Simple traverse boards were used in northern Europe by the 16th century to keep a record of a ship’s movements. They were circular and had a series of holes along lines marking the 32 points of the compass. Pegs were attached to the board by string and placed in the correct hole for the course being steered, normally one hole for each half hour of the watch, as measured by a sand-glass. At the end of each watch the records were written down, usually by the ship’s master, and the pegs pulled out ready for the next watch. The circular section of this traverse board has eight holes along each compass point.

Later versions, like this one, also had a series of holes along the bottom to record the ship’s speed, which was measured with a log and line. This traverse board was found at Traigh Eais on the island of Barra in 1844.