IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY OR APPARATUS FOR DRILLING OR BORING ROCK OR OTHER HARD SUBSTANCES
Year: 1875

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to John Wyman Blake, of 14, Stanley Villas,
Hayter Road, Brixton, in the County of Surrey, for the Invention
of "IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY OR APPARATUS FOR DRILLING OR BORING
ROCK OR OTHER HARD SUBSTANCES."-A communication from abroad
by Simon Ingersoll, of Stamford, Connecticut, in the United
States of America.
Scaled the 2nd June 1876, and dated the 6th December 1875.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said John Wyman
Blake at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his
Petition, on the 6th December 1875.
I, JOHN WYMAN BLAKE, of 14, Stanley Villas, Hayter Road, Brixton,
5 in the County of Surrey, do hereby declare the nature of my said
• Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY OR APPARATUS FOR DRILLING OR
BORING ROCK OR OTHER HARD SUBSTANCES," a communication to me from
abroad by Simon Ingersoll, of Stamford, Connecticut, in the United
States of America, to be as follows:-
•
0 This Invention relates to apparatus for drilling by steam or analogous

page_text: power, mounted on a suitable tripod, and capable of being conveniently
shifted in position to drill in various directions.
One portion of the Invention has reference to facilities for changing
the direction of the drill without disturbing the tripod.
In carrying out this part of the Invention it is proposed to employ
a transverse shaft or axis and three legs, forming therewith a tripod for
supporting the other parts, and provided with ordinary or suitable
facilities for standing firmly on the rock and for being set in adjustable
positions. The shaft is embraced by two clamp pieces or cheeks
adapted to be firmly set thereon by means of screw bolts. One of the
clamp pieces or cheeks fits fairly against the outer face of the cradle of
the apparatus, and from the inside of the cradle there is applied a
flanged piece, the flange of which fits in a rebate in the cradle, whilst
its body, which is made cylindrical, fits in a corresponding hole in the
cradle and enters a corresponding cylindrical cavity in the clamp piece
or cheek last mentioned. The screws not only hold the two clamp pieces
or cheeks together, and thus take a firm hold on the shaft or axis piece,
but are also tapped through the flanged piece, and thus take a firm hold
of the cradle by seizing it between the flange of the flanged piece and
the clamp piece which fits against the cradle. The large amount of
surface engaged gives a very efficient hold to the several parts, but
when the bolts are properly loosened the whole may be adjusted within
wide limits. The cradle may be swivelled around to change the
direction of the drill by turning between the flange of the flanged piece
and the clamp piece adjacent to it, and the whole of the cradle and its
contents may be shifted bodily to one side or the other by sliding the
clamp pieces or cheeks on the shaft or axis piece.
According to a modification of the preceding arrangement two
segments of rings of a dovetailed form in cross section are employed in
substitution for the flanged piece, such segments being inserted in a
recess formed in the cradle in such a manner that their outer periphery
bears against the recessed surface of the cradle, whilst on their inner
periphery rests a circular projection formed on the adjacent clamp piece
or cheeks. The segments are secured to the clamp pieces by two bolts
with countersunk heads and with nuts, by loosening which latter the
cradle may thus be swivelled around the segments, whilst the segments,
as also the flanged piece in the former modification, together with the

page_text: cradle and the whole of the apparatus, are capable of being swivelled
around the transverse shaft or axis so that a universal motion of the
apparatus may thus be obtained.
Another portion of the Invention relates to means for reciprocating
the valve and operating the feed mechanism. In carrying out this part
of the Invention the cylinder is made of considerably larger bore than
the piston, and has bushings applied in each end and held by flanges,
such bushings reaching inward toward cach other, but leaving a con-
siderable space between their inner ends. The interior of these
bushings is the true cylinder, within which works a tight fitting piston
of sufficient length to always extend across the intermediate space and
form a tight working piston. In each of the bushings a swell is cast,
welded or otherwise firmly set, extending around this long piston at the
centre of its length. The steam is admitted alternately through ports
to the opposite end of the cylinder, and acts against the two ends of
the long piston.
The exhaust passages are so arranged that the space around the piston
between the inner ends of the bushings is a part of the exhaust cavity.
As the piston reciprocates the swell works backwards and forwards in
the clear space thus provided for it, and strikes alternately the widely
forked lower ends of a three-armed lever which turns on a fixed centre.
in the exhaust cavity. The upper arm of this lever engages in a recess
in the exhaust cavity in the slide valve. This valve is mounted in a
suitable steam chest, receiving steam from a steam boiler or other
source, and operating the piston by alternately inducting and educting
steam from the two ends of the cylinder.
The swell being continuous and smoothly rounded is adapted to strike
the lower arms of the three-armed lever alternately and to throw the
valve; and the piston may be revolved at will without affecting the
action. The swell may move past either arm without producing any
effect, after the arm is passed and in such condition no contact is
possible between the arms of the lever and the working surface of the
piston. The steam is inducted through a flexible hose. It is discharged
through a side passage in three communications, with the entire space
around the piston between the bushings. The strong blast of exhaust
drives out any water or oil which might otherwise accumulate within
the cavity. By the use of the bushings interchangeable surfaces to
receive the wear are obtained.

page_text: The feed mechanism is arranged in the following manner :-
-A tappet
or sliding pin is employed, adapted to move inward and outward to a
limited extent, one part of which pin is cylindrical, and fix its inclosing
hole with only tolerable tightness, whilst the head has a ground face
adapted to bear against the seat, and fit steam tight when its pin is
forced inward. The inner end of the pin presses against a lever turning
on a centre, and having an inclined end which is in position to be
touched by the swell of the piston, and forced outward at the extreme
end of its down stroke. Unless the piston makes a full down stroke it
will not push out the tappet to its full extent. To the cylinder there is
pivotted a lever, one arm of which is acted on by a spring, whilst the
other presses inward the tappet before mentioned by the force of such
spring. One end of the lever beyond the spring is widened, and carries
a pin and a spring. A pawl is fitted on the pin, and is pressed by the
force of the last-mentioned spring into contact with rigid teeth which
are formed on the periphery of a stout nut piece contained in a lateral
extension of one head of the cylinder. The feed screw is provided with
a crank or handle at its outer end, at which point it is supported by an
arm from the cradle, such arm being gripped between the hub of the
crank or handle and a collar on the feed screw. The feed screw is
threaded through the nut piecc.
When desired the attendant turns the feed screw by its crank or
handle, and thus raises it up or feeds it down as required. When the
drill is in operation and it is desired to feed automatically he allows the
pawl to act on the ratchet teeth of the nut piece. By means of this
arrangement of mechanism the feed is only imparted in proportion to
the descent of the tool, and after the valve is actuated, that is to say,
when the piston is at or near the lower end of its stroke, so that in
drilling rocks of a very hard nature the jumping action of the tool will
continue until the material is perforated, the feed being gradually
effected as the tool is worked into the rock.
It is obvious that the machine may be worked by other fluids than
steam, such, for example, as compressed air.
It is proposed to employ india-rubber under the rear head of the
cylinder to aid in forming a tight seat, and prevent the piston from
striking the head of the cylinder.
It is further proposed to employ all the ordinary adjuncts for the
successful working of the apparatus. Thus, the piston rod should have

page_text: a stuffing box, and the cylinder ends may each have a thick rubber
cushion.
The Invention further relates to the holding of the chuck or part
which confines and releases the drill rod.
In the use of chucks in which screw clamps are employed, embracing
the lower end of the piston rod and pressing inwards gibs which are
held in mortises, a difficulty has been experienced in the tendency of the
violent concussions to move the clamps downward. It is difficult to
resist such tendency by ordinary means without either weakening the
piston rod by cutting into it or involving other objectionable features by
forming it with a swell or button.
According to this Invention the gibs are produced with broad
bearings only, a little exterior to the surface of the piston rod to receive
the clamps in the ordinary way, and with a strong shoulder or projection
below, adapted to receive and bear fairly against the lower edge of the
clamps. The clamps are thus held against possible forward movement
by a hold on the gibs and not on the piston rod.
In carrying out this part of the Invention the piston rod is drilled in
a line with its axis to receive a drill of smaller diameter, and clamps are
fitted upon the exterior of the piston rod and adapted to be drawn
partially together by screw bolts; two places in the piston rod are
slightly hollowed to allow these screw bolts to stand nearer together
than would be otherwise practicable, but not sufficiently hollowed to
seriously weaken the piston rod.
Longitudinal rectangular holes or mortises are formed in the piston
rod to receive gibs which are adapted to fit in the mortises, and to be
moved inward and outward therein as required. Each gib is formed
with a shoulder below, which the metal of the gib extends out further.
The clamps are formed with their lower faces plane, and with the
inner corners particularly sharp and perfect to fit firmly against and
be well held by the projections; the clamps are thus firmly supported
by the projections, so that they are prevented from moving downwards,
and the tool is thereby securely maintained in its place.
The details of the apparatus may be
sacrificing the advantages of the Invention.
greatly modified without
For example, the machine
may work with some success with the pin receiving the force of the

page_text: swell directly; the cavity for the swell to traverse in may be obtained
by making the entire cylinder in two very tightly and firmly united
halves instead of by bushings.
By removing one of the bushings I am enabled to insert and withdraw
the piston, an operation which would otherwise be prevented by the
swell, provided the swell were always larger than the working part of
the piston. The bushings may however be dispensed with by enlarging
the diameter of the piston at both ends to a slightly greater diameter
than that of the swell. By this means a larger area is obtained for the
action of steam at both ends of the piston whilst using the same size of
cylinder.
In order to facilitate the lubrication of the ratchet wheel of the feed
device and the cylinder, a hole, by preference of a conical form, is drilled
in the head of the cylinder, in which fits a plug of a corresponding form
acted upon by a blade or other spring attached to the cylinder head in
such a manner that the plug may be raised for the introduction of oil,
after which it will return to its normal position under the action of the
spring, and thereby close the aperture. A similar arrangement may also
be employed on the side of the cylinder for.facilitating the lubrication of
the opposite end.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent,
filed by the said John Wyman Blake in the Great Seal Patent
Office on the 6th June 1876.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, JOHN
WYMAN BLAKE, of 14, Stanley Villas, Hayter Road, Brixton, in the
County of Surrey, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Letters Patent, bearing date the Sixth day of December, in the
year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy-five, in the
thirty-ninth year of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and suc-
cessors, give and grant unto me, the said John Wyman Blake, Her
special license, that I, the said John Wyman Blake, my executors,
administrators, and assigns, or such others as I, the said John
Wyman Blake, my executors, administrators, or assigns, should at

page_text: "
any time agree with, and no others, from time to time and at all
times thereafter during the term therein expressed, should and lawfully
might make, use, exercise, and vend, within the United Kingdom of
Great Britain and Ireland, the Channel Islands, and Isle of Man, an
Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY OR APPARATUS FOR DRILLING OR
BORING ROCK OR OTHER HARD SUBSTANCES," a communication to me from
abroad by Simon Ingersoll, of Stamford, Connecticut, in the United
States of America," upon the condition (amongst others) that I, the
said John Wyman Blake, my executors or administrators, by an
instrument in writing under my hand and seal, should particularly
describe and ascertain the nature of the said Invention, and in what
manner the same was to be performed, and cause the same to be filed
in the Great Seal Patent Office within six calendar months next and
immediately after the date of the said Letters Patent.
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said John Wyman Blake, do hereby
declare the nature of the said Invention, and in what manner the same
is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and
by the following statement, reference being had to the accompanying
Drawings and to the letters and figures marked thereon, that is to
say :—
Tho said Invention relates to apparatus for drilling by steam, or
analogous power, mounted on a suitable tripod, and capable of being
conveniently shifted in position to drill in various directions.
And in order that the said Invention may be fully understood I shall
now proceed more particularly to describe the same, and for that purpose
shall refer to the several Figures on the annexed Sheet of Drawings, the
same letters of reference indicating corresponding parts in all the
Figures.
Figure 1 of the accompanying Drawings represents a longitudinal
section, taken through the cylinder and adjacent parts of an apparatus
constructed according to the said Invention.
Figure 2 is a section taken in a plane at right angles to
Figure 1.
Figure 2 is a transverse section of a detail to be herein-after
referred to.
Figure 3 is a cross section taken along the line 1-2 in Figures 1
and 2.

page_text: plate removed.
Figure 5 is a sectional clevation showing a modification.
Figures 6 and 7 show a modification of the means for holding the
cradle in the shaft of the tripod; both these Figures are on a larger
scale, Figure 6 being a section through the mechanism, and Figure 7 a
plan of a part of the same.
One portion of the Invention relates to facilities for changing the
direction of the drill without disturbing the tripod, and consists of the
arrangements next hercin-after described.
A is a shaft or axis, and A¹, A², A³, are logs forming therewith a
tripod for supporting the other parts, and provided with ordinary or
other suitable facilities for standing firmly on the rock, and for being set
in adjustable positions; B, C, are clamp pieces or cheeks embracing the
shaft A, and adapted to be firmly set thercon by means of screw bolts
b, b. The clamp picce C fits firmly against the outer face of the cradle D,
and from the inside of the cradle there is applied a flanged picce E, E¹,
the flange E¹ of which fits in a rebate in the cradle, as shown, whilst its
body E, which is made cylindrical, fits in a corresponding hole in the
cradle, and enters a corresponding cylindrical cavity in the clamp piece C.
The screws b, b, not only hold the clamp picees B and O together, and thus
take a firm hold on the axis piece A, but are also tapped through the
flanged piece E, E, and thus take a firm hold of the cradle D by seizing
it between the flange E' and the piece C. The large amount of surface
engaged gives a very efficient hold to the several parts, but when the bolts
b, b, are properly loosened the whole may be adjusted within wide limits.
The cradle D may be swivelled around to change the direction of the
drill by turning between E' and C, and the whole of the cradle and its
contents may be shifted bodily to one side or the other by sliding the
parts B and C on the axis piece A.
According to a modification of the preceding arrangement, which is
illustrated in Figures 6 and 7, two segments 1, 1, of rings of a dovetailed
form in cross section are employed in substitution for the flanged piece
E, E, such segments being inserted in a recess formed in the cradle D,
in such a manner that their outer periphery bears against the recessed
surface of the cradle, whilst on their inner periphery rests a circular

page_text: projection 2 formed on the adjacent clamp piece C. The segments 1, 1,
are secured to the clamp pieces B, C, by two bolts b, b, with counter-
sunk heads and with nuts, by loosening which latter the cradle may
thus be swivelled around the segments 1, 1, whilst the segments,
together with the cradle D, and the whole of the apparatus, are
capable of being swivelled around the transverse shaft or axis
piece A, so that a universal motion of the apparatus may thus be
obtained.
The arrangement first herein-before described also admits of a similar
motion around the axis piece A.
Another portion of the Invention relates to means for reciprocating
the valve and operating the feed mechanism.
In carrying out this part of the Invention the cylinder G is made of
considerable larger bore than the piston, and has bushings 9, 9, applied
in each end and held by flanges, as shown, such bushings reaching
inwards towards each other, but leaving a considerable space between
their inner ends. The interior of these bushings constitutes the cylinder
proper, within which works a tight-fitting piston H of sufficient length
to always extend across the intermediate space, and form a tight-working
piston in each of the bushings. A swell H¹ is cast, welded, or otherwise
firmly set, extending around this long piston at the centre of its length.
The steam is admitted alternately through ports 3, 3, to the opposite
ends of the cylinder, and acts against the two ends of the long
piston.
The exhaust passages are so arranged that the space around the
piston between the inner ends of the bushings g, g, is a part of the
exhaust cavity. As the piston reciprocates the swell H' works back-
wards and forwards in the clear space thus provided for it and strikes
alternately the widely forked lower ends of a three-armed lever I, which
turns on a fixed centre i in the exhaust cavity. The upper arm of this
lever engages in a recess in the exhaust cavity in the slide valve J, this
valve is mounted in a suitable steam chest J¹ receiving steam from a
steam boiler or other source, and operating the piston by alternately
inducting and educting steam from the two ends of the cylinder.
The swell H being continuous and smoothly rounded is adapted
to strike the lower arms of the three-armed lever I alternately and to
throw. the valve, and the piston may be revolved at will without

page_text: affecting the action. The steam is inducted through a flexible hose s
connected at s¹ to the valve chest J', and it is discharged through a
passage in free communication with the entire space around the
piston H between the bushings g, g. The strong blast of exhaust
drives out any water or oil which might otherwise accumulate within
the cavity. By the use of the bushings g, g, interchangeable surfaces
to receive the wear are obtained.
The feed mechanism is arranged in the following manner :-K, k, is
a tappet or sliding pin adapted to move inward and outward to a limited
extent. The part & is cylindrical, and fits its enclosing hole with only
tolerable tightness, whilst the head K has a ground face adapted to
bear against the seat and fit steam-tight when its pin is forced inwards,
The inner end of the pin k presses against a lever Z turning on a
centre and having an inclined end, which is in position to be touched
by the swell H of the piston and forced outward at the extreme end
of its down stroke. Unless the piston makes a full down stroke it will
not push out the tappet K, k, to its full extent. To the cylinder G
there is pivotted at a lever L, the arm 4 of which is acted on by a
spring, whilst the other arm 5 presses inward the tapped K, %, by
the force of such spring. The end 4 of the lever L beyond the spring m
is widened and carries a pin n and a spring n', shewn in detail in
Figure 2. A pawl N is fitted on the pin n, and is pressed by the force
of the spring n² into contact with ratchet teeth, which are formed on
the periphery of a piece P contained in a lateral extension of one head
of the cylinder G. The ratchet wheel P is attached to the screw R by
means of a key fitting in a longitudinal keyway formed in the screw, or
otherwise, so as to cause the screw to turn with the ratchet wheel
whilst admitting of the wheel moving along the screw. The feed
screw R is provided with a crank or handle 6 at its outer end, at which
point it is supported by an arm D' from the cradle D, such arm being
gripped between the hub of the crank or handle and a collar on the
feed screw.
When desired the attendant turns the feed screw R by its crank or
handle 6, and thus raises it up or feeds it down as required. When the
drill is in operation, and it is desired to feed automatically, he allows
the pawl N to act on the ratchet teeth of the wheel P. By means of this
arrangement of mechanism the feed is only imparted in the proportion
to the desent of the tool and after the valve is actuated, that is to say,

page_text: when the piston is at or near the lower end of its stroke, so that in
drilling rocks of a very hard nature the jumping action of the tool will
continue until the material is perforated, the feed being gradually
effected as the tool is worked into the rock:
It is obvious that the machine may be worked by other fluids than
steam, such for example as compressed air.
It is preferred to employ india-rubber under the head of the
cylinder to aid in forming a tight seat and prevent the piston from
striking the head of the cylinder.
All the ordinary adjuncts for the successful working of the apparatus
may also be employed. For example the piston rod should have a
stuffing box and the cylinder ends may each have a thick rubber
cushion.
The Invention further relates to the holding of the chuck or part
which confines and releases the drill rod.
In the use of chucks in which screw clamps are employed embracing
the lower end of the piston rod and pressing inwards gibs which are
hold in mortices a difficulty has been experienced in the tendency of
the violent concussions to move the clamps downward. It is difficult.
to resist such tendency by ordinary means without either weakening the
piston rod by cutting into it or involving other objectionable features
by forming it with a swell or button.
According to this Invention the gibs are formed with broad bearings
only a little exterior to the surface of the piston rod to receive the
clamps in the ordinary way, and with a strong shoulder or projection
below adapted to receive and bear fairly against the lower edge of the
clamps; the clamps are thus retained against possible forward move-
ment by a hold on the gibs and not on the piston rod.
In carrying out this part of the Invention the piston rod U is drilled
in a line with its axis to receive a drill V of smaller diameter, and
clamps W, W, are fitted upon the exterior of the piston rod and adapted
to be drawn partially together by screw bolts X. Two places in the
piston rod are slightly hollowed to allow these screw bolts to stand
nearer together than would be otherwise practicable, but not sufficiently
hollowed to seriously weaken the piston rod.

page_text: Longitudinal rectangular holes or mortises are formed in the piston
rod in the piston represented for the reception of gibs Y which are
adapted to fit in the mortises and to be moved inward and outward
therein as required. Each gib is formed with a shoulder, below which
the metal of the gib extends out further, as indicated at Y¹.
The clamps are formed with their lower faces plane and with the
inner corners particularly sharp and perfect to fit firmly against and be
well held by the projections Y'; the clamps are thus firmly supported
by the projections Y¹ so that they are prevented from moving down-
wards, and the tool is thereby securely maintained in its place.
Rock drills are intended to be used in a great variety of positions.
It is obvious that the description herein-before given when reference
is made to the lower end of the piston rod or the lower ends of the gibs
the machine is assumed to be standing with the drill end downward.
The improved clamp is operated in the usual manner when the bolts X
are slackened, and the gibs Y, Y', are thus at liberty to move outwards
a short distance, a slight jar on the drill will liberate it in order to
enable a new one to be inserted; then by the act of retightening the
bolts X the gibs Y, Y', will be again strongly pressed inward and they
will seize the drill and hold it firmly. In either position of the parts,
that is to say while the clamps are slackened and the drill is at rest, or
while the clamps are tightened and the drill is in operation making
violent and rapidly repeated blows, the clamps W will be firmly sup-
ported by the shoulders above the projections Y' so that the clamps
cannot move downwards.
greatly modified without
For example the machine
The details of the apparatus may be
sacrificing the advantages of the Invention.
may work with some success with the pin K, k, receiving the force of
the swell H¹ directly; the cavity for the swell to traverse in may be
obtained by making the entire cylinder in two very tightly and firmly
united halves instead of by bushings.
The removing of one of the bushings 9, 9, enables the piston H to be
withdrawn and reinserted, an operation which would otherwise be
prevented by the swell H', provided the swell were always larger than
the working part of the piston. The bushings may however bo
dispensed with by enlarging the diameter of the piston at both ends (as

page_text: end of the cylinder. When in any case the feed has been too rapid
and the drill is not able to keep up with it, the piston will not move
down to the lower end of the cylinder being arrested earlier by the
contact of the drill with the rock. In such case although the recipro-
cations of the piston and consequently the action of the drill will
continue as efficiently as before, the feed will not work to move the
cylinder down further until the drill has penetrated the rock sufficiently
far to allow the piston to traverse to the lower end of its stroke. The
feed thus automatically adjusts itself to its conditions. The construction
of the tappet K, k, and its seat fitting steam-tight when the tappet is
moved inward, obviates all liability of any steam or water being thrown
out, and of grit being drawn inward in consequence of any partial
vacuum in the exhaust passages.
Fifth. The arrangement of the gibs Y, Y¹, with the shoulders Y¹ pro-
jecting out and bearing fairly against the adjacent face of the clamps W
admits of the clamps being supported in position, and prevented from
working endwise under the violent concussions to which they are
subjected without cutting into or anywise weakening the piston rod or
any other parts.
Having now described and particularly ascertained the nature of my
said Invention, and the manner in which the same is or may be used
or carried into effect, I would observe in conclusion that what I consider
to be novel and original, and therefore claim as the Invention secured
to me by the herein-before in part recited Letters Patent is,―
First. The parts B, C, in combination with each other and with the
additional clamping part E, E¹, or with the segments 1, 1, adapted to
not only hold adjustably on the axis piece A, but also on the cradle D,
and admit of the swivelling and bodily movements, and the firm holding
of the whole of the parts in adjustable positions, substantially in the
manner herein-before described and illustrated by the accompanying
Drawings.
Second. The partial bushings g, g, in combination with the cylinder
G, and arranged at a distance apart to admit of the operation of
apparatus between them, substantially as and for the purposes herein-
before described.

page_text: long piston H and extending around the waist thereof, substantially as
and for the purposes herein-before described.
Fourth. The pin K, k, having the head K fitting steam-tight in the
inward position in combination with the outer lever L and its con-
nections, and with the piston H, H', substantially as herein-before
described and illustrated by the accompanying Drawings.
Fifth. The gibs Y, Y', formed with shoulders adapted to support the
clamps W in combination with such clamps, and with the piston rod U
of a rock drill, substantially as herein-before described and illustrated by
the accompanying Drawings.
In witness whereof, I, the said John Wyman Blake, have to this
my Specification set my hand and seal, this 15th day of May, One
thousand eight hundred and seventy-six.
JOHN WYMAN BLAKE. (L.S.)