222 REPOKT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. 



quarter of a mile, hove to for the night. At 4 a. m. May 26 filled away 

 under steam and sail on course for Unimak Pass and arrived at Dutch 

 Harbor at 2.24 p. in. the same day. 



The season was very backward at Unalaska, signs of approaching 

 spring not then having made their appearance. The snow line was 

 but little above the water's edge, and no grass was visible. During 

 our stay in port it snowed part of the time each day. The anglers who 

 tried the streams for trout reported that they had not yet commenced 

 to bite. 



Left Dutch Harbor the morning of May 31, with overcast sky and 

 peaks of mountains enveloped in clouds. Shaped course for Attu 

 Island, with vessel under full steam power. During the passage over 

 the weather was pleasant, with occasional passing showers. A smooth 

 sea with light westerly swell favored a quick passage, which was made 

 without delay in 78 hours, arriving in Ohichagof Harbor on June 4. 

 Lieutenant Jacobs was landed the same day. 



Hunting, seining, and collecting parties were dispatched on shore to 

 gather such specimens as would best illustrate the commercial value 

 of this island. As far as any trade is concerned, the few inhabitants of 

 the village at the head of Chichagof Harbor, numbering 23 men, 48 

 women, and about 30 children, have apparently relapsed into a state of 

 apathy from which only the advent of the compauy's steamer with sup- 

 plies or the arrival of a vessel like the Albatross will arouse them. 

 Game of any description is scarce at tliis season of the year, and only 

 a few minor fox skins and straw baskets were offered in trade for plug 

 tobacco, which evidently was in great demand. Seven frame houses, 

 a thatched church built from driftwood, and a dozen or more mud huts 

 constitute the village. I found that for three months — March, April, 

 and May — these people had been subsisting on fish, all other provisions 

 having been consumed. In consequence of their dilapidated condition 

 and want of necessary supplies, I had issued from the paymaster's 

 department, 10 pounds of tea, 50 pounds of sugar, and 105 pounds of 

 sea biscuit, which was served out in equal shares to each family. 

 These articles I deemed sufficient to sustain them until the arrival of 

 the Alaska Commercial Company's supply steamer, which was not 

 expected for some time. 



Three hauls of the seine on the beach near one of the fresh-water 

 streams on the south side of the bay yielded 300 salmon, 500 flounders, 

 and 100 rock trout, with other minor species. Several Atka mackerel 

 were caught from the ship's side. The natives here report that cod 

 banks exist off the entrance to this harbor, where they make good 

 catches in 50 to (30 fathoms, with sand and broken-shell bottom. 

 Atka mackerel are also caught inshore on the south side of the harbor 

 entrance in 20 to 30 fathoms, rocky bottom, and close to the ledges of 

 outlying islets which form a barrier to the approach to the shore in 

 this locality. 



