During the Gold Rush, Californians extemporized a modern, statewide transportation network of ocean and river navigation, wagon roads, telegraph lines, and the beginnings of a railroad network. Some stagecoaching and wagon freighting would continue into the early twentieth century, but only as feeders to the railroads.

What was the transport in the Gold Rush?

It is difficult to imagine life before cars, trucks, motorbikes and aeroplanes. Those who came to Australia during the gold rush however, travelled here, explored the place, and moved huge quantities of cargo long before the car, truck, motorbike and aeroplane were invented.

What methods did miners use to find gold?

Placer mining takes a variety of forms, including panning, “sluice-boxing”, hydraulic mining, and dredging. All of these techniques use gravity and water to separate the dense gold from the lighter sand and gravel.

What skills are needed for gold?

The types of knowledge needed to effectively prospect for gold include:

• A knowledge of where gold has been found in the past.
• A knowledge of where one can legally prospect.
• A knowledge of prospecting laws and regulations.
• A knowledge of gold deposits and geology.
• A knowledge of prospecting methods.

  How is gold transported overseas?

  For instance, all gold shipped to the U.S. from a foreign country must be accompanied by either a CN22 or CN23 U.S. Customs and Border Declaration form. (Most international post offices carry these forms or you can download them online.) An alternative to shipping your gold via mail is to transport it yourself.

  What was life like on the gold Fields?

  The living conditions were cramped, and there were few comforts at the diggings. Because the alluvial mining muddied the once clear creek water, clean drinkable water was hard to find. Often fresh water was carted in to the diggings and sold by the bucketful. Fresh vegetables and fruit were scarce and cost a lot.