1873 - Old Forge Coal Mines

166 ANNUAL REPORT OF THE
No. 23.
Ggorge Fales.— Messrs. Mime & Goodwell, Operators.
This colliery is situated south of Shamokin, on the estate of the Philadelphia
and Reading Coal and Iron Company, late the estate of the Bear
Valley Coal Company. It has been 2 years in operation. It consists of a
double track slope, sunk 210 yards deep on the No. 10 coal seam, on an
angle of 18° north. Its east gangway is 575 yards long. An incline plane
and 3 breasts are working ;
the coal seam is 6 feet in thickness, and dipping
to an angle of 15°.
No. 11 seam, Red Ash, is opened by a tunnel 300 yards west of the
slope, 95 yards of which are horizontal, and rise in 20 yards further to a
dip of 30°, cutting No. 11 seam in 9 feet of excellent coal on its north dip
in 10°. The gangwaj-s are newly opened. The west being 150 yards, and
the east gangway is opened 120 yards, and 4 breasts just opened.
Ventilation is produced by natural means, and found adequate to the
general wants of the workings.
Engines consist of one 40-horse power hoisting engine, one 30-horse
power breaker engine, with 6 boilers, each 30 inches diameter bj- 30 feet
long. Their condition as per inspectors report it satisfactory. 62 hands
are employed inside and outside ; 8 mules and 25 wagons are in use ; 2
miles of track are used ;
monthly shipments will average 2,700 tons.
No. 24.
Marshall.— Messrs. Reese & Bros., Operator*.
This colliery is situated in Shamokin, on the estate of William H. Marshall,
and has been 5 years in operation. The improvements consist of a
single track slope sunk 66 yards deep, on a 14° west dip, and reaches the
basin of the north and south dips. Both gangways are open in 6 feet
thick of coal, (Diamond vein.) The south dip gangway is opened 80 yards
west, with 3 breasts working. 100 yards of a north dip gangway is open,
and 2 breasts are working, with working runs of 25 yards.
Engines.—An 8-horse power engine is used for hoisting and running the
breaker, with two 20 feet boilers, and a small steam pump used for drainage.
Ventilation is adequate, and is supplied by natural means. 20 hands are
employed ;
the monthly shipments will average 400 tons ;
300 yards of
track are laid about the colliery. At present I deem it unnecessary to extend
my remarks.
No. 25.
Bear Valley.— Messrs. Hime & Goodivell, Operator*.
This colliery is situated 3 miles south-west of Shamokin, on the estate
of the Philadelphia and Reading Coal and Iron Company, late the Bear
Valley Coal Company. It consists of a tunnel driven 250 j'aixls south,
cutting the Twin seams of the E coal seam. Two gangways are open on
the north dip, east and west. The east gangway reaches the boundary line
at two miles distance, on its main lower level in Nos. 8 and 9 seams, where
10 breasts are open. The 124th breast is used for a self-acting plane, which
is 80 yards in length on the No. 9 seam. 200 yards are open in 8 and 140
3'ards in 9 seam. In this district operations are suspended for the present
the principle work done was extending gangways and increasing facilities
for spring work.