VOYAGE FROM CAPE TOWN TO CHINA. 4$ 



sand. The ship was swung for compass deviations 

 between the last two casts, the weather being pleasant. 

 Current 1.5 knots an hour, setting S. 86° E.' A light 

 breeze sprung up from the southward and westward 

 about sunset, when sail was made and fires were hauled 

 as usual. 



On the 17th sounded in 2217 fathoms, lat. 0° 21' 49" 

 N., long. 74° 46' 30" E. In reeling in the last 50 fath- 

 oms the wire parted with a jerk, losing 29 fathoms, cup, 

 and thermometer. A shark which was seen swimming 

 about the ship while sounding is supposed to have 

 snapped at the specimen-cup and caused the wire to 

 part. Current 1.3 knots an hour, setting N. 54° E. 



On the 1 8th a cast was taken in 2472 fathoms, lat. 0° 

 26' 52" N., long. 76° 34' 45" E.; brown mud mixed with 

 shells. Current 1.66 knots an hour, setting N. 87° E. 

 A few squalls were experienced during the day. 



On the 19th sounded in 2=; 78 fathoms, lat. 0° 18' 28'' 

 N., long. 78° 33' 48'' E.; dark brown mud. Current 

 1.54 knots an hour, setting S. 71° E. The weather was 

 somewhat squally during the day, with occasional rain. 

 On the 20th sounded in 2609 fathoms, lat. 0° 12' 9" 

 N., long. 80° 29' 55'' E.; dark brown mud. Several heavy 

 rain-squalls struck us during the day, and at times the 

 rain came down in torrents. Current 1.33 knots an hour, 

 setting S. 69° E. 



On the 2 1 St sounded at 7 a.m. in 2472 fathoms, lat. 

 0° 14' 07" N., long. 82° 36' 27" E. — dark brown mud; 

 and again at 5.30 p. m. in 2436 fathoms, lat. 0° 18' 19" 



