318 THE VOYAGE OF THE " FRAM " 



station a day. The distance, according to a rough 

 calculation, was about 8,000 nautical miles, and I laid 

 down the following plan: To go about east by north 

 with the prevailing northerly and north-westerly winds 

 to the coast of Africa, and there get hold of the south- 

 east trade. If we could not reach Africa before that date, 

 then to turn on July 22 and lay our course with the 

 south-east trade for St. Helena, which we could reach 

 before August 1 ; from there again with the same wind 

 to South Trinidad (August 11 or 12) ; on again with 

 easterly and north-easterly winds on a south-westerly 

 course until about August 22, when the observations 

 were to be concluded, and we should try to make 

 Buenos Aires in the shortest time. 



That was the plan that we attempted. On account of 

 the fresh water from the River La Plata, we did not 

 begin at once to take samples of water, and with a head- 

 wind, north-east, we lay close-hauled for some days. 

 We also had a pretty stiff breeze, which was another 

 reason for delaying the soundings until the 17th. 



For taking samples of water a winch is used, with 

 a sounding-line of, let us say, 5,000 metres (2,734 

 fathoms), on which are hung one or more tubes for 

 catching water; we used three at once to save time. 

 Now, supposing water and temperatures are to be taken 

 at depths of 300, 400, and 500 metres (164, 218, and 

 273 fathoms) , Apparatus III. (see diagram) is first hung 

 on, about 20 metres (10 fathoms) from the end of the 



