The hydraulic press., 1858-09-04
New Mining Invention.

eitihCA VI eulo plaeC, udu OH cAulDlllOi
at the late Fair one of his new water
distributors, for which it was recon-
mended that he be presented with Z
gold medal.
This invention has recently beer
introduced into use hereabouts, anc
deserves particular mention but its
value can be fully appr sciated only
by persons who are acquainted will
what is now universally known as the
Hydraulic process of mining.
1t will be sufficient explanation here
to state that this process consists IL
the introduction of a stream of water
from considerable height, by means
of hose or pipe, into deep bank
claims; and its forcible projection
through iron or rubber directing
pipes against the base of earthen
walls, which have been formed by
previous washing away of the front
dirt, either through open cuts from
the edge of the hill, or by caving the
earth on all sides of a deep shaft lea
ding into and through tunnel.
The constant attrition Of a power
full stream thus directed, cuts into the
bottom of the bank and causes the
ultimate fall Of the superintendent
mass, large bodies at time-the
flowing water dissolVing and carrying
it off through a long line of slaices
down the side hill. 1t is highly es-
seVtial that the miner should be able
to regulate the quantity of water
lessening or increasingly at will, -ac-
cording to the amount of earth which
may be running off, as the loss Of gold
is greater when an undated stream
flows through sluicos comparatively
empty of dirt. Heretofore such reg
ulation could be effected only by some
person proceeding from the claim to
the top of the bank, and reducing or
increasing the quantity Of water
flowing into the hose at "the head";;
which often took considerable time, the
claims being very deep and the head
of the water distant several hundred
feet from the pipe. The need ofsome
apparatus for simultaneously shutting
off the water without any person lea
wing the claim, was long felt and
much discussed, but could not be full
ly supplied so long as flexible hose
was employed. Since the introduce
ton into use of galvanized iron pipe,
for the purpose of conducting water
into the claims, plan has been de-
vised which admirably meets the
wants of the Hydraulic miner in this
particular.
It is the invention of Mr.. Low, all
luded to above, and consists of a cast
iron box, or chest, as some term it,
three and a half feet long by two feet
broad and twenty inches deep; which
is located at the base of the bank land
into which the iron pipe discharges
itself from above. The front of this
"chest," more appropriately named a
Distributors pierced by two circu-
lar holes six inches in diameter, to
which are attached the flexible hose
used in distributing and directing the
stream; and the two ends are also
pierced by one hole each of the same
size-one of which is used for dis
charging waste OF superhuous water
and the other for attaching another
length of flexible hose. Each of the
distributing holes is provided with ar
appliance by means Of which the
water running through it can be In
simultaneously shut off, the superauouG
quantity being allowed to escape
through tho end hole provided for thai
purpose, and led off in a direction
where it can do no injury.
! By means of this simple apparatus
several separate lengths of flexible
hose, with force pipes attached, car
be supplied in the claim with water
from one main pipe, instead of thai
subtle element being trailed from the
head through great lengths of hose
dragging along the muddy ground
and its tremendous weight suspended
clumsily over cuts and chasms. The
miner, clothed in his heavy suit o
India rubber, is saved the painful la
Dor of climbing up steep bank sew
eral times a day, and is also saved
the considerable amount Of time which
this operation occupies.
The great economy of this inven
ton, in every respect, will be appar-
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