BULLETIN OF THE UNITED STATES FISH COMMISSION. 229 
southwest until 1.40 p. in., when we began to shorten sail, and at 2.45 
p. in. hove to. The wind increased to a moderate gaie before evening 
and continued to blow hard throughout the night with a very rough 
sea. 
The weather continued too rough for fishing during the 29th, and we 
lay to under double-reefed foresail and reefed riding sail. 
April 30 began with a moderate gale from west-northwest, decreas- 
ing to a fresh breeze at noon and a gentle breeze during the evening. 
During the early part of the day the vessel was headed to the north- 
ward under foresail, jib, forestaysail, and riding sail. At 11.50 a. in., 
tacked ship to the westward and hoisted mainsail. At 3.45 p. m., hove 
to and u tried v for mackerel (lat. 38° 17 7 N., long. 74° 28' W., approxi- 
mately), but caught no fish. 
While we were lying to, the fishing schooner Melissa D. Bobbins , of 
Portland, spoke with us. Her captain told me that the steamer Novelty 
and the schooner Mollie Adams had taken fares of small mackerel on 
April 26, but I could not learn the precise locality in which these fish 
were caught. 
At 4.30 p. in., got under way and stood to the southward 3 miles, 
when we hove to for the night and set gill-nets. Previous to setting 
the gill-nets, we put out the large towing-net and caught in it four 
young pollock and a number of sea-fleas. At sunset sixteen fishing 
vessels were in sight. 
May 1, fine weather prevailed, with light variable wind in the early 
part of the day, increasing to a stiff breeze from west by north at 8 a. m. 
At 8 a. m. we hauled the gill nets, but found no fish in them. We 
then got under way and ran to the southward, having a lookout at the 
masthead to watch for schooling fish. In company with us were twenty- 
four fishing- vessels, sailing practically on the same course, and spread- 
ing over a considerable area. So far as could be determined by the 
movements of these vessels, no indications of schooling fish were seen 
by any of them. At 3 p. m. tacked ship and headed north by east. 
The fishing fleet, which had increased to the number of forty-four sail, 
all tacked about the same time to the northeast. During the day we 
sailed southwardly to lat. 37° 12' N., long. 74° 44' W., without seeing 
any indications of the presence of surface-swimming fish. 
At 6 p. m. the large towing-net was put out and towed for about 
forty five minutes. Two small hake and one young pollock were taken 
in it. Our position at this time was lat. 37° 36' N., long. 74° 3P W. 
We then headed to the northward. 
On May 2 the wind was from west-northwest to south, varying in 
strength from a moderate to fresh breeze. 
I decided to run into Delaware Breakwater for the purpose of obtain- 
big a supply of provisions, which we were in need of, and at 1.25 p. m. 
we arrived off Lewes and anchored. Immediately after I reported our 
arrival by telegraph to headquarters at Washington. 
