IX -REPORT ON THE OPERATIONS OF THE STEAMER HALCYON 

 FOR THE YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 31, 1886. 



[Abstract.] 



At the beginning of the year this steamer (formerly known as the 

 Lookout) was at Battery Station in winter-quarters, where she remained 

 undergoing repairs until March 28. The services of the crew were util- 

 ized for various items of shore duty when not required for painting, 

 cleaning, and overhauling the steamer and its apparatus. 



On March 2S, with Assistant Commissioner Ferguson and William 

 Hamlen on board, she proceeded to Baltimore, to take on articles for use 

 in shad-hatching, and 12 men for spawn-takers. After returning, the 

 vessel remained at the station until April 15, when she proceeded to 

 Baltimore, and on the 17th to Saint Jerome Station, with the assistant 

 commissioner on board. On April 18 and 19 pound-nets were visited 

 between Smith's Point and the mouth of Wicomico River. Proceeding 

 up the Rappahannock River as far as Lay ton, 100 stake shad gill-nets 

 and 5S pound nets were counted. The vessel, needing repairs, pro- 

 ceeded to Baltimore, and was hauled out ou the railway April 22, from 

 which time until the 26th the shaft was undergoing repair. 



From April 27 to May 23 the Halcyon was engaged in gathering and 

 hatching shad spawn and in depositing the fry. A detailed report of 

 this work has been published in the Fish Commission Bulletin for 188G, 

 page 295. The total number of eggs procured was 4,561,000, a number 

 far in excess of any previous year. 



From the close of the shad season to May 27 the vessel was used for 

 making freight trips between Battery Station and Havre de Grace. On 

 that date she went to Wilmington, Del., with William P. Sauerhoff on 

 board, to investigate the shad fisheries of the Delaware. After some 

 slight repairs had been made to the vessel the assistant commissioner 

 came on board and inspected her, after which she proceeded to Balti- 

 more, arriving on the 28th. From this point Major Ferguson accom- 

 panied the vessel to Battery Station. 



In May the equipment was increased by the addition of a light naphtha- 

 engine launch. On June 4 the steamer was loaded with lumber and 

 stores for Saint Jerome. After discharging the cargo she steamed to 

 Washington navy-yard, and arrived June 6. Two days later, accom- 

 panied by the assistant commissioner, she proceeded to Saint Jerome, 

 and afterwards to Battery Station. Ou June 10 the vessel proceeded 

 to Havre de Grace, where the assistant eominissioner left the ship. 

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