1873 - Old Forge Coal Mines

inspection
INSPECTORS OF MINES. 97
working, etc. As regards air and safety of miners it has not an equal in
the district ; carburetted hydrogen gas is generated in large quantities in
all parts of the mine ;
the efficiency of the means of ventilation is such
that unless gross carelessness an explosion is not anticipated. The safety
lamp is the only one used in mining, and there are competent fire bosses
always on duty ;
the system of mining and mine regulations is satisfactory
Ventilation is produced by the action of a 30 horse-power fan, with ample
air courses ;. the working places receives the fresh air, passing through
the headings, etc., to the out-cast.
Colliery Log—November 12.—Outside temperature, — °; outside barometer,
— . 334 hands employed; inside, 242; outside, 92 hands; 22
mules and 100 wagons working in the mine ; 5 engines are in use=314
horse-power ;
15 boilers are in condition ;
1 steam pump=120 horse-power
28,628 yards of railroad track in use in the, colliery ; 5 deaths and 9 injuries
during the year=14 ; 6 visits of made. Mr. Jonathan
•
Bowen, assistant superintendent for company in charge.
No. 35. Thomaston Slope.— Philadelphia and Reading Goal and Iron
Company ,
Operators.
This colliery is situated at Thomaston, on the estate of the said corporation.
It consists of 2 double track slopes, sunk 280 yards deep on a
43° north dip of the Crosby seam, with east and west panels opened ;
the
east gangway is 800 yards long and is communicated with No. 1 slope?
which slope is used for drainage, men and material ; the west gangway is
900 yards in 10 feet of coal, with 8 breasts working ; 86 yards of a tunnel
from the Crosby north opened the Church seam, with 2 panels opened ; its
west panel is 600 yards, with 7 breasts opened ;
the east panel is 500 yards,
with 6 breasts opened in 7 feet of coal ; a tunnel from the Crosby south
opened the Daniel seam ;
its east panel is 450 yards, with 6 breasts opened
its west panel is 80 yards, with 2 breasts working in 8 feet of coal ; the
character of all work done in these panels is favorable ;
the mine generates
a large amount of fire-damp.
Ventilation is effected by a 40-horse power fan. The working places receive
fresh supply of air from the slopes, and traverses through these
places outward to the fan out-cast, with favorable results. The fire-boss
and safety lamp are needed for protection.
Colliery Log.—August 20, outside temperature, 74° ;
inside temperature,
70°; difference, 4°
;
iavorable. Outside barometer, 29^ ths; inside barometer,
29|- ; difference, j^ths; favorable. 1 94 hands employed ;
inside, 104
;
outside, 90 ; 16 mules and 30 mine wagons in the work ; 6 engines are in
use=380-horse* power ; 26 boilers are in use ; 1 pump in use—capacit}',
(steam,) 90-horse power ; 4,090 yards of railroad laid on the colliery ; no
deaths and no injuries during the year ; 5 visits of inspection made ; 18,500
cubic feet of air in circulation per minute.
No. 36. Manchester Slopes Messrs. Parker & Alden, Operators.
The collery is situated at Wadesville, west of St. Clair, on the estate of
the Philadelphia and Reading Coal and Iron Company. It consists of two
small slopes, one 170 yards deep on the Orchard seam on a 15° south dip.