The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1868-12-31
THE ALASKA SEAL FISHERIES.
Description of the Locality Where the Seals
are FOund-fIow the Animals Are Taken
New London Sends tho First Vessel There
from the Atlantic COast.

IrOm inc AtidutlC OOuSls
from the Hartford COurant, Dec. 3O,l
New London claims the honor OF having sent the
first vessel from the Atlantic coast to the waters OF
Alaska to engage In the fur seal business This yes
sci the bark Peru, Il. Morgan, master, owned by
Williams Il Haven OF that city. Captain Morgan has
recently returned home overland from San Fran
CISCO and gives an Interesting account OF his opera
tons and description OF the locality where the iur
seals are found. He joined his ship at the Sand
witch Islands In February last proceeded via Sitka
the island where the seals resort and arrived there
on the 18th OF APRIL soon otter he landed his men,
and hoisted Tor the first time the American nag on
the island The master hired some natives to assist,
and made preparations for the summers WORK.
Needing more supplies the snip was sent back to
Honolulu for additional provisions and lumber,
which arrived later In the season. Some twelve or
ersssea s
time the taxing OF skins commenced The men en-
of killing only the males, removing these back
from the beaches before despatching them. lest
those coming IN from the water should be alari ed
The young seals, or pups. were never molested.
The men report the antics OF these little fellows
gathered 10 vast numbers learning 10 swim ana nsb,
as very amusing
The Peru party met with strong rivalry and oppo-
sition in their work from the employees OF San
Francisco concern, who. having bought out the
stock OF goods and vessels belonging to the old Rus
sian American Fur Company, claimed TO be their
the BUSINESS or the territory they
tried almost every means OF annoyance but soon
found that our New England seamen were not TO be
The islands known Tor many years as the home Of
the ftr seal are two In number ana are situated In
side e north OF the Fox or Aatian islands, about
forty niles apart and 200 800 miles from any other
land. They are triangular In shape, the largest about
Twenty miles long, east and west, the other about
twCthrds the size. The soil is sandy, with undcrly
ny clay and rocks; some prominent hills, with low
jlaces and ponds between, Along the shore
are sand beaches with cliffs and projecting
hedges OF rocks, ON which the surf constantly
breaks. No harbor afordIng good security Il found
at either island. strong winds from almost every
quarter are prevalent and during the summer fog
and rain are very common, induced by vast quantl
ties OF ice that come floating down from the north
ern seas. In winter the cold northern winds make
the climate extremely cold and inhospitable No
trees shrubs Ol any KIND are found; rlnk grass,
some vines producing berries and pfofuson OF
flowers are the sole vegetable products OF animals,
sea lions, warus, foxes, ducks and fish comprise
the list. About 100 families OF the native Alntes
subsistence from the products Or the land
aud sea. They are an active anc hardy race.
Esaananx, but more intelligent They 1--we In huts
or caves, speak the Alu ian and Russian languages,
and have been employed for many years IN tue
taking and curing OF the fur seal SINS. The seals
are found al these islands only In me summer sea-
SON. They begin TO arrive Ia April Or May and con-
tinue to come and 60 during the summer. occupying
the shores often coming up blpIs to consider
able height. Their number Ii legion Inc young are
brought forth during the months OF June and July,
the mothers sucking them for Itarly TWO months
when they provide Tor themselves. Later In The
season all the Old seals shed thdr coats Of hair As
sooD as this Ii renewed they begn TO migrate, and
before winter sets III the whole erd have departed
on their annual voyage to sea- fot TO return untl
the next spring.
The bark Peru Is believed to be The only vessel on
this side OF the continent that has )een sent 10 en-
gage In the FUR business In our new possessions.
There were, In fact, but few vssseis at the seal
islands tins year, al OF them, except the Peru and
other, combining TO work together, thus obtain
ing large number Of skins. lie merchants and
masters of New London engaged In the whaling
business have always been fOu6i foremost In every
to discover ana fish newgrounds for the pur-
suit OF their game, and the adventure Of the bark
Peru in new trade shows tna1the past reputation
OF tnat port for marine enterprises Is not likely 10
die out.
The last OF September the Pau took or her catch
Of skins, left part OF ner Grey 10 remain through
the winter, carried some Of Ne natives employ cd
during the summer to their bones In kodiac and
proceeded thence TO Honolulu, where she arrived
November with q valuable cgg0 We congratulate
her owners the attending their enterprise
and hope they may continue tie business more sue
cessfuiy in the future; that oilers may engage III IT,
aud thus develop an Interest which Is one OF the
most important Of our newly acquired possessions.