ALASKA INDUSTRIES. 



425 



hibition would be enforced, neither prescribed the machinery nor appropriated the 

 means to carry it into effect. Some restraint has doubtless been imposed upon 

 attempts at violation of the law where they are likely to come under observation, 

 but it is probably violated without hesitation or scruple where the chance of dis- 

 covery is casual or remote. 



STATISTICS OF THE FISHERIES. 



The immense take of salmon in the estuary of the Karluk River in 1887 and 1888 

 had the additional result of attracting attention to a field promising such extrava- 

 gant returns for the capital invested. More than 30 new canneries were established 

 dining the season of 1889. Five were located on the sand spit at tlie mouth of the 

 Karluk River and 3 others so near as to draw their supplies from that source. Ov^er 

 350,000 cases of red .salmon, representing 4,000,000 fish, were taken from this insig- 

 nificant rivulet in 1889 and sent into the markets of the world. During this season 

 there were 36 canneries in operation in Alaska, and the value of the salmon pack 

 amounted to $3,375,000. 



The following table, showing the Alaskan salmon pack from 1883, when systematic 

 canning operations were first instituted, to 1890, after they had probably reached 

 their largest development, is very interesting as well as suggestive; interesting, as 

 illustrating the wonderful wealth of the waters ; suggestive because we know that 

 it has been accomplished by irrational and destructive methods, and l)y im])rovident, 

 willful, and contemptuous disregard of natural laws, whose aid and unobstructed 

 operation are essential to the maintenance of a continuing and productive salmon 

 fishery in Alaska: 



The Alaska salmon pack from 1883 to 1890. 



A review of the statistics of the salmon pack of Alaska from 1883 to 1890, compiled 

 from data gathered by the division of fisheries of the United States Fish Commis- 

 sion, shows that the total yield of the salmon fisheries of this region from 1883 to 

 1890, both inclusive, was 2,050,497 cases of 48 pounds each, repi-esenting an aggregate 

 production of 28,706,958 salmon within the period mentioned. During the first three 

 years the pack was small, viz, 36,000 cases iu 1883, 4.'i,000 cases in 1884, and 74,850 cases 

 in 1885. After this the increase in production was phenomenal, and in 1889 had 

 reached the enormous amount of 675,000. Production in the subsequent years receded 

 slightly, but the aggregate for 1890 and 1891 did not fall much short of the pack of 

 1889. Of the entire Alaskan yield, about one half is taken from the estuary of the 

 Karluk River. Adding the product of 1891 to the aggregate for Y)revious years, we 

 have a total yield of canned salmon since 1883, when regular canning began, amount- 

 ing to nearly 2,750,000 cases, and a total value of $11,000,000. 



Besides the canned salmon, the rivers of Alaska yield annually nearly 7,000 barrels 

 of 200 pounds each of salt salmon. When we add to the above production the enor- 

 mous quantities of salmon which are consumed by the natives in the fresh and dried 

 condition, we shall be able to form soine adequate idea of the immense value of the 

 Alaskan salmon, and the importance of fostering and establishing conditions of per- 

 manence for this great resource. 



In 1889 the salmon fishery gave employment to 66 vessels, including 13 steamers, 

 13 barks, 2 brigs, and 1 ship. Thirty-six canneries were in active operation, not 

 counting a number of small establishments whose pack was light and incidental to 

 general trading with the natives. The capital stock of these canning companies 

 ranged from $75,000 to $300,000. The estimated capital was $4,000,000 and the value 

 of the pack, $3,375,000. 



PRESENT CONDITION OP THE FISHERIES — OBSTRUCTIONS IN THE RIVERS. 



Early in April, 1890, information reached the Commissioner of Fisheries in regard 

 to a salmon trap, the construction of which had been determined upon by four can- 

 nery firms located on the Nushagak River. About 25 miles from the mouth of this 

 river is a tributary known as Wood River, into which most of the salmon entering 

 the Nushagak make their way for tlie purpose of spawning in the two large lakes at 



