24 REPORT OF THE COMMIi^SIONEl.' OF FISM AND FISIIFRIES. 



engine during- the cable survey, which still continued in spite of our 

 etiorts to locate it, and was so marked during the run down the bay 

 that we thought it advisable to make another effort to rod nee it before 

 proceeding to sea. 



We were uiuler way at daylight on the morning of the 20th, and 

 steamed out through the Golden (iate en route to PortTownsend, where 

 we arrived at 8:45 p. m. on the 2'lth, after a boisterous trip, which cul- 

 minated in a moderate SW. gale off Ca])e Flattery with furious hail 

 and snow squalls. Our instructions contemplated a carelnl observan(!e 

 of seal life as far as practicable without undue delay, and several tiav- 

 erses were run off' and on the Oregon and Washington coasts with that 

 object in view. Few seals were seen, however, owing largely to stormy 

 weather. 



We were instructed to procure two seal-hunters, an interpreter for 

 the Chinook jargon, two otter boats, two Parker shotguns, etc., all of 

 Avhich were promptly secured in Poit Townsend and Seattle. 



Prof. B. W. Evermann reported for duty ou the 27th, and Mr. A. B. 

 Alexander, fishery expert, was ordered to temporary duty on board the 

 United States revenne steamer Corwm. The coal bunkers were replen- 

 ished at Seattle on the 29th, the vessel returning to Port Townsend the 

 following day, when Mr. Joseph Murray, special U. S. Treasury agent, 

 reported on board for duty connected with the investigation of seal 

 life. 



The Albatross left Port Townsend at 8:50 a. m., March 31, en route 

 for Cook Inlet. There were on board, in addition to the regular com- 

 l)lement otollicers and crew, the following experts, viz: Joseph Murray, 

 special U. S. Treasury agent; Prof. B. W. Evermann, naturalist; J. E. 

 Lennan, iiunter and Alaska pilot, and N. Hodgson, hunter and inter- 

 preter for Chinook jaigon. 



The weather, which was threatening at the time of our departure, 

 culminated at 4 p. m. in a fresh gale from NE. to SE., with heavy 

 cross seas after leaving the protecti<m of the straits. It moderated 

 about noon on the following day, but the swell continued to roll in 

 from seaward. The course from Cape Flattery was intended to carry 

 the vessel over the usual sealing-grounds oft' Vancouver Island in 

 order to intercept the herd, observe the number of vessels, and general 

 operations of the sealing lieet. Four schooners were observed during 

 the day, all hove to on account of bad weather, and a solitary seal was 

 seen about 1 p. m. off Cape Cook. A vigilant lookout was kept at all 

 times during the cruise at the masthead during sealing weather. 



Sealing weather, as understood in this report, included the interval 

 from daylight until dark, whenever the weather and state of the sea 

 would admit the lowering of boats and carrying ou of the practical 

 work of hunting. 



Passing 30 miles from ('ape St. James, a direct course was laid for 

 the Barren Islands, The lirst seal, a single individual, was seen in 

 latitude 66° 25' north, and several were observed the following day 



