The Hawaiian gazette. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1865-1918, 1874-03-04


as soon as possible. showed depth Of 32s Eath-
oms, and brought up sand. This seems to prove.
what has been supposed. the sxislsucs Of 4 sub
marine mountain range running parallel with tho
coast, as was believed to exist BY Lieut. Brooks
Of the schooner Fennimore Cooper. Whatever
ridge there may be is thought to be irregular and
not continuous
About eighty miles east Of Hawaii. the Ocen
bed indicates n rise Of $500 feet above the level
to the east and west Of it, Here. We may pre-
sumo. is the germ Of new volcanic island. nov
gradually rising. Whenever the survey Of the
ocean bed is msde in a more souiheasterly diree-
ton IRON Hawaii. (which IS the course that the
volcanic upheavuls IN this ocean are found tn fol-
low) the summit Of a submarine volcano E'ay BE-
discovered much nearer the surface than on the
line which has been lately surveyed.
The apparatus in use for sounding on the Tus-
carora is what is known as Tbompson's A ins
steel piano wire serves tor line. and has been
found well adapted. as it possesses pliabiity sud
great strength, and is capable Of sustaining
weight Of over two hundred pounds. YET weighing
only twelve pounds to the mile This wire u
carried down by means Of a City 6ve-poand iron
shot, which becomes detached "a soon as il
strikes the bottom. The copper cup which brings
up the sand is attached directly over the shot,
and is invariably brought up filed with mud. sand
or Ooze which is generally very ine. the color
varying 10 different localities. but usually par
taking Of a light olive. Some specimens which
Lieut. Brooke bad taken IN a higher latitude.
were Of lighter or greyish color. and az ine as
-four.
The wire used in sounding is reeled'on drum
two feet in diameter and few inches IN breadth.
aud though it has been used over 200 times. u IS
as bright aud free from rust as when 6rst brcuvhs
on board. The shortest time occupied in making
a sounding OF $500 athoms lover two aud a
halt miles in depth and Keeling the wire in again.
was one hour aud twenty minutes though gene
rally it takes over two hours. No accident Of
any kind has been reported to rs.
Many interesting facts will dssblless b. eiici-
ted from this new branch Of naval service The
temperature Of the water. at the depth Of two to
three miles does not vary much. ranging from
30 to 359 Farenheit. but at less depths il is
probably influenced more by currents flowing from
warm and cold attitudes. The popular belief.
that the density Of water in the ocean Increases
in great degree with its DEPTH has been pr0sed
10 be an error.
For long distance between tins group and the
American coast. the bed Of the ocean va. found
to be very level varying scarcely fatbOm to the
mile, so that, to the expressive phrase Of an
officer, railroad train could be rue over most Of
The ocean bed surveyed. So FAR as the survey
has been made between this group and he coast.
he ocean bed has been found most admirably
'daPtsd for luying telegraphic cable. The ridge
referred TO presents no distractions whatever. as
he rise on either side is quite gradual
From this port the Tuscarora proceeds vest
yard and will continue her surveys TO Japan. and
hen return to America via the northern route.
This ship has been fO5nd admirably adapted
o the service for which she was detailed,
md we doubt not that the knowledge gained from
Ter cruise will be invaluable to future ocean tele-
'rapby in the Pacific. 10 Commander Belknap
md his corps Of assistants. the Navy Department
las secured officers who give every evidence Of
icing the right men in the right place. The ser
ice in which the Tuscaron Portsmouth and
challenger are now engaged is a noble one. in
which national ships should be more generally en-
'oyed. and we hope that other suips not only OF
america and England. but Of other naval powers.
nay be kept cruising in every ocean. chiefly Tor
he promotion OF science aud peace.