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Unalaska and Aleutian Island photograph album, 1911- circa 1913

Overview of the Collection

Title
Unalaska and Aleutian Island photograph album
Dates
1911- circa 1913 (inclusive)
Quantity
132 silver print photographs in album (1 box)
3 negatives (3 folders) ; 4.5 in x 6.75 in
1 photograph (1 folder)
Collection Number
PH1313
Summary
Photographs of scenes in Unalaska, Aleutian Islands, and Bering Sea including images of whaling, canneries, native Alaskan, and volcanos
Repository
University of Washington Libraries, Special Collections
Special Collections
University of Washington Libraries
Box 352900
Seattle, WA
98195-2900
Telephone: 2065431929
Fax: 2065431931
speccoll@uw.edu
Access Restrictions

The collection is open to the public.

Album spine has detached from album pages.

Request at UW

Languages
English
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Historical Background

The island of Unalaska was first inhabited by the Aleut people. Between 1963 and 1766, the first Russian group came to trade. By 1774, a permanent Russian fur trading post was established on Unalaska. On October 18, 1967, the U.S. purchased Alaska. Between 1988 and 1905, the Gold Rush brought many ships through Dutch Harbor. Dutch Harbor is a natural port that protects ships from the waves and currents if the Bering Sea. The harbor is close to some of the richest fishing in the world, and is ice-free.

Between 1865 and 1900, an average of 10 ships annually fished for cod in Alaska. The introduction of the canning process sparked development of Alaska's large salmon fisheries. By the end the 19th century, 42 salmon canneries operated in Alaska. In 1878, Alaska canneries packed 8,000 cases of salmon; in 1900, they packed 1.5 million cases. By 1917, 118 canneries operated in Alaska, That year, they packed more than half of the worlds's supply of salmon, nearly six million cases valued at $46 million. From the beginning, non-residents dominated the salmon fishing and canning industry in Alaska.

In the 1740s to 1780s, the Russian Orthodox religion had been informally introduced by the fur traders. In 1784, the first resident missionaries and clergymen were introduced. This missionary activity would continue into the 19th century, ultimately becoming the most visible trace of the Russian colonial period in contemporary Alaska. The Aleut accepted the Russian Orthodox Church because it offered them support and educated their children.

In June 1912, Alaska experienced the world's largest volcanic eruption of the 20th century at Novarupta. The eruption spread downwind more fallout than all other historical Alaskan eruptions combined. Although, almost all the magma erupted at the Novarupta vent, most of it was stirred beneath Mount Katmai, 10 kilometers away, which collapsed during eruption. Airborne ash from the 3-day event blanketed all of southern Alaska. Humans directly affected by the eruption were located in Katmai village, Douglas village, and Kodiak village. Most of the Douglas and Katmai village inhabitants were at summer fishing camps on Kaflia Bay. The few Katmai villagers left behind fled in fear early on June 6 when the earthquakes worsened. After the eruption, darkness, and suffocating conditions caused by the falling ash and sulfur dioxide gas rendered villagers helpless. Buildings were destroyed as avalanches of ash rushed down from nearby hillsides. Because of the damage done to the villages, a total of 92 survivors of the settlements of Katmai and Douglas were resettled at Ivanof Bay. There were no fatalities.

Whaling was very risky but profitable. Although the price of whale oil dropped by half in the 1870s, the price of baleen rose. Between 1875 and 1900, baleen replaced oil as the most valued product of whale hunting. In 1884, the Pacific Steam Whaling Company of San Francisco established a whaling station at Point Barrow, Alaska. This first shore station in the arctic was so successful that within a few years 15 stations operated along the coast. Stram-powered whaling ships arrived off Alaska's coast about the time that the first shore stations opened, which proved successful. However, soon whaling ships began to disappear but shore whaling continued. The United States Whaling Company operated at Port Armstrong. The company killed 314 whales in 1912, its first season of operation.

An Aleut is a native of the Aleutian Islands and the western portion of the Alaska Peninsula of northwestern North America. Before contact, there was estimate of around 25,000 Aleuts. However, the number of Aleut has dwindled to about 2,000 as they suffered high fatalities in the 19th and early 20th centuries from new diseases and the disruption of their traditional lifestyles. Barbaras were the traditional, main or communal dwellings used by the Alutiiq people of Aleuts. They lay partially underground like an earth lodge or pit-house, and most of the house was excavated from the dirt so as to withstand the high forces of the wind in the Aleutian chain of islands. The roof of a barabara was generally made from sod and grass layered over a frame of wood or whalebone, contained a roof doorway for entry, and has a small hole in the ceiling to allow smoke to escape. Barabaras are no longer used.

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Content Description

Photograph album of scenes in Alaska, mostly in Unalaska, the Aleutian Islands, and the Bering Sea. It includes images of whaling canneries, and cannery ships, Native Alaskans, sailors, wildlife, and volcanoes. Also, shows images of Russian Orthodox Churches in Alaska. Some of the photos show the area just after the 1912 eruption of Katmai.

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Use of the Collection

Alternative Forms Available

View selections from the collection in digital format

Restrictions on Use

Restrictions may exist on reproduction, quotation, or publication. Contact Special Collections, University of Washington Libraries for details.

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Administrative Information

Preservation Note

Album spine has detached from album pages.

Acquisition Information

Source: William Reese Company, 2014.

Processing Note

Processed by Rebecca Harmsen, 2014; Justine Lopez, 2015.

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Detailed Description of the Collection

 

  • Album

    • Description: Bering Sea sunset over water
      Dates: circa 1911-1913
      Container: Album 1, Item 1
      Location: Album
    • Description: Isanotski Volcano on Unimak Island
      Dates: circa1911- 1913
      Container: Album 1, Item 2
      Location: Album
    • Description: Shishaldin Volcano on Unimak Island
      Dates: circa 1911-1913
      Container: Album 1, Item 3
      Location: Album
    • Description: Pavlof Volcano on Unimak Island
      Dates: circa 1911- 1913
      Container: Album 1, Item 4
      Location: Album
    • Description: Makushin Volcano on Unalaska Island
      Dates: circa 1911- 1913
      Container: Album 1, Item 5
      Location: Album
    • Description: Ulakta Head on Unalaska Island
      Dates: circa 1911-1913
      Container: Album 1, Item 6
      Location: Album
    • Description: Dutch Harbor seen from Mount Ballyhoo, Unalaska Island
      Dates: circa 1911-1913
      Container: Album 1, Item 7a
      Location: Album
    • Description: Houses along curving shore, Iliuliuk Bay, Unalaska Island
      Dates: circa 1911-1913
      Container: Album 1, Item 7b
      Location: Album
    • Description: View of Mount Ballyhoo from water, Unalaska Island
      Dates: circa 1911-1913
      Container: Album 1, Item 7c
      Location: Album
    • Description: Houses on Unalaska Island
      Dates: circa 1911- 1913
      Container: Album 1, Item 8a-b
      Location: Album
    • Description: View of Dutch Harbor from water, Unalaska Island
      Dates: circa 1911-1913
      Container: Album 1, Item 8c-d
      Location: Album
    • Description: Native cemetery in Unalaska Island
      Dates: circa 1911-1913
      Container: Album 1, Item 9a-b
      Location: Album
    • Description: View of Beaver Inlet, Unalaska Island
      Dates: circa1911-1913
      Container: Album 1, Item 9c-d
      Location: Album
    • Description: Bellkaffski Village, Alaska Peninsula
      Dates: circa 1911- 1913
      Container: Album 1, Item 10a,c
      Location: Album
    • Description: View of Birorka Island by the Gulf of Alaska
      Dates: circa 1911-1913
      Container: Album 1, Item 10b
      Location: Album
    • Description: Kings Cove on the Alaska Peninsula
      Dates: circa 1911- 1913
      Container: Album 1, Item 10d
      Location: Album
    • Description: Northern view from Nazan Bay, Atka Island
      Dates: circa 1911-1913
      Container: Album 1, Item 11a-b
      Location: Album
    • Description: Alaska headlands
      Dates: circa 1911- 1913
      Container: Album 1, Item 11c-d
      Location: Album
    • Description: Unalaska Harbor
      Dates: circa 1911-1913
      Container: Album 1, Item 12a
      Location: Album
    • Description: View of Beaver Inlet
      Dates: circa 1911- 1913
      Container: Album 1, Item 12b
      Location: Album
    • Description: View of Unalaska Bay
      Dates: circa 1911-1913
      Container: Album 1, Item 12c
      Location: Album
    • Description: Shore of Saint Paul Island in the Bering Sea
      Dates: circa 1911- 1913
      Container: Album 1, Item 12d
      Location: Album
    • Description: Large rock formation on Unga Island, near Alaskan Peninsula
      Dates: circa 1911-1913
      Container: Album 1, Item 13a
      Location: Album
    • Description: Unalga Island
      Dates: circa 1911-1913
      Container: Album 1, Item 13b
      Location: Album
    • Description: Bird rookery on Unga Island
      Dates: circa 1911-1913
      Container: Album 1, Item 13c
      Location: Album
    • Description: Bogoslof volcano eruption

      On September 18, 1910, the new central peak that been forming since 1909 was in a state of eruption. Immense clouds of vapor, smoke and ashes issued from the peak and enveloped the entire island. Two days later, the peak was still steaming. The eruption opened a true crater in the top of the peak. The photo in the album is dated 1911. There are no reports on Bogoslof for 1911 to 1912.

      Dates: 1911
      Container: Album 1, Item 14a
      Location: Album
    • Description: Pavlof Bay near the Alaskan Peninsula
      Dates: circa 1911-1913
      Container: Album 1, Item 14b
      Location: Album
    • Description: Dutch Harbor seen from water
      Dates: circa 1911-1913
      Container: Album 1, Item 14c
      Location: Album
    • Description: View of hills at Ivanof Bay, near Alaskan Peninsula
      Dates: circa 1911-1913
      Container: Album 1, Item 14d
      Location: Album
    • Description: A waterfall, Atka Island

      Written on album page: a good trout pool.

      Dates: circa 1911-1913
      Container: Album 1, Item 15a
      Location: Album
    • Description: Two children fishing in a trout stream, Atka Island

      Written on album page: with twine and pin.

      Dates: circa 1911-1913
      Container: Album 1, Item 15b-c
      Location: Album
    • Description: A stream, Atka Island

      Written on album page: trout brook.

      Dates: circa 1911-1913
      Container: Album 1, Item 15d
      Location: Album
    • Description: Sea covered with lava from Mount Katmai volcano eruption

      Written on album page: 100 miles from Mount Katmai Eruption.

      Dates: June 1912
      Container: Album 1, Item 16a
      Location: Album
    • Description: Trees covered with lava on Kodiak Island
      Dates: 1912
      Container: Album 1, Item 16b
      Location: Album
    • Description: Village covered with ash from Mount Katmai eruption

      Written on album page: after first rain -soft deep mud.

      Dates: 1912
      Container: Album 1, Item 17a
      Location: Album
    • Description: Garden covered in volcanic ash from Mount Katmai

      Written on album page: a garden without weeds.

      Dates: 1912
      Container: Album 1, Item 17b
      Location: Album
    • Description: Farmland covered in volcanic ash from Mount Katmai

      Written on album page: no feed for cattle.

      Dates: 1912
      Container: Album 1, Item 18a
      Location: Album
    • Description: Vegetation on farm killed due to ash
      Dates: 1912
      Container: Album 1, Item 18b
      Location: Album
    • Description: Three men standing by a volcanic dust slide from Mount Katmai
      Dates: 1912
      Container: Album 1, Item 19a
      Location: Album
    • Description: Natives hauling seine net on shore

      One fishing method used by smaller operators was to drag seines which were nets pulled across a salmon run.

      Dates: circa 1911-1913
      Container: Album 1, Item 19b
      Location: Album
    • Description: Group of Natives from Katmai and Douglas

      Written on album page: destroyed by Mount Katmai eruption.

      Dates: 1912
      Container: Album 1, Item 20
      Location: Album
    • Description: Group of men pulling in canoes, Ivanof Bay
      Dates: circa 1911-1913
      Container: Album 1, Item 21
      Location: Album
    • Description: Man clearing away lava from house
      Dates: 1912
      Container: Album 1, Item 22
      Location: Album
    • Description: Group of men by new houses on Perry Island near Prince William Sound
      Dates: circa 1911-1913
      Container: Album 1, Item 23
      Location: Album
    • Description: Canneries at Karluk, Kodiak Island
      Dates: circa 1911-1913
      Container: Album 1, Item 24
      Location: Album
    • Description: Interior of a salmon cannery
      Dates: circa 1911-1913
      Container: Album 1, Item 25
      Location: Album
    • Description: Iron Chink machine in cannery

      In 1903, Alaska cannery owners began to introduce salmon-butchering machines such as the Iron Chink. The Iron Chink would cut off the head, tail, and fins of a fish; split it down the belly; remove the entrails; and clean the fish. These machines replaced 15 to 30 cannery line workers, and increased the rate of production.

      Dates: circa 1911-1913
      Container: Album 1, Item 26
      Location: Album
    • Description: Cannery tender ships on water

      Cannery tenders were important since they supported fishing vessels by transporting their catches to canneries, allowing the fisherman to stay at sea longer and keep fishing.

      Dates: circa 1911-1913
      Container: Album 1, Item 27a-b
      Location: Album
    • Description: Cutting apart a whale at the Akutan Whaling Station, Akutan Island
      Dates: circa 1911-1913
      Container: Album 1, Item 28
      Location: Album
    • Description: Three men removing whale blubber in small boat
      Dates: circa1911-1913
      Container: Album 1, Item 29
      Location: Album
    • Description: Whale carcass being processed in building

      Written on album page: the carcass to be cut up and oil extracted.

      Dates: circa 1911- 1913
      Container: Album 1, Item 30
      Location: Album
    • Description: Whale carcass on the dock

      Written on album page: Not a Pleasing sight -(or order).

      Dates: circa 1911-1913
      Container: Album 1, Item 31
      Location: Album
    • Description: Seals on the shore of Seal Island, off the coast of Afognak Island
      Dates: circa 1911-1913
      Container: Album 1, Item 32
      Location: Album
    • Description: Large gathering of seals, Seal Islands
      Dates: circa 1911-1913
      Container: Album 1, Item 33
      Location: Album
    • Description: Seal, "Old Henry" calling his harem
      Dates: circa 1911-1913
      Container: Album 1, Item 34a
      Location: Album
    • Description: Seal, "Old Henry" and seal pups
      Dates: circa 1911-1913
      Container: Album 1, Item 34b-35a
      Location: Album
    • Description: Group of seal pups

      Written in album page: the pups are kept together.

      Dates: circa 1911-1913
      Container: Album 1, Item 35b
      Location: Album
    • Description: Seals overlooking the water on Seal Island

      Caption on album page: The seal choose rocky places.

      Dates: circa 1911-1913
      Container: Album 1, Item 36
      Location: Album
    • Description: Seal, "Old Henry" protecting his harem
      Dates: circa 1911-1913
      Container: Album 1, Item 37
      Location: Album
    • Description: Seals on rocky shores of Seals Island
      Dates: circa 1911-1913
      Container: Album 1, Item 38a-b
      Location: Album
    • Description: Birds on rocky cliff
      Dates: circa 1911-1913
      Container: Album 1, Item 39-40a
      Location: Album
    • Description: Man standing on cliff with birds
      Dates: circa 1911-1913
      Container: Album 1, Item 40b
      Location: Album
    • Description: Russian Orthodox cross on cliff
      Dates: circa 1911-1913
      Container: Album 1, Item 41a
      Location: Album
    • Description: Group of birds on rocky shores
      Dates: circa 1911-1913
      Container: Album 1, Item 41b
      Location: Album
    • Description: View of fishing boat from shore
      Dates: circa 1911-1913
      Container: Album 1, Item 42
      Location: Album
    • Description: Russian Orthodox priest
      Dates: circa 1911-1913
      Container: Album 1, Item 43a
      Location: Album
    • Description: House surrounded by Russian Orthodox crosses
      Dates: circa 1911-1913
      Container: Album 1, Item 43b
      Location: Album
    • Description: A barbara, Aleutian Islands
      Dates: circa 1911-1913
      Container: Album 1, Item 44a
      Location: Album
    • Description: Russian Orthodox church
      Dates: circa 1911-1913
      Container: Album 1, Item 44b
      Location: Album
    • Description: Two people in front of a barabara
      Dates: circa 1911-1913
      Container: Album 1, Item 45a
      Location: Album
    • Description: A barabara with a Russian Orthodox Church in distance

      Same church from item image 44b.

      Dates: circa 1911-1913
      Container: Album 1, Item 45b
      Location: Album
    • Description: Six native children sitting on crate at a dock
      Dates: circa 1911-1913
      Container: Album 1, Item 45c
      Location: Album
    • Description: Man standing by a barabara
      Dates: circa 1911-1913
      Container: Album 1, Item 46a
      Location: Album
    • Description: Six native children on a crate

      Same children in item 45c.

      Dates: circa 1911-1913
      Container: Album 1, Item 46b
      Location: Album
    • Description: Standing shelter with netting on roof
      Dates: circa 1911-1913
      Container: Album 1, Item 46c
      Location: Album
    • Description: Two children fishing at Trout Brook

      Same children as item 15c-b.

      Dates: circa 1911-1913
      Container: Album 1, Item 46d
      Location: Album
    • Description: Two men standing by a barabara
      Dates: circa 1911-1913
      Container: Album 1, Item 47a
      Location: Album
    • Description: Two native children standing on shore
      Dates: circa 1911-1913
      Container: Album 1, Item 47b
      Location: Album
    • Description: Interior of Russian Orthodox Church

      The iconostasis is a large screen between the nave and sanctuary covered with icons of principal persons of the faith. The doors in the center are called the Royal Doors; only clerics are allowed to pass through these doors. The doors to the left and right side of the Royal Doors are the deacon doors. These doors serve as exit and entrance to the Sanctuary for the alter servers during service.

      Dates: circa 1911-1913
      Container: Album 1, Item 48
      Location: Album
    • Description: Long building built from earth and ground cover
      Dates: circa 1911-1913
      Container: Album 1, Item 49a-b
      Location: Album
    • Description: Sailing vessel on the Bering Sea
      Dates: circa 1911-1913
      Container: Album 1, Item 50a
      Location: Album
    • Description: Dog sitting on hind legs with front legs in air on a boat
      Dates: circa 1911-1913
      Container: Album 1, Item 50b
      Location: Album
    • Description: View of steam-powered ship on the Bering Sea
      Dates: circa 1911-1913
      Container: Album 1, Item 51a
      Location: Album
    • Description: View of sailing vessel on the Bering Sea
      Dates: circa 1911-1913
      Container: Album 1, Item 51b
      Location: Album
    • Description: Fishing vessel on water
      Dates: circa 1911-1913
      Container: Album 1, Item 52a
      Location: Album
    • Description: Steam-powered ship coming into harbor
      Dates: circa 1911-1913
      Container: Album 1, Item 52b
      Location: Album
    • Description: View of Alaskan shore
      Dates: circa 1911-1913
      Container: Album 1, Item 53b
      Location: Album
    • Description: Man standing on deck of boat
      Dates: circa 1911-1913
      Container: Album 1, Item 54a
      Location: Album
    • Description: Four men by a bench with dead birds on a ship
      Dates: circa 1911-1913
      Container: Album 1, Item 54b
      Location: Album
    • Description: Dead fish on deck of fishing vessel
      Dates: circa 1911-1913
      Container: Album 1, Item 55a
      Location: Album
    • Description: Man holding up dead bird

      Same man in item image 54b.

      Dates: circa 1911-1913
      Container: Album 1, Item 55b
      Location: Album
    • Description: A sailor standing by railing of ship
      Dates: circa 1911-1913
      Container: Album 1, Item 56a
      Location: Album
    • Description: Seven sailors on a ship
      Dates: circa 1911-1913
      Container: Album 1, Item 56b
      Location: Album
    • Description: Man swinging off side of boat near shore
      Dates: circa 1911-1913
      Container: Album 1, Item 57a
      Location: Album
    • Description: Three sailors with Russian Orthodox priest on a dock

      Same priest from item image 43a.

      Dates: circa 1911-1913
      Container: Album 1, Item 57b
      Location: Album
    • Description: Group of men loading cargo onto ship
      Dates: circa 1911-1913
      Container: Album 1, Item 57c
      Location: Album
    • Description: Two sailors on deck of ship
      Dates: circa 1911-1913
      Container: Album 1, Item 57d
      Location: Album
    • Description: Sailors in a pie eating contest
      Dates: circa 1911-1913
      Container: Album 1, Item 58a
      Location: Album
    • Description: Native man listening to a man playing piano
      Dates: circa 1911-1913
      Container: Album 1, Item 58b
      Location: Album
    • Description: Sailor standing on dock
      Dates: circa 1911-1913
      Container: Album 1, Item 58c
      Location: Album
    • Description: Two sailors and a woman standing by house surrounded by lumber
      Dates: circa 1911-1913
      Container: Album 1, Item 59
      Location: Album
    • Description: A woman holding a baby and man standing in front of house

      Same man and woman in item image 59.

      Dates: circa 1911-1913
      Container: Album 1, Item 60a
      Location: Album
    • Description: View of buildings along shore, Atka Island
      Dates: circa 1911-1913
      Container: Album 1, Item 60b
      Location: Album
    • Description: View of sun setting, Alaska
      Dates: circa 1911-1913
      Container: Album 1, Item 61a
      Location: Album
    • Description: View of small waterfall
      Dates: circa 1911-1913
      Container: Album 1, Item 61b
      Location: Album
    • Description: View of large fishing vessel on water
      Dates: circa 1911-1913
      Container: Album 1, Item 62a
      Location: Album
    • Description: People canoeing in open water
      Dates: circa 1911-1913
      Container: Album 1, Item 62b-c
      Location: Album
    • Description: View of large fishing vessel

      Same vessel in item 62a.

      Dates: circa 1911-1913
      Container: Album 1, Item 62d
      Location: Album
    • Description: View of fishing vessel
      Dates: circa 1911-1913
      Container: Album 1, Item 63a-b
      Location: Album
    • Description: Two men on deck of boat
      Dates: circa 1911-1913
      Container: Album 1, Item 64a
      Location: Album
    • Description: Four men on boat

      Same two men in center in item 64a.

      Dates: circa 1911-1913
      Container: Album 1, Item 64b
      Location: Album
    • Description: Two Native American men on deck of boat

      Same men in image item 61b.

      Dates: circa 1911-1913
      Container: Album 1, Item 64c
      Location: Album
    • Description: Two vessels sinking
      Dates: circa 1911-1913
      Container: Album 1, Item 65a
      Location: Album
    • Description: Three men on a small boat
      Dates: circa 1911-1913
      Container: Album 1, Item 65b
      Location: Album
    • Description: Small boat sailing with American flag
      Dates: circa 1911-1913
      Container: Album 1, Item 65c
      Location: Album
    • Description: Man sitting on the side of small boat

      Same boat as item image 65c.

      Scanned from negative.

      Dates: circa 1911-1913
      Container: Box/Folder 1/1, Item 66
      Location: Album
    • Description: New houses on Perry Island near Prince William Sound

      Similar item as image 23.

      Scanned from negatives.

      Dates: circa 1911-1913
      Container: Box/Folder 1/1, Item 67-68
      Location: Album
    • Description: Two men in native canoe
      Dates: circa 1911-1913
      Container: Box/Folder 1/1, Item 69
      Location: Album

Names and SubjectsReturn to Top

Subject Terms

  • Volcanic euptions--Alaska--Photographs
  • Volcanism--Effect of environment on--Alaska--Photographs

Geographical Names

  • Atka Island (Alaska)--Photographs
  • Katmai, Mount (Alaska)--Eruption, 1912--Photographs
  • Shishaldin Volcano (Alaska)--Photographs
  • Unalaska (Alaska)--Photographs
  • Unalaska Island (Alaska)--Photographs

Form or Genre Terms

  • Photographic prints

Names and SubjectsReturn to Top

Subject Terms

  • Visual Materials Collections (University of Washington)


2015 (Last modified: 4/19/2018)

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