INVESTIGATION OF THE PUR-SEAL INDUSTRY OF ALASKA. 177 



but for them, would have been successfully consummated in 1891-92, 

 and the herd fully restored by 1897. 



The following illustration of loss suffered on the rookeries and the 

 hauling grounds of St. Paul Island holds good for the smaller sister 

 island of St. George: 



The acreage of the breeding rookeries on St. Paul Island in 1872- 

 1874, when there were 1,500,000 breeding cows and 90,000 bulls 

 thereon, was 144 acres. 



The acreage of the hauling grounds of St. Paul Island in 1872- 

 1874, when at least 1,500,000 yearlings, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6 year old 

 males were out on them intermittently during the season, was 

 3,200 acres. 



In 1890 this acreage of the breeding rookeries was reduced to 

 one-third of 1874, or to 46 acres. 



In 1890 the hauling grounds of 1872-1874 were practically aban- 

 doned, because there were less than 100,000 yearlings, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 

 6 year old males out on them. The entire area then visited by the 

 holluschickie was not more than one-tenth of the breeding grounds 

 in 1890, or 5 acres. 



In 1913 this acreage of the breeding seals had decreased from its 

 form in 1890 at least five-sixths, or to 1\ acres. 



In 1913 the hauling grounds of 1890 were about half the same 

 area as then, with less than 40,000 yearlings, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6 year 

 old males, or to 3 acres. 



The object in view which has stimulated this destruction, as above 

 shown, is in turn exposed to view, as follows : 



Statement of the net profits of the lessees of the seal islands of Alaska from 1870 to 1910, 

 inclusive. From items gathered during the seasons of 1872-73, 1874, 1876, 1890, to 

 date. July 29, 1910, by Henry W. Elliott. 



PROFITS OP FIRST LESSEES, ALASKA COMMERCIAL CO., OP SAN FRANCISCO, CAL. 



(First lease.) 



1870-1890 (20 years): Total catch, 1,856,224 seals; of these when 

 taken during the seasons of 1870-1878, 1884, and 1885, inclusive, 

 the catches aggregated 969,374 seals; the average price per skin 

 realized in London for them was nearly $11.20 per skin, or $10, 746, 989. 80 



The balance when taken during the seasons of 1879-1883 and 1886- 

 1889, the catches aggregated 886,850 seals; the average price realized 

 in London for them was nearly $18.50 per skin, or 16, 407, 225. 00 



' Showing a gross sum total of 27, 153, 514. 80 



From this gross sum total the cost of each skin at $4.52| as incurred 

 by the lessees for tax, rental, and other charges incidental, must 

 be subtracted, or the sum of 8, 399, 603. 60 



Declaring a net profit of 18, 753, 911. 20 



PROFITS OP THE UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT FROM THIS WORK OF THE LESSEES, AS 



ABOVE STATED. 



Gross revenue derived from said catch of 1,856,224 seals, each skin 

 paying a tax of $3.17 (tax, rental, and bonus) $5,894,230.08 



Less cost of supervision, patrol, and protection of the seal herds from 

 1889-1890, 21 years, inclusive, was an average of $30,000, or in round 

 numbers a sum total of 630, 000. 00 



Declaring a net profit to the Government of 5, 264, 230. 08 



53490—14 12 



