138 
ALASKAN MINERAL RESOURCES IN 1904. 
[bull. 259, 
The iodine absorption of the oils and distillates has been determined by Hanus's 
method (solution standing four hours) and the results are here tabulated: 
Iodine absorption of oils and distillates. 
Cold Bay. 
Burning oil 
Lubricating oil 
Heavy lubricating oil 
Per cent. 
17.2 
27.2 
35.2 
These iodine numbers upon the lubricating oils were obtained upon the samples. 
For comparison, samples of similar oils were obtained from the Standard Oil Com- 
pany and the iodine numbers determined as follows: 
Light distillated lubricating oil (spindle oil) 32 per cent iodine. 
Dark lubricating oil ( engine oil) 45.4 per cent iodine. 
The burning oils were tested in a small lamp and found to give a good flame. All 
the oil was consumed without incrusting the wick or corroding the burner. 
The sample of crude oil from Cold Bay was distilled in such a way as to give the 
maximum yield of burning oil. Under these conditions 52.2 per cent of fair quality 
burning oil was obtained. 
The oils are entirely similar, both have paraffin bases, and the products of distilla- 
tion are "sweet." We are informed that these samples are "seepage oils." If a 
sufficient yield can be obtained by drilling, a very suitable oil for refinery purposes 
may be expected, containing a very much larger quantity of the more desirable 
lighter products. 
OTHER POSSIBLE PETROLEUM FIELDS. 
Indications of petroleum have been reported from other parts of the 
Alaska coast, at some of which land has been staked or other invest- 
ments made. 
Seepages are reported from the shores of Kamishak Bay, especially 
at Douglas River. The rocks in this region are shales, sandstones, 
and conglomerates of Jurassic age. They are the equivalent in age of 
the beds overlying the Enochkin formation in the region to the 
north already described. The rocks are here horizontal or have very 
gentle dips over large areas, and it would seem to be a promising 
region to prospect with the drill. If the Middle and Lower Jurassic 
rocks in the Enochkin or Cold Bay regions prove to contain oil in com- 
mercial quantity it would seem that new fields might reasonably be 
expected on the coast at Douglas River and for 20 miles westward. 
This is, however, a difficult place to land machinery, for the bays are 
all shallow and tilled with rocks, while numerous uncharted reefs 
extend out many miles from shore into Cook Inlet. The writer is, 
therefore, not inclined to encourage speculation here, at least until 
more encouraging news is heard from the drills already at work. 
