INVESTIGATIONS OF THE ALBATROSS. 
421 
commenced coaling at 7 and finished at 11 a. m. the following day, 
having taken on board 149-J-fff tons (30 tons being in bags on deck). 
We were under way at 6:05 on the morning of the 10th, entering Active 
Pass at 10:40, and set the trawl line at 4 p. in., in 101 fathoms, sand 
and gravel, off Race Rocks, taking 41 dogfish. 
Outer coast of Washington . — It was foggy during the night, lighting 
up at intervals. Made Cape Flattery light at 10:12 p. m., and passing 
it at 11 we stood to the southward along the coast until 3:35 p. m., 
October 11, when we put over the hand lines in 20 fathoms, gray sand, 
S. 32° W., 10J miles from the light-house at Shoalwater Bay. Failing 
to take anything after a trial of 15 minutes, we ran a line S. 78° W., 20 
miles, sounding in 38, 51, 153, and 432 fathoms; S. 68° E., 15 miles, 
in 98, 55, and 40 fathoms, and S. 78° W., 15 miles,, in 60, 78, and 260 
fathoms, the last sounding being taken at 11:48 p. m. The wind was 
from the eastward during the forenoon, varying from light to moderate, 
but during the evening it hauled to SE., and at midnight it was blow- 
ing a moderate gale with rapidly rising sea, which forced us to cease 
work and heave to under steam, head to the wind. 
Tradition places extensive banks about 50 miles off the Columbia 
River bar, which, if they exist, would doubtless afford valuable fishing 
grounds. The object of our explorations was not only to locate and 
examine these banks if they were found, but to ascertain the species of 
fish inhabiting the regions adjacent to the coast, their abundance, and 
the best methods of taking them. The gale continued from SW. to 
WIW., during the 12th, with heavy confused sea, moderating, however, 
during the evening. We were hove to, head to wind, until 5 p. m., when 
the vessel was put before it for the remainder of the day. 
Coast of Oregon .— Cape Disappointment light was sighted at 2:45 
a. m., October 13, Tillamook light at 3:30, and at 6:53 we cast the lead 
in 73 fathoms, N. 64° W., 16 £ miles from Tillamook light, and ran a 
line S. 72° W., 15 miles, sounding in 82, 96, and 199 fathoms ; NT. 15° E., 
15 miles, in 174 and 601 fathoms, and N. 85° E., 16 miles, in 102, 75, 
and 68 fathoms at the end of the line. At 2 p. m. the trawl line was 
set, and a successful haul of the trawl was made, No. 2882. The trawl 
line came up with 1 black-cod and a number of dogfish. The swell was 
stillheavy, making boat work as well as handlingthe trawl rather diffi- 
cult, but both were accomplished without accident. 
At 4:40 p. m. we cast the lead in 81 fathoms, N. 78° W., 12J miles 
from Cape Disappointment and ran S. 78° W., 20 miles, sounding in 231, 
421, 475, and 506 fathoms. It will be seen by reference to the chart 
that the soundings on the last line are two or three titles greater than 
depths found on parallel lines 7 or 8 miles distant. This great sub- 
marine trough is, probably, the ancient bed of the Columbia River. 
The 14th was overcast, with rain, mist, and occasional fog banks dur- 
ing the morning. We took a pilot at 7:55, crossed the bar, and anchored 
off Astoria at 9;45 a, m. Fire was discovered in the port coal bunker 
