952 REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. 
found abreast of the group, the depth gradually decreasing to 3 fath- 
oms off the north end of Hagemeister Island. We were near the shore, 
however, and would doubtless have found more water in midchannel. 
Hagemeister Island lies 9 miles west of High Island, is 14 miles in 
length and 8 in width. It is mountainous except for about 5 miles at 
the north end. Shoal ground surrounds the island and extends from 
20 to 25 miles to the eastward, including the area between Hagemeister 
and the Walrus Group. 
Hagemeister Channel is about 16 miles in length and lies between 
the island of that name and the mainland. If is from 3 to 4 miles in 
width, but long shingle spits contract it in two places to less than 2 
miles. The least water was 44 fathoms. Good anchorage was found 
under Tongue Point, the shingle spit making out from the mainland 
about midway of the channel. From the above anchorage the Alba- 
tross stood directly to sea, passing within a mile of the southwest, 
extremity of Hagemeister Island, thence 8S. $ W., shoaling the water to 
3 fathoms 7 miles from the island. Greater depths might possibly be 
found by taking a more westerly course. The tides are very strong 
through the channel. We were visited by a number of Eskimos while 
at anchor under Tongue Point. 
Cape Peirce is of moderate height and symmetrical form, while Cape 
Newenham is high with sharp peaks and rugged lines. The Albatross 
found anchorage under the latter cape near Seal Rock during a south- 
erly gale and rode it out very comfortably, notwithstanding swift cur- 
rents and heavy tide rips. 
The Kuskokwim River is much dreaded by navigators on account of 
its extensive shoals, strong currents, etc. The Albatross ascended it 
between 35 and 40 miles without difficulty or delay, but encountered 
extensive shoals on her return; thick weather and the lack of time 
prevented an extended examination. These shoals commenced about 
9 miles WSW. from Good News Bay and extended in a westerly direc- 
tion for 10 miles or more. ~There was a channel between the shoal 
and the land about 4 miles wide, having a depth of 5 fathoms. Krom 
a point 5 miles WSW. from the west head of Good News Bay 
we stood direct for Cape Newenham, the least depth being 4 fathoms. 
Great quantities of fresh water are borne down the Kuskokwim by 
rapid currents, and, while there have been no surveys by which changes 
can be noted, there seems no reasonable doubt that great alterations 
have taken place since Cook ascended the river in the last century. 
Meteorological conditions in Bering Sea.—The winds and weather in 
Bristol Bay and other parts of Bering Sea visited by the Albatross from 
the last of May to the Ist of September may be summarized in a few 
words. Southwest winds prevailed, but we had them from southeast 
to northwest. It was boisterous. weather nearly half the time, but 
seldom rough enough to interfere with our work. We had several 
summer gales of moderate force, but no severe storms. Fog and mist 
