306 
BULLETIN OF THE UNITED STATES FISH COMMISSION. 
MAY’S SPLICE. 
Lieut. Sidney H. May, U. S. N., bad charge of i\ie Albatross'' s sounding ap]>aratus 
during the first year of the cruise, and among many useful suggestions was the 
following wire splice (plate xvii), which proved so simple and effective that it was 
finally adopted in preference to all others. It is from 6 to 7 inches in length, will 
not strip, is <iuite flexible, and practically indestructible. The following describes 
the process : 
Grasp the wire iu a hand vice, lay the end on the soldering hoard or other convenient place, and 
taper it to a line point with a three-cornered saw file; ])repare the other end in the same way, lap 
them, put on the first annealed wire seizing, leaving the tapered end free; then take four turns with 
the free end and clap on the other seizing; jiass the tapered ends snugly around their respective 
standing parts, using the pliers for the pui’iiose. 
Now apply the soldering fluid and cover the splice with solder hy drawing it hack and forth 
through molten solder contained in the grooved soldering hoard; then taper the ends and trim the 
surface with knife, file, and saudjiaper. 
IMPLEMENTS KEQUIKED. 
The following implements are required for splicing wire: 
1 tinman’s furnace. 
2 soldering irons. 
1 pair cutting pliers. 
1 pair small fiat pliers. 
1 small hand vise for holding wire. 
1 spool of fine annealed iron wire. 
1 box of soft solder. 
1 bottle soldering fluid. 
I soldering hoard. 
1 small bottle of oil. 
1 small box of tallow. 
1 canvas pocket. 
1 soldering lamp. 
The splicing board is of hard wood, 1 inch thick, 6 inches wide, and 2 feet in 
length; a groove is cut across its surface, near one end, large enough to hold sufficient 
molten solder for one splice. 
The canvas pocket is the most convenient receptacle for the splicing tools; it is 
provided with suitable compartments for each 
article, and is rolled up snugly and lashed when 
not in use. 
The soldering lamp will be found convenient 
in calm, smooth weather; it is an ordinary alcohol 
lamp, with a large, round wick and an adjustable 
semicircular cup supported above the dame, in 
which the solder is placed and kept in a molten 
state as long as required. The wire, having been 
prepared as directed, is drawn back and forth 
through the solder until a sufficient quantity 
adheres to the splice, when it is trimmed and 
smoothed in the usual manner. 
The soldering irons may be heated in the fire 
room or galley range in case a single splice is to 
be made, and one iron will suffice in the hands of 
an expert, yet any delay, however small, will make, 
it necessary to use a second one. Almost any 
Cut 32.— Soldering lamp. form of soldering iron will answer equally well 
when used with the soldering board, and it is not necessary that the points of the 
iron should be tinned. 
