ALBATROSS EXPLORATIONS; ALASKA, WASHINGTON, AND OREGON. 19 
baited with salt clams, was used for twenty minutes. Ten miles to the eastward of 
this point, in 54 fathoms, sandy bottom, six lines, baited with clams and salmon, caught 
two cod. three halibut, and one flounder. 
Off-shore fishing grounds . — The area lying between the longitude of Ugomok Island, 
at the southei’D entrance to Unimak Pass, and that of Kiliuluk Bay (longitude 164° 
55' to 167° W.), and between the coast line and the inner edge of the steep submarine 
slope, gives promise of affording important cod and halibut fisheries, but its charac- 
teristics are as yet very imperfectly known. Its extent, inside of the 100-fathom line, 
is estimated to be about 2,000 square geographical miles. 
South of Unalashka the 100-fathom line is distant 15 to 24 miles from the coast, 
approaching nearest to Cape Prominence, near the center of the island, and recediiig 
from the land toward the eastward. Off Tigahli Island it is distant about 25 miles 
from laud. Beyond the 100-fathom curve the depths increase rapidly, 1,961 fathoms 
having been found about 34 miles off the nearest point of Unalashka Island. 
The only soundings made on this area are two lines between Kiliuluk Bay and 
the 100-fathom line, which is developed to the eastward as far as Davidson Bank, and 
one line along shore from Akutan Pass to off Ugomok Island. The bottom consists 
chiefly of sand, varying in color from gray to black, and with broken shells, pebbles, 
and gravel in places. Sand was traced on the edge of the slope to a depth of 228 
fathoms, but in 261 fathoms green mud was discovered. These few soundings do not 
indicate the existence of a defined bank in this area, separated from the coast by deeper 
water, but such an elevation may occur in its unexplored portion. 
Two dredgings only were made in this region, and they were both close inshore, 
as follows: off Akutan Pass, in 45 fathoms, and off Rootok Island, in 54 fathoms. 
They indicate an exceedingly rich bottom, as previously explained. All of the trials 
for fish described above were also made on different parts of this ground. 
UNALASHKA HARBOR. 
Approaching Unalashka Rarhor from the northeast . — “ The volcano of Akutan, 3,332 
feet in height, became prominent as we approached the island of that name (on the 
northern side), although the summit was enveloped in fog. The whole visible portion 
of the island was covered with a luxuriant growth of grass which could be seen sur- 
rounding great patches of snow still remaining in the gorges at an elevation of 1,000 
feet or more; but there was not a tree of any kind to be seen. 
“ Two hauls of the beam trawl were made off the northern extremity of Akutan. 
We then laid a course for Cape Cheerful, about S. 55° W., 24 miles distant. It was 
not visible until we were nearly up with Kalekhta Point, when it came out of the fog 
with such remarkable distinctness that it appeared close at hand in comparison with 
Kalekhta, not one-third the distance from us, but just visible through the mist. Ap- 
pearances were so deceptive that it was only after cross-bearings had been taken that 
we could convince ourselves that we were not several miles out of position. 
“Priest Rock, near Kalekhta Point, is nearly as high as the point itself, is very 
conspicuous and an unmistakable landmark when open of the point, but in approach- 
ing from the northward it does not begin to open until it bears about S. 67° E. Needle 
Rock, lying off the northwest extremity of Amaknak Island, near Ulakhta Head, is a 
small pinnacle which has been mistaken for Priest Rock when the latter has been ob- 
