WCP2753

[1]¹

May 10th \ 96

Dear Dr. Wallace.

In reference to the occurrence of abnormally thick coal-seams, referred to when we met in the train on Friday last. I have now looked up my notes & find that in 1891 I obtained the following information:— Mr William Warren,² an engineer, drew attention to important seams of anthracite in the hills fringing the Gulf of Tonquin. One of the seams is 152 ft. thick, & contains 87% of carbon. The coal has since been successfully tried in the steamer Falshan, & I believe the French have now a coaling station there.

The other case to which I referred, & where there is a seam 180 ft. thick, is at the coal mines of Hatu, near Hongai, on the Bay of Along. See "Journeys in French Indo-China", by Hon. G. N. Curzon,³ Geog. Journ. Sept 1893 pg. 198.⁴

I do not think we can doubt the conclusions arrived at by these observers.

Yours very truly | C. Carus-Wilson⁵ [signature]

P.S. Personally I don't understand it.