56 THE LAST CRUISE OF THE CARNEGIE 



fattest passenger. Only on the very rough days was it necessary 

 to brace ourselves at the table. 



On the walls are several portraits, including one of Andrew 

 Carnegie, autographed with the following inscription: 



"Success to the wandering Yacht 

 Carnegie whose world wide mis- 

 sion is to correct the mistakes 

 of others and ensure against 

 shipwrecks." 



But even the cabin cannot be kept free of scientific apparatus. 

 Our chronometers lie in a row on green cushions under the book- 

 shelves, with time-signal head-gear hanging above them. The 

 constant-speed motor is here, with its shaft running forward to 

 the earth-inductor. A barograph gives us a continuous record 

 of changes in atmospheric pressure. And wedged between the 

 dining-table and the book-shelves is the complicated pendulum- 

 apparatus for measuring the force of gravity at sea. 



This is no doubt the most delicate device on board. It has 

 been long known that, in general, gravitational attraction varies 

 with latitude, but certain irregularities which occur in the force 

 of gravity over the face of the Earth still await explanation. 

 Many determinations have been made on land, but only recently 

 have successful attempts been made to measure the mysterious 

 force at sea. Dr. Vening Meinesz of Holland, who designed this 

 instrument, used it on a circumnavigation cruise in a submarine; 

 and the United States Navy also loaned a similar vessel for this 

 purpose. A sub-surface ship is free from the disturbing motion 

 of the waves, and is much better suited to these studies than the 

 Carnegie, although it was hoped that with smooth seas useful 

 results might be obtained, even on a surface vessel. 



Below the cabin and under the staterooms are water-tanks, 

 specimen , bottles, preservatives, tents, a diving-helmet, and a 

 general assortment of ship's gear. The wooden water-tanks kept 

 our fresh water very sweet even on such long stretches as from 

 Panama* to Callao, some three months at sea. The supply was 

 carefully rationed, and a reserve tank always kept for emergen- 

 cies. Each received about two quarts of fresh water daily for 



