Wooden model of weight from Stellwagen cup lead for deep-sea sounding and sampling
Wooden model of weight from Stellwagen cup lead, a type of deep-sea sounder-sampler for gauging depth and collecting samples from the sea bottom, designed by H S Stellwagen of the US Navy c.1850, this example made c.1870s.
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This is a model, in wood, of a device designed to gauge the depth of the ocean bottom and to collect sediment samples. Cup leads consisted of a lead weight and a small cone within which the sediment would be collected. Devices of this type were used for sounding up to depths of about 1000 fathoms and were used on voyages – amongst others – of the US brig Dolphin in 1851, and the British research vessel HMS Challenger, between 1872 and 1876.
- Materials:
- wood (unidentified)
- Object Number:
- 1876-835/1
- type:
- mechanical sounders
- Image ©
- The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum
