[81] OPERATIONS OF SCHOONER GRAMPUS. 571 



We kept on this course throughout the afternoon, with a lookout at 

 the mast-head to watch for schooling fish. Three whales were sighted 

 about 4 o'clock, but nothing else of interest was seen. At 3 p. in., in 

 lat. 36° 45' K, long. 75° 27' W., the small towing-net was put out for 

 thirty minutes ; nothing was taken in it. Several gannets were noticed 

 during the afternoon, generally on the wing. 



In lat. 36° 3G' N., long. 75° 13' W., the towing-net was again used 

 and we secured a small quantity of marine life, which was preserved in 

 alcohol. During the night the wind continued moderate, varying from 

 east to southeast. The vessel was kept on a southerly course. 



In the early part of the following day a southeasterly wind prevailed, 

 hauling to southwest towards noon; weather clear and warm. Sea-geese 

 (Phalaropus) and gannets were noticed early in the day, the latter seem- 

 ing to increase in abundance as we. sailed south. We saw indications 

 of the presence of some species of fish in the form of " greasy slicks," 

 although a most careful observation failed to detect any at the surface. 



Between 7 and 8 o'clock a. m. a small amount of Crustacea was col- 

 lected in the towing-net, our approximate position being lat. 36° 13' N., 

 long. 74° 51' W. At 8 o'clock the vessel was hove-to near this position 

 and a trial for surface and bottom fish was made; the temperature of 

 the water at the bottom was also obtained. The result of this trial was 

 very unsatisfactory, since only one dog-fish was caught. We got under 

 way again at 9.15 a. m. and continued on a southeasterly course. 

 The temperature of the water at the bottom was taken at noon. At 

 2.30 p. in., in lat. 35° 56' N., long. 75° 02' W., hove-to and threw toll- 

 bait for mackerel and put out hand-lines for bottom fish. Two dog- 

 fish, caught on the hand-lines, were the only fish taken. While lying- 

 to gannets were seen diving in the water for fish. Bottom temperature 

 was observed at this position, the depth of water being 17 fathoms. 



Got under way again at 3.30 p. m., and stood to the southeast. To- 

 wards evening the weather changed, assuming a threatening aspect, 

 which, added to a short, sharp sea that began to make from the south- 

 ward, prevented us from setting the gill-nets that had been prepared 

 for the purpose. At 6.30 p. m. the large and small towiug-nets were 

 put out and towed for thirty minutes, the trial resulting in the capture 

 of five small fish in the large net and a quantity of Crustacea in the 

 small net, our position at the time of this trial being lat. 35° 46' N., 

 long. 74° 55' W. The vessel was hove-to at dark, heading to the south- 

 east. 



The 19th of April began with a moderate south-southwest wind and 

 threatening weather, an increasing sharp sea coming from the south, 

 and in that direction dark nimbus clouds were seen above the horizon, 

 indicating a storm in that quarter. At 3 a. in., the weather assuming 

 a milder appearance, one mackerel and one herring gill-net were set at 

 right angles to the vessel, being sunk 2J fathoms below the surface. 

 The net warp was made fast to the mainmast of the vessel, which, was 



