10 FISHERY AND FUR INDUSTRIES OF ALASKA IN 1912. 



by the chief agent, Mr. Walter I. Lembkey, and Mi-. George A. Clark, 

 special investigator. 



At the end of the season of 1912 the personnel in each island was 

 as follows: 



St. Paul Island, Chief Agent W. I. Lembkey, in charge; Dr. E. J. 

 McGovern; storekeeper, Mr. Leonard Tongue; Mr. Alvin G. Whitney 

 and Mrs. Elsie G. Whitney, school-teachers. 



St. George Island, Assistant Agent A. H. Proctor, in charge; Dr. 

 H. C. Mills; and Mr. P. R. E. Hatton, school-teacher. 



In the summer of 1912 the supply steamer Homer made two trips 

 to the islands. On the first, she left San Francisco May 27, arrived 

 at the islands June 12, left the islands June 28, and arrived at San 

 Francisco July 12. On the second trip she left San Francisco 

 August 4, arrived at the islands August 24, left the islands September 

 12, and arrived at San Francisco September 27. The unusual time 

 required on the second trip was due to unfavorable weather which 

 could have been avoided if the trip could have been made earlier in 

 the season. 



A detailed report upon the administration of the islands, by Chief 

 Agent Lembkey, appears on pages 74 to 98. 



SALE OF FUR-SEAL SKINS. 



After renewed consideration it was decided to continue, for the 

 present at least, the practice of selling the fur-seal and fox skins at 

 auction in London. The sealskins taken in the sealing year ended 

 August 10, 1912, 3,764 in number, plus 9 skins taken in the previous 

 season and sent to Washington for experimental purposes, were 

 therefore sold at auction by C. M. Lampson & Co., in London, 

 January 17, 1913, bringing a return of $140,431, or an average of a 

 Uttle more than $37 apiece. The net proceeds to the United States 

 Government, after payment of brokerage, marine insurance, and 

 miscellaneous expenses of the sale were $130,640.57. 



BLUE FOXES. 



Formerly, when the number of seals killed each year was sufficient 

 to furnish an abundance of food for the foxes on St. George and St. 

 Paul Islands, a large number of foxes could be taken annually. In 

 the 19 years from 1842 to 1860, the number taken each year varied 

 from 1,125 to 2,658, and averaged 1,850. During the 40 years from 

 1870 to 1910, the average annual catch was over 1,000 skins. During 

 recent years when the number of fur seals killed was limited, with the 

 result that the amount of refuse seal meat available for the foxes was 

 not enough to meet their needs, the fox herd became greatly reduced 

 in numbers and only a few hundred could be killed each year. In 

 1912 food was so scarce that the foxes were forced to prey upon each 

 other. 



