1873 - Old Forge Coal Mines

130 ANNUAL REPORT OF THE
open in two divisions east and west ; eastward the seam rose gradually
until the inclination rose to form a west dip or water shed, and gradually
flattened out and gave place for opening two gangways ;
the north gangway
was run some distance and some breasts were open and an air-hole cut
through ; the south dip was worked in a similar manner, but at present
mining is confined to robbing back pillars ; a north tunnel was driven to
the E seam on the old level of the M'Neal colliery, the gangway of which
is over a mile long ; the tunnel has been extended to the 10-feet seam, and
gangways opened; its east gangway is 175 yards long, and 5 breasts are
working in it, and has opened an air-hole on it ; the tunnel has teen extended
still further to the D seam, and opened gangways on it some 150
yards, with 12 breasts working in this seam, and opened an air-hole on it
here a fan is erected for ventilating these panels ; the tunnel is extended
still further to the 7 feet vein ;
the aggregate thickness of coal is 40 feet