Page 20 - All About History - Issue 29-15

USA

How to

PANFORGOLD PANNING ON THE AMERICAN RIVER

Settlements
Miners would stay in a variety of accommodation, from tents, wood
great deal of money by setting up boarding houses for forty-niners.
STRIKE GOLD OR STRIKE OUT IN THE RACE TO shanties and even cabins of ships. Some enterprising people made a

FAME AND FORTUNE CALIFORNIA, USA, 1848-55

When gold was found at Sutter’s Mill, flockedtoCaliforniawiththehopeof
Coloma, on 24 January 1848, news making their fortunes, it was actually
spread quickly. It was confirmed in the savvy merchants who racked in
the newspapers in August, and by the the most profits. Miners needed food,
president in December. In early 1849, accommodation and equipment, and
waves of gold-hungry emigrants from income from these revenues was
all over the world made their way to guaranteed, while finding gold was
California to claim their fortune. These not. Although it seemed like a time of
miners, nicknamed forty-niners for the opportunity, lawlessness reigned supreme,
year of the rush, exploded the population and the gold fields were a dangerous place
of San Francisco from about 1,000 to to venture. However, for many, the rewards
25,000 in just two years. Although many were well worth the risk
WHAT YOU’LL Prospector
NEED The people who flocked to California were from all different
walks of life, and it was a unique opportunity for emigrants
and others with nothing to their name to create a fortune.

Pan
DONKEY There were many different pans to choose from, but as the
gold rush reached a peak, they were sold for a premium, with
the merchants pocketing huge profits.

PICK AXE

BOOTS

DRINKING FLASK

Travel there Pick a good spot
When gold was found in California, there was no direct Before you go sticking your pan in the river, take time
COWBOY HAT 01train, so prospectors had to make their own way there. 02 to carefully pick the best spot you can find. You’ll want
YoucouldtravelbyseaaroundSouthAmerica,whichmaytake to find a stream that is at least six inches deep, and the clearer
up to eight months, or sail to the Isthmus of Panama and then and cleaner the water, the better. Slow-running currents are ideal
trekthroughthejungle.Eachroutecomeswithitsowndangers, for gold panning, and if you can find an area that isn’t swarming
and prospectors have to be willing to risk it all to win big. with other prospectors, your chances will increase.

20