XXIV.- -REPORT ON THE SHAD WORK OF THE STEAMER FISH 

 HAWK DURING THE SEASON OF 1886.* 



By Mate James A. Smith, IT. S. N. 



The shad work prosecuted by the U. S. Fish Commission steamer Fish 

 Hawk during the season of 1SSG covers the period from April 25 to June 

 3, inclusive. Most of the operations were conducted on the Delaware 

 River, though some of the work in the first part of the season was done 

 on the northern end of Chesapeake Bay. 



On April 24 the Fish Hawk arrived at Battery Station from Wood's 

 Holl, Mass., and on the 25th preparations for the season's work were 

 begun. On the 26th the vessel proceeded across to the east side of the 

 bay and took up a position in the mouth of North East River, from 

 which the spawn takers could conveniently visit the fishing-shores and 

 the gillers in the vicinity, and arrangements were made for paying the 

 fishermen for the ripe shad furnished. This work was continued until 

 May 1, when orders were received to proceed to the Delaware River. 

 Up to this time 2,192,500 eggs had been taken, which, on May 2, were 

 transferred to Battery Station, and on the 3d the vessel proceeded down 

 Chesapeake Bay bound for the Delaware. 



On May 5 arrived in the Delaware River, and at 1 p. m. anchored off 

 Gloucester City, N. J. This point was the headquarters for most of the 

 subsequent operations on the river, as from it most of the gillers and 

 fisheries could easily be reached by the spawn- takers. Found the U. 

 S. Fish Commission steamer Lookout at anchor at this place, and on 

 the Gtk received from her 1,150,000 eggs. The Lookout was of assist- 

 ance also by towing the spawn boats to aud from some of the various 

 fishing shores, and by transporting the spawn-takers. On May 6 the 

 Fish Hawk steamed down the river, stopping at the different shores, 

 where the proprietors were seen and arrangements made about paying 

 them for shad spawn taken. At 10.30 p. m. of tho 7th the vessel 

 grouuded on the mud-flats off the mouth of Mantua Creek, where she 

 remained till 4 a. m. of the 8th. 



On May 11 transferred to Dr. E. G. Shortlidge, of the Delaware fish 

 commission, G00,000 eggs 5 while in the chanuel off Gloucester, depos- 

 ited 1,140,000 fry from eggs obtained on the river. On the 12th went 

 down the river to Wilmington, Del., where arrangements were made to 



"This report was compiled from the records of Lieut. L. W. Piepmeyor, U. S. N., 

 v. ho was iu charge of the vessel when tho work was doue. 



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