Lord Campbell’s first-person account in "Log-Letters from the 'Challenger'" offers a personal and subjective perspective on the Challenger expedition, presenting his individual experiences, thoughts, and emotions during the journey. In contrast, "The Voyage of the Challenger" serves as a secondary source that compiles factual information and findings from the expedition, emphasizing the scientific goals, methodologies, and discoveries, such as the measurement of the Challenger Deep. For example, while Campbell may describe the challenges faced during rough weather in a personal manner, the secondary source outlines the technical aspects of sample collection at 362 planned data collection stations. This distinction highlights how Campbell’s account brings a human element to the expedition, whereas the secondary source focuses on the collective achievements and contributions to oceanography.
Passage 1
The Voyage of the Challenger
1
On December 21, 1872, an unusual ship departed Portsmouth,
England, ready to make science history. The Challenger had been a warship of the British Royal Navy. Now it was a floating scientific research vessel. The ship was outfitted with equipment for collecting samples from the world’s oceans, and with laboratories for analyzing and preserving them. On board were 23 naval officers, doctors, and engineers; 6 civilian scientists (including an official artist); and more than 200 crew members. Over the next three and a half years, the Challenger
team would travel almost 69,000 nautical miles (128,000 km;
80,000 mi.). The voyage would take them to every ocean region except the Arctic.
2
Sponsors of the voyage wanted to learn more about marine life forms. They also wanted to know more about the oceans’ geography, especially the deepest bottom. The first telegraph cable had been laid across the Atlantic sea floor in 1858. Increased knowledge would help in planning for more cables.
3
The Challenger mostly used sail power, switching to engines for more precise control. This was especially important at the 362 planned data collection stations. At each station, the team collected certain information.
• They measured the depth using sounding lines (weighted
ropes).
• They measured the temperature and collected water
samples at different depths.
• They collected soil, plant, and animal samples, mostly by
dredging and trawling.
• They determined the direction and speed of surface
currents. They also tried to get this information at different
depths.
• They made detailed notes about weather and climate.
4
Sometimes weather conditions interrupted this work. Collecting samples in rough weather could be difficult. This weather sometimes delayed collecting, but despite rough weather, the scientists worked hard and managed to collect many samples. The Challenger brought back an astounding collection of samples and information. This collection revealed
many new facts about the oceans and confirmed earlier observations. The samples included a number of previously unknown species.
5
One historic discovery occurred on March 23, 1875. The crew took a sounding of 4,475 fathoms—more than five miles! It was the greatest depth ever measured up to that point. The location was about 200 miles southwest of Guam, in the Pacific Ocean. Today that area is known as the Challenger Deep. It is the deepest part of any ocean. Modern measurements place its depth at about 11,000 meters (36,200 feet).
6
After the Challenger’s return to England on May 24, 1876, a large group of scientists began the work of figuring out what had been learned. They analyzed specimens and data. They read expedition members’ notes. They looked at the artist’s drawings. Their final report was 29,500 pages in 50 volumes and took 23 years to produce.
7
Oceans cover most of Earth’s surface. The Challenger expedition contributed immensely to our understanding of the oceans’ mysterious depths and the life they contain. The expedition is considered the beginning of modern oceanography.
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1
17
Navigate to stimulus at position 18
4/11 Unit 8 Assessment
Stimulus for questions at positions: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17
The following text applies to the questions at positions 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17
Instructions
Read the passages and answer the questions that follow.
The Voyage of the Challenger
Passage 1
The Voyage of the Challenger
Screenshot 2025-03-26 at 3.18.51 PM.png
1
On December 21, 1872, an unusual ship departed Portsmouth,
England, ready to make science history. The Challenger had been a warship of the British Royal Navy. Now it was a floating scientific research vessel. The ship was outfitted with equipment for collecting samples from the world’s oceans, and with laboratories for analyzing and preserving them. On board were 23 naval officers, doctors, and engineers; 6 civilian scientists (including an official artist); and more than 200 crew members. Over the next three and a half years, the Challenger
team would travel almost 69,000 nautical miles (128,000 km;
80,000 mi.). The voyage would take them to every ocean region except the Arctic.
2
Sponsors of the voyage wanted to learn more about marine life forms. They also wanted to know more about the oceans’ geography, especially the deepest bottom. The first telegraph cable had been laid across the Atlantic sea floor in 1858. Increased knowledge would help in planning for more cables.
3
The Challenger mostly used sail power, switching to engines for more precise control. This was especially important at the 362 planned data collection stations. At each station, the team collected certain information.
• They measured the depth using sounding lines (weighted
ropes).
• They measured the temperature and collected water
samples at different depths.
• They collected soil, plant, and animal samples, mostly by
dredging and trawling.
• They determined the direction and speed of surface
currents. They also tried to get this information at different
depths.
• They made detailed notes about weather and climate.
4
Sometimes weather conditions interrupted this work. Collecting samples in rough weather could be difficult. This weather sometimes delayed collecting, but despite rough weather, the scientists worked hard and managed to collect many samples. The Challenger brought back an astounding collection of samples and information. This collection revealed
many new facts about the oceans and confirmed earlier observations. The samples included a number of previously unknown species.
5
One historic discovery occurred on March 23, 1875. The crew took a sounding of 4,475 fathoms—more than five miles! It was the greatest depth ever measured up to that point. The location was about 200 miles southwest of Guam, in the Pacific Ocean. Today that area is known as the Challenger Deep. It is the deepest part of any ocean. Modern measurements place its depth at about 11,000 meters (36,200 feet).
6
After the Challenger’s return to England on May 24, 1876, a large group of scientists began the work of figuring out what had been learned. They analyzed specimens and data. They read expedition members’ notes. They looked at the artist’s drawings. Their final report was 29,500 pages in 50 volumes and took 23 years to produce.
7
Oceans cover most of Earth’s surface. The Challenger expedition contributed immensely to our understanding of the oceans’ mysterious depths and the life they contain. The expedition is considered the beginning of modern oceanography.
Definitions:
1. sounding: depth measurement
2. dredging: collecting samples by dragging a scraper along the sea bottom
3. trawling: collecting samples by dragging a net through water
Passage 2
Excerpt from Log-Letters from the “Challenger”
by Lord George G. Campbell
Now:
Essay
2 points
Question at position 17
You have read two passages about the Challenger expedition of 1872–76.
What makes Lord Campbell’s first-person account different from the secondary source, “The Voyage of the Challenger”? Write three to four sentences to explain. Use details from both passages to support your ideas.
1 answer