collier.] WASHINGTON CREEK. 31 
The coal beds where examined showed no signs of crushing or fault- 
ing. The evidence in hand points to the conclusion that there is a 
large area of coal-bearing sandstone on Washington Creek containing 
one or more thick zones of coaly material, in which there are several 
scams of clean coal that are not injured by faulting or crushing. The 
greater part of this coal, however, lies below the level of the drain- 
age of the region, and in its development pumping and hoisting plants 
will probably be necessary. 
Samples of the coal were taken at several places, both from the 
prospect pits and from the float in the creek gravel. These samples 
show a general similarity. The coal, though black and glossy and 
exhibiting a conchoidal fracture, has a lignitic appearance, often show- 
ing a woody structure. It is characterized throughout by grains and 
streaks of amber, or fossil resin. Large pieces of float coal, some 
weighing 50 pounds, were found on the gravel bars of the creek and 
showed little tendency to check or slack. 
Analyses were made by Dr. E. T. Allen, United States Geologi- 
cal Survey, of one sample, taken by the writer from a 5-ton lot mined 
by Messrs. Stanford, Pratt, Layman, and Jewett, and hauled to the 
Yukon to be tested on a river steamer; and of another collected by 
Kasper Ellingen from one of the prospects of the Alaska Coal and 
Coke Company, on Washington Creek, about 1| miles above the 
localit}^ where the first sample was taken. 
Analysis of coal (No. 75) from Waxliington Creek, 10 miles from Yukon River. 
[Sample taken by the writer from a 5-ton sample mined for steam test.] 
Per cent. 
Water 13. 48 
Volatile combustible matter 43. 74 
Fixed carbon 39. 68 
Ash 3. 20 
100. 00 
Sulphur 24 
Fuel ratio 91 
Analysis of coal (No. 313) from Washington Creek, 12 miles from Yukon River. 
[Sample taken by Kasper Ellingen, of Alaska Coal and Coke Company.] 
Per cent. 
Water 11. 13 
Volatile combustible matter 42. 57 
Fixed carbon 44. 20 
Ash 2. 10 
100. 00 
Sulphur 26 
Fuel ratio 1. 04 
Neither of these samples was sealed up immediately on being taken 
from the mines, and it is probable that the percentage of moisture in 
freshly mined coal would be somewhat higher than is here shown. 
