INVESTIGATIONS OF THE ALBATROSS. 
409 
farther to the westward, and in the sheltered valleys the poplar is 
found of sufficient size to make it valuable to the natives in building 
their houses and for other purposes. The rugged mountain range, 
sometimes called the backbone of Kadiak, was in sight, and the great 
gorges, still filled with snow and ice, lent an Arctic hue to the other- 
wise summer aspect. 
To enter Kiyavak Bay, make Two Headed Island (miscalled Two 
Headed Cape, C. S. Chart No. 702), which has two irregularly rounded 
peaks and is easily recognized. Leave it on the port hand, and, if the 
weather is clear, Black Point will be seen, showing darker than its 
surroundings. There is a small islet, about 200 yards in prolongation of 
this point, and one-fourth of a mile farther on is a rock, just above water, 
which marks the outer end of a ledge extending from the point. Hav- 
ing passed this rock, a mid-channel course around the second prominent 
point, on the starboard hand, leads to the strait, where Old Harbor is 
located, and off which lies the Bay of Three Saints and Lisiansky Bay. 
There is bold water in the strait, which is free from hidden dangers, 
except near the land. Passing Old Harbor there is a narrow tortuous 
channel into Sitkalidak Strait, through which small vessels have passed, 
but a stranger should not attempt it with a vessel drawing more than 
8 feet. 
We were surprised by the shrill whistle of a steam launch a little 
after dark, which soon came alongside with Mr. Ivan Petroff on board. 
He is manager of the Alaska Coast Fishery Company station at Port 
Hobron, some 10 or 12 miles to the northward and eastward of Old 
Harbor. An Indian messenger reported the Albatross’s arrival, and he 
lost no time in paying us a visit. His launch required some small 
repairs, for which we furnished materials. 
I visited the station on the following day and found it located in a 
snug little harbor on the north side of Sitkalidak Island, the second 
deep bay coming from seaward. The quarters, mess room, store and 
kitchen are under one roof, and the curing house is at the water’s edge, 
where boats or barges can load and discharge at half tide. It is sup- 
plied with running water from a mountain stream, and everything was 
scrupulously clean and well arranged. A cooper shop, stable, and 
storehouse are conveniently located, and in the harbor were several 
dories, barges, and a fine schooner, in addition to the steam launch 
already mentioned. This is the first season the station has been in 
operation, and they have thus far confined themselves to taking and 
salting salmon, but they intend starting a cannery eventually. The 
fish are mostly caught in a lake a mile from the bay, opposite the sta- 
tion, and transported over a horse railway to the beach, where they are 
transferred to barges or dories which deliver them at the curing house. 
Our visit occurred between the runs of salmon, and we found the entire 
force, except the coopers, engaged in cutting and curing hay for the 
horses used at the station. The location seems to be well chosen, not 
only for salmon fishing but for cod and halibut. 
