Mark V

A bathythermograph (BT) is a device for obtaining, from a ship under way, a record of temperature against depth and pressure in the upper 300 m of the ocean. For a thermal element it has a xylene-filled copper coil, which actuates a stylus through a Bourdon tube. The pressure element is a copper aneroid capsule that moves a smoked glass slide at right angles to the motion of the stylus. A double analog record is thus obtained as the BT is lowered and recovered. This device has generally been replaced by the expendable bathythermograph (XBT).

This object is a Mark V bathythermograph in a fitted box, made by S. G. Brown Ltd. There is a label with 'Dr Swallow' on top of the box.

Object Details

ID: NAV1965
Collection: Oceanography
Type: Bathythermograph
Display location: Not on display
Creator: S. G. Brown Ltd
Date made: circa 1950
Credit: Transferred from the Institute of Oceanographic Sciences, Deacon Laboratory
Measurements: Overall: 105 mm x 780 mm x 105 mm x 25 kg
Parts: Mark V