Reports of the Inspectors of Mines of the anthracite and bituminous ...

430 Keports of the Inspectors of Mines. [Off. Doc.
Sonman No. I Mine.—This is one of the oldest mines at this point,
and has been worked on the old plan of sinofle heading-, and Avas in rather
a bad condition for ventilating- and hauling, but they have now put in
machinery for hauling the coal by the tail-rope system of haulage, and
those operating- the mine deserve great credit for the fine machinery
that they have put in for hauling and for ventilating purposes, the latter
being a very fine fan made by the Vulcan Iron Works of Wilkesbarre.
But I will state here that those in charge of the mine have quite a job
on their hands to carry the air to the working parts of this mine, as it
is a regular sieve and Avill require some work to close up all the old
openings, and in conjunction with that, a better system of mining
adopted from this out, or else they Avill be but little better off by reason
of their fan. Have not examined the mine since the new fan is in opera-
tion, but hope to find a great improvement in the ventilation when I do.
Cresson Shaft.—This mine has been idle nearly all the year, having
been very unfortunate in having met with larg-e outbrusts of water which
overpowered their pumps and drowned out the shaft; this occurred twice
during the last year, so that very little work was done during- 1891. This
is the deepest shaft in the district, being- about 300' in depth. They
have as yet but one opening to the mine, consequently are only allowed
to woik but twenty men on one shift. The ventilation here is produced
by means of a fan, 12' in diameter, the shaft being- partitioned off and
one part used for a down-cast and the hoisting shaft is used for an up-
cast. They are now working- at the second opening by driving to a
point where they have a 5 " hole drilled. This will enable them to sink
the second opening or shaft without pumping their water. I feel that
this company deserves better success in the future for their pluck in the
past year, in the face of their misfortunes, which I hope they will have.
Great Bend No. 4- Mine.—This mine lies between Mountaindale and
Lloydsville, on the Bell's Gap railroad or P. N. W. K. R. ; it is a new
colliery recently opened. Mr. William Bell has charge. The ventila-
tion is produced by a furnace, which keeps the mine in a good healthy
condition up to the present time. The system of mining is double
heading. Drainage is also good.
Bland Mine is located just above the Great Bend Mine No. 4. They
are working a bed of coal about 40' higher in the strata. This mine is
also ventilated by means of a furnace, which gives very good results, as
the mine is small. Mining-boss, William Wright.
Max Frick Mine is another new operation on the P. N. W. R. R. near
Lloydsville. As yet I have not had time to examine this mine. Mr.
Charley Lamb has charge as mine-boss.
3Iountaindale Mine is in charge of R. C. Simpson. Most of the coal
from this colliery is used for making- coke, as they have a plant of 40
coke ovens here. The seam of coal is very small, about 2' 5" in thickness,
but it is of superior quality for coke. Tlie mine is ventilated by