14 REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. [12 J 



Pusey & Jones Company agreeing to complete her according to the speci- 

 lications within six months from date, in consideration of the sum of 

 $lo5,800. Work was commenced at once and pushed forward vigor- 

 ously. Mr. Baird proceeded to Wilmington in corapliauce with his or- 

 ders and I visited the i)lace as often as my other duties would allow. 



An appropriation of $45,000 had been made for the outfit, which was 

 to include special machinery for sounding and dredging, electric light- 

 ing, ventilation, &c. 



The vessel was launched on the 19th of August, and, according to 

 the terms of the contract, was to be completed on the 28th of Septem- 

 ber. As various delays occurred after launching, many of which were 

 caused by work outside of the contract, which it was necessary to have 

 done at certain stages of her construction, the builders requested, and 

 were granted, an extension of time. 



Work was pushed forward as rapidly as possible, and on the 29th of 

 December we left the builders' yard and anchored in the Delaware, 

 preparatory to a trial trip on the following day. Many things were in- 

 complete, and large gangs of mechanics were at work on board. We 

 would not have left at this time had we not been apprehensive of an 

 ice blockade, and it was desirable to have the vessel in Washington as 

 soon as practicable. 



At 8.30 a. m. on the 30th Mr. Charles W. Copeland, constructing engi- 

 neer, Mr. William G. Gibbons, president of the Pusey & Jones Company, 

 and others came on board to witness the trial trip. At 9.45 a. m. we 

 got under way and steamed down the river for a trial under the direc- 

 tion of the builders. 



At 2.30 p. m. Mr. Copeland expressed himself as satisfied with the 

 •trial, and at 3 p. m. left the ship in a tug, which also took the mechan- 

 ics and others not belonging to the ship back to Wilmington. We then 

 proceeded to sea, bound for Washington, D. C. 



The weather was cloudy, and during the night we had a fresh breeze 

 from the southeast, with heavy swell. The motions of the vessel were 

 remarkably easy. The 31st was clear and cold, with a moderate breeze 

 from northwest. At 10 a. m. passed Cape Charles. At 1.30 p. m. we 

 swung ship under steam, observing azimuths for compass deviation, 

 and at 11.30 p. m. anchored off Blackistone Island. 



The engines worked satisfactorily during the trip, considering the 

 fact that everything was new. Many of the valves and joints were 

 leaky, and there were some quite extensive leaks in the boilers ; but the 

 greatest trouble was with the reversing gear, which made it impossible 

 to work the engines with any degree of certainty. This, however, can 

 be remedied with but little expense. 



The following otficcrs were attached to the ship at this date, viz: 



Z. Ij. Tanner, lieutenant, U. S. N., commanding. 



Seaton Schroeder, lieutenant, U. S. N., executive officer and navi- 

 gator. 



