BULLETIN OF THE UNITED STATES FISH COMMISSION. 35 



From the log-book of the ^Marguerite aud the rejjort of Capt. Charles 

 3. Johnson the following account is taken: 



Sailed from Gloucester April 28 ; arrived May 22; sailed for Green- 

 laud, to complete the voyage, July 17; arrived there Jul3'27; sailed 

 August 27; and arrived at Gloucester September 23. 



On May 9, met drift ice and numerous bergs in latitude 48^ 7' north, 

 longitude 48° 8' west. 



May 10, saw heavy field ice in latitude 49° 29', longitude 48° 29'. 



May 11, no drift ice but many bergs, most of them aground; latitude 

 46° 28', longitude 48° 8'. 



May 12, two bergs were seen in latitude 47° 20', longitude 45° 31'. 



May 13, clear water ; temperature of water, 52° ; of the air, 59°. 



May 20, an immense berg was seen aground ; ran alongside, and 

 sounded, finding 250 fathoms. Measured the berg and found it GIO feet 

 out of water, or total from top to bottom, 2,110 feet ; measured nothing 

 but the height, but estimate*! it at three-fourths of a mile wide, and 

 from li to 2 miles long; water alongside oi" the berg, 43°; air, 45°; lati- 

 tude G3° 50', longitude 26° 40'. 



Captain Johnson reports much of the time during his stop that the 

 weather was very unfavorable for fishing. No fish were to be caught 

 within 3 miles of shore, a Danish cruiser keeping watch to see that the 

 law was not violated. No fishing license is required or any charges, 

 except the port charges, which vary according to the tonnage of the 

 vessel. On the Marguerite, of 103 tons, the lighthouse charge of 30 

 crowns [about $S] was collected once. For the first three times a 

 vessel enters a port, 5 crowns harbor tax is collected each time. After 

 paying three times a vessel can enter as often as they please free of 

 any charge. These are the only charges made by the Government. 

 The storage aud temporary care of salt and other goods left on shore 

 is collected by private parties, and it often amounts to a considerable 

 sum, and has given rise to reports that excessive fees were collected for 

 the privilege of fishing. Reports have also been made that much ob- 

 jection was offered to landing and that in some cases a decided refusal 

 was made, both at Greenland and Iceland. Captain Johnson reports 

 no trouble whatever, and nothing but kind and pleasant treatment from 

 the officers at both places. Salt can be bought cheaper at Iceland than 

 here. The halibut and cod-fishing grounds are located at the northern 

 and eastern part of the island ; halibut were taken on trawls set in from 

 30 to 90 fathoms ; average weight of halibut, 100 pounds. 



Between Iceland aud Greenland clear water was found all the way. 

 On July 22 met field ice to the southward of Cape Farewell. When off 

 that cai^e found a narrow channel ; passed into and through it for 180 

 miles, it being from 1 to 10 miles wide. This took them around Cape 

 Farewell and off Cape Desolation. On July 24 passed in full sight of 

 and within one mile of Cape Farewell. With the exception of a few 

 bergs, the harbor was free of ice. 



