of August one seal boat and outfit, one breech-loading shotgun, with ammunition and all the necessary implements for skinning and preserving the seal taken while prosecuting the work. On the same day Mr. A. B. Alexander, fishery expert, and J. E. Lennan, seal hunter, reported on board for duty to assist in collecting specimens of seals and gathering the desired information. I also received from Captain Z. L. Tanner of the Albatross a copy of "instructions for the steamer Albatross," yet to be executed in connection with the seal work in Bering Sea. Being thus equipped we sailed from this port August 3rd for the Pribilof Islands to carry out as fully and completely as possible your orders, and at the same time collect all of the data required on the subject. After conferring with the special agent on St. Paul and St. George Islands, the East line was taken up on the 6th day of August and we have cruised diligently; substantially covering that part of Bering Sea Eastward of the Pribilof Islands from the North to the South points of the compass, and as far away from those islands as in my opinion it was necessary to go. The results of our work are herewith submitted to you for your information, and for transmittal to the proper authorities in the form of statement and tables, viz: 1st. A chart prepared under my direction by Lieu Area covered. tenant Cantwell, of this vessel, showing the track of Accompanying docthe vessel, the location of seals, etc. uments. 2nd. A transcript of the Seal Log kept while engaged in the work. 3rd. A statement by A. B. Alexander, Fishery Expert, as to age, sex, and condition of the seals taken. On this paper will also be found the certificate of J. E. Lennan, the Seal Hunter, who did the hunting and killing. 4th. A general statement on which all of the desired data is given in detail. Seals taken. Seven seal were killed and taken during the month of August, and the position of each one is given on the Chart, the statement of Mr. Alexander, and the transcript of the Seal Log. Five other seals were shot at, wounded and lost, thus showing a large percentage of loss. The statement of Mr. Alexander who skinned and dissected the seals shows that six of the seven seals taken were females; three of the number nursing cows, three were virgin, and one a male, or 6 to 1. None of these seals were taken nearer than 30 miles from St. Paul Island, and the nursing cows at distances of 30, 98, and 110 miles. At every station where the vessel was stopped codfish was taken; in some localities they were abundant, at others only a few were caught. Distribution of fish. During the month and while prosecuting the work the vessel has cruised nearly three thousand miles, and in the whole Miles cruised. time not one vessel engaged in taking seals has been seen. The weather, as will be noticed by the Seal Log, has been unfavorable for sealing a greater part of the time, added to this the scarcity of seals on the Eastern side of the Pribilof Islands will account for the small number of seals observed or taken and the little information gathered. Range of seals observed. On nearly every point of the compass on which the lines were run the seal herd, or what might be termed numerous seals, were passed at ten miles, and the numbers decreased rapidly, so that at forty miles few seals were seen, and at fifty, on most all of the courses, no signs of seals were * See Chart V, Portfolio of Maps and Charts, Counter Case. seen. The exception to this rule was in one or two of the Northern and North Eastern lines, where seals were met in small numbers, one hundred miles away from St. Paul Island; these were apparently feeding on some surface food, as large flocks of whale birds, and in one instance a whale, were in the vicinity. Night coming on prevented close observation or investigation. Amak Island not breeding ground. Lieutenant Newcomb and a party were landed on Amak Island, but the closest inspection failed to see or find any seals or sign of seal life there, and I have my doubts whether there is any place in Bering Sea, excepting the Pribilof Islands, where seals in any numbers haul out. I am not prepared to express any decided opinion regarding the rapid decrease of the seals in the Bering Sea and on the Effect of pelagio Seal Islands, but there is no doubt that unless pelagic sealing outside of Bering Sea can be either limited or stopped, it means the extermination of the seals at an early day. sealing. The skins and specimens collected by this vessel have been turned over to Captain C. L. Hooper, of the Corwin, for transportation and to be forwarded with the catch of that vessel to Dr. C. Hart Merriam, Agricultural Department, Washington, D. C. Very respectfully, WASH C. COULSON, Captain. [Inclosure No. 1 in Captain Coulson's Report of Sept. 6, 1892.] TRANSCRIPT OF THE SEA LOG OF THE U. S. REVENUE STEAMER RUSH DURING THE MONTH OF AUGUST, 1892. Aug. 3 Aug. 4 Aug. 5 Aug. 6 Aug. 7 Transcript of the sea log of the U. S. Revenue Steamer Rush during the month of August, 1892-Continued. Conditions of weather and sea unfavorable for sighting Course W. x N. Sent out seal hunter at 5:30 a. m. From boat: Seen, 4; wounded and escaped, 0; killed and Fresh NW. to W. winds; not favorable for sealing; saw Aug. 8 Aug. 9 Aug. 10 Aug. 11 Aug. 12 |