G.— ENGINEERING. 137 



is a mistake on their part. How many improvements and modifications, 

 probably saving their clients money, could be made if they would 

 periodically send the designer or chief draughtsman round to the works 

 where these machines are actually at work and ascertain at first hand 

 from the foreman and even the workman what criticisms they have to 

 make, and accept for careful consideration any suggestions that may be 

 put forward based on personal knowledge of the output of the machine. 



Mining Engineering. 



In dealing with this section I propose to confine myself to coal mining, 

 so as to shorten what I have to say, and also to be able to apply myself 

 more closely to the development of coal mining as affecting civilisation. 



Prior to the introduction of modern means of transport and the 

 development of the iron and steel trade, the production of coal in this 

 country, both in the aggregate and per colliery, was very small, and, 

 consequently, the amount of virgin coal face exposed at any one time in a 

 colliery was quite moderate. Therefore, the effusion of gas was not 

 sufficiently large as to introduce a serious danger to men working with 

 naked lights. Ventilation was carried out by means of a furnace in the 

 bottom of the upcast shaft, the draught being sufficient for ventilating the 

 moderate area of the workings. Increased production necessitated the 

 adoption of mechanical means of ventilation and large fans were installed. 

 Science had a large share in making colliery development on a big scale 

 possible by the introduction of the Humphry Davy and other safety 

 lamps. These warned the miners of the presence of gas and consequent 

 danger. The much heavier tonnage prodxxced in a given time necessitated 

 the introduction of large horse-power winding engines, and also of wire 

 ropes which would be sufficiently pliable to pass over the pulleys and 

 headgear, and also be strong enough to carry, not only their own weight 

 which in a shaft of 500 yards is not inconsiderable, but, in addition, a 

 loaded cage involving a weight of thirty tons or more. 



A sufficient supply of coal at a moderate price is a matter of interest to 

 every inhabitant and manufacturer in the country, and, therefore, any 

 engineering devices which have been introduced to ensure comfort and 

 safety of the miners and at the same time to give us our coal supply for 

 manufacturing and domestic purposes at a moderate price, are of interest 

 to everyone. Although we unhappily know that colliery explosions 

 occasionally occur with very dire results, and regret the many accidents 

 to miners arising out of falls of roofs, &c., those of us who are conversant 

 with coal mining matters realise how much science and engineering have 

 done to lessen the risk under which the miners work. I believe that 

 the public feel that one of the great risks is in winding the men up and 

 down the shaft each day, and yet the careful supervision of winding 

 arrangements, inspection of ropes, and general regulations for the safety 

 of the men are such that, so I am informed, it is only one man in forty 

 millions who suffers an accident from this portion of the miner's duty. 



The introduction of vertical ropes as guides to the cages, instead of 

 wooden or steel guides, affords a safe and smooth running of the cages at 

 sixty miles an hour with no more vibration than we experience in 

 travelling in an express train at the same speed. Underground haulage 



