30G REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. 



articles obtained in St. Michaels were transported to Unalaska on the 

 steamer St. Paul without charge. 



When it became evident that the Albatross would be unable to con- 

 tinue her work, arrangements were made for Professor EMermann and 

 Mr. Miller to visit the Seal Islands. The North American Commercial 

 Company's steamer Bertha was about to sail on her regular annual 

 suppl}^ trip, and, through the courtesy of Mr. Tingle, the superintendent 

 of the company, they Avere furnished transportation on that vessel, sail- 

 ing July 17 and returning August 1, having made headquarters on 

 board during the whole trip. Professor Evermann reported that they 

 had made a careful inspection of the rookeries and had taken an exten- 

 sive and valuable series of photographs, illustrating various phases of 

 seal life. Mr. Tingle declined to accept compensation for the trans- 

 l)ortation and subsistence of the party. 



An order was received from Commander R. D. Evans, commanding 

 the United States naval force in Bering Sea, dated August 1, directing 

 me to take charge of the British schooner Winifred and deliver her to 

 the collector of customs at Sitka, Alaska. This small sealer, of 11 tons 

 register, was captured July 29 in Bering Sea. She leaked badly about 

 the decks and rudder, and was hardly seaworthy. Ensign E. A. 

 Anderson was ordered as j)rize-master when the schooner was turned 

 over to us, and soon had her in fairly good condition for the trip. 



Steam was raised on the after boiler August 1, with reduced pressure 

 of 40 pounds, and as it stood the test fairly well we decided to start, 

 alihough the forward one was not quite ready for service. Accordingly, 

 at 7.10 a. m. August 3, we took the prize in tow and proceeded to sea, 

 entering tlie Pacific via the Akutan Pass. Our speed was necessarily 

 slow under one boiler and reduced pressure, but we were obliged to 

 reduce it still more to accommodate the diminutive craft in tow, although 

 the sea was smooth. 



The volcano of Akutan presented an interesting display during the 

 early part of the afternoon. Dense volumes of smoke were intermit- 

 tently ejected from the crater high into air, rising like ever-growing- 

 plumes, until finally all shape Avas lost in cloudlike drift. The puffs 

 were accompanied by detonations which were distinctly heard on board. 

 Shishaldin, Pavlof, and Aghilecn volcanoes were in sight the following 

 day, but none of them gave evidence of activity. 



Nothing occurred worthy of note until the morning of the 6th, when 

 a fresh southeast wind, with short, irregular sea, compelled the schooner 

 to cast off and heave to under storm sail. She made some headway as 

 the wind veered, and we finally took her in tow again the next morning. 



The working boiler began leaking seriously on the 8th, and became 

 so badly salted that we were obliged to let the fires die down on the 

 10th and get steam on the other one, which by that time was ready for 

 use. The remainder of the trip was uneventful, and with j^leasant 

 weather and smooth seas we made good progress, arriving in Sitka at 

 7.40 a. m. August 11. The Winifred, together with her papers, person- 



