1873 - Old Forge Coal Mines

INSPECTORS OF MINES. 145
REPORT
OF
WILLIAM HEMINGRAY, INSPECTOR OF MINES OF SHAMO-
KIN DISTRICT. FOR THE YEAR A. D. 1873.
To His Excellency, John F. Hartranft,
Governor of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania :
Sir :—In compliance with the requirements of an act of General Assembly
of the Commonwealth, approved the 3d day of March, 1870, entitled "An
Act providing for the health and safety of persons employed in coal mines,"
I have the honor to herewith submit my report of the condition and character
of the collieries of the district since the 28th. day of April last, being
the date of my commission, showing that 56 collieries are in active operation,
and have shipped 1,234,070 tons of coal ; to this amount we add onetenth
that sum for home consumption, or 123,407 tons=l,357,477 tons.
That 44 persons came to their death, and 101 were maimed by injuries they
sustained in and about the collieries of this district ; the character of such
injuries in tabulated forms are hereto annexed. The increase in deaths
this year is 12 over last year's report. But an accident at the Henry Clay
colliery on June 10, occasioned the death of 10 persons, a statement of
which will be found in my report on that colliery.
Two hundred and ten visits have been made inspecting mines, and in attendance
on inquests, &c, making 4,568 miles of travel. I am pleased to
report the condition of many of the collieries to be favorable.
Twenty-nine deaths occurred in Northumberland county, where 1,357,477
tons of coal had been mined, making one death for each 46,809 tons mined.
48 persons were maimed, and for each 28,281 tons mined one person had
been injured. The above statement shows the average tons mined in
Northumberland county to each death and injury.
In entering upon our duty on the 28th of April, we found considerable
difficulty in many of the collieries to inaugurate improvements, but soon
this trouble gave way to better judgment, and in a short time our councils
and instructions prevailed, resulting in better understanding and making
our labors much easier for which our operators merits our thanks.
The dangers incidental to miners is very great, even the most practical
and prudent often meet serious accidents when, in their judgment, they
least expect it, and only those who are well skilled in the art of mining can
anticipate danger rightly, while others whose pretentions exceed their capabilities
are obviously the persons who augment the lists of casualties, while
inexperience and carelessness go hand in hand to the same end.
I
have the honor to be, with great respect,
Your Excellency's obedient servant,
WILLIAM HEMINGRAY,
Inspector of Mints.