1873 - Old Forge Coal Mines

INSPECTORS OF MINES. 213
an incredibly short time the Burrough's mine and the Enterprise, Eight foot
were flooded to full GO feet above the level of the dam, which stood the
test admirably. No one was working in the Eight foot but the full force of
men were working the Baltimore, all of whom got out with no further inconvenience
than having to grope their way out in the dark. The velocity
imparted to the air by the sudden rush of water into the mine having extinguished
the lights of the miners. After this occurred the Enterprise Eight
foot vein was aboned, and the tunnel being now of no further use as a second
opening, (the second slope having been driven out to the surface,) the
dam received a further protection of a wall of rock and cement 17 feet
thick (e.) A second dam was then constructed of oak timbers 12x18 (f)
laid in cement, the ends being hitched into the rock on either side. The
space between the wood work and wall being filled
with concrete, and the
whole structure made further secure by the braces (g) of 10x12 oak timber,
and which toe into the solid rock on either side, as per plan.
Yours very respectfully,
WM. BAYNES HICK,
Mining Engineer.
Coal Productions of the District.
The quantity sent to market in 1871 was 3,000,000 tons ; in 1872, 3,250,-
000; in 1873, 4,232,092.
Number of Persons Employed in the District.
Employed in the year 1871, 9,870; in the year 1872, 9,807 in the year
;
1873, 11,355. The employed for 1873 being divided as follows, to wit:
Inside men , 6, 526
Inside boys 1, 092
Total number employed inside 7 , 6 1 s
Outside men 1 , 703
Outside boys 2, 034
Total number employed outside 3, 737
.-
Total number of men employed . 8, 229
Total number of boys employed 3, 126
Total number of both men and boys 11,355
Total number of actual miners employed 2, 894
Casualties.
There were forty-six (46) lives lost in this district during the year 1873,
and ninety-one (91) seriously injured, leaving 19 widows and GO orphans.
Recapitulation.
Killed.
Injured.
By fire-damp explosions . f,
6 14
By falls of rock 2 7
By falls of coal 9 14
By falling down shafts 3 1
14 Mine Rep.