ALASKA INDUSTRIES. 11 T 



The result of the entire killiDg since last year's work closed is shown 

 in the accompanying tabulated statements, marked respectively A and 

 B. The skins were all carefully counted by myself and assistants, and 

 the shipments were as follows: 



From St.Paul Island: 



June 4 2, 884 



July 17 3,038 



July 19 3,956 



July 21 23,100 



July 22 9,968 



July 23 12, 326 



July 27 7,240 



July 28 17,488 



80,000 



From St. George Island : 



May 31 600 



July 14 6,900 



July 24 8,264 



July 25 4,236 



20,000 



Total 100,000 



Certificates covering these shipments, marked respectively C, D, E, 

 r, G, and H, accompany my report, and duplicates have been furnished 

 to the collector of customs at San Francisco. 



The steamer left St. Paul Island on her return voyage July 29 and 

 reached San Francisco August 15, bringing from the seal islands 85,000 

 fur-seal skins and a quantity of seal oil. The skins have been recounted 

 by me, with the aid of one of my assistants, Special Agent J. H. Moulton, 

 at this port. The remainder of the quota, 15,000 skins, were left in 

 waiehouse at Unalaska to be shipped hereafter. This lot was also 

 counted out of the ship at that port by myself and assistant. 



The sealing season was favorablefthe "drives" were easily made, 

 and large as a rule, and the catch was taken without difficulty. 



The numbers of seals of all kinds— bulls, cows, bachelors, and pups- 

 were, it is believed, fully up to the best standard of preceding years ; 

 but no correct estimate of the aggregate can safely be given. It 

 amounts to millions. 



It was not found necessary to kill all the killable seals driven, and 

 perhaps from 10 to 25 per cent of each drive was allowed to escape, 

 only the choicest animals being taken. After the catch had been com- 

 pleted large numbers of killable seals remained on the hauling grounds 

 or about the island shores. The number of animals which perished on 

 the drives was small, amounting to only 26, by actual count, on the 

 island of St. George, and to perhaps 250, or one fourth of 1 per cent, on 

 St. Paul. The mortality among the pups is small. 



The skins taken and accepted by the Alaska Commercial Company 

 are all prime and of good size, averaging in weight a trifle over 8 

 pounds each. 



Care has been taken to keep the breeding rookeries undisturbed, and 

 I consider their condition favorable. There are 9 principal breeding 

 rookeries on St. Paul Island, a^nd 4 on St. George. 



Unnecessary shooting everywhere on the islands is strictly prohibited 

 during the period when the seals are hauled out, and all shooting what- 

 ever in the vicinity of the breeding rookeries is forbidden at all times. 



Otter Island is guarded by an officer and two men from the United 

 States revenue cutter Richard Kiish, who will remain on that duty until 

 the departure of the cutter from those waters, late in September or early 



