THE CLUTHA COAL.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 149, 8 May 1862, Page 5

THE CLUTHA COAL.

The following has been handed to us for publication :—

(COI'Y.) Samson Stenmer, Port Chalmers, (3th May, 1862, To His Hojtor the Superintendent, Sir, —At the request of Mr. Lewis, Molyncux, I be£ to forward to your Honor a statement of the result of my experiment with the Molyneux coals, as a fuel for steam purposes. The 'Samson is employed as a tug steamer, and on the Bth ultimo made two trips to and from the Heads for the purpose of towing vessels therefrom. On that occasion I used Molyneux coals, and had the flues of the boiler thoroughly cleaned, so that a fair trial of their qualities might be obtained. Fires were lighted at 9.30 a.m, _ and were kej)t up until 6 p.m.; and, during that time (eight hours and a half), there were 51cwt. of coal consumed, or at the average rate of Ocwt. per hour. The usual quantity of Newcastle or British coals consumed by the Samson under similar circumstances is, I may state, from four to five cwt. per hour. The average pressure obtained from this quantity of coals during the clay, was from 7 to 8 lbs., which is about the usual pressure of the Samson's boilers when similarly employed, the full pressure being 8J lbs. The Samson, I should mention, is furnished with a common flue boiler, and a singleacting condensing side-lever engine of sixty horsepower. .

In feeding the fires, attention was principally needed to the preservation of a proper quantity in the furnaces. Little or no work is required in disturbing the coals, so as to make them burn the more .freely. On the other hand, it is preferable that they should not be at all disturbed, as they are of a light description, burning freely aud brightly, and becoming easily reduced in the furnaces, without'interference. The residue consists of a white and highly pulverised ash, similarly to the ash. of ordinary firewoods, and contains 110 •? clinkers :" or the deposit which, in the case of other coals, usually attaches to the furnace bars. "

As stated, the coals used on the occasion I refer to, were exclusively tue produce of the. Molyneux Coal Field, without intermixture with airy other coals; but, on subsequent occasions, I made use of them along' with Newcastle coals, and in -that way ..they gave equal satisfaction. A small quantity of the same coals was also used in. the galley, ami, r.s a fuel for domestic purposes. They seemed to be very suitable. I mad add, that the trial of their qualities was fairly and impartially made ; and that, as a fuel for steam-vessels employed in siiuilSr services as the Samson, they seem to be exceedingly well adapted. . As a fresh importatiou of the same coals is daily expected, and it is my intention to continue to use them, should your Honor desire, either personally or by deputy, to satisfy yourself further as to.the quality of the coals, I shall be glad to advise your Honor of the first opportunity of doing so. I have, &c, (Signed) Arohhjald Keitii. ......... Engineer of Samson, steamer.