lM2 lUCroiiT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. 



TIk' erratic action of soiiiul signals lias l)eoii a fruitful lliciuc of in- 

 vestigation lor many years, and while Ave have learned in a general way 

 that sounds may ricochet over the surface of Lmd and sea by succes- 

 sive contacts Avith uneven surfaces, or air strata of ditterent densities, 

 we have not been able to lay down any rule by which the mariner can 

 determine the existence of abnormal atnujspheric conditions: hence his 

 lack of confidence in sound signals in general and the necessity for great 

 caution when apijroaching tlicni. The peculiarity in this case is that 

 the phenomenon has been observed only on, or near, the bearing of 

 Duncan Rock, the critical point in entering the Straits of Fuca. 



Vort Townsend to coast of Oregon. — Work on the disabled engine 

 commenced on the l-5th. A new piston was made, the rod straightened, 

 and other minor matters attended to. The job was completed on the 

 morning of the 22d, and at noon Ave left for Departure Bay, where we 

 arrived at 10:15 a. m. the folloAving day. We commenced coaling at 

 1 p. m. and finished at 10:15 a. m. on the 24th, having taken on board 

 94 J tons. Leaving the harbor an hour later, Ave anchored for the night 

 in Otter Bay, where we found a safe and coiiA^enient harbor. Large 

 numbers of surf ducks and a few puffins were swimming leisurely about 

 the bay wh en we entered, but soon disappeared. Fishin g lines Avere put 

 OAcr the side, resulting in the capture of one tlounder and a dogfish. 



We Avere underway at 6 the folloAving morning, and anchored off 

 Victoria at 10 :15 a. m., Avhere we called for supplies. We left there at 

 11 :20 on the morning of the 27th, and, steaming out of the Straits of 

 Fuca, passed Cape Flattery at 9 p.m. A course was then made for 

 Tillamook Rock, Avhich brought the vessel into the trough of a westerly 

 swell, causing her to roll heavily. We were steaming with one boiler, 

 as usual, the consumption of fuel being limited to 10 tons per day. The 

 coal turned out even Avorse than the prcAaous lot, reducing the speed 

 nearly a knot and a half an hour. 



Coast of Oregon. — At 11:47 a. m., August 28, Ave commenced vsounding 

 olf Tillamook Rock, running lines from shore to a depthof 200 fathoms, 

 occupying stations atintervals of about 5 miles and working to the south- 

 Avard. It is not an easy matter under the most favorable conditions to 

 k<'ep an accurate acc(mnt of a A'cssel's position Avhen using the beam 

 trawl or haiul lines, and it Avas particularly difficult to do so with the 

 strong and irregular currents, smoky atmosphere, and boisterous 

 Aveather prevailing on the coast of Oregon. KnoAving that our sound- 

 ings would be used for hydrographic ])urposes, the necessity for as great 

 a degree of accura(;y as i^racticable Avas so apparent that we decided to 

 give our undivided attention to the determination of depths, character 

 of bottom, and fem[)eratures, to be folloAved later by the usual investi- 

 gations Avitli beam trawl, hand lines, and the vari<ms methods of bio- 

 logical research. The AVeather being exceptionally clear, Ave continued 

 Avork night and day until, at mi<lnight of the 31st, we were in the 

 vicinity of Cape Gregory. 



