SHALLOW-WATER WORK 281 



work in as little as 3 or 4 fathoms, if the water is known 

 to be clear of dangers. But in uncharted waters near 

 shore, and particularly in coral seas, the owner will 

 naturally not risk his yacht close in shore. A small 

 sailing boat or steam pinnace, using good tarred 

 ij-inch hemp rope, hauled and coiled by hand, can 

 easily work an 8 to 10 foot beam trawl, or a fairly heavy 

 dredge ; even a yacht's punt can work a small dredge. 

 Very excellent work round foreign ports can be done 

 in this most unambitious way by anyone. One of the 

 most distinguished marine naturalists used a light hand 

 dredge about 10 inches long, which he cast like a lead 

 as far as possible, and hauled at once. 



2. Sounding. 



In Fig. 198 is shown a small sounding machine, with 

 capacity of 200 fathoms of piano wire, 22 gauge, 

 price £25. A 20-pound sinker, not detaching its 

 weight, carrying a snapper or a valved tube, will 

 suffice. 



3. Other Work. 



A small sounding machine could be utilized with 

 either of the stranded wires mentioned on pp. 277, 278 

 for thermometers, light water-bottles, current meters, 

 etc., down to 200 fathoms (if the barrel will take so 

 much) ; but valuable instruments should not be 

 trusted to piano wire in a small ship with a short 

 roll. A cheaper form of reel, costing £2 or £3 

 can be knocked up in plain galvanized iron. For 

 some work it is enough to mark the wire by whippings, 

 but if messengers are to be used this marking will not 

 do, and a recording sheave of some kind will be needed ; 

 an excellent little sheave is made for the International 

 Commission for the study of the North Sea. 



