May 24, 1918.

THE COLLIERY GUARDIAN

1047

on the water front of the Williamsburg Works of
the Brooklyn Union Gas Company at New York City.
The mast is of steel lattice work, small at top and
bottom and large midway between ends. The gaff is
of similar construction and about half as long. The
bucket digs coal from a barge, raises it, and is swung
over a receiving hopper by a short swing of the gaff.
Two ropes connect mast head and gaff head. The
mast is really a pier in so far as its lower half is
concerned, and is maintained in position by three rope
guys and two stiff legs. The guys are attached to
the mast head and located opposite the arc through
which the gaff operates. The stiff legs bear at a
point somewhat above the centre of the mast. Similar
masts and gaffs are in use at the Fulton Works and
other plants of the same company. The mast and gaff
rig may also be mounted on a barge, and then forms
an apparatus somewhat analogous to the locomotive
crane. The United States Coal and Coke Company
operate such apparatus, one rig, used at Padacah, Ky.,
consisting of a wooden mast maintained upright by
two wooden struts. The wooden gaff is long, and is
stepped near the foot of the mast. With such a
rig on a barge it is possible to come up to a coal barge
lying alongside a hopper delivering to a skip railway,
and transfer coal from barge to hopper. The mast
and gaff rig, where applicable, is one of the cheapest
of all to instal. Apparently it has found most favour
and use where the problem is to unload barges and
discharge coal into a hopper at some elevation. The
system is flexible vertically, and therefore is suited to
water fronts where the water level rises and falls

a'

JJ

Fig. 5.—Coal Hoist Unloading Baege.

MIKES RESCUE WORK.*

By R. Watt.

The importance of mines rescue work at once makes
it of such a serious nature that its first object lesson to
those intending to take it up should be, that they are
genuinely interested, there being no room for half-
heartedness. That being so, it is necessary that those
contemplating taking up a course of training should
have all the likelihoods that may be their lot explained
to them, and they in turn to give the matter their
earnest consideration.

When one has decided to offer himself as a trainee,
he should be medically examined. This is absolutely
essential for- two reasons—namely, (1) in the best
interests of the individual himself; (2) because he may
be more of a hindrance than a help on any occasion
where rescue work had to be carried out under the
apparatus. Assuming one has received the hall-mark
of being medically fit, bis next step is to get thoroughly
acquainted with the rescue apparatus. To receive such
training as will thus equip him, he will require to
attend a class and receive a course of lessons from a
capable instructor. These will include a thorough
knowledge of the apparatus and all its component
parts, so that he may, in the first place, be able to look
after himself, and have the confidence that he can do
so. The lessons, of course, include the wearing of the
apparatus in working order, so that he may get used to
breathing and other matters connected therewith. For
sanitary and health reasons, it is essential that each
man have his own mouth-

piece, V nose clip, or mask
as the case may be. To
make a complete course of
training, one would also
require to undergo several
practices in the smoke cham-
ber. This is an air-tight
room filled with the fumes
of burned sulphur and
methylated spirits. Ongoing
there for the first time it
is advisable to remain inside
for ten minutes, and increase
the length of time at each
subsequent practice. Prac-
tising in tbis way seems
to be the best method of
gaining confidence, under
what might be termed
practical conditions.

There is an old saying
that “ familiarity breeds
contempt,” but the trainee
can never be too familiar
with his machine, so that
he may be able to feel he

of entombed men, they would carry with them the
“ Salvator ” reviving apparatus. This machine was
designed for resuscitating unconscious men found in a
mine after a disaster, but it may also be put to other
uses. For instance, in some cases of injury to any of
the tubes of a member’s apparatus, the cylinder and
tube of the above could be fitted, thus allowing the
rescuer a means of returning to safety.

A few things worthy of remembrance by any rescue
corps are :—

(1)	Never to travel faster than will allow the slowest
member of the party to feel that he can do it in
comfort.

(2)	If anything should take place that would be the
means of disabling any member of the squad, your duty
is first to see him in a place of safety.

(3)	One member should never go exploring by himself.
Leaders of squads should see that this rule is strictly
carried out.

(4)	Should your breathing bag become unduly
inflated, this obstructs a free and easy breathing.
Keep in mind that this can be corrected by the use of
your relieving valve.

All members should have a little knowledge of
rendering first aid to the injured, and all leaders of
squads should be the possessors of an Ambulance First
Aid Certificate. In these circumstances an important
part of the equipment would be ambulance outfit and
appliances, as follow:—Clean water, antiseptic fluid or
powder, splints, bandages, with stretchers in readiness,
should they be required.

First Aid.

It may not be out of place to give an explanation of
how to set about rendering first aid to a person who
has become unconscious, and is suffering from the
following injuries :—Fractured thigh and scalp wound,
these being the result of being near to where an explo-
sion has occurred. The patient being unconscious, one
would make use of the “ Salvator ” apparatus by
placing it on the patient, so as to restore him to
consciousness. For the scalp wound, it would be neces-
sary to apply a pad and bandage in the manner taught.
Local pressure in this way is, as a rule, quite sufficient
to arrest bleeding from any wounds of the head, because
of the support given by the bones thereof. To render
first aid to a fractured thigh, one requires a splint long
enough to reach from the armpit to the foot, and
another- the length of the leg. The first thing to do is
to grasp the foot firmly, making some extension of the
limb by pulling it downwards. This is to prevent all
movement, and may, to some extent, give the patient
relief. Extension must be made until it is the same
length as the other limb. Next, the splints should be
placed—the long one on the outside of the limb and the
shorter one on the inside, and secured firmly by placing
bandages as follows:—

(1)	Around the body, near the top of the long splint;

(2)	around the pelvis; (3) around the thigh, above the







Fig. 6.'—Mast and Gaff.

under the operation of the tides. At Paulsboro,
N.Y., the American Can Company has a mast and gaff
hoist which transfers coal from barges to a hopper
delivering to a small tramcar. The place of the
mechanical grab bucket is taken by a hand-filled tub.
There is accordingly only one rope for the hoisting
engine to operate, namely, the hoisting rope.

The mast and gaff rig is suited to simple conditions,
and meets them in a simple way. The elements of
which it consists may be latticed steel members or
baulks of timber. The struts may be the same if stiff
legs are used to hold the mast up. As has been seen,
a simple bucket or tub may be used to operate with
one power rope.

The elevated trestle combined with a revolving loco-
motive crane enables one to use storage space to
great advantage. The trestle enables the space under-
neath to be utilised for storage, and also permits a
tall pile to be made alongside—taller than would
otherwise be possible. If two parallel trestles are
employed, the combination can be used to advantage.
For example, suppose two trestles of moderate height
say 10 feet from ground to top of rails and at a
distance of 30 feet apart—be set up axis to axis, and
a standard gauge track and crane of the same gauge
be used. The plant is now equipped to utilise space on
both sides for the erection of tall piles, and the space
between these piles for one or more piles. Loaded
cars are run on to one trestle, and the crane on to
the other. The crane unloads the cars and utilises
space to both sides of its own trestle, and perhaps
beneath it too. Other loaded cars are then run on
to this trestle and the crane on to the other, the
unloading and storing proceeding in the same manner
as before.

Coal in Algeria.—The coal deposit in the region of
Colomb-Bechard, in the south-west of Algeria, bordering
Morocco, is to be exploited in the near future. The
deposit lies on the border of the oasis of Kenodja, and
appears to be over 8,000 ft. in length and 1| ft. in thick-
ness. It is estimated that there are 10,000 tons that
can be extracted by surface workings. The coal seems of
fair quality.

knows it sufficiently well to be able to control it,
just to know when and where it is not in good working
order. Make a point of attending all practices possible,
so that you may gain and maintain efficiency.

For the purpose of showing where and how the rescue
brigade could be of service, assume that a violent
explosion has occurred. The rescue corps having been
summoned, on arrival at the pit top they are formed
into squads by the instructor. The mine manager, or
other official of t he colliery, takes a place in the first
squad. Before attempting to make a descent into the
mine a thorough inspection of the cages and beadgear
should be made. All rescue members must thoroughly
test their machines, and see that everything is in good
working order. They require to carry with them safety
lamps and mice or small birds. In this way they would
be enabled to test for any further accumulation of fire-
damp. The mice or birds would enable them to know
the condition of the atmosphere as they proceed. They
should establish the first base at the nearest point (that
would be safe) to the foul atmosphere; here relief
squads would be kept in readiness to take their turn,
if such be required, or they could follow up the advance
squad, making repairs or other necessary work. In this
way it might be possible to form sub-base stations from
time to time, so that rescuers without apparatus can
follow up and lend valuable assistance. Tracings of
the underground workings should also be taken by the
advance squad, showing, by distinctive marks, the intake
and outlet airways. Where two or more roads branch
off, marks should be made, these to be uniform and
known to all members of the rescue brigade. Tbis
would allow subsequent squads to follow the track of
the advance party; and each man should keep a
close watch on his pressure gauge, always making sure
he has sufficient supply of oxygen to take him back
through the foul atmosphere. If there was a possibility
of the atmosphere being in sueh a condition as to make
it awkward to see, a rope could be carried by each party
to keep touch with the other. Should they be in search

* Queensland Government Mining Journal. From a paper
read at Silkstone, Queensland, at a meeting of Mines
Rescue Brigade trainees.

fracture; (4) between the knee and the ankle; (5) above
No. 4, near to the fracture, on the lower side; (6)
around both ankles and crossed to pass under the feet—
to be tied there; (7) passing right under both legs, just
above the knees, and drawing the legs fairly firmly
together.

This having been completed, the patient should be
laid on a stretcher, making him as comfortable as
possible by placing something under the head, so that
it may be slightly raised; also covering ovex- the body
with a blanket or any clothing to keep him warm during
transport. When brought into purer atmosphere
stimulants may be given—strong coffee or tea being
quite equal to this purpose.

The following traits of character are necessary for a
man to be a successful member of a rescue corps :—
(1) Not to be of an excitable nature ; (2) to be able to
grasp an idea of any situation that may arise, and to
determine which is the best way to deal with it effectively
and as speedily as possible (especially leaders of squads);

(3)	to be temperate in habit, so far as alcohol is con-
cerned, because anyone addicted to drink cannot be
a successful trainee; (4) to remember always that
although he may know a lot, there is still something yet
to learn.

Institution of Petroleum Technologists.—A paper on
“ The Application of Electrical Power to Oilfield Require-
ments,” by Mr. J. W. Burford, will be read at a meeting
of the members of the institution, John-street, Adelphi,
London, W.C., on May 28, commencing at 8 p.m.

A Transvaal Colliery Combination.—The directors of
the Tweefontein Colliery Company have agreed to sell
the undertaking, subject to the shareholders’ consent, to
the Tweefontein United Collieries (Transvaal), and the
latter company will allot in payment 75,000 cumulative
preference and participating shares, and 150,000 ordinary
shares of £1 each. The preference shares are entitled to
dividends of 6 per cent, per annum, and an additional
4 per cent, after 6 per cent, has been paid on the ordinary.
The purchasers will also take over the Farm Tweefontein
and Farm Waterpan, the price being 120,000 ordinary
shares. Stores will be taken over at book values.