l6 DEEP-SEA SOUNDING. 



ship made fair speed under port studdingsails. In the 

 afternoon we sounded in 2668 fathoms, lat. 9° 28' N., 

 long. 24° 08' W. The cup used was Sigsbee's improved 

 Belknap No. 2, and a good specimen was obtained of 

 gray ooze mixed with sand and minute shells. 



The flexible pipe leading from the main boilers to 

 the small reeling-engine showed signs of weakness, and 

 to strengthen it the pipe was covered with canvas and 

 served over with marline. 



On the 13th the trades were very light, but the 

 weather was delightful. In the afternoon we sounded 

 in 2509 fathoms, lat. 7° 16' N., long. 24° 24' W. The 

 cup brought up a large specimen of minute shells of 

 different colors and shapes, giving off a peculiar odor 

 resembling that of clams. These shells had every 

 appearance of being alive, and the specimen as a whole 

 differed from all others. After being exposed to the air 

 for some hours the shells would gradually change color, 

 become lighter and lighter in appearance, and a portion of 

 the specimen exposed for a day became white and chalky. 



On the 14th sounded in 2307 fathoms, lat. 5° 27' 

 25" N., long. 24° 33' 18'' W. Tried a new belt of 

 rattling stuff and changed the action of the engine to 

 obviate the necessity for crossing the belt. This was 

 found to be an improvement, and was continued during 

 the rest of the cruise. While reeling in, the wire parted 

 at a splice, causing the loss of over 2000 fathoms. The 

 wind had now become so light that it was decided to 

 get up steam. 



