No 1 Pit Underground Workings

In 1909, the average gross weekly output was 1,396 tons and was obtained from two small districts on the east side of the pit. One district worked the Upper Two Feet Nine seam whilst the other worked the Upper Four Feet seam.

The Upper Two Feet Nine seam had been worked for some years by colliers on day-wages. Some two years previous (circa 1907) a coal cutting machine had been tried but was proved to be unsatisfactory due to the inadequate pressure of the compressed air and poor quality of the roof, since a great deal of rubbish came down on top of the coal which had to be removed to the surface since there was not enough room to stow it in the district. It was reported that the workings were not in good repair, the condition of which was aggravated by the amount of water present.

The Upper Four Feet seam was of normal thickness but its roof was very weak which led to the abandonment of many workplaces. Its life expectancy was about two to three years with diminishing output. The ventilation was fairly good, air being obtained through a very long road leading from the bottom of the No2 winding shaft.

The report expressed an opinion that if the No1 pit had to depend entirely upon the above reserves, then it would be impossible to maintain its current output for more than two to three years.

Its recommendation was for the Upper Two Feet Nine, Upper Four Feet and the Six Foot seams in the “extended area”, which was part of the new Bute Lease, to be worked which would produce 500 tons per day for about ten years. The Upper Four Feet seam was estimated to produce about 250 tons per day whilst the Big Coal (Six Feet?) seam would generate between 250 and 300 tons per day.

The report goes into great detail regarding the facilities required to access the new reserves and items a new hauling engine, water pumps, extensive repairs to existing roadways, driving new roadways and the provision of new and replacement air and water pipes which were in a very bad condition. The quantities mentioned are 1530 yards of 6 inch wrought iron air pipes and 1067 yards of 4 inch wrought iron water pipes at a cost of £1,800.

Time periods for completion of the works to the Upper Four Feet seam and Big Coal seam were given as three and nine months respectively, provided that the work was undertaken immediately and with energy.

No 2 Pit Underground Workings

The gross weekly output is stated as 3,840 tons which was obtained from several rather small and scattered Districts in the Big Coal, Red Coal and Rhas Las seams.