1873 - Old Forge Coal Mines

INSPECTORS OF MINES. 129
No. 39. St. Nicholas.— Francis Donaldson & Co., Operators.
This colliery is situated at St. Nicholas Station, 2 miles west of Mahanoy
City, on the estate of the Philadelphia and Reading Coal and Iron Company.
It consists of a double track slope, sunk 1 20 yards deep on the
south dip of the E seam, on a 45° dip, and divided into east and west
panels. The east panel is 1,500 yards long, and 8 breasts are working,
with headings, etc., each 12 yards wide, supported by 8 yard pillars, with
mining runs of 110 yards ; 20 yards of a chain pillar is left to sustain the
old level gangway; the west gangway was driven to the boundary line
some 100 j'ards, and is finished. A tunnel run north opened the D seam,
and gangways have been open ; its east gangway is 800 yards long, with 8
breasts working, supported by 8 yard pillars ;
its west gangwa}' is 350
yards, with some breasts working in it ; the Reading railroad crosses over
this panel, and consequently mining is suspended on that account
;
gangways
are opened on the F seam, Holmes, one of which is 350 yards long,
with 6 breasts working in it ; air courses are connected from all these panels
to the old level, and thence communicated with the fan outcast, where a
20-horse power engine is used for this purpose. I find the condition of the
mines and its workings good; had 10,675 cubic feet of air in circulation
per minute for 100 miners, 40 laborers, their lights, and 18 head of mules
amount of air necessary for this force was 20,262 cubic feet per minute
;
there are 3 outlets independent of the slope in the mine.
Engines.—Two 60-horse power are used in the hoisting slope ; one 80-
horse power pumping engine and a 20-horse power fan ;
and a 60-horse
power engine runs the breaker and saw mill ; 12 good boiler? are used for
steam power, the whole of which, with all their machinery, slope, slope
ropes and tackle, I find in good ordinal condition. Shipments=300 tons
per day.
No. 40. Cambrian.— Alhins & Co., Operators.
This colliery is situated west of the borough of Ashland, on the estate of
the Philadelphia and Reading Coal and Iron Company. It consists of a
double track slope, sunk 123 yards deep on a 20° north dip of the E seam,
and opened two mining departments. The east panel is 450 yards long,
with 9 breasts working from 8 to 10 yards wide, supported by 8 yard pillars,
and have mining runs of 100 yards up the pitch; the west gangway
is in 80 yards and meets an east dip, and 3 breasts are working in it ; these
panels are ventilated by a 20-horse power fan ;
the coal is from 30 to 50
feet thick ;
45 miners, 20 laborers and 4 mules are inside, and 9 men and
24 boys are employed outside; 7 engines are used of 150-horse power,
with 8 boilers in use, the condition of which is not reported ; the mine
generates some fire-damp and other gases ; 1 No. 8 Blake pump does all
the n drainage ;
the general condition of the colliery is favorable. Mr. William
Thomas is in charge.
No. 41.-*-Barry.— Stickney & Co.,
Operators.
This colliery is situated 3 miles east of Shenandoah City, on the estate
of the Philadelphia and Reading Coal and Iron Company. It consists of
a double track slope, sunk 95 yards deep on the G seam ;
a substantial
stairway is located in the slope for traveling when necessary ;
the mine is