4-REPORT UPON THE INVESTIGATIONS OF THE U. S. FISH 
COMMISSION STEAMER ALBATROSS FOR THE YEAR END- 
ING JUNE 30, 1889. 
By Lieut. Commander Z. L. Tanner, U. S. N., Commanding. 
[With plates l, li, and lii.] 
Report proper, by Z. L. Tanner 395-450 
Report of the fishery expert, A. B. Alex- 
ander 450-479 
Report of the navigator, Marbury John- 
ston - 479-480 
Record of hydrographic soundings. 481-490 
Record of dredging and trawling stations . 491-496 
Record of temperature and specific- gravity 
observations 497-502 
Meteorological record 503-512 
Chart of Cortez and Tanner Banks 512 
. INVESTIGATIONS ON THE ALASKAN COAST. 
Ban Francisco to Departure Bay . — The steamer Albatross left San 
Francisco at 9:30 a. m. July 4, 1888, for Alaska, the object of the expe- 
dition being to explore the waters adjacent to the Aleutian Islands and 
the Alaska Peninsula, for the purpose of ascertaining the character 
and extent of the cod and halibut fishing grounds, and of obtaining all 
possible information regarding the fishing interests and resources of 
that region. 
We had on board 30 lobsters, recently received from Wood’s Holl, 
Massachusetts, which were to be deposited at some point on the Cali- 
fornia coast north of San Francisco. It was decided,, on the recom- 
mendation of Prof. George Davidson, to plant them near Trinidad, as 
in his opinion the natural conditions of the Hew England coast, the 
home of the lobster, were more fully realized at that point than any- 
where else on the northern California coast. The shores are bold and 
rocky, the sea-bottom ledges covered with kelp, alternating with sandy 
patches, and the water pure. The lobsters were placed in tubs of salt 
water and covered with kelp to exclude the light, the water being 
changed at frequent intervals. At 7:30 p. m. July 5 they were deposited 
in 13 fathoms, 1£ miles S. § W., magnetic, from Trinidad light-house, all 
in good condition except one. The temperature was 50° F., about the 
same as the waters of the northern Hew England coast during July. 
Note. — A ll bearings are true unless otherwise stated. 
395 
