Explosions in Coal Mines. 



31 



may in the first place be continued from the upcast shaft, by 

 any course which on consideration of the works may be thought 

 most expedient, towards, and within a certain distance of, 

 the draining point of the goaf, as near to it as is practicable, 

 probably to within 15 or 20 feet. From thence the pipe 

 may be continued, by wooden trunks fitted together tempora- 

 rily, having the same sectional area as the pipe itself; and 

 where the pipe rises in the cavity of the goaf, it does not seem 

 difficult to fix wooden adjusters together, either square or 

 round, the joints of which may be made tight by a little mor- 

 tar. It is even probable that the upper extremity of the pipe 

 might be a tube of air-tight cloth kept open by rings, and 

 raised into its place from a safe distance by a rod of iron or 

 wood. In all cases this end of the tube 

 should be fully open, not allowed to col- 

 lapse or be contracted in any part; and the 

 joints, if adjusters are used, should be in 

 the direction which opposes least resistance 

 by irregularities to the passage of the air : 

 the roof should of course be propped up as 

 much as may be required about this end of 

 the pipe to protect it ; the character of a 

 fixture being in some degree given to the 

 arrangement, until such time as it is again 

 necessary to extend the goaf in that direc- 

 tion. 



The second plan which we propose is of 

 the same nature, but more local in its ar- 

 rangement. In this plan, we contemplate 

 carrying the exit end of the drainage pipe 

 only into the return way, but into a part 

 where there is such current of air that the 

 goaf gas thrown in is sure to be thoroughly 

 diluted and carried away. It ought not to 

 be near the furnace, lest at any time there should be gas 

 enough to take fire at the furnace, and communicate explo- 

 sion back through the pipe into the goaf. 



The goaf termination of the pipe will be as before. But in 

 some part of the course of this pipe is to be placed a blowing 

 apparatus, either bellows or fanner, as before directed, drawing 

 from the goaf, and blowing towards the return way. The appa- 

 ratus may be placed in any convenient part of the course of the 

 pipe, but would probably be more effectual, the nearer it were 

 to the goaf, as there is then the chance of fewer leakages between 

 it and the goaf. It would probably have to be worked by a 

 man, or by any power that was available ; whether the draught 



