Cannel Coal (CO-02)
Cannel coal is derived from candle coal, an Old English name for coal that could be kindled to produce a steady, bright flame. Today, cannel is restricted to coal composed substantially of spores and finely divided plant material; other colas are generally composed of woody parts of plants. Cannel coal has a greasy luster, is compact, relatively low in ash and sulfur, and blocky in appearance, and breaks with a conchoidal fracture. It may be regularly joined but lacks bands or partings. (Inset shows cannel coal above and bituminous coal below.)

Cannel coal was first found in Indiana in the early 1800's near Cannelton, Perry County. Small deposits are also found near Cannelburg, Daviess County. Recently, a variety called boghead coal was identified in Owen County. Boghead coal has physical properties similar to other cannel coals but contains remains of algae rather than spores. Regrettably, Indiana's reserves of cannel coal are small.

Our Hoosier State Beneath Us: Coal