ClipArt ETC
"To measure the depth of; fathom; try or test, as the depth of water and the quality of the ground, by sinking a plummet or lead attached to a line on which is marked the number of fathoms...a, lead; b, counterpoised hooks which engage the loop at the top of the lead; d, wedge-shaped cup for specimens, attached by cord or wire to the pivot of the hooks; e, attachment for the sounding-line or wire. When the cup d touches bottom, the hooks b drop into the position show in E; the sinker or lead then drops over, releasing the cup, and this, with its specimen and the hooks, is drawn to the surface." —Whitney, 1889

British Navy Sounding Apparatus

"To measure the depth of; fathom; try or test, as the depth of water and the quality of the ground,…

"To measure the depth of; fathom; try or test, as the depth of water and the quality of the ground, by sinking a plummet or lead attached to a line on which is marked the number of fathoms...a, rod with horns b pivoted thereto; c, sounding-line; d, wires by which the lead e is attached to the horns, connected with a washer f under the lead; h, opening in lower end of rod, by which specimens of the bottom may be secured. When the rod strikes the bottom, the lead slides downward, bringing the horns into the position shown in B, and releasing the wires d and the lead; the rod only is then drawn up, leaving the lead at the bottom." —Whitney, 1889

Brooke's Deep Sea Sounding Apparatus

"To measure the depth of; fathom; try or test, as the depth of water and the quality of the ground,…

"To measure the depth of; fathom; try or test, as the depth of water and the quality of the ground, by sinking a plummet or lead attached to a line on which is marked the number of fathoms...a and b, arms pivoted to c; d, lead, which is attached to a stem at the top of which is a crosspiece. When the arms are raised into the position shown in A, the crosspiece engages them and holds them in that position till the lead strikes the bottom; they are then released, and fall into the position show in B. The cups (shown in the cuts), on closing, scoop up a specimen of the bottom." —Whitney, 1889

Taselli's Sounding Apparatus with Cups Opened and Closed

"To measure the depth of; fathom; try or test, as the depth of water and the quality of the ground,…