Or a PNW coast historian?
I’m trying to ID some brick-shaped “rocks” I found on a beach I used to fish, on the east coast of Vancouver Island.
Smaller than any bricks I’ve ever seen. Palm-sized or smaller. All six surfaces are flat, with some lava-like pores. Some are black, some grey, some both black and grey. Edges rounded. Some have corners missing. Non-metallic. One has a thin, smooth, whitish surface layer. I broke one grey one open. Photos below.
This beach was used to ship coal from mines in Nanaimo, and in mines north up to Comox, from about 1855 to the early 1900’s. The coal was shipped to ports from southern BC to San Fransisco. Ships would generally arrive empty, except for ballast, which was dumped on this beach, then load coal. I believe they may also have loaded some coke, since some coke was produced in this region.
I’m really curious, and haven’t found any definitive ID yet. Any ideas?
Thanks!
I’m trying to ID some brick-shaped “rocks” I found on a beach I used to fish, on the east coast of Vancouver Island.
Smaller than any bricks I’ve ever seen. Palm-sized or smaller. All six surfaces are flat, with some lava-like pores. Some are black, some grey, some both black and grey. Edges rounded. Some have corners missing. Non-metallic. One has a thin, smooth, whitish surface layer. I broke one grey one open. Photos below.
This beach was used to ship coal from mines in Nanaimo, and in mines north up to Comox, from about 1855 to the early 1900’s. The coal was shipped to ports from southern BC to San Fransisco. Ships would generally arrive empty, except for ballast, which was dumped on this beach, then load coal. I believe they may also have loaded some coke, since some coke was produced in this region.
I’m really curious, and haven’t found any definitive ID yet. Any ideas?
Thanks!
