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

INSPECTORS OF MINES. 121
Out crop Comjery.— Kvff & Duskin, operators, on lands of the Locust Mountain
Goal and Iron Company, near Centralia.
It is a small drift on the top of the Centralia vein, employing 2 men.
Centralia Outcroi' Colliery.— Thomas Garretty, operator, on lands of the
Locust Mountain Goal and Iron Gompany.
This is a small drift open on the outcrop of Centralia slope ^vorki^gs, employing
10 men in its operation.
Short Mouxtaix Colliery.— Owned, and operated by the Summit Branch
Railroad Gompany.
The colliery is situated near Wiconisco, in Dauphin county. It consists
of a slope 500 yards deep in 2 lifts under water-level on the Lykens Valley
vein in 10 feet of coal. Shutes and headings are worked in conjunction
with the driving of the gangway for the purpose of better ventilation. The
counter lift is exhausted of coal, No. 3 counter is used for a return air
course, 2 self-acting planes deliver the coal on the main gangway. The
east gangway is driven under the old Lykens Valley slope. The upper 2
lifts are worked through the Lykens Valley slope eastward. All the coal
is prepared at the Short Mountain breaker ; a locomotive engine is used for
hauling. The Lykens Valley colliery is operated by the same company,
with a slope 4 35 yards deep; 2 counters are worked in connection with
this slope. The drainage power in connection witli these three collieries
consists of a 500-horse power Cornish bull-pump and 5 other steam pumps,
which drain the Short Mountain, Lykens Valley and Big Lick collieries.
Ventilation is produced by a steam fan, and the rarefied air of 6 boilers are
utilized in connection with it. It is necessary to keep a special watch on
the strengthening of the gangway'', owing to a tendency of the upheaval of
the bottom slate, making it a most difficult matter to manage. This col-
liery is under the superintendence of E. C. Ilanna, and James Fennell, inside
boss ; 225 men and 75 boys are employed ; tons of coal had been
mined. In all its appointments I find it to be one of the best managed col-
lieries in the reerion.
Reliance Colliery.— Thomas Baumgarden, Operator, on lands of the P.
and R. Goal and Iron Gompany.
A sk)pe 370 yards deep in two lifts opens tlie E twin veins. The two
veins are formed into one on the lower west panel, while on the east side 9
feet of a partition slate separates 8 and 9 veins. The old slope level is
still working, and also is the water level lift working, but mining is chiefly
confiaed to finishing breasts and robbing out pillars. Ventilation is effected
by the operation of a 20-horse power fan, and gives satisfactory results. I
find the general condition of the colliery to be good. 38,920 tons of coal
had been mined, employing 85 men and 30 boys ;
with 11 boilers, are in use ; only one pole pump is needed for drainage.
2i5-horse power engines,