The life of George Stephenson, railway engineer - Lighthouse ...

CHAP. XI.] UNSAFENESS OF THE TUBE LAMP. 131
strikingly exemplified the respective qualities of the lamps. A
sudden outburst of gas took place from the floor of the mine,
along a distance of fifty yards. Fortunately, the men working
in the pit at the time were all supplied with safety lamps—the
hewers with Stephenson's, and the hurriers with Davy's. Upon
this occasion, the whole of the Stephenson lamps, over a space
of five hundred yards, were extinguished almost iastantaneously;
whereas, the Davy lamps were filled with fire, and became red-
hot—so much so, that several of the men using them had their
hands burnt by the gauze. Had a strong current of air been
blowing through the gallery at the time, an explosion might thus
have taken place,—an accident which, it will be observed, could
not occur from the use of the Geordy, which is at once extin-
guished so soon as the air becomes explosive.
The merits of Dr. Clanny of Sunderland, in connection with
the invention of his lamp, were considerable ;
yet a long period
elapsed before they were publicly recognized. In 1846, how-
ever, a subscription was set on foot by his friends for the purpose
of presenting him with a testimonial, and Mr. Stephenson was
found amongst the list of subscribers. On sending in his con-
tribution, he said, " I believe Dr. Clanny was the first person
who made the attempt to construct a lamp which should burn in
an inflammable atmosphere without exploding. Such a lamp
was made by Dr. Clanny, although it was not proved practicable
to manage in coal mines. Nevertheless, I think great merit is
due to him for what he did, and you may therefore put my name
down for five pounds towards his testimonial."