TANNER DREDGING OPERATIONS OF SPEEDWELL IN 1879. 605 



so that our observations will, doubtless, be more satisfactory iu the 

 future. 



The 5th was spent by the naturalists in preserving the specimens 

 procured yesterday. We steamed out of the harbor at 8 a. m. of the 

 Gth, and lowered the dredge at 10 a. m. in 35 fathoms, Eace Point bear- 

 ing S. 44° E. 11'. Five hauls were made in from 35 to 45 fathoms, 

 three with the dredge and two with the trawl, returning at 6.20 p. m. 



The naturalists were employed during the 7th in preserving speci- 

 mens. A gale blowing on the 8th and a thick fog on the 9th prevented 

 our leaving the harbor. 



At 9 a. m. on the 11th we steamed out of the harbor and lowered the 

 dredge in 31 fathoms, Eace Point bearing S. 86° E. 1^'. Eight hauls 

 were taken during the day in from 26 to 31 fathoms, five with the 

 dredge and three with the trawl, returning at 6 p. m. 



The 12th was spent in making some necessary repairs about the en- 

 gine, and at 4 a. m. 13th we left for Boston to procure coal ; arrived at 

 10.15 a.'ni. and made the necessary preparations for coaling. Mechanics 

 were sent on board from the navy-yard to make some repairs in the en- 

 gineer's department. The crew were occupied on the 14th coaling ship, 

 having taken on board 73 tons. Eepairs on the machinery were com- 

 pleted at 2 p. m. on the 15th, and at 2.25- we left the yard, arriving at 

 Provincetown at 8.45 p. m. 



The weather was unsettled during the 16th, 17th, and 18th, with 

 foggy, rainy weather. During the evening of the 18th the wind in- 

 creased to a gale from S.E. causing a heavy swell in the harbor. Sev- 

 eral vessels drifted on shore and considerable damage was done in the 

 bay. The sea was breaking over the wharf and vessel at midnight, 

 and, fearing the former might not be strong enough to stand the force 

 of the sea and the extra strain imposed upon it by the vessel, which 

 was lying uncomfortably, surging heavily on her fasts, I ordered steam, 

 and at 12.45 a. m. swung the vessel at the wharf, steamed out into the 

 bay and anchored. The weather was very thick, the atmosphere being 

 filled with mist and spray. At about 2.30 a. m. 19th the wind subsided 

 after a furious squall, and at 3 a. m. came out from NW. in a heavy 

 squall, then settled to a moderate gale with clear, cold weather. The 

 harbor being sheltered, with the wind from this direction, we returned 

 to the wharf at 9 a. m. 



The weather was clear and pleasant on the 20th with light variable 

 winds. Although quite smooth in the bay, there was a heavy swell out- 

 side, from the gale of yesterday. We left the wharf at 9 a. m. and 

 steamed across the bay, where we found the sea sufficiently smooth for 

 our purposes, and at 11.20 a. m. lowered the dredge iu 16 fathoms, the 

 Gurnet lights bearing S. 79° W. 3^'. Six hauls were made, two with 

 the trawl and four with the dredge, in from 16 to 27 fathoms, generally 

 muddy bottom. At 6 p. m. we returned to our wharf. 



The sea was quite smooth on the morning of the 21st, and it was de- 



