INVESTIGATIONS OF THE ALBATROSS. 271 
REPORT OF A. B. ALEXANDER, FISHERY BXPERT. 
_ [Abstract. ] 
WASHINGTON, OREGON, aND CALIFORNIA. 
On August 28, 1889, hydrographic operations were commenced off the 
coast of Washington, and were carried on thence southward along the 
coasts of Oregon and northern California as far as Cape Mendocino. 
The work of sounding, dredging, and fishing was assiduously carried 
on from the above date until October 13, with the exception of a short 
visit made to Portland, Oregon, and the time required for coaling. Off 
the coasts examined the fishing-grounds are entirely within the 100- 
fathom curve. Fishes are generally found in greatest numbers in 
depths of 15. to 30 fathoms and on rocky bottoms, but the numerous 
species of rockfish frequently congregate together on sandy patches, 
attracted, undoubtedly, by the quantity of food which they find there. 
The greatest distance of the 100-fathom curve from the coast of 
Washington, between Cape Flattery and the Columbia River, is about 
40 miles, the least distance about 18 miles, the average being about 25 
miles. South of the Columbia River this curve takes an’ irregular 
course, but near the northern boundary line of California it rapidly 
approaches the shore, deep water being found only a short distance 
from the land. Heceta Bank is the apis and most important fishing- 
ground south of Cape Flattery. 
The first trial for bottom fish was made on the afternoon of August 
30 in 28 fathoms off Yaquina Head, Oregon, the catch consisting of 1 
red rockfish and 2 ling or whiting. The wind was blowing fresh at the 
time, causing the ship to drift rapidly, and it was difficult to keep the 
hooks on the bottom. The following morning another trial was made 
some 30 miles south of the last locality in 29 fathoms of water, but no 
fish were taken. The bottom consisted of fine gray sand, and furnished 
no indications of a good fishing-ground. 
On the morning of September 1 hand lines were used at hydrographic 
station No. 1958, latitude 44° 01’ N., longitude 124° 49’ 15” W., depth 
58 fathoms, both from the ship and from small boats. Nothing of im- 
portance was taken by the latter, and only 3 orange rockfish by the 
former. At hydrographic station No. 1978, later in the day, latitude 
43° 58’ 30” N., longitude 124° 44’ 20” W., 61 fathoms, even poorer 
results were obtained, but at a few ship lengths from this berth 2 
rockfish, of two species, were captured in the course of a few minutes. 
Undoubtedly at many places where we were unable to secure anything 
with hand lines excellent fishing could be obtained with the beam trawl. 
While flounders, soles, and some other edible species may occur in very 
