Thomson piano wire sounding machine as mounted on USS TUSCARORA

Thomson piano wire sounding machine as mounted on USS TUSCARORA. This machine was invented by Sir William Thomson, a.k.a. Lord Kelvin. Made use of heavy weight and piano wire - line paid out until weight hit bottom . This machine revolutionized deepsea sounding. Variations would be used for over 50 years

Photo Category: Charting - Soundings - Bathymetry - Mechanical
Photo Date: 1873