628 REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. [24] 



Soundings were continued toward the coast for navigational pur- 

 poses, we being enveloped in a dense fog, which, continued uutil 2 p. m. 

 on the 13th. These soundings have been carefully located, and may 

 have some value hydrographically. 



We arrived at St. John's, Newfoundland, at 7.10 p. m., August 13, 

 and found H. M. S. Emerald, Lily, and Mallard at anchor in the harbor. 

 An officer came on board, and, in the name of the senior officer present, 

 tendered the usual civilities of the port. The United States consul vis- 

 ited the ship at 10 a. in., August 14. His call was returned later in the 

 day, and official visits were made to the governor, and Capt. A. H. Haiu- 

 ond, of H. M. S. Emerald, senior British naval officer present. 



Eires were hauled and the usual work of stopping leaks in the boilers 

 commenced. We coaled ship on the 19th, taking on board 100 tons of 

 anthracite. 



Preparations were made for extending the cruise to the eastward, 

 including Beaufort Bank, Milne Bank, and Laura Ethel Shoal, but that 

 part of the expedition being abandoned, we took on board only the 

 quantity of coal required for the trip to "Wood's Holl, including a few 

 days' dredging and sounding. 



We coaled from Shea's Wharf, where we also filled the boilers with 

 fresh water, which was taken from a hydrant in the street, at a cost of 

 $12 for 10,000 gallons. The necessary hose for conducting the water 

 on board was borrowed of the fire department. 



At 9.30 a. in., August 21, we got under way and proceeded to sea en 

 route to Wood's Holl. The weather was clear until 5 p. in., when we were 

 enveloped in a dense fog. Cape Race bore WNW. about 4 miles dis- 

 tant. As our course was seaward, we stood on and soon ran out of the 

 fog bank into clear, pleasant weather. Our course during the night was 

 to the southward and westward, and at 8 a. m. the following morning we 

 cast the trawl in 90 fathoms, latitude 45° 07' IS"., longitude 55° 09' W., 

 oft* the southern extremity of Green and St. Pierre Banks. Five hauls 

 were made during the day on a westerly course, in from 50 to 205 fath- 

 oms, the results being numerous ascidians, ophiurans. starfish, mollusca, 

 and several species of fish. The positions and depths indicate an ex- 

 tension of the 100-fathom line to the southward of Green and St. Pierre 

 Banks. Fog shut in about sundown and continued during the night. 

 We finished trawling for the day at 6.18 p. m. and started ahead, 

 running a line of soundings across the channel between St. Pierre and 

 Banquereau, developing a depth of from 226 fathoms in mid-channel to 

 32 fathoms on the latter bank. 



The fog continued until a. m., August 23. At 7.33 we sounded in, 

 32 fathoms, latitude 44° 25' N., longitude 57° 35' W., on Banquereau, 

 and put over several hand-lines, taking 130 cod in 45 minutes. The 

 vessel was not anchored, but allowed to drift. The fish were examined 

 for parasites, contents of stomach, &c. Two hauls of the trawl were 

 made during the day in 140 and 110 fathoms, on the southeast extremity 



