62 Observations Conducted on Sailing- Skips 



sections — the one to carry several hundred to 2,000 fathoms of wire 

 (according to size), the other section to carry the fine wire used for 

 sounding. This winch also carries a clutch and brake, by which the 

 speed of revolution may be controlled, and externally on the axis of 

 the revolving drums is affixed a cogged wheel, which, with a similar 

 one upon the steam capstan, carries a chain band (with movable links, 

 so that it can be shortened or lengthened). In practice the wire is 

 reeled off rapidly by its own weight, controlled by the foot-brake, 

 which allows of immediate arrest of the process. In hauling in, the 

 capstan through the chain band actuates the drums, revolving them 

 and coiling up the wire as it comes on board. The ascent can be con- 

 trolled as easily as the descent. 



In order to check effectively the amount of wire paid out and to 

 ascertain the depth to which the apparatus is lowered, the wire, after 

 leaving the drum, is led through a pulley, the revolutions of which 

 are registered on a counter, each revolution marking 1 fathom of wire 

 paid out. From this counter the wire is led forward to a pulley, the 

 method of which differs according as the work to be accomplished is 

 trawling or tow-netting. 



In tow-netting the wire used is necessarily of smaller diameter 

 than in trawling ; consequently, at considerable depths there is much 

 more strain upon it ; and if the ship is in a heavy swell, as is frecment 

 in the open ocean even upon the finest days, she rides up and down 

 considerably, and sudden jerks are thrown upon the wire, which may 

 break the strands, or even snap it completely. On one occasion we 

 were unlucky enough in this way to lose several hundred fathoms of 

 wire and a closing tow-net attached, along with a couple of deep-sea 

 thermometers. 



To avoid accidents of this kind an ' accumulator ' is necessary. 

 Such an apparatus is constructed as follows : Two wooden discs are 

 prepared — one with a hook which can be attached to the mast ; the 

 other with a hook also, which can be attached to the spar, as seen in 

 the diagram. Between the two discs are extended six or more 

 lengths of stout, solid rubber bands (obtainable from any of the 



