[25] HISTORY OF THE TILE-FISH. 261 



off land in a soetheasterly direction from Barnegat Light, we passed 

 for four hours, sailing under aS-knot breeze, through thousands of dead 

 fishes which were floating on the water, which was quite calm. The 

 fish were grouped together in lots of a dozen or more, while others were 

 scattered singly. During all this time they were never out of sight. I 

 did not tiy to pick any of them up. They looked like catfish, and were 

 about a foot and a half long. Since my arrival a number of captains 

 have spoken to me about seeing the dead fishes ; but from what I can 

 gather I believe there were a far greater number of fish to the north- 

 ward than on the course I was sailing." 



These reports were supplemented a few days later by the following 

 letter to Professor Baird from the secretary of the Boston Fish Bureau, 

 who was indefatigable in securing information relative to this subject: 



" Dear Sir : I fear you may be tired of hearing of the ' dead fish,' 

 but I will venture to give you the report of Capt. I. B. Foss, of schooner 

 Navarino, from Mobile to Boston : 



" He first noticed large numbers of dead fish floating in the sea Tues- 

 day, March 21. At that time in latitude 30° to 40° li^. longitude about 

 72° 30' W. Passed through the fish on that day and night, and also the 

 22d all day, during which time they must have sailed atleiist 150 miles. 

 The fish were scattered over the seas as far as could be seen ; at times 

 quite thick ; hundreds near the vessel. While most of the fish were 

 strange to captain and crew, they were quite sure a small portion of 

 the largest were cod and halce. The fish appeared to be from 1 to 4 

 feet long, mostly from 1 to 2 feet. Not any of the fish were secured. 

 Weather at the time cold, with strong northwest wind. 



" The master of schooner Lena R. Storey I have not seen, but am 

 told that he reports the same as above, only he was three days be- 

 hind the Navarino. He also says that he knows some of the largest 

 fish were cod. 



" In my previous report of brig Sidon, the master reported the date 

 March 14. I think he was mistaken just one week, as all other reports 

 were the 2l8t. I regret that he had sailed ere I could see him to correct 

 the date if in error.* 



" Thanks for yours of the 31st. I shall be pleased to receive the cut 

 of the Tile-fish, and anything that you can give as to the cause of the 

 destruction will be of interest. The general opinion expressed here is 

 that the fish were killed by some volcanic or other great convulsion of 

 nature. Much interest is taken in the matter. 



" Gloucester firms are contemplating sending a vessel out after Tile- - 

 fish if they are not all killed. * * * 



" Boston, April 3, 1882." 



* The date given, March 14, is without doubt the correct one. It could not have 

 been the 2l8t, as Mr. Wilcox supposes, since on that date the account of the circum- 

 stance appeared in the Boston papers. Some of the vessels which arrived at New 

 York reported seeing the dead fish several days earlier than the Sidon. 



