80 ALASKA FISHERIES AND FUR INDUSTRIES IN 1918. 
use consisted of affording fire protection and water for laundry and 
similar purposes. This relieved the natives from carrying a large 
amount of water during the summer from the wells located about 
one-half mile from the village, previously their sole source of supply. 
A by-products building for the conversion of seal carcasses into 
oil and fertilizer was built. Machinery was installed and a prelimi- 
nary trial made in the fall of theyear. Detailsinregard to this project 
are given under another heading. 
With the press of other important duties, not a great deal of time 
could be devoted to the construction of roads on St. Paul Island. 
However, many bad places in the existing trails were so improved that 
it became possible to transport to the salt house the sealskins which 
were secured on the distant killing fields, with the exception of those 
taken at Northeast Point. The establishment of a good system 
of roads on the islands is believed to be one of the most important 
things to be considered in the future. It is hoped that a definite 
program can be outlined whereby transportation of the island 
products may be satisfactorily accomplished. One of the most urgent 
needs of good roads is to afford the seal rookeries protection in case of 
raids. These properties are so valuable that it is hoped means will be 
provided soon whereby armed parties can be transported to any neces- 
sary point on very short notice. 
On St. George Island building operations constituted the chief 
work after the seal-killing season was over. Two new dwellings were 
constructed for the natives and are now occupied. A new salt house 
was built and will be ready for use in 1919. ‘Temporary repairs were 
made to many of the buildings, the timbers of which are badly 
decayed as a result of the 40 years or more some of the structures 
have been in use. 
In the early part of the spring roadways were partially constructed 
about the village to enable the transportation of seal products and 
other freight. ‘Time did not permit the building of completed high- 
ways, but they were placed in such condition as to proveof great value. 
The plan being outlined for roads on this island is based upon the 
needs of sealing operations and the protection required for the 
rookeries. 
Some progress was made in improving the water supply on St. 
George Island. 
STEAMER ‘‘ROOSEVELT.”’ 
The Bureau’s steamer Roosevelt was used in 1918 as asupply ship for 
the Pribilof Islands. Three voyages were made to the islands during 
the season, the final trip extending well into the winter. 
On the first voyage the Roosevelt left Seattle April 27 with a full 
cargo of supplies, arriving at Akutan May 9. Fuel was taken aboard 
and the vessel proceeded to the Pribilofs. After part of the cargo was 
discharged diphtheria broke out on board, making it necessary to pro- 
ceed to quarantine at Unalaska. The paysicae at St. Paul adminis- 
tered antitoxin before the vessel left. On May 27 the Roosevelt 
arranged to leave for Akutan to take on fuel oil, proceeding thence 
to Bristol Bay to render aid to several cannery ships in distress on 
account of the heavyice. After completing this important work the 
vessel returned to Akutan and thence to the Pribilof Islands, arriving 
June 16. Theship had on board 11 Aleut workmen from Unalaska, 
