5G2 REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. [72] 



IV.— EEPORT UPON THE INVESTIGATIONS MADE BY THE 

 GKAMPUS ON THE SOUTHERN MACKEREL FISHING 

 GROUNDS, ETC., FROM MARCH 24 TO JUNE 30, 1888. 



By D. E. Collins. 



A.— BEGINNING OF CRUISE; INSTRUCTIONS FOR MAKING INVESTIGATIONS. 



Having made all necessary repairs and preparations for the spring 

 cruise of observation, I telegraphed to headquarters my intention of 

 sailing from Gloucester for Wood's Holl, Mass., to take on board the 

 additional equipment necessary to pursue the contemplated investiga- 

 tion. Accordingly, we got under way at 9.10 p. m., on April 2, and left 

 Gloucester for Wood's Holl, where we arrived at 5.37 p. m., the next 

 day. Our arrival was immediately telegraphed to Washington, and I 

 received the following telegraphic orders in reply : 



U. S. Commission of Fish and Fisheries, 



Washington, D. C, April 3, 1888. 



When ready, sail from Wood's Holl for Hampton Eoads. Make such 

 observations and collections as practicable on passage. Telegraph ar- 

 rival. Instructions and additional equipment will be sent you at For- 

 tress Monroe. 



J. W. Collins. 

 Capt. D. E. Collins, 



Schooner Oraynpus, Wood? 8 Holl, Mass. 



We remained at Wood's Holl until the morning of the 7th, when we 

 sailed from there, in accordance with the above instructions. We had 

 a fair run and anchored in Hampton Eoads at 7.05 a. in., on April 10. 

 During the passage we saw no indications of the presence of mackerel, 

 excepting a few sea-geese (Phalaropns) at sundown on the 9th, and later 

 in the evening several " pods" of fish were seen from the mast-head, in 

 latitude 37° 27' N., longitude 74° 48' W.* 



At Hampton Eoads the following orders were received in reference 

 to the cruise of observation between Cape Hatteras and Nantucket : 



U. S. Commission of Fish and Fisheries, 



Washington, D. C, April 9, 1888. 



Sir : I am directed by the Commissioner to send you the following 

 instructions for your guidance on the cruise which you are about to 

 make for observing the habits, abuudance, and movements of the mi- 

 gratory pelagic species which approach the coast north of Hatteras 



* The term "pod," as used here, means a small body of fish seen at the surface of 

 the water; it is synonymous with a small school. 



