system and method for measuring shear strength and viscosity of sediments that extends both the maximum rotational rate attainable and the maximum torque sustainable , and includes a high data acquisition rate and data storage . also a method of making an apparatus , and method of using the apparatus for accurately measuring , peak , evolution , and residual values of the undrained shear strength , yield , and viscous and plastic flow characteristics of cohesive sediments at various pre - set and variable values of the rotational velocity of a vane sensor .