Cobalt in Timiskaming District, Ontario — Central Canada (North America)

Bar and Arm Drill

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, June 1, 2022

1. Bar and Arm Drill Marker

Inscription.
These drills were used in the drilling of the blast holes in tunnel faces. The machine was set up on the vertical bar that was braced between the roof and the floor. The drill was attached to a swivel connection and tightened into place. This set up allowed the individual holes to be drilled at different angles and thus advance the tunnel by blasting. The drills were extremely heavy and required two men to set up and operate. When they were first used there was no water for dust suppression and the drillers worked in clouds of dust as well as the poor light conditions.

Once the holes were drilled they were loaded with dynamite and blasted. The average advance per round of 16 to 20 holes was about 4 feet.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Industry & Commerce.

Location. 47° 23.732′ N, 79° 41.13′ W. Marker is in Cobalt, Ontario, in Timiskaming District. Marker is on Silver Street just north of Bunker Lane, on the right when traveling north. The marker is located in the small interpretive park on the north side of the Pan Silver Headframe. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 21 Silver Street, Cobalt ON P0J 1C0, Canada. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Mucking Machine or Overshot Loader (here, next to this marker); Tripod Drill (here, next

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to this marker); Cobalt Mining / L’exploitation Minière de Cobalt (a few steps from this marker); Side Dump Cars (a few steps from this marker); City of Cobalt Shaft / Le puits de mine de la Ville de Cobalt (a few steps from this marker); Battery Tramming Motor (a few steps from this marker); Silver Mining in Canada / Production de L'argent au Canada (a few steps from this marker); Willet Green Miller (a few steps from this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Cobalt.

Also see . . . Rock Drill (Wikipedia). Excerpt:

A tool used in mining and civil engineering to drill into rock. Rock drills are used for making holes for placing dynamite or other explosives in rock blasting. All rock drills produce dust which is hazardous to inhale, causing widespread silicosis among early miners. For horizontal drilling, jack mounts or columns may be used, which lock into the ceiling and floor for the drill to push against. Modern rock drills flood the borehole with water to capture the dust and improve the air quality in the mine.

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, June 1, 2022

2. Bar and Arm Drill & Marker

(Submitted on April 25, 2024, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)

Credits. This page was last revised on April 25, 2024. It was originally submitted on April 24, 2024, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 43 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on April 25, 2024, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.