting in coal mines, 
 
 Dickinson 207 In all mines doubtfully safe, where lamps are employed, the use of 
 
 gunpowder should be prohibited, Swallow 2908, 2909 ; Wood 3817, 3818. 
 
 See also Gunpowder. 
 
 Board of Trade. Suggestion that the inspection of mines, like the inspection of railways, 
 become a separate department under the Board of Trade ; beneficial working of such an 
 
 arrangement, Wood 3864 et seq. There should not be any intermediate authority 
 
 between the Board of Trade and the staff of inspectors proposed by witness, ib. 3871 
 
 How far witness agrees with Mr. Wood's suggestion that the inspection should be imme- 
 diately under the Board of Trade, and that in cases of difficulty the school of mines 
 
 proposed by him should be consulted, Blackwell 4085-4088 the collieries should be^ 
 
 placed under the superintendence of the Board of Trade, as also the appointment of 
 inspectors, Forster 4728-4745. 
 
 Boiler Fires. Remarks as to the power to be attributed to the boiler fires in experiments 
 
 made with the steam-jet, Wood 3374 et seq. The power attributed by Mr. Wood to 
 
 the heat of the boiler fires, and of the waste steam; this power is much less than is gene- 
 rally supposed, Gurney 4293-4298 Considerable effect which the boiler fires have 
 
 upon the ventilation ; witness can get as much air by the boiler fires as he originally 
 
 obtained by the two furnaces at Seaton Delaval, Forster 4452-4470 The effect of the 
 
 heat 
 
B O I 
 
 C H O 
 
 •95 
 
 Reports, 1 852-53 — continued. 
 
 Boiler Fires — continued. 
 
 heat of the boiler fires producing the ventilation in Seaton Delaval Colliery was in the 
 proportion of about 51 £ per cent., while the mechanical action of the jet was about 48 J 
 per cent., Forster 4513-4521. 
 
 See also Seaton Delaval Colliery, 1. 
 
 Bore Holes. Impossibility of bore-holes being sunk down from the surface into the goaves, 
 so as to allow holes for the pent-up gas to escape, as recommended in the report of the 
 
 Committee of 1852, Dickinson 1 178-1185 Witness would not recommend bore-holes 
 
 being made into the goaf, as it is more than probable they would become down-easts, 
 
 Jude 1984-1990 Objection to putting down bore-holes, Swallow 2560-2562 The 
 
 report of the Committee of 1852, as to putting bore-holes down on the goaves, is per- 
 fectly absurd ; the effect would be to send air into the holes, and probably water also, 
 instead of extracting the air out of them, Wood 3650-3654. 
 
 Boty's Lamp. See Safety Lamps, 5. 
 
 Boussa and St. Croix St. Clare Colliery (Belgium). Plan of this colliery, Rep. i. App. 
 141. 
 
 Boys. It is very material to the safety of the workmen working in various pits that the 
 traps should be carefully attended to; this duty is generally performed by boys; witness 
 is not prepared to recommend that boys should not be employed, Dickinson 1397-1401 
 
 Recommendation that a law should be enacted, prohibiting boys between ten and 
 
 fourteen working more than eight hours per day ; they at present work twelve hours, 
 
 which is too much, Jude 2058-2074 Boys under fifteen years of age are not allowed 
 
 to wind up and down the shafts; the age of such boys should not be under eighteen 
 years, Swallow 2812, 2813. 
 
 See also Employment of Children. Schools, 1. 
 
 Brattices. Remarks with respect to the air being taken up the face of the work by a 
 brattice ; necessity of the brattice being carried sufficiently near the face to sweep it of 
 
 all gas, Mackworth 653-659 There is always great danger in having a brattice in a 
 
 shaft, Jude 1753 Deficiency of bratticing in the Newcastle and Durham coal mines; 
 
 the only way of insuring the brattice being carried to the face of the work is by constant 
 
 inspection, ib. 1795-1808 Necessity for the use of brattices, Gray 3078, 3079. 3135- 
 
 3137.3141. See also Anemometer. Natural Brattice. 
 
 C. 
 
 Carbonic Acid Gas. See Alloa Colliery. 
 
 Carelessness of Miners. The carelessness on the part of the miners arises very much from 
 recklessness of danger; they do not consider they are running any risk, Dickinson 376- 
 
 382 It is desirable that specific enactments should be made against wilful neglect on 
 
 the part of the men, Jude 2087-2092 How far sufficient enactments are at present 
 
 provided against workmen who have been guilty of carelessness or recklessness whilst in 
 
 the colliery, Swallow 2865-2876 The miners are fined or imprisoned for gross acts of 
 
 carelessness in witness's district; no improvement of the law is required on this head, 
 Forster 4806-4809. See also Punishment. Safety Lamps, 3, 4. 
 
 Cayley, Edward. (Analysis of his Evidence.) — Has given attention to the question of ven- 
 tilation of mines, 1521, 1522 Remarks relative to the fire in the mine at Alloa, 
 
 Scotland, being extinguished by the injection of carbonic acid gas into the mine by 
 
 means of the steam-jet after all other means had failed, 1523-1536. 1542 Loss of 
 
 power in machine ventilation from the friction, 1537, 1 538 There is no loss of power 
 
 on the steam-jet from friction, 1539 Observations upon the subject of the steam-jet; 
 
 grounds for the opinion that the steam-jet is a more powerful agent of ventilation than 
 
 the furnace, 1539-1547 There is a limit to the furnace power of ventilation, 1545 
 
 The steam-jet, among the mechanical powers, is a more economical agent than any other 
 
 apparatus, and less liable to danger from explosion, 1548 Remarks as to the explosion 
 
 at Nitshill Colliery ; there was no artificial means of ventilation, they trusted entirely to 
 nature, 1549-1551. 
 
 Central Board. The central Government Board should consist of men well qualified to 
 investigate existing evils, and to remedy the same; it would be an advantage if they had 
 a practical knowledge of mining, Tetlow 3280-3286. 
 
 See also Board of Trade. Closing of Mines. Sub-Lnspectors. 
 Choke-damp. See After-damp. Refuge Stalls. 
 
 -0.76. 
 
 B B 4 
 
 Clanny 
 
ig6 
 
 C L A 
 
 COR [amtonta in 
 
 Reports, 1852-53 — continued. 
 
 Clanny Lamp. Remarks relative to the Clanny lamp; preference given by the workmen to 
 
 it over the Davy lamp, Jude 181 0-1 8 17 Opinion that all lamps constructed on the 
 
 principle of Dr. Clanny's are perfectly safe, and should be enforced in collieries ; advan- 
 tage of the flame being surrounded by glass, Henderson 2307--2310. 2314-2321. 2332 
 
 The Clanny lamp, which has a copper wire gauze, explodes more readily than the 
 
 Davy lamp; objection to copper wire, "00^3747-3749. 3754. 
 See also Davy Lamp. Safety Lamps, 2. 
 
 Cleaning of L,amps. See Safety Lamps, 4. 
 
 Closing of Mines. Remarks relative to the power of the inspectors in Belgium to stop the 
 working of a mine in the event of its being improperly worked or being considered unsafe, 
 
 Dickinson, 243-250 ; Mackworth 703-706 Where great danger evidently exists, 
 
 and the proprietor refuses to resoit to the most approved means for increasing the safety, 
 the inspector should have the power to order the working of the mine to cease until such 
 time as its condition be improved, or an arbitration shall have been held on the case, 
 
 Dickinson 901-913 Objections to the inspectors having the power to stop the working 
 
 of a mine considered to be in a dangerous state, Mackworth 1 658-1663. 1676 After 
 
 it had been decided upon an arbitration that a mine was unsafe, a magistrate should have 
 
 the power of stopping the same, ib. 1659. 1 676 One inspector should not have power to 
 
 stop the working of a colliery; suggestion that there be a number of sub-inspectors 
 appointed, and that he should take counsel with them as to the advisability of closing any 
 
 mine, Swallow 2489, 2490- If the recommendations of the inspector were not attended 
 
 to he should report the same to some Central Board in London, who should have power, 
 
 after investigation, to close the mine, Tetlow 3252-3262 Objection to the inspector 
 
 having power to stop a mine under any circumstances, Forster 4739. 
 
 Coed Talon Colliery. Evidence with respect to the Coed Talon Colliery, in Flintshire ; it is 
 very roughly managed ; there have been more than the ordinary proportion of accidents, 
 Dickinson 1346-1357. 
 
 Comle's Vintilator. Plan of Combe's ventilating fan, Rep. i. App. Plan (C.) 
 
 Consumption of Coal. Result of experiments at Helton and Tyne Main Collieries in the 
 
 relative consumption of coal by the steam-jet and furnace, Rep. iii. App. 159-161 
 
 Statement as to the consumption by furnaces, ib. 171. 
 
 See also Furnace Ventilation, 2. 5. Helton Colliery, 2. Mechanical Ventilators, 2- 
 Section Delaval Colliery, I: 
 
 Coppull Colliery. Observations relative to accidents at Coppuil Colliery, near Chorley, in 
 November 1846, and May 1852, by which respectively eight and thirty-two persons 
 were killed, Btackwell 4131. 
 
 Coroners' Inquests. Frequency of coroners' inquests being held in cases of fatal accidents in 
 mines, without the inspector being acquainted with the fact of an accident having occurred ; 
 the law as regards coroners' inquests admits of improvements, Dickinson 1235-1258 
 Witness would not recommend the attendance of the inspector on all coroners' in- 
 quests relating to those mines under his inspection, unless the inspector is made the 
 coroner; on the Continent they have 110 coroners, and it is part of the inspector's duty 
 
 to inquire into every collierv accident, ib. 1282 The miners are very dissatisfied with 
 
 the coroners' juries ; they wish for a better class of jurymen ; no persons engaged in the 
 
 working of a colliery should be on the jury, Jude 1838, 1839.2213-2217 Suggestions 
 
 for altering the constitution of coroners' juries on accidents in coal mines ; they should be 
 empowered to inflict such penalties as aie necessary for the relief of the distressed, and 
 
 to enforce better regulations, Jude 2218-2222; Henderson 2407-2423 Objection to 
 
 the present system of coroners' inquests with respect to accidents in coalmines; the 
 coroners should be practically acquainted with mining, and the juries should be differ- 
 ently constituted, Swallow 2824-2862 Government inspectors, such as Mr. Dickinson, 
 
 would be very well qualified for coroners, but they should not also retain their inspector- 
 ships, ib. 2838-2849. 
 
 Flalf of the jury should be miners, and the other half should be independent parties 
 
 otherwise engaged in life, Swallow 2850-2857 A power to assess damages should be 
 
 given to a coroner and jury thus constituted, ib. 2858-2862 The present system of 
 
 coroners' juries is not satisfactory; they should be partly composed of men thoroughly 
 
 conversant with the nature of » coal-pit, Tetlow 3324-3329 Witness cannot suggest 
 
 any improvement upon the present system of coroners' juries, Wood 3901, 3902 The 
 
 efficiency of inspection would be increased if an official record were kept of the proceed- 
 ings before coroners' juries, and of the inquiries of the inspectors themselves, ib. 3901 
 Great difficulty in obtaining proper persons to serve on coroners' juries ; no one con- 
 nected with a colliery where an accident occurs ought to be on a jury, Forster 4803- 
 4805. 
 
 Cost 
 
Coal |Mtiif0 t ] COS 
 
 D E N 
 
 197 
 
 Reports, 1852-53 — continued. 
 
 Cost of Ventilators. Comparative cost of eight kinds of ventilating machines, according to 
 M. Ponson, Rep. i. App. 142. See also Mechanical Ventilators, 1. 
 
 Covering Pits. There would be no practical advantage in having a cover over the top of 
 the pit, to prevent the men walking into it, n^ooi 3709-3713. 
 
 Crime. As a body, the miners of England are more free from crime than any other class 
 of the population ; this may be attributed to the fact of their being under the eye of 
 their masters, and generally removed from the vicinity of large towns, Wood 3922-3924. 
 
 Crookbank Colliery. Reference to the resistance of the air in Crook bank Colliery ; paper 
 
 on the subject delivered, showing experiments, by Mr. Green well, Wood 3628 
 
 Result of experiments made with a view to ascertain the friction of air-currents in mines, 
 or the factor by which to multiply the theoretical velocity, as obtained by calculation, in 
 order to obtain the actual velocity, Rep. iii. App, 174, 175. 
 
 Crossings. Crossings are very weak points in a mine ; great care should be taken that they 
 are made of sufficient strength, Mackworth 1583, 1584. 
 
 Currents of Air. The use of a ventilator affords additional security for having a uniform 
 current of air, Mackworth 1495. 
 
 See also Distribution of Air. Goaves. Splitting the Air. Velocity of Currents. 
 
 Cylinders. See Steam-jet Ventilation, 1. 
 
 D. 
 
 Damages at Law. Remarks relative to the law which empowers the widows and orphans 
 of colliers killed by accident to recover damages from the managers or owners of 
 collieries ; instance of an action having been brought at Wakefield, Dickinson 1402- 
 
 1404 In the event of accidents occurring from the neglect of the proprietors, the 
 
 parties bring an action under Lord Campbell's Act, Furster 4810, 481 1. 
 
 Danger Signals. Explanation as to the danger signals adapted to the ventilators in 
 Belgium, which act through the medium of the water-gauges; these signals might be 
 
 adapted to furnace ventilation, Mackworth 1495-1501 Plan of ventilator danger 
 
 signals, Rep. i. App. Plan (G). See also Approach of Danger. 
 
 Darley Main Colliery. Paper relative to explosions in February 1847 an( * January 1849, 
 at Darley Main Colliery, near Bamsley, by which respectively six and seventy-five lives 
 were lost ; deficiency of the ventilation afforded, Blackwell 4131. 
 
 Davy Lamp. Considering all the circumstances with reference to safety lamps, witness is 
 
 disposed to give the preference to the Davy lamp, Dickinson 1300-1330 Opinion in 
 
 favour of the Davy lamp ; witness never met with any well-substantiated case of an 
 
 explosion having occurred from its use, Mackworth 1589-1594 The common Davy 
 
 lamp is the one used by witness; preference given to it over the Clanny lamp; security 
 
 of Dr. Glover's lamp, Gray 3024-3033 Comparison of expense between the use of 
 
 the Davy lamp and of candles, showing that it is fifty per cent, cheaper to work with 
 
 the former, ib. 3056-3067 In the experiments made by witness, the Davy lamp did 
 
 not explode till the wire gauze had attained a brilliant white heat, the lamp being moved 
 at a velocity of fifteen feet per second, Wood 3743-3745- 3761-3763. 3809 As a wire- 
 gauze lamp, the Davy lamp is the most secure; deficiency of light shown by this lamp, 
 ib. 377 2 - 3803, 3804. 
 
 Recommendation that in all fiery mines the Davy lamp should be compulsorily used, 
 
 Blackwell 3930. 4066-4077. 4082, 4083. 4090-4096 How far the Davy lamp is used 
 
 in the Staffordshire mines ; it is inefficient in the working of seams thirty feet in thickness 
 as it cannot cast the light high enough ; suggestion for the working of these seams by 
 long work, in separate stages, in lieu of the present pillar-and-stall system, ib. 4037. 
 
 4039, 4040 Considerable security is afforded in all mines by the use of the Davy 
 
 lamp; concurrence with the views of Mr. N.Wood on this subject; when the lamp 
 becomes filled with flame, the miner should consider it a warning to cease working, 
 
 ib. 4066-4077. 4082, 4083 The Davy lamp is perfectly secure in a still atmosphere, 
 
 and also in motion when the fire-damp has not reached the most inflammable point; it 
 
 is unsafe when the fire-damp has arrived at the explosive mixture, Gitrney 4336 
 
 Simplicity of the Davy lamp, Forster 4694. 
 
 See also Clanny Lamp. Safety Lamps, 2. 5. Wire-gauze Lamps. 
 
 Density of Air. Result of experiments on the density of the air in the up-cast shaft at 
 Killingworth Colliery, Rep. iii. App. 155. 
 
 0.76. 
 
 Dickinson, 
 
198 DICKINSON. [HcatKttt* in 
 
 Reports, 1852-53 — continued. 
 
 Dickinson, Joseph (Analysis of his Evidence). — Government inspector of mines for the dis- 
 trict of Lancashire, Cheshire, and North Wales, 1-4 Has been recently engaged with 
 
 Mr. Mackworth on a mission of inspection in Belgium, France, and Germany, 5-8 
 
 The common system of working mines in Belgium is long work ; remarks on the system 
 as adopted in that country, 9 et seq. Explanation of the system of long work as prac- 
 tised in this country; difficulty in carrying on ventilation under the system, unless the 
 goh is packed very tightly, and the sides of it clayed to prevent leakage through the gob, 
 
 10-15 Advantage of driving the galleries to the extremity of the mine and working 
 
 the coal backwards, as it ensures a permanent air-way at all times; witness would par- 
 ticularly recommend this system of working in fire-damp mines, 11-24 Witness sees 
 
 no greater difficulty in ventilating a mine with air-ways in the solid coal than with air- 
 ways maintained by gobbing, 23 There is generally sufficient rubbish in the mines 
 
 to fiil the gob; in thick mines when there is not sufficient rubbish it is brought down the 
 pits from the surface, 26-28. 
 
 Particulars as to the working of the thick coal in the south of Franoe, 28 The thick 
 
 coal of Staffordshire is worked long work, which is a great improvement on the old sys- 
 tem, 28-39 Reference to the enormous annual loss of life among the workmen in 
 
 thick-coal collieries worked under the old systems, 28 There is no system so effica- 
 cious as long work ; all the coal is obtained by it, and the ventilation is much simplified, 
 
 28-30 Statement as to the counties in which long work has been adopted ; it is as 
 
 well done in the districts in England as it is in Belgium, 31-33. 38-42 Nature of the 
 
 danger attending the beginning of the system of long work ; the first weight is generally 
 a dangerous weight; the men usually abandon that portion of the work until the subsi- 
 dence of the roof takes place, 34-37. 
 
 The system of long work is applicable to the South Wales coal fields ; its introduction 
 
 there would be the means of reducing the cost of getting the coal, 43 Long work is 
 
 peculiarly applicable to the ironstone mines, 43 Opinion that long work is the 
 
 cheapest and best system, and is applicable to thick and thin seams of coal, 44-48 
 
 Possibility of applying the system of long work to mines which are already established, 
 
 though in some cases it would entail great expense, 49-51 Evidence showing the 
 
 advantages of the long-work system for ventilation over the pillar-and-stall working; 
 much greater force must be applied to secure good ventilation on the stall system as 
 
 compared with the long-work system, 52-75 Observations with respect to the roofs 
 
 of coal mines ; the system of long work is applicable to roofs of various descriptions, 
 76-88. 
 
 Sketch of a method of working the great bed of coal at St. Etienne in the south 
 of France', 83 Opinion as to best mode of commencing the long-work sys- 
 tem ; the best plan is to work the lower part first, taking care to pack the gob very tight 
 
 with rubbish, 89-100 With regard to the ventilation of goaves, it is necessary either to 
 
 ventilate them thoroughly, so as to clear out the whole of the fire-damp, or not to do it 
 
 at all; an imperfectly ventilated goaf is a most dangerous thins; in a colliery, 98-101 
 
 Remarks relative to the proportion of atmospheric air required to be mixed with the fire- 
 damp to render it explosive ; when the air is too foul to be inflammable, it is not capable 
 
 of respiration, 102-115 Observations generally with respect to the effects of changes 
 
 in the pressure of the atmosphere upon the ventilation of mines; the increase in the 
 temperature diminishes the amount of the ventilation, 116-128. 
 
 Diagram of every explosion which has taken place in witness's district during 1852, show- 
 ing the days on which the explosions took place, the variations of the barometer, taken 
 three times a day, the variations of temperature, and the difference between the wet and 
 
 dry bulb of a thermometer and the daily fall of rain, 117 With a properly ventilated 
 
 colliery, the ventilation ought always to be such as to sweep away any discharge of fire- 
 damp from the goaves, 121 Fire-damp and atmospheric air both expand by increased 
 
 temperature; reason why the change is likely to be a cause of danger in the mine, 
 
 123-125' Sketch of the system of long work in the steep coal seams in Belgium; 
 
 section of workings in a seam dipping perpendicular, 129, 130 -Evidence relative to 
 
 the means of ventilation adopted in Belgium ; mechanical appliances are very common, 
 
 and appear to be on the increase, 131, 132 A great number of mines in Belgium, 
 
 France, and Germany ate carried on by natural ventilation only, 132. 
 
 Description of the several mechanical appliances in use in Belgium, of which there are 
 seven different varieties, namely, Fabrey's, Letorel's, Pasquet's, Lessoine's, Motte's, 
 Lamielle's, and the piston which is similar to Mr. Struve's ; of these Fabrey's ia the 
 
 best, 131-141 LUt of experiments made in certain coal mines in Belgium with 
 
 Fabrey's and Letoret's ventilating machines ; cost of the ventilators, together with the 
 
 steam engines and erections, 141 Witness is disposed to consider Mr. Struve's 
 
 mechanical apparatus preferable to any of those in use in Belgium with reference to 
 
 economical working, 142, 143 Remarks relative to the depth of shaft in some of the 
 
 Belgian mines ; extent of the workings, and number of men employed, 144-147- 
 
 The mechanical system of ventilation in Belgium is not a satisfactory system, or one 
 
 that witness would recommend to be adopted in this country, 148-150 As a general 
 
 rule, there is not a large quantity of fire-damp in any of the continental mines ; they do 
 not appear to yield as much fire-damp as the mines in the north of England, 15 1-1 53 
 —Particulars relative to the use of the furnace as a means of ventilation in Belgium ; 
 
Coal mine*.] 
 
 DICKINSON. 
 
 *99 
 
 Reports, 1 852-53 — continued. 
 
 Dickinson, Joseph. (Analysis of his Evidence) — continued. 
 
 the furnace is inadmissible in mines which are called fire-damp mines, 154-173 The 
 
 system of steam-jet is not used in Belgium; there is an opinion that steam-jet is not a 
 
 sufficient ventilating power, 155. 219-222 With regard to the up-cast shaft, there is 
 
 no doubt that it is advantageous for it to be bricked from top to bottom; a furnace not 
 
 working into a bricked shaft is not in a condition to produce the best effect, 164-173 
 
 As a whole, ihe system of ventilation by furnace is very imperfectly carried out in Belgium, 
 1 73-i74- 
 
 An immense quantity of ventilation on the Continent is carried on by natural ventila- 
 tion, 175, 176 Evidence as to the inspection of mines in Belgium; the control which 
 
 is exercised by the Government inspectors in Belgium is much more stringent than that 
 which is exercised by the Government inspectors in this country ; their powers are more 
 
 extensive, 181-200 Instruments seem to be very little used in any of the continental 
 
 mines as a means of indicating danger, 183 Regulation with respect to the air-courses 
 
 in mines in Belgium, 201 Opinion that the lamp is a very accurate means of testing the 
 
 safety or danger of mines, 202-207— — Regulations with respect to the use of powder in 
 
 blasting in coal mines, 207 In this country it is considered perfectly safe to work the 
 
 return air over the furnace; ihe furnace works most economically when all the return air 
 is worked over it, 211-215. 
 
 The longest level witness saw in Belgium was a mile from the shaft; ihis was con- 
 sidered adequately ventilated by mechanical power, but in this country a much larger 
 
 supply of air would have been provided, 216-218 The furnace mode of ventilation is 
 
 not so well carried out in Belgium as it is in this country, 223 Evidence generally 
 
 with respect to the system of inspection of mines, and the number of inspectors in Belgium 
 
 224-292 In Belgium 2| per cent, of the profits arising from the coal mines is payable 
 
 to the Government ; it is an important part of the duty of the inspectors to look af ter the 
 
 interests of the Government, 233, 234. 244, 245 Remarks relative to the power of the 
 
 inspectors in Belgium to stop the working of a mine in the event of its being improperly 
 
 worked, or being considered unsafe, 243-250 The visits of the inspectors in Beloium 
 
 are more frequent than they are in this country ; this is owing to the great difference in 
 the extent of the districts, 259-268. 
 
 Particulars as to the books kept at each mine in Belgium for the inspecting engineers 
 
 to write remarks in on their visits, 279, 280 Class of men who are charged with the 
 
 daily inspection of the mines in Belgium ; they are similar to the overmen in this country, 
 are employed by the proprietors of the mines, and are not paid by Government, 285-292 
 
 Naked candles are used in mines in Belgium which do not contain fire-damp, 
 
 293-296- Particulars as to the use of the safety-lamps in the Belgian mines ; there are 
 
 only four lamps which are approved by the Government, namely, Davy's, Museleer's, 
 
 Boty's, and Elvin's ; difference in ihe cost of these lamps, 293-310 The Museleer 
 
 lamp is the one which is most commonly used ; very great confidence is placed in it in 
 
 Belgium, 299-302 The proprietors of the mines in Belgium provide the safety-lamps, 
 
 310. 
 
 Frequency of the miners in this country unscrewing the top of the safety-lamps and 
 working by the naked flame, on account of the gauze obstructing the light ; this is a 
 punishable offence ; this evil is not near so frequent among the miners in Belgium, 311- 
 323 — —How far any advantage would result from having the wires of the safety-lamp 
 polished perfectly bright ; this might increase the light, 324-332 Since the recom- 
 mendation of the last Committee reflecting safety-lamps have been tried, but have failed, 
 from the tin melting off the reflectors; opinion that they would melt were they silver- 
 plated, 333-339 The safety and sufficiency of the lamp depends altogether upon its 
 
 being kept clean; system pursued in Belgium to ensure the cleaning of the lamps, 
 333-335- 
 
 It is very desirable to have a safety-lamp of some kind which will give the miners a 
 
 better light without unscrewing the lop, 340-346 Necessity for the safety-lamps being 
 
 well looked after; some person should be appointed to the duty of inspecting the lamps 
 every morning before they are used, and the collier should also be held responsible for 
 the efficiency of his lamp, 347-364 Remarks as to the duties performed by the over- 
 men in mines ; one element which witness would recommend as contributing to the safety 
 
 of mines would be a more careful superintendence, 365-370 Opinion that the law as 
 
 it exists at present is sufficiently stringent in punishing men who are guilty of an infrac- 
 tion of regulations, if the law was properly administered, 371-375 The carelessness 
 
 on the part of the miners arises very much from recklessness of danger ; they do not con- 
 sider they are running any risk, 376-382. 
 
 Remarks relative to smoking in mines ; how far any danger arises from the prac- 
 tice; there would be no difficulty in putting a stop to the practice if proper precau- 
 tions were taken by the manager, 383-387 The lamp is not to be considered 
 
 an absolute security under all circumstances; with a current of eight miles an hour 
 
 through the meshes of the lamp, there would be a chance of an explosion, 388-402 
 
 As a general principle, witness considers the best source of safety to consist of improved 
 
 ventilation, 403, 404 It would be advantageous if the safety -lamps were always locked 
 
 to prevent the miners opening them, 405-411 If there were a specific enactment for 
 
 punishing men incase of their endangering the lives of their fellow-workmen by opening 
 
 0.76. c c 2 their 
 
200 
 
 DICKINSON. 
 
 [glccttrentss tit 
 
 Reports, 1852-53 — continued. 
 
 Dickinson, Joseph. (Analysis of his Evidence) — continued. 
 
 their lamps or smoking, a great moral effect would be produced, 41 2 The system of 
 
 inspection in Belgium does not diminish the sense of responsibility on the part of the 
 owners of mines, 413. 
 
 Remarks as to the peculiarity with regard to the system of ventilation as to return 
 air : this is particularly attended to in Belgium ; it is a very important principle in venti- 
 lation, 414-420 Statement of the number of accidents which have occurred in coal 
 
 and other mines in Belgium in the five years ending 1849, and also in the years 1851 and 
 
 1852, showing the number of lives lost, 421 List of accidents in coal and other 
 
 mines in Prussia during the years 1847, 1848, 1849, 1851, and 1852; 421 List of 
 
 accidents in Prussia in coal mines only, 1847 to 1851 ; 421 The Belgian mines are 
 
 much more fiery and dangerous than the Prussian or the French mines, 422 State- 
 ment of the accidents in coalmines in England, in 1851 and 1852; comparison between 
 the loss of life in Belgium and England, 423-427. 
 
 Remarks relative to the ascent and descent of mines ; in Belgium ropes are forbidden, 
 
 and ladders, which are considered safer, are resorted to, 428-430 There woidd be great 
 
 difficulty in getting the miners in England to ascend or descend the deep pits by ladders ; 
 
 it must be very unhealthy, the work beino; so very laborious, 428 Return of the loss of 
 
 life by colliery accidents in England, Wales, and Scotland, during the years 1851 and 
 
 1852, as reported by the inspectors of coal mines, 428 Opinion that, with proper 
 
 attention, accidents would not occur from the use of ropes as a means of ascent and 
 descent; witness has more faith in good tackle and in sood winding arrangements than 
 in Mr. Fourdrinier's patent, 431-434. 
 
 Great number of accidents which occur in this country from people walking down pits; 
 
 such a thing on the Continent is almost unknown, from the pits being fenced, 435 It is 
 
 quite practicable to have a cage to drop down on the pit as an effective precaution against 
 
 loss of life by falling down pits, which is very common, 430, 431 Recommendation 
 
 of certain fundamental rules for improving the safety of coal mines which would be agreed 
 to by the majority of experienced managers and which may be carried out in practice, 
 
 437-440 As a general rule, the best managed mines in England are better managed 
 
 than the mines in Belgium or any of the continental mines, 438 The mines in this 
 
 country do not require the number of inspectors which the continental governments have 
 
 for their mines, 439 There is very little fire-damp in Prussia, which accounts for the 
 
 few accidents arising from that cause, 441-444. 
 
 The precautions in Prussia with regard to ventilation are very slight indeed ; the 
 
 majority of the mines are carried on by natural ventilation, 444 There is nothing in 
 
 the Prussian system witness would recommend to be adopted in this country, except the 
 
 fencing of the pits, 445 Particulars with regard to the system of inspection in Prussia, 
 
 446, 447 In Belgium and Prussia the Government stand in a similar position to the 
 
 lessor of mines in this country, 448-452 In Prussia the Government receives five per 
 
 cent, of the profits from one portion of the kingdom, and five per cent, of the produce 
 
 from another portion of the kingdom, 451 Remarks relative to the coal mines in 
 
 Fiance; the mines are worked very well, and the accidents are few, 453-459 The 
 
 long-work system of working thick coal at St. Etienne, France, might be introduced 
 into South Staffordshire, 460, 461. 470, 471 Particulars as to the system of inspec- 
 tion in France; the Government take five per cent, of the profits, 462, 463 The 
 
 system of long work as carried out at St. Etienne, is not universally adopted in France ; 
 it would be advantageous if it was adopted in all places where thick coal is worked, 
 464-473. 
 
 [Second Examination.] — The appointment of sub-inspectors would relieve the inspector 
 of the most laborious part of his duties, but the appointment of sub-inspector would be 
 verv strongly opposed by the colliery owners, 890-892 Witness never heard any com- 
 plaints of the insufficiency of the present inspection, 893 Opinion that a very mode- 
 rate increase in the present number of inspectors would be quite sufficient for all the 
 
 requirements of this country, 894, 896 Instead of increasing the number of inspectors, 
 
 the better plan would be to increase their power, 896-902 List of rules and regula- 
 tions which might be laid down as fundamental rules for the management of every coliiery 
 
 in the country, 897 The present Act for the inspection of mines might be amended ; 
 
 suggestion that ironstone mines be included in the Act, 897-900. 
 
 Where great danger evidently exists in a mine, and the proprietor refuses to resort to 
 the most approved means for increasing its safety, the inspector should have the power 
 to order the working of the mine to cease until such time as its condition be improved, 
 
 or an arbitration shall have been held on the case, 901-913 Witness rather objects to 
 
 receiving information from the workmen in coal mines direct, as it might interfere with 
 
 the good feeling which should exist between master and man, 903-908 With regard 
 
 to the plans of mines, the Act should be more stringent than it is at present ; frequency 
 of mines being worked without plans; plans in all cases should be made of collieries, 
 and enforced by penalties, 913-932 — ■ — Frequency of accidents arising from borings 
 
 being 
 
<<roal JMiHf**] 
 
 DICKINSON: 
 
 201 
 
 Reports, 1852-53 — continued. 
 
 Dickinson, Joseph. (Analysis of his Evidence) — continued. 
 being made into old workings filled with water, in consequence of the absence of plans 
 of the workings, 916-931. 
 
 With reference to encroachments being made, and coal extracted from adjoining pro- 
 perties, the offence, by law, is felony ; instance of a colliery owner in Lancashire, who 
 was tried and sentenced to seven years' transportation, 933-938— — (Mr. Lancaster.) 
 Particulars of the case of a colliery owner in Lancashire being tried for stealing coal 
 by trespassing on adjoining properties ; Mr. Dickinson's evidence is substantially correct, 
 
 939-941 (Mr. Dickinson.) Recommendation that all old pits should be fenced off 
 
 so as to prevent persons falling into them ; pits are much more dangerous than quarries, 
 
 942-947 When accidents occur, the proprietor of the mine is obliged to send notice 
 
 to the Secretary of State; it would be very advantageous if notice was at the same time 
 sent to the inspector, as it would enable him to be early at the scene of accident, 948- 
 957- 
 
 Witness, in conjunction with Mr. Dunn, Mr. Mackworth, :md Mr. Wynne, made some 
 experiments with reference to the steam-jet and furnace power at Seaton Delaval Col- 
 liery on the 15th and 16th December 1852; 958-960 Mr. Forster was not present 
 
 at those experiments, he being laid up at the time from an accident, 961-965 Report 
 
 on the experiments made at Seaton Delaval Colliery, showing the results thereof, 966, 
 
 967. 99 1_ 993 The Seaton Delaval application of the steam-jet is not one of the best 
 
 witness has seen ; the jets, as recently applied by Mr. Darlington at Ince Hall are done 
 
 in a superior manner to Seaton Delaval, 968-971. 1079-1083 Depth of the main 
 
 shaft at Seaton Delaval ; the colliery is ventilated by four down-cast shafts and one 
 
 up-cast shaft, 974-978 Statement of the ventilating power at Seaton Delaval ; way in 
 
 which the steam-jet is applied; gi eat number of steam-jets employed, 979-986. 
 
 Remarks as to the greatest velocity of air obtained in the experiments with the steam- 
 jet at Seaton Delava! ; the measurements were taken twice, with numerous checks, to 
 produce accuracy, 987. 994-1007 Particulars relative to the temperature of the atmo- 
 sphere as measured at the time of the experiments with the steam-jet at Seaton Helaval 
 
 Colliery, 987-990. 1004-1007 The Seaton Delaval mine is worked by pillar and 
 
 stall, the ordinary work of the north of England, 1008-1013 Explanation as to the 
 
 manner in which the experiments were carried out at Seaton Delaval Colliery, with a 
 view of proving what was due to the steam-jet, and what was due to other causes, namely, 
 furnaces and the issuing of steam from the engine, 1014-1066. 
 
 Opinion that one eight-foot furnace properly constructed at the bottom of the up-cast 
 shaft of the Sea'on Delaval Colliery would give more air than the whole of the steam 
 
 powers now at work, and with a very much smaller consumption of fuel, 1053 During 
 
 the experiments at Seaton Delaval, the under managers and resident viewer were present, 
 
 and checked the measurements made at the different splits, 1067-1083 Opinion that 
 
 the steam-jet, with the additional temperature of the up-cast shaft, caused by the increased 
 consumption of coal and the more perfect combustion, can only operate as a power to the 
 
 extent of 3,600 cubic feet per minute, 1076-1078 None of the experiments made by 
 
 witness have led him to the conclusion that the steam-jet is so efficacious or so economical 
 as the furnace, 1080. 
 
 The furnace operates by rarefaction ; statement as to what is the test of that rarefaction, 
 
 1085, 1086 The best gauge of the ventilating power, and that most commonly used, 
 
 is the water-gauge, 1087 The greatest extent of variation of the water-gauge that 
 
 witness has ever known by the furnaces has been two inches, 1088 Observations as to 
 
 the extraordinary variations produced on the water-gauge with the steam-jet ; reference to 
 the experiments which took place at the Polytechnic Institution last year witli the steam- 
 jet, 1089-1099 Witness does not consider the ventilation sufficient in the Seaton 
 
 Delaval Colliery, at the rate of 33,000 feet a minute, considering the large quantity of 
 
 coal raised and ihe number of men at work, 1100-1102 The water-gauge, as applied 
 
 to the power of ventilation with the steam-jet, is no criterion at all, 1 103-1 105 Witness 
 
 has no reliance upon the water-gauge ; he prefers the anemometer, 1 106, 1 107. 
 
 Evidence generally as to a series of experiments made by Mr. Wynne and witness at 
 Ince Hall Colliery, Wigan, with respect to the ventilation by steam-jet; detail of the 
 results of those experiments, 1108-1125 Experiments made with respect to the steam- 
 jet and furnace ventilation at the Pemberton Pits, Ince Hall Colliery, Wigan ; and results 
 
 thereof, "1109 Remarks relative to the steam-jet system of ventilation, as adopted at 
 
 the Bentgrange Colliery, at Oldham, 1124, 1125 Opinion that the mechanical power 
 
 of the steam-jet, without any rarefaction whatever, is a very small aid in ventilating a pit, 
 
 1126, 1127 The furnace is much more economical than the steam-jet; the same 
 
 quantity of coal would give more ventilation burned in a furnace than under a boiler, 
 
 1128-1136 The furnace is not so peculiarly applicable to shallow pits as to deep 
 
 ones, 1 136. 
 
 Mr. Darlington accompanied witness when making the experiments at Ince Hall 
 Colliery, and made no objection to the mode adopted in carrying on the experiments, 
 1137-1139 Instances in which the steam-jet might be usefully applied in the venti- 
 
 0.76. c c 3 lation 
 
DICKINSON. [ncmenu in 
 
 Reports, 1852-53 — continued. 
 
 Dickinson, Joseph. (Analysis of his Evidence) — continued. 
 
 lation of mines, 1140-1148 For the tiansmission of large quantities of air through 
 
 coal mines the steam-jet is not sufficiently powerful unless applied in conjunction with 
 
 temperature, 1140 Importance of spacious air-ways; impossibility of transmitting 
 
 a large amount of air through a colliery without large air-ways, 1149-1152 It is 
 
 very desirable that the goaf should be thoroughly cleared of foul air, 1151 Great skill 
 
 required for ensuring the proper distribution of air; both in the splitting and in the proper 
 distribution of the air to the different parts of the working the system might be improved, 
 1153-1 159- 
 
 Necessity for all coal mines being; ventilated ; in no case ought the men to be allowed 
 to work where there is not sufficient air to support a candle burning freely, 1157-1168 
 
 In ordinary cases, with proper attention, it is quite easy to split the air, and carry 
 
 it to different parts of the workings ; in a large colliery it is indispensably necessary to 
 
 split the air, 1169-1174 When the traffic is carried across the ventilation doors are 
 
 used ; frequency of these doors being blown away by an explosion, when the whole of the 
 ventilation of the mine ceases ; suggestions for remedying this evil, 1174-1177 Im- 
 possibility of bore-holes being sunk down from the surface into the goafs so as to allow 
 holes for the pent-up gas to escape, as recommended in the Report of the Committee of 
 1852; 1178-1185. 
 
 There are no means by which the inspectors can know what ventilation is going on 
 during their absence, betv\een the visits of inspection, nor does witness know of any 
 
 means by which this could be accomplished, 1186-1208 The anemometer could not 
 
 be relied on to indicate the state of ventilation between the visits of the inspector to the 
 mines, from their great liability to be tampered with ; Byram's anemometer will measure 
 about a fortnight, but it would take an inspector to each large colliery to read off the 
 numerous measurements that would be necessary, 1 188-1208 The absence of acci- 
 dents, as a genera] rule, is the best test of a well-managed and ventilated colliery, though 
 not invariably the case, 1209. 
 
 [Third Examination.] — Great number of accidents which occur in winding persons up 
 and down the pits ; the use of guides of some sort should be made compulsory in all 
 
 working pits, 1210-1223 Opinion that casing the pit from the bottom to the top 
 
 would be an effectual remedy against parts of the pit falling down and killing men in 
 
 their descent; the expense would be very trifling, 1224-1226 Accidents frequently 
 
 occur by which men are killed by pieces of coal falling from one ascending bucket while 
 the men are descending in the empty one; the Legislature should interfere to prevent the 
 men being let down the pit while the materials are coming up, 1227-1230; 1259-1281 
 
 ■ Objections to the use of Fourdrinier's apparatus in the ascending and descending of 
 
 pits, 1230 It is the duty of the inspector to see that the machinery and apparatus 
 
 connected with the pit are in proper order; the managers generally attend to their 
 representations, 1231-1234. 
 
 Frequency of coroners' inquests being held in cases of fatal accidents in mines without 
 the inspector being acquainted with the fact of an accident having occurred ; the law, as 
 
 legards coroners' inquests, admiis of improvements, 1235-1258 Statement as to the 
 
 practice in Scotland with regard to accidental deaths in mines ; the system pursued 
 renders the owners and managers more careful, but it is carried to an extreme, 1240- 
 
 1245 Witness would not recommend the attendance of the inspector on all coroners' 
 
 inquests relating to those mines under his inspection, unless the inspector is made the 
 coroner; on the Continent they have no coroners, and it is part of the inspector's duty to 
 
 inquire into every colliery accident, 1282 Frequency of the workmen committing 
 
 reckless acts, so as to endanger the safety of other men ; difference of opinion among the 
 magistrates as to their power of inflicting fines in such cases, 1283-1291. 
 
 Reference to the Report of the Committee of i 852 with regard to safety-lamps ; how 
 
 far witness agrees with that report, 1291, 1292 The use of the safety-lamp should be 
 
 left to the discretion of the inspector, and to some extent to the manager, 1294-1296 
 
 Description of the safety-lamps in ordinary use in this country; the Davy lamp is most 
 generally used ; the Stephenson lamp is coming into general use, 1297-1299 Con- 
 sidering all the circumstances with reference to safety-lamps, witness is disposed to give 
 
 the preference to the Davy lamp, 1300-1330 The inspector should at all times have 
 
 power to order the use of safety-lamps in a fiery mine, 1331 The primary mode of 
 
 rendering mines secure, is attention to the best mode of ventilation, 1332-1335. 
 
 Comparative merits of the several safety-lamps with regard to their illuminating power > 
 the Eloin lamp gives the best light, but it is generally attended with the disadvantage o T 
 going out in a brisk current of air; preference to be given to Dr. Glover's lamp, 1336- 
 
 1345 Evidence with respect to the Coed Talon Colliery, in Flintshire; it is a very 
 
 roughly managed colliery; there have been more than the ordinary proportion of acci- 
 dents, 1346-1357 Opinion in favour of the establishment of schools for the children of 
 
 the workmen in collieries ; such a system might be adopted without inflicting any great 
 hardship on the colliery proprietors; manner in which the funds for such schools might 
 be provided, 1358-1368, 
 
 Remarks 
 
 202 
 
Coal Mine*.] DIG 
 
 E AG 
 
 203 
 
 Reports, 1852-53 — continued. 
 
 Dickinson, Joseph (Analysis of his Evidence) — continued. 
 
 Remarks relative to the benefit societies and sick clubs existing among the workmen 
 in coal mines ; insufficiency of these societies to meet the case; it is very desirable that 
 some provision should be made for the widows and orphans, which is not the case at 
 
 present, 1369-1396 It is very material to the safety of the' workmen working in 
 
 various pits that the traps should be carefully attended to; this duty is geneially per- 
 formed by boys ; witness is not prepared to recommend that boys should not be employed, 
 
 1397-1401 Remarks relative to the law which empowers the widows and orphans of 
 
 colliers killed by accident to recover damages from the managers or owners of collieries; 
 instance of an action having been brought at Wakefield, 1402-1404. 
 
 In some cases in Northumberland and Durham it is the practice to allow the widow of 
 a miner killed by accident a free house and coal free for life, but witness cannot say 
 that the practice is universal, 1405-1410 The expense of serious accidents by explo- 
 sions is almost invariably very great on the owner, thus it is his interest to keep the 
 mines in the best state possible, 1411-1413. 
 
 Dickinson, Mr. Witness disagrees with some portion of Mr. Dickinson's evidence as to 
 
 the mode of ventilation adopted in Belgium, Machworth 878, 879 Great satisfaction 
 
 given to all parties in his district by Mr. Dickinson, the Government inspector ; many 
 evils have been remedied by his suggestions, Sicallozc 2506-2510 ; Tetlow 3243-3248. 
 
 Discipline. There are no mines in England which, as regards discipline among the work- 
 men, surpass the Belgian mines, Machworth 718-720 The discipline of the Belgian 
 
 collieries is as nearly perfect as discipline can be, ib. 1512 Strict attention ought to 
 
 be paid to the discipline of mines in all cases ; the improved education of the colliers and 
 overmen would be the means of insuring better discipline, ib. 1585, 1586. 
 
 See also Distribution of Air. 
 
 Distribution of Air. Great importance of the proper distribution of the air in the venti- 
 lation of mines ; the safety of the mine depends upon the amount of ventilation, Mack- 
 worth 569-571 ; IWZom; 3297, 3298 ; Forster 4586-4592 The first essential of venti- 
 lation is to get a sufficient amount of air, and the next is to distribute it properly through 
 
 the various workings of the mine, Mackworth 6 29, 630. 664-666 How far it would be 
 
 possible, by any mechanical means, to measure the distribution of the air in a colliery, 
 
 the splits being numerous, ib. 643-652 In every part of the mine there should be a 
 
 certain minimum amount of air distributed for the safety and health of the miners, ib. 
 
 660-666 With regard to the distribution of air, the Belgium mines form a marked 
 
 contrast to the mines in England ; the perfect distribution of air and the thorough disci- 
 pline and management prevents so large a proportion of accidents arising from explo- 
 sions, ib. 712. 
 
 The distribution of air is generally very much neglected in English mines, Mackworth 
 
 713 Explanation as to the mode of distributing air in mines in Belgium; great 
 
 advantages of the system, ib. 784-790 Great skill required for ensuring the proper 
 
 distribution of air ; both in the splitting and in the proper distribution of the air to the 
 
 different parts of the working the system might be improved, Dickinson 1153-1159 
 
 The division of the air into a number of currents, and the enlargement of the air-courses, 
 is the best method of taking a large quantity of air through a mine, Machvor i h 1559 
 
 Evidence on the subject of a proper distribution of the air round all the workings in 
 
 a mine ; importance of the practice of air-splitting ; recommendation of regulators 
 rather than doors for the purpose of splitting the air and effecting its thorough circulation, 
 Wood 359 1 -3634. 
 
 .See also Air-ways. Anemometer. Shafts. Splitting the Air. 
 
 Don Alkali Works, South Shields. Observations as to the successful application of the 
 steam-jet as a means of ventilation at the Don Alkali Works, South Shields, Forster 4477- 
 4479- 
 
 Doors. When the traffic is carried across, the ventilation doors are used ; frequency of 
 these doors being blown away by an explosion, when the whole of the ventilation of the 
 
 mine ceases ; suggestions for remedying this evil, Dickinson 1174-1177 Precaution 
 
 to be taken as a security in the event of explosions, provided regulators supersede the 
 
 present doors ; description of a regulator, Wood 3612-3627 Opinion that doing away 
 
 with doors altogether would be attended with a great saving of life in cases of explosions, 
 
 Blackioell 3966. 3969-3971 Impossibility of doing without doors to return the air in 
 
 the ventilation of collieries, but the fewer doors that are used the better, Forster 4601- 
 4604. See also Boys. Explosions. 
 
 E. • 
 
 Eagles Bush Colliery. Paper delivered in relative to an accident in March 1848, at 
 Eagle's Bush Colliery, whereby twenty persons were killed, Blackwell 4131. 
 
 See also Tyne Main Colliery. 
 0.76. c c 4 Education. 
 
204 
 
 ED U 
 
 EXP [&m&ntt0 in 
 
 Reports, 1852-53 — continued. 
 
 Education. Deficiency of the education provided for miner's children; average earnings of 
 the parents, Henderson 2424-2443 It should be compulsory on the parents to con- 
 tribute a certain sum weekly towards the education of their children, Henderson 2424- 
 
 2443; Swalloio 2898-2901 The colliers in the north of England are improving in 
 
 intelligence and education ; the good effects of this improvement are arguments in favour 
 of a general system of education for the mining districts, Wood 39 17-3921. 
 
 See also Discipline. Miners. National Scientific Institutions. Schools. 
 
 Eloin Lamp. Result of experiments on the Eloin lamp; construction of this lamp, Wood 
 
 375°> 375 1 - 3763-3766. 3772-3776 The Eloin lamp is of too delicate a construction; 
 
 and is easily extinguished, Forster 4690-4692. See also Safety Lamps, 2. 5. 
 
 Elscar Colliery. Remarks with respect to an explosion in January 1853, at Ehcar 
 Colliery, near Barnsley, whereby ten lives were lost ; limited and insecure system of the 
 ventilation, Blackwell 4131. 
 
 Employment of Children. The children of miners are now allowed by the Legislature to be 
 employed in colleries when they attain the age of ten ; in altering this law, witness would 
 suggest that twelve rather than fourteen years of age be the limit ; this alteration would 
 
 be well received by the miners, Tetlow 3351, 335 2 - 3356-3360 It would be a very 
 
 great hardship on the colliers if their children were not allowed to enter a mine till they 
 were twelve or thirteen years old ; for purposes of education they should, however, attend 
 school for a certain number of hours weekly, Wood 3903-3905.3908. 
 
 See also Boys. 
 
 Encroachments. With respect to encroachments being made, and coal extracted from 
 adjoining properties, the offence by law is felony; instance of a colliery owner in 
 Lancashire who was tried and sentenced to seven years' transportation, Dickinson 933- 
 938 Pariiculars of the case of a colliery owner in Lancashire being tried for stealing- 
 coal by trespassing on adjoining properties ; Mr. Dickinson's evidence is substantially 
 correct, Lancaster 939-941. 
 
 Engineers. In Northumberland and Durham generally, and in the collieries under Mr. 
 Wood, there is great freedom from accidents; this is attributable to the practical 
 and scientific attainments of the engineers of that district, Blackwell 3966-3969. 
 397 2 > 3973- 
 
 Escape of Miners. See Refuge Stalls. 
 
 Escapes of Gas. It is of great importance that the power of ventilation should always be 
 capable of being increased to meet any emergency, as an escape of gas from a blower, 
 
 Machworth 1577, 157S Sudden escapes of accumulated gas frequently take place 
 
 under the old system of stall-working; objections to this mode of working, and preference 
 given to the long-work system, Blachicell 3946-3965. 
 
 Etienne, St., Colliery, France. Sketch of a method of working the sreat bed of coal at 
 St. Etienne, in the south of Fi ance, Dickinson 83. See also Long-work System. 
 
 Expansion of Air. Table of the expansion of air by heat, by Dr. Dalton. Rep. iii. App. 
 121 Similar table, by Magnus and Regnault, ib. 122. 
 
 Expense of Ventilation. Comparative first cost of establishment of various ventilating 
 
 machines, at per horse power, Rep. i. App. 147 Comparative cost of working, at per 
 
 horse power of useful effect, per annum, ib. 
 
 See also Consumption of Coal. Cost of Ventilators. Furnace Ventilation, 2. Shafts. 
 
 Experiments. With reference to the experiments to compare the furnace and steam-jet, 
 they have been most carefully conducted ; many of the resulis are so approximate as 
 
 adequately, for ordinary purposes, to compare the two systems, Machworth 1569-157 2 
 
 Evidence as to experiments in ventilation made by witness with the furnace and the 
 steam-jet; he has not made any comparison between the power of the two systems, 
 
 Gray 2967-3000 Since the termination of the Committee of 1852 witness has tested 
 
 the efficiency of the steam-jet; the experiments were made with the utmost fairness; 
 neither Mr. Forster nor Mr. Goldsworthv Gurney were present, though invited to attend, 
 
 Wood 3362-3364 Different systems of ventilation adopted by witness collectively and 
 
 separately, in order to arrive at a correct estimate cf the force of the steam-jet; size and 
 number of the jets used ; quantity of cubic feet of air per minute sent in circulation under 
 
 the different systems, ib. 3365 et seq. The experiments in ventilation recently made by 
 
 witness do not militate against those tried by Mr. Elliott in 1849 ; witness's experiments 
 go further, and show the result due to the mechanical force of the jet, ib. 3525-3529. 
 
 3562-3564 Some errors mav have crept into the pamphlet containing an account of 
 
 the experiments, but witness abides generally by the principles and conclusions therein 
 stated, ib. 3522, 3523. 
 
Coal itltttt*.] EXP 
 
 FI R 
 
 205 
 
 Reports, 1852-53 — continued. 
 
 Experiments — continued. 4 
 
 The experiments recently made by Mr. Nicholas Wood on the relative value of th e 
 furnace and the steam-jet were altogether incapable of testing the power of the latter; 
 
 evidence in support of this assertion, Gurriey 4141 et seq. Mr. Wood's experiments 
 
 were deficient in consequence of the 'iisplacement of the air by the steam-jei beinm sup- 
 plied bfck again from above the jet, instead of from above the galleries or the mine, ib. 
 
 4143 The same error was made by Mr. Wood in his expi- rinienis in 1849, ail( ^ it vvas 
 
 then pointed out to him, ib. The only fair experiment v\ith the steam-jet vvas at Mr. 
 
 Vivian's colliery in Wales; results of this experiment, ib. 4145-4151 How far wit- 
 ness can give any satisfactory explanation of his non-attendance at the experiments made 
 
 by Mr. Wood on the relative powers of the furnace and the *team-jet, ih. 4306-43-2-2 
 
 Witness expected an invitation to superintend the application of the jet, instead oi which 
 he merely received a printed circular, inviting him to be present on the occasion, ib. 4306- 
 
 4322 Witness cannot account lor Mr. Wood not having obtained such great results 
 
 as witness in his experiments with the steam-jet, Furster 4576-4578. 
 
 See also Consumption of Coal. Helton Colliery, 2. Hilda, St., Colliery. Ince 
 Hall Colliery. Killingwwtk Colliery. Seaton De/aval Colliery, 2. Steam 
 Jet Ventilation. Tyne Main Colliery. Wood, Mr. 
 
 Explosions. Diagram of every explosion which has taken place in the Lancashire, 
 Cheshire, Sec. district during 1852, showing the days on which the explosions took 
 place, the variations of the barometer, taken three tunes a day, the variations of tempe- 
 rature, and the difference between the wet and dry bulb of a thermometer, and the daily 
 
 fall of rain, Dickinson 117 Means possessed by the inspectors of ascertaining the 
 
 cause in case of an explosion taking place in a mine, Mackworth 062-866 Reference 
 
 to the serious losses inflicted on coalowners by the occurrence of explosions, Wood 
 
 3679-3681 In cases of explosions the stoppings and doors are generally blown 
 
 awav ; thev should be rendered much stronger and more secure, Blachwell 3961-3966 
 
 Reference to several collieries where explosions ha\e occurred, which are mainly 
 
 attributable to the insufficient separation of the air-currenis from the doors, and fiom the 
 
 want of proper stoppings, ib. 4056-4060. 4064, 4065 Paper delivered in bv Mr. J, K. 
 
 Black vv< II, containing a list of the principal colliery explosions during seven years ending 
 1852, with the ascertained cause of ignition, Rep. tii. App. 177-179. 
 
 See al.-o After-damp. Artificial Ventilation. Fire-damp. Mechanical Venti- 
 lators, 2. Naked Lights. Owners of Collieries. Refuge Stalls. Staf- 
 fordshire. 
 
 F. 
 
 Fabrey's Ventilator. Comparison between Fabrey's and Struve's ventilating machines; 
 
 Fabrey's is the best ventilating machine in Belgium, Mackworth 1418, 1419 
 
 Abstract of five experiments theieon, by M. Joehams, Rep. i. App, 142 Plan of 
 
 Fabrey's ventilator in wood, ib. Plans (D. and E). 
 See also Mechanical Ventilators, 1 . 
 
 Falls of Roofs. See Roofs. 
 
 Fans. Comparative abstract of experiments on the economy of Fabrey's, Letoret's, 
 Pasquet's, and Mottt's fans, by M. Jochams, Rep. i. App. 141. 
 
 Fencing of Pits. Frequency of accidents in this country from the unprotected state of the 
 montu of the pits ; it would be proper to enact a law to prevent pits being left in an 
 
 exposed state, Dickinson 435. 942-947; Mackworth 684-689 Such a thing on the 
 
 Continent is almost unknown, from the pits being fenced, Dickinson 435 Approval of 
 
 the suggestion that every abandoned pit should be walled round, or properly secured, 
 so as to prevent accidents, Wood 3689-3692. See also Prussia. 
 
 Fife's Lamp. Observations on Dr. Fife's lamp; by having a talc surrounding the glass, 
 one objection to the glass lamps is removed, Jude 1818-1821. 
 See also Safety Lamps, 2. 
 
 Fire-damp. Remarks relative to the proportion of atmospheric air required to be mixed 
 with the fire-damp to render it explosive; when the air is too foul to be inflammable it 
 
 is not capable of respiration, Dickinson. 102-115 As a general rule, there is not a large 
 
 quantity of fire-damp in any of the continental mines; they do not appear to yield as 
 much fire-damp as the mines in the north of England, Dickinson 151-153; Mackworth 
 
 714-717. 1502 The Belgian mines are much more fiery and dangerous than the 
 
 Prussian or the French mines, Dickinson 422 Paper delivered in by Mr. N. Wood, show- 
 ing experiments made at St. Hilda Colliery, in resuming the ventilation, after its having 
 been suspended to put in tubbing, the workings being entirely filled with fire-damp, 
 Rep. iti. App. 171, 172. 
 
 See also Goaves. Prussia. Temperature of Air. Ventilation. 
 O.76. D d Forster, 
 
206 F O R S T E R. rjam&ettt* in 
 
 Reports, 1852-53 — continued. 
 
 Forster, Thomas Emerson. (Analysis of his Evidence.) — Viewer and manager of coal 
 mines ; extensively employed in the counties of Durham and Northumberland, 4343- 
 
 4347 Evidence relative to the adoption of the steam-jet system at Seaton Delaval 
 
 Colliery ; the ventilation is much more perfect than it was during the time the mine was 
 ventilated by furnaces; number of jets in use, and quantity of air obtained, 4348-4397 
 
 There has been no explosion or accident at Seaton Delaval since the establishment 
 
 of the steam-jet ; the colliery is in a very satisfactory state as regards ventilation, 4396, 
 
 4397 Comparison between the ventilation of Seaton Delaval Colliery with that of Mr. 
 
 Wood's, at Killingworth, with the furnace ; the quantity of air which is drawn through 
 the latter is not so great as the quantity which is drawn through Seaton Delaval Colliery, 
 
 4398- 4425. 
 
 Statement as to the arrangement of the steam-jets at the Seaton Delaval Colliery; 
 thev are placed at the bottom of the pit; witness does not consider that he has arrived 
 
 at the true mode of applying the jets correctly, 4426-4441 Remarks relative to the 
 
 water-gauge at Seaton Delaval Colliery, 4442-4445. 4489, 4490 Particulars as to 
 
 experiments made at Seaton Delaval on 18 May, 4446-4451 Considerable effect which 
 
 the boiler flues have upon the ventilation ; witness can get as much air by the boiler fires 
 
 as he originally obtained by the two furnaces at Seaton Delaval, 4452-4470 If the 
 
 number of steam-jets at Se iton Delaval were increased, a much greater quantity of air 
 might be obtained; and if the jets were placed in cylinders a greater power would be 
 obtained ; the use of cylinders is Mr. Gurney's suggestion, 4471-4477. 
 
 Observations as to the successful application of the steam-jet as a means of ventilation 
 
 at the Don Alkali Works, South Shields, 4477-4479 Witne>s has not applied the 
 
 steam-jet to any of the collieiies under his management, except the Seaton Delaval, as 
 they do not require more ventilation than they already have by the furnace, 4480-4483 
 
 Remarks relative to the Hetton Collierv; the Helton Company are about to sink 
 
 another pit in consequence of the ventilation being defective, 4484-4488. 4498, 4499 
 
 Statement as to the quantity of air passing through the Seaton Delaval Colliery per 
 
 minute, 4491-4497 If the air is not carried to the extreme of the workings, the pit 
 
 cannot be well ventilated, 4498. 
 
 [Second Examination.] — Great pains and labour bestowed by Mr. Wood on his ex- 
 periments ; whether the steam-jet or the furnace is the bi st mode of ventilation, all these 
 experiments and inquiries will do a great deal ot good, as lending to improve ventilation 
 
 in collieiies in the north of England, 4500-4503 Further remarks as to the quantity 
 
 of air passing through the Seaton Delaval mine; a large portion of this passes directly 
 
 from the down-cast shaft to feed the boiler fires, 4504-4509 Advantage of keeping 
 
 the impure air of the mine away from the boiler fires for the u^e of the steam-jet, and 
 from the furnaces, for the purpose of raising the ventilation by that means, 4508-4512. 
 
 The effect of the heat of the boiler fires producing the ventilation in Seaton Delaval 
 Colliery was in the proportion of about 51 $ percent., while the mechanical action of the 
 
 jet was about 485 per cent., 4513-4521 If the steam-jets were placed at the top of the 
 
 pit, and the cylinders were of too great a diameter, there is a liability of the return air 
 passing down the inside of the tubes, which is called the pneumatic flower-pot ; but 
 
 with the jets placed at the bottom it is impossible, 4522-4533 llemarks as to the 
 
 velocity of the air going up the pit at Seaton Del aval, 4534-4536 The way in which 
 
 the steam-jets are placed makes a difference in the effect they will produce, 4538 
 
 There are certain discrepancies in Mr. Wood's tables, and account of his experiments, 
 which require some explanation, but the discrepancies are not such as to invalidate the 
 general truth of the tables, 4538-4556. 
 
 If the shaft of the Seaton Delaval mine was as large as the shaft in the Hetton Colliery 
 
 the former would get a greatly increased quantity of air, 4557-4559 Circumstances 
 
 under which witness abandoned the furnace in the Seaton Delaval Colliery, and adopted 
 
 the steam-jet, 4560-4575 Witness cannot account for Mr. Wood not having 
 
 obtained such great r< suits as witness, in his experiments with the steam-jet, 4576- 
 
 4578 Opinion that the steam-jet, as a means of ventilation, is more economical than 
 
 the furnace, 4579-4581 Generally speaking, sufficient attention is not paid to the 
 
 capacity and the size of the air-ways ; they are far too small, 4583-4585 The distri- 
 bution of the air is a very material point in producing perfect ventilation; object of 
 splitting the air, 4586-4592. 
 
 Observations with respect to keeping the goaves clear of foul air; witness would not 
 
 recommend them to be blocked up, 4593-4598 In all cases of explosions where large 
 
 numbers of lives have been lo>t, the bulk of those deaths have resulted from the after- 
 damp, 4599, 4600 Impossibility of doing without doors to return the air in the ventila- 
 tion of collieries, but the fewer doors that are used the better, 4601-4604 Opinion 
 
 that refuge stalls would not be of any advantage, as thev would soon be filled with choke- 
 damp, 4605-4611 Remarks relative to the accidents which occur from the falls of 
 
 the roof; it i> much better to employ people purposely to set the timbers than to allow 
 the workmen to set them, 4612-4618. 
 
 The 
 
<*ToaI mines.] 
 
 FORSTER. 
 
 207 
 
 Reports, 1852-53— continued. 
 
 Forster, Thomas Emerson. (Analysis of his Evidence)— continued. 
 
 The head viewer incurs immense responsibility and is liable to great blame if he does 
 
 not take every precaution to preserve the lives of his men, 46 18-4620 Suggestion that 
 
 covers should be placed on the tops of the cages used by the men in ascending ;md 
 
 descending the pits, 4621-4640 But very few accidents occur in the north of England 
 
 in winding persons up the shafts, 4621 , 4622 The men should never be allowed to 
 
 ascend or descend while coals are coming up, 4626-4628 Every care is taken to keep 
 
 the machinery and ropes in good order in the north of England ; it should be one <>f 
 
 the duties of the inspectors to see that such is the case, 4641-4643. 4649 No 
 
 persons should be employed as engineers in winding men up and down a pit, under 
 eighteen years of age; in the north of England they are always upwards of twenty, 
 4644-4648. 
 
 Remarks relative to the use of Fourdi'inier's safety apparatus on the cages for sending 
 the men up and down the pits; however excellent the apparatus, it engenders careless- 
 ness as to the condition of the rope an I machinery, 4649-4660 Witness uses nothing 
 
 but wire rope in the collieries under his management, 4660 The safety-lamp is a great 
 
 safeguard, but it ought not to be entrusted in the hands of men in an explosive mixture, 
 
 4661-4685 Witness would be very glad to have a better safety-lamp, if it could be 
 
 constructed, 4663. 4690 The lamps should be kept locked, and the workmen never 
 
 allowed to open them, 4686-4689 In the north of England the safety-lamps are placed 
 
 under the superintendence of men appointed for that purpose, 4688. 
 
 The Eloinlamp is of too delicate a construction ; and is e asily extinguished, 4690-4692 
 Witness considers Dr. Glover's lamp is the best lamp, but it is rather too compli- 
 cated, 4693, 4694 The Davy lamp is very simple, 4694 The present inspection 
 
 does veiy little good ; if there is to be an inspection at all, there ought to be more inspec- 
 tors, and they should go down the pits oftener than at present, 4695-4722. 4749-4762 
 
 The inspectors should not be allowed to take any o'her work than the Government 
 
 inspection, 47 16-4719. 4749-4756 Objection to the appointment of sub-inspectors, as 
 
 thev and the overmen would be constantly quarrelling, 4723 The superintendence of 
 
 mines by the sub-viewers, overmen and others is sufficient, and it is unnecessary to have 
 
 anv further superintendence, 4724 Necessity for the inspectors being men competent 
 
 to judge of all the practical requisites of working a mine, 4725. 
 
 The inspeciors should suggest alterations, as at present, but should not have, power to 
 
 enforce them, 4726, 4727 Suggestion that the collieries should be placed under the 
 
 superintendence of the Board of Trade, as also the appointment of inspectors, 4728-4745 
 
 Objection to the inspector having power to stop a mine under any circumstances, 
 
 4 739 Recommendation that, a certain number of simple rules should be framed for the 
 
 <niidance of all persons entrusted with the superintendence of collieries; tnere would be 
 
 no difficulty in framing such a set of rules, 4745-4748. 4763-4768 Witness always 
 
 encourages his men to acquaint the inspector or manager with anything amiss in the 
 mine ; their complaints are always investigated, 4769-4778. 
 
 Witness has published a set of rules for the use of his collieries; there is no difficulty 
 
 in enforcing them, 4779-4785 CI iss of men from which witness usually selects his 
 
 overmen, 4786-4789 Remarks lelative 10 the accident which occurred at Monkwear- 
 
 mouth in consequence of a shot of gunpowder being let off in a pit where there was a great 
 accumulation of fire-damp ; this was very imprudent, as they were working on the long- 
 wall system, 4790-4796 It is v^ry desirable that steps should be laken to establish 
 
 minimi; schools in the several districts ; the more education there is among the miners 
 
 the belter, 4797-4802 Great difficulty in obtaining proper persons to serve on coroners' 
 
 juries; no one connected with a colliery where an accident occurs ought to be on a jury, 
 4803-4805. 
 
 The miners are fined or imprisoned for gross acts of carelessness in witness's district; 
 
 no improvement of the law is required on this head, 4806-4809 In the event of 
 
 accidents occurring from the neglect of the proprietors, the parties bring an action under 
 
 Lord Campbell's Act, 4810, 4811 The proprietors of collieries would not object to 
 
 be bound by rules and regulations laid down by practical men. but it would be a gre^it 
 hardship to be bound by compulsory powers put over them by incompetent persons, 
 
 4812-4817 Witness prefers the use of gunpowder smoke to the anemometer in 
 
 measuring the quantity ot air in a mine, 4818-4829 The anemometer cannot be con- 
 sidered a sufficient guide 10 an inspector who visits a mine once a month, of the quantity 
 of air which has been passing through the pit during the time ; the instrument might be 
 tampered with, 4825-4828. 
 
 One of the great points in ventilation is to keep an eye on the inci eased size of the 
 
 air-passages, 4830 Opinion that the miners would not object to a fixed amount being 
 
 stopped from their earnings for the support of the colliery schools, provided they were 
 
 allowed to interfere in the management, 4831-4842 Improved character of the miners 
 
 as a body since witness first knew them ; tney pay much greater attention to the educa- 
 tion of their children now than formerly, 4840-4842 In the event of any complaint 
 
 being made to witness from the Miners' Association it would be fully investigated, and 
 
 0.76. d d 2 witness 
 
208 
 
 F 0 R 
 
 FUR 
 
 [Hmfcrnt* in 
 
 Reports, 1852-53 — continued. 
 
 Forster, Thomas Emerson. (Analysis of his Evidence) — continued. 
 
 witness would protect any man making complaints, 4843-4848 Number of men and 
 
 boys employed in the Seaton Delaval Colliery, 4849, 4850 Willingness of witness, 
 
 in connexion with Mr. Wood, and other principal viewers, to consider and frame a code 
 of rules which would be generally applicable to be enforced by law in the several col- 
 lieries; necessity for the inspectors being present at these meetings, 4851-4854. 
 
 Fourdrinier's Apparatus. Objection to the use of Fourdinier's apparatus in the ascending 
 and descending of pits, Dickinson 1230; Henderson 2361-2374; Gray 3113-3122; 
 
 Wood 3706-3708 Reference to Fourdriner's cage and to that of Bell and Grant; the 
 
 former is not at present employed at Monk .vearmouth, Henderson 2361-2374 Remarks 
 
 relative to the use of Fourdrinier's safety apparatus on the cages for sending the men up 
 and down the pits; however excellent the apparatus, it engenders carelessness as to the 
 condition of the rope and machinery, Forster 4649-4660. 
 
 France. Particulars as to the Avorking of the thick coal in the south of France, Dickinson 
 
 28 Remarks relative to the coal mines in Fiance ; the mines are well worked, and 
 
 the accidents are lew, ib. 453-459. 
 
 See also Accidents. Etienne, St., Colliery. Fire-damp. Inspection of Mines, II. 2. 
 
 FURN A CE VENTILA Tl ON : 
 
 1 . Generally. 
 
 2. Opinion in favour of the Furnace System of Ventilation. 
 
 3. How far there is any limit to Furnace Ventilation. 
 
 4. Remarks as to the Adoption of the System in Belgium. 
 
 5. Papers laid before the Committee. 
 
 1 . Generally : 
 
 The furnace operates bv rarefaction ; statement as to what is the test of that rarefac- 
 tion, Dickinson 1085,1086 The ventilation by rarefaction depends on the depth of 
 
 the up-cast shaft, Mackwortk 1463 Witness totally disagrees with the conclusion 
 
 come to in the Report of the Committee of 1852 with respect to the existence of a furnace 
 
 paradox, ib. 1 575 Attempts made since the Report of 1852 to improve the furnace 
 
 system of ventilation, and to increase its power, Jade 1739-1746 With respect to the 
 
 furnace paradox, the more the air is rarefied by heat the gieater must b • the ventilation, 
 
 Gray 3142, 3143 Opinion thai four feet is the best length for a furnace, W ood 3450- 
 
 3450 Remarks on the principles by which the furnace and steam-jet act; the former 
 
 acts thn ugh the principle of rarefaction, the latter, if placed at the lop of the pit, acts 
 mechanically, and if p laced at the bottom, by rarefaction, ib. 3504-3514. 3547 et. seq. 
 
 2. Opinion in favour of the Furnace System of Ventilation : 
 
 The furnace, if unprotected, is a verv dangerous means of pro lucing ventiiati n ; with 
 the use of the dumb diilt, and with proper precautions, it is perfectly safe, Mackwortk 
 
 ^(,0-567. 600 Opinion that one eight- foot furnace properly constructed at the bottom 
 
 of the up-east shall of the Seaton Delaval Colliery, would give more air than the whole 
 of the steam powers now at work, and with a very much smaller consumption of fuel, 
 
 Dickinson 1053 The furnace is mueb more economical than the steam-jet; the 
 
 same quantity of coal would give more ventilation burned in a furnace than under a 
 
 boiler, ib. 1 1 28— 1 136 The furnace is not so peculiarly applicable to shallow pits as to 
 
 deep ones, ib. 1136 Ordinarily speaking, witness recommends the adoption of a 
 
 furnace in mines, principally on account of its convenience, and because it is in the 
 
 majority of cases sufficiently effective in producing ventilation, Mackwortk 1421 
 
 Under the majority of cases, the furnace is the most convenient and possibly the most 
 economical, ib. 1576. 
 
 The ordinary working of the furnace should be very much below the power to which, 
 
 in case of emergency, it"' might be worked, Wood 3397~3400 As a general rule, each 
 
 furnace will consume three-quarters of a pound of coal per minute for each foot of width, 
 
 the length of the furnace being about four feet, ib 3447-3449 Wlth reference to the 
 
 working power of the coal, it may he taken as a general rule that 550,000 cubic feet of 
 
 air are heated 1° with each pound," ib. 3449 The power of the furnace depends a good 
 
 deal upon the depth of the shaft; in applying the furnace to deep mines, a higher water- 
 gauge should be used than in small mines with less depth of shaft, ib. 3452, 3453. 
 
 3. How far there is any limit to Furnace Ventilation : 
 
 There is a limit to the furnace power of ventilation, Cayley 1545 All ventilation by 
 
 mechanical power should be kept within certain limits ; there should be a standard of 
 velocity for the furnace and the steam-jet, and any increase of that velociiy should be 
 procured by enlarging the air-ways, having additional shafts, or splitting the air so as to 
 
 diminish the nsistance, Wood 3435 -344 1- Evidence on the subject of the furnace 
 
 limit; lemaiks to the effect that t ie same resistance that would cause such limit would 
 
 equally 
 
Otoal Jttittt*.] FUR 
 
 G R A 
 
 209 
 
 Reports, 1852-53 — continued. 
 
 Furnace Ventilation — continued. , 
 
 .3. How far there is any limit to Furnace Ventilation- — continued. 
 
 equally apply to the steam-jet or to any mechanical power, Wood 3718-3739 Remarks 
 
 in support of the statement that there is a practical limit to the power of the furnace, 
 Gurney 4156-4164. 4170. 4207. 
 
 4. Remarks as to the Adoption of the System in Belgium : 
 
 Particulars relative to the use of the furnace as a means of ventilation in Belgium; 
 the furnace is inadmissible in mines which are called fire-damp mines, Dickinson 154- 
 
 173 As a whole, the system of ventilation by furnace is very imperfectly carried »ut 
 
 in Belgium, ib. 173, 174 The furnace mode of ventilation is not so well carried out 
 
 in Belgium as it is in this country, ib. 223. 
 
 5. Papers laid before the Committee : 
 
 Description of furnaces used in ventilation; principles of action, &c, Rep. ni, App. 
 117, 118 Result of experiments made 10 test the efficiency of the furnace as a ven- 
 tilating power, ib. 131 et seq. Return by Mr. N. Wood, showing the consumption of 
 
 coal by furnaces in several collieries, ib. 171. 
 
 See also Belgium. Consumption of Coal. Experiments. Hetton Colliery, 2. 
 Hilda, St., Colliery. Killingworth Colliery. Mechanical Ventilators, 2. 
 
 Monkwearmouth Colliery. Naked Lights. Natural Brattice. Return 
 
 Air. Seaton De/aval Colliery. Steam-Jet Ventilation. Water-gauge. 
 
 Wood, Mr. 
 
 G. 
 
 Glass Lamps. See Safety Lamps, 2. 
 
 Glover's Lamp. Improvements made in the safety-lamp by Dr. Glover; this is a very safe 
 and ingenious lamp, but on account of its weight and price it is not very likely to be 
 
 introduced into mines, Mackworth 1592, 1593 With respect to Dr. Glover's limp, it 
 
 is objectionable on account of the difficulty of properly uniting the gauze so as to prevent 
 
 the passage of the flame, Henderson 2308.2311-2313 Opinion thai Dr. Glover's 
 
 lamp combines the two princip'es of giving the greatest quantity of light and the greatest 
 safety, more than any other lamp; grounds for this opinion, Wood 3765-377 i . 3777— 
 
 3779- 3787> 3788 Witness considers Dr. Glover's lamp is the best lamp, but it is 
 
 rather too complicated, Forster 4693, 4694. 
 
 See also Davy Lamp. Safety Lamps, 2. 
 
 Goaves. With regard to the ventilation of goaves, it is necessary either to ventilate them 
 thoroughly, so as to clear out the whole of the fire damp, or not to do it at all : an imper- 
 fectly ventilated go;if is a most dangerous thing in a colliery, Dickinson 98. 101 
 
 With a propeily ventilated colliery the ventilation ought always to be such as to sweep 
 
 away any discharge of fire-damp from the goaves, ib. 121 It is very desirable that 
 
 the goaf should be thoroughly cleared of foul air, Dickinson 1151; Jude 1725-1729. 
 
 1783-1792; Swallow 2624-2626; Forster 4593 Suggestions as 10 the best means of 
 
 ventilating the goaves and of driving out the gaseous air, Swallow 2624-2646; Wood 
 
 3640-3655; Forster 4593-4598 Recommendation of the practice adopted in a colliery 
 
 of Messrs. Lees, Jones and Booth, for the purpose of clearing the goaves of the noxious 
 air, Tetlow 3312-3315. 
 
 It is much better to expel the foul air from the goaves than to attempt to wall it in 
 
 Tetlow 3317,3318; Forster 4593-4598 A good current of air should at all times 
 
 circulate close up to the face of the goaves, Tetlow 3319 A partial ventilation of the 
 
 goaves is extremely dangerous, and is much worse than no ventilation at all, Wood 
 
 3640-3655 Recommendation of certain means for the insulation of goaves so as to 
 
 carry off any exudation of fire-damp, thereby rendering them perfectly safe, ib. 3642- 
 3649. See also Bore-holes. Naked Lights. 
 
 Gobbing. With respect to gobbing, there is generally sufficient rubbish in the mines to 
 fill the gob; in thick mines, when there is not sufficient rubbish, it is brought down the 
 
 pits from the surlace, Dickinson 26-28 Observations relative to gobbVng; the <rob 
 
 walls are not ordinarily sufficient to carry the air along the face of work ; it is very 
 commonly the rule not to cany forward the gob until there is some indication of 
 
 fire-damp in the lamp, Mackworth 797-813 Witness would not recommend »obbim»- 
 
 as one of the rules for the management of mines, ib. 816, 817. 
 
 See also Air-ways. Long-work System. 
 
 Grand Bac Pit, Liege. Remaiks relative to the ventilation of the Gran 1 Bac Pit, near 
 Liege, where the air is split ten times, each passing one face of work, Mackworth 1415. 
 
 O.76. D D 3 Gray, 
 
210 
 
 G R A 
 
 G U R [&ttfttnt* in 
 
 Reports, 1852-53 — continued. 
 
 Gray, William. (Analysis of his Evidence.) — Resides at Margam, 2937 Has been 
 
 engaged in collieries all his life in different capacities; iss now employed by Mr. Vivian ; 
 extent of the workings superintended by witness, 2938-2966 Evidence as to ex- 
 periments in ventilation made by witness with the furnace and the steam-jet ; he has 
 hot made any comparison between the power of the two systems, 2967-3000 Cir- 
 cumstances under which witness has made use of the steam-jet ; result of experiments 
 at the Morfa Colliery ; objection to the steam-jet apparatus as being very liable to get 
 
 out of order, 2971-2991 It is veiy necessary to pay great attention to the size of 
 
 the air-ways, for the purposes of ventilation, and to distribute the air by a system of 
 splitting in sufficient quantities throughout the pit, 3001-3008. 
 
 Reference to an accident which occurred about three years ago in a colliery under the 
 superintendence of witness ; seven men were killed by an explosion of damp ; the cause 
 
 of the explosion was attributed to the use of open lights, 3009-3016 Since that 
 
 period safety-lamps have be en used, and not a single accident has occurred in the same 
 
 mine, 3017-3022. 3074-3076 The common Davy lamp is the one used by witness; 
 
 preference given to it over the Uianny lamp; security of Dr. Glover's lamp, 3024-3033 
 Remarks generally on the precautions taken in witness's pit in the use of safety- 
 lamps ; they are properly cleaned and repaired, and a heavy fine is imposed on any one 
 
 who unlocks them or takes the top off without authority, 3034-3055. 3068-3077 
 
 Suggestion that it should be made an offence against the law for a workman to take off 
 the top of his lamp, 3043-3055. 
 
 . Comparison of expense between the use of the Davy lamp and of candles, showing 
 that it is fifty per cent, cheaper to work with the former, 3056-3067 — '• — Necessity for 
 the use of brattices; there is no such thing as a natural brattice, 3078,3079. 3 1 35— 
 3137. 3141 Copy of the rules and regulations to be observed by the workmen em- 
 ployed at the Morfa Colliery ; remarks thereon, 3080-3093 Evidence on the subject 
 
 of winding the men up and down the shafts ; there has been only one accident during 
 this process at the Morfa Colliery ; the loss of life on. this point is entirely attributable 
 
 to carelessness, 3092-3112 Objections to the use of Fourdrinier's cage, or of White 
 
 and Grant's apparatus ; they are both subject to get out of order, 3113-3122. 
 
 In the Morfa Colliery the woikmen prop the roofs; only one man has been killed 
 fiom a fall of coal; proper attention is not generally paid to the timbering of die roof, 
 
 3123. 3127-3129 Approval of the principle of the employment of deputies in coal 
 
 mines, 3124-3126 -Opinion that the system cf Government inspection works very 
 
 well, 3130-3134 Temperature of different parts of the shaft in the Morfa Colliery, 
 
 as taken by witness on a recent occasion, 3138-3140 With respect to the furnace 
 
 paradox, the more the air is rarefied by heat the greater must be the ventilation, 3142, 
 3143 — -There cannot be too much air circuladng through a coal mine, 3144-3149 
 
 Witness deducts weekly from the earnings of each man 1 J d. for school, the same 
 
 sum for the surgeon, and the same for the sick fund; the men do not object to this 
 deduction, 3i5°-3'53- 
 
 Great Hetton Colliery. See Hetton Colliery. 
 
 Gunpowder. General law concerning the employment of gunpowder in the operations of 
 mining, especially in coal mines subject to fire-damp, Rep. i. App. 138-140. 
 
 See also Blasting. 
 
 Gurney, G oldswurthy . (Analysis of his Evidence.) — Inventor of the steam-jet as applied to 
 
 locomotion and the ventilation of coal mines, 4132 The steam-jet was first introduced 
 
 in 1816; witness never heard of iis having been used prior to that time, 4133-4140 
 
 The experiments recently made by Mr. Nicholas Wood on the relative value of the furnace 
 and the steam-jet were altogether incapahle of testing the power of the latter ; evidence in 
 suppoit of this asseition, 4141 el seq. Mr. Wood's experiments were deficient, in con- 
 sequence of the displacement of the air by the steam-jet being supplied back again from 
 
 above the jet, instead of from above the galleries of the mine, 4143 The same error was 
 
 made by Mr. Wood in his experiments in 1849, and it was then pointed out to him, 4143 
 
 Y\ I. en the drag of a mine is considerable, the steam-jet should be employed more 
 
 powerfully in the area of the jet, and the area acted upon should be reduced, 4144. 4148- 
 4 J 54- 
 
 Definition of the principles of action of the steam-jet and the furnace, 4145-4196 
 
 The only fair experiment with the steam-jet was at Mr. Vivian's colliery in Wales; results 
 
 of this experiment, 4145-4 1 51 By varying inversely the areas of the jets and cylinders 
 
 any amount of power may be produced, 4151-4154 The water-gauge can with diffi- 
 culty be disturbed by the furnace to the extent of thiee inches, 4155, 4156 Remarks 
 
 in support of the statement that there is a practical limit to the power of the furnace, 
 
 4.156-4164. 4170. 4207 Explanation of the vena contracta, 4158, 4159 There is no 
 
 limit to the power of the. jet.; by a proper application a disturbance ol 300 or 400 inches 
 of water-gauge may be produced experimentally ; practically about eight inches of water- 
 gauge has been produced in a coal shaft, 4165-4179. 
 
 The 
 
Coal iHinej}.] GUR 
 
 HAS 
 
 21 1 
 
 Reports, 1852-53 — continued. 
 
 Gurney, Goldsxvorthy. (Analysis of his Evidence) — Continued. 
 
 The steam-jet has an excess of power of ventilation beyond what is required for ordinary 
 purposes, which under extraordinary circumstances could be suddenly brought into play, 
 thereby diminishing or removing the fatalities consequent on explosions through the 
 
 after-damp, 4180-4197 In deep pits the furnace may be as efficacious as the sleam- 
 
 jet, and more economical, but in shallow pits the jet has decidedly the advantage, 4198- 
 
 4207- In some deep pits the steam-jet may be essentially necessary, as affording a 
 
 power of ventilation without a limit, the limit of the furnace being at times extremely 
 dangerous, 4206-4208. 
 
 There is not a single table drawn up by Mr. Wood in which there are not most extraor- 
 dinary discrepancies, 4209, 4210 Remarks on Table No. 21 of Mr. Wood, in which 
 
 he attributes a certain slight disturbance of the water-gauge, over and above that pro- 
 duced by the furnace, to the extra power of the steam-jet; evidence to the effect that 
 there was no action of the sieain-jet on this occasion, and that the increase attributed to 
 the jet was due to the temperature, 421 1-4254. 
 
 [Second Exam ination.] Furl her evidence in support of the assertion tnat Mr. Wood is 
 in error in attributing a certain disturbance of the water-gauge to the power of the steam- 
 jet ; the jet was not properly applied, and there was no available power produced by it in 
 the experiment in question at the Hetton Colliery, 4255-4272. 4286-4292 The appli- 
 cation of the jets was so arranged by Mr. Wood that the air being driven up in front of 
 the jets would naturally return again around them, or by the sides of the cylinders, and 
 thereby supply the exhaustion below, forming what is termed the pneumatic flower pot, 
 
 4265-4272. 4286-4292 Objection to the experiments with the steam-jet at Tyne Main 
 
 Colliery ; cylinders were used, but were much too large in proportion to the size of the 
 
 jets, 4273-4279 The size of t he cylinder in relation to that of the jet must depend on 
 
 the drag of the pit, &c. ; a cylinder of five inches would, in most cases, be sufficiently 
 large for a jet of one-eighth or three-sixteenths of an inch, 4280-4283. 4285. 
 
 The expense of the steam-jet, as regards the consumption of coal, is not much increased 
 
 by enlarging the area of the jets and diminishing the size of the cylinders, 4284, 4285 
 
 Remarks as to the power attributed by Mr. Wood to the heat of the boiler fires and of the 
 waste steam ; this power is much less than is generally supposed, 4293-4298 A regis- 
 tering anemometer might be placed in every mine out of ibe reach of all parties disposed 
 
 to tamper with it; mode by which this object should be attained, 4299-4305 How far 
 
 wilness can give any satisfactory explanation of his non-attendance at the experiments 
 made by Mr. Wood on the relative powers of the furnace and the steam-jet, 4306-4322 
 
 Witness expected an invitation to superintend the application of the jet, instead of 
 
 which he merely received a printed circular inviting him to be present on the occasion, 
 4306-4322. 
 
 Great advantage of the application of the steam-jet at the top of the down-cast shaft 
 
 in the event of an explosion, 4323 Difference between high and low pressure steam 
 
 with regard to the raie at which they severally -move the jet, 4324 The action of the 
 
 steam-jet is founded on the first law of motion, namely, that bodies in motion go on for 
 
 ever unless they are stopped by something, 4325 The steam-jet has been introduced 
 
 into almost every steamer on the Thames, and is being extended to the navy, 4326 
 
 Mention of several other useful applications of the steam-jet ; as applied to the blast 
 furnace of an iron forge the power has been got up to eight or ten indies of the water- 
 gauge, 4327 Remarks on the subject of safety-lamps; exception taken by witness to 
 
 Mr. Wood's statement that under certain conditions the Davy or other lamps would not 
 explode; the Davy lamp, as shown by fiequent experiments by scientific men, explodes 
 at lour feet rate of current, 4328-4342. 
 
 The danger of explosion arises from ihe retrograde motion, and witness has seen explo- 
 sions of safety-lamps caused by the backward movement, 4331, 4332. 4337-4342 The 
 
 Davy lamp is perfectly secure in a still atmosphere, and also in motion when the fire- 
 damp has not reached the most inflammable point ; it is unsafe when the fire-damp has 
 arrived at the explosive mixture, 4336. 
 
 H. 
 
 Hainault, Belgium. Number of accidents which have occuned in the coal mines in 
 Hainault in each year, 1849 t0 ^52, Machworth 680. 
 
 Halt's Lamp. Approval of the principle of a lamp now being constructed by Mr. Hall, of 
 Newcastle, Wood 3777. 
 
 Morton Colliery. See Hilda St., Colliery. 
 
 Haswell Colliery. The explosion at the Haswell Colliery in 1845 was occasioned by the 
 insufficient separation of the ingoing from the outgoing air; seven-eighths of the loss of 
 life occurred from the after-damp; report on the subject delivered in, Blackwell 4047- 
 4052. 4131. 
 
 0.76. d d 4 Health 
 
212 
 
 H E A 
 
 H E T [mttomtfi in 
 
 Reports, 1852-53 — continued. 
 
 Health of Miners. Bad ventilation is extremely injurious to the health of the men as well 
 sis uneconomical to the proprietors ; miners are proverbially short-lived, Mackworlh 1553- 
 1 557' See also Black Damp. Distribution of Air. 
 
 Henderson, Robert. (Analysis of his Evidence.) — Practical miner at Monkwearmouth Col- 
 liery; has followed this occupation for twenty-eight years, 2270-2274. 2277-2279 Wit- 
 
 nessalso carries on the businessof a brass finisher, and has invented a safety-lamp for miners; 
 explanation as to the construction of this lamp, showing how far it possesses any advan- 
 tages over the Claniiy and the Davy lamps, 2270. 2280-2307 Opinion that all lamps 
 
 constructed on the principle of Dr. Clanny's are perfectly safe, and should be enforced in 
 collieries; advantage of the flame bein<i surrounded with glass, 2307-2310. 2314-2321. 
 
 2 33 2 With respect to Dr. Glover's lamp, it is objectionable on account of the difficulty 
 
 of properly uniting the gauze so as to prevent the passage of the flame, 2308. 2311-2313 
 
 Safety-lamps should at all times be secured by a lock and key ; the workmen should 
 
 not be provided with a key, and should never attempt to open the lock, 2322-2325. 
 Precautions necessary to be taken with respect to the cleaning and repairing of the 
 
 lamps, 2326-2331 Remarks on the ventilation of the Monkwearmouth Colliery; it is 
 
 carried on by means of a f urnace, 2333-2341. 2375-2384 A sufficient amount of ven- 
 tilation can be afforded to every mine, provided proper attention is paid to the return 
 
 air-ways, 2333. 2342, 2343 With respect to the falling of roofs, the deputies are the 
 
 most fit persons to see that sufficient timber is furnished to stand the roofs, 2344-2348 
 
 As regards the winding up and down the pit, Mr. Jude's suggestion that the men 
 
 should pull the bell-rope is quite impracticable ; opinion that the men are generally wound 
 
 up too fast, 2349-2360 Reference to Fourdrinier's cage and to that of Bell & Grant ; 
 
 objections to their use; the former is not at present employed at Monkwearmouth, 
 2361-2374. 
 
 The system of long-wall work has been in practice about three years in Monkwear- 
 mouth colliery ; witness prefers it to the ordinary board-and-wall system, 2375-2384 
 
 Evidence as to the best course to be pursued with respect to the appointment of inspectors 
 and sub-inspectors ; the sub-inspectors should be selected from practical miners; advan- 
 tages to be derived from a proper system of sub-inspection, 2385-2405 Suggestions 
 
 for altering the constitution of coroners' juries on accidents in coal mines; they should be 
 empowered to inflict such penalties as are necessary for the relief of the distressed and to 
 
 enforce better regulations, 2407-2423 Deficiency of the education provided for miners' 
 
 children; average earnings of the parents; opinion that all miners, whether married 
 or single, should contribute a weekly sum for the education of the children, 2424- 
 
 2443 A national f und should be established for the support of the widows and orphans 
 
 of those who meet with their deaths by accidents, and for the aged; this fund should be 
 provided by contributions from the miners, and should he rendered imperative by Act of 
 Parliament, 2444-2458. 
 
 Hetton Colliery : 
 
 1. Generally. 
 
 2. Particulars as to Experiments made at the Colliery with the Steam-jet and 
 
 Furnace. 
 
 1 . Generally : 
 
 Great improvements lately made in the ventilation of the Great Hetton Colliery, Jude 
 
 1745-1748 The Hetton Colliery is goo feet in depth, and the workings extend over an 
 
 area of upwaids of 2,000 acres, Wood 3365, 3367 Remarks relative to the Colliery; 
 
 the Hetton Company are about to sink another pit in consequence of the ventilation 
 
 being defective, Forster 4484-4488. 4498, 4499 Synopsis of the ventilation of Hetton 
 
 Colliery, with the respective distances which each current of air travels, and the 
 
 quantity of air in each split, Rep. iii. App. 162-169 Return delivered by Mr. N. 
 
 Wood, showing the ventilation of the Colliery, 16. 168, 169. 
 
 2. Particulars as to Experiments made at the Colliery with the Steam-jet and 
 
 Furnace: 
 
 Evidence in detail with respect to experiments with the steam-jet and the furnace at 
 the Hetton Colliery ; result of these expetiments ; papers handed in in illustration thereof, 
 
 Wood 3365 et seq. The extent of the air-ways travelled under the experiments 
 
 amounted in the aggregate to more than ninety-seven miles, ib. 3370. 3373. 3442 The 
 
 power of the Hetton furnaces could be increased from 1*20 water-gauge up to 1*75; it is 
 
 impraciicable to attain a water-gauge of three inches, ib. 3394-3397 On 3 July 1853, 
 
 witness made another experiment with the steam-jet; quantity of cubic feet of air per 
 minute pioduced by the boiler fires and by thirty-seven jets during a trial of twelve hours, 
 
 ib. 3400-3413 Result of counter experiments with the furnace alone as against the 
 
 steam-jet, ib. 3414-3417. 
 
 Comparison of the consumption of coals in the use of the furnace and of the steam-jet ; 
 the balance is rather against the former, as the quantity of air with the furnace is greater 
 
 than 
 
HET 
 
 I N S 
 
 213 
 
 Reports, 1 852-53 — continued. 
 
 Hetton Colliery — continued. 
 
 2. Particulars as to Experiments made at the Colliery, Sfc. — continued. 
 
 than with the steam-jet, Wood 3414-3416 There are three furnaces in use at the 
 
 Hetton Colliery j one of these, which is nine feet wide, produced about the same velocity 
 
 of the current and the same quantity of air as the steam-jet, ib. 3414-3416 - 
 
 Remarks as to the resistance of the drag of the air round the workings, and of the 
 resistance in the shaft and over the furnace, ib. 3418-3422. 3428-3434 Corrobora- 
 tion of witness's statements as to the consumption of coals by an account of the practical 
 working of the furnace at seventeen collieries in the neighbourhood of Newcastle, being the 
 
 result of an inquiry by Professor Phillips, ib. 3444-3452 Experiments made at the 
 
 Hetton Colliery to determine the actual as well as the relative powers of the furnace and 
 the steam-jet, Rep. iii. App. 131-138. 145, 146. 150 et seq. 
 
 See also S/iafts. Steam-jet Ventilation, 2. 
 
 Hilda, St., Colliery. Reference to experiments made by witness at the St. Hilda and Harton 
 Pits, South Shields ; the result shows that the power of the steam-jet is inferior to that 
 
 of the furnace, Wood 3534-3546. 3578-3581 The application of the jet to St. Hilda 
 
 Colliery was in the first instance judicious and useful, but it was insufficient to clear the 
 pit entirely of bad air, and the furnace was resorted to, ib. 3537-3546 Result of expe- 
 riments made at St. Hilda Colliery in resuming the ventilation after it had been suspended 
 to put in tubbing, the workings being entirely filled with fire-damp, Rep. iii. App. 1 7 
 172. See also Fire-damp. 
 
 I. 
 
 Impure Air. Advantage of keeping the impure air of the mine away from the boiler fires 
 for the use of the steam-jet, and from the furnaces, for the purpose of raising the venti- 
 lation by that means, Forster 4508-4512. 
 
 Jnce Hall Colliery. Evidence generally as to a series of experiments made by Mr. Wynne 
 and witness at the Ince Hall Colliery, Wiyan, with respect to the ventilation by steam- 
 jet; detail of the results of those experiments, Dickinson 1108-1125 Mr. Darlington 
 
 accompanied witness when making the experiments, and made no objection to the 
 mode adopted in carrying them out, ib. 1137-1139 Remarks on the subject of ex- 
 plosions at Ince Hall Colliery in February 1850 and March 1853, by which respectively 
 tour and fifty lives were losl, Blachvell 4131. 
 
 See also Pemberton Pits, Wigan. Seaton Delaval Colliery. 
 Indications of Danger. See Approach of Danger. Barometer. Water-gauge. 
 
 Inspection of Mines : 
 
 I. Evidence relative to the Inspection of Collieries in England: 
 
 1. Generally. 
 
 2. Remarks as to the Insufficiency of the present Number of Inspectors r 
 
 Suggestions on the subject. 
 
 3. Observations relative to the Duties and Powers of the Inspectors. 
 
 II. Particulars as to the Inspection of Mines on the Continent : 
 
 1. Belgium. 
 
 2. France. 
 
 3. Prussia. 
 
 1. Evidence relative to the Inspection of Collieries in England: 
 1. Generally. 
 
 The mines in this country do not. require the numbe r of inspectors which the continental 
 
 governments have for their mines, Dickinson 439 Manner in which the occasional 
 
 inspection of mines would essentially operate to reduce the number of accidents, Mack- 
 
 zcorth 830, 835, 838 Witness never heard any complaints of the insufficiency of the 
 
 present inspection. Dickinson 893 Remarks generally on the subject of the inspection ; 
 
 the appointment of inspectors has been very beneficial in the prevention of accidents, 
 
 Swallow 2475-2520, 2525, 2526. 2531, 2532. 2764-2773. 2928-2936 Some collieries 
 
 should be visited by the inspectors within certain peiiods, but this rule should only apply 
 in peculiar cases, ib. 2517-2520. 
 
 Opinion that the system of Government inspection works very well, Gray 3130-3134 
 
 . .Consideration of the present system of inspection ; evidence showing that it is not 
 
 conducted upon a proper basis; suggestions for its improvement, Wood 3829-3900 =• 
 
 0.76. E e The 
 
214 
 
 INSPECTION OF MINES. 
 
 [acrifcent!} in 
 
 Reports, 1852-53 — continued. 
 
 Inspection of Mines — continued. 
 
 I. Evidence relative to the Inspection of Collieries in England. — 1. Generally — contd. 
 
 The inspectors are generally competent to undertake the duties of their office, Wood 3864 
 
 Remarks to the effect that no improvement in the management of mines can be 
 
 traced to the Government inspection; the suggestions of the inspectors have not been 
 
 generally adopted by the coalowners, Blackwell 4116-4126 The superintendence of 
 
 mines by the sub-viewers, overmen, and others, is sufficient, and it is unnecessary to have 
 any further superintendence, Forster 4724. 
 
 2. Remarks as to the Insufficiency of the present Number of Inspectors ; 
 
 Suggestions on the subject. 
 
 It would occupy witness four or five years to visit all the mines in his district ; he is 
 well acquainted with the most dangerous collieries, and to those he most directs his 
 
 attention, Mackworth 601-607 Irnpossibilty of the inspectors visiting the whole of 
 
 the mines included in their districts oftener than once in four or five years; objections 
 to diminishing the area of the districts, ib. 731, 733. 742-745. 1608-1621. 1625-1629 
 
 Opinion that a very moderate increase in the present number of inspectors would 
 
 be quite sufficient for all the requirements of this country, Dickinson 894, 896 — ■ — 
 Suggestion for the appointment of an additional number of inspectors, Mackworth 1608- 
 
 1621. 1625-1629 As one means of increasing the security of mines, there should be 
 
 increased superintendence on the part of Government; increased inspection would so 
 increase energy in the viewers and persons connected with the ventilation, as would 
 ensure its effectiveness, Jude 1904-1910. 
 
 The inspection is far from satisfactory; the number of inspectors is not sufficient, and 
 iheir powers are much too limited, Jude 1947-1957 ; Swallow 2483-2490 Insuf- 
 ficiency of the number of the Government inspectors, Wood 3861. 3899 Grounds for 
 
 the opinion that the present number of inspectors is not sufficient ; from two to three times 
 
 the number are required for a yearly inspection of the mines, Blachwell 4107-4115 
 
 The present inspection does very little good ; if there is to be an inspection at all, there 
 ought to be more inspectors, and they should go down the pits oftener than at present, 
 Forster 4695-4722. 4749-4762. 
 
 3. Observations relative to the Duties and Powers of the Inspectors : 
 
 Instead of increasing the number of inspectors, the better plan would be to increase 
 
 their power, Dickinson 896-902 It should be the duty of the inspector to see that 
 
 proper engine tenters are employed, that the shafts are properly walled, and that there is 
 a sufficiency of timber for the purpose of propping the roofs, Sxmllow 2796. 2814-2823 
 
 -Remarks upon the system of Government inspection ; it has been very beneficial in 
 
 its operation, but does not go far enough; suggestion for the appointment of a certain 
 number of sub-inspectors, who should be practical miners, with ample power of reporting 
 on all matters that require improvement, Tetlow 3238-3256. 3263-3295. 3332-3339. 
 
 The suggestions of the inspectors to the coalowners are in effect orders, and are not 
 
 always duly weighed before being issued, Wood 3862, 3863 Evidence on the present 
 
 system of inspection ; the want of clearly defined responsibility is very objectionable, 
 Blackwell 4084-4130. 
 
 The action of the inspection should be limited to examinations, reports, and to offering 
 opinions and suggestions for adoption by the coalowner, Blackwell 4098, 4099. 4127- 
 
 4130 The inspectors should be men of great practical experience, and also of great 
 
 weight of character; a little more practical knowledge would be an improvement to some 
 
 of the present inspectors, ib. 4099-4106 The inspectors should not be allowed to take 
 
 any other work than the Government inspection, Forster 4716-4719. 4749 4756 Ne- 
 cessity for the inspectors being men competent to judge of all the practical requisites of 
 
 working a mine, ib. 4725 The inspectors should suggest alterations, as at present, but 
 
 should not have power to enforce them, ib. 4726, 4727 
 
 II. Particulars as to the Inspection of Mines on the Continent : 
 1. Belgium : 
 
 Evidence generally with respect to the system of inspection of mines and the number of 
 inspectors in Belgium, Dickinson 181-200. 224-292; Mackworth 691-711 — —The 
 control which is exercised by the Government inspectors is much more stringent than 
 that which is exercised by the inspectors in this country; their powers are more ex- 
 tensive, Dickinson 181-200 The visits of the inspectors are more frequent than 
 
 they are in this country; this is owing to the great difference in the extent of the dis- 
 tricts, 26. 259-268 Particulars as to the books kept at each mine in Belgium for the 
 
 inspecting engineers to write remarks in on their visits, ib. 279, 280 Class of men 
 
 who are charged with the daily inspection of the mines; they are similar to the overmen 
 in this country, are employed by the proprietors of the mines, and are not paid by Govern- 
 ment, 
 
Goal mint**] I N S 
 
 J U D 
 
 215 
 
 Reports, 1 852-53 — continued. 
 
 Inspection of Mines — continued. 
 
 II. Particulars as to Inspection of Mines on the Continent. — 1. Belgium — continued. 
 
 ment, Dickinson 285-292 Remarks relative to the frequent supervision of the mines in 
 
 Belgium; number of supervisors appointed whose duty it is to inspect the state of the 
 lamps, the conduct of the men, and the state of the mine, Mackworth 720 — The sub- 
 engineers or aspirants employed in the inspection of mines are the most highly-educated 
 men in the country ; strict examinations which they undergo previous to becoming 
 
 aspirants, ib. 721-726 Remarks upon the system of Government inspection in 
 
 Belgium ; opinion that its introduction into this country is very desirable, Wood 3866- 
 3870. 3875. 
 
 2. France : 
 
 Particulars as to the system of inspection in France ; the Government take five per cent, 
 of the profits, Dickinson 462, 463. 
 
 3. Prussia: 
 
 Evidence with regard to the system of inspection in Prussia, Dickinson 44G, 447. 
 
 See also Accidents. Board of Trade. Brattices. Closing of Mines. Coro- 
 ners' Inquests. Ironstone Mines. Machinery. Management of Collieries. 
 Owners of Collieries. Plans of Collieries. Rules and Regulations. Safety 
 Lamps, 4. Shafts. Sub-Inspectors. Supply of Air. Tests of Ventilation. 
 Ventilation. 
 
 Inspectors. See Coroner's Inquests. Dickinson, Mr. Inspection of Mines, I. Safety 
 Lamps, 1. Sub-Inspectors. 
 
 Intimidation of Miners. Frequency of the miners being intimidated and prevented from 
 giving information to the inspectors, from the fear of losing their employment ; the men 
 should be protected where they afford information, Jude 1871-1903. 
 
 Ironstone Mines Long work is peculiarly applicable to the ironstone mines, Dickinson 
 
 43 The present Act for the inspection of mines might be amended ; suggestion that 
 
 ironstone mines be included in the Act, ib. 897-900. 
 
 J. 
 
 Jarrow Colliery. Remarks on the expl osion in 1845 8t the Jarrow Colliery; a bratticed 
 shaft, as used there, is extremely insecure ; exiracts from reports on this explosion 
 handed in, Blackivell 4053-4056. 4131. 
 
 Jude, Martin. (Analysis of his Evidence.)— Innkeeper at Newcastle ; has been thirty-four 
 years engaged in woiking in collieries, 1687-1690 Is Secretary of the Miners' Asso- 
 ciation, 1691, 1692 The mines in Northumberland and Durham are not in a better 
 
 condition as to ventilation than they were in 1849; 1693-1696 Nature of the 
 
 grievances complained of by the miners; the workmen are anxious that there should be 
 
 a sufficient quantity of air, the owners being responsible for the same, 1697-1704 
 
 Remarks relative to the operation of the steam-jet in the Seaton Delaval Colliery; the 
 ventilation of that mine is very superior to any pit witness ever saw before, 1705-1718. 
 
 !793> *794 ln t,le eveilt °f regulations being issued to be observed in the mines, the 
 
 pitmen would give information of any bieach of the rules, 1719-1721. 
 
 The principal thing on which the safety of the pit depends is the size of the air-ways for 
 
 the take-in, and the return air, 1722-1724 The goaves should be ventilated as far as 
 
 possible, 1725-1729. 1783-1792 Remarks relative to the safety-lamps ; the workmen 
 
 prefer the Stephenson lamp to the Davy lamp, 1730-1736 The body of miners highly 
 
 approve of the recommendations contained in the Report of the Committee of 1853; 
 
 1 737> ^38 Attempts made since the Reportof 1852 to improve the furnace system of 
 
 ventilation, and to increase its power, 1739-1746 Great improvements lately made in 
 
 the ventilation of the Great Hetton Colliery, 1745-1748 Insufficiency of the present 
 
 number of shafts for the proper ventilation of mines; there should be two shafts sunk at 
 the dip of the colliery, and one or two of equal area at the rise of the colliery, 1747- 
 1782. 
 
 Theie is always great danger in having a brattice in a shaft, 1753 Deficiency of 
 
 bratticing in the Newcastle and Durham coal mines; the only- way of ensuring the 
 
 brattice being carried to the face of the work is by constant inspection, 1795-1808 
 
 Remarks relative to the Clanny lamp; preference given by the workmen to this lamp over 
 
 0.76. E e 2 the 
 
2l6 
 
 J TJ D E. 
 
 [Bccitmujs in 
 
 Reports, 1852-53— continued. 
 
 Jude, Martin. (Analysis of his Evidence) — continued. 
 
 the Davy lamp, 1810-1817 Observations on Dr. Fife's lamp ; by having a talc sur- 
 rounding the glass one objection to the glass lamps is removed, 1818-1821 The use of 
 
 the safety-lamp should be rendered compulsory, 1 822-1 824 What the miners reallv 
 
 want is sufficient ventilation whilst working ; they should be enabled to complain to the 
 
 inspector in the eventofthe supply of air being insufficient, 1825-1837 The workmen 
 
 generally look upon the verdicts of coroners' juries as a farce, 1838, 1839 ^ should 
 
 be imperative on the owner of a colliery to have one man always to clean the lamps 
 
 and repair them, 1841 The safety-lamps should be locked, and the keys left with the 
 
 overman; the miners should never be entrusted with the keys, 1842, 1843. 
 
 [Second Examination.] — The principal man or manager in a mine, in witness's part of 
 the country, is called the head-viewer, and has an under-viewer for his assistant, 1844, 
 
 1845' Number of overmen and deputies employed in coal mines, 1846-1849 
 
 Statement as to the different classes of officers and men employed in the working and 
 
 management, 1850-1863 What the miners principally want is sufficient ventilation; 
 
 this can only be enforced by frequent inspection, 1864-1870 'Frequency of the miners 
 
 being intimidated and prevented from giving information to the inspector from the fear 
 of losing their employment; the men should be protected where tney afford information, 
 1871-1903. 
 
 As one means of increasing the security of mines, there should be increased super- 
 intendence on the part of Government; increased inspection would so infuse energy into 
 the viewers and persons connected with the ventilation as would ensure its effectiveness, 
 1904-1910 The number of waste men has been considerably reduced since the intro- 
 duction of the Davy lamp, 1911-1916 Opinion in favour of the appointment of sub- 
 inspectors; this would give great satisfaction to the workmen; number of sub-inspectors 
 
 that would be necessary; nature of their required qualifications, 1917-1946 The Act 
 
 of 1850, which created the inspectors, has not given general satisfaction, from the 
 inspection not being sufficiently extensive ; the number of inspectors is not large enough, 
 
 1947-1957 Remarks relative to the Mining Association; meetings of the delegates, 
 
 &c, 1958-1966. 
 
 Opinion that the working men would contribute towards the expense of the sub- 
 inspectors if they had some little power in the nomination of them, 1967-1969 
 
 Observations with respect to the practicability of constructing refuge stalls, 1970-1 983 
 
 Witness would not recommend bore-holes being made into the goaf, as it is more than 
 
 probable they would become down-casts, 1984-1990 Suggestion for the formation of 
 
 some tribunal for examining into the qualifications of the managers and officers of mines; 
 a Board might be formed of some of the principal mining engineers in the country ; this 
 
 would be preferable to any Government Board, 1991-1997 Generally speaking, the 
 
 officers in management of mines are extremely deficient in the qualifications that are 
 
 requisite, 1998 et seq. The principal viewers are genetally a superior class of men in 
 
 the north of England, 1999-2002. 
 
 Observations with respect to the qualifications of the undcr-viewers ; many of this 
 
 class are quite unfit for the office, 2002-2012 With regard to the overmen they are 
 
 not generally a well qualified class of men; means by which they might be improved, 
 
 2013-2020 Evidence with respect to the schools established at the collieries in the 
 
 north of England; deficiency in the means of education among the mining classes, 2021- 
 
 2036 Opinion that if the establishment of a school was made compulsory on each 
 
 colliery, a rate for their support being stopped from the earnings of the workmen, it 
 would take very well with the miners, they having some control in the management them- 
 selves, 2037-2047 Remarks as to the nature of the instruction that should be afforded 
 
 in the colliery schools ; practical information with respect to mining might be given in 
 evening schools, 2048-2057. 
 
 Recommendation that a law should be enacted prohibiting boys between ten and fourteen 
 from working more than eight hours per day; at present they work twelve hours, which 
 
 is too much, 2058-2074 Children should be compelled to attend the colliery schools; 
 
 a certificate of a boy's having attended should be required before he was permitted to 
 
 enter a mine, 2068, 2069 It is to the interest of the proprietor that the mine should be 
 
 kept in an efficiently ventilated state, as the loss from an explosion is veiy great ; witness 
 attributes the neglected state of the mines in the north of England to false economy, 
 
 2075-20H4 Workmen are disposed to work for less wages in mines which are 
 
 notoriously well ventilated than in mines that are the contrary, 2085 Possibility of 
 
 putting a tieiy pit in such a condition that it should be absolutely safe, 2086. 2093-2099 
 
 : It is desirable that specific enactments should be made against wilful neglect on the 
 
 part of the men, 2087-2092. 
 
 The sub-inspectors should thoroughly inspect the mines, but should not interfere at all 
 with the mode of working, so as in the least to remove the responsibility from the viewers 
 
 or managers, 2100-2117 Frequency of accidents from the falls of the roof in mines ; 
 
 this might be avoided by more hands being employed as deputies to see that sufficient 
 
 pit 
 
Coal ittinrsh] 
 
 J U D 
 
 LE S 
 
 217 
 
 Reports, 18,52-53 — continued. 
 
 Jude, Martin. (Analysis of his Evidence) — continued. 
 
 pit props are placed, 2118-2133. 2204-2212 Evidence generally with respect to the 
 
 accidents which occur to the men in ascending and descending the pits; they cannot be 
 entirely avoided, but might be somewhat prevented by decreasing the speed at which the 
 
 men are drawn up, 2134-2182 Remarks as to the employment of patent cages with 
 
 guides on for ascending and descending the pits in the north of England ; there has been 
 less loss of life since these cages have been in use, 2140-2154. 
 
 Very few accidents have arisen from the slides being out of order in the north of 
 
 England, 2183, 2184 Letter received by witness from the workmen in the Bed- 
 
 Jington Colliery, dated 7 March 1853, complaining of the bad state of the mine; this 
 letter witness forwarded to the inspector, who visited the colliery and suggested various 
 improvements, which have since been carried out, 2184-2200 Provided proper regu- 
 lations were made, and the inspector had the power to see that the pits, machinery, and 
 ropes weie kept in good order, it would almost entirely do away with the chance of 
 
 accidents in winding up and down the people, 2201-2204 Objections to the roofs 
 
 being propped by the miners, 2204-2212 The miners are very dissatisfied with the 
 
 coroners' juries; they wish for a better class of jurymen; no person engaged in the 
 working of a colliery should be on the jury, 2213-2217. 
 
 At present coroners can only find verdicts of accidental death, or manslaughter in 
 cases of gross misconduct; they should have some intermediate power ; some power to 
 
 ■assess damages or impose penalties, 2218-2222 With respect to the schools the 
 
 Mining Assoeiatiun are anxious that the Government should contribute 20Z. per annum 
 
 for every 100 I. contributed by the coal hewers in the colliery, 2226-2230 And that 
 
 the owners should allow al! fines and forfeitures on the workmen's wages to go to such 
 fund for the purpose of establishing reading-rooms, libraries, and getting lectures upon 
 
 scientific subjects, 2227-2232 Evidence with respect to the experiments made at 
 
 Seaton .Delaval Colliery on the 15th June 1853, to prove whether the door that leads to 
 the boiler fires being left open would lessen the current of air in the workings, when it 
 
 was found to increase it, 2233-2269 Opinion that the Government inspector could 
 
 not rely on the anemometer as a test for what quantity of air was passing through 
 the mine, provided his visits were only once a month ; a badly conducted overman 
 could tamper with the anemometer and lender it an insufficient test to be relied on, 
 2242, 2243. 
 
 K. 
 
 -Killingworth Colliery. Result of experiments at Killingworth Colliery with the steam-jet 
 and the furnace, showing the greater power of the latter, Wood 3469-3491. 3510-3514 
 
 Experiments made at Killingworth Colliery to determine the actual as well as the 
 
 relative powers of the furnace and steam-jets, Hep. iii. App. 131, 132. 138-141. 146. 150 
 et seq. See also Density of Air. Safety Lamps, 2. Seaton Delaval Colliery. 
 
 L. 
 
 Ladders. See Ascent and Descent of Mines, 1. 
 
 Lancashire and Cheshire Branch of the Miners' Association. See Miners' Association. 
 
 Lancashire Collieries. The ventilation in the small collieries of Lancashire is worse than in 
 the large ones; there is a general complaint against the inefficient circulation of the air, 
 Tetlow 3165-3167 Description of the Lancashire collieries, and mode of working- 
 pursued therein; sufficient attention is not paid to dividing the mine into districts, and 
 to splitting the air, Blackwe/l 3974-3983. See also Explosions. 
 
 Lancaster, Mr. See Dickinson, Joseph. 
 
 Large Collieries. The largest collieiies are the best ventilated, because they are managed 
 by men of a superior class, Blackwell 4027. 
 
 Legislation. Witness would not recommend the enforced adoption in the English mines of 
 any system of ventilation in use in Belgium ; the kind of ventilating power must he left 
 
 entirely to the proprietor, Mackworth 1461 It should be enacted that ventilation 
 
 should be produced and conducted by perfectly safe and efficient means, ib. 1520 It 
 
 is not desirable for the Legislature to enforce any particular system of veiuilaiion ; it 
 must be left to the coalowners, with a proviso that there shall be a sufficient quantity of 
 
 air passing through the mine, ib. 1576 The miners consider that there should be no 
 
 further deiay in legislating for a better system of ventilation, and expect to derive many 
 benefits if the Report of the Committee of 1852 is carried into effect, Swallow 291 1-2927 
 
 All that is wanted for the purpose of improving the present state of collieries, and 
 
 securing greater safety, is a thorough determination on the part of Government to effect 
 that object, Tetlow 3290. 
 
 Lemielle's Ventilator. Plan of Lemielle's feathering fan, Rep. i. App. Plan (D). 
 Lesoinne's Ventilator. Plan of Lesoinne's windmill ventilator, Rep. i. App. Plan (B). 
 0.76. e e 3 Letoret' s 
 
218 
 
 LET 
 
 MAC [^ctitiimt* in 
 
 Reports, 18552-53 — continued. 
 
 Letoret's Ventilator. Plan of Letoret's ventilator fan, Rep. i. App. Plan (A). 
 
 Lighting of Mines. General law concerning the ventilation and lighting of mines, Hep. i. 
 App. 138-140. See also Safety Lamps. 
 
 Lletty Shenkin Colliery. Remarks on the subject of an explosion in August 1849, at 
 Letty Shenkin Colliery, near Aberdare; fifty-two lives were lost on this occasion, chiefly 
 by suffocation from after-damp, Blackwell 4131. 
 
 Long-icork System, The common system of working wines in Belgium is long work ; 
 
 remarks on that system, Dickinson Q etseq. -Explanation of the system of long work, 
 
 as practised in this country, difficulty in carrying on ventilation under the system, unless 
 the gob is packed very lightly, and the sides of it clayed to prevent leakage, ib. 10-15 
 
 ■ The thick coal of Staffordshire is worked by long work, which is a great improvement 
 
 on the old system, ib. 28. 39 There is no system so efficacious as long work; all the 
 
 coal is obtained by it, and the ventilation is much simplified, ib. 28-30 Statement as 
 
 to the counties in which long work has been adopted; it is as well done in the districts 
 
 in England as it is in Belgium, ib. 31-33. 38-42 Nature of the danger attending the 
 
 beginning of the system of long work ; the first weight is usually a dangerous weight; 
 the men usually abandon that portion of the work until the subsidence of the roof 
 takes place, ib. 34-37. 
 
 Opinion that long work is the cheapest and best system, and is applicable to thick and 
 
 thin seams of coal, Dickinson 44-48 Possibility of applying the system of long work 
 
 to mines which are already established, though in some cases it would entail great 
 
 expense, ib. 49-51 Evidence showing the advantages of the long-work system for 
 
 ventilation over the pillar-and-stall working ; much greater force must be applied to 
 secure good ventilation on the stall system as compared with the long-work system, ib. 
 
 5 2_ 75 Opinion as to the best mode of commencing the long-work system; the best 
 
 plan is to work the lower part first, taking care to pack the gob very tight with rubbish, 
 
 ib. 89-100 The long-work system of working thick coal at St. Etienne, France, might 
 
 be introduced into South Staffordshire, ib. 460, 461. 470, 471 -The system of lono- 
 
 work, as carried out at St. Etienne, is not universally adopted in Fiance ; it would be 
 advantageous if it was adopted in all places where thick coal is worked, ib. 464-473. 
 
 See also Escapes of Gas Ironstone Mines. Fillar-and- St all System. Roofs. 
 South Wales. Working of Mines. 
 
 M. 
 
 Machinery. It is the duty of the inspectors to see that the machinery and apparatus con- 
 nected with the pit are in proper order; the managers generally attend to their repre- 
 sentations, Dickinson 1231-1234 Provided proper regulations were made, and the 
 
 inspectors had the power to see that the pits, machinery, and ropes were kept in good 
 order, it would almost entirely do away with the chance of accidents in winding the 
 people up and down, Jude 2201-2204 The ropes used in lowering the men are fre- 
 quently very defective from wear, Tctlow 3216-3218 Every care is taken to keep the 
 
 machinery and ropes in good order in the north of England ; it should be one of the 
 duties of the inspectors to see that such is the case, Forster 4641-4643. 4649. 
 
 See also Ascent and Descent of Mines. Mechanical Ventilators. 
 
 Mackworth, Herbert. Francis. (Analysis of his Evidence.) — Government Inspector of Mines 
 
 for the South Western district, 474-477 Statement of the accidents which occurred 
 
 in the coal mines of Great Britain in 1851 and 1852 ; observations thereon, 480,481 ■ 
 
 Considerable decrease in the number of accidents in shafts in 1852; this may be 
 
 attributed to the Government inspection, 480-51 1 On witness discovering any defects 
 
 in the shafts of any of the mines under his inspection, he has suggested alterations and 
 
 improvements to the managers, which have invariably been carried out, 489-513 
 
 Particulars relative to the explosion which occurred at the Middle Dyffryn Colliery, 
 Aberdare, on 10 May 1852, from the improper use of the furnace for the ventilation of 
 the mine, 517-550- 59^599- 
 
 Reference to Mr. Kenyon Blacks ell's report on the state of that colliery, in which 
 he recommended that naked lights should not be used in the mine on account of 
 the imperfect state of the ventilation ; difference of opinion existing as to whether a 
 
 furnace is a naked light or not, 533-555 Remarks relative to the barometer as a means 
 
 of indicating danger; the fall of the barometer would indicate the necessity for greater 
 
 vigilance on the pan of the persons having charge of the ventilation, 544-546. 568 
 
 Witness considers a furnace to be a naked light, 555-559 The furnace if unprotected 
 
 is a very dangerous means of producing ventilation; with the use of the dumb drift, and 
 
 with proper precaution-, it is perfectly safe, 560-567, 600 Great importance of the 
 
 proper distribution of the air in the ventilation of mines ; the safety of the mine depends 
 upon the amount of ventilation, 569-571. 
 
 Mr. 
 
Coal Jftin*0.'] 
 
 MACKWORTH. 
 
 219 
 
 Reports, 1852-53 — continued. 
 
 Mackworth, Herbert Francis. (Analysis of his Evidence) — continued. 
 
 Mr. Blackwell, in his official report on the Middle Dyffryn Colliery, condemned the use 
 of brattices and all naked lights ; these recommendations were not attended to up to the 
 time of the accident in May; since that accident those suggestions have been adopted, 
 
 and the system in operation at (he mine altered, 572-590 Opinion that the adoption 
 
 of Mr. Blackwell's suggestions would probably have been attended with a great saving 
 
 of life, if not an entire avoidance of the accident, 573, 577 It would occupy witness 
 
 four or five years to visit all the mines in his district; witness is well acquainted with the 
 most dangerous collieries, and to those he most directs his attention, 601-607 -Wit- 
 ness does not consider that the self-registering anemometer could be depended on as 
 indicating the state of the ventilation, because the air-ways may be altered from time to 
 time so as to affect very materially the results indicated by it, 608-628. 643-652. 
 
 The first essential of ventilation is to get a sufficient amount of air, and the next is to 
 
 distribute it properly through the various workings of the mine, 629, 630. 664-666 
 
 Frequency of the ventilation in particular mines in witness's district varying materially 
 
 from the lime of one visit to another, 631-634 Opinion that a perfect system of 
 
 ventilation is the most important point with regard to the economical and proper working 
 
 of a colliery, 635-637 Working miners generally know nothing whatever of the 
 
 ventilation of a colliery, 638-642 How far it would be possible by any mechanical 
 
 means to measure the distribution of the air in a colliery, the splits being numerous, 643- 
 
 652 Remarks with respect to the air being taken up the face of the work by a 
 
 brattice ; necessity of the brattice being carried sufficiently near the face to sweep it of 
 all gas, 653-659. 
 
 In every part of the mine there should be a certain minimum amount of air distributed 
 
 for the safety and health of the miners, 660-666 No one instrument can test the 
 
 distribution of the air; unless there is an anemometer in every working point, it cannot 
 
 be ascertained that the air is thorougly distributed, 667-676 Supposing the 
 
 anemometer 10 be placed close to the end of the brattice, and the brattice was not 
 lengthened as the heading advanced, the danger to the workmen would be increasing, 
 
 ■whilst the indications of the instrument remained the same, 671-676 Manner in 
 
 which witness tests the ventilation of mines on his visits of inspection, 677-679 
 
 Number of accidents which have occurred in the coal mines in Hainault in each year, 
 1849 to 1852 ; 680. 
 
 Comparative statement with respect to the number of men employed and the number 
 of accidents in England, Fiance, and Belgium, showing that the excess of deaths is 
 
 considerably more in England than in the other countries, 681-683 Perfect system 
 
 of management in Belgian mines, 683 Frequency of accidents in this country from 
 
 the unprotected state of the mouth of the pits ; it would be proper to enact a law to 
 
 prevent pits being left in an exposed state, 684-689 It would be more destructive to 
 
 life if the men were compelled to ascend and descend the pits by ladders in this country, 
 
 690 Remarks relative to the inspection of mines in Belgium; number of inspectors, 
 
 their duties and powers, 691-711 The mines in Belgium belong to the Government; 
 
 a royalty of two and a half per cent, on the profits is paid to the Government, 701. 
 710/711. 
 
 Existence of a very excellent collection of rules for collieries, which are part of the 
 
 laws of Belgium ; rules for the workmen as well as for the masters, 703-708 Power 
 
 of the inspectors to stop the mines in Belgium in the event of their being improperly 
 
 worked, 703-706 The mines are better laid out in Belgium than they are in England, 
 
 712 With regard to the distribution of air, the Belgium mines form a marked 
 
 contrast to the mines in England ; the perfect distribution of air, and the thorough 
 discipline and management, prevents so large a proportion of accidents arising from 
 
 explosions, 712 The best managed collieries in England are often as well managed 
 
 as collieries can be managed, 713 The distribution of air is generally very much 
 
 neglected in English mines, 713 Comparison between the fiery mines of England 
 
 and Belgium; the most fiery mines in England are more fiery than any coal mines in 
 France, Belgium, or Prussia, 714-717. 
 
 The great principle of the ventilation of the mines in Belgium is that of ascensional 
 ventilation, and throughout the Continent the greatest stress is laid on that point; by 
 keeping all the air-courses in a mine gradually inclined upwards to the up-cast shaft, 
 
 even a blower of gas which comes off finds its own way to the surface, 714 There 
 
 are no mines in England which, as regards discipline among the workmen, surpass the 
 
 Belgian mines, 718-720 Remarks relative to the frequent supervision of the mines in 
 
 Belgium; number of supervisors appointed whose duty it is to inspect the state of the 
 
 lamps, the conduct of the men, and the state of the mine, 720 The sub-engineers or 
 
 aspirants employed in the inspection of mines in Belgium are the most highly educated 
 men in the country ; strict examinations which they undergo previous to becoming 
 
 aspirants, 721-726 In ordinary managed mines in Belgium the system is infinitely 
 
 superior to the system in England ; this is attributable to the admirable code of 
 regulations, 727-730. 
 
 Impossibility of the inspectors visiting the. whole of the mines included in their 
 •districts at the present time oftener than once in four or five years; objections to 
 0.76. e e 4 diminishing 
 
220 
 
 MACK WORTH. 
 
 [gLttiXttnH in 
 
 Reports, 1852-53 — continued. 
 
 Machworth, Herbert Francis. (Analysis of his Evidence) — continued. 
 
 diminishing the area of the districts, 731. 733. 742-745 Suggestion for the employ- 
 ment of sub-inspectors for the assistance of the inspectors, with powers nearly equal 
 
 to those possessed by the present inspectors, 732-767. 874 Recommendation that 
 
 a certain number of the most important regulations for the working of coal mines be 
 passed into a law ; a code of regulations could be adopted which might he applied 
 
 universally throughout the country, 732. 740. 751-760. 773 The overmen employed 
 
 in witness's district are, on the average, not very intelligent; great deficiency of informa- 
 tion among them on many important points of safety, 768-772 In the code of regu- 
 lations recommended by witness, he would not stipulate for any fixed quantity of air for 
 the supply of a mine, 773, 774. 
 
 Although there is a great difference with respect to the fiery nature of mines, still 
 
 regulations might be framed that would apply to all descriptions of mine, 775-781 
 
 The use of locked safety-lamps should be compulsory in every colliery where there is 
 any fire-damp at all ; this is an important rule, and ought to be generally applied, 780. 
 
 834. 872, 873 Opinion that it is most desirable that artificial ventilation should be 
 
 made compulsory in all collieries; more injury is caused to life and health by the want of 
 
 ventilation in non-fiery mines than by all the accidents by explosions, 782, 783 In some 
 
 cases a sufficient current of air is obtained by natural ventilation, but it is not to be relied 
 
 on, 783 Explanation as to the mode of distributing air in mines in Belgium ; great 
 
 advantages of the system, 784-790 The distribution of air is very defective in the 
 
 mines in England • how far it would be possible to introduce the ascensional ventilation as 
 adopted in Belgium, 784-798. 
 
 Observations with respect to gobbing; the gob walls are not ordinarily sufficient to 
 carry the air along the face ol work ; it is very commonly the rule not to carry 
 
 forward the gob, until there is some indication of fire-damp in the lamp, 797-813 
 
 The most convenient wny is to work the coal first by stall and pillar, and then by 
 
 long-wall work, 811 Witness would not recommend the Legislature of this country 
 
 to enforce either the system of long-wall work or stall-and-pillar work ; it would be 
 
 impossible to say a proprietor should work his coal in this or that manner, 814, 815 
 
 Witness would not recommend gobbing as one of the rules for the management of mines, 
 
 816, 817 Observations as 10 how far regulations might be adopted to enforce the 
 
 requisite supply of air to mines so as to keep them in safe and proper working order; 
 manner in which the sufficiency or insufficiency of the supply might be measured, 
 818-835. 
 
 Manner in which the occasional inspection of mines would essentially operate to reduce 
 
 the number of accidents, 830. 835-838 It is a matter of great importance that before 
 
 a man is allowed to undertake the management of a coal mine he should undergo an 
 
 examination which should really test his ability, 836, 837 However great the 
 
 discharge of fire-damp, there would be no difficulty in ventilating a mine with the ven- 
 tilating powers at present possessed, 839-841 Observations as to the velocity of the 
 
 currents of air that should be kept in motion in every working part of a colliery, 842- 
 
 851 In all cases where the state of the atmosphere is such as to produce a halo 
 
 round the candle the quantity of air should be doubled to prevent the danger of an 
 
 explosion, 852-861 Means possessed by the inspectors of ascertaining the cause in 
 
 case of an explosion taking place in a mine, 862-866. 
 
 Although a self-registering anemometer at the bottom of the up-cast and at the 
 bottom of the down-cast would be no test of distribution, yet it would be a test of the 
 
 amount of air entering the mine to be distributed, 867-871 The improved inspection 
 
 of mines ought to be combined with a code of regulations, which the inspectors should 
 
 see enforced, 875-877 Witness disagrees with some portion of Mr. Dickinson's 
 
 evidence as to the mode of ventilation which is adopted in Belgium, 878, 879 With 
 
 regard to mechanical ventilation, comparing the effective work with the consumption of 
 coal, it will bear comparison with the best furnace ventilation in the north of England, 879, 
 
 [Second Examination.] — Correction of former evidence as to the accident in the Middle 
 
 Dyffryn Colliery, and the number of deaths resulting from the explosion, 880-883 
 
 Witness attributes that accident to the gas having coine in contact with the furnace, 
 883-888. 
 
 [Third Examination.] — Explanation as to the general system of ventilating collieries 
 in Belgium by means of mechanical power, 1414-1419 Remarks relaiive to the ven- 
 tilation of the Grand Bac Pit, near Liege, where the air is split ten times, each passing 
 
 one face of work, 1415 Comparison between Fabrey's and Struve's ventilating 
 
 machines ; Fabrey's is the best ventilating machine in Belgium, 1418, 1419 
 
 Mechanical ventilation is not practised in England, as there is an unfounded pre- 
 judice existing against it on account of its imagined liability to derangement, thereby 
 
 possibly causing an explosion, 1420 Ordinarily speaking, witness recommends the 
 
 adoption of a .furnace in mines, principally on account of its convenience, and because 
 it is, in the majority of cases, sufficiently effective in producing ventilation, 1421. 
 
 There are a number of ventilating powers employed in Belgium, which might be 
 adopted with advantage in many of the English collieries which now require such 
 
 powers 
 
tfoal Mint*.] 
 
 MACKWORTH. 
 
 221 
 
 Reports, 1 852-53 — continued. 
 
 Mackworth, Herbert Francis. (Analysis of his Evidence)— continued. 
 
 powers- to ventilate them; description of these ventilators, 1422-1438 Mechanical 
 
 ventilators are applied in Belgium ; the best are considered more certain, powerful, 
 
 and economical tlian the f-nnace, 1426, 1427 -Statement of certain experiments, 
 
 with the different descriptions of ventilators which point out. their peculiarities ; relative 
 
 value of these machines, 1424-1439 Details with respect to ihe Tyne Main Colliery 
 
 ventilated by the furnace, forming an economical comparison between the ventilation of 
 that and of the Eagle's Bush Colliery, where the first of Siruve's ventilators was 
 erected ; the Tyne Main Colliery was lately experimented upon by Mr. N. Wood in the 
 most careful manner, and it is from his data that witness gives the economical position 
 of the ventilation of that colliery, 1439-1459- 
 
 Opinion that the ascending ventilation in use in Belgium should not be made altogether 
 
 compulsory in collieries in England, 1460, 1461 Witness would not recommend the 
 
 enforced adoption in the English mines of any system of ventilation in use in Belgium; 
 
 the kind of ventilating power must be left entirely 10 the proprietor, 1461 The 
 
 ventilation by rarefaction depends on the depth of the up-ca<t shaft, 1463 Parti- 
 cular conditions under which witness considers mechanical power would be preferable 
 to furnaces in ventilating mines ; generally speaking, the machine is preferable in pro- 
 portion to the shallowness of the mine, and the amount of the drag, 1464-1469 
 
 How far the ventilation would be entirely stopped in the event of the ventilating 
 
 machines getting out of order, 1470-1477 Remarks relative to the steam-jet; there 
 
 would be an enormous loss of power if the steam-jet was applied directly to the air, 
 1478-1489. 
 
 Means by which the ventilators might be made so as to prevent their being destroyed 
 
 in the event of an explosion occurring, 1490-1495 The use of a ventilator affords 
 
 additional security for having a uniform current of air, 1495 Explanation as to the 
 
 danger signals adapted to the ventilators in Belgium, which act through the medium of 
 
 the water-gauge; these signals might be adapted to furnace ventilation, 1495-1501 
 
 The mines in Belgium are not so fiery as the most fiery mines in the north of England, 
 
 1502 The quantities of ventilation in the north of En<>land in the larger collieries 
 
 is three times as much as in the largest collieries in Belgium, 1503 With strictly 
 
 ascensional ventilation much smaller quantities of air are necessary for safety, 1503. 
 
 The mechanical apparatus could be economically applied in England with efficiency; 
 the machine may be worked more economically than the furnaces to produce the same 
 
 amount of ventilation, 1504-1511 The discipline of the Belgian collieries is as 
 
 nearly perfect as possible, 1512 Decrease in the number of deaths from accidents 
 
 in mines in Belgium in the last fifteen years, 1513 Remarks relative to the expe- 
 riments made on the steam-jet in Belgium, 1514-1519 It should be enacted that 
 
 ventilation should be produced and conducted by perfectly safe and efficient means, 
 1520. 
 
 [Fourth Examination.] — Witness delivers in a description of the different ventilators 
 
 in use in Belgium, 1552 Bad ventilation is extremely injurious to the health of the 
 
 men, as well as uneconomical to the proprietors ; miners are proverbially short-lived, 
 
 1553-1557 Natural ventilation is only applicable to mines under extremely favourable 
 
 circumstances, 1558 The division of the air into a number of currents, and the 
 
 enlargement of the air-courses, is the best method of taking a large quantity of air through 
 
 a mine, 1559 Remarks as to the means by which ventilation is produced; it is not 
 
 precisely correct to say that it is the height of the heated column of air which produces 
 
 ventilation, 1560 Witness has invented an air-pressure gauge; description thereof, 
 
 and mode in which applied, 1560, 1561. 
 
 Observations as to the most effective mode of measuring the effective, ventilation of a 
 
 colliery, 1562-1564 In estimating the efficiency of any system of ventilauon it is 
 
 important to take into account the amount of drag of the air ; the neglect of this is at the 
 bottom of the serious errors which have been made respecting the steam-jet, 1565-1572 
 
 With reference to the experiments to compare the furnace and steam-jet, they have 
 
 been most carefully conducted ; many of the results are so approximate as adequately, 
 
 for ordinary purposes, to compare the two systems, 1569-1572 Witness does not 
 
 agree with the Committee of 185a as to the existence of a natural brattice, 1573, 1574 
 
 Witness totally disagrees with the conclusion come to in the Report of the Committee 
 
 of 1852, with respect 10 the existence of a furnace paradox, 1575. 
 
 It is not desirable for the Legislature to enforce any particular system of ventilation ; 
 it must be left to the coalowners, with a proviso that there shall be a sufficient quantity 
 
 of air passing through the mine, 1576 Under the majority of cases the furnace is the 
 
 most convenient, and, possibly, the most economical, 1576 There are many cases in 
 
 which mechanical ventilation is preferable, and can alone be effectual, 1576 It is of 
 
 great importance that the power of ventilation should always be capable of being increased, 
 
 to meet any emergency, as an escape of gas from a blower. 1577, 1578 Suggestions 
 
 as to the capacity and size of the air-ways, and the best mode of carrying the air through 
 the workings to the up-cast shaft, 1579-1581 Witness does not agree with the 
 
 0.76. F f Committee 
 
222 
 
 MAC 
 
 MAN [acrtHent* in 
 
 Reports, 1852-53 — continued. 
 
 Mackworth, Herbert Francis. (Analysis of his Evidence) — continued. 
 
 Committee of 1852, as to the utility of refuge stalls; they could not be carried ou 
 practically, 1582. 
 
 Crossings are very weak points in a mine; great care should be taken that they are 
 
 made of sufficient strength, 1583, 1584 Strict attention ouaht to be paid to the 
 
 discipline of mines in all cases ; the improved education of the colliers and overmen would 
 
 be the means of insuring better discipline, 1585, 1586 Recommendation for the 
 
 establishment of schools for the colliers, 1587, 1588 Remarks as to the class of men 
 
 acting as overmen in the mints ; in some parts of the country they are of a much superior 
 
 class than in other parts, 1587 Opinion in favour of the Davy lamp ; witness never 
 
 met with any well-substantiated case of an explosion having occurred from its use, 
 
 1 58o,-i594 The glass safety lamp, by Mueseler, could be very advantageously 
 
 introduced into the English collieries, 1589-1591. 
 
 The use of safety-lamps should be rendered compulsory in every fire-damp colliery, 
 
 1591 Improvements made in the safety-lamp by Dr. Glover; this is a very safe and 
 
 ingenious lamp, but, on account of its weight and price, it is not very likelv to be 
 
 introduced into mints, 1592, 1593 Precautions which should be enforced to prevent 
 
 accidents in ascending and descending mines, 1595 With regard to precautions 
 
 against falls of roof, ihe system which is adopted in the north of England, of making the 
 deputies set the props, tends to a considerable saving of life, and is almost universally 
 
 employed on the Continent, 1595, 1596 It is essential that the Government inspector 
 
 should have the power of enforcing a regulation that proper plans of all collieries should 
 
 be kept, 1599-1601' The cleaning of the safety-lamps should not be left to the miners; 
 
 there should always be a lamp man, 1602-1 607. 1675. 
 
 Impossibility of witness satisfactorily inspecting his district, from its extent; suggestion 
 
 for the appointment of an additional number of inspectors, 1608-1621. 1625-1629- 
 
 Recommendation of a simple code of regulations, generally applicable, to be carried out 
 for the whole of England, and enforced under penalties, 1610-1621. 1670-1676 ' 
 Remarks relative to the managers of mines ; the manager, in the majority of instances, 
 
 is more or less in fault when an accident occurs, 1622-1624 Opinion that the manager 
 
 should be considered responsible in the event of accident; examination to which 
 
 managers should be subject, to test their qualification for the office, 1630-1653 
 
 Opinion that all collieries ought to be superintended by viewers, according to the system 
 winch has been found so effectual in the north of England, 1636. 1654-1657. 1677-1681. 
 
 Objections to the inspectors having the power to stop the working of a mine considered 
 
 to be in a dangerous state, 1658-1663. 1676 After it had been decided, upon 
 
 an arbitration, that a mine was unsafe, a magistrate should have the power of stopping 
 
 the mine, 1659. 1676 The inspectors should not have the power of dismissing a 
 
 manager; the appointment and dismissal should rest with the coalowner, 1664--1669 
 
 Witness would not lecommend that the inspectors should interfere in the practical 
 management of a mine, as it would take the responsibility from the coalowner and 
 
 manager, which is not desirable, 1667-1669. 1672 All the safety-lamps should be 
 
 kept locked, and the key kept by the man who has to clean the lamps daily ; this is the 
 law in Belgium, and is quite practicable, 1682-1686. 
 
 Magistrates. Magistrates, rather than the inspectors, or the Secretary of State, should be 
 empowered to inflict penalties or fines upon the owners of collieries who neglect to perform 
 their duties, Swallow 2863, 2864. See also Closing of Mines. Punishment. 
 
 Management of Collieries. As a general rule, the best managed mines in England are 
 better managed than the mines in Belgium or any of the continental mines, Dickinson 
 438 The best managed collieries in England are often as we'll managed as col- 
 lieries can be managed, Mackworth 713 Witne-s would not recommend that the 
 
 inspectors should interfere in the practical management of a mine, as it would take the 
 responsibility from the coalowner and manager, which is not desirable, ib. 1667-1669. 
 
 1672 Statement of the different classes of officers and men employed in the working 
 
 and management of coal mines, Jude 1850-1863 Opinion that the management of 
 
 the Northumberland and Durham mines is the most perfect in the kingdom, Wood 
 
 3831. 3845, 3846 -In those counties the number of accidents is diminishing, whereas 
 
 inYorkshiie and the midland districts the reverse is the case; causes to which this is 
 attributable, ib. 3846-3847 The responsibility of the management should rest ex- 
 clusively with the managers themselves and not with the inspectors, ib. 3848. 
 
 See also Belgium. Large Collieries. Overmen. Rules and Regulations. 
 Working of Mines. 
 
 Managers of Collieries. It is a matter of great importance that before a man is allowed to 
 undertake the management of a coal mine he should undergo an examination which 
 
 should really test his ability, Mackworth 836, 837 Remarks relative to the managers 
 
 of mines; the manager, in the majority of instances, is more or less in fault when an 
 
 accident occurs, ib. 1622-1624 The manager should be considered responsible in 
 
 the event of accident ; examination to which managers >hould be subject, to test their 
 
 qualification for the office, ib. 1630-1653 The inspectors should not have the power 
 
 of dismissing a manager; the appointment and dismissal should rest with the coalowner, 
 
 Mackworth 
 
€0*1 ittiiu*.] MAN 
 
 MID 
 
 223 
 
 Report*;, 1 852-53 — continued. 
 
 Managers of Collieries — continued. 
 
 Muckworth 1664-1669 The only way in which accidents can be prevented is to bring 
 
 about a superior knowledge and a greater capacity generally in the managers of the mines, 
 
 Wood 3848, 3849 The managers of the South Wales mines are, as a class, very 
 
 deficient in their attainments, Blackwell 4003. 
 
 See also Management of Collieries. Miners. National Scientific Institutions. 
 Overmen. Qualification of Officers. Safety Lamps, 1. Supply of Air. 
 Viewers. 
 
 Mechanical Ventilators : 
 
 1. Particulars as to the Mechanical Apparatus adopted in the Ventilation of 
 
 the Belgian Mines. 
 
 2. Advantages which would result from the introduction of the Belgian System 
 
 into this Country. 
 
 3. Objections to the adoption of the Mechanical System of Ventilation. 
 
 1 Particulars as to the Mechanical Apparatus adopted in the Ventilation of the 
 Belgian Mines : 
 
 Explanation as to the general system of ventilating collieries in Belgium by means of 
 
 mechanical power, Dickinson 131, 132 ; Mackworth 1414-1419 Description ot the 
 
 several mechanical appliances in use in Belgium, of which theie are seven different 
 varieties, r.anuly, . Fabrey's, Leioret's, Pasquet's, Lessoine's, Motte'>, Lamielle's, and 
 ! the piston, which is similar to M. Struve's ; of these Fabrey's is the best, Dick- 
 inson 131-141 List of experiments made in certain coal mines in Belgium with 
 
 Fabrey's and Letoret's ventilating machines: cost of the ventilators, together vvith the 
 
 steam-engines and erections, it). 141 Statement of certain experiments with the 
 
 different descriptions of ventilators which point cut their peculiarities ; relative value of 
 
 these machines, Mackworth 1424-1439 Witness delivers in a descrip'ion of the 
 
 different ventilators in use in Belgium, ib. 1552 —Result of experiments on ventilators 
 
 used in Belgium, &c., Rep. i. App. 143-146. 
 
 2. Advantages which would result from the introduction of the Belgian System into 
 this Country : 
 
 With regard to mechanical ventilation, comparing the effective work with the con- 
 , sumption of coal, it will bear comparison with the best furnace ventilation in the north 
 
 of England, Mackworth 879 Mechanical ventilation is not practised in England, as 
 
 there is an unfounded prejudice existing against it on account of its imagined liability 
 
 to derangement, thereby possibly causing an explosion, ib. 1420 There are a number 
 
 of ventilating povveis employed in Belgium, which might be adopted with advantage in 
 many of the English collieries which now require such powers to ventilate them ; des- 
 cription of these ventilators, ib. 1422-1438 The best of the Belgian mechanical 
 
 ventilators are considered more certain, powerful, and economical than the furnace, 
 ib. 1426, 1427. 
 
 Particular conditions under which witness considers mechanical power would be 
 preferable to furnaces in ventilating mines ; generally speaking, the machine is preferable 
 in proportion to the shallowness of the mine and the amount of the drag, Mackworth 
 
 1464-1469 How far the ventilation would be entirely stopped in the evi nt of the 
 
 ventilating machines getting out of order, ib. 1470-1477 Means by which the 
 
 ventilators might be made so as to prevent their being destroyed in the event of an 
 
 explosion occurring, ib. 1490-1495 The mechanical apparatus could be economically 
 
 applied in England with efficiency; the machine may be woiked more economically 
 
 than the furnaces to produce the same amount of ventilation, ib. 1504-1511 There 
 
 are many cases in which mechanical ventilation is preferable, and can alone be effectual, 
 ib. 1576. 
 
 3. Objections to the adoption of the Mechanical System of Ventilation : 
 
 The mechanical system of ventilation in Belgium is not a satisfactory system or one 
 
 that witness would recommend to be adopted in this country, Dickinson 148-150 
 
 The longest level witness saw in Belgium was a mile from the shaft; this was considered 
 adequately ventilated by mechanical power, but in this country a much larger supply of 
 
 air would have been provided, ib. 216-218 Loss of power in machine ventilation Irom 
 
 thepriction, Cayley 1537, 1 53&' 
 
 See also Belgium. Cost of Ventilators. Currents of Air. Distribution of 
 Air. Expense of Ventilation. Fans. Furnace Ventilation. Steam-jet 
 Ventilation. 
 
 Middle Dyffryn Colliery, Aberdare. Particulars relative to the explosion which occurred 
 at the Middle Dyffryn Colliery, Aberdare, on 10 May 1852, from the improper use of 
 
 the furnace for the ventilation of the mine, Mackworth 517-555. 591-599 Reference 
 
 to Mi. Kenyon Blackwell's report on tne slate of that colliery, in which he recommended 
 lhat naked lights shouiu not oe used in the mine on account of the imperfect state of 
 0.76. f f 2 the 
 
224 
 
 M I D 
 
 N A K [Zltttomt* in 
 
 Reports, 1 852-53 — continued. 
 
 Middle Dyffryn Colliery, Aberdare — continued. 
 
 the ventilation ; difference of opinion existing as to whether a furnace is a naked light 
 
 or not, Mackworth 533-555 Mr. Blackwell in his report condemned the use of brattices 
 
 and all naked lights; these recommendations were not attended to up to the time of the 
 accident in May; since that accident those suggestions have been adopted and the 
 
 system in operation at the mine altered, ib. 572-590 Opinion that the adoption of 
 
 Mr. Black well's suggestions would probably have been attended with a great saving of 
 
 life, if not an entire avoidance of the accident, ib. 573-577 Correction of former 
 
 evidence as to the accident in the Middle Dyffryn Colliery, and the number of deaths 
 
 resulting from the explosion, ib. 880-883 Witness attributes that accident to the gas 
 
 having come in contact with the furnace, ib. 883-8S8 Observations relative to 
 
 explosions in December 1850 and M;iy 1852 at Middle Dyffryn Colliery, Aberdare, by 
 w hich respectively thirtei n and sixty-five persons were killed ; character of this mine and 
 of the ventilation adopted therein, &c, Blackwell 4131. 
 
 Miners. Working miners generally know nothing whatever of the ventilation of a colliery, 
 Mackworth 638-642 Witness rather objects to receiving information from the work- 
 men in coal mines direct, as it might interfere with the good feeling which should exist 
 
 between master and man, Dickinson 903-908 In the event of regulations being issued 
 
 to be observed in the mines, the pitmen would give information of any breach of the 
 
 rules, Jude 1719-1721 Witness always encourages his men to acquaint the inspector 
 
 or manager with anything amiss in the mine; their complaints are always investigated, 
 
 Forster- 4769-4778 Improved character of the miners as a body since witness first 
 
 knew them ; they pay much greater attention to the education of their children now than 
 formerly, ib. 4840-4842. 
 
 See also Carelessness of Miners. Coroners' Inquests. Crime. Discipline. 
 Education. Health of Miners. Intimidation of Miners. Punishment. 
 Roofs. Safety Lamps. Schools. Smoking. Supply of Air. Wages. 
 
 Miners' Association. Remarks relative to the Mining Association, meetings of the delegates, 
 &c. Jude 1958-1966 Reference to the Lancashire and Cheshire Branch of the Asso- 
 ciation of Miners; there are above 3,000 members ; their main objects are to obtain a 
 
 Government inspection and to protect wages, Swallow 2491-2496 In the event of 
 
 any complaint being made to witness from the Miners' Association, it would be fully in- 
 vestigated, and witness would protect any man making complaints, Forster 4843-4848 
 
 Rules ai d regulations of the Lancashire and Cheshire Branch of the Miners' Association, 
 established 7 November 1842 ; Rep. ii. App. 185-191. See also Schools, 2. 
 
 Mining Schools. See National Scientific Institutions. Schools. 
 
 Monkwearmovth Colliery. Remarks on the ventilation of the Monkwearmouth Colliery ; 
 
 it is carried on by means of a furnace, Henderson 2333-2341. 2375-2384 The system 
 
 of lone-wall work has been in practice about three years in the colliery; witness prefers 
 
 it to the ordinary board-and-vvall system, ib. 2375-2384 Remarks relative to the 
 
 accident which occurred at lVJonkweai mouth in consequence of a shot of gunpowder 
 being let off in a pit where there w r as a great accumulation of fire-damp; this was very 
 imprudent, as they were working on the long-wall system, forster 4790-4796. 
 
 See also Fourdriniers Apparatus. 
 
 Moifa Colliery. Temperature of different parts of the shaft in the Morfa Colliery, as taken 
 
 by witness on a recent occasion, Gray 3 138-31 40 Remarks of Mr. W. Gray on the 
 
 steam-jet ventilation at Morfa Colliery, Hep. ii. App. 92 Rules and regulations to be 
 
 observed by workmen employed at the colliery, ib. 92-94. 
 
 See abo Ascent and Descent of Mines, 2. Steam-jet, 2. 4. 
 
 Motte's Ventilator. Plan of Motte's pneumatic screw, Rep. i. App. Plan (A.) 
 
 Mueseler's Lamp. The Mueseler lamp is the one which is most commonly used; very great 
 
 confidence is placed in it in Belgium, Dickinson 299-302 The glass safety-lamp by 
 
 Mueseler could be very advantageously introduced into the English collieries, Mackworth 
 1589-1591. See also Safety Lamps, 5. 
 
 N. 
 
 Naked Lights. Naked candles are used in mines in Belgium which do not contain fire- 
 damp, Dickinson 293-296 Witness considers a furnance to be a naked light, Mack- 
 worth 555-559 Reference to an accident which occurred about three years ago in a 
 
 colliery under the superintendence of witness; seven men were killed by an explosion of 
 damp; the cause of the explosion was attributed to the use of open lights, Gray 3009- 
 
 3016 Since that period safety-lamps have been used, and not a single accident has 
 
 occurred in the same mine, ib. 3017-3022. 3074-3076 As a general rule, naked 
 
 lights should not be carried about in the vicinity of the goaves, ^00^3655 Many 
 
 accidents have arisen from the use of naked lights, which would not have occurred if the 
 
 Davy 
 
<Soal Mint*.] 
 
 N A K 
 
 OWN 
 
 225 
 
 Reports, 1852-53 — continued. 
 
 Naked Lights — continued. 
 
 Davy or other safety-lamps had been employed, Wood 3827, 3828 Witness delivers in 
 
 a list of explosions, involving altogether the loss of about 1,100 lives ; with a few excep- 
 tions, these explosions arose from the use of naked lights, Blackwell 4092-4094, 
 
 See also Middle Dyffryn Colliery. Safety Lamps, 3. Ventilation. 
 
 National Scientific Institutions. Suggestion for the formation of mining schools, in which 
 persons can be rendered properlv qualified in every way for the management of collieries; 
 
 mode in which these schools should be supported and conducted, Wood 384g-38rjo 
 
 Sketch of a school proposed by witness to be formed at Newcastle for the efficient training 
 of managers; the coalowners are ready to subscribe towaids it, and assistance is expected 
 from Government, the University of Durham, and the Museum of Practical Geology, 
 
 ib. 3849-3856 Parties requiring scientific knowledge in the proposed schools could 
 
 also obtain practical knowledge by periodical visits to the mines, ib. 3854-3856 In 
 
 the event of these schools being established, it should be compulsory on the coalowners 
 to employ only such persons as managers or otherwise who had passed the necessary 
 examinations therein, ib. 3857-3860 Objections to Mr, Wood's suggestions for edu- 
 cating the officers of mines bv means of a national scientific institution, Blackwell 4078- 
 4081. See also Board of Trade. 
 
 Natural Brattice. Witness does not agree with the Committee of 1852 as to the existence 
 
 of a natural brattice, Mackworth 1573, 1574 There can be no such thing as a natural 
 
 brattice; grounds for this assertion, Gray 3078, 3079. 3135-3137. 3141 : Wood 3656- 
 
 3658 Over a period of forty years, witness in using the furnace has never ex |>erienced 
 
 anything like a natural brattice in practice, Wood 3736-3739. 
 
 Natural Ventilation. An immense quantity of ventilation on the Continent is carried on 
 
 by natural ventilation, Dickinson 132. 175, 176 In some cases a sufficient current of 
 
 air is obtained by natural ventilation, but it is not to be relied on, Mackworth 783 
 
 Natural ventilation is only applicable to mines under extreme ly favourable circumstances, 
 ib. 1558 No colliery should be carried on with merely natural ventilation; some arti- 
 ficial system should be imperative, Wood 3635-3639 Natural ventilation is sufficient 
 
 for the mines in South Staffordshire, except in the summer months, Blackwell 3939-3941. 
 4036 Remarks by Mr. N. Wood on the subject of natural ventilation; result of expe- 
 riments, &.c. Rep. iii. App. 118. 148, 149-152 Experiments made at the Seaton Pit 
 
 on natural ventilation ; depth and diameter of pit, &c, ib. 1 19 Table of natural ven- 
 tilation in Hetton and Tyne Main Collieries, ib. 170. See also Prussia. 
 
 Newcastle School. See National Scientific Institutions. 
 
 Nitshill Colliery. Remarks as to the explosion at Nitshill Colliery, in Scotland ; there 
 was no artificial means of ventilation; they trusted entirely to nature, Cayley 1549- 
 
 1551 Statement as to the explosion; opinion that this mine could not have been 
 
 properly ventilated, as stated in the report of Mr. Dunn, the Government inspector; 
 paper on the subject delivered in, detailing the system of ventilation adopted, &c. ; sixty 
 one persons were killed by the explosion, Blackivell 3984-3993. 4131. 
 
 Norwood Colliery. Result of experiments made by Mr. Greenwell at the Norwood Colliery 
 for the purpose of testing the comparative powers of the furnace and the steam-jet, 
 Rep. iii. App. 144. 151. 
 
 O. 
 
 Overmen. Remarks as to the duties performed by the overmen in mines ; one element 
 which witness would recommend as contributing to the safety of mines would be a more 
 careful superintendence, Dickinson 365-370 The overmen employed in the South- 
 western District are, on the average, not very intelligent; great deficiency of information 
 
 among them on any important points of safety, Mackworth 768-772 Remarks as to 
 
 the class of men acting as overmen in the mines ; in some parts of the country they are 
 of a much superior class than in other parts, ib. 1587 Number of overmen and depu- 
 ties employed in coal mines, Jude 1846-1849 With regard to the overmen, they are 
 
 not generally a well-qualified class of men ; means by which they might be improved, 
 
 ib. 2013-2020 Class of men from which witness usually selects his overmen, Forster 
 
 4786-4789. See also Discipline. Sub-inspectors. 
 
 Owners of Collieries. The system of inspection in Belgium does not diminish the sense 
 
 of responsibility on the part of the owners of mines, Dickinson 4 1 3 The expense of 
 
 serious accidents by explosions is almost invariably very great on the owner; thus it is his 
 
 interest to keep the mines in the be?t state possible, ib. 1411-1413 The responsibility 
 
 should rest on the coal proprietors, and they should be subject to persecution in the 
 event of accidents occurring through their neglect of proper precautions, Blackwell 
 4089-4092. 4098. 4121, 4122. 4127-4130. 
 
 See also Explosions. Magistrates. Rules and Regulations. Ventilation. 
 
 Working of Mines. 
 0.76. f f 3 
 
226 
 
 PAS 
 
 Q U A: Imt&mu in 
 
 Reports, 1852-53 — continued. 
 
 P. 
 
 Pasquet's Ventilator. Plan of Pasquet's ventilator fan, Rep. i. App. Plans (B & C.) 
 
 Pemberton Pits, Wigan. Experiments made with respect to the steam-jet and furnace 
 ventilation at the Pemberton Pits, Ince Hall Colliery, Wigan, and results thereof, 
 Dickinson 1 1 09. 
 
 Pillar-und- Stall System. The most convenient way is to work the coal first by stall and 
 
 pillar and then by long-wall work, Mackworth 811 The Seaton Delaval Mine is 
 
 worked by pillar and stall, the ordinary work of the north of England, Dickinson 1008- 
 
 1013 Mode suggested for reducing the wastes under the pil ar-and-stall system so as 
 
 not to ieave large deposits of gaseous matter in the mine, Blackwell 3964, 3965, 
 
 See also Escapes of Gas. Long-work System. South Wales. Working of 
 
 M ines. 
 
 Plans of Collieries. With regard to the plans of mines, the Act should be more stringent 
 than it is at present; frequency of mines being worked without plans; plans in all cases 
 
 should be made of collieries and enforced by penalties, Dickinson 913-932 Frequency 
 
 , of accidents arising from borings being made into old workings filled with water, in conse- 
 quence of the absence of plans of the workings, ib. 916-931 It is essential that the 
 
 Government inspector should have the power of enforcing a regulation that proper plans 
 of all collieries should be kept, Mackworth 1599-1601. 
 
 Pneumatic Flower-pot. The pneumatic flower-pot was not established in the experiments 
 
 made by witness with the steam-jet, Wood 3511-3514 The application of the jets 
 
 was so arranged by Mr. Wood, that the air being driven up in front of the jets would 
 naturally return again around them or by the sides of the cylinders, and thereby supply 
 the exhaustion below, forming what is termed the pneumatic flower-pot, Gurneu 4265- 
 
 '4272. 4286-4292 If the steam-jets were placed at the top of pit and the cylinders 
 
 were of too great a diameter there is a liability of the return air passing down the inside 
 tubes, which is called the pneumatic flower-pot, but with the jets placed at the bottom it 
 
 "is impossible, Forsler 4522-4533. 
 
 Pressure of Air. Table of the pressure of the air in lbs. avoirdupois per square foot of surface 
 or area of shafts of different depths, and subject to different degrees of temperature, 
 Rep. iii, App. 123. See also Steam-jet, 1. 
 
 Prussia. List of accidents in coal and other mines in Prussia during the years 1847, 
 
 1848, 1849, 1851, and 1852, Dickinson 421 List of accidents in coal mines 
 
 onlv, 1 S47 to 1851, ib. There is very litile fiie-danp in Pru-sia, which accounts for 
 
 the few accidents arising from that cause, ib 441-444 The precautions in Prussia 
 
 with regard to ventilation are very slight indeed; the majority of the mines are carried 
 
 on by natural veotilat on, ib 4^.4 There is nothing in the Prussian system witness 
 
 would recommend to be adopted in this country, except the fencing of the pits, ib. 445 
 
 'I he Government stand in a position similar to the lessors of mines in this country, 
 
 ib. 448-452- The Government receive five per cent, of the profits from one portion of 
 
 4 the kingdom, and five per cent, of the produce from another portion, ib. 451. 
 
 See also Fire-damp. Inspection of Mines, II. 3. 
 
 Punishment. Opinion that the law as it exists at present is sufficiently stringent in punish- 
 ing men who are guilty of an infraction of regulations, if the law was properly adminis- 
 
 tered, Dickinson 37 1-375 If there were a specific enactment for punishing men in 
 
 . case of their endangi ring the lives of their fellow-workmen by opening their lamps or 
 
 smoking, a great moral effect would be produced, ib. 41 2 'Frequency of some workmen 
 
 committing reckless acts so as to endanger the safety of other men ; difference of opinion 
 among the magistrates as to their power of inflicting fines in such cases, ib. 1283-1291. 
 
 See also Carelessness of Miners. 
 
 Q. 
 
 Qualification of Officers. Suggestion for the formation of some tribunal for examining 
 into the qualifications of the managers and officers of mines; a Board might be formed 
 of some of the principal mining engineers in the country ; this would be preferable to 
 any Government Board, Jude 1991-1997 Generally speaking, the officers in man- 
 agement of mines are extremely deficient in the qualifications that are requisite, ib. 1998 
 
 et seq. Remarks on the low qualifications of the managers of the various collieries in 
 
 Lancashire, Cheshire, and Yorkshire, Swallow 2877-2884 Suggestions as to the best 
 
 means of qualifying persons for the management of collieries; each manager should have 
 served an apprenticeship as a practical miner, ib. 2885-2895. 
 
 See also Managers of Collieries. National Scientific Institution. Overmen. 
 
 Und^r -viewers. 
 
Coal jHntrs., R E A 
 
 RUL 
 
 227 
 
 Reports, 1852-53— continued. 
 
 R. 
 
 Reading-rooms, 8fc. Owners should allow all fines and forfeitures 011 the workmen's wages 
 to go to a fund for the purpose of establishing reading-rooms, libraries, and having 
 lectures upon scientific su bj ec 1 s, Jude 2227 -2 232. 
 
 Reflecting Lamp. Since the recommendation of the last Committee, reflecting safety-Iauips 
 have been tried, but have failed from the tin melting off the reflectors ; opinion that they 
 would melt were they silver-plated, Dickinson 333-339. 
 
 Refuge Stalls. Opinion that refuge stalls for the men to fly to in case of explosions are 
 not practicable; remarks in support of this opinion, Mackwortk 1582; Wood 3659- 
 
 3665 Observations with respect to the practicability of constructing; refuge stalls, 
 
 Jude 1970-1983 Witness has had no experience of the subject of refuge stalls, but 
 
 believes that in the event of explosions they may be the means of saving many lives, 
 
 Swallow 2563-2576 The safest place after an explosion is in the face of the boards, 
 
 where the air is pent up to a certain extent, Wood 3664, 3665 Opinion that refuge 
 
 stalls would not be of any advantage, as they would soon be filled with choke-damp, 
 Forster 4605-461 1. 
 
 Regulations, see Rules and Regulations. 
 
 Report of 1852. The body of miners highly approve of the recommendations contained 
 
 in the Report of the Committee of 1852, Jude 1737, 1738- How far witness agrees 
 
 with the Report of 1852, Swallow 2541 et seq. 
 
 Resistance of the Air. Remarks by Mr. N. Wood on the subject of the resistance of the 
 air in coal mines, Rep. iii. App. 128, 129, 
 
 Return Air. In this country it is considered perfectly safe to work the return air over the 
 furnace; the furnace works most economically when all the return air is worked over it, 
 
 Dickinson 211-215 Peculiarity with re»ard to the system of ventilation as to return 
 
 air; this is particulaily attended to in Belgium; it is a very important principle in 
 ventilation, ib. 414-420. See also Air-ways. Doors. 
 
 Risca Black Vein Pit. Extracts from reports on the subject of an explosion in 1846 on 
 the Risca Black Vein Pit, by which thirty-five lives were lost; state of the ventilation, 
 and suggestions for its improvement, Blackwell 4131. 
 
 Roberts's Lamp. Peculiar and ingenious construction of Mr. Martin Roberts's lamp, which 
 extinguishes the flame in the event of the glass being broken, Wood 3793-3796. 
 
 Roofs. Observations with respect to the roofs of coal mines ; the system of long work is 
 applicable to roofs of various descriptions, Dickinson 76-88 With regard to pre- 
 cautions against falls of roof, the system which is adopted in the north of England of 
 making the deputies set the props, tends to a considerable saving of life, and is almost 
 universally employed on the Continent, Mackwortk 1595, 1596 Frequency of acci- 
 dents from the falls of the roof in mines; this might be avoioed by more hands being 
 employed as deputies, to see that sufficient pit props are placed, Jude 2118-2133. 2204- 
 
 2212; Forster 4612-4618 With respect to the (ailing of roofs, the deputies are the 
 
 most fit persons to see that sufficient timber is furnished to stand the roofs, Jude. 2204— 
 
 2212; Henderson 2344—2348; Wood 3682-3684; Forsler 4612-4618 With regard 
 
 to accidents from falls of roofs, it is better for the miners to set their own timber and 
 place the props, than for the deputies to do so, Swallow 2776-2780 ; Tellow 3320, 3321. 
 
 In the Morfa Colliery the workmen prop the roofs ; only one man has been killed from 
 a fall of coal; proper attention is not generally paid to the timbering of the roof. Gray 
 
 3123. 3127-3129 Approval of the principle ot the employment of deputies in coal 
 
 mines, ib. 3124-3126 Sufficient timber is generally supplied for the purpose of 
 
 standing the roofs, Swalloiv 2776-2780 ; Tetlow 332.5, 3323 ; Wood 3685-3688 Care 
 
 and attention are the best precautions against accidents from falls of roofs, Wood 3682- 
 •3684. See also Long-work System. 
 
 Rules and Regulations. Recommendation that a certain number of the most important 
 regulations tor the working of coal mines he passed into a law ; a code of regulations 
 could be adopted which might be applied universally throughout the country, Dickinson 
 437~44° '■> Mackwortk 732-740. 751-760. 773. 1610-1621. 1670 -1676; Tetlow 3233- 
 
 3 2 35 > Forster 4745-4748. 4763-4768- Existence of a very excellent collection of 
 
 rules for collieries, which are part of the laws of Belgium; rules for the workmen as 
 well as for the masters, Mackwortk 703-708— — In ordinary managed mines in Belgium 
 the system is infinitely superior to the system in England; this is attributable to the 
 
 admirable code of regulations, ib, 727-730 Although there is a great difference with 
 
 respect to the fiery nature of mines, still regulations might be framed that would apply 
 
 to all descriptions of mine, ib. 775-781 The improved inspection of mines ought to 
 
 be combined with a code of regulations, which the inspectors should see enforced, 
 ib. 875-877. 
 
 0.76. f f 4 Lists 
 
228 RUL SAF [&mtrettt* in 
 
 Reports, 1852-53 — continued. 
 
 Rules and Regulations — continued. 
 
 List of rules and regulations which might be laid down as fundamental rules for the 
 
 management of every colliery in the country, Dickinson 897 Copy of the rules and 
 
 regulations to be observed by the workmen employed at the Morfa Colliery ; remarks 
 thereon, Gray 3080-3093 Mode in which the regulations might be drawn up and esta- 
 blished ; it would be difficult at first to strike out a law satisfactory to all parties, Tetlow 
 
 3' 2 34~3 2 37 A code of rules and regulations should be determined upon by consultation 
 
 between the inspectors and the principal viewers and coalowners in ihe kingdom; these 
 rules should be made the law of the land, and should form the basis of the system of 
 
 inspection, Wood 3875-3891 The rules proposed by the inspectors who have been 
 
 examined before the Committee do not go far enough, but are otherwise not objectionable, 
 ib. 3884-3886. 
 
 In consequence of the different characters of coal mines, and the different systems of 
 working, no general law can be made applicable to the entire country, Blackwell 3934- 
 
 3938 Witness has published a set of rules for the use of his collieries ; there is no 
 
 difficulty in enforcing them, Forster 4779-4785 The proprietors of collieries would 
 
 not object to be bound by rules and regulations laid down by practical men, but it would 
 be a great hardship to be bound by compulsory powers put over them by incompetent 
 
 persons, ib. 4812-4817 Willingness of witness, in connexion with Mr. Wood and 
 
 other principal viewers, to consider and frame a code of rules which would be generally 
 applicable to be enforced by law in the several collieries ; necessity for the inspectors 
 being present at these meetings, ib. 4851-4854. 
 
 See also Miners. Punishment. Safety Lamps, 2. Supply of Air. 
 
 S. 
 
 Safety Lamps: 
 
 1 . Generally. 
 
 2. Evidence as to the relative Merits of several Descriptions of Lamps. 
 
 3. Great Carelessness of the Miners with the Lamps ; importance of their 
 
 being kept Locked. 
 
 4. Necessity for the Lamps being placed under the Care of some Person specially 
 
 appointed for the purpose. 
 
 5. Remarks as to the Safety Lamps in use in Belgium. 
 
 1. Generally: 
 
 Opinion that the lamp is a very accurate means of testing the safety or danger of 
 
 mines, Dickinson 202*207 How far any advantage would result from having the 
 
 wires of the lamp polished perfectly bright ; this might increase the light, ib. 324-332 
 
 It is very desirable to have a safety-lamp of some kind which will give the miners a 
 
 better light, without unscrewing the top, ib. 340-346 The lamp is not to be considered 
 
 an absolute security under all circumstances ; with a current of eight miles an hour 
 through the meshes of the lamp there would be a chance of an explosion, ib. 388-402 
 
 Reference to the Report of the Committee of 1852, with regard to safety-lamps; 
 
 how far witness agrees with that Report, ib. 1291, 1292 The use of the lamp should 
 
 be left to the discretion of the inspector, and to some extent to the manager, ib. 1294- 
 
 1296 The inspector should at all times have power to order the use of lamps in a 
 
 fiery mine, ib. 1331. 
 
 The use of safety-lamps should be rendered compulsory in all fiery collieries, 
 
 Mackworth 1591; Jude 1822-1824; Tetlow 3307-3311 Remarks to the effect that 
 
 a safety-lamp is a very dangerous instrument in the hands of workmen and boys; grounds 
 
 for the opinion that the Davy lamp is unsafe, Swallow 2542-2559. 2713-2763 The 
 
 danger of explosion arises from the retrograde motion, and witness has seen explosions 
 
 of safety-lamps caused thereby, Gurney 4331, 4332. 4337-4342- The lamp is a great 
 
 safeguard, but it ought not to be entrusted in the hands of men in an explosive mixture, 
 
 .Forster 4661-4685 Witness would be very glad to have a better safety-lamp, if it 
 
 could be constructed, ib. 4663, 4690. 
 
 2. Evidence as to the relative Merits of several Descriptions of Lamps ; 
 
 Description of the safety-lamps in ordinary use in this country ; the Davy lamp is most 
 generally used ; the Stephenson lamp is coming into general use, Dickinson 1297-1299 
 
 Comparative merits of the several lamps, with regard to their illuminating power; 
 
 the Eloin lamp gives the best light, but it is generally attended with the disadvantage of 
 going out in a brisk current of air ; preference to be given to Dr. Glover's lamp, ib. 
 
 1336-1345 Remarks idative to different lamps; the workmen prefer the Stephenson 
 
 lamp to the Davy lamp, Jude 1730-1736 Witness has invented a safety-lamp for 
 
 miners ; explanation as to the construction of the same, showing how far it possesses any 
 advantages over the Clanny and Davy lamps, Henderson 2270. 2280-2307. 
 
 Examination as to experiments made by witness on several lamps, in order to test their 
 
 respective merits, Wood 3740-3828 Result of the experiments on lamps constructed 
 
 on 
 
Coal ifHinre*] 
 
 SAFETY LAMPS. 
 
 229 
 
 Reports, 1852-53 — continued. 
 
 Safety Lamps— continued. 
 
 2. Evidence as to the relative Merits of several Descriptions of Lamps — continued. 
 
 on the principle of admitting a limited quantity of atmospheric air, tlie security and in- 
 sulation of the lamp being attained by glass or talc; all these lamps, were put out when 
 
 inserted in an inflammable mixture, W'ooeZ 3743. 3746. 3752-3759 Witness tesied the 
 
 Stephenson, the Clanny, and Dr. Fife's lamps; result of these experiments, ib. 3763- 
 
 3765- 3780-3785. 3793, 3804 With respect to lamps having a diminished quantity 
 
 of air entering and feeding the flame, and with the use of glass, there is occasion to have 
 
 the insecurity of the wire gauze upon the top of them, ib. 3765, 3766. 3803 Species 
 
 of top lecommeuded for safety-lamps ; a lump with a properly constructed top and two 
 
 cylinders of glass is the safest, ib. 3786-3789. 3803 Remarks to the effect that witness 
 
 is convinced by experiments and by practice of the security afforded by safety-lamps; 
 suggestions as to the rules and regulations that should accompany their use, ib. 3805- 
 3828. 
 
 Observations generally on the subject of safety-lamps; exception taken by witness to 
 Mr. Wood's statement that under certain conditions the Davy or other lamps would not 
 explode ; the Davy lamp, as shown by frequent experiments by scientific men, explodes 
 
 at four feet rate of current, Gurney 4328-4342 Result of experiments with several 
 
 lamps at Killingworth Colliery, to test at what velocity in an explosive mixture of fire- 
 damp and atmospheric air the flame may be passed thrdiugh the wire gauze, Rep. hi. 
 
 App. 173, 174 Experiments made to test various safety-lamps, tried at Wallsend 
 
 Colliery on 28 June 1853, ib. 175, 176. 
 
 3. Great carelessness of the Miners with the Lamps ; importance of their being 
 
 kept Locked : 
 
 Frequency of the miners in this country unscrewing the top of the safety-lamps and 
 working by the naked flame on account of the gauze obstructing the light ; this is a 
 punishable offence; the evil is not near so frequent among the miners in Belgium, 
 
 Dickinson 311-323 It would be advantageous if the lamps were always locked to 
 
 prevent the miners opening them, Dickinson 405-411; Mackivorth 1685, 1686; JWe, 
 
 1842, 18435 Henderson, 2322-2325 ; Forster 4686-4689 The uie of locked lamps 
 
 should be compulsory in every colliery where there is any fire-damp at all; this is an 
 
 important rule, and ought to be generally applied, Machcortk 780-834. 872, 873 
 
 Suggestion that it should be made an offence against the law for a workman to take off 
 
 the top of his lamp, Gray 3043-3055 The miner should not be entrusted with a key 
 
 of the lamp, nor allowed to take the top off, IFoo<i 3813-3815. 3822, 3823. 
 
 4. Necessity for the Lamps being placed under the Care of some Person specially 
 
 appointed for that purpose: 
 The safety and sufficiency of the lamp depends altogether upon its being kept clean ; 
 
 system pursued in Belgium to ensure the cleaning of the lamps, Dickinson 333-335 
 
 Necessity for the safety-lamps being well looked after; some person should be appointed 
 to the duty of inspecting the lamps every morning before they are used, and the collier 
 
 should also be held responsible for the efficiency of his lamp, ib. 347-364 The 
 
 cleaning of the lamps should not be left to the miners ; there should always be a lamp- 
 man, Mackwortk 1602-1607. 1675; Jude, 1841 Precautions necessary to be taken 
 
 with respect to the cleaning and repairing of the Limps, Henderson 2326-2331 
 
 Remarks, generally, on the precautions taken in witness's pit in the use of safety-lamps ; 
 they are properly cleaned and repaired, and a heavy fine is imposed on any one who 
 
 unlocks them, or takes the top off without authority, Gray 3034-3055. 3068-3077 
 
 The lamps should be inspected daily by competent persons before they are taken into the 
 
 mine, TFoooJ 3810-3812 In the north of England the lamps are placed under the 
 
 superintendence of men appointed for that purpose, Forster 4688. 
 
 5. Remarks as to the Safety Lamps in use in Belgium ; 
 
 Particulars as to the use of the safety-lamps in the Belgian mines ; there are only four 
 lamps which are approved by the Government, namely, Davy's, Mueseler's, Boty's, and 
 
 Eloin's ; difference in the cost of these lamps, Dickinson 293-310 The proprietors of 
 
 the mines in Belgium provide the lamps, ib. 310 All the lamps should be kept locked, 
 
 and the key kept by the man who has to clean the lamps daily; this is the law in 
 Belgium ; and is quite practicable, Mackworth 1682-1686. 
 
 See also Barnsley District. Clanny Lamp. Davy Lamp. Eloin Lamp. 
 
 Fifes Lamp. Glover's Lamp. Hall's Lamp. Mueseler's Lamp. Naked Lights. 
 Punishment. Reflecting Lump. Roberts's Lamp. Velocity of Currents. 
 
 Wire-gauze Lamps. 
 
 O.76. 
 
 Schools : 
 
230 
 
 SCH 
 
 SEA [mttitenw in 
 
 Reports, 1 852-53 — continued. 
 
 Schools : 
 
 1. Recommendations for the Establishment <f Mining Schools ; Education to- 
 
 be provided therein. 
 
 2. Manner in which the Fund for the Support of these Schools is to be 
 
 obtained. 
 
 1. Recommendations for tie Establishment of Mining Schools; Education to be 
 provided therein : 
 
 Suggestion for the establishment of schools for the use of colliers and their children; 
 beneficial results that would arise therefrom, Dickinson 1358-1368 ; Mackworth 1587, 
 
 1588; Tetlow 3335-3339; Blackwell 3930; Forsler 4797-4802 Evidence with 
 
 respect to the schools established at the collier ies in the north of England ; deficiency 
 
 in the means of education amoig the mining classes, Jude 2021-2036 Nature of the 
 
 instruction that should be afforded in the colliery schools ; practical information with 
 
 respect to mining might be given in evening schools, ib. 2048-2057 Children should 
 
 be compelled to attend the colliery schools ; a certificate of a boy's having attended 
 
 should be required before he was permitted to enter a mine, ib. 2068, 2069 Schools 
 
 for the children of miners are not general in Lancashire, Swallow 28g6, 2897 A cer- 
 tain amount of school attendance should be required on the part of all miners' children 
 under a certain age, Blackwell 4079, 4080. 
 
 2. Manner in which the Fund for the Support of these Schools is to be obtained : 
 The establishment of schools for the children of the workmen in collieries might be 
 adopted without inflicting a great hardship 0:1 the colliery proprietors; manner in which 
 
 the funds for such schools might be provided, Dickinson 1 358-1 3G8 Opinion that if 
 
 the establishment of a school was made compulsory on each colliery, a rate for their sup- 
 port being stopped from the earnings of the workmen, it would take very well with the 
 miners, they themselves having some control in the management, Jude 2037-2047; 
 
 Forster 4831-4842 With respect to the schools, the Mining Association are anxious 
 
 that the Government should contribute 20 I. per annum for every 100/. contributed bv 
 
 the coal-hewers in the colliery, Jude 2226-2230 Witne-s deducts weekly from the 
 
 earnings of each man 1 \ d. for school, the same sum for the surgeon, and the same for 
 the sick fund ; the men do not object to this deduction, Gray 3150-3153. 
 
 The miners would not object to contribute from their wages towards the support of 
 schools, but might expect the same assistance from Government as is afforded to factory 
 
 schools, Tetlow 3349-3355 The owners of collieries almost universally subscribe 
 
 towards schools for their workmen's children, Wood 3903-3910 The practice of 
 
 deducting a small amount from the earnings of the men, and giving them a voice in the 
 
 management of the schools has not been found to work well, ib. 3906, 3907 The miners 
 
 are generally willing enough to subscribe towards their children's education, ib. 3908-3910. 
 
 See also Education. Employment of Children. National Scientific Institutions. 
 
 Scotland. Statement as to the practice in Scotland with regard to accidental deaihs in 
 mines; the system pursued renders the owners and managers more careful, but it is car- 
 ried to an extreme, Dickinson 1240-1245. 
 
 Seaton Delaval Colliery : 
 
 1. Evidence general/ tj with respect to the Ventilation of this Colliery. 
 
 2. Particulars as to certain Experiments with the Steam-jet and Furnace. 
 
 1. Evidence generally with respect to the Ventilation of this Colliery: 
 
 Depth of the main shaft at Seaton Delaval ; the colliery is veniilated by four down-cast 
 
 shafts and one up-cast shaft, Dickinson 974-978 The Seaton Delaval application of 
 
 the steam-jet is not one of the best witness has seen; the jets as recently applied by Mr. 
 Darlington, at Ince Hall, are done in a superior manner to Seaton Delaval, ib. 968-971. 
 
 1079-1083 Statement of the ventilating power at Seaton Delaval; way in which the 
 
 steam-jet is applied ; great number of steam-jets employed, ib. 979-986 Opinion 
 
 that the steam-jet, with the additional temperature of the up-cast shaft, caused by the 
 increased consumption of coal and the more perfect combustion, can only operate as a 
 power to the extent of 3.600 cubic per minute, ib. 1076-1078 Witness does not con- 
 sider the ventilation difficult in the Seaton Delaval Colliery at the rate of 33,000 feet a 
 minute, considering the large quantity of coal raised and the number of men at work, ib. 
 
 1100-1102 Evidence relative to the adoption of the steain-jet system at the colliery; 
 
 the ventilation is much more perfect than it was during the time the mine was ventilated 
 
 by furnaces ; number of jets in use and quantity of air obtained, Forster 4348-4397 
 
 There has been no explosion or accident at Seaton Delaval since the establishment of the 
 steam-jet; the colliery is in a very satisfactory state as regards ventilation, ib. 4396, 
 4397- 
 
 Comparison between the ventilation of the Seaton Delaval Colliery with that of Mr. 
 Wood's at Killingworth with the furnace: the quantity of air which is drawn through 
 the latter is not so great as the quantity which is drawn through Seaton Delaval Colliery, 
 
 Forster 
 
<ffoal JHttif0.] 
 
 SEA 
 
 S I Z 
 
 231 
 
 Reports, 1 852-53 — continued. 
 
 Seaton Delaval Colliery — continued. 
 
 1. Evidence generally with respect to the Ventilation of this Colliery — continued. 
 
 Forster 4398-4425 Statement as to the arrangement of the steam-jets; they are 
 
 placed at the bottom of the pit ; witness does not consider that he has arrived at the true 
 
 mode of applying the jets correctly, ih. 4426-4441 If the uuitiber of steam-jets were 
 
 increased, a much greater quantity of air might be obtained ; and if the jets were placed 
 in cylinders, a greater power would be obtained; the use of cylinders is Mr. Gurney's 
 
 suggestion, ih. 4471-4477 Remarks as to the quantity of air passing through the 
 
 Seaton Delaval mine ; a large portiomof this passes directly from the down-cast shaft to 
 
 feed the boiler fires, 26.4491-4497.4504-4509 Circumstances under which witness 
 
 abandoned the furnace and adopted the steam-jet, ib. 4560-4575 Number of men 
 
 and boys employed in the colliery, ib. 4849, 4850— Sundry memorandums by Mr. 
 T. E. Forster, relating to ventilation in the Seaton Delaval Colliery, Rep. iii. App. 183, 
 184. 
 
 2. Particulars as to certain Experiments with the Steam-jet and Furnace : 
 Witness, in conjunction with Mr. Dunn, Mr. Mack worth, and Mr. Wynne, made 
 
 some experiments with reference to the steam-jet and furnace power at Seaton Delaval 
 
 Colliery on the 15th and 16th December 1852, Dickinson 958-960 Mr. Forster was 
 
 not present at those experiments, he having been laid up at the time from an accident, ib. 
 
 961-965- Report on the experiments made at the colliery, showing the results thereof, 
 
 ib. 966, 967. 991-993 Explanation as to the manner in which the experiments were 
 
 carried out, with a view of proving what was due to the steam-jet, and what was due to 
 other causes, namely, furnaces, and the issuing of steam from the engine, ib. 1014-1066 
 
 During the expeiiments the under managers and resident viewer were present, and 
 
 checked the measurements made at the different splits, ib. 1067-1083 Evidence 
 
 with respect to the experiment made at the Colliery on the 15th June 1853 to 
 prove whether the door that leads to the boiler fires being left open would lessen the 
 
 current of air in the workings, when it wag found to increase it, Jude 2233-2269 
 
 Particulars as to the experiments made on the 18th May, Forster 4446-4451 Result 
 
 of experiments in ventilation by Messrs. Jude and others at Seaton Delaval Colliery, 
 
 Rep. ii. App. 83, 84 Return by Mr. T. E. Forster, showing the results of a series of 
 
 experiments with respect to the ventilation of the colliery, Rep. iii. App. 180-183. 
 
 See also Boiler Fires. Furnace Ventilation, 2. Pillar -and- Stall System. Shafts. 
 Steam-jet, 1. 2. Velocity of Currents. Water-gauge. 
 
 Self-registering Anemometers. See Anemometers. 
 
 Shafts. Considerable decrease in the number of accidents in shafts in 1852; this may be 
 
 attributed to the Government inspection, Machworih 480-511 On witness discovering 
 
 any defects in the shafts of any of the mines under his inspection, he has suggested 
 alterations and improvements to the managers, which have invariably been carried out, 
 
 ib. 489-513 Opinion that casing the pit from the bottom to the top would be an 
 
 effectual remedy against parts of the pit tailing down and killing men in their descent; 
 
 the expense would be very trifling, Dickinson 1224-1226 Insufficiency of the present 
 
 number of shafts for the proper ventilation of mines; there should be two shafts sunk at 
 the dip of the colliery, and one or two of equal area at the rise of the colliery, Jude 
 
 1747-1782 The intake air-way and the return air-way should lemain independent, 
 
 and should not be used for drawing up coals, Swallow 2647. 2 ^49 The size and 
 
 number of the shafts should depend on the extent of the mine and the number of men 
 employed ; there should be one shaft to every forty acres, and in no case should there 
 
 be less than two shafts in every mine, ib. 2651-2663. 2774, 2775 Second shafts can 
 
 be sunk very cheaply, or at a rate of 10/. per fathom, including all expenses, ib. 2663- 
 2665. 2707-2712. 2822. 
 
 Examination as to the distance from the shaft beyond which it is unsafe to work 
 collieries; opinion that, it is dangerous beyond a limit from the shaft of 500 yards; 
 they may work to a greater distance in the Ravenhead Mine, but it is not safe, Swallow 
 
 2666-2706 The shafts are often in a very defective state, and are not properly walled ; 
 
 accidents have frequently occurred in consequence ol stones falling from out of the sides 
 
 of the shaft, ib. 2781-2786. 2811. 2820 In some respects it is better to have a shaft 
 
 of a small rather than of a large area, Wood 3421-3427 With re spect to falls of stones 
 
 from pits or shafts in work, it should be the peculiar province of the inspector to see that 
 
 such shafts are securely walled off, ib. 3693-3695 If the shaft of the Seaton Delaval 
 
 mine was as large as the shaft in the Hettcn Colliery, the former would get a greatly 
 increased quantity of air, Forster 4557-4569. 
 
 See also Air-ways. Belgium. Brattices. Pressure of Air. Up-cast Shaft. 
 Sick Clubs. See Benefit Societies. 
 Size of Air-ways. See Air-ways. 
 
 0.76. 
 
 G G 2 
 
 Smoking. 
 
232 S M O S T E [®lttiistnt$ in 
 
 Reports, 1852-53 — continued. 
 
 Smoking. Remarks relative to smoking: in mines ; how far anv danger arises from the 
 practice ; there would be no difficulty in putting a stop to the practice if proper precau- 
 tions were taken by the manager, Dickinson 383-387 The custom of smoking 
 
 tobacco should be prohibited in the pits, Swallow 2908, 2909; Wood 3816. 
 
 See also Punishment. 
 South Hetton Colliery. See Hetton Colliery. 
 
 South Wales. The system of long work is applicable to the South Wales coal field ; its 
 introduction there would be the means of reducing the cost of getting the coal, Dickinson 
 
 43 With respect to the coal fields of South Wales, they are almost exclusively worked 
 
 on the pillar-and-stall system; defective state of the air-ways in these collieries, and con- 
 sequent occurrence of accidents, especially in the thick coai seams, Blackweli 3994- 
 4002. 4006-4008. See also Managers of Collieries. 
 
 South-Western District. Frequency of the ventilation in particular mines in witness's 
 district varying materially, from the time of one visit to another, Mackworth 631-634. 
 
 See also Overmen. 
 
 Splitting the Air. In ordinary cases, with proper attention, it is quite easy to split the air, 
 and carry it to different parts of the workings; in a large colliery it is indispensably 
 
 necessary to split the air, Dickinson 1169-1174 Edvidence on the advisability of 
 
 splitting the air into different currents; different modes by which this is at present 
 
 accomplished, Swallow 2595 tt seq. A mine cannot be well ventilated without 
 
 splitting the air, Tetlow 3299-3301 Object of splitting the air, Forster 4586-4592. 
 
 See also Air-ways. Distribution of Air. Lancashire Collieries. 
 
 Staffordshire. The explosions in South Staffordshire are attributable to a want of proper 
 air-ways and of due precautions on the part of the workmen, Blackweli 4009-4011. 
 
 4028-4036 Remarks on the North Staffordshire mines; the ventilation is ordinarily 
 
 imperfect, ib. 4012-4131 This was especially the case at the Ubberley Colliery, where 
 
 an explosion occurred some few years since, ib. 40 14-4021 Paper delivered in with 
 
 respect to explosions in the South Staffordshire mines ; these explosions arose from very 
 imperfect ventilation and the use of naked lights; the collieries were those of Rounds 
 Green, Heathfield, Friary Field, and Whitehall, ib. 4131. 
 
 See also Long-work System. Natural Ventilation. 
 
 Steam-jet Ventilation : 
 
 1. Great Advantage of the Steam-jet as a means of effecting a propei- Ventila- 
 
 tion. 
 
 2. Opinion that the Steam-jet is not so Efficacious or Economical as the 
 
 Furnace. 
 
 3. How far the Steam-jet has been used in Belgium. 
 
 4. Papers laid before the Committee. 
 
 1. Great Advantage of the Steam-jet as a means of effecting a proper Ventilation : 
 
 There is no loss of power from friction in the use of the steam-jet, Cayley 1539 
 
 Observations upon the subject of the steam-jet; grounds for the opinion that the steam- 
 jet is a more powerful agent of ventilation than the furnace, ib. 1539-1547 The 
 
 steam-jet among the mechanical powers is a more economical agent than any other 
 
 apparatus, and less liable to danger from explosion, ib. 1548 Remarks relative to the 
 
 operation of the steam-jet in the Seaton Delaval Colliery ; the ventilation of that mine is 
 
 very superior to anv pit witness ever saw before, Jude 1705-1718. 1 793> *794 The 
 
 steam-jet was first introduced in 1816 ; witness never heard of its having been used prior 
 to that time, Gurney 4133-4140 When the drag of a mine is considerable, the steam- 
 jet should be employed more powerfully in (he area of the jet and the area acted upon 
 
 should be reduced, ib. 4144. 4148-4154 Definition of the principles of action of the 
 
 steam-jet and the f urnace, ib. 4145- 41 96. 
 
 By varying inversely the areas of the jets and cylinders, any amount of power may be 
 
 produced, Gurney 4151-4154 There is no limit to the power of the jet; by a proper 
 
 application a disturbance of 300 or 400 inches of water-gauge may be produced experi- 
 mentally; practically about eight inches of water-gauge has been produced in a coal 
 
 shaft, ib. 4165-4179 The steam-jet has an excess of power of ventilation beyond 
 
 what is required for ordinary purposes, which under extraordinary circumstances could 
 be suddenly brought into play, thereby diminishing or removing the fatalities consequent 
 
 on explosions through the after-damp, ib. 4180-4197 In deep pits the furnace may 
 
 be as efficacious as the jet, and more economical, but in shallow pits the jet has decidedly 
 
 the advantage, ib. 4198-4207 In some deep pits the steam-jet may be essentially 
 
 necessary, as affording a power of ventilation without a limit, the limit ot the lurnace 
 
 being at times extremely dangerous, ib. 4206-4208 The size of the cylinder in relation 
 
 v6 that of the jet must depend on the drag of the pit, &c. ; a cylinder of five incites 
 would in most cases be sufficiently large for a jet of i-8th or 3-16U1S of an inch, il 
 
 4280-4283. 
 
(ffoal Wine*.] 
 
 STE 
 
 SUB 
 
 233 
 
 Reports, 1852-53 — continued. 
 
 Steam-jet Ventilation — continued. 
 
 1. Great Advantage of the Steam-jet, 8>c. — continued. 
 
 4280-4283. 4285 The expense of the steam-jet, as regards the consumption of coai, 
 
 is not much increased by enlarging the area of the jets and diminishing ihe size of the 
 cylinders, Guruey 4284, 4285. 
 
 Great advantage of the application of the steam-jet at the top of the down-cast shaft, 
 
 in the event of an explosion, Gurney 4323 Difference between high and low pressure 
 
 steam with regard to the rate at which they severally move the jet, ib. 4324 The 
 
 action of the steam-jet is founded on the first law of motion, namely, that bodies in 
 
 motion go on for ever unless they are stopped by something, ib. 4325 The steam-jet 
 
 has been introduced into almost every steamer on the Thames, and is being extended to 
 
 the navy, ib. 4326 Mention of several other useful applications of the steam-jet; as 
 
 applied to the blast furnace of an iron forge, the power has been got up to eight or ten 
 
 inches of the water-gauge, ib. 4327 Witness lias not applied the steam-jet to any of the 
 
 collieries under his management except the Seaton Delaval, as they do not require more 
 
 ventilation than they already have by the furnace, Forster 4480-4483 The way in 
 
 which the jets are placed makes a difference in the effect they will produce, ib. 4538 
 
 Opinion that the steam-jet as a means of ventilation is more economical than the furnace, 
 ib. 4579-4581. 
 
 2. Opinion that the Steam-jet is not so Efficacious or Economical as the Furnace :. 
 
 None of the experiments made by witness have led him to the conclusion that the 
 
 steam-jet is so efficacious or so economical as the furnace, Dickinson 1080 Opinion 
 
 that the mechanical power of the steam-jet, without any rarefaction whatever, is a very 
 
 small aid in ventilating a pit, ib. 1126, 1127 Instances in which the steam-jet might 
 
 be usefully applied in the ventilation of mines, ib. 1140-1 148 For the transmission of 
 
 large quantities of air through coal mines the steam-jet is not sufficiently powerful unless 
 applied in conjunction with temperature, ib. 1 140 Remarks relative to the steam- 
 jet ; there would be an enormous loss of power if the steam-jet was applied directly to 
 the air, Mackworth 1478-1489. 
 
 Circumstances under which witness has made use of the steam-jet; result of experi- 
 ments at the Morfa Colliery ; objection to the steam-jet apparatus as being very liable 
 
 to get out of order, Gray 2971-2991 Experiments with the steam-jet on 29, 30, 
 
 and 31 October, and on 13 November 1852, produced respectively the same results, and 
 prove generally the inferiority of the steam-jet to the furnace ; alteration in the size of 
 
 jets used on these occasions, Wood 3374-3393. 3405-3409. 3413 Remarks on the 
 
 best manner of applying the jet to the ventilation of coal mines ; the experiments by 
 witness were conducted in a proper and scientific manner, and he took every care that 
 
 such should be the case, ib. 3547-3561. 3582-3589 The results of those experiments 
 
 show that the steam-jet, though it may be useful to a trifling extent, it is an uncertain 
 and expensive mode of ventilation, and altogether deficient as a substitute for the 
 furnace, or as an auxiliary thereto, ib. 3568. 3573 Reference to the use of the steam- 
 jet at the collieries of South Hetton and Seaton Delaval, ib. 3569-3572. 
 
 3. How far the Steam-jet has been used in Belgium : 
 
 The system of steam-jet is not used in Belgium ; there is an opinion that steam-jet 
 
 is not a sufficient ventilating power, Dickinson 155. 219-222 Remarks relative to 
 
 the experiments made on the steam-jet in Belgium, Mackworth 1514-1519. 
 
 4. Papers laid before the Committee : 
 
 Comparative economy of furnace (underground and above) and steam-jet ventilators 
 according to Mr. Glepin, Rep. i. App. 146— — Paper delivered in by Mr. W. Gray on 
 the subject of steam-jet ventilation ai the Morfa Colliery, Rep. ii. App. 92 Observa- 
 tions of Mr. N. Wood upon the steam-jet as a ventilating power, Rep. tii. App. 124 et seq. 
 
 See also Alloa Colliery. Boiler Fires. Consumption of Coal. Experiments. 
 Furnace Ventilation. Hetton Colliery, 2. Hilda, St., Colliery. Killingworlh 
 Colliery Pneumatic Flower-pot. Seaton Delaval Colliery. Water-gauge. 
 Wood, Mr. 
 
 Stephenson's Lamp. See Safety Lamps, 2. 
 
 Struve's Ventilator. Witness is disposed to consider M. Struve's mechanical apparatus 
 preferable to any of those in use in Belgium with reference to economical working, 
 
 Dickinson 142, 143 Reference to the ventilation of a colliery in South Wales by 
 
 M. Struve's machinery, as recommended by witness, in lieu of the furnace; success of 
 this recommendation, Blackwell 4037, 4038. See also Fabrey's Ventilator. 
 
 Sub- Inspectors. Suggestion for the employment of sub-inspectors for the assistance of the 
 ./.spectors of coal mines, with powers nearly equal to those possessed by the prese:.. 
 
 inspectors, Mackworth 732-767. 874. The appointment of sub-inspectors would 
 
 relieve the inspector of the most laborious part of his duties, but would be very strongly 
 0.76. g g 3 opposed 
 
234 SUB SWA (jaccitontj* in 
 
 Reports, 1852-53 — continued. 
 
 Sub-Inspectors —continued. 
 
 opposed by the colliery owners, Dickinson 890-892 Opinion in favour of the 
 
 appointment of sub-inspectors; this would give great satisfaction to the workmen; 
 number of sub-inspectors that would be necessary; nature of their required qua- 
 lifications, Jude 1917-1946 The working men would contribute towards the expense 
 
 of the sub-inspectors if they had some little power in the nomination of them, ib. 
 
 1967-1969 The sub-inspectors should thoroughly examine the mines, but should 
 
 not interfere at all with the mode of working, so as in the least to remove the responsi- 
 bility from the viewers or managers, ib. 2100-2117. 
 
 Evidence as to the beet course to be pursued with respect to the appointment of in- 
 spectors and sub-inspectors ; the sub-inspectors should be selected from practical 
 miners; advantages to be derived from a proper system of sub-inspection, Henderson 
 
 2385-2405 Remarks as to the class of men most suitable for sub-inspectors ; opinion 
 
 that selections from practical working colliers are the most competent that can be made, 
 and the most likely to give satisfaction to all parties, Swallow 2498-2516; Tetlow 
 3267-3279. 3282, 3283. 3287-3292 Necessity of a sufficient number of sub-in- 
 spectors, who should traverse the remote workings of every pit, and point out any evils 
 that existed ; if these were not remedied, he should report them to the inspector, Tetlow 
 
 3249-3251 Satisfaction of the miners with the Report of the Committee of 1 852, more 
 
 especially with the recommendations for the appointment of sub-inspectors, ib. 3263. 
 
 33°5> 33°6 The sub-inspectors should be appointed by Government, through some 
 
 central Board, ib. 3264-3266. 
 
 Opinion that miners would easily be found quite competent to the duties of sub-inspec- 
 tors, Tetlow 3287, 3288. 3332-3334 Recommendation that the sub-inspectors be 
 
 well paid for their services, ib. 3289 The suggestion to appoint sub-inspectors from 
 
 practical miners is very objectionable, Wood 3848. 3879-3883; Blackwell 4099. 4105, 
 
 4106 Objection to the sub-inspectors being appointed from the overmen or under- 
 
 vievvers, Wood 3849 Objection to the appointment of sub-inspectors ; as they and the 
 
 overmen would be constantly quarrelling, Forster 4723. 
 
 Supply of Air. In the code of regulations recommended by witness he would not stipulate 
 
 any fixed quantity of air for the supply of a mine, Mackworlh 773, 774 Observations 
 
 as to how far regulations might be adopted to enforce the requisite supply of air to mines 
 so as to keep them in safe and proper working order ; manner in which the imfficiency or 
 
 insufficiency of the supply might be measured, ib. 818-835 Nature of the grievances 
 
 complained of by the miners; the workmen are anxious that there should be a sufficient 
 quantity of air; the owners being responsible for such quantity, Jude 1697-1704 
 
 What the miners really want is sufficient ventilation whilst working; they should be 
 
 enabled to complain to the inspector in the event of the supply of air being insufficient, 
 ib. 1825-1837. 
 
 There cannot be too much air passing through any mine ; it should be compulsory on 
 the managers to supply a certain quantity per minute to each man, Swallow 2533-2540. 
 
 2595 et seq. ; Gray 3144-3149 A colliery with workings to the extent of 1,000 acres 
 
 may be thoroughly ventilated with 50,000 or 60,000 cubic feet of air per minute ; the 
 quantity of coal worked in such a colliery would be about 120,000 tons a year, Wood 
 
 3454-3456 The existence of noxious air in a mine depends much on the extent of 
 
 open face at which the men are working; the amount of ventilation shculd be regulated 
 
 by the extent of face, ib. 3461-3465 Every miner should have a certain quantity of 
 
 air, and it should be the duty of the inspectors to see that such is the case, ib. 3632-3634 
 
 Remarks as to the quantity of air required by each miner ; 500 cubic feet per minute 
 
 is more than sufficient under ordinary circumstances, Blackwell 3943-394.8. 
 
 See also Distribution of Air. Mechanical Ventilators, 3. Shafts. 
 
 Swallow, David (Analysis of his Evidence.) — Resides at Romford, near St. Helen's, 2459 
 
 Witness is corresponding secretary to the Lancashire and Cheshire Branch of the 
 
 Miners' Association ; nature of his duties, and extent of his experience on the subject of 
 
 mining in different counties, 2460-2474 Remarks on the subject of a Government 
 
 inspection of mines: the appointment of inspectors has been veiv beneficial in the pre- 
 vention of accidents, 2475-2520. 2525, 2526. 2531, 2532. 2764-2773. 2928-2936 
 
 The inspection, however, is far from satisfactory ; the number of inspectors is not sufficient, 
 
 and their powers are much too limited, 2483-2490 One inspector should not have 
 
 power to stop the working of a colliery ; suggestion that there be a number of sub- 
 inspectors appointed, and that he take counsel with them as to the advisability of closing 
 any mine, 2489, 2490. 
 
 Reference to the association of miners with which witness is connected ; there are above 
 3,000 members; their main objects are to obtain a Government inspection and 10 pro- 
 tect wages, 2491-2496 The sub-inspectors should be appointed from the most intelli- 
 gent practical miners ; their chief duty should be to report the state, of the mines to the 
 inspector placed over them, 2498-2516 Some collieries should be visited by the inspec- 
 tors within certain periods, but this rule should only apply in peculiar cases, 2517-2520 
 
 Artificial ventilation should be enforced in every colliery, but no particular system 
 
 should be specified, 2521-2531 There cannot be too much air passing through any 
 
 mine ; 
 
«roai Uttmnk] SWA 
 
 TE M 
 
 235 
 
 Reports, 1852-53 — continued. 
 
 Swallow, David. (Analysis of his Evidence) — continued. 
 
 mine ; it should be compulsory on the managers to supply a certain quantity pei minute 
 
 to each man, 2533-2540. 2595 et seq. How far witness agrees with the Report of the 
 
 Committee of 1852 ; 2541 et seq. Remarks to the effect that a safety-lamp is a very 
 
 dangerous instrument in the hands of workmen and boys ; grounds for the opinion that 
 the Davy lamp is unsafe, 2542-2559. 2713-2763. 
 
 Objection to putting clown bore-holes, 2560-2562 Witness has had no experience 
 
 on the subject of refuge-stalls, but believes that in the event of explosions they may be 
 
 the means of saving many lives, 2563-2576 Reference to an explosion in the Ardsley 
 
 Main Colliery, near Barnsley, by which seventy-three men were killed ; most of these 
 men could have got into the air-passages if there had been any unobstructed, 2573-2585 
 
 The obstruction of the air-pas-sages round the remote workings is the main cause of 
 
 loss of life in collieries; mode suggested for remedying this evil, 2577-2591. 2619-2624 
 
 Opinion that the self-registering anemometer is not a proper test of the ventilation, 
 
 2592-2594 ^Evidence on the advisability of splitting the air into diffeient currents; 
 
 different modes by whic h this is at present accomplished, 2595 et seq. Necessity of 
 
 having sufficient air-ways of proper dimensions in order to carry the air well through the 
 workings, 2619-2623. 2647-2652. 
 
 With respect to the goaves, the gas should not be allowed to remain in them ; sugges- 
 tions as to the best means of ventilating the goaves and of driving out the gaseous air, 
 
 2624-2646 The inlake air-way and the return air-way should remain independent, and 
 
 should not be used for drawing coals, 2647. 2649 The size and number of the shafts 
 
 should depend on the extent of the mine and the number of men employed ; there shouid 
 be one shaft to every forty acres, and in no case should there be less than two shafts in 
 
 every mine, 2651-2663. 2774, 2775 Second shafts can be sunk very cheaply, or at a 
 
 rate of 10 I. per fathom, including ail expenses, 2663-2665. 2707-2712. 2822 — ^—Exami- 
 nation as to the distance from the shaft beyond which it is unsafe to work in collieries; 
 opinion that it is dangerous beyond a limit from the shaft of 500 yards; they may work to 
 a greater distance in the Ravenhead Mine, but it is not safe, 2666-2706. 
 
 With respect to accidents from falls of roofs and sides, it is better to allow the miners 
 to undertake the propping of the roofs than the masters; there is generally sufficient 
 
 timber found for the purpose, 2776-2780 The shafts are often in a very defective 
 
 state, and are not properly walled; accidents have frequently occurred in consequence 
 of stones falling down from out of the sides of the shaft, 2781-2786. 2800-2811. 2820 
 
 Many accidents also arise from the employment of persons not properly qualified in 
 
 winding the miners up and down the shafts, 2787-2795 It should be the duty of the 
 
 inspector to see that proper engine-tenters are employed, that the shafts are properly 
 walled, and that there is a sufficiency of timber for the purpose of propping roots, 2796. 
 
 2814-2823 The custom of letting a man down the shaft while a full waggon of coals is 
 
 going up is very dangerous, and should be prohibited, 2797-2799. 
 
 Boys under fifteen years of age are not allowed to wind up and down the shafts ; the age 
 
 of such boys should not be under eighteen years, 2812, 2813 Objection to the present 
 
 system of coroners' inquests with respect to accidents in coal mines; the coroners should 
 be practically acquainted with mining, and the juries should be differently constituted, 
 2824-2862 Government inspectors, such as Mr. Dickinson, would be very well quali- 
 fied for coroners, but they should not also retain their inspectorships, 2838-2849 Half 
 
 of the jury should be miners and the other half should be independent parties otherwise 
 
 engaged in life, 2850-2857 A power to assess damages should be given to a coroner and 
 
 jury thus constituted, 2858-2862 Magistrates, rather than the inspectors or the Secre- 
 tary of State, should be empowered to inflict penalties or fines upon the owners of collieries 
 who neglect to perform their duties, 2863, 2864. 
 
 How far sufficient enactments are at present provided against workmen who have been 
 
 guilty of carelessness or recklessness whilst in the colliery, 2865-2876 Remarks on 
 
 the low qualifications of the managers of the various collieries in Lancashire, Cheshire, 
 
 and Yorkshire, 2877-2884 Suggestions as to the best means of qualifying persons 
 
 for the management ; each manager should have served an apprenticeship as a practical 
 miner, 2885-2895 Schools for the children of the miners are not general in Lan- 
 cashire, 2896, 2897 ^ should be compulsory on the parents to contribute a certain 
 
 sum weekly towards the education of their children, 2898-2901 Difficulty of esta- 
 blishing a national fund from the earnings of the miners towards the support of the 
 
 widows and orphan children, 2902-2907 If safety-lamps are used, blasting should be 
 
 prohibited, and also the custom of smoking tobacco in the pits, 2908, 2909 The 
 
 miners consider that there should be no further delay in legislating for a better system of 
 ventilation, and expect to derive many benefits, if the Report of the Committee of 1852 
 is carried into effect, 2911-2927. 
 
 T. 
 
 Temperature of Air. Fire-damp and atmospheric air both expand by increased tempera- 
 ture ; reason why the change is likely to be a cause of danger in the mines, Dickinson 
 
 123-125 Particulars relative to the temperature of the atmosphere as measured at 
 
 0.76. g g 4 the 
 
236 
 
 T E M 
 
 T E T [iamtjents in 
 
 Reports, 1 852-53 — continued. 
 
 Temperature of Air — contiuued. 
 
 the time of the experiments with the steam-jet at Seat-on Delaval Colliery, Dickinson 
 
 987-990. 1004-1007 Table delivered in by Mr. N. Wood, showing the temperature 
 
 of return air in several collieries, Rep. iii. App. 170. See also Atmosphere. 
 
 Tests of Ventilation. Manner in which witness tests the ventilation of mines on his visits 
 of in-ptction, Mackworth 677-679. See also Anemometer. Ventilation. 
 
 Tetlow, Allan. (Analysis of his Evidence.) — Resides at Hurst Carrs, near Ashton-under- 
 
 Lyne, 3154 Ts agent to the Lancashire Association of Miner*, and is deputed by them 
 
 to give evidence before the Committee; experience of witness as a miner, 3155-3164 
 
 The ventilation in the small collieries of Lancashire is worse than in the large ones; 
 
 there is a general complaint against the inefficient circulation of the air, 3165-3167 
 
 Evidence on the probability of accidents occurring through carelessness or defective 
 regulation in winding the men up and down the pits; suggestions on this point, 3167- 
 
 3237 Accidents have arisen through the men not being allowed sufficient time to get 
 
 out of the box when let down ; it should be imperative that the engineman receive 
 some signal from the bottom before he starts the engine hack again, 3167-3172. 3182- 
 3200. 
 
 Too many men are frequently let down the pit at the same time; the number should 
 
 be limited to four, 3173-3181. 3202-3215.3219-3229 The ropes used in lowering 
 
 the men are frequently very defective from wear, 3216-3218 In the event of any 
 
 danger arising during the ascent or descent of the men, it is quite practicable to give 
 
 a signal to the engineman, if the engine is not winding too quickly, 3230-3232 
 
 A code of regulations for the better safety and security of the miners should be enforced 
 
 by the Legislature in every colliery, 3233-3235 Mode in which these regulations 
 
 might be drawn up and established ; it would be difficult at first to strike out a law 
 
 satisfactory tc all parties, 3234-3237 Remarks upon the system of Government 
 
 inspection; it has been very beneficial in its operation, but does not go far enough ; 
 suggestion for the appointment of a certain number of sub-inspectors, who should be 
 practical miners, with ample power of reporting 011 all matters that require improvement, 
 
 3238- 3256. 3263-3295- 3332-3339- 
 
 Great satisfaction given to all parties in his district by Mr. Dickinson, Government 
 
 inspector; many evils have been remedied by his suggestions, 3243-3248 Necessity 
 
 of a sufficient number of inspectors, who should traverse the remote workings of every pit,, 
 and point out any evils that existed ; if these were not remedied, he should report them 
 
 to the inspector, 3249-3251 If the recommendations of the inspector were not 
 
 attended to, he should report the same to some central Board in London, who should 
 
 have power, after investigation, to close the mine, 3252-3262 Satisfaction of the 
 
 miners with the Report of the Committee of 1852, more especially with the recommen- 
 dations for the appointment of sub-inspectors, 3263. 3305, 3306 The sub-inspectors 
 
 should be appointed by Government, through some central Board, 3264-3266 
 
 Remarks as to the class of men most suitable for sub-inspectors ; opinion that selections 
 from practical working colliers are the most competent that can be made, and the most 
 likely to give satisfaction to all parties, 3267-3279. 3282, 3283. 3287-3292. 
 
 The central Government Board should consist of men well qualified to investigate 
 existing evils, and to remedy the same ; it would be an advantage if they had a prac- 
 tical knowledge of mining, 3280-3286 Opinion that miners would easily be found 
 
 quite competent to the duties of sub-inspectors, 3287, 3288. 3332-3334 Recom- 
 mendation that the sub-inspectors be well paid for their services, 3289 All that is 
 
 wanted for the purpose of improving the present state of collieries, and securing greater 
 safety, is a thorough determination on the part of Government to effect that object, 3290 
 
 With respect to ventilation, the miners do not demand the adoption of any particular 
 
 system, but consider that all collieries should use either the furnace or the steam-jet ; 
 
 natural ventilation cannot be trusted to, 3296. 3330, 3331 -A proper circulation of 
 
 air throughout all paits of the mine is indispensable, 3297, 3298 A mine cannot be 
 
 well ventilated without splitting the air, 3299-3301. 
 
 Due care should be taken to keep the air-ways in proper order and of a sufficient size;. 
 
 there cannot be too much air in a mine, 3302-3304 As an extra safety, in addition 
 
 to proper ventilation, the use of the safety-lamp should be made compulsory in all fiery 
 
 mines, 3307-3311 Recommendation of the practice adopted in a colliery of Messrs. 
 
 Lee?, Jones, & Booth, for the purpose of clearing the goaves of the noxious air, 3312- 
 
 3315 It is much better to expel the foul air Irom the goaves than to attempt to wall 
 
 it in, 3317, 3318 — —A good current of air should at all times circulate close up to the face 
 
 of the goaves, 3319 With regard to accidents from falls of roofs, it is better for the 
 
 miners to set their own timber and place the props than for the deputies to do so, 3320- 
 3321 In Lancashire sufficient timber is generally supplied for the purpose of stand- 
 ing the roofs, 3322, 3323. 
 
 The present system of coroners' juries is not satisfactory ; they should be partly com- 
 posed of men thoroughly conversant with the nature of a coal pit, 3324-3329 
 
 Suggestion for the establishment of schools for the use of colliers and their children ; 
 
 beneficial 
 
Coal mitt**.] T E T 
 
 YEN 
 
 237 
 
 Reports, 1852-53— continued. 
 
 Tetlow, Allan. (Analysis of his Evidence)— continued. 
 
 beneficial results that would arise therefrom, 3335-3339 Further reference to the 
 
 inefficiency of the ventilation in some mines; the health of the miners is very prejudi- 
 cially affected by the existence of black damp, 3340-3344 How far the miners 
 
 would be content with less wages, if the ventilation were better; improved ventilation 
 
 would produce economy in the general working of a mine, 3345-3348 The miners 
 
 would not object to contribute from their wages towards the support of schools, but 
 might expect the same assistance from Government as is afforded to factory schools, 
 
 3349-3355 The children of miners are now allowed by the Legislature to be 
 
 employed in collieries when they attain the age of ten ; in altering this law, witness 
 would suggest that twelve rather than fourteen years of age be the limit; this alteration 
 would be well received by the miners, 3351, 3352. 3356-3360. 
 
 Tyne Main Colliery. Details with respect to the Tyne Main Colliery, ventilated by the 
 furnace, forming an economical comparison between the ventilation of that and of the 
 Eagles' Bush Colliery, where the first of Struve's ventilators was erected ; the Tyne 
 Main Colliery was lately experimented upon by Mr. N. Wood in the most careful 
 manner, and it is from his data that witness gives the economical position of the ventila- 
 tion of that colliery, Mackworth j 439-1459 Remarks on the powerful ventilation 
 
 used in Tyne Main Colliery; about eighty cubic feet of air per minute is supplied to 
 
 each man ; this is vastly more than sufficient, Wood 3456-3468 Objection to the 
 
 experiments with the steam jet at the colliery ; cylinders were used, but were much too 
 
 large in proportion to the size of the jets, Gurney 4273-4279 Experiments made at 
 
 Tyne Main Colliery to determine the actual as well as the relative powers of the furnace 
 and the steam jet, Rep. iii. App. 131, 132. 142-144. 147, 148. 151 et seq. 
 
 U. 
 
 Ubberlcy Colliery. See Staffordshire. 
 
 Under-viewers. Observations with respect to the qualifications of the under-viewers; many 
 of this class are quite unfit for the office, Jude 2002-2012. 
 
 See also Viewers. 
 
 Up-cast Shaft. With regard to the up-cast shaft, there is no doubt that it is advantageous 
 lor it to be bricked from top to bottom ; a furnace not working; into a bricked shaft is 
 not in a condition to produce the best effect, Dickinson 164-173. 
 
 See also Ascensional Ventilation. Furnace Ventilation, 1. 
 Upton and Roberts's Lamp. See Roberts's Lamp). 
 
 V. 
 
 Velocity of Currents. Observations as to the velocity of the currents of air that should be 
 
 kept in motion in every working part of a colliery, Mackworth 842-851 Greatest 
 
 velocity of air obtained in the experiments with the steam jet at Seaton Delaval ; the 
 measurements were taken twice with numerous checks to produce accuracy, Dickinson 
 
 987. 994-1007 Remarks as to the velocity of the air going up the pit at Seaton 
 
 Delaval, Forster 4534-4536 Return, by Mr. N. Wood, of experiments with safety- 
 lamps at Killing-worth and Crookbank collieries, to test at what velocity in an explosive 
 mixture of fire-damp and atmospheric air the flame may be passed through the wire 
 gauze, Rep. iii. App. 173-175. 
 
 Vena Contracta. Explanation of the vena contracta ; Gurney 4158, 4159. 
 
 Ventilation. Opinion that a perfect system of ventilation is the most important point with 
 regard to the economical and proper working of a colliery, Dickinson 403,404. 1332- 
 
 !335 ; Mackworth, 635-637 Possibility of putting a fiery pit in such a condition as 
 
 to render it absolutely safe, Mackworth 839-841 ; Jude 2086. 2093-2099 Necessity 
 
 for all coal mines being ventilated ; in no case ought the men 10 be allowed to work 
 where there is not sufficient air to support a candle burning freely, Dickinson 1 157-1 168 
 
 There are no means by which the inspectors can know what ventilation is going on 
 
 during their absence between the visits of inspection, nor does witness know of any 
 means by which this could be accomplished, 1186-1208 The quantities of ventila- 
 tion in the north of England in the larger collieries is three times as much as in the 
 
 largest collieries in Belgium, Mackicorth 1503 Remarks as to the means by which 
 
 ventilation is produced ; it is not precisely correct to say that it is the height of the 
 heated column of air which produces ventilation, ib. 1560. 
 
 Observations as to the most effective mode of measuring the effective ventilation of 
 
 a colliery, Mackworth 1562-1564 The mines in Northumberland and Durham are 
 
 not in a better condition as to ventilation than they were in 1849, Jude 1693-1696 
 
 0.76. . II h What 
 
238 V E N WAT 
 
 Reports, 1852-53 — continued. 
 
 Ventilation?— .continued. 
 What the miners principally want is sufficient, ventilation; this can only be enforced by 
 
 frequent inspection, Jude 1864-1870 It is to the interest of the proprietor that the 
 
 mine should be kept in an efficiently ventilated state, as the loss from an explosion is very 
 great ; witness attributes the neglected state of the mines in the north of England to 
 
 false economy, ib. 2075-2084 With respect to ventilation, the miners do not demand 
 
 the adoption of any particular system, but consider that all collieries should use either 
 the furnace or the steam jet; natural ventilation cannot be trusted to, Tetlow 3296. 
 3330, 3331- 
 
 Objections to any recommendation by the Committee of the general adoption of a par- 
 ticular system of ventilation ; the coalowners under the supervision of the inspectors 
 should adopt whichever system they considered most conducive to safety, TFbod 3574, 
 3575 T ne particular mode of ventilatiois should be left to the coalowners, the inspec- 
 tors seeing' that sufficient air was provided and properly distributed, Blackweli 3943 
 
 General law concerning the ventilation, lighting, and employment of gunpowder in the 
 operations of mining, especially in coal mines subject to fire-damp, Rep. i. App. 138-140 
 
 Paper contributed by Mr. Nicholas Wood to the North of England Institute of 
 
 Mining Engineers, showing the result of experiments on the relative value of the furnace 
 and the steam-jet in the ventilation of coal mines, Rep. iii. App. 1 15-167. 
 
 See also Airways, Anemometers. Artificial Ventilation. Ascensional Ventila- 
 tion. Atmosphere. Brattices. Crossings. Currents of Air. Distri- 
 bution of Air. Doors. Escapes of Gas. Expense of Ventilation. Expe- 
 riments. Furnace Ventilation. Goaves. Health of Miners. Hetton 
 Colliery. Inspection of Mines. Legislation. Mechanical Ventilators. 
 Miners. Natural Brattice. Seaton Delaval Colliery. Shafts. Steam-jet 
 Ventilation. Supply of Air. Tests of Ventilation. Wages. Water 
 Gauge. Wood, Mr. Working of Mines. 
 
 Viewers. Opinion that all collieries ought to be superintended by viewers, according to 
 the system which has been found so effectual in the north of England, Mackworth 1636. 
 
 1654-1657. 1677-1681 The principal man or manager in a mine in the north 
 
 of England is called the head viewer, and has an under viewer for his assistant, Jude 
 
 1844, 1845 The principal viewers are generally a superior class of men in the north of 
 
 England, ib. 1999-2002 The viewers in Yorkshire are less educated than those in the 
 
 north of England, Blackweli 4005 The head viewer incurs immense responsibility, 
 
 and is liable to great blame if he does not take every precaution to preserve the lives of 
 his men, Forster 4618-4620. 
 
 See also Managers of Collieries. Rules and Regulations. Under Viewers. 
 
 w. 
 
 Wages. Workmen are disposed to work for less wages in mines that are notoriously well 
 
 ventilated than in mines that are the contrary, Jude 2085 How far the miners would 
 
 be content with less wages if the ventilation were better; improved ventilation would 
 produce economy in the general working of a mine, Tetlow 3345-3348. 
 See also Education. Schools, 2. 
 
 Wallsend Colliery. Return by Mr. N. Wood of experiments at Wallsend Colliery on 28 
 June 1853, to test the merits of various safety-lamps, Rep. iii. App. 175, 176, 
 
 Warren Vale Colliery, Reference to an accident in December 1851, at Warren Vale Col- 
 liery, Barnsley, by which 50 persons were killed, Blachwell 4131. 
 
 Washington Colliery. Paper delivered in with respect to an accident at Washington Colliery, 
 Durham, in August 1851, by which 35 lives were lost; five-sixths of these perished from 
 after-damp, Blackweli 4 1 3 1 . 
 
 Waste-men. The number of waste-men has been considerably reduced since the introduc- 
 tion of the Davy lamp, Jude 1911-1916. 
 
 Water Gauge. The best gauge of the ventilating power, and that most commonly used, is 
 
 the water gauge, Dickinson 1087 The greatest extent of variation of the water gauge 
 
 that witness has ever known by the furnaces has been two inches, ib. 1088 Observa- 
 tions as to the extraordinary variations produced on the water gauge with the steam-jet; 
 reference to the experiments which took place at the Polytechnic last year, with the jet, 
 ib. 1089-1099 Witness has no reliance upon the water gauge, he prefers the anemo- 
 meter, ib. 1103-1107 Observations relative to the water gauge ; objections to forcing 
 
 the air beyond a certain height of water gauge, either by means of the furnace or the 
 
 steam jet, Wood 3428-3441 The water gauge is a correct measure of the drag or 
 
 resistance of the air round the workings of the mine, but it is not a correct measure of the 
 power of the ventilation, as there are other resistances to be considered in ascertaining 
 
 that point, ib. 3492-3495 The greatest disturbance of the water gauge produced by 
 
 the steam jet, in the experiments by witness, was fl inch; dimension of the boilers and 
 area of the grates that wsre used on this occasion ; opinion that the water gauge cannot 
 
 [amtmttss in 
 
Goal Mint*.] WAT 
 
 WOO 
 
 Reports, 1852-53 — continued. 
 
 Water Gauge — continued. 
 
 be disturbed to a greater extent by any different arrangement of the jet, Wood 3496- 
 
 3503- 351-5-35M- 3565-3567-. 
 
 Tlie water gauge can with difficulty be disturbed by the furnace. to the extent of three 
 
 inches, Gurney 41 55, 4156 Remarks on Table No. 21 of Mr. Wood, in which he 
 
 attributes a certain slight disturbance of the water gauge, over and ab rve that produced 
 bv the furnace, to the extra power of the steam jet ; evidence to the effect that there was 
 no action ol" the steam jet on this occasion, and that the increase attributed to the jet was 
 
 due to the temperature, ib. 4211-4272. 4286-4292 Remarks relative to the water 
 
 gauge, at Seaton Delaval colliery, Forster 4442-4445. 4489, 4490 Observations 
 
 generally of Mr. N. Wood, upon the subject of the water gauge, Rep. iii. App. 131 
 
 Experiments made to determine the power required to produce different velocities of 
 currents of air in coal mines ascertained by the height of water guage, ib. 152. 
 Widows and Orphans. In some cases in Northumberland and Durham, it is the practice 
 to allow the widow of a miner killed by accident a house and coal free for life, but 
 
 witness cannot say that the practice is universal, Dickinson 1405-1410 A national 
 
 fund should be established for the support of the widows and orphans of those who meet 
 with their deaths by accidents, and for the aged ; this fund should be provided bv con- 
 tributions from the miners, and should be rendered imperative by Act ol Parliament, 
 
 Henderson 2444-2458 Difficulty of establishing a national fund from the earnings of 
 
 the miners towaids the support of the widows and orphan children, Sivullow 2902-2907. 
 
 See also Benefit Societies. Damages at Law. 
 Winding up and down of Miners. See Ascent and Descent of Miners. 
 
 Wire Gauze Lamps. It was found impossible to pass the flame of fire-damp through the 
 Davy and other wire gauze lamps, Wood 3741-3746. 3808. 
 
 See also Davy Lamp. Safety Lamps, 2. 
 
 Wood, Nicholas. (Analysis of his Evidence.) — Is extensively engaged as a coal viewer and 
 
 manager of collieries 3361 Since the termination of the Committee of 1852, witness 
 
 lias tested the efficiency of the steam-jet; the experiments were made with the utmost 
 fairness; neither Mr. Forster nor Mr. Goldsworthy Gurney were present, though invited 
 to attend, 3362-3364 Evidence in detail with respect to experiments with the steam- 
 jet and the furnace at the Helton Colliery; result of these experiments; papers banded 
 
 in in illustration thereof, 3365-3443 The Hetton Colliery is 900 feet in depth, and 
 
 the workings extend over an area of upwards of 2,000 acres, 3365-3367 Different 
 
 sysiems of ventilation adopted by witness collectively and separately, in order to arrive at 
 a correct estimate of the force of the steam-jet; size and number of the jets used; 
 quantity of cubic feet of air per minute sent in circulation under the different systems, 
 
 3365 et seq. The airways travelled under the experiments extend over 97 miles, 
 
 337°"3373- 344' 2 - 
 
 Experiments with the steam-jet on 29, 30, and 31 October, and on 13 November 
 
 1852, produced respectively the same results, ;md prove, generally, the inferiority of the 
 steam-jet to the furnace; alteration in the size of the jets used on these occasions, 
 
 3374~3393- 34°5 - 34°9- 34!3 The power of the Hetton furnaces could be increased 
 
 from 1 "20 water gauge up 101*75; it is impracticable to attain a water gauge of three 
 
 inches, 3394-3397 The ordinary working of the furnace should be very much below 
 
 the power to which in case of emergency it might be worked, 3397-3400 On 3 July 
 
 1853, witness made another experiment with the steam-jet; quantity of cubic feet of 
 air per minute produced by the boiler fires, and by 37 jets dining a trial of 12 hours, 
 
 3400-3413 Result of counter-experiments with the furnace alone, as against the 
 
 steam-jet, 3414-3417 Comparison of the consumption of coals in the use of the 
 
 furnace and of the steam-jet; the balance is rather against the former, as the quantity of 
 
 air with the furnace is greater than with the steam-jet, 3414-3416 There are three 
 
 furnaces in use at the Hetton Colliery; one of these, which is nine feet wide, pioduced 
 about the same velocity of the current and the same quantity of air as the steam-jet, 
 3414-3416. 
 
 Remarks as to the resistance of the drag of the air round the workings, and of the 
 
 resistaiu e in the shaft and over the furnace, 3418-3422. 3428-3434 In some respects 
 
 it is better to have a shaft of a small rather than of a large area, 3421-3427 Observa- 
 tions relative to the water gauge ; objections to forcing the air beyond a certain 
 height of water gauge, either by means of the furnace or the steam-jet, 3428- 
 
 3441 All veniilation by mechanical power should be kept within certain limits; 
 
 there should be a standard of velocity for the furnace and the steam-jet, and any increase 
 of that velocity should be procured by enlarging the airways, having additional shafts, 
 or splitting the air so as to diminish the resistance, 3435-3441 . 
 
 [Second Examination.] — Further evidence on the subject of the experiments on furnace 
 ventilation in Hetton Colliery; corroboration of witness's statements as to the consump- 
 tion of coals, by an account of the practical working of the furnace at 17 collieries in 
 the neighbourhood of Newcastle, being the result of an inquiry by Professor Phillips, 
 
 0.76. h h 2 3444-3452 
 
240 
 
 WOOD. 
 
 [aaifcent* in 
 
 Reports, 1852-53 — continued. 
 
 Wood, Nicholas. (Analysis of his Evidence) — continued. 
 
 3444~345 2 As a general rule each furnace will consume three-quarters of a pound of 
 
 coal per minute for each foot of width, the length of the furnace being about four feet, 
 
 3447" 3449 With reference to the working power of the coal it may be taken as a 
 
 general rule that 550,000 cubic feet of air are heated 1° with each pound, 3449 
 
 Opinion that four feet is the best length for a furnace, 3450-3452 The power of the 
 
 iurnace depends a good deal upon the depth of the shaft; in applying the furnace to 
 deep mines, a higher water gauge should be used than in small mines with less depth of 
 shaft, 3452, 3453. 
 
 A colliery with workings to the extent of 1,000 acres may be thoroughly ventilated 
 with 50,000 or 60,000 cubic feet of air per minute; the quantity of coal worked in such 
 
 a colliery would be about 120,000 tons a year, 3454-3456 Remarks on the powerful 
 
 ventilation used in Tyne Main Colliery ; about 80 cubic feet of air per minute is supplied 
 
 to each man; this is vastly more than sufficient, 3456-3468 'The existence of noxious 
 
 air in a mine depends much on the extent of open face at which the men are working; 
 
 the amount of ventilation should be regulated by the extent of face, 3461-3465 
 
 Result of experiments at Kiliingworth Colliery with the steam-jet and the furnace, 
 showing the greater power of the latter, 3469-3491. 3510-3514. 
 
 The water gauge is a correct measure of the drag or resistance of the air round the 
 workings ot the mine, but it is not a correct measure of the power of the ventilation, as 
 
 there are other resistances to be considered in ascertaining that point, 3492-3495 
 
 Ihe greatest disturbance of the water gauge produced by the steam-jet, in the experi- 
 ments by witness, was l*i inch; dimension of the boilers and area of the grates that 
 were used on this occasion; opinion that the water-gauge cannot be disturbed to a 
 greater extent by any different arrangement of the jet, 3496-3503. 3515-3524. 
 
 3o65 - 35 0 7 Remarks on the principles by which the furnace and steam-jet act ; the 
 
 former acts through the pr inciple of rarefaction, the latter, if placed at the top of the pit, 
 acts mechanically ; and if placed at the bottom, by rarefaction, 3504-3514. 3547 et seq. 
 
 In the experiments with the steam-jet there was no such thing as the pneumatic 
 
 flower-pot established, that is, there was no retrograde current down the sides of the jets, 
 
 35 ll ~35 1 4 The experiments in ventilation recently made by witness do not militate 
 
 against those tried by Mr. Elliott in 1849; witness's experiments go farther and show 
 the result due to the mechanical force of the jet, 3525-3529. 3562-3564. 
 
 Some errors may have crept into the pamphlet containing an account of the experi- 
 ments, but witness abides generally by the principles and conclusions therein stated, 3522, 
 
 35 2 3 Reference to experiments made by witness at the St. Hilda and Haiton Pits, 
 
 South Shields ; the result shows that the power of the steam-jet is inferior to that of the 
 
 furnace, 3534-3546. 3578-3581 The application of the jet to St. Hilda Colliery was 
 
 in the first instance judicious and useful ; but it was insufficient to clear the pit entirely 
 
 of bad air, and the furnace was resorted to, 3537-3546 Remarks on the best manner 
 
 of applying the jet to the ventilation of coal mines; the experiments by witness were 
 conducted in a proper and scientific manner, and lie took every care that such should be 
 
 the case, 3547-3561. 3582-3589 The results of those experiments show that the 
 
 steam-jet, though it may be useful to a trifling extent, is an uncertain and expensive 
 mode of ventilation, and altogether deficient as a substitute for the furnace, or as an 
 auxiliary thereto, 3568-3573. 
 
 Reference to the use of the steam-jet at the collieries of South Hetton and Seaton 
 
 Dela val, 3569-3572 Objections to any recommendation by the Committee of the 
 
 general adoption of a particular system of ventilation; the coal owners, under the super- 
 vision of the inspectors, should adopt whichever system they considered most conducive 
 
 to safety, 3574, 3575 Evidence on the subject of a proper distribution of the air 
 
 round all the workings in a mine; importance of the practice of air-splitting; recom- 
 mendation of regulators rather than doors for the purpose of splitting the air and effecting 
 
 its thorough circulation, 3591-3634 Precautions to be taken in the event of 
 
 explosions, provided regulators supersede the present doors ; description of a regulator, 
 3612-3627. 
 
 Reference to the resistance of the air in Crookbank colliery; Paper on the subject 
 
 delivered in, showing experiments by Mr. Greenwell, 3628 Every miner should have 
 
 a certain quantity of air, and it should be the duty of the inspectors to see that such is 
 
 the case, 3632-3634 No colliery should be carried on with merely natural ventilation ; 
 
 some artificial system should be imperative, 3635-3639 Suggestions as to the best 
 
 means of clearing the soaves of foul air; a partial ventilation of the goaves is extremely 
 
 dangerous, and is much worse than no ventilation at all, 3640-3655 Recommendation 
 
 of certain means for the insulation of goaves, so as to carry off any exudation of fire-damp, 
 
 thereby rendering them perfectly safe, 3642-3649 The Report of the Committee of 
 
 1852, as to putting hore holes down on the goaves, is perfectly absurd ; the effect would 
 be to send air into the holes, and probably water also, instead of extracting the. air out of 
 
 them, 3650-3654 As a general rule, naked lights should not be carried about in the 
 
 vicinity of the goaves, 3655 There can be no such thing as a natural brattice ; grounds 
 
 for this assertion, 3656-3658. 
 
 Opinion 
 
(tfoal Mine*.'] 
 
 WOOD. 
 
 241 
 
 Reports, 1852-53 — continued. 
 
 Wood, Nicholas. (Analysis of his Evidence) — continued. 
 
 Opinion that refuge stalls for the men to fly to in case of explosions are not practicable > 
 
 remai'ks in support of this opinion, 3659-3665 The safest place after an explosion is 
 
 in the face of the bords, where the air is pent up to a certain extent, 3664, 3665 
 
 Objections to a recommendation of the Committee of 1852, that there should be a self- 
 registering anemometer in every pit, and that it should be so placed that the inspector, 
 on his periodical visits, might know the rate at which the current of air had been passing 
 
 through the mine in his absence, 3666-3678 The best regulator is an anemometer 
 
 placed near the furnace ; a record of its state should be reported at short intervals to 
 the manager of the mine, 3668-3673. 
 
 Reference to the serious losses inflicted on coal owners by the occurrence of explosions, 
 
 3679-3681 Care and attention are the best precautions against accidents from falls of 
 
 roofs ; the deputies are more suitable parties than the workmen to fix the props, 
 
 3682-3684 The coal owners generally supply sufficient timber for the purpose of 
 
 props ; it is their manifest interest to do so, 3685-3688 Approval of the suggestion 
 
 that every abandoned pit should be walled round, or properly secured, so as to prevent 
 
 accidents, 3689-3692 With respect to falls of stones from pits or shafts in work, it 
 
 should be the peculiar province of the inspector to see that such shafts are securely 
 
 walled off, 3693-3695 Remarks as to the occurrence of accidents during the process 
 
 of winding the men up and down the shaft ; they could be wound up with perfect 
 
 safety at a speed of 300 feet per minute, 3696-3705 Objections to the use of 
 
 Fourdrinier's cage as being very liable to get out of order, 3706-3708 There would 
 
 be no practical advantage in having a cover over the top of the pit to prevent the men 
 
 walking into it, 3709-3713 With respect to the process generally of winding up and 
 
 down the pit, certain rules should be established on which the inspectors and coal owners 
 should act, 3714-3717. 
 
 [Third Examination.] — Evidence on the subject of the furnace limit; remarks to the 
 effect that the same resistance that would cause such limit would equally apply to the 
 
 steam-jet, or to any mechanical power, 3718-3739 Over a period of 40 years, witness, 
 
 in using the furnace, has never experienced anything like a natural brattice in practice, 
 
 3736-3739 Examination as to experiments made by witness on several safety lamps, 
 
 in order to test their respective merits, 3740-3828 It was found impossible to pass 
 
 the flame of fire-damp through the Davy and other wire gauze lamps, 3741-3746. 3808 
 
 The Davy lamp did not explode till the wire gauze had attained a brilliant white 
 
 heat, the lamp being moved at a velocity of 15 feet per second, 3743-3745-3761-3763. 
 
 3809 Result of the experiments on lamps constructed on the principle of admitting 
 
 a limited quantity of atmospheric air, the security and insulation of the lamp being 
 attained by glass or talc; all these lamps were put out wheu inserted in an inflammable 
 mixture, 3743~3746- 3752-3759- 
 
 The Clanny lamp, which has a copper wire gauze, exploded more readily than the 
 
 Davy lamp ; objection to copper wire, 3747-3749. 3754 Result of experiments on 
 
 the Eloin lamp; construction of this lamp, 3750, 3751. 3763-3766. 3772-3776 
 
 Witness also tested the Stephenson, the Clanny, and Dr. Fife's lamps ; result of these 
 
 experiments, 3763-3765. 3780-3785. 3793-3804 With respect to lamps having a 
 
 diminished quantity of air entering and feeding the flame, and with the use of glass, 
 there is occasion to have the insecurity of the wire gauze upon the top of them, 
 
 376.55 3766. 3803 Opinion that Dr. Glover's lamp combines the two principles of 
 
 giving the greatest quantity of light, and the greatest safety, more than any other lamp; 
 
 grounds for this opinion, 3765-3771. 3777—3779- 3787, 3788 As a wire gauze lamp 
 
 the Davy lamp is the most secure; deficiency of light shown by this lamp, 3772. 3803, 
 
 3804 Approval of the principle of a lamp now being constructed by Mr. Hall, of 
 
 Newcastle, 3777. 
 
 Species of top recommended for safety lamps ; a lamp with a properly constructed top 
 
 and two cylinders of glass is the safest, 3786-3789. 3803 Peculiar construction of 
 
 Mr. Martin Roberts's lamp, which extinguishes the flame in the event of the glass being 
 
 broken, 3793~3796 Remarks to the effect that witness is convinced by experiments 
 
 and by practice of the security afforded bv safety lamps ; suggestions as to the rules 
 
 and regulations that should accompany their use, 3805-3828 The lamps should be 
 
 inspected daily by competent persons before they are taken into the mine, 3810-3812 
 
 The miner should not be entrusted with a key' of the lamp, nor allowed to take the top 
 
 off, 3813-3815. 3822, 3823 Where safety-lamps are used the collier should not be 
 
 allowed to smoke, 3816 Jn all mines doubtfully safe, where la:nps are employed, the 
 
 use of gunpowder should be prohibited, 3817, 3818. 
 
 Many accidents have arisen from the use of naked lights, which would not have 
 occurred if the Davy or other safety-lamps had been employed, 3827, 3828 Con- 
 sideration of the present system of government inspection ; evidence showing that it is 
 
 not conducted upon a proper basis ; suggestions for its improvement, 3829-3900 
 
 Explanation as to the working of mines in Northumberland and Durham ; enumeration 
 
 0.76. h h 3 of 
 
242 
 
 WOOD 
 
 [^cciimttst in 
 
 Reports, 1852-53 — continued. 
 
 Wood, Nicholas. (Analysis of his Evidence) — continued. 
 
 of the different persons engaged in the management; definition of their duties ; number 
 
 of colliers, &c, employed, 3830-3847. 3892-3898 Opinion that the management of 
 
 the Northumberland and Durham mines is the most perfect in the kingdom, 3831. 
 
 3845, 3846 In those counties the number of accidents is diminishing, whereas in 
 
 Yorkshire, and the midland districts the reverse is the case; causes to which this is 
 
 attributable, 3846, 3847 The suggestion to appoint sub-inspectors from practical 
 
 miners is very objectionable, 3848. 3879-3883. 
 
 The only way in which accidents can be prevented is to bring about a superior know- 
 ledge, and a greater capacity generally in the managers of the mines, 3848, 3849 
 
 The responsibility of the management should rest exclusively with the managers them- 
 selves, and not with the inspectors, 3848 Objection to the sub-inspectors being 
 
 appointed from the overmen or under viewers, 3849 Suggestion for the formation of 
 
 mining schools, in which persons can be rendered properly qualified in every way for the 
 management of collieries ; mode in which these schools should be supported and con- 
 ducted, 3849-3860 Sketch of a school proposed by witness to be formed at New- 
 castle for the efficient training of managers ; the coal owners are ready to subscribe 
 towards it, and assistance is expected from Government, the University of Durham, and 
 the Museum of Practical Geology, 3849-3856. 
 
 Parties acquiring scientific knowledge in the proposed schools could also obtain 
 
 practical knowledge by periodical visits to the mines, 3854-3856 In the event of 
 
 these schools being established, it should be compulsory on the coal owners to employ 
 only such persons as managers or otherwise, who had passed the necessary examinations 
 
 therein, 3857-3860 Insufficiency of the number of the Government inspectors, 3861. 
 
 5899 The suggestions of the inspectors to the coal owners are in effect orders, and 
 
 are not always duly weighed bef>re being issued, 3862, 3863 The inspectors are 
 
 generally competent to undertake the dmies of their office, 3864 Suggestion that 
 
 the inspection of mines, like the inspection of railways, become a separate department 
 
 under the Board of Tivde; beneficial working of such an arrangement, 3864 et seq. 
 
 Remarks upon the system of Government inspection in Belgium; opinion that its intro- 
 duction into this country is very desirable, 3866-3870. 3875. 
 
 There should not be any intermediate authority between the Board of Trade and the 
 
 staff of inspectors proposed by witness, 3871 A code of rules and regulations should 
 
 be determined upon by consultation between the inspectors and the principal viewers and 
 coal owners in the kingdom; these rules should be made the law of the land, and should 
 
 form the basis of the system of inspection, 3875-3891 The rules proposed by the 
 
 inspectors who have been examined before the Committee do not go far enough, but 
 
 are otherwise not objectionable, 3884-3886 Witness cannot suggest any improvement 
 
 upon the present system of coroners' juries, 3901, 3902 The efficiency of inspeciion 
 
 would be increased if an official record were kept of the proceedings before coroners' 
 
 juries, and of the inquiries of the inspectors themselves, 3901 A better knowledge of 
 
 the cause of accidents would aid much towards their prevention, 3901 The owners 
 
 of collieries almost universally subscribe towards schools for their workmen's children, 
 
 3903. 3910 It would be a very great hardship on the colliers if their children were 
 
 not allowed to enter a mine till they were 12 or 13 years old ; for purposes of education 
 they should, however, attend school for a certain number of hours weekly, 3903-3905. 
 ;39o8. 
 
 The practice of de ducting a small amount from the earnings of the men, and giving 
 them a voice in the management of the schools, has not been found to work well, 
 
 3906, 3907 The miners aie generally willing enough to subscribe towards their 
 
 children's education, 3908-3910 Subscriptions are paid by ihe men towards a fund 
 
 in the event of sickness, &c, bin they would object to provide any fund for the support 
 
 of their widows and orphans in case of their own accidental dtaths, 3912-3916 The 
 
 colliers in the north of England are improving in intelligence and education ; the good 
 effects of this improvement are arguments in favour of a general system of education for 
 
 the mining distiicts, 3917-3921 As a body the miners of England are more free from 
 
 crime than any other class of the population; this may be attributed to the fact of their 
 being under the eye of their masters, and generally removed from the vicinity of large 
 towns, 3922-3924. 
 
 Wood, Mr. There is not a single table drawn up by Mr. Wood in which there are not 
 
 most extraordinary inaccuracies, Gmney 4209, 4210 Great pains and labour bestowed 
 
 by Mr. Wood on his experiments ; whether the steam jet or the furnace is the best mode 
 of ventilation ; all these experiments and inquiries will do a great deal of good, as tending 
 
 to improve ventilation in collieries in the north of England, Forster 4500-4503 
 
 There are certain discrepancies in Mr. Wood s tables and accounts of his experiments, 
 which require some explanation, but the discrepancies are not such as to invalidate the 
 general truth of the tables, ib. 4538-4556. 
 
 Working 
 
Coal Hfcinrss.] 
 
 W O R 
 
 YOR 
 
 243 
 
 Reports, 1 852-53 — continued. 
 
 Working of Mines. Advantage of driving the galleries to the extremity of the mine and 
 working tlie coal backwards, as it ensures a permanent air- way at all times; witness 
 would particularly recommend this system of working in fire-damp mines, Dickinson 
 
 n -24 Witness would not recommend the Legislature of this country to enforce either 
 
 the system of long wall work or stall and pillar work; it would be impossible to say a 
 proprietor should work his coal in this or that manner, Mackworth 814, 815 Expla- 
 nation as to the working of mines in Northumberland and Durham ; enumeration of the 
 different persons engaged in the management; definition of their duties; number of 
 
 colliers, &c. employed, JFboe? 3830-3847. 3892-3898 If the air is not carried to the 
 
 extreme of the workings, the pit cannot be well ventilated, Forster 4498. 
 
 See also Belgium. Closing of Mines. Long Work System. Pillar and Stall 
 System. Seaton Delaval Colliery, 1. 
 
 Y. 
 
 Yorkshire. Imperfect state of the ventilation in the Yorkshire mines, Blackwell 4004. 
 See also Bamsley District. Viewers. 
 
Jf3