36 
BULLETIN OF THE UNITED STATES FISH COMMISSION. 
demonstrated that the bottom in this region is exceedingly rich. The first trial was 
at hydrographic station No. 1343, in the vicinity of Ohirikoff Island, latitude 55° 49' 
N., longitude 155° 20' W., depth 27 fathoms, sandy bottom. The second trial was at 
hydrographic station No. 1350, about 16 miles south of Tugidak Island, one of the 
Trinity Islands, in latitude 56° 07' N., longitude 154° 38' W., 37 fathoms, sandy bot- 
tom. This last position is actually on the western end of Albatross Bank. At the 
former station with seven hand lines used for twenty-five minutes, fifteen cod were 
taken, averaging pounds in weight, and 23f inches in lengthy at the latter 47 cod 
were secured with nine hand lines in a little over half an hour, the average weight of 
these being 10 pounds, the average length 28^ inches. In the former instance pollock 
and cod were used as bait, in the latter walrus flesh and cod. 
MITROFANIA BAY. 
Approaches; character . — “The mainland was sighted soon after daylight, August 
7, and Mitrofania Island at 8 a. m.; but we failed to recoguize the latter for several 
hours, owing to fog-banks which hung over the land. We were uii with the island at 
1.30 p. m., and, leavi ig it on the port hand, steamed into the bay of the same name, 
anchoring off Long Beach at 2.48 p. m. in 15 fathoms, latitude 55° 58' N., longitude 
158° 47' W. (approximately). 
“Our anchorage was near the southwest extremity of a steep black-sand beach 
which lies back of the bay and extends in crescent form about 3 miles northeast 
and southwest. This beach is flanked on the eastern end by a nearly vertical cliff, 600 
or 800 feet in height, made conspicuous by many strata of different-colored rocks, and 
on its western extremity by a precipitous mountain covered with a dense growth of 
^der bushes. An isolated rock lies near the base of the mountain, about 300 yards 
back of the beach, nearly rectangular in form, the sides being vertical, about 100 feet 
broad by 60 feet in height, and the top slightly rounded and covered with grass, ferns, 
and small bushes. Seen from a distance it had the appearance of a huge native sod 
house (barabara), with the roof overgrown with grass. An extensive valley lay back 
of the beach, in which were several ponds of fresh or brackish water, their shores being 
surrounded by a fringe of alder bushes. The land was covered by a rank growth of 
grass and wild flowers. 
“ Long Beach is a good anchorage except with winds from south to southeast, 
when a heavy swell rolls in. Better harbors are found on the east side of the bay. 
“To make this anchorage leave Mitrofania and the small islands on the port hand, 
passing midway between them and the mainland, until well up with the sand beach. 
Then stand to the westward and anchor off the rock above mentioned, giving due 
attention to the lead, as the bank is steep.” 
Fishing ; occupation of the nutivcs.—Lines were baited and put over at the anchor- 
age in Mitrofania Bay, in 27 fathoms, and in the course of a few minutes ten halibut 
were landed upon deck. The largest of these weighed 40 iiounds, the smallest 4 pouhds, 
the average weight being about 30 pounds. They were all “ white;” the stomachs of 
some were empty, the others containing only a few crabs. 
A settlement of creoles was established eight years ago on the northern side of the 
bay. These people were brought over from Kadiak Island by Mr. Pavloff, the pilot of 
the Albatross. Sea-otter hunting is their chief occupation, but cod, halibut, and salmon 
