The Hermon Prize Essays. Essays on the prevention of explosions and accidents in Coal Mines ... Essay I. By W. Creswick ... Essay II. By W. Galloway ... Essay III. By W. Hopton, etc

Front matter

®!ie petM0tt Wm (fmp. ESSAYS ON THE PREVENTION OF EXPLOSIONS AND ACCIDENTS IN COAL MINES, TO WHICH WEKE AWARDED THE FIRST AND SECOND PRIZES GIVEN BY EDWARD HERMON, ESQ., M.P., PRESTON. Essay I. By WILFRED CRESWICK, of Sheffield Essay II. By WILLIAM GALLOWAY, of London. Essay III. By WILLIAM HOPTON, of St. Helens. LONDON: W. M. HUTCIIINGS, 5, BOUVRRIE STREET, FLEET STREET, E.C. 1874. ERRATA. Page 22, last two lines. — Omit the words enclosed in parentheses. Page 2si, line 20.— Por " 4-220 lbs. per square foot," read " 3-220 ;" and for " 5-080," in the Total, read " 4*080." Page 30. — The folding plan inserted opposite this page illustrates the writer's meaning more distinctly and fully than the smaller plan inserted in the page itself. Page 33, line 12. — For "passed" read "piped.'

Introduction

. In the latter part of the year 1871, Edward Hermon, Esq., Member of Parliament for Preston, deeply lamenting the frequency of explosions and other accidents in coal mines, and the terrible loss of human life resulting therefrom, determined to offer prizes for the best essays on the means of preventing such calamities. This intention he communicated to the Mayor of Preston, Miles Myres, Esq., as follows : — " I have felt deeply the terrible calamities that have befallen our mining population of late, and have considered whether anything could be done to prevent these catastrophes. With this object in view, I propose to give a premium of £200 for the best essays on the subject, to be competed for by practical miners in the coalfields of Lancashire and Yorkshire — say, £150 for a first prize, and £50 for a second.

In your official capacity as Mayor and Coroner, I am sure you will assist in gaining the attention of those con cerned to the subject. I have no doubt we shall find three able and impar tial judges to decide on the merits of the pamphlets, one of the conditions being that phraseology and spelling shall not influence the decision, but the prize to be awarded for the most useful and life-preserving suggestions." The Mayor of Preston readily responded to the call made upon him, and announcements were issued and invitations given to practical men to com pete for the prizes. Alexander Staveley Hill, Esq., M.P., Thomas Hughes, Esq., M.P., and Rupert Kettle, Esq., were appointed judges, and, in June, 1873, they gave the following AWARD- June, 1873. We have perused the essays forwarded to us on the subject of the best means of preventing accidents in mines, especially with regard to explosions ; and we have agreed upon bracketing as of equal merit for the first prize the essays of "Mr. Robert Eloin," * of 63,West-street, Sheffield ; and Mr. William Galloway, of 3, Duke-street, Portland-place, London.

These essays are both of very high merit. We place as next to these an essay by Mr. Hopton, of St. Helens ; and we are of opinion that the essay by Mr. Bainbridge, of tho Duke of Norfolk's Colliery Office, Sheffield, is entitled to high commendation. Several of the other essays show a great amount of practical knowledge of mining, and we desire to express our gratification at the high order of ability and accurate knowledge of their duties which the essays show to exist among those who manage mining operations, and our sense of the great service rendered by Mr. Hermon in offering this prize, in inducing the writers of these essays to bring their minds to a careful consideration of the subject. Alex. Staveley Hill. Thomas Hughes. Rupert Kettle. * This was the nom de guerre adopted by Mr. Wilfred Creswick, now of 8, Georgestreet, Sheffield.

MR. HERMON'S PRIZE ESSAYS. Upon receiving the award, Mr. Hermon resolved to increase the amount ho had originally offered in prizes, and to so re-arrange the amounts as to meet tho case of the two essays deolared to be of equal merit, and to be entitled to tho first prize. He, therefore, wrote again to the Mayor of Preston (Mr. Myrcs still holding that office) as follows : — To Miles Mtres, Esq., Mayor of Preston. " My dear Sir, — ' Essays on Prevention of Explosions and Acoidents in Coal Mines.' You were kind enough to call the attention of the mining population to my offer of prizes in this matter. Finding you still occupying the samo honourable position, I venture to ask you in your official capacity to distribute the enclosed cheques to the parties indicated in the next award. You will remember that I named £200 for this purpose, allotting £150 for the first and £50 for the second prize ; but the judges, you will observe, place two as equally deserving a first prize.

They then select one as second, and, further, highly commend another essay. I have, therefore, with much pleasure increased the amount to be distributed to £275, that is to say — Two first prizes at £100 each, £200 ; one second prize, £50 ; one third prize, £25 ; total, £275. I hope this will be satisfactory to all concerned. I have only further to express my acknowledgments to you, and my deep obligation to the judges for the labour, care, and time they have bestowed upon tho consideration of these essays. — Yours sincerely, "Edward Hermon. " London, 38, Grosvenor-place, June 12, 1873. " P. S. — I hope the prize essays may be published, and, perhaps, some of the others, as I entertain a strong expectation that ultimately the mining population will derive the advantage intended by this endeavour to bring out from practical experience the best means for the prevention of explosions and other accidents in coal mines. — E. H." In accordance with Mr. Hermon's expressed wish the two essays by Messrs. Creswick and Galloway were published in several newspapers, and, together with that of Mr. Hopton, they were published at length in the Col liery Guardian.

They excited considerable public interest, and as the num bers of the Colliery Guardian in which they originally appeared are now out of print, the essays have been reproduced in the present volume in the hope that thus they may be found of service to those engaged in mining enter prise, and contribute in some degree to the economy of human life in under ground operations. Colliery Guardian Office, 5, Bouverie-street, London, E.C. January, 1874. $$*♦ *§wmtm'$ grig* feag^ THE PREVENTION OE ACCIDENTS IN MINES. MR. WILFRED CRESWICK'S ESSAY, (Signed " Robert Eloin.") TO WHICH A FIEST PRIZE WAS AWARDED. PRELUDE. An essay on the Prevention of Accidents in Mines would be very incom plete unless referring to the General Rules of the Acts of Parliament, and the Special Rules which are framed with the approval of her Majesty's Secretary of State, and her Majesty's Inspectors of Mines.

As each rule is intended to prevent accidents, therefore I subjoin them in their usually printed form (with my remarks on the margin) ; for the same reason I refer to the number of rules relating to suggestions I make in the course of this essay, it being understood that, as I approve of the subjoined rules, excepting where it is expressly stated to the contrary, or an explanation is given, no reference on the margin of any rule signifies my approval of that rule. This essay will also treat on subjects not mentioned in the subjoined rules. The Laws affecting Coal Mines and Ironstone Mines noto require that — The owner of the mine shall establish such Special Rules for the conduct and guidance of the persons acting in the management of the mine, and of all persons employed in or about the same, as shall be approved by the Secretary of State.

The owner or agent of the mine shall cause the General Rules and Special Rules to be painted or posted on a board, and hung up at the principal office, and at the place where the workmen are paid ; and a printed copy of the General Rules and Special Rules shall be supplied to all persons employed in and about the mine who shall apply for such copy. The General Rules and Special Rules so painted, or posted, or printed, shall be renewed and restored as often as the same, or any part thereof, may be changed, defaced, or destroyed. A person who pulls down, injures, or defaces any notice hungup or affixed as required by the Mines Regulation aud Inspection Act, will be liable to a penalty of not exceeding forty shillings. The owner or agent of the mine shall provide accurate maps of the under ground workings ; and shall in all respects manage the mine, and conduct the proceedings thereof, in accordance with the requirements of the Act 23 and 24 Viet., c. 151, and of the Act 5 and 6 Viet., c. 99.

A MR. HERMON's PRIZE ESSAYS. The Mines Regulation and Inspection Act recites that every person em ployed in or about a mine, who neglects or wilfully violates any of the Special Rules established for such mine, shall, for every such offence, be liable to a penalty not exceeding two pounds, or to be imprisoned, with or without hard labour, for any period not exceeding three calendar months. The same Act of Parliament also recites that, after the 1st of July, 1861, a boy above ten years and under twelve years of age can only be employed in a mine on either of the following conditions, namely : — The owuer of the mine shall obtain a certificate from a competent schoolmaster that such boy is able to read and write ; or, that in the second and every subsequent lunar montli during which such boy is employed, the owner shall obtain a certificate from a competent schoolmaster that such boy has attended school for not less than three hours a day for two days in each week during the lunar month imme diately preceding, exclusive of any attendance on Sundays.

General Bides, according to the Act 23 and 21 Viet., c. 151. The following General Rules shall be observed by the owner and agent : — 1. An adequate amount of ventilation shall be constantly produced in all coal mines or collieries and ironstone mines, to Explanation *i^u^e and render harmless noxious gases to such an extent that the working places of the pits, levels, and workings of every such colliery and mine, and the travelling roads to and from such working places, shall, under ordinary circumstances, be in a fit state for working and passing therein. 2. All entrances to any place not in actual course of working and extension, and suspected to contain dangerous gas of any kind, shall be properly fenced off, so as to prevent access thereto. % See page 32. 3. Whenever safety lamps are required to be used, they shall be first examined and securely locked by a person or persons duly authorised for this purpose. 4.

Every shaft or pit which is out of use, or used only as an airpit, shall be securely fenced. Drop gates would 5. Every working and pumping pit or shaft shall be pro d^aw^ng^aft." * PerlF fenced wllen operations shall have ceased or been sus- See page 37. ' pended. All shafts should 6. Every working and pumping pit or shaft where the the inspector dinatural strata, under ordinary circumstances, are not safe, rects otherwise, shall be securely cased or lined, or otherwise made secure. ee page 7. 7 Every working pit or shaft shall be provided with some proper means of communicating distinct and definite signals from the bottom of the shaft to the surface, and from the surface to the bottom of the shaft. MR. WILFRED CEESW.IOK'S ESSAY. 8. All underground, self-acting, and engine planes, on which It may. in some persons travel, are to be provided with some proper means ofl'1*5',, . found . . . „ desirable to have signalling between the stopping places and the ends of the a separate road planes, and with sufficient places of refuge at the sides of ior persons to tra such planes at intervals of not more than twenty yards. should be left to the inspector, who can decide when such is needful. 9.

A sufficient cover overhead shall be used when lowering ggg paf?e gg_ or raising persons in every working pit or shaft where required by the Inspectors. 10. No single-linked chain shall be used for lowering or raising persons in any working pit or shaft, except the short coupling chain attached to the cage or load. 11. Flanges or horns of sufficient length or diameter shall be attached to the drum of every machine used for lowering or raising persons. 12. A proper indicator, to show the position of the load in A brake should the pit or shaft, and also an adequate brake, shall be attached , nxct' t0 tno 1 . ' » ' drum. See page to every machine worked by steam or water power used for 36. lowering or raising persons. 13. Every steam boiler shall be provided with a proper steam gauge, water gauge, and safety valve. 14.

The fly wheel of every engine shall be securely fenced. 15. Sufficient boreholes shall be kept in advance, and, if See pages 33, 34, necessary, on both sides, to prevent inundations in every working approaching a place likely to contain a dangerous accumulation of water. Special Hides. The following special rules shall be observed by the agent, underground viewer, deputies, miners, and workpeople : — 1. The agent and underground viewer shall see that com- As to the age, sec petent deputies are appointed to superintend the underground V*SCS 36i Sl ; f°r works and workpeople; that qualified enginemen, banksmen, \-lon_ JL,0 page 29. and hangers-on (above the age of eighteen years) are employed to attend the engines and pits ; and shall be responsible for the general safety of the works, machinery, ropes, and tackle, and for the adequate ventilation of the mines ; and shall at least once a xceel; measure with an anemometer the several air currents, and examine the workings of each mine, and see that the air is circulating in a proper manner, and in sufficient quantities to dilute and render harmless noxious gases to such an extent that the shafts, levels, and working places of the mines, and the travelling roads to and from such working MR. HERMON-* PRIZE ESSAYS. places shall, under ordinary circumstances, be in a fit state fo^ working and passing therein ; and shall further see that all entrances to any place not in actual course of working and extension, and suspected to contain dangerous gas of any kind, shall be properly fenced off so as to prevent aooess thereto.

See page 32; also 2. The agent and the underground viewer shall see that page 22. careful and steady men are employed every day and night at the ventilating furnaces or other ventilating apparatus ; that an adequate stock of proper safety lamps is provided and maintained; that lampkeepers are appointed to examine and lock them ; and shall not allow a safety lamp to be used that has fewer than twenty-eight parallel wires in an inch, or which is not furnished with a lock, shield, and wire picker. See page 36 about 3. The agent and the underground viewer shall see that an cover. nmnlo «frts>V nf arirtsl timl-ipTnrnn^ Vtricks. limp_ rnrtpfi. ample stock of good timber, props, bricks, lime, ropes, brattices, air-pipes, and other requisite materials, is always on the premises ; and that a sufficient cover overhead is provided for use when lowering or raising persons in a working pit or shaft. 4.

The agent and the underground viewer must provide the signals mentioned in General Rule 7, and in Special Rules 49 and 50 ; and must see that all underejronnd self-acting and engine planes on which persons travel are provided with some proper means of signalling between the stopping places and the ends of the planes, and with sufficient places of refuge at the sides of such planes at intervals of not more than twenty yards; and with suitable " backstays" or "drags" to fix behind the trains going up the planes. 5. The agent and the underground viewer must supply to every person employed in and about the mines a printed copy of the General Rules and Special Rules. See page 37. 6. The underground viewer shall see that all underground shafts, and openings into the sides of shafts, are securely fenced when practicable.

Wherever there is a sump at the bottom of a working pit, the underground viewer must have it safely covered with a scaffold, and see that there is adequate ventilation beneath all scaffolds in shafts. Tight stoppings, 7. The underground viewer or his deputy shall see that the &c. See pages 22, aircourses and air crossings are kept properly open ; that regulators, tight stoppings, doors, and sheets are fixed where Eoof support s,&c. needful; that air-pipes, brattices, danger signals, fire boards, "e Page " " packwalls, props, bars, and " sprags " are put where required ; that the ventilating furnaces or other ventilating apparatus are constantly attended to ; and that the various roads are well propped and in good repair. The underground viewer or his deputy must remain underground until the day's work is finished, and see that the doors and sheets are closed, and everything left safe. 8.

The underground viewer or his deputy shall inspect the See page 36. drawing shaft every morning before any other person goes j*~? i"s' down ; and see that stays, conductors, walling, tubbing, sheeting, and signal apparatus are in safe condition ; and shall, on discovering anything wrong, immediately warn the banksman, and order all necessary repairs to be made as soon as possible. 9. The underground viewer or his deputy shall (with a See pages 22, 23. safety lamp) daily examine every travelling road and working place before the miners and boys descend ; and, if he finds the roads and works well ventilated and in other respects safe, he shall give a signal to the banksman ; but if danger from gas or from any other source be apprehended, he shall not allow a miner or a boy to go there until the danger is removed.

No person shall descend the pit (except the agent, underground viewer, deputies, hanger-on, furnace man, and horsekeeper), until it has been signalled from the bottom that the under ground ivories have been examined. 10. Should the underground viewer or his deputy find any See pages 22, 23. part of the works unsafe, he shall immediately take up two rails (as a danger signed) and put them across each other in the entrances to such place ; and all other persons (except deputies) are forbidden to go beyond the crossed rails. The underground viewer or his deputy must also personally warn the workpeople concerning the danger. 11. The underground viewer or his deputy (in addition to See page 23, about the daily examination mentioned in Special Rule 9) shall, at least on every alternate clay, visit the ventilating furnaces or "fiery" part of other ventilating apparatus ; and inspect with a safety lamp mine. the places not working, the goaves, abandoned roads,air courses, regulators and air crossings ; and if at any time any part be found "fiery," he must personally warn men and boys not to enter it, and fix bars across the entrances, and hang boards with the word "fire" painted thereon. 12.

The underground viewer or his deputy must see that gce pages 22, 23. locked safety lamps are used and naked lights excluded whensoever and wheresoever danger from firedamp may reasonably be expected. 13. The underground viewer shall appoint at least two See pages 22, 23 experienced deputies in each pit when working " double shift" —one during the night, the other during the day. The deputy on the night shift must examine the roads and works before the miners and boys descend in a morning (as per Special Rule 9) ; and before leaving tho pit he must seo the deputy comiug on the day shift, and report to him whatever may require attention. The deputy on the day shift must examine the drawing shaft every morning (as per Special Rule 8) ; and he or some other person appointed by the under ground viewer must remain in the mine until the day's work is finished, and see that the doors and sheets are closed, and everything left safe. 14.

The underground viewer or his deputy must see that all aircourses and ah* crossings are made and maintained not less than — [the size varies according to different mines] — sectional area ; and that ah* pipes and brattices are not more than ten feet from the face, and brattices not less than eighteen inches from the side. See pages 22, 23 ; and page 27. 15. The underground viewer or his deputy must see that the permanent stoppages arc well built with stone or bricks and lime, and plastered on one side, and supported by packing or stowing. See pages 22, 23, also page 28. 16. The underground viewer or his deputy must see that the doors in tho main airways are either checked or doubled ; that doors which are only used occasionally by himself or deputy are securely locked ; and that all doors are hung so that they will fall to of themselves.

See pages 22, 23. See page 31. See pages 22, 23. 17. The underground viewer or his deputy must see that doorkeepers are appointed (where needful) to open and shut the doors ; and he must not allow a doorkeeper to leave a door until the day's work or night's work is finished, or until another person is appointed to take care of the door. See page 31. See page 33. 18. The underground viewer or his deputy must sec that sufficient boreholes are kept in advance, and, if necessary, on both sides to prevent inundations in every working ap proaching a place likely to contain a dangerous accumula tion of water. See pages 22, 23 ; 19. When a working place is approaching " old hollows," about powder .^ t]ie underground "viewer or the deputy must see that locked so about the ' air safety lamps are used and naked lights are excluded, so as to passing over this guard against an influx of firedamp. working place.

See pages 22, 23. 20. The underground viewer or his deputy must see that when a workman is using a safety lamp, a boy or other person does not use a naked light in or near to the same place. It would be well 21. The agent, underground viewer, and deputies shall have neglect" of8 rulet contro1 over aU Persons employed, and the latter must obey the offender were their lawful commands. The deputies must report to the agent or the underground viewer any violation of rules or taken before the orders, so that steps may be taken to insure discipline throughmagistrates, n° out the works. of a fine. 22. A person descending and ascending the drawing pit shall do so in a covered cage and without corf, and under the direction of the banksman or the hanger-on. Any person disobeying their directions, or without authority giving a signal, may be fined or otherwise punished. 23.

No person shall go into any other part of the mine than where he works, except by an order of the underground viewer or the deputy, or under the circumstances mentioned in Special Rule 24. 24. A person discovering any stoppage or derangement of See pages 22, 23. the ventilation, injury to air crossings, regulators, doors, sheets, stoppings, brattices, or airpipes, finding any obstruction in an aircourse, weakness in the roof, deficiency of timber, a dangerous feeder or accumulation of gas or water, or observing wood or mineral on fire, or a naked light where safety lamps are ordered to be used, must immediately give notice to the men and boys in that part of the mine, and to the underground viewer or the deputy, so that speedy measures may be taken to remedy the evil. 25. The miners must build good packwalls, and set a suffi- See page 35. cient quantity of props and bars for safely supporting the roof; and add to them or renew them when necessary, or when told by the underground viewer or the deputy. 26.

The method of holing or baring the coal or other mineral See page 35. shall be ordered by the underground viewer or the deputy ; and the miners must set a short prop or " sprag" ai least every two yards, to prevent the undermined coal or mineral from falling unexpectedly. 27. A person employed in strait work must not leave coal, See pages 22, 23 slack, or other mineral in or near to the face ; and must not leave a corf or other obstruction in the air current. 28. A person passing through a door, or a sheet, must see See pages 22, 23, it closed again without delay ; and any person injuring a door q . t or a sheet, or leaving either open, breaking down a stopping, rule 21. or a brattice, interfering with a regulator, air crossing, or air pipe, obstructing an aircourse, or (without authority) going beyond or removing a danger signal or a fireboard, may be fined or otherwise punished. 29.

When a person is ordered by the underground viewer See pages 22, 23, or the deputy to put out a naked light and use a safety lamp, See page 32. he shall immediately do so, and continue to use the lamp until he is ordered otherwise. See pages 22, 23. 30. No person shall try the workings or the goaves for fire- See page 3'' damp with a naked light; and no person shall smoke tobacco, or take a naked light, match, or candle, where safety lamps are ordered to be used. See pages 22, 23. 31. No person shall put a naked light in the goaf, or near to the roof, or behind the props ; but if it be necessary to shelter a light from wind, a shade must be used. A person, when giving up work, shall not leave his fight burning in the mine. See pages 22, 23. 32. A safety lamp must be frequently noticed ; and, if it See page 32; also shows any appearance of firedamp, the person using it must about the air that carefully draw down the wick with the picker, cease working, tSsp?aceed °Verieaye the Place> and immediately inform the underground viewer or the deputy.

See pages 22, 23. 33. A person wilfully kindling a feeder of gas, or negli- See page 32. gently having the gauze of his safety lamp full of fire, or See remark at unlocking or unscrewing the gauze, or blowing out the flame, rule 21. or lighting tobacco or other substance at the gauze, or damaging or improperly using the lamp, or leaving it in the works when he has ceased using it, may be fined or otherwise punished. See pages 22, 23. 34. When a safety lamp becomes unfit or unsafe for use, by See page 32. having oil spilled upon the gauze, or in any other way, the light must be put out by drawing down the wick, and the lamp taken to the lamp-keeper. See pages 22, 23. 35. No person shall " blast " coal or other mineral where See page 32. safety lamps are used, except by order of the underground viewer. 36.

No person shall take blasting powder into the mine in large quantities, or leave it exposed or in a dangerous manner, or use it carelessly. Powder must be enclosed in cartridges, or in a flask or horn; and a " shot " that has missed fire must not be drilled out. 37. Persons not authorised by the agent or the underground viewer are forbidden to ride on any underground road. This question only 38. Boys under twelve years of age are not to enter the mine safety I excePt on the conditions mentioned in the Act 23 and 24 Viet., think no boy c. 151. A person evading this rule, or misrepresenting the S^ouWwork a&e' ma? be fined acoordillS to Act of Parliament. in a mine. 39 i*emaies are not t0 enter the mine, and no person unless employed at the mine shall go therein, or enter the engine-house, or remain on the pit bank, without the permission of the agent or the underground viewer. 40.

No intoxicated person shall enter the mine, or remain in or about the premises. 41. The pits are to be ready to draw coal or other mineral at such time as the agent or the underground viewer may appoint. Enginemen, Banksmen, and Hangers-on. 42. A person under the age of eighteen years must not act as See pages 36, 37 banksman or hanger-on, or have the charge of a drawing engine ; and persons who desire to learn the working of engines must first obtain the agent's consent. 43. Every morning, before the drawing engine is started, See page 36. the engineman shall see that the engine, boilers, machinery, drums, ropes, brakes, indicators, and signal apparatus in the engine-house, are safe and in good working order. Se shall then run the ropes and loaded cages twice up and down the pit before any person descends or ascends.

Persons are to descend in a covered cage and without corf. 44. The engineman shall not allow any person but himself See page 36. to interfere with the drawing engine or machinery at any time, without leave from the agent or the underground viewer. The engineman must gently lift the cage from the pit bottom, and carefully drive the engine at a slow speed, and remain at the handle and at the brake when a person is in the shaft. He must also pay particular attention to the indicator and signals ; and if he perceives anything wrong in the pit or the machinery, he must instantly stop the engine, and not proceed until the signal " to go on " is given, or until the defect is put right. 45. The engineman shall keep the drawing engine clean, See page 36. and examine and oil the machinery and engine, and attend to the ropes, drums, boilers, steam gauges, water gauges, safety valves, and feed pumps, with a view of keeping them in good and safe working condition ; and if he sees anything amiss he must immediately report it to the agent or to the underground viewer, so that it may be put right.