XCIV REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. 



small number of fishes were taken in the beam trawl, among them 

 being young cod, pollock, and flounders, and nothing was secured by 

 means of hand lines, although they were tried in several places. Later 

 in the same day a series of hydrographic soundings was made oii' the 

 western extremity of St. Paul Island. According to Lieut. Commauder 

 Tanner : 



The natives report that cod and halibut frequent the waters about the Pribilof 

 Ishands during the winter and early spring, but the former disappear soon after the 

 seals arrive and only a few of the latter remain during the summer. Neither of 

 these species is ever taken in large numbers. It is a Avell-known fact that feeding 

 seals go farther from tlie islands in search of food as the season advances, until in 

 the latter jiart of July they reach the vicinity of the 100-fathom line south and 

 west of the Pribilofs, from 50 to 100 miles aud more from their rookeries. 



A number of sea-lion skins, prepared for use as museum specimens, 

 were procured on August 4, and two days later a nsliing party, sent 

 out in small boats, covered considerable ground, but returned with 

 only three halibut and five small cod. The Albatross left the Pribilof 

 Islands on August 10, bound south, and the following morning anchored 

 off Bogoslof Volcano, on which the Bering Sea commissioners and 

 several officers of the ship were landed for the purpose of making 

 observations. The following interesting notes based upon this visit 

 are from the report of Lieut. Commander Tanner: 



We noted many changes since our visit the previous year. New Bogoslof was 

 still active, smoke and steam escaping througli numberless crevices throughout the 

 whole mass from the water's edge to the summit. It was at least 100 feet lower, 

 aud was otherwise changed iu cmtline; w'hat had been the rocky pinnacle was now 

 lying in huge masses strewn down the steep iucliue, even to the surface of the sea. 

 » :K # # # « # 



Tin; old and new volcanoes are about a mile apart and were, a year ago, connected 

 by a narrow isthmus but little above the level of the sea, composed of line volcanic 

 cinders. Now, however, there is an open passage through it several hundred feet 

 in width near the new cone, the remainder of the si)it extending from Old Bogoslof 

 having been removed bodily to the westward with a broad sv.^eep. A bar or middle 

 ground was found a few hundred yards to the eastward of a line drawn between the 

 cones. * * * The beaches, the banks above mentioned, and the isthmus formerly 

 connecting the two cones arc composed of fine cinders, ashes, etc., ligliter than 

 sand or gravel, and are, in consequence, washed back aud forth with every heavy 

 gale. « * * ^ sea-lion rookery referred to iu former reports, near the base of 

 Old Bogoslof, was occupied as usual. This colony is notable for the unusual size of 

 Bome of the old bulls. They seemed quite tame, permitting several of the shore 

 party to approach close to them before showing signs of fear; their location being 

 remote from the usual routes iu Bering Sea, they are seldom disturbed. 



Unalaska was reai-hed in the evening of August 11, and on the 13th 

 the ship passed out into the North Pacific Ocean, through Unalga 

 Pass, bound for the northern end of Vancouver Island. Thence the 

 inland pas.sage was taken to Tacoma, Wash., stops being made at Alert 

 Bay, Departure Bay, and Port Townsend. At Alert Bay the salmon 

 cannery and Indian village were visited, and a collection of the native 

 hunting and fishing iinj)l{'nients was made for the World's Columbian 

 Exposition. The commissioners left the ^hip at Tacoma on August 22. 



