, 1852-09-18

CUaOslnEs OF TUE ARcTlc EXPEDITION.
The New York News gives the follow
ing account from an officer Of the American
Arctic expedition Of the boats used in that
region, and also the manner in which the
natives calch the seal. It may be matter
no less Of news than surprise to many at
distance, that the Vancouver, Cape Flatlery.
QUen Charlotte, and many other tribes of
Indians on the Pacific coast, use nearly the
same appliances as are described below, in
securing the whale. They, too, use bone
or metal spears or harpoons attached to a
cord, with bags inflated with wind, pursu.
ing their avocation in their ingenious ca.
noes as successfully as their brethren in the
Arctic ocean procure the seal, and pretty
much after the same modUs operandi
The whale fishery, although yet in its in.
fancy on this coast, is destined to become,
at no distant day, veiy important branch
Of commerce. Several vessels are already
engaged in the business-in operating and
trading with the Indians, in oil, bone, &c,
which, We understand, are doing lucrative
business.
"Kyacs" are a kind oGoboat used by this
people. and are certainly very curious al
fairs, four of which were brought in the
Advance They are made by stretching
seal skins over a light frame work Of wood,
shaped very much like a Aattened cigar,
both ends being very sharp, with hole 10
the Top about fourteen inches in diameter.
The whole length Of boat is about twelve
feet, by fourteen inches in width, and eight
inches deep a, the centre. The boatman
slides his legs and his hips through the ap,
crture in the top of the boat, extending his
legs lenihways, while from bis hips up are
outside. This part of the body is covered
with a seal skin, made the same as a " jump.
er," and lashed with drawing strings atthe
bottom 20 a rim round the aperture in the
boat. The boaiman propels his carlt.wi
bouble blaGed paddle. about seven feet in
length, made, of light wood, and slightly
made the main part but about one and
half OF two inches in diameter, and the blade
four inches wide, and ornamented with ivo.
ry. With this he moves his boat through
the water at a very rapid rate. BY dex-
ferrous movement with his oar, an expert
boatman will completely turn his boat over,
and come up on the opposite side, still re-
tanning his accustomed situation.
In this fragile vessel he pursues his avo-
cation of spearlng seals in the toughest
weather, for which he has barbed spear
several inches long, made of steel and very
sharp, which is attached 10 an ivory point
eight inches in length and two and half
in diameter; to the steel is attached line,
forty feet in length, made Of the hide ofthe
walrus, and this is fastened 10 bladder
made Of the skin Of the seal and filed with
air, lying on the after part Of the boat.
When The spear enters the seal, it is ar
ranged so that it disengages itself from the
ivory point, by the point slipping at the
same instant from the staff, but it is attach
ed BY string and floats with it, while at the
same time the bladder 10 which the line
was attached is thrown overheard, prevent
ing the seal sinking any farther than the
length of the line the staff and seal are
then recovered at his leisure. For killing
Waterfowl, of which there are but few,
sharp round spear is used, attached to a
staff seven feet in length These spears
are thrown with astonishing accuracy, rare
Jy if ever missing their mark. Another
manner, and the easiest by far, Of spearins
the seal, is by doing it through hole in
the ice where they come upto breathe they
will frequently scratch holes through the
ice from the uHder side, where it is several
feet thick, to get fresh air; the natives are
accustomed 10 the noise made by the scratch.
ing, and will hear them long distance and
watch for them, and as soon as they make
their appearance they are at once killed and
secured.