COOKE'S ROTARY PUMP AND WATER N each being open for a portion of its circumference. | equally successful as in the other case, havirg The air from the mine is led to the apparatus by perfected the rotary pump or water pressure enthe airway from the shaft, which communicates gine illustrated in the annexed engraving. It tion of Civil Engineers we referred to a very drawn into these casings and finally discharged one; it has two cylinders, the revolving pistons ingenious exhausting machine for ventilating at the openings by the action of the revolving of which are geared together so that the maximum mines, a working model of which was exhibited drums. The drums are driven by shafts provided delivery from one barrel occurs just at the time by the inventor, Mr. John Cooke, of Darlington. at one end with cranks, which are coupled to a crank when there is the minimum delivery from the This apparatus, as we then observed, consists of of equal throw fixed at the end of the crank shaft other. These two cylinders are similar in every two drums, each 8ft. in diameter and 16ft. in of a horizontal engine, placed by the side of the respect, so that the description of one will suffice length, these drums being mounted eccentrically apparatus. So far the ventilating machine, which for the present purpose. The piston is simply an on shafts. The amount of eccentricity of each we have thus briefly described, because it has a eccentric formed in one piece with its shaft; at drum is 2ft. and each, as it revolves, moves in bearing on what follows. We have only to add each end of the piston is a conical collar, as seen contact, or nearly so, with a cylindrical casing of that some experiments are being carried out with in the lower portion of fig. 1. On that side of the 6ft. radius. The casings are closed at the ends this apparatus, the results of which we hope shortly eccentric which is furthest from the centre of the by the brick walls which form the sides of the to place before our readers. shaft, and which is therefore in contact with the apparatus. These walls are coated with plaster cylinder, is a groove, which is fitted with a brass over those portions against which the ends of the packing strip. The tightness of the piston is endrum work, and are connected at the top by the sured at the ends of the cylinder by ordinary covering. The casings are not complete cylinders, hemp packing placed against the conical collars Having proved the undoubted success of the apparatus, both as a blower and as an exhauster, Mr. Cooke set to work to apply the principle to another useful purpose. In this he has been and tightened up by glands. One of these conical NORTH OF ENGLAND INSTITUTE OF collars is formed in one with the shaft, whilst the other is formed separately and is so fitted that it can slide on a key let into the shaft and be tightened up by nuts, as shown in fig. 1 of our engraving. The reason why this collar is made loose on the shaft is that it may be tightened up against the end of a vibrating shutter, to be presently described. Any pressure that may come against the end of this shutter in excess of that necessary to ensure a tight joint is prevented by adjusting screws, which are passed through the movable collar and take a bearing against the end of the piston. In addition to the conical collars, against which the hemp packing rests, there are also conical bearings, which fit secondary brass glands. These glands can be tightened up independently of those which bear against the hemp packing, and they serve to give the shaft a steady bearing and support. The whole of this arrangement is highly ingenious, and greatly tends to the success of the machine. The shutter, to which we have already referred, is one of the most important features of Mr. Cooke's invention. On reference to the sectional portion of fig. 2 it will be noticed that the inlet and outlet pipes are separated from each other by a kind of oscillating valve or shutter carried on a shaft. The back of this shutter is shaped to an arc struck from the centre of its shaft, so that it can work against a corresponding face formed on the casing. The tightness of the joint is ensured by a packing of hemp, which is contained in a groove. The other side of the shutter, which bears against the eccentric piston, is also curved to the arc of a circle, whilst below the shutter is hollowed out so as to form a passage through which the water can enter the cylinder. We thus see that from the way in which this shutter is hung it is in equilibrium, the pressure of the water on the back tending neither to open nor to close it. The manner in which motion is imparted to this shutter is no less ingenious than the arrangement of the detail itself. The shutter is fixed on its shaft, which is prolonged and passes out through a stuffing box. Upon this prolongation there is a fixed lover, seen in the upper portion of fig. 1 and to the right in fig. 2. This lever is so placed on its shaft that the centre of the pin at the end of it is in a line with the centre, from which the arc forming that side of the shutter which bears against the piston is struck. A link, equal in length to the radius of this arc added to the radius of the eccentric piston, connects the pin just referred to with a small crank formed on the main shaft, as seen in fig. 1, the centre of the pin of the crank being in a direct line with the centre of the piston. It will thus be seen that as the piston rotates the vibrating shutter is moved backwards and forwards, so that its side is maintained constantly just in contact with the piston. MINING AND MECHANICAL ENGINEERS plorings which Mr. Marley fully detailed. The author explained the curious geological relationship which the magnetic stone bears to the top bed of the lias ironstone of Cleveland. The troughs Icebergs and glacial action AFTER having had an existence of some fifteen lie east and west. or sixteen years, during which it has done a were, in his opinion, in no way connected with the large amount of scientific and throughgoing prac. induction of the magnetic state, nor yet with the tical work, this North Country Institute has just formation of the troughs. The deposits are not deviated from its usual practice of holding its two beds of regular strata, nor are they veins, as meetings in Newcastle-on-Tyne, and with the cono fissures have yet been found in the bottom of operation of the Scottish Engineers and Ship- the troughs, although they have been diligently builders' Association, has held a very successful looked for. Mr. Isaac Lowthian Bell supplemented meeting in Glasgow, the centre of the great Scot-Mr. Marley's description by giving the results of a tish coal-field, and the head-quarters of the mining visit which he had paid to Rosedale, and stated and engineering industries of Scotland, and of the that the magnetic ore could not be the result of shipbuilding industry of the United Kingdom. volcanic action, as carbon was always contained The meeting began on Tuesday, August 9, and in the analysis, as also water of hydration and a extended over four days. Lord Provost of the City of Glasgow received and On the opening day the notable quantity of carbon. formally welcomed the members of the North of England Institute in name of the citizens and the Institution of Engineers and Shipbuilders; and thereafter the chair was taken by Mr. E. F. Boyd, President of the North of England Institute, and the business of the meeting commenced. There were set down for reading and discussion no fewer than eighteen papers, the subjects treated of being all directly connected with mining and mechanical engineering. Only three papers were overtaken on the first day, when it was found that the time for adjournment had arrived. The afternoon was spent by the members in visiting various engineering and shipbuilding works and other manufacturing establishments, which were freely thrown open to inspection by their respective proprietors. We shall here briefly indicate the nature of the papers read and discussed at Tuesday's sitting of the Institute. 3. "On the Duty of Cornish and other Pumping Engines," by Mr. J. B. Simpson. This paper was of especial interest on account of the subject treated of in it having a most intimate connection with the economy of fuel and the duration of the coal supply. After describing fully a Cornish engine recently erected in the Newcastle district, the author entered upon an examination of the details of twelve different kinds of engines, and compared their merits with those of the Cornish engine. In conclusion, he said that taking those engines into consideration, their average duty corresponded to a consumption of 141b. of coal per horse power per hour. Were a duty of 4lb. obtained, the saving in these engines alone would represent 40,000 tons of coal per annum, or, at 3s. per ton, £6,000. The assumed total horse power of pumping engines in the Newcastle district is about 10,000, and from this the amount of the possible annual saving may easily be calculated. In many places coal may not be 1. "On the Geology of the Coal Measures of worth 3s. per ton at the pit mouth, but in the maScotland," by Mr. James Geike, district surveyor jority of cases its value is much greater. It is of the Geological Survey of Scotland. The author too much the practice to regard coal at the coldescribed, first, the calciferous sandstone series, liery as of little or no value, and that the extra which, when typically developed, consists of two 10lb. or 12lb. per horse power per hour is not groups of strata, the lower pointing to the preva-worthy of consideration. But fuel is not the only lence of marine conditions during the deposition of pecuniary part of the question, as extra consumpthe red sandstones and conglomerates, and the tion of coal means additional water, additional upper showing that during its accumulation marine repairs, additional wear and tear, and additional and brackish water conditions alternated with the manual labour-and these in the aggregate are occasional appearance of land surfaces. Volcanoes very serious items of cost. The time does not were somewhat prevalent during the deposition of seem far off when in pumping and other colliery both groups. Second, the carboniferous limestone engines the effective duty of 21b. or 3lb. of coal series, consisting of a lower group indicating per horse power per hour will be considered as marine conditions and occasional old land surfaces; important as in the engines of London waterworks a middle group indicating frequent land surfaces, and ocean steamships. and alternate brackish water and marine conditions; and an upper group pointing chiefly to lower marine conditions, with occasional brackish water deposits and a few old land surfaces; both submarine and subaerial volcanoes very active during the deposition of the whole series. Third, the millstone grit, deposited under almost excluWe thus have an arrangement both ingenious sively marine conditions. Fourth, the coal and effective, and one which we may here observe measures, showing a prevalence of brackish or is identical with that embodied in Mr. Cooke's freshwater conditions, with abundant land surfaces, exhauster. The link connecting the small crank and speaking also of occasional inroads of the on the main shaft with the lever fixed on the shaft sea. No igneous rocks contemporary with the carrying the shutter is adjustable for length. coal measures or millstone grit. Fifth, intrusive Hence, the shutter can always be maintained in rocks of three classes, namely, intrusive sheets, sufficiently close contact with the piston to pre-referable to close of "coal measures group; vent any objectionable leakage. At the same bosses or pipes of tuff or agglomerate, probably of time it can also be prevented from bearing so hard Permian age; and dykes of dolerite of Miocene against the piston as to cause an undue amount ages. Sixth, two systems of faults of different of friction at that point. The two piston shafts ages; the oldest striking N.E. and S.W., and the are connected by spur wheels, which gear into other, a double set, striking approximately E. and another spur wheel fixed on an intermediate shaft. W. and N. and S. Mr. Geikie, in concluding, reWhen the apparatus is used as a pump this shaft ferred to the exceeding richness of the variety serves to receive the power; on the other hand, shown by the phenomena of the Scottish carboniwhen the machine is employed as an engine then ferous formation, and said he had no hesitation in this shaft serves to transmit it. The success of affirming that, when the paleontological and geoMr. Cooke's pump is not problematical; it is esta-logical history of the carboniferous rocks of Scotblished, a pump on his principle having been land were worked out, there would be prepared working in a largo colliery without any failures one of the most important chapters in the physical for more than a year. Had this not even been history of the country. the case we should be ready to predict its success, the apparatus being well designed throughout, every detail having been carefully worked out. We shall watch the progress of this engine with interest, and hope to place before our readers the results of some comparative experiments now being carried out with it. THE number of visitors to the Patent Office Museum, South Kensington, for the week ending August 27, 1870, was 7,346. Total number since the opening of the Museum, free daily (May 12, 1858), 1,837,444. In the evening of Tuesday a conversazione was held in the Corporation Galleries. The east and west halls were occupied by numerous collections of objects-geological, paleontological, mineralogical, metallurgical, chemical, mechanical, engineering, mining, &c., together with a magnificent display of photographs, by Annan, of the Old Glasgow College, and various engineering works and Clyde-built ships. This exhibition was of immense scientific and industrial interest, and was at once the most extensive and valuable that has been held in Glasgow for many years. Advantage was taken of this evening's meeting to perform an interesting ceremony, namely, the presentation of a marble bust to Professor W. J. Macquorn Rankine, C.E., F.R.S., first president of the Institution of Engineers in Scotland, as a token of the appreciation and esteem of the members. A duplicate copy of the bust was also presented to the institution as a memorial of the professor's labours in promoting the success of the institution. In the large Upper Gallery there was an exceedingly interesting exhibition by means of the oxy-hydrogen light, of sections of fossil corals, by Mr. James Thomson, F.G.S., a gentleman who has of late years gone most extensively and enthusiastically into the study of fossil corals, and made it almost entirely his own; and so fully persuaded are palæontologists of the great value of his investigations, that Mr. Thomson is assisted by a grant from the British Association, at the forthcoming meeting of which he is to present a second report and exhibit his wonderful series of specimens. On Wednesday morning the reading of papers was resumed, Mr. E. F. Boyd again presiding. The following is a brief notice of the papers overtaken: 2. "On the Magnetic Ironstone of Rosedale Abbey, Cleveland," by Mr. John Marley, M.E. This paper treated of the extraordinary deposit of magnetic ironstone which occurs at Rosedale West, and forms a very peculiar feature in the famous Cleveland ironstone, regarding which various papers have been published since 1857, when Mr. Marley first drew the attention of scientific men to it. The magnetic stone occurs 1. "On the Economical Advantages of Mechaquite isolated in two troughs, one of which is 90ft. nical Ventilation," by Mr. D. P. Morison. The deep, and it contains, in the best specimens, from author stated that tabulated results of experiments 42 to 50 per cent. of metallic iron. In 1857 its recently made showed that the saving effected in extent was unproved, but it was believed to be the consumption of fuel varied in most cases from very great, but this is now known not to be the 40 to 80 per cent. in favour of mechanical venticase, from the results of recent borings and ex-lation as compared with furnace ventilation. The latter had other disadvantages, such as (1) the danger of an open fire in a fiery seam; (2) in order to avoid that danger, the necessity and serious cost of constructing a dumb drift to convey the return air to the upcast shaft, and the fact that a large amount of fresh air is required to feed the furnaces, while it is of no value in the workings themselves; (3) the serious fact that the upcast shaft, being usually heated to nearly its practical maximum, cannot, in cases of necessity (such as a sudden fall of the barometer, an unexpected occurrence of a large discharge of firedamp, or a block in the air-ways), be made at once available for an increased duty; (4) the inordinate wear and tear upon furnaces, arches, bars, and the shaft lining, whether brick-casing or tubbing, and in case of a coal-drawing upcast shaft, the deterioration of the ropes, guides, cages, and other plant. In no case could the furnace compete successfully with mechanical ventilation. Even in the deepest of English mines the advantage of mechanical ventilation is shown by the economy in fuel being from 35 to 40 per cent. over that required for furnace ventilation. Mr. Morison described various mechanical ventilators, including those of Struve, Nasmyth, Lemielle, Waddle, Guibal, and others. He expressed himself as most in favour of the Guibal ventilating fan, the one most in use both on the Continent and in this country. An interesting discussion followed Mr. Morison's paper, remarks being made by Messrs. Lupton (Leeds), Steavenson (Durham), William Cochrane and Simpson (Newcastle), Barclay (Kilmarnock), Marley (Darlington), Harvey (Glasgow), and others. 2. "On J. Grafton Jones's Coal-getting Machine," by Mr. Arnold Lupton, Leeds. After describing the machine in question, and specially dwelling upon its involving the use of the hydraulic wedge and a drilling apparatus, Mr. Lupton claimed for it the following advantages: 1st, The safety with which mines can be worked by it as a substitute for gunpowder; 2nd, The superior shape of coal got by the wedge as compared with that got by blowing, and the less amount of slack made; 3rd, The improvement in the health of the miners likely to ensue on the disuse of gunpowder; 4th, The saving in labour by using the hydraulic wedge instead of hammer-driven wedges; 5th, The saving in labour and diminution in the amount of slack made by using the hydraulic machine to push the coal out of the solid, in working those seams whose nature is such as to render it possible. Mr. Lupton stated that Jones's powerful machine is now in use, pushing coal out of the solid without any holing or natural breaks in the seam, at Kiveton Park Colliery in South Yorkshire. The seam is five feet thick, and the coal is very hard, but, by the use of the hydraulic wedge, blocks are got four yards long and four feet wide each about eight tons weight-at one application of the machine. In the course of the discussion which followed various other important and interesting facts were evoked. 3. "On an Expansive Double-cylinder Pumping Machine," by Mr. Andrew Barclay Kilmarnock. 4. On an Expansive, High-pressure, Cut-off Slide Valve," by the same. 5. "On a New Coal-getting Machine," by Mr. George Simpson, Glasgow. The author of this paper dwelt at some length on the working of coal on the "long-wall" system by machinery, and then explained the nature of the machinery which he thought most suitable for it. The essential feature of the machine, exhibited and described by Mr. Simpson, is a somewhat saw-like blade, which works into the face of the coal seam in a horizontal manner. Mr. Simpson said it was indispensable that the tool to be used should be durable and easily removed and replaced in case of blunting or breakage, and he claimed that his cutter possessed those qualifications. He also showed an application of an endless chain for driving the proposed machinery, and which might be worked by an engine on the drawing road at the face of the coal, or from the bottom of the shaft, or other convenient point. were charged; and the top of the furnaces was 7. "On Mineral Oil Works," by Mr. David Cowan. The author referred to the manufacture of mineral oils as one of the leading industries of Scotland; to the nature and extent of the oil yielding materials, namely, bituminous shales and cannel coals, distributed throughout the Scottish coal measures; and to the quantity and quality of the produce from those materials. He afterwards described the mode of treating the raw materials, referring to the horizontal and the vertical retorts used in Scotland, comparing their advantages and disadvantages, and then described an arrangement of apparatus designed to combine the advantages of both kinds of retorts, and which would at the same time admit of improved facilities of workings. In order to improve the mode of firing, Mr. Cowan suggested that instead of coal the retorts 6. "On the Utilisation of Blast Furnace Gases, should be heated with gas flame, and further, that Coal being used as the Fuel," by Mr. William the system of first converting the fuel into gas (as Ferrie, Monklands Iron and Steel Works, Lanark-successfully worked out by Siemens) should be shire. The author stated that it had occurred adopted. He estimated that the mode of heating to him that if raw coal could be coked in the blast furnace as in a common gas retort, the difficulty of withdrawing the furnace gases for use would be overcome, and he immediately commenced experiments with a small blast furnace, one-fifteenth of the capacity of a 50-feet furnace. The upper part was divided into two compartments or retorts into which the coal, ores, and limestone flux by gas in this way would effect a saving of from The time allotted for reading and discussing issued by each institution. The afternoon was spent in the same way as that of the preceding day; and in the evening a grand banquet was held, at which the members of the North of England Institute were the principal guests. Thursday was occupied in visiting collieries, ironworks, engineering, shipbuilding, chemical, and other manufacturing establishments at a distance from Glasgow; and on Friday there was an excursion on the saloon steamer "Chancellor" down the Clyde to Dunoon, and thence up Lochlong to Arrochar, from which the party walked or rode over to Tarbet, on Loch Lomond, a distance of about two miles. The visitors were then conveyed by one of the Loch Lomond Company's steamers to the top of that loch, "The Queen of Scottish lakes," where dinner was served. In the afternoon the whole length of the loch was traversed to Balloch, where the party took train and returned by the Dumbartonshire Railway to Glasgow. All the visitors were greatly delighted with the magnificent scenery along this route, as well as with the kindness, attention, and hospitality shown to them during their four days' sojourn in the "land o' cakes." Altogether, a very great degree of pleasure was experienced both by the members of the North of England Institute and by the members of the Scottish Institution. Not unlikely a return visit will soon be paid to the Coaly Tyne." IMPROVED SCREW STEERING HE engraving which appears on this page is BELGIUM COMPARED WITH ENGLAND AS WE self in scores of instances on the late visit. We will take, first, the collieries, and we find at every one visited the best principle of winding engines in operation-vertical and horizontal coupled engines, working in pairs. It is a matter of discussion whether vertical or horizontal engines are the better suited for colliery purposes, and there are many arguments in favour of both; but these it is not our intention now to elucidate. It an Το in the lugs are larger than the pivots, and the so that the diameter of the winding-drum to which ping and jerking, making any amount of latter are provided with composition rollers. This the loaded cage is attached would not be more noise. And to what does all this lead? apparatus on the "Dauntless" is made of polished than 7ft. or 8ft., while that on which the rope is a much increased strain on, and wear of, material, composition, and is very ornamental in appear-wound up, and to which the descending cago is and the burning of a large quantity of extra fuel, ance. It is claimed that the apparatus works suspended would be nearly 20ft., thereby giving to supply steam to overcome the great friction and with less friction, and is more simple in construc- extra leverage to the latter, and a great waste. What a contrast is this to the Belgian tion than any in use. The rudder can rise 2in. advantage to the engine in the former, by the plant, which was in the best possible repair, reabove its natural position without disarranging small diameter distributing the power; this, of gulated to work without any extra amount of the apparatus. The nuts working on the screw course, gradually lessens as the cage ascends, and friction, and with almost the precision of clockare provided with composition boxes. They also the lap of the rope thickens, but the increasing work. It is true that within the last year or so work upon a guide rod provided with shoulders, balance of the descending cage counteracts it. some firms have put up more powerful and subwhich keep the end boxes equally distant and Everything else about the pit top was in keeping stantial horizontal high-pressure and condensing firmly in place. The apparatus is not only appli- with the engines and winding gear; the pit frame beam engines at their collieries, but these are cable to yachts and other small vessels, but to ships was most massive and substantial, though not un-nearly all geared off to the winding apparatuses of large tonnage. In one case it has been fitted to necessarily so. The engines and pit frames are They have also introduced wire-ropes and better vessels of 1,700 tons burthen, and found to answer covered by extensive buildings, the landing place pit-frames, with much larger skeleton pulleys; in better than any arrangement previously used. being a first floor, so that railway waggons come a few remote instances a pair of coupled engines The device is much neater in appearance than the either within or to the extremity of the building, may be seen, but these are only here and there; old style of steering apparatus, and judging from and receive the coal or rubbish, which they take the majority of plants are as we have described the favour it has received from nautical experts, clear away, with greater ease and far less them. it is a decided improvement thereon. It appears, expense than tipping it on the pit banks (of also, not likely to give trouble by getting out of which there are noue in Belgium, the refuse We next turn our attention to the Belgian ironrepair.-"Scientific American." being taken clear away, and used, we suppose, for works. These, as a rule, are far superior to those ballast, &c), to be again loaded into the waggons. in England. We cannot find space to take one and By this means no loaders are required, an extra describe it, as we have done a colliery, so will congirl or boy to help the banksman to do all that is fine ourselves to an enumeration of their general necessary, which consists in running the tubs a features. In the first place, they are well supplied few yards on an apparatus, which upsets them, with motive-power, there being a sufficient quanE published an article under the above head-again rights them, and sends them back to the tity of engines to do all the work required. The ing in a late issue of the "Mining Journal,' pit mouth. The buildings also act as a great pro-engines are, as far as possible, direct acting, there in which, after going thoroughly into the effect tection for the ropes and pit-frames, keeping them being no complication of gearing wheels. In many the character and disposition of society had upon last a much greater length of time; the loading an engine entirely to itself. The mills are all on from the effects of the weather, causing them to instances we noticed that a large mill would have the iron trade, we left, for want of space, several and unloading is also carried on at all seasons and the most approved principles, and set perfectly important reasons undeveloped, accounting for the success of the Belgians, promising again to return in all weathers, with great comfort to the opera- true; the rail mills were in many instances three to the subject. We now take the opportunity, and tives. The Belgians not only have in use the best rolls high, rolling backwards and forwards, thus the first reason that comes under our notice is the products of mechanical engineering in their col- doing the work in far less time, with greater ease, great readiness of the Belgians to give way to lieries; there also came under our notice some and forming the rail before the iron has time to get so cool as in the old system, thereby requiring engineering skill and projects. This showed it- bold specimens of mining engineering. less power to shape it to the necessary form. The puddling and heating furnaces are constructed in such a way as to burn slack or small coal, similar to that we use under steam boilers in the iron districts. Great care is taken in the general arrangement of the ironworks, the furnaces are all placed at the extremities of the works, near to the open air. The puddling-furnaces are so placed as to be as near as possible equidistant from the hammer or squeezers, and in such a way that the puddlers do not have to interfere one with another, such as crossing each other's standing places in taking their heats to be worked. We noticed plenty of room at the back of all the rolls, for drawing out, cooling, shearing and packing or stacking the iron. The engines used are mostly vertical, with the cylinders near the roofs, so that the heat is carried clear off, instead of inconveniencing the workmen. The floors, too, are made of slag, which does not hold and radiate the heat, as do the cast-iron plates used in England: they are also made at little cost. whereas the cast floor plates are no mean item as regards expense in the larger ironworks of our districts. We noticed many little natty machines and appliances for saving manual labour, which it would be impossible to find time to describe. The boilers are placed near the roof, or at some distance from the works. The whole of the works are laid out with great taste, and everything is kept clean, and in first-class order. How different is this to the majority of ironworks in some of the English iron districts, where the engines, machinery, mills, and furnaces, are all muddled together, as if they were thrown there haphazard; the puddling furnaces are surmounted by vertical boilers, so that the works are intolerably hot, and dreadfully inconvenient. Then, as to the condition of the engines, machinery, &c. The engines go thumping and pounding away with the pistons and valves leaky, the beariugs all loose, the shafts out of truth, the slide blocks worn much too small for the bars; or in the case of beam engines, the parallel motion out of truth, the foundations all loose and rotten, and the steam joints all blowing. With the mills, the rolls are all out of line, up and down the housings, out of perpendicular, and loose in the bed-plates, the necks of the rolls far from being round, and the spindles and coupling boxes put together in all sorts of original styles. With this state of things more than half the power created is required to turn the machinery before any actual work can be done; but what does all this matter-if it will work, that is enough; there is plenty of steam, and to spare, generated by the waste heat from the furnaces, in vertical boilers constructed on a bad principle, One of those to which we allude was accomplished at the colliery of which we have just given a brief description, and consisted in their having enlarged the pit-shaft from its original diameter (6ft.) to one of 13ft. 4in., from top to bottom, a depth of 650 yards, without interfering with the drawing of the coal, which has continued without intermission the whole time-two years. The old pit-frame has also been replaced is an undisputed fact that coupled direct-acting by one of much larger proportions, without stopengines, whether horizontal or vertical, are pre-ping the working. Another feat, of a much more ferable for winding purposes to the weak single- remarkable character, is going on at a colliery acting engines, worked at three or four revolutions not far distant from the one before mentioned. of the engine for one of the drum barrel, by means The bottom part of a large pit shaft has slipped of gearing. It should always be remembered that in to the extent of thousands of tons, and left an there is a certain weight to lift, which requires a enormous cavity, which, had it not been filled up, necessary power to be exerted, and it matters not would have caused a subsidence, and brought whether the engine or engines be small or great, in the whole shaft; but to prevent this they the same quantity of steam or motive-power must have replaced the fallen mass of strata with solid be used. Again, you cannot wind quickly with a timber, up to where the shaft remains good, geared engine; and, taking all things into con- and are now engaged boring a hole to continue the sideration, the coupled direct-acting engines are shaft through this compact wooden structure. The the cheapest in the long run. It is not only in colliery plant we have just described is not an he winding engines that the Belgians have the exception, but an ordinary specimen of the general best appliances, but in every part of the colliery. run of plant found at collieries in the "Black The plant at the frst colliery visited could not Country" of Belgium; and what a contrast is it have cost much less than £50,000. It is in few to those found in many of our own coal and iron instances, if any, that in England we find this districts! Take South Staffordshire for instance money is outlayed at one pair of pits. As an (which should be first, but is, we are sorry to say, instance of the general run of collieries in Belgium, last), and what do we find the rule as regards colwe take, for example, the colliery of Sacre Madam. liery plants? Look, first, at the engines; they Here we find a pair of vertical engines coupled are either small horizontal or beam-engines, of together, with cylinders 24in. diameter, and work-from 7 or 8 to 30-horse power, working three or four ing a 5ft. stroke, winding three-decked cages, (and sometimes a great many more) revolutions carrying six tubs each, weighing in all when to one of the winding apparatus, to which the loaded nearly 6 tons per cage, from a depth of 500 motion is conveyed by means of spur or toothed yards, and in addition to this they have very large wheels. Flat rivet or wood chains, of an enormous and heavy flat hemp-ropes, which add very much weight, connect the skips in the pit-shafts, which to the weight when unwound. It hardly seems are generally a long way off, two or three being credible that such, comparatively speaking, small worked from the one engine, to the winding niche engines should lift the enormous weight from such rings. The pit-frames are four-legged, surmounted a great depth, but it is easily accounted for when by a 6-feet pulley: a great many of them though, we notice that the engines are fitted up in the even now, are only three-legged, having two most approved way with the best obtainable across the pit mouth and one as a back-stay, and materials, and again the cages are so arranged holding only a 4-feet pulley. The skip is landed on a that one acts as a balance for the other. They wood runner, which is drawn backwards and forboth work in the one shaft, one ascending and wards over the pit mouth; but to give full credit, the other descending; between them there go from we must say that at many places this is dispensed top to bottom of the pit three strong wood con- with, and replaced by the cages and conductors. ductors, answering for both (the shafts are not Now, as to the state of repair or working state in bratticed, as in England, there being no occasion which these plants are found. The engines are for it, a second shaft being provided for ventila- often sadly out of repair, with pistons and glands tion, &c.). When the engine starts to lift the badly packed, bearings loose, the wheels working loaded cage from the bottom it has the advantage the winding apparatus fitting very badly, or with of the empty cage at the top, so that the only re- the teeth very much worn, the bearings of the sistance to overcome is the weight of the rope, and winding apparatus out of plumb and out of level, the coal or slack in the tubs, the one lot of cage the niche rings not set at right angles with the and tubs counterbalancing the other. Another shaft, the rollers on the top of the roller-fixed so that it is almost impossible to examine or circumstance that tends to aid the lifting is that posts and the pit-frame pulleys not set inspect them, and very often old and badly patched. the niche rings are very large and the ropes thick, evel, so that the chains are continually clap- These are the boilers that are so often exploding In no boat, no trace of living soul would have re- a slightly accelerated demand on last week. The THIRTY-FIVE-TON GUNS. Wednesday morning the operation of welding 60; and white, at £13 5s. to £13 10s; soda ash, firm, at 1 11-16d. to 13d. per degree; soda crystals, active, at £4 2s. 6d. to £15s. ; bi-carbonate at £9 10s. and £15 for refined; saltcake, £3; sulphate of soda, £3. Nitrate of soda: advanced, prices being steady, at £14 5s. to £15. Potash: what muriates are to be had are being brought to this country via Holland. This, however, entails a heavy freight and carriage rate. Quotations are now as high as £12 for 80. Saltpetre: the demand is very quiet, and a reduction of 25 to 35. has been reported in, with such terrible results, and how can it be wondered at? It will be said that we have taken the very worst side of the picture in describing the English collieries and ironworks, and the best side in describing those of Belgium. But such is not the case, for we have given the works, &c., as we found them in Belgium, and those who doubt what we say of the English collieries and works have only to go into South Staffordshire and some parts of Wales to see the things as we have stated them for themselves. We are quite aware that affairs are different in the Northern districts of England, where the works and collieries are of modern date; but yet even there they are not up to the standard of Belgium. We will endeavour to show how it is the English collieries and works are so bad. It arises in the first instance from men starting with little or no capital for a works; it is quite sufficient if they have enough to put up any sort of place to start with, for they know as soon as they make the iron they can get cash for it by underselling. They start in many instances with old secondO together thest and most important hand engines and machinery, two or three puddling furnaces, and a mill. In putting these down sections of the 35-ton gun was successfully per- for foreign 29s. to 30s. is obtained, and for refined, they do so to suit the then existing emergencies, of numerous officers and scientific men from various lump at £6 5s. and £7 in export barrels: ground, Alum: in increased demand; loose formed at the Royal Gun Factories, in the presence 35s. to 36s. never letting the idea enter their heads that the parts of the country. As the gun will be the most at £7. Ammonia: brown sulphate is in average place may in future time be extended. They prove powerful ever manufactured, so this operation inquiry, at £13 to £13 10s.; white and grey, quiet, successful, and the place is not large enough; they was the most gigantic of its kind ever per- at £15 to £16. Copperas: dry sells at 52s.; green add to it, and so they go on, never saving enough formed. The 35-ton gun is a monster weapon called and rusty remain firm, at 50s. to 54s. Arsenic: at to build a new works out and out, or, if they do, into existence by the contest known as the battle of £6 15s. to £7 for fine powdered. Acid: oxalic not feeling inclined while they can make money guns and armour, a rivalry which it is expected to remains at 72d. to 8d.; while tartaric being still in out of the old place. It is in this way that most determine by throwing a 700lb. shot through a 15- strong inquiry, is at 1s. 3 d. to 1s. 4d.; sulphuric of the ironworks have been put together in South inch iron plate of wrought iron. It is not thought at £3 10s. to £3 15s. Magnesia: Epsom salts at Staffordshire, and it is looked upon as quite an that any serviceable ship can be built to carry a £4 10s. to £4 15s. for refined. Oils: olive, less busithicker armour than this. The gun is being con- ness done, but late rates are maintained; pure white event when a new ironworks is built of any size. structed on the Frazer principle, and will be a muzzle Norwegian cod-liver oil at £9 10s. per barrel; lubri Then, again, most of the masters have such an an-loader. It is to be built up of five concentric rings, cating oil in good demand, at old quotations. Pitch: tipathy to the introduction of improvements, they each of which is made as strong as skill and experi- is inquired for, but under 17s. is generally offered. cannot be induced to use new appliances until it ence can make it. First, there is the inner tubeBenzole: remains inactive, at from 2s. to 2s. 3d. has come directly under their notice that others the gun proper-of toughened steel, called the A Guano: best Peruvian, £13 17s. 6d. to £14 10s. have done well with them; the result is they await tube; then the B tube or chase of coiled iron, which Disinfectants: patent, at £5 per ton for domestic the trials in other districts, and how is it possible is placed over the A tube to strengthen the breech and sewage purposes; carbolic, £10. Pyrites: orfor them to go the lead? Many of the masters, end; next the B coil and the breech piece, and dinary business at present, with prices at 6d. to 74d.; even when they see and are convinced good results finally over all, the trunnion hoop-these successive calcined Spanish, at 43s. 6d. R.C. Lime: bleaching will flow from the adoption of certain measures, layers being massed upon the breech, where endur-powder is firmer than last week, at £8: super-phosance and elasticity are most required. It was the phates, firm, at £4 5s. to £4 10s.; mineral phoswill not move, as it may cause some outlay, and welding together of the two last named that consti-phates, 56s. to 60s. for 65. Manganese: at 80s. for will take a little time before profit is derived. tuted the operation under notice. At half-past 11 fifty 70. Iron ore: without change; hematite, at 138.; There are exceptions to what we have stated, but smiths, under the direction of Mr. Price, manned a politic, at 6s. 9d. to 8s. 6d. in Staffordshire, and 2s. we give the rule, and then ask, How can it be huge pair of tongs, forty feet long, and fifteen tons 9d. free on rails. wondered at that the Belgians are before us as in weight, and dragged forth from the furnace the iron producers?" Mining Journal." massive "heat," weighing in its present form nearly 28 tons. This was carried by the aid of machinery under the adjacent 10-ton Nasmyth hammer, and forged with marvellous facility, the two sections, which had been merely shrunk together before entering the furnace, being, after an hour's work, THE TORPEDO EXPLOSION AT KIEL. A description of the scene. Yesterday (August 11), at 12 o'clock midday I went on board the Elbe,' a small steamer, detached to witness how our people lay the torpedoes. Three cables' length from the strand lies a powder barge, with 8,000lb. of powder on board. The torpedoes were charged upon it. The 'Elbe' ranged herself alongside. On the barge's deck lay 14 loaded torpedoes. The long boat, which had followed us, and which carried 14 hands, laid herself along the other side of the barge and commenced shipping the torpedoes. After taking three of them on board they were to start in order to sink them. I leaned upon the boiler of the steamboat and watched them at work, not without a secret shudder at the carelessness with which the sailors handled the hellish machines. There they lay in a row, shining in the sun, lacquered iron boilers; upon each glistened a white T. Involuntarily I thought to myself that must stand for Tod-death. Two torpedoes were deposited in the long boat; the anchor was being raised. There rang out a fearful detonation; our eyes and faces were smothered with a hot volume. I felt a heavy stroke on the left shoulder; I knew not what had thoroughly incorporated in one. The red-hot mass METALS.-Iron: Scotch pig stendy at 51s. 8d. to 51s. 9d. cash; Cleveland quoted at 48s. to 49s. for forge 4, other numbers in proportion; Welsh bars, £7 to £7 10s.; Staffordshire bars, £8 to £8 5s.; Hoop iron, £9; gas tubes, 60 to 67 off list; boiler tubes, 40 to 423. Copper in better inquiry; English tough ingot, £70 to £71; Chili slab, £63 10s. to £64 10s. Tin a quiet market; English ingot, £126 to £127; Straits, £128 to £129. Lead: a fair business doing; best English soft pig, £20 to £20 10s. Spelter: dull; English, £19 to £19 10s. ; Silesian, special brands, £19 to £19 10s. TO CORRESPONDENTS. THE MECHANICS MAGAZINE is sent post-free to subscribers of £1 18. 8d. yearly, or 10s. 10d. half-yearly payable in advance. Allliterary communications should be addressed to the was then left to cool, which will take two or three WEEKLY CHEMICAL, MINERAL, AND August 31.) pro Editor of the MECHANICS' MAGAZINE. Letters relating to the advertising and publishing departments should beaddressed to the publisher, Mr. R. Smiles, MECHANICS MAGAZINE Office, 166, Fleet-street, London. cations unaccompanied by the name and address of the We must absolutely decline attending to any communiwriter, not necessarily for insertion, but as a proof of good faith.-ED. M. M. Advertisements are inserted in the MECHANICS' MAGAZINE, at the rate of 6d. per line, or 5d. per line for 13 inserof about 10 words. Woodcuts are charged at the same rate tions, or 4d. per line for 26 insertions. Each line consists as type. Special arrangements made for large advertise ments. RECEIVED.-W. P. H.-T. M. W.-W. N. W.-D. J. M. —J. T. B.-J. N. H.-S. M.-W. W. H.-W. J.-W. P.T. B.-W. W. H.-S. W. J.-F. T. W.-W. T. B.-H. J. L -H. L. W. THERE has been little real improvement in the Habal, Military, and Gunnery Items. happened. I freed my eyesight and looked round. state of the chemical trade during the week which have been sent to the German army. THERE is now assembled at the Torpedo School of the School of Military Engineering, at Chatham, a Board of officers who are to inquire into the merits of two newly-invented torpedoes. One is the invention of Professor Abel, the chymist to the War Department, and the other of QuartermasterSorg. Mathieson, R.E. The torpedoes are tested in the River Medway, at Gillingham Reach, from the "Volta " torpedo-vessel. |