1873 - Old Forge Coal Mines

REPORT
OF THE
CLERK OF THE MINING DISTRICT OF SCHUYLKILL.
To the Senate and House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of
Pennsylvania
Gentlemen :—In compliance with the requirements of an act of General
Assembly of the Commonwealth, approved the fifth day of April, A. D.
1870, entitled "An Act for the preservation of the records of the inspectors
of mines," etc., I have the honor to herewith submit my annual report
of all official information and matter of record furnished me by the inspectors
aforesaid relating to coal mines and collieries in their respective
districts for your consideration, exhibiting their condition, ventilation and
safety, their resources and capacity for producing coal, the number and
character of the casualties that had taken place during the year, giving a
tabulated exhibit of coal tonnage of the different counties and districts,
and the proportionate number of tons mined to each death in the said districts,
compared with the like tabulation in former years, and a number of
interesting subjects for the study of miners and persons who are or may
become interested in mines and mining, and mine machinery, etc.
It is our painful duty to record the fact that the casualties are larger
this year than were those of 1872 by 35 deaths and 114 injuries, as follows:
In Pottsville district 46 collieries are worked ; 29 persons lost their lives
this year to 1 7 last year.
In Ashland district 68 collieries are worked ; 53 persons lost their lives
against 42 last year.
In Shamokin district 56 collieries are worked; 44 persons lost their lives"
this year to 32 last year.
Notwithstanding the hopeful anticipations entertained of a reasonable
reduction in the number of casualties we find the case to be the reverse,
although the Pottsville district collieries are 26 less than last year it did
not mitigate the casualties, the tonnage did not decrease, nor was the force
of emploj'ees increased, but the steady state of the coal trade throughout
the season will account for this fact, and the increase in the casualties is
applicable to the same cause.
Besides this the working of deep old mines are a menacing source of
danger that is not experienced in newer collieries ;
the large accumulation
of gases and the different ventilation, the decay of their timbers and 3*ieiding
to pressure and crumbling of the supports adds to their insecurity.
The disaster of June 10, at the Henry Clay collier}'', in Shamokin district,
frightfully increased the death roll of that district. By referring to Inspector
Hemingray's report on that collieiy will be found the cause of that
disaster fully explained.