Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1871-05-22
W WORCESTER
ConI ON The Inthmus.

CO0l on the AHthnus.
Bituminous coal of very superior quality,
has been discovered on the Isthmus of Darien
The coal beds, said to be extensive are very near
the banks of the river Indio, which is navigable
for nine months of the year. The coal can be
transported to the points where it will be want
ed, at small expense; and of course it will be
wanted by every steamer thatvisits the isthmus.
AT present, all the coal deposit there for the use
of steamers, is sent from England or the United
States. The existence of this coal was reported
three or four years ago, by Rev. R. Temple; but
his reportwas received with Incredibly. THAT
is Eolsanic region" said certain scientific men,
and coal does not exist in volcanic regionsS'
and the matter was dismissed from attention.
But Mr. Temple has persevered and placed his
important discovery beyond the reach of skepti-
eism. Professor Charles Ensor, of Trinity col
lsge, Dublin, has visited this coal region, in
company with Mr.. Temple, and made report,
dated April Is, 1871, which we find in the New
York Herald. He says:
81 found the coal much richer and more ex-
tensive than had been represented to me by Mr..
Temple. The first seam we examined was
Uyero. The vein crosses the stream on which
the mine is situated obliquely, and can be seen
Oh 6atn Dduh. Ill Olc plhCG Ii ldIS6 blUustOuc
boulder is lying on the top of the seam. The
coal dips almost perpendicularly, and is about
twelve feet thick. From this seam / obtained
better specimens than any that were used in the
trial at Aspinwal (Colon.) We afterwards
traced this seam to various points
on the same river, and then to another river at
considerable distance.
'fThe second mine we visited was Jaboncillo.
The seam crops out on the banks Of the Rio In
do. Here the coal is visible at two different
al Ie haro khoft nod fha
coal that was so successfully tested In one
place the stream runs over the coal for consid-
cradle distance, the seam dipping at an angle OF
about fifteen degrees, and in the other case 1t runs
along the side of the river for about one hun
bred yards, and then disappears under the
water.
''The third mine we visited was the Esterial
This mine is situated on the bank of a small
stream that flows into the river Esterial, which
empties into the Rio lndio. Near the small
stream where the coal is found there rises hill
about two hundred feet high. The COAL as seen
on the opposite side of the stream, seems to run
in the direction of Guinea, with the dip of
sixty degrees; thickness about nine feet. The
last mine we visited was Guinea. Here the
coal crops out in five distinct seams, separated
by shales and clays, the depth of these deposits
being more than twenty-five feet thick. From
my own personal observation and the state
ments of the more intelligent among the inhab-
itants believe that there are large and valuable
deposits of coal in the localities we visited
"With regard to the appearance Of the coal it
resembles the camel in many respects, being
clean, almost pure carbon, breaking in two d
rections nearly at right angles in the surface
specimens, and more irregularly as we got lower
down, becoming harder and heavier as the dis
tance increased from the surface and from the
effects of the atmosphere"
A considerable quantity of this coal has been
brought to Aspinwall and tested by the engi-
neers of English and American steamers. All
bear witness to its remarkable excellence 1t is
said to be equal to the best English camel coal,
and much superior to Cumberland coal. 1t has
been tried and highly approved in Welding iron
and steel. There is an abundance of testimony
in regard to these trials, all highly favorable.
If this newly discovered coal is as valuable and
as abundant as the reports say, its Importance
is very great 1t will cheaper all steam naviga-
ton connected with the isthmus, and add an
other reason for believing that ship canal
across the isthmus of Darien would become the
most important highway Of commerce on the
globe.