INVESTIGATIONS OF THE ALBATROSS. 289 
or bay 11 miles east of Cape Makushin, both cod and halibut being 
captured. Three specimens of the latter species were secured, weighing 
64, 8, and 15 pounds, respectively. Two trials were made off the mouth 
of Makushin Bay, but a strong wind prevented satisfactory work. 
Makushin Bay to Umnak Island.—The bottom in this region differs 
from that farther to the eastward chiefly in being better adapted to cod 
and halibut, especially the latter. The beam trawl] and hand lines were 
used in the vicinity of Makushin Bay and Cape Hague. A rich bot- 
tom was disclosed by the former, but only five cod were taken in as 
many trials with the latter. They may, however, be more abundant 
here at other times. The bottom was found to be largely made up of 
sandy, muddy, and coral patches. With the latter were large quanti- 
ties of sponges and other rich material, the combination suggesting 
the deep-water localities on the Grand Bank, where halibut are plenti- 
ful. This species is sometimes caught here by the natives, but whether 
they can be obtained in paying quantities or not has yet to be deter- 
mined. Small vessels might probably engage in their capture with 
some show of success, but many years would elapse before all the good 
fishing-spots could be located, and at present there is no particular 
inducement to establish a commercial fishery in this region, as the hali- 
but grounds south of the Alaska Peninsula and off the southeastern 
coast of the Territory offer better opportunities. 
Chernofisky and vicinity—Near the harbor of Chernoffsky there is an 
excellent ground for both cod and halibut. Fifty-three cod and 5 hali- 
but were captured on one trial lasting only thirty minutes. This would 
be a good fishing-place for a fleet of small vessels. Mr. Rankin, agent 
of the Alaska Commercial Company, who has lived at Chernoffsky seven * 
years, states that the best halibut ground aiong this section of the 
coast is located in a small bay some 6 or 8 miles to the west of Chern- 
offsky. During the summer halibut are plentiful inshore, but on the 
approach of winter they invariably seek deeper water. They are suffi- 
ciently abundant to maintain a small fishery, providing there were 
convenient markets for the catch. From 10 to 12 pounds is the average 
size of those caught on the grounds near Chernoffsky and Umnak Pass, 
Few halibut are found near the outer edge of the platform; the bot- 
tom a few miles nearer shore seems to be better adapted to them. All 
the halibut observed by the Albatross were white. Gray halibut are 
said to be seldom taken in Alaskan waters or off the Queen Charlotte 
Islands and on Flattery Bank. 
Excellent cod-fishing was obtained at nearly every trial made off Cher- 
noftsky, but as we approached Umnak Pass less success was met with. 
Fewer fish were found on the western side of the pass than on the east- 
ern side, but it is probable that at some other season of the year cod 
may be more plentiful in the former locality, as the character of the 
bottom seems to be the same in both places. In fact the difference in 
their abundance may have been due to the state of the tide at the time 
the trials were made. Fishing was carried on in Umnak Pass in 30 to 60 
H. Mis, 113 19 
