COAL-SEAMS.
We give below several sections of coal-seams as worked in the vicinity of Newcastle. There seem to be no identifying features, as the coal and bands are subject to frequent changes.
As there is some doubt as to the correctness of the above analysis, in re gard to the quantity of sulphur, we give the analysis in a different form, as made in England. Carbon 82.39, hydrogen 5.32, nitrogen 1.23, sulphur 1.70, oxygen 8.32, ash 2.04.
The amount of coal mined in the vicinity of Newcastle during 1857 is reported at 250,000 tons.
There are many interesting facts connected with the geology of Aus tralia, with which we might extend this chapter; but, having devoted con siderable space to its coal formations, we must be content with a few closing remarks, and dismiss for the present, or perhaps altogether, those distant and misty panoramic scenes which we have been so rapidly reviewing.
At the first glance, we are disposed to consider the coals of Australia but thin and poor in comparison with the coal formations of the true, or Car boniferous, era; but, on closer inspection, we find them by no means con temptible or insignificant when placed side by side with the true bituminous coals of England or our Western coal-fields. Our large anthracite veins are an exception, and are superior to all others.
There are more seams in the true coal measures, but their average thick ness is not greater than the Australian, and we may perhaps be safe in stating the thickness of intervening or intercalated slates and bands to be but little in excess in proportion to the amount of coal. We refer the reader to the description of the English coal-fields in the following chapters.
The value of the Australian coals does not, however, depend entirely on their thickness or the economy with which they can be mined. It is the locality and remoteness from all sources of supply which increases their value, since they are comparatively pure and serviceable. If they cost one or two shillings per ton more at the pit's mouth than the English coals, that additional cost is trifling when compared with the transportation of fuel from Newcastle-upon-Tyne, a distance of 13,000 miles.
It would be as much as an ordinary steamship could do to carry her coals without other freight for a trip from London to Australia and back , but the existence of available coal at both places alters the case very much. In this view, and in consideration of the increasing demands for fuel in that vast, remote, and strange country, the existence of coal is really a providence.