[19] WORK OP STEAMER ALBATROSS. 623 



We arrived and moored to the Fish Commission wharf at 10.30 a. m. 

 The captain and agent of the Gate City called about 11.30 and requested 

 us to tow Davis's wrecking scow to the stranded vessel, as it was very 

 important that the divers should be on the spot as soon as possible, and 

 there was no other means of getting them there for several .hours. We 

 left soon after with the scow in tow, delivered her at the steamer about 

 1 p. in., and returned to port. 



We remained at the wharf, coaling ship, overhauling apparatus, and 

 making necessary repairs to boilers, until 1.40 p. in., August 2, when we 

 proceeded to sea under the following orders : 



U. S. Commission of Fish and Fisheries, 



Wood's Roll, Mass., July 29, 1886. 



Sir : As soon as the Albatross is ready you will make a cruise to 

 the eastward, for the purpose of determining the existence and, if possi- 

 ble, the character of certain banks which are believed by some to exist, 

 but which, so far, have not been properly sounded and examined. 



In connection Avith this inquiry you will follow, as far as convenient, 

 the suggestions of the Hydrographic Office of the U. S. Navy as em- 

 bodied in a letter from Commander Bartlett. 



A particular point to be examined is the so-called Hope Bank ; an- 

 other is in the vicinity of the Flemish Cap, and also an alleged marine 

 ridge connecting Flemish Cap with the Azores. 



In the course of this voyage you will of course take occasion, by 

 sounding, trawling, and dredging, to ascertain any physical or biologi- 

 cal characters of the region. 



In consequence of Mr. Benedict's resignation, Mr. Thomas Lee, the 

 assistant naturalist, will have charge of the natural history work, and 

 of the various operations of making collections and preserving them for 

 transfer to Wood's Holl. 



The length of time during which the voyage is to last is left to your 

 discretion. The principal object of finding and defining the banks in 

 question is to furnish new grounds to the American fishermen, and you 

 will therefore take such steps as are in your power to determine their 

 economical value, by securing full collections of the fishes themselves 

 and the animals that serve them for food. 



You are authorized to stop at any port in the British Provinces for 

 the purpose of taking in coal and supplies. 



As opportunity presents you will communicate by telegraph your 

 whereabouts and the general condition of the vessel and those on board. 

 Very respectfully, 



SPENCER F. BAIRD, 



Commissioner. 



Lieut.-Commander Z. L. Tanner, 



Commanding Steamer Albatross. 



