156 KEPORT OF COMMISSIONEE OF FISH AND FISHERIES. [40] 



reuce, as there were neither grass nor barnacles on it. Its position at 2 

 p. m., September 5, was latitude 40^ 14' l^T., longitude 67^ 00' W., 

 within the influence of the Gulf Stream, and may be expected to have 

 an easterly drift of from 20 to 25 miles per day. 



While engaged in examining the wreck, the wind was increasing 

 rapidly from the southwest, barometer falling and heavy clouds rising 

 from the westward, a small chopping sea following. At 2.25 p. m. we 

 laid a course for South Shoal light-ship en route for Wood's HoU, and 

 started ahead at full speed. The wind veered to northwest in a heavy 

 squall before dark, and moderated during the evening, the weather 

 clearing. At 7 a. m. on the 6th we passed the South Shoal light- 

 shii). arriving at Wood's Holl at 1.30 p. m. 



Oapt. Jacob Almy, fisherman expert, reports as follows viz: 



" We left Portsmouth, N. H., on August 28, and, passing the Isle 

 of Shoals, ran to the northward of George's Bank. On the 29th the 

 weather was stormy and rainy, the wind increasing in force to a moder- 

 ate gale. At 2.30 a. m. on the 30th, saw a number of small schools and 

 one very large school of mackerel. They did not show after daylight, 

 though plainly visible at night. They were about 10 miles E. by S. 

 from the shoal part of Cashes' Ledge, in about 100 fathoms of water, 

 latitude 42° 52' K, longitude 68° 32' W. At 2 p. m. on the 30th saw a 

 school of porpoises. On the morning of the 31st saw a swordfish. 

 During the day saw several whales and 3 schools of porpoises. On 

 September 1 saw two fin back whales. At 6.30 p. m. on the 2d, in lati- 

 tude 41° 45' N., longitude 65° 34' W., saw quite a large school of mack- 

 erel working rapidly to windward. 



" On the 5th instant, sighted a wreck and ran towards it. I went in 

 the dinghy to examine it and found it to be a large square-rigged three- 

 masted vessel almost submerged. The bow floated very deep, while the 

 stern was perhaps 5 feet out of water. Could not make out her name- 

 As we pulled to leeward of the wreck, we noticed the smell of petro- 

 leum, which led us to suppose that such was her cargo. I do not think 

 that she had taken fire, as there were no signs of burnt wood. Her spars 

 were gone, the foreyard hanging by the topsail sheets. She showed no 

 signs of having been in collision. She was floating starboard side 

 down, and had been in the water but a short time. Her length was 

 probably 200 feet, and she was about 800 tons register. The sea was 

 constantly breaking over her. Her position was latitude 40° 14' IsT., 

 longitude 67° 00' W. We arrived at Wood's Holl on September 6." 



We were detained several days making necessary repairs on the 

 boilers, and on the 10th went to New Bedford for coal, returning on the 

 12th. We were detained by unsettled and foggy weather until 4.55 p. 

 m. on the 19th instant, when we left with a large party of naturalists 

 and fishermen on board to make another examination of the tilefish 

 grounds to the southward of Martha's Vineyard. Light easterly airs, 



