510 REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. [20] 



While there I met many owners of fishing vessels, who were desirous 

 of learning the facts concerning the fishery investigations made by the 

 Grampus, and were also anxious to obtain my opinion as to whether 

 mackerel were most likely to be abundant in the Gulf of St. Lawrence 

 or off* the New England coast.* 



On September 9 Pilot Baxter, who had been engaged only to make 

 the trip with us, was discharged and left the vessel. The Grampus' lay 

 at Wood's Holl until September 14, when we left for Gloucester to clean 

 and paint the vessel and make some necessary repairs. We got under 

 way at 4.22 p. in., with a light northwesterly breeze ; when off East 

 Chop the wind was very light with the ebb-tide just beginning to run 

 from the eastward ; we went into Vineyard Haven and anchored for the 

 night. Got under way at 5 a. m. on the 15th, with alight northwest by 

 north breeze, but on account of the continuous light baffling winds, we 

 did not reach Gloucester uutil the next day, where we anchored at 8.18 

 a. m. 



4. COURTESIES RECEIVED. 



It is proper that due acknowledgment should be made for numerous 

 courtesies received from both official and private sources, which ma- 

 terially aided the successful issue of the expedition and evidenced the 

 kindly interest of those concerned in the success of the investigation. 



Foremost amongst these should be mentioned the action of the Do- 

 minion Government. By order of His Excellency, the Governor-General 

 of the Dominion, a circular letter was sent to customs and fishery offi- 

 cials at Dominion ports which the Grampus might visit, and a copy of 

 the document was transmitted to the Commissioner. 



The courtesy thus extended by the Dominion Government was im- 

 portant, since it dispensed with the necessity of reporting at custom- 

 houses on entering and leaving port, and also relieved the vessel from 

 the payment of customary harbor dues. Following is the letter: 



Ottaiva, June 22, 1887. 

 To Collectors and Officers of Customs 



and Fishery Officers of the Dominion : 

 Gentlemen : You are hereby advised that Capt. J. W. Collins, of 

 the United States Fishery Commission schooner Grampus, is about pro- 

 ceeding to Labrador on a scientific mission for his Government, and by 

 order of His Excellency, the Governor-General in council, the vessel 

 named is to be relieved from the observance of any of the usual cus- 

 toms requirements in the direction of reporting inwards or clearing 

 outwards or the payment of any fees ordinarily collected from foreign 

 vessels when calling at Canadian ports. 



* For further details concerning this, see notes on food of mackerel, pages [29] [30]. 



