[11 J WORK <)'/ FISH COMMISfSlON STEAMEli ALBATROSS. 127 



At 9.25 p. 111. we anchored in the Chesapeake between Smith's Point 

 and Wicomico Eiver, and the following morning sent Oapt. Jacob Almy 

 in the steam-cutter to board such fishing vessels as he considered ad- 

 visable out of a fleet of between sixty and seventy schooners engaged 

 in taking menhaden at that point. We worked to the southward, 

 boarding such fishing vessels as came in our way untU we reached Mob 

 Jack Bay, where an extensive fish factory was visited and much infor- 

 mation obtained. We then went to Hampton Koads for a harbor. 



At 4.15 a. m., on the 8th, we got under way and proceeded to sea. 

 Having passed the Capes, we stood to the northward, as near the coast 

 as practicable, keeping a lookout for schooling fish or fishing vessels. 

 Large schools of menhaden were seen oft' Hog Island, but no fishermen, 

 and we saw no fish between this point and the Delaware Breakwater 

 except porpoises, which were about the ship in large numbers during 

 the afternoon. At 8 p. m. we anchored at the breakwater for the night. 



The weather, which had been delightful throughout the dny, changed 

 in the evening and was squally and unsettled during the night. The 

 following morning the fishing vessels and fish factories in the vicinity 

 were visited, and at 1 p. m. we got under way and stood to the north 

 ward, keeping a lookout for fish and fishing vessels, but saw neither 

 until in the vicinity of Sandy Hook. Several vessels *v'ere boarded in 

 the Lower Bay, and the fish factories at Port Monmouth visited by 

 Captain Almy. A large number of vessels, both sail and steam, were 

 fishing in the Lower Bay. At 11.10 a. m. we left Sandy Hook and 

 steamed along the Long Island shore. Occasional schools of menhaden 

 were seen as we approached Fire Island, where several fishing vessels 

 were at work. The schooner Mary Wood was boarded at this point. 

 Occasional schools were seen as far as Shinnecock, but none between 

 that point and Montauk. 



At 8.25 a. m., July 11, we anchored off Greenport, Long Island, 

 and the fish factories in that vicinity were visited. We then went to 

 Promised Land, Napeague Bay, Long Island, where several factories 

 were visited by Captain Almy. 



At 4 a. m., July 12, got under way and steamed up Long Island Sound, 

 calling at various factories, finally anchoring for the night off Throgg's 

 Neck. Menhaden fishermen were seen at work as far west as New 

 Haven. Nine steamers were seen at one time during the day. 



We were under way at 7.30 a. m. on the 13th, running to the eastward 

 through the Sound. Several fishing vessels were boarded during the 

 day, and the extensive factory of Luce Brothers at Niantic, Conn., was 

 visited. We then stood to the eastward under low speed, keeping a 

 lookout for fish during the night, but none were seen. At daylight, on 

 the morning of the 14th, we were near Gay Head, and at 6.35 anchored 

 in Wood's Holl. 



The reports obtained from fishing vessels and factories by Capt. 

 Jacob Almy are appended. To save time a list of questions was pre- 



