108 ALASKA FISHERIES AND FUR INDUSTRIES IN 1918. 
is accomplished which otherwise would be impossible. The men at 
the radio stations ordinarily are skilled in mechanical and electrical 
work, and especially in the upkeep of gasoline engines. Accordingly 
they have given much valuable assistance and advice. 
Through the cooperation of employees of the radio station on St. 
Paul Island it was possible to install the electric lights in the Goy- 
ernment buildings as mentioned elsewhere in this report. 
The Navy Department sent the U.S. S. Saturn to the islands in 
May, 1918, to carry supplies to the radio stations and make additions 
and repairs. On St. Paul Island an underground concrete food- 
storage cellar was constructed and a sewer was placed leading from 
the buildings to the sea. Other activities consisted largely of repairs 
and upkeep. 
On St. George Island a building was constructed to serve as a 
power house and storage room, new masts were erected for the 
aerial, and a higher-powered transmission set was installed than had 
been previously in use. 
PATROL OF THE NORTH PACIFIC OCEAN AND BERING SEA. 
The usual patrol for the protection of migrating fur seals was 
maintained by the Coast Guard. The cutter Unalga left San Fran- 
cisco about April 20, and carried on the patrol until October. The 
cutter Bear made the annual cruise to Arctic Alaska and then re- 
mained in Bering Sea until late in October, when a special trip to 
Seattle was made for the purpose of bringing out Assistant Agent 
Reynolds. Valuable assistance was also given the Bureau in the 
transportation of other passengers to the islands and the carrying of 
aa and supplies, for which courtesies acknowledgment is here 
made. 
SEALING PRIVILEGES ACCORDED ABORIGINES. 
Indians along the coast of Washington and Oregon availed them- 
selves of the privileges granted under the North Pacific Sealing Con- 
vention of a 7, 1911, and the act of August 24, 1912, giving effect 
thereto, and in the season of 1918 a number of fur-seal skins were 
taken in accordance with law. Skins were authenticated by Dr. 
C. L. Woods, superintendent and physician, United States Indian 
Service, Neah Bay, Wash., who reported a total of 395 certificates 
issued and skins tagged by him in the year 1918. The records show 
that 251 of these skins were from male seals and 142 from females, 
while the sex of two was not recorded. These skins were taken in 
April, May, and June, 1918. It is thought that other skins may 
have been taken, but reports of authentication have not been received. 
Dr. Otis O. Benson, superintendent of the Taholah Indian Agency, 
Taholah, Wash., and Mr. A. H. Dodge, who has succeeded Dr. 
Woods at Neah Bay, have been authorized to authenticate all fur- 
seal skins properly taken by Indians under their jurisdiction. 
SHIPMENT OF SKINS FROM PRIBILOF ISLANDS IN 1918. 
Fur-seal skins.—The fur-seal skins were shipped in four lots in 
1918. The first shipment left the islands June 22 on the Bureau’s 
steamer Roosevelt, and consisted of 3,104 skins from St. Paul Island 
and 438 from St. George. The skins were delivered at Seattle and 
