42 
BULLETIN OF THE UNITED STATES FISH COMMISSION. 
entirely new mast would have to ^»e put in. No light sails are carried except a main- 
stay-sail, which is set from the deck. A jib and a fore-stay-sail comprise the head sails. 
The masts are far enough apart to admit of a fair-sized foresail, which is essential on 
account of the small size of the mainsail. These little schooners are«xcellent sea boats, 
from the fact that they are very deep in proportion to their size, and therefore draw a 
good deal of water. They have a considerable dead-rise and drag-line. The wood 
chiefly used in their construction is Alaskan spruce and pine. The fastenings are of 
iron, galvanized iron having l)een employed during late years. The construction of 
these vessels, so far from ship-building centers, aud with so few facilities at hand, 
reflects much credit on their designers and builders. 
The inhabitants of St. Paul, both Indian and Russian, use dories for general pur- 
poses about the harbors and islands. They are constructed by the Indians and creoles 
employed by the Alaska Commercial Company, out of spruce and cedar. They approx- 
imate in shape and general api)earance to the Salisbury dory, but must be regarded as 
inferior to it, although of comparatively good workmanship. The bows and arrows, 
paddles, and various other articles used in connection with them are made by the 
Indians, and exhibit much skill aud ingenuity. 
The hooks and lines employed for catching cod about St. Paul are of a primitive 
type. Pieces of lead of various sizes, but of no particular shape, are used as sinkers. 
The hooks are fastened to the lines above the lead, without the intervention of snoods. 
None of the wooden hooks used by most Indians for catching halibut were observed at 
this place. 
Directions for entering St. Paul Harbor . — “In coming from the southward make 
Ugak Island, then Cape Greville (known locally as Chiniak Point). The east or sea- 
ward side being free from dangers can be approached with safety, but a ledge of rocks, 
which makes oft' to the northward, must be left on the port hand. The rocks are above 
water, aud being prominent should be cleared without difficulty if the cape has been 
sighted, aud no vessel would attempt to pass inside without seeing it. The lead should 
be used in thick weather, as the outer limit of Portlock Bank is well defined and from 
35 to 40 miles distant. Having cleared the rocks off the cape, stand west northwest 
(magnetic) for Long Island, which will carry a vessel about three-fourths of a mile 
outside of the Outer Humpback. If it is not seen the island will be the next landfall, 
aud can be approached with comparative safety. Outer Humpback should be seen if 
the weather is suitable for a stranger to make the harbor, in which case pass within 
one-fourth to one-half a mile, leaving it on the port hand, and steer W. ^ N. (mag- 
netic) for the south end of Popoff Island. When the passage between Wooded Island 
and Long Island is shut in, steer N. by W. ^ W. (magnetic) for the channel, passing 
100 yards from the point of Wooded Island, off the settlement. Continue the course 
until the store house on the wharf at St. Paul opens out, then stand in for the anchor- 
age off the astronomical station (Coast and Geodetic Survey Chart No. 776), anchoring 
in about 13 fathoms. 
“The Wooded Island side of the channel should be favored to avoid a reef on the 
west side, aud the course continued to clear a rock about one-eighth of a mile off the 
north end of Holiday Island, which is not shown on the chart. 
“ To enter the inner harbor, keep the crib lying just off the end of the wharf, open 
about 50 feet from Near Island until nearly up with it, keeping as close as practicable 
until inside of the reef, then steer for the wharf. A vessel should enter with the tide 
