XXIV EEPORT OF COMMISSIONEE OF FISH AND FISHEEIES. 



able to commence operations immediately on arriving at a suitable 

 anchorage. 



Provision having thus been made to utilize all possible opportunities 

 for the propagation of food-fishes, by the establishing of movable as 

 well as of permanent stations, the United States Fish Commission has 

 endeavored to extend its sphere of operations in other directions, so as 

 to render its work more and more useful to the country. 



It is well known that the interests of the nation are closely identified 

 with the prosperity of its fisheries, their extension and development 

 furuishing a stimulus to all the iudustries connected with the waters. 

 While supplying occupation to a large number of persons, the amount 

 of the fish product is increased and the cost diminished. 



In this connection may also be considered the increase in the number 

 of persons accustomed to the use of boats and vessels, and furnishing 

 in time of need the material for supplying the vessels of the United 

 States Navy. 



Eeferring to the next section of the present Report for the details of 

 desirable research and for a presentation of the importance of construct- 

 ing a suitable vessel for carrying on the work, I have to announce the 

 approbation of Congress, as shown in an appropriation of $103,000 for 

 the construction of a suitable steamer to be built for the use of the Fish 

 Commission. 



No Department having been designated to overlook its construction, 

 the Secretary of the Treasury was asked to place the work under the 

 direction of the Light-House Board, which had so ably supervised the 

 building of the Fish Hawk. This having been granted, Mr. Charles 

 W. Copeland was selected by the Board to prepare the necessary plans 

 and specifications, so as to carry out the needs of the Commission. In 

 this he had the assistance of Lieut. Z. L. Tanner, commander of the 

 Fish Hawk, who was able to indicate important points to be provided 

 for in connection with scientific work, as also of Engineer G. W. Baird. 



The estimates of the cost of the vessel upon which the appropriation 

 was based were made in the year 1880, but it was not until October, 

 1881, that it become possible to issue advertisements for proposals. By 

 that time the price of iron and of labor had advanced very materially, 

 and the appropriation was found to be inadequate, the bids for an iron 

 steamer being severally as follows : 



H. A. Eamsey & Co., of Baltimore $129, 500 



Pusey & Jones, of Wilmington, Del 130, 800 



Harlan & Hollings worth, of Wilmington, Del 137, 000 



These figures being all far beyond the amount of the appropriation, 

 it became necessary either to prepare plans for a smaller vessel or to 

 defer further action until an additional appropriation could be made by 

 Congress. The latter alternative was considered preferable. 



