6-REPORT OF A RECONNOISSANCE OF THE OYSTER BEDS OF MOBILE 
BAY AND MISSISSIPPI SOUND, ALABAMA. 
By HOMER P. RITTER, 
Assistant, United States Coast and Geodetic Survey. 
INTRODUCTION. 
On February 1, 1894, I was detailed by the Superintendent of the United States 
Coast and Geodetic Survey to conduct, under the direction of the United States 
Commissioner of Fish and Fisheries, an investigation relative to the oyster beds of 
Mobile Bay and vicinity. Having received the necessary instructions, and having 
obtained from the office of the Coast Survey the requisite instruments, projections, 
charts, and other data for carrying on the inquiry, I proceeded on February 7 to 
Mobile, Alabama, where a tugboat had been placed in readiness for the work. 
The party consisted, besides myself, of Mr. W. F. Hill, assistant, United States 
Fish Commission, and Mate James A. Smith, United States Navy, with the addition 
of a leadsman, who also acted as boatman, oyster pilot, etc. The crew of the boat 
comprised Capt. Barclay Spottswoods, an engineer, a fireman, and a cook. 
The instrumental observations were made conjointly by Messrs. Smith, Hill, 
and myself; and in running sounding lines the captain of the boat acted as pilot. 
Field operations began on February 10, and were continued until March 24, when 
the party disbanded. Soon after my return to Washington I was ordered to Alaska. 
During the summer the field notes were reduced and platted by Mr. VY. F. Hill, who 
has also done considerable of the collating, measurement of the areas, and detailed 
description of the oyster beds. 
During the time that the survey was made, extensive freshets prevailed in the 
streams tributary to Mobile Bay, nearly filling the entire bay with fresh water and 
extending far into Mississippi Sound, so that it was considered desirable to take an 
additional series of densities at a time when more normal conditions prevailed. Upon 
my return from Alaska 1 was therefore instructed to make another visit to Mobile 
Bay, where I succeeded in chartering a small oyster schooner, and from December 1 
to 7 made a series of density observations distributed over the oyster-bearing portion 
of the bay. 
INSTRUCTIONS. 
The instructions issued by the Commissioner of Fisheries for the guidance of the 
party in conducting the observations, and which were adhered to so far as the time 
and weather permitted, were essentially as follows: 
It will be the special object of the investigation to determine — 
1. The positions, outlines, and characteristics, and the general richness of the oyster beds located 
in the waters of Mobile Bay and Mississippi Sound, within the boundaries of the State of Alabama. 
2. The positions, outlines, and characteristics of all areas of the bottom, in the same region, which 
appear to be suitable for the planting of oysters, either («) in their present or natural condition, or (b) 
after preparation. 
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