214 REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. 
ing head to wind and sea, but it moderated next morning, and we 
crossed the Columbia River Bar at 2 p. m., anchoring off Astoria an 
hour later. We received 504 tons of coal on the 6th, and at 10:40 next 
morning got under way, crossed the bar at Meridian, and at 3:46 put 
the hand lines over in 40 fathoms, off Faleon Rocks. <A fine salmon 
was taken on one of the lines. 
The beam trawl and hand lines were used at various stations, work- 
ing to the southward over ground previously sounded. The various 
species of rock-cod, flounders, ete., were found quite plentifully. A 
thick fog set in at 8 p. m., obliging us to lay to till daylight the follow- 
ing morning, when it partially lifted and we continued our investiga- 
tions, working to the southward as before. Beam trawl] and hand lines 
were used with good success, and Mr. Alexander made an examination 
of the shore line in the dory. There are many outlying rocks along 
this part of the coast, around which we expected to find rock-cod and 
other species, but we were disappointed. The presence of sea lions on 
nearly every rock may account for this scarcity of fish. Having 
reached Cape Lookout we anchored under its lee at 5:10 p. m., where 
we found smooth water and excellent protection from northerly winds. 
Our attention having been called to a recently discovered bank off 
Nestuggah, Oregon, reported by Capt. Bell, of the steamer A. 6. Iield, 
we decided to give the region a careful examination. The report stated 
that 12 fathoms was found 10 miles-from land. We sounded at inter- 
vals of 3 miles, extending the examination several miles north and 
south of Nestuggah, and found 15 fathoms about 1 mile from shore, the 
depth increasing regwarly to 70 fathoms, 8 to 10 miles off, where the 
reported bank was said to be. The bottom was of fine gray sand, and 
the usual varieties of coast fishes were found, but no codfish. The 
report referred to is more circumstantial than usual, names being given, 
yet we found that a depth of 12 fathoms anywhere in the vicinity of 
Nestuggah would be but a fraction of a mile from shore and well within 
sound of the surf. 
Having completed the examination of the reported bank we continued 
work along the coast, and although the weather was boisterous, it was 
usually clear, with bright moonlight nights, which enabled us to carry 
on the work continuously. Reaching the vicinity of Orford Reef on 
the afternoon of the 12th, Mr. Alexander went in with the dory and 
examined that locality, while the Albatross worked farther off shore. 
He reported sea lions on nearly every rock, and the total absence of 
fish in their immediate vicinity; but “spots ” were found, a few hun- 
dred yards to the southward, where cultus-cod and the various species 
of rock-cod were taken in large numbers. We were equally successful 
with the hand lines on board ship at stations south and west of the 
reef. 
Wind and sea increased during the afternoon, making boat work and 
line fishing from the ship so difficult that we sought shelter for the night 
