also on account of the fact tliat the western side of Cnstle Peak de- 

 scends sheer to the water's edge. The eastern beach is of en average 

 vddth of about 75 yards. Except at its northwest end, it is sncoth 

 and free fron boulders. It is conposod of snail particles of ground 

 volcanic rock, no sand being noticed at any point of the island. Tlie 

 central plateau slopes tovjard the southeast point of the island into 

 a smooth beach and spit, much frequented by sea lions," 



REPORT OF CAPTAIN W» T. STR Ot tBERG , COMIAIIDBTG U. S. COAST GU/J^D CUTTER 



ALQQMQ,UIN, SEPTEMBER 15, 19Sg . 



"ChongG is the only dependable tMag about Bogoslof Volcano, 

 unless the regular annual visit (for rearing their young) of the iftirre, 

 seagulls, raid sea lions bo an exception. Five times have I visited it, 

 EivG distinctly different views have I seen. The last tine, as far as 

 could be learned at Unalaska, thiat Bogosloif decided to na.ke a sudden 

 transfornation was in 1916, There is much to cause one to accept this 

 statement , The island is entirely cold. A few tufts of growing grass 

 wore found. The beaches have begun to show signs of permanence (drift- 

 wood, sea grasses, etc.). The high plateau has many gullies on the 

 eastern slope caused by the heavy rains, 



"There was quite a contrast between my first' visit (1906) and 

 my last (192S), Then there was a large peak probably 450 feet in height 

 about half way between Fire Island (Grewingk) on the North and Castle 

 Rock on the South, This mountain was giving off sulphurous vapors. In 

 the crevices we lighted pine slivers as we climbed its faces. Numerous 

 vents fringed with bright yellow sulphur were found near its base. The 

 peak was enshrouded in a dense vapor around its central rock, popularly 

 supposed to have been what was laio\"mL locally by mariners and shown by 

 geographers as "Ship Rock'!, Cantwell's nnp (1884) shows it, while Ball's 

 outline (1896) does not, although it is said to have later appeared again. 

 The water at its base was hot below, cold at the surface. There was a 

 flat area connecting the new pealc (kno^vn by some as Metcalf Cone, by us 

 as "Perry" Peak from the old Revenue Cutter PERRY on which we were serving 

 when the visit vjas made) with Grewingk, This area was dotted with many 

 hot water holes, in many of which eggs coiold bie boiled. The central 

 portion of this area was lower than the seashore probably below the gen- 

 eral 'sea level. Then I climbed a mountain, whose sides were Lot and on 

 which rested very insecurely rocks of a size dangerous to those in the 

 rear of the party. Then the Castle Rocks portion was isolated, Grewingk 

 being then honored with visiting parties, Tlien panoramas were taken from 

 Grov/ingk's easily scaled plateau, ffiindreds of sea lion foregathered on 

 a long spit on the S.E. end of Castle Rock, thousands of seagulls and 

 tons of thousands California murre builded their nosts, deposited their 

 •eggs, hatched and reared their yoxmg on both Castle Rock and Grewingk. 

 Everirwhere there was evidence of one's insecurity from the effects of the 

 enormous forces just beneath us. Nothing was old, everything new. One 

 ran from one surprise to another, Lly 1906 sketch was taken from Grev/ingk, 

 While sitting on its suianit (Southern end) running in the shore line the 

 earth decided to rumble a little. This rumble caused me the loss of sev- 

 eral drawing instruments as it hastened my departure . Then passe^ge by 

 deep draft vessels could have been ma.dc between the two) portions of the 

 volcano by keeping near and leaving "Perry" peak of the Worth, Tlicn 

 thcire was so' much ado overyv/hero that, in our short visit, accurate bear" 

 ings and distances wore not talcen, I still remombor vividly each incident 



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