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Lyall Allan (1905-1994) - Mineworker, Bellbird Colliery. Recorded 18 October 1990. Part 1/3.

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SummaryLYALL ALLAN
Recorded 18 October 1990
Part 1 of 3

0:38
Job description of winding engine driver.
Worked as main engine driver, Bellbird.

0:56
Born 1905, Sawyer's Gully.
Wilson Barrett.

1:27
? Kerr (mother).
Robert Allan (father).

2:17
Recollection of Bellbird disaster.
Working times for shifts, Bellbird.

4:02
"4 West" (name of section).
Recalls smell of burning underground.

5:20
Father worked as skip repairer.
Recalls bodies of miners from pit.
Stone drive connected tunnels underground.
Recalls sealing of tunnel with bores.
Reason for starting No. 2 tunnel.

8:30
Started working at Bellbird, August 1919.
Worked as skip repairer on pit top.

8:59
Worked as pit top boss, Bellbird No. 2.
Father worked at Bellbird No. 1 tunnel.
Describes driving surface haulage.

9:50
Recalls "sidling" of coal across pit top.
Drove electric winch on pit top.
Recalls building of surface skip tracks.
Dimensions of "cut-throughs", Bellbird.
Description of pit top engine.
Recollection of engine shed.

13:00
Recalls installation of 55 hp. motor.
Recalls extent of "endless rope".
Recalls dimensions of "c-wheel".

14:25
Recollection of concrete engine shed.
Started working at age 13.
Hammond Archer.

16:44
Recalls driving 55 hp. engine.
Engine operated on double track.

17:34
Smaller engine drove "tail rope".
Larger engine drove "endless rope".

18:11
Dimensions of "endless rope".
Retired from Bellbird in 1948.

19:11
Recollection of Bellbird No. 3.
Hammond Archer.

20:55
Recalls stopping work after explosion.
Recalls how felt returning to work.

21:54
Description of coal haulage system.
Recalls installation of 600 hp. motor.
Recalls driving both engines at once.

23:49
Recalls being two different bell signals.
Recalls gauge used to monitor stopping rope.
Depth that smaller motor operated.

25:54
Recalls using wooden skips.
Recalls purchasing steel skips.

26:47
Describes "topping up" of skips.
Describes driving "dip winch".

27:08
Description of how "dip winch" operated
Distance between "dips" (headings).

28:06
Job description of "set drive".
Hauled three skips per/set.
Describes "recovery" of pillars.

29:56
(Stan) Mathieson, manager.
? Colburn, manager.

30:55
Number of motors working at tunnel
Reason for engines hauling coal.
Recalls men walking into tunnel.
Recalls boarding over of turning point.

34:29
Recalls reversing of engine.
Recollection of "salamonia bells".

35:52
LeChancy Cell.
Recalls tension ropes used at Bellbird No. 1.

36:45
Dimensions of tension weights.
Purpose of tension weights.

37:55
Tension ropes were secured to turning wheel.
Recalls electricians working at Bellbird.

38:52
Alan Bowie, George Cousins.
Used water pumps underground.

39:48
Water was pumped to pit top.
Recollection of Bellbird No. 1 dam.

40:46
Reason for regular cleaning of sump.
Joe Davidson.

42:26
Paul Cook
Recalls Bellbird generating own power.

43:48
Recollection of cleaning boilers.

44:54
End (Tape 420/Side A) Part 1 of 3
Last edited by: Dave Trimble

SubjectMinersWinding engine driversCoal mines and mining -- New South Wales -- CessnockBellbird Colliery (N.S.W.)Allan, Lyall James, 1905-1994 Last edited by: lyn.keily@newcastle.edu.au

PersonJack Delaney Last edited by: lyn.keily@newcastle.edu.au

CreatorAllan, Lyall James, 1905-1994Delaney, Jack, 1919-2010CollectionVoices of the Hunter Last edited by: lyn.keily@newcastle.edu.au

PlaceCessnock, NSW Last edited by: lyn.keily@newcastle.edu.au

Date Created18th October 1990Location^[1]Bellbird Colliery Last edited by: lyn.keily@newcastle.edu.au

Identifier420A Last edited by: lyn.keily@newcastle.edu.au

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