Gold Hill daily news. [volume] (Gold Hill, N.T. [Nev.]) 1863-1882, 1869-05-25

In wv " - N"S NtNaN Nv
last Saturday afternoon, in order to
critically inspect q new safety cage,
and a set Of patent safety gates re-
Gently placed at the mouth Of the shaft.
Both the cage and safety gates were
made at the hosting works of the
mine, and as specimens of the iuge-
nuity and skill OF the mechanics we
have among US, they are fully entitled
to especial mention at our hands.
THE SAFETY CAGE.
This is the handiwork Of Mr.. William
BRAY, the head blacksmith at the works.
The pattern is not new, but the work
manship is the best and most suostan-
tial we have yet seen in that line, and
highly c~reditable to the skill OF the
workman. The same style of safety
cage was in use at the old Potosi mine
over FIVE years ago, and at the Sierra
Nevada mine even before that. Since
then, however, some few little improve
meuts have been made upon the pattern,
but the principle remains the same, and
this style Of safety cage is now consid'
cred by all well posted in such matters
to be the best yet Invented. They have
been in use for many years among the
mines of Europe, and long before their
introduction into this part of the world.
Almost excellent specimen of hemisalso
to be seen at the Crown Point mine,
made about \ year ago by Mr.. A. Nc
Martin, head blacksmith at the hosting
works. This one, however, Mt the
Belcher, is rather superior in some
respects. Near the top of the iron cage
frame, on either side, is q pair of OBJ
long or eccentric wheels, between
which pass the stout wooden guides eI-
tending from top to bottom of he shaft.
On the inner segment Of each wheel is
a series Of stout teeth, or sharp cogs,
which would be forcibly brought in con-
tact with the guides by strong steel
springs attached TO the axles OF the
wheels, which extend across the top ofthe
Gag from one side to he other, but are
prevented by the strain of the cable. In
case the hosting cable should break, the
Springs would be liberated at once,
causing the axles with the eccentric
wheels to ~revolve just enough to force
them to grip the guides and dig those
stout teeth firmly into the wood each
side, aud Instantly arrest the downward
progress of the cage, the heavier the
load upon it the stronger being the grip
of the safety wheels. They cannot be
torn loose without breaking the massive
iron work, which is notreckoned among
the possibilities. In order 10 show the
complete effectiveness OF it, aud their
full faith in its reliability, Mr.. Bray,
together with Mr.. Ross, foreman OF
the mine, got upon the cage ~ it hung
suspended in the mouth of the shalt
and another man cut it loose from the
cable. So instantaneous WAS the action
Of the safety arrangement, that tue
cage only fell u distance Of one men an"
a quarter, aud there it remained as
firmly fixed MS though it were framed
into the shaft umbers, or Resting "n
solid ground, whereas had it failed,
the cage with its truStiu. human
freight would have gone to swift and
sure destruction Mt the bottom of the
shaft, 900 feet below. .
THE SAFETY GATES.
Mr.. Daniel Grant, the head carpenter
at the Belcher works. is the inventor of
this truly useful AID effective contri-
vance, the most effectual We have yet
seen al any Of the shafts along the
Comstock. He has applied for, and
will doubtless receive q patent. 1t
simply consists Of Il couple Of small
gates or iron doors about % feet high,
which are hung to posts At each side OF
the shaft entrance, and always remain
firmly closed except when the cage is
up, and in position to receive The car.
A strong spring caru ut each side OF Inc
shaft connects by means OF n stout
connecting rod Of peculiar construction
with each gate, keeping them closed
until the cage in passing presses hard
against the cams, and thus pushes the
gates open, ready for the car to be run
on or of the cage which being done,
upon lowering the cage the re-
leased springs or cams pull the gates
together again. 4 short time ago II
carman by mistake ran m empty car
into this same shaft, thinking the cage
was up when it was not. The conse-
ouence vas u smash up, and damage
done to the amount of some $500. lie
could hardly succeed in such a mistake
now. Various ingenious contrivanccS
in the shape of gates and gratings nave
been adopted to protect the mouths OF
shafts from the accidental falling OF
men. dogs, cars or other things into
them, but this is q great improvement
upon them all, in that it can be p'"csu
at each Of the mining stations IN tue
shaft, and operate with the same perfect
facility that it does ut the surl"c~.
Thes. oates are never liable 10 get out
of order. and need no one to attend
them the cage itself docS that, WIN
on, ,ss;s,ance, All inventions or APP
alliances in or about mines especial'y
Tor The preservation of human lives, or
nrcven,ion Of possible accidents and
aamsve to property, cannot be TOO
strongly approved-theretore We most
hsar,;ly recommend these works OF Mr..
Bray aud Mr.. Grant to the special
attention of mine owners and snperin-
,endent. everywhere, especially among
the mines of the Comstock ledge
Tux BxLcuER NINE.
Little or no ore is being hoiSted
from this well known mine at the
present time, and the principa! wore
done is in prospecting, which IS
be;nv vigorously carried on at the 3S',
100 and s5o-foot levels with good
nrom;ss of additional pay ore. From
as 70 40 men are employed in and aSou'
Nh. mine, under the direction of Robert
Ross the efficient aud energetic lore
man p. N. Mckay, Esq, is Superin'
tendeu, of the Company, aud the moist
inc works, and everything about tn'
niue, appears to be in u well
aourishing state. The shan consists o
three compartments and is 900 feet aeep
bu, the lowest workings of the mine att
at the s5o-foot level.
sxeRxaArEp BELcHEE:
In this mine, which adjoins the De'en
er, on the south, only a few me" ar
EMPLOYED at the present time, ana Ps'"
cipally in prospecting. There Is soo
ore nj the 226 aud 400-foot levels om. !
is o being taken out just now III
shaft consists of two compartments "n'
is $50 fee. deep. Mr.. vandswHie, !
foreman Of the mine, aud H.. V =. NC