INVESTIGATIONS OF THE ALBATROSS. 241 
Mine Harbor, Herendeen Bay.—Our fuel being nearly expended, we 
returned to Herendeen Bay July 25 for another supply. This bay has 
a large area with several arms, and to distinguish the shipping-point 
more definitely we have called it Mine Harbor. 
Work had progressed favorably during our absence, and we found 
over 100 tons of coal on the beach awaiting our arrival. The method 
of transporting it to the ship may be described as follows: A single 
lighter, having a maximum capacity of 40 tons, was moored near the 
shore at high tide and the coal wheeled on board in barrows over a 
gang-plank supported on trestles. As the tide fell it would be left high 
and dry, the work proceeding until the next high tide, when we would 
tow it alongside with the steam cutter, discharge the coal as soon as 
possible, and moor it again near the beach, when the process would be 
repeated. The mine is about 14 miles from the landing, the coal being 
transported by a small steam motor over a light tramway. As the 
opening of this mine is an event of no little importance to all vessels 
visiting Bering Sea, the following report of Passed Assistant Hngineer 
C. R. Roelker, U. 8. N., chief engineer of this vessel, on the results ob- 
tained by the consumption of 80. tons of this coal, will be read with more 
than usual interest. It is dated July 24, 1590: 
The following statement regarding the coal received from the mine recently 
opened at Herendeen Bay is based on the results obtained with some 80 tons of this 
coal consuned while this vessel was engaged in her usual work at sea, under aver- 
age conditions. The quantities of coal consumed, and of refuse matter, were care- 
fully measured, the behavior of the coal in the furnaces was closely observed, and 
the results obtained have been deduced from the entries in the steam log. 
The average consumption of the coal was at the rate of 25 pounds per square foot 
of grate per hour. The boilers furnished the same amount of steam as when we 
have been using a fair quality of Wellington coal; but to obtain this result we 
had to burn from 20 to 25 per cent more of the Herendeen Bay coal. The coal 
ignites readily and burns with considerable flame, forming a closely cohering coke, 
which easily breaks up into small pieces; thus a considerable amount of small parti- 
cles of coal is lost through the grates. There was a large proportion of fine stuff in 
the coal, which burned well, but contained an excessive amount of refuse matter. 
The refuse amounted to 26 per cent of the total weight of fuel consumed; it con- 
sists of ash and cinders, no glassy clinkers being formed. The smoke produced is 
lighter in color than that of Wellington coal, and less soot is formed. 
To form a correct estimate of the value of this coal for steaming purposes from the 
foregoing statement, the following facts should be taken into consideration, viz: 
The coal received by us was the first lot taken out from the newly opened mine; 
it came from one of the smaller veins, through which a tunnel had been driven then 
a distance of 200 feet in order to get access to the main veins; no proper facilities for 
screening the coal existed, and in order to supply the quantity required by us, a large 
amount of fine coal containing much dirt was delivered. It may be reasonably ex- 
pected that as the mine becomes further developed and proper screening facilities 
are provided, the amount of refuse matter in the coal will be greatly diminished, and 
its steam-generating power correspondingly increased. It will be, however, abso- 
~ lutely necessary to store this coal under shelter, as it appears to absorb moisture 
readily, and the constant rains which have prevailed in this region during the pres- 
ent season would soon saturate it to such an extent as to greatly diminish its value 
as a fuei. 
H. Mis. 113——16 
