228 REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. 
was vacant and took on board 117 tons of coal during the 26th and 27th, 
filled up with fresh water, and made final preparations for departure. 
Bristol Bay; Unalaska to the Nushagak River.—At 3:50 a. m., May 
28, we cast off from the coal wharf and proceeded to sea en route for 
Bristol Bay. It was blowing a moderate gale from the southward, 
with fog and mist, which lifted at intervals, but was particularly dis- 
agreeable when crossing the several passes into the Pacific. 
Reaching the northwest cape of Unimak about noon the next day, 
we found it too rough to use the trawl cr hand lines, but ran a line of 
soundings along the land to Shaw Bay, where at 5:53 p.m. we anchored 
for the night. This bay is open to the northward, but affords protec- 
tion from all winds to the southward of east or west. The approaches 
are clear, and the water shoals gradually to 6 fathoms, black sand, 
about three-quarters of a mile from shore. Our experience in coasting 
along the north shore of Unimak Island made it evident that very little 
dependence could be placed on the charts, except for a general, though 
inaccurate, marking of the coast line. They were totally devoid of 
topographical delineations near the shores, which are, as a rule, low, 
monotonous, and lacking in striking features to serve as landmarks. 
The mountain ranges and principal voleanie cones are indicated, it 
is true, but they are usually enveloped in fog or mist, and are, there- 
fore, seldom available for navigating purpose. Overcast or foggy 
weather was so prevalent that we could not depend on making astro- 
nomical observations, and hence I decided to make a reconnaissance 
of the coast before attempting to explore the fishing-grounds. 
Getting under way at daylight next morning, we ran as near the 
land as prudent, sounding frequently, angling on points, and locating 
features that might be useful as landmarks. This work was continued 
to the head of Bristol Bay, where we anchored off the Naknek River 
on the morning of the 31st. The naturalists and a surveying party 
spent the following day near the mouth of the river, the former in 
shore and shoal water collecting, the latter in making a reconnaissance 
of the entrance. 
Nushagak River.—Leaving our anchorage on the morning of June 2, 
a line of dredgings and fishing stations was carried across the bay to 
the vicinity of Protection Point, where we arrived at 5:45 the same 
day. The charts of this dangerous region were of very little service; 
the land on both sides is low and without distinctive features; shoals 
extend off so far from the region of Etolin Point that we were fre- 
quently forced almost out of range; and the strong uncertain currents 
rendered compass courses entirely unreliable. The eye and lead are, 
in fact, the only safe guides. The Nushagak pilot, an aged Eskimo, 
boarded us at 1:30 a. m., and, getting under way at 8:53 with the flood 
tide, we steamed up to the anchorage aboye the native village of Ekuk, 
