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August, 1927

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Winding Pit for Men.

Reference has already been made to the fact that the Carl upcast shaft has been specially equipped for winding men. This shaft is 176 yards in depth and 13ft. in diameter. Three-decked cages are installed capable of carrying 30 men, and are arranged for simultaneous decking. Only one banksman is employed however, who cannot give the signal for lowering until a signal has been received from both the lower decks and the men in the lower decks cannot give these signals until the gates are properly closed, the whole thing, of course, being manipulated through a system of electrically-interlocked relays. A view of the winder is given in Fig. 19. This comprises a completely conical drum rising from 7 to 10 ft. in diameter driven through gearing by a 220-B.H.P., 3,000-volt, 3-phase induction motor of Metropolitan-Vickers' manufacture. The mechanical parts of the equipment, including the overwind prevention gear, were manufactured by Robey & Co. Ltd. Four inches in circumference plough steel ropes are in use, which pass over a 12-ft. diameter pit head pulley.

Decking Plant.

In spite of the shallowness of the shafts, which renders the time factor in winding operations a comparatively unimportant matter, the way in which the output has developed has necessitated the installation of decking plant at the No. 1 Duke pit top, to reduce the time taken in changing the tubs. Although double-decked cages are provided it has been sufficient to arrange for the decking to take place at one level only. Plant of the electro-pneumatic type, supplied by the Westinghouse Brake & Saxby Signal Co. Ltd., has been installed and comprises two quite independent though similar units for each cage. Fig. 20 shows diagrammatically the main features of one of these units and will enable the following account of the functions of the plant to be comprehended without difficulty.

On the running-on side of the cage is a ram lying between the rails and having attached to its piston tube a crosshead running on rollers on a track. To this crosshead is fixed a pair of forked arms, designed to engage with the tub axles, and the arms can be depressed against the action of springs by the tubs passing over them.

There are two pairs of skotch blocks on each track, one set close to the cage and the other just in advance of the ram head. The distance from the front skotch blocks to the forked arms of the ram is such that two tubs can stand between these points ready to be decked, the rear skotches being situated just behind the second tub ready to hold back any further tubs that may be waiting during the decking operation.

The cage itself is equipped with the usual type of failer stops on the running-on side, and with tub controllers on the running-off side. The latter take the form of 4-star wheels which may be rotated by the axles of tubs passing over them, but which stand normally locked to prevent the passage of tubs. Each controller may be unlocked independently of that on the other deck by means of a hand lever on the cage, and when unlocked allows two tubs (4 axles) to pass over it, and then automatically re-locks A contact-breaker on the pit bank is reversed through suitable striker mechanism, when either of the controllers is unlocked, provided always that the deck is correctly in line at the decking level.

The cage is supported at the pit top on keps, which are weighted to lie normally under the cage, but may be pushed aside by the latter as it moves upwards. Their withdrawal from under the cage is effected by applying pressure to a pneumatic cylinder, their normal position being resumed when the cylinder is opened to exhaust. A contact-breaker attached to the keps detects their position either "in" or "out." Contact-breakers are also actuated by the front set of skotch-blocks, and by the ram in both its "back" and "forward" positions the spindle carrying the crosshead rollers being extended to engage with striker arms for this purpose.

A two-lever control set and a three-way hand-control air valve are provided for controlling the decking operations for each cage, one lever being used for the normal decking operation and the other when men are being wound When the latter lever is reversed, the ram is electrically locked in its back position and an indicator "Men on cage" is illuminated. This lever also serves as an "emergency" lever, since should it be reversed at any moment during decking, the ram immediately returns to its fully "back" position and the skotch blocks are replaced on the rails.

The hand-control air valve has three positions one to the left, where pressure is applied to the keps withdrawing cylinder and one to the right, where pressure is applied to the cylinder, causing the front set of skotch-blocks to be removed from the rails. In the centre position air is cut off from both cylinders. The action of the skotch blocks is, a s explained later, normally automatic, but it is sometimes desirable to remove the front set from the rails without operating the rams — as, for instance, when a single tub-load of pit props has to be sent down — and the air valve thus makes provision for this exigency.

A mining-type plunger is provided for the transmission of winding signals by the banksman, and there is an electro-pneumatic blinder by which the plunger is covered during the decking operation and while the keps are under the cage. The blinder may, however, be raised by hand during this period should it be necessary to give any signals, but its provision minimises the risk of the banksman signalling the cage away prematurely.

The supply of air to each end of the ram and to each of the pneumatic cylinders is controlled through the medium of an electro-pneumatic valve, and a relay controls the correct sequence of decking operations.

The plant normally operates in the following manner :— Just before the arrival of the cage at the pit top the banksman reverses the "decking lever of his control set for that cage and notes that the hand-controlled air valve is in the mid-position, so that the keps are "under" As the top deck of the cage arrives at the pit-top the keps are then pushed aside, but fall "under" again as soon as this deck is above them, and the cage is immediately lowered upon them. As soon as the cage is at rest on the keps the banksman unlocks the controller on the top deck by pulling the hand lever, which gives an electric release through the contact-breaker on the pit bank, causing the position of both sets of skotch blocks to be reversed, the front set being removed from the rails and the rear set being placed on the rails to hold back any further tubs which may be waiting. The ram then moves forward. pushing two empty tubs on the cage and two full ones off. After the four axles of the full tubs have rotated the controller, this re-locks and prevents the empty tubs from passing straight through the cage.

As soon as the ram reaches the full forward extent of its stroke, it automatically reverses and returns to the fully "back" position. At the same time, the front set of skotch-blocks is replaced on the rails and the rear set is removed from the rails, allowing two more tubs to feed up ready for decking.

The banksman, having seen the two tubs correctly on to the top deck, signals for the cage to be raised so that the bottom deck is in line, and, as before, the keps fall under as soon as the cage is above them. When the cage is again at rest on the keps, the banksman unlocks the bottom deck controller and the decking operations follow as in the case of the top deck, and when they are completed he moves the handle of his air valve to its left-hand position, admitting air to the keps cylinder, and the keps are withdrawn from under the cage. Provided now that the various contact-breakers have proved the arms of the rams to be clear of the cage, the front set of skotch blocks to be on the rails, the controller to be re-locked and the keps to be withdrawn, the blinder is lifted from the signalling plunger and the banksman signals the cage away.

A similar system of pneumatic control on the switches and the three tipplers enables one boy to deal with the whole output of the pit, amounting to 350 tubs an hour.

Pit-head Baths.

The Ashington Coal Company were pioneers in the erection of pit-head baths in Northumberland, the equipment at their Ellington Colliery three years ago being the first of its kind in the country. Their introduction there proved so satisfactory that it was decided to afford similar facilities for the men at Linton Colliery, and last year a further and more extensive installation was opened for use. As a result of experience gained at Ellington, several improvements were effected in the Linton baths. Additional separate cubicles and dressing rooms, for instance, have been provided for the men and boys, thus making three self-contained bathrooms. The officials' baths, which occupy one compartment, comprise a dressing room 26 ft. 8 in. long by 13 ft. wide, off which there are eight shower cubicles and an ordinary bathroom. A similar arrangement has been adopted for boys, only in this instance there is no ordinary bath, the space being allocated to a lavatory, &c., with five wash-basins. For the men's use, the hall is 75 ft. by 32 ft., and contains 55 cubicles, clothes hooks being provided for 406 persons. The number of hooks provided for the officials and boys is 62 in each case. What may now be regarded as standard practice has been adopted for the heating arrangements and the drying of clothes, that is steam pipes are run around the sides and up the centre of the dressing rooms and the usual hooks, which are individually raised and lowered by means of a rope, are provided. Terrazzo has been used for the sides of the cubicles instead of the more usual glazed bricks, this having the advantage that there are no joints so that the surface can be more easily kept clean. The showers, of course, are under the individual control of the bather, who can alter the temperature to suit his needs.

A boot-cleaning machine, driven by a small electric motor, has been installed along one side of the entrance porch, and a separate room has been devoted to greasing.

A canteen occupies one end of the building, an innovation which proved its worth at Ellington, and which is improved upon in the present instance. It measures 32 ft. by 25 ft., is furnished to seat 100 people, and is completely equipped for electric cooking. The lay-out is shown in Fig. 27, from which the other features of the scheme can be distinguished. The heating and hot-water service is served by a Cochran boiler housed in a room adjoining the canteen.

Lynemouth Village.

Three years ago. Mr. Lloyd George issued a report, entitled "Coal and Power," which we chiefly remember for its pictures of dilapidated miners' cottages and the blame which attached to the mine owners for this sad state of affairs. At Lynemouth, the Ashington Coal Company has built a model village which could very well form the subject of a further report, entitled "The Coal Owners' Reply to Coal and Power." Moreover, the men live in these houses rent free, and, further, receive a free allowance of coal.

This new estate, about 2½ miles north-east of Ashington, is admirably situated within very easy reach of the sea, vistas of which can be seen from several fronts. When completed, it is anticipated that the scheme will include some 1,500 houses, about one-third of their number having already been built and occupied. Five types of houses are being provided, consisting of the following accommodation

(a) This is the smallest type of house and contains on the ground floor a living-room (19 ft. by 16 ft.), scullery (9 ft. by 8 ft.), bathroom (8 ft. by 5 ft. 6 in.), and larder, and on the first floor two bedrooms (11 ft. 6 in. by 9 ft. 2 in. and 16 ft. by 9 ft. 2 in.). The total floor area is 805 sq. ft. Over 200 of these houses have now been completed.

(b) The second type of house has a total floor area of 950 sq. ft., a living-room (19 ft. by 16 ft.), a scullery (10 ft. by 8 ft.), and a bathroom (8 ft. by 5 ft.), and larder on the ground floor, and, on the first floor, three bedrooms (19 ft. by 11 ft., 12 ft. by 11 ft. 2in. and 8ft. 6in. by 7 ft. 6 in.). At present, 134 houses have been finished.

(c) A still larger house has been designed with small bedrooms to enable suitable tenants — widows, for instance — to accommodate workmen as lodgers; 44 of these houses have been completed and contain a living-room (18 ft. 9 in. by 15 ft.), scullery (10 ft. 6 in. by 8 ft.), and bedroom (9 ft. 2 in. by 11 ft. 6 in.) on the ground floor, and four bedrooms (two, 9 ft. 2 in. by Il ft. 6 in., and two 8 ft. 3 in. by 6 ft. 6 in.) and a bathroom (8 ft. 6 in. by 7 ft. 6 in.) on the first floor. The total floor space is 950 sq. ft.

(d) The largest type of house built for the workmen who have families contains a parlour (13 ft. 9 in. by 12 ft. 4 in.), living room (19 ft. by 14 ft.), scullery (9 ft. 10 in. by 7 ft.), larder and bathroom (6 ft. by 5 ft. 6 in.) on the ground floor, and three bedrooms (19 ft. by 13 ft. 9 in., 14 ft. by 11 ft., and 11 ft. 8 in. by 7 ft. 6 in.) on the first floor. The total floor space is 1,246 sq. ft.; 36 of these houses have been erected.

(e) For the use of officials twelve houses have been built containing on the ground floor a dining room (14 ft. by 17 ft.), living room (20 ft. 9 in. by 15 ft.), scullery (9 ft. by 8 ft.) and larder; on the first floor are three bedrooms (14 ft. by 13 ft. 6 in., 15 ft. by 11 ft. 6 in., and 10 ft. by 7 ft.), a bathroom and w.c. The total floor space is 1,385 sq. ft.

The houses are erected in blocks of from eight to fourteen, and have a front garden 60 ft. in length by about 20 ft. (the width of the frontage) broad, and each has a self-contained yard at the back. Back service roads are provided, these being considered desirable with a view to keeping the front premises free of coal carts and other domestic traffic, and leaving the main roads clear for through traffic. A typical front roadway is 36 ft. wide, the tar macadam carriageway occupying 22 ft. and the two footpaths of concrete flags 7 ft. each. The back service roads are 21 ft. in width, the flagged footpaths on each side being 3 ft. wide, leaving 15 ft. for the macadamised vehicular way. Sewage is disposed of through an 18-in, earthenware main, which is connected to a cast-iron pipe of the same diameter to form the outfall into the sea, the iron pipe being fitted with a tidal flap which closes at low water. All the houses, of course, have the water-carriage system, and are electrically lighted.

Three reinforced concrete bridges have been constructed on the Hennebique system, in connection with the scheme. One of these is over the main road and railway leading into Lynemouth, and has an effective span of 63 ft., the thickness at the top of the arch being 15 ft. The width of 30 ft. is taken up by 20 ft. carriageway and two footpaths, 7 ft. and 3 ft. wide. The second bridge crosses the railway at the centre of the market square, and has a span of 28 ft. to clear the double line of rails underneath. It is 44 ft. wide, and consists of a 28-ft. carriageway and two 8-ft. pathways. The remaining bridge carries a single-line railway over the river Lyne, and has a length of 106 ft.

Whilst these bridges have only an indirect bearing on the housing scheme, they at least indicate the length to which an enterprising colliery company is prepared to go to secure proper accommodation for its workpeople, and that the general charge of indifference to miners' housing conditions levelled against them is both unfounded and misleading.

Other buildings include half a dozen private shops, with suitable housing accommodation, to meet the immediate needs of the inhabitants until the market centre, shown in the lay-out plan, is fully developed. This space measures 400 ft. by 300 ft., and comprises sites for business premises on three sides, the fourth remaining open. At present the only sites occupied are those taken by the Ashington Co-Operative Society, who have put up an admirable building having a frontage of 100 ft., and four other shops erected by private tradesmen.

A site occupied by the Church of England has an area of 3,500 sq. yards, a vicarage and church ball having already been erected. The church will not be erected until some future date, the hall (70 ft. by 38½ ft.) being at present utilised for church services.

An excellent hotel has been built in the centre of the estate, adjoining the market, having the usual furnishings and accommodation.

The crowning feature of the scheme, however, is the institute and hall, which has been erected by the Ashington Coal Co. for the use of the community. Views of this are reproduced in Figs. 30 and 31, and plans in Fig. 35. The hall, which is on the ground floor, will seat 500 people, and is 70 ft. long by 41 ft. in width, exclusive of the stage, which adds a further 12 ft. to the total length, and has a frontage of 25 ft. An elevated cinema box is situated at the end of the hall opposite the stage, and is equipped with two of the latest type cinema machines. On the ground floor of the institute is a billiard room containing two tables, a refreshment room or lounge, a kitchen and servery and two connecting corridors to the hall. A handsome stone staircase leads to the first floor, which contains a spacious library, games room, reading room, class room and a ladies' meeting room, together with the necessary cloakroom accommodation. Electric lighting is provided, and central beating on the low-pressure hot-water system. Every effort has been made to make tile Institute a really valuable asset to the social life of the town. To the south side of the estate the company has further provided an extensive recreation ground of 13½ acres, containing a cricket oval (150 yards by 115 yards), two football fields. a bowling green, and five lawn tennis courts. Space has been allotted for the erection of a bandstand, and for the making of shrubberies, but as yet the company has been content to erect a commodious pavilion containing a dining hall, kitchen, dressing and bathrooms, a ladies' room and a games room. Central heating and electric light are provided.

In addition to his front garden, each workman is entitled to an allotment, which can be used for keeping poultry, pigeons and other such things that a miner's heart delights in, as well as for raising garden produce. These allotments are situated some distance away from the houses in order that the residential portion of the estate may be kept tidy and free from unsightly erections. An area of 10 acres has been devoted to this purpose, each allotment comprising 484 sq. yards.

Every effort has been made to plan Lynemouth on ideal lines, and to eliminate those features which have so often caused colliery townships in the past to become synonymous with ugliness. Situated as it is in healthy surroundings near to the sea, beautified with shrubberies, and with trees flanking the roads, the town affords every opportunity for an expansive everyday life for the miner and his family. Nor have educational facilities been neglected, for the Northumberland County Council have just completed a mixed school to accommodate 400 scholars, this being the forerunner of a scheme which will ultimately provide for 800 children and 300 infants.

Erratum. — By a printer's error, we regret that the capacity of the water softener to which we referred in the first instalment of this article was wrongly given as 1,000 gallons per hour, the final "0," making the capacity 10,000 gallons per hour, having obviously been dropped.

Drawings and Photographs accompanying the article