276 Particulars of the Sink'mg, &c. of William-Pit, 



and the strength of the inflammable air made the water fly 

 up the pit for several yards. 



This pit commands a most extensive field of coal, in 

 three different workable seams {see Jollowhig thicknesses), 

 and when opened out, even by a consumption, from this 

 pit alone, of a thousand wa2:g;ons per v^'eek (a quantity that 

 IS capable of being far exceeded), will la*t for a great 

 number of years ; almost incalculable ; a circumstance of 

 the greatest consequence to the possessor and the pubhc in 

 general. ' 



The diameter of the pit is 1 5 feet ; hollow, and formed 

 into three divisions ; two for drawing coals at the same in- 

 stant of tiu)e, and one for pumping water. 



The regular sinking of this pit was only begun in May 

 last ; and, in 46 weeks, it has been sunk 92 fatho uSj 

 although eight weeks of that time were occupied in walling 

 the pit sides with freestone and other casual things ; so that 

 only 38 weeks were employed regularly in sinking for the 

 above distance ; besides passing through from 20 to 30 

 fathoms of white post, and other metals almost equally hard. 

 The same sinkers, 20 in number (except one or two), 

 have begun and ended the undertaking. The regularity, 

 sobriety, and good order, that have throughout prevailed 

 amouffst them (so highly creditable to themselves) are un- 

 precedented in this quarter ; for every man has uniformly 

 iDeen ready for his work, at the time appointed, viz. to be 

 6 hours on, in 24 ; divided into 4 sets. 



In addition to liberal prices having been paid them for 

 their labour, as a further incitement to industry, four dif- 

 ferent premiums, of l6l. 20l. 24l. and 4ol. were promised 

 them, for sinking given distances in given time; the three 

 last of which they have fully acquired, and received; and, 

 as a proof of their having used their best endeavom-s. Lord 

 Lowthcr has generously promised to pay the first also, 

 when the pit is down ; particularly as that fell short under 

 unfavourable circumstances ; unusually hard metals, and 

 very heavy water intervening. 



Before a stop crib and tiglu length could be got to collect 

 it, and keep it from the bottom, the water was equal to 60 

 gallons a minute ; all of which was drawn to tlie surface 

 bv tubs, r.-id filled with pails by the sinkers. Yet, not- 

 withstanding the rapidity of the motion, from the first to 

 the last, scarcely the most trivial accident bas been sustain- 

 ed by anv of the people employed. The pit is clothed 

 with wood from the top to the bottom, and is, in every 

 part, as complete as it is possible to be made. 



A very 



