INVESTIGATIONS (^F THE ALBATROSS. 239 



of coal from the new mine. The work of coaling continued until the 

 evening of the loth, when we had taken 137 tons, which nearly filled 

 the bunkers. The weather during our stay was generally overcast 

 with mist and fog, but the sun usually came out for a short time each 

 day. An effort was made to locate Point Divide astronomically, and 

 sufficient observations were made for longitude, but no opportunity 

 occurred, either day or night, to obtain the latitude. We were more 

 fortunate, however, in Mine Harbor, Low Point having been accurately 

 located by excellent observations. The naturalists made numerous 

 additions to their collections during our detention, and the hunters 

 brought in several bears, reindeer, and other game. 



Baird Bank. — Getting under way on the morning of the IGth, we 

 steamed out without difficulty and resumed work. Lines of soundings 

 were run off" and on shore, the beam trawl being fre(j[uently used, and 

 trial lines put over at every station occupied during daylight. We 

 found that Port Moller Avas near the center of the most important cod 

 bank yet discovered in Bering Sea. Commencing at Amak Lslaud, it 

 extends to the vicinity of Cape Chichagof, a distance of 230 miles, with 

 an average breadth of 40 miles, having an area of 0,200 square miles, 

 with depths from 15 to 50 fathoms. The character of the bottom was 

 usually fine gray sand, varied by black sand, black sand and gravel, 

 and occasional rocky patches near shore. While codfish were found at 

 nearly every station, numbers and quality varied with the locality. 

 They were smaller and in poorer condition near the shores, the best 

 fish being found between 25 and 40 fathoms, and they seemed to be 

 most plentiful in the Port Moller region. 



As this is the largest and most valuable of the fishing grounds yet 

 developed in Bering Sea, we have called it Baird Bank, after Prof. 

 Spencer F. Baird, the first U. S. Commissioner of Pish and Fisheries, 

 through whose efforts these investigations were inaugurated. 



Baird Bank and Slime Bank, having an area of 10,045 square miles, 

 extend for more than 300 miles along the northern shores of Unimak 

 and the Alaska Peninsula, without a single harbor that the fishermen 

 have hitherto availed themselves of, yet it is a favorite fishing-ground. 

 The weather is usually pleasanter than in the Pacific ; it has a weather 

 shore with the prevailing summer winds, and a well-found vessel may 

 anchor anywhere on the banks and ride out the usual summer gales 

 without much risk or discomfort. 



Our survey of Port Moller entrance and Herendeen Bay will render 

 those harbors available hereafter, and there is an excellent beach at 

 Mine Harbor for hauling a schooner out if necessary. The rise and fall 

 exceeds 15 feet, and would give several hours each tide to examine or 

 make repairs on a vessel's bottom. Should the coal mine be developed, 

 as seems likely, the i^lace would aft'ord some facilities for repairing 

 and refitting. Water is easily procured, and fuel can be had in any 

 quantity. 



