118 EEPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. [2] 



We were detained by ice in the Potomac until February 10, during 

 which time the general work of completing the shij). such as paint- 

 ing, finishing wiring of electric plant, and numerous details in the en- 

 gineer's department, was carried on. At 9.45 a. m. on the latter date 

 we left the navy -yard and arrived at the wharf of the Pusey and Jones 

 Company, Wilmington, Del., at 6.20 p. m., February 13. 



Work upon the contemplated alterations was couimenced immediately 

 and pushed forward with rapidity. All decks except ttose of the cabin, 

 wardroom, and rooms in the deck-house were calked. On the 16th of 

 March 4,000 fathoms of dredge rope were put upon the reel. 



On March 21, the alterations being completed, we left the builders' 

 yard at 10.30 a. m., and steamed down the Delaware, anchoring under 

 the breakwater at 5.50 i>, m. The new reversing engines were found to 

 have sufficient power, which, combined with the advantageous change 

 in the crank angle, enabled all signals to be answered with promptness 

 and certainty. At 6.54 the following morning we got under way and 

 stood to the southward and eastward, and at 3.20 p. m. sounded in 519 

 fathoms, the bottom being green mud. Put over the deep-sea trawl, 

 veering to 820 fathoms on the dredge rope. At 5.11 it was landed on 

 deck, containing several rare species of deep-sea fish. The current num- 

 ber of this haul is 2 ,001. The vessel remained hove-to from the time the 

 trawl was landed on deck until midnight and then started ahead south- 

 southwest, the wind blowing at the time a moderate gale from north- 

 west. It moderated towards morning, and at 5.50 a. m. we sounded 

 in 641 fathoms (haul 2,002) green mud, and at 6.05 j)ut over the beam 

 trawl, veering to 900 fathoms on the dredge rope. At 7.40 the trawl 

 was landed on deck. The haul was successful; time going down 25 m., 

 coming up 30 m. 



Haul 2003 : At 8.44 a. m. we sounded in 641 fathoms. The sounding 

 wire parted while heaving in, resulting in the loss of the lead and ther- 

 mometer. At 8.55 the beam trawl was put over and 950 fathoms veered 

 on the dredge roj)e. At 10.40 the trawl was landed on deck with very 

 little in the net, owing, probably, to its having failed to reach the bottom. 



Haul 2004: At 11.10 a.m. we sounded in 102 fathoms green mud, 

 broken shells, and put the trawl over at 11.17, veering to 208 fathoms. 

 At 11.52 the trawl was up, containing a light load of star-fish, pole 

 flounders, &c. 



Haul 2005 : At 11.52 a. m. sounded in 82 fathoms blue mud, sand, and 

 broken shells. At 11.55 put over the beam trawl, veering to 100 fatboms. 

 At 12.27 it was landed on deck, containing only a small marbled shark. 



Haul 2006 : At 12.58 p. m. we sounded in 512 fathoms blue mud, fine 

 sand. At 1.10 put over the beam trawl, veering 800 fathoms. It came 

 up at 2.11, foul and empty. 



At 2.15 p. m. we started ahead full speed for Washington. Made 

 Cape Charles light at 8.55 p. m., and Cape Henry at 9.38. The morn- 

 ing of the 24th opened with a fresh gale from northwest, moderating to- 



