July-August 1879, Alaska Trip Image 6

which cut the measures from top to bottom, the largest seam is ten feet thick, and the aggregate thickness of all the seams is 16 ft 3 inches, 29 ft 3 inches, 18 ft 1 inch. The second section represents only a small part of the measures. These coals are said to be far superior to others worked on the Pacific coast, all others being lignites of various degrees of value, many of them being badly afflicted with sulphur. A recent discovery, however, on the flank of Mt. Rainier is claimed to be a true bituminous coal and with enormous seams 20 ft. and more. The coal here sells for $5. To 6. Per ton, worth ten at San Francisco, but owing to the high duty imposed on entering S.F. and small quantity required for local market, only a small amount is mined. The Sound mines have great advantage in this main market. In 1876, 140, 187 tons are said to have been mined in the whole district. Mr. Richardson estimates the entire coal area of Vancouver at 300 square miles and the amount of coal, at 25,000 tons per acre, 16,000,000 per square mile. The extreme variability, however, in the number and thickness of the seams renders this estimate very rough. Other coal veins have been discovered on the West side of the island {Sketch: Islet dotted coast Queen Charlotte Sound. Map plan. A six-part island flower. Harry Islands Off Christian Sound}https://scholarlycommons.pacific.edu/jmj-all/2385/thumbnail.jp