REPORT ON THE CONSTRUCTION AND WORK IN 1880 OF THE 

 FISH COMMISSION STEAMER FISH-HAWK. 



By Lieutenant Z. L. Tanner, U. S. N., Commaiidinn;. 



The U. S. S. Speedwell was put out of commission at meridian Octo- 

 ber 1'4, 1879, and I received orders on the same day to report to Prof. 

 S. F. Baird, United States Commissioner of Fish and Fisheries, for dutj' 

 eonnct'ted with the construction of the steamer Fish Uawk building at the 

 establishment of the Pusey and Jones Company, Wilmington, Del. The 

 vessel was designed by Charles W. Copeland, consulting engineer of the 

 Light House Board, and constructed under the supervision of the board. 



1 arrived at Wilmington on the 29th and found the iron hull practically 

 completed and a portion of the wooden sheathing on. The wood-work 

 was well advanced above the main deck, and lumber for the joiner's 

 work dressed and prepared for putting up. 



The engines were approaching completion, the boiler well advanced, 

 and at high water, December 13, the vessel was successfully launched. 

 Tlu' trial trip took place February 19, 1880, with the following results: 



Coarse — Dowu the Delaware River from moutli of Christiana Creek aud return. 



Duration of trial 6 hours. 



Total distance 54. 9 knots. 



Average speed per hour 9. 15 knots. 



Pitch of screw 12 feet 3 inches. 



Average revolutions per minute 89. 77. 



Average revolutions per mile 574.2. 



Average slip, per cent 15. 6. 



Average steam 28 pounds. 



Average vacuum 21 inches. 



Shii)'s draft forward 5 feet 9 inches. 



Ship's draft aft 7 feet 2 inches. 



INIean draft G feet 5^ inches. 



The eugines were not stopped nor the throttle-valve moved during 

 the trial, everything working satisfactorily, and though the contract 

 called for a sea trial of twelve hours, it was not considered necessary to 

 extend it to that time. 



Cadet Engineer William B. Boggs was ordered to special duty in con- 

 nection with the construction of machinery about the middle of Decem- 

 ber, 1879, and has been on duty since that time. 



The builders com])leted their contract February 23, 1880, and the 

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