1873 - Old Forge Coal Mines

156 ANNUAL REPORT OF THE
inches diameter. These boilers are mounted with steam gauges. The
drum has not been supplied with a proper brake. I mentioned this defect
to the operator. 188 hands are employed inside and out; 22 mules and 80
mine wagons are in use. The monthly shipments are about 8,000 tons
the yardage of track in use is 4 miles long.
No. 6. Brady Colliery A. Guiterman & Co., Operators.
Description.—This colliery is situated 2 miles east of Shamokin, on the
coal estate of the Philadelphia and Reading Coal and Iron Company. It
has been 8 years in operation. It consists of three water level drifts, viz :
2 drifts on the Twin seams of the E seam, and the third one on the B seam,
or Buck Mountain seam, commonly known as the Iron seam. The coal seam
is 5 feet thick, and the quality good, with 6 breasts working. 400 yards from
the drift opening a tunnel opens into vein No. 9, upper bench, with 60 yards
of gangway opened and 3 breasts working, each 10}^ards wide. A counter
drift is also opened on the lower bench of vein No. 8, with 2,300 yards of
gangways driven in it, with excavation in progress and 5 breasts working.
Ventilation is influenced by the operation of a furnace, located in an upcast
that is open out to the surface, which accommodates both drift workings.
The lower drift is used as an inlet ; air passes into the counter drift ; the
outcast is surmounted with a stack 40 feet high. This system produces a
good suppty of air.
No. 3 drift on the B seam, its gangwa} r , is driven on a counter level 250
yards long, where 9 breasts are opened, 4 of which are working.
T
75 3 ards
of an air-hole have been driven out to the surface in No. 5 breast, by which
means a sufficient supply of air is furnished.
Remarks.—On the 17th of March the breaker had been destroyed by fire,
since which time the coal has been prepared at the Green Back breaker.
89 hands are employed ;
18 head of stock are used ;
the monthly shipments
are 2,500 tons ;
there are 47 family houses upon the premises.
No. 7. Morton Colliery.— Morton & Co., Operators.
This colliery is situated near Mount Carmel, in Northumberland county.
It consists of 2 drift openings on the estate of the Northern Central Railroad
Compan}'. A drift is opened on the north dip, and one on the south
dip, on an •intervening saddle or anticlinals. The lower drift on the north
dip is 45°, and is opened in 250 yards, where 5 breasts are working, each
8 yards wide, with support pillars 3 yards thick. A slant gangway is
driven up to the saddle. The coal is 9 feet thick; employing 14 hands,
upper drift on the south dip. Its gangway is opened 600 yards in and
r
partly through the old workings of the Rhoades colliery, affording 20 ards }
of breast range. Robbing out coal is here resorted to.
Ventilation.—This is effected by natural means, and produces a sufficient
supply for present wants. The general character of the work is considered
safe. I deem no further remarks necessary.
Engine Power.—A 10-horse breaker supplies all the necessary power.
49 hands are employed; 4 mules and 16 wagons are in use; the monthly
shipments will average 2,200 tons.