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FROM REPORT OF THE DEPARTMENT OF MARINE AND FISHERIES, 1898 
 
 THE 
 
 BEHEING SEA QUESTION 
 
 r 
 
 EMBRACING 
 
 THE FUR SEALING INDUSTRY 
 
 OF TIIF, 
 
 N O RT IT PA I F I O O O E A N 
 
 1898 
 
 OTT.VWA 
 
 (1 OVER N -M E X T I' R I N T [ X G B U R E A U 
 
 1899 
 
KM 
 
TH K 
 
 BEHRING SEA QUESTION 
 
 KMUKACINC TIIK 
 
 FUR SEALIXG IXDl'STRY OF THE NORTH l'ACH<IC OCEAX, AS 
 
 AFFECTED I5Y THE BElH^ilXG SEA AWARD AXl) 
 
 C(JXSI<:()LEXT LJ<:GLSLATI()X. 
 
 Tlie Honourable Sir TiOuis H. Daviks. K.C.M.G., &c., &c. 
 Minister of Marine and Fisheries. 
 
 Sir,— The various departmental reports have, from year to year, dealt with this ques- 
 tion, the last previous publication forming Appendix No. 13 to the report for the year 
 1897. 
 
 DEPARTURE OF THE SEALING FLEET. 
 
 The spring sealing fleet for 1898 comprised 32 vessels, and began clearing for the 
 season's operatio: s in the month of December, 1897, during which month 15 vessels 
 cleared, the earliest date being Gth December. By the 1st February, the whole spring 
 fleet had cleared, the latest clearance being on that date, whereas, in -.ne previous year, 
 more than half the vessels cleared in February and March. 
 
 In former years the early coast fleet has been divided into two branches, one 
 operating on the North American coast of the Facitic Ocean, and the other on the 
 Asiatic side, working up the Japan coast to the vicinity of Komandorslii Islands, off the 
 coast of Kamtschatka. This year (1898). however, it is perhaps worthy of note, that 
 only one vessel of the whole Canadian sealing fleet, the " Director," went over to the 
 Asiatic side. 
 
The following is :i list of llio floci wliidi cleared fur the spihi^' operations of 1898. 
 showiu.ir (InU'S of departure and arrival, .iiid iniinl)ers and description of crews, and 
 nuniliers of lioats and canoes employed :— 
 
 BRITISH COIATMBIA SPRING SEALING FLEET. 18[)8. 
 
 y. 
 
 s 
 
 SclllllllllTS. 
 
 1 (iflievii 
 
 2 Lil>l>ic 
 
 W Doris 
 
 1 i.Muiv 'I'avlor.. . . 
 
 5 'Mary Ellen 
 
 () '{"cn'sii 
 
 7 I'clirloiM' 
 
 H ['..■utriiT 
 
 9 I AiiKiku 
 
 10 iArietis 
 
 11 iCitv of Sail Liiv 
 
 12 'Ada 
 
 13 ()tt( 
 
 14 Allif !. Al^;ar . 
 
 15 C. 1). Hand. .. 
 
 1(5 
 IH 
 19 
 20 
 21 
 o^ 
 
 23 
 21 
 25 
 2C) 
 
 2S 
 29 
 
 :;<) 
 
 31 
 32 
 17 
 27 
 
 Saucy La-^s 
 
 Victinia 
 
 Mcniiaid 
 
 I'mlii'iua 
 
 Etitcrpi'isi' 
 
 |)ora Sirwi'id . . 
 ( 'art ic < '. W . . . 
 
 Haty.ic. 
 
 I'avoin-iti^ 
 
 Miniiir 
 
 Ida VM-A 
 
 ( ),M'aii I'ovt r. . . 
 
 ZiUah :May 
 
 Ocean ricUc . 
 Walter L. Ki<'li. 
 
 :*l)irce'tor 
 
 jVcntun' 
 
 Total.. 
 
 Toii.-^ 
 
 .Masters. I •i|iaitui. .\rri\.d 
 
 1S'.)7. 
 
 93 
 
 \\ . v/'L(;irv 
 
 93 
 
 V. llack.tt.. 
 
 (io 
 
 1). .NUdMirc 
 
 43. 
 
 .\ N.Non 
 
 (13 
 
 .1. (;. Searlr .... 
 
 (i;', 
 
 (i. Mfvrr 
 
 70 
 
 1 Inn. .1. .MaCMulc'y 
 
 III) 
 
 Wni. M.-atiM- . . . 
 
 7."> 
 
 tico. lll;ltcl 
 
 S(; 
 
 !•'. (',,!(. 
 
 4(i 
 
 W. Kr.'f.. 
 
 97 
 
 .1. 11. Noil.. .. 
 
 S(i 
 
 M. Y. (lossc 
 
 7rj 
 
 ;R. \\'. T>;. vender. 
 
 \A 
 
 IN. lllakstati 
 
 I),r. 
 
 3S 
 03 
 70 
 99 
 09 
 93 
 92 
 72 
 tiO 
 
 4(; 
 
 09 
 5.-) 
 (JO 
 
 80 
 70 
 
 87 
 48 
 
 !1. 1). Mid)ou-all 
 
 .1. lla.-in 
 
 .1. \V. Ander.-ion 
 .1. \V. I'eippitt .. 
 :,l. AV. Todd. 
 IH. !•'. Siewerd . 
 
 .M. FoI(.v 
 
 .lolni Daley 
 
 Ii. Mel.ean 
 
 i V. .lacolvsen . . . 
 |H. V. H>itrlie.<.. 
 '(). r.nekliol/.. ... 
 
 S. I'lilleoni 
 
 lA. M(d)oujj;-all.. 
 .1. Anderson . . . . 
 jKrcil. (lilhet.. . . 
 JAlcx. Rei'lien. . . 
 
 2S. 
 
 2S. 
 
 2S. 
 
 2S. 
 
 ■'.-'. 
 
 2.-< . 
 
 29, 
 
 2!). 
 
 1S9S. 
 Ian. I. 
 
 IS'. IS. 
 
 .M.iv 11.. 
 .\|.r. 29. . 
 M,':<- .". . 
 .\|>r. 3(1. 
 .May 11. 
 
 <i ;i . 
 
 „ IS. 
 
 1 ' ."> . 
 
 10. 
 
 I'eh. 
 • Ian. 
 
 (i. . 
 13.. . 
 14 . 
 14.. 
 1.-).. 
 17.. 
 
 19. . 
 
 20. . 
 22. 
 20.. 
 20.. 
 29.. 
 31 . . 
 
 1. 
 
 u 4. 
 
 ., 14. 
 
 I. ."). 
 
 „ 14. 
 
 I . ."> . 
 
 n .".0. 
 
 •Inne 1 
 Apr. 30. 
 .Mav 0. 
 .. 4. 
 
 It. o. 
 
 14. 
 
 C'UKWS 
 
 2(1 
 
 J.1 
 
 8 
 
 i 
 
 S 
 
 !(• 
 7 
 7 
 t) 
 
 (; 
 <; 
 ('. 
 (i 
 
 20 
 
 22 
 20 
 
 18 
 
 I'.; 
 
 18 
 30 
 20 
 20 
 
 22 
 
 10 
 20 
 20 
 
 30 
 
 ■'2 
 
 24 
 
 28, 
 
 24 
 
 2.") 
 
 12 
 
 24 
 
 18 
 
 14 
 
 12,281 
 
 Bn.\T^ 
 
 2 i 
 
 2 i 
 *> ' 
 
 2 ' 
 3 
 2 
 •J 
 
 2 
 2 
 
 2 ' 
 
 10 
 
 11 
 10 
 
 8 
 
 9 
 
 I.') 
 
 10 
 
 10 
 
 11 
 il 
 
 8 
 
 10 
 10 
 
 11 
 
 12 
 1.5 
 
 9 
 12 
 14 
 11 
 12 
 
 (! 
 12 
 
 9 
 
 
 
 * ' lone to .lapan. t Iveturned to Port. 
 
 While those vessels took part in the spring or coast fishery, returning to port, as 
 indicated in the list, all but seven of them subsequently cleared for participation in the 
 summer seal fishery in Behring Sea, where the season commences at the expiration of 
 the close time, 1st August, and continues during that mouth and a portion of September, 
 as a general rule. 
 
The fleet which cloarod for Hfli; ing Soa during 1S98 is shown by the following list, 
 comprising 28 v.-ssels, and cnibraci .;,' all l>nt 7 of those ^vhi(•ll oporated ou the coast, and 
 ji few others which did not :— 
 
 o 
 
 VESSELS CLKAKKl) roi; Ili'llliiiNC SKA, SKASdN l.v.is. 
 
 V.sscls. 
 
 Dtiti'. 
 
 Mai'v 'r.iyloi' 
 
 I'iiilUMT 
 
 T.T.Sil 
 
 Wah.r I.. Rich .. 
 Cani.f". \V. . 
 
 Occiiii I'ovii' 
 
 Siiiicy liUss 
 
 Diiuia 
 
 VictDi ia 
 
 OcriUl i'.i'llf.. .. 
 
 Aitioli ) 
 
 BfaM-ic-(. 
 
 l-'('liclii|i(' 
 
 I' iji'iiriiia 
 
 Arii'ti^ 
 
 Oito ... 
 
 Oiry of San l)i(f,'u . 
 
 Eniii'iM'isc 
 
 ZiUaii .Mav 
 
 Dora Sii'werd 
 
 Ffla Ktta 
 
 Mi-nnaid 
 
 Lilil)i(' 
 
 Minnie 
 
 Hiitzic 
 
 Yiva,.^ 
 
 Favourite 
 
 Abhie M. Deering. 
 
 Mi 
 
 ' JS , . 
 
 ■_'.s . 
 , (| 
 
 i:> 
 1:1. 
 I.") . 
 1(1 . 
 m.. 
 
 17. 
 
 17. . 
 IS . 
 IS. 
 
 is. 
 
 IS.. 
 
 •Jd. 
 
 20. 
 •JO. 
 21.. 
 22. 
 23'! 
 2:? . 
 2:i. 
 24. 
 27. 
 27 . . 
 2S . 
 2K. 
 ,■ IS. 
 
 Cleared for 
 
 No of 
 
 Licensp, 
 
 Uelirin).,' Sea 
 
 4 
 
 *i 
 :'.-.' 
 
 2; I 
 
 ;'.(i 
 
 IS 
 
 II 
 8 
 7 
 
 20 
 10 
 
 in 
 11 
 21 
 
 •M) 
 22 
 
 2S 
 
 10 
 
 o 
 
 ^(i 
 24 
 37 
 25 
 
 3S 
 
 CLEAKKI) KOK .lAl'AX COAST, SEASON 1898. 
 
 Dirpctor January 
 
 With the single exception of the schooner " Director," it will be seen that the Cana- 
 dian sealing fleet this year confined its operations to the North American portion of the 
 North Pacific Ocean, so that the Asiatic pelagic seal fishery, as the United States have 
 prohibited pelagic sealing and the Russians have never participated therein, was left in 
 the hands of the Japanese, or any British or other vessels which may poaoibly have been 
 fitted out in Yokohama or Hakodate. 
 
 THE season's catch. 
 
 The following table, supplied by the Collector of Customs at Victoria, British 
 Columbia, contains a complete detailed return of the season's operations of the Canadian 
 sealing fleet, giving a statement of the vessels, tonnage, masters, crews, white and 
 Indian, as well as numbers of boats and canoes employed in the industry. 
 
 BSQ- 
 
 I 
 
6 
 
 BHTTISH COLUMBIA 
 
 'A 
 
 '►3 
 
 12 
 
 14 
 
 10 
 8 
 24 
 15 
 11 
 
 36 
 
 17 
 22 
 
 •A 
 21 
 
 1 
 24 
 
 28 
 
 4 
 1!) 
 'IV, 
 31 
 2!) 
 13 
 
 35 
 
 U! 
 (i 
 
 \ I ^^^'lM. 
 
 MllstlTS. 
 
 Tons. 
 
 f '|(K\\> 
 
 ]Al>bin M. J)<it'iiiig M. Wliiti- 
 
 |A(Ui ...JJ. F. Noel 
 
 Ainoko (i.Hi'iitcr 
 
 Allie I. Alger K. W. Lav.-ider i 
 
 K. Cole iuid W. I). Byors 
 
 Ariotis 
 Beatrice .. . . 
 Carrie C. \V, 
 C. D. Hiiml 
 
 \V. Heater. 
 M. Foley . . . 
 H. I'.livk'stad . 
 
 iCity of San Uifg-o i\I. K.;.'fe 
 
 I Diana .1. <i. Scarli 
 
 Director 
 
 Dora Siewerd . 
 
 \V. VV. •.iiibert. 
 . - \l. V. Si.'werd 
 
 Doris ;D. MiJ'lirc . 
 
 iMitevprise !.J. \V, 'I'odd . 
 
 •'a\oni ite. , 
 
 IL. .M<r-.,tn. 
 
 (Jeneva 
 Hat/ic. 
 Ida Etta. 
 
 \V:ii. O'Liarv . . . 
 
 I.T.Daley 
 
 M. V. Hughes... 
 
 Il.ibbi: 
 
 V. H.ackett. 
 .1. <;. Searle 
 
 LM;iry Elieii 
 
 ;.M iiy Taylor A. Xclson 
 
 M riiiaid 1. \V. .Viidersoii 
 
 |, Minnie ; Vict, .lac jbsen 
 
 Oi.'an r.elle ;A. McDoiiffall 
 
 jOceiin l!o\cr jO. l-iuokholtz 
 
 lOcto '.I. F. (!<!SSC 
 
 ' I'eneio]"'. . 
 
 Il'ioni-cr . . . . 
 
 ISancv LasN. 
 i'lVresi 
 
 D. (I. Mai.aulay 
 C. Iv Locke... 
 
 W. I). McDonfjall. 
 (;. .Meyr 
 
 2<( il'nibrina. 
 
 l.S 
 37 
 32 
 30 
 
 35 
 
 ,1. W. I'eppitt and C. 
 
 1 f'ainpliell. j 
 
 ! Victoria J. Haan ; 
 
 iViva 1). Mcl'liee ; 
 
 iWalter L. Kicli .I.Anderson ; 
 
 'Zillah Miiy S. P.alcam j 
 
 i Catch by Indians in 
 
 I i 
 
 96 
 97 
 75 
 75 
 86 
 66 
 92 
 51 
 49 
 
 50 
 
 87 
 93 
 
 (iO 
 (19 
 
 SO 
 
 93 
 72 
 
 69 
 
 93 
 
 63 
 43 
 7(i 
 46 
 83 
 55 
 86 
 
 70 
 
 73 
 
 .38 
 63 
 
 99 
 
 63 
 92 
 84 
 66 
 
 8 
 29 
 S 
 6 
 10 
 (i 
 7 
 
 li 
 
 li 
 6 
 (I 
 
 ;>•> 
 
 
 9 
 
 20 
 
 (> 
 
 18 
 
 23 
 
 
 8 
 
 30 
 
 5 
 
 16 
 
 (> 
 
 26 
 
 H 
 
 22 
 
 6 
 
 20 
 
 
 
 23 i. 
 
 1 
 
 10 
 
 34 
 
 6 1 
 
 20 
 
 1 
 
 28, 
 
 6 I 31 
 
 24 
 
 25 
 
 14 
 22 
 
 Tii 
 
 22 
 19 
 ■ )■> 
 
 16 
 
 28 
 
 24 
 20 
 
 14 
 
 23 
 
 30 
 
 20 
 21 
 
 2(; 
 
 22 
 
 Total ! 2.553 i 330 ' 673 
 
 r.Mcrr- 
 
 HiitishColinnbia 
 Coast. 
 
 
 "I" 
 
 • > 
 
 1 
 10 
 
 54 
 
 131 
 
 • ) 
 
 9 i 
 
 HO 
 
 .343 
 
 7 . 
 
 
 402 
 
 304 
 
 •) 
 
 15 
 
 70 
 
 1.59 
 
 1 : 
 
 8 
 
 167 
 
 163 
 
 2 ! 
 
 13 
 
 105 
 
 83 
 
 • > ! 
 
 11 1 
 
 151 
 
 91 
 
 1 ; 
 
 ! 
 
 10 
 
 97 
 
 210 
 
 6 1. 
 
 
 16 
 
 14 
 
 >> 
 
 17 
 
 89 
 
 220 
 
 • ) 
 
 10 
 
 84 
 
 257 
 
 2 
 
 13 
 
 89 
 
 220 
 
 2 ; 
 
 15 
 
 179 
 
 1.52 
 
 8 i 
 
 
 .390 
 
 502 
 
 *> : 
 
 12 
 
 179 
 
 85 
 
 2 1 
 
 12 
 
 117 
 
 90 
 
 7 
 
 1 
 
 j 204 
 
 57 
 
 •) 1 
 
 11 
 
 129 
 
 147 
 
 ■> ' 
 
 S 
 
 20O 
 
 338 
 
 3 ' 
 
 11 
 
 52 
 
 165 
 
 2 1 
 
 10 
 
 123 
 
 148 
 
 •> 1 
 
 11 
 
 6() 
 
 t>] 
 
 •* ' 
 
 8 
 
 79 
 
 69 
 
 »» 
 
 14 
 
 217 
 
 242 
 
 •) 
 
 12 
 
 102 
 
 430 
 
 •) 
 
 10 
 
 7 
 
 
 
 •> 
 
 85 
 
 1 77 
 
 1 
 
 13 
 
 42 
 
 ' 256 
 
 1 
 
 2 
 
 15 
 
 117 
 
 ; 169 
 
 •) 
 
 10 
 
 169 
 
 I 168 
 
 •> 
 
 10 
 
 
 1 
 
 •) 
 
 13 
 
 144 
 
 1 86 
 
 2 1 
 
 11 
 
 95 
 
 1 86 
 
 92 
 
 3.36 
 
 4,093 
 
 5, .553 
 
 Pout ok Victokia, B.C., 
 1st December, 18!»8. 
 
SEATJN(i REPORT, 1S98. 
 
 rn.AIlS i)K f;AT( II. 
 
 ' \'i<'iiiltj' ' 
 
 .Fiiiuui ''oust. CiippeT P.cliriii',' Si'ii. 
 
 Islands. , 
 
 'I'lltul.-. 
 
 I!ciiiark«. 
 
 
 a; 
 
 1 
 
 
 
 «s 
 
 4. 1 
 
 
 
 
 
 Oj 
 
 a 1 
 
 pi^ 
 
 ^. ■ 
 
 
 
 4.53 
 
 4i(; 
 
 l.illlS 
 
 •-',105 
 (mO 
 
 1.045 
 
 1,100 
 
 0,348 ; •2S,5.-)2 
 
 37S i 
 18,5 • 
 1,117 I 
 ■<)« 
 (143 I 
 581 ! . 
 (i57 ; 
 24'2 I 
 !)(il II luaiidcd sidii. IWiardid S(|it. .stli li\ Mint, H 
 
 (,. Smith, of 11. M.S. ■• IMi.Ji.sant.'' 
 327 iBdiird.'d An^. l-'tli l.y ntfievi.. from H..M.S. 
 
 I " I'lira.-imt." 
 
 440 ' 
 1,114 'IJoaidid Srpt '_'(;tli l>\ Li. lit. It. D. Scurt, H.M.S. 
 ■• I'lirasaiil." 
 341 I 
 !MH |F.oMr(!.<l All);-. iL'rh li\ Limi. K. K. .A ilmtliiivst. 
 
 ; II. .M.S. •■ IMuasaiif 
 
 7(i!t !|'„,anlid An},'. 13tii !.\ LiiMit. H. It. .Siuii, II.M.S 
 
 i •• rii.'a.<aiit.'" 
 
 MO:.' ' 
 l,0-_'4 l2 Inaiidftl sUiii^. 
 (ill Ir.iKirdcil All}:. i:!tli l.v l.i.'iir. K. K. Arl.utlmrst, 
 j II. M.^.. •■ I'll, ■.-ant." 
 
 401 j 
 
 •i7(i I 
 
 l,2.-.7 
 
 1 , 173 I 
 
 (i(>4 I 
 
 7(»2 I 
 
 1S5 il lifaiKJiii skin. 
 1,240 "1 ■. ■■ I'.narilcd .\ii„'. 2(itli l.y I.i.ut. K. 
 
 , 1). Scotr, ll..\I.S. •• riiiii.sant." 
 
 1,037 {r.oard.d Au^. 13tli lis I,i-iu. K'. D. Scoti, II.. M.S. 
 " I'hca.saiit." 
 Tlitse skins wi-ii' i'f|>tiiti'(l mi Imai-d al Oiiiialaska ; 
 vrsscl nii.ssini,'. 
 
 B(iaid(d Sept. 13tli liy Linit. Iv l\. .Ailiiitliiirst. 
 
 H..M.S. " I'h.asant." 
 I'(jafdrd .Vll,u.l7Ml iiy ultiri'l tViiUI H. NT..'^. " tcaviis '"; 
 
 ,ilsu ,■ 24tli ' " I'licasiint." 
 
 1 branded skin. 
 
 A. K. MILNE, 
 
 Collector of (Juxtoms, 
 
A (ciiiiiiirlsD-.i n( llio ivsult of tills scMson with that of ISO? sliows tliiit tlik jortf 3' 
 vessels !i;:«r.'),'iilc(l 'J7, l.VJ si-nl skins, ms .•ij;;iliist 'J'.).:!!)'.' sliius for tlie lleol of 1S!>T, which 
 luiiiilicnMl 11 vessels. This (leiiionslriit(<s an ii.eroiisetl eiiteli pervcHsel this Hensoii over last 
 year of. In round nnnilxrs. <'." seal skins. 'I'ho eateii hy siioro Indians in eannes is, of 
 <"-(.nrse, eliniinatrd in l.olh eases in arrlvln- at. these (l^Mires, hut to complete tlie Cana- 
 dian lake forhnth years, we have oidy lo add tin' Indian eoMHt enteh for lSi>7, 1.01.S skins, 
 and ilial for lSi*S, 1,1<M» skins, niaklji!,' the tot.il icsull I'er the fonn.T .\(>ar. .",0.110, and for 
 the hitler. liS,".."!.' :^eal skins. 
 
 It will also 1h> ohserveil tluil wliile .".1 vessels, operating,' on the Nortii Aincric.an 
 eoasi ill I'^OT. '•cincd .'.osi! seal sl;iiis, a lil<'' nunil'cr (d' vessels oiieratl'i.ir in the same 
 waters in is'.ts secured ;),0|(! skins. Tiiere were, however, in IS!)!, taken In Asiatic 
 ■waters. S.To:! skins, whereas, in ISliS, tlie <.iily vessel which exploited tliosc waters was 
 I'ewarded hy lull 110 skins. 
 
 In 1S!»7 the pruduct of liie I'.elirhi;,' Se:i season to 2." vessels was ir>,<!07, while, in IShS, 
 I lie 117 \esscls v.Iiicli are sliowii lo liave sealed in tlie waters (d' that sea, secured Jiu 
 a.u':.re,uale i<\' If'.'.M;! seal skins. 
 
 On tlie ^\hole, it can laiiiy he s.aid thai, so far as the past two seasons are concerned, 
 there is iii'.ii'iii'.ally iu> cli.-iii.ue in tlie iiidiislry. 
 
 It is reported tii;il llie scalers iiave cMciided tlieir sprii ; voyages farther south than 
 formevly, ;inil that, as iv consequence, they liave met with considc ratile success, which 
 may aciiuinl, in som(> de;iree, for the Largely increased eo;ist catcli for hS'.tS. 
 
 due interest in;r fealme of tlie season Is that no fewer tliat live seiiling schooners 
 report liavinu,- secured iimon;,' their c.'ilcli se.'il skins wiiich. to all appearances, ht>;ir the 
 brands wliicli, for the jiiist three years have noon placed upon the seals l)y the authorities 
 on Ihe Frihylov Islands. These vessels are: " Cltv of San Die,i;o." one branded seal; 
 • naizic." two branded seals ; "Oc(>an Itover," one branded seal ; "Otto," one branded 
 seal ; " Victoria," one branded seal. 
 
 Tlu> success of this expedient Is not very apparent, when it is considered that the 
 net result of liie two sea.-^ou's bnmdin;,' ope'" itions sliows ii capture of six branded seals, 
 out of a lotal lake of aliout MO.OdO of tlivse animals ai sea, but it would be unfair to 
 draw any deductions from these facts until the number, nge and sex of seals branded 
 on tlie r'rihylov Islands each season is known. 
 
 As in previous seasons, the sealers report the seals plentiful, but beeoniinj,' more 
 wary and dldicuit to secure. This is but natural, considering their constant pursuit by 
 llie sealers and the disturbance caused by patrolling steamships for a number of years 
 past. 
 
 The weather is reported to have been bad for the Behring Sea season, the earlier part 
 lieiiiu marked by unusual fogs and rains, and the latter part by the prevalence of 
 generally bad weather and gales. 
 
 l>y reference to the sl;itistical abstract above given, it will be seen that the number 
 of white men employed on the sealing lleet of 35 vessels was 330, and the number of 
 Indians, r>7.S. In 1S'J7 the numbers employed in 41 vessels were 495 w'altes and 587 
 Indians. 'I'he tendency is more and more to employ Indians instead of waite men, on 
 tlu' ground of economy. 
 
 
 
 PATlJOIi. 
 
 The United Slates Government seems to have taken no part whatever, during 1898, 
 in the patrol of the Behring Sea and Nortli Pacilic Ocean, as regards pelagic sealing, 
 leaving that duty entirely to Her Britannic Majesty's Government, who entrusted this 
 Avork to Her Majesty's ships "Amphion," "Icarus" and "Pheasant," with the result 
 that one sealing schooner was seized, as explained under another heading. 
 
 SEIZURE. 
 
 The Canadian sealing schooner " Otto," Captain Gosse, was seized by Capt. Finuis, 
 of H.M.S. " Amphion," in Behring Sea on the 10th September, 1898, for an Infraction of 
 

 
 i 
 
 Artl('l<* 1 of Ifie TarlH Awiirtl lOKuIatloiis. that Is to say capluriiiL;' seals uitlilu flic •;<> iiillo 
 zone. 'I'lio r-aptaln admitted the ot'lV-ncc, hut pU'adcd I'Xifmialinu (iiciiuisL'iiiri's. I'lir vfssi'l 
 \\:\H liroimiit lo trial in tlii" Vice Admlnilty (,'ourl, of lii'itisli Coluiiihla <Mi tlu' liSih 
 Novcinhcr, tho (]hk'f .Ttistico j)n'sldin^'. 
 
 'I'lu' t'vldouut' offci'cd was \<> tlu' <'ff('< I that thu v<'ssi 1 was found ahoct K' miU's Iiisl'lc 
 tho prohthlti'd /.one. \YUh Iut canoeH out, cnyaiAvd in soaliiiy;. The day \""'« '''^""' ^i'"' 
 the nuistcr t'udcavoun'd lo explain tlu.> prcsonce of his veshol uiihlu tUo zono by statintf 
 ihat iH' was uiiahlc tin.' daj hi'foro to lake ohsorva lions, ov, Inp to thili w.'allu-r. ,ind 
 also on account of his lu'lns; misled by a chart, showln;,' the curi'euls. Ifc fuilh.'r staled 
 that on the Sth Septendier he l-eHeved his vessel was el.nht niilos 'Uitsi le Ihe Zi.ne, by 
 dead reckoning, and on the Ulh that he was 4h nillos outside, anil that while lie was 
 under tho unpressioii lliat he w;is u-eltlii- further from tho line, the current was )lavln^' 
 tho opposite effect, and he had taken no observations bofore the boat- went out In the 
 
 inorninii;. 
 
 Althou-h the suit was entered for cnnns.'atlon. a lino only was pres^ed for. 
 
 Tho text of the jud.miient is as follows :— 
 
 "The more fact, which is adniillod. Iliat 1lie ship was enpvu'od in se.-ilinix In pro- 
 hibited waters constilules an ofence under the Act. The shlj) "Minnie." 'Jo S. C at p. 
 484. Mr. T'oolev stated that he could only ask for a lino. Captain I'Mnnis, tho scl/.iicj: 
 office, havlnjr attributed carelessness to tho ipaslor. Where the owner of a ship employs 
 a compotont master and furnishes hlin with proper instninioiils. and the inasl-r uses 
 duo dllisonco, but for some unforeseen causi'. .'luainst which no proca'-'ion reasonably 
 necessary to be taken can Ruard, is fouu'i si.'alin-- where soallu? is forbidden, the Court 
 would 1)0 w(41 exercised by tho imposition e > nominal fine oiilv. 
 
 "But in this case tho master, for eisin thiys immedialoly pnccilinLj; Ihe day of 
 seizure, was knowin.tily sealing in the cloi^e vichiity of the i)r(d.ibiied /one. aud while 1 
 am desirous of makinff every allowar". for him because of his haviuLv boon misled as to 
 tho current by the cnnrt upon which he r^liod. and in the ditHcultli's owlnp: lo bad 
 V eather, and "to his men not beiu.i; well under control. 1 cannot ac(iuir lilm of great 
 carelessness in not takinj; a sight on that day before allowin.t; his men to lea\e tlie sl\ip. 
 
 " Havini? regard lo the limit of £rn)0, I think tho justice of tlie case will be met by 
 the InUlction of a fine of £2(M>, upon payment of which, witliiu one mouih, the ship, 
 equipaji'o and cargo will bo released." 
 
 The fine was paid by tho owners. 
 
 DISASTER. 
 
 The sealing schooner " TMoneor," of Victoria, B.C., is reported missing, her last port 
 of call being Ounahiska, and no doubt now exists as to her loss. 
 
 The " rioneor" was a vessel of To tons, and carried a crow of six white men and 'JO 
 Indians from the west coast of Vancouver Island. On leaving Ounalaska she had on 
 board 453 seal skins, taken in Behring Sea. 
 
 This is the only disaster or loss of life among tho fleet reported this season. 
 
 Din.OVATIC ^J3f;OTIATIONS. 
 
 The report for 1897 contains considerable reference to diplomatic negotiations and 
 expert investigation into seal life, embracing the text of the findings of the fur-seal 
 exports who held a conference in Washington during th;it year, looking to possible 
 
 revision of tho Taris Regulations. t- •. , ..* * 
 
 The principal correspondence between the Premier of Canada aud the Lnited states 
 negotiator, Mr. Foster, leading up to a basis for an International Joint High Ct-muussion. 
 for the adjustment of questions pending between Canada and the United States, was 
 
 also published. ^^ ,r • .^ . .< 
 
 The Minister of Marine and Fisheries having, on behalf of Her Majesty s t,overu- 
 ment agreed in May last at Washington to a protocol for a reference to such .loiut High 
 Commission of outstanding differences between Canada and the United States, the 
 Behring Sea seal question was referred to that tribunal by such protocol as follows :- 
 
10 
 
 " First— Tlio questions in re&pect to tlie fur-seals in Behiing Soa and the waters of 
 tlio Xoftli I'nciric: Oeonn." 
 
 Tlio Joint High Connnisslou formally opened at Qiieboo on the 23rd August, 1898, 
 and after many sittings there and at Wasliiugton. adjourned on the 20th February, 
 1899. to renss(Miil)le at Quebec on tlie 2iid August next. 
 
 As the Beliring .Sea (luestiou is one of those receiving the consideration of the Joint 
 High Commission, It has passed, for the time being, out of the ordinary channel of 
 correspondence between the different Governments, hence the past year has been marked 
 by an abs(>nce of pro])osals and arrangements hitherto ol^taining each season in the 
 prosecution of the sealing industi;- nnd tlie application of the legislation under which it 
 is conducted. 
 
 By the terms of the rar,is Award, llie regulations for the government of the seal 
 fishei'y in Behring Sea and the North I'iicilic Ocean, were to be subjected to a new ex- 
 amination every live years, so as to euiilile both interested C4overuments to consider 
 wlielher. in tlie light of the past experience, there was occasion for any modilication 
 thei'eof. 
 
 Tlie representations made to the Canadian Government by those engaged in the 
 seiilinu,- indusfry in Brifisli Columbia, were to the effect that no jnodiflcatious of these 
 reunlaiioiis sliould l)e agreed to in the nature of further limitations to the business, but 
 tli.'it. oji tlie contrary, the successful prosecution of the industry deuiaudod that the 
 existing restriL'tioHs should lie curtailed iilike as to the close season and as to the pro- 
 tective zone aroun(i the I'ribylov Islands. 
 
 x\s the United States Government would not entertnin ;;'iy proposals in cither of these 
 directions, jiud it did not seem to the C:iuadian Goverauieui itossible for them, having 
 duo regard .to the Interests of those engaged in the sealing industry, to consent to any 
 further limitations upon the operations of the sealers, it was found impossible to agree 
 upon any change in the Paris Award regulr.tions. 
 
 THE BEUniNG Sr.A CLAIMS COMMISSION. 
 
 The aw.'irds of tliis commission, in respect of Canadian sealing schooners seized and 
 otherwise interl'ered wltli, and of persons damuified through personnl arrest and im- 
 prisonment b the United States authorities prior to the findings of the Paris Arbitra- 
 tion, wer'^ jmblished in detail in last year's report. 
 
 The ^ .al a>,'ard, i?-t7;!,151.2r) was paid over to Canada, and, after much research and 
 inf]uiry, was divided on an equitable basis between tlie parties entitled thereto as owners, 
 masters, hunters, ivc in the case of some 23 vessels, and between the 14 participants in 
 the personal claims for detention and imprisonmi'ut. One Inuidred and sixteen cheques 
 have already been issued and placed in the liands of the Collector of Customs at Victoria 
 for delivery to the jiarties eiililled to reetMvo llio amounts allotted them. 
 
 Owing to the great lapse of tune between the seizures, which began in 1880, and the 
 final adjustmenr of the clriiins in ISOS. it is obvious that dilHculties were to be expected 
 in I'i'a'-liiiig everyliody eiitiiled to iiarticipate in the recompense. Some few claimants 
 have been lost sight of. and others liave died, and their heirs not yet been found. There 
 ;ire. tlierc^fore, some isolated cases in which cl:eqnes have not yet issued, while in one or 
 two otlier instances fm-iher information is to be obtained before final payment is made 
 1o claiTiiants. 
 
 A sum of l)etween !?i 1.000 and Sir.,000. allotted to Indian hunters on board the seized 
 sealing schooners is yet undistributed, as tlie major portion of the sum is payable to such 
 of the west coast Indians as were engaged as hunters on board the vessels seized as 
 far back as 18S(i. 1S87 and 1SS9. All possible information is being collected on the sub- 
 ject, and it is expected th;t the department will be in a position to distribute this portion 
 of the award at an early date. 
 
 The co-operation of the ludi.an Department has been obtained, with a view to facili- 
 tate this end. 
 
11 
 
 RUSSIAN AWAKD— SEIZURE OF " WILLIE S['(JOWAN " AND " ARIEL." 
 
 In the report for 1897, page 3G5, It Is pxplainetl that the Russian Government had 
 made an offer of $40,078.75 as compnnsntion for the seizure, in 1892, of the two above- 
 mentioned sealing schooners in th(> Xortli Pacific Ocean. 
 
 This offer was accepted by both Ilor Ma.jesry's (loverument and that of Canada, and 
 the money was paid over for distril)uHoii. 
 
 On examination of the details of llie Ttiissian offer, It Avas found that the amaunt was 
 divided between the two vessels as follows : — 
 
 " Willie McGowan " !|;'J0,<i4L> IG 
 
 " Ariel " 19,4;'U 59 
 
 Total ;?40.07S 75 
 
 After proper pi-ecautious had been tnl<en to establish the persons to whom this 
 money was payable, cheques were issued to the owners oL' the respective vessels for the 
 amounts due them, thus affording a salisfactory conclusiou to this claim ay'aiust the 
 Russian Government. 
 
 ARIUTr.ATIOX OF SKIZUKE- RY RUSSIxV IN 1892. 
 
 The seizure of Canadian sealing sclKioners ])y the Russian (iovernmont in 1892 Is 
 fully explained in the departmental report for tliat year, and tli? (luestiou is continued at 
 considerable length in that tor the following year (l.'^:03). 
 
 From the above, it will be observed that on the protest of Croat Britain, the Russian 
 Government submitted the question of tlie seizures to a special commission of its own 
 appointment. The decision of thi;; ccn'mission foiir.l that, wltli the exception of the 
 "Willie McGowan" and the "Ariel," for which vessels compoisatlnn lias been paid, as 
 explained above, the seizures were rcgulai- and could be maintained. 
 
 Owing to conflicting statements, more especially witl\ regard to the position of the 
 vessels when seized, considerable diplomatic correspondence ensued, which resulted In 
 the Russian Government tinally agreeing to submit the cases of the remaining vessels 
 to arbitration. These vessels are: " Rosie Olsen," " L'armolite," "Maria." "Vancouver 
 Belle," "Walter P. Hall," " C. H. 'l^ippev," boat of the " E. 15. Marvin," boats of tli,i 
 
 " W. P. Sayward." 
 
 All possible information has been coUe-^ted, and evcty meat's has been talien to 
 properly and formally pr.'S.'Ut these claims for arbitration. 
 
 The arbitrator chosen by iliC ihreo Governments .-oucerned was :\Ionsiour Alphonse 
 Rivier. President of the Institute of International Law, and Consul-Geueral for .Switzer- 
 land at Brussels, and everything w.is in readiness to proceed, l)Ut in Sei>tend)er, 1898, the 
 death of ilonsieur Rivier was announced, and a resort tu displomatic correspondence 
 became again necessary, for the choice of n successor, who has been agreed upon by the 
 Ganadian'^Governmentand that of Her Majesty, in the person of Mr. Henning Matzen, 
 Professor of Law at the University of Copenhagen. 
 
 No doubt as little delay as possible will occur in the arbitration of these claims. 
 
 Respectfully submitted. 
 
 R. N. VENNING. 
 
 Otiawa,