FISHERY INVESTIGATIONS OF THE STEAMER ALBATROSS. 
137 
mouths of the larger rivers and in some other places as explained below. Outside of 
Bristol Bay the observations were not carried beyond the limits of the bank as defined 
by Oapt. Tanner, and the entire width of its western portion still remains to be deter- 
mined. It is not impossible that some connection may be found to exist between Baird 
and Slime banks to the north of Amak Island. A line of stations from Cape Newen- 
kam to the Northwest Cape of Unimak Island, however, showed good fishing only in 
the vicinity of land. 
The examination of Baird Bank was begun at the western or southern end of the 
bank on June 27. The soundings were generally conducted along regular lines, 
approximately at right angles to the coast, but to the west of Cape Seniavin they were 
not carried beyond a maximum distance of about 48 miles from land. Inside of this 
point, however, they were run practically from shore to shore. Thirty-two dredging 
stations (Nos. 3235-3238, 3273-3299, and 3303) were occupied within the limits of Baird 
Bank as originally defined; 4 stations (Nos. 3288-3290, 3295) between the bank and 
the shores- of the peninsula; 7 stations (Nos. 3228-3234) at the extreme head of the 
bay, in the broad mouth of the Kvichak River; and 14 stations (Nos. 3239-3246, 
3300-3302, 3304-3306) between the bank and the northern shores of Bristol Bay. 
Fishing trials with hand lines were made at all dredging stations and at the majority 
of sounding stations. 
The inner margin of Baird Bank has been made to correspond approximately with 
the 15-fathom line. A maximum depth of 53 fathoms was discovered about 37 miles 
off Lagoon Point, to the westward of Port Moller. West of Cape Seniavin, however, 
the depths range mostly from 30 to 45 fathoms, while to the eastward of that point 
they gradually diminish toward the head of Bristol Bay, the soundings at the extreme 
end of the bank in that direction indicating depths of 11 to 20 fathoms. In the direc- 
tion of Kulukak Bay and Cape Peirce the depths also decrease gradually, becoming 
reduced to 15 and 17 fathoms on the Kulukak ground. The bottom consists mainly 
of fine gray sand, with areas of black sand, black sand and gravel, and occasionally 
rocky patches near the shores. The bottom fauna over the main part of the bank was 
discovered to be rich and varied, in most places corresponding with that of Slime Bank. 
According to Capt. Tanner, the conditions improved with each line of stations 
until off Port Moller, where the most productive fishing-ground was found. Cod were 
taken on nearly every trial with the hand lines, but their abundance and quality varied 
in different localities. They were smaller and in poorer condition near the land, the 
best results having been obtained some 15 to 20 miles offshore, in depths of 25 to 40 
fathoms. In shallow water the bottom was often covered with sponges, mussels, and 
large clustered barnacles adhering to the rocks, the cutting edges of the latter soon 
tearing the nets to pieces. 
The results of hand-line fishing may be summarized as follows, with respect to 
the general grouping of the stations on the bank : 
Two trials only were made at the extreme southwestern end of the bank, in depths 
of 26 and 39 fathoms, respectively, the catch consisting of 9 cod, having an average 
weight of about 10 pounds and an average length of about 27 inches. A few pollock 
and sculpins were also taken at the same time. 
Off Lagoon Point, in an area covering a length of about 25 miles and extending 
48 miles from land, 13 trials were made in depths of 18 to 53 fathoms. The total 
catch amounted to 56 cod, an average of 4£ to each trial, the average length of the 
