ALBATKOSS EXPLORATIONS; ALASKA, WASHINGTON, AND OREGON. 47 
encountered almost anywhere around this desolate island. The swell was so heavy 
that no soundings were made except in the immediate vicinity of the anchorage. 
Observations of the tides during the night showed a velocity of 2 to 3 knots per 
hour, the flood setting to the northward and eastward, and the ebb in the opposite 
direction. 
August 26 began with a moderate breeze from the southwest, veering to north- 
west, northeast, and east-southeast, with clear weather, except for two hours in the 
early morning. The surf was still too heavy for landing, and being anxious to get 
observations on shore, as well as to give the naturalists an opportunity to examine the 
region, the ship was got under way and steamed to the southern end of the island. 
When about to anchor in 10 fathoms the keel came in contact with a rock, but she 
was backed off without damage and anchored in 15 fathoms, about 3 miles distant from 
land, the northern end of the island bearing N. J E. (magnetic), and the southern 
extremity NE. f N. (magnetic). Captain Tanner, the navigator, and a party of col- 
lectors immediately landed. 
Geographical position . — The following observations were taken to ascertain the 
position of the island : Two sets of equal altitudes of the sun for longitude, one meridian 
altitude, and six ex-meridian altitudes of the sun for latitude, the artificial horizon 
being used. They were made under favorable conditions and are reliable. The obser- 
vation spot is one cable to the westward of the southeast extremity of the island, and 
is marked by a pile of stones on the beach above high water, the mean of all the sights 
placing it in latitude 59° 23' 36.7" N., and longitude 146° 19' 33.4" W. 
Characteristics and stirroundings . — Middleton Island is between 7 and 8 miles long, 
N. 22° E., and IS. 22° W., with reefs extending 2 miles or more north and east of it, 
and between 3 and 4 miles off the southern end. The anchorage is on the west side, 
and an approaching vessel should keep well outside of the kelp, as rocks may exist 
anywhere near the island, which is a terminal moraine, composed of mud, clay, and 
gravel, with huge bowlders thinly scattered about over the surface, on the beaches, 
and on ledges above and below the water. 
The southern end has perpendicular cliffs of mud and clay from 30 to 80 feet in 
height, the greatest elevation, toward the center of the island, being about 120 feet 
above the sea. The strata on this side dip from 30° to 40° about northwest (magnetic). 
The general appearance of the island is flat, and, the soil being impervious to water, 
numerous ponds are formed by heavy rains, and the entire surface is moist, almost 
boggy? covered in summer with a rank growth of grass, flowers, etc., but with no trees. 
A band of about fifty fur seals was observed upon the rocky reef on the east- 
ern side of the island. In the spring the island is visited by Indians in pursuit of 
seals and sea otters, and large parties are sometimes encamped there for several weeks 
at a time. During recent years, however, it is stated that the island is less resorted 
to than formerly for that purpose. It has no permanent inhabitants. The high cliff 
is difficult of ascent, but a means was found of reaching the top, where, near its edge, 
the puffins have excavated long underground passage-ways, which gave the i^edestrians 
some uncomfortable walking, as the thin crust of earth covering the burrows was not 
sufficiently strong to withstand their weight. In the interior they encountered level 
ground, covered with a rich growth of tall grass and other moisture-loving lilants, 
concealing many sluggish little rivulets which slowly tended toward the shore. Search 
was itiade for fossils in the beds of clay and gravel, but none were found. 
