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

438 Keports of the Inspectors of Mixes. [Off. Doc.
Westrnoreland County Blines.
Lockport Mine.—This is not a very large operation, but upon every
examination made, it was found in good condition ; the ventilation is produced
by means of a furnace. The coal mined is all used for making
coke; it is the "E" bed which has good coking qualities.
Isabella Mine is opei'ated by the Isabella Furnace Company, and the coal
is used entirely for making coke. The drainage of this mine is very good,
but it could be improved in its sanitary condition by ha\ ing a better power
in use for ventilating; at present it is the exhaust steam, and steam
pipes being m the return air current, which gives them the jsower. The
mine is very favorably situated for good ventilation, by having outlets
or rather inlets made at the face of the workings which very much
shorten the distance of air-currents to travel. If not for this advantage,
they could not ventilate at all with their present system. Mining-boss,
Mr. Morris J. Lewis.
Milhvood Shaft.—This mine is operated by the Millwood Coal Company.
As to its sanitary condition, I can repeat what I have said of it each
year since I have been examining it, and that is, a well-drained and ven-
tilated mine, and that all precautions necessary for tlie safety of the
men, are taken here.
St. Clair Mine is operated by the St. Clair Coal and Coke Company.
The ventilation here is produced by a furnace which has by far the deepest
up-cast shaft in the district ; in conjunction with the furnace they have a
large fire place and boiler, beside each other, both of which are in a regular
rock heading several feet above the coal. They only employ about
50 or 60 men, and I usually find from 20,000 to 25,000 cubic feet of air
passing per minute. The coal is hauled out by the main and tail rope
system. Superintendent and mine-boss, P J. Blavin.
M. Saxman Mine is located at Latrobe and operated by M. Saxman.
The drainage of this mine is excellent, but I cannot say much for the
ventilation as it is not regular enough, and needs a good fan to
produce a regular current. With the means at hand the mine is kept iu
a very fair condition. Mine-boss, John C. Dorry.
Derry Shaft.—This is one of the most systematic mines in the dis-
trict in its arrangements of haulage, drainage, and door fixtures for
conducting air through the mines; there is one more improvement
yet required here, which they are now working on, and that is a new re-
turn air-way by which they will be enabled to ventilate each section of
the mine separately. The drainage and ventilation is excellent, the
latter can only be improved bj'^ further splitting the air which will soon
be done; ventilation is produced by means of a fan. Mine-])Oss, John
Baker.
Latrobe Coal Works.—This mine is ventilated by a 15-foot diameter
fan, which gives great satisfaction. The drainage and ventilation of