Thanks, I went back to the beach and now have about 8 pounds of the stuff. During low tide, the clay deposits were exposed and I found one that was full of coal. I wonder if that means that it formed there or it just got deposited there by a shipwreck. Going by your information, it was probably deposited there by a shipwreck. I will wash the coal according to your instructions and burn it at the next chance I get. That probably won't be for a while because it is difficult to work outside at a JABOD forge in 90 degree heat and I will be going away to Russia for the next few weeks. I appreciate your reply and found it helpful.