REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. 



XLV 



7.— THE VESSELS OF THE FISH COMMISSION. 

 A. — The Steamer Albatross. 



The steamer Albatross, Lieut. Commander Z. L. Tanner, U. S. Navy, 

 commanding, continued in active service during the greater part of the 

 year. At the beginning of the year the steamer was at the Washing- 

 ton navy-yard, making preparations for a cruise to the region of the 

 Bahama Islands, for the purpose of investigating the winter range and 

 habits of certain pelagic hshes, which, during the warmer months, are 

 of great economic importance to the American fishermen ; and of 

 making a series of deep sea soundings for the benefit of the Navy De- 

 partment. She was detained in the Potomac River by ice until Febru- 

 ary 17, but left Norfolk on the 20th of that month and proceeded to 

 sea. The cruise lasted until May 10, when the steamer returned to 

 Washington. March 30, while coaling at Key West, the officers and 

 crew rendered effective service in fighting a disastrous fire which 

 destroyed a large part of the town. From July 15 to October 28 the 

 Albatross was surveying on the northern fishing grounds, from the lat- 

 itude of Virginia to the Grand Bank of Newfoundland and the Flemish 

 Cap, with headquarters at Wood's Holl, Mass. 



In preparation for the proposed trip to the Pacific coast extensive 

 repairs to the steamer were necessary, and it was decided that new 

 boilers would be required to insure her safety for so long a cruise. The 

 expenditures for this purpose were provided for by the following act of 

 Congress, contained in the sundry civil appropriation bill, approved 

 August 4, 18SG : 



Steamer Albatross: For the construction and introduction of new boilers for the 

 steamer Albatross, and other necessary general repairs, $20,000; tor expenses of 

 voyage from New York to San Francisco, including cost of coal and other necessary 

 supplies, §17,500; in all, $27,r>00. 



The plans for the new boilers were prepared by Passed Assistant 

 Fngiueer George W. Baird, U. S. Navy, of the steamer Albatross, and 

 received the approval of Mr. C. W. Copeland, the designer of the vessel, 

 and of Chief Engineer B. F. Isherwood, U. S. Navy, to whom they had 

 been submitted for criticism. Proposals for constructing the boilers 

 were received and opened December 21, as follows: 



