Mobilizing All the Repairers in the Pit
May 1965

Yama no Shuzenkata Sodoin
[Mobilizing All the Repairers in the Pit]
38.0 x 53.9 cm Painting in Watercolors and Ink

Text on the Right Side
This painting shows repairers in the end of the Meiji (1868-1912) and the beginning of the Taisho (1912-1926) eras.
When packing between forcing pipes blew out in a slope with iron pipes, lots of water gushed out if no immediate measures were taken. Pumps in the slope were immediately stopped and all repairers in the pit were mobilized to change the packing. Compared to steam pipes, the flange bolts on forcing pipes were thicker (3/4") and more numerous. Additionally, repairers could not remove them with spanners because the bolts and nuts corroded and rusted away. There was no other way than to cut these nuts or bolts in half. Pipes with an internal diameter of more than 8 inches were molded and fragile. This work had to be done hastily. However, because the flow of steam was not stopped, it was very hot in the slope. Several pairs of repairers took turns changing the packing every twenty minutes.
A medium-sized hammer called a bonkoshi was used to hit another smaller one on the nut. A large-sized hammer was difficult to swing and it might cause a collapse if it hit the roof of the slope. It became hotter as miners ascended the slope with iron pipes in K Coal Pit and the temperature reached 120 degrees Fahrenheit (50 degrees Celsius). It was as hot as if they were in a fire.

Text at the Top
One or two washers were necessary to tightly fasten flange bolts. The washer was also called a rinfu (facing ring). It was made of a 3/8"-thick piece of square iron cut into a ring shape.


Translation Assisted by Mr. Nathan Johndro

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