Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1856-04-26


cured q long lease Of the premises acres IN
all-and has through him, erected the buildings
sunk the shaft, and put up the machinery, Tor work
ing this mine The Gulf is on the Northern side OF
Deep River--Egypt on the Southern, about hve
miles distant from the Gulf. And in re crossing at
Egypt, We found free bridge in SO dilapida,ed a
condition that we thought it prudent to leave our
carriage in the road and cross on foot. We beg to
assure our readers in Chatham, that such bridge
does that county credit contrasted as it necessa
ry is with the beauty and order and perfection OF
ali the works in its immediate vicinity. The county
of Chatham should be excited to emulate the noble
improvements of its Northern citizens.
The first objects which arrest the sight after
crossing the river are the buildings in the middle
of wide field, 1000 feet from the river and the rail-
road embankment, formed of the excavated earth
and stone leading several hundred feet towards the
river. On this is temporary railroad, to be made
substantial and to the river bank so soon as the
navigation shall be sufficiently forward to require it.
The Engine which drives all the machinery, is.a
beautiful one Of 40 horse power, and seems to obey
orders like thing of lie. 1t pumps up the water
"a million Of gallons every "a hours vhich flows
into the shaft 1t conveys the workmen up and
down the shaft; and brings up the excavated earth
and stone and coal. The water thrown out is con-
veyed by pipes several hundred feet until it reaches
steam saw mill, and there it is turned loose to car
ry off the saw dust which would otherwise accumu-
late. So that every thing is turned to account
There is no waste of power.
We had no thought of going down into those
lower regions of Egyptian darkness where the coal
is deposited, from which we could distinctly hear
the sound Of the workmen engaged in blasting. But
the evident safety of the descent, and the conf.
dence inspired by the presence of Mr. McCiane and
his assistant Mr.. Dunn, soon induced the determl-
nation go down. For this purpose we were speed
lily encased in picturesque costume of yellow oil
CLOTH with cap to correspond, and in front Of the
cap small lamp stuck-the only way in which
lights carried down or up. Placing our feet on
the rim of large bucket, bandsfirmly cenched in
the links of stout chain with Mr.. Dunn similarly
arranged OH the opposite side Of the bucket and
chain, the word of command given to the engi-
ncer, and down went. Conversng with MIR.
Dunn bv the way, we reached bottom in minute
Or two. The bucket was Immediately drawn up for
our companion and Mr.. McLane. And in few
minutes were all together, admiring the wonder
full works Of Nature and the skill ofman which made
them subserve his purposes
We were 432 feet below the surface of the ground.
Below u.s. about fifteen feet, were workmcn blasting
rock for pit which is TO be % feet intended to re-
ccive the drppings Of water from the rock for 200
feet above In these 200 feet there is stream of
water only constant dripping which would inter-
Zero with the operations of the miners, and so it is
to be collected in this lower pit Ito be completed in
about week. and thence pumped 200 feet up to
the Lodgncnt," reservoir, located 225 feet from
the surface nso which flow the streams of water
from various parts of these 225 feet to the amount
of million of gallons a day. This Lodgmcnt ex-
tends considerable distance on the sides OF the
shaft its roof supported of course 10y heavy timbers.
1t is of itself an admirable work.
As VIC walked about at the bottom of the shaft,
the three beautiful seams Of Coal presented them
selves the upper feet thick, the second % inches,
and the lower inches. Between the upper, there
is slate lG inches and between tho lower, inches:
We struck pick axe into the upper scam, and
down came a quantity of coal, portion of which
we brought of a specimen of our labors as
MINER
Mr. McClane touched his lamp to slight recess
in the coal, and treated to specimen of
the rcdamp," beautiful lambert flame, which
hickcred over the surface Of two or three feet, and
then gradually went out. This fredamp is a terri
bic enemy in large mines, where there is any want
of care in ventilation 1t sometimes produces ex-
blossoms by which hundreds of lives lost. But
it is easily avoided by proper care 1t will be long
before there will be any danger in this mine.
The roof of the mine is smooth hard tire clay,
requiring no support, so far though the excava-
tons extend, the usual supports will of course be
provided. The seams of coal have slight dip, and
the mine will be worked upwards. The advantages
Of this deep shaft the surface mining are, the
freedom from obstruction from water, and the iaci-
ity of handling the coal which falls instead Of hav-
ing to lift it from below. n miner with his attend
ing laborer will get nine tons of coal day.
After spending about half hour in the mine we
assembled in the same manner as we had gone down,
except that We came up very slowly, stopping sew
eral times by the way, to examine the work. The
eye had become accustomed to the darkness so that
by the aid of our small lamps every thing was vsl-
BILE in coming Up, which We had rot seen at all in
going down.. The sides Of the shaft were secured,
wherever the Garth stone was loose, 10y stout
boards, firmly secured Where the stone walls were
irm, no boards were necessary.
There are 45 persons regularly employed in and
81, IF
pit, at time, changing every hours, so as to
carry the work day and night. Most of the work.
men came from the north The whole has been ac-
complishcd so far without single accident to life or
limb-a fact as creditable to the prudence of Mr..
McLane as all things about the premises are to his
zeal and energy and intelligence.
Only few hundred tons OF coal have been mined
so far; there being no use for any large quantity
now, whilst facilities exist for getting it to mar
ket. 1t is Used for working the engine; ana 20 or
80 tons have been sent off to the North, NC. 1t
makes the finest possible fuel for the engine.
In the Of the excavation, four several stra-
tn of iron were penetrated, from 10 inches to
feet thick about feet in all. And fire clay, SUBJ
stance Indispensable for the construction OF fur
naces for the smelling of iron, was penetrated to
the extent Of Is feet.
After some hours spent at this interesting spot,
Mr. McClane kindly joined us in visit to the Far
mcrsvillc and Taylor mines, about miles and
miles below Egypt, on the Northern side of the
river. These are both surface mines, the former
owned by Northern company, the latter by citi-
zens of Hillsborough, Greensborough, &c. At Far
mersville the works all ready, buildings erect
ed steam engine, cable, cars, and railway provided
The Company has abundant means, we understand,
and only waits the completion of the river improve.
ment or railroad to commence operations on large
scale. A good deal of coal (probably some hum
dreds of tons) taken out when their works were
completed portion of it has been sold and some
still remains on the ground. The works look rath-
er rusty for want of use; but they will be bright