222 SILVER LOCATIONS OF THUNDER BAT. 



Sliuniali property. It comprises a single lot of 400 acres, traversed 

 througbout its entire length by Current River. The bed of this stream 

 has been hollowed out apparently in the axis of an anticlinal of more 

 recent date than the formation-period of the mineral veins of the 

 district. At this spot, consequently, the veins have been somewhat 

 broken up and deflected, but several can be distinctly traced within the 

 location. No exploratory work, however, has been undertaken, as yet, 

 with a view to their development, although they are undoubtedly of 

 good promise. The surface gangue of the principal vein consists largely 

 of amethystine quartz. 



5. Location of the Thunder Bay Silver 3Iining Company : — To 

 this property, which lies for the greater part east of the Trowbridge 

 Location, a special interest is attached, as it was here that the first 

 discovery of silver on Thunder Bay was made, in the Autumn of 1866, 

 by Mr. Peter McKellai\ The property of the Company comprises 

 1700 acres, having a frontage of about two miles on the shore of the 

 bay, including the mouth and lower falls of Current River, where a 

 mill for treating the ore is now being erected. At a distance of about 

 a mile from the shore-line, an abrupt ridge or escarpment extends in a 

 general east and west direction across the location, with its steep face 

 fronting the south. Here, on lot 1 of Herrick's plan, an exposure of 

 a broad quartz-vein containing native silver in extraordinary abundance, 

 mixed in places with silver glance and specks of galena, was first 

 discovered. This spot was near the junction of two veins, one running 

 apparently about N 15° to 20° B., and the other in a direction a little 

 north of east. The latter vein is thought by some observers to be a con- 

 tinuation of the Shuniah vein, but it is probably distinct. Its gangue 

 consists essentially, if not wholly, of crystalline quartz, whereas in the 

 Shuniah vein, the quartz gives out at a few feet from the surface, and 

 the gangue passes entirely, or nearly so, into calc spar. If the two 

 veins really belong to the same fissure, they probably occupy different 

 levels, in consequence of a break or dislocation at or near Current 

 River. Both, however, are in the same country-rock : the black 

 silicious slates of the lower portion of the copper-bearing series. Three 

 shafts are now being sunk, drifting done, and other extensive works 

 are being carried out at this location, under the able management of 

 Mr. Macdonald, who has had much experience in the silver mines of 

 Norway, and elsewhere. On passing through the rich surface-shew, 

 the sinking as might have been expected, was carried down for 

 a time in poor ground, but the vein is again putting on a very promising 



