INVESTIGATIONS OF THE ALBATROSS. 289 



or bay 11 miles eavst of Cape Makiishiu, both cod and lialibut being 

 captured. Three sijecimens of the hitter species were secured, weighing 

 6^, 8, and 15 pounds, respectively. Two trials were made off the mouth 

 of Makushin Bay, but a strong wind prevented satisfactory work. 



Malmshin Bay to Umnalc Island. — The bottom in this region difiers 

 from that farther to the eastward chielly in being better adapted to cod 

 and halibut, esjiecially the latter. The beam trawl and hand lines were 

 used in the vicinity of Makushin Bay and Cape Hague. A rich bot- 

 tom was disclosed by the former, l)ut only live cod were taken in as 

 many trials with the latter. They may, however, be more abundant 

 here at other times. The bottom was found to be largely made up of 

 sandy, muddy, and coral patches. With the latter were large quanti- 

 ties of sponges and other rich material, the combination suggesting 

 the deep-water localities on the Grand Bank, where halibut are plenti- 

 ful. This species is sometimes caught here by the natives, but whether 

 they can be obtained in paying quantities or not has yet to be deter- 

 mined. Small vessels might probably engage in their capture with 

 some show of success, but many years would elapse before all the good 

 fishing-spots could be located, and at present there is no particular 

 inducement to establish a commercial fishery in this region, as the hali- 

 but grounds south of the Alaska Peninsula and off the southeastern 

 coast of the Territory otter better opportunities. 



Chernoffslcy and vicinity. — Near the harbor of Chernofisky there is an 

 excellent ground for both cod and halibut. Fifty-three cod and 5 hali- 

 but were captured on one trial lasting only thirty minutes. This would 

 be a good fishing-place for a fleet of small vessels. Mr. Kankin, agent 

 of the Alaska Commercial Company, who has lived at Chernofisky seven 

 years, states that the best halibut ground along this section of the 

 coast is located in a small bay some or 8 miles to the west of Chern- 

 ofisky. During the summer halibut are plentiful inshore, but on the 

 approach of winter they invariably seek deeper water. They are sufti- 

 ciently abundant to maintain a small fishery, providing there were 

 convenient markets for the catcli. From 10 to 12 pounds is the average 

 size of those caught on the grounds near Chernofi'sky and Umnak Pass. 



Few halibut are found near the outer edge of the platform; the bot- 

 tom a few miles nearer shore seems to be better adapted to them. All 

 the halibut observed by the Albatross were white. Gray halibut are 

 said to be seldom taken in Alaskan waters or oif the Queen Charlotte 

 Islands and on Flattery Bank. 



Excellent cod-fishing was obtained at nearly every trial made ott' Cher- 

 nofisky, but as we approached Umnak Pass less success was met with. 

 Fewer fish were found on the western side of the pass than on the east- 

 ern side, but it is probable that at some other season of the -year cod 

 may be more plentiful in the former locality, as the character of the 

 bottom seems to be the same in both places. In fact the ditterence in 

 their abundance may have been due to the state of the tide at the time 

 the trials were made. Fishing was carried on in Umnak Pass in 30 to 60 

 n. Mis. 113 19 



