16 
BULLETIN OF THE UNITED STATES FISH COMMISSION. 
the trawl lines, the catch consisting here, as elsewhere, mainly of sharks and dogfish. 
The bottom in all places where it was examined was composed of sand. While the 
Indians visit this bank in the spring it is not known whether the halibut are sufficiently 
abundant to encourage vessel fishing. 
After the numerous fishing trials made by the Albatross on this part of the coast, 
both with trawl lines and hand lines, it became evident that sharks and dogfish had 
taken possession of the grounds to the almost entire exclusion of edible fishes. In 
the spring these iiests are rarely seen, but it is not known at what time in the fall 
or winter they disajipear, as there has been no fishing done during those seasons, and 
no investigations had been made prior to the visit of the Albatross. 
The outer coast of Washington Territory. — Hydrographic soundings were carried 
on systematically along the entire outer coast of Washington Territory and as far 
south as Tillamook Eock, Oregon. The locality of certain fishing banks reported to 
exist some 60 to 75 miles southwest of Cape Flattery was visited, but no traces of the 
banks were found. Down to Gray’s Harbor the soundings inside of the 100-fathom 
line indicate a nearly uniform bottom of gray sand. A bank reported by the Indians 
was, however, discovered and developed by the Albatross off Gray’s Harbor. The bank 
begins about 15 miles southwest (magnetic) from Point Ohehalis and extends thence 
about 20 miles in a southwesterly direction. It has an extreme width of about 12 miles, 
and the bottom consists of sand, rocks, and mud. The dredging trials showed a rich 
bottom, and by means of the trawl and hand lines thirteen red rockfish, two black 
cod, and several sharks were captured. 
Coast of Oregon. — The trawl lines were set on the fishing grounds about Tillamook 
Eock, a short distance south of the mouth of the Columbia Eiver, taking only seven 
dogfish, but the dredges brought up evidences of a rich bottom, indicating that good 
fishing might be obtained there at some seasons. 
Heceta Bank, which had been partly surveyed before, was further developed by 
the Albatross and found to have a length of about 20 miles and a width of about 10 
miles. The bottom is rocky, alternating with patches of clay and pebbles, and sup- 
ports a richer fauna than was discovered anywhere else to the south of Cape Flattery. 
One halibut, weighing 10^ pounds, one black cod, one dogfish, and one shark were 
the only fish taken on the trawl lines. The finding of halibut at this locality gives 
promise that the bank may prove of some value during the early part of the year. It 
IS not resorted to at present, and the fishermen are unacquainted with its resources. 
Eichard Eathbun. 
