Sea-bed samples

Wooden box 8.3" x 4.4" containing samples of the sea bed obtained during the "Challenger" Expedition (1872-1876). Contains 4 trays of 6 samples. The Challenger Expedition was organised by the Royal Society and funded by the British government and was the first circumnavigation voyage to study the deep sea. During the voyage, a group of six civilian scientists led by professor Wyville Thomson worked with Captain George Nares and a naval crew of some 203 sailors to collect information and samples about the deep sea environment. Using teh techniques of deep-sea sounding and dredging, the Challenger Expedition collected geological samples of deep-sea sediments that gave clues as to the nature of the ocean floor. After the voyage, John Murray produced the first global map of deep-sea sediments, published in 1895. This information was used by scientists studying the sea, but also by the navy for navigational purposes. This box was likely used by the Hydrographic Office to train officers in how to recognise different types of deep-sea sediments as an aid to navigation, and so that they could accurately describe and record their own findings when conducting deep-sea sounding.