DISCOVERY REPORTS 



The Wire Ropes were made by the same firms that supplied those of the ' Discovery ' 

 and are to the following specifications: 



The Sounding Machine, as already mentioned, was coupled to the engine which 

 drives the drum used for hydrological work. It is a Lucas machine and apart from the 

 difference in the drive is identical with that used in the 'Discovery'. In the position 

 which the machine occupies, the jib sheave — which also registers the amount of wire 

 paid out — extends outboard through an aperture in the bulwarks. Thus fitted it is liable 

 to damage when the vessel is coming alongside ; but the jib is portable, and can thus 

 be removed when the machine is not required, while the aperture in the bulwarks 

 can be closed by a sliding door. A Kelvin machine, for taking soundings in shallow 

 water, is fitted in the stern: it is hand-driven, but otherwise similar to that in the 

 ' Discovery '. This machine and the echo-sounding apparatus referred to on p. 175 were 

 frequently used for taking soundings during scientific work. When trawling and dredging 

 in coastal waters where the bottom was uneven the echo-sounding apparatus proved 

 particularly useful. Continuous readings of the depth could be taken and the length 

 of wire rope varied accordingly. 



The Laboratory is situated immediately below the bridge and is 16 ft. broad and 9 ft. 

 long. It has port and starboard doors and large portholes on three sides placed close 

 to the level of the benches as in the ' Discovery'. On the after bulkhead, in the middle 

 there is a sink supplied with fresh and salt water, and above it are large glass jars, 

 fitted with taps, for alcohol and formalin. The space on either side of the sink is occupied 

 by cupboards and sloping bottle racks. Along the forward bulkhead is a bench, 

 extending round to the doors on either side, and interrupted in the middle by a small 

 swing table. Above the portholes there are bookshelves and below the bench there are 

 tiers of drawers. Three stools are provided, and a movable flap, attached to the bench, 

 can be used as a writing desk. In bad weather it was found that the laboratory tended 

 to become over-heated and to remedy this defect two small ventilators were fitted, 

 opening on to the bridge. 



For storage of scientific apparatus a locker is provided on the lower deck, opening 

 oflF the lobby which gives access to the chart room ; other scientific gear and material 

 is stored in a hold below the forward accommodation. 



