402 REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. [32] 



when our efforts were rewarded by a large number of specimens, among 

 which were many rare or unknown forms. 



A sounding at 4 a.m., April 1, gave 1,727 fathoms, green ooze, in 5° 

 16' N., and 83° 09' W. Blackfish and porpoises were seen frequently, 

 and one of the latter was taken with a harpoon. While steaming quietly 

 along in a perfectly smooth sea a momentary excitement was caused by 

 the port propeller striking a log about 7 feet in length and 12 inches in 

 diameter, the shock being felt fore and aft, but no harm was done. 

 Another sounding was taken at 11.28 p. m. in 1,882 fathoms, latitude 

 4° 18 / N., latitude 85° 14' W. A westerly current of over a knot an 

 hour was felt while making the sounding. 



Findlay's North Pacific Directory contains the following, on page 094 : 



RIVADENEYRA. SHOAL. 



Being on board the steamer Peru abreast ol Pufia, October 22, 1842, and hearing 

 that there was a terrible yellow fever raging in Guayaquil, the steamer put back, 

 and I (Mr. Rivadeneyra) was placed on board a small schooner going to Rcalejo. On 

 the 28th, in the middle of the day, the sea calm, we had caught a large turtle, when I 

 observed at a few fathoms otf a slight swell on the sea. We took the boat and went to 

 it, when we sounded and, to our astonishment, found only 16£ feet (French) of water. 

 In the center of this spot was only 10 feet depth ; we then found 14, 16, 27, 56 feet, and 

 then no bottom. 



By our very imperfect instruments we made it to be in latitude 4° 15' N., longitude 

 85° 10' W. of Greenwich, but this we considered very nearly correct as we hastened 

 on to Realejo. 



The existence of this bank has been in some degree confirmed by the inquiries of 

 Captain Lapeliu, in the French corvette La Brilliante, in 1852. He ascertained that 

 several vessels had struck on it, but did not give any iuformation as to tbe correct- 

 ness of the position assigned. Captain Harvey, of H. B. M. S. Ravannah, passed 

 within 4 miles of the place, in July, 1857, without seeing anything of it. 



If this shoal exists it is a serious menace to the mariner, particularly 

 as its position is so doubtful. We can hardly ignore the evidence of 

 its discoverer, as he took a series of soundings, yet it has been searched 

 for by men-of-war of most of the great maritime nations, without dis- 

 covering the slightest indication of shoal water. It must be observed, 

 however, that they were not provided with deep-sea sounding appa- 

 ratus, and could only note surface indications. 



We sounded in 1,657 fathoms, brown ooze, at 1.55 a. m., April 2, lati- 

 tude 4° 14/ N., longitude 85° 11' W., near the position assigned to 

 Rivadeneyra Shoal, 10 (10 feet), Hydrographic Office Chart No. 1007; 

 and at 4 a. m., in 1,727 fathoms, gray ooze, latitude 4°02'N., longitude 

 85° 25' 30" W. Another cast at 4 p. m., in latitude ?P 53' N., longitude 

 86° 24' W., gave us a depth of 1,616 fathoms, gray ooze, largely globi- 

 gerina. Turtles and surface fish were seen in diminished numbers, and 

 another drift-log of considerable size was observed floating very low, 

 nearly waterlogged. 



The line was extended in the direction of Chatham Island on the 3d 

 by two soundings, the first at 9 a. in., in 1,341 fathoms, globigerina 



