46 REPORT OF THE COMMISSIONER OF FISHERIES, 



Halcyon in keeping channels open through the ice in the harbors of 

 Gloucester, Salem, and Manchester. In all the vessel steamed 3,575 

 miles. 



The Phahirope and Gannet were utilized for fish-cultural and col- 

 lecting work at the Woods Hole and Gloucester (Mass.) stations, re- 

 spectively, and the former was brought to the Potomac River for 

 use at the hatchery at Bryans Point, Md., during the shad season. In 

 October her crew took the Kittiwake from Woods Hole to Norfolk, 

 whence she was carried on a Navy transport to Seattle. 



In addition to the steamer SheariDater, the bureau now operates 

 two large gas boats, the GurlexD and Fulmar^ on the Great Lakes. 

 These are attached to the fish-cultural stations at Put in Bay, Ohio, 

 Cape Vincent, N. Y., and Charlevoix, Mich. 



The supply vessel Eider made seven round trips between Unalaska, 

 Alaska, and the Pribilof Islands, carrying Government employees, 

 freight, and supplies, and two trips to Belkofsky with native laborers 

 who had been employed on the islands. During the winter exceed- 

 ingly stormy weather prevailed, which delayed operations and at 

 times prevented the vessel from going to sea. In December an attempt 

 was made to save the gas vessel Lister^ which was ashore at Cape 

 Makushin, about 40 miles from Unalaska. The wife and family of 

 the captain were transported to Unalaska. In February the Eider 

 was taken to Cordova for repairs to her engines and upper works, 

 but as it was finally decided to equip her with new engines she pro- 

 ceeded to Seattle, where she arrived March 24. The old 110-horse- 

 power engine has been removed and a 140-horsepower Diesel engine 

 installed. It is believed the change will effect a great saving in the 

 cost of fuel and also give the vessel needed additional power. Other 

 changes and improvements will add to her efficiency and seaworthi- 

 ness. During the year she cruised 7,420 miles. 



The usual patrol and fisheries investigations were carried on in 

 southeast Alaskan waters by the gas boats Atiklet, Mnrre, Petrel^ and 

 Widgeon; the Scoter operated in Bristol Bay, the Tern on the Yukon 

 River, and the Merganser was sent to Chignik. "Wliile these Alaska 

 boats are on active duty only during spring, summer, and early fall 

 months, the service they are called on to perform is onerous, exact- 

 ing, and often dangerous. They cruised during the year from 

 4,000 to 7,300 miles each. During inactive periods their crews are 

 kept busy with repairs and upkeep, and in addition are called on for 

 other work not directly pertaining to vessels and boats. 



The Kitti'wake^ originally obtained from the Navy, reached Seattle 

 in the spring of 1923, and is being refitted and furnished with a 

 more powerful engine to fit her for the needs of the Alaska service. 

 In May the small gas boat Ihis was purchased for use at Chignik. 



The activities of vessels in Alaska are briefly stated in the section 

 of this report dealing with the bureau's work in the Territory. 



