ALBATROSS EXPLORATIONS; ALASKA, WASHINGTON, AND OREGON. 27 
Three lines of soundings were continued across the region in a northeasterly 
direction from the winity of Sannakh Bank to the Shumagin Islands. The northern- 
most line extended from near Pinnacle Eock, off the Sandman Eeefs, to the southern 
end of Unga Island, and showed depths of 38 to 74 fathoms ; the second line extended 
from the northern end of Sannakh Bank to near Falmouth Harbor, ISTagai Island, with 
depths of 45 to 64 fathoms ; and the third line from the southern end of the same bank 
to Bird Island, in the southern part of the Shumagin Group, with depths of 40 to 72 
fathoms. The 100-fathom curve was developed at only one point, just off the southern- 
most line of soundings. The bottom was found to be exceedingly variable, consisting 
in different places of sand, mud, pebbles, gravel, and rocks, the latter occurring only 
near Sannakh Bank on the one side, and near the Shumagin Islands on the other. 
Dredgings and trials for fish were made only in the neighborhood of the Shumagin 
Islands, and will be described in connection with that group. Such trials as were 
made, however, on the edges of the ground showed a rich bottom. 
This region possesses many advantages over Sannakh Bank from the absence of 
hidden dangers and its proximity to safe harbors. 
Fishing vessels have not been in the habit of resorting to it, however, for the reason 
that an abundance of cod has always been found nearer the Shumagin Islands and 
upon Shumagin Bank. More thorough investigations will probably indicate the exist- 
ence of defined banks or areas of rich feeding bottoms fof cod and halibut. 
SANDMAN REEFS. 
Corrected positions for some of the rocTts and islands. — A sounding of 74 fathoms 
was made at hydrographic station INo. 1233 (latitude 54° 52' N., longitude 161° 17' 
W.), August 3, at 10.18 a. m., the position being located by cross-bearings of the large 
and more important islands to the northward and westward. “ The weather was clear 
at the time and we could see laud at a great distance, particularly to the northward 
and westward, where the snow-capped peak of Pavloff’s volcano was distinctly visi- 
ble. Deer Island and most of the smaller islets and rocks of the Ohernaboura Group 
were in sight, and directly ahead of us was a small pinnacle-shaped island, not more 
than 10 miles distant, far from its position on the chart. Changing the course a little 
to bring it on the starboard bow, we steamed ahead a few miles, when breakers, and a 
moment later rocks, were reported on the port bow, still more out of position than the 
island. Subsequently Hay Island was located by cross-bearings and found to be sev- 
eral miles out of place on the published charts. 
“ The following are the positions we assigned to the rocks and islands mentioned 
above, based on cross-bearings and the noon position of the ship, when the latitude was 
determined by meridian altitude of the sun, and the longitude by chronometer : 
“ Low Eocks, latitude 54° 45' N., longitude 161° 28' W. 
“ Pinnacle Island, latitude 54° 45' N., longitude 161° 35' W. 
“ Hay Island, latitude 54° 39' H., longitude 161° 53' 30" W.” 
BELKOVSKY BAY AND VICINITY. 
Abundance of cod. — Mr. Pavloff, who acted as pilot for the steamer Albatross., 
states that the cod have been increasing in abundance during the past four years in 
the vicinity of Belkovsky, on the mainland, opposite the Sandman Eeefs. Formerly 
