INVESTIGATIONS OF THE ALBATROSS. 23 



sucli a manner as to gi\e us tlic impression that tlie stern busliing- was 

 gone. A sixteenili of an iueli of lignum-vit;Te still remained in the bear- 

 ing, however, and as it wonld require several days to renew it, we de^'ided 

 to risk the trip with the old bushing. Eepairs were made to one of the 

 sea connections, the ship's bottom was scrubbed, paint mended where 

 it was broken, and on the 24tli we left the dock. 



The work progressed favorably and the expense came well within 

 the estimates. We coaled shi^) from the 4th to the 8th of ^Vlarch, and 

 tried the engines at the dock on the 10th, everything working satisfac- 

 torily. The vessel was then ready for sea, and would have sailed on 

 the nth to complete the cable survey had we not been detained by 

 orders from Washington. 



FUR-SEAL INVESTIGATIONS. 



San Francisco to Cook Inlet, Alaska, etc. — A letter was received on 

 the 7th from the Commissioner, intimating that the Albatross might be 

 diverted from the survey, and outlining a ijroposed cruise in connection 

 with investigations regarding seal life. The commandant of the navy- 

 yard received a telegram from the Secretary of the ]S avy on the 8th to 

 delay the sailing of the Albatross until further instructions. A tele- 

 gram from the Commissioner on March 11 directed me to hold the ves- 

 sel in readiness for sailing in accordance with the jjlans outlined in his 

 letter of March 2, above referred to as having been received on the 7th. 

 The Secretary of the Navy wired on the 12th that the services of the 

 Albatross were no longer required in connection with the cable survey, 

 directing stores to be turned over to the commandant of the navy-yard 

 and the crew reduced to the complement allowed June 30, 1891. 



A telegram was received from the Commissioner March 15, as fol- 

 lows: 



President orders Albatross placed in Revenue Marine Division nnder orders from 

 tbe Secretary of tbe Treasury, as explained in letter of March 13. Expect you will 

 be ordered to sail at once for Port Townsend. Alexander sbould be on board, photo- 

 graphic outfit should be complete, and a good supply of alcohol on hand. Expenses 

 from date "will bo paid by Treasury Department. 



A message was also received from the Assistant Secretary of the 

 Treasury, saying that "sailing and definite instructions will be tele- 

 graphed to-morrow." March 16 I received a dispatch from the Secre- 

 tary of the Treasury containing sailing orders and specific instructions 

 for the cruise until the arrival of the vessel in Port Townsend. Several 

 letters and messages were sent and received relative to the reduction 

 of the crew and the absolute necessity of having the full number on 

 board. The Commissioner wired on the 18th that " extra crew would 

 be retained, but not as part of naval complenient." The 14 men in 

 question were accordingly transferred to the civilian roll. 



We left the navy-yard at 1 p. m. March 19, and anchored off Sau- 

 celito, for the double purpose of avoiding a NW. gale and readjusting 

 machinery. A disagreeable thump was developed in the starboard 



