Depth of the Ocean

Join Our Community of Science Lovers!


On supporting science journalism

If you're enjoying this article, consider supporting our award-winning journalism by subscribing. By purchasing a subscription you are helping to ensure the future of impactful stories about the discoveries and ideas shaping our world today.


Captain Denham, Royal Navy, now prosecuting a scientific voyage, recently read a paper at the Royal Society, in which the deepest sounding of the ocean ever made was recorded. On the passage from Rio de Janeiro to the Cape of Good Hope, in 36, 49, south latitude, and 27, 6, west longitude, on a calm day, the ocean was ascertained to be 7,706 fathoms deep, or 7 7 geographical miles. C. L. Chatten, Esq., of Camden, S. C, will please accept our thanks for a barrel of delicious sweet potatoes received from him a few days since. They came in good condition and were excellent specimens of South Carolina growth.

Scientific American Magazine Vol 8 Issue 26This article was published with the title “Depth of the Ocean” in Scientific American Magazine Vol. 8 No. 26 (), p. 206
doi:10.1038/scientificamerican03121853-206b

It’s Time to Stand Up for Science

If you enjoyed this article, I’d like to ask for your support. Scientific American has served as an advocate for science and industry for 180 years, and right now may be the most critical moment in that two-century history.

I’ve been a Scientific American subscriber since I was 12 years old, and it helped shape the way I look at the world. SciAm always educates and delights me, and inspires a sense of awe for our vast, beautiful universe. I hope it does that for you, too.

If you subscribe to Scientific American, you help ensure that our coverage is centered on meaningful research and discovery; that we have the resources to report on the decisions that threaten labs across the U.S.; and that we support both budding and working scientists at a time when the value of science itself too often goes unrecognized.

In return, you get essential news, captivating podcasts, brilliant infographics, can't-miss newsletters, must-watch videos, challenging games, and the science world's best writing and reporting. You can even gift someone a subscription.

There has never been a more important time for us to stand up and show why science matters. I hope you’ll support us in that mission.

Thank you,

David M. Ewalt, Editor in Chief, Scientific American

Subscribe