90 DEEP-SEA SOUNDING. 



broken shells. A.t 7.45 p.m. made sail. Current 0.75 

 knot per hour, setting S. 50° E. Barometer fell to 

 28.94 at 8 A.M., then rose gradually, standing at midnight 

 29.05. Temperature 45°. 



December 9. Blowing from fresh breeze to a gale 

 in heavy squalls from S.W. Rough, heavy sea. Ship 

 rolling at times 25° to starboard and 28° to port. The 

 wind moderated somewhat during the day, but continued 

 squally with heavy sea. Not wishing to miss a single 

 cast in the line of soundings, I had fires spread and at 

 2.45 P.M. shortened and furled sail, then sounded in 2324 

 fathoms, lat. 5o°42' S., long. ioi°09' W. ; yellow-brown 

 mud, broken shells. The cast was a very good one, in spite 

 of the heavy sea and consequent rolling and pitching while 

 engaged in taking it. At 4.02 p.m. made sail and banked 

 fires. Current 0.6 knot per hour, setting E. Barometer 

 at midnight 29.37, temperature 46°. 



December 10. Stiff to fresh breeze with squalls 

 from W.S.W. Moderate sea, with heavy swell at times 

 from S.W. by W. At 7.20 a.m. spread fires. At 7.45 

 a.m. shortened and furled sail, then sounded in 2291 

 fathoms, lat. 50° 43' S., long. 98° 55' W. ; yellow-brown 

 mud, broken shells. Sighted a square-rigged vessel 

 about ten miles to the southward standing to the east- 

 ward. (This, by the way, was the only vessel seen during 

 the passage from New Zealand to Magellan Straits.) 

 At 9.05 a.m. made sail, uncoupled, and banked fires. 

 Wind moderated in afternoon, with drizzling rain. At 

 7.23 P.M. shortened and furled sail, then sounded in 2383 



