THE SAI.MON AND SALMON FISHERIES OF ALASKA. 
153 
beginning of tbe season mentioned 11,520 fatlioms of web were on band, equal to 
about 26,000 iiounds, representing in value nearly $4,000, at 15 cents a pound, A 
seine such as is used here, flnisbed and ready to put in the water, costs 35 cents a 
pound, which is approximately equivalent to $1 a fathom. This includes corks, leads, 
head and foot lines. The total length of seines used in 1897 was 6,975 fathoms, 
representing a value of $6,975. It is diflicult to ascertain the number of fathoms of 
web worn out during a season’s fishing, but it is safe to say that the amount reaches 
nearly two-thirds as much as the combined length of seines hung at the beginning of a 
season. The small seines, 200 fathoms long, are used in the river; those 425 fathoms 
and 180 meslies deep are used mostly otf the beach in Tanglefoot Bay, The water here 
is somewhat deeiier than off the spit, and requires seines of different dimensions. 
IMPROVEMENT IN THE METHOD OF SEINING. 
Previous to 1896 seining at Karluk was performed by hand. In that year steam 
power was introduced, which greatly facilitated the work and reduced the manual 
labor fully one-half. Formerly the time occupied in setting and hauling a seine was 
from four to six hours, depending largely on the weather and other circumstances. The 
average time required to make a haul under favorable conditions was about four hours. 
In setting a seine the inner end was anchored close to the beach; the outer end, when 
thrown out of the boat, was usually the length of the seine rope from the shore, about 
75 to 100 fathoms. The seine rope was then run to the shore and taken to a wooden 
capstan. Setting the seine was comparatively easy, but it required the united 
strength of the crew to haul it in, and frequently the assistance of a second crew was 
needed. In this way only a few hauls could be made each day. The labor connected 
with this kind of fishing was hard, and only men inured to exposure could continue 
through a season. 
Tlie easiest part of the work was in surrounding the fish. The crew consisted of 
18 men, 8 to row the boat, 2 to tend the seine as it ran out over the stern, 6 on the 
beach, and 2 stationed in dories to keep the foot line and cork rope clear. Drag seines 
are not thrown from the boat in the same manner as purse seines; the latter are stowed 
in evenly piled layers, the corks aft and the twine forward, and set from the side of 
the boat. Drag seines are stowed with considerably less care, as they run out with 
little assistance while the boat is being rowed. 
STEAM POWER IN THE KARLUK FISHERIES. 
The introduction of steam power on shore and the use of steam launches in setting 
seines has done away with a large portion of the manual labor connected with the 
fishery. Stowing seines and handling the catch require the same labor as heretofore. 
In setting a seine assisted by a steam launch, the inner end of the seine is anchored 
or otherwise fastened near the beach, as was the former custom when all work was 
performed by hand. The seine boat starts from the shore, from 6 to 8 men at the 
oars, and 2 men stationed at the stern who keep the seine from fouling as it runs out. 
When about 75 or 100 fathoms of net have been let out, a steam launch takes the seine- 
boat in tow. The men take in their oars and give all their attention to the seine, 
which is rapidly running out. When the seine is set it forms a semi-circle, the outer 
end being from 600 to 800 feet off shore. The launch then commences to tow this end 
of the seine to the beach, making a wide sweep, so as to cover as much ground as 
possible. This frequently ocmipies an hour or more. When the end of the seine is 
