48 REPORT OF THE COMMISSIONER OF FISHERIES. 



commoclations for 16 investigators may be increased as circumstances 

 demand. Among the useful features are a library, a chemical labora- 

 tory, a photographic room, a museum, a mess hall and kitchen, and 

 tank and aquarium rooms, in addition to offices. 



At the beginning of the year reconstruction work at the Baker 

 Lake (Wash.) station was well under wa}'^, and though hampered 

 by difficulties in transportation and by high prices of material and 

 labor has progressed to a point where the station is again on an 

 efficient working basis. In addition to the hatchery described in 

 the last report a bunk house, sawmill, and workshop have been 

 erected, all of which are of frame construction with iron roofs. 

 Practically all the tools and appliances, including nets, seines, hatch- 

 ery equipment, and furniture of all kinds, were destroyed and have 

 been replaced. Communication with Baker Lake station is by means 

 of pack horses over an 18-mile trail, and the large amount of heavy 

 material needed in the reconstruction of the plant has made it neces- 

 sary to undertake considerable improvements to the trail, including 

 the rebuilding of bridges, corduroy work over swampy portions, 

 and grading at other points. 



The construction work at the Yes Bay (Alaska) station has in- 

 cluded the installation of a new water-suppl}- system, the main line 

 consisting of about 4,000 feet of 16-inch and 18-inch wood-stave pipe 

 for conveying water to the hatchery and ponds, with 1,250 feet of 

 6-inch pipe to supply water for domestic use and fire protection. 

 New foundation timbers have been laid under the hatchery, the 

 worn-out floors of the building have been replaced with new ones. 

 240 hatching troughs and a 196-foot supply trough have been con- 

 structed, and important repairs have been made to other buildings 

 and equipment. 



^^;SSEL SERVICE. 



Owing to the Bureau's inability to secure qualified personnel for 

 investigation and research work, the operations of the steamers Alha- 

 tross and Fish Eaick were restricted during the fiscal year. The 

 Albatross (excepting one trip in connection with the Chesapeake Bay 

 survey, when the Fish Hawk was in quarantine) was not actively 

 engaged and advantage was taken of the opportunity to make needed 

 improvements to the crew's quarters, to modernize sanitary arrange- 

 ments, to repair and strengthen deck houses, to replace sounding and 

 dredging gear with approved appliances, and to renew the equip- 

 ment generally. The ship has been lying at the Coast Guard depot 

 at South Baltimore, and the advisability of placing her out of com- 

 mission and releasing her naval officers and crew is under consid- 

 eration. 



The physical and biological survey of Chesapeake Bay, undertaken 

 in the previous year, was continued by means of the steamer Fish 

 Hawk, and has been practically completed in so far as need for that 

 vessel is concerned. Seven trips, extending the entire length of the 

 bay, were made, with a total mileage of 2,275. The plan of the work 

 embraced observations at about 35 stations, and while each one was 

 not occupied on every trip, 190 stations were made in all and 29 sta- 

 tions were made by the Albatross. 



