Sounding Lead - Keir Memorial Museum
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History Of The Artefact:
This Sounding Lead was used by a local lobster fisherman from the years 1920 and 1970 to determine the quality of the sea bed.
Because lobsters prefer the rocky sea bottom as opposed to the sandy sea bed, grease would be poured into the hole in the bottom of the lead and if there was no hole, a grease ball would be attached instead. The lead would then be lowered onto the ocean floor and if the lead came up with sand stuck to the grease then the fishermen would know that it was not an ideal place to find lobster. The lead could also be used to determine the depth of the water. Knots would be tied in the lines and each one would indicate the length of one fathom, which is approximately six feet.
Because lobsters prefer the rocky sea bottom as opposed to the sandy sea bed, grease would be poured into the hole in the bottom of the lead and if there was no hole, a grease ball would be attached instead. The lead would then be lowered onto the ocean floor and if the lead came up with sand stuck to the grease then the fishermen would know that it was not an ideal place to find lobster. The lead could also be used to determine the depth of the water. Knots would be tied in the lines and each one would indicate the length of one fathom, which is approximately six feet.