The Sun.
London, England, 1862-01-28 00:00:00

VENZILATION OF COAL 311.1VES.

llt is agreed on all hands that better ventilation is
the one thing requisite for the prevention of ,those
dreadful mining catastrophes of which we are often
hearing. In coal mines, while accidents of other
kinds diminish, explosions increase. In 1856 sonar
six score lives were lost at Cymmer pit, in South.
Wales; in 1857 nearly 200 were sacrificed at Lund-
bill, in Yorkshire; in 1818 we had several great
explosions, which raised the aggregate number of
deaths from this cause 215 ; aL'd after the sight re-
lief in 1859, in which year no very destructive ex-
plosion occurred, we have, iu 1860, a record more
calamitous than in almost any previous year—we
had the Burradon explosion at the beginning of the
year, slaughtering nearly four score colliers ix
the north country district, and before its close we,
had the great Risca calamity in South Wales, re-
sulting in 142 deaths, and the Hetton, in Durham,
by which 21 persons lost their lives. Mr. Hughes,
of Hatton-garden, who has paid much attention to
thissubject, has published a pamphlet in which he
recommends a plan of subterranean ventilation,
which may perhaps be usefully considered at the
present time. To borrow the summary of the,
Mining Journal--"` The object of Mr. Hughes's
invention is to supply fr esh air to mines and other
places by forcing it thereto and to the various
parts thereof by suitable pipes or channels, under
pressure, in place of simA" providing for its flow
into and through the mine or other place to be ven-
tilated, as is the general prat,' ti,se. In carrying out
his invention, the air to be sup7?2ied is collected in
a suitable reservoir, adapted to force air therefrom
when required by suitable pipes or' Conduits to the
different parts requiring fresh air; mcd he prefers
for the reservoir apparatus similar to oas-holders
of gas works, having moveable upper part or
dome, and water, or flexible, or other suitable
joints, forming retaining means or packit2g be-
tween such upper parts or dome and the .ease or
frame ; such retaining means or packing being "adap-
ted to admit of the dome sliding freely, and yet- of
preventing the escape of air therefrom at such parts.
There is also a passage to such dome, adapted too
admit fresh air therein when such dome is being
moved in one direction, and to close when moved in
the opposite direction. And there is another valve
passage, adapted t 3 be closed by its valve when mo-
tion is given to the dome of the te.,:ervoir for the
admission of fresh air thereto, and to open in the
opposite direction, so that the fresh air collected in
the reservoir may be allowed to pass away. by such
passage when the dome is moved in the direction for
that purpose. The ul per or moveable part of the
reservoir may be lifted by a steam engine, or other
suitable power, and its weight (which may be regu-
lated) may be the means of forcing the air there-
from through the desired channels, or such move-
able part may be moved in both directions by steam
engine or other power. The air may be conducted
down the mine and into the various chambers or pas-
sages thereof; or to such other places as desired, by
pipes or otherwise, with outlets at various places,
capable of being closed when not required by taps,
valves, or traps also adapted to receive connexions
for flexible or other branches, in order that currents
of fresh air may be taken to the channels, galleries,
workings, or other places where they are particularly
required, and then if desired, closed or reduced when
the occasion for them has ceased. The fresh air may
w hen desired, be dried in its passage from the reser-
voir by passing through channels or chambers
heated by a furnace or otherwise. Registering ap-
paratus, such as that applied to gas and other mete: s,
may also be applied to the moving parts of the re-
servoir, which, by indicating the number of motions:
thereof, will indicate the quantity of air communi-
cated in a given time. Thus may the amount of
fresh air supplied to the mine or other place during
any period be accurately measured and registered.
Means such as herein described will be found useful
in sinking shafts, forming tunnels, or other work-
ings, for the purpose of supplying fresh air thereto,,
or air adapted to neutralise any unpleasant gas.
arising in a particular locality; and in case of need
will be found useful in conveying messages and even
food or water, when an accident may have taken
place.
As it is well known that more miners are killed
by after-damp than by firedamp, Mr. Hughes an-
ticipates that inasmuch as after an explosion the
men not dead might go to the outlets of the pipes,
and get the fresh air, there would be a diminution
of 75 per cent. in the number of deaths from colliery
explosions, and the apparatus would not get out of
order by an explosion. The tendency of Mr.
Hughes's system of ventilation is to disperse, and
not to collect the gas, and by its use the gas in the
coal would be driven in rather than drawn out-
The air would always be fresh, as it would go direct
from the surface to the man by whom it was to be
breathed, and the air channels could be readily ex-
tended as the workings progressed. The holders
may be made self-acting, and to work by steam or
water. In case of fire in the mine the air-pipes
could be used as water-pipes, and the fire thus
speedily extinguished. The atmosphere would be
rendered much more healthy for the miners to work
in, and a supply of fresh air would be always at his
commend, which could be applied at any required
point by means of flexible tubes. The inventor
confidertly believes that by the means he proposes
the ventilation could, with ease and economy, be
made so perfect that naked lights might be used
with safety ; and that the merits of the invention
would be particularly manifest in sinking shafts or
wells, tunnelling, or for clearing the atmosphere
after blasting.

COUNT Rl' 211 A ItKi, z

. l,

GLOUCESTER-JAN. 25.

An average supply of English wheat, and except for the
finest samples the sales made were at a reduction of is per
qr. Foreign less inquired for, and in some instances is
lower. Barley and beans may be considered unaltered.
Oats a slow sale.