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 but most of the pegs are now missing. The board is shaped so that the handle is at the top.

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 example has nine columns, each with four holes.

According to a family story, this example was taken from a French ship at Trafalgar by Captain George Duff. Duff was in command of the 'Mars' and was killed in the action. His 13-year-old son, Midshipman Norwich Duff (later Vice-Admiral), was serving in the same ship, however, and it is possible he acquired the traverse board at this time, in particular because it appears that the French commander-in-chief and his staff surrendered to the 'Mars'. The possibility of it being a French example is supported by the markings of the compass points.