This yacht compass is made of brass with a lamp holder on the side of the cover for lighting the compass card at night. The card is made of mica with a central float and is marked in points. The card is mounted on a hinged bracket, part of which acts as a lubber line. This design of liquid compass was patented by W.F. Renolds in 1874 (patent number 101). The patent was for a compass with a vertical or near-vertical card, but this has been replaced in this example, which was used on the royal yacht ‘Victoria and Albert’ until 1902.