252 ^^■'^ ^^^ ^^^ SOUNDIXG MACHINE. 



bottom, the rotator will be in the position of the (dotted 

 lines y. 

 No mi>take This machine, simple in its construction, andscarcely more 



can arise from liable to accident than the common lead, ascertains, with 

 the utmost precision, the perpendicular depth, by the mer«e 

 act of descent thvou^^h the water. No mistake can arise from 

 that common source of errour, the drift or lee-way of th« 

 ship during the time of descexit ; nor does an operation of 

 such importance depend upon the uncertain sensation caused 

 by the lead striking the bottom, on which the accuracy of 

 the common log altogether depends, and which, it is well 

 known, frequently and materially misleads the best seaman : 

 for though a thousand fathoms of line were paid out, in the 

 smallest depth of water, no inaccuracy could arise, as the per- 

 pendicular depth, at the point of heaving, would be regis- 

 tered on the index. The only inconvenience experienced 

 would be the additional labour necessary for hauling in the 

 excess of line. The most inexperienced person may use 

 this machine, without risk of errour, in the most turbulent 

 sea, and during the night. 



The advantages already enumerated would render the 

 sounding machine of great importance; but there are other 

 properties of still more con«equence. 

 Farther advan- To heave a ship to, in order to obtain soundings, on a lee 

 *^*'^' shore, in stormy weather, is a very disagreeable operation, 



attended with much trouble, and loss of way ; also with con- 

 siderable danger to the ship's sails; indeed, it would often, 

 under such circumstances, be attended with great hazard to 

 the safety of the ship. To avoid these unpleasant conse- 

 quences, the master sometimes adopts a measure, which he 

 conceives to be the less exceptionable alternative, by run- 

 ning on without sounding at all. 

 Sounding in To prove how much inconvenience and danger are avoid- 

 60 or 80 fa- ^^ by M'.issej's lead, it is enough to state, that soundings 

 gc)h™'^3\nots n^ay be taken in depth from 60 to 80 fathoms, while the ship 

 *ii hour. is under way, at the rate of three miles an hour ; and as thf 



rate of sailing may be still materially reduced, Avithout 

 entirely stepping the vessel, or altering her course, so may 

 soundings be had, to any depth required, while she is under 



Iq 



