Sounding machine

Edward Massey (mentioned on object), 1810

‘The numbers tell the tale’ is a saying that also applied on board ships. The depth of water could be determined using a sounding line. The design for this sounding machine was patented by Edward Massey in 1802. The machine was attached to a sounding line. As it sank to the seabed, a rotating vane drove a counter with a wormscrew; its revolutions were converted to the depth in fathoms.

  • Artwork typesounding lead
  • Object numberNG-MC-1234
  • Dimensionsheight 21.5 cm x width 17.2 cm x depth 7.5 cm
  • Physical characteristicsmessing