208 KEPOKT OF f'OMMISSIONEK OF FISH AND FISHERIES. 



ideal Indian conunuiiity of tiic racilii; coast. Vox«m1 (ju('sti<»iis of 

 chnrcli discipline finally arose Ix^twcen the colonists and (he l)isliop 

 of the diocese, culminating- about two years since in the abandonment 

 of the settlement by the majority of the people, and removal to their 

 present location. The site selected for the settlement was a densely 

 wooded plain bordering- on the bay, where many acres have been cleared 

 and partially drained, and houses erected for the people. A steam saw- 

 mill and salmon cannery, and a large building for a general store have 

 been built. The schoolhouse is the most imposing structure in the 

 place, and compares favorably with many similar buildings in older 

 communities. Boarding houses for boys and girls were in process of 

 construction In connection with the scliool, all of tills work being done 

 by the Indians, under the geneial supervision of Mr. Duncan. The 

 sawmill was burned slnu'tly before our arrival. Mr. Duncan was 

 absent, but the committee had several conferences with the leading 

 men, obtaining from them the general condition of the settlement and 

 their needs. 



A dense fog prevailed until noon of the 12th, wlieu we got under way 

 for Karta Bay, via Clarence Straits. Arriving at 5:54 p. m., the com- 

 mittee visited the Indian village and cannery (the old Baronovitch 

 fishery), which, in its day, was one of the most important in Alaska. 

 Leaving Karta Bay at 7:55, we proceeded to Port Wrangell, where we 

 arrived at 7:25 the following morning. The committee landed and 

 visited the school and In<lian village, returning at noon, Avhen we went 

 on our way. We entered Chatham Strait at 1 a. m,, and at 5:30 came 

 to Avith the stream anchor in tOlathoms, near a rocky jioint off Kootz- 

 nahoo Roads, for the <loiible i)urpose of waiting for shu^k water at Peril 

 Straits and to alford an opportunity for fishing. ^lany halibut and 

 cultus-cod Avere caught witli hand lines, and several salmon were cap- 

 tured by trolling. Leaving our fishing-ground at 7:50, we arrived in 

 the harbor of Sitka at 4 :20 ]>. m. 



The next day, July 15, the committee were early on shore, visiting 

 the Indian school, and other places of interest, while the vessel we^it 

 to the Covernment wharf for coal. The wharf is a rickety affair, and 

 the (iovernment buildings, with few exceptions, are rapidly falling into 

 decay. The Indian settlement occupies most of the water front, and, 

 owing to strict sanitary measures and general supervision during the 

 U. S. i^aval reginii', jU'esents a very respectable appearance. M(tst of 

 the men were away at the salmon fisheries, and the women and old men 

 were busy in the manufacture of baskets and Indian curios, that being 

 about the only industry prosecuted in the ])lace. It was rainy and 

 misty on the morning of the lOth, but partially cleared about noon. 

 Through the courtesy of the governor, Mr. George Kastrometinoff 

 joined us as interpreter for the northern trip, to facilitate communica- 

 tion with the native tribes. 



