May-September 1881, Cruise of the Corwin Sketches and Notes Image 5

herring, and halibut; of seals [there are the] hair-seal, sea-lion, and at certain seasons fur seals in abundance, while this Aleutian chain is the favorite haunt of the sea otter, so eagerly pursued for its valuable fur. The ptarmigan, raven, snowbirds, wrens, Arctic sparrows, and a few finches are...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Author: Muir, John
Format: Text
Language:English
Published: Scholarly Commons 1881
Subjects:
Online Access:https://scholarlycommons.pacific.edu/jmj-all/1745
https://scholarlycommons.pacific.edu/context/jmj-all/article/2744/type/native/viewcontent/fullsize.jpg
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Summary:herring, and halibut; of seals [there are the] hair-seal, sea-lion, and at certain seasons fur seals in abundance, while this Aleutian chain is the favorite haunt of the sea otter, so eagerly pursued for its valuable fur. The ptarmigan, raven, snowbirds, wrens, Arctic sparrows, and a few finches are all the land-birds I have noticed during my short stay here. Entering the strait on the seventeenth [of May] we found it calm. Wind and tide were flowing in company, but they were against us, and so strong was the latter that we could not stem it, and were compelled to fall back until it was near the turn. The Aleutian chain extends across the continent to continent-like an imperfect dam between the Pacific and Behring Sea, and through the gaps, between the islands, the tide rushes with tremendous speed and uproar. [Drawing- In [Onalaska] harbor, May 18, 1881] The harbor of Unalaska is excellent, land-locked, and has a good holding bottom. https://scholarlycommons.pacific.edu/jmj-all/2744/thumbnail.jpg