This set would be used during enquiries into collisions and incidents at sea, allowing the incident in question to be modelled for those present. 'Yearly County Court Practice’ (1912) describes the colliograph as “of great use” in collision cases, and its potential use in cases relating to salvage and towage. The ‘Dictionary of Scientific Instruments’ (1921) suggests that the colliograph was used in Admiralty Courts. From the mid-19th century there was an increasing framework of regulation around collisions at sea, particularly because of the speed and manoeuvrability of steam ships. The complexity of some collisions meant that being able to model them was of considerable help to an Enquiry. The set includes different types of vessels, a board, and pointers to show wind and current in a fitted box. It is missing two compass discs and a scale bar.