FISHERY INVESTIGATIONS OF THE STEAMER ALBATROSS. 
167 
Off Tillamook Bock. — This rock is situated off Tillamook Head, about 16 or 17 
miles south of the mouth of the Columbia Eiver. As halibut had been reported from 
the adjacent watery, a careful examination was made of its surroundings, one visit 
having been paid to the region in October, 1888, and another in June, 1889. On the 
first visit the bottom was tested in several places off the northern side of the rock, in 
depths of 29 to 30 fathoms, by means of the dredge. It consisted of hard gray sand, 
but only a comparatively small amount of life was obtained. At the same time a trawl 
line was set near the can-buoy off the northern end of the rock, one end lying in 18 
fathoms, the other in 25 fathoms, the bottom being rocky. The total catch consisted 
of only 7 dogfish. This experience, together with the results of subsequent trials 
during the same season, showed that, in the fall, the coast of Oregon, like that of 
Washington, is seriously infested with sharks and dogfish, which greatly interfere 
with successful fishing. 
Somewhat better success was met with the following June, when the Albatross 
proceeded to Tillamook Itock in company with the light house steamer Manzanita. 
Acting upon the advice of the commander of the Manzanita , the trawl line was set so 
as to cover as much as possible of the ground from which the capture of halibut had 
been reported, one end being placed close to Tillamook Eock and the other near the 
shore of the mainland. After remaining down two hours, the catch comprised 1 hali- 
but weighing 25 pounds, 1 large skate, and 1 red rockfish. Hundreds of starfishes 
were also attached to the hooks and proved a great annoyance. In the meantime 
the Manzanita , at her moorings alongside the rock, obtained 3 halibut and 2 ground- 
sharks by means of hand lines, but with the same appliances only a few red rockfish 
were taken by the Albatross , although trials were made in numerous places. 
Four beam-trawl stations (Nos. 3060-3063) were occupied in different positions 
about the rock, during the same day, in depths of 23 to 44 fathoms. The bottom 
consisted of mud at one station in 28 fathoms, and of fine sand at the others. Among 
the specimens secured were 8 species of flounders, hake, tomcod, sculpins, shrimp, 
smelt, crabs, and an octopus. 
The grounds about Tillamook Rock to which halibut are likely to resort appear to 
cover a very limited area, which may be regarded as suitable for boat fishing with 
hand lines. Scattering halibut will probably be found there during a large part of 
the year. The grounds are too small, however, and the fish too scarce to offer any 
inducements for vessel fishing or the use of trawl lines. Many of the so-called 
halibut recorded from this region are said to be a very different kind of flatfish, the 
Atheresihes stomias , which also goes by the name of “turbot” in Astoria. 
Beam-trawl station No. 3064 was about 9 miles northwest from Tillamook Eock, 
in 46 fathoms, fine gray sand and gravel. Although the same character of bottom 
fauna as occurs in corresponding depths about the rock was discovered in this position, 
trials with hand lines proved entirely unsuccessful. 
Off Cape Falcon. — Cape Falcon, or False Tillamook, is about 11 miles south of 
Tillamook Head. Several soundings were made in the vicinity of Falcon Rock on 
September 7, 1889, and hand lines were tried in the same connection. A fine salmon 
and 2 orange rockfish were the only specimens taken. The work was continued at 
short intervals down the coast, but the ground was not found to be especially produc- 
tive for hook-and-line fishing. A strong tide was running at the time and it is pos- 
sible that this circumstance may partly account for the scarcity of fish, as is known 
to be the case elsewhere. On many of the spots over which the vessel drifted flounders 
