FUR-SEAL INDUSTRY 



PRIBIIOF ISLANDS 

 GENERAL ADMINISTRATIVE WORK 



In the calendar year 1924, 17,219 fur-seal skins were taken on the 

 Pribilof Islands, of which 13,453 were taken on St. Paul Island and 

 3,766 on St. George Island. The blubbering of sealskins taken on 

 St. Paul Island was continued. The development of more improved 

 methods of handling and feeding the blue foxes of the Pribilofs, 

 begun in 1923, was continued throughout 1924. The by-products 

 plant on St. Paul Island was operated for about one month, seal oil 

 and meal being manufactured for use as fox food or for sale. 



Progress was made on both islands in the installation of improved 

 water-supply systems, that on St. George being nearly completed. 

 In addition to work on other buildings, a new warehouse was con- 

 structed on St. Paul Island.' 



Practically all of the general supplies were transported from 

 Seattle to the Pribilofs by the U. S. S. Gold Star, although small 

 quantities were transported by other vessels. The bureau's power 

 vessel Eider rendered valuable assistance in transporting passengers, 

 mail, and freight between the islands and Unalaska. 



Vessels of the United States Coast Guard maintained an efficient 

 patrol of Bering Sea and the North Pacific Ocean for the protection 

 of the Pribilof Islands fur-seal herd. The bureau is under obligation 

 to that service for its cooperation and assistance in connection with 

 the Pribilof Islands work. 



PURCHASE AND TRANSPORTATION OF SUPPLIES 



In accordance with the custom adopted in 1923, competitive bids 

 were secured by the issuance of separate schedules of various com- 

 modities reauired. Through the courtesy of the Navy Department 

 shipment oi the supplies was made from Seattle, Wash., on the 

 U. S. S. Gold Star on May 20, 1924. The vessel arrived at St. Paul 

 Island May 29, and the work of discharging cargo there was completed 

 June 5. On June 6 the Gold Star left for St. George Island, where 

 the discharge of cargo was completed on June 11. 



On October 17 approximately 83 tons of foodstuffs and emergency 

 supplies were shipped from Seattle on the steamship Cordova to 

 Unalaska. Transportation to the Pribilofs was subsequently effected 

 by the Eider. 



POWER SCHOONER " EIDER " 



The Eider played an important part in connection with the round- 

 the-world flight of Army airplanes in May, 1924. Under the com- 

 mand of J. A. Beck, the Eider afforded transportation for advance 

 officers and supplies from Unalaska to Attn, Alaska, and to Nikolski, 

 on the Commander Islands off the Siberian coast. The vessel 



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