812 INVESTIGATION OF THE FUR-SEAL INDUSTRY OF ALASKA. 



This question was then asked you: 



You think simply making a reservation of the islands upon which the rookeriea 

 exist and keeping other than authorized people away would not be sufficient pro- 

 tection? 



A. It certainly would not be, and I can explain why. It is fair to assume that 

 very few of our people clearly understand what peculiar advantages a fur-sealing 

 schooner and her crew would enjoy in Bering Sea for the successful prosecution of 

 their errand, if unchecked. In order that the full significance and importance of 

 that action of our Government which arrests or restrains the pelagic sealer within 

 those waters may be perceived, I offer the following epitome. It is well understood 

 and unquestioned by those familiar with the subject: 



(1) That the fur seal of Alaska is obliged to annually haul out upon the Pribilof 

 Islands for the purpose of breeding and shedding its coat. 



(2) That from the time of its departure from these islands in the fall of every year 

 up to that moment of its return to them the following spring it lands nowhere else. 



(3) That it arrives en masse on these islands in June and July and departs from 

 them in a body during October and November. 



(4) That when leaving the islands in the autumn it heads directly for and rapidly 

 travels out from Bering Sea into the waters of the north Pacific Ocean; its paths are 

 bee lines from the Pribilof group to and through the numerous passes of the Aleutian 

 Archipelago, the passes of Oonimak, Akootan, Oonalga, Oomnak, and the four moun- 

 tains being the most favored by it. 



(5) That it returns to the Pribilof Islands from the broad wastes of the north Pacific 

 Ocean by these paths of departure. 



Therefore, if you will glance at a map of Alaska you will observe that the conver- 

 gence of those watery paths of the fur seal as it traverses Bering Sea, going to and 

 from the seal islands, resembles the spread of the spokes of a half wheel; the 

 Aleutian chain forms the felly, while the hub into which the spokes enter and 

 meet is the small Pribilof group. 



Mr. Elliott. Very true. 



Mr. McGuike. You state further: 



Hence, it will be noted that as these watery paths of the fur seal converge in Bering 

 Sea, they, in so doing, rapidly and solidly mass together thousands and tens of thou- 

 sands of widely scattered animals at points 10, 50, and even 100 miles distant at 

 eea from their landing on the breeding rookeries. 



Here, then, is the location and opportunity of the pelagic sealer, anywhere from 10 

 to 100 miles south of and distant from the seal islands. There is his chance to lay at 

 anchor over the shallow bed of Bering Sea. where he has the most "holding ground" 

 known to mariners, and where he can safely ride out the wildest gales, with no danger 

 of a lee shore, even if his tackle bleaks, while on the other hand the immediate 

 vicinity of any pass of the Aleutian Chain is too dangerous for a prudent sailor. The 

 tide rips there, the swift currents drift him in dense fogs, and the furious funneling 

 storms of wind and sleet will never permit him to safely hover about these openings. 



Mr. Elliott. Very true. 

 Mr. McGuire (reading): 



But above them, 50 and 100 miles to the southward of the seal islands, in the watery 

 avenue of the returning fur seals, every June and July and August, he has a fine oppor- 

 tunity to shoot, to spear, and to net them until he shall have attained the full extent 

 of their utter extermination. 



Mr. Elliott. That is what I believed in 1888, and do now. 

 Mr. McGuire. You do yet '. 



Mr. Elliott. Yes; I think they could commercially destroy them 

 yet. 

 Mr. McGuire (reading): 



His power to destroy them is also augmented by the fact that these seals which are 

 most liable to meet his eye and aim are the female fur seals, which, heavy with young, 

 are here slowly nearing the land, soundly sleeping at sea by intervals, and reluctant 

 to haul out from the cool embrace of the water upon their breeding grounds until 

 that day, and hour even, arrives, which limits the period of their gestation. 



Mr. Elliott. Correct. 



