REPORT OF BRITISH COMMISSIONERS. ' 189 



and Aleutian group during the sealing season. One vessel cannot 

 protect tlie islands and visit the Arctic Ocean besides .... While 

 the cutter is absent in the Arctic, much damage can be done by maraud- 

 ing vessels to the seal islands." 



751. In 1885, Mr. Webster, the Company's agent, with the aid of 

 Lieutenant Lutze and his two men left as guard on Otter Island, cap- 

 tured three schooners, one the " Adele." In the same ye.ar, Mr. Webster 

 found that the schooners left boats ashore, and the men actually camped 

 in Pirate's Cove, St. George Island, for the purjiose of taking seals along 

 the shore. Many vessels were seen frequently hovering around the 

 islands. 



752. In 188G, Starry Arteel rookery was raided, and many hundred 

 seals taken. Mr. Morgan found the carcasses of 800 female seals on 

 the shore, as well as the cargo-hooks used for hauling them. The raiders 

 actually camped on the beach and were seen there by the natives, but 

 it was not discovered to what vessel they belonged. 



Mr. Tingle, before the House of Representatives Committee, stated 

 that the "San Diego" cai)tured by the "Corwin" in 1880 had on board 

 175 skins of seals that had been clubbed, and some skins of pups, show- 

 ing that a raid had been made on St. George'Island. We also have 

 sworn testimony that in 188(! and 1887 the "Lookout" raided on the 

 islands. The "C. S. Fowler" is also mentioned as a known raider. 



753. In 1887, Mr. Webster saw as many as from four to eight schooners 

 in sight, and hovering around from 3 to C miles olf. "Many a night 

 has he walked round with his rifle, and seen their boats out shooting 

 seal. One night in 1887, in a thick fog, boats were shooting away so 

 close to shore as to scare all the seals on the beach." 



At St. Paul Island on the ]8th, 21st, and 25th July, a schooner was 

 seen shooting seals close along the shore off the North-east rookery. 

 On the 28th July a schooner appeared close to Otter Island, the crew 

 ashore killing seals. She proved to be the "Angel Dolly," afterwards 

 captured, because her Captain and one of the crew were accidentally 

 wounded. On the 4th August a steam schooner was reported off North- 

 east Point, and was fired at by the watchmen. She was captured by 

 the revenue-cutter "Hush," and proved to be the "Kate Anna." 



In August the Starry Arteel rookery was raided, but nothing was 

 known of the occurrence until some time afterwards. Mr. Webster 

 found all the unmistakable signs of what had been done, either at night 

 or in a fog, but unknown to the authorities. 



Mr. Tingle, Treasury Agent on St. Paul Island in 1887, reported a 

 schooner lying off", the Reef Kookery killing seals, and she was repre- 

 sented to have taken altogether 4,300 seals. In his report for 1887, he 

 strongly urged that a 2()-ton steam-yacht, armed with one gun, should 

 be provided to chase and board the schooners sealing along the islands. 

 He writes: "While the 'Rush' was busy taking care of marauders 

 round St. George, those schooners were killing seals near St. Paul," 

 being frequently in sight, but beyond the reach of the Treasury Agent. 



754. In 1888, many vessels were seen hovering around the islands. 

 One schooner anchored in broad daylight in S. W. Bay, St. Paul Island, 

 and boldly sent several boats ashore. 



755. In 1889 there are several records, especially around St. George 

 Island, of schooners coming along shore, and of strange men being 

 seen on the beaches in Sejjtember and October. On the 21st November, 

 a schooner, supposed to be the "Angel Dolly," anchored half-a-mile 

 from the shore, a ad sent four men ashore who killed seals. On the 22nd 

 November at Zapadnie, St. George, the authorities discovered that 



