Quantcast
  We apologize for any slow response. This will be fixed before October 31st Portal logo
Login/Register
Bactrian Gold Treasure from Afghanistan, coming soon....
/diamonds/williams_history_diamond_mines/page_382 - 4
 

Ch. 10: The Essential Combination

Ch. 10: The Essential Combination Page of 449 Ch. 10: The Essential Combination Text size:minus plus Restore normal size   Mail page  Print this page
308 THE DIAMOND MINES OF SOUTH AFRICA
of a section of a gigantic honeycomb cut in two longitudinally, the spaces for the honey representing the worked-out part of the mine, and the comb, the support for the superincumbent mass of debris. After a short period of working, the pillars began to show signs of crushing, and the mine was considered too danger­ous to allow the men to remain in it. They were withdrawn just in time to prevent a disaster, for the whole underground
works collapsed shortly after the last man had left the mine. Fortunately no one was killed. The mine had to be reopened from top to bottom, for every underground excavation was filled up at the close of the year 1888.
The errors in engineering were further accentuated, during the early stages of underground mining, by the jealous bickering of rival owners, which was constantly impeding the progress of the workings, and it was seemingly impracticable to agree upon any plan securing concert of operation and expert opening of the
Ch. 10: The Essential Combination Page of 449 Ch. 10: The Essential Combination
Suggested Illustrations
Other Chapters you may find useful
bullet Tag
This Page