Artificial Gyroscopic Horizon

A brass case containing a gyroscope with glass through the body of the gyroscope displaying a series of horizontal lines, which appear as a constant horizontal line of reference when the gyro is spun by an air pump. The artificial horizon is fitted to a sextant or quintant in the line of sight.

The artificial horizon is contained in a fitted wooden carrying box with a brass plate on the front inscribed ‘Service Hydrographique Horizon Gyroscopique dans le vide de l’Amiral G. Fleuriais N° 9, A. Demichel a Paris’.

Designed by Admiral Georges Ernest Fleuriais (1840-95) in 1886 for use with a sextant or quintant, which is missing. A later version of the complete instrument is in the collection, NAV1239.

Object Details

ID: ACO1514
Collection: Astronomical and navigational instruments
Type: Artificial Gyroscopic Horizon
Display location: Not on display
Creator: Demichel, A.
Date made: ca. 1890
Credit: National Maritime Museum, Greenwich, London, Admiralty Compass Observatory
Measurements: Overall: 115 mm x 85 mm x 70 mm
Parts: Artificial Gyroscopic Horizon
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