EEPOET OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. 19 



MISCELLANEOUS. 



At Neosho, Mo. , it was found advisable to obtain an addition of 3^ 

 acres of land in order to control the water suppl}^ from Spring Bi^anch 

 and to extend the pond system. This purchase was made by deed dated 

 June 6, 1901. 



Two small tracts of land were also purchased at San Marcos in order 

 to straighten the boundary lines of the property and to obtain addi- 

 tional area for new ponds with land and water rights adjacent to the 

 San Marcos River. These purchases were deeded October 2, 1901, and 

 March 27, 1902. 



The increasing work involved in the collection and distribution of 

 adult fishes in the Mississippi River and its tributaries in connection 

 with the operations of the Manchester, Iowa, Station has rendered the 

 use of a steamer specially constructed for the purpose very desirable, 

 as hj this means the work can be conducted more efficiently and 

 economicall3\ Accordingly, under authority of an act of Congress 

 approved March 3, 1901, a contract was entered into with Kahlke 

 Brothers, of Rock Island, 111. , to build a two-decked, stern-wheeled river 

 steamboat . 6 feet long, 20 feet beam, with 3 feet depth of hold. On 

 the main deck are light galvanized-iron retaining-tanks, 4 feet by 2^ feet 

 by 2 feet, for carrying fish, with pump, air-compressor, and necessary 

 machinery for a complete circulating apparatus; on the deck above are 

 the pilot-house and a deck-house containing four double bunks. The 

 boat is propelled by a pair of lever engines, with a boiler 10 inches in 

 diameter and 16 feet long. The vessel will be completed and ready for 

 use during the coming season. 



Besides the usual repairs to the steam launches and smaller vessels, 

 to keep them in good condition, the Shearwater and Senator have been 

 thoroughly overhauled, the hulls of both being practically rebuilt, as 

 they were in bad condition and showed serious signs of decay. 



CHANGES IN PERSONNEL. 



On February 14, 1902, Mr. W. de C. Ravenel, who had been assist- 

 ant in charge of the Division of Fish-culture since 1895, severed his 

 connection with the Commission to accept an administrative position 

 with the United States National Museum. Mr. Ravenel, entering the 

 service in 1884 as superintendent of the St. Jerome, Md., Station, 

 had risen through difi'erent grades, and his record has always been 

 distinguished for efficiency and business ability. He has taken a 

 prominent part in the exposition work of the Commission, and has 

 been its representative on the Government Boards of Managers at all 

 the expositions held in this country, except at Cincinnati and Chicago. 

 At the latter exposition he was chief special agent. 



