188 REPORT OF BRITISH COMMISSIONERS. 



by Colonel Otis, jiiul our suspicions as to li(3r intentions were confirmed. 

 She had probably been frightened off by seeing men on shore, and 

 would return later in the season when the nights were longer, and 

 endeavour to take seals during the night, and stand off shore before 

 daylight." Mr. Wardman reports that he noted raids on St. George 

 Island in 1881, the first being on tlie 2nd September: "A gap was 

 created in the rookery which was not filled that year." Mr. C. A. Wil- 

 liams reported that vessels hunted often around Otter Island, where, 

 in 1881, sixty carcasses were found at one time. 



747. Special Agent D. B. Taylor states that vessels have been poach- 

 ing around the islands for years, binding under cover of fog, and that 

 no protection is afforded against their poaching right on the rookeries. 

 He adds that, in 1881, the Company was powerless to protect the seals 

 against marauders; but that, if a harbour were built and a steam- 

 launch stationed at each island, the protection would be ample. He 

 states that vessels visit the islands, and kill in all 10,000 to lo,000 seals 

 each year.* Treasury Agent Gliddon, there from 1882-So, reports that 

 the trouble consists in the marauding which takes place every moon- 

 light night. 



748. In 1884, the "Alexander" was captured by the Treasury Agent 

 George Wardman off" Starry Arteel rookery, St. George Island, but he 

 reported "he had to release her because he could not hold her, being 

 unable to navigate, and there being no harbour at St. George, permitted 

 of no other course under the circumstances." 



In the same year the "Adele " was captured and sent to San Fran- 

 cisco. 



749. The Captain of the "Corwin" sending in, for 1885, his " general 

 report of operations of vessel for the j)rotection of the seal fisheries 

 and sea-otter grounds," states : 



Mr. Tingle, the Governmeut Special Agent, with a representative of the Alaska 

 Commercial Company, came on board (lltli September, 1885), and both stated tliat 

 during the absence of the '•'Corwin" in the Arctic, vessels had been cruizing in 

 sight of the islands for the purpose of killing seals; but anticipating the " Cor- 

 win's" return and the heavy weather incident to the lateness of the season, none 

 had been seen within three weeks of that time. These gentlemen estimated that 

 about 15,000 seals had been killed by the marauding vessels. 



750. The Captain proceeds : 



In previous Reports I have called the attention of the Department to the impor- 

 tance of greater protection to seal life in Alaskan waters, and especially in the vicinity 

 of the Pribyloff Islands. Last year (1884) the schooner "Adele" was seized by aii 

 officer connected with this vessel for unlawfully killing seals, and delivered by him 

 to the Unitetl States authorities at San Francisco. Instead of being ])ro8ecuted, 

 as provided by section 1956 of the Revised Statutes, she was subsequently released 

 on technical infornuilities. 



The same vessel has pursued her illegal occupation during the past summer, and 

 her release from justice has very generally led to the belief that the seizure of the 

 "Adele" was an act unwarranted by law. 



Other vessels had previously been seized for the same offence, but in no instance 

 has punishment been indicted. The Department can readily see what the result 

 will be if this state of affairs be allowed to continue. 



During the year, quite a number of vessels have raided Alaskan waters for seal 

 and other fur-bearing animals. 



128 Rumours are current here that the American Consul at Victoria has informed 



people that they are not prohibited by law from sealing in Alaska or other 

 waters, provided thej' keep more than tliree leagues from the shore .... ; all 

 in direct violation of the Regulations, &c. 



The Report for 1885 concludes with the urgent recommendation "that 

 a revenue-cutter be sent to cruize in the vicinity of the Pribyloff" Islands 



* House of Representatives Report, No. 3883, 50th Congress, 2nd Session, p. 58. 



