INVESTIGATIONS OF THE STEAMER ALBATROSS. 233 



On July 17 seven hauls were made with the beam trawl in depths of 

 41 to 088 fathoms. At the first station, No. 3496, latitude 56° 32' X., 

 longitude 109° ±o' W., 11 fathoms, the catch consisted of sponges, 

 small pieces of coral, a few shrimps, 7 sculpins, and 1* flounders, but 

 nothing was secured on the hand lines, which were kept down twenty 

 minutes. At stations Nos. 3197 and 3198, 86 and 112 fathoms, the 

 same character of bottom was found to exist. At station No. 3500, 

 latitude 56° 02' X., longitude 109° 30' W., 121 fathoms, the beam trawl 

 gave indications of a rich bottom, the catch including sponges, hermit 

 crabs, 3 sculpins, V2 red rockfish, 1 flounders, 1 cod, and several species 

 of small fishes. Two subsequent hauls, made Inter in the day, were in 

 too deep water for the capture of edible fishes. 



Leaving St. Paul Island in the morning of July 28, fishing trials 

 were made as follows during the day: Hand lines were used for ten 

 minutes at station No. 3503, latitude 57° 06' 15" X.. longitude 170° 11' 

 W., 17 fathoms, mud and fine sand, without taking any lishes. The 

 same results were obtained at hyd. station Xo 3307, latitude 57°03 / N., 

 longitude 109° 51' W., 35 fathoms, fine sand; and at station Xo. 3501, 

 latitude 5G° 57'' X., longitude 109° 27' W., 31 fathoms, line sand. The 

 beam trawl used at the latter station brought up a large variety of 

 animal life, but the only edible lishes were 1 flounders. The hand lines 

 were again unsuccessful at hydrographic station Xo. 3308, latitude 57° 

 03 ; N., longitude 108° 52' W., 13 fathoms, sand and shells; and at sta- 

 tion Xo. 3505, latitude 57° 09' X., longitude 168° 17' W., 11 fathoms, 

 tine sand. 



The only cod taken during the day was a single specimen captured in 

 the beam trawl at the last mentioned station. This failure to take any 

 cod with the hand lines during the day was doubtless due to the rapid 

 drifting of the ship, caused by the prevalence of a strong breeze. The 

 bottom over which we passed is considered good fishing ground early 

 in the spring and late in the fall, previous to the appearance of the 

 seals and after their departure. It has been the general experience of 

 fishermen to find cod scarce about the Pribilof Islands during the sum- 

 mer months. In November and until the ice prevents making trips to 

 the west grounds, the natives of both St. George and St. Paul have no 

 difficulty in catching all the cod required for their use. 



On July 29 six trials with hand lines were made, resulting in the 

 capture of 17 cod and 1 flounder. The best fishing for the day was 

 obtained at hyd. station Xo. 3312, latitude 57° 38' N., longitude 

 105° 20' W., 35 fathoms, where 17 cod were taken. Their average 

 weight was 7.', pounds and their average length -<;.', inches. The next 

 best results were secured at station No. 3507, latitude 57° -i'-V X"., longi- 

 tude 164° 42' W., 31 fathoms, 11 cod being caught in a drift of only 

 twelve minutes. They averaged 8^ pounds in weight and 26f inches 

 in length. The beam trawl at this station brought up mollusks, crabs, 

 starfish, flounders, etc, These trials indicated a rich bottom and a 

 good fishing ground, the depth of water also being convenient for fishing 



