Volume 28 (1874) (430 pages)

An illustrated Journal of Mining, Popular Science and Progressive Industry. BY DEWEY & Co., Patont Solicitors, SAN FRANCISCO, SATURDAY, MARCH 14, 1874. VOLUME XXVIII Number 11. Mine Ventilating Machine. In our issue of the 28th ult., we spoke of having seen an improved machine for ventilating mines, the invention of Capt. W. Williams, of this city. The accompanying ent shows a sectional view of this machine, which is qnite simple in construction and operation. The moving parts are enclosed in a Isrge upright box, made in different sizes to suit the requirements of particnlar mines. Within this box a cup-shaped cylinder is placed, swimming in water, and the motion of the piston rod, actnated by steam power, prodnces a strong current of sir at both its upward and downward stroke. By referring to the cut, the operation of the machine will he easily understood. The dotted lines at the lower part of the cut indicate the water, which is peed in the machine for the purpose of cooling the air hefore it is forced into the mine. The cnp-shsped piston, B Bis moved up and down through this water by means of the piston rod C, and draws in and forces out the air. JD, is the receiving valve, F’, the discharge valve of the upper part of the machine; d, is the receiving valve, ond /, the discharging valve for the lowerpart. JZ and Gare the discharging and receiving pipes, of the upper and lower portions respectively. When the piston is drawn up, the air enters from the surface through the pipe M, and valve d, into the receiving pipe G, and through the pnssage £, into the interior of the machine. On the down-stroke the valve d, is closed, and the air is forced down on the water, through the passage £, and out of the valve /, into the mine. Atthis same down-stroke air is drawn through the pipe Jf, valve D, and passage H, into the upper part of the machine A, and on the piston heing raised to draw the air into the lower part of the machine through the valve d, it, at the same time forces a current outof the upper portion of the machine through the valve F, into the mine. By this means it will be seen that the machine is double acting, taking in and forcing out air at every stroke, whether up or down. This machine can be placed at any required depth in the mine and at the same time receive its full supply of air from the surface through the pipe, M. No grease or oil is used, thus . preserving the air in its pure state. There is at all times ahout six feet of water in the under . portion of the machine, and the up-stroke of the cup piston going to the top of the machine, with the water running down on the sides, keeps the inner part of the machine deluged with water, hy which means the air is cooled hefore it is delivered into the mine. Shonld the supply of air be taken from the surface in the extreme heat of summer it would he cooled helow a_ temperate heat while passing through. The piston fits closely to the sides of the box, so that when it is raised considerahle water follows it, nnd running down the sides cools the air in the upper as wellas the lower part. Capt. Williams originally invented the single acting machine, and used it practically with great success in England; his late improvement has doubled its capacity and otherwise perfected it, ns the water is used not only for cooling the air but as a packing for the piston. The single machine giving a six-foot etroke, 30 strokes a minute, the size of the model we saw (three fcet square, surface) would deliver 2,799,360 cubic inchee of air per minute, and by the inventors improvement the same stroke, douhle-acting, would force 5,598,720 cubic inches of cool air into the interior of the mine in one minute. * Capt. Williams is sure that he can deliver from 7 000 to 8,000 cubio feet of air per minute into any part of a mine with a machine requiring two horse power to run it. A great advantage in a machine of this clace ig that it can he constructed by any carpenter and put up at a mine with very little lahor or expenes. The power required to run it ie very small indeed, ae compared with other machines in use for ventilating mines. It may be attached to the pump-rod of the mine or run by any other convenient means. The power required is in fact very little ae the mechanism is quite simple and thereie very little friction. A man with a windlass crank can work itif necessary. Different eizee of this machine are made to suit the requirements of different mines. A model of this ventilator can he seen in operation at No. 13 Drnmm street, in this city, or Capt. Williams, the inventor can he addressed No. 420 Jackson street hy those desiring further information concerning it. New Lard Package. Mr. John Molloy, provision merchant at No. 54 Clay street in this city has shown us arather unique package for holding lard, which he is now using in his bnsiness. The package is symply the bladder of a hog, cleaned and prepared until itis like 59 much satin paper. It looks rather SESE SSS WILLIAMS’ like adding insult to injury to kill a hog for his meat and fat, and then use a part of his internal organizstion for the purpose of carrying the fat around in; but when we consider the number of hogs slaughtered every year, we can understand what a saving it would be to pork packers and the public if this method of packing lard wereadopted. This package does uot cost one-third the sum that ordinary wooden or tin packagee cost, and being so yery much lighter is an advantage to the consumer, on whom all packagee are weighed. The principal reasons to recommend the new package is, ae we are informed, that no adulterated lard can be put up in it without nt once heing perceived, ns the prepared hladder is quite transparent. Mr. Molloy informe ue that in the Eastern States, what is left of the lard after the oil is pressed out, is lnrgely adulterated with water, over ten per cent of which is often driven in hy hydraulic pressure, and put on the market ae pure lard, in nice pails or tins. Thie it would he utterly impossible to do with these packages as the lard ie put in in euch @ manner that it will admit of no water being introduced, and other foreign euhstances can be eeen through the package. Theee packagee can be hought for one cent each in Chicago, St. Louie, or any of the large pork packing cities, and \aking into consideration their cheapnees, convenience, and saving in weight, will meet with general approval. Ae the mouth of the bladder ie tied up with a etring and can easily be opened, the pavkage can he used more than once if necessary, Beran Speedy Method of Working Quartz. Aportion of the Sierra Nevada mine in the Comstock is to be worked in a way which will strike most quartz miners ns rather peculiar, Adrainorchute tunnel has beeu commenced just helow the Geiger grade, a little north of the mill. This tunnel is intendcd to penetrate the rim rock of the hill, and will, ata distance of about eighty feet from the mouth, enter the old upper surface workings, where the hydraulicing was done in 1860, which paid so immensely with only a few inches of water. The Gold Hill News states 1g eco 4 i 3 MINE VENTILATING MACHINE. that hydraulio works of the most improved kind are to be immediately erected, the company having ohtained the use of two hundred inches of water, from the Water company at e low cost, which will enable them to use it without stint in the prosecution of the work. This wa‘er will have s fall of ahout 300 feet, which will giveit a force aufficient to wash down and sluice off the largest howlders on the hill. Itis the intention, with these immense works, to sluice off the large deposit of low grade ore lying near the surface, catching the free gold in the quickeilver and rifflee of the sluicee, and concentrating the coarse pieces of ore at the mouth of the drain tunnel, in close proximity to the mill, ready for reduction under the stamps. It is the expectation that, with this new nnd speedy method of working this immense hody of gold hearing quartz and cement, the company will not only be relieved ofthe burden of assessments necessary to erect their new and powerful hoisting worke, but the Sierra Nevada may even be made a dividend paying mine. Tue Ex Dorang water and deep gravel mining company, intend taking stepe in the epring towarde saving a larger and more permanent supple of water from the lakes at the head of their system of ditohes. Tuz large inverted eyphon of the Virginia and Gold Hill water company which carries the water across Washoe Valley, and which we doscribed in detail not long since, is proving a grand success. ‘. tons valued at $57,823. The Hale & Norcross Mine. The past year has not been a profitable one for the stockholders of the Hale & Norcross Mining Co., as the President plainly states in the annual report of the compnny jnst published. The hopes expressed at the last annual meeting of this company, as regards finding pay ore on the 1,700-ft. level, have not been realized; and an additional level 200 feet below, making 1,900 feet from the surface, has since heen opened, withont realizing any beuefit thercfrom. Indications, however, on this last level, lead to the helief that a body of ore will he developed on the next level below—the sinking for which has been already commenced, and the depth of 2,000 feet will be reached in sixty days, when further prospecting will be carried on at that depth. The President of the company J. C. Flood, calls the attention of stockholders to the very heavy expense incurred in carrying on mining operations 1,900 feet helow the surface and refers with confidence to the economical administration of the affairs of the company, The Superintendent says that during the past year 28,645 tons of ore have been extracted, and 28,966 tons reduced, the principal portion of which was the product of the old upper levels; and there is now in the ore-house 1,689 Dnring the year the main incline has been sunk from the 1,700 to the 1,900-foot level. At the laet mentioned depth the horizontal drift from the incline has heen continued in the vein tothe northern houndary of the mine. Three cross-drifts have been driven through the vein from the east to the west wall, at regular intervals. Another drift has heen advanced on this level to a distance of 140 feet south from the incline, at which point a cross-cut has also been run from the east to the west wall. Inthe various openings thus far made at this depth two narrow seams of ore of good quslity have heen encountered, which, although continuous so far as explored, have not yet developed toa sufficient width to permit of the profitable extraction of the ore therefrom. The vein on this level is of much greater width on the 1,700-ft. level above; the formation is much softer, and the general appearance of the vein matteris greatly improved. The ore thus far disclosed is of good quality, and is of unhroken continuity. The vein has now well defined esst and west walls, and its characteristics are identical with those of the ore producing levels ahove. The main incline is already sunk 40 feet below the lowest level, and within 50 days from the present date the 2,000-ft. level can he reached. Jndging from the indications shown hy the latest explorations, this level will he ore producing. Meanwhile the 1,900-ft. level, which is as yet hut partially opened, will be thoroughly explored. The shaft, incline, and all of the hoisting and pumping machinery are in good condition. From the Secretary’s report we gain the following information: The receipts from assessments have heen $233,577 and the receipts from bullion $544,865. On mine account the sum of $327,675 has been disbursed; for taxes $4,892; on machinery account, $1,625; on team acconnt, $2,266; on general expense account, 42,059; assay office account, $8,164; on ore acconnt, $347,599 this latter item heing the coet of working $28,966 toneof ore. It cost the compauy for extractiug the ore, $3.67 per ton; the coet of prospecting wae $219,950. During the pact year the average assay value of the ore was $27 42 per ton, of which $9 08 was in gold and $18 34 in silver. The actnal yield, however, was $18 81, of which $6 46 was in gold and $12 35 in silver. In all 68% per cent. was extracted, 71 per cent. of the gold and 67 per cent. of the eilver. The total yield was, therefore, ‘$544,865, of which $187,254 was gold and $357,611 silver, The lose from actual working as compared with assay value was altogether $249,434 or a total of 3174 per cent. The average loss wae $8 61, of which $5 99 was in silver and $2 62 in gold per ton. During the past eight years the total yield of the mine hae heen $7,546,655, and the average yield per ton has heen $38 27. Tun thousaud tons of Coos Bay coal were shipped to San Francisco during February.

An illustrated Journal of Mining, Popular Science and Progressive Industry. BY DEWEY & Co., Patont Solicitors, SAN FRANCISCO, SATURDAY, MARCH 14, 1874. VOLUME XXVIII Number 11. Mine Ventilating Machine. In our issue of the 28th ult., we spoke of having seen an improved machine for ventilating mines, the invention of Capt. W. Williams, of this city. The accompanying ent shows a sectional view of this machine, which is qnite simple in construction and operation. The moving parts are enclosed in a Isrge upright box, made in different sizes to suit the requirements of particnlar mines. Within this box a cup-shaped cylinder is placed, swimming in water, and the motion of the piston rod, actnated by steam power, prodnces a strong current of sir at both its upward and downward stroke. By referring to the cut, the operation of the machine will he easily understood. The dotted lines at the lower part of the cut indicate the water, which is peed in the machine for the purpose of cooling the air hefore it is forced into the mine. The cnp-shsped piston, B Bis moved up and down through this water by means of the piston rod C, and draws in and forces out the air. JD, is the receiving valve, F’, the discharge valve of the upper part of the machine; d, is the receiving valve, ond /, the discharging valve for the lowerpart. JZ and Gare the discharging and receiving pipes, of the upper and lower portions respectively. When the piston is drawn up, the air enters from the surface through the pipe M, and valve d, into the receiving pipe G, and through the pnssage £, into the interior of the machine. On the down-stroke the valve d, is closed, and the air is forced down on the water, through the passage £, and out of the valve /, into the mine. Atthis same down-stroke air is drawn through the pipe Jf, valve D, and passage H, into the upper part of the machine A, and on the piston heing raised to draw the air into the lower part of the machine through the valve d, it, at the same time forces a current outof the upper portion of the machine through the valve F, into the mine. By this means it will be seen that the machine is double acting, taking in and forcing out air at every stroke, whether up or down. This machine can be placed at any required depth in the mine and at the same time receive its full supply of air from the surface through the pipe, M. No grease or oil is used, thus . preserving the air in its pure state. There is at all times ahout six feet of water in the under . portion of the machine, and the up-stroke of the cup piston going to the top of the machine, with the water running down on the sides, keeps the inner part of the machine deluged with water, hy which means the air is cooled hefore it is delivered into the mine. Shonld the supply of air be taken from the surface in the extreme heat of summer it would he cooled helow a_ temperate heat while passing through. The piston fits closely to the sides of the box, so that when it is raised considerahle water follows it, nnd running down the sides cools the air in the upper as wellas the lower part. Capt. Williams originally invented the single acting machine, and used it practically with great success in England; his late improvement has doubled its capacity and otherwise perfected it, ns the water is used not only for cooling the air but as a packing for the piston. The single machine giving a six-foot etroke, 30 strokes a minute, the size of the model we saw (three fcet square, surface) would deliver 2,799,360 cubic inchee of air per minute, and by the inventors improvement the same stroke, douhle-acting, would force 5,598,720 cubic inches of cool air into the interior of the mine in one minute. * Capt. Williams is sure that he can deliver from 7 000 to 8,000 cubio feet of air per minute into any part of a mine with a machine requiring two horse power to run it. A great advantage in a machine of this clace ig that it can he constructed by any carpenter and put up at a mine with very little lahor or expenes. The power required to run it ie very small indeed, ae compared with other machines in use for ventilating mines. It may be attached to the pump-rod of the mine or run by any other convenient means. The power required is in fact very little ae the mechanism is quite simple and thereie very little friction. A man with a windlass crank can work itif necessary. Different eizee of this machine are made to suit the requirements of different mines. A model of this ventilator can he seen in operation at No. 13 Drnmm street, in this city, or Capt. Williams, the inventor can he addressed No. 420 Jackson street hy those desiring further information concerning it. New Lard Package. Mr. John Molloy, provision merchant at No. 54 Clay street in this city has shown us arather unique package for holding lard, which he is now using in his bnsiness. The package is symply the bladder of a hog, cleaned and prepared until itis like 59 much satin paper. It looks rather SESE SSS WILLIAMS’ like adding insult to injury to kill a hog for his meat and fat, and then use a part of his internal organizstion for the purpose of carrying the fat around in; but when we consider the number of hogs slaughtered every year, we can understand what a saving it would be to pork packers and the public if this method of packing lard wereadopted. This package does uot cost one-third the sum that ordinary wooden or tin packagee cost, and being so yery much lighter is an advantage to the consumer, on whom all packagee are weighed. The principal reasons to recommend the new package is, ae we are informed, that no adulterated lard can be put up in it without nt once heing perceived, ns the prepared hladder is quite transparent. Mr. Molloy informe ue that in the Eastern States, what is left of the lard after the oil is pressed out, is lnrgely adulterated with water, over ten per cent of which is often driven in hy hydraulic pressure, and put on the market ae pure lard, in nice pails or tins. Thie it would he utterly impossible to do with these packages as the lard ie put in in euch @ manner that it will admit of no water being introduced, and other foreign euhstances can be eeen through the package. Theee packagee can be hought for one cent each in Chicago, St. Louie, or any of the large pork packing cities, and \aking into consideration their cheapnees, convenience, and saving in weight, will meet with general approval. Ae the mouth of the bladder ie tied up with a etring and can easily be opened, the pavkage can he used more than once if necessary, Beran Speedy Method of Working Quartz.

Aportion of the Sierra Nevada mine in the Comstock is to be worked in a way which will strike most quartz miners ns rather peculiar, Adrainorchute tunnel has beeu commenced just helow the Geiger grade, a little north of the mill. This tunnel is intendcd to penetrate the rim rock of the hill, and will, ata distance of about eighty feet from the mouth, enter the old upper surface workings, where the hydraulicing was done in 1860, which paid so immensely with only a few inches of water. The Gold Hill News states 1g eco 4 i 3 MINE VENTILATING MACHINE. that hydraulio works of the most improved kind are to be immediately erected, the company having ohtained the use of two hundred inches of water, from the Water company at e low cost, which will enable them to use it without stint in the prosecution of the work. This wa‘er will have s fall of ahout 300 feet, which will giveit a force aufficient to wash down and sluice off the largest howlders on the hill. Itis the intention, with these immense works, to sluice off the large deposit of low grade ore lying near the surface, catching the free gold in the quickeilver and rifflee of the sluicee, and concentrating the coarse pieces of ore at the mouth of the drain tunnel, in close proximity to the mill, ready for reduction under the stamps. It is the expectation that, with this new nnd speedy method of working this immense hody of gold hearing quartz and cement, the company will not only be relieved ofthe burden of assessments necessary to erect their new and powerful hoisting worke, but the Sierra Nevada may even be made a dividend paying mine. Tue Ex Dorang water and deep gravel mining company, intend taking stepe in the epring towarde saving a larger and more permanent supple of water from the lakes at the head of their system of ditohes. Tuz large inverted eyphon of the Virginia and Gold Hill water company which carries the water across Washoe Valley, and which we doscribed in detail not long since, is proving a grand success. ‘. tons valued at $57,823. The Hale & Norcross Mine. The past year has not been a profitable one for the stockholders of the Hale & Norcross Mining Co., as the President plainly states in the annual report of the compnny jnst published. The hopes expressed at the last annual meeting of this company, as regards finding pay ore on the 1,700-ft. level, have not been realized; and an additional level 200 feet below, making 1,900 feet from the surface, has since heen opened, withont realizing any beuefit thercfrom. Indications, however, on this last level, lead to the helief that a body of ore will he developed on the next level below—the sinking for which has been already commenced, and the depth of 2,000 feet will be reached in sixty days, when further prospecting will be carried on at that depth. The President of the company J. C. Flood, calls the attention of stockholders to the very heavy expense incurred in carrying on mining operations 1,900 feet helow the surface and refers with confidence to the economical administration of the affairs of the company, The Superintendent says that during the past year 28,645 tons of ore have been extracted, and 28,966 tons reduced, the principal portion of which was the product of the old upper levels; and there is now in the ore-house 1,689 Dnring the year the main incline has been sunk from the 1,700 to the 1,900-foot level. At the laet mentioned depth the horizontal drift from the incline has heen continued in the vein tothe northern houndary of the mine. Three cross-drifts have been driven through the vein from the east to the west wall, at regular intervals. Another drift has heen advanced on this level to a distance of 140 feet south from the incline, at which point a cross-cut has also been run from the east to the west wall. Inthe various openings thus far made at this depth two narrow seams of ore of good quslity have heen encountered, which, although continuous so far as explored, have not yet developed toa sufficient width to permit of the profitable extraction of the ore therefrom. The vein on this level is of much greater width on the 1,700-ft. level above; the formation is much softer, and the general appearance of the vein matteris greatly improved. The ore thus far disclosed is of good quality, and is of unhroken continuity. The vein has now well defined esst and west walls, and its characteristics are identical with those of the ore producing levels ahove. The main incline is already sunk 40 feet below the lowest level, and within 50 days from the present date the 2,000-ft. level can he reached. Jndging from the indications shown hy the latest explorations, this level will he ore producing. Meanwhile the 1,900-ft. level, which is as yet hut partially opened, will be thoroughly explored. The shaft, incline, and all of the hoisting and pumping machinery are in good condition. From the Secretary’s report we gain the following information: The receipts from assessments have heen $233,577 and the receipts from bullion $544,865. On mine account the sum of $327,675 has been disbursed; for taxes $4,892; on machinery account, $1,625; on team acconnt, $2,266; on general expense account, 42,059; assay office account, $8,164; on ore acconnt, $347,599 this latter item heing the coet of working $28,966 toneof ore. It cost the compauy for extractiug the ore, $3.67 per ton; the coet of prospecting wae $219,950. During the pact year the average assay value of the ore was $27 42 per ton, of which $9 08 was in gold and $18 34 in silver. The actnal yield, however, was $18 81, of which $6 46 was in gold and $12 35 in silver. In all 68% per cent. was extracted, 71 per cent. of the gold and 67 per cent. of the eilver. The total yield was, therefore, ‘$544,865, of which $187,254 was gold and $357,611 silver, The lose from actual working as compared with assay value was altogether $249,434 or a total of 3174 per cent. The average loss wae $8 61, of which $5 99 was in silver and $2 62 in gold per ton. During the past eight years the total yield of the mine hae heen $7,546,655, and the average yield per ton has heen $38 27. Tun thousaud tons of Coos Bay coal were shipped to San Francisco during February.