On the Modes of Bhiirping Coal. 211 



and a long lever, composed of two arms, far enough apart 

 to allow of a coal waggon passing between them, and yet 

 strongly connected by cross bracing, turns upon a centre or 

 axis near the level of the wharf, at the foot of the stage : 

 from the end of the lever is suspended a stage, which, when 

 the lever is raised, is on the same level as the projecting 

 stage of the platform ; and to allow the v.'aggon to run 

 upon it without any difficulty, rails are laid on it to cor- 

 respond with those of the platform. 



The lever is kept in contact 'with the projecting stage by 

 a counterpoise, to which two flat ropes are attached ; which, 

 passing over a drum on a shaft above the upper platform, 

 are connected with the cross bracing at the head of the 

 lever. This counterpoise is heavy enough to counterbalance 

 the empty waggon, lever, &c., but light enough to yield when 

 the loaded waggon is on the platform. 



A powerful brake is fixed upon a large wheel upon the 

 shaft which carries the drums, or on one which gears with it ; 

 and by means of this brake the descent of the loaded waggon 

 or the ascent of the empty one is regulated. The mode of 

 action is as follows : — 



The waggon is run ofi" the line of rails parallel to the 

 wharf by means of a turn-table, and is pushed on to the 

 hanging-stage by two men, and then wedged in its place : 

 one of these men now attends to the brake, while another 

 stands on the hanging-stage and accompanies the waggon. 

 As soon as the waggon is fairly fixed on the platform the 

 brake is slackened, and the weight of coal in the waggon 

 (amounting to 53 hundred weight, or a Newcastle chaldron), 

 causes the lever to turn upon its axis and descend, carrying 

 with it the stage, the waggon and the men, the counterpoise 

 being regulated to prevent any accelerated motion. 



As soon as the hanging-stage or platform carrying the 

 w^aggon is near the level of the deck, the brake is tightened 



