■ [57] U. S. FISH COMMISSION STEAMER ALBATROSS. 59 



A spiral accumulator spring surrounds the spindle, and is compressed 

 by the weight of the lead s, giving the guide pulley e a vertical play of 

 about 3 inches. The fair-leader /swings freely in and out, but is rigid 

 laterally, and guides the wire fairly into the score of the pulley. The 

 aperture through which the wire passes is lined with highly tempered 

 steel. 



The standing part of the friction rope m hooks to the eye o in the 

 frame, is carried around the reel in the V groove, and the free end is se- 

 cured to the bight of the accumulator rope n n at m; one part being 

 hooked to the small arm Zc, and the other made fast to the arm c, for the 

 purpose of supporting the friction rope when it is slack and preventing 

 its flying out of the V groove. The guide r leads the wire fairly on the 

 reel. The machine revolves freely, its weight being sustained by the 

 socket J). The set screw q holds it in position. 



To take a sounding, the wire being on the reel and the latter mounted, 

 haul the friction rope hand-taut before the lead is attached, and while 

 the guide pulley is up in i3lace. In this position it requires a strong 

 man to move the reel, but the lead being bent and suspended, it com- 

 presses the accumulator spring, and drags the pulley down sufficiently 

 to slack the friction rope and allow the reel to revolve with comparative 

 freedom. The instant the lead strikes the bottom, however, or the 

 weight is removed from any cause, the pulley flies up, i)utting a tension 

 on the friction rope, which instantly checks the reel. 



The friction rope being i)roperly adjusted, reeve the stray line over 

 the guide pulley and bend on the lead. Throw the pawl out of action, 

 attend the friction rope, and lower the lead to the water; set the register 

 at zero, and take the cast, governing the speed of descent by means of 

 the friction rope, which is grasped by the right hand at m. As sofen as 

 the lead reaches bottom, bring the cranks into action by turning the right 

 one a half turn ahead, read the register, unclamp the left crank at t, 

 throw the pawl into action and heave in. When the lead is up, clamp 

 the left crank at t, move the right one a half turn back, thus throwing 

 them out of action, and the machine is ready for another cast. , 



If there is much sea running, it is necessary to use a light lead 

 attached to the upper end of the stray line to prevent kinking the wire 

 when slackened by the vessel's pitching. 



To dismount the reel reeve the tackle j and take the weight off the 

 reel; remove the nut on the left or after end of the reel shaft, grasp 

 the ratchet wheel with both hands, and withdraw the shaft and right 

 crank, leaving the left crank and worm wheel in position; swing the 

 reel clear arid lower it on deck, returning the shaft and crank to their 

 place. If the frame is to remain on the rail, remove the register, with- 

 draw the pin i, and bring the arm and guide pulley down to the frame 

 b b, turn the machine inboard, and tighten the set screw to hold it in 

 position. 



To wholly dismount the machine for transportation or storage, remove 



