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

INSPECTORS OF MINES. lOT
West Shenandoah.— Operated by the P. and 11. Coal and Iron Co., on Gilbert
lb SJieofer's estate.
It consists of a slope openiug the B vein in two lifts. The old lift is extensively
worked. The shaft opens a large body of flat-lying coal east of
the slope workings, and all prepared at the breaker. At present the mines
are ventilated by furnaces, but a 20-horse power fan is nearly ready to be
put into operation for a better system of ventilation. There are 3 engines
=IOO-horse power, with 8 good boilers, in use ; 121 men and 73 boys are
employed ;
10 mules and 60 wagons are in use.
Knickerbocker Colliery.— Operated by the P. and R. G. and I. Go., on the
Company's land, and 1| miles ivest of Shenandoah City.
It consists of a slope and drift opening on the G or Primrose vein, a tunnel
opens the north dip of the vein ; on the western end of the basin an
incline plane opens into a flat body of coal, another tunnel opens the south
dip of the seam, and another tunnel opens the bottom split of the E vein in
14 feet of coal. The general condition of the colliery is very promising.
Two steam fans produce ventilation, which is quite satisfactory. No smoke
or standing gases are met with in the mine. Six engines, of 185-horse
power, with 11 boilers are in use ; 151 men and 83 boys are employed ; 20
mules and 80 wagons are in use.
Indian Ridge Colliery.— Operated by the P. and R. Goal and Iron Company,
on their oivn lands.
It consists of a shaft sunk on the E vein in its first basin, and has been
extensively mined this last six years. The upper coal is worked by counter
levels, the coal lowered on planes to the foot of the shaft, and thence hoisted
out. All the underlying veins in this colliery, as well as all in the Shenandoah
collieries, are not yet worked, and consequently very large fields of
coal are yet untouched in this locality after the E vein coal may have been
exhausted. Ventilation is produced by a 40-horse power steam fan, which
supplies an abundance of air for all purposes. The general condition of the
colliery and all its appointments are good ; 72 breasts are working on 3
gangways 221 ; men and 108 boys are employed ; 9 engines, of 658-horse
power, with 18 good boilers are in use ; 21 mules and 100 wagons are in
use the ; monthly shipments will average 20,000 tons.
Centennial GoLUE-Ry.— Ojjerated by the P. and R. Coal and Iron Company,
on Gilbert d- Sheafer lands.
This colliery consists of a new slope opening. The south dip of the Mammoth
vein is 100 yards deep, and when completed will constitute one of the
largest producing collieries of the region. One 40-horse power engine,
"with 4 boilers and 3 small steam pumps are the only power yet needed ;
men are employed in sinking and working at the colliery.
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