A Report on Washington TerritoryRuffner, William Henry
History
A Report on Washington Territory
Ruffner, William Henry
Washington (State)
"I remember that, several years, ago Mr. Howard, of the O. I. Co.,
had collected and stored in his yard in San Francisco, Cal., in one
pile, several thousand tons of Newcastle coal, and was carrying it
for some time in stock, and that he complained that his coal was
heating, and feared fire. Since then they [have not] stowed in such
large piles, nor carried stock so long.
"No, sir; the sulphur that we rooted [out] at Gilman was not in form
of pyrite, nor have I seen any so far. I do not fear spontaneous
combustion, because in the Newcastle, when it has occurred, it has
resulted from carelessness."
This statement from Mr. Whitworth is certainly satisfactory on the main
point, namely, that there is nothing in this suggestion which need
diminish the reputation of the Newcastle coal as a stocking and shipping
coal.
In 1884, Mr. Jones (the same man) made a special report to Governor
Squire on the coals of Washington Territory, in which he describes the
Newcastle coal, speaking of it most highly, and saying nothing of
spontaneous combustion. He uses the following language concerning the
Newcastle coal: "The coal is taken from three beds, and is commercially
known as the 'Seattle lignite,' having a bright lustre and good
fracture. It is a good and choice fuel for steam generating and for
domestic use. The condition of the coal adds much to its value."
[Sidenote: Gilman Mines.]
_d. The Squak Creek, Raging River, and Snoqualmie Group._--These are not
all in the same hydrographic basin, but they are considered together
because they are the coals which will be reached by the Seattle, Lake
Shore and Eastern Railroad. A great outcrop of coal seams occurs in the
valley of Squak Creek in the mountain spur which lies between Squak and
the Newcastle mines. These seams are now being opened by the Seattle
Coal and Iron Company, and are known as "The Gilman Mines."
[Sidenote: Structure of Squak Mountain.]
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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