1873 - Old Forge Coal Mines

INSPECTORS OF MINES. 123
No. 24.
Enterprise.— James E. Clever, Operator.
This colliery is situated at Ashland, on the estate of the Philadelphia
and Reading Coal and Iron Company. It consists of a slope sunk 85 yards
deep, on the six (6) feet seam, on a 46° south dip, with cast and west
gangways. The gangway of the east panel is 330 yards long, making 6
breasts, supported by 6 yard pillars, and mining run of 65 yards each.
The panel is ventilated by an air-hole, open 150 yards east of the slope for
this purpose. The western panel is 350 yards long, and 5 breasts are
working, with a mining run of G5 j^ards to each breast. An outlet is open
on tins panel which serves for a traveling road and upcast air-way.
Ventilation is produced by natural means, (air-holes,) but of a secondary
character.
No. 25. Continental.— Robert Gorrell & Co., Operators.
The colliery is situated one mile east of Centralia, in Columbia county,
on the estate of the Locust Mountain Coal and Iron Company. It consists
of a double track slope, sunk 219 yards deep in two lifts, on a 45° south
dip of the E seam, in 22 feet of White Ash coal. 1,750 yards of gangway
are opened on the east lower panel, having 11 breasts working, supported by
9 yard pillars, with a mining run of 130 yards. A second outlet will be
opened in the 58th breast. 350 yards of gangway are open in the west panel
gangway ; the breastings are finished and are now resorting to robbingback
the pillars. The character of work done is satisfactory.
Ventilation is produced by the operation of a 30-horse power fan, which
gives good results. The mine generates some black-damp.
Engines.—There are five engines used, of an aggregate of 255-horse
power, with 13 good boilers, all in good order.
A tunnel has been opened in northward some yards, opening 4 coal
seams, viz : G, E, D and B seams, which, when opened for mining, will constitute
this colliery one of the best in the district. 55 hands are employed
inside.
No. 26. Girard Mammoth.— John and Frank Donaldson, Operators.
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The colliery is situated in Raven Run, at Girard Manor, in Schuylkill
county, on the estate of Mr. Cuyler. It consists of a tunnel and slope
openings. A single track slope is sunk 120 yards deep on the south dip
of the D seam, on a 45° dip ; 67 yards of the slope is above water level.
The tunnel panels are exhausted already, the gangway of which has been
preserved for haulage of coal to the breaker. The coal from the slope level
is hoisted to the water level gangway only, and greatly facilitates the handling
and hauling of the same. The east panel gangway is 280 yards long,
and is working 8 breasts in it, with double schutes to each, supported by
6 yard pillars, and having a mining of 100 yards, leaving a strong chain
pillar to support the water level gangway. The west' panel gangway is 380
yards long, having 10 breasts working in it, and worked as above. Aircourses
are opened in connection with jugular manwaj's in these panels for
ventilation purposes. In connection with this is a 20-horse power fan, the
result of which is satisfactory. 14 hands arc employed inside and 75 hands
outside=149 ; 5 mules and 52 wagons arc in use.
Engines.—There are 4 engines=138-horse power, and 6 boilers, the condition
of which has not been reported to me.
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