1873 - Old Forge Coal Mines

INSPECTORS OF MINES. .
115
These mines generate fire-damp largely, hence the necessity of using both
fans in connection with the safe working of the mine, the present workings
of which are of recent development.
Engines and Power.—There are 9 engines in use of 665-horse power,
with 36 boilers ;
all of whose appointments are in good condition.
Two hundred and twenty-seven hands are employed in and about the
colliery, with 21 mules and 55 wagons in use ; 2,436 yards of track are
laid on the premises. An advantage is claimed in the use of the self-unloading
coal cages, or gun boats, which receives the coal at the bottom of
the slope from the mine wagons, and then are hoisted by powerful engines
to the top of the breaker buildings, where it passes over a curved track,
the front wheels of which are low while the hind wheels are large, gives to
the cage, when in position, sufficient inclination for the coal to drop out at
once. When the cage is withdrawn, it resumes its horizontal position again
in the slope.
The lower lift of the new slope is a lift under the old Pioneer workings,
late Bancroft, Lewis & Co. The large amount of coal which remains in
that colliery will be worked out by this present slope on its western limits
without the expenses that would be incurred by erecting a new colliery on
the Pioneer premises. Fire-damp prevails to a considerable extent in both
these mines, and, in fact, in all the mines in the vicinity of Ashland.
No. 7 Preston, No. 3. Philadelphia and Reading Coal and Iron Company,
Operators.
This colliery is situated at Girardsville, on the estate of the said company.
It consists of a slope sunk 96 yards below water, on a 72° dip north
on the E seam. Two tracks of 66-inch gauge are laid in the hoisting slope,
and a 48-inch gauge track laid in the pump slope, used for handling material
and the convenience of miners. 228 yards of new gangway have been
opened eastward, with a monkey air-course carried alongside for an air passage.
There are 8 breasts working in this panel, with but one schute to
each breast. 473 yards of a west gangway has been opened, with a like aircourse
used, and 20 breasts working; and for their ventilation, jugular
inanways are used in each, with 70 yards of working runs, and 26 yards
thick of chain pillars are left to support the upper level.
Ventilation.—An 18 feet steam fan is used for this pui'pose. The west
gangway runs 400 yards westward, and sweeps round an anticlinal to eastward
;
the upper level is mined out and abandoned. The coal of this colliery
is hauled west to colliery No. 4 breaker by a small Baldwin engine
that supersedes horse power. The coal of the E seam here exceeds 30 feet
in thickness. By measurements of the air I found that a proper supply
had been in circulation, and evidently the mine was well ventilated.
Engines—There are 7 engines in use of an aggregate equal to 394 horses,
with 17 boilers in use; all of which are reported to be in good condition.
Forty- five men and 4 boys=49 hands, are employed. No hands are
needed outside, as the coal is prepared at the No. 4 Preston breaker. This
eolliery has lately been remodled, at great expense, and will be used to develop
all the north dipping seam.