[53] U. S. FISH COMMISSION STEAMER ALBATROSS. 55 



later springs act also as a dynamometer, sh owing at all times the strain 

 ou the wire. 



The reeling engine I has its frame, which is of cast iron, in one piece 

 bolted to the bedplate a. The cylinder is vertical (Copelaud & Bacon's 

 patent trunk) and 5-J inches in diameter. 



The driving pulley m has a V-groove corresponding to that on the reel 

 over which the rope belt p is rove. The tightening pulley o actuated 

 by the belt tightener q gives the belt the desired tension. 



The ratchet crank n is used in working water out of the cylinder and 

 also, in starting, to assist the crank over the center. 



Steam is received through the flexible hose connection s, and the ex- 

 haust is carried through a similar one r, both having brass connections 

 flush with the forecastle deck. 



The guide frames are held rigidly in position by the guys a? a; and 

 the brace w. The guide pulley y\s shown in position, and the grating 

 hinged to the side for convenience in handling sinkers, &c, is shown in 

 the sketch. 



The machine being rigged and in place, to take a sounding, reeve 

 the stray line over the accumulator-pulley and down through the fair- 

 leader, bend on the sounding rod with sinker attached, reeve the fric- 

 tion line j, as shown in the sketch, bringing the standing part up over 

 the V-groove on the reel and making it fast to its hook on the bed plate 

 between the reel and the engine ; the hauling part being led out under 

 and abaft the reel where it is attended by the officer in charge or a 

 careful man. The belt is, of course, thrown off when sounding. 

 Everything being in readiness, the sinker is carefully lowered to the 

 water's edge, either by means of the crank or friction line (the former 

 being preferable), the small lead is bent to the stray line, the thermome- 

 ter and water specimen cup are clamped on, the register is set at zero, 

 and the vessel laid properly. The officer in charge takes his station 

 on the grating outside of the machine, where he has a view of the wire 

 at all times. A seaman is at the friction line ; another, crank in hand, 

 stands on the left; another at the brakes, on the right, also with a 

 crank, and a fourth is on the grating outside to attend the guide pulley, 

 handle sinkers, &c. A hreman is stationed at the engine. The record 

 keeper takes a favorable position for reading the register, and the 

 officer in charge gives the order, " Let go ! " The friction line is then 

 given a tension that allows the sinker to descend from 70 to 110 fathoms 

 per minute, as may be considered prudent, the record keeper timing 

 each 100 fathoms. 



The officer in charge maneuvers the vessel to keep the wire vertical. 

 The instant the sinker strikes bottom the reel is stopped by the friction 

 line, assisted, if necessary, by the brake. The record keeper notes the 

 number of turns indicated by the register, the cranks are shipped and 

 sufficient wire hove in by hand to cl^ar the bottom, when they are un- 

 shipped and laid one side ; the belt is adjusted, steam admitted to the 



