Natural History- Seals and Sealing

Introduction

The first recorded cargo of sealskins and seal oil to be exported from the Falkland Islands was by Louis Bougainville and other French settlers at Port Louis in 1766. By 1774 mixed whaling and sealing voyages were being made by crews from the United States, soon to be followed by British vessels.

The first sealing license was issued in 1840 by Lieutenant John Tyssen, the Naval Officer in Charge of the Falkland Islands, for the rookery off Volunteer Point. Despite measures to try to control the wanton destruction of the seal rookeries in subsequent years the herds were severely depleted by poaching.  In 1881 the Seal Fishery Ordinance was passed to help with the recovery of the seal colonies so that a domestic sealing industry could be established.

Dead seals on slipway at Albemarle Sealing Station

These files are part of the collection of Government Files held on Natural History - Seals and Sealing. NB: These files are on seals and sealing in the Falkland Islands. For sealing in the Dependencies see Dependencies.

These files have not been uploaded in any particular order but represent those scanned to date for researchers.

 

NAT-SEA-1-1 Sealing rights of land owners where no reservation was made at time of sale of land - also question of acreage c.pdf129.49 KB

NAT-SEA-1-2 Draft lease to Messrs Salvesen Coy of the fur seal rookeries of the Colony.pdf281.6 KB

NAT-SEA-1-3 Fur seal annual report concerning required by Sec of State.pdf113.97 KB

NAT-SEA-1-4 E Schroder. Applies for permission to kill 200 fur seal on Bird Island.pdf105.54 KB

NAT-SEA-1-5 Application of Mr R Bailey to take fur seal from Volunteer Rocks.pdf361.27 KB

NAT-SEA-1-6 Fur sealing licences granted to Mr R Carey Mr J Hansen.pdf502 KB

NAT-SEA-1-7 Application to take fur seal from Volunteer Rocks.pdf330.52 KB

NAT-SEA-1-8 Mr A G Bennett reports that tussock grass on Kidney Island is being destroyed by sea-lions.pdf238.83 KB

NAT-SEA-1-9 M Craigie-Halkett. Forwards Mr A G Bennetts report on inspection of fur seal rookery at Volunteer Rocks.pdf344.82 KB

NAT-SEA-1-10 British Museum desires collection of skulls of Antarctic seals sea lions.pdf180.28 KB

NAT-SEA-1-11 Licence issued to Mr J E Hamilton S M West Falkland c to take specimens for scientific purposes.pdf84.22 KB

NAT-SEA-1-12 W Ratcliffe. Applies for licence to take fur seal from Volunteer Rocks and Bird Island.pdf84.87 KB

NAT-SEA-1-13 G E Parrin. Applies for licence to take fur seal from Volunteer Rocks.pdf90.05 KB

NAT-SEA-1-14 Application of Mr Albert Curzon Crichton to conduct sealing operations in Falkland Islands.pdf304.1 KB

NAT-SEA-1-15 J Erik Hamilton. Forwards report on inspection of fur seal rookery Jason Islands and a note on sea-lions.pdf1.11 MB

NAT-SEA-1-16 Report on Mr J E Hamiltons visit to seal rookeries on Volunteer Rocks.pdf482.31 KB

NAT-SEA-1-17 J E Hamilton. Reports presence of fur seal in Tamar Pass.pdf53 KB

NAT-SEA-1-18 D Shaw. Applies for a sealing licence for Buchene Beauchene and Bird Islands.pdf122.95 KB

NAT-SEA-1-19 Experimental killing of seals and dispersal of products by Government.pdf461.74 KB

NAT-SEA-1-20 J E Hamilton. Report on fur seal rookery at Jason Island.pdf163.68 KB

NAT-SEA-1-21 B A Brown. Reports damage done to tussac grass by hair seal and suggests destruction of a certain number.pdf420.04 KB

NAT-SEA-1-22 Applications for sealing licences 1921.pdf521.1 KB

NAT-SEA-1-23 Fur seal. Protection of. Issue of notice in connection with.pdf116.96 KB

NAT-SEA-1-24 Fur seal. Protection of.pdf2.87 MB

NAT-SEA-1-25 Hair seal. Experimental culling of.pdf1.2 MB

NAT-SEA-1-26 Legislation for the further protection of the fur seal. Ordinance No 8 of 1921.pdf1.9 MB

NAT-SEA-1-27 A F Cobb. Hair seal. Applies for permission to be allowed to kill.pdf180.61 KB

NAT-SEA-1-28 G J Felton. Hair seal sea-lions. High Island Salvador waters permission to drive off or kill applied for.pdf192.86 KB

NAT-SEA-1-29 Number of seals which may be taken from rookeries. Jason Is Bird Is Beauchene Is and Volunteer Rocks 1921-22.pdf108.88 KB

NAT-SEA-1-30 Colin E Hockly Harbour Master. 1 Recommends use of 12pdr field gun landed from HMS Glasgow. 2 Appointment of armed guard for seal rookeries.pdf337.47 KB

NAT-SEA-1-31 Accommodation for guard on Elephant Jason Island.pdf272.12 KB

NAT-SEA-1-32 J E Hamilton. Mr Jason Hansen. Forwards report on working of fur seal by.pdf536.47 KB

NAT-SEA-1-33 H C Harding. Hair seal. Burnt Island Kelp Lagoon permission to kill applied for.pdf104.84 KB

NAT-SEA-1-34 Sealing officers. Suggestion as to appointment of.pdf151.18 KB

 

NAT-SEA-2-1. J C Coker Armed guard for seal rookeries. Offers his services as a Lewis gunner in.pdf1.14 MB

NAT-SEA-2-2. Arthur E Felton. Application for permission to kill hair seal.pdf785.95 KB

NAT-SEA-2-3. Mr F G Langdon applies for permission to kill sea lions hair seal.pdf632.70 KB

NAT-SEA-2-4. Set of flags and code book for use of armed guard on Elephant Jason Island.pdf615.47 KB

NAT-SEA-2-5. Protection of fur seal rookeries. Elephant Jason guard advance of wages to.pdf1.00 MB

NAT-SEA-2-6. Armed guard for Elephant Jason Island.pdf4.42 MB

NAT-SEA-2-7. Guard on Elephant Jason. Observations desired from. Restriction as to killing of birds by.pdf1.04 MB

NAT-SEA-2-8. Government Naturalist notifies forwarding of cases of specimens to British Museum.pdf1.40 MB

NAT-SEA-2-9. Preservation of tussac on Kidney Island.pdf791.42 KB

NAT-SEA-2-10. Reports establishment of armed guard on Elephant Jason Island.pdf1.38 MB

NAT-SEA-2-11. Govt Naturalist. Submits memorandum on the utilisation of sea lions.pdf10.01 MB

NAT-SEA-2-12. Report on the fur seal of the Falkland Islands.pdf1.32 MB

NAT-SEA-2-13. Jason Island guard. Report on inspection of.pdf1.62 MB

NAT-SEA-2-14. Permission granted to Mr Hansen and Mr Carey to export seal skins free of export duty 1922.pdf1.11 MB

NAT-SEA-2-15. Hair seal sea lions . Applications to kill or drive off.pdf2.42 MB

NAT-SEA-2-16. Armed guards. Respecting the supply of milk vegetables etc for.pdf2.21 MB

NAT-SEA-2-17. Jason Island guard. Miscellaneous communications respecting.pdf5.02 MB

NAT-SEA-2-18. Report on operations from the 28 October 1922 to the 6 March 1923.pdf12.80 MB

NAT-SEA-2-19. Mr Andrew Watson. Applies for post of armed guard on occurrence of vacancy.pdf611.04 KB

NAT-SEA-2-20. Tussac Islands Port William . Damage to tussac grass by sea lions.pdf6.31 MB

NAT-SEA-2-21. Hair seal sea lions . Applications to kill or drive off 1923.pdf851.67 KB

NAT-SEA-2-22. Forwarding seal skins to Crown Agents for the Colonies.pdf1.76 MB

NAT-SEA-2-23. Enquiry from Messrs R S Brandt Co regarding possibility of supply of skins and oil of hair seals.pdf536.97 KB

NAT-SEA-2-24. Suggested programme of work in connection with fur seal 1923-1924.pdf867.04 KB

NAT-SEA-2-25. Seal poaching report of practice.pdf1.34 MB

NAT-SEA-2-26. Submits report on visit to tussac islands. Damage to tussac by sea lions.pdf1.49 MB

NAT-SEA-2-27. Hair seal sea lions . Applications to kill or drive off 1924.pdf6.40 MB

NAT-SEA-2-28. John Davis. Asks regarding killing of hair seal for purpose of obtaining oil and skins.pdf30.18 MB

NAT-SEA-2-29. Payment of freight on seal skulls shipped to Sir Frank Colyer.pdf937.36 KB

NAT-SEA-2-30. Fur seal herd Falkland Islands 192526.pdf5.25 MB

NAT-SEA-2-31. Requests information regarding the rendering down of seals.pdf885.80 KB

NAT-SEA-2-32. Mr Th Sorlle. Application to procure ten fur seal skins from Falkland Islands.pdf977.85 KB

NAT-SEA-2-33. Fur seal. Notes regarding preparing of skins prepared by Mr J E Hamilton.pdf647.91 KB

NAT-SEA-2-34. Hair seal. Notes regarding made by Mr J E Hamilton.pdf932.89 KB

NAT-SEA-2-35. Temporary re-establishment of guard at Jason Island.pdf25.17 MB

NAT-SEA-2-36. Memorandum on seals by Mr J E Hamilton.pdf1.84 MB

NAT-SEA-2-37. Jason Hansen Requests permission to kill hair seal on Low Island and to use oil as paint oil.pdf2.18 MB

NAT-SEA-2-38. Seal rookery Jason Island. Reported contemplation of raid on.pdf1.00 MB

 

NAT-SEA-3-01. Fur seal rookery, Jason Islands. Report on by Mr N A Mackintosh B Sc, ARCS of Discovery Expedition.pdf8.94 MB

NAT-SEA-3-02. (HHR Gresham) Application to kill hair seal on Blind and Urchin Islands.pdf756.93 KB

NAT-SEA-3-03. (DR Watson, RC Pole-Evans) Application to kill and drive off hair seal on tussac islands & plantations.pdf956.16 KB

NAT-SEA-3-04. Grant of licences to F Is Sealing Co Ltd 58.2 MB

NAT-SEA-3-05. Applications to take fur seals in the Falkland Islands.pdf3.27 MB

NAT-SEA-3-06. Killing of hair seal in Stanley Harbour and Port William as well as on the islands in Port William.pdf2.48 MB

NAT-SEA-3-07. Falkland Islands Sealing Co request loan of .303 ammunition from Defence Force.pdf13.31 MB

NAT-SEA-3-08. Mr Howard Clement complains of damage caused by seals on Barren Island.pdf1.44 MB

NAT-SEA-3-09. Reports submitted by Mr J E Hamilton, Govt Naturalist.pdf10.46 MB

 NAT-SEA-3-10. Messrs John Davis and E G Rowe apply for licence to seal in Falkland Islands & adjacent Colonial waters.pdf1.11 MB

NAT-SEA-3-11. Hudson Bay Company and sealing rights in Falkland Is.pdf1.85 MB

NAT-SEA-3-12. Conveyance to England of sea elephant (Stanley) by Mr A G Bennett.pdf921.09 KB

NAT-SEA-3-13. Fis & Deps Sealing Co Ltd apply for refund of export duty.pdf3.77 MB

NAT-SEA-3-14. Sea leopards. Danger in regard to at West Point Island.pdf2.81 MB

NAT-SEA-3-15. Killing of sea lions in the Falkland Islands in the interests of the fur seals.pdf1.91 MB

NAT-SEA-3-16. (James Clifton) Applies for licence to take 100 fur seal from the Volunteer Rocks.pdf1.39 MB

NAT-SEA-3-17. Mr Thos Goodwin applies for a licence to kill fur seal on Bird Island.pdf1.40 MB

NAT-SEA-3-18. Crown Grant relating to Lafonia. Falkland Islands Co Ltd enquire in the event of their desiring to take seals whether a free licence would be issued under the Seal Fishery (Consolidation) Ordinance No 8 of 1921 33.8 MB

 

NAT-SEA-4-1 Opening of Museum by Uruguayan Government.pdf631.53 KB

NAT-SEA-4-2 Falkland Islands and Dependencies Sealing Company. Requests Government assistance to enable Company to operate.pdf10.51 MB

NAT-SEA-4-3 Proposal that fuller records should be obtained of elephant seals taken in the Falkland Is and Dependencies.pdf189.74 KB

NAT-SEA-4-4 Mr Fred Bonner applies for a licence to take fur seal.pdf83.31 KB

NAT-SEA-4-5 Operations of Falkland Islands and Dependencies Sealing Company.pdf10.98 MB

NAT-SEA-4-6 Prevalence of sea leopards in the Falkland Islands.pdf273.07 KB

NAT-SEA-4-7 E Gray Co. Makes application for seal-hunting licence.pdf257.41 KB

NAT-SEA-4-8 Sealing in the Falkland Islands. Mr E G Rowe enquires whether facilities could be granted.pdf202.22 KB

NAT-SEA-4-9 Poaching on seal rookeries in the Falkland Islands.pdf118.87 KB

NAT-SEA-4-10 W J Hutchinson Makes application for a sealing licence elephant seal.pdf1.56 MB

NAT-SEA-4-11 Mr C W Bertrand makes application for a sealing licence sea lions leopards elephants.pdf234.24 KB

NAT-SEA-4-12 Sealing in the Falkland Islands.pdf2.42 MB

NAT-SEA-4-13 The Falkland and Dependencies Sealing Company Limited.pdf506.25 KB

NAT-SEA-4-14 Sealing concession to Couper Friend Co.pdf5.09 MB

NAT-SEA-4-15 Application by Mr J Hansen to kill elephant and leopard seals.pdf241.38 KB

NAT-SEA-4-16 Sea lion and sea elephant experiments.pdf2.18 MB

 

NAT-SEA-5-1. Whaling and sealing in the Fakland Islands. Compania Argentina de Pesca.pdf9.23 MB

NAT-SEA-5-2. Sealing- Concession to Mr. Tilbury.pdf18.58 MB

NAT-SEA-5-3. Application by Mr. J. Davis to take fur seal from New Island.pdf647.85 KB

NAT-SEA-5-4. Sealing. Concession to Mr. Tilbury (C.D.C.) Medical Arrangements.pdf4.38 MB

NAT-SEA-5-5. Leopard Seals.pdf6.07 MB

NAT-SEA-5-6. Seals.pdf4.60 MB

NAT-SEA-5-7. Concession to Mr. Tilbury (C.D.C.).pdf37.89 MB

NAT-SEA-5-8. Concession to Mr. Tilbury (C.D.C.). Reports.pdf5.37 MB

NAT-SEA-5-9. Concession to Mr. Tilbury (C.D.C.). Monthly Returns.pdf8.02 MB

NAT-SEA-5-10. Sealing. Mr. Tilbury. By-Products.pdf340.97 KB

NAT-SEA-5-11. Mr. C. Bundes applies to take Fur Seal.pdf1.08 MB

NAT-SEA-5-12. Seals.pdf5.62 MB

NAT-SEA-5-13 Application for a Sealing Licence by S.L.Bjelland.pdf10.31 MB

NAT-SEA-5-14. Sealing in the Falkland Islands.pdf21.30 MB

 

NAT-SEA-6-1. Sealing.pdf26.79 MB

NAT-SEA-6-2. Seals. Hair- Seals..pdf943.7 KB

NAT-SEA-6-3. Sealing. Investigation in the Falklands. F OGorman.pdf1.18 MB

NAT-SEA-6-4. Sealing Industry in Uruguay.pdf2.94 MB

NAT-SEA-6-5. Proposal for Competitive Sealing Licences.pdf2.79 MB

NAT-SEA-6-6. Sealing Proposals- J. P. Oliver.pdf4.14 MB

NAT-SEA-6-7. Precis of Recent History of Sealing.pdf2.82 MB

NAT-SEA-6-8. Sealing.pdf26.68 MB

NAT-SEA-6-9. Sealing.pdf3.65 MB

 

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While every effort has been taken to ensure accuracy the Jane Cameron National Archives does not accept responsibility for any errors or omissions in these records.

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