WORK OF THE STEAMER ALBATROSS. 313 



The mail steamer Crescent City was found at Sand Point on our 

 return, but brought no additional orders. The U. S. S. 3Iohican,fii\g- 

 ship of the Bering Sea fleet, arrived about noon June 25, followed a 

 few hours later by II. B. M. S. Garnet and U. S. revenue cutter Bush, 

 the latter short of coal. We gave her 40 tons from our bunkers. 



At 5.30 p. m. June 2G we left for a second cruise to the westward. 

 Although it was clear in the harbor there were unmistakable evidences 

 of thick weather outside, and arriving oft' Dehirof Harbor we ran into 

 a dense fog which was carried with short intervals to Unalaska, where we 

 arrived at 8.-15 p. m. June 27. Seals were plentiful from the Saunaks 

 to Unimak Pass. Coaled ship on the 28th, taking 107 tons. Dressed 

 ship with the British flag at the main in honor of coronation day, hav- 

 ing been invited to join in its celebration by Captain Iluntingford, of 

 H. B. M. S. Nymphe, which was lying at anchor in the harbor. 



We were under way again at 7 p. m., and finding the passes blocked 

 with fog took the Bering Sea side of the Aleutian Islands to Amukta 

 Pass, through which we entered the Pacific. Fog met us off Cape 

 Makushin, and with momentary intervals continued until we arrived in 

 the Bay of Waterfalls, at 7.30 p. m. July 1. This beautiful bay takes 

 its name from numerous streams which fall into it from the surrounding 

 heights. A plentiful supply of pure fresh water from the snow-capped 

 mountains, an ample store of driftwood — with which the beaches are 

 lined — and its isolated situation, remote from the usual cruising grounds 

 of the Bering Sea patrol fleet, made it the most desirable point west of 

 the Shumagins for the sealing fleet to rendezvous. We found no ves- 

 sels in the bay, but the remains of recent driftwood fires on the beach 

 gave sufficient evidence of late visitors. 



Three schooners were boarded off the bay a few days later, when the 

 fog lifted, all bound in for water, and as they were among the last of 

 the fleet destined for the Japan coast, it is more than probable that it 

 had earlier been a port of call for vessels that did not rendezvous at 

 Sand Point or touch at some other place farther to the eastward. 



The Albatross was in latitude 51° 39' N., longitude 172° 22' W., at 

 midnight June 30 (at which time this report properly closes), cruising 

 on patrol duty under orders of the senior officer commanding the United 

 States naval force in Bering Sea, the vessel having been temporarily 

 transferred to the Navy Department May 13 for that purpose. 



The first two months of the fiscal year were employed in seal investi- 

 gations under the general direction of the Treasury Department, and the 

 following eight months were spent at the navy-yard, Mare Island, put- 

 ting in new boilers and making general repairs to hull and machinery. 

 In this connection I wish to acknowledge the admirable facilities 

 accorded us by the commandant and heads of departments, which 

 enabled us to effect thorough and extensive repairs at moderate cost. 



The scientific apparatus is in good working order, the mechanical 

 appliances having been thoroughly overhauled while general repairs 

 were in progress. The Tanner intermediate townet and improved 

 dredging quadrant were the only additions of importance. 



