Patent model for Francis B. Ogden and John Ericsson, “Sea Sounding Apparatus,” U.S. Patent 287 (July 19, 1837). At the time of this invention, Francis Barger Ogden (1783-1857) was serving as the U.S. Consul at Liverpool. John Ericsson (1803-1889), an inventor from Sweden, was also working in England; he would later move to the United States and be honored for his contributions to steam engines and screw propellers.