Reversing thermometer for taking sea temperatures at depth, in ‘Scottish Pattern’ frame

Made:
1896 in London

Reversing mercury thermometer in ‘Scottish Pattern’ frame with messenger release for taking sea temperatures at depth, made by Negretti and Zambra, London, UK, 1896.

Surveyors and navigators struggled to take accurate readings of sea temperature at specific depths. Previous modifications of conventional maximum and minimum thermometers were used in the mid 1800s, but it was not always possible to know at what depth the minimum temperature had been reached. Reversing thermometers attempted to overcome this problem. They incorporated mechanisms that would abruptly capsize the thermometer once it reached the required depth.

This design had a messenger release system so that the thermometer could be overturned quickly, such as when being used in shallow water. At the required depth, a weight was sent down the cable from the ship, triggering the thermometer to overturn.

Details

Category:
Oceanography
Object Number:
1896-4
type:
thermometers and thermometer frames
credit:
Negretti & Zambra

Parts

Reversing thermometer in ‘Scottish Pattern’ frame for taking sea temperatures at depth

Reversing thermometer in ‘Scottish Pattern’ frame for taking sea temperatures at depth

Reversing mercury thermometer in ‘Scottish Pattern’ frame for taking sea temperatures at depth, made by Negretti and Zambra, London, UK, 1896.

More

Surveyors and navigators struggled to take accurate readings of sea temperature at specific depths. Previous modifications of conventional maximum and minimum thermometers were used in the mid 1800s, but it was not always possible to know at what depth the minimum temperature had been reached. Reversing thermometers attempted to overcome this problem. They incorporated mechanisms that would abruptly capsize the thermometer once it reached the required depth.

This design had a messenger release system so that the thermometer could be overturned quickly, such as when being used in shallow water. At the required depth, a weight was sent down the cable from the ship, triggering the thermometer to overturn.

Object Number:
1896-4 Pt1
type:
thermometer
Image ©
The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum
Messenger weight for reversing thermometer in ‘Scottish Pattern’ frame for taking sea temperatures at depth

Messenger weight for reversing thermometer in ‘Scottish Pattern’ frame for taking sea temperatures at depth

Messenger weight for reversing mercury thermometer in ‘Scottish Pattern’ frame for taking sea temperatures at depth, made by Negretti and Zambra, London, UK, 1896.

More

Surveyors and navigators struggled to take accurate readings of sea temperature at specific depths. Previous modifications of conventional maximum and minimum thermometers were used in the mid 1800s, but it was not always possible to know at what depth the minimum temperature had been reached. Reversing thermometers attempted to overcome this problem. They incorporated mechanisms that would abruptly capsize the thermometer once it reached the required depth.

This design had a messenger release system so that the thermometer could be overturned quickly, such as when being used in shallow water. At the required depth, a weight was sent down the cable from the ship, triggering the thermometer to overturn.

Object Number:
1896-4 Pt2
type:
component - object
Image ©
The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum
Cable for reversing thermometer in ‘Scottish Pattern’ frame for taking sea temperatures at depth

Cable for reversing thermometer in ‘Scottish Pattern’ frame for taking sea temperatures at depth

Cable for carrying messenger weight, for reversing mercury thermometer in ‘Scottish Pattern’ frame for taking sea temperatures at depth, made by Negretti and Zambra, London, UK, 1896.

More

Surveyors and navigators struggled to take accurate readings of sea temperature at specific depths. Previous modifications of conventional maximum and minimum thermometers were used in the mid 1800s, but it was not always possible to know at what depth the minimum temperature had been reached. Reversing thermometers attempted to overcome this problem. They incorporated mechanisms that would abruptly capsize the thermometer once it reached the required depth.

This design had a messenger release system so that the thermometer could be overturned quickly, such as when being used in shallow water. At the required depth, a weight was sent down the cable from the ship, triggering the thermometer to overturn.

Object Number:
1896-4 Pt3
type:
thermometers and thermometer frames