PELAGIC SEALING. 229 



The boats employed for sealing are sharp at both ends and 18 to 20 feet long, with 

 about 4i to 5 feet beam. They are fitted with single masts and sails, and when out 

 for hunting carry a gaff for seizing seals, club for killing the wounded animals, compass, 

 food, and water. 



The canoes used by the Indian sealers are the cedar dugout canoes emi)loyed by 

 the Indian tribes of the Northwest coast. They are light and graceful craft of the 

 high bow and stern pattern, common from Washington to Yakutat, Alaska. The 

 outfit of the canoe is similar to that of the sealing boat. 



The guns in use are generally shotguns of 10 bore, shooting 21 pellets of ISTo. 2 

 buckshot. Eepeating rifles are also carried, but not to the same extent as in former 

 years. The number of guns carried is, of course, not less than the number of boats 

 and canoes in use. Guns are used almost entirely in the waters of the North Pacific 

 Ocean; but since 1894 si^ears have been employed in all seal hunting in the eastern 

 part of Bering Sea, in accordance with the provisions of the Paris award. Each 

 vessel is j)rovided with a fog horn, and a small signal gun or yacht cannon for 

 disclosing the position of the vessel in foggy weather. 



A sealing vessel's outfit of provisions is sufficient for the entire cruise, which may 

 last eight to ten months if several sealing grounds are visited. 



The spear used in Bering Sea since 1893, in conformity with the regulations of the 

 Paris award, is similar to that which has long been employed by the Indians of the 

 Northwest coast in hunting seals from shore. The pole is 12 to 14 feet long, pronged 

 with two detachable barbed iron spear points secured by a 30-yard line, the end of 

 which is tied to the boat. When a seal is struck the barbed poiuts slip off the pole, 

 the latter being recovered after the seal has been pulled alongside the boat and 

 clubbed. Seals fight savagely at such times and require to be brought alongside 

 carefully, while large animals are very dangerous. 



In hunting, the boats leave the vessel at daylight and, when the weather is good, 

 remain out all day. They work to windward, sailing, if possible, and take posi- 

 tions a mile or more apart, all hunting on the same tack. The vessel follows slowly 

 in the course taken by the boats, keeping a position that will enable the boats to sail 

 down to her in case of unfavorable weather. When there is no wind, the boats not 

 infrequently pass out of sight of the vessel altogether, keeping their own bearings on 

 lier position to find their way back. When many seals are taken, it is necessary to 

 skin them in the boats to prevent overloading, but a light catch is usually brought 

 back to the vessel and the seals skinned on deck. The method of hunting practiced 

 by Indians is somewhat less regular, but the canoes also carry small sails. As a rule 

 the catch is made from seals found sleeping, those traveling or fishing being usually 

 difficult to secure. The sleeping seals must be approached from the leeward, and the 

 shooting is usually done at distances of 30 to 40 feet. When the animals are awake, 

 they have to be shot at much longer range and are much more difficult to get. As a 

 rule, seals that have been killed must be recovered quickly in order to secure them 

 before they sink, although if killed instantly by shooting in the head many will float 

 for a long time. 



In calm weather the hunting boats pull away from the vessel in all directions the 

 vessel maintaining her iiosition until the hunters return. The favorite position of the 

 sleeping seal is on its back, with its nose protruding above the water, the hiud flippers 

 turn ed forward an d the fore flippers stretch ed alon g the brea st. The si eepin g seal m ak es 



