288 REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. 
tities. The rocks have the appearance of being of volcanic origin, and 
are very rough and sharp. They would be very destructive to most 
kinds of fishing gear. 
Cod are frequently caught from the wharf and beach in Iliuliuk Har- 
bor,and native women may often be seen fishing for them from the rocks 
along the shore. Certain grounds in Captain’s Harbor are sufficiently 
rich to supply the inhabitants of Dliuliuk during the entire year. The 
fish taken there, however, are not as good as those from the offshore 
grounds, but the Aleuts are not particular about their quality. 
The cod in this locality will accept almost anything as bait, and 
among the articles used for this purpose may be mentioned seal meat, 
seulpins, flounders, pork, and bacon. Salmon being the principal diet 
of these people, a large stock of cod is never secured at one time, and 
the latter species is almost invariably eaten fresh. Such as are not 
immediately eaten, however, are cured in the same manner as salmon. 
Considerable time was spent in testing the bottom in the vicinity of 
Priest Rock and Cape Cheerful, at the entrance of Iliulink Harbor. 
Trials were made with hand-lines in depths of from 22 to 58 fathoms. 
In close proximity to the cape, cod were found abundant, the average 
weight of those captured being 11 pounds. A halibut weighing 64 
pounds was caught in a depth of 40 fathoms, sandy bottom. This species 
has never been regarded as common in this region, but, aS no one ever 
fishes for them, the real facts in the case have not yet been ascertained. 
In approaching Priest Rock we met with less success, the scarcity of 
cod being due, no doubt, to the extent of muddy bottom which occurs 
there. By a careful series of trials productive spots could probably be 
found in that vicinity. : 
This part of Unalaska Island offers many inducements for the estab- 
lishment of fishing stations, such as occur on the Sannak and Shuma- 
gin islands, and a profitable industry of this character could undoubt- 
edly be built up at this place. Good bait can readily be obtained in the 
fishing season, such as herring, smelt, sculpins, flounders, and salmon, 
and the cost of catching the same would be slight. 
Cape Cheerful to Makushin Bay.—Between these two points the 
bottom differs but little from that above described. A well-defined 
platform, from 5 to 6 miles wide, and with depths of 20 to 60 fathoms, 
runs parallel with the coast. At its outer edge the bottom drops off 
suddenly into deep water. In many places cod were fairly abundant, 
and small vessels could probably fish in this region with profit. Owing 
to the force of the wind, which interfered greatly with operations, noth- 
ing was obtained in many of the trials made by the Albatross. Had 
an anchorage been made in each instance it is reasonable to suppose 
that better results would have been secured. By far the greatest 
number of cod were found near the shore, but the best fish, as to size 
and quality, were taken some distance off the land. At other seasons, 
however, the conditions may be more favorable inshore. 
Excellent fishing was obtained at the mouth of a small indentation 
