Douglas Island news., 1909-07-28


 pitch off into the water at sharp angle so that big boat may safely an- chor near the shore. Just above the point reached by the high tide and all around the bay is a thick bank of berry bushes. A few are salmon berries, but most are what is called thimble berry. They are still green, but next month splendid harvest is waiting there for some one.
 Four o'clock Saturday morning found the Gent dancing through the bright waters of Frederick sound, headed for the whaling station at Murder cove. Murder cove is at the south end of Ad miralty island, and was so named by Meade, in 1869, on account of the mur- der here, by the natives, of a small party of traders. At o'clock the Gent was tied up at the wharf at the whaling station and the mem bers of the party were shaking hands with H. R. Shep- ard, who represents the U. s. customs service at this point, and Messrs. Street and Walker, who are in charge of the plant
 There are many people who have read of the capture of whales and many more who have read the bible story of Jonah's experience, but it is a mighty small portion who have actually seen one of the monsters pulled up out of the sea and carved to pieces. This was the sight that was waiting for the pas sengers on the Gent. And there was not long to wait. Already men had fastened heavy chain around the tail of the monster and the huge winch be- gan to strain. Slowly the big carcass began to slide out of the water and up a slip similar to those seen at saw mills. Slowly but surely, until it lay on the floor under the big shed. This whale measured 59 feet inches in length. while not one of the largest, it was es- tlmated that it would weigh three fourths of ton to the foot A bunch of men armed with knives six feet long, half being the sharp blade, were ready for the attack. The skin and the thick blanket of bluhber just under it are cut into long strips which are removed with the aid of the winch which liter ally tears them off. Huge chunks of flesh follow in the same manner, and then man with an axe chops the ribs loose from the breast bone and the en- trails are taken out. An interesting part of the whale is the mouth, which really extends about half the length of the body. Here are found what is called gill bones. There are 475 of them. They are really not bone, but substance similar to horn and hair and are found in the roof of the mouth. As the whale swims open mouthed through the water they strain the food. When taken out they are immersed in hot water and cleaned and dried by the natives who take the work by contract. While oil and fertilizer are the princi pal products, no part of the whale"is wasted. Even the blood which gushes from the gaping wounds in torrents is carried through gutters into tanks where it is stored and afterwards boiled down to a solid. All the while the eyes are busy taking in the sights, the nose is drawing in the most disgusting of smells, compared to which Indian town in Douglas is fragrant boquet. Some of the party lost their breakfast. Others had been more thoughtful and had eaten DO breakfast. It was not until Point Gardner, the southern extremity of Admiralty island, was passed that appetites began to return.
 The next stop was made that after noon at Warm Springs bay. Here Guy Wing conducts store and postottice named Baranoff, from the island on which it is located. Here we also found dashing over the preCipitous rocks in the bay stream of water that would furnish power to run all the mills at Treadwell. The bay is alive with many kinds of fish, from black sea bass to the majestic halibut. At each flow and ebb of the tide the waters of,the sea rush through a narrow gorge into a lagoon and out again. When the water is low in this gorge and lagoon, the bottom, seen through the clear water, presents wonderful panorama of sea life. Clinging to the rocks is a variety