Federated Institution of Mining Engineers – Visit to Denaby Main Colliery.

January 1890

Sheffield Daily Telegraph – Friday 24 January 1890

Federated Institution of Mining Engineers

Visit to Denaby Main Colliery.

On leaving Aldwarke the party proceeded by railway to Mexborough, and from thence to the Main Colliery, midway between Mexborough and Conisborough.

Before inspecting the various objects of interest at this, perhaps the largest colliery South Yorkshire, employing it does over 1,200 hands, with a daily output of 2,000 tons, the members entertained to luncheon at the colliery offices.

Mr. W. H. Chambers, the manager, then showed party round the place. The Barnsley seam, which is here 10 feet thick, is worked depth of 450 yards, the shafts, with diameter of 14 feet, working double shifts. The party arrived on the pit bank just the last two or three draws of men were being delivered, and when coal was begun to be wound interest was manifested in the working of Fowler’s patent hydraulic loading and unloading apparatus, which enables six 10 cwt. corves to be changed three decks in 10 seconds. The saving time by the adoption of this appliance is of immense importance, and it is only by this method a single shaft enabled to accomplish such enormous output as 2,000 tons a day.

Forty-five seconds are occupied in the journey up the shaft, and 10 seconds in the changing of the corves. But for the patent hydraulic whereby whereby the three decks of the cages are emptied of their full corves, and their placed filled with empty ones, all ready again for another descent, the time occupied a draw would prolonged over half a minute; and it is hardly necessary to state that this would mean great reduction of the output. It is believed that this patent arrangement is only in full working order at Denaby throughout the collieries in South Yorkshire, though it is used by the inventor in Nottinghamshire. The winding engines—pair of 40in. cylinders and 24ft. diameter drum were inspected and pronounced almost perfect specimens of their kind, and the department in which the various kinds house coal are assorted was also viewed with interest.

On the premises there is coal washing plant in course erection to deal with 4,000 tons per day. It is anticipated that the coke which will be made from this “washed ” coal will become, by reason of its enhanced purity, of greater value in the market. Other departments of the extensive premises were visited, but shortness of time did not permit of every object of interest being seen.

The party then proceeded by conveyances to the Denaby Main new sinkings at Cadeby, where operations are being conducted to win the Barnsley seam with two shafts, 16 feet diameter, at a depth of about 600 yards. At present progress has been made at one shaft 40 yards, and the other 30 yards, but active sinking operations have been seriously retarded by the great amount of water that has been met with. In one of the shafts there is at present from 150,000 to 160,000 gallons. A new sinking pump, specially made for the purpose, and known as “The Denaby Main ” sinking pump, with capacity 50,000 gallons an hour against a head of 100 yards, has been placed in one of the shafts, and three similar pumps, though of somewhat larger capacity, are being made for the same undertaking.

The dimensions of the one present in use are:—Diameter steam cylinder, 22m.; length of stroke, 27in.; diameter of suction plunger, 18in.; diameter of delivery plungers, 8 ¾ in. The pump is suspended in the shaft. Bailey. Lindemann and Davidson are the patentees, and the makers W. Bailey and Co. (Limited), Salford. Had time permitted, Mr. H. Longbotham, of Wakefield, who is the agent for Yorkshire, would have read paper the capacity and general purpose of the pump.

Mr. Longbotham was thanked for his labour, and the paper was taken read.

Mr. Chambers pointed out the advantages under which the sinkings were conducted, particularly with respect to the proximity of stone and lime.

The whole party expressed themselves highly pleased with what they had seen and with the importance of the Denaby Main Company’s undertaking, and before returning home individually thanked Mr. W. H. Chambers, the courteous manager, for the manner in which had received them.