THE SALMON AND SALMON FISHERIES OF ALASKA. 
155 
stern. The seine is stowed in the bottom of the boat, and when being set is thrown 
from the stern by two men. In localities where small seines are used a j)latform is 
built at the steriivof the boats, upon which seines are stowed. Seines 450 fathoms 
long, such as are used at Karluk, can not be stowed to advantage on a platform, as 
considerable room is required, and in a short choppy sea, which is frequently encoun- 
tered off the mouth of the river, the net would be likely to topple over. 
The dories range in length from 16 to 22 feet. The large ones are tised mostly in 
carrying salmon from the seiuing ground .to the caLJeries. When fish are plentiful 
and large hauls are made, scows are used. Sinall dories are used in tending the 
seines when set, such as clearing the foot line from bowlders or other obstacles on 
the bottom. The scows or lighters are principally for loading and unloading the ships, 
although they are frequently used in handling a large catch of salmon. There are 
several sizes, varying in length from 36 to 40 feet, the largest having a capacity of 800 
cases. 
SALMON HATCIIEHY NEAR KARLUK. 
In 1891, when under the Karluk Kiver Fisheries an apportionment of the fish 
was made for the year by mutual agreement, the organization built and operated a 
hatchery on the lagoon at a point half a mile below the present hatchery; 2,500,000 
eggs were taken, but, owing to bad water, crude ap])liances, and want of exx)erience, 
only about 500,000 fish were hatched. As the Karluk River Fisheries agreement went 
out of existence after the pack of 1891 and the canneries concerned could not agree in 
continuing the operations, the hatchery was abandoned. 
The liatchery now ojierated at Karluk by the Alaska Packers’ Association was 
built in 1896. It is situated on the southern bank of Karluk River about 2 miles from 
the outlet, and has been successful from the beginning. The first season, fall of 1896 
to spring of 1897, 2,500,000 red salmon were hatched and liberated. In a recent letter 
from the sux)erintendent of the hatchery, he states that he took over 5,500,000 eggs 
during the season of 1898, and that they were in an exceedingly healthy condition, the 
prosx)ects being good for a large output v/ith no undue losses. 
Alaska, like most regions where hatcheries have been operated, presents a variety 
of conditions, both favorable and otherwise, under which artificial pro])agation must 
be carried on. A plan which has been followed with success in one locality may fiiil 
in another. It is e.xtremely doubtful if there can be found in the Territory two places 
whei'e propagation can be conducted in detail on ijrecisely similar lines. 
The building at Karluk is fitted with all the modern imxjrovements usually found 
in a hatchery, such as steam engine, pump, and heating apparatus for warming the 
building and the water in the troughs and sxiawning jmols. Aj^proximately, the size 
of the hatchery building is 40 by 110 feet, and 14 stories high. Half the ui)x)er Hour 
is a general storeroom; the other j^art is divided into quarters for the employees; the 
kitchen and dining room are below. 
At the time of our visit work was being actively carried on in the construction of 
spawning and rearing ponds, and buildings to cover them. One large imnd had been 
l)reviously built in the hatchery in which many of the small fry first hatched had 
been reared until liberated. It is also used to keei) spawn fish in during cold weather. 
Another iwnd, situated near the bank of the river, had been used the first season for 
the same purpose. As the fish grow they are removed from the pond in the hatchery 
to the one outside. 
