New-York tribune., 1883-06-04
WORK OF THE FISH COMMISSION.
THE OUTFIT OF THE ALBATROSS.

ELECTRIC LIGHTS IN SUBMARINE PH0TOGRAPhf-
HABITS or MIGRATORY FISH.
The limited States Fish Commission steamer Al
batross is living at the Brooklyn Navy Yard receiv-
ing fresh coat of paint and being cleaned ana
re epaired generally after cruise OF several weeks
along the coast. 1t is not yet definitely decided
but it is probable that the Albatross VIII receive
orders to sail for Europe when the repairs are nm
ished, to be present at the international FISHERY
Exhibition now in progress at London. Inc
object in sending the Albatross to London
will be to make an exhibit OF
her as model IN every respect for the purpose lot
which she was built in case the vessel is sent 10
London she will lie at anchor III the Thames ana
be open for inspection during the remainder OF the
Exhibition.
TRIBUNE reporter yesterday found tue Aioa'ross
high and dry on the docks, her sides and bottom
shining in fresh paint. There were various signs OF
life on board Notwithstanding the vessel was out OF
water. The officers were giving orders to the
sailors tho cooks securing their saucepans ana
n few colored sailors were scrubbing the decks VIZ
orously. The officers of the vessel are as followS'
Lieutenant u. l.. Tanner, commanding; Lieutenant
Seaton Schroeder. executive officer; paymas'er
George H. Read; surgeon, C. G.. Herndon
past assistant engineer. q. w. Baird;
lieutenant 5. II. May ard A. C. Bakcr.
The Abatross is in length 234 feet ever all, with
beam of 27l2 feet. and depth of hold OF IL ieet
inches She is brisantine-rigged, and IS pro-
pelled by compound engines aud twin screws her
speed is about twelve knots an hour The screws
are arranged one on each side of tho rudder and can
be worked in opposite directions so as to turn the
vessel .quarcly abont in her length The steering is
done by steam. The vessel is constructed with high
poop-deck to enable her when going astern TO free
of tle seng might otherwise
ship. The vessel is lighted by 1870 OF Edison's in-
caudesoent lamps of eight candle power each One
of these lamps is attached to u flexible cable, and
may be lowered into the sea to the depth OF 800
fathoms. There arc two Of Dr. Moses's lights of
$50 candle-power each run on the Edison circuit,
which is considered an important advance in cleo
tric lighting Edison's dynamo. driven by an
Sloxl0 engine, Is used. the dynamo making
| 200 and the engine 800 revolutions minute.
The use of electricity in tho scientific investga-
tions of the vessel is vet purely experimental.
The light has been used under the water To attract
the fish, and has been found very useful for tins
purpose. At depth Of 100 iathoins, however the
pressure OF the water is great that tho globe is
broken consequently II remains 20 perfect globe
that will withstand the great submarine pressure
before the electric light can be used nj great
depth.
one on the spar deck in the aniidship house, ana
the other on tho deck Immediately below. In these
Laboratories the reporter found Yesterday specimens
recently taken in soundings and drcdgngs IN 200
| fat hons of water There were star fish. differing
entirely from those common In shallow water, sub
marine worms of cuTiOus forms. crabs ana various
kinds of vcrtcbrates and invertebrates. In one jar
OF alcohol were several young sharks which were
| taken alive from the mother. There were speci-
mems of plants and OF tho mud at that dcplh-mak-
| ing In all a curious and interesting collection. The
specimens will be taken 10 the Smithsonian instl-
| tuition at Washington.
| There is also In the vessel complete photo
graphic apparatus for taking instantaneous photo
Fate he
sea. The Photographic apparatus will be used also
in taking micro photographs of,minute organisms by
aid OF the electric light lowered IN the sea- Photo
| graphs Of the intensity Of light will bo taken at
different depths, the Photographic platos being sent
| down. opened and closed, raised TO the surface
| for comparison, ana preserved 10 DC sent 10 the
! Smithsonian Institution
The steamer is equipped with two Herrcshof
| steam launches, Que of which Is sheathed with
| beneath her keel, SO that In heavy seas
| IL will always be III the water These boats are also
arranged to be used le-boats, and they are pro-
| vided with the necessary apparatus for capturing
| cetaceans large Gloucester saIl-boat and several
row-boats complete the squadron. There is on the
| vessel every appliance for catching fish.
| The fsh-food found In salt water Is ono of the
| principal points for investigation. which will be
carried on by the use of electricity and the traw
Much valuable photographic information Is gained
incidentally as II Is always necessary to ascertain
| tho exact depth Of water before tho trawl Is
lowered 10 accomplish which the vessel Is furnished
with the most perfect appliances Tor deepsea sound
ings steel wire-Of which there are :. 900 fathOms-
taking the place of the hemp rope. Accurate sora
| temperatures are observed, well the chcmica-
constituents of the water, their points having d
| rect bearinp upon the subject under invest CATION
| The FIRST work of the Albaiross was done about
tn months ago of Cape fIatteras in investigating
! The Innvcmcnts OF migratory fishes which make
their Grst appearauce on the coast IN that vicinity
| Tha ohicct of the work was to gam knowledge that
vonid lead TO the discovery OF the winter quarters
~ those Shes IL has always been alleged by scien
| tists that mackerel hibernate every winter off
| NeVyfonndland Professor Baird has maintained,
ON tho contrary. that the mackerel are a migratory
Gsh The trip to Hateras by tho Albatross settled
| Ibe ouesti0n The vessel lay oil llaiteras until tho
| macferel appeared. and then followed them up
| along the coast The shad, salmon, blueish mem
haden and Others appear the coast In the spring.
| most of them III good condition, indicating good
feeding grounds during the winter. After remaining
some time in the shallow waters OF the Atlantic sea-
hoard. and its bays and rivers. they suddenly dis
| onnear no one knows where. They reappear III tho
| folowInQ spring. 1t has been settled that they do
not visit any other coast In the meantime, and rs
| thew have never been seen on the surface after
they have gone away, 1T follows that
tbey hibernate at the sea bottom III region where
food is plentiful. If the Abatross discovers the
| winter resort of these fish IL will only remain to
take them at q season when they are not spawning,
| aud are in consequence III line condition.
| The klbatross has been ordered 10 report at Wash
| ;no,o, for further orders June 10.