1873 - Old Forge Coal Mines

INSPECTORS OF MINES.
Ill)
A small mine locomotive is used for doing the haulage, which is expeditious
and satisfactory ;
91 hands are employed inside.
Engines.—There are 11 engines of=510 horse-power, with IS boilers; 2
steam pumps, of 10 and 14 inch columns, all of which are in good condition,
except some crushing.
No. 15. Bear Ridge.— Mumper & Co., Operators.
The colliery is situated north of the foot of the Mahanoy Planes, on the es-
It consists of double track slope sunk 240 yards
tate of Gilbert & Sheafer.
deep, on the south dip of the E seam, on a 51° angle. The coal is hoisted
on cages. The coal is a superior article. The east gangway is 500 yards
long, with a monkey air-way in connection therewith. An upcast has been
opened out west of the slope, and a pump slope is sunk to the first lift east
of the hoisting slope, where steam pumps are located, which also forms a
second outlet. 179 yards of a tunnel have been driven to the north dip
across the basin, where gangways have been opened in 45 feet of coal. At
the face of this tunnel an air-Way is opened out to the surface. The plan
of using but one schute to a breast is adopted here, and has a mining run
of 90 yards.
Ventilation is mainly produced b}^ a fan. The mine generates a considerable
amount of fire-damp. The supply of air was not fully adequate to be
effective. In this case I suggested to Mr. Evans the propriet}' of placing
a door on the gangway, which had the desired effect.
Engines.—There are 7 engines=to 625-horse power, with 20 good boilers.
The slope ropes are in good order. The drum has had no brake attachments
so far? Under all circumstances I find the colliery in good condition.
No. 16. Girard Tunnel.—Mumper & Co., Operators.
This colliery is situated near the foot of the Mahanoy Planes, in what
has been known as the Girard tunnel in olden times, and on-the estate of
Gilbert & Sheafer. It consists of an extension of the said tunnel 122 yards
north to the E seam. By the application of the diamond drill the question
about the locality of the E seam was virtually set at rest, and the
tunnel had been opened to the seam, creating another accession to the
family of collieries in this
district.
Gangways have been opened in some 150 yards, with parallel monke}-
air-courses and man-ways in the pillars, and air-holes have been driven out
to the surface 137 yards. A trial slope sunk 60 j^ards deep west of the
tunnel, from which an air-hole will be made to ventilate the west panel.
This west gangway is 195 yards long, with like monkey air-courses. The
coal in this seam is 30 feet thick. A furnace will be used for ventilating
these mines.
There are 3 engines=110-horse power, with 5 new boilers in
use. 03 hands are employed in and about the collieiy, and only recently
commenced mining; 40 cars of coal have been shipped per day, and I am
convinced it will become a successful operation. George W. John is in
charge of the colliery.