56 DEEP-SEA SOUNDING. 



When a short distance away she fired a gun and sent 

 up a rocket, then bore down on us and came within 

 hail. It was the iron-clad Prin2 Hendrick. Having 

 a curiosity to learn of her experiences, I went on board 

 myself. The captain told me that several days before 

 he had run into Semanka Bay and sent two boats to 

 communicate with the shore ; that while waiting for 

 them to return the wind drove vast quantities of 

 pumice-stone into the bay, making it impossible for the 

 boats to return to the ship. Seeing that they had com- 

 municated with the shore, and knowing therefore that 

 his men would have sufficient food, he signalled 

 them that he must put to sea on account of the 

 increasing drift. Soon after getting under way, fine 

 particles of pumice got into the valves and tempo- 

 rarily disabled the engines, and he was obliged to 

 anchor in 60 fathoms. Thirty hours were consumed 

 in making repairs. He then made another attempt to 

 push through the pumice-drift, which was at least three 

 feet thick, and at last made out to reach clear water. 

 He was surprised that there had been any anxiety on 

 his account, as he had seen several vessels at a dis- 

 tance while he was in Semanka Bay, and supposed 

 that his vessel had been seen and that her position 

 had been reported. He, in turn, was feeling anxious 

 for the safety of a small gunboat which had been sent 

 in search of him. We remained in the neighborhood 

 until daylight, then steamed back, and while skirting 

 the islands of Verlaten and Krakatoa, a man-of-war was 



