384 
BULLETIN OF THE UNITED STATES FISH COMMISSION. 
7. That the Sigsbee sounding rod is in good order generally, swivel and tumbler working freely, 
and the spring in the latter properly adjusted. That the two parts of the cylinder are screwed 
together tightly, the valve jiroiierly seated, and its sjiring in action. 
8. That there is a supply of bailed sinkers in the racks near the sounding machine, and that the 
sounding rod will jiass through them freely. 
9. That all moving parts of the machine, including the reeling engine, are properly oiled and 
cared for. 
10. That the deep-sea thermometer used for bottom tempei'ature is in good order ; that the column 
breaks ‘promptly, propeller moves freely; that the iustniment is properly cushioned by the rubber 
gaskets and spiral springs which suspend it in its case, and that the clamp is in working order, Xhe 
Negretti & Zambra deep-sea thermometers are used on board the Albatross, and being delicate 
ments they should be carefully treated iu order to obtain the best results. They should be habitually 
carried bulb down, with columns connected, and it is a good plan to keep them iu a bucket of water 
between stations, as it insures their safety and keeps them at a temperature approximating to that of 
the surface water. 
11. That the Sigsbee water specimen cup is in good working order generally; and, if it is intended 
to bring up a water specimen at the next station, that the interior of cup is clean and free from foreign 
substances, valves adjusted, propeller and sleeve working freely, and the clamp in good condition. 
12. That a quart or more of sperm oil in a suitable vessel is secured to the frame of the sounding 
machine forward of the reel with sponge, waste, or other material for oiling the wire. 
13. That the wire clamp and guide are in their respective places. 
14. That the portable incandescent lights are led out and hung in place if the next station is to 
be occupied at night. 
The engineer of the watch should be warned half an hour at least before reaching 
the station, and again five minutes before making the signal to stop the engines. The 
necessary preparations should then be made on deck and the sounding crew sent to 
their machine. Arriving at her station with calm weather and smooth sea, the vessel 
is stopped without changing her course, but if it is blowing and a sea running she 
would be turned stern to by putting the helm up, slowing down, and backing the lee 
engine until the wind is on the quarter, then backing both until the vessel loses 
headway, taking care not to get a steruboard. Once in position, it can usually be 
maintained by slowly backing the lee engine. 
If sounding in considerable and approximately known depths, it is not neces- 
sary to wait until the vessel is at a stand stern to sea; the sinker may be started 
down as soon as the wind is on the quarter and the wire brought up and down 
during its descent. The Albatross frequently gained from 100 to 200 fathoms in this 
manner. 
The crew of the Sigsbee sounding machine is corniiosed of three seamen and a 
fireman, numbered 1, 2, 3, and 4; the officer of the deck and a recorder. Their 
stations and duties are as follows: 
PREPARING TO SOUND WITH THE SIGSBEE MACHINE, 
When ordered to man the sounding machine (plate xxxix), No. 3 bends the stray 
line to the sounding rod. No. 4 places the sinker in the mounting rack on the left of the 
machine forward of the grating, the former then hooks the bail over the tumbler of 
the rod, lifts the shot from the rack, and swings it to the after end of the machine, 
when No. 2, who has shipped the right crank, heaves iu the slack line until the sinker 
is suspended beneath the swivel pulley, where it is held by engaging the pawl on the 
ratchet wheel. 
No. 1 wipes the V groove on the reel, and when dry and free from oil adjusts the 
friction rojie and attends it. 
