ALBATROSS EXPLORATIONS; ALASKA, WASHINGTON, AND OREGON, 45 
with depths of 102 to 166 fathoms, on the southern side ; depths of 105 to 122 fathoms 
occur just off the northern border, and 106 to 761 fathoms off the eastern end, close to 
the 100-fathom curve. 
On the afternoon of August 23, in making the most northern soundings in longi- 
tude 151° and thereabouts, the Ohugatz Islands, Point Gore, and Pye Islands were in 
sight, and cross-bearings were frequently taken to verify positions. Many snow-capped 
mountains were visible on the mainland, and in Nuka Bay an immense glacier extended 
apparently to the water’s edge. 
The soundings made by the Albatross between longitude 160° W. and the eastern 
end of the bank, inside of the 100 fathom line, show depths of 66 to 99 fathoms. Old 
soundings of 45 and 63 fathoms were not verified, although not shown to be inaccurate. 
Between longitudes 150° and 151° W. two soundings of 37 fathoms occur near the cen- 
tral part of the bank, while on the southern part depths of 40 to 72 fathoms were 
found. Between longitudes 151° and 152° W,, the latter marking approximately the 
western boundary of the bank and the coast line, the depths, according to the sound- 
ings of the Albatross, range from 20 to 81 fathoms, the latter occurring near the land; 
but there are no indications of a marked or extensive depression between the bank 
and the shore. 
Gray sand prevails over most of the bottom, mixed with pebbles, gravel, and 
broken shells in places, and with occasional patches of mud, and some rocky spots on 
the western part of the bank. 
Between the eastern end of the bank and Middleton Island depths of 87 to 902 
fathoms are shown by the single series of soundings made by the steamer. Two 
soundings of 87 and 101 fathoms, about midway between the two, indicate a small 
raised area surrounded by much deei)er water. 
Corrections . — Two lines of soundings on the southwestern part of Portlock Bank 
indicate shoaler water in that region than is marked upon the published charts of the 
Coast and Geodetic Survey, whose soundings are given on the chart |iccompanying 
;his report in conjunction with the soundings of the Albatross. The two lines in ques- 
tion are as follows: One beginning in latitude 57° 52' K, longitude 151° 47' W., off 
Chiniak Harbor, and extending thence south 51° E. 50 miles, with soundings of 47, 
30, 33, 35, 38, 42, 48, 57, and 72 fathoms; the other beginning in latitude 57° 26' N., longi- 
tude 150° 06' W., in 200 fathoms, and extending N. 51° W. 63 miles, with 59,51, 43, 40, 
36, and 78 fathoms. This work was done in fair weather, and it seems to prove the 
extension of Portlock Bank to Cape Greville without the intervening depression so 
generally found in this region near the land. The last sounding noted above, 78 
fathoms, was made at dredging station No. 2856, which was occupied at noon. The 
latitude was obtained by meridian altitude of the sun, the longitude by chronome- 
ter, and both verified by bearings of the land, all of which showed Marmot Island to 
be improperly placed on Coast Survey Chart No. 702, by which its nearest point should 
have been 9 miles distant, yet the surf could be seen breaking on the beach not 5 
miles away. 
Dredging . — Three successful hauls of the beam trawl were made on Portlock Bank, 
as follows : Station 2856, latitude 58° 07' N., longitude 151° 36' W., about 15 miles 
east of Pillar Cape, Kadiak Island, in 68 fathoms of water, bottom gray sand, black 
specks ; station 2857, in latitude 58° 05' N., longitude 150° 46' W., about 42 miles east 
of Pillar Cape, 51 fathoms, gray sand and broken shells ; station 2858, in latitude 
