[25] 



WORK OF STEAMER ALBATROSS. 



629 



of Sable. Island Bank, resulting in the capture of a few risk, ophiurans, 

 starfish, shrimp, sea-anemones, and mollusca. 



At 9.11 a. m., the 24th, we cast the trawl in 1,255 fathoms, latitude 42° 

 47' If., longitude Gl° 04" W. The frame was landed at 1.07 p. in., minus 

 the net, which had been torn away by an overload of stones or mud. 

 We expended much time and patience in the vain endeavor to clear it 

 from the bottom without sacrificing the apparatus. We started ahead 

 on our course as soon as the haul was completed, the general appearance 

 of the weather making it inadvisable to cast the trawl again. The wind, 

 which was light during the early part of the day, increased to a moderate 

 gale from WJSW. in the afternoon. The barometer was unsteady and 

 there was a heavy southerly swell ; in fact, all indications pointed to 

 heavy weather. 



The 25th commenced with fresh winds from WKW., and overcast 

 misty weather: We had heavy rains and light to moderate breezes 

 in the middle part, and fresh SSB. winds in the latter part of the day. 

 The barometer was unsteady, and although the sea was comparatively 

 smooth, the general indications were of approaching bad weather. Ten 

 soundings were taken during the day near the position assigned to 

 Hope Bank, in depths ranging from 1,644 to 1,943 fathoms. The sound- 

 ings are inshore, or to the northward of those taken on the outward 

 trip, and demonstrate beyond doubt that no shoal or bank exists on the 

 ground covered by them. 



We were unable to locate our position by observation during the day 

 except by ex-meridian observations of the sun for latitude, and, although 

 we had covered the ground satisfactorily, we determined to remain on 

 the spot until the weather permitted us to verify our work. With this 

 object in view the vessel was hove to from midnight until 1.10 p. m.. 

 August 26, when, having ascertained our position by good observations, 

 we proceeded to run a line of soundings at right angles to those of the 

 previous day in from 1,587 to 1,910 fathoms; the results confirming 

 the general accuracy of our former work. 



The unsettled weather of preceding days culminated in a cyclone of 

 moderate force on the 26th, as will be shown by the following extract 

 from the meteorological columns of the ship's log. 



The force of the wind should be increased about .2 — otherwise 

 the record may be considered correct. 



Date. 



August 25 

 August 26 



Do . 



Do . 



Do . 



Do . 



Do . 

 August 27 



Do . 



Time. 



8 p.m 



1 a. m 



Noon 



3 p. m 



6 p. ui 



11 p. m... 

 Midnight 



2 a. m 



8 a. ni 



Wind, true. 



E 



E. by S . . 

 ENE .. . 

 NE.by E 



NNE'.... 

 N 



NNW . . . 



NW 



TOW... 



Sea. 



Smooth. 



Do. 

 Rough . 

 Heavy. 



Do. 



Do. 

 Moderate. 



Do. 

 Smooth. 



