Boat's Liquid Compass and Binnacle

Boat's liquid compass

Bowl: Black painted brass with a heavy weight at bottom, filler plug at side, expansion chamber at base.Inside of bowl painted white with a black lubber line painted on the side. Mounted in a gimbal ring fitted with a locking mechanism, and attached to sides of binnacle.

Card: 4.75" (12.0 cm) dia. White painted mica with black markings, graduated to quarter points.

Needle: Unsighted.

Pivot: Unsighted.

Binnacle: partly of wood partly of metal, the upper part being in the form of a pyramid. A circular window is fitted in top for taking rough bearings and this is provided with a brass cover. A candle lamp is provided, two alternative mounting positions are provided one on either side of the binnacle, and a stowing position for the lamp is provided on the fore side. Two lashing rings are fitted on the sides and a door gives access to the bowl recess, inside which is a device for locking the bowl, also a tube to carry a spare candle.

OA height 15.0" (38.2 cm)

Object Details

ID: ACO1317
Type: Boat's Liquid Compass and Binnacle
Display location: Not on display
Creator: Edward John Dent & Co.
Date made: 1896
Credit: National Maritime Museum, Greenwich, London, Admiralty Compass Observatory
Measurements: Overall: 340 mm x 295 mm x 215 mm