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Recording compass
In 1848, David and James Napier took out a patent for a type of compass which kept a permanent record of the direction of the ship's head, as indicated by the compass needle. A circle of squared paper was placed over the compass card and a clockwork mechanism cause d apin to make a hole in the card at three minute intervals, automatically recording the direction. This enabled an accurate record of the course to be transferred to a chart.
The compass bowl is held in a highly decorative brass gimbal with an elaborate sea serpent on each side.
The compass bowl is held in a highly decorative brass gimbal with an elaborate sea serpent on each side.
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Object Details
| ID: | NAV0254 |
|---|---|
| Type: | Recording compass |
| Display location: | Not on display |
| Creator: | Napier, David |
| Vessels: | Great Western fl.1838 |
| Date made: | 1848 |
| Credit: | National Maritime Museum, Greenwich, London, Caird Collection |
| Measurements: | Overall: 270 mm x 290 mm x 310 mm |
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