1873 - Old Forge Coal Mines

INSPECTORS OF MINES. 65
these mines, if mutually inclined, that would effect a proper submission to
the rules decided upon for their proper government, that careless persons
would not attempt to disregard or violate, and all know that the elements
of danger is ever present, and the person appointed to manage the mine
should receive due respect in discharge of his duties. First of these dangers
are falls of coal and rock ; 2d, explosions of gas, powder and blasts
;
yd, suffocation ;
4th, reckless working and haulage and a disregard of
discipline.
The candid miner will tell you that very many accidents were occasioned
by imprudent conduct of persons who, through some sort of fatality, mismanage
their business, and may be for a .time successful, but eventually
will come to grief. The record of accidents are commonly made up of such.
Gases, their
Character, Constitment, Measure and Weight.
Carbonic Oxide This gas is one of the results of burning carburetted
hydrogen with an imperfect supply of air, and gets the name of chokedamp
of the miner. The blue name that nickers over our common coal
fires is caused by the combustion of carbonic oxide. The miner may escape
the fire of the explosion, but cannot escape suffocation by the afterdamp.
Black-Damp.—Carbonic acid gas, or carbonic-dioxide, is a colorless gas,
yielding an acid taste and a slight pungent odor, and nearly double the weight
of common air. When subjected to a pressure of 38^ atmospheres it is
condensed into a colorless fluid. This gas extinguishes all burning bodies
placed in it, and is fatal to lite. Diluted largely with air, it acts as a narcotic
poison. Fatal effects have resulted from entering old workings, wells,
vats, Ac. When this gas accumulates freely, for a precautionary measure,
a lighted lamp should be introduced into these places, which on its coming
into contact with it, the light will become extinguished ; if not, the place
is safe. In 1800 Mr. Woodhouse determined the true nature of this gas.
Carbonous oxide is still another deleterious gas, colorless, and emitting
a peculiar suffocating odor. It requires 40 times its volume of water for
solution. It is readily combustible. Its characteristic is a clear blue flame,
and unites with chlorine and forms phosgen gas. It is totally irrespirable,
being an active deadly poison. One per cent, mingled with common air
will prove fatal. This gas will readily pass through heated cast iron metal,
such as stoves or furnaces of this metal, and is assumed to give rise to
serious diseases in many instances. With sufficient ventilation no danger
need be apprehended from this gas.
Sulphuretted Hydrogen, Hydro-sulphuric Acid Gas.—When sulphur and
hydrogen are set free together they form a colorless, transparent gas, giving
the odor of rotten eggs. It is produced by the putrefaction of all organic
substances containing sulphur, and is exceedingly deleterious when respired.
It exists in many of our mines, mingled with other equally deleterious
gases. Rotten timber saturated or partly submerged in water gives
off large quantities of this gas, and renders the waters of many wells nauseous.
l-i500th of this gas destroyed small birds ; l-80Cth of it killed a
large dog, and 1-1 20th killed a horse Brande.
Sulphurous Acid.— When burned in air it unites with the oxygen, forming
a colorless gas of a peculiar disagreeable taste, and a most suffocating
smell. It extinguishes a light, and is respired with great difficulty, and
has the quality of bleaching that with which it comes in contact. This gas
is also generated in some coal mines.
Hydrogen.—Hydrogen gas occurs free in volcanic gases, forming, accord-
45 per cent, of it. It is a colorless, odorless and tasteless gas.