I am not sure if my earlier message got through, so here is a slightly
extended version:
I have a book "Failey on Coalmining", a compendium volume comprising
three small books (page size 170mm x 115mm) bound into one volume,
apparently bought by Fred Meacham of Hampstead in 1883.
The first portion of the volume is a fourth edition of "The Colliery
Manager's Calculator" by W. Fairley F.S.S., Colliery Manager, Surveyor of
Mines, Member of the Midland Institute of Mining Engineers, which carries
the preface to the third edition, dated Lydney, 13th March , 1872.
The twelve chapters, on Mensuration, Work, Friction, Strength of Materials,
Steam Engines, Properties of Atmospheric Air [including "Meteorlogical
Vicissitudes"], Timber Measure, Produce of Coal Seams [Imperial and
"Cheshire" Measure], Probabilities of Accidents, Useful Rules, and Tables
of Weights and Measures. This book runs to 139 pages, followed by three
pages listing other works published by W.M. Hutchings at the Colliery
Guardian
Office, 5 Bouverie Street, Fleet Street,,London E.C.
Next in the volume comes "The Colliery Manager's Catechism" "containing
Practical and Scientific Information for the use of students", by W
Fairley,
Mining Engineer, Author of "Glossary of Terms used in the Coal Mining
Distiricts of South Wales, Bristol and Somersetshire", "Rambles in
Northamptonshire",
"Epitaphiana", etc, etc.
The title page carries a quotation from Goethe "Alles mit Mass und Ziel".
This book was published in London in 1876 by W.M Hutchings, Colliery
Guardian Office, 49 Essex Street, Strand and 38 Hutton Street, Dorset
Street, E.C. The four-page preface, dated 10 June 1876, was written at
"Bloxwich, near
Walsall".
The eleven chapters are on the Coal Mines Regulations, 1872; Geology;
Ventilation; Statistics; Varieties of Coal; Steam Boilers and Engines;
Practical Mining; Mathematics; Land and Mine Surveying; Applied Mechanics;
and Miscellaneous Subjects. These occupy 147 pages, and then there
is an Appendix, from pages 148 to 206, containing the "Special Rules drawn
up by a committee of the North of England Coal Trade Association,
comprising the suggestions of H.M. Inspectors of Mines for Northumberland
and Durham, together with those of the Agents of the Durham Miners'
Association with the
Northumberland Miners' Mutual Confident Association." A note highlights
the
fact that the rules quoted are for the use of mines where the use of safety
lamps was obligatory. Rules which did not apply where safety lamps were
not obligatory are bracketted. The first three paragraphs define a
"Certificated Manager", whose task was to comply with the requirements of
the Coal Mines Regulation Act, 1872.
Finally in this compendium volume is "The Theory and Practice of
Ventilating Coal Mines" by W. Fairley, M.E., F.S.S. published by the
Colliery Guardian, 49 Essex Street, Strand, London W.C. With eight
chapters, on movement of air;
resistance to movement in underground passages; splitting air flow; how to
find the power needed to move air; ascensional ventilation; velocity of
air;
a note on friction; and miscellaneous calculations, this runs to 72 pages.
Mr Fairley clearly knew German and, on at least one occasion, visited
Germany. In the first book, on page 80, he discusses a German engineer's
report in which he had examined data to see if there was any correlation
between barometric pressure and the incidence of methane explosions (they
decided there wasn't - explosions being more closely correlated with
careless working). Giving the reference, Fairley says: "See Gluckauf for
27th August 1871 or a translation by the writer in the Colliery Guardian
about a fortnight later".
In the second book, on page 59, in a section discussing deep shafts, he
writes "Einigkeit shaft in Saxony -- as the writer was informed when he
visited there in 1869 - is 406 Saxon lachter, or 444 English fathoms,
deep."
Tony Brewis
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