212 REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. 
The erratic action of sound signals has been a fruitful theme of in- 
vestigation for many years, and while we have learned in a general way 
that sounds may ricochet over the surface of land and sea by succes- 
sive contacts with uneven surfaces, or air strata of different densities, 
we have not been able to lay down any rule by which the mariner can 
determine the existence of abnormal atmospheric conditions: hence his 
lack of confidence in sound signals in general aid the necessity for great 
caution when approaching them. The peculiarity in this case is that 
the phenomenon has been observed only on, or near, the bearing of 
Dunean Rock, the critical point in entering the Straits of Fuea. 
Port Townsend to coast of Oregon.—Work on the disabled engine 
commenced on the 12th. A new piston was made, the rod straightened, 
and other minor matters attended to. The job was completed on the 
morning of the 22d, and at noon we left for Departure Bay, where we 
arrived at 10:15 a.m. the following day. We commenced coaling at 
1 p. m. and finished at 10:15 a. m. on the 24th, having taken on board 
944 tons. Leaving the harbor an hour later, we anchored for the night 
in Otter Bay, where we found a safe and-convenient harbor. Large 
numbers of surf ducks and a few puffins were swimming leisurely about 
the bay when we entered, but soon disappeared, Fishing lines were put 
over the side, resulting in the capture of one fiounder and a dogfish. 
We were under way at 6 the following morning and anchored off 
Victoria at 10:15 a.m., where we called for supplies. We left there at 
11:20 on the morning of the 27th, and, steaming out of the Straits of 
Fuca, passed Cape Flattery at 9 p.m. A course was then made for 
Tillamook Rock, which brought the vessel into the trough of a westerly 
swell, causing her to roli heavily. We were steaming with one boiler, 
as usual, the consumption of fuel being limited to 10 tons per day. The 
coal turned out even worse than the previous lot, reducing the speed 
nearly a knot and a half an hour. 
Coast of Oregon.—At 11:47 a. m., August 28, we commenced sounding 
off Tillamook Rock, running lines from shore to a depth of 200 fathoms, 
occupying stations at intervals of about 5milesand working to the south- 
ward. It is not an easy matter under the most favorable conditions to 
keep an accurate account of a vessel’s position when using the beam 
trawl or hand lines, and it was particularly difficult to do so with the 
strong and irregular currents, smoky atmosphere, and boisterous 
weather prevailing on the coast of Oregon. Knowing that our sound- 
ings would be used for hydrographic purposes, the necessity for as great 
a degree of accuracy as practicable was so apparent that we decided to 
give our undivided attention to the determination of depths, character 
of bottom, and temperatures, to be followed later by the usual investi- 
gations with beam trawl, hand lines, and the various methods of bio- 
logical research. The weather being exceptionally clear, we continued 
work night and day until, at inidnight of the 31st, we were in the 
vicinity of Cape Gregory. 
