REPORT OF CAPT. HOOPER, DATED NOVEMBER 21, 1892. 229 



in the vicinity of the passes except Nikolski. This settlement which is 

 on Umnak Island has no harbor and is a difficult place to make a 

 landing in the fall. It has bnt ten hunters, six of whom were met by 

 me and their affidavits taken at Chernofsky. Three of the places named, 

 Belkofsky, Sand Point, and Unga, are to the eastward of the passes. 

 My object in visiting these places was to learn whether the seal herds 

 move in that direction after leaving the passes in the fall. At all places 

 visited the affidavits were taken of a majority of all hunters found at 

 home, and when possible of all of them. The number 

 taken represents a majority of all the hunters residing Hunters interviewed - 

 at the places named. Care was observed in taking affidavits to ascer- 

 tain as nearly as possible the exact meaning of the answer given by 

 the natives by putting the question in different forms, by frequently 

 referring them to the chart, etc. In answering questions in relation 

 to the way seals travel, whether singly or in bands, the number in the 

 bands, etc., I required them to illustrate the number by holding up the 

 fingers. 



In the matter of dates I invariably asked whether affiant reckoned 

 time according to the old style or new style. Under Eussian rule they 

 learned to reckon time according to old style, and almost without 

 exception they still adhere to the old style, and nearly all answers were 

 given accordingly, but all dates have been reduced to new style in the 

 affidavits by adding twelve days to the dates given. This change was 

 made when the affidavit was taken with the knowledge and concur- 

 rence of the native. Many of them understand fully the difference 

 between old style and new style, and to those who did not it was ex- 

 plained. At all times while cruising in the vicinity of the passes a 

 careful lookout was kept. In addition to the officer of the deck, who 

 was on the weather side of the bridge, one of the seal-hunters was sta- 

 tioned on the lee side of the bridge and a quartermaster and seaman 

 on the weather and lee side respectively of the top deck house. No 

 opportunity was omitted to get the facts. The information given by 

 the native hunters in most cases was given cheerfully and I believe 

 honestly. I regard the statements contained in the affidavits submit- 

 ted as worthy of full credence. 



The native hunters divide the seals into six classes, as follows: 



Sekatch, old bull; polu-sekatch, half- grown bull; 

 holostyak, young male; matkak, breeding cow; molo- Nati ^ e classifies 

 daya matkak, young cow; koteek, pup. 



As a result of my investigations I find that the fur-seals when leav- 

 ing Bering Sea in the fall go through Four Mountain 

 Pass, Umnak Pass, Akutan Pass, Unimak Pass, and F*? 868 , throu £ h 

 False Pass, by far the greatest number (probably a 

 majority of all the herd) going through Unimak Pass, which being 

 wider than the others is less subject to strong currents, tide rips, etc., 

 than the narrower passes. It.coincides most nearly with the line of 

 travel of the migratory herd of cows, young males, and pups, which go 

 to the coasts of California, Oregon, Washington, etc., as well as that 

 of the large number of males which remain in Alaskan waters during 

 the winter. It is also the most available pass for the use of all classes 

 of seals, on account of the prevailing winds. As will be seen by the 

 affidavits forwarded, seals always travel with a fair wind, if possible. 

 A few stray individuals only, mostly pups, go through the narrow pass 

 between Akun and Akutan Islands, which on account of its rapid cuj> 

 rents, rocks, and reefs is filled with tide rips and overfalls. 



