14 DEEP-SEA SOUNDING. 



tering thermometer was used to ascertain the tempera- 

 ture of the bottom, the results being 36°, 36!^°, 36°, and 

 37° Fahr., respectively, the surface temperatures being 

 66°, 69°, 71°, and 72° Fahr. 



These were the only casts taken before reaching the 

 Cape de Verdes, but they had served to demonstrate the 

 weakness of the reel and the bad working of the leather 

 belts. 



We arrived at St. Vincent, Porto Grande, before 

 daylight on the morning of the 2d of February, 1883, 

 and as soon as possible filled up with excellent Welsh 

 coal, taking twenty-five tons on deck. The usual visits 

 of ceremony were made while the vessel was fitting 

 for sea. 



The importance of St. Vincent as a coaling station 

 can scarcely be overestimated. It has cable communi- 

 cation with the continent and lies directly in the route 

 of steamers running from Europe to South America and 

 other portions of the globe. During the year 1882, 

 180,000 tons of coal were supplied to steamers touching 

 at this port. 



When the Enterprise visited St. Vincent no drinking- 

 water could be obtained except what was distilled on 

 shore, but I understand that good fresh water is now 

 conducted through pipes from the mountains to the 

 harbor. 



On the 8th of February the Enterprise left St. Vin- 

 cent for Porto Praya, where she arrived on the following 

 day, having taken two casts e7t route, viz., one on the 



