DEPARTMENT OF TERRESTRIAL MAGNETISM. 287 



On account of the presence of bubonic plague in Dakar, the Carnegie 

 remained in that port only long enough to take on water and supplies, 

 sailing for Buenos Aires on November 26, 1919. 



Fair winds for the first 3 days were followed by 10 days of calms and 

 light variable wdnds, during which time it was necessary to operate the 

 engine. After safely rounding Cape Palmas, Liberia, the southwest 

 monsoon was encountered, and it continued to blow from December 9 

 to December 18 as the Carnegie sailed southeastward into the Gulf of 

 Guinea. Two days later the vessel entered the region of the southeast 

 trade wind, and for 11 days the daily run averaged from 125 to 188 

 nautical miles, with fine weather and under good saiUng conditions. 



After leaving the trade-wind region, about 10 days were spent in 

 crossing the belt of calms, variable winds, and storms before the vessel 

 entered the River Plate. On each of the two nights before reaching 

 the river a hea\^ storm from the westward occurred, with heavy rain 

 and strong and shifting wind. Landfall was made with the aid of star 

 observations during lightning flashes of the receding storm as they 

 illuminated the horizon. Buenos Aires was reached on January 19, 

 1920. 



During the stay of 33 days at Buenos Aires the work and equipment 

 of the vessel was inspected by Mr. Fleming for the Director, whose 

 contemplated \dsit had to be abandoned because of pressing matters 

 at Washington. (Seep. 293, Special Expedition, concerning Mr. Flem- 

 ing's inspections.) 



Various repau's were also carried out and the different magnetic 

 instruments were intercompared on shore. Through the efforts of the 

 American ambassador, the Argentine Government, as during previous 

 visits of the Carnegie, extended various courtesies and privileges to 

 the vessel during her stay at Buenos Aires. These courtesies and the 

 facilities afforded by the Argentine customs officials were very much 

 appreciated. Two watch officers, 1 cook, the mechanic, 7 seamen, and 

 the 2 messboys were replaced here. On February 21, 1920, the vessel 

 left for St. Helena. 



A week of moderate winds was followed by a heavy gale on February 

 28 as the vessel entered the region of the ''roaring forties." For 48 

 hours the vessel ran before the storm at the rate of 10 knots with only 

 the goose-winged lower topsail set. She scudded in the heavy cross-sea, 

 shipping wave after wave from stem to stem. As the vessel proceeded 

 southward, the cold and disagreeable weather gave warning of the 

 presence of ice. On March 3 and 4 four large icebergs were passed. 



Gough Island was sighted on March 8 and several very interesting 

 hours were spent passing this lonely, uninhabited island of the South 

 Atlantic. Large numbers of the wandering and sooty albatross were 

 present around the island, indicating this as one of their homes. Sev- 

 eral specimens were caught and examined. 



