68 DEEP-SEA SOUNDING. 



The cordial greeting extended to us by the govern- 

 ment and by the good people of Wellington generally, 

 because of their high regard for the United States, was 

 particularly gratifying. The sentiment in favor of a fed- 

 eration of all the English-speaking peoples was stronger, 

 if possible, here than in Australia. As in Melbourne, 

 so also at Wellington we were treated like brothers, 

 and it was a matter of deep regret that our time was too 

 limited to enable us to visit other parts of New Zealand 

 or make excursions into the interior. 



Having before us a long run of at least 4500 miles 

 over a portion of the South Pacific noted for its storms 

 and heavy seas, I thought it advisable to fill up with the 

 very best coal in Wellington, and through the exertions 

 of Mr. Levin, our accomplished consular agent, was 

 fortunate enough to obtain a supply of Cardiff coal of 

 superior quality. 



Late in the afternoon of the 5th of November, 1885, 

 we left Wellington, anchoring when out of sight of the 

 city in a small bay a few miles distant, in order that the 

 crew, many of whom had been entertained at a banquet 

 on shore the evening before, might have a refreshing 

 sleep. Moreover, New Zealand being noted for its sud- 

 den and heavy gales, I wished to be fully prepared to 

 encounter bad weather. 



We got under way early in the morning of the 6th 

 and put to sea. The ship, deeply laden, had her decks 

 encumbered wnth coal, of which thirty tons were in 

 bags ; hen-coops filled with poultry ; twelve live sheep 



