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

No. 10. SECOND BITUMINOUS DISTRICT. 267
Ocean Drift.—Ventilated at present by natnral forces and employs
only nine persons inside, and therefore does not come under the provisions
of the law. But this is not the fault of the operators, as there
is a furnace in the mine, which was always kept in operation until
about the 28th of March, 18!)7, when the owner or owners of the
surface obstructed the furnace shaft by covering it with boards and
earth at the top, thereby compelling the mangement to quench the
fire in the furnace and to reduce the number of persons employed
inside below ten in order to comply with the mining law.
The pillar workings in this mine give off considerable black damp
(C. O.') and on each examination I found the ventilation very defective.
Legal proceedings were brought against the parties at fault,
an explanation of which appears in this report. Mine foreman, Gottleib
Vogele.
Hampton Drift.—The general condition of this mine, when visited,
was found very favorable. The quantity of air passing at the outlet
per minute was 15,G()0 cubic feet, which was being fairly well conducted
to the face of the workings. Mine foreman, Edgar Thompson.
Duquesne Drift.—Very little work has been done at this mine during
the year; nevertheless, the drainage has been kept in very fair
condition. The (]uantity of air passing at the outlet, when last measured,
was 21,750 cubic feet per minute, which was being fairly well
conveyed to the face of the workings, except in No. 2 butt on first face
entry. I suggested that the law relating to ventilation be complied
with. Whether or not the above suggestion was carried out, I am
unable to say, as the mine closed down shortly after, and remains
closed at present writing. Mine foiHMuan, Mark James.
Spring Hill No. 2 Drift.—On my last examination, I found the ventilation
and drainage very good. The quantity of air passing at the
outlet was 4S,G(M) cubic feet per minute, which was being well distributed
around the workings. Mine foreman, William B. Morris.
Oak Hill No. 4 Drift.—The general condition of this mine was satisfactory.
On my last visit, I measured i")7,;)(l() cubic feet of air per
minute in circulation. The drainage is very good. Mine foremav-
William J*. ( )wens.
Laiimer No. 4 Drift.—The general condition of this mine, when last
examined, was favorable, both in regard to ventilation and drainage.
I measured a volume of