DEEP-SEA EXPLORATION. 
383 
THE CONDUCT OF DEEP-SEA EXPLORATION. 
The economical use of material and forces at the disposal of the commander in 
the conduct of extended deep-sea exploration assumes greater importance than is 
usual in ordinary operations either on land or sea. 
The relation of speed to the fuel supply and the amount of -n^ork to be accom- 
plished will be among' the first considerations, and after he has decided upon the 
daily coal consumption the best results will be obtained by — 
1. Carrying sail whenever the wind serves. 
2. Keeiiing the chief engineer informed regarding the service to be required of the engines, and 
giving due warning to the engineer of the watch when approaching a station, and the probable 
detention. 
3. Having due regard to the fact that the Albatross has twin screws, cap.ahle of working inde- 
pendently or together, and that one engine will fre(iuently perform the duty as well or better than 
both when, as in sounding with light winds, it is desired to hold the vessel in position without gaining 
headway or sternboard, or if very lovv speed is required, as iu operating the trawl or dredge. 
4. Using one engine only, whenever it will answer the xmrpose, will reduce the wear and tear 
and lighten the duties of the engineer of the watch, which are suflicieutly trying at best when the 
vessel is engaged in sounding or dredging. 
The operatious included in the full occupation of a station follow iu their natural 
seeptence : 
1. Sounding, including surface and bottom 
temperatures and water specimens. 
2. Serial temperatures and specific gravities. 
3. A haul of the trawl. 
4. A haul of the dredge. 
5. A haul of the tangles. 
6. Surface and intermediate collecting. 
7. The use of trial lines. 
8. Setting trawl lines. 
9. Setting gill nets. 
10. Current observations. 
SOUNDING. 
Soundings are made under the direct supervision of the officer of the deck, who is 
responsible for the promiit and systematic execution of the necessary evolutions and 
accuracy of measurements. He should, before reaching a station, satisfy himself by 
liersonal examination upon the following points: 
1. That the crew of the sounding machine are at hand, and that each man understands his duties, 
also the duties of every other member of the crew. 
2. That there are no slack turns of wire on the reel, or, should he discover any, have them run otf 
on a spare reel and properly rewound. Slack turns will never occur with a properly drilled crew 
except the reel collapses, a rare occurrence with the Navy reel. 
3. That the stray line and its sjiliee are in good condition. Should a defect be discovered too late 
to renew the splice without delaying operations, substitute a Tanner link, which can be attached 
to the wire in a moment and will answer the purpose until such time as a new stray line can he 
spliced on. 
4. That the belt is sound and in good working order, and that there is a spare one on the machine. 
If in doubt as to the reliability of the old one, cut it away and Tiring the s]iare one into use. 
5. That the register is set at zero when the sinker is at the water’s edge ; the pointers securely 
fixed to their stems ; that the spur wheel meshes properly iu the worm wheel, and that all of its gearing 
works freely. 
6. That the friction rope is iu place and in good condition, and that the auxiliary brake is in 
working order. 
