248 REPORT OF COMillSSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. 



Deep'-iiater temperature. 



* Observations stopped on aeeount of a storm. 



All these observations were taken at the same place, about one-tkird 

 mUe south-southeast of the Svolv?er light-house. The instrument was 

 unfortunately broken on the 1st of March, and no further observations 

 could be taken. The observations on the 8th of April were taken with 

 another instrument, which, however, had no indicator, and the result was 

 approximately calculated from data gathered at former observations. 



As a general rule the temperature at a depth of 10 fathoms has been 

 35.60-36.50 F., at 30 fathoms 37.40-38.30 F., and at the bottom 39.20 

 -41 F. There were, however, so many exceptions fi'om this that there is 

 every reason to doubt the correctness of the observations. Ko fault 

 could be discovered in the instrument; when brought to the surface from 

 the different depths it always fell to the same point at which it stood 

 when lowered. The observation of the 14th of February corroborates the 

 one of the 12th, and that of the 26th makes that of the 25th quite prob- 

 able. If on the 25th February a current of 52.70 F. degrees warmth 

 really entered the west fiord, it has during the twenty -four hours which 

 elapsed whilst the observations were being taken, mingled with the cold 

 water in the fiord, and this comparatively warm mixed water has risen 

 to the surface ; on the 26th it had reached to within 10 to 30 fathoms 

 from the surface, whilst the temperature at the bottom had sunk to 

 44.60 degrees F. The temperatui-e in the harbor of Svolv^er at a depth 

 of 6 fathoms also strangely favors the probability of the observations be- 

 ing correct, as on the 12th, 14th, 25th, and 27th February it was 39.65 

 to 40.10 degrees, a warmth which was only reached once during the 

 course of the winter, ^'iz, on the 3d February. It is therefore quite pos- 

 sible that there are really very strange currents. I^o conclusions, how- 

 ever, can be drawn as to their influence on the fisheries until the exist- j 

 ence of these currents is fully proved. If instruments can be obtained, 

 the observations win be continued next year. 



