86 
BULLETIN OF THE UNITED STATES FISH COMMISSION. 
We left Port Townsend on the 18th of September and cruised off the coast of Wash- 
ington Territory until the 23rd, and Vancouver Island until the 29th, finally returning 
to Seattle October 2. Light variable winds prevailed on the day of our dejiarture, 
followed by a moderate gale from southeast the following day, variable winds on the 
21st, light to moderate breeze from northwest to northeast until the 26th, and light 
variable airs with frequent calms until our return to port. The first three days were 
misty or rainy, followed by six fair or clear days, then five days of continuous fog, 
light rain falling during four days. The barometer ranged from 29.82 to 30.50. 
Light variable winds with fair weather prevailed in Seattle from October 2 to 
4, light northeast to west-northwest winds in Port Townsend on the 5th, with clear 
weather. Variable winds and light rain were encountered in Victoria, British Columbia, 
on the 6th. Fair weather prevailed at Departure Bay from the 7th to the 10th, with 
intervals of fog and rain. The same conditions prevailed on the 11th in the Straits Of 
Fuca and off Cape Flattery, and on the 12th a fresh gale from southeast to west-north- 
west occurred off" the Columbia River, followed by moderate winds from west-north- 
west on the 13th, light rain having fallen every day since the 6th. Light variable 
winds and frequent calms with ijartially clear weather prevailed in Astoria, Oregon, 
from the 14th to the 18th. Light rains fell on three days. The same conditions pre- 
vailed on the 19th on Heceta Bank, followed on the 20th by a moderate gale from 
northwest to north, moderating the following day as we approached the harbor of San 
Francisco. 
The barometer was very unsteady from the 1st of October, oscillating between 
29.80 and 30.46, the average being 30.12. 
Attention is called to the meteorological table on pages 82 to 84 of this report 
where the extreme and mean climatic conditions are recorded for each day. 
28 . OBSERVATIONS RELATIVE TO OCEAN CURRENTS. 
From San Francisco to the Straits of Fuca the currents were to the southward 
and eastward, in the general direction of the coast line, and averaged 15 miles per day. 
Tidal influences only were felt through the inland passages of British Columbia ; 
and from the north end of Vancouver Island to 143° 00' 00" west longitude the set was 
northerly, about 13 miles per day. It then changed to the southward and eastward 
(about S. 220 averaging 8 miles per day until we reached the island of Unalashka, 
near its western end. Thence to Unimak Pass it was about N. 75° W. one-half mile 
per hour. 
From the pass to Unalashka we were near the land and affected by tidal influence. 
The same may be said when on leaving port we steamed through Unalga Pass 
and to the eastward parallel with the islands until we took a departure for Ugomok. 
A current of about one-half mile per hour H. 70° W. was encountered in running 
a line of soundings 45 miles off' shore and returning. It may have been the result of 
tides, as the vessel was within their influence several hours. 
Steaming across Unimak Pass to Promontory Cape the tide only was noticed. 
Thence to the east side of the Sannakhs a current of three fourths mile per hour was 
encountered setting to the northward and eastward, and between the latter group and 
the Shumagins the set was in the same direction, about one-half mile per hour. 
Strong tides were found among the islands of the above group. 
