1849.] pits at Sonadeh to Bombay, 595 



Government having determined that the coal fields in the valley of 

 the Nerbudda should be examined and an attempt made to convey the 

 coal from the pits by the Nerbudda to Bombay, at the suggestion of Mr. 

 R. N. C. Hamilton, the Resident at Indore, Mr. A. Johnstone, of the 

 Steam Factory Establishment, was deputed from Bombay, to join Mr. 

 Hamilton at Sindwah Ghat, on the 15th of January 1848. 



Having reached the coal fields at Sonadeh, between Hossingabad 

 and Baitool, the bed of the Bora-nuddee was carefully examined ; coal 

 was to be seen in both banks, but especially in the left, in which a 

 place having been selected, the sand being cleared, the coal seam was 

 exposed, situate in sandstone between two layers of shale. 



The upper sandstone was 30 feet thick to the level of the surface of 

 the country, coarse-grained and soft ; next four inches of shale, then the 

 coal seam 1 9 inches, and again shale 4 inches, hard and firm ; then 

 sandstone close.grained and difficult. The angle of the seam was 1\ N. 

 by E., and from the appearance of the country, which formed a basin 

 surrounded by hills, there is every probability that the bed was as ex- 

 tensive, and would prove plentiful. 



Excavation from the bank was immediately commenced, and about 

 500 maunds having been raised, arrangements were made to send it to 

 the Nerbudda. 



Sonadeh to Hossingabad is about 40 miles on the road to Baitool, 

 but the Nerbudda between Hossingabad and the Dharee falls was found 

 by Lieut. Keatinge to be quite impracticable for laden boats. 



Captain Fen wick left the Sonadeh pits on the 9 th March with the 

 coal laden on Bunjarah bullocks, and arrived at the Dharee falls of the 

 Nerbudda on the 25th — the distance being about 100 miles. 



Each bullock carried about 1^ maund, or 1 cwt. ; they however, re- 

 quiring to be daily laden and unladen, are not suitable for the transport 

 of coal, which is much broken and injured by the manner in which the 

 bags are turned over and let fall, when unladen ; carts can travel by the 

 route, and would take from seven to eight days to reach Dharee. 



The cost of bullock carriage for grain is 5 Nagpore rupees per 100 

 maunds, for 100 miles. 



To Dharee may be considered the first division of the trip, and here 

 should be a main depot, in which coal may be stored during the dry 

 season. 



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