Seward daily gateway., 1926-09-08
CAPTAIN COOK DISCOVERED IT

CAPTAIN COOK DISCOVERED IT \
 Considering the fact that the of the precinct in which Seward is situated is called Cook Inlet is but proper that description of that important of the North Pacific Ocean should be given far any data can be secured
 The historical Captain Cook the discoverer of this now famous stretch of salt water which extends far inland He passed the South point of the Kena Penn sua the birthday of Princess Elizabeth May 21 1778 Captain Cook took possession in the of His Majesty and buried coins and records in bottle at Possession Point at the head of the Inlet and Vancouver another great explorer afterwards searched for these records in vain.
 During the Russian occupation, the subjects of the Czar always esteemed Cook Inlet of the most plea sant portions of Alaska in the summer season, with it's bright skies and we'll wooded shores stretches far in land in Northeasterly direction, and quite out of the region of the fgs which prevail the coast cuts back into the main and toward the Tanana and Yukon valleys about 200 miles, and lies between the 59th and 62nd par aes of North latitude and the 150 and 154h merdans of West Longitude It's greatest width from Port Graham to the west shore is about 60 miles.
 For beautiful and natural scenery the Inlet is re- nowned Captain Cook first to extol it's magnfcence and since the Americans have owned the country this ton has been pleasure ground for scientists SpOrtSen anglers and Others
 A chain of active volcanoes extends along the west shore amna the great volcano of the Inlet 12O66 feet high named Miranda the Admirable, by the Spanish navigator It clad, but steam and smoke issues from the two craers the summit and when arrested for any tie frequent earthquakes felt. Many hot springs are S1JaUoQ on SOpoS, ana the neat
 uxuriant growth of trees in the valleys and ravines There many other volcanoes in the secon of which are active while others are extinct.
 From April to October the weather is as pleasant as could reasonably desire No falls during this time and while it rains occasionally the weather is not at all gloomy disagreeable As matter of comparison many residents have expressed the opinion that they pre- fer the climate here during the months named to that of Chicago Philadelphia New York In reality the winter is not than that in parts of Dakota Minnesota and Michigan.
 Early in the history of the Inlet gold found in small quantities but extensive prospecting for the yell low prosecuted until about 1896 Since then ex- ensive placer mines developed and in the aggregate large quantity of gold taken from the ground Placer mining however yet in it's infancy and those who posted claim that the time when the placer mines around Hope and Sunrise will be the most prolific in Alas ka.
 As far as known the placer deposits, and the lode mines which being opened up situated thru out the Moose Pass region On account of the impossi bity of navigating Cook Inlet in the winter and the drawbacks for large vessels in the season. it out of the question for any point of the Inlet be select ed the Southern terminal to railway system with whc to reach the Interior.
 Seward located few miles across the mountains and of the largest year round open harbors in the Terri o therefore selected as the only natural outlet for the mighty railroad system which reaches far into the
 Interior Being the coast terminal of the Alaska Railroad and the port of entry to the vast Westward and Interior ngess of any particularly large indus try the growth of Seward is slowly, but steadily, marching forward
 Old Captain Cook, would be tremendously pleased if he could but return to earth and again the country he discovered. n.t., s