172 REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. [56] 



on the forecastle. For about an hour the ship continued to run through 

 scattering small fish, which could be plainly seen as they darted away 

 from the bow. At this time we were between 65 and 70 miles from the 

 " Scotland" light-ship off Sandy Hook, and consequently in the locality 

 where we might reasonably expect to see mackerel therefore ; I was much 

 interested in watchiug for them. None of those fish which we saw were 

 mackerel in my opinion. They were too small even for "spikes."* 



No fish were seen after 1 a. m., the ship in the mean time continuing 

 on her course until at a little before 7 a. m., she stopped to obtain 

 soundings, being then about 120 miles from Sandy Hook. 



The day was spent in making hauls with the beam-trawl, and the 

 work continued into the evening. In consequence, the large electric (arc) 

 light was hoisted on the starboard side near the fore-rigging. This light 

 threw a bright glare on the water alongside of the ship, and in a few 

 minutes, scattering squid were seen darting about, having been at- 

 tracted to the surface by the light. They seemed little inclined to bite 

 at a jib, but after much trying, one specimen was taken which was 

 pronounced by the naturalists on board to be the species commonly 

 known as the " flying squid." The locality of this capture was latitude 

 380 48' N., longitude 72o 40' 30" W. 



At 9.32 p. m., the day's work having been finished, the ship started ahead 

 on a SSW. course, steaming about 7 to 8 knots. At 11.05 p. m., when 

 about 12 miles from the position given above, the lookout reported see- 

 ing small fish under the bow. I went on the forecastle at once, but 

 failed to see anything except a large animal which came under the bow, 

 and which was doubtless a turtle. When questioned, the lookout stated 

 that the objects he saw were some distance off", and appeared to be 

 small fish at the surface. Under the circumstances, conjecture as to 

 the species would be useless. 



Tuesday^ November 6. — The day was spent in making hauls with beam- 

 trawl from deep water, the weather still remaining fine, with moderate 

 southerly to southwest winds. 



After finishing the day's work, the ship was started ahead on a WSW. 

 course, in the direction of the Chesapeake, this course crossing a 

 piece of gravelly bottom in about 45 to 50 fathoms, where it was in- 

 tended to set line trawls the next morning should the weather prove 

 favorable. 



Wednesday^ November 7. — At daylight there was a fresh and increas- 

 ing breeze from WNW. veering to NW. — too much wind and sea to set 

 trawl-lines with safety. Ship continued on her course, reaching the 

 anchorage off Fortress Monroe in the evening, having made port to land 

 a sick man. 



Thursday^ November 8. — The sick man previously alluded to having 

 been landed at Norfolk, Va., the ship got under way and proceeded to 

 sea, passing Cape Henry a little after 3 p. m. After getting out by the 



* Mackerel hatched out the previous summer, and which at this season usually at- 

 tain a gi'owth of 5 inches or thereabouts axe called " apiJces." 



