1900 - Coalmininghistorypa.org

No. 11. FIFTH ANTHRACITE DISTRICT. 169
gangway downwards, the vein w.is discovered to be in fault. After
extensive provings in the lower levels it was considered impracticable
to continue the work in the Buck .Mountain vein, and it was, therefore,
decided to begin in the lower No. 5 level in the Gamma vein
and to continue to the basin on the same line; the Gamma portion
of the slope is at present down to 900 feet and st ill working. In order
to connect the Gamma and Buck Mountain sections of the slope it
was necessary to drive a rock slope 500 feel in length, and on a pitch
of from six to seven degrees. Work was continued from both
ends, and at this writing it has been connected, making a continuous
slope of 2,770 feet, which includes 220 feet from the top of the
Gamma portion of the slope to the entrance of the rock or tunnel
slope.
In No. 4 level, Slope No. 5, a tunnel has been driven through
an anticlinal from one of the West Buck Mountain gangways 2G0
feet in length, terminating in the Buck Mountain vein, slightly
below the workings of Slope No. 4, which will eventually be used in
transferring the output of Slope No. 4 to the new slope.
Garwood Back Basin.—In a local basin south of Harwood basin
proper, Slope No. 15 has been sunk in the Buck Mountain vein 250
feet on a pitch varying from 15 to 30 degrees to the bottom of the
basin at this point and, as the basin is dipping eastward 12 degrees,
an inside trial slope has been sunk in the center of the basin for
a distance of 300 feet which will be continued as long as conditions
warrant the same. Two thousand feet of gangway lias been driven,
the coal proving in a good condition.
A slope has also been sunk in the Gamma vein over Slope No.
15, and in the same line (using the same hoisting appliances for both
slopes), for a distance of 90 feet on a pitch of 12 to 30 degrees to the
center of the basin in this vein.
A new breaker has been erected at this colliery and has been in
successful operation since the spring of 1898. The old, revolving
or cylindrical screens have been replaced entirely by shaker screens,
twelve in number. There are 20 jigs, all of the Lattimer pattern; 7
sets of rolls, 1 elevator 05 feel high. 1 elevator 75 feet high and 3 conveyor
lines for handling bony coal. The coal is conveyed to the
top of the breaker by means of a conveyor line of 400 feet centers,
the head end about 100 feet above the loading end. It is composed
of a double strand of Harwood bushed chain, with L2x48-inch
flights and has a capacity of 4.(1(11) tons of run of-inine coal per
day, driven at discharge end (which is heavily back geared), by
means of a Dodge rope drive. There are fifteen separate rope drives
scattered throughout the whole breaker—all of the Dodge American
system.
The engines are a pair of 20x30 inch, running 90 revolutions