I -REPORT ON THE WORK OF THE UNITED STATES FISH 

 COMMISSION STEAMER FISH HAWK FOR THE YEAR ENDING 

 DECEMBER 31, 1882, AND ON THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE 

 STEAMER ALBATROSS. 



By Libut. Z. L. Tanner, U. S. N., Commajjding. 



At the close of my last report, tbe Fish Hawk was at the United 

 States navy-yard, Washington, D. C, where she remained until Feb- 

 ruary 25. During this time, the crew were employed in cleaning and 

 refitting the ship in preparation for the season's work. On that date, 

 there were received on board 1,000,000 cod eggs from the United States 

 Fish Commission, which were placed in spawning pans with artificial 

 sea water for transportation to Chesapeake Bay, when they were to be 

 placed in the cones for hatching, using water from the bay. About 75 

 per cent, of the eggs appeared to be alive when they were brought on 

 board. 



At 12.50 p. m. on the date above mentioned, with Oaptain Collins, an 

 experienced fisherman, on board, we left the navy-yard and steamed 

 down the Potomac Eiver ; at 10.45 p. m., anchored in Cornfield Harbor. 



The cod eggs were distributed among three cones and one glass aqua- 

 rium, the water of the bay and river being used ; they sank to the bottom, 

 {showing that the specific gravity was much less than that of sea water. 

 They were then treated as shad eggs, the feed water being admitted at 

 the base, and discharged through the gauze at the top of the cone 

 in the usual manner. The aquarium was covered with one thickness of 

 white bunting, which prevented oscillation by the motion of the vessel, 

 and allowed the water to escape freely. A quarter-inch glass tube was 

 introduced as a feed-pipe, and the discharge took place through the 

 bunting cover. The temperature of the water was 40° F. at the surface, 

 and 41° F. in the cones. 



On the 26th, about 60 per cent, of the eggs seemed to be alive, but 

 little or no development had taken place since the day before. They 

 sank promptly, and the ordinary feed for shad hatching would not keep 

 them at the surface. 



When the eggs were received on board, they were 0.06 of an inch in 

 diameter, germinal disk, j^j of an inch, the live eggs seeming to be 

 healthy. During this day, the germinal disk appeared to have con- 

 tracted, and the proportion of dead eggs rapidly increased. 



Gill nets were set at different places on the 26th, and taken up on the 

 27th. Large numbers of medusae were found in them, but no fish. 

 H} 3 



