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Specimen, Geological


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Nom de l'objet : Specimen, Geological
Type de l'objet : Specimen, Geological
Catégorie de l'objet : Communication Artifacts
Sous-catégorie de l'objet : Scientific Artifact
Matériaux : Mineral ore, copper
Numéro d'accession : 2006.29.1
Culture : Nature
Date de fin de production : 1905
Description : Large chunk of native copper. Its oval like shape is irregular as it projects and recedes at acute angles. It has oxidized to a soft green.
Fonctions : Remarks about this large piece of native copper has been found in memoirs and records since the turn of the century. It is assumed that it was never moved because of its extreme weight. Officially, this slab of native copper, weighing in at 2590 lbs, was uncovered in the White River area in May 1905, yet rumours of its existence were circulating as early as 1891. A prospector named Solomon Albert estimated it to be eight feet long, three feet wide and four and a half feet tall weighing approximately 6000 lbs. He overestimated its weight by three tons. Never the less, it is a remarkable find. So much so, that The Yukon Historical Society wanted to retrieve and display the nugget on behalf of the MacBride Museum. The nugget was on crown land and required special permission to have it removed. After some negotiation Northern Affairs donated the nugget to the Society. A committee set about retrieving the copper slab for the museum. The three ton chunk of copper was moved 250 miles northwest to Whitehorse with the help of 15 people. The committee consisted of prominent Yukoners such as W.D. MacBride, Bill Emery, John Phelps, Dorothy Scott and Them Kjar and latter Jim Whyard in Kjar's place. With the help of the committee and numerous labourers the relocation effort was realised and after considerable effort the nugget was brought to Whitehorse. It currently resides on the grounds of the McBride Museum at the corner of Steele Street and 1st Avenue. It is dedicated to the pioneer prospectors that staked copper claims on the White River from 1900 to 1958. Among the early prospectors that are mentioned on the dedicatory plaque is Frank R Miles, the adoptive father of W.D MacBride. Native Copper occurs in seams of sedimentary rock. The copper 'nuggets' are unusual and have no market value because they are so hard. There are so few of the large rock nuggets that it would be impractical to set up the necessary milling machinery.
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Ville de l'établissement : Whitehorse
Province de l'établissement : Yukon Territory

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