1873 - Old Forge Coal Mines

INSPECTORS OF MINES. 159
No. 9. Enterprise Colliery.— R. Baumgardrier & Co., Operators.
This colliery is situated east of Shamokin, in Northumberland county,
on the estate of the Philadelphia and Reading Coal and Iron Company,
(late the Pulton Coal Company.) It consists of a double track slope, sunk
250 yards deep on the north dip of the E Twin seams, on an angle of 38°.
These seams are the Mammoth seam, but split by a parting slate, averaging
from a few inches to several yards according to locality and situation.
They are known in the Shamokin region as Nos. 8 and 9 veins. No. 8
being the lower seam and No. 9 the upper one. The hoisting slope is on
No. 8 seam and reaches the basin. There are 3 gangways open in tinslope.
The west gangway is on the north dip 280 yards long. There are
18 breasts open, 9 of which are working, each 10 yards wide, with yard
pillars. The east gangway on the north dip is open yards, and two
slant breasts are working, with a working range of 66 yards. West gangway
on the south dip is open 120 yards, and 2 breasts are working.
Ventilation.—June 26 the supply of air was inadequate for the force
then employed. There being no perceptible air-current in circulation in
mine. I noticed this fact to the superintendent by a communication of
said date, who took immediate measures for restoring ventilation. A 20-
horse power fan was to be put in position 200 yards east of the main slope,
shortley after a heavy sit or crush occurred in the slope, and contiguous
workings which caused a suspension of operators hence forward, except
the work of re-opening and repairing which has been carried on vigorously,
and will be completed in time for opening of the trade in 1814.
Engines and Power.—A 1 00-horse power engine is used at the slope,
which works the pumps also. A 50-horse power is used for pumping at
the old slope, and an 80-horse power Blake steam pump and four 14 and
one 16-inch pole pumps are
used for drainage, and a 20-horse power Baldwin
locomotive, for haulage is used, and a 30-horse breaker engine, in all 6
engines=300-horse power, with 13 steam boilers are in use. Further remarks
are unnecessary at present.
No. 10. Hickory Ridge Colliery.— The Mineral Railroad and Mining
Company, Operators.
The colliery is situated 4 miles east of Shamokin, in Northumberland
county, on the estate of the Mineral Railroad and Mining Company- It
has been 4 years in operation. It consists of a tunnel opened in a southern
line 300 yards long, cutting the Twin seams of the E in 180 yards on the
north dip, cutting the D or Skidmore seam 61 yards further south. The
vein is 5 feet thick. This tunnel was continued 53 yards further south, and
the enterprise abandoned.
The east gangway on the E seam is opened 100 yards, and a west monkey
gangway has been opened 50 yards, and finding the coal faulty decreasing
to 2^ feet in thickness at this point.
The west D seam gangway is 450 yards long, and its east gangway is
340 yards long, with 10 breasts working west, and 5 breasts east=15
breasts, with irregular variations in the vein from 3 to 10 feet thick. The
only work doing at the time of my visit, August 27, was extending gangways,
employing 16 hands.
Engines and Power.—A plane engine, of 60-horse power, and 1 breaker
engine, of 30-hoi*se power, with 4 steam boilers, are in good condition.
There are 12 colliery horses, 1 mule and 12 mine wagons in use. Extended
remarks at present are unnecessary.