34 PACIFIC SALMON FISHERIES. 
destroyed by fire in 1908. At present there are two canneries, but of 
recent years only one has been operated. The opening of a railroad 
line from Eugene to here, thus furnishing an outlet for fresh salmon 
shipments, will doubtless greatly help in developing its fisheries. 
The salmon fishing grounds extend from near the mouth of the 
river to about 20 miles upstream. 
Umpqua River.—With the exception of the Columbia this is the 
largest and longest river in Oregon. It is formed by north and 
south forks, which unite about 9 miles northwest of Roseburg, and 
the river then flows northwestwardly and enters the Pacific. Prac- 
tically all of this river is within the boundaries of Douglas County, 
one of the largest counties in the State. A railroad has recently been 
built along this river and in time there will doubtless be a large de- 
velopment of the fisheries of this region owing to the opportunities 
which will be offered for shipping fresh fish. 
With the exception of Rogue River, this is the only river in Oregon 
south of the Columbia River in which a spring run of chinook salmon 
occurs. | 
As early as 1878 there were two canneries located on the Umpqua, 
one of which was built by George W. Hume. The number has never 
been larger than this, and usually there has been but one operating. 
In 1912 there was but one, at Gardiner. In 1915 two were operated. 
Coos Bay and Rwer.—Coos Bay is a navigable semicircular inlet 
of the ocean with numerous arms or branches. There is much 
marshy ground in the bay, and a number of sloughs, or small creeks, 
which empty into the bay from both sides. Coos River proper is an 
unimportant stream, but a few miles in length. North Bend, Marsh- 
field, and Empire are the principal towns on the Bay. A branch 
railroad is being built to these points from the main line of the South- 
ern Pacific Railway, and as soon as this is completed the fishing in- 
dustry will receive a great impetus. Heretofore this region has de- 
pended upon steamers and sailing vessels plying to Portland and 
San Francisco for its communication with the outside world, and 
this slow and infrequent means of shipment has very seriously handi- 
capped the fisheries. 
Salmon canning began here in 1887, when two canneries opened for 
business. The business has fluctuated considerably since, most of the 
time but one cannery being operated, and such being the case in 1915. 
Fishing is carried on mainly in the bay. A few set nets are oper- 
ated in the river. 
Coquille River.—This river is formed by three branches, called the 
North, Middle, and South Forks, which rise in the Umpqua Moun- 
tains and unite near Myrtle Point, the head of tidewater, about 45 
miles by river from the mouth of the stream, It is a deep and slug- . 
