714 REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. [14] 



Mr. James Oarswell, who bad been on board during tbc trip to tbe 

 banks as an expert fisb-culturist, left tbe vessel October 13, after ber 

 arrival at Wood's Holl. 



On October 14 we got under way and made a sbort run to Gay Head 

 to observe tbe movements of tbe fishing vessels, wbicb were tben en- 

 gaged in book-and-line mackerel fisbing about tbe western end of Vine- 

 yard Sound. Mr. Thomas Lee, naturalist of tbe steamer Albatross, 

 accompanied us, and he and Mr. Newcomb interested themselves in col- 

 lecting and making observations on the sea birds that were seen near 

 Gay Head. We returned to Wood's Holl in the latter part of the after- 

 noon. 



Having made preparations for a new cruise, we left Wood's Holl on 

 October 17, for Gloucester, where we arrived on the following day. A 

 supply of hand-line gear for catching pollock was obtained. 



It was necessary for me to remain on shore to attend to business 

 matters connected with the vessel and to do other necessary work for 

 the Commission. Therefore, on October 20, I ordered the first mate, 

 Mr. 1). E. Collins, to take command of the vessel, and when the weather 

 permitted to proceed to the fishing grounds in Massachusetts Bay and 

 to the eastward of Cape Ann and procure as many live cod, pollock, 

 etc., as practicable. 



On October 24 the anchor of the vessel fouled a telegraph cable on 

 Jeffrey's Ledge, when a kedge anchor, a 30-pound Chester anchor, and 

 5 fathoms of manila-hawser were lost. The Grampus not being. pro- 

 vided with a suitable anchor and hawser for riding on the fishing grounds, 

 I hired an anchor and 100 fathoms of 7-inch manila-cable from Daniel 

 Allen and Son, of Gloucester, which served for the remainder of the trip. 



The weather was very rough and fish difficult to obtain on the in- 

 shore grounds during the latter part of October and the beginning of 

 November. A good deal of difficulty was experienced also in endeavor- 

 ing to keep the fish alive in the well. Cod caught in moderate depths 

 appeared to live fairly well, but a very large percentage of the pollock 

 died. 



On November 13, having determined to take the fish that had been 

 caught to Wood's Holl, I resumed command of the vessel. On .Novem- 

 ber 15 we sailed from Gloucester and reached Wood's Holl on the fol- 

 lowing day. The total of live fish landed was as follows: 195 cod, 25 

 pollock, 17 haddock, 7 hake, 6 squirrel hake, and 2 cusk. After our 

 arrival at Wood's Holl, Mr. Newcomb, whose term of service had ex- 

 pired, left the vessel. 



At 7 a. m.j November 20, we sailed from Wood's Holl, and at 2.10 a. m. 

 on the following day arrived at Gloucester, when I immediately trans- 

 ferred the command of the vessel to the first mate, who remained in 

 charge until December 8. During this period (from November 21 to 

 December 8) he exerted himself, as opportunity offered, to procure all 

 live fish which it was possible to obtain. Through all this time the 



