Captain Hobbes
Captain Hobbes grew up on the water in England, where he started working in the family tug & barge business when he was just 14. He has accumulated over 40 years of sea time, 11 of which have been operating vessels in the San Juan and Canadian Gulf Islands. Captain Hobbes gained his reputation as one of the most well-respected orca whale watch captains in the fleet after working for The Whale Museum’s “Soundwatch” program for a season, when he helped both private and commercial boaters operate safely around the whales. Come join Captain Hobbes aboard “Natsilane” for an adventure of a lifetime!
“Natsilane” (pronounced not-sa-law-nee) is a 30′ Albin Fast Express Cruiser, named after a native orca whale legend. She is stable, safe, comfortable, well-maintained and Coast Guard approved. You’ll find a restroom, heated cabin, inside table and seating, outside seating, snacks, and courtesy jackets onboard.
Natsilane with Mount Baker in the background…
The Tlingit Legend of Natsilane
In a time before there were any killer whales, there lived a very able sea lion hunter and a highly skilled carver named Natsilane. He was from Kake and when he took as his wife the daughter of a chief on Duke Island, he decided to live among her people. He was accepted into her family and because he tried hard to prove himself, he soon had a place of honor as an accomplished hunter and spear carver.
His desire to please won him the admiration of the youngest of his brothers-in-law, but the oldest ones misunderstood his intentions, became jealous, and so they began to plot against him. The men decided to get even with Natsilane on the day of the big seal hunt.
After much preparation, the day of the big hunt arrived and Natsilane, along with his four new brothers, paddled their canoe toward West Devil Rock, out into the open straits. The wind was blowing fiercely and the waves were high but Natsilane was determined that the hunt would be successful. When the canoe neared the rocks, he leaped toward shore and plunged his spear into the nearest sea lion before it could escape. Unfortunately, the point broke off and the sea lion slipped into the water. Worse yet, Natsilane saw that his brothers-in-law, over the fierce objections of the youngest, were paddling away and abandoning him on the deserted island with no food or weapons. Their betrayal stung him deeply and after a time he pulled his cloak up over his head and fell asleep.
Natsilane awoke the next morning to the sound of his name. He saw a sea lion that looked like a man beckoning to him to go with him down beneath the waves into the sea lion’s house. At the great house, he met the Chief of the sea lions who asked him if he could help his injured son. Natsilane saw that the young sea lion had his spear point embedded in his body and with some effort was able to remove it and the son was healed. The chief was very grateful and after granting Natsilane even greater skills, arranged for his safe return to the village.
Natsilane met with his wife and after telling her his story, he made her promise to keep his return a secret. He took with him his carving tools and went into the woods to carry out a plan of revenge on the older brothers-in-law who had betrayed him. Remembering the sea lion Chief’s promise, he asked him for help and began carving a large black fish, a killer whale, of spruce the likes of which had never been seen before. After three tries and much improvement in his carving skills, he fashioned a whale of yellow cedar and when launched it came to life and swam out to sea.
He called the black fish to him and ordered it to find his brothers-in-law when they returned from their hunting, destroy them and their boat, but spare the youngest boy. The black fish set out and found them late that afternoon. Black fish capsized the boat, breaking it in two, and drowned the older three brothers by keeping them from shore. The youngest made it back safely along with his story of the great black fish and his brothers’ treachery.
The villagers now came to wonder if Natsilane had carved the great black fish and given it life. Not long afterward, a strange black fish with teeth was seen near the shore and at times would leave a freshly killed seal or halibut there for the villagers. Natsilane had instructed it never again to harm humans, but instead to help them. As he continued to help the villagers, they realized that the “killer whale” was a gift from Natsilane and so they took it for their crest. Natsilane became a legend to their village and some have claimed to see him riding the seas on the backs of two great black fish.
Tlingit people believe that a person who kills an orca will be killed by another orca, and some believe the orca is the keeper of the souls of their ancestors.
Interpretation
The story has obvious themes of self-preservation, a reliance on the earth and karma, but it must be interpreted in a Tlingit mindset, where life and animals are equal (if not more worthy) to humans. The blackfish therefore represents the force of nature that can be achieved when nature and humankind are joined (whilst the carving is created by Natsilane, it is assumed Sea Lion brings it to life). The rather brutal ending should not be misinterpreted either – this is the equivalent of a happy ending in a story such as this, where good and the natural world (Natsilane and the blackfish) have prevailed over man alone (the brothers).
Professional Memberships
Pacific Northwest Whale Watch Association, San Juan Island Whale Watch Association, Spotting Network, San Juan Islands Visitors Bureau, San Juan Island Chamber of Commerce
