Sounding Lead Line

Object/Artifact

Maritime Museum of San Diego

Name/Title

Sounding Lead Line

Entry/Object ID

1987.085.001

Description

Weight used on board to find water depth ("sounding").

Collection

Nautical Equipment Collection

Lexicon

Nomenclature 4.0

Nomenclature Secondary Object Term

Lead, Sounding

Nomenclature Primary Object Term

Device, Sounding

Nomenclature Sub-Class

Navigational Equipment

Nomenclature Class

Surveying & Navigational T&E

Nomenclature Category

Category 05: Tools & Equipment for Science & Technology

Material

Lead

Interpretative Labels

Label

Sailors would heave the lead to determine the depth of the water. This was done to determine if the water was deep enough for the ship to pass safely. The depth of the water and a sample of the sea bottom retrieved with wax in the recess at the bottom of the lead could also aid in navigation - shallowing water could be a sign of land nearby; local pilots would know the locations of sand, mud, or shell on the bottom.