228 KEJ'ORT OF COMMISSIONEK OF FISJI AND FISHERIES. 



was viicaiit and look on hoard 117 l(jns of coal durinj;- tlie L'Otli and .'iTtli, 

 tilled up with fresh water, and made iinal preparations for departure. 



Bristol Bay; Uniihisla to the Nushcujitl; Rirrr. — At 3:50 a. m., ^Tay 

 28, we cast otl" from the coal wharf and proceeded to sea. en route for 

 Bristol Bay. It was blowing a moderate gale from the southward, 

 with foji" and mist, whi(;h lifted at intervals, but was particularly dis- 

 agreeable when crossing the several passes into the Pacific. 



Reaching the northwest cape of Unimak about noon the next day, 

 we found it too rough to use tlie trawl or hand lines, but ran a line of 

 soundings along the land to Shaw Bay, wliere at 5 :53 p. m. we anchored 

 for the night. This bay is open to the northward, but affords protec- 

 tion from all winds to the southward of east or west. The approaches 

 are clear, and the water shoals gradually to G fatlioms, black sand, 

 about three-(iuarters of a mile from shore. Our experience in coasting 

 along the north shore of Unimak Island made it evident that very little 

 dependence could be placed on the charts, except for a general, though 

 inaccurate, marking of the coast line. They were totally devoid of 

 topographical delineations near the shores, which are, as a rule, low, 

 monotonous, and lacking in striking features to serve as landmarks. 

 The mountain langes and j)rincipal volcanic cones are indicated, it 

 is true, but they are usually enveloped in fog or mist, and are, there- 

 fore, seldom available for navigating purpose. Overcast or foggy 

 weather was so prevalent that we could not depend on making astro- 

 nomical observations, and hence I decided to make a reconnaissance 

 of the coast before attempting to explore the fishing-grounds. 



Getting under way at daylight next morning, we ran as near the 

 land as prudent, sounding frequently, angling on points, and locating 

 features that might be useful as landmarks. This work was continued 

 to the head of I>ristol Bay, where we anchored off the Naknek River 

 on the morning of the 31st. The naturalists and a surveying party 

 si)ent the following day near the mouth of the river, the former in 

 shore and shoal water collecting, the latter in making a reconnaissance 

 of the entrance. 



JS/ushagalc River. — Leaving our anchorage on the morning of June 2, 

 a line of dredgings and iishing stations was carried across the bay to 

 the vicinity of Protection Point, Avhere we arrived at 5:45 the same 

 day. The charts of this dangerous region Avere of very little service; 

 the land on both sides is low and without distinctive features; shoals 

 extend off 80 far from the region of Etolin Point that we were fre- 

 quently forced almost out of range; and the strong uncertain currents 

 rendered compass courses entirely unreliable. The eye and lead are, 

 in fact, the only safe guides. The Nushagak pilot, an aged Eskimo, 

 boarded us at 1 :30 a. m,, and, getting under way at ^-Ay'.^ with the liood 

 tide, we steamed up to the anchorage above the native village of Ekuk, 



