38 THREE CRUISES OF THE " BLAKE." 



best possible results. Their interest in the work never flagged, 

 and they have now attained a proficiency in deep-sea work 

 hardly deemed possible ten years ago. By the old methods a 

 single dredging at depths of from twelve hundred to eighteen 

 hundred fathoms occupied nearly twenty-four hours. It was 

 not an uncommon occurrence for the " Blake " to make six, or 

 even seven hauls a day in depths varying from seven hundred 

 to eighteen hundred fathoms. The deepest sounding made by 

 the " Blake " was in 3,428 fathoms ; the deepest haul of the 

 trawl in 2,412 fathoms. 



Durino' the second cruise amonof the West India Islands and 

 the third cruise along the eastern coast of the United States, 

 the " Blake " was commanded by Commander J. R. Bartlett, 

 whose interest in the work was not less than that of his prede- 

 cessor in command. It is pleasant to notice that the harmony 

 between the naturaHsts and the officers of the '' Blake " was 

 not for an instant disturbed during the time they were working 

 in common. Everything in the way of naval routine was sacri- 

 ficed for the time to the objects of the cruise, and the appear- 

 ance of the deck and bow of the " Blake " was often more that 

 of a mud-scow than of a vessel in the service of the United 

 States. 



