METHODS OF PELAGIC SEALING. 143 



to meet the herd before it reached that point, and the hunters followed its course 

 from the mouth of the Columbia Kiver to the passes of the Aleutian Islands, finally 

 entering Bering Sea, and continuing their operations on the summer feeding grounds 

 of the animals. 



THE USE OF FIREARMS. 



Before the year 1886 Indian hunters were used exclusively, and the primitive 

 methods of the spear and the canoe were employed. But with the great increase of 

 the fleet it was necessary to employ white hunters, and as these could not compete 

 with the Indians in the use of the spear, firearms were introduced, the rifle first, and 

 afterwards the shotgun loaded with buckshot. The use of the rifle resulted in a great 

 loss by sinking of the seals killed. The shotgun proved more effective, though many 

 seals were still lost, especially at first, before the hunters had learned to avoid piercing 

 the lungs. 



The development of pelagic sealing in Bering Sea after 1886 was a steady growth, 

 though the number of vessels fluctuated on account of seizures by the American 

 authorities. In 1891 the fleet numbered 115 vessels. 



THE MODUS VIVENDI. 



Iii this year a modus vivendi was declared, closing the waters of Bering Sea to 

 pelagic sealing. The measure was put into force too late in the season of 1891 to 

 prevent the fleet from entering upon its work. It had, therefore, at best only a 

 deterrent effect. As a result of being warned out of the sea, certain vessels crossed 

 over to the Asiatic side and obtained seals there. On this account, notwithstanding 

 the fact that the modus vivendi was renewed in 1892 and made effective, the pelagic 

 fleet in that year was increased to 122 vessels. More vessels engaged in sealing on 

 the Asiatic side, and in 1893, still under the modus vivendi, the bulk of the sealing 

 was transferred to the Commander herd, 66,000 skins in all being taken from Asiatic 

 waters. 



THE REGULATIONS OF THE PARIS AWARD. 



Bering Sea was opened again in 1894 under the regulations of the Paris Tribunal 

 and the largest catch ever made in these waters was taken. Since this date sealing 

 has continued under certain limitations, the chief of which are a closed zone of 60 

 miles about the islands and a closed season from the 1st of May to the 1st of August. 

 The decline in the herd has effected a decline in pelagic sealing itself. During the 

 season of 1897 less than half the vessels engaged in sealing in 1896 entered the sea 

 and the catch from all sources for that season was but little more than one-half. From 

 a fleet of nearly 100 vessels in 1894 the sealing vessels have diminished to less than 

 30 in 1897. 



THE SEALING VESSELS. 



The vessels comprising the pelagic fleet are sailing schooners ranging in size from 

 25 to 125 tons burden. Each vessel carries a crew of from ten to fifty men with from 

 half a dozen to twenty boats or canoes. Boats are used where white hunters are 

 employed. The Indians use their own canoes. 



Each boat is manned by three men, two hunters, armed with rifles or shotguns 

 or both, and a rower to manage the boat. The Indians hunt with two men in a canoe, 

 one a steerer to manage the craft and the other the hunter to throw the spear. 



