A NEW FUR-SEAL ROOKERY 
163 
On June 24, in the afternoon, we arrived at the 
Srednoy Rocks, lying between Ushishir and Rashau. 
This is a very ugly place, full of rocks, reefs, and 
heavy tide-rips. From Ushishir towards Rashau 
a rocky ledge extends, with from 3 to 16 fathoms 
of water upon it, and here and there rocks showing 
above-water; the two largest, about three miles 
from the north point of Ushishir, are called the 
Srednoy Rocks. This reef has almost perpendicular 
sides, soundings going from 16 to 100 fathoms, 
with no bottom. The currents setting through 
the channels between the islands, some 5 or 6 knots 
strong at times, strike this ledge, and a boiling, 
swirling, seething tide-rip results, rendering a vessel 
helpless in it without a strong breeze. Around 
these rocks on the ledge are immense kelp-beds much 
frequented by otters, but it is only for an hour or so 
at a time during slack-water that the place can be 
safely hunted. We had made a number of attempts, 
but always had to leave without doing much. 
On this occasion we anchored in a kelp-patch, 
and lowered boats, pulling round the largest rock, 
about 200 yards in extent. The sea was smooth, 
but a south-east swell was rolling in, causing heavy 
breakers on the rocks. There were probably seven or 
eight thousand sea-lions hauled out on the rock, and 
when passing the south-east end of it I noticed, in a 
depression, a pod of fur-seals. This was an unexpected 
find, and I signalled my other two boats to close in. 
Landing was difficult and risky, but the temptation 
was great. Lashing my rifle and other gear fast, I 
resolved to go in on the top of a breaker, and shoot 
the boat in between some rocks where, if we were 
not capsized, we should be safe, and could land with 
