28 REPORT OP COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND PISIIERIES. [26] 



official call on the captain-general, accompanied by the acting consul- 

 general and Lieut. A. C. Baker, of this ship. 



During the interview I took occasion to inform the ca]itain- general 

 that we wished to make some deep-sea exi)]orations in the immediate 

 vicinity of the harbor, and, after completing this work, to examine the 

 region about Cape San Antonio in order to determine the existence or 

 non-existence of Sancho Pardo Shoal, which Imd been reported from 

 time to time since H\i)6. T mentioned also that it was desiiable to ob- 

 serve the longitnde of ('a])e San Antonio. 



The captain general very kindly informed me that we could do any- 

 thing we wished on the coast of Cuba, and we subsequently learned 

 that he sent orders to Cape San Antonio that we should be permitted 

 to laud and take observations for longitude. 



At 12.45 p. m. there were three lieavy explosions in the city, fol- 

 lowing in rapid succession. Dense volumes of smoke obscured the 

 view, and the concussion was very heavy even on board ship. The 

 first explosion was a magazine in the arsenal, and the others, which 

 were a gasometer and another magazine, were caused by concussion or 

 falling fragments. There was serious loss of life, and great damage was 

 done to buildings in that section of the city. A panic Ibllowed, which 

 in the narrow crowded streets resulted in nmch personal injury. 



At 5.30 a. m. on the oOth we left onr moorings and stood out of the 

 harbor. AtO.05 we sounded in 387 lathoms,2 mik^s X \V. of Morro Castle, 

 and put the tangles over for Pentacrinus. We had ])oor success dar- 

 ing the forenoon, but later in the day were more fortunate. Twelve 

 hauls were nnide over very rough coral bottom, the tangles fouling 

 nearly every haul, but we succeeded in clearing them till the last cast 

 in the evening, when we were obliged to break the rope, losing 110 f.ith- 

 oms, besides the tangles and weights. We were m'cII satisfied with the 

 day's work, notwithstanding tlie loss, and at 5.LH) ran into port, taking 

 up our former berth. 



The morning of May 1 opened with light easterly winds, clear weather, 

 and smooth sea. At 5. -IS a. m. we left onr moorings and steamed out of 

 the harbor. Onr exi)erience of the i)revious day enabled us to select 

 gobd working ground at once, and after 6 hauls, which were finished 

 at 11.30 a. m., we started for Cape San Antonio, having procured a fine 

 lot of Pey'tacrinus, as well as a good general assortment of specimens. 

 Although the bottom was exceedingly rough and the tangles fouled at 

 every haul, we were fortunate enough to lose no more gear. The immu- 

 nity from loss was due in a great measure to the promptness with which 

 the engine signals were obeyed. 



At 3.-10 p. m. we sounded in 625 fathoms, latitude 23^ 00' 00" N., lon- 

 gitnde 83° 05' 45" W., on the position assigned, in H. O. chart, No. 576, 

 to the shoal reported by the Hattie Weston in 1880. There is no doubt 

 as to this vessel having been on a reef, but it was the shore reef and 

 not an isolated or outlying danger. I have no knowledge of the 



