As North American whalers of the mid-1800's and later appeared in Alaskan fishing waters, it would not be long before the scope of devastation to the whale population, through over-fishing, would result in hunger and starvation for the Eskimos. With overfishing of whales, walrus, and seals, sustaining year round food sources became perilous for many Eskimos who could not acquire enough food to feed their families and communities.The Eskimos participated in their own demise, however, through working on whale ships that employed them for their expertise in hunting whales. This picture illustrates the number of Eskimos used on one ship, as it tows them behind to the whaling grounds. The money they earned was used to buy products from trading posts such as tools, food, beads, etc.
By the time the whale population had been depleted and few whales were frequenting Alaskan waters, the whaling industry moved on to other fishing grounds in other seas.
Picture Caption: "Whaling boats containing Eskimos being towed by the ship named Bear", Collection of Dr. Daniel S. Neuman, 1911-1920, Alaska State Library – Historical Collections, Juneau, Alaska.
