"When the wind is strong enough and the bridle (the object of which is to keep the face of the kite to which it is attached horizontal) is not very exactly balanced, the kite at once executes plunging zigzag movements which may produce such a strain as to break the line. When the kites have reached the greatest altitude permitted by the circumstances, the paying out of the wire is stopped, and, either by increasing the speed of the ship, or by heaving in the wire as quickly as possible, a little final augmentation of height is obtained. The recovery of kites, although somewhat delicate, presents less difficulty than their dispatch. As at the launching of the kite, a subsidiary line is used, which is run alongside of the bridle as soon as this is got hold of, so as to limit the motions of the kite.
"Unfortunately, even with the greatest care, accidents occur." Five or six or even more kites may sometimes be attached one after the other along the wire. Should the kite and instruments fall into the water, "it is interesting to note that the curves furnished by our instruments can resist a prolonged immersion without suffering damage when they meet with such an accident. The curve is a line traced by the pen on a layer of lamp black, deposited on the cylinder by the smoky flame of a petroleum lamp. In a case of immersion the carbonaceous
