HALIBUT FISHING GKOUNDS OF THE PACIFIC COAST. 35 



Between Cape Hinchinbrook and Wessels Reef. — The Albatross 

 steamed offshore 19 miles from the position of the last station and 

 anchored in 38 fathoms; bottom, mud, pebbles, and small rocks; lati- 

 tude 59° 56' 20" N., longitude 146° 28' 30" W. 



At 6 p. m. a trawl baited with fresh salmon was set close to the ship 

 and remained down 1 hour and 25 minutes, capturing one small hali- 

 but. Attached to the hook were many live shells, ascidians, and small 

 stones, an indication of a good fishing ground which no doubt attracts 

 halibut at some portion of the year. 



On August 3 trial was made in 49 fathoms, a short distance from 

 the position of the previous set. The ground seemed to be barren, 

 nothing being caught. A considerable quantity of soft mud was at- 

 tached to the anchors, and in many places the ground line, buoy line, 

 and snoods of the trawl were covered with it. As this kind of bottom 

 covers a considerable area no economic species could be expected at 

 any season on this ground. 



Midclleton Island. — Another trial was made at 2.30 p. m. in 25 

 fathoms of water 6 miles from the south end of Middleton Island, 

 which bore E. by S. | S. ; bottom composed of broken shells. In 

 this position, as at the last station, there was an absence of fish of 

 commercial species. 



At the time the trawl was being set a strong southwest breeze was 

 blowing, accompanied by a rough sea, and in consequence it was 

 hauled after being down 45 minutes. A number of whales were seen. 

 During the afternoon and night the ship steamed to the westward a 

 distance of 49 miles, and at 9.40 a. m., August 4, in latitude 59° 18' 00" 

 N., longitude 148° 03' 00" W., a trawl was set in 70 fathoms on rocky 

 bottom. A strong southwest wind caused a sharp choppy sea. The 

 result of this trial of 1 hour and 15 minutes was 14 cod. During the 

 trial a salmon was observed jumping close to the ship. Our position at 

 the time was 29^ miles from the nearest land, which was the southern 

 end of Montague Island, situated at the mouth of Prince William 

 Sound, into which a large body of salmon enters each season. 



From this position a run of 19 miles was made to the westward, 

 and the ground for halibut tested in latitude 59° 13' 20" N., longi- 

 tude 148° 38' 30" W. ; depth, 67 fathoms ; character of bottom, a mix- 

 ture of pebbles and mud, which is the general character of the ground 

 within a radius of 15 miles. Judging from the bottom and the tak- 

 ing of two halibut in a short time, it is thought that halibut may be 

 found here in commercial quantities before and after the salmon run 

 in Prince William Sound is over, this opinion being based on the 

 fact that in the waters of southeast Alaska and British Columbia 

 halibut follow salmon to the mouth of rivers and into bays. At such 

 times it is not unusual for halibut to leave shore grounds and follow 

 the salmon or herring. 



