1870.] 



Deep-sea Researches. 



167 



III. The " drag " having been lowered down to a depth of 250 fathoms, 

 the boat remained nearly stationary, its rate of movement being reduced to 

 0*175 mile per hour, while its direction (S.E. £E.) was slightly altered to 

 the southward, though still easterly. From this we felt ourselves justified 

 in inferring that the 250-fathoms' stratum had a movement in the reverse 



Station 39. 









JyTertA 





Wesl- 



JVb. 2 

 Forced 



Fcrcj. 





Y 25afaNi. 



^ lOCfath. 











. . . ', ■ ■ < 1 

 , - „ .Surface 



Rate (per hour) and Direction of Movement of Surface-float, and of Current-drag at 

 different Depths ; with Force and Direction of Wind. 



direction, acting on the current-drag with a force almost sufficient to neu- 

 tralize the action of the upper stratum on the boat and suspending line. 

 And this inference, which was strengthened by the indication already 

 shown to be afforded by the extraordinary density of the water of this 

 stratum (§ 34), was fully justified by the results of the experiments which 

 we made on our return voyage (§ 62). 



41. While these experiments were in progress, we had the pleasure of 

 seeing the Channel Fleet, which was expected to meet the Mediterranean 

 Fleet at Gibraltar, come in sight beyond Cape Tarifa ; its approach having 

 been indicated, long before even the tops of the masts of the vessels composing 

 it showed themselves above the horizon, by the number of separate puffs of 

 smoke which the experienced eye of our Commander enabled him to dis- 

 tinguish. As soon as all possibility of doubt was removed by the appearance 

 of the masts, Capt. Calver communicated " Fleet in sight " by signal to 

 the Admiral in Gibraltar Harbour, our position being such that we could 

 be seen by him, though the Fleet could not. In due time, the massive 

 hulls of the Ironclads rose above the horizon ; and whilst we continued at 

 our work, all passed us in sailing order at a distance of not more than a 

 couple of miles, — the ill-fated * Captain' being the chief object of interest. 

 A few hours later, the ' Monarch/ which had been detained for repair, but 

 whose passage had been made in a shorter time by the free use of her steam- 

 power, came in sight ; and passed on in solitary grandeur to join the 

 Fleets now united in Gibraltar Bay. 



42. The whole of our first day having been consumed without our being 

 able to work the " current-drag " in the deepest stratum, we anchored for 

 the night near Point Carnero, with a view to resuming our experiments on 



