398 REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. 
trawl were made off the northern extremity of Akutan in 72 and 86 
fathoms, a great variety of specimens being taken. We then laid a 
course for Cape Cheerful, about S. 55° W., 24 miles distant. It was not 
visible until we were nearly up with Kaleklita Point, when it came 
out of the fog with such remarkable distinctness that it appeared close 
at hand in comparison with Kalekhta, not one third the distance from 
us, but just visible through the mist. Appearances were so deceptive 
that it was only after cross bearings had been taken that we could 
convince ourselves that we were not several miles out of position. 
Priest Rock, near Kalekhta Point, is nearly as high as the* point 
itself, is very conspicuous and an unmistakable landmark when open 
of the point, but in approaching from the northward it does not begin 
to open until it bears about S. 67° E. Keedle Rock, lying off the NW. 
extremity of Amaknak Island, near CTlakhta Head, is a small pinnacle 
which has been mistaken for Priest Rock when the latter was obscured 
by fog or mist, and has led vessels to the westward of the island into 
Captain’s Bay instead of Iliuliuk, the port to which they were bound. 
It may be said that cross bearings would make such a mistake im- 
possible, but it too often happens in this region that anchorage must 
be made on a momentary view of one point only. Priest Rock onee^ 
recognized there should be little difficulty in reaching Ulalashka, as a 
direct course leads to the outer harbor. 
We anchored in the inner harbor of Iliuliuk at 3:15 p. m., entering 
without the least difficulty, the channel having been buoyed by the 
Alaska Commercial Company. The steamer St. Paul , belonging to the 
company, was at the wharf, preparing for a trip to the Seal Islands, 
and at the mooring buoy was the schooner Angel Dolly , with a cargo of 
walrus hides which she took in Moller Bay. I called upon the company’s 
agent, Mr. Rudolph Keumann, immediately after we anchored, and 
ascertained that provision had been made to supply us with 100 tons of 
coal, which insured a fair season’s work at least. 
We have used Baird’s bronze reel on the Sigsbee deep-sea sounding 
machine during the past year with great satisfaction, and every confi- 
dence in its ability to resist the crushing strains likely to be brought 
upon it by the exigencies of the service. We took some deep casts en 
route to the Pacific, and on one occasion reeled back a 60-pound sinker 
from a depth of over 2,000 fathoms, without its showing the slightest 
indication of weakness. On our arrival in San Francisco it was care- 
fully calipered and found to be true, but after taking a sounding of 
3,820 fathoms, on the evening of July 20, slack turns were detected and 
it was observed to be out of true, so much so, in fact, that we found it 
necessary to condemn it. and to transfer the wire, such as was not 
spoiled by kinking, to a spare steel reel which we had in reserve. 
The St. Paul left the wharf at 2:30 p. m. July 25, the Albatross tak- 
ing her place an hour later. We commenced coaling the following 
morning and finished at 4:30 p. m. July 27, having taken on board 
