Pit Workers in the Old Days #8 (3) (Pipeline Slope: Steam Slope)
1958 - 1963

Mukashi no Yamabito #8 (3) (Paipu Oroshi: Joki Oroshi)
[Pit Workers in the Old Days #8 (3) (Pipeline Slope: Steam Slope)]
20.1 x 30.2 cm Ink Painting

This slope was also called a haiki oroshi (return air way). The pipeline from force pump was laid on the bottom of the slope, while the pipeline for sending steam was elevated near the roof of the wall on the same side of the slope. Such a slope would sag naturally as time passed because of rock pressure. As a result, the amount of leaking steam from between washers and flange joints of the pipeline would grow greater. Therefore, repairers sometimes had to replace defective washers in order to prevent the pumps used at lower places in the slope from ceasing to function. Kamimio Coal Pit had outstandingly hot slopes among pits in the Chikuho region and the upper parts of their slopes were as hot as 50 degrees Celsius. It was said that they were as hot as 120 degrees Fahrenheit (This scale was also used in Japan at that time).
On one of the occasional pit holidays, all repairers and some assistant mechanics replaced old washers after shutting off the main stop valve. Their spanners and other tools became so hot that their hands were almost scalded. They worked up a sweat and many of them took off even their loincloths. Of course, their face towels were also obstacles to the work. No strong man could continue working in the slope for more than 20 minutes. A few workers waited for their turns by a small door below, from which the cool wind blew in. Every one of them sprawled naked on the floor without saying a word. More than one person could not work at a point because the slope was low in height and narrow in width. If it took too long to replace defective washers, the pipeline cooled down and other washers began to blow out at many points when the stop valve was opened. Therefore, it was necessary to complete the replacement work in a very short time frame.
If the steam leaked not from between washers and flange joints but instead from the roots of flanges, the defective pipes had to be replaced, and the work to replace the pipes was very difficult though repairers had everything held in readiness for such leaks.
The above slope had also been used as a return air way from the past, because the hot air diffused by this slope guided the return air.

Tattoo on the Repairer's Right Arm
dairiki: great power


Translation Assisted by Mr. Nathan Johndro

<<Last pictorial record    Next pictorial record>>

<<Last 10 items  51 | 52｜53 | 54 | 55 | 56 | 57 | 58 | 59 | 60 |   Next 10 Items>>

52／585