I -REPORT ON THE CONSTRUCTION AND OUTFIT OF THE 

 UNITED STATES FISH COMMISSION STEAMER ALBATROSS. 



By LlEUTENftJSTT-COMMANDER Z. L. TaNNER, U. S. N. 



CONTENTS. 



A. — Preface by the Commissioner. 



B. — Construction of the Albatross. 



C. — Steam machinery and mechanical apjiliances. By Engineer Baird. 



D. — Apparatus for deep-sea research. 



E. — General description of methods of sounding, &c. 



F. — Other apparatus. 



G. — Co-operation of the Navy Department. 



A.— PEEP ACE BY THE COMMISSIONEE. 



The alleged decrease of the food-fishes along the sea-coasts and in 

 the lakes of the United States induced the passage by Congress, in 

 1871, of an act authorizing the aijpointment by the President, with con- 

 firmation by the Senate, of a Commissioner of Fish and Fisheries to 

 investigate the subject and report the facts as ascertained, with any 

 recommendations that might seem desirable; and Prof. Spencer F. 

 Baird, the then Assistant Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution, 

 received the appointment. 



The investigations in question were at first restricted to the examina- 

 tion of the inshore waters ; but the many questions arising in regard 

 to the movements of the mackerel, the bluefish, the menhaden, and 

 other pelagic species, caused the Commissioner to make application to 

 Congress for means to build a sea-going steamer, by the aid of which 

 the movements of the sea fish could be more readilj^ followed, and their 

 lines of migration and winter habitat determined. An appropriation 

 of $103,000 was accordingly made in 1881 for building such a vessel, 

 which was, however, found insufficient to construct a steamer upon the 

 approved plans of Mr. Charles W. Copelaud, of New York. An addi- 

 tional sum having been allowed by Congress, making an aggregate of 

 $145,000, j)roposals w^ere invited, and Messrs. Pusey & Jones, of Wil- 

 mington, Del., being the lowest bidders, and their offer coming within 

 the amount of the appropriation, work was commenced by that firm in 

 March, 1882, and the trial trip was made December 30, 1882. 



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