Background image: R/V Mollie, US Fisheries Commission yacht used by S.F. Baird at Woods Hole. Credit: NOAA Fisheries. From NOAA archives gallery at https://apps-nefsc.fisheries.noaa.gov/rcb/photogallery/assorted.html

References:

Galtsoff, P.S., 1962. The story of the bureau of commercial fisheries, Biological Laboratory, Woods Hole, Massachusetts (Vol. 145). US Department of the Interior, Bureau of Commercial Fisheries.

pp. 19-20:

”The opportunities for research in marine biology offered by the new laboratory attracted many outstanding biologists from New England colleges, as well as State fisheries Commissioners and the general public, Baird realized the importance of public support of his venture and encouraged the visitors to come and see the laboratory and the collection of live fish and other animals kept in tanks.”

Herber, E.C., 1963. Correspondence between Spencer Fullerton Baird and Louis Agassiz-Two Pioneer American Naturalists.

pp. 208-209:

“Agassiz to Baird. Cambridge, Mass., Dec. 5th 1872. My dear Baird, I have much regretted your absence from the meeting of the Academy and still regret it, as I wanted to talk over with you about some important matters. One which is now pressing I write about. We have organized a course of practical instruction in Nat. Hist., chiefly to fit teachers to introduce the study in our schools. A building has already been secured in Nantucket and some of my young friends have agreed to unite with me in this plan, which was originally suggested by Prof. Shaler, now in Europe. The plan is to be carried out under my supervision whether Shaler comes back in time for it, or not. But I want it to be known that the first suggestion was his. We propose to extend the course to the three summer months, say middle of June, July, August to middle of Sept., and to cover the whole field of Zoology, Comparative Anatomy, Microscopy, Embryology & Hyrdrography. The men who have thus far agreed to take part are – Alex. Agassiz, Pourtales, Packard, Wilder, Morse, Putnam, besides myself & Shaler. Prof. Peirce has promised to delegate Mitchell or Whiting to give some lectures upon the sea, currents, tides etc. Now I want to ask if you feel inclined to join and give us a few or many lectures upon your experience concerning fisheries and Economic Ichthyology. It has occurred to me that this would be a good opportunity for you to show to the public at large that the work you are doing is of great practical value and thus to secure its continuation. As I want to issue our circular soon, I beg you will send me your answer soon. With kindest remembrances to your ladies. Very truly yours, L Agassiz”

Baird to Agassiz. Washington D.C. December 10, 1872. My dear Professor Agassiz, I can assure you that my own regret at being unable to spare the time for the Cambridge meeting was very sincere, as I wanted above all things to see you & talk over the experiences of your journey. I hope this pleasure, however, will not be long delayed. I have taken a great interest in Shaler’s project in regard to a Summer Field School of Natural History, & when he came to Eastport on purpose to discuss it with me, I at once gave it my hearty support. I will gladly do whatever I can to make it a success, & if you think that I can tell anything worth hearing I will be glad to take part in the active exercises, should my arrangements permit. I have not yet decided what to do another season, should I be spared; but probably can take Nantucket in my way for a part of the time at least. My report upon the Fish and Fisheries of Vineyard Sound & Buzzards Bay is now nearly through the press, & I hope to have the pleasure of sending you a copy in the course of a month or two. It will be quite profusely illustrated in various ways, & I think will be of service to Natural History students…Very truly yours, S. F. Baird”

Report, 1873. U. S. Commission of Fish and Fish and Fisheries, Report of the Commissioner for 1871 and 1872, 1,

p. XV:

“With a view of exhibiting the character of the fishes of the region explored, and determining their rate of growth, an experienced photographer accompanied the party, who, in the course of the summer, made over two hundred large negatives of the species in their different stages of development, at successive intervals throughout the season. These constitute a series of illustrations of fishes entirely unequaled; forming an admirable basis for a systematic work upon the food-fishes of the United States, should authority be obtained to prepare and publish it.”

pp. XV-XVI:

“Among gentlemen interested in science who visited Wood’s Hole during the summer for a greater or less period of time, either with special reference to co-operation in the work of the commission, or on account of the interest experienced in such investigations, may be mentioned Professor L. Agassiz, of Cambridge; Professor J. W. P. Jenks, of Brown University; Professors Verrill, Smith, D. C. Eaton, William D. Whitney, William H. Brewer, and Mr. Thatcher, of Yale College; Professor Hyatt and Dr. Thomas M. Brewer, of Boston; Dr. W. G. Farlow, of Cambridge; Professor Theodore Gill and Dr. Edward Palmer, of Washington; Colonel Theodore Lyman, Massachusetts commissioner of fisheries; Mr. Gwyn Jeffries, of England; Mr. J. Hammond Trumbull, of Hartford; Professor Todd, of Mount Tabor, Iowa; Professor O. C. Thompson, of the Technical Institute, Worcester, and several others.”