Liquid compass

Liquid compass

Bowl: Dia 7.1" (18.0 cm) Brown plastic, filler plug at side, expansion chamber at base. A heavy weight is fitted to base. Fitted with a brass verge ring, graduated to 360 deg and a hemispherical verge glass. An electric lamp is fitted in a plastic ring below verge ring. Hinged slabs of soft iron are mounted below verge ring, for quadrantal correction. Inside of bowl brown plastic with four lubber lines carried on white plastic strips attached to side of bowl.

Card: White plastic annular ring with black markings, graduated to 360 deg, N point indicated by a rayed globe. Attached by four plastic struts to a black plastic float.

Needle: Two needles enclosed in plastic, mounted below float.

Pivot: Unsighted but believed to consist of an inverted pivot with the jewel supported by a spring.

O.A. Height 9.8" (25 cm)

Object Details

ID: ACO0523
Type: Liquid compass
Display location: Not on display
Creator: Plath, C.
Date made: 1945
Credit: National Maritime Museum, Greenwich, London, Admiralty Compass Observatory
Measurements: Overall: 250 mm; Diameter: 350 mm x 15.65 kg