INVESTIGATIONS OF THE ALBATROSS. 239 
of coal from the new mine. The work of coaling continued until the 
evening of theloth, when we had taken 157 tons, which nearly filled 
the bunkers. The weather during our stay was generally overcast 
with mist and fog, but the sun usually came out for a short time each 
day. An effort was made to locate Point Divide astronomically, and 
sufficient observations were made for longitude, but no opportunity 
occurred, either day or night, to obtain the latitude. We were more 
fortunate, however, in Mine Harbor, Low Point having been accurately 
located by excellent observations. The naturalists made numerous 
additions to their collections during our detention, and the hunters 
brought in several bears, reindeer, and other game. 
Baird Bank.—Getting under way on the morning of the 16th, we 
steamed out without difficulty and resumed work. Lines of soundings 
were run off and on shore, the beam trawl being frequently used, and 
trial lines put over at every station occupied during daylight. We 
found that Port Moéller was near the center of the most important cod 
bank yet discovered in Bering Sea. Commencing at Amak Island, it 
extends to the vicinity of Cape Chichagof, a distance of 230 miles, with 
an average breadth of 40 miles, having an area of 9,200 square miles, 
with depths from 15 to 50 fathoms. The character of the bottom was 
usually fine gray sand, varied by black sand, black sand and gravel, 
and occasional rocky patches near shore. While codfish were found at 
nearly every station, numbers and quality varied with the locality. 
They were smaller and in poorer condition near the shores, the best 
fish being found between 25 and 40 fathoms, and they seemed to be 
most plentiful in the Port Moller region. 
As this is the largest and most valuable of the fishing- grounds yet 
developed in Bering Sea, we have called it Baird Bank, after Prof. 
Spencer F. Baird, the first U. 8S. Commissioner of Fish and Fisheries, 
through whose efforts these investigations were inaugurated. 
Baird Bank and Slime Bank, having an area of 10,645 square miles, 
extend for more than 300 eed along the northern shores of Unimak 
and the Alaska Peninsula, without a single harbor that the fishermen 
have hitherto availed themselves of, yet it is a favorite fishing-ground. 
The weather is usually pleasanter than in the Pacific; it has a weather 
Shore with the prevailing summer winds, and a well-found vessel may 
anchor anywhere on the banks aad ride out the usual summer gales 
without much risk or discomfort. 
Our survey of Port Méller entrance and Herendeen Bay will render 
those harbors ayailable hereafter, and there is an excellent beach at 
Mine Harbor for hauling a schooner out if necessary. The rise and fall 
exceeds 15 feet, and would give several hours each tide to examine or 
make repairs on a vessel’s bottom. Should the coal mine be developed, 
as seems likely, the place would afford some facilities for repairing 
and refitting. Water is easily procured, and fuel can be had in any 
quantity, 
