The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1895-07-01
FROM COOKS INLET.
Steamer Chehalis Returns From
a Long Trip Northward.
TONS OF COAL ON THE SHORE.
The Helen Reported Lost In Gale
English Schooner Seized by the
Rush-shipping News

20 the head Of Cooks inlet. 80 miles from
Juneau. In round numbers, she made z.'vl
miles since leaving Seattle. She enjoys
the distinction OF having gone farther on
this perilous journey than any other
steamer. and has gathered news that IL Of
especial interest 20 the people OF the
country and OF the Pacific coast. The
officers deny the report that many bills
contracted in Alaska were left unpaid
May q the chehaIIs was compelled 10
cast anchor al Kayak on account OF ter
ribIe gale, and there found quite a fieeT Of
vessels. including the Eiiida. Of Tacoma
Margery. of Seattle, and the Olga and
Adventursr From the captain of the FL
1ida II was learned that the United States
revenue cutter Rush had captured the
English schooner Saliva and was cut
searching for the Helen. which vas sup
posed 10 have been lost In the gale. No
Information could be gained relative 10
the people on board or her home port.
Schooner Elwood. from Seattle. vas
sighted aground at Chickloon bay. but
her passengers could easily walk ashore
lust before the chehalis left Coal bay the
barkentine Marion arrived from San
Francisco, bound for Ladds station, at
the head of the inlet. According 20 the
story of Capt Johnson and Pilot Kelly.
the gold miners along the inlet are pros
pering we'll, one man having sent back
10 Juneau - 800 as the result of two
months work They say that the coal
deposits are wonderful and of a superior
quality.
Capt. johnson has been on the Pacific
slope since 1855. and Pilot Kelly. a native
OF Maine has had eight years experience
on this coast They feel greatly elated
over their success in making voyage
considered very dangerous, owing 20 i'm
perfect charts, from Cape Spencer along
the open coast
The following story OF the voyage was
obtained yesterday afternoon from the
captain and pilot:
The Chehalis left Juneau May rs for
Cooks inlet. 40 miles. with a party Of
prospectors. At the time the boat left
there was considerable comment on the
water front In this city TO the effect that
the boat would not be able to make the
trip. The first stop was made at Hoonah.
eighty miles from juneau. The steamer
was trimmed there and got In seaworthy
condition for her long voyage. The next
dsy she started out, passed Cape Spencer
ard reached Iatyua bay the same night
The weather looked threatening, so an
Choir was dropped The next morning. the
Indications being more favorable. the voy-
age was resumed Before Kayak was
reached May q at o'clock In the after
noon, the wind was blowing a gale Oft the
glaciers II proved 10 be the worst storm
OF the season. and the Chehalis lay at
anchor until May g.
The schooner Elllda, OF Tacoma. bound
FOR Cooks Inlet with eight people aboard.
the schooner Margery. OF Seattle, schooner
Olga and schooner Adventure were lying
In the lagoon at Kayak
II was stated by the captain OF the
schooner Ellida that the revenue cutter
Rush had seized the English schooner
Saliva and was out searching for the
schooner Helen The report was that the
Helen has been lost between Middleton
island and Kayak in the storm. No In
formation could he obtained as to who
was aboard or where the schooner sailed
from.
Near Kayak Is Copper river, along
whose banks many Indians live. They
are very hostile 10 the Coast Indians and
also 10 the white miners The country
IS rich In copper, gold and silver. There
Is an abundance of all kinds of fur-oear-
ing animals, and the Indians do not want
their hunting grounds disturbed. The M
dians make copper bullets. and this, taken
with the abundance of copper in that sec
ton accounts for the name OF the river.
Al the mouth of the river are two trading
posts. one run by the Northwest Trading
Company and the other by the Alaska
Trading Company.
After the storm subsidized the Chehalis
left KAYAK, May Is at noon. and passed
Cane FIinchlnbrook al 9:55 In the morning
~ Tho same day, entered Prince William
sound aid passed inside OF Montague
island Cape Elizabeth. at the entrance
of Cooks inlet, was reached az i mid
nigh, MAY 81 Anchor was dropped at
Coal harhor the morning Of May .. Coal
for the steamer was dug out OF the blum
and also picked up along the shore.
The next stop was ~ Muniua village.
an Indian settlement whore there Is a
tradlne post run ny a Yankee named
coopar. Cooper says he Is a member or
the "old original Cooper family OF the
state OF Maine lie Is married 70 Rus
sian woman supposed to have royal blood
IN her veins.
oniv a short stop was made az Munina.
and then the steamer proceeded on her
way TO Turnagain arm. AT the head or
NAVIGATION on the inlet This point is FUR
Their M the inlet than any other steamer
has ever been. Passengers and cargo were
discharged by means OF boats at high
tide.
The Reade mining party was seen here,
and according 90 accounts n was doing
well. Mr.. Reede. who IS the leader Of the
marty. has taken IN machinery with which
ne expects to greatly facilitate work.
At this place navigation Is very Dim
cult. owing 20 hidden rocks and the ex-
cessively high tide. The water comes
IN with a rush. and the total rise is for
ty-fVe feet.
ON the passage up the inlet the Schoon-
or atwood twouty-one days ont from
Seattle. with n party 81 miners. WIS
sroken. All vers we'll ON tho hack trip
the Chchars passed the Elwood. which
had gone into Chickloon hay, and owing
20 the fall ~ the tide had been left on
dry land thrce miles from the channel
There was no danger ar all az the pass
en-crs could walk ashore. ana were prae-
ilcaly NJ their destinations
The posts of kena az Tire mouth 81
the kakuu river. and koSslof on tho
river o. the same name. were touched at
Both rivers carry gold. h4t are not being
worked At both settlements large can
rcrlcs are being operated.
The next stop WHs AZ the coal fields
on the east shore Or Cook - Inlet. between
Coal bay and Anchor point AZ low tide
there is a vein exposed fullS five feet
thick. The outcropplnwS are covered with
seaWcei ard h8rnarles. Al that is me-
sssSarv "a gsf tfe cosi is 90 take crow
bar aut prv cut as big blocks as one
wishes Above tho FIRST vein IS a de-
post ~ yellow ART twenty fset or more
tu.Thlckncss Then comes a second vein
81 coal ebout SIX feet feick. 81 hue above
thls are thrse more seams VARYING from
two 80 four Feet iN this knt~S Al th,
veiuF are rarfertlv harfrental amt ex-
tend for nfiles sio~e tho <Here. ''YanAes..'
Cooper said that oser zov t.rS ~ saal
Nere washed down ere hHe ls~t winter
James Atkinson. s1.af rn-. 4-.- ~ tha
Chehahs. Saws ttat rNr ..sl a- better
RteauiuC coal thar ttst r... s.ts>4 a+
Napalmo ana dovs rrt .l4r-.. ,-or-,+~
has squattet on $50 3D. yes .f .s. t,.fntn.-
rroncrty. A1i - IS oot trer far san