INVESTIGATIONS OF THE STEAMER ALBATROSS. 235 



29 to 41 fathoms, the bottom continuing to consist largely of mud until 

 we approached the Island of St. Pan], when more or less sand and 

 pebbles were found. The only fish taken on the hand lines were three 

 Alaskan pollock, a species frequently found on muddy bottom. 



On the morning- of August 5 a line of observations was commenced 

 off St. Paul Island, extending in a, NW. h \V. direction from that island, 

 the stations, as in previous days, being mostly 20 miles apart. Trials 

 with hand lines were made at six different positions, beginning at hydro- 

 graphic station No. 3353, latitude 57° 24' N., longitude 170° 24' W., and 

 ending at station No. 3520, latitude ?)$° 36' N., longitude 172° 24' W. 

 No fish were taken near the Pribilof Islands. The first cod, a single 

 specimen, was caught at station No. 3527, latitude 57 48' N., longitude 

 171° 21' W., 5l! fathoms. The best fishing for the day was obtained at 

 station No. 3528, latitude r>$o 10' N., longitude 172° 02' W., 55 fathoms, 

 the catch consisting of 4 cod, averaging 13f pounds in weight and 29^ 

 inches in length. The bottom of both of those stations was composed 

 of mud, and the indications were not favorable to good fishing. During 

 the day over 70 fur seals were seen, the first observed this season at 

 a distance from the Pribilof Islands. 



On the following day (August 6) hand lines were tried at four posi- 

 tions and cod were taken at two of them, only one at each, in depths 

 of 57 and 59 fathoms, muddy bottom (hydrographic station No. 33.~>7, 

 latitude ~j 1 .)° 24' N., longitude 173° 31' W.; station No. 3531, latitude 

 59° 55' N., longitude 174° 17' W.). On August 7 the ship ran back to 

 St. Paul Island on a S. by E. course from hydrographic station No. 3302, 

 latitude 57° 4P N., longitude '174° 05' \V\, 77 fathoms, frequent trials 

 being made for bottom fish, but without success. 



During August 9 a course was run E. £ S. from St. Paul Island, 10 

 cod being taken on the hand lines at six stations, the small number 

 secured in this direction being explained by the fact that we were cruis- 

 ing over a common feeding ground of the fur seals. 



Amak Island was sighted the next morning. Hand lines were put 

 over at two stations, seventeen minutes being given to each trial, and 

 the result at each being five cod. The sea was smooth and a light breeze 

 blowing. This was in the region where cod are known to be plentiful, 

 and had the forenoon been entirely given over to fishing a catch of 100 

 or more fish might have been expected. I have heard that the vessels 

 which resorted to the cod banks of Bristol Bay in 1802 obtained better 

 fares than ever before. The fish were also much larger and in better 

 condition. 



From Amak Island the ship proceeded to Shaw Pay, Ilnimak Island, 

 and thence to Dutch Harbor and Ohernofski Harbor, Ilnalaska. On 

 August 17 hand lines were tried for nineteen minutes a short distance 

 off the mouth of the latter harbor, in 43 fathoms, Western Head bearing 

 S. £ YV. The weather was calm, the sea smooth, and the ship lay nearly 

 stationary, but only one cod was captured. The bait used was recently 

 salted salmon. Three years before we had found cod plentiful on these 



