REPORT OF THE COMMISSIONER OF FISHERIES. 37 



profit, because salmon suitable for mild-curing bring- a higher price 

 than do fish sold to the canneries. The expansion of this feature of the 

 salmon trade will undoubtedly materially increase the importance of 

 numerous small streams now of little consequence. 



MISCELLANEOUS ADMINISTRATIVE MATTERS. 

 OPERATIONS OF VESSELS. 



Steamer Albatross. — A liberal appropriation for the purchase and 

 repair of scientific equipment allowed, for the first time since this ves- 

 sel was built, the complete renewal of old apparatus, and the purchase 

 of much-needed new equipment. The work of the vessel during- the 

 year consisted of a cruise of scientific exploration in the eastern Pacific, 

 elsewhere described, which occupied the period from October 6, 1904, 

 to April 5, 1905, and services in connection with the establishment of 

 the new salmon hatcher} 7 in Alaska, in which she was engaged at the 

 close of the year. 



Steamer Fish Hawk. — The necessity for extensive repairs to this 

 ship also developed during the year, and a special appropriation for 

 this purpose and for an electric lighting plant permitted considerable 

 refitting. The machinery is antiquated, however, has seen long serv- 

 ice, and in the interests of safety and economy must soon be replaced. 

 The vessel rendered service during the } 7 ear in a survey of the oyster 

 grounds of Matagorda Bay, Texas, as elsewhere mentioned, and was 

 thus occupied from November 17 until May 12, when she was ordered 

 to Woods Hole, Mass., for work in connection with the Bureau's bio- 

 logical laboratory at that place. 



Schooner Grampus. — As' in previous years, the Grampus was 

 employed in strictly fish-cultural work connected with the marine 

 hatcheries on the New England coast. Lobster eggs were collected 

 for the Gloucester station early in the summer, and brood cod for 

 the Woods Hole station were caught on Nantucket Shoals in October 

 and November. On April 1 the vessel was again placed in commis- 

 sion and went to the Maine coast, where she was engaged in collecting 

 lobster eggs at the close of the fiscal } T ear. At such times as she 

 was not in active use, her crew was utilized on shore at the different 

 hatcheries. This schooner, which was built in 1886, is beginning to 

 show the effects of long service and will soon be in need of considera- 

 ble repairs and rebuilding to put her in seaworthy condition. Some 

 alterations in hull and rigging are also necessary to insure efficiency 

 and to keep pace with modern requirements. It is regarded as espe- 

 cially desirable that she be supplied with auxiliary motor power, which, 

 without materially increasing the expense of maintenance, would add 

 greatly to her usefulness. 



Xetr luiiiiclus, etc. — A special appropriation provided for the pur 

 chase of a powerful gasoline launch suitable for harbor use in heavy 



