Seattle daily post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, W.T. [Wash.]) 1881-1888, 1883-02-21
EUN BY WAY OF LEWISTON.

Coos BAY CoLLIERIEs.-A large por
ton of Coos county is underlaid with
coal, two fields or measures having been
found within the limits Of the county.
rhe first of these lies between Coos Bay
and the Coquille river, and covers an
area OF nearly two hundred square
miles. The mines heretofore worked
are near the bay, having been opened
40 AZ to give them tho advantage of the
sloughs emptying into it for shipping
points. Two mines only are now in
operation, namely, the Newport and
Southport, their production being about
seventy tive tons per day each. The
Eastport, which has been ono Of tbs
largest producers on tho bay, has closed
down until new openings are made,
which will enable the owner TO mine and
handle the GOAL more cheaply. Im-
provements are also going on at the
southport and Newport. The former
il opening up new levels, and the latter
is putting down an extension of their
railroad, to bring them nearer deep
water on the bay, The veins worked in
these oollieries average oyer five feet in
thickness, and consist of three seems of
coal with thin partings of sandstone,
The coal is the best quality Of lignite-
inferior as steam coal, but uneXcelled
by any on the coast for domestic and
culinary uses. Miners are paid dollar
per ton for mining and dressing. and
give 2240 pounds 10 the ton. They are
able to make from three to five dollars
per day, andsau thu oollieries have good
accommodate ons for employees. Other
mines have been started, and two of
them involved their owners in heavy
losses. Extensive improvements were
made before the veins we're fully tested,
instead Of waiting until their value was
assured, but SO far only two have proved
failures. The Utter and North Pacific
mines uncovered good veins, but the
high freight prevailing at the time rem
dered them unable to compete with the
mines Of Washington Territory. Three
paying veins have 10 far been opened
up in this portion Of tho county, and
the amount of coal they would Weld 10 a
mere matter Of calculation. Il will last
long enough for Aacaulay's New Zea-
lander to have fuel to cook steak BY
when he visits San Francisco, as he oar
tainly will do IL he has any spirit and
enterprise M traveller. The estimate
that so, 900 900 tons could be obtained
within ten miles Of Marshfield from
veins already prospeoted has been made.
No tests have been made by sinking or
boring to ascertain the composition of
the lower parts Of the measure. Other
discoveries have been made in the east
srn portion Of the county. but very little
prospecting has, 40 yet, been done. Sev
eral veins have besn found along the
middle and south forks Of the Coauille
river, and traced eastward into Dou,la
county. One Of these 10 a Eve foot
vein, and carries an excellent smithv
and steam coal, which cokes readily.
Propositions have been sent to the dis
coversr by business men Of Portland
for its purchase. Some tests of its quail
ity having been made there, they acted
promptly to secure its control. AZ dis
coveries have also been made in Camas
Valley. in Douglas county, this interior
coal field seems a. extensive a. that in
the western portion Of the county, and
the superior quality Of the coal. a. indi.
Gated by ths analysis and practical tests
made, will make il q valuable source OF
snpplv for California industriss.-S. +.
Bulletin.