[7] WORK OF STEAMER ALBATROSS. 377 



tilde 71° 15' W., and latitude 39° 42' N., lougitude 71° 17' W., in from 

 705 to 1,276 fathoms, blue mud. Many specimens were taken, among 

 them a variety of deep-sea fish, squid, cephalopods, brittle stars, holo- 

 thurians, shells, Geryon quinquedens, and large numbers of skates 7 eggs. 

 The surface-net was towed during each haul. At 6.15 p. m. we started 

 for Wood's Holl, arriving and making fast at the Fish Commission 

 wharf at 9.50 a. m., September 20. 



The engineer's department was employed in making such necessary 

 additions and re adjustments of machinery as were found necessary 

 during the progress of our trial trip. The opportunity was taken to 

 break out store-rooms, etc., and make final preparations for the cruise. 

 Lieut. W. S. Hogg, U. S. Navy, was detached October 15 and .ordered 

 to the U. S. S. Marion. 



PREPARATIONS FOR THE VOYAGE TO SAN FRANCISCO. 



At 6 a. m., October 19, we left Wood's Holl for Washington, calling 

 at Newport for the purpose of availing ourselves of the compass station, 

 but the weather being unfavorable, and the facilities for swinging ship 

 not particularly good, we proceeded on our course, arriving at the navy- 

 yard, Washington, D. 0., at 11.45 a. m., October 22. Passed Assistant 

 Engineer 0. R. Roelker, U. S. Navy, reported for duty on the 23d, re- 

 lieving Passed Assistant Engineer G. W. Baird, who was detached on 

 the 24th of October and ordered to special duty at the Navy Depart- 

 ment. Mr. Baird's service with the U. S. Fish Commission extends 

 over a period of five years and seven months, first on special duty con- 

 nected with the construction of the Albatross and subsequently as her 

 chief engineer. I avail myself of this opportunity to express my ap- 

 preciation of Mr. Baird's untiring zeal in the performance of his duties 

 and his great mechauical ability, which was always at the service of 

 the Commission. He designed many of our most useful implements on 

 board this vessel, and contributed in no small degree to her success. 

 His advice and assistance were always freely given on matters pertain- 

 ing to other branches of the work of the Commission, and it is indebted 

 to him for much valuable aid. 



Lieut. B. O. Scott, U. S. Navy, was detached on the 31st and placed 

 on waiting orders. Assistant Paymaster C. S. Williams, U. S. Navy, 

 reported for duty on November 5. 



We left Washington on the morning of November 10 for the navy- 

 yard at Norfolk, Va., where we arrived at 8.30 on the following morn- 

 ing and went into dry-dock on the afternoon of the same day, to clean 

 and paint the ship's bottom. On the 18th we hauled out and moored 

 alongside the coal-wharf. 



Ensigns W. B. Fletcher and Marbury Johnston, IT. S. Navy, reported 

 for duty on the 16th, and Ensign W. S. Benson and Paymaster C. D. 

 Mansfield were detached on the 18th. Ensigns E. W. Eberle and C. M. 

 McCormick reported for duty on the 19th. Ensign Fletcher was de- 

 tached on the same day. 



