NELSON] KAIAKS 221 



A kaiak from Cape Kruseiistern (figare 6, plate lxxix) is 17 feet 

 3 inches in length, 8 inches in depth back of the manhole, and has 18 

 inches beam. Another, from Cape Esjienberg (figure 5, plate lxxix), 

 is 14 feet 4 inches long, 13 inches deep, and has 24 inches beam. These 

 are examples of the Kotzebue sound kaiaks. They are long, slender, 

 and sharp-pointed at both ends; the manhole is placed somewhat back- 

 ward of the center, and the deck is flat from the rear of the manhole to 

 the stern. Just in front of the manhole the deck is sprung upward by 

 means of the upcurved cross pieces so as to form a rising slope, which 

 extends back to the rim of the manhole. 



This curving surface is brought to a central ridge by means of a strip 

 of wood bound along the tops of the uijcurving cross-pieces. The 

 manhole is fitted into position along the rear of this raised portion, 

 with its borders sloping down and backward to the lower flat deck 

 behind. These kaiaks lie very low in the water, and the upsprung 

 curve of the deck just in front of the manhole serves to throw off the 

 water and prevent the.full force of the waves from striking against the 

 occupant. 



Kaiaks with two or three manholes are now used to a limited extent 

 along the Alaskan coast. These have been introduced by the Russian 

 traders from the Aleutian islands, but they are rarely used by the 

 natives. They are ordinarily made for the convenience of white men, 

 who can thus utilize native labor to propel them. 



In journeying on rivers or along the coast, the Eskimo frequently 

 fasten two kaiaks side by side by lashing cross-sticks against the front 

 and rear of the manholes with rawhide cord. A kind of platform of 

 sticks is also made across the deck, on which small loads of goods are 

 placed. These are fixed usually behind the manhole, although at 

 times a load is carried both before and behind the occupant. 



On one occasion, near St Michael, I saw two kaiaks lashed together 

 in this way, with a man in each, and just behind them was placed a 

 small pile of household goods, consisting mainly of bedding, upon which 

 sat a woman. In front a small mast, held in position by guys, had been 

 raised on a crosspiece lashed on the decks near the front crosscords, 

 and a small sail, made from parchment-like gut skin, was raised. This 

 odd-looking vessel was making very good time on a small stream before 

 the wind. In rough weather at sea hunters frequently lash their kaiaks 

 together in pairs in order to rest or to prevent accident. 



When the Coricin reached King island, in Bering strait^ one stormy 

 day in the summer of 1881, the islanders lashed their kaiaks in pairs, 

 and came ott' with piles of furs and other articles of trade heaped up 

 on the decks behind the manholes. 



The rim of the manhole is made slightly flaring or with the cover 

 constri(;ted just beneath it next to the deck. Around this constriction 

 a cord is passed, which fastens down the borders of the waterproof 

 frock worn by the occupant in rough or wet weather. With this gar- 

 ment lashed down it is impossible for any water to reach the interior. 



