The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-06-04
Line From Port Clarence to Port
Safety Said to Be Assured
PROMOTERS NOW IN THE EAST.
Government Surveyor who Was EN-
pIoyed in Location OF Route Tor
white Pass Road Says Nome
Beach Line Would Pay Enormous
Dtx,depd. From stnrt-No Engi-
neerinR Difficulties to Overcome.

There is said to be every assurance OF
the speedy construction OF the much-
talked-of railroad along the Cape Nome
coast from Port Clarence TO Port Sate'y'
a distance Of little more than 100 miles
Word reached Seattle yesterday tnat
agents OF the j. S. Kimball Company, o.
Nome. are now in the East perfectng ar
rangements for the immediate construc-
ton OF the line which will pass through
the Three Route, Rodney, FairvieH, New
Eldorado Shook, Cripple, Penny, Nome
and Bonanza mining districts. "a has al
ready been reported. the survey or the me
was completed last November and ON Jan
uary the surveyors blue prints were
DISPATCHED via the Ktmball express TO
San Francisco at which place, until the
present time, their disposition has been
shrouded in mystery.
1t is understood that Capt. Conrad Stem,
manager OF the Kmball Company, has been
busily engaged in furthering the
project. - seconded by j. s. Kim
ball in person Whether the , road
gauge, or narrow gauge In size. was not
divulged but that it will he substantial
enterprise is assured by the tremendous
traffic results to be realized in its COM
pletion.
Alaska Surveyors Views.
United States Deputy Surveyor N. r.
Smith. now at the Hotel Seattle, who was
one OF the prime movers in Locating the
White Pass & Yukon railway. talked at
length OF the new project last night.
'If the road is constructed Immediately
said Mr. Smith. eft will prove the most
lucrative railway OF its length In the
United States Port Clarence, its northern
terminus, will become the general distri-
b,p,ing point as II has the only deep sea
harbor on the American side Of Boring
sea. In fact, there are from seven to
nine fathoms OF water at this point and
ships can discharge their cargoes in per-
feet safety during the entire open season
This reminds me that Capt. Stem, OF
the Kimball Company. told me few
weeks ago that the loss in property and
damage in unloading traffic at Nome last
year ia conservatively estimated to ex-
coed 100000 Consider. then. that the
Nome business for this season Is but three
times az heavy as IN 1899. There YOU VIII
have a loss OF over 100000 for 1850. The
amount is prodlgious when seriously con-
templated and can all be saved to the
shipping fraternity by railway in opera
ton from Port Clarence
There are no grades to be encountered,
as the route would follow the coast mar
gin Of the tundra which Is level There
fore three months at the longest should
see trains running. II would he the one
railway in ell the world to make claim
to a ballast of gold sand
"I hope that but little delay will now
mark the inauguration of the preliminary
work II cannot prove otherwise than a
bonanza investment for the promoters, as
Il can be operated year In and year out,
and moreover. another FIVE years will only
see the beginning OF the development OF
this phenomenally rich country.
WorId BcneH. Cape York.
"In this connection, another point Is
pertinent The gold-bearing sands extend
tho entire distance, and these would In
sure return cargoes for all vessels engag-
cd I'm the Cape Nome trade. I am re-
minded too, that with railway accomrno-
dations at Port Clarence. II would mean
n prompt and extensive development of
the Cape York district. Immediately ad-
ioinlng, the resources beyond peradven-
ture, are ricn.
81 recall that when we were dischargiug
the cargo OF the Alpha at Nome last year.
we paid 500 day for lighters, using
them, under contract, only ten hours out
OF the tuerty-four. l am sure no vessels
unloaded there that escaped an expense OF
less than $40 ton. Taking into consider
alton, then, che thousands OF tons OF
freight that will GO into the Nome dis
; tric, with the realization Of the road, the
saving in lighterage will reach an almost
( staggering figure
/ Mr.. Smith believes that the Cape Nome
road VII ultimately become a link In A
gigantic system which viii tap the whole
{ Pacific slope,