Handwritten notes on photo versos provide some context for this collection. It appears that this collection matches with work done in 1917 by the United States Geological Survey across Alaska. Written accounts describe findings and work in a Department of the Interior, U.S.G.S. Report, “Mineral Resources of Alaska, Report on Progress of Investigations in 1917” (Washington Government Printing Office 1919). The photos in this collection specifically relate to A.G. Maddren’s report from the Akun Islands and G.L. Harrington’s report from the Seward Peninsula.

Items 1 – 8 of this collection include the handwritten notes “On board schooners,” “Akutan,” and “U.S.G.S. – 1919.” A U.S.G.S. flag can be seen flying in multiple photographs. G.C. Martin wrote in his report that A.G. Maddren investigated Sulphur deposits of Makushin and Akun Islands near Stepovak bay from July 21 to September 22. There is no direct mention of Akutan within the report, but Akutan is located directly across from Akun Island, on which a large portion of the report is focused. About the trip, Mr. Maddren wrote, “The only regular access to southwestern Alaska is by a small mail steamer that sails from Seward once a month. Unalaska is about 1,150 miles from Seward.”

Items 9 – 25 include handwritten notes “Seward Pen?” “River town” “Power Schr. and Sterm Wheeler” “Wireless Station” “Wireless Operator” and “U.S.G.S. 1917.” In addition, item 9 matches with PCA 006-206, further tying photographs to U.S.G.S. work by George Leavitt Harrington on the Seward Peninsula. Mr. Martin wrote that work on the Seward Peninsula by G.L Harrington included investigations of the gold and platinum places of the Candle and Koyuk districts; placer, lode tine, and graphite of the York district and Imuruk basin; and general mining and developments of the area.

Specific locations mentioned by Mr. Harrington in his report include York, Cape Prince of Wales, Kotzebue Sound, Tin City, Ruby district, Cape Mountain, Ear Mountain, Potato Mountain, Buck Creek, Swanson Creek, Grouse Creek, Casserite Creek, Lost River, Agiapuk River, and Anikovik River.