FISHERY INVESTIGATIONS OF THE STEAMER ALBATROSS. 147 
in half an hour. Vessels of small tonnage could undoubtedly conduct a profitable 
business in this region. 
But few halibut were secured near the outer edge of the platform, the bottom 
being, apparently, better adapted to them a short distance farther in. This species 
occurs near the shores during the summer months, but invariably seeks deeper water on 
the approach of winter. It is sufficiently abundant to support a small fishery, but in 
the absence of local markets the catch could not be disposed of. The specimens taken 
by the Albatross were all of the white variety, which is also said to be the more com- 
mon one throughout the Alaskan waters, as well as on the coasts of British Columbia 
and Washington. The average weight in this region was about 10 or 12 pounds. 
Mr. Banken, the agent of the Alaska Commercial Company, states that the best hali- 
but grounds on this section of the coast are located in a small bay some 6 or 8 miles to 
the westward of Chernoffsky. 
Herring and other fishes suitable for bait school in large numbers about this part 
of the island. There is a fine smooth beach at Chernoffsky, well suited to the hauling 
of drag seines, and gill nets could also be employed there to good advantage. 
In this region, as elsewhere on the fishing-banks in Bering Sea, hand lines are 
preferable to trawl lines, for the reasons previously explained. Moreover, the resources 
are not sufficiently extensive to yield a profitable return to the larger class of vessels, 
and in the event of the establishment of fishing operations, it would be preferable to 
employ smacks of rather small size, with local stations where the catch could receive 
preliminary treatment before shipment to the south. 
The total number of trials with hand lines made between Priest Rock, at the 
entrance to Unalaska Harbor and Umnak Island, was 37, of which 14 gave no results. 
The remaining 23 trials yielded 177 cod weighing 1,834 pounds, and 21 halibut weigh- 
ing 292J pounds. The average weight of the cod was, therefore, about 10£ pounds, 
and of the halibut about 14 pounds. The cod ranged in length from 19£ to 37 inches, 
the average length for the combined catch having been about 29£ inches. 
The coast from Cape Makushin to Chernoffsky is broken by a succession of deep 
bays, some of which almost bisect the island, and this region is, therefore, well sup- 
plied with safe and convenient harbors. Chernoffsky Bay is one of the most secure 
harbors in Bering Sea; it is easy of approach, and in entering it is only necessary to 
keep a mid-channel course. The village of the same name is situated on a narrow 
neck of land between the harbor and the sea, and is conspicuous in passing along the 
coast. The native population consists of 46 persons living in barabaras, in addition 
to which there is a Greek church and a store and residence of the agent of the Alaska 
Commercial Company, all frame structures. 
MISCELLANEOUS OBSERVATIONS. 
Fishing vessels in Bering Sea . — According to Mr. Alexander, from one to four ves- 
sels have fished each year on the cod banks in Bering Sea, and, as a rule, with good 
success. Small vessels are regarded as best suited to the region, owing to the fact 
that they do not have to change their ground so often as the large ones. The expe- 
rience of the schooner Vanderbilt , described above under Baird Bank, will serve to 
illustrate this point. 
Vessels entering Bering Sea sometimes make trials in the vicinity of Unimak 
