Down the Dark Drift: A Tour of Seattle’s Coal Mines

SEATTLE’S GREATEST HOME INDUSTRY.

Accepting the courtesy of Seattle superintendent W. H. Taylor, in the extension to mention pass to the Seattle mines; bright and early, we took the train and were soon jogging towards Lake Union. A ride of about three quarters of a mile brought us to the lake where cars and locomotive were run aboard of the steamer Lena Grey, and we were soon forging towards the other end of the lake, to the portage which connects by bands of iron, the lakes Union and Washington.

Arriving at the portage a ride of about one hundred rods brought us through a dense forest, to LAKE WASHINGTON. Here, again, the cars were run aboard a large scow, and the steamer Addie, belonging to the company, soon had us in tow, and we were out on the broad, fresh waters of Washington. The scenery of this lake is grand indeed. To the southeast, like a monster of chastity, rears proud Rainier, his snow-capped head. To the east the Cascades stretch along, as if they were the monarch’s retinue; while to the westward the rugged heads of the Olympic range stood as if in review before the hosts that stood in the East.

While feasting our eyes upon this grand scenery, a ride of about twelve miles brought us to BENSONVILLE, the terminus of the railroad that leads up to the mines. Here ascending a steep incline, by an endless chain, we were soon aboard another locomotive and speeding toward Newcastle, the mining town in which the mines are situated. Newcastle comprises about two hundred and twenty-five houses and cabins, together with several stores and a church. Its general aspect, and the country in its immediate vicinity, reminded us strongly of the Oil Regions of Pennsylvania.

THE MINERS. Of all the mirth-loving people we have ever met, we have never seen a set so rollicking, and yet, apparently so free from vindictiveness and malice. When their daily “shift” is over, they come from the bowels of the earth grimy, but full of mirth, joking in a good natured way at one another’s expense, scuffling, but careful not to harm, and in their dealings have a common law that is more rigidly observed than the municipal law of the land. Many have now settled in the place with their families, which is the best of evidence as to their becoming permanent and useful citizens.

THE DISCOVERY OF COAL In this vicinity was first made in the spring of 1863, at Coal Creek, two miles south of the site upon which Newcastle now stands. Wreck-master Beatty claims the honor of the discovery... The first company was formed in 1865, and consisted of Messrs. Bagley, Lewis, Ross, Garfield, Settle and Whitworth.

THE FIRST SHIFT Was made under the direction of Mr. Geo. F. Whitworth... New leads were found, eighteen months after the organization of the company, two miles to the westward, to which a road was immediately cut, and which leads now constitute the present Seattle mines.

The third company was organized in 1871 and consists at present of THE FOLLOWING OFFICERS: Geo. C. Bode, President; Josiah Hand, Secretary; Samuel Bair, Capt. Roxby, H. W. Hutchinson and M. Allen, Directors; O. B. Shattuck, General Superintendent.

After the present company had bought the mines... they continued to use the wooden tramways for some time, but gradually they superseded the wooden for iron trucks. Under the management of the present superintendent, Mr. Shattuck, the entire distance of the roads has been laid with iron...

There are four leads which have already been opened on the territory of this company... The first lead opened is known as tunnel No. 1. Tunnel No. 2 lies one hundred feet further north, and at about three-quarters of a mile under the hill, it joins lead No. 1 and forms a vein twelve feet in thickness.

The company now employs 255 men at their mines and 37 men in their machine shops. They also employ 120 men on the boats which do the transportation on the lakes... With interest of money employed, the first cost per ton at the mines is at least $5 DOLLARS.

Transportation from the mines to tide water one dollar more, and from the coal chutes of the company on Elliott Bay to San Francisco four dollars additional, making a total of seven dollars cost per ton. The average import duties on goods imported into the United States is 66 per cent. The duty on coal is but 75 cents per ton, hence, all coal companies labor at this great disadvantage...

While walking around in search of the gentleman to whom we had a letter of introduction, we passed one of the tunnels and happening to see a train starting in, we jumped into a car and were soon rumbling in perfect darkness, save the light that shone in the cap of the driver, and whose dancing glare looked like some funereal phallus, that was leading us in to some dismal destiny. The time seemed interminable as we rode along the “dark drift” until we came to our stopping place, and was ushered into one of the men’s Rooms.

There a couple of men were working away, bowing the black diamonds from their bed. These rooms are 30 by 30 feet in length and breadth, and vary in height as does the vein of coal. These rooms are worked until the upper edge of the lead is reached, when other rooms are opened thirty feet further on, that the roof may be held up on pillars of coal.

After a short inspection, we jumped upon a loaded train of cars, together with the men whose “shift” was over, and spent the time consumed in emerging from the mine in the delightful occupation of Dooming THE ROCKS That hung down here and there from the ceiling. On the cars across the lake, over the portage, across a lake, on the cars once more, and we were again at Seattle, well satisfied at what we had learned as to coal mining and coal miners.