64 Observations Conducted on Scdling-Ships 



fixed the spar F, and at a convenient height upon the mainmast is 

 fixed a hook, G, on to which can be hooked the accumulator, H, which 

 again is affixed to the spar F by a hook, I. The spar can thus move 

 freely in all directions and give full play to the accumulator ; and in 

 order that it cannot by any accident to the latter break away, a length 

 of manilla rope, A', is attached to the accumulator and coiled round the 

 bottom of the mainmast, and at the other end to the spar at /. 



This arrangement is suitable for work in deep water — i.e., over 

 500 fathoms ; but the spar can be dispensed with, along with the 

 accumulator, in shallower water, the wire being led from the counter 

 over a pulley-wheel affixed to the deck, and thence carried over a 

 pulley attached to the end of a davit. 



With such means we have found no difficulty in using the tow-net 

 at depths of over 1,000 fathoms, and sounding to 2,000 fathoms. The 

 depth to which a heavy tow-net may be lowered and raised again must 

 be regulated by the capacity of the winch to haul it on board. The 

 haulage must necessarily be slow, for if performed too quickly the 

 condition of the animals in the bag of the net will be woeful, if they 

 are not all mashed into pulp. 



As an example of the time occupied in such operations in deep 

 water, I may quote the following data from the log-book of the Silver 

 Belle : 



June 26, 1904, in Lat. 48° 12' N., Long. 16° 26' W.— a fine day, with 

 long, heavy swell from the west, with a west wind. 



The ship on the port tack, and the net first put down to 1,500 

 fathoms, and hauled up again. The result being unsatisfactory, the 

 net was lowered a second time. This occupied altogether one hour, 

 the net being towed for fifteen minutes ; then put clown successively 

 to 1,200, 900, 700, 500, 400, and 200 fathoms. On each occasion this 

 meant, after the net had been received on board, that its contents had 

 to be carefully removed and washed out, and the net itself carefully 

 cleaned with fresh water before lowering again. Some considerable 

 time was thus expended in manipulations on deck, and the whole time 

 occupied from start to finish was twelve hours. 



