The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1898-11-17
HAS MADE HIS REPORT
It Adds Many Thousand Miles to
American Territory.
THE KUSllIVAK CHANNEL
Its Discovery May Result In Material
Benefit 10 Aissksn Transportation.
Some OF the Problems &c
Be Solved.

Washington. Nov. l6-Asslstant @. p.
Pratt has submitted to Superintendent
Pritchard Of the coast and geodetic sur
vey the report Of the coast survey par
ty operations during the past summer
in Alaska The report notes the discov-
cry of $500 additional square miles of
United states territory INC deals with
the work accomplished In the interest
Of Alaska. Referring to the newly ex-
which hitherto has no been included
as a part of this country. the report
says:
The Kusilivak hannel extends very
nearly parallel with the shore until
about half way to the Krypniak. when
IL turns seward and when beyond the
sight OF land. spreads out into n mar
with from six to eight feet of IL in low
tide. The fats are irregular with blind
pockets, etc.
The shores in the vicinity of Kusili-
wax mouth are about 25 miles further
out In Berfng sea than indicated on
the published charts. In round num-
bers the difference includes an area
Of about $500 square miles. The high
lands of Cape Dyer were almost always
obscured by clouds. but IL would seem
that its present longitude will not be
much changed. whereas there is a pos
sibility OF placing its latitude more TO
the southwark.
There Is about two feet of water
on the bar at the Aphoon channel en-
trance at mean low water. and inside OF
IL quite an intricate channel. The pro-
posed chart of this locality should be
sent to st. Michaels by next seasons
coast survey party. whose very first du-
ties shout be to examine for changes
m thoroughly buoy out this channel,
as the ice Will carry of buoys left his
year. to determine and hen plat the
buoys on their charts and then turn
them over for general distribution"
a char is recommended covering the
stretch from Cape Dyer to Besboro ISL
and to assist vessels trying eagerly in
the season. as they usually do. TO get
through to st. Michaels by going
through the Bering sea ice. supposed TO
be swept on shore somewhat by the
currents from the river mouths n
the Yukon a or flats.
Continuing. the report rays: The
upriver trafic for the coming season
will be as heretofore. deep sea craft
to 81. Michaeis. transfer to rive steam
ers. which will 60 via the Aphoon chan
mel. This entrance il the worst they
HAVE 10 COUttuu Will anu mas only
about two feet on the bar at mean low
water and Is rather intricate. Its adj
vantage is hat river boats can be in
sight of land all the way from St. Nj
chaels to the entrance. the only really
dangerous position being in rounding
st. Michaels' island. a distance of about
IL miles, In northerly weather. whereas
the Kusilivak. although having suffi-
cient water, has the very serious disad-
49, nj {. - hAfn1 IN 90. or k..a .Aas
no natural land marks can be used for
finding and entering IL. From the north
shore OF Cape Dyer to the Kusilivak
entrance Is about 10 miles less than
from St. Michaels to the Aphoon en-
trance. and wen IL the Kusilivak could
be as easily found this small difference
in distance would not be sufficient TO
change the routes of the older trans
portation companies that have costly
warehouse facilities at st. Michaels.
1t is now a foregone conclusion that the
passenger business of the upper Yukon
country Is and will remain via tine pass
es. while. for a long time. the great bulk
OF the freight will go via the rivers
mouth.
There are now between 60 and 20
regular river In the carrying
business and still freight was left be-
hind at st. Michaeis when the season
closed in. The ocean traffic has been
proportionate. there being as many as
30 deep water vessels at anchor in 81.
Michaels and Orange at a time. the ay-
erage during the season being 20. The
greatest stumbling block in the St. Mi
chaels freight business Is the trans
fer from ocean to river craft In an I'M
protected roadstead. the water depth
being such that ocean vessels do not
anchor within about two miles of the
nearest shoal water landings. Ocean
vessels can be run on a comparative
close schedule as to time. whereas the
uncertainty OF the time of arrival of the
river boats due to getting aground,
varying strength Of currents. etc. va
r1es at times as much as two weeks and
consequent delays to ocean craft cause
great loss. sometimes an entire trip,
during the season. II this years exam
nations should develop the fact that
somewhere In Scammon bay. the shores
were old enough to enable sea-going
vessels TO discharge at docks. then by
artincially making the Kusilivak en-
Inc 20 that II could be readily found.
the cost OF freight transportation
could be sensibly lessened."