INVESTIGATIONS OF THE ALBATROSS. 249 



vide is 50 feet high, and mountain ranges rise a few miles back. The 

 coal measures are found between Mine Harbor and the head of Port 

 Moller. Doe Point is 40 feet in height, while the rest of Deer Island 

 and the mainland south and west of it is generally lower. The southern 

 shores of Herendeen Bay are mountainous, with intervening valleys, 

 the whole face of the country being covered with rank grass and wild 

 flowers during the summer months; but there is no timber except oc- 

 casional small poplars, alder bushes, and willows. Fresh winds with 

 fog and mist blow across the low divides from the Pacific, obscuring the 

 sun and greatly increasing the rainfall in Port Moller and vicinity. 



The region is uninhabited except by men employed at the coal mine, 

 yet bears and reindeer were plentiful and the waters teemed with 

 salmon. There are no large fresh-water streams entering the bay, 

 however, Avhich probably accounts for the absence of Eskimos. 



Fort Moller to the Kuslcokwim Biver. — The coast is low for 19 miles 

 between Entrance Point and Cape Kutuzof, which rises in a rounded 

 bluff to an elevation of 150 feet. 



Cape Seniavin, 11 miles to the northward and eastward, is a rocky 

 I)oint 75 feet in height. Passing it, the low monotonous beach continues 

 to the Seal Islands, a cluster of small hillocks near the beach, 12 miles 

 from Cape Seniavin, being the only exception. The Seal Islands are 

 composed of several small islets, but little above high water, strung 

 along the coast for about 10 miles. Thence to Cape Strogonof the land 

 continues very low. 



Port Haiden is said to be a good harbor, but we did not examine it. 

 Should a survey show it to be safe it will prove a great convenience to 

 vessels employed on the northern part of Baird Bank. The approach 

 to Port Haiden will be recognized by high, bold headlands which rise 

 fi'om its northern shore. Chestakof Island, low and crescent- shaped, 

 forms the seaward side of the harbor, the channel lying between its 

 northern extremity and a reef which makes out from the land. The 

 same low coast extends to Cape Meuchikof in nearly a direct line, the 

 high land of Port Haiden gradually receding from the coast. 



The Ugashik or Sulima River lies to the northward of Cape Meuch- 

 ikof and has been reported navigable for several miles by vessels of 14 

 feet draft. The schooner Pearl enters the river, but her captain reports 

 a wide bar having intricate channels, strong currents, and usually a 

 heavy swell. Ten feet is about all that can be carried in with safety. 

 Once inside it is reported to be a good harbor, but it can hardly be 

 considered available for the ordinary purposes of fishing vessels. 



Cape Grey, a bluff 243 feet in height, and a peculiar-notched moun- 

 tain some distance inland, are good landmarks for the river. The low 

 coast continues from the cape to the Ugaguk lliver, and thence to the 

 Naknek River, with hardly a distinguishing feature except Johnston 

 Hill, a solitary elevation 5 miles from the beach and about 9J miles 

 S. i E. from the mouth of the Naknek. The coast sweeps in a graceful 



