using a hydrometer in a shallow amount of wine

Hi guys,  I used one of the Youngs U Brew kits that makes 6 bottles of chardonnay last week and day 6 is fast approaching where I need to degass and check that fermentation is complete (according to the instructions).

The instructions say to lower the hydrometer into the wine and that the the hydrometer should float in the wine with only the tip above the surface.  Should it float vertically or horizontally?  I ask this because there's only 3 inches of depth to the liquid and if it's supposed to be vertical then it's not going to be deep enough and I won't get a good reading...

Any advice?

great!  thanks!  now I'm off to find a vessel to float it in!