NELSON] KAIAKS 221 
A kaiak from Cape Krusenstern (figure 6, plate LXXxIx) is 17 feet 
3 inches in length, 8 inches in depth back of the manhole, and has 18 
inches beam. Another, from Cape Espenberg (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 upeurving 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 
sata 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 sinall 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 Corwin reached King island, in Bering strait, one stormy 
day in the summer of 1381, the islanders lashed their kaiaks in pairs, 
and came off 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 
constricted 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 Jashed down it is impossible for any water to reach the interior. 
