48 PETROLEUM OF PACIFIC COAST OF ALASKA. [bull. 250. 
In the vicinity of the cabin at Oil Bay are a number of large 
springs. From the bottom of one the petroleum is almost continually 
rising, the flow varying, however, from time to time, now almost 
ceasing, now becoming very strong. It is frequently possible to skim 
several quarts of petroleum from the surface of the pool. 
About 2 miles west of the beach at Dry Bay is a so-called " gas 
spring," gas of unknown composition rising in a continuous stream 
of bubbles to the surface of the water. From the north shore ol 
Chinitna Bay both oil and gas springs have been reported, but thei 
were not seen by the writer. 
The geologic structure of this region has already been outlined. Ii 
consists of a long anticline bending from an east-west direction 
at the southern end to a northeast-southwest direction at the north- 
ern end, and so keeping parallel to the coast. The dip on eaclj 
flank is regular and comparatively moderate, seldom exceeding 20° 
Although in the actual region of the fold the strata are faintly undu 
lating, the crown of the arc is almost flat. Other things being equal 
the fold is such, indeed, as should yield a good flow over a considera 
ble area, granting the existence below of a porous reservoir cappec 
by impervious beds and filled with oil. The center of the zone, wliicr 
at the present seems to be the most promising, lies on a line extending 
from a point about a mile above the lower cabin on the shore ol 
Enochkin Bay to a point a half mile northwest of the beach at Or 
Bay, thence through a third point 2 miles above the beach at Dry Baj 
to the center of the high cliff on the north shore of Chinitna Bay 
The oil sand would probably be found nearer the surface along this 
line than either to the southeast or the northwest. 
As in all cases, however, drilling is necessary to obtain a knowl 
edge of the underground conditions, as well as to estimate the eco 
nomic and commercial value of the field. Thus far this has beei 
insufficient. As regards the entire Enochkin Bay region, it is almos 
certain that the oil will be confined to the easternmost anticline. 
Development. — Indications of petroleum were discovered in thi 
region about fifty years ago. The first was taken out in 1882 by 
Russian named Paveloff. A Mr. Edelman staked ground in 18922 
His location was near the divide at the head of the creeks entering 
Oil and Dry bays, but the claims were subsequently abandoned. I 
1896 Pomeroy and Griffen also staked property at Oil Bay, an 
during the next year organized the Alaska Petroleum Company 
Work was begun in 1898. The Alaska Oil Company was organize 
in 1901, and in 1902 began drilling at Dry Bay. 
The first well at Oil Bay was begun in L898 and has been drillej 
to a depth of somewhat over 1,000 feet. No log of this well or an 
very authentic information can be obtained, as the property hi 
changed management several times. It is reported that gas was ei 
