REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OP FISH AND FISHERIES. 103 



of these skoals, as well as to the eastward and Avestward of them, and 

 have depths of 12 to 15 fathoms. The bottom in this region cousists 

 generally of sand, Avith some mud and gravel, and the fauna is essen- 

 tially the same as on Slime and Baird banks. Cod are plentiful at 

 times, but they are smaller than on the more southern grounds. An 

 exception iu this particular, however, has been reported with respect 

 to a small spot called Gravel Bank, situated about 10 miles SSW. from 

 the southern end of llagemeister Island, in depths of 10 to 20 fathoms, 

 but its extent is inconsiderable. Small fish i^redominate among the 

 islands of the AValrus groui^, but larger ones may be taken iu some of 

 the indentations and on some of the rocky patches. The Kulukak 

 grounds were formerly resorted to by a few vessels, but they are not 

 visited at present. 



Cod were found to be abundant in the vicinity of Cape Peirce, but, 

 owing to the number of diseased lish among them, this ground has been 

 named Hospital Bank by the fishermen. Oft' Cape Neweuham no cod 

 were taken, and it is supposed that their absence may be due to the 

 great volume of fresh water issuing from the Kuskokwim River. 



Port Miiller and Herendeeii Bay. — The recent opening of a coal mine 

 near the head of llereudeen Bay has called particular attention to 

 this locality, and it was visited twice by the steamer Albatross during 

 the summer of 1890. Although the first purpose in going there was 

 to obtain a suppl^^ of coal, partial surveys were made which now render 

 these inlets accessible to fishing vessels during stormy weather. Port 

 Moller and Herendeen Bay are closely adjacent to one another, and 

 open on the north side of the peninsula, the principal passage into the 

 latter being by way of Port Moller entrance. The}" are located, as 

 before explained, in the vicinity of the best fishing-grounds on Baird 

 Bank, and their availability for shelter is an important consideration 

 for the fishermen. Should this locality, moreover, become a coaling 

 center, it will increase the number of vessels resorting to the region, 

 and tend greatly to develop its resources. 



The entrance to the mine which has just been opened, and from 

 which the Albatross received the first output of coal, is about 1^ miles 

 from the water front, on the east side of the head of Herendeen Bay, 

 the coal 'being transported to the landing over a tramway operated by 

 a small steam motor. A small bight at this place has been called 

 Mine Harbor. The survey made by the Albatross has defined the 

 entrance to Port Moller and the channel thence through Herendeen 

 Bay to its extreme ui)per part, where there are good places for beaching 

 and repairing small vessels, the rise and fall of the tide amounting to 

 15 feet, and where fresh water and fuel can readily be procured in any 

 quantity. 



The Herendeen Bay coal was used on board the Albatross with sat- 

 isfactory results, but, owing to the lack of proper screening facilities, 

 much fine material and dirt was delivered with it, and it was Ibund 



