304 
BULLETIN OF THE UNITED STATES FISH COMMISSION 
The Albatross has never lost a fathom of American wire from rust in tlie coil. 
English wire, No. 22 Birmingliam gauge, has been used occasionally. Its tensile 
strength was 21 1 pounds, practically the same as No. 1 1 music, hut it was not as highly 
polislied as the American ware, and its only protection was an insufticient Avrapping of 
oiled iiaper, Avhich was liable to be torn in handling, thus exposing it to the action of 
sea air or other moisture, which soon caused it to rust. Losses from this cause Avere 
ipiite serious and tended to counteract the advantages derived from its cheapness at 
tirst cost. It Avas received from the makers, Messrs. AVebster & Horsfall, Lirminghain, 
England, in 18-inch coils, made up of pieces from 100 to 400 fathoms in length, the coils 
Aveighing about 00 pounds each. 
All excellent quality of American Avire, No. 21 gauge, Avas fiirnisheil to the United 
States Navy in 1802 by the John S. lioebling’s Sons Co., of Trenton, Ncav Jersey. 
Its tensile strength ranged from 245 to 255 pounds, and it Avas fairly Avell polished. 
It Avas slightly larger in cross-section than No. 11 music, Avhich accounts in jiart for 
its greater strength. 
PRESERVATION OF SOUNDING AVIRE. 
It should be received on board in sealed tin cans, which may be advantageously 
coated Avith jiaiut before they are placed in the storeroom. Broken packages are liable 
Cut 31. — Sjiare sounding wire, reel box, and copper tank. 
to rust, hence as few as possible should be kept on hand. They may be stored for a 
short time Avith comparative safety, providing the Avrapping is intact and the store-room 
perfectly dry. A safer plan is to submerge all broken packages in sperm oil. 
The following method Avas finally adopted on board t\iG Albatross : There were 
available two service reels, one tenqierature reel, and one storage reel, each holding 
nearly 6,000 fathoms of wire. Both service reels Avere kept ready for use, Avith 
about 5,000 fathoms of wire and stray lines attached. When unmounted they Avere 
submerged in sperm thl in suitable galvauized-iron tanks Avith tight covers. When 
mounted, but not actually employed in sounding, the loAver iiart of the reel was 
submerged in sperm oil contained in a semicircular copper tank (cut 31) placed 
temiAorarily beneath it, and the oil was distributed over the surface of the AA’ire by 
sloAA'ly revolving the reel a feAv turns once a day. 
When actually engaged in sounding, the surface of the Avire on the reel was 
