HOMEWARD BOUND. 75 



small albatross — nine feet from tip to tip — and released 

 it after taking measurements. At midnight light airs. 

 Barometer 29.76, temperature 51°. 



November 15. Light and variable airs from mid- 

 night to 4 A.M., when a breeze came out from the north- 

 ward a little easterly, increasing to a stiff breeze with 

 squalls and threatening weather, accompanied by driz- 

 zling rain until 11 p.m., when breeze died out. Moder- 

 ate sea with long swell. At 1.25 p.m. hauled up main- 

 sail and started fires. At 4.30 p.m. took in all sail, then 

 sounded in 2793 fathoms, lat. 47° 22' S., long. 164° 34' 

 W. ; brown mud and gravel. At 5.50 p.m. made sail, 

 uncoupled and hauled fires. Current 0.3 knot per 

 hour, setting to the eastward. Barometer at midnight 

 29.61, temperature 52°. 



November 16. Light breeze from the westward, 

 veering to south and increasing to moderate breeze. 

 Pleasant weather. At 12.30 p.m. took in mainsail and 

 started fires. At 3 p.m. shortened and furled sail, then 

 sounded in 2750 fathoms, lat. 47° 54' S., long. 162° 22' 

 VV. ; brown mud. At 4.25 p.m. commenced swinging 

 ship for compass deviations. At 5.15 p.m. made sail, un- 

 coupled, and hauled fires. The reel showed signs of 

 distress, and, in order to repair it, the wire was trans- 

 ferred to the reel taken from the Palos. Current 0.5 

 knots per hour, setting S. 44° E. Barometer at mid- 

 night 29.56, temperature 50°. 



November 17. Moderate to gentle breeze from 

 the southward and westward until 9 a.m., then light 



