SWINGING SHIP. 
345 
in case of a sudden “ nortlier ” they may not suffer 
from dragging their anchors, and be able to slip their 
cables and proceed to sea at once. 
During a stay of three weeks (19th November to 
11th December), refitting and completing with stores, 
a day was spent outside for swinging ship, with a 
view of ascertaining (as has been our usual course 
in every port) by observation the local variation of 
the needle. 
