[29] WOKK OF FISH C'OMMLS.siON STEAMER ALBATROSS. 145 



for taking serial temperatures. We arrived in port at 3 p. ni., and 

 anchored in Great Harbor, 



At 12.35 p. m. July 20 we left Wood's Holl for Newport, E. I., for 

 coal, arriving at 4.30 p. m. We received on board 100 tons, and at 12.20 

 p. ni. on the 24th left for Wood's Holl, arriving at 4.55 p. m. 



At 3.15 p. m. on the 25th we left port for an off-shore dredging trip. 

 The weather was clear and pleasant, with light southerly winds. At 

 2.35 p. m. the following day we got soundings in 2,033 fathoms, lat- 

 itude 380 30' 30" i^"., longitude 69° 08' 25" W. The wire parted while 

 reeling in, and we lost the specimen cup, thermometer, and 92 fathoms 

 wire. The trawl was lowered and brought up a bottom specimen, which 

 proved to be globigerina ooze. The haul was successful although the 

 quantity of material was quite small. There was no attemj)t at rapid 

 work, two hours and eighteen minutes having been spent in veering 

 2,700 fathoms of dredge rope and landing the trawl on the bottom. It 

 was hove up in one hour and fifty-five minutes. 



At 5.58 the following morning we cast the lead in 2,451 fathoms, 

 bottom globigerina ooze, latitude 37° 58' 30" N,, longitude 69° 01' 20" W., 

 and commenced taking a set of serial temperatures and water specimens, 

 when, in slacking away the forward boom-guy, it was accidentally let go 

 and the boom flew aft, violently striking the fore-rigging with sufficient 

 force to break it at the heel where it entered the metal socket. The 

 roi)e was hove in, the boom repaired, and at sundown we were in work- 

 ing order again. 



Our method of taking serial temperatures and water specimens is as 

 follows, viz : A cast-iron sinker weighing 500 pounds is shackled to 

 the dredge rope, a few fathoms veered out, and a Sigsbee water cuj) and 

 Negretti-Zambra deep-sea thermometer secured to it. The rope is then 

 veered rapidly and the instruments secured at the desired intervals 

 until the series is complete. The necessary time being allowed for the 

 thermometers to take the temperature, the rope is hove in at any de- 

 sired speed and the instruments taken off as they come up. The above 

 method is generally used for 100 fathoms and upwards, the Tanner 

 sounding machine being utilized to complete the series to the surface. 



There was a brisk breeze and considerable swell during the day, but 

 the wind moderated during the evening and the sea went down. We 

 hung the arc (electric) light over the side after dark and kept it there 

 about two hours. A small school of squid was attracted by it, and sev- 

 eral small fish were seen near the ship, although it is not certain that 

 they were attracted by the light. Several petrels were dazzled by it 

 and fell on board, where they were captured for specimens. 



At 4,33 a. m. on the 28th, we sounded in 2,976 fathoms, globigerina 

 ooze— latitude 37« 54' 49" TsT., longitude 68° 05' 25" W. This depth was 

 unexpected, and as there was some doubt as to theaocuracy of the sound- 

 ing, it was repeated, 2,900 fathoms of wire allowed to run out, and then 

 an attempt made to reel in, but the sinker had not reached bottom and 

 H. Mis. 67 10 



