508 REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES [18] 



the bird rookeries on the cliffs at Bonaventura. The party returned on 

 board a little before noon, and soon after we filled away and stood into 

 Perce Harbor, where we anchored at 1 p. in., to the eastward of Perce 

 Rock. 



We lay at Perce until the next noon. In the meantime collections 

 were made of birds, etc., and considerable information was obtained 

 concerning the local fisheries and the occurrence of mackerel. 



Leaving Perce Harbor about noon on the 22d, we steered straight for 

 East Point, Prince Edward Island, where we arrived early in the after- 

 noon of the following day. Jff East Point we saw a fleet of upwards 

 of thirty sail of American mackerel schooners. The first of these we 

 met was the schooner Matthew M. Murray, of Gloucester, Mass. She 

 was about 7 or 8 miles northwesterly from the point. As we approached 

 she steered to intercept us. seeing which we hove-to with jibs to wind- 

 ward. We spoke with the captain, who was anxious to learn the news 

 concerning mackerel along the u north shore" and in the other regions 

 we had visited. At the time we spoke to the Murray another schooner 

 was noticed standing down the island, inshore of us, with all light sails 

 set, and evidently trying to intercept us. We therefore kept off to 

 meet the schooner, and as soon as we did so she began shortening sail 

 and soon after hove- to. As we approached a dory was seen pulling to 

 meet us. We therefore hove-to, at 12.44 p. m., for the boat to come 

 alongside. She contained Capt. Loring Nauss and two of the crew of 

 the schooner Moro Castle, of Gloucester. He had recognized the 

 Gramjms, and was very anxious to learn what information we had 

 obtained about mackerel on our cruise. Captain Nauss remained on 

 board nearly half an hour, and from him I learned much concerning the 

 mackerel fishery by American vessels in the Gulf and of the catch by 

 boats belonging at Prince Edward Island. As soon as he left we kept 

 off to run past East Point Several of the mackerel fleet intercepted 

 and spoke with us to learn what news we had to tell them. Among 

 these were the following schooners: A. M. Burnham, Governor Butler, 

 Nellie E. Davis, Maud M. Story, Howard Rolbrook, of Gloucester, and 

 Lucy Jenkins, of Wellfleet. All of these were furnished with such 

 information as we had to impart. 



We passed Henry Island, oft' Port Hood, at 6 p. m., after which the 

 wind gradually grew light until it was almost a calm. Shortly after 

 9 p. m. we anchored off Cape Jack Light at the northern entrance of 

 the Strait of Canso, the tide having turned to the northward and there 

 not being wind enough to make any way against it. 



We lay at anchor until 4.25 on the following morning (24th), when 

 we got under way with a light breeze and beat through the Strait, 

 anchoring at Port Hawksbury (at 7 a. m.) where we stopped to get our 

 mail, fill water, and purchase some necessary supplies. 



Here I saw an account in a Boston newspaper of the death of the late 

 IT. S. Commissioner of Fish and Fisheries, Prof. Spencer F. Baird. 

 The flag was set at half-mast. 



