FISHERY INVESTIGATIONS OF THE STEAMER ALBATROSS. 
145 
used by the Albatross on leaving Bering Sea, in August of the same year, the trip 
through being referred to by Capt. Tanner as follows : 
The atmosphere was usually clear, and as we had never used Akutan Pass we availed ourselves of 
the favorable opportunity of passing through and examining it. There is a clear channel two miles 
or more in width between Cape Morgan and four small islets lying off Unalga Island, free from dangers 
except near the shores, with 26 fathoms, rocky bottom, in the narrowest part of the pass. 
Unalaslca Harbor and adjacent ivaters . — During the summer of 1888 collecting 
was extensively carried on in this harbor and in the waters adjacent to it. Seining 
proved everywhere successful within the limits of the harbor, but the few hauls made 
at or near its mouth were unproductive, owing probably to the fact that the water 
there deepens rapidly from the shore outwards. The natives, however, take cod in 
these exposed positions. The Oncorliynchus gorbusclia (humpback salmon), 0. lteta 
(dog salmon), and 0. nerTca were seined abundantly both in the main harbor and in 
Captain Harbor at its head. The red-spotted trout ( Salvelinus malma) was also plenti- 
ful in the harbor and in the fresh water lake. Other common species obtainedwere the 
Pleuronectes stellatus (starry flounder), Lepidopsetta bilineata , Hemilepidotus jordani , 
and Clupea mirabilis (herring). The advantages offered by Unalaska for the establish- 
ment of fishing stations and the preparation of dried salmon or ultali by the natives 
have been discussed in the Fish Commission reports last referred to above. 
The investigations were continued in Unalaska Harbor at intervals during the 
summer of 1890, and late in the season they were carried along the Bering Sea side 
of the island from Priest Bock, in the east, to Umnak Island, in the west. Begarding 
the vicinity of Unalaska Harbor, Mr. Alexander states that the fishing-grounds 
extend only a short distance from the shore, the width of bottom over which cod 
may be expected to occur ranging from 3 to 6 miles. The fishing-spots consist of 
rocky and muddy patches of variable extent, on which sand, gravel, and shells also 
occur in small quantities. The rocks are generally sharp and would prove destructive 
to fishing gear. Cod are frequently caught from the wharf and beach in Unalaska 
Harbor, and there are certain places in Captain Harbor where this species is suffi- 
ciently abundant to supply the local demands during the entire year. The fish taken 
in such localities, however, are inferior in quality to those captured farther off shore, 
but as salmon form the principal diet of the natives a large stock of cod is never 
secured at one time. The latter species is almost invariably eaten fresh, but small 
quantities may be dried in the same manner as the salmon. 
According to Capt. Tanner: 
Rumor placed valuable cod banks in the outer bay, but no one seemed to know their exact 
locality or extent. Such a resource at the doors of a populous settlement would be of inestimable 
value. Availing ourselves of the opportunity offered by a clear day, we ran several lines of soundings 
across the bay, making frequent hauls of the trawl and trials with the tisliing lines, extending the 
examination to the 100-fathom line outside of Cape Kalekhta, or Priest Point, and Cape Cheerful, 
without finding indications of even ordinarily good fishing-ground. In fact, nearly every sounding 
inside of the capes gave muddy bottom. Spots were discovered, however, near the shore line where 
cod were plentiful. 
At a subsequent time “the search for cod banks in Unalaska Bay was resumed. 
The region from Ulakta Head to Elder Point was carefully examined, and the exami- 
nation was extended to Broad and Hateekin Bays, without developing anything that 
could be called a fishing-bank. Hear the shores, however, particularly on the west 
side of the bay, cod were plentiful and halibut were fairly abundant.” 
F. C. B. 1892—10 
