1900 - Coalmininghistorypa.org

448 REPORT OF THE BUREAU OP MINES. Off. Doc.
Bear Run.—This mine is
condition.
located at Landrus and was in very fair
It was ventilated by a fan, which was producing a volume of
46,200 cubic feet per minute, which was conveyed around the mine
in three separate splits.
It was very well drained.
Mines of the Berwind-White Coal Mining Company.
Berwind Shaft.—This is quite an extensive mine. The coal is
being conveyed from the north and south sides of the mine to shaft
bottom by a rope haulage, which was extended on the south side
1,600 feet during the year. The north side of mine was still partially
under water, which had accumulated during the time the surface
buildings were consumed by fire, on the evening of August 15th
;
which was supposed to have originated in the boiler coal bins. Some
twenty persons were at the time employed in the mine, and by the
heroic efforts of the fire bosses and others, who descended the fan
shaft and warned those in the mine of the danger, they were brought
to the surface in safety, the fan building having been saved from
the conflagration only by very hard work on the part of those on the
surface, owing to its close proximity to the other buildings.
The company at once set to work cleaning up and repairing the
steam connections1
, in order that the mine pumps might be started,
which was done in a very short time.
New buildings of brick and stone were at once erected, which are
comparatively fireproof and the general arrangement for handling
coal improved.
Operations were again commenced during the latter
part of September. On my last visit I found it very well ventilated.
A volume of 126,400 cubic feet of air per minute was measured at the
bottom of down-cast shaft, conveyed in four separate currents to
face of the workings.
This mine generates explosive gas, but the company is leaving
nothing undone to insure safety to those employed therein.
Cataract Mines.—The work in these mines is mostly confined to
pillar drawing. Their condition as to ventilation is fair, but the
drainage needed attention.
Mines of the Kettle Creek Coal Mining Company.
Kettle Creek Nos. 1, 2 and 3.—The mines of this company were
in good condition generally. In the No. 1 mine a volume of 21,000
cubic feet of air was measured on the inlet which was reasonably
well conducted to face of workings; it was also well drained.