220 REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. 
average loss of life is about fifteen annually ; but there has been a very 
gratifying and marked decrease in this particular in recent-years, due 
chiefly to the efforts of the Life Saving Service. 
There is a station of the U. S. Life Saving Service at Cape Disap- 
pointment, and during the season many fishermen are rescued from 
peril, who would otherwise lose their lives. One of the surfmen is con- 
tinually on the lookout on the mountain side facing the ocean and the 
river mouth. If a vessel or boat is seen in danger a gun is immediately 
fired for the purpose of notifying the men at the station, in Baker’s Bay, 
at the base of the mountain. When the gun is heard the boat is imme- 
diately launched and manned and proceeds to the rescue. With few 
exceptions, not only the lives of the fishermen but their nets and boats 
also have been saved, which otherwise would have been destroyed or 
would have drifted out to sea beyond recovery. 
In 1888, 14 gill-net fishermen and 4 who were engaged in operating 
pound nets lost their lives between Kalama and .the outer bars of the 
Columbia. Most of the boats, however, were picked up, only three 
being reported as a total loss. 
Damage caused by seals and sea lions. — Seals and sea lions are quite 
numerous in the estuary of the Columbia, and frequently ascend some 
distance up the river. They are reputed to be very destructive to 
salmon, particularly those that have been meshed in gill nets, and they 
do much damage to drift nets and pound nets. There are daily taken 
from gill nets many salmon with their heads gone, or a large piece 
bitten out of their throats, the most dainty morsel and one which these 
aquatic freebooters covet and generally secure. Frequently these ani- 
mals get tangled in a net, and in their struggles for freedom they seri- 
ously injure the apparatus. Sometimes seals and sea lions are caught 
in the pound nets. 
Extent of the salmon fishery , past and present — The history of the 
salmon fishery of the Columbia Biver, if it could be given in detail, 
would be one of the most interesting chapters that could be compiled 
on the fisheries of the world. Notwithstanding the brief existence of 
this fishery as a commercial enterprise, its record is most remarkable. 
Less than 25 years ago (in 1866) the piscatorial wealth of this noble 
stream was practically unknown to the world ; now the name of u Co- 
lumbia River salmon ” is a household word all over the civilized globe. 
It has met with welcome and recognition everywhere, and has given 
world- wide renown to this section of our country. It is possible here, 
however, to take only a brief glance at the more noticeable points of 
historical interest, for space will not permit that full discussion which 
tempts the pen. 
Commercial fishing on the Columbia dates from 1861. In that year 
H. N. Nice and Jotham Reed began packing salted salmon in barrels 
at Oak Point, 60 miles below Portland. They used one net 50 fathoms 
long and 3 fathoms deep, with an 8-inch mesh. This was made of 
