Metal rods with loops at the ends joining each other with brass
tallies (markers) at regular intervals along the length, brass handles
at either end of chain, held together with leather strap.
13/10/99 See information file.
Digital image on Keeper’s computer – S:/Keeper/MyPictures/Exhibitions/DisplayNewVisitorCentre. Taken October 2003.
Exhibition Label Text: Surveying chain, c. 1900. A surveying chain was used to measure distances ungerground.
The brass tags, called tallies guided the measurements of the surveyor because each one indicated a set
distance from the end of the chain. A surveying chain measured exactly one chain in length. A chain was a unit of measurement equivalent to 66 feet or 20 meters. A mile (1.5 km) was divided up into 80 chains.