Naval telescope

An image showing 'Naval telescope - inscription'

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This is typical of the telescopes used on board ship in the 19th century. The tapering barrel is covered in leather and has a panel showing signalling flags used by ships at this time. There is a single brass draw tube and brass fittings, including a cap for the objective lens.

The draw tube has the maker's name inscribed as 'Berge London / Late J Ramsden'. The brass collar around the barrel has the following inscription: 'Honble W. Cust / THE GIFT OF THE / Honble St A.H. Legge'.

The panel of flag codes dates from about 1850. It was produced by Janet Taylor (1804-70), a gifted astronomer and author and one of the very few women working as scientific instrument makers in London in the 19th century. She also made AST0920.

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Object Details

ID:	NAV1582
Collection:	Astronomical and navigational instruments
Type:	Naval telescope
Display location:	Not on display
Creator:	Berge, Matthew; Taylor, Janet
Date made:	circa 1810
People:	Cust, W; Legge, A K
Credit:	National Maritime Museum, Greenwich, London
Measurements:	Length: 651 mm (closed), 796 mm (fully extended); Diameter: 56 mm (max.)
Parts:	Naval telescope Telescope objective cap (NAV1582.1) Telescope eyepiece cap (NAV1582.2) Telescope draw tube (NAV1582.3)