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

INSj^ECTORS of amines.- 103
The mine is worked in tliree diflerent lifts or panels, by self-acting' planes.
In connection with this plan a new slope is nearly sunk to the basin, on an
angle of 10° dip. This will open another large body of coal, which as a
reserve can be drawn upon as required, so that the colliery has but t'ev^, if
any in the region, to excel it in its details or econom3^ There are CO breasts
of coal open, and the general workings of the colliery are all well ventilated
b}'' a 50-horso power fan. The air- currents arc well secured, so that
all working places receive their full supply of fresh and pure air. Mr. Jacob
Glover manages the mine in a creditable manner. Water-tanks, alternately
hoisted, effect the drainage, doing away witli the use of pump rods,
pump columns and such trapping. Sixteen engines=G60-horse power, with
If boilers, are in use; 230 men and 53 boys are employed; 30 mules and
140 wagons, with 5,280 yards of tracks, are used; annual shipments will
average tons.
Plank Eidge (near Shenandoah City.)— Operated by the P. lO li. (J. d- I.
Co., upon theii' oivn lands.
It consists of a double cage -way shaft, sunk to the E vein. The coal of
this level is nearly exhausted, but a slope is sunk on the north dip of the
vein 200 yards east, and sufficiently deep to allow it to be worked in three
lifts, and touching an anticlinal axis in its lower east gangway. On its
west the vein is open by a slope, 280 yards deep, and to the bottom of the
basin, which is connected with the workings of the Indian Ridge colliery,
from whose shaft workings the largest portion of this coal is hoisted out.
Ventilation is not adequate to keep so large a mine in good working order..
There is a large amount of powder used daily. The air-currents are moved
only by natural means, so it is impossible to get adequate ventilation established.
Nine engines=390-horse power, with 17 boilers, are in use; 300
men and 79 boys are employed ; 3i mules and 100 wagons are in use ; annual
shipments will average tons.
Beaver Run (east of Mahanoy City.)— Feter Boioman, Operator, on the
lands of the Lehigh Valley Railroad Company.
It consists of a tunnel opening two small and irregular veins, never pro^-ing
to be a profitable investment, though Mr. Bowman has evidently sacrificed
time and money in its developments. The prospects in the future are
not encouraging. When we consider the expense attending the opening of
400 yards of tunnels, besides all other expenses, public sympatliy must incline
to his favor. Ventilation, consequently^ cannot be expected to be
what it should be, but the absence of noxious gases is a consolation in this
case. One engine, of 40-horse power, with 2 boilers, are in use; 41 men
and 13 boys are employed; 8 mules, 30 wagons and 1,760 yards of track
are in use; monthly shipments^l,500 tons.
King, Tyler & Co.— Operated by King, Tyler & Co., on lands of tiie P. and
li. Coal and Iron Company.
It consists of a tunnel driven south, cutting the B vein in 12 feet of coal,
with 35 yards of breastings and 4 yards in pillars By natural currents tlu;
mine receives its ventilation^ and from its well appointments it afl'ords a