Narrative of Bahama Expedition. 35 



Friday, May 12th, latitude 26" 3' , longitude 76" 49' . At 

 About seven a. m. the reefs were shaken out of the mainsail 

 for the tirst time since leaving the Chesapeake, and the light 

 sails were set. At ten a. m. the cry of •• Land ahoy! "' proved 

 a most welcome one to those whose tirst experience at sea had 

 })een. after all, a somewhat unreasonabh' rough one. The 

 land sighted was the northeast end of the island of Abaco, the 

 northernmost of the Bahama group. The accuracy of Captain 

 Flowers' navigation, as well as that of his instruments, was 

 attested by this excellent •• land fall." Early that morning he 

 had announced that we would see land at about ten o'clock, and 

 his prophecy was verified to the letter. We had two quad- 

 rants on board, one for the captain's use and another for the 

 use of those students who desired a little practice in the science 

 of navigation. The latter instrument, however, was faulty, 

 although it served very well for purposes of instruction. The 

 sea had calmed down until there was comparatively little 

 motion, and every one was in excellent spirits and developed 

 astonishing appetites, as might have been expected. During 

 the day we made the tirst set of tangles of Italian hemp 

 rope, as described on page 12, and hung our largest trawl net 

 on its gas-pipe frame. The mate proved of great service 

 in giving practical aid and suggestions in hanging our various 

 instruments for dredging. The novice finds himself pitiful!}- 

 ignorant regarding the various peculiarities of rope, marline 

 and twine, as well as of the innumerable m\'steries connected 

 with the •■ clove hitch," ''half hitch," and scores of other 

 hitches and knots, each of which has its proper function in the 

 eves of the "sailor man," who niay have little book learning, 

 but will make university professors feel exceedingly insignifi- 

 cant when it comes to tying knots and hanging dredges, trawls 

 and tangles. 



In the afternoon the wind died down to an almost imper- 

 ceptible breeze, and the barometer fell to thirty degrees, the 

 lowest point reached during the outward voyage. On account 

 of this fact, as well as a general desire to land, we decided to 

 make Egg Island anchorage before night if possible. About 



