INVESTIGATIONS OF THE ALBATROSS. 
403 
We were under way at 3:20 the following morning, and leaving the 
harbor steamed in the direction of Sea Lion Rocks until, at 4:55, we 
slowed the engines and swung ship under steam for compass errors, 
observing azimuths on every point. The evolution consumed an hour 
and fifteen minutes, after which we resumed our course. 
At 6:35 we sounded, in 34 fathoms, broken shells, Sea Lion Rocks bear- 
ing N. 30o w., one-half mile. These rocks are about 100 feet high and 
can be safely approached within half a mile. They are the resort of sea 
lious and birds. From our position near the rocks we ran 9 miles N. 85° 
W., and sounded in 38 fathoms, then N. 60° W., 24 miles, sounding in 
71 and 74 fathoms, the latter position being located by cross-bearings 
of the large and more important islands to the northward and westward. 
The weather was clear at this time, and we could see laud at a great 
distance, particularly to the northward and westward, where the snow- 
capped peak of Pav'lotPs volcano was distinctly visible. Deer Island 
and most of the smaller islets aud rocks of the Sandman group were in 
sight, and directly ahead of us was a small pinnacle-shaped island not 
more than 10 miles distant, far from its position on the chart. Changing 
the course a little, to bring it on the starboard bow, we steamed ahead 
a few miles, when breakers- and, a moment later, rocks were reported 
on the port bow, still more out of position than the island. 
At 11:34 we sounded in 31 fathoms, 7 miles S. 47° W. from the last 
station, then ran S. 26° W. 3.3 miles, and at 11:57 sounded in 43 fath- 
oms, Low Rocks, bearing N. 66° 30' W., distant 0.6 mile. Continuing 
on the same course we ran 0.6 mile to meridian, when we were in lati- 
tude 54° 44' 00" N., longitude 161° 27' 30" W. The latitude was by 
meridian altitude of the sun and the longitude by chronometer, fore- 
noon observations, the position being entitled to the same credit usually 
accorded co sea observations. Another sounding was taken at 1:12 p. 
m. in 49 fathoms, S. 47° W., 10 miles from the last station. We then 
ran 20 miles S. 51° W., sounding in 75 and 63 fathoms. Hay Island 
was located by cross-bearings and found to be several miles out of place 
on the charts. 
The following are the positions we assign to the rocks and islands 
mentioned above, based on cross-bearings and the noon position of the 
ship : Low Rocks, latitude 54° 45' 00" N., longitude 161° 28' 00" W. ; 
Pinnacle Island, latitude 54° 45' 00" N., longitude 161° 35' 00" W. ; 
Hay Island, latitude 54° 39' 00" 2L, longitude 161° 53' 30" W. 
A dense fog set in at 3 p. m., again obscuring the land, makiug 
it impossible to sight the Saunakhs, and, as there was no immediate 
prospect of improvement of the weather, we stood off shore, S. 70° E., 
6 miles, and sounded in 34 fathoms. The trial lines beiug put over, 
halibut and cod were taken. The sounding was on the NW. extremity 
of the cod bank before mentioned. 
We then ran 10 miles S. 49° W., sounding in 30 aud 40 fathoms, the 
depth increasing to 435 fathoms 11 miles S. 25° E., which showed an 
