OCR Text |
Show FRESH AIR TO WELL DIGGERS Danger of Firedamp Eliminated by Use of Collecting Sheet, as Shown in Illustration. In localities where firedamp exists, underground, it is a difficult and dangerous dan-gerous undertaking to dig a well as the digger often loses his life by entering enter-ing the deadly gas, which, being heavier heav-ier than air. Is found at the bottom of ' Fresh Air In Well. the well. If firedamp is suspected, a lighted candle may be lowered to the bottom of the well and if the gas is nriaeiant tho mnHlo will ho oYf Ino-niah- ed. A method of furnishing fresh air to the person who is working down in the well is shown in the accompanying sketch. An air collecting sheet, a piece of ordinary' sheeting about 2 yards wide and 3 yards long, is fastened fast-ened to the posts, says a writer in the Popular Mechanics. A pipe, 6 or 7 inches in diameter, is made of the same cloth with an enlarged funnel-shaped funnel-shaped end which Is sewed to the bottom bot-tom end of the air-collecting sheet. Hoops are placed in the cloth pipe at suitable distances to keep the pipe open for the free passage of air. The edges of the air sheet should be reinforced re-inforced so it will stand the pressure of the Wind. The end of the cloth pipe should hang near the digger's head. |