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REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. 103 
of these shoals, as well as to the eastward and westward of them, and 
have depths of 12 to 15 fathoms. The bottom in this region consists 
generally of sand, with some mud and gravel, and the fauna is essen- 
tially the same as on Slime and Baird banks. Cod are plentiful at 
times, but they are smaller than on the more southern grounds. An 
exception in this particular, however, has been reported with respect 
to a small spot called Gravel Bank, situated about 16 miles SSW. from 
the southern end of Hagemeister Island, in depths of 16 to 20 fathoms, 
but its extent is inconsiderable. Small fish predominate among the 
islands of the Walrus group, but larger ones may be taken in some of 
the indentations and on some of the rocky patches. The Kulukak 
grounds were formerly resorted to by a few vessels, but they are not 
visited at present. 
Cod were found to be abundant in the vicinity of Cape Peirce, but, 
owing to the number of diseased fish among them, this ground has been 
named Hospital Bank by the fishermen. Off Cape Newenham no cod 
were taken, and it is supposed that their absence may be due to the 
great volume of fresh water issuing from the Kuskokwim River. 
Port Moller and Herendeen Bay.—The recent opening of a coal mine 
near the head of Herendeen Bay has called particular attention to 
this locality, and it was visited twice by the steamer Albatross during 
the summer of 1890. Although the first purpose in going there was 
to obtain a supply of coal, partial surveys were made which now render 
these inlets accessible to fishing vessels during stormy weather. Port 
Moller and Herendeen Bay are closely adjacent to one another, and 
open on the north side of the peninsula, the principal passage into the 
latter being by way of Port Méller entrance. They are located, as 
before explained, in the vicinity of the best fishing-grounds on Baird 
Bank, and their availability for shelter is an important consideration 
for the fishermen. Should this locality, moreover, become a coaling 
center, it will increase the number of vessels resorting to the region, 
and tend greatly to develop its resources. 
The entrance to the mine which has just been opened, and from 
which the Albatross received the first output of coal, is about 14 miles 
from the water front, on the east side of the head of Herendeen Bay, 
the coal being transported to the landing over a tramway operated by 
asmall steam motor. A small bight at this place has been called 
Mine Harbor. The survey made by the Albatross has defined the 
entrance to Port Moller and the channel thence through Herendeen 
Bay to its extreme upper part, where there are good places for beaching 
and repairing small vessels, the rise and fall of the tide amounting to 
15 feet, and where fresh water and fuel can readily be procured in any 
quantity. 
The Herendeen Bay coal was used on board the Albatross with sat- 
isfactory results, but, owing to the lack of proper screening facilities, 
much fine material and dirt was delivered with it, and it was found 
