DEEP-SEA EXPLORATION. 
359 
although given as 4 feet (i inches, is intended to reach the lead rope at its hitches on 
the rear of the runners. 
To prepare the other end of the web for the lead rope, cut a sweep of 30 meshes 
from it; whip the ends of a piece of 2-iuch mauila rope, fathoms in length, for the 
lead rope; slip 18 or 22 sinkers on it, as it is intended for deep or shoal- water work; 
middle it, and measure off 7 feet each way, marking the points iierraanently, thus indi- 
cating the length of the lead rope, 14 feet. Commencing at the middle of rope and 
web, hitch them together with a netting needle as before, distributing the sinkers 
evenly along the former, tlien splice the leech ropes to it, commencing at the marks 
and sticking the strands outward. 
The leech ropes should be spliced at the 4 feet 0 inches mark, thus leaving the 5 
unrolled meshes in a bight between the leech ropes and the lead rope, for without this 
precaution the net will invariably give way at that point first. Now bend the net 
temporarily to its frame and hoist it up until the web swings clear of the deck; then 
let a man get into the bight of the web and move back and forth until he has found 
the lowest point; cut it and stitch the sides together, beginning at the junction ot 
leech and lead ropes, working toward the tail of the net. This done, turn it inside out 
and stitch the pocket on 12 feet and the jacket 6 feet from the lower end, or so that 
the bottom of the latter and the tail of the net will hang evenly. Eun a drawstring 
through the lower meshes of the pocket, and seize the float to the back of the net 
above and a little forward of the lead rope. 
A cheese-cloth lining is sometimes stitched to the jacket for deep-sea Avork, but 
it is of doubtful utility, as the net usually brings up sufficient bottom soil to protect 
delicate forms during the ascent of the trawl. If used, it should hang evenly with 
the jacket and tail of the net, and extend not more than 2 feet above the lashing. 
When completed the net may be unbent and stowed away until required for use. 
Trawl nets have been kept in canvas bags, but the practice is not recommended. 
They keep better in a bundle, tied as loosely as circumstances will admit. 
NET F(3K THE TANNER TRAWL NO. 2. 
The No. 2 nets are usually made in pairs iu order to economize material, which is 
the same in all respects as that used in the larger nets. Cut from the web a piece 
coutaining 108 meshes, or 18 feet stretch measure, and another with 73 meshes, or 12 
feet stretch measure; cut both in half lengthwise and use one long and one short 
piece for each net. 
Take 17 feet of IJ-inch manila rope, whip both ends and middle lu, also middle an 
end of the longest A¥eb and hitch it to the rope with a netting needle, working each way 
from the center; make a small eye in the head rope at each corner of the net to serve 
as head cringles; then continue the roping down the sides of the apron 3 feet 0 inches, 
or sufficient length to reach from beam to lead rope without strain, taking up 32 of 
the 35 meshes, the remaining 3 being left uuroped. 
Cut a sweep of 21 meshes from one end of the shorter web, take 14 feet of 2-inch 
manila rope, whip the ends, middle it, measure 4 feet 9 inches each way, and mark the 
points to indicate the length of the lead rope, 9 feet G inches; slip on 15 sinkers and 
distribute them equally; then stitch the rope to the web, and splice the leech ropes to 
the lead rope. The marks on both should be brought together, leaving the 3 uuroped 
meshes in a bight between them. 
