The Cooperstown courier. (Cooperstown, Griggs Co., N.D.) 1902-1913, 1905-09-21
WHALE STATION, HUDSON BAY.

WHALE STATION, HUDSON BAY.
ing on between commercial fish inter-
ests of the United States and Canada.
An international dispute has actually
been threatened by this fish war. and
politicians of the dominion. In order to
avoid a duplication of the Alaskan
boundary question, have urged the gov
eminent that decisive step be taken;
hence the entrance of the Neptune into
the controversy.
There are four laws, passed by the
Canadian parliament, which. it is de-
clared. have been violated necessarily
by Americans. They follow:
Prohibiting carrying away of skins OF
musk oxen. chief food supply OF the re-
gion. Passed because of fear that native
food supply would become exhausted.
Recurring a $1,000 license for all
whalemen
Imposing Canadian duties on all goods
brought to the region for trade purposes
with natives.
Restricting intercourse with natives
and establishing comprehensive rules
preventing traders from supplying ma
tives with intoxicants. Passed because
of fear that liquors would affect Eskimos
in same manner that it has affected the
American Indian.
Alleged violation Of these laws has in
cited the Canadian government to de-
wise a plan for ousting Americans from
the region and it is in pursuance of this
that the Neptune has been dispatched
for northern waters.
Hudson Bays one industry is that OF
whaling, ad to thrifty Yankee fisher
men the grounds have proven veritable
gold mine of wealth. The fish most
sought after is the Greenland whale.
better known to sailors as the giant
bowhead." When ship captures but
one of these gigantic fnny creatures,
the expedition is marked as a success.
There is. as rule. at least ton of bone
in this whale. and its market value be-
ing from five to seven dollars, it may
be easily seen that a single catch nets
over $4,000.
The white whale. or grampus, about
1G feet long and valued for the oil. is also
abundant there. being SO plentiful that
at the Hudson Bay company's headquar-
ters they are killed to feed the dogs.
Walrus, too. are found there, which
Weld both oil and skins of commercial
utility. The hides are used largely for
polishing brass. while their tusks are
of excellent ivory. Narwhales are occa-
sionally found also. Seals are the main
stay of the Eskimos, who live ON their
meat. make clothes of their skin and
convert their bodies to various uses.
Edible commercial fishes, like cod, hall
hut salmon and trout, are likewise nu-
merous.
The effect of Canada's crusade to COM
pel the fishing interests to recognize her
supremacy over the region in dispute
has been felt by whalers. At one time
there wintered in the bay fully 30 whal-
ers. but the number is said to have
dwindled down with such rapidity that
last season but one made its headquar-
tiers there This statement, of course.
does not mean that but one whaler fished
there. During the summer season the
bay is thick with American vessels in
quest of wealth.
Years ago fishermen stayed aboard
their ships refusing to mix with the
natives and live upon Eskimo food. AS
a result of their disdain for native
ways, they were attacked by scurvy
and the burying ground at Marble.
island testifies to the mortality of the
disease. OF late, however, the sailors
have been leading more healthful
lives, staying with native families
throughout the winter season. Strange
to relate, many have deserted their
ships, married women and are now
living in happiness with the Eskimos.
They declare they could not be In
duced to return to civilization, so sat
isfied are they with their lot in the
Arctic wilderness.
Great courage is required by for
tune hunting fishermen. They leave
the coast early in June and for days
battle with ice foes in Hudson bay in
order that they may be on hand when
the fishing commences. Good fishing
is to be found in certain spots only,
and as soon as the catch falls OF at
one point the quest is taken up at an
other. Many vessels in the early sea-
son are crushed among the fees,
which at times are RATED so feet in
heighth.
Scotch fishermen are another prom
inent factor in the fish war. These
people from across the water make
o,,,,bor1opd Gulf in tho Moth AZ
lantic, the scene of their operations,
but between them and the Americans
there is little friction. Canadians.
however, do not protest against any
encroachments. on the part of the
Scotch, which may be called to their
attention, and in consequence the
Americans are being given the full
benefit of the increased ferver in the
crusade. RUSSELL WOODARD.