[27] WORK OP STEAMER ALBATROSS. 631 



"From 8 a. m. to noon. — Wind steady in force and direction. At 8.30 

 a. in. took observation, which almost corresponded with the distance 

 ran by the log. At 9 sounded ; depth 90 fathoms ; hauled the vessel 

 close to the wind SW. by W. At 9.30 sounded; depth 100 fathoms; 

 hard bottom. Tacked ship, run off to the NE. 6 miles, sounded ; depth 

 40 fathoms, with small black pebbles; run to the north 4 miles, sounded ; 

 found 75 fathoms ; hauled up ESE. 4 miles, sounded ; got 62 fathoms ; 

 tacked ship and kept off course. At noon found the latitude to be 41° 

 38' and longitude 63° 30/" 



The above extract from the schooner's log would seem to be con- 

 clusive, at least, as to the soundings having been made as stated, even 

 if her position was not correctly given. A vessel's log is usually taken 

 as evidence in court, and entries in it are generally the results of per- 

 sonal observation of its writer or of other officers in charge of the deck 

 for the time being. Facts only are looked for, and fictitious entries are 

 so foreign to the habit of seamen generally that it would be considered 

 correct until proved otherwise. Yet this copy fails to inspire confi- 

 dence; in fact, the evidences of its having been cooked to suit the oc- 

 casion are so palpable that its reliability becomes questionable at every 

 point. It is a well-known fact that a fishing vessel's log is brief, that her 

 navigational and scientific instruments are few, and equal to her abso- 

 lute necessities only, yet this copy purports to give for every hour of 

 the cruise, day and night, a complete record, including the filling out of 

 18 columns in the United States Navy log-book, which was used for 

 making the copy, nine of them being meteorological observations, be- 

 sides remarks more or less full. 



On September 20, the day before the discovery of Hope Bank, this 

 remarkable vessel made 77 miles in 12 hours on a SW. by W. course, 

 wind WSW., sailing within one point of the wind! With a wind force 

 of 4 to 5 she made 7 to 8 knots, heeling 3° to 4°, With leeway of one-half 

 a point, the same leeway being maintained later in the day with a speed 

 of 2 knots, heel of 1° to 2°, and wind force from 1 to 2. 



The following entry is found on May 13, at noon: 



"Latitude, D. R., 48° 35' 00" N. 



"Longitude, D. R., 42° 38' 00" W. 



"Latitude by observations of '0 48° 38' 00" N. 



"Longitude by chronometer O 42° 36' 00" W. 



" Current during the time 1.7 knots per hour, settiug to the eastward." 



We find recorded here a current of 40.8 miles for 24 hours, whereas, 

 assuming the calculations for position to be correct, there was actually 

 a current of 4 miles N., 40° E. during the day. 



Similar examples might be quoted throughout the whole log-book, 

 but the above extracts are sufficient to illustrate its value as an accurate 

 record of results. The meteorological record is hardly worthy of com- 

 ment. 



