A comprehensive reference book on practical coal mining

Front matter

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Contents

CHAFTEB PAGE

I. Geology 1

n. Ohttmistry 38

Preface To Third Edition

The Author desires to acknowledge the favour with which two former editions of his Reference Book have been received. The work has now been thoroughly revised, and although, for the convenience of Teachers and Students who may already have adopted the work as a class text book, the numbering of the questions is kept uniform with that of the second edition, much new matter has been added; the answers being in many cases amplified and appendices inserted where desirable. The number of illustrative drawings is also increased. Valuable and willing assistance has again been rendered by Mining Engineers of eminence, and, in addition to acknowledgments in the text, the author desires specially to record the help afforded him by Mr. H. W. Hughes, M.E., F.G.S., Mr. Miles Settle, M.E., Mr. George Spencer, M.E., and Mr. Hy. Stoker.

W. WARDLE.

West Cannock Collieries^ Hednesford, Staff., June 1889.

Preface To Second Edition

It is now about six years since I published my Reference Book for Colliery ManagerSy with the view of assisting those who might be desirous to pass examinations for certificates of competency. I endeavoured in that work to place within their reach essential information, in language as clear and concise as possible ; and, as stated in the preface, my leading aim was to lay before mining students a work which, while assisting them to the knowledge necessary to fit them for the responsible charge of mining operations, should also be of permanent value to them and to all colliery managers. With this object constantly in view, I endeavoured to furnish good, simple, practical rules which science and experience have suggested for the solution of the perplexing problems and the making of the varied calculations with which the colliery manager has continually to deal.

The favour with which my effort was received — a new edition being called for — has induced me to greatly enlarge the volume. Additional matter has been inserted in every chapter, and two entirely new chapters have been written. The first edition contained 423 questions and answers ; in the present edition the number has been nearly doubled. Especial care has also been taken to illustrate as fully as possible the questions discussed, and the drawings in the present volume are increased from 101 to 328. I venture.

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therefore, to offer this volume as practically a new work, and trust that in its enlarged form it will be of increased service to the mining community.

With reference to Chapter I. — Geology — ^the books that have been written on this subject are very numerous ; the present work, therefore, attempts nothing more than to give a few of the principal matters concerning the relation of the science to coalmining. Chapter II. treats of Chemistry in a practical way, only so far as it applies to the gases met with in mines. In Chapter III. I have treated of Sinking, &c., in a manner which I think will, prove most serviceable to the student and to the working manager, giving practical details in regard to the principal requirements of that branch of work. Chapter IV. is an entirely new chapter, and will, I trust, be foimd to contain useful information on the subject of Boring, Tunnelling, &c. Chapter V. Ventilation : In this chapter there are many rules and formulas which will be found of great service. Chapter VI. Meteorology : The colliery manager and mining student will find in the remarks made under this heading much that will be both useful and suggestive — ^for rain and wind, and those changes in the atmospheric conditions which are indicated by the rise and fall of the barometer and thermometer, exercise an important influence on the roof and ventilation of the underground workings. Chapter VII. : The information contained in this chapter will help the student to form correct opinions in regard to Fuel, and it is really necessary that every student of colliery management should understand this subject. More information on this matter would greatly reduce, if it did not altogether put an end to the extravagant waste which daily takes place at many collieries. For much of the information on Safety Lamps, &c. (Chapter IX.), I am indebted to Mr. James Ashworth, who has placed his knowledge at my disposal, and also to Mr. Sawyer, her Majesty's Inspector of Mines, and to the Council of the North Staffordshire Institute. As regards the remaining chapters, nothing

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need be said In this plaice, save that in them, as in the whole of his book, the author has spared himself no pains to place before his readers as large an amount of sound practical information on the various subjects dealt with as the necessarily restricted limits of the work allow.

My mining experiences began at the age of eight years, in the pits of the Midland district, and since that age I have been constantly engaged in different capacities in mining operations. It is obvious, therefore, that this work can make no pretensions to literary excellence, but it is offered as a practical reference book on mining, written by a practical man.

In preparing this edition I have received valuable and willing assistance from mining and mechanical engineers of experience and standing, and, in order to make the work complete, I have not hesitated to quote freely from eminent writers on the most important mining topics.

Thanks are also due to several engineering firms for the loan of drawings, &c., of specialities manufactured by them, which it is hoped will add to the completeness of the book, and of which acknowledgment will be found in the text.

W. WARDLE.

Aldridge Collieries, near Walsall, December 1886.

REFERENCE BOOK.