INVESTIGATIONS OF THE ALBATROSS. 
401 
Leaving the region described we ran a line N. 48° E., 20 miles, sound- 
ing in 265, 60, and 47 fathoms, cod and halibut being taken at the last 
station, thence S. 50° E., 5£ miles, with bottom at 62 fathoms, and N. 
50° E., 18 miles, sounding in 51, 37, and 38 fathoms, rocky bottom 
being found at the last .two stations. We then ran 10£ miles N. 8° E., 
sounding in 80 and 82 fathoms, then N. 42° W., 3 miles, sounding in 56 
fathoms, and finally S. 22° W., 6J miles, where we found 81 fathoms. 
The last three courses were run in the vain endeavor to make Caton 
Island, in order to verify our position, and it was not until the last 
sounding that we realized how much we had overrun our reckoning. 
We were in the channel between the Sannakh and the Sandman group, 
and furthermore our sounding of 38 fathoms was on the cod bank of the 
Coast Survey chart No. 806, in latitude 53° 17' 00" N., longitude 161° 
55' 00" W. As the fog was still very dense aud night approaching, we 
took our departure from the position and ran a line N. 58° E., 62 miles, 
to a point S. 35° E., 5 miles from Sea Lion Rocks, Shumagiu Group, 
the depths ranging from 81 to 45 fathoms. A successful haul of the 
trawl was made at the above station, in 48 fathoms, fine gray sand, 
No. 2847, and cod were taken in 52 fathoms, fine gray sand, 8 miles S. 
58° W. This line of soundings increased the known area of cod-fisliing 
grounds in the region of the Shumagins, and while it did not define the 
extent of the banks, it was a hopeful indication of what further inves- 
tigation may reveal. It will be particularly valuable from its position, 
partially protected by adjacent laud, and its proximity to safe and com- 
modious harbors. Another successful haul of the trawl was made 10 
miles N. 13° E., in 110 fathoms, green mud, No. 2848. 
The weather partially cleared as we approached the land, enabling 
us to locate the last two positions by bearings, but the fog shut in again 
while the trawl was down, restricting our line of vision to one-fourth 
mile or less. It was impracticable to work near the land in such weather, 
as the expenditure of coal in groping about searching for land to locate 
ourselves was greater than we could afford, to say nothing of the dan- 
ger attending it. The fog had been almost constant since our arrival 
among the islands, but we were in daily expectation of a change, so 
we concluded to run into Humboldt Harbor to wait for it. 
Shumagiu Islands to Mitrofania Bay . — Entering Popoff Strait we saw 
nothing until up within Barloff Bay, when the high aud bold headland 
forming its southern shores emerged from the fog not more than 400 
yards distant; thence to Egg Islands the course was clear, and after 
making them, the fog partially lifted ahead, Sand Point and Arch 
Rock being visible. Off the former was the fishing schooner Arago , 
from Bristol Bay, Bering Sea, with a fare of codfish bound into Hum- 
boldt Harbor. When up with Sand Point, the station of Lynde & 
Hough was seen, and at 12:31 p. m., July 31, we anchored off* the wharf 
in 12 fathoms, the schooner anchoring near us. 
Humboldt Harbor has been surveyed by the U. S. Coast and Geodetic 
H. Mis. 274 26 
