"Ready for sounding!", historical reconstruction film of a hydrographic survey in the early 1800s

This short film explains how the depth of the ocean was measured to make nautical charts during La Fayette’s time.

The Shom is the heir of the first national hydrographic service, the Dépôt des cartes et plans de la Marine, created in 1720.
Production by ECPAD, with the support of the Amicale des hydrographes, the Hermione - La Fayette association and the Ecole navale.

 A minute is a document used to prepare marine maps. It shows measured depths.
Minute of Gravelines (Hauts-de-France), 1879 

This movie (above) by the Shom has been produced on the occasion of the celebration of 300 years of French hydrography anniversary.

France was the first nation to establish a national hydrographic service.

On 19 Novembre 1720, was created the Dépôt des cartes et plans de la marine, which is Shom's precursor.