ASSUME COMMAND OF THE ENTERPRISE. 13 



On the 19th the second cast was taken in 2166 fath- 

 oms, lat. 31° 12' 47" N., long. 42° 34' 48'' W. Char- 

 acter of bottom, gray ooze, with sand and minute shells. 



While reeling in, the flange opposite the V-groove 

 tore with a loud report for a distance of nearly 18 inches, 

 although the reel was not subjected to an unusual strain. 

 The fracture was in the metal itself, not at the welding,, 

 and in the line of the washers to the outer row of bolts. 

 At the time of the accident 1900 fathoms were out and 

 everything was working smoothly. Fortunately the 

 wire did not part. The reel was repaired on board by 

 bolting securely to it a sheet-iron band 4 inches wide and 

 I inch thick, cut to coincide with the outer circum- 

 ference of the flange. 



On the 22d, 23d, and 24th a heavy gale, beginning 

 at the northward and westward and ending at about 

 E.N.E., was experienced, making it necessary to lie to 

 for the greater part of the time. 



On the 27th the reel was repaired and the third cast 

 taken in 2698 fathoms, lat. 27° ^f 57'' N., long. 2,3° 

 56' 45" W. Character of bottom the same as in the 

 last cast, viz., gray ooze, with sand and minute shells. 

 The belt parted while reeling in, and a new one was tried. 

 The whole time occupied in taking this cast was 2 hrs. 

 29 min. 



On the 28th the fourth cast was taken in 3093 fath- 

 oms, lat. 26° 47' N., long. 31° 58' W. Bottom, red 

 ooze, mixed with sand and shells. 



In the above four casts the Miller-Casella self-regis- 



