AN IMPROVED METHOD OF BLASTING AND SHOT FIRING IN MINES
Year: 1885

page_text: We, JOHN HEATH and WILLIAM FROST both of Sneyd Colliery, Burslem in the
county of Stafford, Manager, and Underlooker respectively do hereby declare the
nature of our Invention for " AN IMPROVED METHOD OF BLASTING AND SHOT
FIRING IN MINES" to be as follows:-
The object of this Invention is the contruction of a safety cartridge or charge for
the purposes of blasting in mines and quarries, liberating coals, ironstone, or other
substance from its stratified or other position in the process of mining, tunneling,
and sinking shafts or making underground workings. This our invention is
especially serviceable wherever inflammable gases are present, as by its employ-
ment we secure perfect safety from fire or flame, while at the same time the full
force of the explosion is retained.
Our invention may be briefly described as follows:-
For the said purposes of blasting in mines, liberating coals, ironstone, or other
substance from its stratified position, dynamite, gelatine, gun-cotton, blasting
powder, or any other material for blasting &c. may be used, but preferably
dynamite, a charge of which we enclose in a case surrounded by a water-tight
cartridge containing water or other extinguishing liquid and sealed up. The said
charge is then placed in position where the force of the explosion is required, and
fired by a specially prepared fuse and detonator, or by an electric current. When
the firing takes place all danger from inflammable gases &c. is obviated by reason
of the water in the outer case preventing the fire or flame from coming into
contact with the aforesaid gases or other inflammable material.
The advantages of this our "Improved method of blasting and shot firing in
mines" will be readily understood when it is considered that by this our invention
all danger from explosion of gas or coal dust is avoided even by blown out shots.
There is also comparitive freedom from smoke or other sulphurous vapours, and
safety in the conveyance of this our cartridge from place to place. Consequently
by this our invention mining and quarrying may be conducted under more
favourable conditions than hitherto.

page_text: We, JOHN HEATH and WILLIAM FROST, both of Sneyd Colliery, Burslem, in the
county of Stafford, Manager and Underlooker respectively do hereby declare the
nature of this said invention and in what manner the same is to be performed,
to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following statement:-
The object of this our invention is the construction of a practicable and
economical safety cartridge or charge, the said cartridge being used for blasting in
mines and quarries, liberating coals, ironstone or other substance from its stratified
or other position in the process of mining, tunnelling and sinking shafts, or making
underground workings.
This our invention is especially serviceable wherever inflammable gases are
present as by its employment we ensure perfect safety from fire or flame while at
the same time the full force of the explosive ingredients contained within the
cartridge is allowed to be expended.
Our invention may be described as follows:-
For the said purposes of blasting and shot-firing in mines, liberating coals,
ironstone or other substance from its stratified or other position,-nitro-glycerine,
dynamite, explosive gelatine, gun-cotton, blasting powder or any other material for
blasting &c., may he used; but we prefer a strong explosive a charge of which
is placed in a waterproof case of any suitable material said case containing
charge being then placed in an outer waterproof case containing water or other
extinguishing liquid or extinguishing substance the whole forming a watertight
cartridge when sealed or fastened up.
In order that the case containing explosive may be suspended midway in the
water cartridge we provide cardboard or metal discs, or discs of any suitable
material and of an equal diameter to that of the inside of water cartridge in which
they are required to fit or any other suitable means may be employed to hold the
explosive suspended midway in the water cartridge. Holes being now cut out of
the centre of said discs, the cylindrical case containing explosive is passed through
and rests on same, thus being held in the centre of cartridge surrounded by the
water contained therein.
The cartridge is now complete and can be placed in position where the force of
the explosion is required and may be fired in the ordinary way or by means of a
specially prepared fuse communicating with a detonator contained within the
cartridge. The said detonator causes the cartridge to be exploded.
It will be readily understood that when we use certain strong explosives such as
dynamite and explosive gelatine both of which are more or less impervious to
water, it is not necessary to, and we do not provide an inner case to contain the
explosive, but place it in immediate contact with water. But when nitro-glycerine,
gun cotton and blasting powder are used it is necessary to provide an inner case to
hold same.
Said case may be of oil skin, tin foil, india rubber fabric, waterproof
canvas or any other cheap waterproof material.
Instead of abovementioned method of exploding our cartridge,—an electric
current can be used for the same purpose if preferred..
With the cartridge at present in use danger is often to be apprehended from the
presence of inflammable gases in mines when blasting operations are being carried

page_text: contact with water or other extinguishing liquids or extinguishing substances
substantially as and for the purposes hereinbefore described, set forth and fully
illustrated in the drawings annexed.
2nd The construction of a simple and practicable watertight cartridge for blasting
purposes in which the explosive substance is enclosed in a case and entirely
surrounded by a compartment containing water or other extinguishing liquid or
extinguishing substance substantially as and for the purposes herein before described
set forth, and fully illustrated in the drawings annexed.
3rd The construction and general arrangement of our Improved Method for
Blasting and Shot firing in Mines substantially as and for the purposes herein before
described, set forth, and fully illustrated in the drawings annexed.
de of Faber 1886
HORN & SON,
Agents for the Applicants.