94 ALASKA INDUSTRIES. 



and stroug enough to contend for their share in the females. In this 

 way from 5,000 to 6,000 young males gather annually during the months 

 of June and July on the island, where they remain until about the 15th 

 of August, when the breeding rookeries break up and the females go in 

 the water. These then leave their hauling ground and go in the water 

 with them, and from" that time not more than fifty to one hundred seals 

 are found hauled up on the island. These seals are produced on St. 

 Paul Island, and are as much a part of its rookeries as though Otter 

 Island was attached to and a part of St. Paul, and the killing of seals 

 there would have the same effect on the rookeries of the latter as if 

 taken on it. 



In hazy weather vessels can sight this island in the daytime without 

 being seen and in the night run in under its high blufis and anchor, 

 comf)letely concealed from observation from St. Paul, while their boats 

 can land and take seals, knowing that a boat approaching from St. 

 Paul can be seen in ample time to escajje to a safe distance; i^o that 

 the only sure way to prevent these raids is to keep a party of natives 

 on the island, as has been done this year. 



It is well known, that, from some oversight in framing the act of July 

 30, 1870, authorizing the lease of St. Paul and St. George islands, this 

 island was not included in that act, and that the penalties prescribed in 

 that act do not attach to Otter island, and many believe it to be entirely 

 without the i^rotection of law. 



Under these conditions the high prices obtained for seal skins are a 

 strong temptation, and it is to be expected that these attempts will be 

 repeated, particularly while the risk of detection and capture is so 

 slight. I would therefore recommend that such legislation be obtained 

 in this matter as will extend the penalties of the act of July 30, 1870, 

 over this Otter Island, placing it on the same footing in relation to the 

 law as St. Paul and St. George islands. 



So great a portion of the weather during the sealing season remains 

 foggy that the only sure protection of the seals against being disturbed 

 on this island is to have a party stationed on it. 



To do this properly a house should be built with sutticient room to 

 accommodate an officer and five natives to serve as a boat's crew. Such 

 a house, with stove and fixtures, could be built here at an expense not 

 to exceed $300. 



During the months of June and July the natives of St. Paul would 

 all be required to work at sealing, and the men could not be obtained 

 for a boat's crew; but at Unalaska plenty of men could be employed at 

 a rate of $20 per month, which would amount to $200 in gross for the 

 two months. After the sealing season Avas over these could be returned 

 to Unalaska and men furnished from here at very slight expense. 



Should the Department decide to authorize the carrying out of any of 

 the foregoing suggestions by furnishing the proper autliority, I could 

 purchase the material and have the house built here, but the boat would 

 have to be procured and forwarded from San Francisco, with all its fur- 

 nishings — sail, oars, compass, anchor, etc. These could be purchased 

 and shipped to me by the collector of that port. 



There is no supply of good fresh water on Otter Island, and all their 

 supplies would have to be carried from this place. 



I would further state that owing to the swift and changeable currents 

 in the straits between the islands, the frequent and long-continued fogs, 

 the passage of open boats from island to island is very hazardous, 

 exi)osing the party to the chances of being lost for a day or two at a 



