616 REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. [12] 



control. Ensigns Benson and Hogg and Mr. Thomas Lee volunteered 

 their services, and rendered valuable assistance. The party went armed 

 with axes and a coil of rope for pulling down and demolishing buildings, 

 as that was about the only method of fighting the fire in the absence of 

 water and fire-engines. Large parties well officered were sent from the 

 Powhatan and Brooklyn, and the crew of the revenue-cutter Dix were 

 early at the scene of fire. Captain Matthews, of the Brooklyn, with his 

 torpedo corps, leveled many buildings, which tended to narrow the 

 track of the flames as they swept through the city toward the water. 



Steam was raised as soon as it was seen that the conflagration was 

 becoming serious, and every preparation made to get under way should 

 assistance be required in moving vessels from the wharves. Several 

 men were detailed to carry hot coffee and hard-bread from the ship to 

 the parties on shore, and about fifty gallons were dispensed in this way, 

 much to the comfort of both officers and men. All the business portion 

 of the city, including the wharves, was burned, beside several large 

 cigar factories and many dwellings. The government property was 

 saved. 



We commenced coaling at 6.45 a. in., on April 2, and finished at 

 meridian on the 3d, having taken on board 127 tons. 



The fire disarranged all business matters on shore so ranch that we 

 were unable to procure money for the use of the vessel, fresh water for 

 the boilers, or stores for officers and crew, hence it was determined to 

 go to Havana for the articles required. As there was a wide break in 

 the soundings between A.merican Shoal, on the Florida coast, and Ma- 

 tauzas, we took the opportunity to run a line between the points men- 

 tioned. Leaving port at 5.10 p.m. we commenced the line off American 

 Shoal in 145 fathoms, and completed it at 12.45 p.m., April 4, when 

 we started for Havana under steam and sail, arriving and mooring at 

 one of the government buoys at 6.30 p.m. The health officer visited 

 the ship and granted pratique ; and officers from Spanish and German 

 men-of-war in port called, tendering the usual civilities. These calls 

 were returned on the following day, when I also visited the commodore 

 (acting admiral) and captain of the port. 



The services of the government water-boat were secured and the 

 boilers filled on the 6th, preparations for sea being completed in the 

 mean time. At 7.30 a. m., April 7, we left port and spent the forenoon 

 hauling the tangles near the reef to the eastward of Morro Castle, taking 

 126 Pentacrinus, a variety of coral, Crustacea, shells, &c. The trawl 

 was lowered at 2.09 p. m. in 1,025 fathoms, and landed on deck at 4.45 ; 

 a water haul. The current was so strong that the trawl failed to reach 

 the bottom. We then started for Key West, arriving and anchoring 

 off the government wharf at 6.17 a.m. the following morning. 



At 7 a. m. we went alongside the Freeda A. Willey and took from her 

 50 tons of coal which filled the bunkers and bags, about 30 tons being 

 carried on deck. We cast off and went to sea at 5 p.m., and at 6 a.m. 



