REPORT OF CAPT. HOOPER, DATED AUGUST 17, 1892. 209 



and came to anchor off the village at 3:20; foimd the North American 

 Commercial Company's steamer Bertha at anchor. Wind fresh south- 

 west, sea rough; could not make a lauding; seals playing around the 

 vessel, but not numerous. Saw no seals between the islands five 

 miles from either. 



On the 27th we lay at anchor off the settlement all day. Wind south- 

 west and overcast. Sea going down. Lauded and communicated with the 

 Treasury agent in charge. I observed a decided fall- 

 ing off in the number of seals on the rookeries on the Decrease in se:lls - 

 north side of the island as compared with last year. I also observed 

 a falling off of the number of seals in the water in the vicinity of both 

 islands as compared with last year. This is particularly noticeable 

 when going back and forth in the boats between the vessel and the 

 shore, the numbers having fallen off greatly. At 11 a. m., the TJ. S. S. 

 Adams came in and anchored off the village, and f\vo hours later the 

 Mohican stood in; stopped off the anchorage and sent mail for the 

 island on board the Adams, after which she proceeded in the direction 

 of St. Paul. One fur-seal was shot from the vessel for examination. 

 It proved to be a three-year old male with an empty stomach. The pelt 

 was salted (Catalogue No. 1). Towards evening weather improving. 

 At midnight got under way and steamed to the northward. 



At 6 a. m. (28th) hauled in for St. Paul. At 8 made Northeast Point. 

 Steamed along the north side of the island. Saw numerous seals in the 

 water off Northeast Point rookery; 11:30 arrived off the village, east 

 anchorage, and came to anchor. The Mohican got under way as we 

 arrived and steamed to the westward. Landed and communicated 

 with Treasury agent. Naturalist Townsend returned to the vessel. 

 We also took on board an Aleut to hunt during the absence of our reg- 

 ular hunter. At 5:30 p. m. the Adams arrived and came to anchor near 

 us ; made an official visit to her. At 8 p. m. got under way and steamed 

 to the westward during the night. 



At 9 a. in. the following morning, lat. 51-21 N., long. 172-35 W. 

 (July 29th), stopped the vessel and lowered the otter boat and sent out 

 hunting party. The boat, being so badly fitted that she would do 

 nothing under sail, was called alongside again and hoisted up. The 

 day was spent in getting the boat properly fitted. The step of the 

 mast was changed, the mainsail altered and a jib made, oars properly 

 fitted, etc. In order to,make our sealing outfit as efficient as possible, 

 a good man was selected from each watch to act as boat steerer and 

 boat puller. They were relieved from night watch, and when not in 

 the boat are required to keep a seal lookout on the bridge in turn 

 every two hours from 5:30 in the morning until 8 p. m. 



At one p. in., lat. 57-27 N., long. 173-32 W., sent the dingy out with 

 the Aleut hunter with orders to cruise till 5 p. m. At the time named 

 she returned with nothing. They reported having seen but two seals, 

 both traveling and moving too quick to be shot. No sleeping seals 

 were seen during the day. Between 6 and 8 p. in., 120 to 135 miles off 

 St. Paul, numerous seals were seen — yearlings, two year olds, and full- 

 grown seals; also saw a large number of "killers" (Orca). 



July 30th, light southerly wind and overcast. At 3 a. m., having run 

 up a distance of 200 miles from St. Paul, ran south until 8:20 a. in., 

 when St. Paul bearing E. by N., shaped course for it and made fore 

 and aft sail. At 10 a. m., moderately southerly breeze, made all sail 

 and uncoupled propeller. Seals were seen at intervals during the day, 

 but few sleeping, the sea beiug probably too rough for them to sleep 

 much. At 4 p. in., wind tailing light, couj)lcd up xjropellur, sea goin^ 

 down. 



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