XII REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. 



to the fishermen, whicli was supposed to be located about 200 miles east 

 of the Grand Bank in about 45° north latitude. Soundings were made 

 from this point to the Flemish Cap, which was partly explored, and 

 thence to the northeastern edge of the Grand Bank. St. John's, New- 

 foundland, was then visited for supplies, giving the naturalists an op- 

 portunity to study some important salmon streams, the steamer start- 

 ing homeward from this place on August 21. During the trip to the 

 westward the explorations were continued off the southern end of Green 

 and St. Pierre Banks, between the latter bank and Banquereau, across 

 Banquereau and Sable Island Bank, past the reported position of Hope 

 Bank, and thence along the edge of George's Bank to Vineyard Sound, 

 the steamer arriving at Wood's Holl August 29. Subsequently two 

 trips were made to the deep-water area lying between latitude 36° 30' 

 and 39° north, and longitude 70° and ,71° 33' west. 



The steamer Fish HaicTc was engaged but little in this branch of in- 

 quiry during 188G. In August a few of the light-ships at which tem- 

 perature observations are taken for the Commission were visited, and 

 the keepers instructed as to the proper methods of immersing and 

 reading the thermometers, especially during extremes of temperature. 

 In October a few casts of the beam trawl were made in the region off 

 Sandy Hook, N. J., where specimens of the English sole had been 

 planted several years before, but without finding any trace of them. 



The schooner Grampus, Capt. J.W.Collins commanding, made many 

 important investigations respecting the fishing grounds and food-fishes 

 off the New England and adjacent coasts, but these were mostly under- 

 taken in the interest of fish culture. In August, a cruise was made to 

 the tilefish grounds south of Martha's Vineyard, and six days were spent 

 in fishing with cod trawls and hand lines in depths of from GO to 160 

 fathoms, over an area about 120 miles in length. Only a few fish, mostly 

 hake, were captured. From September 22 to October 9 the Grampus 

 was engaged in an attempt to carry living specimens of halibut from 

 the fishing grounds to Wood's Holl, for the purpose of securing their 

 spawn in suitable condition for hatching. Fishing for this species was 

 mainly carried on off Le Have Bank, in depths of 200 to 300 fathoms. 

 A number of halibut were taken and transferred to the schooner's 

 well, apparently without receiving serious injury from the hooks or 

 subsequent handling. None of them lived, however, more than thirty- 

 six hours, and the conclusion was reached that the fish could not sur- 

 vive the great change of temperature and pressure incident to their 

 transfer from deep water to the surface. As it was probable, how- 

 ever, that halibut taken in shallow water could be successfully trans- 

 ported, a search was made for them in other localities, but none were 

 found. AVith other species less difficulty was encountered. On this 

 and the previous cruise, Mr. Raymond L. Newcomb acted as natur- 

 alist, and Mr. James Carswell accompanied the Grampus as fish cult- 

 urist, in the search for halibut. During most of the remainder of the 



