Gezicht op de Sigsbee-sondeermachine aan de George S. Blake before 1880

This is a black and white photograph, likely a plate from a book, of the "Sigsbee sounding machine" used on the US ship the "George S. Blake." The image shows the deck of the ship from the perspective of someone looking upward at the mast. The machine was most likely used for measuring the ocean depths, and this photograph provides a glimpse of a technological advancement in marine research during the late 19th century. The image’s composition emphasizes the verticality of the ship's structure, creating a sense of both the ship's grandeur and the scientific endeavor taking place on board.