5G REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. [54] 



cylinder, and the ratchet crank brought into requisition to assist in 

 starting with a gentle motion. As soon as the engine works uniformly 

 the speed is increased and the wire hove in at the rate of 100 to 150 

 fathoms per minute, each 100 fathoms being timed by the record keeper 

 the same as when going out. The last 10 fathoms are reeled in by hand. 

 The thermometer is read by the officer in charge and verified by the 

 record keeper ; the specimen cup of water is turned over to the medical 

 officer, who either determines the specific gravity of the water or pre- 

 serves it in specially prepared bottles to be sent to the laboratory at 

 Washington for chemical analysis. 



To secure the machine when not required for use, remove the register 

 €, belt tightener g, ratchet crank n, and the steam and exhaust hose s 

 and r, and stow them away. Unship the reel d and stow it in its tank, 

 which contains sufficient sperm oil to cover the wire. Oast off the lash- 

 ing V, loosen the compressor, and run the machine in ; slacken the brace 

 w and guys x x, and bring the head of the guide frames // inboard 

 until they are horizontal, when the after oue will rest in a crutch on the 

 engine frame. The frame 1c will then be in a vertical position, the 

 guide pulley will be lowered between the guide frames//, the accumu- 

 tator pulley /i unshipped, and the upper half of the guide frames turned 

 back upon the lower portion, a double-hinged joint being provided for 

 the purpose. The machine will then be turned fore and aft on the fric- 

 tion plate close to the forecastle rail, where it is held in position by 

 the compressor. A painted canvas cover is drawn over all and secured 

 under the bed plate to protect it from the weather. 



The clamp is a cylindrical piece of lignum- vitse about 6 inches in 

 length by 4 in diameter, divided longitudinally through its center, and 

 right and left hand screws introduced, by means of which the halves 

 can be separated or brought together. It is used for holding the sound- 

 ing wire, when, from any cause, it is necessary to slacken it between 

 the reel and guide pulley. It is usually carried in an appropriate socket 

 on the bed plate, ready for instant use. 



Defective splices are usually discovered while reeling in, and the clamp 

 is brought into requisition to hold the wire while a new si)lice is made. 

 The machine had some defects when received from the maker, D. Bal- 

 lauf, Washington, D. C, although the workmanship was performed in 

 the best possible manner. The Sigsbee reel, weighing about 90 pounds, 

 proved unequal to the crushing strain to which it was subjected in 

 depths exceeding 2,000 fathoms. We then strengthened one, adding 

 about 40 pounds in weight, which did good service in depths up to 3,000 

 fathoms, but finally collapsed. Two heavier reels, weighing 150 pounds 

 each, were then constructed. Sigbee's general plan was followed, the 

 extra material being placed where former reels had been deficient in 

 strength. We have experienced no further trouble in that direction, 

 and the increased weight is hardly noticed in i^ractice. 



The round leather belts furnished with the machine were useless, and 



