Viewing page 42 of 56

This transcription has been completed. Contact us with corrections.

Mar.11, 1914.
Waldro L. Schmitt, Esq.
   Naturalist,
      U.S. F. S. Albatross,
         Sausalito, Calif.

Dear Sir:
    I am just in receipt of your letter dated February 28th and am very pleased to note that my application has been accepted.  I will hold myself in readiness to join the vessel April 15 and, in the meantime, will be glad to attend to any other matters that you may wish looked after at this end.
    I note carefully the work that has been laid out and have figured out carefully what would be necessary to make the investigation a success.
    Regarding men.  I have made considerable inquiries but have not yet been able to secure men, whom I consider competent, who would be willing to work for the wages offered, namely $60.00 per month.  I will write you more fully on this subject at a later date.  However, in the meantime, would like you to advise me if you would be willing to pay a little more, even as high as $75.00 providing I could secure better men.
    Regarding the gear, I believe it would be necessary to order approximately 12 new skates, (which would equal 6 to each dory) complete, including the anchor or buoy line.  I am afraid that the old gear which you have on hand will not be serviceable.  This deteriorates very quickly and especially if the hooks have been left in proximity to the lines, the rust will have spoiled same completely.  Even if the hooks have been separated, the chances are that it is not serviceable enough to warrant depending on it very much.
    Regarding bait, we should take a considerable amount of salt herring with us.  After we have commenced fishing we can use a great deal of what we catch, such as cod and other kinds of fish that you would not wish to keep.  In case of stormy weather we could fall back on the herring.  The scrap fish which we are liable to catch in considerable quantities make very good bait and can mostly all be used up for this purpose.