aggie80
Corporal
- Joined
- Feb 20, 2005
- Location
- SE Michigan
Lead
A lead weight on the end of a rope measured off in fathoms with knots and colored strings. The bottom was often hollow and could be filled with tallow to bring up a sample of the bottom sediment.
A leadsman would be placed at the bows and drop the lead into the water. By counting the number of knots he could determine the depth of water. Critical in shallow waters, the leadsman was often exposed to enemy fire while trying to prevent the ship from running aground.
A lead weight on the end of a rope measured off in fathoms with knots and colored strings. The bottom was often hollow and could be filled with tallow to bring up a sample of the bottom sediment.
A leadsman would be placed at the bows and drop the lead into the water. By counting the number of knots he could determine the depth of water. Critical in shallow waters, the leadsman was often exposed to enemy fire while trying to prevent the ship from running aground.