FUR-SEAL INDUSTRY. 81 
PURCHASE AND TRANSPORTATION OF SUPPLIES. 
The natives of the Pribilof Islands, who on June 30, 1916, num- 
bered 311, have to be supplied in large measure from outside sources 
with the necessities of life. There is, of course, an abundance of 
‘seal meat available at the islands, and fish, sea lions, wild birds, 
and birds’ eggs are utilized to some extent. The seal meat, while 
unlimited in quantity so far as the requirements of the natives are 
concerned, must be used with moderation and not to the exclusion 
of other foods. The reindeer herds which were placed on the islands 
in 1911 have not yet contributed any material quantity of food. 
Driftwood, which is found along the beaches, is available as fuel to 
only a limited extent. It follows that considerable quantities of 
food and fuel for the natives must be taken to the islands. In addi- 
tion, clothing, shelter, and household furniture must be provided. 
The purchasing and transportation of these supplies, together with 
those required for the conduct of the Bureau’s general business on 
the islands, require a large amount of work and attention. 
A small quantity of supplies was purchased at Seattle in April by 
an agent of the Bureau and transported to the Pribilofs through the 
courtesy of the Coast Guard. 
Following the plan of the previous year, schedules of the general 
supplies to be purchased were printed and distributed to prospective 
bidders. The proposals received were made the basis for the sub- 
sequent purchases. | 
The steamer Elihu Thomson was chartered from the Pacific Cold 
Storage Co., of Tacoma, Wash., for the purpose of transporting the 
supplies to the islands. The vessel was loaded at Seattle and left 
there September 5. Dutch Harbor was reached September 16. 
From Dutch Harbor the vessel went to Unalaska on the 17th, left 
there on the 18th, and arrived at St. George Island the morning of 
the 19th. Unfavorable weather conditions delayed the discharging 
of the cargo and the loading of miscellaneous outgoing freight, in- 
cluding the annual shipment of fur-seal skins, and it was not until 
October 12 that the vessel was able to leave the islands. Direct 
passage was made to Taku Harbor, where, in accordance with pre- 
vious arrangements, a cargo of canned salmon was placed aboard the 
vessel for the account of the Pacific Cold Storage Co. The ship ar- 
rived at Taku Harbor October 19, left there the 21st, and arrived at 
Seattle on the 26th. 
No landing can be made at either St. Paul or St. George Islands by 
vessels of any size. Ships visiting these islands must anchor offshore, 
and any merchandise to be landed must be taken ashore in lighters. 
In the past the native bidarras have been used for this work. The 
decrease in the available supply of sea-lion skins, used for covering 
