The Comstock Lode was one of the nations richest Gold and Silver deposits from the 1870's. Its located in Virginia City but also includes Gold Hill, Silver City and the Sutro Tunnel. The Lode produced Bonanza Type Gold and Silver Deposits that were mines of or Propylite at depths reaching 3000 feet. If you have a story to tell about this place we would love to hear it and for more vids on this area watch this video ruclips.net/video/B6xfxEV5Tks/видео.html and smash that like button ..SMAS IT HARD !!!!
Working all day in a mine like that, with all that heat ,humidity, and all that soft dirt,it’s no wonder that they belly up to the Bucket of Blood Saloon. Thanks for the tour Cowboy.
Good to see you back up in the Virginia City area. Huge amounts of gold and silver came from those mines. Its funny too that "Silver City" was mostly an area of mines that produced primarily gold. They have made a lot of progress restoring the old Donovan Mill.
Hey Chris, it's real good to see that you are visiting your old buddy's RUclips page. I've been watching both of you for at least 7 years now. Much love Chris and Jeff!❤
Jeff, you're the right man to come along just in time to preserve this record of human will, innovation, and spirit. You've honored all the lives involved, and shown future generations their potential.
I spend 90% of my time working...so when i take out 45 minutes to watch something it has to be tremendous...that is what you gave with this...thank you
“So, C’mon (oh you don’t know) LET’S GOOOOOO!!!” 😂 Also, that sound at around 10:00 of an actual steam #locomotive starting up was SURREAL! That train horn too! Thanks for sharing Jeff! Yet another great #adventure! 🙌🏼
I so enjoy when Jeff knows as much or more than the person his talking to, and Jeff turns to knowledge for the other person. This is a great way for to teach and learn sumptin?
I don’t know if it’s just me, but there’s something super cool about the spirit of the olden days gone by like these surrounding the mines and the gold rush era. The myths, the legends, the stories, the memories, and all the brave people in acts of heroism, can’t really be put into words…. You just,,,,, “feel” it ! ⛏😎
Every time I see our history being preserved by people who love America and its heritage. Im grateful to be one. Keep spreading the word folks. This is how Americans handle things! Yeeee haww!!
I grew up and still live in the area. At 10:40 in the video you can see the house I lived in as a kid. These days Im down closer to the Sutro. Loved the video Jeff. As always super informative and packed full of great information and the best part is you always make it all fun. Keep it up dude!
My lady and I went on the underground tour at the Chollar Mine 3 years ago, it was really something to experience. Plus, the store, and all the old equipment at the site was really cool. Highly recommended! Another great video Jeff, and team, many thanks!
I remember the seepage trying to burst up the mine. As u said the clay expands as it grabs up the water. It imparts a hydraulic force. And then the rot 😮. "I can fix this". I love that mans attitude.
I lived in Big Bend Texas for 14 years, and the road to my place had a section about 4 inches thick of dry packed bentonite, an anionic clay. They mined bentonite for sealing earth ponds and cat litter about 20 miles away. When it rained, that four inches of dry packed clay turned into 12-18 inches of thick, slippery, mud. There was one place in the road where you had to hydroplane the mud at just the right speed in 4WD, or you could not get through until it dried, and that could be a awhile. If you sank into it, mixing it up made it expand even more and you could find yourself sitting on the bumpers. In the dry, you would never know it was a slew when wet.
Love the history Jeff, talk about knowledge, you're a walking time capsule! Thanks for sharing all this awesome stuff with the viewers... keep it happening! 🪱⛏️⚒️👷👍🤠
Great job putting this video together Jeff... Really good cinematography. Enjoyed the train, the deep dives into the mine, seeing the ore body... It was great!
This video is awesome! I had the video playing while I was visiting all these sites in Virginia City, the Yellow Jacket, Combination, Gold Hill train, Chollar Mine and its raise, and of course the Sutro Tunnel. I love the historic side-by-side photos and narrations. No one brings more excitement and history in a visit than you Jeff!
Loved the train ride. One of my most memorable experiences was taking a steam locomotive from Williams, AZ to the rim of the Grand Canyon (and back) circa 1991. Nothing else like it.
If it were me, I'd be removing all the artifacts asap, build a mock tunnel structure above in one of the old buildings replicating the main ore body you referenced. This mine is dangerous sketchy for tourism at this point. Thanks for taking us along, only way i'll be experiencing that particular mine.
Ive lived in Reno for many years. VC is always a fun ride and spend the day. The Collar mine is always on the ta do list. Riding the V & T is great and the Christmas Express is even better. Kids of all ages love it. And a cold one at the Bucket of Blood is a must.
I had family in Virginia city and spent a lot of time there when I was little. If you were there before 2000 or so, we had a store on Main Street, Grant’s General Store that had a museum in the back, and a massive gold and silver potbelly stove in the front. The Sazerac was ours too which used to be a bar, but was rented out and turned into a rock shop at some point. They recently retired too. Weird seeing all this again.
Love your educational videos. I will not live long enough in years to get to Virginia City, but I have seen it in your videos. What a treat these are. My great grandfather worked in the coal mines in England then came to America and worked in the silver mines in Park City UT. He would have loved to get into a gold mine. I hope he can watch your tour in heaven. I bet he would say "Let's Go:!!! too. !!!
Jeff, I absolutely love watching these teaching videos that you share with us! Thank you, brother. I hope that you and your gold digging wife are doing well. Much love! Peace out!
In the clay areas drill up and install drain pipe with holes. 2”-6” pipe 20-50’ into the high water pressure areas. Holes large enough to allow water and some mud to drain the water and some of the mud to release pressure. It’s what we did in the kennecott copper pit in Utah. Dug a two mile loop between the north and west walls. Spurs along the drift loop where Boart would set up and drill. Drilling the holes drains the water from that entire section of that wall. That was done and was successful in reducing pressure on the wall. That was done to prevent rock sliding off the walls Very successfully. We were going to move to the south and east walls. Kennecott decided to postpone the move because they had a huge payoff to make for another mine. They started several years later but a little late. Soon after they started the south west wall collapsed. I was an electrician working there from a commercial/industrial contractor. High voltage lines feeding into the 480 transformers which supplied power to Atkinson drilling rigs for making the loop and Boarts bore hole drills.
The Comstock has been a fascination for me since grade school social studies class, possibly from a Weekly Reader article. From the wealth generated, to the new honeycomb type timbering they had to invent, to the blue sludge they were throwing away at first and later found to be rich silver.... So many interesting things about the region. I'd never had cut it as a miner though, paranoia and claustrophobia woulda got me. I'd rather face a pissed off grizzly while only armed with a pointy stick than go 3000 feet underground! Very interesting vid, Jeff, looks like a fun trip.
What an absolutely fun video, glad you did remember to hit the record button! How flipping incredible that you can actually touch a piece of the original com stock ore body. Glad to see the progress made on Sutro, it is such an amazing place to visit. We got wet. We got to come on let’s go all 3 times, we got to smash that like button and we got to enjoy some incredible mining history can’t wait to see what you come up with next!
thanks you two ...... we really appreciate that ..... had so much fun making this video and always love the History of that area ..... we have more on the way that we know you both will love....stay safe out there and keep them vids a coming
Thank you for that beautiful tribute to the minors❤ such a tragedy❤ we must never forget❤ keep them in our hearts❤ but thank you for the video I enjoyed the video I will see you on the next one❤😂
I also remember the Ponderosa Ranch up in Tahoe..we had 4 generations visit there..gunfights, gold panning, pony rides and a real blacksmith made it a memory that lasts forever 😊
Thawing dynamite was always risky. Most accidents happened when they were in a hurry and the heating fire was too hot. This issue happened because nitroglycerin freezes at a pretty high temperature above that of water. It forms two types of crystals. One that is unstable and sensitive to sudden shock or temperatures. The other crystal was stable but required much bigger blasting caps to detonate. The stable crystal is the ultimate form when the dynamite is left undisturbed. This freezing problem was solved by adding ethylene glycol dinitrate . This the nitration product of antifreeze. It is one carbon down from nitroglycerin which is actually glycerol trinitrate. The ethylene glycol dinitrate has a much lower freezing point than nitroglycerin. This would keep the dynamite from freezing until extremely cold temperatures.
Jeff, dude, thanks for all your research and sharing this treasure with us. I am in my 50's now and have always been fascinated by hard working ways of the past. I was privileged to be able to work in logging when I was in my late teens and early 20's. Mining has also captured my interests too. Your videos have gotten me through a tough spot in my life when I lost my wife to cancer in 2019 nothing else at the time could keep my interest. Thanks Bro, I just wanted to make sure you know how much some of us appreciate your efforts man. Keep things Heavy Metal my friend!
Jeff, thank you so much for this video! I grew up exploring the comstock and miss it so much! I have been all over all of these places....when they were much better condition 40 years ago. Unfortunately, I now am in Georgia and live for your videos to see my old home. Thank you for the great detail and sharing! John
Beautiful narrated Jeff.. To get permission as you do show the respect you have with in the mining ⛏️ community and industry. Yes . Many lost their lives.. Thanks for sharing this. Say hi to Lila.. Cheers Tony Famo59 👍🍻⛏️
Hello Jeff, If someone wants to see a (smaller) Cornish pump, they can go to the Northstar Power House in Gass Valley, Ca. I believe that it is still operable. The primary timber used in the Comstock mines was pine from the east slopes of the Sierra and the Tahoe basin. Pine will stand up fairly well in dry conditions. Dry did not describe the Comstock mines. The timbers rotted rapidly in the wet conditions. This is what is happening in the Chollar. All the old timbers are now very rapidly disintegrating with the influx of water. The timbers being used to hold the workings up are Douglas-fir, a much stronger wood and somewhat more durable in wet conditions. One reason the timbers had to be so large originally is that pine wasn't as strong, but it was available. A good source of much more information is "The Big Bonanza" by Dan DeQuille (William Wright). Jeff, have you ever visited the Quincy #2 hoist and mine in Hancock, Michigan?
Hello Jeff, If you visit the Quincy Hoist, be sure to visit the A. E. Seaman Mineral Museum at Michigan Tech in Houghton. Michigan Technological University is the current name of The Michigan College of Mines founded in 1885. The #2 rockhouse is easily visible from the MTU campus. The Keweenaw Peninsula has a lot to explore and Houghton is the place to catch the NPS ferry to Isle Royale. Never got out there but it's rich in copper mining history. If my health was better, I'd join you and we'd both get into trouble.
Damn I was getting real dizzy watching this on a big screen monitor when you were dropping the camera down those shafts lol. Absolutely love the exploratory/history episodes ol'mate. Keep 'em coming, luv ya work
Grab Joanne and Tony and go explore that crumbly area of the Chollar that heads towards the shaft 😉. Great video! I learned a few new things about the Yellow Jacket mine also.
I live in reno about 40 minutes from the crown point mine, and after watching this video, ive made a couple trips out to the crown point to clean up and fix up the site a little bit here and there. Theres also a lot of hidden mine sites out in the silver city area, id love to see a video of that sometime!
Does that tunnel near the end of the video have to be that wide? Seems like it would be more economical and would use a lot less wood to make it "people-sized". Is it because the wood has to shore up the walls?
🌵🌵😂😂👍👍🌵🌵 Love these History Ride Along's Jeff !!! I've meet those Train Guys with my Dad Chuck and his buddy Don . Both have lots of history up there. Aww the good ol days...
That’s cool to see a picture with a metal frame it looks like for them to pre assemble all the wood for the sutro tunnel. Smart. My main question about the sutro tunnel is it’ll take millions. If there’s lots of water that’ll run through it won’t that damage the wood? Are they going to sink a canal or a cement ditch or something to funnel the water out? The video didn’t say if water just flowed through it or if it was channeled and controlled somehow.
Jeff, I have a general geology question for you. Why does my home state (arkansas) have a lot of the same geological markers (i.e. sandstone, silica, etc, but there is no precious opals? Virgin valley new Mexico has wood opals. I can't find the actual reason why no one has found them here. We have diamonds, gold (not much but some).. there's a bunch of premium geological processes going on here, but no opals? What gives?
I think I'd see about casting the timbers in concrete with a tensioned set of 1/4" rebar. Say a 4x4" x 1/4" steel plate with a 1" bolt in the center to tension the rebar, inside a 12' 8x8" it could possibly be cheaper and definitely last longer. Set up an assembly line. Use a 1/2" rebar frame with with a 1/4" rebar grid welded together inside a 2.5" thick panels of concrete. As the lagging. Then bolt the rebar together with bolts and steel with holes welded to the rebar. Use a micro excavator to set the the beams and panels in place, it would possibly last 100's of years! Or bolt the rebar together in place, then spray with shot crete.
Just got done sampling that red and black clay sand. Ran 2 pans down to concentrates. My first time. The most difficult material you can pan. . Now I know. I tried the prehistoric glacial river bed gravel clay sand, from my land and it's not bad. It's not aggressive panning, it's appropriate panning 🤠⛏️🦅⚡🌊 I found a gold flake in the concentrates. I'm going to run a box tomorrow. Set up a pump and coconut fiber filter. Heavy black sand and red sand don't want to move.
I'm sure it must have been mentioned already but I will ask anyway. Aside for financial reasons and soft ground, what would prevent the use of something like a drag lines that could work from the landing in front of the porthole on solid ground and micro machines for the rest of it. To remove some or all of the back to relieve the pressure and facilitate better dranage? By removing the heavily saturated clay it would easily compensate for the weight of micro dozers or excavators. The man could work much safer to reline the portal before installing drain tile and restoring the surface. Even if only done for the first 100'. For such a historic place even just cutting it back and moving in the Portale? Just some random thoughts from old welder.
Awesome job, my brother just love the history. Better then Saturday morning cartoons. Happy 4th be safe 🙏. A couple feet away you can find the mother load. They had to bring all the materials in then build it. Just crazy almost seams impossible.
I like your strong feeling of positivity and joy. You always motivated 100% and you love what you do. And be lucky to have a charmed wife by your side. 👍 One of the coolest, most interesting channels in the world wide web. 🔝
I explore the deserts of Cali and Nevada all the time but have trouble finding reliable maps of old abandoned mine shafts out in the desert. you'd be surprised how many times I've come upon a old vertical mine shaft that looks like a Sarlacc pit. One of my greatest phobias is falling in and no knows one knows I fell in it.
![Noob To Max With DRAGON REWORK In Blox Fruits [FULL MOVIE]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/LnBMOinoOvA/mqdefault.jpg)
The Comstock Lode was one of the nations richest Gold and Silver deposits from the 1870's. Its located in Virginia City but also includes Gold Hill, Silver City and the Sutro Tunnel. The Lode produced Bonanza Type Gold and Silver Deposits that were mines of or Propylite at depths reaching 3000 feet. If you have a story to tell about this place we would love to hear it and for more vids on this area watch this video ruclips.net/video/B6xfxEV5Tks/видео.html and smash that like button ..SMAS IT HARD !!!!
Smashed it hard brother!! Thanks for the share sir. You have any silver for sale 🤔
Working all day in a mine like that, with all that heat ,humidity, and all that soft dirt,it’s no wonder that they belly up to the Bucket of Blood Saloon. Thanks for the tour Cowboy.
@@EnergyTRE nope , we are collecting it
@@NorCalNeel exactly
@@Askjeffwilliams 🫡💯🇺🇸 very smart. Lmk if you do 😉
Good to see you back up in the Virginia City area. Huge amounts of gold and silver came from those mines. Its funny too that "Silver City" was mostly an area of mines that produced primarily gold. They have made a lot of progress restoring the old Donovan Mill.
Just got my book the other day... Actually it's more of a tome!
thanks my brother ..... yes they have ....glad to see them doing that
Hey Chris, it's real good to see that you are visiting your old buddy's RUclips page.
I've been watching both of you for at least 7 years now.
Much love Chris and Jeff!❤
Great video Jeff. I appreciate your willingness to share and your expertise.
You two are great!
Jeff, you're the right man to come along just in time to preserve this record of human will, innovation, and spirit. You've honored all the lives involved, and shown future generations their potential.
thanks my brother...much appreciated
I spend 90% of my time working...so when i take out 45 minutes to watch something it has to be tremendous...that is what you gave with this...thank you
you betcha
Jeff is very knowledgeable, a kick in the butt and larger than life and that's why we love him. All the best to you and yours Jeff!
thanks my brother
“So, C’mon (oh you don’t know) LET’S GOOOOOO!!!” 😂
Also, that sound at around 10:00 of an actual steam #locomotive starting up was SURREAL! That train horn too! Thanks for sharing Jeff!
Yet another great #adventure! 🙌🏼
pretty cool ....huh
I really love these videos because I know I'll never get to see these mines and Jeff does it for me.
I so enjoy when Jeff knows as much or more than the person his talking to, and Jeff turns to knowledge for the other person. This is a great way for to teach and learn sumptin?
thanks
may need to learn spell check my dude
@kalechristianson5207 I misspelled for, "Slim!"
I was in Virginia City about 25 years ago but that was before I learned so much about mining from Jeff, so all I saw was the old town.
That was amazing to see how things were done back in the day and how tuff life was
Thanks Jeff, I'll never get to visit as many beautiful places as you....I truly appreciate the scenic stories❤
I don’t know if it’s just me, but there’s something super cool about the spirit of the olden days gone by like these surrounding the mines and the gold rush era. The myths, the legends, the stories, the memories, and all the brave people in acts of heroism, can’t really be put into words…. You just,,,,, “feel” it ! ⛏😎
exactly
Jeff I found my first gold. I am proud to say I'm learning from the best. Thank you sir
Fantastic! Congrats , we love to hear that
Every time I see our history being preserved by people who love America and its heritage. Im grateful to be one. Keep spreading the word folks. This is how Americans handle things! Yeeee haww!!
exactly my brother
I grew up and still live in the area. At 10:40 in the video you can see the house I lived in as a kid. These days Im down closer to the Sutro. Loved the video Jeff. As always super informative and packed full of great information and the best part is you always make it all fun. Keep it up dude!
thanks and I bet you got stories to tell
My lady and I went on the underground tour at the Chollar Mine 3 years ago, it was really something to experience. Plus, the store, and all the old equipment at the site was really cool. Highly recommended! Another great video Jeff, and team, many thanks!
you betcha
To see a 12x12 rough cut bending and split is pretty erie.
This really is History Channel worthy 😮 on so many levels. The EVPs in the beginning were crazy 😮
thanks...much appreciated
I've stayed at that cabin by the headframe. And hiked the area and check out all the old mines, shafts , and equipment. Pretty awesome to see
I remember the seepage trying to burst up the mine. As u said the clay expands as it grabs up the water. It imparts a hydraulic force. And then the rot 😮.
"I can fix this".
I love that mans attitude.
I lived in Big Bend Texas for 14 years, and the road to my place had a section about 4 inches thick of dry packed bentonite, an anionic clay. They mined bentonite for sealing earth ponds and cat litter about 20 miles away. When it rained, that four inches of dry packed clay turned into 12-18 inches of thick, slippery, mud. There was one place in the road where you had to hydroplane the mud at just the right speed in 4WD, or you could not get through until it dried, and that could be a awhile. If you sank into it, mixing it up made it expand even more and you could find yourself sitting on the bumpers. In the dry, you would never know it was a slew when wet.
Love the history Jeff, talk about knowledge, you're a walking time capsule! Thanks for sharing all this awesome stuff with the viewers... keep it happening! 🪱⛏️⚒️👷👍🤠
you betcha
Great job putting this video together Jeff... Really good cinematography. Enjoyed the train, the deep dives into the mine, seeing the ore body... It was great!
Thank you very much!
This video is awesome! I had the video playing while I was visiting all these sites in Virginia City, the Yellow Jacket, Combination, Gold Hill train, Chollar Mine and its raise, and of course the Sutro Tunnel. I love the historic side-by-side photos and narrations. No one brings more excitement and history in a visit than you Jeff!
thanks my brother ...really appreciate that
Man I hope they complete it and restore it. It's awesome history that is a must to preserve.
Nice Vid! I really appreciate the old photos an historical story. Thanks for this...
Glad you enjoyed!
Loved the train ride. One of my most memorable experiences was taking a steam locomotive from Williams, AZ to the rim of the Grand Canyon (and back) circa 1991. Nothing else like it.
I love these videos, Jeff!!! I love the mining history that made our country great. Keep up the great work my friend and of course, Lila!!!
thanks Ed , really appreciate that
Blessing to you Jeff and your wife!❤❤
thanks Michael and you to my brother
Oh my.!! Fascinating.!! Thanks for taking me along…..
C'MON, LET'S GET SOME LESSONS OF PURE GOLD FROM JEFF!
Great video. I'm glad that I toured the Chollar mine I used to live in Reno.
THANK YOU GUYS,,WOW LOOKS LIKE YOU HAD GREAT FUN AND RIGHT IN YOUR ENVIRONMENT..STAY AWESOME..
Great history lesson and a good looking into those old mines man get some kind of excited
Great stories well delivered. Thanks Jeff Williams
Ever since reading 'Roughing It'-Mark Twain, been wanting to see the Comstock. Bucket list !
If it were me, I'd be removing all the artifacts asap, build a mock tunnel structure above in one of the old buildings replicating the main ore body you referenced. This mine is dangerous sketchy for tourism at this point. Thanks for taking us along, only way i'll be experiencing that particular mine.
I admire his work, but imo its history!😮
Ive lived in Reno for many years. VC is always a fun ride and spend the day. The Collar mine is always on the ta do list. Riding the V & T is great and the Christmas Express is even better. Kids of all ages love it. And a cold one at the Bucket of Blood is a must.
Outstanding and very educational video. Keep up the great work.
Thank you very much!
I had family in Virginia city and spent a lot of time there when I was little. If you were there before 2000 or so, we had a store on Main Street, Grant’s General Store that had a museum in the back, and a massive gold and silver potbelly stove in the front. The Sazerac was ours too which used to be a bar, but was rented out and turned into a rock shop at some point. They recently retired too. Weird seeing all this again.
Dangerous work. Thanks for sharing with us Jeff 🤠⛏️ God Bless 🙏
Love your educational videos. I will not live long enough in years to get to Virginia City, but I have seen it in your videos. What a treat these are. My great grandfather worked in the coal mines in England then came to America and worked in the silver mines in Park City UT. He would have loved to get into a gold mine. I hope he can watch your tour in heaven. I bet he would say "Let's Go:!!! too. !!!
thank you for sharing that
Jeff, I absolutely love watching these teaching videos that you share with us!
Thank you, brother.
I hope that you and your gold digging wife are doing well.
Much love! Peace out!
thanks MIchael .....
In the clay areas drill up and install drain pipe with holes.
2”-6” pipe 20-50’ into the high water pressure areas.
Holes large enough to allow water and some mud to drain the water and some of the mud to release pressure.
It’s what we did in the kennecott copper pit in Utah.
Dug a two mile loop between the north and west walls. Spurs along the drift loop where Boart would set up and drill.
Drilling the holes drains the water from that entire section of that wall. That was done and was successful in reducing pressure on the wall. That was done to prevent rock sliding off the walls
Very successfully.
We were going to move to the south and east walls.
Kennecott decided to postpone the move because they had a huge payoff to make for another mine.
They started several years later but a little late.
Soon after they started the south west wall collapsed.
I was an electrician working there from a commercial/industrial contractor.
High voltage lines feeding into the 480 transformers which supplied power to Atkinson drilling rigs for making the loop and Boarts bore hole drills.
The holes drilled were 700-1000’
Call that guy who left his phone no in the vid?!
The Comstock has been a fascination for me since grade school social studies class, possibly from a Weekly Reader article. From the wealth generated, to the new honeycomb type timbering they had to invent, to the blue sludge they were throwing away at first and later found to be rich silver.... So many interesting things about the region. I'd never had cut it as a miner though, paranoia and claustrophobia woulda got me. I'd rather face a pissed off grizzly while only armed with a pointy stick than go 3000 feet underground! Very interesting vid, Jeff, looks like a fun trip.
thanks and I have always been drawn to that town
What an absolutely fun video, glad you did remember to hit the record button! How flipping incredible that you can actually touch a piece of the original com stock ore body. Glad to see the progress made on Sutro, it is such an amazing place to visit. We got wet. We got to come on let’s go all 3 times, we got to smash that like button and we got to enjoy some incredible mining history can’t wait to see what you come up with next!
thanks you two ...... we really appreciate that ..... had so much fun making this video and always love the History of that area ..... we have more on the way that we know you both will love....stay safe out there and keep them vids a coming
Thank you for that beautiful tribute to the minors❤ such a tragedy❤ we must never forget❤ keep them in our hearts❤ but thank you for the video I enjoyed the video I will see you on the next one❤😂
always our pleasure
At 42:30 timestamp, looks like some metal something way in the corner and to the left of that. Also, the stick leaning against the side. Fascinating!
Fun to watch Jeff talk about those Bolts 🔩!!!; )
I also remember the Ponderosa Ranch up in Tahoe..we had 4 generations visit there..gunfights, gold panning, pony rides and a real blacksmith made it a memory that lasts forever 😊
Incredible to think if the old timers replanted the trees they would have some timber to offset replacing the old sets by now.
Nevada mining history and old fashioned steam trains all captured with drones... Super cool. Loved it, thanks.
Glad you enjoyed it
What a tragedy back then. So much history to explore one can’t do in their lifetime. Amazing stuff. Ty and Lila 😊
Thawing dynamite was always risky. Most accidents happened when they were in a hurry and the heating fire was too hot. This issue happened because nitroglycerin freezes at a pretty high temperature above that of water. It forms two types of crystals. One that is unstable and sensitive to sudden shock or temperatures. The other crystal was stable but required much bigger blasting caps to detonate. The stable crystal is the ultimate form when the dynamite is left undisturbed. This freezing problem was solved by adding ethylene glycol dinitrate . This the nitration product of antifreeze. It is one carbon down from nitroglycerin which is actually glycerol trinitrate. The ethylene glycol dinitrate has a much lower freezing point than nitroglycerin. This would keep the dynamite from freezing until extremely cold temperatures.
good info
Jeff, dude, thanks for all your research and sharing this treasure with us. I am in my 50's now and have always been fascinated by hard working ways of the past. I was privileged to be able to work in logging when I was in my late teens and early 20's. Mining has also captured my interests too. Your videos have gotten me through a tough spot in my life when I lost my wife to cancer in 2019 nothing else at the time could keep my interest. Thanks Bro, I just wanted to make sure you know how much some of us appreciate your efforts man. Keep things Heavy Metal my friend!
you betcha and sorry to hear that about your wife ..... thanks really glad we can help
Thank you for keeping this valuable history alive!
you betcha
Jeff, thank you so much for this video! I grew up exploring the comstock and miss it so much!
I have been all over all of these places....when they were much better condition 40 years ago.
Unfortunately, I now am in Georgia and live for your videos to see my old home. Thank you for the great detail and sharing!
John
thanks John , I bet you have a lot of stories to tell
@@Askjeffwilliams a few for sure. Are you living in Northern Nevada? Know some amazing places you should find. Reach out private if interested
Another great video Jeff! Cool to see your impact capability! Hope this helps them out!
Beautiful narrated Jeff..
To get permission as you do show the respect you have with in the mining ⛏️ community and industry.
Yes . Many lost their lives..
Thanks for sharing this.
Say hi to Lila..
Cheers Tony Famo59
👍🍻⛏️
TONY !!!!! my brother ...really glad you liked it and will do ...say hi to everyone out there for us and of course Wendy too
I have a question an it might be a dumb one , other than chasing the gold was another way of keeping there sense of direction way down under ?
the Ols Timers were very good at underground directions ....you can use a compass to help but most just knew
I still remember driving through Nevada at night 35 yrs ago..you could see lights scattered all through the hills from the many mining sites!
Hey Jeff, this is one of the best videos I've ever seen on RUclips. Keep up the good work.
Wow, thanks!
Thanks for always sharing the coolest places to visit love your channel 👍
Our pleasure!
This is very cool. Thank you for making videos about these old mines.
Glad you enjoyed it
Good morning Jeff & Lila and Slim of course!
Love the history you present.
good morning
Hello Jeff, If someone wants to see a (smaller) Cornish pump, they can go to the Northstar Power House in Gass Valley, Ca. I believe that it is still operable.
The primary timber used in the Comstock mines was pine from the east slopes of the Sierra and the Tahoe basin. Pine will stand up fairly well in dry conditions. Dry did not describe the Comstock mines. The timbers rotted rapidly in the wet conditions. This is what is happening in the Chollar. All the old timbers are now very rapidly disintegrating with the influx of water. The timbers being used to hold the workings up are Douglas-fir, a much stronger wood and somewhat more durable in wet conditions. One reason the timbers had to be so large originally is that pine wasn't as strong, but it was available. A good source of much more information is "The Big Bonanza" by Dan DeQuille (William Wright).
Jeff, have you ever visited the Quincy #2 hoist and mine in Hancock, Michigan?
thanks for the info and no we have been to the Quincy ....looks like we will have to add that to the list
Hello Jeff, If you visit the Quincy Hoist, be sure to visit the A. E. Seaman Mineral Museum at Michigan Tech in Houghton. Michigan Technological University is the current name of The Michigan College of Mines founded in 1885. The #2 rockhouse is easily visible from the MTU campus. The Keweenaw Peninsula has a lot to explore and Houghton is the place to catch the NPS ferry to Isle Royale. Never got out there but it's rich in copper mining history. If my health was better, I'd join you and we'd both get into trouble.
Hey Jeff, why don't they use rebar and gunnite to reinforce these old workings - not enough gold left to warrant the expenditure?
they figure its faster with timber
Jeff you have a unique personality and talent for putting together great video. Don't ever stop.(at least.until you don't love it.)
appreciate that
Incredible amount and sizes of lumber. Love the steam locomotive.
What a cool place, I was just there last weekend, lots of history and things to see. !
Damn I was getting real dizzy watching this on a big screen monitor when you were dropping the camera down those shafts lol. Absolutely love the exploratory/history episodes ol'mate. Keep 'em coming, luv ya work
Grab Joanne and Tony and go explore that crumbly area of the Chollar that heads towards the shaft 😉. Great video! I learned a few new things about the Yellow Jacket mine also.
Next time!
I live in reno about 40 minutes from the crown point mine, and after watching this video, ive made a couple trips out to the crown point to clean up and fix up the site a little bit here and there. Theres also a lot of hidden mine sites out in the silver city area, id love to see a video of that sometime!
thats great ....did you get the plug removed so you can get down deeper in the incline shaft?
@@Askjeffwilliams I haven't started digging it out yet but that's my plan!
Crazy! That chollar mine!
Thanks for your time and smarts 😊
Awesome video Jeff Williams! I love finding gold and I love old trains and new trains
Nice simple tour. Love the old steam train and it's whistle. That drone pilot nearly had a collision with those wires. 3 to 6 inches away.. lol..
Glad you enjoyed it
Have you ever explored the tunnels for the residence of Virginia City so during g the bad winters they could get around and avoid the snow drifts.
yes ....and they were used for other things as well
I just can’t imagine how terrifying a fire in those mines would be! I’d have to imagine a blaze could last for months with all those timbers.
Does that tunnel near the end of the video have to be that wide? Seems like it would be more economical and would use a lot less wood to make it "people-sized". Is it because the wood has to shore up the walls?
two compartment haulage drift
🌵🌵😂😂👍👍🌵🌵 Love these History Ride Along's Jeff !!! I've meet those Train Guys with my Dad Chuck and his buddy Don . Both have lots of history up there. Aww the good ol days...
good times huh
That’s cool to see a picture with a metal frame it looks like for them to pre assemble all the wood for the sutro tunnel. Smart.
My main question about the sutro tunnel is it’ll take millions. If there’s lots of water that’ll run through it won’t that damage the wood? Are they going to sink a canal or a cement ditch or something to funnel the water out? The video didn’t say if water just flowed through it or if it was channeled and controlled somehow.
they have a large pipe under the floor
Jeff, I have a general geology question for you.
Why does my home state (arkansas) have a lot of the same geological markers (i.e. sandstone, silica, etc, but there is no precious opals? Virgin valley new Mexico has wood opals. I can't find the actual reason why no one has found them here. We have diamonds, gold (not much but some).. there's a bunch of premium geological processes going on here, but no opals? What gives?
I have stayed at those haunted cabins. There were a lot of strange noises. Really cool place
I think I'd see about casting the timbers in concrete with a tensioned set of 1/4" rebar. Say a 4x4" x 1/4" steel plate with a 1" bolt in the center to tension the rebar, inside a 12' 8x8" it could possibly be cheaper and definitely last longer. Set up an assembly line. Use a 1/2" rebar frame with with a 1/4" rebar grid welded together inside a 2.5" thick panels of concrete. As the lagging. Then bolt the rebar together with bolts and steel with holes welded to the rebar. Use a micro excavator to set the the beams and panels in place, it would possibly last 100's of years! Or bolt the rebar together in place, then spray with shot crete.
I plan on going there after watching this,Thanks Jeff!
This needs to be a movie! 🎥
Just got done sampling that red and black clay sand. Ran 2 pans down to concentrates. My first time. The most difficult material you can pan. . Now I know. I tried the prehistoric glacial river bed gravel clay sand, from my land and it's not bad. It's not aggressive panning, it's appropriate panning 🤠⛏️🦅⚡🌊 I found a gold flake in the concentrates. I'm going to run a box tomorrow. Set up a pump and coconut fiber filter. Heavy black sand and red sand don't want to move.
thats great my brother ....I bet that Fever is Burning strong now huh
I'm sure it must have been mentioned already but I will ask anyway. Aside for financial reasons and soft ground, what would prevent the use of something like a drag lines that could work from the landing in front of the porthole on solid ground and micro machines for the rest of it. To remove some or all of the back to relieve the pressure and facilitate better dranage? By removing the heavily saturated clay it would easily compensate for the weight of micro dozers or excavators. The man could work much safer to reline the portal before installing drain tile and restoring the surface. Even if only done for the first 100'. For such a historic place even just cutting it back and moving in the Portale?
Just some random thoughts from old welder.
there is a Town and roadways right above it
dude just moved south Carson city !!!! so excited to find you and keep learning !!! best channel !!
thanks ...much appreciated Rebecca
Best mine tour ever.
Awesome job, my brother just love the history. Better then Saturday morning cartoons. Happy 4th be safe 🙏. A couple feet away you can find the mother load. They had to bring all the materials in then build it. Just crazy almost seams impossible.
thanks my brother ....you to .. I know...right
Great video Jeff. Your videos are the only ones I can watch for 45 mins and still have my pants on😂😂
Glad you like them!
Brilliant as always Jeff, thank you
you betcha
Awesome video as per.
I will be re-watching this later. Good work!!
Awesome! Thank you!
I like your strong feeling of positivity and joy. You always motivated 100% and you love what you do. And be lucky to have a charmed wife by your side. 👍
One of the coolest, most interesting channels in the world wide web. 🔝
Thank you so much 🤗
Very interesting Thank you for your time and effort …
There are definitely some old timers spirits still roaming around these mines, especially in the Virginia City area.
you know it
I have been to Virginia City when I was younger I got to see one of these mines close up !
have you explored any of them
I explore the deserts of Cali and Nevada all the time but have trouble finding reliable maps of old abandoned mine shafts out in the desert. you'd be surprised how many times I've come upon a old vertical mine shaft that looks like a Sarlacc pit. One of my greatest phobias is falling in and no knows one knows I fell in it.