Model of the chemical laboratory aboard HMS Challenger

Model of the chemical laboratory aboard HMS Challenger, as used during the Challenger Expedition of 1872-1876, scale 1:6, by Severn-Lamb Ltd., Stratford-upon-Avon, England, 1977.

The Challenger Expedition (1872-1876), organised by the Royal Society and UK Hydrographic Office, circumnavigated the globe in order to study the physical, chemical and biological characteristics of the deep sea. Culminating in a series of detailed scientific reports, the expedition has sometimes been claimed to be the origin of modern oceanography. HMS Challenger, after which the expedition was named, was captained by Captain George Strong Nares; Scottish naturalist Charles Wyville Thomson led the six-man scientific team.

HMS Challenger was a former naval warship, refitted to accommodate the extensive scientific work that was to take place at sea. This included the addition of chemical and natural history laboratories, and lots of space for the storage of specimens.

Details

Category:
Oceanography
Object Number:
1977-23
Materials:
wood (unidentified), plastic (unidentified), glass, copper (metal), steel (metal), brass (copper, zinc alloy), textile and paper (fibre product)
Measurements:
overall: 460 mm x 400 mm x 580 mm, , 15.5kg
type:
ship (section), laboratory, reconstruction and model (representation)
credit:
Severn-Lamb Ltd.