164 KEPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. [48] 



we steamed to the eastward about 30 miles, sounding at 7.54 a. m. in 

 843 fathoms, mud and fine sand, latitude 35° 49' 30" N., longitude 74° 

 34' 45" W., and at 8.25, put the trawl over with wing-nets and dredge 

 attached. It came up at 11.30 a. m. containing a large number and 

 great variety of specimens, many of them exceedingly rare. Several 

 pieces of resin came up in this haul. Various theories were advanced to 

 account for their presence, but the romance was finally destroyed by the 

 discovery of a piece with the fragment of a barrel stave adhering to it. 



Another equally successful haul was made in 888 fathoms, blue mud 

 and fine sand, latitude 35° 45' 23" N., longitude 74° 31' 25" W. The 

 trawl was landed on deck at 3.41 p. m. At 3.55 we sounded in 1,066 fath- 

 oms, green mud, latitude 35° 44' 30" N., longitude 74P 28' 45" W., and 

 commenced taking serial temperatures and water specimens ; but the 

 wind and sea, which had been gradually increasing during the day, com- 

 pelled us to stop at 600 fathoms. At 5.30 p. m. we started inshore to 

 make a lee. At 11.40 p. m. made Body's Island light, and at 12.20 a. m. 

 on the 12th hove to and drifted till 4 a. m., when, the weather having 

 moderated, we steamed to the eastward, and at 8 a. m. sounded in 40 

 fathoms, sand and gravel, latitude 36° 16' 15" K, longitude 74P 51' 20" 

 W. As many of our fishing-grounds are on bottom of this character 

 we tried the hand-lines, but without success. It was hardly a fair test, 

 however, as the bait was poor and the weather unfavorable. After our 

 attempt at line-fishing, we ran to the eastward again about 5 miles, with 

 the intention of dredging, but wind and sea increased so rapidly that 

 we were obliged to give it up. The amount of coal remaining would 

 admit of but one more day at sea, even if the weather were good, and, 

 as the NW. gale just setting in might make it impracticable for us to 

 work for some days, I considered it advisable to make a harbor as soon 

 as possible. At 10 a. m. started for the capes of the Chesapeake. Wind 

 and sea being ahead, we made slow progress until up with the land, 

 when the weather moderated, and at 10.35 p. m. we made Cape Henry 

 light. A constant and vigilant watch has been kept for fish during the 

 cruise, but nothing has been seen, except an occasional school of por-^ 

 poises. At 1.15 a. m. on the 13th we passed Cape Henry, and at 5.30 

 p. m. anchored off Marshall Point, Potomac Eiver, for the night. At 

 6.40 a. m. the following day we got under way, and arrived at the navy- 

 yard, Washington, D. C, at 8.07 a. m. 



The details of our fishing operations will be found in the comprehen 

 sive report of Capt. J. W. Collins, fisherman expert, which he made at^^ 

 the close of the cruise, as follows, viz : 



EEPOET OF J. W. COLLINS. 



Washington, D. C, November 17, 1883. 



Sir : Acting in accordance with instructions from Prof. Spencer F.t. 



BaiBd, United States Commissioner of Fish and Fisheries, I left Boston, 



at 3.35 p. m. on Saturday, October 13, and the same evening repQrted; 



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