[49] WOKK OF STEADIER ALBATROSS. 51 



toward tlie latter part of the montb, ice forming around the ship on the 

 20th thick enough to bear the weight of a man. The vessel was not 

 quite ready for sea, but fearing an ice blockade, we left on the 24th for 

 Norfolk, Va., where we could complete our outfit and sail at any time 

 without fear of detention. 



The Eastern Branch was covered with about 3 inches of ice through 

 which we were obliged to break our way until reaching the Potomac, 

 where the channel was kept open by the frequent passage of vessels. Ar- 

 riving off Quantico about dark we anchored for the night, and getting 

 under way at daylight the following morning, reached Hampton Roads 

 at 0.15 p. m. and anchored near the fort. 



A thick snow storm set in during the night, and when we got under 

 way the following morning we could not see more than two or three 

 shii)-lengths. We felt our way through it, however, reaching the navy- 

 yard at Norfolk, Va., about 9.30 a. m. 



The bunkers were filled with coal, and on the evening of December 

 31st the Albatross was ready for sea, waiting only the arrival of the 

 naturalists who were to join us for a cruise in the Gulf of Mexico. 



The following ofQcers were attached to the ship at this date : 



Z. L. Tanner, lieutenant-commander, U. S. N., commanding. 



Seaton Schroeder, lieutenant, U. S.N., executive officer and navigator. 



A. C. Baker, lieutenant, IT. S. N. 



C. J. Boush, lieutenant (junior grade), U. S. N. 

 . K. H. Miner, ensign, U. S. N. 



L. M. Garrett, ensign, U. S. N. 



Franklin Swift, ensign, U. S. N. 



J. M. Flint, surgeon, U. S. N. 



C. D. Mansfield, paymaster, U. S. X. 



George W. Baird, passed assistant engineer, U. S. N., in charge of 

 machinery. 



Petty officers. — S. M. McAvoy, John Hawkins, John Bergesen, Walter 

 Blundell, machinists ; Charles Wright, master-at-arms; Samuel LeRoy 

 Pritcbard, equipment yeoman; N. B. Miller, apothecary; George A. 

 Miller, paymaster's yeoman ; Frank L. Stailey, engineer's yeoman. 



The crew numbered 59 men. 



Mr. James E. Benedict was still attached to the sbii) as naturalist. 



Attention is called to the following appended reports, giving much 

 valuable information in regard to the work of the various departments: 

 Navigation Eeport ; Engineer's Report ; Medical Dei)artment, Sanitary 

 Report, and Records of Specific Gravities; Naturalist's Report, with 

 lists of birds, fishes, &c., taken; Dredging and Trawling Record; and 

 Table of Serial Temperatures. 



