[33] CONSTRUCTION AND WORK OP FISH-HAWK. 35 



5.30 p. m., when fires were hauled to clean the boiler, and this opportu- 

 nity was taken to make some needed repairs to machinery, which were 

 completed on the 25th. 



Preparations were made for an off-shore trip on the 26th, but we were 

 detained by unsettled weather, fogs, or strong winds till October 1, when 

 at 4,30 p. m. we left the Avharf and proceeded to sea. 



The local deviation of our compasses was accurately obtained and tab- 

 ulated upon our arrival at the station, but later in the season it became 

 evident that it was changing, at least, on the north and south courses, 

 and, to ascertain the actual error, azimuths were observed on the points 

 between S. and SW. and N. by E. to NNW., the result showing a de- 

 crease of 2o to 3° on those points. 



When the above observations were comx)leted we steamed to the south, 

 ward, and at 5.40 a. m. on the 2d cast the lead and i3ut the trawl over, 

 in latitude 39° 46' K, longitude 71o 10' W., in between 300 and 400 fath- 

 oms, bringing uj) a heavy load of soft mud with but few specimens. 

 The depth was uncertain, as the sounding-wire parted at 310 fathoms 

 before reaching bottom. 



At 8.40 a. m. the trawl was cast again in latitude 39° 46' N., longitude 

 71° 05' W., in 487 fathoms, mud and small stones. A large number and 

 great variety of specimens were brought up. 



At 11.23 a. m. the trawl was cast again in 39° 52' 20" N., 70° 58' W., 

 372 fathoms, bringing up mud, sand, and a fe\wsmall stones. 



Another haul was taken at 1.10 p. m. — latitude 39° 53' N., longitude 70° 

 58' 30" W. — in 365 fathoms, sand and mud ; and another at 3.17 p. m. — 

 latitude 39° 56' 30" N., longitude 70° 59' 45" W.— in 238 fathoms, sand 

 and mud. The hauls were all successful, but the last was the largest 

 of the season, both in numbers and species. The weight in the net was 

 so great that it required considerable time and great care to land it 

 safely on deck. This being, accomplished, we started at 5.25 p. m. for 

 port, arriving at 5 a. m. on the morning of the 3d. 



The 4th and 5tli were occupied in coaling ship ; the 6th in taking on 

 board specimens of natural history, the result of the season's work, des- 

 tined for Kew Haven and Washington, and making ijreparations for sea. 



At 6.05 a. m., October 7th, we left Newport for New Haven, arriving 

 at 3.50 p. m., and remained over night. 



The articles consigned to Prof. A. E. Verrill were delivered, and, at 

 7.30 a. m., October 8th, we left for New Ywrk, arriving at the navy-yard 

 at 2.30 p. m., where Ave took on board a supply of paymaster's stores, 

 water, &c. 



We left at 4.20 p. m. on the 12th for Wilmington, Del., to complete 

 the hatching machinery left unfinished on our departure in July. 



The weather was clear with a moderate gale blowing from NW. It 

 was a fair wind, however, and by hugging the coast we had comparatively 

 smooth water till we opened out Delaware Baj^, where we encountered 

 a heavy sea, which tested the strength and weatherly qualities of the 

 vessel. 



