Pennsylvania Coal Company

Overview

The Pennsylvania Coal Company (PCC) was a prominent coal mining and transportation company that operated during the 19th and early 20th centuries. Headquartered in Pennsylvania, USA, the company played a vital role in supplying coal to growing industrial centers and facilitating its distribution to markets throughout the northeastern United States and beyond.

Operations on the Great Lakes

• Expansion into Maritime Shipping: To capitalize on the Great Lakes’ extensive shipping network, the Pennsylvania Coal Company invested in vessels to transport coal efficiently from mines to regional markets and industrial hubs.

• Fleet: The company owned and operated several vessels, including steamers and barges, which were essential for transporting large quantities of coal to ports along the Great Lakes. Notable vessels included the Conger Coal (formerly the A. Weston) and other steamers designed for bulk coal transportation.

Role in Coal Distribution

• Primary Routes: Coal mined in Pennsylvania was often shipped via rail to Great Lakes ports, where it was loaded onto vessels for distribution to cities like Cleveland, Chicago, Buffalo, and Toronto.

• Industrial Importance: The Pennsylvania Coal Company contributed significantly to fueling industrialization in the Great Lakes region, providing a steady supply of coal for factories, steamships, and railroads.

Key Incidents

• Conger Coal (A. Weston): One of the company’s notable vessels, the Conger Coal, was destroyed in a fire in Little Sodus Bay, New York, on May 11, 1917. This loss highlighted the vulnerabilities of coal transport during an era of industrial hazards and wartime tensions.

• Maritime Innovations: PCC adapted to changing technologies and demands by employing efficient steamer designs and improving cargo handling methods to streamline coal shipping.

Decline and Legacy

The decline of the Pennsylvania Coal Company mirrored broader trends in the coal industry:

• Economic Shifts: By the mid-20th century, alternative energy sources and the decline of the Great Lakes coal trade led to reduced demand for PCC’s services.

• Maritime Contributions: Despite its eventual decline, the Pennsylvania Coal Company’s involvement in Great Lakes shipping left a lasting impact on the region’s maritime and industrial history.

Key Vessels

• Conger Coal (A. Weston): A propeller-driven steamer with a history of coal transport and eventual destruction in Little Sodus Bay.

• Other Fleet Members: Likely included a mix of barges and steamers specialized for coal transport, though detailed records of the entire fleet remain limited.

Resources & Links

• Maritime History of the Great Lakes: Maritime History

• Great Lakes Ships Database: Comprehensive vessel information related to PCC’s fleet.

• David Swayze Shipwreck File: Archival data on shipwrecks involving PCC vessels.

• Historical Society of Pennsylvania: HSP – for historical records related to coal mining and transport.

Legacy

The Pennsylvania Coal Company’s operations highlight the interconnectedness of coal mining and maritime shipping during the industrial boom of the 19th and early 20th centuries. Its vessels and logistical networks were critical to the development of Great Lakes commerce, contributing to the region’s economic transformation and its rich maritime history.