528 REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. [38] 



There was a small berg ia Canada Bay when we entered, opposite 

 Otter Cove, and it remained there until we left, though its size had ap- 

 parently decreased in the mean time. It was probably 20 feet high. 



On the afternoon of August 3 three icebergs were seen between Belle 

 Isle and Groais Island. Later on the same day a large berg was seen 

 northeast of the northern end of Groais Island. I estimated that it was 

 fully 500 feet long at the water's edge and 100 feet high. It was ap- 

 parently smooth and level on top, and had no pinnacles around its edges. 

 Other scattering bergs were also seen north of Cape Rouge, and be- 

 tween that and Cape Bauld. 



On August 4 we saw eight icebergs off Cape Norman in the Strait of 

 Belle Isle. These were generally of small size, varying from 15 to 40 

 feet in height. While beating through the strait we counted in all 

 twenty-two bergs from Belle Isle to Black Bay. None were seen to the 

 westward of that point. 



9. NOTES REGAINING TnE USE OF THE CLUB-TOPSAIL. 



The question of improvement in the build and rig of fishing vessels is 

 one that has demanded the earnest attention of the Fish Commission 

 for several years. For this reason it was deemed important that a club 

 gaff-topsail should be made for the Grampus, and tried on her summer 

 cruise to the eastward, in order that an opportunity might be afforded 

 to study its effect upon the vessel, and from which conclusions could be 

 drawn as to its utility for sailing schooners engaged in the market 

 fishery. There was, of course, an additional reason (and one that de- 

 serves consideration) for haviug the sail, namely : The fact that the I 

 Grampus was going on a cruise in regions where fogs are prevalent and 

 where some of the harbors are not lighted and are unprovided with 

 other guides for approach. It is, therefore, of the greatest importance 

 for a vessel cruising there to be provided with large light sails in order 

 that she may make a port and thus complete her passage before she is 

 overtaken by fog or by darkness, since it is dangerous and sometimes 

 absolutely impracticable to enter many harbors at Newfoundland or 

 Labrador after night or during the prevalence of dense fogs. 



The club-topsail was frequently used, and was found to be of great 

 service, so far as increasing the speed of the vessel in light winds was 

 concerned, either when running free or close-hauled, and its use on 

 several occasions enabled us to make a harbor when otherwise it would 

 have been impracticable. 



There was a little difficulty at first in handling the sail, because of 

 the lack of experience on the part of the crew, but when the men had 

 become more skilled in the manipulation of the sail this difficulty dis- 

 appeared. 



The conclusion reached is that a properly made club gaff- topsail would 

 be of great service to vessels engaged in the fresh-fish market fisheiy 

 in summer, when they are constantly making passages from the fishing 



