[89] U. S. FISH COMMISSION STEAMER ALBATROSS. 9t 



plow deeply into yielding bottoms. Since the object sought iu the 

 fashioniug of the new dredge was to effect a skimming of the bottom 

 rather than a deep penetration therein, a very decided departure from 

 the, form of the old dredge was necessary. The frame of the new is a 

 rectangular skeleton box made of wrought iron. The mouth pieces are 

 Hat, beveled on the forward inner edges, perforated along the rear 

 edges, as on the old dredge, and riveted to the skeleton or bar-iron por- 

 tions of the frame- work, iu which position they are held parallel. 



" The rear of the upper and lower sides of the skeleton are connected 

 by three riveted braces, the whole frame-work being rigid. A tangle 

 bar of heavy wood, bar-iron, or iron pipe, to carry the weights and 

 tangles, has seized to it three sister hooks, which are hooked severally 

 around the braces and moused. The arms are like those of the old 

 dredge, one arm being longer thau the other. A netting bag and can- 

 vas shield, as in the case of the old dredge, are stitched with pliable 

 wire to the dredge frame. A trap like that of the trawl is fitted inside 

 the main bag. The bottom of the main bag is stopped to the middle 

 brace at the rear of the frame. Each flap of the canvas shield is turned 

 over and around its own side and end of the skeleton frame, and stitched 

 to its own part with stout twine, presenting a tolerably smooth sliding 

 surface." 



DIMENSIONS OF THE BLAKE DREDGE AS USED ON BOARD OF THIS VESSEL. 



Jaws: 



Length, 4 feet. 



Width, 6 inches. 



Thickness of metal, $ inch. 



Distance of holes from edge, three-eighths of an inch. 



Distance between holes, 2 inches. 



Depth or opening between jaws, 9 inches. 

 Skeleton frame : 



Length, including width of jaws, 4 feet. 



Diameter of round iron, one-half iuch. ■ 



Diameter of braces, three-fourths of an inch. 

 Long arm, length 4 feet. 

 Short arm, length 3 feet 9 inches. 



Diameter of round iron, both arms, three-fourths of an inch. 

 Weight of dredge and frame, 81 pounds. 

 Shield, cotton canvas, No. 2. 

 Net: 



Length, 5 feet. 



Size of mesh, square, 1 inch. 

 Net material, cotton, barked, 30-thread. 

 Jacket : 



Length, 3 feet. 



Size of mesh, square, one-half inch. 

 Jacket material, cotton, barked, 16-thread. 

 Bottom lining, cheese-clo th. 



