FISHERY INVESTIGATIONS OF THE STEAMER ALBATROSS. 
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and south, showed 15 fathoms about 1 mile from shore, from which point the depths 
increased regularly to 70 fathoms, at a distance of 8 to 10 miles, or in the position of 
the alleged bank. The bottom consisted of fine gray sand, from which the customary 
varieties of coast fishes were obtained, but no specimens of cod. A depth of 12 
fathoms will be found nowhere in this region except within a fraction of a mile of 
the land and well within the sound of the surf. 
Thirteen trials with hand lines were made between Cape Lookout and Siletz Bay 
on September 9, 1889, with the result of finding food-fishes abundant in some local- 
ities. The slight depths of water near the shore and the generally smooth bottom 
render fishing easy, and it may be regarded as comparatively good. The tidal cur- 
rents are somewhat strong at times, but not sufficiently so as to greatly inconven- 
ience operations. Many black-cod were taken on the hand lines off Nestuggah Bay 
and off Cascade Head, the other fishes consisting mainly of different varieties of 
rockfish, with an occasional flounder. The black-cod from these shallow waters are 
smaller and are also said to have a poorer flavor than those obtained from the deeper 
waters offshore and farther north. 
The beam trawl was used at station 3059 (June 9, 1889), about 8 miles off Siletz 
Bay, depth 77 fathoms, muddy bottom; and at station 3347 (September 22, 1889), off 
Nestuggah Bay, in a depth of 345 fathoms, muddy bottom. In the former haul many 
flounders were secured, and also one herring and several specimens of Octopus. 
Off Yaquina Head . — Investigations were conducted in the vicinity of Yaquina 
Head (latitude 44° 40' N.) in June, August, and September, 1889. Leaving Heceta 
Bank at dark on June 8, 1889, a line of soundings was run to Yaquina Head, develop- 
ing a maximum depth of 78 fathoms. Early the next morning the beam trawl was 
hauled twice (stations 3055, 3056) in a depth of 28 fathoms, fine gray sand, about 3 
miles west (magnetic) from Yaquina Head, taking an abundance of several species of 
flounders, besides crabs and shrimps. Trials with hand lines in the same position 
gave negative results, but the wind was blowing fresh at the time, causing the small 
boat to pitch about considerably, and possibly being accountable for the poor fishing. 
A station (No. 3057) was then occupied 13 miles from the head in the same direc- 
tion, depth 43 fathoms, coarse gray sand. Large numbers of flounders, red rockfish 
and shrimps were taken in the beam trawl, and 20 orange rockfish on the hand 
lines. Specimens of rockfish weighing 7 and 8 pounds apiece were fairly abundant. 
The wind and sea having greatly increased during the morning, the Albatross ran in 
and anchored under the head, a boat party being sent out to examine the shore to the 
leeward of the rocks. They met with no success, however, and fishing from the 
steamer also proved a failure. 
In the afternoon of the same day the beam trawl was used at station No. 3058, 
13J miles northwesterly from Yaquina Head, and 4 miles offshore, in a depth of 38 
fathoms, coarse gray sand and shells. Several species of flounders were taken in the 
beam trawl, but nothing was secured by means of hand lines. 
On August 30, 1889, while proceeding down the coast, a trial with hand lines was 
made in a depth of 28 fathoms, fine gray sand, about 12 miles southwest of Yaquina 
Head, and 5£ miles in the same general direction from the mouth of Yaquina Bay. 
The only fishes obtained were one red rockfish and two ling or whiting ( Merlucius 
productus). The wind at this time was blowing fresh, however, causing the ship to 
drift rapidly, and making it difficult to keep the lines on the bottom. 
