108 ALASKAN MINERAL RESOURCES IN 1905. 
An analysis of the coal was as follows: a 
Analysis of coal from A. C. Co. funnel, Herendeen Bay. 
Moisture '. 3. 43 
Volatile matter 39. 00 
Coke 47. 40 
Ash 10. 17 
The ash was of a pinkish color and free f rom clinker, the coke dull and slightly coherent. Percentage ] 
of sulphur was 0.44. 
It is said that sufficient gas was encountered in the workings to require the use of the J 
safety lamps. 
SUMMARY. 
The coal of Herendeen Bay may he classed as bituminous and is of a very fair quality. 
It is clean, blocky, and solid, with an irregular fracture. Though rather high in ash (10.17, 
per cent), this feature does not materially affed its commercial value, as much coal is soldi 
with quite as high a percentage. 
The quantity that may be depended on is uncertain. A more extensive area to the north 
and west may he underlain by coal, and the possibility is worthy of consideration. Coal is 
known to exist at Coal Bluff, on the east shore of Herendeen Bay, and on good authority 
is reported in the territory lying to the west and north on the opposite side. Further 
exploration is necessary to determine the truth of these reports. There is no doubt that the 
field, so far as examined, is badly faulted, and that attempts to follow several seams have 
all proved unsuccessful. 
The fact that the entire region has suffered severe faulting would generally be detrimental 
to the economical exploitation of any beds whatever, but it is possible that unaffected blocks 
may he found of sufficient size to allow successful development on a small scale. The topog- 
raphy of the region is such that no difficulties would be found in building tramways from the 
field to tide water. In no case, however-, should plans lor extensive investment he formed 
without careful study of the field. 
The question of a market would be of paramount importance should exploration ever 
provide sufficient coal to warrant shipping. When railways tap the Matanuska and Bering 
River fields to the northeast, coastal towns will in all probability derive their fuel supply 
from these sources. 
The canneries in the neighborhood of Bristol Bay require a certain quantity of coal each 
season, and this market would seem within the range of the Herendeen Bay field. It must 
be remembered, however, that the cannery ships which move the pack in the fall arrive 
loaded with coal at Bristol Bay points in the spring, and but for this fact would of necessity 
sail without full cargo. This factor would surely enter into any estimates of the cost of j 
coal to the canneries. 
At Nome during the last winter outside coal sold at $17.50 a ton. A portion of this 
amount ($2.50 to %5 a ton) must be charged to lighterage, which would equally affect any 
imported coal. Nevertheless, this would seem to be a possible market. 
A factor of growing importance in estimating the cost of fuel supply at coast points is the 
increasing use, because of greater economy, of California crude oil. 
a Dall, W. H., Report on coal and lignite of Alaska. Seventeenth Ann. Kept. U. S. Geol. Survey, pt. | 
1806, p. 807. 
