312 REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. 



12.35 the next moiuiiig, and reached Dutch Harbor at G.40 the same 

 evening, going at once to the coal wharf. June 15 we took on board 

 81 tons of coal, and at G.IO p. m. proceeded to sea, entering the Pacific 

 via Unalga Pass. Several vessels were boarded between tbere and 

 the Shumagins, among them the American fishing schooner Moonlightj 

 of Seattle, bound for Slime Bank, Bering Sea. 



We arrived at Sand Point at 12.10 a. m. June 10, and found several 

 of the sealing fieet at anchor, and others arrived from day to day. A 

 constant lookout was kept for seals during the cruise to the westward, 

 but none was seen except off Unimak Pass, and theu but one or two at 

 a time. We boarded and warned all vessels found in port, and those 

 which arrived up to meridian of the 18th, when we left for a cruise 

 among the islands of the Shnmagin group. Communicated with the 

 U. S. S. Ranger off Mountain Cape, and having received a mail, we 

 proceeded on our course; the Banger was bound for Sand Point. Hav- 

 ing made a coinplete circuit of the southern islands and visited the 

 principal harbors, we returned to Sand Point on the evening of the 20th, 

 when we met the Ranger and received orders from the senior officer. 



Getting under way again at 4 a. m. on the 22d, an examination was 

 made of the southern portion of the group and anchorage was found 

 for the night in Mist Harbor, east side of Nagai Island. It is protected 

 on the sea face by two gravel spits, the ends of which slightly overlap, 

 a narrow but deep entrance lying between their extremities. There is 

 little known concerning this snug harbor, and, as we had no chart of 

 it, u hurried reconnaissance was made next morning. Near the head of 

 Mist Harbor, and separated from it by a narrow neck of land, is a large 

 bay making in from the northward from 3 to 1 miles deep and about 2 

 miles wide at the entrance. It is not shown on the Coast Survey charts. 



The examination of coasts and harbors of the group was continued 

 on the 23d, and we returned to Sand Point in the evening. The seal- 

 ing fleet were now- leaving for the Japan coast, several being met during 

 the day outward bound. We were away again at 2.45 a. m. June 24, 

 and came to in Sanborn Harboi' three hours later, where we remained 

 until the following morning and then returned to Sand Point. 



The naturalists availed themselves of the oi)portunity to examine the 

 region about Sanborn Harbor during the day. The scarcity of land 

 birds was soon remarked, and eventually traced to the presence of 

 large numbers of foxes. Salmon had not yet commenced to run, and 

 the beaches were almost barren of other species of fish. Better suc- 

 cess followed the hauling of the seine in the lakes, where many trout 

 and flounders were taken, besides other species, one, at least, new to 

 science. Although trout were plentiful, the i)ersistent efforts of anglers 

 with rod and fly were inefl'ectual; nothing but salmon roe would tempt 

 them. No directions are necessary for entering Sanborn Harbor, except 

 to take a mid channel course and keep the lead going when approach- 

 ing the anchorage, as the water shoals rather suddenly. The Albatross 

 anchored in 10 fathoms with ample swinging room. 



