1873 - Old Forge Coal Mines

98 ANNUAL REPORT OF THE
20 yards of a tunnel running south from the bottom of this slope opens the
north dip of the Orchard seam, the west gangway of which is 300 yards,
and 6 breasts are working in it in 6 feet of coal, with mining runs of 30
yards each.
Ventilation is produced by a furnace, and the gangway is used as an intake,
supplying the working places with air, and circulating through these
workings on its return outward's. 23 hands are employed on the colliery
2 engines in use=75-horse power, with 6 boilers; 2 mules and 9 mine
wagons in use. The character of the work done is a safe operation. Some
small amount of fire-damp is generated. Powder smoke is the most
troublesome enemy.
No. 37.
Mammoth Yein.— Joseph Dennings, Operator.
The collieiy is situated west of the town of New Castle, on the estate
of the Philadelphia and Reading Coal and Iron Company. It consists of
a double track slope sunk 70 yards deep, on a 45° dip south on the E seam,
with east and west panels open. On the west 40 yards is open. The east
gangwa}1-
is 00 yards long. That panel is worked into the Rippleer old
west workings. The west panel is not very favorable, yet a large amount
of coal may be recovered hy proper care.
Ventilation is produced by natural currents, affected by a change of the
atmosphere. A detailed description in connection with this report is
-deemed unnecessary. 25 hands are emplo} T ed ; 2 engines=28-horse power,
are in use; 2 boilers are used ;
all of which machinery, ropes and tackle are
in good condition ;
4 visits had been made to the collieiy.
No. 38. Greenwood Slope.— Lehigh Coal and Navigation Company,
Operators.
presence of black-damp. Outside barometer,.
This collier}^ is situated at Greenwood, two miles east of Tamaqua, on
the estate of said company. It consists of a double track slope, sunk in 2
lifts 282 yards deep on a 50° south dip of the F. seam. Its east gangway
is 1,600 yards, with 7 breasts working in 8 feet of coal. Its west gangway
has been driven to the tract line and finished. Sixty-six yards of a tunnel
run north, opens the E seam, 70 yards west of the slope. Six hundred
yards of gangway is open on its east panel, witli 8 breasts working in 25
feet of coal. The mine I have found to be well managed and in good condition,
reflecting credit upon those in charge.
Ventilation is produced by the action of two 15-horse power fans, one of
which is erected west of and at the pumping slope, while the other is 900
yards east of the hoisting slope. The slope and gangways are used as intakes,
the air conducted to the working face of the breastings, &c, passing
up into the upper opening and traversing the works on its return to the fan
out-casts. I commend the system adopted in conducting the ventilation of
the colliery. Fire-damp is generated in the mines, and a resort to the safety
lamps is necessary. Proper respect paid to the regulations and rules of
governing the mine will certainly diminish accidents. Those officers know
and do their duty.
Colliery Log.—November 14, outside temperature, 78° ;
inside temperature,
74° ;
difference, 4°
;