THE COMSTOCK MINES. 181 



portion, known as the nortli mine, was worked in the earlier days of the 

 company's operations, and proved to be rich and profitable to a depth of 500 

 or 600 feet. The known resources of this part of the claim having been 

 exhausted several years ago, the work was transferred to the south mine, 

 adjoining the Kentuck. A deep shaft has been sunk, through which the 

 extensive operations of the mine have been almost entirely carried on during 

 several years. This shaft has reached a depth of over 1,000 feet, developing 

 large bodies of ore-bearing quartz, which, though not very high in value, is 

 said to afford a profit. During the summer of 1869 the lower levels of this 

 mine were extended to the north, below the north mine, making connection 

 with the old works, and developing in them new sources of ore, which prom- 

 ise to be of great importance. The mine is well provided with pumping, 

 hoisting, and other required machinery, both at the older and newer shafts. 

 The latter are the most important. They comprise two hoisting engines, 

 each 14 inches in diameter of cylinder, and both geared together to drive one 

 shaft. Friction-gearing is employed for winding, there being three drums, 

 one for each hoisting compartment of the mine-shaft. The depth of this 

 shaft is now so great that it is intended to substitute cog-gearing, similar to 

 that used by the Hale and Norcross, in the place of the friction-gearing. The 

 new machinery for this purpose was on the ground in September, 1869, but 

 not then put in position. The pumping engine is a Corhss, 18 inches in 

 diameter and 36 inches stroke. The pumps are 11 inches in diameter, rais- 

 ing the water to within 300 feet of the surface, where it flows off by an adit. 

 The shaft has four compartments ; it is 24 feet long by 5 feet \vide, in the clear. 

 The establishment is provided with carpenter and smith shops, and other 

 necessary appurtenances. The company own a large mill on the Carson River, 

 about 10 miles from the mine, which not only crushes the ores produced by 

 the mine, but has sometimes been an important source of revenue by crush- 

 ing custom ores. 



The operations of this company were greatly retarded in 1869, by a 

 disastrous fire that broke out in the lower levels, causing great loss of fife 

 and damage to the property. A brief account of this will be found ftirther on. 



