New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1873-09-24
COAL MINING IN GREENLAND.

II. 6. s. JUNIATA, GODHAvN, Disco ISLAND,
GREENLAND, Aug. 3O-Eyery few days We nave
a hard wind and heavy snow-st0rm' ana 10
day it Is showing very hard. presume a
little of it would be quite acceptable IN
your vicinity Already the hills are covered Win con-
siderable depth Of snow, and 1t Is blowing gaze QUIZ
side The people here say that such weather Is unusu
civ carly is wear In fact that is what is said every
time we have disagreeable weather. whether 1t be In
winds rain or snow, all of which we have had, ana
plenty OF It, We should have been out OF THIS harDor
ere this, and good distance on our way
to ST. Johns but the Little Juniata was away
on an expedition to the coal mines, on the
northeast side Of this island, and ABOUT ninety
miles from this place. and the party could not De COM
inundated with in any other way except by Kayaks
which took three days In reaching the coal mine Our
departure for homo is owing to the arrival OF the
Trress from the northward, on Monday, 25th inst,
bringing tidngs OF the Poars and her people Though
we have been unsuccessful in finding the Polars, OF
picking up any Of her survivors, we have LETT no
means untried TO render them assistance, and have
given strong and helping hand Ia the way OF coal &c,
reducing our own supplies until they have become very
scant order that the Tgress may meet with success
and there is not soul on aboard but wishes them God
speed.
Our steam launch Little Juniata, which made such
strong but unsuccessful attempt TO reach Cape York In
hopes OF finding and aiding the Polaris survivors, has
added more TO her fame on another expedition, this
time to the coal mines. Some OF the officers who had
volunteered for any expedition that Capt Brane might
wish to organize chosen to on this trip for the
purpose Of gaining information in reference TO the min
ing coal in Greenland and If possible procure some for
this ships use in order test its qualities for steamiDg
purposes Up to this time there has been an unayorabe
report upon its qualities The mine is nearly hundred
miles from GOdhavn, and on the northeast SIDE
of the island of Disco in the wagat or strait short
time after the call for volunteers party OF five officers
and twelve stood ready TO go in the Little Juniata
which again lowered into the water on the morning
OF the 23d and at Ct p Of that day steam was up,
stores provisions and implements to be used for mining
were in the boat the sloop Three Sisters which was to
be used in transporting coal from the mine TO the ship
made fast and flowed out Of the harbOr in the direction
Of Ritenbenk, distance OF IS miles from Godhavn.
The sloop being rather a heavy tow for the launch
she did not reach Rtenbenk until OF the 25th inst
At this place they communicated with Gov. Albert
Hover and secured the services Of the sloop also IL
Esouimaux (six women and five mem TO work In the
Mines agreeing pay them onehaf Danish dollar (27i
cents and their ratons per day. AS the soop would be
delayed some hours discharging her cargo. 1t was
deemed advisable, In order to save time, for the
party TO proceed to the mine and let the sloop
follow on, which Gov Hoyer promised she should
do at an early moment. After breakfast
were embarked in small schooner. and the launch
started with her In tow for Narasusuk, small settle
ment or hunting station about 80 miles from Ritenbenk
and six miles below the Mines At this place they
to engage Esqumaux people TO work IN the mine.
After coming TO anchor at Narasusuk the wind began
TO rise and heavy set in, that arrange
ments made to keep regular watch on the launch
and the rest OF the party to sleep shore. Mr. John
son. the superintendent Of the station kindly furnished
wifi frpe a a1n 10
the officers to sleep in his house, and furnishing
each with the sleeping bag mado OF reindeer skin with
the fur inside peculiar TO Greenland and which ia
Of best substitutes for bed to be had in Greenland
supplying both the lack OF mattress and blankets.
After supper furnished from the supplies Of tho exped
ton, the expedition spent very pleasant evening with
their host who is Dane of more than so years of
having spent the past IS years in Greenland He is
ried to an Esquimau woman, and has family Of five
daughters He says he is more contented in Greenland
than he would be IN Denmark. He lives principally
upon seal meat large slab OF which he had hand to
be used his table, and says he reshes 1t fully as we'll
as II it were mutton.
FINDING THE NINE.
On the next day when the storm broke the
expedition proceeded the mine, finally selecting one
about six miles above Narasusuk At this place Messrs.
Keller and Rhosdes went on shore to prospect, and
found several good OF COAL which had been barely
opened by the Esquimaux On close inspection they
concluded that plenty OF coal could be got at this NINE
and In a short time disembarked their provisions tents
and mining implements, and organized Camp Eureka,
composed OF three tents, one for the officers
and provisions, and the other two for the
Esqumaux and sailors. 1t being late In the
evening and everything being in readiness commence
work early next morning. they spread their seaskns
down for q bed. and asleep Early next
morning the party went to work vein OF coal about
30 inches thickness running longiudinally into the
mountain few feet back from the beach, and about 100
feet above the level On top OF this vein OF coal we're
three strata viz two of sand with clay between
the two forming total thickness Of about is feet
This sand and clay had first TO be removed before
the coal could be taken out They also found veins
of ice running through the sand as far down as the
coal. As they advanced further into the VEIN they
found that 1t increased In thickness became OF better
quality, contained large percentage OF bitumen and
OF the Jumps sparkled with light sprinkling OF
On the first day the working party Of q took out
and carried TO the beach ready for embarkaon about
is tons OF good coal using only chise bars and picks for
removing the COAL finding them efficient for the work
They found the coal easy TO that they intended
next day 20 divide tho party into two distinct gangs
and work two separate veins, expecting to get
and have ready for shipment at least 100 tons of coal
within five days time.
On the next morning. just as the party we're about to
resume work. two Kayaks arrived from Godbayp with
orders Tor the expedition 10 return as possible
Capt. Blaine only awaited their .arryal to depart for
ST. JOhns in order to communicate to the United states
the Of the POlars, which the gress had brought
The camp was Immediately broken up everything en-
barked upon the Little Junata together with two ions of
the newly mined coal. We reluctantly left tho rest
upon the beach. owing to the nonariyal OF the sloop
and our inability TO transport II 70 Godhayn.
The launch burned little than half Of this coal
returning 10 GOdhayn, distance iof over % miles,
making tho distance IN exactly Is hours They reported
that the coal burned well, mado very little cnker kept