24 REPORT OV THE COMMIHSIOXER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. 



engine during- the cable survey, which still contiuued in spite of onr 

 etiorts to locate it, and was so marked during the run down the bay 

 that we thought it advisable to make another effort to reduce it before 

 proceeding to sea. 



We were under way at daylight on the morning of the 20th, and 

 steamed out through the Golden Gate en route to PortTownseud, where 

 we arrived at 8:45 p. m. ou the 24th, after a boisterous trip, which cul- 

 minated in a moderate SW. gale off Cape Flattery with furious hail 

 and snow squalls. Our instructions contemplated a cnreful observance 

 of seal life as far as practicable without undue delay, aiul several trav- 

 erses were run off' and on the Oregon and Washington coasts with that 

 object in view. Few seals were seen, however, owing largely to stormy 

 weather. 



We were instructed to procure two seal-hunters, an interi^reter for 

 the Chinook jargon, two otter boats, two Parker shotguns, etc., all of 

 which were promptly secured in Port Townsend and Seattle. 



Prof. B. W, Evermaun reported for duty on the 27th, and Mr. A. B. 

 Alexander, fishery expert, was ordered to temporary duty on board the 

 United States revenue steamer Corwin. The coal bunkers were replen- 

 ished at Seattle on the 29th, the vessel returning to Port Townsend the 

 following day, when Mr. Joseph Murray, special U. S. Treasury agent, 

 reported on board for duty connected with the investigation of seal 

 life. 



The Albatross left Port Townsend at 8:50 a. m., March 31, en route 

 for Cook Inlet. There were on board, in addition to the regular com- 

 plement of officers and crew, the following experts, viz: Joseph Murray, 

 special U. S. Treasury agent; Prof. B. W. Evermaun, naturabst; J. E. 

 Lenna'n, hunter and Alaska pilot, and l!^, Hodgson, hunter and inter- 

 preter for Chinook jai'gon. 



The weather, which was threatening at the time of our departure, 

 culminated at 4 p. m. in a fresh gale from 'N'E. to SE., with heavy 

 cross seas after leaving the protection of the straits. It moderated 

 about noon on the following day, but the swell continued to roll in 

 from seaward. The course from Cape Flattery was intended to carry 

 the vessel over the usual sealiug-grounds off Vancouver Island in 

 order to intercept the herd, observe the number of vessels, and general 

 operations of the sealing fleet. Four schooners were observed during 

 the day, all hove to on account of bad weather, and a solitary seal was 

 seen about 1 p. m. off Cape Cook. A vigilant lookout was kept at all 

 times during the cruise at the masthead during sealing weather. 



Sealing weather, as understood in this report, included the interval 

 from daylight until dark, whenever the weather and state of the sea 

 would admit the lowering of boats and carrying on of the practical 

 Avork of hunting. 



Passing 30 miles from Cape St. James, a direct course was laid for 

 the Barren Islands. The Hrst seal, a single individual, was seen in 

 latitude 55° 25' north, and several were observed the following day 



