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HomeMy WebLinkAboutC_Wm Collins_Correction_to_Coal_Mine_Entrance_1906201 Clark Close From:wcollins <wcollins@qwest.net> Sent:Wednesday, June 19, 2019 7:30 PM To:Clark Close Cc:Gregg A. Zimmerman Subject:Correction to Coal Mine Entrance doc. Attachments:Renton Mine Entrances.doc CORRECTION: Upon re-reading this article, the mention of Frank Story should instead be Frank Manifold. Sorry. BC P.S. If you keep this article, you can cut and paste this corrected first sentence into it. "These notes relate a few interesting items that I have picked up over the years relating to the Renton Coal Mine thru investigation and personal discussions with previous “gyppo” employees of the post Renton Coal Mine era. Frank Manifold, retired Renton coal miner, worked for Bill Strain for many years as “clean-up” mining was underway in the mine. " On Jun 19, 2019, at 1:47 PM, wcollins wrote: Thank you Clark. P.S. Here is something I wrote for the Renton History Museum some time ago. It's all interesting, especially as it may pertain to this and future projects on Renton Hill. (I cc'd Gregg Zimmerman because of his past interest in the subject of coal mining under Renton Hill.) (I also forgot to say that if you walk about 1000 feet east of the Dog Park along the Cedar River Trail, you can clearly see the 11 - 12 degree tilt of Renton Hill in the rock formation alongside the trail - thus see the slope of the Renton Coal Mine) On Jun 19, 2019, at 11:22 AM, Clark Close wrote: Mr. Collins, Thanks for your email. I've cc'd the development engineer, Justin J., so he is aware of this item. Regards, Clark H. Close Senior Planner City of Renton 2 425-430-7289 -----Original Message----- From: wcollins [mailto:wcollins@qwest.net] Sent: Tuesday, June 18, 2019 3:52 PM To: Clark Close <CClose@Rentonwa.gov> Subject: Re: S Sing Short Plat LUA 17-000803 Clark Close: It took me long enough to realize a missing element in the Determination of Non-Significance review as it pertains to Coal Mine Hazards for this project. It is really strange that CORE Design, The RileyGroup, and all those affiliated with PK Enterprises continue to overlook the importance of the coal mine surveys or not participating in a on-site inspection of the entire area, as being not important for the moving forward of this project. The item I wish to bring to your attention, that all the professionals seem to be overlooking, is that approximately 60 feet south of the fire hydrant on the east side of Cedar Ave South, (818 Cedar Ave So), is a concrete "door" blocking an air vent / emergency exit shaft from the Renton Coal Mine. This will certainly interfere with the Tract "B" vault by a considerable amount. It may be worth checking out prior to proceeding. (Scott Moeller lives at 818 Cedar Ave So and has visited this concrete "door" since purchasing the lot / building their home there several years ago.) (He may be reached on his cell phone 206-478-2000) Respectfully, Wm Collins The Three Entrances To the Renton Coal Mine These notes relate a few interesting items that I have picked up over the years relating to the Renton Coal Mine thru investigation and personal discussions with previous “gyppo” employees of the post Renton Coal Mine era. Frank Story, retired Renton coal miner, worked for Bill Strain for many years as “clean-up” mining was underway in the mine. We were able discuss working in the mine while at the same time looking at the 1912 George Evans map and various photos of the era. The book “The Coal Fields of King County” was also extremely helpful in better understanding the layout. Frank also described the method of bringing the coal cars out of the mine as well. (His mini-Oral History is located at the Museum.) The 1874 entrance was actually on the North side of Renton hill at a center point of what is now the Renton Off-Leash Dog Park. The entrance was 258.7 feet above sea level, which places it approximately 55 feet below the surface of High Avenue. This was known as Bed #1 or Number 1 Vein. It headed in a southerly by SW direction to a large fork. One leg headed SW to an intersection with Geological Fault No 1 near the center of Renton Avenue South (at approx 606 Renton Ave So), where it intersects the First Level North of the 1896 entrance. At this point, it is about 110 feet above Bed #2. The other leg of this large fork, a gangway, heads SSW to another fork under Beacon Way and High Avenue So. This next leg ends just west of the intersection of Renton Avenue South and South 9th. This particular fork actually runs over the top of the second level North. Coal at this elevation was worked out quite rapidly, thus the entry was relocated. The 1896 entrance: Photos, located in the Renton History Museum, clearly show the 1896 entry point, including mule barn and timber-framed opening. This 1896 entrance is approximately 185 feet above sea level running parallel to an airway tunnel, and is located approximately 100 feet south of the south end of Cedar Avenue South. The 1896 concrete squirrel cage fan house walls can still be seen here and are located at the projected intersections of Mill Avenue South and South 10th Street. Most of the airway venting and access are at this location (two different shafts). This venting also provided air for the “future” 1901 entry relocation. Perpendicular intersecting man-ways access points to these workings are located just south of 600 Cedar Avenue South (covered by a wooden door) and approx 60 feet south of 818 Cedar Ave South (covered by a concrete panel). These are also somewhat related to the 1874 entry only in that they provided emergency access to the 1896 and 1874 workings as well. The 1896 entry did not have a hoist, but relied on mules to pull the coal cars out of the mine and along the north/south gangways within the mine. The 1901 entrance was located at 55.3 feet above sea level and under what was the original Benson Road. It was also the most photographed of the three entrances. A wooden bridge carried Benson Road over the electric coalmine car’s access tracks. A plethora of photos exist from various viewpoints around this opening, both interior and exterior. It is from this entrance that the 1000 ft rock tunnel accessed the 1896 shaft. It was also at this time that the steam hoist (located on Benson Road) brought the steel coal cars up from below. Instead of working on a somewhat horizontal plane, the mining operation began serious operations along the 11-degree, downward slope. Depths exceeded 500 feet below sea level with North and South gangways running level to the main slope.