362 ALASKA INDUSTRIES. 



It is thus demonstrated that the yield of the present year, notwithstanding the 

 explanations of unpropitious weather and unfavorable circumstances, is largely in 

 excess of the average take of the past seven years. 



Prior to the extraordinary and abnormal take of 1894, under the most favorable 

 conditions of weather and other circumstances, that of 1893 greatly exceeded any in 

 previous years in the history of the sealing industry, yet the take of the present 

 year is considerably larger than that was. 



The undersigned is of the opinion that the significance of the decrease in the 

 catch as compared with 1894 can not be so marked as might at first sight appear, if 

 the results of the two years are considered alone. 



He further believes that the contention that the seal herds are being rapidly 

 exterminated, and that only a vestige of their former greatness remains, does not 

 appear to gather much strength from an impartial examination of the figures repre- 

 senting the annual catch. Indeed, considered in the light of the explanations 

 offered by the sealers, the result of the present year's operations may be regarded 

 as affording reasonable grounds for an exactly opposite conclusion. 



Perhaps one of the most note worthy incidents in the industry this year is the catch 

 by the schooner Director in the South Atlantic Ocean, off Falkland Islands, of 602 

 seals. 



Inquiries were instituted for the purpose of collecting any information connected 

 with the incident which might be of interest to the question of the sealing industry 

 generally. 



It was ascertained that Capt. Frederick W. Gilbert, of the schooner Director, 87 

 tons register, with a crew of 25 men, sailed from Halifax, Nova Scotia, on the 20th of 

 December, 1894, bound for the Asiatic side of the North Pacific Ocean. 



On reaching the tenth degree of south latitude the master was obliged to change 

 his course by reason of his supply of provisions and water being insufficient to 

 enable him to complete his voyage. 



The run from Halifax to the Falkland Islands was made in forty-eight days. 

 While off the southern end of the inlands he encountered several groups of seals. He 

 consequently devoted thirty-six days to sealing in that neighborhood, as well as off 

 the east and west ends of Staten Island, resulting in the capture of 620 seals, which 

 he took to the port of Victoria. 



The captain reports that he was compelled to suspend his sealing operations owing 

 to a change in the weather, which became quite stormy, and as it was getting late 

 in the season he proceeded on his voyage to Victoria, reaching there on the 21st of 

 May, 1895. 



Captain Gilbert reported that all the seals were secured at sea, far distant from 

 any of the sealing preserves, and were shot in the same manner as are those taken 

 in the North Pacific Ocean by the Victoria sealing fleet. 



He met with no interference. In reply to the inquiries made it was ascertained 

 that no record existed of the landing in the past of any seal skins at a British 

 Columbia port which did not form part of the catch of the sealers operating in the 

 North Pacific Ocean, either on the American or Asiatic side thereof. 



The skins are reported to have been in good condition, and to be of the same kind 

 as those usually sold by Messrs. Lampson & Co., London, and are classed and 

 known with the Lobos Islands seal skins from the mouth of the river Platte, and 

 bringing about the same prices as those taken in the North Pacific Ocean. 



The character of the skins is represented as being very similar to that of those 

 usually secured by the British Columbian fleet. 



The Director, under the command of Captain Gilbert, fitted at Victoria for the 

 August and September season in Bering Sea, where a catch of 688 seal skins was 

 secured. 



The undersigned recommends that a copy of this report, if approved, together with 

 its appendices, be forwarded to the right honorable the principal secretary of state 

 for the colonies. 



Respectfully submitted. 



JOHN COSTIGAN. 



CUSTOMS, CANADA, VICTORIA, BRITISH COLUMBIA, 



December 7, 1895. 



SIR: I have the honor to forward herewith a statement in complete form showing 

 tlie following: 



(1) The names and masters of all vessels licensed at Victoria for 1895. 



(2) The catch of British sealing fleet for 1895. 



(3) The catch of American schooners landed at Victoria. 



(4) The catch of American schooners landed at Puget Sound. 



