At one time, establishing coaling stations for naval ships was important. Oil bunkering became a major industry alongside coaling. In Pago Pago, he selected a site for the new coaling station and naval base. The American navy established a coaling station in Liberia. The town served as a coaling and watering station for trains entering Echo Canyon. The U.S. Navy used the Key as a coaling station. Efforts to gain coaling stations in the Caribbean or west Indies failed. The commodore had sailed to Ancud for coaling. It became a coaling station during the war. At one time Walkden was the centre for coaling mines and textile manufacturing. At the time, the entire British fleet was coaling. Assab, meanwhile, continued to find service as a coaling station. Also, the question of adequate resources for coaling existed. Softwoods, in contrast, tend to burn hot and fast with little coaling.