74 REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. [72] 



steel," and wbicli weie soft aud ductile when new, are now brittle and 

 so hard that they will turn the edges of steel tools unless they are tern 

 pered as hard as tire and water can make them. During the winter's 

 voyage these sheets cracked in several places, but have been hard- 

 patched since then. New leaks appear in the boilers, which we patch in 

 turn. The braces are so close together in the boilers that the cost of 

 removing them to repair a leak is sometimes greater than the absolute 

 repairs, 



STEAM CUTTERS. 



The two steam-cutters have been eminently satisfactory. Except 

 the fracture of a feed-pump bracket, there have been no mishaps dur- 

 ing the year. A new piston spring has been put in, and the air-pump 

 connections have been bushed, there being no])rovisions to take up the 

 wear. The propeller blades have been bent several times, but were 

 straightened on board. New casings have been put on the boilers, new 

 firebricks i)ut in the furnaces, aud new mineral wool put under the 

 casings. We have found it necessary to make an alteration in the stern 

 stutting-bo.x of the larger boat. The cost tor repairs to the two boats 

 during the year has been $110.57. 



PUMPS. 



The steam pumi)S continue to give satisfaction. We have put plugs 

 in the " throw ports "of the circulating i)ump, to throttle the steam and 

 retard the motion of the main steam-valve ; it has the effect of mak- 

 ing the pump linger a moment at the end of the stroke, which permits 

 the valves to seat without slamming. 



STEERING ENGINE. 



The steering engine continues to do its work admirably whenever 

 used (wliich is not often) ; but from the extensive surface of the joints 

 on the exliaust side, the air-leaks impair our vacuum from 2 to .3 inches, 

 when it is exhausted into the main condenser. 



DREDGING ENGINE. 



The dredging engine, having a great surplus of power, continues to 

 do its work with ease. We have cut away parts of the cylinder heads 

 to clear the frames, that we may take the heads off without taking 

 down the engine frames. 



REELING ENGINE. 



The reeling engine continues to work wel), requiring but few repairs. 



STEAM WINDLASS. 



The steam windlass continues to work well requiring but little atten- 

 tion. 



