HMS Racehorse sounding lead
Date made: Built 1806
Description: Funnel shape at one end, hole pierced for suspension at the other. These were used to find out how deep the water underneath a vessel's hull was. It was lowered over the side on a marked rope (usually marked with fathoms) and when the lead hit the bottom, the amount of rope over the side could be measured and depth established. Hollow examples like this could also have tallow or wax inserted which could pick up samples of the seabed for an indication of whether it was sand, mud or rock.
Read about HMS Racehorse (1702)
Measurements: 275 mm x 52 mm; 1050 g (weight)
Materials: copper alloy
Object name: sounding lead
Collection: Archaeology Collection
ID number: 2022-0037/0131
Subject tags : #HMSRACEHORSE