Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1889-09-20

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Jones Co., of Wilmington, Delaware,
and was launched August 8, 1872. She
is rugged as a brigantine, carrying sail
to a foretop- gallant sail. The spars
are of white pine and spruce, main
mast above main deck 3G feet, foremast
above deck 80 feet, maintop mast
above cap 80 feet, foretop mast above
cap 80 feet, foreyard so feet, foretop
| sail yard 40 feet, foretop gallant-yard
27J feet, fore gaff y feet, main-boom
sc feet, main gaT SO feet, dredging
boom % feet. One end OF this boom
is slipped into a socket with univer-
sal Joint secured to heavy band,
which passes around the foremast.
The other end, when not in use, rests
in crotch on the top-gallant forecas-
tie, the joint permitting the boom to
raised or lowered at pleasure, and to be
swung to either side of the vessel,
reaching far enough outboard to per-
nit the iron trawl and frame, ii feet
in length, and the net, II feet long, to
swing clear of the rail and the side OF
the ship. The weight OF the trawl
| frame is 365 pounds. The dredge rope
is made of galvanized steel wire, three
eighths of an inch in diameter, and
has six strands laid around a tarred
hemp heart. Each strand is composed
of seven wires, and its strength, as
tested at the Washington Navy
Yard, is 1850 pounds. This rope
does not rust, but if the zinc should
get worn off, coating of raw hnseed
oil keeps it bright. This rope is wound
on reel of sufficient capacity for five
thousand fathoms, but that amount of
rope has not keen used. An engine OF
peculiar construction winds this rope
upon the drum. When all is ready
the vessel is stopped, the net swung
overheard and lowered, and when on
the bottom the vessel is moved ahead
slowly, and when sufficient time has
elapsed the net is hauled up and
swung inboard, the bottom united, and
the contents discharged into the table
seive. If there is much mud the hose
washes it out with a stream of water
Then the naturalists collect the speci.
mems which are taken to the laboratory,
assorted, placed in glass jars with alco-
hol, corked tight, labeled and packed
away. Each haul is numbered and
marked on each label, and a record
made in the journal. Large specimens
are marked by tin label with num-
Der stamped ON it, which is recorded,
and the specimens placed in large cop
per tanks. All specimens are sent to
Washington, where they are assorted
and classified and fully described. The
specimens collected by the Albatross
this summer will be described by Prof.
Gilbert and will be most interesting,
particularly if illustrated by colored
engravings, as is intended.
There are two laboratories, an up
per and lower. In the first is the Ii
brary of standard works on natural
history, reports of the U. S. Fish Com
missioner, and complete set of the
elegant and valuable reports of the
Ship Challenger, beautifully and accu-
rately illustrated, and quantity Of
other scientific publications. In this
room are two acquariums, through
which stream of water constantly
! circulates. These present most ad-
mirable opportunity to study the hab-
its of marine animals, some OF them
becoming quite tame. The octopods
and cutie fishes will not be tanned,
but constantly evince their savage dis
positions, and get frequently stirred up
to make them show off. In this room
is kept the apothecary stores, under
charge of DR.. Miller, who is also first
ciass photographer and assistant nat
uralist, as we'll as the ships apotheca-
ry. The ships surgeon is DIR. James
L. Gardner, U. S. N, o thoroughly ac-
complished and skillful physician, and
an educated, genial gentleman.
The lower laboratory is used for stor.
ing and exhibiting specimens, and for
various kinds of scientific work, and is
most interesting place for visitors.
Both laboratories are under the gen.
eral supervision of Professor Charles H.
Townsend, who takes pleasure in ex-
planning the wonderful specimens col
lected from the profound depths of the
ocean abyss. Besides the trawl nets
and dredges mentioned, the ship is
fully supplied with nets of all kinds,
fish lines of every description and fish
hooks, from the delicate fly, to tempt
the wary trout, clear through the en-
tire list of sizes and kinds up to the
great shark hook with its snood of
chain to be baited with big piece of
salt pork by the vigilant sailor ever
ready to hook his enemy and haul him
on deck where it is deemed religious
rite to cut and hack that foe to the
sailors till it can never bite again.
There are plenty of boats and dorys
under charge of Mr.. Alexander, the
fish expert, who superintends all fish
ing and scinery operations, and the
ship is probably the very best equipped
ship in the world for this particular
service.
THE PLAN OF THE ALBATRoss.
The original plan of the vessel was
made by Mr.. Charles w. Copeland. of
New York. but the construction was
superintended by Lieut.. Commander
Il. L. Tanner, U. S. N, who made
many important suggestions, and his
practical experience determined the
final plan OF construction. She may
be truly considered as a creation en-
tirely from designs furnished and sug-
gested by Captain Tanner, who has
commanded her ever since she has
been put in commission.
WHAT CAUSED CONGRESS TO BUILD HER.
The alleged decrease of the food
fishes along the sea coast of the At
lantic, and in the lakes of the United
States, induced Congress in 1871 to
pass an act authorizing the appoint
'ment of Fish Commissioner to in
\ -estigate the subject. Professor Spen-
o. T +. Baird was the first appointed,
an,. the wonderful work which he has
go 1ccessfully organized will immor-
taEye his name as one of the most
theron gh and practical of modern sci
ent;sts The Investigations which he
commen, :ed were at first restricted to
the exam nation of the inshore waters,
but the m any questions arising in re-
gard to the movements of the mack
erel. the blue fish, the menhaden and
other pelagic pecies, caused the Com
missioner to pply to Congress for
means to build IA seagoing steamer, by
aid of which tn movements OF the
sea fish could be I. 1Ore readily followed
and their lines OF migration and win