1() REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. 



coiupiisinn- I'S jic-ros was selected on its southeast border, where it would 

 aj)jH'!ir tliat a water supply can l)o obtained l)v art(\-;iaii wells. Steps 

 lune been taken to aecjuire the property. 



An act of Congress approved February 4, 19(»1, provided for a 

 l()l)ster liatchery on the Maine coast, and after an examination of dif- 

 ferent localities by the ('omniissioner and re})resentatives of the Coin- 

 mission conversant with the needs of such an establishment, McKown 

 Point, on the southwest side of Boothliay IIar])or, was ehosen. This 

 is about 3i miles I)}' land and about a mile by water from the town of 

 Boothbay Harbor, Lincoln County, where there are daily boat con- 

 nections with Bath and other important towns. The site selected has 

 an area of ',> acres. It is on a rocky point with deep water close to the 

 shore, thus insuring a good water supply by pumping even at low tide; 

 l)oat hmdings can be advantageously constructed, and the gi'ound lies 

 well for a convenient arrangement of the hatchery and other buildings. 

 Moreover, Boothbay Harbor is an excellent center for obtaining egg 

 lol)sters in quantities for artificial propagation, which is a matter of 

 importance. 



STEAMER ALBATROSS. 



The salmon investigations conducted with this vessel during the 

 summer of 1901 were carried on in southeast Alaska, and it was 

 intended to complete the survey ])egun in 18!l7. Smallpox l)i'okc out 

 among the crew, compelling the return of the ship earlier than was 

 intended, l)ut though an examination of all the new canneries in this 

 part of the Territory was interfered with, the stream and lake work 

 was practically completed. The vessel reached Seattle early in Sep- 

 tember. A report covering the salmon investigation for 1900 and 

 1001 will soon be issued, which, taken in connection with that of 18;>7, 

 it is believed will give a comprehensive account of the conmierc'al 

 aspects of the salmon interests of Alaska. 



During Septem])er and October an examination was ini de along the 

 coasts of Washington, Oregon, and California, looking to the move- 

 ments of salmon at sea and the results of the introduction of eastern 

 lobsters.and crabs. At the end of October the Alhatros.s was in San 

 Francisco for the purpose of refitting and making minor repairs pre- 

 paratory to her next duty. 



In continuation of the investigation of the Hawaiian fisheries, begun 

 in 1901 by direction of Congress, it was decided to send the AlhatroHs 

 to those islands to study the conditions in the surrounding waters. 

 An arrangement was made with Dr. David Starr Jordan to liave gen- 

 eral supervision of the expedition, and Dr. Charles H. Gilbert was put 

 in immediate charge of the scientific work. The investigation was to 

 em])race dredging and collecting in channels and on the banks about 

 the islands, and a thorough examination of the surroundings of Kauai, 

 the oldest of the group, of outlying reefs about the islands northwest 



