INTRODUCTION. 3 



sinkers were 8-inch shot weighing from 60 to 64 

 pounds each, with a hole through the centre sufficiently 

 large to permit the entrance and free movement of the 

 specimen cup. 



A full description of the instruments, of the manner 

 of using the machine, and of preparing the wire is found 

 in "A Report on Deep-sea Soundings in the Pacific 

 Ocean obtained in the United States Steamer Tuscarora 

 by Commander George E. Belknap, U. S. N.," and in 

 Lieutenant-Commander Charles D. Sigsbee's elaborate 

 and valuable work on " The Methods and Appliances 

 used on board the Coast and Geodetic Survey Steamer 

 Blake. " 



As, however, the method of taking the casts by the 

 Enterprise differed somewhat from that adopted by the 

 officers of the Tuscarora and Blake, I will state briefly 

 our own way of sounding. 



The Enterprise cruised under sail, with propeller 

 uncoupled ; but as steam was necessary to insure a good 

 cast it was our custom to haul up and furl the mainsail, 

 if set, and start fires in two of the six boilers at least 

 two hours before sounding. When steam was ready, sail 

 was shortened and furled, the ship brought head to wind, 

 the propeller " coupled up " by the engineer force below ; 

 hence by the time sail was furled the engines were 

 ready for use. The navigator, who had everything in 

 readiness to sound, would now relieve the officer of the 

 deck of so much of his duties as pertained to the hand- 

 ling of the vessel, because, standing almost directly over 



