423 
INVESTIGATIONS OF THE ALBATROSS. 
halibut, black-cod, shark, and dogfish. We ran lines of soundings 
across the bank to the westward, then to the southward and eastward, 
defining its extent, and at 2:20 p.m. lowered the trawl in 277 fathoms, 
No. 2890, making a successful haul. 
Heceta Bank has not been fully developed, but from our present 
knowledge it may be said to be about 20 miles in length and 10 miles 
in width, its center lying in latitude 44°04 / 00 // N., longitude 124° 53' 00" 
W. It lias a rocky bottom, alternating with patches of clay and peb- 
bles, and presents every requisite for an excellent fishing bank, which 
it will undoubtedly prove at the proper season of the year. 
The weather during the 18th and 19th was all that could be desired, 
but indications of a change were unmistakable during the afternoon of 
the latter day, which ended with a moderate breeze from WNW. It 
increased rapidly, until at noon of the 20th there was a moderate gale 
from the northward and westward, with a heavy following sea. We did 
not feel it much, however, as we were running directly before the wind, 
under steam and sail. Cape Mendocino was passed at 2:12 p. m., and 
Point Arenas at 12:15 a. m., October 21. Point JReyes was abeam at 
8:34, and, after passing it the wind died out and the sea moderated. 
Passing Duxberry Eeef at 11 a. m., we stood down through Bonita 
Channel, entered the Golden Gate, and at 12:40 p. m. anchored in San 
Francisco Bay, off the foot of Washington street. 
COAST OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA. 
Preparations for the southern cruise .— The terms of seiAice of many 
of the crew having expired, they were discharged and their places filled 
by new men, only a few of the old men reshipping. • 
The work of overhauling and refitting for the winter cruise com- 
menced immediately after our arrival in San Francisco, and was carried 
on by our own crew as far as possible. We went to the Union Iron 
Works November 14, where such work as could not be done on board 
was taken in hand. It was completed December 11, and on the following 
day we returned to our former berth off the foot of Washington street. 
The specimens collected during the Alaskau cruise were forwarded to 
Washington on the 26th of November through the quartermasters 
department, U. S. Army. 
Prof. Charles H. Gilbert, ichthyologist, joined the ship on the 25th 
of December, in time to complete the necessary preparations for the 
cruise. The vessel was docked at the Union Works on the 26th, her 
bottom cleaned and painted, and was floated off on the morning of the 
28tli when we steamed to the Green street wharf for coal, took on board 
122J^f J tons, and then anchored in the stream. Our preparations for 
the southern cruise were completed by the arrival of the paymaster’s 
stores from Mare Island, on the 2d, and at 2 p. m., January 3, 1889, 
we left the harbor and steamed to the southward. The weather was 
boisterous, and later in the day the wind increased to a moderate gale 
