118 REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. [2] 



The freshwater hatching outfit was now unrigged and experimental 

 apparatus for hatching the spawn of the Spanish mackerel and other 

 floating eggs talcen on board. 



Under orders froui you we got under way on June 4, 1883, for a cruise 

 down the Potomac, west side of Chesapeake Bay from Potomac Kiver 

 to Cape Henry, and from Cape Charles to Cherrystone Inlet, for tlie 

 purpose of locating the number, size, catch, &c., of the traj)-nets fished 

 along those shores.* 



This part of the instructions having been completed by June 12, we 

 then commenced the investigation of the Spanish-mackerel fisheries. 

 Many attempts were made to hatch and keep alive the yonng of this 

 fish, but without success. We had no difficulty in hatching the eggs, 

 but found it impossible to keep them alive for more than a few hours. 

 In my special report on this subject I have advanced the only theory I 

 can give to account for this lack of success. 



On July 13 the Fish Hawk was driven ashore, from her anchorage in 

 Lynn Haven Bay, by a heavy northerly squall. She was floated again on 

 the morning of the 18th without any injury whatever. This was the only 

 interruption to the summer's work on the Spanish mackerel until we 

 left the Chesapeake, August 17, for Wood's Holl, Mass., arriving at this 

 place August 20.* 



On August 22 left Wood's Holl with some of the scientific corps for a 

 dredging trip to the south of Martha's Vineyard. Commenced work in 

 latitude 40° 13' north, longitude 70° 29' west on the morning of the 23d 

 and returned to Wood's Holl the following night.* On the 27th of Au- 

 gust carried out another party on a dredging and trawling trip, return- 

 ing to Wood's Holl the same night, and on the 30th got under way and 

 proceeded to IS^ew Bedford. Eemained in New Bedford, having boilers 

 repaired, until September 4, when we returned to Wood's Holl. 



September 6 got under way with scientific party for dredging trip on 

 south side of Martha's Vineyard, returning to Wood's Holl same night. 



On September 23 went to the assistance of the steamer Decatur H. 

 Miller, ashore on the Middle Ground, in Martha's Vineyard Sound. 

 Found the Coast Survey steamer Blake and revenue steamer Dexter 

 fast to her, and by onr united efforts soon got her afloat. 



October 9 made a trawling and dredging trip to Menemsha Bight, re 

 turning to Wood's HoH the same night. 



October 14 and 15 loaded with specimens, stores, &c., for transporta- 

 tion to Washington. Got under way on the 16th, touched at Newport 

 for coal, and arrived at navy -yard. New York, on the 20th. Eeceived 

 here scientific outfit, specimens, &c., from the United States steamer 

 Yantic, just back from her arctic trip, for transportation to Washing- 

 ton. Left New York on the 26th, having taken on board 100 live lob 



* Table of results already submitted. 



