lO DEEP-SEA SOUNDING. 



To gather information concerning foreign ports and 

 to show the flag where it had not been seen for years. 

 if indeed ever before, the Department had adopted the 

 wise policy of sending our men-of-war to join their sta- 

 tions by different routes. * The Enterprise had been 

 assigned to the Asiatic Station, and the route selected 

 was via the Cape de Verde Islands and Cape of Good 

 Hope. From the Cape we were to cruise along the 

 coast of South Africa, thence to Madagascar, thence to 

 the Comoro Islands and Zanzibar. From Zanzibar we 

 were to cross the Indian Ocean to the Straits of Sunda, 

 and from thence proceed to China, touching at Borneo 

 and other places. 



As this cruise would afford an excellent opportunity 

 to add to our knowledge of the ocean's bed, a deep-sea 

 sounding apparatus was put on board, with cups, sinkers, 

 wire, etc., and instructions were given to sound on the 

 way out, if practicable, at intervals of lOO miles. 



Pamphlets were mailed from the Smithsonian Insti- 

 tution treating of the manner of stuffing birds, preserv- 

 ing fishes, etc., and a hope was expressed by letter that 

 we might be able to collect valuable specimens for the 

 National Museum ; but no alcohol, jars, or instruments 

 came with the letter, neither was authority given to 

 purchase any. 



We were directed to swing ship every 15 degrees of 

 latitude and longitude made good, and also when on the 

 magnetic equator ; to swing first with starboard helm, 

 then with port helm, and occasionally with the vessel 



