218 BULLETIN OF THE UNITED STATES FISH COMMISSION. 
to the Gulf of Maine, obtaining as much information as possible of the appearance 
and movements of the mackerel, menhaden, bluefish, or other sea fishes. 
Very respectfully, 
J. W. Collins.* 
Capt. D. E. Collins, 
U. S. Fisk Commission Schooner Grampus, Gloucester, Mass. 
From the date of receiving the above orders to the last of March, 
cold, stormy weather prevailed the greater part of the time, and hin- 
dered the preparations which had to be made for the cruise. Every 
opportunity was improved, however, to fit the vessel for sea. On March 
24 the vessel was taken upon the marine railway at Gloucester and the 
outside of the hull was painted ; the necessary painting inside, both 
below and above deck, had been done while she lay in the stream, pre- 
vious to going upon the railway. All other necessary preparations — 
such as cleaning the masts, setting up the rigging, etc. — had been made 
whenever the condition of the weather permitted. 
In compliance with the following instructions we sailed from Glou- 
cester at 7 p. m. on March 30, and arrived at Wood’s Holl 6.20 p. m. 
the next day : 
U. S. Commission of Fish and Fisheries, 
Washington, D. C., March 24, 1887. 
Sir : I send you here with a list of instructions for your guidance on the cruise, 
which you are about to make, for observing the habits and migrations of the mack- 
erel, menhaden, and bluefish. So far as is p racticable, you will attempt to carry 
out these instructions. 
When you have completed your preparations at Gloucester for the cruise, you will 
proceed, as soon as the weather permits, to Wood’s Holl, Mass., where you can land 
any material which you may have had on board during the winter for cod work, and 
that you think will not be needed for the coming cruise, or which might suffer from 
accident or deterioration if kept on board of the vessel. This material should be 
placed in storage in the room assigned to the vessel’s use in the store-house, and such 
instructions as are necessary for its preservation can be left with Mr. Atkins at the 
station. If you think the wire hawser will not be needed, that could be put on shore 
also. 
You will take on board for use on the trip — 
(1) The mackerel and herring gill-nets belonging to the vessel. 
(2) The bait-mill and other apparatus necessary for preparing andusing “toll-bait.” 
(3) The stern boat. 
(4) A supply of small towing-nets, which will be forwarded to you there. (In case 
these towing-nets are not at hand when you are ready to sail from Wood’s Holl, it will 
scarcely be worth your while to wait for them.) 
Your cruising-ground will be, generally, between Cape Hatteras and the Gulf of 
Maine, and should be mostly in proximity to the mackerel fleet, and you should con- 
tinue with it as a rule, so that you may observe the work of the vessels and be able 
to record the appearance or non-appearance of fish in the locality where the fleet is 
working. 
It; will, however, be desirable for you to make extended observations, independent 
of the fleet, by running 25 to 75 miles, or even more, away from it to look for mack- 
erel. In carrying out this clause of your instructions, you will, of course, have to be 
guided largely by circumstances and by your own judgment, since it is impossible to 
foretell the precise conditions under which you will have to work. 
*Capt J. W. Collins was officially in command of the Grampus, but important 
duties made it necessary for him to be in Washington, and Capt. D, E. Collins was 
placed in command pro tern. 
