REPORT OF THE COMMlSsmONEK OF FISHERIES XXXIX 



The AuMct and Murre were en«:iioe(i in fishery i)atr<)l work in 

 southeasl Ahiska from .Inly 1 nntil hitc in October, 19l!'J. From 

 March 24 to April 5 the Mvn-e was loaned to the War Department 

 for n^e in inspecting- struct nres in navijiable waters in sontlieast 

 Alaska, anit from tlien until the end of the fiscal year she was em- 

 ployed ciiiefl}' in protect ine: the fur-seal herd miorating- northward 

 along- the Alaska coast. The Petrel was operated in southeast 

 Alaska from July 1 until late in October, 19-28. and from the middle 

 of A})ril to the end of June, 1024, and the Widgeon was in connnis- 

 sion in southeast Alaska throughout the fiscal year except while lier 

 <)0-h()rse])ower twin engines were practically rebuilt. 



Upon the completion of repairs and alterations, including the in- 

 stallation of a ()r)-horsepower union Diesel engine, the Kittiwake 

 left Seattle in August and arrived at Cordova early in September. 

 Throughout the renuHudei" of the fiscal year this vessel was operated 

 in the Prince AVilliam Sound and Cook Inlet sections of central 

 Alaska. 



The Mcr</(i)i!<cr was stationed at Ikatan, the Ibis at Chignik, the 

 Scoter in tlie liristol Bay district, and the Tern on the Yukon Tliver. 

 These boats were ke))t in commission for varying })eriods of time 

 according to the requirements of the service. 



The patrol boats cruise from 4,000 to 7,000 or more miles annually. 



The steamer A7hafro,ss was lannched October 19, 1882, having been 

 specially designed and built for deep-sea investigations, and by her 

 means important and valuable work has been conducted and accom- 

 plished. Owing to changing conditions and increasing cost of 

 operations, the vessel has not been used to any considerable extent 

 in recent years, and on October 29, 1921, she w^as deconnnissioned 

 and laid up at tlie bureau's station at Woods Hole, Mass. To put 

 the vessel in first-class order would have been very expensive, and 

 even then the bureau would not have had a seagoing vessel suitable 

 for modern requirements. It was therefore decided to dispose of 

 her, and she was sold at auction June 5, 1924. 



OFFICE BUILDING 



On July 1, 1928. in acfordance with an act of Congress, the care 

 and maintenance of the Ijureau's office building in Washington, in- 

 cluding heating and lighting, were assumed by the sujierintendent of 

 the State, ^Yiu\ and Xavy Department buildings. The estimated 

 cost w^as provided for by a transfer of funds from the bureau's ap- 

 jn-opriation. The arrangement has proven to be very satisfactory 

 and excellent service has been rendered. 



A special appropriation of *10,000 for the purpose becoming avail- 

 able .on July f. the l)uilding and premises were given a thoi-ougli 

 overhauling and put in excellent repair. This has been badly needed 

 for years. The sanitary and plumbing arrangements liave been re- 

 newed, a new entrance stairway installed, and the lower floor re- 

 modeled ])v tearing out the old machine sho]) and using the space for 

 exhibition purposes. The installation of a small fishery exhibit has 

 been begun, which will be added to as circumstances ))t'rmit. Roofs 

 have been repaired and painted, the yard paved, and the main build- 

 ing painted inside and out. 



