100 REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. 
eastern part of Bering Sea. Subsequently some additional observa- 
tions were made in regard to the fishing region south of the Alaska 
Peninsula, which had been surveyed in 1888; a short stop was made 
on the coast of Washington, and the examination of the continental 
platform was finished between Cape Mendocino and Point Arena, Cali- 
fornia. The last of January, 1891, the Albatross was dispatched on a 
special expedition off the west coast of Mexico and Central America, and 
to the region about the Galapagos Islands, under the scientifie direction 
of Prof. Alexander Agassiz. This occupied about three months, and by 
the end of June, 1891, the steamer had been refitted for a third eruise 
to Alaska, 
The conduct of these investigations was in charge of Lieut. Com- 
mander Z, L. Tanner, U. 8. Navy, commanding the Albatross, assisted 
by an eflicient staff of naval officers in the management of the ship 
and in connection with the physical observations. The civilian staff 
has consisted of Mr. Charles H. Townsend, naturalist; Mr. A. B. Alex- 
ander, fishery expert, and Mr. N. B. Miller, assistant naturalist. Prof. 
Charles H. Gilbert, of Indiana University, was also attached to the 
Steamer as ichthyologist and chief naturalist from January to August, 
1889, and during the Bering Sea cruise of 1890. 
ALASKA. 
During the summer of 1890 the Albatross was in Bering Sea, where 
an examination was made of all the principal cod-fishing banks as well 
as of the general features of the shallow-water area which composes 
the entire eastern part of this important region. The Albatross entered 
Bering Sea by way of Unimak Pass, in May, and carried a line of 
soundings in a northerly and easterly direction a distance of about 80 
miles, when stormy weather made it necessary to proceed to Unalaska, 
the dredgings and soundings being continued, however, in that diree- 
tion. Leaving the latter place on May 28, the vessel began a recon- 
naissance of the shore line of Bristol Bay, which was conducted first 
along the north side of the Alaska Peninsula as far as the Kvichak 
River, and thence to the Kuskokwim River. During this cruise the 
contour and topography of the coast were sufficiently well defined to 
Serve as a basis for the subsequent hydrographic observations. From 
Cape Newenham a line of stations was run in the direction of the North- 
west Cape of Unimak, and the latter part of June investigations were 
commenced on Slime Bank, being carried thence over Baird Bank to 
the head of Bristol Bay and the Kulukak Ground. Two visits were paid 
to Port Moller and Herendeen Bay, where a coal mine had recently been 
opened, and partial surveys were made of each of these inlets, which 
define their entrance and the channel leading to the coal landing. 
During the first part of August a line of soundings was made from 
off Cape Cheerful, Unalaska, to Bogoslof Island and volcano, from the 
