FISHERY INVESTIGATIONS OF THE STEAMER ALBATROSS. 
185 
Vicinity of Santa Rosa Island. — In the evening of January 6, 1889, a trawl line 
was set in the outer part of Becher Bay, at the eastern end of this island, the depth 
being 20 fathoms. It was allowed to remain down over night, but in the morning only 
1 puffer shark (Cephaloscyllium ventricosum ), 3 sea-anemones, and 1 crab were found 
on the hooks. Shore collections were also made at this place, but the surf was 
too heavy to permit of seining. The small dredge was then hauled in the bay at 
station No. 2900, 13 fathoms, sandy bottom, and subsequently two beam- trawl stations 
(Nos. 2901, 2902) were made about 4 miles north of Beacon Reef, in depths of 48 and 
53 fathoms, many interesting specimens being obtained. 
On the morning of February 8, a line of dredging and fishing stations was run 
through Santa Cruz channel, and thence several miles southward along the crest of a 
ridge which extends in the direction of San Nicolas Island, but the full extent of this 
shadow water was not determined. Subsequently the work was continued off the 
southern side ol Santa Rosa Island as far as San Miguel Island. The bottom consisted 
of clean hard sand, with frequent sharp rock projections. 
The following dredging stations were made during the day, namely : No. 2950, in 
Becher Bay, 21 fathoms; No. 2949, 155 fathoms, and No. 2951, 48 fathoms, at the 
southern entrance to Santa Cruz Channel; No. 2952, 57 fathoms, No. 2953, 82 fathoms, 
No. 2954, 65 fathoms, and No. 2955, 121 fathoms, on the ridge extending south from 
Santa Rosa Island. The following account of the fishing trials is from Mr. Alexan- 
der’s report : 
At station 2953, latitude 33° 47' N., longitude 110° 58' 15" W., depth 82 fathoms, the dingey was 
lowered for the purpose of testing the bottom with hand lines. A short distance from the above 
station the bottom suddenly dropped off into 100 fathoms and a fair trial failed to give us any results. 
We shifted our berth several times in the direction of the shore, gradually shoaling the water to 60 
fathoms, in which depth we obtained 2 red rock-cod. The position where we left the ship was 
about 10 miles from Santa Rosa Island. In changing berths we probably worked a mile in towards 
shore. Adding this to the distance steamed by the ship in going over this ground and we have a rocky 
ledge about 5 miles long and with a depth of 65 to 90 fathoms developed during the morning, on which 
red rock-cod, whitefish, and fat-heads will probably be abundant at certain seasons. The extent of 
the ledge, however, may be much greater. The results of dredging indicate a rich bottom. 
Off the south side of Santa Cruz Island. — The beam trawl was used on February 7, 
1889, in two positions not far apart off the southern side of Santa Cruz Island. The 
results obtained have been described as follows by Capt. Tanner : 
Two of the hauls of the afternoon, Nos. 2947 and 2948, in 269 and 266 fathoms, were among the 
richest of the cruise, a great variety of specimens, including 4 black-cod, being obtained. The latter 
were rather under the medium size, but their flesh was excellent in flavor, nearly, if not quite, equal 
to those taken off the^Oregon and Washington coasts. The deep-water sole is another excellent fish 
found here, and ranks among the best sea fishes on the Pacific coast, far superior to any that reach the 
Santa Barbara or San Diego markets. 
The “deep-water sole” referred to is the G'lyptocephalus zachirus, a relative of the 
pole flounder of the North Atlantic Ocean. It could be taken only in the beam trawl 
or some similar bottom drag net. The black-cod, however, is an active fish, which 
could best be captured by hook and line, and the fact that 4 specimens were secured 
in the beam trawl may possibly indicate its presence here in considerable numbers. 
