1912] Ritter: The Marine Biological Station of San Diego 177 
ately aft the mainmast; a naturalist’s house was built on the 
deck behind the mizzen-mast; and the galley was enlarged by 
partitioning off a portion of the messroom. These changes 
greatly improved the vessel not only in sea-worthiness but ‘in 
comfort and in facilities for scientific work. As now arranged 
the ‘‘Agassiz’’ has sleeping accommodations for nine persons, 
there being two berths in the forecastle, two ““Pullman’’ berths 
in the messroom, two berths in the stateroom. one in the captain’s 
room, and two in the engine room. 
The twin driving engines are gasoline, 30 horse-power each, 
and were built by the Western Standard Engine Company of 
San Francisco. The main hoisting engine is a five horse-power 
gasoline built by the Union Gas Engine Company of San Fran- 
cisco. The large reeling drum and its spooling apparatus were 
designed by Mr. T. W. Ransom of San Francisco, a mechanical 
engineer, and were built by the Union Gas Engine Company. 
These three engines and the hoist are in the engine room. 
Recently a combination hoist and sounding machine run by a 
three horse-power gasoline engine designed by Mr. Robert Baker, 
machinist, of San Diego, has been added. This is placed in the 
naturalist’s house on the rear deck. Unfortunately it is not 
available for work at this writing. 
2. Hanpiine THE Boat ann Heavy Gear 
All scientific work requiring engine power is done aft. The 
sounding wire proper is paid out on the port side and is inde- 
pendent of the collecting gear, so that soundings may be taken 
while other work is in progress. The collecting cables are 
attached to the boom of the mizzen-mast and are run out over 
the stern. While this arrangement has the decided advantage 
of bringing together the scientific gear and the naturalist’s quar- 
ters on the rear deck where there is most available space, it is 
not best for the handling of the vessel. The disadvantage, prob- 
ably considerable for any type of boat, is specially accentuated 
with the ‘‘Agassiz.’’? From her shallowness and shape of bow, 
her ‘‘foot-hold’’ on the water, as a land-lubber might say, is 
insecure. As a result, if not at anchor, she slips around badly 
when she attempts to lift or pull much else than her own weight, 
