704 REPOET OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. [4] 



where she lay nearly all the time while the new windlass was being 

 made and put on. 



The construction of the vessel's deck-frame forward of the foremast, 

 though well adapted to the requirements of a steam windlass such as 

 had first been put on her, was not so well suited for the support of a 

 wooden windlass. It was necessary to put in a new deck-beam for the 

 windlass bitts to rest on and fasten to, and also a new pawl-bitt. To 

 do this the deck had to be taken up forward of the foremast, running 

 back of the forecastle in places to break joints. New decking had also 

 to be put in where the hole for the smoke-stack of the steam boiler had 

 previously been cut. 



The change in the windlass rendered necessary a change in the stow- 

 age of the chain cables. These had been stowed under the forecastle 

 floor, forward of the foremast, but under the new arrangement they 

 were placed in boxes built on the after side of the forecastle bulkhead. 

 This carried the weight of the chains — some 6,500 pounds — about 10 

 feet farther aft, nearer the center of the vessel ; a desirable change, 

 since she would thus be less liable to pitch and send heavily in a sea- 

 way. 



September G the iron windlass was landed, and the next day it was 

 shipped to Wood's Holl. Some delay was experienced in getting the 

 new windlass completed, owing to the fact that several days' work were 

 expended on the stick of timber first selected before it was found to be 

 unfit for the purpose. The work of the carpenters, calkers, painters, 

 and plumbers was finally completed at noon of September 22. 



Previous to this, at 9.40 a. m., September 15, Mr. James Carswell, ex- 

 pert fish-culturist, reported on board, he having been ordered on from 

 Washington by the Commissioner to join the vessel for this cruise to 

 the banks. Mr. E. L. ISTewcomb joined the vessel en the 21st to make 

 the cruise in the capacity of naturalist. 



It was thought that there was at least a probability of finding hali- 

 but with ripe eggs, which might be taken from the fish and impregnated 

 on the ground. In this event it would be necessary to have some de- 

 vice to keep the eggs in, so that they would retain their vitality and go 

 on in their development until the vessel reached Wood's Holl. Mr. 

 Carswell devised and had made two wooden frames, each capable of 

 holding two of Chester's glass hatching-jars. These frames were so 

 arranged that they would float in the well, thus supporting the nearly 

 immersed jars, their motion being regulated by upright wooden guides 

 nailed to the side of the well, though they were not prevented from 

 oscillating with the movement of the vessel in a seaway. Ten of the 

 Chester jars were sent on from Wood's Holl and taken on board j also 

 pans, dippers, etc., that were required for fish-cultural purposes were 

 purchased. 



The season was at hand when heavy weather might be expected on 

 the banks. The foretopmast was therefore sent down and the rigging 



