Fun Fact - the Origin of the Name “Blake Plateau”
Put together by Aaron Martin (a human)
Written by ChatGPT (not a human).
Edited by Savannah Evans (also a human)
Pictures from Wikipedia, history.navy.mil, and ngs.noaa.gov
Cover photo by Ranpeng Li (maybe a human)
Aaron and Savannah, human authors of this blog post.
The Blake Plateau derives its name from a historical maritime expedition that took place in 1873 when the United States Coast and Geodetic Survey (USC&GS) Steam and Sail Schooner, The George S. Blake, embarked on a scientific voyage to investigate the geology of the Atlantic Ocean's continental slope and deep-sea basins. Led by Commander Richard W. Meade, this pioneering expedition aimed to chart uncharted waters and gather data on the marine environment.
The USC&GS George S. Blake was named in honor of Commodore George Smith Blake (b.March 5, 1802 – d.June 24, 1871). Commodore Blake was a distinguished and influential figure in the early history of the United States Navy and was Superintendent of the United States Naval Academy from 1857 to 1865. He adroitly guided the U. S. Naval Academy through the Civil War when he recognized the dangers the Naval Academy faced being located in Annapolis and successfully had it relocated to Newport, Rhode Island, for the duration of the war.
During its Southeastern Atlantic Coast expedition, the USC&GS George S. Blake made significant discoveries, including the identification and exploration of a submarine plateau that was given the name "Blake Plateau" in honor of the ship and its dedicated crew. The naming of the plateau recognized the Blake's crucial role in advancing our understanding of the Atlantic Ocean's bathymetry, highlighting the importance of maritime exploration and scientific research during that era. The Coast Survey Steamer Blake was unique in the annals of oceanography. It is likely that more major innovations were made aboard the Blake than on any other ship of the 19th Century including usage of the first steel wire bathymeter, the Sigsbee Sounding Machine.
The Sigsbee Sounding Machine, seen here attached to the USC&GS Blake, is named after its inventor, Lieutenant Charles D. Sigsbee of the United States Navy. It was a revolutionary oceanographic instrument that greatly improved the accuracy and efficiency of ocean depth measurements in the late 19th century. Developed in the late 1870s, the Sigsbee Sounding Machine utilized a steel piano wire, which could be lowered into the water with a weight attached to it. As the wire descended, it would record the depth by means of a rotating drum that was turned by a falling weight, leaving a permanent record of the depth profile. This invention marked a significant advancement in bathymetry, enabling researchers and explorers to create more detailed and accurate charts of the ocean floor.
The USC&GS was the first scientific agency of the United States Government. Established in 1807 by President Thomas Jefferson as the Survey of the Coast, the agency was tasked with conducting comprehensive surveys of the American coastline and mapping its interior territories. Over its long history, the organization evolved and adapted to the changing needs of the nation, conducting hydrographic surveys, charting coastal waters, and contributing significantly to the development of geodetic science. The USC&GS's dedication to precision and scientific rigor laid the foundation for modern mapping, navigation and our understanding of the Earth's shape and dimensions. In 1970, it merged with the Environmental Science Services Administration (ESSA) to become the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), continuing its mission of serving as a vital steward of the nation's marine and atmospheric resources.
Blog edited by Ranpeng Li
