24 REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES 
an average rainfall during April and May, and in March only an inch 
more than the average. During the same period there had also been 
some strong northwest and southwest winds. 
Although Mr. Battle’s visit was made during the dry period of the 
year, he undertook to ascertain by density observations the point 
nearest to the planted grounds where fresh water could then be found, 
both at the surface and. the bottom. A line of such observations was, 
therefore, run up the bay in a general northwesterly direction, from off 
the foot of Tremont street, Galveston, and over the planted grounds to 
the mouth of the San Jacinto River, a distance of 25 miles. At the 
foot of Tremont street the specific gravity was 1.017 at high water, and 
1 mile farther, 1.0166. On section 1 of the planted beds it was the same 
as the last, and on section 8, three-fourths of a mile away, it amounted 
to 1.0164. Beyond the area of the planted grounds the observations 
succeeded one another as follows: About 1 mile WNW. of the west end 
of Pelican Island, 1.0147; about 1 mile SE. of Half-Moon lighthouse, high 
tide 1.015, ebb tide 1.0142; about 200 yards from Half-Moon light-ship, 
1.0144; about 1 mile NNE. of Dollar Point, ebb tide 1.0132; about 2 
miles south of Redfish light-house, ebb tide 1.007; Redfish Beacon, 1.0036; 
about 400 yards SE. of Northwest Beacon, 1.002. Five subsequent sta- 
tions were made, the last about 1 mile NW. of Red Bluff Buoy, where the 
water was practically fresh both at the surface and bottom. 
Information was furnished to the effect that the water in the bay is 
never fresher than at the time of year when this examination was con- 
ducted, but Mr. Battle is inclined to doubt the correctness of this view 
as not being based upon scientific observations, and, moreover, the 
occurrence of any particular freshet having its origin from 25 to 30 
miles away might easily escape detection by those living along the sea. 
Such a freshet would undoubtedly bring the fresh-water point much 
nearer to the Gulf and might radically affect both planted and natural 
oyster beds. Even if the salinity of the water is as great at all sea- 
sons as it was in August, Mr. Battle thinks his observations clearly 
demonstrate that it would be the height of folly to plant oysters north 
of Redfish Bar. Empty shells are much more numerous than living 
oysters on this bar, and he has no doubt that fresh water was the main 
factor in their destruction. An oysterman of long experience in this 
region recalls that oysters have twice been destroyed in Galveston Bay 
within the past twenty-five years, ouce by fresh water and again during 
the great southeast storm of 1875, which lasted several days and swept 
everything before it. 
Mr. Battle next made a critical investigation of the planted beds and 
of the natural beds nearest to them, with the object of determining 
their relative condition as to mertality and the character of the bottom. 
Samples were obtained by tonging from all of the eight sections of the 
planted ground. The total amount of material brought up was 14 
bushels, which contained 46 adult oysters and 992 spat. The oysters 
were generally in groups or clusters, seldom single. The living adults 
