[93] U. S. FISH COMMISSION STEAMER ALBATROSS. 95 



THE TABLE SIEVE. 



The table sieve in its present form, Plate LIT, Fig. 2, is an outgrowth 

 of the cradle sieve, Plate LII, Fig. 1, which was formerly used in wash- 

 ing the contents of the dredge, the more bulky loads of the trawl 

 having been emptied on deck. 



The first table sieve was devised by Oapt. H. 0. Chester and Prof. 

 A. E. Yerrill, and consisted of a rectangular table supporting a fine 

 sieve, and over it the hopper with its coarse wire netting. 



The canvas bottom and chute were added by Mate James A. Smith, 

 TJ. S. N., executive officer of the TJ. S. S. Speedwell, while in the employ 

 of the United States Fish Commission, about 1877. 



To prepare the table sieve for use, place the sieve c in the frame a on 

 cleats provided for it a few inches above the canvas bottom d; then 

 place the hopper in the frame over the sieve and carry the chute e to a 

 scupper. 



DIMENSIONS. 



Table frame : 



Length, 5 feet 6 inches. 



Breadth, 3 feet 2 inches. 



Depth, 1 foot. 



Height from deck to top of frame, 3 feet 2 inches. 



Thickness of planks, 1 inch. 

 Hopper : 



Length, top, 5 feet 9 inches. 



Length, bottom, 4 feet. 



Width, top, 3 feet 5 inches. 



Width, bottom, 2 feet 6 inches. 



Depth, 1 foot 1 inch. 



Thickness of planks, 1 inch. 



Size of mesh, galvanized-iron wire netting, five-eighths of an inch. 

 Sieve : 



Length of frame, 5 feet 3 inches. 



Breadth, 2 feet llf inches. 



Depth, 2i inches. 



Thickness of planks, 1-J inches. 



Size of mesh, galvanized-iron wii - e netting, one-twelfth of an inch. 

 Bottom, No. 4 cotton canvas. 



The table legs are now made detachable, which materially reduces the 

 space required for stowage. 



THE CRADLE SIEVE. 



This sieve was devised by Prof. A. E. Verrill in the early days of the 

 United States Fish Commission, for the purpose of rapidly washing out 

 the mud brought up by the dredge. It lias wooden ends nearly semi- 

 circular in form, joined by narrow strips which are let into the end 

 pieces so as to present a smooth surface. A fine netting is drawn over 

 the surface, and supported by an outer netting of coarse mesh secured 

 firmly to the ends and side pieces. An inner sieve with coarse mesh 



