EEPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHEEIES. XXIX 



erel, menhaden, bhiefish, and other migratory species, beginning off 

 Hatteras and following up the schools in their movements. The phys- 

 ical conditions of the surroundings as to temperature and currents, as 

 well as the chemical and biological peculiarities of the water, were also 

 to be examined. The commander was directed to communicate with 

 fishing vessels, in order to obtain information from them in regard to 

 the movements of fish and their success in fishing. The dredging and 

 trawling operations were to be carried on as frequently as opportunity 

 offered. To what extent these purposes were attained may be seen by 

 examination of the report of Lieutenant-Commander Tanner, U. S. K., 

 in the appendix. 



On the 31st of May the vessel went into the dry-dock at the Brooklyn 

 navy-yard, where the magnetic survey of the vessel, which had been 

 begun in April, was completed by Lieutenants Wainwright and Diehl, 

 U. S. l!f., under direction of the Navy Department. She left ISTew 

 York on the 8th and arrived at Washington on the 19th of June. 

 Preparations were then made for the summer cruise, which was com- 

 menced July 6, under orders quite similar to those of the previous trip. 

 Capt. Jacob Almy, of New Bedford, accompanied the ship as a fish- 

 erman expert. During this cruise a large number of reports relating 

 to the mackerel and menhaden fisheries were obtained from fishing ves- 

 sels and factories, which will be found in Captain Tanner's report in the 

 appendix. The Albatross ran into Wood's Holl on July 14, and left 

 two days later, with a number of naturalists on board, for a dredging 

 trip along the edge of the Gulf Stream. July 20th she went to New- 

 port for coal, and returned to Wood's Holl on the 24th. From July 25 

 to August 1 was spent in dredging trips, during which many success- 

 ful hauls were made. On the 6th of August the investigation of the 

 menhaden and mackerel fisheries was resumed. The vessel proceeded 

 by way of Newport to Block Island, No Man's Land, and the coast of 

 Long Island. But very few fish were seen on this trip. She returned 

 August 10, and on the 20th started out again in search of mackerel in 

 the region about Nantucket, George's Banks, Cape Sable, Grand Manan, 

 &c., returning to Wood's Holl September 6. During the various trips 

 many fishing vessels were met with, and valuable statements obtained 

 from them by Captain Almy, the substance of which is given in Cap- 

 tain Tanner's report. 



Having taken coal at New Bedford, and made necessary repairs, the 

 Albatross again started off on the 19th of September, for the pur- 

 pose of making another examination of the tilefish grounds. The. 

 party returned on the 22d, having taken one swordfish and several 

 kinds of smaller fish, but no tilefish. Between September 29 and 

 October 5 a successful dredging trip was made to the Gulf Stream. 

 Having coaled at Newport on the 12th of October, Captain Collins was 

 taken on board as expert fisherman in place of Captain Almy, whose term 

 of service had expired, and another cruise was then made for the pur- 



