The Milan exchange. (Milan, Gibson County, Tenn.) 1874-1978, 1876-03-16
A HORSEPOWER Engine That Cost
$500, 200.

The. Virginia City (Nevada) Enter
prise says:
The finest engine ever contracted for
probably in the world is the "Neptune
of the Comstock," now being construct
ed for the Chollar-PotOsi, Hale and
NOrcross and Savage Combination shaft,
Isaac l.. Requa, Superintendent, and
w. II. Patton, constructing engineer.
Before proceeding to the description of
this Incompatible engine a few words
concerning the shaft at which it is placed
will not be amisS.
The dip of the ComstOck being to the
east, and great depth being necessary
TO be reached in opening up the ore
vein and extracting the ore, the COM
panies above named secured an eligible
site and commenced sinking a combina-
ton shaft across the ravine and three
quarters of mile east of the city. The
excavation made is about 9x30 feet.
The timbers used are 14X14, red noun
tain spruce. The shaft when timbered
up will contain four compartments,
three of which are 5X6 feet each, and
the fourth, which is to be used for the
pump shaft, is 7x6 feet. Every thing
has been made to correspond with the
gigantic plan of sinking 1000 feet per-
pendicularly.
The engine which is to run the pumps
and lift the water out of this mammoth
shaft, like that to be placed at the
Belcher air-shaft, is to be yerticle,
compound, inverted beam, condensing
engine, and will also be regulated as to
its stroke by Patton's improvement to
Davey's deferential valve, so that it will
make a stroke once in five minutes, or
twelve strokes per minute, or any rapid
ity of stroke between these extremes
the strokes being made in the same
length of time whether running fast or
slow, and the engine using no steam
when not in motion. The initial cylin-
der will be thirty-twO inches in diameter
and have stroke of ten feet and ten
inches. The expansion cylinder will be
sixty-ive inches in diameter and have
stroke of eight feet. This engine is
calculated to run double line of twelve
inch pumps 1000 feet. 1t will be 700
horse power, weigh 700 tons, and cost
s5OO,O6O. The connections will be
direct from the piston-rods of the en-
sines to the bishop-head of the bob,
thus doing away with all gear and much
friction.
The pumps composing the double
line will be placed each side of the
pump rod, and to economic room in
the Shafts these pumps will be placed
upon one side of the shaft, and at the
pump stations chambers will be ex-
cavated and the valve-chambers of the
pumps placed therein, so that the re-
moval of the valve-chamber doors of
the same may be accomplished within
these excavations. The pump man is
thus removed from all the dangers Incl
dent to his position, and except when
passing from excavation to excavation
will be as safe as if sitting with his
family at home. 1t is thus that the
rulers of the Comstock are now caring
for the men in their employ even IN
minor matters. 4a
An auxiliary hosting engine Will be
used in sinking until such time as 1t is
deemed prudent to put in permanent
machinery, when engines OF improved
nlans and increased power will be
placed at the shaft The hosting en-
gines will be of corresponding weight
and power with the pumping engine
above described.