SEA LOG AND SOUNDING MACHINE. g55 



SanJofef, I2th Dec. 1S06. 



Having several times, and in different depths and rates Testimony of 

 of sailing, tried Mr. Edward Massey's patent sounding '''®P^^^°[|^J" 

 machine, which is, in my opinion, a most excellent inven- sounding ma- 

 tion, as correct soundings were gained in fifty-five fathoms, chine, 

 with a strong breeze, going six knots, by only passing the 

 lead to the quarter-boat, attaching a hand lead about thirty 

 fathoms from the machine, (which 1 think, is in such cases 

 necessary:) and about ninety fathoms of line out: at an- 

 other trial) to compare the old with the new method, going 

 five knots and a half, correct soundings were ascertained by 

 the machine in fifty-two fathoms, by passing the line to the 

 main-chains, when we could barely get the depth in the 

 old way, by carrying the lead to the spritsail-yard, notwith- 

 standing the immense length of a firft rate, and daylight 

 in our favour; and not even then, if we had not had know- 

 ledge of the depth nearly, that being a check o'- caution 

 not to give too much line off the reel, there being no time 

 to gather in the slack, which would be the case were we 

 sounding in an unknown place, by the old method. The 

 invention is the more valuable, as the process is the most 

 simple, the whole being understood, by seeing it once 

 in use. 



I therefore consider it a valuable improvement in naviga- 

 tion ; as in frequent, and various cases, soundings could not 

 be gained without it. The advantages are many, such as in 

 chase, or being chased ; on a lee-shore, or doubtful of it ; 

 and to save time in running for the desired port*. 



R. J. NEVE, Captain. 



N. B. It will be necessary in the practice of the new 

 method of sounding, to have line of different sizes, in pro- 

 portion to the depth of water ; as by the ship passing at the 

 rate of eighl or ten knots, it will require the best of lines 

 to haul in the lead, and should be made of a much sufjerior 

 quality to those at present supplied to the navy. 



• Tha honourable Navy Board have adopted the sounding machine 

 for the use of his majesty's navy, and have favoured the inventor with 

 an order for five hundred machines. 



