INVESTIGATIONS OF THE ALBATROSS. 131 



of interest in determining tlie natnre of pelagic species upon which 

 seals feed, and the locality of the same. 



Running short of coal, a return was made to Dutch Harbor, where we 

 arrived on the 11th instant, having steamed 2,032.8 miles since our 

 dei^arture. After coaling, the Albatross proceeded on the 17th to con- 

 tinue the cruise among the sealers in the northwest, west, and south- 

 west quadrants outside the prohibited zone. On August 19 called at 

 St. George and left orders for vessels at the islands; then continued 

 our cruise to NW. The evening of the 19th, 20th, and 21st we were 

 hove to in a strong gale, which proved to be a circular storm commenc- 

 ing in the SE., hauling to the southward and then to NW., from which 

 point it blew itself out on tlie third day. The 22d and 23d were hardly 

 days for sealing, as the sea was still rough and irregular, with fresh 

 breezes from the northward. 



We stood across the sealing belt 150 miles to the westward of St. 

 Paul and back to the CO-mile limit, zigzagging our course as circum- 

 stances dictated, in order to intercept sealers in this locality. Only 

 two, however, were encountered, the 3fary EUen and the Rosie Olsen, 

 both of Victoria. They had both returned from the Japan coast, and 

 had taken to date in Bering Sea 67 and 42 fur seals, respectively. Dur- 

 ing the 2J:th we encountered another strong gale and heavy sea from 

 the southward and eastward, which comiielled us to lie to until the 

 the 25th. We then stood away to the southward and eastward for 

 purpose of intercepting any sealers in this portion of the sealing belt 

 which had been blown off their ground during the late gales. Only one 

 vessel was boarded, the Walter A. Earle, of Victoria, 95 miles SW. ^ 

 S. (magnetic) from St. Paul Island. His catch at this time was 238 

 seals. A traverse course was then made, crossing and recrossing the 

 sealing belt in the southern region, in which several seals were seen, 

 but no sealers. During the gales a great many seals were seen making 

 their way, as a rule, toward the islands. 



During the ten days passed in cruising in the NW. and SW. quad- 

 rants, only one day was found in which sealers would lower boats. The 

 captains of sealers were of the opinion that favorable sealing weather 

 for the season had ended, and conditions pointed to an early close of the 

 sealing season bythemiddleof Sei»tember, as the few remaining days in 

 which seals could be taken would not cover the expense of delay in the 

 sea. The sealers all reported that five days out of seven were not seal- 

 ing days on account of the numerous gales and strong winds which had 

 occnrred during the season. Hence, they looked for worse conditions 

 in September. Moreover, the Indian hunters Avere becoming restless, 

 and would not do good work except there was a prospect of an early 

 return for the home port in Sej)tember. From interviews with sealers, 

 I found that the great majority had planned to leave the sea about the 

 10th of September ; a few vessels which had white huiiters might remain 

 until later in the season. We continued cruising in the same quadrants 

 of the sealing belt on the 2Gth, and at 3 p. m. of the 27th August were 

 again at anchor in Dutch Harbor. 



