X REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. 



2. — INQUIRY RESPECTING FOOD-FISHES AND THE FISHING GROUNDS. 



A. — Field- work . 



In this branch of inquiry field-work was carried on in a thorough 

 manner along the Eastern coast of North America from the Straits of 

 Florida to Newfoundland. From February 20 to May 10 the steamer 

 Albatross, Lieut. Commander Z. L. Tanner, U. S. Navy, commanding, 

 was engaged in a survey of the region about the Bahama Islands, in 

 the joint interests of the Fish Commission and the Navy Department, 

 the expenses of the cruise being shared by the two. The purpose of the 

 voyage, on the part of the Fish Commission, was to ascertain, if possi- 

 ble, the winter range and habits of certain important food-fishes, which 

 resort to the Eastern coast of North America during the warmer months, 

 but whose first appearance in the spring and whose abundance during 

 the fishing season vary from year to year. The principal species con- 

 cerning which information of this character was desired were the mack- 

 erel, menhaden, and bluefish; but attention was also to be paid to other 

 economic forms, such as the Spanish mackerel, sheepshead, and drum, 

 if found to occur abundantly in those waters. On behalf of the Navy 

 Department several lines of soundings were to be made to the north- 

 ward and eastward of the islands and in the deeper channels which 

 separate them, the hydrography of this important region being but 

 little known. Mr. James E. Benedict was in charge of the civilian sci- 

 entific staff, and was assisted by Mr. Thomas Lee, Mr. Charles H. Town- 

 send, Mr.. TVillard Nye, jr., and Mr. F. L. Washburn, the two last men- 

 tioned being volunteers. 



The work of sounding was begun to the north of Great Abaco Isl- 

 and, and was carried thence southeastward along the Atlantic side of 

 the islands as far as San Salvador or Watling's Island, and offshore 

 in some places to a distance of over 100 miles. The greatest depth of 

 water discovered was 3,190 fathoms, in latitude 28° 34' 42" north, longi- 

 tude 70° 10' 25" west, or about 110 miles northeast of Great Abaco. 

 Several lines were run between the five islands lying at the mouth of 

 Exuma Sound, namely, Cat Inland, Long Island, Watling's Island, 

 Concepcion Island, and Bum Cay, showing that the intervening channels 

 are of great depth, the depth in one place exceeding 2,400 fathoms. 

 From this point the soundings were carried through Exuma Sound to its 

 upper end, and thence by way of the open sea on the eastern side of 

 Eleuthera Island to the town of Nassau, New Brovidence Island. Sub- 

 sequently the work was continued through the Northeast and North- 

 west Brovidence channels and the Tongue of Ocean. On the home- 

 ward journey soundings were also made to the east and north of Great 

 Abaco Island and Little Bahama Bank, and off the coast of the South- 

 ern Atlantic States as far as Cape Hatteras. During these explora- 

 tions one trip was made to Key West and Havana for the purpose of 



