1873 - Old Forge Coal Mines

162 ANNUAL REPORT OF THE
No. 14. Franklin Colliery, (Kangaroo.)— William Brown, Operator.
The colliery is situated a quarter of a mile south of Shamokin, on the
estate of the Philadelphia aud Reading Coal and Iron Company. It has
been in operation 5 years. It consists of two water level drift openings on
the south dip of the Furnace seam, on an angle of 60°. No. 1 drift, Red
Ash, is open 300 yards. All the coal has been worked out and abandoned,
but a counter level of 40 yards lift is worked at present. This counter
opens into a south and north dip which forms a basin. The principal supply
supply comes from the south dip, though there are many breasts open
on the north dip. Its coal is 5 feet thick. Ventilation is here produced
by natural means by air-shaft system.
The Kissinger drift is open on No. 13 Red Ash seam 560 yards to a
fault, worked out and idle. One 15-horse engine and one steam boiler furnishes
the necessary power. 31 hands are erupted ; 4 mules and 12
wagons are used. Monthly shipments average 800 tons.
No. 15. Locust Spring Colliery Philadelphia and Reading Goal and
Iron Company, Operators.
This colliery is situated at Locust Gap, in Northumberland county, on
the company's estate. It has been 10 years in operation. It consists of a
double tiack slope, sunk 395 yards deep on the south dip of the Mammoth
seam, on an angle of 27°. The slope was sunk in three successive lifts.
The seam is 18 feet thick. The lower gangways are new. The east and
west gangways are each 100 yards long, and the character of work done
is safe and satisfactoiy.
Ventilation.—This is produced by the operation of a 20-horse power
steam fan, of 12 feet veins. I proposed to have an outlet road open 100
yards west of the slope for miners use and safety. Ventilation appeared
sufficient. The drainage was produced by a 16-inch pole pump.
Engines and Power consists of a 60-horse hoisting engine, a 60-horse
pumping engine, a 30-horse breaker engine, and a 20-horse fan=170-horse
power ;
11 steam boilers, each 30 feet by 34 inches in diameter, whose condition
and appointments are satisfactoiy. 42 hands are employed, with 8
head of stock and 8 wagons in use ; 1,200 yards of track are in use. The
present appearance of the colliery warrants it to become a first-class colliery
when fully developed.
No. 16 Lancaster Colliery, No. 2.— William R. Smith, Operator.
The colliery is situated at Coal Run, in the vicinity of Shamokin, on the
estate Of the Mineral Ridge and Mining Company. It consists of three
water level drifts open on the north and south dips of the Mammoth Twin
seams. The No. 1 drift is in 300 yards, and is progressing forward, where
8 men are working 5 slant breasts, the coal is 5 feet thick. No. 2 drift is
open 700 yards, and working a switchback gangway. No. 3 an upper dip
south, is 300 yards long, working 5 breasts, with 8 men. All the work
done is safe.
Ventilation is produced by drift connections, and the supply is fully adequate
for all purposes.