128 NICHOLLS'S SEAMANSHIP AND NAUTICAL KNOWLEDGE
The fathoms 1, 4, 6, 8, etc , at which there are no marks are called
"deeps," but very often these are marked with short ends of marline
There are thus 9 mailts and 11 deeps on the hand leadline In order
that the marks may be distinguished by feeling them, linen is used for
the white, bunting for the red and serge for the blue rag.
In marking a new line it should be opened out, and an eye spliced in
the end large enough* to slip over the lead, and then stretched and soaked.
To be strictly correct, the first measurement should be taken from the
end of the lead, but it is usually measured from the end of the line, in
order to give the ship what is termed the "benefit of the lead." That
is to say, there is then a very slight error on the safer side. It would be
very dangerous to have marks too short, as it would indicate the water
to be deeper than it really was.
The 'markings of both the hand and the deep-sea leadlines should
be verified before use, and the line should be soaked first.
CALLING THE SOUNDINGS.
When the leadsman calls the soundings, he should always make the
number of fathoms the last part of the call. By so doing the officei
will generally get the number of fathoms* even though, through wind 01
other causes, the first two or three words are not distinguished.
The report should be made as follows:—
At a depth of 6 fathoms - - by the deep 6.
„ 6J „ - and a quarter 6.
„ 6£ „ - and a half 6.
„ 61 „ - a quarter less 7.
„ 7 „ - by the mark 7.
„ 7£ „ - and a quarter 7.
„ 7£ „ - - and a half 7.
„ 7| „ - a quarter less 8.
„ 8 „ - by the deep 8.
„ 8J „ - and a quarter 8. And so on.
THE DEEP-SEA LEAD.
The Deep-sea Leadline is marked similarly to the hand line up to 20
fathoms, after which every 10th fathom is marked by an additional knot,
and every intervening 5th fathom by a single knot. Thus:—
There is 1 knot at 25 fathoms. Ther* are 3 knots at 30 fathoms.
„ is 1 knot at 35 ., „ are'4 knots at 40 „
„ is 1 knot at 4=5 „ ,„ axe 5 knots at 50 „