21 



Lieut. Jean Laurent. An unimportant obstruction report by steam- 

 ship West Cobalt and a dead whale reported by steamship Vincent. 



April 25: Begins with vessel anchored for night in fresh SE. 

 breeze, fog, and rain ; moderate sea. Crew tried fishing, without suc- 

 cess ; probably sea disturbed the bottom. At 6 a. m. wind shifted to 

 W^. moderate breeze, which at 10 a. m. increased to strong breeze 

 and moderate gale, with rather rough sea for remainder of day. At 

 9.15 under way and on course 284° true to make search for berg last 

 reported on 22d instant. At 7.30 p. m., visibility failing, stopped 

 and anchored for night; latitude 44° 40', longitude 50° 48'; 37 fath- 

 oms of water, 100 fathoms of chain. A number of French fishermen, 

 mostly barkentines, sighted on either hand this day, and one some 

 3 miles ahead when we anchored. So far as observed, the weather 

 was too rough for fishing to-day. A number of whales sighted and 

 a few shearwater and sea parrots sighted. 



Received from the steamship Manchester Regiment an unimpor- 

 tant obstruction report. (Spar.) No ice reports received. 



April 26 : Began with strong WNW. breeze, which fell to moderate 

 breezie, hauled to NE., and closed with moderate NNE. gale. Rather 

 rough sea throughout. Overcast; fog at intervals first part; fog 

 and rain at close. 



At 5.30 hove up anchor and began rectangular search to westward 

 and southward for small berg last reported on 22d. At 6.15 p. m. 

 discontinued search on account of fog and anchored for the night, 

 latitude 45° 05', longitude 51° 31'. Search this day having covered 

 area of probable drift of berg, between latitudes 44° 15' to 45° 05' 

 and longitudes 50° 45' to 51° 45', we concluded that this small berg 

 had melted and was no longer to be considered a menace. 



Passed a number of French barkentine fishermen in forenoon. 



Received ice report from steamship Saxonia and report of schooner 

 wreckage sighted from steamship Crete. Attempted to secure details 

 from Crete, but unable to further communicate with her. A few 

 fulmar seen this day. 



April 27 : Strong NNE. to ENE. breezes to moderate gales, falling 

 to fresh breeze at close. Rather rough to rough sea. Overcast ; rain 

 at intervals first part. At 5.30 up anchor and stood 111° true to sta- 

 tion No. 425, latitude 44° 55', longitude 50° 24', which was occupied 

 at 9 a. m. ; both water temperatures and biological specimen being 

 taken at this central station. At 10.35 under way and stood on 

 course 96° true, line of stations Nos. 425, 426, and 427, occupied, 

 respectively, at 1.47 p. m., 5.20 p. m., and 8.25 p. m. At 8.40 stood 

 on course 152° true, with speed reduced to 4 knots, to reach position 

 for beginning search to northward along eastern edge of Grand 

 Banks at daybreak. 



