OBSERVATIONS CONDUCTED ON SAILING-SHIPS. 



As the making of scientific observations on board a sailing-ship 

 requires some appliances and methods which differ from those on 

 board a steam-vessel, I think it may not be out of place to briefly 

 describe the most suitable ways and means of conducting these 

 observations. A steam-vessel must have many advantages over a 

 sailing-ship ; but to be put against these is cost, both initial and of 

 upkeep, and for work a long way from land and in deep water, such 

 as the Atlantic, a steam-vessel of comparatively large size and stout 

 build is essential, if any degree of comfort and safety is to be looked 

 for. There is no doubt that a stoutly-built sailing-ship of anything 

 over 100 tons (y.m.) is a much more comfortable and safe vessel to 

 ride out a severe gale than a steam-vessel of much greater tonnage 

 and size. The great disadvantages of a sailing-ship are the loss of 

 time taken in completing a lengthy cruise, and the days that are wasted 

 in beating around a ' station ' and lying to very often, while waiting 

 for a favourable opportunity to commence and complete the work 

 involved in the use of to wing-nets, etc., in deep water. For the rest, 

 the same difficulties beset the observer in either steam or sailing 

 vessel, such as devices to counteract the heavy strain thrown upon 

 several hundred fathoms of wire with the weight of a heavy towing- 

 net at the lower end, etc., when the ship is rising and falling or labour- 

 ing more or less heavily in a strong swell. Where the steam-ship has 

 the greatest advantage over the sailing-ship is in the ability to go 

 ahead or astern at will, and to keep over or up to the towing-net or 

 trawl lowered into deep water, and when dredge or trawl gets caught 

 in rock at the bottom, which is not of infrecpient occurrence, and 

 occurs often when least expected, in the ability to back quickly 



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