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The Coal Regions of Cape Breton

From the New York Times, June 11, 1866

My Last letter having been devoted to the general aspects and importance of this country, I propose in this to refer to the coal regions and endeavor to show their vast importance, not only to the Cape Bretonians and Nova Scotians particularly, but to the people of this continent at large.

The French, during their possession of the island, were cognizant of the value of the country, even in this respect; but a century ago machinery for mining purposes was in a very rude condition, and the capital of the various European nationalities was spent more in developing the instruments by which human life could be destroyed, than in improving and stimulating production. I presume that it was as a reward for his proficiency in fighting and losing battles his late Royal Highness the Duke of York was presented with the whole minerals of Nova Scotia--a gift which that illustrious gentleman valued more after it had in a measure appeased the wrath of his innumerable creditors. Be that as it may, it is an extraordinary circumstance that His Royal Highness' impecuniosity, the unthinking generosity of the British Cabinet, and the urgency of the claims of the tribe of Lovi. We owe the first organization for the raising of coal in Nova Scotia--the British Mining Association. Of this institution I would say that, having received a monopoly for a long term, they exercised their right to it with an intolerance almost incredible, even to the extent of imprisoning any person found in any portion of the province raising with the pick sufficient fuel to keep his hearth warm. Some ten years ago the late Mr. Geo. R. Young, M.P.P. for Pictou, who, with his brother, present Chief Justice of Nova Scotia, had long agitated the abolition of the monopoly in the face of much obloquy, ascertained, while in London, that a lease to the association was proposed and ready for signature. With a persistence worthy of the object in view, and after an infinity of trouble, he succeeded in getting the instrument destroyed, and now the British Mining Association is on terms similar to those enjoyed by other companies now at work.

Leaving Sydney for the Southern seaboard of the island, a ride of nine miles brings us to the works of the Association at Lingan, which embrace a considerable area of coal land, regarding the quality of the coal of which I could ascertain nothing very interesting. At a short distance from Lingan, at Bridgeport, the International Coal Company of New-York are busy digging. Their area embraces four square miles of peculiarly rich gas coal, and so immense is the value of the property, than an eminent geologist, resident in Philadelphia, declared that this one spot was sufficient not only to enrich a province merely, but to make a kingdom wealthy. Engineers of eminence from Canada assert pretty much the same thing. The capital of the International Company is $1,000,000 in gold. Their works are very elaborate, and capable of turning out very large quantities of coal. They are, however, unfortunately in want of a good harbor, and it is in contemplation by them to construct a railway twelve miles in length to this port, which will involve considerable outlay, while it will, on the other hand, enhance very materially the value of their property.

Four miles from Bridgeport is Little Glace Bay. The coal company, which takes its name from the place, belongs to Boston and Halifax capitalists, who have had little cause to complain of their connection with it--the dividends having, as I understand, ranged as high as 45 per cent. My authority for this is pretty good; but as some people may try to deny the assertion, I may as well say the "profits" instead of "dividends." I believe there is a distinction, but little real difference. The shipping place of the Little Glace Bay Company is artificial, pretty safe, cost a considerable amount, requires dredging, and is inadequate. The quality of the coals variously estimated, but the large sale it meets with proves somewhat to its advantage in establishing its goodness.

A very few miles from the last named Company is situated the Caledonia Mine of Big Glace Bay, owned in Boston. This is a new concern, and, under one of the most judicious managers in the island (Mr. Henry Poole,) promises to obtain a position second to none. The quality of the coal is admirable, and Mr. Poole has wisely abstained from spoiling its reputation by shipping the mere crop coal. The quality it would require a geologist to calculate; but that there are many millions of tons in unquestionable. Speaking of this Company, I may mention in the same connection their near neighbors, the Clyde Company, owned by the Messrs. Campbell. Their area is one square mile, containing, at all events, one seam of eight feet; quality much the same as the Caledonia. Both Companies suffer from the same want of a good shipping port. I have seen the plans of the proposed harbor, estimated to cost $200,000, I think, each Company to pay half. Much will depend upon the practicability of making this endurable. Engineers and contractors are sanguine. I confess I am not, and would prefer joining the International Company in the Sydney Railway enterprise.

Cow Bay comes next, and first in point of location are the Block-house Mines (I mean, driving from Big Glace Bay, seven miles, the Block-house Company is the first that meets one.) Here Mr. R. Belloni is at work with the push, energy and vim of a true American, tunneling the coal at a great rate, and setting an example to the whole mining community which they would do well to follow. If I am correctly informed, the Block-house and the International coal are precisely the same in all respects. On dit that the Manhattan Gas Company of New-York have contracted to take 80,000 tons of Mr. Belloni's coal at $1 75 gold, free on board. Mr. Belloni's wharf is a busy one--very exposed, and I would imagine has all it can do to hold its own against storms and sea. Let me say that this is the style of men the Island of Cape Breton wants essentially. Men with sufficient capital--enough to lay out, and courage enough to do it and to succeed.

Within rifle-shot range of the block-house wharves are those of the Gowrie City, owned by the Messrs. Archibald. Here is coal, the report on which by the gas engineers, is highly satisfactory. The area embraces two square miles, and the machinery is, in every respect, first rate--new. The quantity of coal supposed to be there consists of some millions of tons. The pit is quite close to the wharves, and nothing is wanted but a demand.

Five miles or so from Cow Bay is Mira Bay--a very handsome sheet of deep water, which is more open than either of the places before mentioned, separated from Mire Bay by a shingle bank of 200 to 300 feet in width--is a large deep lake, capable of anchoring several hundred vessels of various sizes; beside this lake is the property of the Mira Bay Coal Company, as yet in its infancy. The quality is equal to any in the island--the quantity about 14,000,000 tons, and the facilities for shipping superior to any in the Province. The capital is said to be $300,000 in gold. It is the most southerly coal property in Cape Breton, and is of easier access from the United States, &c., than any other.

Now, many of your readers are no doubt acquainted with the general facts which I have stated, although the details may be new to them. Here, then, within a few days' sail of New-York, is a country, a very few miles of the bleakest portion of the coast of which possesses thousands of millions of tons of coal, (an article in constant demand,) as yet in a comparatively unexplored state, holding resources in one little stretch of twenty miles sufficient to make nations wealthy, is yet ignored by capitalists, who doubt the sanity of any man who has the boldness to tell the truth about them, but magma est veritas et prevalebit. Let it be remembered that this letter merely refers to the small area of coal at present being worked on the south side of the island; that other minerals of great value are to be found in every direction as well as coal. These, however, are not being worked as yet to any appreciable extent. The Mining Association have very extensive works at Sydney Bar, and turn out immense quantities of coal, while, at Port Hood, 100 miles from Sydney, the Cape Breton Company, owned in Boston, is working away, and raising at least (as a beginning) 200 tons a day of excellent steam coal, and the impression is that in their fifteen miles of area that Company have one seam of cannel coal of great value. Mr. F.W. Pelton, of Boston, is the President, and he has exhibited a judgment and energy in the pursuit of his undertaking which will soon be amply rewarded. K.L.S.

SOURCE: New York Times, June 11, 1866

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