Naval telescope

This navigational telescope has a tapering wooden barrel and a single brass draw tube. The brass fittings include an objective lens cap and a sliding eyepiece cover. The maker's name is inscribed on the draw tube as 'Berge London / late Ramsden'. This refers to Matthew Berge (died 1819), who worked for the famous London instrument maker, Jesse Ramsden (1735-1800). Berge took over the firm after Ramsden's death.

Inside the lens cap there is also a printed label with instructions from the maker: 'The small scratch marks upon each of the glasses are to shew their appropriate sides; which after cleaning are to be placed together and then put into the cell, with the convex glass towards the object. But the object glass should never be taken assunder, unless absolutely necessary.'

Object Details

ID: NAV1569
Collection: Astronomical and navigational instruments
Type: Naval telescope
Display location: Not on display
Creator: Berge, Matthew
Date made: circa 1810
Credit: National Maritime Museum, Greenwich, London
Measurements: Overall: 962 mm; Diameter: 62 mm