I am
uncommonly idle. The sea is not quite so rough, but the weather is
squally and the rain comes in frequent gusts.
'June 25.
'To-day about 1 o'clock we hooked the three-wire cable, buoyed the
long sea end, and picked up the short [or shore] end. Now it is
dark and we must wait for morning before lifting the buoy we
lowered to-day and proceeding seawards. - The depth of water here
is about 600 feet, the height of a respectable English hill; our
fishing line was about a quarter of a mile long. It blows pretty
fresh, and there is a great deal of sea.
'26th.
'This morning it came on to blow so heavily that it was impossible
to take up our buoy. The ELBA recommenced rolling in true Baltic
style and towards noon we ran for land.
'27th, Sunday.
'This morning was a beautiful calm. We reached the buoys at about
4.30 and commenced picking up at 6.30. Shortly a new cause of
anxiety arose. Kinks came up in great quantities, about thirty in
the hour. To have a true conception of a kink, you must see one:
it is a loop drawn tight, all the wires get twisted and the gutta-
percha inside pushed out.
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