EEPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. XXXIX 



weather telegrams to Wood's Holl during the summer season. He also 

 replaced s"everal broken thermometers for the use of lighthouse keepers 

 in taking temperature observations. 



l^J^AVY Department. — The officers and crews of all the vessels of the 

 Fish Commission have been furnished by the Navy Department during 

 the year, and all the facilities of the navy-yards, particularly that at 

 Washington, have been extended. 



Bureau of Construction and Repair. — March 22d the chief of this Bu- 

 reau authorized the continued use of Navy launches Nos. 55 and 49. 

 May 16th the chief of this Bureau gave instructions to the command- 

 ants at New York and Norfolk to dock and paint the Albatross. 



Bureau of Equipment and Recruiting. — April 13th Commodore English 

 authorized the detail of machinist, fireman, and seaman for the new 

 launch. April 16th ^ommodore English authorized the commandants of 

 the navy-yards at Boston, New York, Norfolk, and Washington, and the 

 Superintendent of the Naval Academy at Annapolis, to furnish coal to 

 Fish Commission vessels upon requisition. January 4th, at the request 

 of Captain Tanner, an exchange .of galleys was made between the Alba- 

 tross and the Wyandotte. 



Bureau of Ordnance. — April 13th the Bureau furnished a 3-inch breech- 

 loading howitzer for the Albatross ; also small-arms for the Albatross, 

 and powder-tanks for use in making collections of specimens. 



Naval Constructor Pook rendered assistance in making drawings for 

 a fishing smack. 



Post-Office Department. — This Department established a post- 

 office at the McCloud Eiver salmon station, naming it Baird ; and Mr. 

 Eadcliff was appointed postmaster January 18. 



Interior Department. — Patent Office.— The Commissioner of Pat- 

 ents has supplied the Commission with the Official Gazette, and other 

 information with reference to patents relating to fish and fisheries ap- 

 paratus. 



B.— By the Eailkoads of the United States. 



In the earlier years of the work of the Commission the distribution 

 of eggs and young fish was made in the baggage cars of the ordinary 

 passenger trains, the special privilege being granted of having the fish 

 carried without extra charge, and free access allowed to them on the 

 part of the messengers of the Commission. The value of this conces- 

 sion may be readily understood from the fact that the equipment usually 

 consisted of ten or twelve cans of 10 or more gallons capacity each, and 

 requiring, of course, a large amount of standing room, and involving a 

 great deal of wetting of the floor. 



Nearly all the railroads in the United States cordially assented to 

 this condition, an official circular being obtained from each one, which 

 was carried by the messengers and presented on occasion. So hearty 

 was the co-operation of the roads with this enterprise that cases were 



