1873 - Old Forge Coal Mines

INSPECTORS OF MINES. 177
at water level opens the Lykens Valley small coal seam ; a tunnel is now
driving in a northern course, being an extension of the Summit Branch
tunnel ; in this the 4-feet White's vein has been cut 100 yards north of the
Lykens Valley vein ;
the tunnel is driven 410 yards north of the Lykens
Valley vein; 450 yards of another tunnel is driven south from Bear Valley
to connect with the north tunnel ; by these tunnels communication will be
open with Bear and Williams Valleys ;
this means will develop the south
dipping seams in Bear Valley ;
on the 10th of December, this year, these
tunnels had been completed and connections effected by rail, accomplishing
one of the heaviest undertakings of the kind in the country.
Ventilation is produced by two 20-horse power fans, located within the
tunnel to accommodate each slope workings, the air traversing the slopes
and gangways and returning through the breasts to the out-casts. The
ventilation of these mines has no superior in the region, and is managed
with signal ability and care. The safety of men in this colliery is the first
object to receive attention. Major Joseph Anthony is general superintendent,
and a strict disciplenarian in this important position, and really understands
the responsibilities of this trust, hence his great success in the
vast shipments of these collieries under his management, that this year
there has been shipped per scale weight 301,500 tons from one breaker
alone. This being the largest shipment on record from any one colliery in
this country or in Europe, so far as has been known.
West I found, by actual measurement, 36,452 cubic feet of air produced
per minute, and in the east, by actual measurement, 14,440 cubic feet,
Ventilation is established on correct principles throughout the entire mine
;
and when we consider the large amount of powder used and other impurities
that are generated in such extensive excavations, that I am obliged to
express a desire that all the collieries of my district would follow this
worthy example, i. e. for safety and health to life and property. 471 men
and 90 boys are employed=560 hands, with 106 mules, and 220 wagons
and 13,122 yards of track.
No. 44. Big Lick.— Summit Branch Railroad Company, Operators.
This colliery is situated 2 miles east of Wiconisco, in Dauphin county,
on the estate of the Lykens Valley Coal Company. It has been 5 years
in operation. It consists of 2 double track slopes, both sunk on the north
dip of the L. V. vein, on the Big Lick Mountain in 8 feet of coal, on a 38°
•lip. East slope is 230 yards deep ;
the west is 400 yards deep. The deep
slope gangway is driven east 1,600 yards, with 11 breasts working, employing
73 hands. Its counter is 1,500 yards long, with 10 working breasts,
employing 45 hands. The short slope workings on main gangway are 1,500
yards long, with 8 breasts working, employing 55 men. Its counter is 1,-
400 yards, with 10 working breasts, employing 57 hands. Its second
counter is 1,500 yards, robbing pillars with 25 men. These works are on
the east of the slope. The coal on the west of the slope has been mined
by the L. V. colliery at Wiconisco, where the drainage of all the collieries
is concentrated, viz : the Short Mountain, L. V. and Big Lick collieries.
There are 6 miles of gangway opened on these collieries. This colliery
receives more than ordinary attention to preserve the drainage intact.
December 10 operations had been suspended, except opening an air-hole
and making the necessary preparation for sinking a third lift.