 In 1935 the colliery was acquired by Manchester Collieries . It had large reserves of high @-@ quality coal in the Roger mine below the seams already exploited , and although the mines dipped steeply , was a dry and relatively gas @-@ free pit . Manchester Collieries initially improved coal screening but had plans to develop the colliery and maximise output to 4000 long tons ( <unk> short tons ) per day , involving the complete replacement of the surface works . The Parker shaft was deepened to 955 yards ( 873 m ) between 1944 and 1948 , and winding installed to accommodate 12 @-@ long ton ( 13 @.@ 44 @-@ short ton ) capacity skips . The transport of coal underground was improved by the installation of three @-@ ton mine cars hauled by a battery @-@ powered locomotive and a system of conveyors . A 200 @-@ foot ( 61 m ) reinforced concrete winding tower was built to house a <unk> @-@ type friction wheel built by Metropolitan @-@ Vickers . 
