New Video about Ragged Chute Air Compression Plant
Today we draw your attention to a video that we recently linked to our resources page. Ragged Chute Air Plant: Now You’re Digging With Gas!
For those who may need a refresher: starting in 1910 until the plant was closed in December, 1981, compressed air from the Ragged Chute plant was delivered to the mines in Coleman and Cobalt. The air powered the drills and hoists, and was a cheap and very low-maintenance solution, especially in the early days when the price of coal was high, and in short supply.
This video, we think you’ll agree, is well-executed. It is engaging, informative, and includes a history of the technique used to compress air, as well as a description of Charles Havelock Taylor, the engineer who designed the installation on the Montreal River.
Credit to original sources
As far as we can tell, the video is accurate in terms of the technical details. But we wanted to make sure that the producers got the story straight. Not only technically, but in terms of who, what, when and where. So we approached Bob Hawkins, the owner of a webpage devoted to the life and work of C. H. Taylor.
Bob agreed that overall, the video “really is well done.” But he noted that many of the photos appear to be from his blog. For instance, the image of young Charles Taylor, below.
Which brings us to our one and only complaint about the video. The authors did not include credits or cite their sources. Bob Hawkins is one.
Fact checking
Therefore, here are two points that need correcting, regarding Taylor’s installation in British Columbia.
Bob writes:
1) The picture of the wood pipe [see below] is not from Cobalt but rather it is Coffee Creek BC.
2) The history of Coffee Creek as mentioned in the video follows what Taylor told both the first and second family. However, that story is debunked by the letter I received from Kootenay Lake Archives. (see below) It tells us the air plant there did operate until 1910. This is contrary to Taylor’s story that the railway didn’t build a spur line and the plant never operated.
Here is the information that I have found on the Coffee Creek compressor (as we call it) found in “High Grade and Hot Springs – A History of the Ainsworth Camp” by E.L. Affleck 2001.
Picky, picky
We’ll admit it – the factual errors are minor, especially in terms of Cobalt and Coleman’s history. But still. It’s important to give credit where it is due (thanks, Bob!) and set the record straight.
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