238 THE LAST CRUISE OF THE CARNEGIE 



These were followed by the piece-de-resistance of the evening: 

 a theatrical performance arranged by a professional dramatist, 

 featuring some hilarious scenes of life in Papeete. Native songs 

 and dances were interspersed throughout the festival; and an 

 orchestra tuned up for the dance which closed the entertainment. 



On the afternoon of March 10 we reluctantly set sail from the 

 charming port of Papeete, all hands reporting for duty. Not 

 many vessels leave this seductive spot without desertions on the 

 part of the crew. We had, however, signed on a Tahitian sailor, 

 Benjamin Tehau, to replace Henricksen. 



We sailed past the magnificent island of Moorea, behind which 

 we had seen the sun set in splendor throughout our stay in port. 

 But the wind hauled ahead, and we were obliged to pass Huahine 

 and Raiatea to the north. Then followed a week of calms and 

 light airs, during which we fitfully made our way westward 

 towards Samoa. We were alternately pushed ahead by our little 

 engine, and bowled over the smooth sea by bracing the yards to 

 catch the short wind-squalls that swept down on us from every 

 direction. The easterly trades were picked up for only four 

 days during this passage. 



The usual routine of magnetic, electric, and oceanographic 

 work was carried on, with the exception of the bottom-sampling. 

 Repeated attempts to use the new Coast and Geodetic Survey 

 sounding-apparatus resulted only in the loss of many samplers 

 and thermometers. We found that the machine was not suitable 

 for use on a small vessel which rolled so noticeably when sails 

 were shortened for sounding. The floating-drum, mounted 

 athwartships, had to be continuously manipulated between clutch 

 and brake to control the speed of paying out. These sudden 

 changes of tension would part the piano-wire, not made to with- 

 stand such severe strains. It had been hoped that this apparatus 

 would save power and time by making the bottom-sampling inde- 

 pendent of the main winch. Later on experiments with the new 

 machine were resumed, but with little success. 



The almost constant use of the main engine resulted in a burned- 

 out bearing on March 24. But by now the trades were blowing, 

 and as we sailed past Mopihaa Island, the engine-room gang were 



