282 REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. 
Many trials were made on this bank, and while they were never of 
long duration, the examination was sufficiently thorough to disclose its 
principal features. As on Slime Bank, the best fish were found some 
distance from the shore, the most favorable localities being from 15 to 
20 miles from land. Those caught within 4 or 5 miles of the beaches 
and headlands were small and many were inferior in quality. 
During the progress of the inquiry only one cod-fishing vessel was 
seen, the schooner Vanderbilt, of San Francisco, commanded by Capt. 
A. W. Smith. She was anchored on the Port Méller ground, about 20 
miles off shore, and had been on the bank a little over a month. Only 
one berth had been made, and 43,000 cod had been taken up to that 
time. We subsequently learned that the Vanderbilt completed her trip 
with 48,500 count fish, measuring 28 inches and over, and several thou- 
sand small fish. Capt. Smith informed us that heavy winds prevailed 
from June 11 to 21, preventing any fishing during that period. The 
same wind on the Grand or Western Bank would not have interfered 
with fishing, as the sea there takes a different shape, and is less liable 
to trip or break into a dory. On the south banks of the Alaska Penin- 
sula the sea is also much more uniform than in Bering Sea. Stormy 
weather is said to scatter the cod on the banks in Bristol Bay or to 
drive them into deeper water. 
The halibut on Baird Bank seldom exceed 25 pounds in weight. They 
are always used as bait when taken, and are sometimes very abundant. 
During the past season, however, they proved to be unusually scaree. 
Capt. Smith considers the Port Méller ground to be superior to all other 
fishing-grounds in Bering Sea. The cod are not larger or of better- 
quality than on Slime Bank, but there are fewer obstacles to fishing. 
Nearly all the cod in Bristol Bay and other parts of Alaskan waters 
have black napes, specimens with white napes being rarely taken. 
As we proceeded to the northward and eastward from the Port Moller 
region the fish gradually decreased in size and abundance, but while 
the difference is not great it is sufficient to induce the fishermen to 
remain in that locality. However, so little is known about the habits 
of the cod in this region that no reliable deductions can yet be made 
regarding this general subject. Good fares can undoubtedly be 
obtained to the eastward of the Port Méller ground, but at the eastern 
extremity of the bank the fish become scattering and greatly reduced 
in numbers, due no doubt to the volume of fresh water which issues 
from the Ugashik, Ugaguk, Naknek, Kvichak, and Nushagak rivers. 
The cod which visit the head of the bay are probably attracted there by 
young salmon, the remains of which were found in the stomachs of cod 
examined from this.locality. In this same region cod are said to be more 
abundant and to range farther east on the flood tide than on the ebb. 
The only available harbors for shelter adjacent to Baird Bank are 
Port Moéller and Herendeen Bay, but as these places are not yet buoyed, 
their tortuous channels are especially difficult of navigation by sailing 
