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U.S.S. ALBATROSS
Seattle, Wash.,
May 19, 1914.

Dr. F. A. Sumner,
Vertebrate Museum, Univ. of California,
Berkeley, Calif.

Dear Dr. Sumner:
          I am glad that you had such a successful "cruise." We likewise covered a lot of ground in spite of the rough weather and scarcity of fish. In truth, I did make quite a show of myself on that run outside the Gate, but on this trip even in the roughest weather I've had no trouble at all.
          The bottom sampler has given excellent service. On one occasion we picked up about two feet of very sandy mud of the consistency of rubber. Sand, you know, is very difficult of penetration. On another occasion six inches of hard pan were brought up. Of course this last sample did not extend into the paper tube. This bottom was almost like rotten stone; it hurt one's fingers to crumble it. At no time has the closing device failed to function. The upper rod we have shortened to about eighteen inches, because the large weight we suspended it beneath while lowering it by means of the large winch put a kink in it. That was prior to the time of putting the cable on the small winch. Of late we have been using the bottom sampler with it, and without any additional weight. Used with a small winch