GOLD DREDGING IN THE UNITED STATES.

Greymouth Evening Star, Volume XXXI, 11 April 1901, Page 4

GOLD DREDGING IN THE UNITED STATES.

The chief engineer of the Yulcan Ironworks Company, Toledo, Ohio (U.S.A.), contributes a paper to the December issue of “Mines and Minerals,” to which the most salient facts in regard to the operation of dredges in various places in the Western States are concisely set forth. The following extracts are taken from Mr W. S. Russel’s interesting paper:—“lt has become evident to all the dredge companies that their machinery is too light and improperly proportioned, and that there is a great expense in making repairs, as the dredges in most cases arc in remote places, a long distance from any railroad. In view of this and many other facts, it is evident that there is a necessity for improvements in elevator bucket dredge machinery. The Vuican Ironworks Company of Tolrda, Ohio, has had a large experience in this line, dating over several years of very close study of the different requirements in different parts of the West. jS'ot only that, but this company has had an experience of something like thirty years building dipper dredges and steam shovels, and has a wide reputation, and has the credit of having designed and built the monster 95-ton steam shovel for digging iron ore in the Minnesota mines, and others for stripping phrospatc grounds in South Carolina and other States. After a clo.-e and practical study of the elevator bucket dredge and the subject of placer-mining for several years, and after building and operating dredges of both the singfiT and double-lift type in Montana, Idaha, and other parts of the West, the Vulcan Company has now designed several styles of elevator bucket dredges on new lines, with new ideas and improvements, and which, though being original and simple, embody great strength, as well as ease and economy in operation. The dredges heretofore built have been fitted with cither 3 cubic foot buckets, having a capacity, to dig 000 cubic yards per day, or 5 cubic feet buckets, having a capacity to dig 2,000 cubic yards per day of twentytwo hours. The new Vulcan elevator bucket dredge will he fitted with buckets holding 10 cubic feet each, and have a capacity to dig 5,000 cubic yards of material every twenty-two hours. The expense of operation will bo but very little more than the old-style dredge of less than half the capacity. This dredge will have about 300 horse-power, will be equipped with the most modern engine-power, surface condenser, steel gearing, and spocket wheels, improved steel tumblers and bucket chains, ball-bearing grizzly, steel sluiae-boxes, electric light plant etc. The hull will bo extra strong, with watertight compartments ; length about 120 ft, beam 54ft, draught 4ft. This dredge will have the power to handle very hard material and boulders, and will dig the ordinary placed gravel at a cost of 21c per cubic yard. Tiro great aim of the concern mentioned is to obtain a careful survey of the ground to bo worked, and then build a dredge suitable for the ground, in order to avoid the expense of changing and reconstructing the dredge after u has started to work—which, by the way, is very painful and discouraging to the stockholders. A dredge that will work successfully from the start, and produce a daily winning of the golden dust, is the one to be greatly prized by those who invest in such ventures.