Liquid compass and binnacle

Bowl - Dia: 8.75" (22.2cm). black painted brass, filler plug at side, two expansion chambers at side, bottom of bowl glazed. Fitted with a heavy balancing ring at base. Inside of bowl painted white with a black lubber line painted on side. Mounted in gimbal ring 10.8" (27.7cm) dia.
Card- Dia: 7.5" (19cm) white painted mica(?) with black markings, graduated to 1/4 points and to 360 degs. Attached to a white painted float at centre.
Needle- Two needles of circular section 5.5" (14cm) long, mounted on either side of float.
Pivot- Pivot stem, mounted at centre of bridge , at base of bowl engages in high-domed jewelled pivot cup carried at centre of underside of float.
Binnacle-Dia of base:15.75" (40cm); centre 5.5" (14cm); top 14.4" (36.5cm). Grey apinted brass and contains four vertical magnets in tubes placed at the corners of a rectangle measuring 4.5" (11.5cm) x 2" (5cm). A tube is fitted each side for the reception of cylindrical D correctors. Fitted with flat glazed top.

Object Details

ID: ACO0719
Type: Liquid compass and binnacle
Display location: Not on display
Creator: Boosman, W.
Date made: circa 1900
Credit: National Maritime Museum, Greenwich, London, Admiralty Compass Observatory
Measurements: Overall: 710 mm x 430 mm x 750 mm x 59 kg