The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1845-06-05
EDITORS CORRESPONDENCE,
Porrs,rILr, Pennsylvania,

MINES IN scHUYLKiLL, PENNsYLvA-
MA.
IIen Philadelphia on the 2sth May, at a. M,
on the Reading railroad, and reached the town Of
Reading ify-eight miles from the city, the day az
Ter at - m. spent day at this respectable town
OF some or 10000 inhabitants, and visited and
inspected the extensive workshops Of the Reading
railroad located at this place. On the following
day, continued my journey by railroad to this
place, or 10 Mount Carbon, 80 near Pottsville
that do not see any particular for separate
names-being not over quarter of mile from each
other, the right bank Of the Schuylkil, reduced
at this point 70 mere small, shallow creek. Hills
(cslled mounlains) of considerable elevation rise on
either side Of the river with quite steep slopes,
almost from the waters edge.
The scenery around Mount Carbon resembles, to
some extent, that travelled through when explor-
ing the mineral regions in the south of Wales and
England; the mountains here, however, are of less
elevation, and better clothed with shrubbery and
other vegetation. t.iN
The formation of the coal region differs, il is said
from most other anthracite regions in the Old World
When you first strike the coal field Of Sharp and
Broad mountains, at near PottsviIlc, the first
large rookie you are Of the eongiomerate order,
called sometimes very appropriately spudding stone y
for il bears strong resemblance in its conformation
TO plum pudding. Ii you imagine rounded peb-
bles, from the size Of pea to walnut, all glued
gether, by the operation of nature, you can liken
the pebbles TO plums and the cement TO the -four or
dough. ~ g
This rock forms q vast indented, irregular plat
form, on which the shale and coal rest--the con
glomerate itself resting il is sad red shale and
of coal wave about in the hills, corresponding with
the vast deep basins Of the substrata of rocks The
veins always occur at oblique angle of 900 $50
varying from three, to eight and ten feet in thick
ness. The plan of working them is TO push tun-
mel into the side Of hill, till vein is struck edge
Al II a.
and outwards is worked, the proceeds being slid
down into the main tunnel, into cars standing on
railroad track. These are run to the mouth Of
the main tunnel where if its level or bottom be far
under ground, as many of them are, they are drawn
up by steam power. The coal is then carried to a
steam mill to be broken up and screened. 1t is so
hard that the miners have TO use powder TO blast it.
one charge frequently oosening about ton or SO
al q time. a5
The main tunnels are frequently pushed forward
for a mile or two in length. descended into one
mine, which had two main tunnels diverging from
mouth below ground. One extended over mile
the other only went about 100 yards, which ex-
plored to the end. The laborers in the mines work
in duplicates, all night and all day. They are paid
by the job. OR quantity Of coal raised. They are
now said to be earning from % to $40 per week.
The head waters Of the Schaylkill river have
their rise in these extensive coal fields, which run
parallel with each other from north-northeast to
south-southwest, reaching from the valley of the
Lehigh river 10 near the straightforward. The gen.
era course Of the river Schuykill, from Philadel-
phia to Mount Carbon, is from southeast to north
west, subtendng the coal region nearly at right an
giles. Coal lands vary in value from 800 to $500
per acre, according to quality, and abundance of
coal, with the facilities for mining, DC
Stephen Girard's estate owns about 90, 600 acres
Of land, much Of which covers coal land in the
third and last coal field range, about Is or 20 miles
northwest of Pottsvc. The tract embraces Bear
Ridge mountain No mining operations have,
learn, been commenced on il vel, nor is there any
mode of transportation extended 70 it yet. After
leaving the agricultural plains, the Schuykiil river,
with the canal on side and the Reading railroad
on the other, enters the gap of the Blue mountain,
at the western base of which il receives the tribu-
tary Of the Little Schuylkill the place Of junction
being called Port Clinton. The Schuylkill, still
keeping company with the canal and railroad next
penetrates gorge, formed between Mount Savage
IN the east and Mount Carbon the west, at the
base of which is the depot and village of Mount
Carbon. just above the village, the Schuyki
lwhat left OF W makes sudden defour to the north
northeast, passing up which, two or three miles
brings you to Port Carbon, which is the terminus
of the canal. branch railroad, crossing the river
at Mount Carbon on new bridge, runs past Port
Carbon, sending of important branches to various
coal pits and intended to be opened to Tuscaror--
about ~ miles--and even on to Tamaqua, six miles
furthcr--making IL miles. This road connects at
luOunt SdTDon, with the Reading railroad.
The whole amount, equal to about one-half of all
the coal mined in the State of Pennsylvania, finds
its way to tide water by only two outlets--the
Reading railroad, passing from Mount Carbon
down the valley of the Schuylkil and over to the
Delaware at Port Richmond, being 80 miles in
length; and the Schuyki1 canal, passing down the
same river TO the wharves, west side OF Philadel-
Phia, below Fair Mount water works-being, from
Port Carbon 10 Fair Mount BRIDGE 1O8 miles long
The grade of the Reading railroad in no instance,
averages over 10 feet in the mile except one mile
near Port Richmond, which is about A. The heav-
rest trains, however, pass over it, aided by shove
from an extra engine. U r.
The elevation Of Port Carbon is ZIG feet above
the level Of tide water This ascent is overcome by
the canal, through the agency of 100 locks rs Of
which are lift locks. From the coal region to the
Delaware, there is almost constant descent which
is most favorable circumstance for the railroad
The elevation of JIG feet is decidedly disadvan-
fageous to the canal while it is highly favorable to
the descent of powerful engines drawing over this
plane enormous loads of coal in about nine hours,
while, on returning, they have only to draw the
empty cars.
AT Port Richmond, the terminus of the Reading
railroad, the company have thirteen extensive
wharves varying from $50 to 500 feet in length, in
front and by the sides Of which, vessels can conve-
nently load. The main elevated embankment. from
which the wharvcs are protected, out to deep water
res. On 'he ,ana end, on work Of solid stone
are carriage ways, with plank floor, auays for re.
ceiving the deposit Of coal brought down in winter
when there are vessels in port to carry il awav'
on account Of ice. These wharves, buildings, iron
tracks, DC, cover about forty acres Of ground The
average length Of the iron tracks is six miles The ar
rivals and clearances Of sloops schooners and briggs
frequently amount TO sixty day. Taking ali
things into consideration, there was road so
favorably situated for carrying coal this for its
length It's principal depot in the coal region is at
Mount Carbon, several miles below this; how
ever, it begins to send off important collateral
branches to extensive mining localities Cars are
loaded at the mouths of the mines, and without
shifting Of load, are put upon the main track and
wheeled of to Port Richmond Immediately dropped
into a vessel, which can, by the ingenious con-
trivancc Of guarded sehues, be loaded within an in
crediby brief period of time, at the rate of ton
per nnute So, that the coal brought to the surface,
in many instances from the extent of a mile or two
under ground, on the forenoon Of one day, may, on
the next day, be in the bold ola sailing vessel on