On the 27th of November the miners working east from the West Shaft
struck a seam running across the stratification of the mountain. Water
soon issued from the seam at the rate of twenty-three gallons per
minute. On the 29th, the water had risen at the foot of the shaft to two
and a half feet above grade, and the work was stopped. The usual speed
of the engine working the pump was forty-two revolutions per minute; it
was increased to fifty-six, and at that rate it succeeded in preventing
any further rise of the water. It became necessary to increase the power
of the pumps. The plunger was enlarged from eight to ten inches, and a
third lift pump was added. To affect this arrangement the pumps were
stopped from 9 o'clock, A. M., December 7th, to 3-1/2 P. M. on the 8th.
At this time the water was four feet and eight inches above grade. On
the 12th the water was so much reduced that the miners recommenced work.
The next day, at 2 P. M., the water was struck in large quantities, the
whole flow from the heading being 100 gallons per minute. On the 14th,
the work was again suspended, and unsuccessful attempts made to stop the
water by means of wooden plugs driven into the seam. The pumps working
with the longest stroke and at increased speed, were just able to keep
the water from rising.
On the 19th, at 10.30 A. M., one of the trunnions of the pump-bob broke,
and seriously injured the pump gearing and boxes. On the 21st a new
trunnion was put in, and the pump was attached to the small hoisting
engine, the water now being seven feet above grade. On the 28th, at
noon, the breakages being all repaired, the large engine was again
attached to the pumps, the water then being nine feet and eight inches
above grade. And, on the first day of January, at 4 P. M., the water
stood nine feet ten inches above grade at the foot of the shaft.[B]
[B] At the time of the presentation of this Report, the Committee
understood that the water was entirely removed from the shaft and
tunnel.