Several miles west of Richmond, the Richmond Coalfield became the first coalfield mined commercially in what would become the United States. Settlers knew of its coal by about 1701, and recorded production began in 1748. Mining later centered on Midlothian, and by the late 18th century coal from the basin was shipped to major eastern cities. During the Civil War, the mines supplied coal and coke to Richmond's Tredegar Ironworks, linking the field to the Confederate war industry. Despite dangerous conditions, including fires, explosions, and the 1882 Grove Shaft disaster, the field produced more than 8,000,000 short tons before mining ended by 1927.