39 Shag Point

Shag Point

SOUTH ISLAND, NEW ZEALAND.
Shag Point is 10k South of Moeraki.

THE CHINESE COAL MINES AT SHAG POINT.
( 170d 49`, 48E. 45d, 28`, 20S )

The first recorded use of coal from this areas was by whalers in the 1820`s. Commercial mining, mainly under the sea, began in 1863 and continued until 1902 when flooding caused the closure of the undersea operations. Land based mining continued until c1970. The mine was served by a small, narrow harbour, the cut stone blocks of the quayside are slowly falling into the sea. The coaster which used the harbour was called the SS Shag. The mine was also served by a branch railway line, this ran over the existing road which still serves the viewpoint and the cottages, many originally occupied by the mine staff..

CHINESE SITE.

BUT, clearly visible between the access road and the ocean is a man made canal c 12m wide and three metres deep, presumably sealed with puddled clay. The canal runs from the fence by the first cottage to a point just north of the harbour used by the SS Shag. At this point, a very clear channel has been c 12m wide has been cut through the rocks to form a harbour. Originally a set of ladder locks connected this harbour with the man made canal. The ladder locks have been used as a dump for spoil from the coal mine.

A magnetic anomaly survey parallel to the canal showed that rows of aqueducts had been constructed at right angles to the canal to supply make up water. At a point in the canal, near the ladder locks, the outline of a 10m x 4m Junk was located. (170d, 49`,48E, 45d, 28`, 20S).

Presumably the Chinese used coal for heating and cooking purposes. Normally coke not coal was used for smelting. The high sulphur content of coal creates problems with the manufacture of iron. But, there has been talk that the Chinese had perfected a process to utilize coal, to date this information has not been confirmed.

T.C.Bell 7/ 2003

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