United States Navy use of Hydrometer in the 1800s

In the 1800s, the United States Navy utilized hydrometers for various purposes, primarily related to the measurement of the specific gravity of liquids, particularly water and other fluids used on ships. Key uses included: 1. **Determining Water Salinity**: Hydrometers were used to measure the salinity of seawater, which is important for navigation, understanding the ship's buoyancy, and naval operations.