XX REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. 



that are nearly as good, and it is possible that on the sandy and muddy 

 bottoms frequented by these off oar coast the beam trawl may be very 

 effectively used. 



It is also of the highest importance that the movements of the migra- 

 tory fishes should be followed in the spring and autumn, when they are 

 approaching and leaving the feeding grounds which they frequent in 

 .summer. 



Hitherto less has been done in this direction than is desirable, and a 

 sailing vessel which is able to remain at sea in all weathers is especially 

 well adapted to carrying on such investigation, since she is not depend- 

 ent upon a supply of coal, and may, if necessary, cruise for weeks or 

 months in succession. The Grampus being especially fitted for carrying 

 on fishing operations can use all the appliances and methods for the cap- 

 ture offish much better than they can be used on larger and more ex- 

 pensive steam vessels. In connection with these researches to ascertain 

 the movements and habits of the migratory species, various forms of 

 apparatus will be used to ascertain their presence, as well as the occur- 

 rence of Crustacea or other forms of minute life that may constitute the 

 food of fishes. Observations of the temperature, density of water, and 

 the influence of winds and currents upon the movements of fish can also 

 be studied. 



She is especially adapted to making researches at sea for the discov- 

 ery and investigation of fishing grounds, as well as for collecting the 

 fauna of the localities visited, and thus determining the value of certain 

 regions for the purposes of commercial fishing. 



The Grampus is a two-masted, schooner-rigged vessel, 90 feet long? 

 over all ; 81 feet G inches on load- water line ; 22 feet 2 inches beam, and 

 10 feet depth of hold ; her registered tonnage is 83.30 tons. In model 

 and rig she is a radical departure from the vessels commonly in use in 

 the New England fisheries; and an additional important object sought 

 in building her was to produce a type of fishing vessel which will be 

 safer and better adapted in various ways to the exigencies required of 

 a schooner employed in the ocean fisheries. 



In the cruises made the present year she has shown remarkable sea- 

 going qualities, and has demonstrated the fact that in safety, speed, and 

 " handiness" she is far superior to the clipper fishing schooners of New 

 England. Her influence is already being felt, and the principal features 

 in her model and rig, which have been alluded to in a previous report, 

 are being copied by the New England builders. 



It is reasonable, therefore, to suppose that marked innovations may 

 be caused by her advent, and that a few years will witness a change for 

 the better in the form and rig of our fishing vessels. Such a change 

 will result in the obtainment of greater safety and other scarcely less 

 desirable qualities that must prove very beneficial to the fishing inter- 

 ests, and especially in preventing the sacrifice of life and property which 

 has heretofore seriously handicapped these industries. 



