32 Extracts from, the Log of the 1904 Cruise 



barometer was falling, and there was every evidence of a ' blow ' 

 coming on, it was thought better to take advantage of the opportunity 

 for work before the weather prevented it. The closing-net was 

 therefore put down to 1,500 fathoms and a fairly good haul obtained, 

 and a pretty good one at 1,000 fathoms, though the wind was rising 

 all the time ; and when the net was put down next to 600 fathoms, the 

 sea was very choppy, and so increasingly bad did it become that when 

 the net was next put down to 300 fathoms it came up torn about 

 8 inches across. 



The night turned out very ' dirty,' with rain in torrents and a 

 strong gale commencing from the north-west and blowing ' great guns ' 

 finally from the north. At 2 a.m. the cringle in the clew of the main- 

 19 10n sail burst, but fortunately nothing was lost. Arriving at Station 19, 

 July 12, in Lat. 39° 53' N., Long. 26° 32' W., a sounding unexpectedly 

 gave only 488 fathoms, with a bottom of hard rock. Putting down 

 the triangle-net, a mixed collection of sand shells, zoophytes, sponges, 

 and echinoderms were brought up, but on the second descent of this 

 net the frame was firmly jammed in the rocky bottom, and it, together 

 with 100 fathoms of hemp-rope, were lost. Drifting all the time in a 

 south-east direction, about three miles farther on gave a sounding of 

 600 fathoms. The bank which gave the sounding 488 fathoms is 

 uncharted. Towards the south-east it deepens rapidly, and is possibly 

 shallower water to the north-west, 

 aation During the night there was a light breeze from the north-north-west, 



and at daylight on July 13, Terceira hove in sight, bearing south-west 

 by south, and about eighteen miles distant. Heaving to, a sounding gave 

 870 fathoms, and at 800 fathoms a good haul was made with the closing- 

 net. A fresh breeze was now blowing with a bright sun, and Terceira lay 

 about sixteen miles to windward, a white cloud of mist hanging over the 

 highest hill. At 600 fathoms there was a good haul with the closing- 

 station netj but at ^qq and 200 fathoms very little was obtained. Sounding 

 in Lat. 38° 42' N., Long. 28° 27' W., gave a depth of 770 fathoms, with 

 a bottom of line volcanic mud, and the ship then put in and anchored 

 in Horta Harbour, thus completing the first portion of her cruise, and 



