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Dr. F. B. S.   -2-
[[preprinted]] Department of Commerce and Labor [[/preprinted]]

     This cruise has been one series of accidents and rough weather. On our last run of the port, one of the set-screws of the rudder-post stuffing-box worked loose, and in so doing put such a strain on the remaining three, that they threatened to carry away,too. This necessitated our immediate return to port, so here we are. But that is not the worst of it! The ship has been turned over to "Blister", as we call him, Jones, for the purpose of making a tour of Alaska--- [[underlined]] inspection [[/underlined]]?
     Rankin and I have been fired ashore, to hold down some scientific investigation or other, and this resolves itself into a reconaisance of the oyster-beds of the Sound region, the Bureau co-operating with the State Commission,represented by Dr. Kincaid.
     The ship returns late in July to make two more trips over the Oregon halibut-banks. When that has been done, we shall come back to Sausalito---about the middle of September.
     Remember me kindly to Mrs. Sumner, Madame Sumner, Florence and the baby.
               With my best wishes,
                    [[?]]

[[preprinted]]
No. 205
Ed. 7-2-12-400,000
[[/preprinted]]