THE COAL RESOURCES OF THE YUKON, ALASKA. 
By Arthur J. Collier. 
INTRODUCTION. 
During the summer of 1902 the writer was detailed to make an 
examination of the coal deposits along Yukon River, in Alaska. His 
instructions were, in part, as follows: 
You are hereby assigned to the work of making a geologic reconnaissance of the 
Yukon River from the international boundary to the delta. 
The most important economic problem is the investigation of the coal deposits. 
You are expected to make a careful study of all the coal seams which have been 
exploited adjacent to your route of travel. It is important to obtain paleontologic 
data in regard to the age of the coal. You are also expected to visit such placer 
deposits as may be easily accessible from the river. You will devote special atten- 
tion to the problems of stratigraphy of Yukon River section, and are expected to 
visit the various localities at which fossils have been found and make extensive 
collections. 
In compliance with these instructions, a small party, consisting of 
Sidney Paige and Charles Kronholm, camp hands, and the writer, 
geologist in charge, left Seattle early in June and went by steamer 
and railway to Dawson, Yukon Territory. There a canoe and a row- 
boat were purchased. 
The part} 7 left Dawson June 15, and the following three months 
were spent in a study of the geology and coal resources along the 
Yukon for 1,200 miles. The greater part of the investigation was con- 
fined to the actual river bank, yet the work was extended awa}^ from 
the stream when time and circumstances would permit. The work 
was continued until the close of the season, about the middle of Sep- 
tember, which found the party at Pimute, a small native settlement 
near the head of the delta. At this point the party embarked, Sep- 
tember 17, on the river steamer John J. Ilealy for St. Michael, and 
thence returned to Seattle. 
In the prosecution of the work the writer received much assistance 
from residents of Alaska along the route. The investigation was 
greatly expedited by many favors received from agents and officials 
of the Northern Commercial Company. Much valuable information 
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