Series 4 > Scottish industrial history

i86
SCOTTISH INDUSTRIAL HISTORY
the Irish Peat Co’s Works, but not placed so convenient, Neither
with safety Valves provided against explosions.]
A Tramway laid in between the double row of Condencers to
admit the Trucks with Peat being brought over the Kiln Mouths,
which was closed by Metal Cones hung inside the Kilns, held in
position by chains and back weights over a Pulley fixed to the roof
above.
The absence of a Definite Plan for the Work from first caused
delays and expencive alterations while the Work was being fitted
up for first trial. [It was quite evident during the erection of the
Works, That the eminant Analyst and Chemist would be more at
Home among his Books and in his Laboratory than superintending
the erection of the Works.]
In September i860 All being ready the Kiln Fumeces was Kindled
for first trial, When soon the unsutableness of the arrangement
began to advertize itself in many ways.
First, The Windward side burnt so fierce that the Furnece bars
bent down to the Ashpits while the Lee side spewed out Volumes of
smoke.
Second, When the Kilns required to be recharged with Peat
(every 6 hours) the Gases escaping from the Mouth of the Kilns
sickned the Men, the Poisones Gases (Carbonic Oxyde) giving off
a disagreeable smell, Felt for miles to the Lee of the Works.
Thirdly, The Condencers Cast Metal Tanks 3' o" x 3' o" x 3' o"
Conected by Four rows of Galvenized Pipes 12 Inch Diamr.
Would if stritched Horizontal extend 240 Feet each row. Still it
was found that the Brick Flew Conecting the Funnel with the
Condencers produced More Peat Tar then the whole range of
Condencers which produced little more then Brown Water, and
during Snow a Brown track of Tar could be seen fully J mile to
the Lee of the Funnel. [The most of the Water seperated in the
Condencers, the Tar held in suspension till after escaping through
the Funnel was cooled by the Air then droped on the ground to the
lee of the Funnel.]
The result was very disapointing to Dr Paul who at Sir James’s
expence Planed and superintended the erection of the Work (Mr
Gaunter only acting as Paymaster).
A Week off and on altering and realtering, but with little im-