albatross EXPLORATIONS; ALASKA, WASHINGTON, AND OREGON. 31 
pollock {PollacMus chalcogrammus), a large sculpin {Hemilepidotus jordani), and the 
young of a species of Hexagrammm were common, and also many small species which 
have not yet been identified. A single Limanda aspera was taken with a hand line 
from the ship’s side. A conspicuous feature of the seining at this locality was the 
abundance of large medusae, sea urchins, and star fishes that dragged ashore. Cod- 
fishing with hand lines from the ship was always successful. The hooks at this anchor- 
age frequently became entangled with sea-pens (Pennatula), of which more than a dozen 
fine specimens were secured. Clams are said to be plentiful, but none were obtained, 
the tides not serving right. The tides at this place are greatly influenced by the 
direction and force of the winds, which sometimes retain the water at high or low tide 
level for a considerable period. 
Fishery Notes; Salmon fishing. — Humboldt Harbor would furnish shelter to a large 
fleet of vessels. A fishing station established in 1887 by Lynde & Hough, of San 
Francisco, ofiers the only inducement at present for people to settle here, and there 
are now but few inhabitants. Six fishermen are employed at the station, and up to 
date they had caught and prepared for shipment 300 barrels of salt salmon. The fish 
are taken in drag seines and gill nets. The seines measure from 20 to 125 fathoms 
long and 2^ to 3 fathoms deep, and have a mesh of about 2J inches. The floats are 
made of wood, the sinkers of pieces of lead hammered into the required shape by the 
fishermen, and then bent around the foot-line. The salmon did not “ strike” at Hum- 
boldt Harbor and the adjacent bays this year until the middle of June; they usually 
appear early in May. They continued to be unusually abundant until the latter part 
of July, but suddenly disappeared when the rainy season began, about a week before 
the arrival of the Albatross. A second school, which is expected to arrive about 
August 20, generally remains until the last of September. 
Dories are used by the Indians for general fishing, but bidarkas are employed 
here as at Hnalashka for long cruises in search of seals and sea otters. In hunting 
these mammals the single paddle is preferred, as it enables the Indians to approach 
nearer their game without disturbing them, otherwise the double paddle is used. 
Kiaks are not employed about the Shumagins. 
PIRATE COVE, POPOFF ISLAND. 
Fishery notes. — Cod fishing is now carried on in the vicinity of this harbor almost 
exclusively by means of dories, only one vessel having been engaged here in actual 
fishing during the present season. Most of the schooners had been sold, and those 
retained are used for freighting. The grounds resorted to are all within a short 
distance of the harbor, where dories are more convenient than larger craft. Trawls 
are chiefly employed, and during good weather they are hauled two and three times a 
day, but the fish are not dressed until the last haul for the day has been made. Cod 
fishing continues throughout the year. In summer, when the salmon are running, cod 
are not abundant, but they reappear in incredible numbers as soon as the salmon 
leave. During the winter strong southeasterly gales may prevent the hauling of the 
trawls for a number of days at a time, but there is no period of the year when they 
can not be used at least several times a week. This is in marked contrast with the 
climate of the Grand and Western Banks, off the Atlantic coast, some ten degrees far- 
ther south, where the fishing vessels are often compelled to lie to for a week, and 
sometimes for a fortnight, with their dories lashed upon the deck. 
