WORK OF THE Sl'EAMER ALBATROSS. 309 



observiug azimuths of the sun on every poiut for compass errors, then 

 stood to the cable trough oft' Salinas, and tested the sounding and 

 dredging apparatus, also the maneuvering qualities of the vessel with 

 her new propellers. The trial was satisfactory as far as it went. 



The new form of Tanner intermediate tow-net, tested for the first time, 

 performed all that was expected of it after the weights for operating 

 the drawstring had been increased to 30 pounds each; they were first 

 tried at 15 pounds, and closed the net properly when both were brought 

 into action, but one alone failed to close it securelj' under conditions of 

 actual service. The engines worked very satisfactorily, and the new 

 bronze propellers of modern type reduced vibration to the minimum. 



We anchored off Monterey for several hours to readjust valves, finally 

 getting underway at 8.15 p. m. for the return trip. At daylight the 

 following morning the deep sea apparatus was again tested in from 200 

 to 800 fathoms, and, liaving satisfied ourselves that the vessel and her 

 appliances were in good working order, we returned to the navy-yard, 

 Mare Island, mooring to the wharf at 5.30 p. m. April 27. A crack in 

 the shell of the main condenser was discovered during the trip and 

 repaired at small cost after our return. 



The following telegram was received from the Commissioner of Fish 

 and Fisheries May 13 : 



In obedience to instructions from the President you are directed to report by tele- 

 graph to the Honorable Secretary of the Navy for such duty as he may assign you. 



Having reported as directed, the following message was received from 

 the Secretary of the Navy, dated May 15 : 



Proceed with the vessel under your command to Port Towusend, Washington, and 

 report to Commander Nicoll Ludlow, U. S. N., for duty in connection with the United 

 States naval forces in Bering Sea. 



On the 16th instructions were received at the navy-yard. Mare Island, 

 to furnish the Albatross with coal and such other supjjlies as were neces- 

 sary to perform duty with the Bering Sea fleet. 



Final preparations were promptly made, and on May 20 the Albatross 

 sailed for Port Towusend, arriving on the 24th, when I reported to 

 Commander Ludlow in obedience to the order of the Secretary of the 

 Navy. We carried up a draft of men and a quantity of stores for the 

 U. S. S. Mohica)i, which were delivered on our arrival. 



The vessels of the fleet rendezvoused at Port Towusend, where gen- 

 eral instructions were issued by the senior officer commanding the 

 United States Bering Sea force, and the vessels were then dispatched 

 singly as occasion required. The orders of the Albatross contemplated 

 the performance of patrol duty until the middle of July, or such time as 

 her services could be dispensed with, the remainder of the season to be 

 devoted to scientific work under direction of the Commissioner of Fish 

 and Fisheries. Patrol duty was in reality performed throughout the 

 season, but during the progress of scientific work it was limited to the 

 boarding of vessels encountered within our field of operations. 



We left Port Towusend May 28, reached Vancouver, British Colum- 



