CHAPTER 25 

 Manufacture of Leather from Marine Sources 



Introduction 



The pelts of animals have been utilized by man for his comfort and protection 

 from time immemorial, but through all these ages practically no consideration was 

 given to the use of skins from fish. It is true that certain kinds of marine leather 

 have found limited use, but such leather has been derived from the seal, walrus, 

 and porpoise, the hides of which closely resemble those of land animals. Improved 

 methods of tanning aquatic animal hides have resulted in the use of the skins of 

 sharks, rays, and some species of fish in the manufacture of marketable leather. 

 In dealing with this subject, therefore, it seems wise to consider first those skins 

 which have been the longest in use and finally those of more recent introduction. 



Sealskins 



In discussing this subject we must at once divide sealskins into those used for 

 furs and those used for the production of leather. As the conversion of the pelts 

 into furs is described in Chapter 34, these methods will not be considered here. 

 The hair seal has no under coat of fur and is, therefore, not used in the manu- 

 factiu-e of fur articles. 



Hair Seals. Hair seals (see Chap. 34) are hunted extensively in the Maritime 

 Provinces of Canada. While there are several species in this area, the Bedlamer 

 or Harp Seal is the most important economically. The hides are used in the manu- 

 facture of leather, and the heavy under layer of blubber is rendered into a high- 

 grade oil for industrial purposes. 



These seals are captured during December and January by means of a net, or 

 they may be shot with a rifle; the use of a shot-gun in hunting them is likely to 

 result in an inferior and unacceptable pelt because of the holes made by the shot. 

 After killing they are removed from the water and skinned as quickly as possible 

 to prevent damage to the skin. 



They are skinned either on the boat or at the shore station. The flippers are 

 first removed, leaving only a small hole. A skillful skinner will not leave any knife 

 cuts too close to the skin which may show up later. The skins are usually frozen 

 and stored in a shed out of the weather until market conditions are favorable for 

 their sale. 



Depilation. On arrival of the skins at the tannery the first step is to wash them 

 to remove salt and dirt; if they have not been previously blubbered, the excess 

 fat must be eliminated. To aid in removing the blubber the skins are soaked in 

 water containing a small amount of sodium carbonate, and the stock is then 

 worked over a rounded beam with a blunt knife. The fleshed or blubbered skins 

 are then ready for depilation. 



538 



