Dy « i? » ii « d « 
irjrartmrttt of ©ommrro anb Habor 
) 
[Phis cruise has "been one series of accidents and rough weather. On 
our last run out o f port , one of the set-screws of the rudder-post stuf- 
fing-box worked loose , and in so doing put such a strain on the remaining 
three, that they threatened to carry away , too. This necessitated our im- 
mediate return to port , so here we are. But that is not the worst of it.’ 
The ship has been turned over to "Blister" , as we call him, Jones, for 
the purpose of making a tour of Alaska- — inspection ? 
Rankin and I have been fired ashore, to hold down some scientific 
investigation or other , and this resolves itself into a reconaisance of 
the oyster-beds of the Sound region , the Bureau co-operating with the 
State Commission, represented by Dr. Kincaid. 
The ship returns late in July to make two more trips over the Oregon 
halibut-banks . When that has been done ,we shall come back to Sausalito — - 
about the middle of September. 
Remember me kindly to Mrs . Sumner , Madame Sumner , Florence and the 
baby. 
With my best wishes , 
[No. 205 
Ed. 7-2-12—400.000 
