Telescope support
This telescope support is attached to a crow's nest (AAA4312) that was taken from HMS 'Discovery'. It would have allowed the sailor on watch to keep his telescope steady as he looked through it.
In 1875, the 'Discovery' and the 'Alert' were placed under the command of George Nares (baptised 1831, died 1915), who was instructed to lead a Royal Navy expedition to the North Pole and 'for the advancement of science and natural knowledge’. Although the expedition was cut short due to an outbreak of scurvy and returned home in 1876, some of the party managed to reach the furthest point north achieved up to that date.
In 1875, the 'Discovery' and the 'Alert' were placed under the command of George Nares (baptised 1831, died 1915), who was instructed to lead a Royal Navy expedition to the North Pole and 'for the advancement of science and natural knowledge’. Although the expedition was cut short due to an outbreak of scurvy and returned home in 1876, some of the party managed to reach the furthest point north achieved up to that date.
Object Details
| ID: | AAA3993 |
|---|---|
| Collection: | Astronomical and navigational instruments; Polar Equipment and Relics |
| Type: | Telescope support |
| Display location: | Not on display |
| Creator: | Unknown |
| Events: | Arctic Exploration: North Pole expedition, Nares, 1875-1876 |
| Vessels: | Discovery (1873) |
| Date made: | 1875 |
| Credit: | National Maritime Museum, Greenwich, London |
| Measurements: | Overall: 158 mm x 483 mm x 30 mm |