[13] WORK OF STEAMER ALBATROSS. 617 



the following- day put the dredge over in 50 fathoms off Oarysfort Reef. 

 Thirteen hauls of dredge, tangles, and trawl were made during the day 

 between Carysfort and Fowey's Rocks, in from 56 to 3G9 fathoms. Large 

 numbers of minute shells, numerous Crustacea, small fish, cephalopods, 

 &c, were taken. We continued dredging till dark, then steamed across 

 the straits to Great Isaac's and ran a line of soundings thence to SW. 

 Point, Great Bahama Island ; after which the northern part of NW. 

 Providence Channel was sounded, the greatest depth, 869 fathoms, 

 being found 18 miles west of Burrows Cay. The last sounding was 

 taken at 10.16 p. m., and we then steamed direct for Soldiers' Road 

 anchorage, Great Abaco, arriving at 5.40 a. m., April 11. 



While engaged in sounding the NW. Providence Channel, we en- 

 countered a strong NW. current, exceeding 2 knots per hour, setting 

 into the bight, and a counter- current of some force to the southward 

 and eastward along the line of reefs from Burrows to Gordo Cays. 

 Brisk to fresh easterly winds prevailed. 



Boats were sent for Messrs. Nye and Townsend, who had been on 

 the island since March 24. They appeared in good condition, and re- 

 ported fair success in collecting. Everything being on board, we left 

 at 8.30 a. m. for Tongue of Ocean, anchoring in 4£ fathoms on the 

 eastern bank at 10.40 p. m. We were under way again at 5.20 the fol- 

 lowing morning, and at 7 a. m. anchored off Green Cay and landed the 

 naturalists. The anchorage is on the west side of the cay, the north- 

 west and southwest points projecting slightly, forming an open bay 

 protected from easterly winds. The bottom is white sand and there is 

 sufficient room for vessels to anchor and swing. 



The island is uninhabited at present, but gives evidence of having 

 supported quite a large population in earlier times. The collectors re- 

 turned at 10.45, much pleased with their success and anxious for an- 

 other opportunity of landing on the cay. We were under way at 11 a. 

 in., and steaming to the southward passed Booby Rocks, then hauled 

 up to the southward and ' eastward for the extremity of Tongue of 

 Ocean, sounding and putting the tangles over in 36 fathoms at 5.30 p. 

 m., latitude 23° 34' N., longitude 76° 33' W. It was an exceedingly 

 rough coral bottom, and we anticipated a variety of specimens usually 

 found on such ground, but our catch was confined to a few sprays of 

 gorgonian coral, sponges, mollusca, and Crustacea. Steaming W. by S. 

 one mile the tangles were again lowered in 369 fathoms, the same rough 

 and barren bottom being encountered. 



The large surface tow-net was put over a little after dark with 

 equally poor success, very few specimens being taken. A line of sound- 

 ings was run to High Point, Andros Island, during the night, and 

 thence to Booby Rocks, where we anchored at 7.10 a. m., April 13. 

 The depth of the southern portion of Tongue of Ocean developed by 

 our soundings averaged about 750 fathoms, ranging from 711 to 805 



