WORK OF THE STEAMER ALBATROSS. 309 
observing azimuths of the sun on every point for compass errors, then 
stood to the cable trough off Salinas, aud tested the sounding and 
dredging apparatus, also the maneuvering qualities of the vessel with 
her new propellers, The trial was satisfactory as far as it went. 
The new form of Tanner intermediate tow-net, tested for the first time, 
performed all that was expected of it after the weights for operating 
the drawstring had been increased to 30 pounds each; they were first 
tried at 15 pounds, and closed the net properly when both were brought 
into action, but one alone failed to close it securely under conditions of 
actual service. The engines worked very satisfactorily, and the new 
bronze propellers of modern type reduced vibration to the minimum. 
We anchored off Monterey for several hours to readjust valves, finally 
getting underway at 8.15 p.m. for the return trip. At daylight the 
following morning the deep-sea apparatus was again tested in from 200 
to 300 fathoms, and, having satisfied ourselves that the vessel and her 
appliances were in good working order, we returned to the navy-yard, 
Mare Island, mooring to the wharf at 5.30 p.m. April 27, A crack in 
the shell of the main condenser was discovered during the trip and 
repaired at small cost after our return. 
The following telegram was received from the Commissioner of Fish 
and Fisheries May 13: 
In obedience to instructions from the President you are directed to report by tele- 
graph to the Honorable Secretary of the Navy for such duty as he may assign you. 
Having reported as directed, the following message was received from 
the Secretary of the Navy, dated May 15: 
Proceed with the vessel under your command to Port Townsend, Washington, and 
report to Commander Nicoll Ludlow, U.S. N., for duty in connection with the United 
States naval forces in Bering Sea. 
On the 16th instructions were received at the navy-yard, Mare Island, 
to furnish the Albatross with coal and such other supplies as were neces- 
sary to perform duty with the Bering Sea fleet. 
Final preparations were promptly made, and on May 20 the Albatross 
sailed for Port Townsend, arriving on the 24th, when I reported to 
Commander Ludlow in obedience to the order of the Secretary of the 
Navy. We carried up a draft of men and a quantity of stores for the 
U.S. 8. Mohican, which were delivered on our arrival. 
The vessels of the fleet rendezvoused at Port Townsend, where gen- 
eral instructions were issued by the senior officer commanding the 
United States Bering Sea force, and the vessels were then dispatched 
singly as occasion required. The orders of the Albatross contemplated 
the performance of patrol duty until the middle of July, or such time as 
her services could be dispensed with, the remainder of the season to be 
devoted to scientific work under direction of the Commissioner of Fish 
and Fisheries. Patrol duty was in reality performed throughout the 
season, but during the progress of scientific work it was limited to the 
boarding of vessels encountered within our field of operations. 
We left Port Townsend May 28, reached Vancouver, British Colum- 
