582 REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. [92] 



on a northeast J north course. In the position approximating that 

 given for the last trial we put out the small towing-net and collected a 

 quantity of Crustacea in it. Saw a few gulls and two or three gannets, 

 also greasy slicks, indicative of some species of fish near the surface. 

 Our course was changed to north-northeast at 12.30 p. m., the wind 

 blowing a moderate breeze from south-southwest to south. About 5 

 o'clock a large school of porpoises came alongside. We succeeded in 

 harpooning one of them, but did not secure it, since the harpoon-line 

 parted. Oar position at this time was lat. 37° 48' N., long. 74° 38' W. 



Not long after the school of porpoises passed us, and while supper 

 was being served, the vessel ran into a school of fish which, in the opin- 

 ion of the second officer, who was in charge of the deck at the time, 

 were mackerel, judging from their characteristic rush when disturbed. 

 (Position, lat. 37° 44' N., long. 74° 38' W.) The large and small towing- 

 nets were put out and towed for an hour at 6.05 p. m. A number of 

 small jelly-fishes were taken in the small net and one young hake in the 

 larger one. The position of this trial was lat. 37° 49' K, long. 74° 36' W. 



It was my intention to set gill-nets during the night, but the condi- 

 tion of the water was favorable for noting any schools#of fish that might 

 be in the vicinity. In view of this fact and the importance of utilizing 

 the night as well as day to cruise over as large an area as possible in 

 order to observe the movements of surface-swimming fishes, I concluded 

 to keep the vessel under way. Towards midnight a few dog-fish were 

 seen from the mast-head, but no other fish were noticed. During the 

 night our course was to the northeast, with the wind from east-south- 

 east, and occasional showers of rain. The wind fell about midnight and 

 a calm prevailed. 



In the early morning of the 15th there was a calm, followed by a light 

 variable wind, which, later in the forenoon, settled to a strong breeze 

 from north-northwest. In lat. 38° 18' N., long. 74° 14' W., used the 

 surface towing-net and collected a small quantity of sea-fleas. At 9 

 o'clock noticed a small flock of sea-geese in lat. 38° 18' N., long. 74° 14' 

 W. Observations taken at noon showed our position to be 38° 18' 

 north latitude and 74° 14' west longitude. 



Tacked ship to the westward at 4 o'clock, and at G.30 p. m. used the 

 large and small towiug-nets for an hour, collecting a lot of minute 

 Crustacea in the small net and one small hake in the larger net. (Posi- 

 tion, lat. 38° 37' N., long. 74° 10' W.) The wind decreased consider- 

 ably in force at 7 o'clock, and at 9 p. m. the vessel was hove-to and 

 mackerel and herring gill-nets were set. 



Hauled ttie nets at 4.30 a. m. on the 16th and caught 4 silver hake 

 (Merlucius) about 13 inches long. As soon as the nets were on board 

 got under way and stood to the west-northwest. Towed the large and 

 small surface nets for a short time at 6.30 a. m., taking in them some small 

 Crustacea and two young hake. (Position, lat. 38° 37' N., long. 74° 

 18' W.) 





