THE COD FISHERY OF ALASKA. 213 



made by the U. S. Coast Survey to the eastward of Kodiak and Afognak Islands shows the 

 following depths iu fathoms: 52, 52, 95 (no bottom), 90, 90, 55, 70, 45, 63, 75, 80. In the evening 

 of July 8 we were becalmed on this bank, off Marmot Island, and caught very fine cod in 35 

 fathoms, soon shoaling it to 30. The bottom is said to be sand and gravel, as a rule; one of the 

 soundings indicated mud. A sounding 20 miles to the eastward of Marmot Island, in 42 fathoms, 

 showed a rocky bottom.* Concerning this bank Davidson gives the following information: "The 

 soundings of Portlock, of Vancouver, and of this expedition prove the existence of a comparatively 

 shoal bank, extending along the southeastern coast of Afognak and Kadiak, with a deep pocket 

 of 90 fathoms, no bottom, 25 miles east of Saint PauT 7 The shoalest water obtained on this bank 

 by this expedition was 45 fathoms, in latitude 58 10', longitude 149 42'. It is fair to assume that 

 this bank extends along the southeast shore of Kadiak, as incidental and unconnected observations 



indicate."t 



BANK SOUTHEAST OF KODIAK. I am indebted to Mr. W. H. Ball, of the U. S. Coast Survey, 

 for information drawn from the records of the office concerning this and all the banks which follow. 

 A sounding in north latitude 56 13' and west longitude 153 39' showed 22J fathoms. The bank 

 seems to extend in a southwesterly direction; 22 to 38 fathoms were the limits of soundings over 

 an extensive area. 



SIMEONOFF OR SEMiNOFFSKY BANK. Mr. Ball states that this ground was discovered by the 

 Minnie G. Atkins in 1>67. Soundings have been taken in north latitude 54 45', west longitude 

 158, and in latitude 54 38', longitude 158 30'. In the latter place Bavidsou records 40 fathoms. 

 His description runs as follows: "Thirty-five miles east from the south end of the island of Niuniak, 

 the southernmost of the Shumagin Islands, we obtained coral and sand bottom in 40 fathoms of 

 water. * * * Ten miles farther westward the depth of water was 50 fathoms." 



Capt. Andrew Anderson informed me that Seminoffsky Bank was visited by the schooner 

 Shooting Star, formerly of Fox Island, Vinal Haven, Me., in 1870, and next by the Scotland and 

 Amanda Ager. He and Capt. J. C. Caton locate the bank at 20 miles east-northeast of Sirneonoff 

 Island. They have found from 26 to 40 fathoms with smooth sand bottom on the inner shoal part, 

 and big rocks outside. On the rocky portion many dory and schooner anchors have been lost. The 

 shoal water part is about 2 miles long and one-half mile wide. The whole bank is said to be 10 miles 

 long and from a mile and a half to 2 miles wide. There is deep water on the land side and seaward. 

 These areas are from Captain Anderson. Captain Caton thinks the bank about 40 miles long and 

 10 or 15 miles wide; and he supposes the 26-fathoin ridge to be 2 miles wide and 20 miles long. The 

 fact is, the limits of none of the grounds are definitely known and they will not be until accurate 

 surveys are completed. 



It is on this bank that the "yellow-fish" (Pleurogrammtts monopterygius) is so abundant in 

 August and September and proves so attractive to the cod. 



BANK OFF SANAK. We have two positions for this bank : North latitude 54 17, west longi- 

 tude 161 55' ; latitude 54 20', longitude 162 30'. Davidson gives the latter position as about 9 

 miles southeast from the Sanak Reef, where, he says, " we got bottom in 35 fathoms, rock and 

 barnacles being brought up by the lead." 



BANK OFF AKTJTAN PASS. Mr. Dall gives one position in north latitude 53 20', west longi- 

 tude 1640 30'. 



*The series of soundings is from a Coast Survey chart, entitled "U. S. Coast Survey | Benjamin Peirce, Supt. | 

 Alaska | and adjoining territory | 1869. | The Yukon River, Ranges of Mountains, Shores of Norton Sound | and many 

 Features of the Interior, from a Reconnaissance by W. H. Dall, | Director of the Scientific Corps, of the W. U. Tel. 

 Expedition, 1865-1868." 



t Alaska Coast Pilot, 1867, p. 44. 



