HEAVING THE LEAD.
The man using the "lead line" (as the sounding-line weighted with lead is called) stands on a grating that projects over the side. This is placed near enough so that the steersman can hear the man who "heaves the lead" when he calls out the number of fathoms of water. This he tells by the marks on the "lead line" as follows:
2 fathoms, twelve feet, 2 strips of leather.
3 " 3 strips of leather.
5 " white rag.
7 " red rag.
10 " leather with hole in it.
13 " 3 strips of leather or blue rag.
15 " white rag.
17 " red rag.