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

No. 10. FOURTH BITUMINOUS DISTRICT. 333
the air-way from the fan to the main air-course, which will improve
the ventilation. A new man-way is in course of construction, and
at present they are setting boilers and compressers near Stanley,
where they intend to make the main company station.
Eochester Mine.—This mine was in operation 190 days during the
year. Volume of air at outlet, 84,500 cubic feet per minute, which
was well distributed throughout the workings.
Sandy Lick.—A connection is being made between this and the
Rochester mine, and they will be in the future operated as one mine,
under the direction and control of one mine foreman.
Berwind Shaft Mine.—Operations here were completed so far as
to be able to mine coal foi* shipment during 189G. The rope haulage
system is used for transportation. The machinery is located in a
chamber west from the bottom of the shaft. The engine used is what
is known as a "double engine,"' and is geared four to one. The drums
are sixt3'^-six inches in diameter and thirty nine inches long, and two
miles of rope can be carried on each drum. The haulage rope is seveneighths
of an inch thick, and the tail rojie three-fourths of an inch in
thickness. The trip can be moved at the rate of from five to six miles
per hour. The water is drained to a sump under the pumps, from
whence it is taken and can be held in check for twenty-four hours
without interfering with the working of the men, so as to allow plenty
of time for repairs in case of accidents to the pumps. The coal is
mined by machines, run by power furnished by a Norwalk compressor,
twenty-eight by thirty inches. A double hoisting apparatus is used
to carry the product to the surface. The air is supplied by a 30-foot
fan. The battery of boilers has a capacity of 1,200 horse power.
This being a gaseous mine, where no open lights arepermitted,aminer
having matches on his person struck one to light his pipe, contrary
to the mining laws, in such cases provided, and was arrested and
taken before a justice of the peace and bound over for trial at the
quarter sessions court of the district in which the offense was committed.
A true bill having been found against him, he pleaded guilty;
was reprimanded by the court and sentenced to pay the cost.