THE COD FISHERY OF ALASKA. 218 
made by the U. S. Coast Survey to the eastward of Kodiak and Afognak Islands shows the 
following depths in fathoms: 52, 52, 95 (no bottom), 90, 90, 55, 70, 45, 63, 75, 80. In the evening 
of July 8 we were becalmed on this bank, off Marmot Island, and caught very fine cod in 35 
fathoms, soon shoaling it to 30. The bottom is said to be sand and gravel, as a rule; one of the 
soundings indicated mud. A sounding 20 miles to the eastward of Marmot Island, in 42 fathoms, 
showed a rocky bottom.* Concerning this bank Davidson gives the following information: “The 
soundings of Portlock, of Vancouver, aud of this expedition prove the existence of a comparatively 
shoal bank, extending along the southeastern coast of Afognak and Kadiak, with a deep pocket 
of 90 fathoms, no bottom, 25 miles east of Saint Paul. The shoalest water obtained on this bank 
by this expedition was 45 fathoms, in latitude 58° 16’, longitude 149° 42’, It is fair to assume that 
this bank extends along the southeast shore of Kadiak, as incidental and unconnected observations 
indicate.”+ 
BANK SOUTHEAST OF KopIAK.—I am indebted to Mr. W. H. Dall, of the U. 8. Coast Survey, 
for information drawn from the records of the office concerning this and all the banks which follow. 
A sounding in north latitude 56° 13’ and west longitude 153° 39’ showed 22} fathoms. The bank 
seems to extend in a southwesterly direction; 22 to 38 fathoms were the limits of soundings over 
an extensive area. 
SIMEONOFF OR SEMINOFFSKY BANK.—Mr. Dall states that this ground was discovered*by the 
Minnie G. Atkins in 1667. Soundings have been taken in north latitude 54° 45’, west longitude 
158°, and in latitude 54° 38’, longitude 158° 30’. In the latter place Davidson records 40 fathoms. 
His description runs as follows: “Thirty-five miles east from the south end of the island of Niuniak, 
the southernmost of the Shumagin Islands, we obtained coral and sand bottom in 40 fathoms of 
water. * * * Ten miles farther westward the depth of water was 50 fathoms.” 
Capt. Andrew Anderson informed me that Seminoffsky Bank was visited by the schooner 
Shooting Star, formerly of Fox Island, Vinal Haven, Me., in 1870, and next by the Scotland and 
Amanda Ager. He and Capt. J. C. Caton locate the bank at 20 miles east-northeast of Simeonoff 
Island. They have found from 26 to 40 fathoms with smooth sand bottom on the inner shoal part, 
and big rocks outside. On the rocky portion many dory and schooner anchors have been lost. The 
shoal water part is about 2 miles long and one-half mile wide. The whole bank is said to be 10 miles 
long and from a mile and a half to 2 miles wide. There is deep water on the land side and seaward. 
These areas are from Captain Anderson. Oaptain Caton thinks the bank about 40 miles long and 
10 or 15 miles wide; and he supposes the 26-fathom ridge to be 2 miles wide and 20 miles long. The 
fact is, the limits of none of the grounds are definitely known and they will not be until accurate 
surveys are completed. 
It is on this bank that the “yellow-fish” (Pleurogrammus monopterygius) is so abundant in 
August and September and proves so attractive to the cod. 
BANK OFF SANAK.—We have two positions for this bank: North latitude 54° 17, west longi- 
tude 161° 55’; latitude 54° 20’, longitude 162° 30’. Davidson gives the latter position as about 9 
miles southeast from the Sanak Reef, where, he says, “we got bottom in 35 fathoms, rock and 
barnacles being brought up by the lead.” 
BANK OFF AKUTAN Pass.—Mr. Dall gives one position in north latitude 53° 20’, west longi- 
tude 164° 30’. 
* The series of soundings is from a Coast Survey chart, entitled ‘‘U. 8. Coast Survey | Benjamin Peirce, Supt. | 
Alaska | and adjoining territory | 1869. | The Yukon River, Ranges of Mountains, Shores of Norton Sound | and many 
Features of the Interior, from a Reconnaissance by W. H. Dall, | Director of the Scientific Corps, of the W. U. Tel. 
Expedition, 1865-1868,” 
t Alaska Coast Pilot, 1867, p. 44. 
