[5] WORK OF THE STEAMER FISH-HAWK. 59 



As uiauy of the crew as could be spared were set to work on the 

 barges overhauling machinery, painting, &c. 



Everything being in readiness, we left Washington on the 23d of 

 March and arrived at Norfolk the following day, bound for Avoca, Al- 

 bemarle Sound, where we were to commence the season's work of shad- 

 hatching. A few tons of coal and other stores were taken in during 

 the day. On the afternoon of the 25th we left the navy -yard, and 

 steaming to the lock gates made fast for the night. The following 

 morning the wind was strong from the northeast, giving more than an 

 average depth of water in the canal. We passed the locks soon after 

 daylight, and worked our way along about three miles, and finally 

 grounded on a shoal spot and remained till high-tide, then made an- 

 other mile. Starting again at high-tide in the morning, we reached 

 North Landing and moored to the wharf for the night. 



At daylight on the morning of the 28th we left the wharf and reached 

 North West Eiver, when the vessel grounded again. The light-house 

 steamer Tulip came to our assistance, taking a tow-line ahead, and in 

 this manner we finally reached the vicinity of Bell Island, where the 

 vessel stuck fast and remained during the night. Her draught was 7 

 feet, and there being but 6 feet 6 inches in the channel, we found it 

 necessary to lighten her. Work was commenced at daylight on the 

 29th, and everything movable placed in lighters, sent for the puri)ose 

 by General O. E. Babcock, of the Light-House Department, and at 2.30 

 p. m., with the assistance of the Tulip, we passed the shoals and an- 

 chored in North River, where the stores, &c., were taken on board from 

 the lighters, which were towed to that place by the light-house tender 

 Bramble. We took on board a ton and a half of coal also, which was 

 kindly furnished by General Babcock. 



At 5.30 a. m., March 30, got under way and steamed to Salmon Greek, 

 Avoca, Bertie County, North Carolina, and anchored near the steam- 

 boat landing. 



I called at once upon Dr. Capehart, who informed me that no ripe 

 shad had been taken yet, owing to cold weather and low temperature of 

 the water. 



Preparations for hatching were soon completed, and spawn-takers 

 attended every haul of the seine at the two fisheries owned by Dr. 

 Capehart, Sutton Beach, and Scotch Hall. The schooner E. G. Pickup 

 arrived on the morning of April 8 with 40 tons of coal which we had 

 contracted for in Norfolk. 



Westerly winds prevailed from the 1st to the 8th, causing very low 

 water in the sound, which prevented our getting up the creek to Cape- 

 hart's wharf, where the vessel was to be stationed. Fresh easterly 

 winds sprung up on the morning of the latter date, however, and we 

 crossed the bar without much trouble, mooring in a snug berth about 

 40 yards below the wharf. 



