DEEP-SEA EXPLORATION. 
317 
out as the belt becomes stretched. Experimeuts were made with leather, gutta- 
percha, maiiila, etc., for belts, but we found nothing to compare with ratline stuff, 
wdiich is (luickly litted on board ship, performs its w'ork well, and is fairly durable. 
The U(jhteni)(g irulley deeply scored to receive the belt, revolves on a stud or 
axle projecting from the side of a movable collar that traverses freely on a vertical 
standard erected from tlie bedplate a between the engine and reel. 
The belt-tightener z consists of a small steel rod having a screw thread on its 
whole length, a swivel joint and pin on its lower end, and a small hand wheel on its 
upper extremity. Its frame is of brass, cylindrical in form, and has a slot running 
nearly its whole length, in wdiich the rod and swivel joint work. A round hole in the 
lower end of the frame allows it to slip over the end of the tightening-pnlley standard, 
and there is a screw thread in the other end which engages the thread on the rod. 
To operate the belt-tightener, put the belt on the reel and driving pulley, iilace 
the tightening pulley on the upper part of the belt, slip the belt-tightener over the 
end of the standard, and ])ass the pin through a hole in the swivel joint; then, by 
revolving the hand wheel, screw the base of the frame down upon the collar until 
the desired tension is obtained, which is easily and quickly done with one hand. 
Should the belt stretch so much that it can not be set taut ^ ~~~) 
with the belt-tightener it is only necessary to slip a few 
washers, or a piece of pipe 3 or 4 inches long, on the standard 
between the belt- tightener and movable collar. 
It was formerly the luactice on the Albatross to ])ut a 
tension on the belt by inessing the pulley down by hand and 
retaining a uniform strain by the elastic iiressure of a spiral 
si>ring. It required the united efforts of two or three men 
to get the belt sufficiently tight. Even then it would slip at 
times when working in deep water; hence the necessity for a 
mechanical belt tightener, which has proved to be simple and 
effec.tivm. Cut 39 shows a general view of the belt-tightener 
and a side view of the swivel joint and pin. 
The Sigsbee wire clam]) (cut 40) is composed of two 
pieces of lignum-vitae, semi circular in form, with right and 
lelt hand screws for operating it. It is used for holding the 
sounding wire in case it becomes necessary to slacken it Cut 39.— r.eli-tif;iitener. 
between the reel and swivel pulley; for instance, if it flies off’ the reel, or a defective 
splice, kink, or slack tuims are discovered. 
To use the clamp, slip the wire between the Hat surfaces of the jaws, as shown at 
d, set them firmly against it by means of the right and left hand screws, and lower it 
into the fair-leader. To suspend the submerged wire and sinker by tlie accumulator, 
put the clamp on between the pulley and reel, lashing it well down, below the elastic 
limit of the springs; but this will seldom be necessary or desirable in practice. The 
clamp is carried in a socket inside of the bedplate a, on the left side, lietween reel 
and accnmulator frame, where it is available for immediate use. It is held in its 
socket by exi)anding the jaws through the reverse action of the right and left hand 
screws. 
The wire guide is used to lead the sounding wire fairly upon the reel. It is a round 
piece of wood, 9 inches in length and li inches in diameter, covered with heavy inimp 
