1873 - Old Forge Coal Mines

INSPECTORS OF MINES. 171
November 10, log of temperature outside, 50° ;
inside, 75° ;
difference,
25°; favorable; log atmospheric pressure outside, 29 inches; inside, 29^
inches difference, ;
J inch favorable. This exhibit gives satisfactory results,
and reflects credit on the manager. The excavations are extensive,
;
and quite a quantity of fire-damp gas is generated in the mines, but the
precautionary measures taken to insure safety are ample in any case.
Engines.—The power consists of a pair of hoisting engines=120-horse
power, and two pumping engines=120-horse power, a 40-horse breaker engine,
the two fan engines=315-horse power. There are 6 pumps used for
drainage, with 29 boilers to supply the necessary power.
The pumping (old) slope located 200 yards east, where two 16 and one
14-inch pumps are used. Two pole pumps and a steam pump are used in
the new slope. 260 hands are employed, with 50 mules and 80 wagons in
service. There are 4 miles of track used. Monthly shipments average
12,000 tons. This is one of our first-class collieries.
No. 32 East Franklin Philadelphia and Reading Coal and Iron Gompany,
Operators.
The colliery is situated at Upper Rauch Creek, 2 miles west of Tremont,
in Schuylkill county, on the present estate of the Philadelphia and Reading
Coal and Iron Company, (but formerly on that of Mr. Henry Heil.) It
has been in operation seventeen years. It consists of two adjoining slopes.
one for pumping and one for hoisting coal, &c, and are sunk to a depth of
388 yards In three lifts, on the north dip of the E seam, on a 35° angle.
Gangways east 1,500 yards open and faulty coal, with breast runs of 90
yards, each 8 yards wide and 6 yard pillars. The east counter gangway is
1,250 yards long, but at present this section of the mine is idle; also the
main west gangway is at present idle. 80 yards long of a tunnel has been
open west of the slope, which opens the E seam in 50 feet of coal of best
quality of white ash, dip 40° and 60°.
Ventilation is produced by the action of a 20-horse power steam fan. The
slope is used for an intake. The air is conducted to the working districts
in "Monkey" or small gangways, and through headings from breast to
breast to face of workings and returns to the outlet air-course. Ventilation
was found ample. 29,900 cubic feet of air per minute had been supplied
to 76 men.
The mine Log, November 4, 1873, was : Outside temperature, 56° ;
inside,
72° 8
;
difference, 16°; favorable; outside barometer, 28 T I7
inside, 29 j%;
;
difference, j? inch ; favorable. Fire-damp is generated in limited quantities,
but the system of ventilation is fully effective, that under ordinary care
there need be but little apprehension of accident.
Engines.—There are 7 engines in use=350-horse power ; 5 pumps are
used for drainage ;
these pumps are placed in a pumping slope ;
there are
17 boilers, 36 feet long by 30 inches diameter ;
all in use and in good order
a detailed description at present is unnecessary. 126 men are employed in
and about the colliery ; 22 mules and 50 wagons are in use ;
there are 4,800
yards of track used; the monthly shipments will average 5,500 tons.
Remarks.—The tunnel herein referred to is a new enterprise, which developed
the Mammoth seam north of the saddle sometime late in November,
which when fully opened will develop a vast area of coal, and will
constitute this one of the best collieries in the county. J. P. ^'etherill,
C. E. for the estate.