REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. XXVII 



over 7,000 miles. While engaged in scientific work her deep-sea dredges, 

 trawls, and other appliances were almost constantly in use. 



On jVIarch 18 Lieutenant-Commander Davenport was detached from 

 the vessel at his own request, and though he had only been in com- 

 mand five months it is felt that the Commission has lost the services of 

 a faithful and efficient officer. On the same date he was succeeded by 

 Mate James A. Smith, U. S. IST. 



REPAIRS TO STEAMER ALBATROSS. 



The Albatross was detailed by the President to the Navy Depart- 

 ment April 13, 1898, as an auxiliary cruiser during the war with Spain 

 and was returned to the Commission August 25, 1898. This vessel had 

 been in commission since 1883 and was in need of considerable repairs 

 and alterations besides new boilers, her present ones being nearly 

 worn out and unserviceable. Accordingly, under authority of an act 

 of Congress approved July 1, 1898, plans for the boilers were prepared, 

 contracts let, and the work of repairing was taken uj) as soon as pos- 

 sible, but owing to delays in the completion of the boilers, the ship was 

 not ready for sea till the close of the fiscal year. The boilers are of 

 the Scotch marine type 10;^ feet long by 12 feet greatest diameter. The 

 principal alterations were raising the pilot house, thereby permitting 

 the construction of two new staterooms underneath and an upper 

 bridge on top, and the enlargement of the coal-bunkers to provide 

 additional storage for 70 tons of coal. A new dynamo and engine 

 were provided, the main engines and the machinery overhauled and 

 repaired, the quarters of officers and crew refitted, the hull of the vessel 

 inspected and scaled wherever necessary, and many other minor but 

 essential improvements made. This work has been done under the 

 immediate supervision of the commanding officer, Commander Jeff. F. 

 Moser, U. S. N., and he reports that the hull and appurtenances of the 

 vessel are now in first-class condition and that her general efficiency is 

 greatly increased. By the addition to the coal- bunkers her steaming 

 radius is extended 1,300 or 1,400 miles, and with the new staterooms 

 the scientific parties carried can be more comfortably accommodated. 



NEW STATIONS. 



The new stations at Spearfish, S. Dak., and Nashua, N. H., for which 

 sites were acquired during the past fiscal year, and at Erwin, Tenn., 

 where construction work was in progress, are designed primarily for 

 the propagation of the salmonida?, though the basses also are to receive 

 attention at Erwin. At Spearfish a frame hatchery 32| by 65J feet 

 has been erected. The building is on a stone foundation, is heated by 

 steam, and contains a hatching-room, office, reception-hall, and boiler- 

 room, with two bed-rooms in the upper story. The hatching-room con- 

 tains 32 troughs, 13 feet by 12f inches, fitted with the usual trays, which 

 afford facilities for handling about 1,000,000 eggs. The water supply is 

 obtained from springs, and is conducted into the building by gravity. 

 12 rearing-ponds 100 by 8 feet, 3 spawning-ponds 120 by 20 feet, 2 



