By Karolyn Burdick
Although the Clallam Coal Mine had only a brief existence, operating between 1906 and 1910, its location is still a fisherman’s landmark along the south shore of the Strait of Juan de Fuca east of Clallam Bay, between Slip Point and Pillar Point (as noted on the 1955 Metzger map of the area). It was the only coal mine in Clallam County.
There had been an earlier, brief, attempt at coal mining at that site in 1867 by the Phoenix Coal Mining Company. According to Coast View, “The seams held some of the best coal found in the State of Washington. Mining was continued until a fault cut off the seams.”
The photograph of the “Clallam Coal Mine” (probably taken by Philip Wischmeyer in about 1907) shows the second mining attempt. Records from the Report of the State Inspector of Coal Mines: Biennial Publication, Volumes 13-14 provide information about its short life.
Although the mine was located in Clallam County, the owners and business operations were based in Seattle. Throughout the state inspector’s report, the mine’s name is listed as “Fuca,” its location is “Fuca,” and the address for the mining engineer and general foreman is also “Fuca.” I am not aware of any Post Office records for a town of that name. The mine was only accessible by water, so they must have had to provide accommodations for the men working there (however rudimentary), but there is no record of a settlement.
The Clallam Coal Mine was a drift mine; coal was mined horizontally, rather than vertically. The “System of Working” was “Chute and Pillar.” Initially, the ventilation system was “Nat’r’l,” but in later years there was a fan; power used was “Steam.”
An early record, possibly from 1906, shows total coal production from the mine of 7177 short tons. This amount far exceeds anything achieved in later years, and there is no explanation for the high volume, especially since the mine was not in full operation.
In the 1907 report, the State Inspector noted, “Clallam Coal Company are opening up an old mining property on the straits of San Juan De Fuca near Clallam. One hundred-foot gangway has been driven. New equipment: One 40 H.P. steam hoisting engine, one 6-foot ventilating fan.” The total production for 1907 was listed as 300 tons.
That year’s report also lists an accident at the mine:
September 7th – Clallam Coal Company, Clallam Bay; Pat Ryan, age 37, occupation miner.
Neck and hands burned by explosion of gas.
September 7th – Clallam Coal Company, Clallam Bay: William Lewis, age 24, occupation miner.
Neck and hands burned by explosion of gas.
(The mine’s location is listed as “Clallam Bay” in this report.)
The Inspector’s “List of Mine Operators” for 1907 indicates that the Clallam Coal Mine’s address was Arcade Annex, Seattle; Shipping Facilities: “water transportation”; Market: “Puget Sound points.”
Production of coal increased in 1908, with a total of 2979 tons. A note for that year says, “Clallam Coal Company. This mine is in development state. One air compressor, one ventilating fan and one new boiler have been installed.”
There is also a note from the State Inspector: “The following companies have not paid their assessment: Clallam Coal Co. (in hands of receiver) 2.67” (There is no further information offered, and the company officers remained the same.)
The 1909 report on ”Production of Coal by Counties” has two figures for the mine – total production 2702 tons; 1003 tons shipped;. A graph indicates the disposition of the coal that was not shipped: Sold to employees, 239; used for power, 1400; days operated, 306; employees inside, 23; outside 9.
By 1910, production had dropped considerably; the total amount produced was only 696 tons; 305 tons shipped. The disposition of the coal: Sold to employees – 58; used for power – 338; days operated – 77; Employees inside – 4; outside – 3.
There was another negative for the Clallam Coal Company in 1910 – a death:
March 30th – Clallam Coal Co., Chute No. 10, Clallam Mine: Antone Orenberg, age 28, single, occupation miner and fire-boss.
Orenberg was mining coal and neglected to timber up his place properly. He was struck by fall of rock and instantly killed.
I could find no record of coal mining activity at the Clallam Coal Mine after 1910. However, two early residents of Clallam Bay thought the mine was active after that time.
H.C. Fairservice wrote an extensive history of early East Clallam/Clallam Bay for publication in Jimmy Come Lately. It includes the following information: “Another interesting industry of brief duration was a coal mine which started operating about 1910. The entrance of the tunnel, which was half way between Pysht and Clallam Bay, was clearly visible from passing steamers. It was never a financial success, and was abandoned after four or five years. The old Star Grocery Company of Seattle was the last operator.”
Hazel K. Murray, another early East Clallam/Clallam Bay resident also stated that the Clallam Cole Mine began operations in 1910. Their memories do not fit the only historical record I have found. I have no explanation!
