100 INLAND FISHERIES. 



The history of the discovery, the "extinction" and reappear- 

 ance is as follows : 



In May, 1879, Captain Kirby, of Gloucester, caught a great 

 number of tile-fish off the southern coast of Nantucket, in water 

 about 150 fathoms in depth. Specimens were sent to Washington, 

 and the species was described by Goode and Bean in the " Pro- 

 ceedings of the U. S. National Museum " for that year. In July, 

 Captain Dempsey, also of Gloucester, found several specimens in 

 practically the same locality. 



In 1880 Professor Baird sent the " Mary Potter " to search for 

 the fish, but the expedition, on account of uncommonly severe 

 weather, was not successful. The " Fish Hawk," however, while 

 exploring along the continental plateau, caught several speci- 

 mens. 



In 1881 the " Fish Hawk," continuing deep-sea work along the 

 southern shore of New England, caught a large number, and 

 Professor Baird felt confident that he was about to establish a new 

 industry. 



In March and April, 1882, vessels entering New York and other 

 Atlantic ports reported that they had passed through countless 

 numbers of dead fish while crossing the northern edge of the Gulf 

 Stream. Investigation proved that these were tile-fish, and that 

 they appeared on the surface of the water for an extent of 170 

 miles in length and 25 miles in width. A conservative estimate, 

 made by Captain J. W. Collins, placed their number at upwards of 

 1,438,720,000. Allowing ten pounds to each fish, there would be 

 288 pounds of fish for every man, woman, and child then in the 

 United States. In September, Professor Baird chartered the 

 "Josie Reeves" and sent her to the tile-fish grounds, that he 

 might ascertain to what extent the species had been depleted ; 

 but the vessel returned without having found a single individual. 



In 1883 the " Albatross " made further search, but without suc- 

 cess. 



In 1884 the "Albatross" made a more careful investigation, but 

 as'ain without success. 



