The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1888-11-22
COAL IN ALASKA.
Inexhausfible Deposits Of Fuel.
Of the Best Quality.
The Lodges Traced for . Handrsa
nsIs.-a Future Great
Industry.


Rnnning through k2chernsk gun
into churchagik bay, We anchored
about Q O'Clock Sunday morning. be-
yond hong point extending out from
the end OF the peninsula lying between
the bay and the gulf. in what Is known
a. Coal Harbor. There Is no settle
ment at this point. and my only OBJ
ject in stopping was 70 examine the
coal seams said 10 exist there, and
which we're originally discovered by
the first navigators as early As I.s6.
After breakfast went ashore IN COM
pany with some Of the ships officers.
and had no difficulty in finding the
veins, the outcrops OF which are in the
face OF a perpendicular bluff, and so
prominent that they can be seen from
a distance of two miles. found three
distinct veins, or seams, in a sand
stone formation which dips to the
northwest at an inclination OF from
three to five degrees from the hori-
zontAl. The outcrops, or rather ex-
posures made by the waves dashing
against the bluff, are at the highest
point above high-wster, but the dip
carries the seams under the surface OF
the bay in a very short distance TO
the north-the principal one being
visible for a considerable space under
water.
These seams lie one above the other,
with what | took to be tire-clay be-
tween them, the lower one being at
the very least calculation eight feet
thick. the next one above from four to
five. and the upper not more than
three. Hundreds of tons of this coal
lies strewed along the beach. having
been detached in large blocks from the
lover vein by the action of the waves.
Ii i. 10 all appearances, a very fine
quality Of camel coal, and that there
Is an extensive field OF it is a question
which admits of not a single doubt.
With a small erowbar we dug out two
or three hundred pounds, which we
carried on board ship. and part OF
which we burned in the cabin CRATE
with the most satisfactory results.
The chief engineer, who is consider
able OF a scientist, and certainly well
uosted as to the different qualities OF
ff}Al. IAAat NkiAOAN WIS., st7Ne+A~-
with an ANALYSIS, TO determine its
character and probable CONNER
cial value. At the very iiist
trial he succeeded in making
complete and perfect weld
on ~ inch iron. something that can
not be done with any other coal here
tofore mined on the Pacific slope.
From lump picked up on the beach
a portion was broken oil, weighed and
placed in a retort made on board ship.
This retort was heated TO bright red
in the furnace fires, when the coal gave
off an illuminating gas, the flame OF
which, issuing from tip, was OF q pc
cuiiar purity and whiteness. Lighted
in the cabin CRATE, it at first gave of a
bright white flame, without much
smoke, subsiding afterwards with very
little loss of bulk, 10 red-hot carbon
OF great durability and intense heat,
which was finally consumed TO an ash
OF impalpable iineness, without clink-
er. This test left no possible doubt as
to its value for domestic purposes.
The analysis made by Chief Lowe,
gave carbon 50, hydrogen !, and ash q
per cent, with only trace of sulphur
or sodium.
In his report to his commanding
officer, the chief engineer says: For
steaming purposes ! have only an
opinion, which, unbacked by solid
and well ascertained facts, ought not
TO be expressed or finally entertained.
The tests made, simply enable me to
pronounce it camel coal of great
value, much superior in fact for do
nestle purposes to anything yet seen
in the San Francisco market. II
must be remembered that the tests
upon which this judgment is based
/ we're made from coal taken from the
out-crop or picked up on the beach,
which analogy permits me to argue
cannot. exposed as it has been to the
action OF the elements. be taken as d
fair sample Of the quality oil the
seams.
The existence OF these coal seams
was well-known 10 the Russians, but
were not worked 10y them owing to the
fact that they opened upon the beach
and as they could only be successfully
worked through perpendicular shafts
OF considerable depth, they preferred
( to commence operations afsome other
( point where 50 large an outlay of capt
[ tal would not be required. They ae-
cordingly proceeded TO open mine on
+ the shore OF n small cove known a
Coal bay in Graham's harhOr. which
/ lies about % miles TO the southwest
OF the entrance to Churchagik bay,
and as near as | can learn Tor mum
( Der OF years mined from a single shaft
( all the coal they tkussian American
Company required for use IN their
+ steamers They made the mistake
however, OF following the seam under
/ the bay. and cutting a stream of water
( the mine was flooded, beyond the hope
Of redemption. subsequently, about
the year iS5l company was formed
in San Francisco, TO which the Rus
sian American Company was a party
for the purpose OF mining coal for the
san Francisco market, and a new
mine near the old one was openet
under the local management Of Ger
man engineer named Haltern, and
from that time till the transfer, con
siderable coal was mined. though VERY
littic OF il found its way 10 san Fran
cisco. The American partnership o
the sirm. or corporation, which wa
calIeB the American Russian Compa
ny. concluded that san Francise,
needed more ice than coal aud tn,
SitifsAlNltA % ltt tfuift W 0AfA l%tAAGH Va
made its principal business With tn,
transfer oil the country to the mite,
Statcs all effort at coal mining ceased
and nothing has ever since been doni
looking 10 the practical development
OF the extensive coal measures o.
Cooks Inlet aud elsewhere ia Alaska
These coal seams net only crop ou
az the points mentioned. bat thev an
exposed an along the eastern shore @
the inlet from Anchor point az tn
northern entrance of kachcmal
gulf "a hnsilloh river. and AZ yariou
points between Coai and Graham
asbors, covering total distance q
nearly i00 miles. At the point When
! landed. the natural conditions Uouly
not De mere favorable Tor the opening
aud practical operation oi larPi
number OF mines. The ground baCi
ir0n the bay rises "a aa elevation OF
hundred feet or more. aiiordiug tn
best facilities for the construction %
gravity roads upon which the prCdue
conld be carried oat upon piers an,
transferred a. ships as very trihiul
cost. / confidently look Tor the te
yciopment OF this vast coal bed lust RI
soon as congress shall by suitable leg
islation make il possible for person
DESTROYS ~ thus Investing their Carl
tat. 20 secure good and sufficient titles
= e u.