Sounding Lead
Description
Deep sea lead sounding weight with a hole at the top. Accurate knowledge of the sea bottom was essential to navigation since it gave early warning of shallow water and the imminent threat of grounding. The main object of a lead-line was to provide depth soundings in order to save the ship from this danger. For measuring depths greater than was possible with a hand lead line, the deep sea lead line was used. This deeper sea line had a lead of 14 to 30lbs and a line that was 200 fathoms (1200ft) long. The line was marked with cord knotted incrementally for each additional tens fathoms depth. To use the deep-sea leadline, the vessel would ‘heave to’ and the lead carried forward to the bow. The line was then passed aft to the poop (towards the rear of the ship) clearing weather rigging and other obstructions.
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Object Detail
Diameter: 45mm (1 3/4")
Weight: 1/4cwt (14.18kg)