30 HALIBUT FISHING GKOUNDS OF THE PACIFIC COAST. 



that the ground is prolific and a large catch of halibut could be 

 obtained in a short time. 



At 4.18 p. m., in latitude 58° 16' 00" N., longitude 150° 20' 00" 

 W., a set was made in 48 fathoms; bottom, pebbles and rocks. At 

 4.30 put over the second dory 1| miles NW. by W. from the first 

 position and made a set in 52 fathoms; character of the bottom, 

 broken shells. The first trawl remained down 1 hour and 5 min- 

 utes, and the second 1 hour and 20 minutes. The catch of the first 

 consisted of 6 halibut, 14 cod, and 2 skates ; and the second 7 halibut, 

 16 cod, and 2 skates. The halibut at the first station averaged 22 

 pounds in weight and 32 inches in length; the largest weighed 40 

 pounds, having a length of 42 inches. Those caught at the second 

 station averaged 18 pounds and 33 inches. This ground is situated 

 10 miles S. by E. ^ E. from the "spot" where the first trial was 

 made on the afternoon of June 5. In this region there is every 

 evidence of a fishing ground of considerable importance. 



On July 21 the Alhatross anchored off the town of Seward, Resur- 

 rection Bay, a distance of 112 miles north of the position of the last 

 trial. 



Blying Sound. — The next trial was made on the morning of July 

 24 at the mouth of Blying Sound and just north of Aialik Bay, in 

 50 fathoms, near the south end of Cheval Island, on rocky bottom. 

 The trawl remained set 1 hour and 20 minutes, in which time 3 

 halibut, 7 cod, and 2 turbot were captured. The result of this trial 

 did not indicate the presence of a large body of halibut. It is pos- 

 sible that the glacial water discharged from Resurrection and Aialik 

 Bays may prevent halibut from approaching this part of the coast; 

 although in Icy Strait, southeast Alaska, where there is a large 

 quantity of glacial water coming from Muir and Brady Glaciers, 

 halibut are very plentiful at different periods. 



In a trial lasting one hour, in 57 fathoms, rockj bottom, off the 

 south side of Seal Rocks, which lie 8 miles off the west side of 

 Aialik Bay, 1 halibut weighing 7 pounds, and 1 skate were caught. 

 As there seemed to be nothing of importance in this locality the ship 

 was headed for Point Gore, 49 miles south and west of Seal Rocks. 

 The following morning, July 25, on account of stormy weather, an 

 anchorage was made in Sunday Harbor, where we remained until 

 the morning of July 27. 



Sunday JIar'hoT. — This harbor affords good anchorage for large 

 vessels. There is very little obstruction at its entrance. The north- 

 ern arm of the bay is also free from obstruction after passing a dry 

 rock at the mouth. From this point to the head of the harbor the 

 passage is open. Vessels will find good anchorage in depths ranging 

 from 7 to 16 fathoms. At the entrance head of the harbor there is an 



