378 REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. [8] 



We coaled ship during the 18th and 19th, taking 187J tons of anthra- 

 cite on board. 



The scientific staff reported on the 19th, bringing with them such 

 articles as were not put on board ship before her departure from Wash- 

 ington. Everything was ready for sea on the evening of the 19th except 

 the paymaster's stores, which were taken on board on Monday, the 21st. 

 Ensign H. E. Parmenter reported for duty on the morning of that day, 

 and at 4.20 p. m. we left the navy-yard and proceeded to Hampton 

 Roads, where we anchored at 5.35 p. in. Having dispatched our last 

 mail, including a complete descriptive list and muster-roll, we got under 

 way at 8.45, and proceeded to sea under the following orders: 



U. S. Commission of Fish and Fisheries, 



Washington, D. 6 Y ., November 15, 1887. 



Sir: For the purpose of carrying out the long cherished plan of the 

 late Commissioner of Fish and Fisheries, and in accordance also with 

 the provisions of the act of Congress in the sundry civil bill, approved 

 August 4, 1886, providing for the expenses of the voyage of the si earner 

 Albatross from New York to San Francisco, you will proceed as soon as 

 the steamer is ready, to Sau Francisco, conforming as closely as circum- 

 stances will permit with the itinerary already agreed upon between you 

 and myself, and reaching San Francisco on or about the 15th of May, 

 1888. Upon your arrival at San Francisco you will find awaiting you 

 detailed instructions as to the character of the investigations which it 

 is desired to make concerning the fishery resources of the Pacific coast. 

 During the voyage you are authorized to make such stoppages as may 

 in your judgment be necessary, and also, when opportunity offers, to 

 carry on such investigations as, upon consultation with the assistant 

 in charge of the scientific staff, shall seem to be advisable, considering 

 always the limitations of time and of the appropriation. 



Instructions for the government of the scientific work to be done dur- 

 ing the voyage, so far as it is possible to specify them in advance, have 

 been prepared, and are forwarded herewith, addressed to Prof. Leslie 

 A. Lee, who has been appointed assistant in charge of the scientific staff. 



As I have already intimated to you, and in accordance with a letter 

 from him, a copy of which has already been forwarded to you, it is ex- 

 pected that Prof. Alexander Agassiz will join the Albatross at Panama, 

 in which case I have to request that all facilities may be offered him 

 for carrying out the scientific inquiry which he has in view, consistently 

 with the purposes and limitations of your voyage. 



It is desirable that any hydrographic information which can be ob- 

 tained without detriment to the Fish Commission shall be forwarded to 

 the Navy Department. 



In addition to Prof. Leslie A. Lee, assistant in charge of the scien- 

 tific staff, the following civilian assistants have been assigned to the 

 vessel: Mr. Thomas Lee, Mr. Charles H. Townsend, and Mr. Dennis M. 

 Cole. * * * 



