DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR 

UNITED STATES GEOLOGICAL SURVEY

GEORGE OTIS SMITH, DIRECTOR

BULLETIN 362

MINE SAMPLING AND CHEMICAL

 ANALYSES OF COALS

TESTED AT THE

UNITED STATES FUEL-TESTING PLANT 

. NORFOLK, VA.

IN 1907

BY

JOHN SHOBER BURROWS

WASHINGTON

GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE

1908

CONTENTS.

Page.

Introduction... ........................................................... 5

Acknowledgments....................................:..................... 6

Coals tested................................................................. 7

Preliminary statement.................................................. 7

Location of coal beds and chemical analyses............................. 9

Jamestown No. 1................................................... 9

Jamestown No. 2................................................... ' 10

Jamestown No. 3................................................... 11

Jamestown No. 4................................................... 11

Jamestown No. 5................................................... 12

Jamestown No. 6 .................................................. 13

Jamestown No. 7................................................... 14

Jamestown No. 8................................................... 15

Jamestown No. 9.................................................... 16

Jamestown No. 10................ v . '. .............................. 17

Jamestown No. 11.................................................. 18

Jamestown No. 12.................................................. 19

Jamestown No. 13................................ ................... 20

Jamestown No. 14.................................................. 21

Jamestown No. 15.................................................. 21

Jamestown No. 16.................................................. 22

Jamestown No. 17.................................................. 22

Survey publications on fuel testing ......................................... 23

3

MINE SAMPLING AND CHEMICAL ANALYSES OF COALS 

TESTED AT THE UNITED STATES FUEL-TESTING 

PLANT, NORFOLK, YA., IN 1907. 

By JOHN SHOBEE, BURROWS.

INTRODUCTION.

In behalf of the United States Government, which is a large user of 

coal, the United States Geological Survey, in 1907, made a thorough 

investigation of the Pocahontas and New River coals. The tests were 

conducted at the Government plant on the grounds of the Jamestown 

Exposition, near Norfolk, Va., and their especial purpose was to determine the best methods of using the coals economically.

The New River field is situated in West Virginia; the Pocahontas 

in West Virginia and a small section of Virginia. From these fields 

the coals reach the tide-water shipping ports Newport News and 

Norfolk by two railways, the Chesapeake and Ohio and the Norfolk 

and Western, the former having docks at Newport News and the latter at Norfolk. Another road, the Virginian Railway, which extends 

into the territory of both the older lines and has docks at Norfolk, is 

now nearing completion and will soon be adding to the already enormous tonnage of the ports mentioned.

Pocahontas and New River coals are purchased by industrial plants 

along the Atlantic seaboard, are consumed by the United States Navy 

and the merchant marine, and are used by the Isthmian Canal Commission in digging the Panama Canal. Because of their extensive use 

by the public and the Government the determination of the best 

methods of utilizing these coals economically is a matter of much 

importance. The site selected for the investigation was chosen not 

only because of its accessibility to the New River and Pocahontas 

fields and its location near the shipping ports of Norfolk and Newport 

News, but also because of the facilities afforded by the Jamestown 

Exposition Company for temporarily housing the plant.

The equipment used in the tests came mainly from the St. Louis 

fuel-testing' plant a of the Geological Survey. Some new equipment

a See Bulletins 332 and 290 and Professional Paper 48 for description of equipment of St. Louis plant.

5
6 SAMPLING AND ANALYSES OF COALS IN 1907.

was added to that brought from the St. Louis plant, and the building 

erected was designed especially to meet the requirements of the work.

Three distinct lines of research were carried on with the coals 

received for test use under boilers, use in gas producers, and adaptability to briquetting.

In the steaming investigations regular steaming tests were made and 

a large amount of research work was performed dealing with conditions 

in the combustion chamber, the temperature of the gases at various 

points, and the character of the flue gases. The results of this work 

are now being prepared for publication, and will appear in a forthcoming bulletin of the Survey.

The producer-gas tests, carried on after the general plan adopted at 

St. Louis, were made to. determine the efficiency and economy of the 

particular coals as gas-producer fuels. The results of this work are 

being compiled for publication and will appear in a Survey bulletin.

The investigations which seemed to attract more widespread interest than anything else at the plant were the briquetting tests. This 

work was most important, as it indicates a method by means of which 

Pocahontas and New River coals can be prepared for shipment to 

those distant receiving ports where consumers are apt to look for 

the firmness to which they have been familiar in European lump 

coals and briquets. The tests demonstrated that these coals could 

be formed into very satisfactory briquets suitable for locomotive and 

marine use and strong enough to be shipped long distances. The 

briquets were tried on locomotives, on torpedo boats, and on the U. S. S. 

Connecticut. The results of these locomotive-steaming tests are to be 

published separately as a Survey bulletin, and an account of the 

method of manufacture, the binders used, and the physical character 

and chemical composition of the briquets will appear in another bulletin.

Besides the coal investigations, tests of liquid fuels in internal-combustion engines were conducted at Norfolk in connection with work 

for the Navy Department. The results of this work are also being 

prepared for publication in a Survey bulletin.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS.

The Norfolk tests were made possible through the hearty cooperation of the officials of the Chesapeake and Ohio Railway, the Norfolk 

and Western Railway, the Virginian Railway, and the coal operators. 

The railways named hauled all of the coal used in the tests, amounting 

to 38 carloads, free of cost, and the operators generously donated the 

coal and extended every facility to the inspector at the mine. To Mr. 

Neil Robinson, of Charleston, W. Va., is due credit for procuring the 

cooperation of the New River operators. Mr. Robinson personally 

visited many of the mine owners in the New River field and devoted
SAMPLING AND ANALYSES OF COALS IN 1907. 7

much of his time to making arrangements with them for furnishing 

coal.

One of the Survey inspectors, Mr. K. M. Way, to whom was assigned 

the task of sampling and shipping the coal, rendered most efficient 

service in the field and later prepared the chemical analyses and other 

details for this report.

COALS TESTED.

PRELIMINARY STATEMENT.

[The table on page 8 briefly summarizes some data relating to the 

carload samples of coal tested at Norfolk in 1907. These were nearly 

all shipped under the supervision of an inspector of the technologic 

branch, who was at the mine while the car was being loaded and could 

therefore certify to its origin. The samples were designated consecutively Jamestown No. 1, Jamestown No. 2, etc., as they were shipped 

to distinguish them in the test records and to differentiate them from 

the samples received during the same period at the coking and washing 

plant operated at Denver, Colo., which were called Denver No. 1, Denver No. 2, etc.

At the time .the inspector shipped the coal to the plant he thoroughly 

examined the coal in the mine and took small mine samples a from the 

bed for chemical analysis to show the composition of the coal in its 

natural state before exposure to the weather and for the guidance of 

the engineers at the testing plant.

Detailed sections of the seams at the points where the mine samples 

were taken, showing the amount of clean coal and the partings of shale, 

bone coal, etc., together with chemical analyses of these samples and 

of the carload lots as they were received at the testing plant after 

exposure to the weather for various periods, are given on succeeding 

pages. The numbers used to designate the samples are those assigned 

in the chemical laboratory. -

a For method of taking mine samples, see Bull. U. S. Geol. Survey, No. 316, 1907, p. 480.
Coals tested at the Jamestown Exposition, 

Field sample.

Jamestown No. 

1. ..............

2...............

3...............

4...............

5 _ .

6........ ...... .

7...............

8...............

9...............

10...............

11...............

12. ..............

13...............

14...............

15...............

16...............

17...............

Kind of coal.

Bituminous run of 

mine, loaded in 

mine with forks. 

Semibituminous run 

of mine. 

.....do................

.....do................

.....do................

.....do................

.....do................

..... do.... ........... .

.....do................

.....do................

.....do................

Semibituminous run 

of mine. 

Semianthracite culm.

Semibituminous run 

of mine. 

.....do................

.....do.................

Name of bed.

Pocahontas No. 3.

Thin Vein Pocahontas. 

Quinnimont (Fire 

Creek).

.....do............

.....do............

Quinnimont (Fire 

Creek) . 

Sewell ............

.....do...'.........

Pocahontas No. 3. 

.....do............

Fire Creek and 

Sewell.

Pocahontas No. 3.

Locality.

Virginia City, Wise County,

Pocahontas, Tazewell County, Va. 

Davy, McDowell County, 

W. Va. 

Rush Run, Fayette County, 

W. Va. 

1 mile east of Sewell, Fayette 

County, W. Va. 

Red Star, Fayette County, 

W. Va. 

Derryhale, Fayette County, 

W. Va. 

Lawton, . Fayette County, 

W. Va. 

Winona, Fayette County, 

W. Va. 

Stanaford, Raleigh County, 

W. Va^ ' 

West Raleigh, Raleigh 

County, W. Va. 

Switchback, McDowell 

County, W. Va. 

Ennis, McDowell County, 

W. Va. 

Merrimac, Montgomery 

County, Va. 

Minden, Fayette County, 

W. Va.

Railwa

Norfolk and 

.....do......

.....do......

Chesapeake 

.....do......

.....do......

.....Ao. .....

.....do. .....

.....do......

.....do......

.....do......

Norfolk and 

.....do......

.....do......

Chesapeake a

.....do......

Norfolk and 

o Several cars taking various lengths of time in tra
SAMPLING AND ANALYSES OF COALS IN 1907. 9

LOCATION OF COAL BEDS AND CHEMICAL ANALYSES. 

JAMESTOWN No. 1.

This sample consisted of bituminous run-of-mine coal from a mine 

working the "Jaw Bone" bed at Virginia City, Wise County, Va., 

on the Norfolk and Western Railway. The coal was loaded with 

forks in the mine, and inspected by K. M. Way. It had been exposed 

to the weather for thirty-six days before use at the testing plant. 

It was used in making steaming and producer-gas tests, the results 

of which will appear in two bulletins now in course of preparation. 

Sections of the coal at the points in the mine where samples were 

taken are given below, as well as the analyses of the coal from these 

sections. Section A (No. 5235) was measured at a point 3,200 feet 

northwest of the opening of the mine, and section B (No. 5217) 

was.measured at a point 2,400 feet northwest from the opening.

Sections of " Jaw Bone" bed at Virginia City, Va.

SECTION A. 

Sandstone roof.

Rash a......................

Coal.........................

Shate floor.

Ft. in. 

5

i

2

1 4J7

3

.... 4 6

7 41 

Chemical

SECTION B.

Sandstone roof. 

Coal.........................

Coal.........................

Bone coal. . .................

Coal.........................

Shale floor. 

analysis.

Ft. in.

2

2

.... 1 5

2

4 J

7 3*

Ash........................................................

ilorinc value determined:

52,

As received.

1.80

3.05

27.84

 54. 17

14.94

1.24

6,896

12,413

35.

Dried at 

105° C.

28.71

55.88

15.41

1.28

7,113

12,803

52

As received.

2.20

3.37

28. 58

53.09

14. 96

1.18

6,916

12, 449

17.

Dried at 

105° C.

29. 58

54.94

15. 48

1.22

7 157

12,883

Mine samples.

a Excluded from sample.

56990 Bull. 362 08-
10 SAMPLING AND ANALYSES OF COALS IN 1907.

JAMESTOWN No. 2.

This sample consisted of several cars of semibituminous run-ofmine coal from a mine working the Pocahqntas No. 3 bed, located 

at Pocahontas, Tazewell County, Va., on the Norfolk and Western 

Railway. It was loaded under the supervision of Inspector K. M. 

Way, the first car being exposed to the weather for thirty-three days, 

while the car longest in transit was exposed for forty-three days. 

The entire shipment of this coal was made into, briquets and delivered to the U. S. S. Connecticut for trial tests under marine boilers. 

The test on the Connecticut was conducted in December, 1907, on a 

run from New York Harbor to Hampton Roads, Va.; the results will 

appear in a forthcoming bulletin of the Survey. Measured sections 

of the coal at the points in the mine where the samples were taken for 

chemical analysis, as well as the analyses of the coal as it was received 

at the testing plant, appear below.

Section A (No. 5268) was measured at a point 6,000 feet southwest of the drift mouth; section B (No. 5269) was measured at a 

point 6,700 feet southwest of the drift mouth.

Sections of Pocahontas No. 3 bed at Pocahontas, Va.

SECTION A.

"Top coal" roof .........

Coal......................

Coal......................

Coal......................

Ft.

....... 1

....... 3

....... 4

....... 1

9

in. 

10

5

4

fi

. t

3|-

SECTION 13.

"Top coal" roof «;. .....

Coal.....................

Bone coal ...............

Coal.....................

Coal......................

Shcil ft flnnr

Ft. in. 

....... 1 10

....... 3

4A

....... 3 8

....... 3

....... 1 9|

....... i

....... 11

10

Chemical analyses.

(Ash. ..................................

O YVfrpn

loriflc value determined:

Mine samples.

5268.

As 

received.

2.00

2.92

17. 55 

76.41 

3.12 

.61

8,301

14,942

Dried at 

105° C.

18.08 

78.71 

3.21 

.03

5209.

As 

received.

3.50

4.50

17.52 

74.43 

3.55 

.80

8,551 

15, 392

8,142 

14, C56

Dried at 

105° C.

18.35 

77.93 

3.72 

.84

8, 526 

15,347

Car sample.

5456.

As 

received.

1.10

. 1.G3

17. 17 

75.34 

5.86 

.75 

4.58 

83. 14 

1.02 

4.65

8,151 

14,672

Dried at 

105° C.

17. 45 

76.59 

5.96 

.76 

4.47 

84.52 

1.04 

3.25

8,286 

14,915

Excluded from sample.
SAMPLING AND ANALYSES OF COALS IN 1907. 11

JAMESTOWN No. 3.

This sample consisted of two cars of semibituminous run-of-mine 

coal from a mine working the "Thin Vein" Pocahontas bed, located 

at Davy, McDowell County, W. Va., on the Norfolk and Western 

Railway. It was loaded under the supervision of Inspector K. M. 

Way, and was exposed to the weather thirty-seven days- while in 

transit from the mine to the testing plant. It was used in making 

steaming, producer-gas, and briquetting tests, the results of which 

will appear in forthcoming bulletins of the Survey. Measured sections of the coal at the points where the samples were taken for 

chemical analysis, as well as the analyses of the mine and car samples, 

appear below. Section A (No. 5276) was measured 3,000 feet south 

of the drift mouth; section B (No. 5277) was measured 2,400 feet west 

of the drift mouth.

Sections of " Thin Vein" Pocahontas bed at Davy, W. Va.

SECTION A.

Shale roof. 

Coal.........................

Mother coal. ................

Coal.........................

Coal.........'...........-.....

Shale floor.

Ft. in. 

.....2 I

i

..... 7

..... -1

54

i

..... 6

O 6 o- 03sChemical

SECTION B.

Shale roof. 

Coal. .......................

Bone coal. . ..................

Coal........................

Mother coal and sulphur. ....

Coal..... ...................

Shale floor. 

analyses.

Ft. ip. 

..... 10J

..... -j 

..... 1

..... 1 10*

..... I

..... G

3 8J

r-drying loss .............. 

'Moisture. ........... ...... 

Volatile matter. ..........

f Ash... ........... ........

lorific value determined:

British thermal units.-. . .

Mine samples.

5270.

As received.

1.00 

2.87 

14. 91 

78.39 

3.83 

.81

8,227 

14,809

Dried 

at 

105° C.

""is." 35 

80.71 

3.94 

.83

8,470 

15,246

5277.

As received.

2.70 

3.58 

15.01 

78.44 

2.97 

.62

8,235 

14,823

Dried 

at 

105° C.

""i5."57" 

81.35 

. 3. OB 

.64

8,540 

15,372

Car samples.

- 5334.

As received.

1.20 

1.92 

15.41 

74.65 

8.02 

.08 

. 4.77 

81. 31 

1.26 

3.96

7,931 

14,276

Dried 

at 

105° C.

'"lb.il 

76.11 

8.18 

.69 

4.65 

82.90 

1 1.28 

2.30

8,086 

14,555

54.09.

As received.

0.90 

1.52 

15. 01 

76.19 

7.28 

.62 

4.55 

82. 51 

1.12 

3.92

8,024 

14, 443

Dried 'at 

105° C.

"l5."24 

77. 37 

7.39 

.63 

4.45 

83. 78 

1.14 

2.61

8,148 

14,666

JAMESTOWN No. 4.

This sample consisted of two cars of semibituminous run-of-mine 

coal from a mine working the Quinnimont (Fire Creek) bed, located 

at Rush Run, Fayette County, W. Va., on the Chesapeake and Ohio
12 SAMPLING AND ANALYSES OF COALS IN 1907.

Railway. It was loaded under the supervision of Inspector K. M. 

Way, and was exposed twenty-four days to the weather before being 

tested. Steaming and producer-gas tests were made on this coal, the 

results of which will appear in forthcoming bulletins of the Survey. 

Measured sections of the coal at the points in the mine where the 

samples were taken for chemical analysis, as well as the analyses of 

the coal as it was-received at the testing plant, appear below. Section 

A (No. 5328) was measured 4,500 feet southwest of the drift mouth; 

section B (No. 5327) was measured 5,700 feet south of the drift 

mouth.

Sections of Quinnimont (Fire Creek) bed at, Rush Run, W. Va. 

SECTION B.

Sandstone roof. 

Coal............

Bone coal......

Coal............

SJiale floor.

Ft. in.

4*

4 8

5 1

Sandstone roof. 

Coal....................

Bone coal. .............

Coal....................

Coal....................

SVisvlp flnnv

Ft. in.

........ 4|

........ 4 3

........ 14

........ 5

Chemical analyses.

[Ash.. ....................

Hydrogen................

lorifie value determined: 

Calories. ................. 

British thermal units . . .

Mine samples.

5327.

As received.

2,10 

3.35 

18.65 

73. 09 

4.31 

.51

8, 237 

14, 827

Dried 

at 

105° C.

19.30 

70. 24 

4.46 

.53

8, 523 

15, 341

. 5328.

As received.

1:90

2.97

18.90 

74.60 

3.47 

.60

8,321 

14, 978

Dried 

at 

105° C.

19. 54

70. 88 

3.58 

? .62

8,576 

15, 437

Car samples.

5436.

As received.

1.50

2.04

 18.96 

71.75 

7.25 

.75 

4.80 

80.83 

' 1.49 

4.88

7,919 

14, 254

Dried 

at 

105° C.

19.35 

73.25 

7.40

.77

4.67 

82.51 

1.52 

3.13

s;os4

14, 551

5438.

As received.

1.50

2.05

18.63 

73. 52 

5.80 

.57 

4.86 

81.58 

1: 43 

5.76

8, 066 

14, 519

Dried 

at 

105° C.

19.02 

75.06 

5.92 

.58

4.73 

83.29 

1.46 

4.02

8,235 

14,823

JAMESTOWN No. 5.

This sample consisted of two cars of semibituminous run-of-mine 

coal from a mine working the Sewell bed, located 1 mile east of Sewell, 

Fayette County, W. Va., on the Chesapeake and Ohio Railway. It 

was loaded under the supervision of Inspector- K. M. Way, one car 

being exposed to the weather for twenty-two days and the other 

twenty-eight days before arriving at the testing plant. Producergas and briquetting tests were made on this shipment. The results 

will be published in forthcoming bulletins of the Survey. Measured

a Excluded from sample.
SAMPLING AND ANALYSES OF COALS IN 1907. 13

sections of coal at the points in the mine where the samples were taken 

for chemical analysis, as well as 'the analyses of the mine and car 

samples, appear below. Section A (No. 5329) was measured 3,000 

feet east of the drift mouth; section B (No. 5432) was measured 1,500 

feet west of the drift mouth.

Sections of Sewell bed. 1 mile east of Sewell, W. Va.

SECTION A.

Sandstone roof. 

Coal............

Hard coal......

Coal............

Fire clay floor.

Ft. in.

2 10

SECTION B.

Sandstone roof. 

Coal............

Hard coal:

Mother coal....

Coal............

Mother coal....

Coal............

Fire clay floor.

Ft. in.

91

3

1 61

10

i

7

Chemical analyses.

r-drying loss ..............

lAsh... ...................

Nitrofircii

loriftc value determined:

British thermal units . . .

Mine samples.

5329.

As received.

2. 60 

3.83

20.27 

74.04 

1.86 

.53

8,335

15.003

Dried 

at 

105° C.

21.08 

76. 99 

1.93 

. 55

8,067 

15, 601

5432.

As received.

2.50 

3.20

21.82 

72.83 

2. 15 

.51

8,308 

14, 954

Dried 

at 

105° C.

22.54 

75. 24 

2.22 

.53

. 8,583 

15, 449

Car samples.

5453.

As received.

2. GO 

3.37 

21.80 

70.74 

4.09 

.58 

5.06 

82.19 

1.34

6.74

8,068 

14,522

Dried 

at 

105° C.

22. 56 

73.21 

4.23 

.60 

4.85 

85. 06 

1.39 

3.87

8,349 

15,028

5480.

As rer 

ceived.

1.70 

2.52

21.28 

68.20 

8.00 

.68 

4.73 

78.71 

1.31 

6.57

7,776 

13, 997

Dried 

at 

105° C.

2.1. 83 

69.96 

8.21 

.70 

4.57 

80.74 

1.34 

4.44

7,977 

14,359

JAMESTOWN No. 6.

This sample consisted of two cars of semibituminous run-of-mine 

coal from a mine working the Sewell bed, located at Red Star, Fayette County, W. Va., on the Chesapeake and Ohio Railway. It was 

loaded under the supervision of Inspector K. M. Way, one car being 

exposed to the weather for twenty days, the other for forty-one days, 

before arriving at the testing plant. Steaming and briquetting tests 

were made on this shipment of coal, the results of which will be 

given in Survey bulletins. The following sections are typical of the 

coal bed in this mine and were measured at the places where samples 

were taken for chemical analysis. The analyses of the mine samples, as well as of the coal as it was received at the testing plant, are
14 SAMPLING AND ANALYSES OF COALS IN 1901.

given below. Section A (No. 5396) was measured 7,600 feet southwest of the drift mouth; section B (No. 5397) was measured 6,700 

feet southwest of the drift mouth.

Section of Sewell bed at Red Star, W. Va.

SECTION A.

Shale root.

Coal.........................

Coal.........................

Coal.........................

Coal.........................

Shale floor.

Ft. in.

2

1 QJL

104

01

1

£.X

8

3 8J

SECTION B.

Shale roof.

Soft coal.............. .......

Coal.....................!...

Coal.................... ....

Chemical analyses.

Ft. in.

C 1,

o

104

... 2 6

i

1 9i

5 34

If Ash.....................

ilorific value determined:

British thermal units..:.

Mine samples.

5390.

As 

received.

1.90

2.79

18.82 

75. 40 

2.93 

.70

8,308 

'14,954

.Dried at 

105° C.

19.30 

77. 03 

3.01

.72

8, 540 

15,383-

5397.

As 

received.

1.30

2.27

20.52 

71. 75 

5.40 

.60

8, 140 

14,003

Dried at 

105° C.

21.00 

73.41 

5.59 

.61

8.335 

15,003

Car samples.

5489.

As 

received.

1.50

2.09

19.39 

74.03 

3.89 

. .89 

4.88 

79.01 

1.33 

9.40

8,213 

14,783

Dried at 

105° C.

19.80 

76.23 

3.97 

.91

4.74 

81.31 

1. 30 

7.71

8,388 

15,098

5574.

As 

received.

1.80

2.30

IS. 70 

73.74 

5.14 

.70 

4.88 

82.53 

1.40 

5.29

8,109 

14, 590

Dried at 

105° C.

19. 21 

75.53 

5.26 

.78 

4.73 

84. 52 

1.43 

3.28

8,305 

14,949

JAMESTOWN No. 7.

This sample consisted of three cars of semibituminous run-of-mine 

coal from a mine working the Sewell bed, located at Derryhale, 

Fayette County, W. Va., on the Chesapeake and Ohio Railway. It 

was loaded under the supervision of Inspector K. M. Way, the first 

two cars shipped being exposed to the weather for twenty-three days, 

while the other car was exposed forty-one days, before arriving at the 

testing plant. Steaming and briquetting tests were made on this 

shipment of coal, the results of which will appear in forthcoming 

bulletins of the Survey. The following sections are typical of the 

coal bed in this mine and were measured at the places where samples 

were taken for chemical analysis. The analyses of the mine samples, 

as well as of the coal as it was received at the testing plant, are given 

below. Section A (No. 5404) was measured 3,500 feet northwest of

" Excluded from sample.
SAMPLING AND ANALYSES OF COALS IN 1907. 15

the drift mouth; section B (No. 5431) was measured 3,000 feet 

southeast of the drift mouth.

Sections of Sewell bed at Derryhale, W. Va.

SECTION A. 

Ft. in.

Shale roof. 

Hard coal. . ..................... 8

Soft coal.... ..............:...... 1 S£

Coal............................. 4i

Coal....................:......... 3J

Shale floor. 

4 10*

s

SECTION B.

Shale roof. 

Coal.........'. .'..............

Coal.........................

Coal.........................

Coal.........................

Coal...............:.........

Rlinlii flnor

Ft. in.

01

t

24

i

Kl

8

11

74

t

in

i

i

4

Chemical analyses.

r-dryiug loss. ...........................

fAsh.. ................................

loriflc value determined:

Mine samples.

5404.

As received.

2.80 

3.71

' 18.47 

75.05 

2.77 

 .47

8.219 

14, 704

Dried at 

105° C.

19.18 

77.94 

2.88 

.49

8,530 

15, 305

5431.

As received.

2.50 

3.2G

10. 52 

 74. 55 

2.67 

.59

8,311 

14,900

Dried at 

105° C.

20. 18 

77. OG 

2. 70 

.61

8, 591 

15, 404

Car sample.

5501:

As re- 

 ccived.

1,40 

2.00

17.57 

74.10 

6.33 

.91 

4.75 

81.37 

1.28 

5.36

8,030 

14, 405

Dried at 

105° C.

..........

17.93 

75.61 

6.40 

.93 

4.59 

83.03 

1. 31 

3.68

8,200 

14,700

JAMESTOWN No. 8.

This sample consisted of two cars of semibituminous run-of-mine 

coal from a mine working the Quinnimont (Fire Creek) bed, 

located at Lawton, Fayette Count}7 , W. Va., on the Chesapeake and 

Ohio Railway. It was loaded under the supervision of Inspector 

K. M. Way, one car being exposed to the weather for twenty-seven 

days and the other car for thirty-one days before being tested. 

Briquetting tests were made on this shipment of coal, the results of 

which will appear in a forthcoming bulletin of the Survey. Measured sections of the coal as it appeared in the mine where the samples were taken for chemical analysis, as well as the analyses of these
16 SAMPLING AND ANALYSES OF COALS IN 1907.

samples and of the coal as it was received at the plant, are given 

below. Section A (No. 5419) was measured at a .point 1,600 feet 

northwest of the drift mouth; section B (No. 5420) was measured at' 

a point 900 feet east of the drift mouth.

Sections of Quinnimont (Fire Creek) bed at Lawton, W. Va.

SECTION A. 

Shale roof. 

Soft coal .................. 1

Coal .......................

Coal .......................

Coal .......................

Ft. in.

84

i

54

1 71

i

54

I

71

SECTION B.

.Shale roof. 

Soft coal ...................

Coal........................

Coal......'.................

Mother coal. ................

Coal .......................

Ft 

.... 1

.... 1

. . . . 1

Q

in.

I

14

ft

64

t

14

n

3 llf

Chemical analyses.

f Ash......................... .........

loriftc value determined:

Mine samples.

5419.

As 

received.

2.40

2.90

17.47 

73.57 

0.00 

1.08

8,004 

14, 407

Dried at 

105° C.

18.00 

75.82 

0.18 

1.11

8,248 

14,840

5420.

As 

received.

3.10

3.79

10.44 

73.40 

0.37 

.70

7,921 

14,258

Dried at 

105° C.

17.09 

76.29 

6.02 

.79

8,233 

14,819

Car sample.

5575.

As 

received.

2.20

2.80

17. 10 

74.80 

5.30 

.86 

4.97 

82.08 

1.40 

4.79

8,107 

14,701

Dried at 

105° C.

17.59 

70.90 

5.45 

.88 

 4.75 

85.07 

' 1.44 

2.41

8,402 

15,124

JAMESTOWN No. 9.

This sample consisted of two cars of semibituminous run-of-mine 

coal from a mine working the Sewell bed, located at Winona, Fayette 

County, W. Va., on the Chesapeake and Ohio Railway. It was 

loaded under the supervision of Inspector K. M. Way, and was used 

in making steaming and briquetting tests, the results of which will 

appear in forthcoming bulletins of the Survey. Twenty-four days 

elapsed before the shipment of the coal and its use at the testing 

plant, during which period the coal was exposed to the weather. 

Measured sections of the coal as it appeared in the mine where the 

samples were taken, and the analyses of these samples and of the 

coal as it was received at the plant, are given. . Section A (No. 5467) 

was measured at a point 1,800 feet southeast.of the drift mouth;
SAMPLING AND ANALYSES OF COALS IN 1907. 17

section B (No. 5468) was measured at a point 2,500 feet south of the 

drift mouth.

Sections of Sewell bed at Winona, W. Va.

Ft. in. 

1 4

H

SECTION A.

Shale roof. 

Coa'l ....................

Coal ....................

Mother coal..... .........

Coal ....................

Coal ....................

Shale floor.

Ft. in. 

...... 1 5

11

11A

...... 4

...... 6

...... i

...... 10

3 10}

SECTION H.

Shale roof. 

Coal...........................

Hard coaT ......................

Coal ...........................

Coal ...........................

Mother coal. ....................

Coal ...........................

Coal ...........................

Shale floor.

10

3 9}

Chemical analyses.

/Ash.....................

tic-rifle value determined:

British thermal units ...

Mine samples.

5407.

As 

received.

2.40

3.22

23.53 

71.16 

2.09 

.57

8,211 

14, 780

Dried at 

105° C.

24.31 

73.53 

2.16 

.59

8,484 

15, 271

5468.

As 

received.

2.40

3.34

23.67 

71.15 

1.84 

.56

8,185 

14, 733

Dried at 

105° C.

24.49 

73.61 

1.90 

.58

8,468 

15,242

Car samples.

5709.

As 

received.

3.00

3.98

23.21 

67.41 

5.40 

.66 

5.31 

79.56 

1.34 

7.73

7,910 

14,238

Dried at 

105° C.

24.17 

70.21 

5.62 

.69 

5.01 

82.85 

1.40 

4.43

8,238 

14, 828

5711. '

As 

received.

3.90

4.71

23.80 

66.18 

5.31 

.68 

' 5.09 

.78. 53 

- 1.37 

9.02

7,836 

14, 105

Dried at 

105° C.

24.98 

69.45 

5.57 

.71 

4.80 

82.41 

1.44 

5.07

8,223 

14,801

JAMESTOWN No. 10.

This sample consisted of two cars of semibituminous run-of-mine 

coal from a - mine working the Beckley bed, located at Stanaf ord, 

Raleigh County, W. Va., on the Chesapeake and Ohio Railway. It 

was loaded under the supervision of Inspector K. M. Way, and was 

used in making steaming and briquetting tests, the results of which 

will be published in forthcoming bulletins of the Survey. Twentythree days elapsed before the shipment of the coal and its use at the 

testing plant, during which period the coal was exposed to the 

weather. Measured sections of the coal at the points in the mine 

where the samples were taken for chemical analysis, the analyses of 

these samples, and the'analyses of the coal as it was received at the 

plant are given below. Section A (No. 5502) was measured at a 

point 2,700 feet southwest of the drift mouth; section B (No. 5503) 

was measured at a point 2,700 feet west of the drift mouth.
18 SAMPLING AND ANALYSES OF COALS IN 1907.

Sections of Beckley bed at Stanaford, W. Va.

SECTION A.

Shale roof. 

Coal...............:.........

Bone and shale a . . ..........

Coal...... ...................

Sulphur ffl . ...................

Coal.........................

Coal.........................

Shale floor.

Ft. in. 

.... 1 5*

.... lit

2|

.:.. -1

.... 1 11|

t

.... 1 9

6 51

SECTION B.

Shale roof. 

Coal.............................

Coal.............................

Coal.............................

Coal.............................

Coal.............................

SVialfi flnnr

f 

1

41

9

4

2 6£

5 4£

Chemical analyses.

fAsh. ...... ..............

Joriflc value determined:

British thermal units. . .

Mine samples.

5502.

As received.

2 in

17.09 

76.99 

3.73 

.64

8,254 

14,857

Dried 

at 

105° C.

17.47 

78.72

a si

.65

8,439 

15, 190

5503.

As received.

1.70

2.28 

16.81 

77.37 

3.54 

.79

8,241 

14, 834

Dried 

at 

105° C.

17.20 

79.18 

3.62 

.81

8,433 

15, 179

Car samples.

5719.

As received.

1.40

2.14 

16.83 

71.91 

9.12 

1.20 

474 

79.60 

1.41 

3.93

7,791 

14, 024

Dried 

at 

105° C.

17.20 

73.48 

9.32 

1.23 

4.57 

81.34 

1.44 

2.10

7,961 

14,330

 5720.

As received.

1.90

2.56

16.08 

72.87 

8.49 

.85 

4.75 

79.85 

1.34 

472

7,802 

14, 044

Dried 

at 

105° C.

16.50 

74.79 

8.71 

.87 

455 

81.94 

1.38 

2.55

8,007 

14, 413

JAMESTOWN No. 11.

This sample consisted of two cars of semibituminous run-of-mine 

coal from a mine working- the Beckley bed, located at West Raleigh, 

Raleigh County, W. Va., on the Chesapeake and Ohio Railway. It 

was loaded under the supervision of Inspector K. M. Way, and was 

used in making steaming and briquetting tests, the results of which 

will appear in forthcoming bulletins of the Survey. One car was 

exposed to the weather for nineteen days and the other for twentythree days before being tested. Measured sections of the coal as it 

appeared in the mine where the samples were taken for chemical 

analysis,.as well as the analyses of the mine and the car samples, are 

given below. Section A (No. 5547) was taken at a point 1,800 feet 

northeast of the drift mouth; section B (No. 5548) was measured at 

a point 3,150 feet northwest of the drift mouth.

a Excluded from sample.
SAMPLING AND ANALYSES OP COALS IN 1907. 19

Sections of Beckley bed at West Raleigh, W. Va.

SECTION A.

Shale roof.

Bone coal and shale «.

Coal..................

Bone coal............

Coal..................

Mother coal..........

Coal..................

Mother coal..........

Coal...................

Shale floor.

Ft

3

5

in. 

92

I

III

4

1

I

3

"14

SECTION B. '

Shale roof. 

Bone coal and shale a . ............

Coal.............................

Coal.............................

Bone coal. ......................

Coal.............................

Coal.............................

Ivtotlicr co&l

Coal...................'.....-.....

Shale floor.

Ft. in.

14

44

i 

74

I

24 

i

114

10

Chemical analyses.

N/Ash. ....................

 Hydrogen................

1 0 YVf>pn

Calorific value determined:

British thermal units . . .

Mine samples.

5547.

As received.

1.80

2.28 

15.84 

78.80 

3.08 

.96

8,300 

14, 940

Dried 

at 

105° C.

10.21 

80. C4 

3.15 

.98

8,494 

15,289

5548.

As received.

1.80

2.32 

10.18 

78.42 

3.08 

.65

8,316 

14, 969

Dried 

at 

105° C.

16.56 

80.29 

3.15

.67

8,514 

15,325

Car samples.

5718.

As received.

1.50

2.15

' 15.06 

75.46 

7.33 

.90 

4.72 

82.27 

1.55. 

3.23

7,995 

14,391

Dried 

at 

105° C.

15.39 

77.12 

7.49 

.92 

4.58 

84.09 

1.58 

1.34

8,171 

14,708

5740.

As received.

3.60 

4.26

16.25 

73.45 

6.04 

.78 

4.83 

81.37 

1.49 

5.49

7,933 

14,2V9

Dried 

at 

105° C.

16.97 

76.72 

6.31 

.81 

4.49 

84.99 

1.56 

1.84

8,280 

14,915

JAMESTOWN No. 12.

This sample consisted of one car of bone coal from a mine working 

the Pocahontas No. 3 bed, located at Switchback, McDowell County, 

W. Va., on the Norfolk and Western Railway. It was shipped, without inspection, by the operator and was used in making briquetting 

tests, the results of which will be published in a Survey bulletin. 

One mine sample, the chemical analyses of which and a section of 

the seam appear below, was taken in order to make a comparison 

between the coal regularly shipped and the bone coal. The section 

was measured at a point 5,200 feet from the drift mouth.

Shale roof. 

Coal.........

Mother coal. 

Coal.........

Mother coal. 

Coal.........

Section of Pocahontas No. 5 bed at Switchback, W. Va.

Ft. in.

Mother coal.

Coal......'...

Bone coal". 

Coal.........

1 8| 

4

Shale floor.

Ft. in. 

4

3

5 64

a Excluded from sample.
20 SAMPLING AND ANALYSES OF COALS IN 190*7.

Chemical analyses.

_

Proximate:

Ash. .................. :................:......................................

Calorific value determined:

Mine sample (570C).

As 

received.

2.40

3.01

15.94 

76.31 

4.74 

.44

8,175 

14, 715

Dried at 

150° C.

16.43 

78. 08 

4.89 

.45

8,429 

15,172

JAMESTOWN No. 13.

This sample consisted of three cars of semibituminous run-of-mine 

coal from a mine working the Pocahontas No. 3 bed, located at Ennis, 

McDowell County, W. Va., on the Norfolk and Western Railway. 

It was loaded under the supervision of Inspector K. M. Way. Two 

cars were exposed to the weather for twenty-nine days and the other 

for thirty-seven days before being tested. The entire shipment was 

made into briquets and delivered to the Seaboard Air Line for 

several tests under locomotive boilers. The results of these tests 

will appear in a forthcoming bulletin of the Survey. Measured sections of the coal as it appeared in the mine where the samples were 

taken for chemical analysis, as well as the analyses of the coal as it 

was received at the testing plant, are given below. Section A (No. 

5789) was measured at a point 8,000 feet northeast from the drift 

mouth; section B (No. 5790), at a point 8,100 feet northeast of the 

drift mouth.

Sections of Pocahontas No. 3 bed at Ennis, W. Va. 

SECTION A. , SECTION B.

Ft. in. Ft. in.

Shale roof. 

Coal...:.........:.......

Coal.....................

Coal.....................

Coal.....................

Bone coal a..............

Coal.........'............

Coal..............'. ......

Coal.....................

Shale floor.

111

........ 10J

2i

i

3a

........ 1 11

0

........ 1 3J

........ J-

........ 1 4

8

3 jr

Shale roof. 

Coal....................

Mother, coal. ...........

Coal....................

Bone coal a .............

Coal....................

Coal....................

Mother coal.......... ..

Coal....................

91

1

......... 4

......... 1 8

......... 3

1 2?

......... i

......... 1 5

6 5i

o Excluded from sample.
SAMPLING AND ANALYSES OP COALS IN 1907. 21

Chemical analyses.

r-drying loss ...............

/Ash....,..............:..

Nitroscu

OxvEGn

loriflc value determined:

British thermal units ....

Mine samples.

5789.

As received.

2.80 

3.27

15.51

77.07 

3.55 

.47

8,215 

14, 787

Dried 

at 

105° C.

16.03 

80.30 

3.67 

.49

8, 493 

15,287

5790.

As received.

2.10 

2.58

16.04 

77.48 

3.90 

.36

8,249 

14, 848

Dried 

at 

105° C.

16.46 

79.54 

4.00 

.37

8,467 

15,241

Car samples.

5829.

As received.

2.80 

3.67

15.09 

74.69 

6.55 

.46 

4.32

81.73

.94

6.00

7,939 

14,290'

Dried at ' 

105° C.

15.66 

77.54 

6.80 

.48 

4.06

84.84

 . .98

2.84

8,241 

14,834

5830.

As received.

3.10 

3.96

15.60 

74.51 

5.93 

.43

7,985 

14-, 373

Dried 

at 

105° C.

16.24 

77.59 

6.17 

.45

8,314 

14,905

5831.

As received.

4.00 

4.52

15.04 

74.07 

6.37 

.41

7,881 

14, 186

Dried 

at 

105° C.

15.75 

77.58 

 6.67 

.43

8,254 

14,857

JAMESTOWN No. 14.

This sample consisted of a car of Virginia semianthracite culm from 

a mine working the "Big Vein" at Merrimac, Montgomery County, 

Va., on the Virginia Anthracite Railway, which makes connections 

with the Norfolk and Western Railway at.Christiansburg, Va. It 

was shipped, uninspected, by the operator and was used in making 

briquets after being exposed to the weather for thirty-seven days 

from the time it was shipped until the tests were made. The results 

of these tests will appear in a forthcoming bulletin of the Survey.

JAMESTOWN No. 15.

This sample consisted of several cars of-'.semibituminous run-ofmine coal from a mine working the Fire Greek, and Sewell beds at 

Minden, Fayette County, W. Va., on the Chesapeake and Ohio Railway. It was loaded, uninspected, by the operator and the entire shipment was made into briquets and delivered to the Chesapeake and 

Ohio Railway for trial under locomotive boilers. The results of the 

tests will appear in a forthcoming bulletin of the'Survey. No mine 

samples were taken. The analyses of the Coal as it was received 

at the testing plant are given on page 22,
22 SAMPLING AND ANALYSES OF COALS IN 1907.

Chemical analyses.

r~drvin£r loss

/Ash. ....................

Carbon...................

loriflc value determined: 

Calories .................

British thermal units.. . .

Car samples.

5774.

As received.

3.00

3.80 

21.32 

67.30 

7.58 

.58 

4.81 

79.02 

1.31 

6.70

7,783 

14,009

Dried 

at 

105° C.

22.16 

69.96 

7.88 

.60 

456 

82.14 

1.36 

3.46

8,091 

14,564

5775.

As received.

2.90 

3.73

20/29 

70.09 

5.89 

.58 

5.18 

80.86 

1.39 

6.10

7,940 

14, 292

Dried 

at 

105° C.

21.08 

72.80 

6.12 

.60 

4.96 

83.99 

1.44 

2.89

8,247 

14, 845

5776.

As received.

4.90 

5.70

20.48 

67.31 

6.51 

.54 

5.18 

79.95 

1.28 

6.54

7,676 

13, 817

Dried 

at 

105° C.

21.72 

71.38 

6.90 

.57 

4.83 

84.78 

1.36 

1.56

8,139 

14,650

5777.

As received.

5.10 

5.90

20.85 

69.81 

3.44 

.52 

5.21 

80.45 

1.38 

9.00

7,995 

14, 391

Dried 

at 

105° C.

22.16 

74.18 

3.66 

.55 

4.83 

85.49 

1.47 

4.00

8,496 

15, 293

JAMESTOWN No. 16.

This sample consisted of semibituminous run-of-mine coal from 

West Virginia, shipped without inspection. It was all made into 

briquets and delivered to the Atlantic Coast Line Railway for locomotive tests, coal from the same locality being regularly used by the 

engines on this road. The results of these tests will appear in a 

forthcoming bulletin of the Survey. The following analyses were 

made of the coal as it was received at the testing plant:

Chemical analyses.

-

/Ash....... ................................................

Ovvfypn

loriflc value determined :

58

As received.

3.40

4.89

29.63

57.74

7.74

.72

5.00

73.83

1.21

11.50

7,489

13, 480

28.

Dried 

at 

105° C.

31.15

60.71

8.14

.76

4.69

77.63

1.27

7.51

7,874

14, 173

5

As received.

480

6.25

28.50

52.50

12.75

.72

5.15

68.66

1.07

11.65

6,811

12, 260

793.

Dried 

at 

105° C.

30.40

56.01

13.59

.7?

4.76

73.24 1:14

6.50

7,265

13,077

Car samples.

JAMESTOWN No. 17.

This sample consisted of semibituminous run-of-mine coal from 

the Pocahontas No. 3 bed of West Virginia. It was not inspected 

at the mines, as it was furnished by one of the navy coal contractors 

at Norfolk, Va., to be made into briquets for marine boiler tests on 

the U. S. S. Connecticut, flagship of the Atlantic fleet- The briquets 

were used on the battle ship during the first part of the cruise
SAMPLING AND ANALYSES OF COALS'IN 1901. 23

of the fleet from Hampton Roads to the Pacific. The results of 

these tests will appear in a Survey bulletin. The following analyses 

were made of the coal as it was received at the testing plant:

Chemical analyses.

r-dr iu loss

f Ash. ......................................................

H vclrnjfpn

lorific value determined:

Car samples.

5832.

As received.

2.80

3.16 

15.90 

76.63 

4.31 

.52 

4.49 

84.26 

.97 

5.45

8,192 

14,746

Dried 

at 

105° C.

16.42 

79. 13 

4.45 

.54 

4.28 

87.01 

1.00 

2.72

8,459 

15,226

5833.

As received.

2.20

2.71

16.23 

76.47 

4.59 

.50

8,264 

14,875

Dried 

at 

105° C.

16.68 

78.60 

4.72 

.51

8,494 

15,289

SURVEY PUBLICATIONS ON FUEL TESTING.

The following publications, except those to which a price is affixed, 

can be obtained free by applying to the Director, Geological Survey, 

Washington, D. C. The priced publications can be purchased from 

the Superintendent of Documents, Government Printing Office, 

Washington, D. C.

BULLETIN 261. Preliminary report on the operations of the coal-testing plant of the 

United States Geological Survey at the Louisiana Purchase Exposition; in St. Louis, 

Mo., 1904; E. W. Parker, J. A. Holmes, M. R. Campbell, committee in charge. 1905. 

172 pp. 10 cents.

PROFESSIONAL PAPER 48. Report on the operations of the coal-testing plant of the 

United States Geological Suryey at the Louisiana Purchase Exposition, St. Louis, 

Mo., 1904; E. W. Parker, J. A. Holmes, M. R. Campbell, committee in charge. 1906. 

In three parts. 1492 pp., 13 pis. $1.50..

BULLETIN 290. Preliminary report on the operations of the fuel-testing plant of the 

United States Geological Survey at St. Louis, Mo., 1905, by J. A. Holmes. 1906. 

240 pp. 20 cents.

BULLETIN 323. Experimental work conducted in the chemical laboratory of the 

United States fuel-testing plant at St. Louis, Mo., January 1, 1905, to July 31, 1906, 

by N. W. Lord. 1907. 49 pp.

BULLETIN 325. A study of four hundred steaming tests, made at the fuel-testing 

plant, St. Louis, Mo., 1904, 1905, and 1906, by L. P. Breckenridge. 1907. 196 pp.

BULLETIN 332. Report of the United States fuel-testing plant at St. Louis, Mo., 

January 1, 1906, to June 30, 1907; J. A. Holmes, in charge. 1908. 299 pp!

BULLETIN 334. The burning of coal without smoke in boiler plants; a preliminary 

report, by D. T. Randall. 1908. 26 pp.

BULLETIN 336. Washing and coking tests of coal and cupola tests of coke, by Richard Moldenke, A. W. Belden, and G. R. Delamater. 1908. 76 pp.

BULLETIN 339. The purchase of coal under Government and commercial specifications on the basis of its heating value, with analyses of coal delivered under Government contracts, by D. T. Randall. 1908. 27 pp.

BULLETIN 343. Binders for coal briquets, by J. E. Mills. 1908. 56 pp. 

. BULLETIN 363. Comparative tests of run-of-mine and briquetted'coal on locomotives, 

by W. F. M. Goss. 1908, 57 pp.

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