[21] CONSTRUCTION AND WORK OF FISH-HAWK. 23 



required, thej are armed in the usual inainicr. This, however, is a 

 matter of little cousequence, as the dredge or trawl invariably follows 

 the lead, from which specimeus cau be taken. 



The machine described was purely exxierimental as we had no practical 

 knowledge of sounding machines or the use of piano wire. The results 

 were eminently satisfactory, and the little machine continued to do its 

 work well until finally we got into depths exceeding its capacity. We 

 then decided to have a larger one made embodying such improvements 

 its our experience suggested -, the original being relegated to the stern, 

 whtre, with Bassnett's patent atmospheric lead, it is still doing good 

 service as a navigational sounding machine by which we can ascertain 

 the depths to 25 or 30 fathoms while running at full speed. 



The improved machine is shown on Plates XIII, XIV, and XV, 

 and its location on Plates I and IX. It is constructed on the same 

 g;eneral plan as the original machine. The standard which shijis in the 

 rail is of wrought iron screwed firmly into the base of the brass frame 

 that carries the reel. The frame above mentione<l is cast in one piece, 

 is bored to receive the shaft, and has appropriate lugs for the pawl and 

 register. Tlie reel is of cast brass, and will hold 2,000 fathoms of 

 sounding-wire, one fathom to a turn on the first layer, increasing as 

 the score is filled. It has also the usual friction groove, Plate XIV. 

 The cranks by which the reel is turned have friction surfaces, which 

 iire brought into action by moving the right one-half a revolution ahead, 

 the left remaining clamijed, as shown in Plate XIII; or it may be held 

 firmly in the hand. The reverse motion releases the reel, and it revolves 

 freely without moving the cranks. 



On the left of the frame, between it and the crank, is a worm-wheel 

 which operates the register, as shown in Plate XIII. The ratchet and 

 pawl are on the right, between the frame and crank. 



The arm supporting the guiding pulley is of flat bar-iron, its lower 

 end riveted between lugs on the frame. The small metal block project- 

 ing from the arm is part of a tackle for suspending the reel when mount- 

 ing and dismounting. The guiding i)ulley is the same as that used in 

 the original machine, except that it carries a small arm near the ui)per 

 end of its shaft or spindle, which works through a slot in the casting, as 

 shown in Plate XIV. A small cord is attached to the arm and made 

 fast to the free end of the friction rope, the standing part being hooked 

 to a small metal eye in the frame over the reel. 



By this arrangement the friction is intended to act automatically in 

 the following manner: The machine being read}- for a cast the small fric- 

 tion line is hauled taut before the lead is bent, and while the guiding pul- 

 lej- is up in its place. In this condition it requires a strong man to move 

 the reel, but, the lead being bent and suspended, it compresses the 

 spring and drags the pulley down sufticiently to slack the friction roi)e 

 iind allow the reel to move with comparative freedom; the instant the 

 lead strikes the bottom, however, or the weight is removed from any 



