Reports of the Inspectors of Mines of the anthracite coal regions of ...

48 Reports of the Inspectors of Mines. [No. 10,
looking to an increased production of coal. It may now be classed as one
of the best and most productive collieries in Columbia county.
Peerless Colliery,
Located on southern edge of Shamokin borough and operated b}^ Mr.
John Cruikshank.
This consists of one tunnel and one drift opening, cutting the No. 10
vein, on water level ; also, a red ash vein. No. 12. Another drift is driven
into a pink asli vein, while another tunnel is now driving to another red
ash vein, making four veins above water level. Twelve tliousand tons
were mined at this new colliery in 1877. Measures are now being taken
to mine and send 50,000 tons in 1878, and judging by the vim and energy
displayed by the present lessee, Mr. Cruikshank, every ton will be taken
out that can be got, if energy and attention to business will do it. Great
credit is due to the present lessee for his perseverance under discouraging
circumstances, during the depressed state of the coal trade.
Iiiiprovemeiit at Bast Colliery.
A tunnel has been driven south 800 feet, cutting the Primrose vein, 1 1 feet
thick, and two other smaller veins, besides an inverted dip of the Mammoth,
and finally reaching the Mammoth vein, in the south dip in the Ashland
basin. At this point, the vein is in exceedingly fine condition. The
lift above the tunnel level has not yet been ascertained, but will be, it is
expected, about 200 yards.
Together with the lift, yet to be reached by the slope, this will place the
production at this collier}^, beyond doubt, for many years to come, and
should be a source of congratulation to the Philadelphia and Reading Cqal
and Iron Company, as wtjll as to the workingmen in the immediate vicin-
ity, who are largely dependent on the welfare and prosperit}' of the col-
lieries.
A cross section is appended hereto, showing the measures intersected
in the tunnel, and their angles of inclination.