[21] WORK OF STEAMER ALBATROSS. 625 



W., iii 2,575 fathoms, thence to the position assigned to Hope Bauk 7 

 where eleven soundings were taken at intervals of about 5 miles, the 

 depths ranging from 1,930 to 2,009 fathoms. On the position assigned 

 the bank, latitude 41° 29' 28" K, longitude G3° 17' VV., we found a 

 depth of 1,909 fathoms. Five soundings taken by the Albatross last 

 year form another line from 5 to 10 miles farther south. 



Leaving the reported position of Hope Bank on the morning of the 

 5th, we ran a line in a northeasterly direction to Sable Island Bank. 

 The depths decreased gradually, showing no evidence of outlying 

 banks or shoals. This line was recommended by the Hydrographer. 



On the morning of the 0th we discovered an unexpected error of the 

 compass, which had carried us about 20 miles out of our course during 

 the night, thus throwing discredit on our steering- card. As we were 

 entering the region of fogs it was necessary to ascertain our compass 

 errors as accurately as possible; accordingly, at as early an hour in the 

 afternoon as practicable, we swung ship under steam, observing azi- 

 muths of the sun, from which a table of errors was constructed. A 

 comparison of the card thus obtained, with that we had been using, not 

 only accounted for the deviation from our course, but demonstrated the 

 fact that something was wrong. A search occupying the remainder of 

 the day and night resulted in the discovery of a piece of iron pipe, If 

 inches outside diameter and 8 feet in length, deposited in the seine-boat 

 on the starboard side of the deck. The forward end of the pipe was 

 about 8 feet from the compass and 1 foot inches below the card. The 

 cause of disturbance being found and removed, a new card was made 

 by swinging the ship on the 7th, the results corresponding nearly with 

 observations in ]STarragausett Bay. 



A line of soundings was then run between Banquereau and Grand 

 Bank, about GO miles to the southward of our line last year, in from 

 1,780 to 1,172 fathoms. 



At meridian, August 8, we sounded in 34 fathoms on Grand Bank, 

 latitude 44° 52' N., longitude 50° 25' W., and put over the hand-lines 

 baited with menhaden. Two cod and two haddock were taken, thus 

 confirming our former experience that menhaden are worthless as bait 

 for cod on the Grand Bank. Another trial was made at 6.12 p. in., in 

 35 fathoms, without taking a fish. 



The significance of hydrographic soundings 1,042 to 1,047, inclusive, 

 in 35, 35, 35, 38, 41, and 115 fathoms, will be made apparent by refer- 

 ence to H. O. chart 21«, where the contour of the eastern edge of the 

 Grand Bank is distorted, apparently, on the evidence of a single nega- 

 tive sounding. 



The line was continued east on the same parallel to develop a bank 

 referred to in the following extract from a letter of Capt. J. W. Collins 

 of the U. S. Fish Commission schooner Grampus, dated Wood's Holl, 

 Mass., July 10, 188G: 



S. Mis. 90 40 



