Please contactSpecial Collections if you are a subject of the interview, or know a subject of the interview, and have cultural or other reservations about the interview and summary being made available on this website and would like to discuss this with us.
This recording can be used for study and personal research purposes. If you wish to reproduce this recording for any other purpose please obtain permission by contacting the University of Newcastle's Special Collections. If you have any further information about the image, please contact us or leave a comment.
Des Hurn - Fitter, Ellalong Colliery. Recorded 20 February 1991.
The interview, which includes both sides A and B of Jack Delaney’s 476th tape takes place at Ellalong Colliery. The noise of the workshop/colliery is loud and the interview is difficult to ascertain sometimes.
The interview is based on the machinery and the surroundings of the colliery. Des Hurn explains to Jack Delaney in some detail the equipment used at the colliery.
Des Hurn is a fitter at Ellalong Colliery and is originally from the Congewai area.
SummaryTape 476A/B Des Hurn. Recorded 20 February 1991.
Part 1 of 2.
0.06
Pumping station. Chocks. Shearer. Description of the face conveyor. Dimensions of twin inboard chain. Flight bars.
5.16
Anderson-Strathclyde, manufacturers. In-seam miner. "Joy" 12CM Continuous Miner. Conveyor belt. Maingate and tailgate. Mike. Worthing pump (centrifugal). Acid water in dams. "Joy" 22SCG were cable driven. Cage in shaft made by GEC. Drift and belts. Compressors, uses of. Overland conveyor.
15.40
Des Hurn is from Congewai. Dexter (uncle).
16.00
Pans and chains replaced. Weight of "chocks", 800 tonne. Weigh bridge. Electronic winch, tandem drive. Ronnie Higgens. Dolly car. Steel cord belt supplied by Yokohama.
22.38
Des Hurn is a fitter. "Higgs" [Ronnie Higgens]. Goninan’s, haulage. Dolly car (radio control). Call station. DC motor (Toshiba, 1978 model).
31.35
(Beginning Tape 476B) PVA man cruisers, capacity of 14-16 men. Diesel caterpillar motor. MPV, supply carrier. Hannaford, manufacturer. Vent tubes for auxiliary pans. Limited use of timber. Roof bolting (flat roofing). Supply pod.
End (Tape 476)
SubjectHurn, Desmond LewisEllalong Colliery (N.S.W.)Coal mines and miningPersonJack DelaneyCreatorHurn, Desmond LewisDelaney, Jack, 1919-2010Date Created20th February 1991Location[1] Ellalong, NSW[2] Congewai, NSWIdentifier476A-B