ALBATKOSS EXPLORATIONS; ALASKA, WASHINGTON, AND OREGON. 43 
running a little flood, which sets to the northward. The channel is very narrow, and 
a stranger should not attempt it without a pilot. It is high water at the wharf, full 
and change, at 1 hour.’’ 
13 . ALBATROSS BANK. 
Hydrography . — Albatross Bank lies off the southeastern side of Kadiak Island, 
and extends the entire length of that island, and also in front of the Tx'inity Islands 
at the southwest. It is continuous with Portlock Bank at the eastern end, there 
being no intervening depression between the two. The 100-fathom curve was located 
approximately in two places — opposite the Trinity Islands by one sounding, and oi)po- 
site Sitkalidak Island, near the center of the Kadiak coast, by four deep soundings. 
At the former locality this curve was distant about 25 miles from the nearest point of 
Tugidak Island, and at the latter from about 42 to 45 miles from laud. The total area 
of the bank inside of the 100-fathom curve is estimated to be about 3,700 square miles. 
The depths are irregular, the main portion of the bank being in some places sepa- 
rated from the land by comparatively deep water, while in others shoal water inter- 
venes. Two lines of soundings were run outward from Sithinak Island, one of the 
Trinity Islands. One, extending southwesterly from that island, shows 28 fathoms 
within about 3 miles of the land, followed by 54, 75, 66, and 159 fathoms; the other, 
extending southeasterly, has depths of 23, 52, 46, 52, and 88 fathoms. A depth of 71 
fathoms was found 5 miles northeasterly from Two Headed Cape, and 111 fathoms 
5 miles southeasterly from that position, followed in the same direction by 60, 44, 46, 
38, and 347 fathoms. Four miles southeasterly from Dangerous Cape, 53 fathoms 
were discovered, followed 3 miles further out in the same direction by 86 fathoms, 
and then by 44, 49, 58, and 485 fathoms. A line extending off from Ugak Island 
begins with 25 and 45 fathoms, and another off from Cape Greville shows in succession 
81, 57, 39, 71, and 75 fathoms. 
The greater number of soundings indicate depths between 40 and 60 fathoms. 
Beyond the 100-fathom line the slope is very abrupt. All varieties of bottom occur, 
sand being most prevalent, and rocky patches common. 
Dredgings . — The beam trawl was used in a depth of 159 fathoms, sandy bottom, 
about 28 miles south of the Trinity Islands, in latitude 56° N., longitude 154o 20' W. 
(station 2853). Large quantities of fishes, crustaceans, worms, mollusks, echinoderms, 
and sponges were taken ; an especial feature of the haul consisting of over one hundred 
specimens of a fine large free crinoid, which came up in excellent condition. 
Two successful hauls of the beam trawl were also made off’ the island of Sitkal- 
idak, south of Kadiak. The first station (2854) was located about 7 miles south of the 
western part of Sitkalidak Island, in 60 fathoms, sandy bottom; the second station 
(2855) directly off the southwestern end of the same island, in 69 fathoms, green mud. 
Fishes of many kinds were especially abundant in both hauls. The crustaceans were 
represented chiefly by an abundance of shrimps and hermit crabs; mollusks were 
unusually plentiful, about 3 bushels of the larger and commoner forms being obtained ; 
and echinoderms of all classes were also common. 
Trials for fish. —At hydrographic station No. 1350, about 16 miles south of Tugidak 
Island (latitude 56° 07' N., longitude 154° 38' W.), 37 fathoms, sandy bottom, nine 
hand lines were kept in use a little over an hour, resulting in the capture of forty-seven 
