[43] 



WORK OF STEAMER ALBATROSS. 



413 



Waterman made a long call the following morning. Much interest was 

 manifested in the vessel and her work, and we were the recipients of 

 much kindly attention during our stay in San Francisco. Necessary 

 repairs were promptly made by the Union Iron Works. 



The terms of service of a large portion of the crew having expired 

 they were discharged. A few reshipped, and vacancies were filled by 

 new men. Seamen's wages on the Pacific coast were so much higher 

 than the Navy pay that we found it difficult to get good men. 



On the 19th of June we made a series of observations to determine 

 the specific gravity of the water in San Francisco Bay, in order to ascer- 

 tain whether it would be practicable to plant the lobsters, which were 

 en route for the Pacific, anywhere within its limits. 



Specific gravity of the water of San Francisco Bay, reduced to G0° Fahrenheit. 



One-quarter of a mile west of Yerba Buena Island.. 



One-quarter of a mile WS W. of Saucelito Wharf 



One-eighth of a mile off Yellow Bluff 



One-quarter of a mile S. by W. of Alcatray Island .. 



Surface. 



1. 019887 

 1. 019887 

 1. 018687 

 1. 019887 



Bottom. 



1.021487 

 1. 021487 

 1. 021687 

 1. 021487 



The average specific gravity of sea water being 1.0274, it became evi- 

 dent that, all impurities aside, the salinity of the water would not war- 

 rant the planting of lobsters in the bay, with any probability of success. 



The vessel was docked, her bottom cleaned and painted on the 26th 

 and 27th of June. We coaled ship on the 30th, and, being at a wharf, 

 took advantage of the opportunity to discharge a large number of 

 specimens. We dropped into the stream before dark, practically ready 

 for our Alaskan trip. 



Au itinerary was prepared before we left Washington, in which an 

 estimate was given of the time required to make the voyage, the dis- 

 tance, average speed, amount of coal consumed, average cost, etc. The 

 following table, showing the estimated and actual distances, etc., will 

 be of interest as au evidence of the accuracy with which such matters 

 can be calculated with a modern steam-vessel over known routes. 





Time actu- 

 ally en route. 



Totai 

 distance. 



Average 



speed 

 per hour. 



Coal. 





Bought. 



In bunker 



on 



arrival. 



Total cost. 



Average 



cost per 



ton. 



Estimated 



Days. Hours. 

 88 

 85 5 



Miles. 



15, 8150 

 15, 956. 7 



Miles. 

 7.8 

 7.793 



Tons. 

 1,066 

 1,061.75 



Tons. 

 30 

 30 



$10,573.80 

 9, 710. 53 



$9. 92 

 9.022 



Actual 







A list of anchorages and summary of meteorological observations 

 are appended, and will be found of interest. The engineer's report 

 contains au account of operations in his department. The dredging 

 and trawling record, the record of hydrographic soundings, and the 

 record of specific gravities are appended. With reference to the latter, 



