precipitation gauge
Datecirca 1886
Inventory Number1996-1-0154
ClassificationRain Gauge
Subject
Attributed to
Richard Frères
1882 - 1891
User
Blue Hill Meteorological Observatory
1885-present
Inventor
A. Lawrence Rotch
1861 - 1912
Cultural Region
Place of Origin
Place of Use
Dimensions22 × 50 × 34 cm (8 11/16 × 19 11/16 × 13 3/8 in.)
Material
Accessoriessmall wooden box; ink; droppers
DescriptionThis device is the base of a rain gauge. It is the base, weighing and recording mechanism for a Rotch precipitation gauge
A dark green rectangular box, help up by four small feet. On one of the short sides, a panel covered in (now broken) glass inside of which can be seen a roll of paper.
The top of the box, near each of the two short sides, features a handle. Each of these sections, when pulled by the handle, swings up and out. The middle section is sunken somewhat; from there emerge two criss-crossing strips, which serve as the platform for the weighing mechanism inside the box. The container for collecting rainwater would be centered on top of these strips.
The top and sides of the box can be removed, revealing a large square black box in the middle, as well as a set of nested boxes on the side opposite the roll of paper. These boxes, which are quite rusted, may or may not have been the containers for collecting the precipitation. In addition, the inside of the box reveals thick metal strips that connect some components (such as the black box to the nestled boxes, or the nestled boxes to the recording mechanism), as well as rocks, presumably for ballast.
The lid to the large square black box can as well be removed, revealing what looks like the weighing mechanism.
A dark green rectangular box, help up by four small feet. On one of the short sides, a panel covered in (now broken) glass inside of which can be seen a roll of paper.
The top of the box, near each of the two short sides, features a handle. Each of these sections, when pulled by the handle, swings up and out. The middle section is sunken somewhat; from there emerge two criss-crossing strips, which serve as the platform for the weighing mechanism inside the box. The container for collecting rainwater would be centered on top of these strips.
The top and sides of the box can be removed, revealing a large square black box in the middle, as well as a set of nested boxes on the side opposite the roll of paper. These boxes, which are quite rusted, may or may not have been the containers for collecting the precipitation. In addition, the inside of the box reveals thick metal strips that connect some components (such as the black box to the nestled boxes, or the nestled boxes to the recording mechanism), as well as rocks, presumably for ballast.
The lid to the large square black box can as well be removed, revealing what looks like the weighing mechanism.
Signedunsigned
InscribedHandwritten on recording drum paper: Belongs with the / Rotch 1 / Recording Rain Gauge
FunctionMeteorologists and hydrologists use precipitation gauges to gather and measure rain and snow. This particular gauge features a weighing and recording mechanism to describe the amount and duration of the precipitation.
Historical AttributesRecording rain and snow gauge designed by A. Lawrence Rotch (founder of Blue Hill Meteorological Observatory). Put in use March 1886. First instrument to successfully record water equivalent of snowfall. From Blue Hill Meteorological Observatory (#132)
Sterling P. Fergusson
Date: date 1888
Accessories: Instruction pamphlet
Object number: 1996-1-0088
Iomec, Incorporated - Digitronics Division
Date: circa 1974
Accessories: paper punch-tape program stored in a plastic bag with the instrument
Object number: 1998-1-0017
Percy Williams Bridgman
Date: 1928-1957
Accessories: two small rectangular cardboard boxes
three small round cardboard boxes
one large round cardboard box
Object number: 1999-1-0045b
Hammond Typewriter Company
Date: circa 1923
Accessories: four Hammond type shuttles for different type faces, each with a wooden storage box; four laminated paper rectangles with symbol placement guide; instruction book, instruction sheets, advertisements, and correspondence (in object file)
Object number: 1996-1-0373
Julien P. Friez & Sons
Date: 1913-1929
Accessories: The following information for supplies was found on a metal plate under the collection tank on the top of the base: "Acc'y CAT# CHART; 1015, INK # 10, PEN # 3, CAT: 402. JULIEN FRIEZE AND SONS BELFORT OBSERVATORY - BALTIMORE, MD"
Object number: RS0316
George Erle Beggs
Date: early 20th-mid 20th Century
Accessories: 6 deformeter gauges;
22 plugs;
2 cylindrical plastic boxes containing screws and metal strips for fastening the ends of the structure;
metal stylus;
2 metal pins;
2 celluloid wedges;
1 rectangular celluloid piece with a wedge coming out of one end
Object number: 1999-1-0064
Richard W. Thomas
Date: circa 1861
Accessories: bottle and beaker (1998-1-1634a); hydrometer and manual (1998-1-1634b)
Object number: 1998-1-1634
George Gilbert Rakestraw
Date: circa 1890
Accessories: none
Object number: 2004-1-0325c
Reynolds Metal Company
Date: circa 1944
Accessories: see Description for itemized list
Object number: 1997-1-0796a
See also/See also
