84 DEEP-SEA SOUNDING. 



on the topgallant forecastle ; put extra lashings on boats, 

 sails, and guns ; struck below all shot and shell which 

 were on deck ; rove life-lines, and made everything 

 ready for battening down hatches. At 4 p.m. the ship 

 was under close-reefed main topsail and stormsails. 

 Wind from N.N.W., force about 6, with moderate sea. 

 Had it not been for the rapidly falling barometer, there 

 was nothing to indicate exceptionally stormy weather. 

 Barometer at 4 p.m., 28.72. 



From 4 to 6 p.m. Rainy, squally weather. Wind in 

 fresh squalls from N.W. by N. to N.W. Moderately 

 rough and increasing sea from N.W. At 4.30 p.m. furled 

 main topsail and started fires in another boiler, making 

 three in all. At 5.30 p.m. started engines ahead slowly 

 to assist in lying to. At 6 p.m. barometer had fallen 

 to 28.67. 



From 6 to 8 p.m. Wind fresh and blowing a mod- 

 erate gale during squalls, unsteady in direction. Hatches 

 closely battened down. At 8 p.m. barometer had fallen 

 to 28.63 and for a few minutes remained steady, then the 

 wind came out in a fierce squall from W.S.W. with rising 

 barometer. 



From 8 to midnight. Blowing a very heavy gale in 

 squalls fiom W.S.W. to S.W. by W. Rough and in- 

 creasing sea. At times the squalls were of hurricane 

 violence, dashing the spray over the ship and keeping 

 the deck flooded. It ceased raining towards the end 

 of watch and stars appeared. At midnight wind from 

 S.W. to S.W. by W., force 11. Very rough high sea. 



