134 
BULLETIN OF THE UNITED STATES FISH COMMISSION. 
All of Bristol Bay, except near tlie mouths of rivers and in certain other localities 
to be defined hereafter, is, therefore, practically a continuous fishing -ground, but further 
investigations are required to determine its extension westward, the area of good 
fishing being probably larger than is indicated by the present surveys. The combined 
length of Slime and Baird banks, from the Northwest Cape of Unimak to Cape 
Chichagof, is about 340 miles, and their total extent within the limits by which they 
have so far been defined is about 10,645 square miles. These banks, therefore, together 
with the remaining area within the boundaries of Bristol Bay, where cod and halibut 
occur, constitute one of the very largest fishing-grounds in either the Atlantic or 
Pacific Ocean, being exceeded, in fact, only by the Grand Bank of Newfoundland. 
On this Bering Sea ground, however, the halibut seem to be mostly of small size, 
and it is chiefly important for its cod. It has been resorted to during a number of 
years past by one or more fishing vessels every season, but it remains for the future 
to fully appreciate and utilize its resources. 
The weather in this part of Bering Sea, according to Capt. Tanner, is usually 
pleasanter than to the south of the peninsula. The principal grounds, moreover, have 
a weather shore with the prevailing summer winds, and a well-found vessel may anchor 
anywhere and ride out the usual gales at that season without much risk or discomfort. 
Preliminary to the fishery investigations, and as a basis for the hydrographic 
work, a partial reconuoissance of the coast was made from Unimak Island to the head 
of Bristol Bay, and thence to Cape Newenham. This survey was rendered necessary 
by the fact that little dependence could be placed upon the existing charts with respect 
to the shore features, which have thus been referred to by Capt. Tanner : 
The shore lines are usually low and without distinctive features, -hut high mountain ranges and 
volcanic cones extend along the central parts of Unimak and the Alaskan Peninsula. These rugged, 
snow-covered mountains and lofty peaks would serve as unmistakable landmarks were they not 
obscured by the almost constant fogs which prevail in that region during the summer months. In 
fact, they were so seldom visible during the season of 1890 that the officers of the Albatross made no 
pretense of using them as landmarks. The shore line and objects near the sea level were often seen 
beneath the fog when the higher lands were obscured, and, therefore, most of the available landmarks 
were found on or near the beach. 
Partial surveys were also made of Port Moller and Herendeen Bay, and of the 
lower part of Nushagak Biver. 
FISHING-GROUNDS NORTHEAST OF UNIMAK PASS. 
Slime Bank . — Slime Bank is the first of the larger fishing-grounds to be reached 
after entering Bering Sea through Unimak Pass. As delineated by the steamer 
Albatross, it begins directly olf the Northwest Cape-of Unimak Island, is elongate in 
shape, and follows approximately the trend of the adjacent coast to within a few 
miles of Amak Island, its inner margin lying only a short distance oif the land. It is 
about 85 miles in length and 17 miles in average width, broadening somewhat at the 
eastern end; its total area is estimated at about 1,445 square miles. The depths 
range from 20 to 50 fathoms, while the bottom consists generally of black sand and 
gravel, frequently intermingled with pebbles, and sometimes of gray and yellow sand, 
rocks also occurring near the shore. 
At its western end the bank is bordered by the deeper water lying off the north- 
ern entrance to Unimak Pass, 70 fathoms being found near the margin of the bank, 
and depths exceeding 100 fathoms a short distance farther away. Off its northern 
