Pribilof Island Logbook, St. George Island
12/1884
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Logbook contains information concerning sealing activities on the Pribilof Islands, the weather, activities of the Alaska Native (Aleut) population, and deliveries of supplies by U.S. government vessels.
Transcript
388December 1884
1. Visited Starie Ateel returning by way of North rookery. Saw no seals at either place Gunning privileges extended to all parts of the island. A cold blustering day. Ther 26 above, a violent wind, snow squalls every few hours2. Tuesday.—Issued 2300 pounds of coal. Coldest day yet, ther 23. Visited Little East and East rookeries. Saw no seals. The natives report no seals at either rookery since Nov. 29.
3. Wednesday.—Church holiday, no school.
4. Thursday.—Walked to South side and Garden Cove. Saw no sea-lions. Saw plenty fox tracks but no foxes. The fox catch this year is coming on very slow only about 350 have been brought in so far.
Nov. 13. beleiving the law in regard to issuing sugar was not being abused. The Treas. Agent asked Dr. Qutz what persons were receiving sugar, how much and how often. His reply was Vasilisa Merculiff 1lb. Stepanida [illegible name starting with M], and Esia Merculiff 1 lb. per week each and Saraphina Resangoff 2 lbs. per wk. This statement was only a part of the truth. That evening Dr. Qutz came to the Gov. house much excited and told the Treas Agent he had no right to that information. The reply was the Gov. officer not only had a right, but it was his duty to keep a vigilant watch of that matter. Nov. 28. Dr. Qutz and Mr. Webster A. C. Co’s agent were called to Gov. house and the law concerning the issuing of sugar read to them, and they were told that that matter was under the supervision of the Gov. Officer, and subject to his regulations and restrictions, and that Seraphina Resangoff ^sick, having +3 yrs. of age, who was receiving 2 lbs. per wk. ^ was receiving, four times the quantity allowed by law twice as much as an adult and twice what Dr. Noyes gave her, and that no physician had a right to issue an unlimited supply of sugar, or a sufficient quantity to a sick person to supply a whole family. That’s proper. You are right
5. Friday.—Visited Starie Ateel and North rookeries. Saw no seals
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December 1884.
9. Tuesday.—Visited North rookery, saw one seal. Ground is covered with snow, on the average, about six inches deep. Then, 2-3 A clear day with sunshine.11. Thursday.—Issued 2300 pounds of coal.
13. Saturday.—Visited East and Little East rookeries; no seals.
15. Monday.—Walked to Little East.
18. Thursday.—Church holiday. St Nicholas, no school.
19. Friday.—Not a cold day for 19th Dec. Ther. 40 above. Men off fishing.
20. Saturday.—Mild day, very light [insert mark] 3. c. [end insert] wind, ther. 38 above. Men off fishing.
22. Monday.—Men off fishing. Walked to East rookery.
23. Tuesday.—Issued 2300 lbs. of coal. The natives are painting the inside of the church preparatory for Christmas.
25. Thursday.—Pleasant Christmas day. The usual large delegation of callers to offer congratulations, expecting a material response.
30. Tuesday.—Walked to Starie Ateel. Ther 35 above, wind east, very light, and the ground just slightly covered with snow. The cow brought here last summer for fresh beef was killed last Friday the 26th.
31. Wednesday.—Mist, fog and rain & snow squalls all the month. Average Temp. 34+ highest 43+, lowest 23+. Mean temperature for the year 1884 was 37.6; same for 1883 was 34.2 The wind was from
easterly direction 22 days of month of Dec. During the year 1884 there was 1 marriage, 2 births and 5 deaths. The deaths
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December 1884.
Continued.
occurred in January, March, April, June and November; births May & July; marriage October. Of the deceased one was aged 11/2 yrs ([illegible word]), one age not stated (consumption), one 6 yrs. (pneumonia), one 10 mos. (indigestion), and one 66 yrs. (of old age and general debility.)Since Sept. 1. School enrollment has been 32, and average attendance 30. The first seals reported this year were hauled out May 3, one was seen in the water May 2.; the last reported on shore Nov. 29, one was seen in water Dec. 9. Issued coal three (3) times this month. Three church holidays.
This primary source comes from the Records of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
National Archives Identifier: 297033
Full Citation: Pribilof Island Logbook, St. George Island; 12/1884 ; Records of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Record Group 22. [Online Version, https://docsteach.org/documents/document/6-pribilof-island-logbook-st-george-island, March 28, 2023]Rights: Public Domain, Free of Known Copyright Restrictions. Learn more on our privacy and legal page.
