OHAP. XVIII.] DEEP-SEA SOUNDINGS 399 



For Deck Engine. 



Blue flag held vertically downwards — Ordinary speed for 



heaving in. 

 Blue flag held horizontally — Slow. 

 Blue flag held over man's head — Stop. 



By night, pass the word or arrange a bell near the deck 

 engine. 



See head-rails cleared away as necessary. Preparing 



Have ready wire-stoppers, weights, sounding-rod, gi'ummet g^JynJu 

 or ring, and sling, oil-can and spanners, dish and spoon for 

 collecting bottom specimen. 



See that sounding machine is properly placed, and that the 

 swifter runs fair, and is put round both deck engine and sound- 

 ing machine wheel in the right directions ; jigger in place, but 

 not taut. Place indicator at zero. 



Hook the springs downward to brake lever, and see regulating 

 screw set to zero, and screw brake screwed down. Wire guiding 

 rollers must be turned back, by taking out the bolt, and slewing 

 the rollers clear, so as to allow the wire to run clear. All parts 

 of the machine should be well oiled, and the winch handles 

 unshipped. 



See that the wire is evenly wound, and taut. 



Ease down the weights, using a stick with hook at the end Letting 

 to prevent a jerk, as the strain comes on the machine. ^°' 



Attend the screw brake, and ease down gently and care- 

 fully to the first 100 fathoms or so, according to the weather, 

 after which the screw brake is no longer necessary, and may 

 be lifted clear of the rim of the reel. 



As the wire runs out, screw up the regulating screw of the 

 brake. 



When the bottom is reached the springs come into action, 

 the reel will stop, and the depth can be read on the indicator. 

 The length of stray hempen line, less the drift to the water's 

 edge, must be added. 



When bottom is struck, ship one of the winch handles ; Heaving 

 then press the brake lever outwards to free the reel, and reel "^' 

 up some 10 or 20 fathoms as quickly as possible to get the rod 

 off the bottom. If the sinkers have not detached, the effort 

 required to reel up by hand will indicate that they are still on, 



