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Sounding Lead — Maritime Archaeology Museum

Sounding Lead

Maritime Archaeology Museum Maritime History Colonial
Period
Colonial
Materials
Lead
Dimensions
L - 29.5cm, D- 6cm
Site
Hercules Archaeological Site
Location
Galle > Maritime Archaeology Museum > Gallery 01 > Cabinet 01
Inventory
MAMG/2009/M/43 & 44

Full Description

This device, recovered from the Hercules shipwreck, was used to determine the depth of the sea and to understand the physical conditions of the seabed. A heavy metal such as lead was used to ensure it could sink firmly into the seabed. The upper end of the object is designed with a hole to tie a rope.

Historical Context These lead-line systems remained the primary method for depth measurement, often marking the rope at intervals—2, 3, 5, 7 fathoms, etc.—so leadsmen in the ship’s chains could call out depths (“by the mark 5”) even at night

Gallery

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