eries in Washington, District of Columbia, where he prepared a record of his experiences in deep-sea investigation, embracing a general description of the Albatross, her equipment, her scientific apparatus and her method of work, published by the government. His connection with the United States Commission of Fish and Fisheries terminated October 31, 1896, after a service of seventeen years, fifteen of which were spent in deep-sea investigations; and on December 5, 1897, when he reached the age of sixty-two, he was placed on the retired list. On April 8, 1898, he made a written application to the navy department for active duty in event of war with Spain, and on May 17 he was ordered as a member of a board to examine and report upon devices for coaling vessels at sea ; on June 8 as a member of the Naval Examining Board; and on July 25 to special duty in the Bureau of Equipment. He went to Honolulu in September, 1898, to select a site for a coaling station. He was ordered to Norfolk, Virginia, in December, 1898, on inspection duty; and on January 17, 1903, he was ordered to proceed to Annapolis, Maryland, for temporary duty.
Commander Tanner says that he had experienced the disadvantage of a lack of educational facilities in his childhood and youth, and he fully realized the necessity for study in his maturer years. This became more apparent as his experience broadened, and as more duties and responsibilities were placed upon him. He was obliged to study, during his limited time for recreation, whatever was of the greatest immediate use, giving only such attention to collateral branches as the necessity of the occasion required. It was in this way that he acquired his knowledge of mathematics, mechanics, navigation, nautical astronomy and something of ship building, and maritime law. Upon entering the naval service, he was obliged to add the knowledge of naval and international law, also of ordnance and gunnery, naval drills, rules and regulations, tactics, etc., in the same way. His preparation for and conduct of scientific explorations under the Fish Commission was practically a new profession, for which he prepared as he had done in the other branches of maritime service; and this new profession which he followed for fifteen years, he considers the most interesting and useful period of his life. He is a companion of the Military Order of the Loyal Legion of the United States; he was senior vice-commander of the California Commandery, and is a member of the council, Commandery of the District of Colum-
