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the accompanying sketch (fig. 23). A is the profile

Fig. 23.

of the parallel beams which support the head wheel. B the banksman, whose business it is to lay hold upon the corve on its ascending above the pit-mouth, by means of his hook; and having released it from the chain, to hurry it away.

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c the

corfe, made of ribs of iron, and filled with hard coal. E E the rope which passes between the second pit and the whimsey (see fig. 24).

The more common structure, however, is similar in general arrangement to the delineation on next page (fig. 24). Two cast-iron wheels, 4 feet diameter, either with grooved edges for round

ropes, or with cylindrical surfaces for flat ropes, are elevated beside one another in the upper part of a framework of timber over the mouth of the pit: the whole is rendered very substantial by buttresses applied on every side. In some collieries chains are used; they are reckoned more economical than ropes, but the links are more liable to snap without giving warning by appearances of wearing or otherwise, than is generally the case with ropes. A flat rope, con

sisting of four round ones sewed together, and invented by the late John Curr, Esq. of Belle Vue,

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near Sheffield, is in general use. The ropes or chains pass from the head wheels to the drum of the gin, or to a wooden cylinder, on the axle of a wheel worked by an adjacent steam-engine, upon which they are wound. The annexed cut represents the exterior appearance of one of the old-fashioned steam-engines, still very common about collieries, and called a whim, Fig. 25.

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COUNTER-WEIGHT.

B

203

or whimsey (fig. 25). A the engine-beam. в the boiler. c the working cylinder. D the fly-wheel. F the cog-wheel, carrying the drum upon which the rope is wound. E E the ropes, passing to the headgear (see fig. 23). In the working of this machinery, the engine-tenter stands with his hand upon a lever, to stop the steam, and stay the action of the whole, the moment he sees the corfe aboveground.

In some collieries, the engines of Boulton and Watt, or others of an expensive description, are erected, as well for drawing out the coals, as for pumping up the water. In drawing the loaded corves up the deep shafts on the Tyne and Wear, it is commonly found necessary to aid the power of the steam-engine in the earlier stage of its operation, by means of an ingenious contrivance called a counterweight. The plan is this: a few yards from the drawing machinery, a pit is sunk for the reception of a ponderous chain, which, passing over a pulley elevated on posts, is attached to the shaft of the drum upon which the main rope winds. When the power of the engine begins to be exerted in raising the corves from the bottom of the pit, this chain, many of the terminal links of which weigh 100 lbs., likewise exerts a degree of aid proportionate to its weight. As, however, the engine acquires energy by the elevation of the loaded, and the descent of the empty corves, the ponderous links of the chain fall upon each other at the bottom of the counterpoise pit, until the engine, having raised its load to a position which leaves surplus power, the chain, being reversed on its drum, begins to be wound up; thus countervailing the velocity of the machinery at its maximum, as it had previously aided it at its stage of least efficiency.

The annexed slight profile sketch of the works at Carville on the Tyne, in the Wallsend group of collieries, will give some idea of the arrangements above

Fig. 26.

B

E

D

C

described (fig. 26). A the tall brick funnel adjacent to the upcast shaft. B the smoke disperser. ca platform for convenience of cleansing, repairs, &c. D head-gear (fig. 24.) over the drawing pit, supporting the wheels over which the ropes pass. E engine-house, containing the fly-wheel, winding cylinders, and other machinery. F counterpoise.

It should be mentioned that previously to the application of steam, by what was at first termed the "fire engine," a great variety of expedients for drawing coals were devised. "The most ancient machine in my knowledge, now [1797] in use," says Mr. Curr, "is that invented by Menzey; but there are few situations that afford the requisites necessary to that invention. A stream of water, with a fall of about half the depth of the pit is necessary, if any business of consequence must be done. Its construction consists of two rope wheels fixed upon one horizontal axis, which are so proportioned to the

WATER ENGINES.

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depths of the water pit and coal pit, as to reach the separate depths of the pits, by the same revolutions; and the power applied is a tub of water large enough to overbalance the weight to be drawn. The second is the common machine, greatly in use in the neighbourhood of Newcastle-upon-Tyne, the construction of which is, a water wheel and a rope wheel upon one horizontal axis; and the power is a stream of water, sufficient to overbalance the weight to be drawn. The method of obtaining this stream of water in the neighbourhood of Newcastle and Sunderland, where there are, I presume, no less than 30 or 40 in number, is a fire-engine placed by the side of the machine, which raises the water alternately to the top of the wheel; but in two collieries where I have adopted them, the scheme is more advantageous than those at Newcastle, being able to do without a fireengine erected solely for that purpose; in the winter season when water is plentiful, and the engines are generally sufficiently employed with draining the collieries, we have the aid of adjoining brooks, which do our business; and in the summer season, our engines are so constructed, as to apply a part of their power to raise the water to the top of the wheel.”* So rapid have been the steps by which the steam engine has been advanced from the primitive model, to its present degree of perfection, that one finds. some difficulty in conceiving of its employment, no longer than from thirty to forty years since, being merely that of pumping water upon a wheel in the absence of natural brooks!

We noticed, not long since, a contrivance for raising coals on a principle similar to the foregoing,

* Coal Viewer and Engine Builder's Practical Companion, p. 34.

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