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BULLETIN OF THE UNITED STATES FISH COMMISSION. 
Hagemeister Channel is about 16 miles in length and lies between the island of that 
name and the mainland. It is from 3 to 4 miles in width, but shingle spits contract it 
in two places to less than 2 miles. The least water was fathoms. Good anchorage 
was found under Tongue Point, the shingle spit making out from the mainland about 
midway of the channel. From the above anchorage the Albatross stood directly to 
sea, passing within a mile of the southwestern extremity of Hagemeister Island; 
thence S. ^ W., shoaling the water to 3 fathoms 7 miles from the island. Greater 
depths might possibly be found by taking a more westerly course. The tides are very ' 
strong through the channel. We were visited by a number of Esquimaux while at 
anchor under Tongue Point. 
Cape Peirce is of moderate height and symmetrical form, while Cape JSTewenham 
is high, with sharp peaks and rugged hues. The Albatross found anchorage under 
the latter cape near Seal Eock during a southerly gale, and laid it out very comfort- 
ably, notwithstanding swift currents and heavy tide rips. 
The Kuskokwim Eiveris much dreaded by navigators on account of its extensive 
shoals, strong currents, etc. The Albatross ascended it between 35 and 40 miles with- 
out difficulty or delay, but encountered extensive shoals on her return. Thick weather 
and the lack of time prevented an extended examination. They commenced about 9 
miles west-southwest from Good Hews Bay and extended in a westerly direction for 10 
miles or more. There is a channel between the shoal and the land about 4 miles wide, 
having a depth of 5 fathoms. From a point 5 miles west-southwest from the west 
head of Good Hews Bay we stood direct for Cape Hewenham, the least depth being 4 
fathoms. Great quantities of fresh water are borne down the Kuskokwim by the 
rapid currents, and, while there have been no surveys by which changes can be noted, 
there seems no reasonable doubt that great alterations have taken place since Cook 
ascended the river in the last century. 
METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS OF BRISTOL BAY. 
The winds and weather in Bristol Bay and the other parts of Bering Sea visited by 
the Albatross from the last of May to the 1st of September, 1890, may be summarized 
in a few words. 
Southwest winds prevailed, but we had them frequently from southeast to north- 
west. It was boisterous weather nearly half the time, but seldom rough enough to 
interfere with our work. We had several summer gales of moderate force, but no 
severe storms. Fog and mist prevailed, and a clear day was the rare exception. The 
tidal currents were strongest in the vicinity of Unimak Pass and at the head of the 
bay ; they were greatly affected, however, by the winds. The flood stream set to the 
northward and slightly inshore along the coasts of Unimak and the peninsula, tbe 
ebb to the southward and offshore. The former was invariably the stronger, and 
probably found an outlet by sweeping past Cape Constantine in the direction of Cape 
Hewenham. There has been no systematic study of the currents of Bering Sea, and 
the almost constant fogs prevent the navigator from adding much to our meager 
knowledge concerning them. 
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