16 KKroRT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. 



coinpri.sing- 2S acres was selected on its southeast border, where it would 

 appear that a water supply can be o})tai)ied by artesian wells. Steps 

 have been taken to acquire the property. 



An act of Cong-ress approved February 4, 1901, provided for a 

 lobster hatchery on the Maine coast, and after an examination of dif- 

 ferent localities l)y the Commissioner and representatives of the Com- 

 mission conversant with the needs of such an establishment, McKown 

 Point, on the southwest side of Boothbay Harbor, was chosen. This 

 is about 3^ miles by land and about a mile by water from the town of 

 Boothbay Har})or, Lincoln County, where there are daily boat con- 

 nections with Bath and other important towns. The site selected has 

 an area of 9 acres. It is on a rocky point with deep water close to the 

 shore, thus insuring a good water supply by pumping even at low tide; 

 boat landings can be advantageously constructed, and the ground lies 

 well for a convenient arrangement of the hatchery and other buildings. 

 Moreover, Boothl^a}^ Harbor is an excellent center for obtaining egg- 

 lobsters in (luantities for artificial propagation, which is a matter of 

 importance. 



STEAMER ALBATROSS. 



The salmon investigations conducted with this vessel during the 

 summer of 1901 were carried on in southeast Alaska, and it was 

 intended to complete the survey l)egun in 1897. Smallpox broke out 

 among the crew, compelling the return of the ship earlier than was 

 intended, ])ut though an examination of all the new canneries in this 

 part of the Territory was interfered with, the stream and lake work 

 was practically completed. The vessel reached Seattle early in Sep- 

 tember. A report covering the salmon investigation for 1900 and 

 1901 will soon be issued, which, taken in connection with that of 1897, 

 it is believed will give a comprehensive account of the commetcial 

 aspects of the salmon interests of Alaska. 



During September and October an examination was mi de along the 

 coasts of Washington, Oregon, and California, looking to the move- 

 ments of salmon at sea and the results of the introduction of eastern 

 lobsters and crabs. At the end of October the Albatross was in San 

 Francisco for the purpose of refitting and making minor repairs pre- 

 paratory to her next duty. 



In continuation of the investigation of the Hawaiian fisheries, begun 

 in 1901 by direction of Congress, it was decided to send the Alhatros.s 

 to those islands to study the conditions in the surrounding waters. 

 An arrangement was made with Dr. David Starr Jordan to have gen- 

 eral supervision of the expedition, and Dr. Charles H. Gilbert was put 

 in immediate charge of the scientific work. The investigation was to 

 embrace dredging and collecting in channels and on the banks about 

 the islands, and a thorough examination of the surroundings of Kauai, 

 the oldest of the group, of outlying reefs about the islands northwest 



