1873 - Old Forge Coal Mines

J 68
ANNUAL REPORT OF THE
Engines and Power.—An excellent engine is used at the shaft of 150-
horse power, and a 30-horse power engine is used at the saw-mill, with 10
good steam boilers. There are 50 men employed. Everything connected
with the improvements is in an excellent condition.
No. 28. Phcenix Park, No. 2 Philadelphia and Reading Coal and Iron
Company, Operators.
This colliery is situated at Phoenix Park, in Schuylkill county, on the
estate of the Philadelphia and Reading Coal and Iron Company, and has
been in operation 22 years. It consists of a double track slope in two lifts,
sunk 206 yards deep. The coal in these lifts has been mined out. A
new slope has been sunk from the lower level gangway one hundred yards
deep, on a dip of 27° south, in coal 12 feet thick. Its east gangway is
open 750 yards, while the west gangwaj T is only 250 yards long, 10 breasts
are working on the east section and only 1 breast open on the west side.
Tlfese breasts are 9 yards wide and the pillars are 7 yards thick. The
breasts have brattice on the Liside schutes on each breast.
Ventilation.—Here ventilation is produced by the operation of a 10-
horse fan, located near the slope, opening on the surface. The slope is '
used as an inlet, the air is split at the bottom of the new lower lift, and
passes through the gangway to its face working, thence returns through the
workings on its return to the fan out-cast. A small quantity of fire-damp
is generated in the w r estern district, which requires but very little change
to get it under control. 1 found by actual measurements in the west intake
7,440 cubic feet of air supplied where eleven men were at work, and in the
inside return air-way I found 5,520 cubic feet supplied, this gave evidence
of a fair supply. But a much larger supply of air could be obtained, if required,
by slightly increasing the velocity of the fan. 6,720 cubic feet of
air was found circulating in the east gangway, 2,418 cubic feet was found
at the inside return breast. Here the temperature was found to be 60°,
while outside it was only 54°, and the barometer indicated an atmosphericpressure
of 29°, whilst outside it indicated 29 T \ inches. This indication
exhibited some mixture of fire-damp, but with reasonable vigilance and
care no serious danger from fire-damp need be apprehended.
Engines and Power.—It consists of a 90-horse hoisting and pumping engine
in the first slope lift, a 25-horse power breaker engine, a 10-horse
power fan engine, double engines, 24-horse power, each located on the surface
used as air compressors ; a 40-horse power hoisting in the lower slope
lift inside, and this engine is run by compress air, and a pump worked by
the same power. This exhaust air is utilized for ventilation. 13 steam
boilers are in use and their condition has been reported to me to be satisfactory.
58 inside hands and 53 outside hands are employed. There are
8 mules and 36 wagons in use. There are 2,450 yards of track laid. The
monthly shipments wdl average 2,500 tons.
No complaint has been reported to me concerning dangers or unsafe
management of the colliery, and such work as has been gone through is
considered safe and satisfactory.