HALIBUT FISHING GROUNDS OF THE PACIFIC COAST. 41 



titles. After this set the ship steamed at slow speed all night on a 

 S. f E. course, covering 49^ miles. 



On the following day, August 11, at 4.45 a. m., investigated the 

 ground in 70 fathoms, rocky and sandy bottom, Lituya Bay 38 miles 

 distant and bearing N. by E. ^ E. An hour was given to the trial ; 

 and 7 halibut, 1 rockfish, and 1 cod constituted the catch. Only one 

 of the halibut was brought on board. It weighed 115 pounds, and 

 the others were estimated to range from 20 to 50 pounds in weight. 

 The stomach of the individual brought on board contained a rock- 

 fish. On one of the trawl hooks was a piece of sponge and an 

 ascidian, 



A station was occupied 8| miles NE. ^ E. from where the last set 

 was made, in 53 fathoms, Lituya Bay bearing NE. | N., 32 miles, the 

 bottom composed of sand and pebbles. The catch was 2 halibut and 

 4 rockfish. The halibut were small, estimated 10 and 15 pounds. 

 It is quite evident that halibut were quite numerous in this particular 

 locality, as each of the individuals captured was " jigged," and the 

 fish evidently did not care for salt bait, which was the only kind the 

 Albatross carried. 



Another indication that this is a good ground for halibut was the 

 richness of the bottom, the hooks bringing up large quantities of 

 pennatulids and sea anemones. 



A few salmon were jumping near the ship and several whales were 

 on the ground. The banks lie from 15 to 25 miles offshore from the 

 Fairweather Eange, have suitable depths of water, and cover a large 

 area ; and it is thought that should halibut fishermen carefully inves- 

 tigate the ground in this latitude they would be well rewarded. 



Our next trial was 2f miles from Harbor Point, Lituya Bay, 

 situated on the south side of the bay, bearing NE. | N. In a depth 

 of 40 fathoms, on bottom composed of sand and gravel, a trial of one 

 hour resulted in 6 halibut, 4 skates, and 2 dogfish. The halibut were 

 estimated to weigh about 10 pounds each. It is evident that at 

 this season there are few fish on the inshore grounds. The bottom 

 is also less attractive than it is offshore, very little marine growth 

 being taken on the trawl. 



The last trial in this region was made on the morning of August 

 12 in 77 fathoms of water 8^ miles S. f W. from Cape Cross, Yacobi 

 Island. The bottom being rocky, it was difficult to haul the trawl, 

 and 2 halibut, their combined weight 54 pounds, 10 rockfish, and 

 8 dogfish was the catch. At the proper season halibut are likely to 

 be found in more paying quantities. As this ground no doubt has 

 frequently been visited by vessels fishing in the vicinity of Cross 

 Sound, it is probable that the banks and " spots " within a radius of 

 25 miles or more are well known to fishermen. 



