1873 - Old Forge Coal Mines

INSPECTORS OF MINES. 131
30 mules and 100 wagons are used; 3 engines are used— 70-korse power,
with 6 boilers; all of which, with their machinery, etc., are good.
Two 30-horse double engines arc in use at the shaft, with 6 boilers. The
shaft is driven through three viens.
I find the mines in good condition under the superintendence of Mr.
Frank Daniels—David Morgan in charge of the inside and Charles Beach
in charge outside ;
men who know and do their duty.
No. 44.
Girard.— Messrs. Beatty & Garretson, Operators.
This colliery is situated one mile east of Girardsville, on the Philadelphia
City tract. It consists of a double track slope, sunk 110 yards deep
on the north dip of the 7 feet vien on a 75° dip, with east and west divisions
open. The west panel is 200 3
Tards long, and idle at present. A tunnel
has been driven south to the north dip of the E seam, and opened a
west panel. A gangway has also been opened by a tunnel on the 7 feet
seam, 160 yards east of the slope, and drove a tunnel south to its north
dip and opened gangways eastward. The upcast for ventilating the E seam
workings is located on the 7 feet seam, and a tunnel driven from north to
the south dip of the E seam, and opened ga.igwaj^s thereon. An air-hole
has been driven in to the old shaft level, and that opening is used for air
and a second outlet. Airways of sufficient size have been opened along all
these different gangways for ventilating the sundry working places. Ventilation
is produced by the co-operative action of 2 fans, which is found
fully adequate for that purpose. Eighty hands are employed inside ; 26
mules are used in the colliery ; 2 steam pumps are used for drainage ;
7 engines=240-horse
power, with 12 boilers, are in use.
Remarks.—I cannot consent to any system of mining that endangers the
stability of the mines by leaving them slight pillars, which is sure to be
detrimental in time. This is evidently the cause of the crushes or sits that
prevailed here this season.
No. 45.
Big Mine Run.— Taylor & Lindsey, Operators.
This colliery is situated at Big Mine Run, one mile east of Ashland, on
the estate of the Locust Mountain Coal and Iron Company. It consists of
4 water level drifts, one above the other on the B seam, at intervals of one
hundred yard distances or lifts, &c. The gangways are open in west 825
3
rards on their south dip, on an angle of 25°. The coal is 14 feet thick.
The lower level is opened by a tunnel driven in northward from the E level.
This tunnel is 248 yards long, with east and west openings. The east gangway
is in. 15 yards ;
the west gangway is in 34 yards ;
an air-hole opens
into No. 2 drift, which operates favorably.
No. 2 drift is 1,200 yards long, with 8 breasts working, having a mining
run of 1 00 yards T
and supported by 7 }'ard pillars.
No. 3 drift is 1,050 yards long, with some breasts working, the pillars
having been pierced with jugular manways and headings.
No. 4 drift is 800 yards long, with 7 breasts working. From this gangway
to the saddle is 600 yards to the outlet ;
the seams do not come to the
surface at this point. 56 miners and 14 laborers are inside, and outside 50
handsel 20 hands. There are 4 available outlets for traveling roads: 7
engines are used of 200-horse power, with 19 good boilers. The ventilation
is but partial, although the mines are worked by a practical system.