ALBATEOSS EXPLOEATIONS ; ALASKA, WASHINGTON, AND OREGON. 11 
the cod and halibut than others, and as a rule the larger fish have to be sought for in 
the deeper waters. This important tract of fishing ground can best be compared with 
the succession of well-known banks which skirt the southern border of the British 
Provinces on the eastern coast of North America from the Gulf of Maine to beyond 
Newfoundland, but its total area is much less. 
HYDEOGEAPHY OF THE ALASKAN FISHING GEOUNDS. 
Vicinity of TJnalashlca. — One line of soundings was made in approaching Kiliuluk 
Bay from the south, and another from the same bay in a southeasterly direction to 
the 100-fathom curve, which was traced eastward to Davidson Bank. A third line 
was also carried along the inner edge of the plateau from the entrance to Akutan Pass 
to Davidson Bank. These soundings were not sufficient to demonstrate the existence 
of a defined bank in this region, but it was estimated that an area of about 2,000 
square geographical miles to the westward of Davidson Bank was suitable for fishing. 
The width of the plateau at this place varies from 15 to 24 ihiles inside of the 100- 
fathom line. Beyond this line the bottom drops off very suddenly here as elsewhere 
along this part of the Alaskan coast, a depth of 1,961 fathoms having been found 
within 34 miles of Unalashka. 
Davidson BanJc. — This bank was discovered over twenty years ago by Prof. George 
Davidson, of the tl. S. Coast Survey, who made a number of soundings upon it in 
depths of about 50 fathoms, and found cod abundant in some places. Its outline and 
surface contour were established by the Albatross with considerable accuracy. The 
bank lies south of IJnimak Island, and extends westward from the neighborhood of 
the Saunakh Islands to about the longitude of the southern entrance to Unimak Pass 
(about longitude 164° 40' W.). Its eastern end seems to be continuous with the shoal 
water surrounding the Sannakh Islands; its area was estimated at about 1,600 square 
miles. The greatest width of the submerged plateau off' Unimak Island is 45 to 50 
miles. Depths less than 50 fathoms were found over a large part of the bank, 41 
fathoms being the shoalest water discovered. Between this shallow area and the 
islands to the north and northwest of it depths of 50 to 72 fathoms occur. 
Sannakh Bank. — The shoal water at the eastern end of Davidson Bank was traced 
some distance eastward along the southern edge of the Sannakh Islands, and between 
those islands and the reported positions of Lenard and Anderson Eocks ; but still 
farther eastward on the same line of soundings (longitude 162° 22' W.) a depth of 60 
fathoms was found. Sannakh Bank begins immediately to the northeastward of this 
position, and covers an estimated area of about 1,300 square miles. Its outline and 
surface contours were established by the Albatross. It lies to the east and southeast 
of the islands of the same name, is somewhat elongated in shape, and trends in a 
general way northeast and southwest. A small area having depths of 30 to 37 fathoms 
occurs near the center of the bank. A depth of 63 fathoms was found between it and 
the Sannakh Islands, and depths of 75 to 82 fathoms exist off’ the northern edge in the 
direction of the Sandman Reefs. 
Between Sannakh Bank and the Shumagin Islands. — In this area about 1,800 square 
miles, more or less adapted to fishing, were partly surveyed, the depths ranging from 
38 to 74 fathoms. This region is free from the hidden dangers which render Sannakh 
Bank unsafe to those who are not well acquainted with its surroundings. 
