The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1853-09-26


As this subject now engrOsscs the attention Of
May of the scientific men of the present age it
may not be uninteresting to know the results of a
discovery which has been introduced by our neigh
bors on the other side of the Atlantic for the pur
pose Of testing the existence Of foundation to the
ocean, and also to know Of what it is composed.
There has for several days past been lying in the
southampton waters an American government sur
yeying brig, named the Dolphin; this brig which is
empowered under an act OF Congress in connection
with the scientific researches of Lieutenant Maury,
of the National Observatory at Washington, Tor the
purpose OF entering into a sc hes of meteorological
observations and discoveries. left Chesapeake Bay
the 3lst Of May, and has completed perfect line
OF soundings across the Atlantic to Rockue, of the
west coast Of Scotland. The distance between each
place OF sounding averaged about one hundred miles
line was then run to the Azores, to the north OF
which. about parallel of foity-five in south
west direction, an elevation was discovered on
feet, the soil indicating a fine yellow chalky
substance. mixed with small portion Of the
finest sand. After leaving the Azores the Dolphin
took westerly direction still succeeding in disc over
ing BOTTOM Steering NORTH she made direct line
to the "three chimnies, where, at depth of 1000
fathoms, bottom was also discovered. At this point
Lieut. Bergman in charge of the ship, finding the po
sition OF the weather untavorabe to continuation OF
their research, made sail and came into Southampton
The greatest depth at which bottom was reached
was ,l30 !athoms in lat. from Al to 43, Ion. 81 to
90. The explorers have brought home with
them specimens Of the soil which has been
which will be laid before q committee of scien.
tiff: men at Washington, for the purpose OF
analy Zation. The temperature OF the water was
also tested at various depths. specimens OF which
have also been preserved. During the whole OF the
observations particular attention was paid to the
width, depth, and force Of the currents in different
parts Of the ocean, all Of which have been carefully
noted, for the purpose Of being fully discussed and
explained. The Dolphin intends returning at the lat
ter end Of the week, and should the weather permit
will take line of sounding to the eastern edge Of the
Azores that being portion Of the atlantic winch mas
at present remained unexamined. Of course further
explanation of the results OF this expedition will not
at present be given as the whole Of the matter col
ected is being carefully preserved for the uses and
explanation Of the gentlemen at Washington. There
is interesting matter in connection with this sub
ject, and the non-exisence OF which has been the
great drawback to all previous results being satsfae-
tory, and which Is the very simple method by which
the sounding apparatus is rendered entirely perfect
and useful In all previous attempts the great puz-
zc has been how to get back the weight when 1t has
once reached the bottom and it is a well known
TACT, especially amongst seamen that IN deep.sea
sounding, however carefully or strongya line may
be mace, it never has, after being once SUNK been
recovered. In this respect however, Brother iona
than deserves much praise, for he has invented
plan by which the weight upon its reaching the bot
tom, becomes Immediately detached, and the line,
therefore, drawn In with perfect case. The plan Is
this A hole Is drilled through Gibbs or heavier
| shot, sufficiently large to admit rod of about
| three-quarters of an inch in diameter. This
rod Is about twelve or fourteen inches in length, and
with the exception of about an inch and half at the
bottom perfectly solid. AT the top o. the rod are two
arms, extending one from each side. These arms
being upon easily acting hinges, capable Of being
| raised or lowered with very little power. small
| branch extends from the outside Of each Of them,
| which is for the purpose OF holding, by means OF
rings piece of wire, by which the ball is swung to
| the rod piece Of rope is then attached by each
end TO the arms to which again is joined the sound
ing line. The ball is then owered into the water,
| and upon reaching the bottom the strain upon the
line ceases and the arms fall down, allowing the
bull to deach itself entirely from the rod, which is
then easily drawn in the drilled portion of which is
discovered to be filed with specimen Of that which
II has in contact with at the bottom. There are
other advantages, also 10 connection with the inven
ton Which are of great utility in the carrying Of
the discoveries and which. no doubt, will so mate
rslly assist the scientific researches Of the world
that the subject Of whether there il is not bot
tom TO the sea will longer remain difficulty to
answer.