The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1899-08-22
ACTION on ALASKAN AIDS.


The following letter will be sent by the
chamber OF Commerce of Seattle TO the
chairman OF the lighthouse board at
Washington, relative to the reported
need OF further aids for mariners In the
inland passage to Alaska being estab-
lished:
is Chamber Of Commerce Of the city Of Seattle
respectfully urges the construction Of at least six
lighthouses and fog signals In Southeastern Alaska
The commerce from Washington and British Col
nmbsa to the ports Ut Alaska has grown 10 large
proportions during the past two years While At
nrss IL partook OF the nature Of a boom corsequef.
upon the discovery II gold Ia the Kiondike il has
now settled TO legitimate basis. and there seems
little doubt that il viii increase from year year
During the last months including the dull
winter season. and without any special mining ex
eiteEnens. the trade with Alaska from Seattle alone
has been follow:
One hundred aud if,v-four vessels arriving from
territory. f 100. 20 tons. bringing sTa passengers
and asst tons Of freight ls vessels. Of 10 81 tons
departing taking ID 5s passengers and ~ SAG tons
Of fright In addition there have been many ves-
o. freight arriving at and departing from other
Psiget scund ports, and Victoria and Vancouver IN
b1,tish Caiumhis bound to or from Alaska
nes 81 the Ynton and in the Atlin district are
very lare in extent and promise heavy yield of
the precious metal for many years New discoveries
are being constantly made A YaiIroad has been
constructed from Lynn canal 10 Lake Bennett and
Il Win probably he estertded into the interior The
Tir frnm Seattle to Dawson now be made in
less than = week The building a this railruad
insnres that the upper Yukon viii always be sup
W. n
several thousand peone.
Large discoveries OF gold and copper quartz have
been made IN several district. of Southeastern
ALASKA, and many claims are being actively desei-
oped. The freaiweil mine on Dougias island has
go stamps running night and DAY. and two other
mines IN the vicinity large producers Of gold
From present knowledge Southeastern Alaska psssn.
iscs to he perhaps the richest quartz mining roun-
try in the world New salmon csnneries are built
every yeas, and the fishing industry of Aiaska IL
reaching very Large proportions With such sub
stsntia development 81 the natural resources there
mere
In addition the grandeur and .ubl.mity Of the
mountain scenery In Southeastern Alaska. with the
numerous immense glaciers and 100 miles IT
quiet inland navigation promise 70 make this tho
mos. popular scenic trip in the world Already
thousands Of soris,s annually see these wonderful
works n nature. and every year mahss the trip
more widely knnsn, until existing steamer facilities
whol.s Inadequate
the long dark nights ~ winter arc vcvv gr~as
Nsvcatars ~neosinter fors driving snow storms and
strong irregular and treaeherous currents running
AZ tunes fifteen miles ho,ir fl,ed with
hidden roess and reefs While the United States
waters In Southeastern Alaska hare no. a single
lighthouse the adsarcnt waters ~ British Column
hss comparatively sen lighted ard baoyed
A. hearty all IN. commerce ia between United
States ports. This rejects all The dsscresiit
uton our government. In consequence N the All
s~nse nj aids IN navigation large number ri ves
sells have been sink and many others seriously dam
Neemo Because II these disaster, insurance
rates have advanced from a Ter cent 70 ,o4 r~rr
cent upon ars,'essa vessels while the iess service
Able can set no Insurance AZ ali
After recon- nonains the locations FOR
lighthouses proposed In the address of
Lieut.. WycknfY. the letter concludes:
The chamber Is Informed iha, congress has made
appropriation II $ao 200 for lighthouse tender
tns Alaska. and that the vessel Is undr. con
sfssaciian. The necessity for division Of the
Thirs=-rnh lighthouse sis,re, has been brought 20
new distr.c, should he rr-Assd include Puget
SOUND and Assha