86 SHELL-FISH COMMISSIONERS’ REPORT. [Jan., 
a fragmentary manner and for less money than it was worth. I 
call to mind an instance in which the recorded length of sides are 
admitted to have been guessed at. 
It happened in two instances, while I was out on this survey, 
that we could not find the buoy wanted. The owners of the 
ground were requested to do the best they could, the result in 
each instance being that the orginal buoy was discovered under our 
boat. It had been broken off and was several feet below the sur- 
face. Under these circumstances, I deemed that a settlement 
could be most easily arrived at by first having a survey of the 
claims as made by the various owners. This survey affords an 
accurate basis of comparison of the existing differences. I be- 
lieve that in general there has been an honest intent in occupying 
the ground claimed. 
Care was taken to arrange so that adjacent owners would be 
present at the same time, and some differences were quickly ad- 
justed. The Messrs. Smith furnished their steamer without ex- 
pense to the commission, so far as the surveys related to their 
property. 
We are indebted to Mr. H. J. Lewis fora like favor. Mr. 
Lewis and Mr. I. E. Brown also gave us the use of the steam 
launch Mollie, for two weeks, for the actual expense of running. 
This little steamer reported alongside of the Palinurus at 6.45 
each morning, and those who would go and show their grounds 
were made welcome. 
The instrument used in locating these buoys was the sextant. 
We may have difficulty in securing men who can use this little 
instrument. Iam satisfied that we are compelled to adopt it. It 
is possible that for some of the locations close along shore we can 
use two transits. This may be true also in the vicinity of the 
Norwalk islands, but for the off-shore work the sextant must be 
used. 
The result of our work is, a proper basis has been determined 
from which to draw deeds for the applications off New Haven 
harbor, and also for a map adjustment of the existing differences 
of opinion among some of the owners as to the legal extent of their 
ground, I venture to say that the accuracy of the work will not 
be questioned. If it is, we can say that the authority is ultimate. 
