The south Kentuckian. [volume] (Hopkinsville, Ky.) 1879-1883, 1883-10-30
ALASKA.
Scientific American.

Commander Henry Glass, U. S.
navy, was for some time stationed at
Sitka, Alaska, with the United States
ship Jamestown, and afterward visi-
ted every part Of the coast in com
mand of the Wachusett, was in San
Francisco lately, where he was inter-
viewed with regard to the produc-
tions and possibilities of our great
northern territory.
The fisheries of Alaska he thought
were valuable, and destined TO play
an important part in the commerce
and industries of the Pacific coast.
Salmon of fine quality are found in
great abundance in every creek and
river of the territory. 1t is probable
that several canneries will be in OPP
GRAFTON this year. The waters in
places are teeming with halibut of
the finest quality, and already the
herring fishery has become of great
value, works having been estab-
lished during the past year for the
manufacture of herring oil. Great
numbers of whales frequent the in
ner channels and bays, and arrange
ments are now being made to prose-
cute whaling extensively. This can
easily be done, and at less expense
than in the open seas, as small and
inexpensive vessels can be used on
the calm bays and channels of South
eastern Alaska. To the northward
and westward of Sitka are banks of
considerable extent, where very fine
Goldfish are found in great abundance.
The vast timber products Of Alas
ka promise to be of great value in
the near future. On all the islands
and the mainland of southern Alas
ka are heavy forests of fir, spruce, al
der and cedar. Up to the present
time but very little timber has been
cut in Alaska-only that needed for
the consumption of the territory.
But, with the inroads now being
made on the timber of California,
Oregon and Washington territory,
Alaska must soon become source of
supply, and from the accessibility of
the timber along the extensive shore
line it can be exported very cheaply.
On many of the islands are found
large quantities of hard yellow cedar,
superior to any found elsewhere on
this coast. The wood is quite hard
easily worked, takes high polish, is
quite aromatic, and is said to possess
the power Of resisting the attacks of
the toredo, which, if true, would
make 1t valuable in ship building.
Commander Glass was told when in
command in Alaska, that the tim
bers of Russian vessel constructed
of this wood, after being some forty
years under water, were found per-
fectly sound, and that they had not
been touched by the toredo.
OF the mining prospects Of Alaska,
CommanderGlass was quite hopeful.
The placer mines, of the Harris dis
trict are already valuable. During
1882 over 5000, in gold dust were
sent away, only the crudest machin-
cry being used by the miners. Quartz
mining is equally promising in the
same district, several extensive
lodges having been discovered and
traced one or two miles, land although
only surface work has been done in
prospecting, great deal of fine
quartz has been shown. The want
of laws and courts to adjudicate dis
puted claims has prevented an ex-
tensive work being done up to the
present time. With the organiza-
ton Of the territory, capital would
be attracted there and mines of val
ne be developed. Coal has been re-
ported in several portions of the ter
ritory, but as yet nothing of value
has been discovered. Copper is re-
ported in considerable quantities,
about the Copper river, 10 the west
ward of Mount st. Elias. asps
AT present nothing of Importance
is done in agriculture, only few
small gardens being planted about
the principal settlements to supply
vegetables. The summer is too short
| for any of our cereal crops, but pota-
toes of very fine quality could be
grown in Alaska, and in all the val
leys fine grasses grow luxuriantly,
and portions of Alaska will hereafter
be valuable for grazing purposes.
Southeast Alaska produces furs Of
fine value, and quite large trade is
carried on. Land and sea otter, lynx,
several varieties of fox--the most
valuable being the silver gray fox
bear and deer skins are exported in
considerable quantities. st
Contrary to popular opinion, Com
mander Glass regards southern Alas
ka, as an exceedingly healthy coun-
try with climate not at all severe
The lowest temperature that he saw
! recorded in Alaska during the two
winters he was there was four de-
grees below zero (FahrenheiD Thii
was only on one day of January, o
Q 1882, in latitude 50 degrees north
9 The highest temperature recorded OF
= board ship during the summer wa
so degrees, this was at Sitka, abou
the middle of August. The meal