collier.] COAL EESOURCES OF THE YUKON BASIN. 279 
Salt Creek. — Coal is also reported by prospectors to occur on Salt 
Creek, which enters the Yukon from the north, 2-5 miles below Dall 
River. 
Drew mine. — The Drew mine is the only point at which coal has 
actually been mined in this province. It is on the right bank of the 
Yukon opposite the mouth of Hess Creek, 25 miles above Rampart 
and about 500 miles below the international boundary. Its position 
is an important one, since there are no valuable coal deposits known 
along the Yukon, either above or below it, within 200 miles. The coal- 
bearing formation exposed here is confined to a great bend of the 
Yukon River, and its known extent does not exceed 4 square miles, 
though it may be continued beneath the silts of the Yukon and Hess 
Creek. The coal-bearing formation here consists of a great thick- 
ness — probably over 5,000 feet — of soft sandstones, shales, and con- 
glomerates of Kenai age, standing nearly vertical and striking at right 
angles with the course of the river. 
From croppings seen along the river bank, it is believed that there 
are seven seams of coal contained in about 1,000 feet of soft sand- 
stone and shale of the upper part of the series, but only one has been 
exploited. Within the mine this bed was found to consist of two 
seams of clean coal in about 19 feet of coaly shale. These seams 
measured 13 and 25 inches and were separated by 4 feet of bony coal 
and black shale. The analyses show that the coal from the two 
seams is lignitic and quite similar in quality, having fuel ratios 
between 0.93 and 1.08, and a water content above 9.5 per cent. Both 
samples show over 13 per cent ash. A sample taken from the crop- 
pings of one of the other veins which has been partially opened up 
had a fuel ratio of 0.72 and a water content of 14.44 per cent, but the 
percentage of ash is only 4.04. 
The development in this mine includes a shaft 75 feet deep, from 
the foot of which a crosscut tunnel about 30 feet long reaches the 
coal bed. The shaft is cribbed and housed and equipped with steam 
hoisting gear. A bunker of about 80 tons capacity is conveniently 
located on the river bank, from which the coal can be loaded on 
steamers. About 1,200 tons of coal have been mined here, the greater 
part of which was used for steaming purposes on river boats, but 
did not give entire satisfaction. This dissatisfaction was due in part, 
no doubt, to the inexperience of the firemen and the unsuitable 
grates used. The coal was carelessly mined so that, as supplied at 
the bunkers, it contained more or less unnecessary dirt, but in spite 
of this it sold readily for $15 per ton while the mine was in operation. 
For the past two years the mine has been shut down under an attach- 
ment suit instituted by the Northern Commercial Company. 
Minook Creek. — A series of sandstones, probably of Kenai age, out- 
crops along the Yukon in the vicinity of Minook Creek, and also 
