REPOET OB' COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. 17 



of Kauai, and of the ditferent fishing-banks. It is believed information 

 of both commercial and scientific importance will be gained. The vessel 

 sailed from San Francisco March 11, arriving at Honolulu March 21, 

 where the investigation was at once begun and is now in progress. 



On October 26, 1901, by order of the Secretary of the Navy, Com- 

 mander Jefferson F. Moser, U. S. Navy, was detached from the com- 

 mand of the Albatrosf< and was succeeded by Commander Chauncey 

 Thomas, U. S. Navy. Commander Moser's services with this Commis- 

 sion covered a period of over four years and were efficient and valuable. 

 His detachment was viewed with regret. 



STEAMER FISH HAWK. 



On July 3, 1901, this vessel left Gloucester City, N. J., for Woods 

 Hole, Mass., where she was detailed for duty in connection with the 

 laboratory until September, when she was sent to Baltimore to undergo 

 considerable repairs. It having been determined to use her in connec- 

 tion with the sponge investigations on the Florida coast, she sailed 

 from Balthnore Octobers, 1901, arriving at Cedar Keys, where it was 

 decided to establish headquarters, on the 21st. The work outlined for 

 the vessel was to determine and plot the area of the different sponge- 

 grounds; to investigate the nature of the bottom and depth of water 

 as affecting the growth, distribution, and abundance of marketable 

 sponges; and to examine biologically certain areas, making as com- 

 plete collections of specimens as possible, A survey covering all the 

 sponge-grounds on the west coast of Florida, north of Tampa Bay, 

 was continued till January 29, 1902, during which lines of soundings 

 and dredgings, about 5 miles distant from each other, were made from 

 shoal water out to a depth of about 10 fathoms. On completing this 

 work the vessel proceeded to Key West, Fla., and made a series of 

 dredgings for the purpose of determining the nature of the marine 

 fauna in this region as bearing on the advisability of establishing a 

 biological station at Key West, and also to ascertain the condition of 

 the sponge-grounds in this region. During the season collections of 

 live fishes were made for the aquarium at the Charleston Exposition. 

 The results of these operations, though considerably retarded b}^ bad 

 weather, are regarded as successful, and will be enlarged on when the 

 complete reports of the condition and resources of the Florida sponge- 

 grounds are published. 



From March 17 to April 10 tho, Fish Hawk was at Charleston, S. C, 

 moored at the Exposition grounds, where she formed an attractive 

 feature of the exhibit of the Commission by illustrating the methods 

 of carrjnng on deep-sea investigations, with the appropriate apparatus. 

 After some repairs at Baltimore the vessel proceeded to Gloucester 

 City, N. eJ., and on April 29 the usual spring .shad-hatching on the 

 Delaware was taken up and continued until the close of the fiscal year. 

 The fish-cultural work is referred to elsewhere. 



F. C. 1902 2 



