34 
BULLETIN OF THE UNITED STATES FISH COMMISSIONo 
occur iu incredible numbers. Some years they ai)pear earlier than others. Vessels 
fitted with boats and purse seines, after the fashion of the eastern mackerelmen, could 
readily obtain large fares. The few shipments sent to market have brought good 
prices, sonie lots having sold for as high as |28 jier barrel. A lucrative business could 
probably be started with the San Francisco markets. 
10 . SHUMAGIN BANK. 
Hydrography.— ThiB bank lies south and southeast of the Shumagin Islands, and 
its outer margin follows approximately the trend of the coast line formed by the 
adjacent islands. It has been traced westward to about longitude 159° 52' W., but 
probably extends farther in that direction. Its width within the 100-fathom curve, to 
the south of the group, is from 15 to 22 miles to the nearest outlying islands. South- 
east of Simeonoff Island the width increases to between 30 and 35 miles. East of the 
Shumagins the bank extends north to about the latitude of Big Koniushi Island. Its 
area inside of the 100-fathom line is estimated at about 1,800 square miles. The bank 
is not separated from the Shumagins by deep water. Depths of 35 to 38 fathoms were 
found directly off Simeonotf Island, and from these positions the water deepens more 
or less regularly in a southeasterly direction towards the edge of the bank, with deeper 
spots sometimes intervening. 
The western extension of the bank was not so thoroughly surveyed as the eastern 
portion. About midway between the islands and the 100-fathom line depths of .35 to 
49 fathoms occur. A sounding of 115 fathoms was made 7 miles beyond a depth of 43 
fathoms, indicating a very steep slope on this paiT, of the bank. The northern bound- 
ary of the eastern portion of the bank was not fully determined. Aline of soundings 
extending 38 miles southeast from Cape Thompson, at the northern end of Big Koniu- 
shi Island, showed depths of 47 to 114 fathoms, the former depth being found at only 
one place. A short distance farther north 97 to 103 fathoms were found within 30 
miles of the shore, along a line of soundings running east, a little north from Cape 
Thompson. The character of the bottom on the bank varies greatly, sand, jiebbles, 
gravel, broken shells, mud, and rocks being found in different places. Kocky patches 
were of frequent occurrence, even in comparatively deep water. 
The work in this region was done in pleasant weather, when some portions of the 
adjacent islands were iu sight most of the time, permitting of the positions being veri- 
fied by cross-bearings from the land. 
Trials for fish . — The beam trawl was not used on Shumagin Bank, but two trials 
were made for fish with hand lines. One was at hydrographic station No. 1286, on 
the western part of the bank, about 5 or 6 miles southeast of Chernaboura Island (lat- 
itude 54° 42' N., longitude 159° 24' W.), 35 fathoms, rocky bottom; the other at hydro- 
graphic station No. 1266, on the eastern part of the bank, about 15 miles east of Sim- 
eonoff Island, 46 fathoms, gray sand and broken shells. At the former station nine 
lines were employed for thirty-five minutes, taking eight cod, three halibut, and three 
sculpius. Salmon and pollock were used as bait. The cod averaged 8 pounds in 
weight and 26^ inches in length, the halibut 18| pounds in weight. At the latter sta- 
tion one halibut, weighing 5 pounds, and three sculpius were taken. 
Remarks . — This is one of the most important fishing banks in Alaska as it is also 
one of the best known. Its value is greatly increased from its proximity to the Shu- 
