26th January, 2007
More about Cannel
Cannel is a very hard coal which was mined in the Wigan area. It is an efficient fuel which burns easily. Also it is smooth and hard and can be carved into ornaments.
As early as 1540, the antiquarian John Leland described the availability and properties of cannel found on Sir Roger Bradshaigh's estate in Haigh.
Here is what the traveller, Celia Fiennes, said about the fuel when she visited Wigan in 1698.
"...here (Wigan) it is that fine Channel (cannel) Coales are in perfection, burns as light as a candle - set the coales together with some fire and it shall give a snap and burn up light - of this coale they make salt cellars stan dishes and many boxes and things which are sent about for Curiositys and sold in London and are often offer'd in the exchanges in company with white or black marble, and most people are deceived by them..."
"...but such persons discover it and will call for a candle to trye them wheather marble or coale; its very finely pollish'd and lookes much like jett or ebony wood for which one might easily take it when in boxe etc; I bought some of them for Curiosity sake."
Daniel Defoe, the traveller and writer also described cannel when he visited Wigan in the early 18th century.
"They (pieces of cannel) are smooth and slick when the Pieces part from one another, and will polish like Alabaster, then a lady may take them up in a Cambrick Handkerchief and they will not soil it, though they are as black as the deepest jet. They are the most pleasant agreeable Fuel that can be found, but they are remote; and though some of them have been brought to London, yet they are so dear, by reason of Carriage, that few care to buy them..."