Marine Thermometer

This instrument is a special construction to meet the requirements of navigation. It consists of a carefully constructed thermometer divided on its stem to degrees, which are sufficiently large to admit of subdivision into tenths of degrees by estimation, and ranging from 0° to 130°. The scale is porcelain, having the degrees etched upon it, and burnt-in a permanent black. The instrument is mad

to slide into a japanned metallic case, for handy use and protection. It is therefore adapted for almost any ordinary purpose; and cannot be injuriously affected by any chemical action arising from air or sea-water. A set of these thermometers consists of six, carefully packed in a neat box; two having japanned metallic cases (fig. 52), the others being designed for use without the case, or to replace a breakage.

This thermometer is employed in the Royal Navy, and for the observations made at sea for the Board of Trade.

The thermometer is now considered a necessary instrument on board ship. Not only is it of invaluable utility in connection with the barometer as a guide to the weather, but its indications are of service in showing the presence of a warm or cold current in the sea; many of the great oceanic currents being characterised by the warmth or coldness of their waters. In seas visited by icebergs, the habitual use of the thermometer would indicate their proximity, as the water is rendered colder for some distance around by the thawing of huge masses of ice. The water over a shoal in the sea is generally colder than the surface-water of the surrounding ocean; which may result from the cold water being brought to the surface by the current of water encountering the shoal. With this fact navigators are well acquainted; and therefore a fall in the sea-water thermometer may forebode that shallow water is at hand. It has been ascertained that fish inhabit regions of the oceans and seas having the peculiar temperature suitable to their habits. The better and firmer sort of fish are found where cold waters exist. Those taken in warmer belts or streams of water, even in the same latitude, are far inferior in condition, and less approved by the palate. The fish of the Mediterranean, a warm sea, are generally poor and scarce. Fish taken in the cold waters between the American shore and the Gulf Stream are much esteemed; while in and on the other side of the stream they are said to be tasteless, and of no flavour. Between the coasts of China and the warm waters of the Japanese current, the seas abound with excellent fish; but in the warm waters of the current and beyond, they are never seen in such shoals.

In fact, it is clearly ascertained that fishes are adapted to climates, like birds and beasts. It has been even affirmed, after careful investigation, that herrings, which abound in the British Seas, and form a most important branch of our fisheries, can only be found in a temperature varying from 54° to 58°. Hence the thermometer, if brought into use by the fishermen, would guide them to the spots where they may with the best chance cast their nets on dark nights, when other indications are not perceptible.

This thermometer in its metallic case is perfectly suited for dipping overboard, or placing in a bucket of water just taken from the sea, to ascertain its temperature.