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100

CARBONIFEROUS OF CAPE BRETON— OILPIN.

AuT. VI. — The Carboniferous of Cape Breton, with Intho-
DUCTORY Remarks. — Part III. — Bv E. Gimmn, Jr.,
¥. G. S., F. R. S. C, Inspector of Mines.

Head March 12, 1888.

As my paper to-niifl»t presents to the Institute little beyond
columns of figures which are uninterestinnr to the general puhlic,
although eloijuent to the chemist or mining engineer, I gladly
avail myself of Mr. McKay's suggestion that it should be pre-
faced by a few remarks on Cape Breton Coal, of a character
somewhat more popular.

I may remark that I have already in previous contributions
outlined the various carboniferous districts of Cape Breton, and
summarised their more valuable deposits of coal. In the accom-
panying paper, tabulated analyses of the seams worked at the
dilierent collieries, and of the typical scams of the western
districts, .serve as a ground of comparison with the coal products
of other countries.

The popular idea is that a coal mine is a hole in the ground,
and a coal field a section of country uninteresting from heaps of
coal refuse, and the unpolished manners of its inhabitants. A
closer survey, however, shows that the " holes in the ground"
exercise the highest engineering and technical skill of those who
conduct the operations connected wdth sinking them, and extract-
ing the coal with the minimum of cost. The n)anners of the
nuners, if marked with a certain reserve toward strangers, are
those of men whose occupations differ from the callings of
ordinary huisuinify ; and among themselves they are frien<lly
and charitable, and ever ready to dare the dangers of the mine
if a comrade calls for help. When the figures of the statistician
sliow that the power and wealth of a nation is directly measured
by the number of tons of coal it produces and consumes, the
subject acquires a general and vivid interest. Coal fields seem
to be a special gift of Providence to nations, and curiously

••..,,,

CARBONIFKROUS OF CAPE BRETON— GILPIN.

101

enough the EngUsh-.speaking races have the lion's share of coal
fiekls, and have well availed themselves of their privileges.

The extraction and exportation only of coal liowever in not a
permanent source of wealth. The treasures of the n\ine resemble
more those of the forest, than the treasures pf the field and of
the .sea. Every ton of coal when it leaves the country represents,
in most cases it is presumed, a certain amount of profit, but its
removal increases the co.st of the extraction of the next ton, and
like a tree of the forest it cannot be replaced. It must be used
locally to smelt the ore, forge the metal, ply the loom, or to build
the multifarious machinery demanded to-day, before its true
value is seen. One man can dig a ton of coal, but two must toil
before it has yielded up its many items of power, or heat, or light.
Take the mother country, did she export all her coal, and close
the myriad factories supported by it, her po^iition would be vastly
ditterent.

The few introductory remarks I am permitted to make .should
however be directed rather to the geological than the economic
side of my paper.

Could the student carry himself backward, beyond the time of
Confederation, to the period of the formation of the Cape Breton
coal beds, and take his stand on the granitic hills of Cape Dau-
phin, at the entrance of the Bras d'Or lake, his eyes would
wander over a view widely different from that of the present
day. Instead of the rolling hills covered with spruce under-
growth, and occasional ridges of hardwood which now sti'etch
eastwardly from Sydney to the shores of the ever-encroaching
Atlantic, he would see, mile upon mile, a dead monotonous level,
with here and there dull sluggish reaches and swamps of dark
peaty waters, while overhead the rays of a sun warmer than that
now allotted to us, could scarce dissipate the clouds of vapor it
kept drawing from the heated water and steaming soil.

- On a nearer approach, this uninteresting countiy, which wc
would compare to some of the tidal marshes of the bay of Fundy,
is found to be covered with the densest of vegetation. IS'o
modern forest, tropical or temperate, reproduces the cuiious scene.
A closer study, however, would detect some trees bearing a fan-

102

OARBONTFKROUS OF TAI'E IIRKTON— CilLl'IN.

ciful resemblance to plants now growing,' in the earth. There
was one tree specially ])eautiful, its tovverinuf stem sometimes
nearly one hundred feet in height, was fluted like a temple
column, and crowned by magnificent fern- like fronds, a mysteri-
ously-developed tree fern. Its roots descending into the marshy
ground radiated, divided an<l suh-divided until they could suck
nourishment rapidly for the great tree above with its quick
growth and fre(iuent branch-making.

There is also another tree with peculiarities now characteristic
of the "club mosses," but its branches were flung wide in the air
and it appeared to the casual observer like a mighty pine.

Yet another curious plant lecalls our " mare's tail," but its
fluted bamboo-like stems were often forty feet high.

In those pre-historic forests of twenty millions of years ago,
there was scarce a temptation for the little children to wander
as IWjes in the W^oods, for nature, rioting in luxuriant growth,
did not <leign to captivate by the exhibition of the fleeting colors
and fragrances which poets have sung and nations admired. In
vain would search have been made for any plant now called
.national: the rose, the thistle, and even the humble emblem of
our Province, all were wanting, and perchance only the mosses
and fungi relieved the sombre colors of that " J)ismal Swamp."

In vain would the hunter, so far as the records of the rocks
inform us, have searched for his piey, in the air, or by land, or
by sea. Locusts, beetles, scorpions, nondescript frogs or newts,
all labored in their task of subduing, consumincr and consolidat-
ing the great masses of vegetation. However, it must be said
that these remarks are based on negative evidence only, the
plants and insects from which our imaginrtion has reconstructed
so curious a page in the history of mother earth, are few in
number, and owe their preservation as fossils to peculiar circum-
stances. There may have been many other organized helpers in
the great scheme on the hills and hiddands surrounding the
marshes, and imagination may depicture the graces and beauties
and the melodious .sounds of an untrodden land.

t!iuch were some of the curious forms that were crowded in the
battle of life which left victors and vanquished preserved for our

WfWfP

CAR HON' IKE nous OF ("APE lUtETON — fJIMMV. lOH

sole benefit. The plants i^'rew and fell, and wore buried, tlio
water of the swatnps allowJ!);: but a tardy decomposition, until
a deep peaty mass accumulated. Tin; sub-soil, a clay oi- loam,
was tilled with rootlets until perliaps no further nnneral nourish-
ment of silica or of potash, etc., was available. Loni,' years this
swamp, devoid of living vegetation, lay gradually undergoing
changes consisting cliiefly of elimination of water from the
vegetable matter, until some oscillation of level, per-
chance a change in the current of some bygone liver
unnamed and unsung deposited on its paitly hardened sur-
face a layer of silt or mud. This went on until hundreds of feet
of .sandstone, .shale, coal, fireclay, etc., arc now presented. The
accumulating ma.ss in the slow course of time became firm.
Pressure, the internal heat of the earth, chemical laws of chan-re
all con)bined to make the peaty ma.ss a layer of carbon with a
small percentage of ash, and of bituuunous foindng matter; the
sand layers were cemented by silica into hard sandstone, the
mud into bituminous or caibonaceous shale ; and the ancient soil
well lobbed of its alkali ; and silica became fireclay.

Almost without exception every bed of coal the nuner explores
has immediately below it a bed of fireclay often filled with car-
bonized roots. The coal bears in its structure the evidence of its
vegetable origin, for under the microscope can be seen in it, fruits,
flowers, and particles of wood til)re, etc. Above the coal comes
the roof usually of .shale or .sandstone, often bearing in it at the
junction with the coal bed, layers of ferns, pressed and preserved
as in a herbarium ; or a full length tree of that ancient forest
showing in its flattened stem clearly and di.stinctly its species,
etc., and recalling with its daikened color the logs found in our
peat swamps.

We have now briefly traced the coal seam to its full growth,
l)ut had nature gone on adding the coral, the chalk, antl all the
varied and immense layers of subsequent formations this pre-
cious heritage wouM have been like an estate in chancer}', pleasant
to think about, but a thing unattainable, for we could not have
sunk shafts some four or five thou.sand feet to provide our fuel.

The process of nature which has laid these stores of fossil fuel

104

CAlUlONIKKUors OF t'AI'E nUKToN— rilLPIN.

close to tlic surface in Capo Bieton is one as yet little under-
stood by ^'eol()i,'ists, hut it is a Hubject fascinatin;r tVom its
L^i'andeur, and t) its operations do we owe all our mines, 'riiero
have been elevations and depressions in tlio earth's surface ever
since its creation, caused by internal forces, contraction of its
crust, accumulation of sedimerits, or what not, wc see the effect,
ami bless the hand that ^'uided the cause. In the Sydney dis-
trict it appears that the old, old rocks, the ^jranites and <fnicsses
of CoxheaLh, Boisdal'^ and St. Ann's were forced slowly and
gradually upwards. This motion enforced a tilting of the strata
holding; the coal so that they inclined to the eastward. This was
continued until tlu; "Atlantic" of that date came in upon the
land, and hatl b(;undaries approximating those of the present day.
Hud the uplifted edf^es of the older rocks been straight, like a
ruler, the coal-bearing strata would have dipped uniformly away
from th«'m, and remained parallel throughout the district. l>ut
nature abhors a straight line, devoid of beauty save to the
mathematician. Owing to underlying spurs of the older strata
projecting beneath the coal measures the uplifting of the former
produced transveisc subordinate tilting in addition to the general
or contincMital inclination to the east. 'J'he effect of this has
been to throw the seams into a series of curves, having the ocean
as a secant. Taking the coal seams of the S3Mlne3' disttict as
they are met at Cape Dauphin they are seen ridged up against
the Syenite of the Cape, then lessening in the steepness of their
dip they range across the Big and Little Bras d'Or to Sydney
Harbor, where their inclination is about four degrees. As they
cross the harbor they turn more to the north-east, and dip
steeply until they turn again with the regular dip and inn into
the sea at Lingfin. Emei-ging again they stietch in a regular
curve for miles across Glace Bay Biook and Basin, and turning
again toward the north-east with increasing dips enter the sea
at the north head of Cow Bay. Hitherto the transveise subor-
dinate foldings have not been marked enough to interrupt the
continuity of the strata enclosing the coal beds, but here the
upwaid movement has brought lower rocks to the surface, and
there is an interval of rocks which do not hold coal seams.

f'Akl'.ONIFLUOl'S OF CAI'K UllKToN— (MM'IN.

10.-)

In Cow Pmy the saiiin forces have forinel another hasln, culItMl
a synclinal, the searns dippin;,'! down on the I-onii; lleaeh sith'
ami up a;,'ain on the (Juwrie si te. IJut the axis (ji -^'eneral ineli-
nation of the troui^h is siill to the eastward.

Finally, the seams of the Cow Bay district, after crossing' the
narrow strip of lantl foruiinjjf the north side of Mira Hay, pass
undei* the Atlantic and are lost hevond the three niilti limit.

Speculation as to the orin;inal extent of this coal held is profit-
le.s.s, if inteiesting. iJut we do know that, reasoning from a fair
basis of facts, we have now hut a remnant of the great coal field
of the (Jiilf of St. Lawrence. When we consider the fringes of
coal fields, and of carbor.iferous strata which occur around Cape
Breton, on tl»e west side of Newfoundland, in the Magdalen
Island.s, and along the northejn shores of Nova Scotia and New
Brunswick, we can .scarcely leali/e that over that great Culf the
forests of the Carboniferous once spread, amid the voiceless and
sullen lagoons of the mysterious counti'y.

Owing to sudden pre.ssuie or other crai.ses, tlie Juovements of
the coal-bearing strata are sometimes accompanieil by bieaks or
faults. Often great blocks of strata, miles in extent, thousands
of feet in depth, and weighing myriads of tons, have been raised
out of the continuity of the coal held, so that the miner suddenly
finds in front of him a wall of stone. His coal bed has vanislied,
cut otr by the irresistible foi'ce of the great le\er which is con-
tinually raising and depressing continents. Much trouble is often
experienced in finding the lost bed of coal, wliich is .son»etimes
moved many feet away. In the Cape Breton coal field the
faults are few and of little moment, — a fact which not only
reduces the risk and expense of mining, but encourages the cap-
italist and engineer in starting new pit.s. There are few coal
fields of vvhich it can be said, as in Cape Breton, that any seam
can be located at any point inside the boundaries of the coal
distiict with a nuirgin of error not exceeding a few feet.

The question has often been asked me, "are the seams of the
Cow Bay, Sydney, and CJlace Bay districts distinct, or are tliey
the same seams interrupted by the sea as the flexures of the
strata approach and leave the shore. The answer is that they

lOG

CAunoNirKnous of cavk iiurrox — (jiumn.

aro tlie .sanu! seams althou<^li soiMovvlmt clmngcd in character and
size as tliey ran''t» over some twontv-fivu niilt-s of countiy. The
scams are itleiitilii'"! \>y llu' tliieknt'ss of tlie masses of intcrven-
iri<^ strata, s(jmo peciiliai ity of roof or Hoor, etc., etc. The (JevO-
h>^icai Surve)' have tabulated the stmms of the ilillerent districts,
and as tlieir conchisions <h) not ap])ear to coincide with tlie
opinions of any of the critics, it may be assumed tliat thijy are
pretty near tlie luark. Tiie question, however, is one of ^eoh)^'ical
rather than of econouiic interest, as the coal seams all vary
slightly in tlieir (piality at inteivals of a few miles.

Coal.

HaviiiL^ outlined the distribution of the Carboniferous of Cape
Breton as laid down on the excellent maps of Mr. Fletcher's
icports to the Geological Survey, the next task is the considera-
tion of the nnnerals charaeteri/iiig it. The principal minerals
are coal, gyp><nm, limestone, and iron ore. As the first named is
the most impoitant, I venture to dedicate this paper to its con-
sideration, and propose to describe the remaining mineials,
toi'-ether with tliose found in tlie otlier geolo'dcal horizons, at a
future time. This will prove more convenient for reference, as
several of them, notably the iron ores, are common to several
ages. In this island coal beds are found most abundantly in the
productive measures, but there are important deposits in the
millstone fnit. Thei-e are also beds of coal in measures referable
possibly to the upper coal measures, and in the Richmond district
coal occurs apparently in conjunction with the marine limestone
measures. Examples are not wanting in other countries of
valuable deposits of coal in these divisions of the Carboniferous,
but so far as our information goes we are not w^arranted in look-
ing to them as important sources of this mineral in Ca[^e Breton.

I have already alluded to the fact that it is ditHcult to draw
with distinctness the line separating the productive from the
millstone ixrit measures, and will therefore consider the coals
without regard to their geological position, a factor little affect-
ing their composition.

Speaking in general terms, the Cape Breton coals are bitumi-

wfmm

CAIinoNIKKUnUS ol' (A I'M I'.ltKTON — <JILI'1N.

107

nous and cokiiiL,'. Many of tlio scams yield \ar<fe voluim's of jras
of ;,'ood (|uality, piovidcd tliat a rcasotiahli' care be fxercisi'd in
Hcreonin^j and jiickiuLC. K'»i- donu'stif innposcs tlir-y have pri»vi'd
acc<'i>taMe wlierevor otlticd, us tlity kindle rcadii}' and leave
little asli. For house use piiWlic opinion has seh^cted the S^'dney
mines' main seam as the typieal coal of the Kaste»n tlistriet.

These coals have been hujL^'ely nsed for marine and railway
steam raisini;, and compare favorably with any forei;,ni competi-
tors. They may be ranked between the best Welsh and the best
Newcastle steam coals, jiid^dntj^ fiom atialyses and the reports of
practical tests on Knjjflish ajid French men-of-war. The tests
lecorded a])pear to prove the contention that the tsvaporative
power of a coal is in proportion to the total amount of carbon
contained in it, and that the j^ieater the ^^'as value tlu; less the
amount of water it is capable of evaporntini^. It is to be icL^ret-
ted that a series of )if,d«l tests of the coals now workt'd could not
be ma<le by an impnitial authority, as they woidd undoubtedly
show that with proper handlinif their evaporative jiowers ate
surpassed by fevv coals now used for marine boilers.

For coke-makiiiL,^ these coals aie well adapted, as they yield,
from practical tests, a fuel excellently suited for iron and copper
smeltin",'. The adoption of any cheap form of washini; would
free the coal from the adnuxod stone and pyrites, and piesent a
coke superior to that of Durham and ('onnelsville.

In presentin*; the following set of analyses of Coals of the
eastern district I have followed the tabulation of the (JeoIoLfical
Survey, altho' it ditlers fiom that of several wi'iteis, and have not
attempted the correllation of the (Jardner, Carrol, and other seams
found undeilying those at present bein<^' worked.

Pursuant to this arrangement the Hub and Crandal seaius are
grouped together. Next in descending onler comes the seam
known locally as the Block House, Harbor, Victoria and the
Sydney Mines worked by the Klock House, (ilace IJay, Victoria,
and Sydney Colleries, Below this comes the most extensiv<dy
worked scam of the district known as the McAuley, Phel.-ui, and
Lingan and worked by the Govvrie, Ontario, Caledonia, lle.>4Live,
Bridgeport and Lingan mines. The next seam to be noticed is

CAKhONIKKIlOlIS Ol' CAI'K lUSKToN -CI 1,1'FN.

timt known as tlir Soutli Hint), Ross aiid ('i)Ilins. Ilelow tliis
comes tliu (Jurdncr, Traci'V, Cm rol and oilier seams to be a-rain
ref(!no<l to.

The flub seam is not now woikecl. Altbo' its land aiea is limit-
ed, it lias an extensive sub-marine development, it was well
adapted for i^as makiiiL,', and yielded !),;j()() cubic t'eetof 1') candle
;jas per ton. The followini; analysis will serve to show its char-
acter.*

Volatile matter .S.S.21

Fi\e<l Carbon (;;{.!>4

Ash 2.8.')

1 ()().()()
The followin;^ tabhi show's the composition of the secon<l
seam :

niock

House.

Ilarbur.

Moisture fiO

Vol. Ciiinli. itiutttT, slow cokiiij;.. 2'.I.IS
flUHt " .. .^l.-'iS

Fixod Carbon, slow coking,
fast

Ash

Siilplmr

.Spt'citic trriivity

()H.4()

4.;{r)
I .'-".»

.80
I'T.s-,
2'.».4lt
()7.(l'»
(J.')..'i0
4.H0

-'.;{•_>
I .•-'<»

tlnt»'r-
national

.87

5 .';.-).4i

)--■

,')S..'i(')

r..i()

trace.

Syilnyy,

l.'.'f!
.S.'...-.l

(;o.7s
.'««>. II

4.11
1,7()
l.'ll

The coals I'efei'red to above aie ifcneiallv laminated with a
pitchy lustre, and carry a j^'ood deal of mineral chaicoal on the
deposition planes. The primaiy planes cut those of deposition
at high ans^Ies, but the secondary planes are not so regular. The
primary planes usually hold films of carbonate of lime and iron,
which is less fi-e(|ucntly present in the secondary planes.

The gas values vary from 8,200 feet of <S-candle power at the
Sydney Mines to 10,000 feet of IG.o-candle power at the Block
House workings. The gas values of the .seam apparently in-
creasing toward the south, while the northern openings produce,
as at the Victoria and Sydney mines, an article better adapted
for steam and domestic purpo.ses.

' Aiia'ytit unknown.

I'nlciss otlienvise specilk'd. tlie analyses in this paper are by tlie writer.

tAnalyst I'tufessor Cliapnian.

""fCfllBLk^.

CAIMSONIFKIKU'S OF CAI'i; IIIJKTON — (JIMMN.

101)

As few ultimato analyst's liavc been nuulo of (Jape I'.rcton
coals, till! following,' of the Hlock- IIon;c scam mH<lt' for tin;
Ailiiiiiahy (analyst unknown j is of intcirst :

( 'ail)on 82.no

Hytlro<,'en 4 7!)

N itroj^'en 1 .20

Oxvifon 4.10

iSuIpliur 2..') I

Ash 4..S0

100.00

The foHowini,' is the result of a tiial of the Sydney coul nuule
Ity the American Government in 1.S44, and, so far as the writi-r
is aware, it is the only practical test ever made of the evapora-
tive power of 'any (Jape IJreton coal :

M oisture :{. 1 ;}

Volatile coiuhustihle matter 2:{..SI

Fixed carl ton (17. .')7

Ash ').4(>

lilts, of steam to one of coal from 21:^'' 7.1)0

Ash and clinker — per cent (i.OO

•Theoretical evaporative power !).2')

The following table shows the composition of the ashes of the
above coals :

Iron pero.xide 45.021

Alumina 8.250

Insoluble silicious residue. . .35.110

Manganese

Mao-nesia 1. 100

Lime ,-,,425

Sulphate of lime

Sulphuric acid 0.750

Phosphoric acid 1.1)00

+AlkaJies trace.

Chlorine

Il<irl>i>r.

03.:i55

8.2.S0

21.872

4.040

2.120

.514

trace.

\'ict'ici:i.

5(;.54:}

(1.450

27.500

1.1):{()

.o;{5

2 598

.S.700
.01)1
.150

SmIiicv. t

5l..s:{

4.84
21). 57

• • • •

.23

3.05

10.08

trac(!.
trace,
trace.

9D.15G 100.787 1)9.01)3 100.00

"From Rf jfriiiult's forii ula.

t Analyst, H. How.

}In this and following analyses alkalies are estimated only when in <inantity.

■■^

no ("AUIiONIFEllOUS OF CAl'E J5UET0N — GIF.PLV.

The coal of the tliinl se<ain to he noticed as vvoiked at the
Gowrie Colliery is black with a f,Mayish tinge. On fresh sur-
faces the lustre is hrii^ht and pitchy, with very tine laminae
ot jet-like coal, and a f^ood deal of mineral charcoal on the depo-
sition planes. This coal sometimes exhibits fouj- cleavage planes,
sometiujcs hoMing films of calc spar. Coal tolerably compact,
with nearly black powder and little visible pyrites. This
descripHon answers for it throughout the district, except that
at the lleserve and Ihidgeport mines it is more pitchy and
lustrous.

The following analyses will serve to show the composition of
this coal at the Collieries opeiated on it from Cow Bay to Sydney
Harbor :

Gowrii'. Cak'iliinia. Kesci've. liiiii^aii.

Moisture 50 .1)2 .o2 .7')

Vol. Comb. Mattel-, slow Coking. 2.S.1.S 2S.G2 84.21 :]4.G1

fast " :U.41 'A0:M .S7.no 37.20

Fixed Carbon, slow Coking .... GG.Ol (14.02 50.7:^ iilMd

fast " .... ()2.7:J (;2.:5:} :)G..M4 58.74

Ash oM G.48 5.54- ,^.25

Sulphur 2.71 1.10 1.25 1.35

Specific Gravity l.:Jl \.:]:] 1.2S 1.21)

The ashes of this coal vary in color from light to deep red.

The gas values of thisseaui vary from S,900 to 9,500 cubic feet
of gas, of from 13 to 15 candle power, and a good Coke is left.

The following ultimate analysis of the coal from the Reserve
mine, made at the lloyal School of mines, will prove of interest :

Carbon 77.41

Hydrogen 5.47

^'itrogen. ) ^ .,q

Oxygen. )

Sulphur 2.47

Water 1.00

Ash 4.35

The following analysis of the coke from this mine is from a
repoi t of Mr. E. 1). Peters, on practical tests made by him in ex-
perimental snieltings of Coxheath copper ore, and it may be re-

J.'.H.^-Ji^,

CAUnONMFEIlOUS OF CAPE HRETON — fJlLPIN'.

Ill

marked that a bctt(?r article would be produced if tlie inaiui-
facture were conducteri on a larL,^e and sj'steuiatic scale :

Moisture 1.03

Carbon !)0.04

Sulphur 70

Phosphoiic Acid trace

Ash 8.01

The ash of this seain [)resents the following composition : —

1 '"

iii^'aii* .Mill

e.
Bottom.

Caledonia Hcscrve
Mine. | Mine.

Top.

Middle.

I.int;aii
AvurajiCe.

Iron Pero.xi lie .11.853

Almiiiiia 4.20O

Silica 05.734

Jjinie 7.151

21.810

8.110

08.330

.•.»15

35.00

1».07
43.07

0.13

l..->7

(.-.OS

7iM)0

8.84

27.75

4.JU

48.(i2

11.83

21.00

O.C.O

57.05

Maiifj^iint'se il50

Sulplmric Acid 4. '-'83

AikulieH 2.1i"iO

.480

5.73

.34"

3.08
.07

0.52
.37

; 5.11

Alagiitisia 1.200

I'iiosplioric Acid 2.725

Chlorine trace

.50

trace

100.. 300

<l'.t.('.4.')

i 100.00

100.00

The following is the composition of the lowest of the seams

worked to any extent. The coal is usually compact and lus-
trous, with tine lannnd'. Some specimens show^ mineral char-
coal, while otliers are free from it.

S. South Head.

Moisture 1.707

Vol. Comb, matter, slow coking. . . 2S.000

fast " ... 28..s:}3

Fixed Carbon, slow coking (52.203

fast " 01.430

Ash 7.970

Sulphur 2.041

Specific gravity 1.3N2

The ash of this seam, as worked at the Emery Colliery, hns
the following composition : —

* Analyst: II. How.

t Analyst I'lofcssor Chapman,

ICiiiury.

0.')

82.21

.34.80

0.3.4!)

00.1)0

.3.05

2.41

1 .28

tColliim.

- 3n.7o
:)7.io

0.00

• • • •

1.27

112

CAIUIONIFEROUS OF CAPE BRETON — GILPIN.

Iron peroxide 38.704

Alumina 1.3.SG

Silicious residue 50,C73

Lime 4.200

Manganese trace.

Magnesia 1.015

Sulphuric acid 4.030

Phosphoric acid .012

Chlorine decided trace.

Alkalies do.

< 7i

100.030
During the examination of the ash of this coal numerous
small rounded (juartz pebl)les the size oi a pea were noticed.

The following analysis shows the ultimate composition of the
seam as worked at the Schooner Pond Colliery (ana'ysL un-
known.)

Carbon ^ 78.10

Hydrogen 5.48

Oxygen and nitrogen 7.81

Sulphur 2.4i)

Water 2.G7

Ash 8.45

100.00
The coals from this seam are claimed to be good for steam

raising, and to give off less smoke than the overlying coals.
The following analysis will serve to show the character of the

best known seams opened below those referred to above :
Tracey seam, of Mira Bay, (analy. Geo. Survey.)

Moisture 22.35 '

Volatile combustible matter 30.09

Fixed carbon GG.G 1

Ash 08

Mullins' seam, south side Sydney Harbor

99.915

■ i

^ 7i

CARBON IFEUOUS OF CAPE BRETON— GILPIN. 113

ft. in.

Coal 2

Shale 4

Coal 4

G 4

Volatile matter 81.4

Fixed carbon C2.4

Ash G.2

This analysis was inade some years ago by Dr. Dawson, and he
remarks : " This coal has some of the properties of cannel. It
has great heating power and yields much dense carbonaceous
gas."

In the Glace Bay section, a few feet below the Hub seam, is a
bed of cannel coal one foot two inches thick lying on nine inches
of ordinary bituminous coal. The following analysis was made
bv Dr. How :

Moisture 83

Volatile combustible matter 30.07

Fixed carbon 44.42

Ash 24.G.S

100.00

BROAD COVE DISTRICT.

In the Geological Survej'^ Repoit for the year 1874, there is a
description of the Broad Cove coal field, and a set of analyses
made by Mr. Hoffman of the survey, which are given here with
his remarks, in a condensed form :

7 ft. Soain. 5 ft. Seam. 4 ft. Seam.

Moisture 4.02 7.78 8.45

Vol. Comb. Matter, slow Coking.. 20.17 27.G7 28.30

fast " .. 25.39 34.51 3G.52

Fixed Carbon, slow Coking 70.41 52.87 56.94

fast " G5.18 46.03 48.78

Ash 5.40 11.68 6.25

These coals do not soil the fingers. They are black, with pitchy

114 CARBONIFEROUS OP CAPE BRETON— GILPIN.

lustre, banded, with uneven fracture. The powder of the five
and of the four feot seams when boiled in caustic soda imparts a
brown color to the li(iuid, this with the percentage of water would
make them approach in character to brown coal, although they
occur in strata of Carboniferous age. The coal from the largest
seam does not color a solution of caustic soda and is more closely
allied with the typical carboniferous coals. Zinc blende was
observed as a film in this coal. These coals are said to produce
little smoke when burned in maiine boilers.

PORT HOOD DISTRICT.

As yet but little mining has been done here, and the qualities
of the coals have not been settled by practical experience. The
Ueological Survey Report, 1870-77, page 4G9, gives a report on
the coal of the lower or 7 feet seam. It appears to resemble in
its general characteristics the Broad Cove coal, and yielded on
analysis : —

Fast Cokintf. Slow Coking.

Moisture 4.02 4.02

Volatile combustible matter 38.81 34.80

Fixed carbon 49.65 53.00

Ash (pui plish red) 7.52 7.52

The coal is said to contain rather above the percentage of sul-
phur usually found in Cape Breton coals.

I have no analysis of the Chimney Corner coals. They are
not as bright as man}' of the eastern coals, but are good steam
coals.

Reference has been already made to the area of millstone grit
extending from Sydney up the valleys of the Mira and Salmon
Rivers. These measures show several outcrops of coal beds
apparently underlying large tiacts of country. The beds are
known oidy by natural outcrops, and no attempt has been made
to ascertain if other beds are present. They do not exceed two
feet in thickness, and, as the route of the Cape Breton radway
will not follow these rivers as was expected at one time, they
will probably not receive any attention for many years to come.
The following analysis is from the Canadian Geological Survey : ^

CARBONIFEROUS OF CAPE BRETON— GILPIN. 115

Moisture 1.^3

Volatile combustible matter 20.16

Fixed carbon 47.49

Ash 30.82

100.00
At other points the coal is reported by Mr. Hetcheras yielding
an inconsiderable amount of ash. Another outcrop of coal in
this district is interesting, as it presents in the Lower Caiboni-
ferous conglomerate the evidences of an origin identical with
that of the more important seams of the pioductive measures.
It yielded :

Volatile combustible matter 17.80

Fixed carbon 29.04

Ash 53.16

About eight miles from Baddeck, at Hunter's Mountain, is an
outcrop of coal similar in composition and mode of occurrence
to that just mentioned. The coal is irregular, varying in thick-
ness from a few inches to two feet. It is divided by numerous
cleavage planes, sometimes coated with galena.

At East Bay, in the marine limestones and marls, pockets
occur holding calc and fluoi- spar and patches of bright cubical
coal yielding on analysis :

Volatile mattei' 36.72

Fixed carbon 40.64

Ash 16.64

100.00
For comparison with the seams of coal of economic value the
following analysis of coal from a fossil carl)onized tiee in mill-
stone grit measures in the same district may prove interesting :

Volatile matter 34.9

Fixed carbon 59.0

Ash 5.2

1000
Coke firm and vesicular.

Some years ago a good deal of interest was aroused by a state-

116 CAUBONIFEROUS OF CAPE BRETON — CJILPIN.

tnent that active work was being perfonned on a scam of
anthracite coal at Mc Adam's Lake, near the head of East Bay.
The bed occurred in red and gray shales and conglomerates of
the lowest division of the Carboniferous. It, however, proved
to be little moie than a coaly shale, lustrous and resembling the
poorer anthracite coals of the United States. On analysis it
yielded —

Volatile Matter 17 >sO

Fixed Carbon 29.04

Ash 53.16

100.00
Notwithstanding the large amount of ash the coal yielded a
firm and porous coke.

Irregular pockets and beds, or rather .seams, of hard compact
coal are frequently found in the carboniferous of this Province.
The minei'al frequently break.s irregulaily, does not soil the
fingers, and resembles anthracite. On a clo.ser examination how-
ever these coals are found to be either highly carbonaceous shales,
or compact sen)i-anthracite coal, 'ts more volatile ingredients
being lowered in amount by the hardening, etc., the containing
strata have undergone. (\)nsiilerable sums of money have been
spent in testing and prospecting these deposits, but so far rhe
results have not been at all satisfactory.

RIVER INHABITANTS COAL DISTRICT.

I am not aware of any recent analysis of the coals of this dis-
trict. Little systematic mining has been carried on for a nundxr
of years, and the writer is obliged, like Mr Fletcher, to n^fer to
the report made a number of years ago by Dr. Dawson to the
Government of Nova Scotia. He gives the following analysis of
the Little River four feet seam :—

Volatile matter 30.25

Fixed carbon 56.40

Ash 13 35

100.00
and remarks that it is more bituminous than the Sydney or

OARBONIFEROirS OF CAPE BRETON— (JILPIN. . 117

Pictou coals, and should prove practically a good domestic and

gas coal.

He also gives the following analysis of the eleven-feet seam

found at Sea Coal Bay : —

Volatile matter 2'). 2

Fixed carbon 44.7

Ash 30.1

100.0

The amount of ash given in this analysis would make the coal
of little use for ordinary pnrpo.ses. I am informed, however, by
parties interested, that it by no means yields this large percent-
age of ash and that the other seams are appaiently of excellent
quality. These be<ls are very well situated, as the harbor remains
open all winter, and they will no doubt be re-opened whenever
the conditions of the coal trade hold out more promising induce-
ments to the miner. I have no analysis of the coal found at the
head waters of the Inhabitants river.

From the analv^is I have given it will be seen thnt thn islam!
of Cape Breton furnishes ( -oals adapted for every putpose. They
are largely used for steam laising in locomotive and maiine
boilers, and as their (jualities b(?come better known they will be
a favorite railway fuel. For <>;as making and domestic purposes
they have established a good reputation. In coimection with the
various schemes mooted fov won and copper smelting in Cape
Breton it is encouraging to note that practical tests have shown
that an excellent coke can l:)e made from them. At present the
low price obtainable for coal, and the presence of large mines in
the eastern district, will operate ao;ain.st developments iii other
parts of the Island. But it is to be hoped that the discovery of
metallic deposits ii> the districts suirounding the western and
southern coal beds may lead to the erection of works drawio'^^
their fuel from local sources, arid the projected railway from the
line of the Sydney and Hawkesbury Railway to Broa<l Cove v.il!
give this part of the islarrd an outlet to good shipping por-ts.