The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1853-04-16
From the Baltimore American.
The Mineral Wealth Of MaryIand-CoaI and

In 1896 and 1910 late scientific felowcitizen, Pro-
lessor Ducaie who then geoogst OF Maryland, made
an examination OF the great coal and iron basin in the
western part OF the State, which should be required TO
at the present day, when Baltimore is,akng inventory
OF her treasures.
In 1886 systematic researches were made under the d..
recion OF the Georges Creek Coal aud Iron Company,
in order to expose complete section of the Frosburg
basin. This operation developed. in height OF four
hundred and nifty feet eighteen beds Of COAL the largest
which is fourteen feet thick while the total thickness
OF all combined is not less than fifty two feet, ln this
space there also seventeen feet OF iron DR. Du
cael estimated the whole coal field 10 be hundred
from which he subTacted 20 $50 for denudation
by streams and water courses, leaving sc SAT
the area underlad by beds of coal and iron ore.
As many OF these strata bat two feet in thickness,
and may not be economically mined, 1t Judged best
not TO estimate the workable al more than forty
i've ieet fifteen yards Assuming tbis quantity
rect 10 the following calculations TO ascertain the whole
number OF cubic yards in the coal hed we shall have
Extent IN acres So SAT number OF square yards pei
acre, 4si0 thickness OF beds 10 yards These numbers
multiplied together will give The whole number Of cubic
yaIds 63Oj 37 2S7 anu ton oil coal IS regarded
occupying the space Of cubic yard, there is IN
the basin no less than elk thousand three hundred and
i've millions one hundred and thlryseyen thousand two
hundred and eighty tons OF coal!
The iron ore is scarcely less wonderful in quantity.
is calculated that quite nine feet, three yards, may
be assumed workable accordingly II we lake The
elements for calculation for COAL the total
OF ,26i ,o27A57 yards and in weight, 237.
57s,st tons, about half the weight in the coal
basin but enough 10 yield, 10 The proportion given BY
the test OF practice, thousand and seveniynlne mil
lions one hundred and ninetyonr thousand seven hun
dred And fourteen tons OF crude iron.
At the period when DR.. Ducslel made bis calculation,
il supposed that this prolific mineral district would
be much tapped and developed by The exclusive
channel OF the canal In those days coal transportation
by railway no, dreamed Of But ibe failure 10
plee the canal until within short period, and the very
recent equipment OF railroad for coal trade have eit
the Allegany basin comparatively virgin; that to Bal
more. in all likelihood will belong the privilege OF sup
plying the world with our valuable minerals. This IL
properly Maryland business The city OF Baltimore
contribute abont onehaf OF the taxes OF the State and
profng BY the experience OF Philadelphia IL
this trade wresied from by the towns OF the District
The concentration OF coal and iron market out of
The limits OF Maryland would be disgrace 10 the
prise OF people, especially when they consider The
commercial value that would be given TO coal when
The city instead OF at the mne and the immense capital
that such augmented price would put in circulation
In estimating the coal al but 25 cents per
II would bring TO Alegany miners more than one thou
sand five hundred millions OF doars but If sell each
ton IN Baltimore for four dollars instead OF twenty five
cents al The iat shall introduce into city capt.
tai OF from two TO three millions OF dollars annually
This calculation cannot err, because the and river
steamers OF great commercial cities, well the
fuel OF dwellings and factories 10 other Staes will surely
demand from 500 600 600 900 tons OF coal every
year Professor Johnson long ago declared that was
The best "eysporave material" IN existence. and expe-
ence has proved The accuracy Of his scientific test