Report of the Bureau of Mines of the Department of Internal Affairs of ...

No. 10. FIFTH ANTHRACITE DISTRICT. 137
i»f six holes were bored through the i)inar, tapping the old Diamond
workings. In this hitter worlc tlie greatest care was used,
and casing pipe was first sunlv, cemented and held in place by
brace anchor bolts, and on the end was placed a gate valve through
which the boring was completed through the i)illar into the water.
The drawing of the rods under this heavy i)ressure was under the
personal supervision of the mine Inspector and the local representatives
of the coal company. After the holes were finished the
\alves were opened and the tapping of this large body of water, standing
185 feet above the tunnel level, was successfully completed.
The water has since receded in the Diamond workings about 60
feet.
The intention is to remove this water down to the depth of the
suction box above mentioned, which would bring the water to a
point below the contemplated third lift of the new shaft.
To provide steam for all this work, a boiler plant of 2,100 horse
power, Lehigh Valley standard tubular boilers has been erected
and housed in a brick building. The plant is complete with forced
and induced draught, blowing and suction fans and double set of
fuel economizers with air conduits and arrangement for the guidance
of the gases whether direct or for economical use of the same.
The plant is very complete and presents for the consideration of
those interested, a standard for economics in modern mining.
Remarks on Fatal Accidents.
I deem it necessary herewith to briefly review the fatal accidents
and their causes, but I am pleased to state that fewer fatal accidents
occurred in this district during the year 1897, than during any previous
year since 1888.
By referring to table No. 4 of this report it will be seen that
twenty persons lost their lives inside of the mines of this district
and of this number eight, or 40 per cent., were from falls of coal,
rock or slate.
Of the five persons who lost their lives from asphyxiation, one only
could be termed an accident, as the others could have been averted
iiad the victims themselves used care and ])i'oper judgment.
Of the five persons who lost their lives by mine cars, three only
could be termed accidents, while the other two could have been
averted had it
not been for the extreme recklessness of the victin^T
themselves.
Of the two miscellaneous accidents that occurred in the mines. CTr.
was an unavoidable accident, while the other could have been pre
A'ented by ordinary care and forethought on the i)art
himself.
of the victim