The Hillsborough recorder. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1820-1879, 1857-03-04
NORTH CAROLINA COAL.


NORTH CAROLINA COAL.
tits not generally known in our country, as
it should be, that there is an increasing de-
mand for coal, which cannot be supplied from
the coalfelds now open and in operation, ex-
cept by the construction OF new and very ex-
pensive works. The supply now reaches five
millions of tons per annum. 1t is estimated
that in 1861, additional millions will be re-
quired. Now, where is this supply to come
from? The Cumberland region in Maryland
and Virginia, is the only one now furnishing
coal from which any additional quantity can
be had at once. 1t is estimated that the ut
most capacity Of the Chesapeake and Ohio
Canal is three millions Of tons, and Of the Bal
timore and Ohio Railroad, one million more.
These would increase the supply to about
eight millions Of tons-nOt the half of what
will be required.
Having thus the data collected, we were
recently.. much interested in examining the
able report of the State Geologist of North
Carolina, to find that on the Deep river, one
of the branches of Cape Fear, there is an
extensive coal basin of the finest bituminous
coal. The slackwater navigation, which has
been in progress for some time, is about to
be finished, so that in three or four months
this superior coal will be in our market.
Recent experiments have been made in our
city to test this coal for gas. and as we had
occasion to notice few days since, they re-
suited in establishing the fact, that it yields
more pure gas, by nearly twenty per cent,
than any coal ever tested in this city. We
place the ANALYSIS before the public, in tab
uIar form below, by which the above result
will be fully shown
Such being the established superiority Of
this coal, the next question, in an economic
view, is cat what cost can we get II TO our
market Z" Upon inquiry, we are highly
gratifed to find that it will not cost more
than 81 per ton, and as the English Goals are
now brought to New York at 50 IS per ton.
il would seem that the North Carolina coal,
Of really superior quality, must soon defy all
competition, either in this or the New York
market.
We learn from the geographical report
before referred to, that the coal region OF
Deep river is also rich in the finest iron ore,
and particularly in that ore called the Black
Band" so celebrated for the production OF
the Scotch pig iron. In addition 10 these great
elements of wealth, there is on the river,
some distance below, an inexhaustible sup
ply Of mari, which Yields 90 per cent. Of lime;
and TINS the necessary iux for the iron is
within the reach Of those capitalists who are
now about to erect iron works on the river.
There are also, as We see BY the report,
the finest white oak and pine forests on the
banks of the river, and which forests extend
back for miles. The region is, moreover,
famed for the production OF all the cereals
common to the South.
NAV I'd, lS55.-Tested pounds Of Pictou
coal, from City Gas Works, at request OF +.
II. Odiorne, which gave l6 cubic feet Of gas,
with an inferior coke-tlme, hour and lJ
minutes. At the same time 5 pounds Of Cam
mel coal gave 90 feet Of gas Of good illumi-
mating power-coke deficient IN quantity
but of good quality.
Nav 29th, lS5j.-Fiye pounds Of Mid
I Lothian coal gave 8 feet Of gas. OF tolerable
\ illuminating power--coke mOderate-time
! hour and 20 minutes.
June 5th. 1s55.-fiye pounds Of Clover
/ Hill coal gave l6 feet Of gas, with a tolerable
coke.
June 18th, ls55.-Fiyc pounds Of Alle-
ghany coal gave lS feet Of gas-iair llluml.
nation and large amount Of coke OF inferior
quality.
June s5th, ls55.-Fiye pounds Of Pittsburg
coal gave 10 2-lO feet Of gas Of good quail.
ty--coke good in quantity and quality.
August Sd. Is55.-Five pounds Of Linyau
coal gave 90 feet of gas-coke fair IN quality
and quantity. T.. IASISG,
Superintendent NsriLtrn Liberty Gas Works.
Northern Liberty tias Works,
September 5ih. 1856.
Tested pounds Of coal taken from hogs
heads received from CITY Gas Works. whIcl
gave "a cubic feet Of gas Of illuminating pow
n. The coal Is from chatham county Deer
river North Carolina. \. LsSING,
Superintendent.