1232 THE COLLIERY GUARDIAN. June 30, 1916. visitors, said the washer was comparatively small, and would not wash enough slack to keep the ovens going. In consequence of this, a considerable proportion of best dry coal was brought.in from the colliery, crushed, and mixed with the washed slack. It was found that this made a very fine coke, although a little more expensive. The average moisture of the mixture was 11 per cent. The average amount of coke produced per oven on the regenerative side of the plant was 6'4 tons. The “ devil liquor ” from the sulphate plant was taken from the plant along a pipe into a tank, and thence to the washery, from which it was pumped on to the top of a hot spoil fieap, and was practically evaporated there. It was never heard of again. The plant includes excel- lent storage for benzol and its fractions, there being eight tanks, of 11,000 gals, capacity each. At the conclusion of the visit, the party were enter- tained to tea at Chesterfield by the directors of the Grassmoor Company. Mr. W. Diamond, in the absence of the president, expressed the pleasure which the visit had given them. He said it had been a'very educative afternoon. They could realise the troubles that one had to look forward to when he put down plant, and could appreciate the difficulties that had to be contended with, and learn to avoid mistakes. It was very nice to go round plants which were newly erected, and which gave no trouble— plants where they had no Goodall quencher collapsing, and so on—but to his mind it was far better to visit plants where the manager had had trouble, as by doing so they gained useful knowledge. If they merely saw things that were straightforward, they came away as wise' as they went; but if they saw the troubles which the manager had had to- meet, and had successfully overcome, they were all the better for their visit. They had to thank Mr. Lee for being so explicit in fully explaining all his troubles. The Durham members, he went on to say, were very jealous of Mr. Lee in obtain- ing 1'65 per cent, of sulphate of ammonia. If they got 1'1 per cent, they were very thankful. On the other hand, he thought they could show Mr. Lee a bit of coke occasionally. Mr. Lee’s benzol, too, was rather higher than theirs. They were running a little over 2'00, and Mr. Lee’s 3*75 was rather a knock on the head for them. Mr. Lee told them that he ended with 2| gals, of finished product. That was finishing where they com- menced, SO' that altogether they were a little bit envious of Mr. Lee on the chemical side. Mr. T. H. Riley proposed a vote of thanks to the directors of the Grassmoor Company and to> Mr. Lee for their kindness. He said they had all had a very instruc- tive visit. One thing that struck him very forcibly was the Goodall car. He was quite pleased that he did not advise his chief to go in for one, as from what he could see, they wanted to work it for 12 months and then scrap it. Mr. J. A. Wilson, in seconding, said he had always found Mr. Lee to be one of those men who- were very valuable to an association like theirs, as he was ever ready to impart the very considerable knowledge that he possessed. ■ The resolution was supported by Mr. J. Marshall and Mr. J. T. Price (hon. secretary), and carried unanimously. Mr. Lee, in reply, said the directors of the company had been most willing to do all they possibly could to make the visit an enjoyable one. He quite agreed with Mr. Diamond as to the educative value of a visit to a plant which had been going for some time, and where they got straight up against the difficulties that had been encountered. The party that day had seen the difficulties that they had at Grassmoor, and the way in which they had overcome some, and were overcoming others. When the secretary wrote, asking if they could come to Grassmoor, he debated as to whether it would not be better to put off the visit for a few months, until they got much more straight than they were now, but he felt that it would ' be much more helpful to the members to see new work in course of construction, and some that was being pulled down, and know the reason why it was being pulled down. Perhaps the members had been more instructed that day than they would have been otherwise. The following gentlemen have been elected members of the association :—Messrs. Harold Kirk, Carlton Iron Works, Ferryhill; Arthur H. Middleton, Consett Iron Company; J. W. Kirkby, West Cornforth, Durham; Charles Jones, Bearpark Colliery, Durham; George Gibson, New Brancepeth Colliery, Durham; Percy C. Leake, Ferryhill; James W. Porteous, Bishop Auckland; George F. Goulding, North Featherstone, Pontefract; Napier Cochrane, Rawmarsh, near Rotherham; Joseph Henry Elstone, Kinsley, near Wakefield (now on active service as lance-corporal in the Royal Anglesey Engi- neers); Alfred Gladman, Fitzwilliam, near Wakefield; and James D. Morris, Canklow, Rotherham. Iron in Compass Construction.—Despite the fact that makers are very careful in the material used in the con- struction of mining compasses, every new instrument should undergo a test for the presence of magnetic properties. AU movable parts, such as screws, vernier, tripod, etc., can be examined by placing them close to a freely suspended mag- netic needle. Fixtures may be examined in the following manner : The compass is set level with vernier at 360 degs., and, with needle free, moved till needle is pointing exactly 360 degs. also. The vernier is then loosened and moved exactly 5 degs. at a time, the reading of the needle being noted each time. Provided the compass is marked off cor- rectly, and free from attraction in any part, the vernier and needle reading will coincide; if not, there is attraction some- where, and the instrument should be returned. It is advis- able to make this test, since so much depends on a correct magnetic bearing, though the matter is of no importance when any other than the magnetic base is used. The magnetic needles for mining compasses should be in one piece, and of such a shape that their magnetic moment is at and will retain the maximum. COAL IN TURKEY.* By Leon Domtnian. The occurrence of coal and oil in Turkey has been reported from a large number of localities, but in only one instance has mining been carried on in any manner compatible with the demands of modern consumption. Apart from this, work has been confined to desultory attempts that were scarcely adequate to meet even the limited local requirements. In no case can technical data regarding the extent, depth or persistence of seams be obtained. The present contribution is therefore neces- sarily limited to an enumeration of the localities at which the fuel is known to exist. Western Asia Minor. Lignite Beds of the Marmora-Aegean Zone. — The north-western projection of Asia Minor, immediately south-east of the Dardanelles, forms part of a district wherein lignite deposits have been worked in a number of localities. The formations of this region can also be traced to the north on the adjoining European coast of the Marmora. The lignite beds occur mostly in tertiary lacustrine deposits, and appear to belong to a zone of transition between the miocene and the pliocene. Plant accumulation prior to fossilisation is probably connected with the recession of the Sarmatian waters, subsequent ’ to which the depressions occurring in various points of the Troad and the environing regions offered favourable sites for the collection of plant detritus. The lignites thus formed may have industrial value. Dr. Launay cites occurrences in the vicinity of Ghemlik where seams of the fuel are found sometimes in a remarkable state of freedom from impurities. Here sandstone and conglomerate strata contain small masses of lignite mixed with pyritic sands. Occasionally, how- ever, lignites acquire considerable value in connection with local industries. A deposit of this kind is worked at Manjilik by the owners of the near-by Balia lead mines. The product is used in an electric power station feeding the smelters and workings. The coal-bearing strata are found at a distance of about 5 km. north of Manjilik in the valley of the Deirmen Dere. Their total thickness attains 10 m. and their dip varies between 30 degs. and 70 degs. W. Coal out- crops can be traced over a length of 10 km. The lignite contains on an average 30 per cent. -ash. Its seams lie between sandstone strata capped by portions of a large flow of trachytic rocks characteristic of the locality. A small mine railway connects the coal workings with the mines in the vicinity of Balia, and extends thence southward to Osmanlar. Some lignite is also found near Lampsacus, but it has not yet been mined. The fuel-bearing strata underlie clay beds, which are worked extensively for the well- known pottery industry of the Dardanelles. In the Troad, lignite is extracted near Edremid. The fuel is transported to the seaport of Akchai, where it is stacked along the water front and sold in small quantities. Farther south, at a short distance from Soma, the terminal of a branch line from Maniss-a, a good quantity of this coal has been mined on a small scale. Mining is. carried on at Soma by methods which are probably not duplicated elsewhere. The inhabitants of this village and neighbouring settlements merely come and help them- selves to the quantity of lignite they need and on which they pay a small tax to the local representative of the Government. Near Panderma, at about 4 km. from Tchamakdagh, some exploration work was undertaken about twenty years ago in the Mesepsif Valley. The following sequence was determined in this locality : (1) A basal igneous complex, the upper zone of which con-' sisted of .a highly siliceous flint-like band of rock averag- ing 2'5 m. in width; (2) thick beds of marls with which lignite seams, varying in thickness between 2 m. and 0'86 m. were intercalated. The coal belonged to a high- grade lignitic variety, and gave the following analysis : Volatile matter, 32-6 per cent.; fixed carbon, 45'4 per cent.; ash, 12’6 per cent. West of this region, lignite outcrops are known at Demirtash, 20 km. north of Brousa. Mining was also carried on formerly at Tchaidere, near Bilejik and at Gueve, near Sugud. The product from the last- mentioned locality was used in the silk factories of Bilejik and Keupli. The most westerly extension of this tertiary lignite is found in the mountains environing Tchai, near Afiunkarahissar. Seams having an occa- sional thickness of 2 m. have been discovered here at an altitude of 1,840 m. lying over calcareous conglomerates and capped by clay beds. In the quaternary alluvial plain of the Mendere river south of Smyrna, lignite with a dip of 34 to 45 degs. N. has been mined near Sokia station. The seams are interbedded with schistose strata, and can be detected along a line 10 km. in length. The south-western coast of Asia Minor, with its hinter- land, does not appear to be devoid of coal. Seams are known near Makri in the foothills of the Eljikdagh Mountain. In the province of Smyrna, lignite beds exist at Milas, Aidin, Kiosk, Nazili, Scalanova and Keramos. The Nazili beds have been developed for local use. Practically every one of the other deposits is susceptible of development to supply local requirements. The Black Sea Basin.—The presence of coal-producing measures has been recognised along the Black Sea coast between Heraclea and Ineboli, a distance of about 175 km. An economic province can be outlined in this district on the basis of the presence of a number of long and narrow parallel bands of carboniferous rocks which comprise culm, lower carboniferous limestone and upper carboniferous coal measures. . These bands have a general N. 70 degs. E. trend. They are surrounded by upper cretaceous formations consisting of nodular calcareous beds chiefly caprotina limestone. The Heraclea coal field is at present the best developed in the region, as well as in Turkey. It occupies a belt * Transactions of the American Institute of Mining Engineers, about 60 km. in length along the Asiatic coast of the Black Sea, between the seaports of Heraclea and Filios. The town of Heraclea itself lies at a distance of 135 nautical miles from Constantinople. The coal beds out- crop near the coast, and are not known to extend farther than 8 km. inland. It is believed, however, that they strike south-easterly from- the eastern boundary of the district to which mining operations have been confined, and that they may be re-encountered at a greater distance from the seashore beyond. The western boundary of the basin is determined by a long fault-line occurring at Kiosseaghzi at a distance of about 10 km. east of Heraclea. The entire measures appear to have sunk in depth at this’point. Some coal is won here from narrow seams which can be correlated with the Cozloo stage. The valleys of Kiretchlik, Chaoushagzy and Ilisoo appear immediately beyond. Within their limits the Aladjaaghzy series can be first observed. The Cozloo depression lies about 20 km. farther east, and is the seat of the widest and most actively exploited veins of the entire district. From this last point the coal measures are detected about 2 km. farther east, to Domooz, where they assume a gradual southerly strike inland. Cutting across the Zoongooldak Valley, where their width attains 5 km., they - extend beyond Tchatalaghzy Valley to Sooksoo. Alining ceases at this locality, but coal is known to occur as far east as Djide. The Aladjaaghzy stage is- best represented at the locality bearing that name. The strata appear first at about 0-5 km. west of the settlement. They have a general east-west strike and dip from 10 to 30 degs. south. Fifteen seams of an average thickness of about 0-75 m. are distinguished by different names. Although they are considered locally as different beds, the pro- found faulting to which the region has been subjected, subsequent to the formation of the coal, tends to confirm belief in the .identity of many of the seams. The uniformity of their structure has helped the unmethodical native to carry on work with relative ease. The same measures have been developed, to a less degree, in the valley of Kiretchlik, as well as at Tchaoushaghzy. A zone of transition between the Aladjaaghzy and the Cozloo measures is revealed by the presence of a number of almost vertical seams. Their thickness is the same as that of the seams below. They occur along a double east-west line of faulting, which also constitutes the southern extremity of the coal basin, since beyond it, to the south, only carboniferous limestones are encountered. These vertical seams therefore indicate the beginning of the Cozloo stage, which is best represented in the valleys of Zoongooldak, Kilimli and Tchatalaghzy. The strata in this zone dip respectively to the north and south so as to form an anticlinal fold which is plainly discernible in the valley of Kilimli. Twenty-five veins are distinguished locally, but the absence of any detailed geological survey of the district and the lack of maps preclude adequate differentiation. The seams have an average thickness of 1-5 m. The reserves of the Cozloo mines are estimated at 50,000,000 metric tons. A possible zone of transition marks again the upper level of the Cozloo stage. It is best seen in the vicinity of the Kiosseaghzi fault. Two systems of seams occur here and are known as the Tsamly and Beylik groups. The former comprises fairly thick seams, some of which attain a maximum of 2 m. Their dip is northerly, many being almost vertical. The Tsamly system can be traced to the very shore, at the village bearing that name. It extends over a distance exceeding 4 km. in length, to Candilly Valley. The Caradon stage appears above this zone of transition. Eight seams are distinguished as belonging to this series. They have been worked at Caradon, where they are well developed, as well as at Tchatalaghzy and Cozloo. Their thickness varies between 1 m. and 1-5 m. Beds of slate of an average width of 1-5 m. are intercalated between the seams. The Amasra basin, comprising the Tchatalaghzy district, also appears to form part of the same series. Five seams of similar average width are known here. It is also surmised that the outcrops east of the town of Amasra near Capoosoo constitute the pro- longation of this group. In addition, a number of outcrops observable in the valley of Ilisoo, near Sefedler village probably bear the same relationship. The coal mined at Heraclea belongs to the bituminous variety. It is slightly higher in ash than the correspond- ing average type from European basins. It may be divided into two classes : (1) that obtained from the veins of middle series, containing from 30 to 40 per cent, volatile matter; (2) that mined from the lowest stage, containing from 40 to 45 per cent, volatile matter. The first is excellent for cooking purposes, while the Aladjaaghzy product is used chiefly in the manufacture of illuminating gas and for steam generation. The total output for the entire region of the Heraclea coal field amounted in 1913 to 566,118 metric tons. Bituminous coal of excellent quality is known in the foothills of the mountains surrounding the seaport of Kidiros on the Black Sea. This occurrence may be taken as forming the easterly end of the Black Sea coal basin. It cannot be doubted that this economic province is the seat of an important coal supply. The fuel has also been found in the vicinity of Changry south of this bituminous field. Inferior grades are reported from Cassabaibala, in the vilayet of Angora, where the discoveries consist mainly of lignites. Eastern Asia Minor. A large number of coal seams of all grades are known to occur in the region extending east of the 34th meridian east of Greenwich to the Russian and Persian boundaries. Lignite was reported by Cuinet from Tavshandagh Mountain in the vicinity of Mers-ivan. The same observer noted coal outcrops in the immediate neighbourhood’ of Tokat, as well as in a district lying 60 m. south-east of that town. Outcrops have also been detected at Cardashlar at 2 hours’ distance from Sivas.