608 EEPOET OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHEEIES. 



The loss of our trawls brought the season's operations to a summary 

 close, leaving a very interesting portion of the coast unexplored. 



It will be seen by reference to the accompanying chart that the coast 

 between Chatham and the Cape has not been examined. It was our in- 

 tention to have done so, and, had it not been for the loss of apparatus so 

 late in the season, it would have been accomplished. It was with much 

 regret that we left this portion of the work incomplete, not only that it 

 is prolific in marine life, but the steep slope of the projecting coast has 

 caught the germs of various species of more northern fauna borne down 

 by the Polar current which impinges upon this portion of our coast, and 

 the low temperature of the water has completed their development. 



Monday, September 29, we left the wharf at 7 a. m. and spent the day 

 in taking serial temperatures, running a line across the bay to the vicin- 

 ity of Plymouth, thence to the southern end of Stellwagen Bank, and to 

 the eastward to 50 fathoms of water, then through the channel between 

 Eace Point and the bank, returning to port at 7.10 p. m. 



It would be desirable, and it was our intention, to extend this series 

 of observations considerably, but we were delayed much during the 

 month by unfavorable weather, and the time had now arrived when the 

 season's work must end. 



We took on board the apparatus belonging to the United States Fish 

 Commission on the 30th, aud returned it to Gloucester October 1 ; leav- 

 ing the latter place at 9.30 a. m. on the 2d, we arrived at the navy -yard, 

 Boston, at 12.30 p. m. Commenced coaling at 1 p. m. ; mechanics from 

 the yard repairing machinery. Finished coaling at 3.30 p. m., 3d. Me- 

 chanics completed repairs at 3 p. m. 4th. Left the yard at 4.20 and ar- 

 rived at Provincetown at 10.20 p. m. 



Monday, October 6, we took on board a large number of marine speci- 

 mens in tanks, the results of the season's work, a portion of them to be 

 delivered to the Peabody Museum at New Haven, the remainder to the 

 Smithsonian Institution, Washington, D. C. Everything was on board 

 aud properly. secured at 8 p. in., and, at 5.40 a. in., 4th, we left Province- 

 town and proceeded to sea. Passed over Nantucket Shoals at meridian ; 

 passed Point Judith at 11 p. m., arriving at New Haven at 9.45 a. m. on 

 the 8th. The articles consigned to the Peabody Museum were landed 

 during the day, and, at 5.45 a. m., 9th, we left New Haven, passed Hell 

 Gate at 1.30 p. m., arriving at the navy-yard, New York, at 2.30 p. m., 

 where we stopped to fill our tanks with fresh water. 



We left the navy-yard at 5.30 a. in., 10th, passed Barnegat at 1.05 p. 

 m., Absecom at 4.30 p. in., Cape Charles at meridian, 11th, and anchored 

 for the night in Cornhill harbor at 10.20 p. m. Got under way at 4.45 

 a. m., 12th, and arrived at the navy-yard, Washington, at 4.30 p. m. The 

 articles consigned to the Smithsonian Institution were landed during 

 the 13th, which completed the duties of the "Speedwell" under the 

 United States Fish Commission for the season of 1879. 



The vessel was subsequently ordered to accompany the United States 





