Why Krags were on Alaska's Fur Seal Islands

[Local Boy]

Well BR...with your vast knowledge of Alaskan history we're going to make you an honorary Alaskan citizen!

Here's some more Pribilof history if your up to the task:

https://www.apiai.org/departments/cultural-heritage-department/culture-history/history/

[butlersrangers]

'Local Boy' - Interesting Read! (BTW - I'm not very knowledgeable about Alaska. I'm just an interested Fan).

[butlersrangers]

It would appear 'Teddy' Roosevelt took Solicitor Edward Sims' report very serious and 'yanked some chains'.

In 1907 and 1908, the U.S. Revenue-Cutter vessels were far more active in policing the Seal Islands and cooperative with the Department of Commerce Agents.

Gatling Guns, Hotchkiss Canons, and 43 more Krag rifles were sent, as well as, telephone equipment.

The U.S.N. Cruiser "Buffalo" made an appearance in the Bering Sea.

Note - It would appear that with the addition of 43 Krags, (25 & 18), mentioned in these documents and the 18 that arrivedin 1904, there must have been a total of 61 on the Pribilof Islands in 1908.

There are only 60 Krag rifles listed in the 1911 inventory. (Someone must have lost one?).

[butlersrangers]

Pribilof Islands, March, 1909 - The need for so much firepower is questioned.

Exchange of letters confirms sixty-one Magazine Rifles, five Hotchkiss 1.65 inch Mt. Canons, and three .30 cal. Gatling Guns are on islands.

The need and practice routine are explained.

[butlersrangers]

Report on loss of Revenue-Cutter "Perry".

A beautiful craft!

(Ship and crew pictures from off the internet).

[butlersrangers]

Brief description of duties of native guards:

[butlersrangers]

In 1910 the U.S. Government did not renew the lease for Fur Sealing rights on the Pribilof Islands and took total control of the operations. The buildings and property of the Lessee were purchased. A major Sealing Treaty was worked outbetween GB, Russia, Japan, and the U.S.

A "Gun House" was built in the village on St. Paul Island to contain the Islands 37 Krags, 18 Colt Revolvers, Hotchkiss mountain guns, Gatling Guns, and ammunition.

I poured through the 1200+ pages of the "Alaska Seal Islands" and could not find mention of the missing (sixty-first) Krag. I have a hunch this Telegram, regarding a tragic sailboat capsizing, may offer a potential explanation. (H.D. Chichester was an assistant agent and had become a Doctor. Walter L. Hahn was a Naturalist, assigned to St. Paul Island). Their deaths must have been devastating to the small isolated island community.

Note - My above theory about a Krag (the 61st), possibly, being lost, during the tragic capsizing on May 31, 1911, was wrong. The inventory report accounts for only 60 Krags (by serial number) on January 10, 1911. This report pre-dates the capsizing.

A Krag appears to have 'disappeared' and be unaccounted for between March 22, 1909, and January 10, 1911.

FWIW - The elusive 61st Krag was likely assigned to St. George Island. In 1906, St. George had six modern rifles and six old Springfield (.45-70) rifles.
In 1907, St. George Island received another 18 Krags, which would add up to a total of 24.
Only 23 Krags for St. George are listed in the 1911 inventory. All of St. Paul Island's 37 Krags are accounted for.

[Knute1]

Looks like you made it through the whole document? It sure was a pretty rough existence.

[butlersrangers]

I only stuck with reading through this work, (and copied, and posted relevant pages), because this documentation, IMHO, revealed some good 'Krag Trivia'.

Lots of minor 'nitty gritty': Sixty Krags, known by serial number, used by Alaskan Native guards - who were practiced hunters and good shots, a frontier industry in the northern wilds, lots of little details about arm requisitions, delivery, Krag use, and storage.

I thought it worthy to try to give the buried 'gems' some context.

[Knute1]

I, for one, appreciate all the time you put into this so we didn't have to read the 1200 pages ourselves. It is an interesting and obscure history of Krags, and you seen it here first, folks.