INVESTIGATIONS OF THE STEAMER ALBATROSS. 227 



a reconnoissance of this port. Hence, a coarse was laid for Cape 

 Neweuham with the intention of reaching - the fishing grounds in that 

 locality, situated at the northern limit of our patrol work. 



After running 50 miles from Port Haiden light field ice was encoun- 

 tered at midnight of the 27th in latitude 57° 34' X., longitude 100° 

 10' W. At 1 a. m. it had become so thick and floating patches of such 

 dimensions that further continuance of the same course, WNW. (mag.), 

 would have been dangerous to the propellers; hence the Albatross was 

 put about and by careful management pushed through the ice till open 

 water was reached at •"> a. m., having been 3 hours in the ice field. The 

 fog was thick when the ice was encountered, and the temperature fell 

 to 32° F., with intense humidity, which increased the chilling effect of 

 the atmosphere, causing everything about the ship to be covered witli 

 heavy moisture, and consequently in a dripping state. A moderate 

 breeze was blowing at the time from the southward and westward. As 

 we emerged from the ice, a shift of wind lifted the fog, when a view of 

 the ice field demonstrated that it was closed to the WNW. with south- 

 ern limit extending a S W. by S. and an E. direction from our position 

 as far as the distant horizon. The dimensions of several of the cakes 

 when alongside of the Albatross were found to be about 3 feet out of 

 water and from 200 to 300 feet in length, varying in width from 50 to 

 75 feet. It was composed principally of old shore ice and some snow 

 ice, which had undoubtedly found its way to this part of Bristol Bay 

 from the numerous inlets and rivers at its head. Evidently this is 

 characteristic of a late season at the head of the bay, which will un- 

 doubtedly have its effect upon the appearance of the salmon in the 

 Xushagak River, owing to the low temperature of the water. This 

 will probably delay the cannery industry of this region and give their 

 yield a late market for this season's work. 



The course having been changed to SW. by S. (mag.), skirting the 

 ice limit, the weather changed somewhat, making a fair day for this 

 region, much above the average. In the 42 days subsequent to our 

 departure from Queen Charlotte Sound only 5 days of partial sunshine 

 have been experienced. The remaining days were enveloped in fog, 

 mist, rain, and several summer gales of slight duration. 



A few scattered fishing trials, with hand lines, of 30 minutes' dura- 

 tion each, with 13 to 15 lines down, were made, commencing in latitude 

 57° 58' K, longitude 160° 04' W., on a line drawn between St. Paul and 

 ('ape Xewenham, and 134 miles from St. Paul. The line extended XE. 

 by X. (mag.) 95 miles toward Cape Newenham, then SE. by S. (mag.) 

 for a distance of 90 miles, and finished on a line WSW. (mag.) in lati- 

 tude 50° r>s' X., longitude 103° 45' W. Scattering specimens only of 

 codfish and two or three flounders were taken. The bottom at the 

 various stations was composed largely of fine gray sand; the depth 

 varied from 21 to 44 fathoms, the bottom temperature from 32° to 35° F. 

 Soundings were continued at intervals in this region for the purpose 



