Tuesday 3 February 1953 Course 302° Bright, clear, nearly cloudless day. We are in the Gulf of Mexico - water blue + patches of Gulf Stream weed. Air is soft but there is still a touch of Northern winter in the breeze. Calm sea, only an occasional white cap. We have a morning escort of at least 10 jaegers, patiently following. Capt. Eriksen says we will be steaming up the Mississippi tomorrow A.M. about 100 mi. up to New Orleans. Walked up to the bow about 10: A.M. A dolphin (?) came in from dead ahead & swam under our bow for about a minute. 3 others joined it. Nose pointed, blow-hole round, color - pale liver brown above, small flukes. Small Portuguese men- of-war floating by, usually small fish associated with their streamers (saw them just before bow wave hit). 5 minute count - 19 in a 150' front, from bow. Glimpse of a shark as he rolled his white belly near surface. Count of jaegers up to 18. 2 or 3 herring gulls at 1:30 P.M. Breeze dying, sea smooth, mackerel sky. Jaegers left in early P.M. 2 or 3 gannets