624 EEPOET OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. [20] 



We steamed to the eastward through Vineyard Sound and over Kan- 

 tucket Shoals. The weather was pleasant, but the barometer was fall- 

 ing rapidly and a heavy thunder-shower approaching from the north- 

 ward and westward. It followed along the land, gradually gaining on 

 us, until, off tbe east end of Nantucket, the storm finally passed ahead 

 and across the bow. 



The officer of the deck reported seeing on two occasions, between 8 

 and 10 p. m., several pieces of floating ice from S to 10 feet scpiare and 

 o feet thick. Ice in this locality in August is unusual, if not unprece- 

 dented. 



We had light southerly winds and moderate swell during the night, 

 with pleasant weather and passing clouds. A strong NW. wind was 

 blowing at noon on the 3d, and increased to a moderate gale later in 

 the day. 



The following is a copy of the Ilydrographer's letter, referred to in 

 the preceding orders of the Commissioner: 



Bureau of Navigation, Navy Department, 



Washington, D. 0., July 10, 1886. 

 Dear, Sir : The receipt of your letter of July 13 is acknowledged. I 

 send today copies of Hydrographic Office charts 21a and 22a. on which I 

 have marked in red pencil the position of possible dangers. The records 

 of these are very meager, and would l£ of no assistance to you. I have 

 also indicated by blue pencil crosses where it is desirable to have sound- 

 ings. Of course any others that you can get will be useful. 



I am inclined to think there is a submarine ridge extending from the 

 Azores to the Flemish Cap, hence I have marked a line to develop it. 

 This may be the mackerel grounds you have been looking for. 



The line across the old position of Hope Bank will develop it in a 

 north and south direction, if it exists. Your line (referring to your work 

 of last year) runs east and west. 



Beaufort and Milne Banks ought to be developed, and the vicinity of 

 Zaragosa Bock ought to be closely examined. If you are going to the 

 eastward of the Azores I should like to know it, as there is a host of 

 reported dangers all around these islands. 

 Very respectfully, 



J. B. BABTLETT, 

 Commander , U. S. Navy, Hydrographer. 

 Lieut.-Commander Z. L. Tanner, U. S. N., 



Commanding V. 8. F. C. Steamer Albatross. 



The first line of soundings indicated by blue pencil crosses on Hydro- 

 graphic Office chart 2la, referred to in the above letter, began at latitude 

 40° 14' N., longitude 65° 56' W., where, notwithstanding the prevalence 

 of a gale, we sounded, at 2.10 p. m., August 3", in 2,224 fathoms. We 

 carried the line to the eastward to latitude 40° 20' N., longitude 64° 54' 



