1873 - Old Forge Coal Mines

138 ANNUAL REPORT OF THE
No. 59. Lawrence Slope Lawrence & Co., Operators.
The colliery is situated at the foot of Mahanoy planes, on the estate of
It consists of 2 double track slopes, one sunk 95 yards deep on
dip north on the E seam in 40 feet of coal, with mining panels open
a 5(')°
east and west. The west gangway is to the boundary line, a large pillar of
coal is left standing to support the railroad inclined plane, which inclined
plane diagonally crosses over said west gangway. Mining is generally
confined to robbing out the pillar coal in the west panel. The east gangway
is open yards, with 64 breasts open. This gangway is still continued.
Ventilation is produced by a 15-horse power fan, which is found adequate
for that purpose.
No. 2 slope is sunk 15 yards lower than the old slope lift, and intended
to drive it to a depth of 110 yards. This slope is large enough for 2 tracks.
23 miners are engaged in it. This slope, when once in operation, will constitute
the Lawrence colliery, one of the best in the region.
Old slope.—40 inside hands and 50 outside=90 hands; 12 mules are
worked, with 40 drift wagons ; 4,000 yards of track are laid inside ; 750
yards of track are laid outside ;
1 large double breaker to prepare coal in
60-horse power hoisting engine at the slope ; 10 good steam boilers in use
15-horse steam fan for ventilation; 2 1 (5-inch pumps used for
;
drainage;
(54,000 tons of coal is the annual shipment.
New slope.—Two 90-horse power engines are used at the slope ;
two 2-inch
wire rope and a 14 feet drum ; 2 large coal cages are used to hoist out the
coal ; 1 second outlet—traveling road for miners ; and in examination of
tne colliery I find it in good condition. Matthew Beddow is in charge of
the mines.
No. 60. Diamond.— Philip Brenzle, Operator.
This is a small colliery situated in Ashland, on its eastern limits, on the
estate of the Philadelphia and Reading Coal and Iron Company. It consists
of a drift opened on the Little Mine Run east, in the 6 feet seam.
The gangways are 626 yards long, with 6 breasts opened on a 48° south dip,
having 2 outlets in it for a safe traveling road.
Ten hands are employed in it ; 2 mules are worked in and about the colliery
; 826 yards of track are laid, shipping some 20 tons of coal per day.
No. 61. Bear Run.— Messrs. Wiggan & Treibles, Operators.
The colliery is situated near and west ot St. Nicholas Station, west of
Mahanoy City, on the Philadelphia and Reading Coal and Iron Company's
estate. It consists of 2 slopes, double tracks, sunk yards deep on the
E seam. The old slope is 208 yards deep in two lifts on the south dip 38°.
Its east gangway is 600 yards long, with 16 breasts working in it, each 10
yards wide, supported by 8 yard pillars, with jugular manways in each for
Ventilation. The west gangwa}- is 600 yards long, and 15 breasts are working
in it, same as above. The character of the work doing I consider safe.
Ventilation is effected by the action of a 15-horse power fan.