REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. 105 



are siifiicient for all immediate considerations in connection with fishery 

 matters. The distance of the 100-fathom curve from shore varies in 

 different iilaces from 7 to 40 miles, averaging broadest at the north, 

 and becoming reduced to from 7 to 9 miles off Cape Orlbrd, Trinidad 

 Head, and Cape INIendocino. The superhcial area of the submerged 

 platfoi'm within this depth is computed at 3,700 square miles for the 

 outer coast of Washington, 4,750 square miles for the coast of Oregon, 

 and 1,160 square miles for the coast of California north of Cape Men- 

 docino, a total of 9,610 square miles. 



The soundings off Cape Flattery are irregular and suggest the exist- 

 ence of submarine ridges trending parallel with the coast. A semi- 

 circular depression, with depths of 100 to nearly 200 fatlioms, was found 

 between Cape Flattery and Flattery Rocks, at a distance of about 10 

 miles from shore. From the latter i)lace to Yaquina Head the depths 

 increased regularly toward the sea, except upon the rocky bank off 

 Grays Harbor and Willapa Bay, where elevations of a few fathoms 

 occur. A triangular platform liaving depths under 100 fathoms lies 

 between Yaquina Head and Umpqua River, Heceta Bank being located 

 upon its southwestern extremity. Thence to Cape Mendocino the sound- 

 ings are regular. 



Distinct fishing-grounds in this region are few in number and of 

 small extent, the principal ones being the following : Flattery Bank has 

 an area of about 1,100 square miles, with a least depth of 27 fathoms. 

 Halibut and other fishes have been taken upon it in considerable 

 numbers for some years past. The former species occurs in greatest 

 abundance on a very rough, rocky bottom, having an extent of about 

 35 square miles near the southeastern end of the main bank. A small 

 bank covering about 110 square miles and with a least depth of 42 

 fathoms lies 23 miles W. by S. (magnetic) from Toke Point light-house, 

 Willapa Bay. The bottom consists of sand and mud with rocky patches. 

 Another bank having an area of only about 40 square miles, with the 

 same minimum depth as the preceding, and with a bottom of clay, mud, 

 and rock, is located 19 miles SSW. ^ W. from Yaquiua light-house. 

 Heceta Bank, the largest fishing- ground south of Cape Flattery on this 

 part of the coast, is situated 35 miles SW. J W. from Heceta Head, 

 Oregon, and has an area of about 600 square miles. The least depth, 41 

 fathoms, has been found neAr its southern end, where the bottom is 

 rocky and rough. 



Only occasional specimens of halibut were taken off Flattery Rocks 

 and Tillamook Rock and on Heceta Bank. Several species of rock-cod 

 were generally distributed along the coast, as well as on the banks, 

 and flounders were found everywhere, being especially abundant in 

 depths of 50 to 100 fathoms. The fiat surface of tlie plateau is i)artic- 

 ularly rich in tlie latter group of fishes, and is destined to become a 

 fixvorite ground for the beam trawl when that method of fishing is intro- 

 duced. Cultus-cod occur on all the banks and on Orford Reef, while 



