Valdez daily prospector., 1913-04-17
MA7ANUSKA GOAL
 WILL BE MINED
Bureau of Mines Has $76, 900 With Which to Take Out 800
 Tons for Naval Test.

iru the appropriation lOf S|0,VUU needed to mine 800 tons of Mata- nuska coal and transporting the |samp to Ship creek harbor to be used by the Navy department as a test of the fuel for naval pur- lposes.
 The Prosprctor is in receipt of the specifications received by Lieut.. Weeks, of the Road Com mission, who is asked to give it publicity. The appropriation was added to the appropriation of the lDeparlmcnt of Mines and passed and it is expected that 800 tons IOf MatanuSka coal will be taken out this summer and transported next winter to tidewater. Supplies will also be taken in this sum- mer for the miners.
 The circular which has been sent to several frrightin2 out fits is as follows:
 In connection with certain work which the Bureau of Mines is arranging to do during the ap- preaching summer. autumn and IparIy winter season. l am writing to ask that you submit bids eff you care to do SO on the trans port alton of certain items of equipment and supplies. :. r I To be carried into he ! Malanuska coal field al Chicka- loon. either (af from knik, or 1 fb from old knik. or Indian vil- laer (nrar the mouth of the Mat anuSka river. and al the head of Cook Inlrt, during the summer season beginning with June list or July lst; and @ To bring out of the MatanuSka coal field 1 either from or near ChickalOOn on the ice, using heavy sleds, during he winter months, l9l3- ! ii, eight hundred tons of coal, delivering the same "a al old Knik (Indian village}, or (bl al knik, on he north side of Cook ! Inlet.
 The material tn be carried in- ' to he MatanuSka coal field from knik. OF old knik. will consist mainly of provisions for he men iwhu will constitute the prospect = ing party. equipment consist ing luf hand drills. powder. picks. tents. cooking and nl her utensils. and such gram and hay for feed ing horses as may be necessary ito store at different points along ! the route. These supplies il will be necessary to carry in at inter- , walls during the summer and au- !Iumn in order to maintain the op- pral ions of the prospecting party in he Malanuska coal field.
 I do not deem il practicable to bring out any part of the eight hundred tons of coal on horse back, as the cost would be eX- rrssiNc. Therefore, when the horses go in loaded with equip ment and supplies, they will have ito return without loads when re- turning to knik or old knik for additional supplies. The only possibility of bringing out the 800 ton sample of coal seems to be ito bring it out after the Mata- nuska river is frozen over, and the coal can then be brought down the river on these heavy slcds. which with two horses can be probably made to carry three lions from. near Chickaloon to old knik, OF knik.
 i It is possible that the equip mcnt and supplies might he car ried into he Matanuska coal field during the summer season or isume nat-bottom, shallow-draf Iboats for a distance of some Ia or 1G miles up the Malanuska
 river above, old Knik (Indian vil-
 lage( to a point where the present
 trail and the MatanuSka river first come together, which Is
 about four or five miles below tho
 mouth of the Moose creek.
 It is estimated that the haul O
 the coal on the ice from Chicka loon down to the mouth of th' Matanuska river Gold Knik) dur ing the winter season would be : haul of 70 or i5 miles: and tha carrying load of three tons wltl two horses down to the mouth o the river and the return withou , load to Chickaloon would prob ably require for the round trl
 three or four days
 Yours very truly,
 J. A. HOLMES,