FISHERY INVESTIGATIONS OF THE STEAMER ALBATROSS 
151 
those islands and the reported positions of Lenard and Anderson Rocks ; but still 
farther eastward on the same line of soundings (longitude 162° 22' W.) a depth of 60 
fathoms was found. Sannak Bank begins immediately to the northeastward of this 
position, and covers an estimated area of about 1,300 square miles. It lies to the east 
and southeast of the islands of the same name, is somewhat elongated in shape, and 
trends in a general way northeast and southwest. A small area, having depths of 30 
to 37 fathoms, occurs near the center of the bank. A depth of 63 fathoms was found 
between it and the Sannak Islands, and depths of 75 to 82 fathoms exist off the 
northern edge in the direction of the Sandman Reefs. 
Between Sannak Bank and the Shumagin Islands. — In this area about 1,800 square 
miles, more or less adapted to fishing, were partly surveyed, the depths ranging from 
38 to 74 fathoms. This region is free from the hidden dangers which render Sannak 
Bank unsafe to those not well acquainted with its surroundings. 
Shumagin Bank. — This bank lies to the south and southeast of the Shumagin 
Islands, and its outer margin follows approximately the trend of the coast line formed 
by the adjacent islands. It has been traced westward to about longitude 159° 52' W., 
but probably extends farther in that direction. East of the Shumagin Islands it 
reaches north to the latitude of Big Koniushi Island. Its width inside of the 100- 
fathom curve varies from 15 to 35 miles, while its area has been estimated at about 
1,800 square miles. The depths over a large part of the bank are less than 50 
fathoms, the bank not being separated from the islands by deep water. 
Shumagin Islands to Kadiak Island. — Only a single series of soundings was carried 
across this wide area to the eastward of Shumagin Bank, with a double line extending 
from the neighborhood of Light-house Rocks to Mitrofania Bay. These soundings 
were insufficient to demonstrate the full value of this region, but they indicated the 
existence of several fishing-banks, the outlines and characteristics of which must be 
left for future investigations. The extent of the area thus partly developed was 
estimated at about 4,400 square miles. 
Albatross Bank. — This bank lies off the southeastern side of Kadiak Island and 
extends the entire length of that island as well as in front of the Trinity Islands. At 
the eastern end it is practically continuous with Portlock Bank. Along some portions 
of the coast, as in the neighborhood of Sitkalidak Island, the bank is separated from the 
land by comparatively deep water, while in other places shoal water intervenes. The 
100-fathom curve is distant 25 to 45 miles from the land, inside of which limit there is 
an estimated area of 3,700 square miles. The existence of this bank was predicted by 
Prof. George Davidson upon the evidence of a few isolated soundings, which were the 
only ones that had been made previous to the investigations of the steamer Albatross , 
from which it has derived its name. 
Portlock Bank. — This is the largest single bank south of the Alaska peninsula, its 
area inside of the 100-fathom curve being about 6,800 square miles, or only 1,600 miles 
less than that of Georges Bank, the second largest of the great banks of the western 
Atlantic Ocean. It extends northeastward from Kadiak Island, in the direction of 
Middleton Island, a distance of about 120 miles, and is irregular in shape. Isolated 
soundings of 68 to 81 fathoms occur near Kadiak Island, at the western end of the 
bank, but there are no indications of a marked or extensive depression between the 
bank and the land. 
Prom Portlock Bank the soundings were carried to Middleton Island, the position 
of which was ascertained by a careful series of observations on a clear day. The 
