1873 - Old Forge Coal Mines

INSPECTORS OF MINES. 169
No. 29. Phcenix Park, No. 3. Messrs. Lloyd & Glover, Operators.
This colliery is situated at Phoenix Park, in Schuylkill county, and west
of the West Branch of the Schuylkill river, on the estate of the Philadelphia
and Reading Coal and Iron Company. It consists of a double track
slope, sunk 180 feet deep on the south dip of the Diamond seam, Red Ash,
on an angle of 26°. The coal seam is 6 feet thick on its second lift. The
operators. were then, October 21, engaged in completing outside improvements,
and inside were extending gangways, &c, and improving its shipping
capacity for the trade.
Engines newly placed in position.—A pair of hoisting engines of 30-horse
power each. The capacity of the colliery when completed will average
300 tons per day. Everything concerning these improvements are of a
substantial character. There are 10 new boilers in position for use. One
of Allison & Bannan's best steam pumps is used for drainage.
Five mules and 66 wagons are used. The future prospects of this colliery
are flattering. There is an evident disposition evinced by these operators
to peacably submit to the requirements of the act of Assembly, and
afforded me every needed facility in my examinations. No complaints
came to my notice so far. At present there are 22 men employed in and
about the colliery. No casualties worthy of record had occured at the
place during the year.
No. 30. Diamond Colliery, Schuylkill County.— John Wadlinger,
Operator.
This colliery is situated at Forrestville, Schuylkill county, on the Lytle
track, and has been in operation 4 years. It consists of one double track
slope, sunk 280 yards deep, on south dip of Diamond vein, Red Ash, on an
angle of 60°, second lift to basin. The vein is 7 feet thick ;
area of slope
140 feet. The east gangway on south dip has been operated 400 }*ards ;
24
breasts have been opened, and 1 now working. West gangway on south
dip is opened 300 feet. The only work doing in this gangway is robbingpillars.
The eoal has been mined on both dips by this gangway, which are
now in fault. East gangway, No. 1 north dip, is driven 200 yards into fault
3 breasts and 1 pillar are working. The vein in this gangway is 8 leet thick.
East gangway, No. 2 north dip, is driven 200 yards into a fault, the vein
being irregular ; 4 feet of coal, and working 1 breast. Cross headings are
driven through the pillars at face of each breast, where finished, removing
any gas which might accumulate, and keeping a free circulation of air
through the old workings.
A self-acting plane, located 165 yards west of slope and
r
133 3 ards long,
on north dip, where an east and west gangway are working. East gangway
is driven 200 yards ; 11 breasts have been opened. This section cast
is now idle.
West counter gangway is driven 330 yards, and 22 breasts have been
opened ;
8 breasts, gangway and schutes are now working. The vein is 7
feet thick on north dip, angle 27°.
The upper lift on this north dip has been mined out by Miller's workings,
and is abandoned, and is now standing full of water. A wnter level drift
has been driven into Miller's slope by Mr. Wadlinger, letting off the upper
part of water, and measures are being taken to get pumping machinery
down to the bottom of Miller's slope to drain the entire workings, while
bore holes are kept ahead of the face of trial breasts in the workings un-