Story: Charting the sea floor

Lachlan survey

This film footage outlines the methods and equipment used by the hydrographic ship Lachlan as it surveyed the New Zealand sea floor in 1953. Two sailors fix sextants on two known points: a lighthouse and a mountain peak. This gives them two angles between the landmarks and the ship. The point where the angles intersect marks the ship’s position.

Using this item

Archives New Zealand - Te Rua Mahara o te Kāwanatanga
Reference: W3589/16PP14

All images & media in this story

How to cite this page:

Lionel Carter, 'Charting the sea floor - Making and using charts', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/video/5949/lachlan-survey (accessed 30 March 2024)

Story by Lionel Carter, published 12 Jun 2006