[29] WORK OF STEAMER ALBATROSS. 31 



Key West. The above positions were accurately obtained by cross- 

 bearings of well-known points on shore, and the results of the three 

 soundings show conclusively that no shoal exists in that locality. 



We arrived at Key West at 5 a. m. ou the morning of the 7th and 

 anchored near the quarantine station. We were visited by the health 

 ofiQcer between 8 and 9 a. m., and at 11 a. m. went alongside the coal 

 wharf. The fires were hauled and boilers blown down preparatory to 

 making temporary repairs, and at 1.30 p. m. we commenced coaling, 

 and finished about 9 a. m. on the 8th, having taken on board 61||f^ tons 

 of anthracite coal. 



At 2 p. m. on the 10th we got under way and stood out to sea, bound 

 for Washington, D. C 



At 7.52 a. m. on the 12th we sounded in 470 fathoms, latitude 30° 

 40' 00" K, longitude 75° 35' 00" W., on the position of Huntley Shoal, 

 H. O. chart No. 21, reported in 1833. 



We then stood for another shoal, marked on H. O. chart No. 21. At 

 6 a. m. on the 14th we sounded in 2,537 fathoms, latitude 34° 14' 00" N., 

 longitiMle 72° 35' 30" W., and at 5.12 p. m. sounded in 2,462 fathoms, 

 latitude 34° 48' 45" N., longitude 72° 25' 00" W., on the position assigned 

 to Orion Shoal. 



This sounding comj^leted the work planned for us; and we then made 

 the best of our way to Washington, where we arrived at 4.10 p. m. on 

 the lOth instant; hauled fires on the 17th, and commenced the work of 

 refitting, preparatory to the summer's cruise. 



The deck-house, forecastle, and poop-decks were caulked ; otherwise 

 there was but little to do to the vessel proper, except the usual cleaning, 

 painting, &c. There were some slight repairs on the Sigsbee sounding- 

 machine, and a supply of tangles and trawl-frames were made at the 

 navy-yard. The Tanner sounding-machine was repaired at small ex- 

 pense. The galley required repairs to the extent of 1 5. It has given 

 general satisfaction since the last imi)rovements were made, and I have 

 reported the fact to the Chief of tht; Bureau of Equipment and Recruit- 

 ing, according to an agreement made when it was ordered. 



The principal expense in time and money was on the boilers. The 

 engines, pumps, and various special machinery required only the ordi- 

 nary overhauling, being, as a rule, in excellent condition. The repairs 

 on the boilers were completed on the evening of July 11, and at 4 p. m. 

 the following day we left the yard and steamed down the Potomac, 

 anchoring near Quantico for the night. We were under way again at 

 daylight and anchored at Hampton Roads at 7.30 p. m. the same even- 

 ing, going to the navy-yard, Norfolk, Va., early on the morning of the 

 14th, and into the dry-dock at 11 a. m., orders having been sent from 

 the Navy Department to have the dock ready for us at that time. 

 The water was pumped out of the dock during the afternoon, and on 

 the following day most of the scraping was done and the first coat of 

 paint was put on one side. The other side was finished the following day, 



