The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1871-08-11
Silver Islet.

Silver Islet.
A correspondent of the Portake Lake
Mminy Gazette, writing from the north
shore of Lake Superior after discussing
at some length the geology OF the re-
gion, proceeds as follows:
The vein phenomena OF that re-
gion is very interesting. There are
many veins and lodes, and the country
is decidedly metalferous in appearance.
Some of the veins run with the forma-
ton, others across it at nearly right
angles. The famous Silver lslet vein is
transverse vein, bearing about north
II degrees west. The islet is one of the
many islands which lie off Thunder
Cape. 1t is about 1000 feet from the
main land; but between it and the main
shore lies Burnt islands, 600 feet from
Silver lslet. Silver Island, composed OF
trappean rock termed diorite, is a
small point rising few feet above the
surface of the water, and is part of a
diorite dyke running nearly east and
west, constituting a long. narrow
shoal or reef. The vein crosses the dyke
on the island; the gangue Is soft,
white spar ; the whole width of thevein
is about so feet, and on the island and
in the water where it can be seen for
about 300 feet in length ii presents a
beautiful ppearance-the white spar,
scanned with silver ore and native sill
yer, showing distinctly. This is tis-
sure vein of great power. 1t Is seen on
Burnt Island, $500 feet inland, where
it is a large vein carrying lead,
mudic and other minerals. but not
much silver. 1t has been traced 10 the
main shore the vein has been opened
there, and some good-loolling spar and
traces of native silver have been found.
But little work has been done yet, but
strong hopes are entertained that the
vein may be found profitable on the
main land.
" The work of mining has been, thus
far, confined to the islet, and q space of
about 20 f-et long, 40 feet deep and 10
feet wide has been worked out. 1t is
estimated that about 100000 have been
taken from this area. ] examined the
mine carefully, and it appears to me to
be as rich in the bottom as any other
point. The mine has been worked only
10 feet wide, but it appears certain, by
breaking through what has been termed
the foot-wall, that the metaliterous por.
ton of the vein is much wider. 1t is a
truly wonderful mine, indeed-marvel-
Gus in richness and productive capacity;
and it seems to me, Judging from all the
indications, that the mine will hold out
for years. In the month OF June the
mine produced l05 tons first-class ore,
which will average 81 900 per ton. Capt.
Frue, the superintendent and resident
agent, is having very large, strong
shaft built. which is to be protected on
the outside by grouting in cement so as
to be water tight. As soon as this shaft
is done it will be carried deeper also
two inclined shafts, one dipping north
and the other south, will be carried
down. These will afford ventilation,
and open the mine in depth and length.
From the appearance of the vein, as
seen in the water, they can calculate
upon having productive mine, several
hundred feet in length, after they get
down a sufficient depth to be safe from
the influx Of the lake water through
any seams in the rock but the country
rock is close and compact. and has
proven, thus far, to be remarkably free
from seams or slips. The mine is very
dry. Mr.. VIM. j. Foster, in charge OF
the machinery. informed me that the
quantity OF water pumped from the
mine does not exceed eight gallons per
minute. The mouth of the mine is Sc
cured by skillfully constructed Golfer
dam. The breakwater outside Is a mas.
- &c
the weather side the cribs are 81 feet
wide, eight feet high, and filed with
many thousand tons of stone. think
that work will stand against any buffet
ings Of the waves or ice. This work has
been constructed under the immediate
supervision Of Chas. H. Palmer, Esq,
civil engineer. Upon the islet is an en-
CINE house, clearinghouse and assert
ing. house. 1t is estimated that there
are 1000 tons of what is called low
grade ore-the rock left after asserting
on the islet 1t is estimated that this
rock will yield at least $40 per ton.
"Quite a variety of minerals are
found in the vein. of which | may
mention; native silver, silver glance,
silver ore (sulphuret), cobalt, zinc
blonde, lead and plumbago. The crys-
affiliations of native silver are very
beautiful.
"The Montreal company have l07, 900
acres of well-selected mineral lands,
which are being explored. Monsieur
D'Aligay, formerly resident at the cop
per mines, is exploring at Neepigon
Bay, and Mr.. John c. Hodgson is on
Jarvis Island. 1t is expected that
valuable discovering will be made at
these points.
Two Memphis editors having been
calling each other "A lot of things. and
now both Of them have their meals