{"id":4891,"date":"2020-06-12T11:39:27","date_gmt":"2020-06-12T15:39:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/alanskeoch.ca\/?p=4891"},"modified":"2020-06-12T11:40:05","modified_gmt":"2020-06-12T15:40:05","slug":"episode-63-bunmahon-june18-1960-to-june-23-1960","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/alanskeoch.ca\/?p=4891","title":{"rendered":"EPISODE 63: BUNMAHON JUNE18, 1960 to June 23, 1960"},"content":{"rendered":"
EPISODE 63    BUNMAHON, IRELAND,  JUNE 18 TO JUNE      1960<\/p>\n

<\/div>\n
alan skeoch<\/div>\n
June 2020<\/div>\n

<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
Dunhill Castle\u2026I think this is the castle attacked by Oliver Cromwell in 17th century.  Ruins on way to Tramore from Bunmahon.<\/div>\n
(as told to me by Mrs. Kennedy)<\/div>\n

<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
The Kennedy family who hosted us while we did the Turam survey in Bunmahon, Ireland.   Gerald in the foreground<\/div>\n
was a constant companion.  Mrs  Kennedy was  the town leader.<\/div>\n

<\/div>\n

<\/div>\n
Saturday June 18, 1960<\/div>\n

<\/div>\n
\u201cGot up at 8.00 a.m. Late.  Out on job by 9, worked until 3 pm.  extending base line<\/div>\n
from 2400 to 7600 feet over and  through some very rough patches of Gorse  (Briar)<\/div>\n
and  Nettles.   Herds of cattle at various places in he open gulches.  Will cattle be<\/div>\n
a problem?  Unsure. John Stam and I had a discussion about the project.  We returned<\/div>\n
to the pub for lunch which  included  a 2 shilling bottle of Cidona (sparkling cider).<\/div>\n
Returned to our rooms for a bath and  also washed  some clothes.  Then changed<\/div>\n
quickly for a drive to Tramore for games  of miniature golf and an elaborate 5  course<\/div>\n
dinner not including our beer.  Cost 12 shillings, sixpence. Then carried on to<\/div>\n
Waterford for Creme de Menthe and  a movie (Carry on Nurse).  Big time Saturday<\/div>\n
night.  Quite a  contrast to my evenings  in Dublin.\u201d<\/div>\n

<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
One  of the men we hired.  Named John.    Look at the greenery.  Imagine trying to get through this with the Turam console.  Often<\/div>\n
these walls of green were made of Gorse  (Brier)\u2026thousands  of needles.<\/div>\n

<\/div>\n
Sunday, June  19, 1960<\/div>\n

<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n

<\/div>\n
That is St. Mary\u2019s Roman Catholic Church in distance\u2026.and ing line of row housing on the left.  Housing may  die back<\/div>\n
to time when Bunmahon was thriving mining community of 2,000 people.  Picture taken from ruin at back of Kennedy  home where<\/div>\n
we lived.<\/div>\n

<\/div>\n

<\/div>\n
\u201cToday i  attended Mass for the first time in my life.  St. Mary\u2019s Catholic Church in<\/div>\n
Bunmahon is a very simple kind of building that was once the Temperance Hall<\/div>\n
back in 19th century when a spirited reformer persuaded the poor paid miners<\/div>\n
to stop wasting their money on beer and whisky.  Stam and  Hogan are both<\/div>\n
practising Catholics.  We exchange points of view often in a friendly way.<\/div>\n
Going to Mass was not exactly my idea.  Bridey, our maid, arrived in my bedroom<\/div>\n
this morning\u2026ripped off the quilt\u2026and firmly said \u201cTime for Mass!\u201d  She would<\/div>\n
not take no for an answer.  The more I thought about the more I realized she<\/div>\n
was correct.  If we are going to work together in Bunmahon then Mass  on <\/div>\n
Sundays would help a lot.  Not a very religious point of view I know that.<\/div>\n
Played cards all afternoon then went to Kirwin\u2019s pub for a pint.  Stayed there<\/div>\n
for some time then went for a walk along the sea shore which<\/div>\n
comes right up to the back of the pub.  Startled to find a huge cast iron<\/div>\n
explosive mine that must have floated to the beach in World War I or World<\/div>\n
War II.  Empty of  course. But huge. <\/div>\n

<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
World War II floating mine \u2026 empty.   Sits on Bunmahon beach.<\/div>\n

<\/div>\n

<\/div>\n

<\/div>\n
Talled tp Mrs\/ Kemnedy  about Dunhill castle which was stormed by<\/div>\n
Oliver Cromwell way  back in the 1660\u2019s.  She  also got around to mentioning<\/div>\n
the MacPhare group, a Canadian mining company that she said set<\/div>\n
a bad example for Canadians.  I think she liked  us  better\u2026not carousing<\/div>\n
around but spending spare time playing pinochle and miniature golf.<\/div>\n
When she discovered I was a Presbyterian she said \u201ca Presbyterian built<\/div>\n
the new bridge across the Mohan river\u2019  to which  John Hogan responded<\/div>\n
with \u201cChrist that bridge will never last long.\u201d<\/div>\n

<\/div>\n
I am getting damn tired  of  playing pinochle every free moment.<\/div>\n
But i guess that is better than spending time an money in Kirwin\u2019s<\/div>\n
like most of the local drinkers do.  They really cannot afford it.<\/div>\n
Joke I was told tonight: \u201cA visitor asked When do pubs close?\u201d<\/div>\n
Irish response, \u201cI don\u2019t rightly know\u2026think September\u201d<\/div>\n
Not so funny.  The Irish do  like telling stories and jokes. I  rather<\/div>\n
enjoy that although the dialect is sometimes hard to understand.<\/div>\n

<\/div>\n
MONDAY JUNE 20, 1960<\/div>\n

<\/div>\n
\u201cArose early and wrote Marjorie.  Another Beautiful sunny day. We managed<\/div>\n
to cover 12,000 feet of line.  John Stam came with me.  We now have<\/div>\n
three local employees\u2026Andy, John and Larry.  Tough land today so<\/div>\n
did not get as much done as we had hoped.  Took over with Brunton<\/div>\n
compass for first time.  Worked right through lunch for first time\u2026stopped<\/div>\n
at 6 p.m.  Returned  to Bunmahon to get official notice from Arbuckle and<\/div>\n
company to say Turam would arrive tomorrow. Stopped at pub for a beer<\/div>\n
then home for a grand supper made by Mrs.  Kennedy. I think she likes<\/div>\n
having us in her house because we do  not carouse around although <\/div>\n
we do visit the pub of which  I am sure she disapproves.  Back to Kirwin\u2019s<\/div>\n
pub after supper and Mr. Kirwin  showed  me his collection of old<\/div>\n
weapons.<\/div>\n

<\/div>\n
A rather well off man arrived  with his dog and a  shotgun. Dog<\/div>\n
took a fancy to me.  Better the dog than the shotgun.<\/div>\n
Four girls sit on the bench  outside Kirwin\u2019s each  night.<\/div>\n
They seem very interested..   We had another round  of pinochle.<\/div>\n
The village is  coming  alive as we are providing work for more<\/div>\n
and more men.  Terribly low wages.  Embarrassingly so.  How can<\/div>\n
a  man  earning only a pound (about $2.50 to $3) a day afford to<\/div>\n
drink a pint of  Guinness regularly at the pub?<\/div>\n

<\/div>\n
TUESDAY JUNE 21, 1960<\/div>\n

<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
THE TURAM FINALLY ARRIVED\u2026LOTS OF CRATES.<\/div>\n

<\/div>\n
Today I went to Waterford to get the crates of Turam equipment.<\/div>\n
Hired the local publicans, Frank  and Kevin, along with their<\/div>\n
ancient Ford panel van.  Picked  up everything including  gas and oil<\/div>\n
then  took the boys to a local pub for a drink.  Bad decision because<\/div>\n
the pub chosen  was a political  hangout.  Did not feel welcome.<\/div>\n
Strange  to call Frank and Kevin \u2018boys\u2019 since they are twice my<\/div>\n
age or more.  Of course the  word \u2018boys\u2019  here  in Ireland is not<\/div>\n
an age  term.  Unpacked the crates  in the back shed<\/div>\n
of the Kennedy store\/farm (it is both).  Shed has become my<\/div>\n
office where the men meet every day before work.  Hired two<\/div>\n
men to help me clean  out the shed and set up a kind  of<\/div>\n
shipping clerks desk.  Andy Kirwin is so shy that he cannot<\/div>\n
even speak to me.  Tom Powell is the  reverse. Not sure<\/div>\n
which I prefer.   John (Irish employee) returned after coiling<\/div>\n
15,000 feet of  insulared wire we had just laid down. Tangled<\/div>\n
as  a result. <\/div>\n

<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
Big rolls of single line insulated cable became our base line.  This  roll is mounted on a back pack.  Some 15, 000 feet needed. Unfortunately<\/div>\n
herds of cattle loved eating the cable.  When generator was working and a cow or steer bit into the cable there was enough shock to knock<\/div>\n
the animal down\u2026or so I was told by local  farmers irate at what was  happening.<\/div>\n

<\/div>\n

<\/div>\n

<\/div>\n
Wrote letter home after trying a new drink called a shandy\u2026lemonade<\/div>\n
and ale.  Nice to have clean clothes to wear thanks to Bridey  and <\/div>\n
Mrs.  Kennedy.   Examined  that big explosive mine on the Bunmahon <\/div>\n
beach.  Locals said it was from World War II<\/div>\n

<\/div>\n
THE TURAM  EXPLAINED<\/div>\n
(Some readers may want an  explanation)<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
Bill Morrison  taught me how to set up and  operate the Turam when we worked together <\/div>\n
in Alaska\u2026summer 1959.   Once strapped into the Turam mobility was very limited.  The<\/div>\n
long white tube is  filled  with coiled copper wire\u2026very heavy.  Note the cable.   My partner<\/div>\n
keeps a100 foot separation .  He also  has a tube like mine.  A heavy battery pack is attached<\/div>\n
to my belt at the back.  See if you can find my field note book.<\/div>\n
 In Alaska it was hopeless to run from a bear.   In Ireland it was<\/div>\n
super difficult to climb the stone fences  covered with Gorse.  Neeldes by the thousands.<\/div>\n

<\/div>\n

<\/div>\n
Some readers may wonder \u201cWhat on earth is a  Turam?\u201d   I wondered the same thing when<\/div>\n
sent to Alaska in the summer of  1959 with a 5 man \u201cTuram\u201d crew.  That summer I learned<\/div>\n
how to conduct a  Turam survey which sounded very complicated.  The practical side of<\/div>\n
doing difficult tasks was easy.  I did  not have to know  everything about the physics of the<\/div>\n
Turam.   All I had  to do  was copy down the correct readings at hundred feet stations<\/div>\n
and then turn the numbers over to expert geophysicists who did the interpretation.  Even<\/div>\n
the interpretation was rather simple.  We were looking for anomalies.   High readings<\/div>\n
that were unusual when compared to the background readings.  In this way it was possible<\/div>\n
to find  areas of high conductivity as would happen if there was a big lump of chalcopyrite <\/div>\n
beneath my feet.  The Turam could detect such at depths as much as  400 feet<\/div>\n
according to the manual.  <\/div>\n

<\/div>\n
There you have it.  You are now an \u2018instrument\u2019 man or woman.  (Not that simple\u2026there<\/div>\n
were lots  of problems as you will see if you continue to read  my Irish journal).  Below<\/div>\n
is the Wikipedia explanation of the Turam.  It is a bit more complicated than  my explanation.<\/div>\n

<\/div>\n
No  doubt my former boss, Dr. Norman Paterson, will be sending me corrections.  He is<\/div>\n
thriving and  has recently written a fascinating book on our years of mining exploration<\/div>\n
in which I had a very tiny part. <\/div>\n

<\/div>\n
 Book:  MINING GEOPHYSICS: A  CANADIAN STORY,<\/div>\n
by Norman Reed Paterson, published by Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy and Petroleum, 2019.<\/div>\n

<\/div>\n
alan<\/div>\n

<\/div>\n
\n
<\/div>\n
Turam operating in an Irish grain field.  I do not know if we paid for damages.<\/font><\/div>\n

<\/font><\/div>\n

<\/font><\/div>\n
The Turam method<\/b> is one of the oldest geophysical<\/a> electro-magnetic<\/a> methods used for mineral exploration<\/a>, devised by Erik Helmer Lars Hedstrom in 1937.[1]<\/a><\/sup> Its name is derived from Swedish “TU” (two) and “RAM” (frame), referring to the two receiving coils.<\/font><\/div>\n

Method<\/span>[<\/span>edit<\/a>]<\/span><\/span><\/font><\/h2>\n
An insulated cable<\/a> a few hundred meters to several kilometers long is laid parallel to the geological strike direction<\/a>. The cable is either grounded at both ends or laid out in a large loop, and energized at low frequencies<\/a> (less than 1 kHz<\/a>). Two receiving coils are moved on lines outside of and perpendicular to the long side of the loop or grounded cable<\/a> and two components of the resultant field are measured. The primary field generated by the large loop or cable interacts with the soil and subsoil<\/a> and with a conductive body if present which could be a mineral and creates a resultant electromagnetic field<\/a>. The electromagnetic field is measured according to two values: the Field Strength Ratio and the Phase Difference<\/a> occurring between the two receiving coils . It is a fixed source horizontal loop method. Separation of the two moving coils is usually from 10 to 30 metres. Using an AC bridge (also called compensator bridge), Field Strength Ratio is measured in percent and Phase Difference in degrees. In-phase (Real) and quadrature (Imaginary) values can be calculated from these data. Observed field strength ratio readings are used to calculate reduced ratios using a formula determined by the loop size and shape or the grounded wire length and the position of the receiving coils relative to the loop or grounded wire. The Turam method is a frequency domain method and in a way is the precursor of the time domain fixed loop methods. It is claimed to have detected large flat lying conductors to a depth of 400 metres.<\/font><\/div>\n<\/div>\n

<\/div>\n
Aside:  I can drive a car even though I do not know the ins and outs of the internal combustion engine.  Same as you.  I also  got to know that there was a master cylinder in our<\/div>\n
old 1953 Meteor.  This cylinder controlled the brakes.  It was  leaking so I had to pump the brake pedal a few times to get the car to slow down or stop.  One day  Marjorie was <\/div>\n
driving the car as we headed for North Bay.  We were getting very close to the car in front of us.  \u201cBetter slow down now.\u201d  Marjorie did not know about the leaking master cylinder so kept<\/div>\n
going.  When really close she softly touched the brake.  Nothing happened.  \u201cForgot to tell you \u2026 master cylinder leaks ..needs pumping a bit.\u201d   Why tell you this?  Because there<\/div>\n
were always  practical  difficulties doing the Turam work.  Like suddenly getting no readings.  Was the machine broken?  Nope.  Problem was usually a  cow in the next field who had <\/div>\n
decided our yellow base line cable looked edible.  Trouble shooting.  Instrument men like me always faced problems that had a simple answer.  Marjorie\u2019s comment\u2026\u201dWhy did  you<\/div>\n
not tell me?\u201d   \u201cForgot\u2026did not cross my mind\u2026I thought you knew.\u201d  Driving a broken down car and operating a 1937 invented  Turam required  practical skills.  Simple skills.<\/div>\n

<\/div>\n
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 22, 1960<\/div>\n

<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n

<\/div>\n
ONE end of our base line.  Motor Generator behind the rocky  outcrop.  Not sure this was best place to drive in grounding rods but<\/div>\n
it worked fine.  Needed a man to make sure motor did not run out of gas while we were miles away with instruments.  Sorry the picture<\/div>\n
is backwards.  The Irish government insisted  we have that Danger sign made in both languages.<\/div>\n

<\/div>\n

<\/div>\n
Rose early and packed the cable in  our Fiat.  Drove to site we had chosen and then laid<\/div>\n
out our first base line\u202614,500 feet long\u2026nearly 3 miles.  Very rough going at times.  Installed<\/div>\n
the motor generator near ocean located grounding rods.  Pounded  in grounding rods at<\/div>\n
both ends of the cable.  Them Moment of truth arrived.  Damn motor generator would not start.<\/div>\n
It was  the  gas.  Took some time to figure that out\u2026needed  regular gas.  I did  not know<\/div>\n
what the hell was wrong but managed to bluff my way through while being watched  by<\/div>\n
our new employees lounging along the cliff top.  New men\u2026Andy and Tom.  <\/div>\n

<\/div>\n
Today I saw my first Irish Hare.  Magnificent runner.  In the evening Hogan and  Stam<\/div>\n
discussed the issue of the local Catholic priest.  Do not know why.  Then back to pinochle.<\/div>\n

<\/div>\n
THURSDAY, JUNE 23, 1960<\/div>\n

<\/div>\n
Late getting up after stress of yesterday.  Drove to generator and  did a few tests<\/div>\n
with the tachometer.   Base line cable broken in three places.   Thousand  feet <\/div>\n
from generator.  Why broken?   Likely cattle or foxes or rabbits.  Chewing the attractive<\/div>\n
yellow insulation.   Repaired.  Also  made repairs to switch  box operating at 660 c\/p\/s frequency.<\/div>\n

<\/div>\n
Spent whole day explaining jobs to new crew.  Not so easy. Discovered that Willy cannot count<\/div>\n
and  Larry can\u2019t read.   Of course they did not tell me that.  Why would they?  Feared losing<\/div>\n
their jobs. We only managed to do  two lines.  Lines run at right angles  to the base line.<\/div>\n
Each line is marked with pickets every 100 feet.where readings are taken.  Our Lines<\/div>\n
can  extend as far as 3,000 feet out from the base line.<\/div>\n

<\/div>\n
Discovered  an old\u2026ancient\u2026bridge buried in a clothing of Ivy.<\/div>\n

<\/div>\n
Plotted  results in the evening.  We had located two anomalies.  Surprised to do so.<\/div>\n

<\/div>\n
Received a nice long letter from Marjorie who seems to be having a grand time in Canada.<\/div>\n
Then we went down to the pub as usual.   The owner insisted on treating us  Probably<\/div>\n
felt we were really good for his business.<\/div>\n

<\/div>\n
END EPISODE 63  BUNMAHON, IRELAND<\/div>\n

<\/div>\n

<\/div>\n

<\/div>\n

<\/div>\n

<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

EPISODE 63    BUNMAHON, IRELAND,  JUNE 18 TO JUNE      1960 alan skeoch June 2020 Dunhill Castle\u2026I think this is the castle attacked by Oliver Cromwell in 17th century.  Ruins on way to Tramore from Bunmahon. (as told to me by Mrs. Kennedy) The Kennedy family who hosted us while we did the Turam […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-4891","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/alanskeoch.ca\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4891","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/alanskeoch.ca\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/alanskeoch.ca\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/alanskeoch.ca\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/alanskeoch.ca\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=4891"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/alanskeoch.ca\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4891\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/alanskeoch.ca\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=4891"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/alanskeoch.ca\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=4891"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/alanskeoch.ca\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=4891"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}