20 EEPOKT OF THE COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. 



remote spurof tliis elevation, although the soundings do not ])ositively 

 indicate it. 



The northern limit of the central plateau, following the rhumb line, 

 lies about 450 miles from the California coast, and is sacceeded by a 

 depression 24 miles in width, having a maximum deptli of 2,773 fath- 

 oms. ISTormal depths Avere soon reached again, and continued with 

 remarkable uniformity for about 260 miles, when the water gradually 

 shoaled toward the coast, 170 miles distant. The two lines intersected 

 35 miles from Salinas Landing: then followed the same route through 

 the cable trough. 



Head winds and continuous bad weather exliausted our coal, and 

 made it necessary to drop the line in 31° 45' north, on December 27, 

 and go to San Francisco for a supply. We arrived on the 31st, but the 

 next day being a holiday, and Sunday following, we were unable to 

 commence coaling until January 3, 1892. The bunkers were full on 

 the evening of the 6th, however, when we left the coal wharf, proceeded 

 directly to sea, and, steaming to the spot where the line was dropped, 

 took it up on the 10th and carried it to its intersection with the great 

 circle in latitude 36'° 40' north. The last sounding was made in 1,053 

 fathoms at 8 p. m., January 15, 1892, and, the line being completed, we 

 started for port, reaching Mare Island at 10:15 a. m., January 10. 



Winds and weather. — During the preliminary trip, and while engaged 

 upon the great-circle line, the meteorological conditions were about 

 normal for the season of the year. Fogs and boisterous winds were 

 experienced near the land, and after leaving the coast cloudy weather 

 prevailed. A southeast gale was encountered between parallels 32° 

 and 30° north, and thence to the vicinity of the islands we carried mod- 

 erate to brisk trades. Heavy westerly swells were encountered at times, 

 resulting from remote Avinds which did not reach us. 



Good weather was the rule while we were employed in the examina- 

 tion of the shores of Oahu for a cable landing, although fresh winds 

 and heavy ground swells were encountered in Kaiwi channel. 



On the homeward trip bad weather was encountered from the start; 

 a heavy norther Avith furious stpialls and high-breaking seas struck us 

 as soon as we left the protection of the land, but this we took philo- 

 sophically, as it insured fairly clear weather, enabling us to locate the 

 line at the slope from the shore platform to the ocean bed by cross 

 bearings and astronomical observations. The storm continued from the 

 12th to the 14th, the trades springing up from EXE. on the 15th, light 

 at lirst, but increasing rapidly to a strong Aviud with heavy squalls, rain 

 and rising swell until, on the 20th, they attained the force of a moder- 

 ate gale Avith heavy head sea. It began to subside on the 23d, and on 

 the 25th we had light northeast trades, clear weather, and smooth sea, 

 the ftrst really pleasant day since our departure from the islands. 



Wind and sea Avere nearly ahead for ten days, making it necessary 

 to turn tbe vessel stern to it at every station, holding her in position 



