Seattle daily post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, W.T. [Wash.]) 1881-1888, 1884-10-23
rmE eUrEs CHARLOTTE ISLANDS.
Victoria Colonist. ]

capt CDittenQen was passenger
by the Otter, having returned from
making an examsnati0n of the re-
sources of the Queen Charlotte Isl.
ands generally, in which he has been
engaged since April last. His pro-
gress reports have already been pub
lished up to May. but short sketch
OF his labors since will prove interest
ing. These embrace q thorough ex-
animation of the Masset Inlet and
Virago Sound country, and all the
bays, inlets aad harbors of the west
coast of Graham Island, of which
there are fourteen, from three and a
half TO ten miles 10 depth, several be-
ing fine harbors. He also assembled
all the streams flowing into the same,
first as far as canoe could be pushed,
and then advancing from three to ten
miles beyond on foot. He is of the
opinion that the entire area of agri.
cultural land will not aggregate more
than 10, 600 acres. and mountain graz
ing land about %, 900 acres. The form
er lie principally along the north coast
of Graham Island, between Masset
Inlet and Rose Spit, and on the east
coast of Graham Island, between
Rose Spit and Tellell river. The bal
ance are found in small tracts of from
five to twenty acres at heads of inlets,
and these latter are partially over
flowed at high tide. There Is some
fine spruce timber on Masset and
Skidegate Inlets, some trees measur-
ing thirty one feet and over In cir
conference. There was also some
red cedar of the same proportions,
while yellow cedar was limited In ex-
tent. These large trees were, of course,
few and scattered. Nearly the whole
area of the islands is covered with
timber, but the quantity fit for lum-
bering purposes is comparatively
small
The tish supply is unlimited. there
being large quantities of halibut. skill
(black cody and herring found in the
various waters surrounding the isl
AIDS. There are hnlibut banks at
short intervals around the entire
group, skill all along the west coast
from Gold Harbor northward, her.
ring by the million in the ialets,
small but excellent salmon in nearly
all the larger streams, and salmon
trout and trout in nearly all the
creeks and brooks. The true cod are
also caught in various portions of the
islands.
There have been no other veins of
coal found. except small vein of BIZ
luminous coal on Skidegate Inlet al
though several practical Nanaimo
miners have been prospecting there
during the past Summer.
The weather during tbe spring was
exceptionally stormy until about the
middle of June, and fine weather
during July and August. The rain
fall for the year will probably be from
Is to 10 inches, the largest amount
falling on the west coast of the island,
which is almost continuous range or
mountains from 500 to 1000 feet in
hight The temperature is very
equable, ranging only from 10 TO Is
degrees from five in the morning till
mid day. the highest temperature at
tanned being about, 90 degrees
Great quantities If game were met
with. the geese being almost tame,
while large blue grouse were Ia abun
dance. Bears are very numerous
There are no deer except those that
have been placed there by Mr.. Maken.
xie aud others, while the rabbits
which were put on the north end of
Graham and small island ia Skide-
gate Inlet year or two ago are in
creasing very rapidly, and are being
killed for food. No snakes and com
parStively few fzegs were seen on the
islands. Thtre are no beasts Of prey
on the islands such as wolves, wild
cats. etc. which are found in other
parts Of the province.
A submerged forest, about 80 or IS
acres of which were exposed al low
tide, was. discovered about Is miles
south Of Cape Knox on the northwest
coast Of Graham Island. Portions OF
this were converted into Ignite coal
and others petrified. some trees stand.
ing erect and others thrown down.
Capt. Chittenden's work has 10
volved many hardships and dangers |
which few can appreciate who are
not acquainted with the country aad |
waters trayersed The west coast |
Was exceedingly stormy, nearly |
wrecking their canoe among breakers |
and upoa rocks on several occas ons.
Twice his men wanted TO turn back.
and once an Indian stripped To Jump |
overheard, saying that they would all /
be drowned. Capt Chittenden sieered /
his canoe 500 miles most OF the time /
In stormy weather with his left hand. |
his right having been then and now /
disabled from the effect of hard row.
ing on his first trip. IL having been 4
slightly poisoned while in a raw con-
dlti0n from rewing. About 400 /
miles were covered altogether In The /
eanf1e IN Txninrfne fha eoaSse