ALBATROSS EXPLORATIONS; ALASKA, WASHINGTON, AND OREGON, 35 
magin Islands, where numerous safe and convenient harbors are available in case of 
storms. With the exception of Simeonoflf Island and the reefs in its neighborhood, 
there are very few hidden dangers. The bottom is rich and fish are known to be 
abundant. 
II. SHUMAGIN ISLANDS TO KADIAK ISLAND. 
HYDROGRAPHY AND TRIALS FOR FISH. 
Hydrography . — Only a few lines of soundings were made across this wide region, 
which, while they indicated the existence of several apparently rich banks, were insuffi- 
cient to determine their extent and character. Beginning at a point 5 miles from Castle 
Rock, off the northern extremity of Big Koniushi Island, Shumagin Group, one line was 
carried 65 miles N. 84° E. to latitude 55° 25' N,, longitude 157° 28' W., about 19 miles 
south of Light-house Rocks. Soundings were made at intervals of 10 miles, except at 
the end of the line, where the distance between the last two soundings was 5 miles. 
The water gradually shoaled from a depth of 103 fathoms near the Shumagins to 46 
and 47 fathoms south of Light house Rocks. From this point the line was continued 
to Mitrofania Bay, with depths of 53, 73, 73, 64, and 68 fathoms, the last being between 
Mitrofania Island and the bay of the same name; thence a line was run to Light-house 
Rocks with depths of 67, 44, 57, and 67 fathoms, 49 to 67 fathoms being found ia the 
neighborhood of these rocks. 
From Light house Rocks the sounding was continued as follows: 33 miles S. 79° 
E., in 49, 48, 49, 50, 55, and 135 fathoms; 24 miles N. 31° E., in 137 and 119 fathoms, 
the last position beiug midway between the Semidi and Chirikoff Islands; 29 miles 
S. 36° E., in 89, 60, and 96 fathoms ; 20 miles N. 23° E., in 57, 26, and 27 fathoms, ter- 
minating 6 miles S. 22° E. from the north end of Chirikoff Island, where a successful 
trial was made for cod. From this point a line was run 12 miles S. 34° E., sounding 
in 76 and 287 fathoms ; 32 miles N. 28° E., in 89. 81, 76, 60, and 37 fathoms, the last 
position being 17 miles south from the south end of Tugidak Island, where cod were 
again found in abundance. 
The soundings indicate a bank of considerable size in the region surrounding Light- 
house Rocks, but mainly to the south of these rocks, and extending to the eastward of 
latitude 157° W., and to the westward of latitude 158° W. It is probable, however, 
that good fishing will be found over a large part of the area included between the 
Shumagins and Kadiak. The extent of the area iiartly developed by the soundings 
is estimated at about 4,400 square, miles. 
Trials for fish . — On the morning of August 7 a trial for fish was made at hydro- 
graphic station No. 1317, latitude 55° 26' N., longitude 157° 28' W., about 19 miles 
south of Light-house Rocks, in 47 fathoms, green mud. The ship was hove to and 
allowed to drift for forty minutes, but no species of economic value were obtained. 
Salt salmon and pollock were used as bait. The bottom did not appear to be rich in 
food. The grounds in the immediate vicinity of Light-house Rocks can not be regarded 
as of any value to the fishermen while the large sea-lion rookery continues to exist 
there, as these animals feed chiefly upon fish, and keep the stock greatly reduced. 
In the extreme eastern part of the area lying between the Shumagin Islands 
and Kadiak two trials for fish with hand lines proved unusually successful, and 
