218 REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF. FISH AND FISHERIES. 
prawns of excellent quality were taken frequently in the beam trawl, 
and do not seem to be confined to any particular depth. 
The sea fishermen have much to contend with on the coasts of Oregon 
and Washington. Gales are of rare occurrence during the summer 
months, yet the coast winds, blowing constantly from the northward, 
keep up a boisterous sea and strong currents. During the fall and 
winter, southeasterly gales are frequent, and there being none but bar 
harbors on the coast, they can not be entered in bad weather; hence 
the unfortunate fisherman is obliged to go to sea and lay it out. The 
distance from a market and the excessively high price of ice are other 
obstacles to be contended with by the fishermen. 
Surface life was quite abundant, particularly during fair weather. 
Whales were seen nearly every day, and occasional schools of porpoises; 
while close in shore, sharks were of frequent occurrence. Gulls, gonies, 
and petrels were flying about, and huge flocks of black fulmars were 
observed on several occasions. 
_ Mare Island Navy-Yard.—The work of overhauling and refitting pro- 
ceeded without incident worthy of mention until the evening of De- 
cember 23, when an accident occurred, resulting in the drowning of 
three members of our crew and a civilian. The night was exceedingly 
dark and stormy. At 7 p.m. a small boat containing 9 men left the 
side for Vallejo, and 5 ininutes later swamped in midstream. Boats 
from the U.S. 8S. Thetis rescued 5 men, but nothing was seen of the 
others, although boats from the various ships were on the spot within 
a few minutes and the search continued well into the night. The 
names of the drowned were R. 8S. Padgett, machinist; J. Enright, sea- 
man; W. W. Lee (colored), seaman; Walter Philippi, civilian. The 
latter was a cripple who was in the habit of visiting the ship to sell 
newspapers to the crew. The remains of John Enright and Walter 
Philippi were subsequently recovered. The former was buried in the 
naval cemetery at Mare Island and the grave marked by a neat head- 
stone furnished by the Coast Seaman’s Union, of which organization 
he was a member. Philippi was buried by his parents in San Rafael. 
Ensign H. E. Parmenter was detached January $, 1890, and ordered 
to the Charleston. Lieut. ©. G. Calkins, U.S. Navy, reported for duty 
on the 9th, relieving Ensign Marbury Johnston as executive officer 
and navigator, the latter having performed those duties since the de- 
tachment of Lieut. Waring a year ago. 
We coaled ship March 3 and 4, and at 9:40 the following morning 
left the yard and steamed out into San Pablo Bay to try the engines 
and dredging apparatus. Two hauls of the trawl were made near the 
Brothers, and at 2:40 p.m. we reached the navy-yard and moored to a 
buoy in the stream. Everything worked fairly well during the trial 
trip, a few minor matters only requiring adjustment. 
