394 REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. [24J 



chorage on the ridge to the southward of the islands would be prefer- 

 able for large vessels. The plan and sailing directions for Otter Bay 

 leave little to be desired, but should the weather be thick, making it 

 difficult to distinguish the entrance, it might be mentioned that the 

 crosses and sign-boards on Bedwell Island will settle all doubt. 



We were visited by canoe Indians, who camped on Cunningham 

 Island for the night, and next morniug entered into a spirited trade 

 with the naturalists, who, for a few trinkets obtained about all the 

 movable property they possessed, except their canoes, which they de- 

 clined to part with at any price. 



Leaving our comfortable harbor at 10 a. in., February 4, we steamed 

 through Gray Channel against a strong northerly wind, the frequent 

 heavy squalls coming down with the force of a gale. Welcome Bay 

 was passed at noon. Bessel Rock and Cloyne Reef showed above water 

 and were seen at a distance of at least 3 miles. Clearing Victory Pass, 

 the Cordilleras of Sarmiento, with their glacial ice caps, burst upon our 

 view as the clouds lifted for a moment. The trawl was cast off Redfern 

 Point, Newton Island, in 348 fathoms, blue mud, and a successful haul 

 made, notwithstanding it having caught on a rough coral patch, which 

 tore the net badly. 



The strong winds of the morning moderated towards noon, but, after 

 clearing Farquhar Pass and entering Sarmiento Channel, they came 

 down with renewed force, retarding our speed until it became doubtful 

 whether we would be able to reach our anchorage before dark. 



Numerous errors in the charts became noticeable from S. Bartolome 

 Point. The group of islands between Lecky Retreat and Hamilton 

 Point are not shown, and those to the northward of Piazzi Island are 

 not properly located. Prominent points would not cut in, and the to- 

 pography was entirely omitted on the charts, matters of little import- 

 ance in that particular locality if it is clear, but it would be rather con- 

 fusiug for a stranger, in thick weather, to find himself near a group of 

 islands when his chart shows a clear, bold coast. 



We reached Mayne Harbor at dusk and anchored in the outer bay, 

 which is quite secure, although more exposed than the landlocked inner 

 harbor. We passed the Italian man-of-war Ghristofo Golumbo about 

 noon, steaming to the southward, homeward bound. 



The wind was from NW., light to moderate on the 5th, with frequent 

 squalls of wind and rain sweeping across the harbor from various direc- 

 tions, causing the ship to swing around her anchor in a most lively 

 manner, but the bottom being a soft mud, no harm resulted. 



The collectors were out all day in spite of the rain; in fact, we had 

 become so accustomed to it that we seldom allowed it to interfere with 

 our work. Something of an excitement was caused by the absence of 

 two of the collectors, who failed to return at sunset, it being a general 

 rule that they should all be on board at that time. Darkness came on 

 and still they were absent. The wind increased as the sun sank below 



