52 
BULLETIN OF THE UNITED STATES FISH COMMISSION. 
2.-R0BBEN ISLAND. 
DESCRIPTION. 
Eobben’ Island, a literal translation of its Enssian name, Thtleni Ostrof, is 
situated in the Okhotsk Sea, 11 miles southwest from Cape Patience {Mys Teryienia), 
the end of the curiously long and narrow peninsula ou the eastern shore of Sakhalin 
Island. The position is variously given as 48° 32' nortli latitude and 144° 45' east 
longitude, or 48° 35' north latitude and 144° 44' east longitude (recent Eussian charts, 
while on the maimscript chart of the late Capt. J. Sandman I hnd given as “corrected 
longitude,” 144° 30' east). 
Not having had an opportunity to visit the island myself, the following description 
is taken from a number of available sources. The accompanying maps (pi. G) are 
copied from recent plans issued by the Eussian hydrographic office in 1889. 
The island is really hardly more than a large. Hat-topped rock, trending northeast 
by southwest, long and narrow. The entir e length of the reefy beach in that direction 
is about 2,100 feet, while tire elevated portion, which rises abruptly to between 40 and 
50 feet and tapers off to a poiirt at both ends, measui-es only 1,400 feet in length. 
The width of this portion hardly exceeds 150 feet, while the reef surrounding it 
varies between 50 and 150 feet,'^ On the west side, near the south western end, there 
is a lower place, with somewhat sloping sides, upon which the company’s salt-house 
and the barracks for the Aleut workmen attd the naval guard are located. A rocky 
reef exteirds to the northwest, terminated by a large rock, the Sivntchi Kamen, about 
10 feet high, a favorite resort of the sea-lions. 
There is no harbor or convenient anchorage, and in bad weather vessels have to 
seek shelter under Sakhalin. Captain Sandman’s manuscript map indicates “anchor- 
age anywhere to northwest of island in from 10 to 20 fatlioms; 13 fathoms, sandy 
bottom, 1 mile off, center of island SE. ^ E. ; end of South Eeef S. by E. 4 E. ; end 
of North Eeef and rock ENE. Nearer in rocky bottom.” 
There is no water on the island. 
The climate is naturally more “continental” in its character thau on either the 
Commander Islands or Pribylof Islands, having colder winters and warmer summers, 
but I am not awaic that any regular observations have been published foi- the island. 
Mr. C. Carpmael, director of the Meteorological Service of Canada, has famished a 
few figures, but they are apparently oidy based upon curves in the Challenger Eeport 
and are mere approximations. He states (Fur Seal Arb., viii, p. 511) that according 
to these the mean temperature for May would be aboxit 42 degrees, but thinks possi- 
bly the mean might be as low as 40 degrees. In June it is “probably about 48 
degrees.” In July “probably a little under GO degrees.” In August “it must be 
neaily GO degrees.” lu September “it must be a little below 55 degrees.” In Octo- 
ber “about 44 degrees.”^ 
‘ Not Rol)l)iii Island, or Rol)in Island, as it is occasionally written. 
2'1’liese figures are taken from Slnunof’s map (pi. (1). Lieutenant Egerman, I. R. N , gives the 
following dimensions: Length l.atiO feet; width about 300 feet; lieight 18 feet (Morskoi Shornik, 
18S4, No. 11, Lots. Zam., p. 8). Capt. .1. G. Blair s.a.ys “ 1,960 feet long, hy 17.5 feet wide, aud in places 
4 (> feet high” (Fur Seal Arh., m, ]i. 191). 
■* According to Shaniof (Ausland, 1885, p. 537) the mean temperature at Cape Fatieuce, Sakhalin, 
was 52.2° F. for .June, and 62.4° F. for .July, 1884. 
