22G IIEPOUT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. 



prisiii<;ly scarce; but liolotliurian.s were common, a lar^e ])rilliant-red 

 species bciii^' tlie iiiost abniulaiit. 



Crustacea were common, altliouj;li the variety of species was rather 

 limited, and annelids Averc also iilentiful. A large crab, resembling 

 Lifhodes, aud another very large, flat-legged species were most abun-^ 

 dant. Annelids were common and the species ({uite varied. 



The surCac'C Avas practically barren of minute life, a few Siilpai being 

 about all that would be found in the tow net. This absence of surface 

 life was due in great measure to the season of the year. Sea birds 

 were about the shij) constantly, and an occasional school of i)orpoises 

 was seen. Sharks were not plentiful; in fact, there were but two or 

 three observed during the season. Whales were very common, and 

 were reported nearly every day, sometimes in large numbers. On one 

 occasion we steamed slowly into a school that were so busily engaged 

 in feeding that they i)aid little attention to us. Upon investigation it 

 was ascertained that they were devouring a snuiU globular jellyfish, 

 half an inch in diameter, which could be seen in immense masses from 

 3 to 5 fathoms beneath the surface. Thousands of sea birds were hov- 

 ering over or around the busy scene. 



INVESTIGATIONS IN ALASKA WATERS, APRIL TO .JUNE, 1890. 



Preparations for the cruine. — The vessel was taken into the new 

 stone dry-dock at the Mare Island navy-yard on Ajiril 16, her bottom 

 scraped and painted, repairs made on one of the outboard connections, 

 and the old tiller on the rudder blade replaced by a new one. We 

 hauled out of the dock on the 28th. The commandant, rear-admiral 

 A. E. K. Benham, and officers of the various departments in the navy- 

 yard gave us every possible facility for making repairs and refitting 

 generally, and tools and other appliant^es required in the shops were 

 freely put at our disposal. The assistance rendered made it possible 

 to give the vessel and her machinery a thorough overhauling at small 

 expense. Ensign William W. Gilmer, U. S. Navy, reported for duty 

 on the 30th. 



The Albatross left the navyya.'d May 1, at 11 :20 a. m., and anchored 

 off Washington street, San Francisco, at 2:10 p. m. The U. S. flagship 

 Charleston, A(;ting Hear- Admiral George IJrown ; the U. S. S. Marion, 

 revenue steamer Bear, and Coast Survey steamer Hassler were lying 

 at anchoi- in the harbor. Prof. Charles II. Gilbert reported as chief 

 naturalist. 



San Franeisco to Bering Sea.— We left San Francisco at 12:55 p. m.^ 

 May 5, for Jiering Sea, via. Departure Bay, B. C, where we arrived 

 safely at 8:50 ]>. m. ou the t)th. The usual cloudy, misty weather was 

 encountered with moderate northerly winds to the Columbia Eiver, and 

 southerly breezes thence to Cape Flattery. Whales were seen daily, 

 and fur seals were observed oft" Cape Mendocino. An occasional school. 



