New-York tribune., 1874-06-13

my letters exception of the specimens brought
up from the SUBMITS OF all the elevated parts which
were composed OF white coral and small pieces OF lava
After these the sounding cylinder distinctly
indicated the existence Of rocky or hard bottom py
cuts and dents in its bottom and side.
APPARATUS FOR MEASURING CURRENTS.
may not be amiss now to describe the simple though
effective apparatus used by ascertain currents the
determination OF which, previous to the preceding year.
was not attempted at most with only partial success
The observations made from boat and only when
the sea is moderately smooth. In order to observe u
der-currens different depths 1t Is evident that IL Is
necessary sink the depths at which they are found
apparatus TO be acted upon by them, and as 1t Is
necessary in order to tho movements of It, to
connect this with float upon the surface, 10 Is natural
to infer that observations OF the motion OF TINS
apparatus asceraned. owing to the error OF
retardaton acceleratOn resulting from the inc
ton OF the surface water on the float, and
| of the intermediate water on the fine which
connects the apparatus to the float. But
these errors have been sufficiently eliminated not to
effect practical results This has been accomplished by
using an apparatus OF about ten pounds weight con-
Meeting by small silk fshlne to oat OF cork whch
is reduced to the minimum weight and size requisite 10
support the apparatus It's weight s about four pounds
its shape five inches square by four In depth.
The entire apparatus consists Of three parts one called
the which Is lowered to the depths
required for observation the float" to point out
on the surface the set OF the undercurrentchp ana
the third the currenne connecting the emp with the
float by hole the latter through which 1t passes 10
reel In the boat and is marked at every ten fathoms
The chip Of four rectangular pieces OF tin
doubled and sodered right angles to each other at
center each piece six inches square. and at
the bottom or lower side Of each small holes to
which thin strips Of lead suspended, according TO
the weight desired to be used to sink 1t to certain
depth, and secure its maintaining that depth under
ordinary The chip i permitted to sink
to the depth required the line running the hole
in the foat and toggle then placed on IL just ABOVE
| the float.
The chip for observing the surface currents precisely
like the other in shape is OF wood. 1t s weighted
sufficiently to sink 1t about two fathoms, and is other
wise used like the other. The line attached to 1t Is
marked tenths OF knots by small corks, which act as
floats WELL eradicatng any error which might result
from the line sinking First the surface set Is observed
in this the boat is pulled TO station about 90
yards the starboard gangway over which the sound
ing IL DONE As soon as the sounding apparatus has
reached the bottom, and the sounding wire IS vertical
ahead which is not by any means difficult matter to
comprehend when the small amount OF area presented
by the wire to the action Of currents considered We
have in It fixed point at the waters edge The surface
chip then placed overheard; and after o6serypg its
sss'sEi ~s S * S tPsa
kept constant by moving the boat as necessary PCT
mltted TO travel as 1t will noting tne e es hearno .1 Of
the float is again taken aud the amount Of line out
until two or more observations are made. to insure
against 1t is only necessary afterwards 10 soe
obque plain triangle to obtain the set and strength
When dredging a good method Of obtaining the sur
face anchorng the boat TO the areuge e
the chip To obtain under-currents its chip sunk.
10 fahoms and Its line t0ggled above the oa 10 Sc
cure at that depth surface chip is then placed over
hoard and the 6at of the former allowed free move
ments 10 insure the line between 1t and the emp being
vertical; then both chips are permitted free action
noting the time At expiration OF minute or more
desired the bearings OF both floats from tho boat are
taken and the amount OF line run OUT noeu WHICH, as
in the previous case by solving triangle Will give the
bearing Of the undercurrens from the sur
face float in other words the relative aiterenee @ OF
the set and strength Of the two currents Then Dy con-
strucng line representing the set and strength OF te
scale representing the relative difference Of set aud
strength Of the two currents, the line required 10 COM
plete triangle VIII represent the set and streng
the undercurren for the depth observed 10 DC Oh the
safe side. and admitting the existence OF errors IN oo
serving the under currents, mud there can be pu
two one from the action OF the water on the noat ana
other from its action on the ae When we
edge first is but slight aud as regarus tne ~ Is
Judge what sss1 the aSsSe al weh
pended possibly have.
AN ISLAND LITTLE KNOWN.
One OF the notable in the lives OF the people
of Peele Island the visit Of this vessel which is the
first manof the harbor of Port Lloyd for over II
years There being but 65 inhabitants to the island and
they scattered reception was not particularly DEM
onsratiye grand still two or three canoes coud De
seen aoat shortly after entrance and now ana tnen
turtle took his departure from our viclnty
was altogether cay the least relief from the per-
petuaI waery landscape which had been our companion
for % DAYS l learned that Mr. Sayory, formerly q
whaIer from Salem. Mass, who died but month ago
At the age OF 80, up the time OF his decease
nominal Governor OF the Island Mr. Thomas WeDD our
pilot taken his place by right OF educaon ana oc
cupancy Of house here for over q years AS
he particular sway over the people, put Is
considered requisite al times ol marriages or
death, when he Oicates. He had much 10 say regard
ing Commodore Perrys visit TO the island in 1885, and
had in his house original chart of the harDor maue
under the supervision Of the Commodore at that time
They iii some doubt as to the country 10 Wnich
they allegiance In 1927 the island was taken pos
OF by Capt. Becchey X. in the name OF King
George H. and plate to that effect is still TO be seen
imbedded In tree there. Tue Japanese claim u Dy
right OF discovery and occupation prior TO tnat date
asserting that IL at time was Inhabited oy large
colony from that country which previous 10 tne arrival
Capt Beechy left the island and returned to japan
The belief Of the Russian Admiral Lupke, VINO vlsileu
the island 1928, the same effect The whalers
traversng these waters VISIT the place for Oee sheep
fowls deer pigs turtles and fresh rovlsi0ns oi ~hica
there Is an abundance to meet their demands.
Owing rough that is for work IN boat but few
observations for currents were maae dn1se
rent charts Undercurrents set generally 10 the north
ward and westward. The greatest depth found was
3,762 fathoms, in lat. 2gc a. NJ long. 1852 23 h.
YOKOHAMA. Japan, April 22.-We came to anchor
about clock at this place aud found here the U. g.
steamers Hartford dag ship) and saco, H. b. M B.
Rngoon and the French corvette Bouraync The pla-
eau from Peele Island Yokohama does not differ mate
rally general from that from Honolulu
to Port Lloyd The specimens brought up were oom @
OF lava, aud broken shes The sounding olten
came up battered on the eud. We were four days In
lghtful weather We shall not remain here much
longer than until the latter part OF May, just sumcieht
time for necessary repairs, and TO obtain provisions &c
All are well Oh board.
SALE OF THOROUGHBRED STOCK AT BABYLON