922 THE COLLIERY GUARDIAN. October 30, 1914. Prematures and Failing to Get Away from the Shot- Hole. — Of these accidents, four were due to men attempting to fire two or more shots together, and being delayed in lighting the fuse. In one of these the delay was caused by the miner losing his light, but still remaining to ignite the other fuse instead of retiring. One premature occurred while the man was withdraw- ing the pricker from the gunpowder in the hole. Eight accidents were due to shots fired by means of squibs, and in two of these it is known that the squib had been shortened by tearing off some of the touch paper. This practice is now prohibited by the Explosives in Coal Mines Order of September 1, 1913. Firing by Electricity when Persons are at the Shot- Hole.—All these accidents occurred in collieries. In no fewer than nine cases the accident was due to the shot- firer allowing another man to couple up the leads to the detonator wires while he himself remained at the magneto. In each case the shot was fired before the man was clear, and these nine accidents were respon- sible for one death and injuries to eight persons. The Explosives in Coal Mines Order expressly lays down that the shot-firer is to attach the firing leads to the detonator wires himself. In one case the shot-firer had left the handle of his magneto on, and while he was arranging the cable a collier fired the shot. One acci- dent was of an unusual character. Shots were being fired from a 500-volt power main, and owing, it is sup- posed, to a leakage, a shot exploded directly the deto- nator leads were coupled up. The remaining accidents were due to shots being fired before persons in the vicinity had taken cover. It is not too much to say that none of these casualties would have occurred had the precautions laid down in the Explosives in Coal Mines Order been fully observed. Not Taking Proper Cover.—Under the heading “ Not taking proper cover ” are included those accidents which occur to men in the neighbourhood who have pxposed themselves, either unknowingly or from lack of judgment, to the debris projected by a shot. One hundred and one accidents were recorded this year. Two of these arose from “ blowthroughs. ” Projected Debris. — Under the heading “ Projected debris ” are included those accidents which do not fall under the previous heading of not taking proper cover. Two such accidents occurred. Hang-Fires and Returning Too Soon to Shot-Holes. —Among these are many cases where two or more shots were prepared, and the miner returned, under the impression that all the shots had exploded, or that the fuses of some of them were not lighted. One accident was due to a man returning, having mistaken the explo- sion of an adjacent shot for his own. In several cases the men returned after a most inadequate interval, with the consequence that the shots exploded when they were in the vicinity of the shot; but in one case the shot is said to have exploded after an interval of 1| hours. Five cases occurred with squibs, and in one of these the squib of a second shot is supposed to have been ignited by the explosion of the first/ Two acci- dents were indirectly due to the illegal practice of tampering with a missfired shot. In both cases the miner had drilled out some of the stemming, inserted a fresh charge of explosive, and fired it. He returned, thinking that both charges had exploded, but the first explosion had only ignited the fuse of the original charge or the charge itself, which exploded after the man’s return. Three accidents occurred when firing by electricity. In two of these, two holes, only a few inches apart, had' been charged, and in each case one was fired electrically. Afterwards the second shot exploded, and it was thought that the charges of the second shots had been ignited by the explosions of the first, and burned until the detonators were reached. In the third case a hang-fire occurred after the leads had been disconnected from the magneto. Tampering with Missfires. — Seventeen accidents occurred from men attempting to recover missfired shots. Ramming or Stemming the Charge.—There were 36 accidents in ramming or stemming the charge, causing five deaths and injury to 42 persons. In ramming charges into a borehole there must always be some danger, and it cannot be too strongly urged that this operation should be carried out with the least possible exercise of force; but there can be but little doubt that in all these cases undue force was applied. Sparks, Flames, etc.—Under the heading “ Sparks, flames, etc.,” are grouped all accidents which were caused by explosive being ignited by a naked flame or spark in the course of blasting operations. There were 97 such accidents during the past year, and in every case but eight gunpowder was the explosive involved. Nine persons were killed and 102 persons injured by these accidents, which were, in many cases, due to non-conformity with the usual regulation enjoining the removal of the candle or lamp from the cap before preparing a charge. This type of accident shows a considerable increase this year. Boring Into Unexploded Charges. — Eighteen acci- dents have been recorded under the heading of “ Boring into unexploded charges,” which includes those acci- dents where, in attempting to bore a second hole near a missfire, the drill has accidentally struck the unexploded charge, and those where boring was carried out in an old hole believed not to contain explosive. These accidents differ from those where, contrary to rules, attempts are made to bore out missfired shots. Striking Unexploded Charges in Removing Debris.— There were only five accidents caused by striking charges or portions of charges which have not exploded, and of these, three were caused by explosives contain- ing a considerable proportion of nitro-glycerine. These accidents are caused by missfires and by partial igni- tions (portions of the charge remaining in the mineral, their presence being unsuspected) or by an insufficient search being made in the case of shots which are known to have missed. A fertile source of such missfires and incomplete detonations is to be found in the use during cold weather of explosives which have not been softened. The remaining two accidents occurred with gunpowder. During the past 13 years 401 accidents have occurred during the winter months December to May, whilst during the remaining six months the number was only 146. Preparing Charges.—Only two accidents occurred in preparing charges. In one a gunpowder cartridge ignited while a pricker was being pushed into it. In the other a detonator exploded while a man was fitting a piece of safety fuse into it. Socketing.—The practice of enlarging the end of a shot-hole with a small charge to enable the powder charge eventually to be concentrated at the back of the hole has been the cause of seven accidents. In most cases this was due to allowing insufficient time to elapse between firing the first shot and re-charging the hole. In all cases gunpowder was the explosive used. Various. — Twelve accidents connected with shot- firing could not be classified under any of the above headings. Four of these were connected with deto- nators, two apparently due to rough handling, and two during testing. One accident was due to a man having inserted a charge of explosive in a crack in a rock, and then having attempted to prise the sides apart with a crowbar. Another was supposed to have been due to a movement of rock along a crack in a borehole. In one case an igniter was fired while a man was trans- ferring some gunpowder from one can to another. In the eighth case a man took some gelatine dynamite out of a warming pan and put it in his trousers pocket in which he had some matches. Shortly afterwards the explosive was found to be on fire. The ninth case was peculiar, approximating to an explosion while charging a shot-hole. It appeared that a copper tube over 12 ft. long was used in a borehole in order to facilitate the charging. Some cartridges became jammed in this tube, and it was withdrawn to clear it. While the cartridges were being driven out by means of a copper rod an explosion occurred which killed one of the men. In the remaining three cases there was nothing to show what had caused the accident. Miscellaneous.—The number of accidents in playing with detonators was nine. In three of these cases it seems probable that the injured person was not fully aware of the dangerous nature of the article. Three accidents, resulting in injuries to four persons, were due to playing with explosives other than detonators. Two accidents occurred in thawing explosives. In one case a miner placed two gelignite cartridges on a brick on the hob of the fireplace about 30 in. from the fire. They exploded and killed his wife. In the other case some samsonite exploded while it was being thawed at a smith’s fire. In one case a colliery storeman put his lighted pipe into his pocket in which he had a portion of a pellet of compressed gunpowder. Explosive in coal caused two accidents. In one, shortly after a miner’s wife had placed some coal on the fire, an explosion occurred which injured six children who were sitting round the fire. The accident was supposed to have been caused by the presence of a gelignite cart- ridge among the coal. The other was less serious, and was attributed to a • detonator. In order to enable a large cartridge of gelignite to be placed in a warming pan a man broke it in two by a violent blow with a piece of coal. It exploded, killing him and injuring another man severely. During the year the inspectors carried out some experiments at Rotherham to determine the effect of breaking incandescent electric light bulbs in an explo- sive mixture of coal gas and air. The lamps used were 16-candle power, 200 volt, carbon filament, and 25- candle power, 200 volt, metallic filament. In both cases ignitions of the mixture were obtained. They also carried out at Rotherham experiments with the “ P.P.” apparatus. With regard to the use of a non-detonating explosive for coal getting mentioned above, at an interview with representatives of the explosives manufacturers at the Home Office on November 7, it was stated by the Secretary of State that it was open to any manufacturer to have a non-detonating explosive included in the list subject to similar restrictions, provided that it passed the old Woolwich test, or such other test equivalent to the old Woolwich test, as the Secretary of State might prescribe. It was decided to keep for this purpose the Woolwich test, as described in the Home Office Memo- randum of February 14, 1903, and under the rules and conditions laid down in that Memorandum. A circular letter to this effect, dated November 14, was sent by the Home Office to all concerned. No application, how- ever, was made before the end of the year. During the year work has been continuous and heavy at the Rotherham Testing Station, a very large number of experimental shots having been fired for manufac- turers. As a result of these, 37 explosives were sub- mitted for test, of which 32 passed the prescribed test, and five failed. Owing to the delay and inconvenience caused by the rule that no explosive might be submitted even for experimental shots unless it had been fully examined by the chemical advisers, it was decided that an explosive which had passed the preliminary exami- nation might in future be submitted for experimental firing. It was, however, to be understood that this would apply to experimental shots only, and that any explosive submitted for official test must, as heretofore, have passed all the tests necessary for authorisation. A circular letter to this effect was sent to those con- cerned on September 11. Two other circular letters, dated December 1, were also sent out. In one attention was drawn to the con- fusion likely to arise from the similarity of the names of some of the explosives on the new Permitted List with others on the old list, and manufacturers were requested to make some distinguishing addition to the name of any non-permitted explosive having the same, or practically the same, name as a permitted explosive. In the other, manufacturers were requested, when sub- mitting applications for tests with modifications of an explosive, to show clearly under what definition the modified explosive came, as the name or number of the modification often failed to afford any clue, and trouble thus arose. THE COAL AND IRON TRADES. Thursday, October 29. Scotland.—Western District. COAL. Business in the west of Scotland coal trade continues on a fairly active basis, and the market is showing a firming tendency, the better qualities of coal having advanced in price since the preceding week. The industrial demand has improved, owing to the fact that several blast furnaces in the district have been put into operation within the last week or so, and also due to the increasing demand from the gasworks in view of the approach of winter. Best ells and splints continue in heavy demand, while secondary sorts of the latter are now much better placed. There is also an active demand for washed produce of all sizes. Shipments from the district during the past week amounted to 117,824 tons, against 121,203 in the preceding week, and 109,111 tons in the corresponding week last year. Prices f.o.b. Glasgow. Steam coal.............. Ell .................... Splint.................. Treble nuts ............ Double do............... Single do............... Current prices. 10/9-12/6 11/6-11/9 11/6-14/ 11/6-11/9 . 10/3 10/ L'st week's 'Last year's prices. | prices. 10/6-12/6 ! 13/ -14/6 11/3-11/6 13/ 11/3-14/ j 13/ -15/6 11/6-11/9 1 13/ -13/9 10/ -10/3 I 12/3-12/6 10/ -10/3 11/ IRON. The general conditions in the Scotch pig iron trade have not shown any change for the better during the past week. The recent reduction in prices failed to bring forth an increase in demand, and a further reduction has been announced. Home consumers are evidently not inclined to commit themselves beyond their immediate requirements, and the export business continues quiet, though it is reported that from some quarters the enquiry is a trifle better. Deliveries against contract are still small, and stocks are accumulating. The import of pig iron into Grangemouth from Middlesbrough and district amounted to 8,437 tons for the week. Four furnaces have been put in blast during the week, and the total number is now 71, compared with 67 in the preceding week and 83 in the same week last year. The prices of makers’ iron have been reduced 6d. per ton, and are as follow:—Monkland f.a.s. at Glasgow, No. 1, 63s.,No. 3,61s. 6d.; Govan, No. 1, 62s. 6d., No. 3, 61s. 6d.; Carnbroe, No. 1, 67s., No. 3, 62s. 6d.; Clyde, No. 1, 68s., No. 3, 63s.; Gartsherrie, Summerlee and Calder, Nos. 1, 68s. 6d., Nos. 3, 63s. 6d.; Langloan, No. 1, 70s., No. 3, 65s. ; Glengarnock, at Ardrossan, No. 1, 70s., No. 3, 65s.; Eglinton, at Ardrossan or Troon, No. 1, 62s. 6d., No. 3, 61s. 6d.; Dalmellington, at Ayr, No. 1, 63s. 6d., No. 3, 61s. 6d.; Shotts at Leith, No. 1, 68s. 6d., No. 3, 63s. 6d.; Carron at Grangemouth, No. 1, 69s., No. 3, 64s. per ton. The total turnover in the Glasgow pig iron warrant market during the past week amounted to about 4,000 tons. Prices of Cleveland warrants, however, have shown a tendency towards recovery, and in the course of the week business was done at 49s. 8d. per ton cash buyers. The closing price of 49s. 5d. cash buyers, though not so good, represents an advance of 5|d. per ton over the preceding week. Middlesbrough stores are still increasing, and the total is now 106,380 tons compared with 163,689 tons in the same period last year. Scotland. - Eastern District. COAL. It is reported that the collieries in the Lothians district have secured a few orders lately which make them, in the meantime, independent of contracts. These orders will help to a considerable extent to clear off the stocks which have been accumulating during the past few weeks. Ship- ments amounted ti 68,344 tons against 67,358 in the preceding week, and 113,925 tons in the corresponding week of last year. Prices f.o.b. Leith. Current L'st week's Last year’s prices. prices. prices. Best screened steam coal... 11/3 11/3 13/6-14/ Secondary qualities 10/ -10/3 10/ -10/3 12/ -12/6 Treble nuts 11/6 11/6-11/9 13/9-14/ Double do 10/ 10/ —10/3 12/3-12/6 Single do 10/3 10/ -10/3 11/ -11/6 Trade in Fifeshire continues in a depressed condition due largely to the stoppage of the Baltic trade, and the bulk of the business passing is confined to screened navigation and washed produce. The clearances from the ports amounted to 59,234 tons compared with 75,268 in the preceding week, and 124,237 tons in the same week last year. Prices f.o.b. Methil or Burntisland. Current prices. L'st week's prices. Lastyear’s prices. Best screened navigation coal 15/6-15/9 15/6-15/9 16/9 Unscreened do 13/ 13/ 14/9-15/ First-class steam coal 12/ 12/ 13/9-14/ Third-class do 10/ 10/ 11/3-11/6 Treble nuts 11/9-12/3 11/9-12/3 13/6-14/ Double do 10/3-10/6 10/3-10/6 12/ -12/6 Single do 10/ -10/3 10/ -10/3 10/9-11/6 The aggregate shipments from Scottish ports amounted to 241,042 tons compared with 263,829 in the preceding week, and 347,273 tons in the corresponding week of last year.