ALBATKOSS EXPLORATIONS; ALASKA, WASHINGTON, AND OREGON. 65 
Flattery Light, and carried seaward 30 miles in a line parallel to that of the previous 
day, the outermost sounding being in 378 fathoms. 
Subsequently four other regular lines were run farther south, in about the same 
direction, or practically at right angles to the coast line and at distances apart of about 
16 miles, these lines being connected by intermediate soundings alternately at their 
outer and inner ends. They extended outward from depths of 28 to 31 fathoms near 
the coast into depths of 287 to 758 fathoms, the last line terminating in the latitude 
of Gray's Harbor, about 47° F. The bottom in this region was mainly gray sand, 
excepting in the deeper areas off shore where mud and ooze predominated. Eocky 
patches alternated with fine gray sand and mud on the last line, denoting a marked 
change from the uniform gray sand found thus far south of Cape Flattery. A report, 
of Indian origin, placed a bank 30 miles west (magnetic) from Shoalwater Bay. The 
change in the character of the bottom led to the belief that the report might be correct, 
and a careful examination of the region resulted in the development of a bank about 
20 miles in length, southwest and northeast (magnetic), and 12 miles in extreme width. 
Its eastern extremity, on which there is 42 fathoms, rocky bottom, lies 15 miles south- 
west (magnetic) from Point Chehalis, on the southern side of the entrance to Gray’s 
Harbor. The soundings are quite regular, but the bottom alternates in character 
between rocks, gray sand, and mud. The dredgings and trials for fish on this bank 
proved more successful than any previously made south of Cape Flattery, as explained 
below. There is little doubt that at the proper season good fishing would be found 
in this locality. 
Dredgings and trials for fish . — The beam trawl was used at station 2868, off Cape 
Johnson, and station 2869, off Destruction Island, in depths of 31 and 32 fathoms, 
respectively, the bottom consisting of sand. At the former station tomcod, floun- 
ders, and one beshowe were taken in the beam trawl, but otherwise very little material 
was obtained. At the latter the bottom was composed of fine gray sand, perfectly 
clean, without adhering growths of any kind. A skate of halibut trawl, baited with 
salt salmon and clams, was set at station 2868. But few baits were disturbed and 
fish appeared to be scarce, only two red rockfish, three dogfish, and one skate being 
captured. Trial lines were also put over the side of the steamer at this place, but 
without result. 
The beam trawl was next used at station 2870, on the southern edge of the bank 
off Gray’s Harbor described above. The depth was 58 fathoms, the bottom rocky, 
and very rich in the lower forms of life serving as food for fishes. The halibut trawl, 
set for four hours at the same position, took ten red rockfish, two beshowe, and four 
sharks. Three red rockfish were also caught with hand lines from the ship at the 
same time. This species seemed to be fairly abundant, but it is not much in demand 
as a market fish. Hand lines were subsequently tried for fifteen minutes about lOJ 
miles off Shoalwater Light, but no fish were secured. 
Station 2871, with the beam trawl, was about 45 miles off the entrance to Gray’s 
Harbor, in a depth of 559 fathoms, brown ooze. Many deep-water forms were obtained 
at this place. 
Bull. H. S. F. C., 88 5 
